Who's wrong?

Whenever and wherever there is a controversy between God and a man, God is always right and the man always wrong.
A. W. Tozer

I saw this quote today from A. W. Tozer and it was a great reminder of this verse....

'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,' declares the LORD.
Isaiah 55:8

There is a constant struggle, at least in my life (maybe not yours) to do MY stuff, MY way, in MY time. The problem is the fact that it is ALWAYS a wiser option to do GOD'S stuff, GOD'S way, in GOD'S time. God's stuff done God's way in God's time always yields GOD-sized results.

God help me (us) do it your way not ours!

Keep it real,

srr

sinbad

Amazing View!

So tonight Revolution Church hosted a night of worship for our incredible volunteer team. Not only was there some great worship and some fun activities, but the night included communion as well. One of my roles today was making the preparations for the communion portion of the night's festivities. To make a long story short, at the time of the communion, I stationed myself off to the side with extra bread and juice just to make sure we didn't run out. From my vantage point, I could see each person making their way to take part in communion. To say it was powerful would be an understatement. It was powerful to see the people, whether it was individuals or couples or families and to know many of their stories and to know how God has radically transformed them to where they are serving with abandon to reach those who are far from God and now they are taking communion was incredible. It was one of those awesome opportunities to see God's power in a very tangible way. God definitely showed up and showed out tonight and was on full display. It was definitely an AMAZING VIEW!

Also, if you are a part of the volunteer team at Revolution Church, once again THANKS!!! for all you do to enlarge the Kingdom of God!

Keep it real,

srr

sinbad

Short and sweet...

Not much left in the tank tonight. Saw this quote and reminded me of my complete and utter helplessness without God living in and through me.

I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish that He didn't trust me so much.
Mother Teresa

Keep it real!

srr

sinbad

Strange!

So, this is day two of my little experiment of blogging for 30 days in a row.

Today I have been pondering a specific line from an Aaron Shust song, My Savior My God and the lyrics that I've been thinking about are:

"You count it strange, so once did I"

Why have I been thinking 'bout this verse? Glad you asked!

Here's the deal. I was practically born into the church scene. My parents were Jesus followers, my grandparents were Jesus followers, and so on. Except for what I sometimes refer to as "the stupid years", I have always been in church. I accepted the offer of God's love and grace when I was twelve (got saved for you church people :) ). So for me the Christian world is no longer strange.

But....

There is a whole world out there for whom JESUS IS STRANGE! And unfortunately, many Christians have contributed to Jesus' "strangeness", speaking a coded language and acting more like members of an exclusive club than the house of God. A goal of mine is to "de-strange" it for those who don't know about Jesus and his unconditional and relentless and tenacious love and his radical grace. And it ain't always easy. But how else will those who don't know ever know? God help me.

What about you? Are you making Jesus strange or strange-less?

Thoughts?

Interestingly enough, this "contemporary" worship song ain't so contemporary. I actually like the original title better.

Just sayin'!

NOT SKILLED

Keep it real!

srr

sinbad

30 Days in a Row!

OK. For all 5 people who read my blog, which I haven't updated in 2 months, I am going to try an experiment. I am going to try and commit to writing something on this blog for the next 30 days in a row and see what happens! What happens for me personally. What happens for anyone who might read this blog. What happens for anyone who might accidentally stumble across this blog. The "something" can be anything! Kinda like Forrest Gump and his chocolates....you never know what you're gonna get!

So, here is entry numero uno!

I have been spending some God-time in the book of Luke and got reminded of two easy things to lose sight of in the craziness of life.

First, Luke 12.25 was a great reminder of God's thoughts about worrying! "Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?" I don't consider myself a big worrier, but there are times when I can focus on one or two things and worry the crap out of them. It's never been very productive. In fact, worrying has usually proven to be counterproductive. In the words of Robert "Bobby" McFerrin Jr., "Don't worry. Be happy!"

Second, Luke 12.31 reminded me to "Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need." WOW! I often times find myself worrying and being distracted by everything BUT the Kingdom. I pray God gets my attention when I put other junk in front of Him, whether it be ministry or personal.

Anyway, just some random thoughts to kickoff my 30 day experiment.

