Pastors

I'm sharing this link because even though it talks about honouring pastors, (and I'm one) I know it's something we all need to read. Let me also mention this, in the last week I have had two people care for me and my family in amazing ways. One did something really small and one did something huge, but both meant equally as much. Don't worry I'm not expecting you to slip me 100's....once you read it you'll see what I mean.
http://claytonking.com/the-plague-restoring-honor/

Rick Warren - Laughter

Learning to Laugh by Rick Warren

A relaxed attitude lengthens a man’s life. Proverbs 14:30 (LB)

Did you know that people who laugh live longer? It’s true. Proverbs 14:30 says, “A relaxed attitude lengthens a man’s life.” (LB)

Humor is an amazing thing. It’s a tension dissolver. It’s an antidote to anxiety. It’s just like a tranquilizer, but without any troublesome side-effects. And it’s free! You don’t even need a prescription. Laughter is life’s shock absorber. If you want to have less stress in your life, learn to laugh at your circumstances.

Someone once asked U.S. President Abraham Lincoln how he handled all the stresses of the Civil War. He said, “If it hadn’t been for laughter, I could not have made it.”

Many famous comedians grew up in poor neighborhoods with lots of problems. They coped with their troubles by learning to laugh and making others laugh.So learn to laugh. If you can laugh at it, you can live with it. And besides, if you learn to laugh at your troubles, you’ll never run out of anything to laugh at!

Life is full of funny situations. The cowboy comedian Will Rogers once said, “I don’t know any jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts.”

One of my favorite verses in the Bible is Psalm 2:4, “The One enthroned in heaven laughs.” (NIV) Isn’t that a great verse? God has a sense of humor. God laughs! Have you ever seen the face of an orangutan? God thought that one up! That proves he has a sense of humor. Do you want to be more like God? Learn to laugh.

© 2008 Purpose Driven Life. All rights reserved

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Good leaders bring good people around them.

When Jehoram had become solidly established as king, he killed all his brothers and some of the other leaders of Judah.... you have even killed your own brothers, men who were better than you.
2 Chronicles 21:4, 13b NLT

Insecure leaders feel threatened by those that may excel in an area that they don't. Maybe you once worked for someone like this and they fired you for being too good at your job. On the other hand secure leaders realize that they need people around them that are better than they are in a lot of areas. At CATF we have people that are better than me in a lot of areas, people that are smarter, better educated, more talented, more skilled, more social, more caring, more loving, more of a lot of things. I am thankful for each of you and could never do it without you. I am secure in the fact that I am called to lead and God has brought me an all star team to make up for the many areas I am weak. Thanks for standing with me.

Did Someone Say Sunday's Coming

This Sunday we talk about UNMET EXPECATIONS. Got any of those things? I do and the Bible has much to say about expectations. Don't miss Sunday, it will be a incredible day! Looking forward to a great day. Looking forward to seeing each of you at CATF.

Great Churches

There are a lot of great churches within a 30 minute drive of CATF. We are only one of many. The thing that sets us apart is our uniqueness. We are who we are, just as you are who you are. As we move forward as a church we must protect who we are in order to be effective. That is why some people walk through the doors of CATF and don't like what we do or in some cases want us to be something we will never be. We will be effective when we are laser focused on our direction as a church.

On the other hand there are many walking through the doors saying, "this is my kinda place". Right now we are filled with people that get what we do. They love our style, approach and vision. We are poised to reach people big time. With that in mind we need to keep our focus like never before. Let's do the few things we do, very well. Let's not get distracted by what xyz church is doing down the road. Let's be who God called us to be. Let's focus on our Sunday morning gathering, our one on one environments and touching the lives of those in the community that are needy and hurting.

CATF let's turn it up and make the impact we have been called to make. With Mother's Day in a few weeks, I think we will see a crowd that surpasses anything we've seen yet. Turn it up everyone - turn up the prayer, turn up the commitment, turn up your connection with those that need Jesus - Turn it up.

Very Worthwhile

Nothing can be added to this to make it any better...

The Original Serenity Prayer(Credited to Reinhold Niebuhr)

God, give us grace to accept with serenity

the things that cannot be changed,

Courage to change the things

which should be changed,

and the Wisdom to distinguish

the one from the other.
Living one day at a time,

Enjoying one moment at a time,

Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace,

Taking, as Jesus did,

This sinful world as it is,

Not as I would have it,

Trusting that You will make all things right,

If I surrender to Your will,

So that I may be reasonably happy in this life,

And supremely happy with You forever in the next.
Amen.

