Are you an Authentic or a Replica?

As I am wide awake at 1:30 in the morning I was staring at my framed, tripled matted, autographed Tom Brady jersey hanging on the wall in our family room. It really is a thing of beauty. Especially for the price I paid. Some people probably wouldn't believe that the jersey and autograph are real, except that I have a seal and certificate of authenticity from a major company. Matter of fact, that was the first thing I looked for when purchasing this item, I wanted to know that it was authentic. Genuine. Bona fide. The Real Deal. Not a fake, imitation, or a replica.
Here is where I am going. The world needs to see authentic, genuine, bona fide Christians. People who not only talk the talk but also walk the walk. They need to see a genuine love, genuine life, that there really is something different. Do others see something different about you, about your marriage, your life? Or do they just see you doing that "church thing." Do they see you as a replica/lookalike/imitation or do they see you as the "real deal?" If you are genuine, even when you mess up, people don't get fed up, because they know you are "for real."
Finally, My desire is to have the "Highest Seal of Approval" from Jesus Christ. Ultimately what I do and how I live won't satisfy everyone. My concern is that I live a surrendered life to Honor the one who gave me life and the life that I now live for Him.

Losing the life of a Friend

This Sunday a friend of mine passed away at the tender age of 25, Amber Sabala (her husband Eric pictured as well). She was diagnosed with "Acute Leukemia" just a few weeks ago. The doctors gave her every reason to live. The battle would be long but she would win. The day she passed away I was preaching a sermon entitled "30 Days to Live - No regrets!" The precipice of the sermon is based on finding out that you only have 30 days to live, asking yourself, what would I do, and do it NOW i.e. repair broken relationships, pray more, give to the needy, give more to church, etc. No one knew that 30 days ago that this friend only had 30 days to live. Why she left so soon? I wish I knew. She loved, served, and knew God. The great part...she is in Heaven enjoying all of its benefits, best of all in the presence of her King and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amber....You will be greatly missed. The world was a better place because of you.

I pray that all who read this will take these verses to heart :

"LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered, and that my life is fleeing away. My life is no longer than the width of my hand. An entire lifetime is just a moment to you; human existence is but a breath."
Psalm 39:4-5 NLT

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth. Prov 27:1

surrenderedlives: Season of Babies!

surrenderedlives: Season of Babies!

Season of Babies!

As the old adage says "When it rains it pours!" It has been pouring in an amazing way the last several weeks in our life. It all started when Krystal and I found out we were PREGNANT on Monday October 8th. Then that Sunday, my sister who was told that it was unlikely that she would ever have children due to physical concerns, SUDDENLY became pregnant herself (That my friends is a miracle)! Krystal and I actually kept ours a secret for a month. That is a miracle in itself! We finally shared it with our family the weekend of November 9th and 10th and then shared it with our Church on the 12th. That same day we also announced a "Spiritual Baby" that is to come in the form of another Abundant Life Church in Bucksport, Maine about a half hour from Bangor. We will begin having Friday night services in the next 2-3 months. I'm not sure who is glowing more....OK. Just Kidding. Krystal is lit up like a Christmas Tree. Matter of fact if you were to stand her next to one, she would probably outshine it!
Of course, it is crazy to me that I am about to become a DAD! Kinda awesome, scary, and exciting all in one. I am also thinking whether a boy or girl-the kid has got to be cute. I have a gorgeous wife!
It is no doubt that we have an awesome life! But it all belongs to God. Everyday we surrender our selves and our life (or give it our best shot...still have a ways to go. God still shakes his head at me sometimes like...is he actually going to get it right this time..LOL!) because we know that it ALL belongs to HIM. We are just the stewards/managers of what he has given to us. Even in the "Bad and Ugly" days, we still surrender it at HIS feet. There is nothing greater than to live a surrendered life before the one who gave you life, HIS ABUNDANT LIFE!

Kent Henry Weekend

I am so excited to have Kent Henry back at Abundant Life. There are few that are as authentic, genuine, with integrity, and anointed as Kent Henry. Plus the man can FLOW with the Holy Ghost. I hope to see other churches/pastors/etc come out to the Sunday night service. It's going to be awesome!

1 million reasons why you can't. 1 Reason why you can!

