I am beyond blessed and privileged to sit on the board and particpate with this amazing non-profit that is making a huge difference in Austin Texas. My good friend John had for years desired to start a non-profit that would help people in return for all God has blessed him with. Once his daughter Kaylie graduated from college, the vision began to grow. Kaylie wanted to touch the lives of young kids, and felt called to get into public schools where under privileged kids attended. Her dream and vision soon came to pass approximayely three years ago. Against all odds she solicited and was permitted to go into 'Oak Springs Elementary' in Austin Texas. She quickly shared her vision with her good friend Liz and they proceeded with a game plan and put it into action.
Christian Outreach Foundation provides daily the following for kids Monday through Friday every week:
Bible Study, Tutoring, Crafts, Field Trips, Guest Speakers and a Hot Meal before they go home (so that they are assured a hot meal whether they get one at home or not). This is truly a God thing! Bible Studies in a public school! There is 'No-Charge' to the kids or families for this afternoon program. Kids grades have gone from failing to A's & B's! Attitudes have changed and true personalities are blossoming. Their attitudes are now willing and grateful and no longer rebellious. The principle and teachers are amazed at how much these kids have changed, and willing to help the COF volunteers and staff. There is truly a sense of victory and love roaming the halls.
This past Thursday, COF was recognized by our State on the House floor for all that they have done and will be doing in the future. In just short of five years the State of Texas has recognized this outstanding non-profit. This is a God thing! We are praying that funds will come in and that COF can multiply into schools throughout the State of Texas. This next year COF will be in another school in Austin. COF does have paid staff along with volunteers and everyone one of them have an unblievable charateristic "They're in it for the kids."
Judy and I had the privilege of going to the school and helping after school. As those precious kids ran up (the smell of poor hygene grappling you) to us, our hearts just melted. Everyone one of them were polite and grateful (product of COF work) and each one of them had needs. One little girl came up out of no where and just stared at me for a moment. She finally said "My brother went to jail last night." She fought the tears back and I immediately asked her if she would like me to pray with her, and she nodded yes. After we prayed I asked her if she owuld like to write her brother and she said "Yes." De assured me that she would get her the paper adn envelope and she left grateful. Ealrier in the day, Ralph, a young boy came up to me at the Capital and said he liked my tie and asked if he could have it. I immediately took it off and tied it around his neck. That afternoon he still had it on. It was stained with dirt, BBQ sauce, chocolate milk and who knows what else, but he too was grateful. last but not least was a young girl named Tiara. As I sat talking with some other kids she came up and leaned on me as if she just wanted to be loved. When we went in to do crafts she came up and asked me if she could read a book for me. As we turned the pages she would look up at me with huge eyes seekign help. I would say three or four words and she would repeat them while following along with a ruler under each word. She was happy.
We all can make a difference here, right now, where we live and where we play. I applaud Kaylie, Liz, De, Jessica, Loren, TJ, and for loving as Christ loved and serving as He served. I praise the Lord for my friend John who has funded the majority of this non-profit out of thanksgiving for what the Lord has done in his life. Please pray that doors at public schools will continue to open, volunteers will still be willing to give there time, and that kids lives, visions and dreams will become a reality~
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Christ at work
I don't know about you, but it is truly amazing to me to reflect on "Christ in me." My whole life was a life of rebellion, opinion, justification and selfishness. The older I get the easier it is has let Christ rule every facet of my life. This does not come with age, but with surrender. We were all created in God's image and we all have the opportunity to live each day with Christ in us, and to be led by the Holy Spirit. This does come with a cost however; "We have to be dead to self."
Last week I was confronted by an elderly lady who got in my face and went off on me because of my shouting Jesus. As I sat there with others witnessing this Un-Christ like behavior, I had nothing but compassion for her. As I sat there being attacked all I could do was pray. When she took breaths between her lashings, I would inject these words "_____, Forgive me if I have offended you. Please let me know if there ever is anything in my life that offends you and I will never do or say them again." After she received more air she would continue to go on as if I never said a word to her. You could have heard a pin drop when she was done. Everyone stood there perplexed to what just happened. I prayed a while and then left for my office. On my way to the office and when I got to my office I just kept praying for her and asking the Lord to show me anything in my life that could have prevented this conversation. Soon I found myself once again filled with compassion for her and jotted down a note to her that might prayerfully be received by her. I went back over and handed the letter to her and told her I loved her.
