Amazed by Desperation Band

Often times I listen to worship at Pandora while I am completing my weekly homework assignments at Ohio Christian University (to block out the family noise in the background). Every single time this song comes on, I am taken back by the words and I just sit there and worship my Almighty God. Is there songs that you come across that really speaks to your heart like this song does to me?

Until the whole world hears,
Luke <><

"Hello world! Ready or not...here I come!"

My son Preston Joshua Pollock was born on 16 February 2010 @ 0646. He was 19 1/2" long and 7.4 lbs. He was delivered via c-section at Med-Central Hospital in Mansfield, Ohio. What an amazing experience to have another BEAUTIFUL son that my Daddy in heaven fashioned together in the my brides womb. What a gift!

To Preston,

Welcome to the Pollock family. You do not know us yet, but you will. We have been praying for you since we found out that you were conceived. God has blessed us with another wonderful child to raise up in the mighty army of God. Our prayer for you is to know the True God at a young age, that you will live your life in accordance and authority of Jesus Christ. Preston your life verse that mommy and daddy have been praying over you is found in Mark 12:30 where it says, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." That is our prayer for you. Your first name Preston means "Priest" and your middle name Joshua means "God is salvation!" Know that you are truly loved and have been lifted up and bathed in prayer, from the very beginning...and even cooler...God has predestined every one of your steps, and He loves you so much.

Welcome and we love you,

Moma and Dada

Tribute to Grandpa Pollock

This video was created in honor of my grandfather. He died on January 11, 2010, he was 91. The amazing story is that he remained true and faithful to my grandmother for 67 years of marriage. In the hospital bed, with only a few hours left in his life, they displayed such an amazing portrait of love. It was in that moment that God whispered in my ear and said, "You think that is awesome love, just imagine how much more I love you!"
That tore me up. I sat there and just stared at this wonderful example of love. Yes, I cried because I am going to miss Gramps, but it was his death, that God whispered into my heart, "I LOVE you, my child!"

This video is a picture collage of their life together. Thanks Clint for creating/editing this beautiful video, which continues to bring tears to my eyes every time I watch it.

Identity Theft - 1st sermon

Here is the link to my first sermon ever. I do not have the embed code yet so this is all I can do right now. Hope you are blessed by it. Would love to hear your comments.


http://newhopewired.homestead.com/Loudonville/media-ldv2.html

Worship Wednesday's - Casting Crowns - Who Am I?

I absolutely love this rendition of Casting Crown's Who Am I? Well done UPC Conference Church. Hope you are blessed by these hands!

Worship Wednesday's - Casting Crowns - Voice of Truth

This is a clip from the Huckabee show on Fox News. Casting Crowns has become one of my favorite bands. The reason I love them so much is because of their boldly honest, hard-hitting lyrics, they continue to challenge, strengthen and pour into the body of Christ, giving listeners a fresh, relevant perspective on loving God and loving people. Casting Crowns music is quite literally discipleship through music. This song in particular has meant a lot to me over the years. I hope it blesses you as much as it has me.

That's My King - S.M. Lockridge

The late Dr. Shadrach Meshach (S.M.) Lockridge's famous "That's My King" message. It is one of his best-known messages. It is a six minute "attempted" description of our Lord Jesus Christ. I say "attempted" because it is the best description I have ever heard, however, part of me says that even S.M. Lockridge would think that his description is still lacking something because our mere words can not fully describe His Majesty! So sit back with the volume up, and bask in everything that God is and more!



What do you think? It gets me fired up, That's the King I serve!

The Still Small Voice, or " Do what I say or puke all over....its your choice!" Part 2

Well, on with the story...

Evangelist and Pastor Rick Webb, from Fraser Road Church of God in Michigan, was challenging the audience with the words found in Romans 8:28 "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them" (NLT).

I was sitting there with my family, knowing that God was calling me to speak in front of these 400 people, whom I have never met. I do not attend the Church of God, and I was a guest to this campmeeting. I didn't know the protocol. Is this excepted or allowed? How do I even approach someone about this? Do I just go up to a microphone? All these thoughts are going through my mind, along with, Lord I can't/shouldn't do this.

Well, God was getting my attention, I was literally about to puke all over the place. I have never felt that sick, so suddenly. I leaned over to my mother-in-law (not to puke on her) and asked how I should go about this. She suggested to go up and talk to the evangelist. So that is what I did...

Now that is a tough job to be in for the evangelist. To really discern whether you have a Word from the Lord, or not. Because he mentioned afterward that sometimes you get people who say all the right things up to get up there to speak, and the truth is that they just like to hear themselves speak, and it wasn't essentially God led.

So he obviously sensed that I needed to get up there right away (maybe it was fear of ruining his nice suit with my vomit).

