tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68646686743117434482024-03-14T07:37:26.068-05:00The "New" Journey of the CallThe call...What is it? How do you know you have it? What is the journey like for someone whose called? This will tell much about my journey, very little about the whole. If I've learned anything on this journey with Christ, it's the quote I heard from a family member and it is this: "God reveals the secrets to those who seek Him".David Summerlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11829021804099326194noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864668674311743448.post-11641186166949040862019-11-29T22:35:00.000-06:002019-11-29T22:35:09.250-06:00Sitings of the "Call" in ChildhoodI've just completed reading a really good book entitled "You, Inc." by Author Burke Hedges, and in the book, the author mentions the story from the "Lion King" when the young lion king, Simba is living in exile trying to avoid responsibilities when he sees a vision of his late father, King Mufasa. In the vision, King Mufasa challenges his son to take his rightful place as King and become what he was destined to become. He said <em>"Simba, you have forgotten who you are. Look inside yourself. You are more than what you have become".</em><br>
<em></em><br>
After reading the illustration, I began to question my own life, which many times throughout I have wondered <em>"am I fulfilling what God has called me to",</em> or <em>"am I completely off track?".</em> I've done several things in my life of 55 years now. After graduating from college with an Accounting degree and working in and out of accounting positions all throughout my career, to Pioneering & Pastoring two Churches, as well as working in ministry positions as an Evangelist, Youth Pastor, High School Boys Athletic Director/Coach, I can say I've had questions like many today; <em><strong>"Have I, did I, am I in the will of God?".</strong></em> <br>
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Through it all, I have come to realize there is an entrepreneurial spirit within me, and it started when I was a child. I remember days of organizing basketball teams on my driveway. I would gather friends to form track clubs where we would race other teams from another street around the block, using sticks as batons. I would help to assist in getting baseball and football games together with kids from all over the neighborhood. I can't honestly say I was the best student in school, really far from it, but I can say, God began to shape my love for sports, activity, athletics, and coaching from my childhood up. As a Senior, I was voted by my peers "Most Athletic", not best athlete, but "most" Athletic. I wanted to play everything. Up until my junior year in High School, I played basketball, baseball, football, and ran track. I narrowed it down my junior year to Baseball & Football, where I received awards in both. After High School I took a job over the summer with a company called "Nautilus", when it was a gym, not just a brand. I was an Personal Trainer for that summer, then college started, and the rest you've heard about already, which all lead full circle to the development of Serving Fit, an organization promoting becoming FIT in our Faith, Family, Fitness & Finances,while SERVING Jesus.<br>
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I say all this to bring up the possibility that God has given you the gifts & talents to do what He has called and equipped you to do, and it was given to you in your childhood. I think of the story of Moses; protected as a baby by his Hebrew mother, raised in an Egyptian home, called of God on the back side of the desert to deliver the very people he ruled. Has God given you tools, education, family ties, relationships that have helped to equip you for the purpose He has called you too? I think so. <em><strong>"Simba, you have forgotten who you are. Look inside yourself. You are more than what you have become".</strong></em> <br>
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Don't chase another man's purpose. Be a God Chaser, and fulfill the purpose He has destined you for!<br>
<br>
David Summerlin<br>
Serving FitDavid Summerlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11829021804099326194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864668674311743448.post-9723336408646768722014-07-08T08:18:00.002-05:002014-07-08T08:18:43.656-05:00Getting back to BasicsI started a Bible Study recently for the Accounting Firm I work with. The study is based off the idea of "getting back to basics", we're reading the Bible, not a book written by others, which there is nothing wrong with that...I've read many and enjoyed most everyone. However, it occurred to me the other day while in prayer...praying about what type of study to begin, that many people talk about the Bible, want to believe in the Bible, say they believe in the Bible, have a Bible or Bible's in their possession, but never read the Bible. So, the idea came to me to start a BIBLE study with the BIBLE as our textbook, and we did. <br />
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What a joy it was to see and hear people talk about their desire to learn the Bible, and to read for themselves. It's the greatest book ever written. It's a treasure that comes to "New Life" every day to the one who digs into it's pages. So this morning, or today, find a new starting place (if it's been awhile) and begin reading God's love letter to a world that He loves and died for. It will do something in your life that you cannot do for yourself. This is what "getting back to basics" is all about. <br />
<br />
ServingFit<br />
David SummerlinDavid Summerlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11829021804099326194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864668674311743448.post-4746871817602832582014-07-07T22:34:00.000-05:002014-07-07T22:34:24.866-05:00Do you fall off the tracks when you travel?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2k7OXI-Pecxtfy9hst57nOk5R6KaWgu2pTXikw7YgdNmsfCQkrX-3ayXPt2RCzbQv5pc2i0CKZqD9g8-lPsA8KDPadJD2XWcajpGkiLE4R33mZHos3RQtL1xlY-xfibPJEeoGU9QbI60/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2k7OXI-Pecxtfy9hst57nOk5R6KaWgu2pTXikw7YgdNmsfCQkrX-3ayXPt2RCzbQv5pc2i0CKZqD9g8-lPsA8KDPadJD2XWcajpGkiLE4R33mZHos3RQtL1xlY-xfibPJEeoGU9QbI60/s1600/photo.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>What do you do when you travel, Nutrition & Fitness wise? Does your eating routine go crazy, or do you find it easy to stay on track with good habits? <br />
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I think the question we must ask ourselves is: Are we on a diet when we're at home, or have I really changed my lifestyle in the area of food intake, nutritional habits, and fitness? You see a diet is easy to start and stop, pause and restart, but a lifestyle change goes with you wherever you go, whenever you go, and however you go. <br />
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Note for the next travel day: Stay on track, stay inside the lines on portion sizes, types of food you pick at restaurant's, things you drink, and the amount of intake. And for fitness, find a place to workout. Talk to your trainer or someone with some basic fitness knowledge about things you can do to keep active while on your trip. Above all, keep your commitment to yourself, your family, and your future children or grandchildren to live a lifestyle of health & wellness, physically and spiritually. <br />
<br />
Serving Fit!<br />
David SummerlinDavid Summerlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11829021804099326194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864668674311743448.post-17258765150898630902014-01-06T10:57:00.001-06:002014-01-06T10:57:46.295-06:00A New Season, a New Direction...
