We Want more…..slightly different read of Acts 1…

www.drmcginnis.wordpress.com
It seems we are also wanting more from Christ…(this isn’t necessarily bad). In this passage, Christ had given His followers instruction, promise, power and authority. Yet, they wanted details to the plan. I find myself often in this position. God has called and equipped, however, I want in on the know, I want the steps and the process. Most of the time it’s because I’m excited and fired up…sometimes it’s because I’m leary and afraid. He proves Himself over and over and I want more. He desires obedience and faithfulness and trust and I ask for Gideon-like proof. Lord help us to act and believe, help us to be faithful and full of Your power and know that as we go and as we make disciples, You are with us and empowering us to fulfill Your will.
Acts 1:8-10

 

Guest blog….Charles Spurgeon

I’ve read many blogs that have allowed guests to blog and I thought who better to talk to us about grace and truth than Charles Spurgeon! I think he alludes to One Prayer way before Craig thought of it! How true, the passion SHOULD be of the believer! Let me know your thoughts and convictions; mine are many as I am still processing this powerful devotion.
“For the truths sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.”
— 2 John 2

Once let the truth of God obtain an entrance into the human heart and subdue the whole man unto itself, no power human or infernal can dislodge it. We entertain it not as a guest but as the master of the house—this is a Christian necessity, he is no Christian who doth not thus believe. Those who feel the vital power of the gospel, and know the might of the Holy Ghost as He opens, applies, and seals the Lord’s Word, would sooner be torn to pieces than be rent away from the gospel of their salvation. What a thousand mercies are wrapt up in the assurance that the truth will be with us for ever; will be our living support, our dying comfort, our rising song, our eternal glory; this is Christian privilege, without it our faith were little worth. Some truths we outgrow and leave behind, for they are but rudiments and lessons for beginners, but we cannot thus deal with Divine truth, for though it is sweet food for babes, it is in the highest sense strong meat for men. The truth that we are sinners is painfully with us to humble and make us watchful; the more blessed truth that whosoever believeth on the Lord Jesus shall be saved, abides with us as our hope and joy. Experience, so far from loosening our hold of the doctrines of grace, has knit us to them more and more firmly; our grounds and motives for believing are now more strong, more numerous than ever, and we have reason to expect that it will be so till in death we clasp the Saviour in our arms.

Wherever this abiding love of truth can be discovered, we are bound to exercise our love. No narrow circle can contain our gracious sympathies, wide as the election of grace must be our communion of heart. Much of error may be mingled with truth received, let us war with the error but still love the brother for the measure of truth which we see in Him; above all let us love and spread the truth ourselves.

 

Shampoo and Church

The other day I went shopping for shampoo….big mistake. When the grocery list says, “shampoo” one would think it wouldn’t be very difficult to purchase the item. Well, easier said than done. Upon arriving in the ‘hair care’ isle, I quickly realized I was in over my head! The countless namebrands were overwhelming to say the least, but truly, that’s only the beginning of the problem! I arbitrarily chose Pantene. (Don’t ask). Well, the subdivisions and categories were ridiculous! Frizz control, volumizer, damaged hair, oily, dry, treated, thin, ugly (I made that one up), this is not to mention the conditioners and other products. I simply wanted something that would clean my hair. I’ve been wondering if excess is still cool? Is there a time (now) when too many options are detrimental? Shampoo shopping is now intimidating and scary. I DONT want to do it! I WONT do it! I guess shampoo shopping for my wife and mother-in-law might be different. You see, Sarah, my mother-in-law, runs her own Salon. She’s trained, educated and experienced in all things hair. She’s not intimidated. She probably enjoys it and dominates it. My wife grew up in that environment. (She’s a girl too, that probably is a factor )

What are the implications for the church? I enjoy all things church. I’m trained, educated and experienced. I grew up a PK and LOVED it! However, there are many in our culture that are overwhelmed by the options, diversity and emphases of our churches. I sometimes wonder if church diversity is one of our worst enemies? I’m just sayin….What if we have allowed so many options to creep in and distract the Church from our primary mission of the Great Commission grounded in the Great Commandment? We tend to become so focused and specialized that we excuse ourselves from fulfilling THE ONLY TRUE mission for the Church. Could our options and specializations end up intimidating and confusing those “shopping” for God in our churches? Are there those that are simply wanting to connect to God (much like I simply wanted to wash my hair)? But, they are so confused they may actually back down from pursuing Him in our communities of faith? Do they see marketing, competition and overselling our specializations as desparate attempts to grow our God business? I don’t know…I’ve just been thinking about this for the past few weeks. Excess and options tend to be overdone for our generation. We tend to desire simple and authentic purposeful products and relationships. What do you think?

 

Spirit-FILLED Leadership…

I’m totally ready (at least I think I am) for an Acts 4:31 leadership style to take over. Books, conferences, degrees, wisdom, strategy, planning, and new implementations of models and methods are great and effective….BUT, they don’t mean squat without a TOTAL infusion of the Holy Spirit’s power. I am totally into leadership and leadership development. We’ve all seen the leader that believes screaming, drumming up emotions, and speaking in tongues causes God to move and people to respond. Not so (Speaking in tongues is often our response to God). But, there is a place of Spirit-FILLED leadership. This place is one where we DO EVERYTHING with the power, authority and anointing of the Spirit of God. Lunch meetings ooze with His presence. I want to no, I need to be FILLED with His Spirit just like Acts 4:31. These men were filled in Acts 2, but now they experience another infilling.

Acts 4:31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales

35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.

