God is Good!

“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren,I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing [I do], forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:12-14

God is so good! First off, He allowed Ohio Christian University to schedule a week break during the exact date of my families move from Ohio to Texas, and now a devotional that hits home for us this very moment.

Our devotional this week states, “When we mean to do good, opposition abounds. But the Scriptures remind us to persevere, to press on toward the goal, toward the prize.”

This is what we are doing and living this very moment. On faith my family and I moved here jobless. Satan has been attacking us from every angle, hoping to derail us from the calling of God on our life. Knowing that God has called us here, we know full well that God will provide all our needs according to His riches in Glory (Philippians 4:19), and we know that He will give us our daily bread (Matthew 6:11) so that my family will not be forgotten, because My God even cares for the lilies of the field and the birds in the air (Matthew 6:26-28).

I also recognize that Satan has to get permission to attack (Job 1) but even in the trials I hold to Romans 8:28, “in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

"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.

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!

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!

Matthew West - Great Story of Recovery

Here is a good video of Matthew West's journey through recovery. Thanks Tom Roepke for the heads up!

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!

Happy Mothers Day

Moms are the best. They have given us so much of their time, love, and listening ear. Moms give up careers and sacrifice for the sake of the family many times. So to all the Mothers out there who have given so much of themselves...Happy Mothers Day! Here are a couple funny videos to enjoy on this great day.

Worship Wednesday's

Welcome back to Worship Wednesday's. I heard this song a while ago and fell in love with it immediately. Take it in, All we need is your love God. Enjoy!

Shawn McDonald

SHAWN MCDONALD
As I sit here and think/About all that You've done/About how You gave me Your one and only Son/And I'm trying to fathom/All that You are, but so far, Lord/You're so beyond me/I fall down in reverence/And I fall down in fear/And I'm asking You, Lord, won't You please draw near/Won't You open my eyes/So that I can see/The way that You are working in me/All I need is Your love/To come and fill this heart of mine/My heart is a desert that has gone dry/And I need Your love to carry me bye, bye, bye, bye, bye/To carry me bye, bye, bye, bye, bye/To carry me bye/And I lay down my life/And I put it before You/All that I am is in Your hands/And I'm not going to question, why You're so faithful/Why that You give me the blessing that You have/Let the glory be known, let the glory be shown/Lift You up unto the throne/You are my God, You are my King/To You I give, I give You everything/All that I need is Your love, my God

Thaddeus - "Oh Larry Boy"

This is my son's first recorded album! We bought this guitar in San Antonio, when we visited last, and he loves to play it. Two of his passions are displayed here, his love for the guitar and his love for VeggieTales!

This is my friends piano rendition of "Dare You To Move" by Switchfoot. Here are his comments: "My Piano arrangement of "Dare You To Move" by Switchfoot. I did this by ear. Hope you like it, I don't know if my stuff will stand out from all the others on here, but I'm putting it up anyways. Please comment, question, suggest, share, or favorite my video!! God Bless!"

What an amazing talent, and God uses him in so many areas. I am so proud to have gottent to know him more on Chrysalis Boys Flight #16 at Inspiration Hills! Good stuff man, keep it coming!

Revelation Song, sung by Kari Jobe, is a powerful worship song from the album "Glorious" by Christ For the Nations Institute. Here are the lyrics to worship along. I pray that the Spirit of God meets you where you are right now!

Worthy is the,
Lamb who was slain
Holy, Holy, is He
Sing a new song, to Him who sits on
Heaven's Mercy Seat
[Repeat 2x]

(Chorus)
Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come
With all creation I sing:
Praise to the King of Kings!
You are my everything,
And I will adore You…!
Yeah!

Clothed in rainbows, of living color
Flashes of lightning, rolls of thunder
Blessing and honor, strength and
Glory and power be
To You the Only Wise King,
Yeah

(Chorus)
Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come, yeah
With all creation I sing:
Praise to the King of Kings!
You are my everything,
And – I - will - adore You!
Yeah!

Filled with wonder,
Awestruck wonder
At the mention of Your Name
Jesus, Your Name is Power
Breath, and Living Water
Such a marvelous mystery
Yeah...

(Chorus)
Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come, yeah
With all creation I sing:
Praise to the King of Kings!
You are my everything,
And – I - will - adore You!

Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come,
With all creation I sing:
Praise to the King of Kings!
You are my everything,
And – I - will - adore YOU…

(Chorus) (Repeat at a cappella)

Come up lift up His Name
To the King of Kings…
We will adore YOU Lord…
King of heaven and earth
King Jesus, King Jesus
Aleluya, aleluya, aleluya!
Majesty, awestruck Honor
And Power and Strength and Dominion
To You Lord,
To the King, to King
To the King of Glory

(Singer: Kari Jobe)

Iron Sharpens Iron

Proverbs 27:17 says, "Iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens another."

I am so excited that I finally got to meet with an awesome man of God today.

We have been trying to meet for about 3 weeks now, I believe that Satan was adamant that he did not want us to meet. Finally in God's timing we had our first meeting, and it was so refreshing to sit and listen to a grown man pour out his life in front of me (and I in front of him) and then we poured into each other!

We were able to pray with each other, encourage each other, and just be real with one another! Man to man, with our Awesome God present, that is when true sharpening happens. We have decided to read through Into the Depths of God by Calvin Miller and extraordinary book, I highly recommend it to anyone that wants to learn to Grow deeper in their faith in Christ, because it is in the depths of God is where we find the True Treasure!

Ramblings from a friend....

I have a wonderful God-fearing friend that wrote from his heart the following, what God was revealing to him recently. I wanted to share them with my blogging buds, and hear what some of you think, especially the ones stressed out (at times) with being "culturally relevant." Please comment so we can have some discussion. At the start of the new year Intersection Church (a house church) will be launched!

RAMBLINGS FROM THAT GUY

I feel like that guy! You know that guy, the one that sticks out like a sore thumb, the one that is just a little bit different and doesn’t go along with the rest of the pack. Who am I? I am a 38 year old man being led by God to start a new church. Because of that calling, I have recently been reading books and magazine articles about ministries around the country and how innovative pastors are leading more and more un-churched people through the doors of their churches. These stories are usually well written, inspirational and insightful. However, I am confused. I am confused because my soul continues to be conflicted with each passing article.

First, I must say praise God that people who have never been to church before are now coming through the doors in many communities to hear the good news of Jesus. I know that this is a good thing (or should I say God thing). But I think I am going to spiritually vomit if I hear one more pastor or ministry leader write that our churches today need to be culturally relevant, that it is important to keep up with the changing times. Now, I am not trying to be difficult here or sound holier than thou but isn’t God already culturally relevant? Hasn’t he always been culturally relevant? And isn’t He the reason the church exists to begin with? I am told that I must continue to make my church attractive. You know, get them in the doors with contemporary music, video screens, pod-casting, etc. (culturally relevant). I am not against any of those things and I don’t think God is either But isn’t Christ attractive without any of those things? I am constantly told that I must compete with the world, use the things of the world if I am going to get people out of the world. Since when did Christ need to compete with anything or anybody? And what the world needs is not more of the world. They need something that is different, something that stands out, something that stands alone. They need Christ!

It seems as though our present day church culture takes the position of “get’em in the doors and we will get’em saved.” Now, I know that true Bible believing, vine abiding pastors and ministry leaders would never say this or truly believe this. But isn’t this in essence what is happening? I just wonder at what point did we give up on people; truly transformed Christ followers (you know people) to BE the church and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ wherever they are? Most everything I read these days is about being the church so we can invite unbelieving friends TO the church. As I hear it said, there they will be comfortable and accepted, you know the come as you are principle? I do believe that Jesus wants us to come to Him as we are but through what I call the Philip principle?

In John 1:43-46, Philip is called by Jesus to follow Him. Philip then goes and finds Nathanael to tell him that he has found the Messiah. Did Philip invite Nathanael to his church? No. He invites him to Jesus, to sit in the presence of Jesus himself! Philip found Jesus and he wanted Nathanael to find him as well. To my untrained mind (what little mind there is) it seems as though that same principle had applied for centuries throughout the Bible. People found God and then lived out a Godly faith life telling other people about the wonders of God and what He had done. God was enough! Supernaturally God brought them to faith where they surrendered to Him. But yet today, we say that the church must be culturally relevant to attract unbelievers. What about simply teaching the truth and holiness of God (the never changing truth and holiness of God) and allowing Him to bring them to Himself without church being their first stop?