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Dear Pastor,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">No one better than you know we are
living in perilous times as 2 Timothy 3:1 states, but also, no one better than
you know we are living in the greatest hour for the Church because of these
times. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">My wife (Gayla) and I have recently made
a huge decision to return to the Evangelistic Field of Ministry after 10 years
as Lead Pastors of The River Assembly of God in The Woodlands, Texas. This was
our second Lead Pastor position, both churches started in our homes. We love
God, we love people, and we love doing the "Work of the Ministry"
wherever that takes us, and whatever the cost. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I've included <u>
a short bio of our ministry experience </u>that started just over 27 years ago.
We would love to come and partner with you to help stir your congregation to
living completely abandoned lives to Jesus. Our ministry is simple, and as most
people have always stated about us, <i>"What you see is what you get"</i>.
We'd hope to think that means we're Real! We won't come to puff up you people,
over exaggerate the messages or experiences. We don't come with flare, nor a
"look what we've done" type of message either. Our desire is to hear
The Lord and speak what He says, so people will have an opportunity for real
change through a real challenge in their lives. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">If what you read interest you, and you
feel we're the right mix for your church, we'd love for you to contact us soon
to book a date or dates. I make this one promise, we're not looking just to
book a service, we want God connections, and divine appointments. It just
always seems to work better that way!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Looking forward to hearing from you
soon, should The Lord confirm. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Fit for His Service,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">David
Summerlin, Evangelist</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="mailto:dsummerlin59@gmail.com">dsummerlin59@gmail.com</a></span></div>
<b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Faith
| Family | Fitness | Finances<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
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*********************************************************************************<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">About Us:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> We
were both raised in great homes, Gayla's in Church, and mine not so much. We
were married in 1980, both attended Sam Houston State University, and were a
part Chi Alpha Student Ministries where we became active in Ministry. Upon my
completion of College (1982), and receiving a degree in Accounting, we moved
back to Houston, Tx to work and begin our family, while teaching Sunday School,
singing in Christmas musicals, helping with evangelistic outreaches, going on
missions trips, and eventually began preaching in 1986. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In 1988, with the blessing of our Pastor, James
McKeehan (Lindale Assembly of God) we started a Church in our home specifically
targeting drug addicts, alcoholics, and anyone beat down with extreme problems.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In 1991, we moved to Conroe, Texas and joined
the staff of First Assembly of God Conroe, under the leadership of Pastor Lloyd
Maddoux working as Youth Pastor, Athletic Director (Lifestyle Christian
School), School Teacher, Sunday School Leader, and several other positions
through time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In 2001, we started a non-profit organization
"Passion to Abstain", a ministry to reach students with the message
of Abstinence. It was a great success and we saw many students make new
commitments to stay pure till marriage, others restored back to God and their
families. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In 2003, with the blessing of our Pastor, Lloyd
Maddoux, the Lord led us to start another church in The Woodlands, Tx, which we
recently turned over to my Associate Pastor who had been with us for 9 of the
10 years of existence. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Other info: I have worked bi-vocationally the
past 10 years. Accounting has continued to play a huge part of my life. I
currently work for a Municipal Accounting Firm training all New Hires and fill
the position of Chaplain. My wife & I currently have two (2) grown
children, both married to wonderful God Fearing spouses, and we have 3 Grand
Children, and 1 on the way. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Our Co-Mission:</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Keep it Simple <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 38.25pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Reach
people</span></b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> for Christ.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 38.25pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Train
(Disciple)</span></b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> believers to become "Followers of Jesus in every area
of life".</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 38.25pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Encourage,
Inspire </span></b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">and<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> Motivate</b> people
to live a completely abandoned life to Jesus, by living a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Disciplined Life</b> in all areas. We hope to do this by ministering in
four (4) areas The Lord has impressed upon us: Faith, Family, Fitness &
Finances. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.75in; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">Ø<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Faith</span></b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> is the foundation of
any believers relationship with Jesus<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">. </i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"Revival
awakens the heart to intimacy with God, which in turn produces fruit of many
types"</span></i><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.75in; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">Ø<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Family</span></b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> is the real training
ground to build success through The Word of God. If a man or woman wants to
know if they're really living for God, let someone ask their spouse, or better
yet, their kids.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.75in; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">Ø<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Fitness</span></b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> expands ones capacity
to reach goals, it builds perseverance, patience, and stamina for the fight
that lies ahead for the believer. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"Your
body will do more than your mind says it can". </i>The body is the Temple
of the Holy Spirit, and more can be done for the Kingdom, if we would treat it
as such. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.75in; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">Ø<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Finances</span></b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> - the proving ground
of stewardship. Will we be faithful in the little, so God will grant us the ability
to have much? Learning the value of giving, because it's the right thing to do.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Our
Plan:</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Pray, Study</span></b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Train hard</b>, so at whatever time we're
called upon to minister, either to a Church Congregation, or 1 on 1 with a
family through <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Life Coaching</b>, we
will speak what we've heard & experienced from The Lord, and nothing else. Our
intention is not to have another Church Service for your congregation. Our
