Happy Birthday Micah!

Often I complain about parenting…it ain’t easy…and no one really told me that.  Yet, I can’t think of anything I would trade in the world for one of my kids. 

Today is Micah’s 8th birthday!  And below he has become king of the pumpkins!

We Become The Message

Somehow we must be made to understand that through the miracle of spiritual transformation in Christ, we, in fact, become the message.  No matter what words we say or how we act, it is our deeds and our being that people will remember.

Lord, You have stunned me.

Exalted me.

Shocked me.

Instilled in me the growing sense of wonder

and fear

and realization that in this world,

in this time,

in this place, I am Your message and Your messenger. 

Help me to stay true.  Amen.

What are you “Dedicated” to?

What do we mean when we say “dedication?”  What would people say that I am “dedicated” to?  It’s not an inner commitment that no one sees.  It’s expressed in public action.

Dedication inevitably involves some sacrifices.  Sacrifice is ultimately an expression of trust in the Lord.  You’re willing to GIVE UP something because you trust Him more than that something.

Dedication to God is built out of trusting God with the practical needs of your life.  The best way to learn faith is from people.  Look at Abel.  Cain offered to God.  But Abel offered his best.  Faith adds up to a willingness to give your best to the Lord.

Oh, yeah, if you want to read a great post by Mark Batterson on “inverted Christianity” then go HERE.

Sunday Setlist #26

Here’s today’s set list of music at the Awakening Service at FCC.  This will be linked to Fred McKinnon’s blog where other worship bloggers post their setlists.  

Here’s what we did:

All the Earth Will Sing Your Praises

Mighty to Save

Indescribable

Message: Believing is Seeing  (click to access on line)

Draw Me Close

Because of Your Love

Random Thoughts on a Sunday Morning

When looking for good people to serve in any important capacity in the church, we look for FAT people.  Faithful, Available, Teachable people. 

At the same time, it’s important that even the leaders are “teachable.”  When a leader is out of touch with God and the people, he loses his teach-ability.

G.K. Chesterton said,

Anything done in our own strength will fail miserably or succeed even more miserably.

So I have to keep asking myself “How well am I connected to God and the people?”

Morning Leadership Thought

A leader must be so committed to a project that he is willing to do it with or without someone else.  David did not become king until after he took on Goliath alone.  Don’t ask someone else to do something you’re not willing to do.

Song Inspiration: “Bright Red Carpet” by All Star United

I remember seeing All Star United at Summer in the Son back in the late 90s when this was their staple song.  “Bright red carpet” is a metaphor for heaven, like the red carpet celebrities walk on as they enter an award’s ceremony.  I like it’s rocking groove, but what’s inspiring about it is that it always reminds me to think about which people in my life may not be on Heaven’s “bright red carpet” when I get there.  This song has led me to be more conscious of sharing my faith with those I love most and know best.  I was always disappointed in the video (below) because it really didn’t visualize the song at all.  Here’s the chorus:

Will you be there when they roll out
Bright red carpet?
Will I see you by my side?
Will you be there when we walk on
Bright red carpet?
Will I see you by my side?

Be a Voice, Not an Echo

Be a voice, not an echo.

To complete the road to success you have to follwo the roads marked “Value other people’s time” and “Communicate constantly.”  You must avoid the detour that heads to “Status quo.”

Where am I an echo?

Where am I a voice?

Dear Lord, Help me find my voice and use it for Your glory.  Amen.

Stupidest Exercise Machine Ever

Meet God’s Will

Faith is about taking action in the moment, trusting God to guide you–not waiting for miracles to arrive fully formed. 

God’s will for our lives is often revealed to us in retrospect.  We take action and then look back and see how everything came together…how this person crossing our paths led to this happening, and so forth.

God’s will for us is so immense and complex that it could never be revealed to us in an e-mail.  We must go out and meet it!