Thanks Melba (and Paul)

It's that time again. It's the time of year wheen my mailbox is stuffed with graduation announcements and party invitations. And while my schedule doesn't allow me to attend very many, it does remind me of my own graduation. It was May 28, 1977.

But more than the date, I'm reminded of who was there with me. Melba (Wilson) Mastin and her late husband, Paul Wilson. They were there instead of my parents. My dad was undergoing open heart surgery in Houston TX the very same day so my parents couldn't be there.

But that wasn't the only day "they were there". My mom and dad were pretty "wishy-washy" in their faith back then. But I was very active in the church youth group, and was planning on attending Bible college. Paul and Melba were youth sponsors. But they were also in many ways surrogate parents for me.

I probably spent more nights in their home my senior year than I did my own. It was at their home I met some guys from Moody Bible Institute. And that wound up being a big part of the reason I attended MBI. Two years later they drove the 400 miles to Freeport, IL to attend my wedding. I could go on for days talking about the impact this couple had on my life.

Twenty years ago Paul went home to be with the Lord. I remember my friend Tom (his son-in-law) calling me and saying, "Paul went home today". I remember at his funeral the passage used by Pastor Faulkner - it was a passage about Barnabas and he attributed it to Paul Wilson - He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. (Acts 11:24 NIV)

Few people have affected me as much as these two did back then and even now. I am forever grateful.

So the question I have for you is this. In 33 years who will be remembering what you did for them today? Who will be reminiscing about the impact you made on their lives.

Thank you Melba and Paul for being Jesus to me and so many others!

What can we learn about power outages?

So you know the drill. A storm is raging and all of a sudden the lights go out. Sometimes for a moment, sometimes for hours. When it's back on you have to do some things. You have to go back to work on the computer (hopefully you had saved what you were working on). You have to reset the clock on the stove and microwave and maybe another clock or two. You have to do something with the VCR (or just live with the blinking like I do).

But sometimes the power outages have nothing to do with a lightning strike, sometimes it's some unfortunate driver hitting a pole, or some equipment failure... but the results at your house are the same. You have to reset a bunch of stuff.

But what about the spiritual power outages in your life? What about the times when God doesn't seem very near. Or you realize you have drifted away from Him? What causes this?

Sometimes it's just apathy - you lose that first love, your relationship with Jesus has been on autopilot for some time and then bang - you realize the power is out.

Sometimes it's sin - you have let some unchecked transgression get a hold on your life. And now you realize you are "on your own".

For whatever reason you find yourself far away from God in this relationship - so what do you do?

Well - just like resetting the clocks in your house you need to do some similar things.

1 - You need to know what time it really is. Spend time in the Word, and prayer - get in touch with God again.

2 - Reset your life's "clock" - Begin again living according to God's time line, His direction, His Lordship.

3 - In some cases damage has been done - I had to replace a whole lot of stuff in my house once because we took a direct hit. Maybe there are some things in your life that just have to go. And be replaced with other things. Maybe there are some relationships that need to be mended.

"For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man." (Mat 24:27 NIV)

Remember Jesus is coming again (and maybe soon) - don't let him come and find your "clock" blinking!

Weekend Reflections

Wow - what an amazing weekend!

Friday - Mel-O-Day!!!!! We went to Kroger and spent almost $200.00 but saved $148 using coupons - whooo hoooo! Friday evening wedding rehearsal for Rachel Owens and Brian Putty. I normally don't like doing weddings - this was an exception big time!

Saturday - Wedding and receptions at Circa 1840 - amazing place and food - and got a hug from Daniel Harrison!

Saturday night - Worship at HCC. Jeremy Zeller and his crew were amazing. Three baptisms and the "altar" littered with people letting God have His way in their lives!

Sunday - Two more awesome services at HCC. More lives rocked by Jesus Christ!

Sunday evening - Beth, Dale, and the girls come out for steaks and to celebrate Mother's Day with the most wonderful woman in the world - MY WIFE!!!!

And somewhere in there my fantastic neighbor fixed my push mower, and sharpened the blade on my riding mower. Only downer - I discovered why my yard is not being cut even... a bent blade.....

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 1 Pet 4:8 (NIV)

How this happens?

4 1/2 lb large mouth bass caught on Friday April 30 at Williamstown lake. Rod - 7' Loomis crank bait rod with a splatter back 200 bandit crank bait.

So how does this happen? Well it's all pretty simple in theory. You figure out where such a fish might be (in this case on a wind blown point with fairly shallow water close). You figure out what she's hungry for. (a shad type bait that would match the shad she was used to eating). The kind of presentation needed to mimic a natural food source. (slowly running the bait through the area where she might be). And last, some really sharp hooks! Oh, and one more thing (at least in my case) a little bit of dumb luck.

So why post this? To brag? OK, maybe a little. But more for the spiritual application. Because while not everyone is jazzed up like I am when it comes to fishing. Everyone is being sought after by a much better predator than me. We are all being "fished for" by the enemy of our souls. You know who - the Devil.