desire is to stir up the deepest commitment from Believers to become Followers
of Christ. The late Charles Finney always said <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"Revival is a new beginning of obedience in the life of the
believer". <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Available
now for:</span></b></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Church
Services <o:p></o:p></span></li>
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Cornelius, Lead Pastor, The River Assembly of God<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ph: 281-726-2729</span></li>
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David Summerlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11829021804099326194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864668674311743448.post-91439787661139065542011-10-09T20:33:00.000-05:002011-10-09T20:33:58.860-05:00Are you desperate for Revival?God wants to bring True & Lasting Revival to every community in this world, but many times Revival is delayed for lack of obedience, lack of faith, and a lack of God's people doing what the Spirit of God is directing them to do. Jonathan Goforth, a Canadian Presbyterian missionary was invited to preach to churches in China after witnessing revival in Korea in 1907. On his way his journey would take him through Manchuria. His first meeting was in Mukden (Shenyang) in early 1908. The fire fell on the city, igniting one of the greatest revivals in Asia, <strong>but it all started when God spoke</strong> to Goforth to straighten out a relationship with a fellow missionary brother. With his heart yielded to the will of God, and because he feared the Lord, God used him in a radical way. The power of God surged through Goforth and his preaching was empowered by the Holy Spirit. People were convicted, weeping in repentance for their sins. <br />
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The next morning an Elder burst out weeping as he confessed he had stolen money from the church, while serving as it's treasurer. Other Elders began confessing sins, one said with tears of brokeness streaming down his face that he had commited adultery and attempted murder of his wife. Eventually all Elders, and even the Pastor turned in resignation letters to the church recognizing their unworthiness to serve. The church was experiencing something supernatural, it had moved from the focus of what Goforth had been preaching to the very Words of Jesus calling all to come to repentance. The church refused every Elder's resignation and revival came to Manchuria. <br />
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What is God speaking to you that you've been unwilling to do? Is He asking you to take care of a relationship that has gone sower? Is He requiring you to give more, to preach, to teach, to confess sin, whatever it is; do it now so revival can come to your life, and maybe to the lives in your sphere of influence whether that's in the market place, at school, in your community or in you church. Do it Now!<br />
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Thank you Winkey Pratney for The Revival Study Bible!David Summerlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11829021804099326194noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864668674311743448.post-32923679344405119712011-10-03T21:51:00.005-05:002011-10-03T22:39:53.698-05:00Bring your heart to Judgment<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Christ provided full access into His presence, the veil of the temple was torn down. The problem is; man still wears a veil of sin over his own heart. Bring your heart to Judgment at the cross and be FREE!!! <em>"The cross is rough, but effective. It does not keep its victim hanging on it, eventually that man dies, then the Glory of resurrection comes"</em> A.W. Tozer</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Isaiah 29:13 <em>"The Lord says: These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men."</em></span>David Summerlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11829021804099326194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864668674311743448.post-28687358821007183942011-09-12T22:26:00.000-05:002011-09-12T22:26:38.383-05:0010 Years later - Have we learned anything?Yesterday, September 11, 2011 marked the 10th Anniversary of one of the most brutal attacks on American soil in many years. Nineteen Islamic Terrorist took the lives of nearly 3,000 innocent Americans in the early morning hours of Tuesday, September 9, 2001. My question has been and still remains, What have we learned? Tragedy in our lives is inevitable, meaning at some time across the span of our life, there is the potential for tragedy to strike, and strike it did on that horrific day in 2001. Thousands of families were affected in just a few short hours. The hurt still continues, though some, maybe many have found closure to their hurt, their grief, and their deep rooted pain. But, what have we learned?<br />
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According to the list of invitees to New York City's Ten Year Anniversary Memorial Services, we have learned nothing. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg continued to keep religion, and people of faith from speaking at the memorial service. No prayer would be prayed, and no scripture would be read, and to top it off, the brave men and women that responded first to save lives when the towers had fallen were not even invited, God have Mercy on us!<br />
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The Bible has a lot of history recorded within it's context. Much of it has been recorded and preserved for centuries for our example, our benefit, and for our learning. Unfortunately, we consider it very little in the decisions we make in our everyday lives. Credible statistics reveal a nightmarish fact that states the majority of individuals that call themselves Christian have no real, consistent relationship with the Word of God. <br />
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<span style="background-color: yellow;">John 1:1,14</span> NASB<em>"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth." </em><br />
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We have failed to put God first in our lives, a fact so clear just simply looking at the invitee list of yesterday's memorial services, not even looking at the moral decay of our country and world. With the greatest tragedy in years being remembered, we have failed to acknowledge God who is the Answer for everything in life. I encourage you to develop a relationship with the Lord through faith, by reading His Word and prayer. John 1:14 describes the Lord Jesus Christ as the Word who became flesh. It is my belief no one can have a relationship with Christ, or at the very least maintain that relationship without reading and allowing the Word to abide in your heart. King David said he would hide the Word in his heart, that he would not sin against God<em>.</em> <br />
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We are living in sifting tides, there is a definite change of season in our world, one I have never felt in my life. I compel you by the grace of God to seek the Lord, and if you do the Bible says you will find Him. I pray you'll do so starting today!David Summerlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11829021804099326194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864668674311743448.post-44084692647486820142011-08-23T22:16:00.000-05:002011-08-23T22:16:27.762-05:00Jesus Christ, Lord and SaviorFrom an audio sermon I heard tonight - <em>"As Obedient Children"</em> A. W. Tozer taken from 1 Peter 1:14<br />
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His intro was to explain the word <em>"As"</em> as in <em>"As Obedient Children",</em> not Be or Become, but <em>As</em> Obedient Children, to assume the ones He (Peter) was speaking to knew what was expected of them as Christians, which included moving beyond their former way of living. Tozer makes the point that Christians should not think we are "saved" without making Jesus Lord of all. He mentioned a false teaching that was present in his day (he passed 1963), and that teaching surfaces in many churches today as well; that teaches a man could be saved by believing in Jesus as Savior, and later when he was ready, he could make Him Lord of his life. A. W. Tozer says it's serving a divided Jesus, either He is Savior and Lord, or He is nothing at all. <br />
