Brutal
Friday, February 29, 2008
2.29.08
The other day I made reference to the Old Testament. I shared how I am so glad I didn't live during those days. Those people were hardcore. If you didn't do what God said, or disobeyed one of God's anointed, you might as well cut your own head off. I think all of us love stories, especially stories we can relate to. A story I love is the story of Sampson. Here is a guy who could and would beat the tar out of anything he could. He would destroy any of these wrestlers or MMA fighters these days. It was all hinged upon one thing though, that he did not cut his hair. It was one of those if you do this, I will do this things that God does. We all know what happens in the story, he is a great warrior and champion and then he let's someone (a woman, shocker) talk him into something. The power of God working in his life was removed. Although he had his eyes gouged out, I am sure that was not near as painful as having the power of God leave your life. What a sad day that must have been. Let's fast forward a few thousand years. What has God given you the power to do? Let me encourage you to use the power that God has put in you to bless others with your life.
Labels: encouragement
posted by Pastor Potter @ 11:22 AM,
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Igor
Thursday, February 28, 2008
2.28.08This is what I picture David and Goliath looking like. A huge guy against a really small guy. Now I know one here is young and the other is old, but I am talking about size here. The guy pictured here is 7'8" tall, which is a lot shorter than Goliath. None the less, the average guy would be scared to go up against him. Last night at Men's bible study we looked at the ring of honor in Hebrews chapter 11. What they didn't teach me at seminary was the last part where it says they were sawed in two, boiled in oil, stoned and things like that. If they would have would the call of God still been so strong to me? I think it would, but the truth is no one likes to face adversity. I want to encourage you next time you are down, read the end of Hebrews 11 and read about what happened to some of the great men and women of God from the bible. I think it will make you think next time before you say you are being persecuted. Stand up to your greatest challenge with the power of God working in you and you will not be defeated.
Labels: church, encouragement, life
posted by Pastor Potter @ 10:49 AM,
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caught up
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
2.27.08
As I have posted before, I am trying to read my bible in 90 days. I was a couple of days behind, but I got all caught up yesterday. I am really loving this whole thing. I am reading the bible in big chunks. I am not stopping to study a whole lot, but I am getting the big picture and bigger story. It has just been one of those things that has made my spiritual tempurature rise.
The Old Testament is hardcore. Man if you did anything wrong, God would give you permission to cut off a guys head. I am glad I didn't live back in the days of the law. Those had to be some scary times. Thank God for his grace and mercy.
posted by Pastor Potter @ 11:13 AM,
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the oscars
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
2.26.08
The other night the Oscars were on tv so I decided to do a little Bible Oscars. Here are the categories and winners
Complete list of winners at the 1st annual Bible Oscars:
Best Motion Picture: "Talking Donkey" by Balaam
Lead Actor: Pharisees, in "How to lose God in 10 days"
Lead Actress: Rahab, in "Spies, what spies?"
Supporting Actor: Holy Spirit, in "How to be led by the Spirit"
Supporting Actress: Mary the mother of Jesus, in "13 and scared"
Director: Moses, in "The March from Egypt"
Foreign Language Film: The 120 in the upper room, in "Pentacost"
Original Screenplay: God, in "John 3:16"
Labels: goofy
posted by Pastor Potter @ 10:17 AM,
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good report
Monday, February 25, 2008
2.25.08
Yesterday was a great day at New Life. We had a record crowd (since I have been down here). We had an awesome service. God really touched some hearts yesterday. It is good to be challenged. It is even better when you rise to the challenge. Jesus said "Follow me". Simple, easy, and powerful words for all of us. God needs more disciples, not more "christians". Let's follow him with everything we have.
Labels: encouragement
posted by Pastor Potter @ 11:17 AM,
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pumped up
Saturday, February 23, 2008
2.22.08
I am so pumped about tomorrow. I cannot wait to preach. We are going to have some visitors because we are having a baby dedication. Please pray with us that God will do awesome things. God has laid a message on my heart. Pray for God to use me tomorrow for His kingdom.
