Preparing for a New Season

Well Saints,

We are approaching a new decade, a new season and a fresh start in 2011. Time to recycle and de-clutter our spiritually lives while stream-lining our day-to-day processes. It's time to clean up our homes and rid them from debris and items that are sitting around taking up space. Time to salvage belongings that collect dust; instead, use them for the purpose in which we possessed them. Give something away to a person that may be in need. Share your blessings and resources because as you give, you will also receive...but...make it good. Remember, you reap what you sow...

It's time to set practical goals and create a much needed to-do-list in order to better prepare for our journeys ahead. It's time to reflect on how we've grown and not regret where we are not. None of us have truly "arrived" yet but it's always good to press toward where we are trying to go, and pre-plan on how to get there, as we seek God's guidance for an expected end.

As we look back on this decade, we've experienced and witnessed wars, catastrophes without explanation, and elected our first bi-racial US President (that we know of). We've lost loved ones and friends but, all is not lost because we have hope. As we move into this season of era and newness, set aside some time [each day] to visit more with God. Seek the Lord like you've never sought Him before. Love on your spouses and children (for real),but as a Christ-leader. Live in your own happiness and refrain from living vicariously through others. Find yourself a true heart-love and stop falling for a carnal love that is unhealthy for you. YOU DESERVE BETTER so demand better!!!

Look closely at your current status and seek to build something good from where you are. Pray and trust that God will answer you according to your heart's motive and not your mind's message. (It's not what you think you want but what God knows you need). Believe that ALL things are possible with Christ and that NOTHING is too hard for God.

God willing, and we all reach this New Year of 2011, I pray that we celebrate in Christ and become a new creature, being born all over again. Let us remember our past, not as a regret, but as a lesson. And as we all anticipate brighter days to come, let us thank God for seeing us through another year.

May the Lord watch over us [His children] and aide us in caring for our families as we walk into new mercies of unexpected promises and unmerited favor, as God's will is done in our lives. Never forget that our future is secure in Him. Happy New Year!!!

- Pastor D

Reaching Beyond the Walls...

Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same
measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. Luke 6:38 (KJV)

Our church recently visited the Union Gospel Mission in Dallas Texas. We enjoyed an evening of service by serving the children of God who happen to be in between their blessings. These men were "homeless" and [to me] this equates to "not having their "own" residence to call home." These men rely on the assistance of the UGM to aid them in food, shelter and education. I learned a valuable reminder that these guys could be any of us...no one is exempt from hard times. The one thing that brought me solace was, SOMEONE was there to lend a helping hand.

The UGM is there to lend a "helping" hand and not a hand out. In this lesson on today, the rewards of giving to the poor and needy can be endless.

Christian charity is wonderful to practice and we whom give liberally, will draw other liberal givers to help us when we get stuck. God will always send us some help! A person who is kind to the poor will draw others who are ready to help.

I believe that God will draw divine givers to help our church too!

Without the spirit of giving, division and discord takes over; injury develops then anger follows and laughter ceases; vengeance and dissolution runs ramped then confusion becomes the new faith....we disconnect and are often spiritually destroyed from discontentment.

God is telling us that when we give liberally, we will obtain abundance according to His good measures.... Remember He loves a cheerful giver.... 2 Corinthians 9:7 The Lord is our Shepherd and we shall not be in need....

Be blessed in this season of Christ-mas!

- Pastor D

Get To Know God...All Over Again...

My soul, wait in silence for God alone, for my expectation is from him.
Psalm 62:5 (WEB)

The only way to know someone is to spend time with them. The only way to discern the voice of another is to hear their voice often. David understood the principle of connecting with God. He connect with God's love, renewed his trust in Him, and heard directions for his life. Shouldn't you and I do the same?

Will you wait silently on God or will you kick up dust only to find yourselves covered in soot instead of clothed in His promises? Do you expect anything from God?
Aren't you ready to know the One whom created you? Well, wait on Him and you won't miss your opportunity to really fall in love...over and over again!

- Pastor

Increase of Grace

"...But where sin increased, grace increased all the more"
Romans 5:20 (NIV)

So many people today live in guilt and condemnation over their past mistakes and wrongdoings. They have this attitude that they are too far gone or they’ve made too many mistakes. They think that if they walk into church, the roof will cave in. Friend, if that’s you, nothing could be further from the truth! It doesn’t matter what you’ve done, it doesn’t matter where you’ve been; God’s grace is enough. Scripture says that we are saved “by faith through grace.” Grace is His unmerited favor upon you. You can’t earn it no matter how “good” you act, but He’s offering it to you as a free gift. His grace is what empowers you to change and live the life He’s called you to.

