There is a helpful article here posted by Dr. Warner Smith on how you can help, along with information on Baptist relief efforts. Over at Caring for Haiti you can find a list of organizations that were on the ground in Haiti, helping before the earthquake hit. Over at Churches Helping Churches you can also find ways to help.

If it’s not your local church, I encourage you to find a reputable organization, and funnel your support through it. Your time and donations will make a difference.

Pastor Mark’s Prayer for Haiti from Harvest Bible Chapel on Vimeo.

The earthquake in Haiti, like every other earthly disaster, reminds us that creation groans under the weight of sin and the judgment of God. This is true for every cell in our bodies, even as it is for the crust of the earth at every point on the globe. The entire cosmos awaits the revelation of the glory of the coming Lord. Creation cries out for the hope of the New Creation.

In other words, the earthquake reminds us that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the only real message of hope. The cross of Christ declares that Jesus loves Haiti — and the Haitian people are the objects of his love. Christ would have us show the Haitian nation his love, and share his Gospel. In the midst of this unspeakable tragedy, Christ would have us rush to aid the suffering people of Haiti, and rush to tell the Haitian people of his love, his cross, and salvation in his name alone.

Everything about the tragedy in Haiti points to our need for redemption. This tragedy may lead to a new openness to the Gospel among the Haitian people. That will be to the glory of God. In the meantime, Christ’s people must do everything we can to alleviate the suffering, bind up the wounded, and comfort the grieving. If Christ’s people are called to do this, how can we say that God hates Haiti?

What do you think?

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace…”

Its awesome that we can read in Isaiah 9 (and lots of other places) about the coming of the Savior Jesus Christ years and years before the time Mary gave birth to Him in a manger approximately 2000 years ago.

Why don’t you try to memorize Isaiah 9:1-7. Its a great passage and really connects with this time of year. Meditate on it. Let God’s word speak to you and keep Jesus at the forefront of you mind. What’s your favorite scripture in the context of this time of year? You know…Christmasy scripture Merry Christmas to you!

I write this with life changing moments and great memories in mind.  Five of the best summers I’ve ever had was spent on staff at Crosspoint. A Christian sports camp for 4th-8th graders. I coached football (mainly) amongst other things. I lead worship at camp.

Camp…that word brings so many things to mind.

24 years of life changing ministry for campers and staff alike at a camp called Crosspoint ends today. I can only begin to describe the life change that took place…the relationships that changed the face of weddings and college roomates, get togethers during the holidays…

I met my wife there. I met others that will serve the purposes of  Kingdom building networks for the rest of my life.

God revealed Himself in so many ways there.  I grew so much. I saw the power of the Gospel displayed. It was some of the best time I’ve ever had because I was forced to step away from myself for 10 weeks. It was all about doing what ever it takes to get the Gospel out to the campers. No time for me. No time for self. 10 weeks straight of 18+ hour days. If we could use a football, baseball, or whatever kind of ball to tell the kids about the Gospel, then that’s what we did.

We loaded the truck (and sometimes) slept on top of it on FRIDAY NIGHT! On the staff, I met some of the most solid people I’ve ever known. I learned about glorifying the Lord in your excellence…bringing Him your best. Many principles I learned there still operate in me on a regular basis and have an impact on how I do my job now as a Worship Pastor.

In all of that…Camp…Jesus was made much of. That’s what it was about.

Jesus Lord thank you for Crosspoint and the impact it has had on the building of your Kingdom.

Unconditional love is a concept many of us have heard of but not many of us know personally. I think it’s huge that Jesus said He loves us with an everlasting love. That’s a description of unconditional. Jeremiah 31:3. Woo.

The other main thing I took away today is that we should love without expecting something in return. I know I’ve caught myself thinking that I deserve something back in it’s various forms.  I was also reminded that I am loved unconditionally by the great God and Savior Jesus Christ (Titus 2:11-15).

How can we love better? We sure can’t do it like we need to without Jesus. He is the author of it. He is it. Marinate on that and take a look at how you love. I will too.

Today our Lead Pastor, Dr. Warner Smith was on a much needed vacation. In his steed, David Franklin gave a message today making us aware of some things God is doing in our local area, and how each generation has the chance to write their own chapter in continuing the story of carrying the Gospel to a lost world. It was encouraging to hear about the amount of people coming together to pray, and how God is moving in other countries.

One story in particular stuck out to me. A local Pastor had just come back from India. David was talking to the Pastor about his trip. While in India, the pastor spoke with 4 girls about to graduate from a Christian university (around 21 years old). Each of them had been disowned by their respective families because of their faith in Jesus. One of the girls from a family of the Muslim faith told their daughter they would kill her if she returned. The pastor asked the girls what they were going to do, because after they graduated they had nothing. Each of them said they would go back to their families because someone had to tell them about the Gospel. It’s amazing what some go through because of the Gospel. Here I am in my Southern culture in North America. I have absolutely nothing to complain about. My life is too easy. Would we have that kind of resolve for the Gospel if it came to that?

The last two verses in the book of Acts finish speaking about Paul and how he was unhindered in sharing the Gospel. Paul wasn’t hindered despite the fact that he was on house arrest in Rome (because of the preaching of the Gospel). Tradition in Paul’s time said you had to be in the temple to access God. He shared Jesus with people from his house. Paul wasn’t hindered by sin. He was put on house arrest in Rome because people lied about him. He could have held bitterness in his heart towards them, but he didn’t. At times we let what people have done to us get in the way of sharing the Gospel, by making excuses and having self indulgent pity parties.

Are you doing what you’ve got to do to share the Gospel despite circumstances and tradition? Is there any sin that might prevent the flow of the Gospel from you to people who need it? I pray we would be seekers of God and allow the Gospel to flow freely to our circles of influence. Ask God to reveal Himself, and do what you’ve got to do.

That’s what I heard today.

I read Luke 17:20-21 and following this morning. Jesus was asked by the Pharisees “When are you going to bring the rule of the Kingdom?…Where’s it at? When will God manifest His presence and execute His plan?” They wanted to know when the Kingdom of God was coming.

Jesus said the Kingdom does not come “with signs to be observed, nor will people say, `Here it is,’ or `There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.”

Jesus said (my paraphrase) “hey guys, the Kingdom is right in front of your face.” He then went on to describe how “the days are coming” signifying the coming judgment to ultimately answer the Pharisees question. So Jesus said the Kingdom is here already and (The Day) it’s coming (that’s the “not yet” part). The people that heard Jesus say these words thought that the Kingdom would appear at any moment.

Two things:

1. Where ever Jesus went the Kingdom was present. If you are a Christ follower He resides in you, which means we can bring the Kingdom where ever we are.

2. The Day is coming. It will be swift (like lightning flashing) and Humanity will be divided into two camps. The ones who are for Him will enter into everlasting life and those who are against Him into eternal judgement (that’s Hell…its a real place)

You don’t want to be on the wrong side of that.

If you are a Christ follower I encourage you to recognize the Kingdom of God within you and I hope that like Jesus, when people meet you they would think God’s Kingdom would appear at any moment.

Holler back.

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I saw a Christmas special on GAC with Faith Hill, and was reminded of what a voice that sista has. One of the coolest new Christmas songs I’ve heard is called “A Baby Changes Everything.” Check it out, and leave your comment. Merry Christmas to you.

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Who really has control? Check it out in the sidebar…I found it over at godtube.com, props to onetimeblind.com for a good video.

Since the fall of man, we’ve been in a power struggle with God over control. We surrender to God’s will, but when His reality interferes with our daily lives, we jump right back in the driver’s seat. This short video will spark discussion over how committed we are to following God’s direction in our lives.