waves during the storm…

waves-storm-victoriaI was pondering this thought that the waves are larger and more robust during a storm.

Coming to the beach the other day, the sun was delightfuly bright and clear skies dominated the horizon.  The waves were calm and rolling.  It was the perfect day to enjoy the beach!  However, the shelling was quite sorry!  The beach was clear and there were no shells to be found.

And then the storm came rolling tonight,and the waves were loud and boisterous!  Looking towards the beach, the waves were undantingly larger and bigger, moving faster towards the beach.  The locals say that the beach will have more shells after the storm as the waves are stirred up and the waves bring the treasures from the ocean to the beach.  Shelling will be great tomorrow morning!

Just a thought to ponder…the waves are larger and become more robust during a storm.  Does it feel like that when you face a storm in your life?  Does it feel as though the waves of life are larger and more robust?  Are you frightened and feel unsecure because of the waves?  Does it feel as though they stir up those things hidden in the depths of your soul and bring them to the surface?

If so, I have great news for you and me.  Those things are brought to the beaches of our lives, because they are the treasures of life.  They are merely opportunities for the God of wonders to perform His miraculous deeds.  He changes the stuff and makes them treasures for us to pick up….like the shells that will be at the beach tomorrow!

I am not frightened nor feel unsecure by the waves during the storm…they signal what is ahead and what lies to be found!  Lamentations 3:22-23 declare:

The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
His mercies never cease.
23 Great is his faithfulness;
his mercies begin afresh each morning.

Come and join us at GracePointe Community Church in Lee’s Summit, MO as we begin a new sermon series, “Live the Blessed Life!”  Starbucks and Lamar’s donuts are served at the Gathering 8:30 AM and worship begins at 8:45 AM…see you then!

Want to Live Fully Alive?

hanger_back1 WANT TO LIVE FULLY ALIVE?

Time for something new!  A brand new kind of church is coming to Lee’s Summit on 10-10-10.  LIVE FULLY ALIVE! It’s more than just a statement, it’s a lifestyle!  Come and discover this journey with us at GracePointe Community Church.   We invite you to our public launch on Sunday, October 10, 2010 at 8:45 AM.

Our Lead Pastor is Fel Bagunu.  He and his wife Dianna invite you to join our family for our Sunday Services at 8:45 AM and 6 PM.  At GracePointe, we believe in your family! That’s why we have a safe and caring nursery, an exciting program for children K-6.  We also have a youth ministry that encourages the God-given dream of your Jr/Sr high student. Our youth meets at 6 PM on Sunday evening for music, food, and fun!

October is a month of celebration with special events scheduled.  Sunday morning, October 17, everyone is welcome to attend a concert by The Katinas during the morning service at 8:45 a.m.  On the following Sunday, October 24 at 8:45 a.m., those attending the service will enjoy the dynamic music and message presented by Alvin Slaughter.

The Bagunus and GracePointe family invite you to join them in discovering that God wants us to live fully alive.

The church is located at 2305 NE Douglas Street in Lee’s Summit, Missouri.  The website is www.gracepointe.me and the phone number is (816)347-1801.

GracePointe’s “Movie Night Beneath the Stars!”

WIN A LARGE FLAT SCREEN TV!!!

california-ban-big-screen-tv1GracePointe Community Church : Community Event…

Sept. 25, 5:30 PM - FREE outdoor movie night (rain out date Oct. 2nd). “Finding Nemo” will be showing on a giant inflatable movie screen. Movie begins at dusk!

FREE Concert featuring local bands…music begins at 6 PM until dusk!

FREE moonwalk, air slides and face painting activities. Bring the family and kids. FREE hotdogs, popcorn and treats. Bring lawn chairs and blankets!  Door prizes are going to be given!

Location: 2305 NE Douglas St., Lee’s Summit MO, 64064

Call 816-347-1801 for more info.

www.gracepointe.me

For Longing…

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For Longing

by John O’Donohue

Blessed be the longing that brought you here
And quickens your soul with wonder.

