Well for the first time in my life I can say I have seen enough basketball. Funny thing is, I don't really like basketball all that much except when UNC Charlotte is playing. On TV - boring for the most part - there is nothing like seeing a game in person with 10,000 of your closest friends all screaming and all cheering for the home team. I am glad I did not pick a bracket this year - Duke is out in the first round. I feel bad for Brandon who works for us at work - he had Duke going almost all the way. His bracket is busted! Anyways - I enjoyed watching that game even though they lost as well as the Winthrop game. Hats off to you guys down in Rock Hill. First ever win in the big dance.
So just in case you have not heard - Carol has the crud now. She is up and moving around a little this morning but it takes some time to get your feet behind ya after 24 or so hours of bathroom worship. Nothing more humbling that your face in the bowl and swapping back in forth. I gave up and just sat with the garbage can in my face. Ok details...... enough of the bleeping details. I think its the coffe doing it..... 3 days without coffee and I am wired on 2 sips now and I cant even blame Carol for making her mud - I made it.
All will work out.........I forgot to cover my lettuce plants last night - 29 here this morning. Bummer...
Randy~
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Friday, March 16, 2007
the day after.......
Hey thanks for all the phone calls and emails yesterday and today wondering how I am doing. I appreciate it all very much. The stomach thing is no fun so try and avoid it at all costs. I couldn't help but to think about mom yesterday since I was flat on my back for over 24 hours- how my back hurt and my hips hurt. Humans are not made to lay flat for too long! Once all the other junk passed along it was my back and hips hurting the most and not being able to do anything about it. I remember mom laying there so long she had blisters on her skin - how that must have felt - I really don't even want to know. But I am on the mends now - Carol thanks for taking care of me - and I pray you don't get this crap.
Pastor Jimmy went down to NewSpring Church in Anderson SC yesterday - I thought about going to this church leadership meeting just to volunteer - I wanted to see what our church is going to grow to in the next year. Sounds like from people posting their findings, it was a great conference. I cant wait to read what Jimmy and his staff learned. I think its awesome to go to a leadership conference and everyone comes back fired up and ready to do something big or add something wild to their church services, advertisements, whatever it may be!
I posted the other day that I wanted to take a pause - get away for a bit - not that I have had much time to think or even felt like it - my mind is starting to get going again and reading all the posts from big time church leaders and common folk like myself from NewSpring - I am again thinking BIG - and I know God will move me to the next place in Bigness. That's a word right?
2 Corinthians 9:6-11
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: 'He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.' Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
I think about the lettuce seeds I planted last week - how the package says to plants them so far apart and so deep - I just scatter them and pat them under - hoping they all take - just like when I am with others and God is using me .... I hope God takes with everyone. I can't wait till Sunday. We are doing a baptism and Jimmy will be doing his 2nd part of SexEd - and last week my Rock Group didn't meet - so this is going to be an exciting day. Pray for my lettuce - the squirrel is digging there - must be a devil squirrel........ got to go.
Love you all,
Randy~
Pastor Jimmy went down to NewSpring Church in Anderson SC yesterday - I thought about going to this church leadership meeting just to volunteer - I wanted to see what our church is going to grow to in the next year. Sounds like from people posting their findings, it was a great conference. I cant wait to read what Jimmy and his staff learned. I think its awesome to go to a leadership conference and everyone comes back fired up and ready to do something big or add something wild to their church services, advertisements, whatever it may be!
I posted the other day that I wanted to take a pause - get away for a bit - not that I have had much time to think or even felt like it - my mind is starting to get going again and reading all the posts from big time church leaders and common folk like myself from NewSpring - I am again thinking BIG - and I know God will move me to the next place in Bigness. That's a word right?
2 Corinthians 9:6-11
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: 'He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.' Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
I think about the lettuce seeds I planted last week - how the package says to plants them so far apart and so deep - I just scatter them and pat them under - hoping they all take - just like when I am with others and God is using me .... I hope God takes with everyone. I can't wait till Sunday. We are doing a baptism and Jimmy will be doing his 2nd part of SexEd - and last week my Rock Group didn't meet - so this is going to be an exciting day. Pray for my lettuce - the squirrel is digging there - must be a devil squirrel........ got to go.
Love you all,
Randy~
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Prayer request....
