A fresh beginning

Well, tonight Jim & Jess Baker began their ministry as youth pastor at PF. That means they are now officially running Higher Calling. I am so excited to be partnering with them as they have a genuine call on their lives and they have a fresh vision for the teenagers in our region. I have never been more convinced that Jesus is up to a great thing.

I was at the meeting tonight for the beginning and I introduced Jim and Jess to the kids. Shortly after that I had to leave because tomorrow is Zachary's first day of school. (A topic for another blog). But as I left I had a wonderful feeling. Now, keep in mind that I have been leading Higher Calling since 1994. For anyone who knows anything about youth ministry, that is a long time. But as I left my feeling was so good. This was a very natural thing to happen. It was the right thing to happen. It is all good. It's not even the proverbial "bittersweet" It's really just all good.

Maybe what I am trying to say is that when you know it's of God, You know it's of God and I am very confident that it is, and I am very confident that I needed to not be leading this anymore. Now, that is not to say that I don't love the kids. They mean the world to me and I really look forward to continuing the relationships that I have and to developing new ones.

So, let me encourage all of us to step into the will of God. He takes care of everything and He makes all things the best. And let me just say with complete confidence that the absolute best days for Higher Calling and the youth ministry for this region are not behind us. Indeed they are soon to come. And, oh yeah, welcome aboard Jim and Jess. You two are awesome!!!!

Taking It Outside!!!

What a great Sunday this will be!!!!! I am very excited about the gathering on the 30th. So, here are the details.

Sunday morning 10:00 a.m. We will have our worship service at Werner Park in Russell. This is where all the ball fields are on Rt. 62 just a half mile or so south of PF. (There is a map on our website worshipplace.org) Come early - there will be coffee and donuts before the service. Bring lawn chairs.

During the worship service there is much happening. We will glorify and declare the praises of King Jesus. We will hear some great reports of what God is up to in "the field" and we will hear testimonies and baptize people. The Heart of Praise Dance Team will be ministering as well. I just got a call today that Pastor Peter from Kenya will be joining us for the service. I have to smile at the way God orchestrates things. Also, Wes and Danielle Chapman from YWAM Tyler will be there as will Brendan Halbohm who will give a report on what he has seen God do this year through Kingdom Force ministry.

After the service we will have a good old fashion picnic. Make sure you remember to bring a large "dish to pass" as well as table settings for you and your family. Water, lemonade and iced tea will be provided.

There is much to do down there, so bring your toys, softball gloves, guitars or anything else you would like.

Those of you getting baptized, please note that you are getting baptized during the morning service before lunch. A trailer will be there for you to change in afterward or you can go up to PF and get changed there.

Please be praying for good weather. But if it is bad, we will just have everything at PF including the baptism and picnic (indoors in the cafe).

How will we get the word out about bad weather? We won't!!! If you are coming from the south and see everybody at Werner park then stop. And if you are coming from the North and no one is at the church then we are at Werner Park. You get the idea :-)

Please be praying for the unchurched and unsaved to come to this - let's believe God for the harvest.

Help Get the word out about the time and place of the service.

For those of you who are internet viewers, please make note that we are not able to broadcast from there. Sorry! If you do want to join via audio, we can always have cell phones sitting in front of the speakers. Give someone a call.

A little humor

Worship

John Piper in his book, Desiring God gives an exhortation on worship that is worth considering. On page 84 he writes this: "Don't let the childlike awe and wonder be choked out by unbiblical views of virtue. Don't let the scenery and poetry and music of your relationship with God shrivel up and die. You have capacities for joy which you can scarcely imagine. They were made for the enjoyment of God. He can awaken them no matter how long they have lain asleep. Pray for his quickening power. Open your eyes to his glory. It is all around you."

The Crazy Giraffe

Yesterday, we were at the Erie Zoo. It's pretty fun to go to a zoo with two boys. They love everything and are fascinated by it all. Animals are pretty interesting to me. I think they really show off the remarkable, creative side to our Creator God. Each animal seems to have some trait or traits about them that no one but God would even dream up.

How about the giraffe? They are one the most unusual creatures out there. Who would ever design such a creature? That crazy neck and that ridiculously long tongue. Well, only God would - I suppose. Here's an interesting fact that I learned yesterday that demonstrates His remarkable creativity and yet at the same time shows His commitment to order. Do you know that the giraffe has the same amount of neck bones as we do? We each have 7. A giraffe might stand 20 feet tall. Jason, our 3 year old, is 3 feet tall. And they both have seven neck bones. That's amazing. Only our God could do such a thing.

So, whether you see a giraffe in the zoo or see one in the wild like the top picture posted (taken in Kenya) don't just be amazed by the very impressive, yet very odd creature. Rather, stand in awe of our Lord who created them.

The Exodus

In Exodus 6 Moses was sent to the Israelites to announce the greatest news they could have ever heard. They had been in slavery to Egypt for around 400 years and they were crying out to God and groaning for relief. The message that Moses had to them was amazing. God said , "I am the LORD and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. And I will bring you to the land I swore with uplifted hand to give to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob. I will give it to you as a possession. I am the Lord." (NIV)

Now, if you had been in slavery for 400 years and someone who had demonstrated some degree of power came and spoke the Word of God to you like Moses did, how would you have reacted? I think I would have been pretty excited. At least a little. Well, not the Hebrews. Look at their reaction in Ex. 6:9. "Moses reported this to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and cruel bondage."

