Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Keeping Christ In CHRISTmas - A Heart for ONE

(Pictures are from Generations Church 12/19/2010)
And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus,t for he will save his people from their sins.”
 http://read.ly/Matt1.21.NLT

Jesus came to SAVE US from our sins! WOW!! I know this is no heavy revy for most of us, but it is worth reminding us why He came. Guess what? It was not so that we could receive gifts because HE IS THE GIFT. Do not get me wrong I love to receive gifts at CHRISTmas but the point of CHRISTmas is way beyond gift giving.

The FATHER'S HEART WAS ON DISPLAY in the CHRISTmas story. I preached about it on Sunday (you can listen at www.generationslubbock.com). Just click on the sermon player on the home page or go to Generations Church in itunes and you can listen to the podcast.

A HEART FOR ONE LOST SHEEP:
  • owner left 99 and went after one
  • how much time, energy, and money do we spend on the 99 versus the one that is lost
  • more joy in heaven over ONE lost - found.
A HEART FOR ONE LOST COIN:
  • of what value was it???
  • she moved furniture and swept
  • until she found it (determination)
  • called, texted, emailed all her friends about the joy of what was lost is now found
A HEART FOR ONE LOST SON (daughter)
  • he thought it was about "ME" (we do this)
  • wasted it on PRODIGAL LIVING (use your imagination)
  • humbled
  • confessed - WHEN WE MESS UP WE NEED TO FESS UP
  • Dad was waiting (so is God)
  • cut covenant "here" v. 23 (significant because he did not have to clean up) God does not care where you have been, what you have been doing, nor does He care who you have been doing it with. All He cares about is where you are going which is why he sent us a SAVIOR, MESSIAH, KING.
Do you know one who is LOST but needs to be FOUND? Our assignment from heaven this CHRISTmas is to go after ONE and that will KEEP THE CHRIST IN CHRISTmas.

 
Ed

Saturday, December 18, 2010

ALL IN THE FAMILY

I AM LIVING A BLESSED LIFE!! Thanking God for the greatest gift of all HIS SON JESUS CHRIST. 

Matthew 1:21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus,t for he will save his people from their sins.”
Along the way I have been blessed, and continue to be blessed. 
  • March 4, 1976 I came to know Jesus
  • June 1977 Called to ministry - continuing in the present
  • July 15, 1978 Married a great gift of God - Connie Cassell
  • July 7, 1979 My first born Jeff (strong with a sense of justice about him)
  • May 6, 1982 My first and only daughter Denae (most like me)
  • September 15, 1984 Lance (the sneaky one in a good way)
  • Son in law (Chris) and Daughter in laws (Lacey & Olivia) the greatest!! 
  • Grand Kids . . . the best!!
I could write so many more dates down here of significant times in my life but I will refrain. Let me ask you a question. What are your numbers? No, not the lotto! Recall your significant dates and count your blessings from the Lord. This verse was mine and Connie's memory verse for the year. WOW!! What a year!
Psalms 40
5 O Lord my God, you have performed many wonders for us.
Your plans for us are too numerous to list.
You have no equal.
If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds,
I would never come to the end of them
.NLT
I get the privilege of pastoring a GREAT church Generations Church (www.generationslubbock.com). We are young and we are not what we were and we are not what we are going to be. 

I am still amazed at how God has opened doors for me to travel the country and the world to share His love. Regardless whether I am standing in front of a group of 20 or 2000 I am still very humbled by the opportunity I have in schools and churches across the country and around the world. Humbling!!

I was in Barnes Noble reading yesterday when a lady asked if she could sit opposite me? Of course I said yes and I just continued to read in my NOOK and drink my tea. She had a stack of books that I guess she was trying to decide what to buy. In a moment she struck up a conversation about the NOOK. It was obvious that she was an avid reader, so I shared with her all about my NOOK. 

Our conversation continued and I found out that she was a retired English teacher at Monterey High School (I graduated from there). I knew of her but I never took one of her classes. We had shared wonderful memories of common friends. She (Joann Corbett) is still so full of passion for teaching that in her retired state she now oversees 12 student teachers out of the Texas Tech school of Education. It fired me up to see her passion at her age.There was nothing dramatic that happened in our conversation except her PASSION FOR LIFE and her continued sense of MISSION influenced me greatly.

Check your numbers and see who has influenced you and who you are influencing.

Have a BLESSED CHRISTmas SEASON
Ed

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Lets ALL have LAUGH

Prov 17:22

22 A cheerful heart is good medicine,
but a broken spirit saps a person's strength.NLT


Laughter is such a powerful key that unlocks and opens the door to our hearts.

There is always a lot of laughter in my house. My wife is known for her laugh and her sense of humor. Here are some thoughts about laughter. I HOPE THEY ENCOURAGE YOU TODAY! The picture here is in our house.
  • Laughter is contagious
  • Laughing with others is a release
  • Laughing at yourself keeps you humble
  • Laughing at someone can be dangerous
  • Laughing at others expense is rude
  • Laughing in adversity can bring you hope
Ps 126:5-6
5 Those who plant in tears
will harvest with shouts of joy.
6 They weep as they go to plant their seed,
but they sing as they return with the harvest. NLT

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Who Are We Fighting

Culture wars - Generation gaps, speak of some kind of difference we have in relation to others.

