Is September Over Yet?

Nope! But tonight is the last night of Encounter. Spring: He makes all things new!

What an awesome four weeks we’ve had! The most consistent feedback I’ve received for these nights is people saying, “This has been so wonderful. I don’t have time for anything like this during my week.” Unfortunately, our lives do not leave much room for quiet and reflection. Yet, why can’t we become convinced that we find the greatest ministry when we rest in His presence? Why can’t we become convinced that He longs to speak to us, longs to be gracious to us, longs to prune us and refine us? Oh, if we would just listen…

Next week will be fabulous. The ZOE Worship Conference always falls on or near my birthday. Thus, every year I get a trip to Nashville to celebrate! After all, birthdays are perfect times for the kind of reflection we're talking about, right? It’s been an incredible year serving in His kingdom, and I can’t wait to be still and reflect upon all He has done. And then I’ll get to celebrate in praise with many dear friends and co-laborers for an entire weekend! And I didn’t even mention Baja Burrito!!! Yippee! I can't wait!

Thanks for reading! Be a blessing!

Encounter - a worship experience

On Wednesday nights in September, I’m leading a new worship assembly here at Highland Street. It’s called Encounter, and it incorporates some of the new “emergent style” elements. In other words, after a time of contemplative praise and brief teaching, the assembly breaks and we move about the room and experience multiple stations. Stations include the following: Scripture, a prayer walk, a prayer request wall, praying with elders, a conversation station, journaling, art, and the cross station.

I’ve always wanted to do something like this—and it’s been such a great experience! While I certainly enjoy the more boisterous and energetic times of praise, I am being reminded how much ministry happens when we simply sit still in the presence of the Lord.

Our theme for these four weeks is II Corinthians 3:18: “And all of us have had that veil removed so that we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord. And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more” (NLT). Each week, we’re using one of the four natural seasons to help us reflect about the different “seasons” we experience in our spiritual growth. For instance, summer=maturity, autumn=transitions, winter=death to self / struggle, and spring=promise of new life fulfilled. Last night was autumn—what a rich time of reflecting about how God works in us through major life transitions. Be sure to see the picture below.

God’s blessings on you today…

Encounter: reflecting on the "seasons" of our spiritual growth in Christ.  

Follow-up

I've not had a moment to catch my breath, and there is so much to tell! First, let me just say that the Lord answered your prayers for Sunday. I'm grateful to you, because it has been such a challenging situation. How do you lead someone in worship who just lost everything? There were people in front of me who not only lost all material possesions, but also had not heard from a MAJORITY of their family. How do I relate to that? But I believe God worked through our time of lament and prayer.

Several hurricane evacuees have moved into the same apartment complex where I live. It's been exciting to do a little "neighborhood walk" (folks at Highland in Abilene know what I mean). I've missed knocking on doors and being a Christian neighbor. One of the ladies I met came to church on Sunday. Looks like she and her family will be staying in Memphis, so this is a HUGE opportunity to minister and love. She was the face in my mind all morning on Sunday. I pray the Lord may use me (and my neighbor Liz) to continue to be Christ to them.

Hurricane Evacuees

Friends,

Our church family here in Memphis could sure use your prayers this weekend (Sunday especially). We'll be hosting a substantial number of evacuees for worship and then we're feeding them lunch. The most difficult part of planning this is that you can't...we have no idea how many people will be here tomorrow. And we do not know how much or little we'll be able to help them as they try to re-establish themselves here.

But we trust in the Lord, and I--for one--am really anxious to see how the Spirit works among us tomorrow. I'll write about it when I get a chance. Please say a prayer on our behalf. Thanks.