serve 101

Notes about being a servant

What makes the difference between good and poor restaurants, hotels, and places of business? The service!

Serving separates the professing from the practicing

My opinion of what qualifies a five star rating

• A place that pays attention to the details
• the blessing is in the details
• A place that acknowledges me as a individual
• I am not just a number or a reservation
• A place that produces what is promised  
• If you say you have the worlds best cup of coffee, it better be good!

A Christ follower is called to serve others

What does it mean to "Serve the Lord?"
I believe serving the Lord is broken down in two ways:

1. Worshiping Him

•  John 4:24 For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth."
• Spirit - The highest form of worship is a heart given to G-d. A life given to Him. A life dedicated to Him.(1 Samuel 12:24 Only fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart.) 
• Truth - Following His word as a rule for our life. Extremely obedient
• We serve the Lord through living a life dedicated to Him and following His word

2. Work

• Romans 12:11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.
• Our attitude should be Christ attitude when it comes to serving
• Philippians 2:1-5
• His DNA was whatever, whenever, to whomever
• We are not saved by our works, we work because we are saved! 

 Our worship fuels our work.

Be a servant of the Lord and worship Him and work for Him

 

 

Bogota 2012

Just got back from Bogota, Colombia. We spent 7 days working with great Missionaries, Michael and Nomi Lawrence. Our team poured a concert floor to expand a school. And MAN! it was tough. Here are a few pics.

School shot from distant



Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

SA Team Bogota 2012

Sunday Connection

We kicked off a new thought this past Sunday - Connection. Well i guess its not a new thought considering connect is part of our mission.

If you missed it here are the main points

Relationships are not ment to be disposiable. Pampers are! We need to deepen our relations by

1. letting our tenderness out weigh our toughness - Col. 3:12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
2. Love More- I Cor. 13
3. Care more and compete less - Phillipians 2:3 Don't be selfish; don't try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.

Joshua 4:1 says that all the nation crossed over the Jordan river. This impressed me. Over 2 million people working together to see the promises of G-d. Wow. They must have had a deep connection with each other.

 

Renew My Health

Some quick tips to jot down that will get you through your day!!

• Tame the hunger in your head. A lot of us eat out of stress, boredom, or when we are feeling down! Next time you reach for a snack, take a moment to decide if you’re actually hungry. And rather than “feeding your feelings” try going for a walk, praying, chatting with friends, or writing in your journal.
• 10 second fix – Strong arm your appetite! Next time the scent of fresh baked cookies entices you when you’re not hungry, make a fist and tighten your arm muscles. This clenching action boosts your willpower, giving you the strength to resist temptation.
• Eat what you love, but watch serving sizes. The typical bagel is equivalent to 4 slices of bread. An appropriate size of meat (3oz) is the size of a deck of cards.

The key here, as with anything, is moderation. God made our bodies very smart. It tells you when you’re hungry (my stomach growls at me J) and you know when you are full. Obey those signals and you will be amazed at how much less food you will eat!

 If you don’t do different, nothing will change!

Happy Days Ahead

Yesterday at SA we discussed the spiritual issue of our health. Our Health is a spiritual issue. This was part of a new series called ReNEW. Romans 12:1&2. The Big question I have asked myself from this scripture is what am I presenting to G-d? Is it holy? What about my physical body?

So here are some resources that I have ran across you may find helpful.

My friend Dr. Smiley Elmore – www.bodiesbysmiley.com

www.drasaoncall.com

Dr. Cooper “Faith-Based Fitness” book and website www.faithandfitness.net

Nikki’s tip to healthy living

Moderation – don’t deprive yourself from things you like just cut back on the portion size and how often you eat them. Discipline is the key to success. Discipline not deprivation

Change your mind change your behavior (i read that somewhere)

Some is always Saying

"Who do men say that I am?" A question Jesus asked Peter, His disciple. Now it always gets my attention when someone "All-Knowing" asks a question. Im sure He wasnt asking because He didnt know the answer. But why was He asking? Im also sure Jesus had heard the rumors amd specualtion and all the talk around town. Thats to be expected with people right? Even "church" people? We've all heard it.... The "have you heards?? The Whats going on with the church down the street?? Well I heard....(fill in the blank) And we begin to focus and get so caught up in the "some say." As Peter answered Jesus. But then Jesus asked Peter another question. One that truely mattered more than the "some say." Jesus asked him, "Who do YOU say that I am?"
In our few years as being full-time pastors, the main thing that the Lord has had to work with me and thru me is putting aside what "some say!" I would love to tell you as I sit here that I have grown past the point that what "some say" and the "I heards" doesn't make me crazy!
But then my very patient and loving Father reminds me that the 2nd question is more important than the first...Who do you say that I am? Doesn't matter what people say about your church, your family, your methods, its all about pleasing Him. Because the truth is "Thou art the Christ!" That was Peters answer.The only thing that matters. Jesus replies, "flesh and blood did not reveal that to you but My Father in heaven." And on that revelation, Jesus decided to build His church. Seems like a good place to put it to me :) Not on what "some say" but on the TRUTH! On the revelation of Christ!
When you build your church, your life, your hope, your finances, your conversation on this revelation instead of worrying what everybody is saying, He promises that "The gates of Hell will not prevail against it!" Peoples words and opinions have no bearing on the outcome of your life unless you let them.
A wise pastor once said, " A major transition will happen when a decision is made to stop allowing bitter people to steal your joy!" (Neh 8:10)
Because as long as there is flesh, people will always be saying something!! But the most important thing is what YOU say and what YOU believe!

Used New Year

Welcome to a new year 2012. This year has never been lived in. This year is full of unforeseen days. It is new. The question I often ask myself is what do you do with this new thing.
Some folks like to keep new things new. I know some that like candles, but don't like to burn them?! Isn't that the purpose of the candle? Or others that will buy new table ware but refuse to use the new stuff.
We can treat a new year the same way. We can go into each day with no thought of how blessed we are to be living a new day. We can go into each week without any consideration of a plan for that week. We can walk month after month wishing we could experience something new but continuing to do old things.
Heres another way to move into a new year. Awake every day and realize it is a gift. A gift that should be used to the fullest. Used to renew yourself. Spiritual speaking, spend time connecting to the gift giver. It is G-d who gives us each day,
Used to renew relationships. Rekindle old ones and build new ones.
Used to help someone in need. We find more purpose as we give ourselves away.
Be intentional about using each hour of every day as a gift. A gift that you should use!
Burn the candle, use the china this year.