Five

My daughter, Kate, turned 5 today. We celebrated her birthday with all things princess, including the homemade cake decorated by my mother-in-law (thanks Nana).

In honor of Kate's 5th birthday, I want to share 5 things that I love about my little girl. It's hard to narrow it down to only five, but I'll give it a try.

1. I love Kate's zest for life. She's got what my grandmother would call spizerinctum. Kate is so bright eyed and full of energy, passion and a genuine love for living everyday to the fullest. She wants to squeeze every last drop out of each day. She frequently says during our talks at night, "This was my best day ever." I love that.

2. I love Kate's compassionate spirit. She truly cares for others and notices when someone needs a little hug or word of encouragement. The other night during devotions she told me that when she starts school in the fall that she was going to look out for anybody who was not part of the group and make sure they felt included in the class. What a great way to live.

3. I love her independence and quest for adventure. Kate's been spending the night at her little girlfriends house since she was three. I recall my first sleep over at age 6 and I got so scared and homesick that my dad had to come and pick me up in the middle of the night. But not Kate. She wants to explore every opportunity and take risks at the drop of hat. For Kate, playing it safe is a bore.

4. I love her desire to learn. Kate is always asking me to read her books, work on "homework", play educational games, or lately - teach her how to tell time. The daily disciplines of learning something new is a recipe for a lifelong learner.

5. I love her child-like faith. One of the favorite parts of my day is putting Kate to bed and sharing her quiet time with God. She loves to read Bible stories and praying to Jesus. Some nights when she prays it feels like we are going to have revival. She thanks God for everything she owns (literally everything) and prays for all her family (each one by name) and ask God to help her grow up and live for Him. Recently when our baby Henry was sick she walked into the living room where Bekah was holding the baby and she said, "Mommy, can I pray for Henry." And with that she placed her hand on his head and said the sweetest prayer for healing. You can't ask for anything more in a child.

If you've ever stood over your child and watched them as they sleep at night with tears of joy and thanks rolling down your cheecks for God's gift of life to you ... than you know exactly how I feel about my little girl.

Journal Challenge Day #18

Scripture: Acts 18:5
When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ.

Observation:
Paul was working hard trying to build the church in the city of Corinth. He was slugging it out in the synagogues on the weekends trying to convince the Jews of Jesus as Messiah. But during the week he was swinging a hammer and cutting leather as he fashioned tents. That's right - Paul was a bi vocational minister. He worked a 9 to 5 job to support his ministry and missionary endeavors. Finally, some help showed up in the form of Silas and Timothy so Paul could then give 100% of his ministry efforts to preaching.

Application:
Ministry is grueling and tough. It's not for the faint of heart. It's even more difficult for bi vocational pastors. My heart goes out to my friends who have to work full or part-time jobs on top of trying to build a church. That's why we need people to come alongside their pastor to help. Paul had Silas and Timothy, as well as others. When they committed to help him, Paul was freed up to focus on his strengths - preaching. If we are going to be successful in ministry we have to lead from our strengths.

Prayer:
Father, thank you for those you've placed in my life to help me in ministry. Without each of them, my prayers would have gone unanswered. The are precious gifts to me from you and I thank you that their help has allowed me to focus on prayer, preaching preparation and leadership development. Help me continue to lead from my strengths as we build your church.

Journal Challenge Day #17

Scripture: Acts 17:11
For they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.

Observation:
When Paul preached to the people of Berea (the Bereans) they were eager to not only listen, but to research and study the ancient Biblical texts to determine whether or not what Paul was teaching was true. It's not as if they were coming across as critics. Instead, it appears that they were just hungry and excited to learn of Jesus. It says they examined the Scriptures everyday. Their interest and commitment to the Word of God led to a great revival where many came to faith in their city.

Application:
I need to take a lesson from these "noble Bereans" and faithfully read, study and discuss God's Word everyday. It's great to have some friends in my life (my community group) where we can talk about God's Word and how it impacts our daily life. This is not only for my personal benefit. You see, if we all get fired up about God's Word and bring it into the context of our community and daily life - God can ignite a move of God right here in Pocono like he did in Berea.

Prayer:
God, create in me a hunger and desire to read your Word everyday. Thank you for this time where our entire church family can come together and read, discuss and apply your Word to our lives. Make us like the Bereans of great nobility. Encourage us and inspire us to apply your Word in the Poconos and give us revival today!

Just the black notes

Journal Challenge Day #16

Scripture: Acts 16:9
During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us."
Observation:
Paul was on a journey for Jesus and wanted to go to Asia to spread the Good News. However, he encountered spiritual opposition and was unable to travel to that land. It's interesting how often times the devil tries to mess up our goals for God. That's not a problem for God! The Holy Spirit called an audible for Paul and redirected his path to Macedonia. One night Paul a vision of a man from Greece crying out to him and asking him to come to his country and tell them about Jesus.

Application:
It's so cool how the Holy Spirit works with those who truly desire to share Jesus with others. That I'm not out there on my own. God's very own Spirit is there guiding me and daily leading my steps. This verse also reminds me that the world is full of lost people who are desperate for the real God. They are crying out to us too saying, "Come tell me about Jesus in a language that I can understand."

Prayer:
I thank you God for the gift of your Spirit. Please continue to lead and guide me to people who want to know you and experience your love and grace in a real way. Help me be sensitive to the leading of your Spirit. When things to work out the way I want them to ... when my plans need a mid course correction ... help me not be disappointed. Instead, let me know that you are leading me and that you know what's best, not only for me, but for other you want to use me to reach. Orchestrate the events of my every day so that I may be used to share Jesus with someone else.

Day #15 Journal Challenge

Scripture: Acts 15:19
We should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.

Observation:
The church faced a huge crisis in its infancy. On the one hand, you had all these Jewish people that put their faith in Christ and were saved. They came into this faith with all their Jewish traditions, heritage and background. On the other hand, God poured out his Spirit on the Gentiles and they too came into the faith. But like the Jews, they had their spiritual pagan heritage, traditions, etc. The Jews tried to enforce the tradition of circumcision on the Gentile who did not practice this. Instead of making Christianity full of rules and traditions - the apostles and elders realized that it was by grace we are saved and not the outward works of our lives.

