Jack Rambles

Ramblin' Man

2010-12-24T20:43:00.003-06:00

Just an FYI that the official URL's have not yet been re-directed, but Jack Rambles is moving...

Check-out the new look @: http://www.jackrambles.tumblr.com

The new site will permit a much more strategic approach to blogging -- hopefully -- but it may also take a few days to work out the details.

Inside North Point

2010-12-23T10:29:00.002-06:00

I was absolutely blown away by this website... (Link also available at the end of this post.)

One of the biggest set-backs to modern megachurches over the last 25 years has been the lack of transparency. At North Point Church in Atlanta, GA they have went beyond transparency and completely stripped themselves -- one layer at a time -- for all the world to observe and evaluate. It is one of the most refreshing things I have ever observed.

North Point goes into detail about how services are planned all the way to who they strategically partner with and why!

Check it out and be blessed by this unique online guide to the inner workings of one of America's healthiest churches:

Inside North Point : Church Administration | NPM General Organization

The Anti-Gossip Pact

2010-12-22T21:07:00.000-06:00

Take a moment and check out this blog. I have read Wesley's comments in the past, but had not thought of them recently. Keith Craft found them and brought them out of the hidden pages of history to inspire a new generation. Incredibly powerful stuff... Keith Craft Blog on Leadership

Can't.....

2010-12-22T09:34:00.000-06:00

My first grade teacher frequently used a saying, "Can't never did do anything!"

It was her pre-conceived response to youngsters who felt they could never master math or even the alphabet. She knew we could -- we just didn't want to!

With God "all things are possible" -- meaning that there is no such thing as "can't" with God. Is it possible then that we the children of God should completely remove the term from our vocabularies?

The deeper point at hand is that if we CAN DO ALL THINGS through Christ, then there is never a moment when we CAN'T. But there may be many moments when we -- like first-graders -- don't want to!

I have come to think that often when we use the term it is more out of dishonesty than anything else. We use "can't" as excuse to cover up moments when we don't want to, but don't have the courage to speak truthfully.

Here's a reflective thought: Is a lack of honesty, more often than not, at the foundation of the word CAN'T???

Global Share the Bible Day

2010-12-18T08:01:00.002-06:00

Very unique idea from Life Church in Oklahoma City, OK. This Christmas Day they will be sponsoring and helping to promote a massive "Share the Bible Day". Check it out & get involved!

For more info visit this link: December 25: Global Share the Bible Day - LifeChurch.tv

Modesty...

2010-12-16T15:49:00.002-06:00

Our culture seems to be moving toward the embrace of sexiness at increasingly early ages. Amazingly to me, many parents seem to not only ignore this reality, but in some instances condone or even push their children to be immodest. The result is that modesty appears to be a thing of the past in many arenas of our culture and the lack thereof is increasingly visible in the wardrobes of today's children.

In my humble opinion, America is desperate for parents everywhere to arise and begin to take responsibility for the lifestyle choices of their children and provide Godly guidance in the critical stages of life development. Nowhere is this more evident than in the realm of modesty.

I believe immodesty promotes a lack of purity, which leads to an increasingly perverse society. If this nation is to be redeemed it will start with a return to core values such as modesty.

MSN ARTICLE: Does little-girl fashion shoot cross the line?

Chris Tomlin's FQ Worship

2010-12-14T22:03:00.000-06:00

Here is a great site from Chris Tomlin & his team to help worship leaders and musicians. The tutorial videos are very in-depth and specifically geared to help lead musicians find the right sound.

It does require a monthly membership for unlimited usage, but you can get a good feel for the site with a free trial membership.

FQ & Chris Tomlin | Worship Leaders, Musicians, Planners, Organizers

Current Reading List

2010-12-12T18:57:00.000-06:00

I'm an avid reader. So much so, that I struggle to finance the habit! A new book rarely last me more than 48 hours, so I've turned to reading a lot of blogs as of late, which tends to be a much less expensive habit. However, I do have a few books presently laying in front of me that I have either read in the last few weeks or that I'm getting ready to finish by the end of the week.

The Fred Factor
Sun Stand Still
Radical
The Christian Atheist
Only You Can Be You
The Beauty of a Spiritual Language
30 Days to Live
Paradise Series (Ted Dekker)
GodChasers (re-read for about the 15th time)
Freakonomics

Its a fairly diverse spectrum of reading, but that is intentional. My favorite out of this list is GodChasers, but I've read it so many times that perhaps that isn't fair to the list. That being said, second would definitely be Radical, because the author David Platt clearly articulated several things that God has been dealing with me about on a very personal level.

North vs. South

2010-12-07T03:00:00.002-06:00

There is probably more at stake in the political drama presently unfolding between North & South Korea than any of us realize at first glance.

Behind the scenes, big players are involved: Russia, China, the United States and more... As for North and South Korea, themselves, it is almost like an arm-wrestling match that is gridlocked -- one waiting for the other to go over the top.

Here is one thing that is always overlooked in the modern day news coverage of the Korean tension: South Korea is home to both the largest and second-largest churches in the world! It is not a coincidence. Not in any way, shape, form or fashion that South Korea is involved in a nuclear stand-off.

In the hour in which we live, there is rarely a passing day which does not bring to pass events that should motivate our hearts to pray. I have no desire to sound like a doomsday prophet, but whether it comes in five hours, five months, or five-hundred years this earth is on-course for a nuclear holocaust. Nowhere is that oft ignored path more visible than in two disgruntled Asian countries. They are divided pointedly on a map by simple geographical distinctions and yet held apart from unity by overwhelmingly complex political undertones...

Koreans from both north and south of the border need the prayer support of Christians all across the world. Specifically, the millions of Christians whom need God's protection from any harm that could be brought to their lives by the enemies of Christ's Kingdom.

Here is an article from the Associated Press describing South Korea's plans to construct island fortresses: SKorea to make islands near NKorea fortresses

The One that Brung Ya!

2010-12-04T22:51:00.003-06:00

12 Now King David was told, “The LORD has blessed the household of Obed-Edom and everything he has, because of the ark of God.” So David went down and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David with rejoicing. 13When those who were carrying the ark of the LORD had taken six steps, he sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf. 14David, wearing a linen ephod, danced before the LORDwith all his might, 15while he and the entire house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouts and the sound of trumpets.16As the ark of the LORD was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, she despised him in her heart.
(2 Samuel 6:12-16)

David looked at his wife, whom did not understand his style of worship, and basically said as plainly as possible, "I can be even more undignified than this!" In other words, God brought me this far and I fully intend to make sure that I do not lose HIS partnership as I move into my future -- whether the people around me understand my uninhibited praise or not.

David was dancing through the streets on one of the most significant days of his life. He made a decision to glorify God for all the good things that had happened to him. David made sure to even remove his outer garments, which symbolized his position in society, so that even his wardrobe reflected his desire to be first and foremost a worshiper.

It is God who has brought each of us this far in our lives. Let us not be so foolish as to change dancing partners now. He is the one who brought us, now may we continue to honor him with yielded hearts of worship -- day in and day out, without fail! HE IS WORTHY!

...And greater things are STILL yet to come!

The Christian Imitation

2010-12-04T01:25:00.003-06:00

If ever a blog caused me to shout, "Amen!", then it is the one to be found via this link: http://tinyurl.com/2apswrn

The blog is around five years old, but it captures my heartbeat. I long, almost with desperation (if you can be "almost" desperate), for originality in the Church. I myself have fallen prey to ripping off catch-phrases in our culture. And honestly, I think ON OCCASION it can be a good thing.

My concern with many of us modern church leaders is that we have taken the easy way out and fallen prey to piggy-backing society's successful marketing tactics -- whether God told us to or not! The result is an undeniable absence originality in the Church when compared with the level of creativity culture is currently producing. This ought not be when the Creator of the Universe lives within us. Surely, creativity does not have to be stale, when we have access to such unlimited creative power.

May God raise up culture-shakers! Image-breakers. Jesus followers. Men and women with faith like John the Baptist, who are so different that the world responds to them although the Church rejects them--then have the courage to stand there and risk their head in spite of not being given a plaque by their local ministerial fellowship or denominational hierarchy!

The result will be an empowered, original approach to worship & preaching that will reach the Harvest in a way that the world's curiosity can not resist!

The Next Christians

2010-12-04T00:54:00.006-06:00

What if there were a new group of Christians already on the scene but not yet identified in culture as being different from their predecessors?

Gabe Lyons describes this group as The Next Christians and he is of the opinion that they possess six characteristics that distinguish them from the hard-headed stubbornness found in many older Christians of our time.

The Next Christians are:

Provoked, not offended.

Creators, not critics.

Called, not employed.

Grounded, not distracted.

In community, not alone.

Counter-cultural, not relevant.

I whole-heartedly agree!

For further review follow this link: The Next Christians by Gabe Lyons

Carmel on Fire

2010-12-03T16:37:00.008-06:00

I'm not trying to be super-spiritual or overly prophetic, but I have to admit that when reviewing the news this morning I saw something that gave me cold chills. The area of Israel surrounding historic Mt. Carmel is ablaze with fire. Thousands of acres burning beyond control...

Imagine the area where God once brought fire from heaven to earth, once more being engulfed with flames. Mt Carmel, the place of God's Old Testament outpouring, suddenly burning bright with a fire that man seems to be unable to stop!

Admittedly, this fire was started by men in the name of arson. However, knowing this fire is not supernatural in its nature does not change the spine-tingling feeling that comes over my soul when I compare the horrific images of today's fire with my mental pictures of Scripture's 1 Kings 18 account.

Here is the article detailing Israel's battle against the blaze. After you read it, please pray for rain and also for divine wisdom to be imparted to the undermanned firefighters: Massive Fire in Carmel - Haaretz Daily Newspaper | Israel News

One Year to Live

2010-12-02T18:57:00.002-06:00

Here is an awesome, inspiring blog posted by a couple who made a decision to walk into a setting that required great faith.

Read their story and envision a couple who has made a decision to become modern day Ezekiel's... One Year to Live - Bruce and Heather Moore

Shallow Leadership

2010-12-01T20:43:00.003-06:00

I read a blog by Ron Edmonson today that provoked me to evaluate my approach to leadership.

Is it possible to be a deep theological thinker and at the same time be a shallow spiritual leader? I believe it is...

Here are seven examples of how a shallow leader will think: 7 Examples of Shallow Leadership by Ron Edmondson

Better Together

2010-12-01T17:56:00.003-06:00

10 years ago @ 7pm in the quaint Begley Chapel, situated on a rolling hill of the Lindsey Wilson College campus, Amanda Leann Gossage agreed to spend the rest of her life with me. Since that time my original opinion, that we are BETTER TOGETHER, has become an undeniable fact...

There is no combination of words I could put on the postcard

And no song that I could sing, but I can try because this is your heart and this is our dreams and they are made out of real things. Love is the answer at least for most of the questions in my heart, like
Why are we here? And where do we go? And how come it's so hard?
It's not always easy and sometimes life can be deceiving
I'll tell you one thing, it's so much better when we're together

(I long for more moments...)
With only two, just me and you, not so many things we got to do or places we got to be, And there is no combination of words I could say
But I will still tell you one thing
We're better together, We so much better when we're together...

(lyrics of Jack Johnson's Better Together slightly modified...)

YouTube - Jack Johnson's Better Together

The Gift -- December Wednesday Night Series

2010-12-01T17:44:00.003-06:00

Tonight 3trees Church will dive into a brand-new Wednesday night series, The Gift. The next four Wednesday nights will provide a setting where we will take an in-depth, revelatory look at what the Bible has to say about one of Heaven's most special gifts to Earth...

Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And receive THE GIFT of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38)

Sacred Cows

2010-11-30T21:36:00.000-06:00

The guys at Shrink the Church have put together a great look at the so-called 'Sacred Cow' List of the Church in America:

The Ultimate Church 'Sacred Cow' List | SHRINK the church

So..... What do you think: AMEN or MOO???

Grateful to Know.... YOU?

2010-11-25T12:27:00.006-06:00

It is one thing to be grateful for the people in your life. It is in an entirely different thing to have given those same people cause to be grateful for you...

I have amazing people surrounding me. Better people than I deserve. It is easy for me to say that I am grateful for them. However, have I given them legitimate reasons to be grateful for me? Have I brought anything to the table of their lives? Or am I always there to take and never to give?

Here are some introspective questions about relationships to ponder in the spirit of thanksgiving:

Do I ever bring the same value to my friends' lives, that they bring to my life?
The special people around me are always there to listen to my dreams/concerns, but do I ever listen to them?
Do I ever give to my loved ones or am I always on the receiving end?

In a relationship there must giving and receiving on behalf of both parties. Give a little, get a little. If we are truly grateful for the relationships God has placed in our lives, then we must make a conscious effort to not just be served, but to serve.

So, here's the moral of this little post: It is easy to say you are grateful for the people around you, but are you grateful enough to live in such a way that your loved ones have reason to be just as grateful that you are in their lives?

Have you given your friends cause to be just as blessed to know you, as you are to know them???

Alva Wilson: Mentor. Maverick. Man of God...

2010-11-06T21:50:00.033-05:00

Alva Wilson was a rare gem, a God-ordained spiritual maverick who permeated love and was consistently an encourager of the discouraged. This week, Alva entered the Gates of Heaven and while I celebrate his arrival there, I mourn his departure from here.

