HAPPY NEW YEAR MINISTRY UPDATE

In church at Kristi's, on Sunday, it was such a blessing to see all the hands in the room go up in response to the question, "How many of you can say that you passionately, with all your heart, really want to get to know God this year, more than anything else in your life?".  What an exciting thing to witness and be a part of as a pastor.  I am right there with you all.  And just like God told Israel  in Isaiah 43:10, "You are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servants whom I have chosen; that ye may know and believe me and understand that I am He: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me."   I believe He is telling us the same thing today.   Witnessing and sharing the Gospel verbally, and with our service, is the key that ultimately, and without fail, unlocks the door to knowing God.  When we witness and serve, we participate in His "Activity" and we get to watch His handiwork through miracles, salvation, growth and mentoring that brings purpose and Divine fulfillment like nothing else there is.  And there is no greater way to get to know God than to allow Him to use our life.  That realization, coupled with the fact that many of us are reading thrutheBibleinayear together following the same outline daily, are two awesome challenges we will all face together this year, as a church.  With personal testimony development and delivery happening every 3rd Sunday per month, witness development and service is a priority that will be repeated forever here at "Family Growth Fellowship".  "Repetition of good technique grows good habits".  Evangelism is a fundamental foundation of everything that happens here at FGF, without gimmicks, and only by the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8).  We are just one of the many churches experiencing this.  Salvation is happening, as well as focused discipleship through Ephesians.  Whew!  Knowing God better is going to happen again this year... we just can't stop the Holy Spirit!  Keep praying for the recent conversions... thanks.

A couple of weeks ago we did that word study, discussing that confrontation is a sin and obviously wrong if it is motivated by jealousy,envy, and/or strife which becomes false accusation, that is spread with gossip. This can ultimately become malicious, dissentious, behavior that transforms into a lynch mob, unfounded.  James 3:14, 15 and 16 reads, "but if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth.  This wisdom is not that which comes down from above but is earthly, natural, demonic.  For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing".  Kinda like what happened to Jesus on the cross.  :(((   As we did this word study on jealousy, together in church, I thought it was interesting that every reference we looked up about God's divine jealousy, had a noble purpose or positive point... His jealousy was protective and had the expectation of accountability, the effects of which, in some cases, extended for multiple generations.  His jealousy is perfect, of course (Exodus 20:5; Exodus 34:14).  Human jealousy on the other hand, had more negative effects in relationships... was more sin-nature oriented, as in something that causes problems (I Cor.3:3 says envy/jealousy is carnal).  As we work together in our Christian lives, it is important that, as His servants we try to focus on the divine example of productive, appropriate use of jealousy, not the destructive use.  It is interesting to note that the productive, protective jealousy of my wife, has helped me several times to avoid some situations that as a man I would have missed, and I am thankful for that.  

On the other hand, the improper use of jealousy has caused a lot of dissension and malicious sin throughout history with Christians.   
:(((   Dissension brings chaos/disorder/ failure and most often comes from jealousy...harmony brings order/unity/success and usually comes from a genuine concern for others' best interest, Holy Spirit directed.  If someone tells me I shouldn't memorize scripture so much, share the Gospel so much, pray so much, it is usually motivated by jealousy of a malicious, dissentious nature.  It is usually the devil using carnal Christian sin-nature to disrupt salvations, life-changing decisions, discussions and undeniable spiritual growth.  Where God is active, the devil is there, where Christians are dormant, he usually does not need to waste his time there.  If God is moving, "be on guard" for sure (Acts 20:28-30).  "Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them.  For such men are slaves not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.  For the report of your obedience has reached to all; therefore I am rejoicing over you, but I want you to be wise in what is good, and innocent in what is evil.  And the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet" (Romans 16:17, 18, 19 and 20; I Timothy 6:3-5, "avoid false doctrine").  NSB says, "a devisive and dissentious man should be admonished, and after two times have nothing to do with that man (Titus 3:10).  KJV says "MARK THEM", "AVOID THEM" that cause divisions.  Wow, that sounds kind-of mean and offensive!  Christ's disciples accused Him of being offensive (matt. 15:12).  :)))  I say, "it's protective"   We must all watch our jealousy. It will take us down that dissentious road and can definitely destroy things if we are not careful.  I believe some get so envious/jealous that their intention is to stir the pot and destroy.  If you are competitive/jealous, what better way to win than to destroy what is defeating you, or showing you up, making you angry with jealousy some how?  :((( Jealousy that destroys an awesome work of God is not from the Holy Spirit, I promise.  We recently watched a church go from thriving, unified 300+, with great discipleship, incredible "above reproach pastor"(hard to find these days), to just under 60 in two months, just because of dissentious jealousy.  Restoration is happening  but caused quite a hick-up.  Happens a lot...Holy Spirit help Your churches and leadership with protection power. :))) 

Nice song New Year Sunday, Grace, about your future spouse... need to post it on YouTube soon :))).  Thanks for the feedback, those of you that had some, about the upcoming new year and past.  Add Becky to the prayer list, she requests our vigilance along with praying for each other and those just starting out, listed previously.

The following is Molly's News year hope (By Molly Frazier):

"I have had the same New Year’s Resolution every year since 1985. I do believe it has had an extremely significant effect on what I am in control of in my marriage and family, so much so, that I have never changed it!

When I married my man, I was 18 and quite full of myself. My parents raised me that way on purpose, I guess. The good side to that was that I could "do no wrong", and that there was nothing that would stop me from getting my way. So when Ron and I made plans for the future, and they included any and all principals of God’s design from His Word that we could find, I absolutely knew that I could apply these plans to my personal achievement system and would be successful!

