I've just finished reading a book by Greg Laurie entitled, "Lost Boy". I have been a listener of Greg on the radio for many years, and I have seen some of his crusades online. I first heard about him when I attended a Youth Crusade in Charlotte a few years ago. I actually went to hear a band that was playing for the event.....All Together Separate. I found out that they were the Praise Band for Greg's church in California, and I wanted to hear them play. After hearing them, I wanted to know more about a preacher that had a band like this playing in the church.
I like to hear Greg talk. He is a great communicator.......holds your attention from the very beginning. So, I wanted to read this book. It tells all about his life; all the struggles and mistakes. And, it tells about the change that comes about when he accepts Jesus as his Savior. Greg is an evangelist. He has been called to share the gospel with everyone because, as he says in the book... "everyone needs Jesus". Where have I heard that before? There are a lot of catch phrases in this book that caused me to remember things in my past, and phrases that stir the imagination. Toward the end of the book, I read a phrase that now I hear over and over in my head. It echoes what I feel is the heart of HRCC; why we do what we do. Greg says..."I am just a beggar trying to tell other beggars where the food is."
There are people in this world (community) that are lost and hungry. They struggle everyday trying to make sense of what all is going on around them. These people choose, one day, to attend a church.....any church to find answers....food. They are hungry for purpose, hope, and love. And I have seen these same people come into HRCC and they are fed by others that were once just as hungry as they are. God has given His Son for us (beggars), and by receiving His gift (food) we now have purpose, hope, and love. I believe that we just need to remember that we all were once beggars and we now know where the food is when we come across another beggar. Get it?
Good.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Where'd it go?
I just realized that 2008 is "out of here"!! It seemed like only yesterday I was getting ready to see what was ahead for 2008, and now it's 2009. Where'd it go?......Did this seem like a quick year? I thought so; until I looked back at all that happened in '08.....and this was an amazing year......an amazing year.
Kannapolis Campus.....Brian Duncan (Campus Pastor) joins HRCC staff, full-time; Ron Loflin joins HRCC staff as full-time Pastor of Denton Campus; baptisms at all 3 campuses; outreach at Thresher's Reunion, North Cabarrus Park, and Dan Nicholas Park; hosted Rowan Baptist Associational Meeting; "Fireproof" sellout at Tinsel Town; "I Hate High Rock Church" billboard; 90 day God's Guarantee Card; Nikita Koloff at Denton Anniversary; "Econo-Me"; a virtual tour of new Worship Center; "God Of This City"; there's a house on the stage.... with a picket fence; "www.whateverittakes.us"; "Reel2Real". The more I sit here and think, the more things I remember that happened in '08. I'm afraid that if I mention everything that comes to mind in this blog, you may not take the time to travel back through your memories and recall all the things that you saw this year.
Right here, at the beginning of 2009, I encourage us all to look back and see how God moved at HRCC this past year; how God used you, the church, to be His hands and feet to the community; how you stepped when God spoke. When we look back, we see how He "never let go" of us; and as we look ahead.....we are reminded that "greater things are still to be done here".
Kannapolis Campus.....Brian Duncan (Campus Pastor) joins HRCC staff, full-time; Ron Loflin joins HRCC staff as full-time Pastor of Denton Campus; baptisms at all 3 campuses; outreach at Thresher's Reunion, North Cabarrus Park, and Dan Nicholas Park; hosted Rowan Baptist Associational Meeting; "Fireproof" sellout at Tinsel Town; "I Hate High Rock Church" billboard; 90 day God's Guarantee Card; Nikita Koloff at Denton Anniversary; "Econo-Me"; a virtual tour of new Worship Center; "God Of This City"; there's a house on the stage.... with a picket fence; "www.whateverittakes.us"; "Reel2Real". The more I sit here and think, the more things I remember that happened in '08. I'm afraid that if I mention everything that comes to mind in this blog, you may not take the time to travel back through your memories and recall all the things that you saw this year.