With Alva's entry into the eternal Throne Room of Christ, I lost a bishop of my ministry whom was not only an irreplaceable father to me in the spirit, but also a mentor whose nuggets of wisdom I will continue to mine for a lifetime.

I'm not sure of how I will handle the moment when I pick up the phone, dial his number, and suddenly remember he is no longer available to answer my many questions, but that occurrence will undoubtedly serve to be a shaking experience.

I am grateful for the time Alva took to invest in me. From lunch appointments scheduled weeks in advance to spontaneous phone calls, he was always available to provide me with counsel. Many times I sat in the office of his prayer center (The Fountain; Owensboro, KY) and viewed him leaned back in his chair, the skyline of architecturally-crowned old buildings visible through the large rectangular windows behind him. This image of a relaxed Alva, sharing stories of his adventures in a by-gone era, often for the purpose of promoting the pursuit of a new anointing for a new day, and even more often to testify of grace overcoming legalism, never failed to remind me of my mental picture of the Apostle Paul. The New Testament having long ago provoked in me a vision of Paul finishing the course of his life while being situated among the columns of Rome. Perhaps, much like Alva, in a musty, yet picturesque building, welcoming young men to glean from an aging patriarch of the Church.

Alva accomplished much for God. Passing from Earth to Heaven at the age of 77, he had over 60 years of ministry to his credit and perhaps his greatest legacy will be his family tree, both spiritually and paternally. Through just his son, Billy, and grandson, Ashley, Alva's mantle will continue to not only reach thousands, but millions.

I am grateful that such an incredible elder statesman of the Faith granted a farm boy from Creelsboro, KY the privilege of sonship. My seven years of tutelage under his mentoring have shaped me in a specific way that only Alva could provoke and I simply hope that now I can hold that shape as I do my best to imitate a man whose most famous quote was, "I'm from the OLD SCHOOL, but thank God I graduated..."

May I never fail to follow in Alva's legacy as I ever adapt to the will of an exceedingly great, ever-increasingly glorious God...

Candy Trail 2010

2010-10-28T10:04:00.003-05:00

Candy Trail @ 3trees Church --- Friday, October 29th @ 6pm!

We are less than 48 hours away from one of the most significant events 3trees Church has the opportunity of hosting all year long...... CANDY TRAIL!!!

Kids will come from the north, south, east, and west. It will be a moment unparalleled for our church as we have the opportunity to truly host our community. The night will include, but not be limited to:

Candy Trail (Trunk-R-Treat)
Candy Kingdom (Lots of Games, Including Inflatables)
Hot Dog & Marshmallow Roast
Multiple Hayrides
Hay Maze
Free Winter Clothing
Kick-off Concert
FREE PRIZES!!! (worth over $250)

Candy Trail @ 3trees Church --- Friday, October 29th @ 6pm!

Five Suggestions...

2010-10-13T09:53:00.001-05:00

Five suggestions, for spiritual and life development, accompanied by some thoughts and questions:

DISCOVER the WHO
The success of our lives is greatly impacted by WHO we are trying to most effectively serve? WHO do you desire most to impress? WHO do you spend the majority of your time attempting to please? If no obstacles stood in the way, WHO would you become?

DISTINGUISH the WHY
WHY do you do the things you do? Is it to make other people happy? Are you desperately trying to find acceptance? What is the true ambition behind your endeavors? WHY do you do what you do?

DEVELOP the HOW
HOW we do things will greatly determine whether or not they are effective. It is imperatively important that we develop our HOW. If you sing, develop your style and gift. If you serve in a volunteer ministry, offer your time in the most excellent way possible. May everything that we do, be done as unto the Lord.

DETERMINE the WHEN
Some of the worst mistakes in my life have been WHEN I missed God's timing. Right place, right people, right plan.... But wrong time. It is not enough to simply have a: WHO, WHY, and HOW. We must know the times and seasons of God, so that we may walk in HIS order for our lives.

DELIVER the WHAT
James perhaps said it best, "Be ye not only hearers of the Word, but be ye doers also..." At some point we do have to deliver the goods. It is great to insure excellence before we bring our seedling out of the greenhouse. We should even attempt to polish our approaches, but sooner or later (specifically, once God has revealed HIS timing for your life) we must pull the combines out of the barns and go reap the Harvest...

Fall Break

2010-10-07T09:52:00.000-05:00

Mandy and I have journeyed into the mountains of Tennessee for Fall Break. We have greatly enjoyed some private time with Nat & Dawes. They are growing too fast it seems.

The unique thing for me is that I have not been concerned with the happenings back home. I have been able to--for the most part--completely disconnect from all of my pastoral responsibilities for a few days, and devote my undivided attention to my family...

I have never been able to do that before.

In previous excursions away from home, I would have worried about this, that, and the other. But not this time. I have developed a total and complete trust in the team at 3trees. Some of the most capable ministers that south-central KY has to offer have gathered together under the banner of one vision that shines like a lighthouse from a hillside in Russell Springs.

What little bit of contact I have had with the outside world (thanks for keeping my cell phone Charlotte!) has been filled with compliments for our entire staff. KJ & Aaron evidently both hit home runs while delivering the Word on Sun PM & Wednesday night and I'm now not even sure that there is a valid reason for me to return and fill the role of preacher! Which is one the best and most gratifying testimonies a lead pastor can ever have in regards to the trust he has developed towards his staff.

I'm grateful to be a part of something that is bigger than the part I play. 3trees is a God-thing, and that fact seems to be more effectively established each and every week. I love our team. I love the Kingdom Connections that God, HIMSELF, has established among us and I am ecstatically anticipating the greater things that are yet to come!

Truth in Love

2010-09-22T10:56:00.000-05:00

Today is Wednesday. It has great significance to me. Why? Because three weeks ago on a Wednesday night I was as blunt from the pulpit as I have ever been. Since that time I have been tormented in my mind--wondering if what I did was right?

My goal that night was simple: awaken anyone that might be spiritually asleep. I had spent the day in prayer. My heart was ablaze with a passion for Christ and HIS bride. That passion came out during my message. In retrospect I have re-listened to the message multiple times and re-played my choice of words in my mind over and over again. Prayerfully, I have arrived at a conclusion.

What I said was right. The way I said it was wrong. I spoke truth. I'm not so sure that I packaged it in love. For that I am sorry. (Not for the truth spoken, but for the way in which I spoke it.) And not only do I ask the forgiveness of my congregation. I publicly repent before God in Heaven for my lack of humility during that 30 minute period of time.

The truth will set you free, but Scripture has obligated us to speak Scriptural truth in love. Additionally, faith comes by hearing truth and we hear through the foolishness of preaching. But, faith only works through love. (Scriptural References: John 8:32, Eph 4:15, Romans 10:17, Galatians 5:6) It becomes an order. Like so...

For one to hear truth it must be spoken in love. Once heard it will produce faith. That faith will then make us free as we begin to pass on the imparted love to others.

Our faith in Jesus works through the giving of love to others that was produced by first hearing of God's love for us!

For God so loved the world that HE gave HIS only begotten Son, so that whosoever believeth in HIM will not perish but have everlasting life... (John 3:16)

We are made in the image of God and God is love. HE is also a consuming fire. And multiple Biblical authors also make the statement, "God is holy." While others say things like, "God is everlasting." I believe HE exists as a God who is so purely in love with humanity that it is like a fiery, everlasting passion within HIS being. (I even believe the fire described in the eyes of Jesus in the Book of Revelation is the illustration of a love for HIS church.) I said all of that to say this: We are never more accurately reflecting the image of God than we express a pure, unconditional love for others!

Lake Cumberland region... 3 Trees Church... JESUS LOVES YOU AND I DO TOO!!! Never have I more purely meant that statement...

Greater things are yet to come!

3 Trends Developing in America

2010-09-16T17:08:00.000-05:00

On Tuesday of this week I had the opportunity to soak up the wisdom of Pastor Larry Stockstill at the Kentucky Prayer Focus gathering. (Much thanks to Pastor Mark Harrel & the staff of Victory Christian Fellowship in Somerset, KY for hosting the event and for their hospitality.)

During Larry's message he shared 3 trends that several national leaders believe to be developing in America...

America is moving away from CAPITALISM to SOCIALISM. The danger with this trend is that almost all socialistic states/nations are atheistic. The reason being that in socialism the system itself attempts to do away with the need for God as the ultimate Supplier of ALL our needs.
The Millennial Generation (anyone born after 1980) does not relate to a COUNTRY but rather a CAUSE. Patriotism is almost none existent in this generation because their allegiance is not pledged to the sacredness of a country but rather to the cause they most relate to. Meaning they would may times rather see an establishment destroyed than for their cause to not be accomplished. They tend to always put relationships above principles. If a principle would isolate them from a valued relationship then the principle must be abandoned. It is an odd state of mind... CAUSE above COUNTRY, but RELATIONSHIP above PRINCIPLE...
Judges, not people, are setting our laws. Case-in-point would be Proposition 8 in California. Recently, popular vote disallowed gay marriages in California. However, a few weeks later ONE JUDGE overturned a vote that had been determined by THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE, on the grounds that it was unconstitutional. It is worth noting that the presiding judge is a practicing homosexual. (For some interesting reading, google search: Proposition 8 Ruling #77)

May we prayerfully discern these trends and in response:

Pray for our government officials to see the dangers of socialism, specifically that it is driven by the spirit of the antichrist.
Pray for the Millennial Generation's ability to align themselves with Christ-centered causes.
Pray for the judicial system of America to receive a heavenly impartation of wisdom.

The Auto-Attendant

2010-09-10T15:07:00.003-05:00

There are moments in life when you come to an acute awareness that something just isn't right. I had an eye-opening day. Through prayer, (and from being on the awkward-side of phone calls that I didn't have to make in the first-place) I discovered that many of the relationships I have tried to hang onto and nurture, have in fact been completely one-sided.

Presently, my life is exceedingly and abundantly above all I could ask or think--and it is far better for me than I deserve, I might add. As a result of this awareness, I have sincerely tried to reach out to other pastors whom I thought could possibly use encouragement or relationship because their ministries are still in a developmental state. What I've found is that many of them are simply too busy to acknowledge the need for relationship with anyone other than their DayPlanner. This at first seemed odd to me, because of the place in ministry many of them are at. When I was at their station of life and ministry I would have loved to have had someone (especially if they were pastoring a lot more people than me) call and attempt to establish a relationship. However, it never happened and at the time I ached with insecurity as a result of feeling unaccepted by my fellow, more successful, pastors. So, I made a decision early on that if God ever gave me any success, I would make myself available to those who might benefit from anything I learned on the journey. But today, I realize something I've never noticed before...

I believe many yet-to-experience-success guys are deceived in the illusion that they must appear busy in order to be validated by their peers. And if I may be so blunt? They would be much more effective if they would get their noses out of the air and look around. Perhaps then realizing that their busyness is actually not real at all--it is simply manufactured by their own imagination. The result is that they falsely feel as though they're impressing their peers; yet, little fruit hangs from the trees of their ministries. I'm afraid that the truth may be: from hearts of insecurity some have masqueraded inner feelings of inadequacy with wasted, howbeit full-schedules, in hope of giving the appearance of busyness. While being passionately-driven by the illusive goal of potentially garnering the respect only statistical-success seems to bring.

How can I speak so matter-of-factly on this subject? Because, I now see clearly that I used to be one of those guys. You know... The one who puts an auto-attendant on his phone--not because he needs one--but because it at least presents the illusion of importance. (Yet we call it professionalism). Now, I wonder if perhaps that auto-attendant shielded me from the voices of more successful men who might have called to check on me, but were ultimately deterred by all the smoke screens of busyness, I had deceptively placed around me.

Today, my phone rings off the hook and I don't have, nor want, an auto-attendant. An office staff I do have, not some computer that I have manipulated to make me sound better than what I am; but rather real-life, breathing human-beings who can honestly answer as to the location of my where-abouts--that is when I remember to tell them...

Maybe this is a blog post or maybe it is a rant, but most-likely just another rambling thought from Jack. Irregardless, I must go now. I've got more IMPORTANT things to do than click away at keys. Such as: call guys who will act as though they don't have time to talk to me, but they need me whether they realize it or not. And in all truth, I need them--not because they make me feel important, but rather because their behavior keeps me humble... SELAH

Awakening America

2010-09-02T13:47:00.000-05:00

The First 11 Days of Prayer for a Christ Awakening in America

DAY 1, September 1
“Awaken me from my slumber! Cause me to come to myself!‟
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 64:7, Mark 12:30-31, Ezekiel 36:26-27
Personal Reflection: What is the condition of my heart?
Pray God Almighty will awaken you to your need of cleansing so you can effectively pray for your nation. Pray He will lovingly examine your heart as you put your trust in Him. Pray for forgiveness as you begin this process.

DAY 2, September 2
“Lord, I am sickened by my sin! Change me!”
Scripture Reading: Psalm 4:4, 1 Chronicles 28:9, Psalm 119:32
Personal Reflection: Do I have any unconfessed sin in my heart?
Pray the Lord will make you willing to be completely cleansed and changed. Ask Him for a new heart of commitment to Him.