Application:
The church continues to fight this battle even today. Sometimes we make it so hard for those that are far from God to come to faith. We have so many traditions and spiritual baggage that we try to heap on the shoulders of those who simply are looking for God's grace. It's not about the way you look, dress, talk ... whether you have piercings or tattoos or even if you drink or listen to secular music or even use the occasional superlative that is not typical of traditional Christian nomenclature. It's a matter of your heart.

Prayer:
God, today is Sunday. You know I've invited my barber to come to Church today. You know his heart and that he's far from you. Help me and PCC today to provide a welcoming environment for him and his family today. Let us make it easy for him to come back to you. Help us not put all kinds of rules and regulations on his heart today. Let him find your grace. Amen.

Day #14 Journal Challenge

Scripture: Acts 14:15
We are only men, human like you.

Observation:
Paul and Barnabas were given great power by God's Spirit to perform miracles in order to form a beachhead for the Gospel in a very difficult place. After healing a man who had been cripple from birth, the people of the city assumed that Paul and Barnabas were two mythical god's come down in the form of men. However, Paul and Barnabas, upon hearing this news, made a great confession - we are not God - we are just humans like you.

Application:
There are two great confessions in the Bible. One was made by Peter in response to Jesus asking him, "Who do you say I am?" Peter said, in essence, "You are God." And the second great confession took place here in Acts 14 when Paul and Barnabas said, "We're not God." What a great reminder to me. God is God. And I am not. It's so easy in life to take matters into my own hands and pretend that I am God for the day. This scripture is just yet another reminder that I cannot do it all, know it all, be it all, have it all, etc. God is God. I am not.

Prayer:
You are God of the universe. Thank you for being you. Now help me be me. Just an ordinary guy who believes in an extraordinary God. Help me trust you more, stress less, and pray like I really know you hear and will respond.

Day #13 Jounral Challenge

Scripture: Acts 13:36
"For when David had served God's purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep."

Observation:
King David served the purposes of God in his generation. The purposes of God are eternal. That means they never change. However, David served God's unchanging purposes in an ever changing culture. And then he died.

Application:
This is one of my life verses. I want to spend the rest of my life serving the eternal purposes of God in a contemporary, temporal culture. It's my goal to teaching the timeless truths of God in a timely fashion. You see, God's message never changes - he's the same yesterday, today and forever. But the method to communicate that message must change with ever generation. The church is in danger of losing an entire generation of young people because we are unwilling to mess with the method without changing the message. The mark of growing churches in the 21st century will be the ability to have spiritually mature people who can discern the difference between the eternal things of God and the current cultural expressions of worship.

Prayer:
God, help me serve your purposes in my generation. I know you want to reach all people and so many are so far from you because we have not taken the time, effort and the risk to reach them at their level of understanding. Help me lead PCC into the future and reach the next generation for you without compromising your message.

Henry's Home!

Just a quick update on my son Henry. After almost a week in the hospital, I brought him and Bekah home last night.

While the doctors are still somewhat uncertain about the exact cause of his problems, they are treating him for a viral infection with antibiotics and other medication. The pediatric neurologist and cardiologist said his heart, lungs and brain function all look good. He is on a sleep apnea machine 24/7 in case his heart stops beating or in the event that he stops breathing. Thank God he was able to get off the oxygen and breath on his own for the past two nights.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you all for praying for him and Bekah this past week and for going and visiting him at the hospital. Friends of ours from all over the country were lifting us up in prayer and that means more to us than you will ever know. Please continue to pray for Henry and Bekah. Bekah is so exhausted. She hasn't had a good night sleep in weeks.

If all goes well these next couple of days, we are planning on dedicating Henry Russell unto the Lord this weekend at church. My family and Bekah's family will be with us as we give this little gift back to the Lord to be used for His purposes in the next generation. Hope to see you there.

Day #12 Journal Challenge

Scripture: Acts 12:6-7

The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up.

Observation:

Peter is arrested and put in prison for spreading the Gospel by perhaps the cruelest of all leaders during the early church - King Herod. This was one bad man. He was known for even killing members of his own family. Instead of cowering in fear as he is chained between two Roman guards - we see Peter sound asleep. That's crazy! You would think he would be filled with fear and at least praying. But no, he's just catching some serious Zs. In fact, he's sleeping so hard that the Angel, after whispering a couple times to rouse him (my embellishment), halls off and sucker punches him in the ribs to wake him up.

Application:

What an awesome picture of trust. When Peter is facing certain death by King Herod's sword - he is completely at peace as he sleeps in the Roman jail. I guess he learned the lesson after all when Jesus was on the boat with them one day and a major storm blew up on the lake. Peter and rest of the crew were freakin' out and thought they were going to die. Meanwhile, Jesus is sleeping in the back of the boat. Jesus rebuked the disciples for their little faith and then quieted the waters. Now the student has become the teacher as he sleeps in spite of the storm. What a picture. I need to relax and trust God in the face of opposition and attack from the enemy. God is in control.

Prayer:

God, teach me to trust you more today than I did yesterday. Help me to let go and give all my cares and problems to You. Remind me that you alone are God and nothing comes into my life without your permission. Give me the faith to catch some Zs in spite of the storms. Amen.

Day #11 Journal Challenge

Scripture: Acts 11::2-3
"So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him and said, "You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them."

Observation:
Peter, led by the Holy Spirit, reached out to those not previously welcomed by the early church. They were Gentiles - outsiders who longed to know the grace of God. But those inside the church criticized Peter for his actions. Thankfully, after Peter explained the work of the Holy Spirit, the insiders had the spiritual maturity to change their opinions and this seemingly obscure decision is what truly made Christianity become an international spiritual movement.

Application:
Unfortunately, the church still has its share of critics. A retired Pastor in my congregation told me once that every church is like a washing machine - they have at least one agitator. People that criticize leadership, much like we saw in Acts 11, have the potential to destroy the work of God in the church.