Right here, at the beginning of 2009, I encourage us all to look back and see how God moved at HRCC this past year; how God used you, the church, to be His hands and feet to the community; how you stepped when God spoke. When we look back, we see how He "never let go" of us; and as we look ahead.....we are reminded that "greater things are still to be done here".
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
"today....our Daddy was pleased"
"That service was great!" "This is what a church service should be." "I've never seen so much emotion in a Christmas service." "I could feel the music through the seats." (I really liked this comment) "The church was singing so loud!" "Was this service recorded? I want a copy!"
These comments were a few of the ones that I heard this past Sunday after our Christmas service at East Rowan High School. It was so exciting having everyone from the Salisbury Campus together at one service. There is always so much work that goes on behind the scenes before an event such as this, but when you see the excitement in the eyes of people as they come into the school, and you hear them sing praises to the Savior as we celebrate His birth......its like a major recharge. No matter how tired you thought you were, the joy of the church lifts you up. And as the Worship Pastor here at HRCC, there is nothing that pleases me more than to hear the church come together in worship. Whatever you may have been thinking about when you walk into HRCC; it really doesn't matter which service you attend, if you focus your heart on the worship, and you become a worshiper.....then you are replacing everything in your mind with worshipping God. And that is our purpose......that is what we are called to do....worship God. So many times we think that we have to do things in a certain way to please others, or to be noticed by others. If you are like me, you probably have learned that it is very hard to please others. It is almost next to impossible to please everyone. But, when we decide to worship God; we realize that He is pleased with our worship. It doesn't have to be in tune; it doesn't have to be in time; it doesn't have to be flawless; it doesn't have to be perfect. All that your worship has to be is you and God. And when He has your full attention.......all of your focus.......all of you.......He is pleased.
One of the most amazing comments I heard about this past weekend was from a lady that said to me; while trying to hold back tears, but losing..... "I know that today.....our Daddy was pleased." My prayer for her, and for everyone that worships at HRCC, is that we all remember to take the time during this Christmas season to do our best to please our Daddy.
These comments were a few of the ones that I heard this past Sunday after our Christmas service at East Rowan High School. It was so exciting having everyone from the Salisbury Campus together at one service. There is always so much work that goes on behind the scenes before an event such as this, but when you see the excitement in the eyes of people as they come into the school, and you hear them sing praises to the Savior as we celebrate His birth......its like a major recharge. No matter how tired you thought you were, the joy of the church lifts you up. And as the Worship Pastor here at HRCC, there is nothing that pleases me more than to hear the church come together in worship. Whatever you may have been thinking about when you walk into HRCC; it really doesn't matter which service you attend, if you focus your heart on the worship, and you become a worshiper.....then you are replacing everything in your mind with worshipping God. And that is our purpose......that is what we are called to do....worship God. So many times we think that we have to do things in a certain way to please others, or to be noticed by others. If you are like me, you probably have learned that it is very hard to please others. It is almost next to impossible to please everyone. But, when we decide to worship God; we realize that He is pleased with our worship. It doesn't have to be in tune; it doesn't have to be in time; it doesn't have to be flawless; it doesn't have to be perfect. All that your worship has to be is you and God. And when He has your full attention.......all of your focus.......all of you.......He is pleased.
One of the most amazing comments I heard about this past weekend was from a lady that said to me; while trying to hold back tears, but losing..... "I know that today.....our Daddy was pleased." My prayer for her, and for everyone that worships at HRCC, is that we all remember to take the time during this Christmas season to do our best to please our Daddy.
Monday, December 15, 2008
the whole peanut?
The last time I went on a trip to WV, I traveled with Jon and Mike from the church. It was actually a quick trip.....one of those "drive up there, meet with Ray, then head back" trips. It was still a good trip. There were a lot of memories about that trip; and the strange thing about memories is that they resurface at odd times. One such memory about this trip came back to me while I was eating lunch with Karen today.
