United in the Park
Come join us this Saturday, July 10, at United in the Park, a free Christian Benefit Concert at the Trinity Park Amphitheatre in Fort Worth, Texas.
My band will be doing a worship set to kick off, anoint, and pray over the day’s activities with volunteers and event planners at 10:30am.
Then, the official United in the Park festivities are set to begin at 6pm. On tap for the evening are opening acts My Hearts Cry, Gravity Liberation Front, and the Chris Clayton Band. At around 7:50pm, Shane Gray (pastor at Hopeworks in Fort Worth) will present the Gospel message. Following, at around 8:25pm, my band will provide a time of worship and response to the Gospel message. Then, at around 9pm, Decyfr Down will wrap up the evening with a bang!
United in the Park is a free Christian Concert where donations will be accepted and merchandise will be sold. ALL proceeds will go to benefit the Burleson Pregnancy Aid Center and Feed By Grace ministry.
You don’t want to miss this evening! It promises to be a great time celebrating GOD, fun fellowship, community outreach, and rocking entertainment from a talented lineup of bands! So, plan on coming out and showing your support by joining us for United in the Park!
Invite a friend, coworkers, neighbors, and family. Pray with us that many who attend will embrace the message of hope and a life abundant United in CHRIST!
Hope to see you there!
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The Glory of GOD is Man Fully Alive
This weekend I had a wonderful time reconnected with family and friends at the Cozart Family Reunion. The Cozart family gathers together every summer around the last weekend in June at Possum Kingdom Lake—they’ve been doing so since 1971!
I love hanging out with these friends and family. It’s a time I look forward to each summer. I’ve only missed a couple of reunions in the twenty years I’ve been attending (and Dawnita has only missed two in her entire life!).
This weekend while thanking FATHER for these relationships and this time of family fun—I was reminded of how short life is—and, of the need to count as precious every moment we have together.
In James 4 we are compared to, “a wisp of fog, catching a bit of sun before disappearing.” This year I have experienced loss in ways that brings home the truth of this scripture in profound ways. Maybe you have experienced loss in similar ways. The bottom line is we are not guaranteed tomorrow.
We have this moment; we need to make the best use of each breath we are given!
The Speed Of Life
Sometimes life just happens around us. We don’t even realize we’re missing out on the beauty of blessings GOD has poured in to our lives. It’s not on purpose. It just happens. It’s almost like we are stumbling around, half-awake, not fully conscious enough to truly experience life. That’s no way to live!
The same is true spiritually. We are aware of spiritual things—just, not cognoscente of how these things impact our daily lives. Paul in 1 Corinthians 13 says, “We don’t yet see things clearly. We’re squinting in a fog, peering through a mist.” I believe this is in part the plan of the enemy; his attempt to keep us paralyzed in a fog of confusion.
GOD Intends More Than A Comatose Life For Us
JESUS said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). “Come to me to have life” (John 5:40). “I am the bread of life” (John 6:48). “In HIM was life, and that life was the light of men” (John 1:4). And, Acts 5:20 instructs, “Tell the people the full Message of this new life.”
It’s clear GOD offers us life through JESUS. HE intends for us to live fully alive. And, more… that we are to share the Message of this new, fully alive life with everyone we meet! We are to take full advantage of every moment, making the most of each.
Friend, don’t let another day slip by… each day is a precious commodity! Each moment is a treasure to be savored and enjoyed to its fullest.
I have made a commitment to never miss another family gathering if at all possible! I don’t want to take for granted these moments that are passing by—to assume I’ll have opportunity to see family at a later date! I want to make every second count—to enjoy each and every opportunity we have with family, friends, and dear loved ones.
If you feel the same, make this your prayer today: “JESUS, take away the fog and the clouds and the veil, and help me to see… give me eyes to really see! I want to make the most of every moment YOU have given me. I want to love and be loved, to enjoy deep spirited friendships, and truly belong to the rich community of friends, family, and loved ones YOU have given me.”
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Missional Community Outreach
Friends, since October of 2009 I have prayerfully wrestled with GOD regarding HIS call on my life. Specifically, I have had trouble comprehending where HE has brought me—and the change in direction this new place necessitates. It hasn’t made much sense. As a result, I have been slow... maybe even reluctant… to let go of my understandings of how HE had previously shaped and ordered my life.
