This morning I found a note taped to my front door from the yard police in my neighborhood. Although it was addressed to me personally, I don't think it was to just me. It had been up there for 4 days 'cause I rarely use my front door.
It was from one of the ladies on the board of the homeowners association. She has been spending her money on Round-Up and her time digging up the grass in the cracks and along the curb. She told me that now that it is cleaned up I need to keep it that way. I should not leave any clippings or dirt by the curb because that promotes weed/grass growth in unwanted places. I did actually spray round-up about 6 weeks ago on all the cracks and crevices in my driveway and the sidewalk. I just didn't think to do the street.
The reason I don't think this was for just me is because there are several of us who don't cut our grass every week or spray the weeds as soon as they come up. I saw the weed killer lady working on the sidewalk across the street from me about 7 AM a week or so ago. And I saw the lady who lives across the street sweeping the street and getting up the dirt a day or two ago. Although she sweeps her driveway every couple of days, I've not seen her do that before. I'm not sure anyone cares quite as much as those on the board. Every time I get minutes of the quarterly meetings, the only people in attendance are the same 3 or 4 people out of the 76 homes in the neighborhood. I've been here almost 3 years and no one new has come on the board.
I understand that it is important for home values and safety to keep the neighborhood looking well groomed and sidewalks free of trip hazards. And I admit my yard very rarely looks well groomed - the grass gets cut but that is about it. I am trying to make myself care about it but I just can't seem to do it. There are so many more things in life that I care about and prefer to give my time to.
I probably should not have bought this property because I really am not a good owner. Maybe if the economy makes a rebound, I'll put it on the market and see if I can sell it and go back to renting and letting someone else take care of everything.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
The End Times
Perry is starting a new series on September 27 about the end times. I am so excited to hear what he will say. I have been through a year long study of The Revelation to John and find it most fascinating. Perry is doing a 5 part series and preaching on the entire book of Revelation in one sermon. That ought to be a whirlwind trip. Maybe I find it fascinating because I have been a sci-fi fan for many years and some of the revelations seem to be so strange as to be almost incomprehensible, almost science fiction in nature.
In the Old Testament there are prophecies in Isaiah, Daniel and Joel, maybe others. In the New Testament there is Matthew 24, 1 Thessalonians 2, and of course Revelation. Ever since Jesus ascended into heaven we have been in the end times awaiting His return. And although Jesus clearly says no one knows the time except the Father, people in every generation speculate is it now.
Having just recently read Daniel and Joel has peaked my interest so it's not really a sci-fi connection. It is more my desire not to taste death but to meet Jesus in the air; to be changed in the twinkling of an eye; to be on earth to hear the trumpet and see Him descend from Heaven. Of course watching it from the other side, from Heaven, has it's on special moments...seeing the Lamb come forward to take the scroll; seeing preparation for the battle of Armeggedon; already being in the presence of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!
All I can say to that is "Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!"
In the Old Testament there are prophecies in Isaiah, Daniel and Joel, maybe others. In the New Testament there is Matthew 24, 1 Thessalonians 2, and of course Revelation. Ever since Jesus ascended into heaven we have been in the end times awaiting His return. And although Jesus clearly says no one knows the time except the Father, people in every generation speculate is it now.
Having just recently read Daniel and Joel has peaked my interest so it's not really a sci-fi connection. It is more my desire not to taste death but to meet Jesus in the air; to be changed in the twinkling of an eye; to be on earth to hear the trumpet and see Him descend from Heaven. Of course watching it from the other side, from Heaven, has it's on special moments...seeing the Lamb come forward to take the scroll; seeing preparation for the battle of Armeggedon; already being in the presence of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!
All I can say to that is "Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!"
Amos
When I read the prophets and their words from God, I get tired of hearing of all the disaster God is going to bring. But God's judgment is real and there will come a time when I will stand before the throne of Almighty God and His son Jesus and the books of my life will be opened and read. Will I hear well done?
But in the days of Amos, God goes down the list of those that will face his judgment. God names a people or city and says "because they...so I will..." He lists several who have handed people over to Edom, Edom because they took the people and Moab for killing the king of Edom. Edom is under judgment but so is the guy who attacks Edom.
