You Can't Do That In France!

Why do we still celebrate Thanksgiving? Because it’s the American thing to do….. and we DON'T LIVE IN FRANCE….. IF THAT OFFENDS YOU GO LIVE THERE. You can’t do STUFF LIKE THIS IN France! According to the History of Thanksgiving, accounts have pointed to feasts of thanksgiving as early as 1565 in the New World, the celebration that has traditionally been deemed "The First Thanksgiving" occurred in 1621. In 1620, the Mayflower landed in Plymouth, Massachusetts. It held colonists, later known as Pilgrims, who had left England in search of greater religious freedom. Unfortunately, the Pilgrims arrived in December, and many of the new colonists did not survive the harsh winter. With the help of local Native Americans, they were able to plant crops in the spring of 1621, and thus enjoyed a bountiful harvest. With the crops assuring a better winter, the Pilgrims planned a feast of thanksgiving. It is this image of colonists and members of the Wampanoag tribe enjoying a meal together and giving thanks for the fruits of the land that has served as inspiration for the holiday to this day. We still celebrate by overeating, giving, cooking, getting together with friends, and having a wonderful time of fun and fellowship during this time of year as an expression of thanksgiving. There’s really nothing magical or mystical about it…. Just a good old “Thank you partner…” and most of all, “Thank you Lord for your provision, both physically and spiritually thru your Son Jesus Christ.

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Deer and God's Spirit

In a couple of days I have the privilege of traveling to Texas to hunt with a few friends. If you know anything about hunting, you know that Texas is famous for their Whitetailed deer – especially if you’re hunting in the Southwestern part of the state. There are very few places in the country that produce such quality deer herds. One thing most of them have in common is nutrition. Not only are there massive quantities of acorns from small scrub oaks, but the farmers plant bumper crops of corn, alfalfa, soybeans, and all sorts of other agriculture. So the land is prepared for the deer without any effort on their part…. All they really do is gorge on the feastings. When you look around this country of ours, there seems to be an outpouring of God’s Spirit in certain geographical areas. Out west, Rick Warren and Saddleback are going thru a huge time of revival. Down south, Ed Young Jr. Is experiencing a great move of God. In Atlanta, Andy Stanley and North Point Community church is going thru the same thing. And I haven’t mentioned Lifechurch.tv or the Village chuch, or Willowcreek, just to name a few…. So what’s the difference? I believe it’s the spiritual soil. Just like the farmers plant crops and till the soil, in these places, warriors are being strategically placed by God to pray, prepare, and make way for a mighty move of God… I know it works… it’s happening all over Mountain View Church right now. And I’m glad I’m a small part, aren’t you?

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Snow, Trash Piles and Grace

As I watched the snow blanket the ground this morning, I was amazed at how the bare spots on the ground, piles of debris, trash piles and leaves were transformed into beautiful objects of sculpture. My first thoughts were of how God’s grace covers our sins and where there may be imperfections and flaws, His holiness has a way of turning even our worst failures into works of art. But there is an even greater event at work in God’s grace. Where snow only covers up the barren ground and hides the mess underneath, the mess still remains. The beautiful thing about God’s grace and forgiveness is that He doesn’t just cover up our sin, He takes it away. In fact, the bible says He removes it from us as far as the East is from the West. Our sin is buried in the sea of forgetfulness never to be remembered against us again… God dumps it in the ocean and hangs up a sign that says “No Fishing”. When the snow outside melts, the debris will remain. But when the spiritual snow of life melts, nothing but righteousness, holiness, and the grace of God remain… aren’t you glad? I sure am!

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Life Sucks then you Die

THERE’S AN OLD URBAN SAYING THAT WE USED TO USE WHEN I WAS GROWING UP, “LIFE SUCKS AND THEN YOU DIE!” EVER FELT THAT WAY? IF SO, MOST LIKELY YOU'RE BEOMG BOGGGED BY EMOTIONS AND DROWNING IN THE SAME OLD WAY OF THINKING EVEYDAY. So what can we do about it? One obvious thing is to change the way WE'RE doing life. In other words, if you don’t see the point in living, you’re missing the point of life entirely. If your life is totally running amuck and out of control, you've done something to let it get to that state. You made a choice or a system of choices that lead you to where you are now.  You may have even even started to give up on life. Think about it this way: If you’re driving down the road and you get tired. But instead of pulling over and resting for a while, you sthink, "Hey dude, I'll just set the cruise control and coast a while.  How long do  you think you’ll last? Not very long! You’ve relinquished control completely and what's worse isi that you've put your trust in nothing. to nothing. Unfortunately, that’s what happens whenever we live life without purpose, direction and personality responsibility. But there is an alternative… surrendering your life to a higher power. I’m not talking about some “pie in the sky” hoping beyond hope that things will work out, but a deepening of responsibility. You make a personal choice to align your life with the principal tenants of what you believe. You choose to cooperate with the greater good. But in order to do that, you have to give up your resistance in life and deciding to create a joy and a deep abiding trust instead of  life of pain.  In actualtIy, you don’t give up control. You keep control while following the plan, purpose and roadmap of the one to who you have surrendered control. Consequently, you ram a few less trees…. You stay  out of more ditches, and you’re more apt to keep your life between the lines.  So… are you doing that? OR does life pretty much suck right now?