New Stuff

Spring is a time for new life, don't miss out on new life within. Thinking back to last Sunday. Are you letting God bring back new life in an area of you life that has died. Begin by asking God to show you what has died in your life. Is a part of you emotionally, spiritually or relationally dead? Ask him to bring back new life. Ask him what you should do.

Few Thoughts

Ever just feel mentally tired. That's me right now. I just need to rest my mind a little. Pray for me, I struggle with giving myself the freedom to pull back a little.

This week I heard of two different people caring for others in our church. That is what it is all about - care and be cared for by those that are part of a place we call Church at the Falls.

Keep Smiling!

3 D Discipleship

I mentioned this past Sunday about 3 D discipleship and how as the church we need to seek to be 3 Dimensional Followers of Christ.
The first dimension is the Sunday morning gathering, to be together as the church and to invite others who are yet to follow Christ along with us.
The second dimension is meeting together in smaller groups. These may be as part of a Life Group or informally with other believers. The purpose is to do life together, to care for one another and to find support as you walk this Christian journey.
The third dimensions is care for the disadvantage and needy in our community. We will have opportunities as a church to do this. In addition we can all seek out potential opportunities as individuals.

One great note from this past Sunday - a person came up to me and said that she was going to connect with someone else from the church on a regular basis. They both shared similar struggles and were going to do life together. That's what adding a dimension to you life is all about.

Let's work together to become 3 Dimensional followers of Christ.

Sunday - Sunday

Here's some Sunday thoughts...(I'm tired so if there are more grammatical errors and spelling mistakes than usually -- that's life:-)

• I love how our host team is bursting at the seems. Lots of great volunteers making a great first impression for newbies. Thanks for putting yourself second and others first.
• Lots of families with babies today. Some new faces and some that are just getting plugged in at CATF.
• Several people remarked that today was really good. I felt like I wasn't hitting on all cylinders, but I guess something was helpful. I have loved this Miracle series - I have a greater sense of God desire to work in my life.
• Showed video that I made in a cemetery this past week (for those that don't know - we talked about Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead). I think they get a little freaked out when you video tape in a cemetery I had one of the grounds staff looking me over.
• Love that Bon Jovi song, It's My Life.
• Attendance has been stuck at around 70 the last three weeks. Let bolding pray for God to help us break through 80, 90, 100....we have a great church and more people need to experience what each of us has the privilege of experiencing.
• Our next series of talks is entitled, Influence. I think I may re-title it, "Are You Under the Influence." It's about the good and bad of influence. We are coming at this from a really cool angle...it will be great. I'm already getting pumped up thinking about it.
• Great to hear some incredible stories of life change today. There is seldom a week that I don't hear about God at work.
• I love the fact that almost every week we have a new face checking out CATF.
• The volunteer commitment is huge at CATF.
• Project wants us to bring a team over one day to help in their store.
• Glad we are stay so firm on our vision as a church - we need to be who God has called us to be. Not another cookie cutter church.
• Jack out did himself today - working with Sound and Video both, but the muscle shirt has got to go.
• Had my friend Steve Abma help with Sound also - great guy.

Parenting Teens

I found a very good article about parenting teens. Thought I would pass it along, since many are on the same journey I am.

http://www.christiananswers.net/q-dml/parenting-millennials.html

Gas Prices

Our gas hit almost a 1.17 a liter today. I checked the prices in Lewiston,NY and they are at .95 a liter with a slight currency exchange calculated in. Even with the bridge toll I would still save about $7 or $8 on a full tank. If I go to the Indian reserve in Lewiston I can save even more, but people say the gas isn't as good. I guess my time is worth something thought, but if I do some other shopping it changes the savings dynamic. This is just one of the benefits of living on the border.

Investing in Friends

Have you ever invited a friend or family member to church and they turned you down. Your eyes glaze over and you have this look of bewilderment all over your face. You may have felt personally rejected. Why wouldn't they want to come to church? Do they think I'm wierd? Do they think I'm in a cult?

