So I started reading through 1 Chronicles this week. Just read chapter 11 today...about David's Mighty Men. It is a really cool chapter...talking about the legendary men who followed David and accomplished great feats because God was with them and because they remained loyal to what David was doing.
The one that stuck out to me was the three men who heard that David was thirsty during a battle with the Philistines. They were pinned in by the Philistines, but three men, after hearing of their leader's need, broke through enemy lines and got to the well, drew water and carried it back to David.
When the water arrived, David, seeing the dedication of his men, refused to drink the water and actually offered it to God.
I can't imagine the scene...These men...risking their lives...taking the lives of enemies to bring a little refreshment to their king...and then their king choosing not to drink...I wonder if there was questioning, frustration, resentment.
But David is making a powerful point. If their loyalty, fierce as it is, is to David and not to God, it is misguided. David wants it known clearly that wholehearted devotion to the wrong thing is a waste of time.
In an era when there are any number of 'good causes' that you can endorse, take on, applaud, stand for, walk for, run for, donate to...if you have not centered yourself on the Uncaused Cause...namely the sovereign God who has raised us from the dead and offers forgiveness of sin...then you will not be a person of renown.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Still Glimmering!
So...when we are obedient to things God prompts us, He tends to take care of the details.
Said another way...Where God guides, He provides.
I shared the provision for Kenya a week or two ago.
Now...the staff really felt God tugging at them to encourage and build up the servants of the church, which is how GLIMMER came about. The laughter, true fellowship and community was amazing and did a lot to build up the morale of our people.
And wouldn't you know it...someone who was moved by God's Spirit that night with the Spirit filled community came forward and said they felt called to pay for all the meal costs of the event! It easily cut our event costs by almost 2/3!
Hang your hat on this. Where He guides, He provides! Love it!
Said another way...Where God guides, He provides.
I shared the provision for Kenya a week or two ago.
Now...the staff really felt God tugging at them to encourage and build up the servants of the church, which is how GLIMMER came about. The laughter, true fellowship and community was amazing and did a lot to build up the morale of our people.
And wouldn't you know it...someone who was moved by God's Spirit that night with the Spirit filled community came forward and said they felt called to pay for all the meal costs of the event! It easily cut our event costs by almost 2/3!
Hang your hat on this. Where He guides, He provides! Love it!
Monday, April 26, 2010
Operation Sheep Initiative Underway!
Yesterday in church, we launched Operation:Sheep Initiative. It is 6 separate challenges to our church to do what sheep do (from Matthew 25:31ff).
Each week of our ReThink Church Series will highlight one of these six challenges, which I will then highlight on here.
The first of these six is Nothing But Nets. A person dies of Malaria every 30 seconds. Malaria is largely preventable if people in Africa had access to insect repellant mosquito nets. So in light of that, we are teaming up with Nothing But Nets, an organization founded by Rick Reilly (of ESPN and formerly of Sports Illustrated.) Our goal for this challenge is 50 nets paid for (each of which will cost $10.) You pay $10 and you get a shot at the Nothing But Nets Hoop. If you make that shot, a private donor will match your contribution!
You can learn more about Nothing But Nets at www.nothingbutnets.net
Or watch this video:
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Friday, April 23, 2010
GLIMMER
today is a great day. Can't tell you how excited i am for GLIMMER! Our church staff has come together to pull off a fun night to appreciate the servants of the church.
With all things, there are critics. Some have said that in the middle of budget crunches and economic challenges, having events like this are unnecessary and 'extravagant'. I suppose that view needs to be acknowledged, but here's where I come down. Businesses operate this way...they see their bottom line shrinking and so the first thing that goes is the efforts and gestures to show appreciation for the people who work for them. I've been there and seen it...and I've seen what such belt tightening does to the employees...Negativity flourishes.
The Church is not a business...and while the servants here are not paid...they are both employed and deployed by the church to engage in God's mission in the world. And morale matters here just as much or more than the business world.
Really excited to say thanks and share in some fellowship and morale building with over 100 of our servants tonight. There are going to be some memorable moments to say the least!
