Changing Perception

 

- personal - biblical - progressive -

impulse buys
Monday, June 30, 2008

I have a story to tell ya today. Yesterday we went to Omaha after church to get our carpet order ready as well as meet with our carpet expert (the FIL). Anyhow, we went to Gordman's and got a couple of things, our bill was like $40 and they said we saved $104. Wow. Anyhow, then we went to Wal-mart to get a couple of small things we needed for the house. I have thought about buying an mp-3 player so that when we are on the road, which is actually quite a bit, we could just hook it up and use that so we have a larger play list. So we were at Wal-mart and I bought the mp-3 player and the car adapter stuff we would need. I have wrestled with this purchase before. Do I really need this? What would I use it for other than the car? In the end I went from the Electronics section, to the front of the store. I told Melissa to pay for the other stuff we were getting and that I was going to return the mp-3 player. Of course I got the crazy look. Not her being crazy, the you are crazy for what you just did look. Can I get a witness guys? Anyhow, I got my money back and I didn't get the mp-3 player. Sometimes I wonder about myself.

posted by Pastor Potter @ 10:17 AM, , links to this post

learning
Friday, June 27, 2008

Since Melissa is out of town I figured I would lend my hand to my boss. He is putting up siding on a shed he built for his tractor. I didn't know what to expect since I have never put siding up. It wasn't that bad at all. Now, we have not got to the hard part yet, so I guess maybe I should hold my breath, but we did have a few challenges. First off, it is extremely muddy. It rained here 4,000 inches in the last month it seems like, geez. So it was hard to get a good footing, everything was muddy. Not fun. Most everything else went well. Today we are going back out, and we have to get on ladders, not all that thrilled about that, but I will live. I hope. That's it for now. I'll update more later on twitter.

Labels: goofy, life

posted by Pastor Potter @ 9:29 AM, , links to this post

weather forecast
Thursday, June 26, 2008

I have talked about this briefly before, but one of the most difficult jobs has to be a weather person. They are constantly criticized for their work. I mean predicting the weather isn't easy people. It's the same with doctors. They are always under the microscope. Anyhow, let me get to what I was getting at.

It is difficult to predict what God will do. Sometimes you think He is heading in one direction, only to have Him go a different way. Sometimes we think he will come in a powerful way, and it ends up not so much. We all want to know exactly where He is, so we can get connected to Him. Here is what I do know. I know that no matter what He is there. I know that He will always be there no matter what the circumstance. I know He will be there in the future. We face a lot of uncertainties right now in America. The economy is tight, gas prices are up and we can come under attack at any time. What does tomorrow hold? I don't know, but I do know that God will be there. That is my forecast.

Labels: encouragement

posted by Pastor Potter @ 11:18 AM, , links to this post

One prayer
Wednesday, June 25, 2008

We are making the jump! We are going to join with over 1,500 other churches across the world. This is a great idea by Craig Groeschel. He asked the question "if you could pray one thing for the church what would it be"? His prayer is Lord, Make us One. We are going to do it a little different than other churches. We will be showing videos on Wednesday nights, then we will discuss them. I am looking forward to partnering up with these other pastors to advance the Kingdom. If you have any questions about this go to www.oneprayer.com . We will be listening to some of the best communicators give us their one prayer for the church. I can't wait!

Labels: church, encouragement, friends, joy

posted by Pastor Potter @ 11:16 AM, , links to this post

frustration
Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Have you ever been frustrated? Has something really got under your skin? I have been there before. I think there are usually two responses to frustration.

1. We get frustrated and we complain and get discouraged
2. We get frustrated and do something about it

I have to be honest, right now I am frustrated with a few situations I am facing, but I am determined to do something about it. I am going to have a positive approach to it so that I make a difference. I am sick of complaining, I have been down that road, it leads to bitterness and unforgiveness. I don't believe frustration is always a bad thing. I think it is a sign of God doing something in you. God is stirring something up in you. What will you do with what He has placed on your heart? My advice is to do something about it, and turn a negative into a positive.

Labels: church, encouragement, joy, life, personal

posted by Pastor Potter @ 11:26 AM, , links to this post

reflections
Monday, June 23, 2008

So I have really been thinking and mulling over some thoughts in prayer and in my head. Here is the deal. Yesterday I shared about the Great Commission (matt 28:19-20). Most of us know that this is one of the last messages that Jesus gave his disciples. They were some of his "final instructions". So here is my thought on that:

Aren't the final instructions we give people also our greatest fears?

