Where did all this fire come from?

Two Sundays in a row, I found myself preaching. Man, where did all this fire come from?

I look back over the years and I guess I always was a bit fiery. I know that I’ve pulled back on all of that because when we first moved here, all that passion and fire seemed to offend people. This is such a conservative community, at least the people we have encountered. What many consider to be excitement is more like a polite applause from a subdued gathering, compared to where we come from. I’m accustomed to letting it all out at full blast with praise and shouting. Besides, I’m a musician and as a drummer, that’s just part of your make up.

Well, the fiery words seem to be slipping out more and more each week. I can’t help it. Yesterday, I couldn’t find my power point notes, so I just went ahead and began teaching from what I remembered in my studies of the scripture passages. The next thing I knew, I was preaching about things that have been a passion in my heart for years.

Now I know why I couldn’t find my notes. The Lord had a completely different perspective to bring out this time.

Man, this is great. There’s nothing like living out the dream that God has for your life. We’re not doing anything to make it come to pass. We’re just living it out.

Covenant Connection

Carol and I have been on vacation this week. It's been a wonderful week of rest and relaxation. This week was intentionally planned to coincide with the church schedule and our job schedules.

We just completed our first new member confirmation ceremony since March of 2008. What a joy it was to officially confirm family into the Urban Life Church.

When I say family that includes a nephew, second cousins, and a spiritual daughter that God brought into our lives five years ago.

I can't find the words to express my joy. I feel like I could burst into tears as I think of each person who has decided to identify their connection to the Body of Christ with us.

All I know is that we can do something great for God and these are people who can help us do it.

The ceremony (http://www.urbanlife-church.org/videos/Sundays_2011/Sunday-05-22-11.html) was brief and straight forward. We only ask that each member promise to live a Godly life, read the Bible and pray. We vow, as leaders, to be examples for them to follow and to do all that we can to equip them to serve their families and one another.

Then we vow together to allow God to do something great in us, so that we can fulfill the vision to rebuild, restore and renew hearts and homes in the urban community.

Then we prayed for each new member and presented them with a certificate of membership.

I realize that I say this all the time, but I feel so strongly that God is preparing this church family for something wonderful.

That Special Place Called Home

This past Sunday, we celebrated Mother's Day with family as well. Our attendance was very low at the Sunday Café, but we still moved forward anyway. It proved to be a very special God-ordained day.

Angela Hodges, wife and mother of two children (7 and 3) and second cousin to Pastor Carol, shared openly and honestly about Meeting the Challenges of Motherhood in the 21st Century. Then Carol continued the message by talking about the challenges she faced raising three teenage sons into adulthood. It was an outstanding message that came through both of them.

However, the best part was all the fun and fellowship that followed. The ministry sponsored the mothers of the church family for a Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet at the Hilton Hotel in downtown Harrisburg. Unfortunately, three moms, who had previously planned to attend, were not able to make it, so we’ll have to do something special for them at another time.

Yes, the food was wonderful, but the fun and laughter was even better. Big shout-outs: To Marilyn Walker, Chris Dennis, Maurice, Angela, little Maurice and Mayah Hodges, Ilecia Buckner, AJ, and of course, the Green clan. We shared a great meal and had even greater conversation.

After dinner, we sat in the hotel lobby and talked for more than an hour. We swapped stories and, for the first time, really got to know each other a little better. Many questions were answered for us and a deep longing in our heart was filled. You see, ever since moving to Harrisburg, what we have desired more than anything else, was to get to know our family.

Even though we seem to talk about the ministry and the vision most of the time, we really want everyone to be clear that none of it means anything if we don’t have genuine relationships. We are not interested in building a church made up of strangers and loners. This has to be about family, and since God sent us to establish a ministry of restoration and healing of families, it has to begin in our own family. After spending such quality time together, we are thrilled beyond words.

Something has been broken over our family. Something has been broken over this church. Whatever negative or demonic influence that had been set against us, God has shattered it. It’s funny that the breakthrough didn’t come by way of a powerful move in a church building. We experienced it by simply talking and sharing in a hotel lobby after a wonderful dinner.

