Applause for a Sermon?!?!

Sunday was an amazing day. I got to speak at the Worship on the Water event and then go to my church and speak again. The message was entitled: God Loves You: As You Are, Where You Are!
And because of the differing crowds I had alternate endings and a bit different slant that I used. As I finished the message at the Worship On The Water they applauded! I was concerned that they were GLAD I had finished! But the comments from people afterwards were warm and very encouraging. I heard some say they were looking forward to hearing me speak again on August 10th! I don't do this for the money (because there is none!) or applause but to communicate the truth of God to people who need to hear it!

We finished, we, as in I and my boys, and headed off to services. After the music and announcements I had the children's moment. God had given me a thought to consider while in Iowa about how receptive we are to others in the form of a hug. I got plenty of hugs from my boys as they pledged to help me, and then I asked my son Caleb to wrap his arms around himself and I did the same. Then I said, "OK, hug me!" Of course we really couldn't! It seemed silly and absurd, but the truth is that to embrace others we have to have our arm open.

Moving into the message my emphasis wasn't to convert the converted, but to convince the converted that our church will only get as large as we are willing to allow it. In other words, friendliness has to look and feel friendly, not fake or forced. People need to have a genuine feeling that they belong here too. God loves them as they are, where they are and wants to change their lives for the good. So that's basically how I ended the message. As I closed the service I was prompted to talk about myself and my testimony of living a clean cut life, but still needing Christ. After the service I was approached and told that our 98 year old member would be so blessed to hear this message. Then another person said, "That was great!" Another said, "I don't remember such a natural invitation to follow Christ. It flowed so perfectly." All I know is that it was God working through me. I sat down and hammered out 3/4 of the message the Monday night before. It just flowed onto the page. I am humbled that God would use me. I'll post the message with the alternate endings in another blog for those who want to read it. All Glory to God!
Lonnie

Wedding Thoughts...

The wedding I officiated recently was at Terrapin Point right next to Niagara Falls, as in, you can hear and see the water flowing over the falls. Being where it is, there are other guests that are actually tourists from across the country and world. What made the ceremony interesting was the end. You have 50 invited guests along with about 100 uninvited tourist guests that have been shooting footage of this wondrous occasion, and then the announcement comes, “Please join us at the Top of the Falls Restaurant for the reception to follow.” Uh Oh!

Immediately I think, “Hey, I have to say INVITED guests only!”

And then it hits me... the similarities between Jesus story about the wedding and those invited. In Matthew 22:14 it says, “For many are invited, but few are chosen.” You could say that because we were in a very public place there were extra guests, but only those that received an invitation, those that were chosen to be there could be part of the reception. Interestingly enough we actually had someone follow the Wedding party up to the top only to be told, “you can't be part of this”.

In this day and age so many people have begun to believe that everyone is going to heaven. That God isn't going to exclude anyone. The bible doesn't teach that. And this wedding experience pointed that out to me. Was the wedding open to everyone? Sure it was. Were all those people chosen to be part of the celebration afterward? No. We we trying to be mean and exclusive? No, but there were people we didn't know. Likewise on the day Jesus returns those who have not a personal relationship with Him will not be counted among His own.

How do you get chosen? How do you get to go? The bible says there is only ONE way, and it is through Jesus. Begin by confessing your sin and agreeing (repenting) that God's way is the right and only way to be saved from sin and for heaven. Without repentance there is no relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Just being a good person doesn't cut it. It is my grace through faith that you are saved. God shows mercy to you by not giving you what you deserve... hell and eternal separation from Him. And He shows grace to you by giving you what you could never earn, unmerited favor with Him... a personal relationship, being declared right in His sight.

If you want to know more contact me, I'm more than glad to answer questions and dialog.

God bless! Lonnie

Updated Speaking List!

Here's the newest list of when and where I'll be speaking this Summer!

