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.