I Confess

According to a recent article the Vatican is lamenting that many faithful no longer confess their sins. Some of the priests even believe that people within the Catholic church confuse a psychologist's couch for a confessional booth.

The Vatican is set to release a handbook to "drum up enthusiasm" for the sacrament!

*Today's sign that the Apocalypse is upon us.

Should I be surprised? I guess if I had been raised Catholic I would feel a little different. Maybe if I would have grown up believing that confession was actually a "sacrament" - which it is not - I could understand the worry among Catholic priests. However, since I believe that I have direct access to God and can make my prayers known unto Him (even my confessions) it's not quite as shocking.

There is a concern over the spiritual apathy that we see among "church goers" in the world. Why aren't Catholics confessing? Is it due to a lack of understanding in their own faith, a decline in morality among the "faithful", or is it because they don't experience a change after they have confessed? It could be the "Hail Marys" and the community service that is getting to them. Or maybe it's due to the busyness of individual schedules. Can't we just Twitter our confessions?

Please understand that I'm not making light of the spiritual concern of Catholics. I have felt for a long time that confession in the Catholic church is a lost cause. If they would teach the people that they have direct access to God rather than assigning that role to a saint, priest, cardinal, and Mary - they might see a change. Or maybe if they could get all of the junk out of the priesthood they would have more people willing to come and tell all.

I'm so thankful that 1 John 1:9 teaches me that if I confess my sins, God is faithful and just to forgive my sins and cleanse my of all my unrighteousness. What if, in the Christian church, we decided to have confessional booths? I only know of one individual who would attend regularly (this person is a converted Catholic). Although I believe it's important for people to experience conviction and remorse, I don't believe that coming to a priest and asking them to forgive you is a means of reconciliation, salvation, or restoration. Only when we come before God can we experience His forgiveness, His mercy, and His peace.

In the end: I don't know of anyone who will be "enthusiastic" about confession.

Parental Discipline

Anybody just ever blow it as a parent? Maybe I'm the only one.

Scripture has so much to say in regards to raising children. Usually we only quote part of those verses. Most of you know that scripture teaches that we aren't to spare the rod or we will spoil the child. Others will use the quote "Obey your parents..." These are all valid verses but if all we ever do is discipline the child without being disciplined ourselves, what will we accomplish?

I have found that there are some days that I should have just stayed in bed! Well...maybe what I really needed to do was have some time with the Lord before I had time with the kids. It's far to easy for us parents to jump to conclusions, rush to judgements, and deal harshly with things rather than think through our parental processes. Fact is: We often need more discipline than the children!

Listen to scripture: "Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. 'Honor your father and mother.' This is the 1st of the Ten Commandments that ends with a promise. And this is the promise: If you honor your father and mother, 'you will live a long life, full of blessing.' And now a word to you fathers. Don't make your children angry by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction approved by the Lord." Ephesians 6:1-5 NLT

If I read scripture correctly, it seems that I need as much (if not more) discipline as my children. I have to be disciplined in how I discipline. I have to show self-control. I have to be able to control my tongue, my temperament, my attitude, my anger, etc. James Dobson has said that it takes more work to actually discipline a child properly rather than spanking them AND HE IS RIGHT!

Have you ever had to be honest with your child and say, "I blew it!"? I don't know of anything more humbling than sitting in front of my son or daughter to ask for forgiveness in how I handled a situation. I have had to apologize for being too critical, spanking before speaking, or raising my voice beyond a "reasonable" tone. The reason I'm willing to do this is simple: 1st of all - I'm not always right. I know that some fathers/mothers don't recognize this but I do. 2nd - It teaches my kids that when I don't get it right that I'm willing to acknowledge my failures.

If we as parents aren't willing to acknowledge that our little parenting experiment, with it's hypothesis, doesn't always have the proper conclusion; all we ever teach our children is that the home is ran by a tyrant who can never be questioned. All must bow down to the all powerful parent. I want to teach my kids honor over fear, respect over obedience, and submission over slavery. It comes down to one question: What is my heart in parenting? Am I trying to get my kids to do what I want OR am I trying to bring them up in the fear and admonition of God?

So today I acknowledge my weakness. There is more that I need to learn, more that I need to control, and more that I need to submit to God as I seek to be the father that he wants me to be. For the sake of my children I need to get this right. I'm seeking to raise up the next generation of Christ followers. So they need to experience Him in the home.

Welcome Aboard!

It's been so busy since I returned from Alaska that I failed to mention that our church has a Youth Pastor.

