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Well, today is my birthday! I turn 25 today! Of course, I’m also dyslexic!

Through this week, I have had some fun telling this to people. Announcing my birth age backwards may seem like an interesting and moderately humorous way to tell your age. It lets people know the truth, but in some way seems to mask an accurate accounting of just how old I am.

But make no mistake – I am every bit of 52, and not 25. At 25, I was just in the beginning of my years of ministry, serving as a minister of music in Monroeville, Pennsylvania. Much has changed in the twenty-seven years that have passed since then. And, although I had certain thoughts and plans for my life, I surely had no knowledge then that as the next century began, I would be pastoring in Delaware. My life was music ministry. My desire was to add youth ministry to my responsibilities. And, beyond that, I really had no thoughts. There was nothing that I purposely did or pursued with the intent or thought of preparing me for where I am and what I am doing today.

However, the Lord orchestrated the events in my life – perhaps not always in the way I would have selected – but, nonetheless, guided my path into events, situations, and experiences that would supernaturally allow me to become prepared and ready for what He had designed.

The Bible says in James 4:13-15, “Come now, you who say, ’today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit'; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.’”

Yes, there have been choices that I made, believing that I was preparing myself for the future. But, through it all, I have come to recognize that the Lord is in control, and will bring about His perfect will in my life as I yield my thoughts and ways to Him.

At 25, I believed that I had the vast majority of my life ahead of me. Today, I know that the majority of my earthly life is behind me. But, I also know that ALL of my life is in the hands of the Lord, and what I may do and where I may go is in His hands.

So, today – as I celebrate the twenty-seventh anniversary of my twenty-fifth birthday – I again surrender myself to the Lord, as His servant, to do as He wills.

Here is your copy of firstIMPRESSIONS, Volume 8.03. Live for God, on purpose, all the days of your life, for your life belongs to Him!

Speak the Truth in Love!

Ever told a lie? If we are being truthful, we most likely have to admit that at some time we have lied. In fact, if you said that you have never lied, you probably just told a lie!

While most of us don’t set out intending to lie, to one degree or another, many people will lie. Oh, they may call it an “untruth” or a “partial truth.” Or, maybe they will justify it by calling it “just a little white lie.”

But a lie, no matter how you may describe it, is a lie. And, the ninth commandment, found in Exodus 20:16 tells us “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor!

Interestingly, giving false testimony can sometime be more than telling lies. When we speak words that ought not to have been said – when we are not speaking in love – we are sinning as well.

As human beings, because of our sinful nature, each of us has a propensity to sin with our lips. How can we avoid this, and how can we learn to speak in a way that pleases the Lord? Be sure to join us this Sunday morning, as we share part 9 of our Ultimate Top Ten List – God’s Top Ten Important Principles for Living – “Speak the Truth in Love!”

Dealing with Difficult Relatives

by Max Lucado

Does Jesus have anything to say about dealing with difficult relatives? Is there an example of Jesus bringing peace to a painful family? Yes, there is.

His own.

It may surprise you to know that Jesus had a difficult family. If your family doesn’t appreciate you, take heart, neither did Jesus’.

“His family ... went to get him because they thought he was out of his mind” (Mark 3:21).

Jesus’ siblings thought their brother was a lunatic. They weren’t proud-they were embarrassed!

It’s worth noting that he didn’t try to control his family’s behavior, nor did he let their behavior control his. He didn’t demand that they agree with him. He didn’t sulk when they insulted him. He didn’t make it his mission to try to please them.

Each of us has a fantasy that our family will be like the Waltons, an expectation that our dearest friends will be our next of kin. Jesus didn’t have that expectation. Look how he defined his family: “My true brother and sister and mother are those who do what God wants” (Mark 3:35).

When Jesus’ brothers didn’t share his convictions, he didn’t try to force them. He recognized that his spiritual family could provide what his physical family didn’t. If Jesus himself couldn’t force his family to share his convictions, what makes you think you can force yours?

Having your family’s approval is desirable but not necessary for happiness and not always possible. Jesus did not let the difficult dynamic of his family overshadow his call from God. And because he didn’t, this chapter has a happy ending.

What happened to Jesus’ family?

Mine with me a golden nugget hidden in a vein of the Book of Acts. “Then went back to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives.... They all continued praying together with some women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, and Jesus’ brothers” (Acts 1:12, 14, emphasis added).

