Greetings All!
Much of Kelleye and I's time these days has been devoted to our church plant here in Gibsonia PA, Living Bridge Community Church. It has been an awesome 3 months since we launched and God is blessing our efforts tremendously! I look forward to sharing more with you in the weeks and months to come. Until then feel free to stop by our website at www.livingbridgepittsburgh.org. Have a blessed New Year!!
Christian
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
One of "those" weeks...
This week has been "one of those weeks" for me! You know the kind I am talking about... One of those weeks where much goes wrong and not as much goes right? It's during these kind of weeks that I have to remind myself that God is in control! He has a plan! Yup! Even ye old pastor has these kind of weeks and needs to be reminded of the truth of Jeremiah 29:11! Now, the good thing is that I know that God does have a plan and that if I keep my eyes on Him, Romans 8:28 holds true! God wants to see everything work for our good, but He also wants us to keep our eyes focused on Him through the good times and the not so good times. And I believe that sometimes God allows us to face some of the things we do to see if we really believe what we say we believe, to see if we are going to throw in the towel or cling to Him when times get tough. Ephesians 6:12 tells us that our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the powers of darkness! Thanks be to God that He has already given us the victory through His Son Jesus Christ!
Why am I sharing this with you? Because, all of us are are going to have "one of those days", "one of those weeks", "one of those years"! We have to remember that God does have a plan! And the first step in that plan is to get you to acknowledge that He is in control! From there, rest in knowing He is control, rely on His comfort,, take comfort in His love, and depend on His strength. And as it says in Proverbs 3:5 & 6, God will direct your paths!
Why am I sharing this with you? Because, all of us are are going to have "one of those days", "one of those weeks", "one of those years"! We have to remember that God does have a plan! And the first step in that plan is to get you to acknowledge that He is in control! From there, rest in knowing He is control, rely on His comfort,, take comfort in His love, and depend on His strength. And as it says in Proverbs 3:5 & 6, God will direct your paths!
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
How is Your Wake?
In Henry Cloud's book "Integrity" (which I would strongly encourage everyone to read), he talks about the wake we leave behind. If you have ever been on the back of a boat you know that the wake it leaves behind can tell you a lot about the boat itself. If it is straight and smooth you know the boat is steady and on course. Others on the water might even enjoy your wake by swimming or skiing on it or in it. Your wake leaves people smiling for having had you come through their lives.
On the other hand, boats can also leave the kind of wake that is rough, wavy, disturbs the fishermen, muddies the shoreline, and leaves everyone in its path bobbing for air.
The question is, "What kind of wake are you leaving behind?" Are people better for having had you come through their lives or are they bobbing for air as you wiz on by recklessly.
We need to understand that what we do and how we carry ourselves matters. Whether it is what you do behind the scenes, in front of the scenes, whatever, we all need to consider the wake behind us. Sometimes the storms of life will come and we will feel like just driving away and leaving everyone bobbing for air; however, a good captain will steady the ship and those on the boat and those in the wake will not even realize just how bad the storm was because the captain considered the wake, the captain considered others before he considered himself.
When you look back over the past week, the past month, the past year, what kind of wake have you left? Is it steady and smooth or all over the place? The good thing about the wake is that it can be changed. Take the time to slow down, steady the boat, enjoy the ride, look out for others, and before long you will look back and see that those within your wake are better for having experienced it!
Christian
On the other hand, boats can also leave the kind of wake that is rough, wavy, disturbs the fishermen, muddies the shoreline, and leaves everyone in its path bobbing for air.
The question is, "What kind of wake are you leaving behind?" Are people better for having had you come through their lives or are they bobbing for air as you wiz on by recklessly.
We need to understand that what we do and how we carry ourselves matters. Whether it is what you do behind the scenes, in front of the scenes, whatever, we all need to consider the wake behind us. Sometimes the storms of life will come and we will feel like just driving away and leaving everyone bobbing for air; however, a good captain will steady the ship and those on the boat and those in the wake will not even realize just how bad the storm was because the captain considered the wake, the captain considered others before he considered himself.
