Change in Blog

As of October 17, 2011, I will be posting my blog directly to the church's web page.  Please visit newgenerationschurch.com. They will be posted on the home page. Thanks.

-Ken Hubbard

GODSPEED

LUKE 10:40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made...
As a church planter it is easy to become distracted with the preparations. Wait that's a little self serving. Let me start over. Living in todays  world of hurry up get it done, deadlines, full schedules, its easy to become distracted from our time with God trying to make ends meet. Maybe we miss the majority of Gods blessings because we are to busy to notice them. The reality is that we allot time for anything that is important to us. The old excuse "I don't have time" is really just is saying that something isn't  important enough to me for me to allow time in my schedule to get it done. The fact of the matter is that I cant do everything I want, but I do have enough time to do everything God wants me to do. Maybe I am getting wiser or maybe just older but I enjoy life more when I am traveling GODSPEED. I enjoy my mornings with God by my fireplace before anyone else is up. Walks with my wife after dinner, Dates with my daughter to the local coffee shop, a sleepy Sunday afternoon of football watching with my son. All things that I could miss when I am traveling my speed, " distracted by the preparations". GODSPEED, This expression is used especially when someone is leaving on a journey for a specific purpose. That is, it is not just a general wish for a safe journey, or generic 'good luck', but a wish/prayer that they will have success in what they are setting out to do. Thus, though used mainly when someone is literally setting out, it can also simply be used to wish someone well in a VENTURE they are embarking on, even if it does not involve a physical journey. Planting a new church is an amazing VENTURE! For my sake and others I must travel GODSPEED! not myspeed. For those of you That took the time out of your venture to read this I want to encourage you to watch the sunset, enjoy someones company, make time for God, dont get so distracted by all the preparations, and my prayer for you is GODSPEED!
JUST A THOUGHT

SETBACKS

JOSHUA 1:2
Moses my servant is dead NOW then you and all these people get ready to cross over.
Finally! Joshua wanted to cross over 40 years prior, but he had a pretty major setback. A 40 year setback, because of what someone else had done. Have you ever had a setback? How do you overcome it and move forward? Joshua stayed faithful! He choose to use this setback as an opportunity to trust God and stayed prepared should his opportunity ever come again. It seems that all great achievers have to overcome setbacks somewhere along their journey. Sometimes we get to see the miracles of God, and other times we get to be the miracles of God. Maybe setback are only an opportunity to see or be. Because Joshua stayed faithful he did get another opportunity, and this time he was leading the charge. Now get these people ready! God used the setback to prepare Joshua for this moment. Lead the people into the promise of God. I have had a few setbacks myself. I  am only now seeing the benefits of the setback and I am living in my NOW moment, crossing over into the thing the setback prepared me for. If you are in a setback stay faithful, God has a "Now cross over" moment for those who dare to move forward
JUST A THOUGHT

THE BIG BROTHER SYNDROME

LUKE 15:29 Look! all these years I have been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends.                                                        If you have been following my blogs you have probably figured out that I am writing them for my own benifit, therapy I guess. Lessons I am learning and still learning in my own journey, but thanks for coming along for the ride. I have preached many messages on the prodigal son, perhaps missing an equally important message with the son who stayed home. I have been serving God my whole life so I never totally related to the prodigal son, but this second son guy, he is a totally different story. He had become arrogant about how well he was doing (performance).
His stressing and striving had made him bitter, and missing the blessings that come freely from the father. He felt his hard work entitled him to rewards. I have seen many Christians, including the one in the mirror, caught up in a performance style of Christianity. For me it was my insecurities that drove me to perform, work harder, do better, etc. Missing the revelation that God simply loves me for who I am, not what I do. Because he loves me there is already an inheritance (blessings) for me, not based on what I do.
This Sunday I am launching New Generations Church, It is so freeing and life giving not to be stressing or striving, but just being one of his sons. Don't get me wrong we have done some work! But my self worth comes only in the fact That I am his son!
This Sunday I am asking for the Fat calf to be slaughtered, because I am planning a party with my friends!
JUST A THOUGHT