With all things, there are critics. Some have said that in the middle of budget crunches and economic challenges, having events like this are unnecessary and 'extravagant'. I suppose that view needs to be acknowledged, but here's where I come down. Businesses operate this way...they see their bottom line shrinking and so the first thing that goes is the efforts and gestures to show appreciation for the people who work for them. I've been there and seen it...and I've seen what such belt tightening does to the employees...Negativity flourishes.
The Church is not a business...and while the servants here are not paid...they are both employed and deployed by the church to engage in God's mission in the world. And morale matters here just as much or more than the business world.
Really excited to say thanks and share in some fellowship and morale building with over 100 of our servants tonight. There are going to be some memorable moments to say the least!
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Lot going on
So, abundant week at church this week. We are having a fantastic night of fellowship called Glimmer on Friday Night where the staff has invited everyone who serves in any capacity at the church to come for dinner, fellowship and a little bit of entertainment. Can't wait for this! Just a fun way to say thanks to the many who make ministry possible at Wads UMC.
Saturday will be spent setting up for Operation: Sheep Initiative (more to come on this in the coming weeks!) This is a huge undertaking, but totally worth it! Can't wait to see how our church responds!
Sunday I am preaching on the Body of Christ. I get to touch on perhaps the most profound lesson I've learned in ministry. God's put a fire in my bones! Can't wait to bring it!
After preaching 3 services, the leaders of a new small group movement will be gathering together to fine tune the vision as we prepare to launch in the fall! Can't wait to sit at the table with these called ones of God.
Lastly, Shaina and I are hosting a gathering of young adults from some local churches at our place to pray and dream about what God wants to do with this chosen generation. Can't wait to see what will RISE up!
Exciting Weekend...which will be followed by me not working on Monday! haha
Saturday will be spent setting up for Operation: Sheep Initiative (more to come on this in the coming weeks!) This is a huge undertaking, but totally worth it! Can't wait to see how our church responds!
Sunday I am preaching on the Body of Christ. I get to touch on perhaps the most profound lesson I've learned in ministry. God's put a fire in my bones! Can't wait to bring it!
After preaching 3 services, the leaders of a new small group movement will be gathering together to fine tune the vision as we prepare to launch in the fall! Can't wait to sit at the table with these called ones of God.
Lastly, Shaina and I are hosting a gathering of young adults from some local churches at our place to pray and dream about what God wants to do with this chosen generation. Can't wait to see what will RISE up!
Exciting Weekend...which will be followed by me not working on Monday! haha
Monday, April 19, 2010
bad case of the Mondays
Be honest, how many of you felt like this kid when you woke up to start this week.
Happy Monday.
Happy Monday.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Visioning
I'm thinking quite a bit on vision these days. If the Holy Spirit births a vision in you that is being confirmed/echoed...you need to obey.
In leadership, vision is an interesting thing. If we don't share the vision and gain buy in, the vision will be stifled by our selfishness or distrust of God's community. The way I like to illustrate it is that if God breathes his breath into you, then you can either 1) try to breathe what he's breathed into you by yourself or 2) breathe the vision into others. When other people catch it, that is when powerful things happen. When vision isn't shared...it will never gain momentum and has the potential to lead to some pretty deep sin issues (self-righteousness, self-sustenance, isolation from community, etc.)
The challenge for leaders is that if they try to share the vision with the wrong people it could strangle or sabotage the vision. Here's three ways this can happen. First, you can share the vision with people and have them be unreceptive/apathetic. Nothing ruins momentum like sharing it with a bunch of zombies. Second, you can share the vision with people and have them jump on it with negativity. This is hard to deal with because it can be taken as a personal attack and can make you feel like the only way the vision can happen is if you pull it off on your own. Lastly, you can share the vision and have someone hijack it to try to accomplish their own agenda.
Sharing vision is simultaneously the most necessary thing in leadership and the most difficult thing in leadership.
But if you share the vision and it is embraced with like minded, like hearted people, hold on to your hats for the ride of your life!
I will begin sharing with you all the vision of Operation: Sheep Initiative this week!
