Change Series Update

Posted on May 19, 2010 by Frank Wooden

We are doing three new message series at Sweetwater River Church based on 2 Corinthians. The first series is titled Change and is focused on character qualities that we need to possess as we live in changing times. It has been exciting and challenging to learn how comfort, integrity, tenderness, and others can make a difference in how we live.

I have found that character qualities are easily ignored when it comes to day to day living. The more of God’s character we have in us. the easier it becomes to live successful lives.

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Personal Growth Plan

Posted on May 7, 2010 by Frank Wooden
  1. At our staff meeting yesterday I shared the three areas that every ministry leader must grow in:
  2. Spiritual Formation- This is what you do to grow your relationship with God. Nothing grows your relationship with God like spending time with God.
  3. Ministry Development- This is what you do to grow your ministry. Thre are more resources now than ever before. We don’t lack for information but the ability to get the information we need.
  • Cultural Awareness- This is what you do to understand society. You must know your world in order to minister in it.

Here’s why you need to grow in all three areas:

  • Spiritual formation + ministry development – cultural awareness makes you irrelevant because you are ignorant of culture.
  • Spiritual formation + cultural awareness – ministry development makes you  ill-prepared because you are ignorant of ministry.
  • Ministry development + cultural awareness – spiritual formation makes you inadequate because you are ignorant of the Holy Spirit.

Filed under: Personal, Discipleship, Leadership, Productivity | Tagged: , , | Leave a Comment »

Redemptive Conversations

Posted on April 26, 2010 by Frank Wooden

While most of our everyday conversations can deal with minor topics, we can still have the opportunity to make an investment when we talk. It can be as simple as a genuine compliment, an offer to pray on the spot if they share a need, or just letting the other person know you value them.

Redemptive conversations have as a goal to do more than answer or ask a question or share information. They have the ability to make the time spent conversing have redeeming value.

I’m trying to practice making my conversations redemptive this week. I invite you to consider doing the same and see where your week leads you.

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Comfortable vs. Rewarding

Posted on April 21, 2010 by Frank Wooden

A life that is comfortable is easily mistaken for a life that is rewarding. Comfortable is what we try to make for our lives by avoiding challenges and conflicts. When we reach this state we even have a term to describe it- being in the comfort zone.

Rewarding is what God makes for our lives and it leads us from comfort, through challenges and conflicts, to receive what we could never get on our own. It is better to be in the reward zone than the comfort zone.

The truth is- we spend most of our time avoiding challenges when God wants us to go through them in faith. Every great hero of faith from the Bible faced a challenge because God wanted them to go through it to reach the reward He had for them.

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Weekend Update

Posted on April 12, 2010 by Frank Wooden

We had a great start to our “Story” message series this past weekend at Sweetwater River Church. I ended the service with an invitation for the entire church to stand at the front of the church where we had an uplifting time of prayer. I am so excited to see how God writes a good story in our lives as we overcome conflict to reach victory.

We welecomed the latest member to our ministry team, Larry Pierce, to lead Small Groups. Larry is the City Engineer for Vista and holds credentials with the Assemblies of God. He joins Sue Hegle (Missions), John Bass (Children/Metro Kids), John Gordy (Spanish Language), Malee Prateeptintong (Mid-City Outreach), Jon Nichols (Outreach), and Lionel Jasmin (Worship). We have one of the finest staffs of any church. I love our team.

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Story

Posted on April 9, 2010 by Frank Wooden

This is our new message series at Sweetwater River Church that begins this Sunday. I’ve discovered so many people that haven’t tuned into the story that God has for their lives. Only when you follow God’s story do you find the sense of fulfillment that we are looking for.

If you’re in the San Diego area, join us this weekend.

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Tenebrae Service Tonight

Posted on April 1, 2010 by Frank Wooden

The sanctuary is dim, with candlelight reminding us of the night that Jesus gathered with the disciples  for the Last Supper. This unique service combines reflective worship in song, communion and the story of Jesus’ death. As the scriptures are read, the candles are extinguished. At the end of the service, we leave in darkness.

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A Great Thought

Posted on March 31, 2010 by Frank Wooden

I was looking through some quotes yesterday and I came across this one- Rather than seek more days in your life, seek more life in your days.

It’s a reminder that living long isn’t the goal if your life doesn’t have a greater purpose. Jesus said in John 10:10 I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

May our lives be filled with many fruitful days.

Filed under: Discipleship | Tagged: , | 1 Comment »

Selecting New Leaders

Posted on March 17, 2010 by Frank Wooden

My denomination, Assemblies of God, will be electing a new leader for Southern California in a few weeks. Amidst the endless speculation about who that person may be is this thought…it is in God’s hands.

Having participated in every political election since I turned 18.  I have also grown up in church and seen numerous pastors and other leaders be elected and I’ve  noticed a tendency- people express their fears when a new leader is going to be selected more than their faith.

A leadership change is always challenging but can be tremendously fulfilling if we seek God’s will, ask Him to make His will known to all, don’t make up our minds before we’ve sought God’s will, and thank Him for the outcome of his will.

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The Balanced Life

Posted on March 10, 2010 by Frank Wooden

The antidote to stress is supposed to be the balanced life. If you can get all the demands on your time and energy “balanced out”, you’ll find harmony. But it is never that easy. You can only keep things balanced until someone (your boss or a family member for example) places a new request on you. Soon, you’re out of balance again. Trying to balance demands of work, family, God and your own interests becomes an impossible juggling act- something is going to come crashing down.

Jesus said that the greatest commandment was Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment (Matthew 22:37,38). In other words, God wants everything of you- your time, your talents and your possessions.

It comes down to control- do you want to control your life or are you willing to let God control it? If you let God, all the demands placed on you are his to resolve. Let Him figure out how to bring balance to your life It’s time to let God manage your life.

Filed under: Discipleship, Personal | Tagged: , , | 1 Comment »

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