A Pastor's Life

My life changed the day that was ordained. I think for the better, because I love what I do and who I get to serve. But, it is a different life that not everyone understands or can even appreciate. Now, this true of any vocation. But I found a list of expectations of pastors that I was not quite prepared for when I first entered the ministry. I found this list here.

Right or wrong, when you’re a pastor, people’s expectations of you change.

• Some believe you are holier than you could humanly achieve. Others are skeptical, secretly hoping you’ll fail.

• Some sincerely hope your family is materially blessed. Others think your family should barely be above the poverty line.

• Many will have very high expectations of your kids. Some will privately (or publicly) gloat when your kids fail.

• Some people will want to be close to you simply because you’re a pastor. Others will be too nervous to be themselves around you.

• Some will extend irrational love toward you and your family. Others will be easily offended (and dislike you) over something you would consider a minor misunderstanding.

• Some will almost worship you (even though you don’t want it). Many of those same people will leave your church before the end of this year.

• The joy of intimate Christian relationships for pastors couldn’t be greater. The pain and loss of broken relationships will haunt you throughout your ministry.

Then in thinking about the stress of vocational ministry as it affects my son and family.

• Your kids will hear you criticized.
• Your kids will watch you hurt.
• Your kids may see you wrongly strike back.
• Your kids might see your hypocrisy up close.
• Your kids might reject the church because you’re always there.
• Your kids may enjoy the extra attention when they are young and despise it when they mature.

So, anyway I love being a pastor, I really love when little kids call me "preacher," and I love all of you. Just things to consider as you deal with your preacher, whoever that may be.

Pastor Phillip

Congratulation's Barack

Regardless of what you think about him his story is inspiring. He could have been an aborted baby, but thankfully his mother chose life and we all get to see what he can now become. Pray for your new president today. You can check out an amazing prayer for our new President here. Also, check out the video below as well.
Pastor Phillip

Sunday's Sermon Notes

SERMON THREE: I BELIEVE IN GOD, BUT I TRUST IN MONEY

PRACTICAL ATHEIST: SOMEONE WHO BELIEVES IN GOD BUT LIVES AS IF HE DOESN’T EXIST.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Luke 12:34

WE ASK MONEY TO PROVIDE WHAT IT WAS NEVER MEANT TO:

#1 HAPPINESS : You reveal the path of life to me; in Your presence is abundant joy; in Your right hand are eternal pleasures. Psa 16:11

#2 SECURITY : God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Php 4:19

ONE OF THE #1 COMPETITORS FOR OUR HEARTS IS MONEY.

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains. 1Tim 6:10

No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money Luke 16:13

TWO DIFFERENT RICH MEN ENCOUNTER JESUS

Jesus said to him, "go, sell your belongings and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me." When the young man heard that command, he went away grieving, because he had many possessions. Mat 19:21-22

Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, "Look, I'll give half of my possessions to the poor, Lord! And if I have extorted anything from anyone, I'll pay back four times as much!" Luk 19:8

WHEN YOU FALL IN LOVE WITH JESUS AT LEAST TWO THINGS HAPPEN

#1 YOU BECOME STRANGELY CONTENT.

Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on God, who richly provides us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the age to come, so that they may take hold of life that is real. 1Ti 6:17-19

#2 YOU BECOME IRRATIONALLY GENEROUS.

"Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me!" You ask: "How do we rob You?" "By not making the payments of 10 percent and the contributions. Mal 3:8

…No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing. 2 Samuel 24:24

Discussion Questions

Do you trust money to provide happiness and/or security.? Why?

When you grow closer to Christ, you become strangely content with what you have. As you drift from Christ, you become less content. Are you more or less content today than last year? What does this say about your relationship with Christ?

Jesus said it is more blessed to give than to receive. Describe a time you gave sacrificially and how it blessed you as the giver. How can you give even more sacrificially?

Thank You President Bush

I am for the most part a single-issue voter. I have said this in the past, not that I don't care other issues, I deeply do. But, saving the lives of unborn babies is the most pressing issue in our day. You can say whatever you want about Pres. Bush. I have not applauded his every decision, his fiscal and monetary policy especially and his theology makes me cringe. But, the man has done whatever he could to protect life and deserves a great thank you.

The following is a thank you letter from the National Right to Life.

Thank You, President Bush. The Pro-life Movement salutes you for eight years of outstanding pro-life service as President. Thank you on behalf of all the unborn children you have saved by your pro-life leadership, policies, and legislation. These children are a living tribute to your presidency. Thank you, too, for appointing two new Justices to the Supreme Court who have already cast key votes to uphold the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act. They are likely to be an important pro-life legacy of your presidency well into the future.Your strategy of prohibiting government funding for stem cell research which requires the killing of human embryos and funding instead of the more promising ethical alternative of stem cell research which does not require the killing of human embryos has already begun to prove itself. Major research breakthroughs in adult stem cell research which requires no killing have been made during your Administration. This is another major pro-life achievement of the Bush presidency and is proving to be the most promising way of really finding cures. Thank you for your respect for the sanctity of life.We salute you for all of your efforts in defense of life during your presidency and for your steadfast strength and courage persevering even in the face of severe harassment from hostile anti-life opponents and media. You are an example to all of us of how to stand strong and speak the truth about abortion in spite of being attacked.Thank you for having the wisdom to ensure that your pro-life policies were effectively carried out by placing dedicated pro-life people of great talent in key positions in your administration. We recognize the importance of their service, too. Thank you for personally using the "bully pulpit" of the presidency to speak out for life. Your message to America was loud and clear. "Unborn children should be welcomed in life and protected in law." You will be remembered for those words and the dedication and determination behind them. Your pro-life words at the public signing of the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act, the Unborn Victims of Violence Act, and the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act, as well as your public speeches at major White House events you hosted on key life issues, all helped Americans focus more clearly on the life and death struggles to protect unborn children. Your defense of life was strong and courageous, but it was also compassionate. You were an example to everyone of how to fight abortion forcefully without condemning the people who advocate it or the women who have made the tragic error of having one. Polling data has shown that during your presidency the nation has become more pro-life, especially young people. This could have a very significant impact on our future.We know we will miss you terribly in the days and years to come, but we are very grateful for the accomplishments of your presidency. It has been an honor for all of us to know you and work with you for this great cause.God Bless you and God Bless America.

Written by Darla St. Martin who is the Co-Executive Director of National Right to Life. She has worked with President Bush since 1988.

Pray for the unborn in our nation. Pastor Phillip