Perfect Storm wrap up...

Today we wrap up our series on the Perfect Storm. I have truly been encouraged (should not be shocked by that) from studying the Scriptures for our navigational points during the storm. Any authentic study of the Scripture, of course, reminds us of His Sovereignty. If He truly knew you and I before we even existed or before we were even formed within our mother's womb, AND He states boldly that He has a crazy good plan for our lives even then; well, shouldn't we trust Him then. Earthly father good gifts, Heavenly good gifts, greater works we will do, He will not put more on us than we can bare, My peace I leave with you, not leave you as orphans, never leave you nor forsake you, and on and on and on go the promises!!! Our role is found in the old hymn, Trust and obey for there's no other way....We must keep our eyes fix on the author and finisher of our faith Jesus Christ. That's it. Simple. No complicated formulas, no elaborate memorization, simply stay focused on Him. Don't look at the wind and waves that attempts to distract you (economy, political unrest, relational struggles..you get the picture). We fight battles sometimes when we should be letting Christ our big brother, who has already won, fight for us by keeping our eyes on Him.

Are we crying...

9 And you saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt and heard their cry at the Red Sea, 10 and performed signs and wonders against Pharaoh and all his servants and all the people of his land, for you knew that they acted arrogantly against our fathers. And you made a name for yourself, as it is to this day. Neh. 9:9-10

Are we crying? Are we crying out of a heart for and toward God? When we do, then He will. Think about that. Man2Man Project last night woke me up concerning Life Changing prayer. Craig spoke about Charles Finney and his passionate faith and child-like trust. He demonstrated time and time again a public boldness with ridiculous and audacious prayers that God ANSWERED in God only style, leaving NO room for doubt. Much of our prayers are not even public enough for others to witness if God answered. Furthermore, they are so weak in nature that it truly doesn't take God to answer many of them.

I pray for a heart that trusts and obeys God; that seeks Him first and foremost

Being Who We Are...

Self discovery and identification are ever continuing processes. Just when I feel as if I am closing in on authentically identifying my spiritual and ministerial DNA, I come along something or someone that challenges me to dig to another level. Mark Batterson has done this recently in his post on rebranding. I feel like Turkey Creek Community Church is well on our way, however, we must passionately discover God's calling and our unique design in His plan. Check out Mark's blog and let me know what you think personally and corporate, especially if you are a part of our team.

God bless,

Kaleo...

I have thoroughly enjoyed the challenges and promises of this series. Kaleo, the Greek word for calling, is a dynamic message series from Lifechurch.tv. I am excited about the possibilities of our people truly capturing the essence of this last message; Called to Make Disciples. In just a couple of short hours I will exhort our community of faith to be disciples and to make disciples. There is a stark difference in being a cultural Christian and a disciple of Christ. Every individual follower of Christ, Christian family, community of faith, church and denomination is commissioned by Christ and empowered by His Holy Spirit to go and make disciples. Unfortunately, we have programmed discipleship into a two-hour structured process of the physical church. By this, I mean, we rely on Sunday School and Family Training Hour (Wednesday evening classes) to function as our discipleship. Creative churches (yes, sense the hint of sarcasism) program "organic" discipleship programs within homes, calling them small groups. While this is seems to be a better approach it still, at times, missses the point of our Great Commission. Christ's intentional (incarnational) model of missional discipleship is all inclusive. When I recall the term, "all-inclusive", I experience warm memories of my honeymoon. However, Christ's approach to disciple-making is quite simple: everything, everywhere, everyone and everyway provides an opportunity for a teaching experience. Not only is discipleship sitting around in a circle, (or in neatly formed rows anticipating a lecture) and discussing passages of Scripture. Discipleship, at the fundamental level, is learning to do life in the image of God within the community of faith. Often churches preach well about loving God and others, however, we have forgotten to instruct how to love our neighbor as ourselves. Isn't this the second greatest commandment and like the first, effectually making the basis of the Great Commission the Great Commandment? We have forgotten to live in community, bearing one another's burdens, prefering our brother over ourself, demonstrating that we are truly His disciples because we have love one for another.

If Turkey Creek Community Church captures the essence of this message and we become empowered disciple makers, our community will be supernaturally revolutionized by the power of the Holy Spirit and our godly witness. Pray for us.

Hearing from you....

I want to hear what God is speaking to you. Let me know what Scriptures you are reading and that now seem to be reading you. The more I study the Word of God the more convinced I am that true growth transpires when I allow the Word to study me. I transition from trying to apply the Word to my life and allow the Word to apply me to life. Sounds strange doesn't it? Well, I guess it is somewhat different. But if the Word of God is alive and active and doesn't return to God void of It's missional purpose, then don't you suspect that It's authority and Spirit-driven activity are in more control of applying us to life than we are at controling It and applying It to our lives? Anyway, just wanted to take a second to ask you what God is doing, how He is moving and how you are responding.

God bless,,,

The Insider track...

I've been thinking...I am most definitely an insider when it comes to issues of faith. I am fourth (or fifth) generation Pentecostal. (That means my family was one of the first groups of people to join the Pentecostal movement that began in 1896 and gained momentum in 1906--for those who care.) My parents were traveling speakers (Evangelists) when I was conceived (sorry for any images there...yikes!) They took a small church for my first 4yrs of life then planted the church they currently lead (28yrs ago). Well, I'm 32 and have been in one church for 28yrs, so I believe this qualifies me as an insider. Earned three degrees from our denominational educational institutions, received three levels of ordination from same denomination. Served in full-time ministry for 9+ yrs now.

Well, not writing a resume or job appl. just illustrating my inside track. I say all this to qualify the next few statements. As an insider, everything just is. You know, you grow up believing and adhering and following certain creeds. To the outider, thinking, learning, processing and experiencing these new elements of faith maybe strange and awkward at first. This sounds, to me, a lot like counting the costs as Christ mentioned in the New Testament.

Recently, I began a certain counting of the costs. Now, grant it, it is something I am familiar with. I have been considering health, wellness and exercise again. These are issues I have been passionate and consumed with before. I know well the cost, price and sacrifice needed to obtain levels of fitness and health I so desire. Much like with issues of faith, cares of this world, selfish desires and the influences of friends often deter our intentions. However, as with faith, intentions do absolutely no good. All of my research online, thinking, praying, and past knowledge of training, exercising and nutrition are useless unless I put them into practice. James, in the Bible, speaks of this as well when he states that faith without works is dead. I know about resistance training, cardio, nutrition and rest, I wholeheartedly agree with it and believe in it. I have seen with my own eyes the benefits and results. I have tasted and seen that exercise is good. I have led others toward lifestyles of health and wellness. However, if I am not walking in it and living it daily then it becomes of no use. Often, we gym rats, or ex-gym rats, speak of how quickly we lose it. The benefits. I don't know how quickly we lose it spiritually. I am not saying that two weeks out of the spiritual gym and we are hell bound. But the blessings, protections, directions and favor seems to slip. I hope we can stick to it when things get tough and we hit the walls and the plateaus. Oh, well, let me know what you think. God bless....

recently

The Insider track...