Instead, seek to understand and the put the needs of others first. Peter understood through the Holy Spirit's leading that the church was not about who was on the inside (initially, the Jews). Instead, God was raising the church up to be inclusive - even of the Gentile outsiders. Here's the point: we have to put aside our traditions and our preferences and welcome the outsider. We need to appreciate and celebrate their differences in culture and tastes. The church is much richer when there is a diversity of people, preferences and personalities.

Prayer:
Father, I thank you for the unity and diversity we have at PCC. What a great big family full of different people from all walks of life. God, help me overcome the naysayers and critics. Don't let such a small number of people who are negative pull me down. I know our church isn't perfect. But we are doing all we can to build a balanced and healthy family for You. Help me continue to lead our church to maintain an outward focus. Remind me and our family that its not about us. It's about those who are yet to be part of your family. Amen.

Day #10 Journal Challenge

Scripture: Acts 10:34-35
"I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but -accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right."


Observation:
Peter admits that he held to the belief that God cared more about the Jewish people than any other people group. However, an angel of the Lord appeared to Peter in a dream announcing that God equally loves and accepts all people. What great news. There is no room for racism in the church. There is room in the Kingdom of God for all people regardless of the ethnic background.

Application:
Everyone is equally valuable and lovable and forgivable in the Kingdom of God. Honestly, it's so difficult to not see the outward differences in one another. It's human nature to categorize people by the way they look, dress and speak. But God doesn't evaluate us by our outward appearance. He looks at our heart.

Prayer:
God help me today to see the world through your lenses. As Dr. King prayed, help me evaluate others based on the contents of their character, not the color of their skin. Let our church be the kind of place were everyone is treated with love and respect. Let that vibe ignite a revolution of unity and oneness in this great community. Amen.

Pray for Henry

As many of you know, my son Henry was born on Christmas Eve 2007. He's had some health challenges and has stopped breathing on several occasions the most recent being last Saturday.

He's in the hospital now and is receiving wonderful care. The doctors are still stumped and don't know exactly what's going on.

Please pray for Henry's complete recovery and for the wisdom for the doctors. Bekah could also use your prayers too. She has not had much sleep the past few nights and is very concerned for our little guy. We are believing God for a 100% healing.

Day #9 Journal Challenge

Scripture: Acts 9:27
"But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles."

Observation:
Saul was on a personal crusade to rid the world of Christianity. As a Rabbi, he was charged with the responsibility of squashing this uprising by persecuting the early believers with punishment of death in some instances. He was a bad dude. And everyone feared him.

But after a personal, life-changing encounter with Jesus, Paul left his murderous ways and devoted his life to telling others of Jesus. Of course, many didn't believe he had changed. They thought he was a fraud simply using Jesus to get to them so he could have them thrown in jail or even killed. Everyone but Barnabas. Barnabas believed in Paul. He saw the change was real. He stood up for Paul that act of courage changed the course of the church forever.

Application:
I can choose to believe the best in people or I can choose to believe the worst. I am of the persuasion that you can teach an old do new tricks. God does have the power to change lives, even the worst of all sinners. Everybody needs somebody who will believe in them and stand up for them. Paul had Barnabas. I thank God for the "Barnabas" in my life. But I'm reminded that I need to be a "Barnabas" for someone else as well.

Prayer:
Thank you for the Barnabas people you've put in my life. People that have believed in me and saw my potential and encouraged me to do great things for you Jesus. Most of all, thank you for seeing the best in me Jesus and for believing in me. Help me continue to see the best in others. Let me be an encouragement to someone today.

Day #8 Journal Challenge

Scripture: Acts 8:30
"The Spirit told Phillip, 'Go to that chariot and stay near it.'"

Observation:
After Stephen was martyred for the faith, a great persecution broke out against the church as the Christ-followers were scattered throughout the entire ancient world. However, God used that event to help spread the Gospel. Philip was directed by the Holy Spirit in a specific physical direction to help a man find his was spiritually. It's interesting how the Holy Spirit was also working in the Ethiopian mans heart - creating a hunger for Christ - even before Philip meets him. Because Philip obeys the Spirits leading the man gives his heart to Christ.

Application:
God wants to partner with me to reach the lost. He will direct my steps every day and give me opportunities to share Christ with those he is already preparing in advance to receive Christ. Soul-winning is a partnership. But I have to my part. I have to go where God directs me and I have to be willing to "stay near" (vs. 30) the lost too. It's all about building relationships and friendships with those who don't know Jesus for the sake of eternity.

Prayer:
God, thank you for the gift of salvation. It's amazing how you loved me so much that you would send your son to die for me. Help me share this gift with others that are far from you. I don't want to keep the greatest news in the world to myself. Guide my steps today and prepare the hearts of those you would have me speak with about Christ. Amen.

Day #7 Journal Challenge

Scripture: Acts 7:49

"What kind of house will you build for me?"

Observation:

As Stephen stands before the ruling Jewish Council for charges of blasphemy he is asked to give an account for his actions. In perhaps the greatest history lesson ever of the nation of Israel, Stephen tells the entire story of the Jewish people from the time of Abraham to Christ. When the people of Israel prepared to build a temple for worship under King David's leadership, the prophet reminded them that God cannot be contained to any one place - that he is far too big and too powerful to be reduced to a building made of brick or mortar.

Application:

As we prepare to build our first facility at PCC I am reminded today that we God is much bigger than any building. You can't contain him to a physical place where one minute you can be in his presence and then out of his presence the next minute. Sure, we need to build a building so we can be more effective at reaching people for Christ. But buildings are just tools. Besides, the Bible says that God's Spirit dwells inside of me the moment I accept Christ as my savior. After all, we are the "temple of the Holy Spirit." So, really, the question is, "What kind of life am I building every day where God's presence can dwell and accomplish his purpose through me?"

Prayer:

God, as I come to the close of another day I pray that you will help me build a life that is worthy of Your Spirit. I give you permission to clean house in my life. Give it a full sweep. Help me be all that you created me to be.

Day #6 Journal Challenge

Scripture: Acts 6:2
"It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables."

