Blacksburg Weekend

This weekend my family will all be heading to Va. Tech, Blacksburg, VA.  I have the high honor to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to a campus fellowship and I can hardly contain my excitement as I expectantly look forward to a move of God!

Following the Friday fellowship, we have an opportunity to attend the Va Tech v. Appalachian State University season opener.  This a grudge match between my wife and my alma mater's!

As we look forward to a great time in the Lord, we recognize we need the saints prayers in a real way.  As I sent out an email soliciting prayer for the upcoming weekend college fellowship event I received this portion of prayer from a dear saint in our 180 church.  It is taken out of a larger context but here is what it says,

"I pray you fill Stuart's mouth with your words for these people. That your love for them is shown even in the short 30 mins. That the would hear your word and receive it. God, if thru u stuart could reach such a broken, tore up, rebellious soul like mine than he can reach a million. Thank u God for this opportunity. Thank you for your goodness, for your mercy, and compassion on us."

Ok...so as tears rolled down my eyes, I start to think of how the glorious gospel is POWER to those who believe.  God thank you for all the impact You have made in our lives!  You are truly glorious!

PRAY FOR BLACKSBURG!

Stuart

Haiti Mission Team : Weekly Prayer Focus

Prayer request from Caitlin regarding the Haiti mission team....please remember them in prayer.

1) Leah and my dad will be getting on motorcycles at 4 am on Monday to go get a flight. Please pray for their safety in that right and for logistics.

2) Rick and Leah will be getting to Port au Prince on Monday, Tuesday they will be going to look at land, and on Wednesday they will be going into Cite Soleil. Please be praying that the Lord's plans would prevail. They will be starting Camp Hope in Cite Soleil and they will be painting a bunch with a crew of guys. Pray for the Holy Spirit to really lead and direct since they will be without me.

3) Pray for supernatural strength for my sister in that she is going on week 4 in Haiti, which is crazy amount of energy.

4) Pray for divine time with Rick, Leah and Robinson in regards to just relating, praying, sharing with one another about vision, specifically in regards to the home for street boys. 

Stuart

Sweet Aroma

From our Worship Director Kelly Edwards on our being postured for worship of the King Jesus, 

"I am working my way through a little study guide on worship, written by the same author who wrote our discipleship book series.  In it he says "worship is expressing by LIFE and WORD the worth of God our Maker... worship is my spirit communing with His Spirit."  And as I read through the Psalms this last week I came to Psalm 63 which describes this means to me so beautifully... "

1 O God, you are my God,     earnestly I seek you; 
my soul thirsts for you, 
   my body longs for you, 
in a dry and weary land 
   where there is no water.
 ² I have seen you in the sanctuary
   and beheld your power and your glory.
³ Because your love is better than life,
   my lips will glorify you.
⁴ I will praise you as long as I live,
   and in your name I will lift up my hands.
⁵ My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods;
   with singing lips my mouth will praise you.
 ⁶ On my bed I remember you;
   I think of you through the watches of the night.
⁷ Because you are my help,
   I sing in the shadow of your wings.
⁸ My soul clings to you;
   your right hand upholds me.

"And as I read this during our worship service this week, it made me just start to weep as I spoke the words because this intensity is what God wants from us and longs for.  He wants us to thirst for Him.  He wants us to be satisfied with him as with rich foods.  He wants our souls to cling to Him.  But do we really give Him all that we are?  That is my prayer for our body in this season is to break through to a worship that is this intimate and beautiful. "

Sweet Incense- Stuart 

He Wants It All Today!

The picture is the only thing I could think of for today's post.  It is a totally empty peanut butter jar.  I was listening to a song last night.  Once every 3 months I will come across a song that is worthy to be purchased.  I bought it and as I think about the lyrics, the more and more I am stirred to be like this peanut butter jar for Jesus.  See the lyrics below and be challenged by the message:  Also, I encourage if you like a smooth ballady, r & b, soulful, contemporary Jesus freak song, you will love worshiping Him with this as a backdrop!

