Monday, August 31, 2009

Do you have a light?

Check out this powerful music video by Desperation Band "Light up the World."

http://www.youtube.com/user/desperationband?blend=3&ob=4

The lyrics communicate part of the vision and passion of Wyandotte Family Church!!

Sunday, August 30, 2009

G.R.A.C.E.

Another one of Wyandotte Family Church's core values is GRACE. This is a word that we hear often but what is the definition of grace.

Webster defines grace as : disposition to or an act or instance of kindness, courtesy or : unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification

I have heard many great preachers say grace is being given what we didn't deserve.

I wanted to take a few moments and add a little depth to the word grace...

G.etting a 2nd chance
-We all know what if feels like to mess up big time, drop the ball or do something wrong. We know what if feels like to fail. It's not a fun feeling. Grace is getting a 2nd chance. It's being able to get up off the floor, dust off our pants and try again. (Romans 3:23-25)

R.eceiving the gift
-The amazing thing about grace is that it can't be earned. When we blow it with God or with another person, we are at their mercy. They technically don't have to show us favor. They don't have to cover our situation and life with grace. When they do, all we can do is humbly receive.
(Ephesians 2:4-6, 8)

A.llowing others room to fail
-It's so amazing how we judge ourselves by our intentions but others by their actions. People will fail and sin (Romans 3:23). Grace is being honest, open and truthful yet understanding others are going to fail. Instead of pounding others when they are down grace is lending a hand to help them back up. (Proverbs 24:16)

C.oncerned with the person
-Jesus Christ gives us grace because He loves us and is concerned about our eternal destiny. However, it often seems that people are more concerned with church rules, traditions and programs than people. People often get hurt and steam rolled as innocent bystanders. Grace is caring and having a genuine concern for others even if they don't reciprocate it. (Psalm 86:15)

E.ngaging
-Grace is an action word (Philippians 2:5-9). Jesus didn't just say He was going to give us something we didn't deserve, He did it. Grace is more than a core value or nice sermon. It comes alive in marriages, friendships, co-workers, in families and at school. Grace is continually in motion and is never neutral.

Jesus has given us "amazing grace." He has given us a 2nd chance. We all have sinned yet He made a way through the cross for us to be forgiven. We have the ability to receive the gift and grace of salvation. We can't earn it but we can receive it. It's amazing how slow to anger and patient God is with us given us room to fail. Jesus is concerned with our lives and cares about every detail. I am so thankful that He is constantly involved and engaging our lives with His love and grace.

On a scale 1-10 (10 being the best) how would you rate your ability to give grace?

When I say difficult person...who was the first person to come to your mind?

Pray and ask God to give you the grace to give to that person. Think about how much God has forgiven you from and covered in His grace. Do the same for others.

Friday, August 21, 2009

I see dead people

Obviously the title is a famous quote from the "Sixth Sense." As I was reading in 1 Timothy 5, verse 6 popped out at me...

v6-But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives

Now in this context Paul is talking about widows specifically. However, I began to ponder and apply this to my own life. When I pursue mans applause, and attention I'm not walking in true life. When we live for momentary pleasure that quickly fades, we are not truly alive. Why?

Being alive is living for God and His purposes. 1 Thessalonians 2:4 says our purpose is to please God not people. When we are fulfilling this purpose we begin to truly experience life the way God intended it. In right relationship with Him and with others. We begin to have His heart and see the world through His eyes. We begin to serve others and put them ahead of ourselves. We no longer live for our wants but for His desires. We stop living jus to make ourselves feel good!

The real question is how many dead people are walking all around us. How many people living for the moment and only themselves? Are we one of them?

Father God, forgive us for not truly living. Change our hearts and make us alive today. Alive to your presence, love and grace. Alive to serve others and put their needs above our own. Alive to structuring our lives to please you not others. In Jesus name...amen!!!

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Plank Eye

Our purpose and discipleship process at Wyandotte Family Church is Faith, Family & Fun. We have talked about Faith but what about family. How do we effectively live in a healthy, growing, spiritual family (community)? Is it possible to live in unity?

One of the most common misunderstood passages of scripture is...

Matthew 7:4-6-How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

Have you ever noticed that it is easier to see the faults and sins of other people easier than we can see our own?

#1--Focus on yourself first. Daily seek God for the sins and faults in your own life and seek to live humbly and purely before God (Psalm 129:33)

#2--If you struggle with being critical of others, find someone you can trust and ask them what are a few areas you can work on in your own life. That is why it is so important to be teachable and to have someone in your life who can speak honestly and open with you. There are so many times we are blinded by our own deceit and sin we don't even see it. We need someone else to show us.

#3--If you are going to confront someone, make sure you have prayed and wept for them first. If you heart isn't broken for them then don't say anything. If you aren't able to pray and trust God to move in their life, I would question your motive for confronting.

#4--This passage of scripture doesn't say you can't confront someone. This is a huge myth. People say the Bible says "Judge not, less you be judged," which is true! However, as we follow the right process we can help remove the plank out of our brothers eye.

At Wyandotte Family Church we exist to empower and encourage families toward health. Let me share with you what is not and what is part of this process. Being critical and trying to fix everyone is not a part of this process. Walking around with spiritual pride shunning those who are different than us is not a part of this process. Building relationship with people and getting close enough to have a genuine heart and care is a part of this process. Praying & serving others so we develop a heart of compassion and care is a part of this process. As we all seek to know God more as a family, we will inspire and encourage each other to let go of sins that so easily entangle us. (Hebrews 12:1)

Matthew 7:4-6-(Message)--Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It's easy to see a smudge on your neighbor's face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, 'Let me wash your face for you,' when your own face is distorted by contempt? It's this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

100%

I came across this article today...thought it was worth passing on. ENJOY!!

