Serving Joyfully

Psalm 100
1Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
2Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
3Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
5For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

This is a very familiar Psalm to all of us. One of the things we face as servants of Christ, and as members of a very busy church is the balance between serving joyfully and serving out of obligation. I have been reminded in a very bold way about serving joyfully, and I am claiming that for my life and my ministry.

A few weeks ago, a mother told me about a decision her 5th grade son had made. He accepted Christ as his Savior. He was telling his mother about this, and he said, "Okay, now what's my job?" She asked him what he was talking about. He said, "Well, you sing in the choir, and Daddy runs sound. You both have jobs in the church. What's my job? I'm a Christian now. I need a job."

I love his enthusiasm. It's not that worldy "What can you do for me" attitude. It's "What can I do for God". It's that authentic change--that mysterious gift that only comes from God. This sweet boy was so excited about his transformation that he immediately wanted to give back.

I'm thankful for a church that allows those opportunities. A few weeks ago, my son was in a First Things First episode. Abby was terribly upset that she didn't get to be in it. Daryl--one of our greatest gifts when it comes to training up children--gave her a job. He taught her how to run a teleprompter. Most of us would be afraid to touch one, let alone allow a 7 year old to touch one. But, Daryl showed her how to do it, made her feel important, and she was able to contribute to ministry. I am thankful for people in this church who aren't afraid to trust and train our children--our next generation.

This next week is Vacation Bible School. There are many adults and teenagers who will serve. They need many more volunteers. It's a great opportunity to share and minister joyfully. It's also a great opportunity to touch a life eternally--to encourage a child in the church where one day he or she will be serving joyfully and training up the next generation.

That little boy who asked his mother about his "job" is now running graphics every other week at Brown Blvd--now called NorthPointe Baptist Church! What a tremendous opportunity that church has and is cultivating in the life of that boy. I know many more stories like his will come out of faithful servants, joyfully serving Christ in the church and community.

Thank You, Lord for giving us gifts and skills that we can use to serve You. Help us to cultivate joy daily as we use them for Your service. Help us never to become complacent, but always be looking for ways to encourage others in their gifts. Thank You for 150 years of church history with people who weren't afraid to serve and train up the next generation. Help us, as we work with VBS, that lives will be touched and that You will cultivate the next generation of joy-filled servants. Draw us nearer to You every day, Lord, and fill us with Your joy and glory.

Humility -- My Least Favorite, but Most Memorable Lesson

Tuesday night, my husband came home from work exhausted. He's been working so hard, and giving every spare minute to our family and the "honey do" list. We are getting ready to leave on a 10 day vacation. I didn't have the heart to ask him to mow the lawn (which DESPERATELY needed it--the grass is growing so fast right now). We have a large yard that requres so much care, and though we feel like we work in it often, there's always something else to do in it. So, instead of hitting him up with "Can you mow the lawn?" the minute he walked in the door, I asked him to show me how to use the mower. It's a new riding lawn mower, so I figured it couldn't be too hard. I could get the yard done in no time, and he could come in and kick his shoes off for a moment.

He was so appreciative, so he quickly gave me a lesson. I got on it, and released the brake to go forward. Immediately, it jerked forward and I was thrown forward. Evidently, I released the brake a little too fast. I slammed on the brake again, laughing (and a little shaken). I looked up, and noticed that there were 8 roofers on my next door neighbors' roof, laughing and pointing at me. A very obvious lesson in humility!!!!! I waved and laughed and continued on with trying to figure out the mower, and finished the lawn (well, almost...my husband had to negotiate the hill in front).

Psalm 25:9 "He leads the humble in doing right; teaching them His way."

This lesson in humility was a quickstart to my week. I've said before that I go to the mountains every year for vacation. I think the main reason why I am so drawn to the mountains is because it is a time of rejuvenation and reflection. But all of that begins with humility. God reminds me PHYSICALLY to be humble. In 24 hours, I'll be standing between two mountains fishing. There is nothing else around. The river rushes so loudly, that nobody would ever hear my voice if I were in trouble. Our cell phones don't work. Internet is a joke. The bears are around...and cougars...and skunks. It's a huge, unknown world. There's always a moment as I'm fishing that I realize just how vulnerable I am. It reminds me to thank my God, my Provider, my Shelter.

"Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name
Would care to feel my hurt
Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star
Would choose to light the way
For my ever wandering heart?" -- song by Casting Crowns

Every year, while up there, I climb to the top of Hamilton Mesa. It reminds me of how small I am. I am a mere dot on the canvas of this earth. I look around and see peak after peak after peak. On my peak alone, there are miles of wilderness and trails. I am but a dot.