What a change! The ones who mocked him now worship him. The ones who pitied him now pray for him. What if Jesus had disowned them? Or worse still, what if he’d suffocated his family with his demand for change?

He didn’t. He instead gave them space, time, and grace. And because he did, they changed. How much did they change? One brother became an apostle (Galatians 1:19) and others became missionaries (1 Corinthians 9:5).

So don’t lose heart. God still changes families.

Three Quick Tips for Guidance

“We should make plans – counting on God to direct us.” – Proverbs 16:9 (TLB)

It’s said when Christopher Columbus (one of the first European explorers to discover America) set out he didn’t know where he was going, when he arrived he didn’t know where he was, and when he returned didn’t know where he’d been! From time to time we all need help knowing which direction to go; which college or university to go to, should you take a certain job, or whether or not to start going out with that special someone! The Bible says, “We should make plans – counting on God to direct us.” So how does He lead us? Through:

1. The Bible: “Let the word of Christ – the message – have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives” (Colossians 3:16 TM). One author writes: “The Bible is to God what a surgical glove is to a surgeon. He reaches through it to touch deep within you.” But that requires reading it, personalizing it, and acting on it.

2. Prayer and listening for His voice: Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me” (John 10:27 NIV).It can take time to learn to listen not just talk at God, try going for a walk, find a quiet place, give yourself time. Write down what you think Jesus might be saying – does it match what the Bible says? Learn to listen.

3. Get Advice: Other people have gone through the same stuff as you, so “Remember what kind of lives they lived and try to have faith like theirs” (Hebrews 13:17 CEV). Remember your youth leaders, pastors and yes, even parents, were your age once! They can help.

The Power of Three
Little Words

Some of the most significant messages people deliver to one another often come in just three words. When spoken or conveyed, those statements have the power to forge new friendships, deepen old ones and restore relationships that have cooled.

The following three word phrases can enrich every relationship:

I’ll BE THERE – Being there for another person is the greatest gift we can give. When we are truly present for other people, important things happen to them and to us. We are renewed in love and friendship. We are restored emotionally and spiritually. ‘Being there’ is at the very, very core of civility.

I MISS YOU – Perhaps more marriages could be salvaged and strengthened if couples simply and sincerely said to each other, “I miss you.” This powerful affirmation tells partners they are wanted, needed, desired and loved.

I RESPECT YOU – Respect is another way of showing love. Respect conveys the feeling that another person is a true equal. It is a powerful way to affirm the importance of a relationship.

MAYBE YOU’re RIGHT – This phrase is highly effective in diffusing an argument and restoring frayed emotions. The flip side of “maybe you’re right” is the humility of admitting “maybe I’m wrong.”

PLEASE FORGIVE ME – Many broken relationships could be restored and healed if people would admit their mistakes and ask for forgiveness. All of us are vulnerable to faults, foibles and failures. A man should never be ashamed to own up to he has been in the wrong, which is by saying, in other words, that he is wiser today than he was yesterday.

I THANK YOU – Gratitude is an exquisite form of courtesy. People who enjoy the companionship of good, close friends are those who don’t take daily courtesies for granted. They are quick to thank their friends for their many expressions of kindness. On the other hand, people whose circle of friends is severely constricted often do not have the attitude of gratitude.

COUNT ON ME – “A friend is one who walks in when others walk out.” “Loyalty is an essential ingredient for true friendship; it is the emotional glue that bonds people. Those who are rich in their relationships tend to be steady and true friends. When troubles come, a good friend is there, indicating “you can count on me.”

LET ME HELP – The best of friends see a need and try to fill it. When they spot a hurt they do what they can to heal it. Without being asked, they pitch in and help.

I UNDERSTAND YOU – People become closer and enjoy each other more if they feel the other person accepts and understands them. Letting others know in so many little ways that you understand him or her is one of the most powerful tools for healing your relationship.

GO FOR IT – Some of your friends may be non-conformists, have unique projects and unusual hobbies. Support them in pursuing their interests. Rather than urging your loved ones to conform, encourage their uniqueness – everyone has dreams that no one else has.

I suppose the 3 little words that you were expecting to see have to be reserved for those who are special; that is I LOVE YOU.

How to Get Your Church Members to Invite Their Friends

by Richard Reising

Here’s a truism: People that have had a life-changing experience with God want others to find God in a life-changing way. This is surely true. It is also true that most people that sat in church pews last year never invited one single person to their church. So where is the disconnection?

