Pull your head out!………….. (of the sand)

Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline and understanding- Proverbs 23:23. Aquiring truth sometimes costs us something. When we have truth, we are not to sell it for something else. Something else could be comfort. Truth sometimes results in uncomfortable confrontation and we are not to sell truth just to “keep the peace”. Relationships in our lives can come and go in this catagory. When people wont face truth it can wreck a relationship. We should not use truth as a cannon, going around blasting people. But we should be open and honest with each other, no matter how painful it may be. Truth will set us free! Without truth, you cannot get wisdom, discipline or understanding. I’ve seen many situations where people chose a lie over a friendship, and the relationship was destroyed forever – what a shame. Let’s not be like an ostrich. Instead of hiding our head in the sand hoping the problems will go away, lets be honest with ourselves, communicate with each other, and let God intervene in our lives.

Where two or more are gathered …..

We had a small group at home-extension tonight, but that didn’t stop the Holy Spirit from showing up. Pastor Herb continued last weeks message about grace and freedom from obligation. It was a timely message, as usual, that brought great conversation after service, and I believe it brought freedom to several of us who needed it right now. To all who couldn’t make it tonight, we missed you, but we hope you enjoyed your holiday weekend. To Brittney we say God bless and keep in contact with us. Love you all!

How do you spell communion?

Communion….. What does that word mean to you? To some, it may mean grape juice (or wine) and bread. To others, it may be the time in church where you are very reverent and quiet, remembering all the terrible sins you have committed and are asking God to forgive you for so you can partake without getting God more angry at you. The truth is, communion is relationship. Jesus met with his closest friends for a holiday meal (passover). During this meal he established the sacrament we call communion. But the heart of it all is not the juice or bread; it is the connection we have with each other.   

That is what we experience here at home-extension; relationship. Communion is not a ceremony, it is a way of life. We share each others burdens and joys. We laugh and cry together. We agree and disagree together. We eat together. That is the beauty of being a part of Church of the Heartland. We are free to “do life together”.  

So how do you spell communion? R-e-l-a-t-i-o-n-s-h-i-p

Sunny side up!

I looked at the sunrise this morning as the sun showed its first glimpse above the horizon. It hit me that Adam, the first man, saw that same sun. So did Noah, Moses, David and the rest of humanity. The sun will out live us, but it will also die someday and not be restored. We, on the other hand, will be resurrected to new life.  The Bible says that our life is like a breath, or like grass- very short. How are we spending the days God has allotted for us? The sun spends its time glorifying God. So should we.

Good Friday is coming!

This friday, April 10th is the Good Friday service in Winamac at 7:00 pm Eastern time. You do not want to miss it! God always moves and the fellowship with fellow heartlanders from other campuses is awesome. Please join us in worship to our Lord Jesus!

Happy Birthday!

This week at home-extension, we celebrate our 1 year anniversary! It was awesome as we celebrated the baptisms of several of our kids that attend here as well as the basement. God is moving and we are excited to see what he will do next! We set a regular week attendance record with 40 people. We at COTH-HEB are directing our faith to a huge revival in Bourbon, and we are starting to see it come to pass. May God build his kingdom through us! Happy Birthday COTH-HEB!

Bourbon: Home of Hoosier hysteria and Heaven hysteria

Hoosier hysteria is back baby! My Triton Trojans just won the sectional again and are looking to take the regional next week. Last year we won state and I can tell you that the Bourbon area is buzzing with high hopes for this year’s prospects too. As big as this is to many of us in this community, I can say that I’m even more excited about something God is doing in Bourbon. People are getting saved, freed from oppression, and are getting filled with the Holy Ghost with evidence of speaking in tongues! Heaven hysteria trumps hoosier hysteria every time! Go Trojans and Go Holy Spirit!

Friday the 13th

Friday the 13th. A day celebrated by hollywood to represent revenue generated by horror films. We choose to glorify God on that day. Last friday in our home, Marie and I hosted THE BASEMENT, our monthly youth group. We had 29 youth in our home for pizza and pop, with a 25 minute ministry time led by Cody Clemons. Some of the teens call it church because it is the closest thing they have to knowing what church is. We just enjoy building relationships with kids. Chris Miller says to “build a bridge and turn on a light”. In other words, create a means of opening up people to hear the gospel, then allow the Holy Spirit to reveal Christ in their life. That is what we try to do at THE BASEMENT.

All this is possible because of the people at home-extension. Their giving allows us to host THE BASEMENT. Evangelism is not difficult. It only requires willingness and a desire to see people come to Christ and draw closer to God. To all at home-extension we say thank you.

God created friday the 13th. Let’s take it back for the kingdom!

Recession proof!?

We are currently in the sermon series “Recession proof”. We are discussing that the kingdom of God is not subject to our current national economic woes. It is easy to only think in terms of money, but God showed me something this week in John 19:38-42. Jesus was dead. Joseph and Nicodemus prepared Jesus’ body for burial. Imagine their thoughts and the thoughts of the disciples at this time. They put all their hope in Jesus and now he is dead (sound like your 401k?) They were experiencing a spiritual recession. But just when all hope seemed lost, the miraculous happened: Jesus rose from the dead.  

Are you in a spiritual recession?  James 4:8 “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” The Holy Spirit desires to have fellowship with you. Run to Him, trust Him and obey Him. Only in Him will you truly be recession proof.

What’s in yer’ wallet!

Are you a giver or a tither?  Do you obey God and give him your tithe, or just whatever is leftover? You are giving it to God, not man or the church. Offerings are a gift above and beyond the tithe. To not give the tithe is to rob God (Malachi). YOU DON’T WANT TO DO THAT NOW DO YOU? Of course not. Besides, God’s blessings flow to those who obey him. So I ask you; what’s in yer’ wallet? Your money…………….or God’s?