Thursday, December 24, 2009

Christmas reflections and memories

Where am I?
I am at home with coffee, chex mix, a fire, my wife is cooking, my dog is next to me, there is about 3 inches of snow outside.

What am I listening to?
Kenny G. "FAITH" Christmas cd

Reflections:
For some reason this Christmas seems more centered around Christ and less harassing than others before it. Part of it maybe that our children Jeff (30), Denae (27), & Lance (25) are all married and doing really well. We have one grandson Will who is two and he has a little brother on the way (Reed David). Denae and Lacey (Jeff's wife) are both pregnant and doing well. I think that all of this adds up to some great peace in our lives. We have never had more fun in our lives than we are now as parents, grand parents, & pastors. Marriage is more fun than ever since we do so much together. Ministry is more fun than I could have ever dreamed. Building and growing a church is a challenge and lots of work but the kind that is extremely rewarding. The church we Pastor (Generations Church) is only 3 years old and Connie reminded me the other day in moment where I was actually complaining about where we are in the life of our church that we are still just a toddler church. No, we have not had explosive growth but slow and steady growth. THANK YOU JESUS FOR COMING TO EARTH AS A MAN THUS MAKING A WAY FOR ALL HUMANITY TO KNOW THEIR CREATOR IN A RELATIONSHIP OF LOVE AND DESTINY.

Memories:
Will spent two nightS in a row with us (Tues. & Wed.). This brought back a flood of memories for me since my last living grandparent passed away in October. I can remember so many nights of staying with Pop and Jenny. These times were filled with games, tv shows, and travels. Oh, I almost forgot this is where I got my love for dogs from as well. My dog Maggie of the last 12 years is laying right next to as I type this.

The picture is Will hiding in the dirty clothes hamper in our bathroom after he had pulled all of the dirty clothes out in the floor.

On Tues. Connie had a ladies lunch in our home so I picked Will up from the house and took him to eat and then on an outing to the mall. Of course his favorite thing at the mall is the kids playground where he made friends and played hard. When it came time to go Pop made Will cry because we had to go and man did this hurt Pop's heart. As we left the mall we passed the candy store and Pop had the great idea to stop in and get some candy to soothe the pain. Will loved this idea especially since he got some Sprite in the deal as well. When I took him to his house for his nap all was good in his world until he woke up from his nap with tummy ache. I think Denae knew Pop had spoiled him a little to much. Oops!!

Later Tuesday night all the kids, their wives, (except Lance & Olivia) and Bobby & Chrissy, plus their children all went to the Texas Tech Basketball game against Stanford. There was 13 of us in all and we could afford this since there was a promotion of $3 for General Admission ticket. This just flooded my mind with memories of going to Texas Tech sporting events with my parents since most of my childhood we went to most of the football and basketball games for Texas Tech. What really made this special was that Will wanted to sit in Pop's lap nearly the entire came. We got our guns up. We cheered and clapped the Red Raiders to victory. I am pretty sure no body saw it but several times the moment brought tears to my eyes. I am a blessed man to see all my kids serving the Lord and now having grand children that will grow up in the ways of the Lord. Plus at the end of the game Will told Lolli, "I want to stay at Lolli's house." Now that is a great end to a perfect evening.

Merry Christmas To All,
Ed

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Travels, Persecution, & An Unfinished sentence . . .

TRAVELS

I have concluded my church and school travel schedule for 2009. I went out with a bang one church and ten schools from Dec. 6 -12 in eastern Wisconsin. On one day I was completely snowed in and everything was canceled so I stayed one extra day and got those schools in. In my way of thinking it was a very successful week. Hundreds of students were touched and some were changed.

Here is a quote from one male student: Hey my name is xxxxxx, I was the kid from xxxxxxx (I always leave out names and schools) High who came up to you in the hall and shook your hand. The pretty tall kid. lol but i just wanted to thank you in that, yes i have had sex.. I'll admit it, but I can assure you that after your presentation i will not again until I am married. Like you said I am starting over.

Here is another story that will gift of Jesus at Christmas really special:She approached me with extreme timidity that seemed so unnatural for the way she was dressed. In looking at her from the outside she appeared to be as confident as she was flamboyant. Dressed with red and purple streaks in her hair and jeans that were hand painted plus the long sleeves showing under a hoodie that had the holes cut in the sleeves for her thumbs. I was not prepared for what happened next.

As soon as she began to speak tears began to flow from her eyes. At an almost imperceptible volume she said, “I was raped by my best friend.” The entire story is to long to tell in the space allotted me here but I can tell you that I was able to lead her to conversion in Christ. She had actually never been to a church in her life and had never heard of His saving grace. I talked with her in the gym of her school for nearly and hour. The Holy Spirit enabled me to speak healing words to her soul and connect her with a strong adult believer in her school so that she could continue to walk in her healing.

PERSECUTION

Recently I was criticized rather soundly for being intolerant. I guess I am in good company.

John 14:6
6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. NKJV
Acts 4:12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."NKJV

Jesus, and the Apostles were pretty narrow minded about a lot of subjects. At first I was offended that they were offended. Then I just stopped and considered it a compliment that I must be doing something right. Matt 5:11 "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.NKJV

THE UNFINISHED SENTENCE

The childhood event that taught me my most valuable lesson . . . .
Please complete the sentence and send them to me in a comment. In a few days I will complete the sentence as well with my own story and maybe post some of your responses (of course leaving out all names).


Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Tis' The Season to Worship

Worship is whatever we put value on is what we worship. WOW! That makes me really think. Worship is so much more than singing a few songs at church although it includes that. When we put value on someone or something we are worshiping. It could be a car, a job, a person (even a family member), or a position. The list could go on and on.

My thought here is that if we would place so much value and worth on God the one true living God we would be in so much better shape as a person, city, state, and a nation. Our value system is all messed up. If we placed proper worth and value on our relationship with God all our other relationships would line up.

Alignment is the key! We could observe each others lives on daily basis and know who or what we worship by our alignment in life. What are we throwing our energy, time, talent, and finances behind?

Christmas is about God (Jesus) becoming a man and this event was accompanied by so much worship that I have chosen it as my preaching theme for the entire Christmas season. LET'S ALIGN (worship) OURSELVES WITH JESUS IN ALL THAT WE DO THIS SEASON.
Ed