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A Prayer on Behalf of the Persecuted Church

Either today (Nov. 8) or next Sunday churches all across the globe are encouraged to take time during their weekend worship services to pray on behalf of the Persecuted Church -- the well over 200 million Christ-followers that live in under extreme hostile conditions in which their faith is persecuted. 

One my friends Jonathan Cervantes has a real passion to pray on the persecuted church's behalf not only on these designated Sundays, but throughout the year.  The ministry he leads here at Journey Community Church is called "Bound With Them Ministry."

In addition we encouraged to where these bands with the Hebrews 13:3 on them serving as a reminder to pray on the persecuted church's behalf.

This morning he lead us in an incredible prayer that I hope can serve you well in praying on the persecuted church's behalf.

Father God,

As we gather today as your church, your bride; we lift up those in the many countries that make it difficult to be a Christ follower.  We ask that you will give them the strength to stand firm as they under go the persecution, the torture, being imprisoned for their faith.  We pray for the 150,000 Christians as they will face their own death this year, the very 17 who will enter eternity this very hour.  We lift up especially the underground church in China.  The church that is even larger than our nation.  A nation where your Spirit is moving in great ways.  You have given your church, your bride a great hope, hope of an eternal life with you.  But for those being persecuted, this hope is all they have.  But with such a great hope there is also a great evil. 

We pray for ourselves.  Pray that the same hope that we share will become a greater reality to us.  A hope that will see us through anything.  Help us to remember our brothers and sisters being persecuted, not just today but every day.  To join them in lifting them up daily.  To be with them in spirit and heart.
In Jesus name, Amen.

If you would more information on the International Day of Prayer of the Persecuted Church click here.

Being Like the One Leper

10 days ago I had the opportunity to play a very small role at a celebration gathering, that quite frankly,  I wish would happen more often.  Chuck Martinez one of the greeters at our church gathered 50 of some of his wife Jeannine’s closest friends to simply give thanks to God and to all of them for their support in the journey they had been on.

Jeanine, two months ago went in for a double-mastectomy, and by God’s grace the surgery was successful.  She went in on a Monday, was released on Wednesday and actually attended church that Sunday.  Now a surgery of this magnitude is serious however, the weight of this was even more so for Jeannine as she has been battling various forms of cancer over the past five years and there was a sense of finality this time around.  In addition this is an extra sensitive matter to Chuck who lost his first wife to cancer.

So on this afternoon it had the flavor of a small wedding.  There was a catered meal, a cake, a presenting of gifts to hosts who helped put this party on and even an out of town friend from child hood visiting to share memories of Jeannine.  We ate, laughed and simply hung out with the sole purpose to celebrate the fact that Jeannine was here with us.   What a great afternoon!  I had the privilege of presiding over Chuck and Jeannine’s wedding seven years ago and in many ways this gathering was just as special if not more so.

In Luke 17:11-17 Jesus tells the story of healing ten lepers and how only one returned to give thanks.

“One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.”

How often do we let these moments of God’s intervention in our lives pass and fail to take the time to reflect and give thanks to God He truly deserves?

Chuck and Jeannine thank you for being like the one who returned to give thanks.

The Importance of Listening So We Can Teach

I have been sharing some simple ways in how God has been speaking to me prompting in the use of the prayer journal this past week. 

Here is my day 3 thought: 
The theme of the week was listening.  For me this is the part of prayer that I need the most help in.  Even as I offer up prayers for myself and others – I was reminded of how I need to keep my ears open continually as God may prod to pray another way in regards to the current situation or answer my prayers right then as I am praying.  So the breath prayer to based on I Samuel 3:9 – “Speak Lord, your servant is listening” is now a part of my regular spiritual practices.

The devotion on day 3 leads well into what I am thinking on in day 5 of the prayer journal.

Here are my day 5 thoughts:
First I have never really taken time to reflect on the rich truths found Isaiah 50:4,5.  The notion that we need to expectantly seek God for Him to teach us is profound and something I need to pray for regularly.  And the reason is not just for my benefit but for others as it says … “that I may know how to sustain the weary with the word.”

Second, though not all of us are given the spiritual gift of “teaching” I do believe we are called to be teachers in some respect  (see II Timothy 2:2).

