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Dream Team Superstar (May)

16 May

Every month I like to acknowledge one of the amazing and dedicated volunteers at STORYCHURCH. Last month we looked at my dear friend Lee Whitbeck.

I am really enjoying these Dream Team Superstar posts. The only problem is I have so many amazing people I want to thank each and every day. I am littered with stories of the amazing people who serve every week at STORYCHURCH. I have the honor to serve with so many people who have bought into the idea of community. They step up when asked. They jump at the opportunity to help others do what they can not do for themselves. And they always do it with a smile. Mark 12:31 tells us to love our neighbour as ourselves. The amazing people I serve with live that scripture to its fullest.

This month I wanted to say a huge thank you and introduce you to Heather Cron. Heather is one of our amazing Story Kids leaders. She serves pretty much every week she can. You can find her either at the kid registration area or in one of the many classrooms full of amazing children. What most people do not know, she also does the entire scheduling for 32 volunteers every month. When someone can not make it at last-minute, she steps up without hesitation. She is one of the most organized and trusted leaders I know. If Heather says she will be there you can guarantee she will. And it will be done correctly.

Heather and her Husband Andrew have been with us at STORYCHURCH since the beginning. Last summer Andrew was doing and internship in California. Heather traveled with him. She still every month made sure the schedule was in place. And when we had people go on vacation she would make sure the children had a teacher available. She stepped up far and beyond the call of duty. It would have been OK for her to say that she could not do the schedule. She was on the other side of the country. But Heather showed her dedication to the children of STORYCHURCH. We are a very blessed church to have amazing people and leaders such as Heather.

Heather is a school teacher by trade. She has taken the ability to mold and teach our youth, and found a way to use this for the Gods people. Next time you see Heather give her a hug and say thank you. Especially if you have ever had a child stay and learn in our wonderful Story Kids area.

If you are looking for a church and live in the Raleigh Durham area. You are welcome to visit us at STORYCHURCH. If you have children you will meet a team of wonderful volunteers just like Heather.

 
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Posted by on May 16, 2012 in Dream Team Stars, STORYCHURCH

 

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I Have A Question For You

15 May

What does the word community mean to you?

To me it has several meanings. Wanted to know what everyone else thought on the idea of community.

I would love to read your thoughts. Please comment below.

Thank You,

Joel

 
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Posted by on May 15, 2012 in General

 

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Dream Team Super Star

03 Apr

I am always thinking of different ways for our amazing stars of our Dream Team at STORYCHURCH to be recognized and honored. We recently had our quarterly Dream Team Celebration. Jillien our outstanding Event Coordinator out did herself again this time. She and her amazing team went with a “March Madness” theme complete with basketball drills. To clarify our Dream Team is the group of people that serve and does ministry at STORYCHURCH. Everything from our Welcome team, Worship team, Media team, Web design team, Hospitality/Food Services team, Connection group leaders, Story Kids, Set-up team, Money count team, Ministry team or any service at STORYCHURCH is considered our Dream Team. By having this Dream Team Celebration we are able to honor and reward our dedicated teams for basically making STORYCHURCH happen. Without these people we could not make a difference in our city for Jesus. Because of them we have had multiple people either find Jesus for the first time or find him again in there lives over the last 2+ years.

I want to every month highlight one of our stars. Lets say this person is a star of stars in a way. For the month of April the shining moment goes to  Lee Whitbeck.

Lee serves on the Welcome team, Money count team, Story Kids, Web design team, and basically wherever we need him. Actually that is Lees favorite quote to me “Wherever you need me, man”. Lee has served many times in these areas with out even being scheduled or asked to help. He takes it on himself for his love for his church to help others. He sacrifices time and energy to help our church grow to new levels in our community.

Lee is the perfect example of a man showing love through servant hood. Lee loves people and most of all his God. His willingness to go above and beyond is not to improve his own stature but to help others grow in there relationship with Jesus. Because of Lee people who have been far from God are now living a richer more fulfilling life.

Lee’s story is amazing in itself on how God took a young man not believing in Him at all to a person that changes lives everyday. Lee and his amazing family are a true blessing to all of us that are blessed to have him in our lives.  Check out Lee’s story at http://sharemystory.wordpress.com/

So if you see Lee greeting at the door when you walk into STORYCHURCH or are blessed to have him teaching your children. Give him a hand shake, high five, fist bump, or just a good ole hug to say thank you.