"I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
A vapor in the wind" -- song by Casting Crowns continued

I am a mere dot. But the God of the Universe cared enough to send His Son to die for me and for my sins. I am not worthy, but He thought I was worth rescuing. He cares. He, who is busy with the 6 billion other people in the world, still hears my voice when it calls out to Him. He desires a relationship with me. How mind-boggling is that?

"Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours." -- song by Casting Crowns continued

I love this time in the mountains. It reminds me that God is God and I am not. It reminds me that He is Lord. It reminds me of my commitment to let Him shepherd, and let me learn and follow. These are all lessons contrary to what the world instills in us every day. This is my grounding time--as I turn my eyes upon Jesus. It's a great physical reminder of the rest of the world fading away--the things of earth becoming dim--as I stand there, a dot, against that marvelous canvas. I am reminded that I don't come from gasses colliding in outerspace and accidentally creating what we now call Earth, but that the God of the Universe molded me, shaped me and made me uniquely who I am, just as He did each mountain and each blade of grass. But He created man even more special--in relationship with Him. Here are the final words of this great worship song:

"Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are
You've told me who I am.
I am Yours." --song by Casting Crowns continued

Psalm 69:32 "The humble will see their God at work and be glad. Let all who seek God’s help be encouraged."

Lord, help me to see You at work throughout this week. Help me to focus on what You desire. Make clear my part in Your Kingdom so I can follow with fervor and confidence. Keep me humble so you can redirect my path as needed. I love my time with You! I am Yours.

A Holy, Famous Name

Proverbs 22:1 says, "A good name (reputation) is to be more desired than great wealth, Favor is better than silver and gold."

Tonight, my daughter, Abigail, was playing on the piano. She will sit there for hours, picking out tunes that are familiar, then harmonizing them, then reharmonizing them. We laughed at Christmas because she learned "Deck the Halls" in major...then minor...then in the Dorian mode, etc. Dennis and I find it very entertaining (most of the time).

Tonight, she picked out Beethoven's Fur Elise. After she picked it out, she rearranged it. It turned out to be a "dueling Fur Elise" in the style of "Dueling Banjos". It was quite humorous.

When she finished, I was praising her creativity. She came in from the music room and said, "I think I'm famous." We asked her why she thought that. She said "because Beethoven named a piece for me" (her middle name is Elise). I told her that her first name was a famous name, too. She said, "Yes it is...a HOLY famous name." We've often told her of the story of Abigail and David from 1 Samuel. Abigail actually means "her Father's joy." She is not only her Heavenly Father's joy, but our joy as well.

As I began to prepare for bed, I was smiling and thinking of her statement--"a holy famous name". It dawned on me that each of us, as followers of Christ, has "a holy famous name". Our names as believers are written eternally in the Book of Life (Revelation 21:27). That thought just made me feel like celebrating. Here's the text of praise that came to mind, from the great praise song (and ancient hymn text) Before the Throne of God Above:

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea.
A great high Priest whose Name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on His hands,
My name is written on His heart.
I know that while in heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart.

My name (and yours--for you who believe) is written on His heart and graven on His hands. He stands as payment for my sins and as intercessor for the Father. He stands so that I can dwell with the Father eternally. My name is holy. Meditate on that thought for a moment.

My name is holy.

No tongue can cause it to disappear from His heart and His hands...from that precious Book of Life. Our reputation is spoken for by the Lamb of God. Our name is sealed by His blood.

Thank You, Father for sending Your precious Son, Jesus, to die for our sins. We are not worthy in and of ourselves. But You have made us worth more than any great wealth of this earth. You have sealed our names in the eternal Book of Life. Thank You for the hope, foundation, and security we have in You. We love You. We praise You for the profound mystery and eternal hope found in this precious gift.

Patience and Perserverance

The Lord will refine my patience until the day I die. I have more patience than I had 10 years ago, but I am still far from patient. I want things on my schedule, done in the order I would do them, and have little tolerance for those who don't do it my way. I want people to respond in my time, and fail often to wait on the Lord. But God is gracious, kind and gentle. He hasn't given up on me and continues to teach me this valuable fruit of the spirit daily.

