I'm excited to let you know that our little blog site now has an official t-shirt! Ever in the hunt for marketing ideas, I've designed a simple shirt that you can wear to start great conversations with others who need to be set free as well. On the front, it has the blog site's web address. On the back is a great quote from "Wild at Heart" - Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs are people who have come alive.
If you're interested in getting one for your very own, I've posted a link on the right of the screen to the site where it can be found - www.zazzle.com. Go to the inspirational section. If my shirt doesn't show up on the first page, search using "True Heart Times". It should come up. The site is cool because you can design and post your very own t-shirt there. And you can print one or a thousand at a time. What a deal!
If you're planning on attending the Beyond the Song worship festival in July (which you ought to do - a link to the Beyond the Song website is also under the "links" list), you'll see me wearing one. Show yourself my groupie and get one for yourself!
Happy wearing! Walk with God!
5.18.2005
A simple notice to all who come here...
Greetings! For some of you who may have seen the comments posted under my latest article (...favorite song...), someone by the user name Free Webcam (blogger profile #9147020) decided to e-mail me a link to a site with free porn. Obviously, I have deleted it. I have also e-mailed blogger support to let them know that not only did I receive spam as a comment, but the nature of that spam was reprehensible.
If you happen to be reading this #9147020, which I doubt because you're probably just some robot spitting out this crap, let it be known that the only references allowed to pornography on this blog will be in referring to pornography as the vile, disgusting, tool of satan that it is. Absolutely no discussion, links, comments, etc. of any kind will be tolerated. You will be reported immediately to Blogger staff.
I will elaborate further on the issue of lust, sexual addiction, and pornography in a future blog report. Suffice to say, I have very pointed opinions on the matter.
Walk with God.
If you happen to be reading this #9147020, which I doubt because you're probably just some robot spitting out this crap, let it be known that the only references allowed to pornography on this blog will be in referring to pornography as the vile, disgusting, tool of satan that it is. Absolutely no discussion, links, comments, etc. of any kind will be tolerated. You will be reported immediately to Blogger staff.
I will elaborate further on the issue of lust, sexual addiction, and pornography in a future blog report. Suffice to say, I have very pointed opinions on the matter.
Walk with God.
5.15.2005
I heard my new favorite song today!
If you know me, you know I'm big into music. I'm always singing a song or tapping on something as drummers usually do. Well, I was driving today and heard, as the title of this entry suggests, my new favorite song. It could become my favorite ever. It's called "For the First Time", and it's written and sung by Mark Harris. Who dat, you ask? Well, if you've heard songs by a little group called 4HIM, you've heard Mark's voice. "He Never Changes", "Can't Get Past the Evidence", on and on. Well, Mark has a new solo CD coming out June 7. It's called "The Line Between the Two". Right now, you can go to www.markharrisonline.com and see info about it, and hear it! They play the whole blessed thing while you wander about the site (it is kind of thin on content now).
What caught my attention was a line in "For the First Time" where Mark sings - "I want to be alive, I want to be a man, cause being wild at heart is really who I am". Cool! A John Eldredge reference! That makes it this blog site's official theme song! That's what caught my attention the most. How that song is EXACTLY where I'm at in God right now. I'm ready to live, ready to fly!
After coming back from Colorado, I've been chomping at the bit. Where should I go? What do I do? How should I get involved? I've got all this passion and energy...like Jeremiah, it's like a fire shut up in my bones. But, like Mark sings in the song, I'm just going to live and shine. God, You direct the steps. I'm ready.
Well, I'm going to go back and listen to the music again. And while the freak-a-zoids will line up to see Episode 3, I'll be camping out at the Christian bookstore to get Mark's CD the second it comes out.
Walk with God. A new longer entry coming tout de suite (that's very soon for those non-Frenchies out there).
