Are you thankful? – Pastor Liz

Are you even thankful!?

We are a nation of spoiled brats.

We have daily miracles at our fingers tips, and all we can do is complain.

Push a button, and heat comes on. Flip a switch, and you have light. Turn a handle, and hot or cold water gushes forth. Imagine what folks would have thought about this 100 years ago.

For a small fee, people will haul away your garbage, provide you with endless clean water, and assure the continuation of your electricity, telephone and Internet.

Feel like talking to friends or relatives 3,000 miles away? Rather than waiting six months for a letter, you merely press a few buttons and viola – instant communication.

Feel sick? You can visit a doctor who can look inside your body without hurting you. He can use marvelous diagnostic tools to determine what’s wrong. He’s even unlikely to apply leeches to balance your humors. How amazing is that?

Feel hungry? Walk into any football field-sized grocery store and take your pick from tens of thousands of food items. You didn’t have to milk a single cow, grow a single vegetable, or grind a single grain of wheat. Others did that for you.

Feel like going somewhere? You don’t have to hitch up the horses and travel for hours through inclement weather. You can hop in your car or take public transportation.

Feel unsafe? Not to worry, there are thousands of soldiers thanklessly laboring in foreign countries under dangerous circumstances to protect you. This is in addition to all the domestic police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and other emergency personnel whose sole duty it is to protect or take care of you.

We can fly through the air, for crying out loud. For how long has mankind longed to fly? Now we can do it anytime we wish.

When nature calls, we don’t have to trudge outside in subzero weather and freeze our fannies in an outhouse. Nor is our public health endangered from water contaminated by human waste. Only by reading about the horrors of such diseases as cholera or dysentery can we appreciate the freedom from such conditions.

We can know what’s happening on the other side of the planet within seconds. We can purchase consumer goods from any country in the world. Where is our appreciation for these miracles?

We don’t have to fear our children will die of smallpox, the plague, scarlet fever, or malnutrition before they reach maturity. Instead, we can look forward to someday seeing our grandchildren because our children, unlike earlier generations, are likely to make it to adulthood.

Though we are the daily recipients of these and other amazing miracles, what do we do? We complain. We could be suffused in awe and appreciation for all these wonders, but nooooooooooooo. None of this abundance is good enough. We want more, we want better, we want newer. We want the government to give us stuff for free, stuff like health care and housing, food and employment. These are things that earlier generations knew were our own personal responsibility to provide for ourselves.

Instead we prefer to whine and gripe and moan our way to socialism because we’ve become a nation of professional victims.

How about we put things into perspective? If we counted our blessings as often as we carped about our problems, we would be overwhelmed with gratitude. Read that last line again because it’s important!

Sometimes it seems that all we do is complain. Our jobs, our spouse, our kids, our finances, our politicians, the economy, the weather, the traffic, the credit card bills, the car payments, the run in your pantyhose, the ding in your car, the malfunctioning CD player, the long lines at the mall, the waiter who forgot your bread rolls … Stop! Take a deep breath, and count your blessings for once.

In a world plagued by illiteracy, your children can read and write. In a world plagued by people living in cardboard boxes, you live with indoor plumbing. In a world plagued by diseased children running naked through the streets, your kids are warm and well fed and clothed. And yet we gripe when our Internet service is interrupted, when the traffic light turns red, or when we didn’t get the diamond earrings or big-screen TV we “really wanted” for Christmas.

You see where I’m going with this? When we complain, we forget about our blessings. I’m sure anyone who has ever traveled to Bangladesh or the Sudan came home overwhelmed by their good fortune. Or maybe not. Maybe they complained that the high-speed Internet service on the airplane wasn’t fast enough or their luggage was delayed at the baggage carousel.

This is an awesome quote “Everything is amazing right now and nobody’s happy.” We live in an incredible world, and it’s wasted on us. How quickly we have come to think the world owes us something. Why are we no longer falling down in gratitude for our prosperity and relative affluence?

In fact, it’s our prosperity and affluence – and the loss of a strong religious foundation – that’s caused us to forget our blessings. When you raise spoiled brats, they’re unlikely to learn to appreciate simple truths such as moral character, a work ethic and gratitude.

Geez, folks, grow up. Stop acting like spoiled brats. Look around you. Learn to be grateful to God. In this upcoming year of economic uncertainty, make a resolution to stop taking it all for granted.

