WholeHeartedLife

Sunday Nite (on a Monday Morning)

Was yesterday actually the Sunday after Thanksgiving at hyde park! I couldn't really tell as we had such a great gathering before the Lord. The Sunday after Thanksgiving has traditionally been a VERY off weekend as we have so many people who travel for the holiday - call it the economy, call it faith... I myself was very pleased!

So here's what you missed if you weren't with us:

• Yesterday's music was led by the group, "Sisters", who came to us from Spartanburg, SC. The group, which is made up of sisters Kim Lord, Heather Day and Valerie Ellenburg, are actually the combination of the groups LordSong and their lifelong family group, The Ruppes. It was great to have them with us - they were great - their harmonies are unbelievable!
• Check out their music if you didn't have the opportunity to go to their table yesterday.
• I brought yesterday's message, titled "Cleaning House", as Pastor Dennis is on vacation.
• The message was based on Matthew 23:25-28 and was based on some thoughts I had as I thought through the implications aimed not JUST at the Scribes and Pharisees of Jesus' day but also at myself...
• ...you see, I am a Recovering Pharisee.
• I had a friend who asked me the following question after the second service: "How does a person know whether they are a Pharisee or a Recovering Pharisee"? I had not really thought about it but off the cuff my answer was something like this: "A recovering pharisee understands that they have the tendency to be judgmental and legalistic and is calling out to Jesus to change his/her heart, mind and soul, from the inside out. The pharisee doesn't think they have a problem. They have a tendency to justify their judgmental attitude and normally don't see any problem with it (but they DO see the problem with others).
• That, by the way, was an excellent question.
• One thing about the message: I felt like I didn't communicate the point in the 1st service that I wasn't preaching AT them but rather I was talking about something that God has revealed inside of MY heart. As always, if the shoe fits you should wear it, but know that I'm wearing one just like it 
• I was very encouraged by the number of you who expressed to me that you did some "house cleaning" after the message. I pray that all who were moved will follow through on the decisions that we made.
• We're completing our Christmas stage this weekend! This is going to be one of the most incredible Christmases you've ever been part of at hyde park!
• Anyone interested in being part of our Christmas Worship Choir should be at rehearsal Wednesday nite at 8pm!!!!

Have a great week!

Sunday Nite (on a Monday Afternoon)

I know that I begin most Sunday nite recaps by saying something like, "Today was so amazing" - at the risk I won't say it again (even if it was ):

• Pastor finished up the "Be Free" Series yesterday. Good stuff as we worked our way through the book of Galatians.
• One of the cool things about going through a book is that when you hit on a subject that some don't like they can't accuse you of picking a scripture with an agenda in mind. 
• I love what Perry Noble said in his post today: If everybody likes you then you’ve spent way too much time kissing rear ends instead of being faithful to who God has called you to be and what He has called you to do!
• Galatians 5:15 (in the NIV) states, "If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other". As Pastor broke that down he made this statement: when the church fights and bites at each other we are literally eating ourselves. This in itself is often the major problem in congregations, disunity that doesn't see each other as an extension of one-another, but rather, as separate beings. In Christ we are to be one.
• I, for one, continue to be thankful to be part of a congregation that "gets" this.
• Pastor spent the majority of the message demonstrating what spiritual community looks like. I would love to see us take that concept even deeper, applying it at a more life-on-life, in home (and the community) approach. Maybe Pastor was planting a seed for some of that.
• He also pointed out that one of the key elements of a worship experience is confession - do you think of that often? Is there a time during worship where you do that? I think we should do that more, don't you?
• We were blessed and pleased today to see that we filled up the Operation Christmas Child Semi-trailer! What a great ministry OCC is - we are so thankful to join arms with Samaritan's Purse in this endeavor. As Carole said, "this shoebox is the easiest way to share the gospel of Jesus with our world".
• The Worship Choir was rockin' yesterday morning with some new members - so excited to see enthusiasm throughout that group! Anyone interested in singing with us for the Christmas Season (and beyond) can download our music here. All of you are welcome to join us Wednesday Nites at 8pm in the Auditorium...
• ...that is EXCEPT THIS WEDNESDAY - we will have no services Wednesday Nite due to the Thanksgiving break.
• AND SPEAKING OF HYDE PARK WORSHIP: this weekend we will have a special time of worship as we welcome the Recording Group, "Sisters" to Hyde Park this Sunday morning during both our 9am and our 10:30 am services. The group is made up of sisters, Kim Lord, Heather Day, and Valerie Ellenburg. Back in the day Kim, Heather and Valerie were members of their family group, the Ruppes, as well as currently being members of the group, "LordSong" with Kim's husband, Michael. We're looking forward to a special time of worship this Sunday.
• Our worship Sunday was kind of a dual-service approach: 1st service was, "Our God Saves" (Baloche), At Calvary (Hymn - G3 arrangement) and "Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone)". 2nd Service: "Our God Saves", "Let God Arise" (Tomlin) and "Came to My Rescue" (Hillsong). I liked the dual approach and feel that we might do this more after the 1st of the year.