What caught my attention was a line in "For the First Time" where Mark sings - "I want to be alive, I want to be a man, cause being wild at heart is really who I am". Cool! A John Eldredge reference! That makes it this blog site's official theme song! That's what caught my attention the most. How that song is EXACTLY where I'm at in God right now. I'm ready to live, ready to fly!
After coming back from Colorado, I've been chomping at the bit. Where should I go? What do I do? How should I get involved? I've got all this passion and energy...like Jeremiah, it's like a fire shut up in my bones. But, like Mark sings in the song, I'm just going to live and shine. God, You direct the steps. I'm ready.
Well, I'm going to go back and listen to the music again. And while the freak-a-zoids will line up to see Episode 3, I'll be camping out at the Christian bookstore to get Mark's CD the second it comes out.
Walk with God. A new longer entry coming tout de suite (that's very soon for those non-Frenchies out there).
5.10.2005
What the stink is a church supposed to be like anyway?
I figured a title like that would get your attention. Seriously though, have you ever given thought to whether or not your church actually falls under the definition of what God would consider a church? There are so many churches, one on every street corner (right next to all the Waffle Houses in the south!). Is anyone actually getting it right? Who's closer than others? What about your church? Do you like it because the music is good and your friends go there and it's close to your favorite restaurant so you can stop there on the way home? Or is it something much deeper?
Acts 2:42-47 paints a decent picture. Wait a minute! You mean there are no multi-media slide shows? No national television ministries? No 20,000 square foot addition with retractible dome? Nope. Just a group of people united by a common purpose - to live out the teachings of the One who died, for themselves and for the world around them.
What did they do?
1. DEVOTED THEMSELVES TO TEACHING AND FELLOWSHIP (v. 42). First, they'd have a seven-course meal on the Word. You think your pastor is good? How about Peter? Then, they hung out together. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Makes for a pretty sterile church, too. Is your church too religious to have fun? Check out some of my early pieces on living from the true heart. God is in the Super Bowl party.
2. SIGNS AND WONDERS ARE TAKING PLACE (v. 43). Look, I'm not into gold fillings and bleating like sheep or doing doses of "carpet time". But if the Holy Spirit does not somehow regularly attend your service, isn't your church pretty much just a country club?
3. UNITY (v. 44-45). Red and yellow, black and white, Jew and Gentile, slave and free, short and tall, fat and skinny. In Jesus, we are one just like the Three are One.
4. COMMITTMENT TO EACH OTHER (v.45). No, I'm not preaching socialism. But bearing one another's burdens is mandatory. When I was out of work a few years ago, dear friends of ours gave us $300. Just because. If you have needs and no one is meeting them, it's easy to say they're all selfish. But what if no one knows? If you're not connected to the body, your needs will go unmet. And it's not necessarily the body's fault!
5. COMMITTMENT TO THE VISION (V. 46). "Day by day...". All people need to walk in step with the vision all the time. When the vision gets cloudy, the church runs off course. The Methodist church is a great example of this. Their logo is the cross with a flame around it. Nowadays, most Methodist churches' wood is so wet it'll never ignite. Liberal doctrines, man's ideals, and CRASH! down comes the denomination. Leaders must challenge their people to continue to walk in God's ways and stay true to the founding of what the church is in the community for. And if your church really doesn't have a full-fledged purpose, or it's failing badly to meet it, it's time to start asking some serious questions.
6. SUPERNATURAL GROWTH. It's no coincidence that Luke repeats the phrase "day by day" in the last verse. If people see authentic Christianity displayed, they'll flock to it. No slick marketing campaigns, glossy ads or radio programs. Churches are built in the trenches, life by life, soul by soul.
Ephesians 4:11-16 also shows the church at its best. Our main duty? To equip the saints for the work of the ministry. You know that whole "10% do 90% of the work" thing? Ain't no equippin' happnin' there! Every joint and ligament in its place, doing its job. Churches need to strike a healthy balance between "the chosen few" who can lead, and the so-called "works mentality" that prevails in many bodies. It's not easy. Nothing worthwhile is.
