Hurt So Good….
I have been gently and lovingly rebuked numerous times in the past few weeks….A brother came up to me after a Sunday Morning service recently and pointed out that a vehicle that belonged to me was parked in the handicapped parking space by the front door of the church. He told me that his precious mom (who has a very hard time walking) had to walk from a much more distant parking place because someone who is not handicapped chose to take up a handicapped parking space. Though I didn’t personally park there, someone in my family did. I felt terrible.
On another occasion….A dear brother asked me if everything was OK. You know, the ‘Are you alright’ kind of question. I said, ‘Ya, I’m fine. Why do you ask?’. He proceeded to tell me that he listened to a Podcast of one of my sermons and said it sounded suspiciously similar to a message he had heard from someone else. He then gently and lovingly told me that he loved me, respected me and was worried about me. He was raised up under my ministry. I proceeded to admit that though this wasn’t normal, I have on occasion leaned heavily upon other’s outlines and material in presenting a sermon. I again felt terrible. I felt ashamed.
Later, when I was alone with God, I fell to my knees and repented of my laziness and insecurity. I promised the Lord that I would never again lean upon another’s man’s work in that way. God has given me a voice. I want to be who God created me to be.
It took courage for these people to confront me. I respect them all the more for it……..
Are you a person who cares enough to give correction? Are you a person who loves Jesus enough to receive correction? It hurts so good…..g
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48 Responses to “Hurt So Good….”
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I love your heart, Pastor Greg. You can’t know how much your words encourage and heal. I feel like I wrote the book on what you have described here. I find myself feeling frustrated, anxious and ashamed because I don’t behave the way my heart desires to always. There is such an inconsistent ebb and flow to this walk. A time in isolation or a “valley” turns to a season and then to a rut. and yet, the humility and selfless lessons I have learned while in those places seem to fade away as I begin to emerge and join the tide of confident, purpose-driven brothers and sisters. We get it, we know it, we want it, and yet….. there is a part of us…. that just wants to do it’s own thing.
To hear that you have your own struggles and are in need of that gentle rebuke from time to time doesn’t excuse my own issues, but it does make me realize that I am not alone and that even people who are mentors and leaders still struggle sometimes with the basics. That encourages us to keep moving, keep striving, keep looking up!
I really dig what you said about being the person God created you to be. There is such freedom there.
Bbbaaaa haaaaaa !
Thanks for sharing
Greg, you are so awesome!!! I think one of the reasons that God uses you so powerfully is that you don’t pretend to be perfect. I really struggle with all my shortcomings, so it really encourages me to know that someone like yourself that is used so mightily by God has struggles too.
Thank you for sharing this.
Lisa
i would like to shout to the whole world…..
“THIS IS MY PASTOR, I AM PTOUD TO BE LED BY THIS MAN”
thank you greg for your realness and your humbleness, it is a true man in this day age that can admit when he is wrong and do better next time… it is a rare thing today to find strength in a man that is true and humble…
we all dont have it figured ALL out.. and we can be weak in moments, that is what walking in grace is all about… it just takes a few to walk alongside and say its ok, i know you arent perfect and still i love you… along these lines i thank cindy hale for being there for me as i stepped out in faith into a small ministry form… she knew my heart and knew me to know i was gun shy because of my faults and shortcomings… she didnt care and just wanted me to be part of something she knew was a passion of mine… thank you cindy for loving me for my faults and thinking i was valuable despite them….
i love my church, i love my pastor, and i love those who god has put in my path in the lighthouse journey!
heidi
It is not easy being corrected and then sharing with the world the fact that correction happened and was necessary is even harder. Thank you, Greg, for your humility and willingness to show you are human and teachable. You are a good servant!
i work at canyon view and i am always on display all the time about how i act. everyone there knows i dont agree with 90 percent of what they are teaching. so when i fall, or trip they are not as forgiving as christians. with you guys i say to myself. im not worried because you guys have to forgive me its commanded.
but at work man. when i tell a bad joke, or complain about something. i feel like i give God a black eye. i hope God forgives me, and try not to do it again.
like d.c. talk sang why do i have to learn things the hard way. that is my theme song. Greg you will never know how much you mean to me. so when you mess up it just gives me hope. that im not the only one.
abe lincoln once said it is better to keep your mouth shut and let every one think you are a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. i wish i could learn that one better.
one of my patients said to me you probably think think were all crazy. i said back to him. the only difference between you and me. is i have a key to get out of here. its great to see a man of God repent when he feels led i will follow you into any battle.
i talked to your 20 year old daughter this morn at morn mana. gosh, she was 6 years old when you first moved here. how time flies.