One of the things I notice through out the prophets is that God is very specific about the judgment that will come and why it will come. God is not random in His actions. I have heard people say a loving God would not send "good" people to hell. But God has been very specific - My Son is the only way to Me so if you don't accept Him, I will not accept you. John 14:6, 2 Timothy 2:12
It's very tragic to think that there are people who have no concept of an eternity without God. As evil and perverse as our world is, the Holy Spirit is at work holding back and counteracting so much of the evil. An eternity spent pursuing the emptiness of the lusts of the eyes and the flesh would be bad enough but add in Jesus' description of the lake of fire and darkness and it becomes horrible.
Help me, Lord, to share this truth with those I love, to help people on their journey to know You.
But in the days of Amos, God goes down the list of those that will face his judgment. God names a people or city and says "because they...so I will..." He lists several who have handed people over to Edom, Edom because they took the people and Moab for killing the king of Edom. Edom is under judgment but so is the guy who attacks Edom.
One of the things I notice through out the prophets is that God is very specific about the judgment that will come and why it will come. God is not random in His actions. I have heard people say a loving God would not send "good" people to hell. But God has been very specific - My Son is the only way to Me so if you don't accept Him, I will not accept you. John 14:6, 2 Timothy 2:12
It's very tragic to think that there are people who have no concept of an eternity without God. As evil and perverse as our world is, the Holy Spirit is at work holding back and counteracting so much of the evil. An eternity spent pursuing the emptiness of the lusts of the eyes and the flesh would be bad enough but add in Jesus' description of the lake of fire and darkness and it becomes horrible.
Help me, Lord, to share this truth with those I love, to help people on their journey to know You.
Rend Your Hearts
In Joel 2:12-13 God is telling the people of Judah and Israel to return to Him in repentance and He will relent from bringing disaster on the people.
The people would often tear their clothes in anger or dismay over wrongs but God did not want this outward appearance of repentance. He wanted their hearts. "Return to Me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning, and rend your hearts not your garments."
God is always after my heart. Who ever or what ever controls my heart is what I worship. God wants it to be Him and Him only. I should want it to be Him only because He is the only one who can satisfy all the deepest longings of my heart and because "He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love." In verse 32 God tells us "And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." That a WooHoo if I ever heard one.
There have been times in my life when I have worshiped people or my stuff or my reputation or my ambition but that never works. It always ends with a feeling of emptiness, an is this all there is feeling. Only God can sustain me and fill all the needs of my life.
The people would often tear their clothes in anger or dismay over wrongs but God did not want this outward appearance of repentance. He wanted their hearts. "Return to Me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning, and rend your hearts not your garments."
God is always after my heart. Who ever or what ever controls my heart is what I worship. God wants it to be Him and Him only. I should want it to be Him only because He is the only one who can satisfy all the deepest longings of my heart and because "He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love." In verse 32 God tells us "And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." That a WooHoo if I ever heard one.
There have been times in my life when I have worshiped people or my stuff or my reputation or my ambition but that never works. It always ends with a feeling of emptiness, an is this all there is feeling. Only God can sustain me and fill all the needs of my life.
Monday, September 14, 2009
God's Plan
I was watching Louie Giglio earlier on a live stream from the Passion Conference. He was speaking to college students but he spoke God's word directly into my heart.
He was speaking from Ephesians 1 about the riches and power and wisdom and revelation that God longs to give to me. Not so I can brag about all this stuff; not even to share it with others but so that I can know more about God.
I have the same power in me from the Holy Spirit that raised Christ from the dead. This same Spirit wants to give me wisdom and revelation about God so that I can know God. God created me individually and knows me by name. God has a plan for me, even if I don't know what it is.
Even though I know this I really needed to hear it tonight. Especially the story he shared about Hannah who is a young woman serving in an African country, backpacking alone to share the gospel with people who have never heard of Jesus. She replied to Louie's blog that she would be watching the Passion conference and mentioned where she served. He replied that he wanted everyone to pray for her. Then, bam, her mother died unexpectedly and she is now on her way home for the funeral.
