Worship - what can I give?

I had a cool worship experience with Julia this morning. Caleb and Julia were with us in worship. At one point Julia crawled up in my arms and I asked her what she brought to worship Jesus with. Her response....to thank Him and to love Him. Then she thanked Jesus and told Him she loved Him out loud. It was a great moment....that reminded me how much God looks for our authentic heart-felt expressions of our love for Him. What will you bring to worship Jesus this week?

Praying for Scotty

Please join me in praying for my friend, Scotty tonight. We just went to see him at Denton Regional and they are moving him tonight to Cook's Childrens Hospital. We're asking God for healing for his body and provision for his family for the medical bills. Having close friends without insurance facing a medical crisis sure makes you pay more attention to some of the issues in the campaign.

Caleb's Big Catch

Check out the face of that proud fisherman....and the face of the surprised fish!
It was a great weekend!

Angel Food

It's 2:42 AM and I just can't sleep. It's been a whirlwind weekend. Caleb and I had a blast at the lake...both came back a little sunburned. He is the fishing champion...caught a 14" bass....his biggest fish to date and feels like quite the hero. We met some new friends, fished, canoed, made s'mores and talked about life. In one of those moments he told me he was scared about first grade....about not making any friends and about getting an F or a C+ maybe. (This is the first year he'll get letter grades) We talked about how Jesus invites us not to worry about things, but to give them to Him in prayer...he didn't really understand how to do that. There was this really cool moment where we prayed together and I asked Him to picture Jesus in front of Him...and to picture himself putting his worries in Jesus' hands. He thought it was silly and laughed at first...but he said it help Him understand that we could give our worries to Jesus. He went off to school yesterday care-free....and came home with a new friend's phone number. The faith of a child is so cool!
I'm totally stoked about the start of a new journey in two weeks.... Saturday, September 6th we'll have our organizational meeting for Angel Food in Pilot Point. We're busy inviting local businesses to get involved at this point...and I'm excited about the response. Sometimes, God just puts things together...and things are so easy. Turns out a group of pastors have been "talking about" doing this for some time...but no one has pulled the trigger. You can check out more about Angel Food at www.angelfoodministries.com.
So, if you're not doing anything that Saturday morning, come on out. It will be exciting to see what God is putting together.

Friendship

I've been thinking about a post my father-in-law wrote for over a week now. You really need to read the post to get the context. The whole thing is good...but this one statement has stuck with me..."Let’s not confuse the term friends and fellowship together. Fellowship is a church word that describes an activity. Friendship costs something … time, effort and love."
We had a lot of fun having dinner with some new friends last night...enjoyed having coffee with a friend over the last year today and am looking forward to playing tennis with a group of friends on Thursday. Man, I'm blessed. And in each of those encounters I have/am expecting to experience a little more of the Father's love. In all you busyness this week, don't forget to connect with people...they need your friendship, and you need theirs. You never know when a hug, a call, or an email may be just the touch someone needs to remember they have a Heavenly Father that loves them!

Opportunity

So, if you've followed this blog much....there have obviously been a lot of changes in my life recently. No need to go into details; just in a new phase of walking with Jesus and discovering daily His will for my life. I've sensed so much His grace over the past few weeks....manifested through other believers. Thank you for loving us and being an extension of the Father's heart towards us.
I've been fascinated this week with how I can be a conduit of God's grace. So much has been poured out on me....(reference the flow through post a couple of weeks ago)....that I want to make sure I am dispensing God's grace to others. It's really not that difficult, but does involve a commitment of time and some effort. Stuart was a real dispenser of God's grace to me this week when he called out of the blue to let me know he was praying for me and wanted to have dinner with my family. Randy was when he stopped by my office just to tell me he missed me and I needed to play tennis ...mostly so we could see each other every week. (Randy, I re-gripped both tennis rackets yesterday...no excuses now). Jerry was when he stopped to make sure I was ok when I was on the shoulder of HWY 380. (I was....just writing down info off of a realtor sign..work stuff).
My friend, Susan is an inspiration to me as a grace conduit. Her ministry...Hearts for Homes....helps provided needed repairs to the homes of elderly people living on fixed incomes. Talk about a tangible display of the love of God! So, here's the opportunity....join me on Sept 20th on a Hearts for Homes project. There is a need for 4-5 skilled workers and 4-5 unskilled workers. (I am filling one of the latter spots). Email Susan to let her know you're in...and copy me so I can look forward to seeing you there....and ragging you if you don't show.

