Help Me Help You

Hi everyone! I will be out of town all next week, so there won't be any new posts until I get back. However, while I am gone I would love some feed back on the blog. What do you like? What needs improvement? Are there certain topics you would like to discuss? Thanks for all your great comments and wisdom.

XOXOXO

Scott

What Did Paul Live For?

“If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.” (1 Cor.15:19)

People can debate whether or not life after death exists, but you cannot debate whether or not Paul believed it. Everything about the way Paul lived shouted something better was to come. He believed that living for the Kingdom of God was more important than living for the kingdom of man, and that the reward of doing so outweighed any physical consequence on earth. He didn’t waste his life on the pursuit of wealth, power, prestige, influence, possessions, health, or business. There was no way he could say, “Well… true or not at least it was a comfortable life”. He didn’t live for comfort; he lived to see the Gospel proclaimed. He knew if he was wrong, he should be pitied more than any other man. What causes a man to go from a persecutor of the Church to someone who is persecuted for the church? I want the Gospel proclaimed, but confess I want to be comfortable doing it. I talk about loving the unloved and unlovely, but very little do I go out of my way to seek them out. I talk about the importance of serving the poor and the weak, but can’t seem to find myself putting much action to those words. What took place between Jesus and Paul (at the time Saul) that caused him to undergo such a radical change? So much of me wants that, and yet if I am honest, a part of me doesn’t.

Importance of a Father #2

Still not convinced that fathers play an important role in the home? Check out the stats Donald Miller placed in his book, "To Own a Dragon". 

63% of youth suicides are from fatherless homes - 5 times the average. (U.S. Dept. of Health/Census)

85% of all children who show behavior disorders come from fatherless homes - 20 times the average. (Center for Disease Control)

80% of rapists with anger problems come from fatherless homes - 14 times the average. (Justice & Behavior, Vol. 14 p.403-26)

71% of all high school dropouts come from fatherless homes - 9 times the average. (National Principals Association Report)

75% of all adolescent patients in chemical abuse centers come from fatherless homes - 10 times the average. (Rainbows for All God's Children)

70% of youths in state-operated institutions come from fatherless homes - 9 times the average. (U.S. Dept. of Justice, Sept. 1988)

85% of all youths in prison come from fatherless homes - 20 times the average. (Fulton, CO. Georgia, Texas Dept. of Correction)

www.belmontfoundation.org

Men we need to step up!  Please add your thoughts.

How Does Jesus View The Church?

“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.” Ephesians 5:25-27 (ESV)

We live in a society that says, “I love Jesus, but I don’t like the church.” Imagine a friend telling you the following: “I love to hang out with you but want nothing to do with your spouse.”* What would you say to that person? Do I think that the church is perfect? No, but what I think makes no difference in the matter. Jesus loves his church! This fact alone should cause us to love it as well. Please share your thoughts.


*As much as I would love to take credit for these thoughts most of them came from Matt Ford.

Does God Still Speak Through Prophets?

Twenty minutes ago I was praying with both Matt (My Pastor) and Magid (The Egyptian Pastor that meets in our church) for our churches and the community. At one point they laid their hands on me and began to pray for God’s blessing and provision in my life. As they were doing this, I began to plead with God silently that He would not let my past sin affect my ministry or His church.

My past is filled with wickedness, both before and after I became a Christian, and because of this I have always been scared that one day it will come back and effect both my credibility and the churches credibility in regards to ministry and God’s glory. Over the last few months this has been a source of fear and anxiety for me and has been in my prayers constantly. Though, in typical Scott fashion my pride had kept me from telling anyone this.

OK back to the story… As soon as I finished pleading silently before God, Magid looked at me and began to speak…

“God keeps telling me that the past is done and not being held on to. He’s telling me the past has been wiped away and He is bringing you into a new place that you have never been with him before. Do not worry about the past”

I have always believed in the power of the Holy Spirit, but have not seen it like this before. God brought a comfort today that words could hardly capture. Through Magid he spoke two fold: “Scott, I have heard your cry; you are not alone.” and “Scott, I will grant your request. Do not fear.”

So now, with tears streaming down my face, I can tell you God is alive, worthy of all praise and without question still does the miraculous!

Essentials of Christian Faith

“There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” Ephesians 4:4-6 (ESV)

What do you think, are these them?

#10 What Robs Believers of Biblical Joy

10. Unwillingness to Accept Forgiveness

“A tenth and final reason for lack of joy is unwillingness to accept forgiveness. On the surface, that attitude can appear to reflect humility, but it is the furthest thing from that. It is, in fact an insult to God’s righteous character and clear teaching of His Word.” (John MacArthur)

When we tell ourselves that “God cannot forgive our sins”, what are we really saying? Is our sin greater than what Jesus did on the cross? Is the cross really that weak? It might be wrapped in a different package but the root is still pride! There is nothing more freeing than accepting the forgiveness of Christ. Embrace, rest and find comfort in it!