So here I am in front of 400 people (give or take), and I supposedly have a Word from the Lord for these people. But, I have no idea where to start. It felt like an eternity. So I mustered out a quick introduction of who I was, and what I was feeling (you know sick) and that I believed God had something for someone to hear. It could be for the whole multitude or for one person. It may have only been for me to learn to be obedient in all things. Once I finished my introduction, it was no longer me speaking. Say what?

It was no longer Luke (lil' warrior) speaking. Sure it was my voice, but it was God's verbiage. It was amazing to feel like God was completely in the drivers seat. Just like in Scripture when God told Moses that He would help him speak in Exodus 4, and during Pentecost in Acts 2:1-12, it says "As the Holy Spirit gave them this ability (to speak), God/Spirit was giving me the Words that needed to be said.

Have you ever been so consumed by God that you knew somewhat of what you just mustered out, but knew that God had used you as a mediator for His Words? Being used by God is the best feeling ever.

This week God spoke to me with this quote which I shared on my FaceBook and Twitter. "The only way u can live ur life 2 the fullest, is 2 fully rely on God!" Have we fully relied on Him in our lives? Do our lives stand as a testimony of our love towards Him.

I am reminded of the passage in John 21:15-17
After breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?"
"Yes, Master, you know I love you."
Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."
16He then asked a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?"
"Yes, Master, you know I love you."
Jesus said, "Shepherd my sheep."
17Then he said it a third time: "Simon, son of John, do you love me?"
Peter was upset that he asked for the third time, "Do you love me?" so he answered, "Master, you know everything there is to know. You've got to know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.

Jesus asked Peter three times, the same amount of times that Peter denied Him. How many times does Jesus have to ask you?

Almost done I promise!

The Still Small Voice, or " Do what I say or puke all over....its your choice!" Part 1

Funky title I know, but a true story and very real experience happened to me a few months ago. Sorry Greg that it has taken me this long to get it out.

A couple months ago my in-laws asked if I wanted to camp out and attend their churches annual campmeeting (it is kind of like a revival). Thinking how much fun the boys would have I agreed to come. I was only planning to camp a couple of nights, but once I heard the Evangelist Rick Webb, from Fraser Road Church of God in Michigan, I was drawn to stay the entire week.

I was amazed by which he spoke; with the awesome Authority and Anointing of God all over him. In fact, it had been a long time since I have experienced preaching like that.

Anyways, as I was sitting in service with my family, I started feeling sick towards the end of the service. I was wondering if I had ate something that didn't agree with me (which I had been eating camp food all week!) or what was exactly happening to me. My wife looked over at me and immediately was concerned. I was extremely pail, I was sweating profusely (which I am a B.S.G. - Big Sweaty Guy, so it happens) and I seriously felt like I was about to keel over.

Now I have experienced God's voice before, and I have felt the Spirit's leading in my life, but what I was experiencing did not feel like anything godly.

But, that is when I heard God saying, "When are you going to listen to me again?" Shocked (but not really) because I have heard from Him before, I wondered okay God clarification please! All of sudden I had an horrid, quick look back at all my recent acts of disobedience to God. The more I saw, the more sick I got. I was awakened to the saddened heart of my Creator, of every time His Chosen people disobey Him intentionally.

Have you ever felt God nudging you to do something, and you didn't do it? Maybe He wanted you to talk to a certain friend or a stranger. Maybe He wanted you to be a church planter, or to open up your home to lead a small group. Ormaybe He wanted you to step up in a specific ministry at your church, or to be Biblical leader among your peers? These types of things were flashing before my eyes, have they flashed in front of yours before? Have you ignored them as I have?

Well, have I got your attention? Come back tomorrow for the rest, it gets really good!

A new era of wedding march!

Does the traditional wedding march just seem a little to boring for your style? Check out this video that has had well over 4,000,000 views on YouTube! Thanks Jesiah for sending me the link! I love it!

Dave Ramsey - Life, Hope, Money - Week 3

Here is the last episode of Dave Ramsey's teaching from Lifechurch.tv. I hope they have been a blessing to you.

Dave Ramsey - Life, Hope, Money - Week 2

Life, Money, Hope, Week Two from Lifecentre.org on Vimeo.

Dave Ramsey - Life, Hope, Money - Week 1

Life, Money, Hope Week One from Lifecentre.org on Vimeo.

Worship Wednesday's - Sweetly Broken

Sweetly Broken - Jeremy Riddle

I heard this song recently at Vineyard Church of Columbus. I was brought to tears once again, by the powerful presence of an Almighty God and amazing lyrics! I am however partial to Vineyard's rendition, but this is still a great song to worship to.

Are you broken today? Are you struggling with the current economic state our nation is in? Sometimes life comes at us hard, and breaks us.

It is at Brokenness that God can do the most work in us. I heard the quote the other day, in fact I even tweeted it. I said, "U can not fix what God can only mend!" It is at this hard state of brokenness that God wants and desires to show His Wonder to each and everyone of us. "At the cross You beckon me, draw me gently to my knees, and I am lost for words, so lost in love, I am sweetly broken wholly surrender! In awe of the cross I must confess
How wondrous Your redeeming love, and How great is Your faithfulness!"

