WholeHeartedLife

A Rant About Hezekiah and True Holiness

Sunday morning I introduced hyde park to King Hezekiah and we looked at the way that he "rebelled" against the ways of the previous kings (including his father, King Ahaz). One of the coolest things though that Hezekiah did is found in 2Kings 18:4

 4 He (Hezekiah) removed the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles. He broke into pieces the bronze snake Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had been burning incense to it. (It was called ^[b] Nehushtan. ^[c] )

The thing that I thought was so interesting about this was the fact that Israel had worshiped the Lord incorrectly for so long that for the most part they felt that the worship that they did was TO God. For example, Hezekiah's dad, Ahaz, actually built a pagan altar in the temple. IN THE TEMPLE!!!! And they did pagan sacrafices in God's temple. Unbelievable, isn't it?!?

The people for centuries had worshiped in the high places... taken part in the sex and religion Asherah worship... so when this King Hezekiah comes in, destroying their high places and making changes to the way that "they worshiped" it wasn't popular.

"He broke into pieces the bronze snake Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had been burning incense to it.". Do you think that's as crazy as I do?? I thought about this and honestly, even today Christians take up some of the siliest practices:

• Like going through the motions of singing the same song for a "call to worship". If they don't sing that song worship can't begin...
• or having to have a choir special right before the message...
• or having to sing a certain song EVERY SINGLE TIME that the offering is returned to the front of building by the ushers. It's ok to praise God from Whom all blessings flow, but can we not figure out a new song to do that by?
• or having to follow the same worship order week in or week out
• or having to wear a certain kind of clothes as being the acceptable clothing for church (even though the clothing that most believe is acceptable was not even invented when the New Testament was written). Sorry, Paul didn't wear a suit or a tie.

We christians have a tendency to make a big deal of traditions - sometimes to the point of making them "holy" (like the Judites were doing by burning incense to that snake). Example: I know churches that you go into that you can't move the "sacred desk" (the pulpit) as if it's "holy". It's a piece of wood - it's furniture - it's not a holy article. Sorry.

I think that the thing that we can learn from this is that we need to keep JESUS at the very center of our worship - Him and him only. Let's let our man-traditions be just that, traditions and not allow them to become religious dogma that eventually drags us down a road that leads away from the heart of true worship.

I am so thankful to live and serve and worship among a people who seem to have understood and applied these principals to their worship. Hyde Park rocks!

One Last thing about the election...

This post by JD Greear (Summit Church) is very powerful - I appreciate his insight and wisdom. I hope you'll read it. You know, I said it in Monday's post - My Savior is not elected by man but actually believed in and loved me so much that He died for me - unbelievable. Let's be the church and show the world what true change is all about - change doesn't begin in Washington and Government, it begins in one's heart.

Check out JD's post here 

1I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— 2for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:1-4 NIV)

Desperate Housewives Clip 2

If you haven't seen this morning's post watch it 1st because it won't make as much sense.

As I said this morning, I don't watch "Desperate Housewives". Never have. However, Tim Steven's used this clip at a workshop that he did and I thought this clip was huge. And if you don't automatically press stop on the player after the profanity (it will be a shame if you do because you will miss a really great point - by the way, do you turn the channel everytime "that" happens or walk out of a movie?  anyway, I warned you...) if you don't automatically press stop on the player you will be challenged by the way that the clip ends...

People have questions - I hope that they CAN turn to us to help them with the answers. 

Your Next Door Neighbors???

I don't watch "Desperate Housewives". Never have. However, Tim Steven's used this clip at a workshop that he did and I thought these clips were huge. It should remind us that there are people ALL AROUND us who are just like this:

Part 2 is coming later - check back.

Those who read on facebook or a reader click here to see embedded video

What Fires Me Up?

BAPTISM FIRES ME UP!!! I cannot express to you how much I love to see people go public with their faith! It's part of what WholeHearted Life is all about - living an abundant life - and abundant living will never happen until you take that first public "plunge", going public (identifying) with JESUS, basically saying, "I am down with Christ!"