Thank you Lee for all you do, you are truly an inspiration and an amazing man of God.

 
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Posted by on April 3, 2012 in Dream Team Stars, STORYCHURCH

 

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Crisis Activated

23 Mar

This past Sunday I had the blessed opportunity to speak with STORYCHURCH. We talked about the issue of crisis in our lives and how we are to overcome these crisis’. We talked through Mark 4:35-41 with the story of Jesus and his disciples being overcome by a storm while traveling in a boat. We looked at the storm in this story as likening to crisis in our lives. The definition of crisis is “A crucial stage or turning point in the course of something”. In this case, a turning point in our lives as we know it. Crisis can come at any time just like the storm. Jesus tells us in verse 35 that our destination is set. He said to the disciples that they would make it to their destination. He had done the same thing for us that know him. But what do we do when a crisis strikes our lives? What is the answer? Better yet, who is the answer? We established that Jesus is the answer to our crisis. To hear this message go to http://www.storychurch.org/category/media/

What would you say if I told you that crisis can be a good thing? Maybe even the best thing that can happen to you. Maybe what seems to be a devastating life changing crisis in our lives is actually the thing that saves us. That a crisis can be the catalyst that sets you on the perfect path that God has for you.

It is easy to get comfortable in life and be content when things are going well. We feel comfortable in how we live our lives. We do nothing to challenge us to be better than we are. We have no reason to grow or be better than we are now. Life has become too easy. Life is passing us by and we do not have anything to show for it. Cruise control is set, but are we really going anywhere?

One of my best friends always tells me he lives by the line in the legendary song by Led Zeppelin ‘Stairway to Heaven’. It goes like this, “Yes, there are 2 paths you can go by, but in the long run there’s still time to change the road you’re on”. I started thinking about this and he is right in a way. We can live the path that we have set for our lives or we can live the perfect path that God has set for us. I know that changing our path is not that easy. Once we get so comfortable that we do not even see that we are really just walking in circles going nowhere. Living life hoping for the next thrill.  But God has a better plan for us. A plan for us to live for him and make this world a better place; to have meaning and purpose; for our families to thrive and prosper through God; to leave this world a better place than when we got here.

Maybe we need a crisis to change the path in our lives; to give us the kick in the butt we need. We need to have crisis activated in our life to throw us into the perfect path and plan that God has for us. He leaves it up to us. This is the free will he has gifted us with. But He still loves us enough to bring a crisis in our lives to set us free from our boring going nowhere road in life. We are meant for much greater things than our imagination can bring. The perfect example of this is Jesus. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world he gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life”. God knew the world needed a crisis to create a new path direct to Him.  Now Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to father but through him John 14:5-7 tells us. He made that path through His son Jesus. He came to earth as one of us to make a path choice available to us. Crisis was activated to save us from sin, destruction and ultimately death. It was replaced with love, hope, and peace through Jesus.

We cannot be afraid to create crisis in our lives. We should be willing to stick our necks out and give God a chance to use us to change lives. Matthew 14:22-32 is the story of Jesus walking on the water. In this story Jesus lets the disciples go ahead of him in a boat. Jesus decides to go to them but only in a cool  Jesus way. Jesus decides to just walk on the water to get to them. They see him coming and are afraid when Jesus tells them to not be afraid. Peter gets really excited (I love Peter).  Peter asks “Lord is it you?” Peter then says “Tell me to come to you on the water” Jesus replied “Come”. Now here we have Peter all safe in a boat and he tells Jesus he wants to come to him. Crazy huh?

