We’ve Got A HUGE Day Coming Up This Sunday!!!
FIRST:
Seriously, do not miss the exciting wrap-up of our “You Don’t Have What It Takes” teaching series this Sunday Jan. 29th – 9:30 & 11:00AM . My message will be on how “You Can’t Control the Future” – & why that is a very good thing.
We try to make sure that EVERY Sunday at Eagle Pointe is dynamic, relevant, & life-changing. However, I believe that this Sunday will blow your mind & that this will be the most powerful, life-changing message of this series. (and that’s saying something). PLEASE DO NOT MISS IT!
Also, if you have friends you are praying for to discover Jesus – you need to do flat-out WHATEVER IT TAKES to get them here! I believe God is going to use this message to soften & open even the hardest & most closed off hearts towards Him. PRAY & INVITE! PS. Don’t forget to bring coats & jackets for the homeless this Sunday.
SECOND:
This Sunday evening Jan. 29th at 6PM will be our Momentum Pre-Super Bowl Party & everyone is invited! Wear your favorite football team gear, bring some good potluck food to share, and join the fun! Momentum is one of the best environments for you to get inspired & equipped for ministry.
In addition to having fun & thanking all those who serve & help carry out what we are doing here at Eagle Pointe, I will be sharing something God has been showing me recently that all of our folks need to hear. If you call Eagle Pointe your church home you REALLY need to be there this Sunday evening! Please help me get the word out & get everyone in our church there on Sunday morning & evening.
Leaders are Learners – New Website
I have set up a new webpage/blog designed to help our ministry leaders of Eagle Pointe church grow in their leadership abilities & calling. As I say, “leaders are learners” and we all need to be constantly growing & stretching ourselves so that we can better serve our Lord & our church. I also decided to open this site up to everyone who might be interested. We have many ministry friends & partners around the country & world who may benefit.
Periodically, on this site (usually once a week), I will share podcasts, seminars, etc that I am learning from. Usually, when I am working out at the gym I am also listening to some audio training to help me be a better leader. As I say, working out my body & mind.
What I ask of each of you is that, as I post these, you listen to them at least 3 times. We never get everything the 1st time through & we will normally miss some things the 1st time or two. So, listen 3 times & then “reply” to that post & let me know what were your top 5 takeaways from it. I pray we all grow together to become all that God desires us to be in our leadership roles in His church.
Here is a link to the new site - Leaders Are Learners
You Don’t Have What It Takes
This Sunday at Eagle Pointe we will kick-off an incredible, life changing teaching series called “You Don’t Have What It Takes“. As we face the start of a brand new year, many of us have fears & uncertainties about our world, as well as, doubts about ourselves & our abilities.
The reality is that trying to juggle everything life throws at you can feel like a three-ring circus. No matter how hard you try, you’ll never be able to handle it all on your own. Bet you didn’t know that was a good thing!
We all struggle with feelings of “we’re not good enough”, “we can’t handle it all”, “we can’t please everyone”, & “we can’t control the future”. We all battle fears & insecurities; we all struggle with feelings of inadequacy; and as a result we tend to allow those fears to paralyze us & keep us from moving forward into the life that we were created for & designed to live.
In this series we will learn how God can “make up the difference” of where we fall short, & how He can help us break free of our fears & insecurities & launch out boldly into the life He desires for each of us.
I cannot encourage you strongly enough to not miss this Sunday at Eagle Pointe & each week of this series — it WILL change your life! Please also care enough about your friends, neighbors, co-workers, etc to do flat-out WHATEVER IT TAKES to get them here!
Here are 2 promo videos you can share with friends…
Helping the Homeless this Christmas
Here in the Greater Atlanta area, homelessness is a serious epidemic. Experts estimate that we have approximately 20,000 homeless people in Greater Atlanta. With only 3,500 shelter beds available in the area, that leaves several thousand homeless Atlantans with nowhere to sleep at night. AND – here we are barreling full steam ahead into winter.
Many people suffer from the misconception that homeless people are too lazy to work or addicted to drugs. However, many homeless people are victims of job loss, physical illness, domestic violence, etc. In fact, statistics tell us 40% of these homeless people are women & children! Think about that! Also, approx. 50% of these homeless people work – they have jobs!
