Show me your Way

One of my favorite worship groups is Hillsong. They have song; actually is it more of prayers called "Show me Your Ways". It is listed below.


Show me Your ways
That I may walk with You
Show me Your ways
I put my hope in You

Chorus

The cry of my heart
Is to love You more
To live with the
Touch of Your hand
Stronger each day
Show me Your ways


One of the reasons I like this song is because it ties into a message of Jesus. We need to follow the Father. We need to submit the Father, to honor the Father. On Jesus' last night on before he was killed, he ask God to take this cup from me, and then prayed "Not my will, but your will be done."

I beleive that is a message that all Christ followers need to take to heart. Not my will, but God's will be done. We want to join Him in what HE is doing, not try to force Him to join us.

Show me your way Oh Lord, Show me your ways, so that I might walk with.

-m

A link for churches and Pastor's

http://preachingstandard.com/2007/03/sixty-four-things-i-wish-someone-had.html#links
I read this today. It is from one of the writers at "Preaching Standard". I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
There are some good thoughts on how to be a pastor and how a church should help a pastor.

May God bless you,
Mike

What have we come to?

As many of you now Anna Nicole Smith is no longer with us. She was Playboy modle, actress, and reality show Star. Plus is known for gaining and shedding wieght. Needless to say her life was pretty messed up. This past week has been filled with whois her baby's father?

How sad is that? In a world where people are starving, where people are being kicked out fo thier homes, familes are breakign up, and school kids need to wear bullet proof vest; what we see on the "news" is about a lady who slept around, and had a child out of wed-lock, and nobody knew who the real daddy was. At one point in our society she would of been an outcast, and looked down on. Today she is celebrated. The Baby's father is a former boyfriend. At least this child will know it's dad. Unfortunitly it will only know it's mom, by the morally challenged news stories and pictures that are Anna Nicoles Legacy.

When we speak and act, we really need to think about how this will affect others. A lesson I wished I learned earlier in my life, and one that I am still learning.

God,
Grant me the wisdom to see the outcome of my actions, and the knowledge to keep my mouth shut!

Dr. Bruce Ware

There is sermon on Marshillchurch.com you might enjoy by Bruce Ware. YOu can find the link on thier website.

They might be angels.

I like to pick up hitch hikers. I really do. Most of friends and family think that I am nuts. They might be dangerous., they might try to hurt you, kill you. One of my friends even stated something like this: " It is better to be a live preacher, than I dead martyr." I like the idea of being in heaven, especially on the days my lower back is killing me.

I have picked up college kids, WTO protesters, and just your average daily nomad. Last summer I went for drive down the Oregon coast, and there was this nice older guy who need a lift. He had a walking stick, and big backpack. Plus it he was about to have to climb over some mountains. So is a Christian to do? Help people. I turn around and pick him up.

He is a nice older man, who was left some money and had a disability were he could not hold down a job, so he decided to travel by foot across America. He had been doing it for something like 20 years. He likes the alone time, and the time he get to meet new people, and hear their stories.

Tuesday I picked up a Nomad again. Her name is Tracey and she is Christian. We had a nice talk about the different places she has been, what God has done in her life, how he has kept her safe on her travels, and that now she feels it is time to settle down, and make amends with her 19 year old son. I stop off at McDonald's bought her some food, and then dropped her off about 70 miles south of where I picked her up. Prayed for her safety and travels and then left her at a spot for the night.

The question I always go back too (after I pray) is what if they are angels?

Hebrews 13:1&2 ESV

Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels.

Tie that in with James 4:17

So who ever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.

and we all know Jesus' teaching on loving others as we want to be loved.

I am not saying that everybody should pick up hitch-hikers. I always pray first to make sure it is the right thing to do. I do not want some demon-manic in my car with a chain saw, or and aids laced needle. What I want to do is help out my fellow man, and show them the love, life and light of Jesus Christ; in world filled with too much darkness.