I hope that you all have an amazing Thanksgiving - still praying that God will open your eyes as to ways that YOU can give-thanks through a practical application. My love to you all. 

Sunday Nite

Were you there?

We had a great day at hyde park - so much to celebrate. Short Sunday afternoon nap out of the way - another one probably on the way, a little football - good times. Here's what's on my mind tonite:

• All glory to our God for His provision of the Word this morning. This has been a pretty crazy week for me - 3 days out of town (Mon-Weds), a Saturday morning conference among other things. With all that in mind, GOD has been good to me, speaking so much in preparation in a way that made preparation easier than some other messages. I am blown-away by the way that God provides for His own!
• Pastor Dennis was in FAITHTrac 101 this morning whom I joined (along with my family) for lunch. Pastor asked me, "so how did it go?". My answer: we had a SMASHING good time. 
• If you don't get that it's because you weren't there. If you missed the message you can listen to it here - listen real carefully because YOU may get "smashed" 
• Action + Attitude = Worship   Decide to put action to your thankfulness for God's glory.
• Extra prayer thrown up this morning as I prayed that God would remove the spiritual barriers that keep people from grasping the depths of God's word. I felt as if the Lord gave me grace to deliver the message by the power of His Spirit. 
• So many people responded to today's message in brokenness. Many, many more, however, walked out the door like the 9 lepers from this morning's scripture - receiving the blessing but not responding in an adequate way. 
• The breaking of "my box": I had no plans to act that out today, had not even thought of it but when I awoke this morning breaking "the flask" was on my mind. Always remember that A visual is worth a thousand words - driving home the message in a powerful way.
•  you should have seen me looking through the cabinets this morning looking for a "flask" that I could destroy (without getting in trouble with Keyna).
• So thankful for hyde park worship. Rhonda did an amazing job leading us to the throne of grace through music this morning.
• Music today: Blessed Be Your Name (Matt Redman), Glory (Hillsong), Worthy is the Lamb (Hillsong), The Power of Your Love.
• We had the privilege of baptizing 10 new believers this morning! What a privilege it is to share in the baptism of friends whose lives are being changed by the Lord Jesus.
• For those of you who were judging my friend Richard as I told you the story about his "rough edges", I just want to point out that he is one of the most brilliant people I have EVER MET, his personal knowledge of the scriptures is amazing. He is probably also much deeper theologically than you . He totally makes my head hurt talking to him!
• Really enjoyed meeting all the new people today (as always). If they were friends of yours, please mention that to them.
• Had a huge UNCP crowd this morning! Love it when the college students are in our midst. God is doing a great work through these young people there. 
• We were sorry to hear of the UNCP Football loss yesterday in the NCAA playoffs. Great, great season though fellas - so proud of our coaches and team.
• When I got home today I thought to myself, it's amazing that I get to do this! Just doesn't get old to see Jesus at work, challenging people and changing lives.

