A Tribute to Dad, by Kevin Mahoney

Who is your hero? Is it someone you’ve seen make unbelievable catches in the outfield? A guy who can score on a header from 20 yards out? A women who can sink a 30 foot putt? Sometimes we see these people as our hero’s. But sometimes it’s important to look behind their lives to see who their hero’s are. Such is the case with Chad Curtis, a man with World Series rings and a ton of memories as a fine major league player. Who is his hero? Here’s what Chad said. “My own hero is my father. I admire the example my dad set for me. He was always there when I needed him. He was consistent. He never wavered in what he believed or in how much he cared for me. His Christian faith strongly influenced me.” And I also know that Ted Curtis protected his son. One time, when Chad had been involved in a much publicized locker-room incident with a teammate, Chad’s dad called me to make sure the publisher knew the real story – not the one reported in the mainstream press.



This is real two-way royalty as it should be: the son appreciating his father’s guidance and the father still caring about his adult son. That’s what can happen when people take Proverbs 1:8 seriously. Solomon is calling for mutual respect as the father imparts wisdom to his son – wisdom for his life and guidance as he goes off on his own. Weather you’re a child who needs to heed your fathers instructions or whether you’re a father who is giving it, keep in mind that a relationship in which a child listen’s carefully to his or her dad’s instructions will lead to future success. And if you’re a dad, someday your son or daughter may even call you a hero.

This story is a perfect example when we apply the scriptures to our lives, we can see the blessings that would happen between a father and son or father and daughter, as well as a mother and son and mother and daughter. Again - Proverbs 1-8 says this – Listen my son, to your father’s instruction, and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. Solomon is telling us if we listen carefully to our Father’s and Mother’s advise. It is those, that follow this wisdom, add beauty and honor to their lives. Amen…. Our lives become richer, more fulfilling. It has a real purpose, to help change our family, our church and even our community.



SEE……

I didn’t have the opportunity to grow up and look at my dad as my hero. My mom was taken from me at a very early age, and I use to ask God even before I knew him, “why have I been dealt these cards”. I searched hard and long, for the world to tell me, until 1987 when God finally got a hold of me, and began to tell me why these cards were dealt to me. See as a dad, you reflect on your past. You try to remember all the great times you shared with your own dad. I couldn’t remember one. Then it clicked – My heavenly dad spoke so softly in my ear and said, “I will be your dad”, the one who will never leave you nor forsake you. I will love you unconditionally and forever. When you are weak, I will be there to hold your arms up, when things are tough. And I will be the one that holds you when you breathe your last breath. That agape love is the same love we are to have with our own kids. The Lord has blessed us with three amazing children. Noelani, Jebb and Gunnar. As a dad, I don’t look at the grades that come home, nor how many trophies they won, or how many achievement certificates they receive. When our children look to us, in the highs and lows of their lives, they see one consistent thing – acceptance, approval, understanding and that unconditional love that I was given, back in 1987. If asked if there is anything I would do different as to being a dad, my answer would be no. I can say one thing for sure, I will never change, these words, for if I do, the ramifications are great for the future of my children – for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, in good times and bad times, til death due us part. My wife and I are partners for life, and the greatest reward our heavenly father has given Loriann and I, is the title of Mommy and Daddy. A title which there is no other greater feeling, when the words are spoken directly from my children’s lips. To hear daddy I love you, comes full circle to God’s promise he gave me, as he whispered in my ear 22 years ago.

To all you dads out there. every Day is Fathers Day! Amen………………

Mahalo,
Kevin Mahoney
Founder - NEHIM 1994

Real Men are Passionate

I know what you’re thinking. “Dan you have of the most stoic personality I’ve ever known, you’re not passionate. Does this mean you’re not a real man?” There are three possiblities to examine; 1) Passion is not a hallmark of a real man. 2) I am not passionate and therefore not a real man. 3) The world has confused you with a counterfeit passion and you need to be reminded of what biblical passion looks like. I’ll examine each of these in turn.

Is passion a hallmark of a real man? Excellent question. Hollywood occasionally tells us no, a real man is not passionate but stoic ruled by reason. The apathetic leading man, Sherlock Holmes, Batman, etc. These characters are not common and usually not successful in the theater. Who wants to go watch a movie about a boring man? Would you want to watch a movie about Eyore the donkey? More often Hollywood creates a leading man that is over the top in his passion. Think about Forest Gump, William Wallace and Maximus Decimus Meridius. These characters sell tickets. We’re drawn to these men, they’re leadership and passion are attractive to us. But are these real men? What does the ultimate authority teach us, what does the Bible say? Jesus was described as having a “zeal for your house will consume me” (Psalm 69:9, John 2:17). This was recalled by the disciples from Scripture immediately after he turned over the market tables in the temple court. This statement was followed by an even more passion laden state from Christ himself. “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days (John 2:19).” The words are dripping with passion. I can see the movie scene in my head. How much better is this scene than Forest Gump repeatedly yelling “Jenny!” Christ was passionate. Christ had a singular passion. Salvation. Nothing else mattered. He dined with the dregs of society. He alienated the powerful. He altered his friends (the disciples) schedule so that he could call a tax collector out of a tree, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today (Luke 19:5).” I’m struck by the work must. Then in verse 10, Jesus’ mission statement, his passion “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost." Jesus was a man of passion. We are to be perfect as Jesus (our Father) is perfect. Real men are passionate!

So now argument two, that I (Dan) am not a real man. Perhaps you’re right. In your view, I’m not outgoing. I’m not excitable. I don’t have (many) fits of rage. I’m controlled, collected even confident (maybe). I’m not going to win any Oscars. I can see how you might mistake these traits as a lack of passion and desire. So what is the big deal if I’m not passionate? The truth is that if I am not living with passion I am not living like Christ and by definition I am living in sin. I am not going to argue that I am not living in sin. All who breathe live in sin. It’s the human condition. This is why repentance is so vital. I understand that given my personality you could argue that I don’t have great passion and therefore am not a real man. I forgive your ignorance. Let me explain by looking at the third possibility. What are desire and passion?

Desire is a funny word because it is not often used as a synonym for passion but in truth they are synonymous. Society has perverted the words because they’re desires, they’re passions are perverted. The world desires things of the world, more money, more sex, more power. Desire is not merely a want, and passion is not merely an emotion. The world offers a counterfeit to what Jesus really has for you. The world can offer fabulous wealth, if you work hard enough. Jesus offers you eternal life with him, in heaven, if only you’ll accept him as Lord. Do you see the dichotomy? The world tells you that passion (and love) is an emotion. To the world desires the pretty woman walking down the road with no regard for what is best for the woman. Selfish, in the moment, desire rules. This is not a true desire. It will never satisfy. Do you notice how unhappy the world has become? More stuff, more achievements, more luxuries to satisfy a desire they don’t understand and can’t fill. The truth is that emotions are fleeting, often controlled by external conditions. The sun is shining so I’m happy. My wife just kissed me so the world is right. These are the desires of a boy not a man.

The Bible shows that passion is a driving force that cannot be changed by wafting emotion. Desire, passion is the force that drives you to do the things that benefit the Kingdom regardless of the cost to self. Passion and desire are actions just as love is an action. Just as James warned us that faith without actions are dead, passion is in the same fold. Look at the writers of the New Testament after the crucifixion. Each of these men deeply desired, a God given desire, to preach the Good News. The desire was so strong that it did not matter what happened to them as long as their mission was moved forward. Insults, shipwrecks, arrests, beatings, stoning, boiling alive (and John survived) and murders didn’t stop these men. They considered themselves blessed when they were persecuted for name of Jesus. God given desires are bigger than individuals. These desires are selfless. Think of Christ in the Garden. “Father, take this cup from me but let your will be done.” The desire is bigger than the individual. Christ wants a biblical desire to dwell in our hearts. Jesus had biblical desire, “to seek and save the lost.” This is exactly what we, as Christians, are called to desire. It is the Great Commission. However, I believe that the Bible also tells us that each man is given a special desire on his heart as well. God has gifted some to be apostles, some teacher, some pastors, some prophets, etc. (look at Romans 12:6-8, 1Cor. 12:27-29 and Ephesians 4:11). These are just a few of the gifts that are to be used in the church body, preparing the body for service (Eph. 4:12). These desires are consistent with the Great Commission but may be a little more detailed, guiding the Christian man as to how to reach the multitudes. It’s Christ’s individual call on your life.

So what are your gifts? You need to find out. Examine your desires and put them into action. This act alone will lead to tremendous growth in your spiritual walk with God. What are you waiting for? Where are you driven? For example, I've been given the desire to teach and disciple new believers, especially men and couples. Leading through example, through relationship, through work of God in my life to help develop strong Christians who can in turn pour their gifts out. This desire is what drives me to meet with men one on one, to write these devotions, to seek out men that I know God is prompting me to connect with. It’s not in my natural personality. Given my natural self I would rather fade into the background, refuse to lead and go and do my own thing. But like Peter, Paul, James and Jude before me, I am happy to be a slave to Christ and a servant to the church. One owned by Christ not the world. A royal priest and joint heir with Christ. Given the passions of the King rather than my own selfish and shortsighted wants. Christ has made me a real man.

