L-SQUARED: LIFE & LEADERSHIP

Enjoying The Ride

2017-11-13T12:12:00.001-05:00

To our Church Family and the Community,

Over 44 years ago, my grandfather, Rev. Mathai P. Mathai, received an opportunity, through the Church of God World Missions Department, to migrate from Kerala, India to Brooklyn, New York and plant a church. With a firm vision to reach the Keralite Indian Immigrant community, he pioneered the ministry known as Brooklyn Church of God that would eventually grow and expand in the New York City metropolitan area.

From then until now the church has grown and seen hundreds of people experience salvation, water baptism, grow in the Lord, and serve God in various ways. By God’s grace, many individuals, families, ministers and churches whom now spread out into different cities, states and countries will be able to trace their roots back to this church in some way, shape or form.

In January 2000, Pastor Moni Mathew and Kunjamma, my dad and mom, became the Senior Pastors of the church, now known as First Church of God, in Elmont, New York. He was able to stabilize and maintain the church’s spiritual, fiscal, and temporal matters. Pastor Moni and Kunjamma have been faithfully serving the church during their times of uncertainty, joy, celebration, grief, and loss. For the past 17 years they have led the church through tough, lean times, gave leadership to pioneer new ministries, raise up emerging leaders and ministers, and now see the church in a season of growth.

I’ve watched and learned from my parents, elders, and leaders about serving God faithfully and consistently through the local church. Through the years, the Lord gave me a love, passion, and desire to reach more people and see the local church become what it is designed to be; bringing the Gospel, love, and hope to this world.

Early 2007, the Lord placed a burden on my heart and passion in my soul to see First Church of God reach its local community of Elmont and beyond. I believed the church should continue to minister to our existing church family but, also reach out to new individuals that needed to hear the Gospel. We kept praying for a way and opportunity and in 2010, the Lord dealt with Pastor Moni, the ministers, and the leadership team in unique ways.

By January 2011, the fervent prayers of the church leaders and members lead to the birth of a new ministry within the church called, Community Worship Service (CWS). With this historic step, the church was pioneering a path to reach its local community through the Gospel and love of Jesus Christ.

I’ve had the privilege, honor, and responsibility to pastor and lead CWS. First Church of God slowly transformed into a reflection of His local church where we are one church with multiple generations from multiple nationalities who can worship God in multiple worship service experiences.

On Sunday, October 29, 2017, we were appointed to succeed Rev. Moni & Kunjamma Mathew, as the new Senior Pastors of First Church of God. They have served in pastoral ministry for 23 years and lead our church for the past 17 years. They served faithfully, sacrificially, lovingly, and courageously! They did their best to be themselves. They learned “on the job”. They helped so many people and families. They gave up a lot for others and His Church. They kept their integrity. They embodied loyalty. They are true shepherds. They have led us, loved us, challenged us, instructed us, corrected us, encouraged us, supported us, and mentored us over the years in matters of family and ministry. We are blessed to have them as our parents and pastors.

I’ve often said that the proverbial passing of the baton takes humility and courage from the one giving it and the one receiving it. We are incredibly humbled, overwhelmed, and honored that God would choose us to carry the baton of responsibility, service, and ministry.

You may be wondering how does this change affect Community Worship Service and/or First Church of God? The simplest way to answer that question is:

We are ONE CHURCH with MULTIPLE SERVICES. We are committed to seeing all people, families, ministries, services, and ultimately the kingdom of God grow.

We are also excited to announce that Pastor Abey & Jennifer Thomas have accepted the responsibility to serve as Pastors of the Malayalam congregation/service. Pastor Abey’s family has been with First Church of God since 2003. Abey and Jennifer have served faithfully in countless roles and ways for the church and its community. We believe in the calling God has on this family. Their heart for people in the church and those who still need to hear about Jesus is amazing. We believe in them and know God’s purpose for them is to pastor and serve FCOG to become a light and local redemptive center for the south Asian community.

You may be wondering, “Where are Pastor Moni & Kunjamma (dad and mom) going?” The best part is that they are not going anywhere. In all the conversations we’ve had in the past few months, I was so enlightened and encouraged to see the impact they have had on the people in both services of our church. They are not retiring. They are healthy and active. They are just transitioning into a new assignment. You will see and hear them often. They will stay on the ministerial team at church.

In January 2018, Pastor Abey and I, with our families, will officially step into our new roles and they will continue to advise, mentor, and provide wisdom to us in helping us through this transition and the future of our church. We trust God will bless, use, and reward them in the years ahead! At the same time, we hope to see them take time for themselves to rest, refresh, recharge, and be renewed.

This was not an easy decision or process. We saw the hand of God and the grace of God operate in the course of this journey and in the lives of everyone involved. We are not done with the transition just yet but, we are praying for His presence and provision to be with us going forward.

To the incredible people of First Church of God and Community Worship Service, we love you! We are excited, honored, and humbled to be part of God’s plan for this great church and community. We are ready for God to lead and amaze us. We are encouraged to see so many of you already express your excitement and commitment to the future. We believe there are more people out there that will call this church their home just like we all do. We will go forward with the HEARTBEAT of ONE church, the MIND of ONE church, and the STRENGTH of ONE church.

We commit to lead you with integrity. We commit to never forget the towel of service. We commit to preach the truth of God’s Word with love and power. We commit to pray for you consistently.

Let’s continue to trust God completely. Let’s encourage one another. Let’s seek the face of God. Let’s hear and listen to the voice of God. Let’s love God, one another, and our neighbors. Let’s pray for one another. Let’s get ready to be amazed in the coming days, weeks, months, and years ahead.

This has definitely been one interesting ride in life and ministry but, like I always say, “ENJOY THE RIDE!”

With Love,

Pastor Cecil, Sherin, Abigail, Kayla, & Lillian

Most Epic Cadillac Baby Gender Reveal Video

2016-06-18T18:08:00.002-04:00

Love this from my brother and his wife!

Birthday Tribute to My Sher

2016-05-06T00:20:00.001-04:00

Dear Sher,

On your birthday, I want to just say thank you for being who God called you to be. You have blessed my life and our children's lives. You have impacted all of us inside the home and countless others outside the home. I'm humbled, honored, and privileged to be your husband. You are loved as a daughter, sister, friend, wife, mother, leader, pastor's wife, and best of all as a child of God.

I just want to declare this verse over your life as a blessing for this new year:

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good;

Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

Psalms 34:8 (NKJV)

On this day, I share some thoughts from some folks close to you as a tribute and memento to you on this day to celebrate the goodness of the Lord upon your life. Hope you enjoy!

Happy day of birth big/little/tiny fingers sis!! What a great year this has been and will continue to be!! You are a smart, strong, loving and nurturing woman of God! You have many roles, you "know your role" (cue the Rock song..."If you smell... that's for you !!)...and you live those roles out well and for that, I/we are blessed and grateful!! Hope you enjoy this special day and the new year ahead...God bless you, keep you and surround you with His presence in every moment of your life! You are blessed and have been a blessing to me and our family so Thank you!! We love you!! Time to partayyyy!!!

Happy bday Big sis and friend! Thank you for LEADING by example. You don't need to say much but you lead by your actions. There are a Lot of sacrifices you make both seen and unseen. Thank you. I see you forgive wen it's not easy to, sacrifice wen it's not easy to, love wen it's not easy to yet you still do it with such grace. Thank you for the example that you are. Thank you for the blessing you have been to me and my family. Have a beautiful beautiful day today! His promises are true in your life! We love you!

Happy birthday Sherin Chechiiii! So blessed to have you in my life and couldn't have asked for a more loving, caring and supportive sister like you. Thanks for always being there to talk to and giving advice. Praying that God continues to grow in your life in the many years ahead. LOVE YOU!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BIG CHECHI!!! Glad to have you as the first lady in this siblingry. You do a fantastic job in all the roles you have to play. From wife, to mother, to sister, to pastor's wife. You are strong loving and occasionally funny. Glad to have you as our OLDEST sister (no in-laws in this family). We love you and pray God continues to bless you and keep you strong in this coming year!!