Wow how life can turn on a dime. Friends and loved ones - please pray for my dear friend Lynn's and her mom as well as Lynn's family. I learned today that Lynn's mom has breast cancer and decisions will be made this Friday as far as course of action and treatment options. Please keep them in your prayers and pray to God for healing hands, a comfort that only Jesus can provide and to keep this family pulled closer together. May they experience Gods blessing and grace first hand as they walk together during these tough days ahead.
We all may have a differences - we may be from different parts of the world with different customs and beliefs - but we all know the same things when it comes down to a loved one like a mom who is sick and needs those around them. I will keep you all posted...
Lonnie~
Father - I pray for Lynn's mom - for Lynn and her family. Pull them close Lord so that they may experience Your comfort and Your healing hands for this cancer that is in her moms body. Lord I pray for good reports and a team of doctors and nurses who are the best that the hospital can offer her. Lord I pray You supernaturally come and touch her heart today so that she will have the peace and comfort that her mom needs right now. May she be a light for You for her family and friends to see. I pray for those who don't know You during this time that are close to this family - may they see something here Lord that draws them in to Your loving arms. Thank You for loving this awesome and long time family - loved ones that are close to my heart.
I pray In the power of Your sons Holy and most high name in Jesus,
Amen~
We all may have a differences - we may be from different parts of the world with different customs and beliefs - but we all know the same things when it comes down to a loved one like a mom who is sick and needs those around them. I will keep you all posted...
Lonnie~
Father - I pray for Lynn's mom - for Lynn and her family. Pull them close Lord so that they may experience Your comfort and Your healing hands for this cancer that is in her moms body. Lord I pray for good reports and a team of doctors and nurses who are the best that the hospital can offer her. Lord I pray You supernaturally come and touch her heart today so that she will have the peace and comfort that her mom needs right now. May she be a light for You for her family and friends to see. I pray for those who don't know You during this time that are close to this family - may they see something here Lord that draws them in to Your loving arms. Thank You for loving this awesome and long time family - loved ones that are close to my heart.
I pray In the power of Your sons Holy and most high name in Jesus,
Amen~
God's Best~
I think for the first time in my life - especially the last year and half - that I am looking at the world from inside out - looking at the world with a new perspective and a love for people. I can't do everything for those around me - I need to loosen the grip and care that I have held so close to me for the last year and half. Before becoming a Christian, it was all about me - getting what I needed and wanted - for my wife and son - everyone else was fair game. In a way, I rolled over you or tried to anyways but now, I want to walk along side you and be the encouragement to bring you through those difficult times and share with you during the happy times. I want to lead my hand to Gods hand for you and hand you off in a way so you can experience Jesus first hand! ... the last year closing my eyes and seeing my mom's face cheering us on has been awesome but I know the race is not done, God is not done with any of us! I just have a practical peace about me now that focuses on Jesus - even if I don't know everything or have all the answers to anything it feels like - I just want to walk along side people and let the share in the love that Jesus has for them.
Yes I get aggravated - upset and sometimes go off the deep end - I am only human but my eyes are focused on God and I am pressing through this hard time it seems I am in. Letting go of that rope is harder than I thought it would be. I have to do it and its with Gods grace I will be able to. Its time for more hands to lead to Gods hands..... hopefully I can accomplish something that God seems to be drawing me to.
I have done some extra work the last few weeks with fixing some computers and such and people have shared their thank you's with me via a card or a smile/conversation and in terms of payment - that is all I need. Money is not my object anymore - just a chance to share Jesus with them. I have signed a few cards for folks thanking them for the opportunity to help them or with a payment invoice that has $0 on it and an invitation to visit us at our church - signed at the bottom with "Gods Best" - and then my name..... I have gotten a responce everytime I have done that. Its not my best - or your best- or their best or anyones best - but Gods Best - puts it on a entirely new playing field doesn't it?
God's Best,
Randy~
Yes I get aggravated - upset and sometimes go off the deep end - I am only human but my eyes are focused on God and I am pressing through this hard time it seems I am in. Letting go of that rope is harder than I thought it would be. I have to do it and its with Gods grace I will be able to. Its time for more hands to lead to Gods hands..... hopefully I can accomplish something that God seems to be drawing me to.
