He had me at Relationship...

This is an article from Baptist Press

Steelers' Mike Tomlin
tells 'who I am'
By Art Stricklin


TAMPA, Fla. (BP)--Since becoming head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers two years ago, Mike Tomlin has talked often of his appreciation and respect for former Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy, who first brought him into the NFL as an assistant coach.

Until this week's Super Bowl XLIII between the Steelers and the Arizona Cardinals, Tomlin had never had the international platform to follow his mentor Dungy and speak about his faith in Jesus Christ. But that's exactly what he did before hundreds of reporters in Tampa.

"First and foremost, I want people to know who I am and what the most important thing is in my life, my relationship with Jesus Christ," Tomlin said in response to a Baptist Press question about his personal faith.

"Football is what we do; faith is who we are all the time."

Tomlin, who attends Pittsburgh's Allegheny Center Alliance Church, was mentored by Dungy, who hired him as a defensive backs coach with Tampa Bay before Dungy moved on to Indianapolis.

When then-Pittsburgh coach Bill Cowher retired, Tomlin was ready for the promotion, stemming from his time with Dungy, leading men onto the football field and leading men's hearts off the field.

"I want to lead with a servant's heart," Tomlin stated to media members who will be covering Sunday's Super Bowl.

"The biggest thing I learned from Tony Dungy was an unyielding belief in his message of faith," Tomlin recalled. "It was displayed all the time with him. He was extremely consistent and that's what I want to take to maximize my faith."

Tomlin's first expression of his faith during Super Bowl week came as no surprise to Steelers assistant coaches and players who have heard the same spiritual passion in private.

"It's a great blessing when a man of God is leading your team," defensive end Nick Eason said. "It's like a godly father in the household."

Tomlin said he is glad to share his faith in sport's brightest media spotlight, noting, "We embrace and appreciate this platform."

Amos Jones, the Steelers' assistant special teams coach, was baptized on the same day with his dad, Sam, at West End Baptist Church in Aliceville, Ala., where his mother still attends.

Having a Christian head coach has made a big difference to the team and has contributed to the Steelers' Super Bowl run, Jones said.

"I think his [Tomlin's] faith in the Lord is a blessing," the Jones said. "It's just a peace of mind knowing that he has everybody's best interest at heart.

"Mike and I share the same faith and it's amazing how many times something he might say to the team in the locker room could have a spiritual meaning."

Like most coaches, Jones has held plenty of jobs in his lengthy career in both college and NFL ranks, but he has always had the Lord as his one constant.

"I have always been blessed by the Lord. When I didn't have a job, He provided one. He gave me this job and allowed me to go to the Super Bowl. It's been a blessing," Jones said.

In the often hard-hitting world of the NFL, Jones said his wife Stacey has reminded him to see God's hand everywhere.

"She sits in the stands and can see the defensive backs praying together on the sideline. She sees Troy Polamalu, encouraging and praying with people."

Linebackers coach Keith Butler sat in the stands during Tuesday's media day silently watching the frenzied interaction between players and hoards of reporters.

"This isn't life-or-death pressure," Butler said of Super Bowl week. "It's not like life or death in eternity without God.

"Is this game important? Yes. Is it the most important thing? Not even close."

**Tomlin also received the 2008 Motorola NFL Coach of the Year Award.

Where is Your Faith?

Sharing with a friend the other day and he encouraged me to look Jesus' leadership style. To be quite honest with you I had never thought about Jesus having a "style" of leadership. In fact, every time I read the Gospels I simply knew that he was the Teacher and his disciples were the students. Shows you how much I know...huh?

What's amazing about this process is that when you understand what a disciple is and what they do...they are followers, pupils, servants, & apprentices. They learn by hearing, seeing, and emulating what their master says, does, and teaches. When you look at it that way I guess you could say that Jesus did have a style. He was the type of leader who exemplified truth to his followers. He didn't simply tell them but rather showed them how to live.

It's with that view I want to share with you a familiar portion of Scripture. In Mark chapter 4 we read the account of Jesus with his disciples in a boat. During their trip the wind began to blow fiercely and waves began to crash against the vessel. The disciples panicked and turned to find Jesus asleep. In their fear, they woke him up and explained that they were all about to die. Actually, they were so afraid that they asked why he didn't care that they were about to die. Jesus, woke up and rebuked the wind and the sea bringing peace to the situation. Then in verse 40 he said, "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?"