Today, don’t live another minute in regret, condemnation, heaviness or despair. Receive His grace. It’s as easy as opening your heart and inviting Him to change your life. Remember, there’s nothing you could ever do that His grace can’t bring you through. So open your heart to Him and receive it today! "Remember, don't sin just to receive the grace but know that WHEN you sin, ask forgivness and refrain from THAT sin again. God's grace will take hold of that sin and wash it away then you'll begin again, with a clean slate of Promise."

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father God, thank You for Your grace upon my life. Thank You for receiving me no matter what I’ve done. I receive Your love and forgiveness. I commit life to You today and all my numbered days, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Thank you Dina for today's devotion!

- Pastor D

Traps or Facts - Whose Report Will You Believe?

Romans 13:6

This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing.

The Bible states that hostile questioners tried to trap Jesus into taking an explicit and dangerous stand on whether Jews should or should not pay taxes to the Roman occupation. They anticipated that Jesus would oppose the tax, for Luke’s Gospels explains their purpose was “to hand him over to the power and authority of the governor.”[3] The governor was Pilate, and he was the man responsible for the collecting of Rome's taxes in Judea.

At first the questioners flattered Jesus by praising his integrity, impartiality and devotion to truth. Then they asked him whether or not it is right for Jews to pay the taxes demanded by Caesar.

In the gospel of Mark, the additional, truly provocative question is asked, "Should we pay or shouldn't we?" [4] Jesus first called them hypocrites, and then asked one of them to produce a Roman coin that would be suitable for paying Caesar’s tax. One of them showed him a Roman coin, and he asked them whose name and inscription were on it. They answered, “Caesar’s,” and he responded “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and give to God what is God’s.” His interrogators were flummoxed by this authoritative (though ambiguous) answer and left disappointed.

This is what happens when we [humankind] fail to place our trust and hope in God, our Father, our Creator. When something doesn't go our way, we "immediately" switch sides and go with what "sounds" good.

When in doubt about what to do or how to respond, reference these scriptures:
Psalm 24:1
Exodus 9:29
Deuteronomy 10:14
1 Samuel 2:8
Nehemiah 9:6

Romans 13:1-7 (KJV)
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

2Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

3For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

4For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

5Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 6For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.

7Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
Whose report will you belieive...???...God's or humankind's???

Now, to switch gears a bit: I typically try to remain neutral when it comes to politics but sometimes you have to express conerns and step into "another realm of ministry." Americans: We need to respect our current President a little better. This is downright embarassing! The man is only human - he is NOT God!

Bad-mouthing and riduculing him only adds to the many challenges that he already has to face. Do I agree with EVERY decision that any politician concludes? Absolutely NOT! No one agrees with EVERYTHING! If that were the case, we wouldn't need lawyers,right!

If we fail to offer solutions, then consider yourselves to be a part of the problem. I have found that it's best to be quiet about certain matters in order to reduce the flames. Excercise your right to VOTE and clearly express your convictions instead of blasting the President of the US-A. If you didn't VOTE - then please be QUIET!!! Don't complain if you fail to excercise your freedom to vote. Find a way to make positive change! VOTE!

Sure we are all in this struggle together but we did not get into this mess overnight; and it's not going to be resolved overnight either. It's just like anything else...it takes TIME! Everthing is made beautiful in its time so, let's take the time and make that happen. But, it's going to take ALL of US-A to make that happen and not just ONE man - but all of Ameri-humi-cans.

Will we ever all agree - NO --but, we can all agree on one thing - this economy could use some improvement. But, everyone is NOT struggling because WE (Americans) are steady building, spending, inventing, shopping, attending championship games (Super Bowl, World Series...etc). The sports stadiums are full on Sundays and Monday nights, etc. - so are we really that bad off??? I don't think so...

Let's give ALL of our gov't a chance to change (Dems, Reps and Inds) but give it time. Patience IS truly a virtue. We can't always believe everything we see or hear BUT we can trust that our Creator God, will only allow so much foolishness to go on - then He steps in and corrects, rebukes, reproves then He RESTORES!

Having a strong gov't is good. We need certain laws that help to better govern us. My thought has always been -- "the laws are really made for the law-less" and God is allowing some law-less folks to be in a power but God allows them a certain level of power to get our attention. Does God have YOUR attention yet? God's people need to WAKE UP! We have been asleep for TOO long. We've forgotten about God because now we've arrived. We have NOT arrived because we are still divided!

God is trying to tell us that HE is STILL in control - regardless of what "OTHERS" may think and regardless of who is in charge. Our days [here on earth] are numbered; our earthly lives are finite but eternal lives will live with God [if you have accepted His Son].

No one man or woman controls everything - only what GOD allows.
Some of us are too focused on temporal matters instead of eternal interests. Build Your Hopes on Things Eternal! Philippeans 3:21


- Pastor

Stop the Hate!

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Romans 13:1

Bashing our leaders does not solve the problem. When you pray against or speak ill of someone you dislike or disagree with, just look closer in the mirror and ask??...am I reaping or sowing??? What am I sowing and what will I reap??? Good or evil? I pray the former for all of us.