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A. W. Tozer confessed he had taught that at times, and in many occasions by the words or phrases we use, many a preacher today (including myself) has taught or teaches the same. We say at Altar services, <em>"many of you have accepted Christ as Savior in times past, but have never made Him Lord"</em>, that teaching can be understood in error and can give some soul a false security in a desired relationship with Christ. He goes on to say much more, but I thought it interesting his description of Heaven and Hell. Heaven is place filled with Obedient Children, and Hell is a Well for the disobedient, in fact the bible says hell enlarges itself to contain the multitudes. <br />
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Let us as Men and Women of God, pray for clarity of scripture and teach with accuracy the plan of salvation, by hungering and thirsting for the truth of God's word. If you seek, you will find, if you seek with ALL your HEART. Jeremiah 29:13<br />
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Love you!<br />
DavidDavid Summerlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11829021804099326194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864668674311743448.post-82421384041290384782011-08-22T23:22:00.000-05:002011-08-22T23:22:08.528-05:00"many are called, FEW ARE CHOSEN" Mt 22:14This short verse of scripture scares the daylights out of me, knowing many people will be invited to serve the Lord, and to be a part of His bride (the church), but will in fact turn the invitation down because the demands are too much. You might say, <em>"I thought salvation was free, wouldn't cost me anything, just believe in Jesus and I'm in...right?" </em><br />
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Listen to the story about a rich ruler from Luke 18 who obviously had lot's of money. He came to Jesus one day asking the Lord <em>"how can I inherit eternal life".</em> Jesus told him <em>"You know the commandments"</em> and the young ruler probably at that time felt a huge sigh of relief, knowing full well he had religiously served and obeyed the Torah (the law) all his days. But then Jesus said something that many refuse to listen to, or we've interpreted the meaning to lessen the impact of it's demand on our life. Jesus said <em><strong>"Sell all you have, and distribute the money to the poor, then come and follow Me"</strong></em>. Lk 18:23 says it all, <em>"when he heard this, he was very sorrowful"</em> knowing it was too big a price to give up to follow Jesus.<br />
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I've recently preached a message entitled "The Harzards of Being Chosen", talking about the subject above and the challenge the Lord has to fully reach the heart of man. Three hazards I mentioned included:<br />
<ol><li> Being chosen demands separation - Light and darkness cannot dwell together. You cannot serve two masters. The Old man is dead, having been crucified with Christ, and now the Newly Created Man lives, but Christ now liveth in me. The Chosen will fight against this, because until we see Jesus face-to-face we will fight against our flesh. Our spirit is willing, but our flesh is weak. </li>
<li>Being chosen demands abandonment of independence - James 1:1 says it clearly <em>"James, a slave of God"</em> meaning he became a "love slave to Jesus". Testimony has it, when James was buried, calouses were found heavily on his knees having been a man devoted and dependent on prayer to his God.</li>
<li>Being chosen demands bearing one anothers burdens - God will require of you your life for His. Let a man lose himself that he may find himself in Christ. He will place the burden of souls on the chosen, they will give ear to the last words of Jesus and take it serious <em>"Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all nations..."</em> He will send you to the weak, the poor, the rich, the messed up, the well to do, He will send you to everyone for He is unwilling that any should perish, and that means "ANY". </li>
</ol>What is your life, but a Vapor. Use what time you have on this earth for God. Allow Him access to every area of your life, holding nothing back so that you don't walk away "sorrowful". There is nothing worth holding onto that would ever be greater than walking, and working with the Savior of mankind, the King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords - Jesus Christ!<br />
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The Spirit of the Lord is compelling the Chosen to Respond...will you respond?David Summerlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11829021804099326194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864668674311743448.post-85514760068570079132011-08-18T23:13:00.000-05:002011-08-18T23:13:38.880-05:00We make time for everything, but PrayerJames 5:16 "<em>...the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." </em>That word "availeth" means to accomplish much. Think about the resources, tools, abilities it takes to get most major projects accomplished today. Not only things, but time is critical to get things done today. What we fail to realize as Christians, is that we possess the ONE resource, tool, or ability that can change a world around us, and it's PRAYER. <br />
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Leonard Ravenhill, one of my favorite Preachers & Writers, says <em>"God doesn't answer prayer, He answers desperate prayer"</em>. Our world today is in a crisis, financially, spiritually, and socially. Our churches are lukewarm, focused on entertainment, presentation, and cool style rather than seeing souls pour their hearts out before God. Our worship has become canned, it's become ineffective to reach the heart of man. It's become self centered, and flesh driven, not reaching the spirit of man. It's not a lack of talent, and great lyrics, it's a lack of Prayer! Make a new commitment to pray, seek the face of God, repent of sins in your life, and complacency that you've allowed to settle in your soul. Pray that God will move again in our Churches in America, that people will once again sense an urgency to get right with God, for Judgment stands at the door. God help us to pray, GOD HAVE MERCY!David Summerlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11829021804099326194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864668674311743448.post-87245449856198072942011-03-19T21:17:00.001-05:002011-03-19T21:17:25.224-05:00Why I preach the message of Repentance!<span xmlns=''><p><span style='font-family:Tahoma'>Why I preach the message of repentance! When I, we, you, in fact everyone stands before Jesus Christ, the only thing that will matter is; DID I make the CHANGE of DIRECTION in my life when the Savior of mankind came calling and beckoned me to follow Him. The Savior who took all my sins to the Cross, forgave me of everything, and made me a new creation in HIM. That will matter most!</span></p></span>David Summerlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11829021804099326194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864668674311743448.post-51706148861825216402011-02-15T23:18:00.003-06:002011-02-15T23:25:32.902-06:00His Word to me for 2011Simplify, Position myself to hear His Word, and Raise the level of my expectation for the things of God.<br /><br />These three things, the Lord has spoken to my heart to accomplish early in 2011. If I can, and if I DO what He has encouraged and challenged me to do, amazing advances will we see regarding the Kingdom, our Family, and our influence to others.<br /><br />What are you doing that the Lord has spoken to you on? Whatever He says, do it...that's what Mary told the servants at the wedding at Cana. Whatever He (the Lord) says to do, do it and don't delay.