ROAD JOURNAL

Read - 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 "Now there are a variety of gifts but the same Spirit, and there are varieties of service but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good."

Observe - Paul tells us the church functions best: first of all by the power, presence, and empowering of the Holy Spirit; secondly by being many and still one. In other words, the church requires the Holy Spirit's gifts as distributed to everyone and, in the same way God is three whats and one who, the church requires many parts enacting many activities for the benefit of each other and for all.

Apply - When have I most felt like I used by gift to contribute to the accomplishment of a mission? The first experience that stands out most brilliantly in my head is when I was "cast" to deliver a gospel message to a large crowd on the beach in Virginia. I directed and choreographed a battle scene that took place publicly on the beach, in order to draw a large crowd and illustrate the truth the Jesus conquers all of his enemies and brings the dead back to life. At the completion of the battle, I shared the gospel with a script from the Spirit as loudly and lovingly as I could. I wonder if that is a revelation of my spiritual gift and how I may use it more regularly for God's glory (and not my own). Reading this passage has rekindled a curiosity for me nail down my spiritual gifts and my place in the God's church. The chapter mentions helpers and administrators alongside healers and miracle workers. It seems to imply a top down org-chart of apostles, prophets, and teachers. Which of any of these am I? I don't speak in tongues nor interpret, and I haven't healed anyone or conducted any miracles. I seem to have rubbed shoulders with stuff that resembles the other gifts; however, I do not want to misappropriate my gifting and I am still young. God is refining me and He will unveil his role for me when he list.

Depend - "Holy Spirit, my Lord, my God: of all the various ways that you can use me, please use me. You have given me a desire to serve you, to be active for you among your children, your bride. Shield me from over-zealousness, from over-ambitiousness, from and over-sized desire for something good. You alone are worthy of sizable desire. You deserve the position of glory, honor, and praise in my life. You promise to distribute gifts of your Spirit and you command us to earnestly desire the higher gifts in and with love. Well up within me a love, as is described in your Word. And from that place, that love, may I be used by you and for you. Amen."

Worship

It's been a pleasure serving with an Acts 29 church. We value God and His word. We value worship music that proclaims the truth of Christ; the message is never sacrificed for the sake of a rhyme or rhythm. Furthermore, the "old hymns" come to life for today's music preferences in ways that cater to the desires of multiple people groups/generations.

Following the steps taken by other churches of today, such as Sojourn Community Church (an A29 church in Louisville), our Worship Pastor, Josh Dix, just released a Worship EP. This CD was produced as another means to capture the Sunday morning, gathered worship experience for folks. It puts a needed reminder in our hands, in our iPods, to worship the Lord every day and not just on Sunday ... and not just when worshipful music is playing.

My passion for worshipping the Lord continues to grow as I rub shoulders with these talented musicians. It brings me back to the pleasant memories of leading worship at Huron Hills with Brian Surguine. It's guys like him that illustrate God's gifts used for God's purposes. I hope it's in God's plan for me to be ushering people to the throne of the Lord, through music or whatever God asks of me.

Rachel and I are pursuing membership at The Journey and are looking forward to auditioning for the worship team in December.

If you want more sweet music, check these two albums out (as mentioned above):

The Journey's EP featuring Josh Dix at Amazon (or iTunes).

http://www.amazon.com/Have-Thine-Own-Way/dp/B002PMFYHU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dmusic&qid=1256141975&sr=8-1

And also, look for "Over The Grave" by Sojourn.

http://www.amazon.com/Over-The-Grave/dp/B002SANAJ8/ref=sr_shvl_album_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1256142013&sr=301-1

Hope:Fully

ROAD JOURNAL

At The Journey, and more specifically within my department, I was recently introduced to an easy way to hone the spiritual discipline of bible study/devotion. The tool we use is called ROAD Journaling. ROAD is an acronym for "Read, Observe, Apply, and Depend."

Occasionally, I want to post my ROAD Journal entries for you to see what God is teaching me and also to equip you to pray for my spiritual needs.

They won't always be this long, I promise.

Read - 1 Peter 5:1-11
"So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed:

shepherd the flock of God that is among you,
exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you;
not for shameful gain, but eagerly;
not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.

And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders.
Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Be sober–minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen."

Observe - Peter is writing to instruct the elders, to guide those in the care of elders, and to give some perspective with regard to suffering and the promises of God. This passage is both in the moment and casting vision. It goes deep and wide.

Apply - As I desire to lead within the context of a church, this passage is eye-opening. It both casts vision for me by defining what I aspire to be: "shepherd the flock" "willingly exercise oversight - not for shameful gain." These are great truths to meditate on and to strive towards as I refine my character. AND it grounds me in the present to remember that I am young, I need to be subject to authority, I need to humble myself, I need to submit to God's will and God's proper timing, and I need to cast all my cares/anxieties on Him because unlike the imperfect way that the people of this world attempt to care (sometimes succeeding) ... God's compassion and care for me is perfect and worthy of the highest seat.

Depend - Dear Lord, please guide me to depend on you. You are continuing to paint my future on the canvas on my mind; but help me to remain in the present, to engage deeply with my present responsibilities and with my present relationships. Lead me to rely on you and you alone for my future, for my desires, for my worries. Steer me away from selfish and shameful gain. Holy Spirit, you are crafty, you are deft, you are wise, you are always available, you are always reliable, you are dependable, you are perfect in discernment and wisdom. Why do I neglect to come to you? To seek You in all of your glory? To come to you with fear and trembling, with awe and wonder, with my joys and my sorrows? Father, please bring me to yourself. Reveal the sin in my life that needs to be sanctified, that needs to be redeemed. Humble me Father, and destroy my fear of humiliation. I love you Lord. Amen.

Prayers answered: progress

Pray for us.

Your prayers matter to Rachel and me. We appreciate you so very much, and especially as you take time to go to the Lord on our behalf. Thank you for thinking of us, and for being on our prayer/support team.

The rest of this blog infers an understanding of Triperspecitival Leadership.

A brief explanation will suffice for now: Like Jesus, a good leader can be defined as modeling and excelling in three categories, or offices, of leadership - Prophet, Priest, and King.

Prophet - one who brings the Word, justice; truth motivated.

Priest - one who counsels and cares for people, compassion; relationally motivated.

King - one who commands order and structure, organization; systems oriented.

Some of you know that I have been asking for prayer with regard to my "priestliness." By nature, I consider myself to be King first with Prophet trailing behind. I want to care for people; and occasionally, I do well in the Priestly area but it requires the most attention and intentionality.

The blessed answer to yours and my prayers is, that in the eight weeks that I've been at The Journey, I can see my relational skills growing and surfacing more naturally/organically.

Thank you for your prayers and please continue to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal more fruit of gentleness, love, patience, and self-control in my life.