Rick's Blog

New Blog Location

2010-08-06T05:04:00.000-07:00

My Blog is now being posted at

www.Rohlin.posterous.com

Click here:

rohlin.posterous.com

Bread of Life

2010-08-02T10:56:00.000-07:00

In John 6:35 Jesus says, “I Am the Bread of Life.” He wants to be our source of nourishment and our source of satisfaction. If we are looking anywhere else for our satisfaction we will be greatly disappointed.

How do we feed on the Bread of Life? How do we eat this Bread that Jesus claims to be? Here are some very practical ways to draw life from this Bread.

I encourage you to take some time and talk to Him. Take some time with Bible open and Listen to Him.And as you listen, you will believe.Your believing will produce doing.And as you’re doing, you will naturally share the bread with others.And as you share the bread you will want to talk to Jesus about it.

Jesus is indeed the true Bread from Heaven. Let Him nourish and satisfy you today.

The Two Most Important Questions

2010-08-01T13:32:00.000-07:00

There are two questions that every person must answer and how we answer these two determine everything about this life and the life to come. So, what are the questions? The first most important question is this: “Who do you say that Jesus is?” And the second is like it: “How will you live based on your answer to number one?”

So, who do you say Jesus is? Many people have many different opinions. In fact if you just randomly interviewed people on the street, some would say a good teacher, a prophet, a great philosopher, a religious leader or some must even say, who?

But the question is, who do you say Jesus is? In the gospel of John 8:58 Jesus makes an interesting statement. In a discussion of the religious leaders of his day, they were having a big debate about their father Abraham. They were claiming that they didn’t believe Jesus because they followed Abraham. Jesus then made the statement that before Abraham was I AM. After he said that the Pharisees picked up stones and wanted to kill him. Why did they want to stone him for saying I AM? It’s because he was claiming to be God. He was claiming the name of God used by God himself in Exodus chapter 3.

According to Jesus, He thought He was God. Now we have a choice. Will we agree with Him or not. If we agree that Jesus is God then how will we live our life based on that answer.

You know you live in the country when...

2010-07-24T06:08:00.000-07:00

This past week I taught the Bible lesson at our community Vacation Bible School. It was a lot of fun as I got to spend time with some great kids. I had a lot of neat experiences, but one that typifies our area stood out. I was teaching the parable Jesus taught on the sower who sowed his seed and the ability for the seed to grow depended on the type of soil.

I was out on the sidewalk and was using the concrete as an example of the hard soil where nothing could grow. The kids understood and we were having a lot of fun. So, we all agreed that the seed on the concrete would not grow and we also agreed that if we left it there it would be gone by morning. I asked them what would happen to it - who would take it?

I had four groups and every group's first response was the same. They didn't say a bird would eat it or a squirrel or some reasonable animal like that. No. When asked what would take the seed, every group said a bear would come and take it.

We have quite a few bear in our area and the bear probably have messed with these kids' bird feeders so I guess it made sense that a bear would take the seed. I'm not even sure if Jesus saw that one coming. He thought a bird would take it. :-)

Declaration of Independence

2010-07-02T06:41:00.000-07:00

When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security. --Such has been the patient sufferance of these colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former systems of government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these states. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his assent to laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his governors to pass laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of representation in the legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved representative houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the legislative powers, incapable of annihilation, have returned to the people at large for their exercise; the state remaining in the meantime exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavored to prevent the population of these states; for that purpose obstructing the laws for naturalization of foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migration hither, and raising the conditions of new appropriations of lands.

He has obstructed the administration of justice, by refusing his assent to laws for establishing judiciary powers.

He has made judges dependent on his will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of new offices, and sent hither swarms of officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, standing armies without the consent of our legislature.

He has affected to render the military independent of and superior to civil power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his assent to their acts of pretended legislation:

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by mock trial, from punishment for any murders which they should commit on the inhabitants of these states:

For cutting off our trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing taxes on us without our consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of trial by jury:

For transporting us beyond seas to be tried for pretended offenses:

For abolishing the free system of English laws in a neighboring province, establishing therein an arbitrary government, and enlarging its boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule in these colonies:

For taking away our charters, abolishing our most valuable laws, and altering fundamentally the forms of our governments:

For suspending our own legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated government here, by declaring us out of his protection and waging war against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burned our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large armies of foreign mercenaries to complete the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of cruelty and perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow citizens taken captive on the high seas to bear arms against their country, to become the executioners of their friends and brethren, or to fall themselves by their hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavored to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian savages, whose known rule of warfare, is undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these oppressions we have petitioned for redress in the most humble terms: our repeated petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have we been wanting in attention to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, enemies in war, in peace friends.

We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name, and by the authority of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare, that these united colonies are, and of right ought to be free and independent states; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as free and independent states, they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which independent states may of right do. And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.

How will you manage your MONEY?

2010-06-18T11:18:00.000-07:00

We continue our week considering the graduating seniors of 2010. As you know you are embarking on the years ahead when you will make the 4 biggest decisions of your life. They are: Who will be your Master? Who will be your Mate? What will be your Major? And How will you manage your money?

The final of the four decisions the young graduate will make is how will you handle your money? Well, you might first say, “That’s easy, I don’t have any.” But I am not talking about just how you do with the money you have, but rather how will you perceive money. Will you serve money or will it be a tool that you will use to accomplish the purposes God has called you to. Will you learn to tithe your income? Will you be a generous giver? Will you be a saver? Or will you spend like a crazy person and go into foolish debt?

These are the decisions and habits that face the graduate. This is the time to grab hold of God’s wisdom on finances. If you get a good start on Biblical principles on money, you can live your entire life free from the slavery that can come with things.

It’s been a joy to be with you this week. Once again, a huge congratulations to all you graduates out there. As you make godly choices, you will face an awesome future.

What will be your Major?

2010-06-15T12:14:00.001-07:00

Those of you who are finishing high school – Congratulations!!! We continue our talks on the four most important decisions of your life. They are: Who will be your Master? Who will be your Mate? What will be your Major? And How will you manage your money?

Today, I want to focus on your Major. Now, first of all I am not talking about just what you will be your major in college. I am talking about making your career choice. For some young people that includes college, but there are, of course, other paths to take also.

Why is it important to choose a good career path? Well, consider this. You will work for about 40 years. That is nearly 80,000 hours. Think of a lousy summer job you have had. Those jobs where a 6 hour shift is difficult. Imagine doing that for over 80,000 hours. Wow!

God has wired each of us up differently. He has given us unique giftings, talents and passions. Choose your career path, your major based on His calling on your life, based on His wisdom. He created you and He knows your future better than anyone else. So, choose wisely. And seek God for His wisdom.

2nd M - Your Mate

2010-06-13T19:10:00.000-07:00

Today we talk about your Mate or Marriage. “Whoa, whoa, whoa Rick, not so fast. I just want to head off to college and have some fun. I’m not thinking about marriage now.” I’m sure that’s true and I am not at all a proponent of getting married too young. So, this is not at all about you getting married now. What it is about is making wise decisions over the next years of your life when it comes to relationships.

Our life is wrapped up in relationships and it should be. So, be careful to choose your friends wisely. The Apostle Paul writes that “Bad company corrupts good morals.” And he is right. And how you choose your friends will affect how you choose your dates. And how you choose and treat your dates will determine how you choose and treat your spouse. Marriage is the most wonderful gift a person can have. He who has found a good wife has found the greatest treasure on earth. Make wise decisions based on your future, and God will bless you for it.

Who is Your Master?

2010-06-11T04:47:00.000-07:00

The primary decision you will make that is the foundation for all other decisions is: Who is your Master? Who or what is your God? You might say, “Well, I am a Christian. I have been one since I was a little kid.” That is wonderful, but this is the time of your life when Jesus truly becomes your God. He is not the God of your parents or the God of your church. He must become the God you love and serve. He must become the Master of your life.

The years after high school are great years, but they are also potentially difficult times. By making Jesus your Lord and by pursuing your relationship with Him, you are setting the only sure foundation that can give you the start in life that you need.

Choose wisely on who will be your Master.

The Decade of Decision

2010-06-07T09:58:00.000-07:00

June is a tremendous month. Summer is finally here and everyone is excited especially the kids who are off for summer vacation. All kids are excited but every year there is that special group known as high school graduates. They have finished their high school career and they are ready to take on the world. So, first of all I salute and congratulate all of you graduates out there – you need to be commended – Great Job!!

I think it’s interesting that the graduation ceremony is called commencement. That’s because graduation is not an end, but is instead the beginning of the next stage of your life. I have worked with teenagers for nearly 20 years so I watched this transition a lot over the years. I have come to think of this decade of a person’s life from about the ages of 16-25 as the Decade of Decision. And if you or someone you love is in this decade of their life, you understand this to be true. For it’s in these years that you will decide on 4 keys areas of your life that will affect your entire future. I call these the 4 M’s. During this decade you will decide on your Master (who is your God?), your Mate (who you will marry), your Major (career path) and your Money (how will you manage it). These are 4 huge areas that we will explore this week.

