Transfiguring Power of Prayer

And as He prayed, the fashion of His countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.

 Luke 9:29

What a day this must have been when Jesus was transfigured during His time of prayer, it moved Simon Peter to desire to never leave the mountain. During our time of prayer, we need to ask ourselves, “Who are we attempting to change?”  I would venture to say that most of our praying is trying to change circumstances, or perhaps trying to change those around us, but that is not what happened when Jesus prayed on the mountain. In Luke 9:29, the scripture says “the fashion of HIS countenance was altered.”  I fully understand what has been said through the ages that prayer changes things, and that is so true. But if we spend our prayer time, pushing for God to change others, we miss an opportunity to identify with our Lord…HIS countenance was changed by prayer.

In our rush to see our prayers answered, by God changing others or altering our circumstances, we miss the transforming power of prayer, on ourselves! Modern day Christians miss the lesson of what God wants to do to with us when we spend time alone with Him.  Yes, prayer can change people around you, but God has ordained that the change begins with you. The wife is the reflection of her husband. If he wants a different wife, he has to be “altered” in prayer so that the wife can reflect his change. Moses face glowed after being in the presence of God, the change was oblivious to all those who looked upon him. If we pray and stay with Jesus until WE are changed, those around us as well as our circumstances will be altered. God did not design prayer for us to use to try and alter those we want to change, but rather to change us to be more like Him.

Instead of praying for everyone else to change so you can be happy, pray for God to change you, so through your altering by Him, others will be affected for Him. Go to your closet of prayer today, ask God to transform your life and see how the world will look when you leave His presence. It’s time to stay at Jesus feet until we are truly changed into His image.

www.royalwood.cc

Pastor Ron Macey has served as senior pastor at Royalwood Church for 30 years. He has a heart for our community and this is evident in Royalwood's mission: Reaching, Teaching & Serving. Follow Pastor Macey on Twitter.

Prayer

Throughout the month of November, Royalwood Church is focusing on prayer with our 30/30 Challenge: Pray 30 minutes a day for 30 days.  Prayer, along with the Word of God, is one of the absolute necessities for living a Christian life.  It is as necessary to our spiritual well being as food and water are to our physical health. Simply put, your relationship with Jesus is defined not by your church attendance, church involvement or ministry, but by prayer.  By the consistency of your communication with Him.  It's important that we know Him and it is especially important that He knows us! (see Judgement Day)

Communication.  This is a word that is oft misunderstood or worse misrepresented in our world of posts, tweets and vines.  True communication cannot take place without at least two parties. And those parties must be qualified as a speaker and a listener. And at some point in the conversation, they must swap roles; the speaker must become the listener and the listener the speaker.  This communication, when practiced frequently, will soon transform into a relationship.  It's easy to confuse prayer with speaking to God, petitioning God or even worshipping God.  Big news break here: The most important element of prayer is listening.  In sales, we have a saying "I never made a dime talking."  Despite a salesperson's natural tendency to speak, it's listening to our customer that helps us understand what they need and how we can best help.  Let's face it, if God and I are in the same room...who really needs to be speaking anyway?  It would probably benefit me to hear what my Father, aka King of the Universe, has to say about my life.

Let's be clear...I am not saying that we cannot make our petition known to The Lord.  How awesome is God that He has made Himself available to us and we'd be crazy not  take advantage of that.  We all pray for health, direction, deliverance from trouble and more.  But there is a dimension of prayer that we often forget that simply focuses on striving to know God more, to be more like Him.

What comes out of our mouth is the least important part of prayer.  With praise, worship and collective prayer at church, crying out or verbalized prayer is absolutely necessary.  So many times I have been lifted up and encouraged by my Pastor's or another saints prayers.  However, in personal, relational prayer it's not what we say that God really pays attention to.  It's the lips of our heart that He really hears.  When we pray out loud  we can almost become fascinated with our voice. (You've all heard that person in the prayer room!)  We can lead ourselves to emotional heights and depths simply by listening to ourselves, our plight and our needs. When Solomon prayed to God for wisdom and knowledge to lead the people of Israel, God's reply was "...Because this was in thine heart...Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee."  God looked beyond the actual words that Solomon prayed, saw the intentions of his heart and that is why He answered his prayer.

