Once again, God has shown up in special and powerful ways. Last night our elders led our time of prayer, and helped us to focus on the community, our schools and our leaders in our church. It was a time of open, honest communication with the Creator at a level I've been hoping to see for some time.
Our numbers were a little more than last week, and one significant increase was in the area of our youth. They not only attended, but they participated in prayer as we broke into groups. What a blessing!
I have to say, though, that I was very grateful for the direction and sacrifice that our elders took in taking on this role. Especially Gary. If you were there, you heard how he is NOT an up front person. To quote him, "In my mind one's company and two's a crowd, so you can imagine what this is doing to me!" Which got a great laugh. But he stepped up and did what he believed God has called him to do. He sacrificed his comfort and his reputation to glorify God. That takes courage and commitment, but it also takes obedience. Thank you, Gary, for being all of that and doing so with a humble and willing heart. And thank Jon and Terry as well for doing the same thing. You men are being great examples for us all.
For us as a church, our challenge is similar to that taken on by our elders. To make a difference in this church, in this community and in this valley, we need to ask ourselves if we're willing to LIVE OUT the words of our prayers from last night. As Pastor Bill reminded us to pray, "Yes Lord, this is what we want!" So let's get after that which we are praying for. Let's support our leaders in the city and in our schools by praying for them and finding out how we can work alongside them. Let's support the local church community by praying for them as often as we can. Let's support our schools in prayer but also find ways to come alongside and help them as they teach our kids. Let's look for opportunities to partner with the schools in service opportunities such as helping with lunch duty, assisting with classroom, office or library work. And let's support the church that we call home by praying for ALL of the leaders, not just the staff. ALL of our leaders need to be lifted up as we move onto the next steps that God has for us.
To our church, let me challenge you. (I know you love it when I do this!!) If you aren't serving and you have the ability to do so, it's time to stop being selfish and get off the seat and serve. Don't be afraid! (Your fear is of man, and you're not giving God a chance to bless your socks off by putting man ahead of God.) Trust God - from the bottom of your heart. If you believe what you/we prayed last night, and agreed that "Yes, God, this is what we want", then let's get moving. Let's get after that which we've been called to and celebrate. I'm looking forward to it. I hope you'll join me. See ya in church...
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Sunday, August 24, 2008
A Holy Moment
I didn't start out, or finish, feeling really good due to a massive headache. It was one of those headaches where light hurts, sounds hurt - everything just makes your head hurt. So what do I do? I put myself right in front of my daughter as she pounds out the beat on the drums. Brilliant!
And if I had it all to do over again, I wouldn't change a thing.
We're going through this prayer series and God is working on a TON of people, including me. He is showing many of us where we need to continue to move closer to Him and further from the things of this world. Pastor Bill today reminded us that God is our source of help and provision and that's where our lives need to be focused on. When you were a kid and you got hurt, who made your pain go away, who made you feel better? For most of us it was our mom or dad, or both. We found comfort in the hands of someone who loved us and wanted to make us feel better. That's just what God wants to do with us, as Teresa reminded us in singing "In Better Hands Now" by Natalie Grant. And it seemed that God got through all the mess that we all brought into Worship today and He got through to us.
Our song set this morning included a couple of slower song that just seem to help people connect with God in ways that other songs don't. There was a moment when we just let go and worshiped God with all that we had to offer. We encountered a loving God who wanted to take a moment to remind us how much He really does love us. I hope we didn't miss it. In those moments when we are at our end, I think God uses those to continue that good work He began in us not so long ago. Those are the holy moments.
My hope is that we - rather I, don't miss out on what God has for me, and for us. I know that when I don't feel 100%, I don't always want to give my best, even if it is for God. (Just being real.) But when I push through with His strength and His power, it's a Philippians moment! "I CAN do ALL things through Him who gives me STRENGTH!"
God, here's my prayer for the rest of this year, let alone the rest of this series: please continue to pour out your Spirit in us, and allow us to encounter those holy moments with You, both in Your sanctuary and in our daily lives.
Jesus - how I love you!
And if I had it all to do over again, I wouldn't change a thing.
