Since we have been talking about faith and culture in our Wed. night services and how to reach our surrounding culture. I thought this blog by Fred Peatros fit well.
Beta Church Embraces Third-Place Communities
Being earthed in today’s culture and realities is about being connected and not separated, inclusive and not exclusive, being aware and not ignorant to issues our culture is facing. It invokes God’s people to learn again what it means to be salt and light.
A former Southern Baptist preacher, dismayed at failed attempts to establish a thriving new church, set up a retro shoe store. It soon became a popular establishment among the varied community of gay couples, artist, and aging hippies. The former preacher simply allows his ability to collect and sell shoes help him establish meaningful relationships. As a preacher turned spiritual explorer all his time is now spent with non-Christians (the people Jesus misses). This is his church, firmly rooted in the realities of the 21st century.
More and more of Jesus’ apprentices are beginning to see church this way, not a physical place to attend every Sunday, but a network of relationships and groupings that enable God’s people to build genuine community within its host culture while following Jesus. It’s a more informal, fluid approach to church that builds on interest and relationship networks already in existence. One anticipated fear of such a church model is that there will no longer be definable physical space around which to be church....
Whatever church model evolves, God’s people must find alternative ways of walking to the beat of God’s kingdom while connecting with God’s world. It can’t be about polarized, separate communities. It’s about reconnecting with the freedom Jesus gave us to go out into the world with his good news and to stop getting all worn out with building churches and programs.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Quotes regarding the Church
Attraction to the Christian life occurs when one can see a concrete community of people living out salvation, living reconciled and hopeful lives in the midst of a violent world. Rarely are people converted by well-argued theories.
People are usually converted to a new way of living by getting to know people who live that way and thus being able to see themselves living that way too. This is the way God’s revolution works. The church is meant to be that community of people who make salvation visible for the rest of the world. Salvation is not a property of isolated individuals, but is only made visible in mutual love. (”The Church as God’s Body Language”)
People are usually converted to a new way of living by getting to know people who live that way and thus being able to see themselves living that way too. This is the way God’s revolution works. The church is meant to be that community of people who make salvation visible for the rest of the world. Salvation is not a property of isolated individuals, but is only made visible in mutual love. (”The Church as God’s Body Language”)
Sunday, November 09, 2008
Book Review "Me-Ville"
“Deliver Us From Me-Ville” a book by David A. Zimmerman is a book that I will have to read a second time. He says a lot of good things that need to be re-read, thought and prayed about.
The book is about our self-absorption. The writer likes the word superbia which is the Latin word for pride or an inordinate sense of self regard. The book is about ‘escape routes’ for this sense of pride and its subtleties in our life. As the writer says, “Our way out of ourselves will involve Jesus coming to us and displacing us.” He says Jesus enables us to go from, ‘me-ville to thee-ville’
He uses Peter as an example of this self- regard and also quotes alot from Bonhoeffer. Both of which fits good with his points.
He also uses another Latin word, agere contra, which means to “act against”. The self seeks that which is most comfortable and we need to fight against it. I am reminded of one of my fellow students at Bible School, when he stood up in chapel and made the announcement that “he and the Holy Spirit have declared war against self.”
The end of each chapter has some questions and exercises for self-examination. And he closes the book with a discussion guide that could be used with a small group or SS class.
The book is about our self-absorption. The writer likes the word superbia which is the Latin word for pride or an inordinate sense of self regard. The book is about ‘escape routes’ for this sense of pride and its subtleties in our life. As the writer says, “Our way out of ourselves will involve Jesus coming to us and displacing us.” He says Jesus enables us to go from, ‘me-ville to thee-ville’
He uses Peter as an example of this self- regard and also quotes alot from Bonhoeffer. Both of which fits good with his points.
He also uses another Latin word, agere contra, which means to “act against”. The self seeks that which is most comfortable and we need to fight against it. I am reminded of one of my fellow students at Bible School, when he stood up in chapel and made the announcement that “he and the Holy Spirit have declared war against self.”
The end of each chapter has some questions and exercises for self-examination. And he closes the book with a discussion guide that could be used with a small group or SS class.
Friday, November 07, 2008
Good Post Election Thoughts
Here are some good post election thoughts from David Fitch a pastor near Chicago
www.reclaimingthemission.com
www.reclaimingthemission.com
Thursday, November 06, 2008
Types of Government
The four types of government compared, using two cows.
SOCIALISM would have you give one of your cows to your neighbor and keep the other. COMMUNISM would insist that you give both cows to the state, and occasionally you might be fortunate enough to get a little milk or butter.
NAZISM would shoot you and take both of your cows.
In a DEMOCRACY you would sell one cow and buy a bull.
SOCIALISM would have you give one of your cows to your neighbor and keep the other. COMMUNISM would insist that you give both cows to the state, and occasionally you might be fortunate enough to get a little milk or butter.
NAZISM would shoot you and take both of your cows.
In a DEMOCRACY you would sell one cow and buy a bull.
Political Thoughts
One of the things about the political candidates that bothers me, along with many of their pundits, is no one seems to really get what I believe is the main economical issue. That is, how can you get those millionaire CEO's to pay their workers a living wage?
John McCain wants to give them tax breaks to start new jobs. But what good is a new job that pays only $7-8.00 per hour. You cant hardly find a affordable place to rent for that much.
Obama wants to increase their taxes and then the government spread the wealth. The problem with that is that the government will end up with the most of it.
I think the solution, at least from past observation, is that we need to unionize. The companies need to bring back unions. I know the unions have their own problems, they are carnal organizations, but the bottom line is it is the only way to force greedy CEO's to give a liveable wage to their employees. With a non union job you can make $7.00 per hour with a union job you can make $20.00 per hour, which would you prefer?
John McCain wants to give them tax breaks to start new jobs. But what good is a new job that pays only $7-8.00 per hour. You cant hardly find a affordable place to rent for that much.
Obama wants to increase their taxes and then the government spread the wealth. The problem with that is that the government will end up with the most of it.
I think the solution, at least from past observation, is that we need to unionize. The companies need to bring back unions. I know the unions have their own problems, they are carnal organizations, but the bottom line is it is the only way to force greedy CEO's to give a liveable wage to their employees. With a non union job you can make $7.00 per hour with a union job you can make $20.00 per hour, which would you prefer?
new worship band
Here is a link to hear a new band called Zehnder, who are twin brothers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osdw6XBQjys
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osdw6XBQjys
Saturday, November 01, 2008
Not the Religious Type
I recently read a book by Dave Schmelzer, a pastor in Boston, titled “Not the Religious Type:Confessions of a Turncoat Atheist.” Schmelzer was an atheist turned Christian.
The book is divided into 4 sections: The Universe, God, Happiness, Welcome to Your Centered-Set Life
In the first section you realize that Schmelzers’ emphasis is not on being a church member or being part of Christianity as a religion, but a concern for following Jesus.
In one story he relates how a Jewish man came to him saying that he was going to die a Jew and there was no need in trying to convert him. But as the man had been attending the church, because of his girl friend, he noticed something that seemed miraculous happening in his life. Where previously he had a terrible problem with anger, it now seemed that his anger had left him. When asking the pastor about it, with emphasis upon not being converted, the pastor asked if it would be alright, without trying to convert him, to say that all the “good things that were happening in his life was because of Jesus?”
The second section deals with the more subjective aspects of our relationship with God. Does God really speak to us? Again the author is trying to focus upon our relationship with God (Jesus) vs. just being religious.
The third section, which I enjoyed the most, dealt with our pursuit of happiness. He references a book by Darrin M. McMahon titled, Happiness a History. In which the author brings out that during the first 100 yrs. after our new republic, Americans had filed more law suits per capita than had ever been seen. That being the result of our right to pursue life, liberty and happiness. Evidently we thought someone, somehow, owed us happiness and we were not getting it. So someone had to pay.
His point here is that following Jesus should bring a sense of happiness (joy) to our lives.
In the final section he emphasizes our need to be heading toward God (Jesus) instead of away from him.
The author summed up the book this way, “I’ve become less interested in ‘objective truth’, if only because it seems to me that the only person who could claim such a thing is God….So we’re living in a time of newfound interest in subjective truth, of truth as we-fallible humans that we are-experience it.”
Following Jesus is not just a belief but a experience. Believe it and enjoy it.
The book is divided into 4 sections: The Universe, God, Happiness, Welcome to Your Centered-Set Life
In the first section you realize that Schmelzers’ emphasis is not on being a church member or being part of Christianity as a religion, but a concern for following Jesus.
In one story he relates how a Jewish man came to him saying that he was going to die a Jew and there was no need in trying to convert him. But as the man had been attending the church, because of his girl friend, he noticed something that seemed miraculous happening in his life. Where previously he had a terrible problem with anger, it now seemed that his anger had left him. When asking the pastor about it, with emphasis upon not being converted, the pastor asked if it would be alright, without trying to convert him, to say that all the “good things that were happening in his life was because of Jesus?”
The second section deals with the more subjective aspects of our relationship with God. Does God really speak to us? Again the author is trying to focus upon our relationship with God (Jesus) vs. just being religious.
The third section, which I enjoyed the most, dealt with our pursuit of happiness. He references a book by Darrin M. McMahon titled, Happiness a History. In which the author brings out that during the first 100 yrs. after our new republic, Americans had filed more law suits per capita than had ever been seen. That being the result of our right to pursue life, liberty and happiness. Evidently we thought someone, somehow, owed us happiness and we were not getting it. So someone had to pay.
His point here is that following Jesus should bring a sense of happiness (joy) to our lives.
In the final section he emphasizes our need to be heading toward God (Jesus) instead of away from him.
The author summed up the book this way, “I’ve become less interested in ‘objective truth’, if only because it seems to me that the only person who could claim such a thing is God….So we’re living in a time of newfound interest in subjective truth, of truth as we-fallible humans that we are-experience it.”
