Hurry Up!

Ok....scary picture.  I am running out (of pictures not words HA!).  Pray for a brother.  Just reading another church brochure for small groups out of DC, and here is the footnote (National Community Church) out of DC.  The small group brochure is SWEET, and what their director of small groups (Will Johnston) says is even SWEETER.

"Despite being one of the fruits of the Spirit, patience isn't something we discuss often.  I've been doing a lot of thinking about patience recently, and I've found it to have far-reaching implications for our happiness, our definition of success, even our relationship with God.  Proverbs 15:18 tells us that "a hot tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel."  An impatient person is quick to react, often without full understanding, imposing the certainty of his or her view while still being ignorant of reality.  A patient person fosters peace by remaining calm and taking time to figure out what's really happening in a given situation.  A community that has no peae, whose members are constantly on the defensive- or the offensive- because they are impatient and react without thinking will not continue to grow together.  They will always reserve, hold back, so as not to cause a fight.  Or they'll get so angry that one day they simply walk away.  In 2 Timothy, Paul writes, 'Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage- with great patience and careful instruction.'  Spiritual growth doesn't happen overnight.  Fallen people don't always respond immediately to correction or advice.  Patience with others when they don't act as quickly as we would like results in spiritual growth, for them...and for us...over the long-term.  A community that doesn't grow, well, it's nearly pointless.  It may be fun, which is good, but one of the central purposes of Christian community is that we continue to spur each other on to become more like Christ.  It's a long process.  We can't give up on one another.  I know I often get fed up with people when they're not where I'd like them to be, but then, I'm not where I'd like to be either: How patient are you?"      Good word.  Lord help us to have that fruit fully!- Stu

Use The Weapon!

I have had so much to share with all of you,  but as things would be we are challenged not having an internet service at the moment.  Please pray that I would have good wifi strategies in the days ahead :).

Praise report....I called a medical company dealing with part of Heather’s surgery.  They were about to send our bill to collections.  We were so encouraged when I called them and asked them to set up a payment plan.  They totally forgave the entire $2,000 bill.  Minor detail.

Now a word by Derek Prince in his book “Secrets of a Prayer Warrior” that I thought would inspire:  “There are 3 main weapons (spiritual) 1) the Word of God, 2) The Name of Jesus, 3) The Blood of Jesus.  We use these weapons by these means: Prayer, praise, preaching and testimony.  Ephesians 6 states that there is no weapon of offense or attack, until we come to the sixth item, which is the Word of God.  If you do not use the Word of God, you may be able to protect yourself, but you have nothing to attack Satan with.  If you want to put Satan to flight, if you want to get him out of your way, out of your home, out of your family, out of your business, if you do not want just to tolerate him and hold him off, the weapon you must use is the weapon of attack, the sword of the Spirit the Word of God.”  

In thinking of this writing the picture I get is Sylvester Stallone in those ridiculous "Rocky" movies being nailed over and over and over and all I could think was...."Rocky, you have to punch back."  Many times I feel that is how I fight in the spirit realm against Satan and his cohorts.  I have a tough chin...I can take a tough week, negative reports, ridiculous odds, challenging health and finances, unbelievable reports and relational challenges.  This writing makes me see myself like a prize fighter taking a beating.  "I'm still standing," I say, but then again, I'm not really throwing any punches.  Today I was encouraged to not just stand against the onslaught of the enemy but to search the Word of God diligently to find the wealth of ammunition that I can USE against the enemy.  Are you discouraged today? Overwhelmed? In pursuit by negativity?  Grab the Word and see what it says to your circumstance.  Call it out of your mouth and declare it over your situation.  The promises of God in the Word are not only to encourage us but to be used as a WEAPON.  Prince says in his book that a Bible sitting on a shelf has no power, but one that is appropriated is very powerful indeed.  Fight the good fight of faith with the WORD herd! - Stu

Free Falling?- Trivia Answer and Award

Ok... so the winner of the trivia contest is Pastor Jeff Hoglan from North Carolina!  J-dog, your next starbucks is on me when you make it to Myrtle!  For the rest of you, you can check out the cartoon and get a more complete story from Acts chapter 20.  So it is totally not a bad thing to preach long, even though it is not acceptable in our current culture.  Remember the Apostle Paul went way beyond the normal 20 minutes preaching until sunrise.   Just a piece of advice:  If you are ever in one of our services and we go beyond 60 minutes of preaching, please, please don't sit next to a window, especially if we are on the 3rd floor.  I would hate to have to "fall on you" like Paul did, I am not sure we would have the same results :)

Sermon Online

Just wanted to invite ya'll to view our weekly sermon's online through the blogosphere.  To the right of the current post, note 180-web resources as a section on this blog.  Under the resource tab, you can click either our church webpage "180-degrees.net"....also you can click the "sermon's online" link to take you to vimeo.com where you can view the past sermons that I have preached at 180, online.  Special thanks to bro. Michael Tucholski and John Mashburn (the guy in the pink thing in the last post) for all their work to make this a reality.  

