The Journey

New Web Site

For some reason I wanted to undergo a lot of stress this week by developing a new web site for the church.  It was a crazy experience.  But, today it went on-line and looks great.  Check it out: First Assembly of God

I'm still here

I know that it has been a couple of weeks since I made an entry--but, typing has become a chore due to my broken hand.  Today I was working on a sermon to be shared this Sunday.  The theme is "Revival."  There are a lot of views about revival.  I want to identify clear biblical principles rather than speculation, traditions, or subjective stories.  According to the Bible, revival is desperately needed.

Learning to Stop

Several weeks ago I was teaching my two oldest children how to ride their bikes.  I wanted them to learn a very important rule of bike riding: "learn how to stop properly."  Well, sometimes showing is more valuable than telling.  Last Sunday, I went for a "leisurely" bike ride in Manhattan.  About ten miles into the ride I was getting tired--and the perspiration was getting into my eyes.  So, with my right hand, I was wiping my face when I accidentally hit my mirror (that was attached to my helmet).  It fell--and for some unknown reason, I braked, with my left hand (front brakes).  Well, I went flying and came down on my hands.  To make this story short, I broke my left hand.  My kids now know the importance of stopping.

FCF Pictures

Last week I attended the National Frontiersmen Camping Fellowship Rendezvous in Eagle Rock, Missouri.  FCF is an Assemblies of God ministry associated with Royal Rangers (a ministry to boys), and centers its mission on mentoring and serving one another.  Here are some pictures of the event.

  Me, in my Frontier outfit

 Paul Serb, our FCF Chapter President (for Kansas)

Adam Simpson, our FCF Chapter Scout (for Kansas)

Paul Serb (in front, on the other side of the canon)

A Journey to the Better End

This past week I attend the Frontiersmen Camping Fellowship (FCF) National Rendezvous in Eagle Rock, Missouri.  It was a wonderful time of spiritual refreshment, getting reacquainted with friends, and refining the vision for our church.  FCF uses the motif of the Fur Trading Era in America (pre 1840's) to focus on personal discipleship, missions, and spiritual mentoring. 

During this week, I was reading a book about a Frontiersman by the name of Jedidiah Smith--a man of impeccable character who faced insurmountable odds to discover the West.  Although most of his contemporaries lived less that godly lives, Jed was committed to serving God and living out his faith in everything he did.  He possessed the courage to face problems and to fulfill his God-given purpose. 

We need that kind of character and courage today!

As I put the final touches on my message for Sunday morning, I think of all the challenges people are facing just in our church alone.  Marriages, family, jobs, finances, direction, health--you name it, people are going through some very difficult issues.  As I prepare for tomorrow, my prayer is that God will reveal the importance of seeking Him.  It's like a journey--there are a lot of "unknowns"--a lot of things to be afraid of.  But, as a follower of Christ, we are called to make this journey--and make it to the Better end.  Maybe you are one of those people that are going through a difficult time.  Don't give up!  God's Word gives us the ingredients to be over-comers.  God has a Word for you!  Hope to see to Sunday.

The War on Faith

The war on faith continues--and reveals itself as a overt hatred for God and those that follow God.  According to an article in the Times of London, dated July 8, 2008, a discovery of a tablet in the Dead Sea (and its interpretation) calls into question the validity of the death and resurrection of Christ (see article: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article4295804.ece)

I desire good scholarship and good investigations on the claims of Christ and the Bible.  I continue to be convinced that the historical record underscores the truth of God's Word, especially as it relates the the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  However, I think those that are unbelievers do a disservice to their cause when they use obviously poor or deceptive practices on archaeological and historical discoveries.  Even in the Times of London's article, it is obvious that the aim is to discredit Christianity rather than to discover the truth.

Instead of discouraging my beliefs, these militant atheist continue to strengthen my faith in the truth of God's Word.  Their attacks reveal something more sinister at work--they are in open rebellion to the obvious truth (see Romans 1:18 and following).  So, in the end, I welcome the investigation--what I want is honest work--not shady, deceptive practices that reveal dishonesty and hatred.