In leadership, vision is an interesting thing. If we don't share the vision and gain buy in, the vision will be stifled by our selfishness or distrust of God's community. The way I like to illustrate it is that if God breathes his breath into you, then you can either 1) try to breathe what he's breathed into you by yourself or 2) breathe the vision into others. When other people catch it, that is when powerful things happen. When vision isn't shared...it will never gain momentum and has the potential to lead to some pretty deep sin issues (self-righteousness, self-sustenance, isolation from community, etc.)
The challenge for leaders is that if they try to share the vision with the wrong people it could strangle or sabotage the vision. Here's three ways this can happen. First, you can share the vision with people and have them be unreceptive/apathetic. Nothing ruins momentum like sharing it with a bunch of zombies. Second, you can share the vision with people and have them jump on it with negativity. This is hard to deal with because it can be taken as a personal attack and can make you feel like the only way the vision can happen is if you pull it off on your own. Lastly, you can share the vision and have someone hijack it to try to accomplish their own agenda.
Sharing vision is simultaneously the most necessary thing in leadership and the most difficult thing in leadership.
But if you share the vision and it is embraced with like minded, like hearted people, hold on to your hats for the ride of your life!
I will begin sharing with you all the vision of Operation: Sheep Initiative this week!
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Sovereignty of God
Ok, so its been an interesting last week.
On Sunday we got into the car to go to church...car wouldn't start. Not a huge deal...except that we just zeroed out our Dave Ramsey emergency fund to cover our federal taxes owed...So, if we want to stay on pace to be debt free by September, set backs like these aren't particularly convenient.
Anyways, in the midst of this, we have our final deposit due for the Kenya trip at the first of the month. Its $250.
Combine that with this thing I have felt called to be a blessing toward financially...and something had to give.
Without God's intervention, the outlook for doing everything we are hoping to do, is very bleak.
So, as we're waiting to discover how excruciating the car bill will be, wouldn't you know it, friends of ours who we haven't seen in a few months stop in to Kohls when Shaina is working. They got a federal income tax return and wanted to tithe it to us and the Kenya mission trip. Wondering how much it was? How about $250...exactly what we need to cover the last deposit.
Now here's what I'm not saying...I'm not saying that God will grant you your desires for a bailout plan when things get tough financially.
Here's what I am saying...that when you live in obedience to Him...take kingdom risks that enrich our faith...that God has a way of affirming those decisions with His provisions. If this Kenya trip was not anointed by God...then these random provisions would not continually happen.
So, when we live our lives and approach money with an open hand policy (God can take what He wants and provide what He wants in an open hand), things seem to take care of themselves.
On Sunday we got into the car to go to church...car wouldn't start. Not a huge deal...except that we just zeroed out our Dave Ramsey emergency fund to cover our federal taxes owed...So, if we want to stay on pace to be debt free by September, set backs like these aren't particularly convenient.
Anyways, in the midst of this, we have our final deposit due for the Kenya trip at the first of the month. Its $250.
Combine that with this thing I have felt called to be a blessing toward financially...and something had to give.
Without God's intervention, the outlook for doing everything we are hoping to do, is very bleak.
So, as we're waiting to discover how excruciating the car bill will be, wouldn't you know it, friends of ours who we haven't seen in a few months stop in to Kohls when Shaina is working. They got a federal income tax return and wanted to tithe it to us and the Kenya mission trip. Wondering how much it was? How about $250...exactly what we need to cover the last deposit.
Now here's what I'm not saying...I'm not saying that God will grant you your desires for a bailout plan when things get tough financially.
Here's what I am saying...that when you live in obedience to Him...take kingdom risks that enrich our faith...that God has a way of affirming those decisions with His provisions. If this Kenya trip was not anointed by God...then these random provisions would not continually happen.
So, when we live our lives and approach money with an open hand policy (God can take what He wants and provide what He wants in an open hand), things seem to take care of themselves.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
3 songs I'm diggin'
The opening line of this song is crushing. Love it.
Love the creativity and unpredictability in this song...not your typical song progression...not your typical lyrics.
Needtobreathe makes me giddy. One of my favorite bands right now.
What song is on repeat in your life right now?
Thursday, April 8, 2010
ReTHINK Church
This has been a great week. We had a great weekend between RISE on Good Friday, Divine Dining assembly and delivery on Saturday and then Easter Sunday!
