Category Archives: Ministry

Arizona, church family, Ministry

DROPS LIKE STARS

Really looking forward to Rob Bells’ “Drops Like Stars” gathering in Phoenix February 19 @ Tempe Center for the Arts.

We plot, we plan, we assume things are going to go
A certain way and then they don’t and we find ourselves
In a new place, a place we haven’t been before, a place
We never would have imagined on our own,

And so it was difficult and unexpected and maybe even
Tragic and yet it opened us up and freed us to see
Things in a whole new way

Suffering does that—
It hurts,
But it also creates.

How many of the most significant moments in your
Life came not because it all went right, but because
It all fell apart?

It’s strange how there can be art in the agony…

The Drops Like Stars tour is a two
Hour exploration of the endlessly complex
Relationship between suffering and creativity—
And I’d love to see you there.

https://www.robbell.com/dropslikestars/

http://www.tempe.gov/TCA/

For tickets go to:

http://tca.ticketforce.com/ordertickets.asp?p=713

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Ministry, new years

LEAVE IT BEHIND IN 09′

For the last Sunday of 2009, we will look at what God calls us to and the trust we must have in knowing that what lies before us is greater than what we leave behind us .

Instead of allowing the negatives from the past year into the new year, lets decide to leave it behind in 09′ so we can move ahead .

Here is the outline for this weekend’s message.

Stuff We Should Leave Behind from 09′.

Pastor Steve Lummer
” shake the dust off your feet” Matthew 10:14

Our baggage weighs us down and hinders us from  moving toward our God intended future.

When Samuel gathered all the tribes of Israel, the tribe of Benjamin was picked…Saul son of Kish was picked. But when they looked for Saul, they could not find him. 22 They asked the Lord, “Has Saul come here yet?”  The Lord said, “Yes. He’s hiding behind the baggage.”  23 So they ran and brought him out. When Saul stood among the people, he was a head taller than anyone else. 24 Then Samuel said to the people, “See the man the Lord has chosen. There is no one like him among all the people.”  Then the people shouted, “Long live the king!” 1 Samuel 10:20-24 (NCV)

Dust That Derails Your Destiny

Shake off the dust of Bad DAYS.
Shake off the dust of Bad DEEDS.
Shake off the dust of Bad DEBTS.

Two  types of anger expressed in the Bible.
“Be angry and sin not”  Ephesians 4:26

“Thumos” is anger expressed .    “Perogismo” is anger repressed .

1. It Takes Control Over Me.
You tear yourself to pieces in your anger. Job 18:4 (ncv)

2. It Effects All Of My Other Relationships.
See to it that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. Hebrews 12:15 (niv)

3. It Damages me Spiritually.
Be angry and sin not …Do not give the devil a foothold Ephesians . 4:27

How To Leave The Baggage Behind

1. I Need To Forgive With A Positive Attitude.
2. I Need To Forgive Others Like God Has Forgiven Me.
3. I Need To Forgive To Release my Future.

We have No Future Without Forgiveness

“shake the dust off your feet” Matthew 10:14
“the washing with water through the word” Ephesians 5:26
“never let the arrows of criticism pierce your heart unless it first passes through the filter of scripture.” – Erwin Mcmannus

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church family, family, Ministry

This question comes up every year

Pastor Steve, should we put up a Christmas tree in our house? Isn’t the Christmas tree based from a  pagan origin?

Well, I wanted to post on this blog just to clarify the answer I give year after year.

The modern custom of a Christmas tree does not come from any form of paganism. There is no evidence of any pagan religion decorating a special holiday tree for their mid-winter festivals, although the Romans celebrated the winter solstice with a festival called Saturnalia in honor of Saturnus, the god of agriculture. They decorated their houses with greens and lights and exchanged gifts. Late in the Middle Ages, Germans and Scandinavians placed evergreen trees inside their homes or just outside their doors to show their hope in the forthcoming spring. The first Christmas tree was decorated by Protestant Christians in 16th-century Germany. Our modern Christmas tree evolved from these early German traditions, and the custom most likely came to the United States with Hessian troops during the American Revolution, or with German immigrants to Pennsylvania and Ohio.

There is nothing in the Bible that either commands or prohibits Christmas trees. It has been falsely claimed by some that Jeremiah 10:1-16 prohibits the cutting down and decorating of trees in the same manner as we do at Christmas. However, even a cursory reading of the text makes it clear that the passage is one in which Jeremiah sets forth the prohibition against idols made of wood, plated with silver and gold, and worshipped. A similar idea appears in Isaiah 44, where Isaiah speaks of the silliness of the idol-worshippers who cut down a tree, burn part of it in the fire to warm themselves, and use the other part to fashion an idol, which they then bow down to. So unless we bow down before our Christmas tree, carve it into an idol, and pray to it, these passages cannot be applied to Christmas trees.