We were sitting at the table at Lone Star, waiting to place our order; and you know how it goes... you have this bucket full of peanuts and an empty bucket for the shells. When I go to restaurants with peanuts on the table.....I eat peanuts. I just sit there and crack the shell open and eat the peanuts. I don't really think too much about it. Until today. I remembered stopping in Morgantown with Jon and Mike and eating at a restaurant and there was a bucket of peanuts on the table. I'm doing my usual ..crack the shell open...eat the peanuts, and Jon is sitting there popping the whole peanut....shell and all...in his mouth and just munching away. I'm thinking; "Man, that's disgusting." But Jon assures me that that is the best way to eat the peanut. He tried to convince me to give it a shot. I can't get past the memories of digging up peanuts in my Papaw's garden, so I pass. That is....until today.
I shared Jon's strange eating habit with Karen, and to my surprise.....she tried it. I couldn't believe it. I kept waiting for her to spit it out and drink all of her water and my tea, but she didn't. Hey Jon!! She did it!! I'm not saying that she liked it, but that she did it. Now I'm stuck. I have to try it. So, I look for the smallest peanut in the bucket....a single, not a double; and I pop it in my mouth and chew the whole thing. To be honest with you.....that was really good....and salty?!? And I wasn't making a big mess on the table by cracking open the shells. This was a nice, different, tasty surprise.
I learned today, that it didn't matter so much how I ate the peanut....it was still a good peanut. The fact that I even tried it was a surprise, but I guess that I can still learn something new. And you know, I keep learning something new from these "younger" pastors at HRCC.....they challenge me in my thinking, and they encourage me in my walk. They give me confidence; they pray for me, each other, and for you....the church. They have taught me so much, and I am forever grateful. Thanks guys.
We were sitting at the table at Lone Star, waiting to place our order; and you know how it goes... you have this bucket full of peanuts and an empty bucket for the shells. When I go to restaurants with peanuts on the table.....I eat peanuts. I just sit there and crack the shell open and eat the peanuts. I don't really think too much about it. Until today. I remembered stopping in Morgantown with Jon and Mike and eating at a restaurant and there was a bucket of peanuts on the table. I'm doing my usual ..crack the shell open...eat the peanuts, and Jon is sitting there popping the whole peanut....shell and all...in his mouth and just munching away. I'm thinking; "Man, that's disgusting." But Jon assures me that that is the best way to eat the peanut. He tried to convince me to give it a shot. I can't get past the memories of digging up peanuts in my Papaw's garden, so I pass. That is....until today.
I shared Jon's strange eating habit with Karen, and to my surprise.....she tried it. I couldn't believe it. I kept waiting for her to spit it out and drink all of her water and my tea, but she didn't. Hey Jon!! She did it!! I'm not saying that she liked it, but that she did it. Now I'm stuck. I have to try it. So, I look for the smallest peanut in the bucket....a single, not a double; and I pop it in my mouth and chew the whole thing. To be honest with you.....that was really good....and salty?!? And I wasn't making a big mess on the table by cracking open the shells. This was a nice, different, tasty surprise.
I learned today, that it didn't matter so much how I ate the peanut....it was still a good peanut. The fact that I even tried it was a surprise, but I guess that I can still learn something new. And you know, I keep learning something new from these "younger" pastors at HRCC.....they challenge me in my thinking, and they encourage me in my walk. They give me confidence; they pray for me, each other, and for you....the church. They have taught me so much, and I am forever grateful. Thanks guys.
Friday, December 5, 2008
butterflies
I recently read a book entitled, "Butterfly in Brazil". The author is Glenn Packiam; a worship pastor and director of New Life School of Worship for New Life Church in Colorado. I had the privilege of participating in two of his classes at a recent conference in Charlotte. In one of these classes, he gave a little insight into the idea for his book. So, I bought the book.