In His Service,
Dan

Misery or Greatness

My misery confirms my greatness.

I’m paraphrasing Pascal, but it is nonetheless true. Despite my accomplishments. Despite all that I have and that which the world craves and idolizes, I am not satisfied. Success is bitter and failure is unbearable. Why is this so? Where have we gone wrong? We went wrong from the very beginning. We know that Adam (and Eve) was created in the image of God and commanded to rule the world. Rule the world as the image of God. Be fruitful as the image of God. My misery is a direct result of not fulfilling my role. God called all men to be an authority (to rule) and be creative and productive (fruitful). Where is the place we can accomplish the goals that God has set for us? How can we operate with authority in a world that hates, or ought to hate us? How can we be creative and productive when the world demands so much from us?

Authority is permission and freedom from doubt. If I give you the authority to write check against my bank account I’ve given you permission. This is what God gave Adam when he told him to rule over the world. He gave Adam permission to make decisions. Authority is given. Authority is also a freedom of doubt. An expert in a subject is so well versed in the subject matter that he is free from doubt in that subject. Adam was told to subdue the world, to name the things of the world. Authority is earned through works. Only when authority is both given and earned does it produce fruit. There are many examples in the Bible. Think of Paul prior to his conversion. He had done the work and earned authority. People respected his authority out of fear. No one challenge him, including the chief priest, when he asked for warrants to arrest Christians in distant towns. Where was his fruit? On the road to Damascus authority was given to him and “immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues” (Acts 9:20, NKJ). The most powerful evangelist the world has ever known is born. You and I are part of Paul’s fruit! Contrast that with Solomon. Solomon was given authority but did not earn it, God made him king, gave him wisdom and treasure beyond anyone else in the world. Solomon squandered it all. His works were sinful and ultimately his pedigree was removed from Israel. His son ruled Judah after the split of Solomon’s kingdom, not Israel who was God’s chosen nation. Where is Solomon’s fruit? Authority must be given and earned (authority not salvation which is only given) under God’s direction to produce fruit.

How do we find the area that God has called us to? I can do many things well but I also know there is something that God desires me to acomplish. I know there is a job that only I can do, only I in all of creation, past, present and future. Only Mozart could have composed Requiem. I can barely write a measure, it’s not my gifting. So the question I must answer is where is my gifting, where is my passion? Passion and misery are incompatible. Work in God given authority, in God given passion and your fruit will be uncountable. So where is your passion? Where is my passion? What is it that I can do all night, every free moment, and not feel drained? What am I good at, what do I enjoy. That’s a good start to find what God has chosen for me.

Imagine what Mozart would have been if he were only a farmer. I imagine the passion to compose would have torn him apart. It would have been destructive because it would have been sin. God’s will for him was to compose music. Mozart was writing full symphonies by age 5. Mozart earned authority through countless hours practicing and God gave him authority. Mozart heard and understood composition like few others. God gave him something else to go with this authority. God gave Mozart passion in this authority. During his life Mozart wrote over 600 compositions. Mozart died at the ripe old age of 35! That is an average of 3 weeks per masterpiece.

You were made to be great. You are miserable only because you have not found your greatness. Find your passion. Earn your portion of authority. Receive your gifting. Banish your misery.

Base Camp

April and May are the climbing season on Mt. Everest. The feat has always held a special interest for me. Each year hundreds of adventurers set out to conquer the peak. Precious few make it up the southern face, over the Hilary step and behold the glorious view at the summit for a precious few moments. Physically these people are dying. Above 7000m there isn’t enough oxygen in each breath for the body to survive. So each April and May there is a race against death between base camp (5000m) and the top of the world (8848m). Every climber knows, intimately, that they are dancing with death. But the pull of the mountain is just too strong. Pride is too great tempter. Every year many climbers either don’t return from the mountain or return maimed by the mountain. Toes, noses and ears lost to frostbite. Seizures, hallucinations, poor decisions and death from asphyxiation. But they’ve conquered the deathzone.

As Christians we spend too much time in our own deathzones. Unlike the climbers, we Christians often do not recognize that we are in trouble or that we may be sending someone else on a course of failure. We are not aware or not educated to the dangers that are ever present before us. This is how we end up with the luke-warm “Christianity” Pastor detailed in some of our more popular “Christian” celebrities. Pastor’s message certainly challenged me, forcing me into that uncomfortable zone where I know I need to examine what I really think and believe rather than what I’ve been taught. I know I’m not alone. The whole issue of love and tolerance has been corrupted in our country (don’t get me start on the corruption of the separation of Church and State). We are called and even commanded to love the gay man or woman, the murderer, the tax collector as we love ourselves. However, at the same time we are commanded to despise their (and all) sin. Love the person (noun), the child of God. Hate the sin (verb). Our society has blurred the line between individual (noun) and sin (verb). As a society we are in the deathzone and don’t know it.

Fortunately, the Bible speaks to these types of issues and the cost is clearly laid out.

Eph. 5:1-2
“Be imitators of God…Live in love as Christ also loved us.”
Eph. 5:6-12
6Do not let anyone deceive you with meaningless words, for it is because of these things that God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7So do not be partners with them. 8For once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light. 9For the fruit of the light consists of every form of goodness, righteousness, and truth. 10Determine what pleases the Lord, 11and have nothing to do with the unfruitful works of darkness. Instead, expose them for what they are. 12For it is shameful even to mention what is done by people in secret.

It turns out it is easily known whether or not your treading into the deathzone. You just have to look around you. Are your toes black and falling off? Are your lungs burning? Is your mind confused? Where is your fruit? Are the fruits of you actions “every form of goodness, righteousness and truth?” If the answer is yes you should be writing these devotions. The rest of us have (unknowingly) entered the deathzone. It’s not too late to return to base camp. Live as children of light. We have our example not in the celebrities of today but in the Ancient of Days. I’ll see you back at camp.

The Holy Spirit wants You.

I have been thinking quite a bit of late about prayer, specifically about effective prayer. James 5:16 declares that "the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." A righteous man is what got my attention. Who is this righteous man and why is his prayer so powerful? I pondered this for a bit, (I realize the thought of me pondering anything may seem out of place for some of you),and was reminded by the Spirit that my righteousness is as "filthy rages" according to Isaiah 64:6 KGV. How then could my prayers ever mean anything, or have any effect. Quite frankly what is the point of praying at all.
The Spirit then reminded me that within the armor of God is the breast plate of righteousness. It was as if a light had been turned on when I realized that the righteousness that brings power in prayer is the righteousness bestowed on us through the blood of Jesus. I was reminded of the old song "Nothing but the Blood" where we sing this is all my righteousness, nothing but the blood of Jesus. The power of prayer is centered in the blood of Christ. The effectiveness of prayer comes through the power of the blood.
OK, so you know all this, I'm a prayer warrior Paul, clothed in his righteousness, a blood bought child of the living God, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, what is your point. My point is are you involved in effective and powerful prayer. Is the thread running through your prayer life, the prayer life of our church, one of victory? If not why not? The answer lies very simply in one word, FERVENT. It is the fervency that activates this power and makes our prayer effective! It is the actions of the man clothed in the righteousness of God that brings about effectiveness.
We now more than ever must become a fervent people. Hungry and passionate to see God's kingdom come. A fire needs to rise up in each of us that cannot be quenched. A people that refuses to accept defeat from a defeated enemy, and instead walk in victory guaranteed each of us through the power and blood of Jesus. YOU ARE VITAL IN GOD'S BATTLE PLAN. Your fervency is needed for God to begin to move powerfully in the midst of your life and our Church! The great declaration of World War II to was Uncle Sam wants You, God is at war as well, and THE HOLY SPIRIT WANTS YOU!!

Bless you all,
Paul

Fireproof, The Movie and Your Marriage.

I hope you all were able to make it to the movie, and that your marriage will prosper from the experience. I went into the movie a little skeptical. The trailer for the movie reminded me of either a “chick-flick” or the Left Behind series, I am not a fan of either. They’re just not my style. However, with Fireproof I was very pleasantly surprised. The plot was well done with fantastic imagery and allegory. Even the acting was believable. I can say this about many movies, other than Shrek of course.
Fireproof is a very simple, very real tale of a marriage that has fallen because of the two flawed individuals it incorporated. I think this represents far too many marriages these days, both in the church and out of the church. This is not how marriage was designed to work. God designed marriage to be a unity of three. A three-corded strand that is not easily broken.

Of course the relationship in movie is fixed as the husband steps up and does his job. Loving his wife as Christ loved the church, only with the guidance of a praying mother and father and a 40-day guidebook. I know is sounds cheesy. I thought so too. That is until I stepped up for my own marriage in the early years. It changed our relationship, it strengthened us for the trails that lay ahead. Other men in our midst have done the same. You can too.

