Amazing Love

Maybe I Said "Excited" Too Much

I am so excited about our services Sunday! It seemed, for the first time in months, that everyone was engaged in worship.

I'm convinced that satan(that old jerk) has been doing a number on our church. we saw some substantial growth and then it all stopped. People suddenly found themselves at odds with one another over the pettiest of things. Well, someone realized it, made others aware of it, and they started attacking HIM head on. (Take that Jack)

It is exciting to see the excitement about missions growing at LDMBC. I am ready for this month's business meeting so we can finally utilize what God has given us to use for His Kingdom work! Our small groups also seem to be solidifying. I know it is challenging for some of you guys, but let me praise you for your willingness to try anything to find that one thing that works!!! As we move this direction, we will no longer be limited to the size of our building, but by the number of houses in Henderson!!! Praise God!

The Body of Christ

When the Bible says that "you are the Body of Christ", does it mean that there is only one person in our church who is supposed to be the lungs or heart? Sometimes it seems like certain churches are in a coma, with only a few who are the heart or lungs working while the rest lays limp in the hospital bed. It also seems that, at times, the heart and lungs get annoyed with the limp appendages that just sit and get bed sores. At whom should they be annoyed? The appendages themselves? The Central Nervous System? The accident that caused the coma?

Much of the conflict in today's churches comes from that question. While many do not realize it, the conflict begins and ends with, "I'm not sure who to be mad at so I choose you". Why must anyone be annoyed with anyone? Why must the blame be placed? Why can't the few organs that do work join together to will that first little finger to twitch, or that leg to jump. Maybe, just maybe, those few organs could work wholeheartedly with the Head, who, let's face it, is the only part that can wake those arms and legs and fingers up.

Rather than EXPECT the Head to do the work, we start to think that maybe a "shock to the system" would help, maybe a cast or a brace, maybe a transplant even. All that leaves you with is a church that can only be understood by watching of the greatest movies ever, "Weekend at Bernies". It is the story of 2 men who find their boss dead, then spend the rest of the movie treating him like a puppet, making everyone believe he is alive (sounds more gross than it is).

A church can't be all heart forever. New cells need to be added and strengthened. Maybe the Head will replace all the dead tissue, or maybe He will resuscitate it. Whatever the case, it is the job of the Head. Come one heart and lungs, let's watch the Head do its work

Isaiah 6

So I thought it was cool how heaven's priorities have not changed. Sunday, we learned from Isaiah 6 how that Heaven's priorities are:
1. Get the Lost Lost
2. Get the Lost Saved
3. Get the Saved Serving

This is the Great Commission made over.

What have you done to help a lost soul see their lost condition lately?
How have you helped someone see how to be saved?
How have you helped a new believer begin to serve in a more mature way(and yes that is expected of you too)?

The Foci of our Intentions

What exactly are the focus (foci on the plural ???-I know.....) of our intentions?

-Do we want to see people saved? Really?
-Do we want to spend the time discipling people? Really?
-Do we want to see new churches planted? No, Really?

That about covers it, right? What else is there?

-Having strong ministries established, that funnel people into the church
-Having an organized children's ministry that brings in new parents
-Having a top of the line worship service to "create worship"

These things are the forest, but the people are the trees.

Bulldozers and What to Do with Them

"Good intentions don't move mountains, bulldozers do"
"Strategies are bulldozers- they're action oriented"
"Strategies transform intentions into actions"

Three great quotes that hit me like a ton of bricks (or a ton of feathers--lol). One thing that strikes me about the way that I have done ministry thus far, is that I have had good intentions, but intentions to no end. the very nature of intent is that it has a focus. With my intentions, the focus seems to have become the means and not the end.

It should not be my intent to create small groups at church. It should not be my intent to create a flourishing children's ministry. It should not be my intent to create an amazing sermon series. It should be my intent, however, to see hearts and lives changed through accountability and Bible study. It should be my intent to see children come to know Christ and be discipled, and for adults to learn how to minister to children. it should be intent for the message of the Scripture to prick the hearts of the people listening.

Without realizing it, I have created strategies to get a bulldozer on site. The problem is that I need a strategy for how to drive it to the mountain, where to put the excess rock, and what to build in place of the mountain.

Now that that's clear.....Let's get to work

Knowing

I'm findin' that its really hard to breathe
when all the air is right in front of me
and all I ever am or was won't let go with both hands and take the leap

Its funny all the thoughts inside my head
how I can be alive yet somehow dead
will I ever figure out how death is gain but life is You instead

All these thoughts of mine
seem to undermine this mind You gave me new when I became Your child
If I let me go
do You swear to hold me up and if I do how can I know You tell the truth?

And the irony that ends it all
is that the way to learn to fly is fall
You told me that to gain my life I should hate myself and try to lose it all

But I got none but love for me
there's another bit of irony
that takes us now from this catch 22 to the question in front of me

All these thoughts of mine
seem to undermine this mind You gave me new when I became Your child
If I let me go
do You swear to hold me up and if I do how can I know You tell the truth?

I guess I can't if i don't

Let Go