No or Yes?

Trying to say “No” to unhealthy things and saying “Yes” to healthy things in my life can be a constant battle.   When I say “unhealthy,” I’m referring to physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual things.  What are the things in my life that could possibly hurt my body, my mind, or my soul?  I need to avoid those things, right?
 
It’s not just saying “no” to the bad stuff – I must also say “yes” to that which is healthy.  What would be good for me physically?  Emotionally? Intellectually? Spiritually?
 
There are thousands of resources at the tips of our fingers to guide us in the right direction.  We have self-help books, classes, blogs and posts, opinions and studies, and the list goes on.   Yet armed with all these resources, saying “no” or “yes” to what is healthy, or unhealthy seems incredibly difficult.
 
Using our own strength and will power, we may fast, boycott, or experiment with methods that help us say “no” or “yes.” And still we struggle!  So what do we do?
 
There is an answer!  If you believe in Jesus Christ, you carry that answer with you…and within you!
 
This Sunday, as we continue through Romans 8, I’m pumped to share with you how Paul handled this struggle!
 
See you Sunday….
Pastor Rex


Not Guilty

Do you remember the movie Rain Man?  Every time someone offended Raymond he would record the violation in his notebook.  Remember that?

I’m so glad that every time I mess up, God does not record my violations, my transgressions, my sins in a notebook.  I do some pretty dumb things at times.  I make mistakes…I sin.  Don’t you?

We hurt others with our words, we sting some with our actions.  If God kept a record of all our sins, we would be like a man wearing cement shoes in the middle of a lake, in a sinking boat with no help nearby.  We’d be goners!

But here is the Good News, God offers us forgiveness.  He is willing to pardon us, to set us free, to shout “NOT GUILTY!”  Although I know I’m guilty, He forgives me and proclaims I’m not guilty.  He is able to free us from our regret and guilt.
 
Picture yourself standing in court, as that notebook of your sins are read to those in the courtroom.  God is the judge, we are standing with our head down, and Jesus stands up.  He moves forward and takes the notebook of sins, looks at us and tears the book into shreds of paper.  He looks at us and says, “I died to defeat these sins.  I defeated death, so that you would be free.”

We look at Jesus, humbled by his love and confess our sins, and ask for forgiveness.  He looks at God and says, “I’ll take the penalty upon myself.”

God looks at us and slams the gavel, proclaiming “NOT GUILTY!”  Forgiven.

We are free to walk out of that heavenly courtroom forgiven.  But there is more!  We can’t continue to keep breaking the rules without reaping some serious consequences.  God knows that.  We now belong to Jesus Christ and His Spirit walks with us from that moment on!
 
He rescues us with His amazing grace.  He free us from guilt and resentment.  He gives us peace and power!
 
We now move forward in a radical response to God’s amazing grace!  How do we keep moving forward…..see you Sunday….

Pastor Rex 


Complain…Contribute!

I was reading a story in the book of Mark about Jesus doing some mighty miracles and showing love to those we would label “unlovable.”  In the first story we have the famous paralytic on a mat being dropped through the roof of a house.  These four men want their buddy healed, so they go to extreme measures to see Jesus.  Here is where we skim over a few verses, because like the crowd in the house, we are totally amazed with the whole scene!  In verse 6 we read, “Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, “Why does this fellow talk like that?”
 
These religious men are just sitting there!  Not amazed, not excited, just sitting there.  And what do they do?  Complain.  Instead of finding joy in new life, healing, and exuberant teaching – they just sit there and complain.
 
As you continue to read in Mark chapter 2, we see Jesus recruit Levi to follow Him.  Matter of fact, Jesus pursues Levi to the point of having dinner at Levi’s house, where many other tax collectors and sinners join Jesus and His disciples. Once again the religious leaders looked at this moment and complained.  Instead of celebrating the boldness and love of Jesus for the lost, they disagreed with the unique soul-winning tactics of Jesus.
 
