LEADER: Powerful verse

I feel like I'm just getting back into the thick of things. I don't like disconnecting and doing what seems like nothing, but it was sweet and learning. I know that God's plan over us is sure. Yet we are making a difference in many lives that we get to encounter.

So many pieces I'd like to share but here are a couple thoughts to pray over us as leaders ...

Purity and holiness ---- I'm convinced that God is purifying His servants. Too often we kick against this. We are in the world but not of it. Realize this is not legalism. This is the understanding that how our lives and our choices tend to get in the way of what God wants to do is not good.

Keep dreaming the dream, seeing and seizing the vision ---- have you ever noticed that God seemed to cut you off from being able to see or feel or even see further? I believe we cut ourselves off when our pursuit of Him is waning.

Pursuing Him with gusto --- I can't wait for what the future holds for us. Incredible. Large. Big impact.

I noticed over the last week as I deal with being sick that the more "me" consumed I was the more I pushed God away. By having to unplug I got frustrated, selfish, angry, thick headed ... you get the picture.

I pray that God will purify each of us personally. I pray that we will clearly see the dream and let it consume our hearts. I pray we pursue Him with more desire and willingness than ever before.

Let me say one more thing but please know that this is not out of being judgmental or out of pain. Hear this. God is not pleased with mediocrity. Half way is not half good. Anything less than our full out pursuit of Him and willingness to let Him work will hold us back.

This next verse is powerful, perspective changing. Read...

1 Peter 1:22 NLT
"You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart."
http://bible.us/1Pet1.22.NLT
People, especially kids, know when we are not sincere. Love each other deeply and from the heart, the people you serve with and the people you serve. Speaking the truth in love isn't easy, but it is always right.

May God perfect us so we can be completely useful to Him.

Have you heard of EDITH BURNS?

Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas . She was the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns. One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it was because of Edith Burns. When he walked into that waiting room, there sat Edith with her big black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young mother sitting beside her. Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this way: "Hello, my name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved. Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he saw the head nurse, Beverly. Beverly had first met Edith when she was taking her blood pressure. Edith began by saying,"My name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Beverly said, "Why yes I do." Edith said, "Well, what do you ...

wash feet, sharing hope

John 13:4-5,14 NLT So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him… 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. Jesus set the example we follow. He served. He valued and gave value to others. That is why we choose to serve. For 18 years our church has shared an outreach called back2school, and for 16 of those years we have chosen to give students brand new shoes and socks as well as washing their feet. It is one of the most important parts of this event. Washing feet is a humbling experience where both the give and the receiver learn how to share some moments that might change their lives. Jesus said we should do this. See the verse above. Follow His example, do what He did, and give far more than you will ever know....

Catalyst ticket arrived

My ticket to the Catalyst Conference, in Atlanta Oct 8-10, just arrived. I'm excited!

Michael Harrison's e-devotion

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