Labels: church
posted by Pastor Potter @ 11:49 AM,
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ahhhh the bachelor life
Friday, February 22, 2008
2.22.08
My wife has been gone the past couple of days. So as you can guess I am living the life of a bachelor. Eating things and drinking things (non-alcholic obviously) that I can't eat or drink as much of when my wife is around. Well actually I can, but just choose not to so I can be a good little husband. Anyhow, I have missed her a lot. When she is gone, I don't feel the same. One thing it has allowed me to do is spend some really good time with God. God has really been speaking to me over the past couple weeks in some really cool ways. I am so grateful for that. I was reading the bible last night and it was talking about the generations of people that came out of Egypt. It reminded me that we live in a day where we have already, or if not quite yet, it will be soon of people not raised in church. There are millions of kids and teenages in American who have never been at church or raised in church. I don't get discouraged by that, I get excited because that means there are more fish in the see. Let's go fishing.
Labels: personal
posted by Pastor Potter @ 9:56 AM,
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so you want to be a Christian huh?
Thursday, February 21, 2008
2.21.08
So you want to be a Christian huh? Why? 85% of Americans call themselves Christians. Why are people fascinated with being a Christian? The word Christian was actaully a word used to make fun of Christ's disciples. They could call them christian, which meant "little christs". It was more of a derogatory thing than anything else. So why did we embrace it? I don't quite know, but I do know this, I do want to be a disciple who follows Christ. He calls us to be followers, not Christians. Jesus never said, Come be a Christian. He said follow me. So what does a disciple do? Luke 14 paints a clear picture of what a disciples does. God commissioned the disciples and he said "Go into all the world and make disciples", not Christians.
What do you think about the term Christian? (post a comment below)
Labels: church
posted by Pastor Potter @ 10:39 AM,
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when will spring be here?
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
2.20.08
It is cold once again down here. When I got to work it was -4 and with the wind chill it was -24. BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR. That is cold. It is supposed to warm up soon. When I think of how cold it is outside, I begin to think how cold we can get on the inside. Jeremiah said " it's like a fire shut up in my bones". That seems hot. What would this world be like if all Christians went around with this fire shut up in their bones like Jeremiah?
Tell me what you think about the question above, leave a comment.
Labels: life
posted by Pastor Potter @ 11:51 AM,
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blast from the past
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
The other day I was eating with my Father in Law and we were having a discussion about Keith Green. We were just talking about how much we really enjoyed his music and how he died at such a young age. My f-i-l said he was "radical". This is not a word that I hear very often anymore to describe someone. What he was saying is he was completely devoted to anything and everything God had for him. The definition of radical that I found and loved was "a person who advocates fundamental political, economic, and social reforms by direct and often uncompromising methods". He (Keith) was direct and uncompromising. That is what I want for my life. God let me be someone who is radical for you. This seems kind of out-dated for some of us, but God makes all things new.
Labels: encouragement
posted by Pastor Potter @ 11:28 AM,
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short break
Monday, February 18, 2008
I will not be preaching for the next 2 weeks. That will be difficult, but it will be a good rest. My wife Melissa will be preaching this weekend and then the following weekend we will have some missionaries who will be speaking. It is hard for me when I don't get to preach, but I know that people need to hear from others. When others speak we get another perspective, we get another look at things. I mentioned this yesterday at Sunday School, two people can look at the same thing and see two different things. It is amazing to me. This happens a lot in marriage. One person sees something one way, and the other sees the complete opposite. How does this happen? I think a lot of things are filtered through out past experiences. Our past experiences affect us more than we know. So here is my challenge, Ephesians 4:23,24, be made new in the attitude of your minds. I love that. Be made new over, and over, and over and over again. God is fresh, He is new, let's celebrate that.
Labels: encouragement
posted by Pastor Potter @ 10:46 AM,
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blog
Friday, February 15, 2008
I updated my blog today. Let me know how you feel about it. I added some people who I read on a regular basis, so you should check them out. Some great posts this week on http://www.bigisthenewsmall.com/ by Scott Williams. I got quote of the week this past week.