For you graduate, you know you need tremendous wisdom as you forge ahead and that wisdom comes from God. Proverbs 1:5 says let the wise hear and increase in learning and 1:20 says that wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice.

My friends let’s listen to the wisdom that comes from the Lord. I look forward to spending time with you this week as we pursue God’s wisdom for this Decade of Decision that you, the graduate is about to embark upon.

Dr, Kevin Leman

2010-05-26T04:56:00.000-07:00

Make sure you come out and hear Dr. Leman on Sunday morning June 6th. We are quite privileged to have him in our midst at PF.

Another "Life in a Small Town" Moment

2010-05-13T07:59:00.000-07:00

I live in the same town that I grew up in. And there are times that I am really reminded that this is "small town America". So, here is one of those - "You know you live in a small town when..."

Yesterday I went on a field trip to an Erie Seawolf baseball game with Zachary's school. I was one of the Dad Chaperones. As I was on the bus with all these first graders I looked around at the adults. Can you believe that there were six of us on the bus that went to high school together? Six first grade chaperones were in school together. Those are just the parents on this trip. There are other parents of first graders that I went to high with also. This is truly one of those small town things. Some people don't like it, but I absolutely love it!!! I can think of no better place to raise our family than right where we are.

Another Truth to Consider

2010-05-10T08:04:00.000-07:00

I have a FATHER who CHOSE me, therefore, I am WANTED!!!

A Simple Truth

2010-05-03T06:32:00.000-07:00

Here is a very simple truth that many, even most in our culture do not believe. I challenge you to consider if it's true and consider if you believe it.

I have a Creator who Made me, therefore, I am Needed!!

Taylor Mason in Warren

2010-04-23T13:18:00.000-07:00

Taylor Mason will be at the Warren Library Theatre on Friday, April 30th at 7 pm.

A Typical Spring Day

2010-04-20T06:43:00.000-07:00

If you live in the north, this will be very familiar to you. If you live don't live in a climate like ours, let me describe a somewhat common April day.

Both of these pictures were taken on Saturday, April 10th. On Friday, the 9th, I mowed the lawn in shorts and a t-shirt and I was hot. Saturday morning we woke up and all the ground was covered in snow and we had to clean off our car windows. Then Saturday afternoon we were out in the backyard playing ball once again in shorts. The common expression around here in the spring is, "If you don't like the weather, wait an hour, cuz it will change."

Some of us have lives that seem like Spring in Northwestern PA. Nothing seems to be constant. Every moment the unexpected seems to happen. Wouldn't it be nice if something was constant? If something was rock solid and unchanging?

Well, there is. It is our Lord Jesus Christ. He never changes, never has a bad day and is never in a bad or unpredictable mood. What a comfort to serve a God who truly is the constant in our lives.

I love the weather here, but I am sure glad my mood or life is based on Jesus and not on something ever changing like the weather.

Amazing Love

2010-04-03T09:00:00.000-07:00

The Other Criminal

2010-04-01T00:28:00.000-07:00

There were two thieves on the cross with Jesus. The one hurled insults at the Jesus and seemingly lashed out at him. But the other criminal was very different. He looked at Jesus and saw the true savior. He saw an innocent man. He saw a king whose kingdom was not of this world. He saw someone who was on an eternal mission and he wanted to be part of it. He knew that his deeds deserved death, but he somehow knew that Jesus had the answer to even death.

He turned to Jesus and said, “Remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus looked back at him and said, “ I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”

It sounds so simple. The criminal recognized that he was a sinner who deserved death. He believed that Jesus was innocent and died for others. He turned to Jesus and trusted in him for his eternity. Jesus’ response was quick and clear. “Today, you will be with me in paradise.”

My friends, I encourage you to take another look at Jesus and turn to him. He is the answer to all our problems – including victory over death.

Have an awesome day as you live the Life He has called you to.

The First Criminal

2010-03-29T00:27:00.000-07:00

Jesus was hung on the cross between two criminals. The two guys were both sentenced to die. We are not sure what they did, but it’s safe to assume that it was pretty bad. Similar to Jesus, these two criminals were suffering tremendously. Crucifixion was just plane out bad. Both of them looked at Jesus and each of them saw something entirely different.

One looked at Jesus and hurled insults at him. He told him to save himself and to save them while he was at it. This guy must have had a lot of pent up anger in his life and he was taking it out on Jesus. Jesus did nothing to deserve this guy’s insults. The guy didn’t even know him. But still all of his anger was turned toward Jesus. This criminal’s life was coming to nothing. He was rapidly losing strength, yet he mustered up enough energy to insult Jesus.

I have known people like this. They have many hurts in their life. They are just plane angry, but they don’t know who or what to be angry at, so they take it out on God. The only person who could truly help them; The only person who could understand; they only person who could change their destiny, is the very one that they hurl insults toward.

Don’t be like that criminal on the cross. Don’t turn your anger toward Jesus. Instead, see Jesus like the other criminal did. But we will cover that tomorrow. Have an amazing day as you live the life that God has called you to.

Watch, Sneer, or Mock

2010-03-26T12:45:00.000-07:00

While Jesus hung on the cross there are three groups of people mentioned in Luke 23. People stood watching. Rulers even sneered and soldiers mocked him. These three groups of people at the cross represent many people’s reaction to Jesus today.

The people stood there and watched. They weren’t active in crucifying Jesus. They may have been quite passive - Spectators even. But they still rejected the messiah. Don’t passively ignore and reject the one who is unavoidable.

The rulers looked at him and sneered. They hated him. They were fueled by jealousy because he was messing with what they controlled. In their anger they lashed out at Jesus. Jesus is the King of kings and he rules with perfection. Will you let him rule or will you sneer at him?

The soldiers were also at the cross and they mocked him. Jesus would have been different from everybody else they ever crucified, so they had some fun with him. They thought they were in control of everything. The problem with mocking the Son of God is that he always gets the last laugh.

My question today is: How will you respond to Jesus? Will you just watch? Will you sneer at him? Will you mock him and think he’s a joke? Or will you embrace him as the Son of God?

Father Forgive Them

2010-03-24T18:56:00.001-07:00

In Luke 23:34 we find Jesus on the cross between two thieves. I can imagine him looking out at all the people around who were all just part of the action. I don’t know how many were there, but there must have been quite a few. We know there were people standing around watching. The rulers were there. They had sentenced him to death and they were now there sneering at him. And the Roman soldiers were also on the scene. They had fun with Jesus and mocked him.

Jesus saw all these people who all had something to do with his crucifixion. And as he looked out at them, he said one of the most amazing statements recorded in the history of mankind. He looked at the evil people who were killing him. He turned his head to heaven and said,

“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

In the middle of his crucifixion, Jesus was thinking about the souls of the ones doing the crucifying. He saw beyond their immediate actions and he saw their eternal destiny. He didn’t look down and see executioners. Instead, he looked down and saw future evangelists, prophets, preachers, elders in the church. He saw their potential.

May we have that same attitude as we see people. May the Lord give us eyes to see beyond a person’s immediate actions and may we see their God-given potential.

And, oh, by the way, I am convinced that many of those at the cross became followers of Jesus in the months to follow.

Visitors from Alaska

2010-03-17T12:16:00.000-07:00

Over the next couple weeks our dear friends Marian, Joe and Lucy are in our area visitings. They are from Togiak, AK. This is the town where our church has been pretty involved over the years and these are the three main leaders from that village. Marian is from Russell and has been a missionary to Alaska for the past 12 years or so and Joe and Lucy are a Yupik couple who are two of the most precious people I have ever met.

Last night we met as a leadership team with Joe and I sat there in awe of the amazing people He has placed in our midst. As Joe spoke to us I could see a man of God, full of wisdom. I just wanted to hear more and I wanted to learn everything I could from this man.

The Yupik culture places a high value on the "council of Elders". They often refer to wisdom in terms of the elders. You may be in conversation with someone and they will say, "the elders say..." and they share some great nugget of truth.

May we always honor those great men and women of God who are our elders. Not just in age, but also in wisdom.

The Future is Bright

2010-03-01T06:06:00.000-08:00

Seth's dad is one of the worship leaders at Praise Fellowship. In this video he is behind Seth. Seth adores his dad and wants to do everything he does, especially playing the guitar and leading worship. May the Lord use the "dads" of the world to give an example for the next generation to follow.

Olympian Kelly Clark

2010-02-18T19:15:00.000-08:00

Kelly Clark: Head Over Heels in Love

By Shaun Brown and Barbara Cornick
The 700 Club

CBN.com – “Being 16 years old and growing up on the road by yourself without supervision, you get into some pretty bad things.”

