Andrew (my nine year old) and I were driving to church this past Sunday. It was pouring rain and he became very concerned about a flood. In those situations, he almost always recognizes, without my prompting, that it's time to pray - so he did.
When we arrived at church we discovered that part of our building was taking on some water. At that point Andrew got really scared that we really were going to have a flood. He started to panic a little more. So I asked him about his prayer and if when he asked God to protect us from the rain, did he really believe God would do that? He said he did. I pointed out that at that moment he was not acting like he believed God. He got the point.
My question for myself and for anyone reading is "Do you get the point?"
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Stop. Be Quiet. Make a Connection
This past Sunday in worship we talked about how to "Stop and Refuel" our spiritual lives. Six simple words, "Stop. Be quiet. Make a connection."
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
What I Learned This Week
Our church, working through several local agencies and faith-based groups, served some of the homeless in our county this week by providing shelter and meals for nine days. Here are some of the things I learned this week.
I learned...
...we have an awesome church who loves and cares for one another.
I learned...
...we have an awesome church who loves and cares for one another.
...God is teaching us to be a church that cares about those on the outside, especially "the least of these."
...when you let volunteers loose and they are passionate about what they are doing and allow God to guide them, you create an unstoppable force.
...from watching some of our volunteers that sleep is optional (way to go 4:00-8:00am shift.)
...that God has provided this church with some incredibly talented people and giving people.
...that some homeless really prefer that, while others are hard working people who are just victims of a broken world.
...that some in corporate America are willing to partner with churches to make a difference in our world.
...that because God loves everyone, so must I.
...that when people serve others out of true compassion and love that can only come from God in their lives, they are changed in significant ways and will never be the same again.
Thanks to 85+ volunteers who made HRW possible.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Opportunities To Serve
I have not blogged for a while. I've been travelling and have not had a regular Internet connection. My mom had surgery last week for breast cancer so I've been in NC with my family.
One of the things I teach and preach is that God can use us to serve His purposes no matter where we are or what we are going through. I am always looking for great examples of people living this out in their lives.
My mom gave me such an example this past week. The week before, when she found out she had breast cancer, a neighbor, who is new to their area and has no family, had to be hospitalized. My mom drove her to the hospital and stayed with her until she got settled. As mom was going back and forth to the hospital for her own tests each day, she would always stop and check on this woman who had no family and friends around.
The night before mom's surgery, a lot of her friends were calling to check on her. I passed through the kitchen and mom was on the phone. I assumed it was another friend calling to check on her. Then I noticed she was writing a note. It turns out she was taking a prayer request through her church's prayer chain. She hung up the phone and called the next person on the list to share the prayer need.
It just amazed me that here was someone going through a vary serious and scary time in their life and they were still serving God by serving others.
One of the things I teach and preach is that God can use us to serve His purposes no matter where we are or what we are going through. I am always looking for great examples of people living this out in their lives.
My mom gave me such an example this past week. The week before, when she found out she had breast cancer, a neighbor, who is new to their area and has no family, had to be hospitalized. My mom drove her to the hospital and stayed with her until she got settled. As mom was going back and forth to the hospital for her own tests each day, she would always stop and check on this woman who had no family and friends around.
The night before mom's surgery, a lot of her friends were calling to check on her. I passed through the kitchen and mom was on the phone. I assumed it was another friend calling to check on her. Then I noticed she was writing a note. It turns out she was taking a prayer request through her church's prayer chain. She hung up the phone and called the next person on the list to share the prayer need.
It just amazed me that here was someone going through a vary serious and scary time in their life and they were still serving God by serving others.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Inspirational
Someone Emailed me this video clip. It's truly inspirational.
http://video.stumbleupon.com/?s=ithct48cqw&i=ufcchmyxqsuj9vwsemax
Here is the full version: http://www.cmu.edu/homepage/multimedia/randy-pausch-lecture.shtml
http://video.stumbleupon.com/?s=ithct48cqw&i=ufcchmyxqsuj9vwsemax
Here is the full version: http://www.cmu.edu/homepage/multimedia/randy-pausch-lecture.shtml
Missed Opportunities
I believe in divine appointments; when God brings people together for a purpose. I also believe we usually miss more of those times than we get - missed opportunities to impact the kingdom of God. I think I may have had a divine appointment yesterday. Not sure if I missed it or not.
I was at the dentist for a check up. The dental hygienist immediately began to tell me part of her story. She first told me she was expecting a baby in 19 days. Then she told me how her mother, last week, was diagnosed with cancer and only given 9 months to live and her father had died of cancer two years ago. She did more talking than I did, mainly because my mouth was full.
My son Andrew was with me and was doing a great job of being patient and not messing with the equipment, too much. She commented on how well behaved he was and "what was my secret." I told here the secret was Ritalin, which started a whole new conversation about her 5 year old and some of the problems he was having in school that made her think of ADD. I gave her the ten minute brief on everything that I had learned from experience and research about ADD.
I left the conversation feeling glad that I was the kind of person that would let a stranger dump their story on them. And I believe that my listening was a good thing and probably left her in a better place.
But I wonder if I should have done or said more. I wonder if I was distracted by Andrew being with me and if I missed an opportunity to set an example of how to minister to someone in a more signaficant way?
The one great thing about missed opportunities is we can learn from them and move on to the next one.
I was at the dentist for a check up. The dental hygienist immediately began to tell me part of her story. She first told me she was expecting a baby in 19 days. Then she told me how her mother, last week, was diagnosed with cancer and only given 9 months to live and her father had died of cancer two years ago. She did more talking than I did, mainly because my mouth was full.
My son Andrew was with me and was doing a great job of being patient and not messing with the equipment, too much. She commented on how well behaved he was and "what was my secret." I told here the secret was Ritalin, which started a whole new conversation about her 5 year old and some of the problems he was having in school that made her think of ADD. I gave her the ten minute brief on everything that I had learned from experience and research about ADD.
I left the conversation feeling glad that I was the kind of person that would let a stranger dump their story on them. And I believe that my listening was a good thing and probably left her in a better place.
But I wonder if I should have done or said more. I wonder if I was distracted by Andrew being with me and if I missed an opportunity to set an example of how to minister to someone in a more signaficant way?
The one great thing about missed opportunities is we can learn from them and move on to the next one.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Difficult Days
This Sunday we will be talking about the 5th phase of a dream - The Difficulties Phase. A friend Emailed me some pictures to help put things in perspective. I thought I would share them.
-Enjoy
The bear was crossing the bridge and was scared by a car. He jumped over the ledge. Officials did not think there was anything they could do for it. When they returned the next morning they found the bear asleep under the bridge. That's when they went to work on getting him down.
-Enjoy
The bear was crossing the bridge and was scared by a car. He jumped over the ledge. Officials did not think there was anything they could do for it. When they returned the next morning they found the bear asleep under the bridge. That's when they went to work on getting him down.
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