MIND OF TRUTH

Too often in our lives we underestimate what an immense privilege it is to follow Jesus. I have to believe that if I was living in Jerusalem in 30AD, I'd be tromping around the country side with Jesus listening to every Word and then bugging Him afterwards to get the real story behind the story. John 6 tells us about some of the people who followed Jesus. Most of them followed for their own reasons and eventually left. In verses 67-69, Jesus turn to His disciples, the twelve, and says "Will you leave also"? I love Peter's response. He says "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God". To be a true follower of Jesus Christ you must extend yourself out beyond the confines of your own life and reach into Jesus. Learn to rely on Him for the natural bread and the spiritual. Learn to not be able to live without Him. Allow yourself to grow dependent upon Him. Let

I've been privileged to have many voices of truth from the past and present speak into my life over the years. One of my favorite Truth teachers that I never met, but through his messages I feel like I know is Dr. John Write Follette, who was an old AG minister. Sometimes I look around the church today and listen to the latest greatest methods for winning the world for Christ and I wonder what those old holiness preachers would think. Were they just out of touch, stuck within the four walls of the church holding the fort till Jesus comes? I think we make a big mistake if we think they were all like that. I think we have given in too much to self in this generation and we have gotten used to seeing a reflection in the mirror that looks a little more like us than Christ. We have made Jesus out to be something that conforms to the culture instead of the culture conforming to Jesus. I remember Follette used to always say many had stomach capacity, but no spiritual capacity. In

I love the Word of God. It is so pure and whole and complete in every way. It is absolute perfection and logic and holiness and love. I have gone through many, many different emotions when reading the Word, but it is all worth it when you discover those treasures hidden below the surface. Its like the truth is illuminated on the page by the Holy Spirit Himself and your life changes forever. I was feeling that way last night and today as I was reading John 5. Jesus was a master at everything He did and said. What He did, He did perfectly. What He said was said perfectly. I like to see the religious leaders try to out wit the God of the universe standing before them in flesh and blood just as every prophecy they held so dear foretold. Jesus' message of salvation to all men is so full of love and hope and it breaks your heart to see these religious leaders not run to Him and beg Him to tell them more. Anyway, that's later in John 5. I was reading about the healing at the

Check out this video from our church plant LIFE House Church East which was on Fox News in DC for giving away money to the congregation to help others in need. Way to go Pastor Patrick! Check out the giving stories and see what God is doing through this.

I find it interesting that we can share our faith with people, tell them all about our church and all our programs and how these things will change their life, and in the end people still walk away. They may have had a negative experience with church or religion, or maybe they just don't care, but when they see Jesus, something different happens and they notice Him. Whether they see Him in our life or in our actions, or in the Word for themselves, He is what makes the difference in every life. He is amazing. I don't blame them. I have known Him all my life and I am still amazed every time I see Him or Hear His wonderful voice.

I think presidential politics are very interesting. Everyone has their own ideas on how to change the world and make it a better place to live. I was listening to Obama describe his vision for a better, safer, more prosperous America for the generations to come. Sounds great. Everyone wants to live in a place like that, and I found myself getting caught up in that same thought process. The truth is that man is lost without Christ and unable to lift himself up into a better place. I want to see a strong, prosperous America. I think thats what God intends for our nation, but strong for what reason? Is it just so we can have more and serve ourselves? We have a tremendous responsibility to spread the gospel, make disciples, and help those in need who are all around us. Do we take advantage of the freedom we have to go into our community and help our neighbors and love them and get in their life so they can see Jesus first hand? There are places right now in the world where you&#

I like this picture of Seth and Abbey when we went hiking one Sunday afternoon.

What would your life be like if you were not afraid to fail and pushed past that line out into the unknown, limitless, impossibilities that God has in store for you? "If there was no way you could fail at what you were doing, what would you do?" Danny Silk "You must unlearn what you have learned" Yoda "Do or do not, there is not try" Yoda

It always feels good to begin a new year. Its a chance to start over and commit ourselves again to the things God is speaking into our lives. If your like me, it seems you have failed and let God down so many times, but each day is new with new mercy and strength from a God who loves us. I was reading Esther this morning and I like the part where the King gives queen Esther the house of Haman and gives Mordecai a position of authority before the king. Haman lived like most of us do. We struggle and scheme to get our way and further our own interests through our own means. Haman thought he had accomplished something great and was very proud of himself, but then it was all taken away in a moment and given to those who were faithful to the king and not to themselves. I think we can miss the fact that the king owned everything. Haman forgot he served the king and all he had was the king's. We forget that as well. All we see in this world is the Lord's. He gives to whom He