Getting Everything You Want

Did you get everything you wanted for Christmas or have you made trips back to the stores to ensure it...? What is the determining factor? Likes or dislikes change, and for some people they can change seemingly moment to moment. That being said, can you ever really get all that you want?

If you are like me it seems as soon as I have something, all I want is something more. I am not saying I don't appreciate gifts...I LOVE getting gifts, and appreciate them beyond measure. It is just that when I have something, I can now focus on what I don't have...just being honest.

Unchecked, this can lead to an endless spiral of unmet desires and empty possessions. Each having held the promise of being the "IT" that would be just what we wanted or thought we needed, and failed to be "IT" after all. So what can we do? Should we live life moving from one empty promise to the next...sounds depressingly hopeless, doesn't it? If that were all there was to life, then collectively we would agree that it seems pointless, but there is a point.

So what is the ultimate gift? Where can it be found? What can keep us from hopelessness? God's love. "What?" You say... That is it? Yep, that is it. God's love has a lifetime warranty, does not require batteries, has no strings attached, and is more than we deserve. That is why David wrote this in the the book of Psalms:

"But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation." Psalm 13:5 NIV

Unfailing love, and the salvation He offers us...more than we could ask or imagine, more than we deserve,unbelievable, incomprehensible, and just plain awesome...period.

It is simply the only gift we will ever need, and it will keep on giving - no matter what. Now that should be everything you ever wanted.

In His Grip.

Pastor Pat

Greatest Gift...

What makes a gift "Great"? We all love to give a gift, that when opened, the person we are giving it to, gasps with surprise and happiness. And there is nothing worse than putting time into a gift to then get the "Really?" look shot out to you when it is opened...not good. And if you have to explain it - even worse.

So what makes a gift good? Cost? Unusualness? I just read the Top 11 Gifts for 2011, where "money is no object" - HOLY CASHOLA!! Gifts so expensive and unrealistic it is unimaginable why they were even made in the first place. I know, it is because there is a market for it.

I am gonna go against the grain here and shake it up, like this is unusual. Who do we buy gifts for? We buy gifts for people who buy gifts for us. Let's be honest - for the most part we buy gifts because we are obligated to. Just being honest, but most gift giving is done out obligation.

Wanna know what the greatest gift is? There is a "perfect" gift. This gift comes without obligation, and we do not deserve it. Guess what? I don't think we can give a gift like this. Sorry, but a "perfect" gift could only come from a "perfect" giver - God.

Maybe this year we need to spend a little less time trying to find the right gift, and accept the gift that God has already given...just sayin'

In His Grip,

Pastor Pat

SAVE ME!!!

What can or will save you from where you are in life? Forget how you got here, but ask yourself if you are looking for something or someone to save you...well are you? Has life gotten so busy and/or out of control, you feel like you need saving? Do you stop to consider if or how any of what you are dealing with could possibly be part of God's plan for your life? Or do you feel that a big God doesn't have the time for your little issues? Things aren't so different now than they were 2,000 years ago.

Almost 2,000 years ago in the small nondescript town of Bethlehem, a child was born in the only place the parents could find for shelter: a manger where animals were kept. The world kept its pace and appointments and Jesus was born (aka Immanuel, which means "God with us"). This would seem to be a BIG deal...but in all the world we know only some shepherds and wise men came to visit and recognized God's gift to mankind.

The world at the time was too busy (no time), and the religious leaders too righteous (not their way), to recognize this event. And where are we today? Are we different? We seem more caught up in the political correctness of the name and who might be offended when we say Christmas to stop and consider the events that gave it its name in the first place. We are also so preoccupied about what we have to give and what we will get, that we are missing the gift God already gave us!

So if you are looking for a something or someone to save you - A new job? A promotion? A relationship? A new marriage? Or whatever. Maybe you are looking in all of the wrong places...try looking up and don't miss the saving miracle of Christmas.

"Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:11 NIV.

People and things will only change the circumstances of your lifestyle. God gave us Jesus to change your life...forever. So accept His gift this year, whether for the first time or maybe you need to remember what it was like when you first opened it...either way works...and let Him be what saves you...just saying'

In Him,

Pastor Pat

What Path Are You On?

Choices have consequences; everyone would probably agree this is true. The problem only happens when we start to qualify the types and severity of the consequences, because then the subjective “fairness” has to come into play. Everyone has his or her own version of fair. So what then does the determining factor need to be? Truth: not my truth or your truth, but the truth.

