Bobby Lepinay

Thoughts From The Weekend

• Deb was in LA all last week visiting family.  Some guys love being solo.  I don't.  I really, really don't. :)
• I got majorly sick midweek and Tory was a great 'lady of the house', taking care of me.  She made sure I stayed in bed enough, brought the pills, put the fan on......
• God really does put something in a woman that He didn't put in a man.  :)
• Broke the 21 day Awakening Fast late Saturday night so as to have energy to preach 2 services Sunday.  Good call.  I felt strong both services.
• Everyone commented about how much thinner I look.  Fasting 3 weeks will do that I suspect.  20 pounds.
• I am believing for break throughs, that in the Spirit realm as with Daniel, angels were released. 
• Sunday morning's services were fantastic!  Hassett did a fantastic job leading worship.  "I Exalt Thee" was my favorite.
• Message on the Holy Spirit seemed to really connect.  I have been in the pulpit solid 5 weeks and am eagerly awaiting a break in February. 
• Newcomers Coffee ROCKED.  Seriously the best yet.  Most new people ever.  I only wish I could begin to get the names down but this is going to take some time!  GREAT stories........God is really working, graciously, doing a deep work in hearts and lives.
• Pretty cool seeing people last night 'competing' to get new people into their Community Groups!  The bowling group has to have well over 30 by now! :)
• Off the subject, I have a movie sitting on my desk called 'The Boy In The Striped Pajamas'.  Anyone seen it?  I dont want to waste my time if it is a dud.
• CANT WAIT FOR FIRST WEDNESDAY!!!!!!  Love being with my 'Harvest Peeps'!!! :)

PB

 

 

 

A Blast From The Past

Just got back late last night from a 2 day trip to Lafayette with Pastor Roger.  Roger has never been properly introduced to Cajun culture, so before getting on the road, I took him to Don's Seafood Hut.  It is kind of a 'staple' there, open for as long as you can remember, the place you bring out of towners to experience real cajun food.

Before we go in, I tell him this was one of my very 1st jobs at 15, bussing tables.  So we go in, and at the door is the owner, guy I worked for almost 33 years ago, still greeting guests!  So when I introduce myself, he is so thrilled, he gives us the grand tour, as it has expanded multiple times since I worked there.  We went back in the kitchen and I talked to some of the same employee who were there back in 1978. 

It was like entering a time capsule.

I have been on the 21 day fast, and intended to just watch Roger try the bisque, but Jimmy (the owner) was so excited that after the grand tour, he brought us out various things, standing there watching how we reacted........zydeco shrimp......crawfish bisque......bread pudding. 

I can safely say I broke my fast for 1 meal.  Small portions, ....but nontheless....

..... it was wonderful.  :)

Back on since until Sunday and believing God for breakthrough. 

Love you guys...

pb

Worship

Yesterday, I spoke on 'Worship' and how vital it is in Drawing Near to God.  It seemed to be well received, as I could sense the Lord's pleasure.

I ended with a song that for 2 weeks has been moving me deeply.  When I was in JAX a few weeks ago, I was in the hotel room pacing and praying, when a phrase started running through my heart and mind:  "Christ in me, Christ in me, Christ in me, the hope of glory.......You are all I need."  I could not recall where it came from but couldn't stop singing that back to the Father in prayer. 

As a matter of fact, for the next 2 days, it is all I could sing.  I youtubed the song and listened to it over and over, singing, crying (I am not a big cryer), as the song was expressing the cry of my heart.

Songs can do that.  They express the deepest places in your heart that you may not have been able to put words on.  In that, they act as a 'bridge' to help you connect with God's heart, your true heart to His.

As I finished yesterday's message, we played this video. Our creative 'czar', Dave Flaton, created it to the very song that has been resonating in me these last 2 weeks, Tim Hughs, "Everything".

Then we simply sat and 'basted' in it, letting it soak in. 