The problem was that I had come into the marriage with 18 years of bad habits. I rarely read the Bible, so I had very few references for good personal and relational practices. But Ron had started a daily devotion with me when we got engaged and by January 1, 1985, I had 4 awesome passages of scripture to guide me.  If I was going to ever be a productive part of the Frazier Duo for Christ, I WOULD implement the principals of these verses, and I would do this EVERY DAY FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE!

The first passage is in Philippians 2:2-4 (NASB), “make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” My paraphrase, “MOLLY, STOP BEING SELFISH!” Believe it or not, this was crazy-hard to apply and still takes a lot of work, to this day. One of my new habits, as simple as it seems, was to start the day with deliberately being in a good mood no matter how I felt early in the morning. I hate mornings. Another one was that I would try to remain flexible when somebody else’s personal interest came before mine and I didn’t accomplish whatever it was I thought was important. I still stress, but there was a time when I cried and threw tantrums until I got my way (I know, hard to believe :P ). There are so many other ways this verse applied and still applies to my daily life, and as I grow in my relationship with Jesus and with Ron, I continue to mature.

The second passage is  Ephesians 5:22-24, “Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.” My paraphrase, “TRUST RON TO TAKE CARE OF YOU!” This seems so self-explanatory right? NOOO… I was raised to trust my own judgment implicitly. In this new team mentality (there’s no ‘I’ in ‘TEAM’) I understood through this wonderful passage that the leader of our team was my adorable new hubby and I deliberately decided to daily turn to him as the final decision-maker. VERY HARD. But what I knew, and had come to understand on every level, was that as Christ carries our burdens, empowers us, protects us, comforts us, gives us the desires of our hearts….. that this was the very way Ron was going to lead me. Instead of believing the world and my own mom, that women should be in charge because we are just better at it, I made it my daily determination to give in, let go, and rest in the love and wisdom and compassion and leadership of this good man God gave me!

The third passage is II Corinthians 12:9, “And He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’ Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me”. My paraphrase, “IF I ACKNOWLEDGE MY WEAKNESSES, GOD CAN BE GLORIFIED IN THEM!” I am a work in progress. By the power of the Holy Spirit alone am I able to grow. Without Christ in my life, these innate imperfections I came into this marriage with would have snowballed! But because of daily time in God’s Word and praying a prayer list daily with my husband, fasting weekly, and decidedly making changes that are in line with scripture, THE HOLY SPIRIT’S POWER IS AT WORK IN US AND CHANGING OUR LIVES!!!!! Our weaknesses bring God glory! How significant is that??? It is what this is all about!!!

The fourth and final passage of my 28^th Annual New Year’s Resolution is, II Corinthians 9:6-8, “Now this I say, he who sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly; and he who sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully, let each one do just as he has purposed in his heart; not grudgingly or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed”. My paraphrase, “GO GO GO GO GO!!!!!” I want to have all God’s grace abound to me, I want to have everything I need, and I want abundance for every good deed! Don’t you? Then SOW BOUNTIFULLY so you can REAP BOUNTIFULLY!!! BE CHEERFUL, DON’T BE A STINKER! God wants us to be successful on every level. He has designed us physically and has created us for success! He gives us the perfect point by point manual for it! So, as we follow His Word as our plan for success let’s do it 150% and with a big, fat cheesy grin on our faces! Let’s be cheerleaders for the TEAM! We want our marriages to last, we want our children to grow up in happy, harmonious families that make a difference, right?

My New Year’s Resolution every year for 28 years has been to be the best I can be at everything I have any power over. I LOVE my husband, I LOVE my family, I LOVE activities that bring glory to God and fulfill His purposes, so I WILL WORK HARD EVERY DAY TO: 1. Stop Being Selfish, 2. Trust Ron to take care of me, 3. Acknowledge my weaknesses so God can be glorified in them, and 4. GO GO GO GO GO!!!!!!

Nuf sed. :D
PMolly

  I love my wife, she is a great example for me, I would die for her surely without a thought.  I am her greatest fan and follow her example as much and maybe even more than she follows mine.  We compete with each other on that "in love". That is what a good leader should do with the most important people (spouse, mentors, etc.) in their lives.  As I always say to her whom I implicitly trust... "two minds in harmony are always better than one, or two, in dissention".  We are a team, but I will never shirk my God-appointed role as "head of the home" and pass the responsibility He commissioned me to carry.  Molly, Zach and Grace, are my responsibility "til death do us part", and God help me to sacrifice just a little bit of what you did on the cross to successfully fulfill that obligation every minute, hour, day, week, month and year of the rest of my life.  Help me to be jealously protective of my God-appointed place as the "male hero" in OUR HOME.  :P  This is my annual prayer, so help me Father God.  :)))  "Nuf sed" :D ...just copying "my most favorite person in the world's example".... that is my "wifey" of course...  :)))

END TIMES?

