The Power of Community
I really don't know what it is that keeps me from maximizing the benefits of togetherness. I suppose I just like being alone. I can tell that good things happen in groups, but I'm still uncomfortable most of time in them. As I think about it there must be some trust issues below the surface. Maybe it's more insecurity than trust. Anyway, somewhere on my journey I have become a loner. I wasn't always that way, but it's where I am now. Anybody relate to what I'm saying? Do you have any people / relational stories to add to this conversation?
posted by work it out @ 5:59 AM
19 Comments:
Great life concept-6/19/08
If we get our focus on Christ then we can't help get better. Your life concept is confirmation on a revelation that hit me today. Been feelin' and behavin' on the triffling side lately, but I think its because I've slowly been drifting away from my focus-Christ. When you are focused on Christ then you can't help but be loving, energized and focused on the upbuilding of his kingdom. Again thanks for all that you do to encourage us in cyberspace.
Take Care!
Good to hear from you Jsaves69,
I have recognized lately, that I have been making my Christian walk far too complicated. It really is just Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Trying to get back to concentrating on those basic facts is keeping me centered. I have to confess I've been feelin a bit hankty myself. Not tryin to justify it, but I suppose going into a funk occasionally happens to all of us. Thanks for your comment.
Be Blessed!
Hope all is well...great sermon! Truly the Life Concept from 6-24-08 blessed me as well in that we find what we are really looking for from Christ if you approach Him sincerly. This Christian walk really requires frequent self evaluation to make sure we are on the right track and make sure our motives are pure.
Just wanted to let you know that with VBS we had a child commit his life to Christ on Sunday. He accepted Christ during VBS. It was an uphill press for me, but someone accepting Christ made it worth it all. It reminds me of the scripture that we really will reap a harvest if we faint not so we have to keep on doing good, we have to keep on pressing our way, we have to keep on working for the Master even when its not always convient, we have to stay in the field because the harvest is truly plentiful. As laborers we can't faint because it is really a matter of life and death.
Take care and be encouraged.
Take care!
That is great news about the child committing his life to Christ during VBS. I think that you all do a fabulous job. I know that we probably do not see half of the aggravation that goes into such an event. I know because that is the nature of ministering to people. What happens behind the scenes takes much more than people realize. Anyway it was a job well done, and the new kingdom kid is the icing on the cake.
Had a challenging day today. Our daughter had a tooth ache. The dentist did not see any trouble on the x-ray. Based on the symptoms he sent us to the nerve guy. To make a long story short she had to get a root canal done. It's all a part of the journey, but an unexpected detour today. Thankfully she came through it well and is doing fine.
By the way VBS helped me to recalibrate my focus too!
Glad to hear your baby is feeling better. Tooth problems are no joke. I am so glad that you were blessed by VBS. Ministry and what goes on behind the scenes are no joke, but I am pretty sure it is at a greater level on the pastoral level. As I have shared with my pastor...I would never ever want your job as pastor.
Take care and be encouraged!
I was pretty sure there were some behind the scenes challenges. Pulling that many different phases of a ministry event together, and working with that many people, along with combining two churches is a big deal. The way you guys have persevered is amazing. It has been a great blessing for those of us who are reaping the benefits. I know the kids especially love it! Incidentally, I don't know what the deal is with our a/c. Every year it seems the gremlins get in it during Bible school. Sorry about that. We got it corrected as quickly as we could.
Pastoring is not really that bad. God gives the grace for the obstacles that rise. The only times I really get glum about it, is when I'm focused on the negativity. There are almost always good things and bad things happening simultaneously. I love it most of the time. When I'm trippin', it's usually just a matter of getting my mind on the goodness of God and the positive things that are happening.
Thanks for your concern about Camille. She's back to her normal self. She only had a few bad hours that day. It just took us all day bouncing from place to place.
How is the new book coming along?
I've had an attack of writer's block, combined with a series of distractions. I also probably need to confess to a twinge of laziness. Anyway, the book has stalled. I'm hoping with this break we are taking that my creativity will be restored. In fact I'm trusting that will happen. I know my nerves were about to frazzle which affects everything.
