Have been observing people and how they react to waiting. Some get angry, some are merely impatient, some have the patience to just wait.
Waiting is part of life, expect it, know you will be called to wait. Seems like alot of life is about waiting. As I am learning, what am I willing to wait for is the question. What do I consider important enough to wait on.
That raises a whole new set of questions, what do I consider important? Who do I consider important enough to wait on?
Then you add the whole "God-thing" into the equation and what He calls us to wait for and on... "I waited patiently on the Lord and He heard my cry"
Some fun ideas to think about and consider...
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
The Secret Circle
Hot new show, starring http://twitter.com/RealBritt_Rob http://twitter.com/1PhoebeJTonkin http://twitter.com/shelleyhennig http://twitter.com/thethomasdekker http://twitter.com/louis_hunter follows another great show: The Vampire Diary. This deals with a gorgeous girl next door: Cassie Blake, and her dealing with her mom's death and the fact which she struggles with of her and her friends being a witch.
The big picture seems to be what to do with power that could be impossible to control and whether this power is good or evil or can it be defined by such terms. And who wants to control and possibly destroy the "Secret Circle" from within and from without.
There's forces of good, ie. Diana, and a few others, some that could be evil or willing to be used by evil, such as Faye and her henchwomen.
And Charles and Faye's mom who are sinister and want to use the Circle to their ends.
We face similar struggles,minus the magic aspect, in who we are and who we serve or are used by. This struggle should be very interesting to see play out on the small screen. Take the time and watch http://www.cwtv.com/cw-video/the-secret-circle/?tab=2 the series' premiere and stay tune week to week!
The big picture seems to be what to do with power that could be impossible to control and whether this power is good or evil or can it be defined by such terms. And who wants to control and possibly destroy the "Secret Circle" from within and from without.
There's forces of good, ie. Diana, and a few others, some that could be evil or willing to be used by evil, such as Faye and her henchwomen.
And Charles and Faye's mom who are sinister and want to use the Circle to their ends.
We face similar struggles,minus the magic aspect, in who we are and who we serve or are used by. This struggle should be very interesting to see play out on the small screen. Take the time and watch http://www.cwtv.com/cw-video/the-secret-circle/?tab=2 the series' premiere and stay tune week to week!
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Heart "sings"
"My heart will sing no other name, Jesus Jesus" hearing that again the other day at church got me thinking. It has been on my mind a bit lately. I think I get in trouble with my heart "singing" to something else other than God. It has been alcohol, popularity and a variety of other objects I have given myself to.
I think part of this has been reading through Hebrews for quiet time and possible use for Koinonia during fall. It is the supremacy of Christ that the writer of Hebrews extolls and challenges us the reader to truly believe. I think that what we give our "song" to defines who we believe is supreme in our life,much more clearly than our words ever could.
I am learning more and more that actions truly do speak louder than any word ever could. Mainly because I can say what other people need to hear or I think what they want to hear. But actions put a whole new meaning to those words.
Just a thought I have been thinking through and will continue to explore.
I think part of this has been reading through Hebrews for quiet time and possible use for Koinonia during fall. It is the supremacy of Christ that the writer of Hebrews extolls and challenges us the reader to truly believe. I think that what we give our "song" to defines who we believe is supreme in our life,much more clearly than our words ever could.
I am learning more and more that actions truly do speak louder than any word ever could. Mainly because I can say what other people need to hear or I think what they want to hear. But actions put a whole new meaning to those words.
Just a thought I have been thinking through and will continue to explore.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Afshin Ziafat's message
Acts 17:1-6, Eph 4:22-25, I Thess. 1:3-10.
God uses those people that are ready, willing and able to "outlive your life."
Here's how you outlive your life: 1) Have an understanding of the Gospel. People with a true understanding of the Gospel will share the "Good News." They won't need prodding or be forced to share. Having a understanding of our "enemy" before coming to Christ (Romans 5:8-10) helps us to rise up to the challenge of sharing with others, in that we understand what obstacles might be in the way of a person's belief in Who Christ is.
2) Requires receiving the Word of God, continually (Galatians 1:12.) Seeking the Word of God and relying on the words there, instead of first seeking out the advice of others. We have all we need in terms of guidance and wisdom from the Word of God, but too often we won't do the work to learn what God Word says. It's actively seeking what the Word says and often won't make sense to those around us.
