New Beginnings New Pastor has asked me to communicate this New Link to avoid confusion...

http://www.newbeginningsrr.org/

update on Pastor Paul and Holly

To Catch up on what God is doing at New Beginnings Christian Center call the church at 541.582.0563 or email Pastor Lorin at rraglorin@uci.net...



To keep following Pastor Paul's blog go to http://www.cornerstonefellowshipag.blogspot.com/...
This is a picture of Pastor Paul and Holly's new church in Nebraska:

Pastor Lorin & Jan Short: Interim Pastors

There is so much comfort in knowing that my home church is in good hands during the transition! I deeply love and appreciate these two angels!

Our Final Sunday

What a special momento! Thank you all for signing this amazing quilt!

Whoever thought of this gift truly blessed us!

We know how to POTLUCK!

Auntie Sue shared her glasses with my son, so cute!

He loves to grab glasses off of unsuspecting faces...

Here's the notes from today's Sermon:

I like to start with something funny: A pastor decided that a visual demonstration would add emphasis to his Sunday sermon. Four worms were placed into four separate jars. The first worm was put into a jar of alcohol. The second worm was put into a jar of cigarette smoke. The third worm was put into a jar of chocolate syrup. The fourth worm was put into a jar of good clean soil. At the conclusion of the Sermon, the Minister reported the following results: The first worm in alcohol - Dead. The second worm in cigarette smoke - Dead. Third worm in chocolate syrup - Dead. Fourth worm in good clean soil - Alive. So the Minister asked the congregation, "What can you learn from this demonstration?"
A little old woman in the back quickly raised her hand and said, "As long as you drink, smoke and eat chocolate, you won't have worms…

Oops, that backfired!

I pray the sermons I’ve preached over the last almost 6 years haven’t all backfired!

Please have patience with me as I struggle through my final sermon as your pastor….Because Rogue River is home, every decision, every activity, good or bad has been rather emotional…I truly believe this change is under the Lord’s clear direction. It’s the right timing for my family and for our church.It is time for me to step out of the way… the Lord is preparing a new pastor to take you further in your new beginning…

When the Lord led me to pastor my home church I preached a sermon series based on my mission verse:1 Timothy 4:12…Let no one despise thy youth, but be an example for the believers in word, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. (it applies to old people too)

Today I conclude my final sermon series based on my life verse: Proverbs 3:5&6…Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your steps.

We already looked closely at the first two steps that allow God to truly direct your steps: trusting with all your heart and leaning not on your own understanding…Today we focus in on In all your ways acknowledge Him…
Let’s turn again to Proverbs 3 in our Bibles…

I could preach for months out of this chapter!

SO MUCH FOOD FOR THE SOUL

He will direct our steps when: 1. we trust in the Lord with all our heart 2. we lean not on our own understanding and 3. in all our ways acknowledge Him…

I’ve really enjoyed what we have learned with our Hebrew word studies…

(if you need to catch up visit my blog)

Today’s Hebrew word here in Prov 3 verse 6 for acknowledge is:

OH THIS IS SO GOOD

yada: the root meaning is TO KNOW

aware, care, chosen, clearly understand, cohabit, comprehend, concern, consider, declare, discern, disciplined, discovered, distinguish, experienced, familiar friend, find, gain, have, knowledge, informed, instruct, intimate friends, investigate, know for certain, notice, observe, perceive, realize, recognize, predict, provide, take notice, teach…

my blood is starting to boil

wake up church

in all your ways acknowledge Him

KNOW HIM

Let’s go back to Prov 3 verse 19

The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding He established the heavens; By His knowledge the depths were broken up, and clouds drop down the dew…

Did you hear what I just heard?

Knowing Him gives access to things beyond measure!

We have membership to God’s premiere country club, we’re talking about the Creator of the Universe!

AN ALL ACCESS PASS

Helen Parks writes…My Declaration of Dependence

I am free from failure, because I am DEPENDENT upon Jesus' strengthening me, enabling me to do all things. Phil. 4:13

I am free from want, because I am DEPENDENT upon Jesus to supply all my need according to his riches in glory. Phil. 4:19

I am free from fear, because I am DEPENDENT upon Jesus for the spirit of power, and of love, and of a sound mind that He has given me. 2 Tim. 1:7
I am free from bitterness, because I am DEPENDENT upon Jesus' forgiveness, who said, "If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will forgive your trespasses." Matt. 6:14

I am free from weakness, because I am DEPENDENT upon Jesus' strength which He daily gives me (Psa. 27:1), and His joy, which is my strength. Neh. 8:10

I am free from the power of Satan, because I am DEPENDENT upon the One who lives within me, who is greater than he that is in the world. 1John 4:4

I am free from defeat, because I am DEPENDENT upon Jesus, who always causes me to triumph. 2 Cor. 2:14

I am free from ignorance, because I am DEPENDENT upon Jesus, who has been made wisdom to me from God. 1 Cor. 1:30

I am free from sin, because I am totally DEPENDENT upon Jesus' Blood, which continually cleanses me from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:7

I am free from worry, because I am DEPENDENT upon Jesus, who tells me to cast ALL my care upon Him. 1 Peter 5:7

I am free from all evil, because I am DEPENDENT upon Jesus, who gives His angels charge over me, to keep me in all my ways. Psa. 91:11

I am free from ever being alone, because I am DEPENDENT upon Jesus, who says, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee." Heb. 13:5