Are we any different today?  When we gather to worship God at church, do we sit and complain about the music, the long winded Pastor, or the fact that we couldn’t sleep in?  Do we sit there and wonder why no one talks to us?  Or do we stand up and get involved?  Do we stand in amazement and praise God that we have new life!?  Do we celebrate that we can be healed from spiritual and physical sickness?
 
Do we sit in the stands and complain about the coaches or the referees?  Do we sit around the dinner table and complain about our kids teachers?  Do we sit around the living room complaining about our job, our church, or the government?
 
The religious leaders were supposed to be contributors to God’s kingdom.
 
Contribute not complain!  
Praise not protest!
Commend not criticize!
Give not grumble!
 
How about you?  If you were following Jesus that day, what person would you identify with?  What kind of person are you, complainer or contributor?
 
It’s not always easy to avoid being a complainer, but do we really find joy in a complaining lifestyle?  I don’t think so.  This is something we can all work on…EVEN ME!  Let’s encourage one another today!  Let’s stand, let’s contribute, let’s commend, and let’s give praise to God!

 
See you all Sunday!
 

Pastor Rex 


Courageous Acts!

In Exodus 2 we read about Jochebed, the mother of Moses, dealing with a law that if any baby boy was born, it would be tossed in the Nile.
 
“But when she could no longer hide him, she got a basket made of papyrus reeds and waterproofed it with tar and pitch. She put the baby in the basket and laid it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile River.  The baby’s sister then stood at a distance, watching to see what would happen to him.”
 
Can you imagine this mother’s fears and hopes colliding as she prayed that God would keep this boy safe, and place him in the hands of a trustworthy Egyptian woman that would care for Moses.
 
Just ask a mom how difficult it is to let her child sleep in their crib in another room alone, or go for that first bike ride on their own. Ask her if she cried when her child left the house on that first sleepover, or the first day of school.   Ask my wife how she was on Collin’s first day at college!
 
Moses is just three months old and this mom has to let her son float in a river, so that he would not be drowned in the river by the soldiers!
 
Here is where we meet Miriam, the unlikely hero. A young girl and the daughter of slaves. We don’t know exactly how old Miriam was at the time, yet God used her in a crucial way to accomplish His perfect purpose for her brother, and ultimately for the nation of Israel.
 
Miriam is given the incredible responsibility to watch her baby brother as he floated in the Nile.  Most likely positioned in a place for discovery, it happened. A princess found baby Moses. We read that Miriam approached the princess after she discovered the crying Moses in the Nile.
 
Then the baby’s sister approached the princess. “Should I go and find one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby for you?” she asked.  “Yes, do!” the princess replied. So the girl went and called the baby’s mother.  “Take this baby and nurse him for me,” the princess told the baby’s mother. “I will pay you for your help.” So the woman took her baby home and nursed him.  Later, when the boy was older, his mother brought him back to Pharaoh’s daughter, who adopted him as her own son. The princess named him Moses, for she explained, “I lifted him out of the water.”
 
Miriam’s courage led to Moses’s mother being paid to raise their own son! She could do so at home, and without any fear of the Egyptian authorities! What an incredible turn of events – in which only God could orchestrate!
 
This simple story reveals so much about the courage to trust God!
 
Like Jochebed, do you trust God to take care of your children?
Like Jochebed, do you trust God that your children are capable of great things?
Like Miriam are you courageous enough to handle a large responsibility?
Like Miriam, are you courageous enough to step up and speak?

With courage, stand today and be mighty for God.  A simple act of caring for a child may be mightier than you think.
 
See you all Sunday!
 

Pastor Rex 


“YES” face!

When President Thomas Jefferson was traveling with companions across the country on horseback in the early 1800’s, he approached a large river that needed to be carefully crossed. A stranger appeared and wondered how he was going to get across. He looked at the President and asked if he could get a ride across the river. Thomas Jefferson said, “Sure, hop on!” As the stranger slid off the horse on the other side, one of the companions questioned why he asked the President for a ride. The stranger replied, “I didn’t know he was the President. All I know is that his face said yes, and all your faces said no!”
 
