Month: February 2009

Do We Need Revival, Reformation, or a Return?

Recently I was having lunch with a pastor and as we talked about our belief that the church must look different going forward I wondered out loud if we just needed to return to the foundational principles that Jesus used when He was “God with us”.

Recently I heard someone say “we’ve been praying for revival for 8 years”. I wondered (quietly) maybe it’s time to get off your knees and start serving your neighbor.

I also heard someone say “we don’t need revival we need a reformation”. As much as I’m all for fresh revelation I don’t know that what we need is a new doctrine. If we were living out our current doctrine we wouldn’t be in the mess were in.

I intend to write more about this subject but Glenn Packiam posted an article at NEUE today entitled How Liturgy Can Save Your Soul and it stirred me up.

I would love your thoughts. First go and read Glenn’s post then come back and tell me what you think the church needs?

Posted by Gary in Faith, Intimacy W/God, Worship

Where are all the simple songs?

I am going through all of my music and getting into a spreadsheet so I know what I have.

In the process I am remembering all the simple songs we used to play. The old vinyard songs, Eddie Espinosa songs. Recently my friend Ken posted “I am a writer of simple songs”. It seems everything is more complicated and I wonder if they are as affective in congregational worship.

Then I came across this:

I want to be a writer of simple songs.

Enjoy.

Posted by Gary in Worship

A Blanket of White

I love living in the mountains. The windows in the back of our house look out at the front range and every morning I thank God for allowing us to live here. This morning there is frost and snow covering everything. Though I don’t want to be out in it it’s beautiful.

I am reminded of Lamentations 3:22-24:
Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, says my soul, Therefore I hope in Him!

His mercies are new every morning, His compassions do not fail, His faithfulness is great, so tell your soul; “The Lord is my portion, and my hope is in Him!”

He is the source and the substance of everything you need. Every need you have is found in Him. not with Him in Him. So whatever your need is press in, stay in His presence, because only there are our needs are met.

Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
Bless the Lord, o my soul, And forget not all His benefits:
Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Psalm 103:1-5 NKJV

Have a blessed day.

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Posted by Gary in Faith, Intimacy W/God

Rebellion as Staying Put

The Jesus Manifesto is a blog that always makes me think, I don’t always agree with them however a big shout out to Matt Wiebe who posted this article last week. I couldn’t agree more.

The money quote:

mobility begins to look a lot like slavery, while stability begins to look a lot more like freedom than I would have imagined. True freedom isn’t a lack of limits, but rather an embrace of the limits intrinsic to our nature as embodied creatures. We are always located somewhere at some time. And I plan to stay long enough in one place to make a dent.

1 Corinthians 12:18 says “But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased.

You don’t get to choose where you go to church. He sets each one of us in the place best suited for us to serve and grow into the fullness of our calling. How many times do you think people who have built something significant have wondered if “it’s time to move on”. Longevity matters. Persevere until God releases you. It’s worth it.

Well done Matt.

the Jesus Manifesto » Rebellion as Staying Put

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Posted by Gary in Faith, Practical

A New Season

The final piece has come into place today so I can finally tell you what is going on.

Many of you have been asking “what’s up with your status updates?” I didn’t intend to be cryptic or give hints. It was really just what was in my heart or in my head at the time.

Let’s begin at the beginning so as to catch up those of you who are new to the blog or the mailing list.

In the fall of 1982 I received Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Immediately I knew I was called to ministry and have spent the ensuing years working out the call.

Since the very beginning I have immersed myself in church life and through serving the house have discovered what things I am passionate about and what things I don’t have the grace for. Two things have stood out to me and others. I was a pastor before I was a Christian and will be a pastor until I die regardless of title or job and I am a worshipper.

In 2001 Kim and I agreed it was time for me to take a step toward the call and soon after found ourselves in Sydney Australia attending HIllsong College. After two years of being fed, built up, and equipped. God spoke to me very clearly to lay down my dreams and serve “the man of God”. After much prayer we moved our family to Colorado Springs and planted at New Life Church. In the process I found out who “the man of God” was and began serving John Bevere. After an amazing 4 years of watching ministry work from the inside it is time for me to finally step out and pursue what God put in my heart so many years ago.

I have always loved the church and have no desire to be the next (insert favorite Christian artist here). My hearts desire is to see the body of Christ walking in the fullness of its calling. Jesus came to save the world through His death and resurrection not through His ministry. He trusted the communication of the means of salvation to 12 faithful men. We must begin again to ask God to send us faithful people so together we can build the church and serve the world. 1 Timothy 2:2, Ephesians 4:11-12.

When I left Messenger International at the end of January I didn’t really know what the next step was until one afternoon as I was riding my bicycle I decided to put myself in a position for God to move. Later that day I told Kim what was in my heart. When she agreed I felt real peace for the first time in a long time. 20 minutes later my phone rang. A church plant about an hour from my house asked me to come and help build their worship team. Why am I always amazed at the faithfulness of God? I am in contact with another church an hour in a different direction for the same reason.

It would be a huge blessing to have you partner with us in prayer as we put this whole thing together. Here are some prayer points:

  1. God has put us on good footing financially so I only have to replace a portion of my income. I’m looking for a place to serve like a coffee shop or night stocking at a store; something to bring in a bit of income and get me back in front of the unchurched.
  2. Pray for direction as I prepare the path of teaching. My first message will be on living a repentant lifestyle. I have ideas of where to go next but want the ideas of Heaven for building His church.
  3. Pray that God will send us faithful people with the gifting each of these churches need.
  4. Pray for resource at these two churches. Instruments, sound systems, projectors etc. etc. etc.
  5. Pray for the pastors and staff to catch the vision of recognizing, calling out, equipping, and releasing people into their gifting.

There will be more but that’s a good start.

Thank you for staying with me. It means more than I can express.

Blessings

Gary

Posted by Gary in Personal