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10/31/2008 2:22 PMI just took a walk down memory lane. In preparation for Sunday's sermon on "Worship Wars" I've been reviewing the radical changes that have taken place in the church in my lifetime. Since I grew up in the 60's in California, I feel like I've seen it all; from the Jesus People Movement all the way to how we worship today. With all the changes, It's sure encouraging to know that God has not changed. And genuine worship, although altered externally, looks just the same at its heart source. 10/22/2008 11:56 AM
Last weekend I had a quick trip to Bethany Bible College , Sussex, New Brunswick and back for the board of trustees meeting. Going through security in Montreal proved to be a challenge. Security revealed a trace substance on my carry-on that was consistent with explosives! After extensive search of my person and my luggage, and an interrogation, they passed me through. Fortunately, I had plenty of time & made my connections but they warned me to expect the same process coming home. My flight schedule to return home was much tighter. Since my flight was scheduled to get in at 11:35 pm on Saturday, I knew the likelihood of getting home in time for Sunday service was slim. I prayed & God answered. I sailed right through security on the way home and made all the connections. (Just for the record, I didn't have explosives. Our best guess is that residue from a freshly fertilized lawn was on my shoes that were in my bag.) 10/2/2008 12:31 PMI just finished reading E.M. Bounds' book, The Preacher and Prayer. He related the prayer lives of great men of God. Most spent from 2 to 4 hours in prayer daily, usually starting between 4 and 6 am! For years I've had a consistent morning devotions time before I go to work. But that early and for 4 hours? Not hardly. This week I attended a prayer meeting in Cicero at 6 am and was in prayer for a special need before 6 am this morning. Not at all impressive compared to those I read about. But it's a start. I am committed to becoming a man of prayer. 9/26/2008 9:29 AMIt was a huge boost to me last Sunday when several men gathered around me at the altar to pray for me just prior to the beginning of the worship service. Sunday mornings are filled with tasks and connections with people. That time of prayer really helped me to focus on God. Thanks guys! 9/17/2008 8:53 AM| PRAYERPRAYERPRAYERPRAYERPRAYERPRAYER |
The goal is to immerse us in prayer, both in study in in practice for four weeks. In preparation, I've been doing that for a couple of weeks prior to our launch into prayer last Sunday. What an awesome experience! Last night even my dreams were about prayer! I'm convinced that if Trinity Wesleyan Church is to develop an ethos of prayer, I need to develop an ethos of prayer in my own life. 9/10/2008 9:20 AM Two days down, three to go! I've committed to a time of fasting as we prepare for the twelve weeks of implementing our Strategic Plan. It's my goal to fast for five days, ending Friday evening. After yesterday, I began thinking that two days might be enough, but I'm still staying with it (so far)!
Why bother? I'm glad you asked. Because I absolutely, completely, unequivocally believe that God intends to bless Trinity Wesleyan Church to fulfill our mission to impact the world for Christ. But that will only happen as we seriously commit to pray and fast. 8/13/2008 5:25 PMNo, I didn't spell it incorrectly. That's exactly what I mean. It's going to happen soon to the adult classrooms at Trinity. God has given us a great opportunity to start an afterschool program for intermediate students. The challenge....no space. The solution....make space. Beginning in mid-September we will youthenize our adult classrooms for this weekday program. Yup, it will mess things up royally. Yup, it will be uncomfortable for adults who study in those rooms on Sunday. Yup, it will be a logistical nightmare with constant set up and tear down. Yup, we will have unprecedented opportunity to present Christ to kids in our immediate community that may not otherwise experience the Life to the Full that Jesus offers. Sounds to me like something that will please our heavenly Father. 7/24/2008 7:41 AMYup, last week I experienced a first. I went to a Brooks & Dunn concert at Verizon Music Center. I'd been given a ticket (you know me, I'm too cheap to actually buy one!) so I decided to experience country music up close & personal. (We'll as close as watching the big screen from the back of the lawn seating.) I was the old guy in the crowd. At least 90% of the crowd were in their 20s. When I was their age, I went to concerts to watch & listen to the performing artists. Well times have changed. It was a social event. They were there to connect & interact with their friends. In the church we would call it fellowship. The concert was just an excuse to get together. It made me wonder about church events. We think that the event (service, meeting, preaching, etc.) is what people come for. Therefore, that's where we focus our energies. Maybe we need to refocus on relationships. People want to experience life in community, with their friends. Maybe we should invest more in helping people build relationships. Hmmm. 7/18/2008 10:20 AMLast Sunday, David Rice shared his testimony of God's love and grace that brought him through addiction to alcohol and drugs and an eight year prison sentence. The warm response of the Trinity congregation was immediate and overwhelming. That's what it's all about, helping people come to know the Life to the Full that God has so graciously provided for us. 7/9/2008 9:59 AMIf it seems like I've fallen off the face of the earth, it's because I feel like I nearly have! Summer has hit with an exciting vengeance. June passed quickly. I took a few days of vacation and worked in my garden. I travelled to Florida for General Conference and spent 10 days in Central Asia on a mission trip. It has been both busy and exciting! It feels like I've just run in & out of the office all month. It actually feels good to be in the office with a normal routine. (Well as normal as it gets, anyway). 1
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9709 Allisonville Road ▪ Indianapolis, IN ▪ 46250
▪ 317.849.9576 ▪ info@trinitywesleyan.com |
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