Checkerz' Blog

Do you ever feel like there are people in your life that seemingly drain all of your energy, joy, peace, and even sanity at times? No matter what you do or say, this person almost always has something negative or combative in their response. Their views are always right and you are always wrong. They always offer unsolicited negativity. Maybe this person is a classmate, co-worker, neighbor, social media “friend”, family member, or even a fellow church attender (which is where they need to be so that just maybe, the Lord will reveal their issues to them and they may change).  You know the one(s) I’m referring to…Toxic people.

If you’re not sure whether a person in your life is toxic, let’s examine the term.

The word toxic has its origin in “mid 17th century: from medieval Latin toxicus ‘poisoned,’ from Latin toxicum ‘poison,’ from Greek toxikon (pharmakon ) ‘(poison for) arrows,’ from toxon ‘bow.’” As an adjective it means: Poisonous, and in reference to relationships it means: very bad, unpleasant, or harmful.  The antonym (opposite) for toxic is harmless. (Google definition)

In other words, a toxic person in your life is poisonous in that they always seem to be unpleasant and harmful to your emotional, spiritual, and sometimes even physical health.

So, now do you have an idea of who the toxic person(s) is/are?

The Bible certainly does not teach us that we will always have pleasant experiences with others, nor does it teach that we should flee from every difficult person we encounter in life. However, the Bible does give us clear direction on how to deal with toxic  people.

There are times where extending grace and forgiveness is appropriate, and that is more often than not the right response (See Matthew 5:7; 6:14-15; Mark 11:25; Luke 17:3-4; Ephesians 4:31-32; Colossians 3:12-13). However, when you encounter a toxic person that drains you every time you interact with them it is probably time to take heed to the Scripture’s guidance on dealing with toxic people.

Let’s start with Proverbs 22:24-25

Do not associate with a man given to anger;
Or go with a hot-tempered man,
Or you will learn his ways
And find a snare for yourself.

It’s important to recognize that the Book of Proverbs is Wisdom Literature and provides principles for us to consider as we walk with the Lord. In other words, the Proverbs are not necessarily meant to be taken literally in every situation.  We must evaluate the Proverbs in light of the rest of Scripture. With that said, I believe this particular Proverb gives us clear direction on dealing with a toxic person.  The phrase “a hot-tempered man”  literally means “an owner or possessor of anger.” The person who always plays the antagonist fits the bill here and as such, Proverbs 22:24-25 speaks of distancing yourself from toxic people so that you do not become like them.

We see this concept addressed again in 1 Corinthians 15:33 where Paul said,

“Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good morals.’”

We can see here that the Bible gives us guidance on the company we keep and the people we call “friends.” Biblically speaking, you are under no obligation to allow toxic people to remain in your life, or on your Social Media “friends” list. If a person is toxic in your life you are free to distance yourself from them without regret or guilt. That means that it is alright for you to hit that little button that says, “Unfriend.”

“So, just how do you do that in a Christ-honoring and biblical way?”

I’m so glad you asked. Let’s examine a few more passages of Scripture to determine just how we approach toxic people.

We see in Matthew 18:15-17 the recipe for dealing with a fellow Christian.

“If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.”

For the sake of time, I won’t unpack all of that, but suffice it to say, that if you approach them in humility and they don’t listen, talk with a few Christian friends who are strong enough to not gossip, and try again. If they still refuse to listen, then share the situation with your Pastor. Remember, the Bible clearly says that we are to approach the situation with all gentleness and never in an attacking way. The goal is restoration and reconciliation. The Apostle Paul stated in Galatians 6:1,

“Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.”

If you have done everything you can to bring unity in the friendship and the person still has not acknowledged their sinful ways and repented, then you are freed to disassociate with them.

As for dealing with a non-Christian, let’s look back at Proverbs 19:11.

“A man’s discretion makes him slow to anger,
And it is his glory to overlook a transgression.”

If possible, we are to overlook offenses and extend grace. But there simply are times when a toxic person just won’t relent, and peace cannot be achieved. I believe that is why Paul penned these words to the Christians in Rome,

“Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. (Romans 12:17-18)

Paul’s use of the phrase “If possible, so far is it depends on you,” insinuates that there will be times that peace with another person is not possible. In those cases, and for your emotional, spiritual, and physical health, you need to disassociate with that toxic person keeping in mind that you still have a responsibility to pray for them and love them from a distance.

There is much more that could be said on this subject but prayerfully this will help you navigate through some of the difficult situations you are facing or may face in the future. The key is to pray hard, forgive often, and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit in your life. He will never steer you wrong.

