"Falling Out"

I began to ponder how we, in pentecostal circles, often view God's demonstrative power over our lives by whether someone falls down in the Spirit during an altar experience. Better known as: being 'slang in the Spirit'. I have heard pastors, leaders, and members of a churches - almost judge the effectiveness of a service according to how many people "Fell out" during the altar call. Don't get me wrong...I have nothing against this manifestation of God...I have fallen many times and plan on having God do it again.

But is 'falling out' really how God wants to manifest His Spirit in the earth. Is having us falling on the floor really producing a Kingdom impact. Have we gotten so used to not being able to raise someone up that we have become settled for just having someone fall down. Have we gotten so used to not seeing miracle, signs, and wonders follow our ministry that we have become satisfied with "God touch me I guess...since I can't touch nobody else."

The reason why God doesn't allow our legs to support our own weight is to teach us that "I'm sending my Glory into this world and when it fully comes, you won't be able to stand up before it." When I anoint you, you won't be able to support your strength but you will have to rely upon My strength.

Falling out under the power of God is a wonderful experience. But as my wife's, wise father used to say, "I don't care how many times you fall down, it's how you live when you get back up that matters." What's the point of having God shake our foundation if we are not going to build on "Christ the Solid Rock." What's the point in laying out before God in the church if we are not willing to lay our life out before all men in the world. Isn't our purpose to allow God to turn the world upside down through us.

The world needs to see us stand for Christ and not fall in our faith. I rather see God use our church family to lay hands on the "unchurched" and see them fall on their knees...than see our church lay hands on each other, just to watch them fall on their backs.

Let's fall on our faces and seek God's anointing.

Let's fall at the foot of the Cross in honor to our King.

Let's fall in Love with Christ our savior

Let's NOT fall into the trap that "falling out" means: we are experiencing "revival"..."falling out" only means: there's a lot of work to be done when we get up.

I'm Not Ashamed

So I heard this new song the other day that captured the heartbeat of my prayers for our church's July sermon series. I've always enjoyed listening to sermons and reading books by Jentezen Franklin. But I now have stepped into a whole new level of "Free Chapel" anointing when I discovered the spiritually authentic worship of worship leader, Ricardo Sanchez. I was so moved by the praise and worship melodies that saturated me as I connected with God listening to this album: POWER OF THE CROSS - LIVE AT FREE CHAPEL. Track 3 on this phenomenal recording titled: "I'm not ashamed" hit home concerning my desperate cry for worship. Listen to these lyrics:

I'm gonna dance for You

Like nobody's watching, nobody's watching me

Dance for You my Lord

I'm gonna sing for You

Like nobody's listening, nobody's listening

Sing for You my Lord

I'm not holding anything anything back

I will worship You with all that I am

I'm not ashamed to worship the name of Jesus Jesus

I'm not ashamed to shout out the name of the Lord

(Repeat)

I'm gonna worship You

Like nothing else matters, nothing else matters

Worship You my Lord

It's amazing when a man (or woman) of God can dwell in the presence of God and create a simple chord progression combined with simple lyrics that make a HUGE impact on us spiritually. If you are interested in incorporating some new, passionate worship in your prayer life. I strongly suggest purchasing (not pirating) a copy of both FREE CHAPEL praise and worship C.D.'s.

I know you'll be blessed.

Starbucks Spirituality

What is it about Starbucks that makes a person pay over $3.00 for a cup of coffee when you can pick up a cup of 'joe' at any local gas station for under a buck. What is it about Starbucks that converts non-coffee drinkers into regular Starbucks guest. What is it about this business that has successfully taken over city corners and has turned the phrase "one vente carmel macchiato please" into a household phrase. The answer: The Experience. Starbucks isn't about selling coffee...they are about selling an 'experience'. Individuals who frequent a local Starbucks location know that they will recieve a great cup of 'caffeine'. But attendees also understand that they will walk into an ambiance that sooths the soul. 'Starbucks Coffee Company is arguably the number one corporate success story of the last quarter century. It's stock is up 5,775 percent since it went public in 1992." - Leonard Sweet Their financial success isn't due to a great variety of coffees...no, their success is due to THE STARBUCKS EXPERIENCE. If you are a Starbucks fan...then you know exactly what I am referring to. The warm atmosphere of rich colors, the soft appealing background music, the dimlighting, the relaxing chairs and sofas, the magazines and games to share the experience with some friends, the aroma of sweet smells flowing from the espresso machines...All this in one word is Starbucks. Notice that there is never someone standing at the door as you leave Starbucks saying, "Thank you for coming and please next time you come invite a friend." They don't need someone to "sell" their business because their experience sells itself. We naturally as humans, share our good and bad experiences with our friends and co-workers. If a restraunt offered you bad service, we talk about it. If a movie was horrible and a big let down, we talk about it. The same is true about good experiences. We share with others when we have been touched, enlightened, and had a good time. So compare the Starbucks marketing plan to the strategy of the church. We as a church have put the majority of our effort into selling a product (the gospel) but leave a lot to be desired in the overall experience of church. The "Gospel" message is THE GREATEST PRODUCT out there...don't get me wrong. But generationally, the experience that comes with the product isn't always great. Starbucks understands that people live for engagement, connection, and meaningful experiences. When I read the bible, I see that the people of God throughout history have known the same thing. Life at its best is passionate experience. "The problem is not that Christianity can't be believed, but that it can't be practiced because of its lack of lived experience. And it can't be observed by others because there are too few Christians who are radical enough to manifest what the gospel really looks like." Leonard Sweet Let us learn from the culture around us and from those organizations that are transforming the culture around them. Starbucks has transformed a generation and a economic market. When was the last time you've heard anyone say, "Wow, these disciples have turned the world upside down."??? Religion is all about product...relationship is all about experience. Which form of Christianity are you a fan of?

Crave More Presence

JULY 5 PERFECT PRESENTS

JULY 12 PRETTY PACKAGING

JULY 19 PICKY PEOPLE

JULY 26 PREPARING THE PARTY

LOVE 2 HAVE YOU JOIN US!

What's more fun than to gather with your friends and family for a huge party? Escpecially if it's YOURS!! Well, we welcome you to visit us in July for (4) four weeks of celebration. We are throwing a party and you're invited. Follow us as we take a modern look at the word "worship". These four weeks will be filled with music, gifts, media, skits, and more...so drop in on a Sunday at 10:30am and witness the "presence".

Watermark Assembly of God

807 W Elk St

Geneseo, IL 61254

309.945.4401