Into The Wild

Years ago a man named Chris McCandless decided he would forsake everything and head north to Alaska where he would walk Into The Wild to fulfill the ever overwhelming sensation compelling him to live off the land, be alone, push himself physically and mentally to overcome the brutal conditions of the land. I'm sure that Hollywood has romanticized his story at least a little. However I can understand this misunderstood young man who felt the need to be at one with nature and find himself amongst his struggle to survive. I have often longed to pack up my bag with minimal rations, rifle, sleeping bag, basic survival gear and head off into the great unknown. Fortunately I have been blessed with a wonderful wife and awesome kids that keep me grounded when those thoughts and desires surface. I don't really know what exactly it is that is so mysteriously powerful about the wild but I can't help but wonder "could I exist without all the commodities and conveniences we have come to love and depend on so dearly?". The wild can be a good place and it can also be a bad place. Jesus was lead into the wilderness (wild) by the Spirit, Mark even goes as far as to say "the Spirit drove Him into the wild". There Jesus fasted for forty days and then was tempted of Satan. When He resisted the temptation He was strengthened by angels. He came out of the wild with such anointing that he turned the water to wine, cast out devils, healed many that were sick and preached to the multitudes. So even though the wild can be dangerous and full of scary beast and conditions it can also prove to be a place to refocus our lives and grow in our faith. I think the most important fact the apostles were trying to illustrate to us is that when we are lead or shall I say driven into a scary uncomfortable place we need to keep our eyes on the lord and stay in His word, then in His timing we will come through with a great anointing and a great testimony. Unfortunately Chris McCandless died in his journey into the wild, If he'd been led of the spirit into the wild I have absolutely no doubt that he would have made it out alive. Always remember, where God leads He feeds! God Bless and farewell!

What Is a Witness?

In my most recent series "A Great Witness" I have come to a new understanding of what a witness is. I use to think that a witness was someone who shared their testimony or their faith with someone else who was lost. Now I can see that scripture tells us that a witness is supposed to testify and share their faith not only with the lost but also with the saved. Why? Glad you asked. We take for granted the condition of our christian brothers and sisters so many times. We think that just because they are saved they should automatically know and do everything right. When the truth is, we are supposed to witness to each other as much as we do to the world. Your brother or sister in Christ may be going through something that he or she is ashamed of and your testimony or your encouraging word may be the very thing that he or she needs to overcome their trial. So don't think that you have to go stand on a corner and scream "Jesus Love You" to everybody who passes by the next time you feel compelled to witness. It may be that whoever is nearest you the next time you feel that urge is the person who needs a shinning word of hope and encouragement.

God Is Up To Something

Good morning everyone,

I'm here at the office early this morning, getting ready for Sunday and the more I think about the past few weeks the more I realize that God is doing something here at Unity at Calvary. We have seen people saved, financial blessings, and an overall spirit of unity building in the church. I am anxious to see what God is going to do Sunday. Don’t be left out, come and see what God is doing with your own eyes. Let's have revival that leads to revelation!!! See you Sunday!

Happy new years!!! I hope you find God’s richest blessings in 2011!

Sometimes we allow ourselves to get so consumed by relationships, possessions, and even religion that we forget to put God first. The first commandment says to put no other god’s before our God. We often do this ignorantly by putting God on the back burner while we enjoy the people and stuff life has to offer. This year let us resolve to Put God first in everything we do, our hobbies, careers, friends and family. Put God first and expect revival!

But If Not

I was reading today in Daniel 3 where King Nebuchadnezzar was threatening the Three Hebrews and something caught my eye. The king "said if you do not worship my idol I will have you thrown in the fire and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?” And their reply was simple, they said our God is ABLE to deliver us and He will deliver us out of your hand. Wow what faith! They declared that they were going to trust God to take care of them in the heat of the battle. But that's not what caught my attention. The first three words in verse 18 are "But if not". Now wait a minute, they just declared their faith in God to deliver them right? Then why make such a negative statement like "but if not"? You see the truth is that regardless of how much faith we have in God, there are still going to be trials we have to endure. Just because we pray for God to fix our problems doesn't always mean that God IS going to fix them. These three Hebrews said, we believe God is able and is going to deliver us "BUT" even if He doesn't we will not compromise what’s right even if it cost us our lives. Now we all know that God did deliver them but they were prepared to suffer through it if they had to. Now that's faith! Will you be faithful when your "but if not" moment comes? Even if God doesn't heal your marriage, body, or finances, will you still devote your life to Him?

I will be preaching this sermon on January 2nd at 11am. Hope to see you there!

Together We Stand

Over the past few months I have been felling as though great things are just around the corner for the church. And after prayer conference yesterday I feel even more hopeful that the church not just UAC but the church as a whole is about to experience something awesome. Dr. Tim Hill preached an exhilarating word of God with such anointing that people could hardly remain in their sets. However the one thing that stood out to me the most is that our church needs to become unified again and its not a division in black and white or creed and culture it is the division between fathers and sons and mothers and daughters. We desperately need our older generation to embrace our younger generation and vice versa our young need to embrace our older. It’s true that the older will have no future without the young but the young will have no guidance without the old. I need to hear the song of the redeemed; those who have been through hell on earth and have fought the good fight and kept the faith. But the older generation needs to listen to my song of new beginnings to remind them of what God has done for them and will continue to do for them if they will keep their faith of a child. So whether you’re young or old try embracing someone with decades of years difference in age and reap either from their experience or from their passion. Together we will stand!

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, rejoice. (Philippians 4:4)

Sometimes things can happen to cause us unhappiness and discomfort in everyday life. We often panic when things go wrong or when thing just don’t go our way. Regardless of what is happening in your life you can always be glad in the Lord. If we were to rejoice in circumstances, people, or stuff we would obviously only rejoice when those circumstances go well, people act right, or we get the stuff we rejoice in. But if we rejoice IN the Lord always and the Lord is always with us then we should always rejoice. No matter if our finances head south, our friends behave like enemies or our stuff gets stolen, we can walk tall with our heads held high and a smile on our face knowing that God is in control and He will cause everything to work together for our good. So the next time fear, anxiety, worry, or depression attempts to steal your joy try directing your attention toward the Lord and rejoice in Him and all the other stuff will begin to fade away and the Joy of the Lord will begin to reign in your everyday life. I hope you find Joy in the Lord today for His joy is greater than any other joy in the world. God Bless!!!