I'm sure that the terrorist element of the Arab world really hates George W Bush. He has made a shamble of their efforts. Iraq is closer than ever before to becoming able to self-rule independent of military aid from the USA. The European and Arab countries have a vested interest in this Presidential Election. A McCain victory would spell trouble for terrorist groups but Barack Obama could provide a 4 year window of opportunity for them. I have this gut feeling that sinister plans have been in the works by the terrorists for a long time but they have been hestitant to use them against Bush.
Economic recovery may take a back seat to defending ourselves if Obama wins. I hope that I am wrong. Obama has been a senator for four years and two of those years he has spent much of his time running for President. It really is amazing to me how he became the Democratic nominee with so little experience.
I kind of look at it this way. We will get the president that we deserve. It's the nation as a whole that will make this decision. What are we? What do we collectively embrace as truth and values. The answers to those questions will come next Tuesday and we will have to live with that choice for the next four years. God's principle of sowing and reaping will never be more evident in our nation. The furthur away that we drift from Him the more susceptible we become to corruption and immorality. Corrupt and Immoral societies make bad decisions.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
What are we?
Hindsight is great but it's obviously always too late to cast light on the present. When we were gathering together at Doug and Jackie's we were all desiring the presence of God. The closest that we would come to sensing His presence was when we worshipped together. We desired community. We wanted something to happen that would generate a Spirit driven community. What were we to do? We all had families and responsibilities but the yearning in our hearts would not go away. The denominations offered us something different. We couldn't go there. I'm not sure that we were necessarily looking to organize but rather hear from God on what to do. I was growing a business and still practicing my morning sermons. The Vineyard offered us a chance to be autonomous but at the same time be a part of something. I would often attend the Vineyard church planting seminars in Columbus. They were interesting and gave me a good background on the Vineyard.
The Vineyard church planting emphasized values and practices. The Vineyard church plants reflected the values and the gifting of the church planter. That made each Vineyard unique in many ways. As much as I loved the Vineyard worship, I still felt a bit unsure of my connection. The Vineyard church planting movement progressed rapidly on the west coast. The east coast had very slow growth. I didn't pay attention to the cultural difference at the time but it is obvious to me now that planting a Vineyard church in Western Pennsylvania would prove to be very difficult. The suburbs of Pittsburgh was socia-economically much wealthier than the panhandle of West Virginia. Suburbs aren't real communities. That's how I see suburbia. Little towns are communities. Suburbs are outside the inner city community. City Vineyards seem to do better that suburban Vineyards.
Our hearts desire was to see a conquering community in northern Allegheny county and southern Butler County. In hindsight, those areas were deep into traditional thinking. Those of us that experienced the Holy Spirit often struggled to find kindred spirits. The remnants of Northfold became a large part of a new non-denominational church in another part of the North Hills.
We felt very alone in our quest but we loved each other and were willing to battle through the obstacles. We soon came to the conclusion that we had to have our own Vineyard and so off we went just like Abraham. We didn't know where we were going or what was going to happen. When you commit to something like this, all hell comes against it. Pioneers always receive strong resistance. The powers of darkness would much rather that we play church. We were all the way in the water now and there was no turning back and so 20 years after my initial coming to the Lord I was about to live a life in a dual role. I was about to give myself as a church planter as well as a business entrepreneur.
Keep in mind. The idea of church and community was still not very clear to those of us that had experienced the Holy Spirit. We were about to learn valuable lessons.
Next up.....
An Open Invitation..
The Vineyard church planting emphasized values and practices. The Vineyard church plants reflected the values and the gifting of the church planter. That made each Vineyard unique in many ways. As much as I loved the Vineyard worship, I still felt a bit unsure of my connection. The Vineyard church planting movement progressed rapidly on the west coast. The east coast had very slow growth. I didn't pay attention to the cultural difference at the time but it is obvious to me now that planting a Vineyard church in Western Pennsylvania would prove to be very difficult. The suburbs of Pittsburgh was socia-economically much wealthier than the panhandle of West Virginia. Suburbs aren't real communities. That's how I see suburbia. Little towns are communities. Suburbs are outside the inner city community. City Vineyards seem to do better that suburban Vineyards.
