Volunteer Night

December 17, 2008- We have had a great day here at Victory. This is the first time I've been involved with a volunteer appreciation event as a staff member. This stuff is work. But wow, what an impact. Serving as a volunteer, at times, seems like the hardest working, least appreciated jobs, in ministry. Tonight, we get the chance to serve the ones that really hold this thing together. It is great to see people serving God and doing exactly what Jesus told us all to do.

1. Love God with all our heart mind, soul, and strength.



2. Love our neighbors as ourselves



3. To take the gospel to all the nations(you'd just have to visit our church)

As a staff we are so greatful to work along side such wonderful people, and it is going to bless me tremendously to serve them as appreciation to our fellow workers.

Potluck?

December 16, 2008- I haven't been keeping up on my post lately. God forbid I ever get truly busy, I'd never post anything. Anyway, I have had alot going on the past couple of weeks and have saw some great rewards of that time. Now Christmas is really here and that means, guess what? Yep, potluck dinners. This week I am working on a message called "Potluck". We are having a potluck dinner for the Celebrate Recovery ministry and God spoke to my heart that the gospel message is a potluck message( not in what we say, but what we bring to the table). You see, we are all invited the dine with the Lord. All we have to do is answer the door. Also, It doesn't matter what you bring to the table. God uses exactly what we have and shapes us to accomplish great things for His glory. So bring what you have to dine with the Lord. We are all welcome.

Be the Change...

December 10, 2008- This is exactly what many people deal with during the holidays. We spend this time with family(and there's always the ones who hate each other, but continually show up at grandma's for Christmas). Don't you just love that. I've done that and I know you have too. Well, I'm not being apart of it anymore. This Christmas, and all the rest, are going to be different. There is a portion of scripture in Matthew 5: 13- 16 that says,"You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost it's taste, how shall it's saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to the whole house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven".

Remember to always be the change you want to see in the world...

Practicality

December 5, 2008- This time of the year is known for lots of things, but being practical isn't usually one of them. Everything is go, go, go, over the top, and over activity. That's why it doesn't surprise me that the suicide and depression rate in our country is through the roof during this season. So, in the midst of all the running, performing, overspending, smiling when you want to scream, I have some life changing advice. In this season we all need to take the time to do these 3 very practical things. Stop, Look, and Listen.

• Stop- Sometimes we need to stop trying to be everywhere and doing everything. Stop means to be still. This season, for Christians, is meant to recognize our Lord and Savior. Between shopping, Christmas plays, dinner parties, and more shopping, we miss the very reason for the season. Psalms 46:10 says,"Be still, and know that I am God..."


• Look- In a crazy economical time in this country, people are searching everywhere for an answer. Things can become distorted and cloudy in that search. But the Bible tells us where to look. We are to look to the hills. Psalms 121


• Listen- If we will just slow down for a minute in the chaos of this season, we might actually hear what God is trying to say to us. The breakthrough that we need in life might only require us to listen. Jesus said in John 10:37, "...Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice".

Inventory

December 4, 2008- I have a question that has been stuck in my head for the past few days. When I was a little kid, this was always a wonderful time of the year. You know with Santa coming and all. Anyway, as excited as I was, there was always that thing in the back of my head."OK, how did I do this year? Did I make Santa's nice list or am I on the naughty one,(Look, I don't have time for the theological discussion about Santa Claus, I'm making a point here). Did you do the same thing? I know you did, because people always sang that silly song to you. Well, now that I'm older and the world seems different, I don't always think that way. You know this year we all had things we said we wanted to do for God's kingdom. My question is, How did I do?
In what areas of my life do I need to improve? This time of the year means inventory for me.

Generation WE

December 2, 2008- Very powerful video of a generation that truly is determined to make a difference. So, when we ask, "who do we need to focus on reaching?". Well the answer is we need to reach WE....

I can do it!!!!

December 1, 2008- I am utterly amazed at what God is doing in the lives around me. It is so wonderful to see faith in action. The economy is a wreck, the state of our country is a coin toss, and despite all that I see the people of God saying,"It doesn't matter what it looks like, everything will work out".
To the unbeliever, that makes no sense whatsoever. Things aren't alright. People are loosing their jobs, families are being ripped apart due to financial crisis, and in a time like this people are looking for someone to make it all better, but nobody is there.
How is it that you can have a positive attitude in times like this? Well, just to keep it real with you, things aren't that bad. We live in the greatest time ever! We are blessed beyond our wildest imagination and we don't even appreciate it. We live in a country that spends in the area of a half trillion dollars on Christmas alone. We are blessed. But our main focus has to move from how do we get more so we can do more. Our focus needs to move to the true source of our getting. God is our supply. He is our source. And with Him all things are possible.
If you ever get in a rut and think you can't do it, just watch this...