The current series at The Gate is called “5 Easy Steps to Wreck Your Life.” We’ve been using reverse psychology to see the steps we would take if we wanted to fall into problems. By knowing how to screw things up intentionally, we will better recognize when we are accidentally falling into those bad practices that can mess up our lives.

This week is about how to become dissatisfied. We’ll read about how Jesus isn’t just referring to people who haven’t yet accepted him as Savior; he’s also referring to Christians who screw their lives up. It can happen to any of us.

Drop by on Sunday at 10:09 am or, if you can’t make it, wait a day or so and download it as an mp3 from our newly-updated web site under the “Online Sermons” button on the right of the home page. There is a link on the right side of this page (“The Gate”) that will take you there.

Blessings, and, hope to see you on Sunday.

Dean Stokes, a newcomer to The Gate family, has asked us to pray for his brother-in-law, Gary. Gary has recently been diagnosed with cancer, which has quickly spread all over his body. Dean has told me that Gary is in a great deal of pain from the chemo. Let’s all pray for God to comfort Gary, and give Dean the strength to show strength to support his family during this tough time.

Thanks.

After two very hard-fought softball games on Sunday, the Gate softball team won it’s second straight championship of the Columbiana church softball league hosted by our friends at Abundant Life Fellowship.

Well done, men! It was great playing with such great players and upstanding guys. Woot Woot!

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When your life’s in the crapper, don’t just look for a way out.

A friend and I were chatting yesterday about tough times in life. He told me how his difficult situation allowed him to come closer to God. It took the current crisis to move him to seek God, and God hasn’t disappointed.

The apostle James says that we should rejoice in our sufferings because they are opportunities to become more mature Christians. When you’re down in the dumps, look forward to the new improved faith God is instilling in you.

My good friend, Kimmy Mclaughlin, did a great job with the new design for my blog. Some people just have a gift, and, as you can see, Kimmy has a eye for this. Thanks, Kimmy.

Our last regular season game is tomorrow.  If we win, we’re first seed for the playoffs.  If we lose, we’re second.  Come and cheer on our softball team at Abundant Life Fellowship @ 4:30 tomorrow, July 11!

I’ve officially join the Work Out Center.  Bye-bye belly!  Dean Stokes, a friend of mine from our softball team, is going to make sure I do this right.  He should know.  His arms are bigger than my  head.  This will be a new discipline for me.

I’ll keep you posted.

While traveling to a youth event back in the day, the driver of the van didn’t notice that the light had turned green.  A friend of mine, a person known for her quite nature, let the driver know the folly of his way by quietly stating “It ain’t gettin’ no greener.”

On my way into the office this morning, I was momentarily halted at a green light because the driver in front of me didn’t notice the light had changed.  He caught on after only a few seconds, but the irony of the situation didn’t escape me.  My morning commute was slowed down by a FedEx truck!  Isn’t it their job to get things to their destinations as quickly as possible, hence the “express” part of their name?

Churches that want nothing to do with aggressive evangelism efforts (including, but not restricted to, church planting) puzzle me in the same way as the FedEx experience I just shared.  Isn’t it the Church’s purpose to tell people about Jesus?  Yet, so many are so busy paying attention to other things that they miss their God-given purpose.  All the while, Jesus is saying to them, “It ain’t gettin’ no greener.”  Jesus didn’t tell us to get our act together before we told people about him, or to wait until we reached a certain maturity level before fulfilling our purpose.

 It’s our purpose, friends.  Let’s just get out there and do it.  Otherwise, we’re living a spiritual irony that keeps others from their destinations.  That’s why The Gate is pursuing other ministries even though our church is still young.  It’s who we’re called to be, and we’ll settle for nothing less.

One of the high points of our church is the emphasis on having fun together.  Over the summer we’ll be taking a break from our LifeGroups to meet three times as a church to just hang out in different venues.  The first is this Sunday.  We’ll all be meeting at Debbie Turnbull’s home in Canfield.  Check out our web site for more info under the “current events” button.  Debbie will provide directions to her home at the guest services table this Sunday.  You can also let her know what goodies you’ll be bringing for grub.

 The kids of The Gate have been inspired by our winning softball team and have challenged the adults to a game.  Bring your gloves and bats so we’ll have enough to go around.

See you then.

On Saturday I was at the Rally in The Valley, a men’s event at the Covelli Centre in Youngstown, OH.  There were many great speakers there to encourage and challenge us to live like men and to bring Jesus Christ to the Mahoning Valley.

Reverend Kenneth Paramore of the Christian Revival and Discipleship Center in Youngstown was used by God to speak profound truth to me about my wife, Vanda.  He argued very convincingly through scripture that one of the blessings provided God through the marriage relationship is the woman’s role in bringing out the best that God has in mind for her husband.

It occurred to me that every right choice I’ve made with regard to the direction God would have me go was because of the wisdom offered by Vanda.  I am a pastor because of her.  I am a church planter because of her willingness to take a wild risk with me.  I am enjoying the role of dad for three awesome kids because I’ve listened when God has spoken truth through her on what it means to be a godly father.

So guys, if you’re not sure about what God has in mind for you, humble yourselves and listen to your wives.  Allow God to bring out the best in you with her help.