Conclusion:All these things AND MUCH MORE being true, I hereby make my DECLARATION OF DEPENDENCEON JESUS and thereby declare myself FREE! Because Jesus said, "If the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed." John 8:36 GLORY

Ok back to Prov 3 this time verse 21

My son, let them not depart from your eyes – keep sound wisdom and discretion; So they will be life to your soul and grace to your neck. (lets keep going)

verse 23Then you will walk safely in your way, and your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid; Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet
Knowing Him helps you sleep at night

even when you feel like your stumblingdon’t be afraid…

lets keep going, verse 25

Do not be afraid of sudden terror, Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; for the Lord will be your confidence, And will keep your foot from being caught
Listen to the Prince of Peace

in all your ways acknowledge Him

He will keep your foot from being caught

What does that really look like in a Christians life?

I think this author found out

Joseph Mazzella writes…GOOD FRUITS OR SOUR GRAPES

I have noticed something recently. I am not as angry as I used to be. I am not as grouchy either. I don’t complain nearly as much as I used to. I am not as worried or afraid as I once was. I can’t think of anyone or anything that I really hate either. Now I don’t think it is because I have mellowed with age. Quite frankly, I am not that old yet. Besides I know people a lot older than me who are a lot grouchier. I also know people a lot younger than me who are already way more mellow than I will ever be. Maybe it is that I just don’t have as much room for those things inside me anymore.
When life squeezes you, what is on the inside comes out. If you are full of sour grapes then you will give the world vinegar. If you are full of good fruits then you will give the world orange juice. Maybe my good fruits are finally ripening while my sour grapes are dying on the vine. Maybe I am finally gardening my soul the way that God wants me to.
One thing I do know, however, is that the more you fill your heart, soul, and mind with love and thankfulness the less room there is for anything else. The more you love God, yourself, and others the less room there is for anger and hate. The more you thank God for your life and every good thing in it the less room there is for fear and worry. The more good fruits you plant and care for the less room there is for sour grapes in the garden of your life.
May you always fill your heart, soul, and mind with wonderful love and glorious gratitude then. May you always feel God’s perfect love hugging your heart and uplifting your soul. May you always be so full of the good fruits of love, joy, and thankfulness that not a single sour grape can be squeezed out of you. Remember, you are the gardener and your life is the harvest. Plant well, water often, and always invite others to the feast.
That sounds like acknowledging Him in all your ways…

One more look at Prov 3 verse 27

Do not withhold good from those whom it is due, When it is in the power of your hand to do so
Knowing Him makes you generous

For once you’ve experienced His amazing grace you cannot help but share the wealth!
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your steps…

My favorite part of last night...

I had the privilege of hanging out with the kids yesterday before the amazing concert.
My favorite part was devotions just before the service.
You should have heard these children pray...LIFE CHANGING!
I've decided I want to join the african childrens choir when I grow up!

What an AMAZING Evening! The African Children's Choir filled our church with energy, heart, harmony, and so much more!

visit: http://www.africanchildrenschoir.com/

Lean not on your own understanding...He will direct your steps (sermon notes)

Like to start with something funny:
This hasn’t much to do with today’s sermon but I couldn’t pass it up…
Top 10 reasons God Created Eve:
10. God worried that Adam would always be lost in the garden because He knew men would never ask for directions.
9. God knew that Adam would one day need someone to hand him the TV remote because men don't want to see what is on TV; they want to see WHAT ELSE is on TV.
8. God knew that Adam would never buy a new fig leaf when the seat wore out and therefore would need Eve to get one for him.
7. God knew that Adam would never make a doctor's appt for himself.
6. God knew that Adam would never remember which night was garbage night.
5. God knew that if the world was to be populated there would have to be someone to bear children because men would never be able to handle it.
4. As Keeper of the Garden Adam would never remember where he put his tools.
3. According to Scripture, Adam needed someone to blame his troubles on when God caught him hiding in the garden.
2. As the Bible says, "It is not good for man to be alone", he only ends up getting himself in trouble.
And the NUMBER ONE reason...
1. When God finished the creation of Adam he stepped back, scratched his head and said, "I can do better than that."

Please have patience with me as I struggle through my final sermon series as your pastor…
Because Rogue River is home, every decision, every activity, good or bad has been rather emotional these past almost 6 years…
I truly believe this change is under the Lord’s direction.
It’s the right timing for my family and for our church.
It is time for me to get out of the way, the Lord is preparing a new pastor to take you further in your new beginning…

When the Lord led me to pastor my home church I preached a sermon series based on my mission verse:
1 Timothy 4:12…Let no one despise thy youth, but be an example for the believers in word, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. (it applies to old people too)
Today I continue my final sermon series based on my life verse: Proverbs 3:5&6…Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your steps.