As long as I've followed politics, the 'game' has not changed; only the players. Each person is responsible for making sure their part is done and aid in amending the internal affairs of this great nation. We each must be responsible enough to make the best choice for the good of ALL people and not just a "poli-party" or group. And eventhough we most often agree to disagree, we can still seek for change in this country, which makes it a whole lot easier to help each other.

We are ALL Americans - regardless of race, creed or need. We ALL need to play a role in making this country a greater nation in which we live. When we do, we can some-what heal from "learned hurts" of the past, and are able to heed our earthly callings.

Remember, the REAL change begins with Y-O-U! Without U, there is no US-A!

"We can't stand as a nation unless we unite as a people." Will YOU be willing to unite and stand (strong) or remain divided and fall with a mighty crash!?!?!?

God bless all of God's Children!!!

- Pastor

Monday Morning Humor

"Jesus Knows You're Here"

A burglar broke into a house one night. He shined his flashlight around, looking for valuables when a voice in the dark said, 'Jesus knows you're here.'

He nearly jumped out of his skin, clicked his flashlight off, and froze. When he heard nothing more, after a bit, he shook his head and continued.

Just as he pulled the stereo out so he could disconnect the wires, clear as a bell he heard 'Jesus is watching you.'

Freaked out, he shined his light around frantically, looking
for the source of the voice.
.....................................................................................
Finally, in the corner of the room, his flashlight beam came to
rest on a parrot.

'Did you say that?' he hissed at the parrot. 'Yep', the parrot confessed, then squawked, 'I'm just trying to warn you that he is watching you.'
The burglar relaxed. 'Warn me, huh? Who in the world are you ?' 'Moses,' replied the bird. 'Moses?' the burglar laughed. 'What kind of people would name a bird Moses?' 'The kind of people that would name a Rottweiler Jesus.'

Don't mess with God's kids...cause Jesus the Rottweiler will get you!!!!!

Touch ye not my anointed: and do no evil to my prophets. Ps. 105:15 (DRB)

Tired of Church Folks....but Hungry for God???

Join Church of the Solid Rock for its 3rd Annual Fall Revival!

October 21-23, 2010 @ 7pm nightly

October 24 @ 11am

The "Shepherd's Dream Team"

will be bringing down the HOUSE!!!!

This is an AWEsome group of preachers but....

you have to peek in, check us out, and see

who's coming to the STAGE for Christ!

Meet us at the Resource Center Dallas (Rainbow Room)

for some Powerful....

Spirit-filled....

Foot-tapping....

Hand-clapping....

Joyful-noise-shouting....

and....

Get-your-run-on worship!!!

Don't miss a single moment....

Show up and DARE to be blessed!!!

Happy Friday!

Enjoy your Friday and have a safe weekend!

Morning Prayer

Good morning Lord, Maker of the heavens and earth,

Thank you for this day. Thank You for a restful night and for my rising this morning, clothed in my Right mind! Thank you for the replenished favor! Thank You for the love You've shown me and Your children here on earth. Thank You Jesus for teaching us how to prayer - "Our Father." Thank You God for dwelling in the Holy Seat and capturing the very essence of our prayers. How can there be any other Name above Yours to call on? Your name is above ALL names; we honor and we call on Yahweh this day! This IS the day that You have made. This is a day we've never seen this one before and we Thank You for allowing us to see it! Thank You for protecting us [Your children] Lord, and may Your shield continue to surround us with that protection until we depart from this earth-world and enter into Your dwelling in Heaven.

Lord today, I ask nothing too difficult of You because You CAN do all things BUT fail! And so today Lord, I ask Your continued blessings upon us, Your children. I ask that You keep Your Mighty Hands on us! I ask that You continue to cover us with the Blood of Jesus! I ask that Your Blood will cover our door posts. I pray that Your Spirit will remain with us. I pray that Your Promises will continue in us!

Lord, help us to recognize that none are perfect and that as humans we will err; Lord, help us to refrain from those subtle sins that can creep in and slowly poison our souls and spirits; our heart and minds. Our lives are in constant danger but as long as we have You in our corner, why should we fear any human- for in Your Word You have taught us that You are our Helper so what can any human do to us, Your children??? Hebrews 13:6 I know that NOTHING happens out of Your will so I ask Lord that what-ever YOUR will is for our lives, let that be done in Jesus' name!

Help us to avoid subtle idolatry that creep in and become entrainment for Your children. Help us Lord to avoid embracing anything that might give Your children false hope. Jer 14:14

Lord, teach those who might not have much hope, to hope in You Lord.

