Pastor James’ Blog

   It really is hard to believe that 2008 is almost over!  There have been so many GOOD changes in our lives in the past year. God has really shown Himself to be faithful!  We began a new ministry 8 months ago. We stepped out on faith and believed with all of our hearts that God wanted us to open a new multi-ethnic mission in College Hill and God has proven time and again that it WAS and IS His will.  We’ve not missed a meal, bill or blessing!  We are so thankful for all God has done for us and shown us in 2008. We’ve learned some great spiritual lessons -things I really should have known after being in the ministry almost 30 years. He’s taught us that the church is more than a building. He’s taught us that “simple”  is better.   He’s taught us that we waste too much valuable  time in committees, business meetings, fundraisers and such. So much of the time we are just  “spinning our wheels” and really getting nothing done when we could be busy witnessing, reaching or in the Word. He’s taught us that we should sharpen our focus and keep the MAIN THING the MAIN THING and that is — winning souls to His kingdom.  (That IS and WAS the main focus and reason Jesus came. “…to seek and to save that which was lost.“)  We are very excited about 2009!! God has many more blessings in store and we can’t wait to see how He is going to use the Life House Church family & Ministries to accomplish some good things in the lives of the people of College Hill, Texarkana and the surrounding areas.  Keep praying for us!  Thanks to all who have been so supportive with your prayers, gifts and verbal support too.  You have been a blessing to us!!  Keep it up in 2009!! We love you and thank God for all our friends, partners and church family. We pray that 2009 will be the best year ever for you, yours and your church. 

It’s time to RISE and SHINE (for Jesus!) in 2009 – so get ready!!  See “NEXT YEAR” – (ROMANS 13:11)

                                                                                                                                                                             Pastor James

   I receive  a morning e-mail devotional from Rick Warren & Saddleback Church each day and today’s devotional really made me “sit up and think”.  I am very spoiled when it comes to getting and having the things that I “want”. I don’t always “need” everything I “want”.   As a child of God my heart should be totally set on “things above” and not on earthly things.  Let me share the devotional with you:

The Captivity of Discontentment
 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. Philippians 4:12 (NIV)  

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Imagine a new reality show called, “Why is it in your closet?” The host, acting like your best friend, goes through your closet, asking why you own this outfit or those pair of shoes.

A condition of the show requires you to answer honestly how many items in your closet were bought because you just had to have the latest trend or because you felt just a teeny, tiny bit jealous about the way your co-worker always wears the latest styles at the office? Are there things in your closet you bought because you were bored with your wardrobe, or because the scent of discontent filled the air as you shuffled between hangers?

Now, before you get defensive, let me explain that there is nothing wrong with wanting to look nice, or to have nice things, or to try to better your life and the lives of those you love. Discontentment, wrapped within the proper perspective, is one thing God uses to move us in a new, healthy direction.

Discontentment becomes unhealthy when your desire to acquire becomes the focus of your life and your possessions. In fact, at that point, your possessions begin to possess you and your discontentment becomes a short leash that controls you and actually holds you back from experiencing the abundant life God created you to enjoy.

The apostle Paul, who was blessed with great privileges, but also beaten and stripped of everything he had, taught that true contentment must be learned: “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want” (Philippians 4:12 NIV).

He goes on to say that God gives us strength to be content. This is an important spiritual truth to learn because if wealth, good looks, and a star-quality spouse brought us lasting contentment, then Hollywood would be filled with some of the most content and happy people on earth.

Are you content with what you have in this life?  There are many people who have a whole lot less “things” than you and I do and yet they are content and making it just fine. Where is your heart? Are you always discontent and searching for that item that is “bigger and better” so you can be happy?  Too often “happiness” is our goal but “happiness” is whimsical. It comes and goes as our circumstances in life change. If everything in life is “going good” – then I’m happy. If everyone in my life is “getting along” or “being nice to me” then I’m happy. If my wife is centering her attention, affection and love solely on me then I’m happy.  If my job is going the way I want it to then I’m happy. The sad note is that WHEN these things don’t go our way then we are sad, miserable and discontent. Happiness isn’t our goal as Christians – JOY IS!  Real JOY is found in allowing Jesus to be first, OTHERS to be second and placing your needs, desires and wants LAST!  J.O.Y. – Jesus, Others, Yourself  last!   In the new year why not seek to0 find real JOY and contentment? Why not focus on Jesus and others and stop always thinking of YOURSELF?  It’s time to find joy and contentment and that’s a great goal for 2009.  Think about it.  Pastor James

