Where are We Going?

I think that is a very reasonable question for members of a congregation to ask their pastor. "Where are we going?"  I also think it is a very good question that everyone should ask themselves. "Where am I going?"

Some time ago, Jeff Wiles our acoustic guitar player, asked me a wonderful question. Right before he and his wife Christine became active in our fellowship Jeff asked me what my Doctrine was? In other words, what is the foundation of my beliefs about Christianity. What do I base my teachings on?  Jeff wanted to know about his leader before he decided to follow and I think that is a very good, healthy and intelligent way to decide where one wants to "feed!"

Let me give you an update on what my priorities are as your pastor.
1.) My top priority is for everyone who comes through our doors to meet the living God.
2.) Second, it is my desire to introduce people to Jesus and help them to get to know Him personally.
3.) Third, it is my desire to help individuals nurture that personal relationship with the living God to the point where they are living their life with complete and total confidence that God is absolutely in control of everything, and that His love for us is so absolute and complete that there is nothing that can separate us from His love and care….Nothing! And, that He is more than willing to communicate to you personally as you get to know Him better and better.

That is is it! I have no other priorities.
Question: But what about having our own place, our own church?
Answer: Having our own place would be wonderful. It would certainly make Bob Ahrens job much easier since he and Ken Winchester spend several hours each and every week setting up all the musical equipment and then tearing it down. God knows exactly where we are, what we are doing and what we need to do! My prayer is for God to grant me wisdom as to what to teach each week. I trust Him completely for our future. I live by faith.

I read somewhere a real good question about all that goes on in churches today.
The question was: "If everything we build, accomplish, and do at church can be attributed to our own effort, ideas, talent, and ingenuity, why do we need God?  To that I say BINGO! In other words maybe we are not allowing God to do what He wants to do because we are constantly doing everything for ourselves always in the way we want to have it done! Is that really honoring God?

All one needs to do is read the many stories in the old and new testament and you will see how God works in ways that man cannot comprehend. "The Egyptian army is bearing down on the Israelites, they come to the Red Sea. There is "NO WAY" to escape…or is there? The "Wandering Hebrews" are now out in the desert, they are thirsty, there is no water. Now what? Enter God and a willing servant. Hit a rock with a stick and out pours water for everyone.  God is the supplier!

Over and over God provided for His people.  Are we, PCF, His people?

I want to experience what only God can do!  Sure we could all pool our money and buy a piece of property and then start a huge financial campaign to build what "Our Hearts" desire. But what if we continue to pray for direction and then just "wait" on God? What does He desire?  I'm convinced that the reason we do not witness many, if any miracles today, is because we do not have the faith or the patience to allow God to be God. We have become self sufficient to the point that we do not need God. We can do it ourselves!

Church, as we all knew it and grew up with, is not working. People are leaving the traditional church in droves.  God desires one thing from us and it has nothing to do with a building. God wants our hearts. He wants to be THE priority, THE treasure, and THE love of our life!

I want to be part of whatever God wants to do in this world. He is the only one with an absolute plan. His plan is the only one that will succeed.

Where are we going?  My answer: "Where ever God leads us!"  I hope you will stay the course and continue with me on this journey!

Hope to see you soon. Love, pastor kent

Knowing the Rules to the Game is NOT the Game!

When was the last time you played Monopoly? For me it has been years, but I used to love that game. Somewhere along the line someone, (probably my mom) sat down and taught me how to play Monopoly. We learned all about the board, how much money to deal out at the start of the game, how to purchase property, roll the dice, buy houses and hotels and why Park Place and Boardwalk were the ones to own! Collecting rent was fun too!

I don't remember how much time it took to learn about that game, but once we knew how to play we played it regularly and for hours! It was fun.

Now imagine teaching someone today how to play Monopoly, (does anyone still play board games?) You teach them all the rules, how to set up the board, about the tokens, how to buy property, everything. Then you invite them back in a week. Again you go over all the rules of how to play the game, the strategies, etc. Then you invite them back the next week. Again you teach them how to play the game, get them excited about how fun it is to get four players competing and trying to win. But they still have not gotten the game and actually engaged in playing. Week after week you go over the rules, strategies, the tactics, and stress the fun and challenges of playing the game but most are not playing, only listening how to play.

Knowing the game is not the game!
Knowing about Jesus, about God about the bible, about the Holy Spirit is not knowing them personaly.
Church…….you……God.

Get into the game! Your life will never be the same!
See you soon! Love, pastor kent

Letters From God

Last night I introduced a way that God can speak to you. Journaling. I recommended that you find a bible reading program that would allow you to read the bible in one year. Just google "One year bible reading program." Get yourself a notebook to start your journaling, find a time that works for you, and read the given passages for that day. Tell God you are ready for a personal relationship with Him and that you want to learn to know His voice.

Now, when you are finished reading, open your mind to God. Ask Him to give you wisdom for your life. He knows everything you are going through. He knows because He is control of everything.