If you attend hyde park then you have definitely heard me or someone else ask "the question": have you been baptized SINCE you believed. The reason that we are constantly asking that is that so many people misunderstand the significance of baptism. There are 2 things that are often misunderstood about baptism that are huge for all of us:

1. Baptism takes place after conversion: (Acts 2:38-41, Acts 8:26-38, Acts 9:17-18, Acts 16:12-15, Acts 16:25-34, Acts 18:5-8, Acts 22:16 ). Many people are afflicted by this statement because they were baptized by immersion but later decided that they had not truly commited their life to Jesus the first time. At a later date they receive Christs' forgiveness and wonder, "do i have to be baptized since I've already done it before?". My answer: "YES!". Baptism is the 1st ask of Jesus. Going forward in obedience to follow conversion with baptism just sets off other acts of obedience.
2. Baptism is marked by full immersion. People who were raised in other denominations sometimes struggle with this, but this point is what actually makes us "baptist".  The reason that we practice full immersion (in opposition to sprinkling) is that the word baptize comes from the greek word, Baptizo which means: "to dip, immerge, submerge.".
   
   I was myself sprinkled as a child which created a problem within my family when I became a Christ-follower. Some of my family took my baptism as a personal judgement against their faith when in reality my baptism had nothing to do with their faith, it had more to do with the fact that "I once was lost but now I'm found, was blind but now I see". I truly sympathize with those who come to us from other denominations who are truly Christian believers but haven't been immersed; I can understand the conflict. I normally try to encourage those in this position that their decision to be biblically immersed is just another step to full obedience to what Jesus has called us to - this has normally been enough for most.

I love it when people make the decision to "go public" with their faith. To see someone stand before our congregation, their new church family filled with all these people that they don't know and practically say, "what you believe, NOW I believe - my life has been and IS being changed by JESUS - through this picture (baptism) I identify with Christ, I identify with you hyde park..." (now, I know that they don't say that, but that's what they mean, don't they? ).

So, the question is: do YOU need to be baptized? 1st you BELIEVE then you're BAPTIZED. If you would like to be involved in the PLUNGE event this Sunday email me immediately and we'll get you signed up!

In the ForeFront of my Heart...

I've got so many things that are racing through my mind recently...

• How can WE, the church, be with those who aren't a part of the church in such a way that they will "see our good works and Glorify our Father in Heaven"?
• Praying that people who don't know Jesus will attend the crusade at Robeson Community College - that the Spirit of God would draw them to Himself and that they would surrender their lives to Jesus!

• Praying that, on the heels of this crusade, that WE, the church, will honestly assess how we can do something like this among those outside the walls.

• Praying that WE would be drawn in a powerful way to want what Jesus WANTS and hate what Jesus hates...

• Praying that Jesus would help our churches to be One (like He prayed).

• Praying that I will follow through on the 2 things that He has told me to do...

• Praying the WE will have a vision to be the church that reaches those that nobody else wants to reach doing things that nobody else wants to do. I want to see this region turned upside down for Jesus!!!!!

What are you praying for? Discuss...

I'm not satisfied...

Are you glad that it's Friday? Here are a couple of thoughts going into Friday:

• So looking forward to worshiping with all of you this weekend. This will be my 1st time leading in 3 weeks and I'm definitely ready. Looking forward to introducing you to a very encouraging song that should remind us all of the day that changed our lives!
• Robeson County Crusade begins this Sunday nite at 7pm at Robeson Community College. On Sunday nite they will have a mass community. Anyone who is interested in singing in a mass community choir on Sunday Nite should arrive at RCC at 5:30 - they will have a quick run-through of the music that they'll be singing.
• Our middle school ministry, "CrossOver" will kick off it's new season this Sunday nite with "Parent Invasion Nite" - 6pm. All 6th through 8th graders and their parents will have an exciting evening as they join together to kick off the new year in a powerful way.
• We're getting ready for October 31st - Trunk-A-Treat!!! Bring your bags of candy this weekend and sign up your car to be in the trunkline. We want to have more cars than we ever have - you don't wanna miss this exciting nite!
• Had a great meeting with Donnie Paschall and Paul Brooks about the upcoming "Gathering at UNCP"! I believe that we are going to see some amazing things happen in our midst.

I'll close by saying that my heart is stirred... so many thoughts running through my head... I'm honestly having a hard time to focus this morning. I want to see this community turned upside down (or rightside up ). I want to reach people that most won't reach - I want to reach people who at this moment Jesus is the furthest thing from their mind - we aren't going to do that do what we've always done (for if it was we'd all be blowin' up!).

"I'm not satisfied doing it my old way, I'm not satisfied to do church then walk away
I'm not satisfied there's no love in my life but You...
I'm not satisfied living in yesterday's hour, I'm not satisfied to have the form yet not the power
I'm not satisfied Lord I am crucified in you."