Our hearts desire was to see a conquering community in northern Allegheny county and southern Butler County. In hindsight, those areas were deep into traditional thinking. Those of us that experienced the Holy Spirit often struggled to find kindred spirits. The remnants of Northfold became a large part of a new non-denominational church in another part of the North Hills.
We felt very alone in our quest but we loved each other and were willing to battle through the obstacles. We soon came to the conclusion that we had to have our own Vineyard and so off we went just like Abraham. We didn't know where we were going or what was going to happen. When you commit to something like this, all hell comes against it. Pioneers always receive strong resistance. The powers of darkness would much rather that we play church. We were all the way in the water now and there was no turning back and so 20 years after my initial coming to the Lord I was about to live a life in a dual role. I was about to give myself as a church planter as well as a business entrepreneur.
Keep in mind. The idea of church and community was still not very clear to those of us that had experienced the Holy Spirit. We were about to learn valuable lessons.
Next up.....
An Open Invitation..
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Hearing the Lord......
Hearing God's Voice and knowing God's will, have always been my deepest desire. I have to admit that these two desires have too often escaped my grasp and are not often fulfilled. When I think about the reality of hearing God's voice, I readily admit that when I have actually heard from God, I had to respond in some way or at least be very humbled by His presence. This leads me to believe that many of us are wandering in a spiritual wilderness because we have no idea how to hear from the Lord. I have also concluded that hearing has a lot to do with our brokenness and attitude of heart. The road block of spiritual dullness that exists between us and the Lord is caused by the rebellion in our heart. Most of us do not see ourselves in rebellion. We think that we are learning the things of God and doing the best we can. That's my point. The best we can has very little affect on our ability to hear from the Lord.
I remember as a youngster growing up how I would tune out many of the things my father would say to me and then a day of reckoning would come. My ears would perk up after my dad would set me straight. I have a grandson and a granddaughter now and it is very easy for me to see the rebellion in their lives at two years old. They want to have their own way. We are born with this rebellion because we are born in sin. Loving correction and discipline brings the child back to the place where they can hear. Without discipline or correction then the child will grow insecure and have very little boundaries.
I would therefore conclude that hearing from the Lord is directly proportionate to our willingness to live under his authority as our Heavenly Father. If we dismiss the chastisement from the Lord then we will miss hearing from Him as well. When we first come to the Lord there is sometimes a violent collision of our will against His. When our will is broken and we see His goodness then the floodgates of joy open and His presence is very real in our lives. We are all eyes and ears to our loving God.
I love these verses in Psalm 51:
Create in me a pure heart, O God,and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you.
I remember as a youngster growing up how I would tune out many of the things my father would say to me and then a day of reckoning would come. My ears would perk up after my dad would set me straight. I have a grandson and a granddaughter now and it is very easy for me to see the rebellion in their lives at two years old. They want to have their own way. We are born with this rebellion because we are born in sin. Loving correction and discipline brings the child back to the place where they can hear. Without discipline or correction then the child will grow insecure and have very little boundaries.
I would therefore conclude that hearing from the Lord is directly proportionate to our willingness to live under his authority as our Heavenly Father. If we dismiss the chastisement from the Lord then we will miss hearing from Him as well. When we first come to the Lord there is sometimes a violent collision of our will against His. When our will is broken and we see His goodness then the floodgates of joy open and His presence is very real in our lives. We are all eyes and ears to our loving God.
I love these verses in Psalm 51:
Create in me a pure heart, O God,and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
My toe is in the water.....
