Doug Reed Ministries Blog

Throne Room Night

The Spirit of God was doing such deep things in our people last night.  I spoke on the pattern found in 1Kings 18 at Mount Carmel.  Our monthly Sunday night is an extremely intimate time of worship, and a passionate message that is followed by extended time at the altar.  These services have been a big part of the corporate move of God in our church.  Throne Room nights @ Englewood are the last Sunday of every month at 6PM.

Jeanne and I leave for a Missions Conference in MIami on Wednesday.  I will be back for services on Sunday as we continue our "Together" series. 

Prove It

*Erwin Mcmanus : "God does not even desire to prove Himself to you... His real heart is to reveal Himself." 

The above sentiment is contradictory to the the way that so many of us approach our faith.  We want to see up front, to obey because of blessing thereby avoiding a blind and faithful submission.  Prove it God,  then I will serve you.  This is a game that God refuses to play,  a strategy to move His hand that will never work.  Real faith requires trust.  No formula or struggle or even prayer can make God prove something to you.  He is un-apologetically relational,  He is always teaching us and revealing Himself in the midst of our circumstances.  The miracles He brings are inconsistent but His ability to sustain you and even surprise you is always there.  God is faithful in the best possible way, a Father like way. 

My tendencies:

• To want proof before I will believe
• To ask for more assurance before I obey
• To obey in stages to try and stay in control
• To experience a drop in faith when conflict comes
• To forget how consistently God has sustained me
• To expect God to come through the same way each time

"God, reveal yourself to me and to your people.  Help me to get out of my own way, to submit to you faster and read your ways more accurately.  Grow me up in the things of faith"

Friend Day was awesome today!  A lot of visitors,  especially in the second service.  Several responded for the altar call and the people seemed to be energized. 

Friend Day

This Sunday is Friend Day @ Englewood.  I will be preaching a message called "Game Plan"  - planning for success in all of our relationships.  We will end each service with a wonderful finger food reception for you and your guests.  Invite someone today ! 

KC JUICE

Jeanne and I have become a fan of Jamba Juice in our travels.  It is basically the Starbucks of juice smoothies.  There are no Jamba Juice stores  in KC,  but we have found a replacement that we love just about as much.  KC Juice... just off the Plaza in Westport.  Awesome!  We drove all the way down tonight to feed the crave.

I have a plan

Few phrases in life are more powerful than " I have a plan ."  It immediately creates wonder and can even generate hope.  The problem is that so few of us really have enough information to form an efficacious plan for life or ministry.  The key is to spend time with the one who has an "ariel view" of your circumstance and who knows the future.  God can see where we have been and he knows where we need to be.  Most of us get lost in the confusing details and quick moving nature of our own lives and callings.  Need direction?  Discouraged?  I see in scripture that often God energized a servant by giving them a plan.  Waiting seasons end when God sets a plan ablaze in our hearts.  Obedience simply defined is " Something to do " ,  a task given,  involvement in God's process.  That is the Father's heart coming out and it is a great gift.

Three signs that a plan is from God:

1. It is consistent with Scripture and enforced by a peace from the Holy Spirit.
2. It is a repeating theme of personal desire,  it won't go away.
3. Your gifts and talents fit and therefor the possibility of success is imaginable. 

Step back and listen today.  God is both in and above yours situation and that qualifies Him to direct you.

Don't forget that Sunday is Friend day at Englewood.  Invite someone and stay for a phenomenal reception with our staff!

Process

In staff meeting today we were talking about process.  I shared with the staff that every significant ministry or personal spiritual development in my life has followed five basic steps.  I think positive patterns are extremely important to recognize.  They speak of the way God moves us to higher levels and help us to make a map for others. 

My pattern almost always follows a 5 step path.  

• God will deal with me and creates a philosophy that I believe in.  This usually includes frustration about something that needs change.                                                                            
• I am prompted to action in that area.  Often this is not a fully conscious thing but it is accompanied by strong feelings and the need to lead.

• Conflict begins to surface. This happens from both the inside and outside.  In me, questions are birthed and an inward spiritual and philosophical struggle is there.  Other may begin to question and struggle around me as leadership in a direction is enforced.

• The Holy Spirit convicts and the philosophy becomes a conviction.  I become strong in my belief and it is now a point of obedience to God.

• Strategic planning happens as God helps me to live out what He has dealt with me about.  The conflicts within are gone and I can lead and live with purpose.

It is worthy to note that God's word is the tool that the Spirit uses to move us through His patterns. 
I love the fact that God is always working in our lives.  Finding the repetitions can help us rejoice at His consistency that flows out His faithfulness.

I preach the 3rd message in our purity series tomorrow night.  Masquerades that lead to a lack of authenticity will be the headline subject of the night.

Together Series

I am discovering that God will consistently put me in a position where I cannot accomplish goals without the help of others.  He loves for us to surround ourselves with a "cluster of comrades" and to fight for change in a spirit of unity.  I am reminded that if I have dreams that are big,  it will demand that I trust other people.  I can over-lead or I can release others into a place of vulnerable fullness that pushes them to trust God and recruit others. This is the cycle of the kingdom that all are called to participate in.       

  several observations here:

• Trusting others speaks of my limitations and glorifies God
  
• Comradery of Cause opens up the chance for the deepest friendships
• My gifts can only be full-filled in an atmosphere of relational integrity
• God loves it when we trust the system that He created
• I am built for connection and isolationism is poison

The loneliest place on earth is an unshared moment of victory.  

A shout out to my many great friends... love you guys.

The Chiefs

We lost to the Raiders today... that makes 25 out of 27 games.  A dark season at Arrowhead indeed.  I am committed though,  Real fans stand in the rain and cry,  they never abandon the ship.  Todd Haley looked rough today,  every Pastor knows about a bad Sunday.  It's still early!

"Together Series"

We are looking at relationships for about 6 weeks at Englewood.  We are in week 3 -"amazing friendships".  Week 1 was "divine Partnerships" and last week was "loving relationships".  God is doing something fantastic as he heals our hearts in this area.  One of the big focuses here is the idea that you can only reproduce in others what is already in you.  Healthy people can have healthy relationships.  The key is to focus on growth and wholeness in you,  which can only come from God.  You cant change others but you can change and that changes everything! 

Later in the Series I will post all the sermon note outlines.  For now,  you can listen in @ www.englewoodministries.com..... link to the right. >

"Together" series

I am in week 3 of our "together" series this Sunday.  Taking a look at the amazing friendships found in scripture.  I will post the outline the 1st of the week...

The Launch Update

This Sunday at Englewood represented the birth of a ton of new ministry structure in our church. God has been moving and we have seen a lot of growth during this season.  I only did 3 events this summer as the church has needed me during this growth phase that we are in. I will travel some later in the fall and will update the blog as I do.  Here is a copy of the Launch update sheet for Launch Sunday that just happened for us.  More to come...