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

Forbidden Fruit Will Make You Pay

So I had a revelation tonight in Taco Bell.  My daughter Sydney (5) asked me why Adam and Eve ate from the tree that had the forbidden fruit.  I told her that it was pretty hard to understand, but I would give it a shot in between bites of my fabulous Gordita.  As I began to share how we are not much different than Adam and Eve when put in the right situation (lying, stealing, fighting).  We began to share more and more about how easy it is for us to live out our sinful nature.  Then we began to talk about the story of the fall and what were the consequences from Adam and Eve sinning against God.  Here is what we came up with.

God speaking to the serpent:  GENESIS 3

You are cursed more than all cattle,
        And more than every beast of the field;
        On your belly you shall go,
        And you shall eat dust
        All the days of your life.
15        And I will put enmity
        Between you and the woman,
        And between your seed and her Seed;
        He shall bruise your head,
        And you shall bruise His heel."
16    To the woman He said:
        " I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception;
        In pain you shall bring forth children;
        Your desire shall be for your husband,
        And he shall rule over you."
17    Then to Adam He said, "Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, 'You shall not eat of it':
        " Cursed is the ground for your sake;
        In toil you shall eat of it
        All the days of your life.
18        Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you,
        And you shall eat the herb of the field.
19        In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread
        Till you return to the ground,
        For out of it you were taken;
        For dust you are,
        And to dust you shall return."
20    And Adam called his wife's name Eve, because she was the mother of all living.
21    Also for Adam and his wife the LORD God made tunics of skin, and clothed them.
22    Then the LORD God said, "Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever" ---23 therefore the LORD God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken.24 So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.

Sin's consequences?

SINS CURSES:

1. SERPENT CURSED:  The serpent was cursed to crawl on the belly and have man against him and him against man.  Before the sin of Eve and Adam, animals and creatures were in harmony with humanity.
2. WOMAN CURSED: Pain in childbirth for the woman
3. The desire for woman to lead the man even though they are put under mans authority
4. MAN CURSED:  Man would now have to til the land, before all was readily provided.
5. Contend with a woman trying to vie for leadership in the home.
6. Adam and Eve dismissed from the Garden
7. Death for Adam and Eve (2:18)

All of that because of one sin action.  Today we are still reaping the fruit of that one bite Eve took before she handed Adam the fruit.  Cancer, Typhoons, Sickle Cell; Autism, Murder, Sodomy, Depression.  The challenge for us as believers that I see in the struggle is to understand how dangerous sin is.  It doesn't have one side affect.  Like if I neglect power washing my house, mildew forms, so I get it next fall.  It isn't that simple.  I think we don't understand the gravity of sin and the byproducts that can linger and affect so many and even our own life.  Surely obedience to God brings a blessings.  Sin a curse.  I want more and more to hate sin and love God, not just to be right but to experience all the blessing God has for me in this life and the next.

Stu.

 Three great quotes from AA Allens, The Price of God's Miracle Working Power.   I am well aware that we don't need to get caught up in seeking after signs and wonders but scripture smacks your face constantly with the fact, if the Holy Ghost is in you, then somethin ought to be happening.  

As we press into studying the work of the Holy Spirit, our focus this week has been "deliverance" (from demonic possession).  Allen's book is filled with much help and inspiration.  I hope you continue to press in faith to know all that God has for you.  Enjoy these quotes:

“If the son of God must spend long hours of the night, when the rest of the world was sleeping, alone on the mountain top with His Father, in order that He might be able to cast out even those demons of whom He said, ‘this kind goes not out but by prayer and fasting (Matt. 17:21), surely His disciple also must spend hours in fasting and prayer waiting on God- learning to think and act in unison with God– before he can expect to cast out demons.”  AA Allen.

