Missions Trip - Leaving Saturday

After three years, City on a Hill Church is going on its first foreign missions trip. I'll be leading a team of ten people to Guatemala City. We leave Saturday, July 23 and return a week later on July 30.

We'll be joining about 50 people from different churches around the country. Mission Serve is sponsoring the trip. One team will be doing some construction at a church or two while the other team will be conducting children's ministry and VBS inside the local schools.

Words can't describe how excited I am to be going on this trip. Please pray for all of us as we venture out of our comfort zones for the sake of fulfilling the Great Commission. And in the words of the Apostle Paul from Ephesians 6:19...

Pray also for me, that whenever I speak,
words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel

The Asherah Poles

In the Old Testament, we read about Asherah poles. These were man-made idols that honored Asherah, a sea goddess and the mistress of Baal. She was the chief goddess of the Canaanites. Her worship glorified sex and war and was accompanied by male prostitution.

Throughout Jewish history, God's chosen people struggled with being distracted by idols. Throughout Israel and Judah, the Jews erected these Asherah poles for worshiping a false god. In fact, an Asherah pole was established in the temple by the evil King Manasseh (2 Kings 21:7). Can you imagine having an idol in God's house?

Well, the reality is that many of us struggle with idols in our own lives. Some of those idols can be found in our home, in our work and, yes, even in our church. If we're really honest, our idols could actually be our home, our work and our church (ie, our ministry).

It's not enough to stop our idolatry. We must follow the way of King Josiah. In 2 Kings 23, we read how he removed all of the remnants of idolatry from their culture. He tore down the Asherah poles and destroyed them.

You and I are called to do the same thing. We must identify the idols we have and not just stop recognizing them, but remove them and destroy them. That means it's time to clean house! It could mean it's time to change jobs. It could mean it's time to walk away from a ministry that has consumed you. It could mean it's time to leave a relationship that has become more important to you than the Lord.

Destroy the Asherah poles in your life today!

Three Things for City on a Hill Today

Hi City on a Hill Church! Here are three things I'd like to share with you today...

#1 - I had another family tell me this weekend how much of an impact you all have had on them, making them feel welcomed and at home in our church. I can't tell you how proud I am of you! There's no doubt that's one of our strengths as a church family. Let's keep it up!

#2 - You all did an incredible job with the renovations to our children's ministry rooms and office this weekend. Our kids are so blessed to have such an awesome ministry area where they will learn about Jesus in profound ways while having FUN!

The renovations on upstairs begin in just a couple of weeks. We'll need all hands on deck for the projects we have before us. I'll tell you, though. When we get it all done, you're going to love it! There will be more opportunities for ministry within COAHC and in our community. I can't wait!

#3 - As a culture, we love easy-step formulas that produce results. We just want to know what to do: 1-2-3. So, if you're looking for a sure-fire way to get closer to God, here's a three-step formula that comes straight from Scripture. We talked about this yesterday. Step 1 is understand your identity in Christ. Marinate on Ephesians 2:10, for example. Step 2 is allow your deeper understanding of your identity in Christ to grow your self-confidence and self-esteem. Step 3 is understand that Christ is our Shepherd. He is the One who protects us, provides for us and leads us where we need to be to experience the best life we could possibly imagine. Because we are His sheep, we must learn to rely on Him totally and without exception. It's when we stray from our Shepherd that we get lost and put ourselves in danger.

If we follow this three-step formula, there's no question that we can begin to experience a deeper relationship with Our Heavenly Father.

We Need to Rest

Three Things for City on a Hill Today

Dear City on a Hill Church,

I have three things I want to share with you on this Tuesday...

1) I'm so proud of you! So many of you showed up last night for our prayer gathering. This was a time that we spent praying specifically for other churches in our community. You get it! You get that when one part of the Body is hurting, it affects the entire Body. I praise God for your compassionate and gracious hearts! It was such pure joy to hear and see the passion in everyone last night. Let's keep this going!! The Body needs it.

