A Family Time of the Year

This Christmas, Donna’s side of the family help our busy schedule and all, by choosing to come down to Oregon and help us celebrate this Christmas Season. We don’t get to see them to much, but when we do, it’s always a wonderful experience. Donna’s parents were the first to arrive on Christmas Eve day. They joined us for our first Christmas Eve Service that was held at The Chapel. Renting a High School has it’s benefits but it also has it’s drawbacks as well. It was nice of the School Distinct to allow us to have a Christmas eve service this year. It might have had something to do with the fact that Christmas Day was on Sunday and there was no staff available to open up the school. Anyway, it worked very well for us as we had a wonderful service.

Our Christmas day started out with our family, plus Grandma and Grandpa, gathered around the tree exchanging gifts. We followed that up with a brunch and a lazy day of playing games and talking.

The other families arrived and the schedule to hold, with planned dinners, shopping trips and a few of us had to work.

All in all, we are having a wonderful time.

May I say to all, a Merry Christmas and remember the reason we celebrated the season.

God Bless you All

A Double Christmas Surprize

A few weeks ago, I received a wonderful surprise, an offer for a Christmas Choir from another local church to come and present their Christmas Program to The Chapel. We have done a number of things with other local churches but we have never done anything together over a major holiday but it’s never to late to start.

Pastor Reed and Columbia Ridge meet in a local church on Saturday nights and for the first time, they organized a Choir to present several songs. It was a great blessing when they presented the idea of coming over to The Chapel the next day to bless our folks with the program.

It really turned out to be a wonderful day, the songs were great, we had many visitors along with our guest from CRCC. It truly was a demonstration of the unity of the body of Christ.

Have a great Christmas.

A Huge Day

Dropped my wife off at work, got the coffee on, enjoyed the bible for a few moments and fired up the old laptop. It's Monday morning and the normal route on well on it's way. It's paper day at The Chapel, but before I dive in. I set and ponder the huge day we had at The Chapel yesterday.

It all started with a request by a sister church near by to merge with our church. Even though many hours of prayer, planing, and passionate conversations had been accomplish, I was still very couries of what the day would bring.

After a modified Sunday morning Celebration, we began our meeting, 40 minutes later, with many great questions and responses, our membership voted overwhelming to receive our sister church with open arms.

What does this mean? Well, for Good news, it means a fresh start and a new vision to accomplish. It means for Bruce and Betty that they will be able to slow down a bit and as they start the seventh decade of life on this earth, a well deserved slower pace is just what is in order.
For the Chapel, it's an opportunity to practice what we have been declaring from day one, to share Christ with others. The others, in this case, are some spiritual family members that just happen to be meeting at another location, but will now be part of the Chapel Family

For me, the time to advance is now upon me. To advance in my caring for another staff member. To advance in my communication skills. To advance in the care for a property that we have never had before. To advance in the new opportunities that has now come our way

I'm looking forward to this new day. With the Lords increasing help we will be able to make this transition very well.

Have a blessed day.

Anyone want to buy a Sacrifice.

During my devotional reading this morning, I came across this verse

2 Samuel 24:24 But the king replied to Araunah, "No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing."

This event acured after King David on his own free will choose to count the fighting men of the land, even though he was warned not to do so by a close confident. Because of it a 70,000 Israelites died during a three day period. To bring this to an end, David was instructed to sacrifice to God and it would end. He came across Araunah, who was willing to give him everything he needed for the sacrifice, but David's response was no . . .I will not sacrifice to the Lord My God anything that doesn't cost me nothing.

How can we learn from this? Serving, many times requires sacrifice and more times then not, it will cost something. There is no free serving, there is no free sacrifice . . more times then not it will cost us something.

The question then . . am I willing?

Have a blessed day.

A time for Thanks

Quite often, for our folks at the Chapel I give them David's (that's me) Top ten. Not wanting you to be left out . . here is a David's top ten things to be thankful for.

I am thankful …

10. That peanut butter-and-jelly sandwiches are always a safe stand-by when Uncle Dave's trying to cook the turkey in the microwave.

9. That Thanksgiving is the one time you can eat for 8 hours straight, feel like ya gotta be rolled away from the table, but you keep right on eating.

8. For getting two days of school off—even though your teachers gave you so much homework, you'll never get it done by New Year's.

7. For that one food dish you never quite know what it is.

6. For finally graduating from the "kids' table" to the "adults' table." (I graduated a few years ago.)

5. That there's always a football game to snooze through, despite the fact you're sharing a love seat with five of your relatives.

4. For hearing Grandpa pray.

3. That black olives, a.k.a. finger puppets, can add entertainment to any meal.

2. For washing your dishes—and those of 14 other relatives.
And the number 1 reason to be thankful on Thanksgiving …

1. That God loves us so much, he gave us a family to love, a turkey to eat, and a Son to save our souls.

Yesterday, I had a chance to join my son and a friend of his up to Timberline (a ski resort on Mt. Hood just east of our home). It had been almost two years since I had a chance to ski, let a lone join my son. It was a great day. Traveling up the lift, I remembered a story I read some time ago about Jean-Claude Killy.

When he made the French national ski team in the early 1960s, he was prepared to work harder than anyone else to be the best. At the crack of dawn he would run up the slopes with his skis on, an unbelievably grueling activity. In the evening he would lift weights, run sprints—anything to get an edge. But the other team members were working as hard and long as he was. He realized instinctively that simply training harder would never be enough.

Killy then began challenging the basic theories of racing technique. Each week he would try something different to see if he could find a better, faster way down the mountain. His experiments resulted in a new style that was almost exactly opposite the accepted technique of the time. It involved skiing with his legs apart (not together) for better balance and sitting back (not forward) on the skis when he came to a turn. He also used ski poles in an unorthodox way—to propel himself as he skied. The explosive new style helped cut Killy’s racing times dramatically. In 1966 and 1967 he captured virtually every major skiing trophy. The next year he won three gold medals in the Winter Olympics, a record in ski racing that has never been topped.

Killy learned an important secret shared by many creative people: innovations don’t require genius, just a willingness to question the way things have always been done.

Have an awesome day

I shared with our church the other day about losing focus . . .which is to easy to do! I came across some good thoughts by Jeannie Cole and I pass them on to you

A couple of months ago my husband mentioned that his eyes probably needed to be reevaluated for new glasses and contacts. He was having trouble focusing on the books he needed to study, newspaper, signs in the distance, etc. Obviously some changes were occurring within the focusing mechanisms of both his eyes - one more so than the other. He made a few more references to the need, and late in September he called me at home to have me put it on the family calendar that he had an appointment October 15 to get his eyes checked. Great.

In the meantime, he was getting crankier and crankier. Initially I had chalked it up to the fact that Angelique had left home for college and empty nest syndrome. But it really lasted too long for that. Eventually I made the connection that it was his struggle with the eyes focusing that was the underlying cause for his crankiness. It was a great strain for him to study, perform necessary tasks for his patients, read the newspaper, sing from song books in church, etc. (He never complained about working on the computer.) The strain was taking its toll. To interrupt him while he was straining to focus was taking a chance that you would get emotionally bitten. The crankiness even bled over to when he was not having to strain to focus. I began counting the days until that appointment on October 15. Sure enough, since his contacts and glasses have been changed, he is his usual self again. We no longer have to walk around on pins and needles when he is around.

Losing focus can be a scarey thing. It is frightening to face a world that is blurred. Edges that were once as clear as black and white, become multiple shades of gray. The edge is lost. Uncertainties abound. Self doubt sets in. Judgement is impaired. What once seemed sure and solid now is only as solid as quicksand. Meaning and understanding is lost. When reminded that a decision has to be made, the unfocused become agitated as they strive to make sense out of the senseless. And as they are straining to focus on what is in front of them, what is approaching from the blind side?

Leaders can lose focus as well as individuals. Issues become blurred. Things that earlier had a straight, well-defined edge now need to be considered and debated. Heated arguments become the norm. In trying to make sense out of a mess in front of him, the leader loses sight of the main issue. It happened to Solomon. Leading his people and the kingdom in their dedication to God got lost, as he tried to focus on wisdom and wealth that he did so well. The edges of his dedication to God became blurred as he tried to do the politically correct things with the neighboring countries, marrying foreign princesses and honoring their religions. As Solomon had more and more eyes for the women in his life, he had less and less eyes for God.

