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1st B

Posted in Church, Community, Formation on July 27, 2011| Leave a Comment »

We have been focusing in our church for the last month or so on communicating our mission and strategy as a church.  We have talked a lot about how we, as a family of Christ followers, should see our mission not as “our mission” but seeing ourselves as God’s mission – the mission of making disciples – of helping people to develop into maturing followers of Jesus.

We have even developed a strategy as to how that should work in our setting.  We have articulated this strategy as Learning, Living, Loving . . . Together.  We are to be about learning who Jesus is (not just learning about him but really getting to know him) and then living out what we learn.  All of this is to be done with compassion and love and all of it done together – in community.

But a couple of weeks ago, I asked our folks to think “bigger picture.”  We have a strategy that supports our mission and mission that exists because of our vision.  That vision is to truly be the church God wants us to be – to be the people God created us to be.  So it begins with being!  It begins with an undying passion to BE!

The way we will remember this here in our setting is:  1st B.  Our church is First Baptist Church.  Our URL for our website is 1stb.com.  So it is not a stretch to begin to think of our family as 1st B.  But in doing that, we are reminded that before we do anything – we must first strive to BE.

Today, remember – God is more concerned about who you are and who you become than what you do and accomplish.

Be the person God intends you to be today!

Be blessed!

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God Still Moves

Posted in Church, Community, Hope on July 25, 2011| Leave a Comment »

Yesterday was an amazing day to be at our church.  I have to chuckle at myself.  I know in my mind that God is always present but it never fails that I am amazed when God moves in our midst!

I had prepared off and on all week to address the question, “Does God still speak?”  I had my sermon wrapped up by Thursday and was feeling pretty good about what God would have me say come Sunday morning.  Then on Saturday morning, I got up before anyone else to read and pray and look over my sermon.

As I mentioned, the sermon dealt with God speaking to us.  As I went over the outline, I felt the overwhelming sense that God was telling me, “This won’t work.”  I sat a minute and responded with resistance – “But God, this is what I thought you wanted me to say.  I have been working on this for a while now.  Here it is Saturday morning and you want me to start over?”

As I worked through the outline, I began to agree that there was too much there to really try and squeeze it into one sermon – but I could not figure out what to do about it.  In fact, I began to pray, “God, if you want me to change this at this point, just show me how.”  The answer came through Sunday morning about an hour before the service.  Now, for those of you who know me, you know that I don’t like operating by the seat of my pants.  But, I felt strongly that if I was going to stand before God’s people and teach about God speaking, then it would be a bit hypocritical if I didn’t listen to the prompting to change the sermon.

I changed the passage, re-ordered the outline, cut some stuff out and prayed through the entire process.  To be honest, I could not really tell you all that came out of my mouth on Sunday morning during the sermon, but I can tell you that God moved.  But God was not finished.  Our pianist had called on Friday to say she had the opportunity to go to Dallas and see family so we were going to be without a pianist on Sunday.  A few weeks ago, Andy (our interim worship leader) had asked one of the ladies on the worship team to work up a solo.  So Andy called her on Friday to ask if she could do her song on Sunday morning at the close of the service – where we often have a piano solo.  The song that Holly had chosen days before, fit perfectly with what God had led me say and was extremely moving.  Yep – God moved!

We serve a God who is constantly at work all around us.  And it is really cool when we stop long enough to notice!

Now I am looking forward with expectancy for this Sunday when we continue to look at how God speaks.  If you are around Littlefield, Texas on Sunday come join us!

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Rewards of Pouring Yourself Out

Posted in Community, Formation, Hope on July 22, 2011| 2 Comments »

This morning, I am just sitting – drinking my coffee.  I have a load of laundry going but other than that, I am taking a few minutes to just sit.  I did not realize how tired I am until I got up this morning.  I take Friday’s off when I can and so today – the plan:  wrap up my sermon, take care of some emails and then – hopefully not much else.

I attribute my fatigue to being at camp this week.  They were long days filled with Bible study, worship, activities and mostly 4th – 6th graders!  But what an experience!  I wish I could describe what it feels like to pour yourself into the lives of others.  But, I am sure, for many of you – if not all – you have experienced this for yourselves.

