The following article was written in Lee Grady's monthly column in Charisma magazine "Fire in My Bones." Pastor Stocksdale and his Bethany church serve as a discipleship model for Kings Point.
Larry Stockstill’s Urgent Plea: “We Have a Window of Time for Repentance”
The Louisiana pastor is mobilizing American church leaders for a new movement of holiness and integrity.
Louisiana pastor Larry Stockstill had a disturbing dream last week [February 2008]. He saw military trucks and armored vehicles getting in formation for a surprise strike on an American city. Stockstill felt alarmed, but when he tried to warn a pastor in his dream, the man ignored him.
“I knew in my dream that a siege was going to happen the next day,” Stockstill says. “The enemy was being positioned. But no one would listen to me.”
Stockstill, pastor of the 10,000-member Bethany World Prayer Center in Baton Rouge, believes his dream was a prophetic warning about the spiritual condition of our nation. While America teeters near an economic and political precipice, many American church leaders are going on with their business as usual—without realizing that the church is in a state of serious moral crisis.
“Unless the pastors wake up to avert judgment, there will be judgment on America. If we don’t respond we are going to lose this nation.”—Larry Stockstill
“I believe we are facing a window of opportunity for repentance,” Stockstill says. “Unless the pastors wake up to avert judgment, there will be judgment on America. If we don’t respond we are going to lose this nation.”
Stockstill became alarmed about the anemic condition of American churches in 2006, when he had to step in and help bring discipline to Ted Haggard, the Colorado pastor who was removed as senior leader of New Life Church because of a moral failure. Stockstill offered correction and oversight to Haggard and his family and helped the leaders of New Life pick up the pieces after the scandal. Many observers praised Stockstill for his level-headed leadership and compassionate but strict adherence to biblical principles during the crisis.
What Stockstill learned during that painful process became the basis of a new book, The Remnant: Restoring Integrity to American Ministry. He hopes the message will trigger a movement of holiness and integrity in the American church, which has suffered a long string of embarrassing sexual and financial failures since Haggard’s fall 15 months ago.
“We look like a sleaze bucket in the eyes of the nation,” says the 54-year-old pastor, who has avoided the national spotlight during most of his 33 years in ministry. Once a missionary in Africa, Stockstill has focused most of his ministry on church planting and missions. Bethany has helped start more than 17,000 churches worldwide since 2000.
Stockstill says the level of dysfunction among American ministers concerns him because their unhealthiness is then passed down to their congregations. He sees five types of common dysfunction among ministers today, especially in the independent charismatic movement:
Lack of fathering (no affirmation, encouragement or spiritual covering)
Lack of correction (no accountability, resulting in pride and moral failure)
Lack of fruitfulness (no training in evangelism and discipleship, preventing churches from multiplying as they should)
Lack of healing (many pastors suffer silently because of sins and addictions)
Lack of teaching (many in ministry today are untaught, resulting in biblically illiterate churches).
“We really have to relay the foundations of ministry in this country,” Stocksdale says. “Many pastors have not been fathered, so they become ‘posers’—they are just looking to impress people.’”
Pride, Stockstill says, is a primary reason why so many leaders in the American church have fallen in recent years—including mature spiritual fathers who had years of successful ministry behind them but stumbled in their later years. “You look at leaders in the Bible like Solomon, or like Samson, and you find that years of success can lead a person into pride. And when pride comes, it brings a lack of accountability,” he explains.
“We don’t have a lot of time,” Stockstill says, recalling again his dream about impending danger. “We need a quick work of the Holy Spirit.”
___________________________________
Please remember Pastor Stocksdale and his vision to see American Pastors return to holiness and integrity. I have been asked by Pastor Stocksdale to come to Bethany in October along with some other pastors for a time of prayer, worship, and strategy-planning. Please join us in prayer for our pastors.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
More Thoughts on Oprah...
I wanted to take some time to elaborate on yesterday's blog, God is Not Worried About Oprah. Here are a few clarifying thoughts...
