Posts Tagged ‘Opportunities’

pumped…

Friday, April 1st, 2011

Back in the day, ‘pumped’ was the word. It meant excited, into it, ecstatic, over the top. I have no idea what the word is today. Whatever it is…I’m “pumped.” We have worked incredibly hard to develop and communicate our vision for Life Change. We’ve concentrated on Encounter and believe our worship is making it possible for people to meet God. We’ve poured ourselves into Connect and we are now seeing dozens of new people engage in study of God’s word with God’s people.

However, every time we’ve talked about our strategy (Encounter, Connect, Serve), we’ve had to say, “Serve is still under development.” Well, it’s here. It’s not fully developed. We have a lot yet to learn and sharpen. But we’re unveiling this Sunday. And I’m pumped.

You now have a place to go to find out what you can do in serving here, in the congregation. We have a place to let you know of ministry opportunities in the community (those we sponsor as well as others). There is a place where you can become familiar with our world outreach (this month we’re featuring our international ministries).  There is an “item of the month” which we believe will overflow in generosity.

The gifts of our staff have come together to produce a great place to see what God can use us to do. My dream is for all of us to become like Jesus (Life Change). He was a servant (our goal and our method); so we will serve. This is a major tool for accomplishing that.  Come by…look…ask questions…get involved.

Then, put some word with it…  I’m going to stick with ‘pumped’ until one of you gives me a newer, more accurate word.

So much opportunity…

Friday, August 6th, 2010

Half-full or half-empty? 69% don’t or 31% do?

Every day I see and hear the needs or our community. If I wasn’t careful I could be overwhelmed by the enormity of the issues. And what I’m about to write doesn’t negate the fact that there are significant issues–unemployment, health issues, crime, grief, heartache, financial stress, busy-ness, stress.

Today I’ve fielded a pile of requests for us to “do something.” Every one of those requests is a positive idea with a legitimate goal. Every single idea is worth pursuing and would result in something beneficial. I don’t know how many we can actually do, but I’m struck by how much opportunity there is for doing good.

We can hang our heads and mope about our conditions.  We can complain about all the troubles that exist. We can question why nobody is doing anything. We can live in fear that evil is taking over.  Or, we can do something. We can speak a kind word. We can encourage our neighbor. We can be nice to the teller or clerk. We can pick up some trash. We can give a few canned goods to a pantry. We can volunteer at the …(you fill in the blank). We can make a difference.

If ever a person wondered if they mattered…if they could make a difference…if there was anything they could do, today should have answered that.  YES, there is clearly something for you to do.

So, what shall it be? Shall we fuss?  Or shall we act?

Opportunity

Thursday, March 18th, 2010

So many opportunities. So much need. So many gifts.

The sermon text this week says, “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much…” As we have tried to faithfully meet the needs of others, we’ve discovered how many more opportunities exist for us.  In another text, Luke says, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded.”  We’ve clearly been given much. It’s our privilege (and responsibility) to give in return.

The Emergency Kits are underway.  We’ve delivered over a dozen and more are being prepared. We still need some nicer bags for the teen girls. We need acne cream and we need diaper ointment. A need is being met.

Today I learned of another need. Homebound adults need help setting up their medicines.  It means going to a person’s home and helping them get a couple of weeks of meds lined out.  It takes about an hour. It builds friendships and provides company.  If you are interested contact Marty @ m.venvertloh@cospq.org.

And that’s just two…of the many…waiting for Christians who want to serve.

Would never imagine…

Saturday, January 30th, 2010

I would have never imagined…

My eyes are tracing the hoof prints up the side of the hill in the Vienna Woods at Haus Edelweiss. Apparently some small deer and goats have been coming down to drink from the pond. I’m hoping I’ll see them in the morning before I leave for Brno, Czech Republic to teach.

I’ve experienced this feeling before. ‘What am I doing here?’ Never in my wildest imagination would I have seen myself in Eastern/Central Europe teaching. If I remember correctly, this will make my fifteen year to be here. When I go to Moldova next Sunday, it will be my 8th formerly communist country. Eight really isn’t many, but it’s 8 more than I ever dreamed I’d be in.

But I feel that way about a lot of things. I could have never imagined being allowed to preach in a church like Madison Park. Some Sundays I have to pinch myself to remind me it’s not a dream. I could only imagine preaching in small, unhealthy congregations. I could only dream that a few Sundays a year someone who wasn’t a Christian might visit. Now look…we have guests every week.

Being part of media exposure for Haiti reminded me again that you can never fully anticipate where God is going to take you and how you are going to be asked to serve. I not only could not imagine being on TV for any reason (other than a crime, maybe), much less having an opportunity to ask folks for money for a nation of hurting people.

I guess what I’ve been impress with today is simple—God is such an incredible mystery and His ways are so unimaginable. Yet…so delightful. What a joy to simply watch Him do the unexpected.

I’ve decided not to try to imagine what’s next…it’s more fun just watching it unfold.