I ran.

I ran. No! This is not about the country of Iran. I ran. I moved. I left the house on foot. I ran downtown and back.

As I wrote the previous sentence a few days ago, my body was cooling down. I was about to get ready for another great day of ministry. I have since finished that day.

You see, my body has to have excercise in order to function properly, which helps me maintain good health. This body is transporting me from this life to the next. Without moving intentionally in rapid succession and with the purpose of experiencing a little self inflicted pain (discipline) and accelerated heartbeat, I probably would cut short God's purpose for my life; and, so will you.

I honestly believe, all of the running I have done over the past 24 years has helped me stay alive and enjoy better health.

Gotta go! Gotta run!

Overwhelmed?

Overwhelmed! Do you ever feel that way? I do. Meetings to attend...services to plan...people to see. Stretched. Pulled. Pushed. Blasted. Scattered. In company with people, but weirdly alone. Agendas, with few accomplishments. Tasks...incomplete. What is one to do? Trust. Believe. Rest. Confide in a friend. Pray. In the midst of the fray, lean upon truth. Let such feelings teach us. With the Psalmist, perhaps we'll be able to say "With God's help, we will do mighty things." (Psalm 108:13)

What has the Holy Spirit said to your heart?

Has the Holy Spirit said anything to you about:

1) Tony Evan's teaching "Connecting Giving and Receiving"? Evans reported that Christians give on the average only 2 1/2 % of their income to the Lord. What did he mean by "You must plant a seed in order to meet a need?"

2) Leadership 101? Where are you in "the four phases of development" and what can you do to increase your effectiveness as a leader? Did you get the teaching on "The Law of the Lid?" What is your lid and what can you do to raise it?

I'm passionate about Sunday worship! Are you?

Since my conversion to Christ at the early age of 16, I never remember a time when I was not passionate about Sunday worship. Oh, I recall those days BC (Before Christ) when attending church was a chore and bore. At times, my parents almost had to drag me. And, drag me, they did! They never came to the door of my room on Sunday to ask, "Sonny boy, do you want to go to church today?" Nosireebob! It was established fact. This kid would be there--along with them. I admit, they often had to give me an attitude adjustment while en route. But I have a memory imbedded deeply within that they were passionate about gathering with God's people to honor their Lord and to hear the preaching of the Word of God.

So, I guess you could say that I get it honest! You see, my parents were passionate about worship because they knew the world is driven by the spirit of anti-christ; they also knew that temptations of every sort are always lurking, not just in the shadows, either.

Now, 44 years later, it is Saturday evening, and I can't wait till tomorrow. I wonder what God will do? I pray and expect that it will be something very good. I look forward to him speaking to my heart and encouraging God's people to "go on to perfection," pursue Christ with their whole hearts, and seek to be more like Him. Tomorrow might become the first day of someone's new life in Christ.

I've seen some of you working around the church today, preparing for your ministries tomorrow. It certainly appeared that you share my excitement. The grass is cut and edged, the building is clean, the a/c is set, the power point is ready, the choir is anxious to sing, and the preacher can hardly contain himself. He's about to burst with the truth that God has shown him. (It's been two weeks, you know!)

Yep. I'm passionate about Sunday worship! How about you?

Many of you helped make this happen!

On Tuesday of this week I had the privilege of praying with a gentleman who truly repented of his sins and asked Christ to give him a new life. Many of you helped make this happen. That's right. Last week, Steve Keifer searched Google for Churches in Plant City. The first to appear was, you guessed it, Trinity UMC! After navigating our website (www.winestablishequip.org), Steve decided to do something that he later told me he just hasn't done: attend a church he'd never been to before, without family or friends. So, he showed up last Sunday morning, searching for God to intervene in his life. In fact, he wrote on his Visitor's Card something like, "Would like to speak with the pastor. I need help finding God." As Steve left the service that morning, he shook my hand and said, "I was supposed to be here today." It was apparent the Holy Spirit had spoken to his heart. "The rest," as they say, "is history." He responded to my phone call on Monday evening and agreed to come by my office on Tuesday. As we sat there discussing how a person finds peace, he allowed me to lead him in a simple prayer of confession and forgiveness. I truly believe that he left my office with the touch of God upon his life and with a renewed spirit and determination to allow Christ to be his Lord.
Think about it. Many of you helped make this happen! A few years ago, Sarel and Kris Botha had a burden for the church to create a website which would assist people with finding their way to the church and their way back to God. Then, Gary Kimler took thier efforts further and not only fully developed the site, but now services it on a daily basis. Then, there were the Greeters that warmly welcomed Steve when he arrived at the sanctuary. And, of course, so many more of you 'shared the peace' of Christ with him during the time of Greeting in the worship experience. Then, there were the musicians, the sound techs and media shout personnel, the ushers, and the preacher. All played a part in Steve's experience of finding the peace which he sought. And, since Tuesday, several of you, including Todd Cook and Kevin Rogers, have phoned Steve to welcome him to God's family and encourage him as he has begun his spiritual journey. What a wonderful story!
May each of us realize that we are of utmost importance in the process of 'winning, establishing, and equipping people as disciples of Jesus Christ. May we also see that it takes all of us to do it! Thank you all for the part you play!

