HAPPY BLESSED PROSPEROUS AND PEACEFUL NEW YEAR

On New Years Eve, we made a quick run to San Diego to visit friends and to show honor and respect to one of America’s finest U.S. Marines. We love and appreciate all of our military men and women. We appreciate all that they do for us. May we never take for granted our freedom in the natural or our freedom in the realm of the spirit.

 God bless Carey Gilmore, and his wonderful wife Tammie and his two awesome sons, Caleb and Luke (Jr. Marines). As I sit here with my left coast family, we are all safe and sound and have enjoyed a wonderful 2009. We are looking forward to all that God has for us in 2010.

 Reflection is always a good thing, but only if it helps us move forward. We must continue to believe God’s word and his promises to us. He has assured us of a great future. May we take the good of 2009 and carry it into 2010.

 As like many others, we suffered losses in 2009. None was more painful for me than the loss of my Pastor, Billy Joe Daugherty. I know where he is, so he isn’t really lost. I know I will see him again someday, but I miss his presence here and now. May God’s amazing grace overtake you and any losses you experienced this past year.

 Today is the day! This is the year! This is our time! May we live it with great passion, purpose and wisdom, all of which come from the Father.

 My prayer for you is that you will step out in faith and obey God like never before. Put aside every fear, let go of all pride and selfishness, and follow the path that only you are destined to pursue.

May this year be a “Eph 3:20” year for you: 

Love Ya

PMT

WHITE CHRISTMAS

Good Morning! A special thank you to all of you who were “wishin an a prayin” for snow for Christmas. I will admit as I sit in the lobby of the Airport Hilton it is beautiful. Having lived in Wisconsin for so many years, I have “enjoyed” a lifetime of them. I much prefer a walk on the beach in So Cal.

What a storm, I trust everyone is safe and warm. We are delayed, but hopefully will leave this afternoon and arrive in time to see our Hannah and Abby just before they have to go to bed.

A day like no other, the day we celebrate the birth of our savior, redeemer and friend. The “life giver”. What a wonderful day to know that we have eternal life. Jesus Christ the Son of God made it all possible.

May you and your family enjoy each other and this wonderful day. May you love and appreciate all that God has given us, most importantly His Son.

What a day!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

12.23.09

REFLECTION

“The life that I now live”. A statement made by the Apostle Paul. “The life that I now live (Selah – or pause and think on this). My first thought is; Am I living? Is my life more than an existence? Do I enjoy my life? Do I have a sense of fulfillment? Am I enjoying my relationships with others?

These are good questions to ponder. How are you doing today? What are your answers to these questions? So often, I find that how I view life has to do with my attitude. My attitude is then tied to my perspective. How can I avoid the negativity of life? How can I keep my joy and peace that God gave me through His son?

For me it starts with being thankful. This morning it’s raining, I am thankful for our home and shelter. I’m so thankful for my wife (aka. MiMi or “The Linda”). I am thankful for the peace in my soul. I’m thankful for the Holy Spirit and how He leads me. I’m thankful for those I get to work with and their love for God. The list goes on and on and on (never forgetting my granddaughters and my granddogs).

Today, may I/we listen (to the Holy Spirit) and obey. I am convinced that if we do, we will have a day of fulfillment. A day of joy and peace, a day that is significant. A day that we can say, we helped advance the Kingdom of God. It really doesn’t get any better than this.

Merry Christmas

Remember, Life Is For Living!

PMT

 12.14.09

REFLECTION         

The day after: Yesterday was a landmark day. It was one of those relatively few days in life you will always remember. It was the day that we “launched” Kyle and Liz as Pastors of the The Cause Community Church in Kansas City. There were fewer tears than expected. There was a wonderful sense of joy that exceeded any sadness. I think that was a good thing. We seam to continue to have wonderful life giving services and for that I am very thankful. I enjoy the freedom and the relaxed environment that we are able to create. God has been so good to us. We are wonderfully blessed. It was also the weekend that our Life Groups served in loving and providing for our single mom’s. I am so thankful for all that God has done. Thank You Lord.