The problem is that most are earning minimum wage. One wage earner being paid the state’s minimum wage ($6.55/hour) would need to work 85 hours per week to afford a two-bedroom apartment. Even with two full-time minimum-wage earners, decent housing is not attainable in most places in Greater Atlanta. Therefore, we have an epidemic of families living in their cars or on the streets.
Last night while watching my kids play in the comfort of our warm home, I thought about all those families & people living on the streets. It was cold & raining last night here in the Atlanta area. And I thought about how it wouldn’t take much in today’s economic climate for any of our families to find ourselves in the same situation.
I will be talking about some of this & how we can show care to those in need/”the least of these” this Sunday at Eagle Pointe, as we continue our “Let It Be…Christmas” series. As well, your generous gifts towards our “Serve the World Christmas Offering” will help us & our ministry partners continue to assist homeless people & families in 2012. (You can DONATE ONLINE & please check out the blog series I did… “Serve the World: Christmas Offering – Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 Part 4, & Part 5.”)
In addition to that, I want to challenge you to do something right now, today & this week, in order to help the homeless.
We’re collecting supplies for Winter Survival Kits for the Homeless. We need Jackets/sweaters, Ponchos, Gloves & Hats, Hand & feet Warmers, Blankets, Socks, Wipes, Batteries AA & AAA, etc. You can drop supplies at Eagle Pointe church this week from 6:30AM – 6:00PM.
This Saturday Dec. 10th at 9AM we will be putting together the Winter Survival Kits at The Extension. Then at 4PM we will be giving out these kits to area homeless people at Must Ministries.
Please contact Rusty Draper (678) 551-9736 if you would like to help on Saturday – we do need several volunteers.
Serve the World Christmas 2011 – Part 5
I just wanted to add 1 last thought to this “Serve the World Christmas” series I’ve been doing all week. If you missed “Serve the World: Christmas Offering – Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 & Part 4” please go back read them to better understand this post in context.
One thing that has been very popular the last 2 years has been our “Serve the World Christmas Gift Certificates“. This is a great way to “Spend Less & Give More”. It’s a great way to cut back on the consumerism & materialism of Christmas & help keep the focus of Christmas on what it should really be all about. Again, Loving God, Loving Others, & Serving the World!
Rather than buying more stuff and/or more things that we really do not NEED – I encourage you to give our ”Serve the World Christmas Gift Certificates” to your family & friends this year. You can make a donation in someone’s name & let them know that you were thinking of them this Christmas. And rather than giving them something they really didn’t need, a donation was made in their name to provide provide food, immunizations, medical care, mosquito nets, Bibles, & the love of Jesus Christ in parts of the world where the average family lives on less than $2 a day. As well, this gift will help fund local mission work with Children’s homes, homeless shelters, battered women’s shelter, community service days (Faith in Actions), & benevolence assisting struggling families with financial needs & counseling.
These ”Serve the World Christmas Gift Certificates” are available in our Cafe’ at Eagle Pointe, as well you can email our office to request the gift certificates.
Please pray about cutting back on the “stuff” of Christmas – give your best gift to Jesus this Christmas – & help us truly “Serve the World” in Jesus’ name in 2012! In addition to giving on Sunday mornings at Eagle Pointe – you can also give generously towards this effort by GIVING ONLINE.
Lastly, I hope & pray that you will help us make this a Christmas to remember!
Serve the World Christmas 2011 – Part 4
Happy Thanksgiving! I know most of us are very busy with family & cooking – but I thought it was worth a try to get this post out right before “Black Friday”. I pray you will help spread the word about what I’ve been sharing this week in this 4 part series.
If you missed “Serve the World: Christmas Offering – Part 1, Part 2, & Part 3” please go back read them to better understand this post in context.
I propose that we “DO” Christmas different this year. Rather than buying into the frantic, crazy, stressful, non-stop month of parties, shopping, & trying to make sure that our friends, families, & kids have lots of “stuff” to do & presents to open – let’s just SLOW DOWN! RELAX! And ENJOY what this season is really about. As my daughter Brianna says, “Christmas is about 3 things: 1) Celebrating Jesus, 2) Spending time with family, & 3) Helping those in need!” DANG! I love that girl! THAT pretty much sums it up!