Champion snowboarder Kelly Clark is at the top of her game literally. She won Olympic gold in 2002 as the youngest member of the U.S. team. In February 2005, Kelly boarded her way to first place at the World Cup competition in Italy.

You’d think that with all this success, Kelly’s life was ideal. But if you ask her, you might not get the answer you expect.

“I achieved the highest in my sport. I was famous,” she says. “I had money. I had an Olympic gold medal. Everything that anyone could have wanted, and I found out that wasn’t what I was looking for.”

So Kelly did what she thought would fill the void in her heart.

“I strived to drink the most. I strived to be the rowdiest... all this silly stuff. That didn’t seem like a very good idea, but at the time that was what I thought was gonna make me cool. I wanted people to like me.”

Neither Kelly’s gold medal nor her partying was enough to take away her deep sense of emptiness.

“I had spiraled into this depression and into this place that was just real dark. I was at this contest, and I was staying by myself. I spent the morning writing about how I didn’t want to live anymore and how it wouldn’t even matter.”

Kelly didn’t know it, but she was about to find out just how much her life did matter and to Whom.

“Snowboarding’s still going great from the outside perspective. My life’s great. I’ve got it made. I’m living the dream, but on the inside I’m dying. I’m standing at the bottom of the pipe.

“This girl comes down, and she’s crying ‘cause she fell on both of her runs and she didn’t qualify. This other girl goes up to her, [and] I’m standing there. They didn’t know anybody was listening. She was like, ‘Hey, it’s all right. God still loves you.’ I was blown away. If there’s a God who loves me like I need to know Him.

“She was staying in my hotel, and I found out what room number she was in. So that night I knocked on her door. She told me about having a relationship with Jesus, and she started telling me that was what it was about. My Creator wanted a real relationship with me, and He loved me very much.”

After taking some time to think about what she’d just heard, Kelly made a decision.

“I gave my life to the Lord that day," Kelly says. "It was pretty cool. The Lord really apprehended me at that point.”

United States snowboarder Kelly Clark is one of the most aggressive riders on the team. Usually in a competition like the half-pipe, a rider drops into the pipe along with their board. But according to Kelly, this year she’s not going in alone.

“Now having a relationship with the Lord, I find that there’s a lot more freedom in snowboarding for me," she explains. “I’m just so in love with Him. Every time I think about Him I have to tell Him I love Him ‘cause I’m head over heels. He makes me smile.”

Gotcha Day

2010-02-08T15:11:00.000-08:00

Today is Jason's Gotcha Day. It was 3 years ago today at 6:35 EST that we met our little boy in the hotel lobby in Guatemala. After about a year of waiting we first held the adorable little 8 month old that was our forever child. We are so thankful to the Lord for this amazing gift and Sandie and I truly say that the Father in Heaven handpicked our two boys for us. Thank you, Jesus. I can hardly remember and can't even imagine life without Jason.

Be forever be thankful for the gifts that God has given you - especially your kids.

Super Bowl Commercial

2010-02-03T06:24:00.000-08:00

With the Super Bowl coming up one things comes to many people's minds - Commercials!! For a couple decades the Super Bowl has produced some of the most memorable TV Commercials ever. Companies spend millions of dollars producing these 30 second moments and even more millions to purchase the air time. One ad that is stirring controversy even before it has been aired is one where star quarterback, Tim Tebow tells the story of how his mom ignored recommendations to get an abortion when she was pregnant for Tim. I am definitely looking forward to seeing it. Here is a Great Article on the story behind the the life and faith of the Tebow family. Enjoy!

Are people understanding

2010-02-01T11:00:00.000-08:00

"You can have brilliant ideas, but if you can’t get them across, your ideas won’t get you anywhere.” - Lee Iacocca

One of the ideas that Iacocca and Chrysler got across was the mini-van. Chrysler had a really good idea that people really wanted. (even though they didn't know they wanted it.) So Iacocca took this struggling company and used its limited resources to pitch the mini-man. I think he did it pretty well. :-) The American family responded and the mini-van craze was birthed.

As I was reading that quote the other day and thinking about our first Dodge Caravan, it really forced me to think about how we as the Body of Christ are doing at getting across the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Please understand that we have the most amazing message ever: God has made a way for sinful man to come into relationship with Him through His Son, Jesus Christ. That is really good news. And people want that message. (Even though they don't know it yet.) Are we communicating that message well?

I may take a few posts this week to contemplate what it means to be an Ambassador for Christ. It's an amazing privilege that God has given us and we should take it very seriously.

Snow Plow for Jesus

2010-01-29T07:21:00.000-08:00

I love winter, and I especially love the snow. I have always said that if you are going to live in this area, you have two choices – enjoy the snow or move. I have chosen to enjoy it. I know I’m a little odd, but one of my favorite things about the snow is plowing. I like shoveling, I like using the big snowblower and I especially like driving the plow truck. I sometimes get to plow the church parking lot. Not because no one else will do it. I do it because I enjoy it.

One snowy Sunday, very early in the morning, I was over at the church driving the truck and a few of us were working pretty hard to clear the parking lot and sidewalks so people could get in the building. As I was plowing the Lord taught me a wonderful lesson.

I was clearing the snow away for one simple reason – so people could safely and easily get into the building. The hope is that once they get in there, they will grow closer to Jesus through a variety of means. My job as the plow guy is to make the path easier.

That’s exactly how it is with our lives. Our lives should be a pathway to the Lord Jesus. Everything about us, our walk and our talk should be pointing to Christ. You see, there is a blizzard that has dumped a pile of snow between most people and a loving God. Our call is to shovel the snow.

John the Baptist said that he was a “voice of one calling in the desert, “Make straight the way for the Lord.”” May we also be that voice.

Most people have no idea the name of the guy who plows their road, but they are sure thankful that someone does. May we each be that person who clears the way. May we be a snowplow for Jesus who makes the path to Him easier for someone else to follow.

A Job Description for Jesus?

2010-01-25T13:56:00.000-08:00

In all our jobs we all have some kind of Job description. Is it possible that Jesus also had one when he was on earth? This Sunday, Pastor Ed from Gateway Church taught at PF out of Is. 61:1,2 . He said this is Jesus' job description.

Here it is: He was sent to:

1. Bring salvation

2. Heal the broken hearted

3. Bring physical healing

4. Bring freedom for the captives

5. Set at liberty those who are bruised

6. Proclaim the year of the Lord's favor (Hope)

That's a pretty awesome job description. This isn't a list of what He might do if He gets around to it. This is what He came to do. And if the Church is His Body, it is also the call on us. Wow! May the Lord continue to walk out this ministry through us, His Body.

Memories from Elim

2010-01-19T18:23:00.000-08:00

Today I went up to Elim Bible Institute to join them in their annual week of prayer. This is a week they set aside every January to seek the heart of the Father. In the three years that Sandie and I attended there from 96-99, those were some very special weeks. It is always good to go back and spend time in the place where I met God so many times. We had chapels in the Tab four days a week and He was so faithful to let His glory be evident to all. I walked around campus today and as I looked at buildings, the lawn, classrooms and even our little apartment, I was drawn back to those precious times with Jesus.

As I drove away I was reminded by the Lord that as excited as I am about today and about the future I should never lose sight of the past. We should always be remembering those times that God showed Himself faithful over and over again. I hope you have memories of precious times with Jesus. And I hope that the things happening in your life now are producing memories that in ten years you will back upon as being very precious.

And, by the way, if you are looking for a good Bible School, Elim is one of the best. :-)

Worth listening to

2010-01-18T19:11:00.001-08:00

Worth listening to

2010-01-18T19:11:00.000-08:00

More Dan Mohler teaching

2010-01-16T05:11:00.000-08:00

A response to Jim's blog

2010-01-15T10:14:00.000-08:00

Pastor Jim, who works with the youth at PF asked a bunch of youth leaders in the area to get to the core of their strategy and purpose in working with teens. You should go to Jim’s Blog and check out the comments that the other youth workers gave. They are really thought provoking. Below you will find my response as I think about my own ministry to teenagers.

______

Wow, these are great answers to a hard question. Like my brother, I have been working with teenagers a long time. I jokingly say that I have either been a teenager or ministered to them since 1983. :-)

I can sincerely say that at the core of everything I have done in youth ministry has been to help them to understand that they are loved, they are wanted (acceptance) and they are needed (valuable).

I feel those are the overriding needs that every young person is trying to have met and only Jesus provides genuine answers. So, my job in loving teenagers is to do everything I can, with every tool at my disposal, in all the power of the Holy Spirit to have them understand how Jesus sees them.

