"My Muslim Faith"

Sunday during an interview with George Stephanopoulos, Barack Obama made a very interesting statement. He was talking about his faith and used the words, "my muslim faith." Now I'm not saying he is or is not a muslim, but what concerns me is that a nation that was founded on "in God we trust" is promoting a man who is obviously confused about his religion. Matthew 15:18 says, "But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean." He may not have meant to say it publicly, but it came from his heart.

After 9/11 and the attacks on our nation, the beheading of American men, the suicide bombers that have taken American lives, all done by radical muslims, we are at a place in our nations history where we might possibly elect a man named Barack Obama.

The media has told us we can't use his middle name, we can't talk about his past connections with Saudi Arabia, known terrorists, and preachers that preach hate, not the "good news of christ," but lets talk about Sarah Palin's church that is openning its doors to gay's to pray for them and believe that God would deliever them from the spirit of homosexuality. Lets talk about Sarah Palins family, but please don't talk about Obama.

In this election we have an opportunity to promote a women that believes in the bible, lives by the bible, and stands by the bible. Is she perfect? NOPE, are you? She is the most grounded christian political leader that we have. I can bank on one thing, she would never refer to her faith as "muslim faith." Why? Because her faith is her life, not just a political statement.

New Life this Sunday

We will have church this Sunday at 10 am at New Life. Come expecting a great move of God. We all have been affected by Gustav, now is the time to get together and pray for our city and families. Come and experience New Life

Sarah Palin

WOW, I was very impressed with Gov Sarah Palin. She did a wonderful job of communicating conservative ideas. Finally someone attacked Obama for what he is. I was not very excited about McCain until now. I don't have time to go over the entire speech, but I loved it. Somebody needs to stand up to Obama and the media love for him. He is unfit to lead, in fact has he ever led?

New Life News

With Hurricane Gustav approaching, many people from New Life have evacuated. You are all in our prayers and we hope to all be home soon. With a major hurricane comes so much uncertainty, but with God comes "peace that passes all understanding."

Please use the comments section to post news about you and your family. If you need anything use this site to let us know, or call our cell phones.

Visit metairieupc.org for information regarding the church. God bless

Greatest Movie Line Ever

There is a lot of debate on what is the greatest movie line of all time but this is my new favorite. Enjoy

American Idol Worship

I read some excerpts of a book, called Jim and Casper Go to Church, and I wanted to share a part of it. Jim is a former pastor and Casper (last name) is an atheist. Together they visited mega churches around the US and wrote about their experience. Here is a eye opening comment on worship.

[Jim: “On a scale of 1 to 5, how do you rate the music?”]

Two stars. That’s all I can do for you here.

For presentation and professionalism, they get a 4 or a 5, but the music is too contrived, too slick, too professional, really.

[Jim: “But that’s a good thing, no? That should attract people, right?”]

Maybe people who like American Idol. I mean, don’t get me wrong. I see the entertainment value, but when it comes to music, I like it pure. Too much polish and you lose the heartfelt power, you lose the soul of the music, and you’re not going to move anyone.

That blew my mind as I read that. How often do we in Pentecost focus SOOOO much on "professionalism" when what people really need is for our music to be "pure." What Casper is really saying to me is simple, without the anointing all of our professional music is worthless!

We like to be professional, because it makes us feel good. My church music rocks! We have the best band, talented singers, professional musicians, but do we have the anointing?

Where is the "heartfelt power" of our music. Do we have the anointing, or do we have professionalism? I've been chewing on this for about 2 weeks.

the good, the bad, and the redeemed

Kids Kamp 2008 is over! What a year it was. I have been a part of kids kamp for 10 years and this year was one of the greatest kamps we have ever had. I'm a little partial, b/c 7 of New Life's kids got the Holy Ghost. To be honest I was a little skeptical that they would get the holy ghost, boy was I wrong :) It wasn't that the SALT team was so good, or the music was so good, or the preaching was so good, it was simply the expectations of those kids. They expected to get the Holy Ghost. I think to often as young preachers, we think that if we don't have the lights, smoke, and crazy music young people want respond, but we must remember its not us, our methods, or our creative ideas that save people, its God. Don't get me wrong, I love lights, smoke, wild music and all that, but I don't think its what brings changes. It makes us feel like rock stars, but all we need is God. I watched this week as G.A. Mangun at 89 talk to kids and they listen, no smoke, no lights, no video, just God. I believe we should use relevant methods and keep the changing message, but if push comes to shove, give me the message, you take the methods.

Kamp was awesome and I can't wait till next year.