As we grow to be more like Jesus, our needs change for churches. When you're younger, it might be cool to go to the "hip" church in town. But for someone like me, who is growing in their faith to a new dimension and with three young souls in tow, my view of what's important is changing. I recently had a pastor look into my seven year old's face and encourage her to go to the mission field. Equipping the saints. Never let go of the main thing.
Does your church encourage you this way? I challenge you...take a long, hard look at what your church offers you and your community. If it doesn't bring life, walk away. No matter how committed you are to the programs going on. Your devotion to Jesus goes way beyond a program. Your life is worth more than getting burnt out by serving where you're not fed.
Time's a wastin', campers. Let's give the local church our full attention. Call it to be so much more than it is. What's He saying to you?
Acts 2:42-47 paints a decent picture. Wait a minute! You mean there are no multi-media slide shows? No national television ministries? No 20,000 square foot addition with retractible dome? Nope. Just a group of people united by a common purpose - to live out the teachings of the One who died, for themselves and for the world around them.
What did they do?
1. DEVOTED THEMSELVES TO TEACHING AND FELLOWSHIP (v. 42). First, they'd have a seven-course meal on the Word. You think your pastor is good? How about Peter? Then, they hung out together. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Makes for a pretty sterile church, too. Is your church too religious to have fun? Check out some of my early pieces on living from the true heart. God is in the Super Bowl party.
2. SIGNS AND WONDERS ARE TAKING PLACE (v. 43). Look, I'm not into gold fillings and bleating like sheep or doing doses of "carpet time". But if the Holy Spirit does not somehow regularly attend your service, isn't your church pretty much just a country club?
3. UNITY (v. 44-45). Red and yellow, black and white, Jew and Gentile, slave and free, short and tall, fat and skinny. In Jesus, we are one just like the Three are One.
4. COMMITTMENT TO EACH OTHER (v.45). No, I'm not preaching socialism. But bearing one another's burdens is mandatory. When I was out of work a few years ago, dear friends of ours gave us $300. Just because. If you have needs and no one is meeting them, it's easy to say they're all selfish. But what if no one knows? If you're not connected to the body, your needs will go unmet. And it's not necessarily the body's fault!
5. COMMITTMENT TO THE VISION (V. 46). "Day by day...". All people need to walk in step with the vision all the time. When the vision gets cloudy, the church runs off course. The Methodist church is a great example of this. Their logo is the cross with a flame around it. Nowadays, most Methodist churches' wood is so wet it'll never ignite. Liberal doctrines, man's ideals, and CRASH! down comes the denomination. Leaders must challenge their people to continue to walk in God's ways and stay true to the founding of what the church is in the community for. And if your church really doesn't have a full-fledged purpose, or it's failing badly to meet it, it's time to start asking some serious questions.
6. SUPERNATURAL GROWTH. It's no coincidence that Luke repeats the phrase "day by day" in the last verse. If people see authentic Christianity displayed, they'll flock to it. No slick marketing campaigns, glossy ads or radio programs. Churches are built in the trenches, life by life, soul by soul.
Ephesians 4:11-16 also shows the church at its best. Our main duty? To equip the saints for the work of the ministry. You know that whole "10% do 90% of the work" thing? Ain't no equippin' happnin' there! Every joint and ligament in its place, doing its job. Churches need to strike a healthy balance between "the chosen few" who can lead, and the so-called "works mentality" that prevails in many bodies. It's not easy. Nothing worthwhile is.
As we grow to be more like Jesus, our needs change for churches. When you're younger, it might be cool to go to the "hip" church in town. But for someone like me, who is growing in their faith to a new dimension and with three young souls in tow, my view of what's important is changing. I recently had a pastor look into my seven year old's face and encourage her to go to the mission field. Equipping the saints. Never let go of the main thing.