PERHAPS

1 SAMUEL14:6
Jonathan said to his young armor bearer, " come lets go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised fellows,' PERHAPS' the Lord will act on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving..."
If I am the armor bearer I am not sure I want to follow such a double minded, uncertain,fear filled, lack of faith, leader!
I feel the need to confess, that I woke up this morning in a PERHAPS mindset. I am 10 days away from planting New Generations Church. The biggest opportunity of my life. I have heard from God, We have the most incredible launch team anyone could ever ask for, we are on day 16 of a 21 day fast, God has done some miraculous things, everything is in place. Then the What ifs set in. What if nobody shows up? What if you cant pay the bills? What if?  What if? What if? The monster of PERHAPS, Have you ever met him? I Know this confession doesn't exude a lot of confidence, but instead of allowing PERHAPS to condemn me I thought I would bring him out in the open and talk about him. Maybe, just maybe, PERHAPS  isn't so bad after all. Maybe he is more friend than foe. Think about it, if PERHAPS wasn't there, than what would be the need for faith? If I was 100% sure of everything why would I need to trust God? And we all know that without faith its impossible to please God!
PERHAPS true faith isnt the absence of fear or doubt after all, but the willingness to move forward when your uncertain of all the answers. Maybe this is just my own pep talk, but I have decided to feel the fear and move forward anyway! Its not wrong to feel fear, Its wrong to allow fear to stop me from doing the great things God has planned for me!
Could it be that those who feel the most fear are exercising the most faith and accomplishing the most for the cause of Christ? I choose to believe YES! Faith doesn't eliminate fear or doubt but it paralyzes them one step at a time. So come on lets go face our fear and PERHAPS God will give us the victory.
I know God can! I am pretty sure he will!? Lets try! its better than sitting around doing nothing, wishing we had.
JUST A THOUGHT

WHATEVER HAPPEN TO THE MAN OF STEEL?

EPHESIANS 4:11-13 IT WAS GOD WHO GAVE SOME TO BE APOSTLES, PROPHETS, EVANGELISTS, PASTORS, AND TEACHERS. TO PREPARE GODS PEOPLE FOR THE WORKS OF THE MINISTRY, SO THAT THE BODY OF CHRIST MAY BE BUILT UP, UNTIL WE ALL REACH UNITY IN THE FAITH.                                                                                                                 I wounder sometimes if we don't put spiritual leaders in the wrong category of our lives. It seems to me that in our societies need to have heroes, we often look for, in mere humans or organizations, only what God can bring. Is it possible that we want  Pastors or churches to fulfill the needs and wants that only God can fulfill? Is it possible that's why we become disappointed, or in some cases angry at our churches and spiritual leaders when we realize they are really just Clark Kent and dealing with their own kryptonite
Superman had disappeared! Some years later we find him married to Lois Lane under the name Jordan Elliot. Working as a mechanic living happily ever after as an ordinary husband and father. Declaring  "Superman is overrated, he was way to wrapped up in himself." Maybe he tried to hard to be what everyone wanted him to be, maybe he began to believe his own press, Could the real kryptonite be the pressure of trying to be the man of steel? Did he get caught up in his own mythology? Did he loose his real source of power? Did he let things become to personal? Was he simply tired of fighting off bad guys for everyone else when he had some of his own to fight off?
I guess even Superman can loose his way.
The Villains that keep him grounded, and hiding? Lex Luthor, Armorgeddon,  Bizarro? Not a chance. I think its the judgement, cynicism, and unforgiveness of others that keep him living as Clark Kent instead of leaping tall buildings and helping those in need.
Well I am no Superman! I do know that  wearing tights or capes wont make us strong, its only in our weakness that God becomes strong in our lives. We dont need Superman after all, We need God! The real master of the universe. However it would be nice to be friends with Clark Kent, you never know when you might need to be stronger than a locomotive, and faster than a speeding bullet that only comes from the power of true friendship
NUFF SAID

ITS NOT ABOUT ME!