Third, it goes back to day 3’s devotion – the critical importance of listening.  We can only teach and share what we have heard and that simply involves listening.

How I Have Been Prodded to Pray for Our Church During Our "Prayer" Series

As our church engages during the month of August in a series on "Prayer" here is how I have been prodded to pray for our church.  I am praying that each Journey member would do the following ...

• Attend every message in this five-part series -- it starts here by making gathering and learning about prayer a priority.
• Use the Prayer Journal daily -- April King, one of our volunteer team members, put an incredible prayerful effort in putting this together -- anyone who has used it knows how spiritually impacting this tool has been.
• Read a book on prayer --we have resource table in the Guest Services area that will be there each week of the series featuring books suggested by our pastoral staff.*
  
• Commit to an hour of prayer during our week of prayer Sunday Aug. 23-- Saturday Aug. 29 -- it is  our hope to have someone praying every minute during that week -- you can sign up to cover an hour in the Guest Services area. 
• Attend one of the prayer gatherings from Aug. 23-27 -- there is something powerful about believers gathering together to simply -- PRAY!

*for my personal reading list on prayer click here.

For more the details of this series go to the Journey Community Church website.

My Sacred Space/Place

As a part of our series that we launched this past weekend simply called "Prayer" we gave each attendee a journal that coincides with the series content.  This week's theme is focusing on the listening aspect of prayer.  The reading was from Exodus 33:7-9,11 that speaks of how Moses went to the tent of meeting to connect with God.  The reading also presented a challenge to pick a place to meet with God regularly.  

For me that place is simply my at home office.  On my desk I usually I have a Bible, a journal, some type of devotional help, my computer (I will explain), a planner (I will also explain) and my ipod or iphone.  The reason I have my computer there is that at some point of my devotional time with God I take time to check out my friends Facebook status' and other friend's twitter updates.  I pick few from each and take few moments to pray for these friends or world situations that are brought to my attention through these means.  In addition I keep a planner there to write down any idea or to do item that comes to my attention so I do not become consumed with it.

In addition the reason I choose this place is because I have a good amount of resources, mainly books that I can have immediate access to.  Even on days where I take extended times of prayer I choose a more structured office type environment.  Where as others go tothe beach, or the woods or the dessert for me they are too distracting -- the way the wind ruffles my Bible pages, weird noises etc. 

Where do you go regularly to connect with God?

Spiritual Practices by Henri Nouwen

"Pray It Up" is a series on prayer that starts on the weekend of August 7 & 9.  In preparation for this series many on our programming team are reading up on prayer to not only prepare ourselves to be saturated as best we can on the practice of prayer, but also in an attempt to provide helpful resources for our congregation.

I have just finished reading Spiritual Practices by Henri Nouwen.  I have read several of his many works throughout the years including, Out of Solitude, Wounded Healer, Return of the Prodigal Son, The Way of the Heart,  Life of the Beloved to name a few and yet in this most recent reading I have found some of Nouwen's most practical insight in the area of spiritual disciplines specifically in the areas of prayer and reading our Bibles.  Check out chapters 5 & 7 respectively on those two practices.

I am sure our teaching pastor Ed Noble will have his own suggestions as to books to read during the series, but for me Spiritual Practices would be my suggestion.

First I love the way Nouwen describes spiritual disciplines and spiritual formation:
"Spiritual disciplines are the skills and techniques by which we begin to see the image of God in our heart.  Spiritual formation is the careful attentiveness to the work of God, our master sculptor, as we submit to gradual chipping away ofa ll that is not of God until the inner lion is revealed."  p. 17

This understanding undergirds how he encourages us to approach the various spiritual disciplines laid out in the book.  In additon the way the book is laid out has multiple applications.  We are encouraged to read it through once -- straight through.  Then a second time around taking a chapter at a time approach and utitlizing the personal application helps at the end of each chapter that can be done individually, in a small group setting or in conjunction with a spiritual director.