He Wants It All-  Forever Jones

There's a voice that cries out in the silence,
searching for  heart that will love Him,
longing for child that will give Him their all,
give it all, He wants it all...........

And there's a God that walks over the earth,
He's searching for heart that is desperate,
And longing for child that will give Him their all,
give it all, He wants it all

And He says, love Me, love Me with your whole heart
He wants it all today
serve Me, serve Me with your life now
He wants it all today
bow down, let go of your idols
He wants it all today, He wants it all today, He wants it all today
He wants it all

And there's a God that walks over the earth,
He's searching for heart that is desperate,
longing for child that will give Him their all,
give it all, He wants it all

And He says, love me, love Me with your whole heart
He wants it all today
serve Me, serve Me with your life now
He wants it all today
bow down, let go of your idols

He wants it all today, He wants it all today, He wants it all today
He wants it all

all of you, more of you, He wants it all today
all of you, more of you, He wants it all today

all of you, more of you, He wants it all today
He wants it all today, He wants it all today

so give it all

There's a voice that cries out in the silence,
searching for a heart that will love him,
longing for a child that will give him their all,
give it all

He wants it all

LIVE LIKE EMPTY PEANUT BUTTER JARS-  STU

Growing Churches means Growing People- Takes Time :)

Thanks Kelly- for the email you sent:

I'm reading the "Radical" book again b/c its so good I know i didn't absorb it all...  i love this quote about how God has called each and every one of us to live out the great commission and make disciples. 

" the more I read the gospels, the more I marvel at the simple genius of what Jesus was doing with his disciples.  My mind tends to wander toward grandiose dreams and intricate strategies and I'm struck when I see Jesus simply intentionally, systematically, patiently, walking alongside twelve men.  Jesus reminds me that disciples are not mass-produced.  Disciples of Jesus - genuine, committed, self-sacrificing followers of Christ- are not made overnight.

Making disciples is not an easy process.  It is trying. It is messy.  It is slow, tedious, even painful at times.  it is all these things b/c it is relational.  Jesus has not given us an effortless step-by-step formula for impacting nations for his glory.  He has given us people, and he has said, "live for them.  love them, serve them, and lead them.  Lead them to follow me, and lead them to lead others to follow me.  In the process you will multiply the gospel to the ends of the earth"

Hoop Day It Is....can somebody say, 'no shortcuts?'

Stu

Haiti Mission Team On The Ground

Pictured here is 180-degrees mission in Haiti.  Leah Beidler is pictured drawing a bible study in te native Creole tongue....

The trip this month was greatly altered when Leah's sister was not able to go on the expected visit for the first 3 weeks.  With Caitlin not present, much alteration has to be made.  Please pray for Leah, that she would be bold, filled with love and the POWER OF THE SPIRIT.  


If you would like to follow Leah's progress you can do that by clicking the link for the Haiti mission team: www.camphopehaiti.blogspot.com.  Please pray that the tropical storm would not impact the mission trip as well.  


GO HARD FOR JESUS LEAH....we got your back in prayers!

Victory over Depression

One of the biggest threats to the church in this hour is distraction.  I have written a good friend that Satan is not threatened by the church, Bible reading or even humanitarian helps ministry.  Satan trembles when God's people begin to get set free from the lies that are implanted and ingrained in the thoughts of believers that say:  "Jesus is not enough.... I will always be powerless; depressed and insecure."  If Satan can keep God's people bound in their head and emotions, then he can continue an effective demise of God's ultimate kingdom plan.  So what threatens Satan's plans?  PRAYER.  Satan trembles when God's people pray.  Ironically, my computer just crashed as I wrote this blog, so again, I will just press through because I realize somebody's freedom might just come from this post.  Are you one who is tired of head trippin and always feeling stuck in yourself and never able to get outside of your head?  Pray this prayer and begin to believe it as you labor over your own freedom:

Prayer over Depression:

Father, You are my refuge and my high tower and my stronghold in times of trouble.  I lean on and confidently put my trust in You, for You have not forsaken me.  I seek You  on the authority of Your Word and the right of my necessity.  I praise You, the help of my countenance and my God.

