It is fun getting older.

Exactly one month from today I will be 52 years old. I have been married to an awesome woman for nearly 32 of that and I have been in ministry for 31 of that time as well. WHAT A RIDE IT HAS ALL BEEN.

Just this past week I was in Dallas, TX for a Youth Pastor Roundtable. Where the older reached back to the younger and the younger reached forward to the older. The picture is me with Bob Weiner of Maranatha Ministries. Brother Bob is one of the pioneers of Jesus movement of the late 60's and 70's. I am no longer a Youth Pastor but I have been one for a long time and I still speak to thousands of youth in churches and public schools all over America and the world for that matter. I believe that this was a God ordained time for me. I was able to see the influence that God has allowed me to have over the years right up to the present time. Which by the way was very encouraging to me. There were so many great thoughts shared but I want to pass a few of them along to you my readers.

What ever the spiritual norm they (new converts - youth) are born into is what they will generally live at for the rest of their spiritual journey. So as spiritual fathers what kind of climate are we creating.

Ron Luce made the statement that he prays the following for himself . . . God, however you wrecked my life so that I would never go back would you do the same for those that I preach to?" This stirred my soul!

Start fathering, leading, mentoring, coaching then sons will begin to locate you. Another words quit asking God to send you sons just start doing it.

To touch the next generation, I have to be touched by Him.

The CROSS for youth represents both paths of life. The horizontal and the vertical. The path of righteousness which is vertical and the path of social justice which is horizontal. Apply Mark 8:34-38.

I am chewing on so much more. I pray that these remarks have stirred you up as well.
Ed

Looking forward to twenty ten

Just some random thoughts in my head about 2010.

#1 I will have two more grand children this time next year.

#2 I have big big faith for what God will do in Generations Church this year. Something tells me that it will be a quantum leap year for us. If not we will take another step in the blue print that God has for us.

#3 I have an increased desire to do the following this year: be a home owner again, write the books that are inside me, extend my influence in my city, become a leader of leaders.

#4 Become more disciplined in being than doing.

#5 I will turn 52 this year and I am aware of the time factor. I find myself like Caleb saying, "give me my mountain." To be honest I am getting a little insecure about building something at this age. To late to turn back plus see #6.

#6 I am more at peace with who I am and what I am about than I ever have been. I know that I am running in my lane.

#7 The awareness that He is building His church is acute.

#8 A firm belief that money will follow ministry.

#9 Wondering how to fix the fact that Generations Church is the best kept secret in Lubbock, TX.

#10 Strong, strong, strong desire to see thousands of lost people come to Jesus. Lord help us build the infrastructure to handle this.

What are you dreaming of in 2010?

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

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).

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

Why Don't we get this?

Penn from Penn and Teller said this in a You Tube video (i guess you could check it out yourself.) This below is the transcript. COME ON CHURCH LET'S GET GOING!! Won by One we can all do it. I know it is a long post but read it anyway. This guys is an atheist, so if he gets it why don't we?

“I’ve always said that I don’t respect people who don’t proselytize. I don’t respect that at all. If you believe that there’s a heaven and a hell, and people could be going to hell or not getting eternal life, and you think that it’s not really worth telling them this because it would make it socially awkward—and atheists who think people shouldn’t proselytize and who say just leave me alone and keep your religion to yourself—how much do you have to hate somebody to not proselytize? How much do you have to hate somebody to believe everlasting life is possible and not tell them that? “I mean, if I believed, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that a truck was coming at you, and you didn’t believe that truck was bearing down on you, there is a certain point where I tackle you. And this is more important than that.” Click on the title for this post and it will take you to the actual video.

my challenge to you is WON BY ONE that is all it will take.
Ed

7 Observations from SIN CITY (Las Vegas)

First let me apologize for being absent from the blogosphere.
Number 1 - What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. The only thing that stays in Vegas is your money.
Number 2 - Image is everything. You talk about putting on a front and man is it impressive.
Number 3 - New Vegas vs. Old Vegas. Bigger really is better. All the buildings and shows and everything is bigger in the New Vegas and I happen to think it is better.
Number 4 - Vegas is all about people. Every nationality, rich and poor, and lots and lots of LOST PEOPLE if you know what I mean. As in people who really need Jesus and not religion.
Number 5 - Fantasy = Hope. If the church (people of God) could ever really understand that this is all people are really looking for is some hope and we have the real thing in Jesus. We could change the world. Vegas offers false hope. Get rich quick! Medicate your pain and it will not be there later! Live a fantasy life and sin awhile because what happens here stays here. All are fantasies.
Number 6 - The CHURCH is behind. Vegas offers hope wrapped in a package. We have not figured out how to package hope yet.
Number 7 - You can go to SIN CITY and NOT SIN.

Just one man's observations.
Much Love,
Ed