BTW: That’s a lot of what our December message series “Let It Be… Christmas” is all about! We’re using the Beatles to talk about what Christmas is really all about & how God wants to use us to show that He & we care for our families, neighbors, those in need, & our world. (Also, check out our “Let It Be…Christmas promo video here). Don’t miss this series kicking off this Sunday Nov. 27th. It will run each Sunday in December & on Christmas Eve.
This “Serve the World: Christmas Offering” is ALL about Brianna’s #3 – Helping those in need. I ask that you join us in helping in providing food, immunizations, medical care, mosquito nets, Bibles, & the love of Jesus Christ in parts of the world where the average family lives on less than $2 a day.
For the month of December please pray about & consider making a special donation to this offering, which we pray will fund our mission work in Haiti & the Phillipines for 2012. Please help us provide food, immunizations, medical care, mosquito nets, Bibles, & the love of Jesus Christ in parts of the world where the average family lives on less than $2 a day. As well, this offering will fund the local mission work with Children’s homes, homeless shelters, battered women’s shelter, community service days (Faith in Actions), & benevolence assisting struggling families with financial needs & counseling. Our goal is to raise $30,000. (This is above & beyond the approx. $30,000 it takes to run our church & preschool each month) This is also a rather modest amount considering the incredible amount of work we do with this amount of money.
Please join us in praying that God will FAR surpass our goal! Please pray about cutting back on the “stuff” of Christmas – give your best gift to Jesus this Christmas – & help us truly “Serve the World” in Jesus’ name in 2012! In addition to giving on Sunday mornings at Eagle Pointe – you can also give generously towards this effort by GIVING ONLINE.
Lastly, I hope & pray that you will help us make this a Christmas to remember!
Serve the World Christmas 2011 – Part 2
Be sure to watch the above video & if you missed “Serve the World: Christmas Offering – Pt. 1” go back & read it 1st – so that you’ll get this part 2 in context.
Listen – if we as Christians don’t step up and address these issues – people starving – parents burying their kids – kids being orphaned by diseases all over the planet… I think years from now people will look back at the 21st century Christian church and ask – “What were they thinking?” “How could they not do something?” It’s like the way we look back at the church – who for 300 years read their Bibles – and kept their black brothers & sisters in slavery. Tell me how that works? How do you justify that? The problem is that we don’t have enough people who will take action!
I also had a conversation a couple of Christmas’ ago with a pastor friend. We were kind of making fun of the people who boycott stores that do not say “Merry Christmas” – during the month of December. I don’t think I’ll ever forget – my friend said – “I want to boycott those stores that invoke the name of my Savior – in the name of the almighty dollar. I had another conversation with my daughter Brianna – who asked me – “Daddy, why is it Jesus’ birthday and everybody buys all kinds of gifts for everybody else – but Jesus doesn’t get anything?” She said – “If it was my birthday – and everybody except me got gifts except me I’d be pretty upset.”
Then I did a little research and found that the average family in America spends $1300 buying Christmas gifts – that’s just the average… Some spend a lot more – & too many go into debt pulling off Christmas. We spend a ridiculous amount of money on gifts for everyone we know – on video games, iPods, clothes, and all kinds of stuff that our kids can’t begin to be grateful for or appreciate. Question – does this in any way sound like a celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ – of God’s love coming to earth in flesh? To me – it is more of one giant orgy of materialism – and it’s sickening!
I am challenging all of us – and everyone who will listen – to drastically cut back on Christmas gifts this year! I’ll give you a moment to catch your breath ——- But guess what? Christmas is not my birthday – & I don’t need anything! It’s not your birthday – and you really don’t need anything! Now, I know this is a hard pill, especially for our teens and kids, to swallow – but compared to 99% of the other kids in the world – our’s live like stinkin’ royalty! 99% of the kids in the world would trade places with them in a heartbeat!