The debate whether or not a loving God would create a place of eternal punishment for a mere bad choice would seem like a convincing argument to have. Have it as you wish, but I am not going to go there right now. Let’s back it up just a bit.

Whatever you believe, let’s say that you believe it sincerely…with all your heart. You would even say that you are committed to your beliefs, and I would agree. I do not want to overly simplify, but humor me here for just a minute.

Let’s say that you believed with all your heart you could fly. Practically speaking, you made a large set of wings out of something and proceeded to the highest building, bridge, or cliff you could find. After throwing yourself off into the air you realize that gravity was true, more so than your beliefs (I am speaking beliefs here, and do not want to engage in scientific explanations for personal flight).

Gravity is true. You can’t choose to agree or disagree with that truth. In the same way, truth is not subjective to our convictions. Even though one sincerely believed that they could fly, they would actually just be sincerely wrong.

The Bible is true. The debates about which parts and who were the authors and the influence of men will continue, but the fact is this: nothing in the Bible has been proven inaccurate or false. Countless “un-proven” stories in the Bible have been proven true and historically accurate through archeological discoveries. This continues to be the case and shows no signs of stopping.

So why the fuss? Honestly, I do not know outside of pride. Think about this: If what the Bible says is truth, then following it or not has consequences, and if it turns out to be wrong…well then the consequences will be a life lived selflessly and for others, and that can’t be all bad, right? But if it is truth, then those who sincerely believe that it is not will simply be sincerely wrong, and the Bible says that will have consequences too…well let’s just say that it says there will be hell to pay.

…just saying’

In His Grip,

Pastor Pat

Need Directions?

Do you find it difficult or easy to ask for directions? Are you dependent on a GPS system for your route planning? What do you do to prepare when you are going somewhere you have never been before? What about when you are going to do something you have never done before? Or maybe assembling a new toy for the kids…do you use the directions?

So whatever your method of preparing, we would all agree that some is needed to avoid getting lost, doing it incorrectly, or miss-assembling something, right? OK, glad we can agree on that. But would you go a step further and agree that the problem is not so much in preparing but more in the application of these directions? We seem to think “using” directions is optional. We get an idea of where we need to be or what to do, and have some kind of research done and get just going, knowing we can just figure it out as we go.

Ever been lost because of this? Ever done something incorrectly…ever had to re-assemble something? Ever had a fight over directions? My name is Pat, and yes I have.

Why are we like this? I believe it is because the direction we are going is completely dependent on us. We either believe we are headed in a direction where we are confident we know where we are going or we are confident in the directions we have been given. The problem is most of the time we are either overconfident or over trusting.

No one has ever followed directions to the letter and gotten lost, done something incorrectly, or put together something wrong. I did not say well, that is subjective, right and wrong is not. Right and wrong are based on truth. Truth is just that – true, and is always right.

So when it comes to directions, what matters more than anything else is the source. Clear directions from a notable and trustworthy source are the key.

A mapped out (with current data) route will get you where you want to go, right? Following directions about how to ride a bike will get you riding(sooner or later), right? Reading instructions and following the step-by-step directions will enable correct assembly, right? Then why all the debate? Why do we make it so difficult? It is our nature…we want to trust ourselves and we want to be right.

What about your spiritual life? What are you using for directions? What or who are you trusting with your eternal destination? There is only one truth when it comes to God’s direction for your life, and that is His Word. So, where are you going and how do you plan to get there matters…what you choose to use, and who or what you trust to direct you will ultimately determine where you get to, right? So choose wisely, it will make an eternal difference…and eternity is forever.

So what Path are you on?

IN HIS GRIP,

Pastor Pat

On Assignment?

So have you ever walked into a class of any kind and as you sit down and get ready for class, the teacher asks everyone to take out and pass in their previously assigned report or project? At that moment you realize you did not do it, and your mind starts to race with possible excuses the teacher might believe…know the feeling? Total shock, followed by total panic, and then the procession of excuses…to which the teacher either looks at you with disgust or ignores you all together…AAAAAAAAAAHH!!! So you’ve been there…

Scariest place on earth at that moment, that’s all I can say. Your hopes for freedom from being grounded, extra rules, less chores for the weekend, evaporating before your eyes…you are busted. NOW WHAT? You scramble for ways to keep your parents from finding out…but you know they will at some point. If I had spent one tenth the time doing the project as I did trying to figure out how not to get busted for not doing it...anyway.

