Fanatic - The Series

We started a new series at church this past weekend and as Pastor Joe has shared on his blog, there was great feedback.  The series?  [Fanatic].  The topic?  Worship. 

What was shared from the stage was directed at everyone.  No one has special exclusivity to a message such as this.  Why you ask?  Because everyone worships something.  In your list of your life’s priorities, something or someone rests in that number one position.  What occupies that position is in your life is simply up to you.  You have to choose (dang that free will).

Highlights from the message…

• “There is a war for your worship.”
• Exodus 20:3-5
• “When we worship something other than God, we are ultimately being selfish.”
• “You were created for worship.”
• Romans 12:1
• Exodus 23:25
• “Worship is something we will do forever.”
• “Has any of the other “things” in your life done for you what God has?”

I can think of several areas of my life that dominated and dictated my actions from that top spot of worship.  A couple of them have been 1) my wife and 2) my career.  Early on in our relationship and even at times in our marriage, my wife was my object of worship.  I have to be honest with myself on that one.  Secondly, my career and mainly the “success” from it were a huge priority for me after college.

What is or has been a heavy contender for worship in your life?

Using Technology For Ministry

What I’m talking about here is more on a personal level and not necessarily about the technology integrated into Sunday morning worship service.

I’m taking steps to utilize technology to improve the efficiency of ministry.  A couple of quick examples…

• The calendar function on my PDA.  Without this little guy, I absolutely could not stay organized.  I’m tracking appointments for church events, work events, when I’m out of town, when Julie’s out of town, etc.  It is essential.
• www.biblegateway.com.  Holy smokes!  I have absolutely worn this site out this year.  An accessible bible resource from ANYWHERE with my phone or computer.
• Google Docs.  Studying the bible with a couple of brothers from church and we’re sharing our thoughts, reflections, etc. though this common link on the web.  Got this idea from Tim Stevens.
• Email.  Recently started utilizing email for daily encouragment/discipleship with a friend.

I remember years ago hearing an elderly woman from my family say something to the effect of “all this internet stuff is just the work of the devil.”  Well, in this case and in many others, I know for a fact that God is using technology for expanding His Kingdom.

How are you using technology to your advantage in ministry?

About The UC…Just In Case You Didn’t Know

I recently heard some interesting comments that some visiting the UC might have said.  I’m not sure if they’re true, however I do want to clear the table and share this horrible truth about some people at our church.

WE WEAR SNEAKERS TO WORSHIP!  (GASP!)

SOME EVEN WEAR FLIP FLOPS!!!  (OH NO!)

Coupled with that, there is one more detestable trait that many members and attenders have in common…

WE WEAR BLUE JEANS AND TEE SHIRTS!  (GULP!)

Many of you may know that we are a portable church meeting at the local YMCA.  Occasionally we have a Y member show up early to work out not knowing it is closed.  As always, we invite them to stay if they would like to join the worship service…

EVEN THOUGH THEY’RE WEARING SHORTS!  (AHHHHH!)

God, forgive us for being a church who tries to teach people to worship with their hearts and not their wardrobes.  Forgive us for not understanding that there is a distinct dress code in the New Testament (obviously not in the OT because it is duly noted that King David danced naked at one point).  We repent and will turn away everyone from hearing God’s word and the Gospel of Jesus Christ if they don’t meet this criteria.  Lord, we are truly sorry.

Revelation 22:17  The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.

Viva La Vida

Coldplay’s new CD is pretty good.  I’m not like a crazy fanatic or anything but I picked it up yesterday at lunch.

My favorite song is actually the lead track, Life in Technicolor.  It’s instrumental, rich in sound and it’s building, driving melody resonates within me.  This is the kind of music I like to listen to.  Words can simply mess up a song sometimes.

Other than that, I give the entire CD eight thumbs up out of ten.

“Knowing” and “Doing”

One of my most favorite quotes of all time…

“I’m educated far beyond my level of obedience.”

I don’t know who wrote it, but this statement was seared into me the moment I read it.  This statement is a different perspective of James 2:14-26.  I’ve read more books, more scripture, listened to more sermons, gone to more conferences than I have ever actually applied to real life.  I’ve realized that it’s so easy to have a “know” kind of faith but a completely different story when it comes to “doing”.  I’ve been a professed believer now for over 18 years and I’m sometimes ashamed at how little I’ve allowed God to use me over this time.  Think about it this way…if your not gonna use it, then why take the time to learn it? 

Obedience is something I understand more of these days.  The hard part is this…obedience requires action, a choice.  Obedience is probably the most difficult part of being a christian.  Obedience sometimes requires perseverance.  Obedience requires you to make choices that may not be in your best for your schedule or finances, but its a prerequisite to operating within God’s will.

