Thanksgiving Outreach '08

This past Saturday was another great Englewood night. Pastor Brad Oyler and Pastor Amy Bales headed up two different teams that went out and placed door hangers on local homes inviting them to our 12th annual Thanksgiving outreach. They passed out approximately 2,500 door hangers, and we prayed and waited for the community to come.

The service and give-a-ways were scheduled to start at 6:00 p.m., but people began to arrive a little before 4:oo p.m. At one point, the line went up and around the corner. We had 643 people register with many others coming to the service unregistered. All in all, we had over 700 people show up. But that's not the best part.

The service started with the band and media departments doing an awesome job, and then I followed with a simple illustrated message. After the message was over, nearly 70 people came forward to accept Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. And that's why we do it!

Afterwards, we gave away approximately 150 turkeys and 200 boxes of food. This allowed us to minister not just in word, but also in deed. This year was the smoothest in moving the people from registration to service to food lines. A BIG THANK YOU to all who gave, assisted and ministered to our community. I am very proud of you and of what God is doing through our church.

Happy Thanksgiving

It is believed that the first Thanksgiving took place in Plymouth Colony, in present-day Massachusetts, in 1621. More than 200 years later, President Abraham Lincoln declared the final Thursday in November as a national day of thanksgiving. Congress finally made Thanksgiving Day an official national holiday in 1941. You see, families have been gathering to give thanks for hundreds of years!

But whether you celebrate Thanksgiving Day with a few close friends or family members, watching football or the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, eating a little or a lot; we have many things to be thankful for. Even in the middle of an "economic downturn," we are blessed.

For instance, we have our families that are with us through good times and bad. They encourage us when we are down, and pull us back to reality when we get a little full of ourselves. Family is the foundation of our lives.

We should also be thankful for our church family. The church isn't simply a place to meet with God, worship Him and hear His Word. It is also where we find our place in a much larger family, the Family of God. It's a place to share our gifts and strengths, and a place to find acceptance and grace. I am glad Englewood is a place like that.

There are many other things to be thankful for, such as: our wonderful country, freedom, friends, and our health; however, the most important reason we should be thankful is that we know a God who loves us. That one simple truth still stirs my heart and causes me to grow, be more adventurous, but mostly trust Him.

My Thanksgiving prayer for you is that you will continue to trust God with all your heart, grow closer to Him and allow Him to take you to new heights. From our family to yours, have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

The Life of a Pastor

From Monday afternoon to Tuesday morning, I have had the time of my life! Pastors deal with a lot of things that we don't enjoy or are difficult. But everyone once in a while, we get to participate in things that are really fun and rewarding.

In my son's kindergarten class the letters of the alphabet are reinforced with cute rhymes and songs. When two words start with the same letter such as "Taco Tuesday," it's called a double whammy, emphasizing the letter and its sound quality. So Monday I dressed up in the church's Toby the Tiger outfit and made an appearance to four different classes. It was great, but the kids did not have as much fun as I did. It is really liberating have a mask on and no one know who you are! I think there's a sermon in there??? I would like to thank Mrs. Bailey and the school for allowing me to participate.

Then on Tuesday we went to a rodeo for a video shoot for the "Live Like You Were Dying" series. You know the song, "...I went 2.7 seconds, on a bull named Fu Man Chu." Well, I rode a 600+ lb. Brahma bull. You'll have to wait for the video to find out how long I actually went, but it was awesome. The ride is great; the hard part is getting off!

A special thanks goes out to Benjamin Ranch for allowing us to come and use their facilities; to Roger and Sha'rrell Haws for setting it up--are you trying to kill me?; and to Pastor Ryan for running the camera. It should be a pretty funny video.

These are the times that make being a pastor fun, causing me to reflect on why I enjoy it so much. I love being involved with kids and the community, as well as using creative ways to promote the Lord. The tougher times are what cause me to reflect on the fact that I know God has called me to do what I do. It's both the joy and the pain that brings growth, maturity, fulfillment, and blessing.