To be Great

Howdy,
Sorry it has been such a long time since I have posted. I will try to post at least once a week by
Thursday.

I often imagine myself having a conversation with God. We talk about different things and I usually end up confession my sins. He is good like that, able to listen and show love when we mess up. Lately one part of the conversation always turns to "what do you want?" " I want wisdom, I want a heart that belongs to you, I want to know more, I want your words written on my heart, protection for my church and family. I want my church to grow, and I want new people to come to Christ Jesus." " I want people to see Jesus in me"

"What do you want?"
Today it finally hit me "I want to be great in your eyes". I don't have to the next Milt Jones, Max Lucado, Billy G, Rick Warren, Bob Russel, Mark Driscoll or Brian McClaren. What I want is to be great in your eyes. For you to say "This is my Son, whom I love, good job, my good and faithful servant"

I think the most we can ask for is to be used by God, for His Kingdom. Not to settle to settle for "status quo", but to strive to be great in the eyes of our Creator.

I want to leave you with the words from a group called "Ten Shekel Shirt"

I have always wanted to be somebody who is great

To be great in, great in your eyes, is my dream

To be the one who makes you smile is everything

To love my enemies

To serve others until I become the least

To be great in, great in your eyes, is my dream

To be the one who makes you smile is everything

Greatness in this world is different than greatness in your eyes

To be great in, great in your eyes, is my dream

To be the one who makes you smile is everything

To be genuine in my love for others and for you

is to be great

Let's try to remember that a life that is great to God, is a life that is daily dying to itself and following Jesus.

-M

My Wife now has a mini-van

I thought the day would never come. I hoped, I prayed that this day would never come. Was not turning 35 not bad enough for me? Are not grey hairs, and starting to loose my vision penance for my past sins?

I guess not. Today my wife has traded her car for the dreaded mini-van. She smile's, I cry. Our kids are not even old enough to play soccer, and yet there it sits under our carport. What will the neighbors say? What will the church members think? Can I ever look at some of my friends that hunt in the eye again? Who knew my middle age crisis would involve a mini-van? I always thought that a Porsche would help me handle turning old. Alas, there it is. I pinch myself nad I still do not wake up. Please can anyone help me?

Mike

We are like water, turned into Wine

Yesterday I spoke on Jesus' first miracle: Changing Water into wine. You can read the biblical account in John chapter 2.

I find it amazing that Jesus took something as plain as water. As common as water and made it into the "good wine" of the wedding feast. How good was it? It was better than what was originally thought to be the best wine.

The neat thing is; He wants to do the same thing with our lives. Change them! Here is water everyday water, not bottled, not flavored, not even some lemon in it to help out the taste, Just water, and zap he changes it to wine. Do you realize that Jesus wants to do that to your life? That He wants to change you. To take away the dirt, the grime, the fear, the loneliness, the pain of rejection, the stress, the struggles, the things that go bump in the night. He died to take those away from you. To say "I've got you back".

Daily Jesus takes drug dealers and changed them
He takes the addict and heals the hole that is in the souls.
He takes the beaten women, and shows her how a man is supposed to treat a woman.
He takes the Lost and says "oyu are found"
Takes the forgotten and shows them love and that they are not forgotten
He takes you and me and says " I love you so much, I want to change you , so that you resemble me." Why? because people need Jesus!

The complete basis of why we are here is this: PEOPLE NEED JESUS! You need Jesus, I need Jesus, Everybody needs Jesus, and he wants US, you and me to represent Him to other people. That is amazing to think about, Jesus wants us to be used by Him, to show other people His insane love for everyone.

May He Shine richly on you this week,
Mike

I am not an CEO

I receive numerous amounts of junk mail. Sometimes it is spam on the Internet and other times it is through the Pony Express. More and more I am receiving parts of dead trees from people that want to make me into a CEO, wealthy and well heard of Pastor. That i deserve fame, adn if I do church their way then all will be ok. These are "church men and women" whom seem to think that success means that my church has to reach at least 400 if not 4000. They seem to think that bigger is always better. You must have these programs, you must wear this type of clothing, you must read these book, you must etc, etc, etc.

