Hey Gang,   2008 is passing away like a dream.  For some it was wonderful and for others it was a nightmare, but no matter which side you are on, it’s over!  Now what are you going to do in this new year?  To improve your game you must invest time and energy.  So again, what will you change? Add? Delete?  What will make this year a banner year for you? What miracles do you need?  What mountains are facing you right now blocking your view or your victory?  Our God is able.  He can still move mountains and still accomplish miracles.  Do you believe? Trust? Have faith?  You should, ’cause HE can.  Let us know how to pray with you or rejoice with you as we boldly enter the new year.  Pray for me and my family as we will be out of the country the first week in 2009.  Praying for you.  I will be reading your posts and prayer requests.

Love,

Pastor Chris

You Guys are Great,

As most of you know this is my first real experiment with the cyber-world.  It is a little scary.  Thanks for your posts and your many prayer requests.  As Faith Promise continues to grow this blog and site keeps me more connected to the body and the multitude of needs.  Next year together we will see this site grow as we take the Good News of Jesus and hope to a hurting world.  Merry Christmas and I will keep praying for the much needed Christmas miracles.

Love,

Pastor

As the year winds downs and goes away, most of us will have a little extra time for R & R.  This is a great time for the year for it.  It is cold and wet outside and warm and toasty inside.  Yes, you need some R & R.  Our church office is closed for the Christmas break and our Executive Pastor told the staff not to show up.  “Take some time off.”  Rest is great, and while you’re taking some R & R, have some more R & R = REVIEW AND REFLECTION.  As Christ-followers we need to evaluate our past year.  How was it?  What were your victories, defeats, miracles, areas of strength and areas of growth? Where was God this year?  What was HE up to in your life, ministry, family, and vocation?  Take some time to evaluate your experiences of the year and how you can better serve the Lord this upcoming year.  Where do you need work?  Yep, some R & R is great this time of the year if you want to improve your game. It’s up to you!

Just a thought.

Pastor Chris

We at Faith Promise Church are in the middle of a December to Remember with three huge weekends wrapped around the birth of Christ.  We have just completed two, as I write this blog.  I have been praying for thousands, that they would experience a much-needed Christmas miracle.  Let us know of Christmas miracles you need or that you have experienced.  Your need or experience could help build the faith of others.  Looking forward to hearing from you.

Love ya,

Pastor Chris

As a Pastor, I have somewhat of a shepherd’s heart and as such I long to see you grow closer to the Great Shepherd.  Please don’t leave growth to chance.  In 2009 I will have my second book dealing with your personal growth plan.  I really want to challenge you prepare a plan and put it into action in ‘09.  It will be our best year yet.  I am praying for you.  Let us know what is your biggest barrier to preparing a plan or putting one into action.  Your problem could help others. 

Love ya,

Pastor Chris

Hey Gang, 

Only one question came in concerning a growth plan – not shocking.  For 20 years I have had a personal growth plan and it is the greatest key to my spiritual growth.  I guess I’m like a reformed smoker, sort of obnoxious, so I believe everyone should have one in place.  If you look at the last blog, use my growth plan to begin to construct your own.  Don’t use my numbers, just the spiritual disciplines.  This can help you more than you may know.  Let me know how I can help you.

Love ya,

Pastor Chris

We have all seen upgrades in software; the pop-ups happen daily as programs are improved.  God wants to give us an upgrade.  U 2.0  I firmly believe God wants us all to grow daily.  Many stay stuck in a religious rut because of no plan to grow.  During the month of December we will talk about your growth.  It is my prayer for you that by the end of the year you have a plan in place.  Let me show you my plan for 2008. Remember I sort of get paid to be spiritual, so here goes:

2 hours of devotion 5 days a week

52 memory verses

Read Old Testament once and New Testament twice

Read 50 other books

Fast 12 days

Meditate on Scriptures during devotion

Share my faith with 26 people

1 personal prayer retreat of 2 days

Exercise 5 days a week

That is my starting point.  I would ask you to start a plan.  Make it obtainable yet streach yourself.  Let me know your problems so we can help each other.  We have 3.5 weeks to prepare your plan.

Love ya,

Pastor Chris

P.S. I’ll let you know how I did with my plan and goals at the end of the year.

Hey gang,  the blog is growing – thank you. I want to use this to keep in contact with you and for us to grow together.  I love December because it is the month to review the year and prepare for the exciting new year.  In the next few weeks part of our blog communication will be talking about our 09 growth plan.  Do you have a plan?  Have you ever prepared one?  I have used a personal growth plan for the last 20 years and it is the best tool I have used to grow in every area of my life.  I am excited about the possibilities for you this new year.   I am currently writing a book on the subject, that is how important it is to me, and to you.  Are you excited about the possibilities in the new year?  I’m praying for you. Comment below as to how i can best help you in developing and employing your plan.

Love ya

Pastor Chris

P.S. Don’t forget the December to remember.  Three huge weekends at F.P.C.  This weekend will be great.  You can put confidential prayer requests on my site so I can pray for you.

Daily, the news seems to go from bad to worse. Just when you think it can’t get worse, it does.  Now, what started as a 7 billion dollar bailout has turned into 1.5 trillion dollars.  Not only are we facing a world-wide meltdown economically, but churches are facing the same hurdles.

What are we to do?  As usual, we have a choice: we can sit down and be depressed and wait on the rapture, or we can use this golden opportunity for Jesus.  We know the problems, but the opportunities are greater than ever.  If you have no problem, you need no miracle – and we need some miracles!  What an open door for God! 

Our culture seemed to have turned its back on the Lord during the economic booms, but now with recession and economic uncertainty people are more open to the gospel.  For that we should be excited, ignited, and capitalize on the OPEN DOOR.  It is no time for churches to stop and hunker down.  Let’s be ready for the new seekers, more needs, more doors and opportunities to share the message of hope the Bible gives.  It is not time to wring our hands in disgust, but to ring the bells of Christmas and hope.  Be encouraged, worker of God!  Now is the time to make a God-sized difference.  Don’t let the Devil discourage you-press on as never before. 

I don’t know what the future holds. Are we facing judgment, reaping the results of poor financial planning, or what?  No one knows, but let’s advance the cause of Christ during this perfect opportunity.  “Do not grow weary in doing well knowing that you will reap if you don’t faint.”  It is in turbulent times that great ministries thrive.

Love ya,

Pastor Chris

This is the time of the year people love to hate.  Some people look forward to this time with great anticipation of celebrations and time-honored family traditions.  It is a festive time of year and enjoyed by millions.  Others, sadly, hate to see December descend upon us because it brings back memories and painfully points out that life didn’t turn out as planned.  Suicide attempts increase greatly at this time of the year. 

It is my prayer for you that you encounter the Christ of Christmas this year.  This season of festivities is really a season of faith.  You remember, hope was born in a barn.  Victory was gained for the human race and you can experience it.  I pray that this is your best Christmas ever. 

Love,

Pastor Chris

P.S.  Let us know some Christmas celebrations you plan to experience.