3) Outliving your life requires sacrifice. Being ready to lay down our dreams and hopes for our lives, to accomplish God's will in our life (I John 2:17.) We need to be prepared to lay down our life if necessary.
4) Outliving your life requires perserverance (Philippians 1:12-13, 1:29-30) God uses our hanging on to His plan and call on our life. With a eternal perspective, then suffering=opportunity, an opportunity to advance the Gospel. God will be the One who makes best use of our perserverance to share Who He is in our life, through whatever means it takes.
5) Outliving our life requires us to be "other focussed" (I Thess. 1:11-12.) God gives us a perspective to see success as when His Word is heard, not as the world sees success. God's love will shine through us as we become concerned for other's welfare both in the present and the future.
As we try to outlive our life, God's Word is naturally advanced and goes onto impact others all around the world. It is a costly lifestyle but the eternal rewards are unimaginable.
God uses those people that are ready, willing and able to "outlive your life."
Here's how you outlive your life: 1) Have an understanding of the Gospel. People with a true understanding of the Gospel will share the "Good News." They won't need prodding or be forced to share. Having a understanding of our "enemy" before coming to Christ (Romans 5:8-10) helps us to rise up to the challenge of sharing with others, in that we understand what obstacles might be in the way of a person's belief in Who Christ is.
2) Requires receiving the Word of God, continually (Galatians 1:12.) Seeking the Word of God and relying on the words there, instead of first seeking out the advice of others. We have all we need in terms of guidance and wisdom from the Word of God, but too often we won't do the work to learn what God Word says. It's actively seeking what the Word says and often won't make sense to those around us.
3) Outliving your life requires sacrifice. Being ready to lay down our dreams and hopes for our lives, to accomplish God's will in our life (I John 2:17.) We need to be prepared to lay down our life if necessary.
4) Outliving your life requires perserverance (Philippians 1:12-13, 1:29-30) God uses our hanging on to His plan and call on our life. With a eternal perspective, then suffering=opportunity, an opportunity to advance the Gospel. God will be the One who makes best use of our perserverance to share Who He is in our life, through whatever means it takes.
5) Outliving our life requires us to be "other focussed" (I Thess. 1:11-12.) God gives us a perspective to see success as when His Word is heard, not as the world sees success. God's love will shine through us as we become concerned for other's welfare both in the present and the future.
As we try to outlive our life, God's Word is naturally advanced and goes onto impact others all around the world. It is a costly lifestyle but the eternal rewards are unimaginable.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Living the words
Had a fun and enjoyable chat last night at outreach at http://houstonsfirst.org and several thoughts immerged. The topic of the discussion was "service projects" and what different classes were doing for them. I explained what our class, Night Light, is doing, and people were interested, in hearing more about both Noah's Kitchen and our "water ministry."
From this time came a couple of thoughts came out. 1) Becoming a follower of Christ is fine. In word there is nothing wrong with that. This will "establish" a relationship with God and His Son. Going to church, going to Sunday School, having some involvement is all well and good. I was there for more years than I can count, marginal involvement as long as it didn't infringe on my life or require more than I was willing to give. I think that we as followers of Christ can drift along this way for a whole lifetime, being happy that we are in church, doing our thing. BUT
I have been learning God calls us to so much more...
2)God calls us to not only have a relationship with Him, and to call others to "come and see" the God we have a relationship with, but become involved with those who don't know God or even want to know Him. I at first thought it was purely for the good feelings produced that I got involved at a bit of a deeper level, but then realized that a peace and a sense of completeness comes along is a much larger reason calls us to involvement with a lost world. God created us to relationships both with Himself and then also with others. When we take opportunity to go and do get involved with people we begin to get back to God's original design on us and for us.
Will keep on thinking about this more and keep sharing more as I learn more, till then...
From this time came a couple of thoughts came out. 1) Becoming a follower of Christ is fine. In word there is nothing wrong with that. This will "establish" a relationship with God and His Son. Going to church, going to Sunday School, having some involvement is all well and good. I was there for more years than I can count, marginal involvement as long as it didn't infringe on my life or require more than I was willing to give. I think that we as followers of Christ can drift along this way for a whole lifetime, being happy that we are in church, doing our thing. BUT
I have been learning God calls us to so much more...
