That's Delight?

Your life was designed to live and enjoy. You are a special creation which is you unique and unlike anyone or anything else this world will ever know. You are the only person who will ever live the life you live, know all the people you know, or go all the places you go. Enjoy life. Delight in life.
Ironically we find that life is delightful at many times, most of which is to our definition of delight. What is God's definition of delight? Is there a divine definition of delight? We seem to define delight as something that is fun, but is that accurate?
When you woke up this morning and brushed your teeth was it delightful? Likely not. So, why did you do it? Because you would rather do it more than get a filling... you delight in the fact that the bigger picture is well worth it. I propose to you that delight comes when we live for something greater than our own selfishness. Our human nature will tell us that we exist for self-preservation; our faith tells us that we live for TRUTH preservation. As followers of Jesus we must delight in seeing truth succeed.
For more on this please take the next 30 minutes to view this session entitled "That's Truth?" If it blesses you in any way please email us and let us know.

The Way of Life

What is your way of life? What path are you on and where are you heading? Are you going where you want to go? This is the dawn of a new year, when we reach dusk will you have the assurance that this year was all it could be?
There are a few things which are certain to be contained in 2010. Please view this session and consider your life and the way it is heading this year.

Guest Speaker: Jim Jones

In my absence our church was blessed to have one of its good friends from Rock of Ages Prison Ministry. Jim is an exuberant voice of God who will inspire you to further your walk with Jesus.

Enjoy this session and if you are encouraged by it, please email us to let us know, and share it with a friend.

A Risky Christmas Adventure

Jesus knew a simple addage: Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
This is Christmastime in 2009 and it seems we all are trying to be safe. Amidst a face smile of good cheer we are only trying to cheaply mask the fear surrounding our national security, personal finances, and shaky relationships. The last thing we are truly experiencing is peace on earth or good will toward men. But, there is hope.
When it was time to bring God in body into the world (Jesus), a message went out of the Messiah's birth but it didn't go out to he high fleutin' politicians in Washington, DC or the religious leaders in the vatican; instead it went out to the plain old working class folks just like you and I. People who have issues, bad days, and are at time insecure are the ones God saw purpose in and it is them that he brought ground breaking news to.
Today that same knews is coming to you, and you have to face the decision of what you are going to do now that you know where Jesus is. Only a fool would know where Jesus is and not run to him.
If you are encouraged by this session please email and let us know and share it with a friend.

Facing Winter

Death is something most people fear but it is as much a fact of life as is birth. We were are all born and we will all die. This fact should motivate us to seriously consider what happens upon death and determine if we are prepared. If we have recognized the truth of Jesus and put our faith in Him we are prepared for this impending winter which is coming. If we have not seen Jesus for who He is then we are unprepared and standing out in the cold with nothing to protect us from a brutish suffering.
This fact should motivate the Christ follower. We are standing in our prepared state and have all we need to face this winter while others stand unprepared. Some great about Jesus is that when he equips us to face this winter he also gives us everything we need to prepare others. Literally we have the boots, mittens, and coat the everyone needs to be delivered from the impending threat of winter. Sadly, many Christ followers tend to scoff at the ones on the outside and talk about how foolish they are and display their disbelief that anyone would go out in the cold dressed in such a way, instead of sharing the warmth with them.
The last challenge Jesus gave to His followers while on planet earth was for them to share the warm; equip others.
Check out this final session of our "Harvest Before Winter" series. If it blesses you in any way please let us know it and share it with a friend.

Turn Around.

A few years ago I went to a "Revival Meeting". Now, I don't know about you but I always thought that these meetings were intended for current followers of Christ to come and get their spiritual flame to burn a bit brighter. The very work "revival" means to literally revitalize or the rekindle what is already there. So, spiritually it would take the Christ follower who has let their flame die down and bring it a raging inferno again. While I sat in this meeting a seemingly angry man demonstrated to me that he found the intent of these meetings to be strickly evangelistic and aimed toward the non-believer (And, that is fine, we need meeting like this but I would not have called it a revival rather an outreach). As I sat in my seat this angry mans fist repeatedly struck the podium and his voice peaked out the sound system which produce a very unpleasant sound. In this arena I asked myself, "Is this the way Jesus spoke to people when he was trying to show them the truth?" When Jesus spoke the words "I am the way the truth and the life" (John 14.6) was he slapping the Pentatuch against a rock to emphasize each word which he shook a raging finger at the crowd. I don't know about your house when I was growing up when mom and dad acted like that I shook and ran from them instead of running and clinging to them.

