Monday, February 28, 2011

What does your church think of single moms?

Last night after church, Carole and I, Sean and Alice, and our guest, Stephen Kuert went out to get something to eat. We had an enjoyable conversation while we ate. At the end of the meal our server came to gather our plates. She hesitated, then said, "I heard you talking about church stuff. First, what church do y'all go to?" We told her. She continued, "What does your church think about girls who have a kid but their husband has left them? Because I tried a church and they told me that I was an abomination."

Of course it was a race for all of us to tell her that she would find love and respect at Living Water. We gave her info about the church and contact information if she needed to talk to someone. I really hope that she will take us at our word and come at her first opportunity. I was struck by two things.

First, I admire this young lady's courage. She is pretty new to Guthrie and she had a horrible experience at a church, yet she had the courage to make herself vulnerable to us by essentially asking if it were possible for her to be accepted at our church. She has a deep-seated desire to find a place where she can fit in.

Secondly, I am grateful that our conversation and demeanor while eating pizza demonstrated something that she felt might be what she was looking for. Had we been rude, or if our conversation had been judgmental, she would not have mustered the courage to approach us.

Stephen led in a brief prayer for her and we let her know in no uncertain terms that we would be looking for her. I really hope she comes. But I really believe that we will find encounters such as this one to be the norm in coming days. It is the heart and the desire of our church.

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Room Progress!

We are ready to order the HVAC unit for the Sunday School rooms this week! We have received enough money to get that major part of the project underway. Praise the Lord! As soon as that is installed we will be ready to move forward with the drop ceiling and lighting. I have a friend who may be able to get us some of the exact light fixtures we need at a drastically reduced price. Please pray! God is really teaching us how to trust Him during this project. Let's learn all we can about trusting Him to provide because that is something we can use time and time again. There is a definite limit to our checking account, but there is no limit to what God can provide for those who place their trust in Him. I'll keep you posted as miracles occur. They are happening daily around here.

Monday, February 14, 2011

Two Nations at a Crossroads

In the past couple of weeks, some amazing things have been happening in Africa. A vote was taken in Sudan which allowed Southern Sudan to separate and form a brand new country. This new country, the newest on earth, faces many challenges as it embarks on new territory, It is one thing to fantasize about separating; it is another thing completely to go about the enormous task of forming a government, a constitution, place leaders at strategic positions, formulate currency and economic strategies, and the list goes on and on. This new country is very fragile at this point, and it needs our prayers that God would raise up leaders who will lead with integrity and accountability. It would be awful if the efforts of the citizens of Southern Sudan were to lose all of their hopes for a better future because of self-serving and dishonest leaders.

Egypt is one of the most ancient of countries, but it is also going through a time of tremendous transition. Since they have ousted their leader because of an intense desire to have democratic rule, we must also pray for leaders who will lead Egypt with integrity and accountability. It is one thing to oust a leader because of dreams of a better life. It is another thing completely to make those dreams into a reality. Although Egypt is centuries old, it is in many ways as fragile right now as Southern Sudan. It would be awful if the efforts of the protestors, bathed in the hope for a better future, were to be dashed due to the ascendancy of leaders who are even more despotic and authoritarian than the one just dismissed.

Both nations need our prayers.

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Special Guest Sunday Morning

This Sunday morning we will have as our guest Dwain Jones. Dwain is a representative of Calcutta Mercy Ministries, but he is also a personal friend and hero of mine. He is an exceptionally good communicator and I know that you will enjoy hearing him. But even more, he is someone who continues to give his all even though he has reached an age when he could easily "hang it up". He and his wife, Jean, have encountered many physical obstacles in recent years but they still travel the highways of Oklahoma ministering in our churches and still travel the airways, going several times a year to India to encourage their co-laborers in Calcutta. Be ready to be blessed and challenged by the ministry of Dwain Jones tomorrow morning only at Living Water Church. Sunday night he will be ministering in Arkoma (just outside of Ft. Smith, Arkansas).

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Epic Fail

Yesterday I checked the messages on call notes at the church. I have not formed a really good discipline for doing that. One of the messages was a nightmare. It was from someone, a guy, who was undoubtedly sitting in front of the church last Sunday night while we were at the citywide prayer and praise service at Community Church. He had come to visit our Sunday evening service but no one was there. He didn't give his name or a callback number but he was clearly frustrated that he had come to an empty place. It was a powerful reminder to me, once again, that we must always be aware of those outside of our regular attenders who may be drawn to give our church a try. It is not enough just to let "our people" know about changes in the norm. We have to be aware of those who are out of the loop, as well. I saw that message as an epic fail on my part. We can do better. And we will, God willing.

Monday, February 7, 2011

Surrendered and Untamed

Tonight I have been reviewing a DVD teaching series called "Surrendered and Untamed". This four part teaching is based on an Antarctic expedition by extreme explorer Alex Harris. I got it thinking I would use it for a Wednesday night discussion series, but I might want to save it for a men's event. I'll make up my mind when I get the book and participant guide in a few days. I'll definitely use it; it's just a matter of where and when.

Friday, February 4, 2011

We are open for business!

The lastest snowstorm, called "Snowmageddon", or the "Snowpocalypse", has passed and left drifts of snow in its wake. If you have driven by the church, you have undoubtedly seen drifts blocking your path to the entrance. But don't be dismayed. Some of the faithful men of the church have arranged for equipment and manpower to clear the path for you. They will be working Saturday morning to move snow, clear sidewalks and spread snowmelt so you don't have to worry about getting inside. If you wish, you can pull up in front and come straight in. We will park your car for you and go get it after service. Once you are inside, you will experience the same warmth of your Living Water family and the warm embrace of the Holy Spirit. So come on! You know you want to get out of the house, anyway!

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Soulprint- discovering your divine destiny

I just finished reading Soulprint by Mark Batterson and I found it to be my favorite of all of his books. Beginning with the premise that we are all unique, Batterson explores the life of David and draws fresh parallels to our own experiences and uncertainties. We are encouraged to explore our uniqueness to find how God can use us to acheive His greatest purpose for our lives. This uniqueness is described as our "soulprint".

I received a copy of Soulprint free from Waterbrook Multnomah publishers for this review.

Snowstorm Reading

I am taking advantage of the downtime caused by Snowmaggeddon 2011 by doing a lot of reading. I am really enjoying it. I am currently reading Mark Batterson's latest book, "Soulprint". I may be enjoying it more than any of the previous books he has written. Here is a quote from it:

Most of our prayers revolve around God's changing our circumstances, but God doesn't always want to change our circumstances. He wants to use those circumstances to change us! And it starts with breaking the strongholds in our lives. The good news is that God always heals what He breaks. And much as with the human body's natural healing properties, the broken spirit will be stronger after the break than it was before.
Enjoy your snow day. I don't like snow, but I really like days where I get to do a lot of uninterrupted reading.

Snowmaggeddon 2011

It really is pretty funny that we have taken to naming our storms. With a name like Snowmaggeddon, we have set the bar pretty high for future storm names. How do you top a storm whose name is a play on the name of a future battle which will mark the end of our age? It's like the triple dog dare of storm names. But I have faith in our national powers of hyperbolic storm naming. Anybody selling t-shirts yet?