PS... if you don't like long sermons, don't even go there....I am a truly longwinded brother.  Just ask Eutechus (see if you get it....winner gets a free coffee with me at Fresh Brewed. I dare you to guess.)

-Stu

Hot Mash In Pink

Ok...so I am not so spiritual.  Shoot me.  Here is my good friend John Mashburn.  This just proves to you that 180 is not only a crazy Jesus Freak church but one that knows how to loosen up and smile a little.  John, you look great in pink hats and whatever the heck that is around your neck....

Pray for me, I need more inspiration to write a relevant blog post!!!!!!!!!!  Ha!

Stu

Ugly signs

Just a crazy story.  When we say "to God be the glory"... here is what I mean.  So a long, long time ago maybe over a year ago a brother in the church suggested we put out a sign before services.  We used to do that when we were on the other side of town.  I thought is a good idea and so we encouraged him to build it, which he did.  After a while an artist added to the sign with paint and addressed it in a really impressionistic and fancy way.  Every event we had the artist would repaint the sign with the event and then back over it again with the church meeting info for Sundays and such. 

After a while the sign just got put in the back of the church.  180 functions out of a coffee house so there is no signage at all for the church, so we pretty much function via word of mouth.  About 5 months ago I started being convicted to put the sign out, but I wanted it to be pretty.  So I told all the painters/artsy types to paint it all angles and edges not fru fru.  Well that didn't go far because who do you know that is artsy wants to paint stencily?  So I took it home and put about 2 days into it.  Making it all lines and edges, painted the whole sign black with freehand lettering.  At best it resembled 2nd grade cursive, but it was done by golly.  Next thing I know the sign got taken to a yard sale and was relettered.  I could have died.  Only because the sign ultimately kept sitting and never being used. 

Well this weekend I took out that old sign and for the second week in a row sat it on the sidewalk.  Ironically, one side of the sign isn't even finished.  It is a bit ridiculous, but I am so frustrated about this thing that I put it out in its deplorable space, hoping someone came in from the other side that they might see the "finished" signage and details of worship and our meeting.

Well, the service was fine as we talked about not worrying and reading Matthew chapter 6.  I felt the presence of the Lord was with us.  After service on the way out I was instructed to talk to a man who did not feel comfortable coming up to prayer.  I asked him as I introduced myself how I could help him.  He responded in tears, "I want to know Jesus."  We went to the back room and I listened to learn of this homeless man's story.  He had only been in a church 2 times in his life.  Now at 43, he was homeless, broken, and ready for God to forgive him of all his sins.  It moved me for sure.  Well the process for salvation doesn't change for economics we all know well, so we prayed to the God that cares and Jesus came into that man's heart I am sure of it. 

Just tonight, I was going through the information that new attenders fill out for us and put in our "giving box".  One of the fields of questions we sort is, "How did you hear about us?"  The man's answer:  "Sign out front."

Here's to ugly signs

-Stu

Juicing Stones and Love

Heather asked me last night why it is that I put such random pictures beside my blogs, and to tell you the truth, I just want to share my family and church and life.... so randomness of pictures is somewhat of the norm.  Here is one from my little man JJ before we moved to Myrtle Beach.  Behind me is the Chesapeake Bay in Hampton, VA. 

Ironically I can use this picture to explain my day.  Feeling crushed a bit.  Discouraged; misunderstood; hard pressed.  The armor suit was a "Armor of God" outfit that came with scriptures from Ephesians 6.  I definitely needed the armor today!  As we labor from day to day in the kingdom so much is done to establish the truth of the kingdom and the freedom that comes with knowing Christ.  Addicted, mental and miserable people exchange their weights for the freeing love of God and the forgiveness that pulls away all remnants of sin's tainting in life.  Insecurities vanish.  Fears are done away with.  Shy and introverted people become bold and impassioned for Christ. 

