Yesterday was another wonderful day at Lifepoint. One of my favorite things about our church is the opportunities that I have to be a part of something bigger than myself. I love serving! I love working with people! And most important to me; I love pointing people/children toward Jesus!
At Lifepoint, being a volunteer is HUGE. Without our volunteers Sunday morning wouldn't happen. It is because of the 300+ volunteers that it all happens the way it does. When you sit back and watch teams of Lifepointers interact with everyone who enters the building you can SEE why they do it. You can SEE how it fuels them and why they come back to do it all again the next week. I know that is how I feel. I can prepare and plan all week for Sunday. But it isn't until Sunday when the littlest of the Lifepointers comes bouncing into Dive; that it is ALL validated. It is the tiny smile on the face of a child who is finally able to let go of mom and come to me without crying. It is the parent who finds relief in handing over their child to someone that they have come to trust. It is comfort I find in knowing that God loved me so much, so I can love them the same way.
But........
The point of this blog wasn't to say why I love volunteering. The point was to tell you about the lesson I learned yesterday. I love serving God, my church , Kidspoint and supporting my husband so much that sometimes I get trapped. Now, mind you...I get trapped in my own cage of expectancy that I created and locked myself. No one can take credit for this one except me. :-(
Yesterday I was able to slip away and attend a church service. It amazes me how many volunteers (across churches) give up going to church to serve. I think it is partly because of their heart, but I think it is partly because they have created their own cage....and locked it!!! I know that in many churches (especially young churches) schedules are often hard to fill. Sometimes churches grow so fast it is hard to keep up with it, with volunteers. But sometimes it is simply because you don't ask and you don't go! You don't ask for help. And you don't go if you do get the help. The lesson I learned yesterday was how important going to church is. There is the DUH reasons for going to church, but I discovered the "PEP Rally" reason.
Let me ask this : Why do schools do pep rallies?
*To get everyone pepped up.
*To get everyone ready for the big game.
*To feel apart of a team.
*So that everyone can see that it isn't just the players on the field that are in the game.
*So everyone can hoot and holler for ONE purpose.
Well that is what I got out of church. Yes, I heard the word of God. Yes, I worshiped (and it was pretty awesome!) But even more than that....
*I got excited and pepped up.
*I am ready for what ever is next.
*I felt a part of the a HUGE team.
*It was nice to see everyone together.
*It was great to see that I don't play the game alone.
*Everyone together for One purpose!
Talk about fueling your tank!!!!
So volunteers....GO TO CHURCH!!!!
If you don't volunteer...... start. Be apart of something bigger than you.
.....but don't forget to go to church.
~L
Monday, December 7, 2009
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
I want them to be Warriors
I have almost completed my Esther study I have one week left. This past week touched on a number of different things but one stood boldly off the page.
One of the hardest parts of being a mother or a mentor is watching our children face a battle we can't fight for them. If God is going to raise our children to be mighty warriors of the faith, He must be free to teach them to fight. As hard as the process can be to watch, how can a person experience the exhilaration of victory in a battle they never had to fight?
When I read that the first time it stopped me in my tracks. I want them to be warriors. I don't want passive, lazy, apathetic children. I want them to FIGHT!I want them to fight for a God and faith that fought for them.
I often question, how much "parenting" is too much ...or not enough? I question when do I step in or do I let them work it out on their own? I am never quite sure. I quickly see that I need to pray more and speak less. Allowing God to show me where to act and where to be silent.
But this lesson brought my life into full view. In a matter of seconds I saw all of the major life trials I have had, and the amazing victories I have been able to experience because of them. If I had someone to fight those battles for me, I would never be the person I am. Or have the strength for the trials still yet to come.
God I pray that our children will be mighty warriors of the faith. I pray that the trials they experience will be amazing avenues to God sized victories. I pray that they will fight honorably and serve graciously. God help them to find strength in only you. And give us the wisdom to know when to speak and what to say.
One of the hardest parts of being a mother or a mentor is watching our children face a battle we can't fight for them. If God is going to raise our children to be mighty warriors of the faith, He must be free to teach them to fight. As hard as the process can be to watch, how can a person experience the exhilaration of victory in a battle they never had to fight?
When I read that the first time it stopped me in my tracks. I want them to be warriors. I don't want passive, lazy, apathetic children. I want them to FIGHT!I want them to fight for a God and faith that fought for them.
I often question, how much "parenting" is too much ...or not enough? I question when do I step in or do I let them work it out on their own? I am never quite sure. I quickly see that I need to pray more and speak less. Allowing God to show me where to act and where to be silent.
But this lesson brought my life into full view. In a matter of seconds I saw all of the major life trials I have had, and the amazing victories I have been able to experience because of them. If I had someone to fight those battles for me, I would never be the person I am. Or have the strength for the trials still yet to come.
