I'm not perfect but I have purpose

I shared a message with our church this past Sunday that talked about the fact that each of us been through some tough times, and those tough times allow us to help other people. But first we have to get it straight. Be honest. Admit that you aren't perfect (I'm not either). We've made mistakes. We've had struggles.

When we admit the truth and begin to live as God intended, we will help others. That life is one of freedom because God has forgiven us ad helps us move forward. We will make a difference when we live that way and share where we have been.

"Only a church full of imperfect people, acting as His body, can bring the hope and healing needed to change our postmodern world for the better – one life at a time." (John Burke, No Perfect People Allowed, page 9)

Here is what we will be able to do with we get honest and help others as God has helped us:

We will be able to comfort those who mourn.

Isaiah 61:2 (NASB) --- … To comfort all who mourn

You have been there. Someone has comforted you and most likely you have comforted someone else. This is as easy as a hug, a pray or just being there when you are needed.

We will help rebuild what is broken or even ruined.

Isaiah 61:4-5 (NASB) --- Then they will rebuild the ancient ruins, They will raise up the former devastations; And they will repair the ruined cities, The desolations of many generations. Strangers will stand and pasture your flocks, And foreigners will be your farmers and your vinedressers.

Failure can teach us to succeed. From where you have been, I can learn, and we can help each other rebuild was has be broken a part. Another awesome picture is like what happened in Job. He was successful and lost almost everything. Because we was faithful, God restored and rebuilt his life.

We will people remove shame.

Isaiah 61:7 (NASB) --- Instead of your shame you will have a double portion, And instead of humiliation they will shout for joy over their portion Therefore they will possess a double portion in their land, Everlasting joy will be theirs.

Guilt and shame keep people from believing God and even following Jesus. By letting Jesus work in our lives and sharing that with others, their shame and guilt will be gone. Shame can be replaced with joy. That is an awesome truth.

Let me end by telling you what I believe we are when we help others. You don't have to be a pastor. But here is what will be said of you:

Isaiah 61:6 (NASB) --- But you will be called the priests of the LORD; You will be spoken of as ministers of our God You will eat the wealth of nations, And in their riches you will boast.

When we share with others, we minister and share the greatness of God. Lives will be changed. People will say you are a priest (bringing people closer to God), a minister (helping people understand and know God) and find success (the kind that only comes from God). A huge blessing is missed and people are not helped when we don't admit our imperfection and our trouble.

God can and will take our trouble and make good things come out of it. Helping others we demonstrate the love of God to our community one person at a time and see God work miracles all around us.

Be transparent. Admit you aren't perfect. Share with you know someone is hurting. You may be the person God uses to bring one more person closer to Him.

That's living with purpose.

Have you heard of EDITH BURNS?

Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas . She was the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns. One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it was because of Edith Burns. When he walked into that waiting room, there sat Edith with her big black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young mother sitting beside her. Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this way: "Hello, my name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved. Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he saw the head nurse, Beverly. Beverly had first met Edith when she was taking her blood pressure. Edith began by saying,"My name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Beverly said, "Why yes I do." Edith said, "Well, what do you

why is it Good Friday?

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Day 8 in Cuba

We have just come off and incredible weekend, and it is day 8 of the mission trip in Cuba. Thank you to all who have been praying for this trip, the mission team and the impact it will have on those we serve. Please don’t stop praying. Last week Alex and I served with a mission team in the mountains of southern Cuba. There were several challenges, but God gave us safety, provision and opportunity to serve some of the sweetest people I have ever met. No running water… sporadic electricity generated by a small, logo dammed up river, no transportation other than animals, limited food sources and more. These people love the Lord and sharing their faith with others. Over the weekend we made our way back to Havana. On Friday our vehicle broke down leaving us on the side of the road for several hours. We then boarded a bus and rode 14 hours. We arrived safely and even got some rest. Sunday was so, so good. We visited two partner churches. In the morning we were with one church that

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