Monday, December 27, 2004
A lot has changed
I'm in Abilene enjoying time with the in-laws. Christmas has been great this year and I actually enjoyed a nap as well. The holidays are nice!
OK. A lot has changed in less than a month. The church where I work (Southlake Blvd Church) has gone through some difficult times. And yet, I am more excited than ever about being there and doing the work God as called me to do. What is sad is that this body of Christ that meets at SBC is known more about it's splits than the work that is going on. And in this last month, yet another split. But from what I can tell, this one has been different than the others. The others, while pain was involved, left rather peacefully. This one hasn't been peaceful. Two of the three prior left with a preacher who had a vision and resigned to pursue that vision (the third was in regards to the name on the sign being changed). This one didn't. I know other differences are there, but I guess I point this out because the tone of our gatherings is different. I'm surrounded by staff, elders and a body that call SBC home and not only find Jesus but claim Him and willingly share His Name. I really believe a mighty work will begin through all this.
Good friends and family have left our home to create their own. I am sad and I have confessed to God and others of my resentment and bitterness to how all this came to be. However, I have prayed for God to bless and keep this flock that has departed. I can't imagine He is happy and would brush this off as "another church has planted...yipee!!" But I know He is so much bigger than me and in total control of all things. My faith has not weakened, but through Jesus and power of the Holy Spirit, I am strong. So my thanks is that He is God and I am not!
On another note...I got some cool shirts and a sweatshirt, shoes, pants, socks, boxers, a tape measure that runs along the wall and marks the measurement (haven't figured it out yet) and the kids got me a five in one video game for the TV...it has Galaga which is all I care about. Oh Yeah!!!
Anybody else?
OK. A lot has changed in less than a month. The church where I work (Southlake Blvd Church) has gone through some difficult times. And yet, I am more excited than ever about being there and doing the work God as called me to do. What is sad is that this body of Christ that meets at SBC is known more about it's splits than the work that is going on. And in this last month, yet another split. But from what I can tell, this one has been different than the others. The others, while pain was involved, left rather peacefully. This one hasn't been peaceful. Two of the three prior left with a preacher who had a vision and resigned to pursue that vision (the third was in regards to the name on the sign being changed). This one didn't. I know other differences are there, but I guess I point this out because the tone of our gatherings is different. I'm surrounded by staff, elders and a body that call SBC home and not only find Jesus but claim Him and willingly share His Name. I really believe a mighty work will begin through all this.
Good friends and family have left our home to create their own. I am sad and I have confessed to God and others of my resentment and bitterness to how all this came to be. However, I have prayed for God to bless and keep this flock that has departed. I can't imagine He is happy and would brush this off as "another church has planted...yipee!!" But I know He is so much bigger than me and in total control of all things. My faith has not weakened, but through Jesus and power of the Holy Spirit, I am strong. So my thanks is that He is God and I am not!
On another note...I got some cool shirts and a sweatshirt, shoes, pants, socks, boxers, a tape measure that runs along the wall and marks the measurement (haven't figured it out yet) and the kids got me a five in one video game for the TV...it has Galaga which is all I care about. Oh Yeah!!!
Anybody else?
Friday, December 24, 2004
Come, Lord, every time we gather
Merry Christmas Eve!
We had a snow fall on Wednesday that is still around today...so the kids have been in and out playing already this morning. There's the constant questioning of when to open presents and amazingly, there is still the need to buy a couple of more presents before this day is over. We will be gathering with our church late this afternoon for our traditional Christmas Eve Candlelighting, then we open presents, then get the kids to bed for the anticipation of Christmas day and what other gifts will be around!
One of the things Ali and I have enjoyed for the past 7 years is having Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in our own home. It has become really special. Now, we certainly love to be with the grandparents and usually we would leave on Christmas Day to go to either Abilene or the Temple/Belton area, but duties on Sunday will keep us here for the whole day before we can head out. And that's OK.
Last Sunday night we had an amazing worship event at our building with our church body. Our first go around with a choir (20 people) practiced hard since October to put on a "program" called 'Come! In Grace & Glory'. In light of things that have happened within our body, this turned out to be a very special and much needed time. The greatest compliment was that it wasn't a choir of singers but of worshipers! Praise God! The culminating plea for the whole night was for God to "move our hearts until we see Your grace and glory!"...We were moved and say the amazing grace and beautiful glory of our Lord! Come, Lord, every time we gather. Come, Lord!
We had a snow fall on Wednesday that is still around today...so the kids have been in and out playing already this morning. There's the constant questioning of when to open presents and amazingly, there is still the need to buy a couple of more presents before this day is over. We will be gathering with our church late this afternoon for our traditional Christmas Eve Candlelighting, then we open presents, then get the kids to bed for the anticipation of Christmas day and what other gifts will be around!
One of the things Ali and I have enjoyed for the past 7 years is having Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in our own home. It has become really special. Now, we certainly love to be with the grandparents and usually we would leave on Christmas Day to go to either Abilene or the Temple/Belton area, but duties on Sunday will keep us here for the whole day before we can head out. And that's OK.
Last Sunday night we had an amazing worship event at our building with our church body. Our first go around with a choir (20 people) practiced hard since October to put on a "program" called 'Come! In Grace & Glory'. In light of things that have happened within our body, this turned out to be a very special and much needed time. The greatest compliment was that it wasn't a choir of singers but of worshipers! Praise God! The culminating plea for the whole night was for God to "move our hearts until we see Your grace and glory!"...We were moved and say the amazing grace and beautiful glory of our Lord! Come, Lord, every time we gather. Come, Lord!
Sunday, December 12, 2004
TODAY is about GOD
It's been too long, and I don't have much time now. But I feel the need to share how in love I am with God and with the body of Christ that meets at Southlake Blvd. Church. Three hours from now, we will meet for our first hour gathering with the next one coming at 11 a.m. I have no idea who or what to expect. It has been a tough week! Many faces that I have looked into week to week won't be back at SBC. However, still more faces that I have engaged with will be back. The journey ahead is certainly an adventure and today it begins. I love our Shepherds and enjoy my time around them and with them as we enter God's presence. Thankfully, today is not about me, or the Shepherds or those that will or won't be at SBC this morning.
TODAY is about GOD. My prayer this morning is for God to take over and for Him to call the shots. "I will wait paitentlu for the Lord, He will turn to me and hear my cry. He will lift me out of the pit of mud and mire and set my feet on the Solid Rock of Jesus Christ. On Him I will have a firm place to stand. And God, today, will put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to Him. Today, many will see and fear, will see and commit to the way of Jesus Christ, will see and commit to the service of the Kingdom, will see and put their trust not in man, but in our Lord."
Thank you God for being so Good! Many will be watching today, You be what they are looking for!
TODAY is about GOD. My prayer this morning is for God to take over and for Him to call the shots. "I will wait paitentlu for the Lord, He will turn to me and hear my cry. He will lift me out of the pit of mud and mire and set my feet on the Solid Rock of Jesus Christ. On Him I will have a firm place to stand. And God, today, will put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to Him. Today, many will see and fear, will see and commit to the way of Jesus Christ, will see and commit to the service of the Kingdom, will see and put their trust not in man, but in our Lord."
Thank you God for being so Good! Many will be watching today, You be what they are looking for!
Friday, December 03, 2004
Just a note to say that more will come.
I walk by faith, not sight.
I'm training my eye not on what is seen, but what is unseen.
Come Lord.
I walk by faith, not sight.
I'm training my eye not on what is seen, but what is unseen.
Come Lord.
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