GIVE ME 7 MINUTES

Please watch this and join me. IT IS TOO DARK TO SLEEP



What are you going to do?

12 Hours NO WATER

Try this! Carry around with you an empty water bottle this week for 12 hours. You pick the time. Don't drink any liquids. You will get the message what it is like to go without clean water. You can make a difference. go to www.mycharitywater.org/hcwater

TOO DARK TO SLEEP

More on this picture later.

I will begin a sermon series this Sunday that will be entitled “TO DARK TO SLEEP”. In recent weeks I have been reminded AGAIN of the tragedies and horrors that are happening during our day. As I sit in my office or in my home I do not feel there is really any great need in the world. I have found my safe place or bunker as many of you have. I fight a battle within me as to what to do and seem frustrated. I do know this. There are too many people who are unreached with the gospel of Jesus Christ. There are too many people that do not have the basic need of clean water to drink and are dying. There is too much poverty in the world. There are too many people caught in the slavery of human trafficking. I cannot do everything, but I MUST do something. It is TOO DARK TO SLEEP.  As Christians, we must wake up and attend to the work God has placed before us. This is happening on our watch.

³¹ “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. ³² Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. ³³ And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. ³⁴ Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. ³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, ³⁶ I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ ³⁷ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? ³⁸ And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? ³⁹ And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ ⁴⁰ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ (Matthew 25:31-40)

Can You Handle This?

It is 4:39/3:39 central time. I have not slept. Here is why.

As I sat in the Catalyst conference yesterday God was speaking to me in diverse ways about diverse topics. Everybody at Catalyst that tweets puts the hash tag #cat10 so anyone can see tweets that reference what is happening at Catalyst 2010. As I checked Twitter, I saw a tweet where a good, strong church is beginning it's search for a new lead pastor and I was intrigued. I have not sent a resume to a church since the early 1990's so I thought about putting a resume together and sending it to see what happened. Sometimes a fresh start is appealing. Then later in the day it crossed my mind to just start a new church and as people joined we would make it clear what the expectations were.

The first day of the conference was finally over and it was time for supper, a stop at Barnes and Noble for a little reading of THE MESH, then to the hotel for some sleep. A long day lay ahead on Thursday starting at 6/5 central and going until about 9/8 central. Well, I don't think I slept a wink. Either the Pumpkin Spice Latte, some one prayed foe rocks in my bed, God or me kept me awake. I have spent this night praying for my wife, Blake, Kristine, Luke (and his future spouse), Hannah (and her future spouse) and many members of Harvest Church. I spent time forgiving people who have hurt me. I have wrestled with God. I have laid stuff at the foot of the cross and picked it back up and laid it back down again. I hope I can leave it there. But here is the deal.

God began to give me visions. Vivid visions. Visions of what could be. Visions of what should be. Visions of people taking ownership of God's call on their life. Visions of people excited about their commitment to the Body of Christ. People excited about bringing a community to Jesus. A community without financial bondage. A community without grumbling and complaints. A community where everyone plays a part. A community of believers that allows God to use them. A community that surrenders to God and His plan for their life. I wrestled with God.

The part God made clear was all of these visions were for Harvest Church. They were not for another church or for a new church start. They were for Harvest Church. I cannot pour what I have seen into your mind. I am not sure I can even articulate all God has shown me. But I can say God has a plan for Harvest Church. It is not an easy plan in our strength but it is doable in His strength. I don't see where God called people to easy in the Bible. He called them to obedience.

It is my prayer that God gets a hold on the hearts of the faith family called Harvest Church and we would become a mighty army of Jesus Christ in the church and in the streets. I pray that every member of our faith family and those who have been our guest would wrestle with God and get His vision for their life and live it. I wish you a sleepless night with God.

What do you think?

Sermon Un-Preached

Yesterday God moved me in a different direction concerning my message. I was a little nervous to say the least. For those who are interested here is the sermon I had planned. 

Who is the Holy Spirit?

We have determined that He is God!

We have determined that He dwells within us!

We have determined He gives stronger or weaker evidence according to how we respond to Him!

We have determined He empowers us!

We have determined He purifies!

The Holy Spirit Reveals

What does He reveal? ANYTHING HE WANTS TO!

I guess anyone who has a television has seen the Verizon commercials with the tag line, “Can you hear me now?”

Henry Blackaby writes in Experiencing God, “An encounter with the Holy Spirit is an encounter with God”. Therefore, when you hear the Holy Spirit you are hearing God.

The Holy Spirit is the one that reveals to you that you are indeed saved.

Ω   “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God” (Romans 8:16, ESV)

The Holy Spirit reveals Himself by helping you remember.

Ω   “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” (John 14:26, ESV)

The Holy Spirit reveals Himself when His fruit manifest Him in our life.