The Fear of the Lord

I had a fun time talking to Jason Boyd at SWAT last night. He had a very exciting week...picked up his new Kawasaki bike from Carrolton on Friday and drove it home. He told me this great story that happened to him on the way home....when he started the bike and accidentally popped a wheelie on the highway. To be fair, I laughed...but was really thinking about when it happened to me. Each Christmas....Mer's family takes a trip together. Last year...we all went to OK to ride dirt bikes together. I had never ridden a dirt bike, so I practiced a little bit in the pasture out at the ranch. Wayne had bought these little db10 dirtbikes...way small for a guy my size. But they were really pretty powerful...enough so that it was easy to get the front wheel off the ground. I had to learn to sit way up front...which really made me look too big for the bike...because if I sat at the back and gave it any gas at all...I was taking off on one wheel.Jason, I'm a little jealous bro. I hope you have lots of fun on the bike and get to pass it down to Titus. It's funny how we're excited by a powerful machine...but a little scared by it too. A healthy respect we call it. I think that's what the fear of the Lord is all about. Our God is not safe...but He is good. Don't let your image of him get to be too wimpy!

Flow through

Ever tried to catch water in your hands? I used to try to drink like this when I was a kid and it was a hot summer day.

Reminds me of how we're to hold things in our lives....to realize that God blesses us so that we can be a blessing. That things don't always come into our lives to hold onto....but so that the overflow can refresh others.

We've had several opportunities with situations in our community to be able to be a blessing to some folks....and it's amazing how it's blessed us. Meridith turned to me last night as we were talking about that and said...this is fun! Try letting go some this week....ask the Lord what He's placing in your hands just so it can flow through to bless someone else!

Against all Odds

My friend, Rick Thompson has been doing a cool sermon series on Urban myths....things we think the Bible says that just aren't in there. A couple weeks ago he preached a message on the myth that God won't put more on us than we can bear. Someone should have told Gideon that. When the numbers were already stacked against Gideon, God instructed Gideon to shrink his numbers! Why?? So that God would receive the glory for the victory!
At COC, we say we exist for one reason....to make God's name famous on the 380 corridor and beyond. That's a dangerous goal. God's glory and fame increasing usually involves His people finding themselves in a place where the odds are against them. The more the odds are against us, the more opportunity for God to display His glory and increase His fame.
Saturday night we're going to be looking at the life of Elijah...and learning how to handle life when the odds are against us. I can't wait....I know God's word has some encouragement for us. Come expecting!

Authentic Sinners

I heard this quote about Jesus that has kept me thinking for several days now. "He would rather hang around authentic sinners than fake saints." Now, you won't find that quote anywhere in the Bible, but I do think the life of Jesus bears it out. He was called the friend of sinners. His harshest criticisms was always for the "religious" pharisees.

As a youth pastor, I used to always caution my teens about the friends they hung out with. It's funny....this week I've felt like the Father has cautioned me the same thing....but flipped the meaning of it. It's easy in our culture...especially in the Bible belt to insulate ourselves from those who don't know Jesus instead of reaching out to them. It hit me as I was in a group last nigth that was praying for God to send us the masses so we could reach them for Jesus....that God's plan is different. He has already sent us to the masses...and we would rather they "come" than for us to "go" as we've been commanded.

So I'm going to be hanging out with some authentic sinners in the coming weeks. Hopefully...if all goes well.....maybe I'll be called a friend of sinners as well.

