Faith or Failure?

This past weekend I had my Isshin-Ryu Karate Black Belt Test! It was supposed to be 2 days, 4 hours each day. In actuality it was 2 days, 6 hours each day! The Endurance testing was very intense…actually everything about it was very intense. In some areas I felt like I peaked in performance and others I fell short.

After the first day, just due to the sheer volume of pushing my body, my lower back became very tender and fatigued. When I finished at 4pm, I had to rush home, shower and get to church. I had already planned on Chris speaking for me. Plus John O was giving his Haiti medical report. I did lead worship however. The whole service went great but my back was still quite sore.

I asked Mary Ann Emerson to pray for me. She did with Wayne and Paul. I received my healing by faith, not just for the next day, but also for complete deliverance from years of low-back issues. I fully expected to wake up the next morning fully restored.

It was sore all night as I slept. I took Ibuprofen and had Juli rub some sort of analgesic on it. When I woke up in the morning, it was still stiff and sore. I got up, showered, ate, took Ibuprofen, rubbed in the analgesic…praying and speaking scripture the whole time, such as:

            “By His Stripes I was Healed…”  I Peter 2:24

            “I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me…”  Philippians 4:13

Fear kept trying to take hold…what if my back goes out like it has in the past?! I would be instantly done and would not be able to finish the test without at least a week to recover and have the Chiropractor put it back where it belongs…

Furthermore, two of the five Senseis testing us flew in to be there for the test. The next one isn't scheduled for another 4 months.

It was an amazing battle in my mind. I did however choose to side with my spirit and the Word of God rather than fear. I got in the car, turned on some worship music, and shouted praise to God like a fool on the ride to the dojo, knowing, “He inhabits the Praise of His people!”  Psalm 22:3

Guess what happened as soon as I walked into the dojo for part 2 of my test?!

Nothing.

No change. No relief. No miraculous healing. This one was going to be a faith-walk...kick...and punch...

I pressed on, trusting him for the next 6 hours to keep me in place. “By Him all things consist (hold together)”  Colossians 1:17

With each requirement I gave it my all! Whether it was a flying scissors takedown on a Sensei 50 lbs. heavier than me, or grappling with the same, or my flying sidekick…I continued to trust Him. Every time I walked into the bathroom to refill my water bottle, I thanked Jesus for being with me and being my strength.

I did have to stretch it out a lot throughout the test but thanks be to God! He came through for me. The test ended with us doing 500 mountain climbers, a killer exercise, but I did it!

Funny thing, today my back feels awesome but my whole body aches…in a “good” way! Multiple bruises and cuts but I feel great. I have learned again through this that no matter how badly you feel like giving up or quitting, in Christ, there is always more strength to draw upon!

            “I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me!”

Word in Season

Recently the Lord has sent LifeTree a dear woman in the Faith. Mary Ann is truly a spiritual mother in the body of Christ. She has been such to Juli and me since about 1996. We are so excited to have her as a part of the LifeTree family!

A few weeks ago, in her prayer time, she wrote a word the Lord had given to her. It is so profound, a word in season. I believe it is for all of LifeTree. I have asked for her permission to share it with you:

I will cause you to break through any demonic opposition. Through your prayers to Me, My Power can flow. Never forget that My Word and My Holy Spirit are your source of Power. Stand strong in Me and in the Power of My Might. I am a Mighty Man of War and I will fight your battles for you. You can depend on My Power and Direction. I will be the Strength of your life.

Meditate upon My Word. Speak forth My Word with your mouth. I am the source of all Victories and Breakthroughs. My Word contains Wisdom and Strategies for your warfare. As you study My Word, I will lead you forward to Liberty and Victory over every demonic force that comes against you. As you call upon me, I will show you great and mighty things that you do not know.

- Your Father God

Be encouraged!!

Is Salvation by Faith Alone, or by Faith plus Works?

This is a GREAT Question and not very easy to answer. Let's start here: we are saved and will go to heaven solely because of our Faith in Jesus Christ, His Death and Resurrection. Not because of how many good things we did. There is no other way. Here is a scripture to support that:

Ephesians 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. 9 Not by works, so that no one can boast.

The idea is, if our good works played a role in our Salvation, those that “behave” better would be filled with Pride at their accomplishment and see themselves as more spiritual. The criminal on the cross next to Jesus was just as saved as the Apostle Paul who served God with such tremendous works.

Here is a scripture that should make us get serious about our Faith. Jesus said,

Matthew 7:21-27 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23 Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' 24 "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."

This tells me, our relationship with Christ must be more than simply saying “I believe in Jesus.” Authentic Faith grows and produces Good Fruit like a healthy Tree. Once we start the journey with Christ which starts by Faith Alone, if we are to be wise men and women, we must put to practice the words of Jesus which include doing Good Works.

So in one sense, yes, we are initially saved by faith alone, HOWEVER, works DO have a role in the Christian's life. As the Spirit of God dwells on the inside of the new believer, He will begin to transform that person as they pursue God. As the new believer renews their mind by reading the Bible they will change how they think and how they behave. When we do good works it is out of Obedience and Love for God. We love others because Jesus loves us. We don’t lie because God doesn’t lie to us. We don’t murder because God is not a murderer. What happens is we begin to take on the very Nature of God.