JOB 38:4-6
Where were you when I laid the earths foundation?... Who marked off its dimensions?... On what were the footings set or who laid its cornerstone?
There are times in life that I get stressed and worried over the things I am trying to accomplish. Even though Philippians tells me to be anxious for nothing, and rejoice always.(Phil 4:4-6)
It easy to forget That everything is not about me, especially when things aren't going my way. This is Gods world he created it and everything and everyone for his pleasure (Psalms 24:1). I am just a small part of his world, He isn't there to serve me, I am here to serve him and his plans and purposes. I wasn't there when he laid the earths foundations, He didn't ask for my input or help. When I start stressing out I am in essence saying that my circumstances are more important than his command to rejoice and not be anxious, worry  implies that I don't quite trust God, You know,the one who laid the earths foundations, who walks the recesses of the deep, cuts the channel for the rain to fall in, lightening reports to him! You get the picture
Somewhere between forty five billion and one hundred twenty five billion people have lived on this earth and there is Still only one God. My prayer today was that I would bring glory and honor to God. I do this by trusting him, rejoicing and not being anxious. This is Gods world its about Him! Its not about me.
NUFF SAID

SOMEBODYS GOTTA PAY

1 PETER 2:23  When they hurled their insults at him he did not retaliate; when he suffered he made no threats, instead he intrusted himself to him who judges justly.
I cant believe ten years have passed! I will never forget sitting in a cafe eating breakfast watching the events of that tragic day unfold. As the story began to unfold, and realizing that someone had done this on purpose The feelings of fear, sadness and anger all seemed to hit me, thinking to myself SOMEBODYS GOTTA PAY.
The reality is that JESUS PAID IT ALL.
God in his amazing grace called every sin from the beginning of time to the end of time and executed his full wrath, punishment, disappointment, judgment and condemnation on His  Son, Jesus. His only begotten son. Jesus the perfect son of God, who lived a completly innocent life offered his life as payment for ALL our sins! That's A-L-L past, present, and future.
That's AMAZING GRACE.  Our entire relationship with God and the favor that comes with it can only be experienced by resting ( not performing a religious duty) in the work of Jesus.
So today as you remember the events of 911, as we remember those that lost their lives, and honor the hero's that gave theirs to save others. Lets take time to Thank God that somebody has paid for our sins and given us the ability to be called the sons and daughters of God.
NUFF SAID

AN ATTITUDE OF SOLITUDE

MARK 1:35
very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up left the house and went off to a SOLITARY place, where he prayed.
SOLITUDE = a strategic aloneness built into the rhythm of our lives.
I think we have become a generation of people who lack silence. There seems to be no margin in our lives to refresh and refuel or simply think. Its not productive to always be on the phone, always with people, always meeting a deadline. Busyness is not necessarily productivity.
MARGIN = the space between our load and our limit that we tend to ignore. Its breathing room.
Jesus knew if he was going to accomplish anything he had to break away to a solitary place and create margin in his life. He recognized that he couldnt accomplish anything without spending time to refule himself in the presence of God
LUKE 5:16 Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
I believe this is how he maintained a rhythm of productivity. We never see Jesus with a bad attitude, stressed out, short tempered, to busy to stop and talk to people. As much as he had going on he never seemed to be in a hurry. He had a healthy rhythm that came from that space called margin, A winning ATTITUDE that came from the place of SOLITUDE.
PHIL 2:5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.
NUFF SAID

STRIKE "OUT" THE POSE

COLOSSIANS 3:9-10
Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its creator.
I am in the process of planting a new church and in doing so, its a natural thought process to consider what will it  look like?, how will it feel?, style of music, decor, speaking, etc. In other words what will make it attractive? What will compel people to give of their precious time to attend, Why even start a church when there are so many churches already in this area, some great churches. I think the answer to these questions became even more clear at my last small group meeting. I was sharing with the launch team about my own battles and insecurities and how I have recently spent time with life coaches and in counseling, sitting for a season under another ministry to learn, be coached and even corrected. As I shared with the group it led to a breaking and repentance of the whole group letting go of hurts, bitterness, and unforgiveness.
It was afterwards that a lady came up to me and said, that in all her christian life she was never more excited about being a part of a church where the pastor can be so vulnerable and honest. She said it gave her strength to know she is not the only one who struggles.
You may be wondering, what does that have to do with a church plant and how it should look? Answer, in my opinion,  it should look Honest, real, transparent. Maybe we should hang a sign on the front door " drop your pose at the door".
The fact of the mater is that not one of us are perfect and we are all on a journey, and if we could stop pretending ('do not lie to each other') Maybe we could make some amazing progress. Maybe if the look is less about style, lights, videos etc. and more about being honest, real, and transparent. God can move on our lives and renew us in his image.
So lets STRIKE "OUT" THE POSE!
NUFF SAID