Here are some further thoughts from Henri that I hope will prod you to read this book:
"To pray unceasingly does not mean to think about God inn contrast to thinking about other things, or to talk to God instead of talking to other people.  Rather, it means to think, speak, and live in the presence of God." p.61

"The presence of God is so much beyond the human experience of being near to another that it quite easily is misperceived as absence.  The absence of God, on the other hand, is often so deeply felt that it leads to a new sense of God's presence." p. 79

"As long as we red the Bible or a spiritual book simply to acquire knowlege, our reading does not help us in our spiritual lives.  We can become very knowledgeable about spiritual matters without becoming truly spiritual people." p. 92

The Drift Toward Legalism

I am continually discovering how the drift toward legalism in how relate to God a constant battle.  Here is a journal entry that I believe captures my struggle:

May 14, 2009 (12:30am)
"It is interesting that I was just thinking about how I have journaled every day since by birthday.  Then it dawned on me that I had not done so yesterday (5/13/09)/  It was tempting to journal for the sake of it just to keep the streak going, yet that feed a legalistic mindset that I need to continually keep in check and it would have only served to feed my pride."

Does anybody else struggle like I do?

Now/here Spells Nowhere

I am currently reading Ruthless Trust by Brennan.  This morning as I was reading through chapter 11 "The Geography of Nowhere" this thought was presented that represents one of my greatest struggles.  Maybe you can relate and hope this will also encourage you to read this book.

"Now/here spells nowhere. To be fully present to whoever or whatever is immediately before us is to pitch a tent in the wilderness of Nowhere.   It is an act of radical trust -- trust that God can be encountered at no other time and in in no other place than the present moment.  Being fully present in the now is perhaps the premiere skill of the spiritual life.

More often than not, I do not hear the music of what is happening now because my mind ricochets between the past and the future." p. 150

What I Pray for Daily

For more than five years now there is a prayer I pray daily for and that is the healing of my son, Rhett.  Who was diagnosed a few days after birth with a complex heart defect that required surgery at five months.

In addition we have a pastor's prayer team (ppt) that prays for updated prayer requests weekly.  I usually list about 15 specific items to pray for and I do change them weekly, yet the top prayer on line one has not changed in 5 years as well.

This past Wednesday we had Rhett's annual echo-cardiogram.  This appointment is usually followed up with an appointment the following week with his cardiologist to discuss his development or potential concerns.  And for the second year in a row this follow-up appointment has been canceled and the consultation has been done in a brief conversation over the phone. 

The reason being is that our son's heart development is still at a good place and there has been no real change -- which is a good thing.  Now, is there possible surgeries in Rhett's future?  The answer is yes.  However, at this juncture if things were to remain the same and continue to move in this trajectory the possibility of future surgeries diminishes.  So thank you God! And thank you all who pray for Rhett and I continually and graciously ask that you continue to pray for healing and development his heart -- for this I would be most grateful.

Holy Week Reflections Day 8 - Easter!

Today was the final day of our Journey Through Holy Week exercise where for eight days, starting on Palm Sunday and ending today on Easter, we worked through a devotional to help us take in the Holy Week/Easter week experience more richly.

A special thanks to Duke University Masters of Divinity graduate David Youngblood for laying out such an anointed Scriptural journey for us to enjoy. 

Today's prompting was simply Psalm 27:4 "One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze up on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple."

God has been incredibly gracious in calling me to serve Him vocationally in the local church.  For anyone whether on staff or in a valued volunteer role there is nothing greater or more fulfilling than to serve Him in His temple.

And days like today ... make it all worth it!!!

11am Easter Service

Service opening with song Resurrect Me

Holy Week Reflections Day 7

Today's reading included Galatians 5:22-25 -- often referred to as the "fruit of the Spirit."  Whenever I read this passage I feel convicted to how I fall short of seeing those attributes manifested in my life.  To not overwhelm myself with guilt of shortcomings, in recent readings of this text -- I am choosing to focus in on one or two of the fruits and asking God to give me grace to see it lived out in my life.

However, where I felt really moved was in the additional suggested reading found in John 20:1-18 with the passage the following question was posed:  "Are the ones we love ever lost to us -- forever? If the possibility of a yes exists, will you run as Mary to tell the ones you love about the risen Lord you've encountered this weekend?"  Quite frankly that reality needs to be seared more concretely in my mind and I need to a lot more running!

Good Friday at Journey

A lasting picture of our Good Friday. Sins nailed to the Cross

Holy Week Reflections Day 6 -- Good Friday

Today being Good Friday, the daily reading referenced ...

Romans 3:23
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
Romans 6:23
"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Isaiah 53:5
"But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed."

