What are my dead zones?
My cell phone will rarely work inside the church office. If I stand outside the signal is fine, but when I go inside a block building signal bars disappear quicker than the last M&M. When I am in some places reception is poor at best. Needless to say this is annoying for the person who is trying to contact me and may have heard me say "Hello" and nothing else.
This morning I'm wondering if I have dead zones with the Lord. Do I have places that my spirit resides or visits that make it impossible for Him to speak to me?
I walk in the office of fear and He tries to call me to boldness, but I can't seem to hear what is spoken to my soul.
I shop in the aisles of compromise and there are so many voices coming over the intercom that my God signal is broken.
I hang out in the hills of bitterness and the signal is weak enough that I am unable to hear the call to healing and wholeness.
I get inside the elevator of choices and push the button that takes me to the basement where I know God's voice will not be, but habit holds me tightly to the place where I know about God – even if I refuse to listen to Him.
The problem isn't a faulty design or a weak signal, the problem is that I spend so much time in the places where I know ignoring God's voice will be the result.
For this to be the Greatest Summer Ever in my spiritual life I must hear from the Lord. I must refuse to be places where I know the "reception is bad." You were designed to hear from your Creator – listen.
What's God telling you?
Avoiding Dead Zones,
Pastor Dave
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Friday, July 10, 2009
I asked. He pointed. I learned.
This week I asked Jesus a question. It's one that I have asked him before – you probably have too. He answered my question without saying a word. He just pointed.
He didn't point to all the work that went into a Vacation Bible School, all the sets (that were great), crafts (that were very cool), games (that looked like they were a blast). He didn't point to the high attendance each night (which was a blessing), or the snacks that were provided (I heard they were both fun and good). He didn't make sure I looked at the gigantic number of volunteers it took to pull this week off (each of which I am proud of and very grateful, Scott and Emma had a super team!)
I asked him my question again and he pointed to the child that hurried to catch up to a team leader so he could hold his team leader's hand as they walked from one station to the next.
He pointed to worship that was with abandon and sincere energy.
He pointed to open ears that eagerly drank in the message of the Bible that was given in various forms.
He pointed to children who didn't complain when things weren't as planned or on schedule.
He pointed to adults and young adults not expecting children to act like them – but taking the role of living the energy and enthusiasm of a child.
He pointed to laugher over the silly things, because it's fun to laugh.
He pointed to celebration when children placed their faith in Him.
He pointed to building friendships and people overlooking differences.
He pointed to freedom wrapped inside a little body that was sometimes clumsy, a little rowdy, and overflowing with potential.
I asked Jesus again what he meant when he said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." (Matthew 19:14)
I asked him what he meant when he said, "Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me." (Mark 9:37)
I asked him what he meant when he said, "I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." (Luke 18:17)
I asked. He pointed. I learned.
Proud of the Church I Attend, the Servanthood I've Seen, and the Savior I Serve –
Pastor Dave
He didn't point to all the work that went into a Vacation Bible School, all the sets (that were great), crafts (that were very cool), games (that looked like they were a blast). He didn't point to the high attendance each night (which was a blessing), or the snacks that were provided (I heard they were both fun and good). He didn't make sure I looked at the gigantic number of volunteers it took to pull this week off (each of which I am proud of and very grateful, Scott and Emma had a super team!)
I asked him my question again and he pointed to the child that hurried to catch up to a team leader so he could hold his team leader's hand as they walked from one station to the next.
He pointed to worship that was with abandon and sincere energy.
He pointed to open ears that eagerly drank in the message of the Bible that was given in various forms.
He pointed to children who didn't complain when things weren't as planned or on schedule.
He pointed to adults and young adults not expecting children to act like them – but taking the role of living the energy and enthusiasm of a child.
He pointed to laugher over the silly things, because it's fun to laugh.
He pointed to celebration when children placed their faith in Him.
He pointed to building friendships and people overlooking differences.
He pointed to freedom wrapped inside a little body that was sometimes clumsy, a little rowdy, and overflowing with potential.
I asked Jesus again what he meant when he said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." (Matthew 19:14)
I asked him what he meant when he said, "Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me." (Mark 9:37)
I asked him what he meant when he said, "I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." (Luke 18:17)
I asked. He pointed. I learned.
Proud of the Church I Attend, the Servanthood I've Seen, and the Savior I Serve –
Pastor Dave
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