I am so in awe of my God and I love bragging on Jesus, so here it goes. This past Christmas Day was so priceless for me. First of all, I had the privilege to preach God’s word on Christmas Day and to look and see God’s house full of worshippers who were more interested in His Presence than in their presents. Secondly to have four hands raised during the invitation to pray the sinners prayer. God ceases not to amaze me with His love and mercy for His created image! Thirdly, I was blessed to hold my six week old little great niece, Laney. She is so precious and loves her g uncle Steve! Jesus my Savior, my BC family and my domestic family have made a three fold cord that are responsible for another Amazing Christmas! Thank you and I love you all!

Having been in church all of my life, I have heard and seen everything when it comes to attitudes about serving (trust me I am not excluding my own attitude from this evaluation)! I know we are all tempted to think of serving as a “Got to”! Be honest, have you ever caught yourself saying “I got to teach the kids” or “I got to drive the van” or “I got to go to church” or “I got to go to choir practice”, etc. You get the idea! If your serving has become a “got to”, it’s time for an AA, attitude adjustment. Change your “got to” to a “get to”! Think and say, “I get to go to church”, “I get to teach kids”, “I get to drive the van”, “I get to give my tithe”! Serving God is always a “get to”! A “get to” says to God that you are thankful for the opportunity and that it is an honor to serve! “Get to” says you are happy to serve and it is with a grateful heart! A “get to” is contagious and motivates others to desire to “get to”! Let’s get our “get to” on and get the job done with an attitude of gratitude that’s says to God and the world watching that we “get to” and not “got to”! I get to serve God, say it and see how it motivates your work for God! Hey, try it on your job and family and other activities and let me know what you think?

This past Sunday, the worship team led us at BC in a new song entitled “Jesus Be the Center”.  As we worshiped the presence of Jesus came closer and closer and Psalm 16:11(Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore) became a reality.  Putting Jesus in the center makes everything else revolve around Him.  All other interest, hobbies, relationships, responsibilities, must surrender to Jesus being at the center of it all.  Are we having church about Jesus or church about us!  Are the songs to bless us or to bless Him!  We have today what I call selfish worship instead of self less worship.  I think that is what Jesus meant by spirit and truth worship.  Jesus Church and Jesus Worship is what we need, Jesus Be the Center of It All!  Visit bethelchurch.info for the music video “Jesus Be the Center”

Aloha in the Hawaiian language means affection, love, peace, compassion and mercy.  As Sharon and I arrived in Hawaii on Monday, we felt all of the above.  Everyone we meet were friendly and welcoming.  No one seemed bothered by our questions and ignorance, ha!  Why can’t all churches be like this!  God gives us an “Aloha” every morning when his mercies are new everyday.  His love and affection are unconditional and His compassion it fails not and of course He is the peace that transcends all understanding.  As I sit here on Waikiki Beach walk at 6:30 am on Tuesday, September 13 at Starbucks might I add, I can hear God saying ALOHA world.  ”I ALOHA you so much that I gave my only begotten SON that anybody and everybody who believes in Jesus will not perish but have everlasting LIFE!  We serve and ALOHA God so lets be ALOHA people. ALOHA everyone!

Winning teams have players that make things happen. That is always true-whether sports, business, church, or some other arena.  Those team members who can make things happen are the go-to players.  Leaders are looking for people who can step up and make a difference when it matters.  Become a go-to player.  Everyone admires a go-to player.  They are the ones who find a way to make things happen no matter what.  Criticism does not stop them. Circumstances do not have to be favorable or fair.  Pressure does not hinder them.  They always produce even when the heat is on.  Jesus gathered go-to players around him and they turned the world right side up!  His team knew that it was do or die and they did both for the cause because they were a team determined to win Christ.  It is time we demonstrate consistent competence, responsibility, and dependability and regain our influence as a church that gets it done for the cause of Christ.   The good news is in Christ, WE  WIN!