Scriptures that remind me of my fallen state and at the same time remind me of the incredible suffering Jesus Christ endured so that I could experience forgiveness and life with a purpose.

Today I am grateful -- I do not know how to say it any other way.

Holy Week Reflections Day 5

Part of the Journey Through Week Journal is to daily read and pray through the LORD's prayer.  And as I prayed "Your kingdom come, your will be done ..." and overwhelming sense of conviction came upon me in regards today's prayer prompting -- which posed this question, "When we seek the Lord, with what purpose in mind do we call upon Him?

If I am honest, way to often when I pray that part of the LORD's prayer what I am really praying is "LORD, here is what I desire and here is what I am seeking -- please make it Your will."

Holy Week Reflections Day 4

Today is the half-way point of Journey Through Holy Week an 8 day daily devotional aimed to frame our holy week experience beginning on Palm Sunday and concluding on Easter.

Today's reading from II Corinthians 6:1,2
And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain--for He says,"AT THE ACCEPTABLE TIME I LISTENED TO YOU, AND ON THE DAY OF SALVATION I HELPED YOU."Behold, now is "THE ACCEPTABLE TIME," behold, now is "THE DAY OF SALVATION" ...

provided a simple and needed reminder ... that while preparing for Easter weekend, which is very necessary, let me not discard or miss the ministry God may have in store for me today.  People do not get saved or ministered to on specific dates or holidays, though at times there may be an exponential impact on those days. However, today is as good as any for God to work and I need to have my eyes open to the possibilities he has for me TODAY!!!

I was reminded of a question/statement that John Ortberg posed in his book God is Closer Than You Think (a book one of the teams I am leading is reading together) -- John said something along these lines, "What is the most important moment in history?"  Answer:  "The one right now."

Holy Week Reflections Day 3

Today's reading came out of Romans 9:24-26: "even us, whom He also called, not from among Jews only, but also from among Gentiles. As He says also in Hosea,"I WILL CALL THOSE WHO WERE NOT MY PEOPLE, 'MY PEOPLE,' AND HER WHO WAS NOT BELOVED, 'BELOVED.'" "AND IT SHALL BE THAT IN THE PLACE WHERE IT WAS SAID TO THEM, 'YOU ARE NOT MY PEOPLE,' THERE THEY SHALL BE CALLED SONS OF THE LIVING GOD."

We were prodded to remind ourselves that when we feel distant from God it is at these very times that He is waiting to lavish His love upon us.  As I read this I was reminded of a time in the book of Daniel when an angel appeared to Daniel and shared with him in his time of distress that, "you are deeply loved by God."  The writer proceeded to say that Daniel found great strength in those words.

There is something very empowering about knowing and experiencing the feeling of being loved --especially when that love is pure and holy and coming from the source of love -- God.  This reminder could not have come at a better time especially in view of a time of the year for churches when output is high -- the love of God gives me the motivation to press on joyfully.

Holy Week Reflections Day 2

For today's devotion what really ministered to me what was the part of the prayer prompting that said, "Whatever of life's challenges seems to big -- let Christ assure you that HIS mercy will be abundantly new in the morning and overflowing with the riches of glory."

This prodding led me again remember that God is God and He is greater than any circumstance and as a result of that reminder I was able to write out in the open area of journal the matter had been troubling me this morning.  In addition the part of daily intentionally praying for people to invite has naturally made more aware of those around me.  Earlier this evening a person I see regularly in his work environment whom normally I exchange general pleasantries with, today I invited to our Easter services.

Holy Week Reflections Day 1

In  our reading today from Ecclesiastes 7:8-10,14 -- verse 8 really spoke to me: "The end of the matter is better than its beginning; Patience of spirit is better than haughtiness of spirit."
 
It spoke to me in this respect ... that by the end of the matter is better than the beginning -- I need to keep the big picture in mind and the goal in front of me, for when I lose sight of these ... the every day occurrences can either become discouraging or discarded.  Discouraging in the sense that I see a slowed step as a major set back when reality it is only a step in view of the greater goal.  Discarded in the sense that I do not keep up with the mundane which is often is overlooked but that which is essential toward reaching the desired outcome.