Just to confess, I did spend considerable time trying to “make-up” missing assignments and hence a low grade. What a waste, huh? I tell my kids this all the time…and guess what? They have missing assignments. Why is this? Why is this habit so hard to break? It is our nature, that’s why.

We all think we can do whatever we want to do, and have the time to make up for it, correct it, seek forgiveness, and then get it right. I know it is how I lived for most of my life. And as we celebrate Thanksgiving this year we have a tendency to celebrate how much we have…because for a lot of folks our blessings are equal to our belongings.

Belongings will always go back to where they belong…here. Unfortunately, one day we will be here no more, just a fact, and what you have will no longer matter. We are blessed because we have a God who loves us beyond measure and gave us a Savior so that having Him is all we need to get to where we finally have all we ever needed.

God has given us all an assignment, and with no definite “real” due-date…just finish in your lifetime. This kind of assignment just happens to be our favorite kind. This is the kind of assignment we feel we can put off, that we will just get to it one day, so we don’t really have to worry about it now. And herein lays the problem. If we have all the time in the world to accomplish it, why hurry? Why is there any urgency at all? Actually, because we may not have as much time as we think. Tomorrow is not a promise, and when you die the assignment is due:

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” 2 Corinthians 5:10 (NIV)

It is a healthy reminder to us all that as believers we all are on assignment – an assignment from God for His purposes and His Kingdom. This assignment comes from and includes the greatest gift ever – a Savior. Accept it and make this Thanksgiving about WHOM you are most thankful for… So what are you gonna turn in when your name is called? Will you have your assignment done, or will you be panicking to figure out the best excuse to use? Just get it done now, accept your assignment and do it…your Kingdom Assignment.

Just sayin…

In His Grip,

Pastor Pat

Show Off!

We are approaching Thanksgiving at amazing speed, and it seems that this year is speeding past faster than most, I want to slow us down a bit to reflect on this annual holiday. Most of us know the historical story of the Pilgrims and the Indians and how this holiday came to be. But I really am struggling with a couple of things: First, if there were no holiday, would we ever stop our lives to be thankful? And secondly, what about the second half of the word - "Giving"...how does this fit into our celebrations?

So first, we all love the national holiday...time off work, right? It also gives us an excuse to get together and even to do some things we like without having to apologize (overeat and watch football). It is a great time! Nothing wrong with this. Some families even have a tradition of going around the room and having everyone share something they are most thankful for over the past year. But what would happen if the nation decided it was no longer economically responsible to keep celebrating it and abolished the holiday? Would we protest because we demand a national holiday to recognize our thankfulness, or would we be up in arms because we lost a paid holiday from work? Think about it, and what I will say on this is, Thanksgiving needs to be more than a celebration about a day off work, that's all.

Next, what about the "Giving" part? When you think about it, giving is active, while the act of thanking can be passive - "I am thankful my team won the World Series, etc...". How do we take thanks to the next level? I believe we need to make it active and apply the giving part. Go out of your way with your thankfulness: make it a point to "show" those you are most thankful for how you feel, beyond just telling them. Offer to do things you would not normally do - around the house, for your spouse and kids, or around the office for your bosses or employees, and see what happens. Take this perspective:

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters," (Colossians 3:23 NIV)

With this Scripture in mind, here is an idea - Take whatever your "Part" in whatever you do - husband, wife, mom, dad, sister, brother, friend, employee or employer and switch it up...do MORE than is expected. Then when you are asked why, simply respond with how you wanted to show them how thankful you are for that you get to do your "part" everyday. This practical, physical act of giving thanks might have a twofold effect. First, it might shock those around you and help them to realize how truly thankful they are, but more importantly it might help change you a little on the inside into becoming an active over passive "thanker"!

So this year, continue the tradition or start a new one where each person you are with shares what he or she is most thankful for...and as for you - be the thankfulness show-off!

Might change everything, just saying...

In His Grip,

Pastor Pat

Gratitude?

How grateful are you?

What determines one's ability to be grateful? Is it the size of the gift or offering of kindness that creates a demand in us to respond in a kind or grateful manner? Is gratitude something we only use in response to something that happens to us? Like kind words, a thoughtful act, or a gift? What is it that determines the level of our gratitude?

