My motivation

Last night I went to a prayer meeting at our church. I walked in sooooo tired and empty. I just had no passion. I just felt burned out and over worked.  I laid on the chairs and attempted something that we call prayer. I laid there for about 15 min before I remembered what I taught our youth students yesterday.  Enter your time of prayer with praise. So I stood up and began to praise the Lord with much difficulty and pride. But I press in harder and let down all my defences. Soon I found myself burning with passion for him. Like my insides were on fire for Him. With new vision and direction! Im so excited about life. There is so much God has for us and I want to live every minute for Him!

Missions trip

We just bought our plane tickets! Im so excited about our trip. We have raised $7000 dollars so far and $6000 to go. We just spent 4 days replacing someone's roof for a decent $2000. I look forward very much to the fruit that this trip will bring. Our desire is to build and equip churches for service. I am currently working on ways to equip and educate new pastors. There are some very good discipleship programs for pastors who can't go to a formal school. This is very exciting because it makes it possible for people to fulfill Gods call on their life easier! Especially when we buy it. Thankyou everyone for your prayer and support. I look forward to the testimonies that this trip brings!

missions trip

We are up to $4500.00 for our trip to the philippines! Only 9 grand to go. We will get it though. We got a roof job this week that will bring in $1800.00.  And a photo fundraiser that should do about the same. We are so excited and believe that God is going to do such awesome things! Thank you to all who are praying and supporting us!

gas station

Today I had to borrow my friends truck. While I was using it I decided to get some gas for it. I didn't have the money though. All I could afford was $10.00. So I swiped my card and said to the attendant "ten please." I got back in the truck and I was overwhelmed with the feeling that I needed to fill his truck all the way up. I thought to myself, "thats alot of money, Im not gonna have gas for myself." I also thought, "I already swiped my card and I don't wanna inconvience the gas attendant. The feeling persisted. All I could think is that my friend would fill my tank in a heart beat and believe God to provide for him. "I need to do it" I thought. Just then the gas attendant says, "sir, how much did you want?" I looked at the meter and it said $17.00. I then told him to fill it up. As I drove away I felt good but wondered how I was going to make it the rest of the month with out the money. A little while later I arrived at a nice old ladys house. She was donating things to the church and I was using the truck to pick it up. After I loaded everything she handed me an envelope and said there was gas money in it. I tried to refuse but she insisted. When I looked in the envelope it was almost enough money to cover the gas I had just bought. "God, you are so faithful" I whispered quietly to the Lord. But, I know you God. You didn't pay me back all the way. You still owe me $10.00. I said that because God always pays me back. I put it in gear and started to drive away when I heard the lady yelling "wait, wait!" I stopped the truck and she came running up to the window and said, "here, I made this meatloaf for you!" As I drove away I was amazed once again at Gods faithfulness! 

Where your treasure is.....

This morning while I was jogging and praying I felt free! I mean really free. Like there was nothing holding me back, no secret sin I was keeping from God. There wasn't. But yesterday was different. I really wanted to buy some software for my new computer. It just isn't in the budget and I knew it. I also knew it would be unwise to buy it, God does call us to wisdom. I insisted to God "I need it, it will help me be a better pastor, father and friend!" The truth is I could do with out it, I just wanted it. I wanted it so much I had been trying to convince God I needed it. I was willing to spend money my kids could use for clothes on this.... thing. Anyway, I so eagerly desire to give God %100 of my life. That includes not just my tithe but everything I have. I am asking God to help me ask the question, "why do I have more than I need and how can I help others with it," rather than, "why don't I have more and how can I get it?" I want to be like my Aunt Joan who doesn't make a lot of money but gives a lot away. She is wise and is using her earthly wealth to gain heavenly treasure! Joan, your my hero!

The sunlight

This morning when I woke up at 5:45 to spend time with the Lord and exercise, I didn't feel like it. Actually the thought of being up and outside in the dark cold seemed depressing. Literally depressing. My heart felt heavy and unmotivated. I couldn't see the good in doing it. But, I knew from experience (yesterday) that if I didn't wake up I would be disappointed with myself later. So I crawled out of bed and hit the road. As I was jogging I said to the Lord, "Why do I feel like this"? Just then the sunlight hit my face and I came into view of a beautiful sunrise. I was flooded with the emotion of "well being" and "peace". I suddenly felt like a victorious man rather than a dirty trash can full of poop. God then reminded that all things in life that are good take work. Our salvation is free but it is work to keep it. The dreams he gives me are wonderful but to achieve them I must work hard. But with hard work and discipline comes great reward. The scriptures tell us that where we sow seed we will reap a harvest even greater!

Rock Star Isaac

Today I went to Guitar Center to pick up a plug for the keyboard at church. I decided to take Isaac with me. I knew he would love to play on one of the drum sets. While I was talking to one of the employees Isaac shouted out in a very loud voice "I wanna be rock star Isaac!" Eveyone one nearby heard him say this.  I was so proud. All I could think to say was, "Isaac, you just made my day."