Chicago and Phoenix are two cities who have enjoyed tremendous growth in recent years.  Marked growth in both these booming metro areas has created vibrant arts communities and hugely untapped resources with local artists.  While there are many Chicago churches who hold fast to modern church tradition, several Chicago churches www.chicagochurches.com are seeking to bring the arts to life within their services and in their church communities.

Many Phoenix churches are also finding renewed inspiration within the arts. Utilizing artists within their weekly worship services to paint or sculpt or featuring the work of local artists on display in their buildings. By whatever means possible church leaders are seeking to bring the arts alive in Phoenix churches www.phoenixchurches.com once again.

Those who find their faith in the ultimate Creator (artist) can find hope that the partnership between the arts and churches may live on.

As many of you know there are way too many churches in our towns to visit, so this website is geared to helping you visit the churches without actually visiting the churches. Each church will provide their own information about their story, events, service times, ministries, videos, and other pertinent information that may help the searcher make a decision. So if you want Scottsdale Church Information then this site will help you out. They even provide resources to enhance your visitor experience. Kudos to Brad Larson for launching a great idea.

I John 5:19 says, “We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one”.

One could guess what the word “sway” means, but after researching this word it simply means “influence”. Kind of like the fog in the picture above… subtle, but effective.

According to the bible, the whole world is under the influence or sway of the evil one. It’s hard for me to think that the enemy has that much control and ability, but he has had a lot of time nurturing a world system that can easily appeal to the flesh of mankind. After working at this for some time, I can see how the devil can almost sit back and watch his “sway” in action.

Though… don’t get me wrong here, I know the devil is not sitting back for one second. His sway is operating in and around a system of influence. You can tell when the “sway” hits you. Any time you are influenced to indulge in fleshly conduct the sway is working. Maybe we get caught up in the latest Hollywood gossip we justify as “news”, maybe it’s the influence to rip someone’s head off for driving inappropriately in front of you, or maybe it’s a temptation to outright blow it… to commit the sin – hook line and sinker. Whatever the case the influence to do “wrong” is ever before us and many times we succumb to this “sway”.

What is man to do to overcome the sway? Well let’s read the first part of that verse again. I John 5:19 says, “We know that we are of God….  This verse is making a distinct difference between those that are of God and those under the sway. Those that are “of God” think about the things of God, are influenced by the Word of God more than the world He created, and seek truth not entertainment. If you find yourself struggling to stay away from the sway, maybe your too close to it. You simply need to pull yourself out from under the worlds greatest influences. This is where the “sway” is the heaviest.

So what are the worlds greatest influences. I am sure you can name some very easily, and they will not be very easy to pull away from.

Know this… The level of difficulty you have removing yourself from these influences is a good indication of the level of the sway over your life.

Here are a few of the greatest world influences…

1. TV – no surprise here with millions of viewers everyday being entertained by fictitious lives. Yes even reality t.v. is fictitious to an extent. Most people act different when they know a camera is watching them.
2. Internet – no need to elaborate here
3. Co-Workers
4. Newspapers
5. Movies
6. Family – Yikes!!!!

Ok, well you get the point. Can you remove yourself from these avenues that unload the enemies sway or would it just be too difficult? Maybe the sway has you more than you think.

Look… I am not saying that you should never watch t.v. again. I just want you to be aware that there is a real sway. Television can be a great tool for a different kind of “sway” – a Godly sway. Unfortunately, most of us utilize the tube to download the worlds ideals, concepts, and philosophies of what is right or wrong. We get laughs from programs that are morally corrupt, and allow violent crimes into our living rooms. Our minds deal with more images today then in any other time in history. Technology has elevated our minds with endless knowledge and no sense. Sorry, I will stop my soapbox soon.

Psalms 1:1-3 reminds us,

Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
² But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
³ He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.

Hollywood knows too well how to “counsel” us, and we know too well how to listen.

We all have a calling and a job to perform for the Kingdom. As Paul told Timothy to not get entangled with the affairs of life so we should guard ourselves from the “sway”.

Sometimes I feel that the Body of Christ is sitting in the camp watching re-runs while the battle of the century lies at the doorstep.

I Timothy 4:12-16 says, “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

God has designed a life for us to enjoy – so enjoy it. Enjoy technology, Lord knows I do – just watch out for the “sway”.

Blessing to you on your journey,

Lee

I think we have all been in this situation at one point in our lives. Sometimes it’s with minor things and other times you could be fighting for something great.

There is a business principle called the “212 Principle”. Simply stated at 211 degrees water is hot… at 212 it boils and with boiling water comes steam and with steam you can power a locomotive.

One degree is the difference between hot water and a power to transform industries, societies, and our world. Here’s a thought… what if the scientists had stopped at 211 degrees? What would our life be like? How would things be different in our world today?

In looking at history you see a number of people that pressed forward in the wake of failure obviously believing that there was something great, maybe only 1 degree away.

“Robert Sternberg received a C in his first college introductory-psychology class. His teacher commented that “there was a famous Sternberg in psychology and it was obvious there would not be another.” Three years later Sternberg graduated with honors from Stanford University with exceptional distinction in psychology, summa cum laude, and Phi Beta Kappa. In 2002, he became President of the American Psychological Association.”

“Thomas Edison’s teachers said he was “too stupid to learn anything.” He was fired from his first two jobs for being “non-productive.” As an inventor, Edison made 1,000 unsuccessful attempts at inventing the light bulb. When a reporter asked, “How did it feel to fail 1,000 times?” Edison replied, “I didn’t fail 1,000 times. I just learned 1000 ways that the light bulb didn’t work.”

