Simultanaity

Happy Mother's Day! (Happy Girly Day)

We honor our ladies today on this traditional mother's day.  Wendy is speaking this morning at BCC and she has a really moving message.  I am so proud of her.  It is outside her comfort zone big time, but she has put her whole heart into this message.  Wendy is not only a great speaker and teacher of the Word of God. She is a great mom to our three kids.  I am thankful for the way she mothers our kids.

After service we will go see our moms.  We will head to Morenci, then to Hudson.   I was thinking last night of my mom and the struggles she has faced in life and now physically and how spiritually she gets stronger. I praise the Lord for that.  She is a strong lady.  I appreciate her unconditional love for me, her encouragement through my life to do whatever God has for me.  I also am blessed to to how proud she is of me.  That is a blessing.  I know when I surrendered my life to ministry to God I promised Him I would go wherever He would want me.  I never thought he would send me on assignment within an hour from my home town.  But it is a blessing to be closer to our parents and family.  Wendy's mom has also been a blessing to my life. Carol has filled us with encouragement, love, and prayers for us continually. 

I taught at Michigan School of Ministry this week.  The class was "Intro to Pentecostal Theology".  It was fun to see my brother Steve, Darlene, and Ethan there.  I enjoyed teaching there, as it was my first.  There were about 75 students.  I will teach on Evangelism next month.  I am playing the bass this morning, feels weird not to do my normal "morning" that I do when I am speaking.

Generational Faith, It has to be a Priority

"To all generations I will make known Your faithfulness with my mouth"  Psalm 89.1

Who is responsible for the next generation?  Will the church and parents leave it to the media, sports figures, the Internet, and gaming developers to mold the spirit and character of the next generation?  Our society has put such a high value on so many things.  We make sure our kids participate in sports, school activities, etc. sometimes a huge time and financial commitment is necissary for participation.  How much time are we putting into their faith?  It has to be deeper than a little prayer at bed time.  It is not enough for our kids to go to church once or twice a week.  We need to daily mold them through our relationships, the Word of God, modeling Jesus Christ to them, how we talk to them, seeing the fruit of the Holy Spirit in our lives at home, and on a consistent basis.  I want to leave a legacy from my life.  I don't care if it is a big church, big ministry, money, or status, that I may atain.  My legacy of my life will be seen in the spirit, faith, and character of Abby, Gabe, and Levi.  What Christ does through me in the Kingdom of God is important, but my first ministry is to "disciple my family."  Before I can be a leader at BCC, in the A/G, or in the Kingdom, I must be a spiritual leader to my family. We must speak of God's faithfulness to the next generation.   They are ready to receive from us.  I thank the Lord when I see parents who grasp this and live it out. We need God's help and wisdom as we parent and disciple our children for Jesus!

What's your passion? Let the readers hear from you

I love this definition of passion, "intense, driving, or overmastering feeling or conviction " What's your passion.  What things do you care deeply about.  What raises your interests and concerns?  I am passionate about keeping my family balanced and healthy.  I am learning to do better at this, as I over extend myself many times.  I am passionate about Wendy, my amazing wife of 21 years. I am passionate about being a great dad, passionate about the Kingdom of God, the health of BCC, the strengthening of the fellowship of which I am a part, the Assemblies of God, Michigan District.  I am passionate about friends, and loyalty, integrity, and holiness.  I am passionate about seeing God use people, seeing young people enter in full-time ministry, seeing Jesus in our BCC body.  I am passionate about worship.  I also have hobbies.  I have a passion for racquetball, staying in shape and wood carving (a new hobby/passion).  God has given us passion and convictions for His Kingdom.  What is one of your passions?  Chime in on the comments.

Life is moving fast!

I was praising the Lord this morning. I came in at 5:45 am to let the people in from the township for the voting.  For the men's prayer we had 11 guys come!!  Awesome.  Then, the day started moving fast. .....  I have a lot of the administration stuff to do today.  Tonight we go to our District Council Banquet in Livonia.  We are honoring our secretary-treasurer for the Michigan  District.  Pastor Norm Muhling is retiring. He is a great guy.  Then tomorrow we have council all day in Novi.  I will come back for Wednesday night gathering.  Thursday council again and I will come back for our board meeting.  Friday I have a full day here, then going to Fa-Ho-Lo Camp and Conference center  to teach Pentecostal Theology at the Michigan School of Ministry  Friday night and Saturday morning.   I am glad Wendy is speaking on "Happy Girly Day" this Sunday.

Things people have Communicated to me are in the gift of prophecy

AS I taught this morning on Romans 12, God wants us to use the gift of prophecy, but not in a weird kookey way, or just in a corporate gathering, but with each other in relationship.  Here are some things that have been expressed to me I feel are just what I was talking about.  I know they will encourage you.

"God wants discouragement to leave your heart so there is more room for Him."

"This Sunday after Wendy spoke the Holy Spirit said to me.  We, as Christians must also stand shoulder to shoulder with Jesus.  Not letting anything come between us and our LORD.  No discouragement, no hurt, no illness, nothing.  I hope this helps someone else!"

"God is shaking BCC and calling us to pray, to usher in the Harvest."

"It is easy to love those we pity, God wants us to love those above us, not just those who we seem to think is below oursevles."