Yesterday we began a 7 day fast.  The focus of this fast is to seek God for His miraculous power.  “These things come by prayer and fasting”, Jesus said.  So on  day two of the fast I just wanted to share a few thoughts:

1.  Fasting helps you overcome your flesh in order to tune into the Spirit.

2.  I read a good thought today that said, “Fasting demonstrates my PHYSICAL connection to God… Love God with all your strength.”  It is being willing to lay down your physical needs and rely on Him for strength. 

3.  The first couple of days are the toughest in fasting.  It is hard to concentrate because you are used to the food and junk.  Your body is going through withdrawals and believe it or not food has a psychological effect on you as well.  We crave certain things and our mind tells us we need it.  The first few days are spent overcoming the feelings of giving in.

4.  You never know how much you eat or how bad you eat until you fast.  You notice how often you crave the food or in my case, the candy stash in my office.  Fasting helps bring discipline to your habits.

5.  We always say that time is flying by.  I must admit, if we want to slow down time, just fast, minutes seem like hours.

6.  Fasting is something we do to discipline ourselves and draw near to God.  If you break your fast, it is not a sin.  Too often we feel condemned if we couldn’t make it and snuck a cookie.  Do your best.  God’s grace will see you through.  It is not easy and if you falter, pick up where you left off.  Don’t think it has been in vain.

7.  If you are fasting from all food, drink lots of water, it will help you feel more full.

Happy Fasting!

These set of rules are for die-hard golfers.  These are the rules from a golf club in England during World War 2.  My favorites are rules number 2 and 6.

Golfers are known for their dedication to the game—even during war times. But perhaps the most astonishing evidence of the fact is a document headed "Temporary Rules—1940—Richmond Golf Club, Sudbrook Park, England." It reads:

1. Players are asked to collect the bomb and shrapnel splinters to avoid damage to  the mowing machines.

2. In competition, during gunfire or while bombs are falling, players may take shelter without penalty for ceasing play.

3. The positions of known delayed-action bombs are marked by red flags at a reasonable, but not guaranteed, safe distance therefrom.

4. Shrapnel and/or bomb splinters on the fairways or in bunkers, within a club’s length of a ball, may be moved without penalty, and no penalty shall be incurred if a ball is thereby caused to move accidentally.

5. A ball moved by enemy action may be replaced, or if destroyed, a ball may be dropped not nearer the hole without penalty.

6. A player whose stroke is affected by the simultaneous explosion of a bomb may play another ball. Penalty, one stroke.

—Garden City, N. Y. Golf Club

When I was a sinner, I could have sworn that our pastor picked his sermons based off of how I had lived that past week.  At times I was certain my parents told him what I had been up to.  He came every week with a message prepared just for me…and I left disgusted that he had the gall to preach to me in public instead of addressing it in private.

Then, I got saved and became a pastor.  Only then, did I realize that the Holy Spirit knows what is going on in every person’s life.  Therefore, He speaks, guides and directs me in what I should preach on Sunday morning.  If I am listening to the Lord, the message will be on target.  It will hit home with someone.

The moral of the story is that God knows where you are and what you need to hear.  He will direct someone to speak into your life to meet you where you are.

I read this poem today and thought it was good:

My pastor shapes his sermons
From A to final Z

In clear and forthright language,
And aims them straight at me.

And when he gets to preaching,

I look around to see
If there might be another

Deserving more than me.

But every soul looks saintly
Their hearts to heaven turn

While I, in my conviction,
Can only sit and squirm.

You know, I often wonder
If I should miss a day;

Would he, without his target,
Have anything to say?

-Author Unknown-

I just uploaded our latest growthhelps.com podcast.  The subject is How To Use A Reference Bible.  growthhelps.com is designed to give you resources to help with your spiritual growth journey between Sundays.  I encourage you to check it out as we continue to add more free resources.

Listen to today’s podcast here.

"If the invisible God could be seen, He would look like Jesus." -I. H. Marshall-

HT: Ray Ortlund

This weekend was a busy yet awesome weekend.  Saturday was our Fall Festival.  The weather was beautiful with a cool 60 degrees.  We had a great crowd from the church as well as some good numbers from the community.  We had an incredible showing of volunteers from RFA.  Thanks to all who helped coordinate the different activities and food.  We couldn’t have done it without you!

Sunday was Youth Sunday at RFA.  The youth and their sponsors led the service.  They did a fantastic job leading.  The worship was great!  The musicians and singers meshed real well as they led us into the presence of God.  Different ones revealed some of their God given talents by presenting poems, short stories, art, music and more.  It is amazing how God has gifted these young people with creativity.  Robyn, our youth leader, ended it all with a great encouragement from the Word.  She challenged the older generation to mentor and help shape the young people.  To not only invest in the youth ministry with finances, but to become involved in their lives.  She referenced Titus where the older should teach the younger.  The service concluded with the older generation praying for the RFA youth.  What a great service!

After church, we had a potluck dinner.  As a side note, why do they call it potluck?  Someone asked me that yesterday, I don’t know.    The food was good but the fellowship was the greatest part of it.  Yesterday was Pastor Appreciation Day and Sonya and I were blessed to say the least.  We received an overwhelming amount of love and encouragement.  All of the cards, gifts and kind words reminded us of how good God is.  We are thankful that God has allowed us to pastor at RFA.  Thanks to everyone for blessing us.  We love being your pastor!

After the potluck dinner, Sonya and I left for Tulsa.  The Grandparents are in town so we took advantage of that and dumped left the kids with them for a couple of days.  Last night, we enjoyed a nice quiet dinner at Outback (courtesy of a church member who gave us a gift card).  As married couples, I believe it is important to have time with one another alone, without the kids.  It is a great connection time without interruption or fighting children.  Time to enjoy each other’s company.

Thanks again RFA for such a wonderful weekend.  Because of you, our future looks bright.

Saturday morning is the only morning I drink my coffee at home.  If Hannah is awake, she wants some coffee too.  So, yesterday morning I made her a cup.

I didn’t start drinking coffee until I was 33.  In fact, Josh started drinking it before I did.  He was seven.  Hannah has got us beat.  She is three and already likes a good cup of Joe.

Here is a great article on tithing from Mark Batterson’s blog:

Continued our Ritual series this weekend. Talked about a 4000 year-old ritual called tithing that traces all the way back to Abraham. Honestly, I used to hate talking about money. Thought people would think it was a money grab so I was almost defensive about it. But the longer I tithe the more I love talking about it.

We need a paradigm shift. So many people perceive the tithe as an obligation. It’s an opportunity! Yes, Malachi 3 says you are "under a curse" if you are not giving a tenth. But what a promise! God wants to open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing on you that you cannot contain.

Here are a few principles I shared this weekend:
1) God can do more with 90% than I can do with 100%
2) U cannot out give God
3) 2 be blessed beyond your ability u need to give beyond your ability
4) When u start tithing, your financial problems become God’s problem
5) The tithe is the only thing that keeps money from becoming your master
6) Tithing positions u 4 blessing
7) Tithing = Trusting

In my personal experience, tithing makes finances fun. It infuses me with economic optimism because I’m walking in obedience. I live in holy anticipation to see the way God is going to provide!