“R. H. Macy failed seven times before his store in New York City caught on.”

“Henry Ford failed and went broke five times before he succeeded. “

“Michael Jordon was cut from his High School Basketball team.”

“F. W. Woolworth was not allowed to wait on customers when he worked in a dry goods store because, his boss said, “he didn’t have enough sense.”

“Walt Disney was fired by a newspaper editor because “he lacked imagination and had no good ideas.” He went bankrupt several times before he built Disneyland. In fact, the proposed park was rejected by the city of Anaheim on the grounds that it would only attract riffraff.”

“Charles Schultz had every cartoon he submitted rejected by his high school yearbook staff. Oh, and Walt Disney wouldn’t hire him.”

“The first time Jerry Seinfeld walked on-stage at a comedy club as a professional comic, he looked out at the audience, froze, and forgot the English language. He stumbled through “a minute-and a half” of material and was jeered offstage. He returned the following night and closed his set to wild applause.”

“After Harrison Ford’s first performance as a hotel bellhop in the film Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round, the studio vice-president called him in to his office. “Sit down kid,” the studio head said, “I want to tell you a story. The first time Tony Curtis was ever in a movie he delivered a bag of groceries. We took one look at him and knew he was a movie star.” Ford replied, “I thought you were spossed to think that he was a grocery delivery boy.” The vice president dismissed Ford with “You ain’t got it kid , you ain’t got it … now get out of here.”

You may have faced failure lately, and dropped your Sword (so to speak) or are facing a situation where you feel like giving up. Do you believe there is something great just beyond what you can see? The bible calls this “FAITH”.

You just might be at the 211 point with just a little last push
needed to open up a dream realized.

We are to press through the 211 barrier to achieve the benefits of 212. We are to believe in our God and Father that has created us with value and has placed great things before us.

So if you’ve dropped your sword. I have a word for you that God gave me. “Pick it up again and move forward.”

There are things to accomplish and legacies to leave. Galatians 6:9 says, And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

Blessings to you on your journey,

Lee

Well, I will have to say that this video says it all. It captures the innocence and vulnerability of relationships and depicts the journey of life that we all experience. Watch the older brother’s face as his emotions change from “careless playing” to “I think I am in trouble” to “I know I am in trouble” to a desperate cry for help. The video concludes with an obvious face change to relief and forgives abounds.

Sometimes I think life is like this video. If the symbolism is not your thing than just have fun watching. We all need a good laugh every now and then.

Blessings to you on your Journey,

Lee

This is a report from CBN that I thought was very encouraging. This church has got some things figured out about who they are in Christ and are taking it to the marketplace. It’s a little over 5 minutes but well worth the look. Be encouraged as miracles are happening today and they happen through us. Just be willing to let God work with you as He said He would. We are a carrier of the Holy Spirit and we can give the power of God to whomever we choose. There is an awesome story of miracles happening in a grocery store among others. Check it out and be blessed.

Blessings to you on your journey,

Lee

You know God’s Word will return to Him. I had never really seen that part of this verse before… that His Word actually returns to Him accomplished in that which it was sent. We can have comfort to know that what God says in His Word will come to pass in our lives if we believe. There is only one thing that can stop the Word of God from accomplishing that which it was sent and it is not the devil.

There is only one thing… and that thing is unbelief. Hold true to what God has spoken to you. Remember the promises that He has given you through His Word and hold on to them. Your faith will sustain you and will keep you in perfect peace.

One side thing, if your looking for a good marriage website check out Marriage By The Book. Its our Lead Pastor Rick Porterfield’s  new website and there is good stuff there.

Blessings to you on your Journey,

Lee

Just wanted to give a big shout out for our youth event last night here at our house. The kids were great and all went well. It’s amazing to see the different personalities and kids from a wide age range get along. We did a progressive dinner at 3 locations ending at our house with dessert and a message. Being it is Christmas I spoke on how God has gifted each one and that each was created unique and designed for a special purpose. We don’t actually have a youth pastor right now so as the associate pastor I am doubling as the youth pastor. Attached is a couple of shots of our dining room with decorations for the youth event with the chocolate fountain as the main treat. Cheers to all!

Blessings to you on your journey,

Lee

Recently MSN posted an article in their Money section called “It’s a great time to be afraid”. Here are some of the comments in the article.

“In some situations, fear is the appropriate response — and this is one
of them. Why? The bailout plan is riddled with loopholes, and new
crises are brewing for US cities, states and oil refiners”

“Fear clarifies. Fear is good.”

I truly hope that we as Christians aren’t listening to this bucket full of lies. Fear is good…. give it a rest!!! I can’t find in the bible anywhere that fear is good in any circumstance or in any situation economically included. The bible tells me that God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of love and a sound mind. Jesus constantly told people not to fear.

I know that the American economy may be in a tail spin right now, but that does not give me the right to disobey God and begin to fear. If we fear we are not trusting that our loving heavenly father will take care of us. Here are a few scriptures that may help you in the economic downturn.

Matthew 6:31-33 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear? For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Isaiah 43:1-2  “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.”

Philippians 4:6-7 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus

God is faithful. You know…. when we were kids we didn’t worry about the economy. That was the job of our parents. Our father or mother took care of that. It seemed like our job was to have fun.

So instead of saying it’s a great time to be afraid, we might want to say it’s a great time to be kids again, go have fun, and let our Father take care of us.

Blessings,

Lee