Thursday, July 26, 2012
JUST SAYIN'
Took my bride, Lindy's 6 month old miniature wire haired dachshund puppy to the vet early this am for the purpose of losing his manhood. I've got to admit, especially not being a "small dog" person, I've grown quite attached to Soloman. He's fun, loveable, unafraid to mix it up, mischievous in a good way, and absolutely cracks me up.
Lindy loves it because now he can sleep with her in the bed (don't really like that) and is already pushing for a "companion" for him. Not there yet. Anyway, I'm kind of hurtin' for the little guy today and eager to pick him up later this afternoon.
Got to thinking about that a minute ago and felt a real sense of loss. Not for Soloman, he's gonna' be just fine. But, for the men of America. Where has our "manhood" gone? I'm convinced we've all lost, at least some of what God originally designed us to be. Deceived by things like lust, greed, anger, self fulfillment, and envy we've traded away our purpose for stupid.
Truth says, "Be not conformed, wrapped up in, the same as this world." (see Romans 12:1-2). For every man out there, God never wired us to just blend in. No sir. We're to be DIFFERENT. And when we choose to walk that path, you know what happens? We get our manhood back. And, in most cases, our marriage, family, and Godly destiny too.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
BRAND NEW
It's early morning on January 1, 2011. This is a brand new year...brand new day...brand new opportunity to do something different...to make something special out of the rest of my life. What choices will I make today?
"You're the God of my days, King of my nights, Lord of my laughter, sovereign in sorrow. You're the Prince of my praise, Love of my life. You never leave me, you are faithful, God of my days." (God Of My Days - Gateway Worship - Wake Up The World)
With the beginning of 2011, more than ever before, people are looking for meaning, for relevance and purpose in their lives. That's why The Gathering exists...that's why God started this church. This weekend we kick off a brand new year with some simple applications and a great tool for making the most out of 2011.
No matter what challenges people are facing, when they walk through the doors of The Gathering, we want them to know that, with Christ, they can transcend and transform into something brand new...something forever!
See you there!
"You're the God of my days, King of my nights, Lord of my laughter, sovereign in sorrow. You're the Prince of my praise, Love of my life. You never leave me, you are faithful, God of my days." (God Of My Days - Gateway Worship - Wake Up The World)
With the beginning of 2011, more than ever before, people are looking for meaning, for relevance and purpose in their lives. That's why The Gathering exists...that's why God started this church. This weekend we kick off a brand new year with some simple applications and a great tool for making the most out of 2011.
No matter what challenges people are facing, when they walk through the doors of The Gathering, we want them to know that, with Christ, they can transcend and transform into something brand new...something forever!
See you there!
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Whacked
Went shopping with Lindy yesterday...shopping isn't all that bad if you choose to be very intentional about your attitude. Pretending you've got a whole lot of money to spend just on yourself helps that a lot!! Anyway, it was Friday in Tallahassee...lots of people...lots of traffic...one GOOD thing...we got to hit Starbucks twice!
It was kind of cool to just observe all the people...all kinds...everywhere. I couldn't help but see something most of them were missing...hope. There just wasn't any joy, any contentment, any real positive anticipation in their eyes.
It's gotta' be a focus thing. So many of us are depending on our leaders to get the country right...which, in our minds, will make everything else right, translated, "it's the economy stupid", really translated it's all about increasing personal income. The problem is, our government is just plain whacked right now. Must of been the same deal for Isaiah when he wrote...
"For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called; Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and it's peace will...never end." Is. 9:6,7
That's translated HOPE. Can you imagine our government "resting" on the shoulders of Jesus? That's PEACE. Isaiah was definitely writing in a prophetic mode but now, Jesus has come...will come again...and, you, me, all of us have the amazing opportunity to choose to "rest" on the shoulders of Jesus.
Christmas is a great time to, not only remember that, put apply that. And just think, if enough of us choose to do it, just maybe...our government will too!
It was kind of cool to just observe all the people...all kinds...everywhere. I couldn't help but see something most of them were missing...hope. There just wasn't any joy, any contentment, any real positive anticipation in their eyes.