I close by saying that God is STILL doing amazing things at hyde park. Yes, we are in a time of transition - we are less than 4 months away from the retirement of our Pastor of 25 years. Yes, there are people who have chosen to jump to conclusions about the direction of our church - it's a weird time for those of us who are "in the know". I purposely choose not to mention it much because it is my desire to stay out of all of it for obvious reasons. God is STILL doing amazing things in our midst, maybe you just gotta know where to look.

I challenge you all to keep your eyes open this week for the opportunity to be a person who "gives thanks". Much love to all of you.

Sunday Nite

Another beautiful, heart-stirring Sunday is coming to an end. I am beat (only got about a 15 minute nap this afternoon) and can't wait to go hang with my favorite girl, in other words this one's gonna be short - here's what's on my mind tonite:

• I woke up feeling fully rested (very seldom happens on Sunday's), ready to jump out of bed to be with Jesus this morning. Today's sunrise was absolutely amazing!
• I was so looking forward to worshiping with you today. I totally was feeling David's heart in Psalm 122:1 - "I rejoiced with those who said to me, "Let us go to the house of the LORD."
• Once again, 10:30 service was off-the-chain!
• Pastor really brought some thought provoking stuff in week 5 of "Be Free". He was in Galatians 4 today. I know that a lot of what he said about the things that God hasn't spoken on but the church has chosen to through the years was challenging to many.
• It all goes back to knowing what God's word says about things. Through the years I have found myself to be appalled about longtime Christians who didn't know their bible well enough to be able to tell the difference between what is biblical and what is about preference.
• I am SO THANKFUL that God has revealed Himself to us through His holy word - giving us the opportunity to know His heart and opinion on so much in this world. 
• With that in mind, we need to stop trying to put words in His mouth - if He didn't say it, quit trying to make it seem like He did!
• You know what the worst thing about this is: some people probably took the teaching the wrong way as if Pastor was talking about them. Truth is, this teaching has absolutely nothing to do with where "we are" at Hyde Park - it is just good biblical teaching that needs to be applied to our lives. Hyde Park is one of the greatest churches I have ever seen in the area of not going extra-biblical on things. I am very thankful for the knowledgeable, Spirit-led leadership that we enjoy.
• New series began in the Kidz INC today, "Heroes of MegaCity". I thought that the set looked slammin!
• Today's music: How Great is Our God (Tomlin), Everlasting God, Overcome with This is My Story (New Life Church). In the last service we added "How He Loves" (Eddie Kirkland arrangement).
• I am already looking very forward to next Sunday! 
• Do you need to be baptized next Sunday?!? Have you been baptized SINCE you believed? If you need to be added to the list of those stepping out in believers baptism this coming Sunday let me know.
• We were personally talking with some new members of the choir this morning. We have some NEW THINGS coming up in the way of worship choir and are looking to add new members. If you are interested in singing in either the NEW 9am or the 10:30 choirs let me know: mikep@lovinglumberton.com
• By the way... band practice this week will be at 7pm - choir at 7:30.
• Also... new Christmas music iMix will be up this week.
• One more music note: Christmas "Night of Worship" will be on December 6th at 6pm.
• Everything we do at hyde park is about Jesus and the people He wants to use us to reach. It's ALL about people. Lord, forgive us for occasionally forgetting that.
• Bree brought us a piece of homemade pumpkin cheesecake this afternoon! Not only was it so good but it was supper. 
• oh... and yeah - she scored major cool-mama points with me by doing that! 

I love you all - may you have amazing weeks - may we serve Him in all that we do!

Sunday Nite (and Trunk-A-Treat)

Today was a marvelous day at hyde park...

