Two days ago I wrote I would be home for Sunday...oh well God had other plans.  Tammy and I are flying standby and are waiting for a seat and so far nothing.  It doesn't look good for tomorrow either.  So for now we wait.

As I was waiting I was reminded of how we are to wait on the Lord.  Psalm 27:14 says "Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!"  Waiting and being of good courage leads to God's strengthening of our hearts. Sometimes waiting on God and being courageous while waiting is very, very difficult.  Do not fear, God will be there to strengthen you. It is good to know that with God's strength we can make it through anything.   

Another verse that speaks of waiting on God is Psalm 37:7, "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him..." Sometimes it seems like the evildoers of this world get ahead and we feel like the turtle that is choking on the hare's dust.  Just wait on God, be patient, He has not forgotten you, nor will He.

So for now, Tammy and I wait and wait.  I just pray Lord make my heart willing to listen to the spiritual leassons you have for me while here. Because of Him, Pastor 

 

 

Things have not gone exactly as planned today and we are now in San Francisco waiting to catch a flight tomorrow.  While waiting today I had a chance to do some reading.  I continued reading unChristian by David Kinnaman.

As I was reading a chapter today on homosexuality I was struck at how hypocritical we can be about sexual sin.  We will declare homosexuals moral reprobates and condemn them for there actions, but when a heterosexual couple sleep together or cohabitate or even have an affair we will say declare it's sin but not condemn it with the same voice or severity. 

Think about, which would you view as a worse sin: a man and woman cohabitating outside of marriage or two men cohabiting?  The answer is neither is worse, both are sexual immorality and equally sinful in the eyes of God.  Both are satisfying their carnal desires outside of God's plan. I have known friends that will condemn with a mean spirit a homosexual, but will turn the other way when they know of a man and woman engaging in sexual immorality.

It is not my point to say that we should turn our backs on either, but rather the same biblical standard for immorality should be applied.  This is another reason so many outsiders have difficulty listening to believers, it is because we apply a double standard that is not biblical. 

Sexual immorality is just that, immoral.  Paul told the Corinthians to "Flee sexual immorality." As Christians are we living above reproach?  Are we fleeing sexual immorality? 

One last thing, we are to love people, not just condemn them.  Live a life that exemplifies God's principles, be kind, love people and allow God to use your life to touch their hearts. Jesus said in Matthew 5:16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."

 

Because of Him, Pastor.

Tomorrow if all goes as planned Tammy and I will head home to Illinois.  I must say that I am not looking forward to leaving 80 degree days for snow, cold, etc. 

As I thought about heading home tomorrow I am reminded that any day I might be taken to my real home, my heavenly home.  No waiting at the gate, no security checks, no bags to check, no need to arrange a ride. The trumpet will blow and in a moment home will appear.  A perfect home.

Unless the trumpet blows tonight and I fly Heavenly Airlines home, United will be taking me back tomorrow.  See ya' Sunday.  Because of Him, Pastor.

Hi from sunny, warm Las Vegas, Nevada.  It has been beautiful here the last two days.  It was over 80 today with clear blue skies.  We look forward to another warm beautiful day again tomorrow.

Yesterday we went to the west rim of the Grand Canyon.  What a wonder to behold.  The Psalmist said, "Come, behold the works of the Lord." As I stood at the edge of that vast hole in the earth I could not help but wonder at what a great and mighty God we have. David writes in Psalms 65:6, "Who established the mountains by His strength, Being clothed with power." God established the mountains and the valleys by His strength and they attest to His mighty greatness.  The rocks to cry out praise to God by their awesome beauty.  Paul V. said to me as we stood atop a hill overlooking the vast canyon, "how can anyone see this not believe in God?" Yet they do not believe, I ask in my mind how could those with Jesus have seen those miracles and not believed in Him, yet they did not. 

