My Way

Frank Sinatra use to sing, "I did it my way" to the applause of thousands. And who doesn't like doing things when and how you want to do them. The problem with this kind of thinking is that we are sinful people, and our way leads to separation from God.

Mankind is sinful and often wicked. And even when we come to this conclusion personally; we want reconciliation with God on our own terms. The story of the Tower of Babel is a great example. Humanity pridefully builds toward heaven in a vain attempt to bring restoration to God. They were attempting to do it their way. And this is man's answer to reconciliation with God.

However, God's answer is much different. Instead of man moving toward heaven, heaven came down to man; not once, but twice. The first time was Christ and the second was the promised Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost.

Pentecost did what Babel could not. The Holy Spirit brought reconciliation to the irreconcilable. Pentecost brought with it the church, not a building made with human hands. Pentecost brought understanding of languages, Babel brought confusion of language. Pentecost

united the nations, but Babel divided them.

I encourage you to search your heart thoroughly toady and see if you have been doing life your way or Gods. It could make all the difference in the world.

The Masters

This has been one of the most memorable weekends in Master's golf history. The course was pristine as it is each year. The weather was very good and provided picturesque images of this major event.

There were two golfers who had a similar story, but completely different outcomes. Both golfers were away from their sport for a number of months because of their wives. Much of the hype surrounding the 2010 Masters Tournament was focused on Tiger Woods' return to golf. His absence from golf is well documented. After his is multiple sexual affairs, he lost many of his sponsors, and it is still to be determined if he will keep his wife and family.

Another golfer missed many of the 2009 season tournaments. After finding out that his wife, Amy, had been diagnosed with breast cancer, Phil Mickelson decided to faithfully stand beside her and give his entire attention to his bride. After winning this year's Master's Championship, he walked over to his wife and they shared an intimate moment for all to see. It wasn't show for the cameras, it was a display of two lives shared. Amy has been there throughout Phil's career by being present at many of his tournaments. When she needed his support, he was there willingly with his presence. Their love for one another is obvious and refreshing given today's culture.

I admittedly have been a Tiger fan from the beginning. He rarely let his fans down when leading going into "red Sunday." And many times when I tried to cheer for Phil, he would find some way to let a lead slip away. And going into this year's Master's Tournament, I was hoping for another miraculous fist pumping win from Tiger. However, after learning of Phil and Amy's story I have can't help but cheer the both of them on. Not only this weekend, but in all of their endeavors. How beautiful it is to see a true champion in every sense of the word.

We might not all be able to compete in the world of professional sports. But we can all be champions in our own right. Being a champion is more about who you are then winning tournaments. Zig Ziglar said, “It was character that got us out of bed, commitment that moved us into action, and discipline that enabled us to follow through.” You can listen here to a message I recently preached called "Commitment Rocks."

?Good Friday?

Good Friday is coming up later during this Week of Passion. This morning I was prayerfully considering the events that unfolded on that night. What was unlocked that night, or course, carried over through the entire weekend and culminates in the Resurrection.

As I personalized Christ's suffering, I was brought to tears. My Savior and closest friend enduring the cross for my sin is overwhelming. I don't believe I will ever feel worthy enough to receive such an act of true love and forgiveness.

My thoughts turned to those of us who desire deeply to follow Christ. For those of us who sincerely desire and long to be a true believer and disciple of His. For us God seemingly leads us into a place of trial and testing. Our flesh resists these times, but Christ didn't.

These types of places are where we become thoroughly convinced in our heart that we can not accomplish His will in our own strength and intellect. A place that forces us to depend only upon Him. To look at His pierced hands and feet and realize that He is our only way. He is our only strength.

As we focus on the Passion Week, many of us can more easily identify with the crucifixion instead of the resurrection because of the trials we maybe currently encountering. We usually want a quick fix, such as three days (Good Friday till Easter). However, many times we have to endure for a longer period of time, because our flesh isn't so easily crucified.

Romans 6:6

"For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin."

Galatians 2:20

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

Galatians 5:24

"Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires."

