Better Together

Posted on November 18, 2016

family Well, the election is over and it is time to shift our focus from who is president to who is Lord. Here are some things to keep in mind while living in a “Divided States of America.”

A nation’s future is only as bright as the stability of the family.

Study after study proves the obvious: when a healthy family culture, cultivated through connection, has order and process, the result is stability.

“Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6 (NKJV)

This verse shows us where our culture has gone wrong. We have neglected to train up our children. Did you know that many of the young adults who were protesting in the streets of Portland were bussed in and some were even paid to lead? Additionally, they were protesting the election they chose not to participate in! When asked if they were registered voters, most of them said no. Where has the system broken down so that people are rioting about a decision they chose not to contribute to personally?

I believe a major component of breakdown has happened within families. There are a lot of unhealthy families that have walked away from a God-centric family culture of training up children in the way they should go. And who does this breakdown affect most? The children. Many of the young adult protestors are a product of households that lack training.

If you don’t have a healthy family, I suggest finding a church family where you can learn, grow and find acceptance. Jesus himself said when speaking about the Church:

“And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven.” Matthew 16:19a (NLT)

This implies a powerful reality that, together, we have the keys to unlock things we cannot unlock alone. Generations should be interacting and learning from one another and sharpening each other. The family unit is part of the solution. Young and old alike should make educated decisions by talking it through and working it out among family.

We are better together.

– Pastor Dan Daugherty

Ambassadors

Posted on November 15, 2016

Dear Everybody,

As the election has come and gone, I’ve heard about Christians using social media as a platform to express their strong, personal opinions regarding the election. This has caused many to engage in arguments via social media for all to read. I want to send out a firm exhortation to our church community as both believers and followers of Jesus Christ.

As a pastor, it is my job to help align us with biblical heart and wisdom on how we are to love one another in this world we live in.

John 13:35 (NLT)
³⁵ Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

I’m not writing this blog to question your political views. Our preferences and values are important and God-given personal rights. However…as believers and followers of Christ, we are first and foremost ambassadors of the Kingdom. An ambassador is a representative. We represent the God’s Kingdom.

Romans 14:17 (NKJV)
¹⁷ for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

So how do we accurately represent God’s Kingdom of righteousness, peace and joy? ambassador

Carry the name of Jesus. If you are a Christian, then you carry the name of Jesus wherever you go. People are watching to see how you act as a Christ-follower. Carry His name with intention and purpose.

Carry the message of Jesus (the Gospel). You have the most powerful, life-changing message on Earth! What are you doing with it? Are you sharing it with others or keeping it to yourself?

Carry the heart and ways of Jesus. You carry the heart and ways of Jesus both verbally and non-verbally. Do your actions and attitudes accurately represent Jesus?

Carry yourself above reproach for credibility. How is your credibility online? Are you an accurate ambassador of the Kingdom? Social media gives us the platform and boldness to say what we would never say one-on-one. Unfortunately, this is usually a detriment to our credibility. Online rants don’t require healthy dialogue or personal investment and they certainly don’t build people up.

So, how do we accurately carry out our roles as ambassadors of the Kingdom? I suggest we read and re-read Ephesians 4:29-32 on a regular basis.

Ephesians 4:29-32 (NLT)
²⁹ Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
³⁰ And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.
³¹ Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.
³² Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Pastor Dan Daugherty

The Grand Canyon – A Grand God

Posted on November 1, 2016

Dear Everybody,

It has been said that, “A picture is worth a 1,000 words.” This is why God instructs us to pay attention to creation—along with His Word, we see the creator more clearly.

“For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so they are without excuse.” Romans 1:20

Reading this verse there are two profound things that we notice.

His Eternal Power – the absolute wonder and wisdom displayed like an artist on the skies as His canvas. He splashes right before our eyes His artistry and skill. Not only is it beautiful but if you look closer you notice there is always an ECO-System that interconnects/inter-depends
Godhead – is true and absolute authority, or better known as, THE BIG BOSS! God alone is the fountainhead of all things. He is life so therefore there is life.

Last week Tracy and I, after performing a wedding in Scottsdale, Arizona, decided to notice the Grand Canyon. As I sat on the edge, feet hanging over, I asked the Lord to show me His power and wisdom in a fresh new way. I closed my eyes and prayed to my GOD-FRIEND for Him to speak of His power and wisdom.

