What is The Church

I never heard it put into words, but I had somewhat of a working definition of what the church is.  I am reading Mark Driscoll’s “Vintage Church” and I think this is the most descriptive and precise definition of The Church.  It reads as:

“The local church is a community of regenerated believers who confess Jesus Christ as Lord.  In obedience to Scripture they organize under qualified leadership, gather regularly for preaching and worship, observe the biblical sacraments of baptism and communion, are unified by the Spirit, are disciplined for holiness, and scatter to fulfill the Great Commandment and the Great Commission as missionaries to the world for God’s glory and their joy.”

I’m Going Back

It seems like just yesterday that I stepped off the plane in a whole new world.  It’s official I’m going back to Honduras.  All the emotions are flooding back from last year.  I can’t put into words what it will be like to see all the people from the village of Dos Rios.  We are taking a much larger team this year so it will be interesting to see how that pans out.  I’m curious how it will be to see all the new team member’s faces when the overwhelming feelings come rushing in.  This time Seree will be coming with me.  I am excited for her to experience what I did last year.  Now I will not have to try and explain it to her she will know exactly what I am feeling.  I am counting down the days until I get there…..

Narrowing It Down…. A Ramble

The have been things going on lately that are pressing me into a direction that I never thought I would drift to.  5 years ago I considered myself a musician.  In the last year I have slowly accepted that I’m done with that.  I’ve been truly ok with it.  Five months ago I finally sold my drums and survived it.   I know now that I am really running in the direction of Lifegroups.  I love leading one and I love being able to theologically keep one from becoming a cult.  In the last couple of days I’ve encountered an opportunity with the music thing again.  I’ve narrowed it down in my life that it would completely be a step backwards for me.  Tomorrow I  have a phone call appointment with a leader from a very influential church in Atlanta, this leader is willing to give me a little direction with the passions I have.  I feel I am getting closer and closer to my position in the movement for the Kingdom.  I’m getting REAL excited to see what happens in the next couple of weeks.   Everyday is a little clearer and I just want to run the race and finish well….. I know there is a little rambling going on here but, this is a little too much to write down for twitter…….

Healing

Wednesdays are back at the creek and it was a biggen. Tonight was a nonstop spirit filled night of worship. I’m not sure what it is but there is something special that happens when the body is together, receive communion, and singing songs of worship to Christ. Tonight Pastor Kevin spoke on healing. A mixture of God’s will, faith, and persistence. To end the service there was prayer from the elders over individuals that needed some type of healing. I was watching the prayer going on and I got locked in on one woman praying over another woman. I have no idea who either of them were or what the prayer was about. As I watched on the woman doing the praying just held the other with a hug that seemed to be full of compassion, love, and hurt for this woman’s pain. I’m not sure what happened and I know all this womans problems just didn’t disappear but there was a look in here eye that things would be alright with Christ at her side. It was a true picture of the love of Christ, one showing compassion and hurt from the depths of her heart for another. Something happened there tonight and all I know is…. it wasn’t us.

Wasted

Well I’m sitting at work waiting for someone to show up for further instructions. We just finished a job that really didn’t need to be done. So really we have wasted time and money that could have fed a family in Uganda for probably a month. This happens over and over again here. It kills me but I am blessed to be able to provide. I’m not sure if this job is exactly what would be called well stewarded by the company. The question I struggle with is “would God approve”. I’m not sure how to work this out. It’s kind of a toss between stewardship and providing for the family. Any thoughts??

Been A While

Well it’s been a couple of weeks since I’ve even looked at my blog.  I’ve been keeping busy with Christmas, New Years, the kids, and not staying on the computer until wee hours of the night.  I have a couple of thoughts swirling around to post about but I need to get them in order.  I will be updating more frequently in the near future.  Just a hint my next update will be on some impacting ideas I’ve been reading in a couple of books.  One is Axiom by Bill Hybels, I’ve been reading this for a couple of months now… just too much info to read quickly.  The second is an older book from Craig Groeschel called Chazown.  This one is forcing me to really look at myself and see what I am all about …. for real.  So check back soon for some udates…..

A Message From World Vision

Christmas is almost here. In preparation, our days are filled with shopping, caroling, serving, projects, crafts, cookie making, etc. In the midst of all the wonderful activities, we remember that one of the greatest gifts we’ve received is the birth of Jesus. In the spirit of gift giving, I’d like you to consider giving a truly meaningful gift this Christmas to a child who lives far away from you and me. You could help bring the gift of hope this Christmas to a special child in need by sponsoring that child with World Vision. I’ve already chosen to sponsor a child through World Vision and I know that I’m helping to change my sponsored child’s life forever…that’s why I’m inviting you to join me! Your monthly sponsorship gifts can be life saving, because you’ll be giving them access to basics that most of us take for granted. Things like clean water, nutritious food, health care, and the education to build a future. I’ve chosen to partner with World Vision because I trust them. In the past few years, 87% of their total revenue went to programs benefiting children and families in need. Start by visiting the Web page I’ve created, at the link below. Join me in giving the unique gift of hope to a special child this year. Together, we can help build a better world for children.

World Vision

Condensed World

I read this on a blog the other night….. another kick to the throat….

the original post is here  Communication in Japan Weblog

 

 

I was doing my research last night and came across the following passage onhttp://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/world_population.htm:

Summary of the World

If we could shrink the Earth’s population to a village of precisely 100 people, with all existing human ratios remaining the same, it would look like this:
81 would be from less developed countries with a gross income per capita and year of US$ 3,580, 19 would be from developed countries with a gross income per capita and year of US$ 22,060.

There would be 61 Asians, 12 Europeans, 13 Africans, 9 would be from South America and the Caribbean, and 5 from North America including Canada.

75 would be non-white, while 25 would be white.

60 would mistrust their own government.

(No wonder, that the governments mistrust their people.)

60 would live within 62 miles of a coastline.

50 would be female, and 50 would be male.

50 would rely in some manner on coastal and marine habitats for food, building sites, transportation, recreation, and waste disposal.

48 would live on less than US $2 a day.

48 would lack access to basic sanitation.

47 would be urban dwellers.

(The world’s urban areas are expected to surpass rural areas in population around the year 2005)

29 would believe in witchcraft.

25 would live in substandard housing or have no home at all.

20 would live on less than US $1 a day.

17 would be under 18 years old.

16 would lack access to safe drinking water.

16 would be unable to read and write.

14 would suffer from malnutrition.

10 would live in least developed countries.

8 would have Internet access from home.

4.5 would be citizens of the United States

1 would be infected with HIV/AIDS.

1 would be near death, and 1 would be near birth.

Only 1 would have a college education.

 

Half of the entire village’s wealth would be in the hands of only 6 people, and most of them would be citizens of the United States.

 

When one considers our world from such an incredibly compressed perspective, the need for cooperation, tolerance and understanding becomes glaringly apparent.

Keep In Mind

As Christmas gets closer and we are caught up with shopping for friends and family.  There a few facts that we need to keep in mind.  I would guess the average American doesn’t know these stats.  

*Every 7 seconds a child dies from Hunger.

*Every 15 seconds a child becomes an orhpan due to AIDS.

*Every 23 seconds a child dies from a preventable disease due to unclean drinking water.

I hope all of this disturbs you.  Please get involved.  Sponsor a child and change a family’s life forever.  It’s not just money we are giving but something much more valuable……..Hope

Tonight on Lifechurch.tv

Prayer

 

Everyone knows it’s important but not everyone knows how to do it.  Tonight 12/6 @ 7:30 EST Lifechurch.tv watch this current series LIVE….. Also worship will be led by Robbie Seay … Don’t miss it!!