Today was great!  It was the first time since the first of August that I led worship.  The 2 1/2 month break was well needed.  These last several weeks have been mentally and spiritually draing due to what God was calling me to do.  I continued to fight with myself on whether I wanted to follow through with leading worship in my home town.  I would come up with ever excuse I could to try to justify my feelings.  In the end God reminded me that it’s not how I FEEL and that  it’s NOT about ME.

Sometimes God will call you to do some very uncomfortable things that will advance His kingdom.  “Don’t run from what you fear…dive into it, for it is there that you will experience the presence of God in ways u never dreamed!”  Perry Noble

I am so excited to see what God is going to do in the lives of people in Stanly County.  And I’m excited that God has giving me the opportunity to take part in it.

 

Worship Set   11-22-2009  (New Life Church)

We Stand                                      Lee McDerment

My Glorious                              delirious

Everlasting God                    Chris Tomlin

Reign In Us                                Starfield

From the Inside Out          Hillsong

In my first post I said, “it was not a new testament law to give 10% of our income.  It was an Old Testament law.”  It’s truly what I believed.  I had never read anywhere in the New Testament where God still commanded to give 10%.    I based my thoughts on 2 Corn 8:1-15 and 2 Corn 9:6-10.

As I study 1 Corinthians I read where Paul says that he does not ignore the law of God; that he obeys the law of Christ.(1 Corn 9:21)  This tells me that Paul followed the law of the tithe.

My first post was designed to encourage those who are new believers who are gun shy about giving their hard earned dollars away.  I believe a lot of times within the church we are made to feel guilty about giving and then if we don’t give we carry this guilt around with us.  God doesn’t want us to live with guilt.  Jesus died to take guilt away.  Jesus does want our faith to grow.  He has given us each  a certain amount of faith. (Rmns 12:3)

Giving your money away to God is a hard thing to do.  You want to know that it is being used correctly and not wasted.  You want what you give to make a difference in somebody’s life.  What makes it even harder to give is how some have been burnt by certain churches or televangelist.  My motivation is for you to take baby steps in giving if not 10% now maybe 2, 3,or 4% now.  The main thing is to start somewhere.  Be faithful in giving a little and your faith will grow to where you can give more.

Think about this illustration for a minute.  Say I take my family to the store and we pick up a few items for tonight’s dinner.  I decide that I want to bless my kids with a bag of M&M’s after dinner.  We finish up dinner and I give some M&M’s to the boys. I give Bren 10 pieces and Micah 5 pieces.  They both LOVE M&M’s.  Micah finishes his first and wants more.  Brendan still has some left and says, “Here brother you can have 3 of mine.”  WOW!  I just witnessed a generous heart from my oldest son.  I am more willing as the giver of the candy to give him more because I know what he will do with it.  He has the heart to give.  Now if he didn’t want to share what he had because he was just thinking about himself I would not want to share anymore with him.

We get so caught up in what we “OWN”.  God wants us to be good managers of what He has given us.  When He sees us generously blessing those in need,  He sees that He can trust us with more of His possessions.  (Side Note:  Please don’t treat giving to God like the stock market though)

It all boils down to your heart.  What is the condition of your heart?  Where are your motives at?  What’s motivating you to give?

Money…….This is one of the biggest reasons people don’t want to be involved in the church.  You’ve heard people say things like, “They just want my money.”  Have you ever felt judged for not giving?  I have.  I’ve actually been on the other side and said something like, “I can’t believe they are not tithing their 10%”.  But in actuality some people can’t afford to give 10% of their income.

Some of you reading this are saying, “Whoa Rodney, God commands us to give 10% of our income.”  That’s what we’ve been taught most of our lives but if you read, no where in the New Testament does He command us to give 10%.  This is an Old Testament law.

Am I saying that it’s not biblical to give to God?  Not at all!  We are told to give with a generous heart.   Generous is the key word here.  Let me ask you this?  Have you tried to give 10% of your income knowing that you can not  afford it?  Did you go ahead and give it anyway knowing that one or two of your bills might not get paid?  As you put the money in the plate or bucket, did  you kind of regret it?  Did you think things like, “God please come through, I’ve got to have the money for the power bill this week.” or “God I’m being faithful with the 10% I need gas money.”?

Are these questions of someone with a generous heart?  Most of the time Pastors will teach about tithing out of Malachi3:8-12.  They will say something like this, “You are cheating God!”,  “If you give 10% God will open up the flood gates of heaven!”  They teach this because that is what it says in that passage.

