We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

We are constantly under spiritual attack. Our churches are under spiritual attack. Satan is going about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. But why? Why is the Church under attack? Why are God’s people under attack? Why is the devil so concerned with us?

We are under attack, as a church, because Jesus wants us to succeed. In fact, here’s a faith booster, no one wants your church to grow and to succeed more than Jesus! Jesus cares more about your church than every single member, especially the pastor! That takes the pressure off of us, and causes us to turn towards Jesus. The enemy does not want us to succeed. So he will stop at nothing to put a stop to what God has set in motion- which isn’t even possible.

We are under attack because God doesn’t want anyone to perish in this city. And Satan will stop at nothing to make sure that many within this great city will perish alongside of him in Hell, which was created for him and his angels.

We are under attack because it is Jesus Who is building our churches, not us. He is the architect, the builder, and the sustainer, and He is much more passionate about the Church than we could ever be. We’re under attack because Satan doesn’t want the Bride of Christ to continue to built.

But as we are attacked, we are assured that:

• We can put on the armor of God.
• We can battle in the Spirit through prayer.
• The gates of Hell cannot prevail against us.
• When we bind the forces of evil on earth, that heaven’s got our back!
• When we loosen the blessings and a move of the Spirit on earth, that heaven’s got our back!

There are four things that have been going through my mind the last several weeks that I want to begin to pray for fervently in the year 2012. Those four things are:

1. The Old Big Lots Building:

I fully believe that one hindrance of growth that my church has, is our small facility. Don’t get me wrong, it’s nice and paid for, but it is way too small for us to grow. And on the outside, it looks even smaller than it actually is. Not to mention that it is sort of tucked away behind a major tire retailer on one of the city’s busiest streets.

Last spring, several members of my leadership team were praying that God would give us the old Albertson’s building- a big-audacious prayer for sure! Funny thing, though, is that Big Lots- which is right across the street from us- moved into the old Albertson’s building. This left the old Big Lots building open.

The Big Lots building is, well, big, and would make a perfect church facility! And, the building has great curb appeal right on Lancaster Drive. Plus, it wouldn’t be too difficult to move things right across the street.

Who knows; maybe God had us praying for the Albertson’s building FOR Big Lots, so that their building would open up for us.

2. A Large House:

Before I entered the ministry, my wife and I had a nice new house in a nice neighborhood with a nice yard. But God had other plans for us and moved us into a small condo in the neighborhood we would be pastoring in.

We are content with what we have, and consider ourselves to be blessed, but we are at a place where we could really use a big house with a big yard. We have people over all the time for ministry, host a small group (which with kids is not very small), and would love to host way more church and community events if we had the room. Not to mention the fact that our growing kids need a place to ride a bike, play basketball (both against the rules in our condos), and play outside.

The house isn’t a big deal to us, and we currently can’t afford one, but we will be praying audacious prayers for one this year.

3. Our Car Paid Off:

We, compared to many, make decent money, but we would like to have some of our monthly income freed up to have a greater margin to be able to save, give, and spend. We currently spend $330 on our monthly car payment, and if that was freed up, we would have a lot more breathing room.

We, in the natural, have no way to pay off this debt in the next year, but for some reason it has been laid on my heart to pray for this very thing. So, praying for our only car to be paid off is exactly the audacious thing I will do.

4. For Michael McMullin To Get a Local Job After Graduating:

This seems like a weird big request, and I feel a little silly even typing it out. But we have some GREAT SATURDAYNIGHT and College Pastors here at Fellowship Church, and it would be VERY sad to lose them to an out of town job.

Michael graduates from Oregon State this May with a degree in mechanical engineering. Upon graduation, he will need to start a job in his new field. Most of these jobs are out of town.

We love him and his wife Katie so much, and in a short time, my wife and I have come to consider them to be good friends, so we really do not want to see them leave.

So I am already praying big-audacious prayers that Michael will find a job right here in the Mid-Willamette Valley!

The contents of Epic Moments in history are entirely false and for entertainment purposes only.

