Taking "Even Greater" Personally

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. 13 You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. 14 Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it! John 14:12-14



This scripture and specifically the phrase "even greater" is the rallying cry of my church in this new year. 

2013 was a year of incredible growth and eternal impact for CommonGround Church. 

Just to name a few...

•   We saw over 1,000 decisions for Christ

•   Our attendance numbers nearly doubled (numbers equal souls, that's what counts)

•   Our Food Pantry gave away over 480 tons of food to families in need


We are humbled by what God has done!




We are hungry for more! 


When I look at those statistics from 2013, I can't help but be amazed and grateful for the eternal impact that the past year brought. So what do we do with that? Celebrate? Sure. There's nothing wrong with celebrating - in fact, we should praise God who made it all happen! The truth is, without his hand on us and on our church body, we couldn't have achieved any of it. Thank you Lord! So what next?

First of all, "even greater" isn't a phrase that I thought of or that any of our church leadership thought of - it is a direct promise from Jesus to his people. 

One of my favorite scriptures is from Numbers 23:19, "God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?" 

God keeps his promises. We tend to forget that sometimes.

The promise of "even greater" resonates with our church today - it should resonate with every believer. We must not forget it. As I dwell on that phrase "even greater", I am compelled to take it personally. 

"Collin, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works…". 

Fill in your name. No really, do it. Did you do it? Done? Ok, carry on.

At this point in the gospel of John, Jesus had already raised Lazarus from the dead, he had already fed the 5,000, he had already healed the blind and the lame among many other miracles. Those are some pretty great miracles don't you think? So, Jesus is saying that through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can do the same works as these and even greater works! Holy smokes. 

That's a lot to take in. 

Do we believe that? Do we believe that Jesus meant it? Maybe he was dehydrated or perhaps he misspoke… Maybe Jesus meant every word. Jesus knew exactly what he was saying and exactly who he was saying it to. He was speaking to every believer for the rest of time, including his disciples who were with him in that moment. It's time that we start taking God's promises to heart. 

I believe that God is alive and well - I believe that his promises last forever. It's time to get bold. 

I want to be available for the Holy Spirit to do even greater works through me. I want to see the sick healed! I want to be a part of whatever God wants to do in me and through me. I want eyes to see and ears to hear as the Holy Spirit moves and speaks. I'm not going to miss out on any of it. Not for the sake of my name or my credentials, but all for the glory of God. 

Where do we go from here? It's a lot of information to process huh? No, it's not. I'm merely spilling my thoughts onto a computer, but it all boils down to this one thing - Jesus promised the same works and "even greater" works than he did while on the earth, but we don't live like we believe it. We usually don't act like we believe it and we don't move in faith and boldness like we believe it. It's time to decide to live like we believe that God's promises are true and that he is alive and moving among us.

It's time to get bold. 


…"Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?" 


Don't leave it to your pastoral staff or to your spouse or anyone else to live for "even greater". Take it personally and trust God. 2014 is going to be a year of even greater. 

"Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name goes all the glory for your unfailing love and faithfulness." - Psalm 115:1

Fear

Fear. What do you know about it? Have you felt it’s crippling power? Have you ever allowed it to take over your life? Fear attacks from all sorts of angles. Fear even (or especially) attacks us in places we don’t ever really expect it. For example; you dream of doing something or you aspire to reach a certain goal, you work hard and prepare yourself for the defining moment that you’ve dreamt of, and then you can’t quite take the final step. Thoughts of insecurities and negative things people have told you over the years creep into your mind. Lies like “you can’t actually expect to succeed” and “you’re not nearly as talented or as skilled as those people who are successful”, they take the place of those dreams and aspirations. Fear; I think we’ve all felt it. As children we understand fear as the monster under the bed, or the intensity of the thunder and lightning. That fear used to stop us in our tracks. We would hide under the covers or run to Mom and Dad’s bed. As we mature and grow older, our fears can grow with us. They transform and adapt to our various situations. All of our insecurities, all of our baggage, if we allow them, they’ll hop along for the ride as well. Suddenly the rain storm doesn’t seem so bad does it? Now instead of hiding under covers, you hide behind the excuses that you allow yourself to believe. The lies, though you view them as true. So you go through each day with a paralyzing and relentless fear that keeps you in the realm of mediocrity. Fear inspires mediocrity.  