The 10% tithe was Old Testament Law.  So we don’t have to give 10% you ask?  I didn’t say that.  I said it’s not a command of the New Testament Church.  God tells us to give generously.  If you can’t give 10% generously, DON”T GIVE IT.  When you sit down to budget your income see what % of that you can give consistently without it becoming a burden.   Lets just say your budget will allow you to give 2% of your income.  (You have to manage your money.  That is a biblical principle) Start budgeting 2% every week or month, however you do it.  Giving this generously by faith.  When God blesses your obedience with a little and He gives you more to mange( like a pay raise)up your giving %.  So the next time you budget maybe you can budget 4% every week with a generous heart.

Some of you might disagree with this thought and that’s OK.  We can talk about it.  I just wanted to share this with you.  I was so empowered this past weekend when I heard a Pastor of a church read 2Corn9:7-8 and say give generously.  He said some of you can’t afford 10%.  He said God is a God of percentages.  Start somewhere.  If your giving 10% now and you can give more than 10%, DO IT.  Continue to try to give away as much as you can.  THIS SET ME FREE TO HEAR THIS!

A lot of people do not give at all just because it’s not 10%.  I want to encourage anyone who is reading this.  Give what you can in faith generously.  Keep increasing it as God increases your blessing.  I hope this sets you free!

READ!!!!!!  2Corinthians 8:1-15   & 2Corinthians 9:6-10

I started reading a book a couple days ago called, For This I Was Born Aligning Your Vision With God’s Cause by Brian Houston.  I have read a lot of  great books that I’ve taken a lot from, but this book is different.  I haven’t got very far in it yet but there is a paragraph that I read that  pretty much defines me.

“When vision is detached from a cause, people can start to think that the grass is greener somewhere else.  Vision without a cause has options.  If things become discouraging, you can put the causeless vision aside or change direction.  You can choose to run with a vision, or you can choose to abandon it.  You hold a vision in your hand, but a cause grips your heart.  It will not let you go, even in life’s most discouraging moments.  Does your vision leave you with options?“

This hit me hard last night because my whole life has been filled with great vision.  I always wanted to do everything in life, I guess that’s why I have worked in so many places.  I realized last night that I’ve had a control problem with my vision in life.  I have had a vision with no cause.  I always had an option out if things were not going well and so I would pack my stuff up and head to where the grass looked greener.  It would always end up the same way though no matter where I went.

OK that’s it.  I just had to get it off of my chest.  It was just a big revelation that God gave me last night.  If you think you would benefit from reading this book here it is.  Go buy it.

I have been so slack here lately with the whole blogging thing.  I got hooked on Photoshop and Illustrator.  I’ve been designing our sermon series and different event ads at the church.  I love the whole design thing but just like anything else it can become a hindrance.  So I’ve taking a break for awhile.  I’ve not completely taking myself from it but I’m not doing it as much atleast until October(because I’m caught up until then).

Here is a couple things going on in my life right now.

1.  I’m really digging deep and seeking God so that I know what He is calling me to do.  I mean I know that I’m supposed to tell people about Jesus and do all the things that would lead someone to Christ but I’m wondering what my next step in my journey of life will be.

2.  I’ve been studying graphic design on my own, learning the basics of the art and how to communicate an idea to someone through graphics and typography.

3.  I’m glad the Summer is coming to a close.  With all the kiddos at home, it means no structure.  I need a little structure to survive.

4.  Finally, My wife and I are getting prepared to lead a Life Group in September.  I’m excited to see what God is going to teach us through this experience and to see whose lives He will change.

Here is a book that I highly recommend for you to read.

Francis Chan will ask you some very tough questions in this book.  It will change the way you live your life.

You Win! (Some of You)

Thank you Elevation Church for the new Worship CD, God With Us.

I was in a drawing a couple weeks ago to get a chance to win the new worship cd from Elevation Church.  Whooo Hooo!  I won one!  These guys are awesome!

Jul
23

Thanks for participating in our Giveaway Extravaganza yesterday on the blog! We’ve randomly selected 25 of you from across the country to receive a free hardcopy of our new CD, God With Us.  Congrats!!  That’ll be coming your way via snail mail in the next few weeks.

You’re all winners in our sight , just not all of you are getting free music. But those listed below are: BOOM.

1. Adam Cruz (Element Church)
2. Jared Hager (Momentum Church)
3. Lynn Nadeau (Shiloh Community Church)
4. Deena Robbins (The Ridge Community Church)
5. Aaron Floyd (FBC Pocatello)
6. Chad Zollo (Riverside Community)
7. Mark Ryan (The Edge Church)
8. Matt Henry (Amherst Nazarene)
9. Ben Asio (Stockton Community)
10. Matt McElravy (Grace Church)
11. Jonathan Chaney (CrossPoint Church)
12. Rodney Morton (Real Life Church)
13. Larry Williams (Church of Arcadia)
14. Jeff Dunn (Auburn Hills Christian Center)
15. Brandt Farmer (River Hills Church)
16. Shaheen Eydgahi (Abundant Life Church)
17. Joel Halpin (Connection Point Church)
18. Danny Hallis (Captivate Christian Church)
19. Keeva O’Mealey (Vintage Church)
20. Nathan Gregory (Northside Church)
21. Jordan White (Ignite Church)
22. Will Beaty (Rock Hill FBC)
23. Joel Slater (Fair Oaks Church)
24. Blake Goss (Freedom Church)
25. Eric Stair (Seacoast)

1. When you face a setback, think of it as a defining moment that will lead to a future
accomplishment.

2. When you encounter adversity, remember, the best don’t just face adversity; they
embrace it, knowing it’s not a dead end but a detour to something greater and better.

