Killing Cockroaches

Great Quote

“In order to reach people that no one is reaching, you will have to do things that no one is doing. But in order to do things that no one is doing, you can’t do what everyone else is doing.” Craig Groeschel

One Word

One Word that Conquers God
What might word is that?
What word is so might that it can conquer God?
What is the word that turns captivity captive?
What is the word that unites far separated souls around one common mercy seat?
What is the word that brings man’s storm-driven ship into the haven of safety and peace?
What is the word that turns back the shadow of death on the face of life’s dial?
What is the word that gives songs in the night and that lifts the load of guilt from the conscience-smitten heart?
What is the word that puts a sword in our hand when we face temptation?
What is the word that gives us strength to bear our daily burdens?
What is the word that fortifies the soul when it kneels before its cup in some Gethsemane of sore agony?
What is the word that lifts us up when we have fallen?
What is the word that brings angels down from heaven to minister to us when we have overcome the devil?
What is the word that makes us co-workers with God in the coming of His kingdom?
What is the word that recalls the wanderer from the far country?
What is the word that is the best physician for both body and soul?
What is the word which, when we speak it, may set a captive free?
What is the word that companions the soul in its hours of loneliness and that comforts it in the day of sorrow?
What is the word that sets a lamp of forgiveness and reconciliation in the window for the prodigal and the wanderer?
What is the word that brings the eternal world to view?
What is the word that is the simplest form of speech that infant lips can try?
What is the word that is the sublimest strain that can reach the majesty on high?
What is the word that makes the angels rejoice when they hear it on the lips of a contrite sinner?
What is the word that is our watchword at the gate of death, the word with which we enter heaven?
That might, all prevailing, God-conquering word is PRAYER

Extremism Dictionary

I have been trying to not be political with my blog lately, I get to frustrated, but this is just INSANE.

Whites and blacks, Christians and Jews, Cubans and Mexicans, along with tax-hating Americans were among several political leanings listed in the “Domestic Extremism Lexicon” that came out of the Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) in late March.

The lexicon lists definitions for key terms and phrases used by Homeland Security analysts “that addresses the nature and scope of the threat that domestic, non-Islamic extremism poses to the United States,” the report said.

I’m a threat to the United States, according to Homeland Security.  I love this country, I love what it was founded on, I love our history, I love the ideals of America.  During the “Tea Party” rallies this year, over two hundred throusand people showed up and there was NO VIOLANCE.  A former republican senetar was scheduled to speak at the University of North Carloina about illegal immegration and the meeting was cancelled because of violence, yet I’m a threat to USA?

This is really getting ridiculous, we need to make some real “CHANGE”  Get back to biblical ideals and morality and for the love of this country, stand for the constitution and go vote some people out of office!

Who is your king?

Judges 21:25 NIV “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit.”

Where there is no king, there is no direction. Where there is no direction, I do what I want and that leads to destruction.
So who is your king? Who do you submit to?

“Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be THY name. THY kingdom come. THY will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. GIVE us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For THINE is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”

The Attack on Religion

I have noticed over the past couple of years that a philosphy has arised in the christian world and that is an attack against “religion.”  You hear people (including me) say things like, “it’s about relationship not religion.”  You have preachers that tear apart people religion (snow globe’s) and writers who hate religion (almost “Barbarian” way).  What is this utter hate for religion.

What is religion?  According to webster it is the service and worship of God; commitment or devotion to faith.  Why would you hate that?  I know some “religion’s” have made mistakes, but for the Christian world to begin to demonize religion is insane.  The non-Christian world already demonize religion, why would we want to start.  I thank God for religion.  My church was a place of refuge in my life.  My religion, those times of worship, got me to a better place.  There is nothing wrong with religion, just people.  This is my way of saying…”I LOVE MY CHURCH”  I have a relationship with God and it came through my religion!