In all honesty, I have greatly enjoyed the last 20 years of my ministry experiences. Dawnita and I spent a good number of years in preparation for the types of ministry work we’ve been doing. And, I like to think… that maybe, we were even just a little bit good at what GOD had given us to do!
But, the ministry we’ve been engaged in was never of our own making. There was no time when we sat down and mapped out a five year plan! We were simply being obedient—day by day—to the things JESUS was asking us to be about.
Directing Everything
Letting JESUS direct the details of my daily life was a way of living that began for me at fourteen. In 1983-84, I began pressing in to know and follow JESUS with all of my heart, soul, and mind. My deep desire was to follow JESUS and allow HIM to direct me in everything. And, I truly mean EVERYTHING!
During these years I began prayerfully asking GOD to lead me to my future bride. I believed with all my heart that HE had created one perfect girl for me. I put all my trust in HIS ability to lead me to her! An odd thing for a thirteen year old to be concerned with, but this would end up being one of my most consistent prayers during my teenage years.
It is with great joy that I can report now that my bride of twenty years—Dawnita—is and has been the absolute perfect girl for me! GOD gave me such a wonderful partner and friend for a wife. In this matter (as well as many, many others) HE has proven HIMSELF time and time to be worthy of my trust in HIS ability to lead me in every area of life and faith.
Even so, the last year has been a confusing time for me in trying to comprehend this new place I found GOD had transplanted me and my family. This confusion was compounded some by wounds we received in the last few years of ministry. Wounds not given us by sheep, or even by the world—but, from supposed mature church leadership.
We’ll probably continue to feel the ache of these wounds from time to time. But, our integrity and the manner in which we have conducted our lives and ministry have been reaffirmed many times by both GOD and man. And, the SPIRIT has reminded me numerous times over the last year that the religious elite who sought to do us harm was of the very same spirit of the ones who crucified my MASTER JESUS. If they hated HIM, why would I be surprised that they would hate also HIS servants!?
GOD continues to direct us in EVERYTHING. And, though I have been slow at coming to this point, I have finally arrived and am whole-heartedly embracing the new thing GOD has brought us to.
So, it is with great excitement that I announce today that I will be taking a hiatus from vocational ministry for a time. I already have not been actively seeking a paid church staff position—but, I’m making it official—I anticipate taking a two to three year hiatus from vocational ministry.
During my hiatus, I will be taking a job outside of ministry in order to meet the financial obligations and responsibilities I have in caring for my family. In the last few months I’ve considered a couple of different options (including a job with the Dallas Police Department). GOD continues to guide us in these matters.
We would greatly treasure your continued prayers for us as we prayerfully consider a number of job possibilities. And, please let me know of any opportunities you are aware of that might be a good fit for me!
Missional Community Outreach
This does not mean I will be stepping away from ministry altogether. To the contrary, I fully intend to continue serving in whatever ways FATHER directs. GOD has only reaffirmed HIS call on my life. That's partly why I setup Little Worship Boy! Ministry and worshipboy.com.
However, GOD has refined some of the method by which I will pour myself out in ministry. This refinement has produced the Missional Community Outreach.
What is Missional Community Outreach? Well, GOD is still shaping my understanding of all that it will be! But, I can tell you that at its heart will be the Great Commission. It will be about planting the GOSPEL. It will also be about building healthy communities of fully developing followers of CHRIST. And, it will continue to incorporate teaching worship as a way of life!
I’ll be sharing more about Missional Community Outreach in the days and weeks ahead. I will also be looking at ways to gather support for this outreach work. I’m not sure what all will be needed to get things rolling just yet. BUT, I figure it’s going to take both finances and volunteers.
Would you prayerfully consider the possibility of becoming involved with what GOD has planned for worshipboy.com and the Missional Community Outreach? I'm looking forward to watching how GOD puts it all together. I would love for you to be part of the team!
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Adventure Ahead!
Last weekend was a blast—full of activity and ministry! We had Worship Under the Big Top on Saturday evening followed up with Worship services at First Red Oak on Sunday morning. These events were special for a number of reasons. They provided opportunity to simply draw near to GOD and lead folks in worship of the MOST HIGH—always a treat! But also, we were surrounded and embraced by such a wonderful community!