We're going through this prayer series and God is working on a TON of people, including me. He is showing many of us where we need to continue to move closer to Him and further from the things of this world. Pastor Bill today reminded us that God is our source of help and provision and that's where our lives need to be focused on. When you were a kid and you got hurt, who made your pain go away, who made you feel better? For most of us it was our mom or dad, or both. We found comfort in the hands of someone who loved us and wanted to make us feel better. That's just what God wants to do with us, as Teresa reminded us in singing "In Better Hands Now" by Natalie Grant. And it seemed that God got through all the mess that we all brought into Worship today and He got through to us.
Our song set this morning included a couple of slower song that just seem to help people connect with God in ways that other songs don't. There was a moment when we just let go and worshiped God with all that we had to offer. We encountered a loving God who wanted to take a moment to remind us how much He really does love us. I hope we didn't miss it. In those moments when we are at our end, I think God uses those to continue that good work He began in us not so long ago. Those are the holy moments.
My hope is that we - rather I, don't miss out on what God has for me, and for us. I know that when I don't feel 100%, I don't always want to give my best, even if it is for God. (Just being real.) But when I push through with His strength and His power, it's a Philippians moment! "I CAN do ALL things through Him who gives me STRENGTH!"
God, here's my prayer for the rest of this year, let alone the rest of this series: please continue to pour out your Spirit in us, and allow us to encounter those holy moments with You, both in Your sanctuary and in our daily lives.
Jesus - how I love you!
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Night of Prayer - Moving Day!
I know, it's late. I just have to share something from our first of many nights of prayer. Pastor Bill started us off by sharing that he felt God saying it's time to move the line. Time to step up and step out and start really living, both as a church and as individuals, the way that God really intended us to live. If we move the line closer to God, we trust God more and see more of what He is doing. I love that! I love a challenge, especially if it moves me closer to God!
As I sat there in my puddle, God reminded me of something about that dreaded 'moving day'. When I was a kid, we moved a lot. Dad was a project manager for an international firm and we moved about every 2-3 year, so I got real familiar with moving day. And every time we moved - without exception - something got left behind. We either sold it, gave it away or it just flat out got forgot! There just wasn't room for it on the truck. Something got left behind somehow.
When God asks us to move closer to Him, we need to leave some stuff behind - on purpose. We need to off-load some junk that we've been hanging on to for far too long and leave it at the curb. I sat there tonight and really had to struggle with what I was willing to leave behind to follow Christ to this next level. Am I willing to leave anything? Everything? What is it that I need to, specifically, let go of in order to go that next place with Jesus? I have an idea of some things that will get left. I have a real clear idea of what needs to go into the trash, so that I can have more room for the journey.
How about you? Are you willing to leave the things you think you need, the comforts of your old self and old habits behind in order to risk something new for the King? I sure hope so! If you want to be a part of what God is doing at First Baptist, Pocatello, stop right now and ask God to show you what you need to leave behind. Trust me, it will be worth it!
I'll see you in church and at our next night of prayer on the 27th of August.
As I sat there in my puddle, God reminded me of something about that dreaded 'moving day'. When I was a kid, we moved a lot. Dad was a project manager for an international firm and we moved about every 2-3 year, so I got real familiar with moving day. And every time we moved - without exception - something got left behind. We either sold it, gave it away or it just flat out got forgot! There just wasn't room for it on the truck. Something got left behind somehow.
When God asks us to move closer to Him, we need to leave some stuff behind - on purpose. We need to off-load some junk that we've been hanging on to for far too long and leave it at the curb. I sat there tonight and really had to struggle with what I was willing to leave behind to follow Christ to this next level. Am I willing to leave anything? Everything? What is it that I need to, specifically, let go of in order to go that next place with Jesus? I have an idea of some things that will get left. I have a real clear idea of what needs to go into the trash, so that I can have more room for the journey.
How about you? Are you willing to leave the things you think you need, the comforts of your old self and old habits behind in order to risk something new for the King? I sure hope so! If you want to be a part of what God is doing at First Baptist, Pocatello, stop right now and ask God to show you what you need to leave behind. Trust me, it will be worth it!
I'll see you in church and at our next night of prayer on the 27th of August.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Rewind
Interesting day on a couple of levels:
* It was exciting and inviting to be a part of a family that worshiped from a seemingly 'deep place' on Sunday. Not only did the sound get me, it was the look on your faces and your expressions that seemed to say, "Here I am God, we love and praise you!"