Where do we go from here? I can think of lots of good words that have meanings holding potential answers to the problem of fear. Words like determination, persistence, fortitude, self-confidence and so on…. Those are all reasonable options. Actually, those are all excellent options. However, if you are aware that you are currently being crippled by your fear, I’m guessing you’ve tried a few times to be determined or persistent. So what’s missing?

Personally, I am aware that I am a mediocre man. I’m a mediocre husband, I’m a mediocre musician, I’m a mediocre everything. Fear certainly helps me attain those levels of incredible mediocrity. However, I have the ability (as do you) to ignore those lies when they creep in. I can make the decision to refuse to hide behind all the excuses that I’ve been able to conjure up for years. I think it’s important to substitute some truth in place of where those lies and excuses used to reside. The truth is what's missing. For me, it’s a challenge of believing in what God has called me to. So instead of believing that I don’t have what it takes, I can trust that I’m not doing it alone. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”  It becomes entirely not about me. That’s the way it should be! Instead of believing that I’m not equipped or talented enough, I’ll remember that God has gifted and called me for this purpose. “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us… use it in proportion to your faith.” “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Earlier, I asked the question, “Have you ever allowed fear to take over your life?”

Think about it.

Fear didn’t force itself upon you. You let fear in the front door. You and I have allowed fear to be a part of our lives. It’s a choice. I’m done being crippled by fear. I hope you are too.

Expect, Anticipate and Prepare

About a year and a half ago (roughly) we started a Tuesday night prayer meeting at FamilyChurch.tv. It seemed that no matter who was there or how many people attended, prayers for revival were lifted up weekly. God heard our prayers.


With the new year came a fresh move of God. There was a sense of anticipation and expectancy among the leaders of our church. God was preparing us for something. I found myself praying and asking God to move in a big way. Even as I said those words "in a big way," I realized that "in a big way" is the ONLY way God moves, but sometimes we are not ready to see it.


This past Sunday morning God showed up as He always does, but we were finally ready for Him. We've had confirmed reports of miracles, we saw salvations in the middle of our service. God is moving. Our typical service ends at 11:30, I left a little bit after 1:00. Service going long doesn't speak to what God is doing or how mightily He is moving. I can't explain it. You had to be there. The good news is that God is still moving and we can all be a part of it.


Our pastor's wife, Carrie Wisehart spoke briefly during our time of worship on Sunday. "Lately I've been praying for God to move, I said God we want to see You move! Do you know what He said to me? He said, "Carrie, I am moving, I'm already moving! It's you and my people who need to move." We are the ones who need to move to HIS glory."


That about wraps it up.


I don't care where you go to church or where you live. God is moving. Are you in our out? If you're in, expect, anticipate and prepare for something amazing.

Thoughts On Prayer (January 7, 2011)

I’m not certain that there is an official category for me, but I’m “one of those” people who find it easier to sing my prayers than to speak them, or write them, or silently think them. Like I said, there may not be a category for that. For years I’ve tried to say my prayers before bed, and I fall asleep. Or I’ll try to pray in the shower or on the car ride to work, but the worries of the day pull my mind away (you’d think they might help me focus, but no). I’m not much of a morning person (coffee ruins me…) so waking up early to pray seems like a discipline I don’t really want to adapt.

My Dad and I had a good relationship but unfortunately, neither one of us were big talkers. When I went to college, he wrote me a letter. I had never heard him say some of the things that he was able to write in that letter. I responded with one of my own. It opened up an incredible avenue of communication that I never had with my Dad. We could both write things in those letters that we couldn’t say verbally. Because of those letters, there was nothing left unsaid between us before he passed away. For me, those exchanges were life-changing. In similar fashion, discovering the avenue of prayer that works for me has had a monumental impact.

I figure that I’ve been old enough to pray and to understand the concept for a solid 20 years give or take. We’ll call it 20 years. I discovered that singing my prayers is how I communicate best with God. Sadly, I didn’t discover that until about 5 years ago. Based on that, I’ve spend 15(give or take) years failing at praying.

Oh dear dear dear;  Collin, you can’t actually fail at praying.

I disagree.

 I think the only way to fail at praying is to give up on trying. 