Happy Birthday Sherin!!!! Continue to be the prayer Warrior the encourager and the woman of wisdom. Your role in the kingdom of God and in the life of others is very important. The part you play seen and unseen is vital to expansion of God's Kingdom. Let this new year bring strength and fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit in your life. God Bless!!!!

Happy Birthday Sherin!!! God has blessed you with another beautiful baby and many more blessing to come. Have a wonderful mayo de cinco/bday and a blessed year to come.

Happy birthday friend!! Praise God for the STRONG woman of God that you are... Through many struggles and ups and downs you have been like that ship anchored in the Word and The Promises of God. Thank you for encouraging me to do the same and always speaking/sharing LIFE from The Word Of God and the right words at the right time! Praise God for your life and testimony! Thank you being an awesome friend/family to us and being there for us not just in word but also in action/deed in times of great need! We will never forget it .. We love you chica!! You are loved and cherished!! 29 looks great on you!

Happy happy birthday Sher our mama bear!!! I thank God for the blessing you are for the people around you. For that caring heart of yours, for the tears you shed when I was in pain.....God sees your heart!! God bless you this year and grant your heart's desires!!!

Happy Birthday Kochamme!! You pour out a lotta love from your life. You may not know it but when you speak or share you deposit little nuggets into our hearts that we carry with us and remember often in times of our struggle. #anchor. You have been a blessing to our family! Your prayers might not be loud and with a booming voice, but they come from the depths of your heart, and I know heaven answers those prayers. I've seen you handling so many situations with grace and have seen you grow over the years (not physically ... You still short and cute. The tough seasons in your life have made you a stronger person! Praying God blesses you this new year and takes you to new heights that you can't even imagine. Love you Sher!

Happy cinco de mayo!!! Oh and HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHERIN!!! Your life is a gift. A gift to all of us. You love and care for us deeply and so genuinely!! You wear many hats and handle it all with such grace!! You simply do not profess your faith and trust in GOD but you demonstrate your utter need and dependence on HIM alone. You get joy from seeing others prosper. And you hurt when one of us hurts. You are an admirable, classy, beautiful woman!! Your life story is written by an Almighty GOD who call us to trust HIM for all the chapters ahead. Thank you for blessing me and my family!! Thank you doing life with us!! Thank you for being you!! We love you mucho senorita bonita!! Can't wait to celebrate!!

There is nothing left to say, Absolutely agree with everything everyone said about you Sher, thank you for being a blessing in our lives, wish you a happy bday.

Happy Birthday!

4 +1 = BE AMAZED

2016-03-15T16:15:00.000-04:00

As I was drinking my Powerade (those who know me know why I had to go run down to the cafe and buy one quick), listening to the song "Good Good Father" while waiting outside the OR and Sherin is being prepped inside, a dear close friend sends a text and it read as follows: "He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.” Psalms 91:4 NLT"

The "BE AMAZED" moment for me happened when I finished reading the scripture reference. Why? Well, before Sherin was taken in for the surgery (and I ran down to buy Powerade), the Holy Spirit gave me a scripture to read aloud over Sherin and the baby. I did so in the room, we prayed and then followed the staff into the OR waiting area. That scripture was Psalms 91.

Well, Sherin and I were in the OR with a bunch of medical staff, the Powerade stayed outside on a seat, but we were joined by our newest beautiful baby girl. We became parents of 3 kids this week. On Monday, the Lord decided it was time for us to see what He had in His mind before time began. He created this person and was forming her over the past 9 months in Sherin's womb.

God blessed our family with a new gift of life, Lillian. Mom and baby are resting, getting stronger, and doing well. Abigail and Kayla, her older sisters, are so excited and can't wait to bring her home. Abigail went from having one person call her "chaechi" (Indian vernacular for big sister) to two people. Kayla went from being our baby to being a chaechi. Sherin and I go from "man to man" to "zone" defense. Sherin's strength, motherly instincts, love, care, and nurturing gift is what makes our family go and grow!

I never realized you can love so much until having Lillian. Logic may seem that with more kids the fullness of your love just gets spread out equally. This is really hitting deep in me now more than ever that its not about loving our kids equally but loving each one fully. Isn't that what our "Good Good Father" in heaven feels too? Its not loving each of His children equally but He loves each of us fully! You will not receive part of His never ending or never failing love, but ALL of it! Abigail, Kayla, and Lillian will not get part of our love but each will get all of our love.

Please keep Sherin, Lillian and our family in your prayers! Thanks to all for your prayers, encouragement, well wishes, and support!

Love,

Mathew Family of 5

Opportunity Is Knocking

2016-01-23T15:32:00.003-05:00

Opportunities are in front of you to grow your faith, build your courage, and experience the power of God in your life. If you rather have comfort and convenience, then opportunities are not your thing.

Today, I pray that you look at life from a different perspective. Winston Churchill said, "A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity, but an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."

Over the past two weeks we have looked a little deeper into what we need to ask for and how we need to seek God. So now we come to the point where we are facing, hoping for, and praying for opportunities. What is the significance of opportunities? F. Scott Fitzgerald said, "Our lives are defined by opportunities, even the ones we miss." How many opportunities have we seen and missed? How many have we not recognize because we were distracted with temptations? Can we be patient while being persistent?

You may be in a storm (as I write this in NY this weekend, quite literally we are in blizzard) or you're in the middle of spiritual warfare. How do you battle? With the snow, you just wait it out and shovel out of it. With the spiritual battles, you just keep on asking, keep on seeking, and keep on knocking.

If we pray, God has some opportunities for us. Let's look at a few that Lord shared with me through the scriptures.

Opportunity To Be Blessed - Matthew 6:6
If we pray, we'll have the opportunity to be blessed. If you can close the door to the distractions and even routines of life and make time for prayer, God will respond. You'll face constant opposition from you finding the time and space to pray but you have to fight through that and pray. Close the door and pray; He will open the "doors' and bless.

Opportunity To Be Amazed - Acts 12:13-16
If we pray, we'll have the opportunity to be amazed by the miraculous power of God. Your answer to prayer is at the door. How many miracles are we not seeing, receiving, realizing, or even enjoying when those miracles are staring you in the face.
When your answer is at the door, go and open it and receive it!

Opportunity To Serve - 1 Corinthians 16:9
If we pray, we'll have opportunities to serve God. Can we ask God to open "doors" for us to share our story and how the work of Jesus shapes our lives with other people? God will provide those opportunities to live our life on purpose. You can serve God at home, work, school, and His church. Ask God to give you those opportunities and seize them. Serving God is not an easy thing but every sacrifice we make is worth taking the opportunity to grow.

Opportunity Of A Lifetime - Revelations 3:20
If we pray, we'll have the opportunity of a LIFE-time! Not just our life time but for our eternal life. Jesus is knocking on the door to your heart. Will you answer that knock and welcome Him into your heart? Or will you just let him stand outside and keep knocking? I'm thankful Jesus is patient and persistent with us even when we are neither with Him.

Opportunity is knocking, will you answer? You will have opportunities, will you seize them? You can experience "good enough" in your life or "God is enough" in your life. God is waiting for you to knock with prayer so He can open doors in your life. What do you want? Who are you seeking? Will you answer?

Enjoy The Ride,

Pastor Cee

THE "WHY" BEHIND THE PURSUIT CONFERENCE

2015-08-20T08:32:00.001-04:00

You may have seen the announcement of the Pursuit Conference on social media and online via www.pursuitconf.org. LIKE, FOLLOW, SHARE AT: Facebook; Instagram; Twitter: @mypursuitconf

Through this conference we hope and desire to see a generation pursue His presence, pursue His heart, and pursue His mission.

We desire to accomplish 3 goals through Pursuit Conference in 2015:

1. Raise Awareness of Opportunities for Local & Foreign Missions
2. Equip This Generation for Local & Foreign Missions
3. Empower and Release This Generation to Live on Mission

To answer a few questions that have come up from folks, I have captured a snippet of a powerful conversation I had with a college student recently about the Pursuit Conference. This individual asked some pointed questions which you may be asking as well. I believe sharing this may help you understand the "WHY" behind the Pursuit Conference.

