Saturday, December 17, 2011

FOR THE PERSON WHO HAS EVERYTHING


Some gifts you can give this Christmas are beyond monetary value:

Mend a quarrel, dismiss suspicion, tell someone, “I love you.”

Give something away—anonymously.

Forgive someone who has treated you wrong.

Turn away wrath with a soft answer.

Visit someone in a nursing home.

Apologize if you were wrong.

Be especially kind to someone with whom you work.

Give as God gave to you in Christ, without obligation, or announcement or reservation.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Saturday, December 10, 2011

THE QUIET HOUR



Amid the Christmas rush and noise


Of Christmas trees and childrens toys


Of gift and bow and mistletoe


And presents laid out in a row


We need to take a quiet hour


To contemplate all Heaven’s power


Which sent to earth our Heavenly King


When angels in the realm did sing


And in a quiet manger lay


A baby boy upon the hay


There, in that silent place, we find


The focus of all space and time.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Top Ten Ways to You Know You've Had Too Much Coffee:


  1. Juan Valdez named his donkey after you.
  2. You lick your coffeepot clean.
  3. You can't even remember your second cup.
  4. You can jump-start your car without cables.
  5. People get dizzy just watching you.
  6. Starbucks owns the mortgage on your house.
  7. Instant coffee takes too long.
  8. You want to be cremated just so you can spend the rest life in a coffee can.
  9. You name your cats "Cream" and "Sugar."
  10. You're the employee of the month at the local coffeehouse and you don't even work there.

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Hints to a simple life

How to live a life of simplicity:


First, buy things for their usefulness rather than their status


Second, reject anything that is producing an addiction in you.


Third, develop a habit of giving things away.


Fourth, refuse to be propagandized by the custodians of modern gadgetry.


Fifth, learn to enjoy things without owning them.


Sixth, develop a deeper appreciation for the creation.


Seventh, look at a healthy skepticism at all "buy now, pay later" schemes.


Eighth, obey Jesus' instructions about plain, honest speech.


Ninth, reject anything that will breed the oppression of others.


Tenth, shun whatever would distract you from you main goal: "Seek first the kingdom of God."



Taken from Richard Foster's book, Celebration of Discipline.

Friday, October 28, 2011

Don't Hiss


My name is Gossip,

I have no respect for justice. I maim without killing. I break hearts and ruin lives. I am cunning and malicious and gather strength with age. The more I am quoted, the more I am believed. I flourish at every level of society. My victims are helpless. They cannot protect themselves against me because I have no face. To track me down is impossible. The harder you try, the more elusive I become. I am nobodies friend. Once I tarnish a reputation, it is never the same. I topple governments, wreck marriages, and ruin careers -- cause sleepless nights, heartaches, and indigestion. I spawn suspicion and generate grief. I make innocent people cry in their pillows. Even my name hisses… I make headlines and headaches. Before you repeat a story, ask yourself, Is it true? Is it fair? Is it necessary? If not – shut up!


Excerpt taken from Laura Schlessinger, The Ten Commandments: The Significance of God’s Laws in Everyday Life, p. 203


No commentary, just scripture.
LEV 19:16  "'Do not go about spreading slander among your people. "'Do not  do anything that endangers your neighbor's life. I am the LORD.

Psalm 34:13 "keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies."

Psalm 101:5 "Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret, him will I put to silence; whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart, him will I not endure."

Friday, October 14, 2011

Fight For Your Covenant


A former Pastor in Seattle, WA wrote a power statement about marriage.
I Echo these words. If you are married, maybe you should too:

"I am standing for the healing of my marriage!
I won’t give up, give in, give out, or give over till that healing takes place.
I made a vow; I said the words; I gave the pledge; I gave a ring; I took a ring; I gave myself; I trusted God; and said the words and meant the words…in sickness and in health, in sorrow and in joy, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in good times and in bad; so I’m standing now, and won’t sit down, let down, slow down, calm down, fall down, look down, or be down till the breakdown is torn down!"

I refuse to put my eyes on outward circumstances; or listen to prophets of doom, or buy into what’s trendy, worldly, popular, convenient, easy, quick, thrifty, or advantageous.
Nor will I settle for a cheap imitation of God’s real thing.
Nor will I seek to lower God’s standard, twist God’s will, rewrite God’s Word, violate God’s covenant, or accept what god hates, namely divorce.