LET PEACE BE YOUR GUIDE

PROVERBS 3: 5-7
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes.
God never leads us to a place ( literally or figuratively) that he cant keep us, protect us, or prosper us.
I have come to realize that I dont have enough "understanding" to make my own decisions.
When I am stressing, struggling, and striving to figure it all out, its then that I begin to loose my peace.
I dont have the whole plan for my life figured out but God will make my path straight if I lean (trust) on him.
I believe an old song writer once said it this way " one day at a time sweet Jesus that's all I am asking from you" That's a tough one for a visionary, planner, like me. I want to figure it all out and when I cant, I loose my peace, my path gets confusing, I try to get wise in my own eyes. that's when Stress sets in. When I 'TRUST THE LORD' then I can be lead by, and live in peace.
My advice? Let peace be your Guide in every move and decision you make
NUFF SAID

WHY CANT WE BE FRIENDS?

PHIL 2:3-4
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility each of you should consider others better than yourself. Each of you should look not only to your own interests but also to the interest of others.
If I never read another verse of scripture until I got this one right, I my never read anything else. SERIOUSLY!, nothing out of selfish ambition? I think 99% of everything I have ever done is selfish ambition.
What will I get out of it?
How does it benefit me?
Will I gain leverage?
That's only half of it. CONSIDER OTHERS AS BETTER THAN YOURSELF! Now you've got to be kidding. This is a tall order. Lets consider how much of the strife,stress and loneliness we could reduce in our lives if we live by this principle.
Last night I had the opportunity to apply this verse as my wife and I met with a couple who used to be in our "best friend"list and uncontrolable circumstances caused us to drift apart. I felt both parties came with humble hearts and without selfish ambition or conceit, No, who was right or who was wrong. The Results were truley a God thing and a renewal of a friendship that is greatly missed and cherished. At the end of the day FRIENDS are way more valuable then the stuff selfish ambition gets you anyway
NUFF SAID

CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM

PROVERBS 9:8-9
Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you, rebuke a wise man and he will love you. Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning.
The word rebuke here actually means  "constructive criticism". I dont know about you, but I have always hated criticism, constructive or not. I viewed criticism as an enemy trying to harm or destroy me, so I fought it and resisted it. Some of that could have to do with who was doing the criticizing and what was their angle and their attitude.
Its easy for me to learn when I am sitting listening to motivational, inspirational, and educational insights, but its the things that I might not be doing so good that really need the attention! I've always taught others that we will never be all we can be until we allow someone to put a demand on our life. It was great advise until I decided to try it myself.
I just came through a 3 month season of "constructive criticism" allowing mentors, coaches and pastors to put a demand on my life. It is very humbling not to mention difficult, especially when you view yourself as "all is good" ( the enemy of great), however according to our text it shows wisdom, and God rewards wisdom and the pursuit of it.
when we are wise we will want to please God welcoming CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM FROM A TRUSTED FRIEND.
There really inst any integrity to my correction to others if I am not willing to be corrected. With all that being said, " don't rebuke a mocker" ( someone not trying to progress) and please don't  think you have the right to go and start correcting people, that comes through a relationship that is trusted, and earned.
NUFF SAID

WORDS UP

MATT 4:4 It is written man shall not live by bread alone but by every WORD that proceeds out of the mouth of God.
It stands to reason that if we live by the words of God, then we must die by the words of the devil.
The words of God produce life giving faith
The words of the devil produce death giving fear.
We know that the Bible teaches us that faith comes by hearing and hearing the words of God (Romans 10:17) Now we need to know  that fear comes by hearing also, so be careful what your hearing, and remember what you are hearing is sometimes coming out of your own mouth.
Whenever I am speaking words that are contrary to the 'Words of God' it is then that I am producing fear in my own life.
I think this is why what Job feared the most is what came on him (Job 3:25).What you think about is what you talk about and what you talk about is where you go about. Check your talk today and keep your  WORDS UP.
NUFF SAID

IGNORANCE IS BLISS?

