A further reflection on this gem from Psalm 20.

4 May he grant your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans.
5 May we shout for joy when we hear of your victory, flying banners to honor our God. May the LORD answer all your prayers.

All too often I find myself being criticial of other churches and ministers, when instead I should be shouting for joy at their victories.

It seems to be a paradox or hypocritical or something, but what makes me the most critical, is when I see others being critical! Over at Phil Bakers blog there is a thread on mega churches. The vitriole and bitterness has to be read to be seen. If you dont like Phil or his church, dont go there. And if you dont like what he is on about, dont read his blog! No one is forcing you. Now I do believe in healthy debate, accountability and openness. But I shout for joy when I see Riverviews ad on TV, I shout for joy when I hear about their programs to help the disinfranchised.

All the other stuff people get so upset about, well thats between them and God, its not my problem! I am going to have enough to answer to God for myself, without having to worry about their issues.

“It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by the dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again…who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions and spends himself in a worthy course; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who, at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly; so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat”. –Theodore Roosevelt

A friend alerted me to this Church’s website.

Anyone dare to guess what is wrong with the quote they are using?

Apart from the obvious, there are some other reasons to avoid this church!

My first ever deacons meeting at my present church occured about 10 years ago.
We have come a long way since then.

The then pastor and one of the deacons had a stand up red faced screaming match. I am not going into details, but there were serious issues.

We had our combined Ministry Team Leaders and Leadership team meeting this morning. Now we are facing our issues. Mostly issues to do with growth. We dont have enough money to do all the things God is calling us to. We have to take steps of faith. It is risky and confrontational.
However we have seen God do some amazing things, and we believe together that He will continue to.
My reflection is though that the spirit within our leadership teams is wonderful.
I led them in a devotion from Psalm 20.

4 May he grant your heart’s desire
and fulfill all your plans.
5 May we shout for joy when we
hear of your victory,
flying banners to honor our God.
May the LORD answer all your prayers.

This is what we did this morning, cheer each other on and shout for joy at the victories we see happening. What a transformation. But it has come at a cost. Some good people have left, some others have not been able to see the battle through to the end. The personal cost to my wife and I, and others, has not been inconsiderable. But God chooses to work through Churches. I dont know why, and there are plenty of people who can tell you what is wrong with Churches, and delight to do so. But I am glad to be a part of a church which is doing something about our community. And our focus is on that. I am also glad that I am not in stand up, red faced over the table fights with my church leaders!

Off to pray, meditate, be refreshed and renewed. Few Pastors and myself heading down to Binningup to share and pray together. Draw deep on the water talked about in Psalm One.

Might get some fishing in at night, who knows!

Midnight Oil Productions is a great source for multi media material for churches.
They have some excellent freebies each month as well. Here is their blurb,
“Discover professional quality worship media at price your church can afford at Midnight Oil Productions.”

Thanks to Pat who let Andrew know about who won the ‘date’ with an athiest.

It was a organisation known as “Off the map” and the story is found at their site. It will be interesting to follow this up and see what happens.

Bono recently addressed the US National Prayer Breakfast

I have also been reading Steve Turners book “Walk on” which documents U2’s spiritual journey. Talk about inspiring.

Two quotes from the prayer breakfast.

“I remember how my mother would bring us to chapel on Sundays… and my father used to wait outside. One of the things that I picked up from my father and my mother was the sense that religion often gets in the way of God.”

“Get involved in what God is doing—because it’s already blessed.”

Thats enough for me to think over for a week.