In the midst of all of this tough day I had to examine what was so tough about it.  The lack of love around me.  We gather and talk about how good God is and how passionate we are about being followers of God and all the while having little love at all for the people called to be our family (the church).  I am learning that the scriptures are true when they say in 1 Corinthians 13 that if I could give my body up to be burned, or have faith to move mountains or could speak in tongues of angels and know all mysteries but have not love it is NOTHING.  My frustration with people today is that I just want them to love each other....just want to, not actually do it (smile).  I was talking with some dudes...close dudes....ministry partners, and when I was told one didn't like the other and didn't even want to, I wanted to throw up.  I was like, "huh?"  "Well, I guess I better just quit the ministry and all that I am doing because it isn't worth jack squat if that is how you want to feel and stay."  And I truly mean that. What good is it without the WANT TO? Who wants to be a church that "tolerates" each other.  Yuck.  Ooogaly boogaly.  Don't get me wrong.  People get on my nerves daily.  But, oh how I receive them, I just love them, I hope for them, I believe that God is gonna get em, get a hold of em.  You know, the "never give up on people."  Don't get me wrong, there is a time to distance and a time to confront with boldness, but that doesn't mean the love is missing. 

God help me.  Help our church.  Help 180 to want to LOVE each other.  You know?  Really, just want to.  In the end of the day a dear brother sent me a word that said,  "His life is like an orange, cut in half and ground, over a juicing stone and poured in a cup."  Talk about humbling.... I just wanted to fall down thinking about that statement...feeling far from it.  He was saying that about my life.  At the moment, I just wanted to throw oranges.  Feeling my life is amounting to little when the attitudes that I experienced in the church were so anemic regarding the basic LOVE that Christ gives and calls for us.  But then again, that is what the juicing stone is....it is gut wrenching, but we sit on it.  Let it tear us up....give ourselves.  Thanks bro for sending me that encouragement.  I was ready to get off the juicer, but praise God, Love is going to be the foundational value in 180 if I have to eat the juicing stone til I go home.  It is worth it to suffer and press to the greater place of love even if we never see it actualized.  Praying for more love.  -  Stu

Syd Snores On

Was praying today and just plain thankful for a full and rich life that God has given me.  This am woke up ready to have a full day....plans to meet with a brother and a couple of meetings.  Train wreck to that day....wake up to Alexandra having a full on reaction to her anti-biotics for her staph infection.  Hives all over, red splotch and itching all over.  The 3rd time we had to take her to the doc in 8 days.  She seems to be leveling out, so thanks for all your prayers.  After picking up some meds for Alex, I headed out to encourage a sister in the Lord about her admin assistant ministry.  She was growing weary in it all and I had the opportunity to just listen and give some feedback about the 3 or 4 things she was doing great and where she needed to focus.  She was relieved as we prayed and gave her concerns to the Lord.  I was able to make it out and meet our soon to be newlyweds and move them from house to house from 1 to 7.  It was a lot of stuff, but we had great opportunity to connect, laugh and goof off about all that they didn't but should have sold at a yard sale!  From there I was able to come home and just walk the dog and hang while my family enjoyed monopoly jr.  Syd got scared tonight so she wanted to "sleep in the big chair" near me.  That is where I am now....just thinking about this day and the goodness of God.  I am looking forward to a day tomorrow meeting with a brother at 10 am over coffee, discussing his weekly Bible study.  How Jesus is speaking to him.  How I can just support and pray with him and he for me.  Then off to meet another pastor who is trying to get his ministry off the ground.  Planning to listen and just encourage him to get the vision, clarify the vision, execute the vision and then evaluate the execution.  He will be great, I just know it.  Following that I have the privilege to speak to a men's breakfast at Sunset Beach Community Church on Saturday am.  Somewhere in there I get the privilege of shutting in with Jesus and getting in His word, knowing he will lead me to have "something for the people" on Sunday.  Again we will be training 3 new members in a class on Sunday and installing a new worship leader as well.  All of this along with am wake up calls to kids on my bed, wet dog noses, sweet hugs from my beautiful wife and the challenges of balancing it all.  There is no greater joy than to be where you are supposed to be and I am so grateful to have the opportunity to do just that.  Thanks for listening to my rambling....I wish you could hear little Syd snore, you would laugh!  Stu

This is the day that the Lord has made.  Surrounded by a group of kids that are healthy.  Alexandra's staff infection has totally turned for the better.  What started as a boil has now "leaked" and her anti-biotics have helped her turn the corner.  She can now walk pain free and now has a good "itch" going on.

Heather continues to heal from her surgery.  We were told six weeks for recovery, but hearing from other folks, it can take up to a year or two to really get the body back to feeling right.  We thought perhaps something was off.  We are just slowing down on the timetable for healing and allowing her body to adjust, while not pushing it too hard.

The kids pick up school again on the 23rd of this month.  Jeremiah will be a big 4th grader.  Alex will be in the 3rd grade and Sydney will be around mommy's apron one more final year.  Think it may be time to adopt!  We won't know what to do without a little pooter scooter around the house. 