What an interesting question: How is it that you have no faith? Allow me for a moment to speak as Jesus...
How is it that you have no faith? Have I not already shown you how to operate under these conditions? Are you unable to recognize the opportunities to exercise your faith? Remember how I healed the leper? How about the time that the paralytic got up from his bed and walked? Have you already forgotten about the demon possessed man who was set free, Peter's mother-in-law whose sickness left, or the man whose withered hand was restored? I have already shown you what faith can accomplish - how is it that you have no faith?

Jesus as the Master Teacher did so much more than teach on the subject of faith. He demonstrated faith to them on a daily basis. What about you? Are you in a situation that requires you to believe God in the midst of blowing winds and crashing waves? Do you feel as though your very life is slipping out of your hands? I think it's time to exercise some faith. You may be saying that you don't have the faith to believe. How is it that you don't have faith? Has God never answered a prayer? Has God left you to your own devices? Or have you seen that God does in fact answer prayer and provides all the resources needed for your life?

One of my favorite verses in the Bible is Ephesians 3:20, "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us," I love this verse because when my faith operates according to Eph. 3:20 I find that God is not only able but that he performs exceedingly abundantly above all that I could ask or think of Him. All I have to do is have faith.

It is by grace through FAITH that we are saved.
It is by FAITH that we are able to please God according to Hebrews 11:6.
It is by FAITH that we have confidence in the unseen.

The good news in this is that the size of your faith is never measured by the dimensions of your circumstances. Jesus told us that if we had the faith of a grain of mustard seed that we could move mountains. If you placed a mustard seed at the bottom of a mountain would be hard pressed to see it. But that mustard seed of faith can remove any and all obstacles. What are you believing God for? Or maybe I should say, What should you be believing God for?

Here We Go Steelers...more

Another story from Baptist Press.

Steelers' Polamalu:
'Faith is the foundation'
By Art Stricklin & Joni B. Hannigan


TAMPA, Fla. (BP)--The Pittsburgh Steelers, playing in their seventh Super Bowl on Sunday, will go for an unparalleled sixth NFL title.

If the Steelers defeat the Arizona Cardinals, strong safety Troy Polamalu will have a stake in that achievement, yet he has a perspective that transcends any title game.

While he may be known as a silent killer for his soft voice and hard hits on Pittsburgh's top-rated defense, there was nothing quiet about Polamalu's witness for Jesus Christ during the annual media day prior to the Super Bowl.

"I feel like faith is the foundation of everything I do on the field and off," said Polamalu, a former USC star now in his sixth year in the NFL.

"It determines how you live your life when you love God."

Polamalu was one of numerous Steelers players on the field at Raymond James Stadium Jan. 27 who voiced their faith in Jesus Christ to an array of reporters who have descended on Tampa, Fla., for one of the world's most prominent sporting events.

Polamalu said he is glad for the opportunities the Super Bowl provides for players to share their faith. "[Arizona quarterback] Kurt [Warner] has a platform to share just like every athlete and he is using it," Polamalu noted.

Pittsburgh punter Daniel Sepulveda added, "Every time I hear Kurt Warner talking about his faith, I'm saying, 'Yeah, give it to them.' It inspires me to hear guys like that who are willing to share. The joy of the Lord is on them. He's not on my team here, but we're on the same team all the time."

Running back Mewelde Moore, like other Christians on the Steelers squad, said God is "No. 1 in my entire life. That's the way I've always looked at it."

Moore, who rushed for 588 yards this year with five touchdowns, said God "has blessed me with this ability and this chance to play football since I was a senior in high school. I want to give God the glory this week, not man."

Moore added, "It can change people's life when you have an understanding to give it all to God." Moore also noted he finds strength "from other Christians and from hearing other people share His name."

Sepulveda was wearing his Black and Gold Pittsburgh uniform on Tuesday but won't be on the playing field Sunday, having been lost for the year due to a knee injury in pre-season drills.

While the injury was painful, both physically and emotionally, Sepulveda said it gave him a chance to share his faith during the worst of times personally amid the best of times for his team.

"It's more important to share your faith when things are not going good than when they are," the former Baylor University All-American said.

Defensive end Aaron Smith said he relies on his faith and prayers to God, along with a men's ministry book, "The Sampson Syndrome," as his 5-year-old son Elijah battles leukemia.

"My prayers are thanking the Lord for every minute I get to raise him," Smith said.

Defensive end Nick Eason said Steelers coaches have worked hard to get the team ready for a new set of plays and defensive schemes against the high-flying Cardinals, but he already has his main playbook memorized.