How the world has changed in such a short time!

I'm back! I know. Some of you thought I had given up blogging. I haven't. I've just been a bit busy. And, quite honestly, I 'm looking for more responses than I've received thus far! I guess you are busy, too, since you don't seem to respond. Anyway, in the few months that have passed since blogging, catastrophic events have literally shaken the earth. Have you ever seen such devastation and loss of human life in such a short period of time? As the apostle Paul wrote in Romans 8:22, I believe "all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time...", with the end result being, "the release from sin and suffering" for the human race. (v. 23) I look forward to that day, don't you? However, the Word clearly teaches that it's going to get worse before it gets better. But be comforted, my friend. God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us! Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive, when he returns, we can live with him forever. (I Thess. 5:9-10)

Has Easter made a difference?

Was it just another day attending church services and enjoying family time, eating, hiding eggs for the kids, and napping in the afternoon, or did Christ come to us again and impact our lives in a profound way? What happened in our lives yesterday? Did Easter make a difference? I pray so! Will we be the same? Will our church be the same? Has anything changed? Our commitment to Christ? Our dedication? Our service to Him? Our witness? Anything different? Or, after the revelation of the greatest event in history, have we so soon settled down to our routine lives again? Are we still living in fear, hopeless, and disappointed? If so, why? What will it take for God to really change us? Or, can we change? Will we change? If so, how? and, when?

I didn't reach my goal!

That's right! I didn't reach my goal. I wanted to distribute 300 door-hangers, inviting folks to Easter Worship Experience---but I failed. I only hung 220. I must admit, at the end of the day, my shins were hurting--really hurting. I was hot, sweaty, tired, and disappointed that I did not reach my goal.

But, with only a little time left, feeling the pain in my legs, I had a momentary flash-back of the video clip we had shown in church on Sunday. Remember?...the one about 'unpleasantries' encountered at times when doing God's work? In my mind's eye, I saw the 'agony' of the men changing the diapers on the video clip...the garb, the gagging, and the 'messiness' of the task. Then, I laughed. I laughed because I seemed to hear God say to me, "Now that your legs are hurting, you're sweating, you're tired, now that the work is unpleasant, you ARE doing my work and entering into genuine service."

Up until then, I was 'enjoying' the experience. In fact, I think I might have secretly said to myself, "Look, Lord! I'm REALLY working for you! Do you see what I am doing to advance your Kingdom?" But, suddenly the pain in my legs set in. I realized, "This is costing me something." Then, God whispered, "NOW, you ARE doing my work!" The thought then crossed my mind, "Tomorrow is Good Friday. Jesus carried a cross--though it wasn't fun and exciting." Oh, it pleased Him that He was doing God's will, just as it pleased me to know that I was doing God's will. But, unlike me, Jesus endured the full agony--He reached His goal. And, it cost Him something, too! He paid the ULTIMATE sacrifice!

What an awesome Good Friday Worship Experience!

Wow! God showed up today at the Good Friday worship experience! Many people worked so very hard to see a vision fulfilled. We had prayed that our Lord would be exalted above measure. Our prayers were answered! The Christian community came together at the Wesley Centre in Jesus' Name to remember the sacrifice Christ made for the world. Through music, song, and Word we declared His righteousness, suffering, and forgiveness--through faith in His substitutionary death. Praise be to God! As Pastor Earl said at the conclusion of his message, "It's Friday--but Sunday's comin'." A special thanks to all who attended!

Got priorities?

Got priorities? Don't you remember? Those things that are most important in life--to your family, your kids, your spouse--your soul's everlasting home! Priorities: Those things, when properly placed, that result in the peace and the security your heart seeks. What are your priorities? Are you living for and seeking the things in life that matter most? Or, are you living in a maze of confusion...striving to make a living, but hardly living.

