Worship

 I couldn't decide if I should blog about something totally different and late and blog next week about our experience over the last 3 days.

It may be both!

As I sit at our campsite in the early morning, it is quiet...all in our camper asleep. 

 Very few stirring...which is to be expected when music, bonfires, worship etc go on well after midnight!

But I can hear music starting already for morning worship.

It is an amazing experience worshiping with several thousand people...in so many different ways, to many different musical genres, different speaking styles.

All ages; babies to an older generation (which I guess I am a part of!!!) But there were those a generation older!

A small glimps of heaven?!

I didn't sit much...most songs I couldn't sit for...even the speakers you had to be on your feet arms raised!

For those who don't know we are at Kingdom Bound, a three day worship event (a ministry of Houghton University). There is so much going on you can not do all of it, but it is also attached to Darrien Lake Six Flags! 

The kids have gone to children's worship with their mom. There are seminars going on all day, every day. There are Christian sponsors in booths at the camp ground. 

Campground is huge and filled with all KBers.

School busses shuttle concert goers to the amphitheater all afternoon and evening.

Jesus Christ is proclaimed, invitations given!

Not just by the speakers, but the artists as well.

Matthew West had so much good to say I wish I had brought a notebook. 

And we aren't done....more today! 

We have already worshiped with Cain (my next spotlight Sunday!)

We Are Messengers, Matthew West, Sanctus Reel, Elevation Rhythm, Anne Wilson (amazing worship with my grandkids), We the Kingdom which ended with a "Light the Candle" service.

Tonght we will see Katy Nicole and Newsboys, I do not know what my grandson will do!? He was jumping out of his skin with all the others, but Newsboys are his favorite!  Watching him, with his excitement and praise fills my heart!

I

Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord;
    let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Psalm 95:1

Let them praise his name with dancing
    and make music to him with timbrel and harp.
4 For the Lord takes delight in his people;
    he crowns the humble with victory.
5 Let his faithful people rejoice in this honor
    and sing for joy on their beds. Psalm 149:3-5

More blog to follow...

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Disciple or Apostle

 You CAN teach an old dog new tricks!  You have heard the saying "learn something new everyday." Well I did this past Sunday!  It may have been something I did know...but if that is the case I had completely forgotten it!

The difference between disciple and apostle!

Disciple:

A disciple would literally follow someone in hopes of eventually becoming what they are. A Christian disciple is a believer who follows Christ and then offers his own imitation of Christ as model for others to follow (1 Corinthians 11:1). A disciple is first a believer who has exercised faith (Acts 2:38) (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page)

Jesus called His disciples to come follow Him

📖 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him. Matthew 4:19-20

He told them He would change them and their purpose. 

They were to follow literally and figuratively. They left their homes, professions, and even families and went with Jesus. Traveled where He went. But they also learned to follow His teachings, His actions, to become more like Him.

📖 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32

📖  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35

Then, they became apostles

one sent on a mission: such as: one of an authoritative New Testament group sent out to preach the gospel and made up especially of Christ's 12 original disciples and Paul. (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apostle#:~:text=1,12%20original%20disciples%20and%20Paul) 

📖 When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles: Luke 6:13

They were not meant to be disciples only...it was training for their actual purpose! 

They were given a mission.

📖  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

It is important that we become disciples of Christ.  To follow His ways and learn who He is and how we are to be. But we have a mission as well, we are also called to go and tell.

To remain disciples only we are missing an important part of being a Christian. 

📖 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”  Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. James 2:17-18

📖 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. John 15:8

Being both is what make us a Christian. 

You can't be an apostle (or shouldn't) with out first learning and knowing what your mission is about. 

It is important to know who Jesus is and what He teaches before we can go out and tell others how life changing following Him can be.

We need to constantly be in step with Him so we have the resources to take His message to others.

📖 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-25

🙏I pray today Lord, help us to listen and learn from You, to be committed to following Your ways so that we can tell and show others who You are at every opportunity.  Amen❤️

Freedoms At A Cost

 I didn't discuss the 4th of July last week...as I was very overwhelmed with our VBS experience and the wonderful workers, I HAD to blog about those heroes!

But I didn't want to pass by the opportunity to talk about our independence day and celebrations. 

As with most things, I think things go to the more celebratory and the meaning of why we celebrate gets a bit lost. 