 

Clean Water for Our World

Check out this blog. We need to do this. Please join with me as I make a huge difference with a small change for a short time.
Blog

For Immediate Release Contact: Shawn Wood
April 21, 2009 (c) 843.478.3716 5daysinmay@gmail.com
www.shawnwoodwrites.com

DRINK WATER TO GIVE WATER
BLOGGERS LAUNCH CAMPAIGN FOR CLEAN DRINKING WATER

CHARLESTON, S.C. – A group of U.S. based bloggers are asking their readers to go on a five day “beverage fast” in May by drinking only water and donating the savings to Water Mission International, an organization serving the water and sanitation needs of people in developing countries and disaster areas.

“5 Days in May has the potential to provide millions with clean water for life,” said Shawn Wood, founder of the 5 Days in May campaign. “But the picture I cannot get out my mind is that one 3 year old little girl who will not be drinking out of a ditch on May 6th” Wood continued.

“The average American drinks 420 ounces of canned soft drinks a week, my average friend buys a specialty coffee drink 3 times a week and I drink at least one fountain drink every day,” said Wood. “Crunch the numbers and the cost adds up pretty quick.”

On average, 30 cans of soda equal $15.00, 3 trips to a commercial coffee shop equal $10.00 and five fountain drinks equal $8.75, totaling $43.75 spent on beverages by the average American in only one week.

According to Water Mission International, that same dollar amount of $43.75 could give 5 people clean drinking water for the rest of their lives.

Water is critical to life, health, and sustainable development. Yet, worldwide, more than a billion people do not have access to this basic resource. More than two billion do not have adequate sanitation. Every day, an estimated 25,000 people die from a lack of safe water and sanitation.

Wood, a blogger, speaker and author, hopes to leverage his online community to launch this campaign for clean water and is encouraging his social network to join the cause.

“Many groups are out there asking for donations. 5 Days in May is different because we are asking Americans save money on beverages for five days and ‘drink water to give water’ to people who really need it.”

Join the movement by logging on to www.5daysinmay.com, follow the movement at www.twitter.com/5daysinmay, and discuss the movement on Facebook.

 

Sunday night debriefing

1. Good Volunteer Sunday…Yvette organized it well, four or five groups met and recruited new folks!
2. Pastor Josh took worship to WNL (whole nutha level-for you white folk)–sometimes I think I am going to explode in worship!
3. The band was just crazy good!
4. One video dead…..
5. Message flowed..still struggle with wanting to be liked/accepted more than flat out preaching the Word-when its a hard message! God is faithful
6. At least one SALVATION and two rededications today!!!!—That NEVER gets old!! God changing lives!!
7. Wish I could preach again tomorrow!!
8. Ready for Easter!!! It’s gonna be CRAZY!!! If you want suits and organ music DON”T come to TCChurch!!!
9. Life Groups rock!!

Get out and use what God gave you to keep people from dying and going to hell. Bare minimum, invite them to a passionate Church EVERY week until they come and receive the life giving message of Christ’s Gospel.

 

Leadership 101

My leadership attempt for today as defined by Perry Noble: “Leadership is simply hearing from God and obeying what He says”.

Easier said than done, but that’s today’s (and every day’s dilemma).

Pray, hear, trust, obey….Lord help me to live this today.

 

The coming evangelical collapse | csmonitor.com

The coming evangelical collapse | csmonitor.com

Posted using ShareThis

 

Break Out Video Teaching

Most Christians seem to live held hostage to lies of the enemy. We have grown accustomed to living in a prison of condemnation and mediocrity. It’s time to Break Out. Watch our intro video here:
Breakout. And let me know what you think! (Joe rocked the video—now just get a good speaker!!)

 

Pastors being “Relevant”

I’ve been thinking about pastors trying to be relevant. (Matt Cornett–don’t know it, but you helped spark this thought). All the shock and awe techniques are okay, if they are genuine and Spirit-inspired. I feel many pastors try shock value simply because it has worked as a gimmick for another leader. Crude language, sensitive subjects spoken about insensitively just reek of gimmick and marketing intentions. There are sexual topics, drug issues, spousal abuse problems and a plethora of other ‘hot topics’ the church must address. However, authenticity, integrity and maturity must be key ingredients for transformational leadership. Key thought: What leaders do in moderation, followers will do in excess. Where is sanctification in our leaders? Where is new creation fruit in our churches? Where is in the world not of it in our demonstration/presentation of the Gospel message?

I have read some pastors discussing drinking, cussing, listening to questionable music/entertainment, smoking etc. all in the name of relevance/transparency/humanity and freedom. I am not launching into a Scriptural assault/defense, though I probably should. (Romans 6, 8, 15)….good evil spoken of, examples, causing brothers to stumble..on and on and on.

I understand I am dealing with two issues. However, I sensed they are intrinsically connected. Hard-hot topics and relevance-integrity of leadership. Some ministers want to demonstrate street cred…”I was hard”, “I relate”, “I came from the streets too” mentality. One can do that without selling out the Gospel. Language and action often betray our leaders.

My dad was hard. He grew up rough. He carried a “piece” (Did that sound cool? Do I have some cred now?) Drugs, alcohol, porn, horrible language, bars, guns, fights, dead friends, incarcerated friends..and on and on and on. However, when Christ SAVED him, he also set him FREE. Christ broke the power and the penalty of the law of sin and death. No more crude language, course jesting, porn, alcohol, drugs etc. Sanctification, new creation, and holiness became a norm for him. Crucified with Christ. No longer he that lives but Christ lives through him. Where is the holiness, righteousness, crucified lifestyle? Those that know me know that I am not encouraging legalism, but fully devoted following Christ. I also know those who need to read this won’t…….what are your thoughts?