Today we focus in on: Lean not on your own understanding…He will direct your steps!
Let’s go ahead and turn together to Proverbs 3 in our Bibles…

I could preach for months out of this chapter!
SO MUCH FOOD FOR THE SOUL
He will direct our steps when: 1. we trust in the Lord with all our heart 2. we lean not on our own understanding and 3. in all our ways acknowledge Him…

2 weeks ago when I did the word study on trust, batach, we learned so much (by the way it’s on my blog if you missed it) …
I decided to look into the Hebrew word for lean:

sha’an:
…lean oneself upon, rest against, pertaining to being in a resting position, because one is in a stance or position of reclining, lying or standing often against an object for support, pertaining to being in a certain place, rely on, rest in, depend, have trust and belief in an object to the point of being in jeopardy if the object of trust fails…
Man, does that preach or what!?
I have so much security in knowing that my Jesus never fails! I can lean on Him unreservedly!

this Hebrew word is also linked to sha’ah:
(this is very interesting)
immediately, suddenly, in the blink of an eye, a point of time immediately after a prior point of time, implying a virtually simultaneous action…
If that doesn’t crank your tractor, your feelers broke…

Think about it,
Leaning not on your own understanding when following the Lord Jesus should be something natural or virtually instaneous, a trust so secure that in the worst of situations, you only know how to lean on Jesus…

Look again with me at prov 3 verse 9 &10
Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase; SO your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine

Anybody need some overflow?
I’m ready LORD
But, what was the first step to overflow?
Honoring the Lord with your stuff, with His stuff, remember we’re just stewards, it all belongs to Him, Has He been receiving your firstfruits?
Don’t complain about your lack... if your not obeying his clear direction with your checkbook and calendar…

A wise woman who was traveling in the mountains found a precious stone in a stream. The next day she met another traveler who was hungry, and the wise woman opened her bag to share her food. The hungry traveler saw the precious stone and asked the woman to give it to him. She did so without hesitation.The traveler left, rejoicing in his good fortune. He knew the stone was worth enough to give him security for a lifetime. But a few days later he came back to return the stone to the wise woman. "I've been thinking," he said, "I know how valuable the stone is, but I give it back in the hope that you can give me something even more precious: Give me what you have within you that enabled you to give me the stone."

Leaning Not on your own understanding is Letting the Lord make a Giver out of you…this world doesn’t need anymore takers, this American ideal of entitlement is killing our country…

Back to Prov 3, vs 11 & 12… My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor detest His correction; For whom the Lord loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights…
I’m thinking this needs to be preached from every street corner! What’s going to happen to the next generation if parents don’t discipline? We have already seen some effects of such "enlightenment."

Leaning Not on your own understanding is Letting the Lord Discipline you and making a good parent out of you…

Nathaniel, bless his heart, is learning how to drive his Daddy crazy! Whoever named it the terrible 2’s forgot about the terrible 1’s…
I wonder if we drive our Father in Heaven crazy by ignoring his pleas for better behavior! No, seems to come out of my mouth constantly… I understand a little better why my heavenly father says thou shalt not so much!
I just love the words in verse 12…for whom the Lord loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights…
Setting boundaries is the greatest expression of love and delight! Wow, I should tour the states with that sentence, glory to God!
(Nathaniel's pumpkin story, Holly's Gparents 60th)

Calder Hendrickson writes: There was once a little boy who lived in a little town in Kansas. It was soon to be Halloween and this little boy was very anxious to go with his parents to get pumpkins. He loved carving different faces in them. So one cold Saturday morning in October his parents took their son to a pumpkin patch near their home. They arrived, and the boy jumped out of the car and went on his search for his perfect pumpkins. There were so many to chose from. The boy finally found three perfect pumpkins and he brought them into his arms and he gave them to his mother so she could buy them and he could take them home. He was so excited to go and carve these pumpkins.When he arrived at home, he asked his mother if they could start on these pumpkins. His mother replied sure.The little boy had the biggest smile on his face. He and is mother started on the first pumpkin, they took out all the seeds out of the middle and then they started to make a face. They did the same thing for the next one. But while they were starting on the last pumpkin the little boy stopped what he was doing, and he looked at his mother and said something his mother would never forget. He said mommy, these pumpkins are like us before we were Christians. His mother was very interested in what her boy had said. So she asked him to explain what he meant. The boy replied, well you see we are like these pumpkins, we are all dirty and we have all this sin inside before we accept Jesus into our lives. You see, God goes out like we did and picks us out of the whole patch and brings us into his arms and cleans us off and takes out all the junk and he puts a smile on our face and he shines through us, like when we put a candle in these pumpkins were making. God does the same thing. After all this his mother was amazed with what her son had said. She just held her son in her harms and wept. The mother never looked at pumpkins the same way again.
I’ve never been a fan of Halloween, not into celebrating evil, but God specializes in turning what was meant for evil into good, so maybe we can shine Jesus with a Halloween pumpkin…

Let’s look one more time at prov 3, this time verses 13 & 14:
Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding; for her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, and her gain than fine gold…
Leaning not on your own understanding is how you find REAL wisdom and happiness…

Our society teaches that degrees hanging on your wall or money in the bank brings wisdom and happiness, but the truth is found in our God, leaning not on your own understanding, leaning on Jesus, that’s wisdom, that’s happiness…
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your steps…

#Highlights-of-GC09

#Highlights-of-GC09

I was so blessed by these special highlights from the speakers during the 53rd General Council of the Assemblies of God in Orlando, FL...
Check out: http://www.agtv.ag.org
There's a lot of great videos at AG TV!

African Childrens Choir: Friday, November 6th, 7pm

Have I mentioned yet how EXCITED I am?! Visit: http://www.africanchildrenschoir.com/
And this link takes you right to the page our tour date is on: http://africanchildrenschoir.com/see_the_choir_tour_dates.php?tid=1

Trust in the Lord with all your heart...He will direct your steps! (sermon notes)

I Like to start with something funny:
Three boys are in the school yard bragging about their fathers. The first boy says, 'My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a poem, they give him $50.' The second boy says, 'That's nothing. My Dad scribbles a few words on piece of paper, he calls it a song, they give him $100..' The third boy says, 'I got you both beat. My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a sermon, and it takes eight people to collect all the money!'