1PETER 1:2-3 grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord according to his divine power has GIVEN unto us ALL THINGS that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that has called us to glory and virtue.

I can only assume that everybody wants increase in their life. According to Webster increase =   to make greater, as in number, size, strength, or quality; augment; add to:

we all have a list of what we would like to increase from money to health to happiness etc. Yet vs. 2 says Grace be multiplied to you! 

GRACE = Gods willingness to use his power and his ability towards me! So how do I get this kind of grace, and favor? It comes when we gain the knowledge of him ( God ).

So when I gain the knowledge of Gods word it increases Gods willingness to use his power and ability towards me! can any one say WOW! This puts a whole new dynamic on my devotions, I don't have to read the Bible I cant wait to  read the Bible and gain more knowledge of him, in return increases grace to me.

Note vs. 3 GOD HAS GIVEN US ALL THINGS, not going to give us, but has given us, all things.

I have come to realize that you cannot believe for something that you don't have the knowledge of, or that it exists ( faith comes by hearing the word of God. Romans 10:17) Once you learn about something in Gods word your faith to recieve it increases then Gods Grace and Favor increase towards you!  I guess ignorance is not bliss after all.
NUFF SAID

FRIENDS

PROVERBS17:17 A friend loves at all times.
PROVERBS 27: 17 As iron sharpens iron so one man sharpens another
Finding real friends is one of the greatest assets of life. I think as you get older and go through a few challenges and struggles you begin to realize that life is more about the friends you have and not the things you've done.
I further believe that the secret to real success is learning how to get along with others and embrace each others differences. Maybe everybody my path crosses with should be considered a candidate for a life long friend. It seems natural  to like someone that you have laughed with, perhaps deeper friendships only comes after you've cried,fought, or struggled together.
Real friends are those who can see you at your worst and still believe the best in you and about you.
I think that friendship is where true discipleship begins. Think about it, why would I let you speak into my life if there wasn't a foundation of friendship a trust that has been both earned and proven. Maybe that's why discipleship among Christians seems to be lacking, we have built a lot  of programs for discipleship maybe we should put the priority on building community and friendships and allow discipleship to grow organically out of that. I realize that I haven't always been the best friend possible, but all my friends have  looked over my shortcomings. Here some things you might want to do with me to build better friendships.
FRIENDSHIP MAINTENANCE
1- forgive their mess ups
2- let them be themselves
3- view a friendship like a covenant
4- speak the truth in love
5- want the best for them
6- hang out
This is not all there is to say about friendship but for today its
NUFF SAID

THE JUDAS FACTOR

PSALMS 55: 12-13
If an enemy were insulting me I would endure it. If a foe were raising himself against me I could hide from him, but it is you.... my companion and my close friend.
I dont think anything hurts worse than the betrayal of a friend! THE JUDAS FACTOR. I think all of us face betrayal sometime in our lives. For some of us it happens as a child,when a close friend turns against you, or a lie destroyed your reputation.  God understands betrayal and hurt yet in his sovereignty he will sometimes allow the pain of betrayal to come into our lives.
I have experienced the hurt of friends walking away, but don't feel sorry for me it was ultimately for my benefit. My need for affirmation and approval often had me elevating people to a place in my life that my discernment said otherwise.
Yes God allowed it. it was necessary even though extremely painful. The insecurities and need for approval would have never allowed me to be the leader that God intended for me to be. God knew that the wounds of abandonment that left me looking for acceptance  and approval in the wrong people would never have been healed until I was totally relying on his love and acceptance
THE JUDAS FACTOR helped me move from gaining my confidence by what friends say about me to what God says about me.
Certainly I will always value the opinions and input of others, but I rely on what God says. There is great blessing in true friends and I will always desire to have them and make new ones. My confidence however is in the fact that I am a friend of God
NUFF SAID