Following Jesus is not just a belief but a experience. Believe it and enjoy it.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Faith and Culture
We have begun a seris titled "Faith and Culture" on Wednesday nights. The question I want us to think and pray about is, "If no financial or personnel limitations, what is one thing you would do to change the culture of our community?" or "How can we create a new culture?"
tragedy
There was another murder in our small community this past Sunday. The churches here in town needs to work and pray harder to see a turn around. There is no reason that our town could not see a real revival......
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Quote from Bono of U2
Bono speaking at the Clinton Global Initiative talking about the $700 billion bailout.
"It is extraordinary to me that you can find $700 billion to save Wall Street and the entire G8 can’t find $25 billion to save 25,000 children who die every day of preventable treatable disease and hunger. That’s mad, that is mad."
"It is extraordinary to me that you can find $700 billion to save Wall Street and the entire G8 can’t find $25 billion to save 25,000 children who die every day of preventable treatable disease and hunger. That’s mad, that is mad."
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Naive Christians
In a fallen world Christians will tend to be naive and gullible. We are lovers of people and some of the characteristics of love is that we "think no evil,...beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. (1Corinthians 13 KJV)
We will assume that the person trying to sell us something is telling us the truth about what they are selling, we assume that they are not trying to cheat us, we assume that the person we are talking to is of high moral character. We will believe the best of that salesman, even when his intentions may be dishonorable. We trust that person, for that is what love does.
With that said many of us have learned the hard way. All people do not necessarily have good intentions and thus they may be out to cheat us. Thus we must take heed to the words of Jesus found in Matthew 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
We will assume that the person trying to sell us something is telling us the truth about what they are selling, we assume that they are not trying to cheat us, we assume that the person we are talking to is of high moral character. We will believe the best of that salesman, even when his intentions may be dishonorable. We trust that person, for that is what love does.
With that said many of us have learned the hard way. All people do not necessarily have good intentions and thus they may be out to cheat us. Thus we must take heed to the words of Jesus found in Matthew 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Are Christians naive?
Naive Christians?? In the novel, “The Almost True Story of Ryan Fisher”, by Rob Stennett, the main character is a real estat broker by the name of Ryan.
Ryan makes the decision to sell real estate specifically to Christians. One of the reasons being that Christians are naïve.Is this a true assessment of Christians? Are Christians gullible and easy to persuade? My thoughts to come in a day or so.
Ryan makes the decision to sell real estate specifically to Christians. One of the reasons being that Christians are naïve.Is this a true assessment of Christians? Are Christians gullible and easy to persuade? My thoughts to come in a day or so.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Home Schooling
Since our attempt to start a Christian School here in our neighborhood did not come to fruition, we decided to home school my daughter. This is our first attempt at home school and this first week went fine. We are using curriculum from Alpha and Omega press. (www.aophomeschooling.com) It is totally computerized, easy for dad to figure out and (at least for this first week) enjoyable for my daughter to use.
I will try to keep updated on how things go.
I will try to keep updated on how things go.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Prayers God Answers
I recently have read, “Six Prayers God Always Answers” by Mark Herringshaw & Jennifer Schuchmann.
Interesting in the fact that the writers make an argument of answered prayers, that there may be some of those prayers that we might not want answered. So the title could have easily been, “some prayers you do not want to pray” or “be careful what you pray for”. Some prayers that we ought to be careful in praying are
1. bargaining prayers-those are the prayers where we make deals with God, “Lord save my childs life and I will serve you.” The problem may be that at times we get more than what we bargained for.
I think of King Hezekiah who became sick and God told him that he was going to die. Hezekiah begged for more time and God granted him his request. But during that extrat time Mannasah was born who became the most wicked king of Israel up to that time.
A bargain that would have been better off not made.
Another prayer that God answers but that we need to be aware is ‘questioning prayers’. The problem with those prayers is that the answer that we sought is not the answer we always get. So then the question goes back to us, What do we do with the answer once we get it?
A third prayer that God answers but we might want to be careful in praying, is the prayer for justice. Do we really want what we deserve? or would we prefer mercy? I am afraid too many times we want justice to be shown toward others and mercy toward ourselves.
3 other type of prayers that the writers mention God always answers are: Desperate prayers, Audacious prayers, prayers of Beauty and Happiness
Interesting in the fact that the writers make an argument of answered prayers, that there may be some of those prayers that we might not want answered. So the title could have easily been, “some prayers you do not want to pray” or “be careful what you pray for”. Some prayers that we ought to be careful in praying are
1. bargaining prayers-those are the prayers where we make deals with God, “Lord save my childs life and I will serve you.” The problem may be that at times we get more than what we bargained for.
I think of King Hezekiah who became sick and God told him that he was going to die. Hezekiah begged for more time and God granted him his request. But during that extrat time Mannasah was born who became the most wicked king of Israel up to that time.
A bargain that would have been better off not made.
Another prayer that God answers but that we need to be aware is ‘questioning prayers’. The problem with those prayers is that the answer that we sought is not the answer we always get. So then the question goes back to us, What do we do with the answer once we get it?
A third prayer that God answers but we might want to be careful in praying, is the prayer for justice. Do we really want what we deserve? or would we prefer mercy? I am afraid too many times we want justice to be shown toward others and mercy toward ourselves.
3 other type of prayers that the writers mention God always answers are: Desperate prayers, Audacious prayers, prayers of Beauty and Happiness
Friday, August 22, 2008
Great Story
I love this story from the book “Crazy Love” by Francis Chan.
He tells the story of a 14 yr. old girl named Brooke Bronkowski, who started a bible study on her school campus while in junior high. She would save her lunch money to buy bibles for the kids who did not have any. When she was 12 yrs. old she penned these words.
“I’ll live my life to the fullest. I’ll be happy. I’ll brighten up. I will be more joyful than I have ever been. I will been kind to others. I will loosen up. I will tell others about Christ . I will go on adventures and change the world. I will be bold and not change who I really am. I will have no troubles but instead I will help others with their troubles.
You see, I’ll be one of those people who live to be history makers at a young age. Oh, I’ll have moments, good and bad, but I’ll wipe away the bad and only remember the good. In fact that’s all I remember, just good moments, nothing in between, just living my life to it’s fullest. I’ll be one of those people who goes somewhere with a mission, an awesome plan, a world changing plan, and nothing will hold me back. I’ll set an example for others, I will pray for direction.
I have my life before me. I will give others the joy I have and God will give me more joy. I will do everything God tells me to do. I will follow the footsteps of God. I will do my best!!”
While a freshman in high school, at the age of 14, she was killed in an automobile accident.
Aprox. 1,500 people showed up for the memorial service in which all spoke of her example and joy. Many read poems that she had written about her love for God. The gospel invitation was given and over 200 kids came forward to give their lives to Christ. Afterward the ushers passed out bibles that Brooke had bought to share with her unsaved friends.
The question I ask myself is, what kind of influence am I having on those around me?
He tells the story of a 14 yr. old girl named Brooke Bronkowski, who started a bible study on her school campus while in junior high. She would save her lunch money to buy bibles for the kids who did not have any. When she was 12 yrs. old she penned these words.
“I’ll live my life to the fullest. I’ll be happy. I’ll brighten up. I will be more joyful than I have ever been. I will been kind to others. I will loosen up. I will tell others about Christ . I will go on adventures and change the world. I will be bold and not change who I really am. I will have no troubles but instead I will help others with their troubles.
You see, I’ll be one of those people who live to be history makers at a young age. Oh, I’ll have moments, good and bad, but I’ll wipe away the bad and only remember the good. In fact that’s all I remember, just good moments, nothing in between, just living my life to it’s fullest. I’ll be one of those people who goes somewhere with a mission, an awesome plan, a world changing plan, and nothing will hold me back. I’ll set an example for others, I will pray for direction.
I have my life before me. I will give others the joy I have and God will give me more joy. I will do everything God tells me to do. I will follow the footsteps of God. I will do my best!!”
While a freshman in high school, at the age of 14, she was killed in an automobile accident.
Aprox. 1,500 people showed up for the memorial service in which all spoke of her example and joy. Many read poems that she had written about her love for God. The gospel invitation was given and over 200 kids came forward to give their lives to Christ. Afterward the ushers passed out bibles that Brooke had bought to share with her unsaved friends.
The question I ask myself is, what kind of influence am I having on those around me?
Sad Story
What legacy are we leaving our children and grandchildren? When we die what is it that our children and grandchildren will remember about us?
The following is a legitimate obituary published by a paper in San Fransico. Before publishing the obituary the paper wanted to see the death certificate, to be sure that this was not just some sort of joke.
SFist: R.I.P., Dolores Aguilar
The following is a legitimate obituary published by a paper in San Fransico. Before publishing the obituary the paper wanted to see the death certificate, to be sure that this was not just some sort of joke.
SFist: R.I.P., Dolores Aguilar
Monday, August 18, 2008
jobs with high prestige
Results of the annual Harris Poll that measures the public's perceptions of 23 different professions and occupations indicates that the profession of clergy ranks in the top 10 most prestigious occupations.
Of the 1,010 U.S. adults who were interviewed in July of this year, 40 percent said that the role of Priest/Minister/Clergy had "very great prestige." The top ten occupations ranked by perception of very high prestige were:
Firefighter: 57%
Scientist: 56%
Doctor: 53%
Nurse: 52%
Teacher: 52%
Military Officer: 46%
Police Officer: 46%
Farmer: 41%
Minister/Clergy: 40%
Engineer: 40%
Of the 23 professions that were ranked, Banker, Stockbroker and Real Estate Agent took the bottom three spots, with only six percent of respondents saying that Real Estate Agent was an occupation with "very great prestige." It's also interesting to note that, according to the Harris Poll in 1977, the occupation of Clergy was seen as having "very great prestige" by 41 percent of those who were questioned. That number rose to 46 percent in 1998 and dropped to 32 percent in 2004.
For the complete report, visit http://www.harrisinteractive.com/harris_poll/ and search under the listing of the 2008 polls.
