Thursday, March 31, 2011
motivation for your day...x 40
This ought to pump you up for whatever you need pumped up for.
Didn't need to watch it last night before basketball game...at half time we were up 3...then we caught fire and won tourney round 1 by 40!
Go get 'em today!
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Staff Retreat Day
New Beginnings.
That's the theme of our staff retreat today. With a new pastor on the horizon, we need a day to join him in looking at where we've been, where we are, and discern where we will be going in future months.
It's going to be a fun day. But also an important day.
Pray for clarity...I mean...God's presence so tangible that there's no doubt He is leading us kind of clarity.
We leave for Bucyrus at 9 a.m.
Then tonight at 8 p.m. begins my team's run for legacy and fame. Rittman Rec League tournament starts tonight. We are the 1 seed matched up against the 8 seed. Not gonna let this be a trap game! haha
That's the theme of our staff retreat today. With a new pastor on the horizon, we need a day to join him in looking at where we've been, where we are, and discern where we will be going in future months.
It's going to be a fun day. But also an important day.
Pray for clarity...I mean...God's presence so tangible that there's no doubt He is leading us kind of clarity.
We leave for Bucyrus at 9 a.m.
Then tonight at 8 p.m. begins my team's run for legacy and fame. Rittman Rec League tournament starts tonight. We are the 1 seed matched up against the 8 seed. Not gonna let this be a trap game! haha
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Imagination Redeemed
I think that for many Jesus followers, the most difficult part of life to be redeemed is the imagination. To dream in a world that thrives on nay-saying, practicality, and cynicism can be a pretty lonely place.
But when the people of God start to color outside the lines and trust a big G God for big G God things, it is an amazing thing to watch.
And yes, sometimes the dreams are scrapped. Sometimes they don't pan out quite how we thought. But I'd rather fail big for the kingdom of God than play it safe and waste my one chance to proclaim Jesus.
God, would you redeem our imaginations and let us dream and envision what you are calling us to next. Let us listen to the seemingly unattainable 'what if's'. And let us risk it all for your fame. Amen.
But when the people of God start to color outside the lines and trust a big G God for big G God things, it is an amazing thing to watch.
And yes, sometimes the dreams are scrapped. Sometimes they don't pan out quite how we thought. But I'd rather fail big for the kingdom of God than play it safe and waste my one chance to proclaim Jesus.
God, would you redeem our imaginations and let us dream and envision what you are calling us to next. Let us listen to the seemingly unattainable 'what if's'. And let us risk it all for your fame. Amen.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Monday Meanderings on Church and Leadership VIIII
The Bible says that God's Word is a lamp unto our feet, not a floodlight beaming to our destination.-Steven Furtick, 'Sun Stand Still'
Why do we think God is going to concern himself with our lives 3, 5, 10 or 20 years from now if we won't seek to be faithful and obedient with where He wants us to go in the next 3, 5, 10 or 20 days?
Yes God takes us to the Promised Land, but He also spends 400 years with his people enslaved and 40 years with his people in fear, in order to shape them to be ready for the day they cross the Jordan.
Your journey is more important than your destination...and God help us if we're in the wildnerness.
What's the thing you need to be faithful with now to be entrusted with a next step later? Forgiving someone? Stopping the lazy, self-indulgent life? Going back to church regularly? Tithing? Reading your Bible regularly? Caring for the single mom on your street? Answer God's nudge to a specific ministry?
Why do we think God is going to concern himself with our lives 3, 5, 10 or 20 years from now if we won't seek to be faithful and obedient with where He wants us to go in the next 3, 5, 10 or 20 days?
Yes God takes us to the Promised Land, but He also spends 400 years with his people enslaved and 40 years with his people in fear, in order to shape them to be ready for the day they cross the Jordan.
Your journey is more important than your destination...and God help us if we're in the wildnerness.
What's the thing you need to be faithful with now to be entrusted with a next step later? Forgiving someone? Stopping the lazy, self-indulgent life? Going back to church regularly? Tithing? Reading your Bible regularly? Caring for the single mom on your street? Answer God's nudge to a specific ministry?
The Day NCAA Basketball Changed Forever
Now that brackets from coast to coast have been slaughtered, I thought I would weigh in on one of the biggest moments in NCAA history.
On one half of the Final Four Bracket, you've got two NCAA juggernaut programs, Kentucky and UConn. Coached by legends, John Calipari and Jim Calhoun. These are guys who get recruits. They don't even have to try that hard. They say...you come here because this program puts you on the map. They show a fist full of Conference Championship and NCAA Championship rings and say, This is why you come to our program. And now in the era of the 'One and Done' NBA bound college players who have to spend one year after high school in college before they are allowed to enter the draft, places like Kentucky are Meccas for NBA prospects. In the past, if you were a top 50 high school basketball player, you went to powerhouse teams in powerhouse conferences. You went to Duke because its Coach K and its Duke. UNC with Roy Williams. OSU with Thad Matta. Kansas with Bill Self.
But I think the tides are changing.
On the other half of the bracket are two semi-cinderellas. 8 seed Butler, with their 14 year old coach Brad Stevens has made their second straight improbable run to the Final Four and has put a no name team from a no name conference in the center spotlight. Yes, they had Gordon Heyward leave early for the NBA...but that is an abberation. Butler is a 4 year school. You go there because you couldn't get into the Powerhouse Conferences. You go there to play basketball, but also to get a degree, because chances are, you're going to need it when you graduate. They play 11 seed Virginia Commonwealth, one of the most debated teams to get into the tournament, who started their improbable run on Wednesday rather than Thursday or Friday. They are coached by Brad Stevens middle school class mate, Shaka Smart. They are winning games they have no business winning and they are winning them convincingly.
David vs. David on one side. Goliath vs. Goliath on the other. And teams that have Superstars for one year are playing against teams with winsome young coaches that get more than they should out of their players and they get them for 4 years.
All 4 One Seeds have disappeared. All 4 Two Seeds have disappeared. And it seems that locking in One and Done players may not be the most effective way to win championships. All it would take is for Goliath to pull off the unthinkable next week, and the balance of power in NCAA basketball will change for good.