<br /><br />Follow Him in 2011, you won't be disappointed.David Summerlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11829021804099326194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864668674311743448.post-30603624105481199612010-03-06T22:20:00.001-06:002010-03-06T22:20:46.335-06:00When I think about what the Lord has done…<span xmlns=''><p>I just finished making my final preparations for tomorrow's sermon at The River in The Woodlands, and put in a worship album to unwind with as my mind settles in on the message and I sit to ponder what God will do for our folks tomorrow. As I sit here by the fire, still listening to this music, I am overwhelmed with the Lord's goodness to me and my wife. I think I'm the most blessed person in the world, obviously you all would say the same I'm sure about your life. But I just have to give God praise tonight. I love Him so much. He's done so much in my life. Oh how I pray others feel this way when you think about Jesus and what He's done for you. <br /></p><p>Please know that whoever you are, I'm praying for you to hear His voice, feel His love and embrace in your life. If you don't have a home church, I invite you to ours. You can find us at <a href='http://www.TheRiverAG.org'>www.TheRiverAG.org</a>. The Lord is moving in this very hour, your life is dependent on His grace and forgiveness. I hope you find this as a help. Jesus saves, heals, delivers, and is coming again SOON! I love You! </p></span>David Summerlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11829021804099326194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864668674311743448.post-10023468841767909362009-07-08T00:14:00.007-05:002009-07-08T00:30:55.467-05:00<span xmlns=""> <p><span style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:130%;color:#17365d;"><span style="font-size:180%;">Happy Anniversary – The River</span> <span style="font-size:85%;">www.TheRiverAG.org</span><br /></span></p><p><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">This Sunday July 12<sup>th</sup>, 2009 The River will celebrate its Five Year Anniversary service with special guest Eli & Mary Gautreaux, Chi Alpha Directors at Sam Houston State University, Huntsville and South Texas District A/G Chi Alpha Director. Service begins at 10:30 am.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;">The River officially began ministering to the community of The Greater Woodlands Area July 4<sup>th</sup>, 2004 out of Tinseltown Theater. After six months in the Theater a full-time church facility became available on Hwy 242 in The Woodlands. We thank God for the journey and look forward with great anticipation for what lies ahead for our church body.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;">Vision for the future is expanding. The group pic is taken from a Chi Alpha meeting of young adults that have started the journey of walking with Jesus. The River has always desired to minister to this generation of young adults and will now move passionately in that direction as we launch in the next few weeks "Thursday Nites", a ministry to the young at heart with a relaxed, but fully engaged night of fellowship, acoustic worship and the Word.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;">The five year journey has been a foundation building season for us, filled with challenges helping us to grow stronger. Now a new season of building the structure is upon us. Come this Sunday, July 12<sup>th</sup> and help us celebrate the New Beginning of our next season.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family:Freestyle Script;font-size:130%;">Pastor David Summerlin, Pastor</span></p></span>David Summerlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11829021804099326194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864668674311743448.post-89513652035454409362008-08-20T12:02:00.009-05:002008-08-20T13:53:58.112-05:00The Bible and it's parallel to our livesThe call of God on a man or woman's life is amazing. I always tell people that ministry, or the call to ministry is a God thing. It can't always be understood or figured out, it's just a God thing.<br /><br />When I read the Bible and examine the lives of great men and women, I find so many similarities to my own life, however, I am not in the least bit saying I live up to their standards, or even come close to the dedication and commitment they had to the Lord when they walked this planet. But, I do see so many life experiences that they went through that I find myself going through along this journey. For instance, Elijah, when he stood against 450 prophets of Baal <span style="font-size:78%;">(1 Kings 18)</span> on Mt. Carmel challenging the people of Israel to remove the idol worship of foreign God's and choose the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as their only God. I see in Elijah a dedication and an extreme commitment to bring truth to the people, so much so, that he is willing to stand before the whole congregation and speak things that many do not want to hear. We live in this type of generation today, many people don't want to hear that God is a jealous God, and that He will not compete with idols in our lives. He will be first in our lives and will never play second fiddle to another, because He is God, and to accept anything less would be to reject His own commandment to the nation of Israel, <em>"Thou shalt have no other God's before me".</em> <span style="font-size:85%;">(Exo. 20:3)</span><br /><br />After the intense confrontation between Elijah and these prophets, Elijah runs <span style="font-size:85%;">(1 Kings 19:4)</span> into the wilderness asking God to take his life <span style="font-size:85%;">(where did all the boldness go?)</span> after hearing word that Jezebel, who represents an evil spirit that controls weak spirited people, makes threats on his life which causes fear and confusion to arise. No doubt Elijah had right intentions when confronting the prophets. He wanted to see the people of God serve and worship the true God of Israel. His love for the nation gave him the boldness to speak out in tough times. However, right after the greatest victory and demonstration by the hand of God, Elijah finds himself running for his life in fear and doubt.<br /><br />It is most important for ministers and people called of God to rightly divide the word of God, separating soul <span style="font-size:85%;">(mind, will, emotions)</span> and spirit <span style="font-size:85%;">(the hub of man that God speaks to)</span>. This is done by spending time in prayer and the Word. God's Word is <em>"quick and powerful and sharper than any two edged sword..."</em> <span style="font-size:85%;">Heb 4:12. </span><span style="font-size:100%;">Elijah was a man of God and still dealt with fear and confusion. Attacks will come to the mind. Ministry can be a very lonely place, it was for many of the prophets of God, up to the last O.T. prophet John the Baptist, one called of God to prepare the way of the Lord. His fiery messages didn't impress the religious of the day, but to the lost and hurting, they where a refreshing wind of hope that something better is on the way. I want to be like John, speaking a message that something better is on the way. Jesus Christ is coming soon and we in ministry have a mandate to speak the truth and prepare the people no matter how lonely of a place it may seem to be. We must remember what we preach <em>"I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee"</em> <span style="font-size:85%;">Heb 13:5, t</span>hat apply's to God's messengers as well. </span><br /><br />Stay the course, keep up the fight, Jesus is coming for His Bride!David Summerlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11829021804099326194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864668674311743448.post-91052729652937666992008-05-08T14:14:00.003-05:002008-05-08T22:13:12.463-05:00Did I go or was I sent?This question has haunted me at times since I began ministering in 1986. It seems as though true success has evaded my grasps in most every area of my life, as a Pastor, Evangelist, and Accountant with my own business, husband, father and child of God. Nothing has ever come easy for me, or my family. It seems there has always been a challenge to succeed, or at least what most consider success. After a while one begins to question whether he/she is in the will of God or not. We live in an era of church ministry that is bombarded with success preaching, dominion theology, ask and it shall be done faith, and God wants His people to be successful sermons. How does the small church Pastor compete with the mega churches of today? Statistics as I understand them point out that 95% of most churches are under 100 in attendance. In recent years, there has been an exodus from the ministry by scores of preachers that have given up, whether because of finances, church splits, personal sin, or whatever, there are fewer and fewer ministers that are sticking with it, refusing to bail out, refusing to crater to hard times or challenges to their ministry.