Mike Edmisten Follower of Jesus. Husband of Nicki. Father of Ryan & Brock. Communicator of the Word.

"I'm Praying About It"

If you are "praying" about what God has already clearly called you to do…you are living in disobedience. (Perry Noble)

It Has Happened Again

Yet another high profile pastor has been taken down because of sexual sin.  I'm not going to use his name or the name of his church here.  It's not hard to find if you're really that interested.  But honestly, naming names isn't important here on my blog.  My intent is not to pile on the embarassment and shame that this man and his family are already experiencing.

What is important is for everyone in church leadership to realize that purity and holiness matter.  This stuff isn't just church speak…nice words in a worship song or a sermon.  Personal purity and holiness are the only defense we have against Satan's attacks.

I read one blog about the aforementioned pastor, and the blogger made an excellent point.  This pastor didn't just wake up one day and fall into bed with a woman other than his wife.  There had to be compromises along the way.

In the realm of sexual purity, even the smallest compromise can have a damning effect. The road of small compromises eventually leads us to a place that we never thought we would be.

I guarantee that this pastor never dreamed that he would have an affair.  He never dreamed that he would be forced to resign from his ministry because of his sexual sin.  He never dreamed that he would put his wife and kids through the hell that they are now experiencing.  He never dreamed that he would ruin another woman's life because he had an extra-marital affair with her.

But the road of small compromises takes you to a place that you never thought you'd go.

All Christ-followers…and especially all church leaders…need to see this tragic situation as a sober reminder. Keep your guard up. Stay in step with God's Spirit.  Flee from sexual temptation.  Watch the details of your life.

Even the smallest compromise can wind up wrecking your entire life.

The Message vs. The Messenger

Great day at ACC yesterday!  Also a VERY different day.

We had several firsts yesterday.

Brian and I were both at church yesterday, but neither one of us served in our primary roles.

Instead of leading worship, Brian was on drums yesterday.  He was a "Phil fill in." Phil Prather, our amazing drummer, took a much needed day off yesterday.  Brian was on drums, and Josh Young took the worship leading role.  All involved did an incredible job. Our band rocked, just like always!

I didn't preach yesterday. I played a little acoustic guitar, which I don't do very often anymore.  But no preaching.  We took our first foray into the realm of video teaching yesterday.  Dave Ramsey preached an awesome message…on our screen.

In some churches, all these changes in one day would have created some waves.  I didn't hear a single negative comment the entire day…and I think I know why.

We have created a culture that values content instead of a particular personality. We know that the message is more important than the messenger.

Our church values worship.  As long as worship is rooted in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24), it doesn't matter who is leading.

Our church values the Word of God.  As long as the Word is preached passionately and faithfully, it doesn't who is preaching.

Yesterday reiterated a basic, but critically important truth.  The messenger is of little consequence.  The message is what matters.

Life. Money. Hope.

Man, I am pumped up about the new series that starts this Sunday at ACC…and I'm not even preaching it!

Starting this weekend, we will be listening to Dave Ramsey bring us the truth of God regarding our finances. He will be preaching three messages at ACC via video.

Everybody and their mother is talking/stressing/worrying/flipping out about the economy. Are you ready for some good news? You won't find it on the evening news. You will find it in the Word of God (it's no coincidence that the word "gospel" means "good news!").

Dave Ramsey is a world-famous author, speaker, radio and television host, etc. But above all that, he is a man of God. His message about money is super practical and thoroughly Biblical.

If you're stressing out about money, you need to be at ACC for this entire three week series. It all starts this Sunday!

Sports Camp Training Video

If you are volunteering at Sports Camp and were not able to attend the training on May 31, you can now view it online.

Please take some time to watch the video so that you will be up-to-date with everything that will be happening.

Check out the Sports Camp training video here.

Five Years Ago

Nicki and I had quite an experience five years ago today. That was the day when the doctor told us that Nicki's blood pressure was too high, the baby was not doing well, and he was going to perform an emergency C-section.

That was the day when I was sitting by my wife's side as the doctor surgically removed our son from the womb.

I vividly remember the hospital's NICU specialist carrying a very blue baby off to the side of the room. I remember them working feverishly, trying to get him to start breathing. I remember Nicki saying, "Mike, make him cry. Please just make him cry."