On one half of the Final Four Bracket, you've got two NCAA juggernaut programs, Kentucky and UConn. Coached by legends, John Calipari and Jim Calhoun. These are guys who get recruits. They don't even have to try that hard. They say...you come here because this program puts you on the map. They show a fist full of Conference Championship and NCAA Championship rings and say, This is why you come to our program. And now in the era of the 'One and Done' NBA bound college players who have to spend one year after high school in college before they are allowed to enter the draft, places like Kentucky are Meccas for NBA prospects. In the past, if you were a top 50 high school basketball player, you went to powerhouse teams in powerhouse conferences. You went to Duke because its Coach K and its Duke. UNC with Roy Williams. OSU with Thad Matta. Kansas with Bill Self.
But I think the tides are changing.
On the other half of the bracket are two semi-cinderellas. 8 seed Butler, with their 14 year old coach Brad Stevens has made their second straight improbable run to the Final Four and has put a no name team from a no name conference in the center spotlight. Yes, they had Gordon Heyward leave early for the NBA...but that is an abberation. Butler is a 4 year school. You go there because you couldn't get into the Powerhouse Conferences. You go there to play basketball, but also to get a degree, because chances are, you're going to need it when you graduate. They play 11 seed Virginia Commonwealth, one of the most debated teams to get into the tournament, who started their improbable run on Wednesday rather than Thursday or Friday. They are coached by Brad Stevens middle school class mate, Shaka Smart. They are winning games they have no business winning and they are winning them convincingly.
David vs. David on one side. Goliath vs. Goliath on the other. And teams that have Superstars for one year are playing against teams with winsome young coaches that get more than they should out of their players and they get them for 4 years.
All 4 One Seeds have disappeared. All 4 Two Seeds have disappeared. And it seems that locking in One and Done players may not be the most effective way to win championships. All it would take is for Goliath to pull off the unthinkable next week, and the balance of power in NCAA basketball will change for good.
Friday, March 25, 2011
I'm expendable
And so are you.
God doesn't need you to accomplish what He is doing in the world, but He allows you opportunity to partner with His Kingdom and leverage your life for His purposes.
Its not about me. When I'm not careful, it is really easy to lose sight of this.
Narcissism is the worst kind of idolatry.
So, I need to stop thinking that I'm blessing God by being on His team and start being a blessing to the world He's called me to be poured out for.
God doesn't need you to accomplish what He is doing in the world, but He allows you opportunity to partner with His Kingdom and leverage your life for His purposes.
Its not about me. When I'm not careful, it is really easy to lose sight of this.
Narcissism is the worst kind of idolatry.
So, I need to stop thinking that I'm blessing God by being on His team and start being a blessing to the world He's called me to be poured out for.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
The Thing About Honor
Honor. Its a word that doesn't seem to have a lot of traction or get a lot of pub these days. But its at work (or noticeably absent) in every relational context.
It's pretty clear that some people are not particularly 'honorable'. They don't seem to warrant veneration or high levels of respect.
Then, there are those who we deem honorable, that we want to respect and lift in high esteem...and sometimes they don't reciprocate it.
But here's the thing...because Jesus is honorable and he sought to lift up and honor those who don't warrant or deserve it, we are called to do the same.
And when you honor someone who doesn't warrant being honored...sometimes, they become more honorable.
Craig Groeschel talks of a woman who did not respect her husband. She was talking to Groeschel's wife and this woman said "If my husband were half the man your husband is, I would honor him." To which, Craig's wife said, "My husband is the honorable man he is today because I've made it a point to honor him since the beginning of our relationship."
We get this backwards. We think that we should look down upon those who are less than honorable...thinking that dishonoring them will bring them to an honorable life. But more often they will just live more and more dishonorable lives when we force them to.
And the thing about honor? There's no guarantee that it will ever be reciprocated...but if you make it a way of life, you'll find that it does get reciprocated more often than not.
Who do you need to stop dishonoring?
It's pretty clear that some people are not particularly 'honorable'. They don't seem to warrant veneration or high levels of respect.
Then, there are those who we deem honorable, that we want to respect and lift in high esteem...and sometimes they don't reciprocate it.
But here's the thing...because Jesus is honorable and he sought to lift up and honor those who don't warrant or deserve it, we are called to do the same.
And when you honor someone who doesn't warrant being honored...sometimes, they become more honorable.
Craig Groeschel talks of a woman who did not respect her husband. She was talking to Groeschel's wife and this woman said "If my husband were half the man your husband is, I would honor him." To which, Craig's wife said, "My husband is the honorable man he is today because I've made it a point to honor him since the beginning of our relationship."
We get this backwards. We think that we should look down upon those who are less than honorable...thinking that dishonoring them will bring them to an honorable life. But more often they will just live more and more dishonorable lives when we force them to.
And the thing about honor? There's no guarantee that it will ever be reciprocated...but if you make it a way of life, you'll find that it does get reciprocated more often than not.
Who do you need to stop dishonoring?
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
24 Hours
We are in week three of "24 Hours That Changed the World", a churchwide study we are doing through Lent. It has been really insightful so far.
It is causing us to slow down and actually enter into one of the most known stories of Christ followers. To enter in to the story and put ourselves in the shoes of Judas or Peter or the Sanhedrin, and reflect on how this story is very much our story has been a refreshing experience.
I was reading this morning on the topic of being condemned by the righteous and I was really struck by how 71 of the "spiritually elite" known as the Sanhedrin could conspire to humiliate, condemn and crush the exact one they had been waiting for.
But Jesus doesn't help his cause (intentionally). When they ask if He's the messiah...His response is I AM. (Claims to be their God). Then he says that he will destroy the temple and raise it again in three days (Claims power over the house of God). Two things you just don't do in 1st century Jerusalem.
The Romans don't want an insurrectionist leading a movement in their territory. The Jewish leaders don't want their authority, their God or their temple called into question. You can sense the tension of why this leads to a cross.
And Jesus is still a threat to the way we live our lives 2000 years ago. Following him has cost. What's it costing us?
It is causing us to slow down and actually enter into one of the most known stories of Christ followers. To enter in to the story and put ourselves in the shoes of Judas or Peter or the Sanhedrin, and reflect on how this story is very much our story has been a refreshing experience.
I was reading this morning on the topic of being condemned by the righteous and I was really struck by how 71 of the "spiritually elite" known as the Sanhedrin could conspire to humiliate, condemn and crush the exact one they had been waiting for.
But Jesus doesn't help his cause (intentionally). When they ask if He's the messiah...His response is I AM. (Claims to be their God). Then he says that he will destroy the temple and raise it again in three days (Claims power over the house of God). Two things you just don't do in 1st century Jerusalem.
