Revelations From Facebook

Recently I reluctantly joined Facebook. I did it because one of the young ministers in our area suggested it as another way to connect with people, particularly the younger crowd. It may also be another way to share Jesus with a group that may never come to church. I had avoided this for a long time because I believe more in the value of real face to face relationships. However the possibility that more might get to hear the message finally put me over the top.

At first I was pleasantly surprised. I was connecting with people I hadn't seen or heard from in years. Even kids from 20 years ago (who were no longer kids and had kids of their own) However after a few days I realized that to be apart of this required time. Time I didn't have. Time to write something cute or interesting. Time to post pictures. Time to read different posts. (As you know from the frequency of this blog time is a premium for me) What little time I had I preferred to invest in people. In person. Where did all these people get the time? And in all honesty why did they use it to share such useless information that really doesn't matter? Maybe I'm old and getting a little senile but what about jobs, and house work and family and God? Where was the time for God? Now I only have about 30 friends but on any given day there are only one to two posts that are uplifting. Do I really need to know if someone is tired (again)? Is going to their kids ball game? Doesn't like the ending of a TV show? Wants to tell me who will win American Idol? Took some stupid Super Hero Quiz? Needs cards for a card game? Or something for some Mafia game? To the best of my knowledge all these people are supposed to be or at least were believers in Jesus Christ. But you couldn't tell by reading these posts. And some of these are pastors! Yikes! We wonder why our churches are shrinking.

Now I don't care if people want to post these things. I don't have to read them. But in reading them I was shocked to see just how weak our faith is. I was especially disappointed by our pastors wasting time with this. We should be leading the way with positive and Godly posts. and all of us as believers should spend more time studying the word!

So that leads me with a choice I guess. I can bail out and leave Facebook. Or I can start to contribute something positive. I'm not sure what I'll do yet. Give me some time. I'll get back to you. (Soon I hope)

Do any of you who are on Facebook encouter the same? I'd love to hear your comments.

Pastor Paul

Easier Said than Done

The apostle Paul said "We walk by faith, not by sight" Jesus said to not worry and live one day at a time. We love to quote those verses to others when things get rough and the answers are slow in coming. Yet as Christians that is how we should live every day. The truth is most of us have never really had to do that which can make it easier said than done. When we are really challenged to walk by faith and not worry do we do it? Recently I have had to practice what I preach in relation to that. Three weeks ago I was laid off from my secular job which was our primary source of income. It was devastating. What would we do? How did I tell my family? Even though I believed my faith to be strong there was some anxiety. This challenge would put my faith to the test especially when I started looking for jobs. I found out very quickly there were none in my field of expertise locally. The ones out of town to this day have not responded. What was the next step? There was panic not peace. "What's up with that Pastor? You should be our example of how to live in peace." After about 2 weeks of walking by sight and with much worry through prayer God is showing me how to walk by faith. Much of the key to that is the living one day at a time. I try to take each day and concern myself with it and the tasks required. While I do make appointments and have a schedule beyond that day I try not to concern myself with the details. As each day ends I am amazed by God's provision. And if I don't have a clear answer I know tomorrow brings new hope. I have seen through this that much of my life till now had been my plan not HIS. I am trying to listen for what are the next steps for me. Full time ministry? Part time secular employment? I don't know yet. But HE does. And he will reveal it to me if I will just be still ,during this time when it is difficult to be still, and know that he is GOD. He has it all under control.

Perhaps some of you may find it difficult to walk by faith. Your circumstances seem impossible. You worry all the time. I encourage you today to trust him with all your heart and don't lean on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5) I won't tell you I don't struggle a bit. But there is a peace in this storm that I can't explain except that it's from HIM and the knowledge that at just the right time He will come through with something way better than I could ever imagine. And that's awesome.

Until next time,

Pastor Paul

Spring is in the air

I know it's been a while again. Such is the life of the "tent making" pastor.

As I look out my office window I see the sun shining and the snow melting. Spring is in the air. In a few short weeks the official beginning of Spring will be upon us and the days will not only be getting longer but hopefully warmer. Farmers and backyard gardeners will be starting to prepare the soil for the seed planting that will shortly follow. Which gets me to thinking. Are we preparing the soil of someones heart today in preparation for seed planting? We can't harvest what we don't plant. While I know there is far more excitement in the harvest (that is seeing someone come to Christ) good preparation is important if we want a healthy and bountiful harvest (ask any farmer) So often in the past we have been taught the "salesman"approach to evangelism. Trying to get the quick conversion and moving on to our next prospect. This approach seldom yields a long standing commitment. We need to prepare the soil of one's heart by first building a relationship or friendship where we can be trusted so that when the time comes to share Jesus He will be received out of love not just to get rid of us. So I encourage us all to start "tilling" the soil of the heart of someone God places in your life today. It may be a family member, a friend, a coworker or a stranger. If we do when "fall" comes the field will truly be ripe for the harvest.

"One plants, another waters, but God makes it grow" Are you ready to start plowing and planting?

Until next time,

Pastor Paul

One Hour Church?

I received the following article (contained in the following link) as part of one of my weekly email news letters. I am interested in your thoughts. Although the author makes some good points and at the end addresses some of the most common questions that come up on a topic like this, I think some of the questions we have to answer is who is the church service for and what is its purpose. Yet still as a spirit led believer for almost 30 years it is troubling to me that church has to be reduced to a tight schedule that must be adhered to the minute. (you'll see what I mean after reading) Too often we tend to ignore the fact that it is the spirit that draws and changes the heart. Although we often have to tweak methods to our times, I think this suggestion is a bit over the top. Here is the link http://www.sermoncentral.com/articleb.asp?article=Dave-Browning-Case-Hour-Long-Service&ac=true Let me know what you think.

Until next time,

Pastor Paul

Happy New Year!

First let me start by wishing you all a very happy new year. I know my posts have been a little sporadic but hey, it is winter and there is not any grass to cut. So how can I get on the tractor to think?

Seriously it is the start of a new year and with it comes the hope and expectation of better days ahead. We close out the past (especially if it was what we consider a bad year) and look forward. Last year for me was probably what we could call a fairly normal year. Although there were some extremes. On the high end we got into our first church building in June. One the low end our son had a bad car accident on exactly the same day. Before and after though things were fairly tranquil. For all of us the current financial crisis has hit in one way or another causing a little bit of discomfort. Consequently we hope for better days ahead.

As a believer we should live everyday with hope, no matter what the date. Jesus came to give us an abundant life. He said not to worry. He will take care of us. He warned us of trials but that He has over come them. Friends regardless of our present situation there is a better day ahead for the believer. One when there will be no more pain or tears. One where we will see Jesus face to face. No one knows exactly when that day will arrive, but we know it will. Jesus said so. And that it is the hope we should cling to. That is what we should be looking forward to.

Until next time,

Pastor Paul