May you have the courage to listen to the voice of desire
That disturbs you when you have settled for something safe.

May you have the wisdom to enter generously into your own unease
To discover the new direction your longing want you to take.

May the forms of your belonging - in love, creativity, and friendship -
Be equal to the grandeur and the call of your soul.

May the one you long for long for you.

May your dreams gradually reveal the destination of your desire.

May a secret Providence guide your thought and nurture your feeling.

May your mind inhabit your life with the sureness with which your body inhabits the world.

May your heart never be haunted by ghost-structures of old damage.

May you come to accept your longing as divine urgency.

May you know the urgency with which God longs for you.

Note:  We long for God, but the truth is He longs for us even more…we hope you can come out and visit us at GracePointe Community Church in Lee’s Summit, MO…we long for you to come…

A horse with no name

Ok…so I’m dating myself…just sitting here at Starbucks and this song pops up in my mind.  So I started googling for lyrics and possible interpretations of the song…

If you want to listen to the song click on this youtube link:  A Horse with no name

Here’s the lyrics:
On the first part of the journey
I was looking at all the life
There were plants and birds and rocks and things
There was sand and hills and rings
The first thing I met was a fly with a buzz
And the sky with no clouds
The heat was hot and the ground was dry
But the air was full of sound

I’ve been through the desert on a horse with no name
It felt good to be out of the rain
In the desert you can remember your name
‘Cause there ain’t no one for to give you no pain
La, la …
After two days in the desert sun
My skin began to turn red
After three days in the desert fun
I was looking at a river bed
And the story it told of a river that flowed
Made me sad to think it was dead
You see I’ve been through the desert on a horse with no name
It felt good to be out of the rain
In the desert you can remember your name
‘Cause there ain’t no one for to give you no pain
La, la …
After nine days I let the horse run free
‘Cause the desert had turned to sea
There were plants and birds and rocks and things
there was sand and hills and rings
The ocean is a desert with it’s life underground
And a perfect disguise above
Under the cities lies a heart made of ground
But the humans will give no love

You see I’ve been through the desert on a horse with no name
It felt good to be out of the rain
In the desert you can remember your name
‘Cause there ain’t no one for to give you no pain
La, la …

America released this song in 1971 and became the number 1 song on the Billboard charts for five straight weeks…the interpretation of the song lends itself to some drug reference because “horse” is a commonly used term for heroin.  Unfortunately, when I was growing up in the ’70’s, my criteria for a song that I liked had to do more with the rhythm and beat of the song.  Today, I am contemplating, the melody of the song came across my mind, especially the line…”I’ve been to the desert on a horse with no name…”
I am profoundly awakened by the word desert. It has so many connotations and meanings for people.  You might feel as though you are in a desert.  What do you rely on?  Are you by yourself?
America writes that the desert experience was accompanied by the horse with no name.  Understanding or gaining meaning from the lyrics of song leads to many interpretations.  In the author’s experience, he is accompanied by a horse in the desert…in a sarcastic way, he lets horse go away because the desert had turned into an ocean…unfortunately, the humans give no love!
At this moment, I want to give you an alternative look.  Acts 1:8 says, “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you and you will be witnesses for me in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the uttermost parts of the earth…”
1.  I want to remind you that in whatever desert you are in, the Holy Spirit is with you!  He won’t leave!  And His love is everlasting!

2.  I want to tell you that there is a community of Christ followers at GracePointe Community Church, Lee’s Summit, MO that is rooting for you and behind you.  We are believing the best for you!

3.  I want to encourage you to find room for another person to join you in your desert…He hasn’t left, you just haven’t connected with his presence and His Spirit…check out Hebrews 13:5
Come and join us this Sunday at 8:30 for coffee and donuts…worship starts at 8:45…See you at GracePointe!

helping to form a young clerk…

james-k-bridges-picOn this Memorial Day, May 31, 2010, I remember the life of James K. Bridges.