Brand New Dawson

I had a cool experience at SWAT last night. I went and just watched the kidos at the Providence SWAT so that their parents could focus in and dig deeper into the life of David. I hope it was good for them. To be honest, I didn't have any life changing experiences or cool stories from watching the kids. Titus and Julia said some pretty funny stuff...but I didn't really get any revelation from them. But....at the end of the evening Robin Booker asked if I had heard about Dawson. I hadn't....and if you haven't heard, it's great! Dawson came in while Robin was watching TV and asked "So if I ask Jesus into my heart, he will forgive everything I've ever done wrong or ever will do wrong....forever?" That's a pretty big concept...one a lot of us adults are still trying to grasp. Once he got his questions answered, he said "I need to ask Jesus into my heart right now"...and his mom had the privelage of leading him to Jesus. So....if you notice something different about Dawson this week....it's that he's a brand new creation in Christ....the old has gone, the new has come. Cool stuff! Another great reason to be involved in a SWAT team...you get to hear and see what God is doing in other folk's lives ....kinda like a front row seat!

Heros

I've been working this week on the SWAT team material for our next sermon series..."Old School Good Guys". We'll be spending the next month looking at some Old Testament heros. Caleb and I have been talking a lot about David and Goliath this week...it's been a lot of fun.

One of the things I love about the Bible is it doesn't gloss over the failures and weaknesses of it's heroic figures. You think about a guy like David....a man after God's own heart....but in times he left his heart unguarded...an adulter and murderer. Or what about Samson....incredible strength and gifting from God...but could not control himself. Jonah...an unlikely hero.

Here's the "aha"for me. First, I want to be my kid's hero....but that doesn't mean I have to be perfect...or to try to hide my weaknesses from them. Just like I am learning from the great steps of faith....and the missteps of failures made by my Old Testament heros...I want my kids to learn from mine. (Note....that will require being honest and sharing those hard stories with them) Second, it encourages me to have more grace with people. God uses people who have done major boneheaded things! As a matter of fact, it seems they may be His favorite folks to use. Maybe it's because our big failures create the humility and transparency required for Him to receive all the glory.

So, don't count yourself out of being a hero of the faith yet!

Get Happy

I read an article in Reader's Digest this week called "Why We're Happy". It's basically a study of the key indicators showing if a person will be happy. Here are the biggest predictors they found:
1.) Faith (Gather!)
2.) Work (Go!)
3.) Marriage and Family
4.) Charity (Give!)
5.) Freedom - this included economic and political...but ironically they found where freedom from moral standards increased, happiness decreased (Grow!)
God knows what we need. Feeling down this week....Give something away, find believers to get together with and encourage each other in your faith, hug your wife and kids, find purpose in the work God has given you to do, celebrate your freedom! Have a happy week!!!

A "no excuses" person in a "not my fault" world

Never teach anything to your kids that you don't want to have to live up to! They will remind you...

I heard this statement on the radio: "being a no excuses person in a not my fault world". I loved it and after our SWAT team last week I started sharing it with my son, Caleb. Here's the verse that brought it back to my mind in SWAT team: 14Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe 16as you hold out the word of life" Phil 2: 14-16.

The context of this instruction comes right after an explanation of how Jesus....being in very nature God did not consider equality with God something to be held onto...but made himself nothing, taking the very form of a servant. Here's where most of my complaining and arguing comes from....I'm trying to hold onto something I think I am or should be....and trying to make sure my "rights" are not violated. So, I've been trying this "stop complaining" thing; and it does definately stand in contrast to how the world does things. Want to amp up the effectiveness of your witness? Try to complain and argue less....and you'll shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life!

Dunkin' doo-dah

(Note: When Caleb was younger, our nickname for him was Doo-dah. His cousin still calls him that)

I'm so excited about this Sunday afternoon. It's special in that it is the first Baptism for COC...our church plant, but even more special that I will get to baptize my own son. How cool is that? As a matter of fact...we'll be baptising 9 people on Sunday. That really makes all of the loading/unloading trailers, and setting up an elementary cafeteria worth it.
I'm very grateful this week for a long list of people who gave of their time, talents, and treasures to make sure my son....and others like him... had a chance to hear and respond to the Gospel.