When you look back over the past week, the past month, the past year, what kind of wake have you left? Is it steady and smooth or all over the place? The good thing about the wake is that it can be changed. Take the time to slow down, steady the boat, enjoy the ride, look out for others, and before long you will look back and see that those within your wake are better for having experienced it!
Christian
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
5 Keys to Starting a Church and Changing a Community
Matthew 9:9-13 NLT
9 As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him.
10 Later, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. 11 But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with such scum?[d]”
12 When Jesus heard this, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.” 13 Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’[e] For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”
5 KEYS...
1. When Jesus tells you to do something, do it! (v.9) Matthew did not hesitate. He got up and followed Jesus.
2. Once you’ve decided to do it, do it right with all your might! (v.10) Matthew not only said he was going to do something, he did it. By that evening he not only had Jesus and His disciples over for dinner, he had all his rowdy friends over to. He jumped in with both feet!
3. Tell the naysayer’s to go jump in a lake! In other words, don’t let other peoples opinions keep you from doing what God has called you to do. (v.11) Unfortunately, some of the most criticizing people can be other Christians or even other churches. Just proves we are ALL sinners! Jesus was constantly questioned by the “religious people”, yet He remained focused on the goal of His Father’s work.
4. Remember the mission - Connecting people to the Truth that is Christ so that they might gain the Hope of all eternity (Living Bridge’s mission statement). Our goal is to see people in this community find the hope of Jesus Christ. We do this by building relationships, showing mercy, caring for them, loving them, and thinking better of them than we do ourselves… We do this by dining with them even when the Pharisees look down on us for doing so. We want to build bridges with the people of this community that lead them to the “Living Bridge” Jesus Christ.
5. Recognize the Harvest, Work the Harvest, and pray for others to join in on the Harvest. (Matthew 9:35-38) What happens to a crop that doesn’t get picked? It withers away and dies. Time is not on our side, and we are losing more and more harvest every day. We must be willing to work the fields ourselves and pray for God to send more workers. “He who began this work will be faithful to complete it”. Philippians 1:6
Matthew 9:35-38 NLT
35 Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. 38 So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”
9 As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him.
10 Later, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. 11 But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with such scum?[d]”
12 When Jesus heard this, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.” 13 Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’[e] For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”
5 KEYS...
1. When Jesus tells you to do something, do it! (v.9) Matthew did not hesitate. He got up and followed Jesus.
2. Once you’ve decided to do it, do it right with all your might! (v.10) Matthew not only said he was going to do something, he did it. By that evening he not only had Jesus and His disciples over for dinner, he had all his rowdy friends over to. He jumped in with both feet!
3. Tell the naysayer’s to go jump in a lake! In other words, don’t let other peoples opinions keep you from doing what God has called you to do. (v.11) Unfortunately, some of the most criticizing people can be other Christians or even other churches. Just proves we are ALL sinners! Jesus was constantly questioned by the “religious people”, yet He remained focused on the goal of His Father’s work.
4. Remember the mission - Connecting people to the Truth that is Christ so that they might gain the Hope of all eternity (Living Bridge’s mission statement). Our goal is to see people in this community find the hope of Jesus Christ. We do this by building relationships, showing mercy, caring for them, loving them, and thinking better of them than we do ourselves… We do this by dining with them even when the Pharisees look down on us for doing so. We want to build bridges with the people of this community that lead them to the “Living Bridge” Jesus Christ.
5. Recognize the Harvest, Work the Harvest, and pray for others to join in on the Harvest. (Matthew 9:35-38) What happens to a crop that doesn’t get picked? It withers away and dies. Time is not on our side, and we are losing more and more harvest every day. We must be willing to work the fields ourselves and pray for God to send more workers. “He who began this work will be faithful to complete it”. Philippians 1:6
Matthew 9:35-38 NLT
35 Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. 38 So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Fishing off the Bridge
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Don Ton
No, Don Ton is not a guy named Don that weighs a Ton. Don Ton is how one might say "Down Town" in Pittsburgh. My family and I spent the evening at one of our favorite locals - Station Square. Had a nice dinner, walked the mall, toured the Hard Rock, watched the fountains dance to music, took a walk... Nice evening with the family. No matter where I am I'm always home as long as they are with me. Thank you Lord for the blessings named Kelleye, Ashton, and Adam!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Hillsong United Concert
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Random Pictures of My Family
Pirates game night with my honey!
