If you have a Bible, please read  Hebrews 10:21-25 now..
The words “Let us” is mentioned several times in this scripture. This is a CHOICE.  Let us….the word LET is similiar to “allowing”

I want to focus on one sentence and one word….in Verse 23…which says “and let us consider how we may stir up one another toward love and good deeds”

The word I want us to focus on this weekend is “STIR”

Before we get into that word, lets look at another scripture from Ezekiel 22:30 which says:

“I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none”

Today’s word that we are going to focus on is Shepherd / Warrior

(1)  In order for US, as men, to STIR up each other…we have to become SHEPHERDS

What does a SHEPHERD DO?

1. a shepherd leads with courage. –it does not back away from fear. If God is for me, who can be against me?
2. a shepherd protects bravely. –it doesen’t mean that you will always be brave, but again..if your trust in the Lord is strong, who can overcome you? Noone.
3. a shepherd sacrifices himself — it always been said that Christians should think of others first. The World tells us to think of ourselves first. Christ led by a great example. If we think and sacrifices for others, God will bless us for that.

(2)  In order for US, as men, to STIR up each other…we have to become WARRIORS

The scripture that I want to share with this word is from Matthew 10:34-38 which says:

“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword…”
“and whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me”

What does a WARRIOR DO?

1. a warrior is not passive — warriors are never LOOKING for a war, but they are always READY for a war. Wars are happening now inside our homes, our families, our communities, and our churches. Satan has thrown all temptations in our lives. We need to be MEN building up the walls, and standing in the gaps and protecting our homes, our families, our communities, and our churches.

Revelation 3:15-16 says: I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one of the other. So, because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I am about to spit you out of my mouth”

Too often, we have MEN being lukewarm….gossiping about others…..putting down others….badmouthing the church or the pastor….lukewarm people are the reason why our churches are in trouble….why our families are falling apart….

(3)  In order for US, as men, to STIR up each other…we have to become COACHES

What does a COACH do?

1. A coach calls the plays. — in other words, the COACH makes the decision. Not the wife, not the children, not the in-laws. The MAN who is under God’s authority, making godly decisions…is the one who makes the decisions.
2. a coach trains the team –it is the father’s responsibility to teach and train the family, the children, the wife. Not others. The church is not responsible. The pastor is not responsible. The DAD is responsible.  In Ephesians 6:4 it says: “...bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord“
3. a coach cheers for victory — when your wife gets promoted…cheer for her. Don’t grump about it. when your child accomplishes something, cheer for them. Your best time as a husband is being a cheer leader for your wife. Your best time as a father is being a cheer leader for your kids.

(4) In order for us, as men, to STIR up each other…we have to become ALLIES

Two things that common MEN say in their lifetime are:

• I CAN DO IT BY MYSELF
• THIS IS HOW I AM, I CAN’T CHANGE

Men, if you do not have ALLIES..people to support you..you are in DANGER. You need ACCOUNTABILITY.

It says in Ecclesiastes 4:9…“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.  But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up”

What does an ALLY do?

1. An ally supports you in your needs. –meaning if you go home after this is all over, you need to praying for your brothers in need. If they contact you, dont make excuses…make time for them. call them, text them, check on them, do whatever it takes to reach out.
2. an ally is not afraid to be blunt. — i enjoy brothers who get in my face and rebuke me. Why because it helps me to improve myself. Many times I have been stopped, told that I was not doing something right, and I improved myself as a father, as a husband, as a servant of God. We need to be willing to listen to those who try to help us….

Some may ask, “what about my wife?”  Guys…I admire you for your thought, but your wife CANNOT be your ONLY ally. You need men to support you in times that ONLY men understand.
(5) In order for us, as men, to STIR up each other…we have to become KNIGHTS

What does a KNIGHT do?

1. a knight must give up his life. –a knight, when blessed, has sworn his life for the King only. He is loyal only to his country and its king. He is always ready to die for them. (John 15:13 says: Greater love has noone than this; to lay down one’s life for another”
2. a knight must give all his strength. –his strength is an asset. his strength isn’t depending on himself, but the passion of serving his king. Who is your king? who are you passionate about serving? Shouldn’t be being giving our ALL to serve each other too?
3. A knight must decide what is priority. –what is important to you? When you go home after all this is over…what is it that you want your wife to see? your kids to see? your friends to see? your church to see? I pray and hope that you will change and CLAIM to change for the better.

