THE END IS NEAR

I saw this guy the other day and just had to post this Sven and Ole humor.

Reverend Ole is the pastor of the local Norwegian Lutheran Church , and Pastor Sven is the minister of the Swedish Covenant Church across the road.

One day they were seen pounding a sign into the ground, that said:

DA END ISS NEAR! TURN YERSELF AROUND NOW BAFOR IT’S TOO LATE!

As a car sped past them, the driver leaned out his window and yelled, “Leave me alone, you Skandihoovian religious nuts!”

From the curve they heard screeching tires and a big splash…

Rev. Ole turns to Pastor Sven and asks, “Do ya tink maybe da sign should yust say, “Bridge Out?”

got to love it.

Steve Lummer

lead pastor PFA north

FASTING FOR A CHANGE

21 days of Fasting for a change
Starting Sunday mid-night March 14th I would like to invite you join Brenda and I for our 21 day fast.
We are fasting for a change until Easter Sunday.

21 days dedicated to turn way and turn aside to give some intentional attention to God .

I love this time of the year because its fresh and our church family joins together for a collective 21 day fast.

We will be following again this year the Daniel fast found in the Old Testament book of Daniel.
We as a church collectively will be fasting and praying for a specific direction this year.
Our prayer is that God will lead us and help us navigate the coming changes ahead of us as a congregation.

I will be posting a menu in the next couple of days for your shopping plans and meals.

Steve Lummer

Lead Pastor Prescott First Assembly

leadership

ROAD TO SUCCESS

Someone posted this on Facebook and I just had to post it if for no one else but me.

The Road To Success Is Not Straight. There Is A Curve Called Failure A Loop Called Confusion, Speed Bumps Called Friends, Red Lights Called Enemies, Caution Lights Called Family. You Will Have Flats Called Jobs.

But, If You Have A Spare Called Determination, An Engine Called Perseverance, Insurance Called Faith, A Driver Called Jesus, You Will Make It To A Place Called Success!!

Good stuff it you ask me.

Just sayin', Life experiences

GOD HATER IN THE WOODS TEACHES ME SOME THINGS

I know some of my blog readers and facebook friends might disagree with my blog post tonight but here it goes.

Tonight, I did my usual bike ride through the forest after work. I usually run into a few people along the way and sometimes we talk but most of the time we just do the “woods wave” and move on.

Tonight, the guy I came across was a person that I occasionally stop and talk to for a few minutes and this evening was no different.

I was sorry to hear that he had lost his long time companion and dog that I usually see him walking with.

He was quick to blame God for the death of his animal friend and continued to explain that the death of his dog was a “cruel joke played by God.”

He also claimed that “Satan is God’s hit man and Jesus is God’s con man.”

Our conversation ended with me looking at his 45 caliber hand gun on his hip while he expressed he was “fine with burning in a lake of fire for all of eternity”….that was “just fine with him” he said.

My thought was, I hope he doesn’t take his 45 caliber anger toward God on me because I am a minister. ( I did survive).

It seemed to me that he was going to attempt to pay God back for “letting him down his whole life” by hating God as much as he possibly could for the rest of his life.

Wow, dog dies and God is at fault. While he is going off on God and on about his hate for God, I’m thinking, dogs, cats, and bunches of other animals as well as thousands of humans die every hour on the globe. In fact, About 250,000 – 300,000 people die per day.

I know this is a negative and some what morbid blog but there are tons of God haters walking around us everyday and we need to be aware of that.

I have learned that when I cross paths with a God hater it is crucial to not cast judgment but rather just listen. To not be offended but to offer kindness. To not attempt to defend God, but to show God’s love to the unlovely.

I am sorry the man lost his pet to death this week. That is a difficult thing for most of us who love our pets.

The fact is though, death comes to us all not as a cruel joke by God but as just part of life. Death is the beginning of eternal life.

“It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” Hebrews 9:27.

Today’s chance meeting taught me some things about my self.

1. Pain comes to others not just me.

2. Suffering and loss can shape me to become bitter or better.

3. Loss of family and friends in this life is tough but encourages me to love God not to hate him.

4. We can get so self consumed in our pain that we can often self destruct.

5. When things go wrong, hating God will not make things get better. Conversely things will most likely get worse by choosing to hate and seek revenge.

Our relationship with others and God can become better and richer if we will just choose to not hate, not harbor bitterness and allow God to show us how to turn hurt into healing and pain into love and joy while we have a living opportunity.

Only God can help us do that. That why we need him so.

He will provide for those who grieve —
He will bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,
He will give the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
and He will give a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. Isaiah 61:1-3

Pastor Steve

Lead Pastor

Prescott First Assembly

Alaska, church family, Life experiences

ALASKAN CRAB OFFERING

A couple of Sundays ago my friend Geoff met me at the door after service and he handed me an offering from Alaska.

Geoff gave me some info about the Crab and here is what he said.

“It is dungenus from southeast Alaska, not sure if from Ketchikan or Metlakatla where my brother in-law is from. It is a hour boat ride, or a ten min float plane but it is from southern southeast the best crab in the world better then king crab in my opinion”

Wow what a great gift from a friend…That is what I love about people. They bring so much into your life.

I will never forget the love offering from Geoff.

Thank you friend.

church family, FASTING, Ministry

A SNEAK PEAK

here is a quick sneak peak at this weekend’s message called IMAGINE.