"John 3:16," Eason said when a reporter asked him for his most important key to the game. "'For God so loved the world.' The Super Bowl is only temporary, only a part of my life. I don't know what will happen in the game. I don't know how long I will play, but I know He will always be there," Eason said.

Among other Steelers interviewed on media day:

-- Heath Miller, who ended his rookie season in 2006 as a starting tight end for the Steeler' Super Bowl championship team, told Baptist Press he grew up going to church with his parents and as he matured realized the "importance of having God" in his life and "how big and how grand of a figure that He is."

Not all young people grow up embracing their parents' faith, Miller admitted, but he credited their steady influence and the power of the Spirit in leading him as a youngster to accept Christ and then continue to develop a deeper appreciation for his faith.

"Certainly as I grow older, I appreciate the effect that my parents had," Miller said. "Maybe when I was younger, I was too immature to realize the effect that they had on me. [W]hen you look back, when you're in the same situation, you're like, 'Oh, that's why they did it or 'They handled that really well at the time.' They're definitely inspirations to my life...."

"I'm still developing," said Miller, a member of Sword's Creek Community Baptist Church in Virginia; "I'm still growing and learning and still trying to become a better person."

Miller said fellowship with other Christians on the Steelers squad is an inspiration but stopped short of naming any individuals because, he said, "there are so many people you can learn from.... All these people -- sometimes it's surreal to me -- definitely have opportunities to reach out and to hopefully touch other people's lives."

With the Super Bowl taking place in Florida, Miller said quarterback Tim Tebow, the University of Florida's Heisman Trophy winner and fellow believer, is "certainly an inspiration to me ... his audacity to speak out and the firmness in his beliefs.... And at the same time, you know, I think everyone is different and everyone gets their point across in different ways.... He inspires people and he's not afraid to go out and do it."

-- Cornerback Anthony Madison told Baptist Press his faith "makes all the difference in the world."

"Let me tell you, God is so good. He has blessed me beyond my imagination. I personally would have never thought that I would be here at this time, considering the things that I have been through in this game," Madison said.

"If there's one thing that I've learned," Madison said, "is that you have to stay focused, especially in this league, because there are so many temptations, there are so many things thrown your way, and if you don't keep your focus on the Lord, you can find yourself in some situations that you feel like you cannot recover from."

Being focused, Madison added, is not as easy as it sounds. "I'm 27 years old. There's women that throw themselves at you," he said. "There's alcohol at your disposal. There's all these things just right there at your fingertips and you can easily get caught up in that."

Madison said he tries to "do right by the Lord" and is inspired by his relationships with his fiancé and his older twin sisters who challenge him and hold him accountable for how he lives.

"They tell me straight, they keep me straight, they're just good people, and I would never, ever cross them -- I don't care how much of an NFL player I am," Madison said. "We just consider ourselves just people who love God."

Madison, a graduate of the University of Alabama, also commented on Tebow, describing the Gator signal-caller as "amazing, absolutely amazing."

Noting that Alabama played Florida in the SEC championship game, Madison recounted, "I was thinking, 'OK, I want us to win because I'm an Alabama fan; we need to win this game, bottom line. But if we were to lose for some way, I'd want it to be a guy like Tebow.' The guy's literally taken the platform he has and he's using it to glorify God. You have to respect that...."

-- Patrick Bailey, a rookie linebacker from Duke University who was active at The Summit (Southern Baptist) Church in Durham, N.C., said last year he sustained an injury that caused him to believe he would never be able to play again.

"The Lord has blessed my life," Bailey told Baptist Press, recounting, "I was on crutches, I couldn't even move, but here I'm on the world's biggest stage."

Bailey, who said he attends the team's chapel services and goes to church when he can, noted that his teammates respect each other for their views. Recounting a conversation sparked when he was reading from the Book of Romans and a teammate was reading from the Old Testament about King David, Bailey said it was "a great little time to just converse in that stuff."

**I'm not trying to paint the Steelers as more Christian than the Cardinals. I just find it interesting to read these testimonies from my team.

Here We Go Steelers...

In case you missed it: I'm a Steelers fan. As I'm gearing up for the Super Bowl I want to share with you an article from Baptist Press. One of the great things about the Super Bowl is that you hear about team chaplains. Kevin Jordan is a part of Athletes in Action, a ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ, and he is currently serving as the chaplain for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Steelers embrace
new chaplain
By Art Stricklin


TAMPA, Fla. (BP)--The Pittsburgh Steelers don't believe in putting many rookies in key roles on their team.