No one- I repeat no one- needs to or wants to know about any sort of personal bodily excretion or discharge.
You may, in your moment of weakness, feel it necessary to share these types of troubles with the rest of the world- but trust me, it is not.
You may think this is silly, but I have seen far too many posts of such nature, and enough’s enough.

2. Problems at Work or With Your Employer-

It is not ever a good idea to post about your frustrations with your place of employment. It is an even worse idea to post about your frustrations with you boss.
Remember, anyone can read what you post, especially your coworkers and your boss.
And in this economy where there are hundreds of people who would be happy to take your position, you don’t want to give your employer any reasons to get rid of you.

3. Problems With Your Spouse or Significant Other-

Sure we get frustrated with our significant others, but the whole world doesn’t need to know about it. Words that you regret saying to your significant others are hard to take back. Facebook posts about them are even harder. Throwing your husband or wife under the bus in such a public manner is not fair to them, and it reflects very poorly on you.
If you ever want this relationship to work out and to be respected in your community, don’t post about it in such a public forum.

4. Frustrations With Your Family-

As mentioned above, not only do you not want to vent your frustrations about your significant others on Facebook, you also shouldn’t vent your frustrations about your family either.
There will come a day that you will regret the things you’ve posted about your family. We all get frustrated with our family members, especially around the Holidays, but the whole world doesn’t need to know about it. And you have no right to give people a reason to judge them before they’ve even been given a fair chance to get to know them.

Think Before You Post-

So remember to think before you post. Maybe type out what you want to say and think about it’s implications for a minute or two before you post it.
Often times people feel a false sense of anonymity on Facebook, and posses a boldness they wouldn’t normally exhibit because the people they’re talking about aren’t there to reciprocate the feelings.
So make sure that you exercise integrity in your life. Integrity is doing the right things, even if no one is looking. Because on Facebook, everyone is looking.

Everything in your life matters.

Everything that you do, think, or plan now has a direct impact on your future and the way that the world interacts with you.

Your attitude matters: How you react when things don’t go your way, what you say, your facial expressions, your work ethic, your posture, your demeanor…..everything.

The words you say matter.

What you post on Facebook matters.

Everything you do, say, or post is a direct reflection of your character- and more importantly, if you’re a Christian, Christ.

You, most of the time, are not a victim. You may have gotten a bad grade because you didn’t study or didn’t complete your assignments. You may have gotten passed up for that promotion because of your poor performance at work, or an all too publicized bad attitude. You may have gotten turned down for a date because you’re not taking care of yourself, or you foolishly wear your emotions on your sleeve.

So think before you act, speak, post, or display your emotions. It has direct impact on all aspects of your life.

When I was a teenager, I used to convince myself that only vaginal sexual intercourse was “sex.” That was the only thing that God had a problem with two people who were not married doing. That (vaginal sexual intercourse) was sin, but everything else was a free-for-all, and God didn’t care as long as the two people loved each other….liked each other….or as long as it was…eh…convenient.

So I remember thinking; “‘anal-sex’  isn’t sex,” “‘oral-sex’ isn’t sex,” “‘phone sex’ isn’t sex,” “‘any touching of someone’s genitals’ isn’t sex,” “‘masturbation’ isn’t sex,” “‘pornography’ isn’t sex”, etc…you get the point.

I was awesome at justifying myself and burying the shame I felt for engaging in such activity- which I kept telling myself, and others, wasn’t a sin.

I was living in the “Bill Clinton-era” and I had a “Bill Clinton” mentality when it came to sexual relations- the mentality that all things “sex” were not sex as long as it wasn’t vaginal sexual intercourse. Under this type of classification, anyone could get away with just about anything!

But then I got married, and then I met Jesus and became a “real” Christian. And all of the sudden my eyes were opened to the lies I had been living in, and I felt a sense of conviction that I had sinned against a Holy God and taken advantage of the grace he had so freely offered me.

I realized that anything that had the name or the word “sex” in it, was indeed sex. That any touching of someone else’s sex organs, or anything that brought another sexual pleasure and stimulation, was also constituted as sex.

