Innovation

Recently CNN did something in the news arena that no other news company has yet to do. An interview took place on Live National TV, with the use of a hologram image. The person that was beamed over to the news studio was some hundreds of miles away surrounded in a green tent, and 35 HD cameras. The construction of the tent alone took approximately 3weeks to build, not to mention the money and manpower. Talk about innovation.

Innovation is a word that I have heard a lot lately. I heard "innovation" when I went to Disneyland some weeks ago. I'm hearing innovation a lot in the Christian arena in regards to ministry. Ever hear someone say "I've never seen it that way", that's innovation. How about "that was ahead of it's time" you got it innovation. Innovation catapults, it makes things better, it propels, it sends the average into extreme. Perfect example the Bike. The bike has been around for hundreds of years but innovators have taken what has been around for many years and turned it into a world of humongous dirt ramps, twists and turns 40 feet in the air known as BMX. The challenge that I've had lately is to not do Ministry the same but to innovate, to dream the message into a dynamic and powerful presentation of God's love and hope. We changed around one little thing last week and the atmosphere changed completely at church. What small thing can you change that could make things better. I loved this quote that I read "Great innovations not only come out of difficulty, but they're often created because of it." Feeling like things need to change it's time to innovate. Feeling like things could be better it's time to innovate. You've heard this saying "The message is the same it's the methods that change", perfect example of innovation.

Why we vote on Tuesdays?

I was watching channel 5 news last night and they did a short on "Why we vote on Tuesdays" "Back in the day" a Tuesday voting day, would allow people to travel from far away places to vote, but the main reason was because voting on Tuesday would not allow the most important day of the week to get interrupted, Sunday. Sunday was a day for going to church and nothing else would replace it. Our country was founded on the word of God, it was founded on values from the Word. In fact at one time our judicial system required Judges to attend Bible based classes. Our value was the word but that has changed throughout the years in this great nation.

America has valued tolerance vs. the standards of the Word and as a result teen pregnancies, drug addiction, rape, violent crimes, suicides, etc. have all increased.

We have valued gain and wealth vs. giving and serving and as a result we see more and more homeless every year while America is stricken with a credit crisis.

Why are values important? Our values today will determine our future tomorrow. Jesus said in Matthew 6 "Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be." I want my values to match what God values. I want my heart to be where God's heart is. Voting on Tuesday is a reminder for me of what this country was founded on, it's a reminder of what we need to get back to and that's God and His word. I will uphold the word of God today with my vote.

Monday Morning blurb...

1. Had our first round table journaling session on Sunday...Wow better then a triple shot of Peet's
2. May have a new series out of the round table (Organic Living, or Going Green)
3. Pre-Service meeting is growing, the team is getting bigger.
4. The worship team tore it up yesterday. "I have a new favorite song" LOL
5. Troy continues to push the envelope in worship, No LIMITS!
   
6. Amanda keep taking us to that place in worship... where nothing is rehearsed.
   
7. I love making eye contact with my wife on stage, seeing her smile...priceless
8. Great Video Santz, "It's good to celebrate victories early"
9. 30 Day's to live, it's going to push us over the edge, I can tell already.
10. What does our church look like by January if we keep the same momentum?
    

Glimpses of Gold

S) But he knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold.
Job 23:10

O) Somehow in the middle of Job's trial. In the middle of both Job's discouragement and frustration and even his complaint, Job still finds glimpses of Gold, glimpses that he will be as gold.

A) In our lives we need glimpses of gold. Just one glimpse of who God is, just one glimpse of who you are in God. A glimpse of Gold will provide you with hope just at the right time. How do we find gold? Job 23:11 "I have stayed on God's path, Job 23:12 I have treasured His word" The hope we need, the heart we need, the courage, the peace, all of it is found at the feet of the master and treasuring his Word. Look for the daily glimpses of gold. Have you ever missed something on the ground like some money? I have it's easy when your not looking for it. If your looking for daily nuggets of God's word and strength you will be sure to find them.

P) Thank you God for this journaling session today. Thank you for the word that you used from others as well to speak encouragement into my life. Help me to find gold today!