Seeking their sixth Super Bowl title in seven appearances, the AFC champions thrive on veteran players and leadership to take the Black and Gold to the football promised land.

But this year, the Steelers turned to a newcomer for matters of the soul: chaplain Kevin Jordan.

An Athletes in Action staffer, Jordan spent 10 years as the football chaplain for UCLA after a stellar career with the Bruins in which he set school marks in total receptions and receiving yards.

Following a brief NFL career which ended with the Denver Broncos in 1998, Jordan went to work for Athletes in Action, the sports ministry division of Campus Crusade for Christ.

"Football was just something I did because God gave me the ability to play," Jordan said. While his own playing days are over, the 36-year-old chaplain still has plenty of experience in knowing what NFL players go through on a daily basis.

"I think credibility is the right word for a chaplain who's played the game," said Corwin Anthony, chaplain for the Miami Dolphins who also oversees all pro ministry work for AIA.

The opportunity to work with the Steelers after last year's season required a step of faith for Jordan and his wife Jenny, a former UCLA volleyball player who grew up in Southern California. Although it entailed a move to the snowy Northeast, they felt God's perfect timing.

"I made the move in the summer after we had prayed about it and were counseled by AIA," Jordan said. "We felt it was the right thing to do."

It didn't take Jordan long to learn he had an ally in head coach Mike Tomlin, who was in his second year with the Steelers and is a protégé of former Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy.

"Mike has a vision for the things he thinks are important and the things of the Lord," Jordan said.

Tomlin made sure the new chaplain was introduced to the Steelers team early last summer. And one of the things Tomlin had planned caught Jordan off-guard early in training camp.

With the team in a heated game-like scrimmage, Tomlin installed Jordan as the referee for a key goal-line stand, leaving it to the chaplain to declare whether a Pittsburgh player had scored.

"I was only there a few weeks and just trying to remember the player's names back then, but Mike was always trying to graft me into the team," Jordan said.

"The chaplain called what the chaplain saw, and who is going to argue with that?" Tomlin told the Pittsburgh media at training camp.

Jordan has spent as much one-on-one time as possible in building trust and a relationship with the Pittsburgh players. He also has started a couples study on Monday nights and a coaches Bible study on Saturday mornings. The regular Sunday morning chapel services, attended by about 25 players and coaches, have been a mix of Jordan speaking or bringing in special guest speakers.

"You're always learning, developing trust and a relationship with players," Anthony said. "The players are always changing. It's like the mission field is coming to you. We're proud of the job Kevin has done with the Steelers."

While it was a cold culture shock from sunny Southern California to often-frigid Pittsburgh, it's a bit of a return home for Jordan. He grew up in Maryland, where everyone in his family was an avid Washington Redskins fan, except Jordan who grew to love the Dallas Cowboys because of his football idol Tony Dorsett.

But this Steelers rookie, culminating his return to the East Coast with Sunday's Super Bowl test against the Arizona Cardinals, has proven to be a quick learner in helping one of football's most storied franchises score in the things of eternal importance.

**Love that last line. Many of the members of PBC know 1st hand the ministry of Athletes in Action since our church sponsors Russ & Mary Throckmorton in their ministry at NC State. May God bless these men and women as they seek to minister to these athletes. I pray that they are used by God to lead athletes to the saving faith of Jesus Christ.

One other word: Go Steelers!

Out of the Office...

Good Monday to you all.

I'm going to be out of the office a couple of days for an Executive Board Meeting.

Look forward to sharing with all of you on Wednesday.

Hope you have a great couple of days.

Forgiveness is the Key

Years after her concentration camp experiences in Nazi Germany, Corrie ten Boom met face to face one of the most cruel and heartless German guards that she had ever contacted. He had humiliated and degraded her and her sister. He had jeered and visually raped them as they stood in the delousing shower. Now he stood before her with hand outstretched and said, "Will you forgive me?"

She writes: "I stood there with coldness clutching at my heart, but I know that the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart. I prayed, Jesus, help me! Woodenly, mechanically I thrust my hand into the one stretched out to me and i experienced an incredible thing. The current started in my shoulder, raced down into my arms and sprang into our clutched hands. Then this warm reconciliation seemed to flood my whole being, bringing tears to my eyes. 'I forgive you, brother,' I cried with my whole heart. For a long moment we grasped each other's hands, the former guard, the former prisoner. I have never known the love of God so intensely as I did in that moment!"

To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.

I often wonder how many people in the church are in bondage to unforgiveness. The problem is that we think that our unforgiveness controls the other person. No, my friends, the unforgiveness only controls us. If Corrie ten Boom can forgive a person for such cruel and inhumane things such as the ones done by this former Nazi, surely we can forgive someone who has mistreated us, said hurtful things about us, or wronged us in some way.

Forgiveness is the key to opening up the love of God into our lives.

Psalm 107

A couple of weeks ago, I watched a video of Sabina Wurmbrand (wife of VOM founder Richard) share her testimony of imprisonment in a slave labor camp. What I found truly amazing was her reference to Psalm 107. The women actually changed their greeting to one another and would recite verse 1 of this magnificent psalm.

"Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever."

In her own words Sabina said that this greeting alone changed the entire atmosphere of the prison. When you and I take the time to read Psalm 107 we can understand why. All throughout the psalm we read of different groups of people enduring hardships. Some endure these hardships based upon their own decisions. Others endure because of circumstances. Regardless of the hardship or the circumstance...in every situation when the people cried out to God they found Him merciful. Each group experienced the delivering hand of God. The psalmist would then break out in a chorus of thanksgiving to God for His goodness and His wonderful works.

Verse 43 tells us that "Whoever is wise will observe these things, and they will understand the lovingkindness of the Lord." How true! How can anyone not read the history of the Israelites without seeing the lovingkindness (mercy) of God? Sure...we see the problems, we understand the captivity, and we can feel the bondage. But when God's people would cry out to Him, He always answered.

Have you found God to be the same in your life? How often have we had to suffer because of the consequences of our sin? How often have we found ourselves in difficult situations? When have you had to cry out to God for His intervention and deliverance? Every time I have done this He has been faithful to forgive and provide deliverance.

Our God is a merciful God. Rarely does He give us the full measure of what we deserve. In fact, when you and I read the Bible we understand that God has not dealt with us according to our transgressions against Him. No - he allowed Jesus to pay the price for our sin so that we could be set free.

I hope that you have experienced the mercy of God. Understand that you can be set free today. You do not have to carry the burden of your sin any longer. God has provided grace and mercy for you to be forgiven, cleansed, and at peace with Him. All you have to do is believe (have faith) and ask God to intervene in your life. Give Him Lordship over your life and you will experience the lovingkindness of God.

Take some time to read Psalm 107 with purpose today. When all is said and done, follow the advice of verse 2, "Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy."

I HAVE BEEN REDEEMED!!!

Inauguration Prayer

One of the highlights from President Obama's inauguration was the prayer by Rick Warren. Here is a picture of the scene as Warren's invokes the blessings of God upon this president and the nation. Please read the text that follows...

"Almighty God, our Father, everything we see, and everything we can't see, exists because of You alone. It all comes from You. It all belongs to You. It all exists for Your glory. History is Your story.

"The Scripture tells us, 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is one.' And You are the compassionate and merciful One. And You are loving to everyone You have made.

"Now today, we rejoice not only in America's peaceful transfer of power for the 44th time, we celebrate a hinge point of history with the inauguration of our first African American president of the United States.

"We are so grateful to live in this land -- a land of unequaled possibility, where the son of an African immigrant can rise to the highest level of our leadership. And we know today that Dr. King and a great cloud of witnesses are shouting in heaven.

"Give to our new president, Barack Obama, the wisdom to lead us with humility, the courage to lead us with integrity, the compassion to lead us with generosity. Bless and protect him, his family, Vice President Biden, the cabinet and every one of our freely elected leaders.

"Help us, O God, to remember that we are Americans, united not by race or religion or blood, but to our commitment to freedom and justice for all. When we focus on ourselves, when we fight each other, when we forget you, forgive us. When we presume that our greatness and our prosperity is ours alone, forgive us. When we fail to treat our fellow human beings and all the earth with the respect that they deserve, forgive us.

"And as we face these difficult days ahead, may we have a new birth of clarity in our aims, responsibility in our actions, humility in our approaches and civility in our attitudes -- even when we differ.

"Help us to share, to serve and to seek the common good of all.

"May all people of good will today join together to work for a more just, a more healthy and a more prosperous nation and a peaceful planet.

"And may we never forget that one day, all nations, and all people, will stand accountable before You. We now commit our new president and his wife, Michelle, and his daughters, Malia and Sasha, into your loving care.

"I humbly ask this in the name of the One who changed my life -- Yeshua, Isa, Jesus, [pronounced in Spanish], Jesus -- who taught us to pray:

"Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name.

"Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

"Give us this day our daily bread.

