I am really thankful for people like Mark Batterson and others who God give us to encourage us.
The way I was emotionally feeling this morning was putting me in a very vunerable place and if your are like most of us HUMANS that is not a good place.
Then, as I usually do, I reached out and read a post from Mark’s blog and I had to post it on mine.
“The king stuck the ground three times and then quit. The Holy Man became angry with him: “Why didn’t you hit the ground five or six times?”
II Kings 13
Dare I say it? The primary reason we don’t experience a complete breakthrough is because we quit too soon! There is a time to call it quits–if the Lord has released you from the thing he called you too. But you better not quit for any other reason!
When I get discouraged, 9 times out of 10, it’s because I’m focused on the short-term. I need to zoom out and see the big picture. Here’s some encouragement. In the words of Bill Gates: we tend to overestimate what we can accomplish in 2 years and underestimate what we can accomplish in 10 years. It’s true! Don’t quit after three attempts. Keep hitting the ground. Literally and figuratively. One way we honor God is simply this: keep on keeping on.”
Thanks Mark for the reminder to not be so shortsighted.
Now here is a definition of being “shortsighteed” –
Myopia (Greek: μυωπία, muōpia, “nearsightedness”[1]), also called nearsightedness or shortsightedness, is a refractive defect of the eye in which collimated light produces image focus in front of the retina when accommodation is relaxed.
Those with myopia see nearby objects clearly but distant objects appear blurred. With myopia, the eyeball is too long, or the cornea is too steep, so images are focused in the vitreous inside the eye rather than on the retina at the back of the eye. The opposite defect of myopia is hyperopia or “farsightedness” or “long-sightedness”—this is where the cornea is too flat or the eye is too short.
Anyone besides me have “MYOPIC” vision?
If so, ask God to give you a better vision of the long hual .
Here is God’s book on the subject of not quitting-
but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back. So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you’ll see it yet! Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it. Philippians 3:13-16 (message)
Filed under: Ministry
Here is the outline for the first in the series that starts this weekend called “I can’t see God”
I CAN’T SEE GOD ……..BECAUSE I’M IN THE WAY
Pastor Steve Lummer
part 1
If people can’t see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; But when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed. Proverbs 29:18 ( message)
BARRIERS TO SEEING GOD
five barriers that keep us from seeing God is Illustrated by putting your hand in front of your face.
HOW TO SEE GOD CLEARLY
1. Give up on religion and go for a relationship with God .
“I (Jesus) am the way, the truth, and the life. No one may come to the Father except through me.” – John 14:6
2. Quit waiting for eternal life and start experiencing it right now .
I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:10 (nkjv)
3.. Relax about finding God’s will for your life .
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is Romans 12:2 (niv)
“Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart” Psalm 37:4 (niv)
4. Let the Bible speak for itself instead of trying to make it say what you want it to .
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 (niv)
5. Find a higher calling than just being happy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Matthew 5:8 (niv)
Filed under: Ministry
Starting a new series this Sunday called “I Can’t See God”.
This newest Series is about Getting Beyond Self-Centered Religion to a Passionate Faith
When you hear about Jesus’promise of an abundant life, do you ever think, I’m a Christian, but I don’t see God moving so abundantly in my life! Have you ever wondered whether you have som misconceptions about faith that could be blocking you view of God?
Over the next five weeks we will be looking at how to;
- give up on religion and go for a relationship with God
- quit waiting for eternal life and start experiencing it right now
- relax about finding God’s will for your life
- let the Bible speak for itself instead of trying to make it say what you want it to
- find a higher calling than justbeing happy
Could it be that you are your own worst enemy when it comes to realizing God’s abundant life? Maybe it’s time to change your spiritual perspective and experience God’s presence in you life like never before.
Filed under: Books I'm Reading
Starting to work on a series of messages called “The Tipping Point”: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference … tipping points are “the levels at which the momentum for change becomes unstoppable.”
In his book the Tipping Point defines Malcolm Gladwell a tipping point as a sociological term: “the moment of critical mass, the threshold, the boiling point.”
