Some of my friends and family haven't had a chance to see me speak recently so I've put on YouTube my message from Nov. 28th, 2010. It's in 2 parts because I spoke for about 27 minutes. You can't post anything longer than 15 minutes. :*(
Never the less... The first part is up at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lnAJQurGx0
At the top of the YouTube page says that I have X entries. (Presently it's 5 to choose from). You can choose PT2 and finish out the message. For those who have wrestled with their conversations with God in prayer... maybe the answers don't seem to be coming... this is a pretty good message. That's not me tooting my own horn, it's the majority of the feedback from the people of Niagara Alliance Church. (Including the Head Elder!)
To God be the glory!
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Thursday, November 4, 2010
What began on Twitter last night...
I'm not the "normal" follower of Christ, in that, I spend the time before I go to sleep reading my bible. Devotions, they call it. Most pastors I've heard suggest that you start the day devoting yourself to God in reading the bible and praying (even journaling). I find that I never really could get going in the morning, but still have steadily walked with God for 32 years.
Last night I read Acts 3 and 4. But as I came to a specific verse, Acts 3:16, something just hit me. It's the story about Peter and James going to the temple for prayer. As they go they encounter a man that was lame, he could not walk. We know that he'd been that way 40ish years. Peter looks at the man and says in essence: "Look, I don't have money, but I do have the knowledge that Jesus wants to heal you now. So get up!" The man gets up. People are immediately drawn to the situation where Peter finds an impromptu opportunity to share the Good News of Jesus. In doing so he says something that got my head and fingers going last night:
Considering that the disciples had been with Jesus watching Him heal, that they had witnessed what was happening when Jesus made a decision, they should be acquainted with what Jesus wanted to do. However, until the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was fully poured out, they lacked the ability to do what they had seen done. They learned to listen (prayer) leading up to Pentecost and with the Holy Spirit on them it was instant connection and understanding of what they should do in that moment. As I looked at Acts 3:16 it hit me: Peter was saying that Jesus wanted to heal the man. Peter was also saying that he nor 'faith' (in an abstract form) healed the man, it was Jesus.
That's pretty bold trust. To look at someone and say, "God has healed you." This should be normal for the follower of Christ. I'm not trying to be all weird, I'm just saying that it all happens out of relationship. Just as me telling my son to tell someone else something I've said. It all begins with the assumption of Acts 2:39 - repentance of sin & filling of the Holy Spirit. There is no connection w/o repentance of sin. And to take a phone analogy a bit further...
You have no 'dial tone' without the Holy Spirit. Always 'answer' when Jesus is speaking, He will tell you what He wants... Then DO IT!
The problem of just being connected and choosing not to listen and obey, is that it creates a 'form of religion' but 'denies the power'. Jesus wants to impact our world through us! What I've noticed, from observation, is that, in general, people these days have lost faith in the church because the people in the church don't express God's ability to transform lives! So many in the church look and act the same as people in the world. The fruit of their lives doesn't show they they are different. Some of that is due to a misunderstanding that knowledge is maturity. IT ISN'T. The application of the knowledge of God's Word, the Bible, leads us to a deeper understanding of who we are in Christ and what we have. We live out of relationship with the Son of God who gave Himself up for us. It is in the intimate moments (morning, evening or whenever) that we begin to cultivate the ability to hear from God and do what He says. God wants us to get the "easy" stuff first. To walk in obedience and love God and others. I remember nights when I would be out on the bleachers during college praying for an hour or two and wondering "God are you listening?" Over the years I've learned that God is asking me, "Are YOU listening?" ;)
I've spent plenty of time wondering from the time I was a Junior in High School, "God, where are are the healings that Jesus performed? Why did He say we would do greater things than what He did?" I have friends that God has healed, of lukemia and carpel tunnel. I have a pastor friend that saw God raise a woman from the dead, before his eyes! So I knew that God could heal and have watched plenty of people laying hands on others for healing. For myself the journey took a turn when I saw again a saying, "Faith is not believing that God can. It is believing that He WILL." So many times I've watched as a person is prayed for, "God, if it is your will... we don't want to assume..." I sat one Sunday watching a woman and God said to me, "She's healed." It startled me. I really didn't want to say anything. I did. She had been healed. A friend recently asked for prayer for a job. Immediately I got, "Done deal." God knew he was going to get that job. He did. This is beginning to be the "norm" for me. Amazingly, it was the "norm" for the early church. The only thing that has passed is time.
