Reflections

As I sit back and think about 2009, it truly was one of the best years ever. We got to spend more time together as a family than ever before. We traveled to Iowa 4 times in which one trip was on a train. We got to see our friends in Minnesota three times. It has been tons of fun.

I also think of the amazing people that have invested and poured into our lives.

• I think of my wife who has been an amazing servant and support!
• I think of my family who has worked hard in serving and giving following the vision God has given us for Wyandotte.
• I think of the core team who has been faithful, allowing God to direct and stretch
• I think of Real Life & Pastor Shawn & Sonny. Thank you so much for everything!!!
• I think of Steve Bradshaw and the AG District Office. Thank you for always being there and for your guidance.
• I Think of BCC & Pastor Nate. Thank you for your encouragement and belief.
• I think of Northville Christian and it's entire staff. Thanks for opening up your arms and embracing us as your own.
• I Think of Freedom Christian A/G and pastor Aaron Hlavin. Thank you for being the one of the firsts to jump on board and support us monthly.
• I think of Brighton A/G & Pastor Brad. Thanks for allowing Julie and I to come and even have the privilege to speak. Your support has been a blessing.
• I think of Monroeville A/G & Pastor Lance. Thank you for always believing in us!!!
• I think of Bethel A/G & Pastor John Peck who has been a huge support and fan of what we are doing. Your thoughtful words and willingness to help as blown me away.
• I think of Woodland & Pastor Clanton. Your time & wisdom over lunches have been challenging and much appreciated.
• I think of the Metro & Metro South sections who have invested in us financially. WOW!
• I think of all of our individual supporters who faithfully send money in every month and never miss a beat. Thank you for your faithfulness and commitment to reaching those who haven't crossed over into a walk with Christ yet.

I guess all of that to say, it has been very humbling and refreshing to see the body of Christ operate in full force. God has called us to change the spiritual climate of Wyandotte, to reach those who haven't crossed over yet and to strengthen and empower families. There is no way we can do it alone.

Please pray as we launch weekly gatherings January 10, 2010. We are also going to reach out and serve once a month as we move toward public launch.

Stuffed!

PROVERBS 27:7--A person who is full refuses honey...

Now that we are wrapping up the holiday season, we are thinking about working off all of the extra pounds we gained from all of the great food and desserts. You know what I'm talking about! You eat so much that you lean back on your chair and moan semi-out loud, "I can't eat another bite or I'll explode."

Well, honey is very sweet and very satisfying! However, when someone is stuffed, they don't want any honey. Have you ever walked by Outback Steakhouse after you were full and the smell of steak didn't even smell good?

It's easy to fill my life up with busy church work, sports, TV, and plethora of other things. I get so stuffed with life that when it comes to the pure life of God's presence I can easily refuse it. Wait, a minute...what did you say Jeremy. It's so easy to be stuffed with the "junk food" of this world that we don't enjoy the gourmet buffet of God's presence. God's Word and Spirit bring life to us. The more we eat of this the more we develop an appetite for it. Whatever we consistently eat, we begin to CRAVE!

As we wrap up 2009, begin today to make it a habit of digesting God's Word and spending time in His presence through prayer and worship. Don't allow busyness to make you too full for what's truly important and what truly satisfies.

Write down a few thoughts and goals. Write down some specific action steps, times and places how your thoughts & goals will be a reality. If you need help go to www.biblegateway.com or www.youversion.com two great Bible websites.

too much coffee...really?

This is taken from writer and speaker Matt Anderson's weekly email "Matt Chat."

Just when you think you've heard it all.Seems that 31 year-old Dan Noble was driving erratically last week through the campus streets of Pullman, Washington. In fact, his driving was so bad that he struck two pedestrians with little to no hesitation. Both victims suffered broken legs and other assorted injuries.According to police, Noble exited his vehicle about 175 yards beyond the second victim where he was promptly tasered by police, taken into custody, and charged with vehicular assault and felony hit-and-run. Open and shut case, right?Au contraire, mon frere. His lawyer is alleging that his client is not responsible for his violent actions. Why, you ask? I'm not sure you want to hear the answer. You really want to know? Okay, don't say I didn't warn you. Noble's attorney contends that his client's enormous consumption of energy drinks and Starbucks coffee put the would-be-killing financial analyst in a state of, ahem, "caffeine psychosis". Yep, you read correctly. Caffeine psychosis. (Source: The Spokesman Review, 12/9/09)