I am so grateful for the community GOD has so blessed us with. A community composed of rich relationships and many deep spirited friends from over the years. And, our community is a continual work in progress. Even as we reconnect with old friends through our ministry opportunities, GOD continues to cultivate fresh new ministry friendships seemingly every day! I love the way GOD is knitting this tapestry of community into our lives.
An Authentic Biblical Community is at the center of the real CHURCH of GOD. People, who are alive in CHRIST, fully surrendered to HIS purposes and plans. Men and women, young and old alike, all surrendered, seeking to become fully developing followers of CHRIST.
ABC is realized when believers embrace the mission JESUS gave HIS CHURCH in Matthew 28. We find our beginnings—our purpose and meaning—in the Great Commission. By GOD’s authority and command, JESUS commissioned HIS CHURCH by saying, “Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: FATHER, SON, and SPIRIT. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you.”
My future is rooted firmly in this commission. This is my mission… my purpose! To be wholly saturated in the work of my MASTER. To train everyone I meet, both far and near, in the way of this life!
Now, to be sure, much of my life has been devoted to these things already. BUT, over the last few months GOD has been revealing a greater sense of this call on my life—a deeper understanding of the things HE has purposed my life to be about. I’m excited to see how GOD continues to shape my life as HE step-by-step reveals HIS plans for the future.
Adventure Awaits
When was the last time you stepped out on a new adventure with GOD? And, I’m talking about a real adventure! The kind where success relies entirely on GOD accomplishing it?! If it’s been a while—or, if never—let me encourage you to prayerfully seek the adventure GOD wants to lead you on! Begin it today by prayerfully embracing the commission JESUS has already given you!
I’ll further invite you to come along and partner with me in this adventure! Together, in community, we’ll face the adversities and celebrate the victories of the adventure GOD has purposed and planned for our lives!
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Worship Under the Big Top
Come join us this Saturday, June 12, 2010 at the Day of Jubilee hosted by Oakcrest Family Church in Kennedale, Texas. The day promises plenty of food, fellowship, and fanfare with bands, jump houses for the kids, and great entertainment for all to enjoy! Festivities kick off at 2pm.
We’ll be taking the main stage at around 6pm… so, please come show your support and join us for worship under the Big Top!
Hope to see you there!
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Which Character in the Story are You?
Remember the movie Rudy? I recently caught the tail end of it with my youngest son, @aaronelson. He and I both have seen the movie and caught bits and pieces of reruns on television numerous times. But, it never gets old! It really is a great story.
Aaron and I came in on the part of the movie where Rudy had been promised an opportunity to suit out for the last Notre Dame home game. The promise however, had been lost in the transitions of a head coaching change. Having left no stone unturned, Rudy had done everything humanly possible to see his dream of playing for Notre Dame become reality. But, the odds having been so deeply stacked against him... it seems only inevitable that his last chance at suiting out and his dream is now lost.
This is a pivotal moment in the story. Every great story has these moments. Its times like this when right and wrong are easily distinguishable… and the ability for good to triumph lay in the hands of others.
You see, Rudy was all out of options. There was nothing left for him to do. But, he was still (pardon the expression) shy of the goal line. He needed a miracle. And, as the story goes… in the eleventh hour, Rudy got one!
Rudy's teammates stood in the gap. Moved with compassion and a sense of justice, they each individually go to the head coach to plead Rudy's case. One by one they lay their jerseys on the coach’s desk and say, "Let Rudy play in my place."
In the movie, the first one to make that request was team captain and All-American Roland Steele. The head coach responds to Steele's request by saying, "Don't be ridiculous. Georgia Tech is one of the top offensive teams in the country. You're an All-American and our team captain; act like it."
Steele replies by saying, "I believe I am."
This would not have been a popular or easy thing for Steele to do. He risked a great deal to stand up for Rudy... to stand up for what was right... to lead his team in such an unpopular campaign.
Doing right never really is an easy thing to do. There has always been and always will be great opposition against that which is good and right. But I would encourage you to stand fast and hold true to that which you know to be right and just.
The Rudy movie included some adaptations to the storyline in order to make the movie more dramatic. In real life, there was no Roland Steele and… in real life, the Coach had already approved Rudy to dress for the final home game. These things didn’t really occur the way the movie portrayed the events. BUT, events like the ones portrayed in the movie are played out in every day life all the time and all around us.