If you want to hear the message, go to www.harvestpensacola.com/media

Grace,

PB

The Power of An Invitation

Some months ago, I was talking to someone at Newcomers Coffee who had been coming to Harvest for a number of months.  They told, excitedly, all about what Christ was doing in their life and their marriage and family, and that previous to coming to Harvest, they had not really been in church at all, ever.

The work of the Holy Spirit was obvious, as they were full of God's love and joy.  I asked them how all this came about, the process.

The answer?

It all started with a simple, sincere invitation.

They had come to a point in their life of hunger for something more.  A co-worker who they know was a 'Christian' had invited them to church.  They were pushy, just genuinely sincere, and said that they thought that this person might really enjoy it, as it wasn't 'churchy' and wouldnt put them on the spot.  They wouldn't be forced to do anything, sign anything.  They could just enjoy it.

Then they came.  One week.  Another week.  Then another.  Now here they were, having trusted Christ, their marriage and family revolutionized.

It all started with a simple INVITATION.

Is there anyone in your circle of influence you need to simply, sincerely INVITE to church? 

At Harvest, we partner with our people in the work of the Gospel:  You invite them, befriend them, go to lunch with them after they come, take them under your wing and just love on them, be there for them.......We bring the Gospel in as compelling and clear way as we can.  The Holy Spirit does the rest.

This Sunday and next, I will be continuing the "Drawing Near" series.  Take the opportunity to prayerfully invite someone.  Then watch God work. 

Eternities can be changed by a simple invitation.

Think of the Apostle Peter.  Then think of all God used him for in building His church, the scriptures that by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit he wrote.....

"Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the men who heard what John said and then followed Jesus.  Andrew went to find his brother and told him, 'We have found the Messiah".  Then Andrew brought Simon (Peter) to meet Jesus...."

Can I say it again..??...and shout it out loud..?....ETERNITIES CAN BE CHANGED BY A SIMPLE INVITATION!!!

Invitation Times at Harvest at the Rave:  8:30 and 10 am. 

See you Sunday,

PB

 

The Face of Christ

                                                                                                                                                         After a week of being out of the blogosphere, I am finally back.  As is always the case when you go out of town,....you pay the price coming back playing catch up.   BUT, the retreat I went to last week was well, well worth the price.

What really blew me away was that in almost 30 years of being a Christian, 25 as a pastor, I had never really heard of this ministry or 'flow' that they are a part of.  They are spirit filled Anglican, but people and leaders from every kind of denomination, or not (me) were there. 

As I described Sunday, the best way to describe it is that the truth
of Christ is like a multi-faceted diamond.  There are all these facets of the face of Christ, the Body of Christ, that many times look incredibly different, but are ONE 'diamond', Christ. 

The sad thing is that those on one side of the diamond often, because they are so far apart, reject those on the opposite side as being 'heretics', not Christians.  So you have Pentecostals opposite Catholics or Anglicans, Evangelical vs Liturgical, etc.. 

IF THEY LOVE JESUS AND HAVE THE HOLY SPIRIT, WE ARE ONE...THOUGH WE MAY NOT UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER.

I may describe some of the retreat later, but it was wonderful.  I had a Catholic priest give me a word of knowledge that blew me away (from Dublin......funny, funny guy!) and then we spent a few hours over coffee asking each other questions. 

Patrick Heartnet was his name.  He was funny, sharp, smoked like a chimney, but really loved the Lord and was filled with the Spirit.  We prayed for each other and I dont know if we will ever see each other this side of eternity, but I know that he gave me great hope for the future of the multi-faceted Body of Christ!

Got to go...grace in the deepest way...

pb

We All Have A Little Michael Scott In Us

I have been on quite a roll.

A few weeks ago, I posted on a major 'foot in mouth' experience.  This past week, I had two more, not as major, but complete 'Michael Scott' moments.  That is what I have come to see them as:  The 'little Michael Scott' (The Office, if you live on another planet) that comes out every so often.