Two nights later I received a phone call from this dear lady. She said that she sinned against God and had sinned against me and wanted to come over and ask forgiveness face to face. What a blessing this was to be reconciled through Christ.
You see, the old Pete would have humiliated this precious woman in front of everyone after, and even when, she lashed out at me. I would have torn her apart with scripture and ruined any chance for reconcilliation. I had every right to stand my ground because the reason I shouted (and had shouted Jesus before) as if we were excited and as she said "a stadium Jesus", was because a dear volunteer at who volunteers her time has been depressed for years because she cannot get her daughter back. Both of them are victims of downs syndrome (I am supposing this because I do not want to ask for sure, and by her looks and demeanor I conclude this) and finally two weeks ago I told her (after praying and counseling her on how to overcome through Jesus fot the past several years) to just keep saying Jesus over and over again and that He will give her peace. She came in two days in a row shouting Jesus, Jesus, Jesus over and over again with a huge smile on her face saying "It works." You not what? It does. She had stepped away from bondage and we all should have been elated and glad for her victory. The dear elderly lady realized this severl days later and through Christ was able to also step away from bondage.
The verse that changed my entire life in 1992 is 2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore whoever is in Christ is a new creation, the old is gone and the new has come." Jesus wants to make us new and that is exciting. Assurance of our salvation is evident by change in every facet of our lives. When we as believers realize that we are to follow Him, love as He loves, and serve as He served, then be prepared for change. Be prepared for the peace that surpasses all understanding. Last but not least, He is either Lord of all, or not at all~
Last week I was confronted by an elderly lady who got in my face and went off on me because of my shouting Jesus. As I sat there with others witnessing this Un-Christ like behavior, I had nothing but compassion for her. As I sat there being attacked all I could do was pray. When she took breaths between her lashings, I would inject these words "_____, Forgive me if I have offended you. Please let me know if there ever is anything in my life that offends you and I will never do or say them again." After she received more air she would continue to go on as if I never said a word to her. You could have heard a pin drop when she was done. Everyone stood there perplexed to what just happened. I prayed a while and then left for my office. On my way to the office and when I got to my office I just kept praying for her and asking the Lord to show me anything in my life that could have prevented this conversation. Soon I found myself once again filled with compassion for her and jotted down a note to her that might prayerfully be received by her. I went back over and handed the letter to her and told her I loved her.
Two nights later I received a phone call from this dear lady. She said that she sinned against God and had sinned against me and wanted to come over and ask forgiveness face to face. What a blessing this was to be reconciled through Christ.
You see, the old Pete would have humiliated this precious woman in front of everyone after, and even when, she lashed out at me. I would have torn her apart with scripture and ruined any chance for reconcilliation. I had every right to stand my ground because the reason I shouted (and had shouted Jesus before) as if we were excited and as she said "a stadium Jesus", was because a dear volunteer at who volunteers her time has been depressed for years because she cannot get her daughter back. Both of them are victims of downs syndrome (I am supposing this because I do not want to ask for sure, and by her looks and demeanor I conclude this) and finally two weeks ago I told her (after praying and counseling her on how to overcome through Jesus fot the past several years) to just keep saying Jesus over and over again and that He will give her peace. She came in two days in a row shouting Jesus, Jesus, Jesus over and over again with a huge smile on her face saying "It works." You not what? It does. She had stepped away from bondage and we all should have been elated and glad for her victory. The dear elderly lady realized this severl days later and through Christ was able to also step away from bondage.
The verse that changed my entire life in 1992 is 2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore whoever is in Christ is a new creation, the old is gone and the new has come." Jesus wants to make us new and that is exciting. Assurance of our salvation is evident by change in every facet of our lives. When we as believers realize that we are to follow Him, love as He loves, and serve as He served, then be prepared for change. Be prepared for the peace that surpasses all understanding. Last but not least, He is either Lord of all, or not at all~
Monday, April 8, 2013
American Christianity and the Great Commission
Have you ever heard of the word 'Maligned?' Have you ever thought of the person who is being 'Misled' or 'Misguided?' Unfortunately here in America we have a huge problem within modern day American Christianity and how 'It' decifers the Word of God. The modern day church forgets that 'He' is the Potter and 'We' are supposed to be the clay. We are not the ones that are supposed to lay the foundation, but it is His Word that lies the foundation and it will always be firm and solid.
