Merry Christmas!
Yes, I realize that we are still several days away from Christmas. However, I wanted to be sure that someone said "Merry Christmas" to you today.
You see, in our politically correct society it is more likely that you will hear "Happy Holidays" rather than "Merry Christmas" while out and about finishing up that last minute shopping. I mean we certainly don't want to offend anyone by suggesting that December 25th is actually a day commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, right?
No, it's not right. Just as Easter is a day set aside to celebrate the resurrection of Christ from the grave, Christmas is a day set aside to celebrate the coming of the promised Messiah. The King of Kings and Lord of Lords has come, and He brings salvation to all who will believe.
Christmas is not about us, it's about Jesus. And as Christians we have a responsibility to lift up the name of Jesus in a season that seems to be more about us rather than Him.
The prophet Isaiah foretold of the birth of Christ some 740 years before Jesus' birth. And in His words below we see that God had a plan. A plan to redeem His people by sending His one and only Son into this world so that He might one day pay the penalty for our sin. Christmas is far more than the celebration of the birth of a child; it is a celebration of our redemption, and the Hope that still today offers salvation to all who will believe!
Isaiah 9:6-7
6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.
Praise be to God, Messiah has come!
And again, Merry Christmas!
PCW
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Thursday, December 9, 2010
How Great is Our God - Christmas verse
As I was brainstorming over potential Christmas music the other day I couldn't help but to think about how "How Great is Our God" would fit nicely into a Christmas service. My brainstorming only led to more brainstorming which led me to begin writing a Christmas verse to this great song written by Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash, and Jesse Reeves.
Now, I'm not the first guy to attempt to write a Christmas verse for this song. However, different from some others I have seen, my goal was to write just one verse that would capture the entire birth narrative.
Back a few years ago a Christmas verse was added to Paul Baloche's "Offering" and it ended up being a big hit. Anyway, my purpose in doing this is not to have a "big hit" but rather to complement one of the greatest worship songs of all time with a verse made just for Christmas.
Feel free to check it out and LMK what you think at http://tiny.cc/hgChristmas
Have a blessed Christmas!
Christian Watts
Now, I'm not the first guy to attempt to write a Christmas verse for this song. However, different from some others I have seen, my goal was to write just one verse that would capture the entire birth narrative.
Back a few years ago a Christmas verse was added to Paul Baloche's "Offering" and it ended up being a big hit. Anyway, my purpose in doing this is not to have a "big hit" but rather to complement one of the greatest worship songs of all time with a verse made just for Christmas.
Feel free to check it out and LMK what you think at http://tiny.cc/hgChristmas
Have a blessed Christmas!
Christian Watts
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Simplify
Technology is supposed to make life easier; at least I think it is?? Anyway, I’ve been somewhat intrigued lately by a commercial advertising a new phone that is going to “save us from our phones”. So in essence we need more technology to save us from “technology”. Hmmmm…
It seems like everything, everyone, has gotten busier. I have to admit that on a typical evening in my home it is not uncommon to see 2 or3 laptops open, exploring the world of Facebook, EBay, or Amazon.com. At the same time we’re watching TV, talking on the phone or sending out a “quick text”. What ever happened to working on a puzzle, playing a game of checkers, or simply talking with one another? Doing the kind of things that both stimulate and relax us at the same time? And when we wake up in the morning often times the first thing on our mind is checking our email or returning to our favorite online social network. Technology has not made life easier; in fact, I would argue that it has made life more complicated.
Over the past 16 months I have been on the journey of starting a church, and it has been quite the journey! One week I can feel on top of the world while the next week I am asking myself “What else can I do with my life?” This past week was one of my most trying weeks thus far. By Sunday afternoon I was ready to raise the white flag, ready to surrender to defeat. However, it was there in that low moment that God gave me the word: SIMPLIFY.
Over the past year I have seen God do some incredible things in and through His people at Living Bridge. People have come to know Christ as Savior, marriages have been restored, families reunited, and addictions overcome. At the same time I have also seen Satan have the victory in people’s lives, their marriages, and their families. It is a constant battle and sometimes a soldier recovers from the battle only to be wounded again. The day to day spiritual battle has literally worn me down. The victories give me hope to stand, but the defeats keep knocking me back down. After so many blows it is often times tough to get back up and keep fighting.
When our church began things were fairly simple. Everything was done under the umbrella of keeping it “simple yet sharp”. However, as we began to grow so did the desire to “take things to the next level”, and over the past year we have done just that. A full band, big stage, offices, more small groups, more setup, more staff, more technology, more pipe and drape, all for the purpose of…? What?
Good question. And that is why I believe God put the word SIMPLIFY on my heart and mind this week. The mission of our church is this: “To Change the Way People think about Church by actually being the church”. I must admit that over the past several months I have strayed from the simplicity of our mission. I too have gotten caught up in wanting our church to grow and to be able to offer all kinds of cool ministries in and around our community. I want to network with other pastors, be someone that others respect and admire. Have a strong and respected voice in our community.
However, in my effort to be all things to all people, and to have a church of all things for all people, I have complicated the simplicity of our mission. As a result, our church is at risk of becoming status quo, stale, or possibly even headed towards a decline. Something had to change, and it did.