All Peter knew is he wanted to be with his lord and master, and to do so he needed to enter into a crisis. I really do not think Peter had been practicing walking on water. So I am sure he did not know he could do it without Jesus. But he needed to change his path and that path change needed to go towards Jesus.  Peter just needed to make that first step. He wanted to be with Jesus so bad that even the impossible had to happen to get to him. So as you guessed it, Peter stepped out of the safety and comfort of the boat to walk into the unknown. But all Peter could see was his Lord. His eyes and faith had a direction in mind, and with total faith, changed his path. Peter decided to have crisis activated in his life.  Peter steps out of the boat and starts to walk on the water toward Jesus. But just like we all do when we notice that we just jumped into crisis, he freaked out and took his eyes off Jesus. He then found himself sinking below the waters surface. Peter stretched out his hand to his God and king. Jesus grabs his hand and brings him back up into the path he had for Peter. Then Peter and Jesus were on the same path once again. This would not have happened if he had stayed in the safety of the boat. All it took was one step. One bold step toward his God to do the impossible.

Do we need to step out of our path in life and look toward Jesus? We will never know until we take that first step out of the boat. We can  create crisis as long as we know that Jesus is the answer to that crisis. We need to have faith that when we get into trouble with the wind and water, that we just need to stretch out our hand to Jesus.  Keep our eyes focused on His path and get out of the boring mundane life that we feel captured in. Step out of that boat and walk on water. I dare you to live a crisis activated life and follow the path to Jesus. You cannot sink if He is in your life. All it takes is the first step to a path toward Jesus where he can change your life forever. Are you willing to take that step?

“Still time to change the road you’re on”!

 
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Posted by on March 23, 2012 in General

 

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Teachers Pet

26 Jan

I work in a high volume pediatric office. I am mainly responsible for all the blood draws and you can imagine how challenging that is with children. Although I have had a lot more trouble with adults in my 14 years in medicine. One of the things I like to do when I am sticking a lovely needle into my patients arm is small talk. I know it sounds crazy, maybe a little weird, but it works most of the time. I get them distracted and comfortable with me while I relate to their daily lives.  Although, I must admit its fun seeing their intent eyes staring at the needle as I ask them what grade they are in. There is a look of confusion and fear on their faces at the same time. If they could run away they would (some do).

The other day I had a 10-year-old come in, and just like everyone one else, he looked very nervous. I was preparing to put a large needle into his arm and collect several vials of blood. I asked him if he liked his class at school? He quickly yelled “Yes. I love my class; especially my teacher”! I did not expect the yelling but I learned a long time ago that you never know how people react under distress. So I smiled and just rolled with it. I asked him why he liked his teacher so much? As sweat beads were starting to form on his head, he said that she was a good teacher because she was always there for him. At this point I had the tourniquet around his arm  was looking for the largest vein I could find. Trust me; that is the hardest part of the job. Those little things like to hide. I then told him as he intently watched every move I was making, that it sounded like he had a very good teacher and that he should be grateful. I then asked him to tell me more. I wanted to keep this otherwise regular conversation going because I found the vein that would be victim to my sharp needle.

He began to tell me that every day he went to class, he felt like that is where he belonged. He loved that when he would have big tests coming, his teacher would make sure he felt comfortable about it. At this point I have the alcohol swab open and cleaning his arm. His voice is getting louder now and I start to notice his foot bounce up and down like he is putting out a fire. I asked him to tell me more of why he trusted his teacher so much. I have never heard a kid talk so highly of a teacher before. He began to tell me how she made him feel comfortable. That anytime he had a question she was always there with a smile and a gentle voice. She would always give him the answer he needed. He continued to say she never said anything bad to him and only encouraged him. As he was saying this, I had taken my sharp needle and placed it in his vein. The foot tapping suddenly stopped and a sense of calm came over him. This is generally normal by the way. Most patients relax once the needle is in. It was going to take me a little bit to collect all the blood I needed, so I asked him another question. Thinking I could throw him off and see if he really loved his teacher this much I asked him about tests. Every kid, and adult for that matter, hates tests. Some are good at them and some are not, but generally everyone hates tests. So I asked him about the time during tests? The teacher can not give you the answer. Is she there for you during the test? Still intently watching the needle in his arm and the vial filling up with his blood, he said “Yes. I feel she is still with me”. A big smile fell upon his face and he then said “she is still in the room with me”. She always tells us before test that when it’s over we will get to have a treat. I finished getting my multiple vials of his blood and slowly took the needle out. He looked at me and said that was not too bad after all and he thanked me.  As he left my lab I saw him showing his brother his new, cool Scooby Doo bandaid with excitement. He said to his brother “Mrs. Matthews (his teacher) was right, it did not hurt”. I thought to myself, there goes another happy customer.

