Sunday Evening Reflections:

This has been an eclectic weekend. A bunch of stuff going on!

Reflections:

• I attended three conferences this past week. The Catalyst One Day conference here in Baltimore was excellent. Craig Groeschel & Andy Stanley spoke. Great ideas about how to maintain the momentum the Holy Spirit has brought our way at LifePoint Church.
• Friday I attended a conference in PA. It was a conference that discussed how to integrate business into mission. It was an excellent time as well.
• On Saturday I watched the Idea Camp on my laptop. I continue to be impressed with what Charles Lee is doing with the Idea Camp concept.  It’s free and deals with issues of social justice and compassion. I am impressed with the numbers of young people who are making this thing work.
• Our weekend gatherings were great. Joe finished out our Restless series. Lots of good stuff over the past three weeks.
• I had a lot of great conversations with individuals who love LifePoint and are jumping in to make our vision and mission a reality.

Hope your past week and weekend were equally good. Looking forward to another week that I’m sure will be punctuated with thankful things from God.

Blessings,

Dave

Sunday Evening Reflections:

What a great weekend! It really started on Thursday evening when I attended the DC/Baltimore Manager-Tools Meet-Up in Arlington, VA. Check it out below.

Reflections:

• Thursday evening six of us met at Ted’s in Arlington, VA for our quarterly Manager-Tools Meet-Up. I always enjoy these times because I get a chance to swap ideas with people in the trenches doing their best in managing their people in their respective corporations. It was a good time.
• Friday evening we had our first “official” community group meeting. We had dinner together and worked through our first study. It was thoroughly enjoyable. Our leader did the great job in leading our group. I think it’s going to be a great group to share life together.
• Saturday evening and Sunday morning we did Focus again. Focus is LifePoint new-comer orientation. I love the times we spend getting to know the new people at LifePoint and steer them in directions that lead to them becoming Christ-like Influencers.  We had 16 people Saturday evening and 22 on Sunday morning. Great questions too! Jodie & Adam did an awesome job as well with their respective presentations.
• Joe’s talk on the weekend was great. It was the second talk in our Restless series. Joe talked about Why a cool church isn’t good enough. Great thoughts on what makes a church great. And being cool isn’t one of them.
• We stayed after church on Sunday for the HUGS Thanksgiving Feast. There were 80 people there. Sandy McCann mentioned that the first time they had a Thanksgiving Feast the six people who attended could sit around one table. Our HUGS ministry — people with disabilities — is one of the great ministries in our church.

Hope you had a GREAT weekend as well.

Many Blessings,

Dave

Power Shaking Prayer:

This is the post I contributed to 66books Through the Year that I contribute to on a regular basis (http://66books.wordpress.com). If you are struggling in reading the Bible every day, I would encourage you to look at this very important blog.

Scripture:

4:31After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly (NIV).

Observation:

Wow, what a result from a prayer meeting! The place where the disciples were meeting to pray was shaken by the power of the Holy Spirit. I haven’t been in a prayer meeting like that ever. The disciples were establishing the church in these early days. These men and women had been with Jesus and experienced the risen Christ. They were now absolutely sure of the message of the gospel. No faith here (faith was reality for them), they were living out their true eternal destiny on the streets of Jerusalem every day. They were fearless and stood up to the religious leaders of the time. These prayers were probably the most confident, powerful ones ever prayed. And the Holy Spirit replied by shaking the building. Being filled with the Holy Spirit helped obviously. Holy Spirit filled apostles who were sure of the message they preached is a recipe for a shaking building.

Application:

I sound a bit like a doubter. I am not. When I think of those first century Christ-followers I think of people who were with Jesus and experienced his resurrection ministry and ascension. They were the most confident — sure — of their faith than anyone ever has been. So much so I think their prayers reflected it. Not that I don’t pray in faith, or you don’t, it’s more they were experiencing something so powerful and real that they prayed in a fashion that brought glory to God. How can I pray more like these apostles? I believe I need to spend time with Jesus and ask for His filling everyday. A Spirit filled person is one who is more confident in her faith. A Spirit filled believer is spending time listening to what God is saying to him. By so doing one’s faith becomes stronger and our prayers more effectual.