In a world of filth, I will stay pure.
Surrounded by lies, I will speak the truth.
Where hopelessness abounds, I will hope in God.
Where revenge is easier, I will bless instead of curse, and when the odds are stacked against me, I’ll trust in God’s faithfulness.
I’m a stander, and I won’t acquiesce, compromise, quarrel, or quit.
I have made the choice, set my face, entered the race, believed the Word, and trusted God for all the outcome.
I will allow neither the reaction of my spouse, nor the urging of my friends, nor the advice of my loved ones, nor the economic hardship, nor the prompting of the devil to make me let up, slow up, blow up, or give up till my marriage is healed up. AMEN!”

Keep focused my married friends.

Tony

Saturday, October 1, 2011

EVERNOTE app - a speakers ally


Hey teachers, preachers and speakers,

I found a HUGE helper for your ministry. EVERNOTE is a great and free app but it's even better has an add-on for firefox that gives you a one click saver option. Its amazing. I have EVERNOTE on my iphone, ipad and macbook. Here's all you do:

step 1 - Download Firefox (which in my opinion is better than safari for free) I am unsure if you can download for safari. Its worth checking.

step 2 - Download the EVERNOTE add-on (free)

lets say you are reading an article, blog or anything online that you want to keep or read later, click the little EVERNOTE icon and it instantly puts it on an EVERNOTE in it's entirety. No need to copy and paste. At that point you tell it on the corner where to file it.

(hint: i created a notebook called "read later" and this way I will have it archived.)

This is a great tip. Hope it helps.

Tony

Friday, September 30, 2011

YOUR word for today.


PSALM 121
1 I lift up my eyes to the hills; *
from where is my help to come?
2 My help comes from the LORD, *
the maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot be moved *
and he who watches over you will not fall asleep.
4 Behold, he who keeps watch over Israel *
shall neither slumber nor sleep;
5 The LORD himself watches over you; *
the LORD is your shade at your right hand,
6 So that the sun shall not strike you by day, *
nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; *
it is he who shall keep you safe.
8 The LORD shall watch over your going out and
your coming in, *
from this time forth for evermore.

Friday, September 23, 2011

God Has Two Questions for You


by Artie Davis

As we learn what it means to truly follow God, there are 2 questions I feel He wants to ask us everyday.

What are you hearing Me say?

Everyday is a new day, filled with opportunities to impact the Kingdom. It is vital we hear God and understand His desires for us on such things as...

  • Go see this person
  • Don't go to that meeting
  • Call your neighbor
  • Be patient
  • Do all things in love
  • Make a date with your wife

These are the kinds of things we need to hear from God everyday. We hear these from His Word and what He speaks to us. Hearing what God is saying to us puts us on the same page with His will and the work He has for us.

What are you doing to obey?

God has no desire to waste His breath or cast His pearls before swine! When He speaks, He expects us to obey. That is the second half of a powerful faith-filled walk with God. Not just hearing, but also obeying.

We find too many excuses not to obey what we hear God say.

  • It doesn't make any sense
  • It's in direct opposition to what I see
  • That is way too hard, and nobody else is doing it
  • I don't like that place
  • If I do that, I may lose some friends
  • I can't afford it

The things God wants us to do will always require faith. Faith is what we are called to walk in daily; it's the only way to please God, and whatever is not of faith is sin! So...it's pretty important that all we do is in faith. And "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17)

Since that's the way God wants us to walk everyday, I can understand His questions:

  1. What are you hearing Me say?
  2. What are you doing to obey?

Pretty heavy questions. What say you?

You can visit Artie Davis at www.artiedavis.com As seen at www.churchleaders.com

Friday, September 16, 2011

Keep It Dirty


Michael Yaconelli, co-founder of the Christian Publishing Company, "Youth Specialties," wrote the following in his book, "Messy Spirituality."

For a period of time, we were lucky enough to have a housekeeper. She would come in once a week to dust, vacuum, and clean every little out-of-the-way corner of our house. I dreaded the day she came, because my wife and I would spend all morning cleaning the house for the housekeeper! We didn’t want the house to be dirty, or what would the housekeeper think?!

We act the same way with God. We talk our way out of the spiritual life by refusing to come to God as we are. Instead, we decide to wait until we are ready to come to God as we aren’t. We decide that the way we lived yesterday, last week, or last year makes us "damaged goods" and until we start "living right" we’re not "God material."

Some of us actually believe that until we choose the correct way to live, we aren’t choosable, that until we clean up the mess, Jesus won’t have anything to do with us. The opposite is true. Until we admit we’re a mess, Jesus won’t have anything to do with us. Once we admit how unlovely we are, how unattractive we are, how lost we are, Jesus shows up unexpectedly.