You know there are two important words in a KNIGHT’s vocabulary… STRENGTH & HONOR…. when a knight sees another knight….those are the first two words they say to each other…

May you have STRENGTH and HONOR to your families, your homes, your communities, your church, to each other, and to our KING.

Just wanted to share the notes that I learned from the recent National Deaf Marriage Conference in Ridgecrest, North Carolina. Pastor Scott Corey and Rick McClain were the key speakers for this year. Below are the notes, enjoy!

Marriage requires two working parts to be successful and godly:  Accountability & Intimacy

Intimacy is NOT only about sex….it is the opportunity to BE WITH each other even in times that does not involve sexual activity. In the book of “Love & Respect” There are a few quotes that I want to share. One is the number one thing that Men think of naturally is the physical sense of intimacy. Women think of the emotional sense in intimacy. In all of you actions and words, LOVE must be the purpose of it. Without LOVE, your spouse will not respond with respect.

There are several rewards for INTIMACY, if done the proper way.

1. Confidence   – Your spouse must have confidence in your love for them. Show them, do things for thing without being asked
2. Comfort – Your spouse must know how to comfort you. Study your spouse. Know their needs.
3. Encouragement – You must encourage each other. Too many marriages have negativity that causes hurt and bitterness.
4. Commitment – Without this, whats the purpose of your marriage. Commit to LOVE at all times, even when its hard to do

Just like in a army of men when they are shipped out to fight in a war….we, the Men, need to be acting like the “POINT-MAN”  The purpose of the POINT-MAN is to travel ahead of the pack, study the surroundings, studying all that needs to be known, to prepare for the battle ahead.  How does this apply to us men? We need to study our wives, study her surroundings, study her needs, study all that needs to be known, to prepare how to love them MORE.

The Bible has always taught that marriage is about “WE” not “ME”   If a problem pops up, WE solve it.  If a death in the family happens, WE grieve together. If one loses a job, WE handle it. If finances become a burden, WE figure it out. None of these can be accomplised without “WE”

Marraige requires Five Pillars to be Successful

You know, the Holy Spirit gives us abilities to use our minds, our will, our feelings to improve our marriages.

1 Thessalonians 5:21-23 says 21″But test everything. Keep what is good. 22 and stay away from everything that is evil” 23 We pray that God himself, the God of peace, will make you pure – belonging only to him. We pray that your whole self – spirit, soul, and body- will be kept safe and be blameless when our Lord Jesus Christ comes.”

Before you build your Five Pillars…you have to have a foundation. And that foundation is built on SCRIPTURE only…

Why? Because sand shifts and changes, other materials shifts and changes….but the Word of God never shifts or changes.

Pillar #1  LISTEN TO GOD TOGETHER

When making decisions, pray together. When marriage brings a problem, listen to God’s Word on what to do.

Pillar #2  LISTEN TO EACH OTHER

When the TV is on and you spouse wants to talk to you, dont lean over to look at the TV and look back to them…turn off the TV

Pillar #3  LEARN TO TEACH OTHERS

Your marriage is being watched by those close to you. Your kids, your grandkids, your brothers, your sisters. Watch how you act.

Pillar #4  LEARN TO TEACH OTHERS by EXAMPLE

Your marraige is an example to someone out there. Show them godly examples. Your example teaches others.

Pillar #5   LEARN TO LOVE UNCONDITIONALLY

All pillars MUST be active to have a successful marriage.

The Bible teaches all throughout it that unless you are building your home on the Lord, you are wasting your time…

There are many biblical examples of couples in our Bible:

1. Adam & Eve
2. Abraham & Sarah
3. Noah & his wife
4. Issac & Rebekah
5. Jacob & Rachel
6. Boaz & Ruth
7. David & Bathsheba
8. Zechariah & Elizabeth
9. Joseph & Mary

1 John 4:7-8 says: 7 “Deaf friends, we should love each other, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has become God’s child. And so everyone who loves, knows God. 8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, becasue God is love.”

1 Corinthians 13:5 says: 5″Love is not rude, it is not selfish, and it cannot be made angry easily. Love does not remember wrongs done against each other”

Many marriage couples have a bad habit of remembering all the negatives and not remember any of the positives of each other. But God is opposite, praise the Lord.

