I really am trying!!

I am trying to be a better blogger. I think that I get writers block sometimes and cannot seem to figure out what to write. But I am trying and that should count for something! It reminds me of what I read this morning in the Book of Romans. Paul seems to be having the same issues - not about writing but about life.

He goes on in Chapter 6 how grace is not a license to sin but it is an overcoming force to help you not sin. He makes statements like - "Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?" God forbid!! Grace is not given for you and I to freely continue to sin, it is given so that we may have power over sin - "how shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?"

He discusses this subject for a few verses then in Chapter 7 he begins to discuss the struggle against sin that humanity faces. He opens up a segment of his life for all to see and reveals that - I really am trying to do right, but I find that it is difficult at times. In my mind I know the right thing to do but in my body I do not do it.

Wow what an insight - we all will constantly struggle against the flesh - it is part of human nature. But God gives us the victory through the power of the Spirit. Keep your head up, your knees in the altar, your eyes fixed on Jesus, and your heart open to his way and He will give you the power to overcome.

Just some thoughts - not sure they make sense - but hey I am trying!!
Have a great day

Pastor Darin Sargent

Jr. Camp Update

I just returned from the So Cal District Jr. Camp and wow what a time. I stand amazed at how God pours out His Spirit at these camps. Close to 50 kids received the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. It was awesome.

On the last night I stood in the altar and watched as over 200 kids were dancing, lost in the spirit, receiving victory and just enjoying the presence of the Lord. It got me to thinking. There is nothing like the experience of the Holy Ghost. I was raised on this experience. You cannot tell me it is not real.

In the culture and society in which we live - we need the power of the Holy Ghost like never before. It transforms lives. I am so thankful that what I experienced at camps as a kid is still being experienced today.

Thank God for dedicated men and women that take the time to see that the kids of this generation can experience the power of the Spirit of God at work in their lives.

I'll write more later.
Enjoying the experience!!

DS

Even On Vacation

Well my family and I have been on vacation for close to two weeks now and we will be heading home in the next couple of days. It has been a great time of rest, relaxation and hysterical fun. My kids are hilarious. We have laughed and enjoyed the much needed time that we have had together as a family. But even in the midst of the frivolity it seems that God has a way of speaking to you.

As a pastor it is so great to have the time off and recoup. As I awoke this morning I felt that familiar pull to spend some time with my Maker. Vacations are fun and needed but there is nothing like being in His presence. I left the time together refreshed in my spirit.

I am going to enjoy the next few final days of my vacation but I am so excited for the weekend back in the pulpit of the church i have been called to pastor.

Hope to have more to write later.

On vacation and not answering many phone calls!!

ds

God Always Has A Way

I awoke with a simple but profound thought - God always has a way!! When Jesus proclaimed that He was THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE it was settled that no matter what you face in life HE IS THE WAY. Though Christ was primarily referring to Salvation, I think it is safe to say that HE IS THE WAY through the many situations that we find ourselves in in our lives.

A couple of months ago I drove to the LA area to have my taxes done. I use a company that specializes in doing taxes for clergy members. As I walked into their offices and walked back to the office of my accountant that I barely know, he began to read my mail!! I was completely blown away - I went to get my taxes done and ended up weeping as my accountant began to speak a word into my life.

Now you have to understand something, my accountant is not on my speed dial list. He is not in my favorites on my iPhone, he is just an individual that the IRS requires me to see at the most once a year. When I stepped into his office he said, "I have been waiting for you to get here! The Lord spoke to me to tell you...." And for 20 minutes he began to tell me things that he had no idea were going on in my life or the life of the church that I pastor.

Now I will be honest - As for as I know this man isn't "one of us" - You know a Pentecostal!! I know - some of you just stopped reading because - if you were like me at this moment, you thought - how could God speak through someone that may not be just like I am????

This man spoke some things into my life in areas that only my wife and I had spoken about. Things in our hearts for the church we pastor, things for our personal lives and ministry - I began to weep as I thought - God you know exactly what I need when I need it.

I left knowing I was getting a refund but more importantly realizing GOD WILL ALWAYS MAKE A WAY.

If we are willing to listen I believe that God can speak to us in a variety of ways, outside the four walls of church!! I know I pushing the edge here for some of you but think about it - Balaam was given the word of God through a DONKEY!! Now dont get me wrong - I am not calling my accountant a donkey - (dude I got a refund, he is not a donkey) - I am just trying to get us to understand that God will do whatever He needs to do to speak to us and give us direction in our lives.