According to the New Testament, Jesus is attracted to the unattractive. He prefers the lost ones over the found ones, the losers over the winners, the broken instead of the whole, the messy instead of the unmessy, the crippled instead of the noncrippled.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Judge Not


A small-town prosecuting attorney called his first witness to the stand in a trial -- a grand-motherly, elderly woman.

He approached her and asked, "Mrs. Jones, do you know me?"

She responded, "Why, yes, I do know you, Mr. Williams. I’ve known you since you were a young boy. And frankly, you’ve been a
big disappointment to me. You lie, you cheat on your wife, you
manipulate people and talk about them behind their backs.
You think you’re a rising big shot when you haven’t the brains
to realize you will never amount to anything more than a
two-bit paper pusher. Yes, I know you."

The lawyer was stunned. Not knowing what else to do, he
pointed across the room and asked, "Mrs. Williams, do you know the
defense attorney?"

She replied, "Why, yes I do. I’ve known Mr. Bradley since he
was a youngster, too. I used to baby-sit him for his parents. And
he, too, has been a real disappointment to me. He’s lazy,
bigoted, and he has a drinking problem. The man can’t build a normal
relationship with anyone, and his law practice is one of the
shoddiest in the entire state. Yes, I know him."

At this point, the judge rapped the courtroom to silence
and called both counselors to the bench.

In a very quiet voice, he said with menace, "If either of
you asks her if she knows me, you’ll be jailed for contempt!"

Thursday, August 18, 2011


Launching September 18, 2011

Vision Statement:

Freedom Life Church is a place where truth is discovered, compassion is demonstrated, and relationships are developed to build committed believers to find their purpose in life.

Sundays 10:30 Worship Experience

Lead Pastor: Tony Cruz

FREEDOM LIFE CHURCH

150 SILVER MOON LANE

LEWISBURG, PA 17837

www.FreedomLifeAG.com

Friday, July 22, 2011

Camp 2011 Testimonies



Our full time evangelistic ministry come to a close with a bang! Great camps and phenomenal movements of God! Here are a few in the words of the students themselves.


Name: Matt

Pastor Tony, you inspired me to become a pastor just like you. The week at camp was awesome before i came to camp i waz on drugs i waz always drinking but u helped me find jesus christ and i knew that he paid the price if it wasent for my god we would not have been here.
You said that what did God call us to be well god called me to be a pastor i told one of the leaders that i wanted to pre
ach and he said that god told him that i waz on the right path to becoming what i want to be. And i never had a favorite book in the bible thanks to you 1st samuel chapter 30. my mom and dad waz on drugs thanks to you god gave me the words to speak to my parents so at least they believe in God just a little bit.
but to me that aint enough so im going to keep trying. you also taught me
that i can forgive but i cant forget. that basket ball game was awesome u got some speed but god helped me out with the threes i guess god was watching. God Bless you Pastor Tony

Name: Cydnee

Hello, I loved your teaching it really touched me a lot!!!! This week the devil really kept dragging me down and tried to ruin the week... but I didn't let him... I know God and Love him very much!!!.... This week I gave it all to him and lately I have had some trouble with gossiping and I really gave it all to God... Yesterday my friend and I were really called from God to go pray with a few people and she was called to pray for this one guy but we were far away from him and after she was done God really told me to pray for this one guy and I just didn't know who he wanted me to pray for and I looked up and there was a guy that was just crying and praying hard, my friend and I looked at each other and didn't even say a word and went to go pray for him and she was called to pray for him as well.. We went to go pray for him and I just prayed for whatever was going on in his life and I found out was going on this morning it is very sad. I was just sharing with you what happened at camp and if you will just keep him in your prayers please... - Cydnee

Name: Holly
This week at youth camp God helped me forgive my mother. About seven years ago my mother cheated on my father and it really tore my family apart. I had never really forgiven her.. but when you talked about bitterness I realized I was really only hurting myself. Also, I've started praying that my mother will come back to God. Thank you so much (:

Name: Jessie

I was there the last week of camp and i can not even begin to explain what God did in my life. I have always heard about miracles and healings but no longer than five minutes after praying he answered my prayer. I was having a hard time dealing with some things that i had done in my life and worshiping God and asking for forgivness still... i just wanted to thank you because that was the best weeek of my life and i plan and am trying to llive my life like i lived that week.

