Watching the storm this past weekend, I have a greater respect for the effects of wind!  Wind unharnessed caused trees to bend and break, power lines to collapse and roofs to blow off,  signs to fall to the ground.  The winds of change.  Wind was a part of the ingredients of change on the day of pentecost.  A mighty rushing wind filled the place where they were sitting and the church was changed.  On the North Carolina coast a new inlet was created because of the winds of Irene.  Wind can be so messy and annoying but winds can produce positive change.  The winds created new inlets for us to minister this past weekend by helping our neighbors and turning strangers into friends.  The winds caused many families to stay at home and have time to bond and build stronger relationships.  The winds have made havoc and unfortunately 15 lives were lost due to Irene but even in death and destruction God remains faithful and eternally strong.  In my back yard I have cypress evergreens that are about 15-20 feet tall.  One of the trees weakened and began to give way at the root but it never fell over because it leaned on the cypress beside of it that was strong and it survived.  God is always there for us to lean on and with Him we will make it through the winds and storms of life.

Former President John F. Kennedy coined this famous phrase of course about our country but I certainly feel that it applies to the church.  Because the church is a place of compassion and empathy for the needs of others, often times people abuse themselves and the church by developing a sense of entitlement!  Jesus only gave a “well done” to the stewards who made it happen.  Jesus rebukes the victim mentality of the unprofitable servant.  Pastors and Churches are doing people an injustice by promoting a keep your hand out attitude.  Don’t take me wrong, people with true disabilities and our elderly are worthy of assistance and support and they are entitled but if we really want to help people, teach them to work and give and not take. If this offends you then maybe you have bought into a victims attitude and you will never reach your potential.  You have the choice to either be a victim or a victor. Stop making excuses and stop burying what God has entrusted to you!  Work and Give! Come on somebody, can I get a witness?

Winning teams have players that make things happen. That is always true-whether sports, business, church, or some other arena.  Those team members who can make things happen are the go-to players.  Leaders are looking for people who can step up and make a difference when it matters.  Become a go-to player.  Everyone admires a go-to player.  They are the ones who find a way to make things happen no matter what.  Criticism does not stop them. Circumstances do not have to be favorable or fair.  Pressure does not hinder them.  They always produce even when the heat is on.  Jesus gathered go-to players around him and they turned the world right side up!  His team knew that it was do or die and they did both for the cause because they were a team determined to win Christ.  It is time we demonstrate consistent competence, responsibility, and dependability and regain our influence as a church that gets it done for the cause of Christ.   The good news is in Christ, WE  WIN!

On August 7, I began a preaching series on “MOVE” and one of the elements we have to move is the dirt in our lives.  You know a gold miner moves tons of dirt sometimes before he ever finds gold. God has placed gold in each of us but the dirt has to be moved so the gold can be revealed.  I remember when we began construction on our new sanctuary, dirt was the first element that had to be moved in order to lay a foundation.  I have had the privilege to stand on the observation floor of the Empire State Building at a 110 stories.  Did you know before they laid the foundation of that building, they removed the dirt until they hit rock. That is where they began its foundation.  There is a story of an old donkey that fell into the well and nobody knew how to get him out.  Their answer was to throw dirt on him.  So each time a shovel of dirt would land on the donkeys back, he would shake it off and pack it down with his hooves until final he stepped out of the well himself.  Let’s allow the word of God and the blood of Jesus to remove the dirt in our life.  Let the gold be revealed in us, the rock (Jesus) be our foundation and shake the dirt off that others try to throw on us.  Let God remove the dirt in your life!  BC is a church on the MOVE!

On September 12, Hawaii here we come!

Thumbs up to Phil and his team for another great summer and kids camp was BIG HIT!  Thanks to all the volunteers for making this happen!

“He who cannot obey, cannot command” Benjamin Franklin