The Unexpected Visit

A member of a certain church, who previously had been attending services regularly, stopped going. After a few weeks, the pastor decided to visit him.

It was a chilly evening. The pastor found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for his pastor’s visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace and waited.

The pastor made himself at home but said nothing. In the grave silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs. After some minutes, the pastor took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it one side of the hearth, all alone. Then he sat back in his chair, still silent. The host watched all this in quiet contemplation. As the one lone ember’s flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and dead.

Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting. The pastor glanced at his watch and realized it was time to leave. He slowly stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow, once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it.

As the pastor reached the door to leave, his host said with a tear running down his cheek, “Thank you so much for your visit and especially for the fiery sermon.”

(via: Pastor David Sumrall, of Cathedral of Praise)

Top 10 Ways to Not Space-Out in Your Quiet-Time

It was said of George Whitefield, that he woke-up every morning at 4:00am for personal prayer-time. As 10:00pm approached he would say to everyone in his home, “Come, gentleman, it’s time for all good folks to be at home.” Doesn’t that sound a little rude? Why would he say something like that? Because if he stays up too late he wouldn’t be able to wake up early to seek God, (nor would he have been a fire brand to kindle The Great Awakening). According to Deuteronomy 4:24…

God is a “jealous God”.

And if He’s jealous to have your heart, then you and I ought to be jealous about guarding that time, and not letting anyone, (or anything), steal that time with our First Love, who’s name is, Jesus.

Below are some points that I’ve developed for an effective Prayer-Time/Quiet-Time. Avoid the tendency to check e-mail, or Facebook, etc. Get a plan and watch how much you’re relationship with God will grow.

1. Make a “Prayer Time” CD.

2. Plan ahead & find a “Prayer Closet” where you can be alone.

3. Know in advance where you’re going to read in the Word.

4. Get a Prayer Journal and write down what the Holy Spirit is giving you.

5. Use Rhema Cards to get your prayer time started with faith.

6. Then move into a time of Thanksgiving.

7. Lift your hands in praise & adoration to the Lord.

8. Then begin to pray The Lord’s Prayer.

9. Avoid sleepiness by pacing & praying.

10. Take the last 5 minutes of your Quiet Time to thank, worship, and praise God.

Fresh Maui Rain

It’s been an amazing two months so far here in Maui. God is moving in an amazing way! I don’t think Jesus’ motto was, “Just Hang Loose”, because the Christ-Followers here in Maui are on the move, and hungry to see souls saved, and discipled.

This picture is of a rain cloud that came in yesterday. It so reminded me of the prophet Joel’s promise of God pouring-out a latter rain. In the Hebrew culture it was a rain that came just at the nick of time. I don’t know about you, but in times of feeling like I want to give up, or throw-in the towell, the faithfulness of God shows up and refreshes your soul to make it through.

I pray He does that for you today.

5 Things I’ll Miss about Evangel

1. Staff Devo’s
When I came to Chicago I thought “Devo” was a band from the 80’s. Little did I know that these morning times would one of the things that brought our Staff together. Sometimes there was uncontrolled laughter, and other times – tears of truth. “9:15” will always remind me of those times. I’ll miss my Cindy and Ms. Virginia, who both made me smile and demonstated the fruit of the Spirit on a daily basis. I’ll miss Wesley’s worship and powerful insight into the Word, and Robin’s smile when I needed it most. I’ll miss Pastor Adrienne’s motherly care for us all, and Mr. Rudy’s “Energy-Drink” work-ethic, and of course I’ll miss Mr. Tony and Carmello for making Jesus real and by emulating His awesome Carpenter skills.

2. Pastor Ray
I never knew a “Pastor” could have so much fun, and still be so mightily used of God. I’ll miss his slaps on the back of my neck and all his stories like my favorite one, “Booker Brown”. I’ll miss the late nite calls just to talk about whatever was on our minds. I’ll miss him saying to me, “How yo Mama doin’?” But somehow I know he’s with this “unapologetically white” guy forever.

3. Holy Spirit Moving & the Human-Chain
When the Spirit moved at Evangel no one had to announce it. Tears flowing, heart-wrenching praise ascending – “When the praises go up…. the blessings come down!” And… I really did want to bust out in a crazy-praise and have a group of people form a human-chain around me so I wouldn’t hurt myself or inflict holy pain on others around me.

4. The Precious People of Evangel
Believe it or not I’ll really miss the wet kisses of George Garza. (If you’re an Evangel member… you know). I’ll miss Nelson saying, “Cool Beans” after everything I said & always making me laugh. My young people are forever in my heart and I’m going to miss them & all their crazy ways. I’ll really miss my Leaders. We were united, we served together, we were all changed together.