"And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.

"And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."

Pastor Neal adds: And all of God's people said - AMEN!

Inauguration Day

President Barack Obama was sworn into office today.

May God watch over him and his family.

May God grant him wisdom and courage to administer this office.

May God continue to bless this great nation.

May God grant peace & prosperity to the United States.

May God be honored by the choices we make.

In Jesus' Name

Amen.

Doorkeeper (and other thoughts)

It's Friday and I want to share some thoughts with you.

Women's Retreat - the women of PBC are travelling to Gatlinburg for their annual women's retreat. My wife always does a wonderful job in helping to bring these women closer to the Lord. May God watch over them and bless them with His presence.

UNC beats UVA - Finally...UNC got their 1st win in the ACC. Who would have thought that a team that looked unbeatable leading up to conference play would struggle the way they have? But that is the nature of the ACC. Go Heels!

Steelers vs. Ravens in AFC Championship Game - Many of you know that I'm a Steelers fan. This game will feature division rivals, the #1 Defense vs. #2 Defense, and an opportunity for the Steelers to beat the Ravens for the 3rd time in a season. It won't be easy but I'm hoping/believing that the Steelers are heading to Tampa to get a band for the other hand.

Last of all I want to share with you some words from a CD that has grabbed my attention again. Josh Baldwin's "Changing" CD (pictured above) found its way to my truck stereo again. I'm so glad it did! This young man is from North Carolina and has produced a wonderful/worshipful CD.

The first song is "Doorkeeper" which uses the psalmist words: I would rather be a doorkeeper. "Turn your face into my direction and I will be changed into your reflection. Just one day is better than a thousand. One day here inside your courts." The song continues: "You are so completely wonderful. How could I deny my adoration for one more day? I would rather be your doorkeeper Lord. I would rather be yours."

This song has become a wonderful reminder for me. Of all the things that we can be and experience in this life - it's good to know that I am His. There truly is no better place.

May God bless you this weekend.

BTW - Go Steelers!

President George W. Bush - May God Be With You

Last night President George W. Bush gave a farewell address to the nation. After listening to his speech I can only say, "May God be with you."

I also want to say "Thank You" to a president who was willing to act on behalf of the American people. Thank you for keeping us safe. Thank you for your willingness to follow what you believed to be right for America.

I don't know if there has ever been a president that I have agreed with 100% - none of them are/were perfect. However, I do believe that God placed President Bush as the leader of our nation at the right time in our history.

I pray that God will grant peace and security to his family. I also hope that history will reflect all that was accomplished during his presidency. He led our government in their greatest task - to keep us safe and secure.

Thank You and May God be with you.

Flying Closer to the Flame

The tile of this blog entry comes from a book by Charles Swindoll. "Flying Closer to the Flame" is all about having a passion for the Holy Spirit. Allow me to share with you some thoughts from the very 1st chapter - "Let's Get Reacquainted with the Spirit."

"Miss Thompson had a tough task. Her Sunday school lesson plan called for teaching her primary class about the Trinity. It was difficult enough holding their attention with stories and creative object lessons, but when it came to keeping them interested in the identity, attributes, and purpose of the Father, Son, and Spirit...well, that was next to impossible.

While thinking through her lesson, she had a creative thought: She would use a big, thick pretzel, with its three holes in the middle. Perfect!"

After going through her lesson and having the kids recite the names of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit - she asked little Johnny to come forward and present the names to the class. All went well until he referred to the latter as God "the Holy Smoke."

Sad to say, but many people in our churches have great difficulty in explaining the person and ministry of the Holy Spirit. In fact, depending on your church of choice...you may not hear much teaching on the Holy Spirit.

Why is it that the common Christian is unaware of the ministry God's Spirit has in their life?
Why is it that most believers have never experienced anything outside of salvation in regards to Holy Spirit?
Why do some denominations reference Him more?
What does it mean to be "baptized" in the Spirit of God?

I'm not going to spend my time today answering all of these questions but to encourage you to read the Word. God's Word has much to say about the work of the Holy Spirit. Jesus spent a great deal of time before His crucifixion explaining that the Spirit of God would come and that His disciples would do great things. On the day of Pentecost they experienced just that: The Holy Spirit came upon them and the Gospel was proclaimed to every people group represented and 3,000 souls were added to the church.

The point is that we can learn all that is available to us but theology alone will not explain the work of God's Spirit in your life. No - you must experience the Holy Spirit as well. You must believe what God's Word says and put it into practice.

