Johnstown Christian Church Blog

I had a great day yesterday.  Sure there were things about the day that really brought me back to reality.  I visited a friend in the hospital (Becky Thompson).  She has been in the hospital for over a week now.  I am not quite sure what is going on, turns out that no one is.  Her platelet levels are down.  They are supposed to run between 120 and 140, hers are down to 3 & 4.  She and her family really need our prayers. 

I also had the pleasure of having coffee with a great friend.  Shawn Dawson and I meet on a regular basis.  We meet to hold each other accountable in our Christian lives, the way we treat our wives and kids and to pray for one another.  Shawn and I wondered what would happen if we woudl sell out to God?  Interesting thought!  I wondered after leaving there if there were really people who truly sold out to God.  You know, people who went “ALL IN”  with Him!  I started reading the book of Acts (Like most for the 1,000,000 time, exaggerating a bit) with the intent of seeing what happens when people really do sell out to Christ.  I have read and read the book of Acts.  However there is something about this time that is different. 

Right away, I am captured by a group of men and women who are SOLD OUT!  Peter stands up and confronts those who killed Jesus, only to see 3,000 of them baptized!  Peter and John are brought before the big-wigs, and told to stop preaching in the name of Christ.  I love what Peter did. “Dudes, all we did was help a man who was crippled.  Why are we being punished for that? Do you guys really want to know how he was healed?  By the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you killed! Whom you rejected!”  (O.K. I’m paraphrasing) 

I love what happened next!  Nothing!  They couldn’t deny that something great had happened.  The man whom they healed was standing in their presence. That’s not the best thing that happened.  Listen to what the big-wigs realized about Peter and John:  Acts 4:13:  When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were un-schooled, ordinary (real word is idiots) men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. 

Peter and John were brought back in and told not to preach in the name of Christ any longer.  However, they were SOLD OUT, they were ALL IN.  These men and others like them have changed the world with the powerful message of Jesus Christ. 

I don’t know who is going to read this, if anyone.  But if you do!  I pray that you and I are convicted with the courage of Peter and John.  I pray that you and I can become what we are called to be.  SOLD OUT to Christ and to His cause.  If you go to this congregation, I pray that God takes this group of believers and turns this world upside down.  It happened once, it can happen again and again and again and again!

The Preacher

I have been reading a book called prayer by Phillip Yancey.  Prayer has always been one of those things in my life that I have struggled with.  Some of the same questions that I have always had about prayer, Yancey answers in his book.

• Does Prayer make a difference?
• Does prayer change God, or does prayer change me?
• Does God hear my prayers?
• Is there a wrong way to pray?

While reading this book I ran across a great idea.  Yancey suggested that you read through Psalms 35-44 and pray the attitude of the Psalms in your own prayer life.  I began doing that a couple of weeks ago and have gone into reading more of the Psalms.  I have learned that there is nothing that we can’t bring to God in our prayers.  The writers of the book of Psalms not only took praises to God, but their failures, the people they didn’t like, the attitudes of their minds.  What a refreshing thing for me to read.

While reading, I came across a very powerful verse that has revolutionized not only my prayer life, but my spiritual life as well.  That verse is found in Psalm 37 verse 4: Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Through out the day I am finding ways to be delighted in God.  In doing so, it has helped me to be in a continual attitude or prayer and thanksgiving. 

If you have found yourself in a prayer rut, open up the book of Psalms and you will realize that you are not alone.  When you do, you will find verses that will challenge your devotional life and bring you to a point that you find it easy to talk to God.  At least it has for me. 

I don’t know about the rest of you, but when I pray I notice that I pray nothing like those early Christians did.  In my devotional reading this morning I came across a very familiar passage.  I have read it quite a few times, just like many of you probably have.  It is found in the book of Acts.  Jesus had told His disciples to be His witnesses to the utter ends of the earth.  He leaves, they start and trouble brews.  On one occasion, Peter and John were arrested for preaching Christ.  On another occasion they were arrested again and flogged.  I love what the Bible says about that occassion.  They departed rejoicing for being counted worthy to suffer for the cause of Christ.  

So what did they do next?  Did they run and hide?  No!  Did they back off of their message?  No!  They went to their support group.  What happened there?  Did the group tell them they should quit preaching in the name of Jesus Christ?  No!  Did the group cower and decide they were going to be a little bit more careful?  No.  They prayed.  My prayers would have probably been about the punishment the teachers of the law deserved.  My prayers would have been for protection, maybe even a different ministry.  However, look at what they prayed in Act 4:29: Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great BOLDNESS…

May I say WOW!  That is what we need today.  We need to be a group of people that begin to pray for boldness.  Boldness to proclaim the name of Jesus everywhere we go.  Boldness to stand up for what is right.  We need to stop the cowering, and start the preaching. Will you join me in a time of prayer for boldness. 