So, in our family we’re calculating the maximum amount we can afford to spend on Christmas, without going into debt – which isn’t a whole lot on a pastor’s salary, paying off 2 adoptions, etc… We’re cutting that in 1/2 and using 1/2 to buy gifts & taking the other 1/2 and giving it Jesus for His birthday. Now, how do you give the Jesus – who is not here in the flesh? You could give to His work – the local church! And we should definitely be doing that. But Jesus also said that when you do this for the least of these – people who are suffering – starving – dying from diseases – you are doing it for Me. It’s easy to get overwhelmed – when you look at the incredible needs all over the globe – and think what could I do about all of that? Well, you can’t fix it all – but we can each do our part. Our Eagle Pointe family could come together and address a small portion of it.
During the month of December we’re doing a “Serve the World: Christmas Offering“. This offering will help fund our church’s mission work in Haiti & the Phillipines for 2012. Please help us provide food, immunizations, medical care, mosquito nets, Bibles, & the love of Jesus Christ in parts of the world where the average family lives on less than $2 a day. As well this offering will fund the local mission work with Children’s homes, homeless shelters, battered women’s shelter, community service days (Faith in Actions), & benevolence assisting struggling families with financial needs & counseling.
We’re encouraging people to go above and beyond their normal, ongoing support of all the ministries & mission work we do here at Eagle Pointe Church – & give to support our Serve the World: Christmas Offering. Please pray about it & see what God leads you & your family to do. In addition to giving on Sunday mornings at Eagle Pointe – you can also give generously towards this effort by GIVING ONLINE.
Can Someone Please Slow Down This Ride?
Normally I use this blog to post about leadership, ministry/church related issues, local & global mission work, etc. However, today this post is very personal.
I woke up this morning wondering – “Where in the heck did the last 13 years go???” 13 years ago I stood in a hospital holding my newborn baby girl, and there was no man-tears about it, I cried like a baby at the sight of the most beautiful thing I had ever laid eyes on. (Umm – sorry my beautiful wife – I mean next to you of course) It was truly a life-changing experience – to hold this fragile new life in my hands & realize that God had just given me one the most precious gifts in all of life.
And I was gone! Completely, utterly, head over heals in love with my little girl. I remember the first word she ever uttered – “da-da”. I remember her first wobbly steps across the living room floor. I remember her first day of school & teaching her to ride a bike. I remember putting her on a school bus for the first time & tearing up as my baby rode off. (I also remember thinking that if anything happened to my baby, I would dismember the bus driver) I remember daddy/daughter dances. I remember times she was scared & she’d take off running to daddy. She knew her daddy would protect her.
My wife, Gina, used to say that just couldn’t believe how such a little girl could have such a big man wrapped around her little finger. I am guilty as charged!
I remember playing Pretty, Pretty, Princess & my little girl putting necklaces, earrings, & make-up on me. I remember taking her to Disney World for her 5th birthday while she was in full-blown princess mode. It cost a small fortune, but that didn’t matter because this was for my little princess.
I remember her first soccer practice & how nervous she was about playing with other kids who had played longer than she had. She was afraid she wouldn’t be good enough & that they might laugh at her. I remember kneeling down, giving her a reassuring hug, & then looking in her eyes & telling her that she could do anything she set her mind to – that she was more than good enough – & to go kick some butt! And with that she was off!
I remember coaching her soccer team for a few years & the rides to & from practices where we would talk about everything – life, school, her fears, God & even lots of girl/hormonal/development stuff that I REALLY wish she would have talked to her mom about. And while it was extremely awkward to talk about these things with my little girl, I tried to never let her see it. Because I was also thanking God that our relationship was such that she felt comfortable talking to me about this stuff.
I could go on & on & on & on… but I think you catch the drift here. Well, on Sunday my little princess turns… (not sure I can actually type this)… she turns 13!!! Ummm, excuse me, but where exactly did my 5 year old little girl go? 13 years cannot possibly have gone by already! And besides mourning a childhood that is passing by —- I’m not so sure I’m ready to let her be a teenager. Really? Not yet! Not so soon! Come on God! Can’t we slow this ride down and give me a few more years?
Tonight we’re having a big party with 20-something of her friends & honestly, I’m not sure I’m ready for this. I sit with a lump in my throat & my eyes watering as I write this. (Must be my allergies!)
