Powerful. Someone needed to say it, and Im glad they had the guts to do it. Pass it on.
Two Big Weekends
1 hour ago
Friday, January 30, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
The Overflow
So we are in the middle of this 21-day fast. I can't say that I have been as strict or rigid as I would have liked to have been through it, but I have noticed a few things.
Worship and ministry seem to come from a different place. A place that I remember but haven't been to in a long time. The overflow.
The overflow for me is that place where worship and ministry come naturally out of the overflow of God's presence and annointing rather than from my gritting my teeth and bearing it. It feels more like God working through me rather than me letting Him fight His way to the surface from time to time.
What evidences are you seeing from fasting? Do you recognize the overflow?
- First, I think my demeanor is better. Not so quick to get angry, and more intent to listen rather than form immediate opinions.
- Seems easier to resist temptation...it worked for Jesus too. I guess I shouldn't be surprised.
- My mind seems clearer. Still sediment settling to the bottom, but a little clearer.
Worship and ministry seem to come from a different place. A place that I remember but haven't been to in a long time. The overflow.
The overflow for me is that place where worship and ministry come naturally out of the overflow of God's presence and annointing rather than from my gritting my teeth and bearing it. It feels more like God working through me rather than me letting Him fight His way to the surface from time to time.
What evidences are you seeing from fasting? Do you recognize the overflow?
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
"I am Barack Obama"
Remember those commercials back in the 80's that had people saying "I want to be like Mike"? (Michael Jordan; by the way I have a vintage Air Jordan Jacket from his rookie season if anyone is interested in owning a nice piece of memorabilia...) Then in the 90's there was the campaign that featured people saying "I am Tiger Woods".
Mike (as I like to call him) and Tiger have one thing in common. They influenced entire generations. They influenced generations by offering hope that if they can do it, so can you.
My daughter is learning about the civl-rights era in school right now, and we visited the NC Museum of History on Monday (MLK Day) and saw an exhibit on the era. She saw signs that said 'colored only' and 'white only'. She saw newspaper clippings that had statements about how we are not equal. Then on Tuesday she was able to witness Barack Obama become President of the US. I am glad she got to see that. I know that it will be a different world for her as she grows up as a result of it.
Carrie made a statement during the inauguration yesterday that was very true. No matter how President Obama performs as president this is one of those moments in history that can influence entire generations. I hope that it will.
As church leaders, we have an even greater responsibility. We have been given the opportunity to influence people in terms of their eternity. This makes me feel an urgency to quit playing the game and start transcending it. Mike didn't just play basketball as it had always been played. Tiger didn't just play golf...I 'just play' golf. Barack Obama did not achieve his influence on a generation by being status quo. I can't just continue to play pastor or leader, father and husband. If I can't be influential and transcend the status quo, I dont wanna play.
Do I agree politically with Barack Obama? Not on much. Am I inspired by his passionate influence and leadership? Yep. So in the spirit of those commercials...I can say "I am Barack Obama"
Where in your life do you need to quit just playing the game? Where can you influence a generation? Sound too big for you? Think about it...you can.
Mike (as I like to call him) and Tiger have one thing in common. They influenced entire generations. They influenced generations by offering hope that if they can do it, so can you.
My daughter is learning about the civl-rights era in school right now, and we visited the NC Museum of History on Monday (MLK Day) and saw an exhibit on the era. She saw signs that said 'colored only' and 'white only'. She saw newspaper clippings that had statements about how we are not equal. Then on Tuesday she was able to witness Barack Obama become President of the US. I am glad she got to see that. I know that it will be a different world for her as she grows up as a result of it.
Carrie made a statement during the inauguration yesterday that was very true. No matter how President Obama performs as president this is one of those moments in history that can influence entire generations. I hope that it will.
As church leaders, we have an even greater responsibility. We have been given the opportunity to influence people in terms of their eternity. This makes me feel an urgency to quit playing the game and start transcending it. Mike didn't just play basketball as it had always been played. Tiger didn't just play golf...I 'just play' golf. Barack Obama did not achieve his influence on a generation by being status quo. I can't just continue to play pastor or leader, father and husband. If I can't be influential and transcend the status quo, I dont wanna play.
Do I agree politically with Barack Obama? Not on much. Am I inspired by his passionate influence and leadership? Yep. So in the spirit of those commercials...I can say "I am Barack Obama"
Where in your life do you need to quit just playing the game? Where can you influence a generation? Sound too big for you? Think about it...you can.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Paging Mr. or Mrs. Grumpy....
Here at Seacoast, we have entered a 21-day fast this week.I've noticed and heard a lot of talk (grumbling) about fasting and how difficult it is. Believe me, I understand what a stretch some of this may be for some of you. Especially those of you doing the Daniel Fast. Let me take a pastoral moment to point you to Matthew 6:16-18
16 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
This verse clearly says that we are to go about our lives normally when we fast...in other words, put your big boy pants on and dont complain about it to others. It is to be done with humility and honor. Its a 'get to' not a 'have to'. As Christ followers we 'get to' fast and hear from our God. Its an awesome thing for us, and a very personal one.
I would love to hear what God is doing in your life through the fast, but lets not get into 'looking gloomy' or grumbling about how hard it is. Lets celebrate that we get to enter into this time with God! OK? OK...carry on!