My friends, discouragement is a crippling issue. If you are discouraged it is very difficult to believe the Word of God. The problem is that the very thing that encourages us (the Word of God) is difficult to believe because of our discouragement.

If you are in this state of discouragement, please understand that you are not in an enviable position. And most people have been there in one form or another. And the answer is not simple or easy and maybe not quick. But let me encourage you to not give up. Keep married to the Word of God - even if it's hard to believe. And put yourself around godly people who have an encouraging disposition. And, most of all - never give up. Just as the Hebrew slaves were saved and delivered (even in their unbelief) so will you also see the redemption of the Lord.

The Warren County Fair

If you are from a rural area, you know there is nothing quite like a County Fair. And Warren's is quintessential small town America fair. It seems as though no one would even think about missing the fair. People go to see the cows, the tractors, the pigs, the crafts, you name it and it's there. But the thing that really draws the people is the people.

As I walk through the grounds I literally see dozens (more like 100's) of people that I know and probably haven't seen in maybe a year or more. People at the fair know you and they know your name. Much like the old "Cheers" theme song. We all want to go where everyone knows your name. There is something in each of us that is longing for genuine community. That is one of my favorite things about the Body of Christ. It is genuine community.

Once again, this year, Praise Fellowship has a big tent set up at the fair. It is a cafe with live music, free coffee and cold drinks. 100's of people come by every day to visit the cafe. They are given coffee, tracts, people pray for them or they just need a place to hang out. It is a pretty special atmosphere as those at the tent simply serve as hosts and hostesses for the people who enter.

Hey, I love the fair. And when the fair and the Body of Christ meet it is a very good thing.

Freedom or Disaster

What a mess we had in our area yesterday.  We have had a lot of rain this summer, but the last few days it just wouldn't quit.  It came and came and came.  Well, that causes a mess.  Yesterday our streams all swelled, the rivers flooded, many of our main roads were closed and houses were filled with water.  

On a normal day in our region, we have some of most beautiful lakes, rivers and streams around.  People come from all over to enjoy the peace that comes from our waters.  However, when the water leaves it's boundaries it can be one of the most harmful and dangerous forces of nature.  What's the difference?  The difference between a peaceful little stream and damaging floodwaters is that the water has left it's safe boundaries.

Well, that's how it is in life.  Everyone wants freedom.  But freedom is only safe and peaceful when it is contained within pre-defined boundaries.  Outside those boundaries freedom is destructive.  Not just to the foolish person, but also to anyone who is in his/her path.

My friends, if you are looking for ultimate freedom, stay within the confines that God has made for us.  It is good.  Don't be like the raging river that overflows its boundaries and causes destruction.

And by the way, when the water subsides a bit, make sure you get out and enjoy the incredible beauty this area has to offer.

From my friend Mike Greiner

I saw this on my friend, Mike Greiner's blog and I thought it was excellent and worth repeating.

Pastor Mike says:

I don't fear Islam. I don't fear governments. I don't fear the economy. I don't fear plagues. I don't fear terrorism. I don't fear men and their blustering.

I fear God. 

His powerful Gospel is spreading life-fire and re-shaping the world so quickly that the story-tellers of the lost cannot even see the progress. The Gospel, the good news that God sent His Son as the greatest act of love in the universe to save those who are lost, this Gospel must triumph. Only the fame of Jesus will remain, when all the glory of men and their plans falls.

Jesus said, "Don't be afraid, little children. It is your Father's pleasure to give you the Kingdom."

Breakfast with the Guys

I just got back to the office and I am reflecting on the great time I had this morning.  Every Thursday morning a group of guys meets at Fresh Cup from 6:45 - 7:45 for a time of Bible Study and encouragement.  The Word of God is awesome and opening it and discussing it with some super brothers is a very special thing.  Each of us has unique insight and understanding that we can bring to the "table" and encourage each other with.  It seems that during my Christian walk I have always had a group like this, and I am forever grateful for each and every person that has come along and challenged me to keep seeking after the Lord.

If you have encouragement like this you know exactly what I am talking about.  If not, let me strongly suggest that you find a group or even create one.  God gave us the gospel as individuals, but it works best in community.  By the way, if you live in the Warren area you are always invited to join us every Thursday morning.

Weekend of camping at Red Oak

Psalm 133 says, "How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity?  It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard...............  For there the Lord bestows his blessing......."    

This past weekend about 60 of us from the fellowship went camping at Red Oak Campground in Scandia.  And many more came up the evenings.  Let me just say that it is truly a beautiful thing when the Body of Christ not only loves, but simply enjoys each other.  This is the type of army that God can use to change the world.

We had such a great time.  There was camping, biking, a playground, swimming pool, boating on Kinzua and great times of eating and spending time relaxing and getting refreshed.  We truly live in a beautiful area of the world and I love taking advantage of what God has put in our "backyard".  Surprisingly, we even had nice weather.  It rained all morning Friday and then was beautiful from noon on Friday through Saturday in the middle of the night.  That means we had nearly 38 consecutive hours of no rain.  Pretty good for this summer  :-)

There is already talk about how to do it even better next year.  So, make your plans now.  Hey, you all have a tremendous week.  We have much to be thankful for.