I believe it's two things. First, it's our perspective. How you look at things. Do you look at things in this world by how they relate to you and your life primarily? I mean simply, are you your number one priority? Ouch...this is a daunting question, because if you aren't your number one priority, then who would make you theirs?

Next, I believe it's our attitude. Seriously, attitude is the determining factor to a whole lot more than we think. As a matter of fact, attitude pretty much has an effect on everything. A positive or negative attitude determines a person's demeanor, actions, reactions, and all-around temperament, agree?

So what to do? We need an Extreme Makeover: Perspective and Attitude edition. Just like most of the houses on the reality TV show of a similar name, you just can't fix them; they need to be torn down and a whole new one built. There is only One who can accomplish this task, and it is not Ty Pennington, it is Jesus.

'You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:22-24 NIV)

There is no other way to make the change. We can't fix what has been broken for so long, we just need to be made new. The great thing about this...unlike Extreme Makeover which happens once, we can and should be made new in Christ over and over. Living each moment with that newness, and not being hindered or defined by a mistake or problem. Recognizing the direction you are headed and who you are following.

In His Grip,

Pastor Pat

To Be or Not To Be or Feelings?

Now that is a question! What's the difference? Well when it comes to being thankful I think it is as different as night and day.

Feeling thankful is based on emotion and can change depending on numerous factors including internal or external influences. Simply put, feeling thankful is based on how you feel at the moment.

Being thankful is an action, not a reaction to an emotional state. If you are thankful, you will act to express it either by word or deed. If you simply want to feel it, the goal is met when you feel it, and no further action is required.

Breaking it down a little further you could say that feeling thankful is about you and being thankful is not. Sad thing is feeling thankful to some is like feeling happy and some believe they are entitled to it. Which if you consider that for a moment would then mean that if you think you are entitled to feeling thankful, then you believe people need to do things for you so you are...kind of tough when its put that way, huh?

The key to becoming thankful is all about the object of the thanks. Think about it...wanting or trying to create the "feeling" of thankfulness is all about the person wanting to or trying to feel thankful, right? Makes sense. But if we are to "be" thankful, we are focused on something outside ourselves. The point is not to create a feeling, but to respond to something or someone.

Look at this verse:

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever." (Psalm 107:1 NIV)

If we can focus our thanks on God, for how He loves us, we can escape the cycle of emotional ups and downs that come with trying to feel thankful. This might sound simple or even stupid to you, and I apologize if it does...ok I don't...I am not sorry. OK, I am sorry about that...yikes, that's enough of that.

Anyway..."being" thankful is accomplished when we stop thinking that thankful is a by-product of something that has to happen to or for us and we accept what God has already done. There is no way we can express human gratitude for the supernatural gifts God has given us, that a simple choice can be the difference-maker between heaven and hell.

That makes me thankful. As a matter of fact, it makes anything anyone might ever do for me or even to me pale in comparison. That being said, I can be in a state of thankfulness all the time, even when it would seem to the world I have nothing to be thankful for...so thanks Jesus!

Again...thank you Jesus...and let this year be a season of being over feeling.

In His Grip,

Pastor Pat

The Time Is Now...

End times...eschatology is the church word for it. We seem to love to try and figure it out. Like it is the great end-of-the-world mystery and it is just waiting for us to solve it. Many have made predictions about it, and many have been wrong.

Jesus specifically tells us in Scripture that no one will know. So why so much time spent in the debate? I think it is because we are naturally curious (doubtful is a better word), and overtly prideful (we deserve an answer). That’s nice, but I don't seem to be able to find the part about deserving an answer anywhere in Scripture...weird? Or maybe it's the way it’s supposed to be?

Fact: the world will end. Fact: no one knows when. Problem: what are we supposed to do instead of trying to figure it all out? That is what is really at issue - what are we supposed to do? I am gonna go out on a limb here, but I think we are supposed to do what the rest of the Bible tells us to...just a hunch.

Maybe we need to spend more time trying to live our lives "FOR" our Creator instead of trying to figure out what He is going to do next. Seriously, if we would spend a lot less time worrying about what is next, we could spend more time experiencing what is now…the present.