WHY DO WE FIGHT EACH OTHER?

We should fight the destructive evil forces of:
  • addiction (drugs, alcohol, porn)
  • dissoulution of the home (divorce)
  • demon of debt (bondage)
  • violence (anger)
  • cancer (often caused by unforgiveness)
  • disunity (not sameness)
  • apathy (medocrity)
http://read.ly/Matt11.12.NLT

http://read.ly/Eph6.12.NLT

DO NOT FIGHT EACH OTHER . . . C'MON MAN!!!

Ed

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Finding Faith in IMPOSSIBLE Circumstances

Faced with impossible news, impossible trouble, impossible health issues, or impossible relationship drama, or impossible finances. THERE IS A WORD OF HOPE FOR YOU!!
Luke 1:37-38
37 For with God nothing will be impossible." 38 Then Mary said, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her. NKJV
We are truly blessed beyond measure when we take the promises of HIS WORD at face value. We put our hope, trust, & confidence in Him rather than a system, money, or a person.
Luke 1:45
45 Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord." NKJV

I want to spend this CHRISTmas season living like Elizabeth's description of Mary. Which for me would be translated this way. . .
LETS BE FILLED WITH THE ALREADY WHILE WE ARE LIVING IN THE NOT YET.

  • My marriage
  • My Church (building)
  • My family
  • My ministry vision

Find the CHRIST in Christmas and put your FAITH there  . .  so your impossible circumstance will turn to a miracle life full of answers.
But let me warn you there is not an EASY button in life only in the fantasy world of advertising is there and EASY button that will instantly solve your crisis.

Follow Faith
Ed

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

My 3rd Trip to Transniestria Thoughts

http://read.ly/Phil2.20.NIV 

Paul wrote these words because he trusted Timothy to minister in his place. I am TOTALLY humbled by the fact that Pastor Yuri Semenyuk of Christ Our Savior's Church in Tiraspol, Transniestria allowed me and three others to minister in services and speak to all of his Pastors, Leaders, & Deacons. IT WAS AMAZING!!

WITH THAT AS A BACK DROP I MAKE THE FOLLOWING OBSERVATIONS:

1. NO WONDER THEY ARE GROWING: The key leader is totally secure and delegates well.
2. NO WONDER THEY ARE GROWING: The Alpha Course evangelism project is going great and winning souls.
3. NO WONDER THEY ARE GROWING: The key leader trusts young men and women to function in key roles.
4. NO WONDER THEY ARE GROWING: The key leader understands and knows that it is all about leadership at every level.

The entire ministry understands this concept: PEOPLE WILL FORGET WHAT YOU SAID, PEOPLE WILL FORGET WHAT YOU DID. PEOPLE WILL NEVER FORGET HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL.

I left feeling encouraged and enriched even though I had preached eleven times in four days which is so humbling and amazing when you consider all that they are doing. What a joy to be a small part in helping them.


THANK YOU PASTOR YURI AND TEAM!!!
Ed

Monday, December 6, 2010

A REAL DISCIPLESHIP MOVEMENT

http://read.ly/2Tim2.2.NKJV

I have been so inspired at Christ Our Saviors Church here in Tiraspol, Transniestria. THEY ARE A REAL DISCIPLE MAKING CHURCH.

THE BEST I HAVE EVER SEEN. I pray and believe that I can take what I have learned and do it at home.I was asked to impart to them but they in turn imparted more and better to me.

THANK YOU!!! Pastor Yuri and the team for a great week.

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Christians in Transniestria

These people here remind of the passage of scripture in Hebrews 10:32-39. 


WHEN THE LIGHT GOES ON THE FIGHT GOES ON: vs. 32
They are truly evangelizing their city and nation.
They are truly discipling new believers


THE LIGHT IS ON AND THEY ARE SLUGGING IT OUT.


v.33,34 They have been and are suffering with some demonic attack that is coming from other humans.


IT TAKES COURAGE TO KEEP ON GOING.


v. 35,36 They are staying faithful and walking in great endurance because their confidence is in God.


ENDURANCE IS A MUST.


V.37-39 They have a since of destiny like Jesus could come back tomorrow.


URGENCY IS A MUST.


The picture is Pastor Yuri their fearless (literally) leader.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Note from the FOREIGN FIELDS

VISION IS VISION NO MATTER WHERE YOU LIVE IN THE WORLD.

As a church in America we are being passed up by Pastors and ministries on in foreign lands. Yes, you heard me right!!

They have such big faith for big projects that are genuinely reaching the lost. Did you heart that? They are not talking about the lost they are talking to the lost and winning them to Christ.
 
http://read.ly/Prov29.18.NIV 

We serve the same BIG GOD!!! I am inspired. The picture here is of the new BETHEL FAMILY CENTER in the middle of Tiraspol, Transniestria.