IMAGINE

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. ² And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:1,2 (nkjv)

The heart of Christianity is TRANSFORMATION.

“but be transformed by”

1. IMAGINE NO DIS-APPOINTMENT.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 (niv)

2. IMAGINE NO MIS– APPOINTMENT.

that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2

3. IMAGINE NOT IMAGINING BUT EXPERIENCING.

“I AM THAT I AM.” Exodus 3:14

How can we defy the odds?

1. By joining your pastor in fasting until Easter Sunday.

2. By getting verbally positive about our future

3. By taking it personally

4. By starting to give toward our reboot and rebranding season.

Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new beginning.

Ministry

RED part 3

Here is the last outline in the series Red.

RED
When We Bleed We Bless
Pastor Steve Lummer
Part 3

“Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? Go figure out what this Scripture means: ‘I’m after mercy, not religion.’ I’m here to invite outsiders, not coddle insiders.” Matthew 9:12 (message)

OUTSIDERS or INSIDERS
“EITHER OR” – “BOTH AND”
ER vs. Front Desk

So what is a faith that bleeds?

1. A Faith that brings SACRIFICE.
Matthew 26:28 This is my blood of the[ covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

Seven tangible places Jesus sacrificed
1. Gethsemane
2. The Stripes on his back
3. The crown of thorns
4. His pierced hands
5. His pierced feet
6. His pierced side
7. his bruised body.

2. A faith that brings CHANGE.

Luke 19:9,10 “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

3 A faith that brings LIFE.
the life of all flesh is its blood Leviticus 17:14

WHEN WE BLEED, WE BLESS

Steve

lead pastor PFA

Arizona, Bikes, Mountain biking

Sunny Sedona Red Dirt

Just wanted to post a few pics from Saturday’s mtn bike ride in sunny Sedona.

Ten of us from Preskitt started in the Basha’s parking lot – rode through town to Midgley Bridge – up the Jim Thompson trail – Jordan trail Past the sink hole – seven sacred pools trail out and back – Teacup down to Buena vista to Coffee Pot and back to the Parking lot.
Keith told me it was 15 miles…..I add 15 miles of Sedona sunshine and beautiful red dirt.

Sedona is one of the most beautiful places in the Southwest to ride and best of all it is 45 minutes from the house.

Ministry

DOWNSIZING YOUR THINGS TO DO LIST

There is a fasinating story about three people and three different outcomes of compassion.

“A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ …..Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10:30 – 37

Wow, what a commentary of our culture.

Why is it that some care enough to change the world and others just are too “busy” to help?

It seems that we want to help… but we just can’t because….

We have NO HEART – Some people just are so selfish that they have absolutely no compassion (THEY ARE HEARTLESS)

We have NO REWARD – We don’t help others because no one else will notice or we are not on tv.

We have NO ROOM – We can’t help anyone else because we have too many worries and cares.

..Here is maybe a pretty good idea – Have a Not-to-Do List

Jesus wants you to enjoy a “rich…satisfying life,” without getting bogged down by things that don’t add value or meaning. – “Clutter isn’t only what you can see; it’s what you can’t see. It perpetuates your overloaded schedule, endless commitments and overwhelming fears. A cluttered mind means over-thinking, over-reacting, over-analyzing, over-worrying, and over-committing.” So:
De-clutter your life by giving yourself permission to have a not-to-do list: Not to feel guilty for saying no to something that may be good, but not right for you. Not to worry about how well-adjusted your kids will be as adults. Not to feel over-responsible for everybody else’s well-being. Not to answer the phone after a certain time each night. Not to say yes just because you’ve been invited. Not to schedule busy activities on Sundays and family days. Not to buy something just because it’s on sale. Not to think you have to make a meal requiring more than three ingredients, do laundry, clean the house, and spend quality time with your family all on the same day. Not to ruminate over your own, or other people’s mistakes. Not to compare yourself with other people.

Maybe cutting some things you “have to do” off our list will give us more time for things we “want to do.” and what God want’ us “to do.”

Hey America, the more you give yourself permission not to do, the more you free yourself to live a centered, abundant life – THAT WAY YOU MIGHT HAVE A LITTLE LEFT OVER TO GIVE TO SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN BEATEN UP BY OTHERS BY LIFE OR BUY THEMSELVES.

Downsizing is the thing to do these days.

Steve

lead pastor PFA

family

Happy 75th Dad

Today’s my dad’s birthday, and so before I start my regular routine of trying to call him and leaving voice-mails.

:-) , I just wanted to put this out here where I know he’ll see it:

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Today’s post then is a tribute to my dad. Here are a few things I appreciate about him: First of all, I am proud to be your son. Again and again, I meet people who know you, who’ve spent time with you, worked with you, and without fail, they tell me you are a man of integrity.

I appreciate the fact that you’ve made an intentional effort to express your love to all of us, even if you sometimes have a hard time putting it into words. I appreciate the way you love and honor my mom. Thank you. You taught me to look a person in the eye when talking to him and the value of a firm foundation in a family. You and mom gave me a rich spiritual heritage that has already show up in my children. Well, that’s it for now. Love, your son.

“Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!” Psalm 127:3-5

Love you dad. You are the best.

stevelummer.com

Author Archives: Lummer Steve