...this shoe company?
I LOVE this! I'm ordering my next pair of shoes from these guys. I hope you will too.
Grace and Peace
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Have you seen...
...this shoe company?
I LOVE this! I'm ordering my next pair of shoes from these guys. I hope you will too.
Grace and Peace
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Some reasons why today was awesome
-I joined some Senior High students and made a visit to a local nursing home with them to fellowship and love on some of the patients...While we were there, one of the patients (who was about 80 years old) openly flirted with Bryan Joseph and me...it was one of the most hilariously uncomfortable moments of my life! That being said, Bryan and I have some unfinished business. We're gonna have to duke it out to see just who really is "the better man" for Ms. Hilga. She deserves the best! :-)
-Having lunch with Patty, Cletus, Nathaneal, Shelby, Abby, and Ashley...and learning that Ashley Riggle IS love...and then hearing her declaration regarding the latest Jonas Brothers movie, "THERE MUST BE KISSING!" Considering the incredibly loud volume in which she announced this to the entire restaurant, I didn't know whether to be frightened or impressed by the passion with which she spoke...for the record, I still don't know.
-Abby Muller brought me brownies...and they were really good!
-Thursday morning prayer group. We're still going strong. "It's prayer and Cocoa Puffs at 9am-dizzle!" Need I say more?
-I ate Chocolaty Lucky Charms for the first time ever this morning. Have you tried them? They're pretty much a bowl full of awesome!
-Cletus pointed out that King's Fest is only 12 days away.
-My wife was asked by a perfect stranger tonight why my infant son is named Israel. When Jean began to explain the story of Jacob getting a new name from God, the lady pretty much interrupted and told Jean the story before Jean had an opportunity to finish...that really blessed me. How often do you try to share something from the Bible with a perfect stranger who is not only interested in hearing what you have to say but also has some real Biblical literacy? Maybe I'm in the minority on this, but I don't run into people like her often. That was really cool.
-Cate Thomas came home from France. Yay!!!
-Katie Brown told me that today couldn't possibly be as fun for her as yesterday was. (important facts: she and I hung out yesterday. she and I did not hang out today.)
BUT THE MOST AWESOME PART ABOUT MY DAY...
-Marley, my five year old daughter, made the decision tonight to ask Jesus to save her from her sins and be the Lord of her life. My wife, Jean, and I prayed with her as she confessed her sinfulness and her belief in the redeeming power of Christ's blood. We held hands as we sat on our living-room-couch and prayed with her. My heart pounded as though a complete percussion section were playing a full fortissimo inside of my chest as I joined her in prayer. I could almost hear the roar of Heaven in joyful celebration over the fact that my princess has begun her journey with Jesus. You know...working in ministry, I've had the great honor of praying with many people as they accept the salvation of Jesus Christ, but nothing comes close to the euphoria of being with your own child in the moment that they embrace His grace. I swear, as long as I live, I'll never forget the look on her face as she prayed that prayer tonight. Wow...THANK YOU JESUS!!!
I hope you had a good day, too.
Grace and peace to you.
-Having lunch with Patty, Cletus, Nathaneal, Shelby, Abby, and Ashley...and learning that Ashley Riggle IS love...and then hearing her declaration regarding the latest Jonas Brothers movie, "THERE MUST BE KISSING!" Considering the incredibly loud volume in which she announced this to the entire restaurant, I didn't know whether to be frightened or impressed by the passion with which she spoke...for the record, I still don't know.
-Abby Muller brought me brownies...and they were really good!
-Thursday morning prayer group. We're still going strong. "It's prayer and Cocoa Puffs at 9am-dizzle!" Need I say more?
-I ate Chocolaty Lucky Charms for the first time ever this morning. Have you tried them? They're pretty much a bowl full of awesome!
-Cletus pointed out that King's Fest is only 12 days away.
-My wife was asked by a perfect stranger tonight why my infant son is named Israel. When Jean began to explain the story of Jacob getting a new name from God, the lady pretty much interrupted and told Jean the story before Jean had an opportunity to finish...that really blessed me. How often do you try to share something from the Bible with a perfect stranger who is not only interested in hearing what you have to say but also has some real Biblical literacy? Maybe I'm in the minority on this, but I don't run into people like her often. That was really cool.
-Cate Thomas came home from France. Yay!!!
-Katie Brown told me that today couldn't possibly be as fun for her as yesterday was. (important facts: she and I hung out yesterday. she and I did not hang out today.)
BUT THE MOST AWESOME PART ABOUT MY DAY...
-Marley, my five year old daughter, made the decision tonight to ask Jesus to save her from her sins and be the Lord of her life. My wife, Jean, and I prayed with her as she confessed her sinfulness and her belief in the redeeming power of Christ's blood. We held hands as we sat on our living-room-couch and prayed with her. My heart pounded as though a complete percussion section were playing a full fortissimo inside of my chest as I joined her in prayer. I could almost hear the roar of Heaven in joyful celebration over the fact that my princess has begun her journey with Jesus. You know...working in ministry, I've had the great honor of praying with many people as they accept the salvation of Jesus Christ, but nothing comes close to the euphoria of being with your own child in the moment that they embrace His grace. I swear, as long as I live, I'll never forget the look on her face as she prayed that prayer tonight. Wow...THANK YOU JESUS!!!
I hope you had a good day, too.
Grace and peace to you.
My latest book report
Over the past 3 months, I've read:
The Barbarian Way, Erwin McManus
"Yes, yes, yes"...that's what I found myself saying over and over again as I read this book. What a great read! It has inspired me to be more forthright and radical about my approach to living as a Christ follower. You should definitely read this book.
Soul Cravings, Erwin McManus
Eh...I'm a huge Erwin fan, but this isn't his best stuff. Granted, I'm not the intended audience for this book...it's written to those who haven't yet found faith in Christ. But I will say that, in true Erwin fashion, he discussed some content from new perspectives. Maybe I'll re-read this again someday and give it a second chance.
The Seven Checkpoints, Andy Stanley and Stuart Hall
This was a re-read for me as I am taking the summer to address the way we go about ministering to students here at Charter Oak Church. This book is one of the defining works on student ministry as far as I'm concerned. This was a great refresher for me.