“But if we are to be like Him in power, we must also be like Him in holiness, in consecration, in meekness, in compassion.  We must be like Him in prayer and in fellowship with the Father.  We must be like Him in faith.  We must be like Him in fasting and self denial.  If it were possible for the servant to be like Him in power without paying the price He paid, then the servant would be above his Lord.” AA Allen

“Prayer was more important to Him than the working of miracles, for miracles do not generate themselves.  Prayer is the cause- miracles the result.  If the disciple could attain the same results which  Jesus did without paying the same price which Jesus paid, then it would have to be confessed that the disciple had become greater than his master.  The ‘student’ would have learned a better, more efficient method than that taught to him by his ‘teacher.’ … But the student of Jesus Christ cannot become greater than his teacher.  He cannot learn anything which Jesus did not know.  He cannot find a short cut to power with God.  If he should try it, he will only meet with disappointment and sorrow.  His life will be shipwrecked and his ministry useless.”  AA Allen, The Price of God’s Miracle Working Power.

Expect Miracles! (God's working)

Stuart

God's Right Now Word to 180

"THIS IS THE HOUR, THIS IS THE TIME.  MY PEOPLE, IT IS TIME, IT IS TIME!!!!

THIS IS THE TIME THAT I HAVE CHOSEN FOR THE FIRE TO BEGIN IN THIS LAND.  I WILL GIVE YOU MY HEART FOR THE LOST.  YOU WILL BE MY HANDS AND FEET.  I WILL SPEAK THRU YOU.  I WILL HEAL AND SET THEM FREE.  JUMP IN THE ANOINTING WATER AND RECEIVE FROM ME.  THE WATER IS FLOWING, MY SPIRIT IS BREATHING ON YOU NOW, BELIEVE AND RECEIVE FOR IT IS TIME TO MOVE WITH ME.  LET ME FILL YOUR LAMPS WITH THE OIL OF GLORY THAT WILL SUSTAIN YOU IN THIS HOUR AND EMPOWER YOU TO ACCOMPLISH THIS ASSIGNMENT.

WORD GIVEN TO 180 DEGREES:   JUNE 9, 2011

Healing Minsitry of the Holy Spirit

As we continue on our study of the Holy Spirit we are reminded that the mission of the Holy Spirit is to give power for ministry.  When believers in the first century were filled fully with the Holy Spirit they were all filled with BOLDNESS and shared the Gospel witness fearlessly, effectively and often.  Their lives were solely to be witnesses for what Christ had done in and through them!  Power for ministry we have been studying the past 2 weeks include

1) Power for Witness
2) Power for Healing
3) Power for Deliverance (of demonic possession)

In the past week our focus was on the healing power of God through the vessel of the human submitted to the will of God....

Scripture states, "and these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick and they will recover." Mark 16:17-18

Now that word came for Jesus Himself! And the double truth?  It is for us today.  Many in the church (me included) have not experience the FULLNESS of God's movement.  I am sure that is for many reasons, such as lack of desire, pressing into God, prayer and even faith.  Many proclaim that the gifts and miracles are not for today, that they were for a sign for the first century church.  I beg to differ, I will take Christ at His word thank you.  So what about me?  When I read Mark 16 does it condemn me?  NO, it motivates me.  Everything that God commands, He fulfills.  So my question is not, "why not more Lord?"  My question is "Move out the way Stu!"  That is exactly what I am pressing into more and more, moving and allowing the Spirit of God to have His way.  I am expecting God to perform His word in my life and in our church!

J. Rodman Williams writes in Renewal Theology on p 257, "Since Jesus performed many healings and promised that His disciples would do even 'greater works' (John 14:12) than He, and since he has sent the Spirit to carry forward His ministry, works of healing are to be EXPECTED.  If they do not occur, therefore, it may be a negative sign, namely that the gift of the Holy Spirit has not been received, or possibly that the Spirit has come, but people are failing to move out in faith and expectancy.  However, the fact that healings of every kind are occurring so widely in the renewal of today is one of the clearest evidences of the presence and power of the Lord in the Holy Spirit."    Bring it Holy Spirit...."we're the ones God wants to use"  GET READY! -Stu

Marriage Priority Grid

I once heard from a sermon:

order plus order = function

disorder plus order = dysfunction

disorder plus disorder = dysfunction

order plus

disorder = dysfunction.  

