“Coyotes howling, yipping, barking, chanting in the brush this morning–that thrilling call of the wild. Like a loon’s cry in the lake country, the song of the coyote, God’s own beloved dog, is the voice of the desert, the leitmotiv of the west.” – Edward Abby
WHO IS DISCOVERY CHURCH?
I’ve been asking myself that question for about a year now…..Trying to wrap my heart around who is it and what it is that makes up this unique one of a kind tribe.
The best way to describe Discovery is to hear the stories of the people of Discovery.
These one liners are just the tip of the iceberg from the TRIBE SCRIBES themselves.
I was a rebellious teenager .
and I am a living testimony of His forgiving love.
I am a fire dancer, a biology professor, and a dance coach
a high school and college cheerleader.
I’m an Arizona native.
I am a skilled-very experienced welder.
I am a twin .
I am an All American in the 4 x 100 relay.
I accepted their help.
I am free from the control of drugs and alcohol.
I am a white water river guide.
I love studying the word of God.
I am a teacher.
I’m honored to still have those friends in my life.
I am letting myself decrease so Christ could increase..
I am a survivor of several airplane crashes.
I adopted a teenage girl who needed a family..
I raced Pikes Peak on a quad three times.
I organize a performance car rally race in Prescott.
I have a Theology and Missions Degree. .
I am a surfer , Mountaineer, Skier,
I am a lover of the outdoors.
I am a peddler of hope.
I am a musician.
I am a cancer survivor.
I am A business owner.
I lived in India for almost a year
I survived the trifecta of amoebic dysentery, typhoid, and dengue all at the same time.
I have assisted in surgery using nothing but a sharp kitchen knife and assisted a birth on public transit bus.
I am an Artist, Poet, Painter.
are I am NOT a morning person.
I am thankful.
I am a marathon runner.
I have never understood the bible (but I did finally give in and buy one today).
Who am I? I’m Husband, Dad, Mother, sister, daughter, friend , Brother, Son, Leader , believer, learner…
I am Discovery!
TATTOOED – Part 2
Free From Being Labeled
Pastor Steve Lummer
The Label and the Lid in Luke 7
“A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 38 As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. 39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.” Luke 7:37-39 (NIV)
1. Labels DISTORT or DEFINE our identity.
How do we get labeled ?
“People move from making an observation of our behavior to making a judgement about our character .”
DO YOU HAVE A LABEL TABLE? – (3rd grade reading table)
Listening – Believing – Speaking
The labels the world puts on you is based on your BEHAVIOR and PERFORMANCE.
The labels God gives you is based on your IDENTITY and PURPOSE.
The only one who has the right to label you is the one who created you.
“he would know ….what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.” vs. 39
“for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” – 1 Sam. 16:7
2. Lids RESTRAIN or RELEASE our potential.
Vs. 36 – she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume…..she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them
LIDS are the areas of our lives that we refuse to surrender to God.
GO/GROW/GIVE/TRUST?
1 John 1:9 – But if we confess our sins to God, he will keep his promise and do what is right: he will forgive us our sins and purify us from all our wrongdoing. (GNT)
The TATTOO of the SOUL.
“Your sins are forgiven” – Luke 7:48
Your LABELS are changed and your LIDS removed !
Reaching Out For Help Blows!
God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble—James 4:6
So, carrying burdens is something for which we are built . . . and something which we are supposed to do, as men. God designed us, built us, intends us—to lend our strength to others, to those who need it. “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). The problem is, most of us read Scripture one way only: that we are to carry burdens for others. Few read it the other way: that we must allow others to carry our burdens too. We don’t really like that reading. That reading causes our pride to rise up.
Like it or not, though, any one of us can carry only so much. Sure, we can “gut it out” with burdens that are too heavy . . . for a while, at least. Before long, however, they begin to grind us down. Anger, anxiety, burnout, depression and despondency, isolation and loneliness, or rebellion and sin emerge . . . simply because we’re neither designed, nor built, nor intended to carry our burdens alone. “One’s pride will bring him low” (Proverbs 29:23).