I wonder what Jesus thinks of all of this. That with the right plan, the right money spent at the right time on the right program, with the right church coach will = a successful church. did He die for an instituation? Didd he die so that His church looks more like Starbucks or Microsoft, than a group of loving people? For some reason I keep on thinking that the church Jesus is the head of; is a group of people that have given their lives to Jesus Christ and want to follow him, not a building or business style organism. Maybe I am wrong.

Maybe what God wants is bunch of people punching the time clock, and then forgetting about God, Jesus and living to change our homes; let alone our communities and the world. Maybe I should rely on my experiences in management, more than the Holy Spirit and what the bible has to say. Maybe I should chart out what we need to do, how to get there, make sure I hire the right people "because something this important we need profession, and this cannot be left to the people in the pews". Maybe, just maybe with the right programs, if I have enough control, then this church will grow, that we will have more customers, that we will be success according to Donald Trump.

However I measure success a little bit different. Changed lives. CEO's want numbers, Jesus wants hearts. CEO's want to expand their back pockets; Jesus wants you not to worry about the back pocket. CEO's want to measure results; eternal life is the result of following Jesus.

We must get to the point that we are not looking to make man happy, but instead to please Jesus. Does He want his kingdom to grow? Yes! Does He want us to responsible with the churches he has given us to shepherd? Yes. We need to live and teach according to his Word and the church should "run well". But at the end of the day is it going to matter that I have 3,000 listening to me Sundays or is going to matter that I died to myself and let God use me to bring himself glory?

It's time to stop looking at the numbers, we need to start looking at the hearts. Are people living for Jesus? Are they taking the Word and makign it thier own, are they dting to selfish wants and puttign others and Christ beofre themselves? From what I've read Jesus will build his church. What we are suppossed to be seeking is not numbers but the Kingdom of God and HIS righteousness.

What excites you? What gives you goosebumps? How about the hevee-jeeves? What make syou cry? What makes you laugh? What makes you sing? What brings you peace?

In the world today we look everwhere to find what we want. I want to be like the Jones, so I buy things only to have them repossed, or to be paying up the wazu in debt to "The man". We run, we chase after, we scheme, cheat and steal all for the praise of ther people. So that we can fit in, so that we can be in the in crowd, in realtiy so that other people will except us.

Here in Pablo, we have started the Gospel of John. I know that Jesus is the main character, and the his best friend "A" John is the writer. I love how We are shown that Christ is divine, and that Jesus' mission is to "take away the sins of the world". But, there is a character, a mad man, off in the wilderness that has peeked my intrest.

John the Baptist. He is awild man after God. Imagine him, think about it He probably look's like Grizzly Adam, or Rob Ryan the defensive coach of the Oakland Raiders. He smells of honey and is wearing an camel outfit.

What really impresses me abotu John is that he knew his role and did it. He was the not Christ, Not the prophet, Not Elijah. " I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord" ESV John 1:23

The question(s) for you is/are this: what is it that God wants you to be doing? How do you use the talents and abilites he has given you to brign God glory? and what do we need to get rid of (pride, etc) so that we can be better serve God?

In finishing this post I want to challenge you this next week to think about these things and if you have the time check out this website www.churchgrowth.org to explore your non charasmatic spiritual gifts.

Imperfect adn serving Jesus

A different Day

As you can Tell there have been some changes to my blog. I would like to give a shout out to Gman, and Mic for the help.

If you have a second check out the picture at the bottom of my blog. My Father in law took this when we were in Oregon, moving from NM. It is a classic sign of the lack of commn knowledge.

Throwing away Chistmas?

This past week I received permission to throw out the churches old Christmas decorations. Most people love Christmas decorations around their church. So and so paid for it, made it etc. The problem is that most of them are not only old, outdate and not in good repair. One person said dont' throw them away. My reply "Then take them home." "If they are not good enough for your house, then why would they be good enough for God's house?"