There is an investment principle that I think will help us understand why this is the case. If put $100 in the bank today and go back to the bank tomorrow looking to withdraw $120 dollars the banker will say, "No your investment has not grown that much". Please come back in the future in order to see that amount of increase. The same is with friendships, we must invest the love of God into a person over and over. If we approach showing God's love this way, there will be great results or interest down the the road. Realize that as a follower of Christ you are to show God's love and leave the increase up to him. Only he knows what the end profit will be. Invest invest invest with no expectation and you will be amazed. Over time you will see the results. Be patient.

Who are you investing in?

Random Thoughts

• Slow Ride is a great song - I have no idea what it's about, so nobody ruin it by telling it is something dark and evil.
• Should have gone to the gym tonight.
• Nice Weather!
• Sara Lee chocolate chip muffins are out of this world. (there's this new kind that you buy frozen and bake at home)
• A motorcycle would be cool - just don't have a license...might hurt myself if I did.
• A convertible would be better.
• I think I will rent a Mustang (the car not a horse) some time this summer. Lay some rubber and have a little fun. Anyone know where I can rent one?
• This Sunday will be awesome.
• Our next series of talks is going to be real good too.
• Working on something for Mom's Day.
• Today was a good day!

Sunday Review

• Better late than never.
• Yesterday was a great day spent with really great people.
• The band sounded really great.
• Had a great turnout at our Host Team meeting. Lots of new people getting involved.
• Heard great stories of God at work in peoples lives.
• Love it when people say they love coming to church and get something each week.
• I was so pumped up when one of our people came up to me and told me they were going to to start volunteering in a seniors residence with the purpose of showing God's love. Sounds like something Jesus would do. That's what being salt and light in this world is all about. I encourage each of your to make a difference in our community.
• Some questions from yesterday: What's your challenge, hangup, habit or struggle? Do you want to get healthy? What's God telling you to do? Obedience proceeds God's work in our life.
• I am always so excited to work along side the many dedicated volunteers that give of themselves each Sunday. You are the best.

Well Said

There are times when a link is better than a thousand words

http://connexuscommunity.typepad.com/carey_nieuwhof/2008/04/a-great-answer.html

Mothers Day

Mothers Day is coming up (no guys it's not this Sunday - relax - it's in May) and we want to do something very big and very special for Moms in our community. Stay tuned - we are working on it. Hopefully it all comes together very soon.

The Heart

This story really says something about the heart and the need to care for the inner most part of our being. How's your heart? Is is filled with God's love or is it empty? The Bible speaks a lot about the heart and the need to address the attitudes of the heart. Who we are as a person flows from the heart - spiritual, emotional and physical. It would seem from this next story that a hurting heart has profound repercussions.

This story is incredibly sad, and incredibly…incredible.

Twelve years ago, Sonny Graham’s heart was failing and he was on the verge of death, until he received a call from doctors, saying a donor heart had just become available.
That heart belonged to Terry Cottle, 33, who had committed suicide by shooting himself in the head.
The operation was a success and soon after, Mr Graham, 69, contacted the organ donor agency, saying he wanted to thank Mr Cottle’s family.
He began writing to Mr Cottle’s widow, Cheryl, 39, and they soon fell in love and were married in 2004, moving to the US state of Georgia.
After the wedding, Mrs Graham said: “It helped me so much. Meeting Sonny made it easier for me, knowing something so good came from something so bad.”
In a newspaper article published in 2006, Mr Graham said he felt an instant and unusual attachment when he met his donor’s widow.
“I felt like I had known her for years,” Mr Graham said. “I couldn’t keep my eyes off her. I just stared.”
But now, 12 years after the operation, Mrs Graham’s life has been rocked by another tragedy.
Mr Graham killed himself with a shotgun, in circumstances similar to those which claimed Mr Cottle’s life.
His friends said he had shown no signs of being depressed and were at a loss to explain his sudden death.
According to scientists, there are more than 70 documented cases of transplant patients taking on some of the personality traits of the organ donors.

Sunday Sunday

• What a day!
• Today was CATF's first anniversary.
• One year ago we had 15 people - now we are at around 70 people each week.
• Lives are being changed - that's what it's all about.
• Started our day with Celebration by Kool and the Gang - great way to celebrate our first year.
• Gave away a bunch of free passes to the movies - thanks Mike from Cineplex.
• Great feedback about today's talk.
• The band had a great sound today.
• Our team worked hard today - you're a great bunch of Falls Fanatics.
• Donut's were on the menu today as part of our 1 year celebration.
• Thanks CATF for a great year - looking forward to year 2.

