Here are some random thoughts to close Sunday with:
- This Sunday resembled a Sunday in January more than the last Sunday in March. We probably got anywhere from 3-6 inches of snow throughout the county!
- Driving in for set up took about 35 minutes instead of the usual 15 because not a single road had been plowed. And that was with 4 wheel drive on - not cool man, not cool.
- Set up went well, even for an odd morning, all the guys showed up ready to go. Those guys rock!
- The services were stellar as well, both at 9:30 and 11:00.
- I was loving the funky sound to open this morning. As Nate said, it was like a "funky fresh BridgeWay" today.
- The Mythbuster topic was myths about sacraments (baptism and communion). The band set up baptism with "Washed by the Water." Fantastic song.
- It was tough to cover a lot of ground quickly regarding both baptism and communion today, but God was moving (as always).
- I really enjoyed talking about these two sacraments through the lens of relationship rather than ritual. Sometimes we participate in the sacraments in a very mundane fashion, rather than through the joy of Christ that He has brought into our lives.
- A great time of communion at the end with some powerful songs about the blood of Jesus shed for us.
- I AM SO PUMPED FOR EASTER! It is going to be an insane day, and God is going to move in the hearts of many people.
- Lori Gama did a great job yesterday with the informational meeting regarding Honduras. We had 28 people there yesterday and 14 commited to go yesterday. Way to go Lori!
- Big shout out to Connie, Nate, and the students from Switch for helping with the 'myth' this week. I walked into Switch and there were a ton of students there! It's a hoppin place, so check it out Thursday nights at 7:00 at the BridgeWay Ministry Center.
- I enjoyed the privilege of taking a nap while watching golf this afternoon. Tiger Woods is amazing - he came back from 5 strokes down at the start of the round to win the tournament on his last putt. The guy's a stud, what can you say.
- That's all for tonight - keep praying for Easter, sign up to get involved for that day if you haven't yet, and keep asking God who it is that He would have you invite!
Have a good night!
I was reading through 1 Kings the other day. If you’ve never read 1 Kings, it’s basically a recap of the kings of Israel and Judah from a few thousand years ago. It’s pretty interesting and there is some excellent leadership lessons dispersed throughout.
One guy in particular really jumped out at me. His name was Abijah and there is very little written about him in 1 Kings. What is written about him is very telling however: “He committed all the sins his father had done before him; his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord this God, as the heart of David his forefather had been.” (1 Kings 15:3)
I found this really interesting. Rather than go into detail about the way this guy lead the people, the author simply wrote that his heart was not fully devoted to God – enough said.
This made me wonder about my own heart. I mean, when my days as a leader end, and people have to write a one sentence summary about my heart what will they write? More than that, as God looks at my heart right now, what does he say about it? Does He compare me with followers of Jesus gone by who were lukewarm about their faith? Is there prevalent sin in my life that He needs to deal with? Does He see me as a man after His own heart as He saw David?
I hope it’s the latter, and I’m going to do all that I can to make sure it is. What about you? What would God say about your heart?
One guy in particular really jumped out at me. His name was Abijah and there is very little written about him in 1 Kings. What is written about him is very telling however: “He committed all the sins his father had done before him; his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord this God, as the heart of David his forefather had been.” (1 Kings 15:3)
I found this really interesting. Rather than go into detail about the way this guy lead the people, the author simply wrote that his heart was not fully devoted to God – enough said.
This made me wonder about my own heart. I mean, when my days as a leader end, and people have to write a one sentence summary about my heart what will they write? More than that, as God looks at my heart right now, what does he say about it? Does He compare me with followers of Jesus gone by who were lukewarm about their faith? Is there prevalent sin in my life that He needs to deal with? Does He see me as a man after His own heart as He saw David?
I hope it’s the latter, and I’m going to do all that I can to make sure it is. What about you? What would God say about your heart?
MYTHBUSTERS:
SACRAMENTAL MYTHS
***Before you begin! Reaffirm the ‘Vegas’ rule with your group – what happens in small groups stays in small groups. This is very important to talk about every week. Encourage everyone that the environment is safe, and that there is no judgment.