Ashton and Adam heading off to school!
Christian & Kelleye at Navy PierWillow Arts Conference 2008
My brother David's Birthday Party
Dad and daughter all dressed up!Had just done a 50th anniversary vow renewal;
one of the few times in the past 6 years I have worn a suit!
Monday, May 18, 2009
Working on getting 3 F's!
Yeah, you read right! I am hoping to get 3 F's solidified and prioritized in my life and I'm not ashamed to tell you. Or maybe I should say THE 3 F's. Those being Faith, Family, and Friends.
Well, now that I've got your attention I want point out what Christ said was the greatest commandment and it is found in Matthew 22:37-40 and it says...
Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
Faith. Our faith and trust in God has to be our number one focus in life. I am convinced that so many people look at having a "relationship with God" as some sort of restriction or bondage when actually having a relationship with God brings freedom! If we strive to live for Him by honoring His word, prayer, and daily worship, we find freedom from the trappings of this world and from the chains of sin. The apostle Paul said he would much rather be in chains for Christ than to be held captive by the world's standard of freedom (paraphrase). If our faith in God is first, then I truly believe all else will fall into place.
Family. "Love Your Neighbor". I don't know about you but my closest neighbor is one door jam away and that being my son. Actually, my wife is even closer as we actually share a room. I know, shocking isn't it! My family is my 2nd priority in life! I have a responsibility to take care of my family spiritually, financially, and in all things security. They are my first and foremost neighborly priority and yet many times we treat people across the street with more respect than the one's living under our roof! We will stand and listen to our neighbor talk about sports, lawn problems, or whatever; then we come in to our homes and seclude ourselves from, or be rude to our family. No wonder the family is becoming an endangered species.
Friends. As I wrote in an earlier post, I do believe that the average person has very few true friends. You know, those you can really count on when life gets messy & tough? We all need friends and we all have a desire for friendship whether we want to admit it or not. Some manly men don't want to admit they need friends. Are your friendships dependant on whether a person likes you back, or are you willing to be a friend regardless of whether or not the feeling is mutual? Do you think of others more than you think of yourself? Will you respond with integrity even when someone has done something to tick you off or has hurt your feelings? Are you willing to give and expect nothing in return? This is just a snapshot of the kind of friend our Savior was and is. I want to be like Him! I want to be like Christ.
Me, Christ? Not even close. But that is who I want to be. Isn't it He who we should all want to be like? Wasn't it Christ that honored His Father by not giving into temptation and by continually reminding us during His earthly ministry that He was about His father's business? Wasn't it Christ that constantly put Himself 2nd so that others might be served and see God as love?
Faith, Family, Friends. 3 F's that my Heavenly Father can be proud of!
Christian
Well, now that I've got your attention I want point out what Christ said was the greatest commandment and it is found in Matthew 22:37-40 and it says...
Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
Faith. Our faith and trust in God has to be our number one focus in life. I am convinced that so many people look at having a "relationship with God" as some sort of restriction or bondage when actually having a relationship with God brings freedom! If we strive to live for Him by honoring His word, prayer, and daily worship, we find freedom from the trappings of this world and from the chains of sin. The apostle Paul said he would much rather be in chains for Christ than to be held captive by the world's standard of freedom (paraphrase). If our faith in God is first, then I truly believe all else will fall into place.