Faith. Such an amazing word. Preachers spend years preaching and teaching it. Yet there is always room for more. When I read the Bible I am inspired by the "Nobody's" that God called to step out in FAITH to do ridiculous impossible things. I have come to understand that faith is Ridiculous and doesn't make any sense. Think about Noah building a boat probably bigger than the titanic even though their had never been rain. I bet between himself and his 3 sons there were a million reasons why they couldn't do it, shouldn't do it, or wouldn't do it! But 1 reason why they could...because God said they could, should, and would.
How about David and Goliath? A little teenager vs an 11ft. tall and probably several hundred pound man. Most of us would of had 1 Million reasons why we couldn't, shouldn't, or wouldn't. But David had 1 reason why should. God said he could.
What about Moses leading a few million people across a desert? Are you kidding? No GPS! No Satellite Navigation or MP3 players! Just stinky camels, stinky feet, and sweaty people. Moses had 3 million reason's why he couldn't, shouldn't, or wouldn't! BUT Moses had 1 reason why he should: God said he could!
What is that one thing that you have a million reasons why you couldn't, shouldn't, or wouldn't do? But deep down you know the 1 reason why you can. Because God said you could. Is it a business you've always dreamed of starting and owning? a missions trip to a 3rd world country? Come on I dare you! I double dog dare you to do what God said you could. We will never have a second chance at this life.

Lakeland Outpouring/Revival

I have been a Christian as long as I can remember. Matter of fact I have always joked that I was weaned on the front row of church. I am so thankful for the experiences I have had along the way. I have learned much from my own successes/failures, and from others as well. I have also had the luxury of having been in some amazing services where God has poured out his spirit, glory, fire, anointing, etc from my roots at Calvary Temple Assemblies of God, to World Harvest w/Rod Parsley, Evangelist Eastman Curtis and Destiny Church, Oral Roberts University Chapel Services, to here at Abundant Life Church where I am currently serving as Pastor. Every "powerful/amazing service" I have taken part of there is always a measure of "Humanity" involved. In other words people inevitably will miss it do to We are Human. With every "move of God, revival, and outpouring" there will always be an "eat the chicken and spit out the bones" mentality. Unfortunately many people who point a finger at the "sensationalism or flesh" of any "outpouring" have never even attended a service. Many people discount the 75% that is God for the 25% that is sensationalism. In other words they spit out the chicken with the bones.
Having actually attended 4 different services at the Lakeland outpouring, I can attest that God's presence/power/glory is there. I'll be the first to agree and believe that some people get caught in the moment and in an adrenaline rush (sensationalism) they declare they are healed. Some, even in faith, declare they are healed even though they might not have received it. And maybe some of the doctrine is off. BUT what about the some that actually do get healed, saved, and set free. The problem is that what many of us suffer from (including myself), is putting God in a box, our American religious tradition box (including Charismatic’s and Pentecostals). Just because something is new or unfamiliar with us, doesn’t mean it isn’t God. If you really look at the Gospels JESUS WAS CONTROVERSIAL! He style of ministry, the way he spoke, the supernatural. Almost all of it was controversial to the people of his day. That is why I am cautious as not to discredit a move or a person, just because I don’t understand or I am unfamiliar with what is happening. Jesus even used controversial people as disciples; a tax collector, fishermen (a rough bunch even now), and guys with hot headed tempers. I bet some of them even had TATOOS! Notice Jesus didn't go and call the religious, had it all together, church members. He called them from the world and made them righteous and were used to birth the modern day church. How cool is that. if Jesus did it, how much more than should we.
I don't know about you, but I never want to miss out on what God is doing. Even if I don't agree or understand all of it. I am gonna jump in and get wet.

More Thoughts on Prayer

For many people prayer in something that you do at dinner or only in emergencies, you know the “help me God” prayer! For a Christian, prayer is a must and foundational to their relationship with God. Prayer isn’t about folding your hands or even closing your eyes. Prayer in its simplest definition is “communicating or talking with God.” That simple. Many times I talk to God just like I talk to my wife or friend. Matter of fact we should treat God like our closest of friends. We need to talk to him all throughout the day. As a husband, it would be ridiculous and hazardous to my marriage if I only talked to my wife once a day. I tell God when I feel like my day stinks, when I need help with my attitude, when life isn’t fair, and always say “Thank you” because I am grateful. Talking with God is just the beginning. Here are some keys to remember.

1. Be Honest! 1^st Peter 5:7 says “cast all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you!” You can’t fool God. Don’t be afraid to tell him you’re darkest fears, biggest dreams, painful past, frustration, anger, joy, and everything in between. God wants to hear it all. The great part is HE can handle it!

2. Be Persistent! Jesus said in Matthew 7:7 “Ask , (and keep on asking) and it shall be given; seek, (and keep on seeking) and you shall find; knock, (and keep on knocking) it shall be opened to you. Don’t give up!

3. Be Patient! This is a hard one especially in this generation of instant messaging, email, and texting. God answers prayer in his time, not ours. God answers prayer in his way, not ours. Because he knows what’s best, when it’s best!

4. Pray God’s Word. 1^st John 5:14 declares “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us!” The key is “according to his will.” What is his will? His Word. God’s will is found in the pages of the bible. It is will that we have salvation, peace, joy, righteousness, healing, deliverance, and so much more.

