The people of Israel tried to follow a law to make themselves right with God. But they did not succeed, 32 because they tried to make themselves right by the things they did instead of trusting in God to make them right. They stumbled over the stone that causes people to stumble. Romans 9:31-32 NCV
This Sunday at CATF we will find out what the Bible has to say about a relationship with God. Do good people go to heaven or is it all about a relationship with God? Is Jesus the only way or are there other ways to God? Is it about being genuine or could we be genuinely deceived? Don't miss this Sunday!
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
My drive to the office this morning
- I love where I live.
- I love Canada.
- I love Niagara Falls
- I love Church at the Falls
- I hate snow and cold....I'm all for global warming LOL (no emails please...I know I know)
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Quick Update
I'm real tired. Late night last night and early morning today. So just a short update.
- I left the theatre today full of life. What an amazing day right from our set up crew, to our band, to Craig's teaching. God filled my heart full. I am blessed. I can't articulate all that God did in my life today.
- This evening I got to celebrate 42 CATF volunteers as we enjoyed dinner together. What an incredible time together. Thanks everyone, you make CATF a wonderful place. You are my hero's.
- Great attendance today. Let's reach one more for Jesus.
- No snow to deal with.
- Upcoming series, Vow, starting in 2 weeks.
- One more week of True(ish), week 3, will expose a big time lie, one that has eternal consequences.
- God is at work through the LifeChurch.tv Network. So often we wait for God to work instead of finding out where He is at work and then getting on board. We are on board and it's been a ride.
- Love to hear all the stories of people invited friends. Keep it up.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
A Different Perspective
A different perspective that just might encourage us to build relationships with people that are far from God. Penn wraps up his video trying to deflect any such idea that this interaction had impact on him, but he seems rather moved by the whole encounter. Watch and listen....
What is one thing you can do to show Jesus to someone this week?
What is one thing you can do to show Jesus to someone this week?
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
One More For Jesus
Why do I encourage you to invite friends? It's simple, we want to reach one more for Jesus. We want to reach one more child, one more adult, one more senior, one more married, one more single, one more teen, one more young adult, one more and then one more and then one more. So when we talk about breaking the 100 barrier it's not about more people, it's about lives redeemed for all eternity.
I am so thankful that God sent a church along to reach out to me 24 years ago, because my life has been transfromed and I have a home in heaven. God did that in your lives through a church, in many cases it was this church. There are 100,000's of people within driving distance of CATF, who are at the same point you and I were before we came to Christ and I can find no reason why we should hold back this gift we have been given. So under my leadership at CATF I want to reach as many as we can. I know that each of us will be fulfilled, growing and happy when we are reaching those who are in need of Jesus. God created us to be givers just like Him.
Over the last 3 months with our Life Church friends we have seen 20 people raise their hand to commit their lives to Jesus. In addition we have witnessed incredible life change in people, we have seen new people getting involved, we have had increased interest in LifeGroups, we have experienced some increase in giving and our attendance at our Sunday gathering has continued to increase. God is at work and that is what it is all about. This is the type of church that I want to be part of and I'm glad we have so many great people working along with me.
Life Church has been a God given relationship that has helped us take CATF to a whole nutha level over the last few months and the truth is, we have only just begun.
Here's a video message from Andrew Statezny, Life Church Network Pastor. He has been a great inspiration and help to me. By the way he copied my hair style.
I am so thankful that God sent a church along to reach out to me 24 years ago, because my life has been transfromed and I have a home in heaven. God did that in your lives through a church, in many cases it was this church. There are 100,000's of people within driving distance of CATF, who are at the same point you and I were before we came to Christ and I can find no reason why we should hold back this gift we have been given. So under my leadership at CATF I want to reach as many as we can. I know that each of us will be fulfilled, growing and happy when we are reaching those who are in need of Jesus. God created us to be givers just like Him.
Over the last 3 months with our Life Church friends we have seen 20 people raise their hand to commit their lives to Jesus. In addition we have witnessed incredible life change in people, we have seen new people getting involved, we have had increased interest in LifeGroups, we have experienced some increase in giving and our attendance at our Sunday gathering has continued to increase. God is at work and that is what it is all about. This is the type of church that I want to be part of and I'm glad we have so many great people working along with me.