Here is what is so interesting about journaling. What comes to your mind may or may not have anything to do with what you just read. But go with it.  God wants to communicate with you through the Holy Spirit. What ever you feel coming to mind, begin writing. Like I said last night, sometimes I only get one sentence. Sometimes I get a paragraph, and then there are times when I will write several pages of notes. And there are times when I don't write anything. Writing is the key because it allows you to focus on what is being given. When you just allow the thoughts into your mind without writing them, it is just too easy to become distracted. PLus it is always fascinating to go back over your journal and see how God has been leading you.

I hope you will give this method a try because I believe that it will change your entire reality of God and Christianity. Reading the bible and journaling will draw you into a personal relationship with the living God. I want each and everyone of you to experience the Joy and Peace, and guidance that God has to give.

If you have any questions, call me or email me. Let the relationship begin!

Love, pastor kent

Tonight!

What if you could receive a hand written letter from God almost everyday that gives you insight and wisdom into your personal circumstances? Wouldn't that be amazing? And I'm not talking about the bible!

Tonight I am going to show you a way you can enjoy such a letter from God, written to you personally! I have been receiving such letters for 40 years now and I want to get you on His mailing list!
And yes I mean a hand written letter!  Sounds crazy I know but I can assure you when you leave the service tonight you will know how to start receiving such a letter.

See you tonight! 6:30pm Crystal Garden. Praise, Communion, Fellowship, Fishing lessons! Love, pastor kent

Effective Prayer

Let me give you a huge clue about effective prayer. It's not about what you want, It's about what God wants!

Join us tomorrow as we continue our series on Prayer. We will come to gather for Praise, Communion, Fellowship and Worship.

See you tomorrow at 6:30PM, Crystal Garden, 1230 University Drive, Edwardsville.

See you there. Love, pastor kent

Are you Missing God's Answer to Your Prayers?

The Jews of Jesus' time had extensive knowledge of the scriptures yet completely missed Jesus.  How could that be?  Here is what Jesus said to the Jews of His day:

John 5:39-44New International Version (NIV)

39 You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me to have life.41 “I do not accept glory from human beings, 42 but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts. 43 I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. 44 How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?

We are still blind and deaf when it comes to spiritual things but it does not have to be that way. We have a choice, but that choice requires change. Change makes people uncomfortable. People don't like to be uncomfortable. 

I am recuperating from my surgery and a lower back injury. I have to make myself uncomfortable by exercising to get stronger. I would rather relax and rest but the longer I do that, the weaker I become. I must push, sweat, make my muscles burn, and continue to increase the "uncomfortable" zone so as to strengthen and grow.

Gods way of life is like that. You must be willing to leave your comfort zone to discover the treasure.

This Sunday, September 7th, Communion, Praise, Fellowship, and more on Prayer.

PCF youth I invite you to come to the service this Sunday with questions about prayer. I may just call on you! See you at 6:30 Crystal Garden.

See you Sunday, love pastor kent

Tuesday Morning Thoughts on Hearing God in a Noisy World

This coming Sunday we will resume our series on prayer. All of us have experienced "failed" prayers. We prayed with as much faith as we can muster but to no avail. Now what?

Effective prayer requires you to know the God you are praying to. This Sunday we will try and open the door to that understanding. We are going to get involved in getting to know God.

To give you a little teaser about how our God operates, let me take you to a story from the Old Testament found in 2nd Kings chapter 5.

We meet a man named Naaman, a commander in an army. He was a big shot but also a man of valor according to the bible. Naaman could represent any one of us today. Naaman was stricken with the dreaded disease Leprosy, the cancer of the time. Naaman hears about a guy named Elisha, a guy who would pray to the God of Israel, who would then heal the person he prayed for. Naaman hears of Elisha thru a young girl that his army had captured on one of his raids. A young Israelite girl.

Naaman decides to go see this Elisha deciding that he would give it a try!  He shows up a Elisha's house but Elisha does not even come down to greet him. Instead, Elisha sends Naaman a message by one of his servants. The message read, Go wash in the Jordan river seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you, and you shall be clean."

Now ask yourself, if you had a serious disease, would you pay any attention to let's say a 10 year old little girl? A girl that you don't even know? And imagine if this 10 year old little girl came up to you and said, "Go see so and so and he will heal you?"  Be honest. Would you give that suggestion any credible thought? ….probably not!  

But what if you did? You go see this probable crack pot who won't even see you in person, and he sends you a hand written message that says, "Go to the Mississippi river down by the Arch and wash in it seven times to get healed."  Now how many of you would still be with the program?

We worship an interesting, mysterious God. If you don't know Him you will miss Him which means you are probably missing the answers to your prayers! A life that is committed to knowing God will be a very interesting and amazing journey!

Bring someone to church this Sunday to get in on this amazing series on prayer. Praise Community Fellowship is about helping people get to know and enjoy God in their daily life!

You can read the Bible account of Naaman Here.

See you this Sunday.  Love, pastor kent