Of the 1,010 U.S. adults who were interviewed in July of this year, 40 percent said that the role of Priest/Minister/Clergy had "very great prestige." The top ten occupations ranked by perception of very high prestige were:
Firefighter: 57%
Scientist: 56%
Doctor: 53%
Nurse: 52%
Teacher: 52%
Military Officer: 46%
Police Officer: 46%
Farmer: 41%
Minister/Clergy: 40%
Engineer: 40%
Of the 23 professions that were ranked, Banker, Stockbroker and Real Estate Agent took the bottom three spots, with only six percent of respondents saying that Real Estate Agent was an occupation with "very great prestige." It's also interesting to note that, according to the Harris Poll in 1977, the occupation of Clergy was seen as having "very great prestige" by 41 percent of those who were questioned. That number rose to 46 percent in 1998 and dropped to 32 percent in 2004.
For the complete report, visit http://www.harrisinteractive.com/harris_poll/ and search under the listing of the 2008 polls.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
scary story
sometimes I read short stories or illustrations that literally scare me when I think of all its implications....Here is such a story
There was a blind girl who hated herself because she was blind. She hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend. He was always there for her. She told her boyfriend, 'If I could only see the world, I will marry you."One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her. When the bandages came off, she was able to see everything, including her boyfriend.He asked her,'Now that you can see the world, will you marry me?'
The girl looked at her boyfriend and saw that he was blind. The sight of his closed eyelids shocked her. She hadn't expected that. The thought of looking at them the rest of her life led her to refuse to marry him. Her boyfriend left in tears and days later wrote a note to her saying: 'Take good care of your eyes, my dear, for before they were yours, they were mine.'
There was a blind girl who hated herself because she was blind. She hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend. He was always there for her. She told her boyfriend, 'If I could only see the world, I will marry you."One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her. When the bandages came off, she was able to see everything, including her boyfriend.He asked her,'Now that you can see the world, will you marry me?'
The girl looked at her boyfriend and saw that he was blind. The sight of his closed eyelids shocked her. She hadn't expected that. The thought of looking at them the rest of her life led her to refuse to marry him. Her boyfriend left in tears and days later wrote a note to her saying: 'Take good care of your eyes, my dear, for before they were yours, they were mine.'
Sunday, August 10, 2008
When they will not come
Taken from the blog www.reclaimingthemission.com
When They Will Not Come
Monday, August 04, 2008
A lot of my interaction with students, pastors and church planters is over the issues of post-Christendom and the revolutionary change required of us who seek to engage those outside Christ with the gospel. It truly is stunning to recognize how things have changed in this country over the last fifty years. Over and over again I hear the stories of churches and the lament "all we're doing is shuffling discontented believers from one form of church to another." Or I hear "another mega church has moved into the area and emptied out three traditional local churches." It's post Christendom and we're competing for customers.For those who refuse to enter this ugly frey, we are left to plant churches and think about the Christian life in a different way.
There simply are not a ready made group of people out there ready to join your church-plant in just a few months of your beginning (hallelujah). Salvations don't just fall out of trees (read here for my case on this) and disciples take several years to grow. There are no simple techniques or boot camps. I'm ok with this. For indeed church planting now has to be life on life - sustainable over many years.This is the situation of "when they will not come." It is church planting, church pastoring and church life as it is after the "attractional" nature of the church has disappeared. Now all we have left is "us."Church in post-Christendom therefore is nothing less than a chosen way of life. It is choosing a way of being together. This way of being together encompasses how we worship, how we share and eat food, how we pool together resourses to help the poor, how we get together and hear Scriptures read and teach our children how to listen for God in that. Forgiveness, patience, care, speaking truth in love, is part of this way of being together. In this way of living, career and making money is more about taking care of one another and giving glory to God than personal aspiration. And God inhabits this way of being so that miracles, blessings, sustaining times in life and death become a part of everyday life. Mission becomes our rhythym.
When those outside of Christ will not come to our church services no matter how professional they might be, when they will not come to our special out reach events, when they will not come for Sunday school for their kids, or movie night or whatever other crazy fanagled way we dream up to get people into our church, then we must somehow rethink the orientation of just about everything we do in church. This would include worship, community and fellowship, discipleship, preaching (part of worship), children's ministries, leadership, evangelism, justice and of course church-planting.....
When They Will Not Come
Monday, August 04, 2008
A lot of my interaction with students, pastors and church planters is over the issues of post-Christendom and the revolutionary change required of us who seek to engage those outside Christ with the gospel. It truly is stunning to recognize how things have changed in this country over the last fifty years. Over and over again I hear the stories of churches and the lament "all we're doing is shuffling discontented believers from one form of church to another." Or I hear "another mega church has moved into the area and emptied out three traditional local churches." It's post Christendom and we're competing for customers.For those who refuse to enter this ugly frey, we are left to plant churches and think about the Christian life in a different way.
There simply are not a ready made group of people out there ready to join your church-plant in just a few months of your beginning (hallelujah). Salvations don't just fall out of trees (read here for my case on this) and disciples take several years to grow. There are no simple techniques or boot camps. I'm ok with this. For indeed church planting now has to be life on life - sustainable over many years.This is the situation of "when they will not come." It is church planting, church pastoring and church life as it is after the "attractional" nature of the church has disappeared. Now all we have left is "us."Church in post-Christendom therefore is nothing less than a chosen way of life. It is choosing a way of being together. This way of being together encompasses how we worship, how we share and eat food, how we pool together resourses to help the poor, how we get together and hear Scriptures read and teach our children how to listen for God in that. Forgiveness, patience, care, speaking truth in love, is part of this way of being together. In this way of living, career and making money is more about taking care of one another and giving glory to God than personal aspiration. And God inhabits this way of being so that miracles, blessings, sustaining times in life and death become a part of everyday life. Mission becomes our rhythym.
When those outside of Christ will not come to our church services no matter how professional they might be, when they will not come to our special out reach events, when they will not come for Sunday school for their kids, or movie night or whatever other crazy fanagled way we dream up to get people into our church, then we must somehow rethink the orientation of just about everything we do in church. This would include worship, community and fellowship, discipleship, preaching (part of worship), children's ministries, leadership, evangelism, justice and of course church-planting.....
Friday, August 01, 2008
Book Review
Book Review of "HOLY FOOLS" By Mathew Woodley
As I began to read I was thinking that this book would have been an introduction of some of the early Christians that were called ‘desert fathers and mothers’. It was more of how studying the desert fathers have affected the author. The author then goes through a list of ‘spiritual disciplines’ that were practiced by the fathers that he himself has tried to put into practice.
The 4 main sections of the book are 1.) Awakening to a Life of Compassion 2) Awakening to a Life of Vulnerability 3) Awakening to a Life of Discipline 4) Awakening to a Life of Spiritual Passion. Each section has either 2 or 3 chapters.
A few of the points the writer brought out that I thought were beneficial were:
-When having a party we should invite those who would normally not be invited. Those who are on the outskirts of society.
- In one chapter he talks about repentance and says this, “The point of repentance isn’t just to make us feel bad; it infuses us with hope and desire, specifically the hope and desire that God can change us, that God’s mercy is available to us, that every breath we take is a gift from a merciful God” p.67
That thought gives a positive aspect to repentance instead of the negative tone that we usually associate with the idea of repenting.
-He stated that the desert fathers emphasized a balanced approach to practicing spiritual disciplines. Noting that not every spiritual ‘program’ fits every human being. p.183
Though there were some good things said I believe I would have enjoyed the book more if it had been an introduction to the desert fathers themselves. I am not sure that another book on the spiritual disciplines is necessary, when there are quite a few others out there that are better than this one.
One thing that bothered me was the seemingly shallowness of some of the examples the writer gave in trying to imitate the desert fathers from a suburban landscape. One such example was that he equated waiting in line at a fast food restaurant equivalent to living in the harsh realities of the desert. Though waiting in line may be a good test of our patience it hardly equates with leaving suburbia and heading off to live in the desert. A book that I would recommend to this author would be “Death by Suburb” by David Goetz.
I would give this book 2 ½ stars.
As I began to read I was thinking that this book would have been an introduction of some of the early Christians that were called ‘desert fathers and mothers’. It was more of how studying the desert fathers have affected the author. The author then goes through a list of ‘spiritual disciplines’ that were practiced by the fathers that he himself has tried to put into practice.
The 4 main sections of the book are 1.) Awakening to a Life of Compassion 2) Awakening to a Life of Vulnerability 3) Awakening to a Life of Discipline 4) Awakening to a Life of Spiritual Passion. Each section has either 2 or 3 chapters.
A few of the points the writer brought out that I thought were beneficial were:
-When having a party we should invite those who would normally not be invited. Those who are on the outskirts of society.
- In one chapter he talks about repentance and says this, “The point of repentance isn’t just to make us feel bad; it infuses us with hope and desire, specifically the hope and desire that God can change us, that God’s mercy is available to us, that every breath we take is a gift from a merciful God” p.67
That thought gives a positive aspect to repentance instead of the negative tone that we usually associate with the idea of repenting.
-He stated that the desert fathers emphasized a balanced approach to practicing spiritual disciplines. Noting that not every spiritual ‘program’ fits every human being. p.183
Though there were some good things said I believe I would have enjoyed the book more if it had been an introduction to the desert fathers themselves. I am not sure that another book on the spiritual disciplines is necessary, when there are quite a few others out there that are better than this one.
One thing that bothered me was the seemingly shallowness of some of the examples the writer gave in trying to imitate the desert fathers from a suburban landscape. One such example was that he equated waiting in line at a fast food restaurant equivalent to living in the harsh realities of the desert. Though waiting in line may be a good test of our patience it hardly equates with leaving suburbia and heading off to live in the desert. A book that I would recommend to this author would be “Death by Suburb” by David Goetz.
I would give this book 2 ½ stars.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
photography
My nephew is into photography and takes some really nice pictures...check out his website at
www.bblovephotos.com
www.bblovephotos.com
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
what is a real meal?
What's a Real Meal?
A Real Meal isn't a thing – it's a person.
It isn't food that perishes. It is “soul food.” It is free, but it costs you everything. It doesn't fill you up; it makes you hungrier. It makes you want more; it brings you back again and again. But rather than drawing you back alone, it calls you to bring others. A Real Meal is best experienced in community – a community that lives for a purpose greater than its own survival. A community whose fuel is the Real Meal and whose purpose is inviting others to the Real Meal.
