Good morning all,
Last Sunday in Contemporary we did a new song called "All The Poor And Powerless" by a band called Brothers and Sisters. I urge you to watch the video and think about the lyrics. A day is coming when all will see God for who He is. A day is coming when all will bend their knee before Him. And on that day we will all cry out Hallelujah to Him and give Him the praise that he deserves.
Hoss
Friday, October 29, 2010
Brokenness
In December Pastor Ron has each staff member choose a Bible verse for the year. Everyone on staff prays that verse for the person throughout the year. In December we share how God has worked in our hearts and lives through that Scripture. This year mine is Psalm 139:23 & 24, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
Tuesday I realized I neglected to complete and turn something in that I am assigned to do each month at work. I’m usually pretty faithful, so I was surprised that the reaction was that I was being rebellious. I felt I was just busy and in my busy-ness, I forgot. I completed it and moved on, having justified my lack of timely compliance to myself so I didn’t feel bad. It wasn’t that big of a deal, right? A little late, but I got it done.
Wednesday I was again busy, really busy! Plus, I had a goal in mind that I knew God would want achieved. Three times during a particular activity I heard the still, small voice of God prompting me a different direction, to do something else. Each time I acknowledged that it was important, and that I would get to it, in a minute. After the activity ended, God showed me why He was prompting me to do it when He wanted it done. Now it was too late. The opportunity was lost.
I am heartbroken. I blew it big time. I missed an opportunity to lead a little child to Him because I felt my agenda was more important. In my mind I wasn’t being outwardly disobedient or rebellious. I was going to do what He asked when I had a moment. Again, I justified my rebelliousness and disobedience.
Obedience can be defined as ‘doing what I am asked to do immediately, completely and willingly; following instructions.’ No ifs, ands or buts. I was disobedient. God tried to show me my heart and the offensive way in me in a situation where the stakes were low, and I justified it away. Then He showed me my rebellious and disobedient heart in a situation where the stakes couldn’t be higher. I feel absolutely awful about the missed opportunity. But I am thankful that God loved me enough to show me my sin so I can repent and grow in godliness.
I thank you Lord for showing me this sin in my life, and for placing people in my life who care enough to point out my sin when I choose to be blind toward it. Please help me to obey You and the authorities You place in my life immediately, completely and with a joyful heart. And PLEASE give me another opportunity to share You with that precious child. Please!?!?!
Tuesday I realized I neglected to complete and turn something in that I am assigned to do each month at work. I’m usually pretty faithful, so I was surprised that the reaction was that I was being rebellious. I felt I was just busy and in my busy-ness, I forgot. I completed it and moved on, having justified my lack of timely compliance to myself so I didn’t feel bad. It wasn’t that big of a deal, right? A little late, but I got it done.
Wednesday I was again busy, really busy! Plus, I had a goal in mind that I knew God would want achieved. Three times during a particular activity I heard the still, small voice of God prompting me a different direction, to do something else. Each time I acknowledged that it was important, and that I would get to it, in a minute. After the activity ended, God showed me why He was prompting me to do it when He wanted it done. Now it was too late. The opportunity was lost.
I am heartbroken. I blew it big time. I missed an opportunity to lead a little child to Him because I felt my agenda was more important. In my mind I wasn’t being outwardly disobedient or rebellious. I was going to do what He asked when I had a moment. Again, I justified my rebelliousness and disobedience.
Obedience can be defined as ‘doing what I am asked to do immediately, completely and willingly; following instructions.’ No ifs, ands or buts. I was disobedient. God tried to show me my heart and the offensive way in me in a situation where the stakes were low, and I justified it away. Then He showed me my rebellious and disobedient heart in a situation where the stakes couldn’t be higher. I feel absolutely awful about the missed opportunity. But I am thankful that God loved me enough to show me my sin so I can repent and grow in godliness.
I thank you Lord for showing me this sin in my life, and for placing people in my life who care enough to point out my sin when I choose to be blind toward it. Please help me to obey You and the authorities You place in my life immediately, completely and with a joyful heart. And PLEASE give me another opportunity to share You with that precious child. Please!?!?!
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Christmas
As we get ready to skip past Oct 31st and before you know it Thanksgiving will be here. I wanted to let you know about three exciting opportunities for you to invite family and friends.
December 5th "Go Light Your World" (Dessert Concert) Seating limited to 250 per service. We will have a 3 and 6 p.m. service.
December 12th "Christmas in Reverse" Young People's Choir
8:30 and 10:30 a.m.
December 24th "Christmas Eve Service"
Blessings
Dick Dillender
December 5th "Go Light Your World" (Dessert Concert) Seating limited to 250 per service. We will have a 3 and 6 p.m. service.
December 12th "Christmas in Reverse" Young People's Choir
8:30 and 10:30 a.m.
December 24th "Christmas Eve Service"
Blessings
Dick Dillender
Friday, October 22, 2010
A Little Levity On A Friday
Here is Christian comedian Tim Hawkins talking about parenting. He will actually be coming to Tucson on November 5th so talk to Kristin Wright if you are interested in going. She is getting some group rate tickets.