Please give a warm welcome to Ernie (applause).

Ernie and his wife Erin have been members of Pioneer for a couple of years now. This picture was taken during our 1st Alaska trip and is a testimony to the growth we have seen in their lives. They are the parents of a beautiful baby girl.

When our church began looking for a youth pastor, we interviewed some individuals from our church body but did not sense God's direction for those we talked with. They were great people, godly people, but at that time we didn't believe God wanted us to go that route. We also interview some outside candidates ultimately choosing to bring one person before the church body. However, things didn't work out. This past spring I spoke with the leader of our search committee and asked him if he would like for me to be more involved with looking through resumes, etc. My thoughts were to pre-screen any and all that were looking for youth ministry positions. It was during a time of prayer that the Lord reminded me that He provides all things that the body needs. After that time of prayer I felt compelled to talk to Ernie about submitting a resume.

The rest...well, it's history. Ernie was confirmed through the search committee and brought before the church body as the selection for Youth Pastor. He was approved the Sunday before leaving for Alaska.

Ernie is driven, passionate, and solid in his biblical beliefs. He has a great heart for the youth of our community and nation. What I loved specifically about Ernie's approach to youth ministry was his desire to make disciples out of young people - to get them into the schools as a genuine witness for Christ.

I look forward to working with Ernie as long as the Lord allows. I believe that he will be a valuable asset to the ministry of PBC. It also allow Ron and myself to have that 3rd person in ministry here. (3 is the number of unity!)

May the Lord bless Ernie in this new ministry. May God use him to lead thousands of young people to a thriving relationship with Jesus Christ.

Fellowship of the Unashamed

Several years ago, as a young believer, I came across a creed (if you will) to something called the Fellowship of the Unashamed. I was so impressed by it that I decided to cut it out and paste in the front of my Bible and continue to carry it to this day. I hope you make it your own.




"I am a part of the 'Fellowship of the Unashamed.' The die has been cast. The decision has been made. I have stepped over the line. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away or be still.

"My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I'm finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap giving and dwarfed goals.

"I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, love with patience, live by prayer and labor with power.

"My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, may way is rough, may companions are few, my Guide is reliable, and my mission is clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

"I won't give up, shut up, let up or slow up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up and spoken up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know and work till He stops me.

"And when Jesus comes for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me. My banner is clear: I am a part of the 'Fellowship of the Unashamed.'"

Author Unknown

Amy's Song

Johnathan David Helser has released another wonderful worship album. "Walk through the Walls" has some great music along with powerful lyrics. You also get to enjoy some spontaneous worship throughout.

I'm sharing the lyrics today of the last song on the CD called "Amy's Song." I'm referencing this song today because Jennifer called to let me know that her little cousin Emily had passed away last night after a lengthy battle with cancer. I truly believe that she would sing this song to her mom and dad.

Verse 1:
"I was awakened last night
To the sound of dancing fee above me
I thought they were on my roof
Till it struck me that they were on golden streets

"Opened my eyes and saw
What I thought was an angel dancing
She was a perfect child
She looked at me and smiled - and sang this song

Chorus:
"Mama can you hear me
Daddy can you feel me
I'm made whole
I'm at home
I'm dancing on streets of gold
Don't stop holding on

Bridge:
"This is Amy's Song
This is Amy's Song
From her streets of gold
She is singing you a song
Singing you a song
Don't stop holding on

Verse 3:
"Can you see her at His throne
With her hair of gold?
She is holding - holding on
To the threads of His robe
She is singing you a song
She is singing you a song
She is singing you a song of hope

"Hope is being born in you
Hope is being woven
Don't stop holding on."

You can listen to the song by copying and pasting this link in your browser: http://www.rhapsody.com/jonathan-david-helser/walk-through-the-walls

Hear those words: "Don't stop holding on." I can think of so many people that I know who have gone on to be with the Lord. I know that each of them would say, "Hold on. It's worth it!" Little Emily is now one of those who dance around His throne! She has joined the elders in lifting up the One who sits enthroned. There is no more sickness, no more death, no more pain. Her life was short on this earth but now her joy is made complete!

Pray for her family. Johnny and Melinda are no doubt crushed by her passing. May God provide the comfort that they need.

**Sorry that I didn't post the 2nd verse, however, I couldn't make out all the words. I was unable to find the lyrics to this song and had to listen to the CD to pass them to you. Verse 2 simply talked about her golden hair looking like it was woven from the very streets she danced upon and how she was dancing, laughing, smiling, and singing this song.