Faith and Politics

Multi-cultural-ism, pluralism, diversity--in general, words that describe our country.  From its' very inception, to the present, we are a people of differing races, creeds, religions, and viewpoints.  This year, for the first time in our history, a major political party has selected as its presidential candidate an African-American.  On one hand, I am thrilled that the American dream is becoming more and more accessible to everyone.  But, there is something deep beneath the surface of the American culture that concerns me.

With the emphasis of "getting along" and "accepting" one another, there is, in our culture, a trend to discourage open freedom of religion and speech--especially religion and speech that is held by those who believe in salvation through Christ alone and the relevancy of God's written Word.  Political statements in this year's presidential race reveals a growing popular demand to quiet those who believe in Christ and practice their faith openly. 

I am careful with politics.  I pastor a church made up of people from many differing political parties.  My ministry emphasizes the proclamation of God's Word rather than proclaiming political ideology.  However, God's Word is clear--there is morality from God's point of view.  And, regardless of the current emphasis that the church should be quiet, we need people today to rise up and proclaim the truth--even when it is unpopular to do so.

If we as a nation reject God, God will reject us and remove His grace and mercy that has sustained us as a country for 232 years.

What do you think?

Tornado

Last week I ask someone in church if Manhattan every got tornadoes.  I must admit I am a bit of a chicken when it come to bad weather.  I have been in earthquakes before, but, weather gets my heart racing.  Well, that person said (and I am not kidding) that Manhattan never gets tornadoes.  Last night the "never" happened.  A tornado struck about two miles south of where I live (and where the church is located).  My family and I were huddled under the stair well in the basement until the all clear.  I had a little radio keeping us updated.  Manhattan was hit pretty good.  Although I haven't heard of anyone in the church loosing property or suffering an injury, the church did have their storage unit destroyed (at least we think it was).  I thank God everyone in the church is ok. 

Faith Promise

Tomorrow will be an important day for the church.  Tomorrow we will make our Faith Promise.  A Faith Promise is a prayerful commitment to support the Great Commission (Missions) with our finances.  Angela and I are in prayer as to what God wants us to do.  The way I see it is that God wants to work through me in supporting our missionaries.  I give what God wants me to give, knowing that God will supply for the sacrifice.  A Faith Promise is above and beyond my tithe.  The tithe belongs to God already.  The Faith Promise is allowing God to give through me in support of reaching our world with the Gospel Message.

My hope is that everyone in our church makes the sacrifice to reach the lost.  The most difficult issue I face as pastor of First Assembly of God is that there are missionaries that call me for support, and I have to tell them that we can't do it right now.  My prayer is that we be able to meet the need of our missionaries and be able to say "yes" to those ready to go on the mission field.

What do you think?

The Easy, Feel-good Church

The other day I received a magazine in the mail--a publication entitled "Unchained."  There was an article that I read that caused me to pause and reflect.  The article was entitled: "Cross-less Christianity"--an adaptation from Steve Gallagher's book "Standing Firm Through the Great Apostasy."

There is a quotation in this article that gripped my heart.  Mr. Gallagher quotes our former General Superintendent, Tom Trask: "What many churches are offering America is a new religion that guarantees no hell and requires no holiness.  It is a limp, spineless Christianity that does not confront sin for fear of being judgmental.  It is an impotent gospel that tells people everything is okay.  We are more concerned with acceptance of men, than we are about pleasing God."

I will admit to you a serious concern I have that there is a tremendous pressure to conceal the Full-Gospel--to hide the truth of holiness and righteousness for fear that others may get mad.  The result is a disaster for the church in America.  This is the disaster--that it can be reasonably assumed that the majority of people attending and leading churches do not have a saving relationship with God through Christ (although they think everything is fine).  The alarm needs to be sounded.  The perversion of the Gospel needs to be exposed.  And, the church needs to fall on their collective faces and repent before God.

For some (maybe many), I might be considered an alarmist.  But, I am deeply concerned that the Cross of Christ is being replaced by a desire for many to feel good about their sin.

What do you think?