Speed
Speed is an amazing thing.
We often complain that things don’t happen fast enough in our lives, or that God takes to long to ever move. We are often impatient people. Time and dreams seem to drag and go slow.
Then there are times when you can’t keep up. The speed as at warp-factor 7!
At those time we find ourselves questioning, doubting because... “It’s all happen too fast, something may go wrong”. The Speed that God moves blows us away and we want to slow things way do so that we can control them.
We have 9 months to prepare to be parents and receive our child into this world. It seems like forever when you first hear that you are expecting. Then that last month it feels like it all has gone by to fast. Then the day arrives and you stand there in awe, wonder.... “How did we get here and what do we do no?”
I remember a phrase that has stuck with me on speed and leadership.
“The speed of the leader often dictates the speed of the team (organization / church)”
The issue of speed, too fast or too slow has always been with mankind.
The scriptures are full of examples showing how people of faith cried out God to move, move swift and then as God moves swift, they freeze up.
It’s strange that we often resist God even after we have prayed and prayed.
Those moments hit leaders hard.
Speed is ever fluid. We do not control God and how He decides to lead.
Rather we are called to follow. Sometimes that following means it’s slow walk in the park and other times it’s a sprint that is wild and dangerous. Yet we are called to follow.
Right now I am and we as a church our experiencing SPEED BUMPS.
God is moving lighting fast. Just this morning I received two more surprise phone calls that completely confirm where God is taking us with regard to the Outreach Center.
I am in awe!
Each phone call, e-mail, follow up has and will cause speed bumps. It’s part of being fallen humans trying to follow a perfect God. Father God that always has our best interest. So what do you do with speed and speed bumps?
You try your best, and trust Father God.
There are too many examples of when we question, doubt and try to control God’s timing that things really unravel and become a bigger mess. So let’s follow God no matter what speed he moves. If it appears to be slow or mach 5. Let’s have the faith of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Faith tom follow God on a wild goose chase.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
Crazy Love - Best Life... Later
Best Life... later
The last several weeks have been an amazing fast-paced ride with God. As the year was getting close to wrapping up it appeared that our dream or securing a place for our outreach center / coffee -shop would not happen. Then God opened some amazing doors and moved us from our “smaller” dream to the “bigger” end goal dream of a site where we could open up a night club. It has happened so fast, it’s freaky.
We have not signed an agreement yet, but the terms of the agreement are almost set to both sides satisfaction. Now the question of the week, will we step up, sacrifice, look crazy to others and really bring this dream to life. Sunday, Dec. 6th we began with $4,000 in our special outreach fund. As I write this (Dec. 8th) we have just over $9,000 actual cash in this fund. That is truly a YEAH GOD!
There are giants to face in this process. giants like...
Bathroom construction and cost
Painting
Remodeling
Monthly budget matters
Volunteers to main the club once it opens
Moving offices, equipment
Re-inventing the church from the theaters to a night club vibe
and more.
Yet God is already providing,
50 table stands
50 chairs (plus maybe another 80)
Bathroom fixtures
The money to give a deposit and first month rent
I ask that first and for most you praise God with us for His provision.
Pray with us for the exciting site of the old Quality Woods store (Hwy 14 & 63)
Pray for continued financial resources and donations.
Pray that God may be glorified and hundreds reach if this site really opens up.
We are on the edge of a dream... do you want to step into a high risk adventure with God, or wait for the great adventure... later?
I pray that you join with us in faith.
It’s so cool to to running with God.
Listen to this last weeks Sunday morning for more details and to catch the vision.
http://journeychurch.libsyn.com/
The last several weeks have been an amazing fast-paced ride with God. As the year was getting close to wrapping up it appeared that our dream or securing a place for our outreach center / coffee -shop would not happen. Then God opened some amazing doors and moved us from our “smaller” dream to the “bigger” end goal dream of a site where we could open up a night club. It has happened so fast, it’s freaky.
We have not signed an agreement yet, but the terms of the agreement are almost set to both sides satisfaction. Now the question of the week, will we step up, sacrifice, look crazy to others and really bring this dream to life. Sunday, Dec. 6th we began with $4,000 in our special outreach fund. As I write this (Dec. 8th) we have just over $9,000 actual cash in this fund. That is truly a YEAH GOD!
There are giants to face in this process. giants like...
Bathroom construction and cost
Painting
Remodeling
Monthly budget matters
Volunteers to main the club once it opens
Moving offices, equipment
Re-inventing the church from the theaters to a night club vibe
and more.
Yet God is already providing,
50 table stands
50 chairs (plus maybe another 80)
Bathroom fixtures
The money to give a deposit and first month rent
I ask that first and for most you praise God with us for His provision.
Pray with us for the exciting site of the old Quality Woods store (Hwy 14 & 63)
Pray for continued financial resources and donations.
Pray that God may be glorified and hundreds reach if this site really opens up.
