Together We Fight - Day 2 Wisdom

Today our focus is on wisdom. James 1:5 says, “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.” The NIV says, “…who gives generously without finding fault.” I love the idea that God is looking, not to rebuke us, but to help us.

Take some time and meditate on the following scriptures: Proverbs 24:3-7; Nehemiah 2:4-8; Ephesians 5:15-17; Matthew 11:12; Psalm 111:10 

Prayer for Self: Lord, give me wisdom to understand Your ways for my life. I want to be receptive and obedient to your voice. 

Prayer for Centerpointe Church: Lord, give the pastors, deacons, leaders and workers your wisdom to guide the church in such a way that you are honored and glorified. 

Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. (Psalm 127:1)

Together We Fight - Day 1

This week we are creating additional space in our lives for prayer and fasting. We are in our fourth week in Nehemiah and we must stay sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. To help us be unified in our prayers, the prayer team of Centerpointe has put together a prayer guide along with scriptures to read.

Our focus today is humbling ourselves before the Lord. Joshua 3:5, says, “Then Joshua told the people, ‘Purify yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do great wonders among you.’”

Take some time to read and meditate on the following scriptures: Psalm 91; Galatians 5:24-26; 6:2; Nehemiah 4:20; and Ephesians 4:3-6.

Prayer for Self: Lord, I need the power of the Holy Spirit in my life. I humble myself before you. Examine my life and heart to see if there is anything I need to confess and make right with you and/or others.

Prayer for Centerpointe Church: Lord, cleanse us from anything that is keeping us from serving You and our community. Reveal to us the areas that are working against unity.

Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. (Psalm 127:1)

Ready the House - "Make It So"

I am excited about what God is doing at Centerpointe Church. Over the last two Sundays, I have shared the vision of “Ready the House”. God has uniquely and strategically placed CP in Fairfax to make an impact for Christ, and we are making the house ready for increase by:

 - Making our facilities as exciting as our people 

 - Enhancing and securing our children and youth areas 

 - Expanding our influence through media and technology 

 - Creating space for relationships and discipleship pathways 

 - Making necessary improvements 

 - Launching a second Sunday Morning Service

Each week, I have been asking strategic leaders if they are "all in". It's been incredible to see the excitement and hopeful expectation in their eyes. They know it will take prayer, work, unity, faith and extraordinary generosity, but each one has jumped on board enthusiastically. 

I love this church!

Keith 
 

 

The Mission of Centerpointe Church

Before a church can move forward, it must understand what God has called it to be. Yes, all churches should have the same values of Worship, Fellowship, Discipleship and Evangelism, but the expression of those things are unique to each church. Defining that unique mission is a place to start. It lays the foundation for ministry and brings clarity and focus. 

Discovering your mission is a matter of prayer, calling, giftedness and community awareness. It doesn't come by reading another church's website or attending another church growth seminar. There are no shortcuts.

Over the last year, Centerpointe Church has been seeking God's wisdom and direction. We now believe that he has given us direction. 

The Mission of Centerpointe Church is to be a Pentecostal church in Fairfax, Virginia, that brings the One Hope of Jesus Christ, with One Heart in unity, working with One Mission to change our community and impact the world. 

We believe God has strategically placed us in the center of Fairfax County for these reasons:

• To see MANY come to the saving grace of Jesus Christ and become his disciples
• To grow deep in our knowledge and passion for God and our love for others
• To grow broader in our outreach through compassion, evangelism and missions
• To impact the marketplace through leadership and influence
• To restore the beauty of the arts back to the Creator
• To bring healing, vitality and health to marriages and families
• To establish new churches and revitalize existing ones
• To raise up and release an army of trained pastors, missionaries and leaders

Of course, these are simply words on paper if there is no movement toward practical application. As Centerpointe Church moves forward, careful attention will be given to each area. 

May the Lord grant us favor as we follow Him. 

A Band of Brothers

I just spent the last three days with my band of brothers. Over the last ten years, we have met together for three days to tell our stories, have fun and pray. We talk about everything - and I mean everything. Every year, someone is walking through a personal challenge and we give them enough room to talk. We listen, ask questions, pray, read scripture and speak words of encouragement, which many times become prophetic. It's all in a safe, confidential environment. Last year I, and one of the other guys, was on the hot seat. It was a year of serious transition for me, and a family health issue for the other. One year later, each of the prophetic prayers over us were answered: I was led to Centerpointe Church and my friend's daughter was healed. Praise God for both!!  This was a year to celebrate.