If you are struggling and feeling overwhelmed, turn to the cross. The cross is the centerpiece life and faith. Embrace the cross with all of its splintered afflictions with this one thought, "I am crucifying my flesh, so that Christ can life in me and through me." With this you will be able to echo the feelings of Paul, "I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.

¹²Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. ¹³Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

¹⁵All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. ¹⁶Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

¹⁷Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. ¹⁸For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. ¹⁹Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. ²⁰But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body."

Clanging Cymbal

When I was in high school I was a percussionist. I wasn't just a drummer, but a percussionist. It wasn't a big deal, the job was mine because I was the only one who could read music. Playing in both the band and orchestra I had the opportunity to play all types of cymbals.

If the cymbals were miss hit or not struck correctly, they made an unpleasant sound. And the sound would stand alone and detract from the pleasant harmony and melodies of a musical score.

But when struck together properly, a crisp and sharp sound would emanate adding the proper emphasis to a note. It's interesting that the same instrument can both destroy a beautiful song, or enhance its beauty.

This must be what Paul meant when he said, "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal." With out true love in our lives we stand alone and take a way from the pleasant sounds of the entire orchestra. We become a "resounding gong or a clanging cymbal." But when we walk in love, we become a part of a full orchestra (the body of Christ) that produces a heavenly sound that attracts people to God.

The music of heaven is only produced through love. Let's make beautiful music together.

True Love Rocks

We are reading through 1 Corinthians 13 everyday for a month. Every one can join us at www.thirteen-thirty.com.

Today I was drawn to verse six, "rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth." The fact that the word rejoiceth is used twice caught my attention. Love rejoices and celebrates. The word rejoice, by definition means, "to be glad; take delight: to rejoice in another's happiness." It's an action word that requires two people. The focus of that love on the other person.

So, find someone to share some love with today and rejoice with them!

In The Zone, Part 2 "Skittles"

Today was a truly amazing day at Faith Chapel. The Lord moved among us, and His presence was felt by everyone present. I feel this is a direct result of our hunger and thirst after Him. By beginning the new year with prayer and fasting, we have captured God's attention. Let us continue to seek after Him.

Part two in our "In the Zone" stewardship series is entitled, "Skittles." And everyone present received a package of Skittles. We looked at a man of God who definitely lived in the zone, Elijah (1 Kings 17:1-10;17-24). Here's the outline from today's message.

Elijah's In the Zone Life...

1. Through obedience, there are always resources- 1 Kings 17:2-6

2. There is always an ample supply- 1 Kings 17:6; 13,14

3. It takes faith to live above a poverty mentality- 1 Kings 17:7,8

4 The supply can come from unlikely sources- 1 Kings 17:4

5. When one source dries up, another comes- 1 Kings 17:7

First Things First Principle...

1. The First Day- Gen. 1:28

2. The First Fruits- Josh. 6:17

3. The First Born- Ex. 13:2

4. The First of the Firstfruits- Ex. 23:19; Gen. 4:3; Pro. 3:9,10

First Things First, Tithing...

1. The tithe belongs to God- Mal. 3:8,9

2. The tithe is brought, not given- Mal. 3:10

3. The tithe equals 10% of your earnings and increase-

4. The tithe is brought to the church- Mal. 3:10

5. The tithe allows the church to accomplish its mission- Mal. 3:10

6. The tithe is not only an Old Testament practice-

7. The tithe reveals your heart- Mt. 6:21

Resource: "In the Zone" by Ed Young Jr.

Step to a Successful Fast

**Read Daniel chapter 1

STEP #1- BE SPECIFIC

Daniel was not vague in his objection to the Babylonian diet. He defined the problem immediately.

1. The king’s food was against dietary laws.

2. Daniel and his friends had vowed against wine.

3. The king’s food had been offered up to idols/demons.

STEP #2 - FAST AS A SPIRITUAL COMMITMENT Dan. 1:8

STEP #3- REFLECT INNER DESIRE BY OUTER DISCIPLINE
Many people have an inner desire for better health, but they can’t discipline themselves to avoid junk food, and other foods that are not good for health. The physical health you seek from God may be more than an answer to prayer. Your physical health may be linked to any of the following factors:

1. Your food choices
2. The level of your spiritual commitment as reflected in constant prayer during the fast.
3. Your time commitment. If you determine to fast for a certain time, keep it. For example, if you determine to fast 10 days, don’t stop on Day 9.
4. Your testimony commitment. Your fast is a statement of faith to God that you want Him to heal your body. Faith is foundational to the Daniel Fast.