So what is next? It is clear in Scripture that at the end there will be judgment. Something we all want to put off, and when it does happen we are hopefully thinking we might have an opportunity to explain. Unfortunately, explanations will not be necessary or even an option. At that moment there will be two things left - wrath or reward. Everything will be based on our lives and choices we have made. So how does one avoid this wrath? Assuming you want to.

What can satisfy God's wrath? What price must be paid? Problem is there is nothing we can do...we have made choices that have consequences. But, there is a choice we can make that changes everything...that will "save" us from His wrath...Jesus.

"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12 NIV)

So when the end comes doesn't really matter...WHO you choose does. You can choose yourself or Jesus. Your way, or God's way. God's wrath will not discriminate, and it will either fall on you or Jesus. Cool thing - you can choose now.

Who ya gonna call (on)?

In His Grip,

Pastor Pat

What Am I Missing?

We run through our days, going from one moment or event to the next as quickly as we can. This hurry is excused as a “lifestyle”. Most of us believe the lie that the more we do the better we will be. Yes, this is a lie. More is not always better, most of the time more is just more.

Although, there is a sense of accomplishment that comes with doing so much, but what is the cost? Stress levels are at an all time high, medical issues, and some all-important traditions are being dismissed due to scheduling conflicts – like family dinners, and divine appointments.

Gotta be honest here, not trying to do more is something I have to consciously be aware of. This morning I was contemplating putting off getting an over-due oil change, again, but I decided that with my gear and the ability to write on my iPad I could work while I waited. So I went.

Little did I know that God had put a woman and her daughter in the waiting room of this dealership that I needed to meet. I did not see this as I walked up…because I had plans to write – this blog post to be exact. The interruption that came next was nothing more than heaven sent. We had a brief discussion about the TV show that was on (Elmo’s something or other) and I asked how many kids she had. Three she said: Grace (who was there with her) and two sons – Jacob and Christian. OK…REALLY? I closed my back pack, sat back, and asked where they went to church.

The conversation that followed was both inspiring and humbling as she shared how God has and was working in their family’s life, and the miracles they have been recipients of. WOW…and I almost missed it! She told me that her and her husband have been praying for an answer to a conviction they felt God had put on their heart, and that she believed our conversation just might be the answer they were looking for. She also told me she too had tried getting out of going to the dealership this morning as well.

God is NOT a God of confusion, and the faster we move through this life the more confusing it becomes…

For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints, 1 Corinthians 14:33 (ESV)

This being the case, then how and what do we need to do? Funny…He tells us that too:

"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." Psalms 46:10 (NIV)

Do you want to be in a position to seek out divine appointments and not end each day wondering if you missed any? Then SLOW DOWN. The question you should be asking is not: “What am I missing?”, but “OK God, what divine appointment is next?”

Think of the change in your perspective if you could start to look at everything and everyone in front of you as a divine appointment and not a speed bump or roadblock to your plans for the day…think about it.

Maybe you are where you are supposed to be for God and not just for you…just saying’…

In His Grip,

Pastor Pat

COMMITTED!?

So what does this mean? It’s just a word: three vowels and six consonants to be exact. It is a word that we use when we want to express to someone that we are really, really, “involved” with something or someone. For example: “I am in a committed relationship.” This statement carries the inference that person is only interested in the one they are currently dating. Or one might say: “I am committed to see this project through to the end.” This statement carries the inference that whatever the project at hand. will be kept as the number one priority until it is finished.

I have heard this about the word: Who is more committed to a breakfast of eggs and bacon, the chicken or the pig? Well? Seems like the chicken gave what she had, and the pig gave all that he had. That sums up committed.

When I do a wedding, and I have done a bunch, I always tell the bride and groom this: “Love will not sustain your commitment, but commitment can and will sustain your love.” The inference here is that a time will come when your “loving” feelings might not be as strong as they are today (really?), and if that is what is holding you together you just might be in trouble.

Sometimes we want use the word committed with exceptions: “I’m committed unless… or I’m committed until… or I’m committed if…” These exceptions can be spoken or non-spoken, but they are made to ensure something – maybe a way to break the commitment if needed. We are making the word subject to our personal definition as to how we really mean it in the current situation.

Let’s look at the definition of the word: to entrust, especially for safekeeping. Seems that if we put conditions on the commitment then we are no longer “committed”, it simply becomes a statement. If there is a “catch” then we are not really giving something away in trust are we? That’s fine not to, but then don’t commit, right?