The price of that loss of sight was the United Kingdom. The unity of the kingdom of Judah had always been shaky. The tribes grumbled and complained about each other 400 years earlier in their wanderings in the wilderness. Moses struggled to keep them focused on the Lord. Joshua faced the same problem as they took possession of the Promised Land. He managed to divide up the land among the tribes even while they were complaining about each other. During the next 300 years of judges no one even attempted to keep the tribes united. The tribes usually fended for themselves. King Saul and King David kept the tribes united with their military might. The building program that Solomon initiated greatly benefitted the tribe of Judah, where the temple and palace were located, at the expense of the other tribes.

Rehoboam makes the fatal mistake of trying to follow in his dad's footsteps and taxes the people more than they can withstand. The ten northern tribes will not give any more to the glory of Jerusalem and this new king from the tribe of Judah. King David has been dead for forty years and the new generation of tribal leaders saw no reason to pay homage and money to the South. Just put the blinders on and don't look at the fact that God chose Jerusalem and the lineage of David to lead his people and ultimately bless the whole world. They want to focus on their own needs to their own glory, and Jeroboam is happy to lead them. Unfortunately, he will lead them straight into apostasy, all the while claiming to clearly see what they need - their own place and manner to worship, their own priests, their own gods.

Satan is happy. In his eyes, he has won a major battle. He has managed to avert the leaders' attention away from God. With the nation divided, the two smaller nations are now vulnerable to the surrounding nations. From now on, both nations will harass each other and be harassed by others. The subsequent leaders will struggle to keep their kingdoms intact. The leadership of the northern kingdom of Israel will never try to focus on the God who led them out of Egyptian slavery and gave them their promised land. Of no use to Him now, in about 200 years God will eventually allow these people to be carried off into Assyrian slavery. As a nation, they will not recover.

A handful of kings from the southern kingdom of Judah will manage to shift the country's focus back to God from time to time. A remnant of this tribe will always remain faithful to God even when they become captives in the foreign land of Babylonia. God will preserve the Abraham/Davidic lineage that He has promised will bless the world with a new King and Kingdom for all time. This remnant will return and rebuild the nation and the worship of Jehovah God.
Where are the heros in this story? Not Rehoboam. God granted him leadership of Judah for David's sake, not his own. Not Jeroboam. Northern Israel chose a leader that would antagonize the new king and the exiled leader Jeroboam was just the man for that job.

The heros in this story are the obscure. While the writers of the books of Kings and the books of Chronicles focus on the two kings and the kingdoms, it is easy to overlook those Israelites from northern Israel who left their precious inherited land, their job, and their income to move to the southern kingdom of Judah. While their neighbors are trying to function in an out-of-focus kingdom, they journey to where they can keep their focus. Where right and wrong are still black and white. They flee from the evil of Satan, not to a paradise, but to imperfect Judah where they could keep their lives in focus on God and His will. In the coming lessons we will learn of some other heros - the faithful who at this time remain in the North attempting to influence the leaders of that rebellious nation. The prophets Elijah and Elisha will shine like beacons to us and to the weary while the leaders and their neighbors will see them as out of focus in the real world.

A clear focus is a blessing. We appreciate all of our senses, but it is likely that the last sense you would wish to lose would be your sight. We rely heavily on the information that we receive from our eyes. There is much to fear in what we cannot see. Distortions can be just as devastating. Would you want to ride in a car with a driver to whom the edge of the road or the center line is distorted?
When putting other things before God, the cares of the world can distort a Christian's vision just as it did Solomon's and Rehoboam's. And refusing to look to God can blind a person to God's blessings, as it did Jeroboam who did what was right in his own eyes. And just like the gods that he was worshiping, he had eyes, but he sees not (Psalm 135:16). He became spiritually blind.
Does one always know when one is spiritually blind or cranky because they are straining to keep focused? Jesus told the Revelator, "For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing; not knowing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. Therefore I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, that you may be rich, and white garments to clothe you and to keep the shame of your nakedness from being seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, that you may see." (Revelation 3:17-18.)

We must take care of our eyesight. In Matthew 6:22 and 23, Jesus says,"The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is sound your whole body will be full of light; but if your eye is not sound, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness."

How do we keep the eye sound, full of light and maintaining the right focus?
"To thee I lift up my eyes." Psalm 123:1. Look to God and His word for His guidance. Be ever alert to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life that tend to distort the focus and change the focus. We are even instructed to pluck out the eye if it leads us astray (Matthew 18:9). We are to identify and avoid destructive distractions and destructive instructions. The only way to know if instructions are destructive is to look to God and His word.

Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will make your paths straight." Solomon said we must acknowledge God in all our ways, turning every area of life over to Him. Jesus emphasized this truth in Matthew 6:33, "Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness." Turn to God first for help, to fill your thoughts with His desires, His character for your pattern. Turn your eyes to Him and focus on His omnipotence, His love, mercy, and grace and His word for guidance. It is the only way we can truly follow Him on the straight path.

We are in the fouth week of a series of messages that is grouped under the title "Losing my religion and finding something better. Its a look a the seven deadly sins as comprised by the catholic church and amplified by the scriptures. A phrase that has been repeated (intentionally or unintentionally) through out the messages is "A hole in the Soul" That is the human condition that we find ourselves in. A hole that many of us fill with everything but the one true reality. That being Jesus Christ and His fullness.

In a recent trip throught the maze we call the internet, I came across an article written by Greg Laurie, a pastor from Sothern California. I was drawn to the man famous people that was talking about this hole . . .Listen to what they said.

Actor Nicolas Cage echoed those ideas: "I wonder if there's a hole in the soul of my generation. We've inherited the American dream, but where do we take it? It's not just about cars and wealth. It has to do with freedom. We'll fight for freedom, but are we free in our thoughts, or are we paralyzed by our dreams of consumption?"

Aristotle Onassis "Happiness is not based on money, and the greatest proof of that is my family." Shortly after making that statement, Christina Onassis died of heart failure reportedly as a result of years of abusing tranquilizers and diet pills.

Madonna was asked the question "Are you a happy person?" She replied, "I'm a tormented person. I have a lot of demons I'm wrestling with. But I want to be happy. I have moments of happiness. I'm working toward knowing myself, and I'm assuming that will bring me happiness."
Jonathan David, of the rock band KORN, was on MTV holding and kissing a bottle of PROZAC and was quoted as saying, "This is my best friend. I don't know true happiness. I'm not a happy person. I play like it. I act like it a lot. But inside, actually I'm really not that happy."

Ted Turner described life as being "like a B-grade movie. You don't want to leave in the middle, but you don't want to see it again." That's a sad commentary on life from one of the world's most successful men.

"A Hole in My Life," a song by the Police, might be the anthem of our times. A one-time leading Hollywood actress told USA Today: "It sounds so trendy, California . . . but I believe a lot of us feel a kind of hole in our heart, an unfocused ache that's fixed by some people eating too much, . . . others with freebase. In my case, I'm a romantic junkie."

Emptiness and loneliness are not unique to this generation. Nor were they unique to my generation . . . or the generation before . . . or the generation before that. Nor will they be unique to the next generation and the one following. Every generation has complained of feeling empty because every person is born with an essential emptiness inside, a deep longing for spiritual meaning, an inner vacuum that can only be filled by one thing.

Jesus Christ . . .the real filler of the emptiness ins side.

Time to Pray and Ponder

WACO, Texas - A pastor performing a baptism was electrocuted inside his church Sunday morning after adjusting a nearby microphone while standing in water, a church employee said.

The Rev. Kyle Lake, 33, was stepping into the baptistery as he reached out for the microphone, which produced an electric shock, said University

Baptist Church community pastor Ben Dudley.

Water in a baptistery usually reaches above the waist, said Byron Weathersbee, interim university chaplain at Baylor University.

Lake was pronounced dead at Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center, nursing supervisor Pat Mahl said. The woman being baptized apparently had not stepped into the water and was not seriously injured.

Pastors at University Baptist Church routinely use a microphone during baptisms, said Jamie Dudley, the wife of Ben Dudley and a business administrator at the church.

"He was grabbing the microphone so everyone could hear," she said. "It'’s the only way you can be heard."

About 800 people attended the morning service, which was larger than normal because it was homecoming weekend at nearby Baylor University, Dudley said.

Lake had been at the church for nine years, the last seven as pastor. He had a wife, Jennifer, a 5-year-old daughter and two 3-year-old sons.

At a remembrance attended by about 1,000 people Sunday night at First Baptist Church, Ben Dudley told the UBC congregation that they would move forward as a church.

“I don’t know how, when, why, where or what’s going to happen, but we will continue as a church in the community because that is what Kyle would have wanted,” he said.

We need to pray for this new church and this young family that will be dealing with the loss of a Pastor, husband, dad and friend. The answer of why may never be know this side of eternity, but we do have a opportunity to pray and ponder.