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Frozen Treats and a 5 year old

As I prepare to depart to visit our sister church in Nicaragua, I am struck by the striking differences in our people. In a country where the average household salary is more than $46,000.00, the pollsters are reporting that on this election night, the number one concern of our citizens is the economy and personal prosperity. That’s amazing to me. Our 401Ks sink by 10% and we’re fearful to face tomorrow. Are we afraid we won't be able to buy a new car this year or that we won't be able to get that upgraded flat screen TV? Maybe we're concerned that we won't be able to eat out more than once a month or have to scale back on our vacation plans. Compare that to the economy of Betel and Trojilo, Nicaragua where the average salary is some where between $2.50 and $5.00 per day in an economy where the cost of living is roughly equivalent to that of ours. Speaking of new cars, most folks who live in these villages walk. In fact there may be 2 cars and 2 motorcycles per 1000 residents. The food that they eat is grown and harvested from the wilderness. Most of them have never taken a vacation to visit an amusement park or rent a cabana at the beach. They can't afford to go out to eat at a restaurant.... even a soft drink is a HUGE treat. Their education system is severely lacking and the opportunities for the average citizen can’t begin to compare with the opportunities available for us. Yet in the midst of hardship, they’ve found a way to be optimistic. Their outlook is positive if they have enough food for today and time to spend with the kids around an old radio listening to some preacher on a distant channel. Their faith in God is strong… they’ve had to depend on Him for survival, not just a raise in pay or a new car. Somehow we’ve gotten off track in the United States. Our lives are a dream for most third world countries, yet we want more and more and more… We’ve forgotten how to be content and have become greedy, selfish, and caring for few people other than ourselves. One event in Betel, Nicaragua I’ll never forget happened when I bought a frozen juice treat for a young boy. He ran to his house and gathered all his friends to share what the treat. When all was said and done, he had nothing left for himself. Sort of gives a fresh perspective to Paul’s exhortation to give preference one to another doesn’t it? I think I spent every Cordoba I had that day buying frozen treats for every kid in the village. I learned a powerful lesson that day from a 5 year old… One that speaks straight from the heart of God. I’m sure I will learn another dozen or more this trip as well. It’s funny how we go to minister to these “poor” people and come back home having been blessed beyond measure and enriched by their ministry and love. I wish you could all go with me….

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From Your Dad...If you know Almighty God

I met with my small group tonight & was reminded once again of Father’s great and wonderful love for us all… My BB brain can’t comprehend the love He has for us… I thought I would print out the words to Father’s Love Letter for those of you who have never before read or heard this wonderful message of grace…. May it fill your hearts with as much joy as it does mine….

My Child,



You may not know me, 
but I know everything about you. 
Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up. 
Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways. 
Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. 
Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image. 
Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being.
Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring. 
Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived. 
Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation. 
Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake, 
for all your days are written in my book. 
Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth 
and where you would live. 
Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made. 
Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother's womb. 
Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born. 
Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented 
by those who don't know me.
John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry, 
but am the complete expression of love. 
1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. 
1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child 
and I am your Father. 
1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. 
Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father. 
Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. 
James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. 
Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. 
Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love. 
Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless 
as the sand on the seashore.
Psalms 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing. 
Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you. 
Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession. 
Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you
with all my heart and all my soul. 
Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things. 
Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart, 
you will find me. 
Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you 
the desires of your heart. 
Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires. 
Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you 
than you could possibly imagine. 
Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager. 
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you 
in all your troubles. 
2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted, 
I am close to you. 
Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb, 
I have carried you close to my heart. 
Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away 
every tear from your eyes. 
Revelation 21:3-4

And I'll take away all the pain 
you have suffered on this earth.
Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you 
even as I love my son, Jesus.
John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. 
John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being. 
Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you, 
not against you. 
Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. 
2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression 
of my love for you. 
1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved
that I might gain your love. 
Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, 
you receive me. 
1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you 
from my love again.
Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party 
heaven has ever seen.
Luke 15:7

I have always been Father, 
and will always be Father.
Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is…
Will you be my child? 
John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you. 
Luke 15:11-32



Love, Your Dad
Almighty God


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