STEP #4- PRAY TO PERCEIVE SIN’S ROLE IN POOR PHYSICAL & SPIRITUAL HEALTH

Read James 5:13-16

• Sin is something related to the cause of sickness.
• Lack of health/healing may be the result of spiritual rebellion.
• Lack of health/healing may be due to sin of wrong intake, i.e. drugs, pornography.
• Repentance is linked to health, according to James.
• Elders have a role in healing both spiritual and physical health.
• Sick people must desire to be well.
• The anointing oil could mean:

1. medicine for healing,
2. symbolic of the Holy Spirit, or
3. it could be baptism

• Prayer alone may not gain healing; faith is the major factor.
• In the Greek, there are several words for “sick”. James uses “kanino”, which not only includes disease, but also means weak or weary.
• Attitude is important. James said, “are there any among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.”

STEP #5- FAST AS A STATEMENT OF FAITH TO OTHERS Daniel was making a statement of faith when he asked for only vegetables to eat and water to drink, then dared the overseer to compare the appearance of the four sons of Israel with the young men who ate the king’s food.

STEP #6- LEARN THE EFFECTS OF THE FOODS YOU EAT
Why are some foods good for us, and other foods not? What does certain food do to your body? If we really knew, there would likely be some things we would never eat again.

STEP #7- YIELD ALL RESULTS TO GOD
Daniel said, “as you see fit, deal with your servants” (Dan. 1:13).

REMEMBER:

• The Daniel Fast will lead to spiritual insight. “to those four young men God gave knowledge”.

• The Daniel Fast is longer than one day. These young men fasted for ten days.

• The Daniel Fast is a partial fast. They ate, but only vegetables, fruit and water.

• The Daniel Fast requires abstinence from party or junk foods.

• There is no indication that they ever began to eat the king’s food.


Resource- "Fasting For Spiritual Breakthrough: A Guide To Nine Biblical Fasts" by Elmer L. Towns.

The Preparation Continues

The six a.m. prayer has been refreshing and the Lord is definitely moving in my life. This week of preparation is absolutely essential to insure a quality fast. Cleansing your temple through repentance opens the door to hear God's voice more clearly, to be changed by His presence, and to gain a new perspective for His vantage point.

Today I went back to Psalm 51. Remembering that David had looked over the ledge of lust and entertained the thought until sin was fully conceived; he looks to the only source of true redemption-God. In verses two and three David say, "Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me."

What a reminder for us. If we are being honest, our transgressions and sin are always before us. Jeremiah says our "heart is desperately wicked above all things, who can know it." Every one of us fall short of the "glory of God." We can't meet the standard of God's holiness, and the only remedy for our sin is to repent. Turning to God and asking Him to "wash away all our iniquity." Only He can cleanse us from our shortcomings.

We can't take sin lightly in our lives. Today I was reminded of Hebrews 6:6 which tells us that once we have walked in the light of God's Word and continue to sin it's as though we are "crucifying the Lord all over again." Just the thought of me casually treating sin in my life and causing our Lord to be crucified all over again is heartbreaking and distressing. The Message version of this verse says, "Once people have seen the light, gotten a taste of heaven and been part of the work of the Holy Spirit, once they've personally experienced the sheer goodness of God's Word and the powers breaking in on us—if then they turn their backs on it, washing their hands of the whole thing, well, they can't start over as if nothing happened. That's impossible. Why, they've re-crucified Jesus! They've repudiated him in public!"

Let's be like David, a man after God's own heart, and take our sin to God in a serious manner. My prayer for all of us is, "Cleanse us, God, and wash away all our iniquity, Amen."

Daniel Fast Preparation

This is a week of preparation for our Daniel Fast starting next week. This is a time of prayerful reflection upon the Lord, and a time to be transparent and open before Him. I'm asking that each of you join with me in special times of prayer. The church will be open from 6:00am to 6:00pm for individual prayer. There will also be prayer requests scrolling up on the screens, including some missions requests.