I'm sure that a lot of you have heard the phrase, "the butterfly effect". This statement has been used over the years to try and explain the changes in weather around the world, due to some atmospheric occurrence in a remote location. The original phrase went like this....."If a butterfly flaps its wings in Brazil, does it cause a tornado in Texas?" Sounds a little silly to think that something so small, in a country so far away, could have such a major effect on the homes of people that live in a small country like Texas. But, when we live the life of a Christ follower; isn't that what happens? We are challenged by scripture to be like Christ in our everyday life, but most of us (myself included) look at the life of Christ and how He touched the lives of all the people he met, and we adopt the defeated attitude of......"Who am I?" We look at the enormous impact of Jesus and then we see how small we are...............Why try? I've been there, and to be honest.......there are times that I am still there. On some days, I feel even smaller than the day before. And yet, I want to be a Christ follower in the biggest way. I want to have an impact on the lives of people I know, and on the lives of people I have yet to meet.
Have you ever read in the Bible that if you have only the faith of a mustard seed, you could move a mountain? Or maybe, if you would just do a simple thing like flap your butterfly wings, you could help in creating a tornado. If you are reading this, and you took advantage of flapping your wings with "Whatever It Takes", then you know of the "tornado" that you helped to create. So many families were touched by you and your willingness to help. And not only in this community, but in other communities as well. Did you know that there are other churches that are now trying out their wings because of you? What started out as a small idea (flap), is continuing to grow and spread.
Thanks to all the beautiful butterflies out there.
I'm sure that a lot of you have heard the phrase, "the butterfly effect". This statement has been used over the years to try and explain the changes in weather around the world, due to some atmospheric occurrence in a remote location. The original phrase went like this....."If a butterfly flaps its wings in Brazil, does it cause a tornado in Texas?" Sounds a little silly to think that something so small, in a country so far away, could have such a major effect on the homes of people that live in a small country like Texas. But, when we live the life of a Christ follower; isn't that what happens? We are challenged by scripture to be like Christ in our everyday life, but most of us (myself included) look at the life of Christ and how He touched the lives of all the people he met, and we adopt the defeated attitude of......"Who am I?" We look at the enormous impact of Jesus and then we see how small we are...............Why try? I've been there, and to be honest.......there are times that I am still there. On some days, I feel even smaller than the day before. And yet, I want to be a Christ follower in the biggest way. I want to have an impact on the lives of people I know, and on the lives of people I have yet to meet.
Have you ever read in the Bible that if you have only the faith of a mustard seed, you could move a mountain? Or maybe, if you would just do a simple thing like flap your butterfly wings, you could help in creating a tornado. If you are reading this, and you took advantage of flapping your wings with "Whatever It Takes", then you know of the "tornado" that you helped to create. So many families were touched by you and your willingness to help. And not only in this community, but in other communities as well. Did you know that there are other churches that are now trying out their wings because of you? What started out as a small idea (flap), is continuing to grow and spread.
Thanks to all the beautiful butterflies out there.
Monday, November 24, 2008
on a Monday?
Today I decided to go in to the office and try and get a head start on this week. With Thanksgiving coming up, I need to get a lot ready in three days. It was a pretty quiet morning around here, but as I sat in the office, I could still sense the weekend services in the building. God had showed up and shook this place good this weekend. I can still hear the singing; I can still see the excitement in the faces of everyone at HRCC; I can still see Jon gaining strength with each service that he spoke at; I still hear the celebration with each baptism on Sunday night; I still feel the quiet reverence of the Lord's Supper; I still can listen to all the things that so many people are thankful for..........and then I realize........God's still here.
He didn't just happen to show up this weekend because we were finishing off a series, or because we were going to be bringing a special offering into His house. He didn't show up because we were having a Baptism service and observing His Supper, or to hear us say "Thank you". We were the ones that showed up to join Him here, and to enjoy His presence. Every time I walk into this building, I know that I am going to feel Him here. It really doesn't matter what day it is, I can even come in on a Monday (staff day-off) and feel like He is going to do something. And today, He did.
A lady called today and she had a need. Her home is heated by gas, but she didn't have enough for the deposit ($175) to get the gas switched on. She told me that she has three children. We talked a little longer and I told her that with the office closed on Mondays, I wasn't sure what I could do, but that I would try and find out something and call her back. I made one phone call to a member of HRCC to ask if she knew if anyone still had a "reverse offering" to use from last week. So happens....she did.........Now God takes over. This member calls me back in a little over an hour. Get this........the lady's deposit is taken care of, she will be getting clothes for her three children, along with some toys, and some groceries. God shook HRCC again today.