Here's what we know:
He is God
He possesses all the attributes of Deity
He regenerates the believing sinner
He baptizes us into the body of Christ
He indwells all who have been converted
He seals us, keeping every believer securely in the family of God

Here's what we can experience:
His work of testifying to things of God
His interceding on our behalf
His ministry of revealing the things of God to us.
His work of giving discernment in our lives (to "test the spirits")
His ability to gift us for God's work.

The list goes on and on. However, for many of us, our experience is a short list. I hope that after reading this today that you will seek to know and experience more of the Holy Spirit in your life. There is a world of unlimited possibilities available to us when we become acquainted with Him. That's a promise...not from me but from Jesus.

Ask, Seek, Knock...

Anyone who asks - receives
Anyone who seeks - finds
Anyone who knocks - the door is opened

"...how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!" {Luke 11}

An Attitude of Gratitude

Gratitude

"And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." Colossians 3:17

The following is from Steven Curtis Chapman's book "The Great Adventure."

"As we travel the journey of life, we are guaranteed disappointment and discouragement. But one of the quickest cures for the blues and blahs, one of the best ways to renew a sense of optimism, is to find something to be grateful for. When we practice gratitude day by day and keep a sense of being thankful, we find ourselves giving thanks in every circumstance, both pleasant and painful..."

He goes on to relate a story that was told to him by his pastor. "Recently he told about traveling through the Swiss Alps by train and being overwhelmed with the beauty and majesty surrounding him. He was so busy trying to take in all the sights, he almost got a crick in his neck looking out of the windows. At the same time, he glanced across the aisle and noticed a young boy with his nose practically glued to the screen of a Game Boy. He was not the least bit concerned to be missing all the majesty around him."

Doesn't that sound like us? Too often we are so consumed by the game of life that we forget that we serve a God who has given us all that we need. We need, as TD Jakes has put it, "An attitude of gratitude."

This story inspired Steven to pen these lyrics:
"Sometimes it seems I'm playing Game Boy
Standing in the middle of the Grand Canyon
I'm eating junk food sitting at a gourmet feast
I'm splashing in a puddle when I could be swimming in the ocean
What's wrong with me
Wake up and see the glory"

Be thankful today. People are watching!

God's Word & Our Family

Our church is currently going through "Fresh Encounter", a study into God's pattern for revival. This past Sunday evening we began going through "A Plumb Line for God's People" with messages from Henry Blackaby. "God's Standard for the Family" was 1st on the agenda.

As Henry read through Deuteronomy 6:5-9 it became apparent to me how far many of us have strayed from God's Plumb Line. "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." Let's break this verse down and look at areas where we may have departed from the Lord.

#1 - How often do we sit with our children and discuss scripture together? When was the last time that we took the time to impress upon them the importance of God's Word?

#2 - Walked with your children lately and told them about the good things of God? In today's society we have far too many things that compete with our time with our children: sports, TV, video games, and our busy schedules. Will we MAKE time to be with our kids?

#3 - Do you post scripture in your home? God said that His people should write His commands upon the doorposts. I have known many people to write scripture on studded walls, and basement floors before they were finished. If you bought a home that was already finished you can hang pictures with scripture for all to see or buy some of the cool decals that place Scripture on your walls. Let people know that when they come into your home that you hold scripture very valuable and that these are the words that you and your children constantly see.

When we understand that God's purpose for the family is that we be involved with Him in His redemptive plan for the world, we come to a greater understanding of the family emphasis. God wants us to produce godly offspring that will follow Him with all their hearts, soul, and strength. We cannot allow the world to have a greater influence in our family than we do.

These are just some of the areas where we need to work. Doesn't it sadden you to think how far the family has fallen? Doesn't it bother you that the divorce rate in the church is just as high as it is in the world? Let us not forget the continuing problem of drug use, teen pregnancy, suicide, etc. Because we haven't held the standard of God's Word we have adopted the world's. It's time to fight! It's time for believers to reclaim their families. It's time to reclaim our marriages and our children and say that they belong to God. If we are His people then we will fight this fight and be victorious.

Blackaby says, "The key to a nation rests on the strength of its family life, and that is particularly true of God's people."

I Know My Redeemer Lives

Long before the New Testament was written, and long before Jesus came to the earth, Job spoke these words: "For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth; and after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God." Job 19:25-26

Most scholars consider that the book of Job is the oldest book in the Bible. Many of us know the story of Job's loss and pain but how often are we reminded that these words were spoken by him? These are not the words of Peter, John, James, or Paul. These are the words of a man of faith whose religious system rested in the shadows of things to come in Christ.