It was approximately 1991,92 that I began to venture out in an attempt to see if there were was anybody out there that had any interest at all in starting a new church. My friend Tom at Allstate was one place to start. Tom's background in the Lord and in ministry was with the Episcopal church. Tom was studying to become an Episcopal priest at one time. We enjoyed each other's fellowship but Tom lived in the South Hills of Pittsburgh and I lived in the North Hills. Tom and I would get together and share our thoughts on ministry but nothing really developed at first. As I prayed about where to start I began to think about Doug and Jacquie, a young couple from Valencia. I sang at their wedding. They were in my home group at Northfold. They loved Beatle music and they really enjoyed the songs that the Lord had given me. They were so easy to be with. There was something God-breathed in our relationship. It was easy to be together and it was fun.
I remember visiting Doug and Jacquie one day and actually ended up doing a live Beatle concert in their living room. They started to chime right in and sing along with me. Doug played the harmonica and Jacquie had a beautiful voice. The Beatle music soon advanced into some of the songs that the Lord had given me and I could sense the Lord's presence as we would sing and worship the Lord. It was as if God made the way for us to be together so that we could be edified and encouraged. After several off the cuff get togethers, it soon became apparent that we needed to be together. Doug and Jacquie were members of a Presbyterian church at the time and seemed discouraged about their overall experience there. Our conversations eventually gravitated towards the dilemma we all found ourselves in after leaving Northfold.
I loved being with Doug and Jacquie because their hearts were pure and they extended grace to me as I would share my heart about my journey. I was equally interested in their journey as well. They wanted more and so did I. Being together at least brought some momentary satisfaction and sanity while we were groping for answers. Eventually Doug and Jacquie decided to host a home group. I would do some teaching at times but most of our time together involved around worship and fellowship. It was the spark that we needed at the time. Our weekly gatherings created a lot of expectation merely because we knew how to enter into God's presence through worship. We would sing one song maybe 20 minutes or so depending on the leading of the Spirit. There was a sense that the Lord was the maestro and that He was leading the chorus. It was awesome.
As I look back, that was such a God thing. We all had questions. We all had life's myriad of problems and doubts but they would all be set aside when we came together in His presence.
My toe was in the water for sure now. I liked what we were doing. I liked it a lot.
Next up.....
What are we?
I remember visiting Doug and Jacquie one day and actually ended up doing a live Beatle concert in their living room. They started to chime right in and sing along with me. Doug played the harmonica and Jacquie had a beautiful voice. The Beatle music soon advanced into some of the songs that the Lord had given me and I could sense the Lord's presence as we would sing and worship the Lord. It was as if God made the way for us to be together so that we could be edified and encouraged. After several off the cuff get togethers, it soon became apparent that we needed to be together. Doug and Jacquie were members of a Presbyterian church at the time and seemed discouraged about their overall experience there. Our conversations eventually gravitated towards the dilemma we all found ourselves in after leaving Northfold.
I loved being with Doug and Jacquie because their hearts were pure and they extended grace to me as I would share my heart about my journey. I was equally interested in their journey as well. They wanted more and so did I. Being together at least brought some momentary satisfaction and sanity while we were groping for answers. Eventually Doug and Jacquie decided to host a home group. I would do some teaching at times but most of our time together involved around worship and fellowship. It was the spark that we needed at the time. Our weekly gatherings created a lot of expectation merely because we knew how to enter into God's presence through worship. We would sing one song maybe 20 minutes or so depending on the leading of the Spirit. There was a sense that the Lord was the maestro and that He was leading the chorus. It was awesome.
As I look back, that was such a God thing. We all had questions. We all had life's myriad of problems and doubts but they would all be set aside when we came together in His presence.
My toe was in the water for sure now. I liked what we were doing. I liked it a lot.
Next up.....
What are we?
Monday, October 13, 2008
It's Time To Party!
Yesterday, Dar and I along with Pastor Ron and his wife Pat traveled down to Wheeling, West Virginia to celebrate the 60th birthday of my friend John Rasz who at the same party was also being acknowledged for his 2oth anniversary as Wheeling Vineyard's Pastor. It was a major trip down nostalgia road for me. There were so many people there that were a significant part of my walk with the Lord. It was quite the blessing to see them all in one place. I have to admit that I was a bit overwhelmed at first because I have not seen some of them for over 20 years. The feeling that I had when I got home was one of gratitude. I wouldn't trade those relationships for any others in the world. The Lord has a master plan for all of us. The fact that you have people that appreciate you is his handy work. He wanted love and friendship for all of us and so we were made in his image to give of ourselves and receive from others this expression of friendship
Community and being together is necessary for us all to function as God created us. Thank you Lord for John's party as a wonderful reminder of the joy of having friends and fellowship.