Sadly I believe many well intentioned Pastors and Evangelist have missed the point of how Jesus became the days superstar of truth and attracted people from hundereds of miles away to walk days just to see him. Mark 1 relays to us the even of Jesus entering into his adult manhood and calling and also shows us the approach that Jesus took. Verse 15 is the first words Jesus speaks in this book and he says, "Repent and Believe...". Now, these are the same words that the man I saw speak was using but again, I can't picture Jesus, jumping, slapping, and spraying spit onto the crowd. In our society the term "Repent" is associated with a man doing all these things but not Jesus.

"Repent" literally means to turn around. Jesus is inviting people to turn around. Why? Because they won't like the destination they are heading toward. He contines and says "Believe". Jesus is in essence telling them "You won't like where you are heading; believe me on this one, turn around, come back this way... come back to me." That is a bit different that how most soapbox preachers present this verse, isn't it? Repent is not a negative word, it is a positive invitation to a better destination because we believe Jesus.

Have to recognized yet that your natural path is not taking you to the destination you desire to be at? Do you need to turn around, beleive Jesus, and reach the destination your soul longs for?

Watch this session as we learn about this turn around. If it blesses you please let us know and share it with others.

What is Your Life?

"This is Your Life" was a TV show in years past which highlighted a person's life and reflected on the accomplishments and failures of life. "E! True Hollywood Story" currently gives a glimpse into the lives of celebrities. We seem to have a facination with look at people's lives; it is time you look at our own.
I encourage you to do something today. Ask yourself, "What is my life?". Really, stop and reflect on it. Scripture poses the question "What is your life?" and gives the insite that it is a vapor. It is here and then it is gone. We run our lives like we are the here all and end all. Consumerism is the recipe of the day and we feel life we must reach the standard of living portraid by commercials and celebraties or else we will never be happy. We end up running our lives as if the goal is to acquire wealth, possessions, and build shallow relationship then wonder why the depression rates are at all time highs, insomnia is not explained as normal to tens of millions of people, and relationships are falling apart quicker than my two year old can dismember a pb & j sandwich.
My suggestion is this. As you examine your life and seek to discover your life's meaning you will have to know the intent of your life before you can discover your purpose. This now becomes an origins game. Consider the fact that you were not made my some random accident, rather you were created by a loving God who makes nothing or no reason but makes all things for his enjoyment and ours. From the beginning of life we were created to know God and have a relationship with Him which allows us to get to know him more. You were intended to be connected with God. But, somewhere along the line this connection was broken through our rebellion, since then mankind has been on a path leading us away from our intended purpose.
Mark 1.15 Jesus says, "You're going the wrong way, turn around... you've got to believe me on this one." And asks us all to open our eyes and see what we are doing to ourselves and then look at a far better life he has in store for us. A life free of selfishness, consumerism, and depression.
Enjoy this video session as we explore the idea of answering the question, "What is your life?" If you receive a blessing from this video please take moment to let us know and then pass it along to a friend.

Beautiful World

To all of you in internet land here is an incredibly fun song we have done for a year or so and I thought you would enjoy it!

The Disease in the Field.

Look around and you will see there are issues today and some that are unlikely to go away. The world economy has collapsed, crime is on the rise, and some believe life will end in 2012. Every group claims to have a problem to all these issues; politicians, scientists, and psychologists all have theoretical solutions. Jeremiah also had a bit of insight on this but his does not come from observation; his comes from God.

As mankind searches for a solution we often come up with ways to calm the effects of an underlying problem and can never deal with the problem because we deny what the real problem is. Jeremiah sought God's take of the situation and God spoke to him with the answer. In Scripture, Jeremiah 17.9 we see God's revelation to Jeremiah was the deep within the heart is the problem; our disconnection with God is the problem. Since society has by-and-large left any recognition of God they have also denied there could be anyway to please or displease God. Without recognizing God one cannot deal with the fact of this disconnecting nor can they do what it takes to reconnect it.