Week 3 "Love Deeper"

As of Sunday, we were almost to the halfway mark in our 30 day spiritual journey called, "Live Like You Were Dying." It has been amazing to dive into Scripture and learn about some very important issues in our lives. Sunday was no different. The topic was "love deeper." Two important and powerful words, especially when used together.

What could be more important than this topic? God revealed His great love to us through His Son, Jesus Christ (John 3:16). And Christ demonstrated that love by dying in our place (Romans 5:8). We must take God's love and reflect it to those who are hurting and dying without hope. That's our mandate!

There are three action steps we are trying to keep before us this entire week...

1. Do the unexpected- When you do, you will never be forgotten.
2. Do the unaffordable- Christ paid a very high price for you and me.
3. Do it now- You aren't promised tomorrow, so don't wait.

LLYWD Wk 2 "Speak Sweeter"

We started week two in our Live Like You Were Dying Campaign yesterday with the emphasis from the song being, "Speak Sweeter." The key verse for you to meditate on or memorize is found in 1 Thessalonians 5:11 which says, "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." And the greatest way to encourage someone is through your words.

Words are incredibly powerful and creative. Proverbs 18:21 says the "tongue has the power of life and death." Words can inspire and motivate or wound and destroy. How you use your words and the attitude behind them can alter someone's destiny forever.

Yesterday we looked at three ways to speak sweeter:
1. Appreciate People- Col. 2:7
We do that by...
* saying Thanks to the people who serve us.
* saying Thanks to the people who shape us.

2. Encourage People- 1 Thes. 5:11; Prov. 16:24

3. Pray for People- Eph. 6:18; Mt. 7:7-11

In the message, I challenged everyone to let their words be life giving this week. Because I believe if you had less than 30 days to live, you would speak sweeter. Don't forget to pick up your LLYWD wrist band at the information table to remind you all week long to live according to these principles we are learning.

Now, "May the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace" (Num. 6:24-26).

Live Like You Were Dying Intro Video

Live Like You Were Dying Series

This week, we began a new message series "Live Like You Were Dying". For the next 30 days, we will focus on spiritual transformation as we are challenged to:

1. Live with a sense of urgency (1 Peter 4:7-8)
2. Live with a sense of eternity (Psalm 90:12)
3. Live with a sense of priority (Ephesians 5:15-17)
4. Give up the frantic pursuit of the “good life” (Matthew 16:25-26)
5. Make more time for relationships (Hebrews 10:24-25)
6. Offer forgiveness (Ephesians 4:32)
7. Celebrate being released from God’s judgment (Romans 8:33-34)
8. Liberate others from your judgment (Romans 14:13)
9. Do the unexpected in love (Matthew 5:39-42)

Daily devotional readings will be posted in the side bar each week. I truly believe you will grow spiritually during this series if you are faithful reading and meditating on God's Word. By the way, our band sounded awesome on the title song this morning !

For a greater glimpse into the series, here's the promo video:

Pumpkin Time

Earlier this week, Brian took charge of the pumpkin carving at our house. The boys really enjoyed it, especially the baked pumpkin seeds. Braeden went the traditional route and Joe did a KC Royals carving. I love these simple family times. Kids grow up too fast, don't they?

How Would Jesus Vote?

Book Summary: The 2008 election is shaping up to be one of the most important political contests in American history. In fact, Dr. D. James Kennedy believes it will be a watershed moment that could impact our very survival as a nation under God.

Values voters—people whose political views and votes are based on their faith in God—are being targeted as never before. As the campaign season moves forward, the significant players will debate terrorism, radical Islam, nuclear threats, global warming, social issues, gay marriage, immigration, education, health care, and many other essential issues that can create sharp ideological divisions.

Into this overwhelmingly complex political situation, Dr. Kennedy and Jerry Newcombe bring a clear, compelling, and nonpartisan exploration of what God’s Word has to say on these critical matters. How Would Jesus Vote? isn’t intended to tell readers which candidates to support; rather it offers a Christ-centered understanding of the world to help readers draw their own political conclusions.