The Great Commission is found in Mathew 28:19-20 and it says "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I will be with you always, to the very end of the age." Don't we all love this passage? Right now you are reading this thinking "Yep, this is me!" Some of you might be looking to someone else right now saying "That's their calling, or thats only for Clergy." The truth is, it is for any and all professing Christians. Let us break this down for a second and see just where the buck stops and where things get maligned, or misguided:
Therefore Go..... Sounds simple enough, but I want all of us to know this truth "Jesus wasn't saying go to your church", He was saying "Go!" We may not 'Go' to another country, or even another city, but we all go somehwere each and everyday. Whether it is school, work, the grocery store, the hardware store, or anywhere else, we are going. His will isn't that we become part of the scenery wherever we go, but to impact that scenery wherever we are. Make Disciples...... To the believer Jesus is telling us that we are to invest time with those we share the gospel with, and to walk with them and teach them what a true Jesus follower is. He did not day "Go make converts" but instead said "Go make disciples." being a member of a church is not by any means making a disciple. He told them all to go, and not just a few. Baptizing them ..... For the true disciple of Christ making others disciples this is an important process of total devotion, dedication, belief, surrender and trust in Jesus for those in whim they are discipling. The new disciple will want to get Baptized not for church membership, or the following of a ritual, but because they have chosen to die to themselves completely and live for Christ. The cart get s put before the horse way to many times today. We Baptize them before we disciple them (Pay attention to the order Jesus gave this command.) Teaching them to 'Obey' everything I have commanded you ....... Obey is a huge word. The word 'Everything' actually magnifies the command. Today many churches say "You don't have to do anything but believe." They also teach people that they really don;t have to 'Obey' anything (Much less everything) thaty Jesus commanded and taught. I will be with you always, to the very end of the age ........ We have all heard people over the years say "Jesus is always with me." Lets really look at what Jesus is saying "If you go, if you make, if you obey, then I will always be with you even to the end of the age."
Do you see what this last cricial command Jesus is giving really means? It means that if we are truly His, and If the Holy Spirit is truly in us, then we will be going, discipling, baptizing, and teaching to obey Him, and not our own fleshly desires. Can you be a true believer and not follow the great commission? What did He say...............
The Great Commission is found in Mathew 28:19-20 and it says "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I will be with you always, to the very end of the age." Don't we all love this passage? Right now you are reading this thinking "Yep, this is me!" Some of you might be looking to someone else right now saying "That's their calling, or thats only for Clergy." The truth is, it is for any and all professing Christians. Let us break this down for a second and see just where the buck stops and where things get maligned, or misguided:
Therefore Go..... Sounds simple enough, but I want all of us to know this truth "Jesus wasn't saying go to your church", He was saying "Go!" We may not 'Go' to another country, or even another city, but we all go somehwere each and everyday. Whether it is school, work, the grocery store, the hardware store, or anywhere else, we are going. His will isn't that we become part of the scenery wherever we go, but to impact that scenery wherever we are. Make Disciples...... To the believer Jesus is telling us that we are to invest time with those we share the gospel with, and to walk with them and teach them what a true Jesus follower is. He did not day "Go make converts" but instead said "Go make disciples." being a member of a church is not by any means making a disciple. He told them all to go, and not just a few. Baptizing them ..... For the true disciple of Christ making others disciples this is an important process of total devotion, dedication, belief, surrender and trust in Jesus for those in whim they are discipling. The new disciple will want to get Baptized not for church membership, or the following of a ritual, but because they have chosen to die to themselves completely and live for Christ. The cart get s put before the horse way to many times today. We Baptize them before we disciple them (Pay attention to the order Jesus gave this command.) Teaching them to 'Obey' everything I have commanded you ....... Obey is a huge word. The word 'Everything' actually magnifies the command. Today many churches say "You don't have to do anything but believe." They also teach people that they really don;t have to 'Obey' anything (Much less everything) thaty Jesus commanded and taught. I will be with you always, to the very end of the age ........ We have all heard people over the years say "Jesus is always with me." Lets really look at what Jesus is saying "If you go, if you make, if you obey, then I will always be with you even to the end of the age."
