- Satan
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Monday, October 29, 2012
Praying Boldly
We kicked off a new series at church yesterday, called BOLD. It's calling us a church community to invite more boldly, pray more boldly, and give more boldly.
To go along with the series, 3 weeks ago everyone at church was given a journal with 40 days of devotions, written by people who attend Connexus. We're about halfway through, and one thing has stuck out to me.
I don't pray bold prayers.
Sure I'll sing: "God you're big, you're massive, you're gigantic!" But I don't pray like He's as big as a job search or as big as a cancer diagnosis. I'll say: "God you're the author of life, you're all powerful, you're creative (I mean look at the narwhal)." But I don't pray like He is $20,000 big. He's maybe $18,000 big.
My prayers are always filled with meek disclaimers.
"Umm... maybe... if it's your will..."
"And if you don't want to... that's okay... sorry for asking..."
Read through the Bible and you won't see any weak prayers. Perhaps God has been listening to my prayers and responding by saying: "Man Up! Grow a pair."
Daniel prayed bold prayers.
Joshua prayed bold prayers.
David prayed bold prayers.
It's time for us to start praying bold prayers. We serve a God that is bigger than a recession, bigger than a dysfunctional relationship, bigger than a medical diagnosis.
Let's begin to pray bold prayers.
To go along with the series, 3 weeks ago everyone at church was given a journal with 40 days of devotions, written by people who attend Connexus. We're about halfway through, and one thing has stuck out to me.
I don't pray bold prayers.
Sure I'll sing: "God you're big, you're massive, you're gigantic!" But I don't pray like He's as big as a job search or as big as a cancer diagnosis. I'll say: "God you're the author of life, you're all powerful, you're creative (I mean look at the narwhal)." But I don't pray like He is $20,000 big. He's maybe $18,000 big.
My prayers are always filled with meek disclaimers.
"Umm... maybe... if it's your will..."
"And if you don't want to... that's okay... sorry for asking..."
Read through the Bible and you won't see any weak prayers. Perhaps God has been listening to my prayers and responding by saying: "Man Up! Grow a pair."
Daniel prayed bold prayers.
Joshua prayed bold prayers.
David prayed bold prayers.
It's time for us to start praying bold prayers. We serve a God that is bigger than a recession, bigger than a dysfunctional relationship, bigger than a medical diagnosis.
Let's begin to pray bold prayers.
Friday, October 26, 2012
Favorite Things Friday - Oct 26
This Week's Reading List
How To Guarantee Your Dream Fails
Two Different Spirits Guiding the Christian Church
Set Yourself On Fire
Favourite Marketing Campaign In An Elevator
Favourite Interview About Organizational Culture
Favourite Video Game Marketing Campaign
Favourite Musician Playing An Awesome Venue
Favourite Promo Video For An Item On My Christmas List
How To Guarantee Your Dream Fails
Two Different Spirits Guiding the Christian Church
Set Yourself On Fire
Favourite Marketing Campaign In An Elevator
Favourite Interview About Organizational Culture
Favourite Video Game Marketing Campaign
Favourite Musician Playing An Awesome Venue
Favourite Promo Video For An Item On My Christmas List
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
I Didn't Want To...
This morning we talked about something that you never intended on liking, but it happened anyway. We got a number of responses. From running, to playing hockey, to photography.
Eating beef liver even got some love.
The reason for the question was this song. I would never say I'm a fan of Matt Redman, so when I first heard this song my feeling was 'meh'. Nothing earth-shattering, but a decent song.
Then we started singing it on Sunday morning and it grew on me. Last weekend on the student ministry retreat it was part of the worship set and that was the clincher. A room full of students singing at the top of their lungs.
Now when the chorus hits I'm transported to another dimension. My eyes close and I'm a goner.
Ever had a song sneak up on you like that?
Eating beef liver even got some love.
The reason for the question was this song. I would never say I'm a fan of Matt Redman, so when I first heard this song my feeling was 'meh'. Nothing earth-shattering, but a decent song.
Then we started singing it on Sunday morning and it grew on me. Last weekend on the student ministry retreat it was part of the worship set and that was the clincher. A room full of students singing at the top of their lungs.
Now when the chorus hits I'm transported to another dimension. My eyes close and I'm a goner.
Ever had a song sneak up on you like that?
Monday, October 22, 2012
Food Fights, Bike Rides and One Crazy Weekend
I had the pleasure of spending this past weekend with a group of crazy grade 7 guys for Connexus' annual student ministry retreat.
What an amazing experience.
I've been a youth leader at the church since it started 5 years ago, and every year I'm amazed at the students that come through. This weekend we talked about God calling us to a life that is More Than This. Including conversations about 'how do you know what God is calling you to', 'can your calling change' and 'do you have to work for a church to do ministry'.
These kids are in grade 7!
A fun weekend, filled with epic food fights, muddy bike rides and some great bonding time.
Do you remember going on youth retreats? Any fun stories?
What an amazing experience.
I've been a youth leader at the church since it started 5 years ago, and every year I'm amazed at the students that come through. This weekend we talked about God calling us to a life that is More Than This. Including conversations about 'how do you know what God is calling you to', 'can your calling change' and 'do you have to work for a church to do ministry'.
These kids are in grade 7!
A fun weekend, filled with epic food fights, muddy bike rides and some great bonding time.
Do you remember going on youth retreats? Any fun stories?
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