Gilbert Thurston

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

New web-site and blog

by Leave a Comment

Some of you have already figured this out because you’re on the new site and made your way here.   Others of you get the blog through a feed so you have no clue that it happened…In any case we have a new web-site and my blog is now being hosted off-site.

The web address is still www.unitedworshipexperience.org.  On it you will notice a much cleaner look and since most of you voted with your mouse, Facebook and the United fan page is now the way to leave your comments about anything United.  Check out the new site and let us know what you think.  Thanks to my wife, Lisa for another fantastic site…this is her third one she’s done for United and it looks great!

As for my blog, it is still linked off the United site, but you can now reach it directly at www.GilbertThurston.com.  There are some new features and you can still leave comments.   All the old posts are listed, but not everything has been tagged yet so watch for that in the future.  Thanks to Ann and Allison Hospelhorn for all your hard work getting things transferred!

For those who have an RSS feeder for the blog and/or Podcasts of the sermons, make sure you go to the new site(s) and up-date your feeds.

Random Thoughts on a Thursday

by Leave a Comment

  • Had breakfast/lunch with my first pastor from after I became a Christian, today.
  • Great to catch up and hear what God is doing in his midst and ministry.
  • I’m feeling much better today!
  • Had some bad news today that hit me pretty hard…still processing.
  • On the other hand, there is some exciting things that happened today which I’ll share in a post right after this one.
  • I got a treadmill delivered this week and so far have been faithful to be on it every day.
  • Figured I’m not getting any younger and should get some exercise from time to time other than the Wii.  :)
  • Really excited about the REWIND series coming up in August…don’t forget to be in your seats on time for the wild stuff we have planned!
  • I’m working on a huge project right now for the entire church that is going to be so awesome when it’s done, but right now is kicking my butt and everyone who helps…quite overwhelming, so we could use your prayers.
  • Ok…can’t wait to tell you the exciting news…so time to hit publish and get to that.

Random Wednesday Thoughts

by Leave a Comment

  • Been awhile since I did a random thoughts.
  • Went to Rod Hockenberry’s funeral today.  A few thoughts:
    • Last year when we did the”Live Like You Were Dying” series, I sat down with Rod and interviewed him to get some perspective on what it’s like to know that you’re dying.  I loved his faith!  He knew he was going to heaven and was just enjoying every moment he had left.  Who knew as we sat there that day that it would be less than a year.
    • Vernon Edward who is our Visitation Pastor at the church always seems to have just the right thing to say…love that guy!  Today he shared how Rod the other day said he felt trapped in his body and Vernon reminded us that now he is free and then quoted some relevant verses…very touching moment.
    • I’m very rarely able to see the parking lot full…usually I’m one of the first to arrive and one of the last to leave on Sundays.  So seeing it overflowing today was a treat.  It’s a real testimony for how much Rod was loved.  However, I felt God saying, “Why is the parking lot more full for a guy who died than it is each week for a guy who came back to life?”  Wow!
  • I’ve got some sort of seasonal allergy thing going…not any fun…very draining.
  • I’m pumped about this weekend!
    • First I’ll be teaching the “Get Connected to God” class on Saturday where I’ll teach on the importance of prayer and how to study the Bible for yourself so the words leap off the page.  Not to late to join us…9-11am this Saturday.
    • Next, I’m doing a wedding for a great couple.
    • Then Sunday, I get to preach a vision message.  I love when I get to remind people why we do what we do…usually there is at least one memorable line that comes out of my mouth that either gets me in trouble or is worthy of being on a t-shirt.  Who knows what this week’s will be…but I look forward to finding out.
    • I’ll also be making a big announcement about a couple of things I’m excited about.
    • The Experience will be followed by a video shoot for the “Rewind” series and then we have a staff picnic.
  • Wow this is already long so I’ll stop for now and will do another tomorrow to catch you up.

Psalm 119:161-176

by Leave a Comment

I challenged everyone in the Textually Active message to read through Psalm 119 this week so here are some of my thoughts on each 8 verse section and then an application point for myself for the day. Feel free to read along and share your thoughts as well.

Psalm 119:161-168: Vs. 165 is something I pray often…”God I know that your word says, ‘Great peace have they that love your law and nothing can make them stumble’ so God you know how much I love your word, so please help me in this situation”.

Psalm 11:169-176: Vs. 172 is a why I love that many of the songs that we sing are not just based off of, but contain phrases from scripture.  It’s easier to memorize God’s Word when it’s put to a song!

That wraps up Psalm 119, hope you have enjoyed the journey as much as I have.

Psalm 119:129-160

by Leave a Comment

I challenged everyone in the Textually Active message to read through Psalm 119 this week so here are some of my thoughts on each 8 verse section and then an application point for myself for the day. Feel free to read along and share your thoughts as well.

Psalm 119:129-136: Vs. 36, “Streams of tears flow from my eyes, for your law is not obeyed”. Sin whether our own or others should cause us great anguish.  One way to know that you are really growing is when you stop sinning not because you have to, but because you want to.

Psalm 119:137-144: Verse 142 reminds us that the Bible doesn’t simply contain truth, but is truth.  Again as I said on Sunday, the bible isn’t a book to be read but rather a person to know.  That person’s name is Jesus…and He said, that He is truth and John calls Him the Word that became flesh.  In other words, realize that when you read the bible you’re spending time with Jesus.

Psalm 119:145-152: Vs. 147, “I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word”. Someone once said, “No Bible, No Breakfast”.

Psalm 119:153-160: Vs. 160 is another reminder that the bible is just a relevant today as it has ever been…His word is eternal!