Please have patience with me as I struggle through my final sermon series as your pastor….
Because Rogue River is home, every decision, every activity, good and bad has been rather emotional these past 6 years…
I love you all very deeply…you’ll always be in my heart!
I truly believe this change is under the Lord’s direction…It’s the right timing for my family and for our church…
Time for me to get out of the way as a new pastor takes you further in your new beginning...
Almost 6 years ago when the Lord led me to pastor my home church I preached a sermon series based on my mission verse:
1 Timothy 4:12…Let no one despise thy youth, but be an example for the believers in word, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. (it applies to old people too)
Today I begin my final sermon series based on my life verse: Proverbs 3:5&6…Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your steps.
Today we focus in on: Trust in the Lord with all your heart…He will direct your steps!

Let’s go ahead and turn together to Proverbs 3 in our Bibles…
I could preach for months out of this chapter!
SO MUCH FOOD FOR THE SOUL
Trust in the Lord with all your heart...
How?
Especially when you’ve been hurt by placing your trust in something or someone that led to failure…
Trust in the Lord with all your heart…
HOW?
If you have allowed bitterness in your heart, trust is impossible…
Trust in the LORD with all your heart…
How?
let go of the failure…learn from it…grow thru it
forgive…I’d rather love and lose than not love at all
Please remember what real success is in Jesus name!
Trust in the Lord with all your heart…
It can’t be a half-hearted thing
God wants every part of you or nothing at all
You want God to direct your path?
You want favor, wisdom, blessing, hope, peace?
Trust in the LORD with all your heart…
That one area you’re holding back from Him has got to be loosed now in Jesus name, or you will stay stuck…

Look at Proverbs 3 again
verse 1
my son, do not forget my law,
but let your heart keep my commands
There it is
The #1 way to Trust in the Lord with all your heart
FEED ON THE WORD CONSTANTLY
why?
verse 2 answers
for length of days and long life and peace they will add to you…
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and He will direct your paths…
HOW?
#1 Feed on the Word Constantly
daily devotions isn’t enough
find ways to keep your mind stayed on His word all day!
resist the temptation to drift in your thoughts
Let Jesus into every moment

I looked into the Hebrew word used here in Proverb 3:4 for trust…forgive me if I pronounce it wrong, batach
(sounds clingon if you’re a trekky)
Some of the definition surrounding this Hebrew word surprised me…
bold, careless, complacent, confident, fall down, felt secure, have, rely…
Did you hear the word complacent or careless?
Christians aren’t supposed to be complacent…
But, those words suddenly brought new light!
When you walk His path, the world will think you careless…
When He’s directing Your path, you may sometimes look complacent…but your simply falling down securely in His steps…It’s a resting in Him
Batach is also linked to citadel or fortress or spending the night!
That really cranked my tractor!
Next time you can’t sleep, Next time the night seems long, Next time you don’t know where to go, who to trust, Next time you find yourself in transition, in between
Spend the night with JESUS
Batach
Trust in the LORD with all your heart…He will direct your steps…Feed on His word

Have you heard the Bible in 50 words?
God made, Adam bit, Noah arked, Abraham split, Joseph ruled, Jacob fooled, Bush talked, Moses balked, Pharaoh plagued, People walked, Sea divided, Tablets guided, Promise landed, Saul freaked, David peeked, Prophets warned, Jesus born, God walked, Love talked, Anger crucified, Hope died, Love rose, Spirit flamed, Word spread, God remained.

Let’s go back to prov 3, verse 3
Let not mercy and truth forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart and so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and He will direct your steps…
1. Feed on His word constantly
2. AND ask the Lord to help you in every situation to find the balance between mercy and truth…
This is the bottom line to all of life…None of us are very good at finding the perfect balance of mercy and truth
But God is really good at it, so ask Him to direct you to it…Every decision, every word, every action must be tempered with mercy and truth!
This is THEE great test of life…Am I erring on the side of mercy and being a push over? Am I erring on the side of truth and being judgmental? Ask yourself in every situation, where is the middle between truth and mercy, that’s where God lives…

There is a beautiful story about a child playing with a vase his mother had left on the table for a few moments. When the mother turned at the sound of her son crying she saw that his hand was in the vase and was apparently stuck. She tried to help him and pulled and pulled until the child cried out in pain. But the hand was stuck fast. How would they get it out? The father suggested breaking the vase but it was quite valuable and the child's hand might be cut in the process. Yet he knew that if all else failed there would be no other alternative. So he said to the boy, "Now, let's make one more try. Open your hand and stretch your fingers out straight, like I'm doing, and then pull!" "But Dad," said the boy, "if I do that I'll lose my penny!" The boy had had a coin in his hand all the time and was holding it securely in his tight little fist. And he wasn't prepared to open his hand and lose the penny. But once he opened his hand it came out of the vase easily.
What are you holding onto so tightly as to hinder your walk with Jesus?
That vase can be likened to the entrance to the Kingdom of God. It is narrow but quite easy to pass in, but first you must "open" your hand to God and allow earthly things to fall. If we keep our fists closed and hold fast to what we have and keep it for ourselves, we will be unable to take hold of the "Hand of God"! Open your hand to the hand of God…It’s the only way to find mercy and truth for favor with God and man…
Think about it, That little boy had to deal with the truth of holding to the penny in order to gain the mercy needed to escape the vase...boy, does that speak to today’s focus on Trust…
batach…let go