From time to time someone sends me an e-mail about this blog especially when I go a day or two and don’t post anything. From our statistics there are LOTS of people reading the blog and for that we are thankful.  We even have people from other countries who are reading – go figure that!  One of the things that make the blog worthwhile and fun is to hear your comments. We’ve had many comments in the blogs short history but you can’t ever get too many. Let me challenge you – speak up! When you read the blog share your thoughts.  It’s good to know that people are out there, that they care, that they are praying and that they are interested in this new mission work. Keep reading the blog, share it with your friends, encourage them to read too but if you get the chance SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS, POST a message and let me know who is out there. THANKS AGAIN to all who post, read and send the e-mails. Even though most are active in their own church, they love missions and they support reaching souls for Jesus. I pray that this has been a great year for you, your family and your church. I pray that 2009 will help you see God’s blessings in your life and in your church like never before. Jesus is coming soon – so let’s get busy reaching souls for HIM!  Thanks for reading and for posting!  Pastor James

We had a great time of worship and fellowship today at Life House. Even though we had several of our regulars out traveling due to the holiday season, we had 76 present. We also were blessed by having a 19 year old lady saved and two come for baptism. If all goes as planned we will probably schedule a night to bapize near the end of January. We are excited about all that God is doing at Life House. God has plans to build and raise up a strong, multi-ethnic congregation in College Hill. Pray for us. Pray for us as we seek to find the following people to add to our church staff in 2009:   we need a black associate pastor, a black man or woman who is good with music to become co-worship leader with Josh and we need two people (one black and one white) to become co-youth leaders. God has the RIGHT people to come on board and help us reach this area.  Those who are added to the church staff must be strong Bible believers, grounded in the Word and willing to take a step of faith to be a part of this new mission and ministry. Keep praying with us and God will send who we need soon.   

YOU HAVE NOT BECAUSE YOU ASK NOT… So i’m asking.  If anyone knows of a good used refrigerator – we have a family that is in need of one really bad. We could make arrangements to pick it up – but they really don’t have the funds to pay for one.  If it’s cheap enough we might can work it out.  If you know of one – let me know ASAP. THANKS!

                                                                                                                                                                                     Pastor James

It’s hard to believe that Christmas is over and in a few short days we will be entering a new year. What 2009 holds no one, but the Lord, knows. Many people are busy making plans for the future and I just wonder how many are centering those plans around the Lord? It’s important as believers to keep the Lord and His will first in our plans for 2009. I’ve got a lot of “good” ideas, plans and suggestions but they are all worth nothing if it’s not God’s will and plan for me, my family and our church. We should set our mind that we will serve Him in 2009 – no matter what! Let me encourage you to renew your heart and devotion to the Lord and get ready for a great year in Him!

 Pastor James

What good can a single bag of cookies do on Christmas Eve? Well, tonight we found out that it will bring a smile, a good comment and laughter. Life House Church Family took on the project of cooking, bagging and delivering cookies to area business people who had to work on Christmas Eve tonight.  What a blessing!  70 dozen cookies were bagged and given to those who were working on Christmas Eve. Everyone who participated in the cookie ministry  received a blessing from being able to brighten the busy  work  day of some who needed a lift.  It’s not easy working with the general public – much less working with anxious, impatient people in the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season. Everyone needs to know they are appreciated and thought about.  It was a blessing to see the smiles and surprise on the face of people when we told them that we were “from Life House Church and we just wanted to drop by a small Christmas gift of cookies to say thank you and Merry Christmas for all you do to help the community.”.   A small bag of cookies, a little time, a word of encouragement and appreciation – go along way to touching the hearts of people.  I can’t wait until next year!

