Horizon.org

I’m not much of a movie guy so nope I haven’t seen AVATAR. I find it stunning the expenses and profits that Avatar has rung up. Over a Billion Dollars Wow! Safe to say it hit a cultural nerve. Unfortunately, it delivers no realistic promise of a better life whatsoever. No wonder some viewers are experiencing signs of depression. Click here… http://tiny.cc/xnDkF

So although I haven’t seen it, I’d feel comfortable in saying I’m holding out for more than a make believe computer generated world to fill my heart with hope & joy. Now, if we could make a Quality movie about HEAVEN … that I’d pay to see and believe it would fill hearts with true wonder and purpose, achieving all that Avatar fails to deliver. I hope we don’t get so caught in spending a Billion dollars dreaming about Avatar’s Pandora that we miss the opportunity to improve living conditions in Haiti. Now there’s a life challenge that would bring Heaven to Earth for a couple million folks who have every right to be ‘Depressed’ and yet aren’t. Reality Check!

Hopeful & Helpful from Here…

Many ministries including our own are prayerfully seeking God’s heart on how we can best bring help to Haiti. Unfortunately there aren’t many simple solutions. Although we are in the midst of raising up relief teams, it’s clear that what is needed most is a massive arsenal of financial support (something we all can do). It would be impossible for us to fill containers with the amount of clean water, medicine, diesel fuel and food that Haiti requires. But we can send our money so needed resources can be miraculously multiplied and provided. I’ve heard of ministers claiming that Haiti is both cursed and deserving of this calamity. But this is not the time to judge anyone but ourselves as to whether we’ll step up and love those in need. If you have any doubts about this, take your Bible and turn to John 3:16. That’s God’s message to Haiti. And this is our chance to Give. Jesus said, “If you have done it unto the least of these, you have done it unto Me.” Without a doubt, Haiti is the least of the least in the western world. So how can we effectively minister the love of Christ to them? The answer can’t be that everyone who wants to go goes. Only a specific and limited number of people can travel to Haiti and offer help on the ground without actually making things more confusing and congested. There’s a limited supply of water to drink, beds to sleep, roads and vehicles, and an unlimited number of reasons why going to Haiti may make things worse. With the majority of the roads in and out of Port au Prince being blocked by fallen walls and buildings, it’s difficult to really be of much help. Dead bodies are being dragged to the sides of the roads, covered in sheets and left. Many are saying the death toll following the Quake could be greater than the number caused by the Quake itself. It’s important for people to understand that most of Haiti (prior to this disaster) ran entirely on generators, inverters and batteries. Internet services rely on diesel and generators to offer service. What remains of the supply of diesel on the island will go fast, affecting the much-needed source of communication. Unless you know what you’re doing and can help alleviate these gigantic necessities, stay home. Medically trained? Yes! Speak Creole? Definitely! Chaplains to help the grief and burial process? Indeed! Have a supernatural ability to provide help without requiring any help of your own? Go! Otherwise, the greatest support you can supply is this; your prayers and precious financial resources. Our greenbacks will provide more help than our strongbacks at this time to a devastated country buried in rubble. As avenues open up I’ll keep you posted. Meanwhile, let’s Pray for Miracles and Provide generously!

Pastor Bob,  I do want to Give … (resources for you to prayerfully consider)

Horizon Relief: www.horizon.org (100% proceeds go to provide emergency relief)

Samaritans Purse: www.samaritanspurse.org

Compassion International: http://bit.ly/6l9Xhv

WorldVision: www.worldvision.org/haiti

Pastor Bob, I do want to Go … (a heart to serve)

Applications are being accepted by our Missions Ministry for those who meet certain criteria. For further information, contact our Missions Pastor Steve Haines at shaines@horizon.org. Further information will be available at our weekend services and www.horizon.org

Photo credits:  Photo 1 © AP/PHOTO/Gerald Herbert, Photo 2 © REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz

Is Praying more on your Resolution List?

I often get asked, ‘Bob, how can we pray for you?’ Well, let me say how grateful I am for that question and for the prayers of so many around the world. It means more than words can say. Answering it should be easier that often it seems. So maybe a good way to start the year is by giving you a rundown of some personal and professional goals I’m hoping to achieve; items that I would really appreciate your prayers concerning. Sound good? Okay, here we go. In addition to the perpetual no-brainer carry-ons of another year; regular exercise, better diet, being more thankful, less impatient and loving my wife, here’s my newly resolved and updated prayer requests for the new year.  PS Make these your requests too!!!

#1 – Pray that I would never neglect my personal devotion with the Lord

Sometimes when ministry is your job it’s a challenge for it to remain your first love. I know doctors who hate nothing more than having to go see a doctor. The reality is we must remain in love with Him more than in what we do. I admire pilots who love to fly when they’re not working. Too often people don’t. I prefer when ministry is an outflow of one’s love for God more than it is their job. It always proves to be more fruitful that way.

#2 – Pray that I would never let hurt displace love

One of the most difficult things in ministry is loving people who intentionally hurt you. Easy or not, it’s what we’re called to, and beats the alternative; being bitter and mad. Incidentally, I know there are many ways to interpret things in life. Try with me this year to not be so quick to interpret things as hurtfully as possible. Giving grace always changes things for the better.

#3 – Pray that I would never be talked out of not taking risks

One of the biggest things that holds God’s kingdom back is His people, afraid to fail! James 4:17 challenges our rationale to play it safe. In essence it says, to know what you are to do and not do it is sin.” Yea, I’d rather avoid that one, meaning whatever the risk, whatever the cost, whatever the social incorrectness, if God says jump, we’re jumping!

#4 – Pray that I would never forget WHOM it is I am serving

One day I will stand before Jesus…our goal in life should be to please HIM in all things…career, relationships, finances, marriage, ministry, parenting, etc. I’m not serving people. I’m serving Christ by serving people. I’m not serving at a Church. I’m serving Christ by serving a Church. I’m not serving myself. I’m serving Christ period. If Christ is not the center of all that we do, how can we say He’s truly the meaning of it all?

#5 – Pray that I would never be afraid to think Big

Last week I shared an important message from the book of Ephesians (if you missed it, you can download it by clicking here) In a nutshell that message was all about not limiting God from being God in our lives this year. Ephesians 3:20 is SPOT ON TRUE! No nickel and dime prayers this year to a God who OWNS THE WHOLE UNIVERSE!

Someone once said praying with hands folded puts our trust on Him, but when God speaks it’s time to pray with our legs. Let’s dream big, pray hard and believe God for great things this year, like it’s our last! God bless and thanks for praying!