It's 2010 already!?

The first 10 years of the 21st century is officially behind us and we begin this new decade. So much has happened to change our world in the last 10 yrs. Terrorist flying planes into the world trade centers, Hurricane Katrina, the first African American is elected President; so many life changing things. Even though these events were sometimes catastrophic, they pale in comparison to the life changing events hat have happened to so many because they chose to receive Christ as Lord and Savior. Most of the world has no idea the importance of such an event.
We are starting this year off with a call to "make disciples". This Sunday Pastor Mike will be preaching a message about EXPANDING the kingdom. What better way to start the New Year than to equip ourselves to "make disciples of all nations". Come and see what God is doing, and join us for worship.

Over Hill and Dale...

For a lot of people Christmas means traveling. So is the case for me. My family lives in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. If I'm not careful I lose sight of what Christmas is all about. My parents divorced when I was 15 and I have had split Christmas's ever since. I have to go to my Moms, then to my Dads then to my Grandparents, and since I am married we also go to the in-laws. Sometimes I feel like it's go,go,go! Once I am there, all is well. I enjoy the visits and I love to see my kids have the fun they do.
Life is kinda like that, go,go,go...move, move, move! With all that goes on in life and all that happens everyday, we tend to forget we are on a journey; we are simple travelers. The Bible calls us "aliens and strangers". Life is that traveling between family and friends we do during the holidays, but once the journey is over and we are there with our heavenly father and all our brothers and sisters we see that it was worth the journey. The Apostle Paul reminds to "not grow weary in well doing, for in time we will reap". Keep going, keep doing, keep moving forward and when the journey ends you will reap for all your labor.

Merry Christmas!

"Near........Far"

I remember as a child the Sesame Street skit with Grover coming close to the camera and saying "near", then running away from the camera and yelling "far". This was to teach children the difference between the two words. Somehow, we have lost that knowledge when it comes to our relationship to God. I have been watching the attendance at church slip since the holiday season began. Each week it has dropped, and it causes me to think, what is its replacement. Christmas parties and Christmas shopping seem to rule our time. We really need to be careful, because the rest of the world is looking for a reason to take Christ out of Christmas. Now is the time we have to show how near we are to God. This is the season we celebrate the day that God came "near".
Have Merry Christmas!!

Football and Blood Pressure

Normally, I am pretty even keeled. But for some reason when my football team of choice loses, what I believe to be, a game they should easily win, my ears get real red and every little thing becomes an irritation. Things that wouldn't normally bother me so much, become like a splinter just below the skin, festering it's way to the top.

Just another instance of how we let circumstances control our spirit. Football has no impact on this life we lead, as do much of the things we let control us. In Romans chapter 8, the first 12 verses, talks about being "Spirit" controlled. The problem is we tend to get "in the flesh" a lot, and if we are "in the flesh" then we are not "in the Spirit". It's always gonna be one or the other. The hard thing is to recognize those times when we are in "the flesh" and repent. Yes I said "repent". Being in "the flesh" means being our old sinful selves; it means letting that old sinful nature we were saved from have some control in our lives. Once we recognize and repent, then can we be "Spirit controlled".

Hopefully, you will recognize those times this week and will make the proper adjustments. Have a great Journey this week!