Prayer:

Father God thank you that you raised Jesus from the dead through the power of your Holy Spirit. Help us to ask for that filling of the same Holy Spirit in our lives. I ask that our prayers would be earth-shaking prayers that further your kingdom. I pray these things in the strong and real Name of Jesus, Amen.

Sunday Evening Reflections:

Four of us spent the weekend in Guatemala City, Guatemala with missionaries that we support in that city. Oscar & Ana Maria Campos serve at SETECA. SETECA is one of the premier seminaries in Latin America, really in the world. I have included a picture of Oscar & Ana Maria. They are dear, sweet people. Oscar is the Academic Dean of the seminary and Ana Maria is the Dean of the School of Christian Education.  We are privileged as a church to partner with them in their world-wide ministry.

Oscar & Ana Maria

It was great, too, going with three other guys. Jeff Kite led our group. George Pasteur and Josh Redding were also a part of the team. Each brought their god-given skills and talents to make this a profitable trip. Our goal was to see how we could best support the ministry of Oscar & Ana Maria. Because of their ministry at the seminary it meant looking at what we could do there to help out in strong ways. We have a list of things we need to sift through now to make this partnership stronger.

George, Dave, Jeff & Josh

I hope you all had great weekends. May God bless you all.

Blessings,

Dave

Sunday Evening Reflections:

Greetings Everyone,

Had a great weekend! Hope yours was great as well. Below you’ll find my reflections.

Reflections:

• I attended Men’s Fraternity on Saturday morning. It was a profound teaching time by Dr. Robert Lewis. He spoke on the reality of heaven.
  • Heaven is a place where there will be resolution. Namely this life’s loose ends will be tied up.
  • There will be altered states there.
    • New Bodies
    • New Relationships
    • New Homes
  • Heaven will hold personal rewards for us.
  • There will be new status and positions for everyone. They won’t be the same, but there will be new ones for us all.
  • There will be action and new adventure there. It may even be dangerous.
  • Heaven will be a place of endless surprises!
• Saturday evening was small. It was Halloween night. At the 6:15 service we only had 4 children. Note to self, next time Halloween falls on a Saturday let’s do something different or special!
• Sunday morning was electric. For the sermon series Joe preached a bonus sermon. It was awesome.
• The NY Giants lost so it put a damper on the end of the weekend, but being a Giants fan for 52 years you take the good with the bad.

Have a GREAT week.

Blessings,

Dave

Counting the Cost:

Scripture:

14:25-33, Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, ²⁶“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. ²⁷ Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.²⁸For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? ²⁹Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, ³⁰saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ ³¹Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? ³²And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. ³³So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.

Observation:

Jesus is gathering a strong following. I believe he knew that many were following him for the wrong reasons. They wanted their stomachs full, they wanted to be healed and they enjoyed his teaching from a purely intellectual point of view. However, many did not understand that part of the way of Christ is one of suffering and hardship. Now Jesus wasn’t stating here that if you didn’t count the cost first you couldn’t follow him. He was stating that a wise person would do that. Salvation is always by faith alone, but it’s wise to count the cost before committing to something. I was listening to a dialogue between Bill Hybels and Dallas Willard and the topic of the lions came up. When a person in the first century was presented the claims of Christ, did they also have to know about the lions? You know, those animals that ate Christians in the Colosseum in Rome! Or did you let them find out about it afterwards? Dallas stated that they already knew about the lions. Christians were counting the cost and dying for their faith. Others contemplating Christianity knew that was a part of the deal. Jesus was telling the crowds it was time to count the cost. Many left him over that little talk.

