One Masterpiece with Many Parts – 4.2.11

A Mosaic is defined as:

 

a. picture or decorative design made by setting small colored pieces, as of stone or tile, into a surface.

b. The process or art of making such pictures or designs.

 

 

We are a broken & fragmented humanity which can become a work of beauty under the artful hands of God. If we take the time to look outside of the worlds that we know/live in and are sensitive to the bigger picture and story God is creating, we will discover how all the pieces can fit together just as He has planned.

Check out this incredible story of generosity that shows how God wants to use our stories, combined with others stories, to create the perfect and amazing masterpiece that He is painting from the beginning of time.

Now check out the rest of the story from the other people’s perspective.

The key questions in all of this are:

- are you willing to stop and listen to what God would have you to do?

- are you willing to respond to God’s leading in obedience, no matter how crazy it may seem?

When you take the time to stop and look at the big picture/mosaic you will know that God is in total control, it will blow your mind how.

Ephesians 2:10 – “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

Guest Blog Post: Tyler Hudgins – 2.14.11

I’m honored to have Tyler Hudgins be my guest blogger today.  Tyler and I met in April 2009 when I taught a Religion/Ministerial Class at Houghton College called “Technology and The Church.”  I wanted to have him share with you what He has shared with me about how God has called and positioned him for in the days ahead.  Here is Tyler’s story.

 

“A little background . . . I felt a strong call to ministry when I young and by the end of High School God had given me a dream to do church in a way that I had never seen church done before (or heard of it being done before).  I had this crazy idea to open a coffee shop and use it as a place to hold worship services, to disciple people and to reach out to the community.  Although I was ready to go for it as soon as I graduated High School, I knew that God was calling me to pursue a bible degree.  I went to Houghton College and double majored in Bible and Educational Ministry and minored in Theology.  I loved my time at Houghton and the way that God used the people there to further shape me to serve in His kingdom!

As I entered my senior year I was again ready to charge the gates of hell with a super-soaker and turn the world upside down with a coffee shop.  The more I prayed about it the more I knew that God wanted me to spend some more time serving in a local church in a context where I could learn about church planting.  I found a job posting for a church in VA looking for a youth pastor.  Doing a little research I found out that current senior pastor at the church had planted the church 12 years prior and that the youth pastor who was leaving was moving about an hour away to plant a new church.  I have now been at Christ Community Church in Williamsburg, VA for a little more than 18 months.  It has been an unbelievable experience and God has used Pastor Randy and the people at CCC to minister to me in ways only God could have orchestrated.

Last May I began to hear God telling me that He was releasing me to chase the call He had given me in HS to change the world with a coffee shop! In my opinion it was way too soon. If I had learned anything about church planting at CCC it was that I was far from ready! I knew it was what God was calling me to and said yes.  Through several months of prayer and counsel from family and close friends I knew that the city God was calling me to was Las Vegas.

 

Kind of the big picture is to plant a church that is intentionally focused and centered around tangible, physical acts of service and love to poor in LV. Instead of trying to have a “church” building – or use tithe to pay a church staff I want to use the coffee shop as a venue for worship, a place to meet, and a means of financial support. I also know that a good coffee shop in the right location can generate significant profit and I want to give all of that away.

The homeless population in LV is around 14,000 as of 2009 (2011 numbers should be out soon) and two particular groups of homeless have capture my heart. 1,000 or so live in tunnels under the city. 2,000 are under 18.

Why LV? Well there are really a lot of reasons I guess. My initial connection to LV was my former youth pastor from my middle school days. Him and I have been great friends for a long time and he has lived in LV for 8 years or so. He teaches a private Christian school out there. Him and I have always wanted to work together. The determining factor though was prayer.