Same as a baseball pitcher in a game. He hasnt pitched all season until the last game. How you think he felt? He was nervous. The first pitch thrown hit the batter. The second pitch thrown hit the batter.  The pitched felt awful and down.  The coach starts to walk out to talk with the pitcher. Knowing he was probably going to be fussed at, the coach comes up and encourages him “You are doing great. Keep it up. I know you are going to do better”  The coach sits back down and immediately the pitcher’s self-esteem is brought up. Three strikeouts are thrown.

We have to choose our words carefully when we approach a negative situation.  Choose to be positive, not negative.

Love is NOT about what you get from others….Love is about what YOU give to others…..Love is about sacrifice…

The Hebrew word for Wife is defined as “one who is intimate”……you notice it doesn’t say “one who is intimate FOR” or “one who is intimiate TO”

The idea should be “one who is intimiate WITH”

Your words are like a sword…careless words hurt….if you talk negative to your spouse, you are like “stabbing them with a sword”

If you pull out the sword, they “bleed”   whos responsible for the bleeding to stop? We who stabbed, are responsible for it…

When you married on your wedding date, your spouse did not come with an “expiration date”   You married UNTIL death do you part….

My greatest thought that I want to close with is your HOME is not a house. It is not your office desk. It is not your MAN-CAVE….. your WIFE is your home. When I tell people, i miss home…I want them to understand that I am really missing my WIFE….

Lover never fails to develop good leadership in the HOME…your wife needs it. Do it!

If you want to improve your relationship with your spouse…must SERVE them first.

If you want to become your spouse’s best friend….must SERVE them first.

Distracted

Hey everyone! Hope all is well. Me and Mandi just got in from a blessed weekend of serving our Lord. We were invited to be part of the Alabama Baptist Conference of the Deaf in Talledega, Alabama at Camp Shocco. Camp Shocco is owned by the Alabama Baptist State Convention. What a weekend! We had left a day early to spend some time with some close friends of ours at their home. And then Friday morning, we took off for Sweet Alabama….

The trip was so worth it. Me and Mandi arrived about 5pm and immediately was met by friendly faces and warm hugs. Of course, thats called southern hospitalility, SMILE! Anyhow, the theme of the weekend was “How To Be An Effective Christian” using the scripture reference from Romans 12:2 which says “Don’t be like the people of this world, but let God change the way you think. Then you will know how to do everything that is good and pleasing to him.”

I had broken the scripture down into 3 challenges:

1. Don’t Change to be like the World.
2. Let God Change You
3. Decide What’s Best and Pleasing to God

Friday evening, I used the illustration of a tea bag and handed one to each person in the congregation.  As they held the tea bags, I went on to teach that in order for us to not change ourselves to be like the world…we have to make sure we do not become influenced by the world, do not copy the world, and do not follow the world.

The additional scripture that I used was from James 4:4 which says “Don’t you know if you love the world, you are God’s enemies?..”

Which indicates that we cannot love the world AND love God equally the same…. We can be “IN the world” but not “OF the world”

Too often we pray to God to get us through our struggles, and sometimes the world gives us a better chance for our outlet needs….but like a tea bag, we have to go through “hot water” (or struggles) to make us a better people for the Lord. Tea cannot be made without hot water…..therefore…a Christian cannot mature without struggles of their owns.

I also shared a picture of a church within a fenced-off field. Too often the “fence” is not used properly. The purpose of the fence is to help us to protect ourselves from outsiders…but too often, we become curious and peek over the fence to see what the outsiders are doing and sometimes become drawn into it ourselves.

But another sad point about the fence, the church sometimes never leaves the fenced-off field…causing favortism or causing the church to die out. Lack of mission-minded churches is not pleasing and honoring to God.

Friday evening was a great kickoff worship and the Lord was definitely working on some people….

Saturday morning, I used  the second part “Let God Change You”…. I emphasized the word “LET“   its a choice. We have to LET God change us. We often get stuck in the world’s view of change such as:

• change your body to look better
• change your house to be bigger
• change you car to look more richer
• change your clothes to be more better

We get stuck in comparing ourselves to others…God isn’t interested in how you look, how your home is, or how much your car is worth…God is only interested in your heart. If we LET God change our hearts, our worries about other things will diminsh.