Such a topic as prayer could not be completely understood or explored by a single person or blog. However, being raised by praying parents and in a praying church, prayer has always been a part of my life.  Until a few years ago, I never truly appreciated the impact that personal and reflective prayer could have on my walk with Jesus.  Several years ago I began to pray about a very serious situation.  I was disturbed in my spirit to a level that I have never experienced. I prayed earnestly and desperately every day for several weeks.  I was going early in the morning to the church and praying for at least an hour, sometimes much longer, and could find no relief in how I saw and felt about this situation.  I found myself struggling to sleep and even eat.  God HAD to intervene in what I saw happening.  

One Monday morning I got to the church around 5:30 in the morning to continue my spiritual warfare.  I knelt in the prayer room and began to petition God again.  The Lord immediately spoke to me in the clearest fashion, "Why don't you just pray about PJ?"  A very cool and "closed in" feeling overcame me and I recognized that I was in a secret and special place with God.  I was right at His feet.  Over the course of about two hours I saw clearly my humanity and how lost I was without His grace.  I began to see images of Calvary and The cruxifiction.  I could not help but repent again of all my sins.  I literally became undone.  Through tears and shaking all over I thanked The Lord for dying for me, for saving me.  He began to show me the many times I had lost my way and how He had lovingly and patiently steered me back onto His path.  I prayed as earnestly that morning as I did the night I received the Holy Ghost at 8 years old.  I cried like I had never cried before and thanked Him like I had never thanked Him.  This went on for an hour or so and I left and went to work. I returned Tuesday morning, again to pray about "the situation" and the same presence was there and I again was thrust into a place of repentance, reflection and humility.  I don't have to try very hard to be moved to tears, a good old fashioned baby dedication will get me going.  But that morning I literally cried my eyes out.  Co-workers thought that I was becoming sick because of the condition of my eyes!  This continued on for 5 days straight.  I didn't have to work it up or build momentum, God just ambushed me as soon as I walked in the door....every day just as fresh and overwhelming as the first.  

Friday morning I began to wrap up my "humility" session with Jesus so I could head to work and I realized that I had not thought of "the situation" for a few days, not once.  Walking to my vehicle my mind hesitantly began to mull over this predicament again.  I literally stopped in my tracks.  The most amazing thing had happened.  I could barely recognized this crisis that had worried me sick.  Circumstances and people that had caused me so much concern I now viewed with complete peace.  What I saw as so cloudy, dark and ominous I now saw clearly and with faith.  Here is the awesome part, the situation had not changed one bit, I had!  In fact, I realized that I had wrongly judged the situation. God spoke to me at that moment that I was now seeing through His eyes.  I had been diligently carrying this situation to Him in prayer, holding it tightly in my arms, wanting His intervention, wanting an answer.  All the while, the Lord had been meeting me at the same place of prayer desiring to touch me and to change me but He couldn't get past the thing clutched in my arms. Even in a posture of prayer, He was unable to do anything with me.  By bringing me back to Calvary and the foundation of His grace in my life, God helped me to lay down my concerns and remember what was most important.  Me and Him and Him and me. 

Contrary to popular belief, a large part of your personal prayer should be about you and your life.  Relationship with God manifests itself in many ways in a Christian's life but the greatest is change.  Not of doctrine or beliefs, but change in ourselves.  We can't truly stand in His presence and remain the same.  We cannot sincerely pray for His touch and not expect a transformation.  My favorite prayer in God's word was prayed by Jesus in the Garden "let this cup pass, but nevertheless not My will but yours."  He loved us so much, despite His fear and discomfort of what was to come, that He submitted to divine will.  What a great example for us to follow in our prayer!  Too often we want the situation to change, never once considering that it is we who might need to be changed.  Romans 12:2 is a reminder "..but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

My intentions with this blog is not to teach anyone how or what to pray but simply to challenge you to consider your prayers.  To think about the intentions of your heart or what you want to accomplish in prayer and most importantly what does God want to accomplish in you through prayer?

Here are a few pre-prayer conversations that I have with God that help prepare my mind for prayer.

"How do You see me?"
"Are you pleased with my life?"
"Am I becoming what you intended me to be when you saved me?"
"Am I looking at this situation as You would?"

