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Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Milestones Discipleship Model
I recently read Bryan Haynes new book Shift. In my humble oppinion it is a great model for life-long discipleship that truly empowers and equips parents to be the Primary disciplers of their children. At Southcliff, we have been in the process of rethinking everything about our church. Part of the rethinking process will be to develop a new discipleship strategy that everyone of the age group ministries can rally around. I hope to develop a similar strategy to that of Kingsland Baptist Church (Bryan's church). It may be a struggle, but in the end it will be worth it.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Living life without the BUT
Recently, I was driving on a beautiful Sunday afternoon, the windows down, the sun shining brightly, the sky a deep blue, when my thoughts took me back to a much more carefree time. My mind flashed back to my High school days. I thought that on a day like this back then, I would not have a care in the world. As long as I had a little money for some Mountain Dew and friends to hang out with, it was a good day. I was living in the moment not a concern for the future. Those were the good old days. My parents were there to take care of everything. I really didn't have to worry about any of life's basics, so what was left? Just enjoying the moment.
Flash forward, to this giant BUT. It is Sunday afternoon and I should be enjoying this great day that God has given me, BUT there is a gnawing in the back of my mind. Bills to pay, homework to complete, work demands, and family issues all conspire to take away the joy of the moment. One question came to my mind; Why can't I enjoy this day like I used to? Secondly, should I?
Is there something wrong with me if I cannot get past life's worries to enjoy the present? And if so, then how do you do it? How do I get past all of life's mess to enjoy a beautiful day that God has provided. How do you manage being responsible for a family without letting the concerns of life overtake the joy of life?
I have been pondering these questions for a while now, this morning I think that I may be on to something. I joined the young married families of our church for a time of worship. It was just three songs, prayer and a handshake. During that fifteen minutes there was joy with no BUT.
Then the answer came to me. For fifteen minutes I was not concentrating on any of life's concerns. I was focused on the one reason that I can sing. I was focusing on God and his greatness. Then the question comes to me; What if I could live everyday of my life like this? What if my life became a life of worship?
When I think about it, my life is not really all that different now than it was then. Sure I have more responsibilities, more bills and more people dependent on me, but I have God. Much like my parents, God has my back. God provides for me. God has promised to take care of me. Now, just for a moment don't focus on bills, food, drink, clothes, or jobs. Just for a moment focus on God. Ask yourself, can he provide all of these things? The answer is yes. He has promised that if we seek his kingdom the important things of life will be taken care of (Matthew 6:25-33).
In those moments with my heart and mind focused on God and his greatness I couldn't help but smile. I was bolder, I was filled with joy, it was just like a sunny day in my youth with no BUT. Let us strive to live everyday focused on God and his greatness. Lets live a life of worship
Flash forward, to this giant BUT. It is Sunday afternoon and I should be enjoying this great day that God has given me, BUT there is a gnawing in the back of my mind. Bills to pay, homework to complete, work demands, and family issues all conspire to take away the joy of the moment. One question came to my mind; Why can't I enjoy this day like I used to? Secondly, should I?
Is there something wrong with me if I cannot get past life's worries to enjoy the present? And if so, then how do you do it? How do I get past all of life's mess to enjoy a beautiful day that God has provided. How do you manage being responsible for a family without letting the concerns of life overtake the joy of life?
I have been pondering these questions for a while now, this morning I think that I may be on to something. I joined the young married families of our church for a time of worship. It was just three songs, prayer and a handshake. During that fifteen minutes there was joy with no BUT.
Then the answer came to me. For fifteen minutes I was not concentrating on any of life's concerns. I was focused on the one reason that I can sing. I was focusing on God and his greatness. Then the question comes to me; What if I could live everyday of my life like this? What if my life became a life of worship?
When I think about it, my life is not really all that different now than it was then. Sure I have more responsibilities, more bills and more people dependent on me, but I have God. Much like my parents, God has my back. God provides for me. God has promised to take care of me. Now, just for a moment don't focus on bills, food, drink, clothes, or jobs. Just for a moment focus on God. Ask yourself, can he provide all of these things? The answer is yes. He has promised that if we seek his kingdom the important things of life will be taken care of (Matthew 6:25-33).
In those moments with my heart and mind focused on God and his greatness I couldn't help but smile. I was bolder, I was filled with joy, it was just like a sunny day in my youth with no BUT. Let us strive to live everyday focused on God and his greatness. Lets live a life of worship
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