Keep it real!

srr

sinbad

Who is this?

24 hours of rain got me thinking about these verses.

Luke 8.24-25
24 They woke Jesus: "Master, Master, we're going to drown!" Getting to his feet, he told the wind, "Silence!" and the waves, "Quiet down!" They did it. The lake became smooth as glass. 25 Then he said to his disciples, "Why can't you trust me?" They were in absolute awe, staggered and stammering, "Who is this, anyway? He calls out to the winds and sea, and they do what he tells them!"

Just for kicks and giggles, step outside and ask the storm to stop! I'll wait.....




Did anything happen?

That's what I thought. But when Jesus did it, the wind and waves responded! Tonight, while it's raining, think about that "storm" you're up against in your life. Then, think about THE ONE who spoke to the storm and it responded. Hmmm.....

I love what Jesus' storm-control did to the disciples.... They were in absolute awe, staggered and stammering!

When we encounter Jesus, the real Jesus, we will stand in AWE! We won't have any other choice!

Keep it real!

srr

sinbad

On the eve of change!

WOW!!! 5 weeks ago I officially joined the Revolution Church Staff! Since then, Lovely Linda and I have also been finishing our time working and living at the Goshen Valley Boys Ranch. Tomorrow, we officially move into the Canton Mill Lofts in Canton. In the last 5 days we have given away or thrown away approximately 3 truckloads of crap!!! Last week we had to put one of our dogs to sleep. We still have stuff to pack! And, oh yeah! In the mean time, Revolution Church is preparing to launch the Holly Springs campus and Revolution Students is gearing up to re-launch "Uprising...student worship experience" on September 21!!! Needless to say, the last few weeks have been absolutely CRAZY!

And guess what?!? They're about to get crazier!!!! But that's cool! This is what God has to say on the matter:

Romans 8:31-39 (The Message)

31-39So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn't hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn't gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God's chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ's love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture:

AND THIS!!!

Hebrews 13:5-6 & 8 (The Message)

5-6Don't be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have. Since God assured us, "I'll never let you down, never walk off and leave you," we can boldly quote,

God is there, ready to help;
I'm fearless no matter what.
Who or what can get to me?

8 For Jesus doesn't change—yesterday, today, tomorrow, he's always totally himself.

My philosophy is this! It’s earth shattering! It may revolutionize your life!

Trust GOD & hang on!!!

It’s gonna be ONE WILD RIDE!!!!

Keep it real!

srr

sinbad

Distractions and Nehemiah

So this morning I was reading some from Nehemiah and ran across this passage that fires me up!

Nehemiah 6 "I'm Doing a Great Work; I Can't Come Down"

1-2 When Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall and that there were no more breaks in it—even though I hadn't yet installed the gates— Sanballat and Geshem sent this message: "Come and meet with us at Kephirim in the valley of Ono."

2-3 I knew they were scheming to hurt me so I sent messengers back with this: "I'm doing a great work; I can't come down. Why should the work come to a standstill just so I can come down to see you?"

It is definitely a reminder to me of the current ministry phase I am in right now. I am crazy excited about what God is doing and is going to do in the Student Ministry here at Revolution Church and I am stoked to be a part of it.

But.....

I'm wise enough to know that POTENTIAL DISTRACTORS AND DISTRACTIONS ARE COMING!!!

Nehemiah was doing something that could only be blamed on God. He lead a group of people in the rebuilding of the wall around the city of Jerusalem and completed it in only 52 DAYS! And all through the process, he had distractors and distractions. Check it out here. And every time he stood firm in what God was leading and equipping him to do.

My desire for the Student Ministries here at Revolution Church is that what happens can only be blamed on God! Just like Nehemiah had distractors and distractions, I know I will as well. The distractions can come in many shapes and sizes, and some of them will be disguised as "good stuff".

My prayer (and one you can pray for me) is that God will keep me focused on Him and the goal ahead....Reaching students who are far from God!

And that when those things (distractors and distractions) come, that I will echo what Nehemiah said...

"I'm Doing a Great Work; I Can't Come Down" Nehemiah 6.3

Don't get distracted!

srr

sinbad