I have to be honest with you... (Not that I wouldn't be anyhow!)
When I got the opportunity to look at the lunch bag inventories from Sunday, I was simply overjoyed!!!
What a response! Seventy five adults took the time to assess what God has placed in their lives that can be used by Him.
Their resources included life experiences, skills, passions, tools, connections, and education. The cool part is that many told us where they could see themselves serving, some in several different spots in ministry.
Now the follow up begins. We will be contacting every person that indicated a willingness to serve. We are convinced that, together, we can make a major impact in this region for Christ!
Yesterday, Tuesday, was a good, but busy day. The three pastors met for several hours. We always enjoy serving and leading together. Our heart is to see God use LifeBridge Church to seriously make a difference in Eastern Baltimore County!
A good number of people turned out for the work project last evening. Not only did a lot of work get done, there was some good fellowship going on! A big thanks to all who gave of your time and energy.
I had a great time with three of my friends at the Orioles game last night. We had seats to die for... four rows off the field behind the third base dugout! Even though the Orioles lost, it was a good, close game. Best of all, four brothers in Christ had a good time hanging out together.
Jogging update: I continue to run consistently. In the first two days I ran 10 miles per day. My two achilles heels are sore after 20 miles of running. Today is my day off from running. I am really looking forward to the 5K race on August 23 at River Valley Ranch. Anyone out there want to go with me that morning?
I really loved the sound of all those brown paper lunch bags being opened in church service yesterday!
An incident that was recorded in John 6:1-13, brought on the opening of the bags yesterday. A lad, encouraged by Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, gave his lunch to Jesus. Jesus used those 5 loaves of bread and 2 fishes to feed somewhere around 20,000 people, with 12 baskets of leftovers!
As relatively insignificant as that lad's lunch seemed, Jesus did miraculous things with it! We all have a "lunch bag" with something in it! We have resources that God has given us. To us, they may seem insignificant and we may wonder if God can use them. We can take a lesson from the lad!
So... everyone received a brown bag that was opened at my direction near the end of the sermon. Inside that bag was a survey, an inventory of our personal resources. It was intended to make us realize how much we really possess in talent, time, energy, passion, experiences, skills, connections, tools, etc. that God will use if we give it to Him!
I asked people to fill out the survey, put it back in the lunch bag, and hand it back after the service. I have not had the opportunity to see the results yet, but I am very much looking forward to doing so. I will update you when I know.
Here's my question to you... what's in YOUR "lunch bag"?!!! (I would love to hear from you about this!)
P.S. Yesterday, Sunday at LifeBridge, was a blessed day! I really haven't seen the numbers or any reports yet, but I do know that Jesus was honored and good things happened! Summer Splash on Saturday went very well... lots of kids and families, new people... great time!
This information could save you lots of heartache! Read on...
When a crisis or a confrontation occurs, do you REACT or respond? Some of you are thinking, "aren't they the same thing"? Aren't you just splitting hairs over two very similar words?
As I am using them, there is more than just a subtle difference!
To REACT is to immediately do something as a result of the current crisis or confrontation. That immediate reaction is almost involuntary, not consciously thought through.
To respond is to take some time to think, analyze, and pray through the crisis. It is not a knee jerk come back, but a well considered answer or response.
Granted, there are times when an immediate reaction is necessary! If someone is trying to do you or someone you love bodily harm, you have to react. If there is little to no time before a decision is required you have to react.
However, most of the time our immediate reactions aren't necessary. Many times an immediate reaction is not the right one and ends badly. That quick, angry, verbal jab taken at a spouse or a spur of the moment decision, made in frustration, lands us in a place we didn't want to go!
We have to learn to...
discipline ourselves to take a step back, both physically, mentally, and emotionally to give ourselves some processing time.
avoid the immediate gratification of venting our frustration or anger, keeping in mind the consequences of doing so!
put a process in place for preparing to respond, one that includes praying about it, considering what the Bible says, thinking it through, and possibly getting good advice from trusted advisors. (God's Word is our source of wisdom, starting in the book of Proverbs!)
It's amazing how a situation will look so much different an hour or day later! Ask God for the power, by His Holy Spirit, to exhibit self control and patience. Try waiting to respond, rather than REACTing immediately!
I remember,as a child, the excitement I had leading up to Christmas morning! The sense of anticipation was strong and it was hard to go to sleep on Christmas eve.
I kinda feel that way today about this weekend! I sense that God is doing something very special right now at LifeBridge. Last Sunday there were 13 first time guests in our service. There have been numerous new people showing up every week recently.
More than that, I am meeting people and hearing stories about how God is blessing and changing lives through the ministry that is happening at LifeBridge. It's a GOD THING!!! To Him be all the credit!
I am anticipating...
The Summer Splash... on Saturday, 12 Noon-2 PM. It will draw children and their unchurched families to a fun day... a great opportunity to build bridges to them! Be sure to invite someone!
Meeting with 7 men the three pastors are mentoring for further leadership on Sunday morning at 7 AM. It is always a special time of fellowship and encouragement!
The Sunday morning worship at 10 AM! I am totally stoked about the music this week! It will be some of the best we've ever had! God is going to use the four songs that will be sung in an unusual way this Sunday. I believe that someone's life is going to be radically changed Sunday, eternally changed! Bring that unchurched friend that is far from God... it could be them!
The small group leadership training from 12:30-2:30 on Sunday afternoon! Last Sunday we started and had a great time! This week some others are joining us. It's still not too late to begin, five weeks left! Anyone is welcomed!
Anticipation! What fires you up and puts you on edge in a positive way?
In previous posts, I've talked about the need to ABE, always be evaluating, in our lives. Whether it's in our relationships, finances, work, spiritual, or physical situation, we have to be careful not to become complacent and accept the status quo. That is one step from dead!!!
When I evaluate a certain area of my life, I can almost always see room for improvement... ok, always!
Recently, I took a look at two particular areas in my life. I saw some deficiencies in both areas. One of those was in the area of my personal walk with God. I am now trying to address the deficiency I saw there. I am not yet where I want to be with it, but I am moving in a right direction. I am in process, not accepting the status quo. I am making a fairly small course correction which can lead to big results in my walk with God.
In the other area of my life where I saw a deficiency, I set a small daily goal for myself. I decided, based on something I heard from a respected "mentor", to do something different in order to get different results! You have probably heard that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results! If you want different results, you will need to do something differently!
Are you becoming complacent? Have you settled for less than the best God has for you in some area of your life? Whether you can change your circumstances or not, you can make changes in you! It's not too late! Today is a new day with new opportunities.
Of course, all change has to be the kind that squares up with the Word of God. If you are having a bad year with your spouse, please don't go find a new one! That kind of change is wrong and will lead to dire consequences! Make certain that the changes you make are the right kind of changes!
SOMETHING NEEDS TO CHANGE!!! What is it in your life?
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May, 2008