Mark 4:35-41 tells us of the story of Jesus riding with the 12 disciples across the lake. The scriptures tell us of a huge storm that began to come upon them and they got very scared. I noticed 2 things in this story. First, Jesus said to them before getting in the boat “let’s go to the other side”. Second, He said “why are you still afraid? Do you not have any faith?”. Jesus had promised they were going to get to the other side, yet they became scared during the storm. I looked at the storm like the little boy’s test. The little boy faithfully knows that even during the test, his teacher is still in the room. She is still with him. Jesus was still with the disciples in the boat. If only we could go about our days when tests come and the storm gets strong and know in our hearts that Jesus, our teacher, is still with us. He promises we will make it to the other side. I love how the little boy’s teacher said after the test there would be a treat. So does Jesus in Matthew 16:27. For the son of man is going to come in his fathers glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done. I pray that I learn to have faith in God during my tests as the boy had faith in his teacher. Jesus is still in the boat with ,and when we get to the other side, there will be a glorious treat.

 
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Posted by on January 26, 2012 in General

 

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Pick Up Game

05 Jan

Growing up and into early adulthood I would live eat and breathe the game of basketball. I was one of those kids that slept with my basketball in bed with me at all times. I would even sleep with my hand fully extended around the ball with a solid grip to stretch out my fingers so I could palm the basketball (it worked). I didn’t stop doing that until I was 20. Some would say that was sad, I liked to look at it as dedication.

As a lover of the game of basketball I obviously played a lot of pick up games when I wasnt playing on a school team or AAU. I would play all day and night, every day, game after game. If you have never played a pick up game of any sport you know that you first need to pick a team. You do this by 2 guys choosing one at a time from a group of people who want to play. As one of the better players, I found myself being the leader and picking my own team most of the time. Whether I picked first or not, I had a different outlook on how I picked my team. Most people always picked the best player they could and build what they thought would be a dream team for total basketball domination. This is pickup people, its serious. I remember watching the other leader as he picked seeing a smirk grow on his face like he was going to destroy my team and live in the playground glory. I would approach picking my team much differently. They thought I was crazy, but instead of picking the best players on the court, I would pick those players that had less natural talent. I got a lot of crazy looks and some very surprised and happy teammates who were thanking me they did not get picked last, as they normally would.

If I could take this group of players and teach them how to play as a team and win, we would reach a much higher victory than the other team with no glory. I would develop their strengths to their fullest. I would make the big, slow guy our rebounder. I got him to throw his body around and make it uncomfortable for the other team to be under the basket. If a player was fast, I would get them to play tough, in your face defense at the half court. Then they would run as soon as the ball fell from the basket to throw a long pass for an easy basket. After a couple of plays during the game, the team would start to work well together and we would win most of the time. It was such a  glorious feeling to take a team that no one would pick and finish with a win. Some thought I did this to make myself look good and say I beat your team because I was the best player. I didn’t care what they thought after seeing the excitement and increased confidence in my teammates. With a 20 minute game of basket ball, I witnessed a group of 4 guys grow and rise above their limitations and trust their strengths. I am sure they went home having a lot more fun than they normally would. Plus, its always fun to take down the big boys in the gym and rub it in their faces a little bit.

Imagine if we did something like this in our churches. I think if you use at least one thing that God has taught you, then you have exactly one thing to disciple someone with by passing it along. If we would look at the people we serve with, take them under our wing, find their strengths and develop them, to teach them that they can succeed and make a difference. There could be fellow servers sitting on the sidelines with low self-esteem, thinking to themselves that because they are not on the worship team or preaching a message , they can not be used just as mightily for the kingdom of God. If you are someone who is good at talking with people and making them feel at home, you are a potential greeter. Even those who are shy, but very organized could be a potential administrator. Both of these positions make up a team that forms a church; a church that functions to bring hope to the lost and love to the  hurting. There are multiple personalities in the people around us that we can build up to make our teams stronger. If you are a leader, it might be good to look around and see if there is someone you can put on your team that the other guy might ignore, thinking they are not the best player. People are only as limited as their leader and a leader can only grow as his team grows. Pick your team wisely.


