Category Archives: Relationships

December 16, 2010

How does it feel?

By Brent Kellogg

The thought hit me the – I have never been to a funeral of someone I loved dearly who I knew went to hell.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been to a lot of funerals.  I have even preached a lot of funerals. I’ve done funerals for people I loved dearly – but it was more of a celebration because I knew they went straight to the arms of Jesus and are now in heaven.

But I have never lost a family member, a friend, a person I had a close relationship and knew they went to hell…

So I wonder how that feels.  Would that change my perspective on how I share the gospel? 

We should live like eternity is on the LINE for someone… Everyday!

Leave a comment | posted in Church, Influence, Relationships

March 29, 2010

One Great Week!

By Brent Kellogg

I had a moment today that is somewhat laughable.   Some of you are going to think I’m a terrible person – others may join in and laugh with me.

I was working on my day off!  I know, BAD BRENT!  But we are working to get things ready for an AMAZING EASTER SUNDAY!  While I’m going 100 miles an hour – I had not ONE, but TWO sales people… “WANT TO TALK WITH THE PASTOR.”

Usually, sales people would call or e-mail and make an appointment, but these guys just dropped in!  And they caught me working my tail off!

The first one, I gave him 3 minutes.  When he said, “network level marketing,” I know my eyes glazed over.  In 30 more seconds I was shaking his hand and showing him the door.

The second one was a little more humorous.   I had Joe Shepard on the scaffolding, waiting for me.  Ryan Ramey, looking for something for me.  I quickly ran out to my office – and on the way back into the big building I saw a gentlemen. 

“You looking for someone?”  I asked.

“I’d like to speak with the pastor. Is he here?” He said.

I said, “He is, but he is really busy right now. You might call his office and make an appointment.”

Then I just walked on in the building, shaking my head of course.  I don’t think I lied to the guy – I just didn’t have time on my day off to hear another “Network Level Marketing” presentation!

I know that Glazed over look well… It seems when I invite my friends, neighbors, and people I meet to church – they kind of give me the same look.  But this is ONE week – people may be more sensitive to an invitation.

I hope you will BEGIN RIGHT NOW praying for the right person to invite to church.  Pray for the right moment to invite them.  And Pray God will move upon their heart to go with you!

I think EASTER would be so much better if someone you invited GOT SAVED!!!!

It’s going to be a GREAT Week!

Leave a comment | posted in Church, Influence, Leadership, Relationships

March 4, 2010

Live like you are dying!

By Brent Kellogg

Reading Numbers 31:2 – kind of struck a chord with me.   Moses, go fight the Midianites and then you are going to die.

Wow…

If you knew it was your last mission for Christ, how would you handle it?  If you knew it was your last sermon to preach, your last song to sing, or your last date with your spouse, how would you handle it?

We began service a few weeks ago with a country song, Live Like You Are Dying by Tim McGraw.  It was AWESOME!  The point of the song is – if you only had a short time to live – what would you do with the rest of your days.

Too many people in Moses situation would say, forget this – I’m out! You guys can clean up this mess.

Some people would just have a pity party and spend the rest of their days sending out invitations!

Others would finish strong! Which is exactly what Moses did.  He maintained the purity God had called him and the Nation of Israel to!

If you knew it was your last battle – how would you respond?

Have a great day with Jesus!

Leave a comment | posted in Failure, Influence, Leadership, Relationships

January 8, 2010

Perspective

By Brent Kellogg

Kalei Grace is 2 and picks up on EVERYTHING you say. (Remember those days parents?)

Somewhere, (not going to say where) She learned a four letter word for Poop – that rhymes with SCRAP.

The other night we are sitting on Landon’s bed going through his Bible flash cards and Kalei has his kids bible and she’s turning the pages looking through it. She begins to say… that 4 little word she picked up.

“Kalei – we don’t say that.” She said it again. “Kalei – we don’t say that!!” She said it again. “KALEI GRACE!!! – We do NOT talk like that!!!”

Kalei was actually looking at the Story of Noah and the Ark. And in the bottom of the picture was a CRAB – and she was just pointing it out and telling us. Yeah, we felt kind of bad about that one!

Sometimes people are saying one thing… but we assume or hear something else. (Even when they are 2) Have a GREAT weekend

– we’ll See you Sunday @ 10:30.

1 comment | posted in Relationships

December 10, 2009

Judas

By Brent Kellogg

Every part of Jesus time on earth served a purpose.  To teach us, model for us, love us, guide us and much more.

 As I’m reading through the Gospel of Matthew my brain asks this question, “What was the purpose of Judas betraying Jesus?”  Scripture is pretty clear that several times the Jewish religious leaders could have captured Jesus. 

 So what is the purpose in Jesus enduring the betrayal of one of his followers?  Did that really have to happen?  God could have easily orchestrated a circumstance where Jesus was arrested without Jesus enduring the betrayal of a disciple.

Here’s a few thoughts:

Jesus knew all along Judas would betray him.  The Gospel has several references where Jesus, referring to Judas would say, “One of you will betray me.” Or “One of you is a devil.” 

