Ministry Is Not Fair

I read a blog entry by Tim Steven's from Granger Community Church today. I agree with him 100%. He's right. Ministry is not fair. And that's OK!

Check out Tim's entry here:

Fireworks, Cell Phones, Sundays and Tears

Saturday night we went to the Nazareth Park with some friends and watched the Fireworks. This was the conclusion of Nazareth Days which is a weekend of block parties, sidewalk sales, special events and vendors throughout the town. It culminates with a big fireworks display that rivals most big cities. It really is awesome.

We try to sit in the outfield of the baseball diamond at the park. They set the fireworks off in the far out field of the park so from our vantage point they explode almost directly over our heads. As I laid on the blanket and looked up at the kaleidoscope of colors in the sky I couldn't help but notice a group of teenagers sitting near by. During the entire fireworks display they were talking with each other, talking on their cell phones, text messaging their friends and seemed to be hardly looking at the beauty all around them. It almost as if the fireworks were simply a distraction to what they came there to do.

Fast forward to yesterday morning. We had an amazing service at The Carpenter's. In fact if you missed it, please get the CD, it will rock your world. From the moment the first song started the Holy Spirit was in the room and moving. The kids from Avalanche Ranch (our VBS program) did a great job singing and doing motions, the praise team led us into God's presence and then Tucker brought it. We are in the middle of the series, "Chase The Lion" and tucker delivered the message on Overcoming Adversity. It was powerful, motivating, thought provoking and total Spirit Filled.

At the end of the service, he gave an invitation for people to accept Jesus as their Savior. We saw one woman stand up and acknowledge her need for Christ. What's interesting about this woman was that she was there just to see her daughter sing the VBS songs and then she was going to leave. She ended up staying the entire service, gave her life to Christ and stood before God and our entire congregation crying. Other people moved out of their seats and comforted this woman, prayed with here, hugged her and supported her. In fact it was one of the best displays of true "Community" I've seen in a long time.

Now, what does yesterday's story and fireworks have in common? Well, I think too often we get caught up in our own interests, focus and priorities and we totally miss the beauty of God in the sunsets, stars, trees, flowers, streams and a new believer putting her faith in Christ for the very first time. We get caught up in the details of "church" and miss the purpose of church. I think sometimes we act as if the move of the Holy Spirit is a distraction to what we came to church for.

The Carpenter's Church won't be distracted from what God has called us to do. We will communicate the best story on the planet to the Lehigh Valley. Hang on tight. As Tucker said yesterday, it's going to be an adventure.

G3

10 More Big Ones!

Well, it's Friday and Avalanche Ranch is winding down. We've had an amazing week and the kids have had an awesome time. There have been over 140 kids here and they've experienced music, media, drama, crafts, service, snacks, stories and tons of fun.

However, the best part of the week was yesterday's closing session. The story of Jesus was shared clear and straight forward. At then end of the session the kids had the opportunity to accept Jesus as their forever friend. Yes, 10 kids prayed that prayer and accepted Jesus. The applause and "Yee-haw's" were almost deafening and I can't even imagine the party that was going on in Heaven yesterday about 12:00. There were several parents in the room as well.

Tonight we'll host a Family Roundup where the Kids can show their parents what they've learned this week. It's going to be awesome. Come out and have a great time, even if you're child isn't here.

G3

Weekend Recap

If you were out of town, still in bed, or otherwise not at our weekend service yesterday, you missed a move of the Holy Spirit like we've not seen in a long time. Yes, God showed up in some big ways yesterday

Here are some highlights:

• Tucker and the band did an amazing job leading us into God's Presence. If you want/need to know the set list, contact Tucker directly from his site.
• As I got up to speak I could feel the Holy Spirit take over and He moved in the room like we've not seen in a long time.
• There were about a dozen people standing at the end of the service committing their lives to Christ and to chasing their own lions.
• Our congregation stepped up in a big way and committed over a thousand dollars toward helping Holy Fire get back on their feet from their bus fire.
• After the service over 30+ people stayed to finish the set up and final prep for Avalanche Ranch which starts this morning.
• As of last night we had almost 140 kids registered for Avalanche Ranch and we expect some 30-40 walk-in registrations as well.

Overall, it was a great weekend and all indications are that God's going to continue to move in some amazing ways this week at Avalanche Ranch. Keep praying, keep serving, keep giving and watch God keep moving.

G3

I Wonder?

Marcus Aurelius Antoninus was the Roman Emperor, A.D. 161-180. He was once quoted as saying,

"Waste no more time talking about great souls and how they should be. Become one yourself!"

I wonder if we waste too much time trying to fix other people, rather than being the best individual we can be?

I wonder if we waste too much time trying to disciple other people, rather than being a disciple and authentic Christ follower ourselves?

I wonder if we waste too much time trying to reprimand other people, rather than taking care of ourselves and taking our concerns to God in prayer?

I wonder if we waste too much time trying to tell others what to do, rather than actually doing the best we can at what God has called us to do?

I wonder if we waste too much time trying to fix our own problems, rather than allowing God to work through us to accomplish His will in His timing.

I don't know about you but I don't want to waste time talking about great souls and how they should be, I want to become one myself and allow Jesus to be reflected in me everywhere and all the time.