Who is the Real Meal? Jesus Christ is the Real Meal. In John's report of Jesus' ministry, he records Jesus saying these words in John 6:35 “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”
from www.realmealministries.org
A Real Meal isn't a thing – it's a person.
It isn't food that perishes. It is “soul food.” It is free, but it costs you everything. It doesn't fill you up; it makes you hungrier. It makes you want more; it brings you back again and again. But rather than drawing you back alone, it calls you to bring others. A Real Meal is best experienced in community – a community that lives for a purpose greater than its own survival. A community whose fuel is the Real Meal and whose purpose is inviting others to the Real Meal.
Who is the Real Meal? Jesus Christ is the Real Meal. In John's report of Jesus' ministry, he records Jesus saying these words in John 6:35 “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”
from www.realmealministries.org
Sunday, June 29, 2008
cook out and concert
Wednesday, July 2, at the church we will be holding a community cook out and concert. The cook out will begin at 6:00 with the concert starting at 7:00.
The band will be the kids band "affinity". (with my daughter Adrienne the one doing the vocals. I just had to add that :))
You can check them out at www.myspace.com/affinityfl
The band will be the kids band "affinity". (with my daughter Adrienne the one doing the vocals. I just had to add that :))
You can check them out at www.myspace.com/affinityfl
Saturday, June 21, 2008
The economy
While many of us are feeling the pinch of rising prices, some of us are trying to make a difference....by building a hydrogen type of contraption that will increase gas mileage....and building another type of contraption that will save on heating our water.
I will let you know how things go as we progress. If we start saving gas we will share the information and know how to our community here in Intercession City.
Pray for our efforts
I will let you know how things go as we progress. If we start saving gas we will share the information and know how to our community here in Intercession City.
Pray for our efforts
Sunday, June 01, 2008
Two Thoughtsfrom Leonard Sweet
Street evangelism. Think about a typical street evangelist on a soapbox, with some kind of megaphone and he's handing out tracts. Wesley and some early Methodists in the late 18th, early 19th century invented street evangelism and they would attract these huge crowds; people were getting converted and there were these huge revivals! We do it today and it drives people away! It's not turning people to Christ, it's driving them away from Christ. Why? It's the wussification of the church, and the wussification of the church's mind and mission.
In the 1790's, a book was equivalent to one month's salary, so people didn't have books. And they didn't have literature in their homes. So pamphlets and tracts were the cutting edge hardware of the 18th century. Literally, a book is one month's salary, and you're on a street evangelism team giving out books and tracts and pamphlets. Well, hello! In the 1990's the computer was equivalent to one month's salary! And here we are still giving out tracts, which our ancestor's did, but if we were doing what they did, we'd be standing on street corners passing out Palm Pilots, PCs. You want to talk about crowds that would wait in line and listen to what we have to say?
Now, of course, that hardware would have to come with spiritual software. The early street evangelists just didn't have pamphlets, they had chapters from John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, or Fox's Book of Martyrs, or Thomas A Kempis' Imitation of Christ. So you just don't pass out Palm Pilots, you put Bible software on them, if you're passing out PCs, you put the whole Scriptures in there! We're such wusses! We're still passing out tracts. I mean, in the men's room they put tracts on the urinals. And this is evangelism?! Who's gonna pick it up? It's the wussification of the church's mind and mission, and it's embarrassing. Let's do for our day what our ancestors did for their day - is that too much to ask?
Street evangelism. Think about a typical street evangelist on a soapbox, with some kind of megaphone and he's handing out tracts. Wesley and some early Methodists in the late 18th, early 19th century invented street evangelism and they would attract these huge crowds; people were getting converted and there were these huge revivals! We do it today and it drives people away! It's not turning people to Christ, it's driving them away from Christ. Why? It's the wussification of the church, and the wussification of the church's mind and mission.
In the 1790's, a book was equivalent to one month's salary, so people didn't have books. And they didn't have literature in their homes. So pamphlets and tracts were the cutting edge hardware of the 18th century. Literally, a book is one month's salary, and you're on a street evangelism team giving out books and tracts and pamphlets. Well, hello! In the 1990's the computer was equivalent to one month's salary! And here we are still giving out tracts, which our ancestor's did, but if we were doing what they did, we'd be standing on street corners passing out Palm Pilots, PCs. You want to talk about crowds that would wait in line and listen to what we have to say?
Now, of course, that hardware would have to come with spiritual software. The early street evangelists just didn't have pamphlets, they had chapters from John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, or Fox's Book of Martyrs, or Thomas A Kempis' Imitation of Christ. So you just don't pass out Palm Pilots, you put Bible software on them, if you're passing out PCs, you put the whole Scriptures in there! We're such wusses! We're still passing out tracts. I mean, in the men's room they put tracts on the urinals. And this is evangelism?! Who's gonna pick it up? It's the wussification of the church's mind and mission, and it's embarrassing. Let's do for our day what our ancestors did for their day - is that too much to ask?
quote
In the words of Dorothy Sayers: "To do them justice, the people who crucified Jesus did not do so because he was a bore. Quite the contrary; he was too dynamic to be safe. It is has been left for later generations to muffle up that shattering personality and surround him with an atmosphere of tedium. We have declawed the Lion of Judah and made him a housecat for pale priests and pious old ladies."
Friday, April 18, 2008
RiceBowls.org
We have collected our rice bowls that we have been filling up with change over the last 6 weeks. The total was around $313.00 we thank everyone who collected. The money will be sent to
ricebowls.org to help feed orphan kids in Africa, India and Haiti.
ricebowls.org to help feed orphan kids in Africa, India and Haiti.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
quote
"Christianity is the story of how the rightful King has landed, you might say in disguise, and is calling us all to take part in His great campaign of sabotage." --C.S. Lewis
Sunday, April 06, 2008
The Paradox of Free Will
The Paradox of Free Will By Keith Giles
As human beings we strive to understand the world we live in. I believe our Creator built into us a healthy level of curiosity which compels us to seek answers and strive for knowledge. Our inquisitive nature is a large part of what makes us human.
However, there are some things we cannot fully know or understand, particularly when it comes to God Himself. In these instances the best we can do is to accept what He has revealed to us about His nature and leave it alone. We cannot fully comprehend a being who has no beginning, or imagine an entity with no boundary or limit. In those areas where our ability to comprehend is challenged we simply have to take some things on faith, whether we understand them or not. In fact, we have to accept these truths as being true even though we know we are currently incapable of understanding at all.
Whenever we encounter an aspect of God's character which defies the bounds of our reason we call this a paradox because it involves one or more seemingly contradictory conditions at work.
This phenomenon isn't limited to the spiritual realm, by the way. In the world of observable science we encounter several examples of seemingly contradictory facts and conditions which we must simply accept as being true whether or not we can understand or explain them in common terms.
One such example is the nature of light. Scientists who were attempting to determine the nature of light tried several experiments with the smallest unit of light (a single photon) in order to answer the riddle of whether or not light was a wave (a frequency within a spectrum) or a particle (made up of many photon-bits).
Their experiment proved that light was a wave. It also proved that light was a particle. Depending on the experiment they performed and the conditions of the test, they got both answers. This lead to the new idea that somehow light was actually a wavicle (part particle, part wave). Of course, no one has a real definition of the properties of a wavicle, and other than light (apparently) nothing else exhibits these qualities or conditions. Yet, we all still believe that light exists and scientists still continue to talk about light and to manipulate it even though they still have absolutely no idea what it really is.
I share all of that with you so that my next section won't sound like convenient wordplay. There really are elements within our known sphere of understanding which are beyond our comprehension and classification. Paradoxes are common. They are not evidence of some faulty bit of logic or a failure of the mind to connect the dots.
In Christian theology we must become comfortable alongside some paradoxes such as the Trinity (Christ, the Spirit and the Father are all referred to as the One God, and yet they are not each other, nor are they three Gods, but the One). We cannot understand how this can be so, but we must accept the nature of God as He has revealed Himself to us through His Word and declare that, somehow, someway, even though we are powerless to understand or define or comprehend it, God is a being beyond our complete understanding. His very nature defies our limited capacity for apprehending Him. We can only accept what we know by faith.
Alister E. McGrath has a wonderful way of communicating this ineffable quality of God's nature by demonstrating that none of us, using mere language, could ever describe to someone who had never tasted coffee exactly what it tasted like. Unless they were to taste coffee for themselves, the conversation would be endless and our descriptions useless. However, once we have both tasted coffee we can talk all day about it and both us will have a common ground to understand what the other is saying, but our inability to explain the exact quality of the flavor of coffee using human language will remain outside our feeble grasp.
One of the oldest, and most bitter and brutal debates that has divided Christendom since around 400 AD is the one surrounding the doctrines of free will and predestination.
On one side we have the Calvinists who represent the predestination side, and the Arminians who represent the side of free will.
Without going into a lot of detail about the history and the various nuances of each side and their arguments regarding the best way to believe on this issue, let me make things very simple. Those on the side of predestination feel that for God to know the end before the beginning, His sovereignty must be greater than our frail human will and therefore God has already determined, before the beginning of time, who will be saved and who will not.
Those on the side of free will, the Arminians, feel that God cannot decide beforehand to create beings whom He knows are destined for an eternal hell, and therefore are convinced that man ultimately must decide for him or herself whether or not to accept the free gift of salvation. Both sides offer copious amounts of Biblical text to support their view. To be sure, the Scriptures contain very plain and direct language to support the theory that God knows the end from the beginning and even that God "predestined those He foreknew" (Romans 8: 28). However, there are just as many scriptures to support the idea that God allows mankind the freedom to choose for themselves whether or not to follow Him and to love Him. We know that God does not create robots who are hardwired to love Him any more than He creates beings for the purpose of destroying them.
Both doctrines are Biblical. Both doctrines seem to contradict one another. We cannot possibly see how one could be true if the other were also true. This leaves us with a conundrum of sorts, or a paradox. Somehow God is able to see into the future and to know, in advance, the outcome of our choices which are based on free will.
