3 Days away!!!

I can't believe we're only 3 days away from the Trick or Treat. We still need some staff so sign up!


THINGS TO PRAY FOR ...

-That God would be made more Famous in Maricopa.
-For our attitude and witness for Christ at the event. (Smile, you’re on stage)
-For Safety and fun for all participants.
-That our Church would make the connection to each attendee.
-That our volunteers would be blessed by this ministry.

Interesting Blog post by Steven Furtick

Andy Stanley Wouldn’t Even Meet With Me

A seminary student told me this one time. He was whining about it.

He had called North Point Community Church and asked Andy’s assistant for a phone appointment.
She told him that wouldn’t be possible, although he was welcome to speak with someone else on staff.

He was mad. He called Andy Stanley inaccessible.

He’s an idiot. I’ll tell you why.

Andy Stanley pastors a freaking huge church. He is the spiritual overseer of over 4 times the amount of people who live in the town I grew up in. That keeps him pretty busy, I’ll bet. Anyone wanna argue with that?

That’s enough reason for him to have to opt out of a phone call from a seminary student in another state.
Andy has every right and reason to be inaccessible.

But you know what? I think Andy Stanley is extremely accessible.
Even though I’ve never met him.

Right now in my office I’m listening to Andy preach a sermon from October 2006. It’s a good one.
I’ll bet he spent at least 15-20 hours preparing it.
I’m listening to it for free online.
I just noticed that you can listen to every sermon he’s preached in the last year and a half for free as well. (Actually, you can watch them too.)

So, let’s think about this together. Is Andy really inaccessible?
If Andy preached 50 sermons in the last 18 months, and they’re all online for free, and he spent 20 hours of prep time per sermon (rough guess), guess what?
He’s giving me access into 1000 hours of his life-for FREE!
That’s a little better than a 30 minute phone appointment, I think.

Would you call that inaccessible?

Let’s go deeper.

North Point made a decision at some point along the way to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars into technology and personnel so that media like this could be made available to me, free of charge.
Under Andy’s leadership, they have set up an amazing infrastructure that allows them to crank out thousands of resources to help leaders like me.

Is Andy Stanley inaccessible? Is Rick Warren inaccessible? Is Bill Hybels inaccessible?

If your definition of inaccessible hinges on having time to have coffee with everyone who calls the office, I guess they are.

But if your idea of granting access is finding the best way to make everything that God put inside of you available in the broadest format possible, these are 3 of the most accessible men on the planet. For proof, check out www.pastors.com and www.willowcreek.org. I’d call that access.

The seminary student wasn’t upset that day because Andy was inaccessible. He was upset because his pride got hurt.
He didn’t want to be equipped or resourced.
He wanted to be made to feel important.
That’s small.

He should get a clue, get a life, and go read an Andy Stanley book (which he admitted he had never done. Hmm… )

Andy Stanley, you never have to go to Starbucks with me. Just stay in the zone, keep doing your thing, and I’ll be listening.

"It is impossible for any rational creature to be happy without acting all for God. God Himself could not make him happy any other way... There is nothing in the world worth living for but doing good and finishing God's work, doing the work that Christ did. I see nothing else in the world that can yield any satisfaction besides living to God, pleasing Him, and doing his whole will."

-David Brainerd

If you had five minutes with Jesus what would you ask Him?

On one hand, I think I'd need a few months to prepare for such an incredible opportunity. On the other hand, I realize I have all the time I need with Him right now ... yes, as you read and I write this... right now to ask any questions I want. I guess that's the battle we all have is retaining the level of Faith that allows us to Trust and prop ourselves up with the idea that God is present and available and listening and excited about me/you and the fact that I'm, (by faith in what I can't touch, taste, smell, hear or see), extending a trust that goes beyond my senses to an invisible God who's infinitely prepared and able to do more than I can ask or think.

Crazy! It was the disciples who stated... "Lord, I believe, but help my unbelief"

“Compassion for the lost is a high and beautiful motive for missionary labor. Without it we lose the sweet humility of sharing a treasure freely received. But we have seen that compassion for people must not be detached from passion for the glory of God.”

-John Piper

Great Quote

"He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose"

Jim Elliot Killed in the 1950's by the Ecuadorians he attempted to reach for Christ!

Trick or Treat

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