CHICKEN AND SMALL GIFT BAG REPORT…

         We had a few bags of chicken left in the freezer from the give away last Sunday as well as several children’s gift bags that Shiloh Children’s Ministry provided for us to give out.  Today some of my family and I went out into the community “looking to find people who might need a blessing”.  We found them!  One family in particular was a huge blessing to get to know.  We stopped by a house where we saw a group of people standing under a garage area. It appeared that they had gathered to eat together and we stopped to offer them some chicken as a gift from the Lord and Life House for Christmas. This family was astounded and excited.  They accepted the gift of chicken and four of the children got gift bags BUT THIS FAMILY insisted that we join them for lunch!  We had already had lunch but they just wouldn’t take no for an answer. They were celebrating Christmas together as well as the homecoming of one of their own from Iraq. He had served a year and was now home and they were going to make this Christmas one to be remembered.  Several generations were there. Laughter, hugs and food filled the air. We were immediately “swept in” and made to feel at home. We ate some small plates of goodies and great food but they insisted that they be able to fixed  us some platters to take home.  They filled the plates to overflowing with every good food you could imagine and then filled two plates full of “sweets”.  We were so blessed to have met this family.  What will come of? Only the Lord knows. One thing I know for sure – we went out to bless the community and got a huge blessing. I think we’ve made some new friends and can’t wait to head over to see Mrs. Naomi & Mr. Mac again!  Pray for this family and pray that we can meet more people like them.  What a blessing to go into the fields and meet people as Jesus intended!

I’ve already had a great Christmas – can’t wait to see what tomorrow holds!  Pastor James

My daily devotional this morning was a real blessing. It was about Christmas and the Peace of God.  Thought I would share it with you. May God give you and yours the PEACE OF GOD and PEACE WITH GOD this Christmas season. 

Christmas Brings the Peace of God
by Rick Warren

You will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6 (NLT) 

Last night we held a “Birthday Party For Jesus” and it was great. We had lots of good food, fellowship and fun. There were many ‘regulars’ who showed up as well as several new faces. We had some of our first time visitors from Sunday show up to join us for this outreach.  Christmas is in the air!  It’s our prayer that somehow we were able to show Jesus’ love to those who showed up last night. It was a blessing to be involved in this event.  Thanks to all who worked hard to bring food, get the building set up and etc. We are blessed to have some fo the greatest people on earth to work with. THANKS LIFE HOUSE FAMILY!

We also were blessed yesterday when a lady from our sponsor church, Shiloh Baptist Church, called and asked if she could drop by some gifts for children that the kids from the Shiloh Children’s Ministry collected.  THANK YOU so much kids from Shiloh!  The children in our area will be blessed with these toys for Christmas!  Thanks for having a big heart for other children!!

 Merry Christmas!  Pastor James

Today was a good day of worship at Life House. We enjoyed having a the young preacher from Dallas Avenue come preach for us. He did a great job (this was only his third time to preach) and seemed to enjoy his visit with us. His family were a blessing to have with us also. Someone from Dallas Avenue sent two cases of Bibles for us to give out to the community and we probably gave away 10 or so this morning. 

It was a blessing to see one our youth stand before the church family during worship and sing “Silent Night” for us. It took a lot of courage and practice on her part but it was a blessing to the Life House Family. 

We had several first time visitors with us this morning. Some were definite prospects others were just visiting.  We were glad to have any and all of them with us.  Pray that we can continue to reach those God sends our way. We had several out sick today but still had a good number in the service.

We also had the blessing of giving out several hundred pounds of chicken and gallons of orange juice to our people to distribute to their friends and neighbors as a gift from the Lord to bless people this Christmas.  It’s always exciting to hear the responses people get when they give something to people who need it and expect nothing in return.

 Lastly – a special  THANK YOU goes out to the Life House family for the generous Christmas Gift that you gave Mrs. Cindy and I.  It really is a blessing at this time of year but even more than that – it’s a blessing to serve with a church family who knows how to appreciate and show their love to their pastor and family. Thanks again Life House family – We love you!  Pastor James

I am excited about several “firsts” that are happening at Life House today.  During a recent trip to Dallas Avenue Church in Mena, AR to speak about the mission work at Life House Cindy and I were introduced to a 12 year old young man who had surrendered to the ministry there.  After talking with him for a few minutes I encouraged him that sometime, when he’s ready, to give me a call and I would love to have him come preach at Life House one Sunday to give him some experience.  WELL… he and his family and are going to be with us today at Life House and he’s going to preach for me!  I can’t wait to hear and see what God is going to share with us through him.  Pray for him and if you get the chance come listen and be blessed!

Also, today we will have a “first” as one of our young ladies has worked hard to get ready to sing for us this Sunday before Christmas. This is a major step in her life at Life House. She desires to get involved and be a blessing and today we will have the blessing of hearing her sing “Silent Night” during the service.  Pray for her, not just today but in the days ahead as God uses her in our church family.

   As a mission there are always “firsts” but they never get dull and they are always exciting to me and to the members of Life House. We are expecting God to “show up and show out” in our service today. Come experience Jesus with us at Life House!  Pastor James