Get this book on Amazon

Think On These Things

A few weeks ago, I was traveling home in my car late at night. I had the stereo tuned to my favorite talk radio station. And as I drove, my mind wondered between the events of the day and the political debate on the radio. I came to a complete stop at a red light (I know it's hard to believe), then proceeded to drive through the intersection with the light still red by accident, treating it as a stop sign.

Almost all of you have done that, don't lie! But it bothered me that I could be so distracted. Two weeks ago I heard a former drivers ed. instructor ask if anyone had done exactly what I explained. He said he knew why, so I listened in. He explained that since we were sixteen years old, the traffic light has been referred to as a stop light. And when it's red, we sometimes stop, look both ways, and proceed.

He said that if we thought about the light as a traffic light we would never run it. Because the trigger would be stop, WAIT FOR A GREEN LIGHT, then proceed. He suggested that simple adjustment in thinking would cause us to stop and wait for the green.

Proverbs tells us that "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he" (Pro. 23:7 NKJV). It's amazing how our patterns of thinking effect our lives, even in the small situations such as traffic lights. This passage is saying we can control, to a certain extent, our lives by learning to direct our thoughts.

That's why Scripture admonishes us to direct our thoughts to "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" (Phil. 4:8 NIV). So, what have you been thinking about today?

Late Night In The Phog

Our family spent last Friday night in Lawrence, Kansas at Late Night In The Phog. Free admission + the unveling of the National Championship banner was enough to persuade us to spend a family night with the Jayhawks at KU. Even if you're not a big KU fan, being inside a filled-to-capacity Phog Allen Fieldhouse is an exciting experience.

Brian and Joe have been to a couple of basketball games in recent years, but I had not been inside "The Phog" in a very long time. About 10 years ago, Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls played an exhibition game there and a bunch of us went. I'll never forget the lightning storm of flashes that went off every time MJ touched the ball. It was amazing!

During Late Night In The Phog, Coach Bill Self addressed the crowd, the team scrimmaged, etc. and of course they unveiled the new banners (NCAA Champs, Final Four, Big 12 Champs). Someone in our family even caught a cool t-shirt :)

Great time as a family and good memories. Here's some pics:

Kids Fest '08

Our 14th annual Kids Fest will be held on Friday, Oct. 31 from 5-9pm at Paradise Park in Lee's Summit. Kids will receive a bag of candy, while supplies last. **NEW THIS YEAR: Kids will have the option of going on a special treasure hunt for their candy with a treasure map included!

Kids Fest at Paradise Park includes use of the Foam Factory, Rock Wall, Bumper Cars, Mini-golf, Hayride, Sand Volleyball, Edutainment Center, Batting Cages, and Pedal Go-karts. Video games and Cafe available for additional charges.

Kids are welcome to dress up! (no scary costumes, please) This is a great night of fun for the entire family. Feel free to invite other friends or families.

Kids Fest admission to Paradise Park on this night is $5 per person in advance (wristbands available for sale on Sundays or from the church office) or $7 per person at the door.

Shape of Mercy

Summary: Lauren Durough is a college student longing to break free of family expectations when she stumbles into a project for eighty year old Abigail Boyles—transcribing the journals of Mercy Hayworth, a seventeenth-century victim of the Massachusetts witch trials. Almost immediately, Lauren finds herself drawn to this girl who lived and died four centuries ago. The strength of her affinity with Mercy forces Lauren to take a startling new look at her own life, including her relationships with the mysterious Abigail, her college roommate, and a young man named Raul. But on the way to discovering the candid truth, Lauren must earnestly ask if she is playing the role of helpless defendant or the misguided judge? Can she break free from her own perceptions and recognize who she really is?

In our high-pressure, success-oriented culture, readers will identify with Lauren’s struggle to forge her own identity separate from the plan her family designed for her. Offering intrigue, romance, and heartbreaking drama, this contemporary novel with a historical twist conveys the intense beauty that emerges when we see how our stories affect the lives of others.

