Always Forward!

2012-01-26T09:30:00.000-06:00

CHILDREN ARE A GIFT!

No longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. Ephesians 4:14-16

Every child is a gift from God... and deserves to be trained up to serve God. Not the easiest thing to do, but every child can be motivated... just realize that not every child responds to the same stimuli. We must find ways to lift our child’s eyes from self to God. Unless we exert a stronger christian influence than the world with it's always changing cultural values, our kids will be pulled from the truth and ultimately cause them to fall away.

Our children need a firm foundation in God’s Word. They need help to grow into solid disciples of Jesus Christ. They need our help! We cannot lose them... to the counter culture. Parents we must reinforce the attitudes and behaviors that honor God. It's not just teaching them, it is training them, helping them to do it, and to do it right, that makes the difference. Show your child how faith is relevant to life. And always do these things; always encourage... always affirm... always model... always pray. With God's help our children will become all God has called them to be! You can do it parent; it's your destiny!

Blessings, Karl

Grace in the Harbor!

2012-01-10T13:00:00.000-06:00

Our Palm Harbor campus officially launched this last Sunday, Jan 8th... God was glorified in the whole thing... during our song time and in the preaching of the Word of God, in every room, through every team member, God rocked the house and our hearts!

Our children's ministry called JAM City was also up and running... JAM stands for Jesus And Me City... Praise God!

This truly was a great start of what God wants to do through the Faith City team... We officially had 75 people total kids and adults. 8 people gave their lives to Jesus to become a Christ follower.

Please pray for this new campus, we want to hear God and obey everything He has called us to do...

I wanted to share our vision at Faith City with you, so whether you are new or been around since the beginning of the first campus, we would renew and remind ourselves of what God has called us to do...

WHAT IS THE VISION OF FAITH CITY?

Our vision: Reach Up, Reach Out, Reach In!

We Reach Up through... being a home for spiritually homeless people, a place where people can build a deep relationship with Jesus Christ, and a place where people do life together in genuine community. A place where God’s Word is honored as our highest authority on earth and as the source of real and abundant life.

We Reach Out through... making a visible, noticeable, and tangible difference on behalf of Christ in the real problems that exist and matter in our community. Helping people recover from hurts, habits, and hang-ups that prevent them from enjoying meaningful relationships with God and each other.

We Reach In through... Engaging people in serving one another according to the way that God has shaped them, where spiritual gifts, passion, talents, and experiences are a part of how we meet the needs of others inside and outside of our church family.

This is Faith City... nothing more nothing less...

More later... Blessings for now friend and co-worker in the harvest, Karl

2011-12-22T10:26:00.000-06:00

Christmas Blessings from Karl and Kathi

I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior, yes, the Messiah, the Lord has been born today... Glory to God in heaven, and peace on earth... Luke 2:10-11, 14

Merry Christmas to all of our friends and church family at both campuses in Fenton, MI and in Palm Harbor, FL. Kathi and I want you to experience God's greatest hope and help throughout this special season.

Christmas is a time to celebrate all that God has given us and done for us. Set aside your problems and pressures for a moment and focus on God.

In all of our shopping, visiting, and family get togethers let us always remember that the motivation for all of this, is the love God gave as a Son for everyone in every generation... He really loves and cares for you and me. Let me encourage you to live the reality that Jesus brought us through His birth...

I believe that 2012 will be a season of overflow for those who trust Him; overflowing in favor, miracles, and in the glory of God. Expect it, love it, live it...

Peace, Dr Karl and Kathi Barancik

Faith City's "A TEAM" keeps hitting home runs!

2011-12-20T11:35:00.000-06:00

I am always humbled by the great servant A Team God has called together at our Faith City campuses... These are some of the most dedicated people on earth... and it shows.

Let me describe the people you're going to meet at Faith City church.

You will meet some wonderful people who stand at manufacturing lines ten hours a day, five or six days a week. When they go home at night, they are not feeling wildly fulfilled from all the joy and meaning they experienced on that line.

And you're going to meet some people in real estate, insurance agents selling for years, and car dealers, car mechanics, some that work in a bank and some that work with bricks, law enforcement and home makers, and plumbers, painters, and public workers! And everyone of them work hard day in and day out... many of them are just trying to put food on the table.

Most of them are probably doing all they can to give God glory in their workplace, and many of them will have a significant Christian impact on their coworkers. But few of them derive ultimate satisfaction from their jobs.

Which brings me to my point; at Faith City we have this unspeakable privilege of inviting people just like these mentioned into what might be the only involvement in their lives that makes them feel like an instrument in the hands of God Almighty... that gives them the thrill of knowing that our Creator God is using them to touch a human life.

I am referring to our passionate, dedicated volunteers at Faith City!

On a regular basis I am thanked for giving folks the opportunity to serve, which always tends to remind me how desperately people long to play a role in the redemptive work of God...

Thank you Faith City A TEAM who serve passionately, unswervingly, and sacrificially, may you be rewarded accordingly and God be glorified!

PEACE, GRACE, AND A MERRY CHRISTMAS, Karl

Failure is not FINAL!

2011-10-28T12:29:00.000-05:00

Failure is something we have all experienced. Failure is part of the human experience. Whenever we dare to do something new, we risk failure. I think you would agree that the only way to avoid failure is to never try, and that is no way to live at all.

I am studying right now for a new series we will sharing in November... which we named CALL OF DUTY... One of the things I have discovered is how the U.S.Army deals with failure... they don't ignore it they deal with it. In their Warriors Ethos, one of their beliefs is; “I will never accept defeat!” To live this mantra, you must see failure as something different than the average joe... Let me explain what I mean.

We must redefine failure! Failure is not that you didn’t arrive at your goal; failure is not even making the effort!

The Apostle Paul defines this attitude in the following scripture; I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith... 2 Tim. 4:7

Are you fighting the good fight or stopped fighting... or maybe never even joined the fight?

Are you making your plans to finish it out, continue till the jobs done?

Are you reminding yourself that we walk by faith, not by sight?

God is not looking for people who just start, He's looking for the ones that resolve to be faithful to the end... and I believe this is your heart... so carry on, soldier! Blessings, Karl

WISE UP!

2011-10-08T07:02:00.000-05:00

For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he should instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. I Corinthians 2:16

I’m wise with the mind of Christ!

I think that sometimes we forget who we are in Christ to our detriment. We must not allow our minds to wonder about the Bible facts of who we are as Christ followers. Knowing what Jesus has done for us; has done in us; and will do through us is freeing to our own limitations... In Christ we are limitless!

It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God, and also our righteousness, holiness and redemption.1 Corinthians 1:30

I’m wise, righteous and holy!

Not only is Christ our wisdom so we can think like He thinks, renewing our minds with the Word of God, but we are also righteous in Christ. Let this Bible fact get all over your mind and heart. Renewing your mind with this truth, will give you thr freedom and boldness to live your faith without apology or condemnation. His righteousness is now ours. It is our spiritual passport to live like He's called us to live... Free from fear, sin, and shame... Be the blessing you were created to be... Karl

Faith City Palm Harbor Campus up and moving forward!

2011-10-04T11:02:00.000-05:00

I am so excited about our newest Faith City campus being launched in Palm Harbor Florida... Our campus pastor Chris Blue is bloging about the journey. I wanted to share his last blog entry so here he goes...

"Octoberfest – Report from Campus Pastor Chris Blue

Well, we have made some great connections this week. Fall is in the air even in Sunny Florida. We joined the chamber of commerce and will begin meeting about 3 times a month with local businesses. The Palm Harbor Chamber is very excited about some upcoming events and our interest as Faith City Church to volunteer. We have made it clear to them that we want to serve our community. More to come on the upcoming Holiday Parade. We also met with the Community Center where we will be having our Sunday Services starting very soon and offered our team of volunteers. We were met with surprise and joy all in one expression. We are going to help them with their annual candy pass out for Halloween. We will get a table to advertise as we pass out candy. Also we get to help at the carnival, with hayride, trick-0-treating and lots of other fun things. It should prove to be a very impacting night to connect with local community friends and family. They expect between 600-800 people to come through in a couple hours. So pray with us for impact and opportunity to touch lives with God’s power.