Do you see what this last cricial command Jesus is giving really means? It means that if we are truly His, and If the Holy Spirit is truly in us, then we will be going, discipling, baptizing, and teaching to obey Him, and not our own fleshly desires. Can you be a true believer and not follow the great commission? What did He say...............
Psalm 121
There is probably no one alive that teaches or needs Psalm 121 more than I. Growing up I was told occassionaly that I lived in a fairy tale world and to be honest I think that alot of the times this is a good place. A place where all is wonderful and things go according to how we want them to. Unfortunately though, this place does not exist and probably never will until the Lord takes me home, or He comes back.
Being a husband, father, grandfather and Pastor seems like quite an accomplishment and that wearing all of those hats would allow us to reap the best of times because one has already made alot of mistakes to gain wisdom from to ease the pain of people and things that present themselves to us on a daily basis.
Psalm 121 is my refuge and my hope. If not for the Lord and being able to look upon and rest with, life would have me going many different directions, full of thousands of thoughts, questions, and doubt. Psalm 121 is a promise to me. It is also where I need to remain and always keep in remembrance. The first two verses say this "I lift up my eyes to the hills-where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth." You can continue to read the rest of this psalm and see the threads of hope that it pours out. No matter where one gets, or waht comes agaginst anyone in this world, it is the words of this psalm that will get us through even the darkest of times. I cannot rely on my wonderful wife to help me, or the rest of my family, and even friends. God is the only one that can make sense out of life itself. He is the only one that truly has our best interest at heart, and who will reamin faithful until the end.
I want to encourage you all to read and believe this Psalm for yourself. We will always be faced with a world that we wsih would reseble a fairy tale where everyone lived happily ever after. Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and rmember that He is the maker of heaven and earth. He did not create us to worry, fret, hurt or live life on our own. He created us for Hi s glory and so that we may have joy IN Him mo matter what~
Being a husband, father, grandfather and Pastor seems like quite an accomplishment and that wearing all of those hats would allow us to reap the best of times because one has already made alot of mistakes to gain wisdom from to ease the pain of people and things that present themselves to us on a daily basis.
Psalm 121 is my refuge and my hope. If not for the Lord and being able to look upon and rest with, life would have me going many different directions, full of thousands of thoughts, questions, and doubt. Psalm 121 is a promise to me. It is also where I need to remain and always keep in remembrance. The first two verses say this "I lift up my eyes to the hills-where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth." You can continue to read the rest of this psalm and see the threads of hope that it pours out. No matter where one gets, or waht comes agaginst anyone in this world, it is the words of this psalm that will get us through even the darkest of times. I cannot rely on my wonderful wife to help me, or the rest of my family, and even friends. God is the only one that can make sense out of life itself. He is the only one that truly has our best interest at heart, and who will reamin faithful until the end.
I want to encourage you all to read and believe this Psalm for yourself. We will always be faced with a world that we wsih would reseble a fairy tale where everyone lived happily ever after. Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and rmember that He is the maker of heaven and earth. He did not create us to worry, fret, hurt or live life on our own. He created us for Hi s glory and so that we may have joy IN Him mo matter what~
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Death, Ressurection... Now
What has Easter truly become. With the coming of each season I tend to believe that professing Christians view it more as traditions and mythology. Don't get upset by me saying this, but stop, think and look around at just what professing Christians that were so into the season are doing today. Is the season merely a passing by, or is it something that drives us today to be the people Christ died and rose for.
1 Peter 2:24 reads "He Himself bore our sins on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds we have been healed." Today many people quote Isaiah (this is who Peter is also quoting) and they tend to think that it has to do with 'physical' healing when in truth, Isaiah and Peter are saying that we are healed from our sins. Would it not be a shame if this 'Being Healed' was merely when we felt ill, or had a physical problem? No, the cross was where Jesus laid down to a hideous death so that we might die to sin and live for righteousness.