You have taught us in Your Word not to be impressed by witchcraft and sorcery. 2 Chr 33:6

The Enemy has repackaged sin to make those evil things appealing to the carnal eye as well as keep us entertained when we're bored with the monotony of life. Help us Lord to know that ALL supernatural powers come from YOU and You alone. Help us Lord God to know that YOUR Power is made perfect during our times of weakness and that YOU along can revive a dying soul and save one too! YOU alone are Holy and Righteous enough to do good at all times. You along, oh God is Sovereign and we have NO power without You - so we ask You to give us POWER over a powerless situation. We ask You Lord to give us courage when we have been discouraged. We ask You Lord to help Christians stand their ground in a sinful world, not giving in to temptation but yielding to Your will for our lives. We ask you Lord to help us keep our lives pure and to keep us from stumbling around in the dark.

Yahweh, help us to walk in Your will. Help us to walk in Your way. Show us The Way. Teach us how to understand Your Word more clearer so that we may follow it, finding NO excuses for not knowing it.

Lord, help us to know that no human being can do anything successful unless You ordain it. And if You do not ordain it, it will not be so. Lord God, help us to understand that real success is knowing who Jesus is, in the pardoning of sin. Our greatest victory is in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. And our ultimate goal should be to one day be with YOU in Paradise. Not to impress our families, friends or foes. Not to chase our tails or be chased by false dreams. Not to live like the Devil during the week then have the nerve to praise God on Sundays. Help us Lord to REAL with one another. Help us Lord to be true to one another. Keep us from selfish gain! Keep us from hurting others that need HELP! Keep people from bath-mouthing Your children Lord! Keep us from all evil and strife. Keep it away from us too, in Jesus name.

As children of the Cross, we seek and search for direction from You Lord. Guide our steps. Direct our paths to GREATNESS! As children of the Cross, we want to be more like You Lord. As faithful servants, we want to receive our reward in Heaven Lord; so we ask You to help us stay on the right track and remain in YOUR will; not our own will but Thine will be done! Help us to lean and depend MORE on YOU God.

Lord, there is so much chaos and confusion going on in today's world but it's just a SIGN of the times. Lord, I can only imagine how tired You are of all the foolishness that people love to engage in. Lord, You must be tired of the HATE that people love to practice - when You Lord have taught us to LOVE one another such as Jesus loved us. You've taught us to hate what is evil and love what is good but today's earth-world hate was is good and love what is evil. Help us to detox and cleanse our spirits from all the gunk build-up. We have been constipated with so many worldly things until we can seem to find room for Spiritual things. Lord, help us to get back to The Good Book and follow the healthy, hopeful and faithful guidelines. Help us to love the sinner but hate the the sinful nature of them that practice sin. We know that everything is permissible but not everything edifies. 1 Cor 10:23 We want to do everything for the good of others not for selfish and empty motives to please ourselves. Help us Lord. Help us Lord to please and serve YOU!!!

Thank You Lord for showing me who is real about You and who is NOT real about You. Thank You for me true and faithful family and friends. Thank You for pruning me. Thank You for manicuring my temple. Thank You for allowing me to blossom in love and faith.

Thank you for teaching and training me to recognize the false prophets [thus far] that are in this earth-world. Mat 7:22-23

Thank You Lord for teaching me how to test "every spirit" 1 Jn 4:1

I ask you Lord, in the name of Jesus, that You continue to cover me and my Christian families in these days of evil; and to continue Your protection and blessings in, over and through our lives. Thank You Lord for Church of the Solid Rock and its members. Thank You Lord for shielding me and my faith family from the wiles of the Enemy! Thank You for spiritual growth. Thank You for the Word and Praise that goes forth each week in love and dunamis power! We thank You Lord [in advance] for what you're getting ready to do in us. Thank You for increase. Thank You for Divine favor! Thank You for Divine connections! Thank You for Divine Help! Thank You [in advance] for a dedicated, sold-out-for-Jesus, "called", divinely connected, Minister of Music!

Thank You Lord! Thank You Lord! Thank You Lord!!!

We thank You Lord on "credit" that You will do what You've promised in Your Word. We thank You for answering our petitions, according to Your will, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Lord God, Maker of Heaven and earth; Creator of ALL things, take captive this complete prayer and cover it, shield it, honor it, attend to it as it reaches YOU, standing firm on the authority of Jesus, in the name of Jesus, Amen.

Gospel Legends - You Can't Beat God Giving

Good Morning Prayer

Good Morning Lord,

Thank you for waking us up this morning, to face a new day of hope and promise. Thank you for allowing us another chance to live life for You. Thank you for being God and Lord over our lives and in our homes. Thank you for every perfect gift that you have given to us, to use for Your glory. I pray that we use our gifts responsibly and willingly for YOU!