(Some parts are paraphrased to fix all the online chat grammatical and spelling mistakes)

STUDENT: What inspired you to put this together?

We desire to reach the groups of people.

1. The person who doesn't know Jesus and get them connected to Him.

2. The person who knows Him and wants to do something for Him but doesn't know what to do and how to do it.

3. The person who knows Jesus, the "what" and the "how" but is stuck in fear to inspire them to take a leap of faith and go live out their calling.

Also, we believe in keeping missions as a top priority for lives and the church.
We see this as a tremendous opportunity for informing, equipping, empowering, and releasing people to live on mission.

STUDENT: No. That's why you want to do it. For other people to receive and understand how to do all those things. But what inspired you to put this all together? Like when did you see a need for this? Why have this when there are other local and national para-church conferences?

We saw it as a need at the end of last year after we took 12 people on our first missions trip. We said to ourselves, "why limit the impact of missions to a trip for 12 people?" Can we multiply that by hosting a gathering like a missions conference and sharing our experiences and teaching and showing people it can be done in our hometown or across the globe.

STUDENT: One last thing: is there a cost?

Yes, a minimal investment into your lives.
Individual - $20 (Full Event); $10 (Friday only); $15 (Saturday only)
Group of 5 or more $15 per (Full Event)
Group of 10 or more $10 per (Full Event)

~~~~~~

From "Good" To Great

2015-04-02T19:39:00.000-04:00

There on the hilltop once called Golgotha but now forever redeemed as Calvary, hung a perfect, blameless man who was God. There, let us zoom our focus in on that person, Jesus, who was being sacrificed instead of you or me. He was paying the wages of our sins, which was death. With that payment, we received our salvation, freedom, healing, and life here on earth and for eternity in heaven.

When we see Jesus on the cross, we must see mercy, wrath, justice, forgiveness, commitment, obedience, courage, power, humility, faith, hope, and the greatest of all, LOVE.

LOVE THAT BEARS ALL
His love for you covers a multitude of sins. His love is like a roof on a home. It covers me as a refuge to run to and find shelter.

LOVE THAT BELIEVES ALL
His love for you believes there is greatness inside you. His love for you believes for the best in you. His love for you gives you the benefit of the doubt.

LOVE THAT HOPES ALL
His love for you goes a few steps beyond just believing, its called hoping the best for you. God believing in you solely has you in His focus. By hoping, God takes into account the crazy, hopeless situations staring you in the face. In the middle of pain, troubles, temptations, hopelessness, His love for you hopes beyond your realities. He can see the silver lining on that cloud in your life. Jesus has a positive and forward outlook for your life.

LOVE THAT ENDURES ALL
His love for you is unending, unfailing, and unrelenting. His love for you perseveres. He endured the cross because His joy was to see you restored to Him.

In Hebrews 12:2, we read, "We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne."

Let me encourage you to keep your eyes fixed on Jesus. Have a stare-down if you'd like with Him. (I promise, He will probably will make you blink or even tear up first.)

He started a good work on that "Good Friday". He's not done with that work in your life even until this moment. His goal and desire is for greatness in your life, for your life, and through your life. Allow me to lead you or just point you to the cross and introduce you to Jesus.

Only He, with the greatest love of all, can take you FROM GOOD TO GREAT!

Enjoy The Ride,

Pastor Cee

The Message That Wasn't Shared - Part 2

2015-03-19T14:57:00.000-04:00

We continue with the idea that it takes teamwork to make the dream work. When the challenges and struggles come, what is it going to take to build towards that God-dream becoming reality. How can we keep that dream alive? Do we have a role to play in the process? What characteristics do we need to possess?

At the heart of this journey to realizing your dreams, you have to know God is not focused on the dream but YOU. He is desiring to mold, refine, transform you through this journey. He can use people, situations, circumstances, or whatever He wants but do we realize it?

In Genesis 41, we see it has been 2 years since Joseph helped the cup bearer get out of jail by interpreting his dreams. The only thing Joseph asked the cup bearer to do was remember him and mention to Pharaoh who helped him. But the cup bearer forgot about Joseph. Now 2 years have passed and Joseph is still in charge of the prison. What the Lord showed me from this is that situations, people, life will teach us about PATIENCE. You help people understand their situations, encourage them to fulfill their dreams, and you think they might remember you by extending some kindness with their influence. But what do you do when they forget about you? What do you feel when time just keeps going by with no progress in sight? Joseph is learning to be PATIENT in this season of his life. Why? Because where he is destined to be, he will need to exercise it. Could it be that was an area that needed strengthening in his life? How is the Lord teaching you patience? Who is he using? What circumstances in your life are demanding patience from you?

We get to chapter 42, and we read that Joseph now has encountered his long lost brothers for the first time. He knows who they are but they don't realize they are talking to their brother, the "dreamer", the one they got rid off. In verse 25, the Lord showed me the GOODNESS of Joseph on display. He had the authority now as the "prime minister" of Egypt to do whatever he wanted to them. You got the people who ridiculed you, hated you, hurt you, almost killed you, sold you off to strangers to another land standing in front of you. You have the power and resources to do whatever you want to them as revenge for all the pain they caused. What would you do? Joseph showed his goodness by not even taking their money for the food they came to buy. They didn't even realize it until they were on their way back home. Could we do that if put in a similar situation? When everything in our current reality screams for us to take revenge, hurt those who hurt you, we are called to show GOODNESS towards them. Where the dream will take you will require you to show the same goodness towards people you know or don't know, you like or don't like.

As we travel to chapter 43, the Lord showed me Joseph exercising LOVE. He saw his youngest and only full-brother, Benjamin after all these years and he is deeply moved to the point of having to walk away and just weeping. That bond and love for Benjamin showed me that Joseph wanted to love but didn't have anyone to love all these years. All the childhood memories of them playing in the fields with the sheep and all farm animals rushed back to his mind. We have to remember that Benjamin and everyone else still doesn't realize they are not just in the palace of Egypt's prime minister but of their own brother. Even when they don't realize it, deserve it, ask for it, can we still LOVE the people in our life. We are commanded by Jesus not to love only those who love us or who we think deserve it but love our enemies.

That's installment 2 of The Message That Wasn't Shared at church! Stay tuned for part 3.

Remember, it's God's dream for your life but you have a role to play in that dreaming becoming reality.

Enjoy The Ride,

Pastor Cee

The Message That Wasn't Shared At Church - Part 1

2015-03-18T14:24:00.000-04:00

After weeks of thinking, praying, preparing, studying, receiving on this message, I didn't get a chance to share it at church. It was part 3 to the series: Dream Again (based on the life of Joseph). Part 3 focused on the familiar phrase, Teamwork Makes The Dream Work. I prepared my notes and sent the slides to the team to "beautify" it, they are coordinating all the details for presentation, and ready to go for Sunday morning. But when all you had planned was ready to move ahead and set to go in motion, you learn that if you allow Him to, He will always get the last Word.

The Holy Spirit started dealing with me the night before I had to preach this at church. I was reading through the necessary scriptures, notes, listening to some worship music and just asking God to be in control. At that moment, I sensed the Holy Spirit asking me if my plans are put on hold, would I be OK with it? You'd think I would immediately respond by saying, "Yes sure, go ahead." Of course I did...n't do that. I struggled with that question for a little bit from a human perspective and asked the Lord, why did I prepare all this time and work on this message? Deep down I know what I'm supposed to say and do but in that same deep place I know I want to share this planned message. At that point I reached out to our worship leader, Ancy, and sent her this message:

I'm prepared for my planned message but I sense the Holy Spirit asking me if the plans are put on hold is it ok with me. Just be ready to jump off the cliff

(We use that phrase - "jump off the cliff" - to challenge each other to trust the Lord will catch us when we step out in faith.)