Life Church has been a God given relationship that has helped us take CATF to a whole nutha level over the last few months and the truth is, we have only just begun.
Here's a video message from Andrew Statezny, Life Church Network Pastor. He has been a great inspiration and help to me. By the way he copied my hair style.
Monday, January 19, 2009
One Thing
What is one thing you can do this week to show someone that Jesus loves them? It's not rocket science and all it takes is a little time on your part.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Servants
Matthew 20:26 Whoever serves impacts others.
Today I was further convinced that the people of CATF understand servant hood.
In addition to the CATF volunteers I would also like to thank the great people at Fort Erie Head Injury Association. You worked so hard to make this a great day!
Thanks also to the arena staff who did a superb job. To Scotty for being a great MC. To the many who lent a helping hand and to the Sabres for giving us an entertaining afternoon.
Today I was further convinced that the people of CATF understand servant hood.
- From morning setup at the theater to a dozen people serving our community at a charity hockey game.
- Our band played in the entry to the arena, lifting spirits of those that mingled and walked past.
- I was so proud to see our volunteers selling posters at the arena with smiling faces and a joyful attitude.
- This event would not have been possible without the hours of hard work put in by our own Michael Agrette, from arranging the charity game, to selling tickets, to dealing with so many challenges along the way; he demonstrated servant hood by really working hard to serve the community with an event that allowed all people to experience a fun filled afternoon and also by doing the little extras for the participants in more ways than I could ever communicate on this page.
- Jesus was clearly lived out by our volunteers. Thank you!
In addition to the CATF volunteers I would also like to thank the great people at Fort Erie Head Injury Association. You worked so hard to make this a great day!
Thanks also to the arena staff who did a superb job. To Scotty for being a great MC. To the many who lent a helping hand and to the Sabres for giving us an entertaining afternoon.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Inspiration
The following article was published in the ESPN online magazine. It is one of the most powerful demonstrations of kindness and hope that I have heard of. I'm sure you will be inspired to do make a difference in your community once you read this incredible story. Slow down and take the time.
Life of Reilly
There are some games in which cheering for the other side feels better than winning.
by Rick Reilly
They played the oddest game in high school football history last month down in Grapevine, Texas.
It was Grapevine Faith vs. Gainesville State School and everything about it was upside down. For instance, when Gainesville came out to take the field, the Faith fans made a 40-yard spirit line for them to run through.
Did you hear that? The other team's fans?
They even made a banner for players to crash through at the end. It said, "Go Tornadoes!" Which is also weird, because Faith is the Lions.
"I WOULDN'T EXPECT ANOTHER PARENT TO TELL SOMEBODY TO HIT THEIR KIDS. BUT THEY WANTED US TO!"
It was rivers running uphill and cats petting dogs. More than 200 Faith fans sat on the Gainesville side and kept cheering the Gainesville players on—by name.
"I never in my life thought I'd hear people cheering for us to hit their kids," recalls Gainesville's QB and middle linebacker, Isaiah. "I wouldn't expect another parent to tell somebody to hit their kids. But they wanted us to!"
And even though Faith walloped them 33-14, the Gainesville kids were so happy that after the game they gave head coach Mark Williams a sideline squirt-bottle shower like he'd just won state. Gotta be the first Gatorade bath in history for an 0-9 coach.
But then you saw the 12 uniformed officers escorting the 14 Gainesville players off the field and two and two started to make four. They lined the players up in groups of five—handcuffs ready in their back pockets—and marched them to the team bus. That's because Gainesville is a maximum-security correctional facility 75 miles north of Dallas. Every game it plays is on the road.
This all started when Faith's head coach, Kris Hogan, wanted to do something kind for the Gainesville team. Faith had never played Gainesville, but he already knew the score. After all, Faith was 7-2 going into the game, Gainesville 0-8 with 2 TDs all year. Faith has 70 kids, 11 coaches, the latest equipment and involved parents. Gainesville has a lot of kids with convictions for drugs, assault and robbery—many of whose families had disowned them—wearing seven-year-old shoulder pads and ancient helmets.
