Christmas Eve Service. at Wednesday, December 24, 2008

It's Christmas Eve and I just wanted to share some thoughts that I have. At our church this week I prepared for a five minute sermon for our service on Christmas Eve. I brought to the congregation one aspect of Christmas which is presents... 

If you think about this there are three people throughout the scriptures who have given presents.

1. Mary gave birth to the son of God "Jesus"

2. Shepherds gave their worship to Jesus

3. Magi came worshipped Jesus then gave their gifs of God, Incense and Myrrh.

What is it that you would give the king as a present. We can devote our lives to living a life that is please unto him.

Ask yourself this Christmas season...

What can you give the king this year?

Central Elementary.. at Saturday, December 20, 2008

This has been a busy, tiring, but very rewarding week in ministry. We have been collecting presents all year for Elementary students in the area whose parents can't afford giving their kids presents. It's a very low income school. I was up at 5:30 a.m. jumped in the shower and headed out. It was the most amazing time because when these kids got their presents they all cheered for each other. It was awesome.

Kind of like as Christians when your brother or sister in Christ get blessed we should be able to jump up and down for them because they were blessed.

We need to take a good look into our own lives and make sure that when other people are getting blessed we need to rejoice with them and not get jealous. Our time will come so be patient.

Go out and bless someone this holiday season. It will do you good to give rather than receive.

Dallas Metro... at Saturday, December 13, 2008

I just got back from Dallas Metro where we took some students and handed out stockings to kids who attended the program. It was awesome because we got to go and knock on doors and tell them that we were having a program and you need to attend in order to get a stocking. It broke my heart because these kids where not going to get a Christmas present and this might be the only new thing that they were going to get this year.

On our adventures I met a lot of people and met fellow pastors along with wives, but it really broke my heart even more was that some of these people who were there they didn't interact with anyone. I didn't understand why you couldn interact with anyone or why are you even there. We tell people that they should come to our church, but we won't go there and tell them about him or even high five them. I was extremely bothered by what I saw because it seemed like this person was bothered by what was going on.

Dallas Metro was a great thing and I am glad that I was there to hand out stockings to all of the kids. Thank you to all of the churches that donated stockings to Dallas Metro.

Christmas Presents... at Friday, December 12, 2008

Well yesterday was a very long day. I went in at nine at didn't get home till at least eight. It was also a very great night because I went and met our Pastor's Wife at Central Elementary where we sorted all of the presents that we were giving. It was awesome to see the teachers help put presents for their kids.

It was awesome because I got to meet a lot of teachers. They were just so thankful for what we were doing and the heart that we have for these kids. The next best part is that next week we will have jumpers, give presents out and even Santa will be there (It's okay churches don't freak out.)

This is an awesome outreach and it excites me that our church is doing something that will make a difference in the lives of these kids. They may never step foot in our church, but they will feel loved by the church.

Hope everyone has an awesome Christmas, and tells their family how much they mean to them.

Fat America!!! at Tuesday, December 09, 2008

This sounds like a very hard title, but for the past week or maybe four days I have been thinking about what is wrong with our country. This might be a hard pill to swallow because we look around and we are comforted by the four walls in our houses, nice jobs, HD TV, iphone and we look around and we are comfortable with where we live. We live in a country where we are free to believe anything we want, but we criticize everyone for believing in something. I am a follower of Christ and I believe that there is only on true way to heaven which is through Jesus Christ, but why do we fellow christians criticize everyone for not believing in what we believe in. The thing that I am tired of is us JESUS FOLLOWERS not showing the love that God would have for others because there were times that he could have ate someone's lunch, but he showed love to them and he greatly impacted someone's life because of it.

As Americans we are spoiled by our own four walls great looking stuff, but when it mounts up to something we are living a life of nothing. Worried about what we are going to get for Christmas and the worst gift that we ever got. We have people dying and going to go to Hell and we are worried about our own self.

What is it that we have that we can live without? I know I am a gadget man, but can I live without things such as cable tv, internet at home?

I challenge each and everyone who reads this don't get comfortable in your own life. Have we placed STUFF over souls?

We have church's on every corner and every denomination, but we can't we fill them up? Is it the lack of love or is it judgement that we have for other people such as: Prostitutes, Homosexuals, Drug Dealers, Thieves, The common father or mother who have not been told about the good news of Christ.

All of these represent people who need love. It doesn't matter what or who they are and the lifestyles that they choose I / We need to show them the Love that Christ has for us.

What are we putting before the people who are hurting?

If you happen to come across this by accident I challenge everyone to take a challenge with me read the book of John for 21 days straight and see if it doesn't change your life and if it doesn't then go along your way, but if it does then talk to someone about it like a pastor he can point you to the right direction.