Sometimes it's teaching the Bible, praying and other typical "ministry stuff." But much of the time it's smiles, hugs, watching their soccer games or a host of other seemingly insignificant things

Jim’s Blog

Dan Mohler Coming

2010-01-14T18:07:00.000-08:00

This weekend Praise Fellowship of Russell, PA welcomes guest minister, Dan Mohler. He will be ministering on Friday and Saturday nights at 7:00 pm. Child care will be provided at both evening services. He will also have a session Saturday morning teaching on practical ways to pray for healing of the sick. And on Sunday morning he will be speaking at both services, 9:00 and 11:00. The public is welcome.

The mission of Neck Ministries, which he leads, is to connect the Body of Christ with the head, Jesus Christ. Pastor Dan ministers to thousands each year, preaching the gospel of salvation, healing, deliverance and blessing. His aim is to help believers experience the transformational love of God and use their God-given gifts to spread the good news of the kingdom to the world. Visit Praise’s website www.worshipplace.org to learn more about Pastor Dan and to watch the services live.

Jesus' learning style

2010-01-12T05:47:00.000-08:00

In the account in Luke 2 about Jesus at the Temple at age 12, we see how Jesus learned. It's hard to imagine that the omniscient God came to earth and learned, but he did. And look at the pattern that he used. Mary and Joseph found the boy Jesus "in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. " Luke 2:46

John Piper points out the four parts of Jesus' learning style.

1. He sought out good teachers.

2. He listened

3. He asked questions

I encourage each one of us to do those very things. No matter what it is we want to learn, that is the path to use. And if we want to grow in our walk with Jesus we must use that same model. Find people that you respect, listen to them and ask questions. Don't be a passive disciple. Aggressively learn the ways of God. You will be amazed at how far it takes you.

Then in Lk. 2:47 it says that "everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers." When you seek out good teachers, listen and ask questions then the fourth thing you can do is speak.

4. Speak

A great kick-off

2010-01-11T05:35:00.001-08:00

Yesterday we began a new season at PF. We began two Sunday services. This is more than just having two services. This is a time when God is challenging us to be more than we have been and all that He wants us to be.

Yesterday was awesome. There was such a buzz and excitement in the air. Both services were very well attended. I'm pretty sure that the sanctuary could not have contained us all if there was only one services. That was so encouraging. I believe this year God is calling us in two areas: Increase and Impact!! May He send His increase in every way He wants to and may we see Him impact our lives, our culture and the nations.

On a humorous note: The kitchen crew served breakfast between the two services. They do breakfast once a month and there are usually 50 or so people who come and eat. Well, yesterday there were nearly 200 people at breakfast. Needless to say, they were not really prepared. However, they are amazing. Somehow, they fed them all. They said that they cooked everything in the kitchen and even had to make a run to the store for more eggs.

Praise God for His faithfulness and I can't wait until this coming weekend. We are having a special guest, Dan Muhler with us Friday - Sunday. I will write more on that later.

72 Hour Prayer & Fasting

2010-01-08T07:32:00.000-08:00

Once again, this weekend at PF there is a call to prayer and fasting. For three days there are people in the sanctuary and in their homes seeking the face of God. It is quite an awesome sight to see and just to know it's happening is pretty amazing. We believe that when Jesus taught us to pray in the "Lord's Prayer" He meant it when He said, "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven."

Let's believe that He wants His kingdom to come now, to come here and to use us.

If you have things that you would like prayer for e-mail them to prayer@worshipplace.org

And come and join those praying anytime through Sunday afternoon.

A decade ago

2010-01-05T05:26:00.000-08:00

Ten years ago this week was full of incredible excitement in Russell. It was the week of the opening of the new worship facility that Praise Fellowship currently meets in. Wow, what an incredible time. We were just days away from our first service in this ,at the time, Huge building. We had been a mobile church for the previous 2 years as we met on the State Hospital grounds and we were finally ready to have a place to call home.

This place really seemed big at the time. We were renting a storefront in downtown Russell. I think the entire building was 22x60. The stage at the new facility was almost that big. Who could have imagined that the 400 seat sanctuary would soon be filled with worshippers hungry for the presence of the Lord?

That brings us to another major shift this week, an exact decade later. We will begin our second decade this Sunday and we will celebrate by beginning holding two Sunday Morning worship services at 9 & 11 am. That means that we essentially double the size of the sanctuary. That really makes my head spin. Are we ready for an increase? Are we prepared for the Harvest? Can we keep the unity in the Spirit as we grow? So many questions. But for all the questions, I only have one certain answer. God has directed us in this path and I am confident that He is in control and that He will have His way. I look with incredible anticipation to this coming month, this coming year and this coming decade.

I believe that 2010 is the year of Increase and Impact! May He use Praise Fellowship to fulfill the purpose that she was created for. And may He do the same for every church body who preaches His Word and may every individual believer fulfill his/her purpose.

Let's have an amazing 2010

I'll be back

2009-12-30T14:19:00.000-08:00

Sorry that I have been away for so long. I will be back in action after the first of the year. Hope you had an awesome Christmas.

Grace Had a Face

2009-12-21T05:58:00.000-08:00

I was listening to the Gospel Greats Saturday on FLN. Yes, there is a part of me that likes southern gospel music. :-) A song came on by Phil Cross "Hope Has Hands". I don't remember all the words and I have added some of my own. But it was talking about what happened at the Birth of the Messiah. In the manger:

Grace had a Face

Hope had a hand

The Bread had a Basket

Freedom had Feet

Love had a Heartbeat

Truth could Stand

The Word had a Mouth

The Savior lived among Sinners

This Sunday at Praise Fellowship

2009-12-19T05:33:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas!!!!!!

As we approach the week of Christmas, my prayer is that the Savior born in that manger would be the true Bread of Life that you feed upon every day all year round.

Sunday at Praise Fellowship we will gather at 10 and worship the amazing Messiah. Come ready to exalt His great Name!!! Hearts of Praise Dance team will be ministering and the morning's message will be entitled, "Little Baby .... Big Deal?" Read Mt. 1, 2 and Luke 1,2

After the service there will be a Spaghetti Lunch. Make plans to spend some time fellowship with the family. All the proceeds will go toward the Sound/Tech department specifically for the purchase of a new keyboard.

Remember that there will be a very special Christmas Eve Service on Thursday night at 9 pm.

All the services including Christmas Eve are broadcast live at www.worshipplace.org

Luke 1:28

2009-12-14T06:01:00.000-08:00

The Angel visited Mary and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. - Lk. 1:28,29 NIV

As I ponder those words to Mary, I am reminded that we as followers of Christ do have some things important with Mary. The key characteristic of Mary was that she was going to bring forth the Messiah to the world. It was through her that the world was going to meet their savior. She was going to give birth to the Messiah. Of course, we are not pregnant with the Christ child, but let me remind you that we are Christ's ambassadors and God is making his appeal to the world through us. 2 Cor. 5:18

Please also consider that these two amazing statements that God can make about followers of Jesus today. 1. You are Highly Favored and 2. The Lord is with You. Wow!!!! What could be greater than that. And I love Mary's response. She was greatly troubled. That shows her true, genuine humility. She knew her shortcomings and failures and she still believed the word of the Lord. Let me encourage you to do the same. Walk in humility and look at yourself soberly (Romans 12:3) and believe that the favor of God is on you and that the Lord is with you and He will never leave you nor forsake you.

God's Greatest Gift

2009-12-12T04:50:00.000-08:00

The teaching series we are doing at Praise Fellowship this Christmas is entitled "God's Greatest Gift" I encourage you to come out and see how the gift of the Messiah changes, shapes, and affects everything. If you can't make it out Sunday morning, remember that our services are broadcast live on our web site at 10 am on Sundays. www.worshipplace.org

Five parts to Christmas Celebration

2009-12-09T12:16:00.001-08:00

What follows is a very simple answer to the why of Christmas.

Creation: We were created in God's image and were in perfect fellowship with him. Adam and Eve walked with Him and truly enjoyed His company.

Separation: Adam and Eve Sinned!!! This separated them from God. Ultimately it brought death to the world and also to them. But the issue of separation from the Lord is ultimate hell. The grace of God was demonstrated in that He sought out Adam and Eve.

Hope of Salvation: Right after the first sin God promised the messiah to save them from their sin. He would crush the head of the serpent. Gen. 3:15 The entire Old Testament is the story of a people waiting for their salvation.

Reconciliation: This is what was offered in the Birth, Life, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus. This is what Christmas was about. The savior entered the world and offered reconciliation to God. Mankind has be "enemies" of God since Adam and Eve sinned. Through the work of Christ, reconciliation is offered to those who believe.

Celebration: The natural result of being reconciled is to celebrate. Let's celebrate the savior of the world coming into the world. Have a party! Decorate the house! Bake cookies! Give people gifts! Sing! Do any appropriate thing to celebrate the messiah coming to earth. That is what Christmas is all about.