You see, I believe that God is not a God of confusion or disarray; He is a God of clarity and order. Everything He does has a purpose and His purposes and plans are always true, always right. He is a God is excellence, a God of strength, a God of direction, a God of peace. God is all of these things and more yet when I looked at our overall ministry picture, and myself as a pastor, I saw some things that were not of Him or from Him.
Let me give you this analogy… I have a habit of walking ahead of my wife and it really bugs her! It is so hard for me to walk with her because she walks so slowly. I am inpatient and I want to get wherever we are going faster than her. Walking ahead of her frustrates her and does not make the most of our relationship. I have to learn to walk beside her, even hold her hand. We will still get there and in the end we’ll both be happier.
It’s just as easy to walk ahead of God. “I want to get there now, do this, and do that”. Come on God! What’s the holdup??? In my haste I go ahead of Him, complicate things, and my relationship with Him suffers. The difference between my wife and God though is that God sees where we need to go and I can’t always see it. I can walk ahead of Him for a while but eventually I will end up off of His best path. And if I don’t get back to walking with Him, I may very well end up lost in a world of business, stress, and frustration that will eventually do me in.
Simplify…
And by simplify I mean this: Doing what God has called me to do, gifted me to do, given me the resources to do to fulfill His mission for my life and for His church. Simplify does not mean doing more than we are able and “cutting corners”. Simplify means that we focus on our mission, and use only what resources are necessary to accomplish that mission. If programs need cut, we cut them. If the worship service needs shortened, we shorten it. We don’t focus on what everyone else is doing in an attempt to be like everyone else. We focus on what God wants to accomplish and implement the best possible strategy to accomplish His mission. Nothing more, and nothing less!
So why did I begin this note talking about technology? Because just like technology, we can over- complicate our lives by trying to be an “all things to all people” kind of person or church. It can’t happen because we’re not capable, we’re not able. However, God is!
It’s time to get back to the simplicity of relying less on ourselves and more on Him. That is the simple life, and that’s where we’ll find peace, rest, direction… everything we need.
PCW
It seems like everything, everyone, has gotten busier. I have to admit that on a typical evening in my home it is not uncommon to see 2 or3 laptops open, exploring the world of Facebook, EBay, or Amazon.com. At the same time we’re watching TV, talking on the phone or sending out a “quick text”. What ever happened to working on a puzzle, playing a game of checkers, or simply talking with one another? Doing the kind of things that both stimulate and relax us at the same time? And when we wake up in the morning often times the first thing on our mind is checking our email or returning to our favorite online social network. Technology has not made life easier; in fact, I would argue that it has made life more complicated.
Over the past 16 months I have been on the journey of starting a church, and it has been quite the journey! One week I can feel on top of the world while the next week I am asking myself “What else can I do with my life?” This past week was one of my most trying weeks thus far. By Sunday afternoon I was ready to raise the white flag, ready to surrender to defeat. However, it was there in that low moment that God gave me the word: SIMPLIFY.
Over the past year I have seen God do some incredible things in and through His people at Living Bridge. People have come to know Christ as Savior, marriages have been restored, families reunited, and addictions overcome. At the same time I have also seen Satan have the victory in people’s lives, their marriages, and their families. It is a constant battle and sometimes a soldier recovers from the battle only to be wounded again. The day to day spiritual battle has literally worn me down. The victories give me hope to stand, but the defeats keep knocking me back down. After so many blows it is often times tough to get back up and keep fighting.
When our church began things were fairly simple. Everything was done under the umbrella of keeping it “simple yet sharp”. However, as we began to grow so did the desire to “take things to the next level”, and over the past year we have done just that. A full band, big stage, offices, more small groups, more setup, more staff, more technology, more pipe and drape, all for the purpose of…? What?
Good question. And that is why I believe God put the word SIMPLIFY on my heart and mind this week. The mission of our church is this: “To Change the Way People think about Church by actually being the church”. I must admit that over the past several months I have strayed from the simplicity of our mission. I too have gotten caught up in wanting our church to grow and to be able to offer all kinds of cool ministries in and around our community. I want to network with other pastors, be someone that others respect and admire. Have a strong and respected voice in our community.
However, in my effort to be all things to all people, and to have a church of all things for all people, I have complicated the simplicity of our mission. As a result, our church is at risk of becoming status quo, stale, or possibly even headed towards a decline. Something had to change, and it did.
You see, I believe that God is not a God of confusion or disarray; He is a God of clarity and order. Everything He does has a purpose and His purposes and plans are always true, always right. He is a God is excellence, a God of strength, a God of direction, a God of peace. God is all of these things and more yet when I looked at our overall ministry picture, and myself as a pastor, I saw some things that were not of Him or from Him.
Let me give you this analogy… I have a habit of walking ahead of my wife and it really bugs her! It is so hard for me to walk with her because she walks so slowly. I am inpatient and I want to get wherever we are going faster than her. Walking ahead of her frustrates her and does not make the most of our relationship. I have to learn to walk beside her, even hold her hand. We will still get there and in the end we’ll both be happier.
It’s just as easy to walk ahead of God. “I want to get there now, do this, and do that”. Come on God! What’s the holdup??? In my haste I go ahead of Him, complicate things, and my relationship with Him suffers. The difference between my wife and God though is that God sees where we need to go and I can’t always see it. I can walk ahead of Him for a while but eventually I will end up off of His best path. And if I don’t get back to walking with Him, I may very well end up lost in a world of business, stress, and frustration that will eventually do me in.