Observations:
The early church had a major problem as it experienced rapid growth. As the church grew, so did the needs of its people. The apostles got so busy that they failed to equally distribute the benevolence fund resources among the widows and needy in the church. They made a critical decision that paid huge dividends. Instead of trying to meet all the needs by themselves, the apostles chose to stop doing certain things in the church and instead raise up other leaders to carry out those important tasks.

Application:
When you are leading a growing church, you can't do everything. It's a not an issue of setting the church up to run like a business. Instead, its' a leadership issue and a bandwith issue. There's just not enough time in the day to meet everyones needs.

In fact, it's not just a capacity issue, it's really a clarity issue. If I'm going to be an effective spiritual leader of PCC, I have to say "no" to good things in order to say "yes" to better things. For years I have always kept a "to do" list. Well, today I'm making a "to stop doing" list. Let me share the things I feel God saying to me that I must do here at PCC and all the other things will have to be led by other leaders who are empowered by God and full of his Spirit.

Here are the things that I will always do:
1. Pray and Study - I will give a major portion of my time from this day forward to prayer and to the study of God's Word.
2. Teach - I am the lead communicator at PCC and will give at least 40 percent of my time to preparing messages to help the church grow spiritually.
3. Evangelism - I am a soul winner. So, I will be intentional and strategic by spending time with the lost in our community.
4. Cast Vision - God has called and commanded me to plant PCC and it is my responsibility to hear from God and communicate the vision he has for PCC as we continue to grow.
5. Resource Development - If I cast the vision, it's my responsibility to lead the effort to underwrite and resource that vision.

That's a full plate. So, who's going to do all the weddings, funerals, counseling, administration, benevolence, and on and on and on. We need to continue to raise up leaders here at PCC and empower them to meet the needs of our growing congregation. It's my prayer that this Biblical model which is laid out in Acts 6 will also yeild the same results as the early church experienced. It said in verse 7, "So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith."

Prayer:
God, give me clarity today. Help me develop a laser-like focus on the vision and how to carry out the vision you have for PCC. I recognized a long time ago that I can't do it all. Help me let it go and stop worrying about what others might think if I'm not the one at every event and involved in leading every ministry. Please surround me with great leaders who understand this spiritual principle and are willing to be extension of the vision that you have given me for this great church and community. Create a tidal wave of growth this year as we align our resources to share Christ with this community.

Day #5 Journal Challenge

Scripture: Acts 5:38-39
For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting God.

Observation:
The chapter began with a story about a couple in the church that tried to dupe God in their giving. Instead of giving the full tithe, they held some back. Also, they tried to deceive the church family which had been giving generously. Eventually, they paid for their sin - not with their money but with their own lives. The chapter ends with two apostles being thrown into prison for preaching about Jesus. As they faced their own certain death - God miraculously set them free and literally saved their lives.

Application:
Motivation of the heart is crucial in the Christian faith. It doesn't pay to be in something for yourself. When I am selfish and want to promote my own agenda - I will lose - just like the first couple in the chapter. On the other hand, when I put God and others first and exist to promote the agenda of Christ - like the apostles - I will win. Fighting God is a losing battle. I guess it comes down to this, "Do I want to fight God or would I rather have him fight my battles for me?" Today I chose to not fight God in my finances, my relationships, and my future. I chose to live for God's purposes and let him take care of the outcome.

Prayer:
God, thank you for a new day. It's a fresh start - a clean slate. The next 24 hours are a gift from you and I pray you help me use each of them to accomplish your purposes in my life and in the lives of those I touch today. I want to do your bidding today with selfless acts of kindness. At the end of today, I pray that my efforts on your behalf will not fail.

Day #4 Journal Challenge

Scripture: Acts 4:29
"Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness."

Observation:
Persecution led the early church to prayer. Those early followers of Christ had their lives threatened for sharing the message that Jesus Christ had truly risen from the dead. In spite of their fear, they prayed to God for courage to continue telling others about Jesus.

Application:
Prayer is born out of desperation. Persecution and difficulty, when seen through God's perspective, can create an amazing spirit of prayer which can lead to spiritual breakthrough in our lives. I need to consciously share my faith every day despite the cost. Sure, I may get some weird looks ... I may lose some friends ... I may even lose some face. But, I need to remember that God will be with me when I call upon his name to enable me to tell others about his great love.

Prayer:
God, you know my fears and my faults when it comes to sharing my faith. Help me make time to with my lost friends today and give me the power and spiritual boldness to tell them how you changed my life.

Day #3 Journal Challenge

Scripture: Acts 3:6
"Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you."

Observation:
When Peter and John were on their way to a prayer meeting God decided to perform a miracle on the church steps. It's interesting that when we commit to be part of corporate prayer that God creates opportunities to perform supernatural works. A handicapped beggar was looking for another donation but God had more in mind. Because of Peter and John's willingness to give Jesus (that is - their faith and belief in God's power to change peoples lives) the man's health was completely restored and he began to share this gift of Jesus with onlookers.

Application:
As an American, it's really hard to understand the phrase "silver and gold have I none." Compared to the rest of the world, Americans are so wealthy. However, as a Christ-follower, it's even more difficult for me to look at the needs I'm surrounded by every day and not be willing to share Jesus with those God brings into my path. As I commit to a lifestyle of prayer, God will give me divine appointments to share Jesus in practical ways. It may be through a smile, handshake, opening a door, or even giving to the poor and telling someone how God has changed my life through faith in Christ.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, help me share Jesus with a lost and hurting world today. If I don't accomplish anything else today, let me be an extension of your healing touch to those in need. Help me be sensitive to your Holy Spirit as I anticipate opportunities to be your hands, your eyes, your ears and your feet today. I want to be used by you today to add value to another. And when the opportunity comes, give me the faith and course to release what you've given to me - whether that's money, time, or any other resource - so that it can be used to build your Kingdom.

Weekend Update

Simple Prayer Works

As many of you know, last week was tough for me physically. I was flat on my back all week with unrelenting neck, back and shoulder pain. I ended up in the emergency room twice with an allergic reaction to some muscle relaxers and pain killers. However, after much needed rest, chiropractic care and especially the prayers of our church, I woke up this morning feeling like a new man. Thanks so much for your prayers! They are working.

Go God!

