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Archive for the ‘Community’ Category

Weapon’s of Mass Construction

Posted in Church, Community, Missions on March 18, 2013| 1 Comment »

Last week I was silent here.  I did not post, I did not Tweet and I didn’t do much with Facebook.  I was virtually unplugged.

The reason?

Last week, a group from our church and a sister church in a neighboring town made a trip to the El Paso area to do a little construction.

I have to tell you.  I have led many trips over the years, 8 of which have been specifically construction trips.  The team that God assembled for this most recent trip was one of the very best I have ever had the opportunity to work along side.

We took 14 very able, very dedicated and very passionate folks to get this building done.  We arrived on Friday, March 8, at 4:00 PM, and this is what we saw:

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We drove away at 7:00 PM on Monday, March 11, and this is what we left behind:

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God is good!  Only one minor injury (you know how to define a minor injury don’t you – when it happens to someone else).  We had one gentleman catch a nail from a nail gun with his thigh.  At first he thought something hit his pants leg.  But he soon realized the nail went a bit deeper than the denim.  But after a little triage, he was back to work in about 20 minutes – that’s a real man!

Seriously, God did amazing work protecting and strengthening.  There is no way a project like this can happen as smoothly as it did without God’s divine intervention.

I thank God for taking care of us and I thank the folks that went as part of the “Weapons of Mass Construction” team.  What an honor and privilege God afforded me to be a small part of this effort.

God’s Kingdom will be extended through the work you provided!

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Relevant Or Foolish?

Posted in Church, Community, Hope, Missions on March 5, 2013| 1 Comment »

I wrestle with things a lot.  If you have been stopping by Clay In The Hands for much time at all, you have probably figured out (at least I hope you have) that I try not to take things at face value or just accept things and move on.  I have always been that way.  I want to know why. I want to know what makes things tick.

Just about every week I read somewhere that our world today is as spiritual – or maybe more so – than ever before but while being very spiritual, the world is very anti-religion.  I have to tell you – I wrestle with this idea all of the time.  And I have to admit, I agree.  I see it in the fact that few people are “joiners” anymore.  When I go to denominational meetings, I am usually one of the youngest there (and I am not all that young any more).  I serve with an ecumenical organization for church administration and we see it there as well.  This generation does not see the point in “joining” an organization – or of being a part of something bigger – at least not something that has been established for any time at all.

This wrestling inevitably leads me to the question, “Why?”.  Why is it that people don’t see being a part of a local church as important?

Today, I ran across this verse that I think sheds some light on the situation.  1 Corinthians 1:23 says, “but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles.”

This is not a new problem.  The apostle Paul explained that to those outside the faith, this stuff just seems foolish.  But as I continue to dig, I can remember a time in my own short 47 years that it was not so.  I mean, I know there have always been those that just don’t see the point.  But I can remember a time when being a part of the church was the accepted and almost expected norm in a community – at least here in the Bible belt.

So what happened?  I think I can sum it up in one word – relevance.

Our society is a consumer based, “me” driven culture.  The prevailing question is always, “What do I get for that?”  If I invest my time and effort and commitment, what do I get in return?

This prevailing attitude is a subject for another post.  But this is the reality in which we find ourselves.

So what is the answer?  I wish I had a three step strategy that would turn our world around – I don’t.  But I do have an idea.  As “Sunday School” as this answer sounds, the answer is Jesus.

Wait, don’t quit reading yet!  Yes, that is the easy answer but hear me out.

The answer is Jesus and what he has done in your life.  You see, if we are going to show the world that this Jesus stuff is not foolishness, the only way to do that is by showing the difference Jesus has made in your life – to tell your story.  It’s a matter of relevance.  If a person does not see how something applies to them, they won’t give it a second look.

But when they see changed lives and they can relate to how that change could impact them, then all of the sudden, this Jesus stuff seems like it might be important.

We have become complacent and satisfied with the status quo and it is killing the church.

What has Jesus done in your life?  Show that difference today in the way you live.

It is really hard to stare a changed life in the face and call it foolishness.

Tell somebody about it! 

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God Is Still At Work

Posted in Community, Formation, Hope on March 4, 2013| 3 Comments »

Have you ever wondered if the days of seeing God at work are long gone?  I am not talking about discounting what the Bible tells us that happened during those times.  But have you ever found yourself thinking – “that was common when Jesus was here on earth but not any more” or “miracles were common place with the disciples but those things just don’t happen today.”?

I think if we are honest today, we would all have to say it has at least crossed our minds.  It has crossed mine.

But last night, I was reminded that God is still at work in the lives of people.

