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Love this video!

Pastor Perry Noble from NewSpring Church, showed this video this past weekend, and I love it, check it out...

Giving: From A Child's Perspective from NewSpring Media on Vimeo.

U.B.U - Pastor Ed Young

Powerful Pledge, You In?

Pastor Rick Warren, hosted a powerful conference this past week, and challenged those in attendance to sign this pledge as we all pursue God to the fullest. I love this!

"Today I am stepping across the line. I’m tired of waffling and I’m finished with wavering. I’ve made my choice; the verdict is in and my decision is irrevocable. I’m going God’s way. There is no turning back. I will live the rest of my life serving God’s purposes, with God’s people, on God’s planet, for God’s glory. I will use my life to celebrate his presence, cultivate his character, participate in his family, demonstrate his love, and communicate his Word.

Since my past has been forgiven, and I have a purpose for living and a home waiting in heaven, I refuse to waste any more time or energy on shallow living, petty thinking, trivial talking, thoughtless doing, useless regretting, hurtful resenting, or faithless worrying. Instead I will magnify God, grow to maturity, serve in ministry, and fulfill my mission in the membership of his family.

Because this life is preparation for the next, I will value worship over wealth, “we” over “me”, character over comfort, service over status, and people over possessions, position, and pleasure. I know what matters most and I will give it all I’ve got. I will do the best I can with what I have for Jesus Christ today. I won’t be captivated by culture, manipulated by critics, motivated by praise, frustrated by problems, debilitated by temptation, or intimidated by the devil. I’ll keep running my race with my eyes on the goal; not on the sidelines or on those running by me. When times get tough and I get tired, I won’t back up, back off, back down, back out, or backslide. I’ll just keep moving forward by God’s grace. I’m spirit-led, purpose-driven, and mission-focused so I can’t be bought. I will not be compromised, and I shall not quit until I finish the race.

I’m a trophy of God’s amazing grace so I will be gracious to everyone, grateful for every day, and generous with everything that God entrusts to me. I am a radical in the original sense of the word: rooted in Christ, rooted in love, and rooted in his Word.

I hereby declare my supreme allegiance to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I say this: However, whenever, wherever, and whatever you ask me to do, my answer is yes! I’m ready. Anytime. Anyway. Whatever it takes Lord; whatever it takes! I want to be used by you in such a way that on that final day I’ll hear you say, “Well done, good and faithful one. Come on in and let the eternal party begin!”

Are you in? Let's make a difference together!

Have a great weekend....

You Can Help!

God's Plan Matures Us Slowly

Here is a devotional I read this morning, by Rick Warren. Great reminder for all of us....

So get rid of your old self, which made you live as you used to—the old self that was being destroyed by its deceitful desires. Your hearts and minds must be made completely new, and you must put on the new self, which is created in God's likeness and reveals itself in the true life that is upright and holy. (Ephesians 4:22-24 TEV)

Although God could instantly transform us, he has chosen to develop us slowly. Jesus was deliberate in developing his disciples, just as God allowed the Israelites to take over the Promised Land "little by little," so they wouldn't be overwhelmed. (Deuteronomy 7:22) He prefers to work in incremental steps in our lives.

Why does it take so long to change and grow up? There are several reasons -

We are slow learners. We often have to relearn a lesson forty or fifty times to really get it. The problems keep recurring, and we think, "Not again! I've already learned that!"—but God knows better. The history of Israel illustrates how quickly we forget the lessons God teaches us and how soon we revert to our old patterns of behavior. We need repeated exposure.
 
We have a lot to unlearn. Many people go to a counselor with a personal or relational problem that took years to develop and say, "I need you to fix me. I've got an hour." They naïvely expect a quick solution to a long-standing, deep-rooted difficulty. Since most of our problems—and all of our bad habits—didn't develop overnight, it's unrealistic to expect them go away immediately. There is no pill, prayer, or principle that will instantly undo the damage of many years. It requires the hard work of removal and replacement. The Bible calls it "taking off the old self" and "putting on the new self." (Romans 13:12; Ephesians 4:22-25; Col. 3:7-10, 14) While you were given a brand new nature at the moment of conversion, you still have old habits, patterns, and practices that need to be removed and replaced.