The Romans don't want an insurrectionist leading a movement in their territory. The Jewish leaders don't want their authority, their God or their temple called into question. You can sense the tension of why this leads to a cross.
And Jesus is still a threat to the way we live our lives 2000 years ago. Following him has cost. What's it costing us?
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Bracket Busters
NCAA basketball March Madness is in the top 5 sporting events of the year. The heroic performances of cinderella. The heart break of the coming up just short. It's a great time of year.
Texas killed my bracket...So my revised final four picks (for bracket purposes) are as follows
OSU, Duke, Kansas and BYU. Jimmer has a huge test against Florida's length...but if they get by them, then Wisconsin is a managable foe.
Who is your final four?
Texas killed my bracket...So my revised final four picks (for bracket purposes) are as follows
OSU, Duke, Kansas and BYU. Jimmer has a huge test against Florida's length...but if they get by them, then Wisconsin is a managable foe.
Who is your final four?
Monday, March 21, 2011
Monday Meanderings on Church and Leadership VIII
Read this post by Tony Morgan and thought it was interesting.
I've been in the process of writing about how big churches are continuing to get bigger and highlighting some of the reasons why I believe that's happening. In this post, I'd like to talk about the leadership factor.
I'm in the camp that believes leadership is a spiritual gift. Romans 12:8 tells us, "If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously." One of the distinctives of large, growing churches is that they value leadership development. That's not the case in small, declining churches.
In small churches, leaders are controlled. This typically happens through the way churches are structured. Instead of giving pastors and other ministry leaders the freedom to make decisions and make ministry happen, churches will add layers of boards and committees, rules and processes to prevent leaders from doing just about anything on their own. The smaller the church, typically, the more complex the structure.
In growing churches, what I usually find is that leaders have been released to lead. Boundaries are established to create a framework for decisions and actions, but within those boundaries is the freedom for leaders to leverage their spiritual gifts. Unfortunately, many churches are willing to embrace shepherds, teachers and pastors, but they're unwilling to embrace leaders.
Churches who understand the leadership factor share these characteristics:
* They are staff-led and not committee-controlled.
* They empower the senior pastor and the spiritual authority of that position.
* They see leadership as critical not only at the very top of the organization but in every layer of the ministry.
* They know that leadership is a gift, and it must be developed.
* They understand that not everyone is a leader and they're intentional about moving people into ministry that best fits their gifts.
* They embrace both staff and volunteer leaders. Paid staff are not the only people with the leadership gift.
* They recognize leadership isn't just for men over the age of 40.
* They are careful to prioritize the character over the skill of a leader.
The bottom line is that it's impossible to grow a healthy church and have an environment that values control over empowerment.
I've been in the process of writing about how big churches are continuing to get bigger and highlighting some of the reasons why I believe that's happening. In this post, I'd like to talk about the leadership factor.
I'm in the camp that believes leadership is a spiritual gift. Romans 12:8 tells us, "If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously." One of the distinctives of large, growing churches is that they value leadership development. That's not the case in small, declining churches.
In small churches, leaders are controlled. This typically happens through the way churches are structured. Instead of giving pastors and other ministry leaders the freedom to make decisions and make ministry happen, churches will add layers of boards and committees, rules and processes to prevent leaders from doing just about anything on their own. The smaller the church, typically, the more complex the structure.
In growing churches, what I usually find is that leaders have been released to lead. Boundaries are established to create a framework for decisions and actions, but within those boundaries is the freedom for leaders to leverage their spiritual gifts. Unfortunately, many churches are willing to embrace shepherds, teachers and pastors, but they're unwilling to embrace leaders.
Churches who understand the leadership factor share these characteristics:
* They are staff-led and not committee-controlled.
* They empower the senior pastor and the spiritual authority of that position.
* They see leadership as critical not only at the very top of the organization but in every layer of the ministry.
* They know that leadership is a gift, and it must be developed.
* They understand that not everyone is a leader and they're intentional about moving people into ministry that best fits their gifts.
* They embrace both staff and volunteer leaders. Paid staff are not the only people with the leadership gift.
* They recognize leadership isn't just for men over the age of 40.
* They are careful to prioritize the character over the skill of a leader.
The bottom line is that it's impossible to grow a healthy church and have an environment that values control over empowerment.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
The Girl Who Got Me A Flower
I led a Bible Study at Mount Union that went from 3 people in my dorm room to 35-40people in a dorm lobby my first two years of college. It wasn't because of deep Bible exegesis. It wasn't life altering teaching. But we had fun in fellowship together.
My sophomore year we had a couple international students join our study. One of these students was Nobuko, a girl who had very little confidence in her English and tended to be a sweet and timid person. She was there many of the weeks and at the end of the year, she brought me an origami flower that she made me. She gave it to me in front of the group to say thank you for leading the group.
Don't read into it. Shaina and I were engaged and there was no wrong intentions involved. She just wanted to say thanks. I turned all shades of red in front of the group. Not because I thought she was hitting on me...but because it was so unexpected and kind.
Nobuko returned to Japan and this week she came to my mind for the first time in 7 years...because of the kind gesture...and because I wonder if she is ok. Things are pretty backwards...I will have spent about 15-20 hours watching basketball this weekend...while Japan is suffering, Libya is in crisis, and Egypt is not far behind.
May God be made much of.
My sophomore year we had a couple international students join our study. One of these students was Nobuko, a girl who had very little confidence in her English and tended to be a sweet and timid person. She was there many of the weeks and at the end of the year, she brought me an origami flower that she made me. She gave it to me in front of the group to say thank you for leading the group.
Don't read into it. Shaina and I were engaged and there was no wrong intentions involved. She just wanted to say thanks. I turned all shades of red in front of the group. Not because I thought she was hitting on me...but because it was so unexpected and kind.
Nobuko returned to Japan and this week she came to my mind for the first time in 7 years...because of the kind gesture...and because I wonder if she is ok. Things are pretty backwards...I will have spent about 15-20 hours watching basketball this weekend...while Japan is suffering, Libya is in crisis, and Egypt is not far behind.
May God be made much of.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
700 Club
Today marks the 700th blog post in Mustard History!
Thanks to all of you who trek with this.