Author: Susan Meissner

Review: "Very enlightening for someone who knows very little about the Salem witch trials. Also, thought-provoking as to how we so often pre-judge people (sometimes without realizing it), and that we should extend mercy to other as Christ has extended undeserved mercy to us. Captivating story beginning to end. I read it in two days." - Glenda Goldsmith

Leadership Development

Each Monday morning I meet with someone for a time of mentoring on the subject of leadership. Recently we have been going through John Maxwell's, "Developing the Leader within You." I have probably read the book or watched the curriculum at least a half a dozen times. And every time I do, I learn something new.

This is most likely because each time I'm at a different place in my life and ministry. Today I was struck with one simple thought, "in leadership you must love people." I know that not everyone who loves people is naturally a good leader. However, I also don't any good leaders who don't sincerely love people.

I'm definitely not saying that I'm a good leader, but I do love being around people. When things aren't going so well, the natural tendency for many people is to run away and hide. I call for a party, the more the better. I draw strength from people and love the interaction .

People are what makes leading fun... and sometimes frustrating. But without people, you aren't really leading. So the more you value and love people, the greater your leadership will be.

Book Review: For Young Men Only

Book: For Young Men Only
Authors: Jeff Feldhahn & Eric Rice with Shaunti Feldhahn
Buy it here: Amazon

Reviewed by Jake Ganote, age 20:

Do you wonder what girls are really thinking? Have you ever thought that a girl really liked you until you found out she just considered you really good friends? Is the search for the perfect girl leading you to believe that you are destined to be alone?

The answers to these questions and many more can be found in FYMO. This book was designed to take you behind the scenes of The World of Girl; to place you in her shoes; to see things from her perspective. After all, who knows girls better than girls? In fact, this book polled over 1,000 girls nationwide, seeking answers to many of the questions otherwise left unanswered. Here is your chance to get the inside scoop on girls from girls themselves.

Never has a book this interesting been written for young men. This was a book I looked forward to reading. A book that made me reflect on things past. This should be one book that young men are required to read before entering into any form of a dating relationship. Not only has it given me a new found respect for girls, but it also helps me become the prince charming all men want to be.

Often times we forget that men and women are wired differently and that makes the lines of communication that much more difficult. When you begin to understand the way a woman thinks, you are able to dive deeper into a relationship that satisfies the needs of you and your partner. I found that many of the ways I tried to gain respect were the ways I would want to be respected but not necessarily the way a woman feels
respected.

Chances are that if you are reading this review you already have an interest in developing a long lasting relationship with a girl. There would be no better way than to study God’s Word to see how he intended relationships and use this book to supplement the Word.

Two Roads

Have you noticed that sometimes life is complicated? We want answers to such questions as: "Who should I marry?," "Where should I go to school?", "What house or car should I buy?", "What career path should I take?" And these are important questions that require serious thought and prayerful reflection. However, life really only offers two roads.

The first road is where you get to make all the decisions. And many people are talented, skilled and educated enough to make good decisions that lead to a fruitful and productive life. This isn't always the case for those on this road. Many find they simply can't make quality choices and never experience God's best.

The second road is traveled by those who understand that God is in control of their lives. They allow Him to make the decisions because He knows best. They have learned to trust Him and even when things don't seem to make sense, they follow Him anyway. This path is filled with excitement and joy. This journey is fulfilling, because God is working and doing great things through obedience. It's challenging to keep pace with what God is doing--but very rewarding. That's why Paul reminds us in Galatians to "keep in step with the Spirit" (Gal. 5:25).

Which road are you currently walking? If you are making most of the decisions in your life, why not take some time today to ask God to help you surrender your life to His plan. And if you have been trusting God for awhile now, ask Him to help you be more sensitive to His voice in your daily life.

Hold Firm

I was recently reading in 2 Samuel 23 about David's three mighty men: Josheb-Basshebeth, Shammah, and Eleazar, and was struck by some great truths in Eleazar's life.