We are currently in a series talking about the parallel God uses about a farm and his followers. Take time to view this session. If it blesses you let us know and share it with friend.

Sleeping During the Harvest

Anyone who knows me knows that I am not a farmer. Likely they would laugh if you told them I ever worked on a farm. I have no farming experience other than a garden my wife and I had at a previous house. Even though I have no such experience though I do know something about agriculture; you have to make sure everything is done right and on time. If you miss a step early on it will effect the harvest; if you miss the harvest all is lost. Timing is essential and the harvest is what makes it all worth while.

You may be asking now, what does this have to do with anything? Let me explain. Spiritually speaking we live on a field; God's field. We are all one of his plants, something or someone that he has invested seed into. We live our life and grow spiritually and may come to the point that we blossom and are ready to enter a whole new purpose in life. If that harvest doesn't come then we will never grasp that new purpose and will instead fall and rot. The same is true to the physical farmer's field; timing and harvest must be done properly.

God has given his followers the task of manning the fields and making sure all goes well in them; we have the responsibility of tending to the plants and assuring they are harvested. Sadly the vast majority of his followers have lost the commitment to their responsibility and are now curled up inside the farmhouse where it is warm and comfy instead of one the field where they should be. The greatest need in the world today is for Christ's followers to get out of the house and back on the field. The greatest disgrace in the world today is that Christ's followers have let Satan trick them into thinking the church if for those who already know Jesus instead of those who don't.

The video session below is part 1 of a series we began this past week and is designed to motivate you to get out of the farmhouse of comfort and get back onto the field. You may not want to watch this session but you need to! If you enjoy it and are moved please email me at pastor@millettbbc.org and let me know and then pass it along to another person who will be blessed by it.

Faith Takes Action

I have to admit something. I have a this facebook account and I keep track of a lot of people whom I haven't talked to or seen in years... really cool, right?! This is nothing new, you probably have one too and do the same thing. But do you do something else I do that is really silly? I join these groups and causes for things that are really good things like "Stop Domestic Violence" or "Abortion is Murder". At face value this all sound really good and makes me look like I care, but I don't. Well, not that I don't care about these things, but if joining that group or cause meant I have do send them money (even a one time gift) or show up to work a benefit event once and a while I wouldn't.

Please feel free to judge me for this but immediately following your judgement please go to your facebook page and ask yourself the same thing about all the groups and causes you are a member of. I do find my support for these causes and more are taken care of though other involvement in church or organizations.

My point is this... we like to say we care and are willing to support something but we really don't if we are not willing to take action on it. Our claims are empty and superficial at best. The same is true with our faith if we don't take action upon it. Jesus is often seen as a great philosopher with a get out of hell free card for all who think that way. Jesus never intended for his life and his sacrifice to be viewed in this way. Faith was intended to produce action. The author the book of James said it this way, "Faith without works is dead". Like roadkill on the highway it is there but it also stinks and is viewed as in the way; it is dead.

Your faith is intended to move you forward and others around you also. Check out this session of our service. If you find it inspiring and helpful please pass it along.

Faith Looks Forward

Did you ever stop to think about the rear view mirror in your car? Man, that has to be one of the greatest safety devices known to the auto industry! I use that thing all the time and would encourage everyone to use it. Oh, the great things it has to reveal; it tells you where you are coming from, what your are coming out of, who is about to pass you, the cop is coming up on you fast, or what the kids are yelling about this time. We have all been the person who had to slam on their breaks just in time and then immediately check the rearview mirror to make sure the person behind us has stopped. This small, rectangular device is a must have for all vehicles or we would continually be taking our eyes far from the road ahead to turn around and look out the back window; since I drive on a regular basis, I'll thank you ahead of time for not doing this.

The rearview mirror is great, but do you know why it is small; smaller than the windshield; why all the seats don't just face backward so we can clearly see behind us? Because cars were made to go forward. So are you.

It is true that best predicter of the future is the past, but we must not live life constantly looking backward. You cannot safely move forward while looking backwards. Sadly, many people are doing this today. Past relationships, heart break, past successes, and past failures are just a brief touch on things that hold people from looking through the clear window of where they are headings. Since they are looking backward they can never direct thier lives to a place which they want to go.