Father God, help us your servants to get rid of all the excuses that we have for not proclaiming Your Word.  The Bible tells us that there are multitudes in the valley of decision.  Help us to speak and proclaim the name of Jesus with boldness.  We love you Father!  In Jesus Name!  Amen! 

Now, lets go boldly where few before us have gone! Into our homes. Into our workplaces. Into our schools. Into our neighborhoods and spread the message of Jesus Christ!

The Preacher!

So I’ve spent the last 4 out of 5 years at Round Lake’s Wilderness Camp.  5th and 6th graders, only 30 of them, but they sleep in tents all week, never leaving… even bathing in the Wakotamika river. Hiking miles per day with an all day hike during the end of the week, ziplining, repelling, real rock climbing just to pass the trail these kids are hardcore. Everyone there always talks about how amazing the real camp was with the water toys and dorms, and rock wall.  And instead of rolling their dinner up in a foil ball and putting it in the fire, they eat from a buffet! 

I’m stoked I was able to spend my first week at the Round Lake - (main campus?) with my new family.  God is so good to me.  His timing of us getting together and the way He did it couldn’t of been more perfect for me and the things that are happening in my life.  And a little more than 2 months was a great break in time until He put us all together for a week.  I felt really comfortable and appreciated the whole time. Thank you guys so much for all the talks and encouragement and giving me the chance to work with you and your kidz.

Two other personal notes…

Baptizing Kierston is definitely the highlight of my walk with God. She was the first person I’d ever baptized and I know her heart was completely in it. She would come to me with the most serious grown up questions all week, and I learned a few scriptural things from her even!  It’s funny sometimes you want to be quick in a conversation with a kid but if you really give them some time to get going, and sit with them through everything they have to ask, really interesting things come up. Really make you scratch your head, go back re-read what you thought you knew and think about it like they would.

And after about 2 years of playing guitar that was the coolest thing I’ve ever done musically! I’ve never played on a stage or in front more than 5 people at once.  

Alex’s whole set up was awesome! Thanks man and sorry for messing up every other verse but I had a blast.  

What to say about Travis the wireless shredder?

And Mark you’re so smooth on the drums.. seriously. Thanks again for your work at the concert this Saturday… Do you have that 15/4 down yet? 

We had an awesome backup drummer all week too! Preston was rocking out!

We have two girls who play bass guitar, how rad is that? 

The most important people last though, the singers, Kathy and Kristen(heard she lip synchs) and Larry! Getting 100 kids to move however you did! 

Johnstown has a great praise band! Hope everyone knows how lucky you are, from my eyes anyway.

I am already looking forward to next year and I’m excited for all the things we’re going to do between now and then.  As far as the youth are concerned we’ll be starting two evening programs this fall. Elementary age youth group, Wednesdays at 7:00 and Jr. & Sr. High bible study Sundays at 6:00.  We’re also looking to start a Young Adult bible study 17+ to meet for outings once a month.  Plenty of other things planned too. The Back to School Concert tomorrow! SonFest at Mt. Vernon Nazarene September 13th and a OSU-USC Tailgate party at the church the same day. An Elementary overnighter October 24th and 25th and another trip to Radio U sometime. Look for more info in the church newsletter.

Hey everyone,

I really wanted to post from camp last week. However, I was a little busy there.  Camp was awesome.  The kids were great.  It never ceases to amaze me the hunger that kids have for church camp.  I think that I learned more from them, then they did from me.  There were 19 young people baptized into Christ last week. 

I would have to say that the highlight of my week was looking into my son CJ’s eyes and seeing them tear up as he gave his confession of faith.  Then standing in the water with him looking into his eyes as my son, and then raising him from the water as my brother!  WOW!  What a moment! 

The Preacher!

There are very few places that I love! I love being at home! I have been called at times a couch potato. I love being at church! Well, I guess there are times that I love being at church. Then there are times that I am like everyone else. I am at church because I have to be. I hate admitting that! However, that is the case.

There is one other place that I love to be! Round Lake! My family, and a lot of my church family are going to be at Round Lake this coming week leading a week of 5th & 6th grade camp! I love that place! No television sets! Just clean air, except for the smell of the cow farm next door! Great friends! And of coarse God! It is amazing to see how God can work in and through kids. How many adults would take a week out of their summer and go to two Bible classes, two times of worship in music, missionary giving & listen to a sermon every day! These kids do and they love it! I am looking forward to seeing their enthusiasm and love for Christ. I hope that I can learn from them!

The Preacher

In minstry there are always a lot of people to thank. 

Mark, thanks for all the work that you do with the church web-site.  We have a great looking web-site.  This blog page will be used to communicate to members of our congregation and as a tool for evangelism. 

It is great to know that I can ask you for things like this and that you can make them happen.  I am glad you are here.

Larry

Come meet Mike Hill, the new Youth Minister.

Click here to check out the new Youth Web page.

JCC has launched a new blog site for the church. Please check here often for new information.