So Hogan had this idea. What if half of our fans—for one night only—cheered for the other team? He sent out an email asking the Faithful to do just that. "Here's the message I want you to send:" Hogan wrote. "You are just as valuable as any other person on planet Earth."
Some people were naturally confused. One Faith player walked into Hogan's office and asked, "Coach, why are we doing this?"
And Hogan said, "Imagine if you didn't have a home life. Imagine if everybody had pretty much given up on you. Now imagine what it would mean for hundreds of people to suddenly believe in you."
Next thing you know, the Gainesville Tornadoes were turning around on their bench to see something they never had before. Hundreds of fans. And actual cheerleaders!
"I thought maybe they were confused," said Alex, a Gainesville lineman (only first names are released by the prison). "They started yelling 'DEE-fense!' when their team had the ball. I said, 'What? Why they cheerin' for us?'"
It was a strange experience for boys who most people cross the street to avoid. "We can tell people are a little afraid of us when we come to the games," says Gerald, a lineman who will wind up doing more than three years. "You can see it in their eyes. They're lookin' at us like we're criminals. But these people, they were yellin' for us! By our names!"
Maybe it figures that Gainesville played better than it had all season, scoring the game's last two touchdowns. Of course, this might be because Hogan put his third-string nose guard at safety and his third-string cornerback at defensive end. Still.
After the game, both teams gathered in the middle of the field to pray and that's when Isaiah surprised everybody by asking to lead. "We had no idea what the kid was going to say," remembers Coach Hogan. But Isaiah said this: "Lord, I don't know how this happened, so I don't know how to say thank You, but I never would've known there was so many people in the world that cared about us."
And it was a good thing everybody's heads were bowed because they might've seen Hogan wiping away tears.
As the Tornadoes walked back to their bus under guard, they each were handed a bag for the ride home—a burger, some fries, a soda, some candy, a Bible and an encouraging letter from a Faith player.
The Gainesville coach saw Hogan, grabbed him hard by the shoulders and said, "You'll never know what your people did for these kids tonight. You'll never, ever know."
And as the bus pulled away, all the Gainesville players crammed to one side and pressed their hands to the window, staring at these people they'd never met before, watching their waves and smiles disappearing into the night.
Anyway, with the economy six feet under and Christmas running on about three and a half reindeer, it's nice to know that one of the best presents you can give is still absolutely free.
Hope.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?section=magazine&id=3789373
Life of Reilly
There are some games in which cheering for the other side feels better than winning.
by Rick Reilly
They played the oddest game in high school football history last month down in Grapevine, Texas.
It was Grapevine Faith vs. Gainesville State School and everything about it was upside down. For instance, when Gainesville came out to take the field, the Faith fans made a 40-yard spirit line for them to run through.
Did you hear that? The other team's fans?
They even made a banner for players to crash through at the end. It said, "Go Tornadoes!" Which is also weird, because Faith is the Lions.
"I WOULDN'T EXPECT ANOTHER PARENT TO TELL SOMEBODY TO HIT THEIR KIDS. BUT THEY WANTED US TO!"
It was rivers running uphill and cats petting dogs. More than 200 Faith fans sat on the Gainesville side and kept cheering the Gainesville players on—by name.
"I never in my life thought I'd hear people cheering for us to hit their kids," recalls Gainesville's QB and middle linebacker, Isaiah. "I wouldn't expect another parent to tell somebody to hit their kids. But they wanted us to!"
And even though Faith walloped them 33-14, the Gainesville kids were so happy that after the game they gave head coach Mark Williams a sideline squirt-bottle shower like he'd just won state. Gotta be the first Gatorade bath in history for an 0-9 coach.
But then you saw the 12 uniformed officers escorting the 14 Gainesville players off the field and two and two started to make four. They lined the players up in groups of five—handcuffs ready in their back pockets—and marched them to the team bus. That's because Gainesville is a maximum-security correctional facility 75 miles north of Dallas. Every game it plays is on the road.