1. Oprah's not a threat to the church of Jesus Christ - Jesus said in Matthew 16:18 "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." If you are a part of Jesus' church than you have your eyes on Christ and your ears turned into His voice...not Oprah Winfrey. Oprah's beliefs and teachings can only mislead someone as long as they choose to hear what she is saying. As followers of Christ, we are to told that "...faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" Romans 10:17 KJV. Only God's Word can increase our faith. As we grow in God's Word, we are feeding on what the Hebrews writer calls "...strong meat[that]belongeth to them that are of full age [mature]..." The writer under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost concludes "...those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." [Hebrews 5:12, KJV]
The holy scriptures teach us that it is the Word of God that gives us the ability to discern what is good and what is evil. This is why followers of Christ must hear what God has to say in His Word daily instead of Oprah. Again, Oprah is not a threat to the church of Jesus Christ, but her beliefs can and is misleading to those that choose not to have their senses sharpened by the Word of God.
2. We need to pray for Oprah and those that choose to hear her - How? As I pointed out yesterday in 2 Corinthians 4: 14 "...the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." It is our responsibility as believers in Christ to pray that the Holy Spirit open their blinded eyes as He convicts (persuades) of the precious truth of the gospel. Prayer and fasting are powerful weapons of the believer. God can and will "open the sinner's blinded eyes" as we love the sinner enough to bombard heaven with prayer, fasting, and obedience.
3. Finally, let ME make this point a little stronger and clearer than I did yesterday: WE AS PREACHERS AND ALL FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST ARE CALLED to "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world" [Mattew 28:19,20). Listen...we are greater than Oprah and her followers in number, and in might, and we as the church of Christ wield more influence and power than she does (I know for some of you thats hard to believe). Matthew 29:18 says our leader, Jesus Christ, as been given all authority in heaven and earth. He gives that authority to us, His church, to go preach, make disciples, and do His works. If we the church will simply cary out the great commission, Oprah, the media, or the "gates of hell" itself will not be able to hold back the kingdom of God.
Come'on, share Christ with someone today! Pray for the lost, the spiritually blind, the sick, and especially your enemies. Do good to them today! Ask God to give you His love for them. Love and practice God's Word! Lets be on the offense as believers in Christ today instead of on the defense. Go and make disciples!
-Pastor
1. Oprah's not a threat to the church of Jesus Christ - Jesus said in Matthew 16:18 "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." If you are a part of Jesus' church than you have your eyes on Christ and your ears turned into His voice...not Oprah Winfrey. Oprah's beliefs and teachings can only mislead someone as long as they choose to hear what she is saying. As followers of Christ, we are to told that "...faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" Romans 10:17 KJV. Only God's Word can increase our faith. As we grow in God's Word, we are feeding on what the Hebrews writer calls "...strong meat[that]belongeth to them that are of full age [mature]..." The writer under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost concludes "...those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." [Hebrews 5:12, KJV]
The holy scriptures teach us that it is the Word of God that gives us the ability to discern what is good and what is evil. This is why followers of Christ must hear what God has to say in His Word daily instead of Oprah. Again, Oprah is not a threat to the church of Jesus Christ, but her beliefs can and is misleading to those that choose not to have their senses sharpened by the Word of God.
2. We need to pray for Oprah and those that choose to hear her - How? As I pointed out yesterday in 2 Corinthians 4: 14 "...the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." It is our responsibility as believers in Christ to pray that the Holy Spirit open their blinded eyes as He convicts (persuades) of the precious truth of the gospel. Prayer and fasting are powerful weapons of the believer. God can and will "open the sinner's blinded eyes" as we love the sinner enough to bombard heaven with prayer, fasting, and obedience.
