July 26, 2004

Woke up tired today.  Was dragging until the coffee "did a work in me".  Here's the thing though- it was a good tired!  Yesterday was a long day, but I received joy as God worked in my heart and the hearts of others.   The joy of the LORD IS my strength.

The day began with the Holy Spirit working powerfully through Wade's message called "Perspectives...".   The main scripture passage used was "The Sermon on the Plains" (Luke 6:20-26), although there was a ton of scripture in his message:

Luke 6:20-26

Looking at his disciples, he said:

"Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.    
Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied.    
Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.
Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.
Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets. 
But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort.
Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry. 
Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep.
Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets."

We are aliens and strangers!  We should expected persecution.  If we are looking through the correct set of spiritual lenses- persecution, sacrifice, and a life of servanthood are actually a source of joy.  "The joy of the Lord is my strength!"  It makes no sense to those outside the faith.  In truth, it makes very little sense to most of us who do claim Christ!  I'm actually starting to experience it.  Praise God!

 I was challenged personally and I talked with and witnessed several others after service that were sharing how the Holy Spirit was gripping them.  Thank you Lord.  Thank you Wade for being His vessel.

Typically, I protect Sunday afternoons for family nap time.  Instead we joined Pastor Wade and the worship team in going about an hour and a half away to minister to a group of people from another church in an outdoor service.  Eric Curtis felt led to share from his heart on how God is transforming his life.  It was genuine, unpolished, and moving as we witnessed him share.  The group we ministered to was a mixed crowd.  It was difficult to know whether or not they were impacted by God or not as, for the most part, they did not seem to "engage".  It felt like "church" as I used to experience it growing up--We are here; we like our routine; I'm "saved"; lets enjoy some "fellowship", but leave me alone spiritually... I'm comfortable just where I am.

Yet I am thankful for the opportunity that we had. Doris and I had a great talk in the car on the way home.  Another opportunity to minister was good for our team, and I trust that seeds were planted.  It was good for Eric to be obedient to God's leading in asking him to give his testimony.  Wade commented to me afterward- something like "I really like our church".  I don't think I grasped what he was really saying at that moment, but I think I do now.

Perspectives....