How about in reference to one’s faith? “I have committed my life to Christ.” What is this all about? This sounds serious, like we are supposed to make Christ our number one priority. But what about my life? What about everything I have and my work and my family, and my friends, and my wife, and my…?

Well what about it? Do you know why we commit our lives to Christ? Because He committed His life for us, and gave everything He had…His life, for us, so that we may truly live. There is no wiggle room here, no exceptions, no what about? Jesus was committed.

We need to fix our commitment priorities. First, with our commitment to Christ: I believe that if we get this commitment right, all of our others will follow suit. We need to be a church committed. Committed to Jesus as He was committed to us, and using Him as our guide and model.

Look at this passage, and read it through several times:

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV)

If this is how we work at everything, then it is Christ who you are committing to first when you commit to anything. It changes how we honor the commitment in our marriages and relationships. Heck, it should change how we honor all our commitments to anything or anyone for that matter.

So, you committed or what?

In His Grip,

Pastor Pat

Church Time

So where are your priorities? We would all say that they change when our seasons change. We are born, we go to school, we get a job, then we get a career, get married, have kids, have grand-kids, retire, and then die. REALLY??!!

Is this ALL there is? People tell me all the time that God is their priority, heck I have said it a million times myself. But is He? Well? A priority is only a priority when we act on it. If we say being with our family is a priority then anything we do instead of becomes a higher priority, right?

I know…”But I have to work to survive!” Yes, we do. But we do not have to work to provide a certain “standard” of living. We set our own bar on this one. Like the old adage says: I owe, I owe, so it’s off to work I go…” The more we owe, the more we go…off to work that is. Our obligations become our priorities, and what were our priorities start to become just more obligations…crazy talk, I know, but true.

So how do we change this? Want a right life? Get your priorities right. Stop making excuses…like: I’m BUSY…there I said it. It is the common answer to explain why we do not do what we say is important to us: “I would have been, gone, done if I wasn’t so busy!” “I wish I weren’t so BUSY, then I could do what really matters…”

BUSY is not a reason…it is an excuse. If God doesn’t exist then really nothing matters. But, if God does exist, then nothing else matters. As professed believers we need to begin with the basics – Is God real? Am I willing? Will I act on it?

Making God “the” priority in life is not just left to the “pros”, like only those in full time ministry are responsible to God all of the time. Again – REALLY??!! It is everyone’s job…otherwise the Gospel – the Good News of Jesus Christ would never “go” anywhere. Churches would be circus tents with barkers outside shouting at people to come in and see what they have to offer…oh wait that sounds uncomfortably familiar.

Our “church time” is not the time we relegate to give to some institution on occasion to put us in better position with God. According to the Scripture, we ARE the church. Each a necessary part that makes up Christ’s Body here on earth. We are the chosen vehicle by which God wants to reach a broken world. The Gospel is not just for us to come and get…it is for us to take and go.

If we are the church, then all of our time is “church time”. When our day comes to meet our Creator, I am betting (and I am not a betting sort of guy, at all) that how much “church” we did will have less to do with how much “church” we lived.

God does not need to be our first priority, God needs to be first in all our priorities… Get this? It changes everything when you do…

In His Grip,

Pastor Pat

Bait and Switch

Seems to me that every now and then we hear this grumbling in the church: “I came, I listened, I gave my life to Christ, now why hasn’t my life improved?” They have heard testimonies and faith stories of how God showed up and rescued people from impossible situations, nothing short of miraculous. Now these folks are left wondering: “But where is the miracle in my life…?”

These folks have come to churches looking for their miracle, their promises…and when they don’t happen they are rightfully perplexed. They came to church, they gave an offering, and they even served in a ministry…but still no miracle in their lives. So what’s the deal? Who can we blame for this? God is an easy target.

This has led some churches to teach a Gospel that feeds this false hope, and implies the idea that the “better” a Christian you are, the “better” God will bless you in this world. That is just false. God can and will bless us, but He is the one who defines it, not us. When we look for the miracle we want, we turn God into our own personal genie. That is not the God of the Bible, nor the God of history. We were made in God’s image to glorify Him. We are to make Him the object of our praise, and not the other way around.

God did not promise an easy life if we do what He says. God did promise a way out of this life through Jesus. Just as Jesus did not promise those who chose to follow Him an “easy” journeyand as a matter of fact, Jesus used some pretty harsh language describing the consequences of such a choice.