Why Christmas?

2009-12-07T05:54:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I preached on "Why Christmas?". To understand things from scripture, I believe you need to see the big picture of the plan of God. In fact, most of my teaching somehow include the book of Genesis or at least something from the Pentateuch. Here are 5 areas that I propose for the reasons of the coming of Christ at Christmas.

They are: 1. Creation 2. Separation 3. Hope of Salvation 4. Reconciliation and finally 5. Celebration.

I think I will take some time on this blog this week to expand on each one of those topics and hopefully we will all gain a better understanding of the coming of the Messiah.

This week's announcements at PF

2009-12-06T12:10:00.000-08:00

Christmas Cookies

2009-12-04T06:13:00.000-08:00

One of the great benefits about being a preschooler is that you get to stay at home and bake Christmas cookies Mommy. Yesterday, I came home for lunch and there was Jason grinning from ear to ear and telling me all about the baking he was doing. And, yes he was covered with flour. He had to show me all the cookies he cut out and frosted. He was extremely proud because he made the cookies. Now, you and I both know that Sandie did most of the work and she provided all of the know how, but he was feeling pretty good because Mommy had let him help and he was able to eat the final product. Maybe our "work" in the kingdom is a little bit like Jason making cookies. It's all Jesus, but we should be quite excited to be involved.

A Happy and Clean Desk

2009-12-02T06:10:00.000-08:00

On Monday, Sandie and the boys were over at my office and we cleaned it up. It looks really nice. One of my favorite things is to have a perfectly clean desk. Any of you who have ever seen my desk will not believe that, but it's true. I love a clean desk, but the problem is that it never stays that way. I guess it is one of those life long struggles. I think Paul was on to that same concept when he talked about sin.

Romans 7:15-20

¹⁵I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. ¹⁶And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. ¹⁷As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.¹⁸I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.^{c]" style=" line-height: 0.5em; ">[c]} For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. ¹⁹For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. ²⁰Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

Trains, trees and little boys

2009-12-01T05:42:00.000-08:00

Preparation and anticipation! Those are two words that go hand in hand in describing the Christmas Season. Last evening we got our tree platform out. As you can see, it contains the trains. One loop of O gauge on the outside and an inner loop of HO. Well, it goes without saying that there was much joy in the Rohlin household as we got all the boxes of trains out. Because we don't see the trains for nearly 11 months it is extremely exciting when they make their annual visit to the living room. For our boys, the trains are a definitive statement that Christmas is here. In fact, as we were playing with them Zachary stopped and looked up and proudly announced, "Now, it's Christmas!!"

I often encourage families to embrace the traditions that they have and if they don't have any or don't like any of them, begin some new ones. It only takes one time to begin a tradition and if you do it twice, in a kid's eyes, it is a long standing, non-negotiable event that must happen every year. So, make sure you are building great traditions that fit your season of life.

An by the way, when we go and get our tree this weekend, the boys will be a little upset because we put it in the middle of the train track.

Great Song

2009-11-26T06:45:00.000-08:00

Here's a song we will be doing this Sunday. Take some time and worship our awesome Lord.

Give Thanks - It does you good!!

2009-11-26T06:20:00.000-08:00

We know that the Bible strongly admonishes us to be thankful. I believe it is one of the hallmarks of a person full of faith, trust and the Love of Jesus. Today in the Warren paper there was an article that a study out of Univ. of California has once again shown the teachings of the Bible to be true. (Now there's a surprise) Here's an excerpt from the article: "Gratitude leads people to act in virtuous or more selfless ways," said DeSteno, whose research was published earlier this year in the journal Current Directions in Psychological Science. "And it builds social support, which we know is tied to both physical and psychological well being." Robert Emmons, a psychology professor at the University of California, Davis, said those who offer gratitude are less envious and resentful. They sleep longer, exercise more and report a drop in blood pressure, said Emmons, who wrote "Thanks! How Practicing Gratitude Can Make You Happier.

Give thanks to the Lord today and everyday. It pleases those around you, it pleases God, and hey, it does you good. Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!!

Thankful

2009-11-23T05:51:00.000-08:00

As our nation celebrates Thanksgiving this Thursday, it would be good of us to take some time and be thankful. I Thes. 5:16-18 says, "Be joyful always: pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." And Eph. 5:19,20 says to "speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

I have a friend that for the past ten years has every day written down 5 things that he is thankful to the Lord for. It has revolutionized his life. He told me that he has become perpetually thankful all the time. That does not mean that everything has always gone the way he would choose, but it does mean that he, with thanksgiving, trusts the Lord.

I encourage you this holiday season to make intentional strides to be a more thankful person. Not only will your life be more joyful, but so will the lives of all those you come in contact with.

Mayflower Compact

2009-11-20T05:19:00.000-08:00

In thinking about the upcoming Thanksgiving Holiday, my brother, Mike, has been teaching at the Equip 412 classes at church on the Pilgrims. As most of us know they were governed by the Mayflower Compact. It's a very short document, and what I want you to see is that a stated, primary goal of their life/journey/settlement is for the "Glory of God and advancement of the Christian Faith..." We truly have a great heritage.

Here is an excerpt from the Mayflower Compact:

Having undertaken, for the Glory of God and advancement of the Christian Faith and Honour of our King and Country, a Voyage to plant the First Colony in the Northern Parts of Virginia, do by these presents solemnly and mutually in the presence of God and one of another, Covenant and Combine ourselves together into a Civil Body Politic, for our better ordering and preservation and furtherance of the ends aforesaid; and by virtue hereof to enact, constitute and frame such just and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions and Offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general good of the Colony, unto which we promise all due submission and obedience.

A Babe Ruth Original?

2009-11-17T18:42:00.000-08:00

So, in preparing for the sermon on Sunday I was looking through some of my old baseball cards. (That statement there should make you a little curious as to what I spoke about.) I came across a set of 6 Babe Ruth cards that I have had since the mid 80's. (I seem to remember purchasing them at a little junk store in Erie) I looked them up on the internet to find out the history of the set and the value. They were a set of cards put out in 1928 by Fro-Joy Ice Cream company during "ice cream week". I have the complete set.

I saw that some of them were selling for $5000 on e-bay. Now, keep in mind that I have 6 of them. That means they could be valued at a whopping $30 Grand.

But here's the problem. There were also many, many, many fakes made of these. And obviously, mine are fakes. They are nice cards and they are pretty old, but they were not made by the Fro-Joy Cone company in 1928. I find mine selling on e-bay for 99 cents. They look very similar to the original. The only major difference is the creator. Who made the cards?

So, it is with people. Because people are made in the image of God, (Gen. 1:26,27; 9:6) we have value. We are the original. We are not cheap imitations. The world is continually bombarding us with the worthless copy idea. Convincing people that they must look and be like everyone else. That is such a lie. The only thing that makes us valuable is our Creator and the only one He wants us to be like is Him.

Please see your value as you are created in His image and as you look at others, see their value too. We are not just copies worth 99 cents. We are the real thing and we are worth Jesus' death on the cross.

Sunday Announcements

2009-11-15T03:49:00.001-08:00

This Sunday at Praise

2009-11-13T14:01:00.001-08:00

We will finish our series on "Worshiping God, Loving People" on Sunday at 10 am. The message is titled, The Worth of a Human Being - Image IS Everything! I encourage you to read and ponder Gen. 1:26,27 You are extremely valuable. We will be celebrating the Lord's supper together.

We will be having the second part of our Thanksgiving History Series at the Equip 412 service on Thursday night at 7 pm. If you have any interest in learning about our amazing, godly heritage then come out and be blessed as Mike Rohlin continues the series. Also, this 2 part series is available on DVD in the bookstore.

I am very excited about this year's Christmas Eve Service. It is on Dec. 24th at 9:00 pm. It will feature the Voices of Praise Choir and many other Christmas songs as well as the beautiful, gospel message of Christmas. This is a service you will want to bring all your family and friends to.

I love you all. Let's come together ready to worship our amazing King Jesus. He is so good and so worthy of our praises.

Continue to pray for the NYSUM team in New York City. They will be ministering there until Tuesday.

Good History

2009-11-12T05:31:00.000-08:00

I have been very concerned that our culture is ignoring the Thanksgiving Holiday. Does it seem to anyone else that we have gone directly from Halloween to Christmas? I suspect that this is so because it is not easy to commercialize Thanksgiving.

With that in mind, tonight at PF, we will bring in my brother, Mike Rohlin, who is a true Historian. He will be teaching about the real history of the Pilgrims. You will learn about what caused them to seek out the new world. You will hear about the amazing, miraculous hand of God along the way. And you will see the great foundation that they laid for our nation. This is one of the richest periods of the New World's history and it is filled with the Divine Providence of God. You do not want to miss this two part series.

