Hey member's of life... it's been a while, about two weeks since I last posted... sorry, this post should explain why. So, "what's your stress size"? I have heard women ask each other before, "what's your dress size", I thought it would be appropriate to ask you, "what's your stress size?".
Just, how much stress can you handle? I have lived long enough and pastored long enough to realize that a stress free life or a stress free pastorate is not going to happen, nor should it. But I have also realized that like women and dress sizes, we all have an appropriate "stress size" for our life. God has created each of us perfectly to handle stress, as long as it's handled through Him, but he has created us differently. Some people are those pettite, size zeroes that will definitely get bogged down if more than two stressful situations come into their life. Others, well let's face it, shop at the "big and tall" stress shop where it seems we are built for more than the average amount of stress. So... "what's your stress size"?
Happiness and joy that God wants you to live in is finding your size and comfortably living within it. It's when we try cramming a size 14 stress load into a size 6 frame where the stress becomes distress which can lead to depression. Well... what do I do? Ask the Lord... commit everything to Him... know your limits and learn to say "no"... live to please Him and not everyone around you... know the things you have control over in your life, however also know the things you don't have control over and delegate them to His Supernatural Power. You will find that living within your stress size will make life more comfortable and enjoyable for you.
Take the time to read the 73rd Psalm today and let God bless you and your stressed life!
Pastor Chad
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Thursday, July 17, 2008
And they're off...
This morning I was prodded by my 7th grader to "hurry up, Dad... we're gonna be late". Today my son Chad is going on his first "Youth Group Trip" to a youth retreat called, "Closer Walk" in Wildwood, NJ. As I arrived I looked around and saw 15 other young people loading up vans and preparing for the 3 1/2 hour drive. It brought excitement to me to see these teens excited and anticipating a great weekend.
I sit now in my office typing this blog, and I can't help but envy a little bit the opportunities that our young people have. If a young person in our youth group attends every function that Pastor Jeff plans... they have the potential to attend nearly 6 annual retreats... more than 20 power packed worship services... and this doesn't include our weekly youth service. How awesome is that? I am so glad that we have a dedicated youth pastor and wife, committed to the spiritual growth of our young people. The Lord has blessed First Assembly with committed support staff... in Pastor Jeff and Pastor Fred. Next week, my second son Cole, is going to be going to Kid's Camp... and I know God will move on his life there!
If you haven't stopped and thought about all that the kids and teens at First Assembly of God have been blessed with... do it today. Say a special prayer for Pastor Jeff and Pastor Fred and their powerful leadership.
I sit now in my office typing this blog, and I can't help but envy a little bit the opportunities that our young people have. If a young person in our youth group attends every function that Pastor Jeff plans... they have the potential to attend nearly 6 annual retreats... more than 20 power packed worship services... and this doesn't include our weekly youth service. How awesome is that? I am so glad that we have a dedicated youth pastor and wife, committed to the spiritual growth of our young people. The Lord has blessed First Assembly with committed support staff... in Pastor Jeff and Pastor Fred. Next week, my second son Cole, is going to be going to Kid's Camp... and I know God will move on his life there!
If you haven't stopped and thought about all that the kids and teens at First Assembly of God have been blessed with... do it today. Say a special prayer for Pastor Jeff and Pastor Fred and their powerful leadership.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
"And he was crippled in both feet."
I want to say if you aren't attending our Sunday morning services and our Sunday night prayer time... you're missing out! The Holy Spirit is moving in a very real, powerful way.
Sunday night at prayer I read the account of Mephibosheth from 2 Samuel 9... and I noted a couple of things:
1. Mephibosheth is introduced in verse 3 as "...he is crippled in both feet."
2. The last thing said about Mephibosheth in chapter nine is, "and he was crippled in both feet."
3. In between those phrases, he is sought out by the King, had his families land given back to him, the king has paid to have his fields worked, and he eats every meal at the King's table.
Which led me to understand a couple of things... he was crippled when sought out by the king, and he remained crippled all his days... but he still enjoyed the blessings of the King (David). How many times are we completely focused on our "handicaps" whether they are spiritual handicaps, physical handicaps, or emotional handicaps... and because we focus primarily on these things we forfeit what the King wants to bless us with. The truth of our situation(s) is, some of the things that hinder us may always be with us... but it should never keep us from the King's Table. Yes... Mephibosheth was crippled as an infant, and he died a cripple... but in between, he dined with the King!
One day I hope they say about me... yes there were imperfections about Chad as a child... and he died with some of those same imperfections... but in between he dined with "THE" King! Learn to appreciate the presence of God in spite of your short comings... Most times, the King's favor seems to allow us to forget our crippled state.
Read 2 Samuel 9 today and see for yourself... God bless you!
Sunday night at prayer I read the account of Mephibosheth from 2 Samuel 9... and I noted a couple of things:
1. Mephibosheth is introduced in verse 3 as "...he is crippled in both feet."
2. The last thing said about Mephibosheth in chapter nine is, "and he was crippled in both feet."
3. In between those phrases, he is sought out by the King, had his families land given back to him, the king has paid to have his fields worked, and he eats every meal at the King's table.
Which led me to understand a couple of things... he was crippled when sought out by the king, and he remained crippled all his days... but he still enjoyed the blessings of the King (David). How many times are we completely focused on our "handicaps" whether they are spiritual handicaps, physical handicaps, or emotional handicaps... and because we focus primarily on these things we forfeit what the King wants to bless us with. The truth of our situation(s) is, some of the things that hinder us may always be with us... but it should never keep us from the King's Table. Yes... Mephibosheth was crippled as an infant, and he died a cripple... but in between, he dined with the King!