The point? The whole church thing isn't a game. It isn't about how good we look (or bad). It's about connecting with God. Connecting with others and Connecting others with God. (borrowed from the sign in front of Niagara Alliance Church ;D ) If you have a good connection with Christ, the Holy Spirit will speak and use you. You will grow in your relationship with God and He will tell you what he wants in a situation. There's more that I could say. But for now let me just return to the original thought...
Ask Jesus what He wants to do. Peter did and then told the man and his life was transformed forever. God is in the business of transforming lives!
Last night I read Acts 3 and 4. But as I came to a specific verse, Acts 3:16, something just hit me. It's the story about Peter and James going to the temple for prayer. As they go they encounter a man that was lame, he could not walk. We know that he'd been that way 40ish years. Peter looks at the man and says in essence: "Look, I don't have money, but I do have the knowledge that Jesus wants to heal you now. So get up!" The man gets up. People are immediately drawn to the situation where Peter finds an impromptu opportunity to share the Good News of Jesus. In doing so he says something that got my head and fingers going last night:
(Holman Christian Standard Bible) Acts3:16 By faith in His name, His name has made this man strong, whom you see and know. So the faith that comes through Him has given him this perfect health in front of all of you.
Let me expand a bit on what I said.Considering that the disciples had been with Jesus watching Him heal, that they had witnessed what was happening when Jesus made a decision, they should be acquainted with what Jesus wanted to do. However, until the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was fully poured out, they lacked the ability to do what they had seen done. They learned to listen (prayer) leading up to Pentecost and with the Holy Spirit on them it was instant connection and understanding of what they should do in that moment. As I looked at Acts 3:16 it hit me: Peter was saying that Jesus wanted to heal the man. Peter was also saying that he nor 'faith' (in an abstract form) healed the man, it was Jesus.
That's pretty bold trust. To look at someone and say, "God has healed you." This should be normal for the follower of Christ. I'm not trying to be all weird, I'm just saying that it all happens out of relationship. Just as me telling my son to tell someone else something I've said. It all begins with the assumption of Acts 2:39 - repentance of sin & filling of the Holy Spirit. There is no connection w/o repentance of sin. And to take a phone analogy a bit further...
You have no 'dial tone' without the Holy Spirit. Always 'answer' when Jesus is speaking, He will tell you what He wants... Then DO IT!
The problem of just being connected and choosing not to listen and obey, is that it creates a 'form of religion' but 'denies the power'. Jesus wants to impact our world through us! What I've noticed, from observation, is that, in general, people these days have lost faith in the church because the people in the church don't express God's ability to transform lives! So many in the church look and act the same as people in the world. The fruit of their lives doesn't show they they are different. Some of that is due to a misunderstanding that knowledge is maturity. IT ISN'T. The application of the knowledge of God's Word, the Bible, leads us to a deeper understanding of who we are in Christ and what we have. We live out of relationship with the Son of God who gave Himself up for us. It is in the intimate moments (morning, evening or whenever) that we begin to cultivate the ability to hear from God and do what He says. God wants us to get the "easy" stuff first. To walk in obedience and love God and others. I remember nights when I would be out on the bleachers during college praying for an hour or two and wondering "God are you listening?" Over the years I've learned that God is asking me, "Are YOU listening?" ;)
I've spent plenty of time wondering from the time I was a Junior in High School, "God, where are are the healings that Jesus performed? Why did He say we would do greater things than what He did?" I have friends that God has healed, of lukemia and carpel tunnel. I have a pastor friend that saw God raise a woman from the dead, before his eyes! So I knew that God could heal and have watched plenty of people laying hands on others for healing. For myself the journey took a turn when I saw again a saying, "Faith is not believing that God can. It is believing that He WILL." So many times I've watched as a person is prayed for, "God, if it is your will... we don't want to assume..." I sat one Sunday watching a woman and God said to me, "She's healed." It startled me. I really didn't want to say anything. I did. She had been healed. A friend recently asked for prayer for a job. Immediately I got, "Done deal." God knew he was going to get that job. He did. This is beginning to be the "norm" for me. Amazingly, it was the "norm" for the early church. The only thing that has passed is time.
