“Overthrow Judgment. Liberate Love.”
This is the ‘motto’ for a website movement called “People of the Second Chance”, aka POTC (potsc.com)
Grace is unique – and when we see it in the ‘wild’, I think it is worth noting.
Just this morning I clicked a link to this video featuring a show that I’ve never seen (X-Factor) and an audition from singer Chris Rene that can best be summed up as a real-life grace-in-action instance.
Watch and see if you agree…
I had the privilege of joining in as a special guest of episode 124 of the Techology Show this morning. We chatted about numerous topics including the Missional Holiness Convention I attended last week in Allentown, the Pat Robertson Alzheimer’s statement, Octomom’s public statement of hatred towards her children, our dislike of the new Facebook home page, the Machine Gun Preacher movie, and even Angry Birds Halloween costumes.
The Techology Show is a weekly podcast that I attempt to make time for every Wednesday morning from 9-10AM as they live stream over at thetechologyshow.com!
A quality 5-minute film on the subject of not allowing love (or life) to pass you by – could be used as a sermon illustration. I’m filing this one away for future use for sure!
“Love Tap”:
Developed as original content for Walt Disney Pictures Short Films division.
Staring Will Bowles, Sara Rehnmark, and Lincoln Hoppe
Directed by Mike Goode
More info on the film’s IMDB.com page here.
Hat tip to Shane Sooter for pointing me towards this film!
I had a great conversation with a couple of ladies from our church this morning. We were brainstorming our upcoming Halloween alternative event and a few other things and I was explaining to them my response to the sometimes-asked question, “How does this type of event benefit our church?” Before I could even put into precise words my completed thought on how I will respond that question, one of them helped me along by referring to something that she had recently read that pitted the two ideas of “service” and “sale” against one another. It was exactly what I was talking about.
Our upcoming iLOVESHIP Halloween Alternative (Trunk-or-Treat) is all about SERVICE and not about the “SALE”. It will take hard work, volunteers, money, and the ever-dwindling commodity of time from numerous people. There will not be a pay-off afterwards (except maybe some leftover candy and hot chocolate..) By setting up our event in a parking lot of an area business, we’re not looking to bring a lot of attention to our church, we’re not looking to increase our attendance, it’s not a fundraiser. What it is is an opportunity to serve families in our community with a safe alternative to trick or treating. I can’t wait!
I don’t want to EVER be found guilty of “selling” Christianity. May it be said of me and any ministry I am a part of that we are ‘guilty’ of serving our community in Jesus’ name!
I am so thankful to be a part of a fellowship of Believers who are of like-mind and of one accord! (insert lame Christian-joke about a Honda here)
I am excited to continue dream up ways that the Shippensburg First Wesleyan Church can continue to LOVE GOD and LOVE PEOPLE without thinking, “what’s in it for us?”
What does your church do to serve your community without an earthly dividend? What about your family or you personally? I’d love to hear your responses – leave a comment!
In September, 2009 the leadership and congregation of the Shippensburg First Wesleyan Church made the decision to place 6+ acres of undeveloped land on the market for sale. For the past 24-months, this adjacent lot continued to stay on the market with the occasional interested potential buyer but no sale.
This past week, on Thursday, August 25th, I had the privilege of joining our treasurer, trustees, and a buyer at a local lawyer’s office for the official signing after the successful sale of the undeveloped lot.
I cannot begin to describe all of the God-things that took place before, during, and after this signing took place – to say that things came together in a miraculous-fashion is only a glimpse into how God truly orchestrated things and revealed Himself as our Provider in His perfect timing.
I was recently having a conversation with a friend who is also in the ministry and he acknowledged the fact that sometimes churches fail to celebrate the “little” things. Sure we have “mortgage burnings” and we show up in hoards for new construction and groundbreaking ceremonies. We celebrate New Life in Christ and I’ve always loved being a part of the shouting crowd as folks are brought up out of the waters of baptism. We should celebrate all of these things – and I’m glad we do.
But the truth is that many celebration-worthy events happen probably every week in the lives of our churches and sadly they are only revealed to a select group of leaders or acknowledged quickly as a “win” and we often move right along to the next order of business.
On the day of the signing this last week I brainstormed with my wife how in the world we could truly celebrate this event in the life of our church family. Her suggestion: Party Poppers. You know what they are – you can pick them up at the grocery store in the party section and they’re quite small and dare I say… lame? We both knew we could do better!
A quick stop at our local fireworks store netted us an arsenal of what I’ve been referring to as “commercial grade party poppers”. Some of these bad-boys shoot up-to 25-feet!
This morning at the close of our service I announced the God-provided sale of the property and a bit about how oftentimes we would be quick to give thanks and move on to the next order of business but that today we were going to CELEBRATE what God and His hand of Provision has done for our church!
The congregation gave a favorable response, I brought up our trustees and treasurer and we celebrated this seemingly “little thing” in a big way!
I did mention that I would be MORE THAN happy to do the cleanup after our celebration, so you can guess what one of my first tasks will be tomorrow morning!
What ‘little thing’ do YOU need to be celebrating in a big way?