Ω   “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22–23, ESV)

Ω   If you recall from last week we learned that He wants to break sinful patterns in our lives in order to replace them with holy patterns. We said He produces growth in holiness of life.

Ω   When you see the “fruit of the Spirit” you are seeing the revelation of the Spirit.

The Holy Spirit reveals Himself when His gifts manifest Him in our life.

Ω   Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; ⁵ and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; ⁶ and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. ⁷ To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. (1 Corinthians 12:4–7, ESV)

o   Varieties of gifts

o   Varieties of service

o   Varieties of activities

o   Manifestation of the Spirit

o   For the common good.

Ω   The Gifts of the Spirit are to reveal Spirit of God for the common good.

The Holy Spirit reveals Himself, His purposes and His ways. We are to “walk in the Spirit”

Again, Henry Blackaby in Experiencing God puts it like this.

“God reveals Himself to increase my faith…God reveals His purposes so I will do His work…When God came to Noah He did not ask, ‘What do you want to do for me?’ He came to reveal what He was about to do…In contrast, we set about to dream our dreams of what WE want to do for God.”

His plan is to let us in on what he is about to do and we can choose either to join Him or not. The Holy Spirit wants you to be a vessel for Him.

Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in the mind of a man,

but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. (ESV)  

Blackaby continues, “God reveals His ways so I can accomplish His purpose.” He purpose is only accomplished through His ways.

Will you join Him?

Don't Talk Unless You have Something to Say

Right now I have nothing to say but, "I'm tired!"

I Heard Mother's Voice

Mother died in April 2008 after four months of critical sickness. Since the day before she died I have not heard her voice. It was the one thing I just could not remember. I could not hear her voice. Well, her answering machine preserved her voice for me. I have not listened to it until this past Sunday night during our LIFEgroup with Harvest Church. I have been somewhat afraid to hear it because I was afraid of the emotions it might bring out. I felt the Holy Spirit telling me last week that it was time and I was to listen to it during LIFEgroup. I said no. I cannot take the chance to have an emotional breakdown right in front of our LIFEgroup. It was hard to bring the emotions to the front for me, Mary Anne, Luke and Hannah. It did bring tears, but it was also refreshing/releasing. Grief is a weird game to play and it is played differently by most everyone. I would say this is what God taught me through it. My fear is usually greater than reality. Here last words on the machine are God Bless You. 

Just a Pair of Shoes

As some of you know, when we relaunched Harvest Church I bought a new pair of shoes. Now, these are no ordinary pair of shoes. They are bright, they are orange, they are original. I created the shoes at the Nike site nikeid. These shoes have given me more opportunities to share about Jesus Christ and Harvest Church than anything I have ever experienced. When someone ask about my shoes are make some kind of remark about them here is my response.

ME: You got a minute for me to tell you about these shoes?

They all have said yes.

See the back of the shoes. They say Harvest Church. That is my church.

Here’s the deal. Two of the most powerful forces on earth are family and the church. Everyone is passionate about family and the color of passion is RED. The church is called to be the light of the World and light is the color YELLOW. RED + YELLOW = ORANGE. That’s why the shoes are ORANGE.

Then they usually say, "What about the GREEN?

The GREEN stands for life and life is found in Christ. Do you know Him?

That’s it and then the dialog begins about their relationship with Christ.

Just a pair of shoes and the gospel of Christ can make a difference. You can get a pair. Check it out here. I dare you. Join me in letting just a pair of shoes open up spiritual conversation. Create your own pair. 

Refreshing

In talking with a member of our faith family last night a word came to mind to describe our WOW Wednesday service last evening – REFRESHING. I know I was refreshed in four ways.

1.     I was refreshed by other people. Paul in writing to the church at Corinth said, “I rejoice at the soming of Stephanas and Forunatus and Achaicus, because they have made up for your absence, for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours.” It is amazing how people can refresh us. (Also see 2 Cor 7:13; Phm 7,20)

2.     I was refreshed by praise. When I can sing unabandoned in praise to God it refreshes my spirit. As the word refresh goes back to fresh. Fresh is when something has its original qualities unimpaired (M-W.com). Praise takes me to the place of my salvation.

3.     I was refreshed by the Word. I love God’s Word. “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (Psalm 119:103, ESV)

4.     I was refreshed through fasting, prayer and communion. When I take a time to spend fasting, praying and focusing on Christ it refreshes my spirit. “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.” (Isaiah 26:3–4, ESV).