...Last week = No Band, No iServe team, No multi-media, No lights (well, special lighting - we didn't worship in the dark) - if you don't know what that was all about you need to check this out. Today everyone was back (PRAISE JESUS!) and it was "ON"!!! Here's what's in my mind on this Sunday Nite:

• Can you believe that today is November 1st?
• Pastor's Message, his 4th in his "Be Free" series was excellent as he tackled some pretty theological stuff in the easy-to-understand way that has become his trademark. I am SO THANKFUL for a man who understands that high on his list of priorities is helping people actually understand God's word that they might apply it to their lives.
• Remember: You are God's child by GRACE ALONE through FAITH ALONE in CHRIST ALONE.
• I love me some "fall-back" Sunday's! Can I order an extra hour of sleep for next week as well.
• SO EXCITED to see the iServe team back in full-force this morning! I LOVE those smiling faces who demonstrate what it means to "make Sunday the Best Day of the week". Our iServe team understands the passion behind that statement.
• I wonder what the church in general (big "C") would be like if all those who call Jesus "Lord" would take on the attitude of servant rather than spectator to the Christian life?
• I was so ready to lead worship this morning! I took a day Thursday for the purpose of prayer, refocus and quiet... it worked!
• Found myself a little distracted during the 10:30 service - by what, you ask? CHRISTMAS! I was thinking about the amazing series we are planning for Christmas and the outreach opportunity that will go with it - God might blow the doors off this place!!!!
• By the way, it was Pastor's fault I was distracted: he was the one who mentioned Christmas being 8 weeks away.
• We opened with the Gospel, pure and simple: You lived, You died, You said in 3 days You would rise, You did - Your alive - You rule, You reign, You said You're coming back again, I know You will and all the earth will sing Your praises!
• DANG!!! Christmas is 8 weeks away?!?!?
• That previous statement is SO TRUE: some will sing madly, some gladly but I believe ALL will declare Him Lord (once again, because HE said it to be true!!)
• Only one thing can make the 10:30 service any better: the people who attend 10:30 take ownership of the service and begin utilizing the service as a tool, inviting their friends, family, neighbors and work associates and begin seeing them SAVED. That's the only thing that would make 10:30 better.
• In other words, 10:30 is generally pretty amazing. 
• Wondering how many took advantage of the half-off specialty drinks in the ROC Cafe' this morning? If you haven't tried it the Chocolate Espresso is my favorite!
• Today's Music: All the Earth Will Sing (Paul Baloche), O Praise Him w/Doxology (Crowder / Cottrell arrangement), God of the City (Tomlin / Passion). Powerful stuff.
• By the way, last night's Trunk-A-Treat/Fall Festival was so successful. I'm continuously blown-away by what happens every October 31st - by far the biggest community event we do each year. This year I intentionally did NO OUTSIDE ADVERTISEMENT (we didn't even put it on the marquee sign out front) - I wanted to see if it would matter; it didn't.  We registered 2,000 people - no telling how many more got by us without registering. We will utilize that information over the next 2 months to reach out to our community.
• I drove the "hyde park railroad" for an hour and forty-five minutes... literally ran it until the tires started going flat!!!
• Lots of fun - we couldn't have done it without the hundred plus people who served - without YOU there is no fall festival. THANKS TO YOU ALL!
• Oh... and thank You Jesus for holding off the rain on Saturday night and Sunday morning. It threatened rain all morning - we had none. That was a prayer of mine today.
• I had all intentions to say this at the close of both services (and forgot) so I'll say it now: I know that for many of you who attend hyde park the music is a BIG PART of your worship experience - we are currently receiving new choir members - Anyone who is interested in being part of the worship choir at either 9am or 10:30am services please join us this Wednesday Nite at 8pm in the auditorium. Look forward to meeting some new friends and adding some members. (And pass it on to your friends as well).

I close by saying that it was so good to see so many filled with the love of Jesus... some laughing, some crying. People catching up with someone they haven't seen lately, people meeting for the 1st time. Hyde Park is a special place - if you missed the joy it's because YOU missed it...

¹Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. ²Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2)

... maybe you have your eyes "fixed" on the wrong thing. My love to you all.

Sunday Nite (on a Monday Afternoon)

Yesterday had to be the MOST uncomfortable day that I have ever experienced at Hyde Park. The decisions that were made, however, also showed to have an amazing payoff that I believe brought glory to our Lord Jesus. 