Eleazar was with David and 300 other troops as they battled the Philistines. The troops retreated in fear, but Eleazar "stood his ground and struck down the Philistines till his hand grew tired and froze to the sword". Every leader, like David, needs great men around them that will hold firm in a battle and continue to fight with them when everyone else seemingly abandons them.

Eleazar also fought with passion and determination. So much so that "his hand grew tired and froze to the sword." I would love for a doctor to explain what happens in an individual's body that causes such a reaction. They literally had to pry the sword from his hand. Throughout Scripture, the sword is often times a metaphor for the Word of God. And this passage challenged me to ask myself, "How long has it been since you have held onto the Word of God in the face of adversity until God brought the victory?" I mean the enemy can't even get the sword out of your hand.

Regardless of what doctors, accountants, family or friends say, you hold firm to God's word and His promises. When everyone around retreats, you stay in the fight.

In 2 Samuel 23: 10(b) it says, "The Lord brought about a great victory that day." I believe that if you will hold firmly to God's Word, store it in your heart, meditate on it, and profess it; God will bring about a great victory for you too.

Wedding on the Beach

This past weekend I was in beautiful San Diego, CA for Shawn Cooper and Bethany Bushnell's wedding. It was truly an honor to be present as the two of them became one in the Lord. Shawn and Bethany met while attending Master's Commission. Shawn has attended Englewood most of his life and I have watched him grow up into a great young man.

It was evident to see God's hand in bringing them together. I always think it's awesome to see two different individuals living for God and following His plan, then finding one another. So many circumstances, so many opportunities, and so many things have to align themselves for such a union to come about. It's truly a "God Thing."

The wedding took place at sunset Saturday night on La Jolla Beach with about thirty close friends and family members. Some came as far as Iowa to show their support. On the trip I was able to meet many new friends and thoroughly enjoyed it. I even made my wife jealous by eating at Jack-In-the-Box.

And since I couldn't get back in time for services on Sunday, I caught up with my sister, who also lives in California, for her birthday. All in all, great weather, great time with great people.

Marginal Living: Re-Prioritizing Your Life

Yesterday, we continued our series Marginal Living, with our student ministries pastor, Brad Baker, teaching on Re-Prioritizing Your Life. Here are some key points from the message:

• Margin is the space between your current performance and your limits
• As margins decrease, stress increases
• Your time is limited; your time will be spent; someone will determine how your time gets spent
• Psalm 90:12 "Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."

Allowing God to Help Create Margin:

1. Realize your days are numbered by God - Job 14:5 "Man's days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed."

2. Prioritize accordingly- "Your priorities determine your capacity"

3. Make your time alone with God a priority- Matthew 6:33 "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

(This series is adapted from a message series originally created by Andy Stanley).

Back To School Prayer: Unusual Favor

Braeden with his Kindergarten teacher

Well, Moms & Dads....I'm sure you've settled into your school routine by now: Early to bed, early to rise; homework; packing lunches; lots of papers in your kitchen; after school activities, etc.

If your children are in a new school, like ours are, then "back to school" for this year took on a whole new meaning. New routines, new friends, new teachers & administrators, new parents, new everything. I admit, it was a little overwhelming at first, just getting used to things, but it has gone very smoothly and we are very pleased with our schools. More importantly, our kids are happy, content, and at ease.

You know, when the boys were in our church's private Christian school, they were right in the same building with their Dad all day long. I never really prayed a "back to school prayer". I had an underlying confidence in our school, the staff, and the environment. Call it a comfort zone.

But for the first few weeks of school this year, it was a call to prayer over our kids. I prayed for a good start, for them to receive the right teachers, for them to make the right friends, for them to feel at home and comfortable. My most frequent prayer was, and still is, for them to have Unusual Favor. The kind that only comes from God. The kind that puts you in the right place at the right time. The kind that goes before you. The kind that surrounds you.

Ask God for Unusual Favor in your life and your family's lives today!