For some of us, our face has said no many times. Our face has already spoken before we even open our mouths. A friend of mine always says that too many Christians were baptized in lemon juice. They have a scowl on their face and pursed lips. Everything about them says no-their attitude, countenance, demeanor, posture and facial expressions.
 
“I never forget a face, but in your case I’ll be glad to make an exception.”  – Groucho Marx
 
Unfortunately, many coaches, athletes, teachers, neighbors, bosses, friends and church members that I knew wore the No-Face. They didn’t know they were coming across that way, and I don’t think they wanted to wear the No-Face. Thankfully, I had some amazing people in my life that would win the gold medal in the Yes-Face competition. My high school football coach, Sleepy Thompson, my fifth grade English teacher, Mrs. Beattie, my college lacrosse equipment manager, Coop, and my mom are just a few gold-medal winners.
 
People watch our non-verbal communication. They know what we are saying without us saying a word. We are being evaluated during work, practices, conversations and interactions. They watch from a distance and want to know if they can they can trust us to get on the horse and get a ride across the river.
 
What does a Yes-Face say? Here are 10 defining characteristics of a Yes-Face:
 
  1. Positive
  2. Trusting
  3. Confident
  4. Refreshing
  5. Smiling
  6. Available
  7. Approachable
  8. Inviting
  9. Gentle
  10. Forgiving
 
A Yes-Face is simply the outward expression of an inward experience. As followers of Christ, the inward experience is the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. The fruit of the Spirit is the cord that connects our heart with our faces. Our countenance should exude our confidence in Christ. A Yes-Face has a Spirit-filled heart. A Yes-Face has a godly heart.
 
“Just as water mirrors your face, so your face mirrors your heart.”  
-Proverbs 27:19  
 
Is your face screaming no and people can’t hear your heart? What does your face say about you? If you need a face change, start with the heart and ask God to fill you with the fruit of the Spirit. He loves transforming hearts. Your face will follow your heart.
Let’s see those Yes-Faces! The world needs more Yes-Faces. Remember, your face is an outward expression of the inward reality of your heart. Start with the heart.

I hope that was an encouragement to you…now go be an encouragement to someone else today!  See you all Sunday – if you can, bring your mom to church!
 
Pastor Rex 



Sick People Need A Doctor!

It seems irrelevant to say this or be told that “sick people need a doctor,” but let me say it.  “Sick people need a doctor.”   Well, I actually wasn’t the first to say it.  I’m just repeating what Jesus said in the book of Matthew.

You see the religious leaders were not happy with Jesus, because Jesus was hanging out with Matthew (the tax collector) and his dinner guests which included more tax collectors and other disreputable sinners.  Matter of fact the religious leaders called them scum!  Really!?  I thought religious leaders were not supposed to call people names or label and judge individuals.  I thought religious leaders would be leading the charge in reaching out to those who need help, love, and the grace of God?

In Matthew 9:12 it says, When Jesus heard this, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor-sick people do.”

Jesus was teaching AND showing us that we must share the Good News with the poor, immoral, lonely, and outcast, not just the rich, moral, popular, and powerful.
 
This past Sunday afternoon 18 of our church family spent time learning how to share our faith better than before. We then went in six groups to the Elm Street apartments to invite people to our Backyard Bash and also pray with those we met. Our hopes were to invite, pray, and hopefully share God’s love.
 
The following morning close to 30 of our children gathered for a one day Power Camp (VBS). During that morning our kids learned the Gospel truth and was taught how to share it!
 
That night we held our Backyard Bash, an outdoor cookout, at the new True North building on Elm Street. The forecast was not good, the clouds gathered…and we prayed for no rain. It sprinkled for a little bit…and amazingly it poured everywhere else!
Our new neighbors around Elm Street walked over for an amazing meal of grilled chicken, burgers, and hot dogs! Plates were filled up with cookies, desserts, and more. Tables were set up inside and outside and at one point in time, all tables were full!
The children played games, blew bubbles, and jumped in a bouncy house! Laughter, joy, and love was visible!
 
