Grace

For the last couple of days, I have been reading about grace on www.flowerdust.net, and I wanted to share the link with you. The website is a blog written by Anne Jackson, but she has had a guest writer,Cindy, for the last few days. I believe as of today, Cindy has written four different posts. Look for the one that says "A courageous tale of grace-chapter one" and start there.

I didn't know

I didn't know that saying "I wish we would stop doing church and start being the church" would cause such a stir, so I removed that post from the blog. I have been reading and studying about the "church" as the body of Christ, and overall I got the sense that Christians have lost sight of what church is supposed to be. That it is about the people not just our meeting time on Sunday morning. I was not applying this specifically to Arch Baptist Church, but to believers overall.

I understand that someone reading the original post would not know what I was thinking or what was on my heart when I wrote it. I apologize for that. I will try to do better in the future about not "thinking" out loud on the blog without sharing more of the background.

Gospel for Asia

I highly recommend reading "Revolution in World Missions" by K.P. Yohannan the founder of Gospel for Asia.

Check out their site at www.gfa.org

Book review

I just finished the book, So You Don't Want To Go To Church Anymore by Jake Colsen (which is a pseudonym for the combined work of Wayne Jacobsen and Dave Coleman). Overall I liked this book, which was basically about questioning how we do church. It is a work of fiction centered around a one time church staff member named Jake and his journey in trying to figure out if our Sunday morning meetings are really what church is supposed to be. I didn't necessarily agree with everything in the book, but it did make me think and that's really what I want a book to do.

So, if you are wondering what church really should be about or even if you have just hoped that it could be more than just Sunday mornings, I would recommend giving this book a chance. It may or may not be a life changing read, but hopefully it will make you think.

www.jakecolsen.com

(How come I feel like I was just on Reading Rainbow, and now LaVar Burton is about to wrap-up the show?)

Plano East-John Tyler 1994 Football

I remember watching this video over and over again on ESPN when I was in college. It is one of the greatest videos ever. Plano East (in black) is down 41-17 with 2:42 left in the game when the video starts. It's just unbelievable what happens, and the commentary makes it that much greater.

Open forum

I have nothing to say, but yet I feel like I should write something. However, I try to avoid writing something just to write, so what I would rather do is hear from you. Whether or not I know you or whether or not you go to Arch Baptist Church, I would still love to hear from you. Tell me what you think about Christmas, church, life, or whatever is on your mind. It's an open forum for you to share with me and the rest of the world wide web, and it can even be done anonymously.

So, what are you thinking?

It's the thought that counts

"It's the thought that counts", no, really it's not. I've never seen someone in need being helped out by a thought. I never seen a child on Christmas morning opening up a "thought" and dancing around the room in pure joy. I've never seen the lost become found, because someone sat around thinking about them. I've never seen the "thought" count.

So, today put that thought into action. If you've been thinking about praying for someone, than pray. If you've been thinking about calling someone, than call. If you've been thinking about serving someone, than serve. If you've been thinking about loving someone, than love. It's not the thought, it's the act that counts.

Thank you

I wanted to say thank you to everyone for yesterday's potluck and program. Thank you not only for the financial gift, but even more for the giving of your time and your self to our family. Christian's who are not involved with a local congregation are missing out on great times of worship and fellowship like we had yesterday. It's great to be here at Arch.

Moms

I know that Shawna does a lot of work around the house, but I never realize how much until she is sick. I spent the last two days running around like a mad man trying to take care of the girls, the meals, Shawna and myself, and the house looks like a tornado ripped through it. Somehow Shawna does this everyday, and the place always looks great. I told her yesterday that if she wasn't around, our family and our home would always be in complete chaos.

I think its good to see what it would be like with out the moms in our homes and lives. It helps me to be thankful for my mom and for Shawna.

Thanks moms!

Worship

This Sunday I'm going to be talking about worship, so I've been thinking about it a lot lately, even tonight at the University of New Mexico basketball game. Usually I'm a "yeller" when it comes to basketball games and bad officiating, but not tonight. With worship being on my mind, I thought how could I worship God tonight at the basketball game, and for me it was just by staying quiet. I cheered on UNM, but I left the officiating to the officials. This was my form of worship for the night, and I enjoyed the experience.