As I am writing this at 20,000 ft headed to Missouri for work, I am moved again to find that special place in prayer that God can speak into my life and change me.  I hope you feel it too!

www.royalwood.cc

PJ Dial is a husband, father and servant of Christ. He grew up in Royalwood and is involved in several aspects of ministry including Praise & Worship, Anthem Student Ministries and currently serves on Royalwood's Board.

Royalwood Church Fall Festival - This Saturday. Oct. 26th

We are so excited about the Royalwood Fall Festival this Saturday, October 26th from 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm and we want you to be there!  There will be lots of family-friendly activities, games, free food, and a costume contest (no scary costumes please)!

We are also hosting an auction in the gym from 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm. There a lot of great items such as: 

• Family pack of Royal Tailor Concert Tickets (includes 4 tickets, 4 backstage passes, 4 tee shirts, and an autographed poster).  
• Handmade quilts
• Christmas decorations
• Autographed sports memorabilia , caps, and pictures (even a baseball autographed by Yogi Berra)
• Children's Picnic Table (handmade by Pepe Salazarescobar - A MUST SEE)
• Purses
• Gift Certificates for various places
• Retractable Awning
• Personal services - such as Tax Preparation, Children's Haircuts, Photo Sessions, Piano Lessons, Voice Lessons
• And MUCH MORE!

You can view all items up for auction and bid online now at www.32auctions.com/royalwood!

We hope you can join us. For more information, please visit our website or call the church office at (281) 458-2102. 

Royalwood Church Auction - Now Live!

Royalwood Church is hosting an online auction! We have many fantastic auction items include silver, glass and china collectibles, art, gift certificates to local business, autographed sports memorabilia, handmade quilts and MORE! The online auction starts October 12th and ends at out church fall festival on October 26th at 4:00 pm. See an item you want now? You can take advantage of the "Buy it Now" feature and win it immediately! Visit www.32auctions.com/royalwood to view all the great items up for sale and bid now!

Quitters Never Win!

And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up for to read.

 Luke 4:16

This event of Jesus going to the synagogue occurred after He finished the fast in the wilderness. The scripture describes His fast as Jesus “being forty days tempted of the devil”.  Following those 40 days of the enemy working on His mind, the devil continued to tempt Jesus 3 additional times.

But Jesus did not let these temptations keep him from doing what He was supposed to do.  After the fast and subsequent trial through temptation, the Bible tells that He did the same thing that he was used to doing - "as his custom was" - and that was to go to the synagogue and teaching.

This is just a simple thought that I hope will provoke you to think about what you need to do when the enemy has come against you with everything in his power.  I have seen many people just quit coming to church when temptations or trials come their way.  What we must do when this happens, is to get up and go about the Master’s business.  

Whatever God has called us to do or whatever work we have put our hands to in the kingdom of God, we need to continue doing.  Adversity should not cause us to quit!  We must remember that day in the boat during the raging storm that Jesus spoke the words, “Peace, be still!”  He is still the Master of the elements and every situation in your life but when you quit, you take away his opportunity to give you a miracle.  Continue to go to church, continue with your prayer and personal devotion time so the Lord can show His power. 

I know we have all heard the cliché, “Quitters never win!”  This statement is so true in our walk with the Lord! Job was the king of adversity but we know that in the end he had more than the beginning because he did not ‘throw in the towel’ but continued on being a vessel for the Lord’s use.  Soldiers in the army of Christ, we must keep on doing what the Lord did!  When the enemy sends adversity your way, pick up your weapons and continue doing what you are accustomed to doing and head back into the battle!

www.royalwood.cc

Jeanna Macey is married to Pastor Ron Macey. She is the Chorale Director for Royalwood and serves as Advisor to Royalwood's various ladies ministries. Follow Jeanna Macey  on Twitter 

MY.HOUSE Series Starts Wednesday!

The new MY.HOUSE series begins this Wednesday, September 4th at 7:30 p.m.! You won't want to miss this amazing new series at Royalwood. There are 3 options for classes that you can attend on Wednesdays:

General Session (Unlimited Attendees) - Discipleship

This session is for everyone who has not signed up for one of the other two sessions. It will be held in the Main Sanctuary. Teachers will include Dan Castleberry, Tauren Wells, Chad Parker, and others. 