Lord, You lift up those who are bowed down.  Therefore, I am strong and my heart takes courage.  I establish myself on righteousness- right standing in conformity with Your will and order.  I am far even from the thought of oppression or destruction, for I fear not.  I am far even from the thought of oppression or destruction, for I fear not.  I am far from terror for it shall not come near me.

Father, You have thoughts and plans for my welfare and peace.  My mind is stayed on You, for I stop allowing myself to be agitated and disturbed and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.

Satan, I resist you and every oppressive spirit in the name of Jesus.  I resist fear, discouragement, self-pity, and depression.  I speak the Word of truth, in the power of God, and I give you no place, Satan; I give no opportunity to you.  I am delivered from oppression by the blood of the Lamb.

Father, I thank You that I have been given a spirit of power and of love and of a calm and well-balanced mind.  I have discipline and self-control.  I have the mind of Christ and hold the thoughts, feelings, and purposes of His heart.  I have a fresh mental and spiritual attitude, for I am constantly renewed in the spirit of my mind with Your Word, Father. 

Therefore, I brace up and reinvigorate and cut through and make firm and straight paths for my feet-  safe and upright and happy paths that go in the right direction.  I arise from the depression and procrastination in which circumstances have kept me.  I rise to new life, I shine and am radiant with the glory of the Lord.

Thank you Father, Jesus’ name, that I am set free from every evil work.  I praise You that the joy of the Lord is my strength and stronghold! Hallelujah! 

From:  Prayers That Avail Much

Gifts of the Spirit

Picture:  Sydney Raye and Elijah Graham having fun at the park in Myrtle Beach:


  At 180, we are in the 9th week of studying about what the scripture has to say about the Holy Spirit.  This past Sunday we discussed the gifts of the Holy Spirit as discussed in 1 Corinthians 12.  There are 9 gifts that are freely given to people in the church.  The Holy Spirit gives the gifts to those that eagerly desire them.  Many in Christendom do not believe that "the gifts of God are for today."  Many feel that they were for the "apostolic/1st Century church period."  It grieves me more and more that as I continue on in my faith walk with Jesus, that many people walk away from the body of Christ because it is so anemic.  Divorce rates, anger, worldliness etc....  In other words, there is no difference in the church than the world.


The Holy Spirit breathes life into church.  He desires to encourage us through the manifestation of the gifts of His Spirit.  I list these gifts below:

a.       Word of Wisdom

b.      Word of Knowledge

c.       Faith

d.      Gifts of Healing

e.      Working of Miracles

f.        Prophecy

g.       Discerning of Spirits

h.      Differing Tongues
i.    Interpretation of Tongues

J. Rodman Williams adds:

“The Church cannot be fully or freely the church without the presence and operation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.” Systematic Theology 327

“A physical body with only certain members functioning is handicapped, even more so a spiritual body; a body of believers.”  Systematic Theology 340

It is essential for the church to experience the PRESENCE of the Holy Spirit and OPERATE in His gifts that He wants to give.  If we are not open to that or walking in this, than for sure we are handicapped.  Gifts expression is not readily visible in the American church today mainly because the service or format for worship does not allow.  Small groups of committed and faithful Christians should not be frustrated by this, but should experience full and meaningful gifts expression through small group gatherings.  The key here is not just Bible Study, not just prayer meeting, but to meet EXPECTING the manifestation of the Holy Spirit.  There is a lot to say about that...but that is a nugget for today.

Praying for the body of Christ to not be crippled!-  Stu

Camp Hope Pictures

WORSHIP FULTON!!!

Sand Man and CB PURE JESUS

Junior Drummin!

Community Jesus Jam

GET PREACH ON

LATE NIGHT HANGOUT

Camp Hope Reminiscing

JJ Long Day

Nicole and Plantation Apartment Kids

Kimmie Craft

Fishy Face Paint

Masterpieces By The Kids

Camp Hope Director "CB" Caitlin Beidler

Go Hard (for Jesus) or GO HOME!