He rose from the dead over 2000 years ago and many will say that they believe as they pursue their lives, secularism, wealth, and immorality of all sorts. He did not die so that His Rising would be a once a year, joyful event, but hat it would be a daily remembrance of what He has done for us, and that we too can have a risen life 'In' Him. He died and rose that we can be overcomers and not failures. Today many pacify people with "Don't beat yourself up, or Try not do continue in that sin anymore." This is nowhere even close to what the death and resurrection can bring to us daily. Paul says in Philippians 3:10 "I want to know Christ-yes, to know the power of His resurrection and participation in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death." amazing isn't it. This was not a lenten message, a crucifixion meassage or a Easter Risen message, it was Paul's heart while chained up in prison. Paul (and none of the others) ever preached "You can live as you do and still inherit the kingdom of God." None of them said "Accept Jesus in your heart and you will inherit the kingdom of God, or that you will Jesus wants you to prosper adn succeed in worldly things. If so, then the New Testament would not have had to be written, Bible Studies would not need exist, repentance and prayer would not be needed, only confessions of believing in Jesus. Is it not sad for us to think that Jesus would not have even needed to die that gruesome death on that cross if we were to continue to live for us and not Him and others? Common sense lets us know that there is alot more to the cross and resurrection than a yearly event and awakening.
What will we do now? Will we begin our day believing that the cross lies before us to pick up and carry (Jesus tolds us this, not me) and that the real pathway to happiness and joy in this life will be experienced through suffering and persecution on a daily basis? Yes, it is suffering to lay down any idol that we cling to while attempting to cling to Jesus. It is hard when your family, and others persecute you because of your life in Christ and take the stand you take for our risen King. Not yearly, not monthly, but daily. Today, think about the cross and the resurrection. Think about the times you said "Jesus I am yours at whatever the cost" and then chose the world over Him. Allow the cross and the resurrection to be your passion, desire and lifestyle. Jesus said "Anyone that does not take up this cross daily and follows me, is not worthy of me." Live the resurrection each and everyday so that people can turly see Christ in us~
1 Peter 2:24 reads "He Himself bore our sins on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds we have been healed." Today many people quote Isaiah (this is who Peter is also quoting) and they tend to think that it has to do with 'physical' healing when in truth, Isaiah and Peter are saying that we are healed from our sins. Would it not be a shame if this 'Being Healed' was merely when we felt ill, or had a physical problem? No, the cross was where Jesus laid down to a hideous death so that we might die to sin and live for righteousness.
He rose from the dead over 2000 years ago and many will say that they believe as they pursue their lives, secularism, wealth, and immorality of all sorts. He did not die so that His Rising would be a once a year, joyful event, but hat it would be a daily remembrance of what He has done for us, and that we too can have a risen life 'In' Him. He died and rose that we can be overcomers and not failures. Today many pacify people with "Don't beat yourself up, or Try not do continue in that sin anymore." This is nowhere even close to what the death and resurrection can bring to us daily. Paul says in Philippians 3:10 "I want to know Christ-yes, to know the power of His resurrection and participation in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death." amazing isn't it. This was not a lenten message, a crucifixion meassage or a Easter Risen message, it was Paul's heart while chained up in prison. Paul (and none of the others) ever preached "You can live as you do and still inherit the kingdom of God." None of them said "Accept Jesus in your heart and you will inherit the kingdom of God, or that you will Jesus wants you to prosper adn succeed in worldly things. If so, then the New Testament would not have had to be written, Bible Studies would not need exist, repentance and prayer would not be needed, only confessions of believing in Jesus. Is it not sad for us to think that Jesus would not have even needed to die that gruesome death on that cross if we were to continue to live for us and not Him and others? Common sense lets us know that there is alot more to the cross and resurrection than a yearly event and awakening.
What will we do now? Will we begin our day believing that the cross lies before us to pick up and carry (Jesus tolds us this, not me) and that the real pathway to happiness and joy in this life will be experienced through suffering and persecution on a daily basis? Yes, it is suffering to lay down any idol that we cling to while attempting to cling to Jesus. It is hard when your family, and others persecute you because of your life in Christ and take the stand you take for our risen King. Not yearly, not monthly, but daily. Today, think about the cross and the resurrection. Think about the times you said "Jesus I am yours at whatever the cost" and then chose the world over Him. Allow the cross and the resurrection to be your passion, desire and lifestyle. Jesus said "Anyone that does not take up this cross daily and follows me, is not worthy of me." Live the resurrection each and everyday so that people can turly see Christ in us~
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