Think of what you tell your kids when you leave: don't fight, don't burn the house down, don't tie up the babysitter.
What does your boss tell you when he leaves: I need you to do _______ this week while I am gone. I need you to get this out TODAY!

Let's read the instructions, Let's do what He called us to do Let's be a part of His mission.

Labels: church, encouragement, joy, life, personal

posted by Pastor Potter @ 11:27 AM, , links to this post

nah....
Friday, June 20, 2008

Why is it that every time the word we come up with when we think big, or have a good idea, but we are afraid to share it with someone we say "nah". " oh come on just tell me", "nah". "No it's ok I want to hear what you have to say", "nah". I wonder how many great ideas have been lost? We will never know. It's just like when you think of how all of the babies that have been aborted over the last several years and wonder who may have been born? How many great leaders were never born? How many great parents were never born? Of course I am thinking hypothetically, but don't you just HAVE to wonder. I cannot help but wonder about such things. I think what happens a lot of times is that God speaks or does something in our lives and we get a huge idea in our head for something we can do to translate this big idea into a great "God thing", but instead we just let it go. We let it fall by the wayside. I want to be the kind of person that explores these ideas, good or bad, and uses them to glorify God. Here is the thought I had in my head today:

What great idea are you just moments away from receiving?

Labels: church, encouragement, goofy, personal

posted by Pastor Potter @ 10:24 AM, , links to this post

JTB
Thursday, June 19, 2008

So last night we talked about JTB. We talked about how King Herod had him beheaded because he was pleased with the dance his step-daughter gave him, so he told her she could have whatever she wanted. So this step-daughter goes to her mom and says, "mom, what should I ask for"? Since this mother was not selfish :) she asked for JTB's head on a platter. WHAT? Seriously? You want a guys head on a platter? That is what will make you happy? The truth is, that is exactly what made her happy. You see JTB took them through the class "marriage for dummies" and they were not happy about what he told them. So she held a grudge. She got bitter, and now all of it was released because she got his head on a platter. I got to thinking about this and how gruesome it was, and how horrible it was that this is how the man who prepared the way of Jesus went out. This man who Jesus said there was no one like him, he died a cruel death all because someone held a grudge. Be careful what you are holding on to. On a brighter note, JTB is with Jesus now, and I can promise he is reaping some awesome rewards.

Labels: church, encouragement, goofy, life

posted by Pastor Potter @ 11:49 AM, , links to this post

Toasted
Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Since I have been so busy working lately and spending a lot of late nights at the church, I decided I needed to relax yesterday. I took the afternoon off and went golfing. I played awful. I got burnt really bad too. It was a nice day, not too hot at all, but I didn't wear sunblock. I have done this before and I get burnt every time. I am ok with it because now I don't look like a ghost. I will survive though, it's not the end of the world.

Sunblock helps protect you. So does God. If you are going to be in a position where you can get hurt or fall (spiritually), make sure you take your sinblock. Most of us know what and when we are vulnerable to sin. So if you can't keep yourself out of that place, which would be my first advice, then at least wear sinblock. God will help you through it. Count on him. Don't let sin burn you!

Labels: church, encouragement, goofy, life

posted by Pastor Potter @ 11:06 AM, , links to this post

relaxing
Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Melissa my beautiful wife is gone for the next couple weeks (except on weekends) so I am taking this time to really seek God. I am going to relax and re-charge my batteries. I hope this time with God will be just what I need. I am doing some serious self-reflection and church reflection. I never want to be satisfied with where I am or where the church is. I believe we can always be growing and moving forward. I will stop along the way to celebrate things, testimonies and God's goodness. I will remember where God has brought us, where we are, and where I feel God is taking us. It is such a long process, but I love it. It is hard sometimes, but I love it. It is difficult, but I love it. I get criticized, but I love it. I am called. I am His. I am free. God is working in me!