Okay, so what do we do?
Is there something you’re carrying that’s feeling too heavy? The burden of being a provider? Fears about finances . . . about work? The burden of children living up to expectations, in school, in athletics? A hidden sin? A hidden addiction? Another burden, perhaps?
If so, look around for that person with whom God intends you to share it . . . your friend, your wife. Go to them today. Die to pride. Let them in. Explain the situation and let them respond. Fulfilling the law of Christ also means that we must, sometimes, surrender our pride, surrender the images we have of ourselves, get over ourselves, and ask for help. We are meant to live free and fast and light . . . and together.
Live heavy …Travel light.
Steveo
CORDS OF THREE
Pastor Steve Lummer
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:12
Everyone needs a “THIRD PLACE”
First place is our HOME.
Second place is our WORK.
Third place is our COMMUNITY.
THREE COMMUNITY KILLERS
Hurry/Worry/Slurry
First – take seriously the deep human hunger for a third place.
The smells of: Compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience, transparency authenticity.
“For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.” – 2 Corinthians 2:15
Second – remember that “everything matters.”
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. – Colossians 3:13-15
Our goal – not to see THROUGH each other but to see each other THROUGH.
Third – extend our third place into the marketplace.
Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. – Colossians 3:16,17
OUR THIRD PLACE
CONNECT WITH – CARE FOR – CONTRIBUTE TO
Why should you?
Because we are a MODERN DAY WELL
John 4:13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
Here is the video from this weeks message.
My favorite pair of Genes.
Yes, these were my Jeans in the 1960’s – my son and daughter and now my granddaughter wears em = Boomtastic.
Thanks FORM Cycles for following through.
Steve
Hunts Mesa is a rock formation located in Monument Valley, south of the border between Utah and Arizona in the United Statesand west of the border between Arizona’s Navajo County and Apache County. It is one of two popular interior destinations in the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park for tourists to experience panoramic views of the popular sandstone formations from a distance. The other is Mystery Valley. A Navajo guide is required to hike to either.
Hunts Mesa forms the southeastern edge of Monument Valley and the northern edge of Little Capitan Valley. Its elevation is 6,365.[1] Access to Hunts Mesa is not through the general entrance of the park but rather through the sand dunes northeast of the town of Kayenta, Arizona.
Thank you Toby York for the adventure by Jeep.
SAVE THE MALES
Pastor Steve
By his Son, God created the world in the beginning, and it will all belong to the Son at the end. This Son perfectly mirrors God, and is stamped with God’s nature. He holds everything together by what he says—powerful words! Hebrews 1:3 (the message)
DISCOVERY’S MAN LAWS
Discovery’s Man laws
Under no circumstances may two men share an umbrella (man law? …MAN LAW!)
No man shall ever be required to buy a birthday present for another man. In fact, even
remembering your buddy’s birthday is strictly optional. (MAN LAW? …MAN LAW!)
On a road trip, the strongest bladder determines pit stops, not the weakest (MAN LAW?..MAN LAW!)
When stumbling upon other guys watching a sporting event, you may ask the score of the game
in progress, but you may never ask who’s playing. (MAN LAW? MAN LAW!)
Friends don’t let friends wear Speedos. Ever. Issue closed. (MAN LAW!)
Thou shalt not buy a car in the colors of pink, lime green, orange or sky blue. (MAN LAW!)
MAN LAW # 1. NO SITTING.
MAN LAW # 2. NO HIDING.
MAN LAW # 3. NO BLAMING.
1. HE CREATED YOU.
Hebrews 1:3 By his Son, God created the world in the beginning (the message)
2. HE HOLDS YOU.
Hebrews 1:3 He holds everything together
Matthew 14:30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
He holds you UP .
He holds you BACK .
He holds you TOGETHER .
when you are stressed out, burned out, wiped out.
3. HE COMPLETES YOU.
Hebrews 1:3 He holds everything together by what he says—powerful words! (the message)
Philippians 1:6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (niv)
stevelummer.com 