Simplify…
And by simplify I mean this: Doing what God has called me to do, gifted me to do, given me the resources to do to fulfill His mission for my life and for His church. Simplify does not mean doing more than we are able and “cutting corners”. Simplify means that we focus on our mission, and use only what resources are necessary to accomplish that mission. If programs need cut, we cut them. If the worship service needs shortened, we shorten it. We don’t focus on what everyone else is doing in an attempt to be like everyone else. We focus on what God wants to accomplish and implement the best possible strategy to accomplish His mission. Nothing more, and nothing less!
So why did I begin this note talking about technology? Because just like technology, we can over- complicate our lives by trying to be an “all things to all people” kind of person or church. It can’t happen because we’re not capable, we’re not able. However, God is!
It’s time to get back to the simplicity of relying less on ourselves and more on Him. That is the simple life, and that’s where we’ll find peace, rest, direction… everything we need.
PCW
Saturday, September 25, 2010
A Wake Up Call
Below is an email I sent out to my church family at Living Bridge on Saturday, September 25th.
Friends,
The Lord put it on my heart to share something with you this morning. If there is one email I am asking you to read this morning it is this one.
As you know, 2 Sunday’s ago we began a new series titled “2 Weeks to Live”. A series built around the following made up scenario, or so I thought…
Suppose the people you are closest to, the people who you call family or friends had only 2 weeks to live? What if you knew of their unfortunate fate but they didn’t, and they probably wouldn’t believe you even if you tried to tell them? Now, if you know that Jesus Christ is their Lord and Savior I am sure it would grant you considerable peace. However, what if you weren’t sure if they had accepted Christ as their Savior? What if you are pretty confident they don’t know Christ and the clock is ticking? How different would you live life with only 2 weeks to help them see their need for the only thing that can save them from eternal separation from God?
Well, yesterday around 11:00 I received a knock at my door. It was someone from our church who wanted me to know that their uncle who lived on the street behind me had committed suicide and asked me to pray for the family. As I began to try and figure out who this neighbor was, my guest and I walked into my back yard to see if we could possibly see his house. As we got about mid-way into my back yard the tears began to flow from my guest as they realized that this person was my neighbor who lived directly behind me.
I had known this person as a casual acquaintance over the 5 and a half years I have lived here. A friendly, older gentlemen who kept to himself most of the time. From time to time I would see other family members around and what I assumed were grandchildren. We never had a crossed word and waved to each other whenever we saw each other outside. Little did I know how much this man was hurting…
On Tuesday evening I was outside and heard a very loud bang that sounded like a gun blast. Now, because there is a farm beside me and my other neighbor often tries out his muzzleloader before hunting season I thought nothing of it therefore I went back to my business. Little did I know that the gunshot I had just heard was from my neighbor who at 88 years of age had just shot himself because he could no longer bear the pain he was in.
You, see he had diabetes and was in terrible pain all the time. However, I had no idea. I never took the time to ask my neighbor how he was doing. I never took the time to see if there was anything he needed, I never took the time to care enough to find out if he knew Jesus Christ as his Savior. And now… now, it is simply too late.
Possibly the saddest part of it all is that his wife many years before killed herself with the same gun, in the same house. The pain he must have been in simply over that. Again, I had no idea, but I should have…
Folks, it is not too late. It is not too late to walk over to that neighbor today and invite them to church. It is not too late to call up that friend that you have been putting off because you are afraid of what they might think. It is not too late to make a difference, take a stand, care for someone in need. It is not too late to simply ask your neighbor, “How are you? Is there anything I can do for you? Would you like to come to church with me tomorrow?”
Tomorrow is a big day for our church and I believe our new series has the potential to impact many people that are searching for significance when it comes to life. My prayer is that you will not let another day pass you by without inviting someone, bringing someone, with you to church tomorrow. My neighbor didn’t even have two weeks, and I will have to live with that fact. Folks, the time is now, don’t assume anything. People need Hope. People need answers. People need Jesus.
You have what they need; will you go?
Luke 10:1-4
After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where He was about to go. 2 He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field. 3 Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. 4 Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Some thoughts on Philippians 3...
Like children we constantly need to be reminded of who we are to be in Christ. Since the majority of Christian live in a word where 363 (there is 365 hours in a week, I'll give us 2 for being in church) hours of their week are spent around things that are contrary to the very nature and purposes of Christ, we need to be reminded constantly of who we are supposed to be in Him. This is why we see Paul reminding us of many of the same things over and over again. Although we are in Christ our natural nature is still that of sin.
I believe that one of the primary goals of trusting in Christ should be to know Him. That is, to know Christ in a personal relationship, and also to know the power of His resurrection— the power Christ exerts even now from the right hand of God.
This power is made known as we share in the same kind of sufferings that Jesus faced—the kind of suffering that comes when we share the good news of Jesus Christ to a fallen world. A world that continues to reject Him, mock Him, deny Him.
A world where for many Christian’s being accepted by someone is often more important than sharing Jesus with them because we are afraid of rejection or what they might think of us… But let me just say this…
Who cares what people think! We need to be more concerned with what our Heavenly Father thinks!
I mean, when you really think about it, if were really going to be honest, not telling someone about Jesus because were afraid they might not like us or reject us, is kinda like watching someone with a potentially curable disease slowly die while you hold the potential antidote that if they chose to take it would cure them. It’s ok though cause they’ll never know you have it right?
