After a long campaign and a great celebration at Oven's on Sunday, I took the day off on Monday. It was my birthday (still in my 40's. . .but just barely!) and Gretchen and I enjoyed the day sailing. It also gave me much time to reflect on Sunday's worship.
What a great celebration! I thought the musicians and dancers on stage carried the day. The energy and Spirit in that room was overwhelming. We had over 1000 people in attendance.
As for the results, with 432 commitment cards (115 from children!), we are at five million. We are ahead of Phase I at this same time. This is not the end of the campaign. We have another 5 weeks of follow-through to receive about a hundred more commitment cards. We won't know the total until close to the end of the year.
In other words, we are still proceeding forward. We received about $400,000 from First Fruits that will be applied towards the four million needed before breaking ground. Couple this with the money from Phase I and by the end of the year, we should have about 1.5 million in the bank. The sooner people prepay their pledges, the sooner we can break ground.
Thank you for coming to Oven's. Thank you for all who volunteered to make it all happen. And thanks to God who has entrusted us with this bold vision to follow where he has laid out The Master's Plan.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Saturday, November 7
As I write this final blog, I want to thank the over 200 people who have actually read the blog and the far more who have done the devotionals. This has been a journey we have traveled together--carefully, intentionally, decisively. There is nothing hasty or simple about this entire process.
And yet when I read the Bible passage for today, the word that leaps off the page for me is "immediately." After meeting Jesus for the first time, upon hearing Jesus' invitation, Peter immediately leaves behind the family business and his previous life to follow Jesus.
What about a campaign, prayer vigil, daily devotions, EPIC events, mailings, private meetings???
Actually, the "immediately" is not for us. It's for those who are not yet here. I believe that we as a church are already sold on following Jesus. Through the Master's Plan, we are laying the foundation so that when others come here and encounter the Living Lord face to face through music, youth, fellowship, worship, prayer or study they, like Peter, will be overwhelmed by his presence and "immediately" follow Jesus.
And we will be doing what we are called to do. . .become fishers of men! After all, that IS The Master's Plan.
See you at Ovens!
And yet when I read the Bible passage for today, the word that leaps off the page for me is "immediately." After meeting Jesus for the first time, upon hearing Jesus' invitation, Peter immediately leaves behind the family business and his previous life to follow Jesus.
What about a campaign, prayer vigil, daily devotions, EPIC events, mailings, private meetings???
Actually, the "immediately" is not for us. It's for those who are not yet here. I believe that we as a church are already sold on following Jesus. Through the Master's Plan, we are laying the foundation so that when others come here and encounter the Living Lord face to face through music, youth, fellowship, worship, prayer or study they, like Peter, will be overwhelmed by his presence and "immediately" follow Jesus.
And we will be doing what we are called to do. . .become fishers of men! After all, that IS The Master's Plan.
See you at Ovens!
Friday, November 6, 2009
Friday, November 6
It is fitting (and totally unintentional) that this story about Peter walking on water draws this devotional to a (near) close. This was the story I used in the DVD to address the fears that we all have about retirement, economy, job loss, bonuses, college costs and cut backs.
Peter does well walking on the water as long as he focuses on Jesus. Once he turns his attention to the water, wind and waves, he quickly begins to sink.
It could be because I have an eye exam in 25 minutes, but I've been thinking alot about seeing things more clearly. When things get blurry, it's time for a (re)examination!
As you anticipate coming to Ovens on Sunday, thinking about your commitment, where is your focus? Honestly, I have to refocus my thoughts continually because fear creeps in. "What if people do not attend? What if people do not commit? What if the flow of the service doesn't work? What if I forget the sermon? What if. . ." The list goes on as my nose drops below the water line and I sink.
Now, more than ever, I need to keep my focus on Jesus. He is the one that invites me to step out of the boat precisely at those fears, stare straight past them and keep my eyes focused on him.
It's time to get my eyes examined. How about yours?
Peter does well walking on the water as long as he focuses on Jesus. Once he turns his attention to the water, wind and waves, he quickly begins to sink.
It could be because I have an eye exam in 25 minutes, but I've been thinking alot about seeing things more clearly. When things get blurry, it's time for a (re)examination!
As you anticipate coming to Ovens on Sunday, thinking about your commitment, where is your focus? Honestly, I have to refocus my thoughts continually because fear creeps in. "What if people do not attend? What if people do not commit? What if the flow of the service doesn't work? What if I forget the sermon? What if. . ." The list goes on as my nose drops below the water line and I sink.
Now, more than ever, I need to keep my focus on Jesus. He is the one that invites me to step out of the boat precisely at those fears, stare straight past them and keep my eyes focused on him.
It's time to get my eyes examined. How about yours?
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Thursday, November 5
As kids we used to say, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me." You only said that when someone called you a name, and it hurt. We never really did believe that saying, did we?
As the devotional says, words have power. A single name calling will haunt us for a long time. A single kind word will turn our attitude around.
The other place words have power is in a court of law. When the judge says, "Not Guilty," those words do exactly what they claim--they set the prisoner free, they remove the guilt, they withhould any punishment. Words have power.
On Sunday when we gather for worship, lots of words are said through sermons, prayers, and songs. More than just frivilous sounds to fill the hour, the words have power and meaning. When we sing, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty," those words have power of praising God. When we pray, "Our Father in Heaven," the words have power in establishing that relationship with God. And when we hear, "Your sins are forgiven for Jesus' sake," those words have the power to do exactly what they say. . .set us free, remove the guilt and withhold any punishment.