This all started when Faith's head coach, Kris Hogan, wanted to do something kind for the Gainesville team. Faith had never played Gainesville, but he already knew the score. After all, Faith was 7-2 going into the game, Gainesville 0-8 with 2 TDs all year. Faith has 70 kids, 11 coaches, the latest equipment and involved parents. Gainesville has a lot of kids with convictions for drugs, assault and robbery—many of whose families had disowned them—wearing seven-year-old shoulder pads and ancient helmets.
So Hogan had this idea. What if half of our fans—for one night only—cheered for the other team? He sent out an email asking the Faithful to do just that. "Here's the message I want you to send:" Hogan wrote. "You are just as valuable as any other person on planet Earth."
Some people were naturally confused. One Faith player walked into Hogan's office and asked, "Coach, why are we doing this?"
And Hogan said, "Imagine if you didn't have a home life. Imagine if everybody had pretty much given up on you. Now imagine what it would mean for hundreds of people to suddenly believe in you."
Next thing you know, the Gainesville Tornadoes were turning around on their bench to see something they never had before. Hundreds of fans. And actual cheerleaders!
"I thought maybe they were confused," said Alex, a Gainesville lineman (only first names are released by the prison). "They started yelling 'DEE-fense!' when their team had the ball. I said, 'What? Why they cheerin' for us?'"
It was a strange experience for boys who most people cross the street to avoid. "We can tell people are a little afraid of us when we come to the games," says Gerald, a lineman who will wind up doing more than three years. "You can see it in their eyes. They're lookin' at us like we're criminals. But these people, they were yellin' for us! By our names!"
Maybe it figures that Gainesville played better than it had all season, scoring the game's last two touchdowns. Of course, this might be because Hogan put his third-string nose guard at safety and his third-string cornerback at defensive end. Still.
After the game, both teams gathered in the middle of the field to pray and that's when Isaiah surprised everybody by asking to lead. "We had no idea what the kid was going to say," remembers Coach Hogan. But Isaiah said this: "Lord, I don't know how this happened, so I don't know how to say thank You, but I never would've known there was so many people in the world that cared about us."
And it was a good thing everybody's heads were bowed because they might've seen Hogan wiping away tears.
As the Tornadoes walked back to their bus under guard, they each were handed a bag for the ride home—a burger, some fries, a soda, some candy, a Bible and an encouraging letter from a Faith player.
The Gainesville coach saw Hogan, grabbed him hard by the shoulders and said, "You'll never know what your people did for these kids tonight. You'll never, ever know."
And as the bus pulled away, all the Gainesville players crammed to one side and pressed their hands to the window, staring at these people they'd never met before, watching their waves and smiles disappearing into the night.
Anyway, with the economy six feet under and Christmas running on about three and a half reindeer, it's nice to know that one of the best presents you can give is still absolutely free.
Hope.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?section=magazine&id=3789373
Friday, January 16, 2009
Here's the FYI
- This weekend we start a new series, True(ish). God’s truth is black and white and even though there is no gray area, that’s where so many of us live today. We prefer to live by the concepts or facts we wish to be true, rather than those known to be true...the gray area. Join us as we learn to navigate the space between True and True(ish). This series will connect with both followers of Christ and those who are very far from God (and every where in between). Don't miss it, you will be challenged. Don't miss the opportunity to invite a friend to CATF or even invite a friend to join you at the Life Church online church on Tuesday afternoon or evening. What you see at CATF on Sunday is available on Tuesday at the virtual church. It's a great way to intro people to what they would experience on Sunday morning at CATF. http://internet.lifechurch.tv/
- If you are a regular part of our Sunday gathering, please fill out the Connection Card each week. I love to hear from you. You also encourage others to do the same when they see you filling out the card.
- This Sunday, at noon, we will participate in the Sabres Alumni Charity Game at the Fort Erie Leisureplex. Great fun for all.
- Sunday, January 25th all CATF volunteers are welcome at the Dinner Celebration. If you haven't signed up on the card or communicated with me about your attendance, please do so asap.(that means fast)
- Pray for many of our families...it seems that the economy is bringing it's financial challenges. For those that are facing cut backs. Keep putting God first in your finances. You will be surprised at what he will do.
