To my Dad on Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to my Dad (John Alexander)!

Understand that because of your own deep love of our God Jesus Christ and His Word, and your sensitivity to the Holy Spirit, I was raised with the blessing of having an earthly father that loves and cares for me, a reflection of our relationship to the Heavenly Father. You knew how to draw this turtle out of his shell and help me open up one on one. You made me feel validated and accepted. You stuck to your rules and guidelines, taught me to respect authority. Yet even in your firm stance, you have always been so gentle. You somehow always knew when I had something on my mind as a teen, and you always took your time to wait and let me open up in my own way. You were transparent and helpful, letting me see that I was not strange, different, or weird, or beyond hope in my teens and young adulthood. You helped me see that I was human and in need of dependence on God. You exposed me to powerful Spirit-led fellowship in the local church from an early age. I have memories of that which still live on in me decades later. My childhood memories (30 years ago) of your participation in Agape Christian Fellowship are an important part of how God led me to find my current church, Church On The GO, in the year 2000. He called me to ministry, but it was your early influence in my life that prepared me for my current life. You have no idea how precious this is to me.

Just know that who I am and what I do is because you started me on this journey a long time ago. Understanding your background, it is even more exceptional that you put so much into your effort as a father. Our talks in the basement, building stuff together out of blocks when I was young, and our talks around the Amiga, listening to song files called MODS. :) You started me, and guided me early on in my journey to eventually being a man after God's heart. You also helped me cultivate my interest in computer software, music creation, cartooning, and art.
We are not the same in every way, since you never could transfer your love of old movies (40's, 50's, etc) to me when I was a child. I still remember you preparing 5-10 minute "movie clips". You loved these movies, but knew I could not sit through entire feature-length movies, due to my own attention issues. So the only way you could get me to agree to watch, was to tell me it was "just a clip". I would watch your clip, and be on my way. :)

While I have not turned out to be a "movie buff" like you, you may not realize your "movie clips" have had a positive impact on me in the long run: it cultivated a passion for short video (5-10 minutes), which I would eventually begin to make and post on the internet. Youtube eventually came along and I started to make my own "clips" to post on that site. So thank you for your "movie clips"! :)

Here is one of my newest youtube videos "In The Midst Of Thee". When I think about it, this video's influence came from God, and also from my time with you as a youngster. Spending time with you using Music software, watching your video clips, and praying with you all have had an impact, and it has led to creations like this:

  Later on, when tragedy was about to strike in my personal life, God warned you in advance, and you prayed for me. Yours were some of the most important prayers to helping me cope through extreme loss and hidden depression. Others prayers made a difference too! But there is something about a father's prayers that carries weight.

I am better at expressing these things in writing than I am in spoken words. But they must be expressed. You continue to inspire me through your fearless approach to challenges and difficulty, and because you serve the Lord in Spirit and in Truth.

 God bless, thank you, and enjoy this day!
Love,
Your son,
Curtis

Alexander family, in March of 2015: Left to Right- me(Curtis), dad (John), my sister Corrie, mom (Marlene) 

Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2015 2:20pm EST

Meme Commentary: Happy-Complicated-Hurt

I found an interesting meme online today, and was inspired to make a commentary on it:

Allow me to comment on this meme using Scriptural principals and also my life experience thus far:

1) I am responsible for my own emotions and happiness. I will never rely on another human being to be responsible for something they have no control over: my happiness. They might have some influence, but not control. This includes any romantic interest, bosses, coworkers, friends, family, and those I minister to or those I receive ministry from. At the end of the day, I still make the call to be happy or not. Most days, I choose to be happy with my lot in life, knowing God is sovereign over all.

I own up to my responsibility for my own emotions. That is part of mature adult life.

And.... I learned a long time ago that even if I try my hardest, I simply cannot "make" someone else happy. In other words, I cannot directly control the soul/emotions of another. I wouldn't want that kind of control anyhow. But, I can do kind things for them, perform a task in an excellent way, or say encouraging words (as I love to do). And yet... it is the other party's choice to be happy about it or not. Trust me, I know from experience and observation.

This in no way deters me from striving to do my best in any form of communication, service or relationship. We should always strive for excellence in our thoughts, actions and words, regardless of who notices us or thanks us or is happy because of us. I am still learning and growing at this!

--

2) If by "complicated", the meme writer means "confusing" then yes, we are not to invite confusion into our lives. BUT IF "complicated" simply means "complex" to this writer... well... all relationships are complex. Some are less complex than others, but all have some degree of complexity. Even good relationships get "complicated" at times. Jesus promised we would have trials in this world. But He also said in this promise: fear not, I have overcome the world.