If we truly want to know Christ, to be His disciples, to follow Him, then we must be willing to share in the fellowship of His sufferings. Sound tough? Sound harsh? It is.
I am convinced that one of the biggest misconception fed to the church is that coming to Christ makes "everything better" right here, right now.... Not necessarily true! Oh, there is a hope, there will come a day where there will be no more sorrow, no more pain... a day where our bodies will be transformed to become like Christ glorious body, and I long for that day....
However, for now I am called to rejoice in my sufferings for His sake. To keep my eyes on the goal, the prize that is more about the kingdom than it is about me.
If we want to change our communities, our cities, our world... It's time for Christian's to suffer. And yet somehow as we suffer we will rejoice! And so will many others whose lives will be changed as they too become sufferers for Christ because we were willing to identify with Him!
I believe that one of the primary goals of trusting in Christ should be to know Him. That is, to know Christ in a personal relationship, and also to know the power of His resurrection— the power Christ exerts even now from the right hand of God.
This power is made known as we share in the same kind of sufferings that Jesus faced—the kind of suffering that comes when we share the good news of Jesus Christ to a fallen world. A world that continues to reject Him, mock Him, deny Him.
A world where for many Christian’s being accepted by someone is often more important than sharing Jesus with them because we are afraid of rejection or what they might think of us… But let me just say this…
Who cares what people think! We need to be more concerned with what our Heavenly Father thinks!
I mean, when you really think about it, if were really going to be honest, not telling someone about Jesus because were afraid they might not like us or reject us, is kinda like watching someone with a potentially curable disease slowly die while you hold the potential antidote that if they chose to take it would cure them. It’s ok though cause they’ll never know you have it right?
If we truly want to know Christ, to be His disciples, to follow Him, then we must be willing to share in the fellowship of His sufferings. Sound tough? Sound harsh? It is.
I am convinced that one of the biggest misconception fed to the church is that coming to Christ makes "everything better" right here, right now.... Not necessarily true! Oh, there is a hope, there will come a day where there will be no more sorrow, no more pain... a day where our bodies will be transformed to become like Christ glorious body, and I long for that day....
However, for now I am called to rejoice in my sufferings for His sake. To keep my eyes on the goal, the prize that is more about the kingdom than it is about me.
If we want to change our communities, our cities, our world... It's time for Christian's to suffer. And yet somehow as we suffer we will rejoice! And so will many others whose lives will be changed as they too become sufferers for Christ because we were willing to identify with Him!
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Do You Have a Minute?
Speaking of a minute, did you know that there are 1440 of them in each 24 hour day? In a single minute 250 babies are born while 107 people breath their final breath. The average person in America will makes $0.096 cents per minute while Oprah Winfrey will make $523.00. In only a minute the world will use 55,757 barrels of oil, Americans will throw away 950,186 pounds of trash, lightening will strike the earth 360 times, and there will be 5 earthquakes. All in just one minute.
It’s amazing to me just how often we take a minute for granted. In fact, many times we long for a minute to pass just to get to the next minute. It’s 4:59 and we want it to be 5:00 so we can leave work. It’s 11:59 and we want it to be 12:00 so we can eat lunch! Other times we want a minute to last longer than 60 seconds. Like when we wake up one minute before our alarm is scheduled to go off, or when a teenager wants “just one more minute” before they have to say goodbye to their boyfriend or girlfriend for the night.
Some of life’s biggest choices will be made in only a minute. In fact it is said that it is often times the choices that are made in a minutes time that have the greatest effect on our lives and the lives of others.
What’s my point? Every minute matters! And when you look back on your week thus far the question comes, how did you spend your minutes? Did you spend your minutes on the things that matter, or did you simply throw your minutes to the wind as if you have been guaranteed an endless supply of minutes here on this earth?
We cannot get the minutes back that have come and gone, but we can make the most of the one’s we have ahead of us!
As you continue in the minutes, hours, and days ahead I want to encourage you to ask yourself the following questions: What is it that really matters? What do I want to be known for? If my legacy is my time what kind of legacy will I someday leave? What about how I’ve spent my time in the past can I learn from so that I make better use of my time for the future?
The Apostle Paul had certainly learned the value of a minute. Look with me at what he has to say in Philippians 3:7-14…
But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. 10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Keep pressing on towards the goal and…
Be The Church!
P C W
It’s amazing to me just how often we take a minute for granted. In fact, many times we long for a minute to pass just to get to the next minute. It’s 4:59 and we want it to be 5:00 so we can leave work. It’s 11:59 and we want it to be 12:00 so we can eat lunch! Other times we want a minute to last longer than 60 seconds. Like when we wake up one minute before our alarm is scheduled to go off, or when a teenager wants “just one more minute” before they have to say goodbye to their boyfriend or girlfriend for the night.
Some of life’s biggest choices will be made in only a minute. In fact it is said that it is often times the choices that are made in a minutes time that have the greatest effect on our lives and the lives of others.
What’s my point? Every minute matters! And when you look back on your week thus far the question comes, how did you spend your minutes? Did you spend your minutes on the things that matter, or did you simply throw your minutes to the wind as if you have been guaranteed an endless supply of minutes here on this earth?
We cannot get the minutes back that have come and gone, but we can make the most of the one’s we have ahead of us!