The challenges have been many in this season.  Mainly the reality of launching into full time ministry with a small church.  The house is on the market and we are continuing to hold on and trust God for all that is necessary for this season.  Our kids have stayed fed, the lights have stayed on and by God's grace my wife still loves me, trusts God's leading in our life and is my most stalwart supporter and defender.  Facing lack in the face is a challenge many people are facing in our current economy, and we know that at any point the Lord will be breaking through this present struggle to the place of breakthrough.

If you know of anyone wanting a beach house in Myrtle tell em to respond to the blog :) 

Well, your prayers are essential for us crew.  God is doing great things in the church.  Marriages the right way are coming together.  Drug addicts are getting delivered.  Just today an atheist called one of our church members and asked if I would come by and pray with her.  A young agnostic named Christian (I know... no I didn't make it up), has been attending our services every Sunday night.  She stays around the front of the cafe and does not venture in the services, but it is obvious that God is drawing her.  One of our members left for New York to get things right with her family after years of neglect.  I know I should write more, but for now, share in prayers of thanksgiving with us as God continues to deliver, heal and bring folks to stable places in life, solidifying their everlasting and eternal hope in Christ.  Pray for a miracle of provision for our home and that it would sell.  We feel the Lord wants us to downsize so that we can have less need and can give more to focus of the work of the Lord.  The needs are too great in our current situation.... time for a breakthrough. 
Thanks for partnering with us in this season in prayer.

Nothin but love for ya baby!  -Stu

Don't Settle

Recently talked to a friend about his disappointments and depressions in life.  I didn't want to pick up the phone myself really.  Not because I didn't want to talk but because I was struggling much of the day thinking a lot of the lack in my life.  Lack of this in the church, lack of that in my leadership as a father.  Not being as far along as maybe I thought I should be or whatever.  As dude kept on talking, all I could do is hear that brother wavering on some bad decisions.  A week ago, dude was feeling right on point, feeling like God was speaking to him.  As I listened all I could hear him saying was. "Yada, yada, yada....Jesus is not enough."  Now that is not what he was saying, you know....but that is what I heard.  Depression had begun to set in because his decisions made a week ago that he was passionate about, sure about, strong about left him this weekend, alone, iso/bored and feeling like a loser.  I was asked if God was "punishing me for bad decisions?"  We re-winded the week and recollected that the decisions he previously made were solid.  They were made to glorify God.  They were made to bring order and stability in his life.  But when he made his decisions and the issues exited stage left, all that was left were some crickets.  Can you hear them chirping?  Zero activity in his life.  And you know, I truly felt for a brother, but I didn't want to rescue him from his "narrow gate" that scripture talks of.  Denying self and going for God almost always leads us to death of self.  And folks, death is not fun.  It means sometimes isolation and fear and roads less....I mean never before traveled.  As I began to grab myself from my own depression and downcast state (right before the phone rang), I counseled him on what I knew to be true in the Bible.  Going God's way does not promise to deliver the right away answer, the right now breakthrough, the quick cut solution to all the things we long for (success, companionship, etc). As the call went on we recognized that when we are dying to our "self-life", our agenda, the things that we reason are best for us, we get what I call the wiggle.  That wiggle is the last ditch effort to go back and go to what we know is comfortable.  I asked dude if going back to those things would make him happy....he hesitated and really didn't say much.  I said it a different way explaining that when we wiggle, God will usually do one of two things.  He will wait til we lose the whine.  He will let us keep going through the pain (see Israelites in the desert) until they LEARN to be grateful.  That could be two weeks or two years.  OR.... He will give us what we want.  Now you know what I am about to say, but here goes.  What we want is not going to be what we need.  Why?  Cause it ain't from God.  It is our vision and our desire.  That thing will be fun for a season then God will reveal later, "hey, you are miserable because of what you wanted.  You wanted this and I gave it to you, but guess what, you really need ME."   Jesus.  You are enough for me Lord.  Thank you for the call Dude.  Didn't need to hear all the want in that brother really (I could barely listen to my own), but as I went deep in the Word, You did what you promised You would do (bring remembrance to me of all things.)  As I helped a brother with your Word and your Spirit reminder, You so helped me.  Remember today with me friends.... Jesus is enough.  Period. Don't settle with the wiggle itch, it will only be unsatisfying.  Stand firm with your decisions....Trust God for a GODLY MATE, let God LIFT YOU UP instead of yourself, DON'T CUT CORNERS with your finances etc.... God will bring your blessing as you walk upright before Him.  And His provision will be good and no regret!  DON'T SETTLE - Stu

The Glory of Inconvenience

Hey all.... an update on one of our bay-bays and an intro to a couple new church folks.  First our second child, Alexandra woke up to a very sore and stiff knee.  Red/swollen and apparently what is called a mercer staph infection.  Tons of pain, but now on antibiotics, Alex is her ever ready tough girly self.  Pray for her, need to keep that yuck stuff out of the bones in her knee for now.