I realized that God wasn’t trying to keep something good FROM me, He was trying to prepare something good FOR me- an intimate sexual relationship with my future spouse.

I realized that to share these experiences with someone else would only take away from the future experiences that I would share, and that were only meant to be shared, with my wife. I realized that to share experiences like these with others, before marriage, was in reality, to cheat on my wife- before she was ever my wife.

I realized that instead of asking questions like;” How far is too far?,” that we need to ask ourselves questions like;” What would I not want my spouse to do with someone else?,” or;” How far would I like someone to go with my son or daughter before they get married?,” and stop right there. Because eventually, these people, and you, will be someone’s spouse. Wouldn’t you want that person’s, and your, intimacy with their (your) future spouse to be the best it could possibly be? Wouldn’t anything else be self-serving?

And ladies, if a man tells you that he “love(s) you,” and that you are “married in your hearts,” or “in God’s eyes,” and because of these things wants you to have sex with him…..don’t. If he truly loves you, and Jesus (which is far more important), he’ll understand that it is best for both of you to share that intimacy as a committed married couple. Beyonce’ said it best when she said; “If (he) liked it then (he) should have put a ring on it.” A man is not truly committed to you unless he is first committed to Jesus, and then married to you. Don’t settle for anything less.

Ladies also deceive, and make the same arguments, with men, who are far weaker when it comes to sexual temptation. And, men, the same goes for you in these situations. A woman is not truly committed to you unless she is first committed to Jesus, and then married to you. Don’t be deceived and settle for anything else.

So why write about this?

Because I’m tired of seeing so may Christians, or people who claim to be, “become ‘one flesh’” with someone sexually and having their hearts and lives broken when it doesn’t work out, and when that flesh is broke apart.

God never makes an excuse for you to sin, never justifies it, and will never bless you for living outside of His will.

So if you want to have the best marriage possible; the best sex life possible; and abide within the full blessings of God for your life as a Christian, then you must choose to follow Him, obey Him, and abstain from anything labeled “sex” before marriage.

Something to think about.

I wholeheartedly believe that human life begins at conception. I believe that the microscopic fertilized human egg is a human being. Newly formed human DNA is a newly formed human life. That tiny embryo is a created being fashioned in the image of the Almighty God. It is valuable enough for the Son of God’s blood to be spilled on its behalf. Within those few early cells, is enough potential to forever alter the course of human history. Life is a beautiful thing. The sexual intimacy that formed that life is also, a very beautiful thing. The idea of Creator God giving His creation the ability to procreate offspring in His image is humbling, to say the least.

I believe that God knew each of us before the creation of the very universe (Jeremiah 1:5). I believe that we each were fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). And I believe that God Himself, somehow- mysteriously, knits us together in our mother’s wombs (Psalm 139:13). And I believe that all of our days were ordained by Him before time was spun into existence (Psalm 139:16).

Life is a big deal (Matthew 10:29). Human life is a big deal. The taking of a life, the shedding of human blood is a big deal- an atrocity (Deuteronomy 5:17 ; Leviticus 17:14).

Anyone who knowingly terminates a pregnancy- with the very rare and ‘ethically-grey’ exception of the life of the mother being at great risk due to the pregnancy- IS committing murder. Period.

So abortion is a big deal to God. And because of that, abortion should be a big deal to Christians as well.

The problem arises when abortion, or any other hot-button issue, becomes “THE” deal with Christians.

Christianity is about a Holy God who created man in His image in order that they may reflect Him well, and glorify Him in the process. Christianity is about the reality that man has atrociously sinned against this God, and have removed themselves from His perfect will and blessings. Christianity is about the fact, that because of man’s sins, we deserve an eternity separated from Him in a real place called Hell which was created for the devil and his angels. Christianity is about the fact that God loved man so much, and desired that none should perish apart from Him; that He (God the Son, Jesus Christ) came to live a perfect life that we could never live, die a death (in our place) that we deserved to die, and rise again from the dead- all so that we could be forgiven of our sins, have a restored relationship with Him, and live forever together with Him in a restored world.