• Pastor Brad and Sarah - for having vision for a church plant on 380 and the faith to go for it
• Pastor Dane and Mandy - for being the best Children's pastors ever! (and my favorites!)
• Jerry and Ronda Brawner - for all the work you put into getting us set up every week so that there are no distractions to hearing the word of God preached
• Randy and Shannon Rich - for putting in hours on making our media sharp and for helping out with the Children's ministry. (and noticing if I forget to blog!)
• Eric and Tasha Wrona - for loving our kids like their own (they think they're related to your kids anyway) and leading our SWAT teams. They way you get the kids to interact with truth is amazing
• Brad and Lauren Zwaska - for leading the Providence SWAT and faithfully proclaiming the truth.
• The people of COC who love our kids and set an example of service and what it means to be a follower of Jesus.

We're blessed....and grateful to be doing life with you guys!

Life Comes at you fast

It's been one of those weeks for me. One of the hard things about being involved in Christian community is that if we do it right....we end up carrying each other's burdens....and sometimes its amazing the things folks are carrying. Just this week....I've talked to believers whose marriages are hanging on by a thread, whose finances appear to be one step away from losing it all, whose health is failing, who just received devastating news, and whose jobs are in jeopardy. It really does rain on the just and the unjust.
I remember this phrase I heard a lot as a child about saving "for a rainy day". As I watched people around me go through stuff this week and the different ways they handled all life handed them....it became evident who had been spiritually "saving up for a rainy day" and who had not. I'm amazed at how we run to God when it's all falling apart...and then wonder why He seems so silent. There is a strength and confidence that is built in a child of God who has learned to listen to His leading and is armed with His word that gives us peace in the storm.
So what? Well, if it's raining in your world right now....take a step back and see what God has done in your life, count your blessings, and run to His word. If it's sunny....turn to Him, learn to listen to Him, and prepare...it's likely rainy days are coming. Life comes at you fast.....

Do you swear to listen to the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?

So, I've decided to pursue peace. Here's a snapshot of my life right now: new job that I am learning with limited training and feeling somewhat inadequate for, new baby on the way that I don't know how I'll afford, house on the market that we just found out is 200 square feet smaller that we bought it at, Mer overwhelmed with her workload in the embroidery business right now, and I'm having trouble finding time to get everything done. (Note...I'm so grateful and excited to have my new job and that we're having a baby....it's just all overwhelming right now)
I think the biggest enemy of peace for me is fear. Fear that I won't measure up, fear that we won't have enough money, fear that I'll disappoint those I love and that are counting on me. I'm realizing today how those fears get a hold of me. One hint....the devil is called the Father of Lies for a reason.
So, how will I pursue peace? "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -- think about such things. ....And the God of peace will be with you." (Phil 4) I gotta change who I'm listening to! I'll take every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ. From this day forward, I swear to listen to and think about the truth........you know the rest.

Disconnecting.....to connect

I'm blogging kind of late in the week because I've had some internet issues this week. Iit's amazing how much you realize you've become dependant on that thing when it's gone for a while. Without email, up to the minute news feeds and blogs...how in the world are we supposed to keep up?

But something wierd happened on Sunday without the internet. Since I didn't wake up on Sunday morning able to work on my "to do" list online, I had more time to relax....and in doing that, to connect with God and with my family. It was really cool.

Then, on Monday I hear a sermon on the radio. It's about the 6:1 ratio. God created the earth in six days and rested on the seventh. Then He gave us the Sabbath as a day of rest.

I just finished our SWAT guides this week. We're in week 5 of the Home Repo series.....the master bathroom. It's fitting that it's on Mother's Day, don't you think? It is all about how to rest, relax and reflect....and enjoy the peace that knowing God brings to our lives.

Seems like God is trying to tell me something. Something like "Martha, you are busy and concened with many things. But Mary has chosen what is better....and it won't be taken away from her." (Check out Luke 10 for the whole dialogue).

Maybe in our day and time, it would go something like this.....close the laptop, turn off the cellphone and come away with me for a while. Enjoy the 6:1 ratio you were meant to live in!

A matter of Perspective

Perspective is a cool thing, huh? I love this picture.

Last night at our SWAT team we wrestled with a passage that is definately difficult for me. James 1:2 says "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds." Say what????