DAY 3, September 3
“I repent, Lord! Bring my way of life into alignment with this heart-change!”
Scripture Reading: Psalm 63:8, Isaiah 26:7
Personal Reflection: Are there things in my life that are outside of God’s will for me?
Pray that God will quicken your spirit to hear His correction as you navigate the changes in your life. Withhold nothing as you honestly examine your life.

DAY 4, September 4
“Convict my heart to make the difficult choices I must regarding the company I keep.”
Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:33, Hebrews 1:9
Personal Reflection: Am I involved in any relationships that are displeasing to God?
Pray your Father will help you see the truth in the hard choices you may need to make. Ask Him to show you how to step away from what corrupts.

DAY 5, September 5
“Call a Sacred Assembly! Declare a fast!”
Scripture Reading: Joel 1:14; 2:12, 15-16, 2 Chronicles 7:13-14
Personal Reflection: Have I been living a lifestyle of regular fasting?
Pray the Church across America is hearing the Holy Spirit and responding to His call to “return to Me”. Pray the Holy Spirit will bring conviction of sin personally and corporately to the Church of America.

Day 6, September 6
“We see the condition of our nation and recognize the compromise and worldliness of the Church and we are desperate for You!”
Scripture Reading: Joel 2:16; Romans 12:1; John 17:17; Ephesians 5:26-27
Personal Reflection: Have I consecrated myself before God?
Pray spiritual leaders across the nation will call The Church to consecration, recognize and become sorrowful for our sins and prepare for a Sacred Assembly.

Day 7, September 7
“Lord, restore the Light of Christ in our churches to dispel the darkness! Convict us to return to our first love.”
Scripture Reading: Revelation 2; John 14:15, 24; Revelation 2:4
Personal Reflection: Am I so busy that I have lost my “first love“?
Pray the Church will move on the conviction to return to her first love. Pray that obedience to the Word and to the leading of the Holy Spirit becomes our first priority.

Day 8, September 8
“Father, there are so many distractions! Help our focus to remain on You and not the empty idols the world offers”
Scripture Reading: Mark 12:30; 1 John 2:15; Matthew 6:24
Personal Reflection: Have I allowed idols to come into my life?
Pray the Church will willingly examine her works and ministries, recognize the idolatry, and remove every idol with deep repentance.

Day 9, September 9
“Humble us, Lord. Remove the pride from our fellowships.”
Scripture Reading: Proverbs 8:13; Proverbs 16:5; Proverbs 16:18
Personal Reflection: Has my heart become proud?
Pray asking the Lord to humble us as He convicts us of pride and shows us the evidence of it in our churches and our personal lives. Repent. Repent. Repent. Repent for your church and for The Church!

Day 10, September 10
“Father, conform Your Church, the Body of Christ, to the image of Your Son!”
Scripture Reading: Romans 8:29; 1 Peter 1:15-16; Philippians 1:11
Personal Reflection: Is it time for some cleansing in my personal life and home?
Pray asking God to guide and enable you to forgive and reconcile every broken relationship in a way that brings Him glory and brings you freedom. Pray the Church will come into unity and become a demonstration of the love of Christ.

Day 11, September 11
“Lord, unity is crucial to You! Break down every wall within Your Church, and draw us together in unity.”
Scripture Reading: John 17:23; Matthew 5: 23-24; Mark 11:35
Personal Reflection: Do I have relationships that I need to reconcile?
Pray asking God to guide and enable you to forgive and reconcile every broken relationship in a way that brings Him glory and brings you freedom. Pray the Church will come into unity and become a demonstration of the love of Christ.

GATHER. EQUIP. SEND.

2010-07-24T23:08:00.001-05:00

Its absolutely resounding in my heart: GATHER. EQUIP. SEND...

There will be more to come later but be assured that 3trees is about to GATHER, EQUIP, & SEND people in an unprecedented capacity throughout the days to come.

GATHER to Experience God.
EQUIP to Make Disciples.
SEND into All the World!

Greater things are coming! I can feel it........

Access Granted

2010-07-23T09:56:00.006-05:00

Define ACCESS - "the right to enter"

In order to enter any room you must have access to get in. It doesn't matter if you want to go into a gathering place or not, if you don't have the right to enter, you are not getting in!

Entry rights can be gained by someone giving you a key or opening a door for you--which could transpire in a variety of ways. I have found that in all realms of life there are circles, even spheres of influence, and in order to progress from one level to the next, you must establish legitimate connections with those who have the ability to open doors.

Undoubtedly, you have seen Hollywood's red carpet events. Hundreds of people stand barracaded by ropes while celebrities march by--posing all the way--into the entryway of culture's most eloquent events. Millions want in, thousands stand within view of the door, but only a handful get in. Why? One word: ACCESS.

In general, I believe that if you do not have fame or wealth on your your side then two things in life can still help grant you access into influential realms:

Favor
Honor

Honor is a principle that must be acted out and favor is the by-product of an attitude.

Favor can be supernaturally imparted, but I am coming to believe that it is most often only experienced in our lives as we practice an attitude of friendliness. Literally, we must embrace a heart of doing unto others as we would have them to do unto us. We must smile and kindly greet people with sincere conversation. Simply by making small talk we can many times open doors that would have normally never been opened to us. If you want favor then be friendly!

Honor is the type of principle that will set the course for our lifestyle when practiced. We give it to whom it is do: parents, elders, authority figures, teachers, and spritual leaders to name a few.

How do we give honor? We bestow honor upon someone by exemplifying our respect for him/her through our actions.

Honor is thorough in its approach and will almost always--even in casual situations--choose to address an elder by his/her proper title and will always refuse to defile another person's name. This much is also certain, when you truly focus on being a person who regularly gives honor to other people, those people will want you around. They will enjoy having you in their circle.

Many leaders tire easily because they constantly feel as though they are being leeched of their time and resources. They long for someone to make a deposit instead of a withdrawal--someone who will give rather than take or request to receive. Honor does exactly that--it shows up ready to serve rather than to be served!

Honor is not simply brown-nosing. Flattery is manipulative in nature, while honor is pure in its ambition to give respect to someone without any hopes of return. Honor has the capability to respect someone, fully-aware that someday the action may open currently closed doors, but also fully-content to continue to give respect without receiving any personal gain or recognition. Successful leaders got where they are for a reason and typically the stronger the leader the more keen his perception will be. In other words, great leaders are constantly on guard for manipulative tactics and if they sense that manipulation is near they will remove it (and the person who brought it) very quickly from their space.

When you are friendly you will gain favor by default. This is important because favor is typically the blessing that gets you close enough to bestow honor upon the people into whose circles you desire to enter.

Think of it this way... FRIENDLINESS gets you to the door, FAVOR is the key, and HONOR is the doorkeeper whom ultimately grants you ACCESS into the next level of your destiny.

FRIENDLINESS --> FAVOR --> HONOR --> ACCESS

(Foundational thoughts originally inspired by a combination of tweets from Pastors Steven Furtick & Danny Chambers.)

The Overflow

2010-07-22T09:42:00.002-05:00

Jesus said, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and everything else shall be added unto you..."

Seek first the Kingdom of God... Got it! But, what is the Kingdom of God??? Here's Paul's take on it:

Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,

In the hour of Paul many believers were being converted from Judaism, with them they brought baggage that had unintentionally become legalistic. Their upbringing in the law of Moses restricted them from doing many things that had little to do with spirituality and more to do with simply following rules. It is as if Paul was attempting to communicate to them that the Kingdom of God's presence in their lives was not determined by whether they ate pork or not (a no-no in Jewish culture); the Kingdom of God IS A MATTER of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. In fact, Paul goes on to say:

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may OVERFLOW with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit

What does it all mean? Simply put, the Kingdom of God is not about rules and regulations. It is about living in joy, peace, and right-standing before God--to Love God and Love People. I have joy that I am saved! I have peace that I am saved! I have right-standing because I could not save myself, Jesus did it for me. When I seek this attitude in life, Jesus has promised that anything else I need will be added unto me--I will OVERFLOW with hope by the POWER of the Holy Spirit!

Greater things are yet to come!

The Fulfilled Path

2010-07-21T10:55:00.003-05:00

Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. --Matthew 5:17

Jesus answered, "I am the WAY and the TRUTH and the LIFE. No one comes to the Father except through me... --John 14:6

The Orthodox Jews that I have met do not consider the Bible's law to be legalistic, instead they believe the best English word to directly describe their perception of the Biblically translated term "law" would be "path".

Think of this for a moment... The law was not considered first and foremost a tool for prosecution. It was instead intended to be perceived as a PATH to life. The only problem is that as Paul mentioned, all the boundaries created by the law (or path) of Moses wound up creating a crooked, impassible road to death. Why? Because it was so complex that no one could follow it. No man could navigate his way through the path and every man that tried ultimately fell to his death along its narrow passageways.

4,000 years into humanity's feeble attempts to chart a course through the path, Jesus arrived on the scene and made an astounding pronouncement, "I have not come to destroy the law, I have come to fulfill it." I believe that Jesus was actually saying, "I have not come to destroy the PATH, I've come to show you how to navigate it!"

Up to this point, every individual reached the end of their life with no bridge between heaven and earth. They couldn't find it along the path because the road was so complex. Thousands of rules and regulations caused them to be lost. Don't eat this meat, don't cook food that way, don't start a fire on this day, don't go to the fields unless it is such and such time...

God's point had been proven: the law killeth! No man could walk the path. Even with his best attempt, by accident he would in the end stumble to his death. God's response was to insert his son into the path with the sole-purpose of bridging its gap between heaven and earth. The first Adam had fallen off the path in the Garden of Eden, but the second Adam would succeed in the Garden of Gethsamene at staying the course. The result: God's second Adam, Jesus Christ, became the WAY of the Path, the TRUTH to direct the steps along the Path, and the LIFE to prevent death on the Path, so that we may follow the Path back to the FATHER! (Ref. John 14:6)

We now walk the route of the fulfilled path, which means that we do not have to memorize thousands of boundaries. We must only walk the path guarded on each side by two curbs: 1) Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, mind, and soul; 2) Love thy neighbor as thyself.

Do you want to walk with God? Do you want to have an assurance that you are on the right path in your life? If so, walk in such a WAY that you are guided by the LIFE of these two boundary forming TRUTHs: Love God & Love People!

I assure you that not only at the end, but also along the journey of this path, there is Life and Life more abundantly!

From One to Many - Isaiah 51

2010-07-20T09:27:00.006-05:00

For the average reader, the Book of Isaiah, must in some ways be viewed as simply a poetic delivery of the infallible Word of God, as the prophetic elements of Isaiah's penmanship can become difficult for the average Bible student to maneuver his way through. For instance, trying to perceive in which sections he is talking about present-day events of his time, versus, when was he looking much further into the future can be very challenging. However, despite its challenges it is overall a fantastic book and in my opinion holds within its pages more prophecies concerning the arrival of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, than any other Old Testament book. In all truth, Isaiah may have been the most poetically-gifted writer in the entire Bible.

Today, as I got past all of the theological evaluation and simply read through its pages I found the first few verses of Isaiah's chapter 55 to be particularly encouraging...

Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness and who seek the Lord; Look to the rock from which you were cut and to the quarry from which you were hewn; look to Abraham, your father, and to Sarah, who gave birth. When I called him he was but one and I blessed him and made him many... Isaiah 51:1-2

You can feel all alone at times in your pursuit of righteousness (right-standing before God) but if you look throughout the course of history you will find that fantastic testimonies abound. Elijah felt as though he was the only one being called to stand for God, yet he eventually found out that 7,000 more had likewise not yet bowed their knee to Baal. Jonah thought his situation was so hopeless that he believed preaching the message God had given him would be useless, yet after several pit stops he declared the word and an entire city responded with repentance!

Abraham was old and Sarah was incapable of bearing children; however, God spoke and that settled it--a son would be born! As a result, what began as the dream of one man became a mighty nation.

God called you and you may currently be the only one on your jobsite pursuing right-standing before God--or at least you feel that way. Maybe no one wants to seek God in your family or even attend church, but I encourage you to keep up the fight of faith. He that endures to the end shall be saved. You may start "as one, but in the end God will bless you and you will become many!" It is the way of God. He seems to be enthralled with exponential multiplication--just check out the Book of Acts or the miracles of Jesus sometime. Even Jesus, Himself, was one, but now he has become the first-born of MANY brethren!

I assure you, greater things are yet to come!

Upcoming Schedule

2010-07-19T10:35:00.001-05:00

A brief run-down of our upcoming service schedule:

Saturday, July 31st @ 9am - 3pm / Work Day (We need everyone!)
Sunday, August 1st @ 9am, 11am, & 6:30pm / Last Services in the Old Facility
Thursday, August 5th / No Service
Sunday, August 8th @ 10:30am / Begin Again in the New Facility!
Sunday, August 8th @ 12pm - 2pm / Community Picnic & Open House
Wednesday, August 11th @ 7pm / Our New Mid-week Schedule Begins

Please note: In an attempt to better serve our community and congregation beginning Sunday, August 8th our new service schedule will be as follows:

Sundays @ 10:30am & 6:30pm
Wednesdays @ 7pm

Outdoor Baptism

2010-07-17T18:28:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow @ 1pm we will have an outdoor baptism at the creek--most know the spot as the Sam Coffey Hole. For directions please pick up a map at tomorrow's services.