3. Finally, let ME make this point a little stronger and clearer than I did yesterday: WE AS PREACHERS AND ALL FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST ARE CALLED to "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world" [Mattew 28:19,20). Listen...we are greater than Oprah and her followers in number, and in might, and we as the church of Christ wield more influence and power than she does (I know for some of you thats hard to believe). Matthew 29:18 says our leader, Jesus Christ, as been given all authority in heaven and earth. He gives that authority to us, His church, to go preach, make disciples, and do His works. If we the church will simply cary out the great commission, Oprah, the media, or the "gates of hell" itself will not be able to hold back the kingdom of God.
Come'on, share Christ with someone today! Pray for the lost, the spiritually blind, the sick, and especially your enemies. Do good to them today! Ask God to give you His love for them. Love and practice God's Word! Lets be on the offense as believers in Christ today instead of on the defense. Go and make disciples!
-Pastor
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Is God worried about Oprah?
After reading the following article, please note my brief comments at the end.
Recently a Christian author has written that media icon Oprah Winfrey has become a false prophet for a false Jesus. Warren Smith, author of Reinventing Jesus Christ: The New Gospel, is a Christian who was saved from the new age movement. He says Oprah's search led her to Marianne Williamson and the new age teachings of A Course in Miracles.
Oprah told her audience that she has no problem reconciling the differences between the new age religion she is now promoting and the Christian faith she claims. "I reconciled it because I was able to open my mind about the, um, the absolute, indescribable hugeness of that which we call 'God,'" Oprah said. "I took God out of the box."
But Smith, appearing on the March 11 edition of the AFA Report, said the false teachings of A Course in Miracles should be obvious to any Christian. "Here are some of the lessons: Lesson 29, 'God is in everything I see.' Lesson 186, 'The salvation of the world depends on me.' 253, 'My self is the ruler of the universe.' 337, 'My sinless-ness protects me from all harm,'" Smith said, quoting from the lessons. "This is the Bible upside-down."
Smith also criticized Oprah for the selection of Eckhart Tolle's new age book A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose as her book of the month.
"It reminds me of Jeremiah 5 where he says, 'A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land, the prophets prophesy falsely and my people love to have it so,'" Smith explained. "What is more wonderful these days than Oprah? A wonderful and horrible thing is happening in the land, the prophets prophesy falsely. Oprah -- by now teaching this class with Eckhart Tolle -- is no longer a pointer to deception. She is a false prophet and part of it herself."
Christians have an obligation, Smith concluded, to point out the error of Oprah's new age "christianity," even if doing so means risking public ridicule.
"Unfortunately, Oprah does so many things that are really good [that] people make the mistake of thinking that she's on to something with this whole spiritual deal," Smith argued. "What she's doing is, she's creating a new worldview. They're calling it a 'shift' that will prepare people for when the next shoe drops.
"And this will be the way that world peace would be achieved," he said, explaining the new age philosophy behind A Course in Miracles, "by everybody adopting this view that 'we're all one because we're all god, we need to come together, we need to be in unity.'
"And the only people who are going to hinder that are the people who are saying, 'No, we're not God. Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior.'
Internet evangelist Bill Keller, appearing on Fox News Channel's Cavuto Report, echoed Smith's warnings, calling Oprah the queen of the new age gurus. "These new age teachings are really sucking in millions of people to these false philosophies, these false theologies, and they're literally leading people to Hell," Keller said. "Oprah, whether she knows it or not, is really being a conduit to lead people to Hell."
First of all, I think its obvious that Oprah Winfrey is using her influence to seduce people to believe in false teachings and beliefs. But I would also add that many in the media are doing this today and have been for awhile through movies, music, news programs, sitcoms, etc. So what Oprah's doing is nothing knew. The Apostle Paul wrote in Colossians 2:8, "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." I wrote a book a few years called "The Culture Crafters" that exposes all kinds of ways that different media seduces people toward false philosphies and beliefs.