I trust that we will slow down long enough to hear Him talking to us in moments we might miss if we are not careful.

Enjoy your week and go see your accountant!!

DS

I WILL BE BACK

To all of you who have been emailing wondering if I was stepping out of the Blog world - I will be back!! Just taking some time to focus on other things right now - reading, writing, arithmetic LOL No seriously, I have been meaning to jot some things down but have just been extremely busy with everything going on.

Each stage of life provides new challenges that must be conquered to step into the next arena. I have been challenged as of late to tackle the stage of life we are in as a church and see what God has for us in the next phase. It is exciting and frightening at the same time. Faith always requires trust - seeing beyond what is to what could be.

But I will write more of that later. Stay tuned - I will be back

DS

Busy Time

Well it has been over a week since I last posted on my blog. Things have been insanely busy. Sometimes you have to stop and re-prioritize life because it will get away from you if you are not careful. Life pushes us in so many directions sometimes we feel like we are standing at a New York City intersection trying to figure out which way we need to go next.

There is a scripture that I think about on these crazy occasions - BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD.... All of us have got to learn to just stop long enough to know that there is a God that invites us into a closer fellowship with him. In the middle of the madness take time to BE STILL -

I just finished one of my classes back in PA and part of the post session assignment is to take a day without any electronic communication devices and untangle myself from society. The only thing I am allowed to take with me is my bible a pen and a notebook. A complete day with no email, cell phone or internet - WHAT AM I GOING TO DO? LOL

To be honest with you - I cant wait to go on this one day journey into silence. It may become a weekly event in my life. I am convinced God wants to speak to us on a more consistent basis but we are so bombarded by the voices of our culture continually that it is hard to hear what He is saying.

Trying to get untangled,


Darin S

Four Days In

Well I am into the fourth day of a class that I am taking here in Valley Forge, PA. The class is entitled "The Spiritual Formation of the Minister" It has been a great class and I am being stretched in my learning. It is hard to teach an old dog new tricks - LOL It has been challenging but good. I will post more comments and pics when I can.

I'm Out!!
Darin S.

What A Difference One Day Can Make

What must it have been like that morning that Jesus conquered this thing called death? It is hard to imagine what must of raced through the minds of the disciples and those that viewed an empty tomb. It is amazing to me what difference one day can make. One day all those that had placed their trust in Christ are mourning - the next day - celebration! What a difference one day can make. One day hell is throwing a party - the next day - their keys are taken from them. What a difference one day can make.

I am so thankful for this season of celebrating the Death, Burial and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. I hope today will be that one day that will make a difference in someone's life.

Happy Resurrection Morning
DS

Early Morning Sounds

I love the mornings!! For the most part, I am an early riser. There is nothing quite like that early morning feeling, that feeling that comes when the sun is peeking over the horizon, that feeling that comes when birds start their chirping - you know that before 5:30 AM feeling. I find myself in my office at home, just returned from the church and drinking my cup of joe and I start to hear the shuffling of feet and the creak of my kids beds as they start to rise for their day. Our little one is the first to rise (as always) and she comes bouncing down the stair with a big GOOD MORNING DADDY - she loves life and I am glad she does. Sure makes my life a little easier.

As I think about all this I can't help but think that God must love mornings also. The Bible says that EACH MORNING HIS MERCIES ARE NEW!! Wow!! In a world like ours that has so many limits it is hard for us to imagine that there is a God that never runs out of mercy - each and every morning His mercies start all over again. In a world that is defined by time we serve a God that never worries about the clock, you never find him stressed out over situations, He is never deterred by circumstances - each day is a brand new day for Him to do something great in our lives.

Well I better stop for now - I need a second cup!!

Enjoying the morning -
DS


this is the view I get to wake up to every morning!! awesome!!

Cornerstone Rocks!!

I had the privilege at the end of our trip in Washington last week, to drive over to Spokane to preach for a long time friend, Rick Mayo. 14 years ago Bro. & Sis. Mayo went to Spokane and started a church from nothing and today they are running well over 200 people. It was great to be back at Cornerstone and see what God is doing there. It is amazing what Preaching can do!! Bro. Mayo has raised up a church through the power of preaching the Word of God. I was impressed with the number of young people and young couples so excited about revival and what God is doing there at Cornerstone.