I highly recommend parties!
Community and being together is necessary for us all to function as God created us. Thank you Lord for John's party as a wonderful reminder of the joy of having friends and fellowship.
I highly recommend parties!
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Is The Sky Falling?
The financial crisis has surely affected the presidential race. There really isn't much else for Obama or McCain to talk about that has as much relative significance. The Global markets have followed suit fueled by the dilemma of the USA. The rest of the countries don't seem to have the where with all to administer a quick fix like the USA just implemented. The European countries are blaming each other. Is the Sky falling? I don't know for sure but the economics of mankind seem to be an area of extreme vulnerability. This is the kind of feeling that I get when a hurricane destroys our cities. We are rendered helpless. As advanced as we are, we cannot handle the fury of nature. Nature is an outside force. This economic crisis is a symptom of a much greater cause or influence. This comes from within. We are reaping what we have sown. The United States has some serious moral and ethical problems. What we are experiencing now as remedies are nothing more that an attempt to eliminate the symptoms.
It's very difficult for me to watch the political process unfold this fall because the real problems can never be addressed because they are not political. The problems we are encountering have a whole lot to do with the injustice that exists. We do not have the conscience to administer justice. We are too political. We are content with blaming each other. That is an injustice. You don't want your doctor to put a band aid on your cancer and then send you home. That would be suicidal. This is what we are doing with the economy. There are hearings going on in congress that are supposed to expose those responsible at AIG, Leman and others. I am very tired of all of this because somehow I never feel that justice is being served.
I am in great fear that we as a country are in danger of complete collapse because we lack the moral integrity to administer justice. In the private sector, there is no bailout. Heads have to roll. People get fired and replaced. This mortgage crisis happened because the oversight of those in control was just not there. The CEO's along with some of our congressional leaders were rolling in the dough with these bad mortgages until the folks they loaned the money to began to default one after another. No closing costs. No down payment. They just financed the whole thing just to get people through. Even a good gambler wouldn't take those odds. The downfall was inevitable. Some of this stems from a political agenda that wants to give the people in the lower socia-economic level the opportunity to have their own home. They get a lot of votes from this sector of society and so that is what I believe is the real motive. That's akin to giving a child a B in school that deserved a C or a D. Giving the child a B is supposed to make him feel better but it is actually presenting a false hope to the child. It's not the truth.
The congress needs innoculated with truth serum. Quit covering up. Quit blaming. Take responsibilty for what happened in the financial markets and then administer solutions. I think that congress is trying to do this now. I'm not sure how it is all going to turn out but this sure makes you want the government of God on this earth. We desparately need a righteous monarchy led by a perfect king. When He speaks, we listen. End of story. It is becoming very apparent to me that we cannot govern ourselves.
It's very difficult for me to watch the political process unfold this fall because the real problems can never be addressed because they are not political. The problems we are encountering have a whole lot to do with the injustice that exists. We do not have the conscience to administer justice. We are too political. We are content with blaming each other. That is an injustice. You don't want your doctor to put a band aid on your cancer and then send you home. That would be suicidal. This is what we are doing with the economy. There are hearings going on in congress that are supposed to expose those responsible at AIG, Leman and others. I am very tired of all of this because somehow I never feel that justice is being served.
I am in great fear that we as a country are in danger of complete collapse because we lack the moral integrity to administer justice. In the private sector, there is no bailout. Heads have to roll. People get fired and replaced. This mortgage crisis happened because the oversight of those in control was just not there. The CEO's along with some of our congressional leaders were rolling in the dough with these bad mortgages until the folks they loaned the money to began to default one after another. No closing costs. No down payment. They just financed the whole thing just to get people through. Even a good gambler wouldn't take those odds. The downfall was inevitable. Some of this stems from a political agenda that wants to give the people in the lower socia-economic level the opportunity to have their own home. They get a lot of votes from this sector of society and so that is what I believe is the real motive. That's akin to giving a child a B in school that deserved a C or a D. Giving the child a B is supposed to make him feel better but it is actually presenting a false hope to the child. It's not the truth.
