Courageous Parenting - Part 1

He speaks and we listen. We bow down to His every command. His desires have become our desires. We follow His will to the letter. Out of fear we serve Him unconditionally. We obey Him to thwart His wrath. The problem is ... HE IS ONLY FIVE YEARS OLD!
C'mon man! What the heck parents. Get a backbone...its time to take our homes back. Its time for children to see who's in charge. How are you helping your kids when all you do is cater to them? So much is running through my head right now...I must focus.
Let's focus on regaining control of your home. First, FATHERS...lead your home like a Godly man should. Love your wife like Christ loved the church, and don't provoke your children to do things that they in turn can blame on you! Love, honor, cherish, respect your wife. And when the little ones don't respect your wife it is your job to put them in their place. Your kids will learn to respect their mother from you! You treat her like crap and so will they! Cuss her...so will they! Use her...so will they! Abuse her...so will they! But when you decide to be a real man and refuse to let your children "dis" the love of your life they will come in line.
Here's how it works...notice I said works...my kids are older but they better respect my wife. For years my kids heard me say...don't talk to your mother like that.
Over twenty years ago I was in a McDonalds...a mother accidentally got mustard on her sons burger. He stood...took the burger apart...walked over to his mother and smeared the mustard in her face. I WAS LIVID! Where do you think he learned that behavior? I would bet it was from his father! Maybe even his absenteeism! That little boy had learned how to control, manipulate, abuse and punish his mother for doing something wrong. She wiped her face and got him another burger. (PERSONAL CONFESSION: TO THIS DAY I WANT TO BEAT THAT KIDS BOTTOM TIL HE CANN'T SIT DOWN)
And all those pansy parents are angry at the thought that I wanted to beat that kids bottom, and its probably your kids that inspire this blog. Now, I know I'm in your face but someone better save your kids from you!
Parents its time to get back to raising our kids like God has instructed us too. Not, how the school system tells us to. Not, how the media tells us to. Not, that build your kids self-esteem crap. That's what has gotten us into this mess. And definitely not how the government tells us to raise our kids.
To raise your kids the right way will require you to make some courageous changes. Proverbs tells us to raise them in the way they should go...and when they get older they won't depart from those ways. Okay...lets talk something as simple as going to church. Do you really expect your kids to be on a Godly course by keeping them away from the place designed for them to encounter God? I have an idea...keep them out of school for months at a time and see what happens. Remember you are setting them on course for their older years by the way you lead them in their younger years.
Let's start there...Courageous Change #1 You and your kids get to church...oh by the way, when they get there don't expect us to let your kid scream all the way through service just because THEY said they didn't want to go in the nursery! More forth coming...

Top 10 Things I've Learned from Pastor Mike

Tuesday Teaching - Spiritual Gifts pt. 2

Sorry I didn't get this posted until Wednesday morning. I wanted to get you started on a Bible study this week. Its a follow up to last week...

In reading I Corinthians 12:9-10 we find five more gifts. I will call some of these gifts...the eye-brow raising gifts. These gifts have caused quite a stir in the Christian community. Some believe they exist and others explain them away. I want to make a profound statement...If a person claims to believe the entire counsel of God's Word, then you must believe it in its entirity and not pick only the parts you like.

When it comes to the phenomenon of gifts (scripture calls it the activities) it does cause quite a stir. It makes us uncomfortable. Sparking debates which range from ultra-gift usage in every service to referring to gifts in operation as the work of Satan.

Miracles are when God does something that only he can do. The task is not accomplished by natural means. It is the use of super-natural means. Our God is a super-natural God. Miracles are so numbed down today...we think if God answers a prayer its a miracle...far from it. A miracle is shaking of a poisonous snake in the fire...a miracle is walking on water...we have so dulled what we think a miracle to be that we now scoff when one truly happens. There are those in the kingdom that serve us with the gift of miracles. Our God is a God of miracles.

Prophecy is the forthtelling. Unfortunately, many hotel conference room preachers have used this as a tactic to control and manipulate people. What I believe...if you're going to say "thus sayeth the Lord" it better be God. Remember in the OT people died for falsely prophecying. They were false prophets. At the same time we cannot say the gift does not exist if scripture validates its usage. God does desire to speak to his people. Both to bless and correct.