Name: We'll call her "J"

Thank you, Pastor Tony, for the amazing job you did at Camp. Every night you brought something to the table I desperately needed to hear. For a long time I've been considering ditching my Jesus Java Juice to sip on some soup. I had really forgotten how good God is, how much he loves us, and how much better my birthright is. However, this is only a small portion of my testimony. The second night you spoke of wounds. Simply put, my family is a dysfunctional, broken mess. My mother is an alcoholic and has been since before I was born. I have been so angry and bitter towards my mother for even allowing my sister and me to have been born if she couldn't be a mother. I was angry that she didn't just abort me when she had the chance. I was angry at God for the family he has given me. Angry that every time I looked into the mirror I saw my mom. But I laid that down this week. I forgave her. God spoke into my life that I am not my mother or anyone else in my family. When I look into the mirror now, I see myself as a new creation in Christ, a new beginning to my family tree. Friday you mentioned that no one is too far gone. I've been believing that God could not possibly reach my mother. There's no way He could mend my family's broken mess. I've begun praying for her and believing that all things are possible with God. Thank you, Pastor Tony, for your amazing ministry! May God bless you pressed down, shaken together, and running over!

Name: Kathy

I am not sure if you will know exactly who I am but you prayed for me and explained the baptism in the Holy Spirit to me. Maybe that would ring a bell..lol. Oh and you had me pray over the camp. Well anyway I really just wanted to email you on all that God did in my life this week at camp. Its something that I will never forget because it was just a beautiful experience of how amazing God really is.


Name: Meghan
hi, pastor tony. i was at camp jackson this recent week, and i think i really truly need to tell you how you changed my ENTIRE life. i was saved monday night. all because of the soup of the day sermon. i know that i have been sitting at the table and i need to change that. and i will:) im so thankful that i came to camp jackson because it truly has changed my life. and i thank you and God so much for helping me. :) it means so much!
-meghan!

Name: melissa

Hi Pastor Tony Cruz. Thank You for taking time off to make it out here for us:) I wanted to tell you that you helped me a lot when you preached the word to the youth camp. You were just awesome. I wanted to tell you that my life is so much different now. Also, you helped me realize that I shouldn't care what others think or say about me. Because their opinions don't matter. Only God matters. And I got to recommit my life to Christ and it was such a great feeling. I can say that you helped me get through a lot of struggles that I was going through. Well I mean God also helped me through everything, but if it wasn't for you preaching the word at camp, I wouldn't be how I am now. I just wanted to Thank You and God for everything that you have done. You are a great pastor:) I hope to hear back from you Pastor Tony Cruz! Take Care and God Bless:)

Name: nefttali

Brother Tony Last Week In Youth Camp I Felt Very Sick The First 2 Days I Knew I Had To Go Home But Then I Said Why Am I Going To Let The Devil Bet Me And Take Away What He Has For Me So I Stayed And I Just Pray To God To BIHS And On The Thursday Night I Stared To Speak In Other Languages And He Told Me To Never Give Up And I Want To Thank U For The Word At Camp Thank U And God Bless U And Ur Family :) <3

Name: Stephen

Hello, I was at the youth camp this past week where you were preaching and I wanted to let you know you touched my heart and you helped me further in my journey with Christ. I was so moved by God I fell on the ground crying and ever since I feel like a new person. I was also wondering if you could pray that I stay strong in my faith.

Thank you,
~Stephen

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

PRIME THE PUMP


There was a man who got lost in the desert. After wandering around for a long time his throat became very dry, about that time he saw a little shack in the distance.
He made his way over to the shack and found a water pump with a small jug of water and a note.

The note read: "pour all the water into the top of the pump to prime it, if you do this you will get all the water you need".

Now the man had a choice to make, if he trusted the note and poured the water in and it worked he would have all the water he needed. If it didn’t work he would still be thirsty and he might die. Or he could choose to drink the water in the jug and get immediate satisfaction, but it might not be enough and he still might die. After thinking about it the man decided to risk it. He poured the entire jug into the pump and began to work the handle, at first nothing happened and he got a little scared but he kept going and water started coming out. So much water came out he drank all he wanted, took a shower, and filled all the containers he could find. Because he was willing to give up momentary satisfaction, he got all the water he needed. Now the note also said: after you have finished, please refill the jug for the next traveler.” The man refilled the jug and added to the note:

Please prime the pump, believe me it works”!

When we have been given the chance to believe God and do it, the rewards are amazing. Sometimes we miss it and take the immediate gratification route. Wherever you are in life, we all have the same choice to make. Do we hold on to what we have because we don’t believe there are better things in store for us? Do we settle for immediate satisfaction? Or do we trust God and give up all that we have to get what God has promised us? Once we have experienced what God has to offer, the living water, we need to tell other people, “Go ahead prime the pump, believe me it works”!

Be a witness today in any way you can.

