WholeHeartedLife

Overalls Aren't too Flattering

I've never been much for farming (that would be the other guy on our staff, the one who proclaims himself to be the better looking one ). However, I have always been interested in being part of the harvest.

I spent a couple of days last week thinking through the "parable of the sower" found in Luke 8. If your familiar with it you know that Jesus taught His disciples what it means:

The seed is the word of God. ¹²Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.¹³Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. ¹⁴The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. ¹⁵But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. (Luke 8:11-15, NIV)

See, I might be crazy but I'm thinking we can make the soil better... I'm thinking that the more that we work in the soil, with the soil, the better chance it has to become good. I want to cultivate the soil (the hearts) of this region... removing the stones, rocks and stumps that get in people's way. I want us to tend to the weeds when necessary, removing the thorns when they invade and even put up scarecrows when we need to making it possible for more and more people to have "good soil" that multiplies.

I feel that doing church in a different way than the norm provides an environment by which we remove stuff that gets in people way - I think we should always be looking to what we can do to help more people see the truth of God. Utilize the new stuff, the tools, the instruments, the lights, the environment. Use sermon props, video and hooks that help people remember. Just as long as we remember that it's the seed (the Word) that changes lives the rest is nothing more than the method we utilize to do our bidding.

You know, farmers may have a tendency to go with what they know but it doesn't take a genius to see that using a tractor is far superior to walking behind a stinkin' mule.

Now I totally recognize that in the text the primary sower is Jesus. However, every faithful person who carries and spreads the word of God is a sower of that word into the human heart that so desperately needs rescuing. This region is ripe for the harvest that God has been preparing and I have a front row seat.

Give me some overalls, some tools and a tractor (and a rockin' band ) and let's get it on - who's ready to get dirty? ²He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. (Luke 10:2 NIV)

Sunday Nite

Can I begin by saying, "God is good!"?

Sunday nite, watching some football but I'm ready to "hit it" - but before I do...

• I love to see people "connect" with God. Hyde Park is the kind of church that helps people from many different walks find life in Jesus. I am so thankful to be a part of that.
• Began the day anticipating a powerful move of God in our midst...
• ...10:30 service represented that move. There is nothing better to see a congregation call out to God together.
• Always reminded,

¹⁰Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. ¹²For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. (Eph 6:10-13, NIV)

• Rhonda Lovin taught FAITHTrac 201 today. 201 is part 2 of our 4 part New Attenders series and deals with developing spiritual maturity. So important that you take the next step with God no matter what it is.
• Saw a great testimony online from someone who took FAITHTrac 201 today - she was so excited about what she learned. If her response was the typical response... well I would say that Rhonda was used by God in a major way.
• 9 first time guests today! If you don't work in iServe than you probably wouldn't know that (which is why I share and celebrate it on here). I believe we had a few make decisions to follow Christ today as well.
• "in my life be lifted high, in our world be lifted high, in our love be lifted high!"
• Today's music: "Sing to the King" (Billy Foote, hyde park arrangement), "Not to Us" (Chris Tomlin/Passion arrangement), "Glory to God Forever" (Fee), "Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone)" (Tomlin), "Came to My Rescue" (Hillsong).
• Tonite I attended the North Point Online service (6pm on Sunday nites right here) and can't believe how much the Lord used Andy Stanley to speak into my current thoughts, issues and circumstances.
• I've heard people criticize Andy basically because they don't like his approach to preaching - all I gotta say is that God is ALWAYS using him to speak deeply into my spirit. Just my opinion, but people who don't have the call of God on their lives really should watch the way that they talk about preachers... I think it's dangerous when you judge someone who has God's call on his life.
• 2 huge things he said tonite: never neglect a tension that needs attention (it may be God calling attention to His will for you) and 2nd, "God takes full responsibility for the life that is wholeheartedly (yeah he used those words ) given to Him".
• Lord, I will take you at Your word.

Good night.

• Needless to say, I am VERY glad that I chose North Point tonite.

What Do You Hear?

DO YOU UNDERSTAND THE TIME THAT YOU ARE LIVING IN?!?

Not the "end-times" that most believers are preoccupied with but the NOW, today, where you currently sit, how amazing the time is that you live in (spiritually speaking) and the blessing that God has given us to live in these times?

Think about it - we have:

• God's Word - God literally speaks to us through the Bible. Are you interested in hearing from God? What are you reading in the Bible? If you don't read the Bible YOU ARE NOT HEARING FROM GOD. This is an amazing time with all of the technology - the way that God is literally using that technology to take His Word to the ends of the earth. WOW!!!
  
  Do you love the Word of God? If not, I pray for you right now, "Father, in Jesus' Name I lift this one up to you and ask You, beg You, to work within them to give them a passion for Your Word. May Your Spirit give them understanding as they seek to hear from You as they search the rich pages of Your plan for us. In Jesus' Name, Amen". 
• God's Church - God lives out His plan for the world THROUGH the local church. The church isn't just what we do on Sunday because YOU ARE the church, distributed throughout the world when we leave the meeting place. You have more chance to be the church Monday through Saturday than you do on Sunday. How's that going? 
  