Love relationships are very complex. After all, we are spirit, we have a soul (soul = mind, will and emotions), and we live in a body. We are 3-in-1 beings! When you put two 3-in-1 beings together, there is complexity, diversity, depth and richness of relationships.

--

3) Hurt, and pain is something we should avoid inflicting on others. But because of fallen human nature, we inadvertently hurt our loved ones. Sadly, this is inescapable, even in truly good relationships. We all fail at times. And  yes, sometimes we hurt each other in words or actions, not out of malice, but out of heated or rash decisions that were made in poor judgement in a moment of weakness. It is for this reason Jesus tells us to leave our gift at the altar and make amends with those whom we have offended. Then after that, we can pick up where we were. Also, Jesus tells us to forgive so that we may be forgiven of God. It is unrealistic to expect a 100% pain-free relationships while living on this planet in its current state. It should be noted that forgiveness and "trusting again" do not automatically go hand-in-hand. The Bible never commands us to trust someone who is proven to be untrustworthy, only to forgive them. 

Another angle: When parents discipline a child for wrong behaviour, as Proverbs tells us they should, there will usually be a consequence for that misbehaviour. It might mean a little bit of "pain". Like a loss of privileges for a while, or being grounded, for example. That is the kind of pain that tells of deep love, and of parents who wish their child to grow up and become excellent adults in the real world.

That said, we should always act in love and always think of the feelings of our loved ones, coworkers, bosses, friends and family before speaking and acting. And the same goes for our relationship to God. He can be grieved at some things we do as well, but you do not see Him abandon His people just because we sin again or fall short on occassion. He is faithful and merciful and loving. He will never abandon or forsake us. When we confess our faults directly to Jesus, He is faithful and just to forgive us. We grow closer in love with Jesus. We can choose to do the things that are pleasing to Him.

God bless,

Pastor Curtis

Thur June 18, 2015, 1:57am EST 

RETURNING TO OUR FIRST LOVE - A response to "Revive Cold Hearts"

RETURNING TO OUR FIRST LOVE - A response to "Revive Cold Hearts"

Here is a great word from my sister Stacey on reviving cold hearts:

https://crookedplacesstraight.wordpress.com/2015/06/14/revive-cold-hearts/ 

Please read it and then return here. The Holy Spirit has inspired me to write in response and in continuation of what my sister has said! I want you to focus particularly on what she has said about feeling alone in church. This is a common occurrence today! And I have news: if you feel alone in church, then who ELSE is probably feeling exactly the same way? Probably someone right next to you! You may feel alone, but you are not alone in your aloneness! And the fact that she felt that some churches are the same as watching a TV sermon at home, a true yet sad fact. See, TV is and always will be a spectator sport. And many people today go to church meetings thinking they are spectators. This could not be further from the truth. Hence a body of believers might act like a TV audience rather than engaged body parts.
Now I am not discouraging TV altogether.
 It is great to watch services on TV or internet in special circumstance, such as when one is bedridden and cannot physically move. But going out to live local church meetings is better! Local churches were intended by God to be a regular place for you, the joints, to supply each other's needs in Christ! Amazing!
What my sister Stacey has said is spot on: God is about Relationships. We should be the same as Him! 

We know that Jesus promised His presence where two or three are gathered. So we are never alone in that regard. But what if the members started to show love more to each other in their local church? 

If you have read the above blog in the link, then let us continue here:

There are several local churches (plural as mentioned in Scripture) who have need of admonition and encouragement! Isn't it great that the Lord addresses each local congregation by name and is able to help us clarify and improve! Praise Him for His faithfulness!

Here is what Jesus has to say about the various churches gathering in public in specific geographic locations:

Rev 1:20 GENEVA VERSION

20The ministry of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks, is this, The seven stars are the Angels of the seven Churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest, are the seven Churches.

Revelation 2:1 GENEVA VERSION

1 Unto the Angel of the Church of Ephesus write, These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, and walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks.

and He goes on to say exactly what her blog post has said:

Revelation 2:2-4 GENEVA VERSION

2I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear with them which are evil, and hast examined them which say they are Apostles, and are not, and hast found the liars.
3And thou wast burdened, and hast patience, and for my Names sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.

So far so good, but here is the kicker!