Christianity is about a loving and gracious God who gives this gift freely and graciously to those who put their trust in Him and make Him the Lord of their life.

This is what we call “The Gospel-” or good news, and it’s for everyone.

Christianity is about the fact that, without the good news of Jesus and His saving work in our lives, we all find ourselves in this predicament of sin, death, and hell- ALL of us: Liars, self-righteous religious people, those who commit adultery and murder in their heart, those who steal from their employer, those who covet their neighbor’s possessions, judgmental hypocrites, those who do not honor God with their body, and those who procure and perform abortions…..EVERYONE.

In God’s eyes, abortion is NO worse than telling a white lie. Abortion is no worse than over-eating and failing to keep in physical shape. Abortion is no worse than looking at porn. Abortion is no worse than living with someone you’re engaged to. Abortion is no worse than rejecting your spouse sexually. Abortion is no worse than robbing from God in your tithes and offerings.

But despite all of these facts, some who are, or who claim to be, Christians love to rally against things like abortion and homosexuality; but often neglect the sin in their own life and within the church. In fact, a recent study showed that 65% of abortions procured in America are done so by women claiming to be Christians.

So for many, especially in the political arena which uses Christianity to support their worldly agendas, abortion has become “THE” deal for Christians.

But “THE REAL DEAL” for Christians IS the Gospel- period.

And the Gospel is just as much for those who procure and perform abortions as it is for me- a sinner who deserves to burn for eternity in Hell apart from Christ.

So why am I reluctant in actively promoting the “pro-life” movement? You’ll have to wait for Part 2.

In generations past, young men would leave home after finishing their schooling, and immediately begin a career, or go to college. They were responsible for their own well being, and would usually find a young lady to marry and to start a family with relatively soon after striking out on their own.

Men were, as I was, taught to commit to things in this life: Commit to Christ; Commit to working their butts to survive; Commit to loving one woman, well, for the rest of their lives; and Commit to loving and raising their families.

But something has gone terribly wrong.

Today, it seems as though thirty- maybe even forty- is the “new” eighteen. Men living with their parents far into their twenties; men becoming career-college students into their thirties; men focusing on having a good time, partying, and accumulating toys; and men not willing to commit themselves to a relationship until they have “grown-up,” and sadly leading on multiple women throughout their adulthood in whom they have no intentions of a long term relationship.

Men wait until they are “ready” and “grown-up” to settle down which usually never really comes. They say that they’ll settle down, grow-up, and mature once they get married; instead of settling down, growing-up, and maturing in order to get married.

An overgrown thirty-something boy who decides to become an adult after marriage will not know what to do with himself once he actually gets married. Living a promiscuous “Peter Pan” lifestyle before marriage will be incredibly hard to break once this boy gets married. He will desire his old ways throughout his marriage, and will likely act-out on these desires at some point during his, often times, short marriage.

For example; EVERY married man that I have counseled, who struggled with pornography up until marriage, had the pornography problem greatly intensify after they were married. Why?

It’s because they never dealt with it beforehand, and go back to their old ways because it’s all they know. Now having something, like the responsibilities of a wife, telling them that they can’t do something anymore, only intensify their desires to do it.

Our society is raising up a generation of boys who are told to do whatever feels good and gets them ahead, instead of a generation of men who are told to do whatever is right and is for the good of others.

Don’t believe me? Watch MTV for 5 minutes. Listen to today’s rap music or watch a scene or two from one of today’s hit comedy movies.

We need to train our boys to be responsible, caring, and hard working in order to be contributing young men who live happy fulfilled lives with a wife they’re committed to and children they provide for- To deal with their issues early in life so that they can move forward, and not carry them into their future- To grow up before they’re ready to make some sort of a commitment, not after.

With a focus like this; marriages would last, children would have fathers in their homes, and men would find joy in living their lives as God intended them to be lived.