3. When you face negative people, know that the key to life is to stay positive in the
face of negativity, not in the absence of it. After all, everyone will have to overcome
negativity to define themselves and create their success.

4. When you face the naysayer’s, remember the people who believed in you and spoke
positive words to you.

5. When you face critics, remember to tune them out and focus only on being the best
you can be.

6. When you wake up in the morning, take a morning walk of gratitude and prayer. It will
create a fertile mind ready for success.

7. When you fear, trust. Let your faith be greater than your doubt.

8. When you fail, find the lesson in it, and then recall a time when you have succeeded.

9. When you head into battle, visualize success.

10. When you are thinking about the past or worrying about the future, instead focus your
energy on the present moment. The now is where your power is the greatest.

11. When you want to complain, instead identify a solution.

12. When your own self-doubt crowds your mind, weed it and replace it with positive
thoughts and positive self-talk.

13. When you feel distracted, focus on your breathing, observe your surroundings, clear
your mind, and get into The Zone. The Zone is not a random event. It can be created.

14. When you feel all is impossible, know that with God all things are possible.

15. When you feel alone, think of all the people who have helped you along the way and
who love and support you now.

16. When you feel lost, pray for guidance.

17. When you are tired and drained, remember to never, never, never give up. Finish
Strong in everything you do.

18. When you feel like you can’t do it, know that you can do all things through Him who
gives you strength.

19. When you feel like your situation is beyond your control, pray and surrender. Focus on
what you can control and let go of what you can’t.

20. When you’re in a high-pressure situation and the game is on the line, and everyone is
watching you, remember to smile, have fun, and enjoy it. Life is short; you only live
once. You have nothing to lose. Seize the moment.

This post is from        http://www.barrywerner.com/

Every leader will have emotional highs and lows and decisions will have to be made during each of those periods. During the high emotional times it is easy to be proactive and during the low emotional times it is natural to become reactive. Unfortunately, the reactive times may hurt a leader personally and their ability to lead effectively. Read Numbers 20.

By this point in their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land, Moses felt unendurably weary of the complaining, the stagnation, and the lack of progress among the people. He was running on empty. Every leader knows the feeling. In Moses’ weakened emotional condition, he made a decision that cost him his future.

In his anger over the constant grumbling of the people, Moses disobeyed the Lord’s command and struck a rock holding back the water God had promised He would furnish. With this act of anger, Moses usurped God’s authority, angered God and forfeited his opportunity to enter into the Promised Land. He reacted in fury rather than obeying with poise. This sad incident teaches us at least two lessons:

• First, do not make major decisions during an emotionally low time.
• Second, choose to be proactive, not reactive, in your leadership. Don’t act like the grumbling crowd you are leading. Get your cues from God and the mission He has given you.

The following questions can help a leader make better leadership decisions and may be of even greater value during times of emotional exhaustion:

• Do I tend to play defense or offense when I lead? Reacting to problems rather than looking ahead to see potential problems will keep a leader in emotional crisis. Good leaders react to and effectively solve problems. Great leaders head off problems before they happen.
• When given leadership responsibility, am I a people pleaser or a God pleaser? Establish a core belief that your first assignment is to bring glory to God and that your only source of truth is His word. Since our actions come from core beliefs, this core belief will direct your decisions in both high and low emotional times.
• Do I set the priority of tasks on my “to do” list? A leader can feel emotional control if they sense order and accomplishment per a plan and structured schedule.

What is your response when you are under pressure and emotionally drained? Leaders need to monitor their emotions during times of stress and be aware of the dangers of making decisions when they have low emotional reserves.

Francis Chan wrote this article.  It’s a great read!

