Aug 2008
Observations from a Dolphins Game…
Monday 08/25/2008
The other
night I was greatly blessed to have the privilege of
going to the Dolphins game against the Chefs – err
the Chiefs. As I watched the crowd in attendance I
noticed a few things that I think are great learning
points for us as a church.
First… we cheer for the accomplishments of others and grieve for the failures of those same. Wouldn’t it be great for us as a church if we were each other’s greatest cheerleaders encouraging one another on to do great things for God? And wouldn’t it be awesome for us to gather around one another and console each other and pick each other up after a “bad play?” (Romans 12:15)
Second… size and talent only get you so far; passion and zeal take you over the top. It’s not the biggest and best that always win. Sometimes a genuine love and passion for the game – for the church – for others – can be the biggest asset in seeing success. By the way, for whatever it’s worth, it’s also those guys who aren’t the best but play with reckless abandon that the fans love the most!
Third… everybody has a different role. Not everyone can be the quarterback. Not everyone can be the nose tackle. Some jobs are more highlighted than others, but all are equally important. We all have a role to play, but we just need to find that role and become the best that we can for God’s glory.
Fourth… there are no strangers in the stands. (There might be some strange people, but no strangers.) Ever notice how at a football game, total strangers (with totally different views) can become united, high five each other, and maybe even hug in unity over a common purpose – seeing their team win! We as a church all come from different backgrounds and points of view, but is their anything more worthy of being unified than the Kingdom of God?
Finally… the Dolphins will win more than one game. I know this really isn’t church related, but it’s an observation from the game nonetheless. Go Fins!
See you Sunday!
First… we cheer for the accomplishments of others and grieve for the failures of those same. Wouldn’t it be great for us as a church if we were each other’s greatest cheerleaders encouraging one another on to do great things for God? And wouldn’t it be awesome for us to gather around one another and console each other and pick each other up after a “bad play?” (Romans 12:15)
Second… size and talent only get you so far; passion and zeal take you over the top. It’s not the biggest and best that always win. Sometimes a genuine love and passion for the game – for the church – for others – can be the biggest asset in seeing success. By the way, for whatever it’s worth, it’s also those guys who aren’t the best but play with reckless abandon that the fans love the most!
Third… everybody has a different role. Not everyone can be the quarterback. Not everyone can be the nose tackle. Some jobs are more highlighted than others, but all are equally important. We all have a role to play, but we just need to find that role and become the best that we can for God’s glory.
Fourth… there are no strangers in the stands. (There might be some strange people, but no strangers.) Ever notice how at a football game, total strangers (with totally different views) can become united, high five each other, and maybe even hug in unity over a common purpose – seeing their team win! We as a church all come from different backgrounds and points of view, but is their anything more worthy of being unified than the Kingdom of God?
Finally… the Dolphins will win more than one game. I know this really isn’t church related, but it’s an observation from the game nonetheless. Go Fins!
See you Sunday!
Greatness
Monday 08/18/2008
As I
watch the Olympic Games I am amazed by the athletes
that compete. The time, energy, and effort they put
into their sport is mind-boggling. For many, just
competing and representing their country is enough,
but then others seemingly redefine “greatness”.
I think of Michael Phelps – 8 GOLD MEDALS and 7 world records!! Seriously?! I think of Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor who have won 106 consecutive beach volleyball matches. I think of Usain Bolt, the Jamaican runner who won the gold and set the world record in the 100m all while posing for photographers and pounding his chest before ever crossing the finish line.
There is no doubt that these all fall in the category of greatness.
But how do we – as Christ followers – define greatness. Or better yet, how does the Lord define greatness?
Is there a spiritual Olympics in which we unknowingly compete for gold, silver, or bronze? Do we seek to be great for the sake of being great? What do we live our lives for that would have others see greatness?
Paul admonishes us to run the race (Acts and 1 Corinthians). But what makes us great?
What makes us great as individuals? Great as a church? Great as a leader, parent, friend?
How would God define greatness?
I dare not put words or thoughts into God’s mind (like I could anyway) but I wonder – just wonder – that if God’s definition of greatness is this…
“Well done good and faithful servant…” (Matthew 25:21)
For me… that’s greatness.
I think of Michael Phelps – 8 GOLD MEDALS and 7 world records!! Seriously?! I think of Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor who have won 106 consecutive beach volleyball matches. I think of Usain Bolt, the Jamaican runner who won the gold and set the world record in the 100m all while posing for photographers and pounding his chest before ever crossing the finish line.
There is no doubt that these all fall in the category of greatness.
But how do we – as Christ followers – define greatness. Or better yet, how does the Lord define greatness?
Is there a spiritual Olympics in which we unknowingly compete for gold, silver, or bronze? Do we seek to be great for the sake of being great? What do we live our lives for that would have others see greatness?
Paul admonishes us to run the race (Acts and 1 Corinthians). But what makes us great?
What makes us great as individuals? Great as a church? Great as a leader, parent, friend?
How would God define greatness?
I dare not put words or thoughts into God’s mind (like I could anyway) but I wonder – just wonder – that if God’s definition of greatness is this…
“Well done good and faithful servant…” (Matthew 25:21)
For me… that’s greatness.
Soli Deo Gloria
Monday 08/11/2008
Paul
teaches us in the New Testament to boast in nothing
but Christ, so today I want to take some time to brag
on God.
This Summer was a great expression of God moving in our church family. Below are some of the highlights from the past two months or so.
Sundays
Wednesday Nights
VBS
Missions
Leadership Summit
“Soli Deo Gloria” is Latin for “TO THE GLORY OF GOD ALONE.” The phrase was used by the Reformers as they broke from tradition – doing new things to reach new people – all for the glory of God.
It’s been a great Summer. That leaves us with two things to do. First, take time to praise God and give Him the glory for the great things He has done. And second, get ready for more great things in the days ahead (but we’ll have more on that later.)
For now, let’s just say “Soli Deo Gloria”!
This Summer was a great expression of God moving in our church family. Below are some of the highlights from the past two months or so.
Sundays
- We’ve seen dozens of people ministered to during our times of invitation
- We heard from two young pastors that God is shaping in their ministries
- Youth Sunday was a great time for our church family to see God working in and through our students
Wednesday Nights
- Over 100 people attended our first ever Heritage Night
- The following week, over 100 people again came to our Bowling Night
- The last week of July, over 200 people gathered at John Prince Park for a night of fellowship
VBS
- Over 100 kids came each day to Outrigger Island
- Nearly two-thirds were not from our church
- We saw a handful of kids trust Christ as Savior
Missions
- Community Ministries is ministering to nearly 200 people every Thursday
- 29 Students and Adults went to New Orleans to minister to others
Leadership Summit
- Over sixty people attended our day long Leadership Summit
- We were challenged to take ownership of our situation, do whatever it takes, and get out of the boat
“Soli Deo Gloria” is Latin for “TO THE GLORY OF GOD ALONE.” The phrase was used by the Reformers as they broke from tradition – doing new things to reach new people – all for the glory of God.
It’s been a great Summer. That leaves us with two things to do. First, take time to praise God and give Him the glory for the great things He has done. And second, get ready for more great things in the days ahead (but we’ll have more on that later.)
For now, let’s just say “Soli Deo Gloria”!