 
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Posted by on January 5, 2012 in General

 

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The Gift

28 Dec

As I was getting ready for the Christmas season it was appropriate to study the birth of our saviour Jesus Christ. As a child growing up I had heard the Christmas story a million times. Even most of the Christmas music tells of this story that the non-believer at least knows of it. But to actually dig into the scripture and take in the story as it has been written is something totally different. The words started jumping out at me and had me enthralled in how my God came to this earth and became a man.

The main thing that stands out to me the most is how God through his prophets and Angels tell of His coming as a child. Isaiah 7:14 tells us even many year before the birth that we shall call Him Immanuel meaning “God with us”. This name got me thinking and excited. This name stating that God himself is finally here with us! I started thinking that this name Immanuel can be said even today. Immanuel God with us, isn’t he still with us? I know he is in my heart as I have received him in my life. So God is with me! We get all excited on Christmas and rightfully so but He is still with us on December 26th and beyond. We should be excited and say everyday, every morning Immanuel God with us.

Maybe you are in a dark moment in life, maybe hurt by a friend or love one. Maybe you are in a financial crisis or even lost someone really close to you. You are hurt and lost with no answers looking for God to help you. You cry out prayers asking for help. Trust me He hears you and wants to comfort you. But I know in my heart in these times I wonder if I really grasp the concept that He is with me right now yet I pray as if He is far away and knows nothing of my pain and heartache. But what if we truly grasped Immanuel?! Understood He is with us even now. Psalm 23:4 tells us He is with us through the worst times. Isaiah 43:1-2 states that we are his and again is with us through the epic disasters of our life.

Next time you are in a rough spot and looking for help know that He is already there and is waiting on you to understand that the best Christmas gift is already open and in your life. Immanuel God is with us.

 
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Posted by on December 28, 2011 in General

 

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Effective Stewardship-Talents

08 Apr

“I am fearfully and wonderfully made” Psalm 139:14. I believe the responsiblity of being a steward affects all aspects of your life. Be stewards of our talents, environment, our fellow-man, and institutions are mentioned all through the bible. I am going to be talking mainly in this post of our talents.

One of Jesus’ last parables was about the 3 servants (Matthew 25:14-30). The master has intrusted us to use our talents that were uniquely given to each of us to use them for good, for others around our sphere that we live in. We must always be using our God given talents to help others and use them for the glory of God. We know not when He will return and until then we can not rest and let them go to waste Mark 13:32-37.

We are made in the image of our creator to be creative. So do all your work with all your might. I cant help but think of the moments when I am too tired and someone has said something to discourage me. I have to keep pressing on with the work of God. Its my responsiblity for those lives that can get buried and not used to bring forth fruit and grow. I need to take what Gods given me to help his people no matter what that talent is. I was given these talents with a purpose and if I do not use them to there best someone might be lost, still broken, still hurting.

Luke 12:48 If God has been generous with you, He will expect you to serve Him well. But if he has been more generous, He will expect you to serve Him even better.

Do not hide the talents God has given you, take a risk and use them so they may multiply and you will receive the praise of your master

 
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Posted by on April 8, 2011 in General

 

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How He Got Me Here

22 Feb

This is a story of how God changed my life when and how I least expected Him too. I was blessed to be raised in a Christian home growing up in Pennsylvania and later Virginia. When I turned 19 years I decided, due to certain circumstances to “take control of my life”. This being I put God in my rear view mirror and started on a self-destructing but successful journey. I began to live the excessive party life filled with the standard sex, drugs, and rock and roll, I guess you could say. But doing this I lost a few friends and lost my own salvation. I was also at the same time able to grow in my career and get totally consumed with my job to the point I did not know who I was anymore. I still felt I needed something more, that I was still not complete. I was looking and moving to new places hoping to find, in my mind, that which would complete me.

On July 20, 2009 I didn’t know that my life would change forever. I was at work doing my regular routine when all of a sudden I started to not feel right. I was extremely dizzy, confused, and felt like I was going to lose consciousness.