The point? The whole church thing isn't a game. It isn't about how good we look (or bad). It's about connecting with God. Connecting with others and Connecting others with God. (borrowed from the sign in front of Niagara Alliance Church ;D ) If you have a good connection with Christ, the Holy Spirit will speak and use you. You will grow in your relationship with God and He will tell you what he wants in a situation. There's more that I could say. But for now let me just return to the original thought...
Ask Jesus what He wants to do. Peter did and then told the man and his life was transformed forever. God is in the business of transforming lives!
Two more songs on YouTube...
As I post this blog the first song I put on YouTube is sitting at 69 views. My wife reminds me that this is a God thing not a Lonnie thing. The reason I started to post any songs on YouTube in the first place came out of my conversation with Jim Drew, a fellow musician / worship leader and passionate follower of Christ. Jim's words to me were and encouragement to allow God to use me by placing the song(s) out there. I am thankful for those who have been so kind. I haven't had any negative feedback, just a one person cheer squad in Nora, who I led to Christ years ago.
I've placed the song "Macedonia" and "My Everything" on. I trust that as you listen you will begin to understand the depth of God's love for us and those who have yet to place their full trust in Him.
The link to Macedonia will also let you view the other videos.
God bless!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99TspuSOn28
I've placed the song "Macedonia" and "My Everything" on. I trust that as you listen you will begin to understand the depth of God's love for us and those who have yet to place their full trust in Him.
The link to Macedonia will also let you view the other videos.
God bless!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99TspuSOn28
Saturday, October 23, 2010
When you realize you're lost
Tonight we went to the school Halloween party. A large room filled with parents and lots of screaming, yelling, running, and jumping children. Oh, and one child that suddenly realized he was lost. The moment my little guy realized he was lost the panic button was hit. He desperately sought to find us. He did.
I have wondered to myself, "How long does it take to realize you are lost?" I mean 'lost' in the biblical way illustrated in Luke 15. The coin and most likely, the sheep, have no real thought of being lost. But the two boys and their father understood 'lost'. The father, I would assume, understood the 'lostness' of each son. The youngest was lost before he left with his worldly possessions. It took him a dead end job and an empty stomach to realize he was 'lost'. His 'lostness' caused him to evaluate his situation and execute a plan to be found. His greatest hope was that he'd at least be considered a slave of the father, what he found was the restoration of what he lost when he left.
The oldest lived oblivious of his state of 'lostness'. He never left but he never knew the joy of being found. He couldn't grasp the lostness of his situation. The father explained the truth to him. But we don't know what his response was. What if Jesus had continued the story? Maybe he oldest son would have grasped his lostness and found his place. I dunno. What I do know is that I see a lot of people working and buying and living that haven't had the "I'm lost" light bulb go off. I'm praying for those people to come to that knowledge sooner than later. And like the younger son I pray they evaluate the situation and execute the plan which has them confessing their need to be found by the Lord Jesus Christ and forgiven of all sin. In response our God has said He will adopt us into His family, never to be lost again.
It's a terrifying situation to realize you are lost and helpless. It's a comforting place to be, when you realize that you have been found and will never be let go.
You're comments are always welcome. :)
I have wondered to myself, "How long does it take to realize you are lost?" I mean 'lost' in the biblical way illustrated in Luke 15. The coin and most likely, the sheep, have no real thought of being lost. But the two boys and their father understood 'lost'. The father, I would assume, understood the 'lostness' of each son. The youngest was lost before he left with his worldly possessions. It took him a dead end job and an empty stomach to realize he was 'lost'. His 'lostness' caused him to evaluate his situation and execute a plan to be found. His greatest hope was that he'd at least be considered a slave of the father, what he found was the restoration of what he lost when he left.