Watch the movie, buy the Love Dare, whatever it takes to make you step up and continually love your wife as you were made to do. Read Ephesians 5:20-33, Genesis 2:18-25, 1 Corinthians 13 et al. but most importantly seek God’s guidance to become the husband you were designed to be. Don’t worry what the world will think, they be in awe of a powerful marriage. Don’t worry about what your wife will think, overcome her with sacrificial love. Don’t worry about what you kids will think, teach them what a healthy marriage looks like so they too will have one someday.

It’s not too late. The ball is in your court. Even if you marriage is healthy, renew your commitment to champion your wife. It will change you, your relationship with God and your marriage. Join me, do it today!

How's your house?

“Your address used to be Paradise.” I have seen this phrase in every John Eldridge book I’ve read and it brings my desires and my shortcomings clearly into view. I desire to be back in the Garden. No more barriers, no more duties, no more regrets. All that is left is fellowship with my brothers and with my Lord. I know this is what I want. Intellectually I know there is nothing I can do to achieve this reward. So what and why am I still trying to achieve? This is the root of my greatest sin (though all sin is equal in bringing death). I know in my heart of hearts there is nothing I can do to earn this exquisite repose. Yet I try to arrange for this outcome. If I’m honest, I’m not even consciously organizing. I just do it. I arrange. I plan. I scheme. I strive for a certain life that I can never attain in my own strength. Why? What is all this planning supposed to accomplish if achievement cannot bring me to the end I so desire? Is it just futile effort, is it a thorn in my side, or is it something worse? I know God does not need my help, only all my heart, strength and mind. What good is my planning when I can’t even secure my own food supply but must rely on His grace for basic needs.

If my planning is just a futile effort I am wasting resources. I have a finite amount of energy and time. I must be a good steward of the gifts and skills I have been appointed. The parable is clear, do not bury you talent.

If arranging is a thorn in my side it steals the focus from more appropriate matters. Distraction is a formidable enemy. Think of Peter at the Transfiguration. Setting up the three tabernacles was distraction. Apparently, even talking about the transfiguration before the crucifixion would have been a distraction, which is why Jesus forbids it. Had the tabernacles been made, had they stayed on the mountain, the atonement, the blood, the salvation of the world would not have come. Peter and the others were settling for a heaven of their own construction here on earth.

If we take the scheming further a point is reached where control is transferred. At this point I no longer control the arranging, it controls me. An addiction much like alcohol or drugs. No longer a distraction, but the focus. My mind jumps to David and Bathsheba, though there are many examples. Once sin is the focus there is no room for God. Light and dark do not coexist. In America today we see this in the addiction to money, power and fame. In these economic times I fear we will see even more the destruction of the addicted by their wicked obsessions. Last month, a German multi-millionaire threw himself in front of a train because his addiction destroyed him.

How is your house? Where are you on this scale? Wasting time, distracted or addicted? The good news is that you can’t multi-task. Many scientific studies prove humans can only have one focus at a time. If we make God our focus. If we begin to pray with the fervor we ought to. The closer we’ll get to the Garden. Closer to the desire that God has placed in us from the very beginning. It’s time to actively turn our focus to where we want to be. Our address used to be Paradise; our hearts are still there.

MLK Jr. Day Devotion

Today is an important holiday for our country and the world. We stand at a time when many would tell you that Dr. King's dream has been attained, for tomorrow we install our first non-white President. This is a water shed moment but take some time and listen to or read the famous speech. Have we attained Dr. King's dreams? What if we replace the words Negro, slave, and black with Christian, brother, and all? Only one can emancipate, only one can set you free. Dr. King new this better than many. One of the most famous speeches in American and world history is dripping with evangelical sweat, and most Americans miss it. Dr. King's speech has more references to God and the Scriptures than to cultural oppression. Today, this moment in time, August 28, 1963, will be on the mind of many. It could be an evangelistic opportunity for you, me and our brothers across the country. I have a dream today, that black, white, yellow and purple will fall on their collective faces, lift their eyes to the throne of the true Emancipator.

1st Corinthians

Writen by the apostle Paul, while in Ephesus (ca. 55AD), to the church at Cornith. Corinth at the time was one of the major cities of Greece, a center of trade and high culture. Much like the people of Athens, the inhabitants of Corinth placed high value on wisdom and philosophy. Like all large cities, immorality was rampant in Cornith. Sexual depravity was so large a problem that the Greek verb to Corinthianize was coined to describe this immorality. Paul, having heard about this and other immoralities invading the young church wrote this letter to instruct the church, which contained both Jews and Gentiles, in areas of morality, unity and to provide correct teachings on spiritual matters. Matters our own church and the church at large must learn as well.

Chapter 1.
Paul begins his letter identifying himself and the believers in the Corinthian church as saints sanctified through Christ and called to be holy. He also identifies the Corinthians as part of a larger body of believers (1-2). Verses 4-9 reveal that this church as received the Holy Spirit and abundant spiritual gifts (speech, knowledge, etc.), through grace, and lacking no spiritual gift.

Verses 10-17
Unfortunately the church has been lead astray by false teachers. This had lead to division within the body, which Paul quickly addresses. “Was Christ divided?” No not at all! There is only one God. One message. One Savior, Christ Jesus. Paul, the apostles, you and I are simply messengers, not to be followed in our own. If you and I could save the lost, grant eternal life, then the cross loses all its power and meaning. In the things of God be of one mind. Know Christ and His crucifixtion.

Verses 18-31
The wisdom of God and the wisdom of the world are not one in the same. Man’s greatest achievements are but nonsense to man. Yet God’s mere foolishness is so remarkable that the human mind cannot comprehend. Think of the complicated structure of your average tree. Mankind cannot replicate the intricate detail, or engineer similar plumbing and communication systems found. Yet God all this was trivial for God. String theory, Chaos theory, the Grand Unifying theory are all foolishness to God. He made the universe in the way you make a pancake, it the universe appears as complicated to him as a pancake does to you. We ourselves are nothing, even by the standards of our own world. We are laborers, professionals, sons and fathers. We are not the movers and shakers. We are not the Kennedys. In our own strength, the world will not listen to us. Yet God choose us. God choose me to baffle the world. Because of His choosing, You and I can be unified with Christ through death, resurrection and redemption. All of His choosing and for His glory. Thanks be to God.

Application:
It’s not about you and I. It’s all about God and His glory. As you go out today, think about the things the world values. Where does the world store it treasure. What security is there in Wall Street, the price of oil or your own safety driving down the road? Everything could fall today. Would it matter to you or are you stayed on the Almighty?

New Years Resolutions

I have never liked New Years resolutions. They have never made any sense to me. Why should I, on the dawning of the New Year, resolve (which means to settle conclusively, ie. no to be raised again) to do something that I probably should have been doing all along? Most people pick obvious things that only require a little self-discipline. For example, I should choose to lose weight for my new years resolution, so that I can buy a belt that doesn’t say Peterbilt. It’s a no brainer. I should do it. I can do it. I can do it in my own strength. How does that glorify God? If I choose on my own, and perform in my own strength, it only proves my stubbornness. If I fail in my own strength it only proves my ineptitude. There is nothing of God in it. Without God, the Holy Spirit in our lives, we will certainly fail.

Think of the apostles in four Gospels. Losers. All of them. All functioning in their own strength, and doing so while God was physically walking right next to them. Think of some of there actions. Wanting to stop and build three tents on the mountain and await another transfiguration. Begging, or more accurately having their Mother beg, for exalted seats in heaven. Worrying about having enough money or food for their needs. One moment speaking the truth, “You are the Christ” and the next falling into egregious actions and lies, cutting off ears with the sword and denying the Christ. Losers, all of them. You and I are losers too. Look at your own actions…

Thanks be to God for the book of Acts. This book records the moment when the apostles, you and I changed from losers to be more than conquerors. The men and women of that upper room did not resolve to do anything. God resolved to change the course of human history; to make men and women able spread his Good News. Fire fell from heaven; God’s Word went to the streets in each listener’s language. Some mockers came and Peter stood under the power of the Holy Spirit rebuking them with the Scriptures from the prophet Joel. The Holy Spirit had finally returned to earth, to dwell within God’s people. It was a new day. They were new creations.

So here we are, 2000 years from that day of Pentecost. The Fire still burns. I make no New Years resolutions for they’ re meaningless. However, the Holy Spirit within has resolved to change me for God’s purpose. I am eager to see what new things the Spirit will do in me. What gifts the Spirit will bring forth and how these gift will be used to the glory of God the Father. Friend, it’s not about a new year turning, it’s about a new day. Don’t get caught up changing yourself under your own strength. Seek the Father, seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit. God will use you to reach the lost. God will use you to change the world.

The Climb

The path before me looks overgrown. Few feet have trampled this way. Yet I know this is the path I must take. Many years ago, when I started my walk, the path was really more like a fire road. The walk was easy and my pace quick. I never worried about straying off the path because the path was wide, the obstacles small, besides I knew the woods so well for it was where I had come from. Though it wasn’t at the time, looking back being a young Christian was easy. I had great desire and few inhibitions. I was freed from the chains, the sin that so easily ensnares. Not that I didn’t stumble, but I knew I was forgiven and that was enough for me. I would walk my path, with my head down and stop and make sure God was still with me every few miles.