Louie said he doesn't presume to know why things happen when or how they do, but his and Hannah's lives intersected when they did because God knew she would need the 6,000-10,000 people watching to be praying for her. That just overwhelmed me with God's love and faithfulness and provision for my needs. He is always on my side!!
He was speaking from Ephesians 1 about the riches and power and wisdom and revelation that God longs to give to me. Not so I can brag about all this stuff; not even to share it with others but so that I can know more about God.
I have the same power in me from the Holy Spirit that raised Christ from the dead. This same Spirit wants to give me wisdom and revelation about God so that I can know God. God created me individually and knows me by name. God has a plan for me, even if I don't know what it is.
Even though I know this I really needed to hear it tonight. Especially the story he shared about Hannah who is a young woman serving in an African country, backpacking alone to share the gospel with people who have never heard of Jesus. She replied to Louie's blog that she would be watching the Passion conference and mentioned where she served. He replied that he wanted everyone to pray for her. Then, bam, her mother died unexpectedly and she is now on her way home for the funeral.
Louie said he doesn't presume to know why things happen when or how they do, but his and Hannah's lives intersected when they did because God knew she would need the 6,000-10,000 people watching to be praying for her. That just overwhelmed me with God's love and faithfulness and provision for my needs. He is always on my side!!
Rain Righteousness upon You
Hosea 10:12 (English Standard Version)
12 Sow for yourselves righteousness;reap steadfast love;
break up your fallow ground,
for it is the time to seek the LORD,
that he may come and rain righteousness upon you.
I read this scripture several days ago but all that happened at NewSpring over the weekend had me reading it again. God brought 276 people into His kingdom...the fallow ground of their hearts was broken and they sought the Lord in repentance and God rained righteousness upon them. Also 906 people took their next step with Jesus by being baptized by immersion.
What really amazes me is that so many of the people being baptized were "spur of the moment" decisions. The baptism was planned and many had already signed up but large numbers were people saying yes to Jesus right then, on Sunday. I love being part of a church that expects God to do HUGE things and prepares for it.
Our church provided towels, shorts, t-shirts, underwear, sports bras and feminine hygene products for anyone who wanted to be baptized. Perry preached about recognizing and submitting to Jesus. He talked about the infant baptism. He talked about the need to be baptized after salvation. He talked about baptism being the next step after salvation. He challenged people to do it "right now" and they did. One guy was watching online; knew he needed to be baptized; drove to the Anderson campus and got dunked.
It really makes me think, though, about people I DON'T ask to church for whatever reason. I am not giving them an opportunity to "break up the fallow ground." I have the responsibility to ask, God has the responsibility to save.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
God is SOOO Amazing
God just keeps blowing my mind with what He is doing in, around, through, with NewSpring Church.
Today, Sunday, September 13, 2009 saw the first unofficial services at NewSpring Columbia. The actual launch date is September 27. Even though they are not officially open, there were 132 people in attendance and 6 people took their next step with Jesus by being baptized.
NewSpring, Greeville had approximately 140 people declare publicly they are Christ followers by being baptized.
All campuses together (with 2 services still to go in Anderson) have seen 185 salvations and 649 baptized today. Brad Cooper saw a woman in Anderson get baptized with a house arrest anklet on! Today we have seen college students, kids, high school students, married couples, brothers and sisters, young & old, white, black, Hispanic go public with their faith in Jesus. Anyone who does not believe God is still active in the lives of people through HIS church are missing something big!!
All I can say is THANK YOU, JESUS for letting me be part of this!
Today, Sunday, September 13, 2009 saw the first unofficial services at NewSpring Columbia. The actual launch date is September 27. Even though they are not officially open, there were 132 people in attendance and 6 people took their next step with Jesus by being baptized.
NewSpring, Greeville had approximately 140 people declare publicly they are Christ followers by being baptized.
All campuses together (with 2 services still to go in Anderson) have seen 185 salvations and 649 baptized today. Brad Cooper saw a woman in Anderson get baptized with a house arrest anklet on! Today we have seen college students, kids, high school students, married couples, brothers and sisters, young & old, white, black, Hispanic go public with their faith in Jesus. Anyone who does not believe God is still active in the lives of people through HIS church are missing something big!!
All I can say is THANK YOU, JESUS for letting me be part of this!
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