Monday Moment

Sunday's message from Phil 2:14-18, Joy in Shining not Whining, is one you leave thankful you heard it but a bit beaten and bruised from it and also wishing everyone could hear. Thankfully, if you were at any of our 3 services, you were able to hear it. 

Whining definitely comes more natural to most of us but shining is what disciples of Jesus are commanded to do. 

Grumbling, that beneath the surface, behind closed doors murmuring that we do, if left unchecked,  almost always leads to arguing and robs us of our joy. Critical talking always diminishes our light and hinders our influence. 

There is purpose in our shining. In our dark world where our thinking and actions are warped, depraved and crooked, we are called to live for Jesus and shine light.  

The days are dark. Many talk about God but when we say the name Jesus, that narrows it down. We are to be willing to be poured out, even going up in smoke for the kingdom as we know our light can mean sacrifice. 

God wants a proclaiming church not a complaining church. 

If you were there, you know Eddie shared very openly about his views on the upcoming election. So openly that I actually thought that one day 

all he shared may be considered against the law if we continue going in the direction we are headed. But we know that in our unashamed culture, light offers direction and I'd say we are desperate in our country for godly direction. Thankful for my husband's boldness in sharing and his commitment to standing on the truth whether it's popular or not, even whether it's legal or not. And praise God, our answer isn't in the White House or the court house but in the church house where as God's people we are called to humble ourselves and pray and turn from our wicked way.  No matter who is elected, God is on His throne and in charge.  God help us! 

Monday Moment

I've thought for the past few weeks a lot about how thankful I am that my children grew up hearing their dad preach their entire life. I'm sure many times, especially when they were young, they tuned out during the message, but I'm a believer in the fact that it sinks in anyway. And I also see effects from it today. I would tell any young parents...NEVER sacrifice preaching for anything else when choosing where to take your family to church. I tell mine all the time still, don't take that for granted. Every church doesn't have it. And music, programs, coolness, whatever, can never be as important as what they hear proclaimed through the preaching of God's Word. Ok, moving on! 

We were blessed to hear a great message on Working Out our salvation as we continue through the great book of Philippians. So many good points were made but a few of my fave were...

...the only running some do is running others down.

...the only lifting some do is lifting self up. 

...obedience is key. Do you always need an authority figure over you to make you do what's right?

...God is our ultimate authority. He sees all. 

...the Holy Spirit lies dormant in too many of us. Connect to the power source. 

...spend more time in THE book instead of facebook. 

...pray and personalize scripture. Eddie gave us an amazing example of how to do that. 

It was a glory bump kind of service. Cross Talk led beautifully and powerfully and prepared us for the message. Always thankful for great worship! 

Speaking of worship...Rise worship was fabulous. When I get to heaven I'm going to be able to sing like these young ones! And the volunteers amaze me with their servant hearts and attitudes of joy!

Justin Broome brought the roof down as he preached from Mark 10 on blind  Bartimaeus. He challenged us to use our stories of redemption to reach those who are hurting and in need of Jesus. Some of my favorite statements...

...the broken pieces of our life matter to God. 

...mercy is radical, a troublemaker. 

...miracles happen in the unexpected places, the in-between places. 

...so often we are identified by our brokenness and we start to believe it when we are called by it. 

...stop making excuses for what we don't have and use what we do have. 

...there will always be people who will tell you to be quiet. 

All in all it was a very good day at Fairview. Grateful!

Monday Moment

It would be safe to say, without exaggerating, that Sunday was one of Fairview's all time best. At least in my opinion. And at least in the 3 1/2 years I've been here. Numbers were low in every service, fall break means long weekend 😕, and I'm sad if you missed it, but even with that it was a great day. 

Our Alive student band led worship. They are always fabulous. My heart beats a bit faster as I see them step up and lead without a hint of intimidation or fear. My prayer for them is that they would continue to press on, letting no one look down on them, and always maintaining that focus on their audience of one, not worrying about who's on stage with them or instead of them. I pray they continue to walk in victory and humility before the Lord in a world, even church world, that says it's all about the stage.  

We were led again in worship at our 6:00 Rise service by two young men whom we adore. They are uber talented and talk about humility and graciousness! They lead the same whether there's a few or hundreds. I've seen them do both, and they do it well. 

How perfect our pastor's message was today from Philippians 2:5-11. Our attitude and mindset should be the same as Christ. He humbled Himself even to death on a cross and God exalted Him. He came to serve. "Love in the form of a servant" pretty much wraps up who Jesus was and what He came to do. He stepped down from His heavenly throne to come to earth that we might be saved and also that we might know how we should live. 

Application today is found in the previous verses of chapter 2. If we think like Jesus and have the attitude of Jesus, we will be able to live like Jesus.   

Justin sent us from Rise praying that just as Jesus is our victory, may we walk in that victory this week. May we all do that and lead others to do that as well.