As I’ve matured in Christ, my path has narrowed, my walk more labored. The obstacles that I could see from the beginning, the mountains in the distance, are now right before me. So what has changed? Why do I struggle more today than I did a decade ago? Why has my path narrowed and steepened. A decade age my sins bothered me and I feared the Devil hunting me down. Now my sins destroy me but Devil is scared of me. Now I know the mere thought, the mere desire, is the sin that kills, not the act itself.

Gazing into the wood is more than distraction. I must press on toward my summit. The path is narrow and going is slow but I’m much stronger now than I was on that fire road. I no longer sway under the weight of my load, I don’t need the forgiving width of the road anymore. The strength to climb the mountain was built by climbing the little steps along the way, when the road was more forgiving. I’m ready, otherwise God would not have put me on this path. As the Apostle Paul taught, when I do what I do not want to do, it is not me but the sin in me. I am separate from sin, now. If I tell the Devil to flee, he will. Not that I am god but God is in me. He directs my steps on this narrow path. I no longer walk for miles then look to see if God is still with me. I wait on the Lord. He has been faithful and ever-present. Though I can’t see the where this path will twist and turn. Though I can’t see what lay around the corner. Though I can’t see the traps the Devil has placed on my path. I am not worried.

I am not worried because the path is already there. Someone has been here before and knows the path to the top of the mountain. The path has been blazed by the only one that could. It has been cut into the wood for me, and me alone. That is why it seems overgrown. Only one other person has walked this path and He has come back to get me up this mountain. I will follow him. Even though I am weak. For the Lord is my strength.

Rangers is more than just camping

Royal Rangers was a large and important part of my life. From age five through the college years, I was heavily involved in the ministry for boys and won National Ranger of the Year. I was also the youngest candidate to earn the Gold Medal of Achievement, with gold and two silver buffalos.

Aside from teaching boys how to administer first aid, pitch a tent, and make a proper campfire, Royal Rangers also reinforces a way of life that seems to be lacking in our society today. Rangers, coupled with a supportive church and attentive parents, will produce high quality young men. It teaches them spiritual principles, introduces them to Jesus Christ and His Word, and instructs them in how to grow socially.

Rangers also teaches boys how to be mentally strong. From the kinds of knots that work in certain situations to what Scriptures to use in leading a friend to Christ, Rangers teaches many things. Sure, it makes hiking and camping more fun, and canoeing is more enjoyable when you don’t flip the boat. Beyond that, it has helped me grow as a person.

My college major was history, due primarily to my Rangers training. At the annual pow-wows (summer camps), the boys were required to role play an event from history. We were General Washington’s men storming a British-held island (in a state park), Robin Hood’s merry men (in a green army tent in the woods beside the church), or soldiers defending the Alamo (hiding behind hay bales outside a barn with a painted front, complete with an angel in a front-end loader as we all died).

The training also helped me personally; I know how to put together a uniform and show respect to a commander and others in authority. I know what it means to be selfless and how to minister not only as a pastor, but also as a regular guy. These traits are priceless in the world of military chaplaincy. As a friend of mine said, “Being in Rangers put me ahead of everyone else in flight.” This friend also won the Gold Medal of Achievement and was a National Ranger of the Year. He is now a Second Lieutenant in the Air Force and navigator of a highly classified plane.

Royal Rangers is not just good for us military types. I agree with another friend of mine who noted that those of us who did well in Rangers seemed to skip the troublesome teenage years. You read that correctly. Of course, that can also be attributed to Christian upbringing and church attendance, but I believe it is due in large part to the ministry of Royal Rangers. The truths taught in Rangers have a maturing effect on boys.

The lessons taught and the ideals held in Rangers are only part of the equation. Mottos, such as “A Royal Ranger is alert, clean, honest, courageous, loyal, courteous, obedient, and spiritual,” or “Ready,” or “With God’s help I will do my best to serve God, my church, and my fellow man…” are good, strong, and right, but they are not enough.

Royal Rangers is about reaching, teaching, and keeping boys for Jesus Christ. Royal Rangers is not Wednesday night daycare. It is ministry. Men, here’s your assignment, your adventure. Be a Ranger Commander, even if for only a while. You are mentoring and teaching the boys, you are giving them knowledge and building relationships with them that will prepare them not only for church or jobs, but for life. The words, medals, skills, and even Scriptures are hollow except for the team of the Holy Spirit and the dedicated Ranger Commander.

I hope to do a great service protecting my country and ministering to our warriors in my Navy khakis. But I am not doing nearly as great a service as the one who wears the Ranger khaki uniform.

Ensign Adam Erwin, chaplain candidate, US Naval Reserve, graduated from Georgia Tech and is working on two masters degrees from Southwestern Christian University. He is also the associate and youth pastor at the Honea Path PH Church in South Carolina.

The Seven Characteristics of Faith

Sunday Pastor quickly gave a teaching on the seven characteristics of faith which is not only apropos to our resent Bible study but also an important tool in our lives. I think it is important to put this teaching on paper, or in pixels, for easier digestion. It’s important because the Christian walk begins with faith and proceeds through faith. As your faith grows so does the depth of your relationship with Jesus Christ. The following study is directly from Pastor Phil’s sermon notes. The bold emphasis, however, is my interpretation. Thank you Pastor.

THE SCARCITY OF FAITH
Mark 6:1-6. Jesus finds a lack of faith in His home town and could do few miracles (lit., works of power) there due to their unbelief in Him. This shows that Faith must look to Christ Himself as the only source of transforming power.

THE AUTHORITY OF FAITH
Mark 7:7,13. Jesus gave the disciples Authority over unclean spirits and they exercised that Authority, through Faith, by casting out demons and healing the sick.

THE ANATOMY OF FAITH
Mark 6:39,40. Jesus reveals that Faith consists of preparation for miracles, trusting (in advance of the seen) in Him for Whom nothing is impossible. Faith requires steps into the unseen until it becomes seen. Jesus accomplished this by seating 5,000 hungry people in companies of hundreds and fifties in preparation for a miraculous meal that would come into existence only as it was in the process of being distributed. Faith is dynamic, requiring initiative and action that steps into the unseen, its vision not limited by the seen.

THE RANGE OF FAITH
Mark 6:52. Faith is not hampered by the seeming difficulty of the problem and is not surprised at the supernatural nature of the solution. The disciples, witnessing Jesus calming the storm, were greatly astonished that He had power over the wind and waves. Had they understood what had happened during the feeding of the 5,000 they would not have been amazed at this miracle over nature. This teaches us to pray for anything and everything and that nothing is too hard for Jesus.

THE ATTITUDE OF FAITH
Mark 7:28. This is the "Bread Crumbs" incident with the woman whose daughter was delivered of a demon after she responded to Jesus with persistent Faith. This teaches us that Faith is not discouraged or destroyed by the apparent rejection of Faith's request, but perseveres and does not give up.

THE CONSISTENCY OF FAITH
Mark 8:4,16. The disciples, though given a second chance (with the feeding of the 4,000) to learn the nature of Faith, failed to comprehend the extent of God's provision through the repetition of a miracle that even involved fewer mouths to feed. Faith does not doubt in the dark what has been revealed in the light.

THE DEPTH OF FAITH
Mark 9:29. Faith does not take miracle for granted. It understands that some evil strongholds require greater Faith, stronger intercession, deeper prayer, and greater sacrifice. The faith to cast out one type of demonic spirit was not sufficient to cast out another. The deeper things of Satan are overcome only by the deeper things of the Spirit.

The Traveler

1355 May 26, Logan Airport
I am sitting at the gate in the airport watching the hordes of people pulse by. There is one thought that is tracing its way through my mind. If the rapture were to happen right this moment would anyone notice. Would enough of people be taken up so that those left behind would notice? I’m watching thousands of people walk but how many are born-again Christians. When the trumpet sounds all these people headed toward glory, or something worse. As a Christian how am I supposed to reach these lost souls. These are people I’ll never see again, and I may be the only Christ they see. What am I supposed to do. Something. I’m supposed to do something. But what? What would Christ have done? Would he have sunk deeper into his chair, into his anonymity? Impotent? That is not the report we have in the Gospels! Christ reached out into the crowds, often selecting individuals. “Zacheaus, today I come to your house.” Jesus didn’t ask the crowd if anyone would like to go to dinner. He sought out an individual man, a wee little man in a tree. The Good News is spread man to man not man to crowd. The Gospel is spread by you and I telling our individual testimony to a lonely and lost man. I noticed the lady across from me is reading Mitch Albom’s Five People You’ll Meet in Heaven. I haven’t read the book. I wonder if she knows how to get to Heaven. I’m trying to get up the courage to be Christ-like. I’m very uncomfortable right now but I have read The Book. I know what I ought to do. Do I have the strength to do it? Can I press onward? So a quick prayer and off I go. God’s speed.