I went to bed decided that I would trust Him as He leads on Sunday morning. I get to church and still the internal struggle is going on - should I preach the prepared message or should I guide the service as the Holy Spirit leads us that day? I knew He was preparing to do something unique this day. 15 minutes before service starts, I gave up. I went up to Ancy and the worship team and just told them, we are shifting away from the planned order of service and I'm not speaking the planned message and just going to share what He leads me to share. We are going to be up here throughout the service leading in worship and allowing for God to do His unique thing this day. I shared this "change in plans" with everyone in the prayer huddle before service. We all just went into prayer and trusted God while declaring, "Spirit lead us!"

Well, for the rest of the service, let's just say things went according to plan, not mine or ours, but His plan. (You had to be there, I can't describe it.) Let's just say, the Holy Spirit had a timely and prophetic WORD to the church, not a message on Teamwork Makes The Dream Work. Lives being touched by the power of God. There must be a weeping moment which turn into a worship. Weeping may last for a moment, but worship will last forever!

After church, I was led to not just ignore the "planned" message that never was shared at church but to share it through this blog this week. So I'm going to highlight the main points over the next couple of days. So I ask you to come back and visit the updates over the next couple of days.

The goal was and still is to show the reality that God needs a good teammate in Joseph to make the God-dream for Joseph's life become reality. That is the truth for us as well. God can place a dream inside us for His glory, but we have a huge role to play in how it all works out in the end. The Lord never will force His way into our lives and make us do anything. Jesus doesn't invade and demand our hearts to action. Jesus "knocks on the door" to our hearts and lives, waiting for us to choose to let Him in.

In Galatians 5:16, 17, and 25, we see the realities of our sinful nature being in constant struggle with what the Holy Spirit desires of us. It also shows that we live by the Spirit and if we do, we must be a good teammate with the Spirit. A good teammate sticks by you, stays close enough to do their part to help achieve the common goal. We need to team up with Jesus and the Holy Spirit in this journey of life to receive that dream and see it to reality.

Over the next couple of days, we'll journey through several chapters of Joseph's life and highlight some characteristics of a good teammate of God.

Enjoy The Ride,

Pastor Cee

Bitterness is Cancer

2015-01-09T11:53:00.002-05:00

You can read this post here as well: Bitterness is Cancer

Yes!! We made it to the end! The last thought based on Forgiveness devotional on YouVerson is here.

Hebrews 12:15 Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.

- Relationships mean accountability and humility. Learn from each other.

- The famed author, Maya Angelou, put it this way regarding bitterness; “Bitterness is cancer - it eats upon the host. It doesn’t do anything to the object of its displeasure.” Enough said!

1 John 1:9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.

1 John 4:20 Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything.

- Unforgiveness, bitterness, sin, wickedness makes us feel dirty. When we feel we are dirty we are ashamed, feel guilty, and hopeless. Jesus came to take all of that away from you and make you clean and white as snow!

It’s really imperative as a child of God and disciple of Jesus Christ, to be intentional about living in freedom and that means living receiving Forgiveness and giving Forgiveness!

See you all next week as we move into week 2 of the 21 Days of Prayer!

Throwback Thursday Got Carried Away

2015-01-09T11:42:00.002-05:00

We didn’t forget Thursday’s thought, we were just thinking about #TBT and remembering all He has done for us and got stuck praising Him!

To today’s scriptures on Forgiveness … you can read this post and learn more here as well: Throwback Thursday Got Carried Away

Luke 17:3 So watch yourselves! “If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive. 4 Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive.”

- Unforgiveness is like drinking poison and believing the other person is going to get hurt or even die. It’s killing you not them. Forgive.

Luke 23:34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”

- Our ignorance has warranted His love and forgiveness. Forgive someone else’s ignorance.

Ephesians 4:31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

- Living with a wounded spirit is so toxic that you not only corrode your attitude and life but it spreads. If you are going to be contagious, spread joy and kindness.

Ok, back to praising God!

Who Is Your Lord?

2015-01-05T09:15:00.001-05:00

As you start this new year, you are probably signing up for various forms of life transformation such as exercise, Bible reading plans, diets, prayer, etc. One of the keys to life transformation is relationships. The most important one is your relationship with "lords" in your life in comparison to THE LORD of your life.

The dictionary defines "lord" as: one having power and authority over others; ruler by hereditary right or preeminence to whom service and obedience is due. With that definition, who or what gets our service and obedience? What do we give preeminence to in our thoughts, heart, actions? Who has power and authority over our lives?

That rightful place belongs to Jesus. He is not someone or a "god" for us to use in our life as just as one of the "lords" in our life. He desires to be THE LORD of your life. That is how much He loves you and wants to have a relationship with you. Jesus keeps it simple by just wanting time with you. Establish times of prayer and devotion to Him at the very start of this new year. Jesus loves us sincerely to the point where He will tell us the truth about our life yet provide hope for a better way and a brighter future. That simplicity and sincerity leads into His supremacy. The Bible states that Jesus is supreme from the beginning to the end. This powerful Savior, Healer, Provider, Redeemer, Friend, Brother, and King is available to you. He will not force Himself on you but He knocks on the door of your heart and hopes to be invited into your life.

Give Him the rightful place of being number ONE in your life as the ONE LORD of your life! I believe if we can keep Him as our ONE LORD, He can do whatever He wants for us and through our lives to be a blessing to others and to His Kingdom!

Enjoy The Ride,

Pastor Cee

What Happens When You Find It

2014-10-01T16:35:00.000-04:00

Have you ever misplaced or lost something? Have you ever had that "oh no" feeling? Have you ever had to stop thinking about your next step and try to remember your last steps? The keys, credit card, wallet, or these days more important than those might be our smart phones.

Psalms 112 is a song of 10 verses with no author mentioned or even context given for the inspiration to this psalm. However it calls out in its first verse itself a statement that might make us scratch our heads. (Read Psalms 112) If you fear someone, you are blessed? If you are delightfully obedient to someone's commands, you are blessed? That is what verse one reminds us. The "someone" is not just a random "someone", but the Lord God Himself.

Verses 2-9 list all the miraculous and gracious things God is ready, willing, and able to do for you and I if we find delight in His commands and fear Him out of reverence and honor.

Your generations will be blessed! That means your kids and grandkids.
Your integrity and character will endure. Wealth and riches (not just financially) are in your home.
Your life will be lit up by His presence, love, and power. Even when in the dark days of life and darkness has hit all around you, He will shine a light on your life and bless you.
Your generosity and consistency will be reciprocated by God. God wants to reciprocate on your generosity. He's looking to bless you even more if you are willing to be generous with what He has blessed you. Worship Him in your giving to the house of God, to those less fortunate, find a missionary to support, bless someone randomly in your daily life.
Your trust in the Lord must be unshakable. Bad news will find you, but that will not shake you because you trust in the Lord.
Your heart will not be troubled because the God of Angel Armies is on your side. Your enemies will look to see your demise, but you always stand tall with God on your side.
You will be a conduit of blessings. Find a way to give yourself away to others with the physical and spiritual gifts God has invested in your life. For that you will be honored by God and maybe He could do it in front of man.

I believe the author of this Psalm is anonymous because this is my song and your song. I believe there is no context given to this Psalm because its for this moment of your life and my life right now. That joy or even relief when we find that item we misplaced or thought we lost is probably indescribable. There's a freedom in a resolution to that unanswered dilemma of "where could it be? or what if someone found it and didn't tell me?"

If God is capable, desiring, and excited to do all this and more for you, what keeps us from simply delighting in His Word and living to honor Him in all the ways of our life. You are blessed if you fear God. You are blessed if you delight in His commands.

Enjoy The Ride,

Pastor Cee

Bent But Not Broken

2014-08-15T15:16:00.002-04:00

I had to post this devotional written by my beautiful, smart, wise, and powerful wife! I'm so blessed, honored, and proud to have her in my life! Be blessed!

Based on Psalms 34

Written by Sherin Mathew for This Is My Song devotional series:

My life testimony is not a victory story about how I am spared from troubles and tragedy but how my Father carries my family and I through the midst of our darkest nights. I look back and wonder how I make it through each season. I realize it is when I get up each day, I CHOOSE to praise Him and trust that He’s got my life in control, no matter the circumstance, be it sickness, death, uncertainties of life or even lighter hardships such as difficult day at work or the everyday busyness, it is then that I am filled with immense strength, faith and boldness to face the day and push through. As I keep my focus on Him every moment and not be distracted by the discouragements life throws my way, I can trust in His promise that He will always keep my face radiant with His glory.

During seasons of drought, it is harder, almost impossible to keep our chin up, shoulders back and face each day. But verse 5 reminds us that as long as our eyes are fixed into His, we should have no reason to doubt His promise that He will make ALL things, the victories and the wish-it-never-happened seasons work together for our good. Our faces will automatically emit the radiance of ‘the peace that passes all understanding’ and we can rest assured that the hardships of this life are never meant to put us to shame.

We cannot truly say we know what something tastes or feels like unless we have actually experienced it. Just as important as it is to cling onto His life giving promises, it is equally enriching and empowering for us to remember the miraculous ways He led us to our mountain tops and sustained us in the miry clay seasons.

So when we feel discouraged, despair sets in and when life seems unfair, before feelings of anger, shame and bitterness takes root in our hearts and minds, let us make every effort to choose to remember that our Lord is close to the broken hearted and will save those crushed in spirit (vs 18). Although He does not guarantee us a trouble free life, He does promise to walk by our side and will not allow one of our bones to be broken (vs 20).

Which takes me to 2 Corinthians 4:8 we are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair. Our hardships are not meant to destroy us, but to build us up from the inside out. He may allow us to be bent, but will not let us reach the point of breaking.

May the name of Jesus always be our song we sing in the night.

Amen and God bless!

Do You See That?

2014-08-11T12:34:00.000-04:00

Has anyone told you to look at something off in the distance? They are pointing in that direction and describing it with their words. You try to find it based on their guidance. However you can't see what they see. Maybe at some point, they will give more obvious reference points like see that building, or that sign, or that light, etc. Those are not the intended targets but they are just guideposts to get you to your final destination. You find those guideposts, then your friend give another step towards that "thing" you both are trying to see at the same time. Slowly you are working your way toward that "thing" via many buildings, moving objects, "guideposts"! Finally, your eyes get to the final destination and are now able to see with others the same thing.

Psalms 123 is the final destination. Starting with Psalms 120, the first guidepost, the next few Psalms guide us towards Psalms 123. The writer tell us to first CALL on the name of the Lord in our distress. Then their eyes are lifted to the HILLS for help assuming He resides on Mt. Zion. Then their eyes went with them to the HOUSE of the Lord. Then finally in Psalm 123 the writer's eyes look to the LORD GOD Himself. Not the mountains or the house of God, but to God Himself.

How many times have we looked to people, brothers and sisters in Christ, our pastors, our small group leaders, our ministry leaders, our spouses or children for help? How many times have we gotten so desperate we decide to drop in at the church down the block one Sunday? How many time have we turned to things that could host God or have a connection to God as a last resort?

Today, in the middle of your last resort, I encourage you to turn and fix your eyes on Jesus. Look to Him alone. People and things will fail or may last for a season, but Jesus never fails and His love and mercy is everlasting. In Hebrews chapter 12, it reminds us to throw off every care, weight, sin, burden that holds us back. It challenges us to run your race with perseverance.

If you have still not set your eyes on the "final destination" that people or God has been trying to get you to see, today make a dedicated decision to fix your eyes on Jesus Himself. All that you are going through have been "guideposts" to get to you to see Jesus. He is the author and perfecter of your faith. When you finally see HIM, what a joy, love, peace, and hope you experience!

Enjoy The Ride,

Pastor Cee

In Your Loneliest Hour

2014-07-02T12:20:00.001-04:00

Psalms 22 is a song that is a cry from a heart of anguish, despair, loneliness, and pain. However, it is littered with declarations of God's promise and power to deliver and strengthen those who believe, follow, and fear Him.

There have been moments in my life where the silence was deafening, the malaise was debilitating, the proverbial fog in my mind was so thick, the questions were countless, the doubts were running rampant, the confusion was chaotic, and I didn't know what to say, think, or do next.

I can say I'm not the one that tends to be a loner in life. Whether with family, friends, new church folks, ministers, or haters in disguise, I'm surrounded by people most of the time. However, being surrounded by people and things to do does not mean you can't be lonely. Have you every felt like you are part of a crowd but still as alone as can be? Have you ever felt like you are surrounded by such busy times and action but still not sure why or what you are doing?

When we got news during Sherin's pregnancy with Kayla that the baby might have some health concerns during pregnancy and possibly after birth, I felt like where did God go? Our family and friends were happy and rejoicing with us for the fact of expecting another child. The conversations, plans, and joy of that experience were all happening with great people in our lives. But when we got this news, it seemed like even if we were surrounded by a great support system, we were alone. More than people abandoning us in this moment, my question was "my God, my God, why have you forsaken us?" The only thing I didn't realize at that moment was that He didn't abandon us. He was with us and the baby in the womb. We had to trust in God and ask for His delivering hand to be revealed in this situation. The Holy Spirit reminded us of whose report will we believe, and we prayerfully and with faith responded, "we will believe the report of the Lord!"

In your times of anguish, cry out to God and trust Him. During the rest of the pregnancy, birth, and even until this moment, we can thankfully declare that Kayla is a strong, healthy, adventurous child growing in all ways. God is great! He didn't leave us, He just wanted to know if we trusted in Him.
There will be times in your life that people will not be there for you in your life and will watch from near and far and see what you are going through. They might not say it TO YOU - but I promise you some of your haters are going to think like the onlookers at the cross where Jesus hung and say like in verse 8 of Psalms 22, "He trusts in the LORD; let the LORD rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him." My question to all of us is this, will people around us know that we TRUST IN THE LORD for them to make that kind of statement? Will they know that our heavenly Father delights in us for them to say or think that?

Jesus felt the loneliest hanging on that cross about to die not because of his physical predicament. He did so because at that point when all of our sins, shame, guilt, sickness, and pain was draped all over Him, His heavenly Father couldn't stand to look at His Son any longer and had to turn His face away from Jesus. Jesus experienced that loneliness so that we would never have to. He died so He can have a relationship with us. He did it so He can abide in us and we can abide in Him.

In your darkest and loneliest hours, trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Stare down that crazy predicament you are facing and declare life, victory, freedom, healing, power, and peace over it. In verse 25, the scripture encourages us a couple of things: from God comes the reason for our praise AND our purpose in life is not yet complete. We have a destiny to fulfill for His Kingdom purpose. You are not alone for He is with you even until the end of the age was the promise Jesus left for all of His disciples - in the Bible and today!

Enjoy The Ride,

Pastor Cee

We Could Use Your Help

2014-06-12T15:14:00.001-04:00

I pray that this finds you and your family well. God has been working in my life, our family, and ministry powerfully and faithfully. We have our struggles but we know God is great and trust Him to do what is best. Leading a family, home, and church is not easy but its a true joy and privilege to have such great responsibilities. The church is growing in many ways. New people are coming every week and slowly but surely people are committing to a life following Jesus. We are blazing trails and entering into new frontiers this year.

I want to share with you a challenging ministry opportunity that God has presented to me. The Lord has put it on our hearts as a church to Storm This City. That is our missions and outreach ministry focus. Whether it be in our backyard of Elmont, or a city in the USA, or a country in Central America, we want to Storm This City with love, compassion, and truth. As part of that initiative, from August 2nd – August 9th I will be going to Guatemala with a team from my church, FCOG Community Worship Service (CWS). This 1 week mission trip we will be reaching out and spreading the gospel to the people of Guatemala while also learning more about their culture.