If you would like to be baptized meet us in Hillside's sanctuary at 12:15pm for a quick time of prayer and discussion, before heading creekside.

Robert Sheffey's Trigg, VA & Claytor Lake...

2010-07-12T10:32:00.003-05:00

Three years ago, I didn't even know there was such a place as Trigg, Virginia or even Staffordsville, Virginia--for that matter. Yet, tomorrow Mandy and I will head to the captivating mountains just outside of Dublin,Virginia for the third time in three years.

On the other side of Kentucky's Black Mountain, we have made what we believe to be life-long friends and I am grateful for the opportunity to return. Tuesday - Friday I will be speaking each night at the Robert Sheffey Memorial Campgrounds as we join in with the annual campmeeting led by George Phillips & Friends. It is a unique experience, with services convening in an outdoor pavillion, you feel completely sheltered from the busyness of life by thick timber and an adventurous gravel driveway.

Its going be a fun week and I am especially looking forward to daytime visits to one of the most charming hidden gems our family has ever discovered, Claytor Lake...

Pray for as we travel. 3trees we will see ya Sunday!

Begin Again: Sunday, August 8th

2010-07-08T10:35:00.003-05:00

The date has officially been set! Sunday, August 8th @ 10:30am we will conduct our first worship gathering in 3trees' new worship facility.

The day will be full of activity with a Community Picnic scheduled to immediately follow the service and we will swing the doors open wide for an Open House from 12pm - 2pm. For your kids, we will have inflatable games, so they can bounce out the sugar they fuel up with via snow cones and cotton candy! (Please Note: There will not be a PM service.)

Its very easy to drift out of church during the summer, but don't be discouraged as your KIDS GO BACK TO SCHOOL your FAMILY CAN GO BACK TO CHURCH. August 8th @ 10:30am is a perfect opportunity for your family to BEGIN AGAIN!

Please know that everyone is welcome and I want to personally invite you to come BEGIN AGAIN with us as we gear up for what we believe will be the greater things that are yet to come!

New Church Name

2010-07-03T10:47:00.003-05:00

A brief explanation of why we selected the new name 3trees for our church...

FIRST, THE REASONS FOR A NAME CHANGE:

We were no longer comfortable describing our praise as "higher". While the thought process behind our original name was never based in egotism, we came to realize that it could potentially be perceived that way.
There arrived among our fellowship of believers an undeniable consensus of agreement that we needed to bring the cross of Jesus, in a much more visible way, to the forefront of our ministry.

SECONDLY, WHY THE NAME 3trees?

2,000 years ago in Jerusalem, the events surrounding three trees on a hillside changed the world. On one tree Jesus RELEASED grace. On the second tree a man REJECTED it, but on the third tree, grace was RECEIVED. The two men made different choices but both had to RESPOND to Jesus.

In 2010 and beyond, it is our most sincere prayer that from a hillside in Russell Springs, Kentucky, 3trees Church will be used of God to provoke a RECEPTIVE RESPONSE to the RELEASE of Jesus' grace, as we strive more than ever to move from just being a "Come and See" church to becoming a mobilized "Go and Tell" fellowship of believers!

We covet your prayers as we move forward with the most-focused vision we have ever had to plunder hell and populate heaven by the power of the Cross and Blood of Jesus.

May greater things come for the cause of Christ!

3trees Church is a Spirit-empowered, Life-giving ministry that is connecting people to Jesus, while finding needs and meeting them. For more info please visit: www.3trees.com

One Prayer

2010-06-04T15:50:00.001-05:00

During our new series at 3trees Church we will join forces with thousands of other churches all over the world, lifting up ONE PRAYER to God. Fully focused on seeing God's church become one!

One Prayer began in 2008 to explore the question: We pray to Jesus asking Him to answer our prayers - what if we became the answer to His? In John 17:20-24, He prayed that we would be one, and One Prayer is an opportunity to see what can be accomplished when the Church works together.

God has worked in amazing ways over the past two years as millions of believers around the world have united to pray, learn, and love others. We're joining forces once again for One Prayer 2010 as we come together for four weeks to learn more about our Creator and go out into the world to share, serve and give.

Entry Date

2010-05-14T23:16:00.001-05:00

FYI: no date has been set for entry into the new facility as of yet. The moment we can secure a time that we know will work, without any fear of having to re-schedule, we will begin to spread the word.

Greater things are yet to come--and they're getting closer all the time!

Mother's Day

2010-05-08T19:06:00.000-05:00

I'm super excited to be speaking on the subject of the virtuous woman, wife, and mother of Proverbs 31 tomorrow morning. I believe it is going to be a very good day. I even have a new microphone to break in! ;)

Hope to see you tomorrow at 9am & 11am, as we will have over $200 worth of give-a-ways and most importantly an undeniable experience in God!

FYI: There will not be a PM service.

Vacation???

2010-05-06T03:13:00.000-05:00

I have a blog?!?! Suddenly, remembered that fact during a sleepless night...

I've been BEYOND busy lately--borderline overwhelmed. I've never had a schedule quite like the one I keep now. It has required a new level of discipline and time management. The good news is that the increased activity has been a byproduct of enhanced favor. All that said, I'm absolutely ready for a vacation and admittedly--at the same time--can't wait to return!

The need for rest is innate and God-commanded, but when you stand on the brink of greater things, it is difficult to step away. Now is the TIME for which Mandy and I know we were born to walk in. May hell be plundered and heaven be populated through our efforts as never before. But I'm STILL going to take a vacation first. Disneyworld, here we come! :)

3trees Church?

2010-04-07T17:45:00.013-05:00

A brief explanation of why we selected the new name 3trees for our church...

2,000 years ago in Jerusalem, the events surrounding three trees on a hillside changed the world. On one tree Jesus RELEASED grace. On the second tree a man REJECTED it, but on the third tree grace was RECEIVED. The two men made different choices but both had to RESPOND to Jesus.

In 2010, it is our most sincere prayer that from a hillside in Russell Springs, Kentucky, 3trees Church will be used of God to provoke a RECEPTIVE RESPONSE to the RELEASE of Jesus' grace, as we strive more than ever to move from just being a "Come and See" church to becoming a mobilized "Go and Tell" fellowship of believers!

We covet your prayers as we move forward with the most-focused vision we have ever had to plunder hell and populate heaven by the power of the Cross and Blood of Jesus.

May greater things come for the cause of Christ!

Passion Weekend

2010-04-01T06:53:00.000-05:00

The moment has once again arrived to celebrate Christ's once-and-for-all suffering for our sins and his everlasting resurrection over death, hell and the grave!

This is sure to be a huge weekend for HPC and, more importantly, all of Christianity. Statistics show that over 80% of the people we invite to church on this particular weekend will attend with us! Seize this opportunity to share the Gospel of Jesus' resurrection with your friends and & family.

Our weekend schedule will be:

Thursday @ 7pm
Good Friday @ 6pm
Big Reveal - Saturday @ 5pm
Easter Sunday @ 9am & 11am
The Passion Movie - Sun @ 12:30pm

EVERYONE WELCOME!

2am

2010-03-28T02:01:00.001-05:00

It's 2am and I can't sleep. Big reveals lay ahead of HPC and today marks a moment of great significance for us--as it will be our last Sunday under the name Higher Praise...

Saturday is coming quick and the new name will be revealed by this time next week. I'm excited and I can't wait to join you in taking this journey of Kingdom advancement to a brand-new level!

Greater things are yet to come!

Milk the Cow...... AGAIN!

2010-03-17T23:54:00.002-05:00

It's late and I find myself reflecting on nine years of pastoral minstry... There are men with far more experience than me, but I feel like I've heard my fair share of off-the-wall stories. At the top of the list are the reasons people typically give to validate their bad attitudes, while harboring bitterness and offense.

Sometimes all you can do is laugh at the way we process things: He said, she said, I did, they didn't, should have, would have, surely they could have!

But to tell the truth--in my opinion--most people who are offended, first wanted to be offended. I've often found that people wrestling with offense were first seemingly waiting for someone to display an action towards them that would give them a reasonable excuse to display hateful feelings. Many times the feelings were obviously locked up long before the actual event in question transpired.

Take a word of advice from someone who has had the root of bitterness plucked from his heart on more than one occasion: LET IT GO!

Think about it for a moment... Is it really worth it? Do you really want to go through the details of your petty indifferences at the Great White Throne of Judgment. After all, finger-pointing will be null and void at that moment. You will answer for you and you alone.

Now answer this question again: IS IT REALLY WORTH IT?

Choose to laugh rather than cry. Choose to forgive rather than begrudge and to smile instead of frowning. Move
forward through life with humility and cast down the pride that fuels the foundational stages of offense to begin with.

As one farmer--stepping into an unexpected, sudden flow of milk from an overturned pail--told his bitterly arguing, finger-pointing children, "One thing is settled: the milk has been spilled. Now stop whining over the fact that it happened and just go milk the cow again!"

However Jesus said it better, "Take up your cross--DAILY-- and deny yourself!"

I'll do my best to come with you as we strive, together, to be less like us and more like Christ. May we decrease, that he may increase.

Greater things are yet to come. Don't miss them because you're curled up in the defiled bed of bitterness... :)

HPC NAME CHANGE

2010-03-16T08:31:00.001-05:00

If you are looking for info on why Higher Praise will be revealing a new church name, please scroll down until you find the post labeled: The Big Reveal or just CLICK HERE FOR NAME CHANGE INFO

Zero Tolerance

2010-03-16T08:18:00.001-05:00

At the start of my message on Sunday night I don't really know how to describe what I felt. There was just this overwhelming feeling that something wasn't right. As I tried to process it, I kept coming to the conclusion that someone was present in the congregation who had full intention of disrupting the service. As a result, at the same time I felt so indescribably troubled I also felt an intensity in my spirit that such an act could not be permitted.

My response may have been right, it may have been wrong. Truthfully, I'm not for sure. All I knew to do at the moment was to make sure that every person present possessed a firm understanding that in corporate gatherings of worship, we are Biblically mandated to do everything decently and in order. Therefore, I gave a brief disclaimer that ignorance would not be tolerated.

There has been enough nonsense happen in church environments, under the pretense of the moving of the Holy Spirit, to forever scar Christ's body. I simply sensed or discerned--whatever you want to call it--that I had an obligation as a pastor to give a reminder that such acts of ignorance would not and could not be tolerated at 3515 West Hwy 80.

I have a reverential awe for the presence of God and I never want anything to be done under the guise of His moving that is actually fleshly in nature. During the course of nine years of pastoral ministry, on two or three different occasions that I vividly remember, I did not have the courage I needed as spiritual leader and stood passively by in moments when I should have addressed some things with authority. Each time I sensed something foolish was about happen and I just couldn't seem to find the strength to address it before it transpired. (Obviously, it is easier to stop something before it gets started than vice-versus.) God has deeply convicted my heart over my past cowardice and has led me to the understanding that as a spiritual leader there may be no greater hypocrisy than the sin of silence. Thus, the reason I spoke so bluntly on Sunday evening. :)

Perhaps, I should have given a better explanation at the time but honestly, at that moment, I wasn't for sure how to.

If you have any further questions regarding the brief comments I made that evening feel free to send them to me and I'll do my best to answer them. You can reach me directly at: jackrambles@gmail.com

Love guys. Hope you have a great week.

Greater things are yet to come!

The Big Reveal

2010-03-08T08:26:00.001-06:00

There is a time and a season for everything. The time for our fellowship of believers to be recognized by the name Higher Praise Church has come and gone. It is now time for a NEW NAME!

The decision is not one that was made quickly. For 18 months I have wrestled with, and sought wise counsel, regarding the concept.

I firmly believe when God is dealing with your heart about something, He will honor the promise of His word and confirm His plans through "the mouth of two or three witnesses." Over the course of these last 18 months it has been an amazing lesson for me in obeying God, as far more than two or three people (that I greatly respect) have prayerfully agreed that it is time to change the name of our church. As well--and maybe most importantly--HPC's Lead Team has also expressed an overwhelming consensus of agreement that it is time to reveal a new name.

Why is there so much certainty that the name of our church needs to be changed? I believe there are at least 4 significant reasons.

1) I have become burdened, and even broken, in prayer about the fact that "Higher" Praise may, on occasion, be perceived as an arrogant proclomation. While that was NEVER the intention behind using Higher Praise as a name, I believe God and wise counsel has helped me to see how someone might perceive our name to be an egostistical statement. Perhaps, there have even been some who wrongly interpreted our name to mean that we are of the opinion that our praise is more effective at reaching God than someone else's might be. I sincerely apologize to our community if we have ever UNINTENTIONALLY given that perception.

2) Our church was once focused on the theme of "Come and See". We sat and waited for the community to come to us as we held our worship gatherings. During that six-year period, we struggled to consistently break the 200-attendee mark. Today, the attitude of our Lead Team and church is totally different. Everyone is still invited to come, but first we will "Go and Tell"! No longer do we lazily sit inside our church waiting for the world to change itself.

Three years ago we made a decision to serve this community tirelessly. "Captivate" at the Adair County Fairgrounds is one example of an outreach that was birthed from that decision. This particular event has exploded with success, as we take a Saturday in April and do our best to bestow unconditional love upon the Lake Cumberland region. Last year over 1,000 people received help in a 3-hour period of time. God has taught our church that nothing is more exhilirating than finding a need and meeting it.