I guess it had not dawned on me until yesterday when the two vans of kids and sponsors rolled back into our parking lot at church.  I could hear the singing coming out of one of the vans even though the windows were up!

The kids piled out – looking a little tired – but looking mostly alive.  They were excited to be home to tell their parents about their week.  They greeted me with stories of what had gone on in the day since they last saw me.  They clamored over each other to tell their stories.

It was in that moment that I remembered why I do this!  At that moment, the late nights telling boys to get in bed didn’t matter.  The memories of having to put my foot down to make boys take showers didn’t cross my mind.  All that mattered in that moment – and since – was that these kids had an experience they will never forget, and it centered around Jesus!

Who are you pouring your life into today?

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Does God Still Speak?

Posted in Community, Formation, Hope on July 18, 2011| 1 Comment »

Has anyone ever told you that God spoke to them?  Has God spoken to you?

Before we get too far into this discussion let me just say that there have been people I have encountered along my journey who have used the phrase, “God told me . . .” to justify things that I believed could not have been of God.  So I would caution us from the beginning to be wise in how we approach this issue.  If you ever encounter someone who says, “God told me to . . .” make sure you test what they say with scripture.  People can use that phrase to give credence to what they want to do.

I believe with all my being that God does still speaks.  We read in scripture that God spoke in different ways to different people.  Moses heard a voice and even saw God.  Scripture says that the word of God came to the prophets.  In Genesis, God actually walked with Adam and Eve.  Paul encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus and had a conversation.  Peter and others heard from God in dreams.

Throughout scripture, we are told that God spoke to people.  So the question for us today is this, “Does God still speak today?”

This coming Sunday during our worship time, we will address this subject.  I would like to hear from you this week – and who knows, your comments might make it into the sermon.  Here is what I would like to know:  Does God speak to you?  How?

I look forward to hearing from you!

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Hot Night At Camp

Posted in Community, Hope on June 29, 2011| Leave a Comment »

I don’t rest well in a dorm room with 11 boys when the air conditioner stops working and the ambient temperature for the majority of the night is 87 degrees.  It was miserable.  I finally figured out that one of the boys had moved the thermostat on the window unit to 60.  Of course, when one does that, the only thing that gets cold is the coil as it freezes over.  Once that happens, nothing gets cold.  The AC continues to blow but all it pushes into the room is warm air.

I think every believer should take kids to camp at least once.  It will certainly make you more appreciative of home!

But even though my one night in the dorm at camp left me longing for home, my two days with the 11 students we took was priceless!  I am so glad I had the opportunity to be there with those boys.  As I drove away last night and left them there – my heart longed just as strongly to stay as it had to be at home just 17 hours before.

They will be there another 2 ½ days.  My prayer is that God will move in each of their lives.  And if I might, I would request that you pray for them as well.

I look forward to hearing all about their experiences when they return.

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A Concert of Praise

Posted in Community, Formation, Hope on June 23, 2011| Leave a Comment »

Last night we tried something a little different with our Wednesday night crowd and prayer time.  My talk was on praise.  We dialogued about why we should praise and how we should offer our praise to God.  We even discussed when we should praise God.

But after we had our time of study and discussion, we entered into a concert of praise.  I instructed those present to bow their heads and simply focus on how God has blessed them.  Then, as they felt lead, they were encouraged to offer up a statement of praise to God out loud.  I then sat down and began to reflect on how God has blessed me.

Over the next 20 minutes or so, one after another offered up praise and thanks for all the ways God has blessed them – things like, “God, I praise you for my family.”  And, “Father, I praise you for loving me even when I am not very lovable.”

It was a moving experience for many – it certainly was for me.  To sit and hear God’s people take time out of their day to stop and reflect on all God has done for them and then to turn their hearts to God in praise was inspirational!

So often, our prayer life is more about “me” than about God and others.  We need to remember to stop and reflect on who God is and how our lives are different because of God’s work in us.  When we do that, we will be drawn to praise.

Stop and praise God today!

