Sunday Highlights
Isn’t it true that most of us grew up with expectations of the way life was going to turn out? In our minds we had it all planned out.
Nobody ever grew up dreaming they would be divorced twice by age 45 or be alone and depressed at 26. Nobody ever things “I’m going to have cancer before I turn 50,” or “Ill be unemployed at age 32.”
- So what do you do with your shattered dreams?
- What do you do with your unmet expectations?
- What do you do when God doesn’t show up like you thought God was going to show up?
Today we launched our new series “Shattered Dreams” at all of our campuses. I’m super excited about this series because it speaks so directly to some of the most tender hurts that many of us are carrying.
[vimeo]http://vimeo.com/9056665[/vimeo]
The Birth of Control by Pete Wilson
1 Samuel 21:1-3
Don’t abandon your God-given values in the pursuit of your God-given dreams.
1 Samuel 21:8-9
Where in your life are you trying to control outcomes? Finances? Relationships?
Where are you tempted to think you know how God should think or act?
Develop a systematic way to remember God’s past faithfulness, or you’ll have a hard time trusting him with future challenges.
What do you do when your dreams aren’t coming true? What’s your habit? What do you turn to? Drugs? Food? Introversion?
Control is birthed when we assume God must think and feel as we do.
I need to get to the place where I realize that even though my will isn’t being done, it doesn’t mean God’s willing isn’t being done.
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My toes start getting stepped on when we talk about control. You?
I have a very hard time dealing with challenges because of the way my life's gone completely off course from where I wanted to go. When I was a kid, I wanted to be the next big time radio star. Well, 21 years of working in that field and I never hit the big time. When I became a Christian, I wanted to go into ministry. My porn addiction came out and I was run from ministry and haven't been brought back into it. I want to be a writer and no doors are opening & working on learning the craft is a discouraging struggle. It's hard to trust God when not only does it appear your dreams aren't coming true but on top of that He's not really giving you any direction. Drifting in the ocean can feel pretty darn hopeless.
However, every time I've tried to take control, things just get even worse. I'm just glad to see Pete doing this series along with the Plan B book. So many people need to have the hope of just knowing God is doing stuff regardless of whether we can see it at the time. Sometimes, it's the only thing I have to hold on to these days…
Jason keep the faith. You will find it amazing how he ties everything together. You will most likely look back one day and say. Wow how did he tie in my desire for ministry , my additions, music experience and love of writing all into one mission. I have seen it happen time and time again in my life. It is not so fun living it sometimes but how cool it is when he reveals part of it in your life. Be ready to accept and see it. It is incredible. You have a great way of expressing words. I have read your comments on several blogs. I think you will do well in whatever you allow God to do in your life : )
I'm looking forward to listening to this series online.
Sad. I missed it. Need to catch it online this week.
Jenni, I am so excited about this series. I am at a good stage in my life currently and do have ways that I track his faithfulness. Love reflecting on his gifts! However, it hasn't always been that way, probably more hardship that happiness. So I am excited that I am at a point that I can be there for others going through their Plan B. The Lord is putting so many hurting people in my life right now and it is amazing what he is doing. Just Yesterday I felt led to buy an extra book of Pete's Plan B to give to a couple I know are going through some crazy stuff and a divorce. I was a little worried what they might find it offensive, but instead when I went over to give it to them they smiled and had just visited CP that morning and were talking about the book and buying it. Lives are changing. God is so great!