Lord help us all realize that we need to show that Crazy Love that you have for us, and to show that to other people. I love you Lord and I want to serve you all the days of my life. Forgive me Lord if I have neglected people that you have placed in my life while I have been consumed with the stuff that I own. I love you help me to live a life that is pleasing onto you.

Amen 

This Past Sunday... at Monday, December 01, 2008

This past Sunday I had the great pleasure to speak to the adults in service. Every fifth Sunday that we have is a family service. I spoke from Mark 5:25-34. This women who was bleeding for 12 years she put all of her trust in the doctors to make her better, but she grew worse. For 12 years she placed all of her faith in the doctors, but she forgot someone. His name is Jesus. Three points that I had was.
1. Desperation causes use to do anything just like this women she was desperate because she was told that she was going to die. Are you desperate to lay down your burdens and see Jesus take over your life.
2. Exercise your faith by putting all of your faith in Jesus. Matthew 17:20 If you have faith as small as a mustard seed you can say to this mountain move from here to there and it will move. Jesus does not tell us that he wants us to go around it or walk up it he said to move it out of our way.
3. Don't listen to the whispers out there. People are going to talk and criticize you, but you need to listen to the promises of God and not to the whispers of everyone else.

This is the short version of my sermon I am hoping to be loading the video here pretty soon to stay tuned for a crazy time of preaching.

Loonng Week... at Sunday, November 23, 2008

So in ministry there are times in the season when you have extremely busy weeks. Well this week was one of those crazy times in the season. I taught safeguard all week, and helped decorate the church for Christmas. So this week has been outrageous. On top of all of that I have doing a baby dedication next Sunday and preaching.

I have had a lot of things on my mind so I decided to write them all down this morning. I love people hanging out with them, talking with them, but there are times when I get aggravated by the people. You might be asking me why am I getting aggravated by them. So I will tell you. I wish that if someone were to say that they are a Christian man or women that they would all follow the same guidelines which would be the Bible. In our society today we have to many Christians that go through life and tried to walk so close to the line where they can still be a "Christian" but still feel part of this world. I'm sorry about why would you want one foot in the pits of Hell and the other foot trying to get to heaven it doesn't make any sense.

As Christians we try to see what we can and can't I do? We shouldn't be worried about what we can't do and just live a life that has a high standard of living so that people will know which master that you serve.

God is a jealous God it says in scriptures that he wants all of you or none of you there is no walking that line between good and evil.

As Christians we should want to stay out of Evil because of what God has to offer you. Happiness, true love, forgiveness, peace, joy and Everlasting Life.

I leave you for know, but let's live a life that is pleasing unto God.

Being Thankful... at Friday, November 14, 2008

I went to this lunch with several Children's Pastors and the question was asked what are you thankful for and you can't say family, job, etc. So there were tons of things that I couldn't say that I was thankful for. So I thought for a second and it came to me. I am thankful that my children have Godly grandparents. Growing up in Michigan I did have grandparents, but they didn't live the same life that my parents modeled for my brother and sister. I am greatful that I did have good Grandparents and that my gradma and my great grandma is in heaven, But my children when having a rough time they can always call their grandparents and they will give them good godly advice. So I ask you what are you thankful for? Think about it and write it down. We shouldn't complain for something that we can't help like mom or dad getting a divorce or somebody close to you has passed away, but be thankful for what God has given you and when you feel that God is no where to be found or feels like a million miles away look at the great things in your life and just thank God for all of that.

Lord help us to realize the blessings that you have given us that is right in front of us. Thank you for my children and beautiful wife, and for Godly grandparents for my children.

Amen.

This Sunday... at Sunday, November 02, 2008

Since coming back to Dallas we have had to start all over with the children we have. For the past four weeks we have been talking about how to Deal with things in life. This past week we talked about asking someone to forgive you. We always do some bone headed things, but asking someone to forgive you is hard to do because we are admitting that you are doing something wrong. As Jesus was dying on the cross for our sins he had one person on each side of him one guy mocked him and said if you are Jesus Christ then throw yourself down and have your angels come and catch you, but he saw the reason for dying on the cross he died for each of us. The second thief as Jesus to forgive him. He know that he had done wrong and he was not afraid to ask for forgiveness, and he wanted to spend eternity with Jesus Christ. We had at least four kids make a commitment to Jesus Christ. What an awesome God that we serve.

Thank you Lord for your favor

Teaching Abstinence... at Saturday, October 18, 2008

I spent the last three days of the week teaching a class on Abstinence to a bunch of High Schoolers. It's a three day course on What can happen when you don't save yourself until marriage all of the diseases you could possibly get, the second day is Sex is not bad and of course the third day is How to have the best sex ever. This class is to promote true abstinence and wait until marriage.