I have done some extra work the last few weeks with fixing some computers and such and people have shared their thank you's with me via a card or a smile/conversation and in terms of payment - that is all I need. Money is not my object anymore - just a chance to share Jesus with them. I have signed a few cards for folks thanking them for the opportunity to help them or with a payment invoice that has $0 on it and an invitation to visit us at our church - signed at the bottom with "Gods Best" - and then my name..... I have gotten a responce everytime I have done that. Its not my best - or your best- or their best or anyones best - but Gods Best - puts it on a entirely new playing field doesn't it?
God's Best,
Randy~
Pieces of the puzzle......
Do ya ever just feel like you need a pause in life? I am feeling that way this morning - well actually for a few days now. Just needing to call a timeout and get some refocus going on here. Too much rattle in the brain I guess ~ struggling with a few things ~ people in my life right now that my heart hurts for and with the struggle of letting go of the rope. I guess in many ways I will experience this even more when my son is old enough to make his own decisions and life choices. I don't look forward to those days ahead because I feel like we have much work to do and training left undone. We are still trying to get through the multiplication table and we are moving to fractions now. Seems we are on a speed trip here and slowing down is not an option. Hey I am a quiet person - shy at times and don't like to make much fuss or have confrontation - unless its my old Judo days then look out.
I pray for some quiet refocus soon and God takes my heart in a direction it needs to go -need to learn something but maybe I am fighting it..... not sure. Sometimes things just don't make any sense...... like me this morning LOL.
More to follow....
Randy~
I pray for some quiet refocus soon and God takes my heart in a direction it needs to go -need to learn something but maybe I am fighting it..... not sure. Sometimes things just don't make any sense...... like me this morning LOL.
More to follow....
Randy~
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Top 4 complaints @church....
I just wanted to share with you a few things I am learning this week as I study the Purpose Driven Church by Rick Warren - this guy is amazing!!!
When Rick Warren started Saddleback church – he went door to door for 12 weeks asking these questions.
1. What do you think is the greatest need in this area?
2. Are you actively attending any church?
3. Why do you think most people don’t attend church?
4. If you were to look for a church to attend, what kind of things would you look for?
5. What could I do for you? What advice can you give to a minister who really wants to be helpful to people?
Four Basic Complaints –
Church is boring, especially the sermons. The messages don’t relate to my life.
It is amazing how churches are able to take the most exciting book in the world and bore people to tears with it. The problem with boring preachers is that it causes people to think God is boring. The unchurched aren’t asking for watered down messages, just practical ones. They want to hear something on Sunday that they can apply on Monday.
The church is more interested in my money than in me – Due to the highly visible fund raising efforts on tv and other Christian organizations, the unchurched are incredibly sensitive to appeals for money. Saddleback explains before each offering that the offering is for the church family – visitors are not expected to give.
Church members are unfriendly to visitors – If I go to church I want to feel welcomed without being embarrassed – Many people feel like church is clique. When they don’t know the inside terminology, songs, or rituals they felt foolish and felt the members were watching them in judgment. The greatest emotion that a visitor or unchurched person feels when they visit a church is – FEAR. Do whatever it takes to make visitors welcome and wanted without feeling watched.
We worry about the quality of the church’s child care – The church must earn the trust of parents! If we want to reach young couples, we must have an excellent program for their children.
Most of the unchurched are not atheists – they are misinformed, turned off or too busy.
The reason why I posted this is because when I go to church now - I want to be part of the solution and be a part in the process. I dont want to just come to the service and go home - I want to be connected - sharing - enjoying what God is doing to people who come through the doors and seeing the changed lives. I want to be serving in whatever capacity God leads me to do. Have I ever done any of this before - NO! Its all new - God opening doors and exposing me to what He wants to do in me. How awesome is that? I just can't believe that people would walk away from what I am experiencing..... its hard to believe I was there once also. Man I can help but to look forward and ask God to keep moving me, my family, and my church family in a direction He wants to take us. Took something BIG in my life to happen to get me where I am today.... but my heart was right and my life was ready to accept the life God had waiting for me all along. Thank You Lord for accepting me and I am sorry it took me so long and I rejected You for so long.
Press on loved ones......
Randy~
When Rick Warren started Saddleback church – he went door to door for 12 weeks asking these questions.