0000 May 27, Cambridge MD
I’m in my hotel room now. I did speak with the lady reading Albom’s book. I got up the nerve to simply make eye contact and ask her if she was enjoying the book. Stop laughing, this was quite a moment for me. The lady, Sue, was a grandmotherly figure. She was flying down to MD to attend her granddaughter’s high school graduation. I asked her how she liked the book. She told me about the book and I confessed that I only know Albom because he is a sports caster and I don’t have any intention on reading the book. In our conversation it became apparent that she was also believer, Bapist I think. She told me Albom’s view of Heaven was wrong and then proceeded to talk about a Heaven of fellowship with Christ. Sue was witnessing to me! I’m not sure why God put this woman in my path today, or why He choose today to intensify the burden on my heart. In this stream of conscience I just know what I’m supposed to do, seek Him. Listen for His voice. Submit to His plan. I don’t know the full plan yet, maybe the details will be filled in later. I know I am to be a tool in God’s hand. He will stretch me and use to reach the lost. I can be used. You can be used. If we submit to His direction, prompting and will.

God Bless
MCz

Is weakness sufficient?

My shoulder hurts. My shoulder always hurts. On good days it feels like if I could only push my thumb deep enough under my collarbone I could massage my shoulder dislodging the irritant and in doing so, finally enjoy peace. On bad days…

“He caused your dreams to fall” accuses the Thorn.
“My shoulder is injured and His grace is sufficient” I reply.
The Thorn retorts, “You know you could have been in a much different place.”
“But His power is perfect in my weakness.”
“You have become a fool among fools” the Thorn derides.
“I know. That has made all the difference.”

The last time I was not conscious of my shoulder was 1996. I was raised with Christian values, given a Christian education but had only been born-again for about a year when I got hurt. I know this might sound a little prideful so please bear with me, this is not my pride. I grew up loving baseball. I was good at it, physically and more importantly mentally. I threw my first “curveball” in 1983 when I was just 6. It broke about 6 inches to the left and about a foot in the vertical. It was actually a breaking-ball. My 16 year-old cousin taught my how to throw it during one of our daily sandlot games. I threw my last curveball in February of 1996. The ball traveled about 10 feet while I collapsed onto the blue rubber floor of the practice gym. The injury was the Devil’s major frontal attack but the offensive had begun much earlier. It began by simply stealing the joy of a little boy. Let me provide you with a little history. I was a kid who hated to lose, and didn’t even care too much about winning if I didn’t play perfectly. In 7th grade I was playing for my school and in Little League. I threw three “perfect” games that year. Not one was perfect. It wasn’t my Dad or any adult or any kid that told me that these games were not perfect. Each game saw 27 batters put bats back in the rack. The failure was all in my mind. I had lost my ability to just play in my own world and enjoy the moment. I began to measure my performance on a scale that didn’t exist. The Accuser brought doubt into my head because I was dangerous. This is when I first met the Enemy. The Accuser knows God has a great plan for me.

After I got hurt I didn’t pick up a ball until 2002…In a church league. I longed to play the game of my youth but it was different and not just because the pitcher now lobbed the ball over the plate. Last year, 2007, was the first time I enjoyed playing since 1989. I would like to stress this was in a church league, not the elite I spent so many years striving toward. I went into the season really not wanting to play. But I played out of duty and habit. I prayed that God would just give me the strength to throw the ball from first to the mound without too much pain. I took a lot of Advil too, maybe not fully trusting God. Then I started praying that God would really use this team. God did something marvelous. He built a team of brothers with a wonderful unity. In a way it was like returning to field I shared with my cousins. We were men reveling in a boys game. Joking, talking, teaching and caring for each other like I’ve never seen. We built relationships among each other that extended outside of the lines. We brought our families together. We were in each other's lives. God’s Spirit moved. We where believers gathering and God’s presence was felt. God’s presence heals, spiritually, emotionally and physically. My shoulder is still injured, the physical pain is persistent, but my joy has returned. I can’t tell you in words what was different last year. Only that I didn’t need to analyze every play after the game. I was able to have fun again. I can tell you that it was cathartic. That emptiness that was carved out so many years ago has been filled. The salt the Enemy poured into the wound was washed out. I feel satiated. I could hang up my cleats with no regrets, but I won’t. I want to pass on what I’ve learned to you and to my family.

The Enemy is after me and every man. My duty is to ask why is God allowing this attack. In II Corinthians (12:7-10) Paul talks about how the Enemy is hounding him and why God allows this pestering. The Enemy wants to destroy me. God wants me to rely on His strength, provision, love and grace. The Accuser can do nothing against the hand of God. God wants me to understand that His grace is sufficient for me. I need to know that God is strong in my weakness. This is a very difficult lesson. As men we are trained or maybe even formed to fix the problems we encounter. We're supposed to "Cowboy up." I'm sure like myself, you are very good as solving the problems, the strife in your life. But you, like me, are fallible. We make mistakes, we can't handle every situation. My God, Jesus Christ, is willing and able, capable and infallible. His grace is sufficient for me. His strength is perfect when mine is exhausted. When I’m shaken to my foundation, the Rock has not faltered. It’s about humility and relationship. I, and every man, need to know that I am a fool. I am nothing without Him who strengthens me. Perfect doesn’t exist, except in the Father, and yet I have desired to be perfect for so long. I desire and strive something I can not achieve but will someday be given. I am the very definition of a fool. I have been trying to attain perfection in my own strength when I should have rested in His grace, which is sufficient. In my struggle to reach perfection I have been shaken to my foundation, every stone tossed to the ground. My Rock has not faltered. My Rock was with me on the blue rubber floor, in that hospital bed, in rehab and ever since. I landed on my Rock. I have landed repeatedly on my Rock. My Rock is aways there and has not faltered. The days I can’t pick up my 20lb daughter, my God has shown glimmers of his perfection. She learned to climb onto the couch next to me on a day when I was overcome and could not pick her up. I know it sounds foolish. I know it sounds like coincidence. With all the grace of my tongue I can't explain this to you any better than saying that He, Jesus Christ, is perfect in my weakness. I will never again throw ball the way I used to but my Thorn has taught me well. I am nothing but a fool and God’s strength and grace are sufficient for all my needs. This is what I will teach my daughter all the days of my life. Be a fool, trust in the unseen God, be patient in your weakness and don’t run from it because God’s grace is sufficient for you and He is perfect in your weakness.

God Bless.

Every Dad

Aloha My Brothers,

I have been both blessed and challenged each week as I meet with my fraternity brothers here in Hawaii. While doing this new series by Robert Lewis – WINNING AT WORK & HOME, I find myself looking in the mirror and asking God to further my understanding as to finding who the real DAD is looking back. As men, we have three different faces we hide behind. The Public face, where everyone sees us, The Personnel Face, where you allow some to see you, and finally, The private Face, where only you see yourself, as does God. As Dad’s, let us be challenged to truly pick the face the most fits us as we hold the most Honorable title a man can ever be called - DAD.

"WHAT EVERY DAD NEEDS TO KNOW"

The most honorable title a man can ever get to be called, is “DAD”

These are our children speaking to us. Remember, you are looking into that mirror, and the one looking back is your child. Here are ten things they will say. How do you really respond? God already knows how you responded, and yes, we have all failed somewhere in these ten areas. Here we go……

1. Dad, I need to know, somebody must be there for me, in my early years.

It will make a blueprint for their life.
2. Dad, I need a balance of Discipline, Instruction and Love growing up.

3. Dad, I need you to know my Personality and honor it. The sooner, the better.

4. Dad, I need you to discover my Bent (Gifts Prov. 22.6), and actively support it.

5. Dad, I need you to know too Much is too Much

A. Too Much Control crushes or incites.

B. Too Much Money spoils and pacifies.

C. Too high Expectations discourage.

6. Dad, I need you to show me what to believe by Living it.

7. Dad, I need you to know your words can Wound me for a lifetime.

8. Dad, I need you to adjust your leadership Style to me as I grow.

AGES IN YEARS:

A. 0-13: COACH = directing

B. 13-18: CHEELEADER/COUNSELOR = encouraging, problem solving

C. 18 up: CONSULTANT = listening, supporting

9. Dad, I need you to make some great Memories with me to live on.

10. Dad, I need you to Love God and share Him with me.

If you don’t feel that any one of these applies to you as a dad, take this last step for your final understanding as to where you stand as a dad.

Ask your child or children to evaluate you as a dad. Tell them to be specific about what you do well and what you need to do better. After you ask – then Listen! This will give you a better understanding how your child or children really see you and our true faces we wear. You will find that God’s grace and love he has for us is the same yesterday, today and will be tomorrow. Being a Dad, is truly the best and Honorable title we can ever be called…. Please continue to challenge that person looking back at you, each and every morning you look into the mirror. This is just to continue to keep us all accountable with God in a very special and honorable way. Blessings my Fellow Dad's….