Random life things:
-Shaina and I went to Babies R Us last night. This is apparently an every other week pilgrimage. I love that Shaina has a picture of what she wants for the nursery. I think she used a term like micro-urban. I have no idea what that is. But if it causes the baby to sleep for days at a time, I'm a micro-urban kinda guy.
-I overdid it on the brackets this year. I think I filled out about 10 brackets for various free online competitions. I have to root against myself pretty much every day. Here's my final four if you had to pin me down though. OSU, Texas, Kansas, and Florida. I don't like any team coming out of the Pitt region...BYU is a fun pick, but Jimmer has to consistently put up 30+ for them to win. I like a Texas-Kansas final, with Texas winning it all. It's a sleeper pick to have a 4 seed winning it all. But my best chance at winning a bracket is with Texas as the overall winner, so I'm going for it. The Final Four is in Texas...so OSU is the better team, but Texas will have a virtual home game.
-I bought a portable hard drive last night. I have been putting together videos, sermons, worship series designs, etc. and I just want to have it in a safe place as I think my Toshiba has already outpunted the coverage and has lived longer than it should have. I will try to transfer everything today.
-I met last week with my small group leaders for a sort of end of year celebration/review. They are pioneering a new type of small group ministry at church and they are a committed, hard working, passionate bunch. They surprised me and brought out a baby gift at the end of the night. We now have a playpen! If nothing else, we now have a caged area to put a child...and that seems like perhaps the most important item we could own haha.
-Going to spend some time tonight with some young adult friends, have some dinner with them and play some games. I'm looking forward to it.
-Tomorrow, I am heading to Mayfield United Methodist Church to teach on the topic of prayer at an evening gathering. Can't wait!
-Next Saturday, I am teaching a workshop at an East Ohio Conference youth event. After the 2.5 hour workshop, I get to close the event by preaching a message on Matthew 5:11.
-Showers, Weddings and Babies Oh My...Something in the water this year...lots of folks getting married and lots of folks poppin' out little creatures. It's a fun season of life!
Thanks to all of you who trek with this.
Random life things:
-Shaina and I went to Babies R Us last night. This is apparently an every other week pilgrimage. I love that Shaina has a picture of what she wants for the nursery. I think she used a term like micro-urban. I have no idea what that is. But if it causes the baby to sleep for days at a time, I'm a micro-urban kinda guy.
-I overdid it on the brackets this year. I think I filled out about 10 brackets for various free online competitions. I have to root against myself pretty much every day. Here's my final four if you had to pin me down though. OSU, Texas, Kansas, and Florida. I don't like any team coming out of the Pitt region...BYU is a fun pick, but Jimmer has to consistently put up 30+ for them to win. I like a Texas-Kansas final, with Texas winning it all. It's a sleeper pick to have a 4 seed winning it all. But my best chance at winning a bracket is with Texas as the overall winner, so I'm going for it. The Final Four is in Texas...so OSU is the better team, but Texas will have a virtual home game.
-I bought a portable hard drive last night. I have been putting together videos, sermons, worship series designs, etc. and I just want to have it in a safe place as I think my Toshiba has already outpunted the coverage and has lived longer than it should have. I will try to transfer everything today.
-I met last week with my small group leaders for a sort of end of year celebration/review. They are pioneering a new type of small group ministry at church and they are a committed, hard working, passionate bunch. They surprised me and brought out a baby gift at the end of the night. We now have a playpen! If nothing else, we now have a caged area to put a child...and that seems like perhaps the most important item we could own haha.
-Going to spend some time tonight with some young adult friends, have some dinner with them and play some games. I'm looking forward to it.
-Tomorrow, I am heading to Mayfield United Methodist Church to teach on the topic of prayer at an evening gathering. Can't wait!
-Next Saturday, I am teaching a workshop at an East Ohio Conference youth event. After the 2.5 hour workshop, I get to close the event by preaching a message on Matthew 5:11.
-Showers, Weddings and Babies Oh My...Something in the water this year...lots of folks getting married and lots of folks poppin' out little creatures. It's a fun season of life!
Friday, March 18, 2011
Sun Stand Still
Reading a book by Steven Furtick called Sun Stand Still. Furtick takes us through some scenes in the book of Joshua and appeals to all Christians to offer up our 'natural' to God's 'super' and watch what happens.
Here's a couple quotes from reading this morning.
"There are certain phrases I'd like to see permanently banned from our Christian vocabulary. The one that sets me off the most is 'full time ministry'. I know what it's supposed to mean, but I vehemently disagree with its implications. To say that someone is called to full-time ministry suggests that others are permitted to do part-time ministry. But Jesus didn't die on a part-time cross. He doesn't love us with a part-time love. He doesn't cover us with a part-time pardon for sins. There's no such thing as a part-time Christian, and there's no such thing as part-time ministry."
"And when God's super collides with your natural, sparks will fly: God may allow you to receive a negative report from the doctor. Ordinary. But you trust him in a way that causes all of your close friends to see Christ clearly through your response. Extraordinary. God may call you to serve as an unsung youth pastor of fifteen kids, leading meetings in a modly basement, with an Atari for entertainment. Ordinary. But he may also be providing you with the opportunity to pour your life into one of those teenagers who will go on to preach the gospel in a thousand places you'll never go. Extraordinary. God maylead you to stay at home with your young children, foreiting a second income. Ordinary. But along with diapers, dishes, and naps, you receive the gift of time--to model discipline, instill values, and speak life into your kids. They could grow up to be Joshuas in their own generation. Extraordinary."
There have been some timely sections of this book for me personally. Good stuff!
Here's a couple quotes from reading this morning.
"There are certain phrases I'd like to see permanently banned from our Christian vocabulary. The one that sets me off the most is 'full time ministry'. I know what it's supposed to mean, but I vehemently disagree with its implications. To say that someone is called to full-time ministry suggests that others are permitted to do part-time ministry. But Jesus didn't die on a part-time cross. He doesn't love us with a part-time love. He doesn't cover us with a part-time pardon for sins. There's no such thing as a part-time Christian, and there's no such thing as part-time ministry."
"And when God's super collides with your natural, sparks will fly: God may allow you to receive a negative report from the doctor. Ordinary. But you trust him in a way that causes all of your close friends to see Christ clearly through your response. Extraordinary. God may call you to serve as an unsung youth pastor of fifteen kids, leading meetings in a modly basement, with an Atari for entertainment. Ordinary. But he may also be providing you with the opportunity to pour your life into one of those teenagers who will go on to preach the gospel in a thousand places you'll never go. Extraordinary. God maylead you to stay at home with your young children, foreiting a second income. Ordinary. But along with diapers, dishes, and naps, you receive the gift of time--to model discipline, instill values, and speak life into your kids. They could grow up to be Joshuas in their own generation. Extraordinary."