Family. "Love Your Neighbor". I don't know about you but my closest neighbor is one door jam away and that being my son. Actually, my wife is even closer as we actually share a room. I know, shocking isn't it! My family is my 2nd priority in life! I have a responsibility to take care of my family spiritually, financially, and in all things security. They are my first and foremost neighborly priority and yet many times we treat people across the street with more respect than the one's living under our roof! We will stand and listen to our neighbor talk about sports, lawn problems, or whatever; then we come in to our homes and seclude ourselves from, or be rude to our family. No wonder the family is becoming an endangered species.
Friends. As I wrote in an earlier post, I do believe that the average person has very few true friends. You know, those you can really count on when life gets messy & tough? We all need friends and we all have a desire for friendship whether we want to admit it or not. Some manly men don't want to admit they need friends. Are your friendships dependant on whether a person likes you back, or are you willing to be a friend regardless of whether or not the feeling is mutual? Do you think of others more than you think of yourself? Will you respond with integrity even when someone has done something to tick you off or has hurt your feelings? Are you willing to give and expect nothing in return? This is just a snapshot of the kind of friend our Savior was and is. I want to be like Him! I want to be like Christ.
Me, Christ? Not even close. But that is who I want to be. Isn't it He who we should all want to be like? Wasn't it Christ that honored His Father by not giving into temptation and by continually reminding us during His earthly ministry that He was about His father's business? Wasn't it Christ that constantly put Himself 2nd so that others might be served and see God as love?
Faith, Family, Friends. 3 F's that my Heavenly Father can be proud of!
Christian
Monday, May 11, 2009
UnCommon
I am reading a book right now called "UnCommon". Me reading a book is amazing in itself as I am not a reader. I mean, I can read very well, I just don't enjoy reading like some do. My mind is easily distracted I guess.I am half way through the book and its been a good read. I am actually looking forward to getting home tonight and reading more. Why am I reading this book? Well, the biggest reason is that I want to be uncommon. It seems there are very few heroes in today's world - you know, the people you look up to? I want to be hero; I want to be uncommon. I want my wife and kids to be able to look at me and say that I am a genuine Christ follower. That I am someone they can look up to as one who handles himself well in difficult situations. Someone who shows love where love is needed. Someone who shows grace even when by the worlds standards grace is not deserved. Someone who cared more for others than himself and who left a legacy verses a mess. That is why I want to be uncommon.
If you died today, and people had to stand up and say who you are and what it was you stood for, what would they say? Would they say, "He loved his job; kept a nice yard; was a hard worker; was a good teacher; always stayed fit; etc". Or would they say, "He cared for others; put himself second; loved God above all else; went against the flow; was the same guy when no one was watching as he was when everyone was watching...". That is who I want to be and that is uncommon.
Yeah, sad to say but real heroes are a dying breed. Heroes that "Love God and Love their Neighbor more than themselves". Thankfully there is one hero that is alive and well and his name is Jesus! He was and is uncommon. And He is the One that I want to be like more than anything else.
So, what do I hope to gain from this book? I hope to gain a better picture of who I am, and who Christ is so that I can become more like Him. More uncommon for a world that needs to see Christ and not the common man.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
For the love of a brother
What a week! Baptized on Sunday, married my first couple Sunday afternoon, spent 3 solid days in the office... And today, today I fly out of town for the love of a brother.
It was not an easy decision for me to go. Honestly, I have mixed emotions as I really don't want to be away this weekend for a host of reasons. But here I am, getting on a plane for the love of a brother.
I actually only have 1 brother - David. He is 7 years older than I and I have always looked up to him. God has used him in incredible ways over the years! We have even had the opportunity to serve together in ministry twice! I think the thing that I admire most about him though is how he has been there for me when life got tough. And today I leave to be there for him for the love of a brother.
You know, the older I get the more I realize how few genuine friends you have. And, at the end of the day, YOU have to make the best choices for YOUR life as much as you want to think others are genuinely looking out for your best interest. Yes, there are some that do, but not many. Seldom do any of us put self aside long enough to really put ourselves in someone elses shoes. Today, I am putting on someone elses shoes. I am putting myself aside for the love of a brother.