 

The affirmation that God has poured out has been nothing short of humbling.  The first time I realized that it didn’t matter how unprepared I knew I was – but that God was in control was in South Carolina in November.  I was there taking a class on Worship and “bumped into” a man from Reno who has started 4 or 5 non-profits and when he heard about the idea God had given me for Las Vegas he immediately wanted to be involved and offer his non-profit experience to help get the ball rolling.  God has continued to show me through server other “coincidences” – that He is 10 steps ahead of me and that this is His plan and my job is to remain faithful to Him and watch as He continues to orchestrate His plan for reaching Sin City.

 

Thanks for letting me share my story and what God is doing in my life!  I would greatly appreciate your prayers and I will be sure to let you know when the website for the project is up and running!

 

Tyler Hudgins

Youth/Assistant Pastor

Christ Community Church

 

“I Will Protect This House” – 2.10.11

You may have seen this Under Armour commercial that asks the question,”Will you protect this house?”

The ad is very well produced and challenges the athlete, as well as us viewers, to protect their bodies with their product, the best training gear and athletic apparel on the market.

I want to challenge you with a similar question… “Will you protect HIS house?”

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says,

“19 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.”

If you are a follower of Christ, the Spirit of God resides in you. The bible is clear that caring for our bodies is not just important physically – but spiritually as well.

You and I are not fully serving God when we love him in our hearts but neglect him with our bodies.

• 8 out of 10 Americans over the age of 25 are overweight
• 60% of all Americans are either overweight of obese
• 78%of Americans don’t reach daily recommended activity levels
• The number of overweight Americans has doubled since 1980.  And for adolescents, its tripled.
• Obesity is second only to smoking as the leading cause of preventable death. And if trends continue, obesity will soon be number one.

So, how are you treated HIS House? How is the condition of your body and your health?  What is the condition of God’s Temple?

“Will you protect His house?” – I WILL!  Will you?

“Soul Print” Book Release – Jan 18th

Mark Batterson’s newest book, Soulprint, releases on January 18th. I am so excited to have been selected to write a review for this book when it is released. Mark is an incredible author, pastor and speaker that has influenced thousands of people through his ministry. There never has been and never will be anyone like you. But that isn’t a testament to you. It’s a testament to the God who created you. The problem? Few people discover their unique God-given identity that makes them unlike anyone else. That divine distinction is your soulprint. Experience the joy of discovering who you are and the freedom of discovering who you’re not! A self-discovery book that puts God at the center rather than self, Soulprint encourages you to recognize and explore the moments of your life that determine your future. Along the way, you’ll find that you’re not just turning the pages of a book. You’re turning the pages of your remarkable, God-shaped, world-changing life. Buy your copy today! Buy here

Guest Blog Post: Laura Wackowiak – “Step 1″ – 1.11.11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Guest Blog post by Laura Wackowiak)

step 1.

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.”

Philippians 3:12

 

2011 has 354 more days of opportunity.

 

Opportunity to create new goals and dreams, possibly revive old ones and finally achieve that one thing you’ve always wanted to.

 

Right before the New Year, in thinking of all of my goals and dreams for 2011, write a book… start seminary… get married… pay off my student loans (okay, that one is far fetched…), I was dutifully planning how and when to accomplish all of my New Year aspirations.  I was playing out the future in every possible way, trying to rearrange the events into the most cohesive and flowing sequence.  It was in that future focused mindset that I felt God nudge his own two cents in my plan.

 

If you keep focusing on Step 2, you’ll never even get to Step 1.

 

So often we plan ahead for Steps 2, 3 and 4 that we never even see that we need to accomplish Step 1 to get to Steps 2, 3 and 4.   The same is applied to what God has planned for us.  We are so excited for the future steps, dreams, accomplishments, that we forget that God calls us to complete Step 1 first.

 

The New Year is filled with excitement and opportunity; new goals, challenges, dreams and objectives.  Plan for the future, but focus on the present.  What is it that God is leading you to do now?  Maybe there is something that he was pushing you to do last year and you never completed it.   What does your first step look like this year?  You may even have to mentally travel back to 2010 to figure out what your Step 1 is.

