Curt Seaburg.com

We HAVE NOT Forgotten Joplin, MO

You know the story, on May 22, 2011, a tornado touched down in Joplin, MO that was one mile wide.  It stayed on the ground for 6 miles devastating everything in its path.   You can also watch an AMAZING before and after video of a car driving down the streets of JOPLIN.

It’s amazing that as time goes by, not even 2 months, the images (for the most part) are gone from our mind.  Out of sight (TV), out of mind.  Fact is, people are still displaced, relief efforts go on. 

Tomorrow (Friday) Jerry & Adrienne Garvey go back to Joplin where they lived for two years.  In that short time they lived and worked there, they made lifetime friends.  The cool thing about the Garvey’s is, they are normal people.  Jerry works full time, Adrienne is a stay at home mom.  They have two awesome little kids, they volunteer at church.  They are normal on the outside, but on the inside they are anything but normal.  They are going back to Joplin … giving up family vacation, earned hotel nights through job travel, to work in the relief efforts of that devastated area. 

 

This past Sunday, we (the tribe) took a special offering for them.  Not for their food, hotel or travel expenses out there.  No, they are paying for that themselves.  We gave directly to help the people in Joplin.  Victory Church gave $5000.00! For the generosity of a spontaneous offering, I say THANK YOU!  And I am soooooo proud of our church.  I was blown away … so were the Garvey’s.

Stay connected over the next week by visiting Adrienne’s Blog HERE.  (Cool fact, Adrienne was a TV journalist so she writes REALLY GOOD stories. )

 If we want God to be great in our lives ...

we have got to be willing to give him an opportunity to be great.

We can sit around and complain and wish somebody would do something … We can do something ourselves! 

Way to go Garvey Family! 

We are proud of you!

What If We Could Eradicate Poverty?

I personally hate stagnation.  I abhor themundane, boring, 'sit on your time, talent and treasure' attitudes.  I believe the living God made us for a whole lot more than just sitting around.  This morning I visited an amazing experience right here in our own Lancaster County. 

 

Hope International has seemed to not only identify a global problem, but they have a solution, and it's not to just throw money at the problem.  They have married a cause with an experience which feed the cause which creates synergy.   I loved what Peter Greer says in his book, "The Poor Will Be Glad."  He said, "What if there was a way to eradicate world poverty and hunger?  A way to help the poor, help themselves while giving them the priceless gift of dignity?  Through micro-finance and other employment-based solutions to poverty, a revolution is underway - a revolution you can be a part of."

 

Martin Luther King said,

 "Progress never rolls in on the wheels of mediocrity."   

 

You can visit and take a tour through Hope Internationals Pathways Media Experience.  It only takes about 30 minutes, but you will love it!!  Get your family, your youth group, your small group and stop by.  You will be so glad you did.

Make a difference.

Get Involved,

Do Something.

Why the Church needs to learn to "SHUT-UP" ...

I have been saved for 28 years and I still don’t know squat!  Here’s something I am learning about prayer.  I love to talk with the Lord.  Sometimes verbally, but sometimes in my thoughts too.   Don’t freak out, but sometimes I literally have awoken in the night, in bed, from a dead sleep, with my hands raised in worship … (I know, that’s a little weird, but that’s just how I roll.)   

Most of my personal prayer time centers around A.C.T.S.   If you are unfamiliar with this, let me explain that real quick.  I spend time on each letter:

A= Adore the Lord.  I worship.  Just me, ipod, etc.

C = Confess those areas of sin, shortcoming and seek forgiveness,

T = Thanksgiving for all the blessings.

S = Supplication.  Here’s where I normally ask for things.

But here’s my big change …

NEW WAY OF PRAYING!!

A = Adore the Lord.  I worship.

C = Confess those areas of sin, shortcoming and seek forgiveness,

T = Thanksgiving for all the blessings.

S = Solitude.  Better yet, this is when I simply shut-up.

I do.  I just sit there ... in silence ... waiting for him to speak to me.  I am learning that solitude is the most powerful part of my prayer time.  I settle my heart, listen for His voice and I hear Him speak.  Why didn't I know this years ago?  It has revolutionized my personal prayer time with the Lord.  I find time flies by, I want to linger, longer.  Sometimes I have to write out the many things He says.  All found in ... SOLITUDE

 Try it … learn to SHUT UP every now and again.  We have one mouth and two ears for a reason, you know.

What are some prayer methods that work for you like A.C.T.S.?  Let me know at cseaburg@victorychurch.ws