D-Day

Hard to believe it has been 65 years since the D-Day invasion. As I always am at such moments, I was moved to hear President Obama and the other allied leaders speak on the cliff overlooking the historic invasion. Special thanks to all those soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines who have given the ultimate sacrifice to keep us free!

Bruce

I HATE CHRISTMAS!

Perhaps it sounds strange that a preacher of the Gospel hates Christmas? Well, not in the way you might think.

Actually, I love the holiday spirit (although I think we are called to have goodwill toward all men and be cheerful givers year round), I love the songs--both secular and hymns, I love the lighter attitudes--and I love the fact that it gives Christians some opportunities to reach out to people who might not take that reaching to as well during the non-Christian time. And of course, I love to see the excitement on my children's faces.

What I hate--is that we have created such a materialistic and greedy sense of "I want and I need to receive stuff." Last time I checked, the savior in whose birth we are supposed to be celebrating said that He did not come to be served but instead to serve! Last time I checked the scriptures, Jesus said "It is better to give than to receive." And yet, our children are so often brainwashed into thinking its all about getting stuff. It is heartbreaking.

Whats worse, is we have created a system where children literally get hurt. So many children are taught and told that if they are good--they will receive gifts. And yet, I know dozens of children right here in my community who often get hurt each year because they hear that stuff and then receive nothing because their parents either cannot afford such luxuries or they just don't care.

Lets get back to focusing on celebrating the birth of our savior and Lord--not a time to boost department store sales for the holiday season. Lets get back to focusing on giving rather than receiving.

Blessings,

Bruce

Praying For Our Leaders

In less than 60 days, we will have a new President. Some are thrilled about that and some are not. Personally, as a Christian--my mission is the same regardless of who works in the Oval Office. Because my true president, my true king, my true leader is always and always--Jesus Christ.

However, we need to pray for our leaders. We need to pray that they will be guided by God and that they will receive HIS awesome and powerful wisdom and not that of the evil one. These are tough times for our nation--but if we put our trust in the Lord and not people--HE will carry us through--HE ALWAYS DOES!

Bruce

Preparing For Kingdom Expansion

Dear Friends,

I truly believe that God is on the move and that HE is calling more and more for our congregations to GET OUT OF OUR BUILDINGS AND GO REACH OUT TO LOST PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITIES!! There simply is no greater community service! Church leaders--prepare your flocks for great things God is calling them to! Let us all begin to pray in real earnestness for God to help us do what Jesus called us to do in Matthew 28--"The Great Commission!" And let us be blessed as never before! Let us take many, many people who would otherwise be separated from God--to heaven with us!

LETS GO!!!!!

Blessings,

Bruce

Are Church Leaders Really Prepared To Lead?

Dear Friends,

The church I lead is one that requires constant shepherding and working with people who have recently or semi-recently turned their lives over to Christ and learning to live that new life comes very difficult for many. So often, I come across situations and problems I so feel unqualified to deal with. I am talking about matters that would just blow Christians' minds who have never dealt with people vastly different than them.

While I am not qualified yet to be a shepherd, I have to serve in that function given that we do not have an eldership at this time. But I can sure see how critical it is to live under the Biblical standards laid out for church leaders. There is a new book I am reading (perhaps not so new to some) called "They Smell Like Sheep" by Lynn Anderson. It is so enlightening and helpful. (Now if God would just send us some men who could serve and do the work of Shepherds) :) Also, there is a book called "Biblical Eldership" by Strausch that is also very educational about Biblical standards and roles for elders/shepherds. Such books are good for anyone in Christian leadership--be they elders, deacons, ministers, small group leaders, Bible class teachers, evangelists, mentors and parents.

May the Lord equip us all to serve HIS church well.

Grace and Peace,

Bruce

Family Vacations

I am finishing up a family vacation--and it has been beautiful. I am reminded of when I was a boy and my family went on vacation each year. Of course, things are quite different now. For some reason, my parents often did not want to get out of the car to do things--just drive on by. "Hey son, there is the White House." "Oh cool, lets go.......lets go........oh........bye White House as I see you from a far?

Or "Look at that Grand Canyon kids." "Yes, I want to go stand on that.......oh.......gee.......by Grand Canyon as we drive away?

Don't get me wrong--we had some wonderful family vacations and great family time--I just always wanted to see more. But we certainly do now.

But really and truly--the family time is really what it is about!

Just being able to be alone with my wife and children is priceless time. If you spend money on things throughout the year but have not been able to get away on a vacation. I encourage you to buy less things so you can take a vacation with your family and build some great memories.

God is good.

Bruce

Why We Get To Celebrate Our Freedom

Today is the day we commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It is my hope that one day in the next few years, I will have the opportunity to take my children to visit Independence Hall in Philadelphia. But let us never forget what allowed that event to not only take place, but to endure for this many years.

It has endured because brave men fought and died at places like Lexington and Concord, Saratoga, Trenton, New York City, Camden, Brandywine, and so many other places during the Revolutionary War.

It has endured because brave men fought and died at places like Tripoli and other parts of the Barbary Coast.

It has endured because brave men fought and died at places like Baltimore, Quebec, Tippecanoe, and New Orleans during the War of 1812.

It has endured because brave men fought and died at places like Vera Cruz, Monterrey, and Mexico City during the War with Mexico.

It has endured because brave men fought and died at places like Antetiam, Gettysburg, Shiloh, and Chancellorsville during the Civil War.

It has endured because brave men fought and died at places like Little Big Horn and other places in the West in hostilities with Indians.

It has endured because brave men fought and died at places like Havana and in the Phillipines during the War with Spain.

It has endured because brave men fought and died at places like Belleau Wood and the Argonne Forest during World War I.

It has endured because brave men fought and died at places like Pearl Harbor, Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima, North Africa, Palermo, Paris, and Normandy Beach during World War II.
It has endured because brave men fought and died at places like Inchon and the Chosen Resovoir during the Korean War.

It has endured because brave men fought and died at places like Dak To, Hue, and Da Nang during the War in Vietnam.

It has endured because brave men fought and died in places like Grenada and Panama.

It has endured because brave men fought and died in places like Kuwait and Southern Iraq during Operation Desert Storm.

It has endured because brave men fought and died in places like Bosnia.

It has endured because brave men fought and died in places like Afganistan, and in Baghdad.

And no matter the struggle, we never forget! May we never tire of serving each other and our country! Let freedom ring!!

Bruce