I began preaching for Cornerstone over 10 years ago and have seen them in every phase of the church. From the storefront to the building that they are too large for now, Bro. Mayo enthusiastically showed me the plans for the next step that Cornerstone is taking - building a new facility on property they own off the interstate!! I have watched God raise up a powerfully Apostolic church in the heart of Spokane Valley. It was such a delight to be with them and to experience what God is doing. Here are some pictures of the service. God bless!!

Heritage

Having the opportunity to be in Washington this past week, gave me the chance to go see my Grandmother Sargent who will be 94 in just a few weeks. I took Carson with me and it was an awesome time. She told us about her experience in receiving the Holy Ghost many years ago. It was incredible to hear her tell how real the Holy Ghost still is and how much she needs it in her life - SHE IS ALMOST 94 - WOW!!

I had her lay hands on Carson before we left and the power of God came down in her apartment as she began to pray and prophesy over my son. I will never forget those few hours we spent together last Friday with one of my heroes in life. I have been given such an awesome heritage and I want to pass it down to my children.

This Present World

I woke up this morning with this thought on my mind for today. The Bible says that Paul was forsaken by Demas because Demas loved this PRESENT world. The thought grabbed me this morning that Demas was so in love with what IS whereas Paul was in love with what IS TO COME!

Can we become so enamored with the present, the tangible, the same o same o that we neglect to live our lives for what is to come? Are we so comfortable in the present that we refuse to step into the future because we have grown accustomed to our surroundings, afraid to venture beyond here - afraid to commit to the unseen beyond.

Everything in God's economy is measured by two things - FAITH AND OBEDIENCE. The Word of God says that obedience is better than sacrifice and it says of faith that without it - we are unable to please God - two non tangible things that are required to venture beyond where we currently are to where God is instructing us to go.

Abraham BELIEVED GOD and it was counted unto him for righteousness - HE simply BELIEVED God was taking him beyond the here and now, even though he couldn't see it, to the place of promise for his life.

I want to believe and I want to obey whatever it is God is asking of me. That is the only way we will ever get a glimpse of the unseen future!

Just a thought,

DS

THANK YOU WASHINGTON!!

I want to say thanks to the leadership of the youth department of the WA District. You guys and gals - did an excellent job putting on a great youth convention. To all the young people - thank you so much for responding the way you did, flowing in the spirit, and allowing God to challenge you for the future. I believe in each of you and I look forward to hearing some great reports coming out of this group.

Thanks for your kindness and hospitality. I will forever be impacted by what we experienced together in the realms of glory. Let God continue to use and guide your lives.

For Young People,

Darin S.

Washington Youth Convention First Night

Wow!  God is good.  We had an awesome service last night and I am thankful for what God did on the very first night.  I have included a short video to show you the altar time of the service.  Some great kids up here hungry for God to work in their lives.  Stay tuned.

On Our Way

Carson and I are on our way to Washington to preach the Wa Dist. Youth Convention and this is what we look like having to get up at 4:45am.  Stay tuned for updates throughout the week and a report of all that God is going to do this week.

God bless

DS & CS

What's On Your Mind?

I have recently been intrigued by the portion of scripture that says "Let this mind be in you as it was in Christ Jesus."  It is clear by looking into God's Word that it is His divine desire that we have The Mind of Christ.  

What does it mean to have His mind?  Paul talked about this in Romans when he mentioned that in order for us to remain unconformed from this world we must allow ourselves to be transormed BY THE RENEWING OF OUR MINDS!

There is such a battle in the generation that you and I are a part of to keep our minds unfettered.  Daily there are countless darts thrown that distract us from what our main purpose is - To have the mind of Christ.

I want my mind to be what God wants it to be.  In a time where there are so many distractions, take time to renew your mind.  Take time to ask God to give you His mind for the things you are dealing with daily.  Paul seems to tie in with the fact that if we renew our minds and allow the transforming power of God's spirit, we will have the ability to determine the will of God for our lives.

Now that is what I want on my mind!

DS

Changes

Change is good!  I never said it was easy I just said it is good.  I am often amazed how people respond to change.  That sort of change that attacks the status quo, change that ruffles the feathers of life and challenges you to dig a little deeper in your relationship with God.  I have watched people resist change and I have many times wondered why.  The benefit that change brings into ones life is usually much better than the rut they were in.  

But suffice it to say change is hard.  We grow comfortable where we are.  We like the familiar, we take comfort in the same surroundings and when God comes along and says - Can I take you higher?  We often dismiss the voice because it requires us to leave where we are to where He wants us to be.

