just a dorky pastor overly excited about what Jesus is up to 😂. convinced @SaraMannschreck to marry me, proudly serving the people of The Center Church
Grand Rapids, MI
Joined March 2010
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I'm not going to post about the Lions, because I'm trying to keep it positive over here.
*weeps secret silent tears*
Asbury 2023: 50,000 people came over 16 days of solid worship. Nobody sought out the big-name speakers.
The people who were there said it felt like a bad chapel service you never wanted to leave.
God tends to speak in the mundane.
If God has been whispering - can you hear him?
If you've ever looked at someone else's prayer life and thought "they must love Jesus more than I do," this is for you.
God's way of connecting with you isn't limited to how he works in other people's lives.
So, try something new this week.
Read. Pray. Fast.
Just try.
God showed up for Moses in wind. In earthquakes. In fire.
But for Elijah - none of those.
For Elijah it was a gentle whisper.
God isn't always where we expect him based on what he's done for others.
Maybe don't compare your conversation with God to others.
Sometimes we get ahead of God in the conversation. Elijah did. I do it constantly.
We assume we know what he's going to say - and when he doesn't - it crushes us.
But maybe part of prayer isn't filling in his lines - but rather listening for the still small voice.
Elijah calls down fire from heaven
Biggest miracle imaginable
He runs to the capital expecting a victory lap
Nobody showed up. Not one voice.
Seems like didn't change a single heart in Israel.
When we have a script in our head and God doesn't follow it - it can be devastating.
If God had answered every prayer I ever prayed exactly the way I wanted, I never would have met my wife or had my kids.
How sure are you your unanswered prayers aren't the best thing that ever happened to you?
When people ask: how can God be good if there's evil? most of the time they don't want a philosophy debate.
The way to say "this is broken and it breaks my heart."
You don't have to defend it. Just say, "you're absolutely right. It breaks my heart too. AND it breaks God's."
The beauty of God is vertical. Eyes up - in awe.
The agony of the world is horizontal. Eyes down, shaking our heads.
Put them together and you have the cross.
That's where we find Jesus - at the exact place where the beauty and the brokenness meet.
I saw a post recently that said,
"I don't understand the idea of a God who takes attendance"
and it's true - that's a silly concept.
But, to help them understand...
You don't take "attendance" in your marriage, right?
But you WOULD notice if they stopped showing up, yes?
What you express is what grows in you.
Express gratitude = you get more grateful.
Express complaints = you get more disatisfied.
Annoyed with your spouse? Say one nice thing about them every day and see what happens to your heart.
Appreciation grows where you water it.
Lament is not a trust issue.
It's an EXPRESSION issue.
I can know with total certainty that God is working all things for good AND still be heartbroken about something that's happening.
David did both in the same Psalm.
You're allowed to as well.
Permission slip for every Christian who's exhausted from being upbeat; You're allowed to complain to God.
(Not to me. To God.)
David did it constantly, and all that's in the bible on purpose.
The Dead Sea and the Sea of Galilee are in the same region.
One teeming with life. The other is dead.
The only difference? Galilee has an outflow.
Your soul works the same way. Take in, never let it out - and you're going to get a little salty.
When Elijah collapsed, God did respond with a lecture.
He said - eat something, take a nap.
One of the best ways to take care of your spirit is to take care of your body.
We keep trying to mess around like they're not connected - but they ARE.