Fireproof (Maximum of 50 Attendees) - Marriage Enrichment

Wanting to improve your marriage? Wanting to draw closer to God as a couple? This class is for all married couples who want a Christ-centered relationship! Pastor Macey will be teaching this class. There are only 20 seats left for this class! Sign up TODAY!

Improving Your Parenting (Maximum of 50 Attendees) - Parenting

Ever wished that your child came with an instruction manual? You don't want to miss this class full of practical pointers and Christ-centered parenting techniques. Taught by Sis. Macey, this class is a "must" for all parents! Limited seating available; sign up NOW! If you have children, Pastor & Sis. Macey are strongly encouraging you to become a part of this class!

To Sign-Up For A Class:

1) Log-in to your ACS account.

2) At the top of your dashboard, locate the section entitled "I Want To View..."

3) Choose "Available Small Groups" 

 4) Locate the class you would like to join, and choose "Join Group". When you do this, the group you have chosen will disappear from your options.

5) You may now log-out.

-OR- 

You may call the church office at 281-458-2102 to speak to Chad Parker to sign up for the class of your choice. You may leave a message on his voicemail if he is not available.

Make sure you join us for Wednesdays this month. We promise you, you're life will never be the same!

Backpack Giveaway

Royalwood Church's mission is "Reaching. Teaching. Serving." Right now, we have the amazing opportunity to do all three of these things with just one action with our annual Backpack Giveaway.

How Can You Reach, Teach & Serve?

On August 21st, we are hosting our Backpack Giveaway that supplies local children with a backpack filled with all the necessary school supplies they need to start school. Last year, Royalwood handed out 200 backpacks to families who otherwise would not have been able to afford school supplies for their children. This year we want to reach more. We want to giveaway 300 backpacks.

For just $25, you can sponsor a backpack and touch a family. What a great opportunity to reach, those in our local community, teach them about the love of Christ and serve them through our giving! 

Won't you help?  Click here, chose "Backpack Giveaway" under Select a Fund and donate online today. For more information, contact Student Pastor, Chad Parker at cparker@royalwood.cc.

www.royalwood.cc

All My Love Will Remain

How would you define, "love"?  The Bible quoting people may site 1 Corinthians 13.  (Kudos for that).  Those that don't know too much scripture may point to a more personal definition that has been constructed by personal experience or cultural conditions.  Unfortunately, many do not know true love because they have never experienced it.  The love that most people see today is fickle.  Conditional.  Many times someone will tell you that they love you and then the next day be gone.

Royal Tailor released a song recently that I wrote and feel is very significant.  The chorus lyric says: 

The sky could fall

The ground could shake

The stars burn out and seasons change

The time will pass

And beauty fade

But all my love

Will remain

The reason this song is so significant is because of the picture of love has been greatly distorted by imperfect people.  This chorus is a resounding reminder of what true love is really all about.  Love is relentless.  Love is unconditional. True love just doesn't give up; no matter what.  THIS is the picture of love that we as believers must RECEIVE and REFLECT.  If you're reading this today, receive this unquestionable truth, God is love and God loves you.  You are not too broken to be fixed and you are not too far away that he cannot reach you.  Perhaps the only love you've ever known has been a lie, but know this, God's love is true and real.  Once we receive God's love we are called to reflect it in every relationship, in every way possible.  As Fathers and Mothers, Husbands and Wives, Sons and Daughters, family, friends, in fact, even as strangers, we must resolve that no matter what, all my love will remain.

Check out what John 15 has to say about what it means to REMAIN in Christ as Christ REMAINS in you.

John 15: 1-17

I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit,while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 

 I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.  

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other.

Listen to Royal Tailor's song, "Remain" now!

www.royalwood.cc

Tauren Wells is the lead singer of the band, Royal Tailor. He serves as the Creative Director for Royalwood and is also on the youth staff. He loves interacting with students and building relationships.Follow Tauren on Twitter.

Homemade Ice Cream Social & Contest

Homemade Ice Cream Social & Contest 

Sunday, July 14th 

What could be better than fellowship after church? Why only fellowship with ice cream, of course! 

Join us after service this Sunday evening, July 14th for a homemade ice cream contest and social in the Anthem building. Sample some of the best homemade ice cream in town for just $5! All proceeds will go to help our students attend Youth Congress. Hope to see you there!

www.royalwood.cc

Join Us After Service Tonight in the Anthem Building!