STAY AT YOUR POST

MARK11:2 and instructed them, go into the village in front of you, as soon as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which has never been ridden by anyone; unfasten it  and bring it here.
Maybe for the first time ever I can relate to the feelings of this colt.  Just waiting! Imagine if you were the colt, your created to be ridden and worked, yet the story says no one had ever ridden it. Maybe the colt could see all the other colts being ridden, worked, walked etc.
This colt was just waiting TIED TO HIS POST. During my time in Alabama I feel like the colt watching others do their ministry while I am just watching and waiting.
There came a time when Jesus had need of the colt and He knew exactly where to find it! He told the disciples exactly where the colt would be when his time came,
Can you imagine now the colt carrying Jesus through the village. The parade, the palm branches, the praise, wow! I am sure the colt was glad he stayed at his post.  When Jesus has need of me and my time to lift up Jesus comes I want to make sure that I am found faithfully Tied to my post!
NUFF SAID

COACH EM UP

EXODUS 33:12 Moses said to the Lord, you have been telling me to lead these people but you have not let me know WHOM you will send with me.
Moses was a great leader, yet was looking for a mentor, a coach, a teacher to go with him and help him lead the journey. Perhaps thats what made him such a good leader is knowing he couldn't do it on his own. I am grateful God is giving me an opportunity to get coached up by some amazing leaders and pastors. Sitting on the sidelines is hard after 25 yrs of ministry, but  I am more excited about the second half than I have ever been, not just more excitment, but more wisdom, more discernment, and most of all some coaches in my corner that have my best interest in mind. Cant wait to see what God has planned. Thanks Pastors, Chris Hodges, Lane Schranz, Dino Rizzo, and others for investing in my life.
Some have asked if there was a problem or a burn out? The Answer is No! Yet we all need to evaluate the progress of our journey from time to time, and not be to proud to ask for help from those who have done more and gone farther. Check our goals check our behavior and make sure they match.
NUFF SAID

RUSH HOUR

ECC 3:1 there is a time for everything......
The older I get the more I realize that life is to good to rush through it! I think rushing and busyness is a bad habit we get into in our American culture. We wear it like a badge thinking it makes us look important. Like God giving the children of Israel manna for one day at a time, He gives us grace and strength one day at a time. When I try to live tomorrow, today, I begin to feel the pressure and stress, rushing through today and forfeiting my peace.
This season of rest in my life I am learning to live life with 'margins' and resisting getting my self worth from how much I accomplish. Dont get me wrong I am still a get it done personality but Ive stopped 'driving ' in rush hour and the scenery is so much better. my car can only drive one direction at a time.
NUFF SAID

SWEET HOME ALABAMA

So honored to be a guest at 'Church of the Highlands"
Pastor Chris Hodges preached an amazing message this morning on 'doors'
Rev.3:7-8 what he opened no man can shut... that's the part of the vs. that really stuck with me, when God opens a door of opportunity, blessing, direction etc. nobody can close that door or stop Gods plan for our lives. vs8 goes on to say "I know your deeds' in other words we don't have to be perfect to receive Gods open door of blessing and direction, even if we've added some chapters to his story for ur lives. it can still have his desired ending
Psalms 139:16

CHILL OUT

Psalms 23:2 He makes me lie down in green pastures......
Psalms 46:10 Be still and know that I am God...
I am so grateful for this time I have had to "be still"and the time that God is giving me in "green pastures" at THE CHURCH OF THE HIGHLANDS, with Pastor Chris Hodges and team.
When you look at the lives of great people I think you will find that they knew how to be still. A lost practice in our society, after all we wear busyness as a badge of importance and achievement. Many people are like the kid on a rocking horse, plenty of action but not much progress.
The shepherd in Psalms 23 knew that the sheep needed a break in the green pastures. God knows we need to break from the hurries of life and he promises to renew our strength (Isaiah 40:31)
I am finding that I get a lot more accomplished when I rest in him then when I stress to achieve. being still and chillin out is still one of my biggest challenges, maybe because the enemy knows that when I wait and rest in green pasture its then that I hear Gods voice and he sets my life in order, and God gets things done much better and faster then I do.
There is good company in the green pastures.
Elijah- found God there in the still small voice
Moses - met with God at a burning bush in a lonely wilderness
Jesus- yes Jesus to, took time to be alone with God to renew his strength
people have asked me what I have been doing since I resigned my church, and what I am doing in Alabama.
My answer, very simple.
Just chilln out!
NUFF SAID

WHATS THAT SMELL?

