You Lost Me…A Boook about the younger generation

Here is a quote from a book I am reading and it made me go WOW!..

“When it comes to young Catholics’ and Protestants’ perspective about Jesus Christ, are the age group least likely to say they are personally committed to Christ.  While they have generally favorable views of Jesus, they also harbor significant doubt about the central figure of Christianity.  Young Adults are more likely than any other age group to belive that Jesus sinned, to doubt the miracles Jesus performed, and to express skepticism about his resurrection.  Despite their previous religious experiences, twentysomethings are the least likely to say they are confident that Jesus Christ speaks to them in a way that is personal and relevant to their circumstances.”

 

From You Lost Me..

I wanna to be an idiot (catchy title isn’t it )

I heard a great message from the Pastor of Lifechurch.tv Craig Groeschel and his topic was being an idiot for Christ.  At the beginning he reminded me that God calls the outcasts to make a difference in the kingdom and he uses people that have been with Jesus.  He discussed three things that idiots for Christ do:

1…They obey irrationally.  

He said they say yes even when it doesn’t make sense and he reminded us when God tells you to do something just do it – RIGHT AWAY!

2.  They give extravagantly.

He reminded us that EVERYTHING I have belongs to the Lord and that if the church got serious about giving how their won’t be a need in our community.  Look at Acts 4:34-35 – there wasn’t a needy person in that community.  Just a thought – how many single moms do we know?  How do we help them?  How many people do we know who are out of work – do we help them?   I want my generosity in all areas to go up.

3. Lastly, they believe what other’s say can’t be done.

How many of us shrink back because others say yeah right?  How many of us say yes but you don’t know how this hinders me?  Am I a big enough idiot to believe that God can use me right now in my brokenness.

One of my goals this year is to listen to more messages, to read more books, and to journal more.  I have some serious time to do this and am so grateful. I have some work to do and am so thankful for this season in my life.

while I am waiting

A great song that has spoken to me…I have included the video and lyrics.  It is While I am waiting…

The lyrics:

I’m waiting
I’m waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I’m waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience

While I’m waiting
I will serve You
While I’m waiting
I will worship
While I’m waiting
I will not faint
I’ll be running the race
Even while I wait

I’m waiting
I’m waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I’m waiting on You, Lord
Though it’s not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait

I will serve You while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting
I will serve You while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting
I will serve You while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting on You, Lord

© 2007 Travelin’ Zoo Music (ASCAP) (admin. by EMI CMG Publishing)

service dog to surfing dog

This is a cool video…very heartwarming…

For such a Time as This…

As we approach this fall there is a new round of studies but the study last spring is still in my heart and mind…

Giant-Sized Obstacles: Esther and Her People

 Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
Esther 4:14

 In the introduction of the book Thirteen Days, former Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara wrote of the pressure felt inside the White House during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. He called it “a period of the most intense strain I have ever operated under.”

 Queen Esther could have said the same during the royal crisis that jeopardized her life and the lives of Jewish people everywhere during the days of the Persian Empire. Out of nowhere, a giant crisis emerged that put her under the most intense strain she had ever operated under. Her one assurance, relayed to her by Mordecai, was that God had anticipated this giant in advance; and, in His providence, had placed her on the throne to deal with it.

 Sometimes we find ourselves in a period of intense strain. It’s important to remember that God has anticipated it, and He has prepared us “for such a time as this.” He will give strength for the strain and wisdom for the crisis.

 When God can do what He will with a man, the man may do what he will with the world.
George MacDonald

 Recommended Reading: Esther 4:13-17

* This came from Turning Point Magazine – David Jeremiah

New Video

I saw this on Anderson Cooper 360 – the waving goat.  It is great!  Another animal video – gotta love those animal videos!

A memorable month…

The last month our church has taken part in What if the Church and the whole concept started last year when three churches in the KC area got  together and thenn this year more than 10 churches got together had sermons/messages on loving mercy,  act justly, and walking humbly with your God and we then had a serve day which I could not take part in due to exhaustion and being sick the day of the event.  Tonight was the final event and it was the Worship Night where the different churches led us in worship, prayer, and communion.  It was fantastic…one of the people from Westside  toke a picture of the crowd….

 

Here it is….

LORD, MAKE US ONE! MAY GOD DO GREATER THINGS IN KC AND  LET THE CHURCH BECOME ONE IN MISSION – to reach the hurting, to reach the poor, to reach the single mom, to reach the drug addict, to reach those who don’t have a relationship with him.  Let us love mercy, act justly, and walk humbly with our God.

WHAT IF?  what if 12 churches mutiplies by 4 next year again -48 local churches?  What if we had a serve day and thousands came out?  A dream yes but God can do more than we can ask or imagine….

One million dolllars…

I was thinking about what I would do if I had a million dollars handed to me…

Here is what I would do and it is in the order that I would do it…

• 250,000 to my local church
• 200,000 to buy a nice home
• 25,000 to buy a car (my Ford Escape my dream car)

That is 475,000. 525,000 left

• 25,000 for an emergency fund
• 200,000 invest

That is $700,000…now what…I still have 300,000.

• I would give some money to single moms who are having a hard time getting started ($25,000)
• I would give some money to our mission partners around the globe ($25,000)
• I would start a college ministry that would train college students to do ministry and rock their world! I have no idea how much I would put towards this since this age is near and dear to my heart! ($50,000 maybe)

Wow, I still have plenty of money…$200,000 left

• Okay, so I would have some fun with the money – travel to Florida, travel to Washington DC, travel to California, travel to the Grand Camyans again, go on some cruises ($20,000)
• I would suprise my family and help them with paying off their houses and cars (that would be the rest of it).

What would you do if you got handed $1,000,000?  I invite comments!

Pet Trick – Play Dead

Great pet trick!  Love it

 

Easter Service Thoughts…

WOW!

In all the years that I have gone to Easter service  I think this will be one that I remember for a long time.  The first thing is going at 6:30 on Saturday and it being crowded was amazing – the worship was amazing – the choir who helped us get into the presence of the RISEN one was amazing.  Dan Southerland, our lead teaching pastor, gave a great simple message but one that challenged me a ton.  He talked about following Jesus and he said that sometimes God shouts but most of the time he whispers and asks him to follow him even when we don’t understand where we are headed!  I am more in love with Jesus than I have been in a long time and the joy I have in Christ is amazing!