2) Were those baptisms awesome or what? Even though the footing was slippery and unsteady (can anyone say, "mucky slime"?), we didn't have any premature baptisms. I already have some ideas percolating about the venue for our next baptism event, but if any of you have suggestions, send them my way. Stay tuned for a video montage of photos and music...

3) Your generosity astounds me! You must have really been listening when I preached on generosity several weeks ago!! Thank you for stepping out of the boat and helping to be part of the miracle that will be our facility renovations this summer. If any of you are still praying about giving towards this cause, we have about $2500 of expenses that needs to be covered. Keep praying! Meanwhile, we're gearing up for the actual work. We have a workday scheduled for Saturday, June 25 to tackle the downstairs work and most of July will be spent attacking all the upstairs renovations. We'll need all the help we can get!

Thank you for being an amazing church, City on a Hill. I love you all!

Pastor GW

Time and Money

You just don't seem to have enough time or enough money. Is that the story of your life?

If it is, let me suggest something to you today. Maybe God is trying to get your attention. Time and money are resources in this life - resources that are meant to be used for the glory of God. Yes, that's right. Used for Him - not you, me or anyone else.

So, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

1 Corinthians 10:31

When we use our time for our purposes with our desires being the primary motivating factor, we'll spend our entire lives never having enough time.

"I can't (enter here what God wants you to do) because (enter here what you're choosing to do instead)."

This is a statement we make way too often. And what's the result? We stay exhausted. We wake up in the morning and by the time we go to bed, we are further behind than when we woke up that morning. It never seems we have enough time to get everything done. And we spend our lives in "catch-up" mode.

The same is true with our money. We spend our money on what we want instead of being good stewards of the resources with which God has blessed us.

"I can't (enter here how God wants you to spend your money) because (enter here how you're choosing to spend your money instead)."

What's the result? We are consumed with debt or stress and worry as we scrape and struggle to cover all our bills each month.

Maybe God is trying to get your attention. Maybe it's time to start using your resources (time and money) for God instead of yourself. Maybe it's time to stop using excuses to rationalize your behavior.

A Letter to City on a Hill-Tuesday, May 10

Here are seven things I want to share with you this morning...

1 - YOU are an amazing church! I'm so privileged to be your pastor. I had a few conversations yesterday that just reminded me how overwhelming it is to consider that God has chosen ME to be your shepherd. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your life!

2 - Sunday's service was absolutely awesome! It all started in our pre-service prayer time. Walls are being broken down in lives all over our church. Real connections are being made between people where real ministry is happening. It begins with prayer, though. Don't ever forget that! How incredible would it be to have double or triple the people we have now praying before each and every service? I'm extending an invitation to every one of you to join us upstairs for a time of consecration and preparation. Please join us from 10 to 10:45 on Sunday mornings - even for just a few minutes!

3 - I loved watching our people worship at Jesus' feet at the end of our service on Sunday. I want our church to have a culture that's not embarrassed to come to the altar on our knees and bow before our King. For many, this kind of thing is foreign. I get it. It was strange for me the first few times I did it, too. From personal experience, though, I can tell you that humbling yourself before the Lord at His altar can bring breakthroughs like nothing else. Let's push that fear and "uncomfortable-ness" aside and present ourselves to God as living sacrifices.

4 - Have I made it clear I want you plugged in with a Life Group? In case I haven't, I want you plugged in with a Life Group! We have four to choose from right now, and we need to be multiplying that number in the next few weeks. If you would like to host a Life Group in your home or feel the prompting to lead a Life Group, please contact me as soon as possible. We need more hosts and leaders!

5 - Have I made it clear I want you serving? In case I haven't, I want you serving in ministry! I shared this past Sunday from James 2 which clearly teaches faith without works is dead. Works is synonymous with ministry. COAHC needs more servants and leaders in its various ministries. We have ministries ready to launch that are merely waiting for the right people. Contact a ministry leader this week to get plugged in or contact me and I'll get you started in the right direction.