Hebrews Coffee Co. is a project of Anthem Student Ministries.

Hours of Operation: Wednesday nights immediately after service. 

www.royalwood.com

Brother Saul

A few weeks ago my wife told me that she and her team were getting prepared to teach their Sunday school class about Saul and his conversion on the road to Damascus.  This is one of my favorite passages of Acts, so I immediately pulled it up on my phone and read the story again.  I have read this passage no less than 100 times, maybe even more than that, for as a bible quizzer I committed the entire book of Acts to memory and that takes a lot of reading.  Yet, as I read it again, I was overwhelmed by something that I had never considered or realized.

Saul was a serious problem for the early church.  Acts chapters 8-9 states he was “breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord” and that he made “havoc of the church.”  He persecuted them, raided their homes, arrested men and women and put them in prison.  Remember the church that began so powerful and glorious in Acts chapter 2? A few chapters later Saul has scattered that church throughout all Judaea and Samaria.  Only the apostles and a few others remained strong and in Jerusalem,  and many paid a serious price for doing so--the ultimate case being found in Acts chapter 8 where Saul facilitates the stoning of Stephen.  Most of us forget or have never realized that Saul was responsible for Christianity’s first martyr.  Stephen, full of faith and hope, was killed just as his ministry began with Saul looking on.  This seems to add more insult, as Saul never stooped to get his hands dirty, never threw a stone, but was forever behind the scenes igniting the elders, high priests and people to carry out his desires to crush the church.  Where I come from we call this person a snake!   Saul hated the church, what it stood for, and was determined to destroy it.  Soon after Stephen’s death, he travels to Damascus to continue his work against the church where he is struck down by the Lord and chastised for persecuting the church.  Immediately Saul realizes that he is in the presence of God and has committed grievous crimes.  He asks, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?”  This fierce and determined man, now physically blinded from his encounter with Jesus, is led by his hand into the city where the Lord has told him he will be instructed further.   

Up to this point, as I read on my phone, this was an all too familiar passage.  However, in the next few scriptures God really talked to my heart.  For three days Saul is in the city; he is blind, neither eating or drinking, and awaiting instruction.   The Lord appears to Ananias, a disciple in that same city, and tells him, “Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Taursus: for, behold he prayeth, and hath seen in a vision a man names Ananias coming in, and putting his hands on him, that he might receive his sight.”  Ananias immediately objected: “I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem,” or as we might say today, “Do you know realize who this is? Do you know what he has done” or “Do you know this guy’s reputation?”  Ananias wanted no part of it. However, the Lord makes it clear that Paul is chosen “to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings and the children of Israel.”  Before Kings?  It is clear that Saul is not just chosen but special.

Ananias leaves and goes straight to where Saul is, puts his hands on him, and says two words that literally jumped off the page and punched me in the heart…..”Brother Saul.”  I could continue on and tell you of how Saul received his sight, was filled with the Holy Ghost, baptized and immediately began to preach Christ in Damascus, but I realized that all of that began with two words.  “Brother Saul.”

It’s important that we consider that Saul had been three days blind, not eating or drinking.  Three days realizing that he was responsible for persecuting not just the church, but God himself.  How many times did he replay in his mind the scene where he held the coats of the men that threw stones at Stephen until he was dead?  How many times did the faces of men and women that he put in prison play before him?  In those three days he had come to the stark realization that he was an instigator, a punisher of the innocent and a murderer.  Yet in those three days, God also showed him a vision of a man coming in and laying hands on him, a vision of his sight being restored.  While Saul was reliving his terrible past, God was simultaneously giving him vision for his future.  And it began with a man.  A little known disciple named Ananias who called him brother.  It stands to reason that Saul may have even been on his way to arrest Ananias himself.  He had in his possession letters from the high priest to arrest Christians in Damascus.  Ananias, fearful and wary of Saul because of his reputation, walked in and called him brother.  Had he just said Saul, it would have announced “I know who you are and what you have done.”  However, he added one word… “Brother,” and made it perfectly clear that it didn’t matter who Saul was or what he had done.  Ananias immediately created a bridge for Saul to pass over from the place of his mistakes and regret into the purpose that God had chosen him for.  “Brother” did not just state that how Ananias felt about Saul but how Saul could feel about Ananias.  “Brother” said that his mistakes, his past did not matter to Ananias, only Saul’s future.  Thus, Ananias offers a powerful lesson for you and I.  Our past failures do not separate us--they join us together. We are brothers; I am yours and you are mine.  You can trust in me. My hands will heal you. My hands will help you regain your sight. My hands will help you discover your purpose.

