It’s Here

Well it is finally here. I finished my first 2 days on staff with Grace Covenant and let me tell you, I felt overwhelmed. I felt like a new kid at a new school. I already knew everyone, but being on the other side of the fence gives you a different perspective. We have been working on the church plant for over a year now with some of the vision and direction, but know that I have 3 full days to devote to it, I kinda felt lost. Weird huh?

Anyway, I love it. I will be there for the next 12 months working with the staff doing some projects, and building a team to launch the church. The fast tract has started. I would ask all my readers to pray for us. As we start this process we will need God’s direction and favor to open doors. Please also pray that we are strategic in the process, but also do not lose sight of the relationships during the process.

Filed under: Church Planting , Church Plant, Church Planting, direction, God, god's will, prayer, Relevant Church Charlotte, Religion, Vision

God’s Plan

As the time draws near for one season of my life to end and the next season to begin, I am forced to reflect on what God has done along the way. Over the past 4 years I have served in a secular job while volunteering in different ministries at our church. I have seen God stretch me, teach me, and grow me into who I am today. My wife and I knew that when we moved down here in May of 2004, we were called to plant a church. Little did we know what that journey would look like. Throughout the last 4 years we have had several opportunities to move into pastoral roles in other churches, but God had a different plan. He shut all of those doors and kept us on the track of lead pastoring a new church plant.

God’s call has been confirmed in us in many ways. The most significant was just a few weeks ago. Now I am not one to wake up early. I like my sleep. But this particular Saturday morning I was awake at 6:30 am and could not go to sleep. As I laid there I heard the Lord say “get up I have something I want to show you”. Wrestling with the fact that I wanted to go back to bed, I knew that if I did not get up there was something major I was going to miss. So I got up and went downstairs with Bible and journal in hand. He pointed me to the reading that I had been going through and told me to continue reading where I left off. As I spent some time in the Word, He gave me some things to write down and record in my journal. I then prayed and closed my Bible. Yet again the Lord spoke to me. He said “get dressed and go outside for a walk, I have more for you.” I couldn’t believe it, I had already had a deep time with Him reading the Word and He had more? I quickly got dressed and walked outside. I began to walk around my neighborhood and said “here I am Lord”. He began to show me things and tell me things that completely confirmed what we were doing. I believe he gave the area of the plant and He gave me a new confidence that He was working His plan.

So, next week I begin a new journey, the journey to planting a church. The title of my blog is a church planter’s journey. And that is just what it has been, a journey. I know that this journey is only beginning and that God has great things in store for us. So I am writing this post to encourage all of you who are waiting patiently on the Lord for and answer, direction, and/or timing. My advice, dig in and don’t give up. God’s timing is perfect and He will work His plan. We must understand that God’s plan is the right plan, and His timing is perfect. We too often try to work our plan and then ask Him for help. We must ask Him for His plan and as He gives us the pieces, then work that part.

In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps. Pr. 16:9

Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Pr 19:21

Filed under: Church Planting, My Journal , Bible, Church Planting, God, god's calling, God's hand, God's Plan, god's will, Jesus, Relevant Church Charlotte, Religion

Transformers

Today’s blog is going to be an insert from my own personal devotional journal. I sometimes use the acrostic “SOAP” (Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer). Hope you enjoy.

//Scripture:

Do note conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing, and perfect will. Romans 12:2

//Observation:

This world has it’s own pattern to follow. It is a pattern of selfishness, destruction, deceit, and evil. In business we are always trying to get to the top by any means necessary. In sports we are trying to the the edge no matter what it takes. We are not supposed to live by the rules of the world’s standards. We are not to worry about what is cool, popular, or attractive to the world. We are supposed to be completely transformed by God to His standards. Once we do this, we will know His perfect will for our lives.

//Application:

Personally I have let some of the world’s standards shape my way of thinking. I need to commit myself to a deeper study of His word to focus in on my own transformation. I know that the renewing of my mind is a daily process and will be as long as I live. I am constantly in a struggle with my flesh and those desires, but it is the renewing of my mind that will help push that aside. I must constantly focus on what God wants and not what I want.

//Prayer:

Lord renew my mind. I want to experience your perfect and pleasing will for my life. Amen

Filed under: My Journal , Bible, God, god's will, Jesus, mind, Religion, renewing, Romans, scripture, transformers