Zach had a few words at church about the state of the world today and the complete possibility of globally tracking each individual via 666, chips, and technology. I was reminded of a meeting when I was about 10... some 40 years back, at church (pre-computer... yes I am that old)  :))).  We laughed at the thought of everyone having a minicomputer the size of a phone... let alone a world-wireless phone.  And being able to track and listen to people anywhere on earth.  It was a long time coming as to how this could even happen.  Guess what I have?  "a smart phone!"  As we all know technology is such that the 666 chip or invisible bar code on the wrist/forehead requirement could happen tomorrow.  Not laughing like that is impossible anymore... in fact we laughed a bit nervously on this new year's church.  The main point that we concluded this day was that we need to be watchful more now than ever before.  No one knows the hour or the day, but the potential is there more so with each new day and discovery and worldwide unification sentiment.  Hmmm.  :/// 

Loved having you, Nickersons, at the Wells' house, last church.  Thanks Carlene and Russ and Evan.  Thanks to all for the support and prayers with Molly's back, Zach and Gracie's flu and all the other things that so many of you have given this first 3 weeks of 2013.  We have 30 awesome Bibles for distribution, our book is nearly edited for the next printing, and I believe we are real close to our budget goal, as well (If you would like to contribute to this Bible/'Imagine' [our book] fund, go to Paypal, our account is molly@fdcministries.com, THANK YOU!).  Loving the conversations, on and off the web, as we read 'through the Bible in a year' together (same schedule-"Moody Bible Institute of Chicago/1976, 1978"). Our daily account of this practice is posted at http://thrutheBibleinayearpronpmolly.blogspot.com/.  This is year 29 for us... going since our engagement... our gift to each other for our wedding was a Bible and a commitment to read it together daily 'til death do us part.  :)))  Pretty idealistic huh? But possible, absolutely... we are proof it can be done.  We are posting each day on Facebook and collecting the posts for later review on the blogspot previously italicized in this paragraph.  We have always journaled, we love those of you who are joining us.  

Starting "Cage Fitness" (licensed under Matt Hughes) at our dojang.  So far everyone is loving the addition to our hapkido, taekwondo, and cardio curriculums.  Demo team is good, Elite competition team is 11, about 30 on the whole team.  Practicing for recording of our next CD.  Lots happening and we love it. Thanks, thanks, and thanks again. 

Love you all and praying for harmony that multiplies the Kingdom in immeasurable ways until the day of His return.  I pray for 'pre-mid-tribulation' rapture and prepare for the other.  :)))

The prayer list is pretty much the same as last time.  If you need it let me know...will resend.  

Love you all much.

Serving Him so we can KNOW HIM BETTER, YEH!  (Isaiah 43:10)

PRon (Chief Master Frazier) for the Fraziers, FGF, the dojang and FDC Ministries... to the praise of His glorious grace!!  :)))

Merry Christmas Dear Praying Friends,

"And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever." (Daniel 12:3)  Thanks for your brightness oh stars that are shining in this Christmas season.  :)))

Holy Spirit keep 'em coming!  Thanks for the donations for Bibles everyone.  We just ran out of them.  Since just about five weeks ago the following received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior   Joline (Grace and Molly's friend, salvation birthday 12/5), Drew (Zach's friend, sbd 12/5), Brianna (Erin's friend, sbd 12/3), Russ (Ron's friend, sbd 11/30), Jason and son Joelson (Ron and Zach's friends,  sbd mid-Nov.), and Patrick and Haley (Master Ron and Molly, sbd Nov.).  We gave Bibles to Angie and Brandon as well.  Since we started our focus on "testimony preparation",  new testimonies are popping up all around us :).  More importantly, the Holy Spirit is really working in these salvations and the discipleship as well.  As we watch God's activity at work, growth is happening.   The Holy Spirit changes things...truly changes things...responds to our every prayer request, right?  It humbles me every time we watch Him reduce even the toughest, most obstinate soul, to sold-out surrender.  Marriage restoration is happening, provision, mentoring and leadership growth.  I love it, because 

harmony happens, or at least the hopeful realization of it's potential becomes more real, with Jesus in our lives.  :)))  "You are my witnesses declares the Lord, and my servants whom I have chosen, In order that you may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He" (Isaiah 43:10).  If we don't use it, we lose it, right?  If you donated money, we will let you know who received your Bibles so you can pray for God's continued success in their lives.  Thanks for those who are praying already...people are coming to Jesus...the Holy Spirit is drawing them right before our eyes.
  
Thanks, good brother Russ, for sharing your testimony on Sunday, and for allowing me to participate in your complete surrender of everything to God, last Friday.   We all surrendered with you on Sunday.   Love you brother!  Every time I get the privilege to pray with someone, I am surrendering right there beside them, woohoo!!!  :)))  I loved the delivery of your testimony and the acknowledgement of points in your life, where God, through special people (wifey, grandparents and others) touched your life since you were 17.  God is working all the time, amen!  And through all of us, and in all of us, to prepare those of us for that time when we decide to make that serious, once and for all, commitment to God.  Blow me away God, Russ, and all those listed above.  Thanks again, Holy Spirit (I Cor.1:31 - boasting in the Lord).  "Paul plants, Apollos waters, but God gives the growth" (I Corinthians 3:6-9).  And we get to participate in His activity...what a privilege!
  
Today (12/9) was Dad's devotion for our church (Family Growth Fellowship), family tag prayer and communication time together focused as a family, in our homes, no distractions :))).  Brandon joined us, such good times for us reminiscing and studying.  Been a few years since last we saw each other so lots of catching up, and he finally got a book  :))).  Next Sunday is 'Meat Sunday' ...is corporate.  I am ready to preach.  We will finally meet at our house... looking forward to it. :)))

We are blessed by two bookstores...one of our students' mom has a store, " Jacobsen's Books", www.jacobsensbooks.com , and our good brother Carl owns "Lighthouse Book and Bible"  www.facebook/lighthousebookand bible . Our Bible needs are being met... donations have come in for now.  Doing a reprint of our book so need about $350.00 more for that.  We give all the books and Bibles away.  With the last 8 salvations, we need 6 more books.  We have 12 left.  Thank you Lord, I knew we were holding the last 15 for a reason.  We were going to give them to some Christians that are attending other churches but we put that on hold.  :0  God knows best!  We see the plan He had all along now as several have come to Jesus and really want to be mentored... amazing! 