The result of our new approach has been phenomenal, as our church has more than doubled in size during the last 36-months.

Because of this change in ministerial philosophy our new name must effectively move us away from a term that denotes the event that happens at our gatherings (praise) and move us toward better communicating that we are here as a church to follow Jesus' example and take up our cross. To put it bluntly, it is time to more effectively communicate through our church name that we are here for one specific reason and that is to present the love of Jesus' sacrifice to all of Lake Cumberland.

3) The growth of Higher Praise leads us to another significant reason for the name change.

Every Sunday, people are gathering on our hillside from at least 7 different counties, and it is not unusual to see as many as 9 counties regularly represented. This is an awesome thing. But, one dilemma has been discovered as our influence has expanded: there are several other churches and ministries using the term Higher Praise to identify themselves. There are even two more ministries sharing our name in just the state of Kentucky. This has caused confusion on more than one occasion, not only online, but also with UPS. :)

Our new name has already been secured and it is a name that no other church in America currently uses. This will help us tremendously as we move out across Kentucky with other satellite locations and across America with media ministries.

4) There is a growing lack of emphasis on the Cross of Jesus in the world today. Our new name will more clearly communciate the happenings on a hillside 2,000 years ago, which has led to the OPPORTUNITY of salvation for each and everyone one of us!

This new name will even allow our church (when inviting unsaved friends or family) to find a quick opportunity to sow salvation seeds regarding the events of Calvary. And even more specifically, present without awkwardness, the central truth of the Gospel, which I believe is that we must all decide whether to receive or reject Jesus as our Lord.

I'm ecstatic! I feel like it is September 2000 all over again as we prepare for a new day of ministry. But, a New Name is not the only Reveal we have planned for the month of April!

Our schedule for the Reveals will be as follows...

THE BIG REVEAL: New Name. New Vision. New Facility.

New Name Reveal: Saturday, April 3rd @ 5pm.

New Vision Reveal: Easter Sunday, April 4th @ 9am 11am 12:30pm

New Facility Reveal: Sunday, April 25th @ 10:30am.

Greater things are yet to come!

The Big Reveal...

2010-03-03T13:32:00.001-06:00

THE BIG REVEAL.... That's all I'm going to say about it for now... But don't miss Sunday! We will be setting the stage for an announcement that you will have to buckle your seats for as we prep for greater things that are yet to come!

And trust me... Even if you think you know what it is... You don't! LOL

Decisions...

2010-03-02T01:47:00.001-06:00

HPC's Administrative team has entrusted me with the responsibility of making some important decisions this week and I ask for your prayer. It involves some significant budget appropriations and I definitely want to make sure that we head in the right direction.

I will be seeking direction from my mentors, and most importantly the Holy Spirit, tomorrow as I prepare to make the decide on Thursday and Friday.

Thanks for covering me in prayer...

Construction Update

2010-02-28T20:46:00.000-06:00

This week in construction we will see the last of the framing completed. Electrical and plumbing work will also continue and I think we may possibly see some sheet rock start to go up. The HVAC installers should also make significant progress, as well as, the sprinkler company...

Excitedly Ecstatic!

2010-02-28T20:41:00.003-06:00

I am as excited--make that ecstatic--about ministry as I have ever been. The church has caught a wave of momentum that is unlike anything I have ever experienced as a pastor.

Today, we had our monthly New Attendees' Brunch and we ran out of seats! As quickly as possible, we added three more tables and then we almost ran out again! It was an unforgettable moment for me as I got to see first-hand, people displaying interest in the ministries HPC has to offer.

All three services were also packed today and I don't know where this thing is going to end up, but I sure am glad that I've got a ringside seat for it.

Greater things are truly yet to come, as by grace, we make Jesus famous throughout all of Lake Cumberland!

Can't Sleep...

2010-02-27T00:33:00.001-06:00

I can't sleep tonight as I am absolutely ecstatic about tomorrow...

Several things will be happening:

1) Our stage will be studded up inside the new sanctuary. Yay!

2) Several of the necessary furniture items will be ordered to help furnish the new facility. (We've got some really cool things planned.)

3) I get to visit the fastest growing church in KY tomorrow night with some HPC friends.

4) An early UK game allows be to watch the Cats take it to UT in the middle of all the other great happenings tomorrow. ;)

Joy comes in the morning and I'm setting my clock for an early wake-up call!

Wow!

2010-02-26T09:00:00.001-06:00

Awesome night last night! Packed house during a mid-week service is an amazing thing and I don't take it lightly. God is up to something. His presence is being experienced in a very real way during our gatherings. And get this..... Greater things are still yet to come!!!

Building Update

2010-02-23T07:58:00.001-06:00

Construction is in full-swing as we race towards April and Easter Sunday.

The entire building is almost studded up and will most likely be completed by the end of the week.

Next up is sheet-rock and the drywall process.

Check out the HPC fan page on Facebook to see pics!

Compromise in Disguise?

2010-02-16T20:05:00.001-06:00

The American Church, while feasting--without discretion--on all culture has to offer, has become a glutton at the table of relevance. The result is a generation of believers who live in shady places rather than being an easily distinguishable light unto the world.

Believing the lie of politically-oriented correctness, we are led to believe that we must PARTAKE in order to RELATE. However, Jesus lived a life without sin and yet seems most comfortable in Scripture when seated among sinners.

We find ourselves attempting to be relevant, motivated by the desire to relate to the world we are trying to reach. Now, the Holy Spirit pulls back the covers of our slumber to reveal that we are in bed with two mistresses: Relevance & Excellence. Both can be pure, but have in most cases become corrupt.

We have elevated our desire for the applause of man above our passion for the approval of heaven. Now priorities are out of kelter. We have become irreverent to our God and relevant to our culture.

Prophets have become parrots quoting the Scripture-twisting pirates of our society rather than decreeing the Truth. False freedom reigns as we raise up relevant churches absent the power of the Holy Spirit.

Bad religion holds to a form of godliness that leans toward Bible study and church attendance, amid formatted worship services, while ignoring the need for an actual relationship with the presence of God. This results in aborting the power of the God among us, according to the Apostle Paul. With a sincere desire to avoid an approach like unto the Pharisees, contemporary ministries have arrived with the intent to be breathtakingly moving, with unparralelled excellence. (In many instances offering for free on Sunday theatrical presentations that would cost $50 at a dinner theater on Saturday night.) However, is it possible that with good intentions we have accidentally produced a religion of relevance that is just as powerless as the Pharisees form of godliness?

Focused primarily on change and being different, have we ultimately become just a new-fangled version of that thing which we hate?

While different in method from traditional religious practices have we developed our own form of godliness?

Focusing primarily on good works and the tickling of man's ears have we forgotten the basic tenant of worship--holiness? (I.E. The Pslamist's commission to worship God in the beauty of holiness.)

In all of our fleshly attempts at relevance have we failed to heed James command, "abstain from even the appearance of evil..."?

I grieve with a repentant heart that we have simply ordained the unholy as acceptably relevant to our cultural times, in hope that no one will realize that we ourselves can not abide by the standard Christ has left for us to follow. Thus, disguising compromise as relevance we have lost clean hands, pure hearts, and renewed minds.

May God have mercy as thousands potentially experience false conversions, via enticing words and man's wisdom, into a religion of good works and culturally relevant concepts. Sadly, without sincere, reverent dedication of their lives to the will of the Lord of all, Jesus Christ.

Building Update

2010-02-13T07:50:00.002-06:00

Much is happening on the hillside and the building is coming along nicely. If you would like to see pics of the progress sign onto facebook and enter, Higher Praise Church, into the search box. You should find our fan page. Once on the page click to be a fan in the upper left-hand corner and explore the pics of the new building! (Or scroll down the left-hand side of this blog and simply click on the Higher Praise Church badge for direct access.)

This week we have poured over 20,000 square feet of concrete and the studding up of walls has begun. The HVAC pads have been poured and the electrical boxes are beginning to be installed. It's happening!

Don't forget that today our existing main sanctuary is open all day for those who would like to join us in prayer. We will close out the day with a corporate prayer time at 5pm.

Where does your Light Shine?

2010-02-06T22:08:00.001-06:00

Just heard a quote that I think is incredibly powerful on the subject of light and darkness, "What good is the light if all we do is shine it in each other's eyes?"

Selah.

Light vs. Dark

2010-02-06T10:31:00.002-06:00

A Scriptural thought that will not escape my mind, "What fellowship hath light with darkness?" This question was asked of the Church at Corinth by Paul in his second letter to them. I have had multiple conversations about the subject myself lately (a random thought about the Scripture which I posted on Facebook actually took a life of its own) and below I am including an email correspondence I had with someone recently on the same topic...
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The enemy comes as an angel of light. He opens us up to things when they seem somewhat trivial, even good, and then he moves that which we have become attached to, toward a progressively dark place. Because it seemed OK to begin with, we many times ignore the conviction to remove ourselves when it is time to get out.

There is good and evil in the world; and both stand apart from Godly. Evil was on the tree in Eden, but so was good. You can eat of either and still be separated from God. Its not to say that you can't learn valuable life lessons without the specifics of the Gospel. It is to say that anytime we do not try to move people from compromised areas into pure Godly lifestyles we risk allowing the light in us to take up fellowship with darkness.

I understand the concept of using some elements of culture that have positive undertones--but are predominately dark--as a conversation piece to open a conversation about purity, but we must be careful to not leave out the need to help transition people away from anything that is not Christ-like.

Good magic, black magic, and demonic creatures of the dark fill some of culture's most popular genres today... What a man sows to so shall he reap. Very intriguing that Christians have time to read entire fictional series that are filled with worldly concepts but yet most have never read the Bible through. Priorities are out of kelter.

Relevance can be devastating to the salt of the word, when it becomes the foundation of what we are attempting to communicate rather than just a vehicle to reach our desired point. This much Scripture has made clear for us, "light hath no fellowship with darkness."

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Thanks for reading. I welcome your comments. :)

Greater Things Are Yet to Come

2010-02-06T10:00:00.001-06:00

I quote it often. I think about it even more often. Contemplate with me, Jesus' 2,000 year old declaration, "Greater works shall you do, than even I."

Jesus opened blind eyes, unstopped deaf ears, he even raised dead people back to life. He has left an impressive resume to top. Yet, the God who can not lie has laid the path of destiny before us: Greater things are yet to come!

I feel as though this week I have seen great things. Attendance records have been broken, healings have occured, relationships have been reconciled, souls have been saved, financial breakthroughs have occured and yet Jesus leaves us to believe that we have only begun to touch the tip of the iceberg. Our exceedingly great God fully intends to continue to reveal himself to us in exceedingly great ways!

Greater things are yet to come!

Redeem The Time

2010-02-05T00:32:00.000-06:00

The new blog, with an exciting list of guest bloggers is now up and running. Check it out daily as new posts are added every morning.

The blog is written in devotional format as we walk through the Book of Acts, chapter-by-chapter. We are also seeking to encourage the fellowship of believers at Higher Praise Church as we move through 40 days of focus and purpose with fasting and prayer.

You may access it directly via: http://www.redeemthetime.org/

A New Blog Arrives Tomorrow!

2010-02-01T21:13:00.004-06:00

The building project has moved into high gear and I find myself being stretched a bit thin as of late, but I want to keep encouraging you as we move forward through the last-half of our corporate 40-day Fast. So.... I have invited some friends to be guest bloggers over the next few weeks.

Debuting tomorrow will be Jason Hood! Don't miss it as he shares a devotion from Acts 4.

You will be able to currently access this new blog which will be specifically focused on our corporate 40-day Fast via this link:

www.hpc40dayfast.blogspot.com

However, later this week you will be able to conveniently reach the site using www.redeemthetime.org

Thanks for joining on this journey into the greater things of God!

Haiti Relief

2010-01-29T10:17:00.002-06:00

Sorry that I haven't been able to blog daily this week. My schedule has been vibrant, to say the least. LOL

One of the things taking much of my time is HPC's involvement with the Haiti Relief efforts. I am excited to say that God is favoring our endeavor to help in a supernatural way We have received over 100 cases of water in the first 3 days of the collection drive!

Check out www.HPChaitirelief.blogspot.com for more updates!

HPC's Haiti Relief Blog

2010-01-26T11:02:00.013-06:00

Higher Praise Church's Haiti Relief Blog is now up and running!

Stay up to date with how you can participate in finding needs and meeting them in Haiti by visiting: http://www.hpchaitirelief.blogspot.com/

Day 23 - Such as I Have

2010-01-26T11:02:00.001-06:00

Acts 3:6 - And Peter seeing the (begging lame) man said, "Silver and gold have I none, BUT SUCH AS I HAVE I give unto thee. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk."

You may not have the largest house in your city or even your neighborhood. Perhaps your car is held together by Christian bumper stickers and the description, "struggling to make ends meet", is a vast understatement to describe your financial situation. But irregardless, of what you lack financially all you need is a relationship with the Holy Spirit and an impartation of his power to change lives.

Simon Peter was running short on funds. His paycheck hadn't come through yet via direct deposit and the money he needed hadn't been wired. Meeting a beggar and being moved with compassion he was obviously discouraged that he couldn't help meet the need before him.

