Whine Free

Yesterday, I began the 30-day journey toward "Whine Free Living." Based on Php 2:14, we have a command to "do all things without complaining." I have my green "whine free" bracelet on as a reminder. Here's what I'm discovering so far:

• This is an impossible task in my own strength. The only way I can "do things" without complaining is for God to change my heart!
• I'm finding that I'm thinking before I speak so much more than I did, sifting through my comments before I say anything!
• I'm discovering how easy it is to try and excuse myself about complaining. In other words, I can justify my own complaints which is the definition of the second word in Paul's command: disputing. (Disputing is complaints supported by my own reasoning.

Can I take the bracelet off and complain awhile? Just kidding.

Future Impact Begins with Faith in People

Howard Hendricks was born into a broken home from birth.  He became a troublemaker and in the 5th grade it peaked. His teacher had predicted 5 kids in her class would end up in prison. He was supposed to be one of them. Once, the Teacher even tied him to his seat and taped his mouth! When he entered 6th grade, his teacher Miss Noe said, ‘I’ve heard about you. I’ve been warned. I’ve heard you’re a troublemaker. I want you to know…I don’t believe a word of it.’ Today he says, that one teacher made him feel like someone really cared about him and it changed his life. He went on to become one of the most well-known profs at Dallas Theological Seminary. Some of the greatest Christian leaders of our day credit him as having the greatest impact on their lives: pastors like Tony Evans, Chuck Swindoll, and Andy Stanley. Before he retired, he spent 52 years as a professor. He says today, “People are always looking for someone to say, “Hey I believe in you.”

For Howard Hendricks, it was a 6th grade teacher. For me it was my Sunday School teachers who believed in me enough to encourage me to participate in music in the church by the 5th grade and preaching my first sermon in children’s church about the same age!

Impact is only as good as it plays out in future generations – David Jeremiah

New Mission Link

Hey SCCC community! Just wanted to let you know about a new link that provides some updates regarding our current mission efforts. Michael Reed, one of our rockin' interns, is updating the blog with any mission news--whether it's our orphanage in Guntur or a current mission partner we're featuring.

Sofa Series

Yes it's true. JoyFM is using our campus for their Sofa Concert Series! New artists like Revive, Kerrie Roberts (#5 single "No Matter What"), Chris Sligh are part of the series. Should be great.

I realize this will impact some Secret to Joy groups. But I'm hopeful our church folks will realize we're not holding these concerts to give them something else to do. Rather we are hopeful that people who AREN'T connected to a church may find us a welcoming place to be. I just heard from one of our partners last night, that several of her office friends who aren't born again listen to JOYFM! This is opportunity!

Joy Overflowing

Enjoyed unpacking the idea of joy in the Bible and especially as it relates to the Apostle Paul and his letter to believers at Philippi. Had a great first session with my STJ group last night. Good discussion and the beginning of new friendship.

Here's the clip many of you have seen. Showed it on Sunday. This will get some joy going on the inside.

Is Burning the Quran the Answer?

It's international news. A church in Florida is calling on people throughout the nation to send copies of the Quran for public burning. The Washington Post has a related article HERE.

Is this the answer? How do we defend the Gospel against other claims such as Islam?

Some people hold that according to the book of Acts, a public burning is a proper response. There in Acts 19:19 believers gathered occultic books and burned them in the sight of everyone. But why? "Many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds." (Acts 19:18). This was part of their repentance. They had turned to Christ now they were cleansing their house. It was Spirit-prompted confession.

HOWEVER, what preceded this cleansing was an attention to the Scripture. Paul had been teaching and reasoning with those in Asia concerning the Gospel, "the Way" as it was called. This resulted in conversions and many miracles. This is where revival that leads to repentance begins: turning to the Scriptures, baptisms, deliverance, and the hope of the Gospel. Then if as a result of that, people burn any books that have contributed to their bondage, it is a Spiritually-prompted confession and repentance.

Let's pray for a genuine Awakening to the Gospel. Let's learn what's in the Bible first before we go to the public square and call the nation to repentance. When 59% of American Christians aren't sure whether Satan even exists and only one-third believe in a living Holy Spirit, shouldn't we worry first about the "Christian house" before we examine these things in the public square?

Encounter Week Recap

Encounter Week exceeded my hopes. I wasn't sure how things would go with mostly home-team ministry, but real encounters took place.

• Public reading of Scripture - We made it through the Bible as one by one, people came and read the Bible openly in the sanctuary. It took us ~57 hours. We couldn't have finished without Jeff LaMotte who when he came at 5:30 on Saturday, we were only at Eph. 1! He finished the Bible even though it took him over four hours!
• Elder-led prayer on Wednesday - I was grateful for the leadership our elders demonstrated. At different points, I found myself thanking God for depth of devotion and attention to Scripture that they modeled, as well as humility and transparency--such an important value for us here at SCCC.
• Night of Praise - Pr. Scott and the team led us into a evening of passionate praise and worship. We ended with our shoes off in worship. What a night.
• Sunday morning w/ Pr. Jim Stern - Jim's message on Building a culture of encountering God was right in line with what God has been saying to us. What an energetic guy! Glad to have him in St Louis leading a great church in West County. 
• Holy Spirit Service (Sun. eve) - As so often happens, good things come to those who wait. After many came forward to receive fullness of the Spirit, some lingered. The band played for another 1.5 hrs! People were changed, impacted and filled. 

Many thanks to our C.M. teams and Music and a/v teams who pulled long hours this week.You made a difference for eternity!

I've heard many reports of God-encounters in the Word and Spirit. If you've heard any good reports, let me hear from you.