one night results
Total attendance from One Night 2482 people. 725 first time guests. 739 salvations.
It's unbelievable when God comes through!
Will all be at Seven next week or in homegroup Sunday night? Probably not. But that's ok. They heard a clear presentation of Christ, and God will continue to work in their hearts and prepare them for giving their lives to Christ. Labels: seven
in a pit with a lion..
I'm really excited about getting a copy of this book. I have read the first chapter and it is a must read.
Book Description
Your greatest regret at the end of your life will be the lions you didn't chase. You will regret the risks not taken, the opportunities not seized, and the dreams not pursued. Stopping running away from what scares you most and start chasing the God-ordained opportunities that cross your path.
In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day is inspired by one of the most obscure yet courageous acts recorded in Scripture (II Samuel 23:20-21): Benaiah chased a lion down into a pit. Then, despite the snow and slippery ground, he caught the lion and killed it.
Unleash the lion chaser within!
Labels: christianity, personal
making jesus cool
This is a pretty powerful quote, especially in our American church context where image is everything.
"The church has bought into this idea that if we make Jesus look cool, we win. But we're really trying to make ourselves look cool, not Jesus. We certainly need to repent of that."
-Donald Miller, author of Blue Like Jazz
Labels: christianity, leadership
death
I had a former student who is away at college text me a couple of days ago to tell me his girlfriend had died the night before.
My heart sank for him.
We've been talking the past couple of days trying to work through things but I know it's tough for him at school all by himself. I'm really trying to get him some assistance locally so he can process everything naturally. God's doing a lot in him though and showing this guy how real he really is.
Death is hard to handle and for believers should bring us closer to God. We realize how uncertain our life is and how much we need to make every opportunity count because life is short and we only have one life to make an impact.
When events happen like this, I really believe that it's only in the family of God that people can draw strength. Genuine, Christ-like community happens during these times, and we can find God through others. I'm not able to always handle everything myself (at times I wish I could though). But I know God built me and you to live together with people, our lives and faith intertwined so that in all things we can find the great I Am.
Labels: christianity, theology
myspace
I finally converted from "I don't need a myspace" to "Hello myspace."
I can't be left behind on what's going on in the world.
Labels: personal
dr. stanley horton
In my Church Doctrine class today, we had Dr. Stanley Horton as our guest. He did a full hour's worth of Q&A with our class.
Dr. Horton is a renowned Pentecostal scholar, who has helped Assemblies of God theology tremendously. He has written numerous textbooks that I have used in my undergrad work here at SAGU.
I'll try and post some notes later.
Labels: assemblies of god, sagu, theology
hogs win a close one
Mitch Mustain looked like a freshman. We gave up every third and long possible. And we missed a critical extra point.
It was such a relief to get a win against a top 25 team though.
24-23 in 2OT over Alabama.
Hogs win. Labels: personal
one night
Seven's biggest event of the year.
The goal is 3000 students so that they might know God.
It's going to be off the Richter Scale!
One Night
Labels: seven
leaders need to lead
This isn't just a vent post, it really is something from my heart that while it does frustrate me, it also disturbs me.
A common misconception of becoming a leader is that "I have reached a point." The problem with this mindset is that if I have reached a level or a certain point then that means I am above someone else... I am better than someone else.
I have seen this so many times and what generally happens is that after a little while, leading becomes more about a person's own individuality than actually leading people... plainly said-leading becomes selfish and ambitious.
In our church world, this is really an alarming fact. Leaders become selfish and carry this attitude of entitlement instead of leading like Christ-humble, servant minded, and a desire to help others.
The only difference though between me as a leader and someone who follows is the level of expectation-much more is expected out of me.
If you are a leader, then serve; lead people closer to God; be humble; put aside your ego... if you are a leader, very simply, just lead.
Labels: christianity, leadership, seven
inspiration of scripture
I have a class this semester dealing with church doctrines. On Tuesday in our discussion, the topic of Scriptural inspiration came up.
A student went on to say that he believed that the canon was not closed and the God could still speak today in a authoritative manner.