And he catches us using some of the same methods I used to catch this fish.

He knows what "bait" to use. And for each of us it may be different. Maybe it is pride, money, sex appeal, or a thousand other things.

He knows what presentation to lay before us. Maybe it's when we are tired, lonely, or feeling sorry for ourselves.

He knows what we are "hungry" for. Maybe it's some medication to take off the edge, or some thrill that we just "can't live without".

And he uses some really sharp hooks!

Now after I caught this fish and took the picture I let her go. Maybe I can catch her again some day and she will be even bigger.

The Devil does not believe in "catch and release" though. Once he gets his hooks in you - he will not willingly let you go.

So consider this verse and take it to heart! Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: (1 Pet 5:8 KJV)

If I were to paraphrase this using fishing terms it would read like this. "Be awake and alert because he Devil, the angler from Hell, like a crafty fisherman is throwing his whole tackle box at you, hoping to have you for dinner!"

Allergies

Allergies! Uggghhh! As I sit at my computer my nose is running and my head is thumping. While many suffer greatly from seasonal allergies (like my wife), for me it's generally just an irritation. This year has been a little worse. So I have been up close and personal with my Netti Pot, a box of Kleenex, and a variety of decongestants.

So what causes allergies? Well according to Wikipedia (the source of all knowledge) it is a hyper-sensitivity to otherwise normal environment sources. In my case, and most of you reading this it's pollen right now. That's why I have been doing a "rain dance" for several days. Hopefully the rain will clean the air of these microscopic irritants.

But what about spiritual allergies. OK - I've never heard anyone use this term - but here's my point. What about the normal things of life that wind up kicking our butts? And while they may not lead to runny noses, itchy eyes, and a trip to the pharmacy. They do really wreak havoc in our lives. Let me illustrate.

Work - God created us to work. We work so we can take care of our families, and to join with Him in the work He is already doing. But when a spiritual allergy flares up it causes folks to become work-a-holics. They become dominated by their jobs, success, and climbing the ladder.

Sex - while sex between two married people is a wonderful thing. There seems to be a sex allergy in our culture. People are just consumed with it. The devil has taken this wonderful gift from God and perverted it.

Sports - I love sports! I love playing and watching sports (almost every kind). But what happens when a relaxing past time becomes an all consuming obsession? Either for us or for our kids? Have you ever had a sports allergy?

The list could go on and on. So what can we do about it?

With physical allergies you can be tested to find out what to avoid and then get some medicine that will counteract the trouble makers.

Spiritually we need to do the same thing. The Word of God is the ultimate medicine and test for that matter. As we spend time in the Word it points out the trouble spots in our lives while at the same time giving us the needed resources to fight them.

David said it like this - "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." Psa 119:11 (NIV)

The author of Hebrews said this, "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." (Heb 4:12 NIV)

So have you been to the "spiritual allergist" lately? If not - I highly recommend it!

What Jesus did not say....

OK - this was inspired by Perry Nobel's blog... but its great stuff...

Jesus said, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (Jn 13:34-35)

He did not say, they will know you are my disciples by.....

... the way you forward stupid emails thus proving your love for me...

... by the way you yell at those who don't know me for living like they don't know me.

... by your t-shirts and bumper stickers.

... by the music you listen to.

... by the political party you support.

... by the denomination you belong to.

... by the way you protest.

... by the products and companies you boycott.

... by the way you look down on those you don't think are as good as you are.

... by the way you take from one another.

Jesus did not stutter when he said the proof is in how you love one another!!!!

The Masters!

The Masters .....

I'm guessing everyone reading this knows who's in the picture. But just in case, that is Phil Mickelson with his wife Amy. He had just won the Masters golf tournament - the "mac daddy" in golf.

And in so doing he showed Tiger Woods how it's done. Not just in having the best score after 72 holes - but how to love and support his wife.

Sure Tiger has more wins, more money, and more endorsements than Phil. But Phil has something so much more - respect. He has the respect of the other players, his fans and his family.

Over the last couple of years he has been missing tournaments to be with his wife as she battled cancer. Tiger on the other hand has been ..... well we all know what he's been .....

I am a fan of both men. Tiger because of the way he plays the game - he is an incredible golfer. Phil because he knows what's most important. I pray for Tiger. I pray that he can get his family life in order. I pray that he beats his demons. I pray that he learns to get to know the God who's name he loves to take in vain. I pray that he can learn from other men like Phil Mickelson that this is just a game, maybe even just a job, but at the end of the day he is a husband, father, and son.

Winning the Masters is a big deal - mastering your own life is a bigger deal.

Don't forget you can now follow me on twitter - http://twitter.com/Dino2525

Weekend Update (Easter)

Wow - what an incredible weekend - here are some high points and there were many more!

Praise Team, choir, tech folks - brought us to tears more than once - you guys rocked!

Charlie Penn - you and your crew were amazing! The coffee and "treats" were over the top!

Tina and Melinda the place looked amazing!