We were also offered another volunteer opportunity to help with a student camp-out in November for children 13 and under. Matthew Fay is very excited to get involved. While on the subject… thank you so much Faith City Church for your continued generosity and faith in the Palm Harbor Campus. I understand that the Fenton Campus dug deep this past Sunday to help get our team in place. I personally want to thank you all for getting involved. This vision we are a part of is so much bigger than just one or two people. We need everyone to do their part. Standing on the sideline will no longer do. We need everyone to pray about the next step God wants them to take. ’til next time… Pastor Chris"

Isn't that a great report... filled with God's favor. I also commend all of the Faith City family for digging in deep to see this campus planted for the glory of God... Blessings friends, Karl

I LOVE MY CHURCH!

2011-09-01T14:09:00.000-05:00

Having a blast at Faith City teaching our series called “I Love My Church”! I have served the Lord for over 34 years and almost 30 of them as a pastor. The older I get and the more experiences I gain in the ministry, I am convinced that multitudes of Christ followers never comprehend how much God desires us to love His church.

Pastors are told to "shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood." Acts 20:28

Husbands are told to "love your wives, even as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her." Ephesians 5:25

If Christ loves the church this much, we also should value it highly. If to be Christlike, (which should be the goal of every believer) means to value what He values and to turn away from what He disdains, then loving the church should be high on our list!

The church is refered to in the Bible as the Bride of Christ, the Building of God, and the Household of faith. To refer to the church in this way shows us the crucial role it plays in God's plan for man! Peace, Karl

Fight Club, Part 2

2011-08-24T16:27:00.000-05:00

God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? Numbers 23:19

Hey Guys, I have a question for you... How is your life lining up to this verse? God is commenting on how He can be counted on, and uses men as an example of how He doesn't do it! Men can be dishonest; can vacillate; can renege on their word; and not keep promises... wow, that's pretty heavy. But the good news is we were created in His Image so we can grow up to be like Him!

That is what our 4^th Saturday IronMens meeting is all about! It's about growing up into the Image of Christ because as Christian men we are called men, destine to greatness men, purposeful men, and gallant men!

Can I just be bold and say - that you need other brothers to help you get from point A to point Z in your life... Listen, no one can attain greatness without the right key relationships in their life, why do we think we are any different! Do you have committed friendships in your life! We all need someone we can look up to and someone who looks up to you? We need these friendships if we are serious about attaining to what God has called us to.

Are there Christian men with whom you are fully comfortable admitting your struggles? If not why not? God has never asked us to isolate our lives but connect with other brothers for the value added strength that it gives. It's the enemy that wants to divide us and isolate us, so he can pick us off... Together we are stronger, and that is just the way it is!

Don't allow anything to distract you from connecting with your “band of brothers”! See you at Fight Club this Saturday!

Peace, Karl

SAVED PEOPLE SERVE PEOPLE!

2011-08-19T12:43:00.000-05:00

In the Gospel of Luke chapter 10, Jesus is approached by a lawyer, an expert in Moses’s law. He asks, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus asks him back what was written in the law. So the man replies, “Love the LORD your God...and your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus says, “Do this and you will live.” The lawyer then asks, “And who is my neighbor?”

So now Jesus answers with a story involving a priest (a person who mediated between the people and God), a Levite (one who ministered in the sanctuary) and a Samaritan (a mixed Jew-Gentile despised by the Jews).

Both the priest and Levite pass by a man who had been beaten, robbed and left half dead. Only the Samaritan had compassion, bandaged the man’s wounds, brought him to an inn and left money for his care.

Finally Jesus asks the lawyer, “Which of these three ... was neighbor to the man?” The lawyer replies, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

I think Jesus' main point is that people who love others will serve others! If we care about people who are in trouble and away from God we will get involved helping them, sacrificing our spiritual, physical, and financial resources.

I don't know about you,but sometimes I feel like the priest in the story. It's like we know in our hearts that the LORD commands us to love our neighbors as ourselves, but how often do we let an opportunity to meet a need slip through our fingers? What is God calling you to do that you keep passing by?

Like the Samaritan, we must stop and help others by giving them our time, energy and money.

Great things happen when people get involved helping others and serving! Ephesians 4:11-16 show us that when people use their gifts to serve the church, the members grow up in Christ, become mature, and the church is built up in love.

But it's not enough to only know that we should be serving, but we really need to become personally involved... James 2:14-16 explains to us that action speaks louder than just words... We must act on our faith. If we see a brother or sister without clothes or food and simply wish them well, warm and fed, but do nothing about their physical needs, the Bible asks “what good is it?” We must be doers of the Word, not just hearers.

Every Christian has gifts and abilities from the Holy Spirit that are to bless others! They can vary from serving to leading, and giving money to showing mercy. Yet, every gift is indispensable if we are serious about obeying Jesus' command to "go and do likewise!"

I encourage you to find your gifts, find your neighbor, and do likewise... Blessings friend, Karl

Backpack to School!

2011-08-12T13:12:00.000-05:00

Backpack to School is tomorrow, Saturday, August 13 from 10am until 2pm. We have over 90 Faith City volunteers showing up to serve... and I am so humbled at the great spirit that you are all showing in blessing our community of Fenton and surrounding area... Many community businesses have donated, along with our Faith City family to make this event happen. To date we will be giving out 525 fully loaded backpack to area kids... praise God for His greatness! See many of you there...

Dr Karl

Shift Happens!

2011-08-10T07:02:00.000-05:00

God has great plans for us, plans for good! This wonderful verse comes to us from Jeremiah.

Heres the deal; sometimes we can wonder when these great plans will come to pass. But what I have found in living as a passionate follower of Christ for over 30 years is; that we must work with God using our faith in His promises to see His plans manifest in our life.

And in this process the enemy will throw us some curves!

But that is what the Bible calls the "good fight of faith"... And it is winnable.

Part of the fight we must win, is the fight for maximizing our time to it's greatest advantage.

Sure there will be distractions and even valid ones to get us off of our goal, but it is up to us to minimize the detours and maximize the focus on to what is really important...

Apostle Paul says in 1 Thess 2:18; "We wanted to come to you, time and time again, but Satan hindered us." Even the great Paul experienced times of the enemy trying to stop him... but couldn't do it!

See, our enemy cannot stop you or defeat you. All he can do is hinder... The greek word used here means, "a road so deteriated it was almost impossible to use..." Listen, it is not uncommon for us to experience detours in life, but never let them become an excuse to stop, fall back, give up, or quit!

God will use the enemies detours to show us there is more than one way to get to our stated end. So get creative, get going, and stay on point!

"My dear brothers, be strong and unmovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless!" 1 Corinthians 15:58

So decide right now that you will never give up going forward, in Jesus name! I commend you in the fight!

Dr Karl

THE GENTLE WARRIOR!

2011-07-15T12:43:00.000-05:00

The Bible calls Jesus a Warrior... He is both the strong warrior and the gentle shepherd. And Jesus is our example for manhood today. Every man has the responsibility to become the Gentle Warrior that God has called us to! The following scriptures shows this heart!

The LORD is a warrior; the LORD is his name. Exodus 15:3

I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns…He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God…Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter…"On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. Rev 19:11-13, 15-16

God created every man with this heart of a warrior. It might have been suppressed over the years or never recognized, but the warriors heart is in there! You might have crushed it or you might of used it to further wrong pursuits, but it is in there. This heart comes to move us forward in our purpose, to be the juice to motivate us to conquer our mountains.

