August 2010
5 posts
Little things - part 3
Another aspect of the little things involves the lesson of “timing.” Namely that God’s timing is not our timing. He often moves us slowly, deliberately, and purposefully to get us where He wants us to be. These delays are meant to test us, prepare us, and mature us so that we are equipped for the bigger things that He may have in store.
There was a quite a gap in time between...
Little Things - part 2
In was a Saturday afternoon and I needed to prepare for the Sunday School class I was teaching the next day. It was nice outside, and I really didn’t feel like preparing. It was then that an appealing thought ran through my mind… “You know it really doesn’t matter much… this is a small class with only a handful of students… one day I’m going to be a pastor...
The Little Things - part 1
When Jesus was looking for an analogy to describe the Kingdom of God, He choose a mustard seed (Mark 4:30-32). The smallest of all seeds in that region, it grows into the largest of all garden plants.
In a world that is infatuated with bigger and larger. Where numbers mean everything, and leaders dream of having mega impact. In a world where we expect immediate results and measurable progress....
What kind of light?
Jesus said He is the light of the world and in Him there is no darkness. This is a good thing and a comforting thought. Yet, it recently came to me, what kind of light best represents God in my life?
Summer Sun – scorching, overwhelming, unapproachable
Florescent – dull, boring, sterile
Fireplace – warm, romantic, intimate
Candle – soft, delicate, comforting
Flashlight – useful, limited,...
July 2010
9 posts
Dying to Live
Jesus said that we must “lose our life in order to find it” (Luke 9:24). In other words, we must die to self. This is more than a one-time decision, it’s a daily battle (1 Cor 15:31). Not just when we’re scared or empty. Not just when we don’t have anywhere else to turn. Not just when we’re trying to manipulate God. It’s a daily thing. Actually...
4 tags
“Give me grace to withdraw myself from those who flatter me, and patiently to...”
– “Imitation of Christ” by Thomas a Kempis
Be This Guy
Good
Humble
Respected
Trustworthy
Honorable
Godly
Integrity
This guy? His name is Demetrius. You can read about him in 3 John 1:11-12.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=3%20john%201:11-12&version=NIV
Don't Be This Guy
Arrogant
Selfish
Calloused
Unteachable
Gossip
Malicious
Cold
De-motivating
Controlling
This guy? His name is Diotrephes. You can read about him in 3 John 9-10.
(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=3%20john%201:9-10&version=NIV)
Ahead & Behind
Today I had the privilege of spending over 6 hours with respected church leader Larry Osborne. He was at RCC all day working with our staff and eldership. He was helping us to see what lies ahead and how to deal with the challenges of a growing and soon to be multi-site, multi-venue church.
Tomorrow I am spending the day with a newly formed congregation, helping them to work through a process of...
Turn Them Loose
Too often churches are scared and overly conservative when it comes to empowering people for ministry. They opt for control and protection rather than freedom and empowerment. Their motives may be good, but I’m not sure such a mentality is as productive as we think.
Let’s not forget that God used a donkey, a harlot, a murder, an adulterer, and a number of immoral kings to accomplish...
Venting
The Need
It happens to all of us. Forced to deal with an uncooperative person. Frustration over a persistent problem. Stress, fatigue, disappointment, etc, they all build up inside of us to the point where we need to say something. But if we’re not careful we end up saying something to the wrong people, or we say the wrong thing, or we say the right thing in the wrong way. Now we have even...
It's Time
After being pushed, prodded, and encouraged, I am committing to the world of blogging/vlogging. Hopefully, the app’s and video function on my phone, as well as the dictation software will allow this to be an easy transition. We’ll see…