* Pastor Bill was back in the saddle after his study leave and gave us a solid reminder that prayer is about being real before God. While that may sound elementary, I would argue that, as church goes, we've gotten away from REAL prayer and more into ROUTINE prayer (repetition for repetition sake). Thanks, Bill.
* We added a song that wasn't originally on the set list, I Surrender All. It was a wonderful time of prayerful reflection and confession that God used to get us looking in the right direction. Way to go GOD!
* The Arts Team did a GREAT JOB getting images about prayer in front of us. I have to say I really like the faceless paintings, simply because I can put my face in whichever one I'm most connected to on a particular day. Thanks, Tawna and Lana.
* Several people just hung out in the sanctuary after the second service. More than we've had on a 'normal' day. Seemed like an air of excitement and enthusiasm. It was Great!
Have you stopped to thank God for what He's doing in HIS house lately? Have you taken the time in your prayer time to let Him know how much you appreciate and love Him? If you're paying attention, you'll sense that something is coming, something big. And God wants to use YOU and me to make it happen.
Take time to pray. It IS what matters.
* It was exciting and inviting to be a part of a family that worshiped from a seemingly 'deep place' on Sunday. Not only did the sound get me, it was the look on your faces and your expressions that seemed to say, "Here I am God, we love and praise you!"
* Pastor Bill was back in the saddle after his study leave and gave us a solid reminder that prayer is about being real before God. While that may sound elementary, I would argue that, as church goes, we've gotten away from REAL prayer and more into ROUTINE prayer (repetition for repetition sake). Thanks, Bill.
* We added a song that wasn't originally on the set list, I Surrender All. It was a wonderful time of prayerful reflection and confession that God used to get us looking in the right direction. Way to go GOD!
* The Arts Team did a GREAT JOB getting images about prayer in front of us. I have to say I really like the faceless paintings, simply because I can put my face in whichever one I'm most connected to on a particular day. Thanks, Tawna and Lana.
* Several people just hung out in the sanctuary after the second service. More than we've had on a 'normal' day. Seemed like an air of excitement and enthusiasm. It was Great!
Have you stopped to thank God for what He's doing in HIS house lately? Have you taken the time in your prayer time to let Him know how much you appreciate and love Him? If you're paying attention, you'll sense that something is coming, something big. And God wants to use YOU and me to make it happen.
Take time to pray. It IS what matters.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Developing Artists - messy work!
Anytime you deal with artists of any kind - musicians, painters, sculptors, actors, dancers, videographers, etc. - you deal with the natural beast, the ego. In some folks, it's very small and kept under control. In other folks, they have their own 'little world' that requires much attention, attention, and more attention. I thank God every day that we don't have any of the latter. We have more of the 'under control' variety, and that makes it a little easier to manage from my end. But the challenge is really on my ego, because the people whom I have the pleasure of serving in ministry with, are requesting more training, more education. What? I'm the head guy! I should be the ONLY one that does any training, education...how dare they! (Sorry, my ego got out of his cage for a minute!)
We desire to hone our skills for the glory of God, and Him alone. The only way to do that is to look for additional resources to train, educate and encourage. There are some really good resources out there, and like anything else, there is also a lot of crap out there. I have to be very careful in what I choose to use to equip the team, or else run the risk of letting the 'crap' get into the service of Worship. That would be bad!
What we'll be doing on this blog a little more is sharing some of those sites, those resources and events that are upcoming that my people will be challenged to go to. If you are reading this and you serve at any capacity in church, I BEG you to get some training for you and your church. Don't get stuck in the past because of a church ego. Every church has one. It disguises itself as, "We've never done it that way before...That will never work here...Fine, do that and we'll leave..." The list goes on and on and on and on...you get the point. The Psalmist was very clear in Psalm 33:1-3, particularly when he said, "...play skillfully and...with joy." That requires teaching, training, encouraging, risking and failing and risking again, and on-going training. So get after it! If you find resources that work for you and your church, please feel free to share them. After all, sharing helps keep that little ego fella under wraps!
We desire to hone our skills for the glory of God, and Him alone. The only way to do that is to look for additional resources to train, educate and encourage. There are some really good resources out there, and like anything else, there is also a lot of crap out there. I have to be very careful in what I choose to use to equip the team, or else run the risk of letting the 'crap' get into the service of Worship. That would be bad!