Worship is not just for Sunday morning, so try and look for an opportunity to worship God during your Thanksgiving holiday in a different way than you have before. Have a great Thanksgiving, and I'll see you Sunday.

The Shack

I just finished reading a novel called The Shack by William P. Young, and I would like to offer up my recommendation for this book. It is a well crafted story that touches on how we view God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and forgiveness. It will challenge you and yet also comfort you. I cried a number of times while reading The Shack. If you where at Arch a couple of Sundays ago, you heard me preach on the idea that's it not about the reasons why things happen, but it's about the God behind those reasons. That is what this novel is about, and for me it was neat to start reading it after I had preached that message. So, I recommend giving it a try. On the website, www.theshackbook.com, you can read the first chapter for free (also read the forward). You can't beat that.

Body of Christ

I will admit that most people figure this out a lot earlier in their walk with Christ, but I'm just now seeing the beauty in the differences among the people that make up the Church. It used to drive my crazy ( and I'm sorry to say at times still does) when people didn't see things the way I saw them or didn't do things the way that I would have done them. However, slowly but surely, I'm beginning to see the wonder of God's plan to make us all unique. Not that I've ever wanted everyone to be just like me, but only now am I beginning to see that our differences are not an obstacle for me to try to get over. This is especially true in church work. For years I've battled against personalities, instead of embracing them. God is just so much smarter than me.

I'm glad our church at Arch, and the Body around the world includes: those who are stubborn, those who are patient, those who joke around, those who take it serious, those who can play music with what seems to be no effort at all, those who can't sing on key to save their life, those who move fast, those who move slow, those with dreams, and those with contentment.

The Church just wouldn't be the church without everyone, including you.

5 things every Christian should know

This is the title for a new sermon series I'm starting this Sunday. These aren't the only 5 things a Christian should know and not necessarily the most important, but it makes for a good series title. Throughout the coming months and years, you will probably also see "5 things every Christian should know part II" and "5 more things every Christian should know". These titles allow me to be vague, yet have some kind of running theme.

Anyways, here is a list of tentative titles in no particular order for the first edition of "5 things every Christian should know".

1. It can happen to you

2. Money is just paper (and sometimes coins)

3. Tattoos are ok

4. Worship, it's not just music

5. Ancient Paths

Last Night

1) Thank you to everyone who helped with last night. Our family had a great time, and I appreciate everyone who brought food, decorated, ran games, and cleaned up. Thanks.

2) You probably noticed I'm not much of a group game player and I want to explain. I have through the years been in to many games that our basically designed to make everyone who is playing (especially the pastor) look like an idiot. I think this must be part of the Baptist Faith & Message that I didn't read. I hate that. Thankfully last night's game was not one of those, thank you Punky. It's just that when people start asking you to stand with a bunch of guys in one area, holding balloons, I can see bad things happening.

Frustrated

I'm frustrated about today's service

I'm frustrated that things didn't go like I had hoped

I'm frustrated that the response time was cut short by computer failure

I'm frustrated that I feel like I have to justify why the response time was cut short (see above) to people who left more concerned about the lack of an "invitation" than with a concern about what God wanted to say to them

I'm frustrated that our service seems to fall flat

I'm frustrated that all of this bothers me so much

I'm frustrated that I don't know what to do

Thought for the day

Here is a quote by a non-Christian from a book I'm reading.

"Religion always seemed too personal for me to take advice about it from people I don't know."

Think about it.

Violet Burning

When I was in high school, my friend Matt had a cd by the group Violet Burning, which had one of the greatest songs I have ever heard on it. The song was called "The Killing". Over the last several years, I have not been able to get a copy of the song or the cd, but I wanted to share the lyrics with you. It is very powerful to me and brings back a lot of memories of trying to follow Christ when I was a teenager.


Can you feel the pain he feels
As the nails go through his hands?
Driving them in deeper
Bloody red hands
A crown of thorns on his head
"Come down from there!" they cried.
"You saved others, can't you save yourself?"

Blindfolded, the soldiers demand prophecy
"Who is hitting you now?"
"Who is hitting you now?"
"Why don't you tell us? I thought you were the Son of God"
"Who is hitting you now?"
"Take him away!"

