Overcoming the Dark Side

One of the books I'm reading right now is titled, "The Dark Side of Leadership." It is a very thought provoking book. Basically, it works on the premise that all of us have a dark side to us. Past experiences, our childhood, the way we were raised by our parents, and our inherit personality all contribute to this darker side of our personality. After reading several chapters I thought to myself, "I'm one messed up individual." It's enough to send someone straight to therapy!

After coming in off the ledge (just kidding), I realized how true it is. All of us do have a darker side. Now, I don't mean we are Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde type people. However, if we are honest with ourselves, we have a side to us we don't want most people to see. It's the side of us perhaps only our kids and spouse see. The side we would be embarrassed and ashamed of if people caught a glimpse of it.

The good news is our dark sides can be redeemed. The way we do this is by bringing those dark components of our personality into the light of Jesus so they can be healed, restored, and redeemed. This leads to a healthy, whole individually instead of a fragmented one.

Jesus Himself said essentially the same thing in John 3:19-21:

"This, then is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. For everyone who practices wicked things hates the light and avoids it, so that his deeds may not be exposed. But anyone who lives by the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be shown to be accomplished by God."

So, bring yourself into the light of Christ and allow Him to expose those things in your heart and mind that need to be healed and redeemed. Don't allow yourself to be divided anymore. Let Christ make you whole.

Expecting Great Things,
Bryan

Pain Versus Discomfort

Yesterday was a great day at New Hope. We had one person come over from death to life and recieve Jesus Christ as thier Savior! That never gets old.

I said last night that what happened Sunday morning should be the norm in the church and not the exception!

If we really believe Jesus is coming back for His Church then we should be telling everybody we can about Jesus!

Sometimes we can fall into the trap of not expecting anything to happen in our services. We can get lulled into a sense of "normalcy" and complancecy. We live with the pain of not seeing God move for so long we get numb to it.

Let me illustrate this. I had been having neck pain for quite some time. I had learned to live with that pain and the limitations that it placed on me. It wasn't until I got tired of living with the pain that I decided to take the step and see a doctor. After a series of examinations, the doctor saw the problem-my neck was jacked up! He said, "Bryan, if we don't get this fixed, you won't have funcitonal movement in your neck in a few years." Talk about scaring me straight!

Well, I have been going to the doctor three times a week for the past few weeks getting adjustments and phyiscal therpay on my neck and back. I'm not going to lie-the first few times it hurt! I thought, "If this is what its going to be, forget this!" But, the doctor told me something that has stuck with me. He said, "Bryan, your neck has been messed up for so long that when I put the bones back where they should be it is going to cause discomfort. Discomfort is part of the healing process."

When the prospect of pain is greater than the discomfort of healing transformation takes place.

God wants more for us and the church than we can ever imagine! Read Acts chapter 2. God wants to use His church to expand the kingdom. Let's be a part of it!

Expecting Great Things,
Pastor Bryan

I love to eat. There, I have confessed it. That's why I love to workout so much-it gives me an excuse to eat. One of my favorite places to eat is Chic-Fil-A. The food is awesome. Whether it is chicken nuggets and waffle fries, or a chicken salad sandwich with carrot & raisin salad, I'm all in when it comes to the cow. However, something else that stands out about Chic-Fil-A is there attitude towards service. Although it is a fast food restaurant, they give service like a fine dining establishment. I rarely have to get refills on my drink-someone almost always comes by and says, "Can I get you a refill?" They always have a smile on their face. Sub-consciously, it makes me want to come back. The more I think about it, the church should have that same kind of attitude towards people. We should create an atmosphere where people are overwhelmed by the kindness and joy over seeing them in our churches. It should make them hunger to come back next week. So let me ask you: What can you do to make your church a more welcoming place to outsiders? You don't have to serve chicken and waffle fries. Just give them the bread of life. I promise you they will want to come back again. I suddenly have a craving for some chicken. Expecting Great Things, Bryan

Coming Home

You have heard the old adage, "There's no place like home." I always knew intellectually that statement was true. However, you have to experience being away from home to know what it truly means.