- We are inching closer and closer to covering our weekly expenses by what is given each week. Thanks to those that are tithing, thanks to those that are working toward tithing and can I encourage everyone to give as God leads you.
- Lives are being impacted each week at CATF. People are coming to faith in Christ. Your investment is worth it.
- Don't forget to use the invite cards you took with you last Sunday. Pass them along to a friend, leave them for a waitress (with a big tip), mail one to someone who you like or even don't like.
- Pray like crazy for God to bring people to be part of CATF, for lives to be changed, for followers of Christ to grow in their faith, for CATF to impact our community and ultimately that God would be lifted up in all that we do.
- See you Sunday CATF! Show Jesus to others today by how you live. (first in your home, then in the community)
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Fishbowl
Here's another reason why I am thankful for Life Church and Craig Groeschel. Craig had a great blog this morning about the unique challenges that pastors and their children face. I thought it was worthwhile to pass it along because I know that you pray for me and when you understand the unique challenges that I face and pray for me then I can be a better follower of Christ, husband, father and pastor. Thanks Craig for mentoring me and thanks CATF for praying for us.
Raising Your Kids in the Fishbowl
Craig Groeschel
Ministry can be very hard on pastor’s children.
* Your kids will hear you criticized.
* Your kids will watch you hurt.
* Your kids may see you wrongly strike back.
* Your kids might see your hypocrisy up close.
* Your kids might reject the church because you’re always there.
* Your kids may enjoy the extra attention when they are young and despise it when they mature.
No matter how healthy your church is, a pastor’s kid will likely feel a different sort of pressure. Here are a few things we do to help our kids grow up in the fishbowl:
* We put the kids’ activities ahead of the church calendar. If my girls have a piano recital on Saturday night, either I pre-produce the message or have someone else speak.
* I rarely work evenings. The evenings are family time. I also try not to compromise my day off with church needs.
* I don’t talk about my kids in a sermon without their permission.
* Amy and I work hard not to talk negatively about the church.
* We don’t make our kids go to church every week. Every now and then we let them stay home or do something else so going to church doesn’t become a legalistic chore.
* We live our private lives with personal devotion to Christ. We pray and talk about spiritual things with our children regularly.
Raising Your Kids in the Fishbowl
Craig Groeschel
Ministry can be very hard on pastor’s children.
* Your kids will hear you criticized.
* Your kids will watch you hurt.
* Your kids may see you wrongly strike back.
* Your kids might see your hypocrisy up close.
* Your kids might reject the church because you’re always there.
* Your kids may enjoy the extra attention when they are young and despise it when they mature.
No matter how healthy your church is, a pastor’s kid will likely feel a different sort of pressure. Here are a few things we do to help our kids grow up in the fishbowl:
* We put the kids’ activities ahead of the church calendar. If my girls have a piano recital on Saturday night, either I pre-produce the message or have someone else speak.
* I rarely work evenings. The evenings are family time. I also try not to compromise my day off with church needs.
* I don’t talk about my kids in a sermon without their permission.
* Amy and I work hard not to talk negatively about the church.
* We don’t make our kids go to church every week. Every now and then we let them stay home or do something else so going to church doesn’t become a legalistic chore.
* We live our private lives with personal devotion to Christ. We pray and talk about spiritual things with our children regularly.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Taking Theatres By Storm
I love what my friend Roger Blackmore is trusting God for at Church at the Movies in Long Island, NY. Roger was with us in December 2007 on one of the snowiest Sundays we faced in that year. I take credit for teaching him how to do portable church in a snow storm.
Anyway check out his blog http://www.churchatthemovies.com/blog/?p=1447 because he is challenging me to think about how we will reach our region in the years ahead. No big expensive buildings, just taking Jesus to the community centre (the movie theatre) and thereby reaching people that other churches may not.