However, because God knows in advance what you and I will freely choose to do, it does not necessarily follow that His foreknowledge of our choice is what caused us to make this choice. For example, if I am watching someone from a distance and I know what they are about to do, I am not held accountable for their actions when they carry out the action I predicted.
So, does God know in advance who will choose to follow Him? Yes, he most certainly does. The scriptures support this and we should embrace this truth. But, does the Bible also teach us that we are accountable to God for our own decisions and actions? Yes, it most certainly does. We alone are the ones who must choose to accept or reject the love of God that has been offered to us. The scriptures teach us this and we should embrace this truth as well.
This is a paradox, like many other paradoxes of faith, where we are called upon to exercise our faith in God and take Him at His Word. For those Calvinists who argue that the doctrine of Free Will encroaches upon the sovereignty of God I would point out that there are many doctrines where God limits Himself for our benefit. For example, God is omniscient (knowing all things), but we also know that, for our sake, He willfully forgets our sins once they are forgiven. He surrenders His infinite knowledge of all things for our sake and tosses our sins into the sea of forgetfulness. Why would we be surprised that, in order to preserve our freedom of choice, God might surrender His power of sovereignty?
For those Arminians who argue that God's foreknowledge of an event determines the outcome, let me point out that knowing something will happen is not the same as making that event turn out a certain way. As this is a subject where the scripture is less than crystal clear, where those on both sides of the issue have ample scriptural evidence for their position, let us agree that this is not something we should divide over.
"God will not hold us responsible to understand the mysteries of election, predestination and the divine sovereignty. The best and safest way to deal with these truths is to raise our eyes to God and in deepest reverence say, Oh Lord Thou knowest. Those things belong to the deep and mysterious Profound of God's omniscience. Prying into them may make theologians, but it will never make saints." – A.W. Tozer
Our love for one another, as brothers and sisters in Christ, should never suffer due to our petty disagreements. Nor should we ever allow differences of opinion over the doctrines of baptism, or the end times, or the way we worship, or speaking in tongues, or what have you, to separate us from one another. We are the Family of God and we are called to love one another, in fact, we've been commanded to love one another. It is not optional for us.
In His Grip, Keith Giles http://www.keithgiles.com
Taken from "Subversive Underground"
As human beings we strive to understand the world we live in. I believe our Creator built into us a healthy level of curiosity which compels us to seek answers and strive for knowledge. Our inquisitive nature is a large part of what makes us human.
However, there are some things we cannot fully know or understand, particularly when it comes to God Himself. In these instances the best we can do is to accept what He has revealed to us about His nature and leave it alone. We cannot fully comprehend a being who has no beginning, or imagine an entity with no boundary or limit. In those areas where our ability to comprehend is challenged we simply have to take some things on faith, whether we understand them or not. In fact, we have to accept these truths as being true even though we know we are currently incapable of understanding at all.
Whenever we encounter an aspect of God's character which defies the bounds of our reason we call this a paradox because it involves one or more seemingly contradictory conditions at work.
This phenomenon isn't limited to the spiritual realm, by the way. In the world of observable science we encounter several examples of seemingly contradictory facts and conditions which we must simply accept as being true whether or not we can understand or explain them in common terms.
One such example is the nature of light. Scientists who were attempting to determine the nature of light tried several experiments with the smallest unit of light (a single photon) in order to answer the riddle of whether or not light was a wave (a frequency within a spectrum) or a particle (made up of many photon-bits).
Their experiment proved that light was a wave. It also proved that light was a particle. Depending on the experiment they performed and the conditions of the test, they got both answers. This lead to the new idea that somehow light was actually a wavicle (part particle, part wave). Of course, no one has a real definition of the properties of a wavicle, and other than light (apparently) nothing else exhibits these qualities or conditions. Yet, we all still believe that light exists and scientists still continue to talk about light and to manipulate it even though they still have absolutely no idea what it really is.
I share all of that with you so that my next section won't sound like convenient wordplay. There really are elements within our known sphere of understanding which are beyond our comprehension and classification. Paradoxes are common. They are not evidence of some faulty bit of logic or a failure of the mind to connect the dots.
In Christian theology we must become comfortable alongside some paradoxes such as the Trinity (Christ, the Spirit and the Father are all referred to as the One God, and yet they are not each other, nor are they three Gods, but the One). We cannot understand how this can be so, but we must accept the nature of God as He has revealed Himself to us through His Word and declare that, somehow, someway, even though we are powerless to understand or define or comprehend it, God is a being beyond our complete understanding. His very nature defies our limited capacity for apprehending Him. We can only accept what we know by faith.
Alister E. McGrath has a wonderful way of communicating this ineffable quality of God's nature by demonstrating that none of us, using mere language, could ever describe to someone who had never tasted coffee exactly what it tasted like. Unless they were to taste coffee for themselves, the conversation would be endless and our descriptions useless. However, once we have both tasted coffee we can talk all day about it and both us will have a common ground to understand what the other is saying, but our inability to explain the exact quality of the flavor of coffee using human language will remain outside our feeble grasp.
One of the oldest, and most bitter and brutal debates that has divided Christendom since around 400 AD is the one surrounding the doctrines of free will and predestination.
On one side we have the Calvinists who represent the predestination side, and the Arminians who represent the side of free will.
Without going into a lot of detail about the history and the various nuances of each side and their arguments regarding the best way to believe on this issue, let me make things very simple. Those on the side of predestination feel that for God to know the end before the beginning, His sovereignty must be greater than our frail human will and therefore God has already determined, before the beginning of time, who will be saved and who will not.
Those on the side of free will, the Arminians, feel that God cannot decide beforehand to create beings whom He knows are destined for an eternal hell, and therefore are convinced that man ultimately must decide for him or herself whether or not to accept the free gift of salvation. Both sides offer copious amounts of Biblical text to support their view. To be sure, the Scriptures contain very plain and direct language to support the theory that God knows the end from the beginning and even that God "predestined those He foreknew" (Romans 8: 28). However, there are just as many scriptures to support the idea that God allows mankind the freedom to choose for themselves whether or not to follow Him and to love Him. We know that God does not create robots who are hardwired to love Him any more than He creates beings for the purpose of destroying them.
Both doctrines are Biblical. Both doctrines seem to contradict one another. We cannot possibly see how one could be true if the other were also true. This leaves us with a conundrum of sorts, or a paradox. Somehow God is able to see into the future and to know, in advance, the outcome of our choices which are based on free will.
However, because God knows in advance what you and I will freely choose to do, it does not necessarily follow that His foreknowledge of our choice is what caused us to make this choice. For example, if I am watching someone from a distance and I know what they are about to do, I am not held accountable for their actions when they carry out the action I predicted.
So, does God know in advance who will choose to follow Him? Yes, he most certainly does. The scriptures support this and we should embrace this truth. But, does the Bible also teach us that we are accountable to God for our own decisions and actions? Yes, it most certainly does. We alone are the ones who must choose to accept or reject the love of God that has been offered to us. The scriptures teach us this and we should embrace this truth as well.
This is a paradox, like many other paradoxes of faith, where we are called upon to exercise our faith in God and take Him at His Word. For those Calvinists who argue that the doctrine of Free Will encroaches upon the sovereignty of God I would point out that there are many doctrines where God limits Himself for our benefit. For example, God is omniscient (knowing all things), but we also know that, for our sake, He willfully forgets our sins once they are forgiven. He surrenders His infinite knowledge of all things for our sake and tosses our sins into the sea of forgetfulness. Why would we be surprised that, in order to preserve our freedom of choice, God might surrender His power of sovereignty?
For those Arminians who argue that God's foreknowledge of an event determines the outcome, let me point out that knowing something will happen is not the same as making that event turn out a certain way. As this is a subject where the scripture is less than crystal clear, where those on both sides of the issue have ample scriptural evidence for their position, let us agree that this is not something we should divide over.
"God will not hold us responsible to understand the mysteries of election, predestination and the divine sovereignty. The best and safest way to deal with these truths is to raise our eyes to God and in deepest reverence say, Oh Lord Thou knowest. Those things belong to the deep and mysterious Profound of God's omniscience. Prying into them may make theologians, but it will never make saints." – A.W. Tozer
Our love for one another, as brothers and sisters in Christ, should never suffer due to our petty disagreements. Nor should we ever allow differences of opinion over the doctrines of baptism, or the end times, or the way we worship, or speaking in tongues, or what have you, to separate us from one another. We are the Family of God and we are called to love one another, in fact, we've been commanded to love one another. It is not optional for us.
In His Grip, Keith Giles http://www.keithgiles.com
Taken from "Subversive Underground"
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Seeking God?
I seek God in beautiful wealthy countries; God seeks me in unattractive poor countries.
I seek God in noisy downtown cities; God seeks me in quiet old forests.
I seek God in big famous cathedrals; God seeks me in small unknown churches.
I seek God in rich families; God seeks me in penniless families.
I seek God in genius persons; God seeks me in humble persons.
I seek God in attractive young persons; God seeks me in neglected old adults.
I seek God in potentate adult; God seeks me in powerless babies.
Days after days; months after months; years after years;Seeking God all my life, I am getting extremely tired without meeting Him.
God and I have kept seeking each other for ever if I kept seeking Him as I did.Wait a minute … If I seek Him where He seeks me, I will meet Him soon.Where???
In poor countries, penniless families, humble persons, neglected old adults, powerless babies, etc.O God! I must live sacrifice to be with them.Jesus said,
“Whatsoever U do to the least of my people, you do it to me.
I seek God in noisy downtown cities; God seeks me in quiet old forests.
I seek God in big famous cathedrals; God seeks me in small unknown churches.
I seek God in rich families; God seeks me in penniless families.
I seek God in genius persons; God seeks me in humble persons.
I seek God in attractive young persons; God seeks me in neglected old adults.
I seek God in potentate adult; God seeks me in powerless babies.
Days after days; months after months; years after years;Seeking God all my life, I am getting extremely tired without meeting Him.