I Am Crazy!!!

DAAAANNNNGGGG!!!! I am so pumped, scatter brained, busy and rushed, but I just got back from our staff "advance" (i'm sick of people retreating - to quote Pastor Dennis, he says, "why are Christians always retreating? We're supposed to be prevailing, advancing against the gates of hell!!). I totally agree. I just wanted to take a moment and touch base with all of you...

• First, I wanted to say "sorry" for not posting this week. I was in a situation where our wireless internet was very limited, and the time that I was connected we were meeting...
• I usually post ahead for these very reasons. Normally, when I'm going to be out of town I "pre-post" in the event that I get caught like I did this week. Anyway, didn't happen this time.
• Did I tell you how pumped I am??? I'm on the tired side - I feel as if I've been trying to drink from a fire hydrant (imagine that - hence the above picture ).
• We got what I felt was a lot accomplished. I believe that this advance will be the foundation of a deep prayer initiative that will affect us for years to come.
• Enjoyed being with Tom Cheyney. Tom was our retreat leader. He works with the North American Mission Board - he really knows his stuff! (He's also a pretty fun guy ).
• I've got so much I want to share, but truthfully, I haven't wrapped my mind around it all yet... soon... soon...
• Looking so forward to leading worship this weekend! I really enjoy leading when I've been off for a few weeks.
• We have a slammin' set planned for the weekend!
• I have a meeting planned in the morning (thursday) for "the Gathering" - really starting to get excited about that! Sunday Nite, October 19th - 6pm...
• Are you interested in being a part of "the Gathering"? Let me know...
• Robeson County Crusade begins this Sunday nite at Robeson Community College. I'll be there - I'll be leading worship with Narrow Way Band for youth nite (Tuesday nite) - it's gonna be ROCKIN'!
• Did I mention that Narrow Way Band will be the worship leaders at "the Gathering"? 

Ok - time to go - much more that has to happen today. Love ya'll!

High 5's

There were so many of you who had someone at church with you last Sunday and I just wanted to give you a great big "HIGH 5!"

I was pumped as I had 2 different sets of people that I've been trying to get to church show up on the same weekend - It was a great day, but then...

...some of you told me of people that you had with you - you shared some of their stories

You allowed me the priviledge of meeting those people - people that you love, you've been praying for and desperately wanted to get them to hyde park, because you felt, you just knew, that if you could just get them in the door they would see it, that special thing about hyde park. You knew if you got them here that they just might be one step closer to God...

• Like the families that visited Sunday, for the 1st time, because they've been connecting with hyde park through soccer...
• Like the man who attended 1st time and was absolutely blown away but what He experienced - this WAS NOT church as he knew it! Not only is he coming back, he'll be at GroupLink this Sunday...
• Like the sister who introduced me to her brother - he's been coming for weeks now! He's never cared for church but when you see him he looks like he'd be no happier at a Carolina Panthers game (so give me his tickets ).
• Like the family attending for the 1st time because of an invitation - never been a church going family but felt like they wanted to check us out - they said they will be back and can't wait for the kidz (they were out of town) to experience it!

This kind of thing happens every weekend at hyde park! Do you know how blessed we are that JESUS trusts us with these special people??? Do you recognize how important you are to helping them see Him for who He truly is???

Get ready for Sunday - we're gonna rock this place and bring fame to His Name!

(and don't forget - only 3 more days until Night of Worship - this Sunday nite at 6pm - another great opportunity to bring a friend!)

Night Of Worship

You've heard me say before that, for me at hyde park, it's all about the weekends. 

Over the past few years I have made a deliberate change in my scheduling to put the emphasis on Sunday's that Sunday's deserve. Instead of doing 2 or 3 big, special events during the year that tie up and tire our people (ie. Christmas, Easter musicals or plays), I try really hard to have 52 special events per year with a couple extra thrown in for good measure.

However, every once in a while it's great to just "get the church together" to worship Jesus. With that in mind, I wanted to let you know that we are going to Celebrate Jesus in a special service on Sunday Nite, September 21st - "NIGHT OF WORSHIP", 6pm. We have a very special evening in store for you - especially those who love music.

At the end of Sunday's post I spoke a little about worship. My prayer is that during "Night of Worship" God would work among us - check out what I said here

Join us for a night of music - a night of prayer and an expression of adoration to JESUS. (oh yeah, tell a friend about it).