The oldest lived oblivious of his state of 'lostness'. He never left but he never knew the joy of being found. He couldn't grasp the lostness of his situation. The father explained the truth to him. But we don't know what his response was. What if Jesus had continued the story? Maybe he oldest son would have grasped his lostness and found his place. I dunno. What I do know is that I see a lot of people working and buying and living that haven't had the "I'm lost" light bulb go off. I'm praying for those people to come to that knowledge sooner than later. And like the younger son I pray they evaluate the situation and execute the plan which has them confessing their need to be found by the Lord Jesus Christ and forgiven of all sin. In response our God has said He will adopt us into His family, never to be lost again.
It's a terrifying situation to realize you are lost and helpless. It's a comforting place to be, when you realize that you have been found and will never be let go.
You're comments are always welcome. :)
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Wash Your Feet - My song
A year or so ago I was asked to share a song that I had written called Wash Your Feet. It's a prayer of mine and reflects my hearts desire to be the person that Jesus wants me to be. Here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-c9NrYxR30c
Enjoy!
Lonnie
Enjoy!
Lonnie
Saturday, October 16, 2010
I'm a "Mack" too... burp...
Friday I was the Mystery Reader at my son's school and in deciding what to read I came back to Dr. Seuss. I find that his books are not only funny but also are filled with lessons. The story that I read was: Yertle the Turtle. Quite a powerful story actually. Unfamiliar with it? Need a refresher? Here's the scoop: Yertle the Turtle is the king of the turtles. He decides that he wants to sit on a throne bigger than just a rock and begins to command the turtles to come and he stacks them. (Even though the turtles don't like it they still come and help) From his vantage point he's decided that he's the king of all he can see. But it's never enough and so keeps adding turtles. Along comes Mack who begins to politely express how painful it is that the king is making these decisions. He's hurting, and yet, the king shouts him down. Time and again Mack warns the king that it's too much and the king decides to add more so that he can build his kingdom to the heavens. When Mack has had enough he lets out a 'burp'. It shakes the tower of turtles and it all collapses. It ends with Yertle the turtle king being king of the mud.
Wow, I thought, as I read it again. How amazing that this story dovetails the political landscape in our country. The people in power (as of this writing it's the Democrats with Obama filling the role of president) are seeking to build their kingdom. The people have tried to politely say, "We've had enough, you can stop now." We're like Mack in the story. We've tried to speak our peace and multiple polls have suggested we are not in favor of the present "Change" that has come upon the USA. Some in my state (NY) would agree with Carl Paladino they they are "Mad as..." well you know. They are 'Macks', the guys at the bottom trying to hold it all together. The little guy whose voice is being ignored and drowned out. (What do you mean you don't want healthcare reform? What do you mean you don't support of repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"?! What do you mean you don't like us treating Israel like a step-child?! What do you mean you don't want to pay more taxes?! What do you mean the Stimulus isn't working?! What do you mean we have to create jobs... we gave extensions for people who are unemployed!)
Across the nation people are, like Mack, ready to "burp". November 2nd is about the little guys saying, "ENOUGH!" It isn't going to be about Independent, Democrat, Republican, Liberal, Conservative... It's going to be about people with common sense voting their "Change and Hope" into office. And if that doesn't work they'll "burp" again. There are those who are seeking to build their kingdom upon the back of "Macks", but like Yertle the Turtle, they will find themselves ruling over the mud.
I'm a "Mack" and I approve of this message. ;)
Wow, I thought, as I read it again. How amazing that this story dovetails the political landscape in our country. The people in power (as of this writing it's the Democrats with Obama filling the role of president) are seeking to build their kingdom. The people have tried to politely say, "We've had enough, you can stop now." We're like Mack in the story. We've tried to speak our peace and multiple polls have suggested we are not in favor of the present "Change" that has come upon the USA. Some in my state (NY) would agree with Carl Paladino they they are "Mad as..." well you know. They are 'Macks', the guys at the bottom trying to hold it all together. The little guy whose voice is being ignored and drowned out. (What do you mean you don't want healthcare reform? What do you mean you don't support of repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"?! What do you mean you don't like us treating Israel like a step-child?! What do you mean you don't want to pay more taxes?! What do you mean the Stimulus isn't working?! What do you mean we have to create jobs... we gave extensions for people who are unemployed!)
