brent(inWorship)

I grew up in conservative Baptist churches. One of the things that was missing from my upbringing was liturgical worship. It wasn’t until late into high school that I started to notice and experience other forms of worship. Worship that was God centered and righteous and yet different than anything I knew.

I’ve read some great posts the last couple of days describing Lent and what it is and what it means. I am not going to take time to try and explain the history or religious ideas of what Lent is. But it is a time of year that I’ve never participated in. Easter is amazing. What a blessed time of year we choose to celebrate the death and resurrection of our Savior. I oftenI find myself getting to Easter and wondering why it went by so fast. I don’t stop long enough to savor this time and in doing so, I believe that I personally lose many opportunities to listen.

So, during Lent, it is common practice to forego something in your life. To cease a habit or practice and then replace it with something that will allow us to meditate or focus better on the Easter season. Some choose fasting. Some choose to not watch TV or stop drinking coffee.

This year, Tammy and the family and I have decided to join in Lent. We have decided that there will be no eating out for the entire period of Lent(40 days, including the Sunday’s). Instead, we will choose to be focused at home in our eating together and will even be going through a little study together. Now, many of you following us on Twitter and Facebook, will be able to monitor our journey. You can hold us accountable if you see something out of line. We will still be enjoying coffee. We will also be enjoying an opportunity to grab a snack or treat with the family. If we are running around the mall, we may go to the pretzel place. But, we will not be purposefully eating any of our main meals at a fast food or sit down restaurant. Tammy and I also enjoy going out for an evening drink sometimes and that will continue. I love our date nights. Also, if we are invited to dinner by someone, we will instead, see if they wish to come to our house and fellowship there. One more thing. I received a very generous gift card at Christmas. it is for an excellent local restaurant and I will be taking tammy to this restaurant and using this gift card at some point during Lent. So that’s a freebie

So, why are we doing this? It’s about discipline and sacrifice. Eating out is fun. but eating out takes it’s toll physically and financially. Eating out also takes us from an intimate table and places us in a place that too often allows for no personal connection with each other. but most important, it is allowing us a chance to recapture an area of our life and replace it with something more appropriate. This season is about Jesus, His death and resurrection and His amazing gift of life. I want to worship him by giving areas of my life back to Him that I control, and I want to allow Him to do amazing things through this time.

So, here we go…

“On January 13, 2010 the strongest earthquake since 1770 struck the impoverished island nation of Haiti bringing with it a wave of natural and human devastation. As the impact of what has been described as a catastrophe of biblical proportions has unfolded the leadership of Table Rock Fellowship has sought to formulate a corporate response to this crisis. The initial outpouring of humanitarian aid from around the world has been encouraging. The world is racing to help the people of Haiti who find themselves in an unimaginable crisis and as individuals we should be encouraged to contribute to these efforts as God directs. But what should be the response of the local church as a corporate body of believers? How can we, as a body of Christ, best serve the cause of Christ and meet the needs of Christian brothers and sisters who find themselves in the midst of this tragedy?”

-Pastor Tom

This weekend we will be taking time as a church to answer these questions. Please join us this weekend at Table Rock Fellowship as we take time in all our services to see how we, as a local church, can be a part of helping the corporate church in Haiti. There are a couple things we would like you to think about before arriving this weekend.

#1 Invite friends and family to be a part of the services this weekend. You will not want to miss this. Call, email and contact everyone you know that is an attendee of Table Rock Fellowship and encourage them to be here this weekend!

#2 Arrive on time. We will be starting each service promptly at 6 pm on Saturday, and 8, 9:45 & 11:30 am on Sunday. We would appreciate people in their seats and ready to participate at these times. Also, those with children, be aware that we will be displaying some graphic video content that may need parental discretion.

#3 Come prepared for how we, as a church family, can be involved in this crisis. We will be challenged as a body to look beyond our community and into Haiti. We will also be challenged to step up financially as well.

“This is a step of faith for us as a church as well as an opportunity for us to come along side the family of God in Haiti. Let us… ’Whenever we have the opportunity…do good to everyone…especially to those in the family of faith’….we have the opportunity…..it is now our time to do good!”
- Pastor Tom

Yesterday a tragedy took place. the people of Haiti are facing one of the largest disasters in their history. Death, destruction and obvious chaos for those still living there. I read some really thoughtful posts regarding the situation. Many with options of getting involved. Some with confusion on what to do. Others with a reminder to at least pray. Even some that have spoken against Haiti, as if they deserved this tragedy.

I wanted to speak to one aspect of thought in this. When we are faced with these situations, we are often left in confusion. Not knowing what to do. This can take on different forms. Some people choose to release the thought and forget about it. Some choose to get involved. Some may find themselves in between in a state of, “I dont know what to do”. I want to speak to that.

Is awareness enough? Is it ok, to not lift a finger to a tragedy as this and still be comfortable? Is it enough to just pray? Yes and no, but in all of it…action needs to take place.

“Is awareness enough?” – This can be one of two things.

Maybe you have just been made aware of what’s going on. You’ve read some articles, seen some pictures. But this is where it ends.

Or, you can now take your knowledge of the situation, including options of involvement, and you let others know what they can do to participate in helping others during this time.