(from free lance writer, Patrice Lewis’ blog)

Treasure = Heart – Pastor Dave

I had an event take place in my life last Thursday that opened my eyes again to the words of Jesus. In Matthew 6:21, Jesus said, “For where your treasure is there will your heart be also.” Whatever you declare is important in your life, the heart will follow. Your heart is not that muscle that beats in your chest and pumps the life flow through your body. But your heart is the seat of your emotions and desires.

Now, almost everyone knows that I take pride in my yard, vehicles, and really everything I have. Not the pride thats resistant to God. But the pride that is a result of some possession that God has blessed you to have. I believe we should take care of, and be good stewards of what God has given us. However, if those possessions begin to rule our life and take priority over family and God, we’re in trouble.

Last Thursday, I was visiting a lady in the nursing home. When I came out, a lady in front of me asked, “Is that your car?” I responded, “Yes it is.” She told me, “Well, someone just backed into it.” My heart sank and my emotions began to run wild. I’m sure she saw the blood drain from my face. because I’ve only had this car since June. As I walked toward my vehicle, I had to purposefully remind myself, “Where your treasure is there will your heart be also.” On the inside I was telling myself, “Its just a car.” Then I began to talk to the Lord and tell Him, “Lord, You blessed me with this car. And I’m going to use it to do your work and glorify you. Whatever has happened, I’ll be alright.

When I arrived at my vehicle, I looked and couldn’t find any damage at all. Praise God!
The lady that was with me asked, “Aren’t you upset that someone backed into your car and never said anything?” I told her that there was no damage and it’ll be ok.
You see, my point is, with everything happening others will know where your heart and your treasure is.

Remember, with all of God’s blessings and all the possessions God has blessed us with, we really don’t own anything. If you don’t believe that, then think about this. What can you take with you and what do you possess when you die? You only have your relationship with Jesus and your relationships with others. Think about that the next time you get upset about, STUFF.
Lets be good stewards over what God has given us and use those things for God’s kingdom and His GLORY.

Pastor Dave

“I Love You” – Pastor Liz

God wants you to know ONE thing…
I Just Want You To Know That “I Love You”

“No matter what you do, I love you.
No matter where you go, I love you.
You can deny me, walk away from me, spit on me, hang me on a cross.
But I Love You!”

These words hit my heart and I am broken to pieces.
How? How can He love me like that?
I hardly think about Him, I constantly sin against Him, I hurt His heart every day following other loves, but there’s a voice in the back of my head saying He loves me.

Maybe you’re in that place today.
You’re caught up in your life, caught up in the party life, caught up in your story and are pursuing everything but God.
Your life’s dreams, passions, and longings are toward football, automobiles, friends, music, boyfriend/girlfriend, something crazy, knowledge, anything but the one who created you.

But He’s calling out to you right now saying,
“I LOVE YOU! I don’t care where you’ve been. I don’t care how bad you are. I would do anything to spend 5 minutes with you. I’ve been thinking about you all night. I’ve been thinking about you all day and I was hoping that sometime in your busy day you might notice me, the one who is holding your life together. I care for you. I know life is rough and that stuff doesn’t always go your way, but that is just because I want you to see me. I will bring you joy, I will bring you life. I will give you to story you’ve been dreaming of because I LOVE YOU!”

“I saw you the other day. I saw my beloved, my child, with another lover. I saw you pour your heart out to that thing, the thing I created and watch you give up your life. I watched as you gave yourself over to the less wild lovers. I saw you give yourself to those prostitutes of life. I watched them steal your heart, steal your joy, steal your innocence, and my heart burned. It hurt me more than you will ever know to see you chase after something that doesn’t give you the love you deserve. My heart burned to see you waste your life. Tears swelled up in my eyes as I saw you fall away from me because you lost focus. Don’t you remember? Don’t you recall all the things I’ve done for you? I came to the earth for you. I was mocked and humiliated for you. I was persecuted for you. I was whipped for you. I was spit upon for you and I was hung on a cross for you, because I Love You! How could you turn away? I’m right here and I’m waiting for you to return to me. My arms are open and I will give you the love you have sooo longed for. I LOVE YOU and I would do anything for you and in fact I have. It’s now up to you.”

Perfection? – Pastor Liz

A lot of people who don’t really know me, tend to think that I’m somehow better than they are. They think that I’m a “super-Christian,” that I’m perfect, and I don’t ever make mistakes. Nothing could be further from the truth.