Enjoy! The lyrics are on the video. If you are broken today, call upon the Great Comforter, Jesus Christ!

Dad's Last Sunday......or his first?

This was a picture I took from the congregation of Centerburg United Methodist Church, in Centerburg, Ohio. My dad has been the pastor here for seven years or so, and has been a Methodist pastor for over 26 years. He has decided to "Hang up the Robe" so to speak.

After many days of prayerful wrestling with a decision approaching, he has decided to take a leave of absence. He states that he is concerned with how the upper hierarchy of the Methodist Church is operating and the direction they are heading. I was joined by several friends and family celebrating my father's last Sunday behind the pulpit. Sunday, May 24, was a day to remember.

I was doing play by play via Twitter.

"Today is my dad's last day preaching in a Methodist pulpit, pray that God will be glorified. Way to go Dad! U had a gr8 run!"

"Sittin thru my dad's last sunday, & I am amzd @ how God has moved thru my dad n his 26 yrs of mnstry. wht a srvnt of the Most High God!

Many people have requested audio as well as his sermon transcript, here are some of the quotes:

"By not saying yes 2 God 2day u cud b saying no 2 God 4 all eternity! 2morrow is never guaranteed!",

"If ur ministry is going to count, its going to cost! The ministry that counts the most, costs the most! Endure the suffering!",

My dad says, "People n church are more concerned abt the sermon length then the sermon depth." Ouch!

One of my favorite things Dad said on Sunday that shocked me was: He quoted a person from the Centerburg congregation saying, "Sorry Gary, we really put you through hell." And he agreed, "You did!" You could have heard a pin drop it was so quiet. The sad thing was he had 26 years of going through hell. You just wouldn't think suffering for Christ would come from inside the church walls.

My dad's call to ministry, and "Ministry Verse" came from 2 Timothy 4:1-5. It also was the passage of his final sermon. It says, "I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he appears to set up his Kingdom: 2 Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.

3 For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will reject the truth and chase after myths.

5 But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.

It was a great message, a great day, and a great God was glorified. I think my dad summed up an emotional day just beautifully on his Facebook page later Sunday night. He said and I quote,

"Giving thanks to God this evening for family and friends who helped to make this day so much easier for me...it may have been my last day to share God's Word in a United Methodist Church...but I'll be dog-gone if it's the last time I share God's Word!"

Praise be to God!

Dad, I have never been more proud of you than I am right now. The steps you have taken, and the way you have taken them, has been honorable and encouraging for a son of yours to observe. I know you are true to your word when you said, "I'll be dog-gone if it's the last time I share God's Word!" God bless you dad, and every step you take for Him this day forth! Love ya!

Worship Wednesday's....are turning into whoops (i forgot) wednesday's

God of This City
This is a great song, Chris Tomlin is not the original artist, that I know of, but he does a good job. This is a plea to God that He is not done moving supernaturally wherever we live. Through Him all things are possible (Phil. 4:13). Our (Acts 1:8) mission starts in our homes, and moves out to our streets and neighborhood, then moves across the city, and then eventually across the world. Lord, we plea that greater things are yet to be done on that street, in my village, in your town, in their city, and in our nation!

It all starts with hungry men and women of God asking, "Lord what do you want me to do RIGHT NOW, at this very moment for you?" Wake up every morning with your arms open wide to God saying, "I am yours, use me for your Kingdom today. Use me!" Let's take our schools, towns, cities, and our world back to God.




You're the God of this City/You're the King of these people/You're the Lord of this nation/You are/You're the Light in this darkness/You're the Hope to the hopeless You're the Peace to the restless/You are/There is no one like our God/There is no one like our God/[CHORUS]For greater things have yet to come/And greater things are still to be done in this City/Greater thing have yet to come/And greater things are still to be done in this City/There is no one like our God/There is no one like our God/[Chorus]For greater things have yet to come/And greater things are still to be done in this City/Greater things have yet to come/And greater things are still to be done here/There is no one like our god/There is no one like our God/[Chorus]Greater things have yet to come/And greater things are still to be done in this City/Greater things have yet to come/And greater things are still to be done here

Its not Wednesday, but... (I missed it this week!)

I first heard this song at a Grace Point Church youth purity event in Texas and the words consumed me. It still consumes me every time i hear it. Let God grip you today through worship. Give it all to Him, let Him consume you. All of you. Its not until then that you are really Living. When He consumes all of you is when Life Everlasting begins.
Lyrics are on the video...Just Worship Him!



The thing I love about doing Worship Wednesday's, is that I get to worship to the song I am blogging about for sometimes hours at a time. Now that is Consuming Worship! Get Lost in the vastness of God's Presence!