Last night, Josh and I went to an area fast food restaurant.  We walked in, picked out our items and paid for them.  From the time we walked in, set our items on the counter and walked out, not a word was spoken to us.  I mean, not one word.  They did not even tell me what my total was, I had to look at the register display to know how much to pay.  I was disappointed in the service and even considered never going back BUT, it is my favorite fast food chain.

I left there last night wondering if this ever happens in church.  Do guests come into the church and never get spoken to?  Do they have to find their own way around, even though they have never been there before?  Do they feel out of place because the only ones we talk to are the ones we know? 

The truth is, in churches all around our nation, guests come in and leave dissatisfied customers.  In our church, we must make sure that our customers are satisfied with our service (our welcoming atmosphere and friendliness).  It is intimidating enough to go to a new church where they do not know anyone.  When they are not greeted and received, they feel out of place and will possibly never return.  We must be intentional to welcome, encourage and speak to everyone we see, whether we know them or not.

A couple of years ago, Sonya and I visited a church in Norman, Oklahoma where we had an experience like this.  We arrived 15 minutes early and sat in a seat while people fellowshipped all around us but no one spoke to us or greeted us.  Not a word was spoken to us from the time we arrived until the time we left (an hour and a half).  We left there and agreed that as long as we could help it, this would never happen in any church we pastored.  I am thankful that in the churches we have pastored there has been a welcoming spirit.  At RFA, there is a great effort made to make everyone feel welcome.  Keep up the good work!

Be friendly, reach out to guests, welcome everyone and make an effort to ensure that they come back.  Who knows if that will be the most meaningful contact that guest has this week.

Raising a two year old has given us some new perspectives in life.  When Hannah doesn’t get her way she begins to run down the hall and cry, “I run away.”  She goes to her room and shuts the door.  I am not sure where she picked up this habit.  She didn’t learn it from mom or dad.  There must be something inherent in her nature that causes her to do this.

This is often how we act in our walk with God.  When we do not get our way or want to do our own thing, we cry out, “I run away” and we shut the door on the the things of God.  How often do we go through life trying to do our own thing?  How many times have we run away from God and shut Him out of our lives?  God intends for us to follow His plans for our lives.  To walk in His steps and live by His Word.  God never desires for us to run away and close the door on Him.

When Hannah realizes that we are not caving in to her attempt at running away, she comes out and moves on.  This is how it ought to be in our lives.  We should open the door and follow after God and make the decision not to run away, but to follow Him as close as we can.

It has been a busy few weeks while we have been in the process of moving.  So, today we took some time off to go sight seeing.  We decided about 3:00 to drive out to Eureka Springs.  It is about 30 miles from Rogers but takes about an hour to get there.

The exciting part about the drive was the winding roads through the mountains.  It is my nature to drive like a NASCAR driver, but I must admit I slowed down on Highway 62.  For a city boy, who has always lived in the flatlands, the sheer drop-off next to the road was a tad intimidating.  We made it to Eureka Springs and went to the Passion Play complex.  We didn’t see the Passion Play but we did get out to see the impressive statue of Jesus.  It towers high and is seen all around the mountain area.

Hannah looked up and said, “Look, Jesus!”.  As we stood looking up at the statue, I felt so small compared to this majestic artwork.  I couldn’t hep but think of how it will be in Heaven, gazing upon Jesus in His glory. 

After we left the Passion Play Complex we looked for a good restaurant.  We decided to eat at the Rowdy Beaver.  That’s right the Rowdy Beaver.  It was great, although the only rowdy beaver in the place was Hannah:)  I must say that I had the best hamburger I have ever eaten.  Homemade Angus Patties, grilled onions and mushrooms, homemade hand-cut fries.  It was a beautiful experience.

Altogether it was a great day off with the family.

Today was our second Sunday as pastor in Rogers.  We are still getting acclimated to the community, the church and ministry here.  It is interesting going to a new place.  It always stretches us and removes us from our comfort zone.  I believe that is what God wants in our lives, otherwise we will get comfortable and possibly stagnant.

I have been praying for direction for RFA.  Where do we go from here?  I shared this morning what the goal of our church must be: moving people into maturity in their walk with Christ.  The church is REQUIRED to disciple others.  This will be our focus in the years to come.  How are we going to do it?  I am not sure yet, I am seeking the Lord for His wisdom concerning how to build ministries that build people.

We had a good service this morning.  There was a great atmosphere during worship.  Our worship team did a fine job.  I shared from my heart this morning about the role of the pastor and the ministry of the church.  We had a good altar service with many coming forward for healing. We also had one young man rededicate his life to Jesus.  That is what is all about!

For months I have been waiting for the release of the ESV (English Standard Version) Study Bible.  After much anticipation, I finally have one in my hands.  This is possibly the most comprehensive study Bible I have seen.  It is filled with great study notes.  When I say study notes, I do not mean commentary, but rather a background of the text.  It has some commentary but there is a great deal of history and the background of the writing.  The ESV Version is fast becoming my favorite version of the Bible.  If you are looking for a good study Bible, consider the ESV Study Bible.  You will love it!

As a result of moving this week, Josh and I were away from home for four days.  I do not like to be away from home because I love spending time with Sonya and our family.  It seems that while I was gone Hannah missed me terribly.  There was an interesting habit she formed when I arrived back home.  She now calls me Danny.  It would bother me if she did not say my name with such love and affection.  I was unloading the truck and she was crying out for me, “I want my Danny.”  She came running down the hall, saying, “Where are you Danny?”

It is true that children are supposed to call there dads, “Daddy or at least Dad.”  But in our household she has laid hold of the name that everyone else calls me, “Danny”.  The truth is, I kind of like it this way.  It does my heart good to here her call me by my name.

This is similar to the our relationship with God.  I have always prayed to the Father in Heaven.  As a matter of fact, I address Him as Father.  This is what He means to me.  He is My Father!  There are other names that fit Him and that we can address Him by any time we pray.  He answers to more than just Dad or Father.  There are names throughout Scripture that define who God is.  Names that others have called Him throughout history and He has answered.

Jehovah-Jireh, our provider.
Jehovah-Rapha, our healer.
El-Shaddai, the all-sufficient one.
El-Elyon, the Most High God.
The Great Shepherd
Wonderful, Counselor
Prince of Peace and many more names.

He answers to the names that we call Him as long as it is done with love and affection.  Call out to Him, He answers to His name.