I think it’s time we stop asking ourselves the question: “Am I a good Christian?” We live in a time when the term “Christian” has been so diluted that millions of immoral but nice people genuinely consider themselves “good Christians.” We have reduced the idea of a good Christian to someone who believes in Jesus, loves his or her family, and attends church regularly. Others will label you a good Christian even though your life has no semblance to the way Christ spent His days on earth. Perhaps we should start asking the question: “Am I a good Christ?” In other words, do I look anything like Jesus? This question never even entered my mind until a friend of mine made a passing comment to me one day. Dan is a long time friend of mine. In fact, he’s the pastor who performed my wedding. He was talking to me about a pastor named Von. Von has been working with youth in the San Diego area for decades. Many of his students have gone on to become amazing missionaries and powerful servants of God. Dan described a trip to Tijuana, Mexico with Pastor Von. (Von has been ministering to the poor in the dumps of Tijuana for years). Dan didn’t speak of the awful living conditions of those who made their homes amidst the rubbish. What impacted Dan the most was the relationship he saw between Von and the people of this community. He spoke of the compassion, sacrifice, and love that he witnessed in Von’s words and actions as he held these malnourished and un-bathed children. Then he made the statement that sent me reeling: “The day I spent with Von was the closest thing I’ve ever experienced to walking with Jesus.” Dan explained that the whole experience was so eerie because he kept thinking to himself: “If Jesus were still walking on earth in the flesh, this is what it would feel like to walk alongside of Him!” After that discussion, I kept wondering if anyone had ever said that about me-”The day I spent with Francis was the closest thing I’ve ever experienced to walking with Jesus.” The answer was an obvious “no.” Would any honest person say that about you? What bothered me was not that I hadn’t “arrived,” but that I wasn’t even heading in the right direction. I hadn’t made it my goal to resemble Christ. I wasn’t striving to become the kind of person who could be mistaken for Jesus Christ. Isn’t it ironic that a man can be known as a successful pastor, speaker, and CHRISTian even if his life doesn’t resemble Christ’s? 1 John 2:6 “Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.” When John made that statement, he wasn’t speaking about how to be a church leader or even how to be a “good” Christian. He merely stated that anyone who calls himself Christian must live like Jesus did. So how did Jesus live? You could make a list of character traits to compare yourself to, but it would be far more beneficial to simply read through one of the Gospels. After you get a bird’s-eye view of the life of Christ, do the same with your own. Are you comfortable with the similarities and differences? It’s easy to get caught up in the pursuit of “success” as American church-goers define it. The thought of being well-known and respected is alluring. There have been times when I’ve been caught up in the fun of popularity. I’ve even mistaken it for success. Biblically, however, success is when our lives parallel Christ’s. Truth is, there are many good Christs that you’ll never read about in a magazine. They are walking as Jesus walked, but they are too focused and humble to pursue their own recognition. May we make it our goal to someday have someone say of us: “The day/hour/15 minutes I spent with ______ was the closest thing I’ve ever experienced to walking with Jesus.” As Christians in America, we often complain about how antagonistic people are toward Christ. Personally, I’m not sure that Americans are really rejecting Christ. Maybe they just haven’t seen Him. Try to be COMPLETELY honest with yourself right now. Is the following true of you? You passionately love Jesus, but you don’t really want to be like Him. You admire His humility, but you don’t want to be THAT humble. You think it’s beautiful that He washed the feet of the disciples, but that’s not exactly the direction your life is headed. You’re thankful He was spit upon and abused, but you would never let that happen to you. You praise Him for loving you enough to suffer during His whole time on earth, but you’re going to do everything within your power to make sure you enjoy your time down here. In short: You think He’s a great Savior, but not a great role model. The American church has abandoned the most simple and obvious truth of what it means to follow Jesus: You actually follow His pattern of life. I pray for those who read this article- that we don’t become cynical or negative toward the church. Instead, let’s make a personal decision to stop talking so much and begin living like Jesus. Then we can say as the apostle Paul, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). My guess is that you’ve never had someone say that to you, and you’ve never said it to anyone else. Why Not?

 

The All Access conference was great last week!  It was very encouraging  and refreshing.  One of the things that stick out to me is when Pastor Matt Fry, from C3 church said, ” A healthy heart grows a healthy church.”  This truth isn’t only for the church but it is also for everything in life.  Let’s plug in a couple of different words and I’ll show you what I mean.

A healthy heart grows a healthy family

A healthy heart grows a healthy marriage

A healthy heart grows a healthy mind set

A healthy heart grows healthy relationships

The first four letters in the word healthy is HEAL.  I believe that God wants to restore and heal our relationships, marriages, and our minds.  Gods power must work in your heart first. Prov.4:23   When you are made right on the inside it will overflow to the outside and healing will take place.

Here are 4 things that come from an unhealthy heart

1. Jealous heart………..(We need to celebrate when others succeed not be jealous)

2. Competitive heart……(Instead of trying to be 1 up on someone form a partnership)

3. Selfish heart………(Be generous.  God is the giver of everything we posses.  It’s not even really ours.  He has given us responsibility over a few things.  We are to be good stewards of what He has given us.)

4. Critical heart…….(Give thanks.  Self explanatory)

Over the next couple of weeks as I read over my notes, I’ll blog what God is speaking to me through the words that he gave the speakers at the All Access conference.