PDL 9-14

Chapter 4 makes the statement, “you were built for eternity“.  This is an incredibly hard concept for us. Recently one of my boys was asking me about heaven, and how we were going to live forever. The more I tried to explain it to him, the greater the confusion in the room. I ended up telling him, “we’ll just take eternity one day at a time“.

We love to live in the here and now; for the moment, the pleasure, the possession that will fulfill us. However, as followers of Christ we must live with a vision of eternity. It changes the way we think, handle our finances, manage our time, and treat others.

I’m not sure how eternity will go, but I do know that’s our destiny. I’m not fully grasping all that heaven will be, but I know I’ll be there. Not because of anything I’ve done, but because of my relationship with Jesus Christ who paid the price for my sin.

It’s my prayer that God will help me focus on eternity. That He’ll help me not to live for the things of this world, but to lay up treasure in heaven. It really is the desire of my life to live in such a way that one day I’ll hear these words from Him, “well done my good and faithful servant, enter into your reward“.

Made – Part 2

I’ve been working late on my message tonight, and I really believe it’s going to be very unique. This weekend we’re talking about “Made to Worship“. As I’ve been praying and preparing, the Lord is really teaching me a great deal about the difference between worship and worry.

So…if you tend to worry, or know anybody else who struggles with this; make sure you bring them with you this weekend as we talk about how to worship God, even in the tough times of life. I’ll be teaching from a passage I’m guessing most people have never heard a message on, so that should be a blast!  Please make sure you’re there early this week, and bring people with you who don’t know Christ.

By the way, we’ll also be worshiping through communion this weekend during all of our services!

Last Weekend

I felt like this past week’s message really hit home. I know it hit my heart as I was preparing, and I received a ton of feedback from people who said it hit them also. I just really sensed God was at work in each of our 3 services. If you missed the message, you can watch it here…

The vibe on campus was electric, with the beginning of the new series, all of the kids classes being changed, and us changing the whole worship center arrangement. We literally changed everything about our meeting space this weekend. That’s one of the things I love about being portable; you can change everything pretty easily since nothing’s nailed down.

A huge kudos to our staff and volunteers, they did an incredible job! With that much change in 1 week, you would have expected a lot of hiccups. The team did a great job making sure we were prepared, and then handling the surprises with grace and style.

PDL 9/13

What Drives Your Life? This is one of my favorite chapters in this book. The premise (which I agree with) is that most of us are motivated and driven by improper feelings and emotions. Rick says most people are motivated by these circumstances, values, and emotions…

1. Guilt
2. resentment
3. fear and anger
4. materialism
5. need for approval

The difference in knowing our true purpose is that it brings confidence. I was thinking about decisions I have to make every day as the Pastor of PVC. If I worked for the approval of others, materialism, or guilt, I would not have the confidence to make decisions I know are right before the Lord.

You see, a majority of the decisions I make regarding worship, staffing, ministries, building, etc.. all face opposition (I’ll blog more on this later) from people in our church who think they know better. Knowing that I’m making decisions prayerfully, in consultation with people I respect and trust, gives me confidence not to waffle.

If we truly want to be used by God to build His Kingdom, we have to eschew the desire to please others, and focus on doing only what He has called us to do. Then we can funtion without guilt, or even anger, knowing that ultimately He will do His will.  I encourage you today to examine your motives, and ask God to help you work from a sense of God-given purpose, not negative emotions and feelings.

 

New Children’s Areas

This weekend we rolled out our new children’s ministry areas. For the past two years our pre-schoolers have been in hallways. We literally set up 10 classrooms in halls, using barriers, laying down carpet, and making the best of it. The school graciously agreed to provide extra space for us recently, enabling us to make this big change.

All I can say about the kids areas this week is, “they were awesome“! Man, how cool was it to see every child in a worship place where they could spread out, have fun, play, sing, dance, learn, and grow! I’ll post soem pic’s later so you can see the difference.

A huge thanks to all the set up and tear down people who made it happen. It took a lot of extra work to get this done. This weekend in service we’ll be showing some video of the new areas, you’ll love it!

PDL 9/12

I am not an accident. Isn’t it cool to know that we’re not a result of some accident. Many have bought the lie that we came from a cosmic accident over millions of years. If this were true (it’s not), we really would have no purpose in life other than to go for what we want.

Still others believe the lie that they are a result of an “accident”. As Rick Warren says, “there may be illegitimate parents, but there are no illegitimate children”. You didn’t slip by God, you were planned by Him with purpose!

Ultimately, as I said this weekend, this is where our security and confidence in life come from. When we know that we were designed with love and intention, we gain purpose from our designer. So today I challenge you to really wrap your arms around the fact that you were created, with security, confidence and purpose. You’re not perfect, that’s true, but through Christ’s power at work in us, we’re on a joureny to become more like Him.

“13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”                                                     Psalm 139:13-14

 

Raiders

Thanks to so many who have called, emailed, and text messaged to remind me that the Raiders got clobbered Monday night. It’s good to know so many are thinking of me

Man, the Raiders stank it up Monday night. Art Shell needs to be fired (again). They need to throw the ball to Moss. Moss needs to stop taunting the other team. The offensive line needs to learn to block. Aaron Brooks needs to throw the ball. Other than that, it looks like a great season for the silver & black.

Purpose Driven Life 9/11

As a church we’re readin the Purpose Driven Life to accompany our current series MADE. Heres’ a thought from Chapter 1…

“It’s not about you”.  Man, that’s such a simple statement. It seems so easy, and most Christians would fully agree with this statement. We know that our life isn’t about us, it’s all about what God wants to do, and being a part of that.

In reality though, I often struggle with that statement, and so do you. We tend to make life about us; and what we want, and what we desire, and what happens in our life, and what we don’t get, etc… What would happen if we as followers of Christ truly made our life all about Him?

That’s my prayer today. Lord, please help me to keep it about you. Help me not to be selfish, but to life for your purposes and the benefit of others.  Give me strength to say no to sin, and to discipline myself to do the things you want me to do. Lord, help me not to live for my image, but to lift you up. Lord, make my life count for your Kingdom.

Friday Visit From TMo

Tony Morgan called me last week and wanted to get together while he was in town. Tony is an associate pastor at Granger Church, and author of the Simply Strategic series for church leaders. If you aren’t reading Tony’s blog, you’re missing out. He’s one of the guys everybody is listening to, because he knows what he’s talking about.

Tony and I have talked over the years, but never got to sit down in person. It was great to hear what God’s doing in his life, and the strategic planning happening at GCC. It was cool, because a lot of the decisions they’re thinking through, we’re thinking the same things. He gave me some great insights, and challenged me on a few things, which I love. It’s fun to be on this journey with other guys who want to share.

Tony, thanks for stopping by; and next time bring the sticks so you can experience some desert golf!

Friday Visit from AC

The Ministry Communications conference was in town this week, so a lot of ministry friends were around this week. Thursday I got a call from Anthony Coppedge, wanting to hang out sometime Friday.

Anthony’s flat out one of the most knowledgeable media guys you will EVER meet. He’s worked as a consultant for us over the past 4 years, and has become a good friend. He’s always gone out of his way to help Palm Valley, and he’s saved us a ton of mistakes and thousands of dollars over the years. When I’ve got a media question (audio, video, graphics, etc…), he’s our go to guy!

It was good to hang out with Anthony, we talked a lot more about life than ministry.