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Archive for First Woodway – Page 2

Leadership Retreat

By michaelcriner · Comments (0)
Friday, August 28th, 2009

We would love for you to be praying for us this weekend. When I say us, I mean the Leadership of our College Ministry. We’re going to be praying together; playing together; & they’ll hear my heart for this upcoming year…

We’ve developed a little booklet for our leadership; it’s called the Sherpa which I think is a ROCKING title that I didn’t come up with. Sherpas are traditionally people of Tibetan descent living on the southern side of the Himalaya Mountains in Nepal and Sikkim. In modern times Sherpas have achieved world renown as expert guides on Himalayan mountaineering expeditions. We want our Leadership to be Sherpa’s for the College Ministry… they’re to be guides for their peers using their gifts and experiences to lead others to new and exciting places.

This quote in the book keeps ringing in my head over and over (hence the ringing):

“Don’t rely too much on labels, for too often they are fables.” – C.H. Spurgeon

ALSO – there is the FREAKING HUGE announcement that we’ll be sharing with them in regards to our (Abigail & my) future. I’M TOTALLY STOKED about it! I’m way more STOKED about this than I was for our first Sunday. No really. I’m FREAKING PUMPED about it.

[And to those of you who think that the announcement has something to do with Abigail & I leaving First Woodway - don't be a hater - that couldn't be further from the truth. There are just some BIG things we're planning for this upcoming year - ESPECIALLY during Spring Break. It's going to be AWESOME!]

enjoy

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Categories : Uncategorized
Tags : Charles Spurgeon, Church, College Ministry, First Baptist Church Woodway, First Woodway, Leadership

Reflections from Sunday

By michaelcriner · Comments (0)
Monday, July 13th, 2009

This morning I had the opportunity to preach for the two main worship services at First Woodway. It was a joy to preach and the response from our people was quite overwhelming. My Dad and Mom came from Ennis along with Granddaddy and Bobbie; which was a blast. For them to come and hear me preach was a huge blessing for me… but I think they find more joy in hearing me preach than I do actually preaching!

Below are some of my reflections from the two services:

•calling people to repent of their righteousness is a very difficult… but very rewarding.
•there is a huge difference in feel between the first service and the second service… not a bad feel, just different.
•when adults come to you in tears confessing their sin, you know the Spirit moved.
•’In Christ Alone’ is one of my favorite songs… no really.
•I’m finding more people every day who love Calvin & Spurgeon & Owen & Edwards… and it excites my soul.
•in the end our very best thoughts will never compare to You.
•having a loving wife is the best thing a pastor/preacher/minister can have.
•having family in the service is an added bonus and joy to me…
•Wearing a sweater on a Sunday morning is a really bad idea… but better than wearing a suit!
•the Holy Spirit is te only One who can turn the most crusty hearts towards Jesus.
•the Gospel matters.
•may we accept our depravity so that we might understand God’s fabulous grace.

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Categories : Uncategorized
Tags : First Woodway, Gospel, Preaching, Repentance

What I’m Preaching This Sunday

By michaelcriner · Comments (0)
Wednesday, July 8th, 2009

A couple of weeks ago, my Pastor asked me if I could preach on July 12th. It’s always an honor to fill his pulpit on any given Sunday, especially since he’s been at First Woodway longer then I’ve been alive. (yes – reread that sentence).

I realized it yesterday, but most of the senior staff won’t even be at church this Sunday – so it’s pretty much the ‘C’ Team being asked to fill in for the starters. At any rate, I’m pretty pumped about it since I get about once a year to preach to the entire congregtion. The Lord had given me some specific things to share and I can’t wait. But it’s funny, because if I get to preach once a year you’d think I’d be preparing the entire year – but it really doesn’t work that way. He’s laid some things on my heart THIS week that have challenged me, humbled me, and encouraged me. Needless to say – I’m learning tons.

Anytime I have the opportunity to preach people will ask: “what are you going to talk about?” and my constant answer has been “sin & Jesus.” For some reason, this gets a perplexed look from people and I’m not sure why… what else is there to talk about on Sunday mornings than the gospel? Sadly, on so many occasions the gospel is the last thing people talk about on Sundays. So, I’m looking forward to his Sunday…

…my aim is to talk about sin and to rejoice in the gospel.

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Categories : Uncategorized
Tags : First Woodway, Jesus, Mike Toby, Preaching, Sin
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