If you are a Christian, I would encourage you to pray for Oprah. Jesus said there would be false prophets and teachers in the last days. The Apostle Paul tells us that the "...the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them" [2 Cor. 4:4]. As followers of Christ, we really should be less concerned with Oprah and more concerned that we are stedfast in our own faith in Christ. Paul writes, "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, [so] walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving." Colossians 2:6,7
What about all of those that she is misleading? Shouldn't we expose her false teachings? Absolutely, but as followers of Christ, lets not demonize her and those that hang on every word she says or promotes. Again, we must love them and pray for them that their eyes be open to the preaching of the gospel, that the Holy Spirit go before us and convict (persuade) of the Truth. I really don't think God is as worried about Oprah as is a lot of today's preachers and Christians. But I do believe He is more concerned with you and I letting the glorious light of the gospel shine forth through our words, deeds, and life in general.
Recently a Christian author has written that media icon Oprah Winfrey has become a false prophet for a false Jesus. Warren Smith, author of Reinventing Jesus Christ: The New Gospel, is a Christian who was saved from the new age movement. He says Oprah's search led her to Marianne Williamson and the new age teachings of A Course in Miracles.
Oprah told her audience that she has no problem reconciling the differences between the new age religion she is now promoting and the Christian faith she claims. "I reconciled it because I was able to open my mind about the, um, the absolute, indescribable hugeness of that which we call 'God,'" Oprah said. "I took God out of the box."
But Smith, appearing on the March 11 edition of the AFA Report, said the false teachings of A Course in Miracles should be obvious to any Christian. "Here are some of the lessons: Lesson 29, 'God is in everything I see.' Lesson 186, 'The salvation of the world depends on me.' 253, 'My self is the ruler of the universe.' 337, 'My sinless-ness protects me from all harm,'" Smith said, quoting from the lessons. "This is the Bible upside-down."
Smith also criticized Oprah for the selection of Eckhart Tolle's new age book A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose as her book of the month.
"It reminds me of Jeremiah 5 where he says, 'A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land, the prophets prophesy falsely and my people love to have it so,'" Smith explained. "What is more wonderful these days than Oprah? A wonderful and horrible thing is happening in the land, the prophets prophesy falsely. Oprah -- by now teaching this class with Eckhart Tolle -- is no longer a pointer to deception. She is a false prophet and part of it herself."
Christians have an obligation, Smith concluded, to point out the error of Oprah's new age "christianity," even if doing so means risking public ridicule.
"Unfortunately, Oprah does so many things that are really good [that] people make the mistake of thinking that she's on to something with this whole spiritual deal," Smith argued. "What she's doing is, she's creating a new worldview. They're calling it a 'shift' that will prepare people for when the next shoe drops.
"And this will be the way that world peace would be achieved," he said, explaining the new age philosophy behind A Course in Miracles, "by everybody adopting this view that 'we're all one because we're all god, we need to come together, we need to be in unity.'
"And the only people who are going to hinder that are the people who are saying, 'No, we're not God. Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior.'
Internet evangelist Bill Keller, appearing on Fox News Channel's Cavuto Report, echoed Smith's warnings, calling Oprah the queen of the new age gurus. "These new age teachings are really sucking in millions of people to these false philosophies, these false theologies, and they're literally leading people to Hell," Keller said. "Oprah, whether she knows it or not, is really being a conduit to lead people to Hell."
First of all, I think its obvious that Oprah Winfrey is using her influence to seduce people to believe in false teachings and beliefs. But I would also add that many in the media are doing this today and have been for awhile through movies, music, news programs, sitcoms, etc. So what Oprah's doing is nothing knew. The Apostle Paul wrote in Colossians 2:8, "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." I wrote a book a few years called "The Culture Crafters" that exposes all kinds of ways that different media seduces people toward false philosphies and beliefs.
If you are a Christian, I would encourage you to pray for Oprah. Jesus said there would be false prophets and teachers in the last days. The Apostle Paul tells us that the "...the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them" [2 Cor. 4:4]. As followers of Christ, we really should be less concerned with Oprah and more concerned that we are stedfast in our own faith in Christ. Paul writes, "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, [so] walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving." Colossians 2:6,7
What about all of those that she is misleading? Shouldn't we expose her false teachings? Absolutely, but as followers of Christ, lets not demonize her and those that hang on every word she says or promotes. Again, we must love them and pray for them that their eyes be open to the preaching of the gospel, that the Holy Spirit go before us and convict (persuade) of the Truth. I really don't think God is as worried about Oprah as is a lot of today's preachers and Christians. But I do believe He is more concerned with you and I letting the glorious light of the gospel shine forth through our words, deeds, and life in general.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Monday Morning Funnies
Instead of a few jokes, I've downloaded a funny video piece that I think will put a smile on your face this morning. Make it a great Monday!