Last week I read of a lady pulled over for running a red light that had a 24-pack of beer strapped in with a seat belt, but she had a 16 month old girl unrestrained in the back seat of her car with the tot's mother. The lady was arrested, charged with DUI, child abuse, possession of drug paraphernalia, and driving without a valid license. There is no question about where her values were...her priorities.

Are yours in the right place?

Today, someone asked, "Where are the young families in your church?"

I had an interesting visit today with a bright young couple with two beautiful kids. Both husband and wife were troubled, that upon a recent visit to our worship experience they saw very few young couples. While they observed that a 'baby shower' was on the church calendar, they asked "How many young married couples with children do you have in your church?" Of course, I knew that the church has not done so well in reaching this age group. In fact, couples age 35 and under are quite scarce. Wherever they are, they are not in church--at least, not in United Methodist churches in Plant City; and more specifically, they are not at Trinity. Want to know my response to their question? I replied, "Well, we have about 10 young married couples at Trinity." (35 and under) Is this correct? If it is, can you name them? And, do you think they are ever at the worship experience on the same Sunday? If so, are they participating in a Life Group/Small Group? Just a few more questions: 1) What do you think we can do to reach this age group? 2) Can you help? 3) If so, how? Ponder this conversation with me, will you? Any comments?

For all you smokers....

Yesterday, a lady gave me her testimony of how God had delivered her from a nicotine habit which she had for many years. She knew the habit was killing her and that it was diminishing her witness for Christ, as well. She attributed her victory over cigarettes to God's power. She claimed the promise, "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13)
Perhaps nicotine is not your challenge, but something else! There's help for you, too! How about memorizing that verse and begin using it in your arsenal of weapons against the bondage that may have hold on you--regardless of what it is! (Check out the Word of God as being part of your armor as God's warrior in Ephesians 6:10-18.) Let me know how you do!

Started the day at 5:15. Took another smooth stone (reference to David’s encounter with the giant) -- Prayer and Bible Reading -- which will help me defeat the enemy today. Read from the Word (Lev. 1-3 and Acts 13). Then, Daily Devotional Insights -- Renew my Heart-365 readings from John Wesley (a great volume, by the way!). Then, Blackaby, Experiencing God Day by Day. Then, I began a little volume I received from a meeting the other day at SE University -- High Adventure in Tibet! a missionary story of Victor Plymire.
More later. Off to Small Group. Have a blessed day! By the way, what are you reading for your preparation to encounter the enemy and for the edification of your soul?

Okay. The Youth Center Yard looks a lot better today! Actually, I had a call this morning from someone who needed some Community Service hours. So, I put him to work raking around the Jimmie Wynn Smith Youth Center. By 3:45 today it looked soooo much better.
You may not have gotten into trouble with the law and you may not need Community Service hours, but if you’d like to work for God (out of love for Him, and for a reward -- both reasons are legitimate, you know), just grab a rake and come on over! You can work on the backyard. You’ll be glad you did and it will make the grounds look a whole lot better.
Say, have you read I Corinthians 3 lately? Check it out. Of course, Paul knew "works" could not save you, but he also legitimized them by advocating that we do them. Grab your rake!

Hey! A very good friend engaged me this past (Super Bowl) Sunday with this question: "What would happen if those of us who call ourselves followers of Christ were to host a Super Jesus Sunday (every Sunday)? With chip and dip, Bibles, lively discussion about the things of God, good Christian music, and food galore as we had a pep rally for Jesus?
Do you suppose the neighbors would call the police, complaining about all the hoopla and noise, or would they be happy with us that Jesus was being enthusiastically celebrated?
Want to have a Super Jesus Party this Sunday? Would you even dare? Think about it!

(late evening)
I'm done! For the day, that is! I've just finished my 2.5-mile run, from the parsonage to downtown PC and back. It's a great course — especially in the late evening. I only encountered cats, drunks, sirens, loud motorcycles, and God. I pray as I run, thanking the good Lord for the day, for the privilege of advancing the Kingdom through contacts He allowed me to make, and just for the ability to keep moving. I met a few folks today who can't.
Anyway, be sure to maintain a consistent exercise regimen. It's one of the "5 smooth stones" that will help you defeat the giants in your life. God gave you a body! It's the only one you'll have — on this side, at least. Oh yes, I know. You'll have a spiritual body (I Cor. 15) but not until you lay this one aside. So, tomorrow, slip into those sneakers and at least go for a walk! You'll feel a lot better and you'll have longer to advance the Kingdom!
Oh! Maybe you are exercising! If so, how often? Do you walk, run, swim, or cycle? Good for you! Keep it up!
posted by Pastor Gary Brady at 12:44 AM 4 Comments