Gilbert Thurston

Random Thoughts About Life, Ministry and Whatever Else Happens to be on my Mind

Archives for June 2009

Inside Today’s Experience (Vacation Edition)

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Francis Chan & Gilbert

  • Again heard through texts and seeing people in person at lunch that you guys had a good day today.
  • Hope you got a lot out of Francis Chan’s messgae…love that guy.
  • When I was in Orlando a few months back I got to meet him. (pictured above).
  • The best part of that day though was the hilarious intro he got.
  • As for us…today we visited King Street Church, right here in Chambersburg.
  • King Street is the area’s largest church but until today I had not had the opportunity to visit them.
  • Unfortuantely I didn’t read their web-site well enough and we ended up at their blended service instead of the contemporary one.
  • However, that was by far the best blended service I’ve ever seen.
  • Their 50+ member choir rocked it out.
  • I guess the thing I liked best about them wasn’t neccisarily their song selection or singing ability but the “attitude” in which they sang.
  • They were having fun and you could tell they really believed what they were singing.
  • They had a guest speaker so I wasn’t able to gauge that aspect of their services, although the guest speaker gave a good message on compassion.
  • One funny thing happened…the lady sitting next to me stole mu bulletin.  Don’t think she did it intentionally but I was partially sitting on it so you’d have thought she’d have at least asked.
  • One other cool thing was seeing that Ryan Payne was playing acoustic guitar, in the background, for King Street’s worship team.
  • Ryan’s band is really growing and has quite a following and I expect one day they will be signed by a major Christian label.  Neat to see hi humble himself to serve.
  • Reminds me of what Brian Houston, pastor of Hillsong Church, said about Darlene Zschech when she was becoming famous…”She has never forgotten that she’s to still serve in her home church”.
  • After the service was over I got to meet the Senior Pastor, John Beukema.  Seems like a nice guy and I’m proud that we get to partner with King Street and so many other great churches in our area to reach people for Christ.
  • I’ve said it before an I’ll say it again…It’s not about United or CFCOG, it’s about Jesus and the Church which He died for.  I’m glad we have other great churches in our area…we’re not in competition, but partners together. 
  • We meet with Lisa’s sister and her family for lunch at Red Robin.  The 4 of them plus Lisa and I all share birthday’s within about a 40 day period…4 of us within 11 days…so this turned out to be our birthday meal.
  • Funny thing was Lisa and Gayle were texting each other while we were there.  I look up and over in the corner were the whole Krull family having lunch.  In other words Lisa and Gayle were in the same restaurant texting each other and didn’t even know it.
  • Of course we had some fun sending her texts about things she was doing and wearing…finally she caught on and realized we were there.
  • Time for a nap and then our normal Sunday night crew will be getting together.
  • Vacation is almost done…enjoyed it and for the most part I’m refreshed…can’t wait to see everyone next week!

    • Inside Today’s Experience (Vacation Edition)

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    Bethany Baptist David Evans

  • Talked with Brian earlier and heard you guys had great Experiences today.
  • Sounds like everyone reallly enjoyed Craig’s message.
  • Lisa and I on our way from Atlantic City to the Pocono’s attended Bethany Baptist Church.
  • They are the 40th fastest growing church in the US and are lead by Bishop David Evans.
  • His service is seen on TBN from 10-10:30 on Sunday mornings.
  • No you can’t skip United to watch some week…that’s what they made DVR’s for.
  • This is a predominately African-American church and one thing I was afraid of was that we wouldn’t be dressy enough.
  • Sure enough as we pull in, everyone is dressed to the hilt…except for a few people…so we ventured in.
  • One of the first things we noticed was that all of the ushers were dressed in white tuxedo’s with white gloves.
  • Wish I could say they were friendly but they weren’t.
  • You sat where they told you…no exceptions.
  • Even people that came in late…and by the way…this was a 2 hour and 15 minute service, were squeezed into a pew with others.
  • You absolutely were not allowed into a closed off section until every pew was full.
  • I went and checked out their video production studio and met the lady who was running the production for the day.
  • She and the rest of the TV crew are all paid outsiders.
  • The service started with the MC leading 5 minutes of clappping….seriously that’s all there was.
  • Something I found interesting was that there were ZERO songs in which the congregation was asked to sing.
  • In other words…you sat and watched the entire time.
  • Now don’t get me wrong…the congregation, which was typical of an African American congregation talked back to the people on the platofrm ALL the TIME.
  • I like that…wish you guys responded more during the music and message.
  • After a few songs there was a presentation of kids who are going off to college.
  • Something I liked was they have a full-time staff person who does nothing but work with kids in the church to help direct them to college.
  • After another song or two…came the video announcements.
  • I love video announcements…you can say so much more with them and in a shorter amount of time.
  • Problem was they had about 7 minutes worth AND THEN…came another 10 minutes of verbal announcements.
  • This was followed by a skit which was pretty funny except that the sound crew really botched the mircophones.
  • There were at least 7-10 actors and they had no clue who was on what mic.
  • Makes me so glad for two things at United…Number 1 that I’m such a sticklier for excellence and number two that we have a team that has caught that vision and week in and week out fulfills one of our core values…”Excellence Honors God and Inspires People”.
  • Another song and then…
  • The message.
  • I enjoyed David’s message on how our assignment is to leave a legacy for the next generation.
  • A few of my favorite lines:
    • “You had no trouble asking people to follow you when you weren’t a Christian but now that you are, you’re ashamed and are afraid to talk about Jesus”.
    • “Don’t try to have the biggest and best house YOU can…make sure that you’re children’s HOUSES are bigger and better than your own”.
    • “You should work because it’s what God created you to do, not because you need the money”.
  • The end of the message featured another thing typical in an African American church…the organ player playing a little diddy after every phrase that is spoken.
  • This of course got the crowd into a frenzy and about a dozen people gave their lives to Jesus at the end.
  • Hmmmm….what else…oh yeah…they took 3 offerings.  Missions…Building…and the normal tithes and offerings.
  • All in all it was an interesting experience.

    • Vacationing at the Speed of Jesus

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    Atlantic City 2009

    Often times I live life at 120mph.  There are people to see, things to do and places to go.  It’s constantly run, run, run.  The problem with that kind of pace is that it will wear you out and quite frankly may not be all that biblical.

    We’ve all heard that Christianity is simply a “Walk with Jesus”.  Oops…last I checked the average person walks about 3mph.  So is it possible that when you and I keep up an often times frantic and hectic pace that we are actually running ahead of Jesus and are thus out of His will?

    I’ve got to be honest, living at a slower pace is easier said than done.  However, this is the 3rd year in a row that Lisa and I have decided to “Vacation at the speed of Jesus”.  We intentionally slow down our pace both literally and figuratively.  Last night walking on the boardwalk of Atlantic City we had to a number of times remind ourselves to slow down…even eating at The Rainforest Cafe, I had to remind myself it wasn’t a race to see who could be done their meal first. 

    The result of vacationing this way is that it’s very relaxing.  This year I’ve also decided not to check any work e-mail and I’m only answering my cell for close family and friends.  I debated whether posting this was too much, but hopefully it will be a good reminder to me when I get back that even life should be lived “At the speed of Jesus”.

    14 Great Years

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    Today marks 14 years since Lisa and I got married.  I know it sounds like a cliche but we really do get happier and happier with one another with every passing year.  I’ll be the first to admit that in life I’m far from perfect, yet she overlooks and/or forgives those flaws and loves me anyway. 

    Happy Aniversary Lisa…looking forward to growing old and more in love with you!