We became a nation to claim feeedoms...the founders of our country believed that we should have the right to be independent in our governance, finances, and religious choices.

It came at a great cost.

As believers in Christ we have a freedom that came at a great cost....One died in our place, took on the punishment for our crimes (sins),

📖 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! Romans 5:8-9

If we believe in what Jesus did for us, we have freedom from eternal condemnation and separation from Him

📖 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17

There are many Christians around the world who risk, and even give, their lives to teach others about Jesus and His saving grace.

📖 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:13

We have the freedom to worship how we choose, when we choose....

People have the freedom to choose who and what to worship. 

We have to remember that some where in history that freedom to choose came at a price.

I personally choose to worship the One worthy,

📖 For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; Psalm.96:4a

 the King of Kings, 

📖 God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords,  1 Timothy 6:15b

the one Who calls me friend, 

📖 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.  John 15:15

the one who laid down His life for the sins I would commit against His Father.

📖 The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Romans 6:10-11

And am grateful for that freedom and want to live worthy of that 

📖 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Ephesians 4:1

🙏My prayer is the next few verses in Ephesians;

Lord may we be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as [we] were called to one hope when [we] were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. Ephesians 4:2-7

❤️

📖 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1

Surrounded By Heroes

Last week I mentioned our Vacation Bible School and the theme for the week that was ahead; Called Together to Serve God.

Each night at the Hero Hotline  we learned a Hotline Tip. 

Heroes are called to:

Follow Jesus 

Help Others 

Work Together

Listen to God

Show Grace

We finished up with the children on Friday evening. 

What amazes me is that we lived out those tips as the week went on...sometimes even before we "learned" them.

Everyone "worked together" at every part! 

Signing up to fill the different roles needed;

making the whole church look like Hero Hotline Headquarters and Bible Land,

helping others when asked, to play parts in skits, (no matter how silly!), to bring things, to share decorations. Even the children, helped each other; we had one young student with a cast on their leg and the other students were helping her out each night!

📖 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32

When things weren't working right there was grace shown as people needed to be patient or readjust. 

📖 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

We had many " glitches" through out, but we continued without complaint!

I shouldn't have said "it amazes me", because those are the people we have helping, it warms my soul!

It is a beautiful thing to me each year to see how much we can accomplish when we listen to God and we follow Jesus.

🙏Lord, I pray that we each seek to serve in any way You call us to in love and in kindness as You have instructed and demonstrated. Amen❤️

📖 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Romans 14:19

Wondering

 I did Gearing Up two weeks ago!  And now, baccalaureate,  graduation, little Henry's surgery all done! All went great! Henry is doing terrific!

VBS IS HERE!

But as I am sitting at church trying to get last minute prep done... excitement for our week of VBS warring with a heavy heart as our family has lost another loved one...our dear Uncle David...wondering how do we be excited and grieve at the same time?  

The theme slogan for vacation bible school is "Called together to serve God"

Our verse:

 📖 So let’s strive for the things that bring peace and the things that build each other up. Romans 15:19 (CEB)

This, to me, speaks volumes about what has been happening all around me.

People stepping in and stepping up to prepare for this ministry we do every year...to show children (and their families) about the love of God and what it means to serve Christ.

My Aunt Mary being called to serve in one of the most heart wrenching,  but beautiful ways God asks of us....to care for a loved one in their last days. And those serving along side her, physically and emotionally. 

I don't have to wonder how we have excitement and joy mingled with the sadness and sorrow.

Each person serving demonstrates Jesus...and what He called us to do.

📖 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Romams 12:10

📖  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Philippians 2:3-4

📖 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31

We can be excited that we are going to show and teach little hearts what Jeaus's love is all about....service...to those around us, to our neighbors and our family...what ever that may look like.

In doing so, someone may come to follow Jesus and serve others in His name too!

We can have joy knowing, that like Uncle David who is with His Savior right now, they have the assurance of eternal life!

📖 God’s kingdom isn’t about eating food and drinking but about righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Whoever serves Christ this way pleases God and gets human approval. So let’s strive for the things that bring peace and the things that build each other up. Romans 14:17-19

(CEB)

🙏Dear Lord, may each of us strive to serve You and in doing so bring peace and build each other up as You have asked us to do. Please bring comfort to all who are serving You through sorrow and tragedy. ❤️

Again and Again and....