Across the nation people are, like Mack, ready to "burp". November 2nd is about the little guys saying, "ENOUGH!" It isn't going to be about Independent, Democrat, Republican, Liberal, Conservative... It's going to be about people with common sense voting their "Change and Hope" into office. And if that doesn't work they'll "burp" again. There are those who are seeking to build their kingdom upon the back of "Macks", but like Yertle the Turtle, they will find themselves ruling over the mud.
I'm a "Mack" and I approve of this message. ;)
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Been thinkin'... again!
I was thinking about the times I've been at Myrtle Beach and been playing in the waves. I know where we placed our things on the beach and intend to stay near that spot, however, inevitably as we face the waves coming in we seem to drift. It's not that we try to drift, it just seems that we get carried along in the moments and suddenly stop to get our bearings. When we realize where we are supposed to be we start walking back that direction.
How many times in life do we know where we are supposed to be and we are carried along by life as it ebbs and flows? Sometimes the drift is in our vision of where we see ourselves being. Maybe it's a direction more than a goal and we know that we have to take corrective steps to get back in the right direction. For a company or church the drift can happen at good and bad times. We can get carried along in directions by dealing with all the good options and without stopping to be headed in the best option direction. It can be that we get caught in a "riptide" and are carried away by the bad... could be economy, decisions, personality conflicts. At times we have to stop and gain perspective. We have to remember where we were and where we intended to be and take steps to get there.
Being a pastor this thought takes deeper meaning. Personal relationships can have drift. The marriage relationship is one that is easy to have drift and there's always a need to have both people stop and consider where they were headed together and then take steps to get there!
Still, deeper still, is the relationship with have with God. Sin can be as subtle as innocently drifting. How many times I've stopped to examine my life and thought, "When did I get here?!" With a word of repentance I express my sin and begin the directional change to get where I know I need to be... headed toward Jesus!
I would venture that we all have moments where we allow ourselves to drift. But we also need to build into our lives moments to stop and reflect to see where we are. Instead of asking "why or how" we need to refocus our minds and ask God to lead us where He would take us. "Help us God to see what opportunities this allows us as we venture back toward and to You." Amen.
How many times in life do we know where we are supposed to be and we are carried along by life as it ebbs and flows? Sometimes the drift is in our vision of where we see ourselves being. Maybe it's a direction more than a goal and we know that we have to take corrective steps to get back in the right direction. For a company or church the drift can happen at good and bad times. We can get carried along in directions by dealing with all the good options and without stopping to be headed in the best option direction. It can be that we get caught in a "riptide" and are carried away by the bad... could be economy, decisions, personality conflicts. At times we have to stop and gain perspective. We have to remember where we were and where we intended to be and take steps to get there.
Being a pastor this thought takes deeper meaning. Personal relationships can have drift. The marriage relationship is one that is easy to have drift and there's always a need to have both people stop and consider where they were headed together and then take steps to get there!
Still, deeper still, is the relationship with have with God. Sin can be as subtle as innocently drifting. How many times I've stopped to examine my life and thought, "When did I get here?!" With a word of repentance I express my sin and begin the directional change to get where I know I need to be... headed toward Jesus!
I would venture that we all have moments where we allow ourselves to drift. But we also need to build into our lives moments to stop and reflect to see where we are. Instead of asking "why or how" we need to refocus our minds and ask God to lead us where He would take us. "Help us God to see what opportunities this allows us as we venture back toward and to You." Amen.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Speaking August 1st
By the way... I'll be speaking August 1st at Niagara Alliance Church (niagaraalliance.org)! My message is about Worship as a lifestyle not just Sunday service. Hope to see my friends and family there!
