Busy Life or a Blessed Life
Either life is so busy with stuff that there isn’t really anything new to say or life is so busy with stuff there isn’t enough time to stop and say it.
However, I was thinking about faith this morning…what it really is. In my opinion, faith isn’t just a religeous thing. You can pretty much have faith in anything. People put their faith in cars, homes, their abilities, careers, other people and even a simple thing like a chair. But faith in God has to be something more. Is it the belief and confidence that He exists? That God is what the Bible say He is? or is it even more?
Well, there is a real cool truth in Hebrews about a man called Enoch. Enoch was special because he didn’t have to die a regular death. The Bible says that God just took him. Why? Because he had God-Pleasing faith. As a matter of fact, it says that his special faith was one that not only believed God existed, but that God cares enough to respond to those who seek Him. “By an act of faith, Enoch skipped death completely. “They looked all over and couldn’t find him because God had taken him.” We know on the basis of reliable testimony that before he was taken “he pleased God.” It’s impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him” (Hebrews 11:5-6, The Mess.).
So according to this, the God-pleasing kind of faith is a faith that not only believes God Is, but that God cares enough to RESPOND. I’m telling you guys…we don’t believe God wants to bless us near enough. We say the prayers, we share the needs, but do we really believe God will respond…without us taking care of the details? Our lives can be busy and blessed or they can just be busy.
Be Happy!
Bryan
www.imforgiven.com
Top 10 Signs A Pastor Has Lost Touch.
Here are the top 10 signs a pastor has lost touch with his calling as a man to share Christ, guide the people of God toward a more intimate relationship with Jesus, guard the tenants of the faith and protect God’s people from the attacks of the enemy. Bascially his calling and surrender to be an under-shephard. If you can relate, don’t fret. It just means you need refreshed, renewed and you need to spend more time with regular people.
10. Thinks “MySpace” is a new show on HGTV.
9. Enrolled his daughter in a support group because he found a letter signed “BFF”.
8. Can’t understand why he can’t find a golf partner…on Tuesday morning.
7. Has tan lines on his calves beause of the dress socks he wears while mowing.
6. Asks seven times in a message, “If you’re here this morning…” just before he makes a point.
5. Has convinced himself that email is as good as personal touch.
4. Started an email outreach ministry.
3. Is more upset that he missed the last episode of “Heroes” than an opportunity to share Christ.
2. Gets upset that the Smiths, who have 5 children and works 3 jobs, can’t make it to Tuesday night visitation.
1. Blogs more than he prays.
Be Happy!
Bryan
www.imforgiven.com
Jerry Falwell? Are You Kidding?
Before I get bombarded by the intolerant tolerant, the know love/no hate so-called Christians, the left-wing liberals and the multitude of other vigilantes who abhor hate but are showing me the hate and other critics out there, let me clarify a few things.
First of all, I respected and loved Jerry Falwell’s ministry because he stood for what he believed-in. He knew what he believed and never backed down from that. He wanted to reach people who never had a relationship with Jesus. He started with a few families in his living room 50 years ago and grew to 24,000 members at Thomas Road Baptist Church. That doesn’t account for the tens-of-thousands who accepted Christ through his media ministry.
Dr. Jerry Falwell – A Champion is Mourned
Jerry Falwell (1933-2007), It doesn’t matter whether you agree or disagree with Dr. Falwell’s theological or political stands, I believe most Christians will agree, we lost a great champion today.
Jerry Falwell was a true example of perseverance and determination. He set goals to accomplish certain things for God’s Kingdom and was able to achieve them all…and more. He fearlessly stood-up for his convictions and attacked sin like no other. He was an old-time hellfire and brimstone preacher who never wavered on his beliefs or backed down in the face of criticism. Although our styles may have differed, he tirelessly defended the same Jesus we love. His critics would say he was intolerant, but I believe his intolerance was only toward sin.
I am thankful for his ministry, his testimony and his black and white message, in an oftentimes gray culture, in which we now live. I came to know Christ because of a direct influence of his ministry.
God Bless his wife, Macel and his family as they mourn and grieve their loss. God now has the privelage to refresh his tired and worn-out soldier. He honors his name among the tens of thousands which he touched and the angels are rejoicing for a life that served God well.
Bryan
Imforgiven.com
PS. Although I might not operate like Jerry Falwell and I might be more sensitive toward some of the issues he took head-on, I have a great deal of respect for his boldness and convictions. He realized that sin must first be acknowledge in order to have repentance.
Are You An Evangelist?