I’m still a little shell-shocked from all of the activities that transpired during Easter weekend, mainly our Helicopter Drop Easter Egg Hunt. The turnout to the event was WAY larger than what we ever anticipated. Our official count of people in attendance was somewhere between 3,500 and 4,000 people. But an hour and a half before the event ever started, we decided to close the gets to the venue. We felt that the crowd was becoming too unmanageable, and in order to protect people’s safety, we stopped admitting new guests. We turned away about as many people as we had already let in- thousands! The traffic on Lancaster Drive in NE Salem literally came to a halt surrounding the event due to the overwhelming response of the public.

The event was great. We blessed thousands of our neighbors. We fed a thousand people a free lunch, entertained thousands with the helicopter dropping eggs, gave away 25,000 candy-filled Easter eggs, and gave away hundreds of prizes. The Gideons even partnered with us and gave away over a thousand Bibles.

Things could have gone way smoother with such a large crowd, but with the venue, the volunteers, and the money we had to work with; things went as good as they could have. Of course there’s things I’d like to go back and change, but you can’t play “coulda-woulda-shoulda.”

The thing that surprised me, and what I am still shocked by, is how horribly some of our guests treated my volunteers for putting on such a great free event. Most of the people in attendance were great, and understanding, but there were about a thousand people up towards the front of the gates, who got there super early, who were absolutely belligerent and rude. Many tried to cut in front of the others in line, let their kids do whatever they pleased, and complained to our volunteers about anything and everything. As I nicely informed one man that we were not allowed to have people smoke on school property, he literally shoved his cigarette in my face and screamed at me; “Does it look like I’m smoking to you?!” Another man defiantly questioned some of our volunteers when we asked him to get his unattended toddler out of a dangerous restricted area. Several fights nearly broke out amongst some of the fathers in attendance. I was saddened at the state of the world, as I saw people so angry over such trivial things at such a great free event.

Many of the adults rushed the field to collect eggs, apart from their kids, with large boxes- shoving, pushing over, and trampling toddlers in order to get more eggs. Many proudly left the field with nearly a hundred eggs while many small children left the field with absolutely nothing. Sad.

The people in the back of our lines, and the thousands we turned away, were pleasant to deal with. And we felt horrible that many of them had to wait in such long lines and even more horrible that we turned so many anxious kids away. But a small percentage of the crowd made some aspects of the event miserable for others.

Overall, we were very pleased with the event and so happy to bring joy to, and bless, so many children in our city. The looks on the eyes of the children who attended made it all worth while. I am so happy to know that so many people walked out with a free copy of God’s Word. And, as far as I know, this may have been the largest event of anything remotely similar a church has ever put on in our city- for at least a long time, anyways.

I guess the thing that has had me so distracted lately, and has kind of dried up my creative well, is some of the very cruel comments a few people left on our church’s Facebook page and some super cruel comments and emails sent to the church, some attacking me personally on this personal blog. When opposition arises, though, I know that I need to keep moving. I also know that it usually means that I’m into something good that the enemy doesn’t want me to succeed with, but it’s hard nonetheless.

One person, who claimed to not even be a Christian, attacked me personally for not having any material representing the “true meaning of Easter” at our event for his son. A ludicrous statement since there was a huge well-marked tent giving away free Bibles, and since we handed every family in attendance an invitation to our Easter Service the next day. If we would have done anything more to portray the “true meaning of Easter” this same man probably would have been upset that we pushed Jesus on him too hard. With some people, you cannot win. Hearts are hard. Sin nature is deeply rooted. And the spirit at work in the sons of disobedience is staunchly opposed to Christ and His Church.

So what I walk away from this experience knowing, is, that there is work to be done! The enemy won’t stop me from doing it, and will not shut me up. We must keep doing good. We must keep serving the community. We must keep spreading the Gospel through ever changing methods to reach our ever changing world.

If those whom we share the grace, love, and hope of Christ with reject us because of Him, we won’t be surprised. It’s par for the course. Instead, we will dust off our feet, and go to those who are receptive. We’ll keep spreading the seed of hope until it lands on fertile soil. And when it does, we will rejoice in new life, and nurture the growth.

I am on to bigger and better things in Christ Jesus. Who’s with me?