***The reason we do small groups is to ‘belong and become’ – Have a safe group of friends to belong to and become more like Jesus every day. This is the vision of small groups – remind your group of this each week.
1. Who in here has been baptized? Describe what that experience was like for you spiritually.
2. Baptism is a physical representation of what’s taken place in us spiritually. For those of you who follow Jesus, describe your experience when Jesus forgave you of your sins and gave you a new heart to follow him. How has your life been different since then?
3. What are some common questions about Communion that people have? What are some beliefs about Communion held by different people?
4. Communion causes us to reflect on what Jesus did for us on the cross. When you think about all Jesus went through, what moves you the most? What has Jesus saved you from?
5. To close, read John 19:1-30 to close your time together. Jesus Christ died on the cross so that all men and women may come to new life in him. If you’ve never prayed to receive Christ as your Savior, tonight’s a great time to do it.
As always, end the group with general sharing of prayer requests and prayer. Some groups have found it effective to pray for each request as it’s given, rather than creating the list of requests. Use your discretion as a leader.
SACRAMENTAL MYTHS
***Before you begin! Reaffirm the ‘Vegas’ rule with your group – what happens in small groups stays in small groups. This is very important to talk about every week. Encourage everyone that the environment is safe, and that there is no judgment.
***The reason we do small groups is to ‘belong and become’ – Have a safe group of friends to belong to and become more like Jesus every day. This is the vision of small groups – remind your group of this each week.
1. Who in here has been baptized? Describe what that experience was like for you spiritually.
2. Baptism is a physical representation of what’s taken place in us spiritually. For those of you who follow Jesus, describe your experience when Jesus forgave you of your sins and gave you a new heart to follow him. How has your life been different since then?
3. What are some common questions about Communion that people have? What are some beliefs about Communion held by different people?
4. Communion causes us to reflect on what Jesus did for us on the cross. When you think about all Jesus went through, what moves you the most? What has Jesus saved you from?
5. To close, read John 19:1-30 to close your time together. Jesus Christ died on the cross so that all men and women may come to new life in him. If you’ve never prayed to receive Christ as your Savior, tonight’s a great time to do it.
As always, end the group with general sharing of prayer requests and prayer. Some groups have found it effective to pray for each request as it’s given, rather than creating the list of requests. Use your discretion as a leader.
"From there, Elisha went up to Bethel. As he was walking along the road, some youths came out of the town and jeered at him. 'Go on up, you baldhead!' they said. 'Go on up, you baldhead!' He turned around, looked at them and called down a curse on them in the name of the Lord. Then two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the youths. And he went on to Mount Carmel and from there returned to Samaria."
2 Kings 2:23-25
2 Kings 2:23-25
One of the biggest myths out there is that of a ‘self made man/woman.’ Everyone is mentored or influenced by at least one person. While that influence may not be face to face, it can come through books, seminars, conferences, blog posts, etc. If there is no one in your life mentoring you, there needs to be.
A great story about mentorship comes out of 1 Kings 12. Rehoboam has just become king and is wondering how he should lead. Solomon, the prior king, put a ‘heavy yoke’ on the people and Rehoboam is wondering if he should do the same or change up his approach. So Rehoboam wisely consults his elders. They advise him to ‘be a servant to the people’ (v. 7). This was good advice. However, verse 8 is problematic – “But Rehoboam rejected the advice the elders gave him…” Rather than listening to those who were wiser than he, Rehoboam rejected their advice. Even worse, Rehoboam then went to his childhood friends (who had no clue what they were talking about) and asked them for advice. Their advice? Make the yoke even heavier from what Solomon prescribed. They even insinuated that Rehoboam should make Solomon look like a wuss compared to what he’s going to do. What happened? The kingdom rebelled and Rehoboam was literally running for his life at one point. Not exactly an ideal way to begin your reign as king.
In our lives, there are times when we need advice. In fact, leadership demands that we ask for advice and seek council. Every day as a leader is a new day. You face new challenges, new scenarios, and even new people. Through these times we will need to keep learning and keep growing. Find a mentor in your life that you can call regularly for advice. I have one that I talk to regularly who gives me great insights and challenges me as a leader.
Who’s mentoring you?
