Archive for August, 2007
You are currently browsing the Philip K Stone blog archives for August, 2007.
27
Aug
2007
Baptism & Stuff
Yesterday it was wonderful to see 36 believers baptised down at Lough Neagh, an experience none of them will ever forget. I’ve been buzzing ever since. God is really doing things in Lurgan, people are getting saved, backsliders are coming back into Gods house, Teenagers giving up a whole week of their summer to serve their town, cleaning up peoples gardens, painting sheds, painting attractive murals over not so nice murals, playing games in greens with hundreds of kids etc etc
God is moving, and I’m so excited to be alive at ’such a time as this’. Gods Kingdom is slowly taking ground in Lurgan, and throughout Ireland – how exciting! The question from me, to You and me today is – What are you doing to see Gods kingdom advance in your town or locality, your workplace or school? God isn’t looking for people who have everything sorted out, He’s looking for people - empty vessels who desire to be surrender to God, living for Him and living out His will in their town!
22
Aug
2007
Topple that Giant
Been doing a bit or reading, reflecting and seeking this past few days, always nice to have a bit of time off to do that, having kids seems to have made that a little harder to fit into the schedule (stop making excuses Phil).
I’ve been Reading a Tozer book, and a little bit caught something in me, He was talking about that God shaped hole in our lives and how we sometimes let other things be in that 1st place in our life, he then brought out the point that sometimes we wonder why good things that we have, own or belong to etc fall to pieces, So often we pray and surrender to God without realising the power in the words we speak to God, and all of a sudden we blame God for destroying things that meant a lot to us, but the fact is if we pray for God to come into the highest place of priority in our lives then the things that are their at present are going to topple, fall down, fade away or be destroyed.
I guess the two points I got from this were,
1.What things need toppled in my life? and is someone / something preventing God from being first in my life?
2.Be very careful with what I pray and how I pray! Prayer is more powerful than any nuclear weapon, it can have consequences that are humanly impossible to fix or turn around – Handle with great care!
Unfortunately I’m still trying to get closer to God as I’m not were I want to be, But then if I was were I want to be then I wouldn’t be here – What I mean by that is I personally think it won’t be possible to be as close to God as I would want until Heaven dawns for me. But that doesn’t stop me from trying harder and desiring more of God.
If I’m going to spend an eternity with God I want to get to know him before I arrive, no point in spending forever with someone you don’t know now, is there?
14
Aug
2007
Radial Living? Whats that?
Being different can be hard work, doing things to please others isn’t always simple, in fact it can become a little stressful at times, trying to please your co-workers all the time, family members, friends and then as well as that trying to live an example life that blesses others and points them towards God.
Jesus really was radical, He had a charisma that lit a spark in people to follow His lead, everywhere He went He was followed for those three years of public ministry, but what about the silent years, we never really know to much about the years from his late teens until His entrance to ministry is introduced by John the Baptist and confirmed by the Voice of God in the Words ‘This is my Son with whom I am well pleased”.
Over the past number of years I’ve become concerned about the number of younger people who expect to be leading a ministry in their churches from a very Young age, its nearly as if their dedication to the ministry has put enough points in the bag to be nominated a leader. The truth is that while they are youthful they are full of passion, full of Fire, full of energy which are all very important characteristics in a leader, but they haven’t been exposed to the world, its systems, deceit, lies etc. In a nutshell they are living life in a ‘protected environment’.
Growing up i always had dreams of one day leading, maybe teaching etc, but at present I feel totally under-educated, not ready, sometimes feel that if I can’t live out my life for God in the workplace then I’m no-where near the stage for any form of full time ministry. Learning to keep the plates all spinning has been a tough one for me in the past five years, At the point of getting married I decided with Amy that we had to pull out of some things, for me at that time co-leading the kids work was the big one, while at the time it wrecked me It was definitely the right decision and so were the others.
Sometimes I feel detached from church life, simply because apart form the odd mid week meeting, Sunday is the Only time I’m about church, But I’ve learned to have things prioritised in life. I’ve stopped feeling guilty (only quite recently) for not being as involved in Church life, because in this era of my life I’ve chosen to invest in family, my Job and to try to get My Roots in God to grow as deep as possible, in some senses you could say I’m wanting to Learn now, pick up tips, methods, experience from watching others who do such a professional Job. I see older people lead ministries with such Godly leadership and that has not just happened, they have spent years saturated in God’s word, in prayer etc.
Don’t get me wrong there are many Young Leaders in the Global Church that are in wisdom terms, well advanced for their years and I believe God has placed those people to train up those younger and in some cases older. They are vital to the Body of Christ.
So What am I saying….. If your feeling guilty for not being involved in church life, but you have a young family, spend time daily in Gods word, have a Job then I don’t think you need to be feeling guilty.
If your leading a ministry and enjoy the status it gives you more than the role your meant to be fulfilling then I think you need to check your motives.
If your not a busy person and not involved in church life then you have serious issues that need addressed.
I once heard someone say, if you need something done, your better to ask a busy person to do it, for me I’ve found that to be a true theory.
In closing, God wants us all to be involved in the Body of Christ, His Church. Believers are not meant just to be seat warmers, you have a role to play in Gods house, you need to find it, then work towards it, it may take a year, it may take 20 years, but you need to work with God!
Leave for a Holiday in the morning, so no more blogs til next week – God Bless
13
Aug
2007
Strange day
Today and the build up to today has been very strange, of what would have been if Jill was still here. Today would have been Jill’s Birthday, Her 50th. Its just very weird. Please pray for and remember Philip, Lisa, Amy, Debbie, Philly, Paula and May today. I guess its on days like this when the pain of loss intensifies once again for them all. God Has been so good to all and I know His hand will continue to be over the family all the days of their lives.
8
Aug
2007
Fearfully and Wonderfully made
Yesterday we had the privilege of having our first baby scan (for child no.3). Seeing the little heart move on that scan monitor raised a lot of emotion inside as the reality that our little family will be having a new addition in 6 months sank in, I guess it made all the knowledge of knowing that we are gonna have another child seem more real. But when you see the little child forming and moving in the pictures, I just think how true that verse;
| “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well”(Psalm 139:14). |
How true that The fool has said in his heart there is no God, Of course there is a God, sorry to be disgusting, but the fact is in the miracle of a Child being conceived, what scientific formula forms blood in the human body when there is no blood cells in the sperm or egg? – The Fact is God does, I just think that bit is so amazing!! Sorry for all the baby talk today,
My prayer for those with children is that you would love, care and support them all the days of your life, for those not with kids but wanting to have the joy of bringing children up in your home, I Pray that your wish to have children would come true very soon!
