Monday Morning Reflections 4/11/10

Monday Morning Reflections:

Before our morning worship, Satan threw our LifeSpring Volunteers a “Curve ball” for the first time in our new worship location. It caught us off guard, but the teams did a great job of “putting the ball in play” and we made some tremendous headway in adapting to difficulties that could have created havoc for a lesser talented Worship/Production team. We might not always hit HOMERUNS, but we put the ball in play so that Jesus’ team has an opportunity to score….

….. By the way, I LOVE using COACHING ANALOGIES!

I had the opportunity (along with a couple of my staff) to pray with 5 people who were dealing with some really DIFFICULT stuff in their lives. I was reminded that Satan is really trying to destroy “Christian” people by shaking their confidence in God. Sometimes loving others is no more than helping someone up who has fallen, helping them dust off, and then pointing them in the right direction…which by the way, the right direction is always toward JESUS.

I loved telling the story of Shadrach, Meshach, & Abednego! I get so EXCITED when I read Daniel 3:16-18 “…'O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.'"

Heck, this phrase just resonates with me… WE WON’T BOW DOWN! It’s not about the fiery furnace… it’s ALL about LOVINGLY OBEYING GOD!

Here’s a bit of Preacherman Trivia… Do you know what book of the Bible God was using to influence my life just over 13 years ago during some difficult times in my life? It was a time when nearly everything I read in this book of the Bible was related to what was going on in my life or in my family's life… here’s a hint… the scripture in this book was so influential on me at that time, Jodi and I decided to name one of our children after the name of this book in the Bible (My Children’s names and ages are… Christopher-20…Brian-17… and Danielle-13)… Do you know the answer now?

During my message this Sunday morning, a phrase came to me while on stage…and then I began to act it out or to physically illustrate it… I had no plan or thoughts to do this prior to the time that I did it… it was one of those times when God reminds me HE’s in charge of the message and I need to say what Jesus wants said.

It went something like this… "It’s time that Christians; those who love, follow, and serve Jesus 'STAND UP' while others are bowing down in this world. It’s time we make a DIFFERENCE.”

I LOVED IT! Thank you Jesus!

This was our 4^th worship service in the new location and it’s starting to feel like home. I think all our LifeSpring family likes the new location, too. Thank You Lord for providing such an AWESOME place to worship in.

We revealed this weekend that on April 25^th, rather than having a “Worship Service” we would be the church that “Serves others as our Worship”. We will be feeding over 300 police, firefighters, EMT, Sheriffs, & also low income families during our regular worship time. THIS IS SOMETHING RADICAL and I LOVE IT.

‘That’s Crazy’, or ‘That’s outside the box thinking’, is what some will say about us

… but for our LifeSpring Staff and leadership, when someone says “outside the box” type comments we just respond

BOX? WHAT BOX? WE DON'T SEE ANY BOX!!!!

May God keep us all blind to the Box that is trying to contain Jesus’ message of love and redemption!