It's gotta' be a focus thing. So many of us are depending on our leaders to get the country right...which, in our minds, will make everything else right, translated, "it's the economy stupid", really translated it's all about increasing personal income. The problem is, our government is just plain whacked right now. Must of been the same deal for Isaiah when he wrote...
"For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called; Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and it's peace will...never end." Is. 9:6,7
That's translated HOPE. Can you imagine our government "resting" on the shoulders of Jesus? That's PEACE. Isaiah was definitely writing in a prophetic mode but now, Jesus has come...will come again...and, you, me, all of us have the amazing opportunity to choose to "rest" on the shoulders of Jesus.
Christmas is a great time to, not only remember that, put apply that. And just think, if enough of us choose to do it, just maybe...our government will too!
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Fresh Start
Was reading in Psalm 51 this AM...amazing heart song from David after he made the worst choice of his life...having an affair with Bathsheba. Here's how the Message paraphrased a very familiar passage.
"God, make a fresh start in me. Shape a Genesis week out from the chaos of my life." (vs. 10)
So perfect for David...so relevant for me. To know that every day I can ask my heavenly Father to create something new, something right...to experience a new beginning out of all the stagnant stuff that I've created. Don't know about anybody else, but that gives me hope and continually brings me back to where I need to be.
Relationship...that's what He's after...that's what's best...that's what brings us the greater joy in life.
"God, make a fresh start in me. Shape a Genesis week out from the chaos of my life." (vs. 10)
So perfect for David...so relevant for me. To know that every day I can ask my heavenly Father to create something new, something right...to experience a new beginning out of all the stagnant stuff that I've created. Don't know about anybody else, but that gives me hope and continually brings me back to where I need to be.
Relationship...that's what He's after...that's what's best...that's what brings us the greater joy in life.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
See It Coming
WOW..WOW...WOW! How in the world can you really explain it!! 36 families chose to "vote early" and give their ALL IN Dream220 commitments last week. 36 families have committed, over a 3 year period, to give "over and above" their regular giving, $462,448.48!!!!! No way do you put that on paper and explain it...we're only three years old. Amazing! There's only one explanation...it's God.
The thing that's messin' with me the most is that these people didn't give to a "building" or even, a project. They gave to a vision...a dream...God's dream for this church and this community. I just can't imagine all that God's gonna' do with a group of people who choose to give him their heart! But, we are gonna' find out...because that's exactly what's happening right in front of our eyes!
This weekend is COMMITMENT WEEKEND. God just wants my heart...he is drawing us to himself for the purposes of revealing himself to a lost and dying world. It's happening...he is doing a miracle. "Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this." Psalm 37:5
"Father, continue to open the eyes of our hearts...let us see your hope...your plan...your purpose. Open our eyes and let us see the fullness of your riches...you own it all...you are one very generous God! And, Father, don't hold back...open up our eyes, our hearts, our minds, our spirits, not only to see, but to fully embrace and walk in your incomparable, unlimited, and immeasurable power."
The thing that's messin' with me the most is that these people didn't give to a "building" or even, a project. They gave to a vision...a dream...God's dream for this church and this community. I just can't imagine all that God's gonna' do with a group of people who choose to give him their heart! But, we are gonna' find out...because that's exactly what's happening right in front of our eyes!
This weekend is COMMITMENT WEEKEND. God just wants my heart...he is drawing us to himself for the purposes of revealing himself to a lost and dying world. It's happening...he is doing a miracle. "Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this." Psalm 37:5
"Father, continue to open the eyes of our hearts...let us see your hope...your plan...your purpose. Open our eyes and let us see the fullness of your riches...you own it all...you are one very generous God! And, Father, don't hold back...open up our eyes, our hearts, our minds, our spirits, not only to see, but to fully embrace and walk in your incomparable, unlimited, and immeasurable power."
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Amazing Weekend
Last weekend was so incredible! 390 people jammed into 1520 E. Jackson St...the band was absolutely "on"...God's presence...Jesus. Enough said. I'm hearing stories from many about what God is already doing in their lives through ALL IN Dream2:20. One of those is from a young couple with their own business working a whole lot of hours. Listening to it inspired me and convicted me to do more. All that Jesus has done for me...there will never be any way to measure that. Be sure to listen to their story...it will only take a few minutes.
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