Then, I remember a beautiful sound. Our baby's first cry.

Ryan had a rough entry into the world five years ago. But you'd never know it today.

A few days ago, Ryan asked me, "Daddy, are you glad that you and mommy have me?"

Yes I am. More than you will ever know.

Happy birthday, buddy. Your daddy loves you very much.

Consider It Sacred

Say to the Israelites, 'This is to be my sacred anointing oil for the generations to come. Do not pour it on men's bodies and do not make any oil with the same formula. It is sacred, and you are to consider it sacred. Whoever makes perfume like it and whoever puts it on anyone other than a priest must be cut off from his people.' " (Exodus 30:31-33, NIV, bold mine)

God had instructed Moses about how to make the anointing oil. It contained many different fine spices that, when combined, would smell absolutely wonderful. God knew that there would be a great temptation for someone to copy his formula and mix up a batch of homemade perfume.

But God was very clear…taking his sacred formula and using it for common purposes was not going to be tolerated.

He told the Israelites, "It is sacred, and you are to consider it sacred."

When God declares that something is sacred, then we have to adjust our minds to His way of thinking. Even when our culture doesn't follow suit.

God has said that sex is a sacred gift reserved only for marriage (Hebrews 13). Our culture says that non-marital sex is perfectly normal and good. We must choose to listen to God. He has declared that it is sacred, and we must consider it sacred.

God has said that the local church is sacred. It is His bride, bought with His blood (Acts 20, Ephesians 5) . But many believers have distanced themselves from the church. Some have even declared that the church is outdated, irrelevant, and unnecessary. God has declared that the church is sacred, and we must adjust our minds accordingly.

God has declared that the gospel is sacred. The gospel declares that Jesus is the only hope we have (John 14, Ephesians 4, Acts 4). Many, if not most, Christians now believe that Jesus is one of many ways to God. God has declared that the gospel message of the death and resurrection of Christ is exclusive. It is sacred. And, regardless of what our pluralistic culture believes, we've got to follow the Word and the will of God.

It is sacred, and you are to consider it sacred. (Exodus 30:32b, NIV)

Town Hall on Hulu

Did you miss Dave Ramsey's Town Hall for Hope last month?

Great news!

You can watch the entire event for free on Hulu. Check it out.

Town Hall for Hope – Hulu

Dave really laid out a lot of good stuff explaining why our economy is where it is, what we can do, etc. I've been a fan of Dave for years, and much of this was new information for me.

And don't miss our three week series called Life. Money. Hope. featuring the aforementioned Dave Ramsey. It starts this Sunday!

His Will

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2, NIV)

This world is looking for lemmings. Culture wants conformity. But we are called to go against the flow; to stand against the culture; to be decidedly different.

It’s a transformation of our minds. When God transforms my mind, I can begin to know His will. The wording in this verse is critical. If my mind has been transformed, then I can “test and approve what God’s will is.”

Just because someone says, “God told me…” doesn’t mean that it’s true.

To bring it closer to home…just because I believe that “God told me…” doesn’t mean that it’s true. I have to test these so-called messages from God.

I have to ask questions like, "Does it square with Scripture? Does it mesh up to what I know about God and His character? Is it selfish or selfless?"

God’s will is “good, pleasing, and perfect.” Once something passes the test and my transformed mind “approves” it as the will of God, I should hold nothing back in the pursuit of it.

That can be scary. That can be dangerous.

God's will is “good, pleasing, and perfect.” One word is noticeably absent from that list…nowhere does it say that His will is “safe.”

More Link Love

I gave a little "link love" to Mark Batterson in my last post. This time, I'm turning things over to Steven Furtick. You've gotta read his latest post.

Roast Your Game – Steven Furtick

For what it's worth, there is a reason why I direct my readers to other blogs. And it's not so I can be lazy and not write something for myself. As a general rule, I have more blog posts in my mind than I have time to write or you have time to read.

I send you to other blogs because you need more than one voice speaking into your spiritual life. If you are an ACCer, then I am honored to be your pastor. But I am also convinced that you need to hear more voices than just mine.

These other bloggers/pastors have a different perspective than I do. They have different insights into God's Word than I do. They are able to speak truth into your life in ways that I never could.

I never post a link unless I think it is truly worth your time to click and read. And the links I've posted today definitely are worth it.