As you continue in the minutes, hours, and days ahead I want to encourage you to ask yourself the following questions: What is it that really matters? What do I want to be known for? If my legacy is my time what kind of legacy will I someday leave? What about how I’ve spent my time in the past can I learn from so that I make better use of my time for the future?
The Apostle Paul had certainly learned the value of a minute. Look with me at what he has to say in Philippians 3:7-14…
But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. 10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Keep pressing on towards the goal and…
Be The Church!
P C W
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Peace or Contentment
This has been the year of extremes! Just 5 months ago we experienced one of the snowiest winters in our city's history and now we are experiencing one of its hottest summers. Back in February we prayed for warmer weather and it is here. However, people are now complaining about it being too hot! It seems we can never be truly satisfied.
Such is life. People everywhere are searching for satisfaction and contentment yet they never seem to find it. "If I only had that job, this car, that house, his money, a spouse like that, kids like those, I would be content”. Would you now...?
I believe the secret to peace is to not settle for contentment. To never be satisfied with the statis quo. Jesus said in Revelations 3:15 that when it comes to our relationship with Him He would rather us be hot or cold instead of being content to be somewhere in the middle. Contentment might sound good but it will never satisfy and I'm not even sure that its even truly possible. Personally as a follower of Christ I want to be hot and on fire for Christ, which often times will be uncomfortable. However being hot, sold out 110 % is the only way that I can truly experience peace. The peace that I’m talking about here is not to be confused with contentment or satisfaction. It is a peace that comes from knowing that Christ is with me and guiding me through all life brings. That He is faithful! It is knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that I can trust His promise to never leave me nor forsake me. He is my protection, my sword, my shield... He is my peace.
Do you want to simply be content or do you desire peace? I know for me, I want peace. Peace that comes when I say “Not my will Lord, but Yours be done”. Only when we I do this do I truly have peace.
PCW
Such is life. People everywhere are searching for satisfaction and contentment yet they never seem to find it. "If I only had that job, this car, that house, his money, a spouse like that, kids like those, I would be content”. Would you now...?
I believe the secret to peace is to not settle for contentment. To never be satisfied with the statis quo. Jesus said in Revelations 3:15 that when it comes to our relationship with Him He would rather us be hot or cold instead of being content to be somewhere in the middle. Contentment might sound good but it will never satisfy and I'm not even sure that its even truly possible. Personally as a follower of Christ I want to be hot and on fire for Christ, which often times will be uncomfortable. However being hot, sold out 110 % is the only way that I can truly experience peace. The peace that I’m talking about here is not to be confused with contentment or satisfaction. It is a peace that comes from knowing that Christ is with me and guiding me through all life brings. That He is faithful! It is knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that I can trust His promise to never leave me nor forsake me. He is my protection, my sword, my shield... He is my peace.
Do you want to simply be content or do you desire peace? I know for me, I want peace. Peace that comes when I say “Not my will Lord, but Yours be done”. Only when we I do this do I truly have peace.
PCW
Thursday, July 8, 2010
What a Difference a Year Makes!
Well, actually God had things in motion long before we did. You see, Living Bridge is not your typical church plant. We didn’t have a “mother” church to support us… We didn’t have financial backers waiting to donate towards our effort… But what we did have was a BIG, BIG God who was going ahead of us.
Honestly, I was still having second thoughts about the whole thing. I mean, I was a music and worship pastor and I didn’t have the foggiest idea of how to start a church. But while I was having my doubts, Larry was filing the paper work to get us incorporated. No, wait, stop! However, before I knew it, all was in process. I mean, we didn’t even have a name yet! We had no drawing board, no outlined plans, no name, no experience… but again, we did have a BIG, BIG God!
Before long word began to spread of this potential church start and I had to come up with a name. I got it! People’s Church Pittsburgh would be our name! That was it! No it wasn’t… God had other plans and after a night of sleepless thinking trying to come up with a name that worked, it finally came to me. “Christ is the Living Bridge between God and man”. That’s it! And from that moment on the church had a name, “Living Bridge Community Church”.
On September 27th of 2009, Living Bridge held its first service with a total of 192 persons in attendance. As with most church starts our numbers sank for a while after that. Over the past year we have been tested from all directions. We have endured both one of the snowiest winters on record as well as one of the hottest summers. Behind the scenes we had to come to a place of unity concerning what we believe, how we would function, what was our purpose, our priorities, and our mission. We had to put together bylaws, establish elders, decide where we stood on key issues, all while actually being in the process of doing church week in and week out….
I have left so much out, there is so much more I could say…
So here we are, almost one year later, and as we look down the road there is one thing that remains constant, one thing that is blocking “my” view, but that’s ok. It’s our BIG, BIG God who goes ahead of us and know the plans He has for us.
And you know, I can’t wait to see what He’s going to do next as Living Bridge continue to…
Be the Church!
Blessings to you,
PCW
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
A Call to Dependence
As you know, July 4th is known as Independence Day, a day commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence, a document declaring our independence from Great Britain. However, as I think about this great land of ours what comes to mind is not the word independence but rather the word “Dependence”. I mean we certainly are a nation made up of “independence”, so much so that we are losing our dependence on the one critical thing this nation was founded upon and that being “In God We Trust”. I think it’s time for Christian’s to take a stand and say “Enough is Enough” and begin taking back this land that our forefather’s fought so hard for in the name of God for freedom.
