The Mind of Malloy

Unexpected source...

Every now and then I will have some thoughts that are helpful to certain leaders. I hope to be able to provide some encouragement for you all. 

Yesterday, I had a difficult day. When I ventured out of the office, I ran across a lady who I had never seen before. She recognized me and just wanted to share a word of encouragement. She was quite a bit older than me so honestly I was a little worried about what she wanted to say, due to the day I was having. She proceeded to tell me that the Lord has defined me. He has purpose for me and my ministry here. It was incredible. All of the words that she spoke went straight to my heart. I was a little bit emotional during this encounter. It was exactly what I needed. She was an unexpected source of power from the Holy Spirit that I needed. I have never seen her before. No one here knew her. She was aimlessly walking around in the lobby. I love those kind of encounters.

Be defined by Jesus. Don't let the world shape you. Don't even let other christians define you. Be defined by Jesus. Purpose. Life. Joy.

-G-

See Through...

So I've been thinking...This is normally dangerous when I stop to think.

I want to be transparent to the people that I serve and serve alongside. I want to write down some thoughts each week, good and bad, so you can know what I'm thinking. I understand the vulnerability in this, but I also understand the power in this.

I recently read a post from someone who I respect greatly. His blog post was about not having to defend yourself to others. This is huge for me right now. I feel like I am getting hammered from every side. The critics and complainers are relentless. So therefore, I have been defending myself. I am trying not too. I love my job, church, and my calling, and none of that is in danger, but sometimes it's hard. It's not just hard on me, but my family as well. I told a fellow yesterday an analogy...If I move to your neighborhood, and with a nice gesture, you bring over a meal or cake, how would you feel if I told you that I did not like it? Would you consider me rude? That's how I feel sometimes. 

I am called by God to minister to His people. That's it...

BUT GOD...I love those words together! He hears and knows our hearts.

By no means am I trying to get pity from anyone. I don't want or need that. However, it is always good to hear someone's perspective on things from time to time. So, love your Pastors. You have no idea what they are going through...Pray for them...All the time!

-G-

Worship Recap...

I always enjoy leading with our Worship Team. We have a small "choir' kind of feel with our Worship Team. They are all worshippers who enjoy leading in worship. They always add an extra level of sound and energy. These times that we lead together are usually very sweet times of worship.

This week's set list:

All because of Jesus-Fee

On our side-Tomlin

My Savior lives-Desperation Band

You alone can rescue-Redman

You alone can rescue is a fairly new tune by Matt Redman. I first heard it at Passion2010. This song is a gift from God. It is a call to rely on God. We can't save ourselves. We may think that we are saving ourselves but in fact it is God who ordains our days and lives. 

You alone can rescue, You alone can save

You alone can lift us from the grave

You came down to find us

Led us out of death 

To You alone belongs the highest praise.

-G-

CD Giveaway...

So Patrick came in here and did the drawing for the CD giveaway...

And the winner is... JC Hitzing.

Here are your instructions JC.

You must provide an address so I can mail this to you. If I don't hear from you by this time next week, then I will just recycle this into the giveaway pile. Email your addy to geraldmalloy@mac.com

I will try to do this every week so check back. Also, I may increase the prizes...

-G-

CD Giveaway...

I am at it again. Every so often, I like to change things up. I like to go through things and get rid of stuff. We are in the process of doing that here. We are trying to get some of the cd's that are unopened and give them to our people. So if you want some free cd's, stay tuned every Tuesday.

This week's giveaway is:

This cd has some great tunes from Hillsong like:

Break Free

To know Your name

Hosanna

Saviour King

You want this cd. All ya gotta do is comment here to put your name in the drawing. Simple. Ready? Go!

-G- 

Unbelievable! World texting championship goes to...South Korea! These teens from South Korea won $100,000. The Americans came in second place and won $20,000.

Note to parents...it could pay off...maybe...

Today is Gavin's birthday. I can't believe he is already 3. We have a loaded day today. Chuck E. Cheese, Toys R Us, and then dinner tonight. Gavin didn't wake up this morning till around 9:30. Beautiful. He is tons of fun, especially fun days like today.

Return on investments...

So recently our church has gone through several changes, a lot of them in the music ministry. As expected, when new staff comes in, there will be change. There is always renewed vision, purpose, and processes. I am no exception. The Lord has brought me to Hickory Grove for a purpose and my response is to carry that out, no matter the cost.

Now we have invested a lot of resources (time, energy, etc) into a lot of people over the past several years as a ministry (worship), many of which are no longer a part due to their desires. Sometimes I look at things selfishly and say,"where are they now? After all that we did for them, this is what happens?!" I have heard that said in many churches and found myself saying these exact words. I understand that not all situations end appropriately, but we will be held accountable by our actions, not theirs. I realize that if we want a return on our investments to benefit us, then we are in the wrong. Our investments are not for our selfish good, but for the good of the Kingdom. We are saying that by no returns, our kingdoms suffer. News flash, our kingdoms don't matter. Sometimes it is hard to see the big picture when you are surrounded, I get that. But nevertheless, we should invest in people 

1) because God asks us to and 

2)as leaders we should always be moving forward with people. (Great Commission Matt 28). 

The world stops at nothing to get returns that benefit themselves. This is obvious in our culture today.We should want to invest because it makes disciples for Jesus not us.

So next time you experience change, remember the people that are involved and invested.

You are always leading people somewhere. The destination is what matters the most. 

just some scattered conversations that I sometimes overhear myself saying...

-G-

Service Recap...

Wow! We had an incredible time of worship yesterday in all of our services. God really moved in the hearts of His people as we responded to His truth.

Our Pastors taught on truth and how there is only one truth in the person of Jesus Christ. You can't find it anywhere else. No matter what anyone says or thinks, there is one truth. 

Sunday night we had a little bit of miscommunication which led us to a more acoustic feel. We did not have a drummer or a bass player. Our set list gave way to a really laid back feel. It was great.

Set list from Sunday

I am free-with some scripture reading from John 8

Unchanging-Tomlin

Jesus Paid it all-Stanfill

Glory in the highest-Tomlin

Sunday Evening Set

Blessed be your name-Redman

I stand amazed

How great is our God-Tomlin

You are the one-Malloy (that was fun to write)

-G-

Refreshed, Relaxed, Ready...

What a great break/vacation! I am pleased to say that it was good to be away and unplugged for a while. I let the emails pile up. I normally don't like to see a number on my iPhone telling me of a email. I usually check it just to get the bright red number off of the screen. But not these past few weeks. 

I also went to Passion 2010. It was unbelievable as expected. The communicators, the music, the causes, the students, the excitement, the Passion. I am still processing most of the conference. I feel completely refreshed. No new vision. Same vision, just more excitement! Still very excited to serve God's people at the Grove.

I am relaxed because of being able to sit around the house for a few days. I love my job. When you love your job, it becomes a pleasure to do anything concerning it. There is a lot less stress. The people that I work with are great. We are continually blessed by the people in our worship teams here at the Grove. Even though some things have the potential to get me down, especially now, I will continue to stay focused on God.

I am ready for the new year. My honeymoon period is almost over, so it's time to get busy! No new resolutions made this year. I usually don't keep them anyway. I just pray that my heart will be awakened to God's Spirit around me, so I can love like He loves, and be more like Christ. 

So, roll up your sleeves.Hopefully there will be many challenges up ahead that we can tackle for God's Glory!

Just live for Jesus

-G-