During this course you can't give your own opinion you have to stick to the facts. We had a question come in about being a pregnant mom what would be better to have an abortion or to give the child up for adoption. This question would be simple to the people who love God, but to this teenager she truly didn't know.

It breaks my heart to see Teenagers in these situations, but without the Lord as our Savior then they are blind to what is around them.

To anyone who does read this I am going to try and update some pictures of my daughter and my son because I know that is the only reason why you tune in.

I pray a blessing over everyone and your families.

Dominic On A Ride 2 at Thursday, October 09, 2008

Dominic was not to sure to think about all of this, but overall he did like it and by the end he did move the steering wheel a little bit.

Dominic On A Ride at Thursday, October 09, 2008

We think that he enjoyed. He really wanted to get into the water.

First Full Week... at Thursday, October 09, 2008

Alright it seems like I have been here longer then I really have, but it has only been like two weeks. I had my first full week of being in the office, and the cool thing is the fact that on tuesday we actually went to the Texas State Fair as a staff. As a staff member it's awesome to see your pastor take time out of his busy schedule and spend it with his staff. We are all busy people, but you should be able to take out some time with everyone and just hang out. I once heard the phrase "Work hard Play Hard". Being on staff is a different beast and your constantly giving everything that you have, but if you just work hard and never be able to take time out with the brothers and sisters that you work hard with day in and day out then you tend to get worn down.

The Texas State Fair was awesome Rachel and Dominic was able to come so we got to have Dominic ride some of the rides. We have learned one thing about him he doesn't like enjoyment for a little bit he wants the rides to keep going and not stop.

These are my random thoughts and I hope that you understand where I am coming from if you don't then maybe one day.

First Sunday @ New Job... at Saturday, October 04, 2008

Well I went into the office on Wednesday and Thursday to evaluate where we were at in the Children's Department. When going into a new church it's always different the first Sunday because usually the kids don't know who you are and the parents don't know who you are, but in this case a lot of the children still know us and the parents know us. So I am actually going to do nothing for the first Sunday that I am there I am going to do a Character Skit and that is about all. I want to see what they have done before we got there. I am very thankful that they did have people in place to pick up and not miss a beat.

I am very excited because I feel that God is going to do something cool in all of these kids lives. I love my Job because I get to speak into the lives of the next generation. The frustrating thing at times can be the fact that you don't see the fruits of your labor until later on, but you will eventually see it.

"Ministry is not a sprint it's a marathon"

Cleaning out the closets... at Tuesday, September 23, 2008

We are packing all of our STUFF in boxes trying to get to Dallas this week, but in all of the STUFF that we have to pack there is so much more STUFF that we have accumulated through the times and years. Who knew that rubber bands would have some sentimental value As humans we collect all of this junk that we can't live without and before you know it you have nothing but junk in your closet.

As Christians we get in our comfort zones and we just fill our life with meaningless junk and it's so full that we lose focus of the heart of God. We lose our effectiveness in the world.

So I tell you continue to clean out the meaningless junk in your lives, and don't lose focus of the heart of our Lord and Savior because there are people who God has intended you to reach and you can't reach them without continuing to purge yourself of the useless junk in your lives.

Dominic Dancing at Thursday, September 18, 2008

Paige Sleeping at Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Paige Attempting to drink at Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Paige Half Awake at Monday, September 15, 2008

This is a silent movie of Paige. Just admire the beauty of God's creation.

7:25 at Monday, September 15, 2008

Paige's Heartbeat at Monday, September 15, 2008

If this is not truly a miracle from God then I don't know what is. Listen to the heartbeat of this little girl and Praise God for what he has made.

5:00 A.M. at Monday, September 15, 2008

Upcoming Change... at Thursday, September 11, 2008

Well I am about to be a dad for the second time. Our first child ended up being a boy, and this one is about to come and it's going to be a girl. When my wife told me that they were going to induce her on Monday I got really nervous and I am very nervous about the whole thing. She told me that we have done this before, and I know that we have but it's still nerve wrecking. I am going to have a little girl and that is totally different because there is so much pressure on our girls to fit into the world, and even our boys.

I am about to have two children, and raising kids in this world is tough, but we have to continue to pray for our kids so that they won't fall through the cracks. I told my wife that if my kids were to not follow after God and live in turmoil and trouble I will leave the ministry because my family is to important to see them going down the tubes.

As a parent I have to continue to pray for my family and continue to talk to my kids about my relationship with God and to challenge them with their relationship. I want to see my kids grow further in Love with Christ.