Blessings!

-Pastor C

• “Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. ²⁵ For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.‘” (Matthew 16:24-25)
• “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

Neither Jesus, nor Paul, were saying that you will have to physically lose your life to follow Jesus and His teachings (although some Christians will). They were speaking of dying to our “rights” to make decisions on our own apart from Him and His teachings. Jesus and Paul were speaking to that sinful disposition we each have inside of us that drives us to do things that are contrary to Christian behavior. In fact, Paul had the same struggle and explained it like this:

• “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.” (Romans 7:15-20)

The Good News about this struggle is that we have access to the power needed to overcome this struggle that leads us into sinful behavior and speech. Paul went on to say:

• “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? ²⁵ Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:24)

Now that we understand what God’s Word says about submitting to Christ and denying ourselves, I want to ask you a question.

Are you a Christian?

If you said yes, then it is time to heed the Apostle Paul’s words to us:

• “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and SLANDER as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:31)

Have we forgotten that we live in a fallen world and everyone is loved by God and deserves our prayers and Grace?

Have we forgotten that such were we at one time (and often still are)?

• BUT, God demonstrated His love for US that while we were still sinners Christ died for us (Romans 5:8)

I am convinced that if Christians would stop spending so much time trolling Facebook for more “news” to “share” that is slanderous and promotes more division, and spend that time meditating on God’s word and reacting to God’s Word accordingly, then the Church would bring about the needed change we are longing for. Being Social Media activists, and coffee shop slanderers are not part of the Great Commission or the Sermon on the Mount taught by Jesus (which teaches us how we should respond in these times of turmoil).

There is no way to justify our behavior when it is in direct contradiction to the Word of God. Our feelings will be hurt many times throughout our lifetime. Jesus experienced it as well as the disciples.

We are called to rise above offenses and be people of Grace, Forgiveness, and Prayer, and speakers of life-giving words that build up rather than tear down. The Church in America is losing its voice because we will not practice what we preach. We want forgiveness when we offend, but don’t want to extend forgiveness when we are offended. We want grace when we sin, but don’t want to extend grace when others sin. May God help us all when we allow our feelings dictate our actions instead of the Holy Spirit guiding us as Christians according to the “code of conduct” found in the New Testament.

Now is the time for Christians to recapture a true commitment to the Lordship of Christ if we are to ever make a difference in our world and fulfill the Great Commission. Let’s pray for one another, and let’s begin to walk in accordance with the teachings of the Lord we say we follow: Jesus.

May the Lord keep you and sustain you as you follow Him.

-Pastor  C.

“But, how can I forgive them for THAT?” I have had to respond to that question hundreds of times since I became a Christian at the age of nineteen. As I have ministered to people the “THAT” has ranged from things such as adultery, rape, child molestation, murder, abandonment, various forms of abuse, and many other things that seem unforgivable. Can I be honest? As I hear these stories I find myself asking at times, “Lord, would I be able to forgive someone who did that to me or my loved ones?” I pray that the answer would be yes.

I preached a message this past weekend on forgiving others who have hurt us in the past. As someone who was molested by my grandfather as a child, I know all too well what it means to have to forgive someone who has done “unforgivable” things. I remember sitting across from my grandfather as my family and I were about to relocate to New Orleans in 2009. I felt compelled to to tell him that I had forgiven him for what he had done to me when I was a child. He was not receptive, but I forgave him nonetheless. You see, I learned early on in my journey as a Christ follower that because I had been forgiven much by the Lord, I must also forgive much. By forgiving I experienced a new found level of peace and it was as if an extreme weight had been lifted from my life.

The Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Colossae:

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

The truth is, I did not deserve Christ’s forgiveness as a 19-year-old young man who had broken the law, battled addictions, lied, and did all sorts of “bad things.” Neither did those who mocked, beat, ridiculed, and crucified Jesus Christ. BUT, as Jesus hung on that cross paying the price for the sins of all mankind he uttered these words, “Father, forgive them for they don’t know what they are doing.” Forgiveness is what heals a broken heart, a broken spirit, broken relationships, and a broken life.

I have been following the story of Jessica Chambers, a 19-year-old girl who was murdered this past week outside Memphis, Tennessee.