Anyway check out his blog http://www.churchatthemovies.com/blog/?p=1447 because he is challenging me to think about how we will reach our region in the years ahead. No big expensive buildings, just taking Jesus to the community centre (the movie theatre) and thereby reaching people that other churches may not.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Sunday News
- 4 children accepted Christ today. "Let the little children come to me" Jesus
- 3 adults accepted Christ today.
- I am blown away by what God is doing at CATF. God is at work! Enough said.
- Thank you Jesus that I get to be part of this.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Friday, January 09, 2009
Don't Forget
A reminder of the sacrifice our troops are making in Afghanistan. Freedom has always had a cost. We all need to be thankful.
Thanks to our veterans, policemen, firemen and citizens for your tribute to our fallen soldiers from Trenton, Canadian Forces Base, to Toronto.
Thanks to our veterans, policemen, firemen and citizens for your tribute to our fallen soldiers from Trenton, Canadian Forces Base, to Toronto.
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
Thoughts from my Bible reading
I was so challenged this morning as I read my daily reading. Here's what God put on my heart. God speaks when we regularly read the Bible.
- Matthew 9:2 NLT Some people brought to him a paralyzed man on a mat. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, "Be encouraged, my child! Your sins are forgiven." "Seeing their faith", Jesus wants us as a group to have faith. God works when we come together believing. What are we believing as families, as a church, as the leadership of CATF that God will do in and through us this year? Are we believing that people will come to faith in Christ, that lives will be transformed, that needs will be met, that the church will grow?
- Matthew 9:13 NLT For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners. This so clearly demonstrates what we talked about last Sunday. As a church and as followers of Christ we are called to reach people for Christ. No ifs, ands or buts. That's what we do. We don't run a church to satisfy believers, we operate a rescue mission that builds up believers and reaches out to those that need Christ.
- Matthew 9:37-38 He said to his disciples, "The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields." What is God asking us to do in 2009? I know for sure he's not saying sit back and take a break. We need to serve in our giftedness in a way that supports the ministry of CATF.
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
We Are Unique
I just read a great blog by Craig Groeschel, about how common it is for pastors to defend their style or the style of their church. It really raised a red flag in my own life. It caused me to wonder why I and so many of us tend to debate why our churches do what they do. Why do we defend who we are instead of celebrating who we are? I think it's because we think we need to be the best. We think we have to have all the answers. We aren't the best and we don't have all the answers. We need to realize, we are who God is shaping us to be and we need to take our unique position in his redemption plan. We need to constantly hear form him. Our church may reach dozens and the church down the road may reach hundreds, but lets just be what He wants us to be.
It's time for us to celebrate who we are and the uniqueness of other churches. CATF is doing what God has called us to do. That's a great place to be and I am excited about where we are headed. Let's maximize our uniqueness in 2009. Let's be the church God is shaping us to be.
It's time for us to celebrate who we are and the uniqueness of other churches. CATF is doing what God has called us to do. That's a great place to be and I am excited about where we are headed. Let's maximize our uniqueness in 2009. Let's be the church God is shaping us to be.
Margin
Four Benefits of Putting Margin in Your Life
by Rick Warren
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)
*** *** *** ***
Here are four immediate benefits you’ll receive by building margin into your life:
1. Peace of mind. When you’re not always hurrying and worrying, you have time to think, time to relax, time to enjoy life. We had a bird come into the building one evening before service. He started singing, and it was just like we’d been given an invitation: “Just relax. Everybody except those sitting directly under the bird, relax.”
2. Better health. Unrelenting stress harms our bodies. We all know that, yet we let it continue day after day after day. Many times we only build margin in our lives after the heart attack almost happens or does happen, or the blood pressure skyrockets. Why do we wait until our health plummets before we make this decision? Why not realize thatwe need to build some margin intoour lives now? The truth is your body needs downtime in order to heal. Race cars make pit stops occasionally in order to get repaired. You can’t fix anything going 200 miles an hour. Yet, we try to repair ourselves while we’re still racing through life. Margin builds in time for better health.
3. Stronger relationships. Lack of margin is one big reason for the collapse of the American family today. When we don’t make relationships a priority and make time for each other, our relationships suffer. Relationships take time; and margin provides the time to sit and talk, to listen and enjoy one another, and to provide the comfort we each need.
