http://www.churchatcharlotte.org/site/index.php?/blog/stirred/ en info@churchatcharlotte.org Copyright 2010 2010-07-28T20:40:31+00:00 http://www.churchatcharlotte.org/site/index.php/blog/entry/stirred/friends/ http://www.churchatcharlotte.org/site/index.php/blog/entry/stirred/friends/ I have been able to spend some time recently with good friends. One of the things it reminds me of is the value of friendship. There is a wealth in long term friendship that cannot be calculated. It is in the ebb and flow of relationship that we grow and see the Holy Spirit at work. It is also where you share life’s joys and sorrows. Friendship is the tapestry of life. 2010-07-28T20:40:31+00:00 http://www.churchatcharlotte.org/site/index.php/blog/entry/stirred/new-day1/ http://www.churchatcharlotte.org/site/index.php/blog/entry/stirred/new-day1/ “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” (Romans 12:5) Those simple words of Paul are a tall order for any one on any day. Let them be the meditation of your heart as you begin this week. 2010-07-26T12:39:13+00:00 http://www.churchatcharlotte.org/site/index.php/blog/entry/stirred/help-needed/ http://www.churchatcharlotte.org/site/index.php/blog/entry/stirred/help-needed/ I wonder what words you would use to describe your life today? There would probably be as many different descriptions as there are circumstances that we face. Personally I seldom find myself far from being in need. The idea that I am in constant need of a savior resonates deep within. So I will turn to these words from Psalm 40 as we close out another week. “Yet I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and delieverer; O my God, do not delay.” 2010-07-23T11:23:21+00:00 http://www.churchatcharlotte.org/site/index.php/blog/entry/stirred/finding-joy/ http://www.churchatcharlotte.org/site/index.php/blog/entry/stirred/finding-joy/ “But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation always say, The Lord be exalted!” - Psalm 40:16 The psalmist ties some interesting thoughts together. The joy and happiness that I long for is found as I pursue seeking the Lord. I must believe that the source of my joy is God but I must also actively seek him as opposed to anything else. There are times when I am quick to say that my joy comes from the Lord and then go looking everywhere else for it. If I believe that God is truly my satisfaction then I must head in that direction. 2010-07-22T12:00:20+00:00 http://www.churchatcharlotte.org/site/index.php/blog/entry/stirred/mercy-needed/ http://www.churchatcharlotte.org/site/index.php/blog/entry/stirred/mercy-needed/ If you have been following my blog over the last few days, you realize that Psalm 40 has captured my attention. David’s thoughts are as fresh to me as if they had been written just yesterday. Listen to his cry about life; “For troubles without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails within me.” There are so many friends I know who would make that their life verse at the moment. So how do you respond? What do you say? What is the answer? David tells us what he cries out for: “Do not withhold your mercy from me, O Lord; may your love and your truth always protect me.” O God, how we need your mercy,  surround us with love and truth in the midst of our everyday lives. 2010-07-21T17:14:32+00:00 http://www.churchatcharlotte.org/site/index.php/blog/entry/stirred/speak-up1/ http://www.churchatcharlotte.org/site/index.php/blog/entry/stirred/speak-up1/ “I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips… I speak of your faithfulness and salvation. I do not conceal your love and your truth.” - Psalm 40:9, 10 There are times when it is good to be silent and then there are times to speak out. The Psalmist, David, reminds us that when it comes to the wonders of all God has done for us - we need to speak. The privilege and the responsibility that we have to declare the goodness and greatness of God. Can I get a witness? 2010-07-20T13:12:19+00:00 http://www.churchatcharlotte.org/site/index.php/blog/entry/stirred/pierced-ears/ http://www.churchatcharlotte.org/site/index.php/blog/entry/stirred/pierced-ears/ “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but my ears you have pierced (opened) burnt offerings ans sin offerings you did not require. Then I said, “Here I am, I have come - I desire to do your will, O my God…” - Psalm 40:6,7 It is so much easier to do than to be. We get all caught up sometimes with the things we “do” for God and deceive ourselves into thinking that is what he wants. The Psalmist reminds us that it ears that are opened to hear and a heart that is willing to respond to him. God wants us, our lives more than anything religious that we do, which if we are honest is usually about impressing others or putting things on the “good” ledger. Are your ears pierced today? 2010-07-19T12:50:22+00:00 http://www.churchatcharlotte.org/site/index.php/blog/entry/stirred/trust/ http://www.churchatcharlotte.org/site/index.php/blog/entry/stirred/trust/ “Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust.” - Psalm 40:4 Having God be the one I trust in doesn’t come naturally. David says joy comes to the one who MAKES the Lord the object of their trust. There is a need to actively make a choice. Why? Simply put there are many things that present themselves as desiring our trust. Things that are long on promises and short on delivering, not so with Jesus. What he promises he delivers and that begs the question - will we trust him? 2010-07-17T13:24:40+00:00 http://www.churchatcharlotte.org/site/index.php/blog/entry/stirred/praise/ http://www.churchatcharlotte.org/site/index.php/blog/entry/stirred/praise/ Praise God from whom all blessings flow, praise him all creatures here below. Praise him above you heavenly hosts, praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. In a world that is filled with ups and downs, joys and sorrows - I still long to praise the God who has given me life in Jesus. I was reminded this morning of these simple words to the doxology. I encourage you to choose to praise him today, in the midst of life. 2010-07-15T12:31:55+00:00 http://www.churchatcharlotte.org/site/index.php/blog/entry/stirred/different-but-together/ http://www.churchatcharlotte.org/site/index.php/blog/entry/stirred/different-but-together/ You have to wonder if Jesus was smiling and the others were shaking their heads as the disciples were chosen. He put some of the most unlikely people together. For example, Simon the Zealot and Matthew had to stare at each other wondering if they were going to have to share a room. I wonder when Jesus sent the twelve out in pairs, did match them up? Simon hated Rome and belonged to a group that was actively seeking to rid Israel of Roman occupation. Matthew worked for Rome, got rich doing it and was not liked by the people of Israel. Jesus told them both to come follow him. Those of us who follow Jesus may look very different and may not always be on the same page - but we can still join together in following our Lord. 2010-07-14T11:38:32+00:00