Freedom? Are we even truly free? I am convinced that what we don’t realize, what we have become almost blinded to, is the fact that our nation is more in chains than ever before, and what binds us are the powers of hell that literally steal our freedom, our homes, our families, our churches, our children, our marriages, our joy, and our hope when we fail to live by the words “In God We Trust”. This nation was founded by Godly men with Godly principles. 52 of the 55 men who signed the Declaration of Independence called themselves Christians. I think we would be hard pressed to find 52 men in government leadership today who would profess to be a genuine follower of Christ.
I’m tired of hearing Christian’s talk about the moral decline in our country. Talk is cheap! What we need are Christian’s who back up their talk with action. Few wars are won with only words! And while I’m on my soapbox, let me say that pastors need to step up to the plate and preach God’s Word for what it is. Quit watering things down, trying to be “culturally relevant”, and being more concerned about offending someone than you are with delivering God’s Word in its fullness. If you preach it, it will step on toes, it will bring conviction, it will offend people, but it will also lead them to the foot of the cross where there is more grace and more mercy than you can ever serve them by trying to please them.
Christian, this year as people all over this great land celebrate Independence Day, I want to encourage you celebrate “Dependence Day”. In fact, I believe everyday should be Dependence Day, as daily we depend on God and not on ourselves to meet our every need. And my prayer is that people everywhere from the church house to the White House would once again hear freedom ring from the highest hill… a hill where my Savior bled and died for the cause of freedom. Freedom for you and for me.
Freedom isn’t free. However, freedoms price has been paid and it’s time to declare it once again from sea to shining sea!
Galatians 5:1 - It is for freedom that Christ has set us free! Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Monday, May 17, 2010
No Excuse
On April 24, 2010, seven Christian’s were killed in Nigeria in what is the latest of ongoing attacks against Christian’s in that area. Just weeks before a pastor and his wife were brutally murdered in the same region.
This is only a glimpse of the persecution and death that many of our Christian brothers and sisters are facing around the world. These are people who are unable to worship with the freedom we have in America. These are people who want nothing more than to learn about Jesus, to follow Jesus, to know Jesus, and to tell others about Jesus. These are people who depend on others to share stories from the Bible because they are unable to have a Bible of their own. These are people so willing to identify with Christ, so hungry for His Word; they would rather die than deny Him.
As Americans, we are blessed with the freedom to worship Christ freely. We are blessed to have the Bible, God’s inspired Word, available to us not only in book form, but on CD, mp3, via the internet… there’s even a Bible app for our phones! We have more tools and resources available at our finger tips than ever before. Yet many Christian’s, who themselves will stand up and proclaim, “God is number one in my life”, neglect the very thing that gives us insight into Who He is, and who we are in Him…and another day goes by with our Bible on the shelf.
Christian’s, it’s time to face the fact that when it comes to knowing God and growing in our faith we really have "No Excuse". It's time to rise up and not just read the Word, but to eat It, breathe It, and live It! It's time for action, and there's no time for excuses!
Only serious disciples need apply.
WORD to everybody!
This is only a glimpse of the persecution and death that many of our Christian brothers and sisters are facing around the world. These are people who are unable to worship with the freedom we have in America. These are people who want nothing more than to learn about Jesus, to follow Jesus, to know Jesus, and to tell others about Jesus. These are people who depend on others to share stories from the Bible because they are unable to have a Bible of their own. These are people so willing to identify with Christ, so hungry for His Word; they would rather die than deny Him.
As Americans, we are blessed with the freedom to worship Christ freely. We are blessed to have the Bible, God’s inspired Word, available to us not only in book form, but on CD, mp3, via the internet… there’s even a Bible app for our phones! We have more tools and resources available at our finger tips than ever before. Yet many Christian’s, who themselves will stand up and proclaim, “God is number one in my life”, neglect the very thing that gives us insight into Who He is, and who we are in Him…and another day goes by with our Bible on the shelf.
Christian’s, it’s time to face the fact that when it comes to knowing God and growing in our faith we really have "No Excuse". It's time to rise up and not just read the Word, but to eat It, breathe It, and live It! It's time for action, and there's no time for excuses!
Only serious disciples need apply.
WORD to everybody!
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Meaningless (click here to listen)
I had the privilege to preach at FBC Tullahoma this past weekend, March 14, 2010, as we honored my mom and dad who are retiring from full-time ministry. If there is one thing I have learned from them, and for myself, if Christ is not at the forefront of your life, everything is meaningless!
I praise God for His grace and mercy that allows us fresh starts and new beginnings through His Son Jesus Christ. And because of Christ, we can go from a life that is meaningless to a life full of meaning and purpose!
One of my favorite hymns was written by a man named Edward Mote. Mote was not brought up in a godly home and did not have the advantage of early exposure to Scripture. In fact, his parents managed a pub in London and often neglected young Edward, who spent most of his Sundays playing in the city streets. Of his theological upbringing, he said "So ignorant was I that I did not know that there was a God."
Eventually Mote became exposed to the Word of God, and was baptized at the age of 18. This event, however, did not send Mote immediately into the ministry. He was apprenticed to become a cabinetmaker, a career which he successfully conducted for another 37 years. Eventually, at the age of 55, he became pastor of a Baptist church in Horsham, Sussex, where he did not miss a Sunday in the pulpit for the next 21 years. He resigned from this pastorate in 1873 due to ill health, and died the following year at the age of 77.