Been working with an elderly fellow for about fifteen years now.  We have told him often that we "love him"...(that is Zach, Gracie, Molly and myself) and he has become a very special person in our lives.  But having grown up in a generation that just doesn't say it, he never would say, "I love you" back.  :).  Interestingly, a few days ago, after all these years through trials, tasks, conversations, etc., I was a bit shocked by what I finally heard him say.  As I turned my head to look at him, I asked, "What did you say?"  He looked me in the eyes and said it louder, "I LOVE YOU!"  Wow,  it happened   Surprise!  What a moment that was and I will never forget it!  And as life sometimes brings us together in this way to work, or play, or live beside each other or around each other to do some random thing with each other that we cannot help.  The long and short of it is that God can break even the hardest heart and when that happens to us, it truly is a precious moment.   Sometimes relationships are destined to part forever with no movement toward God at all.  Inevitably separation can come for the purpose of preservation and removing the anti-God distraction if it goes that way.  But sometimes, there is a harmonious drawing together around that common interest, mutual respect, that the Holy Spirit grows.  As truth-based character inspires a special relationship of trust and devotion to each other, it's usually by God's direction and for His purpose.  A miracle can happen.  Whatever is least expected, can be expected. He can do above and beyond what we can think and/or imagine (Ephesians 3:20-love that verse).  And I sure do love it when that does come together in a relationship, because it is definitely a picture of God's undeniable activity.

Spent some time on Thanksgiving with Ralph over Chinese food and then the elderly at the center... the four of us singing and playing hoedown tunes with our instruments...a little sing-along stuff with Molly a'fiddling :))).  Then a special Thanksgiving celebration, just the precious four of us Fraziers in our own home by the fire.  Molly and Grace are the best cooks.  Cleaned the pond, winterized the house in and out, and the garage is organized again on the turkey vacation...Yeh!  :)))

  

Competition training finished up just yesterday (12/9).  Congrats to the twenty who successfully completed the course.  It was refreshing to see such great effort on the part of all... six years and up to adults, low belts to black.  Good job.  Elite team, we have a bit of work to do, but we still have a month or so to get it together.  You are all such great examples of martial arts etiquette.   I am sure whatever medals we get...win lose or draw, you will all be a light that shines brightly no matter what the circumstances. Remember to read and study your manuals so you know by heart the principles that produce success in your poomse, boardbreaking, weapons, sparring, and whatever other options a particular tournament might offer.  Keep in mind..."Winners aren't quitters and quitters are not winners"; "the competition is won in the preparation"; "a good loser makes a great winner";  "you can do it! with a smile"; "gratitude is the lifter of attitude"; "you will compete how you practice"; "you are what you eat", "a good follower makes a great leader"; "if you are talking, you are probably not listening" :P and I can say that when I am with my grandmasters and coaches, mentors, I am usually not talking much :))), I just try to listen and learn right!  Last, but not least, we are all here to help each other to be successful so a cooperative spirit is essential for harmony in that.  Now everybody look at each other and say,... "You're cool!" .

Enjoyed the Blazer game at the "Rose Garden" with our tax preparer/bookkeeper and friend of 15 years.  "Sherman and Associates" continues to amaze me with such quality work.  We were the beginning of his business and helped get him started many years ago when he first became a christian.  The rest is great history... like family to today.  Spent the weekend talking about the Lord and  having church together.  He is our business mentor.  Discipleship continues.  Loaded up with testimony prep, reading through the Bible together in a year and memorizing the plan of salvation with verses.  Awesome fellowship together.  And will come together again in a few months...Such a great blessing to have ya' brother.  Brandon operates around the world via internet, of course, and now lives in California.  We had a great weekend.  He is now the second recipient of our School of Respect honorary black belt for operating beyond the pale.  (Jim Hilborn, our lawyer was the first a couple of years ago)  It's back to California now for Brandon. The Blazer game was a "suite" experience, dear friend :))).  Thanks Mr. Nick for the tickets.

  

 We are counting on your prayers daily as we watch God establish Himself, more definitely, in our ministry and dojang.  Please continue to pray for the upcoming Marriage and Family Growth and Mentoring Retreat, discipleship is now established and our schedule is full for a while, and we've got to get the Bibles/books out for the 8 salvations.  We are working with hungry Christians and we are in it together for the haul.  The camp is winterized and ready for the next year.  Pray as we step into that for 2013.  Tournaments are approaching, the Black Belt Leadership is developing and harmony is more prominent than ever.  Thanks God for continued clarity on that.  Love it, and thanks again for your prayers as we continue forward.
  
"You therefore beloved...BE ON YOUR GUARD so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness..." (II Peter 3:17). 
  
Thank You God for the season of Jesus' birth!
Blessings to you all,
Serving the King so we can know Him better...
  

PRon  for the Fraziers  :))) 

"DON'T TELL YOUR PARENTS"?

Molly and I were talking to a couple of homeschool moms a few weeks ago, after class, in the office of our taekwondo school.  One of them mentioned in passing that the youth pastor at her church told her children that he wanted confidentiality between the youth and himself, from their parents.  It was high-school age students, and somewhere in the course of his conversation with them, the youth pastor said, "PLEASE DON'T TELL YOUR PARENTS, we need confidentiality in this part of our youth program". I said, "what?" and proceeded to exclaim to the moms that this 30-year-old pastor needed a 'philosophy of ministry' and 'purpose of ministry' conversation with his pastor!  Or he needed fired!  :)))  This inspired the following rant about the state of the American church today.

