Are You A Fan.....or a Follower?

For the great majority of people, being a fan is energizing (especially when our team is winning), inspiring, and easy. Easy, because it does not require any effort, training, or commitment. It only takes a voice, a sign, a hat, t-shirt, bumper sticker and you are set. The downside to being a fan is that they have a great tendency to be unpredictable, unfaithful, and unhappy when their team is in a slump.

Conversely, the follower stays the course, is undaunted, and not swayed by adversity. Being a follower of Christ requires that we have this kind of drive and determination, despite the circumstances or conditions around us. A follower of Christ does not win every game, (like the fan expects) but realizes that there is an entire season yet to play, an eternity with Christ to be gained!

So which one are you? A fan who changes with the wind, or the follower who stays focused on whats ahead...I like the way the Apostle Paul put it:

"So if you're serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don't shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ--that's where the action is. See things from His perspective." Col. 3:1,2 Message

What Lies Beneath...

Remember the last time you lost it emotionally? It might have been toward your wife, your children, a co-worker, or the guy who just cut you off this morning on your way to work. Each one of us struggle with the handling of our emotions, and some better than others. When was the last time you took an interior look at what lies beneath the surface of your life? And investigated the hidden places in your life...the places where the real struggles are?


I have been reading a provoking book for the past 6 months entitled: "Emotionally Healthy Spirituality." The author is Peter Scazzero, a Pastor in Queens, NY. Peter contends that, "It's impossible to be spiritually mature, while remaining emotionally immature." And goes on to flesh out reasons why so many Christians, even Pastor's struggle with emotional immaturity. He goes on to suggest that as an Iceberg is deceptive by its tip, so too is emotional health and spirituality when it comes to our lives. As the Psalmist cries out, "Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me; Cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I'm about; See for yourself whether I've done anything wrong--then guide me on the road to eternal life." (Ps. 139:23-4) The Message.


Even though you might have had many real and helpful spiritual experiences in certain areas of your life, instrinsically you could be suffering, even severely from emotional pain or anxiety. The good news there is help and hope for you...but it is going to take time to allow the Holy Spirit to unravel the layers of emotional pain and anger that has been buried deep within. You see, the Lord never stops the process of change in us...it may be stagnated by our stubbornness and free will for a time...but He never gives up on us...so let Him in completely and begin to let out the emotional pain...you will be more at peace with yourself and with God!

Who Will Get My Vote?

With the election upon us, amid the countless speeches, rhetoric and campaign promises. So now what? How do we vote? What will be the factor(s) that will end the debate in our minds? Time is ticking... Recently, I came across an article by gentleman named Tony Woodlief (Current Issue of World Magazine) that I thinks bears consideration.

Here is an excerpt from that article:

"I have become something I once reviled: a single-issue voter. I used to think that a wise voter tries to discern each candidate's intentions on major issues, and then casts his vote based on an assessment of who will do the greatest overall good—or the least evil. I thought those voters who support a candidate based on a single issue—whether he will increase school funding, say, or lower taxes—were shirking their duty to consider the full ramifications of putting someone in office. What good is electing someone who is "right" on one thing, I thought, if he gets everything else disastrously wrong?

This was the reasoning I used as I congratulated myself for wisely apportioning my votes based on utilitarian calculations. Now I suspect this sort of calculation misses something. I've become convinced that a nation which sanctions the extinguishing of unborn children, and further, the outright execution of near-term infants, doesn't deserve admiration even if it gets every other policy right. It's certainly true that there are other issues that ought to concern Christians, like the sanctity of marriage, and how we treat the mentally ill, the elderly, and children who have been born.

But abortion is, in my view, the touchstone. Get this one wrong and your moral compass can guide you in nothing else.

Yet there is also painful clarity that comes with single-mindedness. Jobs, highways, schools, economic growth—none of these matter if we're willing to sanction murder to get them. Perhaps my mentality is a recipe for political isolation for Christians, for the losing of elections, and maybe even a loss of national greatness. I worry that the alternative, however, is to lose something far greater, which is our ability to discern good from evil, and to act accordingly."

Just something to think about as you head to the polls on Tuesday...

Medical Missions...San Luis, Mexico

This was our team from First Assembly who ministered medically and spiritually together with over 65 others from all over the country. We were working out of Bethel Orphanage, that has been reaching out to orhpans and the community of San Luis for over 28 years. Over 5,000 lives were touched through clinics consisting of medical, optical, dental, chiropractic and spiritual. Each person heard the gospel and over 1,061 accepted Christ! In the clinic that I was priviledged to be part of over 90% of those who heard the gospel received Christ. Additionally, rice and beans were given out to families and individuals as they left the clinics. For four of our ladies this was their first missions experienced and each one expressed how the trip opened their eyes to how the rest of the world lives, and that they would definitely want to serve the Lord on another missions trip. I'll never forget the words of Keith Green, who penned these words to song, "Jesus Comands Us To Go..." this sums up missions and every effort made to reach souls for Jesus! So when you get the opportunity to go....Just go!

Fireproof...Your Marriage

Want to rescue, or strengthen your marriage? Consider taking your wife or husband to "Fireproof," the new movie starring Kirk Cameron which opens tonight in theatres. The movie provides opportunities for dialogue around the issues of forgiveness, communication, the differences between men and women, pornography and the need for God's Love. So far, Fireproof has been getting tremendous reviews...here is just one.

AmyPosted on September 25, 2008, I just got out of the theater two hours ago. This movie gives me the chills in a good way. My boyfriend of two years went to see the movie with me. I have prayed and hoped that this movie will give our relationship what it needs, the unconditional love, respect, putting God first in our relationship so that we may grow stronger together through God and each other. I pray that all married and non-married couples will see this movie to begin a healing and thought-provoking process to help bring marriage back to what it began as...two people coming together joined as One, the way that God designed it. God bless all our firefighters, EMTs, and policemen for the challenging work you do that takes you away from your loved ones. Please know that there is someone out there tonight praying for you and we appreciate all that you do. God Bless!

Check out the website: fireproofthemovie.com for more information on this movement to grow marriages through Christ! So, no matter what your marriage looks like right now, there is hope, because there is nothing too hard for God! Get a babysitter, set the date, take her to dinner and go see this movie with your spouse...I know I will, and don't forget the popcorn!

A Great New Book....Crazy Love

I recently purchased this new book by a new author for me. It is called "Crazy Love," by Francis Chan...Pastor of Cornerstone Community Church in Simi Valley, CA. He is a Pastor who thinks out-of-the box, who seeks to challenge Christians away from a life being comfortable...to a life of risk and adventure...in pursuit of an authentic faith...a passionate love relationship with God. He asks, "Have you ever wondered if we're missing it? We go to church, sing songs, and try not to cuss...Whether you've verbalized it or not...we all know something's wrong."

Check out this short video introduction by the author;

The New Extreme Rush...Swooping

A few years ago I skydived from 14,000 feet. It was the ultimate rush! Experiencing the sensation of free-falling at 120 MPH was exhilarating! Reflecting on the experience, it was also a lesson in faith. Faith that I had the courage to actually jump from a perfectly good plane, faith that one of my five parachutes would open, and faith that I would land safely on the ground. My experience was successful...but now the rage to swoop down like an eagle or canadian geese into a pond that is only 3 feet deep...that would be a stretch for me and I'm sure for many. To top it off, when you swoop, you jump from 5,000 feet instead of a higher drop. A real faith tester...Huh. Maybe it will catch on, maybe it won't. If you have never skydived or swooped, here is your opportunity. I'm thinking about it (swooping)...how about you?


Check it out for yourself!

http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=5836492