PRAY: Lord, the answers to why this happen can be as numoris as the sand on the sea shore, but this one thing we do know that the life of this man was fulfilled. We accept this by faith and ask that you will comfort the lives's lifes and plans continue from this day forward.

PONDER: Put you self in his shoes, would you be willing to die with those who are announcing their faith to others. Do we care enough for this to happen. Yes, hind sight is 20/20. Yes, it was not the safest move to reach out to the mic but we can still ponder the question . . . .do we care about the salvation of others enough to die?

Our oldest daughter is attending her second year at College. She is attending a Christian College near our home. She join the student leadership team this year and she was asked to lead a student chapel this Wednesday evening . . .Trying to put together a duel teaching with her, I came up with some thoughts that I share with you.

Marissa's job was to pick some songs, which she did, she also came up with a very good illustration at the end. My part is to come up with a fifteen minute team talk on forgiveness. So here are some thoughts.

I would like to use this verse as a base verse

"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on Him and receive eternal life." (1Timothy 1:15-16).

The first step to walking in forgiveness is to REALIZE that we are sinners.

The second step in walking in forgiveness is to RECEIVE His mercy.

The third step in walking in forgiveness is to REPEAT His actions to others.

From that perspective, we can truly walk in forgiveness.

Lord please walk with us.

After a year and a half of evaluation, the ministry team of the Chapel is changing our Sunday Morning Celebration. Oh it's not a big change, but a change never the less. With little under 50% of our flock involved in small groups, we are brining small groups to our Sunday morning event. WE are calling them Life groups and they will meet following the Sunday morning message.

Some call it Adult Sunday School, some call it accountability groups, but the main function of these groups is to allow all of our folks to taste the goodness of small groups. It is our hope that they will enjoy so much that they will want to join an off campus small group. Yes it will be helpful for them on Sunday's but we want more.

Lord guide us!

Well, I just got back from a retreat with some other Pastors for our area and it was wonderful.

Couple of thoughts I brought home to ponder.

First of all, we have some fearless young pastors in our district. It was wonderful to hear their excitement and courage as they focus on what they believe to be God's plan for their church. Bless them all. Pray for them all, because all of them seemed to be putting a lot of time and energy into their church's, and I hope they don't forget their families. I don't think they will but it is a prayer concern.

Secondly, our speaker spoke a lot on the subject of possessing the land. Primarily in the area of God's desire for the each church to take back the land (spiritual land) that had been taken by the enemy of our soul. He encouraged us to find out about the activities, both spiritual and physically that has taken place in our cities to see if there is a tone or a recurring activities that carry on from generation to generation. Something to think about.

The last thing that I learned was to be intentional about using peoples strength. I personally felt I had some things to contribute, but the opportunity to use my gifts was not created for me. The thing I learned is that within our church too. People want to contribute and I need to provide times and places for them to exercise those gifts or they will become frustrated just like I.

Things to think about.

After eight years, a group of men from our church felt it was time to bring the men of the church together for time of building one another.

Our theme was from Proverbs 27:17 says "Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens his friend's countenance."

One of our teaching pastor'broughtth some very thought producing talks challenging each of us to stronglconsinderer the power of accountability.

We men face on a daily bases a battle against the spiritual forces of darkness. In Ephesians, Paul tells us that we must be equipped with all the power that God supplies to fight this battle, "Therefore, put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand" (Ephesians 6:13). Notice that Paul said "that you may be able to withstand. "He realized that even if we equip ourselves with everything God has to offer in defense of evil that we are still human and we may not be able to always resist Satan's temptations. "May be able" is from the Greek word dunamai (doo'-nam-ahee) which means "possibly able." So, what more can we do to stand against evil and temptation? We know without a doubt that temptation will come.

That is why Proverbs 27:17 is so important for us. A friend's countenance is a look or expression indicative of encouragement or of moral support. The question of the day is, when was the last time you had a friend call you just to ask how you are doing? When is the last time you called a friend and asked he needs to talk? Encouragement and moral support from a friend are sometimes the missing ingredients in fighting the battle against Satan.

The writer of Hebrews summed it up when he said, "Having therefore, brothers, boldness to [1] enter into the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by the way which he dedicated for us, a new and living way, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; and having a great priest over the house of God, [2] let's draw near with a true heart in fullness of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and having our body washed with pure water,[3] let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering; for he who promised is faithful. [4] Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good works, not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as you see the Day approaching. [5] For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more a sacrifice for sins."

[1] Let's begin each day walking with our best friend and Lord, Jesus Christ;

[2] With an open, loving heart that Jesus provided, draw near to friends (your accountability team);

[3] Remembering our confession of faith to the One who can change lives;

[4] Encouraging one another (your accountability team) in love, urging each other to love and to do good to others, as we continue to meet together (with your team or church family);

[5] Satisfied that we have done everything possible to avoid sin and to help our brothers and sisters to remain strong in their faith, we praise God for what He is doing in our lives!

Men, concider the challenge that Pastor Paul gave us by seeking out 3 other men and enter into a one another relationship were we can be sharpen and have an encouragety to incourage others to be all they can be in the Lord.

Now go Sharpen each other.

It all started last week on Tuesday, fever, sore throat, ache feeling, pain. You been there, I know you have. Well, I haven't been there for about 10 years, so it was a little unusual for me to be in that place.

So Pastor David, didn't you pray and ask God to heal you, well, let me think . . . YES . . .Why wouldn't I! And did he, yes . . The healing even today is on going. But I didn't was time in the healing time . . In my pain, I watched and prayed and thought and listened and learned. Here are just a few things.

The body is an amazing machine that God built. From it's ability to operate under extreme conditions. But from time to time, to fight the ugly that invaders, sometimes, it needs the body to slow down and say still to let what was designed from our creator to work.

Secondly, there are still a lot people that are worse then me. We have a gal that comes to our church that has been fighting a major illness for some time. During the same week I was at home sick, she was in the hospital sick away from her home and husband and kids. I'm not going to say that God nicer to me then her, but I will thank God that this time, I was able to kick this bug at home.

Thirdly, the church body really knows how to turn up the help lines when the main Shepard goes down. From a staff member speaking, to other members adjusting meetings that had been planed weeks in advance to others taking up the slack, God and His people are good.

Lots of other things I can mention but those are just a couple of things I learned. Where am I today, well after a shore set back on Monday, I'm feeling about 80% and feeling better every moment.

David

So it's another wonderful day here in the NW during the month of September. I have to say, I think one of the greatest months here in Oregon is the month of September. Mid to upper 70's cool evenings, the smeel and colors of fall . . .it's great.

Yesterday, we tackled the next weak link in our church. Even though I really our church is filled with people that pray, our evaluation team was right when they sugguested that we increase our corpreate prayer. Most people I think are hoping that when they go to church and they are sturggling in some area, that someone would be there and would listen to them. Further, I suspect that they would have no problem with someone, after listening to them, would ask the question "can I pray for you". I think most people would love for that to happen.

The Chapel needs to be a place were prayer is as common as any other element of corprate worship.

Lord help us as we move closer to you in corprate prayer.

I found this little artical on corprate prayer that you might find interesting.

PRAYER IS A LIFESTYLE
by Paul Grant

Yes, after 65 years as a Christian I'm learning new things about prayer. Also, that prayer can become a way of life. Prayer is both hugely comprehensive and magnificently pervasive. It can take over our lives. For God's pleasure. For our advantage. When it does we become uniquely transcendent in witness and work. We are on the earth; we are above its powers. We are heavenly-minded for earthly use.

Prayer is a discipline of many forms. I've had some adventures in my little odyssey of prayer. May I share some prayer formats with you? Here are some ways by which I have learned - and still learning - how to 'pray without ceasing' (1 Thess. 5:17). (These are not presented in any order of preference or priority).

* Connecting Prayer. 'Logging on' to God through Jesus Christ and the help of the Holy Spirit, John 14:13-14; Acts 4:29-31. He is the 'password'. In Him we have 'access' (Eph. 2:18) and we are virus-proofed.

* Communing Prayer. As friend to friend. He scrutinizes and confides secrets (Dan.2:47). Intimacy imparts certainty. "The joys we share as we tarry there no other has ever known" 2 Chron. 20:27; Isaiah 41:8; Jas. 2:23.

* Petitioning Prayer. I identify and nominate a specific need. He listens! He urges me to keep asking! Why? To expand my appreciation of His greatness over against the need Luke 18:1-8; Acts 12:5.

