Focus on Faith

The Largest Church

2008-04-11T19:50:00.000-07:00

I like to watch Oprah sometimes. I really like "Oprah's Big Give" and know she does a lot of good. However, being "good" isn't enough. Jesus claimed that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life and no man comes unto the Father except through Him. The bottom line is that if one does not believe that Jesus is Lord as He claims to be, then either they believe Him to be a lunatic or a liar. There are no other choices. I believe He is Lord.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=JW4LLwkgmqA

What to do When the Lights Go Out

2007-12-03T12:19:00.001-08:00

That was the title of yesterday's sermon. The reference was Isaiah 50:10-11 which speaks about someone asking "why" in their dark days. One of the things Pastor said made a lot of sense to me as a photographer. He said that, just as film, the faith that is born in the light is often developed in the dark. "Where reason cannot wade, faith must swim".

If you are going through a difficult time this holiday season, and have lots of questions and don't understand why these things are happening, lean on Him, my friend. You may never have all the answers, but you will have a relationship with the One who is sovereign. He bottles up your tears and holds you in His arms. Your weeping may endure for a night, but joy does come in the morning. You are not alone. God's grace is upon you in every season of your life. Take comfort in Him.

Keeping Christ in Christmas

2007-11-28T19:26:00.001-08:00

This song is great and reminds us about the real reason we celebrate Christmas. Merry Christmas to you and yours!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAckfn8yiAQ

Be Still and Know that I am God

2007-11-13T11:10:00.000-08:00

My friend, Sarah, took these phots in the hustle and bustle of New York City.

Teach us to Pray

2007-11-13T11:03:00.001-08:00

That's what the disciples asked Jesus when they watched him pray so intently. Notice they didn't ask "teach us HOW to pray", but simply TO PRAY. I had a revelation when our pastor said that it is actually arrogant of us NOT to pray. Who are we that we get so wrapped up in our lives that God actually GAVE us, not to thank our Creator and spend time with Him.

Martha was so busy doing... being productive, but Mary chose the better.... simply being at Jesus feet. It almost seems like that's a waste of time when there is so much to do. But, yet, that is where our strength comes from. Mary eventually annointed Christ's body with perfume to prepare it for burial. She had insight and understood what was about to happen because she had spent time with Jesus.

Lord, teach me to pray.

Don't Wanna Gain the Whole World and Lose My Soul

2007-11-01T21:08:00.000-07:00

The other day I mentioned Luke 9:25. Toby Mac sings a song straight from that scripture. May it be your prayer today. It's so easy to get caught up in the little things, the temporary things that REALLY DON'T MATTER! This is not our home, we are just passing through. May Christ help us to stay FOCUSED on our purpose and our destiny - eternity.

Man I wanna tell ya'll something, Man.
Man I'm not gonna let these material thing's, get in my way, ya'll.
I'm trying to get somewhere.
I'm trying to get somewhere,
Thats real and pure and true and eternal.

Father God, I am clay in your hands,
Help me to stay that way through all life's demands,
'Cause they chip and they nag and they pull at me,
And every little thing I make up my mind to be,
Like I'm gonna be a daddy whose in the mix,
And I'm gonna be a husband who stays legit,
And I pray that I'm an artist who rises above,
The road that is wide and filled with self love,
Everything that I see draws me,
Though it's only in You that I can truly see that its a feast for the eyes- a low blow to purpose.
And I'm a little kid at a three ring circus.

I don't want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul,
Don't wanna walk away, let me hear the people say.
I don't want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul,
Don't wanna walk away, let me hear the people say.

How do I sense the tide that's rising?
De-sensitizing me from living in light of eternity,
How do I sense the tide that's rising?
It's hypnotizing me from living in light of eternity,

(Lord what we gon do,We're relying on you,
all eyes are on you Lord,
all eyes are on you, all eyes are on you Jesus.)

Lord forgive us when we get consumed by the things of this world, That fight for our love, and our passion,
As our eyes are open wide and on you.
Grant us the privilege of your world view,
And may your kingdom be, what wakes us up, and lays us down.

Bella

2007-10-28T12:25:00.000-07:00

I would highly recommend the newly released film called Bella. It won the People's Choice Award in the Toronto Film Festival and I wish there were more films like it. The movie was inspiring, thought provoking and clean. I left with a different perspective on life and have been thinking about the movie for two days now. The film's tagline is "One person can change a life forever" and it reminded me of the story of a man on the ocean picking up starfish that had washed on shore. There were millions on the sand and his friend asked him, "Why are you doing this? There are so many. You will never make a differnce." The man replied, "It makes a difference to this one" and threw it back in the ocean. Wow... if we could even effect one life!!

Bella is about the sanctity of life and sacrificial love. Other themes included the blessing of family and friendship, helping others and adoption. Not only is it an incredible movie, but the actor and producer, Eduardo Verastegui has an incredible testimony and I urge you to watch it at bellafaithemail.com. This actor had it all in the world's eyes, and in his own words, said it was superficial. There was more to life and he was empty. An English tutor asked him if he knew what his purpose in life was and told him that his body was the temple of the Holy Spirit. God had a plan for him. He confessed his sin, asked Jesus into his heart, and 5 years later is still a changed man making an impact for the kingdom of God! Luke 9:25 says, "What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul?" My friend, what is your purpose? There's more to life than money, houses, and jobs. What is God's plan for your life? How can YOU make a difference? These are questions I'm asking myself as well.

After you watch Bella, share the word about this incredible movie, so more will be made like it!

I Believe God

2007-10-22T20:42:00.000-07:00

I'm in an incredible Bible Study by Beth Moore called "Believing God". My faith has been challenged because there is a difference in believing God exists and believing God is who He says He is, He can do what He says He can do, I am who God says I am, I can do all things through Christ, and God's Word is alive and active in me!

Tonight's lesson was about the power of the spoken word. Think about it. God created the world with His words. We experience salvation through confessingthat Jesus Christ is Lord (Rom. 10:8-10). Our mountains can be moved when we speak to them! "The spoken word carries power, authority and effectiveness that exceeds words we simply think. By far the most explosively effective thing we can believe and therefore speak is scripture." (2 Cor. 4:13) Heb. 4:12 tells us that the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power! We don't have to live in defeat. God's Word tells us we are more than conquerors. He tells us to cast our cares on him because he cares for us. He tells us that his load is easy and his burden is light. He tells us to come to him all who are burdened and heavy laden and he will give us rest. My friend, live in victory today and speak the Word!

A Heart for Missions

2007-10-21T15:20:00.000-07:00

I wanted to start this blog to share some of the things the Lord lays on my heart, or is speaking to me through church sermons, personal Bible studies, songs, etc. This first post is about missions. Today at church we had a parade of nations and over two dozen representatives from our church walked across the front with their country's flag. It was powerful to see how the Lord has brought the nations to us and we interceeded on their behalf (including praying for the United States.)

Following that, there were three missionaries that shared about their calling. It was incredible to hear about the sacrifices they are making. One young family has a 10 month old baby and is leaving in December to go to Sudan! They are litterally placing themselves in harms way because they know they are called to share the good news of Christ. Another couple with two small children live and minister in Utah amongst the Mormons.

What really inspired me was the humility, sacrifice and faith of these families. They have to trust God to provide the funds to get them to the mission field and sustain them as they are there. I'm renewing my committment to pray for those God called to witness in "Judeas, Samaria, and the uttermost parts of the earth" and I pray God will give me boldness to share the love of Christ in my part of the world.