I remember that first time walking into your home in Waxahachie, as a young seminary student.  You laughed, joked, and welcomed me with open arms. You treated me with respect and humility.  No air or pretenses, or the slightest sense of arrogance.  You walked with grace and humility.   I didn’t even know that you were the District Superintendent!

Years later, even as the General Treasurer, you welcomed me and my family in your home in Springfield with the same warmth and grace.  You gave us personal tour and even allowed my 10 and 7 year old boys to run around your beautiful home…you smiled and told me I had beautiful boys (all the while, I worried they were going to break something!)!  You were a somebody, who acted as though they were a nobody! (I say that with the greatest respect…)

You modeled a life of grace and humility (Matthew 23:11-12).

I will forever remember the life lesson you have taught me.  Gilbert Burnett wrote, “the greatest good that one can hope to do in this world is upon young persons, who have not yet taken their ply, and not spoiled with prejudices and wrong notions.  Those who have taken an ill one at first, will neither be at the pains to look over their notions, nor turn to new methods; no will they, by any change of practice, seem to confess that they were once in the wrong.  So that if matters that are amiss can be mended or set right, it must be by giving those that have not yet set out, and that are not engaged truer views and juster ideas of things.  I will therefore here lay down the model upon which a clerk is to be formed…” (Discourse of the Pastoral Care, 149)

Thanks for helping form this young clerk…

The son, the son, who will take the son?

rembrandtthereturnoftheprodigalsonstpetersburghermitage2A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art.  They had everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael.  They would often sit together and admire the great works of art..

When the  Vietnam conflict broke out, the son went to war. He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son.

About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands.

He said, ‘Sir, you don’t know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly.  He often talked about you, and your love for art.’ The young man held out this package. ‘I know this isn’t much. I’m not really a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this.’

The father opened the package.  It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears.  He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture . ‘Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. It’s a gift.’

The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected.

The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection.

On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded his gavel. ‘We will start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid for this picture?’

There was silence….

Then a voice in the back of the room shouted, ‘We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one.’

But the auctioneer persisted. ‘Will somebody bid for this painting? Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?’

Another voice angrily. ‘We didn’t come to see this painting. We came to see the Van Goghs, the Rembrandts. Get on with the Real bids!’

But still the auctioneer continued. ‘The son! The son! Who’ll take the son?’

Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the longtime gardener of the man and his son. ‘I’ll give $10 for the painting…’ Being a poor man, it was all he could afford.

‘We have $10, who will bid $20?’

‘Give it to him for $10. Let’s see the masters.’

The crowd was becoming angry. They didn’t want the picture of the son. They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections.

The auctioneer pounded the gavel.  ‘Going once, twice, SOLD for $10!’

A man sitting on the second row shouted, ‘Now let’s get on with the collection!’

The auctioneer laid down his gavel. ‘I’m sorry, the auction is over.’

‘What about the paintings?’

‘I am sorry. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will.   I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings. The man who took the son gets everything!’

God gave His son 2,000 years ago to die on the cross. Much like the auctioneer, His message today is: ‘The son, the son, who’ll take the son?’

Because, you see, whoever takes the Son gets everything.

Come and join us at GracePointe Community Church, 2305 NE Douglas St Lee’s Summit; MO...Sunday worship at 8:45-10 AM!  See you there…

27 Tough Questions Pastors Ask

27-tough-picThere seems to be an incessant desire, today, to find easy solutions to some very difficult questions.  We want ten principles for building leaders, five easy ways to reduce stress, ten steps for effective leadership, and how to books to help us navigate life’s tough questions.

“This is not a book of formulas, rather one of approaches to ministry,” writes Dick Hardy, as he tackles 27 Tough Questions Pastors Ask. I, for one, appreciate Dick’s candor as he writes about some very difficult questions that deal with leadership and management, staffing, conflict management, discipleship, budget and finance, and hospitality.  In these sections, Dick handles questions that pastors ask openly, travel to conferences in order to ask them, and spend time, energy, and finances to find the right questions to ask.

