The Little Things Make A Big Difference

This past weekend, we cast vision for an incredible opportunity for our church as we kicked off "The Little Things."  The Little Things is our Christmas sermon series at Skyline, but this Christmas season...it will mean so much more.  We are embarking on a journey to make a difference in the little things of life.

Often we get so focused on BIG gifts during the month of December that we miss out on the many blessings in store for us through the small things of life.  While this should be, in theory, the happiest time of year for people....it's not for many.  In fact, it is one of the most stressful times of the year for every one of us.

During the stress of the holidays, it's nice just to have a small blessing that will put a smile on our face.  Imagine how great it feels when someone else takes time to make that small difference.  Now imagine how great it feels when you make the difference.  That's what we are going to do through "The Little Things."

Here is our challenge for Skyline Church.  Between now and Christmas day, each person who calls Skyline home is given the mission to do a minimum of 25 random acts of kindness for someone that crosses your path in life.  It could be something done for a friend or a neighbor or even a complete stranger.  I challenge you to be creative in how you share the love of Christ through the little things.  

HOW?

1.) Do something nice for someone.

Here are a few ideas for you:

-Rake some leaves for your neighbors

-Offer to babysit for a couple down the street so they can have a much needed night out.

-Take a tasty dish to someone who needs a blessing

-Pay for a meal/drink for the person behind you at a fast food restaurant or in the drive through
-Leave a larger tip than normal for your waiter
-Secretly pay for a meal in a nicer restaurant for an unexpecting person/family

-Randomly leave a gift card lying in some obscure place that would surprise an unknowing blessee

-Leave a stack of quarters at the car wash

-Take some doughnuts to a local establishment

-Pay for a tank of gas for a stranger

-Make a small gift basket for a teacher or a co-worker

-Carry out groceries for someone at Wal-mart

These are just a few ways to make a difference in the little things.  Your only limitation is your imagination.  The key is to go out of your way to share the love of Christ in small practical ways.

2.) Give the person you are blessing a "Little Things" card.

If you personally hand the card to someone, challenge them to "pay-it-forward" to someone else in their life.

If you were not able to be at church this past Sunday, you can grab a stack next week at Skyline

3.) Share your story on Facebook and at www.skylinecc.com.

We have set up a special page on our website to share your stories of how you were able to bless someone else through "The Little Things".  This can give others ideas they can use to be a blessing to others and it can tell your story of how God blessed you by being a blessing.

4.) Pray for those you bless.

Even if you have no idea who you just blessed, your prayers can make an even greater impact.  We can never fully know what is going on in someone's life, but your small gift could have brightened the day of someone who is broken by the world or inspire someone else to be a blessing to others.

I am so excited to share this little campaign with our church.  It is at the heart of who we are and why we do what we do.  We exist for three things:  Love God, Love Others, and Make a Difference......even in THE LITTLE THINGS!!!!

Guest Blogger Chris Habermehl: insideOUT Worshipper

From Lance:  I am so thankful for the leaders in my life and Chris Habermehl is no exception.  He is not only an incredible Worship Leader, but he is also a dear friend.  His quiet wisdom is unmatched and is the type of person that, when they speak (or blog), one needs to pay attention and listen.  Hear from Pastor Chris's heart.

Hey! My name is Chris Habermehl and I am the worship pastor at Skyline church. Pastor Lance asked me a few weeks ago to write a guest blog for him. Actually it was more like a strong suggestion. Okay, it was probably more like a command. (From Lance....Come on Chris, it was a gentle request....lol) Anyway, I thought it would use wisdom and follow orders, so here goes.

I would say that I am passionate person. I would also say my outward actions don’t always portray that.  As a worship leader I understand that a certain amount of “stage presence” is needed in order to keep the people you are leading engaged in worship. Some worship leaders naturally show more energy than others, and being more of a laid back guy I often fall into the category of “others”.   I’m not saying either side is better than the other, it just comes down to being true to yourself as a  worshiper and being who God created YOU to be.

I’ve been making it a habit to watch video of myself and the team to assess what needs work. What I’ve noticed is this: The video of my physical, OUTWARD actions don’t always seem to capture what was truly happening INSIDE my heart. Is this a problem? Maybe. Maybe not.

Everyone worships differently. Some with raised fists, others with folded hands. Some stand and shout, while others sit with quite reverence. Just because someone isn’t raising their hands or shouting doesn’t mean they’re not worshiping. There are some who are flamboyant, who show every physical outward expression and look like the model worshipper sent from heaven, but their heart is full of sin and live a completely different life outside of the church walls. There are also some who are more reserved and aren’t overly expressive, but have a deep and intimate relationship with Jesus, and have a genuine love for God.