Also, we will plan to have it broadcast live over the internet at 7 pm, so join in from your home if you are not able to attend. www.worshipplace.org

I John 3 & 4

2009-11-10T04:17:00.000-08:00

Love is a really good thing! I know that is quite obvious, but sometimes it's good to point out what we have heard our whole lives because we become desensitized with the familiar.

Here's a challenge for you this week. Every morning before you see any people, let me encourage you to read I John 3 & 4. Maybe one day read chapter 3 and the next day chapter 4. Do it for an entire week and ask the Lord to fill you with His Spirit in order that you can love. Just watch what happens.

PF Sunday Announcements

2009-11-07T17:02:00.000-08:00

Here are Sunday's announcements at PF. Thanks Eric and Stacy Clark. You two are quite creative.

Rachel's mission trip

2009-11-07T14:54:00.000-08:00

Here is a video detailing what Rachel Johnson is doing on her YWAM Disciple Training school. Rachel has been with us since since her days in high school. God is truly doing great things in her life. If you would like to contribute to her mission, let us know. teens@worshipplace.org

A Father loving His kids

2009-11-03T18:50:00.000-08:00

Most of the time our two boys, Zachary and Jason really get along excellently. They play together and genuinely enjoy each other. As I watch them play, in this case football, I often think of the truth in Psalm 133. "How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity.... For there the Lord bestows his blessing."

When our boys are playing well together, I love it and I want to do anything to encourage that behavior. That usually means getting down on the floor with them and doing some tackling myself. I as their father am extremely pleased with them. I think that is exactly how God, our Father feels when His Children are walking in Unity. He desires to reward that behavior and I think it also makes Him want to get down on the floor with us and join in the play. How about that for an image of our loving Father in Heaven.

Visionaries

2009-11-02T10:27:00.000-08:00

Sunday morning I asked the people at Praise Fellowship to answer this question: If money were not an issue, what is your vision? What do you want to see God do?

We had people write their visions down on 3x5 cards in keeping in line with Habakkuk 2:2 "Write the vision down and make it plain on tables, That he may run who reads it...."

I just got done reading about 75 of the visions that some of our people wrote down. Wow!!!! I am hanging out with some amazing visionaries. There is such a hunger and desire to see God be who He says He is. This is indeed a season to dream. No matter how great our plans are, God's are bigger. He has the audacity to desire that the "whole earth be filled with His Glory." :-)

So, my encouragement to you is to dream dreams that God has put on your heart. Share them with other people and then take action as He leads.

Why not here, why not now, why not us?

I love the Fall

2009-10-30T07:55:00.000-07:00

There is something about the amazing Autumn season that we enjoy in northwestern, PA. Now mind you, it also means a lot of work as seemingly millions of leaves fall. But as long as you have a couple kids nothing is really work. Pretty much everything's a game and everything is fun. Maybe we should learn a lesson from them and have a great attitude toward whatever it is that we have to do. Enjoy the pics of Zachary and Jason working/playing in the leaves at Nani's house. She is my grandmother.

School Buildings?

2009-10-28T10:51:00.000-07:00

Right now in Warren County there is a huge battle about consolidating schools. We currently have 4 high schools and there are proposals to either move to two or three. If you know anything about small towns, this is a passionately debated issue that dominates our local paper. In response to this debate I write the following:

For those of you passionately trying to save school buildings, I commend you. However, let me suggest you are fighting the wrong battle. Schools are a symptom of a community at large. Consolidation is only an issue because enrollment and cost are issues. Enrollment is an issue because of population decrease. Population decrease is caused by lack of jobs and dare I say, a lack of love and vision for a region. Let me encourage all of us to put our energy into making Warren County a much more desirable place. Catch a vision for the county that looks beyond a 1976 mentality. Work hard to speak and think well about our area. (Would you want to move to a city where everyone was against everything?) Love our region. Love the people of our region. Do anything we can to encourage growth, businesses and development in Warren. And then watch the school situation take care of itself.

A big family

2009-10-27T05:34:00.000-07:00

I have been a part of Praise Fellowship since it began in 1993. I have to say that one of my favorite things that God has done over those years is create a family atmosphere where people genuinely love each other and care about each other's needs. I saw that truly come to life on Sunday morning. There was such a strong sense of Jesus "baptizing" us with His Love it was remarkable. And then the natural response to the Love of Jesus is to love His Body.

I John 4:12 says, "No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us." May we be a people completely dominated by His love for us and our love for one another. It makes for a very good life and it is ridiculously contagious.

And by the way, I love the Family at PF. You are truly the best sample of the Body of Christ that I would ever want to be involved with. I am so excited about the journey God has for us.

PF's Sunday Announcements

2009-10-24T18:56:00.000-07:00

Teaching Series

2009-10-23T05:34:00.000-07:00

This coming weekend is our first attempt at being intentional about having and promoting a teaching series. It will be interesting to see the response. I will be talking about what has become PF's motto or slogan. And that is: Praise Fellowship: Worshiping God, Loving People. I am going to take the next four weeks and look at each word. This week we will be looking at Worship. It's a pretty huge topic, so a 40 minute talk will not do it justice, but hopefully the Lord will speak some great things to encourage us to be more and more the worshipers He has called us to be.

We are going to look at worship through the symbols of 5 body parts. They are our Heart, Knees, Mouth, Ears and Feet. I will just leave it at that for now. Come out Sunday morning to hear more or you can play with those images and let the Lord speak to you on how they are the anatomy of a true worshiper.

Humility

2009-10-21T05:31:00.000-07:00

This past week we had Woody Woodson with us at PF. It was an absolutely amazing time. I saw life literally being spoken into people. It was amazing. We are now expecting to see fruit like we have never seen before. We had many meetings with him with some of the largest crowds we have ever had at special services. There is a huge hunger in our people and in our region.

There were so many things worth writing about. On Tuesday afternoon the staff was sitting around and talking with him and one of the guys asked him about how to maintain humility. (Woody is a genuinely humble guy) He was asked how to maintain humility especially when great and amazing things are happening. This is what he said. "If you compare yourself to others you are in trouble, but if you keep comparing yourself to Jesus you will always have the proper perspective. Neither too high or too low." That is the key to walking this thing out. Continually see yourself through the eyes of the Father. Nobody else's opinion on how good or how bad you are should affect you.

May we all gaze into the eyes of Jesus and draw our worth and reality from Him and Him alone.

Great People

2009-10-20T05:19:00.000-07:00

I have had the opportunity over the years, to walk with some of the greatest people in the world. And I really mean that. God has always put me around "The Best". Well, Jim & Jess Baker, the youth pastors at PF, are no exception. This couple is awesome!!!!! I am privileged to partner with them and I am sooooo excited about what God has in store for their lives and their ministry. Check out their blog. It is worth following.

Everyone is a Worshipper

2009-10-14T05:25:00.000-07:00

I will make the statement that every human being is designed to worship. And not only are they designed to worship, they also are currently worshippers. Every single person worships something or somebody. It might be a god. It might be a job. It might be a girl. It might be a football team. It might be a talk show host. Or even the president. Please hear this: Every person worships.

Here's my simple definition of what a worshipper worships.

We worship what we can "see".

We worship what we in some ways want to be like.

We worship something that we feel has power.

We worship something that makes us feel like we are part of something bigger than ourselves.

I don't have space here to develop any of those points. So, think about them. Test them in different "arenas". Watch how people act at political rallies or sports events or concerts or even book signings.

Here's my point. Everyone is a worshipper. Everyone has a built in, God given desire to worship. But the only true, worthwhile object of our worship is Jesus Christ. So, have your worship be directed toward Him. And if someone ridicules you for your worship. Remind them that they are a worshipper too. The difference is that Jesus as our object of worship can genuinely "deliver". And the hope and encouragement is that those who are not worshipping Jesus today are primed to meet Him and turn their worship over to him. May there be a beautiful connection between the "worshipper" and the true "object of our worship".

Don't be afraid to strike out!!

2009-10-09T07:21:00.000-07:00

I love October Baseball. I have some very significant memories of the past 32 years of watching the MLB playoffs. My earliest memory is rushing home from school (3rd grade) in 1978 and watching the Yankees and Red Sox play the one game playoff to determine the division championship. If you recall that was the game that Bucky Dent, a weak hitting shortstop, hit the unlikely home run to win the game - Unbelievable.

I remember sitting in my dorm room in 1988 gathered around a little tv set with a bunch of guys as we watched through the "snowy reception" as Kirk Gibson hit maybe the most amazing game-winning home run ever. His knees were so injured, he could barely walk. He hobbled up in the bottom of the ninth as a pinch hitter and hit the "walk off" home run.

And then there was Yankee third baseman, Aaron Boone hitting a knuckleball from Tim Wakefield of the Red Sox into the left field stands to win the game in the bottom of the 12th inning. Wow - it was amazing!

