Something just don't look right!

Have you ever been sized up or been judged, (or maybe you've been the one judging someone) the moment you've met? Well, when you look like me, this seems to be the way of life. I can walk into a store and someone will say, "what kind of Harley do you ride?" I'm not sure why this happens, maybe it's my tattoo's or the way I dress, but I have to laugh. I love to watch the expressions on people's faces when those who are willing to spend a few minutes with me, find out I'm a "Christian" or better yet, when they discover I'm a Pastor.

This behavior doesn't surprise me, after all, we can tell what a person does by the way they look; can't we? I mean, if there all dressed up they have to be very successful in their lives, right?

I said a minute ago (well depending how fast you read) that "this behavior doesn't surprise me."

In the Bible (a great book you should read) there was this man who was sent out to find the next King of Israel. He took one look at this guy and said, "surly this must be the Lord's anointed." It goes on to say "Don't judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him." The Lord doesn't make decisions the way we do. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at a person's thoughts and intentions (what's in the heart). 1 Samuel 16.

To muddy the water a little more, there was this young man teaching and these leaders watched and listened and were "astonished" in fact they said, "where did He get all His wisdom and power to perform such miracles?" "He's just the carpenter, the Son of Mary and brother of James and Joseph..." That guy was Jesus....

These religious leaders (very studious in the word, but no developed relationship;or maybe it's was because they looked the part) were making a judgement call on the way they saw the person.

So what's my point? OK, you asked, here we go; if well meaning "Christians" would look at people the way God does, through His eyes and into the hearts of others, you may be utterly surprised to see you may be overlooking some anointed leadership in the church community.

If you have been on that judgment seat, sizing up someone when you first met, let me give you a simple solution, say I'm sorry and get off that chair. We can be overlooking some important pieces that are needed in the church world today.

And by the way if you do have people like that in your church, do me a favor, don't use them like a public display and say...look we have all kinds here in our church because their not your trophies, we all belong to God.

In the meantime, open your eyes, and look at the heart.
I love you all...really I do.
God bless you
Jim "DoughBoy" Brady
Sr.Pastor, HLFC

You're not alone...

I have been around the block (or the mountain) more than once during my "Christian" walk and I have made some of the same mistakes over and over. Each time that happens, I sit back, blown away and wonder, "How in the world did this happen to me...again?" "I should know better than this."

Then comes the the guilt and shame because I know this time for sure, God has got to be tired of me saying "I'm sorry" or "Forgive me, it won't happen again"

If that has come out of your mouth as much as it has mine, I want you to know, you are not alone. The only difference is that I'm telling on myself. Not in the sense of being proud but to let you know you're not the only one.

Some of us don't fall back into what we might call the biggies again, yet most of us, (well at least those of us who are honest enough to admit it) are repeat offenders in other areas, like criticism, being judgemental, or maybe just not playing nice... these are just as bad...it's all the same.

We sit back and wonder how could this happen, I'm a Christian. I told God I wouldn't do that again and now look at me. Maybe I should just give up, because I just can't get it right.

You may have said something like: "I'll be in church" and then don't go, or "I've told my family I would do something and it doesn't happen." or how about this one, "I said I wouldn't take another drink", and look at me...Here I am again.

What I'm about to tell you is not to justify or excuse our actions, my hope is to let you see this for yourself. God still loves you, and you're not alone.

Does this sound familiar? "What I don't understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then act another, doing things I absolutely despise..."This was written by Paul the Apostle.

Paul's life, just like ours, had it's struggles and he discovered that knowledge of the "rules" was not the answer. Being born again takes a moment of faith, but becoming a Christian, or being Christ like, is a life long process. It's not about religion, it's about developing a relationship.

When Jesus said, "If your brother sins against you; and asks you to forgive him, do it, even if he does the same thing over and over"(personal translation), Jesus is not going to ask us to do something for others that He won't do for us. We've got to stay with it. Paul said "I press on" and that's what we have to do too.

Stay with it, remember you're not alone.

You have an enemy who really doesn't like you, he will remind you that you've tried this before and look at you; "you did it again", don't take it personal, you're not that special.

If you still have a pulse and you're still breathing, you have been given another chance to try it again. Take this time to search your heart and talk with God about whatever He's showing you.
Fess up and move on down the highway.

Get up, God is on your side.

God Bless you;
Jim "DoughBoy" Brady

Where did they go?

Sometimes I have to sit back and laugh; even though I may be going through a difficult time in my life. A time like depression or a time of loneliness when I could have used a friend. I was under the impression that when I came to God, and joined His family, there would be other believers around in times of trouble, people who would support and stand by as I weathered a storm, or dealt with a hard situation. People who love the Lord (or so they claimed) and wanted to be joined together as family. Yet it doesn't surprise me, and I want you to grab this so it doesn't throw a wrench in your walk. I can say, I've been there and got the T-shirt. This is nothing new.

People are still humans; living and dealing with a sinful world and nature. There are a lot of believers who no mater what they say are still learning (at least this is my prayer) to walk their talk. God's word, remember "The Bible" says; "...we all fall short..."

I want you to know that this is nothing new and it's not personal, it's just human nature.

There was this guy who's name was Peter. He was a part of a group of believers, in fact he went to church almost everyday. Peter displayed the same nature as a lot of our friends and family. He told a very close friend, "I"ll always be here for you, I love you and believe in you and we'll be side by side all the way through." His friend (Jesus, son of God) knew better.

When Jesus was arrested, he looked around and everybody split. He was left alone when he could have used a friend.

God has a promise; and we have to grab this; Hebrews 13:5; "I will never leave you, I will never abandon you" God understands our human nature and He has left us this promise, "I'm with you." God is not a man that He could lie.

Here's the funny part, after all Jesus went through, the pain, abandonment and suffering, He came back looking for His friends to let them know, He still loves them and believes in them, no matter what they said or did. Go figure!

For some reading this article, you may laugh and say; "I know that," for others you may be saying I needed that. It's practical and truth.

Human nature is hard to change, if you don't want it to change, and this challenge is passed on to all believers who have told others, I'll be there...say what you mean and mean what you say, and if you missed the mark, aim higher. God still uses others in this day and age and others are looking for God through your walk.

God bless you,
Pastor Dough