For more information on our Daniel Fast, you can listen to my message from Sun., Jan. 3 entitled "Passageway to the Promise."

Spiritual preparation starts with repentance. I found myself in Psalm 51 today. I have read this passage many times, but today the first verse stood out to me. It states, "Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions." David wrote this psalm following the prophet Nathan's visit to him after committing adultery with Bathsheba. Reading the rest of the psalm, you feel and sense David's sorrow and grief. David knows where to turn after he has sinned. He knows the key to recovery from the depths of depravity and sin. David turns to God. But he doesn't just go to God, he acknowledges His "unfailing love," and "great compassion."

It hit me for the first time today. Repentance starts with going to God and then we begin to acknowledge His work of grace and loving conviction, bringing us to His love and compassion. Instead of being fearful, now we can enter into His presence knowing that His love and compassion toward us will always bring forgiveness. He was only waiting on us to come to Him and acknowledge our failures. With this confidence, we find ourselves free to confess everything the Lord brings to my mind. Walking in this truth today was liberating. Meditate on this passage for yourself and see what the Lord speaks to you.

Charting the Course

From Sunday November 8, 2009 at Faith Chapel
Listen here

Life is change.
Growth is optional.
Choose wisely.

There are two certainties of life...
1. life will change
2. life is uncertain

Change causes...
1. Insecurity
2. Insensitivity
3. Indecisiveness
4. Isolation
5. Many to fail

Four Steps to Navigate through Change...
I. Appreciate the past
II. Accept the possibilities
III. Allow for problems
IV. Advance your potential

Here are 5 ways to grow from change:
1. Embrace it
2. Become equipped from it
3. Encourage yourself through it
4. Enjoy it
5. Eternalize it

Search & Rescue

Yesterday, we as a family at Faith Chapel, looked at our purpose while here on earth - to Search & Rescue!

1. As a believer, you are to look for the lost and drowning.

2. As a believer, you carry the life preserver.

Poor Flotation Devices:

a. pleasure

b. possessions

c. pride (about me)

3. As a believer, you must develop the skills necessary to rescue the perishing.

The committed crew must be committed to:

a. His commandments

b. His commission

Skills needed:

prayer, fasting, reading His Word, learning & growing from other believers

We are on a mission to search and rescue those who are lost and are dying. We still have plenty of room in our lifeboat for people to be rescued. Let's do our part!

Just Ask - 10.4.09

This Sunday we began our new series, "Just Ask." We asked everyone in the church to submit their Bible, Theology, or current events questions to be answered in this series. Here are our guidelines for this series:

1. Everyone must vote when given the opportunity.

2. You may abstain from 1 vote/service.



In searching for Truth in the Scripture, we are looking for the

a. Principles that are black and white.

b. Patterns that repeat in the Bible. (shade of gray)

c. Practices that Godly men and women had. (shades of gray)



We kicked off "Just Ask" this week by talking about these questions:



Q: What happens when you actually die?

The soul and body separate. We are spiritual beings that are having a physical experience in this world.


Q: When a person dies, do you go to heaven (if a Christian) or a resting place?

For the Christian...

1. Present with the Lord.

2. Today you will be with Me.

For the Non-Christian

1. Separated eternally from God.



Q: Why does hell exist?

1. God to deal righteously with Satan.

2. God to deal righteously with the unbeliever.



Lessons from Hell

1. The rich man was fully conscious.

2. His eternal destiny was irrevocably fixed.

3. He knew what was experiencing was just.

4. He became interested in Missions.



Q: What will Hell be like?

1. Unspeakable sorrow

2. Unsatisfied cravings

3. Unquenchable Flames of Fire

4. Eternal separation from loved ones

5. Hell is forever



Bottom line is

GOD DOESN'T WANT ANYONE TO GO TO HELL!!!



Join us this coming Sunday when we answer more questions about Heaven.