Lonnie
Lonnie
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Not Abandoned... Thoughts on the book of Eli
I didn't forget that I have this blog! I have found myself doing more on Twitter and Facebook as of January. But I'm back.
Tonight I watched "The Book of Eli" with my wife. I didn't care for the swearing, or the cat on a spit (as supper... YUCK). I'm guessing that they had to go with the religious zealot stereotype in some form, alas. In worldly terms at least the guy could kick butt. :)
I did find this an interesting movie. The ending reminded me of the verse: Heaven and earth will pass away but my word will never pass away. - Jesus
I liked the teacher / disciple relationship that formed and loved the ending where she was going back "home" armed with the knowledge of the bible.
I found it funny that the Bible was blamed on "the war" which caused desolation and was to be destroyed. Only later it was sought after by "a bad guy" because he wanted to use it to manipulate people and build his kingdom. In the end the bible was found to have significance on which to build society. Intentional or not it placed the bible in a positive light. So good for them. I'm guessing that quite a few people wouldn't watch a movie about saving the bible, but with some guns and knives they probably picked up a few more people. ;)
I found it quite heartwarming at the end where it showed Eli's grave and the Apostle Paul's words "I have fought the good fight... I have finished the race..." May that be said of all who follow Christ to the end.
Tonight I watched "The Book of Eli" with my wife. I didn't care for the swearing, or the cat on a spit (as supper... YUCK). I'm guessing that they had to go with the religious zealot stereotype in some form, alas. In worldly terms at least the guy could kick butt. :)
I did find this an interesting movie. The ending reminded me of the verse: Heaven and earth will pass away but my word will never pass away. - Jesus
I liked the teacher / disciple relationship that formed and loved the ending where she was going back "home" armed with the knowledge of the bible.
I found it funny that the Bible was blamed on "the war" which caused desolation and was to be destroyed. Only later it was sought after by "a bad guy" because he wanted to use it to manipulate people and build his kingdom. In the end the bible was found to have significance on which to build society. Intentional or not it placed the bible in a positive light. So good for them. I'm guessing that quite a few people wouldn't watch a movie about saving the bible, but with some guns and knives they probably picked up a few more people. ;)
I found it quite heartwarming at the end where it showed Eli's grave and the Apostle Paul's words "I have fought the good fight... I have finished the race..." May that be said of all who follow Christ to the end.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Get out of your bubble!
Sunday I was listening to Ken Hill speak. It was his first time, but he did great. There was one thought that he threw out... Get out of your bubble!
With that my mind immediately went to the Sprint(tm) commercial about getting out of your bubble of local friends so you can call anyone on any network. Well... it just hit me that so many times we get stuck in our church bubble or our circle of friends bubble. We need to get out of the bubble! It's pretty easy to stay comfortable. To be around people who act like the good people we like. Last Friday (January 8th, 2010) I was with Amy at her work party. There was some swearing and someone asked me if that was a problem since I was a pastor. I told them it wasn't a problem. I just didn't tell them why. Jesus spent a lot of time with people who didn't have their stuff together. They mean well and some actually want to do well, but they have a few walls that have to come down first. They need to know that you are not judging them. Honestly, I am not the Judge and will not be the One they stand before and give an account of to. So I can just be me and do what Jesus would do and say what Jesus would say.
With that my mind immediately went to the Sprint(tm) commercial about getting out of your bubble of local friends so you can call anyone on any network. Well... it just hit me that so many times we get stuck in our church bubble or our circle of friends bubble. We need to get out of the bubble! It's pretty easy to stay comfortable. To be around people who act like the good people we like. Last Friday (January 8th, 2010) I was with Amy at her work party. There was some swearing and someone asked me if that was a problem since I was a pastor. I told them it wasn't a problem. I just didn't tell them why. Jesus spent a lot of time with people who didn't have their stuff together. They mean well and some actually want to do well, but they have a few walls that have to come down first. They need to know that you are not judging them. Honestly, I am not the Judge and will not be the One they stand before and give an account of to. So I can just be me and do what Jesus would do and say what Jesus would say.
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