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Thank a Hero

Posted in Community, Hope, Missions on June 16, 2011| Leave a Comment »

As I drove to work this morning, Skillet was on the radio singing about needing a hero.  As I listened to that song, I thought about heros.  The first ones that came to mind were all the volunteers that helped us out with Vacation Bible School this week.  We had over 50 people donate their time and energy to be involved in the evenings this week, working with kids from pre-K to 5th grade.  We were over run with kids and all the volunteers just stepped in and made it work.

This week, all of you are my heros!  I believe every child had a lot of fun and I know they heard about Jesus, but more importantly, I know beyond a shadow of any possible doubt that they saw Jesus this week in you!

Whether you live here in Littlefield or somewhere else around the world, when you see a volunteer who serves out of compassion and love this week – tell them thanks – they are all heros!

 

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Gas Pump Exchange

Posted in Community, Hope, Motivational on June 14, 2011| Leave a Comment »

I had to stop for gas when I got to town today.  As I pulled up next to the gas pump, I noticed a lady beginning to fill her car on the other side of the set of pumps I was about to use.  As I got out of the car, I could not see her, but I heard her say, “Good morning, how are you today?”  I looked around and there was no one else to receive her greeting so I knew she was talking to me.  So I responded, “I am good.  How about you?”

She replied, “I am blessed.  I guess I could complain but no one would listen.”

I told her, “I would listen – might not could do anything about it – but I would listen.”  She laughed and I laughed and that was about it for our exchange until she finished and I told her to have  a wonderful day and she told me to be blessed.

I finished putting gas in the car, retrieved my receipt and headed to the office.  But as I drove, I wondered, if she had not taken the first step to say “Hi,” would I have taken the initiative?  I had a multitude of things swimming around my head (and those of you who know me know that if it was more than two thoughts that things were getting pretty crowded in there).  Striking up a conversation with a stranger was not on my To Do list.

But I was reminded that it should be a standing item on that list.  My day was brightened because a stranger at a gas pump took the time and energy to say “good morning.”  Nothing fancy or elaborate.  It didn’t take any additional time – just additional effort.

As a Jesus follower, shouldn’t we make it a point to brighten someone else’s day – everyday?

Maybe that is an answer to my question yesterday – you can read that post here.

Be a blessing today!

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Does It Really Matter?

Posted in Community, Formation on June 13, 2011| 7 Comments »

We are working through a sermon series right now on the focus of our church.  We began with setting the foundation that our focus should be God’s mission.  We looked to Matthew 28:19-20 as a foundation for understanding that mission.  We need to remember that God’s mission has a church, not the other way around.

Yesterday, we talked about being an apprentice of Jesus – making it a life passion to learn who he is and not just learn about him.  It is about a relationship not religion.  This week will take that a step farther and talk about how we should live in that relationship and how knowing Jesus should affect our choices and the way we live.  Lecrae (@lecrae) is a Christian rap artist who has always inspired me (yes, I like all kinds of music).  He does a song entitled, Go Hard.  In that song, he asks the question, “If you didn’t know him, would your life look the same?  Can they tell you value Jesus by the way you rep his name?”

Does your life reflect a relationship?  Does the fact that you know Jesus really matter?

I need your help this week.  I would love to use your examples in the sermon this week.  I have a question I would like you to consider and get back to me.  You can comment here or send me a message on Facebook or just email me.  Either way – I would love to hear from you.

Here is the question:  How does having a relationship with Jesus affect the way you live each day?

I look forward to your responses!

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Learning Together

Posted in Church, Community, Formation on June 10, 2011| Leave a Comment »

Last Sunday, I introduced some things to our church family that I hope and pray take hold and become an integral part of our DNA.  As I talked about our mission as a church, I reminded everyone that we should look at the bigger picture first – the fact that God’s mission has a church.  When we look at that mission, we see that the mandate to us is to make disciples – followers of Jesus – apprentices.

The plan for us in this regard can be stated simply:  Learning, living and loving . . . together.  That is the plan.  That is the strategy.

So this week, we will be looking at what it means to be “learner” and how we can do it together, in community.  It begins with each of us coming face to face with Jesus.  We have to move beyond knowing about Jesus to the point of really knowing Jesus.

I am excited about our services on Sunday.  If you are around Littlefield, Texas this Sunday morning at 10:45, I would love to have you drop by and see what God will do!

Be blessed today!

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