Jessica was doused with some type of accelerant and set on fire. The report says that her attacker(s) poured accelerant in her nose and throat before setting her on fire. A horrible and unthinkable tragedy. She was transported to the hospital alive where she died shortly after. My heart ached as I read what little details had been shared with the public. Then today I came across a live interview with Jessica’s Grandmother. In the interview the Grandmother stated that while many people are saying that they hope the murderer(s) “burn in Hell,” she does not wish Hell on anyone. She went on to say that she just wants the person(s) responsible to turn themselves in, and that she HAD FORGIVEN THEM! I was astounded as I watched the interview. What a powerful expression of forgiveness for such a heinous act committed against a loved one. You can see the video interview by CLICKING HERE. I have a 22-year-old daughter and a 16-year-old daughter and I cannot imagine the strength it takes to forgive under those circumstances. BUT, if she can forgive…you and I can forgive.

Life is filled with tragedy, disappointments, hurts, and offenses. We all are faced with the decision of whether we will forgive or not when those things happen. This is what I know…when we fail to forgive and we harbor bitterness it is like drinking poison and hoping the other person will die. Unforgiveness does not hurt the person you hold the resentment towards, but rather it hurts you and I. Forgiving does not mean forgetting, and it certainly does not negate the consequences of one’s actions. It is releasing the offender from having control over your life and emotions so that the Lord can bring healing in each and every situation. There is power in forgiveness, and the greatest power ever demonstrated was explained in the letter written to the Romans by the Apostle Paul when he said, “But God demonstrated his love for us in this, while we were STILL SINNERS Christ died for us.” Jesus forgave us when we were “unforgivable.”

My prayer today is that we all learn how to forgive much since we have been forgiven much.

-Pastor C

It was November 1992 when, as a 19-year-old who didn’t grow up in church, I asked Jesus to become my Lord and Savior. I was illiterate in terms of Bible knowledge, and I certainly did not know any church etiquette. However, the Lord blessed me by sending a man, who looked like a hippie stuck in the 60’s by the way, to teach me the Word of God and how to apply it in my life. That man was named Mike Nelson and he was my boss when I worked as a construction laborer and apprentice carpenter. As I grew in understanding and began applying the things I was learning from the Bible, and through Mike, I began a journey over the next 21 years that led me from being a young Christian trying to figure out what it meant to follow Jesus, to being a Pastor of a 300+ and growing congregation. Along the way I learned many things. I would need to write a book (which I just may do someday) to share all of the lessons I’ve learned, and nuggets of wisdom that have been shared with me over the years. But, for the sake of brevity I have decided to share 5 things that I have learned along my journey that I think every Christian can benefit from. So, here goes.

AS A CHRIST FOLLOWER WE MUST:

1. Be Willing to Serve Others Always.

• Mike was a servant leader. He taught me from day one of my journey that if I wasn’t willing to be a servant to all, then I was not truly ready to follow Christ wholeheartedly. Mike not only taught me, he modeled it. He showed me a passage of Scripture in Matthew 20:26-28 that reads, “Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” And there you have it…Jesus Himself did not come to be served, but to serve others. That passage changed my life forever. If the Son of God came to serve others, how could I (and you) as His follower do anything less?

2. Strive to Maintain Humility.

• In the United States particularly, we live in a culture that breeds pride. Interestingly enough, it was pride that allowed sin to enter the world (See Genesis 3:1-4). Pride is something most, if not all, of us struggle with. Having traveled the country rapping and speaking in front of thousands of people I found myself struggling with pride. There is a huge adrenaline rush when you hear your name being announced over the P.A. system and then walk out onto a stage in front of thousands of cheering people who came to hear you! Then one day it hit me like a ton of bricks. I read these words found in Philippians 2:3-4 “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” I thought about Jesus’ humility, and then I thought about Mike. They both demonstrated the utmost humility and I learned that humility was one of the marks of a committed Christian. While you may not rap or speak in front of thousands, everyone wrestles with pride in one form or another, but humility is the answer to pride.

3. Guard Our Integrity.

• It was 1993 and I was 20 years old. I had only been a Christian for a few months and I was living paycheck to paycheck making $6.50 an hour. I lived on my own (yes, on that wage) and that meant I had to shop smart when I went to buy groceries. One day I went to buy fresh deli cut lunch meat and I remember flirting with the girl behind the counter so that she would discount the price of my favorite lunch meat: Cajun Roast Beef. I loved it, but it was too expensive for my budget. She discounted it and the next day I told Mike how “the Lord had blessed me” by giving me a discount. When I told him how I got the discount he told me to go back and pay the difference. I was mad and refused, but Mike gave me the “integrity” speech and reminded me that as a Christian I had to guard my integrity. Pouting the whole way, I went back and paid the difference. Some time later I came across this passage in Proverbs 26:8, “Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways.” Your integrity, or lack of it, says a lot about your walk with the Lord so guard it well.