<br /><br />At times, I listen to and read articles from a website that I really like called sermonindex.com. Today as I was researching and studying I came across an article that really ministered to me, and to be quite honest it gave me a rebuke that I needed. I’ve included a portion: <em>“What do you focus more on – where is the greatest desire of your heart? Do you seek more after revival or after Christ and Him being formed in you? Do you seek more after signs and wonders or after Christ and Him being formed in you? Do you seek more after ministry and results or after Christ and Him being formed in you? Are you content to never see revival, signs and wonders and give up your ministry counting all these things as dung to become more Christ like? Christ and Christ being formed in us must be our supreme focus and the desire of our heart and only then will these other things flow naturally from our lives and only then can we truly be used of God by the Spirit.”<br /></em><br />Oh how I pray to crucify this wicked flesh of mine. That part of me that craves attention, craves worldly success, and even craves to be known as one that “did it right in Jesus”. That kind of thinking is a false humility and craving of the flesh. I pray to be hidden in Christ, to be conformed to his image, which is His greatest desire for our lives. I repent of trying to bring results so others can see what we are doing for the Kingdom. I pray to know Jesus as Lord and King. Lord if I went, and was not sent, forgive me. Lead me into your perfect will and deliver me from the deception of my flesh. <em><strong>“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”</strong></em> <span style="font-size:85%;">Galatians 2:20 </span><br /><br />Can God fearing Pastors really survive this generation and continue preaching an uncompromised message of repentance filtered through grace? What if the results don’t come in? What happens if people refuse to listen? Do these things mean we’re not in the will of God? Maybe we did “just go”, and were not sent. What about Noah, a preacher of righteousness who warned the people of his day of a coming Judgment and only his family was saved? And Moses, after he was called from the burning bush, struggled in the desert for 40 years until he was empty of himself and his own ability to deliver the nation of Israel. If Jesus Christ himself were living and walking among us today, how many would follow him? If history repeats itself, as it does so often, it wouldn’t be that many. In His greatest hour only a few remained faithful and continued to walk with Him.<br /><br />In conclusion, as a minister of the Gospel, one sent by the Lord, I’ve learned that I must leave the results up to God and preach or prophesy in love what the Lord has given me, nothing more and nothing less. <em><strong>“Also, I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.”</strong></em> <span style="font-size:85%;">Isaiah 6:8</span> <em><strong>“Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.”</strong></em> <span style="font-size:85%;">Matthew 10:16</span>David Summerlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11829021804099326194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864668674311743448.post-59489243913521717552008-05-05T13:54:00.007-05:002008-11-13T04:39:50.909-06:00We invest in others...Do we invest in ourselves?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSdCaL9eg8_ZWis1U2-WHlPAPG0xBSaQZGM7189V3vaUFk1uUmGlAuMakIFVChRvILfYDN19gFlMWO9sEN4vnNjkexGJWwmyfOg-g16Gzo-kIEj49jqIxnVzrp66JBOz2aG5xyOvpiqKM/s1600-h/Weekendtoremember08.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196974273149126898" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSdCaL9eg8_ZWis1U2-WHlPAPG0xBSaQZGM7189V3vaUFk1uUmGlAuMakIFVChRvILfYDN19gFlMWO9sEN4vnNjkexGJWwmyfOg-g16Gzo-kIEj49jqIxnVzrp66JBOz2aG5xyOvpiqKM/s320/Weekendtoremember08.JPG" border="0" /></a> <div><span style="font-family:arial;">This past weekend my wife and I, along with six other couples from our church had the privilege of attending "A weekend to remember" hosted by the ministry of Family Life. This is our second year in a row to attend this conference and we hope to continue attending each year until we see Christ.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">One thing we as minister's do very well is invest time and energy into the lives of other families, and one thing we do very poorly is invest time and energy into our own, specifically our marriage. It's one thing to spend time with your children, and quite another to invest in or spend time with your spouse. One thing I have realized as a minister is; I'm more effective for others when my marriage is healthy and flourishing in Christ. My wife and I have had a great marriage for some 27 years now. It hasn't been without struggle, but has been a good marriage. However, three years ago I began to become the man of God that my wife really needed. Preaching, teaching, singing, and leading others to the Lord doesn't qualify me as a man of God. I believe what does is when I become the priest of my home, which demands time spent with my wife. Being a shepherd over her, as well as my kids. Considering her needs and always remembering she needs me as much or more as everyone else does, and that she is honored as my first priority of ministry. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">Take time today to bless your spouse. Give your marriage to the Lord and allow Him to build your home. Let Christ and His principles become the foundation of what your home is about. <em><strong>"Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain."</strong></em> Ps. 121:1</span></div>David Summerlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11829021804099326194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864668674311743448.post-46923630864350008902008-05-05T13:43:00.003-05:002008-05-05T13:47:46.633-05:00The desire for effective preachingPreaching is one of the mysteries that I have yet to figure out. How does one that is imperfect deliver the gospel without flaw or blemish that it might be understood by the listener, who is imperfect themselves, that they may gain the privilege of entering into an eternity with God?<br /><br />I understand the fact of scripture that it is the Holy Spirit that leads us or mankind to all truth. <em>“<strong>However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come”</strong></em> - John 16:13. The amazing thing is that God chooses to use ordinary people like you and I as funnels or vehicles of His word to a lost and hurting world. Many times when I leave the pulpit after a Sunday morning service, I begin to analyze the message and beat myself with questions “Why did you say such and such, or why didn’t you do or say this or that” as if I was the one that God was counting on to deliver a perfect message so all would come to the full knowledge of Christ that very day.<br /><br />I realize more and more as I grow in Christ that it is God that exposes the truth to mankind. It is the condition of a man’s heart that causes him to reject or accept the truth of God’s word when it is delivered. It is not my responsibility to change a heart; that is the Lords doing. <em>“<strong>I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do the”</strong></em> - Ezekiel 36:26, 27.<br /><br />A great description of this concern is addressed by the late Oswald Chambers in his devotional writings “Never sympathize with a soul who finds it difficult to get to God; God is not to blame. It is not for us to find out the reason why it is difficult, but so to present the truth of God that the Spirit of God will show what is wrong. The great sterling test in preaching is that it brings everyone to judgment. The Spirit of God locates each one to himself. If Jesus ever gave us a command He could not enable us to fulfill, He would be a liar; and if we make our inability a barrier to obedience, it means we are telling God there is something He has not taken into account. Every element of self-reliance must be slain by the power of God. Complete weakness and dependence will always be the occasion for the Spirit of God to manifest His power.”