We briefly pulled everyone together so that we could share a few words about who we were and our love for God. A few food baskets were given away, as well as all the leftover food!
 
I drove home that night with an incredible sense of joy. Why?  I witnessed our church showing God’s love. I witnessed the meaning of “Be the Church.” I witnessed our church family loving God, by loving others.
 
I also grasped a deeper meaning of Matthew 9:12.   I believe that if Jesus were to show up in Wauseon, as much as He may want to come to the office or church, or meet with some of us at a restaurant…I believe we would first find Jesus in a place like the backyard of our building. Laughing, loving, and eating with people who want peace, love, and forgiveness.
 
Thank you everyone…for being there. If you couldn’t be there, but you provided cookies or other food – thank you. If you couldn’t be there but you prayed or helped out in another way – thank you. If you couldn’t be there due to work or another obligation…that’s okay. Join us next time!
 
Let’s remember why Jesus came, to seek and save those who are lost. He didn’t come to hang out with us who are spiritually healthy, but to reach those who are not.
 
Looking forward to seeing you all Sunday,
 
Pastor Rex



A Quick Word of Prayer!

Shhhh….I’m not supposed to be doing this.  You see, I’m still on vacation.  Well, sort of.  Vacation ends today and I’m coming home from Indiana.  So, this weeks email comes later and I’m sharing the thoughts of another person, Dan Britton.  I may have shared his devotional thought with you before.  If so…my apologies.  Read it again – it’s worth it!
 
This Sunday, standing firm on the truth of God’s Word, we will continue addressing how God’s Word gives us direction, hope, and help in living out our faith in dark and confusing times.  
 
Looking forward to seeing you all Sunday,
 
Pastor Rex

We say it all the time. It has become part of our lingo, and we don’t realize we are saying it. Most church meetings begin with these words: Let’s have a quick word of prayer. I believe these seven words grieve God’s heart, because He desires a lasting conversation-not lip service.

The underlying message is, “Before we get to the important stuff, let’s rush through the God stuff.” It becomes a rote habit that bypasses our heart. It helps us look spiritual, but lacks power. Connecting with God can’t be rushed. God must think, “There they go again! I wish they wouldn’t think of Me as a ritual or a rabbit’s foot that they can rub for good luck before they start their meeting.”
 
Prayer isn’t something to rush through to get to the work.  Prayer is the work!
 
It happens everywhere. We have a quick word of prayer in the locker room, church, and home. It has permeated our entire Christian culture, especially the world of sports. I am still waiting for the pastor to get up on a Sunday morning and say, “We have so many needs, concerns, and opportunities that we need God to intercede. So let’s have a long word of prayer.”
 
Martin Luther was once asked what his plans for the following day were, and he answered: “Work, work, from early until late. In fact, I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” The busier he got, the more he prayed. In today’s world, that is counter-intuitive. When we get busy, we reduce or eliminate our time with the Lord. Maybe that is why we are okay with a quick word of prayer. We have short prayers privately, so it becomes publicly acceptable. But prayer was never intended to be confined to a pre-game blessing or to start a meeting. It’s an all-day deal.
 
“We are to ‘keep the receiver off the hook’ and be in touch with God so that our praying is part of a long conversation that is not broken.”  Warren Wiersbe
 
Prayer needs to be the driving force in our lives. It’s our greatest weapon. We need to move from mini prayers to mighty prayers, short prayers to long prayers, occasional prayers to often prayers and shallow prayers to deep prayers.
 
Prayer makes us.
Prayer molds us.
Prayer matures us.
 
Continuous, Non-Stop Prayer. In 2 Thessalonians 5:17, Paul encourages us to pray without ceasing. He tells us to keep the lines of communication with the Father open at all times in every circumstance. Paul’s encouragement is for us to have a life of prayer. Jesus frequently got away to pray; He told us to stay connected to the vine where we get every nutrient for life.
 
Our lives should be one continuous prayer. Remember, we shouldn’t just pray for the work. Prayer is the work. Great prayer matures a leader, and a great leader matures in prayer. Be quick to pray…not pray quickly. Let’s have a long word of prayer!

