Archive for August, 2008
Last night was our opening night for “GROWING DEEPER” discipleship at GraceView. Supper with marinated chicken strips and Pam’s chocolate cake was a great way to lead into our first fall season classes! This Fall- Men are studying a course by Men’s Fraternity called “Winning At Work and Home”. Women are doing one of Beth Moore’s Studies called The Patriarch. New people last night too! Increasing numbers in both Student Ministry and Children’s Ministry!We’re off to a fruitful year already. This Pastor is pumped and greatful for a congregation that is willing to invest themselves in “Growing Deeper” to the Heart of God!
In the pit -feel like your locked in and can’t get out ? David of Psalm 30 was there. And-he of all people was known for being close to the heart of God. In 30:5 he says “… but His favor last for a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” Dear saint of God -and that you are if you have been washed by His blood—you are highly favored by the the Lord. You mean His life to him. So–in the pit–quit singing the blues and sing what David sang in 30:11-”You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent.” Give God today and He will make it all come to pass! 
Pam and I have taken some time to watch the Olympics the last few days. I think the thing I love most about the Olympics is the surge of energy you witness by the competitors to compete hard and go for the win. Puts many Christians to shame. Remember Paul admonishing us to go for the goal-to win the prize? I ran across an interesting observation about the swimmers in the Olympics. After completing a dive, competitors swim to a ladder, climb out of the pool and head immediately to a bank of showers that sit adjacent to the diving boards. Oftentimes, the divers will receive their scores while still showering off. What’s the purpose of this? I would have thought to wash the chlorine off their bodies. The fact is Divers shower in between each dive to keep their muscles warm after getting out of the pool. The temperature of the pool water and the air are usually different (the pool is usually around 80 degrees, with the air temperature between 68 and 72 degrees). This difference can cause muscle tightness. To combat this, divers warm up in either the showers or a hot tub. Wonder what it would be like if in our daily run -our daily game -we went to the showers of the Word to refresh us and to keep us from becoming stiff with the worlds influence and and drain on our spiritual immune systems. Guess that is why the New Testament is constantly encouraging us to be in the Spring everyday. Are you ?
This morning I woke up thanking God for the leadership we have in our church. We had a meeting last night that impressed me with the discernment and resolve of our leaders in following God’s direction and biblical mandates for our church. I am convinced they are “watchmen on the wall” along side their pastor and staff to protect our church from falling prey to every whim or lattest fad being sold among leading evangelical churches today in the name of “attracting people to Christ.” While we practice a more contemporary style of worship, we do not throw biblical excellence out the window in order to be as much like the world in order to help God find and save His lost people. It is astounding how many sheep have been gullible and who have followed shepherds who are immature in the pulpit and lacking discernment when it comes to discipleship and following the great commission to it’s intended mandate. We choose to let God be God and practice I Corinthians 10:31 in such a way as to glorify God and not glorify the lust of the flesh in our public services or in any programs we believe God would have us do to produce Christ followers. These leaders are those who will continue serving the Lord and allowing Him to produce disciples who are fit for works of service and kingdom fruit.
Last night several adults met together at GraceView to do a “prayer walk” around our facilities, praying for the various ministries that will be kicking off on the 20th. People prayed at our Children’s center, our Student Center on 28, in our fellowship hall, our worship center, the front lawn and front door area, and even focused on the baptistry, asking God for souls! I know most of the people at GraceView believe God will continue doing some awesome things . I want us to have “faith that moves mountains” and an attitude of expectancy for the supernatural flow of God’s blessing and favor on what we do as a church this year. Last 2
Believe it or not–you days on this earth are ordered and numbered by the Lord. He knew when you were born–created you in fact, and he knows the very day-hour-and minute -hospital or not-when you will leave this earth for your eternal destiny. A close aunt of mine experienced a brain tumor just 3 days ago. The doctors told the family she would not live but a few hours. We were making our plans to be there for the funeral, and I was planning to miss tomorrow’s service to be there in time for the funeral. As of 9 pm Saturday night, she is still living. The family was told she was completely brain dead and would never respond. She is now responding to family. The hours ahead are uncertain for her, but there is no doupt her days are numbered and ordered by the Lord. She is a strong believer and God must not be through with her mission yet. So rest child of God in the secure embrace of your Father Who loves you–Who dies for you- and will come again for you at his appointed time for your exit from this earth. Are you ready ?