A Pastor friend of mine recently told me that "life is short"! Too short to waste not doing or being where God wants you to do/be. I agree. And at the end of our lives, and the lives of those we love most, we are going to look back and I believe we will regret not doing the things we know we should have done but were too concerned with self to do. This day will not be one of those days for me cause I am going to be with him, for the love of a brother.
Lord, give me peace. I need it today. Help me to trust you, knowing you will never let me go. And help me to love. To put myself aside. John 15:13, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends".
I am not exactly laying down my life. At least I hope not :) But I am putting myself aside today for the love of a brother.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
The Worship Pastor gets baptized!
Yes, it's true! I got baptized this morning. I had been baptized at age 7 - the year I first walked an isle and decided I wanted to become a Christian.Thinking back, I think I walked the isle that day because it was the thing to do. I didn't want to go to hell, and I did like Jesus... But did I really understand what He had done for me and how hopeless I was apart from Him? Not really. If I did, I believe the next 23 years may have looked a bit different than they did. I mean, the Christian life is a journey and the closer I get to God the more I realize how far away I really am. Not that I wasted 23 years, or didn't love Jesus during that time... just not sure I was really living for Jesus. Wasn't much fruit coming off my tree!
Truthfully, my life begin to change some 7 years ago and in some ways that is when I have to say I put a stake in the ground. It was no longer I who lived but "Christ who lived in me". Change. We can say we have changed but the proof is in the walk not the talk. I can say I am a piece of bread but just because I was born in a bread pan doesn't make me a piece of bread. I grew up in a Christian home and walked an isle at 7 but growing up in a Christian home and giving myself the name "Christian" is not what saves me.
What saved me was the grace of Jesus Christ. Nothing I could do - He did it all. He paid a debt that I could not pay - one that I owed. And now that I fully realize what He has done for me, I want to do nothing less than live for Him. Do I still struggle? Do I make mistakes? Yes! But now it's different. I don't want to sin, rebel, go against God's will for my life because His sacrifice compels me to live for Him! As the apostle Paul says, "For me to live is Christ and to die is gain". I want people to see me and see Christ! That is my goal!
So, today I got baptized. I got baptized to show that I identify with Christ. Was it humbling to be baptized as a worship pastor of a church of 1500? Yes. Was it humbling for my Savior to be the King of the world and be beaten and crucified by His own? Yes.
I want the rest of my life to be...
Christ beside me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ within me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me. Christ.
Thank you Lord for identifying with me. The least I can do is show the world that I am yours!
Christian
Saturday, May 2, 2009
122 baptized tonight at Grace!
Saw 122 baptized tonight at Grace between our 2 services! Amazing! Got 2 more tomorrow! Most churches don't see 122 baptized in their lifetimes! Thank u Lord for allowing me to be a part of this!
Friday, May 1, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Family
My family means the world to me! Really! God has blessed me with the most incredible wife. I love her from head to toe which is incredible in itself because I am not a foot person. How about head to ankle? Ok, head to toe! After 15 years we are more in love than ever and actually enjoy being together. Believe me we have had our moments! However, God knew what he was doing when he brought us together! Could not ask from anything more!My kids... wow! To start, both my kids are doing excellent in school! My daughter Ashton is in 8th grade. She'll be going into high school next year - yikes! She is on the track team, she just made the cheer leading squad, and she is getting funnier with age... I could go on! Again, she is a blessing from God! I love her and respect her more than she knows! Need to do a better job of showing it sometimes, I know!
My son Adam... he is going to be a phenomenal leader someday. He has all the qualities! Unfortunately he is alot like his old man and is going to have to learn a few things the hard way. Oh well, don't we all! He is a great drummer and has the skills to be a great musician someday. I love my son! He's just a likable guy! I pray that God molds him and makes him into everything that He is capable of becoming. I pray his path is a bit smoother than mine was. Alot of that falls back to me.
Family. What a joy. What a pain. What a pleasure! I wouldn't change things for the world! I just pray it doesn't go too fast. These are the best days of my earthly life. I am going to do my best to cherish them, every one.
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