-Tony

Monday, July 11, 2011

Ten Things New Believers Should Know


Last night I was studying the scriptures about following the mission of God with my momentum core group for our church start up. One person basically asked the question "what can you tell someone that maybe has been a christian for a long time but doesn't know the first thing about discipleship? How can we do that?" So I decided to post something I found for you all that I think everyone can do. Use and utilize as you need to help a recent convert to follow Jesus better.

Top Ten things New Believers should know:


1. The one thing that the Bible emphasizes more than us loving God and people is that God loves us. He loves us first and most. God isn’t in heaven plucking a daisy saying, “I love you” when you obey and “I love you not” when you sin. He cannot not love you (Rom. 5:8 and 1 Jn. 4:16).

2. Your motivation for and the purpose of learning, serving, worshipping, giving, reaching, reading, praying, etc. is to grow relationally more in love with God and people (Mt. 22:36-40).

3. You not only are saved by grace, but you grow by it, too. A common trap for new and growing Christians is trying to clean up their lives without God’s help. This is a false equation: The less you sin = the less you need God’s grace. You can’t sin less and love more without the strength of God’s grace.

4. Don’t trample all over the Great Commandment (love God, love people) trying to obey the Great Commission (go and make disciples). New and enthusiastic Christians often do this. Instead, lead people to Jesus by loving people to Jesus (1 Cor. 13:1-3). If they ask you why live the way you do, humbly and simply share with them why you put your hope in Jesus.

5. Love your neighbors—your literal neighbors—the ones you have, not the ones you wish you had. Do this because you are a Christian, not just because you want them to be Christians.

6. Focus on Jesus, His cross, His resurrection, and His kingdom. When you confessed Jesus as the living Lord and Messiah, you never said—and will never say—anything more meaningful. Jesus is God with skin. No other “religious leader” (Moses, Buddha, Muhammad) is His equal. They were mere men; Jesus is God who became a man. He is the center and circumference—the hub and rim of all of life and creation. All of the world’s greatest gifts—love, life, truth, grace, etc.—have a name. Jesus.

7. God cares about your whole life, not just your “spiritual life.” It is a mistake to think that God is only concerned about a section of your life called “your soul” or “your spirit.” God cares about and is to be Lord of all of your life—personal, emotional, social, familial, financial, physical, vocational, sexual, intellectual, and so on.

8. Love other Christians who go to different churches (or no church at all) and who aren’t like you. Unfortunately, many Christians and churches view their “brand” of Christianity as the only true or most true type of Christianity. They may not think they are the only Christians, but they do think they are the best or most right ones. This is a prideful and sinful attitude that grieves Jesus and dismembers His body. Strive for unity in the body of Christ by praying humbly and thankfully for other Christians.

9. Pray with your Bible open. There are many different spiritual exercises (fasting, solitude, serving, etc.), but the two most important ones are communicating and communing with God through prayer and listening to and learning about God through the Scriptures. Prayerfully read about Jesus (in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). Prayerfully read about the beginning of the church in a book called Acts. Prayerfully read some letters written by Christians for Christians—some good ones to start with are James, Philippians, and Ephesians.

10. Find a Christian mentor. You will need help and encouragement in this journey with Jesus. Ask an older Christian (of the same gender as you) to mentor you. Look for someone who displays the attitudes and actions that were described above. Be a blessing to them in return.

Christianity is not a list, but a life; it’s not a chart, but a charter.

But new Christians will learn new things. Some of those things will be true but not important. Some things will be off by degrees that can lead them astray. Other things will be just plain wrong. Help new Christians learn to follow Jesus by being their best at what matters most to Him.

Hope this helps you encourage someone else.

(Much of this blog was from an article by Brian Mavis by the same title)

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

MY DADDY IS HERE!


There was a story told of visiting his middle son's nursery school class, at the request of his teacher. She wanted him to observe a "problem child" in the class.

While he was there, he caught a conversation between his son and some other boys. There conversation went like this.

Child A: "My daddy is a doctor and he makes lots of money and we have a swimming pool."

Child B: "My daddy is a lawyer and he flies to Washington and talks to the president."

Child C: "My daddy owns a company and we have our own airplane."

Then David Elkind's boy said, "My daddy is here!" And he proudly looked in his father's direction.

REMINDER: Dads, your presence means more than anything else to your children - more than your money, more than your position at work, more than the toys you buy them. Your time means more to them than anything else, because it says, "I care."

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Exciting New Directions!


April 2011


Dear friends,

We write to you today with great anticipation of the continued call God has placed on our family. We have been on the road traveling across the nation for the past 7 years and have seen such wonderful things! It is in that venue that we have preached to the lost, the broken and have seen thousands come to Jesus Christ as Savior.