I've been helping develop our next sermon series which is going to be called ReTHINK Church. Can't tell you how excited I am for this and what it will invite us into as the people of God. The premise is that we reclaim 7 of the images that are in scripture that describe the church. When we've had corrective lenses on how we see the church, it will inform how we 'do church' from here on out. This is a great series to invite friends who are sour towards the church but are intrigued by what it could be.
The part that really has me excited is the movement we are calling "Operation: Sheep Initiative". If things pan out, we will have tangible ways to meet all 6 of the action items found in Matthew 25:31-46. More to come on this...but I love the potential of shifting to a better understanding of church...more verb than noun...more proactive than responsive...more vibrant than sleepy.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
RISE Up!
Well, for starters...RISE, the Good Friday service for young adults in the Wadsworth area went really well! 104 people came to lift high the lamb of God. Couple thoughts from this gathering...
God's betrothal trumps our betrayal every time. Take it to the bank. Our sin warrants death but His death gives us life. This is the single greatest mystery of the universe...how defiant sin and relentless love can collide at the cross is far beyond me...but God's victory there was final and complete.
The next generation desperately wants to belong to something bigger than itself. Unfortunately, the normal models of church and fellowship have left them looking elsewhere. If leaders can reclaim the Christ movement as just that, a movement, then the world better watch out!
God provided $1000+ through this gathering to go to the Kenya team who will be traveling in early June and will be looking after the widow and the orphan in their distress. Cannot believe the generosity.
There is a heartcry and a stirring in Northeast Ohio for more authentic gatherings of the Church...Where we go from here is exciting and totally in God's hands. What would happen if this were a recurring thing?
Love to hear your feedback if you were there, as we continue to discern what is on the horizon!
God's betrothal trumps our betrayal every time. Take it to the bank. Our sin warrants death but His death gives us life. This is the single greatest mystery of the universe...how defiant sin and relentless love can collide at the cross is far beyond me...but God's victory there was final and complete.
The next generation desperately wants to belong to something bigger than itself. Unfortunately, the normal models of church and fellowship have left them looking elsewhere. If leaders can reclaim the Christ movement as just that, a movement, then the world better watch out!
God provided $1000+ through this gathering to go to the Kenya team who will be traveling in early June and will be looking after the widow and the orphan in their distress. Cannot believe the generosity.
There is a heartcry and a stirring in Northeast Ohio for more authentic gatherings of the Church...Where we go from here is exciting and totally in God's hands. What would happen if this were a recurring thing?
Love to hear your feedback if you were there, as we continue to discern what is on the horizon!
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Ready to RISE?
Can not tell you how amped I am for this Good Friday service! I've checked the facebook event a couple times this week and the number of people coming just keeps booming! Really hopeful that God will meet us powerfully at the foot of the cross during the most meaningful week for Christ followers!
RISE is a gathering of young adults in the Wadsworth area for God's renown. There are some powerful things in the works to allow people to encounter the throne of grace. Want to come Friday?
9:00 p.m.
Wadsworth UMC
195 Broad Street
Wadsworth, OH 44281
RISE is a gathering of young adults in the Wadsworth area for God's renown. There are some powerful things in the works to allow people to encounter the throne of grace. Want to come Friday?
9:00 p.m.
Wadsworth UMC
195 Broad Street
Wadsworth, OH 44281
It's Official!
Things are about to change in some big ways for the Thompson household! We wanted to wait until we were at a safe spot in the process and finally we're there.
After almost 7 years of marriage, Shaina is pregnant with twins!
We are very excited and beginning to make preparations already. Wanted to share this news with this blog community as you've walked with us through life on and off the web.
Love you guys! Happy Maundy Thursday!
p.s. April Fools. :-) mwahahahaha. Did I get ya?
After almost 7 years of marriage, Shaina is pregnant with twins!
We are very excited and beginning to make preparations already. Wanted to share this news with this blog community as you've walked with us through life on and off the web.
Love you guys! Happy Maundy Thursday!
p.s. April Fools. :-) mwahahahaha. Did I get ya?
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