Thank you for seeing us through another Monday because we know that Monday's can be challenging, especially with all the traffic and careless drivers on the road. Thank you for keeping us safe on the freeway, tolls, highways, roads and streets. Thank you for getting us safely to our destinations each day. Thank you for protecting our homes each day. Thank you for providing those of us with a place of employment; and for those who are without employment God, I pray that you supply all their needs as you have promised in Your Word. Philippians 4:19 Help them to hold on because Help is on the way....be it a new place of employment or a new business venture that you have called forth in this season.

Lord, be with the families this week. Keep us on one accord in Christ. Help us to be kind and understanding to each other. Help us to not get so angry and lose our tempers or harm one another by thought, word or deed. Keep the families safe this week Lord. Cover our households with the blood of Christ so that the angel of confusion (Satan) will pass on by because he'll see the blood of Christ that covers us. WE know that the Enemy can't go through The Blood!

Lord, as we move through this week, help us to be and do our best; to show love for one another as you have loved us; to pardon one another as you have pardoned us; to give grace to one another as you have given to us and to correct one another in righteousness if we see another Christian going astray; or a lost sheep that's been put out to pasture, only to be slaughtered by the Enemy; Lord help us introduce them to Christ so that they can be saved like us. Lord, help us to be the best Christians we can be and to serve one another in the spirit of excellence and truth.

Lord, be with us this day; and as we enter our workplace, help us to be more helpful and be a better team player than we were yesterday. Help us to display extra-ordinary patience toward our co-workers, especially those that may be obstinate in nature or appear to be less friendlier than us. Help US to smile so we can pass it on to someone with a frown. Lord, as we enter the buildings where we work, help us to greet one another in the elevator, even if we work on different floors or for different companies. Be with us Lord, as we do our best, with the skills we've been given, and to complete our tasks as we operate in the Light of Christ. This prayer we lift up to You, as we ask in Jesus' name, Amen.

- Pastor

GOD DID IT

God will do it -- Oh yes He will! Just try him and see won't He do it! Praise God! Praise Him!

- Pastor

Deceit Destroys Relationships

Leviticus 6:1-7 (NIV)

Some people live as though God doesn't exist; as if He never has given His Word and as if they can do or say anything without consequences. Choices vs. Consequences...

Alas, even some believers act this way but God makes it clear that our relationship with Him should be the focus of our lives and not for the folly of others. Once we really focus on God, that will change our entire outlook on how we live before God and others. This new mindset will transform our thinking and actions --our goals and standards -- our motives and priorities. The new creature puts away old things...II Corinthians 5:17

The Bible tells us that God's people represent Him (and not just on Sundays). That means, we need to be trustworthy, always keeping our word (let your yes be yes....) and being as honest as possible (I know this is hard when you're trying to be someone else). Sadly, some people don't understand these truths. The feel justified in resorting to deception; saying or doing what they need to gain the advantage -- even as far as deliberately LYING to look good. Some are willing to ignore or even violate God's Word if they feel this would bring them gain or benefit(s).

What is the basis for this kind of deceit? It stems from sin in our hearts for we have acted unfaithfully against our Lord. It's what's in our hearts that matters. 1 Sam 16:7; Luke 6:45

Today, let's remember to make God and His Word our true foundation and not the shaky ground this world provides. Focus on what REALLY matters and do not be distracted by deceit. God's Word should be your foundational focus in life. Seek to please HIM! Serve God and obey His commandments (love Him and love your neighbor). Be on guard against any temptation and refrain from cheating and deception. After all, what's done in secret....Luke 12: 2-3

Today, ask God to free you from practicing deception. Ask God to free you deception and from that spirit to willfully sin. Ask God to aide you in faithfulness and stand firm to your convictions. Be honest in your actions, attitudes and words. Speak the truth! And ye shall know the truth...John 8:32

Prayer: Dear Lord, search my heart and expose any areas of deceit. Lord, help me to speak the truth in love and to be a FAITHFUL witness....a TRUTHFUL witness....a POSITIVE witness so that others my see the REAL Jesus in me. In the Light of Christ, Amen!

We're Up and Running Again....

Church of the Solid Rock has launched it's new website. Check us out at www.crock4christ.org.
Enjoy!!!

Church of the Solid Rock - New Website Coming Soon...

Greetings in Christ Friends,

Church of the Solid Rock's website is currently under new construction. Our new website will be up and running soon. For any news and updates about our church, connect to our Facebook Page, Yahoo Groups and Plaxo. Pastor Deckard is extremely excited about this new face of our website and hope you will enjoy it!

Also, don't forget to join us for worship this Sunday in celebration of Juneteenth. We will worship at the Dallas Marriott Suites Market Center in the San Antonio Room. Service begins at 10am so come early and get a seat. Come and be ready to get your PRAISE ON! C'mon...ROCK with us!!

Keep on reading my Blog --- I welcome your comments. God bless and may He keep you.