4 Nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

So this particular early church was different than the other early churches recorded in Revelation 2 and 3. This particular church represents a lot of western churches today. They have lost their first love. That is something we strive to keep central in our congregation: First Love! Let Jesus thrill your soul and make time for Him like a young couple in love makes time for each other! When one is in love with Jesus, nothing can distract you from being with Him and from showing love to His family! You want to spread it to everyone. And that is one of the benefits of being part of a smaller church: people do not get lost in the shuffle very easily. Everyone is included, as a body part in the Body of Christ! Larger churches must work harder (meaning each and every member, not just the leaders) to reach out to every member. It can be done, if each Christian would simply recognize that church is not a spectator sport! You are a functional member of the body, in Christ. Every joint supplies the need, as Paul tells the church in Ephesians. 

Ephesians 4:15-16 GOD'S WORD TRANSLATION

15Instead, as we lovingly speak the truth, we will grow up completely in our relationship to Christ, who is the head.
16He makes the whole body fit together and unites it through the support of every joint. As each and every part does its job, he makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. 

THIS is my Biblical Ephesians/Revelation challenge to those who are part of local churches who may not reach out in love like they used to: If you are there and see the need, my challenge is for you to be the Lord's ignition switch. Stir people to love. Provoke them with God's Love. Return to your FIRST LOVE: Jesus! 

Reach out in your church in quiet, humble and genuine ways. It will take boldness because often this doesn't make human sense. Don't do it to receive. Do it to give. Like Jesus did for you. And cooperate with the Spirit as He moves you! You WILL be surprised when God reciprocates love back to you in new and delightful ways! You cannot outgive God! 

Let God ignite the fire of first love in YOU. Don't wait for the pastor or deacon or anyone else. Everyone typically thinks "Someone else will do it." 

No! If you are in the midst of a cold church, heat things up with your love of Jesus and reach out to the sister or brother beside you. YOU are a minister, and YOU are a channel of God's blessing and Spirit. If you are Christian, you are a body joint! Do not wait any longer. You are connected to the Head, Jesus. The Head sends nerve impulses to body parts like you and me.

But....

If you have not filled up on His love, how can you give it out? If your relationship to Jesus is shallow, how can you express His deep love and devotion to others? 

So before you take on this challenge, I strongly urge you to get alone with God before your next church service. 

Yes, shut off social websites, TV, cellphones, tablets and anything else that can distract you. Go on a date with God.

Get alone and spend time with Jesus. Ask Him to revive your love with His Love. God IS Love. (1 John 4:16) So by being in God, you are in love! Let Him send you on a local mission to the unchurched, the unsaved, and those sitting in your church who do not really KNOW the love of God. 

To know God is to know Love. Be a fire starter today! 

Blessings!

Pastor Curtis

Sun June 14, 2015 3:34pm EST

Meme Commentary: A Man's Success

Today I saw a meme on the internet and it was this:

A random internet meme I found online today.

While I would tend to agree with it, it is not the whole picture either.

It inspired me to write the following:

Sometimes, the right woman for a man to marry is no woman at all. It is sometimes best to remain single for the Lord. Especially when you are a pastor and part of what you do is to lead a Christian singles ministry. Especially when you desire no natural children. And if your past relationship was not so good, then taking a break from the opposite sex is always wise.

So the Lord has kept me for Himself, apart from women. To serve Him. As He pleases. At His call and at His pleasure. It is all for His Name's Sake.

Seasons do change eventually. But for now the Lord has kept me on this path for six years as a single-again Christian (legally divorced). I've been living alone for 7 years and very busy at church, the store, and elsewhere. And through me the Lord has successfully enriched the ministry I am involved with. And He has blessed me with new songs to create in that time. Since becoming single again, I got promoted at my job at the store in 2012 (I overcame lots of challenges). Thank you Jesus for SUCCESS in the natural and in the Spirit! Following Jesus is success! Fear God, keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of mankind. 

So to add a final thought to this above meme:

A person's success has everything to do with the kind of God one chooses to have in ones life!

If your god is money... you will ultimately fail.

If your god is marriage... you can't take it with you. At your death, you enter eternity as a single. So making your marriage a god is not going to lead to success either. As special as this institution is, between one man and one woman, we must be careful not to idolize it either.

If your God is JESUS CHRIST, then you will truly succeed, according to God's view of Success!

If you recognize Jesus as the one true God, then all else will fall into Biblical alignment, over time, with obedience to Him. You will gladly serve Him. Your finances, your relationships, your work, your pleasure. You will gladly entrust it all to Him to make you a SUCCESS in HIS BOOK! 

Blessings!

May 10 2015 3:18 PM EST 

Baby in the Womb

 Jesus told the works-oriented pharisee Nicodemus "you must be born again" (John 3:3). In other words, a baby cannot do anything without the parents first bringing the child into existence. If the child is not born, it cannot obey. Same with God bringing us into a place where we can be born again. If He didn't will our salvation, we could not even choose it. He alone initiated salvation and that is what makes it possible for us to respond. That is the meaning of grace. Completely unearned favour. 