Oh they're killing my Lord
Oh oh they're killing my Lord
Like a lamb in the slaughter is sheared
So he never spoke a word
Oh oh they're killing my Lord

By the power of God
Day became as dark as night
The curtain torn in two
"It is finished!"
They spit on him and mock his name
Very much like the world today
Beat him, laugh at him
"Ha ha ha ha"

Oh they're killing my Lord
Oh oh they're killing my Lord
Like a lamb in the slaughter is sheared
So he never spoke a word
Oh oh they're killing my Lord

Can you feel the pain he feels
As the nails go through his hands?
Cause they're driving them in deeper
Deeper deeper deeper
Can you feel it?
Can you feel it?

Showers

I'm really starting to dread taking a shower every morning. It seems like every time I turn around it's time to get up and take another shower, and I don't know how much longer I can take it. I know that a shower doesn't seem like much and I do like to be clean. If I don't take a shower in the morning, I feel "cheesy" all day. It's not the shower its self I don't like, but the fact that it signifies a new day is beginning. Again, the start of a new day may on the surface seem like a good thing, but to me it just reminds me that I didn't accomplish much the day before and today doesn't hold many prospects either. It's the fact that the shower has become the anchor point of my day, not the small task I have to do to get on to the good stuff.

Days are flying by and the reason I know this is because it's always time for another shower. The fact that I'm even writing about showers, should tell you where my life is now. I'm just hoping that soon a shower will just be a shower, and not a point of philosophy in my life.

Another great story

Ray of Hope

October invite weekend

Don't forget this weekend is our Invite weekend for October, and we will be having a guest speaker at church on Sunday. So, invite someone to breakfast, to a game, to your home, to go look at motorcycles you'll never buy, to a concert, to go shoe shopping, to join you at a cake decorating class, to go camping, to watch 13 straight hours of college football, to pick up trash at the local park, to put away shopping carts a Wal-mart, to go to church, to write a novel, or what every else comes to mind. The point is, just invite someone to be apart of your life this weekend, so in turn you can be apart of theirs.

Good story

I just wanted to pass on this link about a story I think you will like.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=3059155#

Books

Here is a list of books that I would recommend. You've probably already read them or heard of them but I just thought I would pass along some of my favorites. I recommend them not just because they were a good read, but they challenge me to go back to God's word and look at it with new eyes.

Velvet Elvis--Rob Bell

Blue Like Jazz--Donald Miller
Searching for God Knows What--Donald Miller

Jim and Casper Go to Church--Jim and Casper

Under the Overpass--Mike Yankoski

Confessions of a Pastor--Craig Groeschel

Music recommendation: John Waller "The Blessing"

I'm thinking about a job

I'm thinking about getting another job. Now before you jump up and down and start screaming with delight, I'll still be pastor at Arch. (sorry to disappoint) But seriously, I'm considering looking for a part-time job that would allow me to get out in the "world" and be involved with people. Maybe 2-3 days a week, with no nights or weekends. I don't want to substitute teach, because basically your time is spent playing babysitter/cop for the day and that's not quite what I'm looking for. However, we are in Portales so jobs like I'm thinking of are hard to come by. I just want something that doesn't require to much brain power, but would allow me to work with customers and be around new people.

God has called us to be out among people, and for me this seems like a great way to do just that. So, if you know of any possibilities, please let me know. Also, if you have any ideas on how our church can be doing more ministry outside of our building, than I would love to hear them.

Everest

Over the last year, I have watched several different t.v. shows on the subject of climbing Mt. Everest. It has been amazing to see how much time, money, and effort it takes to take on the world's tallest mountain. Watching the stories of those who have made it to the top and the stories of those who have died on the mountain, I've been more impressed with those who have almost made it. I was watching a documentary today on Everest, and one of the climbers had to give up and turn around less than 250ft. from the summitt. Two hundred and fifty feet, that's less than a trot around the bases at a major league ball park, but on Everest it is hours worth of climbing. I wondered what that must feel like, to be so close to fulfilling a dream and then watch it slip away. If he hadn't turned around, he would have most likely met the fate of many on that mountain, death. Yet, I'm sure it was probably one of the toughest choices he has ever had to make.