At church yesterday, Father's Day. we sang a Matt Maher song, Run To the Father. 

As we were singing the chorus struck me

I run to the Father
I fall into grace
I'm done with the hiding
No reason to wait
My heart needs a surgeon
My soul needs a friend
So I'll run to the Father
Again and again

And again and again.    

Songwriters: Cody Jay Carnes / Matt Maher / Ran Matthew Jackson

"Again and again and again and again"

Did you see that?!

The music video shows images of the story of the prodigal son; (If you don't know the story click the link)

Luke 15:11-32

📖 20 So he got up and went to his father.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 

He went home to the Father....he had hit rock bottom, was broken and humbled and made the move toward his father....but when the father saw him coming to him...he ran to him!

A beautiful visual of how when we get off track or turn from God, He is there, wait waiting for us to turn back to Him. in our broken and humble condition. 

The son comes home, dad throws him a grand party...some issues with a less than humble, jealous brother....but son home safe, wiser, story ends.

But see, ours may not end there....we have run to the Father, fallen into grace, basked in His love;

But then life happens. We have disappointment, we have tragedy, we have hurt and pain...and we find ourselves way down the road again, sometimes around the corner or even in the next town!  When we finally stop and fall on our knees we realize we have gotten farther away from our Father than intended...we realize we need to run back to the Father again!

And in my life, again and again!

📖 Surrender your heart to God,
    turn to him in prayer, Job 11:13

"Again and again and again and again" 

Also says to me...He is there always. No matter how many times I wander or stubbornly go MY way....He is waiting for me to turn back, again and again and again and again!

I pray that brings you hope, not discouragement. 

🙏My prayer for you includes Luke 22:32

📖 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” 

I pray no matter where you find yourself right now, you

 run to the Father

fall into grace
[be] done with the hiding
No reason to wait
And [your] heart [finds] a surgeon

[your] soul [finds] a friend
 run to the Father
Again and again
And again and again❤️

Listen to this amazing song!

🎵 Run To the Father Matt Maher

Gearing Up

 "Gearing up"

Have you ever said that? "We are gearing up!"...preparing for, getting ready..

Usually for a big event...a big game, a wedding or large party.  There are many details to make sure are taken care of. Planning, work involved to put those plans into action. Making sure details are not overlooked.

There is also events or occasions that don't require much prep on our part, but we "gear up" emotionally, such as a surgery or maybe an event we are to take part in.

This time of year is always a busy one;

Baccalaureate service for our school district's graduates hosted by the local churches, 

our church's week long Vacation Bible School.

This year is also a short trip with my parents that to me marks a celebration, that the event is back after their COVID break and more importantly that my parents are able to go and do this year!  (after Dad's ordeal last hear)

not to mention a little one's surgery, doctors appointments, planting, as well as a few more things!

It seems though, that in our lives we are always "gearing up" for something....

It makes lists long and life hectic.  I have to remember what is important though;

The baccalaureate and Vacation Bible School are to reach out with the Gospel, to show others the love of Jesus.

But everything should have that underlying purpose.

📖 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.  Colossians 3:23-24

Everything we do should be for Him!

So as we are "gearing up", making the lists, gathering supplies, figuring out the details, working on checking off each item, we can't lose sight of what is important. 

Are we taking time to acknowledge Christ everyday?  His name should be at the top of every to-do list we make!

and commit every list to Him...

📖 Commit to the Lord whatever you do,

    and he will establish your plans.  Proverbs 16:3

 I want Him involved in what I am doing, whether it is a gospel event or not.

And if it is something that I am to be a part of, but not a lot of lists or prep, I still want to make sure I pray for and with those involved.

In all the chaos we don't want to leave Christ off the list.

He should be an integral part of all we do, of our day, our activities, our lives. 

📖 In all your ways acknowledge him,

    and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:6 (ESV)

Making sure it all honors Him 

📖"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. Matthew 22:36

Because ultimately it all is for one purpose;

Showing others His love

📖 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.  Matthew 5:14-16

🙏I pray that in all you have going on right now you commit it all to Christ, ask Him to make sure all you do honors Him, that in whatever it is you can show others the love of Christ, no matter how many things get checked off or how things end up.❤️