top 5 blogs (part 3 of 5)

philosophy from Barry Manilow              2/4/09

"success comes when preparation and opportunity meet together."  

 

I heard this quote last night out of the mouth of none other than Barry Manilow!

 

This sums up what life is all about.  Opportunities are going to come, but what happens with those opportunities is all about what we have done to prepare ourselves.  

 

This applies to our jobs, our marriages, our financial opportunities, sharing the message of Christ, and pretty much everything.   

 

If I can teach my son one thing in this life, it would be to live his life in preparation for the opportunities that God will put before Him.  

 

Proverbs 16:1

to man belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the reply of the tongue.

 

I think we can all apply this principle from Barry Manilow.

who is going to take care of that?

YOU.

YOU really can make a difference in people's lives.  The Bible is just screaming with promises of God to take YOUR effort, YOUR time and use YOU to make a significant impact in the life of someone.  

There is so much pain in the world, some much hurt, and so many problems that we stand back and look at it and become overwhelmed.  We almost give up because we cannot do it all.  It is like we are a perfectionist that will  not even try if we aren't going to be able to cure all things that are sick.  But we can do something.  If you have no idea where to start, go to your pastor or a leader in your church.  See what you can do.  

You don't have to be the person who preaches/teaches, you don't have to be the one that leads the mission to africa/asia, you don't have to be in control; you just need to be the person who fills whatever role is needed.  

The world doesn't need another savior, but it does need servants!

well done

I constantly struggle with what God views as success and what man views as success.

When I worked in the mortgage industry what I needed to do was clear, whatever made me the most money.
When I played competitive sports what I needed to do was clear, whatever caused me to have the best chance to win!

I know that God has called me to pastor for a reason. I know that He wants me to help lead people to be more like Him and for them to lead others to be more like Him. (Ephesians)

For those of you who do not know, I didn't plan to plant a church. I didn't dream of it for years and years. I didn't even know much about church planting. It just happened ( which has been cool and not cool in many ways, lol).

I believe that it was God's plan. I believe that I was obedient to His call on my life. I believe that He is using us to do incredible things.

Our church is growing numerically, but I don't just want to have bigger numbers.
People are getting excited, but I don't just want our church to be cool.
We are doing things, but I don't just want to do a lot of stuff.

I want God to be pleased with me. I want to be in His will. I want people to be transformed through what we are doing.

I see a lot of guys who are pastors or want to be pastors who (regardless of what they say or what I will say about them) want man's recognition for what they do.

I do not want to be that guy; I can't be that guy even when I try.

I don't want to be successful, I want to be a servant. For even the son of man did not come to be served, but to serve.

Love is not a victory march,it's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah - Leonard Cohen

what is your motivation?

Just over four years ago I served as a summer intern under John Cross at South Biscayne Church. I did not grow up in church all my life and I had never actually "worked" for a church until that summer so I had no idea what to expect. When I got there, what I found was that it was hard work. In addition to the fact that we as interns had submitted ourselves to serve in whatever way they needed, it was also a transition time in the church and there were a lot of staff issues and people issues going on. We had one day off a week (every once in a while and I usually didn't get home until 9) It was tiring, stressful, aggravating, painful, etc, etc, etc. To be honest at some moments I felt like breaking my 3 month commitment and going home.

But then I took part in a service at the beach where 67 people showed their commitment to Christ and how He had changed their life through being baptized. As I stood there in the water helping people to and from the Pastor; the cleaning bathrooms, walking to homes in 100 degree weather, and daily hard work became worth it! So, I continued to work hard, I continued to do things that I wasn't excited about doing, I continued to do whatever it takes because I was playing a part in the Church reaching real people.

Some people will work harder if you pay them more, if you give them some fancy title, or if they get recognized by others. God wants to work hard because of the need. In Luke 10, Jesus said that the Harvest is great but the workers are few.

I know as staff and as volunteers at mosaic (and other churches with a similar vision) we do a lot, but people's lives being changed is worth it!

Nathan Barrow

Nathan shows up at 8:00 every Sunday morning and helps with sound or media, or really whatever role is needed. Nathan is not a guy that is really needy or that wants a lot of attention. Nathan is just a guy who does what is needed and that you can rely on to give it is all faithfully. I often wonder what Nathan thinks about things because he is so laid back. ( however, Nathan can definitely step into action at any minute so do not think that you can take advantage of him). Nathan is young but yet has the discipline of someone who has been around the block.

I doubt that Nathan will ever receive crowds of praise or awards for leading many, but I am confident that Nathan pleases our Father more than just about anyone.

I look up to this guy that is a couple of years younger than me and so should you.

I am very thankful for the privilege of serving with Nathan and for being able to call him my friend.

Kinetta Johnson

Today is Thanksgiving and we had the privelege of hosting some of my family for this time of hanging out and food. I asked Christie if she wanted to take this on and she went above and beyond to provide a great meal for everyone.

Kinetta goes above and beyond with anything you ask her to do. She is one of those people that is going to make sure that every t is crossed and every i is dotted. She is going to give people specific instructions and she is going to make sure what needs to get done, gets done.

Kinetta is also one of those people who is going to give you her honest opinion if you ask for it. However, she does not just give feedback to hear herself talk, she gives feedback so that things can improve. She desires that people give their all in everything because that is what God deserves.

Kinetta is not a person that just does things, she also hungers for the Word and is one of the most passionate learners of the Bible that I know.

If you are not sure of yourself and why you are doing something, Kinetta is going to make you feel uncomfortable as a leader. If you are called by God, Kinetta is going to be an incredible asset to your ministry.

I am thankful that she is a part of mosaic.

Kevin Clark

As my wife and I balance preparing for this week's message, caring for our son, and getting the house ready for our guests; I am reminded of Kevin. Kevin, is a true servant in every fashion. Kevin has continued to amaze me by his willingness to do whatever is needed. Kevin's heart is that the Church fulfills its mission.

In most situations you find people who serve one area of the Church and have some agenda in doing so. Kevin serves in any area and with the big picture in mind. In fact Kevin randomly calls me to remind me to follow the vision that God has given me and to not worry about man's opinion.

Kevin is the kind of guy that I hear most pastors wish they had in their church. I am so thankful to have that guy serving at mosaic and partnering with me to make an impact in our community and world!

As a partner of mosaic we are asked to commit to serve selflessly, if you ever question what that means, hang out with Kevin Clark.

excellence

I have the privelege of hanging out at a camp in Branford, (5 miles south of the middle of nowhere) Florida with the middle schoolers of South Biscayne Church.

The level of excellence that the staff and volunteers do everything at is incredible. From the music and planning to cleaning and small details, everything that they do, is on a "whole nutha level".

This is very refreshing it tends to be hard to find people to serve without a lot of selfishness and attitude of "but I want to do it this way".

Let's serve God and the people he puts in leadership with all of our heart!