A page from my high school yearbook

This past week I was searching on the Internet as I was preparing my message notes and came across a picture that took me by surprise.  You may have played the game  "Where in the world is .... " or possibly "Finding Waldo."  Ready for a moment of searching?   Can you locate my senior picture from East Mecklenburg High School in Charlotte, NC from this page from the yearbook? 

Reflection from our worship at NRN today

Today at NRN was different yet a blessing.  Several times in my ministry I have faced a decision in front of our church family.  The worship was wonderful.  Communion was a time filled by the presence of the Lord.  As we concluded the time in prayer we once again sang a song of praise to the Lord.  That is when God moved in my heart for a spontaneous moment.  I asked Dr. Page Wages to join me on the platform and we prayed for the her upcoming ministry opportunity in Alaska.  Then, an unplanned time of welcome took place.  When time for the announcements it was filled with laughter as Elmer the Pig announced the Pig Pickin scheduled for next Sunday. (Yes a real pig was on the platform...)  Then God moved upon my heart once again.

Many people are unaware that each week we prepare an order of worship for the worship team, ushers, sound and media team.  At the top of the page is the current date of the worship and the words:

                         We make our plans, but God has the last word.

I asked Ben and Connie Solomon to join me on the platform: 
 

Ben and Connie have sold their home in Raleigh and are relocating to Florida near family with time also in Wilmington, NC with their son Joseph.  Several people shared testimonies of the impact Ben and Connie have had upon their lives.  This was NOT a time of eulogy but a time to reflect the goodness and faithfulness of God. We will miss Ben and Connie and pray God's richest blessing upon them in this time of transition and new adventure.

It reminded me of the account in Scriptures - Acts 20:7-12

On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight. There were many lamps in the upstairs room where we were meeting. Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead. 

Paul went down, threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “He’s alive!”

Then he went upstairs again and broke bread and ate. After talking until daylight, he left. The people took the young man home alive and were greatly comforted.

I faced a Eutychus moment and decided to close our tribute to Ben and Connie with a short review of the current teaching series and share a closing passage of scripture:

“So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace.  These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us.  There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever.”  2 Corinthians 4:17 (The Message)

 

Preparing for worship on October 6 2013

Tomorrow we continue in the new teaching series:

Before the sermon is a time of singing and offering our praise unto God....

We begin with one of my favorite calls of worship:





Followed by a contemporary song with words that draw us unto the Lord:



Now a great song of the church...




We enter into a time of prayer and communion as we join with other believers from all around the world!

Pastor Rick will bring a special moment of recognition....

 

Then we continue in our singing of thanks and praise to the Lord! 



 

 

 

Time for the preaching of the Word...

 

 

 

 



Why on Earth Would Someone Give Up the NFL?

Ready for some football?  Tomorrow is Saturday and College Football is underway!  Sunday brings the NFL games.  These institutions in today's culture are followed by many as a reality of religion.  But Jesus calls us to  follow Him.  What this powerful video of a young man's potential and his decision ...

     Why on Earth Would Someone Give Up the NFL?



Come back tomorrow to prepare for worship....

A perspective about struggle: Are you stuck in spiritual "airplane mode"?

Many times I have the opportunity to hear Steven Furtick preach. The reason I have this opportunity is because I go to the Elevation Network website to listen to the Word of God and feed my soul.

 Here is a thought that has captive my mind this week:

Preparing for a time of prayer this evening

This evening at 6:30 we will gather for prayer at NRN.  As a primer for this time together       I am drawn today to the prayer attributed to John Wesley at the beginning of a great time of revival.  I ask God that it will speak to your heart as it has to mine:

A little bit of humor - enjoy the story...

As Sharron and I were traveling while on vacation we really enjoy our XM satellite radio.  When we stopped for gas or when I began to get a bit sleepy while driving - Sharron always changes the channel to Laugh USA.  We heard a fun story from one of our favorite comedians - Jeanne Robertson. 

Comedian Jeanne Robertson makes her Grand Ole Opry debut in Nashville, TN - June 2013.

I hope you enjoy this: