by David Docusen | November 15, 2011 | Uncategorized
One of the most challenging and inspiring quotes that I have ever heard is by an evangelist from the late 1800’s named D.L. Moody. It drives me in ways that are hard to explain. Listen to the passion, commitment and desperation found in these two statments:
The world has yet to see what God can do with and for and through and in and by the man who is fully and wholly consecrated to Him. I will try my utmost to be that man.
I have no clue what it means to be fully and wholly consecrated to God. My life is laden with inconsistencies and areas that fall short of perfection. But – like the old saying goes – if I shoot for the moon, I might get the stars. So here’s to a lifelong pursuit to trying to be that man.
Some thoughts to consider: What can you do today to give more of yourself to Jesus? To trust him more? To love him more?
by David Docusen | November 14, 2011 | Uncategorized
I am teaching on one of our core values at Center City Church this weekend: We will risk everything to obey. It’s a bold statement that is true of so many in our church. There are stories that can be told over and again about people in our community that have given their hearts and lives completely to God. It’s absolutely beautiful.
This is also a statement that I speak over and pray over every person in our church. I pray that our relationship with Jesus is so intimate that he could ask us to do ANYTHING and we would be compelled to obey. No matter the cost.
Praying for an absolute wildfire of obedience in our church family. This is how we change the world.
by David Docusen | November 10, 2011 | Uncategorized
Click the link to view this week’s message from Orphan Sunday at Center City Church:
[vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/31708520 w=398&h=224]
James 1:27 gives a clear mandate to care for orphans and widows at home and across the world. Center City Church joined with thousands of others across the world for “Orphan Sunday.”
by David Docusen | November 9, 2011 | Uncategorized
I have always had a desire to change the world. But every time I would allow myself to be exposed to the needs of the world, I would get terribly overwhelmed. In the past month, God has arrested my attention and filled me with a motivation that I’ve never known. It started with this simple thought that went through my head:
Just because I can’t do everything doesn’t mean I can’t do something.
Translation: you gotta start somewhere. And it turns out that a mixture of hard work, patience and Google is all it takes to make a difference at home and across the world. I spent an entire evening on Google the other night researching what’s already happening in my community and around the world. I have been pleasantly surprised at the incredible number of great organizations that are already addressing needs in our community. So I started to email a bunch of different places, set meetings and simply express our willingness to explore how our church can come alongside them.
I want to change the world. It seems that it may simply start at the women & children’s shelter down the street or by partnering with our local Department of Social Services office. So practical.
Let’s do something. Together. More to come…
by David Docusen | November 2, 2011 | Uncategorized
Proverbs 2:2-4 – Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures.
The intensely practical book of Proverbs teaches us to seek, search and passionately pursue wisdom. The results are profound, lasting and meaningful. When we commit to search for wisdom, it means that we are searching for God. He is wisdom. He is understanding.
I want to live my life in this pursuit of wisdom. There’s too much going on to walk blindly, so I need a compass. I need a true north to guide my direction. Wisdom is my compass. My direction. My peace in an uncertain world.
Commit to learn more about God and he will help you to live well. Wisdom leads us to care for others above ourselves, leads us away from self-centered actions and into the life that God has called us to live.
Learn and live well. That’s my challenge for you, and me, today.
by David Docusen | November 2, 2011 | Uncategorized
Dreams are a funny thing. Nothing can keep you going with the adrenaline and passion that goes along with chasing down your dreams. And nothing can be quite as disheartening when a dream comes to an unexpected halt. I have learned over and again that the dreams of my life never seem to come on my timetable. And that is probably the best reality that I have experienced.
Good old fashioned hard work, discipline, stick-to-it-ive-ness and patience produce something that shortcuts never can: commitment. If you have a dream in your heart that has not come to pass, don’t give up. This season may just be the most important season of your dream.
Proverbs 21:5 – Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.