4. Be Willing In Spite of Our Weaknesses.

• I have learned over and over that I am not qualified for many of the things the Lord has given me the opportunity to do. I have fallen short, and made mistakes along the way but God continued to use me anyway. He will do the same for you. Mike was always transparent about his past failures and current weaknesses, yet I saw God using him in mighty ways. He encouraged me through some of my darkest days when I thought I would never amount to anything. He pushed me to press on when I wanted to quit. Listen, regardless of your past failures, or present fears, the Lord wants to use you to do great things. The Bible is full of examples of jacked up people who the Lord used to accomplish His purposes and plans. We cannot allow fear or guilt to keep us from fulfilling God’s plans for us. In 2 Corinthians 5:17 the Apostle Paul wrote, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” Today is a new day…be willing to be used by God.

5. Be Teachable.

• As a seminary graduate, seasoned evangelist, and current pastor, I have been tempted in times past to think I do not need to learn from others anymore. That temptation arises in many Christians at times when we think we have enough of God’s Word in us that we only want to be the teacher, rather than a student. Oh, how mistaken we are when we feel we “have arrived.” While you may not have a seminary degree or hold some position in the church, the temptation to become “unteachable” is always there. While Mike was a great teacher for me, he was always learning from other great men in our church. He grasped the concept of always remaining teachable, and he was one of the wisest men I have ever met. Proverbs 1:7 reads, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” According to this passage, only fools despise wisdom and instruction. So to avoid being foolish, always remain teachable.

Well, there are many things I have learned along the way but I hope these 5 things help you in your walk with the Lord the way they have helped me. Until I get another itch to blog…Peace and Chicken Grease!

-Pastor C

P.S. Meet Mike

I have read many blogs and articles regarding the perils of posting on Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr, Twitter, etc…. While many of those articles/blogs have good insight, it seems to me that most of them tend to take a personal preference direction that really is not universally applicable. In other words, their suggestions are more of a personal preference or ideology than good old fashion common sense and wisdom. While I am fully aware that there are more than 9 Things You Should Ask Yourself Before Posting on Social Media, here are 9 things that would, and should, apply to anyone and everyone when posting.

**NOTE: Aside from #1, these are in no order of particular importance. Are you ready? Here goes:

#9. IS THIS POST INFLAMMATORY?

• Social media is never a good place to start arguments, even if the issue is worth taking a stand for. No one ever says, “I once believed (insert idea here), but after reading a Facebook post that bashed everything I believed in and basically said I was stupid for believing different from them, I changed my position and now I believe what they posted.” Can you see where I’m going here? It’s counter-productive. (Side note: There are times when you should address issues in a Christ-like way with people whom you know to be close friends/family when something inappropriate is posted that can damage their witness for Christ. This takes discernment.)

#8. AM I BEING 100% TRUTHFUL?

• No one likes a liar, not even on Facebook. Whether you are creating a “fake life” for the Social Media world to see, or telling “half-truths” (which are really lies), you are only hurting yourself when you are not honest in a public setting like Social Media (or any other setting for that matter). People will lose respect for you. So, if you can’t be completely honest with a post, then it’s best not to post it. Additionally, sharing “news” without thoroughly fact-checking is the equivalent of bearing false witness (more affectionately known as lying).

#7. AM I DOING THIS TO GET ATTENTION?

• Cue the Drama Queens/Kings here. People REALLY dislike drama queens/kings. While there will always be a FEW people who play into the “poor me” postings, you may want to rethink why you are looking for that kind of attention in a public forum. I highly recommend building a few solid friendships in real life (in person) that you can share your personal issues with in private, and that will encourage you and pray for you.

#6. AM I POSTING THIS OUT OF FRUSTRATION OR ANGER?

• This one should suffice without explanation, but just in case someone is staring off into space wondering what I mean, let me explain. In all my years on planet earth I have NEVER met a person that has said, “I am so glad I reacted immediately when I was angry/frustrated. If I would have calmed down before reacting and thought about what I was about to say/do it would have certainly made things worse.” I’m sure you can sense the sarcasm, but the truth is that we should never post to Social Media out of anger or frustration. It never ends well.

#5. WILL THIS POST DISCREDIT ME IN ANY WAY?