In regards to marriage and family this is certainly true.  If a woman in a marriage is healthy and functional and her husband is sloppy and dysfunctional their family will be dysfunctional.  With so much dysfunction in our society (all of us are sinners), we should not give up and quit...we should ask God to CHANGE US!  In counseling couples struggling I share with them a priority grid that will help aid them in walking functionally (more whole).  Of course there is not a lot of specifics in this blog here, but I thought it might encourage some that may be out of order in life.  Disorder yields frustration and that can cripple a family unit.  If you see some areas out of order, take heart....simple re-prioritization and focus can move a disorderly family towards becoming  a  more peaceful and fulfilling family unit!  Here is the Marriage Priority Grid:

1)    Priority number one is my pursuit of God and love and growth in Him (personal Bible study and prayer)  As I am filled with Him I can flow with others.
2)    Second Priority is my spouse.  That means time and effort to show them that I love them (not feeling, but action) “proof is in the pudding”.  When my spouse is valued before my children, they will see a healthy marriage which in fact will solidify their lives in a round about matter.
3)    Third Priority are my children.  That I nurture, and TRAIN them in the ways of the Lord by leading them in a Biblical fashion in my talk, walk and relationship with my spouse and others.
4)    Fourth Priority is our unity in how we live (finances/job status/raising kids)  this is key for our flow in life and power in agreement.
5)    Fifth Priority is our ministry to the church and community-  This is not unimportant because it is 5^th, it is 5^th because once the other 4 are in order, I can minister effectively.

Staying Power Part II

Stu Weber: Tender Warrior writes about the staying power of Bible heavyweight Job.  "Job's enormous staying power was rooted in his walk with God.  He did not withdraw it.  The man's relationship with God was such that it generated staying power.  He capsulated his confidence with a strong statement: He knows the way with me; when he has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.  In other words, 'The God I serve knows precisely what is happening in the most secret parts of my soul.  He knows how much I can handle and how much i can't.  I trust Him with my life.  Therefore I will handle it.  And when this is over, I will be even nmor like He wants me to be.'  Job must have recited that old preacher's prayer: 'Lord, help me to remember that nothing is going to happen to me today that You and I can't handle together."      

Staying power.    

  

The bottom line?  

Stay with it, man.  Stick by your commitments.  Stand by your promises.  Never, never let go, no matter what.

• When marriage isn't fun....stay in it
• When parenting is over your head....stay at it.
• When work is crushing your spirit....don't let it beat you.
• When the local church is overwhelmed with pettiness....stay at it.
• When your children let you down....pick them up.
• When your wife goes through a six-month mood swing....live with it.
• When  it's forth and fourteen with no time on the clock....throw another pass.

Understand that the heart of staying power is SACRIFICE."

That is what MEN need today!  Staying Power-  Stu

Send This To All Men Ready To QUIT (on their family)!!!!

Stu Weber's book, Tender Warrior, is obviously striking some nerves in me....a book for this generation for sure.  One thing that I absolutely agree with him on is the lack of 'staying power' that men have in our culture.  Read his words here...

"It is staying power that makes and marks a man.  Not climbing ladders.  Not grabbing for gusto.  Not frenzied movement.  Certainly not leaving our wives.  Not abandoning our families.  Not disappearing into passivity.  Today's real men are a vanishing breed, and it's killing our culture.  The curse of our day is not so much the AIDS epidemic as it is men who don't know what a man is and who cut and run from their wives and families.  Have you noticed how badly men run in our culture?

• One third of Americal children are not living with their natural fathers.
• Over 15 million kids are growing up on homes without any father.
• Seventy percent of men in prison grew up without a father.

According to Newsweek (January 13, 1992), 'through most of the 1970's and 80's, a million children a year watched their parents split up.'