Serving Him,
Kevin Mahoney
NEHIM - Founder

Sweet Caroline

Dum, Dum, Dum
Lace-up your spikes, grab your glove, softball season is here. Practice has begun and the season will start soon. Everyone can play, as long as you attend HCC regularly and are 16 or older. If you have any more questions call Paul or Josh.

HCC Schedule click here
League website: www.capechurchsoftball.com

Men's Breakfast April 26, 8am

Come join us for breakfast at the race track, stay for the race. On the morning of the pinewood derby the boys of the Royal Rangers will come and serve the men of HCC. What will they serve? Pancakes, French toast, bacon, sausage, coffee, juice, etc. What more could you want? A Bible study? Ok, Commander Ron Welch will provide a study too! Please come, eat, meet the boys and pour into their lives as they will pour into yours.

Till your cup runneth over (Psalm 23:5)
MCzar

STAYING CLOSE, JUST DOESN’T HAPPEN – IT TAKES PRACTICE……..

Aloha my brothers! If I may, I feel in my heart to give you some thoughts, on a very deep and sensitive area of all men’s lives. Some may think it’s there secret sin, some may say it’s there commitment to their church, some may say it’s their Ministries, some may simply say it’s my brothers. I hope at this time as you ponder your inner thoughts, you would agree with me and say, it’s our wives. Why our wives you may ask? Simple. We can find so many things as men to take up our time, our spare time, and any other time that we find we may need. As I consider this very serious but emotional topic, I think back to the time I met my wife. We were two young kids trying to impress each other, but with all we did, there was nowhere else we would rather be, than with each other. I know what you are saying……”That’s what you do when you are young and in love”. There, is the beginning of the lie the enemy begins to place in your head and eventually your heart. See God, has given us the most precious gift besides our salvation, it’s our mates. Think back, to when you first laid eyes on your wife or girlfriend. I would bet anything, your answer would be WOW!! If asked that question today, even after all the years together, the children, work, and anything else you allow to come in to your life, can you still say WOW! Jesus state’s it simple in Ephesians 5:25…Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church, and gave himself up for her. Just as Jesus Christ completely gave himself up to provide salvation for the church, a husband is also to completely give himself up for his wife’s good. When that happens, the husband will earn the respect of his wife. Losing that feeling you once had..The WOW!, becomes so hurtful to God, because he was the one who first placed that feeling inside of you. To just ignore it, is the same as ignoring our Heavenly father. I would like to share some key points on how to get the WOW back into your relationship, and the passion back into your heart towards your spouse. I know for myself, I need to keep my wife’s tank filled with these four areas.

1. Security – Which produces feeling safe with you.
2. Conversational Companionship – Talking, Listening, make her feel as important.
3. Significance – Her values, She’s appreciated, Honored.
4. Affection – Hugs, Hold Hands, Cuddle, Touching when together. These next two are key – You can never say “ I Love You” enough, and Pray over her.

RAW POWER NEVER MAKES A MAN – “A MAN”

I understand these areas may be hard or difficult for some, but the blessing for us all, is, each other. Brothers, need to be transparent with each other, because not a one can do this alone. Prayer will help us all get, where we need to go.

See, the forces that push couples apart is simple. Everyday Conflict. The real question is, how do I deal with the conflict. The circle begins with the problem (conflict), it then grows into hurt feelings, to anger, with one of you, or both fleeing, withdrawing, becoming silent, and then go into isolation. OR we can take the route Jesus would have us to do. When the conflict begins, choose to face the conflict, but not to fight, accuse, demand, put down, or simply to win. But to have dialogue, understanding, forgiveness, compromise, which leads us as couples to continue to grow closer together and to God. Jesus has picked out the perfect mate for us. I know for myself, I would not want to live life with any other person in my life other than my wife. Again, this may open areas in some of you. Be encouraged that today you can begin that WOW affect in your relationship or marriage. Life will continue to pass us all by. Times will change. Faces will come and go. But for us as blessed men of God, the one gift God has given us, remains in the hearts of you men, to see that she can look in the mirror and speak to her heavenly father, and say the words, “Thank you Lord, I am a blessed wife, for you gave me the perfect mate”. Twenty two years have passed since I first laid eyes on my mate, and everyday that passes there isn’t enough W’s for the word WOW!!! These four areas we looked at earlier, can and will help us all to achieve a closer bond with our spouses.

SECURITY:

1. Have you told her lately “I Love You”?

2. Are you being honest with her?

3. Did you tell her the truth?

4. Are you making her financially secure?

CONVERSATION:

1. Did you ask her what she is thinking and feeling today?

2. Have you had a date lately..Alone..just to talk and unwind together?

3. When is your next out-of-town getaway to play, plan and problem-solve?

SIGNIFICANCE:

1. Did you offer her any words of praise today?

2. Have you told her how important she is to you?

3. Did you ask for her opinion on a purchase, decision, or new direction you are contemplating?

AFFECTION:

1. Did you hug and kiss her today?

2. How about a call out of the blue to say, “I’m thinking of you”.

3. How about a big surprise to honor her this year? A big gift?

I remember back in 1996, I heard two things that are so true, that they are imbedded into my heart.

1. Piece of mind, never comes to any home, when someone is always handing out a piece of his mind!

2. Jesus never said it would be easy….He said it would be worth it!!!

Men, take control of the most important ministry you will ever belong to, your wife's and your family!

May God Bless you, protect your time, and give you the inner peace and love only He can give, as you continue to share life and companionship with your precious gift God has given you – your spouse.

Blessings over you all!

Kevin Mahoney

Founder NEHIM

1994

Why is Friday Good?

We live in a curious time. I would venture that most people through the mall couldn’t tell you what Good Friday represents? Christians so of course, know that today is the remembrance of Jesus Christ’s death on a Roman cross. But why do we call it good? Jesus died on this day, shouldn’t that be a sad occasion? As a kid, and even as a young/immature Christian, the name Good Friday perplexed me. Why is the day good? The answer is clearly stated in the Gospels. When Jesus gives up his spirit and dies on the cross all kinds of crazy (from the world’s perspective) things happen. Matthew 27, Mark 15 and John 19 tell us that the moment Jesus dies, the believers who had already died are raised to life and walk into the city, there is a great earthquake, the Centurion affirms that Jesus was the Son of God. However the most important event, the event that confirms it is Good Friday and not Sad Friday immediate follows the verse where Jesus breathes His last. The curtain in the temple is torn in two.

Why is the curtain so important? In Jewish tradition the curtain in the temple separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the temple. According to tradition the Holy of Holies was God’s very seat in the temple were only those who were without sin could enter. The high priest would enter only once a year, with a rope and bell tied to him so his body could be pull from the holy place if God struck him down for his iniquity. The remainder of the temple, outside the curtain was for the believers, the church, you and I. The curtain was the barrier between the holy God and his sinful people. The curtain represented sin. Jesus, though sinless, died for all sins, removing the barrier between the perfectly holy God and a sinful nation. Jesus’ atonement removed the curtain separating the Holy of Holies from the people. His death removed the need for the high priest to enter into the Holy of Holies on behalf of the church. Jesus is our high priest. Jesus removed the curtain. Jesus removed the barrier. Jesus gave us a direct relationship with God the Father. The curtain was torn and the relationship restored the moment Christ died. That Friday nearly two thousand years ago was a Good day!

MCzar

Acts 13 Study

This is taken from our study on the book of acts during our Chainbreakers bible study
Barnabas and Saul Sent Off
1In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. 2While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." 3So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

We begin this chapter with a shift in characters
From this point forward we will see Saul (PAUL) as the main man

We enter the scene with the church in the midst of a prayer meeting
1. They are seeking Gods direction
2. They are praying and fasting together as a group (seeking unity?)
3. While they were worshipping the Lord and making decisions
a. How do you make decisions for your life?
b. Do you spend enough time worshipping to know when God is speaking?
c. If you have made poor decisions in the past, why not develop a new method of worship and let the Holy spirit speak to you!

Verse 2

“SET APART FOR ME BARNABUS AND SAUL FOR THE WORK TO WHICH I HAVE CALLED THEM”
1. YOU HAVE A WORK THAT ONLY YOU CAN DO
2. GOD HAS A PLAN FOR YOU, AND YOU NEED TO SEEK AFTER HIS PLAN (JERIMIAH 29:11, 1 Peter 2:9, CALLING OF THE DISCIPLE)
3. EACH WORK IS DIFFERENT


VERSE 3
WHEN THEY HAD DECIDED TO SEND THEM OUT THEY CONTINUED TO FAST AND PRAY, AND THAT INCLUDED STAYING DEVOTED TO THE DISCIPLES TEACHING(ACTS 2:42)

1. WE NEED TO CONTINUE IN AN ATTIDUDE THAT MAINTAINS OUR PRAYER LIFE AND STUDY LIFE
2. THE BIBLE SAYS TO PRAY WITHOUT CEASING EPH 6:18
A. IS THAT AN OPTION
B. HOW DO YOU THINK WE CAN LIVE IN AN ATTITUDE OF PRAYER
1. WE CAN STAY IN THE WORD
2. WE CAN STAY IN CLOSE FELLOWSHIP WITH EACH OTHER AND BE ACCOUNTABLE
3. WE CAN KEEP SPEAKING TO JESUS IF WE STAY FOCUSED ON WHERE WE ARE GOING INSTEAD OF WHERE WE HAVE BEEN
4. WE CAN CUT DOWN ON SIN, SIN BLOCKS PRAYER, THE ONLY ACCEPTABLE LEVEL OF SIN IN OUR LIVES, IS AN EVER DECREASING LEVEL!