* Intercessory Prayer. For a person or social issue. Esther (A people) John 17:6-18. Intercession identifies God's intentions. It leads to an urge to merge with God's will in everything.

* Meditative Prayer. Our minds and hearts focus on issues and matters that are scanned and interpreted by God. We think through our prayers, Heb. 4:12; Psalm 139:23; 1 Chron. 28:9. The mind is transformed Rom.12:2.

* Walking & Working Prayer. As we engage in the routine duties and pleasures of life. Mordecai (Esther); Acts 17:16, 23; Psalm 8; Rev. 1:9-11. (Also, car-driving prayer. Especially for other drivers and passengers.)

* Bible Prayer. Incorporating the Scriptures into our words especially God's promises, Acts 4:24-30. Bible promises repel evil powers.

* Heavenly Language Prayer. Prayer in other (Divinely given) languages can give a particular strength or thrust to a mentally framed prayer, 1 Cor. 14:14-15. The mind surrenders to the Spirit.

* Written Prayer. Writing prayers leads to clarity in speaking our prayers. Short, focused prayers in your journal or diary. Refer to Paul's prayers in Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians.

* Musical Prayer. Many Christians, musically gifted, experience prayer rapture as they play. Each of us can sing our prayers. (Psalms of David). We can 'sing in the Spirit', 1 Cor. 14:15. Go ahead! Compose some song prayers.

* Impromptu Prayer. Spontaneously triggered by an experience, Jonah 2; Acts 9:19-19; Luke 2:25-35. This can be described as being 'led by the Spirit'.

* Observational Prayer. Praying as we look at people and events. (Go into a shopping mall to pray - NOT consume!) 'Watch' and pray, ie. The whole social scene; TV news; etc. Mordecai (Esther); Moses Deut. 34:1-5 (See previous chapters); Neh.1.

* Walking Prayer. In your neighbourhood or city, Neh. 1. Let the Spirit install in you a spiritual monitor for discerning how you can pray.

* Network Prayer. Over time develop relationships with like-minded colleagues in prayer. Set up mail, phone, email and prayer meeting times, Phil.2:19-30; Col.4:12-13; 1 Thess. 1:1-3.

* World Affairs Prayer. For nations, leaders, international events, global mission, revival, etc. See: the prophets, Joel 2; Ezek. 25- 32; John 17:20-26; Matt.25. (The press is a mess; the Bible is reliable).

* Warfare Prayers. One writer has termed this "the gift of battle". This is the affirmation and enforcement of Jesus' victory over hostile powers that contest for the lives of peoples. Acts 4:23-31 (The major New Testament model for group warfare prayer). Eph. 6:10-18. (The focus is on personal fitness for warfare). It is also an acknowledgement of God's engagement with evil-powers in the heavens, Dan. 10.

* Prophetic Prayer. Speak out God's purposes for world redemption over nations and peoples and international issues and events, Acts 2:14-36. Allow the Spirit to load you with a burden for a people group.

Each of these 'formats' of prayer are seen as being attainable in one's own personal, private prayer life. To close I propose three prayer formats that operate in the public domain. They are:

* Direct/Personalized Prayer. One to one. Praying for another person. This should be brief and specifically focused, eg. Acts 3:1f. The prayer may contain words of knowledge and wisdom. It is a "prayer of faith" James 5:13-18.

* Public Prayer. In a Christian or public gathering. The prayer is representative of all others present. Not personal. Nor an occasion for oratory (or assumed oratory!). Note the plural forms in Acts 4:23-31.

* Corporate Prayer. Groups praying together aloud or silently. See Acts 4:23-31 again. If 500 people pray aloud simultaneously God can unscramble it! Moreover, corporate prayer can be a seismic force in routing evil and spirit powers.

The first disciples asked Jesus, "Lord teach us how to pray" (Luke 11:1) Let's become known as prayer activitists. The real dynamic is not in today's trend to "Christian infotainment". Authentic, heaven-approved power is in Biblical prayer that leads to biblical witness.

The Willingness to look at the weakest link

This last Sunday, we started a series of talks that dared to look at our churches weakest links.

A year ago, we gathered a group of people together to look at how we can better our ways as we followed His ways. Based on there gathering and work. We remodeled our mission statement and dared to look at the area's of our church that needed adjustment to aling with the new mission statement.

Following the identifying of these area's, we ask groups of people to meet and suggest how we can do these area's better.

Pray for our church as we look and fortify our weakest links.

If you would like to see these weak links, please visit our churches web site www.thechapelonline.org and see what we are doing.

David

Finish lines are important!

Why would you run without a finish line? Weaken joggers, club chubs, competitive runners, no matter who you are, you run toward the finish line, don't we. It could be a time "I'm going to run for an hour", it could be a distance, "I'm going to run 5.3 miles", or "I'm going to run until I can't take another step". What ever you say, the moment you start you have that finish line in mind. I think it's no different with our souls. Why join the journey with Christ without a clear understanding and constant view of the finish line.

Following that thought, I discovered this devotion of the finish line. Enjoy and be changed

As a young teenager, I made many foolish decisions. Among them was the time I chose to run in the so-called "Ironman" race at our school. My Physical Education teacher had promised that all those who survived the Ironman would receive an automatic "A" in the class. Though my grade was already secure, as it happened, this same teacher was also my basketball coach at the time. He had made it clear that as players, all of us were expected to participate. Fortunately for us, the school was too poor to afford bikes and too wary of lawsuits to allow us to swim in the frigid waters nearby. So this "Ironman" would consist only of running, running, and more running! At the time, it sounded like fun and so I happily signed up. After all, I reasoned, how hard could it be to run a few miles around the school?

About halfway through the race, I found out. By then, the thought of being struck by a passing motorist was emerging as a pleasant alternative to the thought of completing the Ironman. As my aching body rounded a corner, I found myself running along the street that would eventually take me past the front of the school. Starting down the long street, my pace slowed a bit as I began to look around for a nice spot along the road where I could collapse and die. But suddenly, I saw something up ahead that caught my attention--GIRLS!! Unbeknownst to us at the start of the race, the organizers had set up an area outside the school doors where the girls would cheer us on and hand us a cup of water as we ran by. As I saw them in the distance, I knew that there was no alternative but to reach deep inside of myself and run with all of my might--at least until I rounded the next corner where I could safely die without being seen.

Happily, I was able to finish the race without requiring medical attention. In fact, the last half of the race seemed much easier than the first half. The cup of water and the cheers of encouragement I received from my classmates served to reinvigorated my weary body. I ran with a newfound strength, confident that I could make it to the end.

Life is a lot like a race. The Apostle Paul used this analogy frequently in his writings. In speaking to the church leaders at Ephesus, Paul tells them:

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace. (Acts 20:24)

Later, as Paul was close to death, he was able to envision having crossed the "finish line."
For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:6-8)

Paul reminds us that he is not alone in the race. All of us are invited to run. Some will run fast, some will run slow, and some will not run at all. Some will engage in great training, some will not. Some will run the race unharmed, while others will suffer injuries along the way. Those who choose to run, like Paul, can look forward to receiving their "award" from God.

Since the dawn of civilization, faith has continued to change ordinary spectators into runners. In the eleventh chapter of Hebrews, the author gives several examples of real-life faith:

The faith of Abel (v. 4)
The faith of Enoch (v.5)
The faith of Noah (v. 7)
The faith of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (vv. 8-12, 17-21)
The faith of Joseph (v. 22)
The faith of Moses' parents (v. 23)
The faith of Moses (v. 24-29)
The faith of Joshua and the people (v. 30)
The faith of Rahab (v. 31)
The faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, the prophets and others (vv. 31-40)

In each of these lives we see examples of faith lived out through life's trials and triumphs. For the writer of Hebrews, these men and women form a "cloud of witnesses" that testify to the faith we hold today. Understanding this, we too can be encouraged:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. (Hebrews 12:1)

Just as a "cloud of witnesses" helped me to persevere through the physical struggle of the "Ironman" race, another "cloud of witnesses" surrounds us amidst the spiritual struggles of our lives today. As we study these people of great faith, together, their lives offer up cool water to our spiritually thirsty souls. They remind us that through faith we too can triumph over the obstacles--we too can overcome the sin in our lives. Through their testimonies, they cheer us
on, encouraging us to "run with perseverance the race marked out for us."

In a sense, the race we run is more of a relay. Those before us have run well, but now they stand on the other side of the finish line. The baton has been handed to us. For our part:
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
(Hebrews 12:2)

For Further Study: (choose one or more)
Study one of the lives of faith mentioned in Hebrews 11:3-40
Read Romans
Read 1 Corinthians .