God and I have kept seeking each other for ever if I kept seeking Him as I did.Wait a minute … If I seek Him where He seeks me, I will meet Him soon.Where???
In poor countries, penniless families, humble persons, neglected old adults, powerless babies, etc.O God! I must live sacrifice to be with them.Jesus said,
“Whatsoever U do to the least of my people, you do it to me.
Monday, March 24, 2008
The worst part of all is that no one noticed.
That's what happened when the DJ on a small independent radio station in Britain spent an hour talking on his breakfast show without pressing the button to make his show live.
As a result, listeners could not hear him.Andy Greener is a volunteer DJ at Radio Teesdale. Instead of his show, listeners heard 60 minutes of music and jingles as an automated back-up system kicked in to prevent radio silence, according to a BBC news story.
The station manager, listening at home, tried to call in, but Andy was too busy talking – to no one in particular – to answer the phone for quite some time. Eventually he got through and Greener began broadcasting again.
Talking while no one is listening? Preachers can sympathize.
That's what happened when the DJ on a small independent radio station in Britain spent an hour talking on his breakfast show without pressing the button to make his show live.
As a result, listeners could not hear him.Andy Greener is a volunteer DJ at Radio Teesdale. Instead of his show, listeners heard 60 minutes of music and jingles as an automated back-up system kicked in to prevent radio silence, according to a BBC news story.
The station manager, listening at home, tried to call in, but Andy was too busy talking – to no one in particular – to answer the phone for quite some time. Eventually he got through and Greener began broadcasting again.
Talking while no one is listening? Preachers can sympathize.
Thursday, March 06, 2008
Good or Bad?
For the first time in U.S. history, more than one of every 100 adults is in jail or prison, according to a new report documenting America's rank as the world's No. 1 incarcerator.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Missionary Speaker
Crystal Williams a young lady who is planning on going to Bosnia as a missionary will be with us on Sunday morning March 16. 10:30am
Ricebowls.org
We will be passing out our plastic rice bowls this Sunday, to collect our loose change in. The money is used to feed orphans. You can check out this organization at ricebowls.org
If you would like a bowl to help in this endeavor let one of us at the church know. We will be collecting funds up through the end of March
It would be great if we could collect $600.00 dollars!!
If you would like a bowl to help in this endeavor let one of us at the church know. We will be collecting funds up through the end of March
It would be great if we could collect $600.00 dollars!!
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
quote
I like your Christ; I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ. –Mohandas K Gandhi
"If Jesus saw what is going on in his name he'd puke."
Woody Allen
"If Jesus saw what is going on in his name he'd puke."
Woody Allen
Thursday, February 14, 2008
homeless
channel 6 recently did a seris on homelessness in central florida. The news video can be seen at
http://www.local6.com/news/15102052/detail.html
http://www.local6.com/news/15102052/detail.html
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Childrens Hope Chest
Tom Davis operates this group that works with orphans...I am reading his book "Red Letters".
He is presently on a trip to Swaziland. This is a letter from his trip. Read it and have your heart broken
Happy New Year from Swaziland! We've been here for about a week now and this is some of the hottest weather I've ever experienced. It's snowing in Colorado, but over 100 degrees here in the southern hemisphere where it is summertime. I'm trekking through Swaziland with 25 people from all over the U.S. and Canada. God is moving in their hearts, and it looks like at least two more carepoints will get sponsored.
On this trip, I saw Jesus suffering in the eyes of an orphan named Nothando living in extreme poverty. She's also malnourished, uneducated, and has little hope of a future. Then, I saw the face of Christ in a man who is dying of AIDS. He cannot get up and lives in a 4 foot by 4 foot shack with nothing to eat - just waiting to die. It broke my heart.
Part of our tean visited eight orphans living all alone: no food, no water, and little hope. Two of these orphans are crippled and sit in the dirt all day. The widow who was taking care of them just passed away two weeks ago, now it's just the children.
The needs of Swaziland are so many. The pastor who preached on Sunday morning entitled his sermon, "We are dying like flies." They are. It would be hard for me to believe if I wasn't here and seeing it with my own eyes.
The hope here comes in the form of the faith you see in the people. The pastors, like Pastor Walter and Pastor Sam, who are being Christ to these orphans and widows. They are planting churches in places everyone else refuses to go. They take food to the hungry, everyday and as church they do home visitations to the dying as a congregation on Sunday mornings before service begins. Amazing people who are our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Please pray for us. The ministry here is heart breaking, but our presence here is important and needed. God is doing great things in the midst of the poor in this country. Thanks for your love and prayers. Internet is bad here, but I'm updating my blog when I can (www.cthomasdavis.com).
Thanks,
Tom Davis
President of Children's HopeChest
He is presently on a trip to Swaziland. This is a letter from his trip. Read it and have your heart broken
Happy New Year from Swaziland! We've been here for about a week now and this is some of the hottest weather I've ever experienced. It's snowing in Colorado, but over 100 degrees here in the southern hemisphere where it is summertime. I'm trekking through Swaziland with 25 people from all over the U.S. and Canada. God is moving in their hearts, and it looks like at least two more carepoints will get sponsored.
On this trip, I saw Jesus suffering in the eyes of an orphan named Nothando living in extreme poverty. She's also malnourished, uneducated, and has little hope of a future. Then, I saw the face of Christ in a man who is dying of AIDS. He cannot get up and lives in a 4 foot by 4 foot shack with nothing to eat - just waiting to die. It broke my heart.
Part of our tean visited eight orphans living all alone: no food, no water, and little hope. Two of these orphans are crippled and sit in the dirt all day. The widow who was taking care of them just passed away two weeks ago, now it's just the children.
The needs of Swaziland are so many. The pastor who preached on Sunday morning entitled his sermon, "We are dying like flies." They are. It would be hard for me to believe if I wasn't here and seeing it with my own eyes.
The hope here comes in the form of the faith you see in the people. The pastors, like Pastor Walter and Pastor Sam, who are being Christ to these orphans and widows. They are planting churches in places everyone else refuses to go. They take food to the hungry, everyday and as church they do home visitations to the dying as a congregation on Sunday mornings before service begins. Amazing people who are our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Please pray for us. The ministry here is heart breaking, but our presence here is important and needed. God is doing great things in the midst of the poor in this country. Thanks for your love and prayers. Internet is bad here, but I'm updating my blog when I can (www.cthomasdavis.com).
Thanks,
Tom Davis
President of Children's HopeChest
Monday, January 14, 2008
Next Week is Sanctity of Human Life week. It is recognized as the infamous 'Roe v. Wade' Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion. One of many good websites is
www.beavoice.net
www.beavoice.net
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
2007 Book Recommendation
Here are a couple of the books I read this past year that I would highly recommend
"The Forgotten Ways" Alan Hirsch- calling the church back to what it should be
"Surfing the Edge of Chaos" Richard Pascal - a book on leadership. Being balanced (equalibrium)is not a option but a sign of death
"Lexus and the Olive Tree" Thomas Friedman this book is a few years old His new one "The World is Flat" I believe covers some of the same material which I have yet to read. This book deals with globalization
"Jesus Secret Message" Brian Mclaren. That message is not the church but the Kingdom of God. Good read I have just started his new book "Everything Must Change"
"The Forgotten Ways" Alan Hirsch- calling the church back to what it should be
"Surfing the Edge of Chaos" Richard Pascal - a book on leadership. Being balanced (equalibrium)is not a option but a sign of death
"Lexus and the Olive Tree" Thomas Friedman this book is a few years old His new one "The World is Flat" I believe covers some of the same material which I have yet to read. This book deals with globalization
"Jesus Secret Message" Brian Mclaren. That message is not the church but the Kingdom of God. Good read I have just started his new book "Everything Must Change"
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Christmas Love
If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights, and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another decorator.
If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals, and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another cook.
If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home, and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.
If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties, and sing in the choir's cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.
Love stops the cooking to hug the child. Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the spouse.
Love is kind, though harried and tired.
Love doesn't envy another's home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.Love doesn't yell at the kids to get out of the way.
Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can't.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails. Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust, but giving the gift of love will endure.
If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals, and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another cook.
If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home, and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.
If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties, and sing in the choir's cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.
Love stops the cooking to hug the child. Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the spouse.
Love is kind, though harried and tired.
Love doesn't envy another's home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.Love doesn't yell at the kids to get out of the way.
Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can't.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails. Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust, but giving the gift of love will endure.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
www.reclaimingthemind.org
A website that offers a class in theology where you will be presented with a certificate. It looks like the class is only $100.00
It looks like a Calvinistic theology but with at least a openness to Arminanism.
They also have a lot of papers from the "Evangelical Theological Society" that can be read on line
A website that offers a class in theology where you will be presented with a certificate. It looks like the class is only $100.00
It looks like a Calvinistic theology but with at least a openness to Arminanism.
They also have a lot of papers from the "Evangelical Theological Society" that can be read on line
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Helping each other
I appreciate the fact that our church does what it can to help each other out when one is faced with material needs weather that need is finances, food etc.
Is that not what being the church is about? It is more than just meeting together in a building on the street corner. We are to help, encourage and build each other up everyway we can.
With that said we are often put between a rock and a hard place when people who attend other churches come to us for help. My first thoughts are, "did you ask your church for help?" if so what was their response? and if they did not help you, you ought to seriously think about going to church elsewhere.
Feel free to share your thoughts along these lines. As we are faced with these type of decisions quite often.
Is that not what being the church is about? It is more than just meeting together in a building on the street corner. We are to help, encourage and build each other up everyway we can.
With that said we are often put between a rock and a hard place when people who attend other churches come to us for help. My first thoughts are, "did you ask your church for help?" if so what was their response? and if they did not help you, you ought to seriously think about going to church elsewhere.
Feel free to share your thoughts along these lines. As we are faced with these type of decisions quite often.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Christmas Dinner
Hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving....
