Our worship team sang this song and few weeks ago and every since that day, it's all I can think about.
Take a moment and just watch and listen to this video. I promise you that this will be the most powerful 8:52 of your day!
http://tinyurl.com/5qxkkb
Friday, March 26, 2010
Friday, March 19, 2010
Something to think about!
Yesterday my friend Nathan, who is also a missionary, posted the following quote for his facebook status:
"God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supply." - Missionary Hudson Taylor
Yesterday as I was preparing for my day, I was praying about somethings that are happening in my world. I remember saying something like, "What's up God I haven't heard from You in a couple of days. I am frustrated and confused."
To catch you up, for the last week everyday, God has been confirming something in my life. Everyday! It would be through a scripture, someone's story, just many different things were used to confirm what I felt God leading in my world. Thus the reason for yesterday's prayer/question.
Moments after praying this, I turned on my Blackberry and was clearing messages when a facebook message popped up. As it was loading I caught a glimpse of Nathan's post. As I read the Hudson Taylor quote I again found myself saying, "Thanks God I got it!"
Let me type that quote again,
"God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supply." - Missionary Hudson Taylor
Now that's a thought to think about!
"God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supply." - Missionary Hudson Taylor
Yesterday as I was preparing for my day, I was praying about somethings that are happening in my world. I remember saying something like, "What's up God I haven't heard from You in a couple of days. I am frustrated and confused."
To catch you up, for the last week everyday, God has been confirming something in my life. Everyday! It would be through a scripture, someone's story, just many different things were used to confirm what I felt God leading in my world. Thus the reason for yesterday's prayer/question.
Moments after praying this, I turned on my Blackberry and was clearing messages when a facebook message popped up. As it was loading I caught a glimpse of Nathan's post. As I read the Hudson Taylor quote I again found myself saying, "Thanks God I got it!"
Let me type that quote again,
"God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supply." - Missionary Hudson Taylor
Now that's a thought to think about!
Monday, March 15, 2010
Steering Through Chaos
Today I am reviewing Scott Wilson's new book, Steering Through Chaos. Scott Wilson has written an incredible book that every church leader should read. He uses his own experiences to help teach principles that are vital to navigating through transitions and changes that come at different seasons in every ministry.Back in October of 2009, I went to Red Oak and spent the day with Pastor Scott. He is an incredibly talented and anointed leader. Many of the principles he covers in Steering Through Chaos are prinicples that he shared with me that day. At the end of the day, I was somewhat overwhlemed but very encouraged and eager to read his new book.
This book is an incredible tool that I have purchased for my team. I have read every page, marking each principle and idea that personally challenged me. Reading Steering Through Chaos helped me realize
the season of change and transition that is affecting my own church.
Scott Wilson "hit the nail on the head" with Steering Through Chaos. I loved this book. It is not a book written to tell you how to be like Scott Wilson. It is a book written by a man accomplishing God's dream for his life, and sharing the principles he learned along the way.
I highly recommend this book to every church and ministry leader. Even if you're not a top level leader, you should read this book. Steering Through Chaos ignites passion and vision in your life and ministry.
http://www.youtube.com/user/ChurchZondervan?feature=mhw4#p/u/5/sBd2FUsAtw0
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Still Listening!
Recently God has been challenging me with somethings. Right now I can't sharee specifics, but a couple of people close to me told me I need to write everything down that God is saying, the challenges and what is happening as a result.
So today I decided to look back at what started me on this journey.
Before I begin though, in a conversation today I told someone that I felt like I was at the beginning of a great story. I feel like I am living out the introduction and the story is yet to be written. And everything within me tells me it is going to be an amazing story.
I know this is kind of cryptic, but the journey I'm on started with this video clip of Pastor Perry Noble.
Watch Perry Noble // Catalyst West '09 on Vimeo! http://vimeo.com/9304430
As Perry talked about "God doing great things through Noah" God began to stir in me that He also wanted to do great things through me and I needed to "pick up the hammer!"
That was Feb. 11, 2010. Since then I've been listening to and waiting on God. Today I am amazed at the opportunities that stand before me and all I have to go on is trust in God.
I cannot tell you specifically what I am feeling, partly because I'm not really sure. But I know God is up to something and I am thrilled to be a part of what God is doing.
Several years ago I learned that our prayers should not be, "God bless what I am doing", instead we should pray, "God let me be a part of what you are blessing". Every since I learned this principle and changed the way I pray, it has been incredible to watch as God works and let's me be involved.
I titled this post "Still listening" because that is what I am doing. Still listening, with the hammer in my hand, waiting for God to tell me what to do next.
