Eddie's Blog

American Dream ?

The American Dream, everybody has one, or at least they use to.

We have been taught to dream and God tells us He will give us the desires of our hearts.

We have been talking about money the past few weeks, and this is a hard subject for everyone. For the first time last year Americans spent $1.22 for every $1 they made. That hasn’t happened since the Great Depression. Debt has been marketed to us since the 1960s and we bought it. Remember we can’t buy a dream …we can only live it!

Seventy-five percent of all Christians live paycheck to paycheck. Only 3% of Christians actually tithe 10% of their income. The church operates on 10% giving and on 3% tithing. Can you imagine the impact of what could happen to our world if we could live by God’s principles, how many people could be reached if we were in “Debt to no Man?” Just think of the possibilities for our families and our world, if we could wake up one day with no credit card debt. No house payment. No car payment .

We could decide where we work and what we give. Being able to help people in need. Moms are able to stay home with their children. Paying cash for vacations and Christmas. This is more than a dream - this is the way God intended it to be. Where do you start? You start by honoring God with something, give something, start somewhere! This is where it all changes. Luke 6:38 says “Give and it will come back to you…” In Malachi 3:10, God says, “Test Me in this.” 

We have a 3-month challenge right now: If you give at Marathon for 3 months (write ‘Test’ on your check) and if God doesn’t bless you within those 3 months,

Marathon

will give all your money back! The only way to know what God can do is to try Him. It’s time to dream again. But this time let God in on your dreams, and then let’s see what He can do!!!!!!!

Hot for God

Last Sunday, I was talking about contageous love since we have been put here to love our world . God wants us to love people the way He loves us unconditionally. I think sometimes we get the sin confused with the person. God hates sin but He loves people. We need to be careful and remember none of us would measure up if it wasn't for God`s love in the first place.

I ask this question: Are you Hot for God? In Rev. 3 God describes three types of people. The first one is the person who is hot for God, who is following God, loving people, & making a difference in the world. The second is a cold person who doesn't know God or know of His love for him. The third person is the one who use to be hot but now has cooled off, and the Bible says this person is lukewarm. God made it clear that a lukewarm person makes Him want to vomit! I have watched Marathon over the years and watched how people look for the latest and the greatest in their lives. Sometimes they apply that to the churches they attend. Who has the hottest program or the newest gadget. They become hot for a program or the new church down the street. What God wants to know is are you Hot for HIM!

Marathon, if we aren't careful we can become lukewarm and make no difference in our community or our world.How do you know if you are Hot? When was the last time you invited someone to church? Did you know that 70% of the people around you, in your neighborhood stay home on Sundays while you quietly ride by on your way to church. I dont want to be a Pastor of a lukewarm church; it makes God sick and it makes our community throw up! Marthon, let's make sure we stay HOT for GOD - our world needs us! Contageous Love is what the world needs to see, they are looking for a HOT Church!!!!!!!!!!

The Ride

Marathon Church has been an incredible ride with God, and it seems that the ride is just about to get more interesting. I have been planting churches for over 10 years. I have always wanted to grow our church as well as others. I think all churches need to grow whatever the style. The question is, do we need to grow more attenders or do we need to grow more disciples? Don't hear what I'm not saying! Church planters always want more people to come but are we being effective? Do we connect people with God and create a way for them to grow into disciples of Christ?

I have a staff meeting every year with our leadership at a retreat center for two or three days. This year the meeting was different from all the meetings of the past 10 years. It wasn't on how to grow the church or what new program we can do, but how do we make more disciples! We are in the business of making disciples. Jesus said, "Love God and Love people, Love one another;" this is God's process in which disciples are made. Love God (Worship) Love People (Serve) and Love one another (connect- small groups). Discipleship is more than a class we attend or a special event - it is a process of growing and learning. We should be constantly moving in the direction of Christ. To grow in Christ we simply must do as He did. It is a three-step process: we worship, we serve, we connect.

Most people try to complete the journey with only one leg or even two legs of the process but it takes all three. So the question would be: Where are you in the process? I even ask the same question of myself. Being a staff member doesn't automatically put you in the growth process. In fact, sometimes it can take you out!

Worship -Serve-Connect. Sounds easy enough, so let's do it !