PRAYER

How wonderful you are Lord. Your mercy and grace are so needed by us and you supply it to us without any restraint. Everyday we need more and everyday you provide more. May I be and do as you desire today. May I please you with my life today, may my life be an offering of worship to you. Help me to see and respond to then needs around me. It is so easy to get busy and focused on me and what I “need to do”, that I don’t even see the most obvious of needs and miss the opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life.

All of us are here for a purpose Lord, may we be aware of that purpose today and walk out your will for our lives. May your peace and blessings flow through us today. Thank you that you know us by name and we are not “just a number” to you.

Today, may we live our lives with purpose, may we make a deposit toward our legacy, and may we impact the lives of others in the way that others have impacted our lives.

I Love You Lord

PMT

REFLECTION

It’s Christmas time. Just 19 days. I have such a joy in my heart. The goodness of God is overwhelming. Always thinking about us, caring and providing for us. Showing us mercy in place of judgment, love beyond comprehension. Thank you Father for giving us your Son. Thank you for buying us back. Thank you for your Holy Spirit here today to guide us, to comfort and strengthen us. Thank you Lord!

PRAYER

May I be what you desire me to be today. May I encourage others by sharing the good news. The savior, redeemer has come and blessed us by buying us back and giving us freedom. May I honor Him today, by living in that freedom. May I experience the peace and joy that He has given me. May I worship Him with everything that is in me. May I live as one who has purpose and promise. May I show your love and mercy to all. May I know and share your loving kindness to those that need it the most. May I reflect you to the world today, full of joy and peace.

I love you Lord!

PMT 

Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning. Psa 30:5 nlt

Yesterday was a good day, a day of getting back into a regular ministry flow. A day that my joy began to take its proper place. I am so blessed to have some wonderful Pastors in my community that I pray with every week. These men have become so much more than professional associates. These are true friends. Friends that care and cry and rejoice with me. I am truly blessed.

Last night we had a wonderful Life Group Leaders meeting. Again, what a blessing to have a group of leaders that have embraced the vision that God has given to our local church. These men and women care about people, and are selfless in giving of their time and giftings. Jason, one of our leaders introduced a series of statements that I want to encourage you with today. This is what we endeavor to do in our small groups.

NO ONE STANDS ALONE

NO ONE GROWS ALONE      

NO ONE STRUGGLES ALONE

NO ONE SERVES ALONE

NO ONE CELEBRATES ALONE

May I encourage you today to find a life giving local church, become a contributing part of that body, and commit to a small group.

CONNECT – GROW – SERVE

Blessings

PMT

The life that I now live, I live by faith in the Son of God. To have a trust (a knowing) that God is in control is such a comfort. None of us really know what is going to happen today. We make our plans, set our schedules and yet it all could change because of external situations. We do our best as human beings to do what is right, but we are not perfect and we live in a dangerous world that is not at peace with the Kingdom that we represent. Pray, allow the Holy Spirit to speak to us and lead us. Do all that we can to keep the enemy at bay, but then no matter what happens trust God. Have Faith In God!

Blessings

REFLECTION

We buried my Pastor yesterday. Then there was a memorial service. A long day, but a day of healing and strengthening. Of all the words that were spoken, the ones that seem to resonate the most with me were those spoken by Mart Green. The words to describe our fallen leader were “Encouragement” and “Empowerment”. Two words to describe in part the qualities of a wonderful leader. I believe we will use these words to honor him and make them “our words” for Life Church for 2010.

It still doesn’t seam real.

PRAYER

Father, may I this day honor you and honor my Pastor, by being the man of God you have called me to be. May I lead with integrity, passion, love and mercy. May my life be a living example, and may I carry on the ministry that you so blessed me to serve in. May I be prudent, yet full of faith. May I be strong, yet kind. May I be bold, yet gentle. May I be more like you today in all I say and do. I love you Lord! I will miss you Billy Joe! Thank you Lord for calling me into the ministry, and thank you Billy Joe for believing in me.

Father, may you strengthen and encourage Sharon, the children and all of the ministry team at VCC. Give them wisdom. Help them as I ask you to help me to be ourselves and yet embody the qualities and character of Christ that we so admired in Billy Joe.

I love you Lord!