During the 2008 Summer Olympics, Michael Phelps gave us an extraordinary display of the pursuit of excellence. But the truth is every athlete in the Olympics pursues excellence as peak performers in their categories of competition.

The Bible identifies five characteristics of people who excel at what they do.

1. People who excel work with enthusiasm. Regardless of whether the job is big or small, give it your best. Great performers give their best effort, no matter the size of the audience: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as though you were working for the Lord and not for people” (Colossians 3:23 TEV).

2. People who excel sharpen their skills. They never stop developing, growing, learning, and improving: “If your ax is dull and you don’t sharpen it, you have to work harder to use it. It is smarter to plan ahead” (Ecclesiastes 10:10 TEV). It takes more than desire to excel, it takes skill! Remember, you’re never wasting time when you’re sharpening your “ax.”

3. People who excel keep their word. They are reliable. They can be counted on to do what they say they’ll do. So they excel because people of integrity are rare in our society: “Everyone talks about how loyal and faithful he is, but just try to find someone who really is!” (Proverbs 20:6 TEV).

4. People who excel maintain a positive attitude. Even under pressure, or change, or unrealistic demands, they don’t allow themselves to become negative: “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life . . .” (Philippians 2:14–16 NIV). And remember: “If your boss is angry at you, don’t quit! A quiet spirit can overcome even great mistakes” (Ecclesiastes 10:4 NLT).

5. People who excel do more than is expected. This is a secret that every successful person has discovered. You’ll never excel by only doing what is required. Jesus said, “If someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously” (Matthew 5:40–42 MSG).

The Broadway lyricist Oscar Hammerstein once told the story of seeing the top of the Statue of Liberty from a helicopter. He was impressed because of the incredible detail the artist had sculpted on an area that no one was expected to see. In fact, the Statue of Liberty was completed with no idea that man would someday be able to fly over the statue!

When you’re tempted to not give 100%, thinking, “No one will ever know,” remember God knows you and he knows your heart. Guilt is NOT the correct motivation.

Will you agree with me to give Him your best this week!

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Present

Have you ever been talking to someone who really wasn't paying attention? They may have been saying "yeah" or nodding their head but you knew they had no clue what you were saying. Have you ever been with your family, at a sports event or even at church just to leave and not feel like you really connected with anyone?

One of the disciplines in life that isn't often talked about is "being present." I define being present as fully engaged in the present moment. It's listening to someone talk and not thinking in your head what you are going to say next. It's listening to someone talk and not trying to listen to all of the other conversations around you. It's being fully engaged.

Being present is a powerful experience yet if you are like me, it's a struggle. I have been wondering lately why that is? Why do many of us struggle with being present whether its at work, at home, with friends etc. A few thoughts that I had were busyness, lack of sleep and discontentment. All three of these cause us to not be present and never fully engage in life. If we look deep enough under the first two we may find roots of dicontentment in them.

Philippians 4:11 I've learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances

In this verse Paul is talking about external circumstances like money, having a place to lay his head etc. However, I think contentment is one of the keys to being present. When I'm content I don't feel the need to be doing something else. When I'm content I don't feel the need to try to be someone else. I don't feel the need to pack my schedule so full that I don't have time to think or even pray. I have nothing to prove to others. I can be present and enjoy it.

On a scale 1-10 (10 being the best) how would you rate yourself at being present (fully engaged) in life? Do you relate to any of the 3 barriers to being present? Pause and take a few moments to see if discontentment is a root. Spend some time thanking God for who you are, what He has done in Your life and what He has blessed you with. Ask Him to help you be present in every situation you encounter today.

Friday, August 7, 2009

Faith.Family.Fun

The mission statement of Wyandotte Family Church and our discipleship process are the same....FAITH, FAMILY, FUN!

The key question is, "What is faith?" There have been so many thoughts & opinions of faith that there are contradictions. Some say if you have faith nothing bad will ever happen to you. Some say is you have faith you won't get sick. THEY ARE WRONG!!!!!!

Faith isn't ignoring reality but acknowledging the truth of what the God over reality says. It is believing God is who He says He is and that He will do what He says He will do. It's not denying the fact that you may have a cold but believing and holding on to the greater reality that Jesus heals all of your diseases. It's not denying that you are struggling or having a hard time at work but believing the greater reality that God is your strength, wisdom, peace and joy. It's focusing our thoughts on God's truth and trusting in Him.

No matter what circumstances or situations we face...God is God and He is faithful! Whether it's financial strain, job stress, confusion on decisions, or broken relationships lets feast on God's Word and let His reality (true reality) become ours.

Check out some of these cool verses and stories on Faith...
-Hebrews 11:1
-Romans 10:17
-Hebrews 11:3-8 (check out each individual story)

Wyandotte Family Church exists to help encourage people on their faith journey.

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Great Books

Readers are leaders....I talked to Julie's Uncle the other day and he has read 24 books this year. That kicks me in the tail. My goal in 2009 is 1 book a month. Here are some good reads if you haven't read them already.

Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Pete Scazerro
4:8 Principle by Tommy Newberry
No Complaining Rule by Jon Gordan (easy read)
Trading Places by Les & Leslie Perrot (Marriage book)
Communicate for a Change by Andy Stanley
Nice Girls Don't Change the World by Lynne Hybels (Julie's Recommendation)

Have a great day!!