While God has opened up a door for me to develop a greater heart of compassion for His people around the world, the exciting part is that you will be able to share in this compassion in several ways. First, you can help pray for me and my team. We will need prayers that God will prepare our team for our visit and bless our efforts as we minister to the people of Guatemala. We will be ministering to children, adults, women who are working in the red light district, and other things. We are going to need a lot of prayer. So the most important way you can partner with me, is through prayer.

I will also need prayers that our financial needs will be met. Another way you can be involved is to help provide that financial support. At this time we need to raise $1,000 each to attend this trip, and that is quite a challenge!

I am excited about the opportunity to serve and to minister, and I ask you to join me in ministry. I am seeking your support and prayers for this mission trip. If you are able to assist with this trip, a quick and easy way to help support would be by clicking this link: Donate Here

As you go through the Paypal process and you click "Review Donation and Continue" the next page will give you an option to "ADD MEMO FOR DONATION" Please add following line: "Storm This City" to make sure that the money goes for me and this missions trip

I look forward to participating in this Kingdom work in Guatemala and I can’t wait to share with you how God used us when I return. God bless you!

Enjoy The Ride,

Cecil
www.l2lifelead.blogspot.com
Twitter: @Cecil_Mathew
Instagram: @cecil_mathew

Never Once

2014-05-01T10:47:00.001-04:00

I knew God had a purpose for me. I heard the call from God in 2005. I dedicated my life into His hands not knowing the "when, how, or where”, but the "who, what and why” was crystal clear.

Who? It was for me.

What? Dedicate your life for full-time ministry.

Why? God said, “I need someone to go and tell them about Jesus.”

I said, "Here I Am!"

Since then, God has been teaching, showing, answering, leading, and growing me to learn the “hows” and “wheres”.

The when was 1 year ago TODAY! One year ago today marked a new chapter in my life and in our family’s life. Leaving the known to go into the unknown has been a journey for sure.

As David declared, we also experienced the same; "Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good;

Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!”

Definitely it has been a roller coaster ride the past year and through it all God has been faithful. The words to the song, Never Once is our testimony for the past year:

Standing on this mountaintop

Looking just how far we’ve come

Knowing that for every step

You were with us

Kneeling on this battle ground

Seeing just how much You’ve done

Knowing every victory

Was Your power in us

Scars and struggles on the way

But with joy our hearts can say

Yes, our hearts can say

Never once did we ever walk alone

Never once did You leave us on our own

You are faithful, God, You are faithful

Our desire is for others to encounter the love of the heavenly Father, grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and power of the Holy Spirit. Our prayer is that each person lives out his or her calling for His glory and Kingdom purpose. Along that ride, our call is to be part of His plan to pastor His church and help prepare it to be a beautiful bride for His return.

We need and ask for your continued prayers, encouragement, and support to do His will, His way! We are not perfect, still growing, learning, and striving to please Him. Thanks to everyone for blessing us in many ways over the past year! We thank God for you and pray He continues to bless you!

Enjoying This Ride,

Pastor Cee, Sherin, Abigail, & Kayla

Isaiah 55:8-9

5 LESSONS LEARNED IN 2013

2014-02-04T18:00:00.002-05:00

Living and serving Him to build up His church is so worth it! I am living the dream everyday! Whenever someone asks me hows life and ministry, my standard response to them this past year has been, "It's scary, exciting, and fun all at the same time." These are a few lessons I lived and learned with family, ministry, and leadership. Just jotted them down to hopefully be an encouragement to you.  

1. WENT ALL IN 

- God talks through even your children. Ask me about it! 

- Took a step of faith individually and as a family into full-time ministry.  

- It was time and the step out and the step in was official on May 1st. 

- Obvious fears were focused on the practicalities of raising a family on Long Island. 

- Sang, preached, read, and heard about "Jehovah Jireh". This year we saw Jehovah Jireh.

"O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man who trusts in him." - Psalms 34:8 

2. LOVE LANGUAGES

 - Realized that I can't love everyone the same way. Tough love doesn't always work. Tender loving care doesn't always work either. Balance it out.

 - Realized that everyone will not love me the same way.  

- Realized that people will not love you or even like you. The haters will always be there. Some were expected and some were surprising. If anyone says it doesn't take a toll on them, they are lying. I definitely experienced some hurt and deep wounds this past year. God is transforming those wounds into scars. Wounds will always hurt but scars are just reminders.

 - Realized Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so ... =) about to start singing ... 

3. LET'S GO 

- I'm a big picture person who still tries to keep a handle on the details at times. I'm already thinking about 2015 and beyond...just saying!  

- Everyone doesn't move at your pace or even at God's pace for their lives.

 - While I've learned to slow down at times thanks to a great family and ministry team, they've learned to speed up. (Don't know if they would thank anyone for that.)

 - Learning that some are born leaders while others are developed leaders. Born or made, all need to be learning and growing servant-leaders. 

- Learned that all may not be ready for the call on their life or for the vision and mission of the church. 

- Leads to the next lesson learned... 

4. THREE WORDS 

- My prayers to God in relation to family, leadership, and pastoral ministry from the beginning of the year were centered around these 3 words: patience, wisdom, and discernment.  

- Lord give me the patience to see growth and lives change in a moment and through a process.

 - Lord give me the heavenly wisdom to handle every situation and challenge with grace and humility.

- Lord give me the discernment to see what you see.

 - That prayer has not changed just because its a new year. Need more of all as expectations, demands, vision, and hopes grow.  

5. BE AN ORIGINAL 

- At times, I got caught red-handed playing the comparison game as a pastor, leader, and church.

 - I'm not made to be someone else. I'm not created by Him to be a carbon copy. I am created by Jesus to be His child and His servant.

 - I'm not a puppet for man to speak through but an instrument and tool in God's hands to use and speak through.

 - He constantly reminded me to take on His identity. As I did, He led me into greater levels of revelation in Him and His Word. Putting on Christ is the best decision made.

 - I was surprised a few times by what He was doing in and through me. Almost was afraid of what was happening and had to trust Him in the moment.

 - I know I am here, I am a sinner, I am forgiven, and I am called. I am a husband, father, son, brother, friend, pastor, servant-leader.

 - God take me, use me, and send me for your purpose and glory! 

I'm thankful for what God has done and is doing. I'm not looking to be successful but just be faithful with God has given to me. I look forward to what lies ahead. I press on because Jesus is calling.  

 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. (Philippians 3:12-14 NLT) 

Enjoyed The Ride,

Pastor Cee

THE STORM WATCH IS ON

2014-01-29T10:15:00.000-05:00

God has placed us in Elmont. We are here to serve and love like Jesus did. Come visit and get plugged into life at CWS as soon as you can. The storm watch is on.

Enjoy The Ride,

Pastor Cee

WHY DOES THE CHURCH GO DARK ON HALLOWEEN?

2013-10-30T12:20:00.004-04:00

October 31 is a controversial date for many individuals. For some, it is a day where kids dress up in costumes and go door-to-door asking for candy. To others, the day is filled with witchcraft and the worship of Satan.

My family and the church I pastor and am a part of does not endorse or celebrate the day of Halloween.

PERSPECTIVE

Historically, the origins of Halloween as we know it find their root in the Celtic culture of 300 BC. Priests known as Druids instilled fear in the hearts of the people with their witchcraft and evil ways (Tom C McHenry). Halloween has its origins in the ancient Celtic festival known as Samhain. The festival of Samhain is a celebration of the end of the harvest season in Gaelic culture, and is sometimes regarded as the "Celtic New Year". Traditionally, the festival was a time used by the ancient pagans to take stock of supplies and slaughter livestock for winter stores. The ancient Gaels believed that on October 31, now known as Halloween, the boundary between the alive and the deceased dissolved, and the dead become dangerous for the living by causing problems such as sickness or damaged crops. The festivals would frequently involve bonfires, into which bones of slaughtered livestock were thrown. Costumes and masks were also worn at the festivals in an attempt to mimic the evil spirits or placate them. In light of this, why do we as Christians seemingly celebrate such a holiday?

WHAT’S WITH THE NAME?