I wonder . . .?

Final Thoughts on Chesapeake 07

Well, it's now Tuesday afternoon and I've had a few days to reflect on last week. In case some of you don't know, I was at Chesapeake 07 last week with about 50 Students and leaders on a missions trip. We took 30+ people from Nazareth, connected with 16 people from Focal Point Church in Corpus Cristi Texas and a half dozen people form Focal Point Chesapeake to spend the week in Chesapeake Virginia.

Here are some final thoughts about the week.

• Students can accomplish a ton, when they join together and focus on a common goal. In fact, maybe adults can learn something from this point.
• It costs a lot of money to feed 50 people, 3 meals a day for a week.
• It takes a lot of gas to move 50 people around for a week.
• 50 people can distribute thousands of door hangers in a relatively short period of time.
• Kids love games and winning prizes. They don't have to be complicated games or expensive prizes but showing a child that they are important, valued and worthy of a gift, goes a long way. Maybe there's something for us adults to learn here as well.
  
• Our staff and students are amazing. We spent 24 hours per day together and didn't have any major issues or concerns. We connected with total strangers and worked together to accomplish our goals. It was great to watch and be a part of.
• Photos of the trip will be available soon. Keep checking, IgniteStudents.net.
• Fast food, bagels and sandwiches are great . . . but not for every meal for 7 days.
• Chevy and Ford vans both get almost exactly the same gas mileage.
• Golden Corral is a great place for a quick meal when traveling with 30 people.
• My van was fairly quiet most of the way home. I think after very little sleep all week, the students were ready for a nice long drive home.

For the most part, this was a great trip and it will be exciting to see how God uses this trip to change lives in Virginia, Texas and here in PA.

G3

Thursday Morning Thoughts

OK, it's currently 10:00 am on Thursday morning. Here are some random thoughts (Random because they don't really fit with each other and they are in no particular order).

• Our 4th of July started at 6:00am with our departure to Washington D.C.
• We arrived in Reston Virginia and distributed about 700 fliers for Reston Community Church.
• Finally arrived in D.C. about 2:00pm.
  
• There's a reason that God has me working with Adults
• If a storm comes through D.C. on the 4th of July, they close down the National Mall and that puts a ton of people in the Smithsonian.
• Trying to sleep while laying on the floor of the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum is not really that comfortable at all.
  
• If one does not get enough sleep, does not drink enough fluids and walks in the hot, humid weather of D.C. on the 4th of July, there is a 100% chance that they will be taken to the E.R. for dehydration and/or heat exhaustion. (Not to panic anyone in PA, but we did have this happen to one of the students from Texas who are with us)
• A one block cab ride, in D.C., on the 4th of July, in a rain storm is very expensive
• Watching the fireworks, from in front of the Washington Memorial, on the4th of July, with a few thousand people is really cool.
• Not leaving D.C. until 1:00am (after picking up people from the Hospital) puts you back in Chesapeake about 5:00am.
• Getting up at 5:00am and getting back in bed at 5:00am makes for a very long day.

It's been a good week . . . But I'm tired.

G3

Monday Night Mind Dump

OK, so my title is a bit deceptive. I've titled this post, "Monday Night Mind Dump" but really . . . it's currently Tuesday morning about 1:30am. Yes, I just walked in the door at Tally's house and I'm getting ready to turn in. Here are some thoughts from the first full day at Chesapeake 07 with Ignite Students.

• I love working with Adults.
• Buying food for 50 people, to eat 10+ meals, takes a lot of time, two very full large Sam's club carts and a lot of money.
• Today we distributed hundreds of door hangers to promote a "party in the park" tomorrow afternoon and Saturday afternoon. The student's did a great job, stayed together, didn't get lost and there were no cops involved at all.
  
• I love working with Adults
• I'm not the best drummer on the planet but I'm better than nothing.
• I found out today that there were 3 decisions for Christ Sunday morning at The Carpenter's. Way to go God!!!!!!
• Starbucks Coffee is a requirement on any Student Ministry Trip. In fact it should be one of the only requirements. I mean, it needs to be #1 on the list of things to have.
• We worked at a house in Norfolk today doing some work and preparing to do a full day of work on Thursday. It's amazing to me, the way some people live. We have been blessed with so much and there are so many people who live with so little.
  
• Relationships are starting to form between our students and those from Focal Point Church, Corpus Cristi, TX. It's kind of cool to see the interaction and see people start to connect as they server together. It's like watching the Body of Christ work.
• People had some strange looks for us as we left Sam's Club today.
• I love working with Adults!
• Headache remedy #1: Take 2 ibuprofen, with 2 slices of pizza and a large coke. Wait about 1 hour and your good as new. Oh, did I mention that it helps to have an empty van too.
• Wednesday is going to be a long day. Leaving at 6:00am, travel to D.C., distribute literature for Reston Community Church, watch the fireworks on the mall in D.C. and then travel 3 hours home.
• I love working with Adults!
• Tim's going to do a great job leading worship at The Carpenter's this weekend. Invite your friends as we launch "Chase the Lion".
• It's time for bed. I'm starting to retype almost everything I type or you won't even be able to tell what I'm trying to say.

Have great week and check back often as I'll try to keep you posted.

G3