Often when I read statistics like these, the names of men I have known personally come to mind.  Some of those names and faces had been part of the church I pastor.  But they are gone now.  Gone from their wives, their children, their homes, and their church.  I confess their names bring a measure of disrespect to my mind.  I know they experienced pain.  I know there was pressure.  I know it wasn't easy.  I know there are 'two sides'.  But the bottom line is, they ran.  They didn't stay.  Didn't keep their word.  'Til death do us part' was evidently a Hollywood line to them.  They wanted to be men.  They wanted to be strong and virile.  But when they ran, what strength they lost.  They were looking for their virility, and in thinking they would find it somewhere else, they lost it.  But it's still out there in front of them like some cruel mirage they'll never reach.  For them it wasn't 'women and children first.' It was 'me first'.  That's a little boy, not a man.  In their frantic chase after 'happiness' they lost their manhood, perhaps never to regain it."

Strong words.  True though-  Stu

Holy Spirit Movement

Just last night I sent an email out to some in the 180 ministry team.  The Holy Spirit continues to release greater power, boldness and even today I have a report of 3 testimonies where great boldness has been given to the saints to minister in very intense settings.  I am forwarding this letter to you from Karen, my mother in law and faithful sister in the Lord.  

The letter is in response to my letter that simply explains that God is wanting to do a great work in an outreach that is coming up this month.  I have been so casual about the event and kind of just managing the event more than anything.  God strongly corrected me last night and revealed that I need to be very expectant for conviction and signs and wonders to fall from His work during the outreach.  Below is the posted email sent out from Karen.  I believe the italicized writing is a prophetic word from the Lord.  Begin to pray with me for the next level in miracles, signs and wonders to break forth from the Holy Spirit this season!

Stuart,

I am forwarding an email that I sent to Caitlin this morning.  I read your word on this being a Divine time for Deliverance/Healing/Salvation/Miracles.  My spirit leaped.

This morning I have a Fire raging inside of me for this MISSION Camp HOPE!

I would like to submit to you what I am feeling.  I want to open my house for prayer every nite starting tonight Thur 9th thru Sat 18th from 7-9.  I really would like to see every volunteer come for special anointing prayer and heart preparation for this mission (the battle for souls)!  I believe that if our hearts are prepared w/ FAITH in BELIEVING and EXPECTANCY, LOVE and COMPASSION.  We are going to bring the anointing for Revival to this territory of MB that God has assigned to us.  But we are not prepared.  God wants us to avail ourselves to gather and pray believing for the Holy Spirit Baptism of POWER for a GREATER WORK.  This is not a mission as usual, God is ready to move in our territory and we need to alien ourselves with HIM.

I am shaking uncontrollably as I write this.  Can I send an email invitation to prayer to our people?

I see us prayer walking around their property to prepare the ground that the Lord will begin His Work.  To set in place a boundary that the Enemy can not cross.

To make declarations over the people and the land of Freedom, Life and Salvation.

REVIVAL!

This is what God is saying to me:

"THIS IS THE HOUR, THIS IS THE TIME.  MY PEOPLE, IT IS TIME, IT IS TIME!!!!

THIS IS THE TIME THAT I HAVE CHOSEN FOR THE FIRE TO BEGIN IN THIS LAND.  I WILL GIVE YOU MY HEART FOR THE LOST.  YOU WILL BE MY HANDS AND FEET.  I WILL SPEAK THRU YOU.  I WILL HEAL AND SET THEM FREE.  JUMP IN THE ANOINTING WATER AND RECEIVE FROM ME.  THE WATER IS FLOWING, MY SPIRIT IS BREATHING ON YOU NOW, BELIEVE AND RECEIVE FOR IT IS TIME TO MOVE WITH ME.  LET ME FILL YOUR LAMPS WITH THE OIL OF GLORY THAT WILL SUSTAIN YOU IN THIS HOUR AND EMPOWER YOU TO ACCOMPLISH THIS ASSIGNMENT.

What Do You Look For In A Man?

Continuing on my manhood kick, a good quote from Stu Webers, Tender Warrior.  Stu, quotes Robin Hardy in The Chataine's Guardian about a conversation of what women look for in a man.  I thought it was completely powerful....