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and he will direct your steps…today’s 3 point sermon…
1. feed on His word
2. balance truth and mercy
3. choose a healthy lifestyle
look at verse 7 & 8 of prov 3…Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil, It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones…
God cares about every little thing…even what we eat or what we say or where we go or what we think, especially who we are when nobody’s looking…Fearing the LORD applies to every piece of our lifestyle!
I can’t even begin to tell you all that this strict diet and exercise has done for me (lost 40 pounds so far)…
I’m not pushing my breakthrough down your throat, I’m encouraging you to Trust in the Lord with all your heart, every little thing, and HE WILL direct every little thing…
You haven’t even begun to live until you pray(really,truly pray) YOUR KINGDOM COME YOUR WILL BE DONE!

37-year-old Barry Bonds joined Hall of Famer Eddie Matthews as the only players in history to open a season with a pair of homers. Yet Bonds knows there is something even more important than getting a baseball season off to a great start.
"It's not how you start; it's how you finish," he said. "We want to be in the race until it's over. It's early, one game doesn't make a season." What Bonds said about his baseball season could just as well be said about life in general -- and certainly about spiritual life in particular.
Think of the sad history of Judas Iscariot. He was one of those privileged people who saw Jesus in the flesh, heard him teach, and saw the signs he did among mankind. He decided to follow the Son of God and was numbered among the earliest disciples. He was even chosen to be one of The Twelve. He went out two by two with them, healed sick people, and announced the coming of the kingdom of God. But nobody remembers him for any of those things. Judasis remembered for how his relationship with Jesus ended -- as the traitor-betrayer.
How anyone's life, career, or relationship with God ends is more critical than its beginning. Remember Jesus' Parable of the Soils? The shallow ground received seed that sprouted and grew quickly, only to wilt and die in the heat of the day.
AND the Apostle Paul used the imagery of athletic competition to say this about himself: "I don't know about you, but I'm running hard for the finish line. I'm giving it everything I've got. No sloppy living for me! I'm staying alert and in top condition. I'm not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else about it and then missing out myself" (1 Corinthians 9:24-27, The Message). If you stumbled out of the blocks, don't worry! It's how you finish the race that counts. If you had all the breaks and got off to a great start, don't be arrogant! In sports, career, family, and spiritual life, it's not how you start. It's how you finish.

Missionary and Harvest House

Last Sunday we were so blessed by our missionaries to China...

(Can't go into detail on our special guest missionaries for confidentiality on the web)

And the Harvest Team had a special dedication in their new space on campus...

(imsorry I forgot my camera so I don't have picts from all the fun)

George Hunt did such a great job on the sign...We may have to get him to make one for every building...

Trusting Him in Times of Transition

This is my final mailer as pastor of my home church.

I believe the Lord is clearly leading...in order for our church to make its next step in a NEW BEGINNING it needs a new pastor.

We have some great last hoorays: Jesus Culture and AFRICAN CHILDREN'S CHOIR!

Our final Sunday will be Nov. 8th.

The greatest gift I give my home church (besides almost 6 years of leading with integrity) is doing my best to leave well.

Please pray for my family and our church during this time of transition.

"I don't know what God is up to, but I know He's up to something...and it's gonna be good!"

Practicing The Presence Of God, Part 3 (sermon notes)

I Like to start with something funny…
A little girl, dressed in her Sunday best, was running as fast as she could, trying not to be late for Kid’s Church. As she ran she prayed, 'Dear Lord, please don't let me be late! Dear Lord, please don't let me be late!' While she was running and praying, she tripped on a curb and fell, getting her clothes dirty and tearing her dress. She got up, brushed herself off, and started running again! As she ran she once again began to pray, 'Dear Lord, please don't let me be late...But please don't shove me either!'

Today I’m continuing a new sermon series entitled PRACTICING THE PRESENCE OF GOD!
This little girl was definitely especially aware of God’s presence, although God isn't pushy...
Brother Lawrence, author of a classic Christian devotional, has inspired me…He shares spiritual secrets of a humble brother who enjoyed closeness with God…

1 day a week we gather together as Christians…Some of us show up 2x and week…and then there are special times when we get together even more in Jesus name…
But what about the rest of the week?
Are we Practicing the Presence of God everyday?
I don’t believe in religion…I believe in a relationship with Jesus, and that’s a 24/7 commitment… So in this sermon series I plan to give some practical advice in Living everyday with Jesus, Practicing the Presence of God…

We’ve already covered the first 6 practices
1. for the Love of God
2. Without Being Discouraged
3. To receive equally from His Hand the sweet and bitter
4. the examined life
5. the most excellent method
6. perfect resignation to God
Detailed notes are on my blog or Cd’s are available…

Practicing the Presence of God…
7. not weary of doing the little things

Ecclesiastes 3 proclaims, Everything Has Its Time
1 To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: 2 A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted; 3 A time to kill, And a time to heal; A time to break down, And a time to build up; 4 A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance; 5 A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing; 6 A time to gain, And a time to lose; A time to keep, And a time to throw away; 7 A time to tear, And a time to sew; A time to keep silence, And a time to speak; 8 A time to love, And a time to hate; A time of war, And a time of peace.
There’s a right time for everything!