God bless you Greg
your right up there with chocolate with me!!!
CODE JAVA!!!
java jungle saturday at 0900 hrs
GOOD DAY!
Thank you all for the love and grace….I’m starting to get proud of my humility. I need to repent again…..g
It’s truly a fine thing when the Lord can gently lead us and direct us, and we thank Jesus for doing that with our Pastor. And humility is a fine thing, but nothing to boast about. For this too comes from Christ himself. It’s so great having absolutely nothing to brag about, except on Christ the King! “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
However, I do think it’s completely fine to use another minister’s “material”, if you would call it that. If that’s what you as the pastor feel like the Lord has for the congregation, then amen to that, and preach it with conviction. Unfortunately, we live in a worldly mentality that makes preachers feel like they need the “new fresh thing” from God and some “new divinely appointed sermon” with some “hidden new insight in the scripture”. Because if it’s an old sermon, or somebody else’s sermon, then heaven forbid you might bore your congregation and lose some. *thick with sarcasm*
The plain, powerful, Word of God in it’s simple truth is exactly what we need, nothing more & nothing less. So be encouraged!
Now if it is because of a laziness or insecurity issue, then these are things that we shall definitely pray for you and you will overcome. It’s quite the paradox and the tight rope balance: the line between low self-esteem and realizing that we are nobody except in Christ.
Pastor Greg,
I haven’t been going to your church very long, but what I have listened to is very annointed…the parking in a handicapped area…yeah, not so good. But I do agree with Brandon in that if God annointed a sermon, be it from you or another pastor, than preach it. Of course God has a time and place for all that is said, but I haven’t noticed any “out of God’s will” type preaching going on. Be blessed and may God bless you the way he did Moses in giving him the words he needed when he needed it!
Greg, have you been preaching my sermons again?
JUST KIDDING!!!!
Love to you always, thick or thin!!!!
By the way, sorry to all for the “pouncing” on the Sects blog.
Susan, your a gem!!!!
Ahh !!
Constuctive criticism, one of the best learning
tools out there. Offensive to some and rewarding
to those who are able to rise above and be
humbled by the criticism part.
I do not have alot of schooling and growing
up in construction i learned a large part of what
i know from constructive criticism.
Greg,
No need to be to humble here. Look at what the
lord has done through YOU, as the lead pastor.
lighthouse is nothing short of the most blessed
church in southern idaho. sure there are critics
out there but the lighthouse people feel the
finger of god touching those who call it home.
Heck, i think i got slapped once or twice.
I DONT KNOW IF THE DOOR AT LIGHTHOUSE IS GOING TO BE BIG ENOUGH FOR YOU TO GO TO WORK TOMORROW
LOL GOT TO GET SOME WORK DONE NOW
Brian,
How are you? I hear you are up in redding. My mom
and brother are in alturas, about an hour and a
half from you i believe. I also have a bunch of
relatives in adin, a very small town up that
way. I like the way you space your blogs. Much
easier to read.
t.c & G.b.u. brother
ISN’T SCRIPTURE OTHER PEOPLES SERMONS. LIKE SERMON ON THE MOUNT. IF IT COMES FROM GOD. THEN ITS NOT THAT PERSONS. IT BELONGS TO GOD. BUT IF YOU ARE FEELING CONVICTED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT. THATS ANOTHER STORY.
Jaaa-vU , Ja a a vU, Ja-vU.
SPREAD THE WORD BROTHER!!!
@ 9:00 +
\!/ \!!/
[[[ SAT ]]] @ [[[ JAVA ]]]
/!\ /!!\
BE THERE
OR
BE SQUARE
keith i found out why yours is in red. if you click on your name. it takes you right to your web site, cool ayy.
