WholeHeartedLife

For a Moment all eyes were on...

HIM.

I was just thinking about this and writing in my journal and felt led to share with the world...

7 years ago this morning we were going into our staff meeting, we had not really gotten in good yet. I remember it was a Tuesday. I remember that we were having our stage renovated/enlarged and Bobby Speights was working down there. All of a sudden he runs in Pastor's office saying, "an airplane just slammed into the world trade center!!". We stopped what we were doing found a tv. The questions were running: "was this an accident? Did someone do this on purpose?" There was a lot of speculation until all of a sudden that 2nd plane comes into the picture and showed us one of the most horrifying thing we've ever seen - we watched someone use an airplane and innocent lives as a bomb to attack our country.

We immediately responded, "let's go pray" and headed down to our auditorium and got on our faces before the Lord...

We called an impromptu prayer meeting/solemn assembly for that night (it was packed) where we had no plan - we just called upon the Name.

(a Prayer for this morning) "I had never seen anything like this before and never have since - All eyes were on You, Lord - for a moment our nation remembered our God. Too quickly though, their eyes shifted from You to us, your followers... they then shifted from "WE" back to "ME" to the place where September 11th is just another day that we "remember" (and briefly, at that). I remember, Lord - I remember that I hoped that the change would be lasting, deep - transformation at it's core. Oh, How we need You, God!".

At hyde park, within the month everyone went back to living their lives (except when they would raise the terror alert to a higher level or a holiday rolled around) - we saw no lasting impact.

So this morning I remember - not just those who lost their lives senselessly on that day; I also remember the fact that for a moment "our Nation looked to YOU, Lord.". God, move on us that we would turn our eyes to You.

What are YOU doing about it?

You know, when I sit around and think about it, "it" makes me wonder...

What is it that you're looking for? In a church? In your life? In your family? In your marriage? In your relationship with JESUS? What are you looking for?

Are you living out God's plan for you? Do you even know what His plan is for you? If you don't, what are YOU doing to find out?

Do you feel fulfilled in your life? Are you growing in your faith? If you aren't...what are YOU doing about it? What have you changed? What are you going to do to improve your situation?

How about your prayer life? Getting deeper or drained? What are YOU doing about it?

You know, in the end the ball is in your court - the changes are yours to make - you won't be able to blame anyone else. What are YOU doing about it?

Different Take Part 1 - It's OUR Fault!!!

The other day at the gym i had a great conversation with one of our attenders. We spoke of many things, his love of the church, his desire to do overseas ministry/mission work, his commitment to marriage which led to him telling me about the struggles in today's society to help people take the right pathways to life. He looked at me and said, "this is a hard time to be a Christian pastor - the battle seems to be overwhelming."

The next day, when I read this scripture during my daily study, it took me back to the conversation:

1But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 (NIV)

You read that and probably think, "that's right! You tell 'em Paul! That adequately describes our world today!!!" I wonder if I might have a different take than that?

You know what i think is interesting about this passage? I believe that these verses do not refer to society as much as it refers to those who claim to be Christ followers. Look again at v.5 : the people of the world don't have a "form of godliness" - but i know plenty of people who claim JESUS, attend church but it makes absolutely no difference in their life.

You know what I told him? I told him something to the effect of this:

"you're right... the battle does seem unwinnable, but you know what: this is my time - this is where God put me and i'm gonna do all that i can to make a difference in my generation. I believe that the reason that we've come to this place is because regular Christians, the ones who live next door to these people, the ones who work with these people, the ones who are family with these people - they are being BAD REPRESENTATIVES of JESUS! The reason "these people" don't want any part of God is because they see no difference between the way that they live and the way that the so-called Christian lives. They look at Christianity and see something that has been reduced to a code of ethics: do this/don't do that - eat this/don't drink that - go here but DON'T go there - listen to this but don't listen to that... We've reduced the LIVING GOD down to a bunch of rules to keep. CHRISTIANITY IS MORE THAN THAT - CHRISTIANITY AT IT'S CORE IS A MOVEMENT - it's God, living within imperfect humans, reaching out through them and saving people from their sin and their lives - one person at a time. You're right: this is not an easy time but i believe that God can use HIS people to make a difference - but that difference happens one Christ follower at a time deciding ENOUGH IS ENOUGH - i'm tired of playing at this, "i want to be used by You, God!"'

He replied, "Wow... Well, good seeing you." (guess he wasn't expecting all that ).

I wonder, did you?

I couldn't let the "RENEW" series just come and go without wondering how it went for you? As the graphic shows, the prayer behind "RENEW" was that the Spirit of God would be poured into you "anew" as you took this 3 week journey with us.

So how did it go?

Are you reading scripture deeper since we began the journey? What about your prayer-life, is it deeper and stronger? How about you discipline - has it gone to a new level? I guess my question is "did you Renew?"