We are on the edge of a dream... do you want to step into a high risk adventure with God, or wait for the great adventure... later?
I pray that you join with us in faith.
It’s so cool to to running with God.
Listen to this last weeks Sunday morning for more details and to catch the vision.
http://journeychurch.libsyn.com/
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
Crazy Love - Leftovers
Leftovers
I am not a big fan of leftovers. It’s not that I want to waste food, it’s just not normally as good as the first time it was served up. When Francis Chan titled chapter 5, “Leftovers to a Holy God” I knew it was not going to pretty. I was right, it is a deeply challenging chapter, especially coming after “Lukewarm” (Chapter 4).
But Chan touches on things that I have long struggled with personally.
How can we call ourselves real Jesus Followers (Disciples) if we only give God leftovers (time, money, effort, love, etc.) I have never believed that just “believing” was all that God asks of us. No He wants a really, vibrant relationship. “All or nothing” His love for us was “all of nothing”, our marriages are created to be “all or nothing” and yet we don’t believe that God would require that type of love (action love) of us.
I shared my view of Black Friday this weekend... wow did that surprise some people!
We can manage to get out of bed, grab some coffee, and race to get in line by 3 or 4 a.m. to not miss out on the great door busters deals, but we can’t get up for a 9 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. service each Sunday. We can’t serve on a volunteer grid and help set up, teach young kids, greet at the door. We can’t help pack food boxes from 9 - noon once a month.... but we can commit, plan and do door busters?
“Where you treasure is, there your heart will be also”, words of Jesus Christ.
In Malachi God warned that “leftover” sacrifices have left God wishing that someone would close the temple (church) doors. God would have us shut down ministries, than continue getting Him the leftovers. Is God worth our best or not? Does our love for God natural draw us to service and sacrifice?
King David said, “I will not offer a sacrifice that cost me nothing” Modern translation.... “no pain no gain”
This is not about having us serve and give more out of guilt, this is about having such a love for God, we naturally poor out our best to Him and others.
Ask yourself why are so many churches and denominations closing and getting smaller and smaller? Could it be.... too many leftovers have been served and God is doing what He warned us about in Malachi’s day. Could it be that seekers can see when it’s not real love.... but leftovers. Why would they come back to a place that doesn’t really, radically love and follow God. I wouldn’t! Really I wouldn’t.
This idea of giving God leftovers deeply effects God’s heart. Twice Jesus cleared the merchants from the temple. Once with a whip! God does not want us playing church. partially following... no he wants “All or nothing”
What are you giving.... your best or leftovers to a Holy God that loves you like Crazy and gave nothing but the best for you?
I am not a big fan of leftovers. It’s not that I want to waste food, it’s just not normally as good as the first time it was served up. When Francis Chan titled chapter 5, “Leftovers to a Holy God” I knew it was not going to pretty. I was right, it is a deeply challenging chapter, especially coming after “Lukewarm” (Chapter 4).
But Chan touches on things that I have long struggled with personally.
How can we call ourselves real Jesus Followers (Disciples) if we only give God leftovers (time, money, effort, love, etc.) I have never believed that just “believing” was all that God asks of us. No He wants a really, vibrant relationship. “All or nothing” His love for us was “all of nothing”, our marriages are created to be “all or nothing” and yet we don’t believe that God would require that type of love (action love) of us.
I shared my view of Black Friday this weekend... wow did that surprise some people!
We can manage to get out of bed, grab some coffee, and race to get in line by 3 or 4 a.m. to not miss out on the great door busters deals, but we can’t get up for a 9 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. service each Sunday. We can’t serve on a volunteer grid and help set up, teach young kids, greet at the door. We can’t help pack food boxes from 9 - noon once a month.... but we can commit, plan and do door busters?
“Where you treasure is, there your heart will be also”, words of Jesus Christ.
In Malachi God warned that “leftover” sacrifices have left God wishing that someone would close the temple (church) doors. God would have us shut down ministries, than continue getting Him the leftovers. Is God worth our best or not? Does our love for God natural draw us to service and sacrifice?
King David said, “I will not offer a sacrifice that cost me nothing” Modern translation.... “no pain no gain”
This is not about having us serve and give more out of guilt, this is about having such a love for God, we naturally poor out our best to Him and others.
Ask yourself why are so many churches and denominations closing and getting smaller and smaller? Could it be.... too many leftovers have been served and God is doing what He warned us about in Malachi’s day. Could it be that seekers can see when it’s not real love.... but leftovers. Why would they come back to a place that doesn’t really, radically love and follow God. I wouldn’t! Really I wouldn’t.
This idea of giving God leftovers deeply effects God’s heart. Twice Jesus cleared the merchants from the temple. Once with a whip! God does not want us playing church. partially following... no he wants “All or nothing”
What are you giving.... your best or leftovers to a Holy God that loves you like Crazy and gave nothing but the best for you?
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