Truthfully, as I thought about his words I understood where he was coming from. I'll say right now I do not agree with his position and will state mine in a second, but I understood what his rationale was for his beliefs. If man closed the canon by a human expression then they could possibly have gotten it wrong, and it would still be open today.
My response:
I think the above belief is a failure to see the unity of the two Testaments and fulfillment of the Old by the New. They do not contradict, but I do understand how it they could seemingly appear to some to do so.
The NT though is continued/ further inspiration of the OT and is not to be separated from the OT; rather it is the fulfilled prophecy of the promised Messiah that would reconcile us back to God. They work hand in hand to reveal God's eternal plan of salvation by faith in Jesus.
Paul writes of this in Ephesians.
Ephesians 1:9-10
9God's secret plan has now been revealed to us; it is a plan centered on Christ, designed long ago according to his good pleasure. 10And this is his plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ--everything in heaven and on earth.
Ephesians 2:14-17
14For Christ himself has made peace between us Jews and you Gentiles by making us all one people. He has broken down the wall of hostility that used to separate us. 15By his death he ended the whole system of Jewish law that excluded the Gentiles. His purpose was to make peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new person from the two groups. 16Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death, and our hostility toward each other was put to death.
Ephesians 3:6, 10-12
6And this is the secret plan: The Gentiles have an equal share with the Jews in all the riches inherited by God's children. Both groups have believed the Good News, and both are part of the same body and enjoy together the promise of blessings through Christ Jesus. I was chosen to explain to everyone this plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept secret from the beginning... 10God's purpose was to show his wisdom in all its rich variety to all the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms. They will see this when Jews and Gentiles are joined together in his church. 11This was his plan from all eternity, and it has now been carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord. 12Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come fearlessly into God's presence, assured of his glad welcome.
So, there is no contradiction but unity and a continuation of God's reconciliation plan being gradually revealed and then being fully revealed with the death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ. The canon is thus closed in a sense by God when he divinely inspired the writing of NT books and letters that told His plan that would fulfill the OT Scripture through Christ and his Church, as well as the clear apparent final ending in John's Revelation.
The NT leaves no room for further divine inspiration that could be considered as Scripture. Human expression did not close the canon; God did. His salvation plan had been made known for all to hear. Thus, it is my belief and understanding that inspiration on the Scriptural level is no longer required.
Labels: christianity, personal, theology
we display god
I love what Bill Hybel's says, "The local church is the hope of the world."
I truly believe this statement with everything in my being. I had the opportunity to share this conviction last night with a student who was doubting God.
He is an evacuee from New Orleans and moved here about a year ago. He really has received so much acceptance at Seven from a lot of students and he's really enjoying homegroup and being at Seven on Wednesday's. He is being shown God through the relationships he has developed and I helped him to see that last night.
When the people of the local church are acting like Christ, we can offer so much hope, love, and acceptance to people, who honestly may be completely awkward. But we are called, even commanded, to love unconditionally. When we do this, I'm not sure if there is anything greater on earth.
I realize that sometimes people get burned by the church. I have been and so has practically everyone else. And when that happens, we have to forgive and move on. Bitterness can literally eat someone up inside and destroy relationships. It's gross. But we also hurt God and he continues to forgive us.
My point is this: our lives literally display God to those around us. We can point people closer to God or push people away. Living for Christ comes with a lot of responsibility, but when we live it out, it is the one greatest evidences of God that can be seen. We, as the body of Christ and representatives for his name, are the hope of world... when we live like Christ. Labels: christianity
maintaining...
Even though it's not fun, I realize there are times/ moments in life where maintaining is all you can manage. It's frustrating for someone like me, who loves to read, stretch my mind, dream, create, and strategize. I just haven't had time to do that lately.
What I have been finding though is that because I'm being really disciplined in all areas of my life right now, I feel a sense of accomplishment...I feel satisfied. I have this sense of contentment living with God right now. It really is fulfilling.
I'm slowing truly learning in my heart that we can all be completely satisfied with God. It's not just something I know to in my head, but it's something I am experiencing.
Labels: personal