I opened my eyes and didn’t see anything. A few moments later, I saw a five-foot tree (not much to behold) and as I stared at it, unimpressed, the Lord said, “Notice the soil.” So I looked down and there was no dirt, just ROCK. Then I got it— The invisible was the no soil but the moisture from the rock was all this plant needed to live and flourish.

Invisible Miracle – BOOM!

The story is just gettin’ good— I looked out from the bush to the expanse of the South Rim and where before I saw layers of rock color as far as the eye could see, now I saw, liked it just appeared, ten’s of thousands of the same bush dotting the sides of the rocky cliffs. God whispered, “This is my congregation who is firmly planted on the ROCK. All they have is ME!”

Immediately I started singing the song “All I need is you Lord, Is you Lord.”

Moses aptly wrote these words, “The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming the Lord is upright; he is my ROCK and there is no wickedness in him.” Psalm 92:12-15 (AMP)

Conclusion—God speaks for Himself!

Pastor Dan

Miracle Week

Posted on October 3, 2016

Dear Everybody,

So getting back to blogging …

I just finished this week’s sermon, “Are We There Yet?” Love this concept that the Holy Spirit dropped into my lap last week—the idea that when God calls us to FAITH it usually takes longer than we want and cost more than we were willing to pay, as well as fighting an enemy every step of the way.

Right where God wants His children—TFH!

Faith is God’s work because He sees results that will come months, years and decades later. This is why staying true to the vision and heart is an act of worship. Getting our eyes on the obstacles and challenges blind us to the divine moments and breakthrough-events that shape the process and builds our faith as a people.

It is funny being on my end because FAITH is to be shared, but often feels lonely. This is why I love being and living in community. God knows that we need our church-family for affirmation, not just “atta-boy!” True faith-community is sensing the collective unity and synergy of many becoming one through trusting for the same conclusion.

One of our cultural values is ALL IN – Heart and Hands: Supernatural power comes from unity and complete buy-in with our heart and hands. So we stand unified behind the vision God gave our church leadership, and whole-heartedly give our highest and best in everything we do.

The Father’s House needs servant-leadership to move our building project not just forward but to completion, establishing a permanent ministry center in our community for the Life of the World. It doesn’t rest on one or a few but on us all. God said, possess it, occupy it. Spiritual leaders carry more than the heart but also the outcome.

It is my prayer that we cross the finish line of this assignment together and ALL IN. I’m asking that we all FAST and PRAY, especially during Miracle Week (October 2-9). October 9 will be our second Miracle Sunday Service where we close the gap of the 22% remaining of the $340,00 to finish our project with those who need to finish their pledges.

Consider dropping in anytime at the office during Miracle Week (Monday – Thursday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.) pray through the building, look at the renderings and write scriptures on the walls and see the progress we are making. Come and pray over your church. Just walking through the building and seeing the faith written on the walls by fervent hearts stirs your faith in the good future God has for us.

In closing, lets remember that attached to our giving heart is a heavenly Father who says, “I see your heart and gift and am proud of you.” What a joy to partner with God and our TFH Family for Kingdom purposes!

Building Together for the Future!

Pastor Dan

Enter Rest

Posted on July 22, 2016

Dear Everyone –

Hope today finds you basking and frolicking in the San Diego-Summer sun! Great summer so far, weather wise, and the beach is mostly been clear of fog with warmer waters. Every once in a while I realize, “I live in San Diego.”

WIN!

So this year, I got real excited about Stay-cation! Why travel for rest, sun and water when all three are here in abundance? Last week Tracy and I hung out in Carlsbad and enjoyed “Nothing-time”! So good to unplug and get the bubble in the middle of the level again.

I’m learning that God doesn’t just want us retreating, but resting. As the writer of Hebrews tells us, it requires that we “ENTER” into rest. This gives insight into the preparation required to enter soul-rest as opposed to retreat-rest.

Soul-rest is different that retreat-rest. Both are valid however, wisdom from Exodus 20 (Moses) reminds us that REST is not one of the ten SUGGESTIONS but rather the fourth COMMANDMENT. We think we want rest but rather we don’t want responsibilities. What are the differences?