4. Usefulness in ministry. When you’re overloaded by activity, you can only think of yourself. You’re in survival mode, just trying to make it through another day. But being available to God for his use makes all the difference in this world.
When you have no margin in your life and God taps you on the shoulder, saying, “I’d like you to do this for me,” your first response isn’t joy. Your first response is, “Oh, no! Another thing to do! Sorry, God – I’d like to do that, but I’m just too busy.”
We end up resenting the great opportunities God brings into our lives. But when you have margin, you’re available for God to use.
You don’t have to live on overload. You don’t have to live in survival mode. Begin today to build a buffer around your schedule. Then enjoy the benefits of margin and see what God does next!
© 2008 Purpose Driven Life. All rights reserved.
by Rick Warren
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)
*** *** *** ***
Here are four immediate benefits you’ll receive by building margin into your life:
1. Peace of mind. When you’re not always hurrying and worrying, you have time to think, time to relax, time to enjoy life. We had a bird come into the building one evening before service. He started singing, and it was just like we’d been given an invitation: “Just relax. Everybody except those sitting directly under the bird, relax.”
2. Better health. Unrelenting stress harms our bodies. We all know that, yet we let it continue day after day after day. Many times we only build margin in our lives after the heart attack almost happens or does happen, or the blood pressure skyrockets. Why do we wait until our health plummets before we make this decision? Why not realize thatwe need to build some margin intoour lives now? The truth is your body needs downtime in order to heal. Race cars make pit stops occasionally in order to get repaired. You can’t fix anything going 200 miles an hour. Yet, we try to repair ourselves while we’re still racing through life. Margin builds in time for better health.
3. Stronger relationships. Lack of margin is one big reason for the collapse of the American family today. When we don’t make relationships a priority and make time for each other, our relationships suffer. Relationships take time; and margin provides the time to sit and talk, to listen and enjoy one another, and to provide the comfort we each need.
4. Usefulness in ministry. When you’re overloaded by activity, you can only think of yourself. You’re in survival mode, just trying to make it through another day. But being available to God for his use makes all the difference in this world.
When you have no margin in your life and God taps you on the shoulder, saying, “I’d like you to do this for me,” your first response isn’t joy. Your first response is, “Oh, no! Another thing to do! Sorry, God – I’d like to do that, but I’m just too busy.”
We end up resenting the great opportunities God brings into our lives. But when you have margin, you’re available for God to use.
You don’t have to live on overload. You don’t have to live in survival mode. Begin today to build a buffer around your schedule. Then enjoy the benefits of margin and see what God does next!
© 2008 Purpose Driven Life. All rights reserved.
Sunday, January 04, 2009
Incredible Sunday
- Lives were touched today!
- People were challenged to think about their faith as an adventure in giving of oneself rather than a weekly event "coming to church". I realize we may empty a few seats when we do this, but CATF is not about entertaining it's about engaging people with the gospel and empowering believers to live that gospel out 24/7.
- Our team of incredible volunteers took it to the next level today. You are a bunch of hard working dedicate individuals. You serve because you love others and want to be a light in a dark world.
- Loved the band - you pointed us to God.
- Had more people commit to volunteering at CATF - love it!
- Had a good crowd today with a bunch of regulars away. It's not about how many, it's about impacting as many as possible.
- Heard some incredible life stories.
- Loved the video clip that Daniel put together of people from CATF. Great job!
- Two people committed their lives to Christ today and a bunch of people said they wanted to be more committed to their faith.
- There are so many people that are now part of CATF today that just a short while ago had no connection with the Church. Lives are being changed and we are part of something bigger than all of us. God is at work and he will keep using CATF to reach people in this community.
- Get ready for an incredible 2009!
- Let me know if you want to be part of a LifeGroup...if not I'm recruiting you:-)
- Don't forget to sign up for the volunteer appreciation dinner. You are important to us.
Friday, January 02, 2009
Start 2009 off right by making daily Bible reading part of each day. Check out this great online Bible,
http://youversion.com/
http://youversion.com/
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