  These are amazing times that the church lives in... we TRULY have the opportunity to be part of taking the gospel message to the end of the earth. Let's never forget that the mission begins in Jerusalem (wherever that local church has been placed by God: Lumberton/Robeson County)
• God's Spirit - The Spirit of the living God is alive and lives within those who have surrendered their lives to Him. Have you done that? If so, God desires to live through you daily, instructing and guiding you through making the 1st two examples happen and so much more. 

"Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, "Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. ²⁴For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it." (Luke 10:23-24 NIV).  You are blessed, I tell you - blessed! 

Live like it.

Waiting?

"but^(AN) they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength;
   they shall mount up with wings^(AO) like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
   they shall walk and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31, ESV)

Are you waiting on God? Is there something you believe that He is planning to do in your life? Maybe it's an answer to a long-prayed prayer or a promise that you have received. Maybe it's deliverance in an issue or the fulfillment of a ministry need. If you are you're in good company:

• What about Noah who built the arc despite the fact that there was no water around because God told him to? You know people thought he was crazy...
• Or Joseph, sold into slavery by his jealous brothers, ending up in prison only to eventually by God's providence ruling Egypt?
• Or David... He was anointed King of Israel by Samuel only to spend years running for his life as King Saul tried to kill him

In all three examples the outcome was worth the wait:

• a new beginning for the world...
• an amazing ending to a tragic story that showed God's Sovereignty and providence despite evil intentions...
• a King, described by the Lord as a "man after His Own heart", who despite running for his life for so long eventually represented God to His nation.

How many stories are there in the bible where people waited? The answer is too many to number - waiting is such a huge part of following Jesus. A lesson that I have had to learn personally: Don't despise time spent waiting for it is in that time that God prepares you for what is to come. 

If you're waiting He's not done, so wait, it WILL be worth it.

Rainy Monday Afternoon Update

Last night (sunday) I was so beat that I didn't even post - but we had an amazing weekend! With that in mind here is a quick Monday afternoon update (plus a music link) that is full of praise for Jesus concerning a great weekend:

• We had a great day at hyde park yesterday - Great crowds, great worship (so I'm told)...
• ...meaning that I never had the opportunity to join in our corporate worship as I spent the day serving over in the kidz place...
• ...which is a whole other praise: I led "KidzFaith 101", our salvation/baptism class for kidz aged 2nd to 5th grade who have not yet been baptized. I'm excited to tell you that after we completed the time and talked with the kidz and their parents that we have 9 KIDZ who have professed faith in JESUS and are awaiting baptism. AMAZING!!!!
• After that I led worship in "Kidz INC LIVE" which was great!!! We have one of the best kidz worship services possible. Our kidz were tuned in, our leaders were sharp and I loved it.
• Over in the worship center we actually began a new Bible Fellowship Group Initiative titled, "Connect3" and challenged those who attend but are unconnected to commit to be part of a small group for 6 weeks.
• 84 people said, "Yes - I will be part of a group for the next 6 weeks"! If you are one of those I am so proud of your decision to take a next step with us. To say that I'm pumped about that is an understatement.
• Worship music yesterday: Glory to God Forever, I am Free, Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone).
• Great job to the band and worship team for their ministry yesterday (so I'm told, again).
• Also, to our iServe team who really worked with our BFG Coordinator, Chris Smith, to make the Survey come off quickly and painlessly.
• We had our 1st annual "Kruzin' 4 Christ" benefit car show Saturday. It was a great success for a 1st time. I was so proud of all those who served to make it happen.

Wanted to close by sharing some of our new music that you'll be hearing over the next little while here at hp - Enjoy the rainy afternoon (take a nap for me )

October iMix

Here's some of the new music you've heard (or will be hearing) at hyde park!

(Facebook readers: go to my website: http://www.wholeheartedlife.typepad.com to see and download)

If You Could See "Their Faces"

A little story from a long time ago that gives you a glimpse into my development as a worshiper of Jesus and how I found out it was OK to be different.

A few months after giving my heart to the Lord I was asked to participate in a gospel sing that my church was hosting. I don't know why my pastor thought that I would be a good addition but he insisted that I participate. The singing was made up of 2 Southern Gospel groups with me opening up the show. This was my 1st encounter with a "gospel sing" - I had never even been to one as a spectator so I had no concept what it would be like and what people expected. (It should be noted that when I say I had "no concept" you should remember that I was just finishing up a gig playing beer joints on Saturday Nites )

As I was nearing the date of the singing I was working up songs that my pastor had given me because he thought I could sing them (more importantly these were his favorite songs that he wanted to hear me sing) so I was quite busy "finding my voice" on this new style of music. The style was a traditional gospel sound (which I am fine with) but I remember that, although I appreciated the words of the songs I was singing, none of them stirred my soul - I just wasn't connecting stylistically.

At the time I was regularly listening to a contemporary Christian station (107.3 WCLN) and was hearing a song that I just loved titled, "Free", and thought to myself, "I wonder where I could find the soundtrack to that?". I went by the local Christian bookstore and sure enough THEY HAD IT - I WAS PUMPED!! "Finally a song that just makes my heart jump!!!"

