Next week is a celebratory week for my wife and me; it is our birthdays and anniversary. She asked me what I wanted and I said the proper husbandly response, "I don't know...nothing perhaps."
That was not a helpful answer as she and the older girls are trying to figure out a way to celebrate my slow march towards death.
Now, they could go through that day without any recognition of it at all and I would still have accomplished the basic intent of birthdays- marking another biological year of existence.
I could do the same for my wife...and not experience my next birthday.
My point- you can enjoy something with someone and be better for it or simply go through something with a level of detachment and subtle apathy.
Next weekend, we will have the opportunity to begin our Spiritual Renewal Conference with the Adrian Burden family. We host a conference each year to give ourselves an intentional, focused few days of exposure to God's Word through the ministry of preaching and teaching.
We can approach it with the intentionality and excitement of, "It's your birthday!" or with the detached attitude of, "It is a birthday".
How can we make the most of SRC with Adrian Burden?
Clear it out- We will have services Sunday @ 10 AM and 11:15 AM, and 6 PM, then Monday-Wednesday @7PM. BLOCK THOSE TIMES...do not let "what you normally do" prevail...clear the calendar and endeavor to make every timeslot.
Pray it up- Take time each day to ask for a tender, teachable heart for yourself and yielded hearts among the congregation. Ask God to work through Bro. Adrian powerfully!
Connect with- Take one minute this week to let the Burdens know you are praying for them by texting (252) 342-8376 or emailing burdenministries@gmail.com.
Show up- While we have a live stream feed for potential guests in the community, shut-ins, and those afflicted with illness or health issues, it is not designed for an able-bodied member to take advantage of rather than attend- that only robs us of what Christ designed His church to enjoy.
Sit with- Church (maybe school) might be one of the few places people intentionally try to not sit near each other or up close. You want to know a secret that will change the experience of church for you? Sit up close and with others! It is a dramatic dynamic change.
Reach out- Invite others to join you for it. Whether it is a friend, family member, Christian who is out of church, or another FBC member you think needs some encouragement to attend, take the proactive step to reach out to them this week.
Be open- Throughout the services, God will seek to further His glorious work in your life by conforming you to Christ's image...let Him! Whatever choice(s) you need to make- make it.
Follow up- After it is over, share what has taken place in your heart with another brother or sister in Christ. It can be your spouse, friend, child, pastor, deacon, etc. Share it and be accountable for it! Maybe set up a weekly reminder to reach out to someone else about what God did in their life as well!
Next week will come and go as all things do in this life but the time spent with each other in the Word can endure far beyond the few days we will spend at the SRC.
Serving together,
Pastor Paul