 I thought about this question that Paul asked me over and over the last day and came to a conclusion that people can see that awesome valley and not believe in God because the mountains and the valleys were never made to bring people to God, we are.  Our lives are to be the trophies of grace that point people to Christ.  Ephesians 2:10 says, "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."  We are His greatest work and yet we fail to show forth His great power in our lives.  May we see that we show forth that great work that the Creator has done in our lives, changing us and making us new creations through Christ.

Today we went to "The Strip."  We walked along the street and saw the incredible creations of man.  It is incredible.  What is even more incredible is that God can make man with the creativity and genius to create these fabulous buildings and electronic marvels and yet this same mankind does not have the common sense to look into God's Word and trust the simple truth of the Gospel. 

I have seen my mom and dad.  They are doing well and looking great.  I love to visit with them.  I look forward to spending more time with them over the next few days. 

Stay tuned for more.  Because of Him, Pastor.

 

Hello from 28,000 feet up. I am typing this blog entry on the airplane and will upload it when I get settled into my hotel room tonight.  It has been a good Easter Sunday.  I appreciate each week having the opportunity to share from God’s Word as I preach.  This week was especially exciting as we talked about “Tetelestai,”  “It is done.”  What good news that God has made provision for our sin.

As I head to Las Vegas, or Sin City, as it is called I remember that Christ paid the price of sin on the cross.  Sin that was infinite in its scope.  A debt that was of an unbelievable price. Thank God Jesus paid that price!!!

I’ll try to keep you updated on my journey while I am gone, I may even post a picture or two.  Hope your week is a good one.  Please pray for Tammy and I as we have some time off.  I have already enjoyed some time reading on the plane and a nice nap too.  Stay faithful.  Because of Him, Pastor.

For those of you who may read this and not live in the Chicagoland area we had snow today.  We had about 6 inches here.  It's the first day of spring, I bet the robins are wondering if they returned a little too early.

The title is someone cares because tonight I forgot my phone in my car and I missed some calls from my wife and she became concerned for my well being.  My intention was not to panic her, but it happened.  At first I was feeling she was a little overprotective, but really she cares for me.  So many people in this world have no one who care for them like that.  I am truly blessed with a great wife.  She is a loving person, patient mate, wonderful mother, godly woman and on top of all that...SHE CARES for me. 

As much as she cares for me this Good Friday reminds me of another One who cares for me.  He cared so much He gave His life for me.  "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son."  That is incredible love.  That is really caring. 

It is my hope that you have someone on this earth that cares for you like my wife cares for me.  It is my prayer that you have trusted in the Savior that cared enough to give His life for you.  Hope to see you Sunday.  Because of Him, Pastor.

Today I got to borrow Louie's truck to help move some stuff for the church.  He has this great Chevy truck.  It is nice to drive and reminded me of how much I love trucks.  Tomorrow with the snow coming I will use my 4 wheel drive Jeep commanche.  Yes I like trucks.  They are fun to drive, useful for hauling stuff and very, very "manly."

Our church was given a bunch of stuff by another school that moved and didn't need a bunch of desks and chairs and storage units.  They will be very helpful to us.  A number of our teens stayed after school and helped move the stuff.  I am really impressed by our young people.  They willingly worked hard today. On the whole they have a good attitude and are eager to learn God's Word.

I am so glad to be heading into spring break.  I am tired and must admit it's been hard to get motivated at times this week. 

It's time to hunker down for another winter storm.  I thought today was the first day of spring.  Oh well I will get to play with the truck in 4 wheel drive another time this season.  Because of Him, Pastor.

 

I'm finally settling in after a long day.  I enjoy these kinds of days.  Keeping busy doing God's work is exciting and never ever dull and boring.