Our outward actions alone aren’t where it’s at.  God looks at the heart (1 Sam. 16:7).

On the other hand, I believe our hearts shape our outward posture in worship. So, if our hearts are burning with a passionate love for God on the inside, our bodies will naturally convey that on the outside. Worship is a heart condition. Yes. But I think it needs to be a condition of our heart AND body.

I love my kids Devin and Isabella, and they know it.  And not just because of what’s in my heart, but because I show it to them through physical actions like hugs and kisses and body slams on the couch.  Not everyone shows their love outwardly- I get that. All I’m saying is that we should whole heartedly worship Jesus on the inside and respond naturally on the outside. It will look a little different for everyone. Responding in worship may not feel natural at first, but just like anything else, as we practice it and as we do it – it becomes natural. It becomes who we are. It may not feel natural, but it might be necessary.

God wants all of us. Heart. Mind. Soul. Body.

Let’s let our lives reflect the passion in our hearts.

Let’s live a life of inside out worship.

A Life Story

Those of you who know me, know that I love story.  I love the stories of people.  I love to hear the story of Christ in the lives of people.  I want to share with you a story of a friend of mine written free from prose.  Please take a moment to read his story and feel free to share your thoughts....

"Some would say I have walked in darkness, I say, I have been led through it!"  Some would say that I gave up, I say I gave in, & this is what happens when one completely surrenders..." 

ABDUCTED

It has finally become a reality,
with some honest work, patience, love,
& forgiveness, "Change" is not an impossibility;

It finally became clear,
The "Giant's" in my life were,
"A Closed Mind, a Pharisee's Religion, & Fear"

Abducted by my own lusts & addictions,
No rules, no limits, no restrictions;

Much of my life lived in a panic,
criminal, chaotic & frantic,
Stranded, branded, & abandoned
on an "Isle" called "Manic"

Peddle,
To the metal;

Goin' nowhere fast,
Take "Hostage" & "Tormented"
by "Guilt" & "Regrets" of my own past;

Hiding from "The Son"
Prisoner on the un, because
I deserved to be the condemned one;

The only thing for me to confess,
"Was my utter hopelessness;"

"Bound:" no possible way to get loose,
"To be found dangling beneath
a belt & a noose?"

"Or swallowing just one bullet,
it would be final, quick & complete,"
As always, selfish & self-centered,
only thinking of me;

"Some of this for the purpose of shock
But most, actually not;"

"Addicted, Abducted,
Oh yes, a full blown junkie!"

At times,
the "Strain,"
the "Pain", the "Shame,"
the "Despair," was just too much,
But there was one thing I had to refuse to do,
"I could not, I would not give up!"

What's most important, what I think,
what I believe, or what I feel???
Or could it be all three,
that makes a "Spiritual life,
Fulfilling, Supernatural, & Real?"

For way too long I believed the lie,
"How could God love such a sick, damaged,
dented & demented man such as I?"

How little did I know, "Money Changer's"
of my past, wanted "Complete Control,"
As "Double Minded, Fork Tongued Slanderer's"
slung "Accusations" with "Stones of words & verb's,
shredding the very fiber's of my Tortured Soul;"

"Wearing the title of Shepherd,"
Treating me as a castaway leper;

Labeled me, a "Reprobate,"
Hell, "They don't even know
the difference between love & rape!"

"Prostituting my witness & profaining my name,"
As if through condemning me they would
have something to gain;

Yes, there once was a time,
I let the "Wolves" too close, it was as if,
their "Claws" were wrapped around my mind;

I have found peace by knowing that there is coming a day,
When "they" will "Answer," & "they" will "Pay"

Sometimes the change comes in "Degree's"
When no one else but "God" & "I See's"

In times past; why should I lie?
I begged God, I say I begged God,
"To please let me die!"

But today, I want alllll to know, straight up,
"I drink from the Fountain of Life,
so go ahead drink alllllll you want from my cup;"
&
"Of alllll the places in the Universe,
The Father to send His Son, "The King"
to heal my heart & to cure my curse;"

Through nakedness, on that Cross,
He bore my sin, He wore my shame,
'Cause even then, somehow, someway,
He knew my name;

The addiction, so deceiving,
Had me bleeding & believing;

It was "Fear" that "Paralyzed" me,
& made it "Impossible" to see;

"That I had been Abducted, by
True Love, Through Pure Blood,
Who
wears
my
scars
as
He
Reigns
on
His
Crystal
Throne
Somewhere,
"Somewhere"
above...