"The talk at the table turned to what women found interesting in men....One girl said she liked a man with dark eyes....Another girl said she preferred strong, muscular men.  Another said she was attracted to men with beards.  Then someone asked, 'Deidre, what do you like in a man?' They fell silent waiting.

"She put her cloth to her mouth.  The fire burned warmly at her back.  'It is good for a man to be strong,' she said.  'A strong man can do so many things.  But a man who is both strong and gentle is wonderful.  A man must be intelligent of course, but if he is also humble, that makes him all the more appealing....a man who is strong enough to live a disciplined life, but who is tender with the faults of others....a man who is honest above all, but kind....a man with courage to stay with the same task year in and year out, even if it is boring or tiring or painful, simply because it is his duty...a man with the courage of faithfulness.  I love all these things about a man.'  There was....silence."

God we are in dire need for these type of men in our community!

Men Need Vision For Their Family

I was encouraged to pick up a book on manhood recently for discussion and prayer focus in a mens group that I am a part of. 

The book and the reading came at a perfect time in my life.  My oldest J is 10 and Alex is 9; little Syd is heading into Kindergarten this fall. 

I think like anything we need reminding of how important it is that we as men, BE MEN.  And for most of us, like anything else, we don't know how.  Stu Weber writes for all of us men who desire to be better men, husbands and fathers in his compelling book, "Tender Warrior; God's Intention for a Man."  I will share some thoughts and excerpts from his book as I am moved to in the following weeks....  some of it will be convicting which is what I think is missing much from our flesh satisfying worldly sick culture of ease in America.... conviction causes perspective and hopefully change...  here is the first excerpt about a grown woman reflecting on life with an absent father:

"Normally a very funny lady, Erma Bombeck describes her own childhood that wasn't so funny.  She talks about a dad who failed to focus, who evidently failed as a provisionary.  Yes, he "provided" in the material sense, but apparently gave little or no attention to the most profound aspects of provision.  He had very limited contact with his family and, as is obvious from her comments, remained a complete mystery to his little daughter.  'One morning my father didn't get up and go to work.  He went to the hospital and died the next day.  I hadn't thought that much about him before.  He was just someone who left and came home and seemed glad to see everyone.  He opened the jar of pickles when no one else could.  He was the only one in the house who wasn't afraid to go into the basement by himself.  Whenever i played house, the mother doll  had a lot to do.  I never knew what to do with the daddy doll, so I had him say, 'I'm going off to work now'; and I put him under the bed.'  The funeral was in our living room, and a lot of people came and brought all kinds of good food and cakes.  We never had so much company before.  I went to my room and felt under the bed for the daddy doll, and when I found him, I dusted him off and put him on my bed.  He never did anything.  I didn't know his leaving would hurt so much."  Weber quotes Helen Keller:  "Keller, blind and deaf from infancy, was asked what she regarded as the worst of handicaps.  The questioner asked, 'is there anything worse than blindness?"  "Oh yes!" she responded, "A person with sight and no vision."

My prayer Lord....don't let me miss it like this daddy!  Give us as men VISION for our family and our lives beyond existing.  Help us to LIVE LORD!  - Stu

What Has You?

What has you?  What I mean is, is there anything in your life that you simply just have to have or do?  I felt in this season, the Lord is challenging me, "Don't let anything have you."  For me there have been times in my life where I had to watch a Duke basketball game.  Or I had to watch all 64 teams in the NCAA tournament.  I had to have a cup of coffee or I had to look at my emails for the 10th time in 5 hours.  This season for 180-degrees is and surely my life is a season to go deeper into the presence of the Lord.  God wants to show Himself mighty and strong and I have been so excited that He is offering me an invitation to experience more of His presence and His glory in my life.  As we have been on this journey, the Lord asks this of me and I ask it of you, "what has you?"  So in seeking the Lord, He is responding, make room for me.  In this season, I laugh about making a commitment to quit coffee because it "has me".  The first 3 days all I could think about was my mistress, "coffee".  I know it sounds over the top, but I realized that in my putting it down, all I could do was think of it.  Now, you may ask, what good is that doing?  Not much for 3 days, but after 7 I start to realize, OK, this thing ain't so hard.  So, in a sense, I feel like I have begun to cut away of some of the clamor in my life to hear more clearly from the Lord.  God is asking of us to move stuff out of the way and invite Him to operate in our lives.  The Holy Spirit is a gift....that must be received.  He doesn't just "operate" over our will, He more like dances with us in relationship.  No interest in Him, seasons of dryness....No desire for Him? Lack of peace....No Spirit activity, no Kingdom work done in and through your life.  I want to encourage you all this season to see "what has you".  Consider laying it down...for how long?  I don't know....maybe till it doesn't "have you".  Make way for the greater working in the Spirit of God.