But let me tell you – she is one amazing young lady! God truly reached down & touched this girl — Gina & I cannot take much credit for how incredible she has turned out so far. She loves Jesus, church, ministry, & missions. She’s got straight A’s in school & is a pretty darn good soccer player. And she could be a role model for most adults when it comes to maturity, compassion, & heart for God & ministry.
I’ll also tell you that I am SO grateful for some mentors God placed in my life years ago who challenged me to find a healthy balance between ministry/career & family. (My hot-blooded Italian wife also helps keep me in check!). I’ve been criticized that I am not more “available” to people. (ie. Tues & Thurs evenings & part of Saturday are soccer time with my Bri-Girl; I don’t answer my phone at dinner time or when I’m spending time with my family; etc.) I’ve been told that our church could be much “bigger” (ministry speak for a successful church).
But here’s the reality, & this applies to any of our careers —- we’ve got lots of years & lots of opportunities to build our churches, companies, careers, etc. But please don’t miss this – we only have a very small window & one shot with our kids!!! So, I’ll take the flak & criticism – but I WILL NOT blow my one shot with my kids!
So, Happy Birthday to my beautiful, amazing, smart, & talented daughter Brianna! You Rock! You are truly a gift from God & I am so incredibly proud of you!
Oh yeah – God, any chance on that slowing the ride down thing?
The One & Only Way To Do Church
I am amazed that there is still such a lively debate going on over “the right way” to do church. Especially here in the “Bible belt” of the Southeast U.S., & in particular here in Greater Atlanta where I am. But the debate is raging… traditional vs. contemporary – house church vs. mega church – postmodern vs. well… I don’t know what THEY are against –—– usually everything!!!
My point is that people get trapped into thinking that there is one way to do church – and if other churches are NOT doing church that way then they are WRONG. And to take that even further… the people in the churches that feel as if they are right openly criticize and condemn… and some have even staged protests outside of other churches.
Personally, I have been verbally attacked in person, via email, & via other blogs. Uh, somehow I am not thinking that is what Jesus meant when He called us to love one another AND to make disciples. However, I have gotten used to this – it happens all the time. It used to really bother me (I’m human) – but over the years I have learned to let it roll off my back.
People ask me, “Is the way Eagle Pointe is doing church the RIGHT way.” My response is always, “No, it is a different way!” There are so many different people in this world… and it is going to take so many different styles of church & styles of pastors to reach them. To claim that there is ONE worship style that is right is both dangerous, narrow minded and egotistical. And to attack people who ARE NOT compromising the Gospel… or compromising Scripture is both arrogant and wrong.
There are several questions that I think need to be asked when evaluating a ministry to see if it is in line…
#1 – Is It Growing?
Jesus called us to reach people–period. Healthy things grow–period. And NO ONE can make a BIBLICAL case for a church remaining small & not caring about the community in which it exists.
I hear it from time to time, “We’re small – but we love each other and it is our call to minister to one another.” That is a partial truth… it is A PART of our call… but another part is to go and reach people for Christ. A church that is inward focused & gives the community the middle finger and tells them to go to hell is not doing it right – period.
It’s not about the style of worship either. There is a baptist church near us that is growing like crazy – and they are as traditional as they come. We must be VERY careful NEVER to confuse methodology with theology!
#2 – Is It Scriptural?
I am all for doing anything & everything, “whatever it takes” to reach people for Jesus! However, Scripture must never be compromised!
Now here is where people will look at churches like Eagle Pointe and claim we are compromising Scripture by not dressing up… or they will condemn the fact that we have a rock-n-roll worship band & other things like that.
The problem is that these objections are based on personal preferences rather than precepts, and that is a dangerous line to cross.
#3 – Is It Engaging?
I think there is one word to describe a church that is boring – SIN! Look at it this way – God is not boring. He invented laughter. He invented the sunset. He’s the One who developed the concept of sex! (Thank you Jesus!)
And Jesus – He was not a boring dude. He was always telling stories… and wherever He went there was this crowd that followed Him. (So much for keeping it small!) And when He walked on the water… or turned water into wine – trust me – He engaged people.
And the Holy Spirit – one good read through Acts chapter two will highlight the fact that when He moves it is completely obvious!
And the Bible – is the most exciting book ever written. There are stories of war, romance, kings and queens, you name it – it’s in there.