Meet Nicole and Landen.  "Nikki" is a new church member, well, she has been with us now for a pretty good while.  She gave me permission to share her story with you.  Coming from a very hard life and running like the rest of the world, Nikki came in to the church through recovery programs held at the church coffee shop.  Her and her boyfriend Louis were committed to coming to church and attending our small group meetings and one on one discipleship training process.  Nikki is Heather's study partner.  Soon after getting involved in the process, they wanted to join the church and are set to wed this month on the 21st.  In going through pre-marital counseling I came to understand that they were living together with 2 kids from other marriages.  I "coached" them to separate for the wedding and live a chaste life until tying the not.  I encouraged them that even if one of them was "sleepin on the couch" we as Christians need to set the standard of godliness even to an unbelieving world.... and MOVE OUT.  Nikki and Louis struggled with this much because of their finances, the kids and the challenges of living, working and churching all in different areas.  The church stepped up and offered to house them and help with childcare.  What blesses me is that the church often tells people how to live, but in reality, nobody wants to step up to the plate to BE A SOLUTION.  WOW.  How inconvenient it has been for little Landen.  Mommy Nikki sleeping on a blow up mattress for a month in a spare play room in the house.  Little Madison coming over during the day.  How inconvenient for their gas....being spent double time with double miles driven doubly daily.  How inconvenient for Heather coming off of surgery, in pain, taking Nikki to go through surgery and then having 5 kids to watch instead of 3.  How inconvenient that everyday these two kids who were solid at home got separated for a season for what? Jesus?  Some would call it super-unnecessary religious fanaticism bordering phariseeism, but as Nikki and Louis stand where shore meets sea with her girls and his boys....and we open up the Word of God on the 21st, I know that all of Heaven will be applauding.  "Way to go kids".  Both of the two will come together not perfect, but changing.  Changing values, changing attitudes and changing lifestyles.  We even know that Landen and Maddy will see a living testimony of how to value God's way of marriage.  Celebrate with me for Nikki and Louis.  A beautiful family and a clean conscience....the Glory of Inconvenience.-  Stu

Prayer....

Just a word for the herd today.  Was going through some old books and found a great quote about praying.  Doing inventory about my life and some of the situations I find myself in.  Trying to weasel my way out and find that I am not able to.  Many people think Jesus is a crutch and that to pray to Him is beneath their dignity.  Let them get a heart attack or a cancer and they squirm under the weight of the Eternal Reality.  But for us that trust God for all things, there is a way in which we should pray.  Jesus in Matthew chapter 6 gives us a "model" prayer.  That is not all inclusive of how we should pray, just a model.  Watchman Nee, writes about one aspect of praying....and that praying effectively....

"Many prayers are inconsistent prayers.  A person can pray for one or two days.  But after three months, he completely forgets it.  Some people can pray about something only once.  They cannot even pray a second time for it.  Such ones care little whether they receive what they ask for.  Please count how many of your prayers have been offered for the second time, the third time, the fifth time, or the tenth time.  If you have forgotten your prayers, how can you expect God to remember them?  If you do not have a heart to pray, how can you expect God to have a heart to listen?  If you have forgotten your prayer, how can you expect God to remember it?  Actually, you have never wanted what you asked for.  A person will pray persistently only when he is pressed in the environment and driven by needs.  In such cases he may persist for decades and still not give up praying, 'Lord! If You do not answer me I will not stop asking."  If you want to ask for something, you should trouble God about it.  If you really want it, you must ask persistently until God hears you.  You have to ask in such a way that God cannot do anything except answer your prayer.  You have to ask until God is forced to answer you."-  Watchman Nee Prayer.

Like it or dislike it, chew on this statement.  (Also see Luke 18). May the Lord reveal how sincere we are with our prayers.  One thing the Lord corrected me on recently is, "Stuart, you are complacent in your lack".  I said, 'wow! are You serious?  I am trying to be content!'  and God says to me in my heart, "I want to bless you!"  Pray people....and pray persistently and sincerely.-   Stu