The second part of the verse was also very meaningful.  When I fail to see the bigger picture -- I want to take matters into my own hand which can lead to greater challenges; or I can take on a patient spirit and let God be God and do His work on my behalf.  It may not always be on my time table, but He already has the end in His sight.

The prayer prompting was helpful in that when I became overwhelmed with circumstances I was simply able to jot those items down committing them to Him.

"God of the City" my Prayer Walk Soundtrack

This past week our church participated in "Prayer Wave 09 (San Diego County).  The design of this event was that for forty days churches involved would be given a specific day for its members to pray in the communities that they live and work in.  Our day was this past Wednesday April 1.  One of the suggestions was that we do a prayer walk -- which involves walking around your neighborhood and praying for the discerned needs of your community.  I was so encouraged to see on Twitter that many other Journey members were following through and doing prayer walks themselves.

This is how my experience went that day.  I did two two walks, one in the morning and one in the early evening so I could take my son with me.  So I prayed one of side of the main street that I live on and its respective side streets on the first walk and the other side later that day.

On the morning prayer walk -- I felt lead to walk listening to Chris Tomlin's song "God in the City."  I put the song on repeat and must have listened to it about 10 times.  This was the perfect song to under-gird my prayer time -- here are the lyrics to this song:

You're the God of this City
You're the King of these people
You're the Lord of this nation
You are

You're the Light in this darkness
You're the Hope to the hopeless
You're the Peace to the restless
You are

There is no one like our God
There is no one like our God

For greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done in this City
Greater thing have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done in this City

It also stirred up in me some of the following things to pray for ....

• Protection for our community from evil.
• Spiritual renewal would take place and that there would be increased desire to seek after God.
• Marriages to be healed.
• Homes to sell (any home that a sign up -- I prayed for)
• People to find jobs

Sometimes people can question the benefit of having these type of initiatives or campaigns -- I question as well whether these church-wide events are worth the effort.  Well for me in this case it was.  I find that these events can be used as triggers to either help me take the initiative and step out in faith and try something new or to rekindle a practice that has lay dormant for some time as was the case for me this time.

Dallas Willard shares at the Monvee Gathering

Last weekend I had the privilege of attending the Monvee Gathering in Corona California.

At the gathering one of the featured speakers was Author/USC Philosophy Professor  Dallas Willard that spoke about spiritual formation.  He was interviewed by pastor/author John Ortberg.  There was so many great insights that were shared by Dallas and John. Here are some of the questions that John posed and Dallas's response:

J.O.: Tell us a bit about how you prepare to pray.

D.W.: I take a small passage of Scripture and keep meditating on it until it warms my heart and opens my mind -- our mind is the biggest challenge in prayer."

J.O.: What does it mean to glorify God?

D.W.: To have enough sense to know how great He is and not run against it.  Glorifying God is for our safety and benefit.

J.O.: Why do you go to church?

D.W.: I go to church to love and be loved.

J.O: How do you start your day?

D.W. Pray for a covering and to be filled with the Holy Spirit and then commit my day to Him by meditating through Psalm 23 or the LORD's Prayer.

Tithing/Tinkerbell: What Made My Day! (Part 2)

Recently someone what I liked best about my job as a pastor in a local church.  My response was an easy one, which is seeing the life change that takes place in our members -- especially when they step out in faith in some capacity. 

About week ago I shared with you a story about Joe and how he updates his progress in the area of tithing by writing notes on the tithe envelopes that he drops off in the offering bags.  Click here for the story.   Well here is his most recent note.

"Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the LORD of hosts."  (Malachi 3:10,11 ESV)

Dangerous Commitments

The last weekend of January was dedicated to asking church members to commit to spiritual practices that are essential for spiritual vitality and their overall relationship with God.  The message was "A Dangerous Commitment" part 4 of the series "A Year of Living Dangerously."  A breakdown of what we asked church attendees to commit to is seen in the picture of the commitment card that they received and later turned in. 