This year we took a trip to see Mark Batterson, a friend and author of Circle Maker and pastor of National Community Church. What God has done in his life over the last 15 years is miraculous. We spent the rest of the day in D.C., walking, eating, and in serious laughter. Later, we returned to our hotel for another session of prayer. IT WAS AWESOME!

I give thanks for my band of brothers. I only wish that every man, especially every pastor had a group of other pastors that they could share their life with.

My Band of Brothers with Mark Batterson. What a Day!

Defining Reality Without Being Held Hostage

Part of leadership is defining the realities. Visionary leadership defines reality without being held hostage to it.
No one has to remind me that there are giants in the land and we look like grasshoppers in their sight, and no one has to remind me that the cost of growing a church is far greater than our abilities and resources. I know these things full well. I see the reports, the numbers, the deposits and the expenses.
No...what I need is:
A reminder of God's provision. I have too much history of God's provision to let one season of difficulty discourage me.
A reminder of God's power. Nothing is to difficult for Him.
A reminder of God's promises. They are "yes" and "amen."
A reminder of God's presence. If He is for us, no one can stand against us.
A reminder of God's Word - which reminds me of all those things I need to remember.
I know the realities, I see them clearly. What I need is to see God more closely.

Making A Resolution vs. Being Resolved

Saturday, at a men's breakfast, we discussed the difference between “making a resolution” and being “resolved.”Making a resolution has lost its meaning over the years because we have broken so many of them. It is now a throw away word creating short-sighted goals.

To be resolved is about character. For examples: 

• We should be people resolved to be a person after God’s own heart
• We should be people resolved to be a person of integrity
• We should be people resolved to be godly parents, leaders, friends, etc.

Being resolved sets up a belief system or value system which then gives our short-term goals have purpose and meaning. For Examples:

• I am resolved to be a man of The Word, therefore I will spend 5/15/30/60 minutes each day reading ad meditating on the Bible
•  I am resolved to be a Godly husband, therefore I will pray with my wife each day
• Centerpointe Church is resolved be a church of prayer and unity, therefore we will spend the first full week of the year fasting and praying
• Centerpointe Church is resolved to be a church where spiritual growth and authentic relationships happen, therefore we will create space for those things to happen (example physical space and calendar space)  

 

So don't simply make resolutions - be RESOLVED!

If Our Glory Days Are Behind Us, We Will Have A Dissapointing Future

I went to visit Martinsburg, West Virginia on Monday to the place where I pastored for eight years. I met with two of my previous staff who are still good friends. I was able to go inside and stand behind the pulpit again while all of the memories came flooding in. This is a place where I was desperate for God to help us because I had no idea of what I was doing. I remember weeping at the front of the church early in the mornings and late at night. I remember repenting for the sins of the church and calling out to God for a fresh move of His Spirit. I remember going to the top of the property where it looks down on the church building and seeking God’s vision, favor and wisdom. I certainly remember the difficult moments, but the memories of God’s presence and work overshadow all of them. This is a place where God showed up. 

I don’t share this because I want to go back there. I share it because it is a place where God met me and changed me. It is a place where we saw many people came to Christ and were filled with the Spirit. It is a place where people came together to work for the cause of Christ.

Did we make mistakes – oh yea!
Did we offend some – oh yea!
Did we have all the answers – oh no!

But I thank God for those desperate moments. It was a faith season in my life and I am now moving into another challenging one, which is much greater than the past. 

If our glory days are behind us, we will have a disappointing future.

I can see just a fraction of what God wants for Centerpointe Church, but I do know it is going to be exceedingly, abundantly more than I can ask or imagine. 

The Circle Maker

I just finished Mark Batterson's book, "The Circle Maker." It is one of the best books I have read that connects vision and dreams with prayer. We are now reading it together as a family and praying circles around each other, believing God for the miraculous. 


For nine months now, I have believed God wants to do great things in the life of Centerpointe Church. I believe He wants to do greater things than we have asked or imagined. My prayer is that He uses us to proclaim the name of Jesus and declare Him King of Kings and Lord of Lords. My prayers are large - at least I thought they were. 


This week, I am convicted by the thought that my prayers are too small. 


I pray that God will do something at Centerpointe so big that there is no way we could take the credit.


As Brittany's friend, Jen, said to me yesterday - "Go big or go home."