Every warrior has a cause to fight for. Every man has to fight for his family... to stand against the unprincipled voices of culture that are diametrically opposed to what we believe as Christians. Our families are looking for their men to lead them...

Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes. Nehemiah 4:14

“Fight, and you may die. Run, and you'll live. At least for a while. And dying in your beds, many years from now, would you be willing to trade ALL the days, from this day to that, for one chance—just one chance—to come back here and tell our enemies that they may take our lives, [raising his sword over his head] but they’ll never take…OUR FREEDOM!” William Wallace in Braveheart

A warrior without a cause to fight for will find the wrong thing to fight against.

But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison. Acts 8:3

Two ways the warrior fights!

Sometimes you throw a punch, YOU GO ON OFFENSE... You take the initiative to train your children; to love your wife... you stand up and let others know that, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”! You show the example, not just tell it! You lead your family in integrity; in honesty; in following Christ. Saul, later called Paul, became a Christ follower and then said to those he was interning, “Follow me as I follow the Lord”!

Sometimes you turn a cheek. absorb the pain. DEFENCE, DEFENCE!

Today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be terrified or give way to panic before them. For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory." Deuteronomy 20:3-4

And then as you grow into the Gentle Warrior God has called all men to, keep your sons close enough to smell the action, see the battle, and taste the victory... They are our next generation of Gentle Warriors!

Fight right, fight strong, fight the good fight! Karl

2011-07-08T10:01:00.000-05:00

When I was a child, I spoke and thought and

reasoned as a child.

But when I grew up, I put away childish things.

1 Corinthians 13:11

This is the third entry on the subject of Manhood and what it means to be a man in today's culture...

Today more than ever we need to answer this most important question. How does a boy become a man? A godly man with character, conviction, and purpose?

One thing I have discovered with my sons over the last almost 40 years is that it takes a clear, distinct, and intentional purpose and process... to get there! Hey dad, your sons will grow up regardless, but will they arrive at the place that they know how a man of God should act? Or understand his unique responsibilities as a husband or a father to his own children?

Culture is clueless when it comes to real manhood... there is no real answer because we are a fatherless generation! Fathers are absent, so there is no man to look to... and when the father is in the home, we have a difficult enough time as adult males to maintain our masculine outlook in this mixed up “gender neutral” culture, so imagine what it must be like for our young sons growing up! Most of our social problems such as rising crime, violence, abuse, and lack of morality come from a directionless and disconnected generation of sons. The best hope we have for this generation is in dads who are taking man rearing to heart and empowering their sons with a legacy of manhood...

I have to say that when I had my first son almost 40 years ago, I had no clue of how to grow him into a man... I could hardly be considered one myself. I was like many, a selfish boy in a man's body, a poser, looking grown on the outside, but all the characteristics of a boy on the inside. To make it worse, I didn't have a clue or even looked for one! My first glimpse of how far off track I was as a real man was when I became a Christian. As I started studying out the holy Scriptures, I found God's idea of manhood and the road map to get there... This last 36 years has been a journey of discovery that has brought me and my 3 sons into the rich rewarding christian life of manhood that continues now into a third generation of grandsons, praise God!

Fathers need two invaluable keys in raising godly sons. First is a clearly defined, biblical definition of manhood. Second we need a process that we follow that will get us there. Somehow we think our sons will just “get it”, but we need a directional process that we can monitor to know we are on right track.

Every son deserves a father that is loving, affirming, and there; but they also need a father that gives vision, direction, and instruction in becoming a man.

I continue on our next blog entry, so stay turned... Stay fearless and faithful men,Karl

I'M NOT AN ALARMIST, BUT...

2011-07-01T11:51:00.015-05:00

My last entry I shared some info about our men's ministry at Faith City Church... I wanted to continue here...

I had the opportunity to ask some of the guys why they come to Fight Club... This is what some of the men said;

Builds Godly relationships.
Stirs my faith.
Helps me become a better man now and when I have a family I will lead them right. (a young man said this)
Make connections with other guys.
It's a spiritual checkup.
Allows us to see other church men active.
I need fellowship.
Opportunity for male bonding that's different than world's way.
My flesh tells me to stay home and sleep in on Saturday mornings, so I need to do opposite.
Helps me see that I'm not alone in this.
Accountability
I come ready to speak into other men's hearts, and ready to serve others.
I come to be an example to other guys, that this time is important.

I thank God for all the guys that not only make Fight Club a priority in their schedule, but really work at walking out what it is to be a godly man of character!

I want to add another reason to this list, if I may, and it's this: If we don't give the time, energy, and discipline to find out just, “What is a man?” and “What kind of man should we train our sons to be?” then we are just as confused as the average guy that's out there.

Let me get to the point... If you are a man, you need to be at Fight Club... and if you have a son, then you REALLY need to be at Fight Club! And if your son is around 8 years old and up you need to bring him with you, they can handle it!

But even more than that, you need to discover what a real man is, how he lives, how he treats women, and how we pass on the power of manhood to our sons and grandsons. None of us just wake up one day and are instant men! No, it takes a clear, distinct, and intentional purpose and process... to get there!

I don't want to sound like an alarmist, but our culture is in deep trouble... and I believe that a major factor of the trouble is a loss of vision for manhood! It's difficult enough for us as adult males to maintain our masculine outlook in this mixed up “gender neutral” culture, so imagine what it must be like for our young sons growing up!

Praise God there is good news... The Bible provides us with the map to real manhood... and many guys are finding it and living it... and training their sons with it!

In my next blog entry I want to help us discover, What is a man? We will find the process to produce one! How does a boy become a man, because it doesn't just happen on it's own... And, how do you know when you've become a man? It's not about hair growing either!

Keep fighting the good fight men; for you, your families, and your world... Karl

Fight Club, Part 1

2011-06-28T12:32:00.000-05:00

At Faith City we call our men's ministry, Iron Men Ministries. Among the things that we do during the year, is our major monthly meeting every 4^th Saturday which we call “Fight Club!”

Fight Club is the place that men of God come together to encourage each other to live the “good Fight of Faith”! We are fighting with spiritual and ethical bravery to lead our families, church, and community!

This year in Fight Club we have been working out the question; “What does integrity look like in the life of a man of God?”

Every month we take one key personal commitment that describes a man’s life when he lives with biblical integrity. Here are 6 commitments we are discovering and working on as Iron Men!

An IRON MAN aspires to honor Jesus Christ by obedience to God’s Word through the power of the Holy Spirit.
An IRON MAN will pursue vital relationships with a few other men, understanding that he needs brothers to help him stay solid in his walk.
An IRON MAN strives to practice spiritual, moral, ethical and sexual purity.
An IRON MAN aspires to build a strong marriage and family through love, protection & biblical values.
An IRON MAN willingly supports the mission of his church by honoring and praying for his pastor and leaders and by actively giving his time and resources.
An IRON MAN strives to influence his world, by living a consistent Christian testimony and sharing the Gospel when and where the opportunity presents itself.

Any man serious about becoming a man of integrity could use these six commitments to start his journey of self discovery... locating where you are right now, where you want to end up, and the road to get there.

I had the opportunity to ask some of the guys why they come to Fight Club...

I will be sharing what they said in my next post...

Keep fighting the good fight men... Karl

Got the POWER?

2011-06-21T14:36:00.000-05:00

After 3 and a half years of training and apprenticing His disciples, Jesus told them to wait for one more thing, POWER!
In Acts 1:4 Jesus instructs once more; "...wait for the Promise from the Father... you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit..."
Then in verse 8 He continues, "You shall receive POWER when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be witnesses... even to the ends of the earth."