Labels: friends
posted by Pastor Potter @ 11:57 AM,
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i love half days
Friday is my half day. I work in the mornings till 12, then I take the afternoons off. I love having afternoons off because you can take naps. It is a nice start to the weekend. I have been so spoiled over the past 7 or so years. I have always had half days on fridays for the most part. In the past 7 or so years, I have maybe worked 10 afternoons max. I love it. Anyhow enough about me. At our church I usually preach from series. I try to preach a 3 or 4 week series at a time. It works out well for me as a pastor because I know what I will be talking about for the month, it gives us a great point of reference for the whole month, and we can have a theme for the month at the church. There are many reasons why we do series, and those were just a few. I know God is a God of order and sometimes I think the biggest argument against a series is that it doesn't leave room for the Holy Spirit or for a spontaneous move of God. God is all about order, he is all about strategy. I have been reading through Leviticus, if you can read through it and what God spoke to them on how to make everything for the temple, even how God told Moses to build the ark in Genesis, you cannot convince me God is not all about strategy. The bible is a strategy guide for us. You want success? Read the playbook, read the strategy. God knows the game plan and will do whatever He can do to help us succeed, but it all starts by reading the Word. (playbook for sports fans like me)
Labels: church
posted by Pastor Potter @ 10:21 AM,
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What does God want?
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Last night I posed the quesion to our Wednesday Night Bible Study "What does God want on Sundays?" What is it that He wants, not what we want. It was very interesting to see and hear what we say. We had a lot of great answers. When it comes down to it we need to focus in on Sundays on what He wants, not what I want. We talked about something a couple months ago. Majoring on the minors, and minoring on the majors. We major on decorations, music style, paint color, bulletins, and minor on loving God more, and loving people more. So we talked about how we as a church want to major on the majors. So what do you think God wants on Sunday mornings? What makes the top 3? Please hit the comments button below and let me know what you think.
posted by Pastor Potter @ 11:18 AM,
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buy the lie
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Isn't it funny that it is almost always easier to buy a lie than the truth? When someone tells you a story and you say "really, that happened" almost as if you don't believe them? But if someone just makes up some random story that is not true we don't even ask, we just say "that's awesome". We are more apt to buy into something because it is juicy or provocative, and less apt to buy into something because it hurts our feelings or causes us to reflect on ourselves. I feel like this is happening in churches every single sunday. We buy the lie that it is all about us, all about what we want, all about what we need. The truth is if I could make church what I want, no one else would want to be there. So instead of thinking it is all about us, let's make it all about God. What a crazy thought. What a crazy idea that we actually minister to God with our friends. Satan is a great deceiver, he can get us turned around so easy. When you make choices, make sure they line up with God's word, with truth. Measure everything with truth and facts, not opinions.
posted by Pastor Potter @ 9:28 AM,
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too long
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Yesterday my blog was way too long. I apologize for that. I will write a shorter one today. I do a lot of soul searching as a pastor. I know I am not perfect and I unintentionally sin from time to time. I don't go out of my way to sin, or evey try to sin. I was reading in Leviticus last night, the most exciting book in the bible. It was somewhere between Chapter 1 and 13, I think around chapters 2-4 it says when a __________ unintentionally sins. It fills in the blank with leaders, community, people, isrealites. It really made me think about unintentional sin. I think if we knew how much we actually sinned, maybe the inappropriate comments, gossip, or idleness I think we would be blown away. My recommendation is to keep short accounts with God. We can always ask God to forgive us, we just need to do it on a regular basis. Ask God to forgive you of the sins you have committed and of the sins that you didn't know you committed. I don't know about you, but I want to be covered. Here is the deal, even if we sin and do it unintentionally, it is still sin. If people sin naively, it is still sin. Let's do our best to keep short accoounts with God so we are covered on that day we stand before him.
Labels: church
posted by Pastor Potter @ 9:39 AM,
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The American Dream
Monday, February 11, 2008
What is the American Dream everyone always talks about? I love our country, I know it is not perfect, but it is better than any other country hands down. Here is what I think the American Dream was:
That you worked hard in school growing up so that later on in life you would be able to have a good job, or a job that would at least support your family. You would work hard to have things like a house, a car, insurance, and other things I enjoyed. America would be a place where I was free to accomplish whatever I set my heart out to do. I would be able to work hard and play hard. I would try to make the world around me a better place. I would try to be involved in my community. I would love my family and all those involved in my life. I would be a good samaritan and help others who need a little encouragement without giving them a free pass on everything.
