Pin Oaks Christian Fellowship » Devotional

What Do You Think?

Pastor Phil — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 05:42:48 +0000

I would enjoy hearing your thoughts about what she said. All I can say is WOW!

The Way God Moves

Pastor Phil — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 04:01:39 +0000

Mysterious. Unlike us. Intentional. Providential. Perfectly. Some of the buzz words about God’s power and ability to get things done.
In His time. For His Kingdom sake. With our best interest at heart. These are phrases I have heard tied to how God moves.
I certainly don’t agree with every word used above but have been privileged to see in practical ways this week that God moves and does things however they need to be done. Most of the time it has little or nothing to do with me; sometimes it does. Most of the time it revolves around making Himself known to new people. I am slowly learning and surrendering to this truth. How is God moving I’m your life right now?

Dangling From A Vine

Pastor Phil — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 21:20:15 +0000

Alright here it is…a video update about our membership class and foundational thoughts as we move forward:

Proud of My Place?

Pastor Phil — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 17:38:19 +0000

As we read through Nehemiah it is painfully clear how the state of Jerusalem was not something to be proud of before Nehemiah arrived on the scene. There walls were busted, they were vulnerable to attack, and the worst was that this was all a reflection on their faith. I am pretty sure I have never been in a place where people have a greater sense of pride over a “state” than here in Texas. People here are proud of the fact they live in Texas. Most of them are not obnoxious (most ) they are just convinced. I kinda like it.

Nehemiah helps re-establish a sense of pride. The wall was just a part of the process, bigger than rebuilding a wall was the work they did to rebuild it…together. Teamwork is a huge part of developing community. What projects have you done with other people that helped bind you to them? When was the last time you saw people pitching in to help on a project they could never do by themselves? How did that affect that group of people? Just saying that when things start to unravel and you loose your sense of touch with others around you…organize a worthwhile project and before you are done with that, the project will become secondary.

Phone Call

Pastor Phil — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 03:55:24 +0000

Got a great phone call from a church member this week. I love when God suprises people with a blessing they could never see coming. When we have designs and plans on doing certain things and God works HIs way around those things to do something so much bigger it is a great reminder that HE is in control. It is soothing, comforting, reassuring, and easing. When all is falling apart and things don’t make sense…rather than react out of emotion…wait. Pause. Shut up sit down and hang tight because the ride is gonna get good. In the end, God will be glorified. He will make himself known to you and others. God did that this week and it is so much fun to watch.

For the one who shared…Thanks for making my week!

Nehemiah 3 Up Close

Pastor Phil — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 03:55:36 +0000

I lived out the importance of Nehemiah chapter 3 this weekend. The names and details have my tongue in knots, but the purpose of naming names here was the mark of a good leader. Gratitude and encouragement for those who are deserving. I even think he does this to credit all the different types of people who help with the project of rebuilding the wall and restoring a spiritual dignity to Jerusalem as well as a sense of safety. His team included men and women, immediate community leaders and leaders from 20 miles away (that’s a big deal when walking or riding a donkey etc), young and old, priests and laity, friends and the not-so-friendly…yet they all worked together to achieve the purposes set before them. One goal, focused and intense and they built a structure that is not small by any standard.

This weekend we all pitched in and did our part to achieve something bigger than any one of us could accomplish on their own. We did what needed to be done and stayed focus on the goal. It wasn’t a city wall, but a major deal in my book. The work our crew did this weekend is worthy of a big THANK YOU. I have included a picture of a portion of Jerusalem’s city wall so you have something to gauge the enormity of the tasks before Nehemiah and those who chose to work with him. I love big vision. Even more…I love the risk takers who embrace the vision and strive to reach it’s preferred future.

A section of the wall Nehemiah rebuilt