In my life, I do not want to be resistant to change.  I want to grow, I want to become, I want to prosper in my relationship with God and with others so I must learn to adapt to the moving of the Spirit.  I must remember that God is not a MONUMENT - HE IS A MOVEMENT!  He has been moving since the beginning of time as we know it.  

Genesis describes that "The Spirit of the Lord MOVED upon the face of the deep."  When God gets to moving and working things start to change - things that had no shape begin to be shaped.  He brings light into dark situations.  Oh what change can do!

The eagle is majestic.  Watching an eagle fly is something that is awe inspiring to me.  But that eagle did not always fly like that.  There was a day that that eagle was just an eaglet in the comfort of the nest till Mama eagle decided to make the nest a little uncomfortable.  Uncomfortable to the point that the baby eagle makes his way to the edge only to be pushed over the edge by the mother eagle.  Sounds cruel but it is the only way that little eaglet is going to learn to fly.

I guess there are times God has to make things uncomfortable in our lives to teach us how to fly. Well these are just my thoughts this morning.  God bless!! 

DS 

Order Yours Today

Well the wait is finally over.  You can order the Special Edition Pre-Release DVD of Clergy Comedy now.  Go to www.clergycomedy.com for yours!

Thanks for all the support that we are receiving across the nation.  To every one of you that have emailed and already ordered your copy we say THANKS - THUMB UP!!

Hope you laugh so hard your stomach hurts the day after watching it!!

God bless

DS

Getting Closer!

Clergy Comedy is becoming quite a ride. Kelly V and myself recently met in Los Angeles with our editing team to put the finishing touches on the project. It is causing some stir which is exciting. We are receiving a lot of hits on our website, blogs and emails in anticipation of when this project will be released. To order your copy go to www.clergycomedy.com

With all that said I have been asking God that He would use this approach to His glory. Something like this is different than anything else I have ever been a part of and I want to make sure that we are doing the right thing. I guess sometimes you just walk through doors that open and pray that God will give you the courage to make the right decisions. I know we are living in a world that is hurting, a world that needs some thing to lift them up above the pain of life. Maybe this will be an inroad into lives like that, an opportunity to share the gospel with people that may not darken the doors of a church right away.

I would ask each of you that read this blog today that you would pray for Kelly and myself. Pray that God would lead us and give us the direction for this endeavor. There is a fear within me that this will not be perceived in the right light, that some will think it is stupid or uncalled for. I guess that we will do our best to follow God and submit ourselves to the right authorities in our life for counsel and guidance.

Thanks to each of you for your excitement, encourageing words and emails. I promise that you will enjoy what you see - PRETTY FUNNY STUFF!!

THUMB UP!!

DS

The Challenge of Crossing Over

Sunday NPWC had one of those services. The kind of service that people do not want to leave. It has been that way the last few months and I am so excited about what is going on @ "The Point." But every victory comes at some expense. The battles that many are facing and our church is facing have been difficult. There is always a challenge in crossing over and it has to be that way. You will never appreciate the beauty of what lies beyond unless you have to work for it.

I remember when I was 14 years old. I wanted a Mongoose Californian BMX bike. I wanted it bad! I remember going by the bike shop and drooling over that chrome BMX dream machine. The jumps I could do, the trails I could ride, the races I could win - they were all wrapped up in that bike with the white tires. We lived in Idaho and money wasn't something that grew on trees for the Sargent family so if I wanted that bike I needed to work for it. I saved up my money, money that I made working in the farmers fields near our house - pulling cockleburs. We would get up early and head out and believe me it was not fun. What 13-14 year old boy wants to spend his summer mornings walking through the rows of beans pulling weeds to make a couple of bucks an hour. But what used to keep me motivated is that I kept a picture of that bike in my wallet. I had cut it out of a newspaper and stuffed it between the empty pieces of my velcro (cool velcro checkered money carrier by the way) wallet.

I finally saved up the money I needed and I got that bike and boy was it sweet. The work it took to get there was worth it because I had what I spent many days dreaming about.

What are you dreaming about? Has life and the struggle dimmed the view of what could be on the other side of what you are dealing with? Has the challenge grown larger than the crown? I think from time to time we all need to recognize that the harder it is in getting over the greater it will be in receiving what is over there. Sometimes you have to put a picture in your wallet so to speak, and look at it every once in a while. This is why I am enduring the hardship, this is why I am wrestling through the things of life.

May your challenges prepare you for your crowns!

Darin Sargent