serve the world...

Worship Set 1You Are Good
This is our second week with this song. It is so fun and upbeat. Lyrics (Brian Johnson & Jeremy Riddle, BETHEL MUSIC 2011)
Freedom is Here

Worship Set 2
Here For You (Matt Redman)
Always (Kristian Stanfill)

Message: serve the world...

Worship Set 3
Tear Down the Walls

Two focuses on our “serve the world...” Sunday.
One is our partnership with Windswept Academy. Gearing up for uur third trip to South Dakota
This is what we did last year
Building a fence 

Second, today we are partnering with another local church for a collection of food for a backpack buddy program here locally. This is one of the things I love about our people. A couple times a year, we hand out a list on Sunday morning and have people come back later in the day to drop off donations.

It's cool to see how people respond. We are a medium sized church with a big heart to help others.

This is being submitted to Sunday Set Lists @ theworshipcommunity.com

worship wars...

I believe there is an inherent struggle for people to want to remain the same.

The people say: “What “we did” in the day is still current and relevant. “We want new people to come, yet just fit in and become just like us.”

The lines get drawn based on person's preferences.

What I struggle with is I see people pushing the remain in the past; which for us means late 80's and early 90's. It is ironic that these 30-40 somethings are becoming a graying congregation and they don't see it. I read a book in 2002, entitled “2020 Vision”, by Richard Hamm. It was very enlightening. It talks about how congregations are able to appear to be surviving well (a lot of it is based on the tithing habits of the founding members). Then those members start to die off and all of the sudden they realize there is no one left. What has happened was they didn't have a forward thinking vision to stay relevant enough to remain healthy in the future.

I keep saying that is it is God's will to remain stuck in the past (for this body of Christ), then that is what we are supposed to do. But if it is simply based on what “we want” or “we like”, then we've got it wrong. If you are passionate about following God, I believe you have to constantly step out of your comfort zone to pursue the higher ideal of serving God's vision. It all boils down to what God wants.

There is nothing inherently wrong with either traditional or modern worship styles.

If we listen to Him, we will continue to impact the world. But if we don't listen to Him, based on human nature, this “worship style” battle will continue to rage through the Body of Christ.

good element-poor execution…

Ugh! Sometimes that just happens.
The experiential element designed for this week, had some issues with execution.


Shema is the scripture (Deut. 6:4-9), that starts with...
Hear, O Israel, the LORD is our G-d, the LORD is one...
תרגם: שמע ישיר ישראל, ה 'אלוהינו; ה' אחד
The Shema is the prayer.
The mezuzah is the piece of parchment with the Shema inscribed on it.

This week we were in Deuteronomy.
The message focused on teaching the future generations...
For the experiential element, we made a replica of the mezuzah and during the service, we invited people go to various stations and pick the replica to take home with them.
We also had a brochure for further explanation.

Well, some got it and others did not.

The stage design was a representation of the traditional receptacle that the mezuzah is place in. It is box placed on the door jam of traditional Jewish homes.

Lessons Learned:
- Remember that a lot people don’t listen (during instruction).
- Really thinking the element all the way through. We (the creative team) knew all the ends and outs of what we were doing (or some of us did). It didn’t translate well enough to the whole congregation.
- Must remember to keep everything at the simplest level. Remember the 5 W’s & 1 H (who, what, where, when, why and how)
- Some people only picked up one piece and not the other (an explanation brochure). When explaining I only picked up one piece (the Shema scroll) and not the explanation brochure. I should have picked up BOTH pieces.
- In the last minute editing of the reading portion of the element, I probably forgot to even mention the brochure. This week it may have helped to put the two pieces of paper together in one unit, so that people would have the explanation attached. Simplify the process.
- Make sure the entire creative team sits and listens to the entire element. Remembering that most people won’t read even though the entire element is posted on our communications network.
- Didn’t bridge or tie in effectively enough into the over all message. (read last point again)

Interestingly enough, I bet I will have better luck when I do this same element with the preschoolers this Thursday. LOL

Well, we get a chance to redeem ourselves this week-we have two take-way challenges. And thankfully, I don’t have to bridge the pieces. Let’s see if we learn from our mistakes.