Dangerous Wonder, Micheal Yaconelli
I LOVE this book! It discusses the truth that we as believers have, in large part, lost our abillity and willingness to simply marvel at God and get swept away by His love, His invitation, His sovereignty, His goodness...It calls us back to the child-like faith, the first time encounter, and the first love that so enveloped us in the beginning. Does your faith walk need a "shot in the arm"? Do you feel like your relationship with Christ is missing something? READ THIS BOOK!
2 Corinthians, God
I've spent the better part of the last year wrestling with this text trying to grasp all that Paul has to say, but the last three months have been particularly fruitful. If you haven't spent any quality time in 2 Corinthians lately, take 15 minutes tonight to give it a fresh read. Seriously, it's rocked my world.
Grace and Peace to you.
The Barbarian Way, Erwin McManus
"Yes, yes, yes"...that's what I found myself saying over and over again as I read this book. What a great read! It has inspired me to be more forthright and radical about my approach to living as a Christ follower. You should definitely read this book.
Soul Cravings, Erwin McManus
Eh...I'm a huge Erwin fan, but this isn't his best stuff. Granted, I'm not the intended audience for this book...it's written to those who haven't yet found faith in Christ. But I will say that, in true Erwin fashion, he discussed some content from new perspectives. Maybe I'll re-read this again someday and give it a second chance.
The Seven Checkpoints, Andy Stanley and Stuart Hall
This was a re-read for me as I am taking the summer to address the way we go about ministering to students here at Charter Oak Church. This book is one of the defining works on student ministry as far as I'm concerned. This was a great refresher for me.
Dangerous Wonder, Micheal Yaconelli
I LOVE this book! It discusses the truth that we as believers have, in large part, lost our abillity and willingness to simply marvel at God and get swept away by His love, His invitation, His sovereignty, His goodness...It calls us back to the child-like faith, the first time encounter, and the first love that so enveloped us in the beginning. Does your faith walk need a "shot in the arm"? Do you feel like your relationship with Christ is missing something? READ THIS BOOK!
2 Corinthians, God
I've spent the better part of the last year wrestling with this text trying to grasp all that Paul has to say, but the last three months have been particularly fruitful. If you haven't spent any quality time in 2 Corinthians lately, take 15 minutes tonight to give it a fresh read. Seriously, it's rocked my world.
Grace and Peace to you.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
More DEEP Week thoughts
Hello all, in light of my two previous posts regarding DEEP Week, I have been receiving requests to discuss further the Bema judgement, the rewards thereof, and where all of this can be found in Scripture. So here goes...
The word "bema" (pronounced bay'muh) is a Greek word meaning judgement. It is used by the Apostle Paul when he explains one of the events that will occur for all of the members of the church of Jesus Christ when they arrive in Heaven (2 Cor. 5:10). The concept of the Bema Seat comes from the ancient olympics where a judge would sit on the Bema Seat at the finish line. The judge's purpose was to determine what position the runners came in - first, second, and so on-and then to give out the appropriate rewards. That is the imagery behind what is known as the Bema Seat.
We understand that this particular judgement is not punitive in nature because we know that our salvation comes by Christ's death and our faith in His shed-blood alone. The salvation judgement (or punitive judgement) will come in the form of the reading of the names from the Lamb's Book of Life (Rev. 21:27) Therefore, we understand that this "Bema", as Paul called it, is not something that will be used to condemn us. After all, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ (Romans 8:1), but rather, the Bema will be an opportunity for Jesus to take a measurement of the deeds done while in the body, whether good or bad, to reward us accordingly.
A description of what this "Bema judgement" will look like can be found in 1 Cor. 3:12-15. This is the point at which the DEEP Week material stopped providing information regarding the Bema, per se, and moved toward life application of the concept of having such a measurement of one's deeds...which has left several to ask me the question:
What kinds of crowns will be rewarded to us from the Bema?
Well, I'm glad you asked. There are actually five different crowns to be awarded that day. Here is some information on them:
1. The Crown of Righteousness
This crown will be given to those who have lived a good and righteous life for God.
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing." (2 Timothy 4:7-8)
I believe there are two perspectives of the word "righteousness" in the Bible. The first perspective is that we have now all been made righteous before God the Father as a result of Jesus dying on the cross for all of our sins. The righteousness of Jesus has now been imputed to us.
However, the second perspective of the word righteousness refers to us living a good and righteous life for God the Father with what time we still have left down here. There are Christians who are righteous before God the Father as a result of being saved through the blood of Jesus Christ - but they are not living righteous lives in their actions, words and behaviors.
No one is perfect. We all have our character flaws, weaknesses, and certain temptations that we have a hard time in dealing with. God is not looking for total God-perfection, but He does call for our obedience.
The Bible says that all men have sinned and have fallen way short of the glory of our God. But what God does want from each one of us is at least some kind of concerted effort to try and live our lives "right." Clinging with the utmost obedience unto scripture. That is "righteous" living. We all know right from wrong! God just wants each one of us to choose to do the right thing when faced with the opportunity to stray from Him. While there is grace for those who sin, there is the crown of righteousness for those who, in large part, do not.
2. The Incorruptible Crown
Bible scholars feel this next verse implies that some will be given what could be considered a "victor’s crown." And this crown is called incorruptible. The New King James Version calls it an "imperishable" crown - the Original King James Version calls it an "incorruptible" crown. Either way, it will be a crown that will last for eternity.
The subtitle of this passage in the New King James Version is called "Striving for a Crown." The apostle Paul goes on to state that those who run in any kind of a race, all run with the goal of obtaining some kind of prize. He then goes on to state that those who run a race in order to win the prize are temperate in all things. In other words, there is a lot they have to give up in order to be in proper condition to run that race.
Professional athletes are a good example. They have to go through training camp to get ready for the season. They have to watch their diets and weight in order to be able to successfully compete in the sport they are in. They have to give up a lot of their social life in order to stay in good shape. In other words, they do not live normal lives like the rest of us do.
Paul then goes on to state that the people who run in these types of races and are forced to be temperate in the way they live their lives, all do it to obtain a perishable crown. Paul then tells us that we should all run the race of this life to receive what will be an incorruptible or imperishable crown that obviously can only be given by God the Father in heaven.
"Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an IMPERISHABLE CROWN. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified." (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)
The point to get is that God calls some people to do things that will require some sacrifice and temperance in the way they will live and conduct their lives. I believe God is telling us in this passage that if He does put this kind of special call on your life that will require you to give up many of the normal things of this life - that you will be greatly rewarded for this sacrifice once you enter into heaven. This verse also seems to be implying that these people will also receive this imperishable crown for the sacrifices they were willing to make for God in order to successfully complete the call and mission God had called them to do.
Bottom line - run whatever race or call that God has set out for you. Run that race with certainty, purpose and intensity. Run that race to win. Run that race to be the best you can be for God at the position that He has called you to be on His team. Be willing to make whatever sacrifices it may take to successfully complete the mission and call God has set out for you. If you are willing to do this for the Lord, you just may receive an "incorruptible victor's crown" for going the extra mile for God and accomplishing for Him what many Christians would be to lazy to shoot for.
3. The Crown of Life
This next crown has been called by many the "martyr's crown." Jesus Himself says that He will give this crown to those who undergo severe hardship, testing, tribulation and/or physical death on His behalf.
"Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the CROWN OF LIFE." (Revelation 2:10)
The Bible doesn’t say anything about whether or not these 5 crowns are ranked in any way as to which is greater. However, if they are ranked in any way by God the Father in heaven, then I believe there is a very good chance that this next crown will be ranked #1 out of the 5 crowns available to all believers for special service.
I do not think there is any question that being willing to die for your faith in God and Jesus is the ultimate sacrifice! It is the greatest act of bravery and courage that you can show God the Father. And I believe that all of the Christians who have been martyred for their faith in God and Jesus throughout history will be given this crown of life.
As an aside, I've also wondered if this verse may be applying to all of the soldiers, policeman, firemen, etc. who have lost their lives in a combat situation for either our country, fighting to save someone from a burning fire or a policeman trying to save someone else’s life. I believe there is a very good chance that this verse does apply to all Christian men and women who have lost their lives trying to save someone else.
Jesus says that when you are trying to do something to help out the least of your brother and sisters, that you are doing it also unto Him (Mt. 25:40). If that is the case, then I believe God the Father will be honoring each of these men and women’s death as a true martyr’s death, and thus will be rewarding them accordingly once they enter into heaven.
4. The Crown of Rejoicing
This next crown has been called the "soul winner's crown." The apostle Paul is calling those that he has saved his "joy" and his "crown of rejoicing." The word "crown" seems to be implying that God will be giving a crown to those who have been instrumental in getting other people saved and led to Him through the blood of His Son.
"For what is our hope, or joy, or CROWN OF REJOICING? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy." (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20)
If you compare this level of service with some of the other levels that will be rewarded with crowns, there is no doubt in my mind that God will be rewarding those who will try and get others saved with this special crown.
As I have said numerous times in my other posts, working for God to try and get other people saved is the greatest thing that you can do for another person while living here on this earth. When you get someone else saved and brought to the Lord - you have just been the vessel used by God to give that person eternal salvation and eternal life.
The Bible does not say how many people you actually have to be instrumental in getting saved in order to be able to receive this crown. My guess is that it will be relative. God will simply be judging you by your willingness and desire to be used by Him to witness to others.
5. The Crown of Glory
This next verse is telling the elders of the church to "shepherd" the flock of God. Shepherds lead the flock into the ways and knowledge of God. They are teachers. These could be the Sunday school teachers, the pastors and ministers who teach the Word of God in their ministries or people appointed by God into the office of a teacher. I also believe, however, that this crown will be awarded to those lay people who chose to use their influence and resources in a way that consistently benefits God's flock. Here's the verse:
"The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed. SHEPHERD THE FLOCK OF GOD which is among you, serving as overseers, not by constraint but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the CROWN OF GLORY that does not fade away." (1 Peter 5:1-4)
I believe God will be giving His teachers and shepherds this crown due to the extreme importance of bringing up others into the knowledge and ways of God. Once you get saved, this is just the beginning. God wants you to grow in His knowledge and grace by serving Him and studying the Bible to become as much like Him as you possibly can be.
I believe God is always calling people to use as teachers and shepherds to help care for His flock...and perhaps even you...God can lead just a few people for you to work with on a one-on-one basis or an entire church...once again, I think the numbers will be relative in the eyes of Christ.
I hope this clarifies a few things and shows you where all of this can be found in scripture. In the meantime, grace and peace to you.
The word "bema" (pronounced bay'muh) is a Greek word meaning judgement. It is used by the Apostle Paul when he explains one of the events that will occur for all of the members of the church of Jesus Christ when they arrive in Heaven (2 Cor. 5:10). The concept of the Bema Seat comes from the ancient olympics where a judge would sit on the Bema Seat at the finish line. The judge's purpose was to determine what position the runners came in - first, second, and so on-and then to give out the appropriate rewards. That is the imagery behind what is known as the Bema Seat.
We understand that this particular judgement is not punitive in nature because we know that our salvation comes by Christ's death and our faith in His shed-blood alone. The salvation judgement (or punitive judgement) will come in the form of the reading of the names from the Lamb's Book of Life (Rev. 21:27) Therefore, we understand that this "Bema", as Paul called it, is not something that will be used to condemn us. After all, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ (Romans 8:1), but rather, the Bema will be an opportunity for Jesus to take a measurement of the deeds done while in the body, whether good or bad, to reward us accordingly.
A description of what this "Bema judgement" will look like can be found in 1 Cor. 3:12-15. This is the point at which the DEEP Week material stopped providing information regarding the Bema, per se, and moved toward life application of the concept of having such a measurement of one's deeds...which has left several to ask me the question:
What kinds of crowns will be rewarded to us from the Bema?
Well, I'm glad you asked. There are actually five different crowns to be awarded that day. Here is some information on them:
1. The Crown of Righteousness
This crown will be given to those who have lived a good and righteous life for God.
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing." (2 Timothy 4:7-8)
I believe there are two perspectives of the word "righteousness" in the Bible. The first perspective is that we have now all been made righteous before God the Father as a result of Jesus dying on the cross for all of our sins. The righteousness of Jesus has now been imputed to us.
However, the second perspective of the word righteousness refers to us living a good and righteous life for God the Father with what time we still have left down here. There are Christians who are righteous before God the Father as a result of being saved through the blood of Jesus Christ - but they are not living righteous lives in their actions, words and behaviors.
No one is perfect. We all have our character flaws, weaknesses, and certain temptations that we have a hard time in dealing with. God is not looking for total God-perfection, but He does call for our obedience.
