Converge
Prayer Stations
Last night at Converge my message was on prayer. After the message, participants silently went through 5 different "prayer stations" that utilized different senses. People offered up participatory prayers that included lighting candles, writing, anointing, communion, and studying a huge Peruvian cross. Plan out your day to pray creatively several times. - Pastor Mike
Pussy Willow
Pastor Dave asked me to check on buying some saplings to use in an upcomming sermon. On my walk I noticed pussy willowbranches that had been put by the curb. Knowing how quickly they root, I cut off 25 stems or so and placed them in water. Today I noticed roots sprouting. Have you taken time to "root" in some ministry or are you always moving around? - Pastor Mike
Dead Plant
So, how's that Poinsettia from this past Christmas doing? Probably as well as ours...dead plant in a pot. Mark 11 contains the story of the cursed fig tree. Even thought the tree was fully leafed and should have ben bearing fruit, it was barrren. How about you? Are you bearing fruit for God's kingdom? If not, time to begin budding! - Pastor Mike
Experiential Prayer
While preparing for the worship portion of Converge, I decided to focus my message on the listening portion of prayer. God is Love and Love listens patiently to us when we pray. We must also listen for God's voice in return. For Converge this week I have developed 5 experiential prayer stations. Use your 5 senses to "listen" to God the next time you pray. - Pastor Mike
"Have we Met?" - God
Have you ever seen someone and thought that you knew them, but couldn't remember from where? Jesus said that unless we have a softened heart, are humble, and love God and humankind, then we are not in God's image. When Jesus comes again he will say, "Depart from me, I never knew you". It's time to get right with God! - Pastor Mike
Running on Empty
I met with a friend of mine to do a bit of pastoral counseling. He recently lost a 29 year old son to a drug overdose and his grandson was taken from his home and returned to the child's mother. He is just so empty and sad. I told him that like Job, he may feel like he has nothing left, but he does have God. And God is enough. - Pastor Mike
Meetings
Yesterday the Converge Young Adult Core Team got together. While we hammered out most everything without delay, one particular item could not be agreed upon. After some slightly heated debate, we realized that what we all had in common was the welfare of our program and the young adults who attend. Focus on what you have in common and leave the rest to God. -Pastor Mike
Morph
At Converge, a young adult told me that she thought that I originally had chosen the video/discussion instructor because I couldn't get anyone else to volunteer to teach. After seeing how much this young man had grown in confidence, she realized that it was the Holy Spirit who worked through Peter so that he could morph into exactly what God was calling him to do. - Pastor Mike
Listening
Jesus said, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." -John 10:10. Yesterday I met individually with 3 young adults who were seeking pastoral counseling. Silencing myself, I realized how important the gift of listening is to those searching for what God has planned for them. Today, try to not drown out what God is saying to others. -Pastor Mike
Growth
Growth involves passion. Passion to grow deeper in our relationship with God. Passion to go with God through uncharted waters. Passion to realize that stepping out of our comfort zone may be messy and full of mistakes, but that God is always with us. Be passionate about growing a little each day. - Pastor Mike