6 - You may be thinking right now that I want a lot from you. Let me say this: I don't want anymore for you than what God wants for you. Yes, God wants you involved with Life Groups if COAHC is your home church. Why? Because Church was never meant to be a building or an event. Church is a group of people who share their lives TOGETHER! Life Groups facilitate this. Yes, God wants you serving. He has given you gifts and wants to be glorified through those gifts. Read Ephesians 2:10. Read the Parable of the Talents. This principle is found throughout Scripture.

7 - Get ready for something big. I mean something BIG... God's preparing and situating things at City on a Hill for something big. We can't experience something big as a church without you experiencing something big in your own, personal life. So, are you preparing your fields for rain?

For Those Struggling to Respond to God's Call

Last night at our prayer gathering, the Lord laid on my heart those who are struggling with responding to God's call to serve where He has called you. For those who don't see themselves as valuable as God does, for those whose past still haunts them and for those who are in bondage to their fear, God speaks Isaiah 54 to you...

"Do not be afraid; you will not suffer shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth... The Lord will call you back as if you were a wife deserted and distressed in spirit - a wife who married young, only to be rejected, says your God... with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you, says the Lord your Redeemer... my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the Lord who has compassion on you... In righteousness you will be established... no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me," declares the Lord.

Osama Bin Laden's Death

I woke up early this morning to the reports that Osama Bin Laden is dead. On Facebook and Twitter, there are several posts and tweets about the celebrations that went on around the world. It's even the top story on espn.com!

I have mixed emotions about it. I'm thrilled that the man who brought terror to its pinnacle in my lifetime can no longer threaten the lives of the innocent. At the same time, I'm also saddened by the response of exhilaration by our nation. My emotions honestly confused me for a moment.

"Why am I not as excited about this as everyone else?" I asked myself. Then I saw a post on Facebook from one of my friends.

Ezekiel 18 tells us, "Do I have any pleasure in the death of the wicked," declares the Lord God, "rather than that he should turn from his ways and live?"

Proverbs 24:17 instructs us, "Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your hear be glad when he stumbles."

I think these two verses help me better understand the wrestling match in my heart. My flesh cries out with victory. The fear for so many is over! My spirit soars at good conquering evil. My soul weeps over another soul damned to hell.

I don't believe God's plan for Osama Bin Laden life was to spend his last years being hunted and killed like an animal. If I know anything about God at all, it's that His love and sovereignty desires an abundant life of love, peace and joy for every man, woman and child. Of course, we know that many reject His plan, so justice prevails.

This morning, I'll continue to wrestle with my feelings. I'll continue to have a sense of relief for those families who endured loss on 9-11. And I'll continue to look in wonder at the lust for blood and vengeance by so many in our world today.

May the Lord God Almighty's presence and power sustain and lead our nation!

An Unforgettable Weekend

This past weekend was the most unforgettable weekend of my life, not to mention one of the most difficult. My father passed away last Monday at the age of 75 years. In the midst of consoling my family, dealing with the funeral arrangements I was also going to be the one officiating his services. Talk about a tall order! Years ago after his mother's funeral over which I officiated, he asked me if I would oversee his. In the last several months, as his Alzheimer's Disease progressed, he would remind me from time to time that he still wanted me to oversee his funeral. On the one hand, I couldn't imagine having the strength to do it, but, on the other hand, I couldn't imagine someone else leading those services. I was the one.

It was only going to be through divine strength that I could possibly hold my emotions in check and get through the services. After sending out broadcasts via phone, texts, Facebook and Twitter, the response began pouring back to me. The prayers of so many covered not only me, but my entire family this weekend. Words can't begin to express the appreciation I have for so many lifting me up to the Lord. I could feel God's arms wrapped around me and His strength encouraging me and sustaining me.

Oh, and did I mention it was Easter weekend, too? Talk about an emotional roller coaster... The spectrum of feelings I experienced from the visitation on Friday to the funeral on Saturday to our Easter church service on Sunday must have been similar to what the disciples felt: sorrow and disappointment being replaced with excitement and jubilation!

Yesterday was probably the best service we've ever had since we launched City on a Hill Church almost three years ago. Worship was amazing! King's Kids rocked the socks off of our children! We had a record attendance! Our ministry teams were all over the place, taking care of everything and everyone! The Holy Spirit poured out of me during the sermon and transformed lives for eternity!