Our Christmas dinner will be Sunday Dec. 9, 5:00pm at the Civic center. Bring your favorite dish to share and a $5.00 gift if you would like to be involved with our silly type gift exchange :)
Our Christmas dinner will be Sunday Dec. 9, 5:00pm at the Civic center. Bring your favorite dish to share and a $5.00 gift if you would like to be involved with our silly type gift exchange :)
Monday, November 19, 2007
Favorite Thanksgiving Story
The day before Thanksgiving an elderly man in Phoenix called his son in New York and said to him, "I hate to ruin your day, but I have to tell you that your mother and I are divorcing; 45 years of misery is enough. We’re sick of each other, and so you call your sister in Chicago and tell her."
Frantic, the son called his sister, who exploded on the phone. "Like heck they’re getting divorced," she shouted, "I’ll take care of this." She calledPhoenix immediately, and said to her father. "You are NOT getting divorced. Don’t do a single thing until I get there. I’m calling my brother back, and we’ll both be there tomorrow. Until then, don’t do a thing, DO YOU HEAR ME?"
The man hung up his phone and turned to his wife. "Okay, honey. The kids are coming for Thanksgiving and paying for their flights."
Frantic, the son called his sister, who exploded on the phone. "Like heck they’re getting divorced," she shouted, "I’ll take care of this." She calledPhoenix immediately, and said to her father. "You are NOT getting divorced. Don’t do a single thing until I get there. I’m calling my brother back, and we’ll both be there tomorrow. Until then, don’t do a thing, DO YOU HEAR ME?"
The man hung up his phone and turned to his wife. "Okay, honey. The kids are coming for Thanksgiving and paying for their flights."
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
quote
"The Pessimist complains about the wind,
the Optimist expects it to change,
the Leader adjusts the sails. "
the Optimist expects it to change,
the Leader adjusts the sails. "
I like hanging around people like this
I went to a concert this past Saturday night where 'SOS' was playing. I asked one of the band members how his week went. His response, "Great week, I got rid of my TV, DVD, and games"
When I questioned him about it he said, "They are distractions from serving God and Helping the needy"
When I questioned him about it he said, "They are distractions from serving God and Helping the needy"
Friday, November 09, 2007
Concert Review
Our concert this past Saturday went well. I was a little disappointed in the number that showed up. There were about 60 in attendance compared to last year when we had about twice that. Not sure why when the fact is we did more advertising/promoting this year than last.
The bands did a good job
-"Surprise Attack" they were hard core and need to come up with a few more songs.
-"A Fight to Remember" a newer group with a 'Calibretta 13' sound
-'SOS' the popular local ska band, they get better every time I hear them
- "David' Victory" a hardcore band from Haines City. Their lead vocalist Guy is leaving them at the end of the year.
I was impressed by the appreciation each of the groups showed for the love offering we gave them (only $50.00 each). SOS even gave the offering back to the church.
Please pray for each of these groups that God will use them in building His kingdom
The bands did a good job
-"Surprise Attack" they were hard core and need to come up with a few more songs.
-"A Fight to Remember" a newer group with a 'Calibretta 13' sound
-'SOS' the popular local ska band, they get better every time I hear them
- "David' Victory" a hardcore band from Haines City. Their lead vocalist Guy is leaving them at the end of the year.
I was impressed by the appreciation each of the groups showed for the love offering we gave them (only $50.00 each). SOS even gave the offering back to the church.
Please pray for each of these groups that God will use them in building His kingdom
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Birthday Party
My wife (Susan) will be 50yrs. old this Sunday, the 11th. We will be having a party after church in the civic center. Come over to share a meal and say Happy Birthday
Monday, October 29, 2007
5 more days
Just a few days left before our concert. We have been praying and getting things ready. Remember we would like to start around 6:30pm on saturday night. Bring your friends and come expecting a great time.
Remember each of the groups coming have their own 'my space'. So check them out.
Remember each of the groups coming have their own 'my space'. So check them out.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
some reasons for a school
Here are a few of the reasons I gave to our church Sunday for starting our own Christian School.
1) Many of the other schools in the area are expensive. It would be nice to offer a affordable alternative (prayerfully in the $200.00 per month range)
2) Many Christian schools take kids that have serious discipline problems, kids that have been kicked out of public schools and in some cases other Christian schools, just because they need the money.....We will not be a reform school, we believe in giving everyone a second chance and even a new start, but kids that come in because of previous discipline problems will be held on a short leash. The reason for that is because those kids become and cause distractions to the other kids who may be trying to learn something. We want to get the kids who want to learn or at least be motivated to learn.
3) Our history as a church started as a school. The fact being we were probably a school before we were a church. Meaning that whoever started church in this area probably came here first to start a school.
1) Many of the other schools in the area are expensive. It would be nice to offer a affordable alternative (prayerfully in the $200.00 per month range)
2) Many Christian schools take kids that have serious discipline problems, kids that have been kicked out of public schools and in some cases other Christian schools, just because they need the money.....We will not be a reform school, we believe in giving everyone a second chance and even a new start, but kids that come in because of previous discipline problems will be held on a short leash. The reason for that is because those kids become and cause distractions to the other kids who may be trying to learn something. We want to get the kids who want to learn or at least be motivated to learn.
3) Our history as a church started as a school. The fact being we were probably a school before we were a church. Meaning that whoever started church in this area probably came here first to start a school.
Monday, October 22, 2007
A new vision
there is that saying, "attempt something so great for God that if he does not do it, it will be a miserable failure"
Yesterday I presented to the church just such of a thing. I feel possibly the Lord leading us to begin laying the ground work to start a Christian day school next school year. It is going to take alot of work and prayer, but if it is Gods will He can make it happen.
I will post later on in the week on a few of the reasons I feel that this may be a good thing. In other words why I feel we ought to start a Christian school.
Yesterday I presented to the church just such of a thing. I feel possibly the Lord leading us to begin laying the ground work to start a Christian day school next school year. It is going to take alot of work and prayer, but if it is Gods will He can make it happen.
I will post later on in the week on a few of the reasons I feel that this may be a good thing. In other words why I feel we ought to start a Christian school.
Friday, October 19, 2007
quote
"Frequently, when we reduce the time it takes to do something insignificant, we end up using the saved time on yet another insignificant activity." by
The Age of Speed: Learning to Thrive in a More-Faster-Now World by Vince Poscente.
The Age of Speed: Learning to Thrive in a More-Faster-Now World by Vince Poscente.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Concert Details
We have worked out the details regarding our 2nd rock concert. It will be Saturday Nov. 3, around 6:30pm. We have 4 bands scheduled
Send Out Scuds (SOS)
David's Victory
A Fight to Remember
Surprise Attack
They all have my space sites....Check them out.
These are all hardcore rock groups and SOS is a ska band. Hardcore dancing will be allowed and expected :).....Come expecting to have a good time. (Party poopers will not be allowed in).
If you need more information you can email me at bkjohn777@aol.com put 'concert' in the subject line
O did I mention that this concert is FREE!!!!
Send Out Scuds (SOS)
David's Victory
A Fight to Remember
Surprise Attack
They all have my space sites....Check them out.
These are all hardcore rock groups and SOS is a ska band. Hardcore dancing will be allowed and expected :).....Come expecting to have a good time. (Party poopers will not be allowed in).
If you need more information you can email me at bkjohn777@aol.com put 'concert' in the subject line
O did I mention that this concert is FREE!!!!
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
A Prayer for Enemies
Bless my enemies, O Lord.Even I bless and do not curse them. Enemies have driven me more into your embrace than friends have.
Friends have bound me to earth; Enemies have loosed me from earth and have demolished all my aspirations in the world..
by Brian Mclaren
Friends have bound me to earth; Enemies have loosed me from earth and have demolished all my aspirations in the world..
by Brian Mclaren
Saturday, September 29, 2007
One of the highlights of our vacation was that we went to see the church location of the first church we pastored in the Cincinnati area (afton). We were thrilled to see not just a new building but also a new educational wing and also they were starting a daycare/preschool. And their attendance in the 70's. Please pray that God will continue to bless the Afton Wesleyan Church.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
E mail
Some have wondered where the email to the blog is. Check the profile and you will find or look right here
bkjohn777@aol.com
bkjohn777@aol.com
prison ministry
Kairos prison ministry will be having their weekend retreat the weekend of September 22 in Polk County. Please pray for Bro. Emmett Harrington and others who will be ministering at that time.
Also a big thank you for everyone who brought in cookies to be used (eaten) that weekend
Also a big thank you for everyone who brought in cookies to be used (eaten) that weekend
Monday, September 17, 2007
Beatitudes
We have been preaching/teaching on the beatitudes for the last number of weeks. I have been challenged by the fact that if our lives lined up to the beatitudes what would we have?.......
The kingdom of God
The kingdom of God
Vacation
We are leaving this week to go on vacation. A niece will be getting married this Saturday, in Indiana
My son, Aaron and his wife will be filling in for us this coming Sunday.
We would appreciate your prayers for our traveling
My son, Aaron and his wife will be filling in for us this coming Sunday.
We would appreciate your prayers for our traveling
Thursday, September 06, 2007
10 Things I Think...OK, 12
This is from church growth and evangelism department of the Wesleyan Church
10 Things I Think…OK, 12
1. The gospel informs the doctrine, not the doctrine the gospel.
2. If we don’t multiply as a denomination we will die.
3. If we can simply agree on where we are going, we’ll be able to figure out how to get there…together!
4. Loyalty does not mean we always agree, but it does mean we will do all we can to get along.
5. A genuine multiplication movement will never happen until it is driven by the local church.
6. Denominational structure must adjust to allow for a movement to be empowered, not endangered.
7. Freedom without responsibility is anarchy.
8. I don’t know everything, but this I do know: I don’t know everything.
9. Church planting and church planters can make denominational leadership uncomfortable, but I’m not sure “comfortable” is a Kingdom value.