5. Be passionate! James 5:16b says “The effective fervent prayer of a righteous person avails much.” The word “fervent” means that if you are a solid, you are “red hot,” if you are a liquid you are “boiling over.” Don’t be afraid to cry, laugh, and shout when you pray.

6. Prayer is a practice. That’s right. Just like playing the piano or playing basketball. The more you do it the better you get. You also learn from watching and listening to others.

7. Understand that if prayers go unanswered, it is not because God doesn’t love us. We are finite. We have an ending. God is infinite. He has no beginning or end. He cannot be contained. In other words if for some reason a prayer does not get answered, God knows something that we don’t. And we may not even know why. Our job is to trust in Him that he knows what is best.

8. Finally, prayer is a two way street. Prayer doesn’t do us any good if we do all the talking. Sometimes God already has the answer the moment we pray but we don’t take time to listen. Matter of fact I was taught that Prayer is 2/3rds listening, 1/3^rd talking. Why? We have two ears and one mouth. Learn to hear the voice of God in prayer and through his word.

Messy Sheep and Messy Lives!

Have you ever seen this picture to the right or one similar to it? While this picture is quite serene, peaceful, and touching it is a bit of a misrepresentation. I have no problem with Jesus in this picture. He is handsome, loving, and even has that nice caring and compassionate aura about him. You see, for me the sheep in this particular picture is way to clean. Kinda like he was scrubbed by Billy Banks with oxy clean(some of you will get it). This leads me to my next point. God has a real sense of humor...no really! Think about it. In the Gospels Jesus refers to us as sheep and he is our Shepard. Which sounds sweet and nice . But...sheep are kind of , well...dumb and a little rebellious. Not to mention they are stinky and dirty. Some sheep even need to be herded rather than shepherded. Now you are getting the picture. The real picture. What I am trying to say in all of this is, in a humorous way, is that no matter how good we think we are, or how much better we think we are than others, we all need a Savior and a Shepard to help us as messy sheep, with our messy lives.

When your prayers don't seem to get past the ceiling!

Have you ever questioned God's abilities before? His abilities to answer your prayers. Be honest. Maybe during the bad and ugly times? When it seems like nothing is going right. Your prayers seem like they drop to the floor the moment you utter them. You start to wonder if God can REALLY help you this time. I confess. As a Pastor I have had these thoughts before.
You see, that is exactly what Satan wants you to think. He is a Picasso at painting fear, worry, and doubt. Think about it. You are already dealing with challenging circumstances, some that seem out of your control. Consider how his tactics and ploys can easily be a catalyst for feelings of discouragement, depression, and despair:

• You have run out of resources and God is your only help
• If you don't receive an immediate answer you are doomed
• You finally give up and give in

In circumstances such as these, the ineffectiveness of our prayer is not God's fault but our misunderstanding of who he is and his nature.
If we are praying to an ALL-Powerful, All-Knowing, and All-Loving God, then His response will make sense. But if we are praying to a small, God in a box, then his replies seem useless and ineffective.
Romans 12:2 (NLT) delcares "...let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. THEN you will know what God wants to to do..." When it seems like your prayers drop to the floor, only get to the ceiling, or seem lifeless, usually it is our stinkin' thinkin' that is the culprit. We have to REMIND ourselves and be fully convinced of:

1. His Love. In 1 John 4:9,10 God declared his absolute, amazing, awesome and all encompassing love for us when his son Jesus Christ died on the cross. God really does care about you. God loves you just as much as anyone else.
   
2. His Power. Gen 1:1 "God created the heavens and the earth." The same power that was used to create the Heaven's and the earth, the same power that raised Jesus from the grave, God uses to accomplish his will in our lives when we surrender to it. God has more power in his pinky finger nail then all of the forces of Hell combined.
   
3. His Widsom. Prov 3:3,4 "Trust in the lord with all your heart, don't depend on your understanding, seek his will in all you do , and he will direct your paths." God is the divine orchestrator and conductor. He knows all, hears all, and sees all. The bible declares that "His ways are greater the our ways, and His thoughts higher than our thoughts."

So the next time that you feel like your prayers aren't getting past the ceiling, remind your self of the one you are praying to. Go ahead and give prayer another chance.

Surrendered Lives!

Well Here it is. I finally made the leap into the world of "blogging."

Why call it "surrenderedlives?"

Here are the definitions of Surrender: and you'll see why!

1. to yield (something) to the possession or power of another
2. to give up or abandon, to relinquish, as into the power of another
3. the voluntary abandonment of a life

For Krystal and I, there is no greater joy, or calling than to surrender,yield, give up, and abandon our lives for the life that only God can give. To us there is no better place to be then right where God needs us, whether it is in Bangor, Me (where we are now) or in Bangledesh, India!

I pray that you too will CHOOSE the surrendered life!