As a result, Simon Peter turned to his only option. Silver and gold were out of the question, but he did have the power of God at work in his life. With faith swelling in his heart he commanded the lame man to rise by the authority of Jesus' name and walk! The rest is history.

Acts 3, quickly leads me to hold fast to the truth that money is over-rated. One touch from Jesus as he moves through us to touch others will surpass the fulfillment all the gold in Fort Knox could ever possibly bring to your life.

Day 22 - Favor Ain't Fair

2010-01-25T15:25:00.001-06:00

Acts 2:47 - Praising God and enjoying the FAVOR OF ALL PEOPLE...

TD Jakes famously once preached, "Favor ain't fair!"

Unfortunately, I can't break it down quite like Bishop Jakes, but I can make you this promise via my Scriptural understanding: FAVOR STILL AIN'T FAIR!

It's that simple and it is settled.

When God opens a door for you that no man can close, it can and most-likely will catapult you to the front of life's lines.

Acts 2:47, lays a foundation for the fact that promotions others may have been waiting for, can suddenly belong to you simply because you were faithful in your praise to God! I.E. - Daniel, Darius, and the Lion's Den....

Our Heavenly Father will raise up whom he will and cast down whom he will, and there is nothing the systems of the world can do to destroy his agenda.

If God be for you, then no one can effectively be against you. Isaiah said, "No weapon formed against you shall prosper." In other words, "It doesn't mean the enemy can't form a weapon, it just means that if he does, in the end it can not harm you."

It seems that favor can in essence remove the ammunition from hell's weaponry.

Daniel was attacked by manipulative peers, but then he found favor with the king. He may have not had favor with everyone, but he found it with the one person who mattered most.

Which leads us to this disclaimer: The act of possessing favor doesn't mean that if you praise God and gain it you will have reached a place where no one will ever choose to not like you. Instead, to have the favor of God at work in your life simply means that while some people will never like you, it will always cause the people who need to show you favor, to do just that.

Keep praising God and watch him place his FAVOR on your life!

Remember it this way, as the praises go up, the favor comes down, and you will wear it like a mantle as: doors open, influence is gained, and blessings follow you.

NOTE: It is important to add that sometimes favor doesn't show up on earth and believers are martyred. The amazing thing about such an occurrence is that God will then show them favor in heaven and their reward will be greater than anyone else's for all of eternity! (Reference Hebrews 11.)

Day 21 - Everyday

2010-01-25T14:48:00.001-06:00

Acts 2:46 - And EVERYDAY they continued to meet together in the temple...

Many people struggle to go to church one morning a week. Imagine this: EVERYDAY the early Church believers met in the temple for the purpose of prayer and praise.

This morning I witnessed a young teenage girl, who is recovering from an accident, attend church with 500 stitches in the temple region of her head. She had every excuse to stay home and yet she refused to abstain from assembling together with her friends to praise God.

When you're feeling like a drag on Sunday remember that EVERYDAY the apostles went to the temple! And if that doesnt encourage you, then know that a young lady has raised the bar high on a hillside in Russell Springs as she overcame a horrible wreck (and so many stitches that the doctor stopped counting), so that she could be faithful in gathering to corporately worship our God.

Regardless, of what is going on in our lives more often than not we can spare at least one morning a week to gather together.

I believe as you commit yourself to Sunday morning attendance it will so encourage you that you will find yourself also regularly showing up on Sunday nights and even Thursday nights!

Join us Sundays @ 9am, 11am and/or 6:30pm and don't forget the Thursday night 7pm service...

Day 20 - All Things Common

2010-01-23T13:26:00.000-06:00

Acts 2:44-45 - And all that believed were together, AND HAD ALL THINGS COMMON; 45)And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, AS EVERY MAN HAD NEED.

It is no wonder that the apostles had such power in the Spirit. Not only does the Book of Acts consistently testify of their unity in the faith in Acts 2:44-45 it points out that they also shared ownership of their possessions.

AS EVERY MAN HAD NEED, they would come together and do whatever the situation called for to see the need resolved--and to that all I can say is Wow!

It seems almost unfathomable that the families of the apostles and their followers had such degree of unity that were willing to sale their own valued possessions to meet a need in someone else's life. It is one thing to give money or an occasional gift, but to sale your possessions to make it possible to meet an otherwise impossible need is something only the Spirit of God can birth in our hearts!

My Prayer:

Father, bring a level of compassion to my heart that can only be described as heavenly in nature. May my heart melt like wax at the knowledge of a need! In Jesus name, Amen.

Day 19 - Reverential Awe

2010-01-22T09:37:00.004-06:00

Acts 2:43 - AND FEAR CAME UPON EVERY SOUL: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

When we think of fear we often immediately conjur up images from horror films in our mind. Fear is almost always considered a negative thing and rightfully so. I myself love to quote Paul's declaration, "The Lord has not given you the spirit of fear!" However, there may be more for us to learn from a Biblical stand-point on the subject of fear...

There is a fear that is liberating, because it is holy in its nature. The struggle with understanding it comes from our difference in the use of the word today versus the time in which the Bible was being written.

Solomon spoke of this fear, "The FEAR OF THE LORD is the beginning of all wisdom and knowledge."

In definition, the fear of the Lord is: a reverential awe of the presence of the Lord.

Acts 2:43, describes a culture being shifted by the manifestation of the power and presence of God. As the apostles operated in the empowerment of the Holy Spirit with the demonstration of signs and wonders, FEAR CAME UPON EVERY SOUL.

Imagine the possibilities that could transpire if we, the Body of Christ, began to walk in the highways and hedges of our culture with the empowerment of the Spirit! The result would be the same as it was 2,000 years ago: Reverential awe would spread across the land.

Why is this important?

It is my belief that the greatest stumbling block to the acceptance of salvation on behalf of the unsaved is the their lack of reverence for God. They, as I once did, seem to think they are in charge of much more than they actually are.

There is a Sovereign God whose might is unfathomable and his throne is unattainable. Just read Job or Psalms to hear the magnificence of his capabilities described.

The reality is this: we have no wisdom or knowledge until it is founded upon the revelation that God is not to be approached casually or irreverently. The Heavenly Father, whose name is hallowed, is worthy to be feared in a way that produces reverential awe!

Day 18 - What Shall We Do?

2010-01-21T14:40:00.006-06:00

Acts 2:37 - Now when they heard this, they were PRICKED IN THEIR HEART, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, WHAT SHALL WE DO?

We have all been pricked in our hearts at one point or another by the conviction of the Holy Spirit. The way in which we may have responded to the experience is where our individuality becomes evident.

Empowered by the Holy Spirit, in Acts 2:37, Simon Peter had just confronted his audience with the bold truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As a result, even the most influential members of the gathered crowd felt pricked in their hearts. To put it simply they were wrestling with feelings of what is commonly termed in the theological world as conviction.

Conviction defined: The state of being found or proven guilty

They were keenly aware that their hearts had been pierced with the Sword of God's word. They felt as though they had been caught, tried, and found guilty of their sin, but yet with a reality that is foreign to a court of law (and ironically permissable in the Spirit-realm) they were left with complete freedom as to how they would handle their sin-guilt.

Struggling to determine the correct response, they turned to one another with sincere curiosity and began to ask, "What shall we do?"

If I had been there 2,000 years ago, I would have shared with the inquiring minds that conviction arrests us--and while we have the option to ignore it--failure to submit to it's powerful pricking, will leave us running as a fugitive. Not to mention, that we will wrestle with the guilt of knowing we have done wrong that has never been made right--which makes for a miserable existence!

Perhaps it would do us all some good to reflect on the fact that God convicts us in order to draw us away from the carnal and to Christ. Conviction pricks our heart and makes us aware of the sin in our life, not with the intent to drive us away, but rather to draw us to Jesus. After all, it was Jesus, himself, who said, "I have not come to condemn the world, but to save it!" The Holy Spirit has no desire to tell us simply how bad we are, his plan is to reveal to us how good through Christ we can become.

I have a firm belief: A lack of response to the CONVICTION of CHRIST in our hearts will result in wrestling with the CONDEMNATION of our CONSCIENCE in our minds.

Christ may convict us, but if we are condemned it is only because we have chosen to resist his help with overcoming the sin he has made us aware of.

We each have a great dilemma in front of us... Our hearts have been pricked, now what shall we do?

Day 17 - The Name

2010-01-20T09:38:00.001-06:00

Acts 2:21 - Everyone who calls on THE NAME of the Lord shall be saved.

At the name of Jesus, Paul said, "every knee shall bow, every tongue shall confess, and every demon shall flee!"

Jesus even said that his name is so powerful that even if just two or three are gathered together in his name, then he will manifest his presence in their midst.

When you can't beat the addiction or the sickness has left you with nothing but pain, when all of humanity has forsaken you or bankruptcy seems inevitable there is still hope to face tomorrow--just call on the name above every name, JESUS!

In doing so, you will find a friend that will stick closer than a brother and a Savior that will never leave you or forsake you...

Just say THE NAME!

Day 16 - Anyone & Everyone

2010-01-20T09:35:00.000-06:00

Acts 2:21 - And EVERYONE who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

What a promise: EVERYONE can be saved!

It doesn't matter what you have or haven't done. If you would like to be saved, you can be! All you have to do is call upon the name of the Lord, which is Jesus.

If God could save Paul, a murdering accuser of all Christians, then there are no limits! Anyone and EVERYONE definitely has the potential to be saved.

The work has already been done through the cross of Calvary. All you have to do is receive it and you can do so by calling on the name of the Lord with faith, believing that Jesus was the son of God who came to the earth born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died, was buried, rose again on the third day, and is coming back someday! In a moment's notice old things will pass away and everything will become new again, if you choose to do so...

Today, really could be the first day of the rest of your life if you invite Jesus to become your Savior and Lord.

It all starts with a call. Just call his name.... JESUS!

Day 15 - This is That

2010-01-18T09:13:00.004-06:00

Acts 2:12-15 - 12And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? 13Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine. 14But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: 15For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day (9am). 16But THIS IS THAT which was spoken by the prophet Joel;

Years before this moment, Joel had prophesied that God would pour out his Spirit in an undeniable way. Simon Peter stood in the middle of prophetic fulfillment as an earthquake had just rocked the neighborhood and a sonic boom had accompanied it.

As if that wasn't enough to get the attention of the city, now in the epic center of all that was transpiring 120 people were huddled together in a room rambling in foreign languages that they had never been taught. Not just any languages though--every nationality present outside the
Upper Room heard his language being communicated as the wonderful works of God were declared!

As a multitude gathered, in amazement and with marveled minds the city began to respond with mockery. Surely it couldn't be real. It had to be some type of a coincidence or scheme brought forth by drunken men...

Hearing the confusion outside the gathering room, Simon Peter (never one to back away from confrontation) stepped out on the balcony and, if I may paraphrase, declared, "These men are not drunk as you suppose for it is only 9am in the morning. Instead, THIS IS THAT which Joel spoke of..."

"This is that...", What a way to describe the chaos that was erupting. Simon Peter always did have a way with words!

Peter was attempting to announce, "This is that! That which you have been waiting for, wondering if it would ever come, is now made manifest among us. God's promise is fulfilled and we bask in the overflow of the outpouring of his Holy Spirit..."

My response, "Give me some of THAT!"

Give me an experience with the Holy Spirit that is so overwhelming that I may appear to be just that--overwhelmed!

THIS IS THAT WHICH JOEL SPOKE OF: Joel 2:28-29 - 28And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: 29And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.

My Prayer:

Father, raise me up out of casual Christianity. Let me not be stagnantly situated in a form of godliness, but rather pour out your Spirit in my life in such a way that it overwhelms me. Give me some of THAT which Simon Peter and 120 experienced! I faithfully ask you to release in my life the outpouring of your spirit with Joel promised would be available to ALL FLESH. In Jesus name, Amen.

Day 14 - Every Language

2010-01-18T08:55:00.003-06:00

Act 2:5-12 - 5And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. 6Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. 7And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? 8And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? 9Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, 10Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, 11Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. 12And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?

Verse 5 points out that men were present from EVERY NATION UNDER HEAVEN. Yet, in the Upper Room after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit EACH NATIONALITY HEARD THE WONDERFUL WORKS OF GOD BEING DECLARED IN THEIR OWN TONGUE!

Immediately, following this event in the Upper Room a multitude gathered. Initially, there was shock and awe, but in the end Simon Peter would step out on the balcony and preach with heavenly unction thus resulting in 3,000 people being saved. However, the 3,000 would never have been present if they had not first heard their language being spoken!

I often sincerely pray that the Holy Spirit will help me to speak the language of every person in the building when I preach or even that I will meet on a day-to-day basis. Whether it is a single mother struggling to make ends meet, a businessman contemplating how to handle the stress of life, or a wife dealing with her husband's adultery... Whatever the scenario, I long for the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to speak with effectiveness to each heart I encounter.

Paul said, "I am all things to all people." Humanly, this goal is impossible. None of us are that diverse, but the Holy Spirit knows no bounds or limits. Just as he enabled the disciples to accomplish 2,000 years ago, he can do for us as he imparts to us the ability to speak the language of the rich and poor, the hurting and the confident...

My Prayer:

Father, empower me to speak the language of all that I will encounter. In whatever way you deem possible, may I be able to effectively communicate the wonderful works of heaven to people I meet, in a way that causes them to desire your Lordship in their heart and your presence in their life. In Jesus name, Amen.

