I had a good 2009, but it may have been my most stressful year ever.
I learned much and was changed in many ways. I saw the beginning of dreams birthed and long-held visions cast. However, I have walked out of 2009 and I am preparing to walk into 2010 with two principles in hand:
1) There are some things that I will leave behind in 2009
2) There are some things I will begin again in 2010
I challenge you to do the same as you reflect on 2009 and expectantly contemplate the year to come...
Everyone has an 'IT'. You don't even want to reference it by name but IT is a constant struggle. Often you think about how you can seemingly defeat every vice but IT. 2009 is your year to leave it behind!
Likewise, there are some things you know God had pricked your heart about. He has spoken clearly to you, that you need to be disciplined in specific areas, but you have faltered. You are no longer dedicated in those areas of your spiritual journey. I believe 2010 is your year to begin again, should you choose to take the initiative!
Leave IT behind in 2009 and Begin again in 2010!!!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
The Real Christmas Tree
Scripture says that before the foundation of the world the lamb of God was slain. In simple definition that statement tells us that before God created humanity, he already knew man would fall into sin, so he made the decision to redeem us before he ever even created us.
To me this truth makes the story of Christmas all the more fascinating. Father God, conceived his son in the womb of a virgin and birthed him into earth as an infant. We know he gave his son in unprecedented fashion on the cross, but he first gave him to the cradle. What must the moment of Christmas have been like in heaven? The Father had to be accutely aware, not so much of how his son would enter earth, but how he would exit it. He released him into swaddling clothes but he would not receive him back until he had been wrapped in grave clothes.
This leads me to one conclusion: the real Christmas tree is not a beautiful evergreen, adorned with ornaments and tinsel, under-laid with gifts. Instead, the real Christmas tree was made of two rugged timbers. It's tinsel was the red blood of Jesus, there was no star on top of it, just a crown of thorns and a derogatory sign of ridicule. This tree's ornaments were not shiny balls glittering with gold and silver, but rather three long, most-likely rusty nails. There was no present under the tree instead the present was on the tree--Jesus himself, the son of God, giving the greatest gift a man could ever give: 'to lay down his life for another...'
Thank God the Father this year for The Real Christmas Tree... Without the hope it brings, we have no Reason for the Season!
To me this truth makes the story of Christmas all the more fascinating. Father God, conceived his son in the womb of a virgin and birthed him into earth as an infant. We know he gave his son in unprecedented fashion on the cross, but he first gave him to the cradle. What must the moment of Christmas have been like in heaven? The Father had to be accutely aware, not so much of how his son would enter earth, but how he would exit it. He released him into swaddling clothes but he would not receive him back until he had been wrapped in grave clothes.
This leads me to one conclusion: the real Christmas tree is not a beautiful evergreen, adorned with ornaments and tinsel, under-laid with gifts. Instead, the real Christmas tree was made of two rugged timbers. It's tinsel was the red blood of Jesus, there was no star on top of it, just a crown of thorns and a derogatory sign of ridicule. This tree's ornaments were not shiny balls glittering with gold and silver, but rather three long, most-likely rusty nails. There was no present under the tree instead the present was on the tree--Jesus himself, the son of God, giving the greatest gift a man could ever give: 'to lay down his life for another...'
Thank God the Father this year for The Real Christmas Tree... Without the hope it brings, we have no Reason for the Season!
Change--The Pathway through Transition
2008 was filled with mulitple political campaigns calling for change--a new day, a new approach, a new path. Yet, 2009 leaves us with only the litter of buy-outs and pay-offs on the proposed pathway to new vision for this country.
I'm not settled in certainty as to how the next ten years will play out for the United States of America but I do have clear direction that changes are in store for Higher Praise Church--and that is not a campaign promise it is an unction from God.
I can't escape it... Change is inevitable. We are not who we once were. As a fellowship of believers our purpose has been re-directed for the better and now that change must be communicated directly and effectively to our community.
Its not yet 2010 and already several elements of transition have been put into play behind the scenes. April 2010, will mark a pivotal moment for us as we move into the new facility and I believe it is imperative that we not wait until then to make changes, but rather we must make preparation now.
Be forewarned that change is not always fun and it's definitely not always easy. It could also be said that change is not necessarily always for the better. These truths alone lead me to ere on the side of caution. We will not make changes simply for the sake of doing something different. We have been and will continue to seek God's will and follow His leading. The result will then have no choice but to be productive as we embrace the reality that sometimes change is as simple as exerting the uncomfortable effort of casting your nets on the other side of the boat. It may not even seem that much different but the truth is, that in such moments, man's good idea is replaced by a God idea. It's amazing to me how a simple act of obedience can open up the realm of the supernatural--especially in the area of provision.
Buckle up! We are about to take the ride of our lives as we trailblaze a path into the unknown. It will feel risky at times, but if God be for you, then who can be against you?