God bless you as we run to the finish line.

Saturday, afternoon was a letter day for many. Our church was concluding our 4th annual all church camp out. One of the traditions we have is a baptism service. Six people made public commitments through the act of water baptism to be a follower of Christ and made it known to some 75 people who were watching on. I have always said that one of the best indicators to identify a person that has truly become a follower of Christ is through water baptism. Asking people to raise their hand or go do a area of the church to be prayed with are all great, but to me, water baptism is a clear demonstrations shared and seen by others.

Here is a short devotion on baptism, enjoy it as you read

WATER BAPTISM IS A SIGN

Mark 16:16 "He that believed and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believed not shall be damned." MARK 16:16

Water baptism is a command of Jesus and is the initial action taken upon believing. Mark's statement could be rendered, "He who believes with saving faith (i.e. faith that produces actions) will be saved." In this sense, water baptism is very important. It is an opportunity to act on your new profession of faith. Anyone who refuses to follow Jesus' command to receive water baptism, may be suspected of not really believing, there are scriptural examples of people being born again before they were baptized in water. Cornelius and his friends were filled with the Holy Ghost and spoke in tongues before they were baptized in water (Acts 10:44-48). John 14:17 records Jesus saying that an unbelievers cannot receive the Holy Ghost, so Cornelius and his friends must have been born again before their water baptism baptism is the sign of the new covenant in the same way that circumcision was the sign of the old covenant. The apostle Paul made it clear in Romans 4, that although Abraham was circumcised, his circumcision was only a sign. Abraham was justified in the sight of God before his circumcision. Paul goes on to state in Galatians 5:1-6, that anyone who trusts in circumcision has fallen from grace; Christ will profit him nothing is faith in the redemptive work of Christ that produces salvation - not our actions. However, James writes that faith without works is dead (Jas. 2:20).

Faith alone saves, but saving faith is never alone; it must be acted upon is what
Mark is referring to when he speaks of baptism.

Saturday, I started a roofing job that is taking a lot of my time. I'm sorry that I will not be able to do a long blog today. So think of us as we are putting on a new roof this week.

Yesterday I spoke of a challenge from a leadership conference I attended this past week. The speaker challenged me to identify my "Holy Discontent." The speaker said that leader's should have a Holy discontent on anything that is destructive or an expression of injustice. We should be discontented with this attitude of just letting it go because "that's the way it is. "That's not how it has to be. And while not every heartfelt need should turn into a calling there is one area of"Holy Discontent" that will be your particular leading. It will cause you anxiety, it will cause you pain, it will take an investment of your life. Most of us medicate that by going to see a movie, or shopping, or a game. We are overly entertaunderachievershallenged.
Hybels said that whatever it is that causes this "holy discontent", don't run from it but feed it, make a difference.

Another speaker spoke about laying down your identity, material possessions and influence and related a story about Moses laying down his staff. We to also are challenged to lay down these things as well.

The Second Day was filled with very challeging messages as well.

Bill Hybels interviewed best-selling author Ken Blanchard today. What's cool is that Hybels was instrumental in Blanchard coming to faith in Christ. Blanchard said that one instinctuals instumental in his thinking process. Bill Hybels explained, "Religion is spelled 'do' and Christianity is spelled 'done." Religion is about what you can do for God. Christianity is about what God has done for you. That takes the pressure off.

A couple of other quotes on leadership that stood out to me:

"People will not go along with you if they cannot get along with you."
"Leaders should always be out of their comfort zone; but never out of their gift zone."
"Leadership is influence. Nothing more. Nothing less."

Leaders, at the Chapel, we will be taking a bigger group then one tconferencers conferance.

DEATH has dominated the news for the past few weeks, making this Devotional today most appropriate. Also, let me relate a personal experience.

Death is part of our human experience. That is why it is an issue that we can't run and hide from but needs to addressed. The fact is, by addressing death, it helps us to be much more focused and productive in our day to day lives. It helps us to better know the peace, joy, and abundance of these few years, while making us better servants of the Lord.

The one reality everyone who lives must face is that one day they will die. This is a fact everyone comes to understand at some point in their life regardless of their beliefs. Understanding death, accepting it as a part of this human experience, gives a person an incredible freedom and peace. The fear of death comes from the unknown. That is why God deals with death throughout the Bible. He does His best to help people understand what death is all about, not just to prepare them for that event in their life, but so they can have the most abundant and fruitful life possible.

Of course the first question in talking about death is when will it happen. God gave us this life and only God knows when it will end. The length of our life is solely left up to God. Of course He has given us free will. We can exercise that free will and take our life, but that is NOT God's plan and we are in rebellion to Him when we commit suicide. Again, it was God who gave us our life, and it is only God who has the right to take it. The Bible clearly teaches us in James chapter 4 that tomorrow is promised to none of us. Each day is a gift from God. While it is prudent and good sense to plan for the future, we must never lose sight that today is the only day we can be sure of. So in talking about when will we die, we must have the faith and assurance that only God knows for certain when that time is and today is the only day we can be sure of.

The next questions of course are where will I go and what will death be like. The Bible is clear on our eternal destination. Those who know Christ as their Savior will be forever "with God" in Heaven and those who reject Christ, will be forever "separated from God" in Hell. While the Bible gives us glimpses into Heaven and Hell, it is impossible with our finite minds to even begin to comprehend what they will be like. One thing we do know, these will not be "places" as we know them since we will be in a spiritual state, no longer bound by space/time. Since in that state the reference points we used during this brief journey will no longer exist, God has done His best to give us images we can reference so we understand that Heaven, or being eternally with God, will be more magnificent than anything we could imagine, and Hell, or being eternally separated from God, will be more horrible than anything we could begin to comprehend.

Knowing that everyone will die one day and knowing the fate of those who die without accepting Christ, should be all the motivation a child of God needs to do everything they can to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with those people God puts in our path each day who are lost and without hope. Don't let satan distract you from this mission. The enemy gets us so bound up in our man made divisions, squabbles over doctrinal and theological issues, that we forget the Gospel and that there are people dying and spending eternity separated from God EVERY DAY! Let us stay focused and never forget our most important job each day is to share the hope and love of Christ with the lost in this world.

I love you and care about you so much. I know the issue of death is not one that many people enjoy hearing about. But it is important for us to deal with death since it is an event we will all have to face one day. Death is not something we should fear, but realize it is part of this human experience. For the child of God, it is actually an event we should be looking forward to. Paul said to be "absent from the body is to be present with the Lord." For the child of God death means our work in this life is over and we are onto our eternal home and rewards. The Bible tells us that there will be "no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

I pray today that you will treat each day as the gift from God that it is
and make the most of it. I pray that you will realize God has a plan and purpose for your life, and that is to serve and glorify Him with each day that He blesses you with. Let me share this word with you today. If you are in your teens, God has something for you to do for HIM today. If you are a young adult in your 20's and 30's, God has something for you to do for HIM today. If you are middles aged, in your 40's and 50's, God has something for you to do for HIM today. If you in your 60's or older, God has something for you to do for HIM today. No matter how old you are, what state you are in, GOD HAS SOMETHING FOR YOU TO DO FOR HIM TODAY!!!

Let me leave you with these words of victory today. The prophet Hosea said, "Where O death, is your victory? Where O death, is your sting?" Paul in His first letter to the church at Corinth gives the child of God the ultimate answer to death in chapter 15 verse 57 which is my personal life verse, "BUT THANKS BE TO GOD WHO GIVES US THE VICTORY THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST."

So this last Sunday I shared with the flock of the Chapel about the wonderful world of blogging and yes, I told them that I blog myself. So if any of the sheep are out there, and you tried to visit the Monday Morning Blog to view some new tid bits SORRY! I don't know were Monday went . . .no . . I do know it were it when . . .it went up the gorge.

Yesterday, I spend the whole day (13 hours) driving in a car with another classmate of Donna's on a one-day adventure. For my wife degree, she took a class that will give her credit for following a predetermine rout up the Columbia River Gorge looking at the geology of the region. What we quickly found out is that the descriptions in the book, didn’t always line up with reality. Maybe because the book was written some 30 years ago and vegetation and trees grow.


For example, the book would tell us to drive 4.3 miles from our last stop, pull off to the left, look across the road to see a small section of rocks. Well, we get there, turn off the road and look to the left only to see a grove of trees. Wow, go figure, trees grew and now you can't see the rocks. I think it's time for a new direction book.

When you think about God's communication to us (The Bible) there is one thing you do not have to worry about . . . tree's growing in front of it, in other words, the Bible will always lead you to the right spot at the right time to see the whole message with nothing obscuring its view.