Don’t despise the small things… I’m convinced it’s the little things in life that truly matter, that truly make a difference, little things can make big things happen…

I found this inspiration on my favorite website this wk…
1. Take time to Work - It is the price of success.2. Take time to Think - It is the source of power.3. Take time to Play - It is the secret of youth.4. Take time to Read your Bible- It is the foundation of knowledge and feeds the soul.5. Take time to Worship - It is the highway of reverence and washes the dust of earth from our eyes.6. Take time to Help and Enjoy Friends - It is the source of happiness.7. Take time to Love - It is the one sacrament of life.8. Take time to Dream - It hitches the soul to the stars.9. Take time to Laugh - It is the singing that helps with life's loads.10. Take time to Pray: It rids us of our excess baggage.11. Take time to Plan - It is the secret of being able to have time to take time for the first ten things.
If that isn’t Practicing the Presence of God, I don’t know what is?!

7. the little things
8. persevere in these three virtues

I shared this Brother Lawrence quote recently on facebook…All things are possible to him who believes, they are less difficult to him who hopes, they are easier to him who loves, and still more easy to him who practices and perseveres in these three virtues…AMEN

I never miss the opportunity to go back to 1 Corinthians 13,
Ya’ll probably know by now, that my favorite version is from the message, paraphrase:
1 If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don't love, I'm nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. 2If I speak God's Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, "Jump," and it jumps, but I don't love, I'm nothing. 3-7If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love. Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn't want what it doesn't have. Love doesn't strut, Doesn't have a swelled head, Doesn't force itself on others, Isn't always "me first," Doesn't fly off the handle, Doesn't keep score of the sins of others, Doesn't revel when others grovel, Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, Puts up with anything, Trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end.
8-10Love never dies. Inspired speech will be over some day; praying in tongues will end; understanding will reach its limit. We know only a portion of the truth, and what we say about God is always incomplete. But when the Complete arrives, our incompletes will be canceled.
11When I was an infant at my mother's breast, I gurgled and cooed like any infant. When I grew up, I left those infant ways for good.
12We don't yet see things clearly. We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won't be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We'll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!
13But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love.
Oh I never get tired of it…
It’s all about LOVE!

Persevere in faith, hope and love
Examine everyday by faith, hope and love
Use every word for faith, hope and love
Don’t waste any moment without faith, hope and love
Even in those dark times, when you have trouble making sense of life’s hurts…persevere in faith, hope and love!

A Missionary was captured by cannibals. "I suppose you intend to eat me?" said the Missionary, and the chief grunted his affirmation. "Try a sample first, and see if you like me." said the Missionary as he took his knife and cut a slab from the calf of his leg and handed it to him. "Try this and see!" The chief took one bite and choked. The Missionary had a cork leg. The chief wanted no more of it and the Missionary was spared. Years before, he had thought it a "great misfortune" to lose his left leg and to wear an artificial leg, but afterwards it saved his life. It also preserved a great ministry that would have other wise been terminated immediately by the cannibals. "Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything!"

Practicing the Presence of God
7. the little things
8. the three virtues
and our final practice for today…
9. must come naturally from purity and simplicity of heart

This practice almost does away with every other practice…
For if practicing the Presence of God is something laborious or hard than something is wrong…
It should come naturally as a result of placing your trust in Jesus…
I hope you don’t take these practices and try and try with all your might…
These pieces of advice for living everyday with Jesus are the practice of simplicity, are simple ideas for drawing you into His Presence…
The only thing that separates the Creator from His children is SIN…He created us for communion, for relationship, for worship…
Jesus took care of the sin...
Now we simply admit our NEED and try!
…ask for His help to remain pure, from the washing of His blood…
That’s why I put the purity pledge in the bulletin again…
Let’s take a look (in your bulletin)…

1 Cor. 6:19,20
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; You were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
…With God’s help, I pledge myself to purity. I submit myself to the Holy Spirit’s leading in all of my relationships. I ask that my conscience would be awakened in the name of Jesus. By the grace of God, I will keep my mind clean. I will avoid compromising situations. I will avoid inappropriate physical contact. I will be honest with myself regarding the impact media has on my and will begin setting higher standards. Putting the past behind me, I will invest in my future, by honoring God with my heart, my mind and my body…

SIGNIFICANT…lies from the media, “oh it doesn’t affect me…”
Part of the problem is the fact that Christians and nonChristians spend alot of time trashing their souls with the TV...
This is not for you to sign and hand into someone…
This is for you to keep (maybe stick in your Bible) to remind you of your pledge to God…

Psalm 24
clean hands and a pure heart
YES LORD

New Family Group...Thank You Glenda!

Our Wednesday Evening Family Groups are growing!

Glenda started a new women's group...Look at all those pretty ladies!

(the picture is with my cell phone, so it's not the best quality)

Remember! Wednesdays at 6:30pm: Adult Bible Study with Pastor Lorin, Women's Group with Glenda M., Kids Club with Mrs. Shelli and Youth Group with me, Pastor Paul...

Isn't Kathy doing a good job on the church bulletin?

Remember, you can click on the image to make it easier to read.