Haiti Relief this Sunday @ HPC

2010-01-16T18:41:00.001-06:00

Haiti is obviously in a state of devastation and as a church in rural America it is unlikely that we can do anything that can compare to the support which will be offered by our nation's megachurches. However, that does not release us from a responsibility to contribute. During tomorrow's services we will lay-out our plan for engaging in the relief effort. Come prepared to help us "find a need and meet it!"

If you do not attend Higher Praise Church, but you would like to participate in helping: HPC will be sending financial support to Haitian missionaries as early as next week.

To contribute you can mail your donation to:

Higher Praise Church
ATTN: Haiti Relief
PO Box 562
Russell Springs KY 42642

Make checks payable to:
Higher Praise Church
MEMO: Haiti Relief

100% of all funds received will go directly to Christian-based Haiti Relief.

Thank you for clothing the naked and feeding the hungry!

Day 13 - Be Seated

2010-01-16T07:20:00.001-06:00

Acts 2:2 - "and it (the Holy Spirit) filled all the house where they were SITTING.

I struggle to fathom it... The greatest outpouring of God's Spirit, up to that point in history, transpired while the people present were SITTING down!

I undoubtedly have ADD and, as a result, I don't sit very well. It seems I am always on the move. I struggle to even enjoy meals at times because I am so focused on where I'm going next.

Because of my innate tendency to be focused on going, it becomes very easy for me to fall into the trap of always thinking that I have to be doing something in order to qualify myself for the blessing of God. However, Acts 2:2 sheds a truthful light on the act receiving from God as it brilliantly makes evident: sometimes the best thing you can DO is to BE SEATED!

Contemplate this: In this book labeled ACTS of the Apostles, the greatest blessing it records to have been received by the people of its pages came when they were in the ACT of SITTING...

So, to all of my ADD counter-parts, receive this exhortation from the word of God to simply sit down and receive from the Holy Spirit. Grab your Bible, find a private place, and with a worshipful spirit give your mind to prayer and SIT before the Lord.

It doesn't mean that there is anything wrong with being busy, it just means that sometimes we miss our opportunity to receive from heaven because we have not been in a posture that is condusive to giving God our full attention. May we never allow work FOR God to supplement worship offered TO God...

My Prayer:

Father, help me to sit down and receive from you. Forgive me for having been so focused on working for you, that too often I have failed to properly offer worship to you. I pledge to find a place today where I may BE SEATED in prayer for an extended period of time, that I may freshly receive the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in my life. In Jesus name, Amen.

Day 12 - It Filled All the House

2010-01-15T09:36:00.000-06:00

Acts 2:2 - ...and it (the Holy Spirit) FILLED ALL THE HOUSE.

Have you ever been in a corporate gathering where every single person participated fully in worship? I have, but the number of times have been most often an exception rather than the rule.

Likewise, it is not common to see a worship service come to a close and hear every person present, truthfully testify that they were touched in a special way. A few here and a few there, but rarely all can say with confidence that they had a life-changing moment during the gathering...

The aforementioned facts serve as the motivation behind why Acts 2:2 is a dream of mine. I long for the moment when, with consistency, we can gather and know that the entire house is FILLED with the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2 goes on to give evidence that when the entire house is filled the Holy Spirit, each individual exeriences the consuming fire of God's presence in their own way: "and cloven tongues of fire sat upon each of them indivually..."

The key seems to be in the common thread that runs through Acts 1 & 2: everyone present at the gathering was in one accord. The result was that it became possible for God to fill 'all the house' because 'all the house' wanted the experience of the Holy Spirit in their lives!

Imagine the possibilities if this coming Sunday everyone present reached a heightened level of desire for the Holy Spirit to be made manifest among us... Our worship styles would not have to be cloned, but if passion for the move of God in our lives could intensify accordingly in each heart....... An upper room experience could transpire, with no spectators and only participators!

My Prayer:

Father, help us to prepare our hearts in such a way that you can do it again... May the upper room experience no longer be simply a defining moment in the Church's past, but may we also know you in the gatherings of today in a specific way. A way that is undeniably heaven moving in the earth. A way that testifies of corporate gatherings being FILLED with the Holy Spirit. A way that encourages spectators to become participators as we individually experience the fire of your presence in our lives. In Jesus name, Amen.

Day 11 - The Sound

2010-01-14T08:23:00.001-06:00

Acts 2:2 - And suddenly there came a SOUND FROM HEAVEN...

Research on the subject of revival is absolutely startling, when you realize that each significant awakening in Church history was accompanied by a sound.

Over and over again, history announces that most often when heaven and earth met there was a specific sound that identified the happening. From the sounds of people crying to God without restriction in repentance to new songs being sung, all the way to the release of untrained but joyful praise-oriented noise, sound has always played a substantial role in God's presence being revealed among his people.

I am reminded of numerous Old Testament experiences where God sent a specific and strategic sound to announce his moving within the earth. One of my favorite examples of this is in 2 Samuel 5 when God sent a noise through the mulberry trees. (Read it, you will be blessed!)

I have heard Nashville has-been's and Motown wanna-be's. I've heard Southern Gospel's best and Contemporary Christian's most prestigious and I must say that I have walked away from each experience confident in one fact: It doesn't matter how gifted you are or how tight your band is, the one thing needed most in the earth is the accompaniment of a SOUND FROM HEAVEN...

My Prayer:

Father, open up our ears to hear your sound. Announce your arrival with a heavenly sound as you suddenly manifest your presence among us. I have heard all earth has to offer and I long for a sound that only you can inspire and release. May we even hear your sound today in private that we may release it in public. In Jesus name, Amen.

Haiti Relief

2010-01-13T17:54:00.001-06:00

Haiti is obviously in a state of devastation but it is extremely encouraging to know that prayer is being offered all over the nation in spontaneous gatherings. Desperation can have a profound impact when circumstance becomes a catalyst for seeking God. May our Father in heaven pour out his mercy and grace... 2 Chronicles 7:14

For those of you who would like to help and have not been able to find a way to do so we invite you to partner with us.

Higher Praise Church will be sending financial support to Haiti as we partner with missionaries we are connected to within the nation.

To contribute you can mail your donation to:

HPC
ATTN: Haiti Relief
PO Box 562
Russell Springs KY 42642

100% of all funds received will go directly to Christian-based Haiti Relief.

Thank you for clothing the naked and feeding the hungry!

Day 10 - Suddenly

2010-01-13T08:59:00.001-06:00

Acts 2:2 - SUDDENLY there came a sound from heaven...

Imagine this... Ten days of waiting and then SUDDENLY!

We are ten days into this 40-day journey of prayer and fasting and I greatly anticipate a suddenly.

My definition of a God-centered suddenly is: A moment when we are about the father's business, focused on the task at hand and then without warning God's manifest presence arrives to touch people in a way that is completely off the charts and out of the norm.

I've experienced it a few times in private prayer. Once or twice even in public gatherings and I can say this much for God's use of sudden invasions of his presence, "You never, ever forget them!"

Perhaps you have been in a worship gathering and everyone had their program. You knew what was supposed to come next. The three songs had been sung and the offering had been received, next up the soloist, etc. But then something happened...... It could only be described as a moment of the suddenly. God changed everyone's plan. A brand-new level of attention to the heavenly arrived and every person was acutely aware that the manifest presence of God was among them. You couldn't describe it, but you could feel the embrace of heaven. Suddenly, heaven had without warning touched your earthen heart in a special way...

I've never had a 'suddenly' even come close to rivaling what is described in Acts 2, but for those special moments when God surprised me, I am forever changed and I long for the next one; however this is probably the time to point out a valid truth...

Acts 1:1 ends with the words they were all in "one accord in one place." The very next word is in verse 2 and is our topic of discussion: SUDDENLY! Is it possible they weren't waiting on heaven but that instead heaven was waiting on them? I will never believe it was a coincidence that the moment they came into complete agreement--one accord--then SUDDENLY heaven showed up.

May we all learn this: we are not waiting on heaven, heaven is waiting on us...

My Prayer:

Father, let me do nothing that would delay my SUDDENLY.... In Jesus name, Amen.

Pastoral Ministry

2010-01-13T08:38:00.001-06:00

One of the best insights into the challenges of pastoral ministry I've read in a while. It was written by a pastor's wife...

Check it out: http://marthafry.org/?p=683

Day 9 - One Accord

2010-01-12T09:12:00.001-06:00

Acts1:14 - These all continued in one accord, making prayer and supplication...

"They all continued in one accord." This is not a small thing, nor is it just an interesting side-note to the story. It is an amazing truth that these followers of Jesus were able to maintain one accord. Why would such a thing be considered amazing? Because, they were "people" and we, the tenants of human society, have proved even from the days of Cain and Abel that we often struggle to maintain any consistent level of agreement among us.

Perhaps the reason for the disciples' success is also hidden in this verse regarding what they spent their time doing, it says they were "making prayer and supplication."

Prayer changes everything!

The individuals in the upper room made a decision to focus their attention on God, by doing so they were by default brought into closer alignment in their hearts. This truth has the same effect among the Body of Christ today, as it did then.

As we spend this 40-day period focused on prayer, may we not fail to make supplication (petition) unto God, as we focus on asking him to help bring us into one accord for the sake of fulfilling his purpose and manifesting his presence in the earth...

My Prayer:

Father, take me and mold me. If there is offense in my heart toward my brothers and sisters in Christ then purge me of any hidden bitterness that may prevent me from walking in one accord with fellow believers. I do not want to be a stumbling block on the pathway to unity. I petition you to touch my heart, and the hearts of others, that we may lay aside any differences and come together for the common cause of experiencing your presence and purpose among us corporately. In Jesus name, Amen.

Day 8 - Why Stand You Here Gazing?

2010-01-11T11:05:00.002-06:00

Acts 1:9-11 - And when he had spoken these things, while they were beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up; behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, "Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven."

Why stand you here gazing? The angel was direct in his question that very possibly also posed as a rebuke.

The disciples had experienced a supernatural phenomenon. They had a now you see him, now you don't moment with Jesus as he ascended into heaven. They were star-struck--amazed even. Yet, they were also paralyzed by the promise Jesus left them with, "I will return!"

Evidentally they processed the promise the wrong way or they simply decided to stand in amazement a bit too long. Irregardless, of what led to their gazing, heaven had no time for it. The angel made sure to speak boldly and authoratively as he let the disciples know that there was no time to waste. I believe there are even a couple of directives that can possibly be taken from his statement to them:

1) They could gaze up at the afterglow of their experience later. For the moment they needed to be busy fulfilling the work of Jesus' commission.

2) Yes, Jesus would be back, but standing around with an escape mentality watching the clouds, while doing nothing for the cause of the Gospel would not be tolerated.

Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us! I am ecstatic that heaven has an eternal dwelling place reserved for me, but I believe the angel was also attempting to make sure the disciples did not become so heavenly minded that they were no earthly good!

My Prayer:

Father, I am looking forward to heaven, but I take a lesson from the experience of the disciples in this passage and pray that I am never found paralyzed with anticipation of your return. May I never cease to celebrate the miraculous release of your presence in my life, but at the same time help me to never gaze at the location of a former experience to the point I am not effectively carrying your witness to the next place you have ordered my steps. In Jesus name, Amen.

Day 7 - Prioritized Vision

2010-01-10T10:48:00.003-06:00

Acts 1:8 - But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Be witnesses... A witness is someone who has seen and can now testify. The 500 people standing before Jesus were given a clear command to witness to the world about the truth of Jesus. However, there is something that is many times overlooked in this verse. Notice, that Jesus also gave his disciples a strategy for how to most effectively become witnesses. He specifically prioritized where they were to go and in what order.

Go to Jerusalem, then Judea, then Samaria, and ultimately the uttermost parts of the earth. What does that list mean to us? It is potentially surprisingly significant!

Jerusalem was their city--their home. It symbolizes their local area. Judea was their region. Samaria represents an area recognized as a state and the uttermost parts of the earth is self-explanatory.

We have a list of priorities passed down from Jesus himself as to how we are to approach becoming witnesses for Him. Our vision such start and thrive locally, then move outward into the region, state, nation and world!

I believe we would be much better served as churches and ministries to utilize the effectiveness this approach could bring. In fact, Acts 1:8 is the main reason HPC has established strategic GO Teams with prioritized areas: Local, Regional, State, National, & International. Each team has a leader and our congregation is challenged to progressively move through the process. I believe it is more than just a good idea, perhaps it is actually a God idea! May this Biblically-inspired approach help us to be successful to the maximum level as we share the good news of Jesus with all the world...

Day 6 - Receive

2010-01-09T09:29:00.001-06:00

Acts 1:8 - but you shall RECEIVE power when the Holy Ghost is come upon you...

When someone gives you a gift you don't have to buy it, you just receive it. Likewise, as we find out later in the Book of Acts, you can do nothing financially or even works-based to cause the Holy Ghost to come upon you. Instead, as it was then, it is now--you simply RECEIVE it.

Open up your heart and spirit. Focus your agenda on the fact that heaven is releasing fire and power, then RECEIVE it!