-Pastor Randy
The video expired on Tuesday, 7/29/08. Sorry!
-Pastor Randy
The video expired on Tuesday, 7/29/08. Sorry!
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Sunday Wrap Up
Well, it was nice to be back at KP today. I couldn't believe how weak my voice was. I guess I need to raise my voice more while on vacation so it doesn't get out of shape. But seriously, I thought we had two wonderful services today. The AM message "Don't Hang Up Your Harp" ministered to me as I prepared it and then delivered it. Tonight's message "Lessons in Water-Walking" was a fun message to preach. Sunday night services are always laid back and enjoyable. I would encourage you that don't attend KP to download these messages...I think you will be fed.
I appreciate everyone that went to the mission Saturday. I heard they had a wonderful time while ministering and feeding over 100 homeless people in Cincinnati. May God bless each of you that went!
Well, I'm pretty tired and its been a long day! I am going make this one a short one! Have a great week! May the Song of Your Heart be pleasing unto your Lord, your Rock and Redeemer.
In His Love,
-Pastor Randy
I appreciate everyone that went to the mission Saturday. I heard they had a wonderful time while ministering and feeding over 100 homeless people in Cincinnati. May God bless each of you that went!
Well, I'm pretty tired and its been a long day! I am going make this one a short one! Have a great week! May the Song of Your Heart be pleasing unto your Lord, your Rock and Redeemer.
In His Love,
-Pastor Randy
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Saturday Insights
I will have been in pastoral ministry 27 years this coming September. The following list is some "core values" that I have developed over that period. What I mean by "core values" is that these for me are beliefs about pastoring and ministry in general that have served as guidelines over the years. They are in no particular order of importance.
~ Be honest and transparent with people
I probably do this to a fault. But it keeps everything simple. I absolutely hate not being myself or trying to be what people expect me to be. I started out in pastoral ministry very young and it seemed like people were always trying to lay their expectations on me..."this is what I think a pentecostal preacher must look like, act like, and sound like." Even to this day, I detest that. However, I will say that my Heavenly Father is teaching me to be patient when people do this and love them anyway.
~ After people come to Christ, the real work of the church begins (discipleship)
I don't like to admit this, but when I first entered the ministry I was a big numbers guy. It was all about how many we had in Sunday School or Morning Worship. "I was addicted to counting heads." I read every church growth book that was ever written my first 15 years in ministry. I went to every church growth conference. I wanted to have the biggest church in the state and the biggest in the Church of God.
It really does pain me to talk about this. Over the years, the Lord has taught me that "its not about numbers but people." Jesus left the ninety-nine and went after the one. He carefully nurtured and loved the one. The Lord has taught me to minister and love the one. This is why I believe so strongly in one-on-one discipleship and mentoring. This is why we train cell leaders to do...to disciple "the one." This I believe is the greatest ministry of the church with the end result being "mature believers."
~ My Greatest Responsibility as a Pastor is to be a Godly Example 1 Peter 5:3 "Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock."
I will admit, I have to work at this hard and often fail. I know a lot of people are watching me so they must see Christ in me. God help me!
~ Love People Unconditionally
Again, this is easier said than done. Sometimes I have to exercise "tough love" which some people don't see as love at all. The hardest part of loving people is loving God...thats right, you heard me right. As I love God, He gives me the capacity to love people...no matter what they do or say. You KP people have heard me say often, if you want to love someone start by praying for them. As you pray for them, God will enable you to love them...show them acts of love.
