The Next Great Adventure

For the first time in 29 years and 10 months I find myself unemployed. Having served in 6 different churches as either a youth minister or senior minister, today I find myself a "civilian" in kingdom of God. This Sunday will mark the first time in 29 years and 10 months years I find myself attending a church as a "regular" person. This week there are no messages to prepare, no meetings to attend, no people to visit (although I do have a funeral on Wednesday). I am not sure what the future holds for myself or my family, but I do know this, it will be an adventure. 

As we make this transition, I am sure we will discover a new aspect of faith we have never explored. While right now I am a little apprehensive about the future, However I am secure in knowing who holds the future.

So let the adventure begin!

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Continued our "Toxic" series today, with the topic; Toxic influences; How the media influences our thinking and behavior.
• Once you understand Daniel's commitment in Daniel 1 you can see how he was able to withstand the lion's den.Remember, Holiness is always a choice.
• One is not WHOLLY HOLY until they have completely surrendered their mind, heart, soul and strength to God.
• The sound team wants to put my solo on the web as a special number, but others want me to keep my day job.
• Hebrews 12:14 is an interesting verse don't you think?
• We were not prepared for our crowd today, ran out of communion supplies and had to set up extra chairs - this is always exciting.
• After this morning's message, I may never look at brownies the same way again.
• I am amazed at the convicting power of the Holy Spirit when God's word is preached.
• Dan Lawson from Emmanuel School of Religion was with us today, he reported PBCC has given just under $100,000 dollars to ESR over the last 30 years.
• One of God's greatest gifts to us has to be the friends we meet through the many years of ministry.
• I am still humbled by our attendance Wednesday evening, who would have thought 102 people would go through 27 large pizzas?
• Football season is coming to a close too quickly.

Majority Rules

I have been thinking a lot about how a church makes decisions. In the New Testament, the spiritual gift of discernment seemed to help the apostles make wise decisions. The decision to begin a second tier of leadership in Acts 6, the choice to send out missionaries in Acts 13 and the decisions at the Jerusalem conference in Acts 15 seems to point to the apostles relying on spiritual wisdom and discernment in their decision making. Unfortunately many churches have given up on spiritual wisdom and discernment for the flawed practice of majority rules. If the majority agrees then that must be the right decision. However the practice of "Majority Rules" is open to politics, posturing and pressure from influential families or parties. There are several examples from scripture that remind us the majority is not necessarily right...

• The majority thought it was wise not to get into the Ark.
• The majority thought everything was great in Sodom.
• The majority thought it was acceptable to sell a brother into slavery.
• The majority refused to enter the Promise Land.
• The majority wanted a king in Israel.
• The majority stayed in tents while David faced a giant.
• The majority missed Jesus birth in Bethlehem. 
• The majority refused to to get out of the boat and walk on water.
• The majority yelled crucify, crucify!
• The majority left Jesus at the cross.  

As you can see the majority is not always right, in fact the majority opinion was often outside the will of God. Leaders, it is important for churches to return to wisdom and discernment in decision making. Majority rules is a great way of choosing where to go eat or select a movie for Friday night, but it is a recipe for disaster when it comes to decision making in the church.   

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts From an Amazing Day...

• Worship team did a great job today, Linda's solo was especially appropriate.
• Began a new series titled "TOXIC" this morning. This morning's message focused on toxic thoughts.
• The key to avoiding toxic thoughts is to take EVERY thought captive and make it obedient to Christ.
• There is a simple formula for dealing with toxic thoughts; Identify, Reject, Replace!
• Giving in to toxic thoughts means you are losing the battle for the Mind.
• Solomon was right, carefully guard your thoughts because they are the source of true life.
• What kind of bird are you a hummingbird or a vulture, remember you will always find what you are looking for.
• Renewing your mind is a daily process.
• Everyday we have two choices; moving forward or drifting backward - I chose moving forward.
• Next week we are going to talk about toxic influences.
• One question to consider before next week's message - who is influencing you?
• Second question to consider - why are they influencing you?
• Congrats to the Gators - sending Coach Meyer out with a win.

Completed!

Yesterday I completed a project that took me four years to complete. Beginning on January 1, 2006, I began receiving an online devotional in my inbox titled WHAT JESUS DID. This verse by verse devotional covered all four gospels, a gospel a year. The devotional began with Luke 1:1 and yesterday it was brought to a close with John 21:25. When I began reading WHAT JESUS DID, I had very little intention of reading all four gospels and their thoughts in this manner, but the more I read, the more I was challenged to continue to stick with the devotional. Each day I received insight about what Jesus did, how he reacted to both events and people and how he lived. I can honestly say when the last devotional came yesterday, I truly had a sense of accomplishment. Not only was there a sense of accomplishment, I also received some unexpected benefits... 

• After reading the devotional, I would file away the daily insights in my sermon illustration file. I now have 1,461 illustrations from the gospels.
• I have a deeper appreciation for the writer of the devotion to stick with the WJD devotional. Thank you for all your work!
• I was able to stay on track with a my devotions, everyday WJD arrived, there was no way to get around it, so it forced me to stay on top of both Bible reading and study.

As 2011 begins let me challenge you to begin a devotional study to help you grow in your faith. You will find it both rewarding and challenging as well as begin a habit that will transform you as you study God's word.

 


     

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts From an Amazing Day (Christmas Edition)...

• Our worship was a little different today - all Acapella
• Wrapped up our Christmas series "The Miracle of Christmas" with the message the miracle of the method.
• I am amazed at how we try to figure God out especially in light of Isaiah 55 
• Remember; The cost of obediently following God’s plan is always worth it for the prize of drawing near to God.
• We had our best Christmas Eve service ever; following our worship I had the opportunity to baptize my daughter-in-law's father - Good stuff!
• Thank you worship team for pulling off another great worship event Friday night.
• Well my family blessed me with several good books this Christmas.
• Most interesting title; The devil in pew number seven.
• Book I am looking to reading the most; If God is Good
• As 2010 comes to a close, I am thinking more and more about what makes God smile.
• Our church family was reminded today that even at Christmas, tragedy can be devastating, PBCC family, please keep Becky, Wanda and Clyde in your prayers this week. 

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts From an Amazing Day (actually weekend)...

• Attended our Preschool Christmas Pageant Friday Evening - what a great presentation, Tracey and her team did a wonderful job.
• Saturday Night attended a "Medieval Christmas" at Northside Presbyterian Church. The teens did a wonderful job with their presentation as well.
• Today we focused on the Message of Christmas - God communicated and still communicates with us in a language we can understand.
• His message is simply this; Know Me and Draw Near to Me!
• If we would just respond to His message a majority of our whoas would be fixed.
• What is God saying to you today? Are you listening for his voice?
• Linda did a wonderful job with "Mary did you know?" 
• Worship team did a great job today - good mix!
• Just in case you are wondering, Wanda Ross makes wonderful Banana Bread!
• I am humbled by the generosity of some people.
• If you have not seen our food pantry ministry in action you are missing a blessing, they are a great group of people ministering to those in need.
• How can the Dolphins beat the Jets and lose to the Bills?
• By the way there are 5 shopping days left.