Faithful?

I was in town yesterday coming out of the bank and I saw a lady that I knew from the Potter's House, so I stopped to say hey. She was sitting on a bench with another lady, who I introduced myself to also. She proceeded to ask me what I did for living and I told her I was a pastor. She responded with Holy **** you are a Pastor? I want to be a pastor to! I went on to ask why she wanted to do that and where she went to church.

Here is the thing. She had no church affiliation, and she could swear like a sailor but she thought that she would like to be a pastor. This encounter made me think a lot about God's call on my life and why I do what I do. The truth is there is sometimes a kind of romantic idea of what it would be like to lead, whether as a boss in a company, a parent in a home or a leader in a church. Many times what people romanticize about is not a clear picture of what the responsibility of the role actually looks like.

The one thing I have learned about leading is that before you lead you need to prove yourself faithful, When you start leading and learning the ropes you have to be faithful, and if you want to continue leading into the future you have to remain faithful. You have to be the person who really cares about all aspects of what you are called to do and you have to keep doing your best whether you feel like it or not , whether you are thanked or not, and whether you are noticed or not.

Are you faithful?

The Power of Love

Wow! What a day,tonight I saw over a hundred people walk down to the alter to Give their heart to Jesus. That will never get old and it is my dream to see that at Jubilee in the future. there is a lot of info to digest here so I guess for tonight I will give you this one thought and then I will hit the hay.

God has given us His love to share with the world around us. the same love that compelled Him to die for us is now living in us and should compel us to love others into God's Kingdom.

1Corinthians 13:1-8 What if I could speak all languages of humans and of angels? If I did not love others, I would be nothing more than a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. What if I could prophesy and understand all secrets and all knowledge? And what if I had faith that moved mountains? I would be nothing, unless I loved others. What if I gave away all that I owned and let myself be burned alive? I would gain nothing, unless I loved others. Love is kind and patient, never jealous, boastful, proud, rude. Love isn't selfish or quick tempered. It doesn't keep a record of wrongs that others do. Love rejoices in the truth, but not in evil. Love is always supportive, loyal, hopeful, and trusting. Love never fails! 

We could do all the things that we think are important in our church context, but if it is not birthed in love it will fail. Everything else will fail, BUT Love, the God kind of love, never fails. I believe that if we could see people the way Jesus sees them, and love them the way Jesus loves them, we could see our region come to Christ.

California dreamin

Well we arrived in LA after a very short night sleep and a long flight. What a great church they have here, and what a beautiful setting. This afternoon we toured the campus, HUUUGGGEEE they seat 3,500 in the sanctuary and run nine services. Thirty five hundred kids show up every weekend, and a thousand teenagers. they feed almost a million needy people a year. these are mind blowing numbers.

They are providing the whole conference for free including all of our meals, and the meals seem awesome Fillet Mignon tonight, and they say it will be better tomorrow. the teaching was also amazing and I will fill you in on some of the highlights tomorrow. Have a great night Jubilee!

Because you're mine I walk the line.

Psalm 15:1-5 (Message) A David psalm. GOD, who gets invited to dinner at your place? How do we get on your guest list?  "Walk straight, act right, tell the truth. "Don't hurt your friend, don't blame your neighbor; despise the despicable. "Keep your word even when it costs you, make an honest living, never take a bribe. "You'll never get blacklisted if you live like this."

Don't you think it would be cool to sit at dinner with God? wouldn't it be awesome to be that near to Him? Here is the deal, you can be! Pete talked about this bit of scripture at youth last week and it won't leave me alone.

So many times we struggle in how we walk out life with God but it is really quite simple when we read Psalm 15. There is amazing power in the redemptive work of Jesus on the cross, He paid the price for your sins and mine, the work is complete for salvation. If though we want to lead a life that is pleasing to God we need to participate, we need to walk the line with Jesus. Take a while to read this scripture and ask God to speak to you through it and make plans to have an intimate meal with your Father