I think it is a great lesson for us today, that even after all our training, studying, reading, and mentoring, we still need power, Holy Spirit power! Jesus tells us wait UNTIL we receive power, and many believers wait after they receive the power... or step out without the Holy Spirit's power, which can be tragic. To try to represent Jesus and act on His behalf without the same power that Jesus relied upon will lead to dangerous ground, and failure.

2 Timothy 3:1-5 Refers to those "... having a form of godliness, but no power, from such turn away". Because of the lack of power, all kinds of fleshly desires will manifest and cause terrible times to flourish! Not a good scene. These disciples failed because they were all talk but no walk. Walking the walk takes Holy Spirit power, talking the talk isn't enough in the days we live. We can be guilty of the same thing today... just sharing the promises of the word through our talk, but failing to demonstrate the power through our walk! Jesus help us to not be deceived!

The great thing is we never have to stay where we are, "we can do all things through Christ, who gives us the POWER!" Phil.4:13

One of the lessons I have learned over the years of serving Christ is... THERE IS POWER IN PRAISE!
Psalm 8:2 tells us so... "out of the mouth of babes God has ordained praise because you have enemies that need to be defeated, that they may be silenced through your power in praise!" Your enemies will not hang around listening to the praises of God... Praise shuts the enemies mouth, so start praising God for His goodness.

Today if you lack the power to overcome, start praising Him until you receive power from on high, the Most High!

Blessings friend, Karl

Dealing with your STORMS in Life!

2011-06-14T14:12:00.000-05:00

As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water.
Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?”
When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!”Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” Mark 4:35-40

Just before this account is read in the Bible, Jesus is explaining and building faith in His disciples. Hearing Jesus sharing the Word all day we could discern that by the time the disciples were getting in the boat they had some faith in their heart. Faith comes by hearing the Word according to Romans 10:17. So what happens as soon as they get moving out in the boat? A storm of significant size...

Here is the spirtual lesson for us today... Every time you choose to believe and exercise your faith for a promise of God, you will attract trouble! Why? Because the enemy of our faith wants to distract you and make you think that you will never get where Jesus said you're going. When the word is sown the devil comes immediately to steal that word out of your heart.

So we have a desicion every time the storms start up... either give up and cave in, OR, take the Word of God as final authority and rebuke the wind and speak to the storm, in Jesus name!

The disciples gave up the faith that Jesus had just preached to them in a matter of hours... and we have done the same things at times... But we can react like Jesus did to the storm... He never gave in to a natural circumstance that countered what He previously said... No Jesus would not give in to the storm. He would always speak to the storms and command them to change. Jesus believed so He spoke... and so should we. If you don't believe a promise you won't say anything, but if you believe a promise from the Word of God then speak it out... Say something against the trouble... When trouble comes send the Word to stopp it and change it... It's your destiny. When Jesus spoke to the storm the Bible says, "the storm ceased'! Can be the same for you, speak to it and watch it cease!
Peace, Karl

Miracle Whip or Mayonnaise?

2011-05-25T16:35:00.000-05:00

Kathi and I have been married over 30 years as I write this. We will always remember how early on we learned to compromise when we came upon an area that we disagreed on. As Christ followers we knew right off that marriage is God's idea, and if we want a successful, holy, and happy marriage then we would need to learn how God wants it lived and live it that way.

Here are some things my wonderful spouse and I have learned together. 1) Marriage is a Covenant. A covenant is more than a contract, it is a strong agreement based on 2 things; trust and vows. Today people create contracts to build businesses, get new clients, etc... and many people see marriage as no more than a contract just made to be broken.

There is a big difference between a contract and a covenant. A contract is based on mutual distrust... A Marriage Covenant is based on mutual commitment! Also the Marriage Covenant is a union based upon conditions and the conditions are the Vows that are agreed upon before the marriage takes place...

I think I will write some more later about 4 non negotiable Vows that will make your marriage everything that God would want it to be...

But let me tell you about Mayonnaise and the Miracle Whip. I love Miracle Whip dressing on my sandwich's and do not care a bit for mayonnaise; but on the other hand Kathi loves mayonnaise and not the good stuff Miracle Whip. When we first got married we were limited in our income including our grocery shopping, so we compromised. One shopping trip we would buy Mayonnaise and everyone ate it and the next time we bought Miracle Whip and everyone ate it... And that's the way it went... all though our marriage we found ways to work things out because we knew we were committed to our Covenant of Marriage! I know that it may seem like no big deal compromising when it comes to sandwich spread, but if you can decide on the principle it will work on any challenge you face in your marriage... BTW, Today God has blessed Kathi's and my marriage and finances, so we buy both... no more compromise needed here...LOL!

Successful marriages are not those that don't face challenges, problems, or shortcomings. No, the difference between successful and unsuccessful marriages are how you decide to deal with them! Blessings to you, Karl

Love is a Verb!

2011-05-13T13:55:00.000-05:00

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. John 13:34

In this verse of scripture Jesus identifies love as a verb, not a noun. There are some big differences between feeling love and doing love? When it comes to marriage and relationship commitments a lot of folks are looking for the feeling part, but don't realize there is a doing part also!

Do you realize there are over 1,500 matchmaking organizations in the USA? I think it's great all the folks looking for love, but why such a demand? I think it has a lot to do with commitment in a relationship and what that takes vs the cultural idea of the easiness of falling in and out of love!

Falling in love is easy. Staying in love, being committed to each other, is a bit more difficult. Ever wonder if there are people that can actually stay together for good and still be in love? Is it even possible for two people to stay happy together forever? Not only to I believe it's possible, I know it is! My wife Kathi and myself, among other couples we know, really do live loving, lasting, happy marriages, even after 30 years... I joke sometimes telling people that married to Kathi for 30 years have given us 10 of the happiest years of her life! Hahaha! But the serious truth is that it doesn't come without work... or commitment... or time... or understanding! Have we ever had misunderstandings in our marriage? Of course Kathi has... (sorry, joking...) But she will tell you the same thing, that we on purpose are committed to our marriage and so we do what is necessary for it to bloom. But no matter how hard the work or the adjustments you make for your marriage, the benefits far outweigh them!

I think one of the big keys to staying in love is not finding the right person, but finding someone who is committed to becoming the right person while you work to become the right person!

If you're looking for THAT someone; then look for someone who is not afraid to put you first while you overcome your fear of putting him or her first.

If you're married, think about a step or two you can take this week to proactively love your spouse rather than reacting to what they do or don't do for you? If you're just starting to look for someone, look for someone that is not afraid to commit to developing their love walk for you.

Remember it’s about making love a verb!

Peace and Blessings friends, Karl

FRIENDS HELP FRIENDS

2011-04-29T14:38:00.000-05:00

Jesus called out, “Come follow me and I will show you how to fish for the souls of men”! Matt. 4:19

In today’s culture, we are much more likely to win people to Christ by becoming their friend and serving them. People are looking for other people who are authentic and real. They respond to people who are willing to do what it takes to build and retain a friendship.This is the fundamental secret of telling others about Christ.

3 ways I have found to share Christ with others... this may help you in your passion to tell others also!

1. Find common ground...

Whatever a person is like, I try to find common ground with him so that he will let me tell him about Christ and let Christ save him. I do this to get the Gospel to them and also for the blessing I myself receive when I see them come to Christ. 1 Cor. 9:22-23

2. Use stories... People love personal stories. People can relate to them and it builds a bridge to the Gospel. Jesus used this principle often and expertly...

With many stories like these, Jesus presented his message to them, fitting his stories to their experience and maturity. Mark 4:33

3. Share your salvation experience... Your testimony is unique! You're the authority. Hard to argue with...

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. 1 Peter 3:15

4. Break your testimony down in parts...

What my life was like before I met Christ.

What common circumstances and/or your attitudes that someone would identify with? What was most important to you? What substitute for God did you use to find meaning in your life?