Labels: church, encouragement, friends, goofy, joy, life, personal

posted by Pastor Potter @ 11:46 AM, , links to this post

lost
Monday, June 16, 2008

One of the things that drives me and makes me discontent is the fact that there are people dying everyday without knowing who Jesus Christ is. Sure they may have heard about him, but He hasn't changed their life. Every one of us knows at least one lost person. You know someone who needs God. If you are a Christian, I want to challenge you to pray for lost people every day. Pray for your friends, family, co-workers, classmates. I care about the lost people you know. Here is what I want to do. If you would like me to pray spefically for someone, leave me a comment with just a first name, or you can email me at potter_josh@hotmail.com and let me know who it is. This is what it is all about. It isn't about carpet color, music style or preaching techniques, it is about the lost. Who can I pray for and agree with you that God is dying to reach?

Labels: church, encouragement, friends, life, personal

posted by Pastor Potter @ 10:52 AM, , links to this post

Father's Day
Friday, June 13, 2008

So this weekend is Father's Day. I have to be honest, I think we put a lot more into Mother's Day than we do Father's Day. I am not just talking about New Life Assembly, I am talking about most churches and people. Anyhow, I was going to show this video, but I decided on another one that I will post next week because I don't want to ruin this Sunday's video.

Here is what God has been speaking to me this week about Father's Day. The message I am sharing this Sunday is a message that Father's will be able to relate to, but mostly it is a message for His children. The message is a message from the Father's heart, to our church. I am really excited about the message. It is challenging, encouraging and in your face. I can't wait. Pray for me that God will speak through me.

Labels: church, encouragement, life, personal

posted by Pastor Potter @ 9:18 AM, , links to this post

Where's Noah?
Thursday, June 12, 2008

Good grief! It has been raining like crazy the last week or so. The Nishnabotna River down here is out of it's banks once again. I hate to see this happen because you know people are being affected by it. We have had water in our basement. Farmers have water and trees in their fields now. Why does this have to happen? Why is it we always ask God why things happen when they are going bad? Most of us don't, I usually don't say God why did you just bless me? Why did you just help us pay our bills? Why do you give us enough gas money? Some of us are complainers. Some of us are whiners. Some of us well, there is really no way to describe some of us. Here is what I think. (don't get scared) Why not just accept what God is doing or what he has done, and thank him that he is in control? Here is how you do this. The next time something happens, good or bad, thank God. Don't just wait till the bad times, do it in the not so good times too. The bible says to consider it pure joy when we face challenges. Yeah, yeah, easy for you to say. Trust me, I have had my share of challenges. The more I learn to thank him no matter what, the more I feel him working in me. Try it!

Labels: church, encouragement, joy, life

posted by Pastor Potter @ 2:21 PM, , links to this post

I am on Twitter
Wednesday, June 11, 2008

posted by Pastor Potter @ 11:02 AM, , links to this post

hunger
Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Ever had hunger pains? Have you ever been so hungry it made you want to throw up? I have been there a couple of times, but not very often because I usually eat a lot. All of us get hungry each day. We all have to eat. If we don't eat for a whole day, most of us don't feel well.

This last Sunday I talked a little bit about being hungry for God. I asked "when is the last time God wrecked you?" When was the last time you actually cared that your neighbor might be going to hell?" I hear people all the time say things like "I remember when we used to get to the church 3 hours early and pray, or I remember revival." I say I do too, so what's stopping us from praying before church? I am up here at 8 every Sunday and anyone can come in early and pray. I am not holding you back. Here is the deal. If you really are hungry for something, you will make you are satisfied. If you are hungry for God to reach a family member, let it consume you until He does. If you are hungry for a move of God, pray until he moves. Don't let anything hold you back from God, just as you won't let anything hold you back from daily food.

Labels: church, encouragement, life

posted by Pastor Potter @ 2:14 PM, , links to this post

change me
Monday, June 09, 2008

This is my prayer to God. Change me. Don't let me stay the same. If I stay the way I am, I can never be like your son. It doesn't matter how good I am, how smart I am or if I am even a pastor. The only way I can become what I need to become is if God changes my heart. Right now we are going through a series called "under construction". I am really wrapping myself around the fact that I need God to do so much work on me. I am not saying that any work He has done is not good enough or relevant. What I am saying is, I want what God has done in my life to propel me into what he has for me in the future. Without Him I don't have a future.

We live in America right now and a word that a lot of people are using is change. We want change. We don't like the direction in which our country is headed. The people are saying, we are not satisfied with the way things are right now, we need change. I can understand the thoughts behind that. I can agree, we do need to make some changes as a county. The problem with the change that people want is much of it has little to do with God. That is the only change that can make the difference in America. So that is my prayer. God change America to what you want it to be, not what I want it to be. God change my heart to what you want it to be, not what I want it to be.