Discerning of Spirits is the ability to sift through all the voices of people, the flesh, the Spirit and even the evil one. Discernment is a great gift to have when there is potential demonic activity involved in a situation. Also, I encourage people to talk with discerning people when trying to make a decision. A month ago I was stalking my antique booth. I always run into this family that are really out there when it comes to their supernatural beliefs. The mother of the family comes up to me saying "they got me again, I'm itching on my arm". I knew right then I did not want to be part of this discussion. She informed me that demon spirits bite her sometimes and it makes her itch. I was like get away from me. I did not discern demons biting her...I discerned horrible teaching and a bit of plain craziness working in that person.

Now, the one noone likes. Tongues! It seems to me to be the gift that causes more division than any other. Divisions for two reasons...abuse and misunderstanding. The gift of tongues is when a person speaks a language they have not formally learned. Acts chapter 2 was the gift of tongues in action. Many churches abuse this gift (along with a few others) making some church services seem like a freak show. I have seen well meaning people totally misapply and misuse tongues. On the other hand, I have seen legalism try to apply rules that aren't anywhere near what scripture implies. Once again you have to take the whole counsel of God's Word. Criptic scriptures are the basis of heresy.

The interpretation of tongues is when a person hears what is spoken in tongues and either understands or gives the message in a known tongue. Nowhere do I find that the sole validation of tongues requires an interpreter. I know what Paul said...and I agree...but what about the rest of what Paul said. Singing in the spirit, speaking in tongues more than y'all do, five words understood than ten thousand not understood...we have to look at it all in context.

Well, I anticipate a stir. Yet I feel I have a good grasp on the "eye-brow raising" gifts. What are your thoughts...post them if you would like.

Love In Action Ministries - CHARITY AUCTION

I would like to invite everyone out to the Love In Action Ministries auction. Jerry Edding has put together a good selection of bargains to be had. There is something for everybody. Bikes for the kids. Antiques for the collectors. Some items will be sold by the box full...never know what you might find in those boxes. And everything in between.

You can view the itmes tomorrow, June 19, beginning at 8 AM. The actual auction begins at 10 AM. 100% of money raised will go towards the ministry efforts of Love in Action. For more information about Love in Action visit their website www.loveinactionministries.com

Tuesday Teaching - Spiritual Gifts

We have been doing a section on spiritual gifts during our Spirit-Life series. I would like to start doing Bible studies for our church and anyone who would like to join every Tuesday. It will be available all week...just an added opportunity for those who may be having difficulty getting in the Word during the week.

Todays text is:
1 Corinthians 12:1-11 (New King James Version)

(remember pray and ask God to guide via the Holy Spirit...then read slowly)
1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: 2 You know that[a] you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.
4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same[b] Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

What jumps out at you? (think on this for just a moment)

The context is Paul writing to the Corinthian church because of their misuse and abuse of spiritual gifts. He is also trying to keep a sense of unity within the fellowship of believers.

My primary goal is to expose you to the gifts God gives His followers so they can serve one another. Do you see your gifting in this list? If not that's okay there are gifts listed in other passages that may fit you better.

FYI: If you are not sure what your gifting is there are tons of spiritual gift tests online. Also, talk to some of the leaders in your church and ask where you could help. It could be that you will find a place to serve that you really enjoy...if you don't like it..just be honest and ask if there is another ministry opportunity you may enjoy.

For churches to grow in number and maturity it requires all believers to take pride in their church and get behind the overall vision by serving with the talents that God has given them by the Spirit. If you want to be a stronger Christian I have a strong conviction that you need to be involved in your local church. NOT JUST SHOWING UP ON SUNDAY WHEN YOU CAN MAKE IT!

Real quick answer these three questions:

1. How are you serving God with your time?
2. How are you serving God with your treasure?
3. How are you serving God with your talent?

Quit Blaming The Other Guy!