The next evening I was at the church with my pastor - I was rehearsing and he was working on some stuff around the church. I popped in my new soundtrack cassette (tape - remember those?) and began to sing the song...

"What's that", my Pastor asked.
"Oh, it's a song called 'Free' by a guy named Steven Curtis Chapman.", I replied.
"Where did you get that?"
"The Christian bookstore in Fayetteville".
"Why?", he asked me.
"Because it's an amazing song that just totally captures the feeling that I have in my soul. I've been hearing it on the radio and I just felt like it's more 'me' than the other stuff I'm working on. Don't get me wrong, these songs are great but they just don't sound like me as much as this one". End of conversation.

That Saturday night we had a good old gospel sing and I got up there in front of that church crowd and 2 seasoned Southern Gospel groups and shared my voice with the crowd and when the end of my set came I shared a little bit of my testimony of who I am and where I have come from. After the testimony I told them that this last song pretty much summed up the way my spirit now feels - "It's a song titled 'Free'"... 

(cue the soundtrack)
(Begins with semi-funky electronic drum beat - the crowd's faces were blank...)

I sang it - with passion, with conviction and (I believe) with anointing. They didn't get it.

I've tried to live out the ministry God has placed me in by doing whatever it takes to reach people - not the opposite which is whatever it takes to keep people. I began to discover that night that if I was going to be a difference maker for Jesus, an "impactor", I was going to have to learn to be ME regardless of the blank stares and puzzled looks because for every one of them there are 50 more that might 'get it' because THEY DON'T get our church subculture. 

I'll take those odds every time.

(by the way, the song "Free" is not very edgy by today's standards, but if you could see "their faces" )

This May Not Feel Like Blessing...

The other day in my daily reading I came upon the following passage that was right on time:

²²Blessed are you when men hate you, 
      when they exclude you and insult you 
      and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.

 ²³"Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets. (Luke 6:22-23 NIV)

What I read in that is this (please excuse my loose paraphrase):

When you feel hated, disrespected or rejected by people you should rejoice - jump for joy because if your heart is in Jesus and you're serving Him wholeheartedly your reward in heaven will be HUGE! Never forget that people like this act in the way that people have always acted (their ancestors) who mistreated (and killed) the prophets. These people TOTALLY MISSED Jesus (!!) and killed Him. When you are mistreated we are in excellent company.

So, when you feel mistreated it may not feel like a blessing but remember, all will not be rewarded here on earth - Somebody much more important has His eye on you.

Sunday Nite

We had another slammin' Sunday at hyde park. After a day that was busier than most for me I am TOTALLY ready to call it a night - but before I do I just wanted to share with you:

• Pastor Dennis finished up the "Calm in Chaos" series today. Good series. I bet none of us will ever look at the "Lord's Prayer" the same way.
• Good crowds in both services despite the fact that we began with a rainy morning. The 1st crowd (9am) was slow coming in but they got there 
• Keyna was sick this morning and wasn't able to make worship - if you will please pray that she will be well enough to work tomorrow.
• iServe team was in full-effect this morning serving out in the rain and demonstrating to hyde park that service doesn't stop for the weather. Great job to all of you!
• We had a great day of worship this morning - both services went very well...
• ...that being said, the 10:30 service is UNBELIEVABLE! Literally gets better and better by the week!
• Big weekend NEXT WEEKEND for hyde park Bible Fellowship Groups. We'll be sharing a new initiative during next weekend's service.
• Music today: "Your Name" (Paul Baloche - which was the musical theme for this series), "Glory to God Forever" (Fee). "I Bow Down" (hyde park worship), "How Great thou Art" (Newsong arrangement), "Surrender" (Lincoln Brewster).
• Continue to see new faces on Sunday's - if you're one of those faces, WELCOME!
• Also noticed some familiar faces back with us today after some absence - don't know where you've been but I hope that the Lord rocked your face off today! 

I close today by stating the obvious, "Jesus is at work at hyde park" - do you have eyes to see what He's doing around you?

Get Your Head in the Game!

In Sunday's message, "Deliver Us...", I used the analogy of sports teams and the purpose of their practice during the week and the way that it applies to us in times of trial. Think about it like this:

Sports teams practice all week - on game day it is their job to EXECUTE what they've learned all week. If they make the same mistakes over and over they're not learning anything. 

This analogy reminds me of the church sometimes - we keep coming to practice (church services/classes/work with me here ) but when gameday comes (a trial) they totally forget everything coach (pastor, teacher and ultimately, Jesus) has been teaching them. Some of you say, "well, if the players/people aren't learning it's the teachers fault", and I would say yes and no. Sometimes it may be that the teacher isn't communicating well (I don't think that would be the case at hyde park); Sometimes it may be that the guys coming to practice are sitting under "coach's" teaching but they are thinking about their girlfriend/boyfriend instead of learning the playbook.

Never forget: Just because you show up for practice doesn't mean that you are actually preparing for the game (or in this case, a trial). Let's get our heads in the game.