Written and shared with permission, by Dan Britton



First In Line!

I hear little children say it all the time, “I’m first in line!”  Sometimes it’s not just children, it’s adults as well.  Being first in line then leads to an attitude of entitlement.  “I was here first, so I get to decide.”  Right? Deep down we all have that sense of entitled authority due to our position in line.  That attitude trickles into our jobs, our education, our sports, and our relationships.  But really, who is first and who is in position to best make decisions and lead?
 
This past Sunday I believe we made it crystal clear that we (you and I) are NOT first!  God was first. (And still is for that matter…)  I proceed to share that before we talk about transgenderism, same-sex marriage (and its effects on the church), racial tension, and other issues that the church must address – we must establish that God was here first!
 
As a firm believer in God and His Holy Words, the first thing I come to grip with when reading the Bible is that “In the beginning God!”  I know that when you deal with punctuations, there is no period after God in Genesis 1:1.  But when you and I read this book of truth, we discover that God is the first subject of the Bible mentioned.  “In the beginning God” is one of the most profound statements ever written.  Humanity does its best to bring God down into our little world where we can scrutinize him and subject him to the laws of matter, of cause and effect, which we can understand.  We try to escape the truth that God does not conform to our desires and our definitions.  The truth is that He confronts us as the One who was in existence before anything we can even imagine.
 
In the beginning God, a God who is self-existing!  That is not true of anything else.  Everything we see today depends on something or someone.  He cannot be explained or defined as other objects are! That means He is answerable to NO ONE!  We don’t like that because we want explanations for everything and God doesn’t have to explain himself to anyone.
 
In the beginning God, a God a who is self-sufficient.  He has no origins.  Self-sufficiency means that God has no needs and therefore depends on no one.  We are needy people, God is not.  We are dependent on light, heat, gravity, and the laws of nature.  If one of these laws cease to exist, so do we.  Not so with God!
 
God does not need nor depend on us to worship Him.  God does not need helpers.   We know that God has entrusted management to us.  (Genesis 1:28)  And we know that He has given those who believe on Him a commission to go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19-20)  He chose us to do these things, but He didn’t have to.  He is not a grandfatherly figure in heaven dependent upon our help.   God does not need defenders!  We have opportunities to speak for God, especially to defend God when people dishonor his name and defame his character.  We should stand and defend Him.  But do you think God really needs anyone to stand in His defense?  God is self-sufficient.
 
In the beginning God, a God who is eternal!  He is, he has always been, and will always be!
 
God stands alone, self-existing, self-sufficient, eternal, and creator of all things new.  And because God was first, because God created, because God put things in motion, created laws of nature, set standards…who are we to say that our way is better?  Who are we to think that our way of marriage, our way of leading, our way of loving and living is better than what He says?
 
He is first in line.  He is not the captain, He is not the Head Coach.  He is not the CEO, He is not the President.  He is God.  Because He is God, He deserves our humble, genuine worship!  Because He is God, we should humbly obey and be careful to how we approach that which He majestically created and placed in order.

 
This Sunday, standing firm on the truth of God’s Word, we will continue addressing how God’s Word gives us direction, hope, and help in living out our faith in dark and confusing times.  
 
Looking forward to seeing you all Sunday,

 
Pastor Rex 



What Are We Gonna Do Now?!

If you are like me…after Sunday’s service I was ready to run outside and share the Good News!  What a great morning of worship and inspiration.  But now what?  Really…now what?  Did you run out and share the Good News?  
 
Well, at the end of the service we were challenged to participate in the BackYard Bash on August 10th and we were challenged to go over to the new building and help with renovation, painting, clean up, etc.
 
Someone came up to me after church and donated a bunch of food for our BackYard Bash event!  Wow.   Others were inspired to attend the Evangelism Training and more!
 