What we'll be doing on this blog a little more is sharing some of those sites, those resources and events that are upcoming that my people will be challenged to go to. If you are reading this and you serve at any capacity in church, I BEG you to get some training for you and your church. Don't get stuck in the past because of a church ego. Every church has one. It disguises itself as, "We've never done it that way before...That will never work here...Fine, do that and we'll leave..." The list goes on and on and on and on...you get the point. The Psalmist was very clear in Psalm 33:1-3, particularly when he said, "...play skillfully and...with joy." That requires teaching, training, encouraging, risking and failing and risking again, and on-going training. So get after it! If you find resources that work for you and your church, please feel free to share them. After all, sharing helps keep that little ego fella under wraps!
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Just Do It!
That really ended up being the main point of the message Sunday, although it was not the intended outcome. God really took over in the latter half of my message, reminding me that not only do we need to follow our Masters teaching and become His disciples, we have to BE His disciples by doing what His word says. Live it out daily!
Here's the interesting part about Sunday, the God part if you will. When we prep for a sermon, here's the basic process (which is different for all of us):
1. Get the topic, scripture idea in my heart and head. Where does God want me to go and what does He want me to say? Spend time praying over it and listening for direction.
2. Begin to formulate rough outline and main point to share. Rough draft so to speak.
3. Through prayer, develop the message with related research, stories, personal stories, etc. Put it all together in a message form.
4. Once message is done, review, pray over, run through a couple of times to make sure it flows.
Also, does it make the point I'm trying to make? Does it move people to make a choice to DO
something for God or change direction in their life for God?
That's the very rough gist of it. We have a clear direction and idea for what we believe God wants to accomplish on Sunday. And then we arrive at church, ready to deliver what we believe is His word, and He pulls a slight detour right in the middle of the message!
And what a message! We all know that God calls us to serve and to go. Not a big surprise for anyone who has ever picked up a Bible and read it. We all know that , as disciples, we have to make sacrifices in order to follow. But that was the problem. We all KNEW what was expected, we just weren't DOING it. God had a message for me and for anyone else with a pulse in the room Sunday. Stop KNOWING and start GOING and DOING! I know that I - rather God - stepped on a lot of toes. Good! Mine still hurt and I was the one relating the message.
But how much longer are we going to keep making excuses as to why we can't DO? How many more times is God going to have to give us a wake up call? Church, we ALL have to get after the going and doing NOW. We know what has to be done, so what' holding us back?
Let me encourage you this week to take some time to intentionally get away by yourself and search your heart with God and answer that question - what is holding me back from DOING what You are calling me to do? Let me know how I can help. I'll be praying for you as you seek Him out. Please pray for me as I do the same.
Here's the interesting part about Sunday, the God part if you will. When we prep for a sermon, here's the basic process (which is different for all of us):
1. Get the topic, scripture idea in my heart and head. Where does God want me to go and what does He want me to say? Spend time praying over it and listening for direction.
2. Begin to formulate rough outline and main point to share. Rough draft so to speak.
3. Through prayer, develop the message with related research, stories, personal stories, etc. Put it all together in a message form.
4. Once message is done, review, pray over, run through a couple of times to make sure it flows.
Also, does it make the point I'm trying to make? Does it move people to make a choice to DO
something for God or change direction in their life for God?
That's the very rough gist of it. We have a clear direction and idea for what we believe God wants to accomplish on Sunday. And then we arrive at church, ready to deliver what we believe is His word, and He pulls a slight detour right in the middle of the message!
And what a message! We all know that God calls us to serve and to go. Not a big surprise for anyone who has ever picked up a Bible and read it. We all know that , as disciples, we have to make sacrifices in order to follow. But that was the problem. We all KNEW what was expected, we just weren't DOING it. God had a message for me and for anyone else with a pulse in the room Sunday. Stop KNOWING and start GOING and DOING! I know that I - rather God - stepped on a lot of toes. Good! Mine still hurt and I was the one relating the message.
But how much longer are we going to keep making excuses as to why we can't DO? How many more times is God going to have to give us a wake up call? Church, we ALL have to get after the going and doing NOW. We know what has to be done, so what' holding us back?
Let me encourage you this week to take some time to intentionally get away by yourself and search your heart with God and answer that question - what is holding me back from DOING what You are calling me to do? Let me know how I can help. I'll be praying for you as you seek Him out. Please pray for me as I do the same.
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