A youth pastor myself with Molly, back when we didn't question it as much, there was one principal we lived out, above all others.  That was, that we would always work in collaboration with, NOT AGAINST the parents with pro-family, open-book,  honesty.  We always worked as "an outside influence to reinforce the truth" (Biblical truth) that parents worked so hard to instill in their children.  We still place this at the top of our priority list today.  That means sometimes we are educating parents, and parents are sometimes educating each other.  And I do believe that if you can't deal with the whole family, and don't have one yourself, how can you really be worthy of the title "Pastor" anyway?   This is Basic Bible 101.  In fact, if possible, our goal back then was to try to work ourselves out of the position of 'youth pastor', as we didn't like the segregation of family much already, and we recognized that we didn't even have a family ourselves yet... ha!  So we constantly challenged parents to be more involved.  

We continue to become more and more experienced in working with families seven days a week.  We work with ages 3 and up, to our oldest 86-year-old, from all walks of life, different religions, occupations etc.  One thing that is more and more clear to us is that big brother, 18-year-old, is the one that 8-year-old little bro looks up to the most. 18-year-old big brother/sister is the one that should be right there looking after 8-year-old little brother, along with the rest of the family, together.  Dad is the most precious man, and Mom the most precious lady. And then there's the senior citizens, usually in their own classroom at the other end of the church, or at the retirement center, doing their own thing, when they should be the most important influence of all, to every age.  


There are so many other points to be made as reasons for keeping families together in the church schedule. People have so little time as it is, that just throwing in a cell group meeting once a week on top of the busy schedule that the church already demands, ends up becoming more of a hindrance to our personal relationship with God, than a help.  Something I have heard too many times and from very responsible people is...  "Are you kidding?  I can barely keep up with the weekly church schedule on a daily basis...let alone have a  family daily devotion as well!"  It's so unfortunate that we have moved so far away from "God's Original Design" for church that it has actually effected our individual personal walks with God negatively. 

If the church did understand and promote the value of cross-generational influence as a priority in their purpose statement, curriculum, and activities, one thing is sure... "We as a church would be spending a lot less time fixing dysfunction, and a lot more time doing the proactive "work of the ministry".  I realize that a lot of dysfunction comes from our sin nature, but I also know that it comes from a Biblical misinterpretation of what the proper priorities in church should be.  These priorities are seen most in how many classrooms we have and what activities we are promoting the most, etc.. This is a pastoral leadership problem! The tragedy we must all be careful to avoid is that... so many people, even leaders, sacrifice a lifetime completely committed to, sold out to, and willing to die for, what they believe is the truth only to find out in the end that in fact, what they lived for was a lie.  Bummer!  The devil is crafty that way.  It is called 'counterfeit'.   Well I say its never to late to change, right?!   :)))

It's true, the standard perception among believers, today, is that churches are good only if they are segregated like a public school and have a huge youth program, elementary program, college, preschool, or adult program :(((.  Family segregation is normal in the one place that it shouldn't be... God's church.  The devil is saying ... "divide the family and conquer".  Just another reason of course, why homeschooling has become so important.  When we educate at home as families, age segregation does not happen. There is also the fact that 'bad company' influence (negative peer pressure) does not have a chance in the controlled environment of home, and it shouldn't in the church either.  All this is a whole other conversation we could go on with for a while, itself.   :)))

And considering the topic of youth, I think that the modernization of scriptural interpretation to fit our youth language and culture today has become so important that it is the priority. "Mom, Dad, your too old-fashioned, let us work with your children... we know them better and can better help them with their needs.  After all, in order to popularize Christianity  among the youth of today, we've got to be more modern/flexible."  So some of the words we hear now out of our Christian teen's mouth include F-bombs or the new word is frick? :(   But that's OK,  they will grow out of it in time right?  (I have even witnessed this from student leadership in churches and Christian schools.)   :O   

Have you ever heard the statement, "We have a new way of looking at the Bible...  It's called... through the eyes of youth!" ?   While I  do understand the point that is trying to be made here, the fact is, THE TRUTH OF THE SCRIPTURES DOES NOT CHANGE, REGARDLESS OF WHAT EYES YOU ARE LOOKING THROUGH!  Huh.

In regards to those we call "youth pastors" who are filling the leadership positions for college-age and down... while I know there are some great people doing the job, the title itself is the beginning of the mistake of pulling families apart.  A better title of  "Family Pastor", is a huge move back to family integration.  I've noticed some churches are doing that.  

Nowadays, I can't say I like much what some youth pastors are preaching either, with their big group meetings and pro-segregation, anti-parent sentiment.  Some are not really reinforcing parents' Biblical rights and position in the lives of children and youth at all.  They have a "get with the times" attitude. I will never forget how one 15-year-old youth responded to me when I told him to stop telling his mom to shut up.  He said, "my youth pastor told me, don't let anyone look down on me just because I am a youth, so don't you tell me what to do".  I laughed and told him he needed to have his youth pastor read the rest of the verse "but show yourself an example... of speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity" (1 Tim. 4:12). :)))  What a perfect example of a major leadership miscommunication snaffoo!   It happens, I know, nobody's perfect, but a youth student leader?  hmmm. 

How many youth pastors have even raised a family of their own...  or are older than twenty-five... fresh out of Bible college or no college at all???  Voluntary new converts?   Most often, the thing churches look for in a youth pastor is that they identify with the kids and have a lot of fun.  Popularity, personality, activities-that-draw-crowds-of-students, are job description standards. 

And what do we expect from a youth pastor anyway? The most important part of a youth pastor's job description is HOW MANY YOUTH can you entertain?  "Want to keep your job, you better not drop below 150 students."  Numbers keep the youth pastor's job because it keeps the parents happy, and the parents have the money.  Can't blame the youth pastor when that's all he knows because that is what his leadership/training dictates. I think it's time to legislate "family pastor" sentiment in our churches... youth pastors could be great family pastors in training, don't ya think?