It got me to thinking about my life and following Christ. If I was that close to one of my dreams, but God asked me to walk away from it, would I? Would I really give up anything for Him? Would I save my life by losing it?

What are your dreams and goals? If you were "250ft" away from reaching those dreams, would you be willing to give them up to follow Jesus down the narrow road. I guess I'm so impressed with the climbers that almost make it but turn back, because it takes the ability to give up themselves. Ultimately that's what we must do to follow Christ, give up ourselves.

Stepping on toes

"You really stepped on our toes this morning, pastor," is a common phrase uttered in churches across America on any given Sunday morning, and I've still never gotten use to hearing it. In my mind when a sinful man seeks a holy and righteous God, toes are going to get crushed. I don't know why that surprises us. His ways are not my ways, His thoughts are not mine, so something has to give and it's not going to be God.

My hope is that your toes are being stepped on all week as you engage with God, not just on Sunday morning.

Invite

This weekend Shawna and I invited one of our friends to go to the ENMU football game. We hadn't done a lot with him since we moved out to Arch, so the game was a great way to get reconnected. I've know him for a couple of years now and I've even had the opportunity to share Christ with him and invite him to church. The great thing about having a relationship with him that doesn't start and stop with a church invitation, is that when he doesn't come to church, the door isn't closed on our friendship. The Invite weekend gave Shawna and I a good reminder that we can't let relationships like this one, fall to the wayside.

Invite Weekend

This weekend will be our first Invite weekend at Arch Baptist Church. My hope is that everyone in our congregation will invite somebody to do something. Now, I know that sounds a little vague, but basically that's all it is. Church should be about building community, especially with unbelievers or non-church goers, so that's what an Invite weekend is all about. For some this will be the perfect opportunity to invite a friend or co-worker out to eat or to a football game, and for others this would be a great time to invite someone to church. Either way, it's about building relationships to further God's kingdom, not necessarily our church membership role. So whether or not you go to church out at Arch or if you just got unlucky and stumbled across this blog, invite someone to be a part of your life this weekend.

Also, I would love to hear about your Invite experience, so feel free to leave your comments or send me an email at codyhbrown@yahoo.com.

I would love to have a motorcycle

It's been a long time since I've ridden a motorcycle and even longer since I've owned one. The last one I had was a 1987 Honda Interceptor 750. It was a great bike, but when Abby showed up it somehow became a nonessential. Things like baby formula, diapers, groceries, etc became the essentials, and things like motorcycles where the first to go.

I love to ride because it makes you forget about everything else. When you are on 2-wheels going down the road, there are not a lot of things that I'm thinking about other than if that car a mile down the road is going to pull out in front of me or not. And that's nice. It's nice not to think about life, and I miss that. As a pastor most of my day is spent chewing on life's questions, whether preparing a sermon, counseling a church member, or sharing Jesus with someone, my mind is always turning. I guess that's also why I like t.v. so much. I like watching t.v. and just going brain dead for an hour at a time.

I would love to have another bike, but I guess it continues to be a nonessential in our house. However, if you've got one out back that you want to get rid of...

Something New

I got tired of looking at that green background, so I decided to change the look of this site.

Michael Vick

I'm not really going to write anything about Michael Vick, but everything else on the web and on t.v. is about Vick so I guess my fingers just got confused while typing the title for this post.

Anyways, I just wanted to say that it was amazing to see God answer my prayers on Sunday. I have been praying for a group of people in our area that I hoped would come to church, and Sunday I was asking God to bring at least 5 of those people to church. And guess what, He did. Exactly 5 people from the list of people I and others have been praying for showed up Sunday morning. I've also been praying that God would just draw people that we don't know to the church. That we would see people come just by the leading of His Spirit. And guess what, He did. It was amazing and very uplifting to me.

I am amazed at God's faithfulness. In 2 Timothy chapter 2, God's word says that even when we are faithless, He is faithful. That is exactly what I saw on Sunday. Even though I have been praying for people to come, I have not always been faithful in my prayers, or even faithful to my God. Yet, He was still faithful. That blows me away!

