May 20, 1994

This is a day where everything changed for me.
I found the entry in my journal and as I read it, I saw things that I now know today that were not evident on that day back in 1994. I wrote about them but didn't really understand where it would lead Vicki and me.

ENTRY:
This day may become a red letter day and turning point in my life.
I was in the parking lot of Mid-South this morning and was finishing up reading OPEN CHURCH.
My heart was crying out, "Yes, yes, why can't it be like this?" God spoke and said, "It can be, and you can do it."
In a few moments, I had the plan for how this was to happen.
I am to start a kinship style meeting.
A place where freedom to worship as well as share will be the rule.
I want to give a voice to those who have no voice, to elevate them to a level of action and interaction that will cause growth as the Holy Spirit works within all who attend.
This is to be done with out the name denomination attached to any part of it.

Those words concerning those who have no voice was a prophetic word concerning what Vicki and I are currently doing. I had no clue or ideal that God would lead us in the direction he did. To be honest with you when I started putting together a list of who I would invite to our first meeting, there weren't any addicts or alcoholics listed. In fact Vicki and I sent out 20 invitations to people who we thought might benefit from our meeting. Not one of those people came. Instead we began to see others show up. They would come with their hurts and pains all looking for something that was real. We really didn't know what to do or how to do it, but that was God's way of teaching us. Not knowing what or how to do something puts us in a good place where we have to rely on God.
Those early days were heady and scary and we spent a lot of time praying, "Oh God, oh God, Oh God!" Realizing that without God we are nothing. We can not do anything apart from Him. It was that day in May of 1994 that opened the door for where I am today. That is why each day I get up asking, "What today Lord?" Because I know that God is already at work, and all I have to do is follow Him.
Look for the red letter days in your life. Oh, they may not seem to be huge at the moment and in fact you may have the "not me" thought in your head. Trust me, God will use you.

God on you........

mb

Journal Entry: 3 / 26 /2006

Why do we fall under such views that purity doesn't matter? I don't believe we can work for purity or obtain it in any shape, form or fashion, as it is a work God must complete in us. All we can do is simply cooperate with what the Holy Spirit is doing.
I do see in Scripture where we are called to flee, move away from, cast off, and remove the things, ideas and behaviors that would tempt us and draw our flesh into a ruling place in our lives where we would surrender to it.

II Timothy 2:22 - shun youthful lusts. Flee from them. Aim at and pursue righteousness, pursue faith, pursue love, pursue peace within a community of believers
We must have a point or direction.
We are called to leave one and pursue the other. There must be purpose in our walk or else we will fall for the first flashy thing that comes along. That which either looks good or appears righteous.

Unless I am founded on the Word............
Living it and not just reading it...........
I will stand on a shaky foundation that will cause me to jump at the first sign of instability.
Jesus, you are the rock.

mb

When?

The very first words spoken by Jesus in the book of Revelation (Rev. 1:8) details his power and ability. Neither are limited by time. "I am the Alpha and Omega....the beginning and the end." Time was a canvas created by God in which to interact with mankind, His creation. The greatest invader of time was the creator of time itself. He was killed on a cross, but His power and ability superseded and was not bound by time, as he rose from the dead and ascended back to heaven, a place not bound by time.

What does this have to do with us?
Coming to realize that the one we worship looks for us to not be bound by the constraints of time. To walk in peace and patience fully aware and assured that His plans for us are in place. That His Holy Spirit is not held back or stopped by the events or situations of the day. God is not limited by the failure of the United States Government. He is not swayed by the collapse of the economic system of the world. Even now, there is a re-examination of all the church that is going through tough economic times. The church is being tested and shown exactly where their faith and trust is located and who it is they have been worshipping and serving. The love for God has shifted to the love of blessings from God. In other words, conditional love. We have been caught up in the emotion and hoopla of this promise of wealth and have not sought out God through His word. We have allowed our hearts to be taken by a false allegiance to the things of this world and not to the giver of all good things.
Who do you serve today?