IMITATION IS THE SINCEREST FORM OF FLATTERY – Charles Caleb Colton, 1820
I love to hear what God has taught to you Pastor Greg and I love to hear what God has shared with other Pastors also. I don’t believe that there are many copyrights on sermons and I know that I have heard you teach that you share what God has given you so that we may learn and then in turn teach others. Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 1:9 What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.
In going through the Acts 2:42 study again I remember that God uses Revelation, Inspiration and Illumination through His word. When we rely on the Revelation of the Old Testament Prophets or the Disciples of Christ we are sharing the message that God has sent to us through them. I love what Rob Bell said in “Velvet Elvis”, “The Bible is God’s Word…everything else is commentary.”
I have rejected correction at times and God has dealt with me in more harsh ways. I have attempted to give correction and there is a fine line between saying too much and not saying enough. It has not always been delivered correctly or received correctly. Pride, stubbornness, self righteousness will not work well with humility. Speaking the truth in Love seems to work the best in all of our relationships.
“God, make Greg the man you would want him to be. Give him strength and wisdom and guide him to the illumination of your word so that he may share it with us. Anoint him with your strength, goodness and mercy to be a servant leader and guide us through the pains we will also suffer for your sake. Thank you for the Pastors of our fellowship that hold us accountable to your word as well as each other. Keep us all mindful of your grace and mercy as you draw us closer to you dear Lord. Draw us closer in fellowship in your church Lord that we pray and support each other in Love. Speaking the truth to each other and being a light in our community. Not always to draw others into our fellowship of believers but to point them to YOU where you would have them to be. Let our witness strengthen the walk of other believers wherever you send them. May we always be mindful of you wherever you lead us and in all of our dealings. Let our light shine before others, so that they may see our good works and give glory to our Father who is in heaven. Search us and know our hearts dear Lord.”
Amen, Bruce….
I will say this: I don’t think there is anything wrong with using someone elses structure and material, even their words. BUT, I believe it should be qualified and stated when we do. For a pastor there is a general assumption that what is spoken from the pulpit is what God has inspired in him.
A Pastor is in a unique position in that he has been called to a place of teaching. More often than not, God has spoken specifically through Greg’s messages to this specific group at Lighthouse for a specific purpose.
To rely upon someone elses inspiration may not be what God intended for this flock…. ? And if that is the case, then there is an issue…To make a habit of doing that over time would take the vitality away from Lighthouse and we would lose our identity as God intended. We would become someone else.
So, I do understand, embrace and appreciate your commitment and promise to God to use the voice he has given uniquely to you and giftedness he has entrusted to you. Thank you. I am so looking forward to hearing more of it!!
I think all of gregs sermans are awesome ! His words or others i have never heard a bad one. I think the reason he was feeling convicted is he did not spend the time to create his own serman and is putting pressure and guilt on himself for what he called laziness. I think Greg knows his potential is much greater than that. This is what makes such an awesome and moving pastor and one of the reasons that lighthouse is such a light in our community.
Keith, “best church in southern Idaho”??? Ive done some traveling lately. In the past 3 years Ive attended large churches in Las Vegas, L.A. Orange County, Santa Cruz, and all the big churches in Redding.
LCF Twin is the best run, best taught and best worship led church this side of the Rockies and possibly heaven. You guys appreciate what you have IT IS NOT THE NORM!!!!!!
There is this little church in Redding called “The River” thats pretty awesome too!!
Thanks Brian,
I don’t have alot to compare it to but I know the
holy spirit is over whelming at times and the
people are pretty awesome as far as people go.
i sure miss wed. night service. i wish we had service every day.
thanks keith for word web its awesome
Yes it is. I think christa needs it !!
Free download.
http://www.wordweb.com
I know this is off subject but feel its worthy
We need to fight this one. Gays trying to make
april 15 national gay day. Their sight is…
http://www.adaywithoutagay.com Gays were asking on the
news today for all the gays to come out of the
closet and participate.