I wonder what in our lives that we need to throw out? Past fears, past hopes, past accomplishments, past struggles, ugly things from ur lives?

God knows and as we begin to "clean House" here at PCC, I ask that you allwo God to clean out the garbage in you life.





Looking for a good internet rescource for listening to good semons? Milton Jone's Sermons. You can find it on the www.NWCHURCH.NET website. Milt is one of the preachers that I have the utmost respect and love for.

Philosphy of ministry

I have decided to post what I believe to be a biblical example of minister's "call to duty" I hope this helps others as they discover/are discovery who God has called them to be, besides just speakign from the pulpit.

-Mike

Philosophy of Ministry
1 Tim 4:16
16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. NIV
Acts 6:4
4 give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word." NIV


1. Pray(er) – , Matt 14:23; Luke 6:12; Acts 6:4; 1 Thess. 5:17; James 5:16

2. Ministry of the Word Acts 6:4,
a. Study – Proverbs 10:14, 15:14; Acts 6:4; 2 Tim 3:14, 4:2
b. Preach – 1 Tim 4:13; 2 Tim 4:2;
c. Teach – Titus 2:1-10, 15; 1 Tim 3:2; I Tim 4: 13;2 Tim 4:2,
d. Correct – 2 Tim 4:2
e. Rebuke – Titus 1:13, 2 Tim 4:2; Titus 2:25, 3:10
f. Encourage – 2 Tim 4:2; Titus 2:15; Eph 4:11

3. Guard personal Life –
· Obey God, Not man – Acts 5:29, Gal 1:10
· Keep Watch Over self - Acts 20: 28-31
· Watch yourself or you may be tempted -Gal 6: 1-5
· Test Everything, Hold onto Good, Avoid Evil - 1 Thes 5:22&22
· Don’t listens to myths, old wives tales, train self to be godly -I Tim 4: 6-8,
· Do not show favoritism, Do lay on hands quickly, Stay Pure - 1 Tim 5:21&22
· Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness- 1 Tim 6: 11&12
· Guard what is in my care, turn away from godless talk and opposing ideas
(that do not line up with the Bible) -1 Tim 6:20
· Guard the Gospel, with the help from the Holy Spirit -2 Tim 1:14-16
· Correctly handle the Word of God, avoid Godless Chatter – 2 Tim 2:15-16
· Flee desires of youth, avoid foolish arguments -2 Tim 2: 22-26
· Keep your wits, endure hardship, be available -2 Tim 4:5
· Fix Eyes on Jesus – Heb 12:2
· Try to live in peace with everyone, and be holy; Watch out for bitterness in self and others- Heb 12:14-15
· Do what the Word says – James 1:22
· Be Self–Controlled, and alert for the devil and his schemes -1 Peter 5:8

4. Guard the Flock
· Watch out for false prophets -Matthew 7:15
· “Brother who sins against you” Mathew 18: 15-17
· Keep watch over Flock -Acts 20: 28-31
· Warn against: quarreling about words (ruins those who listen) - 2 Tim 2:14
· Encourage with sound doctrine, refute those who oppose it Titus 1:9
· Warn a divisive person once, twice, and then have nothing to them with Titus 3: 9-10

5. Find Trust Worthy men to help lead the Congregation/Appoint Elders
· Elders ordained by Paul and Baranabus - Acts 14:23
· Laying on the hands to ordain elders, do not do it to unworthy men - I Timothy 5:22
· Entrust teachings to men who are qualified to teach others - 2 Timothy 2:2
· Straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders -Titus 1:5