Operation One at Tuesday, September 02, 2008

I was in service the other day praying that I will not limit God in anyway. I also was asking forgiveness because I do limit God and what a shame that is for me not to fully trust in this all powerful God.

As I was praying this thought popped in my head. "Operation One" you might ask yourself what is that all about. Well this would be some what of a discipleship group that would help kids to tell their friends all about Jesus.

The first week we would talk about the importance of telling their friends all about Jesus. The homework assignment would be praying for God to drop one person in their mind to either bring to church, or even to talk to them about Jesus. Our goal would be raise the awareness that our kids need to start talking about the God that they serve at school. We would ask them to come up with one child that they want to talk to about Jesus. We would pray for that one person, and pray for the boldness in our students life to tell their friends all about Jesus. We would believe that these kids would be saved, and through our prayers and the work of the Holy Spirit we would see our friends saved by the Grace of God.

God thank you for the creativity of doing children's ministry's help me to continue to listen to you and keep filling my head with your creativity.

Crazy Love at Monday, September 01, 2008

I found out about this book called "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan so I decided to buy the book at Barns-N-Noble. After three days of reading this book and a lot of sleepless nights I don't regret paying the money to purchase this book.

This book truly challenged my thinking about being comfortable. Being a pastor you think that your life is not a comfortable life, but after reading it you can see where we can get into a ritual of bible reading, prayer time, family, and the ministry. I was convicted as I look around my house and see the things that I have and "Couldn't live without".

There will be people that don't like this book or won't like it because the challenge that he gives which is very biblical of living with little so that you can impact other people. Show God's love to everyone. Have a heart to reach the lost. Have a love that would be crazy for people.

I can see the heart that Pastor Chan has, and it's a heart that loves people, and you can't ever question that.

I give this book two thumbs up and would recommend it to everyone.

Sacrifice at Monday, September 01, 2008

I have been having this thought today and it was my prayer tonight at church. "Lord help me to take the limits off of you". I'm tired of my same relationship with God. That sounds bad, but here me out. God is a God who can do the impossible. When I lived in Houston being a children's pastor I didn't make the best money my wife and I struggled, but we paid our tithes and gave money to a missionaries. Even though I did not make a ton of money God still was blessing me everytime I turned around one guy gave me $100 dollars, another person gave me $5oo dollars. God was blessing me for sacrificing what I make and giving to advance the kingdom of God.

I want more of God in my Life and I want to take the limits off of God becuase he can do crazy stuff and I want that active in my life.

Hebrews 11:16 "Without faith it is impossible to please God"

I need to just have faith that God is going to take care of me even when I give up some of my salary to advance the kingdom of God. I guess what I am saying is that I am tired of living a comfortable life and I need to sacrifice things to try and advance the kingdom of God. It's time that I start to operate in faith in God because he will take care of his people and his children. I don't need everything that my neighbors have.

God show me the things in my life that I can sacrifice. Help me to step out of the box in my life and take off the limits from you and let you do your works. Help me to sacrifice things in my life that I don't need or that I can go without. I am not satisified with being comfortbale help me to live a life of sacrifice and faith.

Amen

God's Love for Us at Saturday, August 30, 2008

Alright so I just started this book called Crazy Love by Francis Chan, and it is a phenomenal book. I started reading it and could not put it down. I finished a few chapters and mediated on them all night. My son woke me up several times and I was still just pondering what the author had to say. God's love for us is huge, and why wouldn't we want to live for him because he did the unthinkable he died on the cross for our sins. My son crawled into bed with me last night and placed his head right on my pillow curled up and fell asleep. It was on of the quickest times he has ever fallen asleep. This thought popped in my head this is what God wants out of us. When we get scared, are hurt, worried, in pain or just need to feel God's love we have to go up and crawl right next to God and let him take away all of the things going on in our life.

Psalms 91:1-2 Says He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.

Don't reject the love of God. Don't be afraid to crawl up in the Lords arms you will find rest and you will be protected.

Awesome God at Friday, August 29, 2008

Hey everyone or to who will read this blog. My name is Greg Ferguson and I am a Children's Pastor. Okay now I feel like I am in some kind of recovery group or something. I am amazed everyday of the Grace of God. We see all of the junk on the television, same sex marriages, and just downright sin. I serve a God who loves everyone and cares for everyone if he was not a gracious God I think that he would have wiped us all of the face of the earth by now. I made the comment today at dinner to my wife "I am so glad that I am a follower of Jesus Christ". When things are going great I give him the glory, when things get tough I know that he will get me through it. I know that my Jesus loves me and hurts when I hurt and laughs when I laugh. I am pumped that I serve a God who is the same yesterday, today and will be the same forever.