Jesus did his earthly ministry with a man he knew would betray him and ultimately cause him pain.

Could it be Jesus did that so we followers of Christ would have an example of how to deal with those who betray us?

Jesus rebuked Judas a few times, but mainly about greed.  As I recall, he rebuked Peter far more.  We don’t see where Jesus ever argued with Judas.

We see, in all honesty, Jesus trusting Judas with the money. 

The language speaks that Jesus loved Judas.  He didn’t ever say, “even as I have loved you… except Judas.”  He washed Judas feet.  He served Judas.

Jesus set an example of us – by loving the one he knew would betray him. Much easier said than done!

 Have a great day!

Leave a comment | posted in Church, Forgiveness, Leadership, Relationships

December 1, 2009

Better?

By Brent Kellogg

Coming SUNDAY NIGHT December 20th – we are making a big announcement regarding the future of Cornerstone Church.  You don’t want to miss it! (AWESOME-NESS!!!)

If you see a movie over the holidays – make sure it is “Blind Side.” It is a great movie that will challenge us all to make a difference in the world around us.

We had a great weekend at Cornerstone Church as we continued our “All IN” Series. Part of our journey is to “Invite” others to Christ.

The Question of the day, Are you better with Jesus Christ in your life?

We recommend hotels, restaurants, movies and electronic gadgets because they add value to our lives.  But does Christ add value to your life?   If he does – how often do we recommend Him to people we know without him?

For me, my spiritual Journey with Jesus hasn’t always been easy, but it is the GREATEST Journey of my life. It is the Greatest Journey the world has ever known.

Are you better with Jesus in your life?

2 comments | posted in Church, Faith, Influence, Relationships

August 14, 2009

Displease the crowd 2

By Brent Kellogg

What I find interesting in Jesus encounter with Zacchaeus, it didn’t take Zacc long to change.  This encounter changed his life. “I will give half my wealth to the poor…”

Here a lost person was willing to give to those in need.  While in today’s context we can’t get followers of Christ to give to anything.  2% of evangelical believers tithe. More that 50% of Christians give absolutely NOTHING to the work of the kingdom.  Here a lost person was giving ½ to those in need.

The Crowd was still displeased.

What do you really believe about Jesus?  Does he have the ability to change people like Zacchaeus? 

I’m not really sure we believe that.  I’m not really sure we believe the word of God is living, powerful and sharp.   

We can be displeased… we know how to do that.  But do we really believe Jesus has the power to change people?

1 comment | posted in Church, Compassion, Faith, Money, Relationships

August 12, 2009

Displease the crowd

By Brent Kellogg

Reading in Luke 19 – the famous story where Jesus confronts the short tax collector Zacchaeus.   He was a very influential Jew in the Roman Tax collecting business.

Vs. 6 says Zacchaeus took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. 

 A sinner was excited that Jesus was coming to his house.   In today’s context I can’t imagine that.  We would assume sinners would run, be rude, not engage in that conversation with or about Jesus.  But I believe the lost world is looking for a real Jesus.

 Vs 7 – the crowd was displeased because Jesus had gone to be the “guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled.

 Yep, that sounds like much of the church today.  I guess even Jesus couldn’t please the crowd.

Leave a comment | posted in Church, Compassion, Relationships

August 11, 2009

Searching for Spiritual things

By Brent Kellogg

The lost world we live in is searching.  They are looking for spiritual things and they don’t mind having spiritual conversations.

Jesus discovered this in Luke 15:1-2

1 Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach.  2 This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such despicable people—even eating with them!

 

The “NOTORIOUS SINNERS” would come to listen to Jesus teach.

Is that happening today in the church?  Not as much as should. 

I wonder why.  Is the church it’s own culture where they don’t feel welcome? Do we speak a language they wouldn’t understand?

Your thoughts?

4 comments | posted in Church, Leadership, Relationships

June 22, 2009

Generations…

By Brent Kellogg

If you ever read the book of Genesis, it says this phrase A LOT,

“These then are the records of the generations of. . .”

 It gives the generations of Adam, of Noah, Of Abraham, of Isaac of Jacob or Esau. The list goes on and on.

 Sunday was Father’s day, and that typically is a rough day for me. (My dad passed away 6 years ago). However this year is pretty special for me.

 I spent the better part of last week with my Grandfather (dad’s dad) in Dayton, Ohio visiting the World’s largest aviation museum.  The National Air Force Museum.

 The Airplane exhibits were top notch.  But NOTHING could compare to the 4 days of being with my grandfather.  We talked like to Jr. High girls high on Mt. Dew. 

 I will always cherish those 4 days.  My whole life he has instilled character and values in me that money can’t talk me out of and immorality can’t compromise.

 As fathers and grandfathers it is our job to instill in our children character, integrity, morals, values, faith and patriotism into the next generation.

 What can you do today to add to the “record of the generation of __YOU__?”

Leave a comment | posted in Leadership, Relationships

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