Years ago there was a song by Steven Curtis Chapman that said something like "there's no better place on earth than the road that leads to heaven". I can honestly say, there is no better place to be than listening and waiting for God's directions as He accomplishes His dream for your life. As you wait and listen you begin to realize that you have the privilege of being a part of an epic story! God's story of your life!
So today I decided to look back at what started me on this journey.
Before I begin though, in a conversation today I told someone that I felt like I was at the beginning of a great story. I feel like I am living out the introduction and the story is yet to be written. And everything within me tells me it is going to be an amazing story.
I know this is kind of cryptic, but the journey I'm on started with this video clip of Pastor Perry Noble.
Watch Perry Noble // Catalyst West '09 on Vimeo! http://vimeo.com/9304430
As Perry talked about "God doing great things through Noah" God began to stir in me that He also wanted to do great things through me and I needed to "pick up the hammer!"
That was Feb. 11, 2010. Since then I've been listening to and waiting on God. Today I am amazed at the opportunities that stand before me and all I have to go on is trust in God.
I cannot tell you specifically what I am feeling, partly because I'm not really sure. But I know God is up to something and I am thrilled to be a part of what God is doing.
Several years ago I learned that our prayers should not be, "God bless what I am doing", instead we should pray, "God let me be a part of what you are blessing". Every since I learned this principle and changed the way I pray, it has been incredible to watch as God works and let's me be involved.
I titled this post "Still listening" because that is what I am doing. Still listening, with the hammer in my hand, waiting for God to tell me what to do next.
Years ago there was a song by Steven Curtis Chapman that said something like "there's no better place on earth than the road that leads to heaven". I can honestly say, there is no better place to be than listening and waiting for God's directions as He accomplishes His dream for your life. As you wait and listen you begin to realize that you have the privilege of being a part of an epic story! God's story of your life!
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Are you listening?
God is doing amazing things. I know that is a hugely profound statement!
But hang on, really, the past few weeks I have been amazed to watch as God works all around me, even in and through me.
I'm reading Scott Wilson's book Steering Through Chaos (I'll be posting my review of this book on this blog next week!) and in one chapter he mentions that we need to "PLOW - pray, listen, obey, and God will send us the wow factor or answered prayer."
Now I already kenw this, but experiencing the things God has been saying to me and reading Pastor Scott's book and helped me amp up my desire to hear from God.
A few weeks ago I was praying about something, during my prayer time my Blackberry began buzzing due to an incoming e-mail. I usually ignore this during my prayer time, but on this day, for some reason I picked up my Blackberry and the e-mail instantly opened. What I read amazed me. It was another pastor's blog that I often read. He started his blog by saying, "These verse recently jumped of the page at me..." so I grabbed the nearest Bible and turned to the passage. It was like God was speaking directly to me. I had to read it again to make sure, and yep, these verses were a direct confirmation to what I was feeling and praying about AT THAT VERY MOMENT!
So guess what? Now I am making sure that I PLOW (pray, listen, obey, and wait for the wow) everyday. and I can honestly tell you that God talks, impresses, confirms something every time I am expecting to hear from Him.
So I guess my question for you today is.... Are you listening?
As I was writing this post I am listening to a Mercy Me song called "Word of God Speak". Kind of seemed appropriate! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JK_6osCH74
He's speaking, are you listening?
But hang on, really, the past few weeks I have been amazed to watch as God works all around me, even in and through me.
I'm reading Scott Wilson's book Steering Through Chaos (I'll be posting my review of this book on this blog next week!) and in one chapter he mentions that we need to "PLOW - pray, listen, obey, and God will send us the wow factor or answered prayer."
Now I already kenw this, but experiencing the things God has been saying to me and reading Pastor Scott's book and helped me amp up my desire to hear from God.
A few weeks ago I was praying about something, during my prayer time my Blackberry began buzzing due to an incoming e-mail. I usually ignore this during my prayer time, but on this day, for some reason I picked up my Blackberry and the e-mail instantly opened. What I read amazed me. It was another pastor's blog that I often read. He started his blog by saying, "These verse recently jumped of the page at me..." so I grabbed the nearest Bible and turned to the passage. It was like God was speaking directly to me. I had to read it again to make sure, and yep, these verses were a direct confirmation to what I was feeling and praying about AT THAT VERY MOMENT!
So guess what? Now I am making sure that I PLOW (pray, listen, obey, and wait for the wow) everyday. and I can honestly tell you that God talks, impresses, confirms something every time I am expecting to hear from Him.
So I guess my question for you today is.... Are you listening?