The Bible says that all men have sinned and have fallen way short of the glory of our God. But what God does want from each one of us is at least some kind of concerted effort to try and live our lives "right." Clinging with the utmost obedience unto scripture. That is "righteous" living. We all know right from wrong! God just wants each one of us to choose to do the right thing when faced with the opportunity to stray from Him. While there is grace for those who sin, there is the crown of righteousness for those who, in large part, do not.
2. The Incorruptible Crown
Bible scholars feel this next verse implies that some will be given what could be considered a "victor’s crown." And this crown is called incorruptible. The New King James Version calls it an "imperishable" crown - the Original King James Version calls it an "incorruptible" crown. Either way, it will be a crown that will last for eternity.
The subtitle of this passage in the New King James Version is called "Striving for a Crown." The apostle Paul goes on to state that those who run in any kind of a race, all run with the goal of obtaining some kind of prize. He then goes on to state that those who run a race in order to win the prize are temperate in all things. In other words, there is a lot they have to give up in order to be in proper condition to run that race.
Professional athletes are a good example. They have to go through training camp to get ready for the season. They have to watch their diets and weight in order to be able to successfully compete in the sport they are in. They have to give up a lot of their social life in order to stay in good shape. In other words, they do not live normal lives like the rest of us do.
Paul then goes on to state that the people who run in these types of races and are forced to be temperate in the way they live their lives, all do it to obtain a perishable crown. Paul then tells us that we should all run the race of this life to receive what will be an incorruptible or imperishable crown that obviously can only be given by God the Father in heaven.
"Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an IMPERISHABLE CROWN. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified." (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)
The point to get is that God calls some people to do things that will require some sacrifice and temperance in the way they will live and conduct their lives. I believe God is telling us in this passage that if He does put this kind of special call on your life that will require you to give up many of the normal things of this life - that you will be greatly rewarded for this sacrifice once you enter into heaven. This verse also seems to be implying that these people will also receive this imperishable crown for the sacrifices they were willing to make for God in order to successfully complete the call and mission God had called them to do.
Bottom line - run whatever race or call that God has set out for you. Run that race with certainty, purpose and intensity. Run that race to win. Run that race to be the best you can be for God at the position that He has called you to be on His team. Be willing to make whatever sacrifices it may take to successfully complete the mission and call God has set out for you. If you are willing to do this for the Lord, you just may receive an "incorruptible victor's crown" for going the extra mile for God and accomplishing for Him what many Christians would be to lazy to shoot for.
3. The Crown of Life
This next crown has been called by many the "martyr's crown." Jesus Himself says that He will give this crown to those who undergo severe hardship, testing, tribulation and/or physical death on His behalf.
"Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the CROWN OF LIFE." (Revelation 2:10)
The Bible doesn’t say anything about whether or not these 5 crowns are ranked in any way as to which is greater. However, if they are ranked in any way by God the Father in heaven, then I believe there is a very good chance that this next crown will be ranked #1 out of the 5 crowns available to all believers for special service.
I do not think there is any question that being willing to die for your faith in God and Jesus is the ultimate sacrifice! It is the greatest act of bravery and courage that you can show God the Father. And I believe that all of the Christians who have been martyred for their faith in God and Jesus throughout history will be given this crown of life.
As an aside, I've also wondered if this verse may be applying to all of the soldiers, policeman, firemen, etc. who have lost their lives in a combat situation for either our country, fighting to save someone from a burning fire or a policeman trying to save someone else’s life. I believe there is a very good chance that this verse does apply to all Christian men and women who have lost their lives trying to save someone else.
Jesus says that when you are trying to do something to help out the least of your brother and sisters, that you are doing it also unto Him (Mt. 25:40). If that is the case, then I believe God the Father will be honoring each of these men and women’s death as a true martyr’s death, and thus will be rewarding them accordingly once they enter into heaven.
4. The Crown of Rejoicing
This next crown has been called the "soul winner's crown." The apostle Paul is calling those that he has saved his "joy" and his "crown of rejoicing." The word "crown" seems to be implying that God will be giving a crown to those who have been instrumental in getting other people saved and led to Him through the blood of His Son.
"For what is our hope, or joy, or CROWN OF REJOICING? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy." (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20)
If you compare this level of service with some of the other levels that will be rewarded with crowns, there is no doubt in my mind that God will be rewarding those who will try and get others saved with this special crown.
As I have said numerous times in my other posts, working for God to try and get other people saved is the greatest thing that you can do for another person while living here on this earth. When you get someone else saved and brought to the Lord - you have just been the vessel used by God to give that person eternal salvation and eternal life.
The Bible does not say how many people you actually have to be instrumental in getting saved in order to be able to receive this crown. My guess is that it will be relative. God will simply be judging you by your willingness and desire to be used by Him to witness to others.
5. The Crown of Glory
This next verse is telling the elders of the church to "shepherd" the flock of God. Shepherds lead the flock into the ways and knowledge of God. They are teachers. These could be the Sunday school teachers, the pastors and ministers who teach the Word of God in their ministries or people appointed by God into the office of a teacher. I also believe, however, that this crown will be awarded to those lay people who chose to use their influence and resources in a way that consistently benefits God's flock. Here's the verse:
"The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed. SHEPHERD THE FLOCK OF GOD which is among you, serving as overseers, not by constraint but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the CROWN OF GLORY that does not fade away." (1 Peter 5:1-4)
I believe God will be giving His teachers and shepherds this crown due to the extreme importance of bringing up others into the knowledge and ways of God. Once you get saved, this is just the beginning. God wants you to grow in His knowledge and grace by serving Him and studying the Bible to become as much like Him as you possibly can be.
I believe God is always calling people to use as teachers and shepherds to help care for His flock...and perhaps even you...God can lead just a few people for you to work with on a one-on-one basis or an entire church...once again, I think the numbers will be relative in the eyes of Christ.
I hope this clarifies a few things and shows you where all of this can be found in scripture. In the meantime, grace and peace to you.
Friday, June 20, 2008
DEEP Week reflections
Wow...what a week it has been. The course of study over the week has been focused on "Living for the Bema" (Bema = the "rewards" judgement at the end of time). The emphasis of this particular study has not been to emphasize the heavenly rewards that come from Christ-like living, but rather it has focused on living the way that Christ did for the purpose of embracing the invitation that He extends to us in being His hands and feet. Our topics have been:
1) Jesus' opinion of you is paramount. You can stop letting your own self image and other people's opinions of you hold you back. Christ says you are worthy, lovely, and useful unto His Kingdom. That should be enough.