This concept is sad but true. In the Old Testament Biblical times some of the founders of what lead to the Christian faith did something very cool. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph all did something very bold on their death beds to ensure that their contemporaries and generations to come would have hope and peace. Each one of them shared the root of their success; they shared their faith. They shared that all they had in life was a tribute to God and the way he kept the promise he had given to them, but it had to face forward. Faith is not effective if it stands still or looks backward; but when facing forward, there is not force that can stop faith.

You have been designed to reach great heights and fulfill great purpose. You were designed to make a difference the same way the founding leaders of faith did... through faith. Are you ready to stop staring at the rear view mirror and do whatever it takes to move forward toward what God created you for? Watch this session and let it change your life. If you enjoy it let us know and pass it along to a friend. enjoy.

Faith Gives Vision

You cannot have faith and not see something bigger or better that now.

In scripture Abraham is recorded in "The Hall of Faith" in Hebrews 11 for the very reason that he had faith and he had vision. His faith directed his vision. His faith equiped him to take steps toward a greater future for him or his family than he could achieve on his own. Abraham left his land, his job, and his family behind to journey to a land he would never settle in but knew God would provide it for his kids. Abraham's faith gave him a vision that directed his actions to be about someone other than himself.

What is your vision in life? Are you all about you? Are you so settled on your own opinions that you don't have time to listen to an eternal God who created you with a far bigger purpose than to sit around and be a junk food disposal?

If we are only one planet earth for a brief 80 years and it is all over, what's the point? God had a greater vision for you in mind; have God in mind when you set your vision.

To clarify more on this idea I encourage you to spend the next 30 minutes viewing this session. If you like it pass it on and let us know about it.

Faith Through Disaster.

Life happens, but so does blessing.

God never intended for you to face a day without the hope of brightness at the end. No, there is no promise that all will go your way or that you will be rich or famous. While some promise you can get rich quick and make your body sexy by Monday, God offers no such things; but he does offer hope. Hope that you will make it through. Hope that your life is worth living. Hope that disasters can become blessings.

Recently I have been reminded of the way God's Hope works. I have a tendency to see anything that inconveniences me as a curse from God and often ask the question "WHY!" right before a curse word flies through my mind and I want to throw something at the next person I see. It is at these times that I do not want some religious lunatic telling me that there is a loving God that has it all in control. (Frankly, throwing something at the moron who is doing 35 in the 55mph zone sounds like a much better way to handle my irritation.) It is after the whole thing settles down that I sit back and think to myself... "man, that was stupid... you got that upset about... blah, blah, blah... What's wrong with you?" Now, I know what you are thinking right now; "This guys is a Pastor and he does that too?!" Yes, it is a normal instinct to get ticked off from time to time and later regret it or realize how foolish it was.

The important thing for us at that point in time is that we stop are think about things and purpose in our heart to let our Faith take control the next time we begin to act and think selfishly. It may seem like a disaster at the time, or at least a major inconvenience, but you don't know what God is planning at that moment; you are not the only person alive and God may be working some divine intervention at that moment. The person 2 cars in front of your 3 cars behind you may have been killed in a fatal accident if God hadn't put the 83 year old grandma in the front of the pack to slow them down. Maybe it is you who is spared a fatal accident.

The point is this: disasters will come to your life; how will you handle them? God gives us great insight in scripture of how to listen to His way of working, and follow his warnings before we later regret it. Noah is a great example of this. Think about it, Noah was an old man when God told him to build the ark; the last thing this old guy wanted to do is build a boat miles from water to be made fun of and thought of as the town idiot... but he did it! Why? Because long before he was asked to build a boat he had placed his faith in God and purpose in his heart that God was a better choice to follow than his own selfish desires and ambitions.

For more on this topic watch this sermon from the "Hall of Faith" series. If it blesses you, share it with a friend.

Seeking God's Approval

It is a basic human need to have the approval of someone. Mankind uses this basic need to motivate us into action. Some may seek the approval of everyone and some may only seek their own approval; but why did God create us with this need?



As we continue through Hebrews 11, the Hall of Faith, we find a guy who is known for little more than events which revolve around one thing... he pleased God. Enoch is the guys name and he found the approval of God. How? Join us as we discover the answer to than questions and pay close attention to how you can live a life with God's approval.

