This was on the wall at the restaurant tonight:
Training Journal – 2/29/12:
I was reading in First Thessalonians this morning and this verse in chapter one caught me:
3We [Paul, Silas and Timothy] continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. (NIV)
Um, ok…”caught” is probably not the best word. “Convicted” is probably more appropriate…
Mainly because at times, if I were honest, Paul may have phrased this a little differently about me (…maybe even you).
Maybe something like:
3We continually [lift you] before our God and Father [because of] your work produced by guilt, your labor prompted by obligation, and your endurance inspired by fear of our [gracious] Lord Jesus Christ [and the totally wrong thought you have that you’ve got to “bank” good things to make Him love you, accept you, and answer your prayers].
x
Oh, to be like the Thessalonians…
…thought-provoking, insightful, and challenging on many levels.
Read the transcript at Sivers’ blog.
This morning I was reading Isaiah 26 and the second half of verse 8 jumped out at me:
Your name and renown [Lord] are the desire of our hearts. (NIV)
My Observation: It’s all about “heart”…without it appearance, words, & deeds are empty. I saw some HUGE hearts on Sunday. I was Blessed and I have to believe God smiled…
Sunday, our church held its 7th annual Car and Bike Show on our lawn. It’s come to be a great annual event that draws many from the community and offers a chance for car and bike (the motor and the pedal-types) enthusiasts to show off their toys and those who don’t have the toys to check them out, even drool (in a dignified way, of course).
The afternoon is always filled with cars & bikes, food, music, a dunk tank, a jump house, and tons of conversation. As in past years, we had a lot of people and the lawn was filled with cars. People come and hang out for 10 minutes or for three hours…it’s all good!
If that were all it was about, we’d call it good and start planning next year…
But that is not what it was about. As Pastor John put it Sunday morning, “it’s about people.”
It was about people.
It was about community.
It was about getting out of the “cube” in the corner of the lot on 2827 Flint avenue we call “church” and being the tangible hands and feet of Jesus.
Being the true Jesus.
The one that cares unconditionally and that is approachable and interested in talking without any “hitch” or angle – just being a friend.
I saw that. I heard it. I saw people at worship.
For sure, God smiled.
the waa:
So I posted my weekly Service Set list, Recap, and Confessional last night – including a whine (or waa!) in the confessional portion. It felt good to write about it and get it off my chest. Sunday AM was rough – I felt rushed and didn’t like not have things under control…
THE SKADOOSH*:
Fast forward to this morning. I’ve been listening to Andy Stanley’s podcast series, Defining Moments and this morning I was on episode 8, Playing God. The text was from John 18:28 to 19:16…it’s about Jesus before Pilate. The key being that while Pilate thought he was in control – he wasn’t.
Not feeling too well today…I’m in Florida for a work conference and the allergies are kickin’ my be-hind! Whine completed…now on the with post.
I was prepping for Sunday School this evening (Francis Chan’s Crazy Love), and two things hit me smack dab between the eyes:
I’ve been reading through the book of Nehemiah for a while – just taking my time, digesting small portions at a time. There is so much meat in this book about leadership, priorities, etc.; but, today as I was reading, I felt this sense of humility, privilege, and reverent fear as a worship leader.
I was in chapter eight where the people, after they have re-built the walls, gather to hear Ezra read the Law. He is assisted by many, but I focused on the Levites (who were appointed, under David, to a ministry of music and praise – specifically as, “ministers before the ark of the Lord, to invoke, to thank, and to praise the Lord.”) I focused on the Levites because they are basically what we call worship leaders today…just like me!
From Nehemiah 8:
2 – So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could understand what they heard
5 – Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was above all the people [on a box], and as he opened it all the people stood.
7 & 8 – …the Levites, helped the people to understand the Law, while the people remained in their places. They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.
Verses seven and eight hit me like a ton of bricks – a lump even formed in my throat. I am firm in the knowledge of my responsibilities as a worship leader (first) before the Lord and (second) to those I lead/serve; but what a profound and challenging reminder! Thank you Lord!
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