I do not want to go on about false teachings or false hopes. I want to go on about Jesus. He promises life-everlasting. Jesus promises abundant life…a life without the need for worry or anxiety, a life of hope and of promise. Not a promise of a comfortable lifestyle or worry-free living from the consequences of this world. If that were the case Paul should have had a palace and a retirement package for all of the Gospel spreading he did. Read his letters that he wrote…several were written while he was in prison to offer encouragement to a persecuted church.

Look at this verse from his letter to the Romans:

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (NIV)

The key to this passage is that Paul says “in all things God works for good” not “that all things are good”. Paul is saying that God can use anything or anyone to fulfill His purposes if we love Him and let Him.

When it comes to sharing the Gospel - the “Good News” of Jesus Christ, some people are willing to get people to church or to listen to them by any means possible. I love the intentions, but I am not so sure the end justifies the means. After all it implies that Jesus alone is not enough. That somehow the more we have to offer, the better chance of winning more people to the church…as if God needs our help. We are tempted to offer more and more, and then the possibility of a “Bait-N-Switch” becomes the reality.

There is only one way to heaven: Jesus, but there are many ways to get to Jesus. We need to stop worrying about how to “get” people to church with our new and exciting experiential services, or our new marketing campaign, and focus on helping people experience Jesus. We need less chatter and more of His Word, period. No baiting, no empty promises, just the Truth of His Word. Maybe we should take up the tag-line “Church – just because He said so”, instead of anything else.

There is a lot of “Bait-N-Switch” going on these days, and the greatest one is being done by the enemy – He wants us to believe we can save ourselves, grab as much as we can while we can, and then you will be happy. But then the “switch” happens…we are not so happy, and we just want more…

There is a hole inside of us all, and we want to desperately fill it. Unfortunately, it is not a hole that can be filled with feelings or stuff, and I can say this with some confidence because I have tried. It is a hole that is in the shape of a cross…and only the cross of Christ fits. Then He is in us, and we can live in Him. No promise of easy, but then again when has easy been the way to go to get what really matters most?

Maybe we should stop looking for easy and start looking for Jesus…just saying.

In His Grip,

Pastor Pat

What's Weighing You Down?

What's weighing you down? Are there current things or things in your past that are keeping you from moving forward? We all have a past; I wasn't always a pastor ya know. But our problems and/or our past do not determine our future.

First, the past is the past, and there is nothing we can do to change it now. The past does not define or limit who we can be, only who we were. We allow it to define us only when we refuse to let go of it. Letting go of our past is nothing more than that. It is not a surrender to it or any acknowledgement that it is anything more than it was...our past.

Next, are there problems you are currently dealing with that have stopped your forward progress? These can be anything from the loss of a job to an illness in the family. Whatever it is, the mere presence of it has apparently stopped you in your tracks. You feel like if you can just get through it then...then you can what? Then it will all be OK? Wishful thinking, right? Because as soon as you get through one thing there is going to be a next one right around the corner.

This is not the way it is supposed to be. OK, you might be thinking "Great, now tell me to stop worrying...". Hold on a minute, that's not my plan. My plan is to talk about what we can do in "spite" of these situations or conditions...and it all comes down to perspective. Ask yourself this: "When things go wrong do I find myself often times wondering why is this happening to me(us)?". If you do, you are not alone; this is a common response.

If we view life as how it is supposed to be according to what works best for ourselves, then everything that happens is filtered through that "to me" filter. If we step back and consider God's plan, then we can respond to life as direction from a master craftsman. We start to see things as happening "for" us not just "to" us anymore. A hammer can't complain that it is not being used right, just like it can't take credit for the work it helps accomplish. So how do we change our perspective?

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:17, 18 NIV)

The real answer is that we don't, He can. When we shift our vision from us to Him then we see things as He sees them. We then can start to be content where we are. After all, unless God is wrong, we are already where we are supposed to be. And what we are in control of is our next choice, not dependent on situations or circumstances, but dependent on Him. It is not where we are that matters, but where we are going...it is the first part of what Jesus taught us how we should pray:

"This, then, is how you should pray:

"'Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name, your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:9,10)

Do you know where you are going? When you do, then everything that happens is for you, as part of God's plan to show people what a relationship with Jesus looks like, and then they might ask you why...and you can tell them.

In His Grip,

Pastor Pat