There is no spiritual significance to having or not having a Christmas tree. Whatever choice we make, the motive behind a believer’s decision about this, as in all matters of conscience, must be to please the Lord. Romans 14:5-6a sets out the principle in a passage about liberty: “One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord.” The Lord is grieved when Christians look down upon one another for either celebrating or not celebrating Christmas. This is spiritual pride. When we feel that somehow we have achieved a higher plain of spirituality by doing or not doing something about which the Bible is silent, we misuse our freedom in Christ, create divisions within His body, and thereby dishonor the Lord. “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).

When it comes to Christmas my advice is to light it up full throttle.

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church family, Ministry

SOUNDS GOOD TO ME

At Christmas time we hear all kinds of sounds you don’t normally hear during the rest of the year.
The other day I was at a gas station in PV when they guy who had just finished filling up his tank with gasoline waved and said “Merry Christmas” … I waved and said “Merry Christmas” back to him….The SOUND of “Merry Christmas” these days has a different sound than it used to 20 years ago….Now the words “Merry Christmas are said with a more preserving  cautious protective tone – Those two words are handled with care and caution almost like an archeologist handles the secrets in the sands so he won’t break something that is very rare….Today the Sound of the WORDS “MERRY CHRISTMAS”. Are sound waves that sound good to me.

On every corner of our community you will hear the bells rings from the Salvation army volunteers  and those bells will help raise Millions of dollars for the cause of helping folks.

Walk the Malls and you hear the songs that you don’t hear all year – Country artist, Christian artist, rock, rap, and reggae, write songs just for this season ….Sounds you don’t hear all year except this one.

One sound that I heard this past Wednesday night just before men’s bible study was the sound of someone knocking at my church office door. At first when I opened the door I saw no one …but then I looked down at a child by the name of RJ…. I  asked how I could help him? He immediately held out an envelop to give to me,  then he announce to me that the envelop was 100 dollars for PEOPLE IN NEED.
He went on to say that the envelop held  20 one dollar bills and four twenties that he had saved to give to someone in need this Christmas.

The back story is even more interesting And I would like to invite you to hear it right know.
You see RJ’s mother is from Australia and because of visa complications she was detained in the country of Mexico.
For ten days she was held by the authorities and not able to get back here to her home in the US. It was during that ten days that RJ prayed that his mother would be able to come home.  He prayed that  if God would help her get out of Mexico and be all owed to come home  would give his 100.00 dollars to someone in need..
Long story short, his mother was in Brenda’s bible study last Wednesday night.
RG is a part of out Royal Ranger program and just before Rangers, he knocked on my office door to complete  his promise to God.
So this week it will be our privilege to give away RJ’s gift to SOMEONE IN NEED. It is the little sounds that make such a great difference in our lives and the lives of others around us. That sounds good to me.

I loved the sound of that knock on my office door….A sound of not just a little boy, but the sound of someone who had been given hope and now is repeating it to someone else.  What  great sound.

“The Lord’s message rang out from you …..your faith in God has become known everywhere.” 1 Thessalonians 1:8 (niv)

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church family, Life experiences, Media, Ministry

Pastor Bill Wilson – The “Clint Eastwood” of Christianity

It was great to see my youth pastor/mentor of 35 years ago on a news program early this morning and I just had to post a blog about him.

In the summer of 1975 in a mid western church a hand touched my soldier and a guy by the name of Pastor Bill knelt down to pray with me. He knew I needed a lot of change in my life a long with my praying parents and family.

1975 inner city outreach. (Anita Norman, Lisa Letterman, myself and Yogi)

For a few years, I was able to hang with Bill and a few others at all hours of the night and travel on a couple of west cost adventure ministry trips with Bill that opened up my mind to another world that I never knew existed.
Anyway the 30 years have come and gone and this morning as I was getting ready for another normal day, I looked up at the screen for the morning news and there he was being interviewed by a news anchor.


Yep, 30 years and he still is going at it.  Sure not as quick but just as edgy as I knew him by in the mid 70’s .

God bless you Bill as you continue to educate, motivate and sometimes irritate all of us. You do exactly what God purposed you to do.

Here are a couple of links Bills web site.

http://www.metroministries.org/
http://blog.metroministries.org/post/45

That same hand now has become a far reaching compassionate hand that touches  who knows how many.


Thanks always Bill for not quitting,  always fighting, and speaking through the distance.

Steve

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leadership, Ministry

CRAVEMAN – MEAT FOR MEN SERIES

We are continuing a new series in @ CRAVEMAN tonight called Meat For Men.