Lest I get carried away as I stroll down memory lane. There is a point to this. All those people who had the great hits had one thing in common. I could have mentioned Scott Brocius, Derek Jeter, Joe Carter, Carlton Fisk, Chris Chambliss, Reggie Jackson Bill Mazeroski, Bobby Thompson, or many more. But all these players whose names will live in baseball history for their heroic accomplishments had one thing in common. One big thing. What was their one thing in common? They all swung the Bat!!!! None of them stood there and watched. Reggie Jackson who was nicknamed Mr. October for his remarkable feats during the playoffs and World Series made an interesting statement last week. When asked how he did so well on the "Big Stage", He said, "I stayed relaxed and I wasn't afraid to strike out."

I love that. So, in your life and in the things that Jesus calls you to, make sure you give it a swing and don't be afraid to strike out. There is no end to what Jesus can do through you when you are swinging.

And, by the way, enjoy the playoffs and Go Yankees!

Who do we think we are?

2009-10-05T03:41:00.001-07:00

This month many of us on staff at Praise Fellowship are reading through the Book of Acts one chapter each day. It's a very worthwhile discipline that I recommend. In Acts 3:15 Peter is addressing the crowd and he says, "you killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead."

Look at the irony of the statement that we can somehow "kill" the "author of Life." Who do we think we are? If the consequences of this way of thinking weren't so severe it would be downright funny. To think that one can kill the author of life is maybe the ultimate expression of pride.

In Psalms 2 it says that the one enthroned in heaven "laughs". This may be a bit of a hermeneutical stretch, but I can just see God shaking his head and laughing and saying, "those pathetic and impotent human beings. Do they think they can really kill me? Wow, do they need to repent." The amazing thing about our Lord is that the response of God isn't to just smite us (which we deserve), but the call goes out in Acts 3:19 to "Repent, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord....."

So, when you are around people who have the mindset that God, the author of Life, is somehow dead, remember that this does not rattle God. He just smiles and laughs. But, woe to the person who doesn't repent.

72 hour Prayer & Fasting

2009-10-02T05:56:00.000-07:00

There are people at Praise Fellowship all weekend praying & fasting. Their heart is for God to move mightily in the lives of individuals, families, communities, and nations. If you would like to join them, feel free to come out anytime. There is always someone there. If you would like to participate via the internet, go to www.worshipplace.org where the prayer times are broadcast live.

Also, if you have any prayer requests e-mail them to prayer@worshipplace.org

May God be very famous in His Lordship!!!

What are you sitting on?

2009-09-30T05:19:00.000-07:00

We went to Zachary's open house last night at Russell Elementary School where he is a first grader. It was of course a lot of fun and kids have a ball showing their parents and grandparents around the school, showing off their projects and having us meet their teacher.

But here is what I was drawn to. I attended Russell Elementary over 30 years ago. And, can you imagine that they have the same desks today that they did in the 70's. Wow!! I suppose it's possible that Zachary is sitting in a desk that I did. So, it made me think about many things. And many memories flooded my mind. But the big thing that hit me was that the past, present, and the future are very connected. Each generation does not have to start all over from a blank slate. Instead, each generation stands on the previous generation's shoulders. And, if we are wise we will learn from the mistakes and successes of the past and will live better lives - more effectively advancing the Kingdom of God.

Be careful how you live. Look at where you are sitting and remember that others have sat there before you, and others will sit there in the decades to come. Are you learning from the past? Are you living for Jesus in the present? And are you leaving behind a legacy that someone else can follow? You never know who will be sitting in that desk after you. Take care of it and leave them something strong for them to sit on.

I think if they ever get rid of those old desks, I want one.

Great Relationships

2009-09-28T06:19:00.000-07:00

Sorry I have not posted in awhile. Sandie and I were on a little pastor's retreat in Myrtle Beach, SC. It was a quick, but great time.

The thing that stuck out most to me while we were down there is how wonderful it is to have great friends. We were able to spend one night in Charlotte with our friends Reid and April. We went to Bible College with them and we have not seen them in over 3 years. But despite the time apart we were able to catch up and encourage each other like we still lived next door. They are true friends. And the wonderful thing about brothers and sisters in the Lord is what we can draw from them. I learned so much in the hours we spent talking. In fact, I think if I was honest I would have to say that many - maybe even most life things that I have learned have come in the context of relationships - not in the classroom.

We then were able to spend some great time with three other great friends - The Vengalas, Stewarts and Shults'. Again, the encouragement we received and the things that we learned were invaluable. Needless to say, I love people. May prayer is that you foster godly relationships and that you are always eager to benefit from their lives. Hopefully, they glean a little bit from you too.

Love Your Region

2009-09-21T05:25:00.000-07:00

Saturday morning I was driving down off of our hill and into Warren. I was in awe of how beautiful it is in our area. It was the classic early autumn day. 40 degrees, an extremely heavy dew, and as the sun came up it glistened sharply off the dew. All the valleys and creeks were full of fog. And the hills are just starting to show off their amazing vibrant colors. It was indeed quite a site.

If you have been around me much, you know that I love where I live. A lot of people don't like our area for there are many things wrong here. We have no jobs, little sunshine, a lot of rain and long winters - just to name a few :-). But, I am convinced that we are called to love the area where we live. If we are going to believe God to move and impact our region, I believe that we should first love what we are asking God to bless.

If you only see the negative in a place, let me encourage you to ask the Lord to change your view. Let Him change your way of thinking and may He give you a true love for your "land".

The Law of Christ

2009-09-17T06:46:00.000-07:00

At Bible Study this morning we discussed Galatians 6:2 which says, "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Quite interesting that if want to fulfill the law of Christ we are encouraged to carry each other's burdens. And then in Romans 13:8 the Word says, "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law."

Here lies the mystery. To fulfill the law of Christ, we are called to love. It is truly a call that is much higher than a list of rules and following a bunch of do's and don't's. So, I encourage you today. Are you fulfilling the law of Christ by loving?

And, don't worry, this burden won't crush you like this little car.

Pastoral Counseling

2009-09-15T12:45:00.000-07:00

So, there are many questions that a pastor gets. Some are very serious - even life and death. Some are Biblical in nature as a person is seeking an answer to a particular issue. Many people want advice on their future or have relational questions. Then there are other questions that we get that are very practical.

Today I was talking on the phone in my office when a person came and handed me a note. It read, "I flushed the toilet in the downstairs bathroom and it just keeps flushing. I don't know what to do." I just laughed and smiled and when I was finished with my phone call I went down and fixed the toilet. (Or at least fixed it temporarily.)

But here's the thought for today. If we are unwilling to deal with the practical side of life, we are unable to deal with any side of life. Most of what our lives are made of are the very simple and mundane things. That is where life is lived. We like to think that our ministry is this great amazing thing that we do for God. When in reality our greatest ministry might just be in loving him in our daily lives.

So, get out there and fix some toilets. That's the real ministry.

A Player or A Referee

2009-09-14T20:23:00.000-07:00

I had lunch today with a good friend of mine from India who is visiting America for just a few weeks. This guy travels and teaches on college campuses in many countries with YWAM. I love talking to him because he is absolutely brilliant.

He made an interesting observation about free market capitalism and the government's involvement. He said that the government's role should be like that of a referee in the free market. They should truly be governing and watching over what's going on. Making sure that everyone is playing by the rules and that they are playing fairly. However, the government is not a player in the game. Problems arise when the government decides it's time to join the game and become a player. But they do not cease to be the referee. If one of the teams in the game is also the referee who do you think is going to win? Of course, the referee. And what will happen to the other team that is not the referee? They will try very hard to win. But, they will eventually become frustrated because the other team is also the referee and can change the rules at anytime. This frustration can eventually turn into the team just giving up.

Therefore the team/referee takes over the entire game and the quality of the game dwindles and the fans become apathetic to the game and the entire sport becomes devalued.

I don't need to draw this out too much, but I think it paints a good picture of how government control or takeover of things really diminishes the spirit of the "game", the free market. May they be satisfied with being the best referee the world has ever seen and may they not get too emotionally involved in the game to lose their ability to be fair.

(This is not intended to be a politically charged entry, but hopefully puts a little light on governments and free markets.)

A big vision

2009-09-11T05:24:00.001-07:00

I was at a staff meeting yesterday at Praise Fellowship. We did a lot of things, and the one thing that stuck out to me is our ability to dream. Pastor Peter from Kenya was there and he encouraged us to have an impossible vision. A vision so big that there is no way that a human being could accomplish it. He quoted D.L. Moody who said, "If God is your partner, let your plans be big."

Let me encourage all of us to have big dreams. God is truly about big and He is encouraging us to join Him. So, have a big vision for your family, your job, your relationships, your future. And, keep trusting in the Lord.