We had a couple join our family yesterday.  I had met with the couple a few times.  Last week, they called and asked if I could meet with them in their home.  I drove over to their home and for about an hour or so, I listened as they told me how God has been at work in their lives.

So yesterday, they came to be a part of what God is doing in our 1st B family and I could not be more excited about their decision to join us.

So last night, Joe shared with our church family just what God has done in his life over the last few weeks.  He has been sick off and on since the first of the year, but on February 13, he had to be hospitalized in the ICU in a Lubbock hospital.  After being admitted, Joe slipped into a coma and for four days he continued to decline.  His organs began to shut down and the doctors gave no hope.  In fact, they explained to Norma that she needed to call in the family because Joe was not long for this world.

So the family gathered.  They circled his bed and sang songs together.  They prayed over him and had people all over the world praying for him as well.

After four days of being in a coma and with family gathered around praying and crying, Joe woke up and asked what was going on.

A few days later he was back home.

As I sat and listened to Joe tell his story last night, I couldn’t help but think about the fact that he is a walking, breathing, living testimony to the fact that God is still in control and still at work in the lives of people.

So today, regardless of how bleak things may seem, remember this – God is still moving.  God is still in control.  God loves you more than you can possibly begin to understand.  God has this!

Be blessed today!

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Who Can You Trust?

Posted in Community, Formation, Hope on February 19, 2013| 1 Comment »

Who can you trust?

I am attending a training seminar on being a better mentor.  One of the keys we discussed is really foundational to the entire process.  The key is relationship but having a relationship with another is impossible without one indispensable ingredient.  People open up and do life together when there is a relationship they can trust – the pearl within the oyster – the prize within the relationship – trust.

So I have been thinking a lot about trust for the past day or so.  Trust is something that takes a great deal of time to earn and seconds to lose.  As long as there is a level of trust in a relationship, meaningful, life-changing experiences grow out of time together.

But with no trust, the relationship goes no where and in fact really does not even qualify as a relationship.

But here is the stark reality.  At the most base level, no one can be trusted – at least not fully.

Now before you stop reading and think that I have given up on the world, let me offer some insight.

God is the only one you can trust.  Every other person will ultimately let you down.  But God will never leave you, never forsake you, never let you down.  God is where you must put your trust.

Once your trust is secure in God – – you can begin to trust others; not because they won’t fail you but because even if they do, you will not be hurt.  Why?  Because your security is not tied up in whether those folks follow through or not.

So here is my advice.  As much as I hope people can always count on me, the one to count on is God.  Put your trust in the Creator of the Universe today and everything else will be fine.

Be blessed.

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The Brush of God

Posted in Community, Formation, Hope on February 13, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Will people have a better sense of the character and heart of God because of their interaction with me today?  

That is a question I often ask myself.

In a world looking for hope and something (or someone) to hold on to, we must be at least a glimpse of God for them.  But that only happens when our hearts are right.

I have a “sticky note” on the edge of my desk that stays there to remind me of a prayer I often lift to God when I look at it.  On the note I have written these words, “Let my words and life reflect the depth of the work you are doing within me.”

We cannot give what we do not have.  We must have a growing, vibrant and meaningful relationship with God in order for others to see God in us.

May those you encounter today sense the brush of God through you.

Be a blessing.

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God Is At Work

Posted in Church, Community, Formation, Hope on February 12, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Have you ever noticed that it is hard to see God at work right in front of you?

It’s not that we don’t believe God is at work.  In fact, sometimes its not even that we aren’t paying attention and miss it (which is often the case).  Sometimes we are so tied to what is happening that we don’t step back to see the bigger picture.

I have gone back and forth as to whether or not to share this here.  Our goal in serving God should always be to draw attention to what God is doing – not what “I” am doing.  Jesus was the best example of pure humility and as followers of Jesus, we should strive to live as he lived.  Our heart’s desire should be to make God’s name great – not our own.  There is not much room for ego or boasting.  The last thing I want to do is become “that guy.”

So it is with much humility that I share this article with you today.  Our folks are committed to follow Christ wherever that might lead.  God is opening doors in our community and giving us people who are willing to walk through them.

The reason I share this is not to bring attention to ourselves but hopefully to remind some that God is still at work.  And if God can work in our setting through our people – God can work anywhere!

Take a look at this article from Texas Baptists.

Have a blessed day!

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Small Groups Come In Many Forms

Posted in Church, Community, Formation on February 6, 2013| Leave a Comment »

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Hello!  My name is Brian and I got a ticket.

That’s how my meeting started Monday night.  A couple of months ago, I found myself being pulled over as I made my way through Lubbock toward the hospital.  Even though I explained that I was on my way to visit a church member in the hospital, the officer took no pity.