Remember there is nothing you can do outside of also receiving Jesus as your Savior that will ever make you a better candidate. The Holy Ghost is a gift from heaven to you. He is not for some people and not for others. The book of Joel says, "God will pour out his Spirit on all flesh." It is safe to say, "all includes everybody." Heaven is pouring out the Holy Spirit, now all we have to do is RECEIVE it...

My Prayer:

Father I receive your promise. I receive your enduement of power. I receive your baptism of fire. I receive your Holy Spirit. I understand I can not work for it. I can not buy it. I simply lift my hands and surrender my life to your release. I will not resist, I will receive. Come on me, empower me, overshadow me. In Jesus name, Amen.

Peacekeeper Vs. Peacemaker

2010-01-08T17:06:00.001-06:00

Is there a difference between a peacekeeper and a peacemaker? I believe there is...

A peacekeeper does what ever is necessary, even if it means compromise, to keep the peace.

A peacemaker does not coward away from the right even if it meets resistance.

In reality, sometimes to make peace you must first make war...

Jesus, the Prince of Peace, went into the Pharisees' temple and turned over tables. It would have been easier to have just kept the peace of wrong-doing, but Jesus chose to make peace by turning over the wrong and establishing the right. In the end, it would cost him his life, but through death, life was birthed. Likewise, through spiritual warfare peace is established.

A storm raged and the disciples lives were in danger. Jesus did not ignore the storm in an attempt to maintain peaceful relations between himself and nature. Instead he stepped to the bow of the boat and spoke, "Peace, be still." Through his words, he MADE peace! He spoke it into existence.

The light can no longer keep peace with the darkness. The light must instead authoratively arise and make peace. When elements are out of place, the greater power must arise and establish dominion--to do otherwise may be politically correct, but the result will be false.

Jesus, established the principle well: if it is is out of order you can not silently keep peace, you must instead arise and turn over the tables of wrong-doing, calm the raging storms of attack and make true peace.

What is true peace? It is when the lion lays down with the lamb and peace is not kept by fences, but rather made by the dominion of the King of kings and Lord of lords.

Day 5 - Dynamite power

2010-01-08T09:14:00.001-06:00

Acts 1:8 - and you shall receive POWER when the Holy Ghost is come upon you...

The same Greek word used to derive the term dynamite is used here in the word POWER in Acts 1:8.

We all know the potential of dynamite. We also understand that a little can do a lot.

What is the intended communication to the readers of Acts 1:8 by choosing to use this term? The theological thoughts could get lengthy so I say we just sum it up with the understanding that a little of the Holy Ghost can accomplish much in our lives, because it packs the spiritual equivalence of dynamite!

Little is much, when God is involved!

My Prayer:

Father, I invite you to come upon me that I may receive the release of your dynamite power. I do not desire just a small portion of you in my life, but I embrace the reality that a little of your power deposited in me can make a big difference. In Jesus name, Amen.

Thursday, Jan 7 - NO SERVICE TONIGHT

2010-01-07T15:22:00.001-06:00

Cya Sunday @ HPC!

Day 4 - Times & Seasons

2010-01-07T07:52:00.001-06:00

Acts 1:7 - And again he said unto them, "It is not for you to know the times and seasons which the Father has committed to His own power."

In our society there is the potential for information overload. While humanity once had to wait for the morning newspaper's headlines, today's news is reported in seconds via the advances in modern day technology.

I must admit I may be addicted to information. My iPhone has spoiled me beyond measure. Instantly I can gather world news, sports info, and the weather with just the push of a button. Technology has made information convenient. However, when dealing with God I have found info doesn't always come at the pace we would prefer. Instead we are told through Scripture that we will not know the day or hour when Jesus comes. We are even commanded to not lean to our own understanding when reflecting on the mysterious ways of our God.

Ecclesiastes says there is a time and a season for everything--this much we know. However, seasons are not always easily predictable with God. Many times God's plan is so different than our own that we simply must patiently, obediently do what heaven asks of us at the moment without possessing complete knowledge of why we are doing it.

The disciples were told point-blank in the Scripture above that they would not be given the info they requested. Instead they would simply have to leave it to the Father. May God grant us the grace to do the same. It will not always be easy to go on without the covenience of full understanding but if we can simply learn to take God at his word the impossible can become possible.

Medical studies may not be able to bring reason to it, economic reviews may fail comprehend it, and we ourselves may never be able to even explain what we experience, but God has never been late. He is always right on time, even when we don't understand how to read heaven's clock...

My Prayer:

Father help me to trust your timing. Enable me to wait on your presence even when I don't understand your choice of seasons for my life. May I never fail to give you glory as your plan consistenly overshadows my own agenda and defeats the enemy's plot to destroy me. You are an eternal God who operates outside the boundaries of time and my mind will never be able to completely comprehend that truth, so I will by your grace not lean to my own understanding but will instead trust your timing. In Jesus name, Amen.

Day 3 - Baptism of Fire

2010-01-06T07:39:00.001-06:00

Acts 1:5 - John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized in the Holy Ghost.

In the Gospels, a reference to the truth of Acts 1:5 is stated by John himself as he declared, "I baptize you with water, but there comes one after me... Who will baptize you with fire." He was obviously speaking of Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

Contemplate this for a moment... When you are baptized in water, as the outward confession of salvation, a minister handles the responsibility of immersing you, but when you experience the baptism of the Holy Spirit, Scripture declares that Jesus himself, baptizes you!

During water baptism you go into the water dry, but you come up wet. I believe it is the goal of heaven that when you are baptized in the Holy Spirit you arise spiritually on fire. You come forth with a brand-new intensity, passion, and boldness!

If you are in a state of spiritual apathy. If you have become lethargic in your commitment to Christ. Cry out to heaven for Jesus to come near to your life and not just save you from sin, but to baptize you in the consuming fire of His presence, that you may serve him with passion!

John Wesley once drew crowds of thousands of people to hear him preach. When asked how one man could gather such a following he responded, "I simply set myself on fire (with the Holy Ghost) and they come to watch me burn..."

May Jesus freshly baptize us in the fire of the Holy Ghost today as we strive to passionately experience Him and share His Gospel with the world!

My prayer:

Heavenly Father, let every stale part of my spiritual life now be met by the fire of heaven. Forgive me for casually walking out my Christianity. I ask that in the same way I was publicly baptized to mark the day of my salvation, baptize me now freshly in Holy Spirit that this day may mark a new level of fiery intensity. May it never be said of me that I have lost my first love. Ignite my heart that I may burn with passion to experience your presence in my life without ceasing. Let me so burn that I will pray continually and seek you all the days of my life. Jesus, I invite you to immerse me completely in the fire of the Holy Spirit. Thank you for your sufficient grace. Amen.

Day 2 - Wait for the Promise

2010-01-05T07:56:00.001-06:00

Acts 1:4 - and being assembled together with them (Jesus) told them that they should not leave Jerusalem but that they should WAIT for the promise of the Father...

This much is for sure: I am glad 2009 is over! Maybe I took a wrong turn, maybe the enemy decided it was time to camp out on my doorstep, or perhaps it was just my time for a bad year, irregardless of what exactly happened I feel blessed to have survived it with my sanity in tact. I really do hope that 2010 is much different. ;)

As I read through Acts 1 this morning I felt God pricking my heart about something I didn't expect. I sincerely sensed him telling me to WAIT. Yet, I have no desire to stay put any longer in the lingering after-effects of a bad year. However, this morning I am certain that heaven is attempting to communicate to me that rather than limping off into 2010 with my own agenda, I should instead make sure that I have been careful to first WAIT for the Holy Spirit's inspiration, renewal, leadership and direction.

In Acts 1:4, in their closing moments with Jesus, before he would ascend to heaven, the disciples were told to not move forward to another city, but to instead WAIT in Jerusalem until they experienced 'the promise of the Father'. We know from reading on through Acts that 'the promise of the father' turned out to be the enduement of power they would receive from the Holy Ghost, ten days later. The most amazing thing may be the truth that is revealed through further study. While Jesus spoke this word to 500 people, only 120 chose to actually WAIT for the duration of time until the promise was revealed.

Waiting is not easy--even when you have a word from Jesus, himself, to do so! But just imagine if the 120 had not waited? I believe it's safe to figure that they would not have had the success in their ministries that history testifies they experienced.

We also have a promise of the Father: 'Those that WAIT upon the Lord shall renew their strength, mount up with wings as eagles, run and not grow weary, walk and not faint' (Isaiah 40:31)

I most assuredly did not fly through 2009. I did however perfect weariness--I may have even fainted a time or two. But on January 5, 2010 I stop limping forward in my own fatigued strength as I instead choose to kneel, faithfully waiting for the promise of the Father to renew my strength through the empowerment of His Holy Spirit.

On Day 2 of the fast this will be my prayer focus:

Father, I WAIT on your touch, your vision, and your strength. For it is not by my might or my power, but by your Spirit that all true ministry is accomplished. I don't just need you--I acknowledge that I have to have you. I WAIT on your renewal of my strength. Give me a new found strength to walk when others faint, to run when others wearily falter, and to mount up with wings as eagles when it seems impossible to muster the strength to hold on. Father, I WAIT for your promises to be fulfilled in my life, that I may go where you send me and do what you tell me. Come upon me, empower me, overshadow me. In Jesus name, Amen.

Its Gonna Be Worth It!

2010-01-04T17:56:00.005-06:00

Your head hurts. Your stomach aches. Your breath stinks. You are even starting to feel dizzy, but I assure you that your fast is going to be worth!

Mark 9:29 clearly states that some levels of spiritual authority are only released in our life after seasons of prayer and fasting. There is a new dimension in God ahead of you. Don't give into the "Big Mac Attack", don't start "Thinkin' Arby's", forget that you can "Have it Your Way" at Burger King. You are about the King of King's business right now and this too shall pass, but when it does you will be at a new place in God. You are destined for a new level of victory over the demonic resistance in your life.

Its gonna be worth it!!!

Intro Video to 40-day Fast

2010-01-04T13:07:00.000-06:00

Day One - Seeing Jesus

2010-01-04T09:20:00.001-06:00

Acts 1:3 - To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

During the 40 days of corporate fasting at HPC I am going to attempt to post multiple times each week as we walk through the Book of Acts.

As we put a special emphasis on prayer and fasting our most specific prayer directive is that the Holy Spirit would: come upon us, empower us, and overshadow us. It might also be safe to say that we as people of God are desperate for the Holy Spirit to bring His baptism of fire to our lives.

A further subject of prayer would be that our ambitions melt before the presence of the Lord as we embrace Christ's will for our lives. May His Kingdom come to our earthen hearts and be established forever.

Acts 1:3 points out that after Jesus' resurrection from the dead he was with the disciples "being seen of them 40 days..." It is my prayer that this truth will inspire you to pray for yourself and our church that we will see Jesus in an infallible way during this special 40 day season of prayer and fasting. May we see Jesus during the next few days as never before, so that this period of time will set the tone for the rest of our lives!

We are asking that at least 80 people would commit to fast one day during this 40 day period. This would allow us to have two people fasting each day. With the hundreds of people who attend HPC, this should be an easy goal. One important note is that while we would like to have record of at least two people fasting each day, you do not have to be on the calendar to fast. Simply allow God to lead you.

We ask that on the day you fast you replace your regular meal times with prayer and Bible study as you use the prayer directives listed above. I would also encourage you to use the A.C.T.S. prayer method for extended prayer. A - adoration C - confession T - thanksgiving S - supplication

In other words walk through these steps during your prayer time. Start by stating your adoration for the Father, confess your sins, thank the Father for forgiveness and the blessings he has bestowed upon your life, and then close with prayers of supplication or petitition--don't be afraid to ask God to move on your behalf. (I do not share A.C.T.S. to bring legalism to your prayer life but rather to help those of you who struggle with extended prayer times. If you don't need this method then don't use it.)

This is going to be a great 40 days. We will never be the same!

One Year Chronological Bible

2010-01-03T22:16:00.005-06:00

I strongly encourage you, if you haven't already, to pick up a One Year Bible. It can completely change your life as you begin to daily digest the Word of God--it will never return void.

My personal preference is the One Year Chronological Bible, which places the events of Scripture together in a timeline format. This approach can bring amazing insight to the stories of the Bible as you begin to comprehend the time-line of Scriptural events.

Here's a link to purchase your copy:

http://www.amazon.com/One-Year-Chronological-Bible-NIV/dp/1414314094/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1262578488&sr=8-2

The Silent Divorce

2010-01-02T20:28:00.002-06:00

“Our premiss is this. It seems to us that there has been a ‘silent divorce’ in the church, speaking generally, between the Word and the Spirit. When there is a divorce, some children stay with the mother, some stay with the father. In this divorce, there are those on the ‘word’ side and those on the ‘Spirit’ side." --RT Kendall

The Silent Divorce of which Kendall speaks has brought a great divide in modern day Christianity...

May God reconcile to one another those who have sound doctrine with those have spiritual intimacy. And may He do it soon--very soon... So, that a Word & Spirit Church may advance Christ's Kingdom throughout all the earth.

Leave 'IT' Behind and Begin Again

2009-12-31T09:32:00.000-06:00

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!!!

The Real Christmas Tree

2009-12-23T07:40:00.001-06:00

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!

Change--The Pathway through Transition

2009-12-23T00:38:00.001-06:00

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!

Wow! What a Response...

2009-12-12T07:31:00.001-06:00

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!