Yesterday's message was out of the ordinary. It was a one shot message straight from my heart after about six weeks of God messing with me about the purpose of Cedarbrook. I hope you'll listen or read it.
Here are some bonus thoughts that I didn't have time to share yesterday:
We’re in the middle of a 40 Day Prayer Challenge right now. Someone pointed out to me the prayers of the early church are much different from what we typically pray today. What we typically pray about is for God to meet our practical needs. But the early church was very poor. They were often persecuted. But they didn’t pray for money and they didn’t pray for protection. Do you know what they prayed for? Boldness to share their faith.
Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus." Acts 4:29,30
It made me think that we should pray less for God to help us get out of trouble. Maybe we should ask God to get us into trouble. What I mean is…we should ask God to send us people that are in trouble so we can help them.
- God send us broken marriages. God send us teenagers on the edge of destruction.
- God, send us people who have ruined their lives with addiction or a reckless lifestyle.
- Send us some trouble because you love people in trouble and we can help them.
Working with troubled people is messy. But to whom much is given, much is required.
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After speaking my message on Sunday, people have already talked to me with excitement about their ideas to start a third service, plant a new church and a house church. It's interesting what happens when you start to ask the question: What if?
We'll be giving people the opportunity to dream a little in focus groups soon, but you can always email me and get the conversation started!