Fast With Me

I want to ask everyone (unless you have medical reasons) to join me in a Wednesday fast. Fasting is to be part of the Christian life. I am not asking you to what some call a sissy fast of soft drinks, candy, etc. I am calling you to do without food until WOW Wednesday @ Harvest Church. In the Bible there were times of individual and corporate fasting. We know Jesus fasted during His time in the wilderness. In Acts the first century church fasted (Acts 13:2-3). Paul fasted (2Cor 6:5). It appears from the Scriptures that Jesus assumed that Christians/Disciples would fast.

 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. ¹⁷ But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, ¹⁸ that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Matthew 6:16–18 (ESV)

Here is how it works. Eat supper Tuesday night (don’t pig out). Pray that could would strengthen you to make it for the next 24 hours as you seek His face and wisdom for Harvest Church. Don’t ask for anything specific at this time. If you will, pray that we are releasing His Church HC into His wisdom. Every time you think of food pray. Every time you feel hunger pains pray. The time you would spend eating spend in prayer and Bible study. A good scripture to start with is Psalm 92. We will break the fast at our WOW Wednesday service with the Lord’s Supper. 

Brain on a Chain - Strong & Courageous

In my study for the WOW Wednesday at Harvest Church I was studying the first chapter of Joshua. God gives Joshua instructions, commands, encouragement, and more in that first chapter. He, in a sense, tells Joshua to put his “Brain on a Chain”. The part that really caught my attention today was his repeated words, “be strong and courageous”. The study of these words reveals a great truth that all should apply who desire to “live by faith” (2 Cor 5:7). “Be strong” concerns a prepared condition. Joshua was to take the initiative to “meditate on the Book of the Law day and night”. God was telling Joshua to get his brain on a chain. Making his brain strong. Getting it ready. Taking time to prepare. Then the words “very courageous” follows “be strong”. God knew that Joshua would encounter some tough stuff and if his brain was on a chain from bathing it in the Book of the Law, he would find courage to carry out God’s plan. Courage is an attitudinal action achieved from a prepared condition. So, Joshua would be able to face tough stuff with courage because of his prepared condition. The same holds true for us. If we will “be strong” (do what it takes to prepare) we will find the courage to face the tough stuff of life. So, “PUT YOUR BRAIN ON A CHAIN”.

ORANGEjuice

God has spoken to me so clearly this morning. I had a great day yesterday. I battled the “live by faith and not by sight” (2 Cor 5:7) battle most of the morning. It is amazing how I can teach on a topic then God puts me to the test. It’s like He says, “Alright big boy let’s see how you are doing on this topic.” I am glad I had just been teaching on it again in my Sunday School class. Our attendance was down yesterday due to a few different factors: Mother’s Day, Air Show, Graduation, pretty weather, etc. So as I looked out in the parking lot during Sunday School the devil started that live based on what you see thing. I was a battle for me but I believe the promises of God won out.

After church, Mary Anne and I, Jeremy and Krista Dyer, Christy Wise and her sons Alex and Mason went out to East Tuscaloosa and gave out brown bag lunches to about 50 people (there numbers were down also). It was good to help folks. I had a man about 55 come up to me and said he helped paint the Family Life Center. He began to cry and asked me to pray for his mom who had just been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Her name is Mable if you would like to pray for her now. We prayed together and I watched this grown man walk away crying for his mom get on his bike and ride away. He was why I was to be there. It was not about a certain number of people. It was about one man yesterday.

Paul wrote to the church at Philippi, “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, ¹³ for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” Phil 2:12–13 (ESV)

It is our job to work out (v12) what God has worked in (v12). You ministry opportunities this week might be to a crowd or to one man on a bike. Work it out. Obey in the moment. Go ahead and make the commitment to Christ that you will walk in obedience today by the moment. Don’t worry about tonight or tomorrow. Work it out in the moment.

Christ has been raise so nothing you do for Him is in vain. (ESV) “And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:14).

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:57–58 (ESV).

Missions Story

In the streets mission(Harvest CHurch) Sunday April 25th 2-4pm

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This was posted by a member of the faith family @ Harvest Church

(Used by permission)