Through the wilderness of transition, we will travel the pathway of change in the vehicle of radical obedience, fueled by recognition of the purpose our Heavenly Father has designed us to accomplish...
I can't wait to see the other side!
I'm not settled in certainty as to how the next ten years will play out for the United States of America but I do have clear direction that changes are in store for Higher Praise Church--and that is not a campaign promise it is an unction from God.
I can't escape it... Change is inevitable. We are not who we once were. As a fellowship of believers our purpose has been re-directed for the better and now that change must be communicated directly and effectively to our community.
Its not yet 2010 and already several elements of transition have been put into play behind the scenes. April 2010, will mark a pivotal moment for us as we move into the new facility and I believe it is imperative that we not wait until then to make changes, but rather we must make preparation now.
Be forewarned that change is not always fun and it's definitely not always easy. It could also be said that change is not necessarily always for the better. These truths alone lead me to ere on the side of caution. We will not make changes simply for the sake of doing something different. We have been and will continue to seek God's will and follow His leading. The result will then have no choice but to be productive as we embrace the reality that sometimes change is as simple as exerting the uncomfortable effort of casting your nets on the other side of the boat. It may not even seem that much different but the truth is, that in such moments, man's good idea is replaced by a God idea. It's amazing to me how a simple act of obedience can open up the realm of the supernatural--especially in the area of provision.
Buckle up! We are about to take the ride of our lives as we trailblaze a path into the unknown. It will feel risky at times, but if God be for you, then who can be against you?
Through the wilderness of transition, we will travel the pathway of change in the vehicle of radical obedience, fueled by recognition of the purpose our Heavenly Father has designed us to accomplish...
I can't wait to see the other side!
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Wow! What a Response...
HPC in the end u came through magnificently! We now have more than enough donations to accomplish our goals. Items will be distributed at RC hospital and local nursing homes, over 60 Green county middle school kids will receive gifts, the homeless in Louisville will be fed and receive necessary items for survival, blankets are being delivered right now in New Jersey by members of our National GO team, and hundreds of toys are in route to Mexico!
Thank you for finding needs and meeting them!!!
You are awesome!
Thank you for finding needs and meeting them!!!
You are awesome!
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Sigh...
A big SIGH of relief... We had some major breakthroughs yesterday with the building project. I will sleep better the rest of the week. Thanks for your prayers... :)
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
GO Teams Christmas List
We still need to gather more items for distribution in all of our GO Team zones...
We will be sending items to homes in Russell county, as well as to Green County middle school students, the homeless in Louisville and New Jersey, and even to the down-trodden areas of Mexico... Its an exciting time!
We appreciate and need your help to make this happen. We are far from our goal and we only have two days left to collect items. Please click the link below and print off the list of requested items, then head to the store and help us put a smile on some kids' faces this Christmas! :)
We will be sending items to homes in Russell county, as well as to Green County middle school students, the homeless in Louisville and New Jersey, and even to the down-trodden areas of Mexico... Its an exciting time!
We appreciate and need your help to make this happen. We are far from our goal and we only have two days left to collect items. Please click the link below and print off the list of requested items, then head to the store and help us put a smile on some kids' faces this Christmas! :)
You can drop-off your items at HPC, Tuesday-Thursday between 10am-3pm or you can bring them to church with you on Thursday night... Thanks!
Monday, December 7, 2009
Contemporary but Uncompromised
There is little doubt that Higher Praise Church is contemporary in it's approach to reaching the Harvest. We have done our best to be relevant and real, however we have also done our best to not compromise the word of God.
It seems there is an increasing level of division in Christianity as many churches which are classified as contemporary typically attempt to be very politicially correct and unconfrontational on the subject of sin. On the other hand, churches that maintain an uncompromised Word are many times seemingly very resistant to any type of change in their style of ministry.
This much I know: God's character is the same yesterday, today, and forever; but His methods never cease to change.
My goal as the pastor of HPC has been to communicate the vision for a church environment where the atmosphere of everything we do is very simple, down-to-earth, real, relevant, uncompromised, and at the same time accomplished with excellence. The ultimate goal being to create a contemporary church that honors it's heritage and never fails to declare the uncompromised Truth in love. May God grant us the grace to see it through...
It seems there is an increasing level of division in Christianity as many churches which are classified as contemporary typically attempt to be very politicially correct and unconfrontational on the subject of sin. On the other hand, churches that maintain an uncompromised Word are many times seemingly very resistant to any type of change in their style of ministry.
This much I know: God's character is the same yesterday, today, and forever; but His methods never cease to change.
My goal as the pastor of HPC has been to communicate the vision for a church environment where the atmosphere of everything we do is very simple, down-to-earth, real, relevant, uncompromised, and at the same time accomplished with excellence. The ultimate goal being to create a contemporary church that honors it's heritage and never fails to declare the uncompromised Truth in love. May God grant us the grace to see it through...
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