The term Halloween is shortened from All Hallows' Even (both "even" and "eve" are abbreviations of "evening", but "Halloween" gets its "n" from "even"), as it is the eve of "All Hallows' Day", which is now also known as All Saints' Day. It was a day of religious festivities in various northern European Pagan traditions, until Popes Gregory III and Gregory IV moved the old Christian feast of All Saints' Day from May 13 (which had itself been the date of a pagan holiday, the Feast of the Lemures) to November 1. In the ninth century, the Church measured the day as starting at sunset, in accordance with the Florentine calendar. Although All Saints' Day is now considered to occur one day after Halloween, the two holidays were, at that time, celebrated on the same day. Liturgically, the Church traditionally celebrated that day as the Vigil of All Saints, and, until 1970, a day of fasting as well. Like other vigils, it was celebrated on the previous day if it fell on a Sunday, although secular celebrations of the holiday remained on the 31st. The Vigil was suppressed in 1955, but was later restored in the post-Vatican II calendar.

TURN THE LIGHTS ON

Just how are Christians supposed to respond? Can we take advantage of the only day in the year where our neighbors come to our doorstep? Can we love our neighbor at least one day a year in front of our own home? Can the church capitalize on this opportunity to share Jesus along with some candy? Even if we don’t go to them 364 days, can we share the light when they come to us 1 day? Should we even dare walk the neighborhood going to each house to GIVE rather than to RECEIVE?

As your neighbors go for “trick-or-treats”, please use these opportunities to shine bright by extending the message of the Gospel with practicality, love, and wisdom.

Enjoy The Ride,

Pastor Cecil

MY FRIEND CHARLES' THOUGHTS ON FORGIVENESS

2013-10-18T13:34:00.003-04:00

DIRECT LINK: http://charlessamuel.com/2013/10/tethered/

THE BARK OF THE TETHERED DOG AND THE MECHANISM OF CHRISTIANITY

THE ROPE

I stepped out of the house, my hand on the handle as I shut the door behind me.

My eyes scanned the skies as I began my casual stroll across the street. It was a great day.

I needed to go pick up my car from the service shop that was a few blocks from my house. And so I walked.

I snuck my hand in my pocket to grab my phone, whipped it out, and swiped my index finger across the lockscreen in a dizzying pattern to unlock the phone.

I didn’t get it right on the first swipe. Or the second swipe.

But the third swipe was the charm. Unlocked.

I checked some emails I received in the morning while I continued my walk, noticing the large corner house and its ample lawn out from the corner of my eye. The grass was short and neat as it met the edges of the sidewalk.

I was still fixated on the words plastered across my phone’s screen when I turned the corner, pivoting as if I was tracing the outline of the neat, rectangular lawn with my stroll.

And then I heard it.

A faint, low, sustained growl.

My head turned immediately. My body froze.

The pit bull thrust itself at me with its hind legs, barking at the top of its lungs, racing towards me. A chill went down my spine.

I should have run. I should have stood my ground. I should have done anything, really. But, I fell backwards as I saw my life flashing before my eyes.

The dog roared as if it was protecting something sacred on that lawn as it darted towards me at full speed, saliva spilling from its mouth onto the grass. I lifted my arm to cover my face, turning away, expecting the worst.

And, then, the rope that tethered the dog to its post whipped loudly, holding taut as it limited the beast to the outer edge of the lawn.

The dog tried lunging some more. Tried barking some more. Tried moving its legs some more. But the rope wasn’t giving up any more ground.

I rose to my feet, brushed off the back of my shirt and stared at the belligerent dog.

I grinned a little. I was a block away from the shop. And I had almost been mauled to smithereens by an uncontrollable pit bull.

But the rope that tethered it made sure that the dog’s bark was bigger than its bite.

And only one thought popped up in my head as I turned and continued the stroll towards the shop…

“Am I Christian?”

RUNNING TALLY

I’m compelled to write this post for several reasons. But the one that stands out most to me is the one that seems the most obvious.

Imagine if Christians got together and compiled a Universal List of all of Jesus Christ’s attributes. Every single one of them. You know, the attributes of Christ that “being Christian” requires Christians to emulate. You know, the attributes of Christ that “being Christian” shouldn’t trip up people like Mahatma Gandhi, who famously said:

“I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”

I believe that, towards the top of this Universal List, what would be incredibly important and yet so often disregarded… is “forgiveness.”

And you might read that and shrug. Because you’ve done it. You’ve squashed all the beef you’ve ever had with anybody on earth. You’ve made peace with everybody who has ever wronged you in the past. Congratulations on this grand accomplishment.

For the rest of us, however, “being Christian” is a continual process. One that’s more about “emulating Christ” than it is about the running tally we have of Christian Conferences we’ve attended. Or the tweets during church that the cool speaker blew our minds away with. Or the blogs we’ve written. Or the songs we’ve led from on stage.

“Being Christian” is less about what we can do to show that we’re Christian than it is about actually being like Christ.

For a lot of us, our barks are louder than our bites.

We show face. We wear the label of “Christian” proudly on our sleeves. But we can’t bother to forgive the person next to us that really hurt us deeply the other day. The other week. The other month. The other year.

We are the tethered dogs that bark as if we have something sacred to share with the world.

But the rope holds taut and we aren’t nearly as effective as we’d be if we weren’t tethered to begin with.

What’s the rope holding us back? Not enough tweets? Not enough services? Not enough concerts? Not enough fellowship?

Naw.

The rope holding us back is not enough forgiveness.

THE GUTS

Jesus Christ’s time on earth was fascinating.

He was sent to shift the world from a system dictated by recompense to one dictated by forgiveness. And He did this in the most effective way you could imagine.

By forgiving people.

There’s the dramatic Hollywood-esque scene in the garden. Jesus is hanging out with the disciples after His tearful, heartbreaking prayer to God when Judas marches in with his contingent of armed officers, police, and priests, ready to betray Him. Jesus walks up and asks who they’re after. The soldiers tell Him that they’re looking for “Jesus the Nazarene.” Jesus tells them to leave the disciples alone and take Him into custody if He is who they came for. Peter, seeing all of this, draws out His sword to protect his Teacher. He chops off the ear of one of the men in his haste to retaliate. And Christ reprimands Peter, acknowledging He’s ready to accept His fate. In the Book of Luke, it’s added that Christ proceeds to heal Malchus’s sliced ear before walking away for His interrogation and eventual death.

And there’s the compelling scene on the cross. Christ has been whipped, beaten, thrown upon a cross, and mocked. The crowd is in a frenzy, and still, His only concern is to ask God to “forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”

When the world expected retaliation, Christ responded with love. It was the opposite of what His wrongdoers deserved. And yet, He chose to forgive anyway.

Why is this important?

Because the drama of the gall with which the world expects usto react was diminished by the guts with which Christresponded to the world.

The guts of grace.

The guts of giving the other cheek.

The guts of taking our place.

The guts of God loving the world so much that He sent Christ to die for us in order for believers to not perish.

Because we were supposed to die forever instead!

The twist in the narrative is that we deserved none of this kindness. This love. This grace.

At the core, what made Christ who He was… was the grace that screamed:

“I know you don’t really deserve this and I know you’re probably just gonna treat me ungratefully afterwards, but I’m gonna forgive you for everything you’ll ever do anyway. Because I really, truly, absolutely am madly in love with you. So, I’m gonna take the fall for you instead.”

And that’s worth emulating.

DODGE

Too many Christians dodge.

We dodge that coffee shop down the street because somebody that we used to know but we can’t forgive might be there.

We dodge that church event because bumping into the jilted lover we can’t forgive would be awkward.

We dodge that study session because we can’t forgive a friend of a friend who cheated on a friend who we’re really tight with.

We dodge because we can’t forgive.

Enough already.

If we can not forgive people, we are missing the most critical element of what it means to be Christian at all. The truth is that holding grudges and harboring resentment and reacting vitriolically have absolutely no place in the mechanism of Christianity.

Because Christ forgave us!

You can tweet all you want. You can Instagram all the awesome photos from meetings and photos of children smiling. You can go to all the mission trips you want. You can lead worship for 100 years. You can preach until the end of time.

But if you can not forgive the people that have done you wrong, you are an ineffective witness for Christ.

Because you are saying one thing and doing another.

Because you are barking at the world to let them know that there’s something sacred on your lawn, but the rope that tethers you will demonstrate that you’re not really up to this.