As I reflected on this encounter between Saul and Ananias, my mind was flooded with the names and faces of many people--brothers, sisters, friends, and family.  All of them had made mistakes, failed and stumbled...as we all do.  God has long since forgiven them.  Yet, the nature, severity and sometimes broad publication of their failures have exiled them from our forgiveness.   I wonder if they are feeling blind, alone, and guilty.  Are they trapped in an irrevocable existence of reliving their mistakes and failures while hungrily nurturing a tiny dream of restoration?  Is God whispering to them that He still has a purpose for them?  Are they waiting on the hands of a brother? 

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering yourself, lest you also be tempted.  (Galatians 6:1)

                                                                                                 

www.royalwood.cc 

PJ Dial is a husband, father and servant of Christ. He grew up in Royalwood and is involved in several aspects of ministry including Praise & Worship, Anthem Student Ministries and currently serves on Royalwood's Board.

Register Now For Kidz Music Camp

All hands on deck for an unforgettable journey full of adventure, humor, and inspiration at Royalwood Church's Kidz Music Camp as we perform "Captain Noah & The One & Only Zoo Cruise For Twos!"

This children's musical retells the Biblical story of Noah and, with heartwarming emotion, appeals to everyone! You won't want to miss this exciting event!

Kidz Music Camp Details:

When: 

Monday, July 29th  - Sunday, August 4: 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Who:

For children ages: 5 years - 12 years

Cost: 

Early Registration (June 2 - July 21)

$30.00  for 1 child
$20.00 for each additional child (not to exceed $70.00 / family)

Regular Registration (July 22 - July 29)

$35.00 per child

Snacks and t-shirts are provided with registration.  For more information, contact Tanna Dial or Click Here to register!

Trust Your Instruments

One common definition of spatial disorientation is “the inability of a pilot or other air crew member to determine spatial attitude in relation to the surface of the earth; it occurs in conditions of restricted vision, and results from vestibular illusions.” The Federal Aviation Administration uses a slightly different and more simplistic definition. It states, “When a pilot does not know in-flight where his or her body is in relation to the surface of the Earth, the pilot has spatial disorientation.”

There are several types of spatial disorientation. The basic three types are recognized, unrecognized, and incapacitating. Without going into too much detail, one you know you have and are trying to fix it, one you don’t know you have, and the last is one that you know you have but feel completely helpless or don’t even know where to start fixing it.

Regardless of which definition is used or which type of spatial disorientation a pilot has, they all have two major attributes:

1. Inability to distinguish what is true versus what is false (i.e. confusion).
2. The relationship to a common reference point (i.e. the Earth) is in question.

I have personally experienced spatial disorientation numerous times. It is not fun. Take a little bad weather and mix in a glance down at a checklist or an instrument approach procedure and you have the recipe for an interesting day. If there is a latent sinus issue, cold, or seasonal allergy, you could really be in for a serious case of vertigo as well. Thankfully for passengers and those on the ground as well, pilots are trained for these situations and instruction usually kicks in. When it does, disaster is averted. When it doesn’t...lives are usually lost.

In combating spatial disorientation, a “seat of the pants” feeling combined with flight control inputs can sometimes alleviate or assuage the symptoms. This is only marginally effective. Some folks try to shake their head rapidly to “reset the gyros” in their skull! This, however, can often make matters worse. Bottom line, there are a lot of techniques out there. Some may help. Others may hurt. The most effective way to combat spatial disorientation, however, is accomplished by simply “trusting your instruments.”

