What do you think?

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this!  Share in the comments below.

Coming back...

I'm working on another sermon and as I've been dwelling on it a song has started playing in my mind, over and over.  It's funny because in a way the two sermons I've been working on lately seem to be becoming attached.  They seem to have a lot in common now and it wasn't intentional.  They are for two different churches on two different topics and yet this song would go well with either... I think I need to go and take another look at the first one.  I think I have some to add and maybe change a little.  Anyway, it's a beautiful song and one I love so I thought this Saturday, I'd share part of it with you.


Heart Of Worship

"...King of endless worth,
no one could express
how much you deserve.
Though I'm weak and poor,
all I have is Yours,
every single breath!

I'll bring You more than a song,
for a song in itself
is not what You have required.
You search much deeper within,
through the way things appear,
You're looking into my heart.

I'm coming back to the heart of worship
and it's all about You, it's all about You, Jesus.
I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it
when it's all about You, it's all about You, Jesus."

I'm thinking of asking if my daughter could sing this as a special music at the second church, it's just so fitting...

It's speaking volumes to me today and my sermon is developing around it, my heart is changing as is my perspective.  Sometimes God knows just what to put in my head, when I need it... and not just for sermons...

Enthusiasm, Fire

Last night I watched a Webinar on Congregations As Discipling Communities.  It was interesting.  It talked about conversations and how important they are to bringing those on the periphery or even the outside into the core.  It was interesting and the ideas it provided to have these conversations were good.

One of the phrases used at the very end of the webinar though really struck a cord with me.  It's been in the forefront of my mind ever since...

"Focus on ideas that generate life rather than dampen enthusiasm."

"Rather than dampen enthusiasm."

That really struck a cord with me.  I wonder how often this happens?  How often do we dampen someone's enthusiasm for serving, for ministry, for God.  

How often do we say, 'that's not how we do it' or 'no, so and so does that', or just 'no you can't do that.'  How often do churches dampen a person on fire for ministry, or service or God because it's not the person we want at that time?  Or we don't think it's real, or we think they will take over or what ever.  

It has happened in my life and it must happen in others as well since it was mentioned in this webinar.  It must happen and it really saddens me.  Why would we, 'the church' dampen someone's enthusiasm?  Why would we try to put out someone's fire for the Lord?  for ministry?  Do we even realize that we do it?

I hope to be more aware of two things. 

1. I hope to notice other people's enthusiasm and encourage it and let it help grow mine!  It only takes a spark right?  I hope to help that spark grow into a fire that can't be put out... EVER!

2.  I want to be more aware of my enthusiasm and not let it be dampened.  I am someone who usually doesn't give up, I go out and find new places to be in ministry but when I heard that phrase, "dampen enthusiasm", I was suddenly aware that I had let that happen to me.  I WILL NOT LET ANYONE DAMPEN MY ENTHUSIASM.

I have been feeling my enthusiasm grow again lately, I've been feeling that fire start to build again and I'm going to keep fanning the flames and building my enthusiasm.  I going to try to pass it on and watch it grow in others as well.  I'm going to try to encourage other's enthusiasm as well.  There is more ministry to be done and not enough people to do it so I KNOW there is plenty of room of EVERYONE'S enthusiasm.  It can only be dampened if we let it!  

"It Only Takes a Spark, to get a fire going,
and soon all those around can warm up to it's glowing.
That's how it is with God's Love, once you experience it
you spread his love, to everyone, you want to pass it on.

I'll Shout it from the mountain tops, I want the world to know,
the Lord of love has come to me, I want to pass it on."

Take My Life...

This is the song in my head today...

Take My Life, and Let It Be

Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to thee.

Take my moments and my days, let them flow in ceaseless praise. 

Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of they love.

Take my feet, and let them be swift and beautiful for thee.

Take my voice, and let me sing always only for my King.  

Take my lips, and let them be filled with messages from thee.

Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold.

Take my intellect, and use every power as thou shalt choose.

Take my will, and make it thine; it shall be no longer mine.  

Take my heart, it is thine own; it shall be thy royal throne.

Take my love, my Lord, I pour at thy feet its treasure store.

Take myself, and I will be ever only all for thee.

Yes.

It's Easter!

Good Easter morning!  We've just spent the last 40 days preparing our hearts for this day.  My daughter challenged me to give up Facebook for Lent this year.  Originally we said I could still use my writer page to post blog posts.  I felt kind of funny about it so I just posted scriptures here and there and eventually, I just gave it all up.

It wasn't really that hard except for when I knew someone posted photos of my nieces or nephews, but I made it.  I'm glad I did.  My daughter and I talked about how it was nice not to know what everyone is doing all the time.  She talked about how much better she felt about herself without it.  She's not sure she will go back to Facebook much.  I think I'll just lurk and look at pictures of family and friends and post the "Happy Birthday" here and there.  I did learn how much time I wasted on Facebook and don't want to go back to that.  Maybe I'll set aside a time each day to look over it once but not throughout the day as I did before.

I got back into being outside and gardening.  I cooked more and talked with my family more (less distractedly anyway), I read more.  It was good.

I hope to be blogging more.  I thought I would during Lent but by daughter gave up social media and I just didn't feel right when I did blog so I stopped but it gave me time to think about writing and I want to do more of it, so hopefully it will be in the form of blogposts.

I hope Lent was a time of reflection and growth for you too.  Yesterday, I discovered a blogpost from last year talking about having a change of heart and I like to share it again.  I hope you'll click this link and read it.  I think a change of heart is a great way to start the Easter season.

I'll close with my favorite Easter song...

Every Morning is Easter Morning from now on
Every Day's Resurrection Day the past is over and gone
Goodbye guilt, Goodbye fear good riddance
Hello Lord, Hello Son!
I am one of the Easter People
My new life has begun...

Wednesday's Scripture

It is spring break for my college kiddos so my schedule is a bit out of whack this week. In a good way of course. I'm also working on a sermon for Sunday so... Blogging comes second to that.  Anyway, all this is to say I'm sorry for the sporadic posting. Hopefully, I'll be able to be more regular soon.

Scripture for the day...

Mark 5:36 Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”

Daily Scripture

Proverbs 17:22

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.