Was talking to a student the other day that thought the speaker at a weekend event was the best one around. I asked why.  The student said "because he draws a huge crowd".  :)))  I asked, "what about his message influenced you the most"?  The student responded with "I don't know.  I think its just that he is so funny."  And that sounds about like the natural standard that youth will look for if they are not being taught otherwise, right?   It is all about entertainment.  That is the way we are when we are young.   As a result, young people are living their Christian teenage lives in dysfunction  and everyone is asking why, as they run further and further from their families to spend more and more time with their "age group". It is perpetual chaos that can only be stopped by bringing them back to their families, together with God. 

This is why youth need their parents to continue to train them up and help them see what they really need.  Christian parents, we know our children best, right?!  Help them see the priority of this discipline of family in a way that goes right into their adult lives, marriages and families, forever.  Entertainment is great, I love it myself, but as a pastor, we are there to spiritually mentor and shepherd the whole family together.  We have got to desegregate families across the board, somehow, some way.  To leave it to "what's popular with the kids" is not the answer, as we know from our own experiences growing up. 

But as I made the suggestion to the Christian moms in the conversation I introduced this blog with, that they should get rid of the youth pastor, one of them retorted, "What would we do without a youth pastor?"   We all kinda chuckled and I remember my thought at the moment was, "actually, the church would  be a lot better off.  :)))  Christian parents would be a lot less lazy, more active... marriages would thrive and the family would be a lot stronger in such a way  as to impact society as a whole."  What I actually said out loud was, "Why not get together with like-minded parents and put together 'EVENT-FOCUSED ACTIVITIES', that put us all together integrated, achieving our goal of cross-generational influence, without having to leave our various churches we are all committed to, or trying to challenge church leadership."

Continue going to the place God has called you to (your church), do the activities you are cool with there, and as you run into other parents that see the same family integration need, same church or not, replace a couple church activities and come together moms and dads outside your churches.  Have a little tag prayer, maybe sing a song or two, little memorization and off to an event ya' go.  I know I am not suggesting a new idea, just restating something that many churches are already doing, but many need to be reminded of, because it's not the hot thing.  But it is "THE BEST THING!"  :)))  And while cell groups are awesome Bible studies, they are not an adequate substitute for what I am talking about.

Be faithful to your church, but come together with other families that do not want to be segregated. Do more cross-generational full-family, EVENT-FOCUSED ACTIVITIES, that are just awesome innocent times together.  Good company enhances good morals. The important thing is that something needs to be done to make it happen more frequently in the churches, sooner rather than later.  Segregated is fine and necessary periodically, it just needs to be the exception rather than the rule, should be less rather than more.  Who knows, maybe you will come together and plant a church where everyone is family-focused, according to scripture?

So here we go like-minded parents...  somebody organize it... who cares who. Take turns, don't be a sour puss... cross-generational influence, family-integrated,  EVENT-FOCUSED ACTIVITIES... don't lose the vision. Make it a priority.  You don't have to leave your churches.  Notice the need, be there! Just do it! Not representing any denominations, just families and God, and a family-together focus.  Weekly, not biannual... the rule, not the exception.  Use the facility for what you need it for.  Don't let it use you until you don't even know your family, your wife, your children.  :(((  How do we eliminate parental flakiness?  Get rid of the babysitter (youth pastor) and parents get busy!  If you need pastoral direction, put the family pastor in charge of desegregating the church and get the youth pastor in family pastor training.  :)))  Kudos to those of you who are already making changes! You obviously have my vote. 

Want to see society change?  Strap on your spiritual boots, turn the TV/video games off and get busy parents. I guarantee that America will become a lot less overweight, fast!  :)))  Lol, hahaha, come on out and do some martial arts together! 

Amen!

Serving Him so I can know Him better :))) Isaiah 43:10

PRon

WE ARE THANKFUL.... HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Special Friends,

A few weeks ago now, Hailey and Patrick asked Jesus into their hearts in my office!  They are four and six years old.  I was five when I received the Savior's gift of salvation and believed He died on the cross for my sins. He was crucified on our behalf, but He rose again.  Thanks so much for a great plan, God (John 3:16)!  It was fun to be a part of this with these two and their mamma.  Their Bibles are getting their names engraved  on them, and two of the last 15 books we have, of the first printing of our discipleship manual, "Imagine", are in their hands.  We received $200.00 for the reprint and need $450.00 more to make the order.  We wrote the book in three months, back over Thanksgiving in 2010, to give away around here to help with discipleship and give to those that come to Christ in our sphere of influence.   The miracle is that I would say about half of them are distributed to special martial arts friends around the world, as we were invited to do more martial arts world travel in the last two years than we have done our whole life :))).  We also just gave the last couple of Bibles away and need to order more of those.  Fruit is happening and if you want to be a part of the continuation of that fruit, let Molly or myself know.  One thing is sure... the pure, unadulterated Gospel is going forth from here. Thanks dear God! 

I am so sorry we overloaded your house on Outreach Sunday last weekend, Kristi.  We have so many awesome friends from other churches that want to hang and what a great way to do it with a little worship, tag prayer and your "personal testimony".  A great testament of what God is doing in your life and how He is doing miracles through you, ma'am, in spite of frustrating circumstances that sometimes bog us all down.  Such is life and we all shall endure.  What a true blessing He is. 