<a title="" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=6864668674311743448#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1">[1]</a><br /><br />It could not be spoken more clearly. Every element of self-reliance must be slain by the power of God by the preacher and the receiver of the Word. Preachers must depend solely and completely on the Holy Spirit to guide one to Christ through the preaching of the word. It is this awesome thought that brings into focus the blessing of grace, for grace is the power of God that enables one to follow the Lord and do as He says. <em><strong>“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God”</strong></em> - John 1:12.<br /><br />It remains my eternal desire as a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ that I remain faithful to the calling in which I have been called, and that is to proclaim the good news that is found in the pages of scripture. I realize that the message is a spiritual one and cannot be accomplished without the help of the Holy Spirit; therefore, it is my duty and desire, and should be of every minister of the gospel; to spend time in the presence of a Holy God who enables us to hear and see clearly His message for His people today.<br /><br /><a title="" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=6864668674311743448#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1">[1]</a>Chambers, Oswald: My Utmost for His Highest: Selections for the Year. Grand Rapids, MI: Discovery House Publishers, 1993, c1935, S. May 5David Summerlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11829021804099326194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864668674311743448.post-45536868117112967602008-04-17T19:01:00.005-05:002008-04-17T22:20:26.736-05:00The man that prayed me through!Today I got word that one of my former Pastors that helped me in the early beginnings of my salvation experience, passed away. His name was Joe Barnes and he pastored First Assembly of God church in Huntsville, Texas for many years. I was attending Sam Houston State University in 1979 when I met the Lord Jesus Christ. During that time of my college life, I began attending Chi Alpha which was a student run ministry on campus. My friend (Tim Kroon) and I went because we were hungry for God. Previous to our experiences with Christ, we hard tried the things of the world and all that comes with it and we knew there was something better.<br /><br />I remember a time he and I went out to a cemetery where a year prior to this, we would go because we heard their where Satanic sacrifices or rituals going on and we wanted to crash the party, not knowing really what we where going to encounter. We never really saw the party nor the sacrifices, but at least got to say we went to explore. So we're going out to the cemetery now to seek God. We knew it was definitely a quiet place, so we parked my truck, got into the back and began to pray, until we began to hear noises and became very distracted. Finally as we where praying we saw a line of car lights coming from deep inside the cemetery and we'd had enough. We jumped into the truck, sped off like crazy men. Maybe there was something going on in that place, but now with our life changed we didn't want any part of it. So we made our way back to First Assembly in Huntsville, it was late at night so we drove to the back of the church thinking we could find a quiet, but safe place to pray without distractions, but that wouldn't work either. Seemed like every time the wind blew and the trees waved their branches, we got side tracked and couldn't concentrate on the reason for why we were there. You see, we were praying to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit. We had heard about it, saw others receive it, saw the results of lives changed by it, and now we wanted it for ourselves. Our motto was "if God's got it and wants us to have it, we wanted it". Needless to say, nothing supernatural happen that night to either one of us.<br /><br />Several weeks later, a brother in the Lord, a student leader in our Chi Alpha group was teaching about the Holy Spirit. There was about (seemed like 60 people) crammed into a double wide mobile home that was on the back side of the church, sitting and learning more about the things of God concerning the Holy Spirit. I made a decision that night. I was not leaving that building until I had received the gift of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues as mentioned in Acts 2, 1 Corinthians 12-14, and other areas of the bible. After the meeting the leaders asked if there was any that wanted to pray and tarry for the baptism, and immediately my hand went up. There were about 6 of us, so they took us inside the church, and it just so happened that Pastor Barnes was there that evening taking care of some routine church duties, so he came in to pray with us. He talked to us briefly about receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit, and I remember kneeling down at that old altar and praying, trying my best to figure out what was happening or what was to happen. It seemed like hours, but really just a few minutes. Brother Barnes was on one side of the altar and I was on the other. He began to speak in a heavenly language that I could not understand nor tried to, and just minutes later God consumed my life with His presence and filled me with the Holy Spirit and gave me a prayer language of my own. What a day of rejoicing that was. God's gift freely given to any believer willing to accept it by faith and allow its operation in their life. I am indebted to three men that have had an impact on my life. Pastor James McKeehan of Lindale Assembly of God-Houston, Texas, Pastor Joe Barnes of First Assembly of God-Huntsville, Texas, and Pastor Lloyd Maddoux of First Assembly of God-Conroe, Texas. Pastor McKeehan and Pastor Barnes are both now with the Lord. They were men of God that I admired greatly. If I can do for someone just a small portion of what these men have done for me, I will have accomplished much for the Kingdom of God. Brother Barnes, thank you for being the man "that prayed me through".David Summerlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11829021804099326194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864668674311743448.post-7868792340907958432008-04-04T20:51:00.000-05:002008-04-04T21:41:59.942-05:00others may...you cannot!<div align="left"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">Back in the 80's when I knew that God had called me into service for Him, I ran across this paper (author unknown) that impacted my life so much, the message I have saved and held onto for over 20 years now and have tried at best to live what I felt was a call to a consecrated life with Christ. I knew the Lord had His hand upon me, but being young in the Lord at the time I didn't know really what that meant, nor did I know where the Lord was leading me. Today, I'm still not completely sure, but I do know He has continued pressing this message into my life.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><em>"Others may...you cannot"</em></span></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><em><span style="color:#000000;">If God has called you to be really like Jesus in all your spirit, He will draw you into a life of crucifixion and humility, and put on you such demands of obedience, that He will not allow you to follow other Christians, and in many ways He will seem to let other good people do things which He will not let you do.</span></em></span></div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><em><br />Other Christians and ministers who seem very religious and useful may push themselves, pull wires, and work schemes to carry out their plans, but you cannot do it; and if you attempt it, you will meet with such failure and rebuke from the Lord as to make you sorely penitent.</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><em><br />Others may brag on themselves, on their work, on their success, on their writings, but the Holy Spirit will not allow you to do any such thing, and if you begin it, he will lead you into some deep mortification that will make you despise yourself and all your good works.