- Pastor

Make Me Over Again

Juneteenth Worship Celebration

Join Church of the Solid Rock, LOSF, 7Connection, Roy Murray Entertainment and other community leaders on June 20, 2010 at the Dallas Marriott Hotel (Market Center) for our Juneteenth Worship Celebration. Worship begins at 10 am in the San Antonio Room.

We are looking forward and expecting some great praise and worship, praying and preaching. Jesus will be on the main line so come on and tell Him what you want...of course, He'll always supply your needs.

Immediately following worship, we will enjoy a lovely brunch at the host hotel. The cost for the brunch is $15.

We look forward to worshiping and supping with you so....c'mon and ROCK with us!

- Pastor Deckard
WWW.CROCK4CHRIST.ORG

Just A Thought

"Sin without repentence leads to destruction"

ROCKFest 2010

Join Church of the Solid Rock this Saturday [May 15] to help us kick off our Membership Drive and Building Fund Campaign. There will be lots of FREE food & fun for the entire family. We'll also have games for all ages, give-aways, raffles and a live DJ. The Praise Dancers will also be performing.

If you're looking for some FREE fun, food and AWEsome "fellowship", bring yourselves and your families out to this wonderful event! Kick-off begins at 11 am at the Resource Center of Dallas on Reagan & Brown.

We are looking forward to it so....C'mon and ROCK with us!

- Pastor Deckard

Happy Mother's Day

Today would have been your 85th birthday

But God saw fit for you to celebrate that day cradled in His arms

As I celebrate the precious memories you left for me to cherish

I thank the Lord that He allowed us time together

To say our... hello's...I love you's... and good-bye's.
Flowers were given to you while you yet lived
And flowers were laid at the grave in your loving memory

As your spirit lives on in me

Your lasting impression keeps me free.

I love you and miss you mother

But I know that God needed your more...

Happy Birthday and Mother's Day!

Be Careful What You Pray For

The Prayer of Jabez:

"And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested." 1 Chron. 4:10

What are you asking God for today? What type of blessings would you request? Enlarge your coast - how? Do you really want God to keep you from evil? Do you REALLY believe God will grant that which you have requested?

Oftentimes, I ask these exact questions myself; and the answer is YES I want God to bless and keep me from evil. Yes, I want God to enlarge my capacity to learn and teach, reach and achieve and NO, I do not want to be in pain due to my own infliction choices.

Of course, those who Believe, wants God to bless BUT what type of blessings are we asking for? What if God grants the blessing then you discover that you weren't really ready for? Hmmmm??? We have to be careful what we ask God for. Sometimes God has to show us that we are really not ready...maturity is still shallow...mindset is unstable...not ready for that huge responsibility.

• We THINK we want that executive position, only to discover that we are really working harder trying to make our mark instead of just "pushing a pen"...
• We THINK we want to become parents until we discover that parenting does NOT come with a manual and that the children are not disciplined and out of control!!
• We THINK we want to become home owners until we find out that maintaining the home could cost as much as the monthly mortgage payments (over a period of time)...
• Think you're ready for a new love & relationship but discovered the old one worked just fine - you just had to put some work into it???

Remember, when you pray, be sure to pray for all the right reasons. Your heart must be sincere and your level of maturity says you're ready for the blessing. Remember the old cliche' ...'be careful what you pray for 'cause you just might get it'....

I am very careful to pray with a sincere heart; to petition my requests to God carefully because I want to be sure that I am ready [in maturity and of sound mind] to handle the blessings...to avoid "losing my head"...thinking that I have arrived...avoiding the evils of this world...

God loves a humble servant - not a prideful fool.

Be thankful in all things. Always pray with a sincere and mature heart. After all, God knows our motives so make sure you're praying for all the right reasons and God will grant your blessed requests, such as He did for Jabez...and that blessing will not be a burden but a real blessing!

Are you ready? Are you sure? Then GO FOR IT!

Sharing God's Promise,

- Rev

Psalm 127:1-5

Resurrection (Easter) Sunday w/CRock

Please join us for some uplifting, foot-stomping, Bible-teaching truth!

Worship in the beauty of His holiness as Church of the Solid Rock (CRock) celebrates RESURRECTION (Easter) Sunday! He is Risen! He is Risen! He is Risen indeed!!!

The New Testament teaches that the resurrection of Jesus, which Easter celebrates, is a foundation of the Christian faith. The resurrection established Jesus as the powerful Son of God and is cited as proof that God will judge the world in righteousness. God has given Christians "a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead". Christians, through faith in the working of God are spiritually resurrected with Jesus so that they may walk in a new way of life.

God has given you salvation...will you accept the invitation or reject the opportunity to live with Christ for all eternity? The table has been set and you have been invited to the feast. Come...be fed...and be filled!