• There once was a time when Social Media did not exist. Really. I am being serious. As the younger generation stares at this in astonishment, let me say that I am grateful my stupid decisions as a teenager and young adult did not have a worldwide platform to showcase my poor choices. We all have made dumb decisions in life. The question you have to ask yourself is whether or not the Social Media world needs to know about it. Because we all make mistakes, we have to be careful how we react to others’ mistakes. But, when you showcase your actions on Social Media, you can be assured that your actions will come back to haunt you later. Maybe at a job interview, or with a potential mate, or with those who look up to you. Is it really worth it? A rhetorical question.

#4. IS THIS REALLY THE IMAGE I WANT TO PORTRAY?

• Too often, in the heat of the moment things are posted to Social Media that seemed cute or funny or harmless at the time. However, when looking back at those posts we should ask just what type of person we have portrayed ourselves to be. If you really want to be respected, loved, appreciated, admired, etc…, then ask yourself whether your postings reflect the image of someone who should be respected, admired, etc. What do you want to be known for? Your physique? Your politics? Your love for Christ and people created in His image?

#3. WHAT DOES THIS PHOTO REFLECT ABOUT MY SELF WORTH?

• Whether it’s girls posting a seductive “duck lips” selfie, or guys posting a selfie in the mirror with their shirt off trying to look like a thug or an underwear model, the question still remains: Why do I feel the need to get this kind of attention? You are fearfully and wonderfully made by a loving God who has a great plan for you. By reducing your worth to being a Social Media sex object you are only hurting yourself. Your self worth should be in something far greater than some “likes” or comments on social media.

#2. IS THIS HURTING SOMEONE ELSE?

• Social Media is a public platform with the ability to cause tremendous pain in someone’s life. We have all seen some post that has went viral with thousands, if not millions of views. Think about the power that is at your fingertips every time you post something that could potentially be hurtful. What if it were posted about you? If you have an issue with someone, go resolve it like a mature person…in person. Also, even if you think something is funny, you need to ask yourself if posting/re-posting it could be hurtful to someone. If there is even a possibility it could be hurtful then refrain from posting it.

And the #1 question you should ask yourself before posting something on Social Media is:

#1. IS IT THE WISE THING TO DO?

One of the best books I have read this year is called “The Best Question Ever” by Andy Stanley. As many of you know, I am not an avid reader (although I need to be). I have to force myself to finish books, but this particular book struck a chord with me and revolutionized my decision-making process. In every decision we make we should be asking “Is this the wise thing to do?” And yes, this includes posting to Social Media. While a post may not inherently have anything wrong with it, you should be asking whether it has the potential to become a problem later on. While it may be true, you should be asking if it really needs to be said. Asking yourself whether or not it is wise to post something will not only keep you from unnecessary trouble or pain as a result of the post, but it will also help you keep your reputation and integrity intact.

Well, there you have it. You may have others, and I am sure there are more questions that could and should be asked. But, these are 9 essential questions that we ALL should be asking before hitting that “Post” or “Share” or “Tweet” button on our phones, Ipads, or computers.

Buenos dias! I want to start by saying that it gets increasingly difficult for me with every day that passes while I am here in Honduras. I say that because I truly do love the people of Honduras and with every passing day I realize my time here is coming closer to an end…for now. Tomorrow (Friday) will be our last day of ministry here and while I know I will return again, it is always a bitter-sweet feeling. With that being said, I also miss my church family at Celebration, my daughter Amber, my son Asher and my dog Ezra. I guess Honduras has become a second home home for me because when I am here I do not feel like a visitor (with the exception that I NEED to learn Spanish ASAP).

This morning my wife Nicole led the devotion time. She shared about when Uzzah reached out to touch the ark of the Lord and was killed. I must say, in the most humble way possible, that I had a tremendous “proud moment” as I watched my wife share her heart. She is an amazing woman. She shared about God’s holiness and our need to not only remember the Lord’s grace, but His holiness as well (which so many people disregard). After devotion we headed to a neighborhood in town to do door-to-door evangelism.

Nicole, Paige, and I (along with our translator Franklin) stopped at the Pulperia (a “walk-up” convenience store) which was just across the street from where we parked. It turns out that  Manuel (the owner) spoke English. He learned English while he was in Mississippi for a period of time and he even stayed in Kenner, LA for a period of time as well (which is just a few minutes from our church). Manuel accepted Christ and was so happy the Lord sent us to talk with him. The next stop was at Juana’s home. She is the “Tortilla lady.” People from all over the area come to her to buy tortillas. She invited us to sit and talk with her as she worked making hundreds of tortillas. After we were done ministering to her I bought 20 tortillas for a snack later. (I had pictures but they were lost with my phone in Honduras at the airport as we were returning home).