This past fall, we began to sense a heavy desire in our heart to start a church to reach Lewisburg, PA. This project is FREEDOM LIFE CHURCH. A verse that spoke to us is Jeremiah 1:4-10. Allow us to share this passage with you.

4 The word of the LORD came to me, saying,
5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” 6 “Alas, Sovereign LORD,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.” 7 But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the LORD.
9 Then the LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth. 10 See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.”

Here are just a few facts about Lewisburg, PA:

o Population: Lewisburg Area (17837) - 20,157 people
o There are approximately 80,000 people and 39,000 homes within a 10 mile radius of the city.
o There is currently NO Assembly of God in Lewisburg, PA.
o Support and approval from both the Penn Del district office and North East sectional committee to assist in opening and planting this new church in Lewisburg.
o Unique opportunity to position a new church that can influence a nearby university (Bucknell University - 3,600 students)

One thing I realized is that many times people want to plant in densely populated cities, meanwhile many medium sized regions get left behind.  Though all the church planting books may be right in most cases, God is the one that calls out to us the mission. While Lewisburg is not the biggest city, there are many needing to hear of His grace. Our goal is to birth a vibrant body of believers who will work to transform the community through love, service and discipleship. We are launching our services Sunday, October 2, 2011 with our monthly preview beginning in August.

This is a very exciting step of faith for us and our family but we know that our God has given us a vision to reach Lewisburg and the region. This is so much bigger than we are. There are many hurting lives to reach and we want to bring FREEDOM to those who need to know Jesus as Savior and Lord.

We hope you would join our family and our team in prayer as we look to change lives and families the Lewisburg area together. If you are interested in knowing how you can be a part in any way by coming and being physically a part or sowing into this vision, our contact info is below.  We appreciate you!


Working the change the world,
Tony and Elisha Cruz
Founding Pastors of Freedom Life Church

*To find out more:
     EMAIL directly - tonycruz2009@gmail.com

http://www.facebook.com/tony.cruz2#!/pages/Freedom-Life-Church-Lewisburg/161120203940196?v=wall

Monday, March 21, 2011

Bumps make you grow!

Here is a list I found on 20 mistakes leaders make. Hope it helps you grow:

1. Holding grudges
2. Withholding an apology
3. Demanding what you should earn
4. Hording knowledge
5. Refusing to delegate
6. Delegating tasks without explaining vision
7. Allowing weaknesses in one area of person’s life to obscure their strengths in another
8. Clinging to Power rather than giving it
9. Saying yes when you mean no
10. Talking too much, deciding too slow, and doing too little
11. Making statements before asking questions
12. Adding minor corrections or improvements to another’s work
13. Making assumptions without information
14. Getting even
15. Blaming others rather than taking responsibility
16. Putting off tough conversations
17. Failure to establish clear deliverables that include milestones and deadlines
18. Accepting mediocrity
19. Mistaking busy for effective
20. Pretending you know when you don’t.

There are plenty more but this is a good start.

(Source http://leadershipfreak.wordpress.com/2010/12/16/top-20-stupid-leader-tricks/)

Sunday, March 20, 2011

GET OUT OF THE "SAFE"

“The single best way to develop leaders is to take people out of their safe environment and away from the people they know, and throw them into a new arena they know little about. Way over their head, preferably. In fact, the more demanding their challenges, the more pressure and risk they face, the more likely a dynamic leader will emerge”
-Bruce Wilkenson "The Dream Giver"


When God seems absent and everything is going wrong, will you still trust God enough to patiently allow Him to prepare you for what’s ahead?

The bigger the dream, the longer the preparation.

James 1:2-4 “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. NIV

Saturday, March 5, 2011

The Chick-Fil-A Approach


So there I sat for lunch at a Chick-Fil-A this afternoon in Winchester, VA enjoying my #6 with fruit punch when I saw something I have NEVER SEEN...

It blew my mind....

Although the restaurant was pretty full,  the traffic at that moment was light. The young lady who served me with a smile came out from behind the counter and started to walk around the and ask people how their meal was and if they wanted a refill which she then proceeded to give person after person a re-fill. This effort was foreign to me.  After returning with one tables refill, she then took their tray and discarded it along with their food that they were done with. Hmmmmm.

This really got my attention because for all intents and purposes, this was a fast food place and they would have just been fine with doing it like they all do it. BUT, they personalized each tables and persons visit. Made people feel like this was different. Relax, we got you.  This includes the way I felt during my visit.