5. The Celebration Choir & The Blood
I’ll miss seeing Deacon Jaime grinning from ear-to-ear in sheer joy. I ‘ll miss Leon throwing his jacket off in a sweaty shout while we’re all going crazy about to have a conniption fit right then and there. This Choir sure did get this white boy clapping… “the right way”. And I sure will miss Pastor Adrienne’s rendition of “The Blood”. Thank God I’ve got it on CD. Evangel’s music will surely be missed.

Evangel, I’ll never forget you!

Moving to Maui!

My family and I have enjoyed four incredible precious years here in the world-class city of Chicago. Most of you know that I was a Missionary/Church Planter in the Kingdom of Tonga for 6 years. During the last couple years though the Lord has been reviving us, and stirring up a love and passion in our hearts for the Polynesian people of the South Pacific once again. Although we were extremely happy in Chicago, and at Evangel World Outreach Center, and were not at all seeking change – the Lord has opened up for us a great and effectual door and is giving us the desires of our hearts. We will be ministering in the state of Hawaii, and I will be helping to lead an Internship program there where I will be raising-up young people to be pastors, worship leaders, children’s workers, and youth pastors with the objective of sending them out to the nations of the Pacific Rim and the South Pacific in starting brand new Churches.

Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined that the Lord would bring the vision that I have carried in my heart for over 20 years now into reality. My wife had to bring something back to my remembrance. It was in 1990, when I lived in Maui, Hawaii that I actually received the call to be a Pastor. I then became an Intern at Calvary Fellowship in Seattle, and 3 years later was launched into the South Pacific to plant a Church. And now it seems like the Holy Spirit is bringing me back full-circle to the place where I was called. Now I will be the one who disciples young Interns that have a call to reach the nations. The King’s Cathedral congregation is predominately made up of Pacific Islanders, and Lokasi will be able to see family, and Addison will have a greater appreciation of his culture as well. People have been saying to us… “This is just… YOU!”

We will miss each and every one of you, especially Pastors Ray & Adrienne. Pastor Ray is one of the most amazing men of God I have ever met. He has poured into me, developed me, and has modeled for me what a Pastor ought to be. I will forever be grateful for being a part of Evangel’s Church family. I will also truly miss my young people – United Youth. We have laughed together, worshipped together, and even cried together. You are always in my heart and in my prayers. My Youth Leaders are the most incredible Team of youth workers this world has yet to see. There was never ego with us, but only humility and the common vision to see young people reached for Christ.

Lokasi and I will do our best to update you on Twitter and Facebook.

With Love for You All,

Pastor Robb Gorringe

Scooter Fever!

Depressed? Sad? As a Pastor, I’d say, “Take some time to get-away from the hussle-n-bussle, and spend some time in prayer…” But, as a scooter enthusiast, I’d just say, “Watch THIS..”

Go out and buy a scooter today!

“Ah, I’ll Pray Later”

One of the favorite things the enemy loves to steal is our prayer time.

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. [John 10:10]

Far too many Christians don’t understand just how much of an injustice this is. If our car were ripped off, we’d be furious! We’d call the police, our insurance agent, and all our friends wouldn’t hear the end of it. But when the enemy steals-away our Devotional life? “Ah, I’ll pray later.” Or, “Hey, it’s not such a big deal, we’re saved by grace – relax, bro.” And all the while the Devil is rolling on the floor with laughter as, another one bites the dust and another day of spiritual Rigamortis sets in.

It’s time for God’s people to get furious over letting the enemy steal-away the most valuable weapon we have! Love your car? Love your Devotional-Life more.

One Word on a Ceiling?

I remember hearing the late John Lennon tell a story where he was at an art show.

“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” [John 1:14 KJV]

There was a ladder in the center of the room with a small magnifying glass attached to the ceiling with a string. He thought, “If this is something stupid, I’m leaving.” When he climbed up, he reached the ceiling and looked through the magnifying glass. There was only one word – “Yes!” It put a smile on his face, and he stayed for the whole art show. That one word, not only “dwelt” there, but it caused many to behold it’s “glory”, and were changed for the better!

Whatever I get from the Word of God, and my relationship with Him , it must become “flesh”. Why? So that people can relate to it, and desire to grab on to it! Titus Coan, of the Great Awakening in Hawaii, always sought to exemplify, and embody this verse to the precious Hawaiian people that God sent him to. Sadly, many times, people don’t come to the Church’s “art shows”. We don’t even set up a small “ladder” with something to catch the curiosity of the sinner. No, we build skyscrapers, and occasionally dangle a rope out of the penthouse window. And we wonder why people think Christianity is stupid? It’s time for the Church to wake-up and follow the model of Jesus! Let us dust ourselves off from our intellectual high-horses, and simply become a people who reach out to sinners with that tangible, life-changing love of God. Why? Because we want them to stay for the whole show, and make it to Heaven!