What are your predictions on the Final Four and the National Championship.
I personally think it will be Florida and Ohio St. in the championship game, with of course, the Gators triumphantly claiming back-to-back national championships.
Serving Him,
Pastor Mike
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
This is the DAY!!!
As I sit in my office on this beautiful day in Florida, the sun is shining, it's about 80 degrees outside. It is absolutely beautiful. I am reminded of what Scripture says, "This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it." What an awesome reminder to us who believe.
This is the day the Lord has given you and me to enjoy Him and His creation, while at the same time serving Him and those around us for His honor and glory. I believe that every day is a day to enjoy the Lord. My wife has been encouraging me to sing a song on Easter Sunday morning called "Redeemer." It was written by Nicole C. Mullin, but was recently rerecorded by the Crabb Family. As Morgan and I were riding to work this morning I listened to the song about 4 or 5 times, and was ushered into the presence of God. I love to sing, but these days it is difficult because I have become a "crier." Every time I sing, the tears begin to flow as I think of all that God has so graciously done for me. I have found that you can't sing and cry at the same time. I praying about whether to even try on Easter or not.
Life is hard. For Christians life is harder because you and I are called to go against the flow of this world. God has called us to "swim upstream." This is not an easy task. Have you ever tried to swim upstream? I remember when I was a teenager, my family went tubing in Florida. We grew up swimming and I was a strong swimmer. Somehow I was on the wrong side of the river when it was time to get out and I went past the exiting point. My dad came out to help me, but the current was strong and I was fading fast. When he got to me, he took my tube and I tried to swim back to the exiting point but was unable because the current was too strong and I was too tired. But my father could touch the bottom and he was able to get us both back.
That is how our Heavenly Father is to us. He tells us to go against the grain, but then walks with us allowing us to tap into His strength so that we can walk even when we can't touch the bottom. This is reason for rejoicing and gladness. He doesn't just tell us what to do and then sit back and watch; He actively participates in our journey, providing victory. "I was glad when they said to me..." He is there for me.
Serving Him,
Pastor Mike
This is the day the Lord has given you and me to enjoy Him and His creation, while at the same time serving Him and those around us for His honor and glory. I believe that every day is a day to enjoy the Lord. My wife has been encouraging me to sing a song on Easter Sunday morning called "Redeemer." It was written by Nicole C. Mullin, but was recently rerecorded by the Crabb Family. As Morgan and I were riding to work this morning I listened to the song about 4 or 5 times, and was ushered into the presence of God. I love to sing, but these days it is difficult because I have become a "crier." Every time I sing, the tears begin to flow as I think of all that God has so graciously done for me. I have found that you can't sing and cry at the same time. I praying about whether to even try on Easter or not.
Life is hard. For Christians life is harder because you and I are called to go against the flow of this world. God has called us to "swim upstream." This is not an easy task. Have you ever tried to swim upstream? I remember when I was a teenager, my family went tubing in Florida. We grew up swimming and I was a strong swimmer. Somehow I was on the wrong side of the river when it was time to get out and I went past the exiting point. My dad came out to help me, but the current was strong and I was fading fast. When he got to me, he took my tube and I tried to swim back to the exiting point but was unable because the current was too strong and I was too tired. But my father could touch the bottom and he was able to get us both back.
That is how our Heavenly Father is to us. He tells us to go against the grain, but then walks with us allowing us to tap into His strength so that we can walk even when we can't touch the bottom. This is reason for rejoicing and gladness. He doesn't just tell us what to do and then sit back and watch; He actively participates in our journey, providing victory. "I was glad when they said to me..." He is there for me.
Serving Him,
Pastor Mike
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Psalm 116:15
"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints."
I just finished the funeral of Bonnie Garrand. She was a precious member of HGBC since the late 70's. She had debilitating arthritis, and was basically bound to a wheel-chair. But she had one of the most precious spirits that I have ever seen. Her attitude was a true encouragement and blessing. She preached her own funeral by the life she lived, she made my job today very easy. She left a wonderful legacy for all who knew her to follow. I believe she loved "the Lord her God, with all her soul, mind and strength, and she loved her neighbor as herself." I know that God welcomed her home and there was rejoicing in heaven.
I wonder how God feels when He looks at us His children. I believe that apathy and complacency fill our churches beginning with leadership. There is a spirit of give me what I "deserve" more than God give me what you want me to have. Ms. Bonnie didn't have much in this world, but she loved God and she did what she could. What about you? What about me? God help us to live our lives doing what we can for you, leaning on your strength (Phil. 1:21; 4:13).
I know God has great plans in store, but are we in a position to receive them? Ms. Bonnie was a very humble person, graciously accepting God's will for her life. She was in a position to receive all that God desired for her. What about you? What about me? Will we look back on our lives already spent and see all that God had for us but was never received because we were out of position. May it never be!
Serving Him,
Pastor Mike
I just finished the funeral of Bonnie Garrand. She was a precious member of HGBC since the late 70's. She had debilitating arthritis, and was basically bound to a wheel-chair. But she had one of the most precious spirits that I have ever seen. Her attitude was a true encouragement and blessing. She preached her own funeral by the life she lived, she made my job today very easy. She left a wonderful legacy for all who knew her to follow. I believe she loved "the Lord her God, with all her soul, mind and strength, and she loved her neighbor as herself." I know that God welcomed her home and there was rejoicing in heaven.
I wonder how God feels when He looks at us His children. I believe that apathy and complacency fill our churches beginning with leadership. There is a spirit of give me what I "deserve" more than God give me what you want me to have. Ms. Bonnie didn't have much in this world, but she loved God and she did what she could. What about you? What about me? God help us to live our lives doing what we can for you, leaning on your strength (Phil. 1:21; 4:13).
I know God has great plans in store, but are we in a position to receive them? Ms. Bonnie was a very humble person, graciously accepting God's will for her life. She was in a position to receive all that God desired for her. What about you? What about me? Will we look back on our lives already spent and see all that God had for us but was never received because we were out of position. May it never be!
Serving Him,
Pastor Mike
Saturday, March 03, 2007
UPWARD Awards Night
Wow is a great word to use to describe what happened at HGBC last night. Our first UPWARD basketball and cheerleading season ended last Saturday and we had our awards night last night. First of all we had over 200 people there for the ceremony. I am continually amazed at the opportunities God is giving us to minister to and plant "seed." Second, we had a lady from Orlando, her name is Robin (can't remember her last name right now). She is a dribbling expert and she put on a show. She is one of only three women in the US who can spin 10 or more basketballs on her person at one time. She did it last night, and it was amazing. By the time she got through with her demonstration all the kids in the building were sitting right at the bottom of the stage; they were mesmerized. When she got through, she shared her testimony and presented the gospel to the crowd. I believe that God is blessing those moments right now. I don't know, yet, if there were any decisions last night, but we will be following up on all the visitors. I am so proud of my church and all those who faithfully gave their time to reach these kids and their families. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Serving Him,
Pastor Mike
Serving Him,
Pastor Mike
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