It was with this background that Mote wrote the hymn we have today, "The Solid Rock." It was during his career as a cabinetmaker that the hymn came into being. One morning in 1834 as he was walking to work, it entered his mind to write a hymn. By the time he got to work, he had the chorus. He wrote four more verses over the course of that day and two additional verses before he was finished.
The Solid Rock - Edward Mote
My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
When darkness veils His lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace; In every high and stormy gale, My anchor holds within the veil.
His oath, His covenant, His blood Support me in the whelming flood; When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay.
When He shall come with trumpet sound, Oh, may I then in Him be found; Dressed in His righteousness alone, Faultless to stand before the throne.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand, All other ground is sinking sand.
Now that is meaning!
I praise God for His grace and mercy that allows us fresh starts and new beginnings through His Son Jesus Christ. And because of Christ, we can go from a life that is meaningless to a life full of meaning and purpose!
One of my favorite hymns was written by a man named Edward Mote. Mote was not brought up in a godly home and did not have the advantage of early exposure to Scripture. In fact, his parents managed a pub in London and often neglected young Edward, who spent most of his Sundays playing in the city streets. Of his theological upbringing, he said "So ignorant was I that I did not know that there was a God."
Eventually Mote became exposed to the Word of God, and was baptized at the age of 18. This event, however, did not send Mote immediately into the ministry. He was apprenticed to become a cabinetmaker, a career which he successfully conducted for another 37 years. Eventually, at the age of 55, he became pastor of a Baptist church in Horsham, Sussex, where he did not miss a Sunday in the pulpit for the next 21 years. He resigned from this pastorate in 1873 due to ill health, and died the following year at the age of 77.
It was with this background that Mote wrote the hymn we have today, "The Solid Rock." It was during his career as a cabinetmaker that the hymn came into being. One morning in 1834 as he was walking to work, it entered his mind to write a hymn. By the time he got to work, he had the chorus. He wrote four more verses over the course of that day and two additional verses before he was finished.
The Solid Rock - Edward Mote
My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
When darkness veils His lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace; In every high and stormy gale, My anchor holds within the veil.
His oath, His covenant, His blood Support me in the whelming flood; When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay.
When He shall come with trumpet sound, Oh, may I then in Him be found; Dressed in His righteousness alone, Faultless to stand before the throne.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand, All other ground is sinking sand.
Now that is meaning!
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Pressing On – Easier said than done?
This week has been somewhat of a frustrating one for me. On Tuesday my back took a turn for the worst and I literally found myself unable to do the simplest things that I often take for granted. Even working on my laptop has been painful. Yes, I went to the doctor, the chiropractor, I am stretching, resting, and applying ice and heat. Mom even has made sure I am taking my Flintstone’s Vitamins.
Now, sometimes God allows things like back pain to get us to slow down and rest, and often times we need to do just that. Other times pain can be a signal of something deeper going on that needs to be addressed. The pain is there and it’s real, but how I respond to the pain, how I let it affect me when it comes to those around me, my attitude, my responsibilities, my outlook on life, and my relationship with God is critical. Because I am in pain, do I make everyone around me suffer by complaining, being irritable, and inwardly focused? Do I allow my pain to be an excuse to procrastinate and not do the things that I still could be doing and need to get done? Do I allow my pain to dictate who I am to the point that my outlook on life in general becomes doom and gloom? Do I allow my pain to cause me to neglect my family, my friends, and my God?
My pain is a physical pain. However, everything I have said above can be applied to emotional pain as well. And let me tell you that emotional pain is just as real if not more real, and can even lead to physical pain. And sometimes we need to just rest, deal with our pain, deal with the “deeper” issues. I am a firm believer in dealing with, and getting help when it comes to our emotional pain. However, when we allow the pain to influence who we are, how we treat others, our attitude, our responsibilities, our outlook on life, and our relationship to God, we have allowed our pain to almost become our God, our big ball of wax, our obstacle, our impassable mountain.
The Apostle Paul knew what it was to be in pain. He suffered physical pain and mental pain. He was beaten, abused, and locked up in chains. He traveled great distances by foot, constantly put his life in harm’s way, yet rarely do we ever hear him complain.
My pain is real, and I know many of you are going through pain that is very real. However, let me encourage you to press on. God does have a plan for your life and will get you through the most difficult of circumstances. The Apostle Paul says in Philippians 4:10-13: 10I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Be encouraged. God is with you and whatever the pain, whatever the circumstance, His strength is sufficient!
Now, sometimes God allows things like back pain to get us to slow down and rest, and often times we need to do just that. Other times pain can be a signal of something deeper going on that needs to be addressed. The pain is there and it’s real, but how I respond to the pain, how I let it affect me when it comes to those around me, my attitude, my responsibilities, my outlook on life, and my relationship with God is critical. Because I am in pain, do I make everyone around me suffer by complaining, being irritable, and inwardly focused? Do I allow my pain to be an excuse to procrastinate and not do the things that I still could be doing and need to get done? Do I allow my pain to dictate who I am to the point that my outlook on life in general becomes doom and gloom? Do I allow my pain to cause me to neglect my family, my friends, and my God?
My pain is a physical pain. However, everything I have said above can be applied to emotional pain as well. And let me tell you that emotional pain is just as real if not more real, and can even lead to physical pain. And sometimes we need to just rest, deal with our pain, deal with the “deeper” issues. I am a firm believer in dealing with, and getting help when it comes to our emotional pain. However, when we allow the pain to influence who we are, how we treat others, our attitude, our responsibilities, our outlook on life, and our relationship to God, we have allowed our pain to almost become our God, our big ball of wax, our obstacle, our impassable mountain.