For all those that are in discipleship and going through our book "Imagine" with us, several of you have given your testimony now.  One thing I have noticed as we use Outreach Sunday to give and grow our testimonies, is that we are all getting hung up on the first outline (page 38).  It is necessary to fill in the "Clarifier Questions" outline on that page, but then it is just as important to read and study page 39 the 'Plan of Salvation' verses as well.  Then the testimony outline is on page 40, and that puts it all together.  That is what we need to finish things with.  I will go through that, the closing statement and some final thoughts I have about it all, next Meat Sunday.  

Supplemental reading in our book about this topic of "Personal Testimony Preparation", can be found in Chapter 41, "What is Wrong with Me", pages 120 and following, Chapter 42, "Beer for Bibles", page 123, and Chapter 43, "Tucker Move", pages 124 and following. 

Some of the Bible verses Kristi is memorizing are listed on page 39.  And here are those not listed that some of you asked we post:  Galatians 5:22-34;  Matthew 7:7-8;  Proverbs 24:12;  Philippians 4:4;  Exodus 14:13-14;  Proverbs 16:3.  Thanks again Kristi. 

We will get through the rest of chapter 11, "Personal Testimony Preparation". The rest is up to each individual to tailor his own and speak as the Holy Spirit leads.  It's just good to sit down and write and study verses for our hip pocket so that on a moment's notice we can "take the initiative to share Christ (verbally), in the power of the Holy Spirit and leave the results up to God"!  Thanks "Student Venture" for that pithy summation from 25 years ago working with Bob Maddox, John Rickenbacher etc.  :)))

 

After competing in tournaments in Michigan and Washington, and officially visiting a world tourney here in Portland just to see old friends, we collected some gold,  silver, and bronze, for Grace, Zach, and 18 others from the School of Respect... about 40 medals in all to date, since July. My proudest moments in competition this year were when grandmasters, masters, referees and other competitors approached me, impressed with the demeanor and attitude and example of discipline and respect they observed in our School of Respect students. 

We just love the private school where we instruct 40+ Little Tigers to 8th grade students amidst teachers, parents, aftercare and administrators.  We love them all and see them twice a week.  

Our homeschool class is about 13 or 14 students and some of the parents take family class... love them all.  We tag pray, memorize scripture and sing a praise song or two. Then its a little tae-cardio to Christian music and tkd/hapki... woo hooo!  Then we have the melting pot of students at our regular dojang with our Black Belt Program, Competition Training (Elite Team, Gold Medal Team, Ministry Team, Demonstration Team), approaching 80+, I believe.  I am regional representative for the International Hapkido Federation now, so spreading knowledge about that.  We are training for state level stuff and abroad, fundraisers and planning meetings with grandmasters and the like.  I love working with masters and grandmasters that know and embrace that we are pastors, called to the ministry...  period. 

Our church philosophy and program continues to settle, as discipleship and family focus perpetuates the need to bring families together in the light... and I mean TOGETHER, not apart like the age-segregated churches of today.  Jesus said, "suffer the little children to come to me".  One thing that I am seeing in working with homschoolers that go to some of these churches, is that there is a great like-mindedness that we all have about these issues that are tearing the family apart.  I hate it that there has to be a "Focus on the Family" organization because the church in general, is not doing the job of family development.  Eliminate family segregation from the church and Christianity will change as we know it! Thus, outreach will follow, and society will reform.  God do your work.  I know its a soapbox I'm on, but the watered-down versions of bringing Mom, Dad and the children together in the churches today, are not radical enough and too slow.  I am dealing with the dysfunction of it every day here as martial arts masters/pastors.  Pastors: make some radical changes and stop doing what's popular and numbers-focused, and start doing what is family-focused and right! My motto is "True and effective ministry is small ministry"!  It keeps me from chasing after "big".  Christ says "be faithful with the little".  That is why, when I get to a specific number in our church (Family Growth Fellowship), duplication with well-trained leadership will occur! It's not popular, but it's Biblical. Bigger is not better! So, those of you who "get it", and are doing it as well, please pray with us ... thanks :))). 

There is no college that could give us the experience our lives are allowing us to live right now.  We have found that if you just get out and prayerfully "do it as a family!" God and life are the ultimate educators.  What an amazing thing to live and know, with your family. 

I am fifty.  :)))  For those of you that are on Facebook, you have all seen the party day and free Vegas trip we got to take (for Molly and my birthdays). We also had hunting season success! Our lives are full and we love it!  As a family, we continue to work with Breeze (Gracie's horse), practice mechanics, go four-wheelin', camping, work on the yard and the pond, do repairs, experience miracles of all sorts (my bad knees, accident ailments, tonsils, the normal stuff) practice martial arts, pursue ministry, and write blogs, books and music CDs. Our lives continue to pass, illustrations of God's activity continue to reveal themselves.  As we continue to commit to His activity not ours, we are so grateful for each of you that have your part.  You all know who you are and we hug you every time we see you. And while some are on our daily prayer list, others the weekly and still some monthly, if we say we are praying for you, that is one thing you can count on... "We are, in fact, praying for you!"  :)))

Things to pray for are:

1.   Family Growth Fellowship

2.  Marriage and Family Growth and Mentoring Retreats

3.  Discipleship relationships now, and the waiting list of those who we will have to disciple at a later date because our one-on-one discipleship schedule is full for now... in His time (we disciple using the "Imagine" manual as our guide)

4.  $450.00 for another printing and updated edition of "Imagine", $500.00 for more Bibles

5.   Activaton of the studio (Frazier family and Grace, Zach, CDs, and Christian music in general).

6.  Grow IHF/WTF and FDC Ministries' World Outreach

7.  Church leadership, martial arts Christian leadership, FDC Ministries leadership

8.   Continue to work on the ground floor, everyday activities, with the 150+ families that we are in contact with weekly, in one way or another, the 20+ churches we are in touch with through these families, and the hundreds of official leaders, grandmasters, masters, pastors, youth pastors, schools, principles, teachers, school board directors, and the list goes on from several different countries and continents.  We love all these people, many of them are you, and all of you are truly our special friends.