The truth is I’m no different than anybody else. The Bible says that we are all sinners-we’re all screw-ups-and that includes me. Perhaps the only difference is that I know how much God loves me, and His love compels me to want to know Him. And as I get to know Him better, more and more of Him rubs off on me, and that changes the kind of person I am. Yeah, I’m still a screw-up, but I’m a perpetually forgiven screw-up, who in knowing the Greatest Lover, becomes a little more loving.

Jesus says that God knows us so well that He knows exactly how many hairs we have on our heads at any given moment. That’s pretty amazing considering how much some people have and how little others have! haha! But Jesus also says that there is no greater measure of love than to die for a friend. Jesus goes on to say, “You are my friends,” and he died for each one of us so that we can be friends with God.

If you think about it, is there anyone else that knows you better than God? Anybody else who knows exactly how many hairs you have on your head at any particular moment? And is there anyone who loves you more than God? Is there anyone who has given up their life so that you may live?

The One that knows you best, loves you the most. That’s pretty incredible to me considering all the dark places I have that nobody else even knows about. But God does. And yet He still loves me more than anybody else, and He loves you more than anybody else-no matter how screwed up you think you are.

Jesus didn’t come to save good and perfect people. He lived and died to save screw-ups like you and me-people who know they don’t have a chance without a little grace and forgiveness. Don’t wait until you get “cleaned up” to come to Jesus. He’s got the hands to heal your sickness, the thread to mend your broken heart, and the soap to wash your soul. He already knows you better than you even know yourself, and He already loves you more than you could ever imagine. He calls you, “friend.” What do you call him?

Love you all!

Past – a place of reference, not a place of residence.

Thank You – Pastor Dave

Yesterday was Pastor Appreciation Sunday here at New Life. I never cease to be amazed at what our congregation places together to surprise Debra and I. Of course last year they gutted our house and did a remodel. They would never have to do anything else. That was so incredible!
However, yesterday, was an absolutely phenominal moment. We’re grateful for the gifts. But what blessed us so much was to have my good friend of many years Judge Chris Freese come and speak. You could’ve knocked me over with a feather. I wasn’t sure what to say. I normally am not one who struggles for something to say.
What’s important to understand is I had a dream years ago of Chris being in service and sitting exactly where he sat. So during my preaching I was slightly overwhelmed.
Just to have the opportunity to minister the Word of God to my friend was an enormous blessing. So, don’t give up on your dreams. We serve a God that makes dreams come true.
I wonder what’s coming next year?

Blessings
Pastor Dave

Priorities – Pastor Dave

My Aunt called Saturday morning and told me that my cousin Allen had passed away the night before. I was stunned, because he was only 48 years old. I remember all the great times we had on my cousins farm when I was younger. From playing in the barn, to playing army, basketball, and even a whole week there attending VBS. Great memories! This year I’ve seen more people pass away that I personally knew than any other time in my life.
It’s made me aware more than ever of a couple of things. Are my life’s priorities in order? Am I walking in the love of God as much as possible? Am I serving God with everything thats in me? Am I placing a high priority on my wife and family? Am I doing my best to serve others in the family of God? All these questions and more cause me to daily re-evaluate what’s really important in life. It’s sad that some life lessons are learned in our later years. But the important thing is that we learn them.
Paul said in Acts 17:28, “In HIm we live, and move, and have our being.” All of these questions and perhaps the realignment of priorities can only be answered as we pursue Jesus and His word with all our heart.
Death is a horrible thing. I’ve watched it leave its mark of sorrow and grief upon many this year. But worse than death, is missing the plan and purpose of God for your life. I don’t want to miss God’s unfolding purpose for my life. I don’t want to be so busy that I exchange God’s priorities for my own and then believe they’re Gods. This week I’ll see relatives I haven’t seen or spoken to for years. Thats a tragedy. I take responsibility for that. Maybe some of my priorities have been out of order. No more! Lets all examine our priorities in the light of Gods love and purpose.
God Bless!

Pastor Dave

Presence of God – Pastor Dave

I’m watching out my window as the sun attempts to penetrate the fog. Actually you can’t see the sun at all its just getting lighter. Wow. What a great day to be alive. The last few days it seems the presence of the Lord has intensified. Praying this morning the atmosphere is charged with the power of God as its been all weekend. When I pray, worship, and even preach it seems as though the presence of the Lord is so real, as close, as if its almost tangible. There is a sense of confidence and boldness thats present today. I hope you are being surrounded with the goodness of the Lord today.
Somethings going on with Faith. Last night when I fed her supper we prayed and she just started crying. I don’t know if it was a cry birthed out of pain or sadness. But she reached over to hug me and I think she’s sensing what I have felt in the last couple of days.
The tears just streamed down her cheeks. I was reminded that God takes our tears and places them in a bottle.
God’s up to something. And when He begins to show himself strong its always an adventure. Well today I’m believing for miracles. Its not hard when you just feel so much of God in you and upon you.
Hope you have a great day and supernatural week.