1. What is The Tipping Point about?
It’s a book about change. In particular, it’s a book that presents a new way of understanding why change so often happens as quickly and as unexpectedly as it does. For example, why did crime drop so dramatically in New York City in the mid-1990′s? How does a novel written by an unknown author end up as national bestseller? Why do teens smoke in greater and greater numbers, when every single person in the country knows that cigarettes kill? Why is word-of-mouth so powerful? What makes TV shows like Sesame Street so good at teaching kids how to read? I think the answer to all those questions is the same. It’s that ideas and behavior and messages and products sometimes behave just like outbreaks of infectious disease. They are social epidemics. The Tipping Point is an examination of the social epidemics that surround us.
Can’t wait to see how the sermon series plays out.
I am not sure when I will deliver it but it sure is fun to work on.
Just wanted to post a note about my night with Tash this past week when we went to see U2 at the University of Phoenix stadium in Phoenix.
I just gotta say the event was above my expectation.
80k plus people – one of the great bands of all times - one of the greatest stadiums in the country and the best daughters in the world, Wow, a great time.
Here are a few pics of their 360 tour’s stage.
The “space ship” was a stage designed to create a more intimate setting between the band and the masses. Bono captured the goal perfectly.
Interesting note about the “spirituality” of the band can be found at the following link.
http://www.atu2.com/band/bono/
It is amazing to me that these Welsh born guys were raised in the same place where one of the greatest move’s of God happened on the moderen planet.
As he knelt on the stage, Bono ask the concert goers to pray with him for the release of political prisoners around the world. He also sang a “Bono” redintion of Amazing Grace.
The night with Tash was a blast to remember. The Sound system rocked and the message was one of hope and a future for humanity.
Filed under: Ministry
Here is the outline from the last message in the series “What We Do.”
Pastor Steve Lummer
Part 6
WHAT DO WE HAVE TO WORK WITH
the people had a mind to work. Nehemiah 4:6
Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, – 2 Corinthians 8:11
As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. – John 4:9
“An intelligent person aims at wise actions, but a fool starts off in many directions.” Proverbs 17:24 (Good News)
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Phil 4:19 (NIV)
He guided them with the cloud by day and with light from the fire all night Psalm 78:14
Here are some bullet point quotes from Mark Batterson and others at the Arizona Minister’s Renewal this past week that took place here in Preskitt..
“an extended shelf life is determined by how much you renew yourself.”
“It is easy to get “stuck” and “faithful” mixed up.”
“Your ultimate destiny is determined by your daily disciplines.”
“Love people when they least EXPECT IT and when they least DESERVE IT.”
“The Bible is the greatest deterant to sin and the greatest accelerant to faith.”
“The office is the place where I get nothing done.”
“Change of PACE + change of PLACE = change of PERSPECTIVE.”
“As leaders we are engineering atmosphere and designing experiences.”
“Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do it to just hang in there.”
“Leadership is about those situations where you don’t know where to turn and what to do.”
“Sometimes God leads us to a place where the only place to turn is to Him.”
“When you don’t where to turn…turn to scripture.”
“Everyone wants a miracle…but we just don’t want to be put in a place that necessitates one.”
“If you are going to see something you have never seen before…you need to be in a situation you have never been in before.”
“Don’t let the arrows of criticism pierce your heart unless it first passes through the filter of scripture.” – Erwin Mcmanus
“The printing press is God’s greatest act of Grace.” – Martin Luther
“Most of the time we cannot get people to a point where they are offended by the cross, because they are so easily offended by us.”
When someone ask Sam Walton how he became an overnight success he responded; “It took 20 years to become an overnight success.”
“Contextual intelligence = success.”
Matthew 10:16 “shake the dust off” – (The dust of offense)
1. Don’t share the dust of offense
2. Don’t spread the dust of offense.
3. Don’t take on the dust of offense.
4. Don’t keep the dust on you.
“We are so prone to un-intentional blindness”
Great two days put togetherby the AZ leadership team .