As I was writing this post I am listening to a Mercy Me song called "Word of God Speak". Kind of seemed appropriate! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JK_6osCH74
He's speaking, are you listening?
Friday, February 26, 2010
A Call to Action
Today I want to share Perry Noble's blog post (http://www.perrynoble.com/). I have been praying about some things and this weeks many times God has used others to confirm what He is telling me. This post by Perry Noble is kind of like the icing on the cake for me.
I hope it challenges you too!
A Call To Action
Posted: 26 Feb 2010 04:56 AM PST
Deuteronomy 1:7-8 jumped out at me the other morning…as I had this thought…
God has NEVER led anyone to the point of indecision…it’s NOT that we don’t know what to do most of the time…but rather we know EXACTLY what to do, but in order to obey it will cause us to break out of our comfortable routine and actually put forth some effort.
God had promised the Israelites the land they were going into…He had spent years preparing them for the takeover…but when it came time to make things happen He didn’t tell them “Sit here while I go do it all,” but rather, “Break camp and advance…”
Translation…
“Break camp…” – Get out of your place of comfort.
“Advance” – In other words…DON’T try to keep things the way they are…there are MUCH better things in store.
I love how God doesn’t call His followers to be passive…to sit back and do nothing. We serve a living and active God…which means if we seek to imitate Him then the same should be said of us.
So…any decision that you’ve been putting off that you KNOW He’s clearly spoken about?
“Break camp and advance…”
I hope it challenges you too!
A Call To Action
Posted: 26 Feb 2010 04:56 AM PST
Deuteronomy 1:7-8 jumped out at me the other morning…as I had this thought…
God has NEVER led anyone to the point of indecision…it’s NOT that we don’t know what to do most of the time…but rather we know EXACTLY what to do, but in order to obey it will cause us to break out of our comfortable routine and actually put forth some effort.
God had promised the Israelites the land they were going into…He had spent years preparing them for the takeover…but when it came time to make things happen He didn’t tell them “Sit here while I go do it all,” but rather, “Break camp and advance…”
Translation…
“Break camp…” – Get out of your place of comfort.
“Advance” – In other words…DON’T try to keep things the way they are…there are MUCH better things in store.
I love how God doesn’t call His followers to be passive…to sit back and do nothing. We serve a living and active God…which means if we seek to imitate Him then the same should be said of us.
So…any decision that you’ve been putting off that you KNOW He’s clearly spoken about?
“Break camp and advance…”
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Be Still.
It's been a really busy week. Sunday's are crazy but this past Sunday after doing two servics, we also had a board meeting and a workday for our upcoming Easter Eggstravaganza.
Then Monday started by running back and forth between two hospitals to be with families and check on two people having surgery at the same time. Then Tuesday was anbother busy day filled with a ministers meeting and hospital visits.
All of a sudden it is Thursday afternoon. I find myself sitting at my computer wondering where the week went and how will I get everything done that needs to be done for Sunday?
In the midst of my busyness, I began to think about Psalms 46:10 which says, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
Be still, he says. Do you ever think,"if only I could be still, that would be nice." Even in the midst of our busyness and accomplishing this and that, we must make tim to be stil and know God. Many times we rob ourselves by being "too busy to be still".
Why not try it right now. Just stop for a minute. Take a deep breath. And just say "God I'm listening, speak to me."
We could learn a lot by learning to take time each day to be still. How much do we miss because we're too busy? How much less stressed out would we be if we just took a moment to "be still"? As we make time for God, He is exalted. He wants to be the focus of our lives, and to focus you have to be still!
Let's stop the ride and focus for a moment. Be still and know He is God.
Then Monday started by running back and forth between two hospitals to be with families and check on two people having surgery at the same time. Then Tuesday was anbother busy day filled with a ministers meeting and hospital visits.
All of a sudden it is Thursday afternoon. I find myself sitting at my computer wondering where the week went and how will I get everything done that needs to be done for Sunday?
In the midst of my busyness, I began to think about Psalms 46:10 which says, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
Be still, he says. Do you ever think,"if only I could be still, that would be nice." Even in the midst of our busyness and accomplishing this and that, we must make tim to be stil and know God. Many times we rob ourselves by being "too busy to be still".
Why not try it right now. Just stop for a minute. Take a deep breath. And just say "God I'm listening, speak to me."
We could learn a lot by learning to take time each day to be still. How much do we miss because we're too busy? How much less stressed out would we be if we just took a moment to "be still"? As we make time for God, He is exalted. He wants to be the focus of our lives, and to focus you have to be still!
Let's stop the ride and focus for a moment. Be still and know He is God.
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