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Transforming Change in 2009
2008 was a year of change, and we hear that even more change is on the way in 2009 and I am sure that is true.
Have you had a life changing event happen in your life? I did when I began to feel God calling me to full time ministry. Then, a few years ago I hit what I thought was a huge stumbling block that turned out to be one of the best life-changing events for me. I broke my jaw playing football behind the church. My mouth was wired shut for 2 and a half months. It turned out to be just what I needed. A time of listening.
It started a discontent within me. Bill Hybels calls it a Holy Discontent and I had it. I was discontent with me and what my part in ministry was. Later that year I heard Bill Hybels at a conference speak about this holy discontent. It was a transforming moment. I knew I would never be the same and it was clear that God had a call on my life.
What it your holy discontent? Have you found it? Have you been quiet enough to hear God communicate it to you? Part 1 of my vision for us this year is that you would find what your God-given Holy Discontent is. Imagine if we ALL found it and acted on it!
The world had a transforming moment when Jesus entered into history.
The world was lost in sin and far away from God. Jesus changed all that.
But it wasnt simply change, it was redemption. Theres a difference.
Change can give you a different view. Redemption gives you new eyes to see with.
Redemption is simply being returned spiritually to the way God intended us to be and returning to the relationship He created us to have with Him.
What was Jesus mission?
Luke 4:18-19 lays out Jesus job description: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captivesand recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.”
How did He do it? He recruited a team and then worked the plan.
Guess what? We have been recruited to the team. How well are we working the plan?
Heres the vision for 2009 for us at Seacoast Greensboro:
Is this the year you are tranformed? Will you commit your whole life and resources to Jesus' mission? Will you experience the transforming power of Jesus?
Join the team and work the plan with us!
Have you had a life changing event happen in your life? I did when I began to feel God calling me to full time ministry. Then, a few years ago I hit what I thought was a huge stumbling block that turned out to be one of the best life-changing events for me. I broke my jaw playing football behind the church. My mouth was wired shut for 2 and a half months. It turned out to be just what I needed. A time of listening.
It started a discontent within me. Bill Hybels calls it a Holy Discontent and I had it. I was discontent with me and what my part in ministry was. Later that year I heard Bill Hybels at a conference speak about this holy discontent. It was a transforming moment. I knew I would never be the same and it was clear that God had a call on my life.
What it your holy discontent? Have you found it? Have you been quiet enough to hear God communicate it to you? Part 1 of my vision for us this year is that you would find what your God-given Holy Discontent is. Imagine if we ALL found it and acted on it!
The world had a transforming moment when Jesus entered into history.
The world was lost in sin and far away from God. Jesus changed all that.
But it wasnt simply change, it was redemption. Theres a difference.
Change can give you a different view. Redemption gives you new eyes to see with.
Redemption is simply being returned spiritually to the way God intended us to be and returning to the relationship He created us to have with Him.
What was Jesus mission?
Luke 4:18-19 lays out Jesus job description: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captivesand recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.”
How did He do it? He recruited a team and then worked the plan.
Guess what? We have been recruited to the team. How well are we working the plan?
Heres the vision for 2009 for us at Seacoast Greensboro:
- You find your God-given "Holy Discontent"
- You join the team and start working the plan with us.
- Feed the poor. Both physically and spiritually.
- Free the prisoners. Freedom for people who are prisoners to sin...no matter what their sin.
- Lead the blind. So many people are hurt by church they are blind to what a real community of faith is. We want to seek them out and re-connect them.
- Release the oppressed. Freeedom from addictions, isolation, self-worth issues, habits, sin...
Is this the year you are tranformed? Will you commit your whole life and resources to Jesus' mission? Will you experience the transforming power of Jesus?
Join the team and work the plan with us!
Friday, January 2, 2009
Fill in the Blanks
First post of 2009.... lets hope I do better at blogging than last year!
Had a God thought the other night. Ever have one of those? Comes out of nowhere, but is profound and sets into motion a whole range of thoughts and ideas?
Heres the thought I had.
New Years resolution time...never a big deal with me. I guess cause I don't have any major vices. I dont smoke, Im not overweight, I dont drink too much, my mouth is somewhat under control...so what should my resolution be? I could come up with a few, I guess but heres the thought that came to me... There are so many unknowns this year for all of us. Lots of blanks to be filled between now and 2010. How about we get out of the way and let God fill in those blanks?
Then I found Romans 8:26 In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words
I dont know what to ask for in 2009. I think I'll pray that the Holy Spirit will fill in the blanks.
What do you think?
Had a God thought the other night. Ever have one of those? Comes out of nowhere, but is profound and sets into motion a whole range of thoughts and ideas?
Heres the thought I had.
New Years resolution time...never a big deal with me. I guess cause I don't have any major vices. I dont smoke, Im not overweight, I dont drink too much, my mouth is somewhat under control...so what should my resolution be? I could come up with a few, I guess but heres the thought that came to me... There are so many unknowns this year for all of us. Lots of blanks to be filled between now and 2010. How about we get out of the way and let God fill in those blanks?
Then I found Romans 8:26 In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words
I dont know what to ask for in 2009. I think I'll pray that the Holy Spirit will fill in the blanks.
What do you think?
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