As we left Juana’s house we saw a lady pushing a cart down the street selling produce from her garden. I went to buy an avocado from her and as we started to leave I asked Franklin (our translator) to ask her if she knew how to get to Heaven and if she had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. She said she didn’t know so we began ministering to her. God moved on her heart and she accepted Jesus right there in the street. God worked through the entire team daily as we saw dozens and dozens of people coming to faith in Christ.

After lunch we headed to an area called La Paz. We were scheduled to meet with an area church to conduct a Fiesta with the village children but something fell through with the planning on the church’s end. So, we decided to find an area in the village where we could set up and do the Fiesta anyway. Within minutes we were surrounded by dozens of people and the team began activities that centered around sharing the Good News of Jesus. Planning? Who needs planning when Jesus is running things? LOL.

While we were interacting with the kids and parents, Terry (Open Eyes Ministries) pointed a bunch of teenagers out to me that were hanging out down the street. I grabbed Franklin to translate for me and went down the street to talk with them. After about 10 minutes of dialogue, one by one all 8 of them said they needed and wanted a personal relationship with the Lord! We prayed and they expressed their thanks and gratitude that we took the time to talk with them! God is good!

Later that evening we attended Pastor Omar’s church. This church is located in a very dangerous area and it was not abnormal to see armed guards at the gate as we arrived. Nevertheless, we always felt safe and knowing that the Lord is our protector I watched the team jump right in and begin connecting with all of the locals as usual. I was scheduled to preach and had asked Alex to bring his guitar. When we arrived we met Pastor Omar (who is extremely humble and one of the most amazing men I met in Honduras). The worship team welcomed Alex to the platform and actually asked him to lead worship. He did an awesome job and the Holy Spirit allowed him to adjust and lead even though he had not practiced with them and didn’t speak Spanish (with the exception of 2 songs he learned while we were here).

After worship Nolvia shared a powerful testimony of how the Lord was with her and healed from Cancer.

After the message was preached we had a tremendous altar time as we prayed for physical, emotional, and spiritual healing.

Today was a GOOD day! This team is awesome and God is doing great things here in Honduras! Final day is tomorrow (Friday). I’m a little emotional, but for now I want to just marinate on all that the Lord has done this week. Te doy Gloria…a ti Jesus!

Buenos dias!

After Trish led a great devotion time for our team about faith and believing God to work miracles we headed out to do some “Door to Door” evangelism. I am burdened that this has become almost non-existent in the U.S. and as a pastor I have read all the studies, and heard all the responses as to why they THINK it is ineffective. However, if it WERE ineffective then people would not still fall prey to false teachings like Mormonism and Jehovah’s Witnesses by the thousands every year as a result of a faithful Mormon/JW knocking on their door. I know many of you say, “Hurry, turn the TV off and be quiet so they will go away,” but many people answer the door and are led into a false doctrine. We have work to do and I still believe in “Door to Door” evangelism.

Now that I am off of my “soap box,” I want to say that today was amazing. We separated into 3 teams today and began canvassing the area around a small church that our team in September ministered at.

In typical Honduras fashion, we were repeatedly invited into many people’s homes to sit down as we discussed the Lord with them. I had a small team of two today plus a translator. Paige and I (along with our translator Franklin) stopped at our second home where we met Augustine, Norma, and Norma’s small boy named Brian. Norma is only 17. Augustine shared with us that her husband was killed and stuffed in a trash bag. She said that the police knew who killed him but did nothing to the people who did it. Norma (17) shared with us that her baby’s father was murdered last year and her mother died when she was 3 weeks old. Her Godmother Augustine was helping care for her and her baby. Unfortunately, this was not so uncommon here in Honduras. We prayed with them and invited them to the church service our team would be at that evening. The church was just across the field from their home. As we left I could not help but see the great potential this young girl had and how much she desperately needed to know that the Lord had not forgotten about her, so I shared that with her as we departed.

After lunch we went to another village to do door-to-door evangelism. This time I was happy to have my wife Nicole join Paige and I on our team. After we ministered to a few different people who said they were just not ready to accept Jesus yet it was almost time to head back. However, we stopped at one last house and the lady did not want to open the gate because there had been so many robberies and so much violence. After several minutes she decided to invite us in. We shared with Carey and her mother Dalia about Jesus and why He died for us. After explaining to them their need for Jesus, Carey said she wanted to surrender her life to Him. We prayed and invited them to the service tonight as well. This village was too far away to walk but we told them a bus comes through that neighborhood from the church if they needed a ride. After talking with the team I was overwhelmed to hear that 12 people accepted Christ in this village!