The other night while flipping through the channels I came acrossed the Bill Maher show. Let me start by saying Mr. Maher is not one I care to watch very often, but I stopped because he was talking about the oil spill. I forget who his co-host was...someone from CNN. Regardless, they were talking about how people were criticizing President Obama for his lack of response to the oil crisis. They made some points I agreed with, and then they did something that as a leader turns my stomach. They spent the next 30 minutes complaining about what George Bush would have done if this oil crisis would have occurred on his watch. If you would have listened you would think that President Bush was the real problem with the oil crisis.

I am not on the Barack Obama hater train. Personally, I would like to meet him as he and I have alot of similar interests. With that said there are many policies I don't like, nor do I agree with. Yet, I pray for him...I don't want harm to come to him...he seems to be a real family man (time will show if thats true).

There is one critical point that I cannot stand about the Obama administration. He and his team constantly blame George Bush for everything that is not going the way they would like it to go. Evil businesses...W's fault! Health care....W's fault! Budget problems...W's fault! Financial problems...because of the previous eight years! You get my point.

As leaders just because we face opposition, overwhelming difficulties, and even challenges left over from the last guy quit blaming him/her for your current inabilities to accomplish certain goals. I know its frustrating. You may even have a legitimate complaint. But, you still have to lead...quit whining! Take the opportunity you have been given and make it better. Quit blaming the other guy!

I beleive it was Laura Bush who gave her son, President George Bush, some great advice. Don't talk bad about the previous administration. I never heard him make a critical comment about the Clintons...he seemed to show them deep respect and appreciation.

Upon coming to Enterprise I followed a man that this church loved. Family circumstances put a real damper on his ministry credability. I determined I was not going to say bad things about the previous pastor. Even though there were some not so theological messages preached and financial calamity was pending...I found he had some of the greatest people on the planet in his church and there was a reason they came to the church that he lead. The men of the church loved him...and by the way when I came they informed me but never once did they belittle the previous pastor.

I decided we are not blaming...we need to restore the church's reputation and grow. For the most part we accomplished those goals. By the way, the previous leader was and is still well respected through-out the community. For the past ten years if I didn't have something nice to say...I didn't say anything.

Unfortunately, over the past couple years, I wasted valuable energy blaming an organization and its leader (oh yeah its board ... that doesn't exist) for putting me through a living hell. Those who know me in the community understand, support and agree with my public protest concerning what happened to our church. Even if I did get a little out of control.

Today, is different. Forgiveness has been granted and whatever happens in our fellowship (in regard to leadership) is up to me. I cann't blame Word of Life, youth pastors gone bad, worship leaders that I don't see eye to eye with, members that leave, or even the devil. We have been given a chance to start fresh and where we go is where I lead...success or failure its on me!

FIRE!!!

Recently, I have felt God calling me away to a time of prayer. I know we should be praying all the time, but there are times that it seems the voice of God whispers (very persistantly) come run with Me! Over the years I have come to realize those have become monumental turning points...advancements...or whatever you want to call them.

Some of you may remember a series I preached called The Outpouring...that was the result of the last time I specifically felt God call me to a time of prayer like He is calling me to, right now!

We have a good church...but I'm ready to see it become great. I believe our fellowship has the ability to begin something that can be an example for churches all over the world. Over the years we have kept one passion that I am so thankful for...we have kept it all about Christ and people coming to know Him.

Yesterday, I continued the series call Spirit-Life...it isn't going anything like I anticipated. That's okay! I just want God glorified, the saints encouraged, and Jesus saving people. I preached from Acts 1:5 where Jesus referred to John the Baptist and reminded the disciples that he told them that they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit and FIRE!

I encouraged our church to becomed immersed in the Spirit of God. I never want to become so programmed, so technologically dependent, so culturally relevant that we lose the power of the Spirit in our services or every day life.

I am ready to see the FIRE burn in our community. I don't believe God gave us a building and a fresh start just to gather the same old folks together so we can have church. If that's the case...I pray God has an exit strategy for me! Don't get me wrong I love Christ Life, but I don't believe for one second that God called us to be a church of 100 people. I truly believe we can grow to 1,000 if we will now take the FIRE God has started and let it spread. The FIRE may be hard to contain once it gets going...but I think I'm ready for WILD FIRE if that what it takes!

My prayer...God let the wind blow and let this FIRE spread!