Some may have mixed feelings about asking people to take the time to fill out a card stating that filling out a card does not make some one committed or they may take the position that these types of commitments are personal in nature between them and God.  For me I have taken the time to fill out card like this for 12 years in a row and I have found taking the time do this extremely beneficial.  Here are few reasons why:

1. There is simply power in writing something out -- that is why we have signatures to validate transactions; we make lists so we do not forget things and having a visible reminder is always helpful.
2. There is power in community.  I love the fact that there will be, when all the cards are collected, close to 1000 cards turned in by fellow church members.  
3. From a pastors perspective there is incredible satisfaction ... we take time in one of our pastor's meetings to pray for each card and the specifics commitments individually by name.  And it is incredible to see names of people that you know just a year ago gave their life to Christ and to see how they have grown and matured -- there is nothing more rewarding.
4. What these practices represent.  If an individual commits to them God will use it to change their lives in some pretty significant ways. I know how my life has changed.

So if you were missed service last weekend -- you can still join us this year in these commitments by stopping by Guest Services to pick up and fill out a card.

Tithing/Tinkerbell: What Made My Day!

This made my day and this is what I love about Journey Community Church -- its people and how they authentically try to live out their relationship with God.  As a result it is not uncommon to get into some pretty candid conversations about often sensitive issues.  

Here is one example.  There is a friend of mine -- I will call him Joe.  And I have for about a year now and at different times I have been in a tongue and cheek sort of way prodding him to take the leap of faith in regards to tithing.  His family have made great strides forward in this area and yet I know and they know that God desires to do more through their lives in this area.

Last week Wednesday  we had another one of those poignant and at the same time fun conversation about tithing.  I promised to pray for him, which I have been, and he said he would be open to how God would speak.  Here is his e-mail response to what he experienced in church yesterday:

"Hey Rod....sorry this took a couple days....I got a bone to pick with you....YOU SET ME UP SUCKA!!!.. You KNEW that the message from today was coming.....DAAAAAANG....You let me pray for a clear cut sign on "taking the leap"  and you probably put those words into Ed's message just for me huh? I just sat there today in the audience saying to myself...and my wife ..."This was not the answer I was looking for"....LOL....oh my we were laughing out loud....But it was EXACTLY what I needed to hear....
 
Luke 6: 46 was it? "Why do you call me Lord, and not do as I tell you?....OUCH!
 
Anyway...all kidding aside my pay day is once a month and I will continue to pray this week (I get paid Friday).....In case you don't get the message on my tithe envelope...I really did put a sticker on it for you....I put a Tinker Bell Sticker on it...figured THAT suited you more than a star sticker....
 
Thanks for pushing a brother to exactly where I needed to be....seriously"
 
Joe

Simple Steps to Get Someone Back on Track

Early last week I received e-mail from someone in our church whom shared that he was feeling really disconnected from God and church as a whole and asked for prayer.  I suggested that we meet for a few moments yesterday so he could unpack what he was feeling a little further.

Here is a few thoughts that I shared with him.  Maybe they can help serve you in helping someone that might find themselves spiritually stuck or struggling.

They may seem simple and basic, but in my over 15 years of pastoral ministry I have observed most people's falling away from God attributed to neglect in these areas. 

At the same time, and this would be depend of the severity of the situation, I have also observed people start getting their life back on track with God through simple these means.

1. Make church attendance a priority — most people I know have fallen away from God can trace its start back to stop going to church.  After they stop doing that, everything seems easier to let go by the wayside.
2. Get connected — I suggest going back if possible to where you involved with before (if you were involved) if not join a team of some type.  Getting involved in serving will connect you faster than trying to get to know people in a small group.
3. Keep soliciting prayer or give out prayer updates to share challenges but also to celebrate progress.  I believe in the power prayer, but by doing so you make yourself accountable.  Usually when I ask for prayer people ask me how things are going.
4. Start reading your Bible daily and begin by looking up passages that has ministered to you in the past or passages that speak of basic truths of God’s love for you. By doing this you remember God's goodness in the past and how he has worked in your life and it also reminds you that can work in your life right now.

A Few Thoughts on "Crazy Love"

I just finished reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan and for me it was the most spiritually convicting book I have read in some time.  Chapter four alone --  "Profile of the Lukewarm" really challenged my faith and caused to me to do some serious soul assessment.  It is interesting to note that as challenged as I was by the content that was speaking to me, the flow of the book moves rather quickly.

The book is also filled with many other challenging statements throughout.  Here are a few that I hope will prod you to read it.