Does your church encourage you this way? I challenge you...take a long, hard look at what your church offers you and your community. If it doesn't bring life, walk away. No matter how committed you are to the programs going on. Your devotion to Jesus goes way beyond a program. Your life is worth more than getting burnt out by serving where you're not fed.
Time's a wastin', campers. Let's give the local church our full attention. Call it to be so much more than it is. What's He saying to you?
5.03.2005
Greater is He...
"The LORD is a Warrior; the Lord is His Name."
---Exodus 15.3
"Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes."
---Ephesians 6.11
"Put 'em up! Put 'em up! I'll fight you with one paw tied behind my back!
---Cowardly Lion, "The Wizard of Oz"
I've never been a prayer warrior. If there's one spiritual discipline I've never understood and even less participated in, it's prayer. It's not that I don't believe in it - "Prayer changes things...Pray without ceasing...". But there always seemed to have been a disconnect between me and God when it came to coming before the throne of grace. I never understood why. I would say my token prayers and leave it at that. No power, no faith, no passion. Blah Blah Blah. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
All that has changed since the Boot Camp. I'm realizing just how vital it is for me to pray and have His power fill me all day. I wrote in an earlier article that I pray the Daily Prayer from John Eldredge. You can download it from the Ransomed Heart website that's linked to the right of this page. I don't just read it and leave it. It seems to springboard me into praying for people, things, my family. I do business with God and I am fully convinced that He hears it and will act upon it. I desperately need Him to, because I'm toast without His full intervention.
Case in point - this past Saturday. We're all swimming at the Sagamore. Having a great time. Rachel and I are in the pool and hot tub together. We're having a very special daddy/daughter time. Then she had to go to the bathroom. When she got there, she started looking pale. Rachel's been having times where she just passes out and doctors can't figure out why. Well, I panicked. I took Rachel to Tricia and she had the lifeguard call the EMT on duty. 30 minutes and all the attention in the world later, and we're on our way to Glens Falls Hospital (against my wishes at the time) for more blood work and an EKG. After three hours at the hospital, we got home.
In retrospect, I was pretty poor in response to all that happened. Selfish and aloof, I didn't come alongside my wife and daughter and stand strong for them. I was more upset as to why they always have to be the center of attention. Why are you embarrassing me? God got a hold of me as we were driving down to Glens Falls and this morning in prayer.
He gave me a great teaching word this morning. He said I have great authority in prayer, more than I realize. Why haven't I known about it? Because the devil wants nothing more for me to be impotent in prayer; because the devil knows the damage it can do. He showed me that if I had taken authoirty right there at the pool, in front of the EMT and the security guards, I could have seen the enemy fly out the door and never come back. I didn't. He's not condemning me; He's showing me what I'll be able to do next time.
Jesus was given all authority to overcome all the power of the enemy. Jesus has passed that authority down to you and me. Prayer should not turn into "please please please" session, where we hope that God has heard enough of our prayers and feels we are worthy to be answered. That is the basis for most other religions. Jehovah's Witnesses, Muslims. You try to present yourself just good enough that God will tip the cosmic scales in your favor. How much is good enough to earn God's favor?
We need to do nothing except know deep down that God has granted all authority to us. There is nothing that can tear us down or take us apart. WE HAVE THE VICTORY!!!!! Prayer is more like telling our enemies that they've lost. Over and over and over again. Think about the balls the devil has that he would attack a three year old child. A baby? "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy..." (John 10.10). We are at war. We need to fight. Live in the authority God placed in us. Just because you don't believe he's there doesn't mean he's not.
Start with the Daily Prayer. The more you pray it, the more it becomes a part of you. And it will help you to clarify your position in the world and inside His Kingdom. Then just talk to God. Walk with Him. Commune with Him. It's not religion. Anything that guides you in the direction of religion should be tossed aside immediately. He loves us passionately. Let Him know you want the same thing the other way. He's got enough love and revelations to go around.
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