A great story about mentorship comes out of 1 Kings 12. Rehoboam has just become king and is wondering how he should lead. Solomon, the prior king, put a ‘heavy yoke’ on the people and Rehoboam is wondering if he should do the same or change up his approach. So Rehoboam wisely consults his elders. They advise him to ‘be a servant to the people’ (v. 7). This was good advice. However, verse 8 is problematic – “But Rehoboam rejected the advice the elders gave him…” Rather than listening to those who were wiser than he, Rehoboam rejected their advice. Even worse, Rehoboam then went to his childhood friends (who had no clue what they were talking about) and asked them for advice. Their advice? Make the yoke even heavier from what Solomon prescribed. They even insinuated that Rehoboam should make Solomon look like a wuss compared to what he’s going to do. What happened? The kingdom rebelled and Rehoboam was literally running for his life at one point. Not exactly an ideal way to begin your reign as king.
In our lives, there are times when we need advice. In fact, leadership demands that we ask for advice and seek council. Every day as a leader is a new day. You face new challenges, new scenarios, and even new people. Through these times we will need to keep learning and keep growing. Find a mentor in your life that you can call regularly for advice. I have one that I talk to regularly who gives me great insights and challenges me as a leader.
Who’s mentoring you?
MYTHBUSTERS:
ETERNITY MYTHS
***Before you begin! Reaffirm the ‘Vegas’ rule with your group – what happens in small groups stays in small groups. This is very important to talk about every week. Encourage everyone that the environment is safe, and that there is no judgment.
***The reason we do small groups is to ‘belong and become’ – Have a safe group of friends to belong to and become more like Jesus every day. This is the vision of small groups – remind your group of this each week.
1. What are some viewpoints regarding eternity that people hold? What informs those viewpoints?
2. What does hell look like? What are some examples of hell on earth?
3. What does heaven look like? What are some examples of heaven on earth?
4. What can we do to bring heaven to earth? What traits in our lives help to bring heaven to earth?
5. How can we know we are going to heaven? What’s different in the life of a person who knows they are going to heaven compared with someone who doesn’t know they’re going to heaven? If you’re unsure of where you’re going but know you want to go to heaven, talk about that with your group in order that you can leave knowing that heaven is in your future.
As always, end the group with general sharing of prayer requests and prayer. Some groups have found it effective to pray for each request as it’s given, rather than creating the list of requests. Use your discretion as a leader.
ETERNITY MYTHS
***Before you begin! Reaffirm the ‘Vegas’ rule with your group – what happens in small groups stays in small groups. This is very important to talk about every week. Encourage everyone that the environment is safe, and that there is no judgment.
***The reason we do small groups is to ‘belong and become’ – Have a safe group of friends to belong to and become more like Jesus every day. This is the vision of small groups – remind your group of this each week.
1. What are some viewpoints regarding eternity that people hold? What informs those viewpoints?
2. What does hell look like? What are some examples of hell on earth?
3. What does heaven look like? What are some examples of heaven on earth?
4. What can we do to bring heaven to earth? What traits in our lives help to bring heaven to earth?
5. How can we know we are going to heaven? What’s different in the life of a person who knows they are going to heaven compared with someone who doesn’t know they’re going to heaven? If you’re unsure of where you’re going but know you want to go to heaven, talk about that with your group in order that you can leave knowing that heaven is in your future.
As always, end the group with general sharing of prayer requests and prayer. Some groups have found it effective to pray for each request as it’s given, rather than creating the list of requests. Use your discretion as a leader.