9.  For a financially strong institution of  the martial arts we need about 175 students. Right now we're in the 140s. Please pray for continued growth as we continue to take in more students.

10.  If you wish to support this ministry in one way or another... stop!  pray about it and then let us know what it is you would like to do, because our Awesome God has prompted you to do it.  We are on the precipice...  duplication is coming ... enough said.  If you have not prayed about it, please do not support us!  Only Holy Spirit, nothing else... He will speak to those of you that pray and know what we are talking about.  :)))) Thanks to those He has already spoken too! You are so important to us as a family in God's work. You know who you are! We love you... BIG HUGS!!

Serving Him so we can know Him better!  (Isaiah 43:10)  "It's our privilege!"  :))) triple chin grin

Pastor Ron 

HALLOWEEN IS COMING

Halloween is coming and here is some food for thought... A blog I wrote a few years ago in reference to the darkness of Twilight, Harry Potter, etc. 

Love you guys! 

   

     "Tuesday night in staff training (at the taekwondo school) we were talking about how, as individuals, we have the ability to control how much darkness we live in… or not.  It really is our choice. As I've been saying lately, we can either “make good decisions or our bad decisions will make us”. In the course of the conversation, the question was asked, 'so what is darkness?' . We began to dialogue a little bit about what darkness is and eventually the subject of vampires came up. The question was asked, “are vampires associated with darkness or light?” The question was interesting to me because it showed me that people's perception of darkness -vs- light is becoming a lot less clear compared to when I was a kid. The big difference between then and now is that back then, vampires couldn't live in the light... light could actually kill dracula.  Isn't it funny how the story has evolved now to the point where vampires can actually live in the daylight?
      It doesn't surprise me, this evolution, and actually perpetuates the truth that the devil will try to disguise himself in whatever type of clothing that makes the wickedness that he is promoting acceptable, even to intelligent, common sense, educated people like you and me.  II Corinthians 11:13-15 says, "¹³ For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.¹⁴  No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.¹⁵  Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.." 

     I heard a pastor say the other day that you can't be black and white and have a big church.  The first problem with that statement is that "big church" shouldn't be the priority over spiritual growth or knowing God.  Acts 1:8 says, "and you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you"... when we replace the Holy Spirit with gimmicks (coffee shops, wine tasting parties, full-on theater productions, harvest parties, or...  "GREY" activities, as this pastor with the 'big church' insinuates) you might have a big church alright, but you will also have a gimmick-driven Christianity :(  ... ignorant of the knowledge of the Holy Spirit. 

     A perfect example of something that is very wicked/black but has subtly permeated the church (the body of Christ) and become a regular part of societal holiday norms, is the holiday coming up, Halloween. All you have to do is look up 'occult + Halloween' on the internet and you'll find that what Easter is to Christians, Halloween is to the occult. The difference is, Christians celebrate new life in Jesus on Easter, the occult destroys life on Halloween, all over the world, for the sake of perpetuating the worship of the devil and evil and immorality.

     God's ultimate purpose for us is the celebration of new life and growth and achievement. The devil's purpose is the destruction of life and demise and degradation (John 10:10). On Halloween, the Easter of Satan, this is exactly what happens in ways that I'm not even going to attempt to explain or glorify.
   I have already begun to pray against the evil activities of Halloween, and for God's intervention on that night, that He will have victory. As Christians, I hope this year that if we are participating, we have a greater awareness of what we are participating in, and the reality of what I am saying here. Even if you have to go to the web or want to dialogue with me for more information to substantiate what I am saying, the important thing here is that we don't just participate ignorantly.  I hope the question that will be asked is, 'can I really be a part of this, knowing now the reality of what this night represents?'
     And what about the alternative idea? I think there's only one alternative to this. Get together as Christians and pray against the activities of the devil. If we participate in any way, we participate in the darkness of that night. The perfect example of trying to provide an alternative was when we tried to have a Haunted House at our dojang and present it in a positive way. After 2 years it got darker and darker and we had to say 'no way' and stop doing it.   If you create a so called "Harvest Party", have fun break a leg, but please don't tell me you are doing it the same night (Halloween) that we should all be on our knees praying.  Make a new night, a new holiday, on a different date nowhere near the "night of wickedness" we all know as Halloween.
     It's a matter of awareness, it's a matter of growing, and if your awareness has been limited until recently, it's never too late to come to a realization and change and go to battle. If there's anything that I believe exists in life that is more important to be black and white about as a Christian, it is Halloween. If you study it yourself, I think your conclusion will be unanimously 'EXACTLY!' 

   And what about the kids and the perception they develop as they put on a costume and get excited about running out and collecting candy for free? It's amazing how the devil has set it up so most people don't even know what's really going on while they're celebrating the activity of retrieving candy and disguising themselves as something they are not (and isn't that an interesting thought).

And what does it matter that a vampire can live in the day or the night anyway. his uncontrollable quest is to 'suck the lifeblood', either way."

Be not conformed but be transformed, a living and holy sacrifice - Romans 12:1-2

Watch out for the devil's traps - II Timothy 2:26

Avoid false doctrine; be conformed to godliness - I Timothy 6:3-5

"Be wise about what is good, yet innocent about what is evil" - Romans 16:17-20
The truth test - I John 4:1-6, John 14:6

Serving the King so I can know Him better,

Pastor Ron