Now I need to go to Michael's and pick up adhesives dots to create one of the take-way challenge (collections of new clothing items for a local elementary school in GREAT need) for this week. BIG project – BIG need! Stay tuned for details.

are you surrendered?

I LOVE when people choose to step into God and surrender! I've been on this journey myself and I have NEVER been more excited about where I am in life.
This morning I was reading about Lori surrendering her life to God’s will for her life. Wow! I LOVE when God moves this way! It is such an exciting journey.
Makes me think of Kim Walker's song "I Surrender". I find it really cool that I see more and more people stretching their surrender muscles in the various circles of my life. I am constantly challenging the believers in my world to give it up.

What stage are you at in your life?
Are you just stepping into the journey?
Are you ignoring God?
Are you running away from God?
Is your relationship with Him compartmentalized to one day a week?
Is He even a part of your life any more?
Or are you trying to finally lay it all down and surrendering?
Are you ready?

Chronicles 7:14 "if my people, who are called by my name, will
humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

Truly, I challenge you to give up. Take a few moments and spend time with God. Step into the journey. Surrender.
So today’s challenge:

I greatly look forward to hearing more about your journey...

HL: http://www.loribiddle.com/2009/07/my-day-off_27.html
For more challenges

apps...

In your spiritual banking account, do you spend more time doing apps than you spend completely focused on God?

who do you hang out with?

I was lucky to find STUFF CHRISTIANS LIKE early on before he became such a phenomenon in the blog world. Jon is great at smacking people upside the head with the sometimes ridiculous things that we do/believe as Christians.

One of his earlier posts was called #58. Calling people "seekers" . It actually helped me come up with the rather tongue in cheek name of this blog "designing for Philistines..."

I've always thought the term "seeker" was more than a little condescending. I fight the term all the time. I prefer the word "skeptical". I love people who are skeptical.

Disclaimer: Yes, I understand we need other believers, blah, blah, blah. But honestly a lot of "Christians" insulate themselves in an exclusive world that doesn't have them interacting with anyone who is skeptical. And honestly, I think that is just wrong. I said it "wrong"!

I will choose to hang out with "people who Jesus loves" anytime over a "believer". It's what I am called to do...

So today's challenge is really a question:

How many people do you have in your life that are on a journey of skepticism?

Or do you surround yourself with "believers"?

If you are interested, here are a few classics from Jon's blog.

don't ASK...

When is the last time you simply spent time with God and didn't ASK for anything?

That is your challenge for today...or maybe the week.

the Word...

The Word is a living, breathing testiment of God.

What is your favorite scripture and why?

consuming fire...

Be consumed by the fire.
start this link Consuming Fire by Third Day
Then click this...


Consuming Fire by Third Day (the lyrics)
Set this place on fire
Send you spirit, Savior
Rescue from the mire
Show Your servant favor
Yesterday was the day that I was alone
Now I'm in the presence of Almighty God

and yes our God, He is a consuming fire
And the flames burn down deep in my soul
Yes our God He is a consuming fire
He reaches inside and He melts down this
cold heart of stone.

Set this place on fire
Send Your spirit, Saviour
Rescue from the mire
Show your servant favor
Yesterday was the day that I was alone
Now I'm in the presence of Almighty God

and yes our God, He is a consuming fire
And the flames burn down deep in my soul
Yes our God He is a consuming fire
He reaches inside and He melts down this
cold heart of stone.

Did you realize that inside you there is a flame?
Did you ever try to let it burn?

heart's discontent...