I spent 8 days in Ecuador doing pre-planning for a mission trip in June. It was a wonderful experience. God moved in amazing ways. I went none stop all week. Needless to say, I got little sleep. In the midst of it all, God revealed to me how precious certain things are that I take for granted. Like drinkable water, air conditioning, ESPN (just thought I would throw that in for fun) and most of all-my family.

Now, don't think that I didn't appreciate my family before I left. Anybody who knows me can tell you my family is priority number one. However, God gave me a new sense of appreciation for my wife and kids. Being away from them increased my love, affection, and appreciation for them. It did the same thing for them.

What I want to say to you is this: don't wait to go to a different continent to tell your family how much they mean to you. Tell them today. Send a text. Make a phone call. One day you won't have the chance. Make the most of your opportunities. Then you can look back on your life with no regrets.

Expecting Great Things,
Bryan

Coming Into the Kingdom

In my devotional reading today I was in Mark 10:13-31. Little kids were clamoring around Jesus. I can't blame them. I bet Jesus was a really fun guy to be around. We adults tend to think of Jesus as a serious minded Messiah, with a scowl on His face perpetually. But while Jesus was indeed serious at times, He also had a softer side-one which was a magnet to kids.

These kids were getting on the disciples nerves. I bet they probably said something like, "Hey you little monsters, get out of here! Don't you know Jesus has more important things to do than play with you bunch of snotty nosed kids!"

Jesus however, had a different plan. The scriptures said He was "indignant" at the disciples. That is a fancy term for saying Jesus was ticked off at them. He then gathered the children around and gave a very important faith lesson.

In v.15 Jesus said, "If anyone does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child they will never enter into it." Wow. That is deep. Jesus is talking about child-like faith. I believe that is why Jesus liked being around kids so much. Because they exhibited the kind of simple trust that is often lacking in adults. I am amazed at my own kids who are seven and three. Sometimes I think they are more spiritual than I am.

Let me give you an assignment if you are feeling a little too grown up. Go to a playground and watch some kids. If you're a grandparent, take your grandchildren out for an afternoon. If you have small kids at home still, just sit and observe them. Watch how they just believe and dream. How they simply trust and don't need proof. How they live each moment to the fullest. And ask God to rekindle that childlike faith in you.

Expecting Great Things,
Bryan

Give Thanks

Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances might be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will].
-1 Thess. 5:18

The past ten days have been rough on my family. My daughter Abigail started it off with a stomach virus. Then my son Zachary got the flu. Then this past Friday Abigail got the flu. Then Zachary had a relapse over the weekend and had to go the ER. My wife Deana just got back from the doctor-upper respirtory infection. Can anyone say, "Calgon, take me away-preferably to the other side of the globe?"

That's why I love 1 Thessalonians 5:18. It reminds us that God wants us to have an attitude of thanksgiving in the toughest of times-sick kids and a weekend of waking up at 3am to clean up vomit.

I believe God allows these things in our lives to make us appreciate all the good times we have. My family has been blessed with great health-even though right now its hard to believe! God is still in control and never forsakes us-even when we may think otherwise.

So, no matter what your situation may be today-give thanks to God. If it is a bad day, hang on. Tomorrow will be better.

Expecting Great Things,
Bryan

Continuing our theme of "the power of love"...

We must act as love acts.

This means...

1. Love is alive when it has patience, dying when it is hurried, dead when it cannot wait.

1 Cor. 13:4, "Love is patient..."

2. Love is alive when it cares, dying when it forgets, dead when it is ignored.

"love is kind..." 1 Cor. 13:4

Kindness is the ability to care for each other in the practical details of life.

Until next time...

Expecting Great Things,
Pastor Bryan

What Love Is

Let's pick up from the last post and begin to put some flesh on what true, biblical love is.

Love is a matter of choice.

"And over all other virtues, put on love, which binds them all together." (Colossians 3:14)

Love is not something we are a victim of, it's something we choose. To truly love someone you must make a conscious decision each day that you are going to do it, regardless of emotions.

