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Archive for the ‘Devotional’ Category

the best FWD: i have ever received…

In Devotional, evangelism, kidz on March 10, 2009 at 10:24 pm

today i received this FWD: in my g-mail account. i HATE forwards, but this one made my year. i will tell WHY you at the bottom.

BIG PARTY~!!
>
> Hey! Guess what!
>
> The Biggest Party is when you get through the
> gates of HEAVEN because you’ll be LIVING ETERNALLY WITH GOD!!!!!!!!
> 98% of teens won’t stand up for GOD……
>
> SEND THIS IF YOU’RE ONE OF THE 2% WHO WILL. SEND IT
> TO EVERYONE!!
> Jesus said, “If you deny Me in front of your
> friends, I will deny you in front of My Father.”
>
> So just send this out. Send it as: “Big Party!”

it was from my 10 year-old son who got it from a friend @ New Hope. i will take these forwards any day, all day. thanks Christian and Madison for sharing Jesus with the world.
______________________________
p.s. don’t send any stupid ones though or i will spam you.

do i…

In Devotional, prayer on March 6, 2009 at 9:14 pm

listen or talk more when i pray…when i set vision…when i hurt…when i converse with someone else…when i punish our kids…when i am on top of the world?

whose voice is loudest in my lives?

Mark 1.35. “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” [niv]

one of the most important questions to ask yourself.

In church planting journey, Devotional on March 5, 2009 at 5:34 am

I have been asked or heard this question 3 times in the last 6 weeks.

These 5 little words embody what I want my soul to echo loud. It is the longing of my heart. The passion for my walk. Though I walk counter to this so often.

“IS JESUS ENOUGH FOR ME?”

And BTW…I am not even worthy of asking this question in the first place. But because of HIS grace…I can and should ask it. Living it out is another matter.

“IS JESUS ENOUGH FOR YOU?”

really?

faith in times of crisis.

In Devotional, faith on February 4, 2009 at 1:04 pm

If there is one thing I have learned in my crazy walk of faith and in my crazy pre-pastor life of being a cop in the inner-city it is not to panic.

I think “not panicking” is a huge expression of our faith.

Did you hear the story of the dude who jumped out of a plane and his instructor had a heart attack and died while on his back during a private lesson? Stop and think about that. Read it here. Here is what the man said:

“We’re just taught to deal with adversity, whether it be on the battlefront or at home or … up in the air, and you just do what you have to do — assess the situation and keep a calm head about you because it doesn’t do anybody any good to panic,” said Pharr, a private in the Army. (cnn.com)

How about it? In life that is so true…I have faced many, many panicked situation with calm that I learned as a police officer.

But what about our faith life? How often do we panic when God doesn’t grant our request right away or at all? God has had to slow me down big time by MAKING me trust him all the way through it. Forced to do that right now. Forced like that man did, to use what little training and faith I might have to steer toward God’s landing zone.

We had a great opportunity to take this interim position before Salt Lake City. In the past maybe in a panic, I would have jumped on the first thing. This time, we all took our sweet time, and it was so affirming and so much sweeter than jumping and realizing that I made a bad decision.

As a leader, I have panicked before and made hasty decisions that were not God ordained. Are you slowing down every moment of every day and remaining calm when the storms of life are raging around you? LEADERS, especially, type-A, driven ones like me… TAKE HEED! Be calm. Slow down. Let HIM lead. He won’t die on you, even when you are in the free falls of life. But you have to LET HIM INSTRUCT AND LEAD YOU TO LAND!

Panic and lose your faith and trust in yourself. Bad move.

“Be STILL and KNOW that I am GOD!” Psalm 46.10

meditate on this early in the morning.

In Devotional on February 1, 2009 at 5:01 am

May these words wash over you in powerful ways never experienced before. May you go forth with HIS blessing today and REST in PEACE knowing that HE is already standing in your future.

obeidence is the real SUPER.

In church planting journey, Devotional on January 31, 2009 at 5:01 am


And it’s not found in a bowl, though for the record, I like both QB’s as they profess a great faith in Christ, but dang, Arizona would be a great upset story.

The Steelers are the arch enemy, but you have to love the way they play and usually you cheer your foe on (except the Ravens, whom I would just not cheer for right now, ever). Ohh, yeah, it’s not about that Super. It’s about SUPER OBEDIENCE.

I read this post from the SWERVE blog, which is one of the top 3 in my book. Of course, this spoke to me big time. How about you?
_______________________

from LifeChurch.tv : swerve by Craig Groeschel

Sometimes you love where you are and what you do, but God just does something that defies logic.

Just when you least expect it, God might apparently disrupt an otherwise productive ministry and lead you to take a bold step of faith into the unknown. When He does, have the courage to follow His voice.