Stuart

Holy Spirit "Want To"

So, I was walking my dog Scooby and I was thinking to myself and reaching out to God with it at the same time, "Lord, I know I am not what I want to be, and I could use so much more of your fire in me.  I think how my chest feels normal, and how I remember times when I could not keep my heart in my chest, like I was going to die if some of the Lord inside of me didn't get "out".  I mulled back and forth about how many people in the church struggle with so many issues and sins, and yet they have a desire to do the will of the Lord.  I felt the Spirit speak to me, "That desire comes from Me."  What a revelation.  Too often we take credit for wanting to do the right thing, maybe even taking credit for doing it (pharisee-ism).  The reality is that it is God by His Holy Spirit doing the work. Philippians 2:13 says it this way:

 ¹³for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. 

People need to know that!  You and I need to know this!  The very urge to do right (even when we are not walking in it) is a sign that the Holy Spirit is indeed AT WORK IN US.  Why does that matter?  Because so often people give up without enduring, thinking that they will never "get there".  So they settle for lower level living and the promise of God eludes them (peace, joy, fulness).  The promise of having the "Helper" with us?

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.- Philippians 1:6

Believer in Christ, be encouraged in your desires if they are for God's work in your life.  Don't focus on quitting now, you are about to see the will of God done if you will only hold onto the promptings of the Spirit with obedient steps of response.  Today is actually a day for a deeper experience with the Holy Spirit. I encourage you all to make steps to do what He is urging you to do so that His presence will pour out more fully in your lives.

Lets pray for our struggling brothers and sisters today with their desire to do right in their lives and make sure to pray them to the other side of walking it out!

- Stu

Ten Tough Questions to Ministry Leaders

Ten questions that I was challenged to ask myself as a pastor recently in reading Darrin Patrick's Church Planter. 


1.Am I addressing problems that arise in the church directly and boldly, or am I allowing problems and dysfunctions to fester?
2. Am I making wise use of the time that God has given me?  Are there any ungodly hobbies or habits that I need to eliminate from my schedule to further my effectiveness in ministry?
3.  Am I being thoughtful about how I am taking care of my body?   Am I practicing godly sleeping and eating habits?  Am I taking Sabbath rest? 
4) Are there any areas in my life that call for me to make a vow before the Lord?
5) Am I surrounding myself with godly influences that will make my ministry sustainable over the long term?  Do I have wise counselors and close male friendship to whom I can turn?  Am I building a godly marriage and family life?
6) Am I applying the gospel that I preach to others to myself as well?  Do I believe that through Christ, God is for me and not against me?
7) Where do I turn when I get discouraged?  Is Christ my functional hope and source of refreshment throughout the day?
8) Am I leaning on the power of the Holy Spirit?  Am I trusting God to do what is impossible through my own strength?

"All these practices of determination can only be done in conscious dependence upon the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18).  A determined man is not a man who is simply driven by his will, but a man who is empowered by the Spirit."  Take a moment to pray and ask the Holy Spirit to encourage and strengthen you in the ministry to which God has called you."


MMMMMM....this is good.  I feel like I need to realign some things.  I so appreciate a good word in a needful time.  The Holy Spirit is allowing me to come across things that will help me succeed because He is the "paraclete" the HELPER!