What do you want to see changed?

Labels: church, encouragement, life, personal

posted by Pastor Potter @ 11:32 AM, , links to this post

article
Friday, June 06, 2008

Here is my latest article for the Clarinda Herald

Church?

What does church mean to you? What is the church here for? Why does it exist? These are questions I hear all the time. If you have read any of my previous articles you know that I am no theologian (A person well versed in theology; a professor of theology or divinity;). I am simply going to tell you what church means to me. I am basing this off of my experience in the church. I grew up in a pastors home, so I had to go to church every time the church was open. Some of you share the same experience of being dragged to church by your parents. I didn't go because I wanted to, but because my parents wanted me to. This was my "church experience" growing up. When I was 18 years old I decided that I would become a "christian". I put everything I had into growing as a believer and sharing my faith with all that I could. When I was 19 years old I felt God calling me into the ministry. I went to bible school and took correspondence courses to finish up my licensing as a minister. When I was around 23 I hit a rough patch, and I dealt with some deep issues that rocked me to my core. Now, I am a pastor, but I am a constant work in progress. I am looking forward to this journey of faith. I am on the same road a lot of people have been on before. A lot of people have questions about church? Is it going to be like it was when Mom and Dad used to drag me there? What kind of music do they play? Will people accept me? Is the church full of hypocrites? These are all valid questions, but the only way to figure them out is to give the church a chance. Maybe you were hurt by the church growing up, trust me as a pastors kid you see your parents being mistreated all the time by "christians". Maybe you had a bad experience at church. I had a bad experience at McDonalds (not in Clarinda), but I have gone back. I am not giving you this advice because I am a pastor, I am giving you this advice because I know my life is completely different when Jesus is in it. I pray that you discover the life that God has for you. I can promise you it is full of adventure. Jump in!

Labels: church, encouragement, life, personal

posted by Pastor Potter @ 11:22 AM, , links to this post

stirred up
Wednesday, June 04, 2008

Right now God is really stirring my heart. I sometimes go through different stages in my walk, but God is getting me to that point of discontentment with where the church is. Not necessarily New Life, but the church and Christians in general. Man, Christ loves the church so much, I wish we could really grab a hold of how much he really loves us. We are the church. Church is not a social club to just come and say hi to everyone and leave. It is a place where we can come and express our faith in worship, fellowship with people who have similar interests and a place where anyone can come and find hope for their future. I don't know where I am going to be 2 years from now, but I do know that God has an awesome future for me. It won't be easy. It won't be all fun. It won't be drama-less. I am clinging to the verse that says " he who has started a good work in you WILL bring it on to completion". I have not arrived. I fail. I will get back up, I will keep fighting and one day I will stand before my king and have him say "well done". I can do this because God has grace for me. If he can deal with someone like me and isn't finished yet, what about your neighbor? What about your son? What about your friend? It's time to get a little riled up about people who don't know Him.

Labels: church, encouragement, joy, life, personal

posted by Pastor Potter @ 10:39 AM, , links to this post

Chocolate Chip Cookies
Tuesday, June 03, 2008

If there is anything I can't resist it is a warm, chocolate chip cookie. I love them. I have a hard time letting them cool off at all. I just want to grab them right out of the oven and shove them all in my mouth.

What is it that you just can't resist? comment below

Labels: goofy

posted by Pastor Potter @ 11:14 AM, , links to this post

Hot, Hot, Hot
Monday, June 02, 2008

It is extremely hot outside. The last couple days have been very warm. We pretty much skipped over fall, and I think we skipped over spring too. That really stinks because spring is one of the best seasons. Here I am complaining about the weather. Big shocker. Isn't it funny how we will find anything to complain about? I know in my own personal life it is easy. Here are a couple good reminders of why we should be thankful instead of complaining.

• God loves us no matter what
• We live in the best country in the world
• Cubs are hot right now, they have the best record in MLB. Last time the Cubs had the best record heading into June was 1908. (the last year they won the whole shabang)
• We have people around us who are praying for us.
• The local church is the best thing going

Labels: church, encouragement

posted by Pastor Potter @ 3:02 PM, , links to this post