Verses 4-12
4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. 5 And when they arrived in Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. They also had John as their assistant.
6 Now when they had gone through the island to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew whose name was Bar-Jesus, 7 who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man called for Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so his name is translated) withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. 9 Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him 10 and said, “O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord? 11 And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time.”
And immediately a dark mist fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand. 12 Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had been done, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.

THERE IS A BATTLE IN THIS BOOK OF ACTS THAT CONTINUES TO MANIFEST IN THE PHYSICAL WORLD, BUT IT IS TRULY A SPIRITUAL BATTLE

BUT NOTHING THE DEVIL DOES PREVENTS THE KINGDOM FROM GOING FORTH

MATT16: 18"I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.

The mission of Paul and Barnabus succeeded in spite of the opposition, so will you!
1. You need to have faith (Eph 6:14-20)
2. You need to pray through the whole battle
3. You need to be determined that you will fulfill the mission filled with the Holy Spirit! ( Have you been filled, are you seeking; 1 Corth 14:1)

REMEMBER YOU DON’T HAVE TO KNOW EVERYTHING THERE IS TO KNOW ABOUT JESUS TODAY

RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD IS FOREVER, AND WE LEARN EVERYDAY SOMETHING NEW.

CONTINUE TO READ HIS WORD, AND LET JESUS REVEAL HIMSELF TO YOU

HE HAS GREAT PLANS FOR YOU, JUST LET IT HAPPEN, GOD LOVES YOU!
JERIMIAH 29:11 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope."

Paul

Bittersweet

Good Day Chain-Breakers,
It is a bittersweet time for our church. As you know by now our beloved Pastor has been called to another place. It is very important to remember Pastor is not leaving under any strife but because the God of Heaven has called him. Who are we to stand in the way of what God has planned? Do not listen to the lies of the Devil, especially now.

Though I’m excited for Pastor and his family, eagerly waiting to see what God has provided for the Miller’s and for Heritage, like many of you I am in mourning. I am not mourning the loss of a Pastor but the loss of a brother in Christ. Pastor is only a title. Guy is a beloved brother. Tana is a compassionate and strong sister. I love the Miller’s for the leadership they provided, for the tenderness and support they have shown my family, for the transparency and humility they have displayed to the church, for the unadulterated love that Guy and Tana show for each other, for the steady view of what a marriage centered on and built around Christ ought to be, for children who grew up with God, fear God and genuinely love their fellowman. We have all been richly blessed by the Miller’s tenure at HCC and they will be sorely missed by all the pieces of our hearts.

It is a new day. God still sits on the throne. God is still sovereign. God still has a plan for you, me and Heritage. While we mourn, God comforts and provides.

God bless and God's speed.
MC

Galations 6

THE LETTER TO THE GALATIONS IS WRITTEN TO THE REGION OF ASIA MINOR

THE BASIC REASON FOR THE LETTER WAS DOCTRINE AND THEOLGICAL ISSUES THAT HAD ARISEN AFTER PAUL LEFT HIS SPIRITUAL CHILDREN
1. PAUL ATTACKED AS INFERRIOR
2. THE DOCTRINE OF CIRCUMSISION WAS BEING FORCED AS JUSTIFICATION
3. THE MOSAIC LAW WAS BEING HELD UP AS PART OF SALVATION

THE FIRST PART OF THE LETTER IS PAUL DEFENDING HIMSELF AND HIS AUTHORITY GIVEN BY CHRIST AND HIS DOCTRINE IN RELATIONSHIP TO THE WORK OF THE CROSS AND THAT WHICH PETER AND THE OTHER APOSTLES WERE PREACHING

IN CHAPTER 3 PAUL REBUKES THEM FOR FAILING TO CONTEND FOR THE FAITH AND DENYING THE SPIRIT

CHAPTER 3
1 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified? 2 This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? 4 Have you suffered so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?



CHAP 4 Fears for the Church
8 But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods. 9 But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? 10 You observe days and months and seasons and years. 11 I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain.
HE EXPRESSES FEAR THAT THEY ARE FOLLOWING RELIGION AND TRADITION AND NOT LIVING IN THE FREEDOM OF RELATIONSHIP.

IN CHAPTER 5 PAUL TURNS HIS ATTENTION TO FREEDOM
1. CHRIST CAME FOR FREEDOM
2. ANYTHING THAT PUTS RESTAINTS YOU NEEDS TO BE EXAMINED IN LIGHT OF THE GOSPEL
3. IF YOU FOLLOW DOCTRINE THAT ADDS THINGS, OR PRACTICES TO THE GOSPEL, THEN THE CROSS LOSSES ITS POWER

PAUL WARNS THAT A SINGLE PERSON PREACHING AND TEACHING A FALSE DOCTRINE CAN SPOIL A WHOLE REGION

HE WAS SO WORRIED ABOUT PEOPLE THAT MANIPUATE THE PEOPLE OF THE KINGDOM THAT HE SUGESTED THEY BE CASTRATED!!!

HE WARNS THAT WE MUST USE OUR FREEDOM TO FULFILL OUR CALLING AS DISCIPLES TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER

HE CONDEMNS THE COMMON BACKBITING FOUND IN CHRUCH

HE ENDS BY REINFORCING THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE FLESH AND THE SPIRIT, AND CHARGES THEM LIVE BY THE SPIRIT


IN CHAPTER 6 WE COME TO THE REAL FOCUS



GALATIONS 6
7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.
8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
9 Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.

WE CAN BE SO EASYILY DECIEVED INTO THINKING THAT WHAT WE ARE FOLLOWING AND BELIEVING IS GOD, WHEN INFACT IT IS THE WISDOM OF SELFISHNESS AND SELFCENTEREDNESS

GOD TEACHES US THAT WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND
WHATEVER PRACTICES WE LIVE, OR TEACH OTHERS TO LIVE WILL EVENTUALLY HAVE A HARVEST IN OUR LIVES EITHER HERE OR IN THE LIFE TO COME

LIFE IS HARD TO FIGURE OUT

NO MATTER WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES IN LIFE KEEP COMING AT US

EVEN WHEN WE ARE LIVING RIGHT AND SERVING THE KING AND THE KINGDOM WE CAN GET BEATEN UP

WE NEED TO PROTECT OURSELF FROM GROWING WEARY, WE CAN’T LOOSE HEART.

THE REALITY IS THAT WE WILL FACE TIMES IN OUR LIFE THAT WILL WEAR US OUT

BUT PAUL TELLS US THAT WE NEED TO TRAIN OUR SELVES IN RIGHT LIVING AND THAT WILL STRENGHTHEN US FOR THOSE TIMES

1 Corinthians 9:25
Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

SO WHAT CAN WE DO TO GET STRONGER, AND BE LESS FATIGUED

1. PERSPECTIVE- IF WE LIVE A LIFE FOCUSED ON YESTERDAY AND TODAY WE WILL GET WORN DOWN QUICK BUT IF WE CAN GET AN ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE. WHEN WE UNDERSTAND THAT THIS LIFE IS TEMPORARY, HOPE FOR ETERNITY LESSEN THE INPACT OF THE MOMENT.


2. ENCOURAGE- WE NEED TO BUILD ENCOURAGEMENT INTO OUR LIVES AND OFFER IT TO OTHERS. DAVID STENGHTENED OR ENCOURAGED HIMSELF IN THE LORD, AND WE NEED TO ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER WHILE IT IS CALLED TODAY

3.FELLOWSHIP- Proverbs 17:17
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

WE NEED TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS THAT HAVE DEPTH. WE NEED RELATIONSHIPS THAT BUILD UP AND EDIFY, NOT TEAR DOWN AND TERRIFY.

THESE RELATIONSHIPS ARE BUILT ON ACCOUNTABILITY, AND RESPONSIBILITY.

4.STUDY, 2 TIM 15; Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

WE NEED TO STAY IN THE WORD OF TRUTH FOR STRENGHTH


5. STAND FIRM

EPH 6:13-18 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

THERE COMES A TIME WHERE YOU HAVE TO DECIDE WHAT YOU AS A MAN STAND FOR

THE OLD SAYING IS THAT IF YOU DON’T STAND FOR SOMETHING YOU WILL FALL FOR ANYTHING

Paul.

Desire, the update

What has the past week of prayer lead you to? How is the journey going? I have had a number of realizations and reminders through the week. I thought I would elaborate on a couple.