Merry Christmas From the Edwards' Family

Merry Christmas To All!

A New Blogger in the Family

Now my third daughter, Kristi, is blogging. You can read it at  http://journeyofrediscoveringlove.tumblr.com.

Now that Kristi and Stephanie are blogging, I am a little intimidated. They both put their thoughts in writing so well; I'm not sure I can keep up.

Anyway... I am very proud of both of them.

Yes, I am most happy to be called a Son by God, but I am also thrilled to be called "Dad" by four beautiful young ladies.

He calls me "Son."

I am reading in Galatians, which says, “But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.”
(4:4–7 NIV)

I can't help but think how wonderful it is to be called "Son."

My mom calls me Son. There is no doubt in that relationship. I don't have to guess where I stand in her eyes. My uncles would on occasion call me Son, and although I knew I wasn't really their son, I somehow felt received, valued and wanted.

God calls me Son.

I am not on the outside looking in wishing to have a place. I am on the inside, enjoying the privileges of sonship.

"Son" - I like it.

What's in a Name? Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace

Isaiah 9:6–7 (NLT-SE)

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!

 

Saturday, I watched the Republican debates. I have to tell you, the situation in the current political landscape looks dismal. You listen to conservative media and you would think that Obama is the Anti-Christ. You listen to liberal media and you think that conservatives are uncaring extreme capitalist. Each party works hard to demonize the other.

When you watch the debates, it’s amazing to me how each candidate presents himself/herself as the perfect candidate, able to answer any question that is thrown at them. We are creating an expectation that no one person can live up to.

Haiti and Convoy of Hope

Last week I had the opportunity to travel to Haiti to see the work of Convoy of Hope, a compassion organization with a driving passion to feed the world.

On January 12, 2010, "the worst earthquake in 200 years - 7.0 in magnitude - struck less than ten miles from the Caribbean city of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The initial quake was later followed by twelve aftershocks greater than magnitude 5.0. Structures of all kinds were damaged or collapsed, from shantytown homes to national landmarks" (Earthquake in Haiti). 250,000 people died without warning. Tens of thousands were buried in mass graves without identification.  The numbers are staggering and hard to comprehend. Nineteen months later, the cleanup is still going on. With Haiti being the poorest country in our hemisphere, the need for food, water and shelter is overwhelming. 

Convoy of Hope is one of many Christian based organizations that responded quickly and continually. In God's providence, before the earthquake, Convoy had obtained a warehouse, stocked it full of food and was able to respond immediately to the catastrophe. Hundreds of thousands of people received help and care. 

We distribute food through Christian schools, churches and orphanages around the world.

And Convoy is still there disturbing food and providing clean water to over 55,000 people each day through Christian schools, churches and orphanages. While there, I got to meet and play with some of the children who are being cared for. Their hearts are filled with gratitude and love.  

Haiti is only one of the many countries that Convoy is in. As of today, they are feeding 131,000 people a day around the world, along with many other compassion projects they are involved in.

Centerpointe Church is proud to be one of the financial supporters of Convoy. Whether it is a response to a natural disaster, or giving to One Day to Feed the World, we know that our giving is used to help others in need. 

You can find pictures of my experience at Missions Trip to Haiti 2011. 

Jesus said, “And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded” (Matthew 10:42 NLT-SE). No wonder Convoy is experiencing the favor of God and many open doors. They are offering many, many cups of water in the name of Jesus.

Peace I Can Live With - The Journey Begins

Over the past three weeks the theme of the sermons at Centerpointe have revolved around peace: “Peace I Can Live With.” You can listen to the messages at www.centerpointechurch.com.

The messages are based out of the passage found in Philippians 4:4-9 with an emphasis on the words, “Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.”

These are not just messages studied, but also lived. I’ve been thinking about this passage for over ten years now, ever since my daughter, Stephanie who was ten at the time, was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. It was a dark year for us, but God brought us through and eventually healed her.

Over the years my wife, Esther, and I have watched many walk through the “valley of the shadow of death.” One church I had the privilege of pastoring for eight years sat next door to a hospital, and every day I was reminded that there are people in pain, looking for peace.

I have also watched people try to console those going through pain as though they knew the issue would be resolved by tomorrow. I stood next to many coffins and heard many comments about how things were going to be fine: well-meaning thoughts but careless words.

God’s Word tells us that peace is possible, even in the toughest moments. This I know to be true.