When we returned home for the evening, we felt like we had been in a church service in which there had been a great outpouring of God’s presence. Even though there were no healing lines, we had a healing time. Even though there were no prophetic words, we were edified and encouraged. We have waited over six years for moments like this. If home is where the heart is, and if the heart is with family, then for the first time, we’re feeling that special place called home.

Building a Congregation that is Strong in the Lord

Something special is happening in this church. We can see it! We can feel it! More importantly, we KNOW it! Our congregation continues to grow, the finances continue to increase, and the most amazing thing is that we aren’t doing anything to make it happen. We never solicit members and we never ask for money, yet God is moving in our midst.

We mentioned to everyone last Sunday that we are looking forward to the church anniversary celebration in March because we will probably get our first look at our entire church family, all together in one setting. Due to the various work schedules of those who attend this church, we have never seen everyone attending on the same Sunday.

From our perspective, we have a nearly different group of people each week. Yes, we have those who are able to attend every week and that group never waivers, but the majority have to deal with many factors in their lives that prevent them from attending every Sunday. Since the fall of 2005 we have been under 10 members. We would see slight increases and slight decreases, but remained unchanged. Since the spring of 2010, our attendance has more than tripled, and we can feel the rumblings of a coming wave.

Since we’ve been in the Pennsylvania United Church Center, not only have we seen growth, but we have seen growth in a particular way. God is touching the lives of families, beginning with OUR family. Ranging from cousins to a nephew, we are experiencing an answer to prayer. Other families are coming as they hear about the ministry or as they discover it on the internet.

Families are coming who are seeking freedom from religious bondage or deliverance from the carnal whims of church leaders who are in pursuit of fame and fortune.

Carol and I simply refuse to raise up a congregation that looks to the pastors for all their answers. We refuse to establish a church where the pastors become mini-celebrities. We refuse to raise a congregation that lives day to day, week to week, month to month, and year to year, always wondering if they are ‘saved’ or not. It’s ridiculous to create an atmosphere where people can never know if they are pleasing God, and never be sure if whether they are holy enough, or if their mistakes and decisions have cost them their salvation.

For some of our members, these are non-issues in their life, but for most of the people to whom we have been sent, these are major obstacles and walls. Many seem to have been so rooted and steeped in works-based teaching, that what they are hearing now is like fresh air and new life.

By focusing on the law, many pastors have turned people away from grace and they preach another gospel. Galatians 3: 1 reads: "You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?"

We refuse to become pastors who use people’s uncertainty about their standing in God to manipulate them into church attendance and tithing; causing them to try to maintain their salvation and righteousness by giving their time, talents and treasure to the church.

We desire to raise a congregation made up of families that are strong in the Lord. So we’ll continue to teach about the commitment the Lord has made to people. As we behold and understand the Lord's commitment to us, we are empowered to commit our lives to Him and our families.

I just want to BE WITH HIM

This month of consecration has been a marvelous journey and my heart just longs for the Lord like never before. I'm not overwhelmed by the circumstances and situations surrounding life and ministry. I see the Lord seated on the throne, exalted. And the train of His robe fills the temple with Glory. And the whole earth is filled with His Glory. Our God is greater, Our God is stronger. Our God is higher than any other. Our God is healer, Awesome in power...Our God, Our God. What a mighty God we serve! Angels bow before Him; Heaven and earth adores Him. What a mighty God we serve! Nothing is hidden from Him. Nothing is too hard for the Lord.

I haven't been as consistent as I should have been and haven't always stayed on schedule with my Bible reading plan, but it's okay. So many times the Lord just called me to sit and wait in His presence. It happened so many times that I realized He was trying to make a point. I needed to just BE with Him. The more I am just WITH Him, the more I see Him. The more I see Him, the more I want to see Him. So many earthly desires and longings are fading away. Success is not based upon the number of people that attend on Sundays. My self esteem and self worth is not measured by notoriety or fame.

I just want to BE WITH HIM.