There have been some timely sections of this book for me personally. Good stuff!
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Can't Wait
This kind've stuff makes me stoked to be a dad!
We found out yesterday we're having a girl (allegedly!) The little pot was quite stubborn with her legs...apparently our pre birth talk about modesty and saving yourself for marriage is already paying dividends. We've had two different lab techs, both of whom said they are in the 80-90% certainty that its a girl. We'll go with it and save the receipts.
To be honest, I'm just thankful each time that there is a heartbeat. Nothing is guaranteed, and so each step of the way, we just want to experience the journey and Make Much of Him!
Baby is noticably kicking at this point.
We are narrowing in on names, but will not disclose the name until the baby comes! Batman and Tangled are still on the list!
One God
I preached back on March 6 and there were some requests on how to get ahold of that message (namely for the Hair Mice Story haha). Here is a link to the service. If you want to watch the entire service, you can. Or I think if you start at the 11 minute mark, that is about where the message begins.
Hope this brings you to the throne of grace...to worship the One True God!
Hope this brings you to the throne of grace...to worship the One True God!
How do you spell Faith?
Unfortunately many people who 'have faith in God' are practical atheists. They live their lives as if belief in God has no direct correlation to the way they live.
So when we spell faith, we probably ought to spell it these ways:
Y-I-E-L-D
Faith is really about shifting from "My will and My strength" to "Thy will and Thy strength." There is no more important, and also no more difficult transition we can make in our lives than this. To want what God wants more than I want what I want and then to trust him to bring about what he wants rather than manufacturing what he wants the way I want is how we yield.
R-I-S-K
Unfortunately we've promoted faith in Christ as this feel-good-get-out-of-hell-Jesus-wants-to-cuddle-with-you Gospel. Jesus was in a spiritual and political insurrectionist and his way cost him his life. His way cost him the disciples' lives as well. Why do we presume that this is no longer the demand on followers of Jesus? Churches who don't take bold, Spirit led risks, are missing out on being part of Acts 29, the continuation of God's kingdom via His bride the Church. If you were to put my life into the book of Acts, say in like chapter nine...right smack dab in the middle of the powerful things God was doing...you'd read all these tremendous stories and then you'd read "And Ben Thompson got paid a good wage to fill a staff position at a local church." The gospel demands our lives. And the reason we don't experience Christ in the fullness that He desires is because we have never RISKED it all for His glory.
J-E-S-U-S
Too many embrace a spirituality that they learned from the Oprah show. They believe in some cosmic energy or force. And their goal is to center on the good forces and irradicate the bad forces. I do agree their are good and bad forces...Paul talks of being led by the Spirit or being filled with the sinful nature. But the good comes through the cross of Jesus Christ. If our faith is not Christocentric (Christ-centered), then it doesn't matter how much of it we possess.
So, what's holding you back from Yielding and Risking your life for Jesus Christ?
So when we spell faith, we probably ought to spell it these ways:
Y-I-E-L-D
Faith is really about shifting from "My will and My strength" to "Thy will and Thy strength." There is no more important, and also no more difficult transition we can make in our lives than this. To want what God wants more than I want what I want and then to trust him to bring about what he wants rather than manufacturing what he wants the way I want is how we yield.
R-I-S-K
Unfortunately we've promoted faith in Christ as this feel-good-get-out-of-hell-Jesus-wants-to-cuddle-with-you Gospel. Jesus was in a spiritual and political insurrectionist and his way cost him his life. His way cost him the disciples' lives as well. Why do we presume that this is no longer the demand on followers of Jesus? Churches who don't take bold, Spirit led risks, are missing out on being part of Acts 29, the continuation of God's kingdom via His bride the Church. If you were to put my life into the book of Acts, say in like chapter nine...right smack dab in the middle of the powerful things God was doing...you'd read all these tremendous stories and then you'd read "And Ben Thompson got paid a good wage to fill a staff position at a local church." The gospel demands our lives. And the reason we don't experience Christ in the fullness that He desires is because we have never RISKED it all for His glory.
J-E-S-U-S
Too many embrace a spirituality that they learned from the Oprah show. They believe in some cosmic energy or force. And their goal is to center on the good forces and irradicate the bad forces. I do agree their are good and bad forces...Paul talks of being led by the Spirit or being filled with the sinful nature. But the good comes through the cross of Jesus Christ. If our faith is not Christocentric (Christ-centered), then it doesn't matter how much of it we possess.
So, what's holding you back from Yielding and Risking your life for Jesus Christ?
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Messiah Complex
Churches get new pastors all the time.
The danger is a two way street.
People in churches will say and think, "The next pastor better ________."
Even with good intentions and a godly mindset, these ultimatums, expectations and demands that we put on future leaders will kill momentum.
Maybe equally as debilitating is when the pastor comes in and thinks that its up to him or her to lead or rescue a church. The pastor is not the messiah. Jesus is.
If you are part of a church awaiting a new pastor, do yourself, your pastor and God a favor and let Him lead your church and let your pastor operate not out of accomodating your expectations, but out of their gifts, passion and calling.
If you're a pastor going into a new station, be authentic to who you are and to the gospel you're called to proclaim.
The danger is a two way street.
People in churches will say and think, "The next pastor better ________."
Even with good intentions and a godly mindset, these ultimatums, expectations and demands that we put on future leaders will kill momentum.
Maybe equally as debilitating is when the pastor comes in and thinks that its up to him or her to lead or rescue a church. The pastor is not the messiah. Jesus is.
If you are part of a church awaiting a new pastor, do yourself, your pastor and God a favor and let Him lead your church and let your pastor operate not out of accomodating your expectations, but out of their gifts, passion and calling.
If you're a pastor going into a new station, be authentic to who you are and to the gospel you're called to proclaim.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Monday Meanderings on Church and Leadership VII
Great post on Leadership from Dr. Tim Elmore:
Two Paradoxes Leaders Embrace*
By Tim Elmore
Why do intelligent, emotionally healthy people need leaders? Wouldn’t you think that a group of fifteen people who are all reasonably smart could figure out the best direction to take without someone telling them?