Thank the Lord.
Have a great Week and see you hopefully, next Monday

Doing some studying for the Chapel's message on Integrity, I cam across this devotional on integrity and let me tell you, it was to good to steel and it was to good not to share it with you. Integrity is an lost art in our world today and sadly it has crept into the church as well. We must understand that integrity is not only a vertical act of worship but a horitzonal act as declaration. We really don't know who powerful our integrity can be in helping others understand God. But having integrity can lead people to the lord. Read on and enjoy.

Integrity on Display - Acts 20:16-20:36 (NIV, NIRV, TNIV, KJV)

If you want to have the kind of a church Like the kind of a church you like,
You needn't slip your clothes in a grip, And start on a long, long hike.
You'll only find what you left behind, For there's nothing that's really new.
It's a knock at yourself when you knock your church.
For the it isn't your church- it's YOU!

Real Churches are made, not by people afraid Lest someone else gets ahead.
When everyone works and nobody shirks, you can raise a church from the dead!
And if when you make your personal stake, Your neighbor can make one too.
Your church will be what you want it to be,
For it isn't your Church - it's you!

We've been asking ourselves the question, "what is the church supposed to look like?" We've talked about the church being a caring community, how we need to reach out to the community through difficult times. That we need to move out of our comfort zones to bring people to Christ. It's a place where everyone has to be involved and be part of God's team! If we are the church we really long to be we will share the gospel of Salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, with those who so desperately need to hear it.

Today we must realize that there is a world of people watching us, and we need to be models of integrity. We are all examples to the world, some of us are good examples and some of us are bad examples; but we all have great influence on others, either for or aCorinthians In 1 Corinthians.11:1, Paul tells the Corinthians: "You should follow my example, just as I follow Christ's." That is a powerful statement of integrity, if you ask me! Integrity is defined: "A being complete; wholeness. An unimpaired condition; soundness. Uprightness, honesty and sincerity."

Let me read to you 2 different passages from the Book of Acts, and you tell me there is a message that needs to be proclaimed here. OK?

Acts 5:1anyone's Acts 20:16-36

Ananias and Sapphira got put into the Book because they lied to God, because they lacked integrity. Now why do you think God would even tell us about this couple if it werenÂ’t as an example for us? Maybe God knew what kind of people He would be dealing with in 21st Century America. Talk about lack of integrity! Listen to this:

Documented in a book by James Patterson and Peter Kim, The Day America Told the Truth, (1991), Americans were asked: "What are you willing to do for $10,000,000?" Two-thirds of Americans polled would agree to at least one, some to several of the following:

Would abandon their entire family (25%) Would abandon their church (25%)
Would become prostitutes for a week or more (23%)
Would give up their American citizenships (16%)
Would leave their spouses (16%)
Would withhold testimony and let a murderer go free (10%)
Would kill a stranger (7%) Would put their children up for adoption (3%)

Marcus Aurelius, the Roman emperor about 100 years after Paul's ministry, and philosopher, identified the following traits of a successful person: 1) Consciousness of an honest purpose in life. 2) A just estimate of himself and everyone else. 3) Frequent self-examinations. 4) Steady obedience to what he knows to be right. 5) Indifference to what others swindlek or say.

Charles Swindoll, in Growing Deep in the Christian Life, tells about a man who bought fried chicken dinners for himself and his date late one afternoon. The attendant at the fast food outlet, however, inadvertently gave him the proceeds from the day's business--a bucket of money (much of it cash) instead of fried chicken. Swindoll writes:

"After driving to their picnic site, the two of them sat down to enjoy some chicken. They discovered a whole lot more than chicken--over $800! But he was unusual. He quickly put the money back in the bag. They got back into the car and drove all the way back. By then, the manager was frantic.

"Mr. Clean got out, walked in, and became an instant hero. "I want you to know I came by to get a couple of chicken dinners and wound up with all this money here."

"Well, the manager was thrilled to death. He said, "Let me call the newspaper. " I'm gonna have your picture put in the local paper. You're one of the most honest men I've ever heard of."

"To which the man quickly responded, "Oh, no! No, no, don't do that!" Then he leaned closer and whispered, "You see, the woman I'm with--she's, uh, somebody else's wife." One can be honest and still not have integrity. When we say that we are modeling integrity, there is a wholeness to it! It is not just one aspect of life but through and through this one is a man of integrity!
Let's examine Paul's life and see if we can see some of the major characteristics of a man of integrity!

1. INTEGRITY HAS ONE DEBT: To serve (douleuo = be a slave) Christ. (19)
Paul W. Powell said,"God is more concerned about our character than our comfort. His goal is not to pamper us physically but to perfect us spiritually." I believe Powell has it right. When we come to Christ, we do not put ourselves in a position to bargain or negotiate. I'll serve you IF I don't have my life threatened or I'll serve you BUT don't send me to Africa!

Considering all that Christ has done for us, the debt that we have is to serve him as a slave! Paul faced some serious opposition, so it is not like he is saying it's a piece of cake to serve God! Hardly! But the opposition or lack of it is not the determining factor for the person of Integrity: There is a debt to be paid and I will pay it, no matter the price!

The great philosopher, Plato, lived more than 400 BEFORE Christ was born. Even then, he understood the meaning of integrity: "And yet, my friend, I would rather that the whole world should be at odds with me, and oppose me, than that I myself should be at odds with myself and contradict myself."

DO YOU CARRY THAT DEBT?

2. INTEGRITY HAS ONE DECREE: Turn from sin and turn to God and have faith in Jesus Christ. (21)

Doesn't make any difference Jew or Gentile, 1st or 21st Century: The necessity of turning from sin and turning to God, and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul was a one-sermon preacher! In fact, that was the same message that Peter harped on, once he got his personal integrity straightened out: (4:38) "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins."

DO YOU CARRY THAT DECREE?

3. INTEGRITY HAS ONE DECISION: To go where the Holy Spirit compels you to go. (22) There were times when Paul would have liked to go some places to preach the Gospel, but the Spirit prevented him from going there. And he never anticipated going to Macedonia until the Spirit showed him that was where he was supposed to go. Are you at the place in your spiritual development where you are drawn irresistibly by the Holy Spirit to do some thing, or go some where, or to speak to somebody? Don't you think that one who models integrity should be guided by that Higher Power of God?

What would it take for you to be a person of integrity and be guided, directed by the Holy Spirit? Are you willing to pay that price?

4. INTEGRITY HAS ONE DESIRE: To finish the task the Lord Jesus has given to you. (24)
Abraham Lincoln said, "I desire so to conduct the affairs of this administration that if at the end, when I come to lay down the reins of power, I have lost every other friend on earth, I shall at least have one friend left, and that friend shall be down inside of me." That is noble. But Paul's was even more noble! NLT says "But my life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus " the work of telling others the Good News about God's wonderful kindness and love."

Is that your burning desire, friends? If you are a model of integrity, don't you think you should have a desire that consumes you? One that you are willing to live to accomplish and die if you have to?

5. INTEGRITY HAS ONE DISCLAIMER: You know, that statement down in the fine print of the ad telling you about the great deal some car dealer is going to make you: Zero down, Zero Interest, Zero Payments (Disclaimer: That's only on the 3rd Tuesday of the 6th week of 15th month)

Paul's Disclaimer is a bit more straight-forward: I am innocent of your blood " BECAUSE I have faithfully proclaimed to you the whole will of God. (26) (READ NLT)

Now of course, if you have not faithfully proclaimed all that God wants for your family and friends, you can't make that Disclaimer, can you? Can you honestly say I am innocent of your blood if you have not been faithful to make know the claims of God? Paul is presenting an Old Testament concept of personal responsibility for proclaiming the warning! Listen to what the Prophet Ezekiel says, Ezekiel 33:1-9

6. INTEGRITY HAS ONE DEDICATION: Now I entrust you to God and the word of his grace his message that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with all those he has set apart for himself. (32)

I understand what Paul is saying here. I've done the best I could do, before God. When you have done your best, all that is left to be done is commending the hearers to God! Ultimately, of course, it is very safe to dedicate people to God because He loves people so much that He gave his only Son on the cross for them. It is He, and He alone, who is able to build us up and give us an inheritance. If we are going to get an eternal inheritance it will come from our Loving Heavenly Father!

7. INTEGRITY HAS ONE DUTY: I showed you how to live as a Christian! (35) You can argue about my methods. You can compare me to the silver-tongued orator, Apollos. You can think I'm rude; that I have something against women! You can make all kinds of complaints about my ministry but folks, one thing you have to say He lived like Christ!