John 1:12-13 ESV

12But to all who DID receive him, who believed in his name, he GAVE the right to become children of God,
13who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of GOD. 

So according to John, we are born of the will of God in the Spirit, not of our own will. So we receive Him, Jesus, which gives us the right to become children of God. But that was all planned by the will of God. God willed our rebirth. Pure grace.

It is salvation by grace, unearned favour, through faith.

Eph 2:7-10

7so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
8For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
9not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. 

So in essence, our initial conversion and salvation is really because CHRIST obeyed the Father, not because we did. We are His workmanship. We are saved and born again by His will and grace. Why? So that we can walk in good works that He has prepared for us beforehand! Works as a result of salvation. Learning obedience! 

We in our unregenerate state cannot perfectly obey or keep the law of God. Some have tried and yet we ALL fall short (Rom 3:23). That is why Jesus came, to fulfill the law and the prophets perfectly. Once a baby is born, he or she learns the basics of crawling, and making a vocal connection to "mama" or "dada". The child must learn obedience through a process. It doesn't come automatically. The natural reflects the spiritual. Even Jesus went through the natural process as a human, by "learning obedience". He was perfect in that process, but He was not exempt from going through it. We must also undergo the process. He was perfect in learning obedience. We, however, are going to make mistakes along the way. That is what forgiveness is for. But we are still to grow up in God spiritually speaking, by the Spirit of God. We do eventually learn obedience. We learn it by hearing His voice, then following it as a "learner" (disciple). 

Hebrews 5:7-9 ESV

7In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence.
8Although he was a son, he LEARNED obedience through what he suffered.
9And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him,

Being a disciple of Jesus, according to the Greek language, means being a "learner" of Jesus. Jesus chose the disciples, called them, and they obeyed by following Him. That obedience was the fruit of faith. Then they learned obedience by dwelling with Him and serving Him. 

So saving faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God, according to Paul.

Romans 10:16-17 ESV 

16But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?”
17So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. 

So obedience to the gospel comes from faith, and faith comes from hearing, and hearing comes from the preaching of the Word of Christ. 

That Greek word for faith is "pistis" and specifically refers to "reliance upon Christ for salvation" as well as "conviction". 

A fuller reading of Romans 10 shows that whosoever calls on the Lord may be saved. But they must hear first before they can believe (have faith). And they must have faith first before they can "call". 

Romans 10:13-17 ESV

13For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 14But how are they to call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?
15And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”
16But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?”
17So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. 

So we DO obey the call to salvation, but it is birthed in our heart first, as a born again child who is born of the will of God.

There is faith conceived in our heart at hearing the "seed" the Word of God. The conception of that seed happens before we can be born, or obey. And we must be born again and made new before we can learn to obey. Then we grow or learn that obedience, just as the pattern Son did. Just as a baby in the womb is alive and well, but cannot actually serve or obey the parents yet, so we must be born again in the SPIRIT before we can truly begin to learn obedience. And obey we must, if we are to truly love the Son. Jesus was speaking to those who ALREADY followed Him when He said if you love Me you will obey my commands. But to the man who was NOT yet following Jesus, he said "you must be born again". You cannot even see the kingdom until you are born again. Just as a baby in the womb cannot see what is outside the womb. But a baby in the womb CAN hear the voice of the parent. Faith comes by hearing. And hearing by the Word.

Blessings! 

Pastor Curtis

Wed. Apr 15/15 7:04am EST

Jesus Confirmed The Covenant

---

Daniel 9:26a 1599 Geneva Bible 
"26 And after threescore and two weeks, shall Messiah be slain, and shall have nothing..."

Daniel 9:27a 1599 Geneva Bible 

"27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease..."

Here is my song from 2011 based upon this powerful prophecy in Daniel ch 9. 

Seventy weeks is  prophetic code language for 490 years. Jesus confirmed the New covenant with His death and resurrection! He brought an end to the need for sacrifices, since His own sacrifice was perfect! And He did so EXACTLY when Daniel prophecied He would. Will you believe Jesus and be saved from your sin? It is fully paid for in His blood. He did the work no one else could do! 

Are you going up? Are you registered? Jesus is the Way up! 

http://youtu.be/UpqXBzx0uvk

Blessings,

Pastor Curtis

Good Friday April 3, 2015 2:48pm EST

My Flunked Eye Exam - A Life Lesson

I am about to get new, updated eyeglasses. The prescription is almost ready. I really really need new glasses. I thought my current pair was doing the job. I thought I was seeing distant objects just fine. And boy was I wrong. Wrong wrong wrong. I went a couple weeks ago to get my eyes examined since it had been long overdue. Now, I am very glad I did go.