This Easter weekend held so many memories for me. Thank you to everyone who was a part of it by being there in person and by supporting me through your prayers. I will never forget Easter weekend 2011!

You Talkin' to Me?

"You talkin' to me?"

This was the classic line from DeNiro in the movie Taxi Driver.

There's some relevance in this line, though, for pastors, leaders and teachers. We need to know to whom we're talking. If we don't know our audience, we may talk below them or above them.

Case in point. I'm going through more training this week for my secular job. This week, my trainer is a former Junior High School teacher. As a reward for answering questions correctly, we're being given stickers. Yes, that's right - stickers...

There's nothing worse than being treated as someone you're not. So, teachers, leaders and pastors, know your class, audience and flock. Know how to reach them. Know how to teach them. Know how to inspire them!

Hands-On Training

The company I'm working for is a service provider which means I'm actually working with not only my employer, but also the client. That means, I get to carry around two laptops (in addition to my personal one) and learn two company's systems. For the last few weeks, I've been completing online training about these systems. This week, I've been engrossed in hands-on training with an instructor leading us in every step to ensure we know how to use these systems in the field.

There's really nothing quite like hands-on training. I'm one of those people who can read about or watch a demonstration, but until I actually try it myself, I just don't get it. There are a lot of people like me in that regard, and there's no environment where this is more important than ministry.

Pastors, teachers and leaders need to not only teach and model ministry, but give opportunities for hands-on training to all believers. Every person in the Church needs to be given the opportunity to go out and serve. He needs to share his stories with others. We shouldn't wait until he's completed his Membership 401 classes. She shouldn't wait until she's read the Bible from cover to cover. Yes, every Christian should be involved in proper (and formal) discipleship steps. I'm all for those! But let's not let the formal training get in the way of opportunities for hands-on training. Let's make sure we're all doing ministry in the real world!

Community in Leviticus

Today I was reading in the book of Leviticus. This book that's considered part of the Torah ("Instruction" or sometimes referred to as "The Law") is not exactly exciting reading that keeps a person on pins and needles. It contains detailed instructions on the rules and regulations the Hebrews were to follow in their religious life as well as their social life.

In Chapter 13, Moses details the instructions to follow if someone presents himself/herself with a skin disorder. At first glance, the reading is mundane and not terribly relevant to a culture that has the technological and medical advances we have today. Dig a little deeper...

Consider what God was doing with the Hebrews in the desert during those 40 years. Before allowing them to enter into the promised land, God was preparing His people to be a community. In other words, He wanted them to be other-centered, not self-centered. That's what community is all about!

When we begin to put others' needs before our own, we'll discover community. When we sacrifice for the good of others, we'll discover community. When we love our neighbor as we love ourselves, we'll discover community.

Community is a theme found in Scripture from the beginning of the Bible to the end. Our relationship with God isn't just vertical. It's also horizontal. When we have both the vertical and horizontal in our lives, we'll discover something more than just community. We'll discover the cross!

I Want More!

Before asking for more, consider what you've done with what you already have.

The Parable of the Talents found in Matthew 25:14-29 details a story that Jesus told about three servants who were given specific amounts of money by their master. The master's money was entrusted to them. That's an important piece of the story that often gets overlooked. When you and I are entrusted with something valuable, the owner trusts that we will not squander what we've been given - that we will be good stewards!

We've been entrusted with our lives on this earth. From a Biblical perspective, our lives are not our own. God forms us in our mother's womb (Psalm 139:13) and breathes life into us (Genesis 2:7). The Apostle Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 6:20 that are bought with a price. Not only our material things and money, but also our relationships have been given to us from our Sovereign Lord. They are not our own, but we are entrusted with them as stewards.

The Parable of the Talents concludes with the moral of the story found in verse 29:

"To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away."

What an important truth for us! Before asking for more, consider what you've done with what you already have.

1Culpeper Prayer Walk

Tomorrow, Christians from around Culpeper will gather together to conduct a prayer walk, consisting of a 2.5 miles loop around the Town of Culpeper. The walk will start at 12noon and begin and end at Yowell Meadow Park. All are invited to join us!