Seven years ago at a leadership conference, my mind was arrested by this terminology. It resonated through my being.
Over the last few months, I have been found by several high school friends and acquaintances. I have found it very interesting to see how their heart’s discontent has surged in their life’s journey.
Some have committed their life to very worthy causes. Every thing from saving the earth, animal rights to helping people who are houseless.
Then there are people whose entire life still seems to center around drinking, drugging…

If we are lucky we know our heart’s discontent and we journey on the path of resolution.
This week I’ve been discussing and counseling “heart’s discontent” with several people.
I like journeying with people like this. People who recognize their life’s calling and are stepping into the path. For it takes all of us to create a better world. Each heart’s discontent melds together to create a better world.

What is your heart’s discontent? Are you pursuing this journey or are you simply skipping through your life?

Heartbeat from Noor Valibhoy on Vimeo.

if I had but one day left...

if I had but one day left

I would spend it seeking His face

so why not today?

today I smile and bask in the Creator

Is this you?

How in the world…
did I ever live my life without You

From first breath in the morning
To last thought at night
You sing Your song over me
You wrap Your arms around me
We dance a dance of love over all eternity

See
for what I was made for
is to praise You
to worship you
To honor you
It is the essence of my core
You, Oh, I adore

And yet I turn my back to You
Choose itunes, hulu, social connections
When You – gave - me – this - life
gave every connection I ever need

You love me sooo much,
You sent your Son to die,
I wouldn’t send my son
No, no way and I love the world
Or I thought I did
Until I saw I it through Your eyes, Your love

You love me sooo much,
You sent the power of Your holy spirit to dwell within me.
That power of sweet serenity
That I am able to tap into for ALL eternity

In my own power I am absolutely nothing
With out Your Son I am a dirty mess
With out Your Spirit my muddy feet are sucked into the mire of nothingness
With out…

I cease to exist

How in the world…
did I ever live my life without You

From first breath in the morning
To last thought at night
You sing your song over me
You wrap Your arms around me
We dance a dance of love over all eternity

So one more time
I allow Your song to pour over me
Feel Your arms embrace me
Move in the dance of Your foreverness…

So one more time
I try to get it right
This day,
This moment
I choose to turn off the electricity
and seek Your face…
bask in Your authenticity

Today…I am going to
STOP

today I had a scary thought...

today I had a scary thought, what if God didn’t wake me up this morning with a song on my lips.
I find I am really anticipating rising each morning…
To hear what God has to say to my heart.
He is amazingly faithful to show up when I seek His face.
I have had this quote on my fridge for years.

"Because God is silent, Ecclesiastes has nothing, even though he
has everything.

Because God speaks, Job has everything, even though he has nothing."

-P. Kreefts, (Three Philosophies)

But, now I believe, even if God didn’t speak to my heart another day in my life, I would still praise and worship Him forever…how could I not? I have everything I ever need… You?

fire fall down..

music is my muse when connecting with God...

What is your muse when connecting to Him?

Silence...

When is the last time you stopped and simply waited on God? No agenda, no petitions, simply waiting...

This isn't new, but today's thought...

Nooma - 05 - Noise from Gustavo Ferlizi on Vimeo.

I have to admit when I first saw this NOOMA years ago, I was one of the people that thought it had ending at 2:30.

How much time have you really spent recently stopping in silence and waiting on the Lord? Well?

That's it...

todays journey...a finger labyrinth

Today’s challenge is to stop and take time to “walk” a finger labyrinth.

BRIEF HISTORY:
Labyrinths are found in many cultures dating back as much as 3,500 years. Unlike a maze, the labyrinth is unicursal, having a single path leading to the center with no loops, cul-de-sacs or forks. They all share the basic features of an entrance or mouth, a single circuitous path and a center or goal.
Today we journey through a classic Chartes labyrinth. The Chartres, 11-circuit Labyrinth was constructed around 1201 AD in the stone floor of Chartres Cathedral, France. Its distinguishing features are; 11 circuits, the turns arranged in four quadrants, lunations or teeth around the perimeter, and a 6-petal rosette in the center. Medieval Christians visited Chartres (and other cathedrals) and walked the labyrinth as an alternative to taking a hazardous pilgrimage to Jerusalem to walk in the "foot steps of Christ." Modern "pilgrims" walk the labyrinthine path as one of many tools to enhance prayer, contemplation, meditation, and/or personal growth.

