Saturday, May 07, 2011
Blessed.
Enjoying a great Saturday with my two awesome children at the playlpark in McDonalds. This is in stark contrast to my previous Saturday assisting tornado victims in Franklin county AL. The events of April 27th have gripped my heart in a powerful way. I cannot describe how blessed I feel sitting here at total ease. Several men and women from my church have gone back today to assist those affected by the tornados. This passed week I have heard unbelievable stories from victims and relatives of victims. I would have a hard time believing them too if i had not seen it with my own eyes. God has blessed me and the rest of the Colley dogs. I hope our compassion will never diminish for all those sweet families that are suffering.
Monday, March 01, 2010
Worship is Not an Event its a Lifestyle!
Event - an occurrence that is sharply localized at a single point in space and instance of time.
Lifestyle - the habits, attitudes, tastes, moral standards, economic level, etc. that together constitute the mode of living of an individual or group "Worship is not an event; it is a lifestyle" became my philosophy for ministry in early 2002. Long story short, the church I was serving was having difficulties, and my ministry was coming to an end there. Mandy's dad was diagnosed with pancreatitis and spent over 6 months in the hospital. The final straw was when I was diagnosed with testicular cancer. In these dark months, God placed a dear brother in my life. He told me that I would come through this like gold. I remember thinking, how arrogant of him to say that to me. I did not have the ability to see that God was refining my life. I continued to go to church but was miserable Sunday after Sunday. I did not obtain any satisfaction from the services. Even worse, God seemed to be silent. I shared all these things with Bro. Allen. I could not get hold of the circumstances. He replied with a life changing statement, "Worship is not an event; it's a lifestyle." The ax fell. I had been throwing the world's biggest pity party Monday through Saturday, and then I expected to go to "worship" and showers of blessings to fall. In my hour of discouragement, I had completely lost my focus. I'm thankful to say that now I have regained perspective. Now, I wish I could say that I am perfect and I walk in sunshine all week long and heaven comes down every day in my life. I can't say that, but now I live with the perspective that I do not have to wait till Sunday to get it all straightened out. I'm going to walk and talk with Jesus, and Sunday I'm going to celebrate what He has allowed me to experience all week long. Where are you when it comes to worship? Is Sunday the first and last time God crosses your mind? I hope it is simply the first day of seven you offer totally to Jesus. If you allow your happiness to depend on your happenings, you will spend life totally discontented. However, if you will recognize that every second of our existence is a gift and our circumstances are ultimately for our good, worshiping God will be your lifestyle.
Lifestyle - the habits, attitudes, tastes, moral standards, economic level, etc. that together constitute the mode of living of an individual or group "Worship is not an event; it is a lifestyle" became my philosophy for ministry in early 2002. Long story short, the church I was serving was having difficulties, and my ministry was coming to an end there. Mandy's dad was diagnosed with pancreatitis and spent over 6 months in the hospital. The final straw was when I was diagnosed with testicular cancer. In these dark months, God placed a dear brother in my life. He told me that I would come through this like gold. I remember thinking, how arrogant of him to say that to me. I did not have the ability to see that God was refining my life. I continued to go to church but was miserable Sunday after Sunday. I did not obtain any satisfaction from the services. Even worse, God seemed to be silent. I shared all these things with Bro. Allen. I could not get hold of the circumstances. He replied with a life changing statement, "Worship is not an event; it's a lifestyle." The ax fell. I had been throwing the world's biggest pity party Monday through Saturday, and then I expected to go to "worship" and showers of blessings to fall. In my hour of discouragement, I had completely lost my focus. I'm thankful to say that now I have regained perspective. Now, I wish I could say that I am perfect and I walk in sunshine all week long and heaven comes down every day in my life. I can't say that, but now I live with the perspective that I do not have to wait till Sunday to get it all straightened out. I'm going to walk and talk with Jesus, and Sunday I'm going to celebrate what He has allowed me to experience all week long. Where are you when it comes to worship? Is Sunday the first and last time God crosses your mind? I hope it is simply the first day of seven you offer totally to Jesus. If you allow your happiness to depend on your happenings, you will spend life totally discontented. However, if you will recognize that every second of our existence is a gift and our circumstances are ultimately for our good, worshiping God will be your lifestyle.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
A Baby Changes Everything
More than six months have passed since we began rehearsals for A Baby Changes Everything. It was a bold challenge for the UBC choir and drama team, but this past weekend has proved it was more than worth it. I thrills me so much to say once again what a blessing it is to serve at such an outstanding church. It was a true miracle to watch this production unfold. The faithful saints at UBC are so well equipt. God has placed the perfect cast of people to accomplish His work and will at Underwood.
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