How I realized I needed Christ.

What steps led to your conversion? How did God get your attention? What motivated you?

How I committed my life to Christ.

What specifically did you do? Where did it happen? What did you say in your prayer? Be specific.

The difference Jesus Christ has made in my life.

What benefits have you experienced or felt? What problems have been resolved? How has Jesus helped you change for the better? How has it helped your relationships? Give a current example.

Jesus is calling you and me to see the need, have compassion and go into the harvest field, all by being friendly and a friend. Will we do it? I believe we will.

Let’s make a difference, friend! Blessings, Karl

2011-04-28T14:31:00.000-05:00

ONE GENERATION AWAY!

God is having me reassess everything we do at Faith City to see if it needs to be dropped, retooled, or continued as is... Not an easy task but necessary for the future of duplicating at others campuses. We are "Narrowing the Focus through Simplifying". One area we have done some tweaking is our Student Ministry. Following is what we have narrowed down to fit the DNA of Faith City Church for our Junior and Senior High Students!

At Faith City, we are called to help young adults honor God with their lives! Here students receive encouragement, spiritual and emotional support, and direction. We help young adults grow securely; receive adult mentoring; find their purpose; and become confident, passionate disciples of Christ now! 3 ways Students get plugged in and take the next step in their life journey!

1. Weekly Worship

We encourage students to gather together with the adults in our worship experiences to celebrate life with family, friends, and encouragement from God’s Word.

2. Student City Groups

Our Student City Groups help students connect to other young believers in significant relationships and develop strong hearts of faith and purpose!

3. Ministry Teams

God designed us for greatness, not sitting on the sidelines! Students find many opportunities to serve right alongside adults at Faith City. Through apprenticship and also intern projects as they develop!

This is one area of many that will be strategically positioned to fit Faith City's DNA... I do not believe that we are called to make good boys and girls, but we are called to make great men and women of God! I also believe that at any moment the church is one generation away from changing the world! Let me know what you think... Blessings, Karl

Fight Club and Easter!

2011-04-22T14:00:00.000-05:00

Thought it good to share a couple things and it was easier to do on video, so here goes... Blessings and have a great, God filled Easter!

2011-04-15T22:24:00.000-05:00

Got Plans? GOD does... because God is a PLANNER!

The plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. Psalm 33:10-11

Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails. Pro 19:21

Lets talk about PLANNING... There are some key things you need to challenge yourself on if you want to make a difference with your life... Here are a few thoughts to think on.

1) Life severely punishes the LAZY, but lavishly rewards the DILIGENT!

I am constantly amazed at the gall of some folks that really think everybody owes them a living, a job, and a good life! Everyone can need help once in a while, but looking to government for answers for your blessings is a waste of time and effort... If a person can take all the energy to fuss at others to meet their needs and put it toward working hard and trusting God, they would be a lot happier and a lot better off!

Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. Proverbs 6:6-8

2) God is not AN ENABLER.

Do we think we can consistently make decisions that are not ethically, morally, or legally right and not reap the consequences? Doesn't work like that!

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Galatians 6:7

3) Ask yourself... what really matters most to you?

Are you in sync with God and what He wants, or are you fighting Him and His will for your life? He has a plan for you, and you do yourself a favor when you get working on it!

Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Philippians 2:12-13

For I know the plans I have for you,ʼ declares the LORD, ʻplans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

4) Then ask, where do I stand right now and where do I want to be?

Do you need to work on your marriage? Then do it! Do you need to discipline your eating habits? Then do it! Do you need to find better employment? Then find it! Just take one step forward... and then another... and then another...

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you. Psalms 32:8-9

5) What am I willing to do?

We have all heard the definition for Insanity; “ to continue to do the same things and expect different results”... well that's true! To make a difference with your life you have got to first plan to make a difference! Quit doing the same thing and do something different!

To win the contest you must DENY YOURSELVES MANY THINGS THAT WOULD KEEP YOU FROM DOING YOUR BEST. An athlete goes to all this trouble just to win a blue ribbon or a silver cup, but we do it for a heavenly reward that never disappears. So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. I fight to win. I'm not just shadow-boxing or playing around. Like an athlete I punish my body, treating it roughly, training it to do what it should, not what it wants to. Otherwise I fear that after enlisting others for the race, I myself might be declared unfit and ordered to stand aside. 1 Corinthians 9:25-27

Meditate on these statements... and then get moving forward!

Blessings friends, Karl

2011-04-04T19:13:00.000-05:00

Over the next few weeks I am teaching a series called, “Got Vision?” at my church Faith City. Here are a few things we have started to tackle...

I am sure you have heard the following phrase before... Everybody ends up somewhere in life; a few people end up somewhere ON PURPOSE! Now this statement carries some weight with it and I WANT YOU TO end up somewhere are purpose! The Bible is clear about the importance of having a vision and the tragedy of not having one!

“Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint and become discouraged,but blessed is he whokeeps the law.” Proverbs 29:18 ESV

Without clear VISION chances are, you end up missing out on what could be... and should be!
Without a clear VISION the power available to keep you on track will dissipate before you realize it!
Without a clear VISION discouragement will haunt you to where you can pick up unwanted or unneeded vices!

Getting a God VISION for your life will be a stimulus for great things to start falling into place, such as...

Vision brings a passion to keep moving forward.... and that passion will cause you to experience the emotions of your future reality now. When you turn it over in your mind, it will fuel your emotions and that will reinforce your commitment to your vision!

Vision will give you direction like a road map. When you can see where your going and how to get there, it will simplify making decisions! You will weed out the unnecessary, the wasteful, and the distractions giving the effort and time to your priorities. Without vision, good things hinder the best things!

If these thoughts stir you realize that God has a vision for your life, and the first step to find it is to make a genuine commitment to Christ with your life. He has a plan for everyone of us... but it's up to us to find it... Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that God's plan for us is a great plan to; “prosper you, not harm you, to give you a hope and a future”!

THE FORCE OF A DREAM!

2011-03-23T14:04:00.000-05:00

I shared last Sunday about the power in a Dream... To have a dream for your life clearly awakens a powerful force within you. And this FORCE will form your FUTURE if you capture and capitalize on it.!

I remember as a child I dreamed of what I would be and accomplish in life. But it came to a standstill when I allowed illegal drugs to captivate me. I became a slave of someones else's dream to eradicate the hearts and minds of a generation. Like many I thought I didn't have control over my future... but I was soon shaken from this mirage when I became a Christ follower.

I found out that God had a plan for me all along. Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that God's plan for us is a great plan to; “prosper you, not harm you, to give you a hope and a future”! I have since learned that my future isn't all God's responsibility and it isn't all mine, it's a partnership! God gives us great plans for our future, but it is up to us to search them out and implement them for our success.

I love how Proverbs 29:18 brings out the power in a DREAM or VISION... "Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, become discouraged,but blessed is he whokeeps disciplined by his dream."

Without clear VISION chances are, you end up missing out on what could be... and should be! Someone has said, "Everybody ends up somewhere in life; a few people end up somewhere ON PURPOSE". I pray you too find God's vision for your life and advance forward all of your days!

Blessings, Karl

What Kind of People at Faith City?

2011-03-19T11:57:00.000-05:00

I have been pastoring for over a quarter of a century, and I have seen some wonderful folks come through our church doors during that time... Please forgive me for bragging here, but I must!

Let me describe the people you will meet at Faith City, if you visit...

Let's see, you will meet some wonderful people who stand at manufacturing lines ten hours a day, five or six days a week. When they go home at night, they are not feeling wildly fulfilled from all the joy and meaning they experienced on that line.

And you're going to meet some people in real estate, insurance agents selling for years, and car dealers, car mechanics, some that work in a bank and some that work with bricks, law enforcement and home makers, and plumbers, painters, and public workers! You might met doctors for both people and animals! And everyone of them work hard day in and day out... many of them are just trying to put food on the table.