We all carry responsibilities from school, to work, to being a mother. The reality is we like when our responsibilities are off our plate and we can do our own thing. We love filling our hearts with fun and sun and new experiences, which are great, yet The REST of God is way different and intentional for deep soul renewal.

We might think, “thanks God for the offer, but I’m good on Sabbath-Rest because I’ve got this.” Let’s understand that a day of rest is God’s gift to us, not our Gift to God. When we don’t open it and use it properly it not only hurts God but hurts ourselves. When we don’t practice Sabbath-Rest, it is like “violence against your own soul” –Unknown Author.

So enjoy the summer but remember— Soul-Rest first, Retreating Responsibilities second.

Pastor Dan

Dreams and Expansion

Posted on July 14, 2016

Hey everyone,

I’ve been on a Blog Hiatus but I’m back and ready to unload!

Life is interesting because we often find ourselves in places and predicaments that leave us scratching our heads wondering “how am I here?”

We have all been there before …

What makes life work are dreams and ideas, right? Think about it. Life would not be tolerable without a dream of future possibilities. David told his son Solomon, “A longing fulfilled is a tree of life.” We need dreams and ideas because they speak of expansion—adding value and increasing our capacity to enlarge our tents personally, professionally and spiritually.

Walking and working through this past year, embracing God’s dream and partly mine, one of my biggest take-aways is EXPANSION. It is both exciting and demanding! You can live with it or without it but living with it is full of tension.

Expansion is built in possibilities of what could/should be. Let me, if I may, give us permission to dream God’s dream because His dream

Touches the desires of our hearts
Always blesses others
Brings deep fulfillment
Connects us to Him and purpose

If Expansion is the dream than embracing change is the cost.

Change is accepting the unpleasant realities of moving ahead, heading into the great unknown with expectation rather than fear. Change is the messy reality one must GO THROUGH, not around! Change…

Allows us to go on a journey to a place we have never been
Moves us from comfortable to trusting God and establishing new alliances
Is the place where you are all alone but never more alive

If change is necessary for expansion, than what purpose does it create and serve? New Opportunities!

New Opportunities are the new wine that fills the old wine skin. God is great at making old things new. When we see that what was can’t stay the same, then healthy fear looks like doors opening wide for new beginnings, new people, new ideas and thoughts to drive the expansion and capacity that our hearts started with. Remember, life has cycles and often we forget that part of growth is proper pruning that most of us don’t think about or chose!

Well then, if new opportunities create excitement and freshness then where does that take us on our journey? Trust!

Trust. “New” is exciting but with change it becomes a new level of trusting God, people and your ability to step up and into the place of “winning” in that new assignment or opportunity to achieve success.

Ecclesiastes 5:3 says, “A dream comes about from much activity.” Nothing happens without a DREAM! I also love what Psalm 37:4 says, “God will give you the desire of your heart.”

This is and has been part of my past year’s journey. God is teaching me about ME as well as Him and others. I can honestly say, my capacity and dream is expanding!

Pastor Dan Daugherty

Special Instructions For a Special Journey

Posted on April 29, 2016

In a prayer meeting the other day, I asked Shane Rogers, who has recently come to TFH as an Assisting Pastor, to share with you the rich insight he shared with me and Tracy from scripture. Enjoy and be inspired.

-Pastors Dan and Tracy

Mark 6:7-8 (ESV)

“And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff—no BREAD, no BAG, no MONEY in their belts.”

I came across this scripture recently, and immediately the Lord began to speak to me about a timely prophetic instruction for the special journey ahead. This journey that God has so clearly begun in our church family, and indeed extends to our own personal lives and family. A journey to participate with Him. What an incredibly humbling thought—PARTNERING WITH GOD.

It’s with this understanding that the Lord graciously placed this verse on my heart as a loving reminder and simple instruction. In Mark 6, Jesus is sending out His disciples to do ministry for the first time without Him. He must have felt like a proud father watching his kids drive off for the first time without Him after getting their driver’s license!

If you are a parent, you can relate with those moments when your child is crossing over from one significant season into another and we all know what happens right before you let go … you give your final instruction. Most of the time it’s something you have already said more times than you can count. Things like, “Remember, the break is on the left.” Or, “Please keep your eyes on the road and NO TEXTING!” You get the picture. Important, simple instructions for the journey ahead.

