Who am I?

Do you ever ask this question? Like what really defines you? I do, and I have to admit that without occasional personal evaluation, it would change. I can get distracted and change my focus fairly easily, and without checking on what is guiding me I can get off track.

I want to head in one direction: to be inside the will of God being used to my fullest potential and I want to do the most with the talents God has given me. OK, that sounds great…singularly focused and intentional, but to be completely honest, I struggle with this. “Is this God’s will? Or this? Or this?” I wonder from time to time if I am going in the right direction at all.

Am I alone in this? Sometimes you do not know you are heading in the wrong direction until you get to where you think you wanted to be…then it hits you: “This is not where I wanted to be…” “This is not the life I had planned?” “This is not…(you fill in the blank)”. Or maybe you have gotten to where you wanted to go and there seems to be something missing?

That is me…and I struggle with it all the time. The only difference is that now I am looking at a different map, and with a different purpose in mind. Look what Paul says our purpose is:

“For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

I want this…heck I need this, and I believe there is a way to get it, and it is never too late. The Enemy wants us to be distracted and too busy to focus on God, and then he wins by default. But that is not the life God desires for anyone. God has a plan for everyone, a plan to use us in ways we would never believe possible. You interested?

Then what are you willing to do about it? Proof is in what you do, not intended to or wanted to...

Are You a Fan or a Follower?

A fan defined is "An enthusiastic admirer". I think that perfectly defined my relationship with Jesus. I admired who He was and what He did for me, but I never really thought I needed or had any part beyond that.

Scripture is clear on this...Jesus does not want fans, He wants followers. The difference is clear. Fans are close enough to experience the benefits without being so close to have to actually participate. Nothing is required of a fan, nothing at all. As a matter of fact the only real benefit is to the one being admired by the fans.

Jesus is everything to everyone, and He is in need of nothing. There is nothing any amount of fans could offer Him. Yet we seem to be building stadiums over sanctuaries, and judging a church by it's numbers over it's impact. Churches are becoming menu driven - and are competing with more and more to offer apparently hoping the best menu wins! Why is this happening?

I believe we have missed the point about what Jesus is offering us. He is not offering a free meal or a hand-out. Jesus wants to gives us what we could never get any where else...eternal life. But it seems we are so focused on the here and now we are missing this. Listen to Jesus the day after He miraculously fed thousands of people:

Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw "miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill.'" John 6:26

Are you looking for Jesus to see what He will give you next? Or are you willing to follow Him regardless of the cost? Jesus is asking, and you will either answer Him intentionally and actively or not...that is your call. I want to answer Him now, and I want my answer to be clear...how about you?

Celebrating and serving Him...
Pastor Pat

Don't Tell Me What To Do!

How do you respond to demands over requests? If you are anything like me, then not well. I say I will consider anything that you ask me, but more than likely will resist anything you just "tell" me to do. Why is this?

I grew up with an ex-Naval officer dad whose life's philosophy was "His way or the highway...". Albeit strong as he and his philosophy seems to be, I could not help feeling bullied most of the time. As I grew in my independence it was common for me to do whatever he said not to, and the older I got the more of this behavior I practiced...even to my own harm at times.

Obedience wouldn't have hurt, but I felt my dad was more concerned about "his" way than me. So I focused on my way...just like he had his, how ironic. I spent many years arguing my position with him both in anger and in silence. Both ways were painful, and it took years to finally get along. When I became my dad's secondary care giver at the end of his life everything changed, and we finally got along. Looking back it still hurts thinking of all the time with him I threw away.

I think our relationship with God is very similar (mine is anyway). We know being obedient won't hurt, but we feel like God has some agenda for what He wants over what we want, and we think that God wants us to be prim and proper, and have no fun at all! That could not be further from the truth. Unfortunately it usually takes maturity and life events to realize that all this living our own way is not getting us to where we need to go, and then we turn to God.

God does not want you to toe some imaginary line or follow a whole bunch of rules and then He will bless you. God wants you to have life to the fullest! His Word is full of instruction, and if we choose to listen and obey blessings will follow. Just like when we obeyed our parents, even unwillingly, we often realized how they were right and we were better off because we had listened. Or worse when we are suffering some consequence and regret not having followed their instruction...

God is not looking down shamefully and angrily waiting for you obey Him. He is watching and hurting with you, hoping you will listen to His Word sooner than later so you can experience the blessings He has promised.

So why wait any longer?

God has a plan for your life, and wants nothing more for you than for you to experience an abundant life...

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us" Eph. 3:20.

The Easy Way...

The easy way...wouldn't that just be easier? And according to the advice of Staples there should be a button for most of life's struggles...at least everything at Staple's is easy. But that is not what Scripture says - 

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." Matt. 7:13-14

Sometimes we face hard choices like staying when leaving or just giving up would be easier. Or maybe leaving when staying comfortable would just be easier...both difficult decisions. Both have direction choices - both have a "path of least resistance" choice. Unfortunately, if you are anything like me, I often times can't resist choosing the easier path.

Like letting the kids "work it out" (when it is obvious they are not) instead of getting up and intervening. Or procrastinating something that I could do today...I am a pro at that. Anyone else struggle with this?

It is a choice...you have to choose, and not choosing is a choice too! This does not mean simply choose whatever is the hardest...but choose what is right over easy. You will know...and if you really are not sure, ask a friend who knows and cares about you.

We are at a time as a church when we have made one of those tough decisions. We are full on Sundays, and it is awesome, and it is also a comfortable feeling. So we have had to choose: stay and do two services, or find a larger place to meet. I have sought wise counsel, particularly the one who I believe God speaks to me the most through - my bride, and two services just did not seem to be the right choice.

Honestly, the thought of moving does not excite me to say the least. But through prayer I believe God has shown and given us a new place to gather...and it not only provides us with room to grow, but it is a theater style area that is off the charts perfect for our church. As a matter of fact it was previously home to a church for over 5 years, and now we will be gathering there!   

This is such an answer to prayer, and I am I excited beyond measure for what God has in store next for Hope Crossing! It would have been easier to just stay, but we would have missed watching God work and provide a better opportunity for us going forward...sometimes easy isn't the best. 


So if you are facing a decision or a choice that appears to have an "easier" way...proceed with caution...it might not be the best way to go. And it may seem easier not to decide (still a decision) and just avoid making the wrong choice and just stay where you are. Maybe staying where you are, like a marriage or an uncomfortable job, is the hard thing. Leaving situations that we don't "like" is easy...but what if staying is the right thing to do?


Ever made a decision and later looked back and realized that you made the right (or wrong) one? Practice praying, seeking counsel, and making decisions or choices to do the right thing over the easy thing...and see how God will bless it. He will amaze you.
In His service,
Pastor Pat