Practicing the Presence of God, Part 2 (sermon notes)

I Like to start with something funny…
Negotiations between union members and their employer were at an impasse. The union denied that their workers were flagrantly abusing their contract's sick-leave provisions. One morning at the bargaining table, the company's chief negotiator held aloft the morning edition of the newspaper, "This man," he announced, "called in sick yesterday!" There on the sports page, was a photo of the supposedly ill employee, who had just won a local golf tournament with an excellent score. The silence in the room was broken by a union negotiator. "Wow," he said. "Just think of what kind of score he could have had if he hadn't been sick!"

Today I’m continuing a new sermon series entitled PRACTICING THE PRESENCE OF GOD
Have you ever heard of Brother Lawrence?
He is the author of a classic book on Practical Christian Devotion…In it he shared the spiritual secrets of a humble brother who enjoyed closeness with God…
He is probably most known for his pilgrim’s prayer…LORD of all pots and pans and things…Make me a saint by getting meals And washing up the plates!
Brother Lawrence was able to turn even the most commonplace and menial task into a living hymn to the glory of God!
No conceited scholar was Brother Lawrence; theological and doctrinal debates bored him, if he noticed them at all. His one desire was for communion with God…You would find him worshipping more in his kitchen than in his cathedral…

1 day a week we gather together as Christians…Some of us show up 2x and week…and then there are special times when we get together even more in Jesus name…
But what about the rest of the week?
Are we Practicing the Presence of God everyday?
I don’t believe in religion…I believe in a relationship with Jesus, and that’s a 24/7 commitment…
So in this sermon series I plan to give some practical advice in Living everyday with Jesus, Practicing the Presence of God…

2 Sundays ago we covered the first three practices
1. for the Love of God
This is not a earning of God’s love…
Jesus already took care of that on the cross…
This is a matter of motivation…
Obviously when we are reading the word of God or having a time of focused prayer it is practicing His presence, it is for the love of God…but, don’t leave Him there and go do your living…Let Him be with you in the ordinary…
Luke 10:27, Jesus summed up all of scripture: Love the Lord your God with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and Love your neighbor as yourself
...Everything…for the love of God

Still reviewing…
2. Without Being Discouraged
Proverbs 24:16 says for though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again
...you fall down then you get up again
Every day is a new beginning
Never Give Up

3. To receive equally from His Hand the sweet and bitter
Everyday carries some sweetness and some bitterness
To Practice His Presence requires such a surrender that you thank Him for both…
Remember what James said?
chapter 1 verse 2
2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds
There are many things about tomorrow, I don't seem to understand, But I know who holds tomorrow, And I know who holds my hand.

Practicing the Presence of God
1. For the Love of God
2. without being discouraged
3. receiving equally from His hand the sweet and bitter
And today we tackle 3 more practices
4. the examined life

James 3
13Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. 16For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
17But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.

You’ve heard it said…the unexamined life is not worth living
I agree with this sentiment…and James obviously does too!
We live in a world where 2 Wisdoms exist... (I personally wouldn’t call worldly wisdom, wisdom at all) but James is making a point, submit to God’s ways, wisdom from heaven!
James gives us a blueprint here for examining our days, our lives, our moments…
Wisdom from heaven is pure
Practicing the Presence of God demands that I examine my life to see that it is pure before my God…
Wisdom from heaven is peace-loving
What have I done recently to promote peace?
Wisdom from heaven is considerate
Examining my words reveals that a lot of what comes out of my face could be a lot more considerate
Wisdom from heaven is submissive
How have I pushed my own agenda instead of living His Kingdom and Purposes…
Wisdom from heaven is full of mercy
Wow, are you challenged as much as I am by this list?
Wisdom from heaven is impartial, sincere, righteous…
Father, teach us to examine our lives with your WORD!

Practicing the Presence of God
4. the examined life
5. the most excellent method
Philippians 4:8…Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Titus 3
1Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.
3At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 8This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.
9But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. 10Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. 11You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

I still believe in right and wrong, that which is birthed out of heaven, and that which is from the pit of hell…
Everything is not relative, Integrity still works! Excellence can still be the goal!
As the book of Titus, points out, sometimes excellence requires a parting of ways with those who refuse to practice His Presence. (That's really hard for me...I really have a hard time letting people go)
But that is never an excuse to not live mercy and grace in every circumstance…Titus began with reminding his readers of our justification by grace and then called them to a high standard of excellence! We need to keep things in order. God’s Grace triumphs over judgment!

Practicing the Presence of God
4. the examined life
5. the most excellent method
and finally 6. perfect resignation to God

2 Corinthians 13:11… Finally, brothers, Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.
Yes, Scripture demands perfection, but offers strength for it’s aim…
2 Corinthians 12:9… But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

The truth is, I am not calling anybody to perfection with this practice of His Presence…
This practice says perfect resignation to God…
True Surrender
Resign from being the master of the universe, He’s better at it anyway…

Deuteronomy 32:4… He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.
2 Samuel 22:31… As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.