The congress needs innoculated with truth serum. Quit covering up. Quit blaming. Take responsibilty for what happened in the financial markets and then administer solutions. I think that congress is trying to do this now. I'm not sure how it is all going to turn out but this sure makes you want the government of God on this earth. We desparately need a righteous monarchy led by a perfect king. When He speaks, we listen. End of story. It is becoming very apparent to me that we cannot govern ourselves.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
George
During the summer of 2007 I made a trip to Cannonsburg, Pa to meet a guy named George about purchasing some baseball cards. When I met George I soon learned that he had stomach cancer and that he was selling off his card collection a little bit at a time. I ask the Lord for opportunities while I'm working in the sports card business and George obviously looked like an opportunity. I visited George a few times and on my third visit, I ask his permission to pray for him. His wife Sandy was present. It seemed kind of awkward. He just met me. I told him that I may never see him again and that I couldn't leave without praying. He gave me the green light and so I prayed. George didn't have much to say after my prayer. He started talking about baseball cards again and so I at least left George that warm summer day with some prayer.
I remember on my way home from that experience the thoughts that were crossing my mind. Does anybody care about this man? He seemed so dry and had a very single minded focus. He just loved sports cards. George was a very small thin man. Quiet in his demeanor. He was one of those folks that you could easily dismiss in life.
I didn't think that I would ever see George again but it so happened that he knew the guy that I partnered with at my sports card store in Robinson twp. George stopped in one day late in November and we kind of renewed our friendship. George didn't look good to me. His stomach was protruding because the tumor inside him pushed his intestinal track through his stomach muscles. It was sad. He kept coming to the shop and we would talk. I kind of felt like nobody was available to talk to George about God or his place in eternity. I was reluctant to bring it up in the shop because I didn't want to scare him. I did bring it up one day and he seemed to want me to talk while he listened intently. He didn't comment much and I couldn't sense any emotion or clear indicator that he wanted to know more.
Three weeks ago George called me and wanted me to come to the house. He couldn't drive his car anymore. He was slowly dying. I visited George and his wife Sandy. He gave me a bunch of cards to sell for him and Sandy. He wanted me to help her financially with his collection. I drove home with his cards and while driving home I knew that I needed to go back soon. The Lord was tapping me on the shoulder to back and pray for him. I knew that I needed a time with George to talk to him about Jesus. I called a few days later and went back down to Cannonsburg to have a one on one with George about the Lord. He had a hard time carrying on a conversation but he was coherent and understood everything that I was saying. He and I prayed together for his place in eternity. I left feeling that I obeyed the prompting of the Spirit. It felt kind of strange but he had no one else in the world helping him through this time other than Sandy.
George died two days ago. Sandy Called me and ask if I would speak at the funeral. She was grateful that in her words "I was there to help him cross over". I just wanted to share this because I wanted you all to know that God doesn't forget about anybody. I'm sure that George sometime during his life cried out to God and so God sent me. Sandy said that George never went to church but read the Bible all the time. This event has given me more assurance that God makes a way for each and everyone of us. George had no church, no christian friends that I know of. He just read the Bible and I'm sure asked the Lord a lot of questions along the way. If we make any attempt to seek Him, the Lord will honor that. I remember when I cried out as a young man while in a drunken stupor and the end result was that He heard and rescued me from a life going nowhere.
Have a great day! I'm off to the funeral.
I remember on my way home from that experience the thoughts that were crossing my mind. Does anybody care about this man? He seemed so dry and had a very single minded focus. He just loved sports cards. George was a very small thin man. Quiet in his demeanor. He was one of those folks that you could easily dismiss in life.
