unCERTAINty

Uncertainty seems to be commonplace now. I used to have plans and maps for how I was going to be great at what I did. I never really worried about the money because it was always there. All I wanted to do was be one of the best at what I did. (It is naïve to think that you will be the best, there is always someone who will be better and always someone who is worse, that is a constant.) Now the measures have become less tangible. How do you measure life change or someone’s walk growing with depth? Back to uncertainty though, it is something I am learning to deal with. I think it is probably something that was keeping me from totally diving in. Through many different things in the last year and a half it is a struggle I am dealing with or that God is dealing with in me. I am glad that it is not uncommon but for the last four or five months I have been reading and lots of material suggests that not only is uncertainty commonplace it is a necessity for being able to discern the voice of God. If you are constantly seeking direction you are constantly in a posture to hear. There is no safety net when you are constantly balancing on God’s tightrope. Oddly enough when you have your faith based on a person, not on answers to prayers or situations going your way, you don’t really seem to fall.

-Wes

I am full of myself.

I was thinking early this morning…why is it that some folks don’t “get it”?
I mean really, I think I get it…but why is it that it seems to be so hard to connect people to Jesus?
I’ve become convinced that we are the problem! Folks that don’t know Jesus or don’t participate in church stuff have probably seen too much church or too much us and not enough of Jesus in us.

Maybe our efforts should be directed toward allowing people to see Jesus in us and allowing the character of Christ to be seen rather than trying to be a person of character. It is an accurate statement that the only thing good within us is the presence of Christ. So why not allow Him to be seen more in us and let the world see less of us. Wow, John the Baptist said something similar in John 3 where he said “He must increase and I must decrease”. Jesus said he was the greatest man born of woman. Now that sounds like what I would want on my resume…Jesus calling me The Man!

For that to happen I need to shrink to the point of invisible and allow Jesus to get massive in my life and in my actions. I will have to get rid of my pettiness, self centered focus, religious traditions and replace them with seeing the world as people to love, selfless service, and Jesus centered worship.

I know we are here to turn the world right side up…but in His power, not our preference. It sure sounds good, so why is it so hard? Because I am full of me…how ‘bout you?

 

Modern Day Jonah

Have you ever wondered if God chases us down so we can experience His best? Or, have you ever wondered if God cares about what happens around us such that He works opportunities for us to trust Him more?

I remember hearing people talk about God “calling” them to do things and thinking - “dude, I’m not sure God does that”

Well, when I was 15 years old God called me to serve Him in vocational ministry…no thanks was my thought on that! Not enough money, too many strange traditions, way too many “churchy people” – no thanks! So I ran, and boy did I run. Many years later my Pastor invited me to join his staff at a growing church and I said NO. I knew I was supposed to say yes but pride kept me from correcting my no to a yes.

I became a modern day Jonah…God said Ninevah and I said Tarsish. I went from making money at everything I did to losing money and being miserable at all things. God had sent a storm my way, just as He did for Jonah in Bible times. Well, needless to say, I jumped out of the boat and as God provided a great fish for Jonah, God provided a place of service for me…and I’ve never looked back!

What is it that you are called to do? My counsel is – DON’T RUN – God cares enough about our success to call us back into His will, even if it takes a big, honkin’ storm! Go ahead and ask God for direction, seek Him in prayer and in His Word…He will answer, and you will have a choice – run or serve. Your call.

- Chuck Allen

Discover, Live, & Tell your story…

Today’s sermon was about telling your story.  On the heels of the “Confessions” series, we took a small glance back over the past few weeks through the music (Apologize), and the jumped into “story” with a great song called “Take Me There” (which you may have heard recently on country music radio).  Perhaps the greatest stories told today were of the 12 baptisms that took place among the services.

The heart of Pastor Lee’s sermon was that we all have a story, and it is time we shared it.  Each and every one of our stories are important and can make a difference in another life.  Can you imagine the tremendous impact we can have on the world if we all just lived by this mantra, “Discover, Live, and Share your story”.  Not only do we help others move further along their path with what they can learn from us, but we also free them up to share their stories too. 

Start now, share your story here on this blog, or click here to share your story on our website.  At that link you can also check our the “Story Gallery” where others have already shared.  You may share the story of your salvation, or one of the many, many lessons or passions you have experienced since you began your relationship with Him.

Welcome!

Welcome to our blog page.  We have launched this page in an effort to build community and continue to share our stories.  Please subscribe to our blog and let us know who you are.  New topics will be coming soon, meanwhile, click around and check out the music, photos, videos, and links.