Sun at 5:55pmhis was an amazing expeience for my entire family! We had NEVER been invoved in anything like this before! We went not knowing what to expect at all, with lots of mixed emotions! We pulled up and everyone was unloading trucks, trunks of cars etc! They were sitting up tables and spreading out tarps on the ground. Clothes and other items all went to the tarps and were spread out in best of order as possible. Tables were set up and food was being placed on the tables. Hotdogs were being prepared also. Think about if a bunch of strange people pulled up in your neighborhod that noone else knew and had no idea what they were doing there! I would be alittle scared I think. They started coming closer and we greeted them and said we have plenty of food, clothes etc. Grab a bag and take what you need. Its all for you to take! It was amazing the see the faces and the comments... really, are you sure? One guy kept telling me God is gonna bless yall one day, he really is! Kids were being carried around and played with while parents were "Searching" through to find things they could use or need. Children were talking with other children and trying to help them find things also. My youngest Kensley was in awe. She said WOW mom they should do stuff like this in our neighborhood. I just smiled deep inside cause she had no idea really what she was really doing(like I said this was her first time) I gave her some bags and told her to give the people bags so they would not have to carry their stuff. She came back later and said I sold 2 of my bag..lol I said SOLD?? she said I mean gave.... I was like Whewwwwww!(Kids) She later came to me with an old green John deere ball cap and said I found what I want. I said you do not get to keep that. We are hear to give this to people who needs this stuff. She said but I need it. I said you have plenty of hats at home that you never even wear, these little children do not have not even one hat! I told her to go find a little boy that needed it and give it to him. I later saw a small child run through with a bag full of food and some clothes etc... with that old green John deere ball cap on...... He was wearing it with great pride too! lol I just smiled and said now that is just amazing!! If you have never been on one of this mission trips, I know they are really to help others, but they help the ones doing it and giving way more I think. I left there with great pride that God had sent me to anwer prayers in that neighboorhood today!

HClife April 25

I enjoy the time I get to teach in Sunday School. I hope that those in my class enjoy it as much as I do. This is a great time of learning, laughter and loving. Yesterday was real rich in our lesson as I know it was in all of our HC Sunday School Classes. Make sure you are active in this aspect of your HClife.

The HC Praise Team did a great job yesterday. I want to thank Luke for stepping up and doing a great job leading this group of talented people. The song choices were inspirational and tied in great with the message. Thank you Luke and the HC Praise Team. This sermon series has been so refreshing for me. As I study and prepare for these messages God is refreshing me in His BIGNESS. Everyone has need in their life and God is the total fulfillment of that need. Walk in His ways and see what He will and can do. As I wrote in an email this morning, “I pray that I and the faith family of HC will walk in the BIGNESS of God instead of the littleness of our own thinking.”.

Yesterday’s HC In The Streets was one great experience. We had about 50 people from the HC faith family. It was great to see people unloading food, clothes, toys, etc. and excited to give them away. Just a couple of stories so you might get the feel of what we experienced. One boy said, “This is the happiest day of my life.” Another said, “I’m so happy.” Just one great experience for all. We went to give and I think we ended up receiving. I know I was blessed.

The LIFEgroups have been a great success for so many. Last night the group that meets at David and Karen’s had 36 people. I like the way David put it in our conversations this morning. Every week it is like pealing an onion. A different layer comes off every week. People are laughing and crying together. If you are not involved in one, you are missing out. You will never experience what the LIFEgroups give in any other environment.

Yesterday the HClife was off the hook good.

Where are we going?

Where in the world are we going? Have you ever go into a car with someone and they had no clue where they were going? I’m sure most of us have at some point and we find ourselves riding around with no destination and we get there. We end up nowhere. I challenge you this week to tell your spouse, kids, girlfriend or boyfriend to get in the car and see how quick it takes someone to ask, “Where are we going?”. We always want to know our destination. The same is true of our church. We want to know where are we going (or at least we should want to know). If I am going to buy into a church, I want to know where we are going. What is the vision? What is the direction? Will we know when we get there? Well, let me give you some answers. At Harvest Church we know where we are going. We are going to Create and Enable Faithful Followers of Christ. That is not so much a place as it is a process for our faith family and those whom we influence. We have the most remarkable gift to give that has ever graced the face of the earth – Jesus Christ. We have the map to get there. We just have to be willing to share it. Here is our challenge. We have to develop relationships with people who are not currently in a relationship with Christ. If all of our associations are with those who are already Christian we must broaden our horizons. So, here we go, get in and join us. Where are we going? We are going to Create and Enable Faithful Followers of Christ.

Begin with the End in Mind

1 Tim 4:10, “For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially to those who believe.”

This Sunday we begin looking at why Lord of the Harvest Baptist Church/Harvest Church believes our purpose is “Creating and Enabling faithful followers of Christ”. That is our purpose. We as individuals, families and as a faith family are to be doing everything we can to help everyone we come into contact with become “faithful followers of Christ”. If we are going to do that we have to put that first. We have to begin with the end in mind. We have to see the importance of radiating the glory of Christ so that Christ will be revealed to everyone. If we forget the end desire, we will forget why we do what we do. We will grow faint. We will get confused and disoriented. I ask you to take time to memorize 1 Tim 4:10. Remember why you do what you do. Remember why you get up everyday. What we do as a faith family is seek to bring people/everybody to become faithful followers of Christ. Do what it takes today. Remember everybody is on a journey and we can accomplish more when we walk together in Christ.