Lets protect the country that our forefathers
started with christian principles.
ohh, ohh, she going to spank you pal. i wouldn’t mess with christa on my best day.
bruce you remind me of wilson on home improvement. i dont see you on here often but when i do its all words of great wisdom. i look forward to meeting you one day.
your brother in Crist
clay dogg
im in red cool
Pardon me??
God is good.
Wordweb is good.
Clay, howd u get du red??
I didn’t think i had an addictive personality but,
Is there a blog counselor in here??
Greg,
I had one of those times just a couple of days ago; ouch. Then I fought with trying to reason my mistake away, but to no avail. It is the most humbling experience; a definite reality check that I’m not perfect. Funny thing, I find that I talk to myself out loud in the midst of the situation, trying to understand what just happened. It takes me a little while(not more than an hour usually), but once I get it, it is so much easier to accept, let go, and humbly ask the Lord for forgiveness. I sure don’t like to be a disappointment, especially to the Lord.
Thank you for your honesty. Receiving correction in knowing we may be wrong or may have hurt other people is a wonderful hurt that turns into blessing. Thank you for being a person. As a pastor I would like to sometimes think that you are not a person, but the beauty is that you are. I sin and need those around me to correct me because I do not see where I may be wrong. I am thankful for honest brothers and sisters in Christ. I am thankful that God works through our trials to get others through theirs.
Hey! To all my blogger pals, I love you so much.
Isn’t the family of God a blessing? Even if we get hurt, it gives us more of a chance for us to love in spite of our feelings.
Greg, did you read my blog on strange bedfellows Dec.1? I repeat the sentiment, You are loved and appreciated and respected by so many. It is so good to have a pastor that doesn’t defend his weaknesses or wrongs in pride, but humbles himself to try to be what God would want him to be. I don’t mean to puff you up in any way. I just want you to know we appreciate your heart being after God’s heart. Keep walking brother!
Thank you to all our helpers on Friday and Saturday. Thanks to you, we set a record. We got out of there before midnight! whoo hoo, 9:30, YEAH! And you all made it so pretty, thanks!
Thanks to my sis, Heidi. You have always been so good to me. I so appreciated your help, I only wish I had made it easier for you. Thanks for your helping heart and hands!
Hey Christa, just to let you know, your the greatest. God couldn’t have given me a better sister and awesome friend! See you Sunday.
Keith, your so smart. You understand so much more about computers than i will ever. Like the red thing, I’m computer illiterate. Any whoo, it’s fun to see you here too.
I love you all, Ch
Thanks Cindy but i am really not that smart. I just try hard, sometimes. Ask Roy to blog.
Hi Barb,
Great insight. Please ask Anthony to try blogging!!
I am trying to get Dusty to blog. No luck yet.
WE NEED A CHAT ROOM
KEITH YOU HAVEN’T READ ALL THE BLOGS HAVE YOU. I TOLD YOU ITS RED BECAUSE YOU HAVE A WEB SITE . IF YOU CLICK ON YOUR NAME IT WILL TAKE YOU TO MOLLER CONST. AND THEIRS KEITH BIG AND STUDLY TOOL BELT ON WITH HAMMER IN HAND ARRRG ARRG!!!
after it says leave a reply, then name, then email, then website. if you put your email in your name turns red
okay!
Sweet, howd i miss that? ty both
Clay you make me laugh, good for the soul brother.
Cindy, (and ALL the wonderful people who decorated the church) it looks AMAZING! You did a great job! I’d like to put everyone’s name out here that helped but I don’t know who they all were… But everyone loved the decorations, and I know if they could put a face with the name they’d come up and say thanks for all the hours of dedications. Allow me to toot their horns for ya’ll, these folks worked HARD and LONG to decorate. I know it was a labor of love and I’m grateful for their artistic talents and that they use those gifts for the Lord, we all get to benefit! Anyhow, thanks for being used of the Lord, it really does look wonderful!!!
And ya, Keith, don’t sell yourself short on your “smarts,” well, except maybe in making the comment that you think I need wordweb… Not sure that is real smart… ;)
God bless all…
Thanks Christa, tell that hubby of yours to give us a blog !!
I tell him, and he just laughs, so you’ll have to keep on him, Keith…