Maybe you didn't realize it, but you've been raised in an extremely fortunate era. In fact, I would like to officially congratulate everyone in the world. As of this day, we all now have a built-in excuse for absolutely everything. For every flaw, every misstep of our lives, there is a natural explanation that absolves us of all gulit. Got pulled over for speeding? Just tell the officer you suffer with HAFS (Heavy Accelerator Foot Syndrome). Overeat during the holidays? No sir. Not when you have Unquenchable Gastronomic Hunger or UGH, as we clinicians like to call it. Are you chronically late for work and in danger of losing your job? Just tell your boss you can sue him if he does, all because you have been diagnosed with Determined Delay Disorder.Let's bring it on home. Ladies, don't be so rough on your husbands. Don't you realize that millions of men quietly suffer with RATTLE, Repeated Aggravated Traumatic Toilet Lid Elevation? Fellas, maybe you get onto your wife for nagging you when you're driving because you won't stop for directions. But it's really not so funny when you realize that NAG really stands for Navigational Assistance Gene and should be treated with the delicacy and sensitivity it deserves. That feeling you have on Saturday that keeps you in front of the TV instead of doing tasks around the house? It's called ARCS: Attached Remote Control Syndrome. Spending too much money on those shopping channels? You can't help yourself. Somewhere along the line, you were inflicted with ACCENT: Accelerated Credit Card Emotional Nurturing Trauma.The point is it's not your fault. Don't you see? It's obvious. You weren't hugged enough as a kid, were around too much asbestos, had too many immunizations, ate lead paint chips, lived under power lines, neglected to eat regularly from the four basic food groups, attended a fundamentalist church, had a low-fiber diet, sat too close to the TV, kept your eyes in the crossed position too long, shocked yourself in your grandmother's light socket too many times, played too many video games, drank too much Kool-Aid, ran with scissors, and liked the smell of felt-tip markers. How can you be expected to do such complex tasks as keeping pedestrians in an upright position?

We live in a world that absolutely needs to blame and refuses to take responsibility. What an odd pairing. In other words, it's always somebody's fault...just not ours. Wouldn't it be refreshing in this litigious world to hear someone say, "Yep, it was me. I did it. It was all my fault"? That's what David did when he disobeyed the Lord in I Chronicles 21 by taking a census of the people, and God responded by unleashing an epidemic. The king said, "Please! I'm the one who sinned; I'm the one at fault...Punish me, not them; me and my family; don't take it out on them." (v.17, MSG) David didn't claim to have DISC: Davidic Illegitimate Survey Condition. He said, "It's my fault. Forgive me, Lord." We all have our stuff to deal with, and sometimes we don't handle it like we should. Rather than reaching for an alphabet soup of excuses, let's just take responsibility for our sin, confess it, and repent. Sin is the ultimate disorder we should be trying to avoid.

And for what it's worth, the only psychosis I've seen with caffeine is from those who need it and haven't had it. Well, I'd better end this article before I slip into Mechanical And Technical Textual Chronic Hallucinogenic Alphabetical Trauma, which stands for...hey, wait a minute!

Gut Check

I just got done listening to a sermon by Francis Chan about being a lukewarm Christian. It was based off of Revelation 3. I have been doing some serious soul searching tonight. Take a few moments and honestly answer the following questions. Ask for God's strength and truth to really empower You to open up truly to Him! Remember, the results are worth the pain.

He says in Revelation 3:20-21--Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. ²¹ Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne.

#1--Am I completely in love with Jesus! Do I enjoy and look forward to being with Him? Am I truly satisfied in my relationship with Him?

#2--Do I serve Him or others out of love or out of duty?

#3--Do I realize how much God loves me?

#4--Do I truly realize how short this side of heaven really is? Does my life reflect what is eternally valuable?

As I honestly worked through these questions myself, I must confess that I have been doing a lot of repenting and asking God to forgive me for how lukewarm I have become. THANKS BE TO GOD for His amazing love and invitation for relationship. God, I want to be with YOU!

Relevant

The Bible is an amazing book! Some books of the Old Testament are as old as 12th century BC. Even though the Bible has been around for centuries, God's Word is still relevant to our daily lives. God's truths are timeless and change who we are no matter what generation we grow up in.

The Bible is really the "flesh" or the guide to what it means to surrender your life to God. It talks about marriage, raising children, finances, sex, friendship, and work all God's way.

Throughout history some people have lived life their own way and others have surrendered control to Christ and done it God's way. I don't know about you but I think God knows best.

