DPCHURCH
Celebrate. Connect. Contribute.Not super nor natural…
Francis Chan wrote: “Isn’t it the same Holy Spirit that’s supposed to be available to us today? Why is it so different? I heard one person say the church nowadays is neither super nor natural.” Ouch.
It should be amazing and encouraging that we have the Holy Spirit of God dwelling inside of each of us. The Spirit, as God, with the same knowledge, wisdom, and power living in you and me… The Spirit, promised by Jesus ( John 16:7-11), serves by being Counselor, Advocate, Helper. So why do so many of us live lives of fear and struggle? Why isn’t the church living in the power of the Spirit, rather than in the “power” of their own flesh?
Pray that the Holy Spirit would lead Dardenne Prairie Church (or the church you are part of) to become all that He intends it to be. Let’s let the Spirit take the lead instead of us taking control. Spend some time on these passages this week. Ask God to fulfill them through you and the church.
13For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. 14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.
Romans 8:13-14 (NIV)
6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:6-7 (NIV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
Galatians 5:22-26 (NIV)
Reflecting On The Tragedy In Arizona
First, my heart goes out to all of the families who have had their lives forcibly changed by the horror of one man’s action. I pray that Christians throughout Tuscon will rise up and become instruments of peace and that their churches will be houses of healing. Further, my heart goes out to the gunman, Jared Loughner. He obviously had no accountability, which means he had no true friends. I can think of nothing more sad than to walk through life without a friend.
Yesterday at Dardenne Prairie Church we talked about our responsibility to the people God has supernaturally and strategically placed in our lives. We have been “commissioned” (Colossians 1:25) to be good stewards of those relationships. I would suggest that this kid had no one close enough to challenge his beliefs, attitudes, and actions.
One of the reasons DPChurch lives out her mission through Connect Groups is to provide us with the opportunity have others speak directly into our life about our attitudes and actions. It requires permission which is granted through relationship. Make your Connect Group a priority this year. Our group members need us as much as we need them. We need accountability and the discipline that comes from being real with one another.
I am not suggesting that a DPChurch Connect Group would have disarmed Loughner in his current state. I am suggesting that a CG may have kept him from getting that disconnected from right and wrong. The schemes of Satan are powerful, which is why we need to be constantly surrounded by other Christ Followers. Loughner’s eyes were blinded and his heart hardened by Satan (Ephesians 4). His only hope was (and still is) Jesus Christ. The same is true for you and me.
Hope For 2011
It’s been a while since I’ve had time to share. One of my resolutions this year is to be consistent with this blog, so here goes.
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We are in a new series at Dardenne Prairie Church called Finding Hope in the Middle of Winter. As I reflected on 2010, it was obvious that many of us found ourselves living out Plan B. Rather than the path and plan we thought we should be on, we are on a different course. It’s a lot like the winter storm that hit the east coast last week. It left the roads covered with 20 inches of snow and people struggling to find their way.
Psalm 29:11 says “The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.” This year, my prayer for you is that you receive his strength and peace. When you feel abandoned or lost, keep looking for him. We’re called to be faithful even when it seems he hasn’t been faithful to us. Of course, we find out that he has been there all along.
In the midst of the winter you may be facing, keep worshipping. As I shared in my message a couple of weeks ago, any relationship minus time, eventually will result in the death of that relationship. If you are searching, feeling abandoned, or lost, you need to spend even more time with God. It’s the only way you’ll be able to hear his voice and know what he wants for your life. Spend time with him. Then you can know his peace in your life. May God pour his grace and peace upon you and your family in 2011.
It’s harvest time…
It’ s 9:15pm on Monday night. I was just reflecting on yesterday’s message and praying about Dardenne Prairie Church. It occurred to me that I have been leaving out something critical every week…
Since January you have heard me conclude every service by saying, “Look around and notice who’s missing. Check in on each other. Take care of one another. Make some calls.”
I have been convicted by the Holy Spirit that I have been doing you, our church, our community, and God a disservice. The Spirit has moved me that I have been leaving out something that is critical to us really being and doing what Jesus intends for us as Christ followers. I should be saying the following:
“Look around and notice who’s missing. Check in on each other. Take care of one another. Make some calls. And recognize that among those who are missing are the people you know who need Christ. It is each of our responsibility to say something to them about our relationship with Christ and invite them into a relationship with Him, as well.”
I had been reading Romans 10 earlier this evening. I think this why, in my prayer, God convicted me to write you.
Romans 10:5- 15 (NIV)
5Moses describes in this way the righteousness that is by the law: “The man who does these things will live by them.” 6But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) 7“or ‘Who will descend into the deep?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: 9That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” 12For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
14How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
You and I have been sent by God to preach/proclaim the Good News to Dardenne Prairie, OFallon, and St Charles County! They will not hear unless we speak.
As you read this, know that I am praying what Jesus called us to pray in Matthew 9.
Matthew 9:35-38 (NIV)
35Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
May God pour his anointing on each us this week as we, like Christ, recognize our friends are “harassed and helpless” and need the healing power and saving grace of Jesus Christ. Our community can and will be transformed.
The Discipline of Listening
We will be starting a new series in August on evangelism. I believe this is a lost discipline in the church today. We like to talk about, and even practice, the disciplines of silence, meditation, fasting, and the like. But I think we’ve failed to recognize evangelism as a discipline that believers must practice. We’d rather consider it a task at worse, or a spiritual gift that some possess at best.