If you don't know what I'm talking about, I am referencing "What Happens When..." Sunday which took place yesterday. For one day we asked the question "What Happens When": 

• When the church doesn't function like the church
• When people don't use their spiritual gifts to serve the body
• When new believers don't follow through with believer's baptism
• When attenders don't become members
• When disciples don't live out a lifestyle of repentance

We demonstrated the idea of how important it is for all of us to take our next spiritual step, whatever it may be, by not doing all the things that we normally do and that we often take for granted: we had no band, no worship team, no choir - just a guitarist and worship leader. There was no audio/visual assistance from the screen, no computer graphics, no sermon notes. We took it back to the year 2000 and had the lyrics to the songs printed inside of the bulletin. There was no iServe team working in Guest Services, parking cars, greeting and making Sunday the best day of the week. And most tragically, there was NO ROC CAFE' (oh NO!!!!! )which meant there was a shortage of caffeine in the house not to mention a shortage of patience for those who love them some coffee...

To say the vibe was weird is an understatement. When I share with you that a tension filled the air I'm being kind. I have never felt more challenged and transparent than I did yesterday and I know that it's not because we were missing all the "bells and whistles" that we utilize. I believe that the strangeness I was feeling were the questions of the congregation wondering to themselves (and some to one another), "why are we doing church like this?"

The absence of our teams highlighted to our congregation HOW MUCH BETTER WE ARE WHEN WE TOGETHER LEVERAGE OUR TALENTS for God's glory and it reminded us how much we appreciate those who give; it reminded us of how blessed we are with the sweetest people in the land; it illustrated how many people it takes to pull off what we do every weekend; The service showed us how much better an environment we create when we allow God to use us to our fullest.

Don't get me wrong - we had a great service: the music was amazing (Brandon and Steven flat-out brought it with a great acoustic set - very proud of them) - we had MUCH movement at the invitation as people brought their "MITE" to God asking Him to make it mighty - people took next steps to join ministries, join the church, surrendered their lives and people gave their lives to Christ. All in all, a great day!

I close by sharing that I poured myself out through that message because I wanted you to see my heart as I shared with you that we want you to be part of the story of Hyde Park. I know though that it wasn't my message that stirred your hearts, rather...

THE HOLY SPIRIT MOVED AMONG US, GIVING US THROUGH THE ABSENCE OF ALL THAT IS FAMILIAR A GREATER APPRECIATION FOR WHAT HAPPENS AT HYDE PARK WEEK IN AND WEEK OUT. Thanks to all of you who pour your lives out for Jesus every Sunday through serving at Hyde Park.

With that in mind - get out the instruments, the iServe team and get ready because this weekend is going to be an explosive weekend of worship (and yes... the ROC CAFE' will definitely be open for all your caffeinated needs ).

Sunday Nite

Have I mentioned lately how much I love the opportunity to worship Jesus with the people at Hyde Park Church? Today was just a good day...

• Good worship today as we continued Pastor's series from the book of Galatians, "Be Free".
• In today's message we spent the majority of the time talking about Abram (Gen 15) and reminded of what faith REALLY looks like.
• God is Good!
• It was almost cold this morning... but it was so beautiful!!! 
• Did you see the sunrise today? WOW!
• Our prayer this morning as we entered the 9am service: Lord, may Your glory be reflected off of us as people enter in... help them to see you, not us, as we lift our praise (and voices) to You.
• God definitely answered our prayers.
• "It is well, it is well, through the storm I am held - It is well, it is well with my soul - It is well, it is well, God has won, Christ prevailed, It is well, it is well with my soul".
• We hosted a Red Cross blood drive this morning. I am always so proud to see our people step up to give the gift of life.
• The 10:30 service is so alive and seems to get better by the week!
• Music today: It is Well (Todd Fields arrangement), My Savior Lives (New Life Church), In Christ Alone (hyde park worship arrangement), Came to My Rescue (Hillsong).
• I had some amazing conversations at church this morning. I LOVE meeting new people and getting to know others better. Just a great spirit for meeting people today.
• Did you check out the "This Week at Church" video this week? If not, check it here
• Perry Noble (NewSpring Church) just said on his blog: "We saw 187 people come to Christ today…WOW…that PUMPS ME UP!!" This was on a day that he WAS NOT there... God is rockin' Anderson, SC. 