Saturday 3:31pm

• worked half a day on my talk for Sunday - my faith has been challenged this week
• went to Licks for lunch with Kyle - great hamburgers
• cleaned out the garage, swept the porch and driveway
• enjoyed the spring weather
• looking forward to dinner with some friends from my high school days - should be fun
• Sunday will be a great day

Creative Churches Rock

Granger Community Church is certainly one of the more creative churches around. GCC’s theme for Easter was Viral, spreading the light of Christ to everyone. As part of their Easter service they gave everyone glow sticks and used the glow sticks for some illustrations during the sermon to show how quickly something can spread and how instead of sharing Christ with someone we need to share Christ with everyone.
They had a bit of fun with the glow sticks too, playing a little game of Simon. This has now been posted on You Tube. Ever played Simon in church?

Friday

It's Friday at 3:06 pm - it's my day off.

• I have done some cleaning, threw in a load of laundry, visited a financial planner and now I'm sitting.
• I should go to the gym, but my motivation level is low. I will likely talk myself into going to gym because I know how good I will feel after.
• Saturday and Sunday look like great weather days - looking forward to spending time outside.
• Sunday is our 1 year anniversary at CATF - that's exciting.
• Getting together tomorrow night with some old school friends - should be interesting.
• That's about all that's on my mind right now - I know not much.

Ask the right questions and follow the right Leader

For a church pastor/leader, the question is never “Can we do this?” The question is always “Does God want us to do this?” If the answer to that question is yes, then you follow it up with “Well then, how can we make this happen?”

Too often, we say no to God because we believe something can’t be done. God doesn't really care about what we think is or is not impossible. He just wants to know whether or not we’ll do what He asks us to do.

On the other side, we say yes to people's desires too often without hearing from God because we want to please that person. Saying yes, when we know what God has already said or without seeking him spells disaster for our church. So if I ever say no to your request it's not because I don't like you or your idea, it's just that I need to hear from God before we step forward.

Asking the right questions and following the the right Leader is primary to our success.

My prayer is this:
God,
How can we make Jesus famous in the Niagara Region. Show us and we will follow.

ONE

Jesus prayed these words...

John 17:20-23 I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be ONE, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be ONE as we are ONE: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

Life Church just announced to churches around the world the great opportunity to band together and be ONE. One means proclaiming Jesus with one strong voice using our unique voice at CATF. We, along with any church that would like to participate, have been invited to be a part of an international series of talks entitled, One Prayer, beginning in June with Criag Groeschel of LifeChurch.tv, Ed Young of Fellowship Church, and many other churches. Now, this is so much more than a series of talks, as One Prayer has the opportunity to be a movement!
Imagine hundreds of thousands of Christ followers, possibly millions, cooperating and collaborating in a strategic alignment. Take hearing God’s Word from some of the greatest leaders and communicators in the church world today, then add in community service and global outreach, and you have conditions for a tsunami of generosity that changes our communities locally and globally. I already know of one other church in Niagara Falls that is on board. I have communicated to a couple others in St. Catharines and consideration is being given. I think we can see tremendous impact in our area as a result of ONE. Let's be One as Jesus prayed.

Check out the details here -

http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2008/03/31/big-announcement-one-prayer/

Give It Up

These verses have always troubled me. Not as much as they used to, I might add. But still I am troubled.

Mark 8:34-35 NLT
34 Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. 35 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it.

Not troubled because I don't understand the basic concept, but troubled because of the depth of what Jesus is calling me to do. Trouble at how slow I am to follow him. Let's do a little break down of this verse with my response in brakets.

• turn from my selfish ways (I like me more than anybody I know and I want to take care of ME)
• take up my cross - (there are things I uniquely bear in this life that are uncomfortable and I want to run from them)
• follow him (I like to lead not follow)
• if I hang on to my life I will lose it (I do everything possible to protect my life and the last thing I want to do is give it away)
• give up my life for Jesus (what a unique idea considering he already did that for me)

Just some of my very real struggles. The good news is that I have followed Jesus a little more in these areas than I did a year ago and more than I did the year before. So be encouraged those who are new in the journey - willingly give your life over to him. Take those tiny steps of faith and Jesus will take you further than you ever thought your could go. I am glad that Jesus loves me where I'm at. I am also glad he loves me enough not to allow me to stay there.

Don't Give Up

This is really worth the time to read

Don't Give Up by Perry Noble