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

I am a Friend of God:

Per my every other Tuesday post, I contribute to 66books in a year. It’s a great blog that helps people stay on track in reading the Bible through in a year. So here’s my post for today. I hope you enjoy it and grow through reading it.

Blessings,

Dave

Scripture:

3:31-35, ³¹And his mother and his brothers came, and standing outside they sent to him and called him. ³²And a crowd was sitting around him, and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.”³³And he answered them, ”Who are my mother and my brothers?” ³⁴And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, ”Here are my mother and my brothers! ³⁵For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.”(ESV)

Observation:

Some scholars believe his mother and brothers came looking for him because he must have been fatigued.  When one reads these first three chapters no wonder they would have thought that. At any rate his family was making a demand on Jesus that He wasn’t ready to fulfill. As in most situations He is involved with He turns it into a teachable moment. Here He makes it clear that a new relationship was being forged. There was no longer going to be layer upon layer of separation between God and us. In fact we have a familiar relationship with God the Son. We are brothers and sisters with Him. We are fellow heirs with Him. We inherit His Kingdom.

Application:

One of my favorite songs is “I am a Friend of God” (Israel Houghton). I cry when I sing that song. Not only am I a friend of God, He calls me friend, but I am a brother of Jesus. Now I think anyone reading this post is trying to seek strong after God, so you would fit this designation. We are brothers and sisters of Jesus. I can’t get my arms around it! Many times I think of myself much less than that. I don’t treat myself with that kind of respect, let alone allowing Jesus to treat me in that manner. When I read passages like this it is a reminder to me, not only of my standing before God, but also the encouragement to act in that way as well. Today I need to remember my standing and act and think accordingly. What a difference that will make.

Prayer:

Father God I am blown away by your generosity and grace that you would include me in your family — that I would be considered a brother of Jesus. Thank you for this glorious standing in You. I pray that I would act and think in that manner. Help me to bring glory to You as your son and friend. I pray these things in Jesus Name, Amen.

dmbaldwin

Sunday Evening Reflections:

Sorry, but have missed a week in posting anything. It started with us being in Indianapolis, IN last weekend participating in our daughter’s ordination service at Church at the Crossing (www.churchatthecrossing.org). There were 18 people who were ordained. I never get good web connections in Indy, so didn’t post anything there. We left Indy on Tuesday. So it’s been crazy. Hope you enjoy the reflections below. I’ll include both weekends.

• Last weekend it was great staying with Charlie & Loraine Kelley while in Indianapolis. Loraine and Louise are sisters, so had a good time catching up with them.
• The ordination service was something I’ll always remember. Mandy’s mentor asked me to deliver the ordination prayer for Mandy. I cried through the whole prayer. It was very moving for me to have that privilege. Mandy is now in Brazil with a team from her church. We are very proud of Mandy.
• My Mom — Virginia Baldwin — is with us. She went to Indy with us. She goes back to Rome, NY or Saturday. We are having a great time with her.
• Yesterday I performed a wedding in Pasadena, MD. The couple was just perfect. We were standing on a dock over the Chesapeake Bay. It was really fun.
• Worship gatherings were awesome again at LifePoint Church. Joe spoke on an imprecatory Psalm today. Excellent applications and things to think about.
• Working with some people from LifePoint who have been the victims of an African children’s choir tour gone bad, so had a meeting today to help them out. It looks like God is going to bring glory to Himself even in this bad situation.

Well that’s it for these last two weekends. My words don’t do our experiences justice. We really thank God for all He is doing in our lives and ministries.

Hope and pray you all had great weeks as well.

Blessings,

Dave

The Hills of Furnace:

There are so many of you that follow my morning updates and the descriptions I post of Furnace Hills.  My dentist, Dr. Andy Thompson, had an experience in the Furnace Hills this past week I thought was worth posting. I’m sure for those of you that love Furnace Hills as much I do will be encouraged by his words.

As I was driving along route 31 the other day, I noticed a sudden change in the quality of the air I was breathing. Curious as to what was happening, I got out of my car. It felt like I was walking in a dream, only this was more real than anything i had ever experienced. The sunlight took on an almost iridescent quality as I looked around me. Suddenly, I stopped in my track and gazed upwards at the most magnificent sight. Rugged, snow-capped mountains stood before me in majestic silence. A bald eagle slowly floated by. A rainbow burst into color just over the peak.

All at once, a lightness of my soul made me giddy with wonder. I realized that I had arrived – I had found it. After years of hearing tales of this wondrous place, I was finally standing in…..The Hills of Furnace…..known today simply as Furnace Hills. “So this is what Dave has been proudly proclaiming all along!!!”, I thought to myself. I was sorry to ever have laughed to myself at his daily updates of the legendary hills, which I had never beheld.

So the moral of the story is this: Don’t judge a hill until you have seen it face to face.

So let me know what you think. I appreciate Dr. Thompson’s words on the glories of the Furnace Hills.

Okay, so this is a tongue in cheek post, but I do love the Furnace Hills. It’s a GREAT place to live. Tune in later this week for more serious posts.

Blessings,

Dave

Andy

Gather GROW Serve:

Our Community Group ministry at LifePoint Church has a blog. This week they asked me for a post they could include. So below I have copied it. Hopefully it gives you a glimpse into our strategy to encourage people to become Christ-like Influencers.

Blessings,

Dave

Gather GROW Serve

First I want to thank Paul and Adam for giving me the opportunity to share some things with you all. It’s not very often I get a chance to share what’s on my heart with a group like you.

I am so thankful for all of our Community Group leaders and the contribution you make in the discipleship strategy of LifePoint Church. Our mission is to Influence People to Find & Follow Jesus. Our goal is to produce Christ-like Influencers. What a great task the Holy Spirit has given us. And you all are the backbone of that strategy. Do you realize how much we have placed on your shoulders? You are the GROW of the strategy (Yes we know growth takes place throughout the strategy). But you guys have a sacred trust to bring those along that are in your charge. There are just too many people at LifePoint for Joe to do it from the platform each week. Plus there’s no accountability in that. You are the ones that guide and encourage many in their journeys of becoming influencers. Thank you so much for all you do to make that happen with those that are in your trust.

Personally I want to just share several things that will help you in your journey:

1. Be regular in attending the gatherings on the weekend. Fully engage in worship and apply what you hear each week.
2. Be diligent in preparing the discussion for your group each week. Walk through the passage before you lead your group through it.
3. Take the charge of serving your community group seriously. Pray regularly for each member of your group. Challenge and encourage them all.
4. Be regular in your daily Bible reading and prayer. I have my quiet time chair in our living room where I sit each morning with God’s Word (a cup of coffee too).

Do you catch the similarity of the Gather Grow Serve strategy? I’m asking you to do what we are asking everyone else to do. I believe that it is such a powerful model of discipleship that our people will become Christ-like Influencers by fully engaging in the process. We are counting on you all to fulfill this critically important part of our strategy. My prayer for you all is that you will grow in this work and that many will look back at their time with you as the best part of their journey in becoming Christ-like Influencers.