It’s time to rise up as a church and stop with the dodging. The grudges. The resentment. The vitriol.

It’s time to sit down with your brothers and sisters and forgive. Let them know you love them.

Forgiveness breaks the rope that tethers our witness.

DESERVE

I was at a retreat this past weekend, and I was burdened by guilt. And so I prayed. My heart broke. And I knew exactly what I had to do.

So, I let this person know that I finally forgive them for everything they’ve done to me. I was done with the years of dodging them outright. Of not talking to them. Of not being transparent.

Because I refuse to be an ineffective witness for Christ.

I’m not sharing this because I’m a good guy. Or because I deserve accolades. Or because I’m some sort of beacon of hope for society. Instead, I’m sharing this because I do not want to be the tethered dog.

I can blog and lead worship and smile and share Christ’s love for years, but if I’m not forgiving others… if we’re not forgiving others, we are not really “being Christian”.

So, forgive.

Not because they deserve your forgiveness. But, rather, because you didn’t deserve yours.

ENJOY THE RIDE,

PASTOR CECIL

Love With Its' Work Boots On

2013-10-17T13:12:00.002-04:00

Luke chapter 10 highlights a story Jesus shares to the professors of law at Pharisee University. He just shared an answer that we know as the "Greatest Commandments". And a professor at this training session tries to weasel out of his responsibilities and asks a question to justify his inaction or hardened heart. This story we have learned, memorized, and even branded in culture as the "Good Samaritan" story.

We are wired for love. A love that endures. A love that built to last. That kind of love requires kindness. I want to focus on four things about KINDNESS from this story. The victim is gasping for his breaths, beaten, wounded, and bleeding to death probably. First we must affirm that kindness is love in action.

1. See the needs of people around us. To see people, things, situations, we have to slow down. When see the stranded driver on side of road, we slow down as we approach especially if we have a feeling its someone we might know. The pastor and the brother from church saw the dying man on the road but passed by.

To the "victims": Some have seen you hurting and dying but are too afraid to get down and dirty with you to help you get back up. But hold on, your help is on the way.

2. Feel their pain. Sympathy means the feeling that you care about and are sorry about someone else's trouble, grief, misfortune, etc. Feeling their pain requires risk, courage, humility, patience, and listening. Ask them what's going on? Where does it hurt? How can I help you, serve you?

To the "victims": People might slow down to see you struggling but wont feel you because they have other things on their mind. They have people to see, places to be, things to do. But hold on, your help is on the way.

3. This is your chance, take it. The Samaritan man went down to the victim on the road to look at him from the same level. He got off his high horse, rolled up his sleeves, wrinkled his ironed shirt, got his hands dirty, and said I'm going to help you. When God presents an opportunity to live out love, what do we with it? It might interrupt our plans, schedule, and routine. But take a risk of love and kindness and see how God shows up. May God open our eyes, ears, hearts, minds, and bodies to love not only Him but him.

To the "victims": You held on a little longer and your help is here. It's not where you expected it from, but it's here. It's not your family, your church, your pastor, your friends, but it's Jesus. We were once enemies with God because of sin but through Jesus death on the cross we have become new creations and co-heirs with Christ.

4. There is a price to pay for kindness. If we do something for someone expecting something in return that's not kindness, that's a chore or a job. Kindness has no strings attached. The Samaritan man had just finished his grocery shopping for home and used what he had with him to help the man in need. That could mean sharing your dinner with someone. That could mean using your vehicle, paying tolls and using gas to help someone get somewhere. That could mean that you don't keep a tally of anything you've done either.

To the "victims": You are receiving something you didn't expect or deserve. That is GRACE. You didn't do anything to earn it, but you just got the best the man had. Receive the love, grace, and mercy of God it in the middle of your pain, ruins, and ashes and allow Jesus to help you. If you do receive Him and His love for you, He's about to take you to places you never imagined. What Satan and his minions meant for harm, God will turn it around for good. Just hold on and let Jesus heal you and lead you ... just ENJOY THE RIDE!

Do you know someone that needs a "Good Samaritan" in their life right now? What do you have to give? Don't pass them by but reach out to them with kindness - LIVE OUT LOVE! "Your hand is God's hand for that person." Proverbs 3:27 (MSG) Have you put those boots in the closet, stored away? We might need to take them out and keep them handy.

Enjoying The Ride,

Pastor Cecil

The blog posts this week was strategic by the Holy Spirit. The message from last Sunday is here for your viewing:

God Isn't Our Heavenly Vending Machine

2013-10-15T13:51:00.003-04:00

I'm not the only one that's walked up to the high-tech vending machine, scanned the rows and columns, found the M&Ms or popcorn, memorize the code (B4), put in the money, push B 4 and watch it drop in pure amazement. If it doesn't come fast enough, or gets stuck in the process, we start pushing, kicking, and maybe screaming at the machine.

At times I wonder do we as Christ-followers see Him as our heavenly vending machine. We go to Him knowing what we want, and expect to just hit the right buttons with our prayer and Bible reading, and stand there waiting for Him to respond in a matter of seconds. Wait a minute. No, literally, what if you had to wait a minute, or even a week, or a year, or maybe a lifetime to get what you asked for from God. How many ways would we be pushing, pulling, (maybe not kicking), but definitely screaming at God because He didn't give us what we want?

We might go to Him wanting something specific, desiring something noble, hoping for something glorious and eternal. But sometimes, just sometimes, He will not move at our beckon call. He has His ways, His timing, His thoughts, His plan. As He provides the circumstances of our life, our responsibility is to provide a response. And most of the time, that response is called PATIENCE.

Patience calls for us to cooperate with God. "There’s more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next." (Romans 5:3-4) Passionate patience! Seriously, is that possible? The issue at home, work, life, school isn't there to destroy you but to make you stronger and wiser. Get ready.

As we respond with patience we discover a greater perspective than just the here and now! God has the best point of view on our life and is in our tomorrow before we get there. If we are patient with Him today, we can join Him tomorrow.

As we respond with patience we deepen our love for God and others. God is making us stronger through the waiting period. He is stretching our mind, heart, body, and soul to stand firm on Him. The more firmly we are rooted in Him, the more patient we become because patience is part of the fruit of the Spirit we are to bear.

As we respond with patience we depend on the power and presence of Jesus. Paul writes in Colossians 1:11, "We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy," You can't avoid but be impatient in this world, society, culture. We can't wait to get rid of 3G for 4GLTE. We can't wait for the cashier in training to get our order right. We can't wait for our kids to read (Go Abi). We can't wait for our spouse to just "get us". We simply just can't wait. May I suggest we can, if we are depending on Jesus in every area of our life.

The vending machines really don't have whats best for us in the long run. The best snack or meal is waiting for us at home but we satisfy a craving because we can't wait to get back home.

We need to realize He wants the best for us. He will not hold back anything good for us. With that guarantee, I encourage you to hold on a little longer. Please cooperate with God. It's going to go against every fiber of your being to wait but let Jesus be in our fiber of our being and if He is, we can wait patiently and with joy. His timing is EVERYTHING & BEAUTIFUL. Our wait cannot be miserable and tedious but hopeful and joyful.

Enjoy The Ride,

Pastor Cee

STAFF MEETING WITH PASTOR BRIAN HOUSTON

2013-10-08T08:24:00.002-04:00

10 Cultural Responsibilities for Staff & Leaders in the Church

Updated Oct 05, 2013

I'm a can do person!
This is not my job, this is my life!
1. John 10:11-13
I will serve the Lord with gladness!
1. Don't think about minimums
Empowerment starts with me!
I am not on the gossip train
I am one of them, not one of us
I'll bring those around me on the journey
My tone of voice is not whiny
1. Be positive, be a source of encouragement... It's Replenishing!
2. Opinion doesn't build a church, the counsel of God does
I Delegate.. Not dump!
My spirituality is attractive!

People should be drawn to you based on your relationship with God.

Cultural terms we should focus on:

Replenishing
Life giving
Inclusive
Loving
Passionate

Hillsong Conference
- Pastor Brian Houston

Had the pleasure of sitting in a "staff" meeting with Pastor Brian Houston at the Hillsong Conference NYC. Praying that God will speak and mold for our church!

Enjoy the Ride,

Pastor Cecil