That should encourage you because you live after the resurrection of Christ, not before. If Job was able to find strength in difficult times before Jesus came into the world - you should be able to find strength after He has conquered sin, death, hell, and the grave. The psalmist encourages us to not be downcast in our souls but to put our hope in God. If an Old Testament psalmist could say it then why can't we?

The point that I want to bring across to each of us is that we live a life of faith. None of us have seen Christ, none of us have touched the pierced hands of the Savior, and most of us have never visited the empty tomb. Yet we believe that these things took place and we believe it to the point that our entire eternity is based upon these facts of faith. If we can believe unto salvation can we not also believe unto security, unto peace, unto hope? Job lost almost everything he held dear: his children, his possessions, and his health were all destroyed in the blink of an eye. On top of it all his wife encouraged him to curse God so that he could die. But we know better...Job stuck with his faith and it's in these words that we gain insight into the hope he possessed.

Whatever you may be facing today...
Whatever "hell" you could be going through...
Regardless of what the doctor says...
In spite of our nation's economy...
Against all odds...

Your Redeemer lives! And in the end you will see God.

May the Lord bring encouragement to your spirit and hope to your soul. May you find quietness and peace as you meditate upon these things. And may the Lord bless you with the joy of His countenance as He looks upon your life. In Jesus' Name - Amen.

Oh, How the Mighty Fall

During my morning devotions I have been reading through 1 Samuel. This is a record of one of the most interesting times in Israel's history.

I am always moved as I read about the life of Saul - Israel's 1st king. You may know that the children of Israel asked for a king so that they could be like other nations. But not long after Saul was chosen...he was rejected and God sought for a man after His own heart.

In the Old Testament this is nothing new. We find that God anoints people for certain tasks and then chooses someone else to finish the job. It's not because God cannot make up His mind, but rather because these men fail to follow through with the calling God has given them. Saul rebelled against God and therefore lost His anointing. But he wasn't the first: Moses was unable to enter into the promised land, Samson did not know that the Lord had departed from him, David lost a child do to his disobedience...the list goes on and on.

Just the other night my son and I were watching Star Wars III. He is always troubled with Anakin becoming Darth Vader. I always have to explain why and how it happened, but it gives me a great opportunity to talk to him about the choices we make. It's easy to see in the movies that Anakin's soul struggles within him. Often he cries over the choices he has made but is so bent on becoming powerful. Sound familiar? How often have we struggled within ourselves but chose what was wrong because in the end it is what we wanted?

It matters not if we have been placed in the role of King, Prophet, Jedi knight, Sunday School Teacher, Father, or average everyday Christian. We cannot allow ourselves to become consumed with the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. These are the passions that consume our world but should not consume us. We must be careful to watch over the things that could lead us to the "dark side."

I'm always saddened to read about Saul, Samson, etc. However, I'm also burdened with the thought: this could be me. I don't care who you are...it can be you as well. We must remember that obedience to the Lord does matter. Humility does make a difference. And regardless of how anointed we are, we have seen in our day as well, the mighty can fall.

Truth or Dare?

My wife and I just started the love dare book together and I want to recommend it to all couples. In reality this isn't a "truth or dare" game but rather a dare for anyone who is willing to face the truth.

If you look at the statistics about marriage you will find that you have (according to the world's standards) a 50% chance to get it right. And the 50% that do get it right usually just "get by".

Why?

If you ask me it's because too many people have been led by their heart. That's right...they were in love but because love is simply an emotion when they don't "feel" it anymore they just co-exist. In the intro of the book you will find that the "Love Dare" is a choice to take the lead with your heart rather than being led by it.

With all the resolutions out there for the New Year can we not take the time to work on something more important than our weight? How about our marriage? Wouldn't it be wonderful for the marriages that are surviving to begin thriving? Wouldn't it be great for husbands and wives to rediscover the joy and love of marriage? It can happen and as far as me and Jenn are concerned it will.

Just to be fair let me point out that I have a good marriage. My wife and I are committed to one another, to our family, and to the Kingdom of God. We do not have the baggage of the past to carry around, no hurts from improper relationships outside of marriage, and there is no abuse. We simply want to see a good marriage become a great one.

How about you? Ready to join others who have been willing to tell truth and take the dare or just let your marriage stay where it is? Come on...I dare you.

Happy New Year

Wishing you all a wonderful New Year.

May this be the year that you truly discover the joy of the Lord.