From the Bishop's Heart to Yours
"The Night Before" Wednesday, May 2, 6 PM -- Community Concert of Prayer - Park Lane Church of God
If you could only choose one --"What ‘s your favorite feeling?" What feeling instantly clicks in your brain among the dozens of really honest -to-goodness possibilities?
Personal feelings are extremely important, right? And the truth of the matter is, some people have a really tough time choosing just one favorite. If you‘re anything like my driven type personality, than you completely understand "settling in and landing on" that one feeling called: "accomplishment."
To the task oriented, administratively passionate, take charge kind of people -- does any feeling equal that of crossing off that last thing on your to-do list? Whether it's finishing a sermon ... washing the car ... designing a power point slideshow ... cleaning out the gutter ... proof reading the last paragraph for the newspaper column ... signing off a webpage devotional ... fine-tuning a Board meeting agenda ... or facilitating another upcoming event -- that special feeling of accomplishment is my favorite.
And thinking about accomplishment, nothing rings more clearer to me, than what Jesus said and did in His final hours on earth in Gethsemane and on Calvary. After three successive years and successful ministry, Jesus groveled in the Garden dirt, lifted his heavy head and heart toward heaven with the prayer: "Father, I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do" (John 17:4).
Then came those six infamous, world-changing "longest hours ever" of His physical, emotional and social agony on Calvary. Just before Jesus died, with His eyes purely fastened on the goal, He pulled against the handmade iron stakes and cried out: "It is finished!" (John 19:30).
Without sounding sacreligious, can't you almost hear Jesus resounding: "Father -it's a wrap." I can. No, He didn't do everything everyone expected Him to -- He couldn't possibly please everyone. But with great satisfaction and feeling of accomplishment, Jesus did everything the Father sent Him to do. Isn't that what really matters after all? And oh, the satisfaction we mutually share from Jesus' accomplishment.
Where I live on the East Coast, spring is indeed in full swing. Life once again fills the air and earth. Early morning song birds have replaced our alarm clock ringtones. Fresh fragrances waft through colored lawns. The world, while it seems wonderfully full ... because of new its life, is also awfully empty -- without the Life-Giver, Christ.
We still have so much more to accomplish. Like never before, we ineed to invite the Presence, Power and Purpose of Christ into every new days, every celebration of worship and collection of faith and hope. We must work while there is still day; diligently accomplishing all the Father has in store for us! Why? The most favorite feeling in heaven, is welcoming way more people than you can I could ever imagine before it's too late.
It's my prayer that you will consistently invite the One and Only who is mighty to save into your next to-do-list?
BIO: Ray and Trish Parsons
Ray and Trish Parsons are Eastern Shore natives. They were married in July 1977 and are the proud parents of three grown children: Cory, Sarah and Crystal and grandparents of (13) very special grandchildren.
Ray was ordained with the Church of God (Cleveland, TN) in 1981 and since then has served as Minister of Youth, Evangelism and Visitation Director, Christian Education Director, Associate Pastor, church planter, Lead Pastor and an advocate supporter/instructor /mentor for Lay Leadership Development, a 48 week program offered to lay ministers in the Church of God.
The Parsons' 30+ years of ministry and combined passions as worship leaders, musicians, Bible-teachers, administrators and faith-community networkers allowed them the most rarest and rewarding privilege to return to their hometown in September 2003 to "shepherd the flock...make disciples of all men...and equip the saints for the work of the ministry".
Ray & Trish Parsons p.ray@netzero.net
Have you looked for the fingerprints of God today?
Turning toward the right way, instead of out of it, is a decision that always reduces the tenure and trauma of consequences.
The Lord shows up for His people so He can show off among His people.
If the Lord is still mighty to save, why don't we include this promise in our Invocation?
The Word works...believe it, receive it and expect it to perform!
The ministry of intercession is a partnership between heaven and earth whereby God privileges His people a prayerful control of Himself as He becomes their willing agent.
Your influence is either sanctifying or corrupting the space and place you occupy.
Heaven never visits us without a purpose of stretching us...just ask Joseph the carpenter.
Since when were you excluded from the "one another" crowd? When you include yourself, lasting ministry among "one another" is contagious and enriching.
Whenever you answer Jesus' invite: "Wanna' Eat?" remember He never comes alone. The outcasts always follow Him. Is there room at your table for them also?
Heroes of the faith always choose to live for causes much greater than themselves.
Your character counts and lasts forever. It's the only thing that will be standing beside you when you finally face the LORD.
The sooner we conquer segregation, the sooner we will experience waves of salvation, sanctification and consecration in the Body of Christ. But not until.
Why are those inhabitated by the Almighty, so inhibited by the minority?
When your prayers INCLUDE impossiblities, they will always INVITE the glory of God, because impossibilities are attractive to God.
Much More About the Great People We Serve!
The greatest compliment given to any congregation, is NOT always the number of people packing the pews, rather it's the percentage of passionate, equipped servants in the harvest fields. It's NOT really the size of your attendance inside the walls that altogether matters; it's the size of your ministry outside the walls that counts for Chirst.
Since September 2003, it's been the distinct pleasure, for Trish and I to serve as lead pastors of the TEAM at the Park Lane. Upon membership, we have insisted and instructed that: "Together Everyone is A Minister". People who just like to sit, soak and sour in their pews, may find it rather uncomfortable at Park Lane -- the safest place in town -- where more than 50% of our support base is actively involved in ministry and outreach every week. And we refuse to apologize for our Kingdom work ethics.
To find out more about "Your Pentecostal Neighbors since 1955", our ever-expanding multi-racial and passionate congregation or to just simply learn more about the International Church of God, please visit:
WHERE'S ALL THE PEOPLE?