So long story short, I ended up in a defensive driving class.  I would not be all together truthful if I told you this was the first time I had sat through this information.  In fact, in my younger days, I think I could have taught it I had taken it so frequently.

At any rate, as the class began, I sat watching all those other lead footed souls in the class with me.  No one wanted to talk – we all just wanted it to be over.  Monday night, we sat and listened without saying a word.

Tuesday night, we were each back in our seats for the last half of the class – yes, it works the same as in the church – everyone was right back in the same exact seat.

But as the session came to a close, it was interesting to see the dynamics in the room change.  People began interacting with one another.  There were smiles on faces and even a few laughs.

As I drove home, defensively by the way, I reflected on what I had observed.  By the end of the class, people began to loosen up.  There was sense of camaraderie.  We had just spent 6 hours of our lives together.  Did we know each other any better than when we started?  Not really.  But the dynamic was impressive.  All of the sudden, we were a group.

My point?  All of us, by our very nature, are creatures who need relationships.  We are wired that way.  That is why small groups in church are so important.  We are going to find community one way or the other.  Wouldn’t it be better to find it in church?

I challenge you to get involved in a small group in your church.  Your life will be enriched.

Be blessed today!

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I Saw Jesus

Posted in Church, Community, Hope on January 31, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Last night I saw Jesus.  No, I didn’t have a near death experience.  Nor was I in deep meditation and saw a vision.  I saw Jesus’ physical presence.

Now before you contact the psychiatric ward at the local institution, let me explain.

Last night, I saw Jesus standing before a classroom of 17 third and fourth graders teaching and modeling for them what the Bible says about how we honor God by respecting others and being good people.

I stood in amazement as the teacher kept their attention with such compassion and love.  I watched the excitement in the faces of the children as they listened and responded.

As I have reflected on  last night, I think about the multitude of volunteers who helped us kick off our new 1st Kidz ministry and the love and dedication they showed.

And as I thought, it hit me – I witnessed people being Jesus to those kids last night.

Jesus was there and I am humbled to have been able to see it.

Who will you be Jesus to today?

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Thanks For the Privilege!

Posted in Community, Formation on January 15, 2013| 5 Comments »

Last week I had the distinct privilege to participate in a preaching retreat.  As the week started, one of the faculty (this was actually a seminary class I sat in on) introduced an idea that has been bouncing around in my brain for over a week now.

He pointed us back to the creation event that we find in Genesis.  We are told there that God created the earth and seas, the plants and animals and human beings – from nothing.  Before all else –  God . . .

But in the midst of the discussion about creation and God’s amazing work – he challenged us in our calling as communicators of God’s message.  He suggested the idea that God calls us to create as well.  We are called upon each week – some of us multiple times per week – to create a communication piece – to formulate ideas we find in scripture and life experience and through inspiration from God into comprehensible messages in which people can find God or a better understanding of God.

It was refreshing to think of the calling to communicate in this way.

But he also challenged me to consider the responsibility God has given in being a good steward of time.  Each week, I have the awesome blessing to stand before people.  People who come (usually willingly) and dedicate 20 to 30 minutes of their time to hear a word from God.  What I do with that time is up to me.

Wow!  Has that idea had me thinking!

But then this morning, it dawned on me.  If you are reading this, you are affording me that same privilege.  What an honor it is for me to think that someone would stop by this blog and take a few minutes to see what is going on in this messed up head of mine.  Thank you for your time and I pray that it is never time wasted.

So today, I just want to say thank you!  Thanks for reading and commenting!

Be blessed today!

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The World Needs More Fruit

Posted in Community, Formation on January 9, 2013| Leave a Comment »

In all that is going on in the world today, maybe what the world needs is a better diet of fruit.  And you say, “What?”

Let me explain.

Scripture is clear when it talks about the possibility of being rescued – rescued from the limitations of this world, rescued from sin, even rescued from self.  We find there is nothing we can do to save ourselves.  The book of Romans tells us that it is only by God’s stunning grace that we can gain an audience with the most high.  Paul tells us that it is by grace, not by our deeds that we are saved.

Unfortunately, many people see this truth as an excuse to do nothing.  We cannot earn God’s favor so why work ourselves silly trying?

For sometime now, I have been speaking to our church family about the importance of being.  I have made statements like, “God cares more about who we become than what we do.”  And I stand behind that statement.

But . . .

Let’s be clear on this point.

Who we are and who we are becoming will be reflected in what we do – in our reactions to things – in what is important to us.

Jesus told us in Matthew that the tree will be known by its fruit.  We don’t go to a West Texas mesquite bush to pick a peach.  The fruit is the outward sign of what is on the inside.

What fruit will you produce today?

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