On paper, this makes sense. It sounds great. It just doesn’t play out in life.
Think about leadership from a philosophical standpoint. People need leaders not because they are stupid. In fact, quite the opposite. It may be because all team members are brilliant that they need leaders. Historically, the primary need for leadership is to galvanize and steer. Leaders galvanize multiple minds and steer multiple gift sets into one, clear direction.
I remember being on a team several years ago. Everyone on the team was sharp; in fact, most of us had served in leadership roles in the past. We didn’t need a leader for information or inspiration. We all knew as much as our leader did. However, someone needed to step forward and furnish clarity. We needed one clear direction and we needed someone to determine how our talents best fit together. The team members didn’t lack ideas—our problem was we had too many of them. Our leader brought clarity and synthesis.
The first role a leader must embrace is to be the focal point for a season. This doesn’t mean that the cause is all about the leader. (It should never be about the leader.) It means this person must be alright being the point of focus at first to eradicate sideways energy. Someone has to help people say “no” to the many good things they could do, and “yes” to the one, best thing they could do. Even the most reserved, and quiet leaders must initially embrace this attention and prominence.
The journey doesn’t end there, however. If a person has led well, he or she arrives at a destination precisely opposite this initial role. Effective leaders eventually create momentum, then slip into the shadows. They stay out of the way of good talent and teamwork. To use a cliché, they work themselves out of a job. They eventually become unnecessary if they have done their job well. I think of Herb Brooks, the coach of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey team. He had incredibly talented young players who desperately needed his strength and focus in the beginning. There was too much energy, and egos going too many directions. In the end, however, once the Americans had won the gold medal, he slipped into a hallway and sat on the floor. He said the moment was about the team, not him. In reality, it was about something even bigger than the team. That gold medal did something for the U.S. at the time. We defeated the invincible Soviet team. The cause was nationwide morale and hope. David had beaten Goliath. The cause should always be bigger than people.
So, leaders actually embrace two paradoxical ideas. First, they must be OK with being the prime focal point. Talent and intelligence need focus. In the end, they must embrace obscurity. They chuck their ego—and point everyone toward the bigger picture. This is a rare paradox—which makes it beautiful when it happens.
Two Paradoxes Leaders Embrace*
By Tim Elmore
Why do intelligent, emotionally healthy people need leaders? Wouldn’t you think that a group of fifteen people who are all reasonably smart could figure out the best direction to take without someone telling them?
On paper, this makes sense. It sounds great. It just doesn’t play out in life.
Think about leadership from a philosophical standpoint. People need leaders not because they are stupid. In fact, quite the opposite. It may be because all team members are brilliant that they need leaders. Historically, the primary need for leadership is to galvanize and steer. Leaders galvanize multiple minds and steer multiple gift sets into one, clear direction.
I remember being on a team several years ago. Everyone on the team was sharp; in fact, most of us had served in leadership roles in the past. We didn’t need a leader for information or inspiration. We all knew as much as our leader did. However, someone needed to step forward and furnish clarity. We needed one clear direction and we needed someone to determine how our talents best fit together. The team members didn’t lack ideas—our problem was we had too many of them. Our leader brought clarity and synthesis.
The first role a leader must embrace is to be the focal point for a season. This doesn’t mean that the cause is all about the leader. (It should never be about the leader.) It means this person must be alright being the point of focus at first to eradicate sideways energy. Someone has to help people say “no” to the many good things they could do, and “yes” to the one, best thing they could do. Even the most reserved, and quiet leaders must initially embrace this attention and prominence.
The journey doesn’t end there, however. If a person has led well, he or she arrives at a destination precisely opposite this initial role. Effective leaders eventually create momentum, then slip into the shadows. They stay out of the way of good talent and teamwork. To use a cliché, they work themselves out of a job. They eventually become unnecessary if they have done their job well. I think of Herb Brooks, the coach of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey team. He had incredibly talented young players who desperately needed his strength and focus in the beginning. There was too much energy, and egos going too many directions. In the end, however, once the Americans had won the gold medal, he slipped into a hallway and sat on the floor. He said the moment was about the team, not him. In reality, it was about something even bigger than the team. That gold medal did something for the U.S. at the time. We defeated the invincible Soviet team. The cause was nationwide morale and hope. David had beaten Goliath. The cause should always be bigger than people.
So, leaders actually embrace two paradoxical ideas. First, they must be OK with being the prime focal point. Talent and intelligence need focus. In the end, they must embrace obscurity. They chuck their ego—and point everyone toward the bigger picture. This is a rare paradox—which makes it beautiful when it happens.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Curse You Time Change
I'm all for falling back. Extra hour of sleep. Can't beat it.
But springing forward? It's not my thing. Don't get me wrong. I love that it signifies that there is an end in sight to winter. I love that it allows it to stay lighter later. Good things. But the night that you rip an hour of sleep away from me is a night you will soon regret.
Two times the time change has haunted me.
First time was when we were at Smithville. We missed the memo that we were to fall back. Shaina and I arrived at the church at what we thought was 7:00 a.m. but no one else was there...and no one else came...we began wondering if church had been cancelled...or if the whole world was watching our lives as a tv show (Truman Show anyone?) An hour later, right about when the service was to begin, so we thought, people began arriving, jolly, refreshed...like they had just had the best night's sleep...like they scored a bonus hour of sleep somewhere. That part of my life was called Coveting...and eventually Repentance.
Second incident was springing forward. We were in Indianapolis for a weekend conference. We stayed at a hotel and were instructed that we had to get up on Sunday and check out before the last meetings began. This was to be around 7 a.m. We got up and packed and left our room and checked out...but no other conference members were to be found. It turns out that the hotel alarm clocks were designed to manually switch times at Day Light Savings time. This is a nice feature...unless you're in a part of the country that does not spring forward! Then you end up with 0 sleep sitting in the hotel lobby waiting for everyone else to wake up and check out. This part of my life was called "Cell Phone Alarm Clock Epiphany."
So, is the glass half full or half empty when you hear the words Spring Forward?
But springing forward? It's not my thing. Don't get me wrong. I love that it signifies that there is an end in sight to winter. I love that it allows it to stay lighter later. Good things. But the night that you rip an hour of sleep away from me is a night you will soon regret.
Two times the time change has haunted me.