2)God calls us to not only have a relationship with Him, and to call others to "come and see" the God we have a relationship with, but become involved with those who don't know God or even want to know Him. I at first thought it was purely for the good feelings produced that I got involved at a bit of a deeper level, but then realized that a peace and a sense of completeness comes along is a much larger reason calls us to involvement with a lost world. God created us to relationships both with Himself and then also with others. When we take opportunity to go and do get involved with people we begin to get back to God's original design on us and for us.
Will keep on thinking about this more and keep sharing more as I learn more, till then...
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Scott Pollak's message at @MetroLIVE
I Timothy 6:11-16
One of our problems in our modern church is sometimes we are known for what we DON'T do. By that I mean we are known by who we don't associate with. Yet we are called also to PURSUE something also: righteousness. So don't define ourselves by what we don't do, instead be known for our pursuit of Christ! "Fight the good fight" in context means we don't see the person we are fighting as the enemy but as the goal!
"Take hold of the good faith" grab onto that which is most important and cast aside that which isn't.
"to keep the commandment without stain or reproachment UNTIL the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ"
The sole reason we will finish the race is because we have a Father to help carry us to the finish.
One of our problems in our modern church is sometimes we are known for what we DON'T do. By that I mean we are known by who we don't associate with. Yet we are called also to PURSUE something also: righteousness. So don't define ourselves by what we don't do, instead be known for our pursuit of Christ! "Fight the good fight" in context means we don't see the person we are fighting as the enemy but as the goal!
"Take hold of the good faith" grab onto that which is most important and cast aside that which isn't.
"to keep the commandment without stain or reproachment UNTIL the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ"
The sole reason we will finish the race is because we have a Father to help carry us to the finish.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Thoughts on Houston Project
Had to take a day to recover from Houston Project, Houston Project is a outreach that Houston's First Baptist Church http://houstonsfirst.org does during July, to communities around Houston. The church does vacation Bible study, women's Bible study, men's Bible study, a nursery, middle school and high school outreach along with feeding whoever shows up and feed those around the community we are in.
I worked in the food serving, preparing food up to be brought to classes and then putting the juice on the snowcones, we had a very good group working together, some very administrative types that organized us to a well-oiled machine.
Our group was assigned to food prep, but all of us volunteers got opportunities to wear lots of hats to lots of people. I for example was doorman, when I first got to the site, Kelly Village, there was myself and the two leaders, who needed to be able to set up for the night without children from neighborhood running around. During one of those times, I got opportunity to chat with a woman from community about what we are doing. She didn't understand why a church would be interested in reaching out to a community they weren't actually located in. I explained that God's love knows no bounds or locations. That we as a church were called to be the physical representation to people of His Love. She asked if it was too late to become involved and what she could do with her baby and other little one. I said we had a loving group that would enjoy taking care of her baby and we have vacation Bible study for her little boy. She asked if she needed to feed them before bringing them, but told her we have that covered also.
God has equipped us to be His hands and feet and go to reach a world who either has no clue about Who God is or an inaccurate view of Who He is. Our call is to help show the world through our loving actions a small picture of Who God is in our lives. It was enjoyable to have opportunity to share God with the community of Kelly Village.
I worked in the food serving, preparing food up to be brought to classes and then putting the juice on the snowcones, we had a very good group working together, some very administrative types that organized us to a well-oiled machine.
Our group was assigned to food prep, but all of us volunteers got opportunities to wear lots of hats to lots of people. I for example was doorman, when I first got to the site, Kelly Village, there was myself and the two leaders, who needed to be able to set up for the night without children from neighborhood running around. During one of those times, I got opportunity to chat with a woman from community about what we are doing. She didn't understand why a church would be interested in reaching out to a community they weren't actually located in. I explained that God's love knows no bounds or locations. That we as a church were called to be the physical representation to people of His Love. She asked if it was too late to become involved and what she could do with her baby and other little one. I said we had a loving group that would enjoy taking care of her baby and we have vacation Bible study for her little boy. She asked if she needed to feed them before bringing them, but told her we have that covered also.
God has equipped us to be His hands and feet and go to reach a world who either has no clue about Who God is or an inaccurate view of Who He is. Our call is to help show the world through our loving actions a small picture of Who God is in our lives. It was enjoyable to have opportunity to share God with the community of Kelly Village.
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