Tonite we had a great nite:

• Brandon said that Crossover was rockin' with 47 students! Crossover has been so consistent with their numbers this year! I'm glad to have a rockin' middle school ministry that my child loves being part of.
• I also love hearing Madison enthusiastically tell me about Brandon's message and illustrations.
• We had a bunch of kidz up in the Coliseum for the 1st nite of Kidz Choir for this fall. Looks like we're gonna have a great kidz choir this Christmas. Really excited to see what they bring come December.
• We had a called business meeting where we voted to sell the parsonage to Pastor Harrell. I definitely appreciated the words that Garry Evans (our Deacon Chairman) shared about our desire to be a blessing to the Pastor who has served us for 25 years. I also appreciated Hubert Waddell's (chair - building and grounds) explanation as to why we don't need a parsonage anymore and the disadvantage it is to a Pastor to have to live in one.
• While I'm appreciating: I appreciated the caffeine that Hubert poured into me before, during and after the meeting. 

Hope you have an amazing week with Jesus - read the Word, pray, tell others about Him - let's see this region turned upside down for His glory!

Sunday Nite

Can I begin by saying, "God is good!"?

Sunday nite, watching some football but I'm ready to "hit it" - but before I do...

• I love to see people "connect" with God. Hyde Park is the kind of church that helps people from many different walks find life in Jesus. I am so thankful to be a part of that.
• Began the day anticipating a powerful move of God in our midst...
• ...10:30 service represented that move. There is nothing better to see a congregation call out to God together.
• Always reminded,

¹⁰Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. ¹²For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. (Eph 6:10-13, NIV)

• Rhonda Lovin taught FAITHTrac 201 today. 201 is part 2 of our 4 part New Attenders series and deals with developing spiritual maturity. So important that you take the next step with God no matter what it is.
• Saw a great testimony online from someone who took FAITHTrac 201 today - she was so excited about what she learned. If her response was the typical response... well I would say that Rhonda was used by God in a major way.
• 9 first time guests today! If you don't work in iServe than you probably wouldn't know that (which is why I share and celebrate it on here). I believe we had a few make decisions to follow Christ today as well.
• "in my life be lifted high, in our world be lifted high, in our love be lifted high!"
• Today's music: "Sing to the King" (Billy Foote, hyde park arrangement), "Not to Us" (Chris Tomlin/Passion arrangement), "Glory to God Forever" (Fee), "Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone)" (Tomlin), "Came to My Rescue" (Hillsong).
• Tonite I attended the North Point Online service (6pm on Sunday nites right here) and can't believe how much the Lord used Andy Stanley to speak into my current thoughts, issues and circumstances.
• I've heard people criticize Andy basically because they don't like his approach to preaching - all I gotta say is that God is ALWAYS using him to speak deeply into my spirit. Just my opinion, but people who don't have the call of God on their lives really should watch the way that they talk about preachers... I think it's dangerous when you judge someone who has God's call on his life.
• 2 huge things he said tonite: never neglect a tension that needs attention (it may be God calling attention to His will for you) and 2nd, "God takes full responsibility for the life that is wholeheartedly (yeah he used those words ) given to Him".
• Lord, I will take you at Your word.

Good night.

• Needless to say, I am VERY glad that I chose North Point tonite.

Sunday Nite

We had another slammin' Sunday at hyde park. After a day that was busier than most for me I am TOTALLY ready to call it a night - but before I do I just wanted to share with you:

• Pastor Dennis finished up the "Calm in Chaos" series today. Good series. I bet none of us will ever look at the "Lord's Prayer" the same way.
• Good crowds in both services despite the fact that we began with a rainy morning. The 1st crowd (9am) was slow coming in but they got there 
• Keyna was sick this morning and wasn't able to make worship - if you will please pray that she will be well enough to work tomorrow.
• iServe team was in full-effect this morning serving out in the rain and demonstrating to hyde park that service doesn't stop for the weather. Great job to all of you!
• We had a great day of worship this morning - both services went very well...
• ...that being said, the 10:30 service is UNBELIEVABLE! Literally gets better and better by the week!
• Big weekend NEXT WEEKEND for hyde park Bible Fellowship Groups. We'll be sharing a new initiative during next weekend's service.
• Music today: "Your Name" (Paul Baloche - which was the musical theme for this series), "Glory to God Forever" (Fee). "I Bow Down" (hyde park worship), "How Great thou Art" (Newsong arrangement), "Surrender" (Lincoln Brewster).
• Continue to see new faces on Sunday's - if you're one of those faces, WELCOME!
• Also noticed some familiar faces back with us today after some absence - don't know where you've been but I hope that the Lord rocked your face off today! 

I close today by stating the obvious, "Jesus is at work at hyde park" - do you have eyes to see what He's doing around you?

Sunday Nite

Powerful day - powerful worship - powerful presence - powerful Spirit of God touching people's lives. Get the picture?

Today we took a week off of Pastor's "Calm in Chaos" Series as I took the stage in Pastor's place. My prayer as we entered this weekend, "Lord, that I would decrease and get out of the way that YOU might speak mightily through me". As we looked at the scriptures today I believe that God showed many people that there IS hope in the area of overcoming spiritual strongholds today. Thank You Jesus. Before I crawl in the bed and leave the land of consciousness I wanted to share what's on my mind tonite: 

• I spoke today as Pastor spent the morning teaching FAITHTrac 101 (our new attenders Class). We LOVE FAITHTrac time as we have the opportunity to meet and connect with the new attenders at hyde park. God was good and faithful as we had many new people join our fellowship this morning through FAITHTrac.
• Great meal after FAITHTrac, by the way! If for no other reason you need to take the class to take advantage of the amazing meal that our fabulous cooks serve up for us! Not to mention it's just great to eat with new people!
• God's presence was definitely in the house today! As I said at the beginning, there was a powerful presence in what happened today. Praise God!
• Began the day in the prayer room with Garry Evans and Chris Smith. So thankful to see men of God who believe in the power of prayer gathering early... 
• ...by the way, the presence was strong in that room. Before we ever had corporate worship we had prayer-filled worship in that room.
• There were a few of you whom the Lord raised up in my life this week to lift me up in prayer - I DON'T KNOW WHAT I WOULD HAVE DONE WITHOUT YOU!! Your prayers were felt throughout the week, your encouragement was hugely necessary - I pray that all of prayers concerning the weekend were answered.
• I know that for many today's message was a "brush-up" - but I believe that for others the message held within it the power of Jesus for delieverance from whatever it is that is drawing you away from God's plan. I hope that we will all "walk in it".
• Rhonda's worship leading today was nothing short of annointed - it was obvious that we were tracking as a team this morning - totally trying to walk in the direction that God was leading us.
• "So I'll stand with arms high and heart abandoned, in awe of the ONE who gave it all - I'll stand, my soul Lord to You surrendered all I am is Yours!". 'Nuff said.
• Hyde Park Worship today: "Blessed Be Your Name" (Matt Redman), "Your Grace is Enough" (Chris Tomlin), "You, You Are God" (Gateway Worship), "Hosanna" (Hillsong), "The Stand" (Hillsong).
• There are SO MANY people under attack spiritually in our body right now... please pray that they will all see God's plan in the trials that they are dealing with. 
• 2 things that I wish we would all remember from today's message:
  1. If you don't learn to love God in testing you will become angry with him and that anger WILL cause you to sin against him.
  2. Sin always advertises a lower price than the truth.

I'll close tonite by stating that we have seen an amazing spirit in our worship at hp as of late. With that in mind, now is certainly a time when you NEED to invite your friends who aren't attending church to attend with you - there is nothing more powerful than to bring someone who hasn't been attending a church into the body in a time when God's Spirit and presence is flowing so freely. 

It can be life-changing for all involved. My love to you all - thank you for the opportunity to serve with you.