Rules from God for 2010

1. Wake Up! Decide to have a good day everyday.
"Today is the day the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it" Ps 118:24

2. Dress Up! The best way to dress up is to put on a God-smile. A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks. The Lord does not look at things the way humans do...
Man looks at the outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart." I Sam 16:7

3. Shut Up! (be quiet) Say nice things and learn to listen. God gave us two ears and one mouth, so He must have meant for us to do twice as much listening and less talking...
"He who guards his lips guards his soul." Prv 13:3
"...a time to be quiet and a time to speak" Ecc 3:7(b)

4. Stand up! Stand for something good or you will fall for anything...
"Let us not be weary in doing good for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good..." Gal 6:9-10

5. Look up! Look up to the Lord...
"I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me." Phil 4:13

6. Reach up! Reach for something higher...
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path." Prv 3:5-6

7. Lift up! Life up your prayers to God...
"Do not worry about anything;instead PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING." Phil 4:6

Remember: God answers prayer.

Tea for Two

One day my mother was out and my dad was in charge of me. I was maybe 2 1/2 years old and had just recovered from an accident.

Someone had given me a little 'tea set' as a get-well gift and it was one of my favorite toys. Daddy was in the living room engrossed in the evening news when I broug...ht Daddy a little cup of 'tea', which was just water.

After several cups of tea and lots of praise for such yummy tea, my Mom came home. My Dad made her wait in the living room to watch me bring him a cup of tea because it was 'just the cutest thing!'

My Mom waited, & sure enough, here I come down the hall with a cup of tea 4 Daddy & she watches him drink it up. Then she says, (as only a mother would know) 'Did it ever occur 2 u that the only place she can reach 2 get water is the toilet?

Lol pass this on for a little laugh!

Story shared by Sharon P

Thanks for the laughter!!

- Rev

Serving Real People in Ministry

There is a strange sort of phenomenon that occurs the longer someone works within the context of Church Leadership. It's almost as inevitable as Sunday coming every week.

The phenomenon goes something like this: The more you do a great job of leading people, the more people are attracted to you and your church. The more that people are attracted and get connected to your church, the more it grows. The more the number of people at your church grows...the further you get from them.

The very thing that was essential to your growth (Ministering to people) is now a system, a strategy, an abstraction...an idea??? "This is inevitable", you tell yourself. "I simply can't be with all these people because I'm too busy with ministry "stuff all the time." There's only one of me and more and more of them, something has to give." So over time, we replace Actual people with the Idea of people. We subconsciously convince ourselves that all these meetings are ultimately about "those" people. All these emails are about real people out there... somewhere. Our sermons that we write in an office or coffee shop [in isolation] are for "them" too. Our Evangelistic efforts and strategies are for "all those lost people out there"....and believe me, there are many lost souls just wondering in the arid deserts of their souls. We see them at church...for a moment...from a distance. They are there But are they more of an idea than a reality???

If we're being brutally honest, some of us don't really want to deal with or even lead "real people" so we 'play it off' as if we do. Our Idea of People is much easier to lead and somewhat manage and care about than all those Actual People. Why? Because Actual people are at times unpredictable, uninterested, inconsistent, moody, needy, demanding, hurting, and basically messy....some real messy.

The more we get involved with real people, the harder it gets. Better to just buckle down in our offices, get busy making ourselves look busy with Meetings, Emails, and such. Better to create busy work for those actual people than obtain any amount of time with you. It's much easier this way - just so happens that this is the furthest practice from the way of Jesus. Yes, He stole away to be with God..to pray...meditate...seek but He got right back in the fight!

For Jesus, people were not an idea, they were and are today, Real People. This World that God so loves, is filled with Real People, with real lives, having real struggles, with real needs, telling real stories, acting on real rebellion and experiencing real redemption. These are the people that surrounded Jesus. From His days of small town obscurity to His intensely demanding days of public ministry, Jesus surrounded Himself with the unpopular, the ridiculed, the outsiders, and the "peculiar." He actually Invited them in; the sick, the poor, the despised, even the self righteous; men and women and children; you name it..they were invited to know Him!

Real People were Invited, Real People Invaded but ALL were welcome.

While it's true that there were many whom Jesus did not surround himself with, there were always 3, 12, 50....Jesus even surrounded Himself with one of the 12 that would eventually betray Him...the one who broke bread with Him...the one who kissed Him...BUT, Jesus always knew who was with Him and who really wasn't...

There were always people [Real People] at His birth, through His life, at the cross, and at His ascension. He was rooted in God's love, grounded in relationship with everyday people...even His enemies.

I'm not sure what it looks like for you to intentionally surround yourself in relationship and proximity with Real People but why don't you give it a try. I know that our jobs are demanding. I know that our time can be limited But the stakes are way too high for us to be elusive now.

Our inaccessibility is no longer acceptable to God. Anyone have time for hospitality???

We can serve more humbly and accurately, and can lead much more effectively when we allow ourselves to be invaded by real people...not the folks with an underlying motive or opportunists..but real people with real matters.

