Kim and I were honored to be able to spend eighteen days in Africa during October 2009. It was a great and awesome time; however, we did miss our four daughters. Yet, making the eternal investments in the people of Africa was well worth it. The privilege of ministering God’s love and bringing His good news to people, some who have never heard the gospel, can never be replaced.

Mutare, Zimbabwe

We went to Mutare, Zimbabwe, into the Dungumvura Township, to be a part of Steve Olivier’s “Life World Outreach” crusade. Each day, I ministered to Steve’s Zimbabwe staff in devotions. During a three-day pastors leadership conference, we taught pastors simple leadership truths and about who they are in Christ. 

I had the wonderful privilege of preaching two nights at the six-day crusade. There was an estimated four to five thousand people in attendance. Thousands of people gave their heart to Jesus! Hundreds of people were healed by the power of God. It was amazing to see these precious people hungering for the things of God.

Lusaka, Zambia

In Lusaka, Zambia, at Miracle Life Family Church, with Pastor Walker and Haley Schurz, we were able to teach church leadership to the pastoral staff. We also taught a youth leadership session and preached to the church’s youth group.

On the third part of our trip, we got to enjoy the beautiful country of South Africa. We went to Pilanesberg National Game Resort Park in South Africa, where we took a safari. We enjoyed two days of driving through the reserve to look at God’s wonderful creations and the beautiful scenery of Africa. We even saw two lions eating a hippopotamus!

For more photos of our amazing trip, check out my Facebook page by clicking here.

“If God is FOR YOU who can be against you?” (Romans 8:31)

We all need support. It’s encouraging to know that we have friends that will say, “Hey I’ll be right here FOR YOU if you need me.”  Everyone needs that type of friendship. However, you may feel sometimes that you’re all alone.

The truth is, “No matter what, God is FOR YOU even if you can’t find anyone who is.”

Know that God is FOR YOU, not based on your goodness, but His.

“For I know the plans I have FOR YOU,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

As important as it is to know that God is FOR YOU, it is equally important to realize that He has made YOU FOR greatness.

God has called you to make a difference. So walk in the assurance today that if God is FOR YOU, who can be against you, because He has ordained YOU FOR His purposes!     ~ Larry

Kim and I are very excited to share with you about the incredible mission we will be taking part of in Zambia and Zimbabwe, Africa. On September 22, we depart to serve and minister the good news of the saving truth of Jesus Christ and Biblical leadership principles.  We are so honored to goto Africa!

First, we go to Lusaka, Zambia, to minister with Pastor Walker and Haley Shurz of Miracle Life Family Church (www.africaoutreach.net ). This church is the largest church in the nation of Zambia, with well over 3,000 in weekend attendance. We will teach leadership to their church staff, have a youth leadership seminar for the youth leaders, and preach to the church’s youth group.

Second, we will go and meet with missionaries, Steve and Dee Olivier of Life World Outreach (www.LifeWorldOutreach.com) that holds outdoor field crusades in Zimbabwe. I will assist Steve with a crusade in the Eastern region of Zimbabwe in the city of Mutare. I will preach a few nights of the 6-day crusade and we will also host a 3-day pastor and church leaders training conference.

We will be making an eternal impact and eternal investment in the lives of the precious people of Africa. We ask you to support us in two ways: first, and most importantly, in prayer and second, in finances. Prayerfully consider if you would like to give; and if you are unable to give at this time, please know we equally value your prayers.

If you feel led, please make out your check to: Finishline Ministry. In the memo of the check write: AFRICA. All donations are tax deductable. Mail to:
FinishLine Ministries
2090 Route 68 W
Zelienople, PA 16063

We are grateful for your partnership and prayers.    - Larry

Call a TIME-OUT in order to TUNE IN!

Life is moving at craziness speed. It’s important to slow down. You must slow down on purpose. Regularly, what I do is call a “Time-Out Day.” REST TO REFRESH: A day to turn off the phone, don’t check email, turn off all the media; I just enjoy my family and enjoy my God. I may read or nap or go on a lunch-date with Kim. This helps me “tune in” to the important priorities and values of my life.

Mark Batterson, lead pastor of National Community Church in Washington DC, says, “When your routine, becomes routine, you need a change to your routine.”

Be careful of being blindsided by the “rush of routine.”  Upon recognizing that life is getting too routine or you have been getting in a rut, just go ahead and call “Time-out!”

In a sports game, coaches call time-outs for a few reasons: A) Sometimes, they just need to slow the game down so everyone can gain focus and composure. B) Sometimes, a time-out is called strategically, to plan a play. C) Other times, a coach calls a time-out and just gives an encouraging pep-talk.

In Psalm 46:10a (NIV) we read, “Be still and know that I am God.”

It’s in those times of stillness, when we carve out and stop the pace of life, that we are able to really hear, apart from all the noise and clutter around us, how much God is for us. We can hear the Spirit’s gentle whisper saying, “It’s going to be all right.”

Do you need to call a time-out in order to tune in today? Is it just to slow the pace of life down? Or to sit down and think about you’re next steps? Or is it just to hear an encouraging word or whisper from the Lord saying how much He loves you and how much He is for you? Hey, guess what, call that “TIME OUT” and win!   -Larry

YOU ARE GOD’S MASTERPIECE!

Over the years, each of my girls have drawn and/or colored a picture of “Daddy and me”. I have simply cherished those art renditions by my children. They have become something special that I look at from time to time.

In Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) says, “For we are God’s MASTERPIECE. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

God highly values you. In God’s perspective, you are that valuable masterpiece, created and ordained by Him. It’s like when you go to the art museum to look at beautiful paintings and sculptures created by talented or historic artists. You admire their works and their creations. Well, our God looks at His work, you, with the same purpose.

Likewise, as Eph. 2:10 says, God values us as his rare, special, prized, invaluable, incalculable, cherished work of His genius. And our Loving Father doesn’t make mistakes.

“The Master always leaves His imprint on His creation.”

God has placed His imprint on our heart and His signature on our lives.  Let us rise to a higher standard in our belief in how much God loves, values and cherishes us.

Your value to God is not based on what you do or don’t do for God, but on who you are – His MASTERPIECE.    

~Larry

Romans 8:38-39 (msg) 

“None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I’m absolutely convinced that NOTHING—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.”

You need to be convinced that there is nothing in your past, present or even your future that can hinder God’s plan for your life and His continual love for you.

Nothing means nothing!

Even thinkable or the unthinkable acts could never hinder the embrace of God. We must never underestimate the power of love. Not only the love that God has shown to us, but the compassion and love that we can show to one another. When we show and share God’s love, it can make an everlasting impact on another’s life.

I heard Pastor Allen Speegle say, “There is nothing you can do to make God love you more and there is nothing that you have done to make God love you less.”

The reality of this truth can set you free. If God doesn’t allow “nothing” to hinder his act of loving kindness toward us, lets not allow “nothing” to hinder us from serving him to our full potential. Put it Behind Ya: keep advancing!     ~Larry

In Psalm 51:10 (The Message) it says, “God, make a fresh start in me, 
shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life.”

The great thing about our loving Father and His abundant grace for us is God gives us a FRESH START. As a matter of fact, every morning reminds us of a fresh start and it is renewed to us day by day (Lamentations 3).

Everyone likes it fresh. Subway says, “Eat Fresh!” I personally like fresh-baked bread. Fresh clean-smelling towels. Fresh-cut flowers.  Fresh-grown vegetables. Fresh ocean breezes. God is into giving us a fresh start. In Psalm 51, David has just been dealing with guilt. He comes to understand the grace of God as he recognizes that God allows him to make a fresh start. David also realizes that God can create a “Genesis,” a new beginning from the pain and from the mistakes of his life.

God is into do-overs. God gives mulligans. God gives second, third, and fourth chances… No matter what your day, your week, your month, or your year has been like just remember that you can “Put It Behind Ya.”

(Check out Larry’s new book “Put It Behind Ya.”)

“Don’t always be focused on changing. But focus on improving.”

When you focus on changing it leads to frustration. When you focus on a consistent daily experience and encounter with God, you will end up improving your life! Taking one day at a time allows you to see God’s grace to erase the past and enjoy the present.”

Psalm 51:12 reveals how God will give you “fresh wind” for you sails. Keep sailing for a fresh start.

-Larry

Proverbs 18:21 (The Message) says, “Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit – you choose.” 

We need a good filter! For our mind to function properly, it’s vital to filter our words before we speak. O, how I wish I would always think before I speak! We do not want to be one of those people who speak their minds whenever and wherever.

Our words can be “damaging” or “developmental”! Lifeless words damage others and yourself. Words that add value “develop” our purpose and destiny.

When water comes out of the faucet, it may taste fine, but when it is filtered it becomes pure. The more we filter our thoughts and our words before we speak, the purer they will become. Pure words produce positive life.

We want to filter and think before we speak, so that we add value! We do not want to cause hurt or pain unintentionally or hastily by speaking words without recognizing the power of their influence. Choose today to speak love!       -Larry 

God sees you as victorious–as a winner and a champion. However, circumstances in life don’t always make us feel that way.

Life is not fair. It is filled with ups and downs, wins and losses, good and bad. Yet in these life experiences, God can mold you and prepare you to be a vital help to others. You cannot erase the past, but you can PUT IT BEHIND YA.

In my new book, I share three easy steps to getting beyond your mistakes and moving forward. These steps are

1.     Endure it…

2.     Survive it…

3.     Go on!

God’s Word says, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14)

In Put It Behind Ya, I show how the principles and illustrations of God’s love and grace will help any person no matter what season of life your in. Remember, Jesus Loves You!

To purchase a copy of Put It Behind Ya click here.

Do you ever feel that there is so much information that you can’t keep up with everything going on? The information overload syndrome. 

Too many times, I have found my time with God to be focused on getting information and putting Bible facts in my head as opposed to simply spending time in intimacy with God, in order to have my heart filled with His love and His grace.

At times, Kim and I have gone out on a dinner date and I find myself filling her with facts instead of just sitting there listening, enjoying her presence.

Do you find yourself spending time with God for knowledge’s sake verses spending time with God simply for intimacy? I find that if I center my time on information and not intimacy, I will limit God’s voice speaking into my life.

 I’m learning the truth of Psalms 46:10 which says, “ Be still and know that I am God…”

I have found that it is not so much reading my Bible or going through my prayer list that brings me into greater intimacy. My best times with God are sitting on my bench in the morning or taking a walk with Him. It’s times of just being quiet and knowing His voice and how much He loves me. I believe God wants us to be transformed in His presence.

 My thought is that instead of spending time with God on a transactional basis, where I give something to God and God gives something to me, I’m preferring to spend time with God on a transformational basis where His love transforms me into His image and His power.      -Larry