The whole purpose of our SWAT teams is to figure out how to do what the Word of God says...so how do I condition myself to consider it joy when I face trials? The more I listened to my teammates around the room....it began to dawn on me.....in each case the things that caused them to grow the most in their faith were the trials they went through. We pray to grow closer to God....to learn how to depend on Him and then complain when we encounter circumstances that show us how much we need to depend on Him.

The book of Acts is full of stories of people who rejoice in trials....and their embrace of being counted worthy to suffer for the name of Jesus continually advances the gospel to new areas of the world. Incredible! The only difference between them and me.....perspective. If I learn to trust God and know that He has a plan for me to mature me....I can rejoice in everything I face...knowing that He causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purposes. (Romans 8:28).

What the %*&#?

My friend, Tabb was telling me a few weeks ago it seems like ever since he made some decision in his life to do things God's way that all hell has broken loose against him. (Get the title now?) Have you ever felt that way?

The more I've thought about that statement....the more it has made sense to me. As a child of God, all hell is against you. The thing is....when you decide to do things God's way, you are engaging in the battle. You're taking back ground that the enemy has been occupying in your life....do you think he's just gonna give up and go home? No way!

So, be encouraged...you were made for this fight. And you've got this great promise..."Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world." (I John 4:4)

What's most important?

I had a cool conversation with Caleb, my 6 year old son, on the way to school today. Caleb began a relationship with Jesus a little over a month ago. I'm looking forward to baptising him a little later on this summer in a swimming pool...it will be very cool!

Right now we have our church services on Saturday night....just due to the fact the facility we rent is not available on Sunday mornings. That can make scheduling tough...especially as we get into summer sports and vacations. We're normally at the school starting around 2:30 to set up and finish around 7:30...and then go out to dinner afterward.

The last two weeks we've had last minute game schedule changes for Caleb's t-ball team that have allowed him (and either Meridith or myself) to be at his games. I really believe that has been in answer to Caleb's prayers....he is so excited when they change and we're able to be there. Well....this week, for the first time, it looks like we'll have a true scheduling conflict. So, this morning we're talking and I gave Caleb the choice.....I told him if he wanted to be at the t-ball game, I would arrange for him to have a ride there and home with a friend. He said "No, I think church is more important" I had one of those winking moments with God....then asked him why it's more important. His answer was simple....."because of Jesus".

My prayer for him now is that all of his choices will be "because of Jesus".....and not just church. It is all pretty simple to him....Lord, would you make it that simple for me? Mt 18:3 "Truly, I tell you , unless you change and become like little childeren you will never enter the kingdom of heaven".

So, what's most important to you? Not just what keeps you from church......more importantly, what keeps you from Jesus?

Doing our part

I'm doing my part to make sure attendance at COC goes up. Not ready for another tax deduction? How about just inviting someone to come with you this weekend! Don't forget the picnic this Sunday afternoon....it will be fun!

(Yes, I am serious. Expect another Parker around later this year!)

Unplugged

I worked on my yard some this weekend. To really appreciate this story, you just need to know that I have a history with weed-eaters....and it's not pretty. If it's gas powered, forget about it....I will not get it running. Over the last year I've gone through two electric's....one actually went down with sparks and minor fire. And if anyone knows how to correctly wind weedeater lines, I could use some tutoring.

So, I wasn't terribly surprised on Sunday when the weedeater quit on me in the middle of edging my yard. No smoke or sparks this time....that's good news. And it only took me a few minutes of taking the machine apart to look over and notice the issue - my extension cord had come unplugged.

We're seeing a lot of victories in the lives of our "plugged in" people at COC Metro. We're figuring out that we really do need each other....to challenge each other, to support each other, to call each other to higher standards, to remind each other that we have a mission and purpose, to love each other. Heb 10:24-25 says "And let us consider how we can spur one another on to love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage each other - and all the more as we see the day approaching."

I think being "plugged in" takes more than just showing up once a week and hearing a guy talk about the word of God. Get involved in the lives of some believers around you....either in a small group, or a bible study.....or with an accountability partner. You may just find the power you've needed to win some victories in your life was someone around you.....you've just been unplugged from fellow believers for too long!