1) Reading Genesis I was reminded that the Bible says “Let us make them.” We were created by and for relationship both with the Trinity and with each other. I often feel much more at easy behind the scenes, plugging away at the computer. However, I really come alive in discussion with a few close friends around the coffee table. I love to sit and talk with one or two friends over a cup of coffee. We can discuss anything but I love to speak about and debate simple Christianity. In other word, I love to sit and talk, especially about the things God, with my friends in a nice comfortable setting. As Genesis clearly states, I was made for relationship.

2) Often I’m fooled into thinking I’m made to complete a number of tasks. My life feels more like a series of problems that need to be solved or principles that have to be mastered. I think this is true for many men in their Christian walk as well. Sometimes if feels as though we must master a certain number of items before we finally enter into the abundant life promised by Christ. There is a tendency to live out our faith as external activities rather than an internal yearning for God. We sense that something is wrong, and perhaps try to fix it—by tinkering with our public/church going life. We tried the latest spiritual fad (WWJD, think about the fad but also what did Jesus do to spiritual fads during his time on Earth), or a new church, or simply redoubling our commitment to make faith work. This leads to weary, jaded, or simply bored Christian men. The desire we have in our hearts is not a list of tasks. I urge you to take this opportunity to ask yourself where your church and personal activities are leading you. Are you being bored, or pacified? Are you inspired and encouraged? Are you passionate? God gave you a desire that you will be passionate about.

Finally Brothers. I would like to leave you with this question. What do you look forward to in heaven? Heaven is not some unending church service. We won’t just sing for eternity. Heaven is something more than that. We won’t be given the task to sing Amazing Grace, in key, for the next 10,000 years. God made man for relationship with himself. I am looking forward to the day that I can sit at the Father’s table. Look Jesus in the eye and just speak with him as I do my earthly friends. I have so many questions to ask but that isn’t the point. I just want to have a nice intimate conversation with my greatest friend. I believe God wants that for me too. He wouldn’t have given me this desire if He didn’t want to fulfill the desire. So it’s your turn.

What are you looking forward to in heaven?

In Christ,
MT

The Sabbath and the Desires of Your Heart

Happy New Year Chain-Breakers.

Our church has entered into a Sabbath month. For the last few years the month of January has been a Sabbath month for HCC. The ministries stop so that we, as a body, can focus on prayer. I love these Sabbath times. It is a time when I can seek the very face of God, wait on God’s instruction and inspiration. There is no pressure to get a lesson done for Rangers. There is no impetus to practice for choir or attend meetings. There is only God. I love this. But it time is not without its own stresses. Stresses such as not knowing what to pray for, where to start praying or just quieting my mind enough that I can here that still and quiet voice that I long to hear.

I know that I am not alone in feeling this current stress and it does not matter whether you are a new Christian or an seasoned veteran. So to help myself (and hopefully you by posting these thoughts) I am going to back to the beginning. I am going to seek God and ask Him what He wants for me. There is a desire(s), from God, deep down in my new heart, my heart of flesh, and I’m going to find it. Why you ask? Because it is central to God’s plan for my life. I’ve been a Christian since high school and I’ve gone on this journey a few times over the years. Each time God has revealed a slightly different desire and I’ve been richly rewarded by following those desires. Each time my gifts have grown or I’ve discovered new gifts, my service to God’s kingdom has been enhanced and my joy has increased.

So how am I going to do this you ask? Through prayer and fasting. Spending time with God everyday. Quiet-time when I can be alone with God and without the interruptions brought on (accidentally) by family, career and obligation. For me, this means praying early in the morning, during my lunch hour or on a long solitary walk. The good news is that you can do this too. Join me on this journey. I’ll post my thoughts and maybe some of my revelations throughout the month that I hope will help guide you and encourage you on your personal journey this month. Feel free to leaves comments about your journey or encouragement for mine either on the website or to my personal e-mail (biggeeks at gmail dot com) if you don’t want the world to know your thoughts.

Now for the disclaimer. This is a black-op. We are in enemy territory. Finding and unleashing God’s plan for your life is a WMD to the enemy. The enemy will attack you if you attempt this journey. The attack will likely start as confusion and escalate from there. You need not worry, you are more than a conqueror. You have God on your side. If God be for you, who can be against you? Ready to pick a fight?

Where do we begin?
1) Pray to God and ask him to reveal your true desires and your gifts. Ask Him how He would like you to use your gifts. Reflect on what truly makes you happy. What would you do tomorrow if you were independently wealthy, if you were Bill Gates?
2) Keep a journal. I know it sounds a little wimpy. I hate journals too. But an archive of God’s message to you is unbelievably powerful. And you won’t remember every detail of God’s personal message to you without it. Write down scriptures that pop into your mind, voices or images, feelings about those images, everything. You just have to trust me on this, you won’t be sorry.

Well Gentlemen, it is time for me to begin my journey. In the beginning was the Word. I’m going to get my Bible.

Your Brother in Christ,
Media Tsar

Can you say ROADTRIP!!!

Mark your calendars, get permission from your wife and give her a good night kiss 'cause it's Guy's Night Out. That's right gentlemen, we're talking roadtrip. We won't ask for worldly direction but will certainly receive direction from on high at Teen-Challenge service. These are dynamic services that is sure bless you. These men of Teen-Challenge has seen some hard times relying on their own strength but have learned that true strength rest with the Lord. That strength is available to you too! Come with us and find the inner strength or just to rejoice in the Lord.

When: January 4th.
Where: Leaving HCC for Brockton
Time: LEAVING HCC AT 5:45, that's 5:15 Cape and Islands time.
Questions: Call Paul 508-737-1502

Make Room for Jesus

Merry Christmas to all you Chainbreakers! I pray that you are blessed and that you and your families are healthy! I have been thinking and meditating on the Christmas story for a few weeks now. If you have not read through the story this year, take time to open your sword, and give it a fresh read. You can find the story in the book of Luke chapter 1-2, and/or Matt 1-2.

Our lives are so conditioned to habits and behaviors, most of these habits and behaviors are so routine we are unaware we have them. When I thought about this process two things came to my mind. The first was something most of us learned from our fathers, or a coach along the way. Baseball gloves when first purchased need to be conditioned. They need to be oiled, and a ball placed inside, then the glove is wrapped and placed under a mattress. This process continues until a spot has been formed for the ball, you have to make room for the ball if you will. If this is not done correctly then there will be problems catching the ball and holding on to it. One last point, it is a very difficult process to fix a glove that has been broken in improperly, the glove cannot always be repaired, thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our lives can always be repaired.

The second thought was how the habits and behaviors that we condition ourselves in do not usually have a positive effect on our eternity. When was the last time you examined your life? The world you have been raised in is a constant bombardment of commercialism. You need this, you must have that, places to go, things that are a must to do. The world tells us that we must attend every function. Our children must be involved in every program, or sport, especially on Sunday mornings. You must work two jobs and your wife must work two jobs (home is a job men!), or you will not have all the things that bring happiness. You are to worry about the future and how you will survive, and you are not to think about the past because it is gone and you cannot change it. The worlds view doesn’t tell you that God holds the future, and we must examine the past if we are going to learn how to live in the present! Your life becomes filled to overflowing with commitments, and habits, and behaviors, so full there is no room for anything else.

What does this have to do with the Christmas story? Do you remember the story, maybe you should stop and read it before you finish reading this, Gods word is always more powerfully than the latest preacher.

Luke 2: 6, “So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” You have to make room for Jesus! There was no room at the inn, so the innkeeper made room for Jesus in the manger. We must make room for Jesus in our daily lives. Jesus makes the difference in our eternity. Can you imagine how this story would have read if they had no room for Jesus.

What would the Mary of today say to the angel? I have too much going on in my life to have Gods son, catch me later. Maybe Joseph would have been so blinded by his conditioning, so tired from his laboring that he would have ended the relationship, I mean come on a pregnant virgin? The Sheppard’s, would they have had to work a double shift so they could pay the cable bill, and did they have a baseball game for the kids at 6 and a soccer game at 8, there would be no way to make room for Jesus that night. The wise men, would they have been so concerned with their own comfort and leisure time that the idea of traveling half way around the world to bring aid to a less fortunate family would never have entered their mind. Let’s not forget the innkeeper. If he was managing a hotel today, he would have charged extra the moment the baby was born, rooms are priced per person. Can you imagine an inn keeper letting someone stay in a place other than a room own by the hotel, no way, the liability would be astounding.

Chainbreakers, we must make room for Jesus in our lives! I know that for the most part I am preaching to the choir. There are many of you that are making room for Jesus at great personal cost. We need to consider all this from time to time in our walk with the King. What is important, what is not? If this message bothers you, then examine it, repent of the busyness and make a commitment to make more room in the inn, then begin rejoicing in the forgiveness that we have in Christ. If this message is just confirming what you already know, then keep on pressing on! You are the Innkeeper of you heart. The more room you make for Jesus in your life, the more peace you will have daily, and the more those around you will see Jesus residing in your life.

May thee peace of God reign in your lives, may you and your families be blessed abundantly, and I pray you will share Jesus and all he has done for you with someone that has not yet made room for him, in their life!

Merry Christmas,
Paul