I think one of the biggest disconnects we have in the church is that, as leaders, we often forget what it was like to go to church for the very first time. The intimidation factor for a lone visitor in a new church is simply huge. But it is nowhere close to the stress and vulnerability that is put on a churchgoer who invites a visitor. All inviters put their reputations on the line every time they invite someone to church. You can rest assured that your church members will not invite someone if they do not expect a positive outcome. And most of the time, that’s why one church isn’t growing and the church around the corner is. It has led us to say that “People are not ashamed of Christ, they are ashamed of their church.” Ouch!

I asked a young friend how he was enjoying his church; he admitted that he loved it but was bothered by the fact that the church wasn’t growing. I asked him why it wasn’t growing; he acted bewildered and said, “I have no idea.”

“Yes, you do,” I challenged him. “You know why it’s not growing.”

After a silence, I asked, “When was the last time you invited someone?”

“Well, it’s been a long time,” he said ashamedly.

“Why don’t you invite people?”

He shuffled his feet and said, “I don’t know.”

“Yes, you do,” I said. “The reason you don’t invite people is the same reason why your church is not growing.”

I could tell that bells went off on the inside. He responded, “Yeah, I know why.” He had known it all along. He just had never connected the dots between the challenges of inviting people and overall church growth.

It might be simple. A congregant might be embarrassed about the church decorations, the woman who shouts from the back of the church, the inexplicably deep or dry sermons, or the pastor telling jokes about his wife. The harder it is to invite people, the more challenging church growth is.

You see, I knew my friend loved God and wanted others to experience Christ’s love. Unfortunately, most people are not intimidated about being Christians. They are intimidated about inviting people to their church.

The simple truth is that if an invitation is hard to make, for whatever reason, fewer people will be invited. The battle for growth is first fought in the hearts of churchgoers who want to better the lives of those around them. This is actually the desire of the vast majority of churchgoers.

I cannot say this emphatically enough – all true Christians want other people to become Christians. It is planted in them when Christ is planted in them. This means if your church has to beg, push, cajole, offer incentives, or even just remind people to invite others, it is a telltale sign that, for whatever reason, they do not believe the ministry that takes place will make a successful connection with the people they would invite.

This is where the rubber hits the road. Is your church connecting with your community? The main link is through your congregation, and if they think you’re not connecting, you won’t.

It is no wonder Paul challenged us in advance to “become as one to win one.” The ability to relate to our communities and church growth go hand in hand. When a ministry can successfully relate to the people in its congregation in a way that reassures them that their guests will be connected with, the churchgoers will be willing to invite others because they know it will relate to those they invite.

By analyzing the temptations and challenges associated with inviting people to church, we found the following to be true. If a churchgoer can answer these questions positively, then inviting friends and family will not only be easy, it will become a lifestyle. The church will explode with growth! As a side note, my guess is that none of these topics would ever show up on a visitor survey. They require us to look closely in the mirror, as even our closest allies would have a hard time advising us of some of these issues.

1. Will my friend feel welcomed? Principle: Hospitality – The atmosphere, nomenclature, and style of service should be inviting and not intimidating to the unchurched.

2. Will my friend fit in? Principle: Comfort and compatibility – Like it or not, invitations and visitor comfort decrease when social or cultural gaps exist.

3. Can I feel confident that I know how the service will turn out? Principle: Consistency – People need to know what to expect, because they will invite accordingly.

4. Will my friend get something out of it? Principle: Relevance – The message should be relevant and powerful for people at all spiritual levels.

5. Will my friend understand it? Principle: Understanding – Jesus taught through practical illustrations. The songs and message should be understandable for people at all spiritual levels.

6. Will everything that could seem strange to the unchurched be explained through Scripture? Principle: Sensitivity – Scriptural actions should be carried out with clarity and considerate explanation.

Having said all this, I am convinced of one thing. If members walk out of your service saying, “I wish my unchurched friend had been here,” they will start to think about inviting their friend. If a member walks out of your service three weeks in a row and says every time, “I wish my unchurched friend would have heard that,” nothing will stop that member from dragging that friend through your doors. The challenging thing is that often, when members walk out of churches, the only thing they can say is, “I wish my other church friends would have heard that.”

It’s time to evaluate. Are we creating an atmosphere that fosters growth or are we just ministering unto ourselves?