Everyone goes through storms and each storm is significant for the person going through it. There are relationship storms, financial storms, health storms, occupational storms, etc. Sometimes the storms are momentary and sometimes they last for a very long time.

Over the last decade I have discovered that peace is not the absence of trouble, but the presence of God while we are going through our trouble.

I have also learned that peace is not the same as ecstasy, or temporary experiences that make us feel good for the moment, but an inner stability and assurance that reminds us that God is in control.

More than these lessons, I have learned that real peace only comes when we get to know the Prince of Peace – Jesus. He is the one who has complete authority over the peace we can experience.

Isaiah 26:3-4 says, “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord is the Rock eternal" (NIV).

So I am now putting in writing my thoughts, studies, conversations, experiences and messages about this subject. My prayer is that it makes a difference.

Stay Tuned.

One Day My Name Will Scroll

As I sit in silence watching the names of ministers who went home to be with our Lord over the last two years, I am filled with gratitude and respect. I am thankful for all who have gone before me. Their lives have blazed pathways for the Gospel to be shared. I know only a few by name, but I connect with their calling and I am moved by their commitment.

One day my name will scroll with many others.

It will be listed under the heading of the Potomac District, God willing.

It will not be in bold, or highlighted, as if to say, “he achieved more;” neither will there be an asterisk beside it as if to say, “he cheated.”

It will be listed equally among the faithful – fellow pastors, missionaries, teachers and friends.

As the music plays and the names appear, most of those who are viewing won’t even notice or recognize my name amongst so many. They are watching for another.

But I pray there will be some who say, “That man was a Godly man, a faithful man, one that loved God and cared for people.” I pray there will be others who say, “He made a difference in my life,” or “he introduced me to Jesus,” or “he stood with me.”

Most of all, I pray they will say, “When I saw him, I saw Jesus.”

Happy Birthday Mom!

 

Happy Birthday Mom! I love you. I am proud to be your son. You have taught me many things like:
1. How to treat my wife with love and respect
2. How to pray in the morning for my kids
3. How to let others know they are valued
4. How to pray and give to missionaries
5. How to love the Body of Christ no matter what
6. How to keep a smile through adversity
7. How to relax and depend on God
8. How to read and apply the Word of God to my life - "Godliness with contentment is great gain."
9. How to look beyond today and look toward a great future.
10. What unconditional love looks like.

Etc. Etc. Etc.

I Want To Be a Part of Somebody Else's Story

This is my prayer for Centerpointe Church, 

Fairfax and Northern Virginia:

There's an App for That!

Sunday I preached a message titled, "There's an App for That!" There are now over 450,000 apps for smart phone users, but here are some apps that have yet to be developed: 

1. When someone cuts you off in traffic or cuts in front of you at the grocery store - you press an app and they go back 10 spaces.
2. When you are taking a final exam - you press an app and you remember everything you study. Better yet, it takes the exam for you.
3. When you are about to say the wrong thing to your wife - the app stops you in mid-sentence and changes the words. For example, your wife asks you how the meal was and you are about to say, "It's ok I guess." The app stops you and speaks for you saying, "Wow, I'm so glad we stayed home to eat, I could not have imagined a better meal today, and here, let me clean up for you."
4. When you are bored of the person you are talking to, or they are annoying you - you press the app and the person disappears and someone else reappears.
5. When you have too much to do and you want to go fishing - you press the app and it clones you.
6. When you are feeling tired and lazy - there is an exercise app. It does the exercises for you while you eat ice cream.

What app would you like to have invented?

We're Still Havin' Fun.

Twenty-three years ago, Esther and I made a covenant to each other before God and a lot of friends. We promised to stay together "for better or worse, till death do us part."

It's been a great journey together. We are currently on our eighth move and have four beautiful daughters that each love God and are serving Him. As I am writing, Brittany and Kristi are both in Costa Rica on a missions trip.

We have experienced wonderful seasons of ministry and have made tremendous friends along the way. We have seen God work in us and through us. We can't imagine doing anything else other than pastoring. Yes, we are truly blessed.

Although we have had a great history, we truly believe that the best is yet to come. We are new pastors at a growing church in Fairfax, Virginia: Centerpointe Church at Fair Oaks, and serving with a great leadership team.

To all of our friends, we say thank you for your investment in our lives. You mean more to us than you can imagine. Our lives are rich and full.