Pastor Dave

Worship – Pastor Dave

I was thinking about worship today.How worship effects our life in so many ways. But specifically worship in regards to our daughter Faith. Many are aware of her history. That we were told she was blind and would probably die before age one. However, by the grace of God she is still here. She can find a penny on brown carpet. Praise God!
Faith is a worshipper. She has always loved music. It seems music is the language of the soul. There are certain songs that I listen to that can transcend my soul and spirit into another realm. The same is true with Faith. Yesterday in worship she was making a joyful noise with all her heart. Some may not consider it a joyful sound. But to Faith it is joyful. She can’t pronounce syllables or phrases but the noise that eminates from her lips surely gives the Father’s heart joy. Faith squeals really loud and then may begin to clap or swing her arm.
Its amazing, because Faith wants to sing and can’t and many times we can and won’t.
There is a liberty and an abandonment in her worship that attracts the heart of God. Maybe we don’t realize it, but I’m sure she’s cognitive of it. I believe the Lord is doing something within her that we haven’t recognized yet.
The Bible says, God is seeking for true worshippers, to worship in spirit and in truth. Well, God doesn’t have to seek for Faith. She’s always ready to respond when she hears music. Even when she’s having a seizure, which can be as simple as an eye flutter. Faith does her best, if music is playing, to squeal, or swing her arms. Shouldn’t we be that way? No matter what’s happening with us or drowning us, shouldn’t we do our best to worship?
Faith’s response to life, which we realize is limited, has taught me so very much. So I think I’ll take a break and worship.

Pastor Dave

Make a Difference – Pastor Dave

I was thinking this weekend about all the funerals that I’ve performed this year. I don’t remember a year that I’ve had so many memorial services. Each one of these that have passed away left memories, many impacted lives in very significant ways. The point is that every one of us are going to die, if Jesus doesn’t come first. It seems the older you get the more death has a place in your thinking process. Death is not something we like to discuss. It is called by Job, “The King of Terrors.”

I just don’t want to come to the end of my life and realize I’ve wasted so much of my life on trivial things.

Jesus said “if you lose your life for my sake you find it, and if you find your life you lose it.” I see so many people trying to find themselves outside of Jesus Christ.

You see, it really doesn’t matter where we live, what we drive, or where we sleep. Life is much more than that. And God for sure has blessed Debra and I with all of those things. But the real essence of my existence is a little like the old song: Only one life twill soon be past: only what is done for Christ will last.

What I’m trying to say is, I really want to make a difference in peoples lives. And making a difference in their life means a willingness to love them. And if we love people then we’ll lead them and point them to our all – satisfying God. Thats the plan of God for all of us. First to find God in Jesus Christ and to point others in His direction.

There are many ways to make your life count and make a difference in peoples lives. being kind when thats not what they may deserve, being merciful, loving, and caring to others. All of those things will cause your life to count. So you can look back at the end of your life and know your days weren’t wasted.

I believe we’re inching ever closer to the coming of the Lord if we don’t destroy one another first. I just want to encourage you to be totally sold out to Jesus and not waste your days. Every day is a gift from God. I challenge you to make a difference in someones life.

Pastor Dave

Worship – Pastor Liz

We did a series about worship at church a while back and there is so much to learn and to grow from in worship. Shall I share my thoughts? (I guess if you are still reading, that is a yes!)

Worship – to ascribe to, to give honor
We can worship many things in our life…
What do we worship? Money, relationships, jobs, ourselves
Sometimes, it’s easier to worship created things rather than the creator of those things.

When we gather together at church for praise and worship, we are not just getting ready for a nice, little message or a sermon. We are reconfiguring our lives so that God is placed at the top of the worship chain, and all other options removed.

My prayer to God is….
God, I place you back on the throne of my life, right where you belong.
I surrender to You, not because You’re forcing me to, but because I trust Your love for me.
So this day, please see my heart for what it is — A deep well of desire that wants to see You honored and glorified above all else.
And when I inevitably block Your worship with a lesser object of my own choosing, please pull me back, and remind me of the truth.
So receive my heartfelt worship given to You and You alone.

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