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Planting Roots in Asheville

November 22, 2011 in Current Affairs, Faith, Grassroots, Travel with 1 Comment

When I was sixteen years old I felt the Holy Spirit’s call on me to full-time gospel ministry. As I have developed and grown in that call through the last seventeen years God has blessed me with various ministry opportunities. Looking back over those years I can see where God has allowed me to experience many different seasons all filled with great joys and, at times, biting pain. It has been through those experiences that my faith has been strengthened and my will to make His renown known, assured.

For roughly two years now I have felt a stirring within me to plant a church. When I first felt this call I set my sights on Charlotte, NC. Up until a month ago Charlotte was strong on my radar. So strong, in fact, that last year I had put a deposit down on an apartment there. But through God’s sovereignty I have not moved. This desire of mine to plant a church has been bathed in prayer and counsel. It is through that prayer, counsel, and God’s gracious hand that I realize I have more to learn before I plant anywhere as a lead pastor.

At the end of next month I will be moving to Asheville, NC to be a part of a church my friend, Lance Crawford, is planting there called, Grassroots. Lance’s vision for the church in Asheville corresponds with mine for Charlotte. When I first heard about Lance’s desire to plant in Asheville, I was excited for him and his team but never considered being a part of Grassroots outside of supporting them through prayer. I felt God had called me to Charlotte and that was where I was going to be headed. But, in the spirit of Proverbs 16:9, the steps of my plans are being established be God.

For about a month now I have been wrestling with a desire within me to move to Asheville and be a part of Grassroots. This desire has completely taken me by surprise. As I began to pray about the possibility of moving to Asheville and being a part of Grassroots I felt the Lord pressing upon me that it wasn’t about the location but about the message; the Gospel.

I can’t begin to tell you how excited I am to be a part of Grassroots and sharing the love of Jesus to Asheville. This next season of my life will be unlike any other. I am excited to see how God will move in Asheville, and through that, move in me.

Greg.

The Shoulders of a Homeless Man

November 8, 2011 in Faith with 0 Comments

I recently came across Rich Mullins’ The Jesus Record. He recorded some of these songs, including the one below, in an empty church just days before the automobile accident which claimed his life. Rich is best known for writing the song Awesome God.

He was a unique man who was passionate about Jesus and his relationship with Him. Rich’s music has always brought warmth to my soul. I am thankful to have stumbled upon his music again.

“You Did Not Have A Home” — Rich Mullins

Oh, You did not have a home
There were places You visited frequently
You took off Your shoes and scratched Your feet
‘Cause you knew that the whole world belongs to the meek
But You did not have a home
No, You did not have a home

And You did not take a wife
There were pretty maids all in a row
Who lined up to touch the hem of Your robe
But You had no place to take them, so
You did not take a wife
No, You did not take a wife

Birds have nests, foxes have dens
But the hope of the whole world rests
On the shoulders of a homeless man
You had the shoulders of a homeless man
No, You did not have a home

Well you had no stones to throw
You came without an ax to grind
You did not tow the party line
No wonder sight came to the blind
You had no stones to throw
You had no stones to throw

And You rode and ass’ foal
They spread their coats and cut down palms
For You and Your donkey to walk upon
But the world won’t find what it thinks it wants
On the back of an ass’ foal
So I guess You had to get sold
‘Cause the world can’t stand what it can’t own
And it can’t own You
‘Cause You did not have a home

Birds have nests, foxes have dens
But the hope of the whole world rests
On the shoulders of a homeless man
You had the shoulders of a homeless man
No, You did not have a home

Birds have nests, foxes have dens
But the hope of the whole world rests
On the shoulders of a homeless man
You had the shoulders of a homeless man
And the world can’t stand what it can’t own
And it can’t own You
‘Cause You did not have a home


Tom Booth and Matt Maher singing You Did Not Have a Home

If you are only looking in the temporary, you’ll find nothing but reasons to indulge the passions of the flesh. But if your looking to eternity, then you’ll pay any prince in obedience. — Matt Chandler

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. (Romans 8:18)

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“This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” – The Apostle Peter (Acts 4:11-12)

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Powerful Play

October 17, 2011 in Faith with 0 Comments

One of my favorite memories about my high school years was acting on the drama team in my youth group. I was no thespian by any stretch of the imagination, however I enjoyed performing in the skits our group would put on. For the majority of the time I was on the drama team I was the only guy so, naturally, I would always play Jesus. I loved talking about Jesus and acting in skits was another way of sharing the Truth. Not all of our skits were serious, we certainly performed some goofy ones, but my favorites where the ones that displayed a simple reality about Jesus and his love in a powerful way.