~Try to Be Disciplined...in all areas of Life
This too, is a tough one. My daily disciplines sometimes can get in my way of obeying the voice of God. However, the apostle Paul aid that dsicipline leads to godliness, so discipline is imperative.
My daily disciplines include prayer; the reading and studying of God's Word; finances (recording every penny spent); and exercise and nutrition. I have attempted for 25 years now to pray at least an hour a day. Do I sometimes fail...absolutely. But I also have larned the importance of praying without ceasing throughout my day.
Secondly, I try to study the Word of God daily. I am very weak in this area...not because I don't want too study. I love to study God's Word. But just making the time with ministry and family demands is tough. Thirdly, being disciplined in our finances has brought great freedom to Annette and I in our ability to give. We literally watch every penny we spend and everything is recorded and evaluated. This takes a lot of work but it is worth it. As we have proven ourselves to be good stewards of what God has given us, He has given us wisdom along the way. I am thankful for God's grace in this area.
And finally, in spite of my aches and pains, ruptures, spasms, heart and back issues, and too much fatty tissue...I put a great value on exercise and eating right. I also believe in regular fasting and prayer which not only helps me spiritually but cleanses my body of toxins.
Well, thats enough. You are probably bored stiff by now. But hopefully something I wrote down will inspire or inform you in some way. See you in worship tomorrow!
-Pastor Randy
~ Be honest and transparent with people
I probably do this to a fault. But it keeps everything simple. I absolutely hate not being myself or trying to be what people expect me to be. I started out in pastoral ministry very young and it seemed like people were always trying to lay their expectations on me..."this is what I think a pentecostal preacher must look like, act like, and sound like." Even to this day, I detest that. However, I will say that my Heavenly Father is teaching me to be patient when people do this and love them anyway.
~ After people come to Christ, the real work of the church begins (discipleship)
I don't like to admit this, but when I first entered the ministry I was a big numbers guy. It was all about how many we had in Sunday School or Morning Worship. "I was addicted to counting heads." I read every church growth book that was ever written my first 15 years in ministry. I went to every church growth conference. I wanted to have the biggest church in the state and the biggest in the Church of God.
It really does pain me to talk about this. Over the years, the Lord has taught me that "its not about numbers but people." Jesus left the ninety-nine and went after the one. He carefully nurtured and loved the one. The Lord has taught me to minister and love the one. This is why I believe so strongly in one-on-one discipleship and mentoring. This is why we train cell leaders to do...to disciple "the one." This I believe is the greatest ministry of the church with the end result being "mature believers."
~ My Greatest Responsibility as a Pastor is to be a Godly Example 1 Peter 5:3 "Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock."
I will admit, I have to work at this hard and often fail. I know a lot of people are watching me so they must see Christ in me. God help me!
~ Love People Unconditionally
Again, this is easier said than done. Sometimes I have to exercise "tough love" which some people don't see as love at all. The hardest part of loving people is loving God...thats right, you heard me right. As I love God, He gives me the capacity to love people...no matter what they do or say. You KP people have heard me say often, if you want to love someone start by praying for them. As you pray for them, God will enable you to love them...show them acts of love.
~Try to Be Disciplined...in all areas of Life
This too, is a tough one. My daily disciplines sometimes can get in my way of obeying the voice of God. However, the apostle Paul aid that dsicipline leads to godliness, so discipline is imperative.
My daily disciplines include prayer; the reading and studying of God's Word; finances (recording every penny spent); and exercise and nutrition. I have attempted for 25 years now to pray at least an hour a day. Do I sometimes fail...absolutely. But I also have larned the importance of praying without ceasing throughout my day.
Secondly, I try to study the Word of God daily. I am very weak in this area...not because I don't want too study. I love to study God's Word. But just making the time with ministry and family demands is tough. Thirdly, being disciplined in our finances has brought great freedom to Annette and I in our ability to give. We literally watch every penny we spend and everything is recorded and evaluated. This takes a lot of work but it is worth it. As we have proven ourselves to be good stewards of what God has given us, He has given us wisdom along the way. I am thankful for God's grace in this area.
