Thoughts and Insights...

Jesus said in John 8:44 , “When the devil lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar, and is the father of lies.” One of the most common lies that our spiritual enemy wants us to believe, is the lie that we have to be strong enough, that we have to hold it all together. That if it’s going to be, it’s going to be up to me. That we have got to pull ourselves up by our own boot straps, that we have to work harder, that we have to perform, that we’ve got to produce … that we have to be strong enough on our own. Jesus, gives us the answer for the lies in John 8:32, He said, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Satan wants you to believe the lie, “I have to be strong enough.” Jesus, though, wants to reveal the truth, and when you experience the truth, the truth will set you free. No matter how strong you are, your strength is limited. You are not created by God to have all the ability in your own strength. Your strength is intentionally

In many cases and in many ways, the church we see and know today, is barely a pale silhouette of the church God intended and instituted in The Book Of Acts. We have become the church in name only, known by our buildings rather than our being, or as clubs that are more focused on our own comfort and preference, then we are on carrying out His will. Multitudes of people flock to churches each week, only to sit and watch a very small few, walk in or exercise their gifts, while never actually doing anything with their own. They will sit back and allow a few people that they label or perceive to be “super-saints”, to carry out the work of the church, including prayer, labor, or helping accomplish the mission of the church through the biblical mandate of financial commitment. Churches have become like smorgasbord‘s, catering to a mindset of picking and choosing only what is palatable, and where those who are a part of it are seen as and allowed to be consumers, rather than those who

I design virtually all of the graphics, videos, and promotions for our church as kind of a hobby and creative outlet, and I have come to realize why I find so much fulfillment in it. While it is at times quite time consuming and tedious, I have learned and will tell you my biggest motivation and reward from it. I would preach on Sundays and Wednesdays to good  people who would listen and affirm my words with their thanks and "amen's", but I couldn’t control them. I couldn’t make people make right decisions. However, with graphic or video design, I can type out some words, add some music, and  make  an image or a video look a certain way. I am in control of the final product or outcome. Preaching carries with it this burden of having no real control over the outcome of a sermon. As a pastor, I definitely get to control the input – praying, reading, studying, writing, reviewing, and praying some more – but I can’t ultimately make decisions  for  people, as muc