Hoss
Hoss
What is My Goal?
I have a fear of heights. I get woozy and feel faint on tall bridges and on the ledges of winding mountain roads.
Tuesday I attempted to tackle a High Ropes Course at camp. I didn’t fear the height because I was safely harnessed to a rope that was being held by a strong young man belaying me. Yet I felt extreme anxiety over the fact that my old body might not have the physical strength to accomplish the task.
This morning I looked up self-confidence in the dictionary. It said that self-confidence wasn’t just a belief in one’s ability to succeed. It also included an acceptance of the consequences or outcomes of the situation, be they good or bad. Self-confidence is the ability to cope with and accept whatever outcome may arise. It is about enjoying the process, and accepting the outcome. In order to do that, I need to refocus my goal. My goal needs to be on the process, not winning.
As a Christian, God calls me to attempt things I do not feel capable of accomplishing. At those times I sit at the crossroads, like I did at camp. Do I want to try, enjoy the process, and trust that whether I succeed in the task or not, God has me there doing it for His good purpose? Is my goal to serve where and when He calls me, or just where I can guarantee a perfect and successful program or ministry each and every time with absolute expertise? Do I want to miss the blessing of the process because I have no guarantee I can succeed? No guarantee that I will have all the answers or skills? No guarantee of perfection?!?
I wonder if people say no to serving in one of our children’s ministries because they fear not being successful, fear not having all the answers or skills, fear not being perfect.
Although I am physically sore from the High Ropes Course, and although it took me at least twice as long as it took my peers, and although I didn’t catch the trapeze at the end, I enjoyed the process. I am not discouraged that I didn’t conquer the course. My goal was to try, one step at a time. I thoroughly enjoyed the adventure!
Lord, please help all of us to look at the adventures you offer us in ministry, focus on the process you have set before us, and attempt great things with You!
Tuesday I attempted to tackle a High Ropes Course at camp. I didn’t fear the height because I was safely harnessed to a rope that was being held by a strong young man belaying me. Yet I felt extreme anxiety over the fact that my old body might not have the physical strength to accomplish the task.
This morning I looked up self-confidence in the dictionary. It said that self-confidence wasn’t just a belief in one’s ability to succeed. It also included an acceptance of the consequences or outcomes of the situation, be they good or bad. Self-confidence is the ability to cope with and accept whatever outcome may arise. It is about enjoying the process, and accepting the outcome. In order to do that, I need to refocus my goal. My goal needs to be on the process, not winning.
As a Christian, God calls me to attempt things I do not feel capable of accomplishing. At those times I sit at the crossroads, like I did at camp. Do I want to try, enjoy the process, and trust that whether I succeed in the task or not, God has me there doing it for His good purpose? Is my goal to serve where and when He calls me, or just where I can guarantee a perfect and successful program or ministry each and every time with absolute expertise? Do I want to miss the blessing of the process because I have no guarantee I can succeed? No guarantee that I will have all the answers or skills? No guarantee of perfection?!?
I wonder if people say no to serving in one of our children’s ministries because they fear not being successful, fear not having all the answers or skills, fear not being perfect.
Although I am physically sore from the High Ropes Course, and although it took me at least twice as long as it took my peers, and although I didn’t catch the trapeze at the end, I enjoyed the process. I am not discouraged that I didn’t conquer the course. My goal was to try, one step at a time. I thoroughly enjoyed the adventure!
Lord, please help all of us to look at the adventures you offer us in ministry, focus on the process you have set before us, and attempt great things with You!
Saturday, October 16, 2010
The Sovereignty of God
Yesterday was a day off for the school children in our Good News Clubs. We invited them to El Camino for a Fall Fun Day. We believed God was leading us to provide an extended period of time discipling them and developing deeper relationships with them.
Two of our students brought a family member; a cousin in middle school and a sister in high school. When the gospel was presented, these two girls were riveted on the presentation. I didn't get a chance to speak with the high schooler yet, but the middle schooler, who said she had heard the gospel once before, understood it this time and prayed to receive Jesus as her Savior.
This clueless servant is so thankful and feels incredibly blessed that God is Sovereign. We meant the day for discipleship. He meant, at least part of the day, for the salvation of at least one very precious soul, maybe more. We will continue to provide opportunities for outreach and discipleship as God leads. Thank you Lord for using these times for Your Glory! Thank you that You know everything and that You engineer situations to accomplish Your will. And thank You that You let us see a bit of what You are doing. What a gift and a blessing!
Two of our students brought a family member; a cousin in middle school and a sister in high school. When the gospel was presented, these two girls were riveted on the presentation. I didn't get a chance to speak with the high schooler yet, but the middle schooler, who said she had heard the gospel once before, understood it this time and prayed to receive Jesus as her Savior.
