MARGIN

Looking back over the last year, I have learned much about leading and living in regard to church. I'm a pastor and much of my life revolves around that calling.

But, even, and especially, if you are not a pastor, there is something to be said for loving,serving and staying in the church you're at.

There is no perfect church, that I am sure of. Granted, I've attended very few churches; however, each one had challenges.

These challenges are many.

One church is too old, with tradition and wisdom marked with age. That, itself can be a challenge, but that can also be a blessing. An older church often can afford projects and has an ample supply of margin - hands lent to those projects.

A younger church has the newness and excitement of blazing trails into new territory; however, a younger church is comprised largely of young families whose schedules are stretched to the limit with urgent activities. Projects are hard to get accomplished and take a great deal longer to finish.

No matter what church, you attend. If you don't like something, find something that needs done and do it. When you serve God by serving in your church you create a culture of improvement and when more people serve, margin is created church-wide and God is glorified.

DAILY BOOM! 3-15-2013

"So if what I eat causes another believer to sin, I will never eat meat again as long as I live—for I don’t want to cause another believer to stumble." (1 Corinthians 8:13 NLT)

“And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’ (Matthew 25:45 NLT)

If we say that our life's focus is on loving and pleasing God but we are not concerned with the least of the people he created, we lie and have no part of Christ.

Lord, help me, in thought, word and deed, to lay aside my desires, my wants and even my needs in order to serve all people in your name. No matter where they are, no matter what the pace and no matter what their level of understanding. Let me be the least.

DAILY BOOM! 3-14-2013

"To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away." (Matthew 25:29 NLT)

A wise man recently told me, "If you want to have an amazing life, spend it trying to out give God."

Use well what you are given.

DAILY BOOM! 3-12-2013

He is skilled in engraving and mounting gemstones and in carving wood. He is a master at every craft! (Exodus 31:5 NLT)

God has given you gifts and talents. Gifts and talents that are unique to you.
Many Christians make the mistake of thinking less of themselves if they don't prophesy, or, they don't have the gift of healing, or...

Most often in life and, especially, in the church, the greatest blessings come from people who say, I can measure, swing a hammer, run a saw, paint, clean, etc.

What can you do? YOU are a blessing that someone is waiting for, praying for and needing!

Ask people this simple question, "What do you need?" You'll be amazed at how God will use you and the blessing you'll be to others.

DAILY BOOM! 3-7-2013

"To the faithful you show yourself faithful; to those with integrity you show integrity. To the pure you show yourself pure, but to the wicked you show yourself hostile.

You rescue the humble, but you humiliate the proud. You light a lamp for me. The LORD, my God, lights up my darkness. In your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall." (Psalm 18:25-29 NLT)

Such a powerful time in God's Word this morning. Awed by His love presence, deliverance and power.

I'm choosing to walk in the light, love and power of my God today. Here comes the BOOM - so can you!

DAILY BOOM! 3/6/2013

A friend posted something along these lines and it's too big of a BOOM to pass up.

Feeling a bit overwhelmed? Remember that whatever is over your head is under His (Jesus) feet.

Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you. (Luke 10:19 NLT)

DAILY BOOM!

I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier, because he exposed himself to death.
He was counted among the rebels.
He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels. (Isaiah 53:12 NLT)

Jesus, let me be like you. Count me in! Rebel with a cause!