Pastor Brian's Corner

Chains off

2010-04-22T12:01:00.002-06:00

I am still thinking and praying about the 113 responses at Easter, and the fact that God wants to give us the power to watch the chains fall off. Jesus went to the cross so we could have power and freedom from those strongholds (chains) that hold us back from being all that God wants for us.
Thank you God, for your perfect plan, and help us to not settle for FAR LESS than HIS plan for our everyday life.

Pray first not Last

2010-03-03T14:24:00.002-07:00

I am thinking about the great visual in Exodus 17 of Joshua in battle, Moses on the hillside in prayer, Aaron and Hur holding up Moses tired arms understanding that the key to victory is prayer and the power unleashed as the Father intervenes for the battle down below.
I see togetherness, unity, prayer and God's power making all the difference.

As we face battles in this life, I pray that we would remember that we have the power of God, prayer, and one another to get us through. It is important to remember to pray first not as a last resort. God forgive us for our tardiness when it comes to prayer.

Praise Him

2010-02-19T13:51:00.002-07:00

It is so easy to forget to thank God for what He has put together in our lives. We closed on our home in Tennessee today, it was on the market between 3-4 months. That in the Columbia market is an absolute miracle, PRAISE HIM.
Kim and I love the staff we are working with and many have said, it seems so normal. PRAISE HIM.
Our services have had an element to them that can only be described as a touch from God. PRAISE HIM.
Grace Church in Columbia Tenn. continues to do well. PRAISE HIM
Psalms 34:1- "I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak His praises."
Praise Him for all that is coming in the lives of those what call WCON their church, God is truly up to something good.

Storms

2010-01-30T10:48:00.002-07:00

This morning I woke up to a phone call with my Mom in Tennessee. She began to tell me about the huge storm, snow, rain, ice, a mess that was blanketing her community. She assumed of course that we would be having miserable conditions as well since we live in "Denver" now. I found it quite amusing to let her know it was sunny and hitting the 40's today.
Fact is you never know when and where the storms are gonna hit, and how intense they will be when they do arrive.
This would also be true in life, sometimes out of no where we get a curve ball that sends us spinning out of control. When some craziness comes your way remember, REMEMBER, God is in charge, He can handle it, we can trust Him. Storms will come, sunny days as well, so...lets enjoy the ride, and lets do this life together.

What Really Matters

2010-01-08T14:26:00.002-07:00

I just left the hospital room of a beautiful lady who heard the words this week, you have cancer and there is really nothing we can do. She loves the Lord, loves her family, and is in a lot of pain, and has no idea of of the timeframe of when she will be called to her eternal home.
On the way to the car after a good visit it struck me, "what really matters" in this life. God for sure, your spouse, your kids, and what struck me in the room is how her pained face lit up with life when her husband mentioned that she taught the 3 year old Sunday School class for 17 years. WOW
Investment in others, letting others know that a foundation built on Jesus Christ is the best way to go. It's one of the things that you can look back on and say, "that really matters."

When Life Gets Crazy

2009-12-29T15:32:00.002-07:00

Over 20 days since the last post. Oooops. I guess life went crazy, after all it was a wonderful white Christmas in Colorado, my folks came to town, Madison graduated, and I continue to feel the love from our new WCON Family.
Christmas Eve Family Communion what an incredible visual I was privileged to view from the platform as I watched hundreds of families share the Lords Supper together. Many prayers, tears, joy filled faces, as we reflected on the perfect sacrifice made for all of us, so that we could enjoy life on this earth at a new level, and look forward to life eternal in heaven.
I believe this new Christmas Eve tradition is going to stick. I love moments like that bring us back to whats important when life gets crazy.

Celebrate the Victories

2009-12-07T16:57:00.003-07:00

Some of the greatest news that I have heard in the last couple of weeks...
2 people have accepted the gift of salvation
2 people also rededicated their lives to Christ
a few people have told me they have found jobs after a long wait
a child told me he is thankful at Christmas for Jesus

What an honor it is be Lead Pastor at WCON, where God is on the move, and His people are listening.

Shhhhhhh, He is Speaking

2009-12-02T19:08:00.002-07:00

Are you a talker or a listener? We all agree that God still speaks in 2009, so then whats He been saying to you lately?
In my heart I feel God impressed to remember that the best way to grow a church is one person at a time. Who might that one person be for you this Holiday season? That person that God says, reach out to, care, listen, love, go the extra mile. What a great Christmas it would be if God used us to touch someones life and make an eternal difference. That would truly be the gift that keeps on giving...for an eternity.
So...lets listen up...and watch God work.

