Prison, is it a good place to be?

Last night I was spoke at Living Free. It was the last part of the series "Prison Break". When I was preparing for the message I was reminded how so many of us are in prison. We may not be in a physical prison but we are in a prison because of addiction, abuse, bitterness, unforgiveness or some other kind of pain. But here's the interesting thing about being in prison, we learn to like it. It becomes what we know and we become comfortable with it. I had a man named J.C. share his story. He shared how he started smoking pot at the age of 4 then it led into cocaine and heroine by age 10. He was in and out of prison for 15 years. As we were talking before the service in my office he said that he liked being in prison. I was shocked and asked him, why? He said that when he was in prison he didn't have to worry about anything. They told him when to get up, when to eat, when to work and when to go to bed. Everything was provided for him. When he would get out of prison his life was hard. He had to figure out where he was going to get money, where he would sleep and what he would do each day. He didn't know any different so he committed another crime to get back in. The only way out of this world was when he saw in his wife a love that he had never seen or experienced before. It was because of her unconditional love that he was set free not just physically but spiritually. He is a different man! Listen to this verse in Galatians chapter 5, it says, "For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don't use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love." How has love changed your life? How can you change someone elses life through love? Does love make a difference?
If you find yourself in prison, please let me know. I would love to help you.

Have a great Thanksgiving
Pastor Rick

Ted Haggard

On Thursday night I was checking my e-mails and when I opened up the web-page I noticed the name Ted Haggard. I began to read the article and my heart began to drop. Ted Haggard is the pastor of New Life Church in Colorado Springs. They are a church of 14,000 members. He is also the president of the National Association of Evangelicals which consists of 60 denominations and 30 million people. I was in New Life Church in March of this year attending a conference. When I first heard Ted I was bit taken back but the more that I listened I heard a man that loved God and was very smart and articulate with his words. Since that time I have heard him on 60 minutes, talking with President Bush and speaking at a conference that we aired at Living Hope. Each time he challanged me and yet encouraged me. He was a leader that God was using to impact many many lives. Well, getting back to the article, there in black print were allegations against this man. They said that he had a relationship with another man and on top of that he purchased drugs. I thought, no way. This can't be right. Then on Friday he stepped aside as the President of the N.A.E. and pastor of New Life while being investigated. How does it make you feel? It is very easy to attack and judge Pastor Ted. I know many christians that do that very thing but is that what Christ would want us to do? I'll tell you how it makes me feel. I feel sad for his wife and five children, I feel sad for his fellow pastors and staff and I feel sad for the people at New Life. How do you think that God feels? I am sure that his heart is very saddened. It reminds me of what Peter wrote, "Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour." (1 Peter 5:8) I don't know about you but it sure makes me think about my life. All of us are succeptible. All of us have weaknesses and satan knows what those are. What are you doing to protect your self? How much do you think about the spiritual battle that we are in? Satan can never take away our salvation but he can destroy our testimony. What can we do to prevent this kind of attack? I have one word that can help us all, and that is pray! How is your prayer life. How much time do you talk to the one that has the power to defeat the enemies tactics?
Let me know what you think?

Until next time
Pastor Rick