1. What do you think is the greatest need in this area?
2. Are you actively attending any church?
3. Why do you think most people don’t attend church?
4. If you were to look for a church to attend, what kind of things would you look for?
5. What could I do for you? What advice can you give to a minister who really wants to be helpful to people?
Four Basic Complaints –
Church is boring, especially the sermons. The messages don’t relate to my life.
It is amazing how churches are able to take the most exciting book in the world and bore people to tears with it. The problem with boring preachers is that it causes people to think God is boring. The unchurched aren’t asking for watered down messages, just practical ones. They want to hear something on Sunday that they can apply on Monday.
The church is more interested in my money than in me – Due to the highly visible fund raising efforts on tv and other Christian organizations, the unchurched are incredibly sensitive to appeals for money. Saddleback explains before each offering that the offering is for the church family – visitors are not expected to give.
Church members are unfriendly to visitors – If I go to church I want to feel welcomed without being embarrassed – Many people feel like church is clique. When they don’t know the inside terminology, songs, or rituals they felt foolish and felt the members were watching them in judgment. The greatest emotion that a visitor or unchurched person feels when they visit a church is – FEAR. Do whatever it takes to make visitors welcome and wanted without feeling watched.
We worry about the quality of the church’s child care – The church must earn the trust of parents! If we want to reach young couples, we must have an excellent program for their children.
Most of the unchurched are not atheists – they are misinformed, turned off or too busy.
The reason why I posted this is because when I go to church now - I want to be part of the solution and be a part in the process. I dont want to just come to the service and go home - I want to be connected - sharing - enjoying what God is doing to people who come through the doors and seeing the changed lives. I want to be serving in whatever capacity God leads me to do. Have I ever done any of this before - NO! Its all new - God opening doors and exposing me to what He wants to do in me. How awesome is that? I just can't believe that people would walk away from what I am experiencing..... its hard to believe I was there once also. Man I can help but to look forward and ask God to keep moving me, my family, and my church family in a direction He wants to take us. Took something BIG in my life to happen to get me where I am today.... but my heart was right and my life was ready to accept the life God had waiting for me all along. Thank You Lord for accepting me and I am sorry it took me so long and I rejected You for so long.
Press on loved ones......
Randy~
Service no matter what we face......
I have heard over the last 2 years of being a Christ follower that people will test our faith - they will mock you and question you with verbal attack. Why is this? Why do the people who have no questions, no desire to find out about God but yet call themselves educated, mock us and attack us with nothing more than words and their beliefs? My wife had this happen to her yesterday with someone close to her - I had this happen a few months ago and it took me days to get over because it really is upsetting. We all who follow Jesus have had this happen to us - maybe even someone in our families or someone who is close to us attack us this way. It really is nerve rattling but God calms us down and all we can do is pray for these people. If their hearts are not open and soft enough to listen and examine the facts of Jesus - then no amount of prayers or reasoning will bring them closer to understanding God and their salvation.
My lite bulb is on friends - I understand that I must move along now after battling mostly with myself and pleading with God to move certain people in my life closer to Him and to accept Him. Its time to move to greener pastures and continue my work for the Lord. No work for the Lord goes in vain friends and there is no place I would rather be serving!
1 Corinthians 15:
33Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character." 34Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame.
50I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory."[g] 55"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"[h] 56The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
So my brothers and sisters in Christ - move along, pick up your mats and continue working and serving our Lord. A few knock downs from people who don't understand will not stand in our way. Feel sorry for them and pray that one day - they may feel the way we do! Fired up for Jesus!!! Sunday's a comin......... and Tuesday's should be just as good as Sundays!
Randy~
My lite bulb is on friends - I understand that I must move along now after battling mostly with myself and pleading with God to move certain people in my life closer to Him and to accept Him. Its time to move to greener pastures and continue my work for the Lord. No work for the Lord goes in vain friends and there is no place I would rather be serving!
1 Corinthians 15:
33Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character." 34Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame.
50I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory."[g] 55"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"[h] 56The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
So my brothers and sisters in Christ - move along, pick up your mats and continue working and serving our Lord. A few knock downs from people who don't understand will not stand in our way. Feel sorry for them and pray that one day - they may feel the way we do! Fired up for Jesus!!! Sunday's a comin......... and Tuesday's should be just as good as Sundays!
Randy~
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