How can you volunteer somewhere in your church?
How can you lead a small group of people [lead by the Spirit] who are young in their faith?
How can you stick around after church and help tear down?
How can you intentionally create time and space this week to know and love and lead and serve the Real People?

A Real God has called YOU to serve...really...so, why aren't you operating in your calling...really???

Obedience is better than sacrifice....and submission is better than offering the fat of rams. Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols. 1 Samuel 15:22(a)-23(a).

God bless and may He keep you is my prayer!

- Rev.

National Junior Honor Society Inductee: Joshua F. Deckard

The National Junior Honor Society or NJHS is a worldwide organization that consists of chapters in middle schools (grades 6-8). Selection is based on five criteria: citizenship, service, leadership, scholarship and character. Members must maintain a high grade point average (the national minimum is a 3.5) and become good citizens (by participating in service projects). The NJHS requires some sort of school service to the community, school, or other organizations. The projects help students meet the required service hour total monthly.

The National Junior Honor Society was founded in 1929 by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) in the hopes of creating an organization that would recognize and encourage academic achievements and citizenship while also developing other characteristics essential to citizens in a democracy. The ideals of scholarship, character, service, and citizenship remain as relevant today as they were in 1929. Through the NJHS chapter service activities and academic standards members maintain and extend the qualities that won them selection. The National Junior Honor Society requires a student to have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.

The NJHS has candles for every aspect of its requirements. A different colored candle is lit for each of its five characteristics. A speech is given for each topic, usually done by a group of specially selected students, to describe what each topic is about. Those selected students are usually the president, the vice-president, the secretary, the treasurer, and the member with the most service hours.

The NJHS motto is Noblesse Oblige. This is French for nobility obligates.

CONGRATULATIONS JFD!

- Mommy

God Thinks You're Wonderful

Psalm 139:16
Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.


Beloved, I know it may be difficult for you to believe that God knows your name - but He does. If you have accepted Christ as your personal Savior (Rom 10:9-10), your name is written in His hand and spoken by His mouth and whispered by His lips. On the contrary, see John 3:18.

He knows your name and thinks you're wonderful!

You have captured the heart of God. He cannot bear to live without you. God's dream is to make you right (righteous living) with Him. And the path to the Cross tells us exactly how far God will go to call us back. John 3:16

It is not our love for God; it is God's love for us in sending His Son to be The Way. If you want to touch God's heart, use the name He loves to hear...Father!
Mat 6:9-13; Luke 11:2-4

God thinks you're wonderful; He knows your name!

Jehovah has written your name in the palm of His hand. Isaiah 49:16

God really thinks you're wonderful! Try El Padre, El es Maravilloso!!

- Rev

God Knows Who You Are

Psalm 139:1-10

This is a psalm (song) that David has given to the head musician, the director of music, at the Temple. David is expressing his knowledge of the fact that God has penetrated to the core of his being and examined his character intently, and He understands David better than anyone else ever could.

Like David, God knows us even better than we know ourselves. He is omniscient; He knows everything. He even knows every word that we are going to say before we speak it. Nothing we do or say surprises the Lord.

As humans, we oftentimes do not allow others to see the real us. We put on airs to impress our friends, families even our loved ones. But God sees through it all. Most of us will not allow others see our “true colors” because we are afraid they may flee from us or may not like us very well and possibly not want to remain our friend. After we remove the silk screens, we become transparent and are seen for who we really are. Are you ready to let others see the real “YOU?”

Scary isn’t…I know what you mean…LOL!

God still works in the lives of His children. “We all have character flaws because we are imperfect beings; God’s grace just covers them up!!”

We are created with a purpose to bring God glory so He will not just leave us out in the cold or to chance regarding our purpose. God will direct our paths without taking away our freedom but will we follow that path. Because God is love and He knows us so well, we are given every opportunity to honor Him in fulfilling that purpose—even if we take a few detours from that path along the way. God’s mercy and grace keeps us afloat and physically present in society… but He will lay us to rest if won’t act right!! Hmmmm… makes you think, doesn't it??

So…Go ahead and be yourself but live in love (not motivational lust), live responsibly (you are held accountable) and live righteously (right standing with God). The rest is really up to God and not humankind.

Abundant Blessings in 2010,

- Rev

Happy New Year!

It's a New Year and New Season of love, hope, promises and blessings. God has seen us through another year. Some didn't make it and we'll miss them so celebrate their warm and meaningful lives and all of the "deposits" they contributed to your lives.

From one moment to the next, celebrate every breath you take and know that each time you breathe, God's Spirit dwells within you. Love God, love yourself and love others the way you want to be loved. Never take family nor friendships for granted and each day your arise, know that God is with you; that's His never-ending promises!

Be blessed in 2010 and get ready to W-I-N!

- Rev.