First time was when we were at Smithville. We missed the memo that we were to fall back. Shaina and I arrived at the church at what we thought was 7:00 a.m. but no one else was there...and no one else came...we began wondering if church had been cancelled...or if the whole world was watching our lives as a tv show (Truman Show anyone?) An hour later, right about when the service was to begin, so we thought, people began arriving, jolly, refreshed...like they had just had the best night's sleep...like they scored a bonus hour of sleep somewhere. That part of my life was called Coveting...and eventually Repentance.
Second incident was springing forward. We were in Indianapolis for a weekend conference. We stayed at a hotel and were instructed that we had to get up on Sunday and check out before the last meetings began. This was to be around 7 a.m. We got up and packed and left our room and checked out...but no other conference members were to be found. It turns out that the hotel alarm clocks were designed to manually switch times at Day Light Savings time. This is a nice feature...unless you're in a part of the country that does not spring forward! Then you end up with 0 sleep sitting in the hotel lobby waiting for everyone else to wake up and check out. This part of my life was called "Cell Phone Alarm Clock Epiphany."
So, is the glass half full or half empty when you hear the words Spring Forward?
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Kingdom Synergy Partnerships
Had the chance to join my friend and mentor John in Columbus today to meet with an organization called KSP, who has a vision to plant 100 churches by 2020, predominantly in Ohio and internationally.
I love the vision this group has. Healthy churches coming together to partner, resource, invest and plant new churches for God's renown. Churches planted in Cleveland, Canton and Cincinnati came together to share their progress, victories and challenges.
It is amazing what God can accomplish when no one cares who gets the credit.
I mentioned a few weeks back that Ohio has 3 of the top 20 most miserable cities in the country and posed the question...how does the church respond?
This is an answer...in the midst of darkness...poverty...brokeness...crime...pain...need...the church is born anew.
I am so thankful for the heart that God is giving in me for the Church. I used to despise Her, question Her, and belittle Her...but I am beginning to trust Her and love Her and want to join Her where she is alive and kicking.
Said it before, but I like Perry Noble's words "Those who claim to love Jesus but hate the Church are booing the bride on her wedding day and the groom is not okay with that."
Yes the church is blemished...broken...shortsighted...insert adjective you'd like here ______________________.
But the church is still the bride that Christ has chosen and that makes Her glorious, beautiful and filled with potential to change the world.
I love the vision this group has. Healthy churches coming together to partner, resource, invest and plant new churches for God's renown. Churches planted in Cleveland, Canton and Cincinnati came together to share their progress, victories and challenges.
It is amazing what God can accomplish when no one cares who gets the credit.
I mentioned a few weeks back that Ohio has 3 of the top 20 most miserable cities in the country and posed the question...how does the church respond?
This is an answer...in the midst of darkness...poverty...brokeness...crime...pain...need...the church is born anew.
I am so thankful for the heart that God is giving in me for the Church. I used to despise Her, question Her, and belittle Her...but I am beginning to trust Her and love Her and want to join Her where she is alive and kicking.
Said it before, but I like Perry Noble's words "Those who claim to love Jesus but hate the Church are booing the bride on her wedding day and the groom is not okay with that."
Yes the church is blemished...broken...shortsighted...insert adjective you'd like here ______________________.
But the church is still the bride that Christ has chosen and that makes Her glorious, beautiful and filled with potential to change the world.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
LENT begins
It's Ash Wednesday. Are you giving anything up or adding anything to your daily routine?
I am going to attempt to listen to a sermon a day through Lent. The reasons are that I think this will help me to hone in on my communication/preaching skills and it will help me to stay grounded biblically and theologically.
So what are you going to do for Lent?
I am going to attempt to listen to a sermon a day through Lent. The reasons are that I think this will help me to hone in on my communication/preaching skills and it will help me to stay grounded biblically and theologically.
So what are you going to do for Lent?
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
24 hours that changed the world
It seems like every week, Sunday rolls around.
There was a good deal of effort, creativity and brainstorming that went into our One Prayer series that began the second week of January. But with March 6 come and gone, so is One Prayer. And now we are pressing in to Lent with a series called 24 Hours that Changed the World. It's based off a book by Rev. Adam Hamilton. It is an in depth look at the last 24 hours of Jesus' life leading to the cross.
It culminates with Resurrection on Easter Sunday. This series has the potential to continue the momentum that has already begun in 2011 for our church, so i am excited.
I'm also challenged. How do we implement continued effort, creativity and brainstorming week after week to leave people challenged, inspired and transformed?
The answer is that the effort and creativity must come from God. Because when they do, so will the challenge, inspiration and transformation.
All we must do is yield.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Monday Meanderings on Church and Leadership VI
Any organization, when given the option, will choose to settle. It is both human and organizational nature to get to a place of comfort and stay there.
But comfort and settling are antonyms for growth and transformation.
In order to experience breakthrough, sometimes we have to change the way we do things.
For instance, the church that I serve in hit a growth barrier at around 350-400 people in attendance 7 or 8 years ago. This is a common plateau point for organizations, particularly of churches.
And business as usual will create business as usual.
There are barriers at 75 people, 150 people, 350 people and more on down the road that demand a culture shift in order to breakthrough to new growth. Churches who settle will plateau and then decline.
Here are a few culture shifts that I think are vitally important at the 350 person barrier.
-You have to be willing to move from a family oriented church to a mission oriented church. You no longer can concern yourself with making sure everyone knows everyone in the church. You need to have a God given Mission and Vision and it needs to drive everything you do.
-Your leader has to move from a pastor to a preacher/visionary. This transition can be hard for either the people in the church or the pastor. The people have to go from a mindset of "I'm in the hospital...Pastor better visit me" to "I'm in the hospital and my small group will care for me." The people need to want their pastor not to come see them for minor, routine surgeries. Equally as difficult is the pastor's transition to a new role. The pastor must be constantly visioncasting and dreaming of where the church needs to go and spending the bulk of their work week designing worship that will inspire and empower people to live their lives for Christ. The pastor has to let go of being the point person for every committee, group and team. The pastor has to let go of the pressure they feel to be the pastoral care for every church member (those who are fully committed and those that are on the fringes of commitment). And the pastor has to defer and refer to others for the majority of counseling. If people in the church want to meet with the head pastor...the head pastor has to think "No" first. Not that the person isn't important, but that the vision and mission is more important. The people who get this will be glad the lead pastor says no and be glad to pursue other church staff who can offer counseling and care.