“Is it ok, to not lift a finger to a tragedy as this and still be comfortable?”

There are many that have no choice. Health, location, finances. There may still be some practical things they can do, but it will be unlikely that physical involvement will be a part of this.

But, If you are physically capable of being involved. Being that locally or in Haiti…get involved. With gathering items in need. With financial contribution. With phone calls, emails and prayer!

“Is it enough to just pray”

It should be the first thing we do. Prayer for healing, safety. Prayer for an understanding of how to be involved. Prayer for open doors that you can walk through to help others. Prayer for those already helping and in need of strength. this list can go on and on.

But, don’t stop with prayer. Understanding the physical/financial limitations we may have. Still involve yourself. Make others aware. Resource others with info, items of need. Whatever you can do. Don’t stop with prayer.

Here’s the bottom line for me.

-Be generous with what you have to give. That may be something physical, it may be something spiritual.
-Be active in understanding the situation and seeing how you can be involved. From the little(Twitter, Email, Phone), to the big (Finances, items of need, on the ground).
-Be hopeful. This is not a time to feel guilty for what you can or cannot do. And it is not a time to extend guilt to others, if, in our minds, they have not done enough. This time is not about us. It is about those in Haiti…which leads to…
-Be unselfish. This is not our tragedy, it is there’s. Let us be merciful and gracious in dealing with each other and those in need. Let us be patient. Let us be resourceful and active. We have much to offer and to give, both physically and spiritually. Give it.

On a practical level, here are some options for getting involved. There are many great resources, but be cautious. Many people will look to take your resources or money for their own gain. Know where your goods and money are going before you give them. Otherwise Haiti, will never receive it.

Seek out local/regional church and care organizations looking for help. Someone in town may already be doing and be better equipped for what you are trying to do. Join forces.

Because of the degrees of separation on Twitter and Facebook, we all inevitably know someone who is there or headed there. Find out who they are. Listen to what they are doing and get involved with what they are asking for. Here is someone I am following, because of my twitter connections. Troy Livesay

Online Prayer Chain

American Red Cross

World Vision

Compassion International

Nine Ways to get Involved – from Mashable

There are many more. If you have other options of involvement, please feel free to leave them in the comments below.

Finally, I have to say, that many of my thoughts came out of a great conversation I had with Tammy today. And then an extended conversation on Twitter with a great friend. This post originally was intended to be more of a hashing out of those thoughts. I still think there is a place for that, but as I wrote this out, my heart was drawn more to action at this point, rather than conversation.

A few years back I was driving the family across town. There were four of us in the car. 

I don’t remember having any “stomach” issues that day, but I clearly had something going on.

I tend to be “gassy”, so I wasn’t too concerned over my need to relieve myself. But…when I did…something happened.

I noticed that my “passing” did not feel normal. It felt…loose, wet, not right. And, sure enough, something else had come out besides…air.

I immediately said, “uh-oh”. My wife asked, “what?”, I said, “I just farted, but I think something more came out”.

At this time, I assume there will be some grace, maybe even some concern. Nope. The laughing began. Then she explained to the kids what just happened. They began laughing. Then she got on the phone to begin calling friends to let them know what had just happened. They began laughing.

I was also told…strongly…not to get “anything” on the car seat. So, needless to say, the rest of the trip home was…interesting.

Im not bitter…

Posted via web from Oops! I crapped my pants

Here is my deal…

Our church has a preschool. We have installed a new management system that allows parents to check in their child, using a keypad entry system.

When we built the new office for the manager of the preschool, we used the specs the company had given us to prepare for the installation of this equipment. Their original equipment called for a power supply and an ethernet connection over network or directly to the host server.

Our problem now is that Cat5 wiring has been installed into the walls for the installation of this equipment, but their equipment has been updated. The company gave us the wrong specs. And now we are stuck with needing a powered USB connection from the host server to the keypad.

So…Can I use the existing Cat5 wire in the walls to create this USB connection. I understand that length and quality of wire could be an issue. The USB run will be about 12′. Right now, I am just running a USB cable from the keypad to the server in the open, to get us rolling.

Any ideas???

Posted via web from inworship’s posterous

I have always enjoyed the end of year “best of” or “top” posts on blogs. I love watching all the tv shows that highlights events and songs an video/movies from the year as well.

So, I though I’d post up my top 5 posts of the year. My beautiful wife Tammy has been reposting hers this week as well and I’ve enjoyed the new interaction that’s come from the posts.

So, My top 5 post f the year were…

#5 Accountability?
“Accountability to me is way more than asking a couple of questions. And, yet, I see this often, as the accepted form of accountability.”

#4 American Idol
“America loves to idolize things. We mistake others and things for God sometimes.”

#3 Black Friday…Evil…
“We seem to over hype events in America. Both in defense of it…as well as opposition to it.”

#2 Taking Sides (This one has gotten some recent activity that has been “interesting”)
“The church keeps beating the crap out of itself. It’s dumb. It’s gotta stop. And the only way I know how to help that process, is to stop taking sides.”

And, the #1 post of the year…

Everyday. I Struggle.
“The easy thing at this point, is to lead to please them. It’s an endless circle of trying to please everyone…except God”

(Feel free to click through to the posts and get more conversation going)