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19, NIV)
“But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry” (2 Tim.4:5, NIV).
Church planting, among other things, is about reaching the lost and unchurched. It’s about winning a city. Many are passionate about sharing Christ and making new Christ followers. Are you one of those people? Do you do the work of an evangelist? Once again I sit here today and wonder out-loud. What is an evangelist? The word means, “a publisher of glad tidings”. Today I would think it means someone who has an unquenchable desire to share Jesus and the plan of salvation.
E.T. still makes me cry.
Last night, Dana, Brandon and I watched “E.T.”. It’s the first time I watched it since 1982 and it still makes me cry. Some parts of the movie were cheesier than what I remembered (like when the astronauts came walking in the house like zombies). Nonetheless, it’s still a classic. We had a great time just watching the movie together and hanging out. Earlier in the day we went to eat after church, walked around the Lebanon Flea Market and took a country drive home. Dana said she enjoyed driving around and hated to go back home. Why? Because we talk more in the car. BAM! There it is! Bring it up a notch!
After I mumbled and fumbled a bit I realized, and she made it clear, I’m often too busy, self-absorbed and into my own thing around the house. I’m wearing too many hats and doing so much for my family but not much with my family. OUCH! It’s not that I haven’t been home, it’s just that I haven’t been connected at home. Dana was trying to “phone home” but I haven’t been listening. Once again, I have to remind myself to slow down, take off the “duty” hats and be the dad and the husband when I am at home.
I love my wife and family.
Be Happy!
Bryan
www.Imforgiven.com
Holy Cr__! Holy Language???
Please don’t accuse me of being legalistic or holier-than-thou. This is a legit discussion and I would love to see what others are thinking.
In the attempt to be relevant, contemporary, and progressive I have seen many pastors and church planters relax their stand on the language they choose to use and some things they choose to do. The Apostle Paul’s motto of “become all things to all people so that I might save some” has been stretched, to say the least. My question is: What kind of language or words is acceptable for Christians to use, let alone church leaders?
Lottery Luck or Fabulous Faith
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” - (Mark Twain) What do you really expect God to do in your life? What opportunities will He give you? Does He really care enough to bless you out of the millions of people on this earth? Do we give God credit for His supernatural abilities and even say a sermon prayer of great hope and ask for great things, but deep down, not really believe it?
“By an act of faith, Enoch skipped death completely. ‘They looked all over and couldn’t find him because God had taken him.’ We know on the basis of reliable testimony that before he was taken ‘he pleased God.’ It’s impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him” (Hebrews 11:4-5, The Message). Many times we pray, knowing God can answer prayers as He sees fit, but we really don’t believe He will do it for us…at this time. It’s kind of like buying a lottery ticket. We don’t really believe we will win, but we know we don’t have a chance if we don’t buy the ticket.
Thank You
Two days after Brandon started antibiotics, his neck is looking MUCH better and his battle scars are starting to heal. Thank you for your prayers. God always shows himself and I believe we should expect God to hear our prayers and heal our afflictions. YESTERDAY, I got news that my 12 year old daughter had a place on her chest that the dermatologist wants to do a biopsy on. He is concerned it looks like cancer and wants to check it out. ONCE AGAIN, OUR FAMILY COVETS YOUR PRAYERS AND WE ARE ASKING GOD TO HEAL THIS, REGARDLESS OF WHAT IT IS AND COMPLETELY REMOVE IT FROM HER LITTLE BODY. At the very least, it itches and has caused her grief for some time. Please remember COURTNEY in your prayers and thank you for taking the time to care.
Be Happy!
Bryan
www.imforgiven.com
Enlarge Your Future
In Matthew 18:21-35 we are told a story of a king who decided to settle the accounts that his servants owed him. One particular servant owed him millions of dollars and the king was going to sell him and his entire family into slavery to settle the account. When the servant begged forgiveness, we are told the king forgave him of everything.
Later, the same servant went out and found someone who owed him a few dollars and began to choke the life out of him as he demanded payment. When the poor servant could pay, even after begging for more time, the other refused and threw him into prison. When the king found out, the punishment was severe.
Jesus told this story to illustrate God’s expectation toward our forgiveness for others. He told Peter never to quite forgiving those who have sinned against us. God has enlarged out future, he has shown grace and blessings, but the minute we decide not to extend that same grace to others…OUR FUTURE IS SHUT-DOWN.
“This is how my Heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart” (Matthew 18:35 NIV) Enlarge your future…forgive those around you, from the heart!
Be forgiven!
Bryan
www.imforgiven.com