One day I hope they say about me... yes there were imperfections about Chad as a child... and he died with some of those same imperfections... but in between he dined with "THE" King! Learn to appreciate the presence of God in spite of your short comings... Most times, the King's favor seems to allow us to forget our crippled state.
Read 2 Samuel 9 today and see for yourself... God bless you!
Friday, July 11, 2008
"I have fought the good fight...
...I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."
I love this passage of Scripture from II Timothy 4:7. It seems to be the "Christian Anthem" of persiverance. One thing I think we tend to do too often is we focus on the finishing the race and keeping the faith part to a degree that we forget they come at the end of a "good fight". Just what is a good fight anyway? Well, it doesn't mean "enjoyable fight" it means that Paul had put up a "good" fight.
Which reveals that the Christian Walk is exactly that... a fight. It's rewarding, it's wonderful, it's refreshing... but it is a fight. As you think about this today, realize that you have some wonderful resources for your fight. The Word of God... the Holy Spirit... and the Church of Christ! Are you taking advantage of all that has been given to you, so that you can fight the good fight and finish the race. It will all be for naught if you haven't kept the faith, however... so keep at it!
I love this passage of Scripture from II Timothy 4:7. It seems to be the "Christian Anthem" of persiverance. One thing I think we tend to do too often is we focus on the finishing the race and keeping the faith part to a degree that we forget they come at the end of a "good fight". Just what is a good fight anyway? Well, it doesn't mean "enjoyable fight" it means that Paul had put up a "good" fight.
Which reveals that the Christian Walk is exactly that... a fight. It's rewarding, it's wonderful, it's refreshing... but it is a fight. As you think about this today, realize that you have some wonderful resources for your fight. The Word of God... the Holy Spirit... and the Church of Christ! Are you taking advantage of all that has been given to you, so that you can fight the good fight and finish the race. It will all be for naught if you haven't kept the faith, however... so keep at it!
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Clean Slate!
Today, the parking lot is getting it's first of two coats of sealant. Praise the Lord. We have been waiting for this for a while, and it's about time the parking lot matched the building in looks. It's exciting...
Much like when our sins are wiped clean... by the end of the day today, all of the marks and signs of a former parking lot will be covered... and a new lot will appear.
This 4th of July weekend, take a moment and remember the Freedom you now have, because your life has been wiped clean and a new one has taken it's place. I know I am...
Here is a picture of the work as it begins... everyone from First Assembly, shout out a loud, Praise the Lord!
Much like when our sins are wiped clean... by the end of the day today, all of the marks and signs of a former parking lot will be covered... and a new lot will appear.
This 4th of July weekend, take a moment and remember the Freedom you now have, because your life has been wiped clean and a new one has taken it's place. I know I am...
Here is a picture of the work as it begins... everyone from First Assembly, shout out a loud, Praise the Lord!
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
God's Soveriegn Plan...
I am going to be preaching a series of messages from the book of Acts, beginning next week. So my personal study has led me to reread and then reread this powerful, historical book of the christian church in it's infant stage.
As I was reading last night in chapter 12, something really struck me as "hard to understand". Chapter 12 of Acts begins with the account of James, the brother of John, one of the disciples... being put to death, martyred at the hand of King Herod. "When he saw this pleased the Jews, he had Peter arrested as well". What struck me as hard to understand, was the fact that James' ministry was cut short because he was martyred for the cause... where Peter was miraculously led from prison, chains falling off... passing unnoticed by the guards... through a miraculously open city gate... and led to freedom. With our limited understanding, we are left to ask, "What's the Deal?"
And as I continued to read, the Spirit of God gave me a clearer understanding of Acts 12. Earlier on I called it James' ministry... when in fact it is the Lord's ministry that James is fulfilling. The greatest desire for James, Peter, Stephen, or any of the men that gave their life for the Lord's work... was not to complete their calling in life, but to also complete it in death. I believe that God's soveriegn plan was accomplished... why James? Why in Jerusalem? Why so soon? Quite possibly it was because James was willing... maybe it was because in Jerusalem it would be the center of attention for all of the believers... maybe it happened so soon, to spur on the efforts as a rallying cry of the other disciples and believers. Regardless what we can or can't understand, it was ultimately to fulfill God's Soveriegn Plan.
Think about the resolve Peter had knowing his life had been spared... how much more determined was he knowing that James paid a price so that he could continue to live and reach others. Oh that our resolve would be so strong to fulfill God's plan, whether it be in life or death.
As I was reading last night in chapter 12, something really struck me as "hard to understand". Chapter 12 of Acts begins with the account of James, the brother of John, one of the disciples... being put to death, martyred at the hand of King Herod. "When he saw this pleased the Jews, he had Peter arrested as well". What struck me as hard to understand, was the fact that James' ministry was cut short because he was martyred for the cause... where Peter was miraculously led from prison, chains falling off... passing unnoticed by the guards... through a miraculously open city gate... and led to freedom. With our limited understanding, we are left to ask, "What's the Deal?"
And as I continued to read, the Spirit of God gave me a clearer understanding of Acts 12. Earlier on I called it James' ministry... when in fact it is the Lord's ministry that James is fulfilling. The greatest desire for James, Peter, Stephen, or any of the men that gave their life for the Lord's work... was not to complete their calling in life, but to also complete it in death. I believe that God's soveriegn plan was accomplished... why James? Why in Jerusalem? Why so soon? Quite possibly it was because James was willing... maybe it was because in Jerusalem it would be the center of attention for all of the believers... maybe it happened so soon, to spur on the efforts as a rallying cry of the other disciples and believers. Regardless what we can or can't understand, it was ultimately to fulfill God's Soveriegn Plan.
Think about the resolve Peter had knowing his life had been spared... how much more determined was he knowing that James paid a price so that he could continue to live and reach others. Oh that our resolve would be so strong to fulfill God's plan, whether it be in life or death.
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