Jesus, the pinnacle of obedience, is our example.  So ask yourself…

• Do I worship God like Jesus?
• Do I love others like Jesus?
• Do I serve like Jesus?
• Do I pray like Jesus?
• Do I resist temptation like Jesus?
• Am I humble like Jesus?

If you answer yes to all these, then totally disregard this post.  You must be Jesus!  If not, I encourage you to focus on obedience and think about these six questions as often as possible.  It’s sobering.  I’m afraid many of our churches and their believers are more about “knowing” and less about “doing” these days.

If you “know”, then go and “do”.

Sunday Unwind

Today was an absolute blur.  I can’t believe its almost nine o’clock and we’re about to put Jacob down for the day.  Here are just a few lines to recap the day…

• Woke up at 4:30 am to pouring rain outside.  This tends to make set up interesting considering our equipment is stored outside the YMCA.
• Hard to wake up considering the 4+ hours of paddling the Harpeth River yesterday.  Muscles were frozen.
• Strong set up crew this morning.
• Our Y employee didn’t show up on time to let us in which was a bummer and it put us behind.
• We set off their alarm to get back at them (really, we did, but not on purpose ).
• Joe and Pam on a well deserved vacation this week so the rest of us picked up their slack.  Missed you guys.
• Good crowd today despite the weather.
• Good worship today despite Nick leading.
• Message from Gary Lamb (Revolution Church, Canton, GA) this morning in Joe’s absence.  Not a bad guy to have fill in if I really have to be honest.
• Great to see friends I’ve been missing for a while now.
• Thank you to all the volunteers today.  Great job!  You make the gears turn in this church and it does not go unnoticed.
• Lunch with some top notch UC families.
• No nap this afternoon.
• We did make up for the lost sleep tonight by eating some Baskin Robbins.  This makes sense in my world so cut me some slack.

One thing I’m left with to focus on for the week is this - being a “status quo” christian is not what I was called to be.  A “status quo” church is not what God called the UC into existence to be.  We are not called to be predictable, simply going through the motions each week.  We must not be lulled into a state of laziness and comfortability and forget our purpose as a church!  We must continue to focus more on who we’re ministering on behalf of and who we’re ministering to.

That’s it from me…it’s bedtime.  Later on peeps.

New iPhone Release

Well, it’s Christmas in July for you iPhone iFreaks.

Can’t wait to see/hear any stories about how sales went for the day. 

Honestly, the craze surrounding this product simply amazes me.  Maybe one day I’ll think about getting one.  The problem is that I don’t fully utilize my Palm Treo enough to upgrade just quite yet.

Anyone want to share their experience?  (i.e. How long in line, wet your pants with excitement, get in a scuffle with a line jumper, etc.)

Let’s Go Paddle!

The Harpeth River west of Nashville, TN is one of the best to canoe and fish in our area.  We’re going this weekend and hope you can join us.

When and where:  Saturday, July 12, 2008 @ 9am - Tip A Canoe on Hwy 70 west of Nashville

What to bring:  Your lunch, sunscreen, shoes that can get wet, $20 (per canoe, split with a partner) to cover cost and tax.

Canoeing is one of my favorite hobbies of all time.  It ranks right up there with fishing, hiking, and camping. 

What are some hobbies you enjoy in the summer?

The New Living Room

As I promised, here is a sample of what my wife and I did over the weekend.  This is the toughest painting project I have tackled yet.  We still have some wall decorations to gather as well as getting the correct components for our sectional couch (long story).

I am so thankful for a wife with a creative mind and great work ethic.

Shorten the Pause

There was much to celebrate in the conclusion of the yesterday’s service.  However, I’m left with this lodged in my memory from Joe’s message…

Incredible opportunities require immediate obedience.

This statement could easily have so many different meanings to all of us.  Yesterday, it was directed mainly toward the process/decision of baptism.  However, this statement is much deeper than a single event.  If you reflect on God’s plan for you as an individual in connection with the above statement, a whole new series of doors open up.

I think about my life and relationship with Christ and what disappoints me most is the opportunities I’ve missed/passed on for reasons rooted mainly in pride, selfishness, doubt, immaturity, etc.  So when I compare myself to many shown in the bible, I’m inspired to not only strive for a constant attitude of obedience, but to also respond quickly with that attitude. 

When God calls us to do something outside of our realm of comfort, we typically pause.  That pause occurs between the time that God is finished and when you decide to commit.  The pause does not occur prior to our response, it is our response.  I think a direct correlation can be made between the length of that pause and the greatness of our faith.

So today I challenge you to strive to increase your faith in God.  Shorten the pause.  With Christ, obedience isn’t just a decision, it’s a mindset…a way of life.