I guess "Whatever It Takes" didn't end this weekend. Thank you.
He didn't just happen to show up this weekend because we were finishing off a series, or because we were going to be bringing a special offering into His house. He didn't show up because we were having a Baptism service and observing His Supper, or to hear us say "Thank you". We were the ones that showed up to join Him here, and to enjoy His presence. Every time I walk into this building, I know that I am going to feel Him here. It really doesn't matter what day it is, I can even come in on a Monday (staff day-off) and feel like He is going to do something. And today, He did.
A lady called today and she had a need. Her home is heated by gas, but she didn't have enough for the deposit ($175) to get the gas switched on. She told me that she has three children. We talked a little longer and I told her that with the office closed on Mondays, I wasn't sure what I could do, but that I would try and find out something and call her back. I made one phone call to a member of HRCC to ask if she knew if anyone still had a "reverse offering" to use from last week. So happens....she did.........Now God takes over. This member calls me back in a little over an hour. Get this........the lady's deposit is taken care of, she will be getting clothes for her three children, along with some toys, and some groceries. God shook HRCC again today.
I guess "Whatever It Takes" didn't end this weekend. Thank you.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Whatever It Takes
This “Whatever It Takes” series has been amazing; to say the least. Most of the sermon series that we have done at HRCC usually have some memorable props, skits, or video inserts that stay with us long after the series ends. But this series has been very different. This series has had arms and legs attached to it as it has moved from the building to the community. What had started out on paper as a vision, has become a reality in the sense that people are making it real with their actions.
It has been amazing to hear people tell of how they are individually taking the idea of "doing" Whatever It Takes when they feel God leading them. Whether it is to help a neighbor in need, or volunteer for an event sponsored by the church, or just to help a total stranger that God has placed in their path. I hope each of you have taken the time to go to the www.whateverittakes.us website, and have read the stories that are posted there. (Click on Your Stories) These are stories from the church family that should encourage us all. When we listen to what God wants us to do; when we obey Him, and act as true believers in Jesus Christ….we are blessed. And right now, High Rock Community Church is tapping into those blessings. Just read the stories. People are starting to understand what it means to be a part of the body of Christ. Needs are being met, lives are being changed; and not just the lives of people who received a heating voucher, cheaper gas, clothing, or even the $50. I am seeing, and hearing in people’s voices, the change that is happening in their lives; the lives of the members of HRCC. This has been an amazing four weeks for this series, and as we come to the final week, we prepare ourselves for another chance to do Whatever It Takes. My prayer for this weekend, is that we will see God do such an amazing thing through the hearts of His people at HRCC, that we will know only He could have done this……..not us.
Are we ready? I pray that we are.
It has been amazing to hear people tell of how they are individually taking the idea of "doing" Whatever It Takes when they feel God leading them. Whether it is to help a neighbor in need, or volunteer for an event sponsored by the church, or just to help a total stranger that God has placed in their path. I hope each of you have taken the time to go to the www.whateverittakes.us website, and have read the stories that are posted there. (Click on Your Stories) These are stories from the church family that should encourage us all. When we listen to what God wants us to do; when we obey Him, and act as true believers in Jesus Christ….we are blessed. And right now, High Rock Community Church is tapping into those blessings. Just read the stories. People are starting to understand what it means to be a part of the body of Christ. Needs are being met, lives are being changed; and not just the lives of people who received a heating voucher, cheaper gas, clothing, or even the $50. I am seeing, and hearing in people’s voices, the change that is happening in their lives; the lives of the members of HRCC. This has been an amazing four weeks for this series, and as we come to the final week, we prepare ourselves for another chance to do Whatever It Takes. My prayer for this weekend, is that we will see God do such an amazing thing through the hearts of His people at HRCC, that we will know only He could have done this……..not us.
Are we ready? I pray that we are.
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