2) "Worthwhile" is always better than "worthless". We have opportunities everyday to do worthwhile things that make an eternal difference in our lives and the lives of others, but we let them slip by because they don't seem to really appeal to us. Christ wants us to handle those opportunities differently.
3) Perspective is everything. Simply put, things look quite different from Jesus' perspective. If we are people who actually live by faith and not by sight, then why don't we live by His perspective instead of our own?
This study has really taught me a lot about myself and the students to whom I minister. Some of the things I've had the honor of learning are:
-there is a student in our ministry who wants to plant a church in England for the purposes of bringing revival to Europe
-there is a student who has had a major sexual failure who found the ability to forgive themself through this study
-one student reconciled with his dad
-a student broke up with her boyfriend because the relationship was not spiritually profitable
-more than half of the group feels a call to ministry of one sort or another
-one student said that her "desire" to serve has now become a "need" to serve
-one student went out and purchased her very first Bible...with her own money...and she didn't get a cheap one either...
-one student told me simply, "I'm not afraid anymore." (maybe you should read that again...hallelujah!)
-there is a group of students now working closely with me and Betsy Hunt to build a better partnership between Charter Oak Church's Student Ministry and Serve Ministries.
It's been quite a week. Needless to say, I'm tired, but I've never been more excited about what God is doing in a group of people than I am of this.
To all my "DEEP Weekers", you have touched my heart and blessed me beyond measure. Thanks for all of your hard work this week!
Grace and Peace
1) Jesus' opinion of you is paramount. You can stop letting your own self image and other people's opinions of you hold you back. Christ says you are worthy, lovely, and useful unto His Kingdom. That should be enough.
2) "Worthwhile" is always better than "worthless". We have opportunities everyday to do worthwhile things that make an eternal difference in our lives and the lives of others, but we let them slip by because they don't seem to really appeal to us. Christ wants us to handle those opportunities differently.
3) Perspective is everything. Simply put, things look quite different from Jesus' perspective. If we are people who actually live by faith and not by sight, then why don't we live by His perspective instead of our own?
This study has really taught me a lot about myself and the students to whom I minister. Some of the things I've had the honor of learning are:
-there is a student in our ministry who wants to plant a church in England for the purposes of bringing revival to Europe
-there is a student who has had a major sexual failure who found the ability to forgive themself through this study
-one student reconciled with his dad
-a student broke up with her boyfriend because the relationship was not spiritually profitable
-more than half of the group feels a call to ministry of one sort or another
-one student said that her "desire" to serve has now become a "need" to serve
-one student went out and purchased her very first Bible...with her own money...and she didn't get a cheap one either...
-one student told me simply, "I'm not afraid anymore." (maybe you should read that again...hallelujah!)
-there is a group of students now working closely with me and Betsy Hunt to build a better partnership between Charter Oak Church's Student Ministry and Serve Ministries.
It's been quite a week. Needless to say, I'm tired, but I've never been more excited about what God is doing in a group of people than I am of this.
To all my "DEEP Weekers", you have touched my heart and blessed me beyond measure. Thanks for all of your hard work this week!
Grace and Peace
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
The most important thing I could pray about for Charter Oak Church
From time to time people ask me, "What is the most important thing that I could be praying about for our church?" And without fail I respond that we need to be praying for Pastor Chris and his transition into the Lead Pastor role. It's such a delicate process of moving into the enormous responsibility of becoming the "guy in charge". Here are some of his thoughts about it.
So...would you do your part in holding our Pastor before God in prayer?
Grace and Peace
So...would you do your part in holding our Pastor before God in prayer?
Grace and Peace
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
ASP was amazing!
It's hard for me to accept that this year's summer mission trip has come and gone. Charter Oak Church has long partnered with the Appalachia Service Project to serve the poor and impoverished in Appalachian America, and this summer's trip was to Mercer County, West Virginia. We took a team of 50 students and adults to the city of Bluefield where we made home repairs to 7 different houses. It was a huge success. Some of my favorite memories include:
-Ms. Myra, the lady who owned the home we repaired, telling our team that we were her angels.
-Giving the afghans that our knit and crochet team made to the people we worked for. Who knew that Jesus would use an afghan like that...
-Seeing Amber give Bree the world's biggest wedgie...seriously, it took Bree a full minute to get her undergarments re-situated...best ever!
-Having a ice cream run to McDonald's turn into an all out worship service with guitars and all right there on the porch of the restaurant. Our students never cease to amaze me.
-Talking with Courtney at the top of the slide.
-Julio...he has a way with the womens.
-Seeing Amber and Bree cruise the chapel in one of those motorized wheel chairs.
-Watching Mousegirl eat an entire box of Oreo's in like 30 minutes.
-Christian Jonzcak sleep walking...he nearly scared someone to death!
-Spending an entire day with Bree Larkin trying to make the 4 posts for our new steps perfectly square, level, and plumb...and then finding out the next day when we attached the "box of steps" to the posts that we had succeeded. I was so happy that I cried.
-Making 1,324,763,456,156,267 trips to the hardware store
-Hearing Seth Jonzcak thank Bob and Ferrold for their participation at ASP. Seth doesn't always have much to say, but when he speaks, he makes it count.
-When Zach "The Mexican" washed my feet and thanked me for being his Pastor
-When Ange Henry hit my thumb with the claw end of a hammer. I'm convinced that it hurt her worse than it hurt me.
-Watching Fish do "The Twist" to bluegrass music...oh man...you haven't lived until you see Thomas do "The Twist"! Instant classic!!!
-Having the ASP staff drive to 3 different hardware stores asking for a 5 lbs. box of Emory sparks for my project...Can anyone say, "PUNKED!"
-Finding out just how "curious" George really is.
-Getting up to pray with a group of students at 5:30am.
-Being called, "the youth group on steroids" (the person who said that had never seen a youth ministry as big as ours...it made me smile)
-At culture night Laci Jacoboski asked me to dance, and just as we walked onto the dance floor she asked, "Mark, do you have any rhythm?"...It just seemed that any logical person would reverse the order of those two questions.