2 COR. 2:14-16 But thanks be to God who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the FRAGRANCE of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the AROMA of Christ among those being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the SMELL of death to the other the FRAGRANCE of life...
Have you ever asked the question "Whats that smell?"
Smell perhaps more than anything, can trigger a memory of a person, place or thing.
In 2007 Starbucks was loosing business, only to discover the problem was they had lost the AROMA that had made them unique. I have often said that some things are better caught then taught. Think about it every coffee shop sells coffee. They all have a lot in common, the difference for Starbucks is not what can be seen but what  you SMELL! They're smell is what sets the atmosphere and experience that distinguish them from other coffee shops.
I wounder if the church has in some ways lost its smell?
the smell of Grace, Authenticity, Care, etc. every church, on Sunday, was selling the same product. We preach from the same Bible, often sing the same songs, preach the same sermons. Just maybe the thing that separates Life giving, growing, healthy church from dead church  or any other gatherings for that matter isn't what you see and hear but what you sense (smell)
Lets not become religious stinkers but have the AROMA of grace!
Nuff said

Peacemaker or Peacetaker

Psalms 133:1
How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity.
I had a Starbucks today with an old friend who like me has been hurt by people who call themselves Christians. It got me to thinking about what Jesus preached in Matt 5:9
Blessed are the PEACEMAKERS for they will be called the sons of God.
The Hebrew word for peace is  'shalom' which in definition is more than the absence of war and strife. Shalom = the positive presence of harmony,wholeness,soundness, well-being, and success in all areas of life.
Yet peace does not just happen that's why Jesus is blessing the "PEACEMAKER".

I cant wait for the peacetaker to make the first move. In order to maintain peace, harmony,and unity in my life I have to MAKE PEACE ( peacemaker)then I receive wholeness, soundness, well-being, and success!
I love the promise of Jesus if we determine to be PEACEMAKERS then we will be called the SONS of God. All through scripture its the SONS, not the children, who receive the blessings of the father.
Could it be that If we will take the high road and get over our hurts, as real as they are, and become peacemakers to the peacetakers then we will receive the blessing of son-ship which is harmony,wholeness,soundness,well-being,and success.
Maybe I should do some more peacemaking, even to those who have done me wrong, after all is that what Jesus (son of God) did.
NUFF SAID

ONE THING

Luke 10:38-42 .....you are worried about many things, but only ONE THING is needed and it wont be taken away (spending time at Jesus feet)
Proverbs 4:23 above all else guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life
You can choose from one of two teachers in life
1 the teacher of revelation
2 the teacher of situation
I can learn from sitting at the feet of Jesus:(Mary) church attendance, devotions, prayer and worship time. This gives me revelation of his purpose for my life. Other wise I can ignore the teaching I receive become to busy in life for sitting at the feet of Jesus, and be forced to learn from situation, because God loves me to much to leave me the way I am. ( Martha)
I am enjoying a season in my life doing the ONE THING.

what u talking about?

1PETER 3:10 for whosoever would LOVE HIS LIFE ( fulfillment, enjoyment) and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech
Wow what an important portion of scripture to know. Sometimes Christians are the first to forget how powerful words are, they can produce positive or negative in our life, so many relationships are destroyed because of negative talk, including the 3rd party that you are speaking negative to about someone else. When we talk about the shortcomings in other peoples lives we must be forgetting that we have shortcomings also.
PROVERBS 13:3 he who guards his mouth keeps his life, but he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.

I make my living by communicating, my prayer is to give life not death publicly or privately. I want to enjoy life which is a promise that I can claim if I guard my mouth and keep my tongue from evil

Just Hanging Out

Psalms 91:1-2
he who dwells in the secret place of the most high shall rest in the shadow of the almighty
I will say of the lord he is my refuge and my fortress, my God in him I trust.
Jesus talks about a place ( Matt 6:3-6, 17-18 )
the word secret in Greek means covered,hidden, set apart.
If we want to walk in the fullness and the presence of God then I must create a space ( place ) for him.
The woman in 2 Kings 4 built ( made ) a room for Elisha who represents the power of God. When she needed a miracle I am sure she was glad she had invested in making a room for the power of God in her life.
Psalms 84:10-11 better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere..........