6. Work with fellow leaders as a team to “run” the church
· Church Discipline - Matthew 18:15-17, 1 Tim 5:20
· Feed and take care of Jesus’ sheep -John 21: 15-20
· Keep Watch over the flock, that was purchased with Christ Blood -Acts 20:28
· Restore the erring brother - Gal 6:1&2, James 5:19-20
· Manage the Church -1 Tim 3: 4-5
· Direct the affairs of the church - 1 Tim 5:17
· Pray for the sick, anoint with oil – James 5:14
· Shepherd the Flock, with a willing spirit -1 Peter 5: 1-4

7. Be an example of Christian Living/ Give an Account before God
· God judges, He will bring to light what is in men’s heart - 1 Cor 4:4&5
· We are not trying to please men, but God who judges the heart -1 Thess 2:4
· Don’t let others look down on you, be the example of Christian living. -- 1 Tim 4:12
· Imitate the faith of your leaders, look to their lives, as examples of faith. They must give an account before God and Jesus -Hebrews 13:7, 17
· We who teach are judged more strictly -James 3:1
· Be an example to the flock – 1 Peter 5:3



8. Use talents and Abilities/ Spiritual Gifts to expand God’s Kingdom
· Parable of the Talents – Use them or lose them Matthew 25: 14-30
· Jesus gave us gifts, talents, etc to prepare people for the works of service, so that the church may be built up, Etc - Eph 4:11-16
· Spur one another on toward love and good deeds -Heb 10:24


9. What all of this looks like

We have a man equipped, appointed, anointed by God, not only to help lead God’s church which Christ is the head of, but to make sure that the mans’ own family makes it to heaven too.

There will be some weeks where I am at work around 40 hours and others around a 100 or more. Ministry is not a job, it is calling and a lifestyle. There will be funerals, weddings, counseling, meetings, classes to teach, conventions to attend and emergencies. Plus making sure the pulpit is full every week. There are songs to be sung to God and our Savior on Sunday morning. There will be disagreements to work out, and biblical discipline to gently hand out.

I will stumble, I will fail you, I will fail God. Like Timothy I will hope to be an example of what a Christian looks like, and yet I know that no single man can embody the fullness of Christ Jesus, and no body should expect me to.

I know my gifts include: Speaking the Word of God, Teaching the Word of God, Counseling, Praise and Worship, Exhortation, and Leadership.
I have not been given these for my benefit; they are for the benefit of you and the Kingdom of God. Just as the church doesn’t live for itself; the church lives to serve the world that God and Christ created.

I have at least a duel role – Lead the people into a relationship and teach them the ways of Christ Jesus and help equip them for serving the Kingdom of God. That is why the plurality of shepherds is so important, and the fact that everybody has been called to serve, not only Christ Jesus, but also His church. We are all called to be ministers, and to use our gifts to bring glory to God and serve each other. shepherd-servant-teacher-prayer warrior-singer-mercy shower- musician-drama jock-poet-artist-gift giver-rancher-mechanic-ETC
We are all called to serve God period.We are all called to die to ourselves and live for Jesus.

I will live my life in front of others because the Bible says that I am to be an example. I commit to lead a life of prayer .I commit to study and searching the scriptures. I commit to take one day off a month for a spiritual retreat (Music, Bible, and notebook)- Jesus, often went off by himself to pray. I commit to learning: be it by books, the Internet, magazines, conferences, or time with other ministers .I commit to being available 24/7 - 365 to the flock, which God has put me over (unless on Vacation). I commit to being the spiritual head of my household, and raising my girls to know Jesus

My Goals
· Help people serve God, while boldly proclaiming His Word.
· To the best of my ability live an exemplary Christian Lifestyle.
· Build relationships with church members and members of the community
· Follow God




Imperfect and serving Jesus,

Michael

"Do They Know it's Christmas Time at All?"

I rember growing up inthe 80's. It was fun time the Raiders won the Super Bowl back in 83 destroying the Redskins. It was great time of life. We had lived in the Texas, Virgina, Mass, and finally settled in Conn.

