This is Who I am

When David heard Goliath boasting and taunting the troops of Israel, he could not believe his ears. "How could this be", he probably thought, "how could this giant taunt the troops of the Living God?"

So David decided to do something about it, however he ran into opposition. Saul did not think he could handle the job, Goliath laughed t him. David directed powerful speeches to both men and basically told them, "THIS is who I am".

Who am I?

It is an age old question. David knew the answer for himself and was shocked and appalled that the Israelites did not. He could not understand how they could fear any man or beast, when God was on their side. Sound familiar? How many times do we allow our fears and our doubts to stand between us and where God wants us to be and away from what God wants us to be doing.

David's answer to these questions was" this is who I am, just a man but a man with God on my side...and that is more than enough!"

So today Lord, I say to you...this is who I am...take me and make me so much more.....

Power is in the details

I was sitting on the beach this morning reading a book. As I took a look around I saw so much beauty. I began to think of the power of God and how all we have is a gift from him. As I looked to my left I saw a few people strolling on the beach and others playing in the surf. On my right there was a few people climbing on the rocks. Just beyond them for a few people fishing off the pier at the Ocean Grove Fishing Club.

Everywhere that I looked, I saw God's hand. We worship a God who exhibits power through creative wonder. The God I know is involved in every intimate detail of my life.

What a glorious day and what a powerful God.

Ocean Grove

Ginny and I went to the beach in Ocean Grove just after
5 PM. We took our new beach chairs and headed down to the water.

We sat there enjoying the world around us as we each were reading the Bible. I was reading Genesis 1 and was just echoing God's words time and time again, "It is good".

We are so blessed to be here in this area. We started off the day worshiping and then went walked along the boardwalk and then ended then went back to sit on the beach.

God is so good!

What if

Call to Worship for Pentecost/Confirmation Sunday...inspired by 10,000 doors.

Leader

God, with a Loud rush, you birthed your church

People: What if...it happened again

Leader....Your Spirit brought life to Jesus' friends

People: What if....we prayed for that same Spirit

Leader: We need that rush again

People: What if... we received it

Leader: Lead us into our community on fire for you

People: What if...we changed the world...Amen.

God spoke

This morning as we gathered together on the beach at Asbury Park, I saw an image much like this. As Joel began his part of the Easter message he was talking about the First day of the week and then tying it back to the first day when God spoke, he asked us what God's words were on that day. As SOON as he said "Let there be light" the sun popped up over the horizon. It caught us all off guard. All we could do was watch for a few minutes.

Isn't that just like God though. Always there but catching us off guard. Showing up and changing the way we see things forever.

He is risen indeed!

So where do I go from here?

I have now been back from my trip to Georgia for 7 days. Still filled with lots of excitement and energy from the trip. I have lots of ideas and directions that I would like to take this whole thing. I guess the question becomes, what do I do first.

Well for me at least, I started with myself. This first week was a back to the basics. I got more into the Word than I have been in a long while. I refocused my prayer life as well. So those steps have begun and now it is simply a matter of findin the vision that God has for the church.

I think this weekend, I will look at the binder we received at the Order of the Flame, and look through it. I purposely have not looked at it yet. I simply have relived the sessions in my mind and heart and now will see what looking through the binder will ignite.

The journey continues. Praise be to God.

Not the Final Piece

Well I am sitting in the lobby of Epworth by the Sea and I am anxious to go home. However, I have hours before my plane so I have lots of time to think. This week has been incredible, I learned so much and I was reminded of so much more. I met people from all over the connection. Usually when I think about the connection I am thinking the UMC. This week my definition of the connection was extended to include the Free Methodists, AME, AME Zion, CME, Nazarenes, and more.

In my preaching, I use the term "telling the story" a lot....no, I mean A LOT! This week I was reminded with concrete examples and tools and training what that really means and how I can accomplish that. I now have a fuller toolbox to go into the world and equip people in my church and go into the community and tell the story of Jesus by sharing my faith story.

We all have a story, we all have a witness. Sometimes, I forget that. so the puzzle is getting more pieces added to it, it is not complete but I can see the picture clearer.

Amen!