That's the question I must leave you with: Are you living like Christ? Are you a walking, living, breathing model of Christian integrity among the people God has given you?

I think the Church God wants us to be is a church full of models of integrity certainly not hypocrisy. Am I right? I certainly hope our highest aspiration is not to be like Ananias & Sapphira who lied to the Holy Spirit! How much better to Follow Paul as he follows Christ!

Yesterday during our Chapel Chat, we had a heart to heart about the difference between a co-pilot the driver. I realted to a Jeep Rally that my son and I went on . . here is a picture from the event.

I likend church involvment and ownership like the difference between the two seats in a car the passanger may do all the talking they want, but it's the onwer of the car that has their hands on the wheel, doing all the effort.

Here is another related devotional that I found on a site I view from time to time.

Slow Down!
By: Kristen L. McNulty

If you enjoyed this Impact devotional, the author would love to hear from you.

If you'd like to reprint this devotional, please email the author first and she will get back to you within 24 hours. Thank you for your consideration.

"You're rushing, doing everything anything on the verge Not even thinking about what if you're doing is absurd I don't mean to be the one to cut in, but you might want to stop and think about what you're doing."

Everyday Sunday- Wait

Those lyrics some from the song Wait by Everyday Sunday and they were the inspiration for tonight's impact devotional.

I've often wondered how people can go through life and not even stop to ponder what the purpose of their day-to-day activities are. I've seen people rush and do activity after activity and after a while have no idea why they are doing what they are doing.

I think the reason we don't give ourselves the opportunity to stop and reflect about anything is because we are way to busy. That is why it is possible, and so often occurs, that people only really start to question the purpose of their lives in their later years. We often see seniors who can't "go, go, go" anymore, looking back over their lives and seeing the mistakes, the regrets, the things they would have changed. It's unfortunate that they waited until their senior years to realize this because in most cases it's too late to change.

What would happen if people in their 20's, 30's and 40's took the time to decide what's really important and adjust their schedules according to those priorties? I'm convinced that if we took the time to do that before our senior years, the following would happen:

-God would become a bigger part of most people's lives.
-Families would be attended to and be healthier as a result.
-Marriages would be stronger and therefore the divorce rate would drop.

And Money would become less of a motivation.

But you see, these things aren't occurring. Why? Because Satan knows these truths as well as God does, so he does everything in his power to make sure we are so busy that we don't reflect until it's too late to change.

This is even occurring in the Christian community. We are often running from activity to activity without taking the time to examine what we're doing this all for. It's so easy for us to assume that just because we're busy with so called Godly things that it's right. Well, I hate to burst your bubble, but just because you're busy with church or religion doesn't make it right and it doesn't mean that you're not going to have regrets.

Let's use an example. Let's say you're the mother or father of two kids. As a parent your first responsibility is your children, they are your ministry. If the only so called "Christian" thing you accomplish is raising to Godly children, that is of more eternal significance than you filling your days with church activities while ignoring what's going on at home.

You see, the most important thing you can do is to have a good relationship with God and your family. If after that you have time for a ministry outside of the home, that's great but don't let the ministry become more of a focus in your life than the one you are supposed to be ministering for. Like Jesus said in John 6:27, "Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that I, the Son of Man, can give you. For God the Father has sent me for that very purpose." Jesus didn't say spend your energy on a soup kitchen or even a radio show. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that Jesus can give you. If the day ever comes that I get so busy I'm running around like a chicken without a head on, I'd much rather drop this radio show than sacrifice the time I spend growing in my faith. Even though I enjoy it, even though it is making a difference. If I do not spend the time looking after my spiritual walk, then I can do this show but God would not honor it because I would not be honoring Him with my life and therefore with this show.

Let me ask you: Have you sacrificed your time with God to do so-called Godly things? If so, you need to change this, even if that means taking some time off or even stepping aside from ministry for a while. Even if that means turning down expansions or promotions or opportunities.

Also, have you decided what's important in your life and then adjusted your schedule accordingly? If not, please do so. It would be a disaster to discover at 80 the things you should have changed at 50 or 30 or 20. Take the time now to determine your priorities and then give them priority on your schedule. Even if that means change. Even if that means dropping one thing for the sake of another.

This week I would like to challenge everyone out there listening to this to take some time in prayer to examine your schedule with God. If there's a conflict in what God wants versus what you are doing, it's less painful to figure that out now and change it, than for it to be too late to change it at all.

Well, as a sit down to type today’s brown blog I have to share it is my birthday. So on my special day let me give you a scripture and a story

STORY

There is a story of a dad and a friend from work took his little daughter, Ellen, to a movie for her birthday. After they left the theater, while dad was bundling up Ellen against the cold wind, his friend asked her how old she was.

"I can't tell you," Ellen said. "I have my mittens on!"

Well, I cannot use my fingers to tell you my age, but it is for much different reasons than Ellen's.

I turn 44 today and if you look at my picture some might say, with all that gray hair, I look even older. I can’t remember when the gray hairs came in but they’re up there and I just have to deal with it. But I did find my new favorite scripture.

“So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to all the generations to come.” (Psalms 71:18 NRSV)

May your day be better then mine.

As we spend much of the day with family and friends, one thing comes to mind that more then every before in the history our nation needs prayer. From the influence of our nation with the other nations of this world to the the the moral fiber of our roots. We need prayer

And talking about prayer and history, I came across a recording of some of the prayers that were offered up on July 4th in the floor of the United States Senate.


1861 (July 4), Senate Prayer

The following prayer was offered by Rev. Byron Sunderland, D.D.

Almighty and everlasting God, be not angry with us for our sins, which we only confess and deplore; but pardon our offenses and extend to us Thy favor. We thank Thee for Thy goodness on this anniversary of the nation a day tenfold more precious by reason of our present troubles, and sacred to the heart for the ever memorable Declaration of our fathers, in which Thou didst begin more openly to give us a name among the nations of the earth. We thank Thee for all Thy manifold and abundant mercies hitherto to make our nation exceedingly great and glorious; but now disasters have befallen us and darkness broods in the land. And now we ask Thy mercy as the Senate is convening at a most momentous crisis of our history. Give to Thy servants all needed help. Add to their deliberations wisdom and unanimity, and profit and speed to their conclusion. Bless Thy servant, the President of the United States, our veteran Commander-in- Chief, and all that have functions in the civil and military power. May the angel of Thy presence walk in the Cabinet and in the Congress and in the camp, to go before, to purify, and to direct the now greatly and universally-awakened love of country. And we beseech Thee to guide us, to overrule and order all things, and so to cause that nothing shall fail, that the disorders of the land may be speedily healed, that peace and concord may prevail, that truth and righteousness may be established, and that Thy Church and Kingdom may flourish in a larger peace and prosperity, for Thy Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ's sake. Amen. (Source: Congressional Globe, 37th Congress, first session, new series, 1, 4 July 1861.)

1918 (July 4), House Prayer

The Chaplain, Rev. Henry N. Couden, D.D., offered the following prayer:

Our Father in Heaven, the inspiration of every generous impulse, every high and noble aspiration, we thank Thee from our heart of hearts for the "Spirit of '76," which gave to us the immortal Declaration of Independence, which led on to victory and the formation of our Glorious Republic, which has not only been the wonder but the admiration of the world. We thank Thee for the day which will be celebrated with more than usual interest throughout the length and breadth of the land. The native born and the naturalized citizen will vie with each other in making it memorable.

For the first time in its history it will be celebrated by our sister nations, who are engaged with us in fighting for the same principles for which our forefather fought, in a world-wide war for humanity, liberty, justice, and equal rights for all mankind.

May it furnish new inspiration to us and our allies, which will bring victory to their arms; then an everlasting peace; to the glory and honor of Thy Holy Name. Amen. (Source: Congressional Record-House, 65th Congress, second session, 56/9, July 4, 1918, 8668.)

1943 (July 5), Senate Prayer

The Chaplain, Rev. Frederick Brown Harris, D.D., offered the following prayer:

Our fathers' God and ours, on the birthday of national independence we confess our dependence upon Thee. Without Thee we are lost in spite of the overwhelming might of our national arms.

We thank Thee for those pilgrims of faith who came hither in their frail barque across mountainous seas and who stepped upon strange shores with the salutation to a new world, "In the Name of God. Amen." The Nation here established, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal has acknowledged that Name above every name and reverenced it, has built its altars, reared its temples, and raised its steeples, emblems of a faith that points to the skies and wings its sure and certain way to God. Make that faith of the fathers, we pray, real to us in these tempestuous days. Save us from a freedom of speech so empty that we have nothing worth saying, from a freedom of worship so futile that we have no God to adore, from freedom from want and fear with no creative idea as to how to use our plenty or our security for the redemption of our social order and for the salvation of our own souls. Let all that is low and unworthy in us sink to the depths. Let all that is high and fine in us rise to greet the morn of a new day confident that the best is yet to be. Amen. (Source: Congressional Record-Senate, 78th Congress, first session, 89/5, July 5, 1943, 7160.)