"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth (and power!)"
As the devotional says, words have power. A single name calling will haunt us for a long time. A single kind word will turn our attitude around.
The other place words have power is in a court of law. When the judge says, "Not Guilty," those words do exactly what they claim--they set the prisoner free, they remove the guilt, they withhould any punishment. Words have power.
On Sunday when we gather for worship, lots of words are said through sermons, prayers, and songs. More than just frivilous sounds to fill the hour, the words have power and meaning. When we sing, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty," those words have power of praising God. When we pray, "Our Father in Heaven," the words have power in establishing that relationship with God. And when we hear, "Your sins are forgiven for Jesus' sake," those words have the power to do exactly what they say. . .set us free, remove the guilt and withhold any punishment.
"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth (and power!)"
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Wednesday, November 4
I've never been really sure what Luke 6:38 means, "it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap."
What?
I had to do some research. You know when the receipe calls for a cup of flour? Well, you can quickly scoop the flour, level the top of the measuring cup and pour it in. That would, technically, be a cup of flour. Or, you can take a scoop of flour, press it down, shake the measuring cup and add more flour until it runs over the top. And you would end up with a whole lot more flour.
Luke is talking about the blessings we receive. God could do it one of two ways. He could do a quick scoop of blessings, give it to us and be done with it. Or, God could take that scoop, press it down to hold even more, shake it to create more space and then fill it even more blessings so that it is running over as he puts it in our laps.
God likes to let the blessings overflow.
As we come to Ovens on Sunday, we can fill out a commitment card one of two ways. Quickly put in a number, put it in the basket and technically be done with it. Or, give to God as he has given to us--with a little pressing down, with a little shaking up, with a little spillage over the top as we place it in God's lap.
Get it?
What?
I had to do some research. You know when the receipe calls for a cup of flour? Well, you can quickly scoop the flour, level the top of the measuring cup and pour it in. That would, technically, be a cup of flour. Or, you can take a scoop of flour, press it down, shake the measuring cup and add more flour until it runs over the top. And you would end up with a whole lot more flour.
Luke is talking about the blessings we receive. God could do it one of two ways. He could do a quick scoop of blessings, give it to us and be done with it. Or, God could take that scoop, press it down to hold even more, shake it to create more space and then fill it even more blessings so that it is running over as he puts it in our laps.
God likes to let the blessings overflow.
As we come to Ovens on Sunday, we can fill out a commitment card one of two ways. Quickly put in a number, put it in the basket and technically be done with it. Or, give to God as he has given to us--with a little pressing down, with a little shaking up, with a little spillage over the top as we place it in God's lap.
Get it?
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Tuesday, November 3
Most of life is pure timing.
Some of it is dumb luck--walking through the door and being the one millionth customer to win a prize.
Some of it is diligent work--finding that right doctor who can treat your particular disease.
And some of it is the hand of God--like coming to Mary at the "fullness of time" to announce the coming Messiah.
Your presence here at Christ Lutheran at this historic time to build a church, what kind of timing is it?
Dumb luck? My company moved me to Charlotte.
Diligent work? I did my church shopping!
The hand of God? God has raised up the right people and the right vision and the right leadership at the right time to build his church.
I would challenge you today to dismiss dumb luck and your own hard work for a moment. Focus on why you are here at this time at this church at this moment. And if you look closely, I think you will discover what Mary did. This is no accident. You are here by the hand of God at precisely the right time.
Some of it is dumb luck--walking through the door and being the one millionth customer to win a prize.
Some of it is diligent work--finding that right doctor who can treat your particular disease.
And some of it is the hand of God--like coming to Mary at the "fullness of time" to announce the coming Messiah.
Your presence here at Christ Lutheran at this historic time to build a church, what kind of timing is it?
Dumb luck? My company moved me to Charlotte.
Diligent work? I did my church shopping!
The hand of God? God has raised up the right people and the right vision and the right leadership at the right time to build his church.
I would challenge you today to dismiss dumb luck and your own hard work for a moment. Focus on why you are here at this time at this church at this moment. And if you look closely, I think you will discover what Mary did. This is no accident. You are here by the hand of God at precisely the right time.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Monday, November 2
The text for today is about serving others. It's one thing to serve someone you know and like and want to be nice to. It's another thing to serve someone you've never met. Have you ever done that?
When we gather at Oven's Auditorium on Sunday, November 8, you will watch the youth do an amazing thing. They will go first in presenting their four-year commitment to the Master's Plan. Many will give money to something that they will never enjoy. They will have graduated when the building is completed. Nevertheless, they want to give because they know that their gift is an act of service for those they have never met. They want them to experience even more than what they have received at Christ Lutheran.
That's true service. These youth could very easily say that they are not going to give anything to a building because they will not receive anything. But they get it. They get it that The Master's Plan is for those who are not yet here. They are modeling service for the rest of us to follow.
Do you get it?
When we gather at Oven's Auditorium on Sunday, November 8, you will watch the youth do an amazing thing. They will go first in presenting their four-year commitment to the Master's Plan. Many will give money to something that they will never enjoy. They will have graduated when the building is completed. Nevertheless, they want to give because they know that their gift is an act of service for those they have never met. They want them to experience even more than what they have received at Christ Lutheran.
That's true service. These youth could very easily say that they are not going to give anything to a building because they will not receive anything. But they get it. They get it that The Master's Plan is for those who are not yet here. They are modeling service for the rest of us to follow.
Do you get it?
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