I hate golf

I hate golf, yet I love golf. It is just that type of game. By the time I think I kind of have it figured out, by figured out I mean being able to hit the ball and not being in fear of maiming someone or causing a major vehicular accident on a road adjacent to the golf course, I realize I don't have anything figured out. It is a very, very frustrating game.

Today I played as bad as you can possibly play, and yet I'm ready to go again as soon as possible. It doesn't make any sense.

I'm sorry

When I was a senior in high school, I helped to start a poll that would rank the top 25 girls at my high school. And now I would like to say I'm sorry. I'm sorry I didn't live out in my life then something I already knew, and that was that God completely and fully loved and still loves everyone of those girls. The ones on the poll and the ones I didn't even see fit to mention. The identity of those girls comes from the fact that God loves us, not from some stupid high school poll thought up by stupid boys. I'm sorry.

Afraid of the dark

I'm afraid of the dark. There it is, I admit it. I am 32 years old, and there are times when I am extremely afraid of the dark. Why, I don't really know. I just know that since I was a kid, I have been afraid at nights and in dark places. I do okay most nights, but if Shawna is ever out of town, then forget about it. I usually don't sleep much those nights.

So this fear of the dark got me thinking. It got me thinking about a couple of things really. First, it made me think about how dark sin is, which makes sense. If God is light, then sin would have to be void of light, and I've really began to see that in my life lately. I've started to "feel" just how dark sin can be in my life, but what I've also noticed, is my lack of fear for the darkness of sin. I mean I despise sin in my life, but I don't seam to fear its darkness like I fear the darkness at night time. This concerns me. If the darkness of night can bring about such panic inside me, than why doesn't the darkeness that comes from disobeying my Creator do the same. God is not asking me to be weighed down and left feeling unforgiven by my sin that He has already forgiven, but I do wish that something inside of me would fear the darkness of sin as much as I fear the dark.

Restless leg syndrome

So I'm sure you have seen the commercials for the medication for RLS (restless leg syndrome). First I want to say that if you have RLS I am not making fun of your condition, however, I will be making fun of the side effects of the medication they want you to take for your condition. More specifically I will be making fun of the side effect that "may increase your urge to gamble" if you take RLS medication. The urge to gamble?? Seriously, you no longer have problems with your legs keeping you up at night, but now you can't go to bed because you're hooked on on-line texas hold em' poker.

"I no longer have problems with RLS, but my family now lives in a cardboard box." ( that would be said by an actor with a Gomer Pyle type voice)

That just seems like a very interesting side effect is all.

Things get old

On our trip to Colorado and Utah this past week, I spotted a candy bar that I used to think I would never get tired of eating and I realized I was tired of eating it. It made me think why that was. It is still the same candy bar, made the same way as it always has, so why did I no longer choose to partake of its tasty goodness? Then I realized that's how it is for a lot of things, not just candy bars. Some of the movies that I used to be able to watch everyday or tapes that I use to wear out from too much play (and yes I did say tapes, you haven't heard that phrase in awhile) I no longer want to see or hear. Why? I guess we just want something different after a while. And even though we fight change if it isn't our choice, we really all thrive off of change. Which to me makes even more profound the statement Paul makes in Philippians, when he says he is "content whatever the circumstances" and that he has learned the secret of being content.

I want to be content. I don't always want to be looking for the next thing coming over the next hill. I don't always want to see if the grass is greener. I want to be content. I believe what Paul has discovered is that it's not about finding contentment WITH your circumstances, but rather we can be content IN our circumstances because we quench our human desire for the next thing with our pursuit of God. He is the one thing that never gets old, and the one thing we will never fully comprehend.

There are times when God calls us to new jobs, new places, and new ministries, but if this isn't one of those times, yet you still are feeling restless. Pursue HIm. Pursue Him. Pursue Him.

I'm doing a wedding in Utah, so I will be away from the computer for about a week. Hopefully, the trip will yield something interesting to write about.