"WALKING" A LABYRINTH
Create the Environment: Begin by setting the environment for the experience. Download the picture above and print out a copy (as large as possible). Lower the lighting around you, select some calming music, turn off your cell phone.
Set your personal environment by dropping your 'physical baggage' such as key-chains, pocket change, cell-phones, watches and dangling jewelry. I suggest you take off your watch to remove the temptation to measure your progress chronologically.

The Walk: There is not a "required way" to walk the labyrinth. The beauty of the labyrinth is that people can approach the experience on their own terms. However, as a guideline, we can break the ‘walk’ down into these stages.
Entering: (also referred to as shedding or purgation.) During this stage you “walk” the path toward the center, and should try to acquire a relaxed, peaceful state, temporarily release concerns and quiet the mind.
Illumination: The time in the center. This is a time of openness, peacefulness and prayer; you experience, learn or receive what this unique moment offers. Take your time.
Union: The journey outward. You choose when to leave the center, following the same path. This is a time to review and consider what occurred in the center and how it may be applied in your life.
Implementation: This stage represents your life outside the labyrinth; the world where your experience or illumination is carried into and affects your everyday life.

Now with everything in place, start “walking” the labyrinth with your finger.

bouncing ball...

This journey is going to bounce around...(no pun intended originally). Mostly because I am unable to think linearly about this process...
I appreciate the way we schedule our set-ups and practices at XC. We do a Saturday set-up and practice because we are a mobile church whose venue is a local junior high school. Each week we come in and set up from the ground up. I was producing for this weekend's experience. One of the responsibilities for the producer is to conduct a devotional time. Devotions are normally a reading and prayer.

So Friday at work, I literally just found a random ball laying on the ground. I bounced it...
and it EXPLODED in a kaleidoscope of flashing colors...
In that very instant God exploded in my brain...

"these are distractions in your life,
this is what is keeping you away from time with Me... "

This is what the devotional time was to be about.
When we are in service to God, we spend so much of our time creating experiences that usher people into the presence of God.

Who is more important "them", us or God? We know the answer.

So Saturday, I gathered everyone and bounced the challenge ball...
Played a worship music (on the computer, so that our worship team would be able to participate) and challenged everyone to just STOP and BE with God.

The experiential design for this weekend was various types of worship stations. (More on creative fuZion lab tomorrow about the stations)

We all just stopped and waited on the Lord.
___________________________________

Today, again I challenge you to STOP.

This was what we played on Saturday. It's an older song. Just listen. Take time, take time, take time...and be swept away into His presence.



I ask you what are your distractions? What are you going to do about it?
(and, yes the ball in these photos is THE ball I found)

a gauntlet is being thrown down...

it’s 5:00 a.m. and God has woken me up again...
We have deal, God and I.
It always sounds a little flippant to me when I explain; but years ago, I was frantically seeking to be able to carve out more time with God. I finally gave up in desperation. I “told” God I simply couldn’t find time in my own power and I asked Him to please carve out the time for me and I would follow His lead.
Now, I must explain I love to sleep. Particularly I love to sleep late. Well, wouldn’t you know it that is where God met me?
At first I didn’t realize what was happening. That first week, I complained.
Then the realization hit me, DUH! I had asked for it and God was answering me. I now understand that when I wake up early, it is God calling me…
It is actually very interesting. For example, last night I set my alarm for 8:00 a.m. and BOOM! It’s 5:00 a.m. and I am awake and I instantly start singing a song of praise.
Today it was “How He Loves Us” by Kim Walker. At the point of “I am a tree, bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy…”
I challenge you to find some time to truly encounter God…
Ask God today to carve that time out, step into Him, step…
Do you have just nine minutes today? Even if it is to simply stop for a few minutes and listen to this video.

Oh, how He loves us…

journey with me...

I am on an incredible journey of fire for about a month now and over the next week or two I am going to try to explain where I have been traveling…
Join with me on this journey...