 

In order to achieve what God has called for us, we must accomplish his will, his way and in his order.  Life isn’t always about the next thing; often times it’s about this thing. The thing you have to do in order to reach the next thing.

 

I challenge you to focus on this thing, on the Step 1 of 2011, the one thing that you are supposed to do right now.

If you keep your future open and your present focused, God can use everyday to bring you into the blessing and accomplishment that has so abundantly prepared for you.

2011. Time for Step 1.

 

 

 

In Christ,

Laura

Check out Laura’s Blog at – www.laurawachowiak.com

Aspiring Author and Speaker.  Inspired Blogger.

 

“Good News of Great Joy for All…”

Its that time of year again, Christmas!  A time for family to get together.  A time to give the perfect gift. A time for the fresh snow to fall and cover everything in a blanket of whiteness.  A time to rush here and there from sale to sale.  And a time to slow down and rest.

But really, what is Christmas all about?

- I believe this video does a great job addressing that question -

“Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you: he is the Messiah, the Lord.” – Luke 2:10-11

Merry Christmas!

Making Your Own Christmas Box

 

 

 

 

 

 

Making Your Own Christmas Box (as mentioned in services this weekend)

Instructions:

Materials needed:

• Cardboard
• Printer paper
• Old Christmas cards
• Ribbon or elastic
• Bow

 

1. Cut a cube shaped box out of the cardboard (6 equal 5” squares)
2. Line and glue the inside of box with printer paper
3. Select and cut out a nativity “with baby Jesus ” from an old Christmas card, glue to inner square of the cross shape.
4. Line and glue the outside of the cubed shaped box with Christmas wrapping paper.
5. Label the five outer squares – LOVE, PEACE, JOY, FAITH and ETERNAL LIFE.
6. Fold box into a cube, hold together with elastic/ribbon and top with a bow.

*Unwrap this gift on Christmas morning to reveal the essence of Christmas, “JESUS”.  Explain God’s gifts to us!

 

“Are You Ready?” – Message Notes & Video

Spend Less – Romans 12:2

Give More – Matthew 25:35-40

Worship Fully – Romans 12:1

WORDS and Images

Check out this amazing video I ran across today and how everything is connected through the power of words and images.

It reminded me of a passage of scripture found in James 1:22 – “Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves.  Do what it says.”

May this video and this verse remind you to walk in the truth today.

Halloween… Good or Evil? – 10.25.10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was recently asked, “What is your opinion on Halloween as a follower of Jesus?”  Its a good question, one that many people ask and will continue to ask.  My response prompted this blog post (and thanks to Tony Morgan for his insight into this issue).

As a follower of Jesus, I love Halloween and here is why:

• People from my neighborhood that I know and don’t know come to my door and I get to meet up with them
• I get the opportunity to engage in conversations I would not normally have
• I love seeing the creativity in costume selection (often tells you more about the person than you want to know)
• Feels great to be home in a warm house with a candy stash
• No one expects me to do anything pastoral on that night.  I can just be “Kevin”
• I get to enjoy the leftover candy that we did not give out that night
• I get to enjoy a fun evening with family and friends.
• Cider and Donuts… Yes please.

I know Holloween is supposed to be this evil holiday.  But, until someone comes up with another holiday where I get to connect with my neighbors and enjoy quality time with my friends & family, I’m going to be a fan of Halloween.

See, I believe that everything can be used for either good or evil. The same is true TV, Radio, Movies and with holidays like Halloween. Why not redeem something in culture  to open spiritual conversations with people who are far from Christ?  Why not use Holloween as an opportunity to love and get to know your neighbor?  Wouldn’t it be great if  Christ followers leveraged these opportunities rather than trying to create a Christian alternative for every cultural fad?

Imagine if we did.  We might begin to offer the positive influence to a world that desperately needs Jesus.  Happy Halloween!