EARS TO HEAR

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The latest thing of great importance to me lately is the fact that God speaks even yet today.  Recently I have been taking a lot of my personal burdens to the Lord in prayer.  Taking my fears and anxieties, uncertainties and such to Him and asking Him to deliver me and rescue me from my situation.  As I went into my prayer room at home I went again to lay out my soul before Him.  My focus was on myself and my struggles, so I just felt the urge to listen.  In my listening I began to open up my mind.  In an instant I had a thought come across my mind that was a solution to a problem in the ministry we were having.  In this problem I was having to appoint a leader over a small group that was really not prepared yet.  I felt awkward about it, but at the same time I felt like I had to do it.  I logically thought it all the way through and there were no other options in my mind.  I shared it with some of the other close saints that work with me at 180 and they all thought my plan was pretty good as well.  In the prayer closet, however, God gave me the solution to the problem we were facing.  The solution was so outside the box that I couldn't see it.  He told me who to bring in, when to do it and how it would work.  Now this might not seem big to you, but as I write this, it simply encourages my soul more and more that God is relating WITH ME!  I am crying out about my this and that, and He is directing me in my that and this.  Did I get my rescue I have been praying about?  No..... but I know the Lord is with me.  He is directing me.  He is relating with me.  YES!  Be encouraged that as you go and invest time with the Lord, in His presence, He will speak.  And the way He speaks might surprise you ("on another topic"...He might say).  May God give us all an ear to hear even when God is speaking on something we are not even focused on. 

The Presence Factor

Just coming out of a season of God "dealing with us" as a church.  You know as I go week to week and have discussions with the members of the church, I can't help but think that God allows me to hear things that He wants me to hear.  You know, scripture says, "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." Romans 8:14.  People all the time say, "Man you were preaching to me!  That ain't right."  I should say in response, "stop giving me something to preach about!"  Joking of course.  On a serious note, a lot has been revealed to our church that God wants HIS PRESENCE to rest in the Church of God.  If Jesus is the HOPE of the world and He dwells in the heart of His followers, then He better be present!  Moses said it like this when God was tired of dealing with the Israelites in Exodus 33

   ¹³"Now therefore, I pray You, if I have found favor in Your sight, let me know Your ways that I may know You, so that I may find favor in Your sight Consider too, that this nation is Your people."   ¹⁴And He said, "My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest."  ¹⁵Then he said to Him, "If Your presence does not go with us, do not lead us up from here.

   ¹⁶"For how then can it be known that I have found favor in Your sight, I and Your people? Is it not by Your going with us, so that we, I and Your people, may be distinguished from all the other people who are upon the face of the earth?"   ¹⁷The LORD said to Moses, "I will also do this thing of which you have spoken; for you have found favor in My sight and I have known you by name."   ¹⁸Then Moses said, "I pray You, show me Your glory!" 

Truly this is how God has been dealing with Heather and myself.  Just recently (5 weeks ago) I was shaping up my 2 year goatee and I felt impressed to cut it off.  Then as I was shaving it off I sensed the need to shave my whole head.  I know it sounds fanatical, but I truly felt God was DEALING with me.  Trying to say in a voice I could understand, "Come on Son, I am trying to take you to the next level, but you are too slow in staying where you are."  I felt I needed to physically strip my head as a sign to myself to get basic with myself and God, sanctify myself and go where God is calling me and wanting me to go.  In my repentance I asked a sister in the church to pour anointing oil on my head and pray for me.  She poured the whole bottle of oil (vial) on me.  As the scented oil dripped down my head and in my eyes and on my shirt, I couldn't even see.  I was so much in pain because of the eye burn, and all I could think was, yes Lord, this is what I need, I need You. Everyone in the service probably thought I was a freak, but what I was saying to God is "I DON'T WANT TO GO ANYWHERE WITHOUT YOU LORD."    Without you Lord, without your PRESENCE, what good is this stinkin ministry?  What has been accomplished yesterday is in the books, so my prayer and I hope yours too is, God if You won't go with me, don't send me!!!  -STU

A Heritage of Movement

I have been reading a very interesting book that I picked up a couple of weeks ago.  Jeremiah asked me, "Dad, how many hours are you going to read that book.'  Obviously I am in a trance and amazed to learn some new things about the move of God in American history.  The book, Jonathan Edwards a New Biography (Iain H Murray), has been amazing so far (1/2 way through).  What I was shocked to see is how in the olden times (1720-50's) the church was very much what I had envisioned in America, specifically in the North Eastern section.  Pews, lecterns, starchy (dead) church services that left many people unchanged.  However in the late 1720's America entered into what is a time of "Revival".  Called the Great Awakening, the church it is documented, came alive.  Even with the old starchy robes of the preachers the likes of George Whitfield, Jonathan Edwards and others came to move the dead church into a frenzy of activity.  First the preaching was significantly different than the preaching of that day.  The preaching probed the consciousness of the hearers of that day. Digging to the heart, it questioned if truly the listener was "right with God."  Were the people merely expressing an outward form of worship or did they truly KNOW the God they professed to be "worshiping."  What made this season of movement so intense is that people came to realize in their heart of hearts that they were truly lacking in a proper relationship needed for eternal assurance.  Outbursts of tears, sighs and groanings and many "unsanctified" activities ensued.  This weird movement caused so much division that denominations and church fathers argued back and forth whether it was a divine movement or a movement of man.  In this book it is estimated that over 40,000 souls came to faith in Christ through this movement.  In our experience, for many of us, in churches across America, we have been guided to experience a dead and lifeless god, because what we are being led to is liturgical crosses, incense, beads, robes and pulpits, starchy white collars, traditions of man and arguments over whether to sing hymns or contemporary songs.  I pray today for some MOVEMENT.  Let the spirit of Whitfield, Wesley, Edwards return to the church. Lord, let the Spirit of Christ return to wake a sleeping church.  When revival hits the church, people will not be able to sit still knowing their souls are dangling over eternal damnation while being deceived with the comfort of elevator organ music lulling them passively to slumber.  Time for a new Movement!