The Apostle Paul knew what it was to be in pain. He suffered physical pain and mental pain. He was beaten, abused, and locked up in chains. He traveled great distances by foot, constantly put his life in harm’s way, yet rarely do we ever hear him complain.
My pain is real, and I know many of you are going through pain that is very real. However, let me encourage you to press on. God does have a plan for your life and will get you through the most difficult of circumstances. The Apostle Paul says in Philippians 4:10-13: 10I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Be encouraged. God is with you and whatever the pain, whatever the circumstance, His strength is sufficient!
Friday, February 5, 2010
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
MISSION POSSIBLE: "Changing the Way People think about Church" 2009 Barna stats on church & culture
The following is a link to Barna's year end review on the church http://tiny.cc/lcfQC
If this is not overwelming proof that “We need to Change the way People think about Church by actually being the Church” I don’t know what is.
I Timothy 2:1-2 calls us to intercessory prayer for all nations, for all authority, for everyone. If there were ever a time to answer this call it is now! I Timothy 2:1-2 - 1I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— 2for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
Be the Church!
Pastor Christian
If this is not overwelming proof that “We need to Change the way People think about Church by actually being the Church” I don’t know what is.
I Timothy 2:1-2 calls us to intercessory prayer for all nations, for all authority, for everyone. If there were ever a time to answer this call it is now! I Timothy 2:1-2 - 1I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— 2for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
Be the Church!
Pastor Christian
Friday, January 8, 2010
"Changing the Way People Think about Church" Thought for the day by Charles Talbert of IVP
God's plan is for churches to grow. The challenge for us is, "Will we meet the Scriptural conditions for growth as seen in Acts 2: a dedication to be a learning, caring, fellowshipping, worshipping church?" Will we meet the one essential condition? "As empowering follows petition, so evangelism and Christian unity or community follow Pentecost. The empowering, moreover, is repeatable. So pray!
Thursday, January 7, 2010
MISSION POSSIBLE - Changing the Way People think about Church!
The last 6 months have literally flown by! The reality is that it was not even 6 months ago that a decision was made to launch Living Bridge Church! However, we are now entering our 16th week and what once was the impossible dream of a few has become the reality of a church home for many. It has been incredible to see God work in building His church! And there is no doubt, this has truly been a God thing!In starting a church with no real mother church we had a lot of work to do, and a lot of questions to answer. What was our mission? Who were our core leadership team? What about Bylaws, Elder Leadership, women's roles in ministry? What about kids ministry, youth ministry, seniors ministry, a ministry to cats and dogs? Where's the sign ups for church softball? Are we having Sunday school? And for Pete's sake, when are we going to sing a hymn or two!
It was to say the least overwhelming. It got to the point where if someone was willing to do something like the writing the Bylaws I simply said "OK, go for it!" And only 2 weeks later, my 9 year old son had them finished! (Just Kidding) Seriously though, over these past few months we have come to the realization that starting a church, especially starting one in world record time (post-book of Acts) was a process, and some of the things we saw as absolutely vital have proven to be less vital than we had first thought.
With only about a month left before our launch, and with much blood, sweat, and tears (the blood was from the women scratching one another and the tears were from the male leadership) we came up with our mission statement:
"Connecting People to the Truth that is Christ so that they Might Gain the Hope of all Eternity"
We cried, we laughed, we ate fried chicken and drank sweet tea and we were not even in the south! It was beautiful! The Great Commission revised! It was theologically deep, yet short and catchy! It was a masterpiece! It might even become a 6Th purpose! So we thought...
Back to the now... Over the next several weeks I will be sharing with our church our mission and the 5 priorities we hold as essential to our church. As I began to prepare to share what might be the most important series in the life of our church, God began to speak to me as I prayed and mediated on His word (particularly Acts 2). At the same time I was listening to Andy Stanley's leadership podcast, reading Courageous Leadership by Bill Hybels, and thinking about the people in our community. I began to look at vision statements from some of the most successful people and churches I could think of. I began to think about what we hoped to see God do through LB in our community. I mean, we had a mission statement but now we needed a vision statement, maybe even a purpose statement?? Then it happened as it always does. God revealed His mission, His vision for our church to me in a supernatural way and in a supernatural place! I will never forget it as I was in one of the most incredible environments one could imagine... the guest shower at my parents home in Tennessee. None the less, WA LA!
"Changing the Way People think about Church"! That was it! I immediately went to google and searched the phrase... It was not all that common. I found a couple of similar things... However, what I knew at that moment was that this was it! This was the mission God was calling us to at Living Bridge!
Over the past week I have spent a majority of my time spinning, retooling, and thinking through the mission. Was it transferable? Was it too broad? What does it say to the Christian? What does it say to the non-Christian? Spin, spin, spin!
Last night at 11:00 I finally removed my hands from it, and am now ready to share it with our church. I am excited about it and I truly believe our people will be too! I realize this blog has been incredibly long and by now only my cat has read through it thus far. However if you want a sneak peak at our mission and what Living Bridge Church is all about go to http://www.livingbridgepittsburgh.org/ and click on our mission & beliefs link at the top of the page.
Thanks for reading! Until next time...
PCW
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