Sometimes as Christians…we want the best for ourselves…don’t you think God does too? Of course…but sometimes we as Christians are put to the test before God blesses us with what we ask of Him. A little struggle here and there helps us to mature…and in the maturing process, God indeed changes us.

James 1:2-4 says “My friends, be glas, even if you have a lot of trouble. You know you learn to endure by having your faith tested. But you must learn to endure everything, so you will be completely mature and not lacking in anything“

That scripture is proof that our struggles DO help us change for the better. Our faith grows. We mature as His children. And we learn to endure.

I used the illustration of an ONION. Its easy to peel off the outer layers of an onion, right? But as you get closer to the center, it becomes harder and harder to peel off the layers. That is what God does. He peels and peels and peels us until we will be able to withstand anything as long as we trust in Him.

Saturday evening was a great time! I performed my first 212jam Concert of this year. I did 7 songs with stories in between. Some of the Alabama folks wanted to know the list of songs that I did, here they are:

1. Salt & Light by Jami Smith
2. Amazing Grace My Chains Are Gone by Chris Tomlin
3. Who Am I by Casting Crowns
4. Arise by Don Moen
5. How Great Is Our God by Chris Tomlin
6. I Can Only Imagine by MercyMe
7. Here I Am To Worship by Chris Tomlin

Tears and smiles filled the two hour concert which was done in American Sign Language. I shared life applying stories to challenge us as Christians to not be like the world, be more like Christ.

Sunday morning, was the last part of the series. I shared “Decide Whats Best and Pleasing to God”

In order to “let God” change us…we have to first examine what needs to be changed within us. You are the only person on this earth that knows your sin and your heart better than anyone else. You know your sin. You know what needs to be improved.  We need to get rid of our bad habits, stop our sins, and do whats pleasing and good to God.

Too often, Christians talk the talk, but do not walk the walk.  We wear the “WWJD” bracelets and the Christian teeshirts, but when the world comes on us strong, we copy them, we follow them, we allow them to influence us. NO! We need to influence THEM….and get them to follow Christ and get them to copy Christ.

The last scripture that I shared with the group was from James 1:22 which says “Do what God’s Word says, not just listen to it“

We can not just listen listen listen listen to the teachings of our Lord….He expects us to USE it and apply it to our lives. The more we allow God to change us, mature us, empower us…..then we will start to do more to please Him.

May God bless the Alabama folks. We truly enjoyed the fellowship there and we look forward to serving them again in the future if God wills it.

In 2009, the Lord cast an idea to me. A vision….Deaf people from all over…coming together…to pray…. different churches….different denominations…different people…coming together to do the ONE thing that we are expected to do…PRAY.

And not only just to PRAY, but to pray for each other…in spite of all the doctrinal differences…prayers still are lifted up to one God, one Savior.

In January 2010, I announced the first Deaf Day of Prayer and began inviting people that I knew in the area as well as the states bordering mine. For three straight weeks, I aggressively prayed, invited, prayed, invited, and prayed. The result? 142 people showed up….22 different churches….14 different pastors of Deaf churches. What an awesome experience!

We had a regular worship service led by Deaf, music by Deaf, prayers by Deaf, and I gave a challenging message on PRAYER.

I presented the challenge to PRAY more WITH people, not just for the people….whats the difference?

When you pray for someone…it sometimes becomes an “inactive prayer” or in the words of the Deaf people, “taking cheap.” But if we pray WITH someone, the prayer is in action right there, on the spot, in front of that person.

The challenge was laid out….and to this day, I still hold to my own teaching. Whenever I see a prayer need, I will pray on the spot to that person or in a message, or in an email or on the videophone in front of that person. Isn’t that the way prayer should be done?

In 2011, Mount Pleasant Christian Church adopted the idea and hosted a Deaf Day of Prayer in August of that year. I was invited to lead worship music and to close with prayer for the leaders and pastors in the area.  The Deaf Day of Prayer hit home for many of them….and the challenge was laid out again.

Now in 2013, we are praying that someone hosts the Deaf Day of Prayer once again….with the way our economy, our government, and our leaders are reflecting some of our neglecting of God’s Words…..we need to be be on our knees praying more than ever… we have a potential candidate for this year’s host. But it should not stop at one…. please be in prayer to maybe host a Deaf Day of Prayer at your Deaf Church or Deaf Social event.

