About Me
- Phil Ogilvie
- Dallas, Texas, United States
- Husband and Father, Christian, Perpetual Student, Pastor, Preacher, Traveler among other things - Blessed.
What Everyone's Reading
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I know this is a little late, but I want to give a sneak peak at what we will be discussing tonight at The Awakening . Below is a portion o...
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I'm only half way though this video where Steve Jobs releases the iPad2 and I have to say, Apple is amazing! They are amazing not just ...
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The Monday before I teach at the Awakening , I try to share a piece of my manuscript so that the community can get an idea of what we are ta...
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2011
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January
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- Ruth & Relationships
- 60 Second Survey - Part 1
- It's Time to write a Thesis
- Ruth and Relationships
- Martin Luther King Jr. "I Have a Dream"
- Pray on Purpose: Day 4 of 30
- Pray on Purpose: Day 1 - Confession
- New Look for a New Year
- Here's How You get me to return to your restaurant...
- 2010 Blog Review
- NYE In the Big D
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January
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The Monday before I teach at the Awakening, I try to share a piece of my manuscript so that the community can get an idea of what we are talking about. Here's a snippet from my preparation for tomorrow night.
We are going to discover an aspect of marriage that we rarely notice, books rarely discuss and we rarely think about. So many people enter into marriage thinking, "Now I will be happy, Life will be exciting!" But for those of you that want to get married someday, if you're single, dating, engaged, or even if you are married, you need to hear this. You know what's worse than being single and alone? Being married and numb.
Many enter marriage with excitement and crazy expectations of blissful romance and then after years of falling into routine, they realize they've become simple friends with benefits at best, and boring roommates at worst. They are always dreaming about being somewhere else, with someone else, and doing something else. Husbands and wives feel trapped in a perpetual loneliness committed more for the kids or appearances then to each other. In fact, many of us grew up in that kind of environment, and we do not want it!
So my Question is this: How do we keep from having a marriage that leaves us numb, one that is boring and Lonely? What can a single person do today that will give a great return on their marriage tomorrow?
I look forward to some great discussion tomorrow. Shannon and I look forward to being interviews by YOU - the Awakening. We are accepting emailed questions now and will have an opportunity for you to ask them at the Awakening tomorrow night.
How do you feel about quantitative goals or metrics in relation to ministry? For example, saying we want to start 56 new churches or we want to see 142 people trust Christ this year or have 75% of the church in small groups. If you think that they are a good thing, what is your scriptural basis for that perspective?
I think it's good to set both goals and keep track of results. It is encouraging to see growth in whatever capacity it comes and I think it's important to know if what I am doing is not "working." If the results I expect to see/God has led me to believe I would see, are not there, then I question if I miss understood God directionally, or it may be that I am not serving in the capacity that I should be (failing).
As far as scriptural support, I am not sure if quantitative metrics are something prescribed in the Bible. For example, there are prescriptions in the bible for the Church and how it should run. (Elders, deacons, serve others, First shall be last, etc.) But then there are descriptions of how those prescriptions are implemented. Like, how does a church gather? (There is evidence of several ranges from Homes, Library's, to 1000's gathered at one time).
Similarly, I don't think you can find a verse that says, "Keep track of your Numbers, and set Goals to reach this many people a year." (This would be Prescriptive) But there are descriptive passages where recording for the sake of reporting is seen.
For instance, in Acts 21:17-26 Luke shares the account of Paul, returning to Jerusalem and then reporting his work to James and all the elders. Paul shares "one by one" all the things that God had been doing among the Gentiles. The result of this reporting is in verse 20, "they glorified God." Then they report to Paul what has happened there in their ministry (most likely in Jerusalem). They report saying, "You see Brother, How many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed." The point here is that records were being kept for the purpose of reporting which can lead to the glorification of God.
Where ever a number is written in the Bible concerning the work of Christ or his disciples, it is both a record that was kept, and once written for the masses (as Luke did in writing Acts 21:17-26), it is then being reported This inspired reporting is for our benefit so that we can be encouraged as followers of Christ and Glorify God for what he has done.