John Adams said,

What has preserved this race of Adamses in all their ramifications in such number, health, peace, comfort, and mediocrity?  I believe it is religion…

April Impact

During the month of April, New Life has dedicated itself to prayer and fasting.  Our church has been built on prayer, but fasting is one of those things that most Christians hope Jesus forgets about.  Pastor Jerry Dean pushed me into studing fasting and it has revolutionized my life.  To all of New Life I have one quote for you:

One person fasting is powerful, but when a group of people begin to fast, it is multiplied strength!  It is multiplied power!

God has already began the miraclous in our church and I’m exited to see what God is going to do in Metairie.  This month is going to be a moth of “Impact”

The consequence of a bad decision

2 Samuel 11:1:  [ David and Bathsheba ] In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem.

I read this the other day and it stood out for the first time.  Why did David stay?  Why did the King send Joab out, when it was the responsibility of the king to go off to war?  He was the King of Israel and it was his job to go and lead his people into battle, but he stayed behind.  The interesting part of this story is that this decision to stay would lead to another decision that would ultimately lead to death and sin.  David remained in Jerusalem, and would find himself on the rooftop lusting after Bathsheba and then acting on that lust, and eventually murdering somone to fulfill his lust.

How David’s life would have been different if he simply been where he was suppose to be.  It is amazing to me how we as people can so easily justify our bad decision.  If David had been where he was called to be, the lives of so many people would have been impacted.  He could have returned to Jerusalem, a victorious king, instead he faced the wrath of God.

Be careful of the decision you make, one simple dicision could impact your life in a way that you could never imagine.  ”I can’t make it to church this weekend,”  ”I don’t feel like worshiping,”  ”I can’t give, I don’t have time to pray.”  We KNOW what we need to do, but often time we justify our bad decision and chose to “remain in Jerusalem.”  Jesus said those that love Him will OBEY His commands.  Do what you know you are suppose to do, don’t remain in Jerusalem.  A famous British preacher once said, “Obedience is the organ of spiritual knowledge.”  If David had simply obeyed, he would not have comitted adultry and murder.  It is simple, just obey!  Don’t “remain in Jerusalem.”

Healing Service

Following Hurricane Katrina an elder in our church, Bro Dewitt Galatas, gave $10,000 to the church. He did not give it with strings attached, he gave it because he believes in New Life and is a vital part of the past, present, and future success of this church. A week ago, He was diagnosed with cancer. This was devastating news to New Life. The church begin to pray and fast, and Pastor Parker called a special healing service for last Sunday night. The building was full, backsliders were home, families were united, differences were put aside and God was truly the focus of that services.

It is very easy to go through the motions of life and forget that when hard times hit, the only thing that matters is our walk with God.

The Galatas family is self employed so Pastor felt that we as a church should help them financially during this difficult time. Sunday night, the church had an opportunity to really “be the church.” A church is not a building, its a body of believers. The church showed up! $11,000 dollars was collected as a one time offering, and $4,000 was pledged per month for 6 months. In case your not good at math, let me help…that is $35,000 over a 6 month period. They gave $10,000 and God returned that investment 3x plus. God is a faithful God! Me and my wife pledge a large amount to help this family out of our savings, and before the night was over, God had returned my investment 4x!

That is just part of the story. God showed up at the “healing” service! Not only did the church show up, but God did also. The power of God swept though that church and lives were impacted and changed, starting with Bro Galatas. We are claiming a complete healing in his life. We stand on the word of God, Romans 8 says, “If God before me, who can be against me!” Cancer can’t stand in the face of God!

Leisha sang, You are for Me, by Kari Jobe and the Lord was in the song. If you want a blessing, if you are struggling with something, if sickness has gripped your body, if hurt has clouded your mind, if fear has made a home in your heart, please remember, HE is for YOU!

You Are For Me

A Better Man

At Because of the Times, I picked up a book titled, “Power Through Prayer.”  This book has totally tore apart my life.  I will not regurgitate the book, but will leave you with the one quote that started it all for me.  

The church is looking for better methods; God is looking for better men.

This quote hit me in my gut and I have made a committment to become a better man.  I spend hours looking for methods (which I still will) but not as much time becoming a better man.  

This is a must read!