Deep Thoughts by Mr. G

ever have a book that speaks volumes to you? A book that you can't ever put down? A book that says more is less? Well Deliberate Simplicity is just that. It goes from Simple Church to simple life to that of just SIMPLE. With all the technology, gadgets, gimmicks, and tools we have - sometimes it isn't about the tools but the real. Dave Browning has presented in what churches need to be doing. Going beyond that of over complexity of the gospel message and a million programs to just Being the Church. A great book. Recommended for every church leader.

Tobymac's newest album is like a breath of fresh air. I haven't bought a CD in a long time but was glad I did. My favourite is forgiveness, my son's Mac Daddy, and the girls sing along with Favourite. What is your favourite song on this album? I'm not surprised but am excited how this is becoming in the Top billboard ... the song "steal my show" should almost be a reflection of what our Sunday Mornings should be ...God taking over ...and the focus not on us.

Just finished reading this book. I have a friend,Gene, that is putting together a sermon series based upon this book and the 10 things. I found it a good resource, tool, and reminder of why we do the things we do. These urban legends can hinder your faith and we need to avoid them.

Scott was my brother. We were both youth ministers in Virginia when we met. We had deaned camp at Oak Hill. Had fun, and loved life. Scott recently went to be with Jesus on Wednesday. I'll never forget how he treated people. He treated me with respect, love, and genuine interest. Even after I left VA and was in NC - we kept in touch. He thought I was a guru. (Far from it)- I'll miss my friend, and praying for all his family. A fellow minister and preacher at the Howard Church. Continue to pray for them. Today they celebrate his life.

1. What is the Real Cost of the New Stadium? I hear $30 with $15 already from private $6 from Suns, County and can we depend on the State? And where other? what about property value? (then in other venues I hear as high as 40-50) 2. So all the new PR (I assume done deal, and lease done with minor details) ... why no public input? Alot of assumptions and was a study really done that revitalizing ole property not a viable option? 3. Is this the only catalyst venue you have to revamping downtown ... and possibly looking like "Frederick" and what about this being the toughest ecomonic times is building a new stadium and the philosophy "if you build it, they will come" option ... will this change the affliation from Single A to another with the Nationals? 4. You cite multi-purpose - what would that be? With the outdoor venue's primary lease holder being the Suns and being used 4 mths out of the year .... 5. What other projects were considered? This seems t

I finished reading E3 on recommend of a church leader. Personally I didn't like the book. It had some redeemable qualities on eldership but I prefer "They smell like Sheep" or Biblical Eldership than this one. Though a good resource to have in one's library. Raising your kids is one was right where I was.I was glad I read this. in a nutshell it is a book about being there, being a leader, role model, and just spending time with your children and your spouse. Priorities, memories, and just being Jesus to your children. A good resource for any parent. this last book was a good reminder that boundaries, accountability and that any church leader can fall to scandal ...... and there is forgiveness and redemption. I never forget what one leader who fell due to an extra-marital affair said to me: "You can have all the accountability in the world, and yet lie ...know your weaknesses and run away." I know I can be an idiot in any area and am thankful for grace

Ministry is a joy, not a curse. Too often I hear those church leaders in ministry whine and complain how tough ministry is. Ministry isn't for sissies. Sure it is tough. Jesus told us it would be ...and you're surprised because? Phil. 4:4 tells us to rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice. There will be tough times. Don't quit. Wayne Smith's Famous Sermon on Playing Hurt is an inspiration. Jesus told us to count the cost, carry the cross. There will be persecution. There is joy in the ministry. Joy in seeing a father baptize his child. Joy in seeing a couple get married. Joy in honoring those loved ones who gone before us. Joy in people finally getting the Word and applying it. Joy when your child wants to know more about Jesus. Joy when people finally KNOW HIM. With joy comes disappointment. Disappointment that not everyone wants to or will follow. Life will be messy. There will be those who fall short. I'm so thankful for forgiveness

As much as I hear about God's unconditional love for me ...I have to admit it came with a price, a condition: Jesus. God saved us by Grace, through faith (This not of ourselves, nor by works that anyone should boast) We repent, confess Him as Lord, In Baptism .... (The death, burial, resurrection of Christ) Unto Good works. (Faith without works is dead as James tells us) God loves the whole world that He gave us Jesus. If God's love had been totally unconditional there would be no need for atonement, nor Jesus but there had to be. Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness .... So often we compartmentalize God: His love here, His salvation there; His wrath and judgment elsewhere ...But to us that are indivine - the Divine cannot be compartmentalized. Maybe that is why there is some reverence, mystery, unseen essentials to God. We, as God's people, need to strive for the holiness of Him. Who is with me?

There seems to be a lack of the Holy Spirit's power in our lives today. I'm been praying and know that we need the Holy Spirit in our lives again. I. We need to be concerned. Concerned that God's Spirit which is within us, would lead us to follow Him. To follow what the Bible says. II. We need to be consistent. Be continually faithful in our time, talents, and treasures that we share with Him and He with us. Consistent in our walk, others are watching. consistent in our actions with our walk. Others are watching. Consistent in our love to Him and others. This isn't a Sunday only "Business" but God's business all the time. III. We need to be concise. By that I mean we need to be intentionally sharing what God is doing ....What He has done for us, how we came to Him, and what is He doing in your life now? To unlock the Holy Spirit's power - we need to be connected to Him ...and being doing what God's word says: Love Him and love others

Everyone is worried about the future. What will the future church look like? What will youth ministry look like? We're obsessed with it. We want to know. Sometimes our prayer is I wish it was like it was when I was a kid with hymns, people behaving etc. (Some how I don't think that was all it was ...but that's another blog post) One of the questions I ask is If our church was missing from the community would people even notice? A tough question to ask one's self. So what will the church look like when my kids or grandkids are my age? (If the Lord doesn't come before then of course) My prayer is it looks like - well the church. The church God meant it to be. That it is Jesus' hands and feet. Not caught up in being professional but being biblical. Not caught up in trends but the Spirit. Not caught up in programs but in pressing on to be more like Him. Not being people pleasing as winning people. Not into Music Trends as to Worshipping Him! Not this stabil

This Sunday's sermon is "What would God say to our preacher?" I'm praying God uses me in this one. Pray as I am working on this sermon and what God is telling me and how it applies to the church here on white hall road.

1. Set Aside Time to spend with Him. 2. Journal. 3. Pause. 4. Read the Word. 5. Do what the Word says. 6. Pray for others. 7. share Him with others. 8. Read ... 9. Pray while driving (With eyes open of course) 10. Listen for His Voice.

We looked at 1 Samuel 16: 1-13. God would say to Queen Elizabeth II .... I. I know your heart. II. I know your hurts. III. I need your heart. Comparing the struggles of David's life to the Queen and David's final charge to Solomon to Follow the Lord ...

What would God say to Lady Gaga? (From John 20:24-31) I. I need you to stop doubting ....Believe. II. I need you not to just know about me but KNOW ME. III. I need to have you use your talents to serve ME ...

I did this sermon a few weeks ago. From Romans 13. What would God say to our President? I. I ordained you ...Follow me. II. Be supportive of life. All life. III. Be supportive of my Word. All of it. From Biblical marriage to that of letting the Church be the Church. Thoughts?