God I pray that our children will be mighty warriors of the faith. I pray that the trials they experience will be amazing avenues to God sized victories. I pray that they will fight honorably and serve graciously. God help them to find strength in only you. And give us the wisdom to know when to speak and what to say.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Part 6
Today Lifepoint Baptized 16 people
and
1st service, Pastor announced that the church as a whole has committed over 2.4 MILLION!!!
2nd service, Pastor announced that the church as a whole has committed over 2.5 Million!!!
People committed $$$ between first and second service. Isn't that cool??? God is so Good. I can't wait to see what is next.
and
1st service, Pastor announced that the church as a whole has committed over 2.4 MILLION!!!
2nd service, Pastor announced that the church as a whole has committed over 2.5 Million!!!
People committed $$$ between first and second service. Isn't that cool??? God is so Good. I can't wait to see what is next.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Part 5
The night of worship and commitment for staff served as some of the beginning steps to Accelerate. Our Pastor has said often "Leaders Go First". So the staff was to lead the way. This was extremely exciting for us, but also very humbling and a little scary.
In my head there is a little soap box (ok it is not soooooo little) from it I constantly scream "LEAD OR GET OUT OF THE WAY!!!" I have major leadership issues. (That sounds worse than I mean it.) I have no problem following a leader or sometimes even being a leader... BUT if you are going to BE a leader then DO IT WELL!!! I guess that is why I said it is exciting, humbling and a little scary. I knew what God was calling the staff to do.
A week later the "Leadership" of the church (about 100 people) were brought together for a night of worship and commitment. Same concept as before just on a larger scale. The staff had been asked to "Go first" and now the Leadership was being asked to "Go First".
The night was full of stories, music, and our Pastor reading Joshua 3:14-17.
We were all asked to step out into the Jordan and have faith that the waters would part. We were asked to carry the Ark and lead the way. What an amazing night!!!
It ended with the church leadership laying there commitments on an alter.
The goal in all of this has been about changing hearts and growing faith. We don't have a specific building we want to buy, land we want to build on, big box we want to build out, we simply want to be obedient.
Of course there is also a dollar dream ;-) and We set our sights high! The goal is 1.5 million. There are skeptics.... they say:"Too high", "Your church is too young", "They'll never commit to that".
On November 3rd the leadership was asked to step out and trust that God would part the water. And on November 3rd......He did. The leadership committed close to 1.6 million dollars!! Re-read what the original goal was...1.5 million for the entire church. That was the dream and now God had blown that out of the water. The rest of the church hadn't yet had the opportunity to step out and God had already given us more than we asked.
November 15th was set as the day that Lifepoint could either step out or step off. They could either step out on the dry land or step off the cliff of faithlessness. The total has not been announced...that is this upcoming Sunday and I can't wait until this Sunday to see the fruits of the faithful. God is so good!!!!
Stay tuned for part 6 "The Grand Total"
In my head there is a little soap box (ok it is not soooooo little) from it I constantly scream "LEAD OR GET OUT OF THE WAY!!!" I have major leadership issues. (That sounds worse than I mean it.) I have no problem following a leader or sometimes even being a leader... BUT if you are going to BE a leader then DO IT WELL!!! I guess that is why I said it is exciting, humbling and a little scary. I knew what God was calling the staff to do.
A week later the "Leadership" of the church (about 100 people) were brought together for a night of worship and commitment. Same concept as before just on a larger scale. The staff had been asked to "Go first" and now the Leadership was being asked to "Go First".
The night was full of stories, music, and our Pastor reading Joshua 3:14-17.
We were all asked to step out into the Jordan and have faith that the waters would part. We were asked to carry the Ark and lead the way. What an amazing night!!!
It ended with the church leadership laying there commitments on an alter.
The goal in all of this has been about changing hearts and growing faith. We don't have a specific building we want to buy, land we want to build on, big box we want to build out, we simply want to be obedient.
Of course there is also a dollar dream ;-) and We set our sights high! The goal is 1.5 million. There are skeptics.... they say:"Too high", "Your church is too young", "They'll never commit to that".
On November 3rd the leadership was asked to step out and trust that God would part the water. And on November 3rd......He did. The leadership committed close to 1.6 million dollars!! Re-read what the original goal was...1.5 million for the entire church. That was the dream and now God had blown that out of the water. The rest of the church hadn't yet had the opportunity to step out and God had already given us more than we asked.
November 15th was set as the day that Lifepoint could either step out or step off. They could either step out on the dry land or step off the cliff of faithlessness. The total has not been announced...that is this upcoming Sunday and I can't wait until this Sunday to see the fruits of the faithful. God is so good!!!!
Stay tuned for part 6 "The Grand Total"
Monday, November 16, 2009
New Journey- 4
Ok so my "more tomorrow" actually meant three days :-)
The story continues.....