True Worshipper, part 2

I have always been amazed at this passage of scripture found in John 4. Jesus tells us that if we worship in "spirit and in truth," God will seek after us. It's one thing to seek after God, and we should. For those who seek Him, "find Him when they seek with all of their heart (Jer. 29:13)." But it is clearly another thing when God seeks after you. I want to know how to capture God's attention.

So what is "true worship." Because if I worship in this way, it captures God's attention. The word worship according to Strong's Exhaustive Concordance as used here means: to kiss as a dog licking the hand of his master, to lay prostrate to pay homage. If you know the history of Jesus' day, you will quickly remember that Samaritans were considered dogs or even lower to the Jews.

And because of this woman's past and her nationality, she goes to the well during the heat of the day to avoid the looks and criticisms from others. There she runs into a man, Jesus, who knows all about her past. He takes the time to minister to her even though he is tired and hungry. And at a specific moment in their discourse, He chooses a word picture for her that she could immediately identify with and understand. One she would never likely forget.

Maybe Jesus was seeking after her before she even knew it? Regardless, that was a day of destiny for her. I am aware of at least two trues here about a true worshipper.

1. They worship God with complete openness and honesty. Not concealing anything.

2. They worship God with love from their heart. Just as a dog will love his master in good times and bad. We must love God and worship Him in every situation in life. The dogs love remains constant. The dog always returns to kiss the master's hand. How long has it been since you returned to the Master to love him?

True Worshipper

Lately I have been spending my devotional time in the Gospels, especially zooming in on the words of Christ. Earlier this week, I was looking at the Samaritan Woman story in John chapter four. There is so much in those twenty-six verses. However, I targeted in on the last few verses where Jesus talks about "true worship."

In the twenty-third verse, Jesus declares that the time has now come for true worship to begin. The inference is that the current worship of the day was not true worship. I began to dig around in the verse and found that the word "true" means "not concealing." How refreshing.

When we come to God in worship, we don't have to put on pretense or act as though we are in someone else's house. We can with integrity and trust in the Lord, put ourselves in a vulnerable place. A place that doesn't conceal anything from the Lord. But a place of openness and transparency.

This kind of worship goes deeper than sincerity. This is a full blown openness to the Father. It may be hard to do this at first, because we tend to keep the darkest parts of our lives to ourselves. We try to live up to an image either placed upon us by society, ourselves or our church. But true worshippers know that God is in that place ready to receive us and fill us with His grace. I want to be a true worshipper, don't you?

The Rebounder

Second chances... that's what you get with a rebound. A second chance to score. A second chance to put points on the board. A second chance to do the right thing.

Many people have missed the mark, crashed the boards for a rebound, and have rebounded in their life. People like Moses, Sampson, and Peter fell but they didn't stay down. They rebounded in their life and God gave them a second chance.

This past Sunday, we heard how Travis, Maryanne, and Jim & Tina rebounded. Through different circumstances, they all found themselves needing help from God. Because of their openness and vulnerability we were able to see God's power and grace at work.

If you've missed the mark, get up. We all fall, but through God we are given a second chance. Rebound by turning to God today!

Sunday 8.30.09: The Treasure Chest

God has set aside and dedicated certain things for a particular purpose. It's the way He has designed things to be. They are God's non-negotiables!

This Sunday we looked at what is in God's Treasure Chest that He has "sanctified" or "set aside" for Himself that we are NOT to touch. We should NEVER touch what is already in God's Treasure Chest - tithes, offerings, and ourselves. We challenged Faith Chapel to give to God what already belongs to Him and do NOT take it back.

God also asks for the FIRST FRUIT and not our leftovers. Don't stall in your obedience - give your FIRST fruits to God.

Also, we had a wonderful time of worship today! If you missed it, the presence of God was so powerful after worship in second service, we had a call for salvation and many people came down for prayer. Great presence of the Lord! I'm excited and ready to see what God is going to do at Faith Chapel next week. Don't miss it!

Tame the Terrible Tongue

When I was a kid, my mom and I would stay up late and watch movies together. We enjoyed the classics, the war pictures, and of course, the Westerns. I am sure it was in one of those movies that I first heard the expression, "forked tongue."