1962 (July 5), House Prayer

The Chaplain, Rev. Bernard Braskamp, D.D., offered the following prayer:

Psalm 11: 3: If the foundations be destroyed what can the righteous do?

O Thou Eternal God, may our minds and hearts be stirred with a deepening sense of patriotism and gratitude as we continue to think of that day of high and holy memory in our national history when a company of God-fearing men were guided by Thy divine wisdom to sign the Declaration of Independence

Grant that the blessings of freedom, which were purchased at a tremendous cost and which we prize so highly and are privileged to enjoy in such an abundant measure, may always be coordinated with the spirit of self-discipline.

Help us to cling with increasing tenacity of faith and fortitude to the great truth proclaimed by George Washington in his Farewell Address that religion and morality are indispensable and our national greatness if we allow them to be subverted and obliterated by secularism.
Hear us in the name of our blessed Lord. Amen. (Source: Congressional Record- House, 87th Congress, second session, 108/9, Thursday, July 5, 1962, 12703.)

1969 (July 2), Senate Prayer

The Chaplain, the Reverend Edward L. R. Elson, D.D., offered the following prayer:

We thank Thee, O God, that the freedom we celebrate in coming days is not an attainment, but an obtainment that it is Thy precious gift to man as part of his createdness. We thank Thee for the daring of our forefathers in reclaiming their "ancient rights." We thank Thee, too, for the heroes' valor, the patriots' devotion, the prophets' vision, and for all the blood and sweat and toil by which our freedom was purchased. As we commemorate our national independence accept again the declaration of our everlasting dependence upon Thee. In all our joy and thanksgiving enable us to remain a nation "under God," and give us grace and goodness to minister to mankind in His name. Amen. (Source: Congressional Record-Senate, 91st Congress, first session, 115/14, Wednesday, July 2, 1969, 18185.)

1974 (July 3), House Prayer

The Chaplain, Rev. Edward G. Latch, D.D., offered the following prayer:

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. Psalms 33: 12.

Eternal God, stir Thou our minds and stimulate our hearts with a high sense of patriotism as we approach the Fourth of July. May all that this day symbolizes renew our faith in freedom, our devotion to democracy, and redouble our efforts to keep a government of the people, by the people, and for the people truly alive in our world.

Grant that we may highly resolve on this great day to dedicate ourselves anew to the task of ushering in an era when good will shall live in the hearts of a free people, justice shall be the light to guide their feet, and peace shall be the goal of humankind: to the glory of Thy holy name and the good of our Nation and of all mankind. Amen. (Source: Congressional Record- House, 93d Congress, second session, 120/17, Wednesday July 3, 1974, 22130.)

1992 (July 7), House Prayer

The Reverend Norman A. Hjelm, director of faith and order, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States, New York, NY, offered the following prayer:

Lord God of hosts, God of the nations: By your grace and in Your patience You have allowed this our land once again to celebrate its birth, its primal guest for liberty, justice, and equity. And we are grateful.

And once again by Your grace and in Your patience You have called this House-- responsible men and women who are equally faithful and unfaithful, righteous and unrighteous before You, each other, and the people-- You have called this House to the exercise of its solemn task of the legislation of law and the formation of the Nation.

Remind these Your servants that liberty, justice, and equity remain ahead of this Nation as tasks yet to be fulfilled and not as goals already reached.

Maintain before us a clear dedication to the needs of those in our midst who are on the outside because of age, ill health, race, sex, poverty, and urban or rural degredation.

And consecrate anew this Nation to the exercise of imaginative and sacrificial leadership in a restless and violent world which still struggles for authentic justice, peace, and a safe home in Your creation.

Accept now, O God, the labors of this day and the frail lives of Your servants in this House. To You be all honor and glory, world without end. Amen. (Source: Congressional Record-House, 102d Congress, second session, 138/99, Wednesday July 7, 1992, H5981.)

Have a blessed week.

Yesterday, I didn’t have a change to tell this story, so I’m glad to give it to you in written forum. Please read the application at the end.

On May 27, 1992, in Sarajevo, one of the few bakeries that still had a supply of flour was making and distributing bread to the starving, war-shattered people. At 4 P.M. a long line stretched into the street. Suddenly, a mortar shell fell directly into the middle of the line, killing 22 people and splattering flesh, blood, bone, and rubble.Not far away lived a 35-year-old musician named Vedran Smailovic. Before the war he had been a cellist with the Sarajevo Opera, a distinguished career to which he patiently longed to return. But when he saw the carnage from the massacre outside his window, he was pushed past his capacity to absorb and endure any more. Anguished, he resolved to do the thing that he did best: make music. Public music, daring music, music on a battlefield.

For each of the next 22 days, at 4 P.M., Vedran put on his full, formal concert attire, took up his cello and walked out of his apartment into the midst of the battle raging around him. Placing a plastic chair beside the crater that the shell had made, he played in memory of the dead Albinoni’s Adagio in G minor, one of the most mournful and haunting pieces in the classical collection of the ages. He played to the abandoned streets, smashed trucks and burning buildings, and to the terrified people who hid in the cellars while the bombs dropped and bombs flew. With masonry exploding around him, he made his unimaginably courageous stand for human dignity, for those lost to war, for civilization, for compassion and for peace. Though the shellings went on, he was never hurt.

After newspapers picked up the story of this extraordinary man, an English composer, David Wilde, was so moved that he, too, decided to make music. He wrote a composition for unaccompanied cello, “The Cellist of Sarajevo,” into which he poured his own feelings of outrage, love, and brotherhood with Vedran Smailovic.When the piece of music was played at the opening night of the International Cello Festival in Manchester, England, it was then that the power of the actions of Vedran were really crowned. A world renowned master cellist played the piece on that opening night. The music began, stealing out into the hushed hall and creating a shadowy, empty universe, ominous, and haunting. Slowly it grew into an agonized, slashing furor, gripping the audience before finally subsiding at last into a hollow death rattle, and finally, back to silence.When the master cellist finished, he remained bent over his cello, his bow resting on it=s strings. No one in the hall moved or made a sound for a long time. It was as though the audience had just witnessed the terrible bombing that occurred that fateful day in 1992.
Finally, the cellist looked out across the audience and stretched out his hand, beckoning someone to come to the stage. An indescribable electric shock swept over the audience as it realized who it was: Vedran Smailovic, the cellist of Sarajevo!

Vedran rose from his seat and walked down the aisle. The master cellist and Vedran flung their arms around each other. Everyone in the great hall erupted in a chaotic, emotional frenzy--clapping, shouting, and cheering. And in the center of it all, two men wept unashamedly. An elegant prince of classical music, flawless in appearance and performance and Vedran dressed in clothes that were far less in quality. But his clothes, even his appearance, went unnoticed. The man’s presence seemed to lift him to a level beyond that of any man in the hall that night. For here was a man who shook his cello in the face of bombs, death and ruin, defying them all. (Adapted From Reader’s Digest – December 1997)

Chosen vessels have that quality about them. The treasure that is on the inside of the earthen vessel has the capacity to lift you beyond the destruction that exists around you. The content of our containers, must be the priority as we allow people to be blessed by the gospel that lives within us.

Have a blessed week.

A funny thing happen on the way to church today . . . you see, at The Chapel we have a team of people that are map out our selection of topics for our Sunday Celebration. That is were it starts . . .with a little planing and a whole lot of prayer we teach the people of our church God's word. After the plan is spoken, we put it on paper. The schedule is to be looked at once and a while and that is were our story beginings.

On most Sunday's all across America, a individual has the opportunity to share God's word to some eager people to hear. And if to of our speakers would of looked at the list, things would of gone a lot different. But the fact of the matter is two of our speakers came prepard to speak.

Now if it was two others on our team, that didn't look at the list, that would be one thing, but one of those people was me! Boy was that fun. After a good laugh, and relenting to my staff member, I sat in with the sheep and heard a wonderful message.

So were are you heading with all this? Well, Sunday afternoon, the quesiton came to my was the study worth it? I mean, I didn't get to share it with anyone . . .so was it worth it? Without thinking, I think many pastor without thinking can become message machine rather then a sponge of the word them selves. Lord Help is all.