Doing good works is an evidence or proof that God is transforming us. It shows that our Faith is genuine, but again the works themselves do not Save us. Check out this Scripture:

James 2:14-24 What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds (works)? Can such faith save him? 15 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action (works), is dead. 18 But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds (works)." Show me your faith without deeds (works), and I will show you my faith by what I do (works). 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. 20 You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds (works) is useless? 21 Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did (works) when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions (works) were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend. 24 You see that a person is justified by what he does (works) and not by faith alone.

So, our Faith starts the Salvation process when we first accept Jesus as our Lord. Works are part of continuing the process. The Criminal on the Cross died that day and had no opportunity to grow in his faith and begin to do good works. However, Jesus told him, This day you will be with me in paradise!” Praise God! But look what the Apostle Paul wrote to the church of Philippi:

Philippians 2:12-13 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

Once we receive Salvation we must grow and mature just like our children do. As a baby you don’t expect much from them, but as a teenager there is given greater expectations and responsibility. “Working out our Salvation” is a life long process that we must continue to serve and pursue God. That is the role works play in the believer's life.

So to answer the question, Is salvation by faith alone, or by faith plus works?

Yes, and yes. :-)

Haiti Mission 2010

Juli and a team have been in Haiti for the last week doing missionary relief work. Andy and I join them this coming Tuesday.

I have received news from Juli and the team that things are going very well. Some of you may have seen updates on her facebook as they have wifi there, Praise God. This really helps with inexpensive communication.
Easter Sunday they ministered at the local church; Juli taught the children a simple resurrection lesson using the butterfly. Afterwards there were tons of butterflies outside!
A few people from team 1 are returning already. The church had a sending home service for them giving them all nice gifts! Can you imagine them in their deep poverty having the hearts to give and be generous to us "rich" Americans?! It moves me to tears thinking about it.
It reminds me of the Macedonian Church, (Philippi, Thessalonica and Berea).

II Corinthians 8:1-2 GW Brothers and sisters, we want you to know how God showed his kindness to the churches in the province of Macedonia. 2 While they were being severely tested by suffering, their overflowing joy, along with their extreme poverty, has made them even more generous.
They had a revelation of God's generosity and promise to care for us. They chose to be a reflection of Him. Wow. It gives me pause to ponder the pursuits of my life.

The Tree of Life

2009 was a great year for our church!

For starters, we relocated to an actual church building. We went from meeting in the "upper room" of the Win-Jeff Plaza to an amazing facility with sound, lights, chairs, children's ministry rooms all set-up...it was like we missed the rapture and walked in to take over an empty church. This was greatly due to the kindness of Mosaic Faith Community and their willingness to lease it to us.

We also started 2009 with a name change; from the Church @ Rochester to LifeTree Fellowship. We continue with the vision God has given us: Relationship. Community. Our World. The Tree of Life is such an interesting study in the Bible.

Check out these scriptures:

Proverbs 3:18 Wisdom is a tree of life for those who take firm hold of it. Those who cling to it are blessed.

Proverbs 11:30 The fruit of a righteous person is a tree of life, and a winner of souls is wise.

Proverbs 13:12 Delayed hope makes one sick at heart, but a fulfilled longing is a tree of life.

Proverbs 15:4 A soothing (healing) tongue is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue breaks the spirit.

It is our desire to be the Church that reaches people in our culture, healing broken hearts and loving all God brings to us. The Tree of Life is not only metaphorical, but a real literal tree. it was first seen in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve, but those who put their faith in Christ will one day see it again.

Revelation 22:1-3 And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:

Senior Chorus Concert

This past Friday was my daughter's Senior Chorus Concert. As a special tradition, the seniors are allowed to do a duet or trio with a friend or two choosing any song they like. Brittany, or as her friends at school call her, Alex, and 2 friends chose Dust in the Wind. She asked me to accompany them on my guitar.

I was a bit nervous as I'm not big on performing. Leading worship at church is a totally different thing. Performing asks for greater scrutiny. Nonetheless, I was so privileged to play for the big crescendo of her high school singing career.

Take a listen:


There was an unexpected surprise at the end of the concert. First you must know the background. Last year, their beloved music director, Mr. Brown, had resigned and moved away. It was a crushing blow for the students whom he had deeply impacted. Mrs. Rice had very large shoes to fill coming in this year as the new director.

At the end of the concert the seniors would sing their final song. She said, "I have a surprise for you. Directing the final piece will be...Mr. Brown." The whole choir gasped as he came running in from the side. They were incredulous. He was so moved by the opportunity he was crying and shaking. As the song began, you could not even hear the first 3 lines as they were so moved by his return.

Everyone was touched by this selfless act of Mrs. Rice. Her moment to shine, the big finish, validation, vindication...she chose Love.

Amazing Skies

We just spent Christmas and the New Year with my parents and 5 siblings and families in a log cabin in the Smokey Mountains of Tennessee. The cabin had a large balcony/porch overlooking a forested valley with mountains in the background. One day we watched the sun traverse the sky somehow creating 2 hot-spots with rainbows crossing them.

There was also a 3rd rainbow straight up above us in the clear sky. Unbelievable.

This is a pic of Sunrise off Interstate 90 between Rochester and Syracuse January 8th, 2008.