Confirmations

It is not much you may think, but it is pretty cool when God is speaking and you are not sure, but what happens next is He confirms that He said it to you in another way.  That is WAY.  Just recently I was reading something in preparation for a sermon.  In the reading it talks about the importance of Baptism.  As I was reading it, a person came to mind who years ago discussed with me that they had never been immersed but sprinkled as a convert to Christ.  For the record, I chose to immerse our new Jesus Freaks in the water and lap it up from head to toe.  We take em to the ocean, the pool or if we have to a horse trough.  Years ago, as we discussed church membership, I shared my views with her and thought it was ok that if her conscience was clear and her heart was right in how she was baptized and giving her heart to the Lord, that was all that mattered.

Now fast forward to my studies.  As I was reading about the importance of baptism in regards to the fulness of God through repentance of sins and then the receptivity towards receiving the Holy Spirit, I began to think on this sister.  I kind of dismissed the thought like it was just me, trying to stir up some trouble.  That was Saturday night....all of this went down.  I put it out of my mind and just went on with my studies.  Later Sunday night after service, the young lady comes to me and tells me, "Stuart, I am not sure about this but I really keep thinking about baptism.  I just don't know if I should be rebaptized or not....I just don't want anything to block me from the power and presence of God in my life."

Well, let me tell you right now, I certainly have no thought about rebaptizing anyone, but when I had those thoughts on Saturday in my studies about this young lady then it was confirmed on Sunday with our conversation, I was jacked up in my spirit.  I really felt like the Lord was stirring something up.  That is so exciting to me to know that God is a confirming God.  He will truly let you know when He is speaking. Now some of you might think, "it doesn't matter about baptism."  Maybe thinking from a theological stance or something.  But I am going to tell you, this stuff doesn't just happen...it is not coinkidink.  God is speaking and you bet I am listening.  It is in this season if we are listening to the Lord and responding that He will truly honor His people by pouring out more of Himself.  And that is what we need in this hour!!!

Thought I would share that with you this week so that if this type of thing happens to you, you won't just think "Jinx".  If we are filled with the Holy Spirit, He will lead us into all truth and it will be confirmed in order that we may proceed boldly!

Peace,

Stuart

Camp Hope Report- Plantation Apartments

Camp Hope is now completed after a week of art, sports, food, fellowship and JESUS!  Camp Hope is directed by 180 member Caitlin Beidler.   Caitlin takes this camp on the road to broken areas in Haiti.  This year we were honored for her to do our first outreach as a church with her Camp Haiti format.  Kids had a daily regimen of arts and crafts, ball, and a healthy lunch and snack.  Mixed with Christian songs and worship, and a focus on the Miracles Of Jesus as found in the New Testament Gospels. 

We focused again on the Plantation Apartments Community in the area of Socastee in Myrtle Beach.  This area is a challenged area and like many areas of need, the kids are available with plenty of free time to come and hang out at the rec center.  Rosa, another 180 member is the assistant director at the community center.  Between Rosa, Caitlin and the 180 volunteers we were able to believe God for MIRACLES! 

The picture above is Donique.  Donique is a young boy from the community and heard the Gospel.  While sharing a presentation about how sin makes our hearts dark, Karen Roady boldly asked these precious kids if any of them felt that they had a dark heart.  Donique raised his hand.  In sharing how he could have his heart made clean, Donique quickly asked Jesus into his life in a prayer at the end of the Gospel message.  Out of over 50 kids, Donique is the only one that we know of that made a decision for Jesus Christ that week.  $300 invested in food, crafts, t-shirts, cd's and countless hours in 90 degree heat.  For one soul?  WORTH IT!

Tonight in service was Donique and his sister.  Also on hand was a community resident and her three boys who attended the outreach camp.  The lady who attended told Caitlin that ever since her boys came to camp they dug up the family Bible and insisted that their mom read it to them every day.  In her struggles during the week, she said that she was inspired to call out to God in prayer about her impossible situations and God answered every single time. 

What is ahead for Plantation I do not know.  But we are committed to reaching out and continuing to serve this needy community of beautiful people.

Stuart