In a very readable manner, Dick asks and answers the questions we, as pastors, are asking!  Each chapter deals with specific questions written concisely for us to be able to process the information quickly and readily.  Dick’s book is a useful resource for those who are involved in pastoral ministry and ministry leaders.

At this present time, we are searching for potential candidates for a music ministry position at GracePointe Community Church, here in Lee’s Summit, MO.  The chapters on interviewing potential staff member and dismissing staff is vitally important to me personally.

I appreciate Dick’s writing style and approach to each question.  I believe you will enjoy reading his book and profit greatly from his years of ministry experience and insight.  Dick’s book, 27 Tough Questions Pastors Ask, is available at www.thehardygroup.org or Amazon.com.

you can make a difference…

you-can-make-a-difference-picYou can make a difference!

Have you ever thought of that simple statement?  How often do you hear of making a difference?  Of leaving a legacy?  Making your life count?

I am starting a new series at GracePointe Community Church with this title, “You can make a difference!” Listen to this passage:  ”For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”  (Jeremiah 29:11)  God is saying, “I’ve created you from the very beginning to  make a difference!

God’s plan is for you not to fail! God’s plan is for you is not for disaster!  Do you understand that?  Are you convinced that God’s plan is for you to make a difference?  Pauls says this in Philippians 1:6, “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”

God’s plan for you is to succeed! The word is succeed not success!  Webster defines succeed this way:: 1) to come next after another in office or position or in possession of an estate; especially : to inherit sovereignty, rank, or title 2) to follow after another in order,  3) to turn out well, 4)to attain a desired object or end.  You might have success, but not succeed!  Success never guarantees that you will succeed!  God’s plan is for you to succeed!

Why not believe what God says about you? You can make a difference!  Someone needs you in their life–you can make a difference!  A company needs you in their business–you can make a difference!  A relative needs you in the family–you can make a difference!  We need you at GracePointe–you can make a difference!

Come and join us this Sunday at GracePointe Community Church, Lee’s Summit, MO as we continue:  ”YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

the “Green Jacket…

mickelson-amazing-shot2

“A great shot is when you pull it off,” he said. “A smart shot is when you don’t have the guts to try it.” This will be a famous quote from the ‘10 Masters Champ, Phil Mickelson.  Mickelson provided the signature shot on the par 5 13th hole at Augusta National Country Club’s famous Amen Corner, a Sunday moment that any “great” championship needs. Living up to his lifelong reputation and eschewing the safe route, Mickelson executed a shot from behind two trees on the 13th hole with a 6 iron from 206 yards, clearing the creek, and landing his ball softly to 4 feet below the cup, a shot that still seems incomprehensible days later.

So before I lose you non-golfers who are asking, “What’s the point, Fel?”  In the game of life, you can either pull off a great shot or a smart one…it’s your choice!

I’m hoping you’ll choose the former!

1.  The first great shot you must pull off is–to live for God! John says, “God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.” 1 John 5:11-12.  You must accept Christ in your life in order for you to live for God!  There’s no going around this one…you’ll have to execute the great shot if you want to win the game of life!

2.  You’ll have to pull this shot off–live for others!  You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”  What do gain if you gain the world?  The World.  Execute that shot and you get a smart shot off.  But it doesn’t matter since only great shots counts in the game of life!  I really believe that it is not what I accumulate that matters, but I what I can share with my wife, my boys, family, and my church, GracePointe Community Church, in Lee’s Summit, MO!

3.  Execute this shot and you will leave a legacy–live for the world! Jesus says, 16“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17.  You and I have the wonderful opportunity to continue Jesus’ mission to the world!  As God sends Jesus to the world, Jesus sends us to our world with the power of the Spirit!

Pull off this shot and you can have a Masters moment!

Masters Golf

As a golf fan, or someone who dreams of incredible moments, wearing a Green Jacket would be a fantasy!

mickelson-pic1

In the game of life, there is no fantasy…just reality!  You either pull off a great shot or a smart one…it’s your choice!

Live for God…Live for Others…Live for the World!  That’s how we:  LIVE FULLY ALIVE!