Marcus Lynn’s adventures in life and ministry
Dear God, I want to make a signficant impact in people’s lives. Give me a heart that is genuinely concerned for people. Help me to build honest, strong relationships and show me opportunities where I can give of myself to better others. Amen.
What’s your prayer today?
I love baptizing people. Why? Because I get a front seat to their decision, their step of faith of declaring Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Last Sunday we had 2: Steve Stanley and Nikki Atkins. This Sunday I get the joy of baptizing Steve’s son, George, who first contacted me about his decision through this blog. Now that’s awesome!
Another thing that never gets old is Thanksgiving and Christmas. This Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent, that time of year where we prepare for the coming of the Christ-child. And we’re really kicking that off Sunday night with our Hanging of the Greens worship service at 5:30, with dinner immediately afterward. I hope to see you there!
I don’t know Randy Miller. I don’t the band “The Myriad.” But Los posted this video at his blog and so I thought I would put it up here too. It’s well done. More importantly, it’s a prayer request we all need to lift to God.
God, Thank You!
My family. I am blessed.
My wife of course is the lynchpin. Without her would anything get done? Would I feel loved? I would not be the pastor, husband, Christian, parent, friend that I am without her.
And then there are my kids. You have to know my kids to know how different they are from each other. Check out their halloween pictures below. My oldest is Reagan. Independent, strong-willed, intelligent, funny, athletic, competitive…is it any wonder then that she dressed up like a hippie chick? Then there’s Micah. A little more reserved. He’s book smart, literally. He reads like no 7 year old I know and retains the knowledge like someone with photographic memory. He memorized the United States on the map at age 5. He doesn’t need to be the center of attention but finds himself there because of his wit. That’s why he dressed up as Tom Sawyer, one of this favorite books. And last but certainly not least is Aidan. Aidan dressed up as a tornado. Need I say more? No, but I will. Aidan is energetic, outgoing, witty, and very “smart” physically. He can ride a 2 wheel bike at age 4 and just exudes stamina.
Incredible! I think I use that word too often. But that’s the first word in my mind as I try to describe the book I just finished. It wasn’t “thought-provoking” rather it was “thought-demanding.” What am I so excited about? The Shack by William P. Young.
Let me just say that the “buzz” on this book is huge. I had high expectations. 50 pages into it I was engrossed. After page 100 I was thinking “corny.” After 150, “brilliant.” After 200, I stopped thinking and let God talk to me through this book. I’m sure there will be some theological objections to this book but it is an allegory. Like C.S. Lewis’ The Great Divorce, this book is not about “theology” but about how God loves us and seeks to relate to us despite sin, tragedy, and our own brokenness.
I hope you’ll read this book too and let me know what you think. I read it again, but this time highlighting dialogues with God so that I could use it as a Wednesday night class study group. Let me know what you think. Don’t read if you want to avoid God.
How do we “manage stress” when we’re under pressure? Another favorite passage of mine is from Philippians 4. Read it for yourself:
Philippians 4:4-9
4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
1) Define Perspective
2) Be gentle
3) Trust God
4) Live ethically
More quotes from LeaderShift by Don Cousins. Any comments?
Participation in the work of the Kingdom is God’s will for every believer. Any believer who fails to participate is in direct disobedience to God. Further, anyone claiming to be a follower of Jesus, yet doesn’t desire to participate in His work, needs to do some soul-searching about the authenticity of his or her faith (85).
Here are the heresies in the church according to Cousins:
#1: God needs help. We do make a critical difference in accomplishing this work. But the key is this: God gives us this opportunity to be difference-makers for our blessing. God sends us for the joy of being sent. It’s not for His blessing that He calls us, for he is in need of nothing. Therefore, if we fail to cooperate with Him in being difference-makers, the loss is ours (86-88).
#2: God wants a payback. While thankfulness to God is good, payback is not. First of all, plain and simple, we can’t do it. Second, the concept of payback is self-serving and therefore offensive to God. In the spiritual realm there was a time when we were “debtors” in relationship to God. But with the payment of Jesus’ blood, and our acceptance of it, our debt was erased and marked “paid in full.” There’s no more payback (88-89).
So why DOES God call us to participate in the work of His Kingdom?
Biblical Truth 1: Our participation in the work of His Kingdom brings His blessings to and through our lives. God must always be seen as the benefactor. If we, in our serving, take on the role of benefactor and make God the beneficiary, we receive the glory for what’s accomplished (92-93).
Biblical Truth 2: God displays Himself through His blessings to us, thereby bringing glory to His name.
Any thoughts?
I love this. What do you think? C.S. Lewis said,
We are halfhearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mudpies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at sea. We are far too easily pleased.
Only God can ultimately “please” us through His grace, joy, peace, and joy that is beyond all understanding. Have you got it?
I finished the book “Experiencing LeaderShift” by Don Cousins a few weeks ago. Here are some quotes and thoughts. What do you think?
A true leader is not someone who can do the work of 10 people, but someone who can organize 10 people to do the work. If you hold a leadership position but are not equipping the saints for the work of service, then you are not a leader (35).
How do you know whether you’re being successful? How do you measure the success of your ministry? (59)
Success is important…but we need to measure it in a way that is in line with God’s view of success. For instance, most churches measure their success with the ABCs. Attendance numbers, Buildings, and Cash. If a lot of people go to the church, the property is expanding, and there’s plenty of money for ministry, then they are a success. While being aware of numbers is valuable, focusing on them will bring dangers like these: PRIDE, DISCOURAGEMENT, FRUSTRATION, DRIVENNESS, COMPROMISE, COMPARISON, and SPIRITUAL PRESUMPTION (62-67).
Defining success with numbers is harmful because it appeals more to the flesh than to the Spirit. It fuels pride in some, while bringing discouragement to others. So how can you know if your ministry is a success in God’s eyes? (69)
Question 1: Are You Being Faithful? Do you know your gifts? Are you using them?
Question 2: Are You Bearing Fruit? How are you doing when it comes to love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control?
Question 3: Are You Fulfilled? Are you experiencing JOY in ministry?
Question 4: Are You Making God Famous?
To DESIRE to be in a place of great significance and responsibility is selfish and carnal, WE THINK, so we stay away from promotions or things that might “elevate us.” But in saying “no” to becoming a College Professor, University President, Business Executive, Film-maker, Artist, Governor, or any position in which you can fashion and frame the minds of the public, we lose the opportunity to have a Christian influence in strategic positions.
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