Taking a moment for Church leaders, what if we made each person's visit to the house of God personal, memorable, every single time. No, you cannot please everyone but what if....what if we valued their visit and made the LOVE OF GOD stand out more than just our services.

"By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another"

 ~John 13:35 (NKJV) 

I have been to many a restaurants and this got my attention. I havent visited many a Chick-Fil-A so I am unsure if this is practiced throughout the chain. Understanding that the business is run by Christian man but this approach should serve as a template for all businesses to stand out. Honestly, it should serve as a template for all churches too. This approach to customers reflects on Chick-Fil-A as an organization and to the individual management as well.  I am encouraged to step up my game and stand out as a husband, father, friend and as a believer. I hope it does you too.

Living intentionally,
Tony 

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Inspiration Overload

Inspiration is a great additive to our work, but it should never become our end goal. In other words, it’s a means to an end and not the end itself. Inspiration often tricks our minds into thinking that we are moving forward towards accomplishing our goals. Mental advancement in thought must have some corresponding movement in the physical world.


Could it be that many of us are dying of inspiration overload?

Here are some suggestions on curbing our addictive relationship with inspiration:
  • Limit Meetings – You don’t need to meet everyone that asks for a meeting. Don’t let your insecurity of letting others down get in the way of living a healthy and productive life. Each meeting is actually precious time away from doing what you’re designed to do. How many times after a day of meetings have you thought, “Why does it feel like I haven’t accomplished much today?” Unnecessary meetings can kill your productivity.
  • Limit Online Information Intake – Determine how much time you will spend each day/week on taking in information online. A “short” excursion online in following a trail of information can turn minutes into hours. Ask yourself, especially during work hours, “Is this necessary or a fun option?” Use something like Evernote to bookmark interesting information for leisure. Remember, you still have work to do?
  • Limit New Ventures – As a serial entrepreneur, I have to constantly remind myself that “new” work must be meaningful and add to my current direction. This means that a good opportunity is not the same as the right one. Although you may not always be able to discern the difference, it is still valuable to have these kinds of conversations. Work towards refining your direction into a few areas as the year go by (unless you have millions of dollars to play with and don’t mind blowing some of it). This is not say you shouldn’t risk. There’s always risk involved. All I’m saying is that you should risk in the right areas.
Leaders, guard yourself from this and you will be grateful you did.

(Portions from article "Dying of Inspiration Overload" by Charles Lee - @ChurchLeaders.com)

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

God Still Heals

I received this email.  You want to read this....

Hello Mr. Tony Cruz,

I don't know if you remember me but I first heard you speak at Convention in Syracuse, NY last March.

I had asked you to pray for my eyes after the youth rally at our church. I went to the eye doctor, who told me that the nerves in my eyes are different sizes and that I also have high pressure in both my eyes. It's an early sign of glaucoma they said, which gives you tunnel vision and eventually leads to blindness later on in life when you get into your 70s or 80s. That doctor put me on medicated drops that I would most likely have to use for the rest of my life. I didn't want this to happen to me, and I prayed about it. We both prayed about it.

I went to another doctor recently who checked my eyes. I had stopped using my drops for about 1 month. She ordered a few tests that checked the pressure and my vision field. I went to the doctor last Friday and she said that the tests came out normal! The pressure in my eyes was on the high side of normal, but she didn't see a major problem with it. She also told me that I wouldn't have to be on medication! She just wanted to keep following up with me every 6 months, instead of me going to the eye doctor every 2 or 3 months like the other doctor had me do.

I just wanted to tell you the great news, and also to thank you for praying for me! Faith and prayer really do move the Hands of God. I'm so grateful. May God continue to bless you!

Ethel

Friday, February 11, 2011

Obedience is Key

Gene A. Getz, in his book, The Measure of a Church, asks the question, "What is the measure of maturity in the church?" And he lists what others believe are the measure of maturity:

1. An active church (involving people in meetings and programs)
2. A giving church (supporting the church and efforts financially)
3. A growing church (new people coming and staying)
4. A soul-winning church (leading unbelievers to faith and baptism)
5. A smooth-running church (efficient and orderly)
6. A missionary-minded church (supports missionaries around the world)
7. A Spirit-filled church (enthusiastic, emotional)
8. A big church (large attendance, with many programs)

But, God used Paul to give us a different measure for maturity of the church. Paul says that the church is mature when it functions like one body, where Jesus Christ is the Head. When we mature as the church, we individually obey what our "head," Jesus Christ, desires from us.

The Church is not obedient to a set of rules. We are obedient to the Person of Jesus Christ through a trusting relationship and to the truths He has spoken. And our obedience is not just in our head, but in the way we live and serve one another. 