Conflict

I hate conflict. I guess I don't personally know a lot of people who love conflict, but it really bothers me. I attended a meeting today that is still weighing on me. This meeting was about doing ministry and during the meeting a couple of questions came to me that I thought needed to be addressed. Well, by the time it was all done, I some how felt like the bad guy and basically a jerk. I want to say I asked my questions in a respectful manner, and that I wasn't trying to be a jerk, but how come I can't shake the feeling. Am I missing something? Does feeling this way mean that I acted out of line, or do I feel this way just because I always want people to like me? Obviously it's okay to want people to like you, but there are times when that's just not possible. The problem for me is knowing if this was one of those times. I think so, but I'm guessing I'm probably a little biased in my opinion.

What would you do?

What would you do if you could do anything? Is there something you have always dreamed about doing? A job, a trip, etc. Why aren't you doing it? There are a lot of things I would like to do, but for me I think it just comes down to being a pessimist and lazy. Basically, my pessimism is a good cover for being lazy. It's easy for me to look at things and say it can't happen, than for me to actually try. I've always wanted write a book. (no surprise, doesn't every pastor want to write a book) I actually think I have a good idea for a novel, but if you've read any of my blog you know I'm not the greatest writer. So, I use that as an excuse, and I don't try. I have half a chapter written, but that's it.

I also want to be a good cook, go on more mission trips, and speak around the country, but sadly another day goes by and I just do the bare minimum to get by in life. The thing is, days are going by a lot faster for me now than ever, and if I don't start doing something soon, there will be no more days.

So I'm going to do something different today. I'm going to get working on that book idea. I don't care if I get it published, but I need to write it. It's my first step, and I need to take it. What about you? What would you do if you could do anything, and why aren't you doing it? What's the worst that could happen? You fail. So what, do it anyways.

I would love to hear your comments about the things you want to do.

Blessings

For those of you who heard my sermon on the beatitudes in Matt. 5, I wanted to clear up some of my thoughts on blessings.

Do I think it's a blessing when God provides for our needs? Yes. Do I think it's a blessing when God gives me more than I need? Yes. When God gives my family a home to live in, a vehicle to drive, and money to pay the bills, I see all of those as blessings and gifts from God. But the point I wanted to make with the sermon I preached, is that it can also be a blessing when God does none of those things. I believe Jesus is challenging us to think outside of ourselves and outside of the box when He is talking about being "blessed" at the beginning of Matthew 5. I think this in turn helps us to not take for granted all of the other things I mentioned above.

Everything is from God, and all that He does for us is a blessing. But that also includes the times we are poor in spirit, the times we mourn, the times we are meek, and the times we hunger...

Where are we headed?

Where are we headed? That's the question I want to pose to the people of Arch. Summer is going to be over before we know it, and I think it's a good time for us to start looking at some possible ministry ideas. So, instead of me throwing out several ideas and getting your opinions, I want to hear from you. You can post comments on this site with ideas, send me an email, or let me know your ideas at church. I would just love to hear what you would like to see our congregation doing in the future.

my email is codyhbrown@yahoo.com

Thanks, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Elevator crowding or E.C. as I like to call it

I wonder why when the little bell dings to signal that the elevator has arrived, that most people rush to the doors before they even open. Isn't there like a 90% chance that someone is in the elevator and is going to need out before anyone else can get on? It is always amusing to me when these elevator crowders then react in shock that someone is actually in the elevator needing to get out. Then they say something like, " Oh, excuse me" and back frantically away from the doors. Is this there first time using an elevator or are they just in that big of a hurry? I bet if you did some kind of lab experiment involving electric shock and some kind of reward, you would probably still find a majority of people rushing to the doors.

I don't know, just a thought.

America's next...

I just saw a commercial for a new t.v. show called "America's Producer". Apparently, they are having a reality show to find America's next top producer. Are you serious? How many shows like this can we have? America's next top model, Americas got talent, America's producer, America's next babysitter, America's top pool cleaner... The worst part is, I would probably end up watching all of these shows. Reality shows have now become our reality.

Anyways, this got me thinking about a conversation I had with my dad yesterday. We were talking about how people can drive us crazy and how we drive people crazy ourselves. Dad said it would be interesting if we had our lives video taped, so we could play it back and see just how we appear to others. Scary thought, finding out that I'm not always right, and that I don't necessarily ooze the love of Christ. Most of the footage would be filled with me complaining how people don't do things the way I think they should be done. It's funny how people are different, but the one thing we all seem to have in common is that we think that everyone else should act and think just like us. But guess what. It's not going to happen, and I need to stop going through life with the idea that it will.