....then the end will come

180-Degrees is a small church plant, about 5 years into the process, but we have a dynamic group of believers who absolutely feel that God wants to get the good news of His love, gospel and glory to the nations.  Caitlin is one of our people who have such a burden for the nations, Haiti specifically.  Caitlin and her sis, Leah (Boston, MA), have been going over to Haiti now for a few years.  The outreach started with games and dances, sports, and activities for many of the children.  As the months went by, Leah and Caitlin struggled with the little bit that they were able to give to the nation.  As we all know by now post-earthquake Haiti is is shambles.  America as a nation cannot band aid the needs of this torn apart nation.  Yet Caitlin and Leah continue to visit and ask God for wisdom of how to make the greatest impact for God in the history of this great people.  Caitlin is sure after years of walking with the Lord that the "greatest hope of the world is the church."  The church gives out the gospel, the connection to God, and the love needed for a dying and broken world.  Jesus is the head and presence of the church, and even in the midst of suffering, the world can hold to the eternal promise by Christ that truly he brings all into eternal life that believe and live for Him.  Caitlin and Leah have begun to take baby steps in identifying young leaders in Haiti, who can be trained and equipped to lead a charge for Christ by establishing churches in this nation.  Many great things will come forth from this effort: homes for boys, schools, job training, summer camps, agricultural training.  For now, Caitlin and Leah are planning a trip in late July.  Pray God to open their eyes to see the next steps in reaching nation Haiti with the Gospel of Christ and the wisdom to identify and equip leaders to develop passionate churches for Jesus.  Jesus is the hope of the world....and Jesus is in the church.  Join 180 in a thrust of prayer and action to plant churches, 'till the whole world knows.'  "And this gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come."- Matthew 24:14.   More coming on some people we know in Haiti and their stories....Notice Caitlin's blog link on my partner list.  -  Stu

Hair Do's and Grace

Good to be alive today, good to have another shot at experiencing all the Lord has for us to learn about Him.  Today I got a good lesson in "grace".  Dictionary.com states grace defined as:

the freely given unmerited favor and love of God

Unmerited is good for me in today's lesson.  Not earned, not deserved....nothing I did.  Today's grace teacher is my wife.  Today was a very unique slow day for me.  I slept in after a very hectic and involved weekend.  Cup of coffee, kids, dog, lovin's lovin's.  Was asked by my wife to watch the kids so she could get a hair cut today.  Guys, this is basic and very important for us to do.  Heather very seldom asks me to help her with anything.  So, I was more than excited to watch my babies so that she could get her sassy cut on.  After leaving on a "play day" I was all alone at home fielding drama filled calls and pseudo waking up thinking about how to prioritize my week.  About midday I got a call from a brother to meet at the coffee shop to discuss some stuff and I was more than willing, since I had already forgotten "the cut".  After 4 missed calls and 3 urgent phone messages (from Heather), I finally realized my phone was on silence.  Upon realizing my missed  assignment I called the women for backups in prayer.  "If you don't see me at church on Sunday, send a search party to find my body."  I assumed it would be over.  Thinking the worst, I thought I could meet Heather at the Salon coming in on my hands and knees, maybe even in a worshiping position.  All I could envision was her, a filled salon and my three kids climbing on people.  On my way, rehearsing my honest cry for forgiveness, Heather had left me a message about getting an emergency babysitter and meeting me at home and wanting me to hurry and call her because she was worried about me.  Pleasantly surprised by her tone, I had new hope that perhaps I would not be dominated as I previously thought.  Upon meeting her at her mom's work, she calmly said, "Don't worry baby, you never mess up with stuff like that.  With all you've done for me it is no big deal."  GRACE.  Wow.  How valuable it is.......when you need it.  I knew I screwed up, I didn't need to hear it again, I confessed it to 3 ladies on the way to the salon, I was sure my lesson was learned.  I would patiently take the reproof though, I knew I deserved it.  What did I get?  Grace.  Unmerited favor.  That is what God gives us.  Make sure you bask in the great Grace of God today-  Stu