I am referring to our passionate, dedicated volunteers at Faith City! On a regular basis I am thanked for giving folks the opportunity to serve, which always tends to remind me how desperately people long to play a role in the redemptive work of God...

Thank you to all who serve passionately, unswervingly, and sacrificially, may you be rewarded accordingly and God be glorified! You make it a honor and privilege to serve along side in the trenches, Pastor Karl

Helping our children have a Biblical Worldview.

2011-03-12T14:42:00.000-06:00

I was looking over my notes for a message i taught at my church last summer and thought it would be good to share them here... Take them, teach them, use them share them, meditate them... lets help the next generation...

Train up a child in the way he should go,  even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 NAS

A major need of our children is to help them form a Biblical Worldview!

- Parents/ Spiritual leaders - we must be intentional and strategic in helping our children arrive at a Biblical worldview.

- Worldview - The means we use to interpret and respond to reality. How we view the world!

Our worldview is how we make sense of the world...
Most people develop a worldview by default, and by junior high young adults have developed theirs.
War is on for our children's hearts, minds, and life.

Building a Biblical worldview starts by helping your child process the following seven questions.

1. Does God exist?

2. What is the character and nature of God?

3. How and why was the world created?

4. What is the nature and purpose of humanity?

5. What happens after we die on earth?

6. What spiritual authorities exist?

7. What is truth?

- These questions take us from the beginning of eternity to its end with what is important in between!

- The goal is to help our children learn how to think, and this should become an open ended dialogue.

Hope these notes and questions help you get started training your children in the way they should go... Blessings, Karl

Urban Legends!

2011-03-05T08:21:00.000-06:00

In my last Blog entry I shared about gas and where to buy... Most info came from internet information that I should of checked out better... turns out it might not be all solid fact, even though some truth in it. Here's why! I went to About.com for info. Here's what I found...
" 1. It's a chain letter: Chain letters are notoriously untrustworthy as sources of news and information and completely ineffective as instruments of social change.

2. It's off-target:
The boycott is based on the false assumption that all oil-producing countries in the Middle East fund or otherwise support terrorism.
3. The facts and figures are mostly false:
According to Department Of Energy statistics (and taking mergers/acquisitions into account), as of 2005 only three of the companies mentioned in these messages actually belong on the list of companies to support: Sinclair, Sunoco and Hess.
All the other companies mentioned do, in fact, use varying amounts of petroleum imported from the Gulf region.

The bottom line is that there is much misinformed and misguided info that it defeats its own purpose. "

So sorry about wrong info... just wanted to help, but it still is something to be aware of...PLUS, we have so much oil here in America that we should be going after this with a passion... OK all done, Karl

WHERE TO BUY AMERICAN GASOLINE

2011-03-04T07:57:00.000-06:00

Are you aware that the Saudis are boycotting American products? In addition, they are gouging us on oil prices. Can we take control of our own destiny and do something about it? How about leaving American Dollars in America and reduce the import/export deficit?

An appealing remedy might be to boycott their GAS. Just stop the purchase of gas from companies that import their oil from the Middle East! The following gas companies import Middle Eastern oil: DO NOT BUY FROM THESE ONES:

Shell..................................... 205,742,000 barrels

Chevron/Texaco....................144,332,000 barrels

Exxon /Mobil........................ 130,082,000 barrels

Marathon/Speedway.............117,740,000 barrels

Amoco.................................. 62,231,000 barrels

And CITGO oil is imported from Venezuela who's Dictator Hugo Chavez hates America and openly avows our economic destruction! (We pay Chavez's regime nearly $10 Billion per year in oil revenues!)

The U.S. Currently imports 5,517,000 barrels of crude oil per day from OPEC. If you do the math at $100 per barrel, that's over $550 million PER DAY ($200 BILLION per year!) handed over to OPEC, many of whose members are our confirmed enemies!

Here are some large companies that do not import Middle Eastern oil... Buy from these below - and support the USA!!

Sunoco.........................0 barrels

Conoco........................ 0 barrels

Sinclair.........................0 barrels

BP/Phillips...................0 barrels

Hess.............................0 barrels

ARC0............................0 barrels

Maverick.......................0 barrels

Flying J........................0 barrels

Valero...........................0 barrels

Murphy Oil USA *.........0 barrels

*gas is from South Arkansas and fully USA owned and produced. Not only that but they give scholarships to all children in their town who finish high school and are legal US citizens.

All of this information is available from the U.S. Department of Energy and each company is required to state where they get their oil and how much they are importing.

But to have a real impact, we need to reach literally millions of gas buyers. With the help of the Internet, it's really simple to do. Tell someone else now!

Faith begins where the will of God is known

2011-02-23T12:15:00.000-06:00

Rom. 10:17 tells us, “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” If you don’t know if it is provided through the covenant, you will not have faith to see it manifest in your life. Why? Because the very faith it takes to bring the promise becomes ours, when we know the word of God for that promise!

In other words, “Your Word level is your faith level”! If you know the truth, you can have that truth manifest in your life. The level of truth known and believed, is the level of freedom you will experience.

So I encourage you to stay in the book that brings faith, and stay in it daily. We must hear the word, read the word, study the word, memorize the word, meditate the word, and then apply the word daily if we expect to prosper through the Word. As you develop your Word level watch your faith soar! You will become fully satisfied by His Word promises!

Blessings friend, Karl

You Owe Someone!

2011-02-11T11:45:00.000-06:00

I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also. I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. Romans 1:14-16 NKJ

3 things that motivated Apostle Paul's life, and could be a catalyst for ours!

ver 14 – I AM A DEBTOR!

I have an obligation to carry out... why? Because Jesus gave everything for my purchase and equipping... I owe it to the lost to tell them what I know! Look how Paul puts it...

Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me... I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me... I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven. Acts 26:16-19 NLT

Ver 15 - I AM READY!

Paul was always ready to Obey God... he understood Lordship! When he was struck down off his horse he ask two very important questions... “Who are You, Lord?” and “What do You want me to do?” Great questions... first question, Who! Second one, What?

ver 16 – I'M NOT ASHAMED!

Paul knew the power of the Gospel!

For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Cor 1:17-18 NKJ

And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of humanwisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. 1 Cor 2:4-5 NKJ

So where are you today? If you are a Christ follower then you too are... A debtor; You're ready; and you're not ashamed! Go for it!

CONTENTMENT!

2011-02-01T11:18:00.000-06:00

Contentment is simply... Knowing God's plan for your life, having the conviction to live it, and being thankful and at peace with where you are!

Satan's ploy is to use wealth and the riches of the world to keep people from Salvation! If that doesn't work then he simply uses it to steer believers away from God's path for them!

CHRISTIANS can get trapped into discontentment by disregarding God's goals and adopting worldly ones!

Paul understood this area of Christian living. In Philippians 4:11-13 he wrote, “ Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ,who gives me strength.”

GOD has a plan for contentment! To find true CONTENTMENT we must establish some guidelines... here are 5 to consider!

1) Establish a reasonable standard of living! Work on developing your life style based on conviction, not circumstances.

2) Establish a habit of giving!

3) Establish priorities!

4) Develop a thankful attitude!

5) Reject a fearful spirit!

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 2 Tim 1:7NLT

These are some notes from a series called Moneyology that I never got to this last Sunday at my church... enjoy and blessings, Karl

Messy Baby!

2011-01-28T11:15:00.003-06:00

John 3:16 is one of the most popular verses in the Bible... even if you don't know what it says, if you have watched any football games it was one of the most famous signs hanging down from the stands. It's all about God's big love for everyone that has ever existed. "For God so loved the world that He gave his only son that whoever believes should not perish but receive eternal life". Let me help you understand this love a little better with a story.