If you struggle reading the Bible or have a hard time understanding it, here are a few tips.

#1--check out www.biblegateway.com--This site allows you to read various translations (I recommend New Living Translation or the Message), search keywords or search by topic like money, fear etc.

#2--Make sure you have or read a translation that you understand

#3--Develop a plan. The Bible is a big book. If you pick it up and randomly read, it can be confusing or overwhelming. Many times its good to read a Proverb a day (coincides with the day of the month) and a chapter from the New Testament (start in John)

#4--Ask others for help or their advice

God's Word can empower and transform your marriage, family, job and life. Pick it up today and begin to let God's truth renew your heart and mind!

Mixing Their Religion

ARTICLE IN USA TODAY on Thursday, December 10, 2009

22% of Christians surveyed believe that people will be reborn in this world again and again (reincarnation)

17% of Christians surveyed believe that people with an "evil eye" can cast curses or harmful spells

15% of Christians surveyed admitted they attend services of at least one other faith.

What does all this mean? Synchretism by definition means blending together of different religions. People are taking one thing from Christianity, one thing from Islam, one from New Age Thought, and another from their own experience.

What drives your belief system? If it's emotions, they will fail and change often. If it's a new age movement, give it time it will fade. If it's God's Word, it will always remain.

Psalm 33:4--For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.

1 Peter 1:24-25--"All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall, ²⁵but the word of the Lord stands forever.

God's Word is truth and stands the test of time. Many people have tried to get rid of the Bible and make it extinct but they always failed.

Let's seek truth. Let's continue to pursue God's Word and see what He says above all else.

Challenge from Sandra Bullock

Sandra Bullock says it's a blessing to meet and to portray a real Christian.


Associated Press - 12/1/2009 9:45:00 AM

LOS ANGELES - Actress Sandra Bullock says meeting Leigh Anne Tuohy, who she portrays in the new movie "The Blind Side", showed her there really are some Christians who "walk the walk."

Bullock says thanks to the Tuohys, who attend Grace Evangelical Church in Memphis, she now has "faith in those who say they represent a faith." Getting to know Leigh Anne Tuohy, says the actress, showed her that religious faith can be authentic. "She was so open and honest and forthright," Bullock shares, "and I said, wow, I finally met someone who practices but doesn't preach."

Tuohy isn't like some hypocritical church-goers she's known, adds Bullock. "The beauty of Leigh Anne was one of my biggest questions was how people use their faith and their religion as a banner," she says. "And then they don't do the right thing, but they go 'I'm a good Christian and I go to church and this is the way you should live your life.'"

Bullock admits she was wary of Christians before she met the Tuohys. "Whereas...before I was like, do not give me a lecture on how to live my life when I know I'm a pretty decent human being," says the actress. "I might not go to church everyday, but I know I do the right thing or try to. You're going to church and you're still sleeping around on your wife...how are you better than I am? So I finally met people who walk the walk."


Many people feel, think and live the same way Sandra does. Being good and trying your best is what gets us brownie points in the next world. Unfortunately, that's not how it works. You and I can never be good enough to earn salvation. Romans 3:10 says there is none that are righteous. My best day and my best efforts to be good are as filthy rags in God's presence (Isaiah 64:6)

Our hope, future and salvation is secure only because of the amazing love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. He is our righteousness. He is our life!

So, because of what Christ has done lets continue to love others and let our actions speak loud. Let's continue to love those that don't deserve it. Let's continue to serve others and let God use our lives as a voice to communicate HE IS REAL!

Birthday Lesson

The vision of Wyandotte Family Church is faith, family, fun!!


This morning as we celebrate my daughters birthday I am introspective.Why is it the older we get, the harder it is to live with true joy? Children start off so full of joy and excited about life. As we get older we still want joy but often try things that only bring temporary happiness but not lasting joy!


Galatians 5:22 says one fruit of the Spirit is joy.


When we find ourselves living without joy let's pause and examine the direction & speed of our lives. Maybe we need to slow down and spend some time in Gods presence and allow HIS joy to fill our lives. Maybe we need to hang with some little ones and be reminded how to let loose and have fun!


Remember, activity doesn't always equal productivity. Busyness doesn't always equal fruitfulness. The proof is in our hearts and lives.

What is one fun thing you can do with your family or with others today? When you are done take time to read Galatians 5:22 and ask God to help you be filled with His Spirit and fruit so that you don't chase counterfeits.

Lessons from a birthday celebration. Coming soon :)

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