Yesterday's service was phenomenal. We kicked off our brand new series, Simple Prayer: Talk to God. The staff told me that 60 people responded to opportunity to put their faith in Christ! That's awesome. Also, we set an attendance record in our kids ministry too! I want to thank the staff and team of volunteers for doing such a great job in ministry. There is a movement of momentum that we are already sensing in response to our time of prayer and fasting.

Journal Challenge

Already I've heard great responses from the prayer journal challenge which began yesterday. God honors the prayers of his people. Don't miss out on this opportunity. Begin reading, praying and fasting with us during the month of January.

Invest and Invite

This weekends service is going to be great. I sense God speaking to my spirit that something special will take place. Don't miss this weekend. Continue to pray and invite your friends to come and see what God is doing at PCC.

Day #2 Journal Challenge

Scripture: Acts 2:42
"They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the breaking of bread and to prayer."

Observation:
The early church was devoted to three things: God's Word, community-building and prayer. This spiritual trifecta truly defined what Biblical community was all about in the first century. As a result the church experienced miraculous happenings, extravagant generosity, rock-solid friendships and most of all - the winning of souls.

Application:
God is looking for people of devotion. People that are defined by a singular purpose in life. Tunnel vision. Devotion isn't a word we hear a lot about lately. In our consumer driven society, there isn't much brand loyalty anymore. Loyalty goes out the window when I can save a buck or experience less hastle. When God's people make an irrevocable commitment and single-minded decision to read and study the Bible, foster friendships and take care of one another's needs - God shows up.

Prayer:
God help me grow in my devotion to you and your Word. Give me a new zeal for the others and especially for the lost. I want to be part of a revolution here in the Pocono Mountains that is crazy about You and crazy about this community. Help me weed out all the distractions and non-essentials in my life - the things that steer me off course and slow me down. I want nothing more than to give you my best today. Amen.

Day #1 Journal Challenge

Scripture: Acts 1:14
"They all joined together constantly in prayer ..."

Observation:
Corporate prayer is part of God's plan for the church. In fact, the early church recognized this almost instinctively when they went immediately to prayer upon arriving in Jerusalem as they waited for the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Application:
God wants his people to pray together. Something special happens when a church family makes a corporate decision to join together and seek God with all their hearts. The early church was born out of an extended prayer meeting. It wasn't about marketing techniques or slick advertising flyers. Just impassioned, unified prayer.

What would happen if PCC fully grasped the importance of corporate prayer? What would God do in response to everyone being together for one reason - just to pray? What would God do in our pastoral staff if we prayed more together? What would God do in my family if we prayed more together?

Prayer:
God, thank you for the gift of prayer. Help me lead your church to become a church of prayer. I desire to experience your power and presence in this community like never before. As we join together in prayer, please pour out your Holy Spirit on this mountain and bring your help and healing to all who need. Create a desire in our hearts for corporate prayer and cultivate a lifestyle of expectancy as we wait on You.

The Journal Challenge

For the next 28 days, PCC will be reading one chapter of the book of Acts each day and recording our observations from the Scripture reading and writing out our prayers in a daily journal.

We are going to do this for a few reasons:

1) To deepen our walk with God in 2008 by spending time with Him each day.

2) To develop good spiritual habits and take personal responsibility to read the Bible, pray and keep a prayer journal. (They say that if you can do something at least 20 times in a row that it forms a habit.)

3) To strengthen the unity of our church family by all focusing on the same Scripture and allowing the Holy Spirit to speak to us as a collective community of faith.

Here's how to keep a prayer journal. Each day you read a chapter of Acts and choose one verse that really stuck out to you and write it down. Next, write down what the main chapter or particular passage means to you. Then apply to your life by writing down what you think God wants you to do in response to what you just read. Last of all, write out a simple prayer for the day.

I've decided to post my prayer journal online to help those who've never practiced this spiritual discipline see what it looks like and to also let you know what God is speaking to my heart during this month of focused prayer and fasting.

I'm totally excited about what these next 28 days are going to do for our church family and for what God is going to do in your life. Buckle up and enjoy the ride.

If you would like to receive a journal, please email my assistant Erin at ebaker@poconocc.com and request one ASAP.

New Year's Questions

Questions. We've all got'em. I've had a lot of time to think about things the past week since my neck, shoulder and back seized up on me Sunday morning prior to speaking.

Sometimes God has a way of making you slow down long enough to get your attention.

In the meantime, here are some of the questions I've been asking myself. Perhaps they will also help you reevaluate your life as we begin 2008 together.

1. How's my walk with God? On a scale of 1 to 10, where am I in my prayer life, bible study and spending time with the lost? If it's not where it should be, what am I going to do to change that in 2008?

2. How's my marriage? On a scale of 1 to 10? Now, maybe I should ask my spouse over a nice quiet dinner and see what they think. If it's not where it could or should be, what steps will we take to strengthen our marriage?

3. What caused me the most stress in 2007? What am I going to do to fix that in 08?

4. How's my health? Am I getting enough exercise? When was the last time I had a physical? What can I do to improve my health? More fiber : (

5. Is there anyone's forgiveness I need to seek? Is there anyone I need to forgive?

6. Are my finances in order? How did I do in my giving and saving and earning last year? What do I need to change in 08?

7. What's my personal growth plan for 2008 look like? What books am I planning on reading? What seminars will I attend? What vacations will I take? What books of the Bible will I study? What do I want to see God do in my life next year?

The Best Chrstimas Gift Ever

As many of you are aware, I have dropped off the blogging scene for the past few days. I have a good reason: my wife, Rebekah, gave birth to our third child, Henry, on Christmas Eve.

Henry was born on 12-24-07 and weighed 8.3 pounds and measured 20 inches in length. Both mom and baby are home and doing well.

There is nothing like having a baby at Christmas - it's definitely the best gift ever! Merry Christmas!

The Christmas Gathering

To all the local blog readers (PCC family) ... please join me this evening for a special time of prayer and worship at The Gathering.
We need to come together and cry out to God for a miracle this Christmas season as it relates to:

• Those in our community that are far from God - that we can reach them for Jesus this Christmas
  
• Families in our church that are struggling in their relationships/marriages
  
• Singles in our church that are dealing with loneliness
  
• Physical issues for those that are sick
  
• Financial blessing for the church and church family
  
• The construction project for our new facility
  
• Our nation as it prepares for an election in the coming year

I will be sharing an encouraging message on how God's presence is presents enough at Christmas.