Well, Mark 6 gives us these same kind of instructions as Jesus invites us as a church to prepare to occupy the land He has given us. Joshua had a similar moment the night before God would part the Jordan River and give them the City of Jericho. “Ready yourselves, for tomorrow God will do wonders among you.” I love that story. Ok, back to Mark 6 and our instructions.

Four things stand out as instructions for us in this season:

1. He gave them authority over the unclean spirits

If you have been in church for any length of time you have heard that, as believers, we have power, dominion and authority. But what we must remember is what that power and authority is for. What do we have dominion over? We have power, dominion and authority over the works of the enemy. I hear the Lord saying to remember who your enemy is. Our enemy is not our neighbor, the city, your boss or the person that just stabbed you in the back with their words. Our enemy has a name. He is real and we need to fight him. Let us stir one another up to good works and let our Spirit-man lead in the fight, because our flesh will always choose the wrong enemy.

2. Take nothing for your journey, no BREAD

This seems like a very odd instruction. Who goes on a journey, hike, walk or day trip without food? Jesus made it clear on more than one occasion to His disciples that His food, His nourishment and sustenance came from above. Jesus was simply reminding His disciples that they must eat fresh, “now” food from Heaven each day. Just like the mana that God provided in the desert was only for today, so it is with God’s spiritual food for us. We can’t live in yesterday’s anointing. I sense the Lord reminding us to step into a now anointing. I can think of a dozen amazing meals I have had over the years at fancy, expensive restaurants. I can remember the view through the window, the great company I enjoyed and even how thankful I was that we had a gift card! But none of those meals can feed me now. We need food today.

3. Take nothing for your journey, no BAG

Once again, who goes on a journey without a bag? Where are you going to put stuff you want to bring and where will you put anything you want to grab along the way? Then the Lord spoke to me that this bag is where people carry their baggage, past hurts, disappointments and offenses. Many people carry their bag from one season on into the next and continue to place new offenses in their convenient “carry-on” bag. We must hear our Father’s loving instruction to deal with any past offenses in a godly way, and not pick up any new ones as we journey. Let us extend grace and remember who our enemy is.

4. Take nothing for your journey, no MONEY

Lastly, Jesus told them to leave their wallets at home. This would be such a bummer if you were the disciples. Not only can you not take any food or a bag full of your stuff, you don’t even get your wallet. There is a particular nakedness that I feel when I don’t have my wallet. Its a feeling of helplessness. “What if I need to get gas in my car or have an emergency … or better yet, how will I pay for my afternoon Starbucks fix?” These are the thoughts that bring me instant anxiety when I realize I left the house without my wallet. As I process this in context of the journey God has invited us on, I am reminded of how readily we can take control. God tells us to trust in Him with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding—our own capable, self-reliant, make-it-happen abilities. But instead, relinquish complete control to Him, His way, His timing and His plan. When we do this, we are journeying from a place of rest instead of anxious striving.

Serve the Song

Posted on March 9, 2016

Dear Everybody –

Have you ever waited and waited for the right time to do something that was in your heart and it just seemed like it was not going to happen?

It is frustrating when the dream we carry stays a dream. What makes life tolerable is when a dream comes to fruition, because it changes more than the outcome, it validates that our heart is connected to a higher vision and purpose.

GOD!

Vision is seeing something for the first time.
Watching others see our vision is their first but our second

I always had it in my heart to use the song “Streets Have No Name” by U2 during a church service but the reality was I could never find a biblical way to slide it in both theologically and practically. The dream was real, the intent was godly and life honoring. But there was never any space.

This past weekend I found or God found a space to drop a 3-minute masterpiece that was set up by a decent sermon on OIKANOMIA. With a Greek-Word that needed unpacking what better way than with a visual aid.

SERVE THE SONG is a phrase I’ve been using on my kids for a few years, which simply means, “let’s focus on the big picture.” When we serve the song, big pictures help make the small steps easier to walk in. Think of this “God has order our good works …and we are called to walk out these good works. Ephesians 2:10 [PD translation]

Here are a few practical steps:

Unity is realizing how to Serve the Song = Unity is the goal
Diversity – using many people gifts/talent necessary
Maturity is walking in the depth of sonship/daughtership in Christ and keeping the ultimate good above our immediate good.