But I don’t see any wiggle room with this one. we should all be evangelistic and practice evangelism. So, for the next several weeks, during this series, I am going to post some thoughts to help us practice the discipline of evangelism.
I think it starts with listening. If you don’t practice this discipline, you’ll struggle with more than just evangelism. Listening to God through his Word, the Holy Spirit, and through Jesus Incarnate – the church (or other believers, if you will). We need to hear what God would have us do and be when it comes to evangelism. But we also need the discipline of listening in order to hear those whom we desire to share Jesus with, otherwise we will be salesmen trying to close a deal. That would make the act of evangelism all about us, rather than about Christ transforming a life.
More on listening next week. In the meantime, talk to God and then shut up for a while. He may be trying to say something very significant.
Camp Genesis 2010
In OKC on the campus of Oklahoma Christian University with some of teens getting ready to experience all that Camp Genesis 2010 has to offer!
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We came in early so the kids wouldn’t road weary during the opening night of camp (tonight – we go from saturday to Thursday, allowing groups to only have to miss one Sunday if travelling long distances).
So after sleeping in at the Crowne Plaza (we got two rooms for less than the cost of one! Thanks Priceline Negotiator), we are headed to grab some grub, see Shrek Forever After in IMAX 3D, and then spend sometime reflecting at the OKC Bombing Memorial.
Camp Genesis begins at 7:00 tonight and promises to be one of the best years in her 20 plus year history. I’ll be sure and grab pics of the kids in action this week and post regularly so you can keep up with them.
The Coolest Kidz Ever!
You have to check out these kidz! God has been good to DPChurch!
Wondering Why: Reflecting On Suicide
I found myself once again standing beside a family faced with life not turning out the way they expected it would. This is one of the great privileges of ministry. Walking alongside of people as they face darkness.
This week the former boyfriend of one of our college students (he broke up with her two months ago) took his life in his dorm. He was laid to rest yesterday. His funeral and the previous night’s visitation were attended by hundreds of teens and young adults all asking the same question – why? Why did this happen to such an amiable, intelligent, athletic, and Christ-like 19 year old? Why didn’t we see the signs? Why didn’t he reach out to me, or you, or someone else? Why?
It’s a natural question. But often, I have found, what we are really asking is, “Why did they do this to me?” Ultimately, what we need to realize is that he did what he did to end his pain, not to cause you pain. It was his choice. You did not cause this.
At a time of crisis, an explanation may be helpful, but it is not enough. We need someone to set the brokenness of our hearts so it can begin to heal, much like a doctor sets a broken bone. I believe, with all my heart, that only Jesus can do that. Our search for explanations is really a search for comfort. Jesus and the community of Christ, the church, are where you will find that comfort.
With a suicide, explanations are nearly impossible to obtain. So, what’s next for us who are left behind? I liken our next steps to the next steps that Joshua and the Children of Israel faced when crossing the Jordan River to enter the promised land. God told them to place a foot in the water and then the waters would heap up and they could cross over (Joshua 3:12-13).
They had to take a risk. They had to take a step of faith and trust that what God promised would come true. When they put a foot into the water God did what he said he’d do. In order for the Israelites to enjoy the blessings God desires to give them, they have to get across the Jordan. So do you. God promised the Israelites that he would make a way for them, that his power would be sufficient. And it was. And it will be for you, as well.
So, as you stand at your Jordan and face the floodwaters, know that God will deliver you. But if you want to see his power, you have to take a risk and trust him. Don’t miss out on the life God wants for you. Take the step and place your faith and trust in him. The illusion that cripples so many is that we can control life. Surrendering to God is truly the only way for you to have control of anything. Take the step of faith. God can’t wait to give you life!
Lead Yourself
I have been doing some reflecting with some friends about leading and following. One of the concepts that emerged was the need for more self leadership. We need to take more responsibility to lead ourselves. The amount of rest, learning, discipline, activity, and engagement we need are ultimately up to us. Really, who else knows what we need spiritually, physically, or emotionally better than we do?
We concluded that we live lives led by schedules, commitments, and other’s agendas more often than not. We have decided together to lead ourselves from this point on. We’re planning to meet again and discuss a couple of things to help with this. 1) Create a list of things we believe to priorities – God, marriage, family, health, etc. 2) Cut commitments from our schedules that, in and of themselves, may or may not be bad, but may not be necessary and that could be hindering us from addressing our priorities. 3) Take a day off each week. This includes ignoring the phone and email. 4) Be ok with disappointing other people. In other words, we will not allow commitments nor other’s agendas to dictate our lives.
So, for me it means a few things. 1) More time in prayer and meditation. 2) More time focused on my wife, not just being home when she is. 3) More time at Gold’s Gym. 4) Go at least one day each week without opening my laptop, texting tweets, or even watching TV.
I have learned that people are what matter most in life, but that often I have nothing to offer them because I am always trying to offer them something. So, I am committed to leading myself, and in turn, I will be better able to serve God and others.
Try this. Take an inventory of your life and examine what you need cut out and what you need to include. How well are you leading yourself?
The Gospel – New Message Series
We’re starting a new series next week on Easter Sunday. We’ll be focusing on The Gospel. The Good News. We invite you to Dardenne Prairie
Join us at DPChurch
Church to hear The Gospel, the amazing truth of who Jesus Christ is, why that matters, and how He can change your life.
Messages In This Series
April 4 Highway To Hell
April 11 Seriously?
April 18 I’m Sure
April 25 Stand or Fall
May 2 Extravagance