I’m sure that I prayed with my mom before bed as a child and I’m sure that I prayed before the big high school soccer game, but I know that I never developed a consistent pattern of prayer. In that way, I feel like I dropped the ball (I played goalie, we lost in the state finals my junior and senior year but it’s ok, I don’t have nightmares about it to this day…). Back to prayer. I wish it hadn’t taken me so long to find out what works. Maybe I just got bored with reciting a laundry list of items to God. Maybe I thought that enough other people were praying that I didn’t have to. Maybe I got caught up in trying to show God that I could pray properly and use awesome Christian jargon to impress Him.

Sometimes we get caught up trying to make sure God hears our prayers or is impressed with them because we say all the right things. If you think about it, God Almighty, the Creator of the Universe isn’t going to be impressed by what vocabulary you use or exactly how you pray, and we don’t have to try to impress him. He’s already crazy about us.

I’m grateful that I found my avenue of prayer. I challenge you to do the same.


Just remember,

God Almighty is crazy about you.

More Salt (December 21, 2010)

Sometimes I feel like that girl from the Willy Wonka movies (Veruca Salt, I looked it up...), the girl that wants and wants a wants. "I want a golden goose!" I know that it is only human to want, it's natural. Clearly, Miss Salt went about her urges in the wrong manor. She was a bad egg and ultimately went down the shaft that the other bad eggs went down, but she's not completely in the wrong just for having desires right? It would be abnormal to not desire things, to not have goals and dreams. I think it boils down to why we want what we want. The comparison between Veruca and I ends at the wanting.

I'm fortunate enough to have a reliable, enjoyable job, especially with today’s economic uncertainties. Most of you who read this will likely know that I'm a full time worship arts pastor. It's a job that I had dreamed of since in was in 5th grade and started learning guitar from my Dad. I went through middle school and joined the youth worship team. I wanted more. I went through ninth and tenth grade playing with the youth team and the adult team on Sundays. I always wanted more. By my junior year I was asked to lead the Sunday morning worship team each week. I didn't have to pick out songs or organize the team or schedule volunteers. I still wanted more. I went off the Oklahoma to do the college thing and I got a part time job as a youth worship leader at a church in Tulsa. I definitely wanted more. A few months later, the worship pastor moved on to his next chapter and I was asked to step up and become the worship pastor. For the next several years, I had all I could handle and believe me, I didn't want any more!

Today, I'm over four years into my "dream job," and I find myself wanting more. What does that mean? What more could I want when I am doing what I've dreamed of doing for years? I think back on when I first started at this position and all that I have learned. The learning didn't stop after one or two or three or even four years, it happened and still happens all the time. What I'm saying is, God is teaching me and growing me right here where I am. My desire for more is not tied to a desire to work somewhere else or to get paid more money. My desires stem from wanting to have a bigger impact. I want to be great at what I do. I want to lead multitudes into the presence of God. I want to write songs that bring glory to God. I want I want I want! Let's go back to Veruca, she wanted for selfish reasons. She wanted for her own good. I want so badly to expand what God does through me, not for me.

I recognize that my gift is not talent. I don't see myself as an above average anything (guitar player, singer, song writer), but when I focus on worship and on exalting the One who made me for this purpose, that's when I find my purpose and strength. A good friend of mind told me that what I have is far different than talent; it's a gift and a calling from the Most High God. I don't say that to pat myself on the back. I am firmly against self-promotion, especially when my job is to reflect any and all attention away from me to where it belongs. So how could I possibly want more? How could I justify my longing to be used more, and how can I go about seeking ways to be used more? Or do I?

I struggle with these thoughts almost constantly. In truth, I get so focused on appearing to be humble that I've become prideful of my humility. "Great worship today Collin, awesome set." I hear it enough to have perfected the response; I look down at my shoes, sag my shoulders in an effort to shrink myself as much as possible before saying something like... "Thank you, I do my best" or "Amen brother, hallelujah" (ok i've never said that and if I do, feel free to kick me in the shin). The point is, I've gotten really good at taking zero credit, so good that I am really proud of myself. I'm pretty certain that my responses are appropriate, but my motive is to appear self-less, not to give God glory. It's a balancing act that I've gotten too good at. No more. That was a bit of a rabbit trail, but it’s all part of the thought process for me.

In my heart of hearts, I want God to use me for greater things and I really and truly don't want the credit. I know that God has given me dreams and goals, but not to distract me. So yes, I want more. More can be right here, more can mean so many things. Wanting is good, it can push me out of my comfort zone. It can force me to work harder. It can push me in new directions, but that’s only ok if it’s His direction, not mine or ours. For now I’ll focus on worshipping, writing, and serving with all of my heart, as working for the Lord.