LRS 2009

2009-09-08T18:20:00.001-07:00

We attended the 18th annual LRS this past weekend. Now, you have probably never heard about the LRS, but for some (well 10) it's an annual event that we really look forward to. Sandie's sister Susie lives in Kentucky and their parents live in Pittsburgh. Each fall we gather for a weekend of camping. This event began in October of 1992. Sandie and I got married that summer as did Susie and Tim Stombaugh. Their family is pretty close and we realized that if we didn't intentionally make sacrifices to be together, the family could be reduced to just gathering on major holidays. So, we met and camped in Ohio, our central state. We had so much fun that we did it again in '93. That was great so we continued in '94 and '95 and every year since. (I think we have camped in every state park in the Columbus area.) This has since grown as we have added kids and the weekend has now been moved from October to Labor Day in order to take advantage of an extra day. (It's also a bit warmer) We have a great time as we usually bike, kayak, visit some cool sites, for some reason we always visit a dam, and we eat some amazing food. The weekend got is name LRS from the three last name. Sandie's parents last name is Long, we are of course Rohlins and the Kentucky people are Stombaughs.

There is a point to this post. I hear people complain about their family and how they never do anything special or that they have no traditions. Well, gather the family together and decide to do something. As you all enjoy it, it will be special. Do it again next year and it may be extra special. If you do it again it will become a tradition that will leave memories for a lifetime.

As you make traditions, I encourage you to do things to anticipate the event. Have some fun aspects that make it bigger that it actually is. (ex. have shirts made up, or have a website) Retell stories of the previous years. Give each person involved jobs. They can be anything and any age can be involved. Even make silly things traditions. Those things go a long way in making gatherings memorable.

So, gather the family together and make some traditions. Before you know it, you might just have 18 years of the LRS under your belt.

The first day of school

2009-09-03T07:17:00.000-07:00

This week Zachary had his first day of first grade at Russell Elementary School. He was very excited and as you can see by the look on his face, it was a genuine anticipation for the coming school year. Many young people (not all) have that same sense of looking forward to school. They can't wait to see their friends. They love their teacher. Reading and math are fun. The school bus is amazing. And, of course, recess is the best.

So, when is it that we lose that sense of wonder? When do friends become old? When does learning become a bore? And when do we begin to think our teachers hate us?

Doesn't the same thing happen to us in our walk with Jesus. Following Jesus is a lot like going to school. In our early years we are all excited and we think everyone should go. Then as we follow Jesus for a long time it may become a ritual that we do because we have to.

My prayer for us is that once again the Holy Spirit gives us a fresh start in our walk with Christ. May this year be filled with the wonder that comes from following Jesus just like that First grader who is overjoyed to go to school.

A fresh beginning

2009-08-31T19:01:00.000-07:00

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!!!

2009-08-28T04:30:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-25T19:17:00.000-07:00

Tim Hawkins is a pretty funny guy. But unfortunatey, not only is this funny it is too true.

Worship

2009-08-25T06:05:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-22T18:42:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-18T12:30:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-13T07:19:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-11T06:21:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-08T19:07:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-06T06:48:00.001-07:00

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

2009-08-03T06:40:00.000-07:00

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.

Stuck in the sand?

2009-07-30T05:20:00.000-07:00

If a young golfer goes in the sand they often get very nervous and they can really mess up a good round of golf. The reason they have so much trouble is because they only see the sand. As they stand there in the "trap" they realize that they are standing in the unfamiliar with unsure footing. Their golf ball is sitting right in the middle of this crazy stuff. Here is the problem: They only see the sand. They barely realize that they are supposed to hit the ball and they will sometimes even forget that their goal is the pin.

When we were out golfing on Tuesday, Zachary's ball went in the sand. He was very excited because he saw it as a big sand box. My advice of how to get out was quite simple. I said, "Look only at the ball, hit only the ball and aim toward the pin." Surprisingly, he could easily hit the ball right out. In fact, he liked is so much, he actually dropped his ball in a couple other sand traps just for fun. The secret - don't focus on the sand, focus on the ball and the pin.

That's not a bad lesson for life. If you are in a "trap", don't let the trap become your focus. Instead focus on the little ball (the plan of Jesus for your life) and aim toward the pin (the future that Jesus has for you.) And then give it a good swing. You may find it so fun that you welcome the next trap to come along. Well, maybe not. :-)

Thank you, Jesus

2009-07-29T05:41:00.000-07:00

Last night, Arielle Clark arrived home from ministry to the orphans in Zambia. There were piles of people waiting for her arrival and to welcome her home after 8 weeks of ministry. What a fantastic time it was to see family and friends reunited. There is a love that comes from Jesus that is beyond words. I watched as her friends hugged her and cried tears or joy.

And as watched her grandparents hug and kiss her I realized something special about serving Jesus. We do not live this life just us or just for our generation for that matter. Being a follower of Jesus means having an eternal perspective on the the kingdom of God. It is not selfish and it means having your eye on two, three, even ten generations beyond us. Her grandparents (both sets) are dear saints and they were looking at the fruit of their labor. They were seeing with their own eyes that the legacy of following Jesus and serving others is being passed on and will continue to be passed on for many more generations. The bonus is that it is extending way beyond one individual's sphere of influence. The love of Christ is being multiplied and will continue to be multiplied - even impacting many nations and many tribes for the sake of God's eternal plan.

So, as you live your life, as you raise your children or even as you love your grandkids, please remember that the impact of Christ in you is way bigger than today's successes or failures. It's eternal and international.

Welcome home, Arielle. You are a very special young lady and may generations and nations continue to be changed by the power of His Spirit through your life.

Freedom

2009-07-26T13:06:00.000-07:00

This morning during worship at Praise Fellowship God did something very special. During the song, "I am Free", The Holy Spirit really began to speak freedom in our lives. I think we did that song for about 45 minutes. And the entire time, you could see and feel people receiving the freedom that only comes from Jesus.

Take some time before the Lord and ask Him what you need freed from. We are dealing with unforgiveness during the messages on Sundays. If you need freedom, forgiveness is soooo critical. Get in the Word and let the Lord wash you free!!!!!

Pray for teenagers and their families

2009-07-24T06:09:00.000-07:00

I have been working with teenagers for the past two decades and let me say that there is something very special about those few years we call the teen years. They are full of life, full of hope, full of energy, and full of fun. But let's remember that these are probably the most difficult 5 to 10 years of a person's life. Everyone knows that the kids are our future and therefore, everyone is trying to influence them. Some of those influences are good, but some of the strongest ones are not good at all. In fact, they are downright evil, even demonic.

I want to right now tip my hat to all you teenagers who are following the Lord. Great Job!!! You will reap the benefit for generations. I am really serious about that. And also, a huge "atta boy" to all you parents of teenagers. My heart goes out to you. You get to not only experience all the joys (which are great), but you also get to go through what seems like hell during the difficult times. I want to encourage you to keep on loving and training your kids. You can do it. Don't give up. You're in this for the long haul and in due season you will see your reward and your great grandkids will reap the benefits of your labor.

Let's all remember that there is a common enemy, the devil, who desires to steal, kill and destroy our lives and our families. As we recognize this and as we join together as families and churches, we can encourage, instruct, edify and above all PRAY FOR EACH OTHER.

Some Wise People

2009-07-22T12:58:00.000-07:00

We are back from a great camping trip in Erie with some of the best teenagers ever. I may write about that and post some pictures tomorrow.

But first, here is a quick thought. I just had a random phone call from Sylvia Evans who was one of my professors at Elim Bible Institute. She is an absolutely, remarkable lady. She has been in ministry for years and is from an entire family of ministers for generations. In the 45 minutes that we spoke it was just one nugget after another that I was hearing. I picked her brain and she freely offered instruction and encouragement. I say this often, but I genuinely mean it. Wisdom from those who have gone before us is more valuable than anything you can think of. Truly, it is the fool who thinks that their age group has all the answers. If you haven't received instruction from your elders lately, do it immediately. It might just change your situation and maybe even your life.

Back and ready!!!

2009-07-17T05:43:00.000-07:00

We had a tremendous vacation!!! I truly have an amazing family - thanks, Honey and the boys - and God has truly blessed America with a beauty unsurpassed. Sandie and I have always camped and traveled, but this year we did a first. We did a vacation on the Atlantic ocean. We spend half of our trip at Cape Henlopen in Delaware. (It is near Rohobeth Beach) It was really great and relaxing. There is something extremely tranquil about sitting on the beach with the waves crashing and the breeze blowing watching two of the most awesome little boys God ever created. We then headed back to our more familiar vacation spots - the mountains. We went back to Shenandoa National Park in Virginia. We camped and hiked, saw lots of wild life and experienced breathtaking views.

We come back refreshed and "ready to go". I am all the more thankful for all that God has given us, all that He has done and all who He is.

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