Though some of these elements are vital elements in the church, many of these things can be done without even a thought of God of Jesus Christ. Be sure that if you call yourself a believer today, that your life reflects this in the fruit (actions).  

Let's never forget that the "church" are not facilities or programs - It's people that represent Him effectively.

-Tony Cruz

(portions pulled from SermonCentral)

Thursday, February 3, 2011

More Than You Can Now Bear

Sometimes God holds back. He does. But we lose track and misunderstand it. Why? Because it's more than you can bear. We often ask Him for insight but he doesnt allow you to know and we must understand that, like the disciples, we too aren't always ready for what He is about to do. This is specifically why we need the Holy Spirit to open up your understanding and PATIENCE to wait.

As I was studying and reading John 16:1-14 I came across a few verses and here is what it says:
 
12 “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you.


If you want what He wants, you must hear what He hears.
What are you listening to that brings about the direct opposite of what He wants from you?  

8 When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 about sin, because people do not believe in me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11 and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned. 

I have a few things that we have to understand is that God is more concerned with your obedience than He is your comfort.  Here are some thoughts of what the Holy Spirit will do if we allow Him to do it. Verse 8 holds the key to it all:
1.     Clarity of SIN (verse 8)
2.     Clarity of RIGHTEOUSNESS (verse 8)
3.     Clarity of JUDGMENT (verse 8)

We must know and be clear as to what He wants from you. These three thoughts are made so clear in this passage. Clarity of Sin & Righteousness. Darkness & Light. God & Satan. Carefully thrown after these two is JUDGMENT.  I think sometimes we miss it but PLEASE .... don't. His desire to speak to you is immensely more than your desire to hear.

When you take a moment and pray, ask Him is there is anything He has tried to shield you from that you run TO instead of FROM.

He love you more than you know.

Friday, January 14, 2011

Live RIGHTeous

I was recently approached online on what it means to be righteous and as I looked into it, many people probably have a vague idea of what this means. I decided to post my response here and answer the question maybe some of you may be asking.  What does it mean to live a righteous life?




Righteousness obviously comes from being righteous and so let me start with what 'righteous' is.

Righteous means that you have been justified or cleared by God. For example, if you get a speeding ticket and you go before a judge and you plead guilty and the judge looks at your record and declares that you admitted you are wrong however, they are going to let you go and so the judge lets you off and tells you are cleared to leave but not to drive like that again. The judge 'cleared' you of charges and you are free. - NOW - In Christianity, the charge was Sin which has immorally and spiritually distorted our view on life and people BUT because of what Jesus did on the cross, we are cleared of those charges and are called to live RIGHT (righteous).

In addition to that:
'Righteous' living means to come to a place where your actions are a reflection of your belief. Righteous is to take God's idea of live, love and people and adopt them as our own. That is why Jesus was so hard on those who said they believed and didn't live RIGHT over those who didn't believe and were sinners.  Those who believe are called to live 'RIGHTeous' lives.

The following are a few thoughts I found to be helpful when trying to understand righteous living. To live righteous, one must:

1. Resist evil. This means that whenever you have an opportunity to sin, you say no. This could be a temptation from someone else ("Let's go out and get drunk.") or from within your mind ("That guy just cut me off in traffic. Let me think how I can get even with him.") When you do commit a sin, you confess your sin to God and ask for His forgiveness.

2. Accomplishing a walk with God. You pray and read the Bible and praise God for His presence in your life.

3. Do righteous works. This means that you will roll up your sleeves and do the work that God gives you to do. You can contribute time or money to someone's needs. You could be the joy in someone's life. Just be loving, honest and friendly.

4. Live the Christian Life. You will show Christian love in your home and neighborhood and at your place of employment or school.

5. Rely on God. Remember, you cannot live a righteous life without God's help. This is a walk of faith with complete reliance on Jesus for His guidance and help.

We do these things in understanding that we are to do them with the Holy Spirit's help. Sarah, everyone that received Jesus Christ as their savior has access to God's holy spirit. He, through you, can achieve the work of God.

Also see

ROMANS 1:17 For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."

MATTHEW 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

“The just (RIGHTEOUS) shall live by faith” is a phrase that occurs in the Bible four times: once in the Old Testament, in Habakkuk 2:4, and three times in the New Testament, in Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, and in Hebrews 10:38.

A few verses to look up for yourself:
GALATIANS 3:11 - HEBREWS 10:38


Friends, if you call yourself a believer dont let it end with your attendance to a 'bible' event. Let the bible revampt your life! LIVE righteous. How else will the world know the God we speak of?

Tony