Unfortunately I know too many churches who have taken God, Jesus, the Spirit, and the Bible and made them the most boring and irrelevant things on the planet.
God is NOT boring – His Bride, the Church, should not be either!
I know we are not perfect – we never will be. I tell our church often that as long as I am the pastor that things will probably be screwed up around here. However, I believe with all of my heart that we are doing exactly what Jesus has called US to do in OUR church & in OUR community… and that we are doing it exactly how He has called us to do it. And that is the conviction that every pastor and the leadership of every church must have.
So – style – doesn’t matter. Dress – doesn’t matter. Political preferences – doesn’t matter. Jesus matters! His Kingdom matters! The world around us that does not know Him as Lord & Savior matter! Let’s stop tearing down other pastors & churches – & let’s start building the Kingdom of Christ!
Those are my thoughts on the matter – what are yours?
*** Some parts/ideas borrowed from Dan Southerland, Rick Warren, & Perry Noble
“iGod” Series Starts This Sunday – BE THERE!”
Is there really a God? What is He like? Well, join us as we explore these questions & more, & discover the All-Present, All-Powerful, All-Knowing & All-Loving God of the Bible.
The reality is that God wants us to know Him – God wants to reveal Himself to you. The more you know about God – the more life is going to make sense – & that’s why we are doing this series. Some of us are unclear about your future because you are unclear about God. Some of us lack direction in your life because you have a faulty understanding about who God is. A lot of people wander through life – they lack direction – they are afraid – they worry all the time because they have the wrong picture of God. If you don’t have a proper picture of God – then your life is never going to make sense.
Our “iGod” teaching series kicks off this Sunday 9:30 & 11:00AM @ Eagle Pointe Church. Not only do you REALLY need to be here this Sunday & for this entire series, but I challenge you to be a Kingdom Builder! Pray for & get busy inviting your friends & everyone God brings across your path this week. Also, please help us promote this series by watching & then sharing our 3 promo videos below on your social media.
I can’t wait to see you & those you bring with you this Sunday @ Eagle Pointe.
“Warrior” Series Wrap-Up & Covenant Ceremony
This Sunday we will wrap up our “Warrior” teaching series in a very special & powerful way. In addition to teaching about “The Passionate Warrior” we will be having a “Covenant Ceremony” at the end of this coming Sunday’s message time.
This has already been an amazing series that God has used to bring marriages & families back together; to have men & women understand & embrace God’s call on their lives; & to help people see that there is a battle being waged for our families, churches, communities, & world. (If you have missed any of the series, please go to our Eagle Pointe Channel & watch)
Our Warrior Covenant Ceremony will be along the lines of what you may have seen in the recent movie “Courageous”. I am going to challenge the men of our church to step up & live out the values we have talked about in this series & to be the Warriors God has created them to be. Men, if you feel ready & willing to accept the challenge please join us this Sunday at Eagle Pointe & plan to participate in this ceremony. Guys, you don’t have to wear suits – but I do encourage you to dress nice this Sunday.
Below is a copy of the covenant we are challenging the men to make between themselves & God; between themselves & their family; & between themselves & their church family. We will present copies of this covenant to each man who takes part in the ceremony & I hope that you will sign it, have 2 friends/accountability partners witness it, frame it, & hang it on a wall in your home as a daily reminder.
Again, this will be a very special & powerful time that I strongly encourage you to not miss.
“WARRIOR” Teaching Series – starts Sept. 18
Our new “Warrior” teaching series kicks off on Sunday Sept. 18th – 9:30 & 11:00AM @ Eagle Pointe church. In addition to challenging you to not, under any circumstances, miss this the kick-off or any of this series – & challenging you to take advantage of a series like this & invite everyone you know – I also wanted to share with you some of the heart behind this teaching series.
In every person’s life, there is a cause worth fighting for and a victory worth claiming. Discover how to not only prepare for the battles ahead, but more importantly, how to emerge victoriously. It’s time to stop playing the role of the nice guy (or girl) & instead live as “The Warrior”!
Let’s be honest – our society has emasculated men & we are bombarded with portrayals of men as bumbling, stumbling, & inept idiots. This has ruined a generation of men & is setting a disastrous precedent/example for young men & boys growing up today.
