Getting Ready to Vote

Most people have already decided how they are going to vote November 4th. My only hope for this election is that people will vote for the platform of the party that best represents the important issues for the future.

Pro life
Victory in Iraq
No tax increase
marriage between men and women only
Energy independence in ten years

Lets pray these issues win.

to trick or treat or not

As Halloween approaches the question some Christians deal with is should or shouldn't I participate? Let me give you my journey on this question. Growing up my family always participated in Halloween. After I got married and had my own children I participated for several years. It wasn't until after my last child was born that I asked myself if participating in Halloween was the right thing for my family.

As we do with many issues when we change our stance we go a little extreme. I chose to ignore the day as if it didn't even exist. The reason I did this was because I believed that Satan was being glorified and the evil was being viewed as fun. After revisiting this issue let me state what I am thinking now.

There is the reality that some use this day to worship Satan. Most people view Halloween as just innocent fun. For the majority of people participating in Halloween it really is about the kids.

I believe the answer is to provide alternatives for our children. This idea has been around for some time and has caught on. Churches are having festivals, harvest parties and direct outreaches like hell houses to reach others with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I really believe this is the best way to address the issue of Halloween.

vision casting

From the blog of Bob Franquiz. www.bobfranquiz.com

You are always communicating vision in your church. It's not just the day you decide to do a "Vision Talk". I contend that everything you do in your church is speaking about what the vision of your church is.

You communicate vision with the language in your bulletin
You communicate vision with your appearance
You communicate vision with your style of teaching
You communicate vision with your signage
You communicate vision with your follow up processes
You communicate vision with how often you present the Gospel
You communicate vision with your worship style
You communicate vision a hundred other ways
You're always communicating vision

Here's my question: What's your vision speaking?

4 areas to focus on

Tom Rainer writes the following advise for churches

1. Simplify - Have a clear and understandable process of discipleship (Simple Church)
2. Deepen - Provide rich and deep biblical teaching both through the sermons and in small groups
3. Expect - Do not compromise on the New Testament teachings of becoming a vital part of a local congregation
4. Multiply - be a missional church with highly intentional evangelistic outreach.

Thoughts on being Awake

Genesis 28:10-16
Jacob was a real guy with real issues. As a chosen vessel of God he awoke to some needed revelation.

I have to ask the question –

Where are you heading? Vs 10

Do you have a dream? Vs 12

Are you living in the light of Gods purpose and plan?

3 Things

Awake to Gods Presence Vs 16
*Do we understand how to know the presence of God in a situation

Awake to Gods Promise Vs 13-15
*Our dreams are not tied to the economy but to the promises of God

Awake to Gods Pillar (the local Church) Vs 17
*The church is the bride of Christ. Do we gasp the awesomeness of His Church.

Kingdom First

This year John Maccain's slogan is "Country First". In the the Christian world our battle cry should be "Kingdom First". Jesus said "Seek first my Kingdom...". We are proud to be part of this great nation and we love our flag but we must also lift high the banner of our Lord and His kingdom.

For the believer we must live our lives for the honor and the glory of the Lord. We must make sure we are serving the Lord with gladness out of a pure motive. Join with me as we put Kingdom First.

Core Values

I Found these on Pastor Mark's blog and thought they were worth sharing

4 core values and practices of National Community Church where Mark Batterson is pastor

1) Everything is an Experiment
2) Maturity Does Not Equal Conformity
3) Expect the Unexpected
4) Love People when they Least Expect it and Least Deserve it