While going through pilot training at any level, but especially instrument and bad weather flying, the instructors constantly emphasize (practically brainwash) you with the phrase “trust your instruments.” Although instruments and gauges fail, it is rare for several of them to fail at the same time. Therefore, developing a good crosscheck of all available sensors and gadgets alleviates most cases of spatial disorientation fairly quickly. This includes, but is not limited to looking at and comparing the all control and performance instruments and ensuring that they are all in concert. Only then can the pilot begin to redevelop “truth” in his mind and save himself and his aircraft.

To some, I am sure that the plethora of spiritual parallels evident here are fairly obvious. Take a glance around and you can see all three types of spatial disorientation. Some folks are confused and know it and are trying to make their way back home. Others don’t realize that they are confused. Finally, some folks know that they are being drug away from truth but cannot find a way to escape and return to truth. Regardless of the type of disorientation, the two major attributes remain.

We live in a world where it is becoming increasingly more difficult to distinguish what is true versus what is false. Disorientation abounds. Matthew 24:24 states, “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” The church is not immune to the deceptive forces in the world. In fact, the church is the prime target. If the enemy is able to shake the faith and the foundation of the church, to whom will the wanderers of this world look to for an example of the righteousness, hope, and blessings of an Almighty God?

That takes us to the second attribute. The church’s common reference point is the Word of God! There are no substitutes. Isaiah 40:8 states that, “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the Word of our God shall stand for ever.” The traditions of man are always temporary, but the Word of God is eternal. The faith that is developed over time by getting rooted and grounded on the principles of God’s Word is essential to overcoming disorientation. This faith is quite simply built over time in prayer, regular church attendance, and reading the Bible. Eventually, it will create in the heart of a Christian, a “common reference point” that is dependable and immovable.

If you know someone that seems to be a little disoriented in life, share with them this thought…Proverbs 3:5-6…”Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.”

We serve a God that is ready, willing, and able to come to our rescue in times of disorientation. He can clear up our confusion and help us find the straight and narrow way. All we really need to do is “trust our instruments.”

Rev Lance Wilkins grew up in Royalwood Church under Pastor Macey. He is currently a member of First Pentecostal Church of Panama City pastored by Rev Allen Crabtree. Lt Col Wilkins is a Squadron Commander and USAF combat veteran with over 300 combat hours. He has flown over 20 different types of aircraft including almost 2000 hours in the F-15 Eagle. His wife Cinnamon and children Rhett and Hannah are involved in several areas of ministry.

Collaborating for the Kingdom

...most of us grew up in a culture that applauded only individual achievement. We are, generals in an ego-driven “army of one,” each the center of an absurd cosmos, taking such happiness as we can find...but our new heroes are men and women who know how to gather allies, build teams, and work together toward shared goals.

 The Collaborative Habit // Twyla Tharp

There are no superstars in the Kingdom of God.  If Jesus is the center there is no room for you or I to be.  Our goal as believers is to individually and collectively glorify Jesus through our lives.  Whether collaborating on a new idea, writing a song, launching a community initiative, developing a sermon, creating a new fashion trend, _____________________(Fill in the blank), there is power in collaboration.  You can do exponentially more collectively than you can do individually.  

I’m encouraging you to find someone and share your dream with them.  Allow someone else to speak new life into it!  Find someone else that you can invest in and push for and set up for a win.  When I look back on some of the greatest moments/accomplishments in my life I notice VERY few were conquered alone.  As the great philosopher Vanilla Ice so brilliantly stated, “Stop. Collaborate and listen.”



Tauren Wells is the lead singer of the band, Royal Tailor. He serves as the Creative Director for Royalwood and is also on the youth staff. He loves interacting with students and building relationships. Follow Tauren on Twitter.

City Kids "Be at B-TOWN" Contest

City Kids is having a Be at B-TOWN Contest to launch an exciting new phase of ministry for children at Royalwood Church! Be at B-Town is an attendance contest. When your child checks in at City Kids for The Factory their name will be entered into the contest. Each week they check in, their name will be entered again. Now, your kids can score big by bringing friends with them each week as well. When they bring a friend their name gets entered AGAIN and their friends name as well. 

The contest will run on Wednesday nights for 4 weeks beginning April 17th. We will draw the winners on May 15th and the kids will have to be present to win!

Spread the word, City Kids is the place to BE!

www.royalwood.cc

It's Monday!