After my phone call from the corporate headquarters we completed our vacation and went home. We had alot on our plate when we got back. The BIGGEST was a new project the church was beginning called Accelerate. (Go read about it all so I don't have to type it all :-)
The short version... The Accelerate project is a brief moment in the history of Lifepoint that will change its future forever. God has called Lifepoint to reach this region. We believe that through this project God will accelerate our impact on this community by putting us in a position to at last find a permanent facility. Through Accelerate, God will stretch us, grow us, and move us to a new level of faith and anticipation! (copied from the website)
When we came home from vacation, the first step (for us) in this project was a staff commitment night. This was a time with all of the staff and spouses got together for dinner, a time of worship, and a time of commitment. Deciding on what our financial commitment to this project was NOT easy.
We already live paycheck to paycheck (barely/hardly) and I just lost my job. Steven and I had talked.....and talked....and talked. We looked at our budget. And then talked some more. We prayed. And then talked some more. We just couldn't see the "how" in giving more than our tithe. After alot more talking and praying we finally came up with an amount.
A couple of days later we had our Staff Night. We had an amazing time of worship that ended with us giving financially..... what only God could provide.
The next day....
I got a voice mail from my old store manager asking if we could talk. Let me be very transparent for a moment....... I figured that the corporate office had called him and told him he needed to call and apologize to me. But ... I never expected what I got.
I got a long heart felt conversation and a sincere apology. I hate writing that because it leads one to believe that I DIDN'T expect "a long heart felt conversation and sincere apology". But truth is I didn't expect anything. In the end.................. He offered me my job back and I accepted.
As I look back over this part of the story I am amazed. God moved a mountain!
I kind of feel like my life is a snow globe. (imagine for a minute) There was this pretty little scene ** A nice little job. A nice way to give to the project. Easy.
THEN God shook it! **I couldn't see clearly. I didn't know what we would do to make ends meet. And I Really didn't know what to do to be able to give to the project. But we stepped out and trusted.
Even though we couldn't see the scene clearly..... we knew who held the globe. And as soon as we said, "We trust you.... even though we can't understand it all and it looks like a big mess.....we trust you God." Then as quickly as He shook it....It all begins to settle and there is a new scene. One that is covered with Christ and a Faith that has been transformed.
Will God shake our globe again?
-I am sure of it
Will it be easy?
-Nope
Do I hope for it?
-Absolutely!
Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Part 5 tomorrow :-)
The story continues.....
After my phone call from the corporate headquarters we completed our vacation and went home. We had alot on our plate when we got back. The BIGGEST was a new project the church was beginning called Accelerate. (Go read about it all so I don't have to type it all :-)
The short version... The Accelerate project is a brief moment in the history of Lifepoint that will change its future forever. God has called Lifepoint to reach this region. We believe that through this project God will accelerate our impact on this community by putting us in a position to at last find a permanent facility. Through Accelerate, God will stretch us, grow us, and move us to a new level of faith and anticipation! (copied from the website)
When we came home from vacation, the first step (for us) in this project was a staff commitment night. This was a time with all of the staff and spouses got together for dinner, a time of worship, and a time of commitment. Deciding on what our financial commitment to this project was NOT easy.
We already live paycheck to paycheck (barely/hardly) and I just lost my job. Steven and I had talked.....and talked....and talked. We looked at our budget. And then talked some more. We prayed. And then talked some more. We just couldn't see the "how" in giving more than our tithe. After alot more talking and praying we finally came up with an amount.
A couple of days later we had our Staff Night. We had an amazing time of worship that ended with us giving financially..... what only God could provide.
The next day....
I got a voice mail from my old store manager asking if we could talk. Let me be very transparent for a moment....... I figured that the corporate office had called him and told him he needed to call and apologize to me. But ... I never expected what I got.
I got a long heart felt conversation and a sincere apology. I hate writing that because it leads one to believe that I DIDN'T expect "a long heart felt conversation and sincere apology". But truth is I didn't expect anything. In the end.................. He offered me my job back and I accepted.
As I look back over this part of the story I am amazed. God moved a mountain!
I kind of feel like my life is a snow globe. (imagine for a minute) There was this pretty little scene ** A nice little job. A nice way to give to the project. Easy.
THEN God shook it! **I couldn't see clearly. I didn't know what we would do to make ends meet. And I Really didn't know what to do to be able to give to the project. But we stepped out and trusted.
Even though we couldn't see the scene clearly..... we knew who held the globe. And as soon as we said, "We trust you.... even though we can't understand it all and it looks like a big mess.....we trust you God." Then as quickly as He shook it....It all begins to settle and there is a new scene. One that is covered with Christ and a Faith that has been transformed.
Will God shake our globe again?
-I am sure of it
Will it be easy?
-Nope
Do I hope for it?
-Absolutely!
Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Part 5 tomorrow :-)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)