"The greatest knowledge we can ever have is knowing that God treasures us." p. 61

"God's definition of what matters is pretty straightforward.  He measures our lives by how we love." p. 93

"When we love, we're free!  We don't have to worry about a burdensome load of commands, because when we are loving, we can't sin." p. 102

"We try to set our lives up so everything will be fine even if God doesn't come through."  p. 168

"Most of use 'I'm waiting for God to reveal His calling on my life' as a means of avoiding action.  Did you hear God calling you to sit in front of the television yesterday?"  p. 169

Learnings from Gateway Church (at the Reveal Conference)

A couple of weeks ago while attending the REVEAL conference I was incredibly moved by the worship experience that the Gateway Church team (Southland Texas) lead us in and was challenged greatly by some of their insights on how they plan their weekend services.

I have been ministered to through Gateway's music since their first CD was released in 2006.  However, experiencing them actually leading us in worship gave me a window into the kind of kingdom impact they are having which is pretty inspiring.  Since then I have been sharing I have been sharing insights and learnings continually with my team.

Here are some key thoughts that have been speaking to me from their session.  I will do another post specifically on some learnings I received regarding their music ministry.

THOUGHTS ON CHURCH (by Senior Pastor Robert Morris)

"The church is a swimming pool -- it should have a deep and shallow end."

"I don't steal sheep, but I do plant grass."

"We cast a wide net."

OVERALL GOAL OF WORSHIP SERVICES:

• Minister to the LORD
• Minister the Word
• Minister to people.

THE THREE DIFFERENT TIMES FOR WHERE PEOPLE CAN CONNECT AND EXPERIENCE GOD:

• The worship (and the Word during worship)
• The message
• The ministry time
  

SENIOR PASTOR ROBERT MORRIS'S APPROACH TO PREPARING HIS MESSAGES:

• Spend everyday from 8am-12pm with God.
• "I think if we would spend our time on the mountain and  so that when we come off of that mountain our face was glowing and we had met with God.  I think that is a huge element that is missing."
• "What changes our life is spending time with God."
  

We All Need a Sheep Meadow (a Quite Zone)

Last month while visiting New York City I came across this area of Central Park that I found very intriguing.

Even in the midst of the world's busiest city and arguably most famed park there is still a place you can retreat to for times of quiet, solitude and rest.

The place is so appropriately named Sheep Meadow.  Psalm 23:2 "He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters."

Take a look at the rules for this area of the park.

This served as a good reminder that no matter how crazy life can get we all need to find our Sheep Meadow.

Fix Our Eyes on You (A Look Back at the 10:24 & 26 Weekend)

"And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Ephesians 5:18-20 ESV)

I believe one of the signs that God is moving within our worship leading community is a fresh infusion of new and original songs being birth out of the lives of those leading.

This past weekend our worship pastor, Jason Denison, introduced a new song that he wrote "Fix Our Eyes on You."

The lyrics are incredible and can be used in our devotional life as a prayer or means to ponder God's role in our lives.  Here are some of the lyrics:

Fix our eyes upon You
Let us see Your glory
Let Your beautiful presence surround us
Let Your beautiful presence surround us

Lift from our eyes the scales
Of our old lives let us see
Your beautiful presence around us
Your beautiful presence around us

I have asked for one thing
This is my desire
To gaze upon Your splendor all my days

Casting all our fear aside
We lift to You our lives
Fix our eyes on You
Fix our eyes on You

Though our world breaks down
And our lives our out
Fix our eyes on You
Fix our eyes on You

10/10 Covenant

Last week I attended a conference at Willow Creek Community Church based upon the Reveal Study.  At this conference learnings were being presented by 16 churches, varying in size, geography, denominational affiliation and worship style, on some of the best practices being implemented in their church's to help produce Christ followers that embody a life of a disciple.

One particular church, Watermark Church, shared how one of the keys for them was making spiritual growth accessible for new believers and for those who live very full and busy lives to get them going on in their journey.  That by no means was this process the end but a way to get people started to grow into greater depth and commitment. 

Here is what they came up with that really caught my attention -- A 10/10 Covenant.  Here is what this covenant entails which is a commitment to do the following:

• Read the Bible 10 minutes a day.
• Pray for 10 minutes a day.
• Pray for 10 people to come to know Christ as their Savior and Lord.
• Join 10 people in a small group.

Also this church has an incredible daily on-line devotional written by selected members of their church - they include teenagers to seniors and incredible tool called Join the Journey.