Several weeks ago, I was in the car with my 11 year old son. He had heard me talking with a friend of mine about a drug issue that her daughter was facing. He asked me what "pot" was. I saw this as a golden "teachable moment", and proceeded to tell him what pot was, and probably way more than he wanted to know about drugs. I told him that he would encounter a lot of temptation over the next few years as people his age began to make bad choices and experiment in lots of different things. As I was talking, I noticed he had a very serious face and was deep in thought. I asked him if he had anything on his mind. He said, "Yes." I asked him if he'd like to share it with me or talk to me about it. He said, "Well, I was just thinking...if I were a superhero, which superpower I would want to have. It's a very hard decision." I wanted to throw my hands up in the air. I felt like he hadn't heard a word I had said. My teachable moment had just flown out the window.

Last weekend, we took our youth on choir tour. For Sunday church, they sang between two basketball games. That may sound odd to you, but a Christian coach had a vision and followed it. He was going to church, but couldn't get his boys on his team there because of Sunday basketball games. In the midst of his discouragement, God told him, "Why don't you bring church to the basketball court?" He answered God faithfully, and did. Between tournaments, they have a church service in the lunch room where the boys come to get their snacks. We led in worship, and then sat down to hear the preacher. The preacher preached, and I thought, "Nobody is listening...this is futile." But at the invitation, two of those boys accepted Christ. The man served faithfully, and God penetrated hearts!

Isaiah 55:11 says, "So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; it will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it."

There are times when we may feel like our words or our testimonies are falling on deaf ears, but I assure you they are not. Back to my son's story, the next time he needs to ask about drugs or has a concern about another issue, he knows that he can come and talk to me. He heard me. I was just too impatient to appreciate his innocence and God's timing. As I've reflected on that, it reminded me to be thankful for that innocent, "little boy" perspective that he still has. This preacher preached his heart out--truth about salvation in God--and two boys gave their lives to Christ. He was patient in his delivery and perservered in his passion for winning those boys to Christ. God was faithful, and answered boldly!

With perserverance and patience, we must keep seeking out God's Word. And then, with patience and perserverence, we must keep proclaiming it. As promised in Isaiah, it will not come back void!

You said, "Ask and you will receive whatever you need." You said, "Pray and I'll hear from heaven, and I'll heal your land." You said Your glory will fill the earth like water the sea. You said, "Lift up your eyes; the harvest is here, the kingdom is near." You said, "Ask and I'll give the nations to You". O God, it's the cry of my heart. Distant shores and the islands will see Your light as it rises on us. O Lord, we ask for the nations. (worship song by Reuben Morgan)

The Generation to Come

Sounds: laughter, diving boards bouncing, chatter, frogs croaking, children's praise

Smells: sunscreen, dirty socks, chlorine, camp food--it all smells the same

Touches: heat on your skin, hugs, breeze on your face, splashes from the pool, the Holy Spirit present


These are just a few things that I experience every year at Children's Camp. This year, we took 299 sponsors and children to Glenrose. It was an amazing time. David, Shawn, Brian, Kim and others work tirelessly to make sure our kids are safe and have an incredible experience. Barry and Dennis lead so wonderfully in worship. Daryl and his crew work tirelessly around the clock to address every media need and capture the memories on video. This year, we had 35 professions of faith and 17 rededications. Their hearts are so tender, and so honest.

One of the lessons I learned (or was reminded of) is that we need to set our expectations high for the future. There is a wonderful generation of kids just waiting to be used. And they need to be trained and made to feel useful.

Our youth band led worship at Children's Camp. This was a group of 5 guys entering 8th grade to entering 11th grade. They took it seriously. Now they were kids...complete with the ghost stories, sleeping in life preservers, camp pranks, etc. But, when I challenged them in leadership, they stepped up. It wasn't about music or performance to them. It was about modeling and leadership. They took seriously their spiritual preparation each day--spending quiet time with God. They took seriously their musical preparation--they would have played all day if I'd have let them. But then, they took seriously the modeling. They spent the afternoons playing with the kids in the pool, or helping Brian by filling water balloons. They were servant leaders. I was proud.

I came back to Brown Blvd on Sunday, where one of our adults was training two of our "children" to do the graphics. She showed them how to do it just before the service, and that 5th and 6th grader ran the entire service on Sunday. I didn't even notice that it wasn't an adult running them. They felt useful, and were helping to lead the entire congregation in worship.

Mark 9:37 says, "Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me;"

I have been truly blessed by the ministry of these "children". Scripture talks about faith like a child. We often think of that as "simple" faith. This week, I thought of it as willing and fearless. It made me truly excited about the next generation of believers and all that God will do through them.

Lord, thank You for Your provision. Thank You for Your training. Thank You for a church who believes that even our children can serve You powerfully and meaningfully. Help us to teach this next generation, and help us to be willing to pass the baton graciously as that time comes. Thank You for the reminder that You are eternal, and Your work will continue for generations to come!