I didn't think that I would ever see George again but it so happened that he knew the guy that I partnered with at my sports card store in Robinson twp. George stopped in one day late in November and we kind of renewed our friendship. George didn't look good to me. His stomach was protruding because the tumor inside him pushed his intestinal track through his stomach muscles. It was sad. He kept coming to the shop and we would talk. I kind of felt like nobody was available to talk to George about God or his place in eternity. I was reluctant to bring it up in the shop because I didn't want to scare him. I did bring it up one day and he seemed to want me to talk while he listened intently. He didn't comment much and I couldn't sense any emotion or clear indicator that he wanted to know more.
Three weeks ago George called me and wanted me to come to the house. He couldn't drive his car anymore. He was slowly dying. I visited George and his wife Sandy. He gave me a bunch of cards to sell for him and Sandy. He wanted me to help her financially with his collection. I drove home with his cards and while driving home I knew that I needed to go back soon. The Lord was tapping me on the shoulder to back and pray for him. I knew that I needed a time with George to talk to him about Jesus. I called a few days later and went back down to Cannonsburg to have a one on one with George about the Lord. He had a hard time carrying on a conversation but he was coherent and understood everything that I was saying. He and I prayed together for his place in eternity. I left feeling that I obeyed the prompting of the Spirit. It felt kind of strange but he had no one else in the world helping him through this time other than Sandy.
George died two days ago. Sandy Called me and ask if I would speak at the funeral. She was grateful that in her words "I was there to help him cross over". I just wanted to share this because I wanted you all to know that God doesn't forget about anybody. I'm sure that George sometime during his life cried out to God and so God sent me. Sandy said that George never went to church but read the Bible all the time. This event has given me more assurance that God makes a way for each and everyone of us. George had no church, no christian friends that I know of. He just read the Bible and I'm sure asked the Lord a lot of questions along the way. If we make any attempt to seek Him, the Lord will honor that. I remember when I cried out as a young man while in a drunken stupor and the end result was that He heard and rescued me from a life going nowhere.
Have a great day! I'm off to the funeral.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Political Trust is Fading Fast
This mess with the banking industry is the clearest indicator yet of our governments lack of integrity. The Republicans and Democrats both tried to put a band aid on this cancer and the people of this country revolted. I would be more concerned about the lack of trust in our government officials than I would be the financial fallout. It is becoming increasing clear that the upper echelon in government will go to great extremes to cover up the mistakes and corruption that exists in the financial markets. This creates a moral dilemma of huge proportions because the bottom line of our politicians has been exposed. I would have to say that this is the first time that I have ever been embarrassed at my governments behavior. The two parties are so self interested that all they want to do is blame each other. They look silly and they appear to be clueless about the proper solution.
We have a great problem in our country that is fueled by our economic status. We are the golden goose of the world and there are too many hands in the American money pot. Most of us don't even know how our tax money is really being used or should I say abused. Guess what? The money pot is you and me. The bail out proposal was thrown on our lap. We were called upon to fix it and most of us had nothing to do with the problem. Does that make you feel secure?
I see the financial crisis as a symptom of a much greater problem. We have a moral dilemma that is eating away at the beliefs of our founding fathers. Our government is too big. It is becoming a huge weight on the American people. Trust is fading and it is breeding fear and insecurity in America. This is dangerous. People will revolt if you frighten them enough.
Father, Forgive us
We know not what we do.
We have a great problem in our country that is fueled by our economic status. We are the golden goose of the world and there are too many hands in the American money pot. Most of us don't even know how our tax money is really being used or should I say abused. Guess what? The money pot is you and me. The bail out proposal was thrown on our lap. We were called upon to fix it and most of us had nothing to do with the problem. Does that make you feel secure?
I see the financial crisis as a symptom of a much greater problem. We have a moral dilemma that is eating away at the beliefs of our founding fathers. Our government is too big. It is becoming a huge weight on the American people. Trust is fading and it is breeding fear and insecurity in America. This is dangerous. People will revolt if you frighten them enough.
Father, Forgive us
We know not what we do.
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