For other instances where records are kept and reported, see Matt.14:13-21; Acts 2:41,47; Acts 5:14; and Acts 11:24.
Imagine this gift of inspired Scripture that God has blessed us with devoid of any of the numerical or even descriptive records (like using the word multitude). What if instead of 12 Disciples, there were only "some Disciples" Or if instead of feeding the 5000, Jesus feed a bunch people? Or if we were never given that inspiring number of "3000 believers were added to their number" in Acts 2.
I think God doesn't necessarily prescribe or demand that we keep records like, souls saved, baptisms and percentage in small groups, but I think through his Word, we can see descriptions of this type of recording taking place. And when it is done well (because I've seen it done poorly too) God will be Glorified and his followers will be encouraged to continue to serve Him.
I know I said a lot, but I'd like to hear from you:
- How would you have answered these questions?
- Do you agree or disagree with what I shared?
One of the major transitions we go through in young adulthood is from Singleness to dating, to engagement and then to marriage. We are starting this new series called Ruth and Relationships to let God speak to these life stages so that we can be excellent in our relationships.
...The book of Ruth is a Story that Honors God. At the conclusion of this series and this book, you should see God as the hero in this story. The book of Ruth depicts God's hand at work in the day to day lives of his people to bring about his plans through redemption.
In some sense, if Jesus himself told this story, we may call it a Parable. A parable has real life examples, and a heavenly message. The heavenly message being shared is that God has a grand plan, and that he will enter into the details of life, like our relationships, to carry his plan out. Isn't that amazing! God works through the relationships of Ruth to carry out His plans! In doing this, Ruth honor's God with her relationships.
I want your relationships to do the same. I want your relationships to honor God. Your journey from singleness through marriage is a parable that can tell others a story far bigger than your own. You can participate in something far bigger than your life. That is impact! Like the book of Ruth, the hero in our relationship story, can be God, if we will let him.
The book of Ruth is an intensely intimate story of two woman in need of saving and finding help in the hands of a faithful man. It is a passionate story of the exceptional relationships of Ruth and Boaz. We will learn from her "singleness" in chapter one and look into the "dating" relationship between Boaz and Ruth in chapter 2. Then we will watch the actions of Boaz as he prepares for marriage in a type of "Engagement" in chapter 3 and eventually their marriage in chapter 4.
Our LeverageU staff is reading the book to prepare ourselves for some hard decisions about how we help our local communities. I have to say, this is one of the best books I've read in a while. It reminds me of my days back at the Pink House (group on FB)when I lived in Fresno. People, we are not helping the poor by simply giving them stuff. It is so much bigger than that! Read this book before your next mission trip, before your next serve day, before your next neighborhood improvement meeting. Please.
I will write a full book review on this book sometime soon, but I wanted to at least make people aware of it now. It's that important. Check the blog or an update.
http://awakeningdallas.blogspot.com/2011/01/new-series-ruth-relationships.html
I'm doing some research both for The Awakening and my Thesis. Will you please take this quick survey?
My questions:
How are churches responding to the spirituality of Millennials?
What has worked? What hasn't?
If you are of the Millennial age, what are some of the values important to you?
What are some of the questions you think I need to ask?
Thanks for your comments. It will really help me out a lot as I prepare for this daunting process.
As I am building this series, one thing is coming up a lot. Our most God honoring and healthy relationships happen when we are not focused on ourselves but on the other person. Think about it, when we enter a dating relationship thinking, "What can I get out of this?" or "What needs can she/he meet?" we are focused selfishly on ourselves. When are marriage is simply an exchange of "If you do this, I'll do that" then we are focused selfishly on ourselves.
Boaz and Ruth both exhibit selflessness as they enter into their relationship. I'm looking forward to our teaching team developing this further and the discussions happening during our gatherings on Tuesday night.
For those of you reading, tell me what you think. What stage of relationship are you in (of the four) and how have you seen this concept of self focus at work?
BTW, for long time readers, you may remember me writing about the Leverage of Boaz in three parts a while back. Some of this is going to come into play in the message about Dating.
I listen to this speech every year. It is so inspiring. When was the last time to heard/read this speech?