We each play the various parts of these stories. You will have the opportunity to be a “Rudy” at some point in your life. You will also have the opportunity to be a “Roland Steele” and the “head coach.” Your actions and your conduct will have both an impact on lives in this time and space as well as leaving a mark for all eternity.
Proverbs 3
When the time comes for you to play the part of Rudy… “Don’t lose your grip on love and loyalty. Tie them around your neck; carve their initials on your heart. Earn a reputation for living well in GOD’s eyes and the eyes of all people.”
When the time comes for you to play the part of a Roland Steele… “Never walk away from someone who deserves help; your hand is GOD’s hand for that person.”
When the time comes for you to play the part of the coach… “Don’t look for ways to take advantage of others who are trusting and unsuspecting. GOD cannot tolerate a twisted soul. It’s the straightforward who get HIS respect.”
Friends, in all things… let's be fully surrendered to the FATHER and allow HIM to direct our every thought, word, and action!
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The Impact of a Life
A few days back, I wrote about Happy Alive Day—a day I recognize and celebrate every April 30th!
I woke up this morning thinking about the events and the people involved that led to this annual celebration. It truly was an incredible team of people who contributed to the efforts to save my life back in 1984!
Starting at the friend’s house where the accident took place—his parents had just the previous weekend taken a first aid course and knew exactly how to render aid for this situation.
Then there was the ambulance crew. One of the EMTs was training to become a paramedic and hoped one day to become an ER doctor. Uncertified and unauthorized to perform procedures that kept me alive, this man risked everything to give me a chance at surviving! Without his courage to take action, my life surely would have expired during transport from the house to the hospital in Roosevelt.
Next, the ER staff at the hospital in Roosevelt worked feverishly to stabilize me for the care flight transport. The care flight staff did everything right getting me from Roosevelt to Salt Lake City.
Concluding with the open heart surgery performed by the staff at the Salt Lake City hospital.
There are numerous leadership and team lessons to be explored and drawn out regarding the events surrounding my accident in 1984. And, I will be discussing some of these lessons in a series of future posts.
But, this morning as I pondered these events, my mind turned to what would have happened if any one of those individuals along the way had acted differently—or, misdiagnosed the true cause of what had put my life in such jeopardy?
What if their actions had been motivated by guilt, or selfishness, greed, or fear?
It's important to recognize that our choices and the focus of our lives have consequences and do greatly impact the people who occupy the spaces of our lives all around us. That's why it is so crucially important to choose each day… to live and to lead from a life fully surrendered to JESUS!
What are you motivated by today? Where will your life have it's greatest impact? Will it be on things that pass away—or, on things that have eternal consequence?
We must be honest with ourselves when asking these questions. It's all to easy to justify a self-centered way of living.
Whatever the answer, it's not to late to surrender! Today is the day. Hand the controls for your life back over to GOD and adopt the attitude of a servant: "LORD, YOUR will, not mine!"
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A “BIG” Thank You to Planning Center Online
This last Sunday, May 2nd, marked the beginning of a new ministry opportunity allowing me to partner with the First Baptist Church of Red Oak, Texas. Over the next few months I will be teaching and leading worship and serving in an interim worship pastor capacity. It will be a fun adventure working with the First Red Oak team, shepherding their Church family through worship, and joining the FATHER in the work HE is doing to impact that community!
While at First Red Oak, I will be introducing their worship ministry and staff to a website known as the Planning Center Online (@planningcenter ).
Planning Center Online, PCO, is an invaluable tool for worship teams of all sizes. First Red Oak has only had a couple weeks to get familiar with a few of the benefits of PCO—but, have already in this time become very excited about the ways in which PCO will help improve the flow of ministry communication!
First Red Oak is temporarily using the PCO account I have setup for my Little Worshipboy! Ministry. But, it's a safe bet, they will surely want to setup an account of their own before long!
I am very grateful to the Ministry Centered Technologies team—the folks behind the PCO website. Ministry Centered Technologies has been partnered with Little Worshipboy! Ministry by donating the PCO account we've been using at no cost. This support and the access to PCO free of charge has been such a tremendous blessing to our ministry efforts! I can't thank Ministry Centered Technologies enough for their support!
Our partnership has also extended beyond our own use of PCO. Little Worshipboy! Ministry has been able to share the benefits of PCO with many ministry friends, including churches in Colorado, Florida, Texas, and Virginia! In addition, we've been able to provide these friends help with regards to getting the most out of the PCO experience based on their unique environments. It's been a very beneficial relationship all the way around!