I came across this skit the other day and it reminded me of those skits so long ago. I believe this skit has been around for a few years, but I wanted to share it on my blog incase you haven’t seen it, or maybe just need a reminder. As I watched it again today, I sat there and was amazed at the simplicity of the message. Jesus loves us, unconditionally, and desires to have us with him. However, he allows us to go through things that are tough. But regardless, He is always there. Always.

We are here
Because of grace
Because of love
We are here
Because of You
Because of You
You fill our hearts
With more than we
Can hold inside
And so we sing

Chorus:
Beautiful Savior
Wonderful King [2x]

Bridge:
Oh, beautiful sound
The joy of Heaven here
Oh, wonderful sound
Love of Heaven now
Oh, beautiful sound
The joy of Heaven here
Oh, wonderful sound
Love of Heaven now
Oh, beautiful sound
The joy of Heaven here
Oh, wonderful sound
Oh, wonderful sound

Chorus [3x]

Wonderful King

link September 21, 2011 in Faith with 0 Comments

If we do not give thanks daily for the Christian fellowship in which we have been placed, even where there is no great experience, no discoverable riches, but much weakness, small faith, and difficulty; if on the contrary, we only keep complaining to God that everything is so paltry and petty, so far from what we expected, then we hinder God from letting our fellowship grow according to the measure and riches which are there for us all in Jesus Christ. – Dietrich Bonhoeffer

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Two Are Better Than One

August 23, 2011 in Faith with 0 Comments

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)

I have been meditating on this reality of living life together for a few weeks now. I have many thoughts on this that I am still working through, however I wanted to share these verses as an encouragement to those of us who might lean towards living life alone. And not just living physically alone, but to those, as well, who are alone even when surrounding by many people.

I would encourage you to make an effort to stay in-touch with people who you are close to regardless of distance. Not only does it do you well to speak with them, you never know how much seeing your number pop up on their phone can do for them as well.

As one who tends to isolate himself from time to time, I find these verses a great reminder of the need for community. I am thankful for the grace and patience of so many in their love and willingness to live out the truths above.

Greg.

O for a thousand tongues to sing
My great Redeemer’s praise,
The glories of my God and King,
The triumphs of His grace!

My gracious Master and my God,
Assist me to proclaim,
To spread through all the earth abroad
The honors of Thy name.

Jesus! the name that charms our fears,
That bids our sorrows cease;
’Tis music in the sinner’s ears,
’Tis life, and health, and peace.

He breaks the power of canceled sin,
He sets the prisoner free;
His blood can make the foulest clean,
His blood availed for me.

He speaks, and, listening to His voice,
New life the dead receive,
The mournful, broken hearts rejoice,
The humble poor believe.

Hear Him, ye deaf; His praise, ye dumb,
Your loosened tongues employ;
Ye blind, behold your Savior come,
And leap, ye lame, for joy.

In Christ your Head, you then shall know,
Shall feel your sins forgiven;
Anticipate your heaven below,
And own that love is heaven.

Glory to God, and praise and love
Be ever, ever given,
By saints below and saints above,
The church in earth and heaven.

On this glad day the glorious Sun
Of Righteousness arose;
On my benighted soul He shone
And filled it with repose.

Sudden expired the legal strife,
’Twas then I ceased to grieve;
My second, real, living life
I then began to live.

Then with my heart I first believed,
Believed with faith divine,
Power with the Holy Ghost received
To call the Savior mine.

I felt my Lord’s atoning blood
Close to my soul applied;
Me, me He loved, the Son of God,
For me, for me He died!

I found and owned His promise true,
Ascertained of my part,
My pardon passed in heaven I knew
When written on my heart.

Look unto Him, ye nations, own
Your God, ye fallen race;
Look, and be saved through faith alone,
Be justified by grace.

See all your sins on Jesus laid:
The Lamb of God was slain,
His soul was once an offering made
For every soul of man.

Awake from guilty nature’s sleep,
And Christ shall give you light,
Cast all your sins into the deep,
And wash the Æthiop white.

Harlots and publicans and thieves
In holy triumph join!
Saved is the sinner that believes
From crimes as great as mine.

Murderers and all ye hellish crew
In holy triumph join!
Believe the Savior died for you;
For me the Savior died.

With me, your chief, ye then shall know,
Shall feel your sins forgiven;
Anticipate your heaven below,
And own that love is heaven.

Author: Charles Wesley, 1739

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The life of the Godly is not a straight line to glory. But they do get there; God sees to it. The best is yet to come.

That is the unshakable truth about the life of the women and the man who follows Christ in obedience that flows from faith. I say it to the young who are strong and hopeful. And I say it to the old for whom the outer nature is quickly wasting away. The best is yet to come.

God is at work in the darkest times for our good and for Christ’s glory. He will see to it that the glory of his son fills the earth and in him we find everlasting joy. The pledge that God has made to his people is unbreakable. – John Piper

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