And finally, in spite of my aches and pains, ruptures, spasms, heart and back issues, and too much fatty tissue...I put a great value on exercise and eating right. I also believe in regular fasting and prayer which not only helps me spiritually but cleanses my body of toxins.
Well, thats enough. You are probably bored stiff by now. But hopefully something I wrote down will inspire or inform you in some way. See you in worship tomorrow!
-Pastor Randy
Friday, July 25, 2008
Friday Countdown
Hello everyone...its good to be back. Actually, I have used this week to get some stuff done around the house and Annette went back to work this week. It felt good to have two weeks off. It really takes a good five days to begin to relax and get a clear mind. Over to the left of the blog I downloaded a few vacation pictures for anyone that might be interested.
Well, I know many of you are glad the week is over and the weekend is here. It is my prayer that God will renew your strength (physically and spiritually)this weekend. I really appreciate the men that ministered in my place while I was gone. They each did wonderful jobs. I appreciate them all...Reverend Tim Orr, Reverend James Garrett, Reverend Ron Smith, and Adam Johnson. You can listen to their messages on our web site (click on sermon downloads on the home page) or you can download them on your ipod (see podcast on home page).
This weekend is the last weekend to give to the Missions team for their El Salvador trip. I know I will be giving my final offering this Sunday. Also, Wendys is once more giving 15% of all their proceeds to the missions team after church this Sunday fom 12 to 4 pm. Also, tomorrow morning (Saturday) we will be leaving from the church at 4:45 am to feed the homeless at City Gospel. I know John Bauer and his team could always use your help. I hope you can go! I know you will be greatly blessed by feeding and ministering to "the least of these."
Please be praying with me about something. At the end of June, I shared a vision with the congregation of beginning now to put back food and funds to help people in the months and years ahead. As you know, the scriptures clearly teach that the church is to take care of the widows and orphans. The church of Acts brought their goods together and made sure everyone's needs were met. There is no doubt that food prices are going to continue to rise along with oil, electricity, and gas in the years to come. We will see more of our people in need and no doubt many people outside the church will turn to the church for help as well. So we got to be ready! Over the few months, we will be appointing a committee to help put together some plans and policy for what I am calling the "Joseph Project." Please pray with me that God will provide for us the people, materials, and finances needed.
Have a great weekend!
-Psstor Randy
Well, I know many of you are glad the week is over and the weekend is here. It is my prayer that God will renew your strength (physically and spiritually)this weekend. I really appreciate the men that ministered in my place while I was gone. They each did wonderful jobs. I appreciate them all...Reverend Tim Orr, Reverend James Garrett, Reverend Ron Smith, and Adam Johnson. You can listen to their messages on our web site (click on sermon downloads on the home page) or you can download them on your ipod (see podcast on home page).
This weekend is the last weekend to give to the Missions team for their El Salvador trip. I know I will be giving my final offering this Sunday. Also, Wendys is once more giving 15% of all their proceeds to the missions team after church this Sunday fom 12 to 4 pm. Also, tomorrow morning (Saturday) we will be leaving from the church at 4:45 am to feed the homeless at City Gospel. I know John Bauer and his team could always use your help. I hope you can go! I know you will be greatly blessed by feeding and ministering to "the least of these."
Please be praying with me about something. At the end of June, I shared a vision with the congregation of beginning now to put back food and funds to help people in the months and years ahead. As you know, the scriptures clearly teach that the church is to take care of the widows and orphans. The church of Acts brought their goods together and made sure everyone's needs were met. There is no doubt that food prices are going to continue to rise along with oil, electricity, and gas in the years to come. We will see more of our people in need and no doubt many people outside the church will turn to the church for help as well. So we got to be ready! Over the few months, we will be appointing a committee to help put together some plans and policy for what I am calling the "Joseph Project." Please pray with me that God will provide for us the people, materials, and finances needed.
Have a great weekend!
-Psstor Randy
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