God on you.......
mb

Larry Norman Tribute

Been over a year since Larry died.
Not a day passes that I don't have a Larry Norman Song dash through my brain.
Shortly after my return to Jesus (I had been away for a number of years) I resolved myself that Rock and Roll was out and I would forever be destined to Gospel Music. Now this is not a shot at Gospel music. It just was a preference that suited me. In fairness I have come to appreciate the music over the years and realize the impact it has on people, but it just isn't my cup of tea.
A good friend, Billy Anderson, introduced me to Larry Norman's music in 1979 and I was hooked. Larry has been a voice that stood out, to me, from others in how he played and what he had to say.
I miss Larry.....
I miss Mark.....
I miss Rich......
Someday, it will be my turn....
God on you............
mb

Why The Name Change?

As you can see our blog is no longer called the CHURCH@RAPHA , instead the meeting has been changed to NEW COMPASSIONS. Why the change?
Back in 1997 when I was ordained, I was fortunate to be attached to the morning service at Gadsden Vineyard church. When I went full time in ministry, the morning service was turned over to me and as such, I felt that it needed to have an identity. During one of my morning devotions, I found myself in Lamentations 3 and Verses 22 and 23 caught my eye.

"The Lord's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Thy faithfulness."

The idea that this incredible God who wants to have relationship with me offers to me, each day, Hid compassion. I began to look at the people who made up the morning service and realized that we, as a group, needed the Lord's compassion. We were a rag tag group of people who were injured and broken and saw no value in ourselves. As Pastor, God gave me teachings that began to lead us out of this mindset into the reality of what relationship with Him truly means. I remember in particular one young girl who would come Sunday after Sunday, sitting as far back in the room as she could. She would cry during the entire service. The crying was from God working in her and restoring her.

Our meetings on Saturday night are along the same lines. The people who come are searching for truth. They have tried what the world had to offer and it left them broken, battered and down. I think the name NEW COMPASSIONS is very appropriate for where God has us at this point in time. Verse 24 of Lamentations 3 reads: The Lord is my portion, says my soul, therefore I have hope in Him.

Come and see what NEW COMPASSIONS is all about.
mb

Danny Daniels @ New Compassions

If you have never seen Danny Daniels......well, you're missing a treat.
Danny came out of the Jesus people movement of the late 60's.
Attending Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, California, Danny was transformed into an incredible worship leader. Following John Wimber as the Vineyard Church was formed, Danny was instrumental in helping to start Vineyard Worship Music.

I first met Danny at a conference in Anniston back in 2001. Over the years, Danny has traveled and taught on worship and continues to pursue his passion which is telling others about Christ and what worship truly is.

Danny is also true to his roots which happens to be blues.
He came to Rapha last November and it was an evening that I know I'll never forget. Well, Danny will be back with us this Saturday night / 7 p.m.
You are cordially invited to be with us and to worship perhaps in ways you didn't know you could.

God on you...
mb

Journal Entry: 12 - 21 - 99

O God! It seems as though I hear less, see less and know less than everyone around me. Let me be who you created me to be. If this is a part of who I truly am then I can rest in this. Let me use what talent you have given me to the fullest. Lord, as I go to Rapha today, let me go with your authority. Come and invade the teaching and ministry today. Come and touch the very air we breath as we gather to hear your Word.. Let it begin with me.

It seems as though I spent a lot of time trying to compare what was going on in my life with those around me. Every time I would do this, I would always come miserably short of what I thought God was expecting of me. It wasn't until I realized that I was called to a specific task in a specific place, teaching a specific way. When I would "act" within those boundaries, I would see God do these incredible things. I would see people touched and changed by His hand. I would see healing's. Maybe that is the heart of God. That we all be where we are suppose to be, whether it is in the workplace or home, market or the school, doing what we are suppose to be doing. Teaching, mentoring, raising a family, welding or construction....it matters not when God has called. He uses it all for His glory and His kingdom.

God on you.......
mb

DON'T FORGET: THIS SATURDAY NIGHT MARCH 7TH...AT RAPHA....
DANNY DANIELS WILL BE PLAYING!!!!
7p.m ....BE THERE!