“…And whatever you do, work at it with all of your heart as working for the Lord and not for men. – Colossians 3:23

Goldfish? (May 5, 2010)

Take a good look around, our lives are full of things we can worry about! We can worry about our jobs, our families, our finances, vehicles, and the list goes on. It's pretty amazing to me that I worry as much as I do. I can think back one month, two months, six months, a year, and it seems like I was always worried about something. The interesting thing about that is this; my worries were very different six months ago than they were last week and yet here I am this week with everything I need. I forget so quickly. I forgot that six months ago I was worried about how I would get home to New Hampshire for the holidays, that worked out. I feel like a goldfish... let me explain. It may be a myth, but I've heard that goldfish, in all their splendor and golden-ness, (i made a word up) have only a memory span of about five seconds. I feel that way sometimes, but it's only after the fact when I have time to reflect on what just happened. Recently I've been worried about reliable transportation. My former car was a good vehicle but it sucked gas down like Joey Chestnut and his hot dogs ( 64 hot dogs and buns in 60 minutes). It was bad, and any time anything happened to it, repairs were out the wazoo. My goldfish-like self forgot how God had provided for me. I forgot that a year and a half ago, I got rear ended and my 5 speed truck got totaled. I forgot how badly I needed a car and how faithfully God provided for my needs then. Present day... once again, God provided for my needs, and once again I feel like a goldfish. This time around, I'm hoping I can take it to the next level, maybe a koi fish (30 second memory), who knows. All that I really know at this moment is this; God sees all of creation. God gives birds everything that they need for food and shelter. He gives bison nice thick winter coats to shield them from harsh winters. He gives you and I everything that we need. I'm tired of being a goldfish. Why worry? He's proven himself before and He will continue to do so, EVERY-SINGLE-TIME. His ways are not our ways, His timing isn't always ours, but His provision and love is perfect and we can be confident in that, EVERY-SINGLE-TIME.

Look What I Found (March 31, 2010)

I spent the last weekend plus with my family in New Hampshire. Monday, March 29th marked the one year anniversary of my Fathers "move" away from his earthly body. It's hard to imagine how a year could have passed so quickly. The sting is still like it all happened two days ago. It has been especially hard for me; I am the only member of my family who is not in New Hampshire. That has been overwhelmingly difficult to deal with at times. I've dealt with my own guilt for not being there for my mother and little brothers. I've been dealing with the sorrow of not being able to visit my Fathers grave site. I've had times when I've wanted nothing more than to be around my family and aside from a few days every 4 months, it's not possible. It's been heartbreaking. During my most recent visit, I prepared myself for emotional meltdowns and breakthroughs, I was ready to grieve. In my head I thought the visit would be based soley around saying good-bye to Dad again. What I found was vastly unexpected and equally effective. We've been without Dad for a year, and life has continued. Each member of my family has continued, including my wife and I. When I went home, I expected us to all go back to one year ago, but life has moved forward and so have we. Life has moved forward, and we haven't necessarily moved on, but we too have moved forward. So, as i expected to see tears shed and emotion on display, I saw life. I saw two young men (13 and 15) full of joy and living life to it's fullest, playing xbox like normal kids and running outside and thriving. I didn't see two boys who lost their Father at a crucial stage of any childs life. I saw a Mother who desires the absolute best for all her children. I saw a mother who desires so badly to fill the Fatehrless void for her two young sons, and gives them everything she has. I saw her equally content to be their mother, knowing she can't fill certain holes. I saw older brothers both with two young boys, being Fathers themselves, sacrificing and fighting for the very best for their own children. I saw older sisters with lives and homes and families. Life was in abundance. I was really hoping to be able to discard some of the pain and sorrow I try to lock up until the time to let it go is right. The truth is, what I experienced during my visit was incomparably better than what I was hoping for. I see life, I see a family. I see love passed down from a Father who fought for his family. I see his life and his ethics and morals still being lived out, perhaps even more so than ever. Most importanly to me, I have seen that my guilt for not having been there this past year is mine alone. Life has me in Oklahoma and so does the Lord, I know it with all of my heart. This past week I saw a family, my family, living life to the fullest. I believe in doing so, Ian Campbell is honored and remembered. Ne Obliviscaris - Never Forget.