by David Docusen | February 6, 2012 | Uncategorized
I am consistently blown away by the fact that God decided to use people like you and I to accomplish his plan. In all of his wisdom, he decided to include imperfect people to communicate the perfect plan of redemption, love and grace. We GET to be a part of HIS story. Amazing. Click the link to view this week’s message from Center City Church and learn about the people that were included in the first miracle of Jesus’ public ministry.
[vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/36251473 w=266&h=150]
Click the link to download the note sheet from Sunday to follow along with the message:
by David Docusen | February 3, 2012 | Uncategorized
“If you created a space for Jesus to fill, he will fill it.”
That quote resonated so deep in my spirit this past week. As Dara and I gathered with about 50 church planter’s from across North Carolina, Darla Rakes spoke those words to us. It was like a lightbulb went off in my head.
As I’ve been sharing on this blog recently, I have been doing the best I can to learn how to delegate and let go of things. And a challenge for me is to live with open spaces. I have become so consumed with the pace of life that includes juggling church stuff, husband, daddy, friend, etc. It is almost like I had forgotten what open spaces felt like. And the more I crammed my schedule full of “stuff”, the less I felt the closeness and intimacy with Jesus.
As I have been letting go, I am resolving to not just fill my spaces back up with other things. I am leaving more open spaces for prayer, reflection and writing. And my heart feels healthier today than I’ve ever felt along this journey.
Creating a space means letting go. Letting go of having to have your hands in everything. You create space in your budget by tithing. That’s a huge step for so many. But that’s where you see God in your finances. You create space in your day by waking up a bit earlier and diving into God’s word, times of prayer and moments of silence.
Those words have resonated so deeply in my spirit: If you create a space for Jesus to fill, he will fill it. And I promise that his presence is way more fulfilling, productive and peaceful than anything you could decide to fill it with on your own.
How can you create space today in your life?
by David Docusen | February 3, 2012 | Uncategorized
Where is your anchor? This question is one that I hope each person gives great consideration to seeking a solid answer. Far too often this answer is answered in ways that bring false senses of security. False comfort. Fleeting stability.
We think that finances will be the anchor that holds us steady into our future. So our lives are given to working tirelessly to gain another dollar. What happens when the economy crashes?
We think that relationships will be the anchor that brings comfort when everything else crashes. But what happens when one imperfect human disappoints another? What happens in the case of an untimely loss of that person that anchors us?
We think that career will be the anchor to give us stability and give us worth and meaning. But what happens if the job market turns or your dreams are tripped up along the way?
I have found that finances come and go. After all, you can only spend a dollar once. I have found that every relationship I have ever had has disappointed me in one way or another. And I have found that my career, of which I currently find great satisfaction, has also been one of the most challenging and volatile areas of my life.
So I ask myself the same question I pose to you: where is my anchor?
I have found that God has been my provision every moment and every step of my life. I have found that God has been a faithful father, friend and King. He has never disappointed me. I have found that only God has ever been able to give me satisfaction and worth when I realize that I am his prized and loved child. Whether I am successful in the eyes of the world or I am simply a mess to everyone around me, His ear has always been close to my prayers.
My anchor is in Jesus. In every area of my life. In my dreams. In my hopes. In my friendships. In my marriage. In my finances. In my adoration. He anchors my life.
As a ship on the open seas, I have been tossed around by the waves. But when my anchor is found rooted in the immovable, ushakable, unbreakable and powerful presence of God, there is no hurricane of life that can rip me away from his love, care and provision.
Where is your anchor?
by David Docusen | February 2, 2012 | Uncategorized
As I have been learning to let go in so many areas of my life, God led us down a very unexpected path this Sunday at Center City Church. I have always said that I want the Spirit to lead us during our services, but this week was a whole new level.
In short, I scrapped my prepared message and we talked about freedom and healing. It was a powerful expression of God’s love and healing. If you need healing and freedom, I ask you to click the link and receive with an open heart.
[vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/35983640 w=266&h=150]
by David Docusen | January 31, 2012 | Uncategorized
Center City Church is 80% twenty & thirtysomethings. That’s awesome on many levels. So many that are in this demographic have become disillusioned by their parents and grandparents representation of faith. They grew up during an age of explosive growth of communication. New ideas from all parts of the world at their fingertips. But all of that noise has seemed to drown out the sweet, still, small voice of God that draws them in. So much noise. Not enough silence. Too many tweets and status updates. Not enough open space to consider their lives and their need for a savior.
While I love pastoring this group of twenty & thirtysomethings, I am praying for spiritual mothers and fathers to begin to have a heart for this generation that is rising into positions of leadership and influence. If you have been around the block a few more times than us, I’m asking for you to consider God’s call to pour into the next generation.
Paul did this with Timothy. Moses did this with Joshua. And the results were incredible. The message of faith, freedom and power found in God continued to spread. But it took intentionality. You may not like our music. We may not like yours. But you didn’t like your parent’s music either, right? We are a passionate, growing group of people that are learning to love Jesus. But we need the wisdom of those that have been there before us. We need to listen. We need to stop being arrogant and realize that there’s no difference between our generations when it comes right down to it. We all think we’re right at this age.
We need perspective. And your perspective may be exactly what we’re so desperately in need of seeing. If God is calling you to pour into the next generation of leaders, influencers and world changers, I am humbly inviting you to Center City Church. There’s a bunch of us that need your wisdom. We may not agree on music or the way our jeans are intended to fit, but we can agree that the same Jesus that impacted your life is the same Jesus that is impacting ours. And we want your voice in our lives.
Are you out there?
by David Docusen | January 31, 2012 | Uncategorized
I have been so blown away by the love and commitment of so many people in my life. It’s like God has collectively brought a group of people together that are teaching me what it means to truly let go, trust others and empower people to accomplish their God given potential.
I don’t know about you, but I tend to hold on to the things that I love the most. But it’s in letting go and letting God determine our steps that I am finding the most health. As others are rising up around me, I’m seeing that they are taking things to a completely new level at Center City Church.
I am so intrigued and encouraged by this season. We are growing as a church family. But it’s growth that has much less to do with me and way more to do with so many that are rising up and using their gifts for God’s glory. Really cool season right now. Thanks to all that are pitching in and taking things to a completely new level.
We’re in a new season, experiencing new things and seeing God do new things in us and through us. And I’m having a blast. I love my job.