I always hear people using the scripture…God doesn’t give you more than you can handle…
I think we’re taking it out of context…God certainly does allow more than you can handle…
It’s about letting Him handle it…Letting His strength be perfect in our weakness...
Perfect Resignation to God is the only way for a Christian to truly enjoy His Presence to truly live in Peace and Joy, Practicing the Presence of God…

A teenager lived alone with his father, and the two of them had a very special relationship. The father believed in encouragement. Even though the son was always on the bench, his father was always in the stands cheering. He never missed a game.This young man was the smallest of the class when he entered highschool. His father continued to encourage him but also made it veryclear that he did not have to play football if he didn't want to.But the young man loved football and decided to hang in there. He was determined to try his best at every practice, and perhaps he'd get to play when he became a senior.All through high school he never missed a practice nor a game, butremained a bench warmer all four years. His faithful father was always in the stands, always with words of encouragement for him.When the young man went to college, he decided to try out for thefootball team as a "walk-on." Everyone was sure he could never make the cut, but he did. The coach admitted that he kept him on the roster because he always puts his heart and soul to every practice, and at the same time, provided the other members with the spirit and hustle they badly needed. The news that he had survived the cut thrilled him so much that he rushed to the nearest phone and called his father. His father shared his excitement and was sent season tickets for all the college games.This persistent young athlete never missed practice during his fouryears at college, but he never got to play in the game. It was the end of his senior football season, and as he trotted onto the practice field shortly before the big play off game, the coach met him with a telegram. The young man read the telegram and he became deathly silent.Swallowing hard, he mumbled to the coach, "My father died this morning. Is it all right if I miss practice today?" The coach put his arm gently around his shoulder and said, "Take the rest of the week off, son. And don't even plan to come back to the game on Saturday."Saturday arrived, and the game was not going well. In the third quarter, when the team was ten points behind, a silent young man quietly slipped into the empty locker room and put on his football gear.As he ran onto the sidelines, the coach and his players were astounded to see their faithful team-mate back so soon."Coach, please let me play. I've just got to play today," said the young man. The coach pretended not to hear him. There was no way he wanted his worst player in this close playoff game. But the young man persisted, and finally feeling sorry for the kid, the coach gave in. "All right," he said. "You can go in."Before long, the coach, the players and everyone in the stands could not believe their eyes. This little unknown, who had never played before, was doing everything right. The opposing team could not stop him. He ran, he passed, blocked and tackled like a star. His team began to triumph. The score was soon tied. In the closing seconds of the game, this kid intercepted a pass and ran all the way for the winning touchdown. The fans broke loose. His team-mates hoisted him onto their shoulders. Such cheering you've never heard!Finally, after the stands had emptied and the team had showered and left the locker room, the coach noticed that the young man was sitting quietly in the corner all alone. The coach came to him and said, "Kid, I can't believe it. You were fantastic!Tell me what got into you? How did you do it?" He looked at the coach with tears in his eyes, and said, "Well, you knew my dad died, but did you know that my dad was blind?" The young man swallowed hard and forced a smile, "Dad came to all my games, but today was the first time he could see me play, and I wanted to show him I could do it!"
That’s like Practicing the Presence of God…It’s living your life only for the Father’s Eyes in heaven…

Thank You Christle!

Last night at our monthly board meeting, Christle Brooks accepted a church board appointment.

Because of two vacant board positions, we felt it necessary to appoint a new member.

I usually like to wait for an all church vote, but we felt confident in her appointment because the church membership almost voted her into office at our last annual family business meeting.

I am so thankful for her willingness to serve her church.

I borrowed this beautiful picture of her and Les off of her facebook profile.

Thank You Kathy!

KQ is my new office manager! (this is she and Al's old church directory photo)

With my wifey working so much at Providence Hospital, Holly is now just helping us out as office consultant once in awhile...

Kathy is really doing a good job...I am so thankful for her willingness to serve her church!

Also, I don't know if I've already mentioned it but, Robin Stone is our Office Help Coordinator. If you have some time to donate to the church give Robin or Kathy a holler...

Thank you Jesus for all the wonderful help you send me!

I believe in T.E.A.M...Together...Everyone...Accomplishes...More...

Tamara Henkes / Annual Missions Dinner

I really enjoyed Tamara's message today: GREATER THINGS ARE YET TO COME!
For more information on today's special missionary guest visit:
http://www.henkes.ministryhome.org/ OR www.xanga.com/henkelberry

A BIG THANK YOU to Kathy & Linda & Doris & all the HOSPITALITY TEAM who worked so hard to make our missions dinner PERFECT!

I promised several of our church members today that I would post the recipe for Tamara's Romanian Stew:
Ciorbă de Perişoare (pronounced Chee yorba day Pear ee shworay)
Sour Meatball Soup

5 small carrots diced
2 small onions diced (one for meatball mixture other for soup)
Celery root(ginger root) diced (peeled) Ţelină
1 green pepper diced (or ½ red, yellow, green)
½ kilo of ground meat
1 egg
1 ½ tablespoon of salt
1 cup of rice
1 tsp of pepper
2-3 liter of water
Parsley
Pinch of oregano
½ cup of tomato pastes (sauce)
Sour Cream

1. Mix meat, egg, salt and pepper together
2. mix in one onion and rice into the meat mixture
3. Make meatballs (use water on hand so it won’t stick)
4. When water comes to a boil add meatballs to water. Cook for 40 minutes
5. add, carrots, root, green pepper, parsley, onion to water and let cook for about 20 more minutes
6. add salt, pepper tomato paste to taste.
7. when serving add a teaspoon of sour cream on top of soup in bowl
(I believe Linda Accardo purchased 10x the recipe for our dinner today...)

Happy Birthday Elijah!

Cindy Dara's AMAZING 7-layer dip made me disobey my new diet and exercise program...