Without faith, it is impossible to please God. If you wake up comfortable but can do ministry without any faith, God may speak to you and ask you do something that will prove His faithfulness.

If God speaks to you and calls you out, it is time to move.

______________________

Yep…that’s us. God defying logic and our family moving out in faith when it made no sense and we were in a highly productive ministry. Oour family, friends and church we love were here. Makes no sense. But neither did the call to Abraham in Genesis 22. Obedience is the real SUPER.

pic: extras.journalnow.com/.../superbowl01.jpg

another story of the church being the church.

In being the church, Devotional, love on January 3, 2009 at 4:45 pm

If you are ever rubbed raw by the nonsense that goes on in the sporting world, here is a story that will rock your world. I love sports, but the business behind it can be pretty dark.

Parents push, push, push at all expenses. Players are paid millions. Money is God and king. But all of that changed one night when people opened their hearts and went against the grain.

Take time to read this quick story on how the church was the church and people acted like Jesus on a football field in Texas.

Love it.

pic: Melinda Wright, courtesy espn.com

why aren’t you…

In church planting journey, Devotional on January 1, 2009 at 3:46 pm

Scared about the future that is so unknown?
Anxious that you won’t sell your house?
Worried about starting a church in this economy?
Afraid of what might happen at New Hope in the future?
Stressed about whether your kids will adjust to a new place?
Sad that you are leaving your friends and family?
Tired and worn out with all that is uncertain and left to do to prepare for this journey?
Excited about the possibilities?

The truth is that all of this has come into play or will at some point in our families lives.

But this one thing is certain: OBEDIENCE in all things is such a firm foundation, that when the winds start to stir (and they have for us…it’s been a very hard week), we have to take refuge in the one who made the CALL in our lives. The one who spoke to us as He spoke to Abraham in Genesis 22.

And after Jesus gave the GREAT COMMISSION to all of us, He said some of my favorite words in all of Scripture that settle me down when I center my soul on HIM and not the situation and circumstances:

“…and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (matthew 28.20b.esv)

What is your list that you are holding? What do you need to turn over to HIM in 2009? It might not be as “large” as the call that we are undertaking…but think on this: Is any calling from God small? I don’t think so. It’s only large or small in our eyes.

Whether it is a call to something that really shakes us, or the call to reach out to a neighbor or family member, or the call to be disciplined in our devotional lives or giving or serving, or whatever the whisper is…get on it. OBEDIENCE sets a firm foundation.

pic: http://flickr.com/photos/jrey/117310657/

what?

In church planting journey, Devotional on December 22, 2008 at 5:01 am

One of the constant things I am asked is: How did you have crazy success 3 times in planting? First, of course, I didn’t…I truly am Spirit-led and without our great God and great team, none of this would have been possible

But one of the most important things I can zone in on is that: I am always learning, growing and pushing to make things happen for the Kingdom. No excuses. If God gives the vision, we will do EVERYTHING He asked without cutting corners…When we don’t, we see less impact. When we do: WATCH OUT!

Not being afraid to say yes in the face of insurmountable challenges, and not being afraid to say no or stop or change course as you learn and grow is also a key. Whether a church planter, a banker, a teacher, a student, whatever and wherever God has you in His story…don’t forget that. This isn’t just for the “professional” clergy. HE has a vision for ALL of us!

I just had a friend who was pretty wild like me in High School stop by recently. He has been radically changed by Christ. He wanted to say how proud he was that we were stepping out, and then he told me he was going to take a HUGE pay-cut because he felt God was calling him from his great engineering job to teach math to kids at juvenile detention facilities. ONLY GOD.

The disciples must have been overwhelmed with their marching orders…and so am I. But to push through and not fear, to always learn, grow and push yourself and your team to the limits with the sole goal of seeing HIS KINGDOM COME is one huge life lesson I have learned. And not being afraid to change course along the journey is the ultimate X factor. Stop/observe/re-orient/move…from week 1 of the Advent Conspiracy teaching.

falling in love with my family…

In Devotional, priorities on December 18, 2008 at 5:01 am

More than THE CHURCH has been a challenge as a church planter. Falling in love with GOD more than the FAMILY has been a challenge. Falling in love with the WORLD more than MYSELF is another one…I could go on and on.

About 2 years ago I learned that I needed to set boundaries. I used to work 10 hour days easy. Then I was slapped down over the fact that I needed to love my family more. Was I not doing that?

The greatest report is that I am so much better on that one. And without a job potentially in a few months…they might want me to go back to work.

But how can you not love the smile in the pic above. That’s our JOI, a true gift from the Father. May I learn to stay in love with the right people at the right times.

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