-Seeing the Deuce laugh so hard at Julio that he missed the front step of the hardware store and fell flat on his face...PRICELESS!
-Working so closely with Lo-Lo, Deuce, The Mexican, Bramber, Cate, and Ange...I seriously fell in love with you dudes last week... ps - I'm so proud of your hard work and commitment to one another over those 6 days!
-Watching Tony and Alex pull it out and work through what were serious medical ailments that would have made lesser men quit. You two guys have my respect forever.
-Seeing 50 people leave the comforts of their daily lives to make a difference for Jesus.
This year's ASP trip was truly great. Grace and Peace to you.
-Ms. Myra, the lady who owned the home we repaired, telling our team that we were her angels.
-Giving the afghans that our knit and crochet team made to the people we worked for. Who knew that Jesus would use an afghan like that...
-Seeing Amber give Bree the world's biggest wedgie...seriously, it took Bree a full minute to get her undergarments re-situated...best ever!
-Having a ice cream run to McDonald's turn into an all out worship service with guitars and all right there on the porch of the restaurant. Our students never cease to amaze me.
-Talking with Courtney at the top of the slide.
-Julio...he has a way with the womens.
-Seeing Amber and Bree cruise the chapel in one of those motorized wheel chairs.
-Watching Mousegirl eat an entire box of Oreo's in like 30 minutes.
-Christian Jonzcak sleep walking...he nearly scared someone to death!
-Spending an entire day with Bree Larkin trying to make the 4 posts for our new steps perfectly square, level, and plumb...and then finding out the next day when we attached the "box of steps" to the posts that we had succeeded. I was so happy that I cried.
-Making 1,324,763,456,156,267 trips to the hardware store
-Hearing Seth Jonzcak thank Bob and Ferrold for their participation at ASP. Seth doesn't always have much to say, but when he speaks, he makes it count.
-When Zach "The Mexican" washed my feet and thanked me for being his Pastor
-When Ange Henry hit my thumb with the claw end of a hammer. I'm convinced that it hurt her worse than it hurt me.
-Watching Fish do "The Twist" to bluegrass music...oh man...you haven't lived until you see Thomas do "The Twist"! Instant classic!!!
-Having the ASP staff drive to 3 different hardware stores asking for a 5 lbs. box of Emory sparks for my project...Can anyone say, "PUNKED!"
-Finding out just how "curious" George really is.
-Getting up to pray with a group of students at 5:30am.
-Being called, "the youth group on steroids" (the person who said that had never seen a youth ministry as big as ours...it made me smile)
-At culture night Laci Jacoboski asked me to dance, and just as we walked onto the dance floor she asked, "Mark, do you have any rhythm?"...It just seemed that any logical person would reverse the order of those two questions.
-Seeing the Deuce laugh so hard at Julio that he missed the front step of the hardware store and fell flat on his face...PRICELESS!
-Working so closely with Lo-Lo, Deuce, The Mexican, Bramber, Cate, and Ange...I seriously fell in love with you dudes last week... ps - I'm so proud of your hard work and commitment to one another over those 6 days!
-Watching Tony and Alex pull it out and work through what were serious medical ailments that would have made lesser men quit. You two guys have my respect forever.
-Seeing 50 people leave the comforts of their daily lives to make a difference for Jesus.
This year's ASP trip was truly great. Grace and Peace to you.
DEEP Week is underway!
Yesterday kicked off day one of DEEP Week. I guess you could say that DEEP Week is the equivalent of a vacation bible school for our Student Ministry. Only, its designed and billed to be the deepest Bible study experience of the year...and, trust me, it is. It is a 3-hour-per-day more content than you can handle type of experience.
That being said, 28 students showed up yesterday, which just boggles my mind...28 students have chosen to spend 15 hours hardcore studying the Word of God this week over the myriad of things that they could be doing on their summer break...The following is from an email that I received from a student after DEEP Week yesterday. And while this student will remain anonymous, this testimony is a fresh example of how God is continuing to change lives here in our Student Ministry:
Dear Mark,
Today changed my life. It was one of those experiences that is nearly impossible to describe how amazing it all really was. But I can say that I don't think I have ever been so affected as I was today in such a short period of time. The thing is that the past months I just wasn't in a good place at all. I was so down on myself in so many ways and felt as though I was never good enough. The truth is I have never really seen the potential to do great things for the Lord that you always seemed to see in me. I loved when you told me that the Lord had amazing things to do through me, but yet I never really felt that I was doing anything of significance. Then with this past year I was at the lowest point in my life. I was so distressed with everything going on and I decided that you must have made some sort of mistake. I reminded myself of the many many many times I had failed before and I figured it was just time to give up...until today...As I sat with my eyes closed and listened to that recording I could see everything he was describing so clearly. I saw God the Father in a way that I had never before and was absolutely captivated. I saw Him in a huger and more glorious way. I listened as each person was called and felt as though any second I would be called up to be glorified. I was so excited, but also so upset that I had just let something as huge as God go so easily. When the recording ended and I opened my eyes I almost had to do a double take. It took me a few seconds to adjust to the fact that I still really was on Earth and not at Bema. Yet when I opened my eyes I was even more excited. I had a chance to fix what I would regret if I continued to live for anything but God. Then I worshipped as I never had before. And as I layed on the couch your words of prayer came into my head when you asked that I could embrace Jesus cheek to cheek. And while I really had my cheek smooshed up into the couch cushion I felt as though I were to cheek to cheek with Jesus. It was so beautiful.
Would you join me in prayer over DEEP Week and the students who are taking part? I know that God has so much in store for us this week, and I am so excited to see how it all plays out. Thanks!
Grace and Peace
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Thursday Morning Prayer Group
This morning at 9am I met with 13 Senior High students to spend an hour in prayer together. I've been asked several times what the goals are in doing this, so here are my thoughts behind it:
We're doing this...
1) to help students "get over the hump" in their prayer lives
2) to show students how to pray
3) to give students an arena for sharing their praises and petitions with their peers
4) to help students view and use prayer as the spiritual discipline that it is
5) to join together in holding one another, this student ministry, and its staff before the Lord
And though many people tried to warn me that this would be a bust (because there's just no way that a group of teenagers would get up early on their summer break to pray together) we did it (and we're going to continue doing it every week throughout the summer).