Hope to see you there,

Pastor Dave

Don't Worry - Be Happy

OK. So it's snowing again. The weather forecasters are calling for a foot of snow today in the Poconos and possibly another 2 feet of snow on Saturday night into Sunday. For a church planter - snow on the weekend is killer. Honestly, the snow has been absolutely destroying the momentum at the church. Four out of the past five Sundays we've had snow and ice just wreck our attendance by 30 to even 50 percent. Of course, that impacts our budget too.

Well, instead of sitting around whining about it (and yes, I've prayed and asked for God's intervention) I've decided to redirect my negative thoughts and sophomoric whining into a more positive outlook.

So, here are 7 things I am happy about today.

1. My wife is pregnant and ready to deliver any day. We love being parents and another child only means more great times in the Crosby house.

2. I'm working from home today. Not only because of the snow storm, but now that we have a home with an office. I am able to spend one day home a week working on my message for Sunday. After slugging it out in an apartment for the past 4 years - living in a home is really sweet.

3. My wife just made a fresh batch of Christmas cookies. That makes me really happy! They are cream cheese cookies with a little walnut on top. Yum-o-licious.

4. I've got a great family. Honestly, I'm so blessed. I married way over my head. I've got two great kids and one on the way. I live in a comfortable home. We all genuinely love each other and enjoy hanging out and spending time together.

5. I get to lead a great church. Pocono Community Church is not normal. It's a dynamic church family where we see lives changed every week. It's so cool.

6. I've got a great staff. The team at PCC has been through a lot of transition this year but we are starting to gain momentum as we work hard to build a culture of excellence and fun.

7. Today I don't have to shave. That makes me happy. Oh - and it really makes me happy that I get to be used by God to help others.

2008 Goals

Goals are faith statements. As we approach the new year, here are a few of the goals I shared with our staff at a vision talk yesterday.

1. Reach the lost at any cost. We want to see 500 new salvations for Christ this year.
2. Make disciples by challenging people to grow to spiritual maturity through the daily disciplines.
3. Recruit, equip and train 200 new ministry volunteers.
4. Break the 1500 barrier in attendance.
5. Grow our monthly prayer meeting, "The Gathering", to 500 in attendance.
6. Sucessfuly move 70% of our Sunday morning crowd from the large group environment to a community group that meets during the week for prayer, bible study and fellowship.
7. Move into our new building.

Christmas Advice

As we gear up for the final days before Christmas, here are some thoughts to help you reduce the stress of the season.

1. Remember that Christmas is all about Jesus. It's way too easy to get sidetracked by all the materialism of our culture - the presents, parties and pastries. Don't lose sight of the fact that we are celebrating Jesus' birthday. You got something for everyone else, what did you get for Him? Give him your commitment and time and energy this season.

2. The best gifts are not always the most expensive. You don't have to spend a lot of money to express your love or appreciation to someone through a gift. In fact, it's been my experience that the best gifts don't come in colorfully wrapped packages. It's when we give of ourselves that we give the best gifts. Don't go into debt for a gift that's going to end up in a yard sale in less than 10 years. Give the gift of self this year.

3. Don't eat too much - exercise more. I don't know about you, but I end up going to a ton of Christmas parties. I love cookies and egg nog way too much. Spend some time on the treadmile this Christmas or park a little further from the mall entrance. Go outside and play in the snow with your kids and make a snow man. Get the old ticker going and focus on healthy eating and sleeping patterns.

4. Be thankful. Break the grip of greed this Christmas by expressing your gratitude to God and others for what you already have. Tell you spouse or kids how thankful you are for what it means to have them in your life. Spend time with God in prayer and give him thanks for what he's done in the past year.

5. Reach out to others. Christmas is a great time of the year to express the love of Christ in practical ways. Most people are even open to an invitation to go to church this time of year if you will just ask them. Reach out through acts of kindness. Serve in a soup kitchen. Get some friends together and go Christmas caroling. Invite someone to church - who knows, you could be the star in someones life this Chrsitmas that leads them to Jesus.

Staff Expectations

One of the key responsibilities of leadership is to lay out clear expectations. You cannot have accountability without clarity. Earlier this week I sat down with PCC's pastoral and support staff and discussed some of the high expectations I have of our staff.

1. Maintain a vital and growing relationship with Jesus. I want to know that my staff is cultivating an intimate walk with Christ. If you don't have character, you don't have anything. I heard one pastor say, "I was so busy doing the work of God that is was destroying the work of God in me."

2. Tenacious loyalty. The trenches of ministry require absolute loyalty. I want to create a culture where we all will take a bullet for each other. I tell my staff that I will always defend them even before I have all the facts. That's loyalty.

3. A commitment to excellence. Ultimately, everything we do is for Jesus. So, if we are doing it "as unto the Lord" it better be done to the best of our ability. There is no room in the Kingdom for a half-hearted commitment. Either give your best or don't give at all.

4. A positive attitude. I can't stand being around negative people who suck all the fun and joy out of life and ministry. Life is way too short to not have fun. And although ministry is very difficult and draining - it should still be one of the most fun things you can do with your time.

5. Failure. That's right - I want each of our staff to fail at least once a week. What? Listen, if we aren't failing that means we are trying new things and taking steps of faith. Playing it safe is way too risky. If handled correctly, failure can teach you much more than success. Here's the key though - just don't make the same mistake twice.

Ring Tones

I've got the coolest ring tones on my cell phone. In fact, I set special ring tones for the people that call me most. For example, my wife's ring tone is digital recording of her voice telling me to pick up the phone. It's actually quite funny. I know it's her calling before I even pick up the phone.

When God wants to call us, He's got some cool ring tones too. Jesus said, "My sheep will know my voice." If we listen carefully to the call of God, we can find guidance and direction on the journey of life.

Here are a few of the ones I've noticed in my life as it relates to the call of God in ministry.