Right now after spending 3 years in the SW I am glad to be in Montana. We are expecting snow this Christmas, and after a long time I can actually sing "Iam dreaming of White Christmas, just liek the ones I used to know"

Speaking of songs there is one that I love. It's the title of this posting "Do they know it's Christmas Time at All?". The big names in British music got together and decided they needed to dosomething about the poor and starving people in Ethopia. So, they made a song, an album and gave the proceeds to help take care of these children and their parents.

Today I was wonderng do people in my community know it's Christmas time at all? Do they know that the greatest gift ever given is the Life of Jesus Christ. Yes, practically my fmaily bought gifts and supplies for a child on the Walmart "Angel Tree". But, does that child and her parents understand what Christmas is about?

Do they think it is just about gifts, happy tidings, and spending time with their familes or do they know that "God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, so that who believes in him, will not perish, but have eternal life" John 3:16 NLT? Do they know that the "christian" world is more about showing love to others, than just recieving the love of others?

That is what our Bristish folks did. They showed the world "Love to others". It is a simple song and simple reminder that the greatest gift we will ever receive is eternal life, brought to us by the Life, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

May God truely bless you this Holy day Season.

Merry Christmas,
Mike

Broken

I am broken.

Writing

Broken.

My sins are all around me.

I come to you Broken

I approach my friends Broken

I approach my church Broken

I am broken by the things I speak out against, and yet I struggle with.

I am broken

I come to your throne broken.

I come begging forgivness

For my sins have broken my relationship with you.

I am broken.

and I need you to forgive me.

To fix me.

I am sorry that I am broken.

I desire to not be so broken.

but to be made well.

For I am broken.

and only you can heal me.

For I your son, your friend, your messanger am broken.

Broken.

and I need you.

Need you to fix me, so that I am not broken.

To forgive me, so that I might walk with you once again.

I am broken.

And the Potter to mold this clay.

To heal this clay.

I am broken, and I love you. and I am sorry.

That I am broken.

Somethign for the seasn.

Hope you enjoy this as much as i did.

http://godspace.wordpress.com/2006/11/29/advent-liturgy/

JESUS HAS A TATOO?

I cannot believe this. People actually say that Jesus has a tatoo. Does he not know that having a tatoo is sin? Has not the scriptures in Leviticus told us that "tattoing for the dead" is a sin?

What about all of those fundamentalist that have called me a heathen and heritic because of mine?

Well guess what, according to scripture in Rev 19:16
"On his Robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of Kings and Lords of Lords"

We can see clearly that text talks abotu on his robe it is written,
and then on his thigh.

What will we come up with next, when we start reading the Bible instead of following what man says?

Here we go again

I belong to two forums. One is mostly made up of Pastors in the Restoration Movement, the other is called the OOZe. Rigth now both are discussing womens rols as elders.IF you were to lable me It would be this " Emerging Restoration Pastor". Then I would look at you and say " You label me, I'll label you". In reality I belong to Christ Jesus. I enjoy the converstaions I have on the OOZe and I enjoy pastoring at Restoration Church. Jesus call's me brother and friend. Maybe so should you.

I see the problems that we run into at "church" is mostly due to people trying to make the Bible fit into what they want. Instead we need to look at the Bible and see what God wants. A lot times there is a difference. It is not up to us to force God to change, it is our responsibilty to allow Him to change us. We might not like what the Bible has to say, but you know a lot of times I didn't like what my bosses said either, and surprise, I followed what they said.

If we stopped fighting for our percieved rights, and follow the example of Jesus in laying down all of our rights. I think that we would see a shift in our realtionships with each other and our Creator.

Maybe that is what "love thy neighbor" really means. Laying down our rights.
-M

Oh Hello There

Welcome to my musings.

This is the first time I have "blogged" and hope to continue to at least once a week. Some people asked me to start one, so I did. I might not be funny, or orginal. I will have something to say, that will hopefully make you think. Sometimes it might upset you, and other times you might enjoy it. But, in the end at least we shared some time together.

I hope you enjoy the stay, and my musings