I've thought all day long as to how to capture with words just how awesome this morning's prayer experience was. Here's how one of the students described it.
There was a certain presence in the chapel that was felt by all...a presence that had even Pastor Chris near tears, and all he did was stop in to say hello. The experience began with each student praying over a list of prayer material regarding the student ministry, and it continued as students then shared their personal prayer lists and prayed for one another. It was stunning...stunning because of the vulnerability with which they shared their deepest prayer needs with one another; stunning because of the looks on their faces as they prayed for one another (their love for one another was almost heavy in those moments); stunning because of their focus on having a dialogue with God; stunning because they were all approaching this prayer time as one would approach the most important conversation of his entire life. It was holy...
I said it to the group this morning, and I'm going to type it again here. In all of my years in ministry, I've never been more proud of a group of students than I am of this one. Instead of choosing their pillows, their remote controls, their Wii's, their girlfriends, or anything else that their summer break could afford them, they're spending Thursday mornings choosing Jesus...I'm so humbled and excited about that...that I can't even describe it to you.
Here is our theme for our summer prayer efforts:
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."
Matthew 7:6-8
One final thing: The first item of prayer that everyone lifted high unto God today was a prayer for revival. We long to see lives transformed for all eternity in our student ministry and for the lost sheep of God to be found. We're serious about this. We want revival to come, and we want it so badly that we are going to make this the first item prayed for every time we meet. Would you join us in calling for revival? For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door is opened.
Grace and Peace to you.
We're doing this...
1) to help students "get over the hump" in their prayer lives
2) to show students how to pray
3) to give students an arena for sharing their praises and petitions with their peers
4) to help students view and use prayer as the spiritual discipline that it is
5) to join together in holding one another, this student ministry, and its staff before the Lord
And though many people tried to warn me that this would be a bust (because there's just no way that a group of teenagers would get up early on their summer break to pray together) we did it (and we're going to continue doing it every week throughout the summer).
I've thought all day long as to how to capture with words just how awesome this morning's prayer experience was. Here's how one of the students described it.
There was a certain presence in the chapel that was felt by all...a presence that had even Pastor Chris near tears, and all he did was stop in to say hello. The experience began with each student praying over a list of prayer material regarding the student ministry, and it continued as students then shared their personal prayer lists and prayed for one another. It was stunning...stunning because of the vulnerability with which they shared their deepest prayer needs with one another; stunning because of the looks on their faces as they prayed for one another (their love for one another was almost heavy in those moments); stunning because of their focus on having a dialogue with God; stunning because they were all approaching this prayer time as one would approach the most important conversation of his entire life. It was holy...
I said it to the group this morning, and I'm going to type it again here. In all of my years in ministry, I've never been more proud of a group of students than I am of this one. Instead of choosing their pillows, their remote controls, their Wii's, their girlfriends, or anything else that their summer break could afford them, they're spending Thursday mornings choosing Jesus...I'm so humbled and excited about that...that I can't even describe it to you.
Here is our theme for our summer prayer efforts:
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."
Matthew 7:6-8
One final thing: The first item of prayer that everyone lifted high unto God today was a prayer for revival. We long to see lives transformed for all eternity in our student ministry and for the lost sheep of God to be found. We're serious about this. We want revival to come, and we want it so badly that we are going to make this the first item prayed for every time we meet. Would you join us in calling for revival? For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door is opened.
Grace and Peace to you.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
I stand by the door
I love this poem:
I Stand by the Door
by Sam Shoemaker
I stand by the door.
I neither go too far in, nor stay too far out,
The door is the most important door in the world-
It is the door through which people walk when they find God.
There's no use my going way inside, and staying there,
When so many are still outside and they, as much as I,
Crave to know where the door is.
And all that so many ever find
Is only the wall where a door ought to be.
They creep along the wall like blind people,
With outstretched, groping hands.
Feeling for a door, knowing there must be a door,
Yet they never find it ...
So I stand by the door.
The most tremendous thing in the world
Is for people to find that door--the door to God.
The most important thing any person can do
Is to take hold of one of those blind, groping hands,
And put it on the latch--the latch that only clicks
And opens to the person's own touch.
People die outside that door, as starving beggars die
On cold nights in cruel cities in the dead of winter—
Die for want of what is within their grasp.
They live, on the other side of it--live because they have not found it.
Nothing else matters compared to helping them find it,
And open it, and walk in, and find Him ...
So I stand by the door.
Go in, great saints, go all the way in--
Go way down into the cavernous cellars,
And way up into the spacious attics--
It is a vast roomy house, this house where God is.
Go into the deepest of hidden casements,
Of withdrawal, of silence, of sainthood.
Some must inhabit those inner rooms.
And know the depths and heights of God,
And call outside to the rest of us how wonderful it is.
Sometimes I take a deeper look in,
Sometimes venture in a little farther;
But my place seems closer to the opening ...
So I stand by the door.
There is another reason why I stand there.
Some people get part way in and become afraid
Lest God and the zeal of His house devour them
For God is so very great, and asks all of us.
And these people feel a cosmic claustrophobia,
And want to get out. "Let me out!" they cry,
And the people way inside only terrify, them more.
Somebody must be by the door to tell them that they are spoiled
For the old life, they have seen too much:
Once taste God, and nothing but God will do any more.
Somebody must be watching for the frightened
Who seek to sneak out just where they came in,
To tell them how much better it is inside.
The people too far in do not see how near these are
To leaving--preoccupied with the wonder of it all.
Somebody must watch for those who have entered the door,
But would like to run away. So for them, too,
I stand by the door.
I admire the people who go way in.
But I wish they would not forget how it was
Before they got in. Then they would be able to help
The people who have not, yet even found the door,
Or the people who want to run away again from God,
You can go in too deeply, and stay in too long,
And forget the people outside the door.
As for me, I shall take my old accustomed place,
Near enough to God to hear Him, and know He is there,
But not so far from people as not to hear them,
And remember they are there, too.
Where? Outside the door--
Thousands of them, millions of them.
But--more important for me--
One of them, two of them, ten of them,
Whose hands I am intended to put on the latch.
So I shall stand by the door and wait
For those who seek it.
"I had rather be a door-keeper ..."
So I stand by the door.
Grace and Peace to you.
I Stand by the Door
by Sam Shoemaker
I stand by the door.
I neither go too far in, nor stay too far out,
The door is the most important door in the world-
It is the door through which people walk when they find God.