My country 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing.Land where my fathers died, land of the Pilgrim's pride,From every mountainside, let freedom ring!
Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York.Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania.Let freedom ring from the snow-capped Rockies of Colorado.Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California.
Let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia.Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee.Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi.From every mountainside, let freedom ring.
What are the dream's have been placed in you, causing a "Holy Discontent."
Over the last few days I have noticed something that I have experienced before, but have never put so much thought into. When we simply get started in a little of prayer, God will lead us to pray for more. We've been challenged to pray for our life's purpose, the the Awakening's purpose, and for three others to find their purpose in a saving relationship with Christ. But when I start down that road, I can't simply pray for these things alone. I think we've tapped into something here concerning prayer: A little turns into a lot. It's amazing what can happen when we just get started.
Have you found this to be true in your prayer life?
What other thins have you added to your prayer list once yous imply Got started?
1) A Personal "Life on Purpose" That we would have a life that seeks to glorify God in all we do and take the opportunities He give to us to do so.
2) The Awakening to Gather on Purpose. We want to carry out our mission to lead young adults in a growing relationship with Jesus Christ through authentic social community.
3) The salvation of three others. For three others to experience the Life on Purpose that only comes from a relationship with Christ.
Over the next thirty days, I am going to try and share my experiences as I pray. I will not share every day, but I will share those days, like today, that I sense a greater leading by God in prayer.
Today, As I prayed for a personal life on purpose, I was overcome with a sense of confession. I could not start this thirty days of prayer without confessing my lack of "on Purpose" prayer. I am great at praying through out the day as situations present themselves and comes to mind. But to stop and prayer, even for 10 minutes and to focus on God is not as consistent in my life as I would like it to be.
I also had to confess that I have not taken the opportunities to live a Life on Purpose when God has clearly presented them to me. Opportunities to share my faith, to love others, to help and serve people in need. I get busy doing my things and when His things intersect, I'm too focused on myself. Lame! That is going to change!
I hope you will join many of us in this 30 days of prayer. You can start when ever you want (like right now) and you can tweak it to your own life and passions. But let us agree, if we all start 2011 with 30 days of prayer how much would our lives be different at the beginning of 2012!
Who's Joining Me? Comment below so that I can pray for you as well, and share this post on Facebook or Twitter.
Follow the lead of Brooklyn's at Firewheel Mall:
- Stop what you are doing and walk over to the To Go counter as soon as I show up.
- Make an exception and let me order your personal pizza even though you stopped serving it two hours ago.
- Ask me if I'd like a Free drink while I wait (make sure you say free). Everyone knows drinks don't cost you more than 10 cents so it's cool when you don't charge me two bucks.
- While I wait at the bar, give me a status update on my order. Also, a little conversation is nice.
This is my first time here, the atmosphere looks great, and the menu looks complete and tasty. Unless I get sick on the food, I will return... With friends.
#1 The Epic Fail of Disney This was a pretty funny post from a pic that my wife took at Target. By far the funniest post on this blog.
#2 A Cultural Anthropology of Halloween Matthew making his parents proud! Kinda....
#3 The Leverage of Boaz This is actually one of my favorite posts. It was a post written based on a manuscript of a message I gave at The Awakening but also kind of an inaugural post about LeverageU.
Was there a post you liked that didn't make the list?
If you had the steak, you were blessed by Ryan's (Executive Chef) amazing team. Every bite melted in my mouth. Though Vegetarian options were not on the special menu for the evening, Mike Peal made sure my wife and Rachel would have something delectable, serving them a mixture of brussel sprouts, carrots and some other rabbit food. I don't think vegetarian fare is their strong point, but that didn't stop them from being creative and making sure we enjoyed our evening.
The night ended as it should, watching the live but previously recorded Times Square Ball drop in New York, and then stepping outside on their beautiful patio to watch an amazing fireworks show from Victory Park at the American Airlines Center. I think we may have had the best view in town.
Thanks Saint Ann, and Mike Peal specifically for a great NYE celebration and I hope 2011 will be a successful year for the restaurant.
What did you do for NYE?