Power, Power, Power

2009-11-23T19:30:00.002-07:00

Thankful as I reflect on weekend services, excited that God showed up in such a special way.
I am convinced that God wants to give us some dynamic moments this week, where we have the unique privilege to serve Him. He also loves it when we start our day going to Him for a little extra Holy Spirit provision, when it comes to the power necessary to live each day in a pleasing way to our Heavenly Father. Thank you God for truly being the gift that keeps on giving.

Golden Bell Again

2009-11-17T21:31:00.002-07:00

As we drove up yesterday to GoldenBell for a Dist. New Pastors Seminar, I could not help but think about 18 years ago as a Youth Pastor in Oklahoma, taking High School Students to that very location, you talk about my life going full circle, WOW.

That camp holds some very special memories of teens lives changed. I have kept up with a handful of them and the great thing is those decisions made in the chapel at Golden Bell have stuck for many. There is nothing better than nailing down those convictions at an early age and moving through the teen years loving God, and on to adulthood.

I look forward to many more special moments like those at Golden Bell at WCON. God is still on the move and transforming lives, what a mighty God we serve.

God Answers

2009-11-09T22:12:00.002-07:00

Isn't it great when God answers a prayer in a way that is better than you could have thought of yourself. Today that happened as Madison our oldest met with her principal about options for the coming semester in which she only lacked one English credit. We had met last week and things seemed rather bleak on the "work with us" scale, but this morning it all changed. The principal and the Senior guidance counselor had talked and come up with a plan never thought of before by anybody, an online class that Madison can take at the school at her own pace, (which better be quick), and a schedule change as of today which will put her in another English class where she will have some make up, but it will be done, in order for her earn the credits she needs to graduate in December. She is great with that, we are thrilled, so she can stay in Colorado from Christmas til she starts college in the fall.

Thats a great plan God, glad you thought of it. Thanks for everyones prayers, God is Good.

Finish Strong

2009-11-02T22:21:00.002-07:00

As my kids went around the track at their elementary school today raising funds for the PTA, I couldn't help but yell out "Finish Strong" as the last song played, and the hour long walk/jog came to a close. I thought about that statement later, it is deeply ingrained in me that in whatever we do we give it our best all the way to the end. I think thats what God wants for us as we serve Him throughout our lives, always doing our best to finish what we have commited to, serving Him in a variety of ways and giving it all we've got. Keep Walking.

October Snow

2009-10-28T15:55:00.003-06:00

So....I have been told over and over again that this Oct weather is highly unusual and that this never happens, major snow, at this time of the year. Hmmmm today snow advisories.

When I came to Tennessee, I was told it never rains like this, we had a record amount of days with no sun whatsoever, and this October has been incredibly wet. Hmmmmmm.

So as you dig out your shovels, snow blowers, mittens, boots, whatever, feel free, blame me.

Details, Details, Details

2009-10-23T22:27:00.002-06:00

Moving company fax sent, Done, Storage Unit Secured, Done, Handyman walk through, Done, Work with Real Estate agent Fred to set price of current home, Done, few boxes packed, Done, details and more details.
Isn't it great to know that in all the details of life, we are not alone, that God cares about the little ones and the big ones. That we don't have to stress and worry (I still occasionally wrestle here). What we can rest assured in is that whatever it is that we are going through, its not too big or complex, or just too many details for God to handle, thank you Lord for being in the mix of every day life

Pray with Me

2009-10-21T21:55:00.003-06:00

Many of you have been kind enough to ask whats been on my heart, when it comes to praying through this transition, some of my thoughts....

The unity of Columbia Grace Naz, to stay together, and move forward through this transition.

For my parents, and Kim"s Mom and StepDad who all live in the area

For Madison's senior year, last semester, to fall into place

For Mylee, Maci, and Brady, to ease their minds with alot of changes coming

For God's Blessing on WCON, as we begin a new and exciting chapter in our lives as well as the great people that make up Westminster Naz

Moving West

2009-10-20T21:04:00.000-06:00

When Moses got close to the burning bush, God spoke, Moses response was "HERE I AM". Those 3 words have been huge in my life. God confirmed my call to ministry 27 years ago with this Exodus 3 passage, and once again in the last couple of months He has reminded me that this phrase "Here I am" is to be our hearts cry to His direction. Moving West is His direction for my family and me and we are excited to be headed to WCON.

Just wondering, has God been speaking to your heart about something lately? A great response would be "HERE I AM".