I can guess what you might be thinking right now, “Oh that Greg is old fashioned, stuck in his ways and not a very innovative thinker.” I might even be called boring! But what I find so funny is that I only came to Christ eight years ago at the age of 30. I am not coming at this from the perspective of someone who grew up a Christian all my life and just stuck in my “all my life” Christian ways. I was attracted to Jesus because I saw Jesus being lived out in people around me every day. These people were different than the world and never hesitated to confront me with truth and the good news of Jesus Christ. They never invited me to church or brought me to church. They brought the church to me. They brought the living, breathing, active church (Jesus living inside each of them) right to where I was. Not the other way around. It wasn’t “come as you are.” It was “I will come where you are.” That is what changed me. And, I am convinced that because we don’t see people in our congregations actively doing this today, we have given up on them and have instead replaced them with a place, a building, a program, that can let them off the hook and do the work for them.

Now, the Holy Spirit has given me enough wisdom to understand that God can work in all ways, through all means necessary to reach the lost. And I understand that my salvation experience may not be the same for everyone. However, I am genuinely holy discontented that these well meaning, Christ following, called out pastors and ministry leaders have forgotten their first love and forgotten that it is all about Jesus. No gadgets, no gizmos, just Jesus (Jesus + NOTHING)! The place we meet and call church is a wonderful place to be. It is the place where we can come to be encouraged, taught, prodded, built up and then sent out to pursue Christ and those that don’t know Christ. But, I don’t believe that it was ever intended to be the place to invite our friends so they can get saved. This is Christ’s job working in and through us each day; the mobile church. These churches shouldn’t have to worry about being culturally relevant. If they are teaching Jesus and Him crucified and resurrected, they ARE culturally relevant. This message will always be relevant!

I know that many of you at this point have dismissed my ramblings as crazy talk from a guy that may be out of touch with modern society (that is if you have even finished reading to this point). But hey, I warned you at the beginning, I am that guy!

Greg Wukasch

Last weekend, my Pastor, my mentor, my Leader, my friend, and my golf buddy, announced to his staff and then to the congregation at New Hope (www.newhopewired.tv)
that he and his family after many tears, prayers, and wrestling with God, would be leaving what he originally thought was his mission (to reach, teach, this community and beyond to become passionate followers of Christ, in the small town he grew up in). Check out his comments here answering the call of obedience. But God has bigger plans.
Jeremiah 29:11 states: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Do you believe this? Can you stand firm on this and move your family from the security that God and you have built where you are? Would you be willing to step out in faith and pick up your tent like Abraham and go until the Lord says you have arrived to your new destination?

Praise God, that he is never done with us! He has plans for all of us beyond anything that we can comprehend. New Hope will be okay because what was established in in L-Ville, Wooster, Ashland, and our China campus, was a Kingdom focus, not a Charles focus. And Charles and his family will be okay, because they are leaning on the everlasting arms of our Father in heaven. So join with me and Praise God for a pastor who is being obedient to the call of God on his life. May his life be an example to our own. God Bless you Charles and your awesome family, and if God calls me to follow on with you, know that I am determined to be obedient as well! Love ya man!

Yesterday we give thanks....today we are inconsiderate jerks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQQsTyb7FLs


I am blown away by this video (A Wal-Mart worker after being trampled to death, with paramedics trying to resuscitate him), actually it makes me sick. Why on earth do people act like this for treasures on earth. The bible says in Matthew 6:19,

"Don't hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it's safe from moth and rust and burglars. It's obvious, isn't it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being (The Message)

This poor gentleman's family went from being thankful one day to traumatized the next, all because of the insanity for the next best sale and the attitude of "I don't care who I hurt, injure, rob from, as long as I get what I want."

Giving Thanks

I know that those who are unbelievers still have many things to be thankful for, but hear me out. For those who have been saved from eternal damnation are eternally thankful. In fact, I think that we as a Body of Believers should lead the way in showing our thanks for all that has been done for us.

Things I am thankful for:
- A sinner condemned to die a sinners death, saved by the Grace and Mercy of a Risen Savior!
- A wonderful wife, which God said she's the one, then I ran from that, but in His awesome plan reunited us as One Flesh!
- Two amazing boys, that daily challenge and bless me to no end! Its incredible how much love one body can withstand!
- An awesome church family (www.newhopewired.tv), and the opportunity to serve my Lord, so others can come to the knowledge of the saving Grace of Christ!
- To live in a country that allows all faiths to live together.
- The privilege to serve this great country in the current and past incentives. (www.airforce.com) and (www.goang.com)
- A chance to further my education at a great school (www.ohiochristian.edu)
- The chance to express opinions on a forum such as this...

and many more I am sure!

Happy Thanksgiving to all! Remember to give praise and THANKSGIVING in all things, such a small thing that pleases God so much.

Leave your comment on what you are thankful for!