So, as I finished making out the Sunday, May 9th plans for First Red Oak on PCO this morning... I was filled with a sense of gratitude for the work the Ministry Centered Technologies team has done. Their service and heart for ministry is making possible the more efficient spread of the MESSAGE through Church ministries far and wide! And, their support for our ministry personally continues to bless our socks off!
Keep up the good work guys! I pray GOD's richest blessings on the Ministry Centered Technologies team and the work they do to support the local Church!
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Memorials and Lessons from the Day
I celebrated Happy Alive Day today! April 30, 1984... I was 13 years old, a couple weeks shy of my 14th birthday, when I suffered an accidental gunshot wound to my chest. I almost died. Technically speaking, I did die several times before undergoing open heart surgery to remove shrapnel and repair the damage that had been done to my heart.
FATHER was watching over me then as HE does now. I celebrate the life HE restored—back from the brink of death. The last 26 years of my life has been full of wonder and blessings. However, there has also been the occasion for heartache as well. Hurts and disappointments, that at times, left me questioning the wisdom in GOD sparing my life and giving me the opportunity to experience life beyond the age of 13.
Today those doubts all melt away in the acknowledgement of both GOD's wisdom and HIS goodness in allowing me a second chance—a second chance at living and not just barely living either—abundant living, full of vibrant blessings beyond compare!
Just to name a few: my beautiful bride, Dawnita; the two blessings I call my sons, Eli and Aaron; and all the wonderful friends and family I've been blessed to share life with... each blessings way more than I could have ever dreamed or imagined!
Thank YOU GOD for blessing me with such a wonderful life. I'm so thrilled to call Dawnita my partner, my bride, my very best friend ever! And, I am beyond proud to be father to such wonderful boys—watching them embrace CHRIST in their own lives—walking and growing close to the FATHER, is such a beautiful gift!
Despite any other experience I might could count as failure or loss, FATHER has reminded me today that the true report card of my life and ministry is best measured by the health and spiritual well being of my family—Dawnita, Eli and Aaron.
And… greater things are yet to come! I’m excited about the future. The call FATHER has placed on me is stronger now, more so than ever before. HE has good in store—HIS invitation for me to participate in HIS work has not wavered.
FATHER continues to unravel a GOD-sized dream and a GOD-sized vision for my future.
And, I continue to pray the prayer, “Show me YOUR ways, O GOD, to reach my community and have a GOD-sized impact for CHRIST!”
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First Red Oak
Come join me this Sunday, May 2, 2010 at 10:30AM, as I lead worship for the First Baptist Church in Red Oak, Texas!
Sunday will mark the beginning of a ministry opportunity that will allow me to partner with the First Red Oak family, in teaching and leading worship and serving this community as their interim worship pastor.
I am very excited to go to work with the First Red Oak team and shepherd their Church family through worship, and can’t wait to see how GOD uses our lives to impact this community! Our shared mission is to see lives transformed through the work of the SPIRIT into fully developing followers of CHRIST!
If you are free this Sunday, come join us for worship! First Red Oak is South of Dallas, East of Interstate 35E, at 320 E. Ovilla Rd.
Hope to see you there!
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- Celebrating 18th birthday party for @elinelson — pool party at the home of @larrymnelson and @gaylanelson! http://twitpic.com/2laxgv
- Anyone tried Atomic Sports Grill at Fielder & Park Row yet? Just curious if it's any good?!
- Well, Colts Homecoming not going so swell—20 to 42, 11 minutes to go in the 4th—can't help but feel they're calling wrong defensive package!
- Incredible day... love the cool temps, overcast skies! :) http://twitpic.com/2kulm1
- What we believe is what leads our hopes... our hearts... our lives.
- Woohoo!! Colts win!! :) Great job Colts!! And Aaron (@aaronelson) looked awesome!! :)
- 4 minutes left, Colts 17, Cowboys 13... Colts are on O!! Let's go boys!
- Oh shoot!! Cowboys are up by 2 now... 10 minutes left in the 4th. We gotta have some offense! Come on let's go Colts!!
- Halftime, Cowboys Stadium, Colts up by 7! Proud of my boy (@aaronelson), he's rocking the center—good snaps, blocks, and opening big holes!
- Birthday breakfast!! http://twitpic.com/2ki5ax