Those of you that fasted and prayed - thank you, thank you, thank you. The Spirit was obviously moving in hearts this weekend.

Valerie, Paula and dozens and dozens of childrens workers - WOW!!!! You all did an incredible job.

The Greeters, Ushers, and Servers - Awesome! Great job one and all.

The counters - thanks again - 1767 total.

And most all Praise to our Risen Savior for giving us a reason to celebrate not just this weekend - but every day of our lives!

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, -Eph 3:20 NIV

Prayer and Fasting pt 4

"Some people pray just to pray and some people pray to know God." --Andrew Murray

"Of all the duties enjoined by Christianity none is more essential and yet more neglected than prayer." --François Fénelon

"When a Christian shuns fellowship with other Christians, the devil smiles. When he stops studying the Bible, the devil laughs. When he stops praying, the devil shouts for joy." --Corrie Ten Boom

Please take time today to pray that God opens the hearts and minds of those coming this weekend. While we have heard the resurrection story many times - may it be seen in a new and life altering way.

Also pray that other churches would see a similar outpouring of God's Spirit.

I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.
1 Tim 2:8 (NIV)

Prayer and Fasting pt 3

May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice. Psa 141:2 (NIV)

As we continue moving toward the weekend I want to offer some more suggestions for our fasting. These are not original they are from Perry Nobel's blog. But they are great.

• You can fast for a day or two…or all week, whatever the Lord puts on your heart.
• You can fast for a specific time period (like from 5:00 pm one day until 5:00 pm the next day.)
• You can fast from a particular meal.
• You can fast from a particular type of food.
• You can fast from something other than food (like maybe facebook or twitter!)

I believe God wants to rock some people's worlds and I for one want to join Him in that - will you join with me?

If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." Mat 21:22 (NIV)

Prayer and Fasting pt 2.

Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, "A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Sea. It is already in Hazazon Tamar" (that is, En Gedi). Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the LORD, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. 2 Chr 20:2-21 (NIV)

Jehoshaphat was a righteous king but he saw that his people were facing a real danger (a vast army) - and while he was seeking the Lord he called the people of Israel to fast.

As people of faith we see an even greater danger before us. Those we know and love are also under attack - many have not committed their lives to Christ. So this week I'm asking that we follow the example of many before us. Pick a day (or more if you choose) this week to fast and spend time in prayer for those who will be joining us this weekend at HCC.

Pray that God's Spirit moves them to come and hear.
Pray that God's Spirit makes them receptive to His word.
Pray that Jesus is lifted up in a glorious way before them.
Pray that God is glorified in all that we do.

The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:16b (NIV)

Prayer and Fasting

Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. Acts 14:23 (NIV)

In the early church they practiced and taught about prayer and fasting. So important was this practice that they did this prior to appointing Elders in the churches.

I want to ask all of you to join me this week in another important decision. I'm talking about the decision that many people need to make about who Jesus Christ is going to be in their lives.

This coming weekend is Easter and we will have a monster crowd. And among that crowd will be many that are not Christ Followers and many others that at best are "marginal".

I'm asking that you join me for at least one day of your choice of fasting. I'm not being legalistic about this... it is a fast of your choice. It could be a simple juice fast, or a total food fast with liquid only. Let the Lord lead you on this.

And while you do this take some specific time to pray for this weekend's services. Here are a few suggestions for prayer.

Pray for me that I will hear God clearly in preparing the message this week. Pray that God prepares the hearts of those who will be hearing it this weekend. Pray for the volunteers that will make this a great experience for those coming. Pray for the Praise Team that they will worship in such a way that we naturally join them in praise of God. Add to this list as God leads you.

The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:16b (NIV)

I'm now on "Twitter"

You can now follow me on Twitter - http://twitter.com/Dino2525

Is your bracket blown?

I'm sure that you, like me have said, "my bracket is blown" - at least if you have filled out an NCAA bracket this year.

This has been an exciting time of "March Madness". With some top ranked teams exiting early and some "Cinderella Teams" decimating brackets everywhere.

And while this is a fun time of the year for basketball fans it is really not earth shattering - but what about when the "blown brackets" are not on a sheet of paper? What do we do when the "brackets" represent the plans we have in life?

The hopes and dreams we have are shattered by a sickness, infidelity, or rebellion? NCAA fans can go home and hope for next year. But what can we do?

The good news is that God offers grace and restoration. As a matter of fact the Scripture is filled with examples of blown dreams turned into ministry. I think of Joseph, the spoiled favorite son sold into slavery. God used him mightily. I think of Paul, who started out trying to eradicate the Church and yet became it's greatest advocate. In a couple of weeks I will be preaching about the incredible denial of Peter and the monument of grace he became.

So maybe now your "busted bracket" looms large in your life. Take heart we have a God who is so much larger than our situations. I am reminded of one of my favorite verses in Scripture. Ephesians 3:20 says this, "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,"

Maybe it's time to just shred that old bracket - and let God do what only God can do.

Oh, and GO BIG BLUE!!!!!