I will be out of the blogosphere til next week.  I am looking forward to speaking this coming Sunday, sharing on Friendship With God.  We were slam packed the 10 am service. 

Can I have some volunteers for the 8:30 service???  We need room for the seekers coming in at 10, as that is when they come, not 8:30.

As I check out for the week, I leave you with one of my favorite 'Michael Scott moments'.....Enjoy!

PB

 

 

How To Leave A Church

 

Every so often, I will have someone come to me telling me they are considering coming to Harvest, that they feel they need to leave the church they have been at. 

And every so often, I have people that had been with us at Harvest for awhile, that I no longer see anymore.  They just left, nothing said. 

Leaving a church you have been a part of is not easy.  It is a big decision, as it should be something taken very seriously.  I am thankful for those in the past that DID leave right, and always try to help those coming in enter right.

Scott Hodge, a pastor in Napierville, IL posted these thoughts today.  I thought they were well worth passing along..!

Grace,

PB

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RULES FOR LEAVING A CHURCH

1. Offense is never the right reason to leave a church. Leaving a church with offense in your heart is dangerous to your soul.  Work it out.  That’s the tough side of community that we don’t talk nearly enough about.  Often times, it’s through the working out of hurt, pain, or offense that we become more closely connected in our communities.  It grows and matures us.

2. Don’t just disappear. People do this all the time.  POOF!  They’re gone!  (And often times they get offended when the church they left doesn’t desperately chase after them when they’re gone.)  Look, if God is behind your decision, then trust that He will give you the courage and strength to have the (yes, somewhat uncomfortable) conversations needed to do it well.  Finish your commitments.  Connect with your leader through the process.  Ask them to pray with you about what you’re feeling.  Give God an opportunity to make it seem right with them too.

3. Don’t look for reasons to leave. If you are….trust me, you’ll find plenty of them!  If God is calling you to leave, you don’t have to wait until you find a tangible reason to do so.  Sitting around waiting for a “reason” can turn you into a nasty, judgmental, and negative person.  It’ll hurt your soul and probably others too.  In fact, if you’re walking around looking for reasons to leave, then I’d suggest looking at the inwardly condition of your heart and soul.

4. Don’t be negative. I hate hearing people talk negatively about the church or pastor they just left.  Chances are, those same people will be standing in front of my pastor friend down the street saying the same thing about me in a matter of months.  If you feel like you need to talk negatively about the pastor or church you’re leaving, chances are……you are the one who needs to change first.

5. Show Gratitude. Take time to say ‘thank you’ to the pastor and leadership of the church you’re leaving.  If you stayed too long and are offended, that’s your fault – not theirs.  When someone takes the time to send me an email or letter saying ‘thank you’ for pouring into their lives as they transition to a different church, that’s huge!  I have a ton of respect for people who do that.

HOW you do things is just as important (if not even more important) as WHAT you do.

Part 3 Tomorrow: To those SHOWING UP at the NEW CHURCH.

Posted in Change/Transition, Leadership | ShareThis

 

Word From Sunday For 2011

A number of you have asked for copies of the prophetic word I read Sunday.  It was handed to me in the service by one of our leaders on December 19th but I did not feel to read it until this past Sunday during worship.

Love you guys,

PB

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Word for 2011

12/19/2010

"If you draw close to Me, I will draw close to you. Lay down the striving and questioning. Seek first the Kingdom of God and all things will be added to you.

As you draw close to me, I will begin to stir up desires that have been dormant for a time. A fresh hunger for reaching the lost will arise; a new passion for my Word will stir. I will reveal hidden things to you. Know the season and the time you are living in.

Few take the time to truly seek Me but those who do will find new passion. There will be increase in the anointing on their lives. They will walk with new confidence. They will run and not grow weary. They will be strengthened supernaturally by the time they invest in worship and praise. My glory will rest on them. Others will see and be jealous for my glory.

You are Salt, you are light.  The world needs you to seek me."