Get In Your Area

Posted in Ministry, One Year Bible, Serving by PCraig on July 13, 2010

Is there anything worse than listening to people who can’t sing?  I confess that my family and I get drawn in each year to many of the episodes of American Idol.  What amazes us most each year is how many people truly believe they can sing that carry a tune in a bucket.  I know Simon sounds cruel at times when he makes comments like, “Who told you that you could sing?”, but he is really doing them a favor.  No one wants to keep moving forward in a position that they are not skilled to do.

When David was bringing the ark back to Jerusalem in 2 Chronicles 15, it states that he appointed musicians and singers to be part of the celebration.  It even states in verse 22 that the head Levite was “in charge of the singing…because he was skillful at it.”  There, that’s it!  What’s wrong with allowing people to do things they are skilled at and the rest stay out of the way? 

I’ve grown up in the church world where people have been allowed to sing because they had a good heart.  My thought is that a good heart is not worth as much as a good ear in singing.  Besides the unbelieving world looks in and thinks, “Do these people not have enough intelligence to stop that person from singing?”  How can we be taken seriously when we do such foolish things?

Here’s my proposal, let’s allow those gifted to sing hold the microphones and the rest blend in with the congregation.  While we are on the subject, let’s allow those gifted to teach to stand behind the lecturn and share.  And, wouldn’t it be great if those gifted to help came alongside others to lift the load of ministry? 

This is actually the way I believe God intended it.  People doing what they are gifted to do in an area that they can serve with passion.  How do you know what this is for you?  Here’s some simple suggestions:  What are you good at? (let people help confirm that one)  What excites you or motivates you?  What do you do with more ease and enjoyment without having to be pushed?  The answer to these can give you some direction on areas in which to serve. 

A final word: get in the area of passion, giftedness and talent and then give it all you got!

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Commitments

Posted in Commitments by PCraig on July 12, 2010

We had a great launch to our new series ON DEMAND over the weekend.  Our topic was How To Handle Stress and many people made commitments to do several things:

To surrender everything to God

To stop carrying my burdens alone

To stop some things in my schedule

It’s a lot easier to make commitments than it is to keep them.  Have you noticed that in your life?  One of the best ways I’ve found to make changes is to continually remind myself of the promise I made.  I tell myself that the pledge I made wasn’t just to me, but to God.  Feeling the magnitude of the that commitment helps me to fight off the temptations to slip back into my old self.  Another thing is to set up reminders of the promises I’ve made.  This can be notes on my desk, writing in my prayer journal, or sticky notes in my car.  I keep them there until the commitment sticks in me. 

 What works for you?  If you know what it is, then do it!  If you don’t know what it is, then find out.

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Gratitude Looks Good On You

Posted in Attitude, One Year Bible, Relationships by PCraig on July 9, 2010

I have so much in which to be thankful – my health, my family, my church family, and most of all, my relationship with my Heavenly Father.  Today, on my birthday, I want to pay tribute to three people.  The first two are my parents that are both home with the Lord.  They taught me right from wrong, demonstrated a hard work ethic and pointed me to Christ.  The role models that they provided had an incredible impact upon my life.

The other person is described in today’s reading of the One Year Bible.  In Proverbs 18:22 it states that a man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and receives favor from the Lord.  This has certainly been true in my life.  Rachelle has been a gift of the Lord to me that has provided assistance, support, practical wisdom, and encouragement.

Who’s shoulders are you standing upon today?  What individuals have been a treasure to you in times past?  Who is it that currently is giving you the support you need to be a better you?  Why not give thanks to God and to them today?  Gratitude looks good on you!

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Opportunities in Disguise

Posted in One Year Bible, Victorious Living by PCraig on July 8, 2010

I am challenged by the life of the Apostle Paul.  In today’s reading of the One Year Bible, we find Paul in prison waiting to be tried in court, yet that doesn’t stop him from carrying out his divine mission.  Instead of moaning about his situation and complaining that he doesn’t deserve this, he just looks at this as a new opportunity to present the gospel. 

What’s going on in your life today that might be tempting you to complain?  Is there a situation that you think was put in your life to harm you, but maybe is designed to help you?  How often can our problems be an opportunity in disguise?  Look around today, you just might find one of those near you.

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Back Swinging

Posted in Uncategorized by PCraig on July 7, 2010

Well, I’m back from our vacation and summer break.  While I was gone I read seven books and am hoping to write about them here on this blog in the coming days.  Don’t miss looking back as I’ll try to keep things rolling now that I’m home. 

One thing about being away for an extended period of time is the overwhelming feeling you get when you return to mounds of mail, email, voicemail, notes, telegraphs (Just kidding! Do those exist anymore?)

This weekend’s sermon is exactly what I need to hear, so I want to invite you to join me.  We’ll be launching the much anticipated new series: ON DEMAND.  These four messages were decided by YOU, in a vote during May by text.  The results were tallied and the top four compose our new series.  Leading off will be a sermon called, “How To Handle Stress.” 

Again, I need this one and I have a feeling some of you do too, so just be there!

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