Growth is often painful and scary. There is no growth without change; there is no change without fear or loss; and there is no loss without pain. Every change involves a loss of some kind: You must let go of old ways in order to experience the new. We fear these losses, even if our old ways were self-defeating, because, like a worn out pair of shoes, they were at least comfortable and familiar.

 Good habits take time to develop. Remember that your character is the sum total of your habits. You can't claim to be kind unless you are habitually kind—you show kindness without even thinking about it. You can't claim to have integrity unless it is your habit to always be honest. A husband who is faithful to his wife most of the time is not faithful at all! Your habits define your character.

There is only one way to develop the habits of Christlike character: You must practice them—and that takes time! There are no instant habits. Paul urged Timothy, "Practice these things. Devote your life to them so that everyone can see your progress." (1 Timothy 4:15 GW)

Religion is Restricted for Two-Thirds of the World Population

I came across this report this morning that has me really thinking and praying:

Religion is Restricted for Two-Thirds of World Population, Study Shows

In a new report measuring infringements on religious beliefs and practices around the world, the Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion & Public Life finds that two-in-three people in the world today live in countries with high levels of restrictions on religion. The report gauges the level of restrictions due both to government actions and to acts of violence and intimidation by private individuals, organizations and social groups. The study found that 64 nations, about one-third of the countries in the world, have high or very high restrictions on religion, but because some of the most restrictive countries are very populous, they represent nearly 70% of the world’s 6.8 billion people. Among all world geographic regions, the Middle East and North Africa have the highest government and social restrictions on religion, while the Americas are the least restrictive region on both measures. In the U.S., government restrictions are relatively few, but the level of religious hostilities in society exceeds those reported in a number of other large democracies, including Brazil and Japan. Most countries provide for religious freedom in their constitutions or basic laws, yet only a quarter fully respect this legal right in practice. In 178 countries (90%), religious groups must register with the governments for various purposes, and in 75 countries, national or local governments limit efforts by religious groups or individuals to persuade others to join their faith. The study was based on information gathered from 16 governmental and nongovernmental organizations representing more than 99.5% of the world’s population. (Religion News Services, 12/16/09)

What are your thoughts?

Tell Your Story

Can you believe that 2009 is coming to a rapid end? It seems like the years are flying by faster and faster. As I look back over 2009 I have much to be grateful for, and with heart of thanks I can not wait to see what 2010 has to offer. 

What about you? What has God done in your life in 2009? I would love to hear how God made himself real to you this past year. You can either leave a comment here on the blog, or you can email me at church@harvestchapel.net. 

Looking forward to hearing your story!

Good Quote

"Virtue is that by which man seeks continuously for his Maker and when he finds him, adheres to him with all his might." -- Bernard of Clairvaux, from On Loving God.

invisible Christians

Some interesting numbers....

More Americans are acquainted with a gay or lesbian person than an evangelical, according to a recent Ellison Research study. Only 24% of all Americans who say they are not evangelical know an evangelical person very well, and 40% have never known any evangelicals at all, even casually.

Meanwhile, 53% percent say they know a homosexual person very well, and 20% know such a person casually. Homosexuals make up less than 10% of the U.S. population; 17% call themselves evangelical. Also, the study showed 62% of evangelicals, along with 75% of Protestant churchgoers and 77% of all Catholics, know a gay or lesbian person at least casually. 21% know a Mormon very well.

Among Americans who do not call themselves born-again, 38% know a born-again Christian very well, and 18% have never known one. Half of all Americans know a member of the Christian clergy very well, 20% know one casually, and 12% have never known a clergyperson.

Among people who regularly attend worship services, 30% do not currently know any clergy members very well, and 14% say they do not even know one casually, including their own minister or priest. Only 39% of people under 35 know a Christian clergyperson very well vs. 48% of people 35 to 54 years old and 61% of those 55 or older. Just 23% of Catholic churchgoers report knowing any clergy.
Christian Post 6/26/08

Psa. 24.1   The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;  2 for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters.  3 Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place?  4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false.  5 He will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God his Savior.  6 Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob. Selah 7 Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.  8 Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.  9 Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.  10 Who is he, this King of glory? The LORD Almighty — he is the King of glory. Selah

Have a great day in the Lord!