Christ has called us to love others and make disciples, not clones of ourselves. I need to stop complaining and focusing on all things that people do differently than myself, and instead focus on the fact that they are God's creation, made to His exact specifications.

66 Hot Dogs

I just watched Joey Chestnut on ESPN eat 66 hot dogs!! 66 hot dogs. How in the world can someone eat 66 hot dogs? Just watching that, makes me feel stuffed. The funny thing is the announcers kept calling him a hero, and saying how brave he was to eat all those hot dogs. Really? Hero? Brave? I mean unless the hot dogs threatened him and his family is he really a hero? It's amazing how we throw around certain words in our society. Like the words hero, bravery, or even the word blessing. I'm surprised someone didn't say how blessed Joey was to have such a hot dog eating talent. This Sunday I want to touch on what it really means to be blessed, and how we have made that word mean less then it should.

Good Sunday

We had half of our congregation out of town this morning, but church was still a good place to be. All of our music people were gone, but we still had great worship. I'm so glad God doesn't require 100 people before He will show up, but He promises to show when two or more are gathered in His name. He was present this morning in our service, and that's what made it great.

For those of you who missed, we finished up on last weeks sermon on denying ourselves, and began to look at what it means when Jesus says, "Follow me." When Jesus calls us to follow Him, He is saying a couple of things. One is that we can do what He did. He loved, He touched lives, He made disciples, He glorified God, and countless other things, and He says we can also do those things. When He says "Follow me", He is saying that He has faith in us. God doesn't have to use us, but He does. That to me, is very uplifting. When Jesus says "Follow me", He is speaking greatness into us.

I will probably review a little next Sunday to catch up those who missed this morning. I want to use this idea that Jesus is calling us to do what He did, to launch us into the next few weeks, or maybe even months, of studying exactly what Jesus did. I think it's time to get reacquainted with our Savior.

Life changing experiences

I just read an article about Paris Hilton's experience in jail, and she said it was "life changing". I believe that it was a life changing experience for her, and I hope it continues to mold and shape her life in a new direction. However, I've found that most people's life changing experiences don't usually last a lifetime. Most people change for a week or a month, and then they are right back to the place they were. I know it's true for me. I know I base so much on my emotions and how I feel at that moment, but my feelings are bound to go away or change at some point. This doesn't mean that those experiences weren't real or that things in our lives don't need to be changed, but it means they need to change even when we don't feel like it. Once Paris settles back into her life, she will lose some of those feelings she has right now about her time in jail, but I hope she will make changes in her life that go beyond feelings and emotions. Changes that will last even when she doesn't feel the same as she does today. I also hope that will be something I will remember. God has opened my eyes to so many things during a time of worship where my emotions have been off the charts, but He wants me to remember and obey what He has revealed to me, even when I don't "feel" like it.

The day after

When ever we make a commitment or renew a commitment to God, it always seems that the day after is always the toughest. I always hear people say that Satan must be attacking them since they are trying to stand strong and obey God, but I don't know if that is really the case all the time. Yesterday, I preached about denying ourselves and taking up our cross to follow Christ, and ever since those words left my mouth, it has been a struggle. However, I don't think it is because Satan is attacking me. I think it has been a struggle, because denying myself is a hard thing to do. If it was easy, I would have done it a long time ago. My struggle comes from having my eyes open to just how little I have denied myself in the past.

Whenever we commit ourselves to the life God has called us to, it will be hard. But be encouraged that it will be a far better life denying ourselves, than it will be if we spend our entire life choosing ourselves.

Here goes nothing

I wanted to have a place on the web where the people from Arch or anywhere else for that matter could discuss whatever. I will try to share some insights to upcoming or past sermons, and I hope you will chime in with what you think. Also, I will just ramble about very insignificant things as well.

I'm warning you in advance that I'm terrible at grammar and spelling, so hopefully you can over look my improper use of the English language. I write how I talk, it just seems to make sense.

So, here goes nothing!