 On Monday, we had a good group of volunteers show up to paint!  A few more called about helping Wednesday after work!  Thanks!  (By the way…I’m not sure when the NEXT scheduled group work project will take place…so in the meantime, just email or text us your name and when you are available to help.  We will call you when we get the next workday scheduled.  Or if someone goes over for an evening of painting…we can give you a call if weeknights fits your schedule.  Simplest thing to do – let us know when you can help.)
 
In various ways, many were inspired by God’s Spirit to respond to His Word!
 
In the book of James we read, “But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.”
 
James, the brother of Jesus challenges us…commands us to do something with what we have been taught.  Listening is okay, but then acting upon what you have heard is what really matters.  “You must do what it says…”
 
As a parent, when I give instructions to my boys, I expect them listen and obey.  When they just sit there and don’t do what I have said, I get upset.  Don’t you?  I think to myself, “How simple is it to get up and simply go do what I have asked?”  I’m not telling them to do anything dangerous, nor is it to difficult.
 
I wonder if God feels the same way, when He commands us to do something and we just sit there.  I’m sure when I was a kid, I did the same thing.  Even now, as an adult, it’s easy to just sit there instead of doing what we know is right and good.  We like those good illustrations, inspiring songs, and eye opening scriptures – but what do we do with them?
 
First, I hope they lead us to seeing God for who He is!  All things must lead us to worshipping an glorifying Him first.
 
Second, I hope they spur us on, by the power of the Holy Spirit to do something, to act upon His nudging us forward.
 
I encourage you, (please encourage me) to listen and do something with what God has placed upon your heart!  Praise God for every opportunity to gather for worship!  See each Sunday as the day you get to meet with others to worship the one and only true God.  Approach Sunday with joy and anticipation!  And expect to leave hearing His Spirit and inspired to do something in obedience.
 
Don’t miss this Sunday as we begin to learn how to “Stand Firm” in dark and confusing times.  
 
Looking forward to seeing you all Sunday,

 
Pastor Rex 



Purchase and Renovation!

If you are like me, there is definitely some excitement brewing in my heart, as our church has moved forward in purchasing and now renovating a building.  We have a home!  Although this building is too small to hold all of our church needs (i.e. Sunday Worship service), it still promises to be a great place for us to grow in our faith!
 
I look back just over a month ago, when we signed a few papers and handed a check to the lawyer.  A purchase was made, and the keys were handed over to us.   Now we are renovating the building.  Why renovate?  We want to clean up a few areas and more importantly prepare the building to allow us to do greater things.  
 
Our hopes and prayers are that in the near future, we will add on and have a completed project, a new addition.  That is very encouraging and I hope you are excited too!
 
In a similar fashion, we are like the building project above.  I Timothy 2:5-6 says, For, There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity-the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone.”
 
Jesus Christ purchased our freedom from sin!  Just as we purchased a building and are moving in, Jesus purchased our freedom.  When we hand him the keys to our body, that is, when we surrender our lives and place our faith in Him, Jesus takes the keys to our life and moves in!  (See Ephesians 1:14)
 
Ephesians 2:19-22 says, “So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself.  We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.”

 
Now that Jesus has purchased our lives and has the keys, His Spirit moves in and begins a cleaning and renovating process!   Romans 12:2 says, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.”
 
His renovation is a transformation, changing the old to new, making us different than before!  Paul said in Galatians 6:15, “It doesn’t matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation.”  Paul was helping us understand that what we do (actions and behaviors) is okay, but what really matters is the transformation that is taking place on the inside!
 
As a NEW person in Jesus Christ, purchased & being renovated (renewed/transformed), I’m being made ready to live and serve my living Savior now and tomorrow.
 
God’s renovation in our life is incredible.  We look forward to the day when we are in His presence and He gives us a whole new resurrected body.  In the same way, we look forward to a day when we are worshiping in a new building.
 
The purchase has been made.  The renovation is in process.  The new building is to come.  Spiritually speaking, have you handed Jesus the keys to your life?  Are you daily allowing God to renovate your life?  If not, why not?  He is the master designer, creator, Lord of All.
 
Looking forward to seeing you all Sunday,

 
Pastor Rex