Why America Deserves Britney and Jamie Lynn Spears

by Richard Mansel

Britney and Jamie Lynn Spears are burning up the internet. The public is insatiable for information on their tumultuous lives. Lies, smears, innuendos, payoffs, and whispers spew forth from media outlets like sewage. Daily updates on their behavior contain so many contradictory story lines that it is almost impossible to know the truth. However, America just wants more, more, more.

The United States does not have royals to harass, so Hollywood stars become their surrogates. The spotlight on them never goes dark. On the fictional show, “Hannah Montana,” Miley Cyrus plays a teenager who lives a dual life as a regular girl and singing superstar. The premise is hysterical considering today’s reality. Stars are hunted, harassed and their every public move and utterance is filmed. They sell their privacy for fame and fortune and then complain about their lack of privacy.

Britney and Jamie Lynn are responsible for their actions. Nevertheless, they are mirrors of the declining American culture. By showing America for what it is, these women find the resentment of a nation for being the embodiment of a guilty national conscience.

The American culture is dying. The time for niceties is past. Depravity is corroding the culture we inhabit and it damages everything it touches. Nothing is safe. Music, movies, clothing, television, the internet, and the language of the day are all robbing children of their purity. Satan steals their most cherished possession and rips it to shreds. Sadly, parents are most often the flesh and blood hands of Satan, destroying the souls of their own children through their lack of parenting. God’s hatred of such behavior is some of the most sobering in Scripture (Matthew 18:6).

Sixteen-year old Jaime Lynn Spears is pregnant by her nineteen-year-old boyfriend. Her announcement spread in “OK! Magazine” caused an outrage. Roundly condemned by almost everyone, magazine editors pulled her from their covers. The national condemnation is still loud and clear. At the same time, though, it is terribly ironic.

A society that sells thongs with “hottie” emblazoned on them and Bratz dolls dressed as whores to five-year olds is outraged that a sixteen-year old is pregnant. Fashion editors who parade condom ads, sex advice, and nearly naked models to teen girls rebuke a teenager for her pregnancy. Producers who make movies filled with sex acts and jokes to children are shocked that a teenager is pregnant. Websites who hungrily post nude photos of actresses and encourage kids to engage in fornication, condemn a child for her pregnancy. The hypocrisy is staggering!

We ask where the outrage is for the man who made Jamie Lynn pregnant. Should a society that treats girls as sex objects and winks at the males who take advantage of them have any moral authority? When we glorify rappers who treat women as trash and condemn the women, we relegate women to second-class citizens.

Britney abuses drugs and alcohol, parties obsessively, prances around town without underwear, shoplifts, spends the night with cameramen in hotel rooms, crashes her car, runs over people, divorces twice, loses custody of her children, holds her children in a standoff with the police while stoned and becomes a national disgrace.

A culture that turns actors and singers into idols to be worshiped in a 24-hour news cycle should not be shocked when their behavior becomes increasingly bizarre so the camera will stay on. Wholesome behavior and charity work is a blip on the radar screen while debauchery bring in millions of dollars. When America builds a monster, they should not be shocked when it attacks.

God said, “Righteousness exalts a nation” (Proverbs 14:34). What does unrighteousness bring? Look around.

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The Last Impression

I was sure that my wife was getting hard of hearing, so I called the doctor to ask him what we should do.

“I’ll have my nurse make an appointment for her,” the doctor said, “but in the meantime, there’s a simple, informal test you can run to give us an idea how bad the problem is. Here’s what you do: start out about 40 feet away from her and in a normal conversational speaking tone, say something and see if she hears you. If not, go to 30 feet, then 20 feet and so on, until you get a response.”

That evening, my wife was in the kitchen cooking dinner and I was in the living room. In a normal tone, I asked, “Honey, what’s for supper?”

No response.

So, I moved to the other end of the room and repeated, “Honey, what’s for supper?” Still no response.

Next, I moved into the dining room. “Honey, what’s for supper?” I still got no response, so I walked up to the kitchen door.

“Honey, what’s for supper?” Again, there was no response, so I walked right up behind her. “Honey, what’s for supper?”

And she replied, “For the fifth time, I said chicken!”

My kids like to tell me that I am losing my hearing, I guess especially now that I am in the “over-fifty” crowd! But, I am so very thankful that, no matter what, God ALWAYS hears me! And, regardless of my natural hearing ability... and between you and me, my hearing is just fine... I am thankful that we are all able to hear that “still, small voice” of God!

Keep listening to Him! And, be sure to come to WFA this Sunday as together we listen to what God is saying to us!