Smash My Ride - Episodes 3 and 4

If you look below you will find out first and second episodes of our now famous "Smash My Ride" promo for Smash Bash. The event has come and gone but you can keep reliving the fun by checking out the rest of the show.
Here are episodes 3 and 4.

Smash My Ride - 3 of 4:

Smash My Ride - 4 of 4:

A Dead Guy Talks.

There is a lot we can learn when we listen to people; including the dead.

Okay, so before I freak you out I should likely explain that statement: We will all leave a legacy; something we are known for after we kick the bucket. Once you die it is nearly guaranteed that you will be talked about the next time the family is together feasting over a warm Thanksgiving bird; what will they say? When your kids tell your grandkids about you what will they say? What they say reflects your legacy. Through you legacy you will speak to generations to come... you will be talking dead man (or woman).
In our look through Hebrews 11, or better known as the "Hall of Faith", we will find several dead people whose legacies speak to us. Today we look at Abel. Abel lived at the dawn of time and we know very little about him. However, Hebrews 11 says that he was a man of faith and faith drove him to seek excellence. His legacy is one of faith, sacrfice, and excellence; what is yours?

The Hall of Faith and You

The Hall of Faith and You.

Sermon from Sunday, September 6, 2009

When someone is really good at what they do we place them onto a pedistal. This pedistal is not always that of idolatry, rather recognition for the superb job they do. In theory, when someone is born they have the same opportunity to be recorded in a Hall of Fame as anyone else. What makes the difference? According to people who have been inducted into one of the numerous Halls, a key to their success was beginning when they were young. The older we are, the harder it is to develop into what will leave a legacy. You may get good, but a legacy isn't likely to follow. The same is try spiritually.

When someone comes to Jesus, it is very important that they begin right away learning how to develop that life as a Christ Follower. Hebrews 11 is full of people whom have left a legacy for Jesus Christ but it didn't come because they woke up one day and decided to do something great; their legact comes from continued devotion to following God... but it all started somewhere.

You can leave a legacy, but it needs to begin asap. Today is the day to begin living a devoted life. You are already leaving a legacy; is it the one you want to leave? Enjoy this service as we talk about your opportunity to be named in the Hall of Faith. What will people be saying about you after you pass on? You can decide, you can begin. Today.

Smash My Ride - Smash Bash 2009

This year we have once again been invited to attend Smash Bash, hosted by Lakeview Church in Camden, MI. Smash Bash is a human powered demo derby with events such as a drag race, pit stop challenge, and demolition derby. Teams are made up of teenagers, and they push a car which they have gutted and painted. Prizes are given for best paint, and the best of each event. A traveling trophy is given to the car which performs the best in the demo derby.



This year we decided to take a very fun approach to promoting this event and make 4 espisodes mimicking MTV's Pimp My Ride. We created "Smash My Ride". Each episode has a creative fun twist and shows the progress of our car, as well as calling people to action.



Smash Bash is September 19th at 12n. Come out and bring the family for a day of fun!

Up Your Thanks.

Did you know that your abundance and spiritual growth is determined in part by your level of thanks? It's true! That is what we discuss in our series "Step Up" in the installment called "Up Your Thanks".
Think of this; if you are not thankful for what you have you are focused on what you don't have. If you are focused on what you don't have your are coveting which is a sin (Exodus 20.17), and you are festering a life of greed. There are differernt kinds of thanks to offer: Natural Thanks, and Pure Thanks. There are likely more, but this is what we will look at today. Natural thanks is simply recognizing something was done for you and you say thanks. Sometimes it is empty or sometimes it is with an alterior motive... trying to flatter the giver so they will return often and with more. Pure thanks is totally different; it responds to generosity with acts of love. Pure love never says "thank you, but...".
When it comes to our faith we are to have Pure Thanks for what Jesus has done for us. I Thessalonians 5.18 gives us insight into the seemingly elusive will of God which we are all seek, and tells us that giving thanks is part of the glue that holds it all together. You reaching your full potential of abundance and greatness in Jesus Christ is determined by your level and purity of thanks.
Please take the next half hour to sit back and reflect on your life as you view this challenging installment called "Up Your Thanks." Share it with a friend and then write us and let us know how it changed your life.