As I reflect in the celebration of the risen King on Easter, I am so very thankful for what Jesus did for me on Calvary. He took my place! He took the nails for me, He took the beating for me, and He carried my sin and shame… ALL for me!!!!  Why me… Who am I? I don’t deserve it! He did it all so I could be FREE! Yes free! Free from all sin and shame, free from all bondage, free…free…free….  

Why is freedom celebration displayed on life’s stage on that faithful Sunday, yet people go home from a resurrection Sunday and are still bound on the Monday?

This question has many answers, but there are two I want to address. Indeed the scripture is clear about the Delivering Power of Jesus.

John 8:36 - If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Let’s be clear about this.. Jesus wants you to be free. The reason we celebrate Easter is that Jesus conquered the death and the grave so that we could be free!

I go back to the age old question. Why are Christ’s children sitting on the powerless pews still bound with the same old problems? Has the church lost its power? NO! Has the Pulpit waivered in power? NO!  Has the Word of God diminished in power? NO! So what has?

The simple answer is humanity… Let me explain the complicated answer to a simple question.

The moment Jesus rose from the grave, there was an echo of deliverance that resounded throughout the ages to come! I am free, so therefore you can be free! In you is the power to overcome the first day of bondage and stay victorious.

Your enemy has it right. He knows exactly what to use to bring you back into captivity. There are two weapons he uses. The first deals with yourself and the second deals with others.

The first is self-condemnation!  This is a very important and vital tool for the enemy! Once you begin to condemn yourself and think you can’t make the mark because of your failure. Guess what? You drift like a ship without a sail back into the former life. A life of bondage.  This time you are captive to condemnation! You can never get away from the past; you dwell on it, live in it until it consumes you! The enemy’s drug is a steady and increasing dose of subtle deception! Don’t be free from sin to be bound again.

Romans 8:1 - There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Replace self-condemnation with self-discernment!

You are Christ’s child. You sought forgiveness, and he adequately responded with deliverance. Speak to your enemy with those triumphant words!

Luke 4:8 - And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

You are free because Christ says you are free! It’s Monday, and yes you are still free even when the temper comes with self-condemnation and his only purpose is for you to be bound!  

The second is others! It is no coincidence that Jesus points out the church in scripture. You say, “can the church stand in the way?” Unfortunately, yes! The enemy can use the very elect to derail the brokenhearted? Again, others are the very commodity the enemy uses that delivers rich returns.

You see scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in a fault and displayed it for everyone to see. Let’s stone the guilty! Let’s parade her faults for everyone to see! Let’s cast her out by stoning her and use the law to accomplish it! We don’t want her, we don’t need her, and we can do without her! That was the mentality of the church at that time!

Child of God, at times you will need to do what Jesus did and shake the dust from off your sandals… in other words, your enemy who comes to kill, steal, and destroy will at times use others to ridicule, accuse, tear down and try to destroy your progress in Jesus!

Again, let’s use the One whose motives and agenda can’t be questioned! 

John 8:11 - And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. The scripture reveals that her failure didn't define her, but rather revealed Jesus by way of her enemy! You see, your failure isn't a destination, but an event. It’s not your identity, because the Potter hath power over the clay.

It’s the day after Easter and you are blazing toward Pentecost! It’s Monday! You are still FREE! Even when self-condemnation screams in your ears, in your dreams, at work, in a group or all alone, Its Monday! You still have Resurrection power available to you!

It’s the day after Easter and you are heading to the miraculous outpouring of His Holy Spirit! It’s Monday! You are still FREE! Even when your enemy uses his prized commodity to be a stumbling block, even when those who proclaim to be in the church judge you and try to stone you with rocks of condemnation;

REMEMBER, Jesus doesn’t condemn you! He used a lying, cursing Peter and made him the “rock”.  He used a murderous Saul to be the messenger to the Gentile nation!

All it takes to be truly changed is one interaction with Jesus! All else is just noise!

It’s Monday and you are still FREE! You don’t have to be the statistic that says people will fall back into previous bad habits and live a defeated life. It’s Monday!

Child of God, It's Monday! Church it's Monday!

Instead of casting stones, let’s be the ROCK they can stand upon! 

www.royalwood.cc

Dan Castleberry serves on the Pastoral ministry team and leads various ministries at Royalwood. He is married to Robyn and has three beautiful daughters.  You can follow Dan on Twitter