The entire study is based from 1 Corinthians 3:1-3 that says’

“Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly—mere infants in Christ. 2I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. 3You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men?

The last two studies have been great. and tonight will be just as good.

The study begins at 7:15 tonight @ Prescott First Assembly .

Also, there is a facebook group if you are interested in joining. Just go to http://www.facebook.com and search for CRAVEMAN.

I wanted to end this short blog post by giving this great quote by Leonard Ravenhill “Let me die climbing”.

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church family, Ministry

CHRISTMAS HANG UPS

So proud of our children’s workers at PFA.

The team of adult volunteers have been working with all the children for this weekends Children’s Christmas program.

December 13th, 10:45am

Prescott First Assembly

1455 Willow Creek Road, Prescott778-1455

If you are in the Prescott Area come see this humorous and engaging musical, featuring delightful songs and a solid message that will not only teach your children what Christmas is all about, but will remind kids and congregation alike that Christmas is truly a time to celebrate! It is going to be a fun Sunday for sure.
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Ministry

I CAN’T SEE GOD #5

We have had a great five weeks with this series.
Here is the outline for the last teaching of this fun series.
 
I CAN’T SEE GOD ……..BECAUSE I’M IN THE WAY
               Pastor Steve Lummer       part 5
 
If people can’t see what God is doing,  they stumble all over themselves; But when they attend to what he reveals,  they are most blessed.  Proverbs 29:18 ( message)
 
Review: I can’t see God because
I don’t know what he looks like”.
I am stuck in the redundant life instead of the abundant life..”
I don’t like some of  His kids very much.”
I am so mixed up.
 
Today – I CAN’T SEE GOD BECAUSE  I LIKE MY LIFE JUST THE WAY IT IS.
 
I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, Philippians 3:10 (niv)
 
             THE POWER and THE PRESSURE
 
 
 
1. LIVING ON THE SHORE OF LAKE CONTENTMENT.
But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.  1 Timothy 6:6, 7,8 
 
 
 
2. STUCK IN THE VALLEY OF COMPLACENCY.
Woe to you who are complacent in Zion Amos 6:1 (niv)
 
 
 
3. SEEING GOD BY SHARING IN HIS SUFFERING.
In this world you will have trouble. John 16:33
 
GOD USES SUFFERING “thorn in the flesh” – 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
TO SHAPE OUR PERSPECTIVE OF OURSELVES
TO SHAPE OUR PERSPECTIVE OF HIM
TO SHAPE OUR PERSPECTIVE OF OTHERS
 
FIX OUR FOCUS
let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith Hebrews 12:1,2
 
 

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church family, family, Just sayin', marriage, Ministry

YANK THE PLANK

PLANK EYE REVISITED

I just wanted to finish up part two of this blog post on “Negotiating Change with people you care about”

In Bren’s class she is teaching on ways in which we can bring about meaningful and lasting change with people we care about and love the most.

Here are some brief bullet points to negotiating change.

1. Start at the right place.

The first place to start is to YANK THE PLANK out of our own eyes before we attempt to “fix” someone else.

Jesus tells us to start with ourselves ″Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. Matthew 7:3-5

2. Resource and understand the power of love.

Here are the five love languages Brenda has taught from Gary Chapman’s book the Five Love Languages.

Receiving gifts

These are visual or tangible symbols of love (presents and gifts).

Acts of service

Doing things for the other such as chores or other caring acts performed out of love not duty.

Quality time

Focusing energy and attention on the other through conversation and showing interest in each other.

Words of affirmation

Expressing love through compliments, praise and encouragement.

Physical touch

Not only sex but holding hands, stroking, hugging, sitting next to each other.

3. Develop healthy communication skills.

Remember, the six interpretations of spoken communication are:

1. What the speaker intended to say.

2. What the speaker actually said.

3. What the speaker thought he or she said.

4. What the hearer needed to hear.

5. What the hearer actually heard.

6. What the hearer thought he or she heard.

4. Timing is almost everything.Husbands really do not prefer a “honey do” list right as they walk in the door after work and wives would appreciate some eye contact and timing.

Just one more note regarding negotiating change with people.

Did you notice this week that we have decided as a nation to send 30,000 troops to another country to engage in more war?

Yep, the issue of war is all about not being able to negotiate change globally, regionally and anywhere else there are at least two people close to each other.

Here is a pretty cool 2000 year old text from Jesus half brother James that speaks right to the issue of why we can’t get along with one another both domestically and globally.

What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? 2 You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. 3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. … “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble….Come near to God and he will come near to you.” – James 4:1- 10

Jesus and James must have had a pretty sweet family.

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