I called out to my co-workers and they called 911. I was transported to the hospital and could not find anything wrong with me. I went home still not feeling right but I knew life had to go on. I started following up with doctors and a few more tests were done showing all to find nothing abnormal. I was feeling better and shrugged it off and just thought it would be just one of those weird things that no one can ever explain. The following November I started to not feel right again and was getting so fatigued and several other symptoms, that I will not go into detail. I was then so ill that I could not get out of bed. Over the next 3 months I was out of work, I was seen in several hospitals and specialists. All tests were again normal and the doctors just shaking their head. Even stating that it might just be in my head.

During this time I started to question my life and even on Christmas Eve of that year believing that I wasn’t going to make it through the night.

That night I felt the worst that I had felt ever in my life. I with the little strength I had started to write notes to my parents and friends saying goodbye. I obviously made it through the night but the next day I started to read what I had written and looked back in my life thinking that I still felt like I was missing a big piece. The notes or my story to my family and friends was empty feeling.

In the next few days I had a moment that I felt strong enough to get out of bed for a little bit. I decided that I was going to go outside and walk down the driveway to get the mail. For not being able to get out of bed in weeks I was excited about this venture. My roommate walked with me to make sure I was alright. I opened the mail box and saw amongst the dreaded bills and junk mail there was this flyer that had the name Story Church on it. Normally I had always scoffed at the thought of church in my life. Thinking that church is just another social club – remember I grew up in church and was left with a bad taste in my mouth. I then took the flyer and popped my roommate on his head and said “you need to go to church man”. He then took the flyer and said the same to me, then tossed the flyer back at me. I looked down at it about to put it in the junk mail pile in my hand but for some reason I could just stare at the flyer. I couldn’t throw it away so I just put it on my desk in my room that I was held captive to do to my illness.

For the next few days I just kept looking at the flyer from across the room. I decided to go to this churches website and checked them out on facebook.

The church actually hadn’t had their 1st official service yet. At that time I couldn’t stop thinking about Jesus. I started to pray again, something that I had not seriously done in a very long time. I didn’t physically feel better but emotionally and spiritually started to feel alive again. And it just seemed like I started getting phone calls from people in my past telling me that God had brought them back to him and they were turning their lives around and feeling better about their selves. I was telling them about my mystery illness but that I was ok. I believed that God was taking care of me now. I started praying that if I could get better I promised Him that I would go to this Story Church.

Another month went by and I had to temperately move back to Virginia as I could not take care of myself anymore. I would lay there my body shaking and feeling miserable with no energy. But every moment I was praying and getting stronger with my faith in Jesus. I was also listening to the podcasts from Story Church. If I couldn’t be there physically I was at least going to be a part of this place as much as I could. I remember every week waiting in anticipation for the new podcast to come out. I did start to wonder if I was ever going to get to physically be there and meet the people there. But then all of a sudden I started to get my strength back. I was determined to get my life back. But I knew it would never be the same. God had given me enough to get back home and start working again part time.

I was nervously excited I was finally going to be able to go to this church. I remember I walked in and the first person I saw was Jeremy Copeland. I shook his hand I recognized his voice from the podcast. I will admit I was holding back tears.

I told him man I have been listening to you every week. God had started to change my life from your flyer. I then gave him a brief part of my story. I felt like I had made it finally, I was still at the time getting used to walking again but I just knew for some reason I was exactly where I was supposed to be at the right time and place. They gave me a book and I went home and sat outside read the whole thing. Now I still to this day don’t feel normal. I am still seeing many doctors. The current count I have seen over 25 doctors and they have just started to come up with some potential reasons for my illness. But I get a joy out of telling all the doctors and my friends how God has changed my life. I had to in a way die to live again.

I have recently talked to several of old and newer friends and they have given or turned back to God in their lives. My co-workers have seen a big change in my life. I am not scared of tomorrow anymore. I know God has a plan and is actively using me to make a difference. I have finally felt like I am complete in Jesus my lord and savior. Story Church has been my rock, shown me love and acceptance. Story Church had become a family to me. I actually thank God everyday for making me ill so that my life could be changed. I do and will not regret my experience and know I will grow from this.

I may not be promised tomorrow, but I can guarantee I can serve Jesus today while embracing the story I was meant to live.

 
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Posted by on February 22, 2011 in Origins

 

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