Filed under: Ministry
WHAT WE DO
Pastor Steve Lummer
Part 5
RETRIEVING YOUR CUTTING EDGE
The duller the ax the harder the work; Use your head: The more brains, the less muscle. Ecclesiastes 10:10 (message)
Three Ways To Lose Something
1. Intentional lost ness
2. Accidental lost ness
3. Gradual Lost ness
The Bible is written to show use how to retrieve things that are lost.
The company of the prophets said to Elisha, “Look, the place where we meet with you is too small for us. 2 Let us go to the Jordan, where each of us can get a pole; and let us build a place there for us to live.” 5 As one of them was cutting down a tree, the iron axhead fell into the water. “Oh, my lord,” he cried out, “it was borrowed!” 6 The man of God asked, “Where did it fall?” When he showed him the place, Elisha cut a stick and threw it there, and made the iron float. 7 “Lift it out,” he said. Then the man reached out his hand and took it. – 2 Kings 6:1-7 (niv)
RETRIEVING YOUR EDGE
1. v. 5 IT INVOLVES CONCERN
2. v. 5 IT INVOLVES CONFESSION
3. v. 5 IT INVOLVES COMPREHENSION
4. v. 6 IT INVOLVES COMING BACK
5. v. 6 IT INVOLVES CONFRONTATION
6. v. 7 IT INVOLVES COMMITMENT
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” Luke 19:10
Filed under: Ministry
WHAT WE DO
Pastor Steve Lummer
Part 4
A PERFORMANCE REVIEW
The duller the ax the harder the work; Use your head: The more brains, the less muscle. Ecclesiastes 10:10 (message)
Did You Know?
• In your lifetime you’re going to spend about 150 THOUSAND hours at work
• The average person spends from 40%-70% of his waking hours in job-related activities.
“What do we gain by all of our hard work?” Ecclesiastes 3:9 (NLT)
Reviewing the past 3 weeks.
Week 1 – KEEPING YOUR EDGE
Week 2 – HOW TO WORK WITH PEOPLE YOU WORK WITH
Week 3 – HOW TO WIN AT WORK WITHOUT LOSING AT HOME.
TODAY – HOW TO GET A GREAT PERFORMANCE REVIEW.
“God is far more interested in what you are than what you do.” – And WHAT YOU DO has a lot to do in SHAPING WHO YOU ARE.
“While you’re working on your job, God is working on you. What God is doing in you is more important than what you’re doing.”
Here is the outline from last Sunday’s teaching.
“In everything you do put God first and He will direct you and crown your efforts with success.” Proverbs 3:6 (LB)
1. Work with a PURPOSE.
“An intelligent man aims at wise actions, but a fool starts off in many directions.” Proverbs 17:24 (GN)
“A wise man thinks ahead. A fool doesn’t and even brags about it.” Proverbs 13:6 (LB)
2. Insist on INTEGRITY.
“GOD cares about honesty in the workplace; your business is His business.” Proverbs 16:11 (Msg)
“Do not lie to one another since you taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self which
is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.” Colossians 3:9-10 (NIV)
3. Never make EXCUSES.
“The lazy person is full of excuses…” Proverbs 12:33 (NIV)
4. Never stop LEARNING.
“Intelligent people want to learn, but stupid people are satisfied with ignorance.” Proverbs 15:14 (LB)
Where can we learn?
GOD’S WORD (Proverbs 13:13)
WISE PEOPLE (Proverbs 13:10 )
CRITICS (Proverbs 19:20)
FAILURE (Proverbs 28:13)
5. Economize your TIME and ENERGY
“Teach us to number our days” Psalm 90:12 (NIV)
6. Resolve to STICK WITH IT.
“Do you know a hard working man? He shall be successful and stand before kings.” Proverbs 22:29 (LB)
‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ Matthew 25:21 (niv)
Really looking forward to next week...PFA Rocks!
Filed under: Ministry
Here are the bullet points to part three in the series “What We Do”.
WHAT WE DO
Pastor Steve Lummer
Part 3
How to win at work without losing at home
The duller the ax the harder the work; Use your head: The more brains, the less muscle. Ecclesiastes 10:10 (message)
“the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak” Matthew 26:41
Plan for lead Time – Seek solitude -
Find a sacred Space -