That night at the church service my heart was overjoyed as we saw several people at the service that our team ministered to today. Norma, her baby Brian, and her godmother Augustine were there:

And Carey (Far left), Dalia (Next to me), and Carey’s sister (Middle) attended as well:

The church service was amazing. The worship was powerful and I was so overjoyed to be back in this little church. Vanessa translated for me, which was awesome because that was her father’s church.

Once again, the team did an amazing job sharing the Good News of Jesus and loving the people of  Honduras. It was a great day of ministry. Adios!

Hola mis hermanos! After Alex led our devotion time this morning we headed out to a village that was located on the side of a mountain. I remembered coming in this area last September. This was a new village I had not been to before, but it was on the same mountain as another village we ministered in last year. Regardless of the living conditions and poverty, I still am moved by the beauty of Honduras, especially in the mountain villages.

First on the agenda today was door-to-door evangelism. We divided up into 4 teams with 3 team members each (along with an interpreter for each group). Fortunately, we have 4 people on our mission team that speak Spanish with 2 of them actually being from Honduras. That allowed us to have smaller teams and cover more ground. The first house that my team arrived at had a young man (18 years old) named Jason. He was home alone and as I greeted him I asked if we could talk with him briefly about why we had come from the United States. After several minutes, Jason shared that he had a lot of family problems and really was not “ready” to give his life to Jesus. After sharing with him how my biological father had abandoned me when I was born and I didn’t want anything to do with God either, I then told him how God became the Father I never had. Little did I know, Jason was about to tell me that his father died when he was 3 years old. His eyes welled up with tears and after some more dialogue, Jason said He was ready to accept Jesus. Nolvia and Jada were on my team along with our translator Franklin. All of the other teams had great stories as well about people coming to faith in Jesus.

There were also other opportunities to minister to those we met that were already Christians. We met two ladies and the children at the last house we visited. One shared how she was dealing with a lot of sickness and had just prayed earlier for God to help her. She was so overwhelmed that missionaries from the U.S. showed up at her house in the mountains. We prayed for her and the family and as we were leaving, her sister asked if we had a bible she could have. I had one left and we gladly gave it to her. We were all blessed to meet this beautiful family (pictured below). Ten people accepted Jesus in this village while we were there. Praise the Lord!

After lunch we went back to that same village to a place that ministers to those with special needs and disabilities. After Chris shared the Gospel with everyone, we fed about 200 people followed by a fiesta time. Everyone jumped in and found a place to serve. It did not take long for the people to warm up to our team and the place became filled with smiles and laughter.

One of the highlights for me was seeing a family that I met last year in a village I preached in called El Sauce’. Their little daughter Adrise stole our hearts last year. Her father (pictured below in the wheelchair) actually led worship for the service I preached in last September. It was a great and exciting reunion as we rejoiced with each other.

Every day I am here in Honduras I am reminded of Acts 1:8. As a Christian I have the Holy Spirit living in me. According to Acts 1:8 the Holy Spirit gives all Christ followers power to be great witnesses for Jesus in our local towns as well as around the world. Our team has experienced the presence and power of the Holy Spirit this week as we have all been stretched outside of our comfort zones for the advancement of the good news of Jesus Christ…the Gospel. I am so blessed to lead such a great team of people and even more blessed to journey alongside them and learn from them as well. Today truly was a literal “Mountaintop Experience.”

Well, after a great start yesterday we began this day the same way we begin every day by having someone from the team lead a devotion time. Today (Monday) Nolvia led the devotion and reminded us all about the importance of “praying through” things instead of just tossing up random prayers about our circumstances. It was encouraging and challenging at the same time. After devotion time we gathered our things to head to the place that I had been “Anxiously Awaiting.” You may remember me blogging about Homes of Hope, which is a girls’ orphanage, last September. My wife was not able to join me on the Mission Trip last year but she and my daughter Jada are with me this time! After sharing some pictures of the girls at the orphanage last September with my wife we began dialogues about adopting 1 or 2 of them. Unfortunately, the two girls we were praying to adopt became ineligible for adoption. God had answered our prayers, but it wasn’t the answer we wanted. So, here we are in Honduras together and heading over to Homes of Hope! A new addition to the home was Ingrid. She came straight to me and held her arms out for me to pick her up. She was, and still is, suffering severe malnutrition. After I help her for awhile I shared this bundle of joy with my wife Nicole (Pictured below in the middle). Pastor Robert and his wife do a phenomenal job at nursing these children back to proper health when they are placed in the home.

I was so blessed by how the team just jumped right in and began interacting with the girls, many of whom were here last year when I visited the home. It was so great to see Maria Claudia, Dilcia, Julissa, Lizzy, Iris, and little Gabriella who is now 8 months old (She was just a week old when I came last time).

Our visit to Homes of Hope was short and we were on to the next stop. We headed over to the hospital to visit the children’s wing. For several reasons, I did not take pictures there and asked the team to refrain from taking pictures at the hospital as well. This hospital is nothing like the hospitals in the U.S. by any stretch of the imagination. There is no air conditioning which creates very unsanitary conditions, especially in this Honduran heat. The doctors perform surgeries regularly without proper sterilization procedures which leads to LOTS of post-op infections. We saw many children ranging from infants to 8 years old that had various sicknesses and diseases. The team, while emotionally overcome, did great at praying with the children and their parents.

After lunch we headed to a school that I visited last time I was in Honduras. Some of the team taught values & ethics in a 6th grade class (Yes, they allow Christians to come in and teach here). Other team members shared the gospel of Jesus using color coded balloons that they shaped into various things. The 3rd group of team members (which included me) had the honor of sharing the Gospel with students by using a multi-colored soccer ball…followed by a rigorous soccer game. I think I should mention that since my luggage went missing when we arrived at the airport I did not have athletic shoes. So….I played in my flip-flops. Needless to say, it was a disaster waiting to happen. BUT…We had a blast though and the kids apparently did as well.

Our last stop for the day was at the school that is run by Doris and her husband. If you remember from my last trip, Doris was our cook at the mission house who started an accredited school for those who cannot afford school in Comayagua (Yes, all schools cost money here). The school allows children to attend for only the cost of books (About $50 a year). Unfortunately, the roof is desperately in need of repair and will cost about $6,000 to replace properly. Nevertheless, Doris is committed to providing education for all who want it but can’t afford it. Nicole and I are honored to call her friend.

Today was a full day and we look forward to tomorrow. But for now…We REST! Adios Amigos!

We began the day today (Sunday) the way we begin every day of the trip, with one of our team members leading a devotion time. Cindy led today’s devotion and shared a great reminder about how having too many distractions will crowd out the Holy Spirit. She challenged us to eliminate any distractions that would hinder us from hearing from and being used by the Holy Spirit this week. After devotion we headed to a church service in town. The worship leader Josue was nothing short of amazing. One of the best leaders I have ever witnessed. Even though I didn’t know the words in Spanish, I recognized some songs and worshiped along in English. Isn’t it amazing how worship transcends all cultural boundaries. During worship a group of young girls began worshiping through dance and “beautiful” does not even describe what we were witnessing.

One of our team members James shared a powerful testimony of how the power of Jesus changed his life.

After James shared, I had the privilege of preaching the message. I am always humbled and honored to share with the people of Honduras. Pamela did a great job translating and I enjoy working with her. She was one of our primary translators when I was here last September.

After service we went back to the mission house for lunch (Mmmmmmm!) and to plan out the rest of the week. Due to some last minute changes, we ended up visiting another church in a village that evening. As we drove down the rocky dirt road we saw dozens of people walking in the direction of the church. As we turned the corner I saw 80-100 people gathered around something. I though they were all coming to church, but it turned out that they were all watching roosters in a cock-fight. Despite the outside distraction we had a powerful service.

Our RPC worship leader Alex learned a song in Spanish earlier in the day, along with my daughter Jada and Paige. They led 2 worship songs and did an amazing job. In fact, Alex had such an impact on the people that several teenagers asked for a photo with him. LOL.

At the end of service we had a powerful altar time and Alex led a worship song with the church’s worship team. I was truly blessed seeing our team work with the local church. After we arrived back to the mission house we had “Share Time.” During this time the team members share whatever they choose about their experiences from the day and what the Lord is showing them. It’s one of my favorite parts of the trip as I get to see how the Lord is working in and through each person’s life. Well, that pretty much sums up day 2. Tomorrow we get to visit one of my favorite places in Honduras…Homes of Hope (Girl’s orphanage). Until tomorrow (Monday)…Adios!