Love is a matter of conduct.

"Let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and truth." (1 John 3:18)

Love is more than what we say, it's a behavior. John was telling us to back up our words with concrete actions that demonstrate our love for one another.

Let me issue a challenge to you this week. Write down three tangible ways you can demonstrate your love for someone this week. And do them! You might be surprised at how much your relationship will improve.

Expecting Great Things,
Bryan

True Love

It is only a few weeks until Valentine's Day. So guys, please make sure to get that special lady in your life some flowers and a nice gift. I preached on "The Power of Love" last night. I know that is a Huey Lewis and the News hit song from the 80's, but there is truth in that statement. There is power in love-Biblical love that is.

We have devalued love in our culture. We say, "I love chocolate cake." Or, "I love Carolina, Clemson, Georgia..."-fill in the blank with whatever team you want. The point is, we have watered down love to the point where it doesn't hold significance anymore.

Over the next few days, I want to unpack what true, biblical love is. I want us to really know what the Bible says on this topic. Hopefully, at the end of our discussion we can all love the people in our lives in a way that will honor them and God.

Oh, by the way, my favorite Huey Lewis and the News song? "It's Hip to Be Square." Just so you know.

Expecting Great Things,
Pastor Bryan

Laboring in the Harvest

In my devotional reading today, I was in Matthew 9:18-38. I encourage you to go and read that section of scripture because it is very encouraging and also convicting. Jesus is basically going on a healing circuit.

He begins in v.18 by going with a religious leader to heal his daughter when a woman who had suffered from bleeding for 12 years comes up behind him to touch the tassels of His robe to be healed. He goes to the religious leader's home and heals his daughter.

In v.27, two blind men come up to him and beg him to heal them. He does and asks them not tell anyone. They cannot help but proclaim thier healing. A demon possessed man in v.32 is brought to Him and Jesus casts the demon out.

Then in v.35 it says, "Then Jesus went to all the towns and villages, teaching in thier synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness."

Sounds like a full day doesn't it?

In v. 36 Jesus sees the crowd and "has compassion for them because they were weary and worn out like sheep without a shepherd."

This is where it gets interesting. Instead of burning Himself out, (remember that Jesus is as much human as divine), He makes an interesting statement to His disciples.

Verses 37-38 says, "The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest."

Notice a couple of things here with me. The problem is not with the harvest. Jesus plainly states it "is abundant." That means there are people everywhere who are just like the crowd Jesus saw-weary and worn out, looking for meaning in life. The issue lies in the fact there are so few people willing to go out among the harvest and reap souls for God's kingdom.

What would happen in churches all across the country if people were willing to go out into the harvest? Sanctuaries would be full and communites would be transformed. I believe the most important prayer church leaders and lay leaders across the country could pray is the challenge Jesus issued: "pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest."

If we cured that problem, all the other problems in the church would be solved as well. Make that your prayer today.

Expecting Great Things,
Pastor Bryan

Snow Storm 2011

I despise cold weather. Did I mention I despise cold weather? So, it's safe to say that if I dislike cold weather, I will really dislike a snow storm. Yes, I know. It's beautiful when it is falling, but it's miserable trying to deal with it afterwards.

A snow storm is a great deal like sin in our lives. When we are caught up in our sin it seems like a beautiful thing-like snow falling. However, when we have to deal with the aftermath of sin in our lives, it is like the day after a snow storm. You feel trapped, desperate to get out, and trying hard not to get stranded on the side of the road.

So, what's the answer. Move to Miami, Fl or Arizona. Just kidding-although that sounds pretty good right at the moment. The answer is to keep our eyes on Christ, stay in His Word, and keep our connection to Him through prayer. So while you're stranded inside your house, turn off the TV, quit watching the Weather Channel, and open up your Bible. Ask God to speak to you. Then, talk to Him about the things going on in your life. Who knows? I might even enjoy this weather a little bit. Nah, who am I kidding?

Expecting Great Things,
Pastor Bryan