Application:

It’s too late for many of us. We are already in. We have trusted Christ alone for our salvation. So we didn’t count the cost before joining God’s family. However, I need to count the cost every morning when I awake. I need to remember there are responsibilities that come along with my position in Christ. It’s not always easy and I need to realize that and plan my days accordingly. John Maxwell was quoted over the weekend as saying the closer we walk with God, the more he requires of us and the more friends we tend to lose because of the path he has us on. That very well could be true. Some reading this have lost relationships with family or close friends because of your faith. Others have been passed over for promotions and the resulting better life-style that brings because of your faith. We are counting the cost. There are brothers and sisters that are suffering greatly around the world today for their faith. That makes me feel less than adequate knowing my cost for following Christ is minuscule compared to them.

Prayer:

Father God thank you for saving me. Thank you for giving me eternal life. I pray that every morning I would count the cost of following you and that I would not shy away from paying that price. Help me to be true to you and follow strong after your Son Jesus. I pray for my brothers and sisters around the world today who are suffering beyond comprehension. Please be their portion. I pray these things in Jesus Name Amen.

Sunday Evening Reflections:

What a great weekend. Lots happening. I’m fighting a cold so decided to stay home today. Don’t want to contaminate any of my friends. Hope your weekend went well.

Reflections:

• Grounds and Sounds Coffee House was simply amazing on Friday evening. I’m sure the effort raised a lot of funds for the kids in Haiti so that they could take music lessons. What a great idea to raise awareness, funds and have a fun time all at the same event.
• Saturday evening worship gatherings were excellent! Although the 6:15 pm one was smaller, it was more livelier. Joe did an awesome job speaking on Psalm 49. True wisdom comes from having a proper view and thoughts on death and riches. The special number after the teaching time was outstanding.
• Sunday morning was great as well. I really enjoy sitting in the video cafe. Those people do engage in a strong way with what’s happening in the worship center, and we get a good cup of jo as well.
• The rest of the day was spent celebrating Louise’s birthday. We had a great time.
• Consequently we missed the Student Ministry Hunt. However knowing how well those events have gone in the past I’m sure it was an awesome time.

Have a GREAT week.

Blessings,

Dave

Sunday Evening Reflections:

What a great weekend! Although it seemed like a sleeper of a weekend, a lot was happening. Keep reading.

Reflections:

• Louise attended our women’s retreat. From all reports it was another great weekend for our women at LifePoint Church.
• Mom & I had a great Friday evening watching the Yankees beat the Angels. My 85 year-old Mom knows more about MLB than I do. I took her to the airport yesterday and she is safely back in Rome, NY.
• Church last evening was slim. Our women were gone on retreat and it was still raining. However, a good number of children and great spirit around the building.
• This morning was great. Jason Fullen — Associate Pastor of Student Ministries — spoke on Psalm 30. What a GREAT time of teaching.
• I met a number of new people this weekend. Two couples from Heartland Church in Rockford, IL. They are now living in the area. They said coming to LifePoint was like coming home. I met three single young adults this morning, all of whom love LifePoint and the mission of Influencing People to Find & Follow Jesus.

Hope you had a great weekend as well.

Many Blessings,

Dave

More on Grounds & Sounds:

So yesterday was a popular day on the blog. Lots of people checked out the post by Jenna Layman. Some people left messages on my Facebook page and I have copied and pasted them below. It shows you that if Jenna is behind something like this, for sure it’s going to be first rate and a quality, creative and excellent evening. So please check out the Facebook link at the end of this post.

Jenna is so humble and down to earth, and she will probably kill me for saying this, but she also sings with a very reputable big- band (jazz/blues/everything)…has sung for President Bush – he loved them so much he had the band come for a personal wedding at the Bush compound in Kennebunkport…so much talent at LifePoint that God is using for the Kingdom!

actually- they played for the wedding of a bush relative in ME and Laura Bush liked them so much she booked them for a ball last november-

Love Jenna’s story. How often do you get the chance to get with friends and enjoy a fun evening out while sowing into lives that so desperately need it? The more you indulge the better!!…And when was the last time you were told to do that?! Everyone is invited…Make a difference and COME!