I'm guessing that for some the answer will be, "yes - these 3 weeks have been really good for me.". I am also guessing that FOR MANY "RENEW" was just another 3 week series.

RENEWal is not a thought or an idea, it's an action - it's something that you do. You can't say, "i hope that i'll be renewed" and continue doing what you've always done - it doesn't work like that.

Here's the great thing: the series is over but the journey isn't. You don't have Renewal because you did something with a group of people, you have renewal because you ask your God to enter into your life and then you seek Him daily in prayer, scripture and follow-through. You also need a extra-dose of faith when the "new" wears off (you can hear pastor's last message called, "Renew my Faith" here).

Don't be discouraged - do something about it: RENEW 

Parents, Here's a Challenge

"This book is the best selling book, the most copied book, the most translated book of all time. By now you've guessed it (or you need another smack!) That's right! It's the Bible!"

We started our journey to be individually, spiritually "RENEW'd" on January 6th, I hope that you've begun the journey with us. In the spirit of that endeavor, I thought this post would really connect.

In this great post, Greg Stier has a great challenge to those of us parents who have children old enough (this is especially good for Crossover Kidz and UP) to read the Bible. I highly suggest this to all of you (even those without kidz).

A 10 Step Action Plan

• Get an easy to read translation such as the NIV, NLT, or The Message.
• Start reading.
• Read until you learn something new.
• Pray about what you read.
• Put what you read into practice.
• Try to do this everyday.
• Get your teenagers to do the same.
• Talk to your teenagers about what they are learning.
• Keep each other accountable.
• Get ready to be shocked, rocked, excited, exhilarated, confronted and comforted!

mini-Retreat

A little of this...(keyna and i love this restaurant - you gotta try the Chicken and Mushroom Linguine)

Some of this...

And one night here...

Keyna has a workshop in Raleigh and i decided to tag along - while she goes to "work" I plan to hang out for a day of prayer and seeking tomorrow (Weds) - if you check this pray that my heart be open and receptive to all that God has to tell me. See you tomorrow nite.

We're Done at Leesville...

... but I don't think that God is.

I just got home a few minutes ago (it's 12:09 as i type - still winding down) - my family is asleep and thought that I would go ahead and write while tonite is fresh on my mind.

• I am proud of my pastor - what i witnessed him do this week is nothing short of miraculous. How many times i have seen him preach these messages before congregations and they just don't get it (because THEY DON'T WANNA 'GET IT'!). But Leesville Road Church... they were troopers - they took it in the way that the people of God should.
• There is SO MUCH POTENTIAL there - So many young people... they're thinking of building a new building (gym or something) - "God, give them vision to build what YOU would have them to build!"
• I have been to Starbucks everyday this week! (come on, guys - open one in L'ton!)
• I believe God is in the midst of doing something there - at the end of tonite's service people were broken. The pastor told the church he wanted them to take down the special "Pastor's Parking" sign at the front of the church - "that's a place where our guests should be parking!" he told them. Then, people stood on the spot to begin working on the parking lot and greeter team this Sunday... then, another member said, "we need to make some Guest Parking signs for the parking lot." I turned to the guy sitting next to me and said, "this, my friend, is REVIVAL in a baptist church! Most churches have to get 3 commitees together to make the decisions they've made in the last 2 minutes!"
• My set was pretty hardcore tonite - we layed it all out on the table and said, "Jesus, take these people to the place they need to be tonite!"
• I'm glad that my traveling is over for this week!
• Staff retreat begins this Sunday - looking forward to getting away and getting our vision "on". (we're going to N. Myrtle Beach - they DO have a Starbucks there! )
• I am tired - I have gone non-stop since last Friday. I spoke four times this weekend, each time lasting close to 1hr 45 minutes, sung at a wedding on Saturday, Led worship at Leesville Sunday through Wednesday, continued to work in the office and driven close to 1,000 miles since friday!
• God has certainly reassured me in the past month - between the women's conference at Galeed and this week at Leesville, I have discovered that it is possible to lead worship they way I "used to". I used to have a "revival ministry" and have gotten away from that because of 1. my commitment to my family - i will not miss being the husband and father i'm called to be which is my #1 assignment AND 2. It's hard to minister in other churches in the style that I lead - i DO NOT change my style to go into a church to minister - either you want 'mike p' or you don't - but be warned, if you get 'him' you get what he does, not what you want!
• I have been reminded how blessed i am - to work with such a great group of musicians and singers! I have missed you guys SO MUCH this week - i like ministering with ya'll so much... it's not the same when you aren't onstage with me!
• Lots of new posts on www.lumbertonsecrets.com since my tv interview yesterday - please go on, pray and encourage those in need!
• I have been reminded how much i love ministering at hyde park - WE'RE GONNA HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND! Are you ready? 

FireStarter

It's obvious that becoming lukewarm is not a modern phenomenon...

"Whether I am more or less learned signifies nothing. Whether I execute the work that I deem useful is comparatively unimportant. But beware, my soul, of lukewarmness" - William Wilberforce (member of the British parliament in the 1700's).