I Have a Dream!

Martin Luther King, Jr wasn't the only one who had a dream. In Genesis 37, we read that Joseph had a dream. Actually, he had two dreams. They were both prophetic and gave him a glimpse of his future relationship with his family. As we read, we discover that Joseph shared these dreams with his brothers. What his motivation was in sharing the dreams, Scripture doesn't tell us. What the reaction to his dreams was, we read all to clearly.

His father scolded him. His brothers hated him, mocked him and sold him into slavery while telling their father he had been killed by a wild animal. Joseph's dream was the culprit, the straw that broke the camel's back. It was his dream, however, that actually saved the lives of not only his family, but millions of people.

When Martin Luther King, Jr gave his famous speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial back in 1963, he said, "I have a dream!" His dream was a God-given dream, and he shared that dream with the whole world that day. It shocked some, scared many and gave others hope. His dream saved lives as hearts turned from violence to peace.

There will be times when God gives us a dream... a vision... a purpose. It may be strange to us at first. It may even seem dangerous. After all, I can't think of a single instance where fulfilling a God-given dream didn't involve risk. In spite of the potential risk and danger, we need to not only be ready to dream these dreams, but pray for those dreams to be given to us. We must desire them and not be afraid to dream God-given dreams. Also, don't be afraid to share those dreams. Sure, you'll have some who scold you. They'll mock you. They may even be jealous or threatened by you. Don't let those things stand in your way. Dream dreams. Dream big dreams. Dream God-given dreams! You never know whose life you'll save.

My Birthday Gift To You

Today is my 42nd birthday. Wow, I feel old!

On my birthday, I want to offer a gift to you by sharing some words that first touched me while read Mark Batterson. This phrase is a pearl of wisdom for me every time I hear it!

Apply these words to everything God calls you to in your lifetime... Every time you are staring at a task that seems difficult, remember these words... If you apply these words to your life, you will reach your dreams and God will use you in amazing ways!

Pray like it depends on God!

Work like it depends on you!

Top 11 Blog Posts from 2010

Here are the top eleven blog posts from 2010:

Can't We All Just Get Along

Saved AND Called

Stripped Down

Despondency vs. Depression

Walking in the Same Way

Commitment

Be a Good Coach

Vision and Relationships

Good Enough

God's Discipline

A Big Deal

May the Lord bless you as we enter into the new year!

I'm So Excited - Part 2

Some more reasons I'm excited heading into 2011...

We're growing! City on a Hill Church's growth has necessitated that we take over more space in the building where we rent. We're practically doubling our square feet in the near future.

The Dameron's are growing, too! In February, we will take our first steps in moving forward with adopting a child through foster care. Carrie, the girls and I couldn't be more excited for our family to grow!

We're going to give more to missions! COAHC has long been wanting to make missions a priority in our church. We've been praying and brainstorming about developing a business plan to launch a new business in our community that would give profits to missions work. I believe this will come to fruition in 2011.

Celebrate Recovery is coming! COAHC will launch a new ministry for our community called Celebrate Recovery, celebrating God's healing power in people with hurts, hangups and habits through 8 Recovery Principles.

I'm So Excited!

Instead of reminiscing about all the great things that have happened in 2010 (there have been a lot!), I want to spend some time sharing what I'm most excited about in the coming year:

Awake 21 - This is a 21-day period of prayer, fasting and personal devotion focused on drawing closer to God. It begins January 10 and ends on January 30. In every major move of God in the Bible, prayer and fasting were a component. I can't wait to see what God does!

Guatemala Missions Trip - City on a Hill Church is taking its first foreign missions trip to Guatemala in July. We're going to get a chance to minister to a lot of people in different ways. Most of the people coming on this trip from COAHC have never been on a missions trip before. This is going to be exciting!

Apocalypse - In January, I'll be preaching the toughest sermons I've ever preached. We're going to spend several weeks looking at the Biblical accounts of the End Times. Hold on to your seat!

Lots more tomorrow...