So October 23rd is quickly approaching. Hope you can make it for a very good cause and experience a great coffee house.  Check out … http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=169912642993&ref=ts

That’s this leader’s view.

Blessings,

Dave

Grounds & Sounds:

Guest Blogger: Today the post is from Jenna Layman. She is the mover and shaker behind our Grounds & Sounds Coffee House coming up October 23rd. She has a dramatic story to tell about the meaning and purpose of the coffee house. Please go to http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=169912642993&ref=ts and register your attendance for this great event if you are moved by Jenna’s post. At the end of her post I also include the schedule for the evening. The coffee house will be held at LifePoint Church on October 23rd, 7-11 pm. Hope you can make it. Now here’s Jenna…

Jenna & Friends

Growing up, many of us were blessed to have music programs in our schools, and parents who bought instruments for us to play and even paid for private lessons.  Even if we did not become the next Yo-Yo Ma, we had music to enrich our lives and give many of (like me) a skill set to both love and support our livelihoods.
Such is not the case, though, for everyone.  I came face to face with this at Institution Univers in Oaunaminthe, Haiti (www.haiticocina.org) this past June.  The group I traveled with assisted the school’s graduation (a big triumph with the graduation of the first group of 13th graders to complete the entire program, as well as the celebration of 5 of the graduates coming to the US for college!) and taught the first week of summer camp for 1st through 12th graders.

In the afternoons at camp, we were invited to have special activities for the students.  I learned that the school had 2 piano keyboards (one of which worked), so I volunteered to informally give some students some instruction.  I’d never taught anyone anything about piano, so it was a bit nervewracking, especially since it’s not my forte!  But I was moved by the students’ excitement and desire to learn.  We worked through language-barrier musical term issues, and they asked to learn how to play songs we both knew and their own favorite songs.  They have SUCH a thirst for knowledge and dedication to work and to learn – it is unlike what I encounter here in America.

In talking with Pam, one of the missionaries at IU, I lamented that the students have no music teacher.  She made the observation that there are Haitian musicians that could teach, but there were just no funds.

And there – inspiration; the sense of the Spirit I so often long for and chase after in all the wrong things.  “Move.”  Not move to Haiti per se, but move to make things happen.  How many musicians do I know that were blessed with a musical upbringing?  Certainly we could do something!  And in this, how great – it’s feeding income and jobs into the Haitian economy and giving the students a skill set they can use to feel God and to possibly one day provide for themselves using it.

So, through the Spirit working through others in the Link at Lifepoint of coming up with the idea for a coffeehouse, wondering if I’d play and want to help, and thinking to tie it in with my talk of wanting to provide opportunities for these children that they will not get otherwise, Grounds and Sounds evolved.  God has been working in Haiti, too; as I was emailing Pam to share my thoughts and get information, Hughes (the school/COCINA director) was simultaneously feeling this need and contacting musicians to interest the students!  About 85 students have excitedly signed up to begin taking lessons on the weekends.

At Grounds and Sounds, musicians and artists will donate their talents to developing talent in others.  In attending the event, you will get a chance to learn more about Haiti, a country so close to us that we learn so little about.  The proceeds from your purchase of drinks, desserts, and artwork will provide the salaries for the music teachers the school has contacted.  (2 Local teachers at $150/month, 4 from Port-au-Prince at $240/month)  Your donations will help even further.

Smiling Student

Thanks so much for reading this far!  We hope to see you come out on Friday, 10/23 in the Underground for a moment of looking at injustice and seeing what we can do to further the Kingdom all over the world through music.

“My God can do anything for me.” (English translition of Haitian-Creole worship song)

Come join us! Bring everyone you know! )

Contact Jenna with any questions!

Performance Line Up:
7:30 Josh and Erica Czufin
8:00 Brooke Vestrand (and company? )
8:30 Adam Hunsicker
9:00 Lance Burch (STAND UP COMEDY! WOO!!)
9:30 Jake Dougherty
10:00 Jaime Carbo/Claire Anthony/Chris Badeker/Jenna Layman