Cornerstone Community Church - for directions check the website: cornerstoneoncapen.com
July 20th at 10 am
August 3rd at 10 am

Worship on the Water at Longs Homestead in Tonawanda, NY by the Erie Canal
July 20th at 8:45 am (yea I know... I'll be making a quick exit that day!)
August 10th at 8:45 am

I will probably have more dates posted in the near future!

Thanks and God bless!
Lonnie

Speaking Dates So far...

Just to let everyone know, I'll be speaking and doing the music for the "Worship On The Water" services at Longs Homestead by the Canal in Tonawanda, NY on July 20 and August 10th. It starts at 8:45am. Come on out and have a great time!

Lonnie

Didn't forget you...

I can't believe it was May20th on my last post! SORRY!
Well... we've been busy. Finally nailed the whole claim thing down on the prize which helped us to take a very needed vacation! My pictures are on Facebook if you are interested in seeing some.
We had a great time and to be honest I think I could move down there in a heart beat and be just fine. Of course Amy reminded me that we wouldn't have the $$ to live by the ocean... that popped my dream bubble... oh well...

We had a Pre-K graduation and today was Father's Day. I was asked to play just yesterday for Church leading the second service. I'm pretty sure that I won't do that again! I felt so unprepared. None the less, it wasn't bad for what it was. The best part of the day was having my boys sit and sing during the first service. They actually stayed in the seats... this was a drastic improvement from three weeks earlier when I spoke... they were up at the altar with their hot wheels cars... Today we got "cute" as they sat and hugged each other and Joel gave Caleb his big brother kisses. They participated in the Children's moment by helping to sing the "12 Spies Song"... 12 spies went to spy on Canaan 10 were bad and 2 were good... of course their version was a bit different... but the boys were great... Joel kept doing the 'looking' sign through the last time through. After talking about having courage the kids were headed down stairs. I asked Joel if he was ready to go and got the normal yes head nod. Then he turns back and says, "Daddy I need you to go with me." So with his hand in mine we head down to Sunday School where he lets go and races for the rocking horse on the springs... the teacher says they are ready and he walks right in and I walk right up to listen to the message. I keep thinking to myself about how many times I've been told to cherish these moments... the times where Joel turns and says he needs me. Or the few times now that Caleb says, "that's a daddy project!" I'm sure that in the next 16 years I'll have plenty of "Daddy Projects" to help complete. And I'll cherish those times.

our latest news

We've been busy here. Still waiting to get the prize from the contest... all forms have been filed, so now it's a waiting game.

Caleb finally got to ride the bike he got for Christmas from "Santa". Amy took him around the block and said, "he's a natural!" I think I'd be too with training wheels. (see picture)


Joel is healing up after his climbing accident. A cut under his nose and above his top lip for his efforts. He still didn't learn the lesson about climbing... he cried out, "HELP DADDY I'M STUCK!" I found him attempting to get a movie down from my book shelf in the basement. Thankfully that shelf is firmly attached!

Also... If you in the Buffalo area Sunday I'm speaking! for directions and times check out: cornerstoneoncapen.com that's the website for Cornerstone Community church.

We know what we won!!!!

We just found out today!!! Seems that they had my last name spelled wrong as Thorns instead of Thoms (you could see how someone might make that mistake). As well, they missed a 9 in our 999 address. SO... the stuff that was supposedly sent by mail showed up two days later at our door step by Fed Ex. But before the Fed Ex guy came they e-mailed us with what we won.

The suspense must be killing you...

We won the Family Portrait Package which includes:

-A family portrait session with a professional photographer in the town where you reside
-Custom framing
-$5,000.000 spending money
-One (1) $500.00 NickShop.com Gift Card

They explained that it was all random. And it was worth $6,500.00.


We can't begin to say thanks again for all your help. Thanks to your votes there are two boys that are ecstatic with joy! Please know that we could never pay each and everyone back, but we know that God will bless each of you in ways that you may not see coming. Thank you all again!

Lonnie, Amy, Caleb and Joel.
Thanks.