Here is what wikipedia says it is:
In general, the American Dream can be defined as having the opportunity and freedom that allows all citizens to achieve their goals in life through hard work and determination alone. Today, it generally refers to the idea that one's prosperity depends upon one's own abilities and hard work, not on a rigid class structure, though the meaning of the phrase has changed over America's history. For some, it is the opportunity to achieve more prosperity than they could in their countries of origin; for others, it is the opportunity for their children to grow up with an education and career opportunities; for others, it is the opportunity to be an individual without the constraints imposed by class, caste, race, or ethnicity.
The definition of the American Dream is now under constant discussion and debate.[1] Also "The package of beliefs, assumptions, and action patterns that social scientists have labeled the American Dream has always been a fragile agglomeration of (1) individual freedom of choice in life styles, (2) equal access to economic abundance, and (3) the pursuit of shared objectives mutually advantageous to the individual and society." [2]
While the term "American Dream" today is often associated with immigrants, native-born Americans can also be described as "pursuing the American Dream" or "living the American Dream"
I think over time The American Dream has been distorted a little to mean this:
What can my country do for me?
How much can the government support me?
The government should to everything for me including providing health insurance and prosperity for me.
I could go on all day long here. The point is we have gone from a messege of "personal and community empowerment" to a message of "government empowerment". I don't believe this is what the founding fathers had in mind for us. The government is not supposed to do everything for us. Sorry this is so long, but it was bothering me.
posted by Pastor Potter @ 10:53 AM,
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life and death
Friday, February 08, 2008
I don't know about you, but sometimes I think about life and death. I think about my own life. I think about the lives of others. I think about when I may die. I think about when others may die. I hope I don't sound morbid. I think we should think this way from time to time. The truth is there needs to be more of an urgency in all our lives to live closer to God everyday. These past couple months have been a whirlwind of both of these for me. I did a funeral for a dear woman of God. I also have seen new life come to this earth. People are being born and dying everyday. There is a great new series out there called "30 days to live". The whole thought behind it is how would you life be different if you only had 30 days to live? What would you do? Last night I had the honor of seeing a new baby named Nathaniel James. He is such a cute little guy, just born, just barely opening his eyes. At the hospital you also know that death is knocking on some people's doors. God has given us all life and breath for a reason. Let's use what God has given us to breath life into those who can't breath on their own. There are so many hurting people. Let us breathe life, hope, and joy into people.
Labels: life
posted by Pastor Potter @ 10:44 AM,
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Wednesday Night
Thursday, February 07, 2008
We have a bible study on Wednesday nights at our church. We do various things, sometimes we pray for extended amounts of time, study the bible, give testimonies, take prayer requests, and interact with each other. Last night we just had a great service. There seemed to be such a great spirit there. I felt so comfortable teaching last night. It seemed to just go so well. I really enjoy when God speaks to our hearts and gives us the ease to communicate what he would want others to hear. I love being able to teach, although I don't consider myself a good teacher, I still love to help people understand the Word. I think that is what Jesus did. He went to people and helped them where they were. Not with theology, but love. I am convinced that if you live like Jesus did, the compassion and love we have for people will draw them closer to Him. I could be wrong, but this is my opinion. I want to leave you with this question.
Who is God wanting to speak to today through me?
Labels: encouragement
posted by Pastor Potter @ 10:27 AM,
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When God speaks
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
I don't know about you, but I love when God speaks to me. I don't even mind if it is correction. It is good to hear the voice of the Lord. I really felt God speak to me which is a great thing, but then He goes above and beyond and confirms it. When it is confirmed we know that nothing can ever take it away from us. I don't know if this is true in all of our lives, but I view it as a longing to hear from God. I wish He would speak more, He wishes I would speak less and listen more. God is willing to speak to us at anytime, unfortunately if you are like me you are not always prepared to hear Him. I would suggest to you to remember the quiet times, or maybe even the loud times God has spoken to you. When you remember those times, there will be a hunger to hear from God like never before.