This clueless servant is so thankful and feels incredibly blessed that God is Sovereign. We meant the day for discipleship. He meant, at least part of the day, for the salvation of at least one very precious soul, maybe more. We will continue to provide opportunities for outreach and discipleship as God leads. Thank you Lord for using these times for Your Glory! Thank you that You know everything and that You engineer situations to accomplish Your will. And thank You that You let us see a bit of what You are doing. What a gift and a blessing!
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
A Glorious Future
Hey all,
It's been a couple of weeks since I've been on. There is lots and lots going on but I definitely wanted to take the time to share with you. It seems like so much is happening at church during these past couple of months and I think we, as a Ministry Leadership Team, have especially been feeling overwhelmed with thinking about where we are headed as a church. While this is very important, I wanted to share with you from my devotional today.
It was Isaiah 32. I read out of the New American Standard and the subtitle for the chapter was "A Glorious Future". The verse that really stuck to me throughout today was verse 8: "But the noble man devises noble plans; and by noble plans he stands." If we are following God, we don't have to worry about our future because it will be a glorious one. God WILL be glorified. I'll say that again....God WILL be glorified. If we don't do it then the rocks and the trees will. We can stand assured on any God-centered plan knowing that the future of this church will result in the glory of our God.
Hoss
It's been a couple of weeks since I've been on. There is lots and lots going on but I definitely wanted to take the time to share with you. It seems like so much is happening at church during these past couple of months and I think we, as a Ministry Leadership Team, have especially been feeling overwhelmed with thinking about where we are headed as a church. While this is very important, I wanted to share with you from my devotional today.
It was Isaiah 32. I read out of the New American Standard and the subtitle for the chapter was "A Glorious Future". The verse that really stuck to me throughout today was verse 8: "But the noble man devises noble plans; and by noble plans he stands." If we are following God, we don't have to worry about our future because it will be a glorious one. God WILL be glorified. I'll say that again....God WILL be glorified. If we don't do it then the rocks and the trees will. We can stand assured on any God-centered plan knowing that the future of this church will result in the glory of our God.
Hoss
Friday, October 8, 2010
Quick as a Wink
My family went to the Pacific Northwest for nine days of rest, recuperation, and reconnecting. I wasn’t worried about all the work that was piling up while I was gone. I knew it would be patiently waiting for me when I returned. It was.
On Monday we realized children weren’t contacted about attending camp this weekend. Mondays we have limited staff, and I didn’t have time to make calls and recruit campers during the day, so I sent up a quick prayer asking God to help me get the campers lined up that evening from home. We needed their commitments by Wednesday morning. At 5:00pm I started calling families. Within 2 hours God provided 11 of the 12 children we were allotted to take, AND a top notch bus monitor for the trip! I know God is mighty. I KNOW that. But when He shows me His mightiness so clearly and quickly, I am awed. What a mighty God we serve!!
Yesterday there was a hurting person in our midst. This weekend I’m extra busy attending a mission’s planning retreat Friday night and all day Saturday. I knew this woman would be on my mind and heart, so I prayed and asked God to have our paths cross before she left for the day so we could talk. Literally one heartbeat later, she walked into the room I was in, where I rarely am. We got to have a healing talk. His provision was immediate, loving and much appreciated.
In John 14:13, Jesus said, “I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”
Jesus delights in working in and through us to bring glory to His Father. Lord, please help me be more faithful in the asking. You are certainly faithful in the answering!!
On Monday we realized children weren’t contacted about attending camp this weekend. Mondays we have limited staff, and I didn’t have time to make calls and recruit campers during the day, so I sent up a quick prayer asking God to help me get the campers lined up that evening from home. We needed their commitments by Wednesday morning. At 5:00pm I started calling families. Within 2 hours God provided 11 of the 12 children we were allotted to take, AND a top notch bus monitor for the trip! I know God is mighty. I KNOW that. But when He shows me His mightiness so clearly and quickly, I am awed. What a mighty God we serve!!
Yesterday there was a hurting person in our midst. This weekend I’m extra busy attending a mission’s planning retreat Friday night and all day Saturday. I knew this woman would be on my mind and heart, so I prayed and asked God to have our paths cross before she left for the day so we could talk. Literally one heartbeat later, she walked into the room I was in, where I rarely am. We got to have a healing talk. His provision was immediate, loving and much appreciated.
In John 14:13, Jesus said, “I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”
Jesus delights in working in and through us to bring glory to His Father. Lord, please help me be more faithful in the asking. You are certainly faithful in the answering!!
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Change and Progress
We are presenting three separate proposals to the congregation on Sunday October 10. One was developed as a result of the worship survey we took a while back. The other two are the result of trying to implement the vision of the church which was approved several years ago. Anytime these things come up we jump back because it means change. I understand that change does not necessarily mean progresss. But many times we cannot progress if we are unwilling to change. Let us all examine our own hearts to make sure that we are willing to follow God's will, even if it make us uncomfortable. God did not call us to comfort but to expand His kingdom through evangelism and discipleship.
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