There's no use my going way inside, and staying there,
When so many are still outside and they, as much as I,
Crave to know where the door is.
And all that so many ever find
Is only the wall where a door ought to be.
They creep along the wall like blind people,
With outstretched, groping hands.
Feeling for a door, knowing there must be a door,
Yet they never find it ...
So I stand by the door.
The most tremendous thing in the world
Is for people to find that door--the door to God.
The most important thing any person can do
Is to take hold of one of those blind, groping hands,
And put it on the latch--the latch that only clicks
And opens to the person's own touch.
People die outside that door, as starving beggars die
On cold nights in cruel cities in the dead of winter—
Die for want of what is within their grasp.
They live, on the other side of it--live because they have not found it.
Nothing else matters compared to helping them find it,
And open it, and walk in, and find Him ...
So I stand by the door.
Go in, great saints, go all the way in--
Go way down into the cavernous cellars,
And way up into the spacious attics--
It is a vast roomy house, this house where God is.
Go into the deepest of hidden casements,
Of withdrawal, of silence, of sainthood.
Some must inhabit those inner rooms.
And know the depths and heights of God,
And call outside to the rest of us how wonderful it is.
Sometimes I take a deeper look in,
Sometimes venture in a little farther;
But my place seems closer to the opening ...
So I stand by the door.
There is another reason why I stand there.
Some people get part way in and become afraid
Lest God and the zeal of His house devour them
For God is so very great, and asks all of us.
And these people feel a cosmic claustrophobia,
And want to get out. "Let me out!" they cry,
And the people way inside only terrify, them more.
Somebody must be by the door to tell them that they are spoiled
For the old life, they have seen too much:
Once taste God, and nothing but God will do any more.
Somebody must be watching for the frightened
Who seek to sneak out just where they came in,
To tell them how much better it is inside.
The people too far in do not see how near these are
To leaving--preoccupied with the wonder of it all.
Somebody must watch for those who have entered the door,
But would like to run away. So for them, too,
I stand by the door.
I admire the people who go way in.
But I wish they would not forget how it was
Before they got in. Then they would be able to help
The people who have not, yet even found the door,
Or the people who want to run away again from God,
You can go in too deeply, and stay in too long,
And forget the people outside the door.
As for me, I shall take my old accustomed place,
Near enough to God to hear Him, and know He is there,
But not so far from people as not to hear them,
And remember they are there, too.
Where? Outside the door--
Thousands of them, millions of them.
But--more important for me--
One of them, two of them, ten of them,
Whose hands I am intended to put on the latch.
So I shall stand by the door and wait
For those who seek it.
"I had rather be a door-keeper ..."
So I stand by the door.
Grace and Peace to you.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Sunday night ranting
It's midnight on Sunday night (Monday morning), and I am no where near sleepy yet. I'd go on to bed, but the myriad of thoughts racing through my mind right now would leave my body tossing and turning. Here are a few of them:
-I told my baby boy about the Good News again today. I told him about Jesus the very first night that I had him home...I just wanted to be the first to tell him...what an honor...And I told him again today because I just wanted to remind him. I can't imagine where I'd be today if I didn't have people in my life who are willing to remind me. To those who do that for me, you know who you are...thank you.
-I served communion at two services this morning. I had the privilege of sharing the body and blood of Christ with a couple hundred people today, but just two of them stick out in my mind...Blues and Marley. Even though I've done it several times before, sharing the elements with my own kids had a certain holiness about it today that startled me. I could hardly speak the words, "the body of Christ broken for you." Wow...
-In the past month I've visited two of the biggest churches in the world, and I've had one-on-one meetings with some of the biggest names in ministry. After spending a week processing those meetings and conferences, the words that come to mind that describe my take-away from it all include: humbled, inspired, encouraged, and heart-broken (in a good way).
-There are three quotes from DRIVE and Saddleback that are still heavy on my mind:
1) To reach the people that no one else will reach, you must do what no one else will do. 2) It's so easy to learn 'how to' and forget 'why'. 3) What grieves the heart of God the most is that His lost sheep have not yet been found (This one literally nauseates me. I'm either going to be a part of the solution to this, or I will have lived for nothing).
-ASP is one week away. DEEP Week is two weeks away. I wonder how many lives will be changed forever by the experiences of these two weeks. Would you join me in prayer over this?
-I'm in a season of great opportunity right now. I'm praying my way through it all, and, though discernment can be frustrating, I'm learning to have fun with the process. I've become convinced that God is content to open many doors to those who are willing to simply "follow Him". It's just a little scary that the vehicle of faith isn't equipped with seat belts...know what I mean?
-I had the best staff meeting ever today. My volunteer team is AWESOME! Their love for Christ and dedication to student ministry brings tears to my eyes. Look wherever you want to look...you're not going to find a better group of people to serve with. To my team: I love you so much!
-Deuce is going to change the world. I'm convinced of that. If you haven't taken the time to get to know that guy, then you're missing out. He's something special.
-Laci Jacoboski has joined our staff this summer, along with the Deuce, as an intern. Talk about someone who is in love with Jesus...She's precious.
-There is a group of students who are planning to meet together on Thursday mornings for an hour of prayer every week throughout the summer. Think about that for a minute...most teens don't even see "morning" during their summer break because they sleep in past noon, but there is a group of teens at Charter Oak Church who are getting together early every Thursday morning over their Summer break to pound on Heaven's door. I don't even have words for this...this just blows me away! Hallelujah!
-I so want to be closer to Jesus. I want to be astonishingly close to Him...dangerously close to Him...I want Him to penetrate and infiltrate every fiber of me...Let His life refine me, His love define me, His grace be my banner.
-I've found a great explanation of what's going on in my soul lately in this verse. Anyone else out there groaning?
-Harlend and Jared Hall are coming for a free concert at Charter Oak Church on August 22nd. This is going to AWESOME!
-I was asked at my small group on Friday night what I thought was the one most important thing that we could all pray for our church right now. My answer was, simply, Pastor Chris. He is stepping up in a big way next month taking on the Lead Pastor role, and we need to do our part in praying for our Pastor. He's a special man with a herculean task in receiving the "torch" that's being passed to him. There are many things that we could be praying for, but this, I feel, is the most important one.
On that note, I think I'm going to call it a night.
Grace and Peace to you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