Sadly, for years even the church has taught men how to just be “nice guys”, when what God has called us to be are – Warriors. In this series we will teach how to prepare for & win every battle that MUST be fought & challenge guys to be the Men – God created & desires them to be!
Men in our society today are bored; they fear risk, they refuse to pay attention to the deepest desires that God has placed within them. If men are going to change from a pitiful, wimpy bunch of “really nice guys” to men who are made in the image of God, they must reexamine their preconceptions about who God is, & recover their true “Warrior” hearts.
We will also address the very real spiritual battle that is being waged in our world today. Spiritual warfare is being waged against our families, homes, churches, communities, & world – whether we choose to acknowledge it or not. To quote from the movie “Lord of the Rings” – “Open war is upon you …whether you would risk it or not.”
***In addition to challenging men, we will also challenge women to be “warrior princesses”, but to not lose the God-given femininity they have been blessed with. We will also strive to help women understand the implications of authentic God-given masculinity in their relationships with men.
Again, I cannot encourage & challenge you enough to not miss any of this series, as well as, use it to reach out to & invite your friends, neighbors, co-workers, family members, & anyone God brings across your path over the next several weeks.
***Be sure to watch the 2 promo videos below for this series & share them on your social media…
“Guy-Centric” Church – Trying Not to Neglect the Ladies
McJesus – Would You Like To Super-Size That?
Okay – I don’t know who created this picture or why they did it – but I think it makes a very good point. In light of some of what I talked about on Sunday at Eagle Pointe – I felt that I needed to elaborate more on this idea…
Too many churches market the Christian faith as though it’s a Happy Meal with a toy inside & too many Christians act as though their faith in Jesus is like a Happy Meal.
Many of you know that I am not a big fan of Christian TV to say the least (Okay – there’s good & NOT so good stuff on there). The whole health/wealth – proclaim it & claim it – “stuff” that many are peddling makes me sick. As though God is some slot machine that you just drop in your prayer (and just so happen to send them money) then God is going to drop a jackpot in your lap. They say to just follow Jesus and God will make you healthy, wealthy, & wise – and if you don’t have those things it’s because your faith isn’t big enough or there must be sin in your life.
Even those churches/Christians who aren’t in that vein “market” Jesus similarly whether they realize it or not. “Just pray this prayer & Jesus is going to make your life so wonderful.” REALLY??? Tell that to the apostle Paul who was beaten many times, pelted with rocks, shipwrecked, starved, chained, imprisoned, etc.
Tell that to Jesus’ disciples who, with the exception of one, suffered great persecution and died horrible deaths because they followed Jesus. In fact, most every person in the Bible who God used in any significant kind of way had to face A LOT of challenges and difficulties.
So evidently, following Jesus & doing what God wants you to do – does not mean that life will always be wonderful & problem free. In fact, just the opposite is true! Jesus himself said – “In this life you will have trouble!” Accept that fact! Deal with it! Prepare for it!
In fact, I often tell people that this following Jesus stuff ain’t for the faint of heart! The closer you get to God’s will; the closer you get to doing what God wants you to do; BATTEN DOWN THE HATCHES BABY!!! The storm is coming! There’s a spiritual enemy who is going to throw everything he’s got at you, trying to get you off of God’s course for your life. Besides that there’s the “that’s just life” challenges. I really believe that life is just one big series of problem solving. It is God’s way of stretching & growing us into the people He desires us to be.
But here’s the super-cool – happy meal prize on steroids… When you have a relationship with Jesus (real Christianity) He helps you through all the crud of this life – you don’t have to try & handle it all on your own. Jesus gives you the power, courage, peace, strength, stamina, etc to be able to fight the good fight & finish the race. That’s why the apostle Paul wrote in 2 Cor. 4:8-9 – “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”
Paul understood better than most, that “In this life you WILL have trouble!” (especially if you’re following Jesus) But He also understood better than most, that “I can do (& handle/deal with/overcome) ALL things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Let’s be careful of what we’re “peddling” – the Good News is MORE than good enough without us trying to put whip cream, sprinkles, & a cherry on top – or an extra large side of fries.