</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><em><br />Others will be allowed to succeed in making money, or having a legacy left to them, or in having luxuries. But it's likely God will keep you poor, because He wants you to have something better than gold, and this is a helpless dependence on Him, that He may have the privilege of supplying your needs day by day out of an unseen treasury. </em></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><br /><em><span style="color:#000000;">The Lord will let others be honored, and put forward, and keep you hid away in obscurity, because He wants to produce some choice, fragrant fruit for His coming glory, which can only be produced in the shade. He will let others be great, but keep you small. He will let others do a work for Him, and get the credit for it, but He will make you work and toil on without knowing how much you are doing: and then to make your work still more precious, He will let others get the credit for the work you have done, and this will make your reward ten times greater when Jesus comes.</span></em><br /><br /><em><span style="color:#000000;">The Holy Spirit will put a strict watch over you, with a jealous love, and will rebuke you for little words and feelings or for wasting your time, which other Christians never seem distressed over. So make up your mind that God is an infinite Sovereign God, and has a right to do as He pleases with His own, and He will not explain to you a thousand things which may puzzle your reason in His dealings with you, but if you absolutely sell yourself to be his love slave, he will wrap you up in a jealous love, and bestow upon you many blessings which come only to those who are in the inner circle.</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#000000;"><br />Settle it forever, then, that you are to deal directly with the Holy Spirit, and that He is to have the privilege of tying your tongue, or chaining your hand, or closing your eyes, in ways that He does not seem to use with others. Now, when you are so possessed with the living God, that you are in your secret heart, pleased and delighted over this peculiar, personal, private, jealous guardianship and management of the Holy Spirit over your life, you will have found the vestibule of Heaven." (End of quote). </span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#000000;"></span></em><br /><span style="color:#000000;">While eating dinner last evening with my wife of 27 years I mentioned to her that so many times in this season of my life I am overwhelmed with God and His presence in me. He is so real, almost tangible at times. The bible says in Hebrews 12:29 <em>"For our God is a consuming fire".</em> I feel at times consumed by His love, His mercy, and His grace. It is in these times when I know that He speaks to those who will take the time to listen. The one lost component of prayer, the listening side. We've been good at speaking, praying, giving our request, proclaiming, taking dominion, casting out this and that, but are we listening? God desires a people of fellowship. Many people today in the church cry out for fellowship, something their lacking in their lives that only others can fulfill. What about the Lord? What about fellowship with God? We were created for His good pleasure, may we never lose sight of that fact. </span></span><br /></span>David Summerlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11829021804099326194noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864668674311743448.post-51781625149129212062008-04-03T16:40:00.000-05:002008-04-03T18:13:37.325-05:00Where do you start?<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">This has been a dream of mine for many years to write about my experience in ministry or just my journey with Christ, knowing Him more intimate, knowing what He wants for my life. Wow, I really don't know where or how to begin, so I'll just start with where I am currently along this journey and weave into this tread past experiences, miracles of God in my life, good times and definitely a lot of hard times.<br /></span><br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Currently I Pastor a small, but growing & vibrant church in The Woodlands, Texas called The River. We run about 125 people overall and we're a little over 4 1/2 years old. This church was started out of our home during a very stressful time in mine and my wife's life. Our daughter had just married her high school sweetheart, which was awesome, but our son was beginning a downhill spiral in his walk with God and his overall choices he was making in high school. During that season the Lord was placing a desire in my heart to begin a church in The Woodlands with a vision to become a large, spirit-filled place of worship where the presence of God was sought after, and where people could grow in their hunger and relationship with Christ. I had been a part of this community (The Woodlands) for some time now, and had visited several churches to get a feel for the spiritual atmosphere around us, when the Lord said to begin a work for Him. I went to my Pastor that I had worked under since 1991 and he was willing to release us and committed to helping us financially and prayerfully for the first year while we began our work.<br /><br />During that time, I can't honestly say my wife was totally on board with starting. We both were under a lot of stress with our son, and our focus was really directed on how to help him. We battled guilt, confusion, anger, and all of the other emotions that come into play when God has called you to do something for Him that's always bigger than yourself, but you feel so inadequate or unworthy because one of your own is suffering with choices they've made. So, what do you do? Scripture says when you've done all to stand, keep standing! Don't quit, don't give in to the war around you, but fight your way back with one purpose in mind, and that's not even to really get you child back, it's bigger...it's to give glory to God with our lives and allow our selves to become a living sacrifice for the Lord.<br /><br />I can't explain to you all what I really feel about the Lord, or even how deep of a yearning I have to know Him better. Proofing and re-reading the previous paragraphs stir up feelings I had several years ago, even back when I know He placed His "Call" on my life in the early 80's. Feelings of complete surrender to the will of God. Feelings that cause self examination stirring questions about life, purpose, and meaning. Maybe we've all asked the question: Why am I here? We're here to have fellowship with God. We're here to give glory to Him at all times. If there's one thing I've learned over the years, it's that this life is not about us, it's about the Lord. He purchased us with the blood of His son Jesus Christ. He paid a price for us that no one can match. What he's asked of those who follow Him is a life lived for Him. Many people feel there's no real obligation to serve God or live for Him consistently. They even feel once they've made a commitment to the Lord, that God knows their weaknesses and their inability to live for Him, therefore justifying or excusing themselves from consistent devotion or prayer because of the weakness of their carnal nature. However, something we fail to remember or remind ourself is when someone gives their life to Christ, the Holy Spirit of promise comes to take residence in that life. The Spirit of God becomes our guide, our teacher, and our comforter. The bible says in <strong>John 16:13</strong> the Holy Spirit comes to <em>"guide you into all the truth".</em> <strong>John 14:6</strong> says Jesus is "<em>the way, the truth, and the life",</em> so the Holy Spirit living in us leads us in Christ. I believe He leads us in every aspect of Christ. We become the Lords treasured vessels that He lives in. What an honor and what a blessing. We live in days that demand a deeper surrender to God's will. Everyone battles the sins of the flesh (mind, will, emotions), but God will always make a way of escape to those who seek Him. I leave you with a quote from a family member. <strong><em><span style="color:#000000;">"God</span><span style="color:#000000;"> reveals the secrets to those who seek Him"</span></em><span style="color:#000000;">.</span></strong> Be a seeker of God!</span>David Summerlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11829021804099326194noreply@blogger.com0