As I sat in the doctor's exam room, and he had me hold up a little plastic device to block the vision in my left eye. I was asked to read the little letters on the screen across the room wearing my current glasses and using just my right eye. (This was part of a full examination.)

Well, I suddenly realized.... I couldn't read the letters. I admitted it to the doctor and so he asked me to guess at it. I was way off. Wow! My eyes certainly lost a lot of vision in 5 years. It became very clear I was up for a new pair of glasses. Other than that, the optometrist said my eyes were very healthy. Praise God!
So my eyes are healthy, free of disease... but I still can't see clearly out of them!

The very same kind of revelation happened to me when I put on my very first pair of glasses, well over 23 years ago. It was a much bigger shock back then. I was amazed at the world I was missing. Before that, I was seeing things as a blur but thought that was "normal". I didn't, and couldn't, comprehend what normal even was until I was willing to let my eyesight be corrected.  My interpretation of the objects and people around me were changed by the fact that I could see them sharply for the very first time in my life. I was 12 or 13 at the time.

So that visit to the optometrist a couple weeks ago helped me. I flunked my eye exam, therefore I needed new lenses. And that got me thinking... things are the same in life, metaphorically speaking.

Spiritually, we think we see clearly on our own, without help from our maker. And then we get examined. Suddenly a tragedy hits. Or a problem arises. Or we make an error. We ask the questions like; What went wrong? Why me? Why can't I see a solution here? Why didn't I see that coming?? Why is the "eye chart" blurry?? Surely it is not MY eyes that need to be corrected? Is it?

Yes. It's time to get our vision examined, and possibly corrected. We as people think we have a clear vision of life but many times, we do not. I am the first to admit it. I have been blindsided so many times by life's problems. And many times I was part of the problem. But my human vision was not clear or honest enough to see it, or to even want to see it. I needed to trust and lean on God and not my own understanding.

 I could not see what was wrong until I examined my thought process and compared it to the Doctor's notes. What did the Doctor say about my eyes? He said I need correction. Fine. I don't want correction, but if I must, I will accept it.

I put the Doctor's prescription on, and .... WOW! I can SEE! Suddenly, life's issues make more sense. Not everything is revealed to me in this life, of course, but I sure can see better than I did before. I am still not perfect, but at least I am able to interpret the things around me with more clarity, using His prescription (not my own). God gets all the credit for it. It's not me. I relied on the Expert to help me in my need. I am so glad I humbled myself to get corrective lenses both naturally and spiritually. We all need to see things the way the Doctor does. The Doctor spiritually speaking, is God. He is the Great Physician and He can give us HIS own perspective on life. Just ask in Jesus' Name! If we rely on our own human perspective, we will never have much clarity. But with God, there is much sharper vision. And the best thing is... Jesus PAID for your prescription in His blood! Yes, I DO have to pay for my natural eye care. But... my spiritual vision is paid for in FULL! Awesome.

God's Word, the Holy Bible, acts like a corrective lens. IF we humble ourselves and ask God to help us see, we can use the Bible as a corrective lens through which to see God, people, and life. Without the Word, we have blurry vision, and we are unable to see things from God's perspective at all. But we often have trouble admitting we need help. The Bible makes it clear that vision is very important.

"Where there is no vision, the people decay: but he that keepeth the law is blessed."

Proverbs 29:18 [1599 Geneva Bible]

"And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it."
Habakkuk 2:2 (1599 Geneva Bible)

Jesus tells the Pharisees that they are blind to their own sin. They claim to have sight but are blind to their shortcomings:
"Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should not have sin: but now ye say, We see: therefore your sin remaineth."
John 9:41 (1599 Geneva Bible)
 So we are in need of God's Spirit and God's Word if we are ever going to be able to understand God!
Are you brave enough to get your eyes examined? Do you want to read the letters on the wall for what they truly are, or will you just guess at it, like I did and hope you are right? There are consequences to guessing at things in life. I'd rather not risk that.
Just because you can't read the eye chart of life, that doesn't mean the eye chart is wrong. It means you need help and clarity from the One who is an expert on vision. If you submit to His prescription, you will be in awe and amazement with your newfound sight. You will have better sight with which to gaze at God and see and appreciate what He has done and Who He is. You will have vision and the ability to see and have love for others, the way God does.

God bless!
Pastor Curtis

Sat. March 28, 2015, 10:11pm EST.