1. A Call to a Place - This is a geographical call. Much like a missionary is called to a specific nation or a church planter to a strategic city.

2. A Call to a Position - This is a vocational call. Some of my friends in ministry a called to do something specific for the Kingdom. This could be a call to the worship or creative arts (music or video editing) or student/children's ministry.

3. A Call to a Person - This is a personal call. Sometimes God calls people to serve specific leaders much like the "mighty men of David" in the Old Testament were called to serve him.

Weekend Update

Incredible! That's the one word to describe the Take 6 Christmas outreach concert last Saturday night. I'm not even sure that one word does the outreach justice. The house was packed and everyone enjoyed an awesome night of music and fun. Although we didn't do a formal invitation for salvation, I know many hearts and lives were changed by God's presence in that theatre. We will hear many stories of life change in the days and weeks to come.

Let me just brag on PCC Worship team that opened for Take 6. We are so blessed to have such awesome worship leaders in Derek and Nadeen Edwards. They rock the house and get everybody into God's presence when they lead. What I love about them most is not that they are just the best musicians in the Poconos, but that they have the most humble hearts too. I was so proud of our worship and creative arts teams who did a phenomenal job.

About Take 6 ... these guys were literally off the charts. Their manager said in the 20 years that he has traveled with them that they never had a night like the one they had with Pocono Community Church. I was privileged to meet the guys and pray with them before the concert and I just enjoyed their spirit and their ministry.

Last of all, I want to thank the rest of the team at PCC for everything they did. From Kevin and Mary Ellen and Erin and the rest of the gang who played such a critical role in pulling this outreach event together - you all are awesome.

Snowy Forecast

As you may already know, they are calling for our second snow storm in the past 3 weeks here in Pocono. The snow and ice is supposed to start on Saturday around midnight.

Please join me in prayer today and tomorrow and ask God to delay the storm until Sunday evening. This snow storm could kill our Christmas outreach concert with Take 6 and also our Sunday morning services.

Planting a church in the Northeast is hard enough without all the snowstorms! If God can make the sun stand still he can redirect a snow storm. C'mon God, do your thing! Help a brother out.

Christmas Outreach

This year PCC hosts its annual Christmas outreach concert with Grammy Award winning artists Take 6. The concert promises to be the best ever Pocono Christmas.

I've got 25 FREE TICKETS for the first 25 people that email me after reading the blog. Just send me your first and last name via email at dcrosby@poconocc.com and let me how many tickets you need and I'll have them at the box office for you. The concert is this Saturday night at the historic Sherman Theatre in downtown Stroudsburg. The show starts at 7pm and the doors open at 6pm. Bring your unsaved friends and share Christ this Christmas through this unique outreach.

Merry Christmas to my blogging friends : )

Day Dreamers

T.E. Lawrence wrote, "All men dream; but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds awake to find that it was vanity; but the dreamers of day are dangerous men, that they may act their dreams with open eyes to make it possible."

Are you a day dreamer? I understand Lawrence to mean that we must be people of action, not only wishful thinking. Action, according to Lawrence, occurs under the light of the day. The path to mediocrity and underachievement, on the other hand, is paved with drowsy dreams concocted under the cover of darkness.

Here are some things I'm working on this week to get my dreams down in the daylight.

1. Be clear. Write out my dreams for 2008 with clarity.
2. Think big. If resources were no option, what would I want to accomplish.
3. Get help. List the people who I will need to find to help me accomplish my goals.
Accomplishing the impossible is a team sport.
4. Break it down. Set smaller objectives for each main goal. This helps make progress in incremental
steps.
5. Evaluate as you go. Keep tabs on how you are doing.

So, what are your dreams? How will you seem them come to pass?

A Thanksgiving Prayer

Today I'm officiating a funeral for one of the family members in my community group. Losing a loved one is tough, especially during the holidays. Of course, death has a way of making you deal with life. And if handled correctly, death can teach us a lot.

I'd like to write a Thanksgiving Prayer today and share it with you.

Dear Father,

Thank you for your love and grace that is new every morning. In the busyness of the holiday season, I am reminded today of how fleeting and fragile life really is.

Teach me today to make the best use of my life and time by loving You and loving others. Your Word tells me to make love my highest goal. Help me love You and others today.

I thank you for the fact that you love me and have blessed me so much. Thank you for my wife, my kids, my family and our health and home. Thank you for filling us with peace and serenity. Thank you for our ministry and for PCC. May you continue to put your hand upon it and bless it.

Be with me throughout my day and help me add value to others. I don't want to take my life or time for granted. It's a gift you've given me. Let me be a clear reflection of your love to others today. Amen.

Let It Snow

Yesterday the Pocono Mountains came to life when unexpectedly over a foot of snow fell in our area. Naturally, that made it very difficult for many of our regular attenders to make it to church. However, I was surprised to see 700 people show up. So, if you missed church yesterday, you can listen online to the message (it will be posted later this evening).

Today was the opening day of bear season in Pennsylvania. I went out at the crack of "O dark thirty" (4:30am) with a couple buddies from the church.

Here is some friendly bear hunting advice for someone considering giving it a whirl:

1) Don't eat a big breakfast and go into the woods unprepared (yeah, it's what you think - not good.)

2) It's more fun hanging out with your friends and getting some exercise than actually killing something.

3) 4:30 am? What are you kidding me? I didn't even know there was more than one 4:30 on my clock!

4) Does bear meat even taste good? They tell me it's great if you cook it like a pot roast. Anytime you have to cook something that simmers so long with other ingredients that it takes on the flavor of those ingredients to cover its own taste - it can't be very good.

5) What would you do with a bear once you shot it? I think it cost like $500 bucks to mount one of those things. I'd rather get a new 46 inch High Def LCD flat screen.

Anyway, can't wait to get up tomorrow morning and go out in the woods!

Ouch

I heard Ed Stezer share this week regarding the epicenters of Christianity throughout history. The heart of the church moved from Jerusalem to Antioch and then to Athens and Rome. From there it has moved throughout Europe, Southern Asia and then to America and now it is largely a movement in the Southern Hemisphere.