"On a short air flight we had a lady sitting across the aisle holding her little sweet baby girl. Every time the baby cried the young mom fed her a little fruit and a little orange juice. The flight was very turbulent and every thing that mommy had little baby put down came back up. It was all over mom, baby, carpet, seats, and even across the aisle... The baby looked awful. The plane landed and as everyone moved carefully off the plane, we see standing at the gate who could only be the baby's daddy... He was dressed in a white shirt and white slacks. I thought, "No way will he grab baby or hug mommy". Now mommy didn't throw the baby at him, but she did leave them quickly to go clean up in rest room... And all the way to luggage claim area, daddy never stopped hugging and kissing that baby, welcoming her home!"

What an expression of the Father God's love for us... No matter how messed up or unclean you are, if you come home, He will accept you with open hands, hugs, and heart... Today might be your day to come home... go ahead He's there! Blessings friends, Karl

PERSECUTED

2011-01-27T09:40:00.000-06:00

I wanted to share the latest report from Davis Shibley and his ministry called Global Advance... They are doing a great job bringing the Gospel to hostile areas of the globe... Read and pray, Karl

“With persecution of Christians growing worldwide it’s more important than ever that our persecuted brothers and sisters receive encouragement from believers in other nations. In the last several weeks, we’ve witnessed severe attacks on Christians in Iraq, Egypt, Pakistan, Nigeria, and even in Britain. Recently there has been a widespread imprisonment targeting evangelical Christians in Iran (where the church is experiencing colossal growth). Persecution and even killing of Christians is spiking in many parts of the world.

Yet interestingly this major story is glaringly underreported by most of America’s press and news outlets. Many, but certainly not all, of these hostile acts against Christians are inflicted by radical Islamists. Until recently, Christians in the United States have been insulated from assaults against them and their faith. That may be changing as America’s population becomes more diverse, as moremisguided young zealots become radicalized, and as atheists become increasingly vocal and antagonistic.

Still, here in America it’s easy to turn and look the other way – away from the suffering of our persecuted brothers and sisters, but that’s really not an option for a true follower of Jesus. God’s Word is abundantly clear that we are to stand in solidarity with the church worldwide, especially those who are experiencing injustice. We are to plead their cause...”

Deliver those who are drawn toward death, and hold back those stumbling to the slaughter. Prov. 24:11

For the complete article and more from David and his ministry go to update@globaladvance.org

Meet Businessman God!

2011-01-21T14:53:00.000-06:00

Mike Murdock says, “Business is simply solving a problem for an agreed price”.

When you think about it, everyone of us are a business ourselves that God has invested His gifts into and expects His investment to produce a increase. That's only right, isn't it? But even more, God also gives us the Holy Spirit to be our business partner to help lead us to success in life. Wow, how could we possibly fail? Then on top of this, God has given us a surefire business manual for instructing in every aspect of business whether it's investing, projecting, sales, contract negotiations, leadership development, or hiring... The Bible has it covered.

Think about the aspect of Divine Investment that God made through Jesus Christ into His man... He exchanged up front costs (the death of the Son Jesus) for a projected return (all those that choose to follow) and the returns are still coming in! Praise God! That's what John 3:16 is all about!

Business works by exchanging what you have for something else that you need! You and I exchange our life (business) for the reward! It's the principle of sowing and reaping... If Business is, as Mr Murdock says, “solving a problem”; then sowing seed is a wise business proposition because sowing seed is the way to solve problems of need in your life. God's wisdom can be found in this wonderful business manual, we are acting as good stewards when we pay attention to it...

Blessings friend, Karl

"4 Guys On a Movie"!

2011-01-19T13:03:00.000-06:00

"4 Guys" letft to right are Mike, Steve, Karl, and Bob!

I have 3 brothers and even though we all lead different lifestyles, we all love watching movies. Because we all felt the need to get together from time to time and hang out, because our day to day stuff takes us down different paths, we decided that every month or two we should take in a movie together and then get something to eat... We have done this on a few occasions and the last time we got together we thought about being 4 movie experts because we are already movie critics (in our own mind anyway)! We thought we could review here on my blog, so today is the start... enjoy or just laugh!
So this is our first entry on this blog titled "4 Guys On a Movie"!

The movie we saw and are grading is called "True Grit" a remake of a John Wayne flick.

The story is about fourteen- year old Mattie Ross determined to bring her fathers killer to justice with the help of a U S Marshall and a Texas Ranger...

It looks like Mike is giving it a "1 thumb up" and said it was good!

I give it a "two thumbs up" and liked it better that the original, also the part that Jeff Bridges plays reminds me of a real close friend that passed away a few years ago...

Bob said "so, so, and likes the John Wayne version better... Gives it a half way mark, (whatever that means)...

and Steve gives it a "1 thumbs up", saying,' Its a great movie to take a date too"! Of course Steve says that about every movie we see... LOL!

Well there you have the first installment of, "4 Guys On a Movie"... now its all up to you! blessings friend, Karl

A tribute

2011-01-17T23:26:00.000-06:00

I love these quotes made by the great man, Dr Martin Luther King, Jr.

"If we are to go forward, we must go back and rediscover those precious values - that all reality hinges on moral foundations and that all reality has spiritual control.

In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.

It may be true that the law cannot make a man love me, but it can keep him from lynching me, and I think that's pretty important.

Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'

Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend." Martin Luther King, Jr.

Have a great week friend, Karl

Sunday... In a Word!

2011-01-16T07:34:00.000-06:00

I am continuing my talk about God's word about prosperity...

Let the LORD be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant. Psalm 35:27

What gives God pleasure?

Who does God want to prosper?

Are you a servant of God?

Imagine your prosperity blessing God!

Prosperity in Hebrew is “shalown” shalom; Meaning includes saftey, welfare, health, prosperity, peace and rest.

Talking about money and prosperity can have variety of responses because of our varied backgrounds, yet Jesus talked about money, wealth, and finances in over 3/4's of his parables. No matter where you stand today; whether a believer that gets excited hearing on the subject, or feel condemnation because you know you haven't been faithful with what you have been entrusted with, or one that has tithed and given offerings but just can't seem to see your harvest that you know is promised in the Word, this teaching is for you.
Every person I have met over my years of living, I have found to have incredible potential, whether the individual has seen it or developed it or destroyed it. God has given everyone of us such amazing abilities and gifts to bless humanity with. I also believe that God wants to prosper us for two main reasons; 1) God loves you and wants you to be blessed abundantly; and 2) God loves others and He wants to use you to be a blessing to humanity for the Gospels sake!
The Bible tells us in John 3:16 that, "God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life". God loves, so He gives! I hope this little talk helps you better see that God takes pleasure in your welfare, and you will learn to follow His example... Blessings friend, Karl

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Sunday... In a Word!

2011-01-09T06:18:00.000-06:00

For 2011 I felt like sharing a special word with you on Sundays, being a pastor and all... so here goes. I'm calling it Sunday In a Word! It might not be every Sunday, but for awhile anyway. So if you don't go to church, or you do, either way this might touch you in your heart... hope so!

Someone has said, “If God puts His hand in your pocket, it's not to take something out; it's to put something in!” I like that. It explains Gods heart toward us. He wants to bless us and wants to use us to be a blessing to others.

Matt 6:38 tells us; “Give and it will be given back to us multiplied many times”. This is Gods way to prosper you. Any time God asks us to give it not to take something away from us; it's to get something to us. Giving is not for His sake, it is for ours. If God is asking you to give something, it's so He can use it, multiply it, and then put it back in your pocket with the increase! Sounds like a great deal to me.

Maybe you are one that thinks talking about God blessing folks financially is heresy, or you feel condemned because you have not done right things with your money... please at this moment listen to me. God loves you and wants to help you work through all your issues in life including your financial ones. He gave us a system of giving and receiving, or sowing and reaping. It works, and He wants it to work for you...