If you would like more information about what it takes to do this sort of thing, please email me or call me via videophone. I would be happy to help. May God bless you!

As I reflected back on some of the events of last year, I am reminded of something my mentor once told me: “Everyday, you are a piece of history for yourself, for your family, and for maybe, someone else out there.” i am reminded and thankful for all of the things that I have been able to do not only for my only experience but to help some people in the process.

2012 wasn’t a year of sunshine and spring air. It had its shares of downs and rain too. While I am always grateful for the many lessons I learned, I would like to extend those lessons to my readers.

#1 Need comes in different forms

Almost every place that we traveled to, we ended up being used to help someone in need. Whether it was a young pastor who was experiencing hard times, a married couple who was not on track with God, or someone who was in a hard situation…God doesn’t give us the role of ”weekend pastor” just for the congregational event, but also one-on-one. I am appreciative of the ministers that I had dinner one-on-one with at every church that I served at. I am appreciative of the teams that serve these churches week in and week out. I am appreciative of the people who focus 100% on the needs of others but at the time time, still reach out for help themselves knowing that God strengthens those who call on His help. I am appreciative of the never-ending shortage of prayer and support that the Lord uses through us for the needs of others.

#2 My life has a purpose to someone

While being at home, I didn’t really “serve” much throughout my local city. The church that I attend had social events where I serve as a tech-person. It doesnt really fit my “spiritual gifts” as a teacher or pastor but it is something that I can do to help until something better comes along. While my heart’s desire is to “teach or preach” to Deaf people locally, that door has not opened yet. And while that door hasn’t opened yet, my sense of “purpose” hasn’t really felt big. But I am reminded that its the little things that matter the most. Visiting friends and keeping company. Hanging out with the guys and having a coffee with them. Simple text messaging conversations to brighten up each other’s days.  My life has a purpose to someone and it doesn’t require standing in front of a group of people or teaching a lesson. Its all about relationships.

#3 Making myself more available

2012 was my first FULL year, after leaving a full-time pastoral position, of being available. I made a purpose to be available as much as I could. Whether it was to meet someone one-on-one, couples counseling, or just to help someone with their needs….I tried more harder this time to be open more. The biggest disappointment for me was the fact that I still was not able to do MORE for God in the areas that I knew I could serve Him better at. Our church started up a Bible Study on Wednesday evenings but it did not seem to hit home for me and my wife, so we decided to not continue to go and allow God to show us what He wanted us to do and maybe God will move us to serve elsewhere. I also have had more time with my family, more time to coach my little girl’s sports and also to spend more time with my son and his basketball needs. This is a big thing for me and will continue to broaden that as much as needed.

So thats for 2012 lessons…. what am I to do for 2013?

Church. As of now, me and my wife are currently going to be praying and visiting other  churches in the Metro Louisville area. The church that we have been attending is a great church. Alot of good friends there and great outreach program. But we feel the Lord is moving us on to create new opportunities somewhere else. We have already visitied some churches already and will continue to look more for a church home that will open its doors to a new work.

N.A.M.B. (North American Mission Board) is working with me on starting up a new Deaf church in the Greater Cincinnati, Ohio area. We already have a potential pastor in that area, a potential church home, but we are now waiting for the pastor to select his team. Once the team is selected, then NAMB will likely ask me to come weekly on Wednesday evenings to teach Basic Church Planting lessons for the team to learn together before the church launch. This is an exciting thing and I am praying that God will bless this new work.

212jam Ministries is blooming. While most of 212jam is revolved around music, I am finding more and more Deaf groups inviting me for the preaching / revivals / conferences part MORE than the music / concert parts. This is fine and acceptable. It just goes to show me that God is changing some things and I need to prepare for it better. In this year alone I have 11 speaking / preaching roles and 5 music / concert roles. The newest and most exciting part are the Deaf Mens Conferences in Minnesota & Columbus, Ohio area as I have prayed for the opportunity to challenge our Deaf men someday and instead, God gives me two opportunities.

It is my prayer that 2013 teaches me more valuable lessons than the years before. May God continue to use me, my family, and our witness to all those we cross paths with. God bless you!

Just letting you all know, I have created a brand new website. Please check it out at www.212jam.org