Busy, Busy, Busy

I have not blogged in months. I have been incredibly busy, and it went on the back burner. Business is real, but it is not something that should keep me from sharing what God is speaking to me.

As I went on my run this morning, that's right I run (sort of), I was struck by something. As I run I pray that is one of the best times for me to pray for many reasons. First, people are not calling me or texting me, and I am removed from things. Second it helps me not focus on the fact that I am horribly out of shape.

As I was running and praying a heaviness came over me. I have been concerned with the church universal, not just my church, and the lack of emphasis on personal time with the Lord in prayer and devotion. I understand we are all incredibly busy, but we cannot allow ourselves to get so busy with everything else, that it drowns out what should be the desire of our hearts, to spend time with Him.

I will be preaching/teaching on this soon, but I would love to challenge you to dive in deeper, let Him speak to you! He is truly the lover of our souls, we need to spend time with Him. Glenda and I have been out of town together and it has been spectacular, because we were together, how much more with the God of the universe?

Blessings on you, and allow Him to take you deeper, and continue to be amazed by Him!

Christmas Time - Blessings

I have not been real diligent in keeping up with my blog, but here is a new one. Last night Glenda and I took our boys to visit some of our people who could not get to church due to illness or being more of a shut-in. We took gifts from people in our church, and we also took communion to them as well. We went hoping we would bless them, but in all honesty they blessed me. As we sat in various living rooms we were able to see incredible joy on their faces. Their smiles were truly incredible. As we would visit, and pray they showed a true appreciation for the visit. To me that is what this season is about. We should be thankful for what Christ did for us, but we should also be thinking of others and truly being "Jesus with skin on." We all have different people in our spheres of influence that would love a visit, a kind word, or a prayer. I would love to challenge everyone, in the midst of the business of this season, to pay attention to those around you and show the love of Christ.

My prayer for all of you is that you experience the love of Christ today, and show that love to others. Blessings Pastor Jeff

Times of Waiting

This year, for the most part, has been a time of transition. It has seen some of the things that the Lord had spoken to my spirit come to pass. A couple of years ago He spoke to me that my time was coming to pastor. This has been a time of training and developing a more sensitive ear to the voice of the Lord.

As I have thought about this I have been reminded of Joshua. Joshua was placed by God to serve under an incredible leader to develop him, for God's perfect time. I am sure there had to have been times that Joshua wondered if it was going to happen. I could imagine he wondered why it wasn't in his timing! I can identify with that. I knew God had spoken to me, and wanted it on my time table, but it wasn't God's timetable.

I wonder how many of us find ourselves in the same place? How many of us feel like we have a word from God, and His timing is not our timing. I am a firm believer that I wasn't ready when I thought I was, and God certainly knew that. I also know, that without His help, I am not ready now either. However, I know I can do all things through Christ, and it is God who called me, and set me apart for this time. My challenge to you, is to simply trust God through your times of waiting. Know that He knows the perfect time, place and people He wants to put in your path. Simply trust Him, and He will direct your path!

Glenda and I love you very much, and we look forward to being able to serve you for years to come!

Watchmen on the Wall

Last night in Bible study we talked about the idea of Habakkuk going to his place on the wall to look for the Lord to answer him. We talked about the fact that it was after that command that the vision was promised.

The fact is we at our church, and at countless other churches, we have words of prophesy spoken of us. The reality is that the vision, the Word that has been spoken, is not slow in coming like it seems to us in our minds. The fact is if we want to see God's perfect will for our lives, and for our churches it cannot be a passive event.

We must be like Habakkuk and the other Old Testament prophets. We must take our place as watchmen on the wall. We must be willing to do our part as Christians and intercede for our churches and communities. We cannot sit idly by and assume someone else will do it. It has to be a personal drive.

Join with me as the watchmen on the wall!

Blessings!!

The 5% club

Last night I preached a message to end a series entitled with abandon. We talked about living with abandon, and what that looks like. In this particular sermon we looked at the rich young ruler in Mark 10. I read something in studying for that sermon that moved me. When we have heard that story we picture, at least I picture, and would imagine most of us picture Jesus judgmentally and harshly telling him to sell everything. But Mark says Jesus looked at him, and loved him. Jesus looked at him with love. Love, knowing exactly what he was going to do, still looked at him with love. Jesus knew he was going to pick his money over Him, yet He still loved him.

Bill Hybels says it is relatively easy for a Christian to give 95% of themselves to Christ, it is the other 5% that is difficult. I agree. It is that 5% that differentiates between good Christians, and out of control Christians. But it is also that 5% that determines how happy we are. The rich young ruler walked away sad according to verse 22. There are many of us who wont let go of that 5% and as a result we dont find that exact place God has for us.

So my question is for all of us is what is that 5% in your life? What is that competes for the affections of your heart? Jesus said in Matt 6 where your heart there your treasure will be, so what is it that keeps you from God? I was talking with a close friend of mine Pastor Jimmy Abrams. Jimmy pointed out that the older we get, and the higher our responsibility the more difficult it is to let go of the 5%. So dont be a part of the 5% club. Cut it now before it becomes more difficult.

I hope you are enjoying this blog. Please interact with it, I would love to hear what God is speaking to you.    

This is new territory

I will be very honest. I feel like the Lord is leading me at some point to write a book. I have no idea when that will be or what that will look like. I have had several people tell me that I should do a blog, so here it goes. As I sit here looking at this screen there is a considerable amount of trepidation.

As I have been progressing in my walk with the Lord it is amazing to see His hand at work in my life. I look at the fact that I have an incredible wife, healthy (goofy kids), 2 great jobs and so much more. The thing is that while all of this is amazing, and it is the health of my relationship with Him is incredible. I am truly amazed by Him. I am amazed by the fact that while I was making incredibly selfish decisions He still loved me. That while I was doing what I wanted He was driven to the cross for me. That love is truly amazing!!


There is a song by Kutless that says something along the lines of the skies are filled with your glory, You have overwhelmed my heart, and that is exactly where I am. In spite of my selfishness and flesh He still overwhelms my heart. Nothing will ever change that! My heart for this blog is simply to share what God is speaking to me, and hear what God is speaking to you. There is so much at work in my heart, I dont know exactly where to start, but the beauty is, while this is new territory it is territory I will explore! Please respond and post things back!!