I pray that as you study God's Word on this subject you will receive the revelation in your heart concerning God's will for your prosperity... He has made a way for us... Blessings friend, Karl

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As For Me...

2011-01-08T08:22:00.000-06:00

Then Joshua said to the people, "Now respect the Lord and serve him fully and sincerely. Throw away the gods that your ancestors worshiped... Serve the Lord. But if you don't want to serve the Lord, you must choose for yourselves today whom you will serve. As for me and my family, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:14-15 NCV

Life is made up of choices... everyday you will choose, either on purpose or by default... You will choose to do or not to do... obey God or not... follow through or not... eat or not... speed or not... everyday choices come everyday and we cannot allow others to make them for us, or pain to distract us from making the right ones!

The greatest choice you can make today and everyday is: WHO will you CHOOSE to SERVE? Like Joshua, decide this year WHO you will serve is the Lord Jesus... and as you serve Him with unbridled passion, transparent heart, and unswerving obedience watch your family follow you! It's all good...

In His grip, Karl

Day 2- God Laughs!

2011-01-02T06:23:00.022-06:00

"Why the big noise, nations? Why the mean plots, peoples? Earth-leaders push for position, Demagogues and delegates meet for summit talks, The God-deniers, the Messiah-defiers say, "Let's get free of God! Cast loose from Messiah!"
But our heaven-throned God breaks out laughing. He's amused at their presumption;
Let me tell you what God says to all of that. He says, "You're my son, and today is your birthday. What do you want? Name it: Nations as a present? continents as a prize? You can command them all to dance for you..."

Psalms 2 has some exciting verses about how God sees man's futile effort to save ourselves from our own, self inflicted, doom and gloom dilemas. It is also amazing to me how much the God of the universe cares about us and has promised to never leave us or forsake those that will trust Him with their life... and always met our needs, so we can proclaim the great name of Jesus!

Listen to me... "2011 will be a year of divine favor, grace, and power to rescue the helpless, the hopeless, and the Godless... Get ready believer, God is for you so who could be against you... Get your faith on! God Laughs!

Blessings friend, Karl

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Day One of a new Decade!

2011-01-01T12:47:00.004-06:00

I sat this morning listening to our new governor of Michigan, Rick Snyder speak after taking his oath of office... even as the nation feels unusually freezing weather; in Michigan we had almost 50 degrees and sunny! Maybe this was prophetic of the future outlook for our state. Governor Snyder spoke about the plan he calls; "Reinvent Michigan"! I'm including information from the website that inspired me, and hopefully will you also...

"Government's role is to create the best environment to allow citizens to succeed and enjoy their lives. In many cases, that means getting out of their way.
As Michiganders, we're often too negative about our own state. It's hard not to be, given our economic condition and the national attention we're receiving... It's time to change our operating model to one of win-win.

Rick's vision of a reinvented Michigan centers on what he calls Michigan 3.0, the Era of Innovation. This vision has three key pillars. The first is a globally diverse economy that provides increasing prosperity to its citizens. The second pillar is to provide a great quality of life, by protecting Michigan's natural resources and enhancing its central cities. The third pillar is to create an environment in Michigan that will not only allow our youth to stay, but one in which they'll want to stay.
We've undergone fundamental transformations before, with great success. The transition from a natural resource economy to an industrial economy a hundred years ago wasn't a fix – it was a paradigm shift. It was a total reinvention. The old ways didn't apply to the new reality.

We face the same situation today. We have to adapt to the new realities of a globally competitive, knowledge based economy. Applying a band-aid here or there simply won't do. Our citizens demand and deserve better. With determination, candor, and a lot of hard work, we can reinvent Michigan and create a brighter future. We have a big job ahead of us. Together we can and will Reinvent Michigan. Let’s get started."

I agree with the Governor, let's get started... AND as Christians that means praying for those in office, continuing to be generous and loving to those around us, and walking by faith trusting our great Jehovah God, who is so willing to prosper us in everything we put our hand to!
Blessings my dear friend, Karl

2011- Here We Go!

2010-12-31T18:51:00.000-06:00

As you get ready to move into twenty eleven, there are some things you can do to better facilitate crossing over. First of all remember that whatever you face no matter how impossible it might look, God always has a specifically, tailor made plan for your life.

Here are some key things to meditate on... Remember that God has a plan for me. Jeremiah 29:11 says; “I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”

Also know that you can find God’s plan for your life, by walking in faith. “We live by faith, not by sight.” according to 2 Corinthians 5:7.

The Bible declares that you and I have the ability to hear God’s plan… So be available to hear and obey God's voice this new year, because some great things are being released that were held up by the enemy, but he can't stop them any more...

Two more Bible verses that I will mention here are...

“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.” James 1:5

“I listen carefully to what God the Lord is saying, for he speaks peace to his faithful people. But let them not return to their foolish ways. Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, so our land will be filled with his glory.” Psalm 85:8-9
Blessed New Year to you... Karl

My Three Sons Coming!

2010-12-23T04:05:00.000-06:00

Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 NAS

Over the years Kathi and I have had the privilege to raise up 4 wonderful children. We certainly didn't always know what we were doing or what to do, but our trust was in God's Word. Just knowing that God had already figured out how to parent gave us the faith and resolve to do it. Were we perfect parents? No way, but that's OK... the key is to keep love and forgiveness close in the home, and keep God's Word even closer...

Well coming up this Sunday at our church Faith City, I will be sharing along with my three sons Andrew, Jason, and Jeremy all about growing up together... the good, bad, and maybe even the ugly... Come out and join us this Sunday at 10:00am. You might enjoy our sharing time and may you to find confidence through the Word of God for every area of your life... Be blessed friends, oh and Merry Christmas, Karl

Family Together

2010-12-22T16:49:00.000-06:00

Here is my wonderful family together... from left to right... Chris, Tabitha, and Braydon Blue; then Jason, Michelle holding Victoria, and Amy; then Me and Kathi at top; Aliyah Blue is standing at bottom... then Bianca holding Sophia; then again at top my oldest son Andrew holding Aiden, Kristen, with Ethan standing down behind Bianca; then my grandson Jonathon with his new wife Alyssa; and ending it up my youngest son Jeremy with wife Crystal... We are so blessed...
Merry Christmas to you and your family! What is so special about Christmas? This is when God invaded earth. It was big news when man first landed on the moon and walked there. It's even bigger news when God landed on the earth and walked here! That's what Christmas is about! We celebrate that God came to earth to redeem everyone that will humbly receive Gods wonderful gift, the Lord Jesus... So from Kathi and me and all our family, we confess a wonderful CHRISTMAS season over you and yours, in Jesus name! Blessings... Karl

In something for 30 years, can't shake it!

2010-12-20T15:33:00.000-06:00

That's right, I have been in a love relationship with a brown eyed fox named Kathi Lee... so I composed her a poem.

She loves me, respects me, and this is for sure...
Heart totally given and then given some more...
She notices my moods, she fixed my past...
She helps build our future, with Kathi, it's a blast...
I know where I'm going, and she's right by my side...
together forever, husband and bride...

Fathers can give their sons an inheritance of houses and wealth, but only the Lord can give an understanding wife. Prov 19:14
Thank you baby for giving me you, what a gift... Karl

Generations

2010-12-19T06:12:00.000-06:00

My father Charles, myself, sons Andrew and Jason

I was perusing through old family photos ( this was in Dec 1980) for a project I am working on and came across this one... I thank God for my father that showed me how to be honorable; and sons to pass it on through... Merry Christ full mas!
Rejoice with your family in the beautiful land of life! ~Albert Einstein
It is not flesh and blood but the heart which makes us fathers and sons. ~Johann Schiller
Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one. ~Jane Howard

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