Maturity with diversity is what creates capacity for UNITY that God touches. Diversity is realizing that through gifting we can play our part well. Diversity is like colors in the rainbow. It is like being a real color and being as bright and brilliant as possible for God’s name, yet knowing that your color was specifically designed to complement and not to be focused on.

The end game for serving the song is to have others sing along. May the world see and hear our sound, our song and know our God, Jesus Christ.

Serving the Song,

Pastor Dan Daugherty

What is Your Salvation For?

Posted on February 12, 2016

Dear TFH Church Family,

Vision is what gives God’s dreams and our dreams visual permission to walk by faith.

Vision is the way that our heavenly Father speaks to His sons and daughters to fulfill His desires and dreams. He is the Vision Giver—our role is to cooperate and agree with it.

This year, The Father’s House word (Vision) for the year is a question—“What is your salvation for?” This question is the focus for 2016 at The Father’s House! The answer to this question is a simple—“For the Life of the World.” This year we will answer that slowly and deeply and the outcome will determine our transformation and influence as a church. For the Life of the World WEB.jpg

Last Sunday we started a journey by watching the first video in the series, “For the Life of The World” that presented the same question “what is your salvation for?” During this video a few terms were brought up that summarize how Christians can take on various fear-based positions toward the world.

FORTIFICATION – Hide

DOMINATION – Fight

ACCOMIDATION – Blend into surroundings

Each of these three positions have an element of good and wisdom but our over desire can be to the detriment of the Gospel. For instance …

Fortification – can be an attempt to live wisely, aware of what is wrong and evil while avoiding sin and temptation is good. However, this mindset completely avoids people and relationships and communicates distance or an us-versus-them mentality. This is not what the Bible communicates.

Domination – Truth will always have an element of conflict. Jesus was often truthful and misunderstood because truth cuts to the heart. The Bible teaches us that the “truth will set us free.” The wrong approach is to speak the truth without love. If we communicate the Gospel this way we offend because we offer an incomplete picture of the Good News.

Accommodation – connecting with real people in their real messy lives is good. We must identify with persons in real time and space to understand how to serve them. Living life next to people and learning their story is critical to positioning ourselves to share God’s love. However, indulging in worldly lifestyles and habits that are unbiblical may make the unsaved feel safe with us, but we message a wrong gospel of when truth takes a back seat to truth and consequences.

As we ponder the question “What is your salvation for?” God is asking us to explore what it truly means to “be in the world but not of the world.” I am excited to take this journey as a community with you to truly understand “What is my personal salvation for?’

I encourage you to jump into some of the upcoming equipping events—Growth track after first service on Sunday mornings, Life Groups, Discipleship Process classes and Man Card training at the end of the month. These are tools and classes to help equip you “FOR THE LIFE OF THE WORLD.”

Pastor Dan

Jennifer “Jen” Davis

Posted on January 20, 2016

Dear Everybody-

Life is truly a gift—an opportunity to experience with all of our senses the wonder of creation for a short amount of time. We are more than observers but literally cast for the play.

Our lives count because of the cost God spent to redeem them. This is the highest transaction to date ever recorded for an exchange of any kind.

Jennifer Davis went home to be with Christ this past week. She was 27 and is the youngest daughter to Wayne and Sharon Davis. In Christ we “grieve with those who grieve.” This season is a bittersweet reminder of the fragileness of life and the powerful reality of heaven’s promise.

Jen Davis’ life counted in a myriad of ways. God created her and we had the pleasure of witnessing her beautiful persona (Thanks God). Her sweet and gentle disposition was a delight and reached many. Her mind was sharp and amazing. Jen’s friendship and loyalty was measureable to others. She added value to her family and loved ones. Her faith in Christ counted as a redeemed daughter.

Jen is and was all of this and much more.

A memorial service for Jen will be held at

Emmanuel Faith Community Church
in the Upper Chapel
Friday January 29
at 11:30 a.m.

As a reminder of the importance of faith and community together, Jen received Christ as her personal Lord and Savior about 5 years ago at The Father’s House from an invitation to church from her best friend, Rachael Hernandez. Extending an invitation to people, friends and family to attend church is eternally significant. Though Jen’s life was cut way too short and we mourn her loss, let’s be inspired by to invite others to come and hear about Jesus—it had and has lasting impact.

GO!

Pastor Dan