- Stu

Canine Frustration

Ok, it has been a while but I woke up this morning with a very vivid thought.  I hate to say it, but I think it was the Lord.  The thought was:  "We protect our dogs better than our children."  The image was very ruff,  pun intended, so please excuse me if it comes across crude. 
  Many of us know that spring fever comes into play sometime about now, and we know that even nature claws to "do the natural" and when they do we are sure to make sure we protect our dogs and domesticated animals from roving the neighborhood while in "heat."
  I sensed this morning that we often do more for our dogs than we do our own children.  I was shocked going through the childrens "Gap" to find "Daisy Duke Shorts" for kids my Alexandra's age.  It made me so sick.  All I could think of was all the wicked influences of our modern and not so modern "grown ups".  I am not mad at the culture, I get it....people want to shake their thing and yada yada....  I also understand that it is going to continue that way.  Yet Church, we as fathers and mothers gotta do better.  We gotta protect our little girls better than that.  We gotta make sure when they get that lovin feelin all about middle school and even now a bit sooner, we have to make sure we don't let them roam around the neighborhood.  We have to make sure that we don't let those stray dogs come in and lay on our leather. 
  Come on, as I am writing I feel a bit more ticked.  I can't imagine all the frustration and agony the 16 year old daughter's dad has when he realizes the boy he "handed off" his daughter is doing the "do" in his own sedan.  Well, maybe we ought not be so quick to let our daughters off with boys who are in heat(all of them).  I could think nothing better than to let one of those stray dogs come in and prance with the big dog while he talks with the momma poodle and helps us do work around the house and eat with us as a family and maybe even leave right after dinner to go be with his "pack".  In it all he is supervised with baby chihuahua. 
 Feminists and moderns cringe when I write in this style, but to see those little girls all over the boys at the christian concert last night made me want to ask, where is the lead dog?  We will do better to start keeping a watch over our little pups, and that is just the little pup girls.  The boys?  We need to keep a leash on those bad boys.  Take em fishin, get em in sports, but be there to pick em up.  Don't just drop em off.  Expect them to be pure and make sure if they aren't going to be, at least make it be hard on them :)
   The travesty to me in it all is that we PROTECT our in heat dogs more than our spring fevered children.  And in it all we have been duped to believe we are protecting our dogs and making it hard on our kids.  Who is the lead dog here?  Let's get that pack mentality again and take care of these precious little ones.

-Stu

Rain On Us Lord

"When I'm dry and thirsty Lord, and I'm crying out for more, I know I can trust in Your love."  Lyrics from a contemporary psalm.  How often have you been dry?  Or another way of saying, how many times have the circumstances and burdens of life attracted your thoughts and attention over the loving care and affirmation of God?

How do we, "undry" ourselves?  We can't!  But as we continue to look to the Holy Spirit we can trust that God wants us to be wet, filled and brimming with expectant hope and joy with His presence!
  

¹⁹"Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord;  ACTS 3:19

Sin squelches....grimes and bogs us down.  The presence of the Lord is a Holy presence.  The Lord is a refreshing God....He wants us to prosper and be filled with energetic praise, even in the difficult and ridiculous trials we face.  Psalm 23 is the most well known reminder of God's heart for us as His children:

    The LORD is my shepherd;
    I shall not want.
2    He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
    He leads me beside the still waters.
3    He restores my soul;
    He leads me in the paths of righteousness
    For His name's sake.
4    Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
    I will fear no evil;
    For You are with me;
    Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5    You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
    You anoint my head with oil;
    My cup runs over.
6    Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
    All the days of my life;
    And I will dwell in the house of the LORD



I know that the underlines and the bolds and big fonts are way over the top, but come on....lets break this bad boy out of the Psalms and recognize, if God is all this to us, why is it so stinkin hard to prioritize time with Him in prayer and Bible study?  Busy, busy, distracted and doing stuff.  Wow.  The presence of the Lord is able to bring all this stuff in my life, that is what I am talking about.  I pray today that the PRESENCE OF THE LORD overtake you and bring you to a place of complete contentment!




Holy Spirit on a rampage to refresh the BRIDE!  - Stu