Today was the first day of the Malachi Dads program at the Lake County Jail.  It was exciting to travel up with Lyndon and be a part of this new phase of the program.  There were ten men in the session and all of them were very excited and responsive as Lyndon shared the vision of men being dads. Every time I am with Lyndon I am challenged personally as well.  He makes me think. It is truly iron sharpening iron.  Today the challenge was about the outreach of the church.  The church has many programs so why do so few work?  I believe it is because we can try to get all kinds of people through the doors but if members of the church do not demonstrate a Christ like attitude and live for Christ, why should they respond to the Gospel?  Outreach in today's world is about a mile wide and half inch thick.  It has a lot of glitz and glitter but no substance.  The substance is supposed to be added by the saints demonstrating the life changing power of the Gospel.

Awana nights are always exciting as Tammy and I direct the Trek program.  I enjoy this age so much.  Yes they have some attitude but they are fun and can be anxious to learn.  

My desire is that everyone of the folks in my church can experience the great joy there is in serving Christ.  The old song is correct, "There is joy, joy, joy in serving Jesus." 

The regular Baptist pastors of our area have formed a book club and have been meeting every other month.  Today was the first time I was able to join them for the discussion. We discussed the Ten Lies book I refer to in a previous post.  In the discussion the point was raised about the favorite chapter in the book of youth men in the state was the chapter on God being a God that wants us to take delight in Him and enjoy Him (I believe it was chapter 9).  This is because so many young people have bought into the idea that if you follow God you can have no fun, no enjoyment and your life will be boring.  Nothing can be further from the truth.

It has been my experience that the people I know who truly delight in God and follow Him are the happiest people I know with a great amount of joy in their lives.  That sentiment was shared by every pastor around the table today.  What is also true is that the people who think they are enjoying life, those who know Christ as Savior and live a life that is "fun" by the world's standards are some of the most miserable people I know. 

Whenever we try to live life in the horizontal as Christians we lose our joy, but when we live life in the vertical from God downward, we can expect God's blessing on our life and know that He always has our best interest at heart.

I know this true from personal experience as well. In fact living for Christ has given me an exciting life full of opportunities that have come my way only because I am serving Him.  Don't be fooled, the world cannot offer you true joy.  That offer only comes from God.  Look upward for your true source of all that is good.

Lately I've been reading a number of books.  I finished "Ten Lies About God" by Erwin Lutzer recently.  The first lie he addresses is that we make God whatever we want Him to be.  We start from man and work upward.  The world today wants to make God in their own image instead of viewing God properly as the the Creator, Sustainer of all.

Another author I have been recently introduced to is Voddie Baucham.  Voddie's book "Family Driven Faith" was excellent and made me think about how our churches operate.  So often today we want to relegate spiritual education of our children to the church.  That is WRONG!!  Spiritual training is primarily the parents responsibility.  One chapter that was particularly helpful was his defining a Biblical worldview in one chapter.  While brief and to the point it is very well stated.

I am in the midst of a book by George Barna called "Pagan Christianity."  This book is challenging many of my thoughts about the church.  While I am not in total agreement with everything he writes it definitely makes me think.  I will share some of my thoughts on this book as I continue reading it.

On a personal note, I had a nice day off.  I have dropped 18 pounds since January 8.  I am praying that God allows me to lose the weight I have gained since leaving my weight loss program in 2004.  What a great God we have!!

Welcome to all of you.  This is my first attempt at blogging.  I thought it might be a nice way to share thoughts as I am preparing my messages, reading books, visiting folks or just let you into some of my personal thoughts sometimes.  It is my desire that you will check back often so I will attempt to be faithful in keeping up this page.

What a wonderful morning!!  I enjoyed our time together very much.  Our choir did a great job as usual.  I am amazed at what our Savior did for us when He died on the cross.  I cannot help but just keep wondering, "how can it be?" 

I look forward to next Sunday.  Easter is always special. I hope that each of you will think about a friend you can invite to join us in our service.  I have recently heard that 82% of people invited to church will come.

After the morning service Tammy and I will be heading to the airport to try and catch a flight to visit my mom and dad.  It has been a year and a half since I have been to their place and I hope that we can get there this time.  Nick is going to join us for this trip. 

Hope you all have a great week.