Blog at ya later
The past 2 life concepts have been convicting. Working together does work...if we can ever get a common purpose, find our gift area and work it along with being respectful of the gift areas of others, positive, kingdom building things can really happen. The efforts of us collectively is much more powerful than the effort of you alone. Life concept for today...sometimes there are many layers of things that lead to what people do and the way situations are. There is nothing so bad that God can't comfort you in or deliver you from. Also, there is nothing outside of God's commands that is that good that we should indulge in. Sounds like you guys are having a great time! Be safe!
I'm just about aching to see what would happen if a team of people would really come all the way together to accomplish something God wants done. The power of unity and the power of obedience combined would be a mind blowing situation. I hope I see both things combine for a sustained period of time before I leave this world.
Happy Birthday and may you be blessed to have many more!!!!Enjoy your day! By the way...what happened to the bike:-)
Thanks Sherri,
Actually the bike(s) never were damaged. I just had some extremely close calls. One time I was going as fast as I could on the wrong side of the road and encountered a truck at a blind corner. Neither of us saw each other. That day God, or an angel literally lifted my bike out of harms way. If I didn't have 9 or 10 friends as eye witnesses, nobody would ever believe that story. That is just one example.
Be blessed!
WOW!!!!! That took some nerve!!!!.....God will truly protect us ....in spite of ourselves. God is so good and merciful and so mighty. He knew what He had for you to do on His battlefield and that it was so important that even a truck couldn't stop it!
My dad scared me from bikes early on...he said "baby don't trust nothing that fast on 2 wheels" so anyone who has the nerve to get on one more power to you.
Take care and be careful!!!!
The word on prayer is very much needed. I need more faith manifested in certain areas of life and less fear. I think that I get in my own way sometimes.
Go for it! Prayer is the key to conquering our fears and moving to great dimensions in Christ. I'm reading everything I can get my hands on and increasing my personal prayer time. I'm also convinced that corporate prayer at church must reach new levels of commitment. The power of Christ through prayer is what we need.
Just heard a great sermon Wed. relating to 8-8-08 Life Concept. Do what you do and do it well. We have to tap into the gifts we have and who God made us to be and do our very best at using them for kingdom building. You can't become somehow starstruck with another person's gift, but be thankful for who God made you to be. I would love to be able to sing like Aretha Franklin....however if you see me coming towards the choir stand don't let me get up there. Also, you can't let someone browbeat you into working outside of your gift area just to make a number (if you don't have the gift of hospility then don't let someone fool you to be an usher). I think that I am discovering what God has given me and trying my best to serve God with that. I am also learning that although God has given a certain level of gifts to each one of us He knows our hearts and wants our best effort in doing what we do for Him.
Take care, be blessed and I hope that all is well!
Thanks Jsaves69,
Your comments are always insightful, and good discussion starters. That whole thing about browbeating, does that happen in the church? (smile) We can sometimes be the worst at pressuring people to operate in areas in which they are not gifted. According to my observations, the majority of us are not in our proper places. Our gifts are being smothered by the needs of the organization. We just keep filling slots. It doesn't even matter if a person can do the job well, we just want a body in the position. I sometimes wonder what would happen if we just smashed all structures and then let people do their best at whatever they do best for Christ. I have a funny feeling the needs would be met anyway, and people would be much happier.
Enjoyed service on yesterday. Powerful sermon! We really do have to move past the extensive wish list and seek God's will be done even if it may cause a sacrifice on our part.
Also, I do understand about not giving a knee jerk response. About a month ago I almost let the devil fool me to give an impulsive response to something that really was not that deep. Had I responded the situation would not have turned out well and what I did not realize was that several other persons had already confronted the issue and had done it well.
Take care and be encouraged!
What is a true team member? I guess I never really thought about that. There are folks who think differently from you or may not be in your fav. 5, but someone focused on Christ and promoting the Kingdom of Christ in a Christ like manner who will hold you accountable would be an excellent team member for building Christ's kingdom. Unfortunately in church we want to engage in ministry with those we like or who are like us without Christ being the focus. WHen that happens and you have a group of church folk not focusing on Christ and His kingdom you have a clique and not a Kingdom building team.
Take care and be encouraged.
Post a Comment
<< Home