Journey

Two lessons I've learned over the past several months:

1. You can't expect to get out of people what isn't there. I tend to see people with rose-colored glasses and think I can "fix" them or convince them to do the right thing. Sometimes people are just broken or incapable, and we can't "fix" them. It has been a great lesson and reminder that I can't rely on my own power or strength in these circumstances, but have to ALWAYS depend on God's transforming power and renewal. God can fix or change any heart--in His time.

2 Corinthians 4:18 "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

2. I am so grateful for this church. I love my church. I'm thankful for the health. I'm thankful for the opportunities. I'm thankful for the leadership. I'm thankful for the vision. I'm thankful for the hardworking, healthy people I get to plow alongside on a daily basis. I'm just thankful!!!

Matthew 16:18 "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it."

Thank you, Lord for the hard lessons in life. Thank You for the reminder that You are sovereign, and that You alone heal hearts. Thank You for Your presence in my church. Thank You for Your promise about The Church. Thank You for the promise of hope and a future. Thank You for Your victory over sin and death. Thank You for loving us as only You can do.

"In Love"

Ephesians 4:15-16 says, "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work."

This has been a remarkable month. Just in corporate worship, I have experienced seeing a strong class of seniors graduate on to the next stage in life, new babies dedicated into this family of faith, new staff positions and responsibilities, countless people serving selflessly in worship leadership, and powerful preaching. In rehearsals, I've seen 8th graders preparing to lead children in worship at children's camp, 3 year old choirs through senior adult choirs preparing to lead in worship, youth ensembles, adult ensembles, orchestras, rhythm sections, handbells, praise teams, media teams....it's overwhelming the number of people serving faithfully. Then, personally, I've seen Sunday school teachers, choir directors, karate teachers, orchestra teachers, coaches, parents, and so many other wonderful Christian people leading my children by example.

As Curt spoke Sunday, I was struck by the passage both he and Dennis mentioned: Ephesians 4. The part that jumped out at me was the passage above. Twice, Paul mentions that we are to do things "in love"--speak the truth, grow, build each other up. I can honestly say that I would not be the person I am today if I didn't have COUNTLESS Christian examples in my life who spoke the truth to me, instructed me, prayed for me and encouraged me "in love". I am thankful that this church continues to live out that legacy which Paul laid out for us in Holy Scripture.

I am thankful for Margaret Johnson, who was my hero growing up. I always wanted to be like her and admired her so. I was star-struck every time she came home on furlough, because I loved her stories about how God was at work, and I knew she was living her life for Christ. Because of her example, I learned to embrace God's calling in my life, and not to fear it.

I am thankful for faithful Sunday School teachers like Bill Johnson, Sondra Adair, Donna McCown and sound pastors, Dennis Wiles and Charles Wade who taught me, and continue to teach me, the truths in Holy Scripture. I'll never forget my 8th grade Sunday School class--we learned more about the Bible that year than I ever did in any other class. Because of their faithfulness, I learned to crave knowledge and depth in Scripture.

I am thankful for choir directors and musicians placed in my life. But none could compare to Barry Rock, who once asked me the most painful (but revealing) question "in love": "Are you worshiping God or are you worshiping the music?" It was a question that sent me and my husband on an incredible journey as we sought out why God gave us the tools He did in this body, and how He desired for us to use them. And I can't leave the "music" subject without mentioning Jane Ellis. What a remarkable musician, and what an incredibly faithful servant of the Lord! Her knowledge of the Bible and thirst for it as she continually studies and shares with younger women is inspiring. Because of their modeling, I learned that God desires my whole life, not just the musical part, and I learned that the music is just a tool that He has given so that others may be drawn to Him.

I am thankful for our youth and children who continue to challenge me every day. They are reminders that we must continue to grow, because we have a responsibility to shape them, and they are our future! Because of their uninhibited worship, I look forward to worshiping with abandon this week at children's camp.

Well, all in all, I was just overwhelmed with gratitude to God for placing me in a congregation of believers who challenge, grow, question, speak, teach, sing, worship and encourage "in love". I look forward to many more years of growing deeper in Christ with this body of believers.

Lord, thank You for opening the eyes of my heart and allowing the gratitude to spill out. You are good. Thank You for challenging Your people, and allowing us to grow, even through difficult times, "in love". Thank You for the Scripture, and how it leads us and guides us every step of the way in our walk with You. Thank You for being in relationship with us, and filling in the gaps our our limited understanding with Your Spirit. There are many lives still to shape and call forth in You. Help us to do our part. Amen.