You want to settle where you're at and so does your church. And when you cease to live with purpose and risk, you will become stagnant and eventually head towards death.
But comfort and settling are antonyms for growth and transformation.
In order to experience breakthrough, sometimes we have to change the way we do things.
For instance, the church that I serve in hit a growth barrier at around 350-400 people in attendance 7 or 8 years ago. This is a common plateau point for organizations, particularly of churches.
And business as usual will create business as usual.
There are barriers at 75 people, 150 people, 350 people and more on down the road that demand a culture shift in order to breakthrough to new growth. Churches who settle will plateau and then decline.
Here are a few culture shifts that I think are vitally important at the 350 person barrier.
-You have to be willing to move from a family oriented church to a mission oriented church. You no longer can concern yourself with making sure everyone knows everyone in the church. You need to have a God given Mission and Vision and it needs to drive everything you do.
-Your leader has to move from a pastor to a preacher/visionary. This transition can be hard for either the people in the church or the pastor. The people have to go from a mindset of "I'm in the hospital...Pastor better visit me" to "I'm in the hospital and my small group will care for me." The people need to want their pastor not to come see them for minor, routine surgeries. Equally as difficult is the pastor's transition to a new role. The pastor must be constantly visioncasting and dreaming of where the church needs to go and spending the bulk of their work week designing worship that will inspire and empower people to live their lives for Christ. The pastor has to let go of being the point person for every committee, group and team. The pastor has to let go of the pressure they feel to be the pastoral care for every church member (those who are fully committed and those that are on the fringes of commitment). And the pastor has to defer and refer to others for the majority of counseling. If people in the church want to meet with the head pastor...the head pastor has to think "No" first. Not that the person isn't important, but that the vision and mission is more important. The people who get this will be glad the lead pastor says no and be glad to pursue other church staff who can offer counseling and care.
You want to settle where you're at and so does your church. And when you cease to live with purpose and risk, you will become stagnant and eventually head towards death.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Preachin' It
I feel like there is a fire in my bones to preach the Word of God. It's been since Christmas Eve that I last preached so I am getting revved up to lead in worship tomorrow. Because of some changes in schedule, I ended up getting the privilege and challenge of wrapping up the One Prayer Sermon Series at our church.
We have had some really good messages/speakers and if i'm not careful, I can feel the pressure of that and want to make tomorrow about a performance or about a response to my abilities.
I'm preaching my One Prayer for 2011 which is ONE GOD. And the great irony of this whole thing is that I can feel the tensions and temptations of seeking validation, affirmation, approval, etc. which are steering me to little 'g' gods everywhere I look.
The bottom line is that I am satisfied most when God is glorified most in my life.
And so are you.
We are going to make much of Jesus tomorrow! 8:15, 9:30 and 11:00 at Wadsworth UMC.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
The World Doesn't Evolve Around You
Ran a couple church errands today. One was to go to the Post Office and send 35 care packages out. The second was to go to the bank and transfer money from our church to a church in Kenya.
I know how to work with the post office. They get stressed when they see 35 packages come in. So I bring in 10. I warn them that I will make a couple more trips in...but that I'm in no rush so the people in line can keep funneling through between my trips. I'm always appreciative and even take in cookies to say thanks sometimes. If the world evolved around me...I'd tick off the post office works, tick off the people who have one little package to take care of and then I'd go on my way. But the world doesn't evolve around me.
The bank was part two of the story. A lady had a fairly lengthy transaction to make. Meanwhile an elderly couple was sitting off at a desk filling out some paperwork. The couple got in line and the lady finished her transaction, but was sharing with the bank teller about her son who just had a pretty serious sickness. The elderly man yelled for all the bank to hear..."Come On Lady, Stop talking."
The lady was visibly hurt by it and walked out. The bank teller was ticked off and went from compassionate listening ear to aggravated and annoyed worker. Hey old guy..the world doesn't evolve around you...and when you think it does...it will actually conspire against you to show you it doesn't all the more. By being an impatient, inconsiderate butt, he got the line to go faster...but it wouldn't surprise me if he was short a couple dollars when he got his money.
He must increase, but I must decrease. John 3:30
I know how to work with the post office. They get stressed when they see 35 packages come in. So I bring in 10. I warn them that I will make a couple more trips in...but that I'm in no rush so the people in line can keep funneling through between my trips. I'm always appreciative and even take in cookies to say thanks sometimes. If the world evolved around me...I'd tick off the post office works, tick off the people who have one little package to take care of and then I'd go on my way. But the world doesn't evolve around me.
The bank was part two of the story. A lady had a fairly lengthy transaction to make. Meanwhile an elderly couple was sitting off at a desk filling out some paperwork. The couple got in line and the lady finished her transaction, but was sharing with the bank teller about her son who just had a pretty serious sickness. The elderly man yelled for all the bank to hear..."Come On Lady, Stop talking."
The lady was visibly hurt by it and walked out. The bank teller was ticked off and went from compassionate listening ear to aggravated and annoyed worker. Hey old guy..the world doesn't evolve around you...and when you think it does...it will actually conspire against you to show you it doesn't all the more. By being an impatient, inconsiderate butt, he got the line to go faster...but it wouldn't surprise me if he was short a couple dollars when he got his money.
He must increase, but I must decrease. John 3:30
College Prayer Warriors
Wednesday was adopted by the Young Adults of our church to pray for 24 straight hours. We've got warriors from Ohio State, Ohio Northern, Cincinnati, Wright State, Clarion, Stark State, Akron, Ashland and others as well keeping the prayer chain moving forward.
We are starting a series for Lent called 24 Hours That Changed the World. It is a look at the last 24 hours of Jesus' life leading up to and including the crucifixion.
While there is so single day in history greater than Good Friday, I'm praying that our church would experience 120 Hours That Changed the World during this prayer vigil.
Prayer doesn't bend God's will to ours. It bends our will to the Sovereign and All Sufficient God's.
We are starting a series for Lent called 24 Hours That Changed the World. It is a look at the last 24 hours of Jesus' life leading up to and including the crucifixion.
While there is so single day in history greater than Good Friday, I'm praying that our church would experience 120 Hours That Changed the World during this prayer vigil.
Prayer doesn't bend God's will to ours. It bends our will to the Sovereign and All Sufficient God's.
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