I want to be SO hot - hot enough to spark new fires whenever the opportunity arises! I want to be a "FireStarter"...

Yet the battle goes on in my own life to continue in the way that I know that I should go - like Wiberforce, my prayer is that I would beware of lukewarmness because it will creep up on you if you aren't on guard. For me, to be lukewarm is to know a truth about something but to continue on, ambivilent to changing in spite of my knowledge, as if I will do the right thing, "tomorrow". You know, Jesus said,

"15I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. 19Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent." (Revelation 3:15-19)

So, what can we do to prevent lukewarmness? Here are a couple of essentials in the battle to stay "HOT" (in no particular order):

1. Pray. How is your prayer life? Are you going deeper with prayer or treating it as an afterthought? Do you go beyond the "asking" and get into the "listening"?
2. Read your bible daily. But don't just read to mark it off your list... read for depth. Get out your pen and paper, talk with God about what You're reading, ask questions, write observations, underline passages that stand out... explore God's Truth.
3. Talk with people about what God is doing in your life. Find someone you can trust and "do" life with them spiritually. You have friends that you do other facets of life with - choose to do life spiritually with someone.
4. Talk TO people that you feel led to talk to. When that small voice inside tells you to speak to someone, pray something like, "Lord, if You want to use me with this person, open the door and I promise to walk through..."

I know, I know - there's nothing special about that list... you could have written it. Truth is - we ALL know these things - so why do we have such a hard time to consistently practice them with the right heart? Do you wanna be a FireStarter?

How did you start your day?

Last nite I began teaching a course called, "An Ordinary Day with Jesus" as a part of our fall adult growth schedule. This is the first time that I have taught on a Wednesday nite in about 3 years. It was really great to be back.

The reason that I quit teaching on Weds was that I felt that God was calling me to focus/invest in other areas, especially our worship band. (This was a challenge for me, because I LOVE to teach/preach and Weds. classes kept me sharp, teaching, growing and satisfied as a teacher). However, I knew that this was a season where rather than teaching a Weds. growth class I needed to meet with the band for rehearsal during that time. I was sure that it was God's timing and that for our music to go to the next level it was going to take a deeper investment - in my opinion, that investment has paid off. We have not only musically gone to another level but people have stepped up to make things really 'pop' on the inside, taking leadership and pride in what they do. And because of this, I now feel free to do something that I have greatly missed - spend time challenging people to go someplace spiritually that they need to go.

My buddy, Eddie D., in talking to me yesterday made the comment, "I'm glad you're teaching this class - you're a teacher and I look forward to being in there." I would be lying if I didn't admit that, once class started and we got in that small group environment, that I didn't feel at home (not to mention challenged - and above all, relieved, that I had come to the place in my ministry that I felt FREE to do this again...).

So, with all that in mind, here's your question for today: How did you start your day? What was the first thing that you thought of when you awoke? Did you begin your day by greeting and inviting the One Who can totally change the look of that day to be a part of it with you?

Are you interested in learning to literally live your normal, ordinary days in the presence of God? If you are and would like to be a part of next weeks class, contact me, and I will get you "up to speed" with this weeks notes so you can start in the right place next week.

The Sound

I told you yesterday that I was speaking at the Baptist Student Union house at UNCP last night - I don't know how many students were there but I have NEVER seen a larger group in the times that I've been - the room was PACKED!

When Amy (Amy is in charge of scheduling their weekly speakers) contacted me she told me that last nights focus was Surrender (which I loved). As time drew closer and the Lord led me to the passages that we would discuss I wasn't really aware of how heavy a night this might be.

The Scripture that I spoke from was HARD - normally, when I'm with that group we laugh a lot (I love college students!) even though I try to challenge the mess out of them! But last night was different...

I challenged them not to live a life of dead religion - to quit going through the motions of worship and become SURRENDERED WORSHIPERS.

We talked about sin and the seriousness/consequences of the bad choices we make: "As long as we make excuses for our sin we won't really see that sin AS sin." I challenged them that change doesn't "just happen" (a heart not desiring change DOESN'T change) - i told you, it was HEAVY in there.

I was wondering if I was getting through , "was this just a little heavy - it is like the 2nd meeting of the year" was the thought to myself as I was closing. But then, as I prayed over them and challenged them it happened...

I heard "the sound"... the sound of brokeness began to slowly make its way through the room - do you know the sound? It's quiet - personal - a small "sniffle" that won't go away... the sound of people doing business with almighty God.

I'm always amazed and mostly humbled when I hear "the sound" at the end of one of my messages - it's reassuring (i was wondering if I had burnt the bridge that I've been trying so carefully to build to those students). Most of all it reminds me that we are nothing more than vessels which God works through. Will you add UNCP students to your prayer list - pray that God would place a passion for Himself in those students that cannot be deadened or satisfied by anything but HIM.