Think of our brave soldiers all over the world. They look forward to (with eager expectation) talking to their family or friends. They don't get to talk to them as much as we do, so they desire just to hear the voices of those close to them. Wouldn't it be amazing if we viewed our relationship with God this way? Let's seek after His words that continually change us.
Labels: personal
posted by Pastor Potter @ 8:21 AM,
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storm
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
There is a big storm coming. I am not talking about the political scene. We have a big snowstorm headed our way. I am excited about it since I love snow. I don't know about you, but my faith right now is strong. I am not saying this to brag or be proud at all, I am saying it to encourage you. I am believing God for some pretty awesome things down here in Clarinda. My spirit is encouraged by how amazing God is. Everyday it is something new. I don't know how you can claim to be a Christian and not be excited about life. Dr. Phil's intro song to his show used to say, and maybe it still does, I want you to get excited about your life. I love that. I feel the same way. If you have God in your life, you are tapping into something not many people get to experience. We get to have peace, joy, everlasting love, grace, mercy, compassion, and encouragement. I do understand not everything is perfect when you become a child of God. I can honestly say though that life is certainly a lot better if you are living the way God wants you to. So that is my challenge to myself and to you. Are you living in such a way that is pleasing to God?
Labels: joy
posted by Pastor Potter @ 10:28 AM,
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nice break
Monday, February 04, 2008
In my last post I talked about the retreat which was awesome. We left the retreat after a great time on Saturday as well and headed for Waterloo. We got up there around 3 or so. We relaxed and sat around and talked to my parents for a bit. We then went over and saw our new niece Madison. She is really cute. We got to hold her for a bit and just hang out for a while which was really nice. After that we went out to eat with my parents and then headed home to close the night out. We got up on Sunday and went to church. After church we went to a birthday party for my other niece who turned 18. It made me feel really old. Then went and relaxed at the house for a bit. We got on the road around 6, the roads were in pretty bad shape the first hour. We got home around 10 15 and all was well. It was a great weekend topped off by the good news the Giants won the Superbowl. That's the weekend wrap up.
Labels: personal
posted by Pastor Potter @ 9:50 AM,
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retreat
Saturday, February 02, 2008
Yesterday we came to Des Moines for a Minister/Spouse Retreat. We got in town early and had to get some stuff for the v-day banquet. We went to the christian book store. We had a good time together, then met up with a friend.
We got to the evening service, and it was great. We were able to get ministered to, we didnt have to worry what the tempurature was, who was going to show up, who was going to be late, who was going to do nursery, or any of those things you worry about on a regular basis as a pastor. It was just come as you are and be ministered to. Worship went great. The message was great. We had an extended time of worship, and my heart was touched. God spoke some things into my heart that were just amazing. Things I needed to hear. I wasn't necessarily discouraged, but I was longing to hear from God. I did, and I am so glad. I felt such a huge release. God is faithful.
Labels: personal
posted by Pastor Potter @ 7:23 AM,
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honor
Friday, February 01, 2008
Most of us have heard it said "give honor where honor is due." Last night I watched the democratic debate on tv. Here is what I heard. One time out of at least 40 references to President Bush he was actually called President Bush. That is what he is, he is the president. The bible says we are supposed to submit to our governing authorities, and pray for our leaders. I didn't get the sense that these candidates do either one. That is a big problem for our country if they get elected. If they are not willing to submit to, honor, and pray for our president right now, how do they expect the same out of us? As a Christian I will because that is what the bible tells me to do, but I was blown away at the disrespect, lack of honor given, not only to President Bush, but to General Petraeus. The two canditates are obviously not the only ones who do this. I don't go around calling The President of the United States, George. I don't call Senator Harkin, Tom. I never called my old pastor's by their first name. I will be preaching about the subject of honor soon. In the meantime, I will start praying for the next president whoever it is. If it is President McCain, President Romney, President Huckabee, President Obama, President Clinton, I will do that because that is what the bible tells us to do. They are put in power by God, so I will honor them as that. Let's restore honor to those over us in authority.
Labels: church
posted by Pastor Potter @ 10:03 AM,
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