The last two years my college roommate Grant and I (we were roommates for 4 years!) have road-tripped down to Anderson, SC to a church called NewSpring Church to a conference called Unleash. It's a great time and I always come away with some valuable (or at least humorous) one liners. Here are the top 10 (some of these may fall into the PG-13 category, just FYI):
10. "God is always leading us to change because if we could do it the way we've always done it there would be no need for Him." - Perry
9. "Blended worship means no one possesses a set and won't proclaim who we are as a chuch." - Perry
8. "Are we serious about reaching the world?" - Perry
7. "The biggest takeaway for some senior pastors will be to go home and triple your youth budget. Spend money on your teens - the world is." - Perry
6. "The only thing that changes lives is the speaking of God's Word - namely Jesus." - Shane
5. "We can't expect God to help us lead publically if we're not yielded to him privately." - Perry
4. "Are you more concerned about fulfilling God's agenda or Him fulfilling your agenda?" - Perry
3. "If your senior pastor is working 8 weeks ahead and as a worship leader you're still working week of...well...you suck." - Shane
2. "Ignore the jackass." - Perry
1. "God's church has no idea how much power it actually wields. STOMP IT!" - Perry
10. "God is always leading us to change because if we could do it the way we've always done it there would be no need for Him." - Perry
9. "Blended worship means no one possesses a set and won't proclaim who we are as a chuch." - Perry
8. "Are we serious about reaching the world?" - Perry
7. "The biggest takeaway for some senior pastors will be to go home and triple your youth budget. Spend money on your teens - the world is." - Perry
6. "The only thing that changes lives is the speaking of God's Word - namely Jesus." - Shane
5. "We can't expect God to help us lead publically if we're not yielded to him privately." - Perry
4. "Are you more concerned about fulfilling God's agenda or Him fulfilling your agenda?" - Perry
3. "If your senior pastor is working 8 weeks ahead and as a worship leader you're still working week of...well...you suck." - Shane
2. "Ignore the jackass." - Perry
1. "God's church has no idea how much power it actually wields. STOMP IT!" - Perry
These past couple weeks I've been on vacation and a lot has happened both for me and at BridgeWay. I was glad to have some time away, but I couldn't wait to be back! I always like to reflect on my experiences, so here are my top 10 moments from vacation in no particular order:
10. My flight into Jersey sitting next to Rich. We talked about Jesus for two hours and he ended up giving me a ride to my hotel in the car he had waiting for him. Pretty sweet!
9. Graduating with my Master's Degree! Boo-yah!
8. Being voted by my classmates as "Spirit Leader" for LT23 (our class). I was very touched and really that meant more to me than the degree itself.
7. Seeing my family at my graduation. I know it was a lot of work to be there but it meant the world to me that you came. Thank you!
6. Celebrating with my classmates - especially the Gold Team - after all of our final speeches were completed. That was a happy moment in time!
5. Visiting Foamhenge with Grant. Foamhenge is an exact replica of Stonehenge made of Foam. It's located somewhere near the Natural Bridge in Va, and definitely worth the trip!
4. Checking out ESPN Zone in downtown Baltimore. The whole downtown was pretty cool, set up near the water and Camden Yards.
3. Hearing Perry Noble at Unleash. That guy is a blast to listen to and he'll challenge the crap out of you. Good stuff.
2. Hanging out with Brooke and Warrick for a couple days. It was nice just to be a family, relax, and enjoy each other's company.
1. Experiencing a spiritual renewal that I wasn't aware I needed. That sounds really odd to say, but God challenged me in a few areas of my life and really changed my heart in some big ways. Pretty cool stuff.
10. My flight into Jersey sitting next to Rich. We talked about Jesus for two hours and he ended up giving me a ride to my hotel in the car he had waiting for him. Pretty sweet!
9. Graduating with my Master's Degree! Boo-yah!
8. Being voted by my classmates as "Spirit Leader" for LT23 (our class). I was very touched and really that meant more to me than the degree itself.
7. Seeing my family at my graduation. I know it was a lot of work to be there but it meant the world to me that you came. Thank you!
6. Celebrating with my classmates - especially the Gold Team - after all of our final speeches were completed. That was a happy moment in time!
5. Visiting Foamhenge with Grant. Foamhenge is an exact replica of Stonehenge made of Foam. It's located somewhere near the Natural Bridge in Va, and definitely worth the trip!
4. Checking out ESPN Zone in downtown Baltimore. The whole downtown was pretty cool, set up near the water and Camden Yards.
3. Hearing Perry Noble at Unleash. That guy is a blast to listen to and he'll challenge the crap out of you. Good stuff.
2. Hanging out with Brooke and Warrick for a couple days. It was nice just to be a family, relax, and enjoy each other's company.
1. Experiencing a spiritual renewal that I wasn't aware I needed. That sounds really odd to say, but God challenged me in a few areas of my life and really changed my heart in some big ways. Pretty cool stuff.