God's Family

Baptism today in the surf @ Myrtle Beach. Louis, Nellie and Zac. Tom Ditzler helped me dunk our brethren! (I told him not to hold them down too long.) Our small group of about 20 folks showed up at noon to pray and baptize at 3rd Ave. North, in Surfside. The reality is that Baptism is a special time. We teach it is not optional, it is a celebrational, worshipful response to Christ's call to follow Him with a washed life and a new beginning. For a minute, we recognize it can be a bit awkward for some vacationers, but the reality is that I think it is a good reminder to be public about our decision to follow Christ. Being a small church and not having a "Batismal" I think is a pretty good thing. Many people came by to be "nosey" (kidding...what is not nosey about 20 people standing in a circle. Everyone was looking for jellyfish. The reality is we had a chance to share the Word of God, not just through preaching but through demonstration of a life of response to God's Word. Following was a great time at McDonald's and some funny moments will all the kids at playland. I am thankful for my God family. This family is eternal. I know that as I shared with the three our baptism is not powerful in that it doesn't "do" anything for us. I shared that it doesn't take away our sins, forgive us or give us special power. We do it to represent Christ openly and unashamedly. For He has washed our sins away and already forgiven us. May God fill Louie, Zac and Nellie with great purpose that they may live long productive lives for our Daddy.- Stu

An Excerpt from Charles Finney,  
HOW TO PREVAIL WITH GOD-
 

"Curious circumstance occurred since I came to England; a party, whose name I have forgotten, but the circumstance was related to me while I was at Birmingham--A Christian man called to see me to relate a fact about himself. He had heard, from time to time, different things about prevailing prayer. He felt, he said, that it was his duty to state the fact to me, to show me how great was the faithfulness of God. It was of so extraordinary a character, involving such a principle, that I have thought of it almost ever since. "Some time back," said the gentleman, "a neighbour of mine lost his wife. When she was ill and nigh unto death, my wife went to nurse her, and staid with her till she breathed her last. After she returned home, I was satisfied that all was not right. Things kept showing themselves continually. Circumstances occurred to show me that all was not right between that man and my wife. I told her what I feared. She confessed her guilt, and not only so, but avowed her determination to quit me, and to live with him, whatever might come of it. 'What do you say?' exclaimed I. I could not say anything more to her; but I went to God, and cried day and night unto him--O God, wilt thou not avenge me of this mine adversary? For two weeks, I scarcely slept at all, but prayed and wept, sometimes in one position and sometimes in another. But for two weeks I gave God no rest, but prayed continually--O God, wilt thou not avenge me of this mine adversary? At the same time, I let my wife understand, that my arms and heart were open to receive her if she would return, and I would forgive her all the past. I kept myself in that position. I wept before God. I prayed, and I cried unto him to avenge me. At the end of the two weeks, she came back heart-broken, confessing her sin, humbling herself, and doing all that I could wish her to do; and she has since been all that I could wish her to be." What a striking case is this! Instead of at once turning her away, he went to God, and said, "O Lord, thou seest that this man hath torn away my very wife from my bosom! O God, avenge me of this mine adversary." If in any one case more than another, a man would feel a disinclination to make a matter the subject of prayer, it would be in such a case as this; yet he did, and prevailed in the extraordinary manner I have described."  

TIME TO PRAY TO A WHOLE NOTHA LEVEL-  Stu

The Praying Wife

My beauty queen and the one who more often than not should be credited with all that I have been able to walk and grow as a man of God.  The prayers of a wife can make a Godly man stand, an apathetic man revived and a spiritually dead man alive.  Pray ladies, the greatest thing you can do for your husband, relationship and family is PRAY FOR YOUR MAN!  Check out the prayer model below and print it out and speak it over your husband and life daily!- Stu

A Wife’s Prayer for Her Husband and Father of Her Children

By: Stormie Omartian

God, I proclaim You Lord over my life.  Help me to seek You first every day and set my priorities in perfect order.  Reveal to me how to properly put my husband before children, work, family, friends, activities, and interests.  Show me what I can do right now to demonstrate to him that he has this position in my heart.  Mend the times I have caused him to doubt that.  Tell me how to prioritize everything so that whatever steals life away, or has no lasting purpose, will not occupy my time.

I pray for my husband’s priorities to be in perfect order as well.  Be Lord and Ruler over his heart.  Help him to choose a simplicity of life that will allow him to have time alone with You, Lord, a place to be quiet in Your presence every day.  Speak to him about making Your Word, prayer, and praise a priority.  Enable him to place me and our children in greater prominence in his heart than career, friends and activities.  I pray he will seek You first and submit his all to You, for when he does I know the other pieces of his life will fit together perfectly.