I found that the "Indianism" was really used in the late 1700's to indicate a liar or a deceiver. It was first found in written form, and used to describe the Indian's relationship with government attorneys. They thought they lied, who would have guessed it?

So how can we tame the terrible tongue? James has some lessons I shared from this past Sunday's message:

1. Be quick to listen, and slow to speak- James 1:29

2. Keep a tight rein on your tongue- James 1:26

THINK

T- is it true?

H- is it helpful?

I- is it inspiring?

N- is it necessary?

K- is it kind?

3. Refuse to tear others down- James 4:11; 5:9

4. Speak only what is true- James 5:12

5. Pray for God's help in taming the tongue- James 3:8

Let's all realize that what we say and how we say it is incredibly important. You possess the "power of life and death" in the tongue (Prov. 18:21).

A Man of God

I had the pleasure of sharing this past Saturday with the Faith Chapel men's group on being "A Man of God". There were about 100 of us who gathered for a great breakfast and fellowship. I love being in front of smaller groups, and get especially charged when speaking to men.

"Man of God" is an expression that continues to amaze me about Godly men in the Bible. They would show up and people would say, "There is the man of God." What a wonderful reminder of how our lives are to reflect the image of our Maker. So when people see us they know and feel that they have been in His presence.

2 Tim. 3:1-5 “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.”

We know first hand the perils of living a godless life. The results are all around us. There is something in us that intrinsically knows right from wrong. We have to make living a Godly life a priority.

Priorities of Godly Living

1. God has set apart the Godly for Himself- Ps. 4:3

2. God listens when the Godly pray- John 9:31

3. Godly men mourn when injustice is executed - Acts 8:2

4. Godly sorrow brings repentance- 2 Cor. 7:10,11

5. Godliness provides present and future blessing- 1 Tim. 4:8

6. Godliness produces contentment- 1 Tim. 6:6; 11

Plan for a Godly Life

A Godly life must be pursued

1 Tim 6:11 “But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.”

Titus 2:11-14 "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.”

Godliness is conformity to the character of God, and obedience to His will. How committed are you because of your love for God to becoming a godly person? What areas of your life are needing attention in your pursuit of God?

Star Trek/ Ricardo Sanchez

Growing up in the 70's & 80's, Star Trek was a show most kids watched. And I was no exception.

Tomorrow we begin a brand new series entitled "Reel Faith," and we're starting with the movie Star Trek. I can't wait to share some great truths with everyone tomorrow morning.

And as an added bonus, recording artist and award winner Ricardo Sanchez will be with us for a mini-concert in both morning services. This is a preview for a full concert on Sunday, August 16. To find out more about Ricardo go to www.ricardomusic.com. Bring someone with you and I can't wait to see you there.

Happy Fourth of July

Today is one of my favorite holidays of the year.  We will be spending our first 4th here in California at the home of some new friends. I love this great nation and for all she embodies, "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."  This is what the American Dream is all about.  Having the freedom to live out what you feel you were born to do.  It's a dream that allows the poor to become rich, the obscure to become famous and the captive to be liberated.

This freedom is foundational to all Americans, and was the basis of our government from its inception.  This freedom is best seen when people help others.  America is know as the greatest benevolent nation in the world.  Because helping others be free from tragedy and tyranny, and allowing them to share in one of the world's single greatest gifts is what freedom demands us to do.  

However, in order to really be free one must become a prisoner.  Like the prophet Zechariah said, "O prisoners of Hope.." (Zech. 9:12).  And isn't that what has caused this great Nation to weather storms and battles: hope.  In America, the land of the free, we are and have always been "prisoners of hope."  We can make the world a better place, help the needy, assist the elderly, love the downtrodden all while offering them something they can't see for themselves in their current condition, hope.  

And this hope was prevalent when our founding fathers left the most prosperous nation in the world and declared our own independence.  This kind of hope is only truly found in Christ.  Paul wrote to the Colossians about this hope in Christ being alive in them (Col. 1:27).  And this kind of hope does not disappoint us (Ro. 5:5).

So this Fourth of July, take a moment to remember where real freedom comes from and not only celebrate our Country's independence, but your own in Him.