Just moments after hearing Ed share this, I received this email from my friend Chrsitopher Alam.

"Christianity began as a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
When it went to Athens, it became a philosophy.
When it went to Rome, it became an organization.
When it went to Europe, it became a culture.
When it came to America, it became a business."

Ouch.

Grace Wholesalers

My new friend Vince Antonucci spoke yesterday about being grace wholesalers. Vince is one hundred percent high octane adrenaline. Vince lives and breathes a compassion to reach lost people. And by the way, the dude is also flat out funny. What a riot.

Vince planted Forefront Church about nine years ago and he's reaching tons of lost people who are far from God and bringing them into closer proximity with the God who loves them.

Grace is what we get when we don't deserve it. A wholesaler makes huge amounts of products available to the market. Vince says we need to wholesale God's grace to a lost and hurting world.

How to be a grace wholesaler:

1) Prayer. Ask Jesus everyday for opportunities to interact with someone who needs God's grace.

2) Platform. Build a relationship with lost people. Trust always proceeds truth.

3) Process. It takes time to get involved with people who need God's grace.

4) Patience. Remember that it is the patience of God that leads to repentance.

5) Pain. Become a wounded healer.

I can honestly say I feel completely inspired to keep PCC passionate about reaching the lost. God help us from becoming some spiritual country club for casual Christians.

People Power

Helpful Principles in Hiring Staff

1) The people you surround yourself will either make you or break you.
2) Hiring the right people is a learned skill.
3) Timing is everything.
4) Fully engage yourself in the process.
5) Hire staff in your weakest areas.
6) When it comes to top staff, hire leaders, not doers.
7) Go for the absolute best. Never apologize for shooting high.

Church Planting

I love church planters. They are some of the most dangerous people on the planet.
If you have ever considered planting a church, here are a few things you might want to make sure you have built into your DNA:

+a radical faith
+an uncommon commitment to a cause
+an entrepreneurial spirit
+a dedicated prayer life and the ability to hear God's voice
+a vision for what God wants to do
+a love for people, especially the lost
+a belief that playing it safe is risky
+a ferocious tenacity to never give up
+a love change
+the ability to lead and develop leaders

Planting a church is the most difficult, yet most rewarding thing I've ever done. There's nothing I'd rather do and no place I'd rather be.

Boot Camp

I'm in Nashville, TN this week presenting at a national church planters boot camp. The room is packed with passionate church planters that are gearing up to launch a new church somewhere in the US within the next 12 to 18 months.

This week I'm going to share some thoughts regarding church planting and give you some notes from the variety of speakers like Ed Stezer and Todd Wilson.

Right now, Pat Ferguson, from Passion For Planting, based in Washington, DC, is explaining how his ministry serves local church planters. Essentially, Pat's organization acts as an Executive Pastor for a church planter. They help the church planter organize, adminstrate and plan the logistics involved in the first year of church planting. They help you nail down your mission statement, purpose statement and they also help you set up a 501c3, marketing and advertising plan and so on.

Man, I wish I would have known about them 4 years ago when I planted. To all you church planters out there that read the blog, check out http://www.church-planting.net - you won't regret it.

Forgive Me Dog' 'Gonit

One of my favorite shows on TV is "Dog, The Bounty Hunter." The Dog is a bail bondsmen in Hawaii who spent the first 25 years of his life on the wrong side of the law. Now, he's committed the rest of his life to being one of the good guys.

Last week, however, one of Dog's own kids released a secretly recorded private conversation (he was paid big bucks from TMZ) where Dog used a racial slur. A&E immediately pulled their number one show, Dog's show, off the air.



Dog is doing some major soul searching and repenting. Dog claims to be a born again Christian, however, he has a filthy mouth. I've watched him share his faith and pray in the name of Jesus with people he's arrested on his show and almost simultaneously use profanity in the same breath. His language is obviously something he struggles with.

He's been an extremely forgiving person on his own show and now it seems he needs some forgiveness in return. Jesus said that by our words we will either be acquitted or condemned. I've watched several interviews where Dog has publicly confessed and asked for forgiveness. He appears to have a contrite spirit and has committed to change his ways. I guess God only knows his heart and motivation. But from where I stand, I say forgive him. You never know when you might need the same forgiveness in your own life.

Also, I am reminded what the Bible says about that which is done in secret will eventually be brought to light. Let's take a lesson from the Dog today and commit to living right regardless of whos watching or listening. After all, God knows and hears and sees everything.

Weekend Update

Sunday was an awesome day at PCC. The extra hour of sleep seemed to have everyone in especially good spirits.

We had 23 people their hearts to Christ this weekend. What a testimony of God's faithfulness.

The offering was the one of the largest ever at PCC. And from what the bookkeeper tells me, there was not one huge gift. It was just everybody doing their part. Thankyou PCC for being such generous people.

Tonight the PCC family meets together for an evening of prayer and worship. You don't want to miss this evening. We will be taking communion together as well as hearing some phenomenal testimonies.

Look Who's 2

Two years ago today I took Bekah to the hospital in Scranton to deliver our first son, David III. The labor was intense and Bekah didn't actually give birth until November 3rd.

To celebrate David's second birthday, we're going to take him to Chuck-E-Cheese and play games, eat some greasy pizza, blow out 2 candles on his Elmo Cake (David says Melmo) and just have some relaxing family time.

I thank God everyday for my family. My wife and kids are precious gifts and I enjoy every minute.

Church Planting Bootcamp

Earlier this week I was invited to go and speak to a group of pastors who are getting ready to plant new churches throughout the US. My new friend, Bob Harrington (church planter and coach), is hosting the church planters bootcamp in Nashville, TN.

Bob founded Church Coaching Solutions with the purpose to raise up new church planters and connect them with professionally trained coaches in hopes of empowering them to to excellence and success. Bob is also partnering with CoachNet and Stadia, two incredibly powerful ministries that help church planters prepare and launch new churches.

I'm both humbled and honored to go and teach with Bob, Ed Stetzer and hopefully add some value to the lives and ministries of these new church planters. I believe in the power of reciprocity that basically says, "What you give out will also come back to you." As I invest my lives in others, others will invest their lives in me.