10. God is God, we are not. We need to get used to it!
11. When it comes to church planting we just need to “get ‘er done!”
12. If you haven’t thought about planting a church…you ought to!
10 Things I Think…OK, 12
1. The gospel informs the doctrine, not the doctrine the gospel.
2. If we don’t multiply as a denomination we will die.
3. If we can simply agree on where we are going, we’ll be able to figure out how to get there…together!
4. Loyalty does not mean we always agree, but it does mean we will do all we can to get along.
5. A genuine multiplication movement will never happen until it is driven by the local church.
6. Denominational structure must adjust to allow for a movement to be empowered, not endangered.
7. Freedom without responsibility is anarchy.
8. I don’t know everything, but this I do know: I don’t know everything.
9. Church planting and church planters can make denominational leadership uncomfortable, but I’m not sure “comfortable” is a Kingdom value.
10. God is God, we are not. We need to get used to it!
11. When it comes to church planting we just need to “get ‘er done!”
12. If you haven’t thought about planting a church…you ought to!
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
TV devotion
I was asked to do a 15 minute devotional for the "Good Samaritan Village' yesterday morning. they have their own TV channel which is watched by those who live there. I started with the beatitudes (what we are doing in our services on Sunday). it was a interesting experience, the only problem is trying to get what you want said in exactly 15 minutes. You cannot run short and you cannot go over. What I had planned took about 10 minutes so I had to adlib the next 5 which was kind of hard......Maybe if they have me back I can improve words with time. :)
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Mother Teresa
Here is a good article from Time magazine regarding a upcoming book on the letters of Mother Teresa. Is seems she spent much time feeling that God was not near or with her, I cant wait for the book
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1655415,00.html
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1655415,00.html
Monday, August 27, 2007
Celtic Prayer
I muse on the eternal logos of God,and all creation is lit up.
I muse on the eternal Light,and every person is lit up.
I muse on the eternal Life,and God’s heaven is lit up.
I muse on the beloved disciple at the Last Supperand God’s sacrament is lit up.
I muse on the loved mother and apostle at the Crossand Christ’s church is lit up.
I muse on the risen Christ at Lake Galileeand all our Easter’s are lit up.
I muse on the eternal Lamb of Godand eternity’s tenderness is lit up.
I muse on the radiance of the Eastern lightand pray that it becomes the transforming glory of the West…
from Exploring Celtic Spirituality, 54
found at www.nextreformation.com
I muse on the eternal Light,and every person is lit up.
I muse on the eternal Life,and God’s heaven is lit up.
I muse on the beloved disciple at the Last Supperand God’s sacrament is lit up.
I muse on the loved mother and apostle at the Crossand Christ’s church is lit up.
I muse on the risen Christ at Lake Galileeand all our Easter’s are lit up.
I muse on the eternal Lamb of Godand eternity’s tenderness is lit up.
I muse on the radiance of the Eastern lightand pray that it becomes the transforming glory of the West…
from Exploring Celtic Spirituality, 54
found at www.nextreformation.com
While at the hospital visiting yesterday we seen a young man (20 something) who use to live here in the community. He said he had been kicked out of his house, was taking drugs and cutting himself and thus was in the process of admitting himself into Park Place (rehab). We offered to take him over there and while in route tried to encourage him to look to God, he did not seem too interested in looking to God though.....
I have to wonder how low do some people have to go before they begin to think about God? How many more options does this young man have? SAD. Please pray for him
I have to wonder how low do some people have to go before they begin to think about God? How many more options does this young man have? SAD. Please pray for him
Monday, August 20, 2007
Crime watch meeting
We had our crime watch meeting here in town this past Tuesday (14th). There was a good crowd there, probably the biggest I have seen.
One of the concerns was with the drug selling businesses going on here in town and why they have not been shut down.
We asked what we could do to bring those dealers to justice....the best advice the officers could give us was to keep calling the drug hotline when we see or suspect drug activity. If we all strive to call when we see such activity maybe it will help. We can only pray that it will.
The phone number is 407-348-1174...please use it.
One of the concerns was with the drug selling businesses going on here in town and why they have not been shut down.
We asked what we could do to bring those dealers to justice....the best advice the officers could give us was to keep calling the drug hotline when we see or suspect drug activity. If we all strive to call when we see such activity maybe it will help. We can only pray that it will.
The phone number is 407-348-1174...please use it.
Monday, August 13, 2007
From the Bishops in Albania
Dear Prayer Partners,
We wanted to bring you up to speed on what’s going on with the Bishop family here in Albania… We have been very busy also here as we continue reaching out to the people here and growing our relationships. We are excited about starting some small group meetings in several peoples’ homes. One of those homes is our landlords, and I have attached a letter about my landlord and friend Mustafa. I hope it helps you pray for him and me as we continue to build a relationship in Christ.
Thank you for all your prayers,
Ken, Dawn, Eva, Joshua and Stephen
I wanted to introduce our landlord and a dear friend, Mustafa Dëlehu to you. We have been growing to love he and his family and wanted to introduce him to you so you can pray for him.
Mustafa was a merchant marine for 28 years under the communist system. Wow, the stories he can tell about traveling around the world during the cold war. He has shared many with me and I find it hard to imagine some of the conditions he has been in. Once, he was interrogated for over 9 hours by the communist government for suspicion of talking against the communist system.
He is a hard working man and built the house where we occupy the 2nd floor all by himself. He continues to get up, although retired, at 5:00 in the morning and put his mind to work on finding something to do on the house everyday. Usually repairing or working on the unfinished portions of the house in the first floor.
He loves to drink coffee at least twice a day and I am often found joining him as he invites me to sit and talk with him. During these conversations I often share with him about God and His son Jesus. We often discuss the many differences between the Muslim religion and our faith.
He was able to travel to Italy for a few months to visit his son, so I gave him a stack of books to read during his rest time there. Over the period of three months he read the entire bible and about 6 other Christian books I gave to him. He has a lot of questions and is now reading through the Bible a second time. He is also now attending church service along with his wife (Shpresa) and sometimes his adult daughter (Dora). Please pray for him (them) as we continue to share the Love of Christ and the need for a savior in his life. We have a desire to study the bible together with his family and are praying about actually inviting others to join us. Pray with us as we continue to reveal God’s word to him and His plan for their lives
We wanted to bring you up to speed on what’s going on with the Bishop family here in Albania… We have been very busy also here as we continue reaching out to the people here and growing our relationships. We are excited about starting some small group meetings in several peoples’ homes. One of those homes is our landlords, and I have attached a letter about my landlord and friend Mustafa. I hope it helps you pray for him and me as we continue to build a relationship in Christ.
Thank you for all your prayers,
Ken, Dawn, Eva, Joshua and Stephen
I wanted to introduce our landlord and a dear friend, Mustafa Dëlehu to you. We have been growing to love he and his family and wanted to introduce him to you so you can pray for him.
Mustafa was a merchant marine for 28 years under the communist system. Wow, the stories he can tell about traveling around the world during the cold war. He has shared many with me and I find it hard to imagine some of the conditions he has been in. Once, he was interrogated for over 9 hours by the communist government for suspicion of talking against the communist system.
He is a hard working man and built the house where we occupy the 2nd floor all by himself. He continues to get up, although retired, at 5:00 in the morning and put his mind to work on finding something to do on the house everyday. Usually repairing or working on the unfinished portions of the house in the first floor.
He loves to drink coffee at least twice a day and I am often found joining him as he invites me to sit and talk with him. During these conversations I often share with him about God and His son Jesus. We often discuss the many differences between the Muslim religion and our faith.
He was able to travel to Italy for a few months to visit his son, so I gave him a stack of books to read during his rest time there. Over the period of three months he read the entire bible and about 6 other Christian books I gave to him. He has a lot of questions and is now reading through the Bible a second time. He is also now attending church service along with his wife (Shpresa) and sometimes his adult daughter (Dora). Please pray for him (them) as we continue to share the Love of Christ and the need for a savior in his life. We have a desire to study the bible together with his family and are praying about actually inviting others to join us. Pray with us as we continue to reveal God’s word to him and His plan for their lives
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
good story
Willamette Valley Wesleyan Church is located in Wilsonville, Oregon. They were sensing they needed to repurpose themselves for greater effectiveness. It was believed that replanting themselves in a new ministry field would be a great contributor to this. As God was prompting this in the hearts of the leaders, Pastor Jim Winters received a phone call from the City of Wilsonville. It seems they wanted to purchase the church property for over four million dollars. This was a confirmation of the stirring leaders were receiving. They are in process of selling!
An exciting sidebar is that this church wants to invest in church planting around the district. They will invest these dollars into a Wesleyan Investment Foundation account as they search for their new ministry field. During this time 50% of their interest income will be given to the district to help fund new churches. This is a church that is moving toward fitness!
An exciting sidebar is that this church wants to invest in church planting around the district. They will invest these dollars into a Wesleyan Investment Foundation account as they search for their new ministry field. During this time 50% of their interest income will be given to the district to help fund new churches. This is a church that is moving toward fitness!
Friday, August 03, 2007
Crime Watch
There was a murder in town a week ago today. Following on the heels of that there will be a crime watch meeting in the civic center at 7:00pm Tuesday August 14th...Everyone in town needs to be there to express their concern to the authorities.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
great quote
“If men and women today began by the thousands experiencing the depths of Jesus Christ in a transforming way, there would simply be no place for their expression of experience to fit into the present-day straitjackets of Christianity. Protestant or Catholic, neither one is structured to contain a mass of devoted people who long for spiritual depth. We are structured towards infancy.”
Gordon Cosby, Church of the Savior
Gordon Cosby, Church of the Savior
Monday, July 23, 2007
wedding vow renewal
We held the ceremony for the Wedding Vow renewal of Neil and Diane Simmons yesterday. They have been married 40 years. I enjoy doing these renewals more than the initial weddings, with divorce rate at about 50% it is always encouraging to see those who have been married 25, 40, 50 yrs. or more.....Commitment is still a virtue.
If you would like to have your vows renewed and in need of a minister to do the ceremony. I would love to oblige :)
If you would like to have your vows renewed and in need of a minister to do the ceremony. I would love to oblige :)
Monday, July 16, 2007
THE ULTIMATE ADVENTURE
Starting the Wednesday, July 16 at 7:00pm We will be starting and doing a new seris entitled, “The Ultimate Adventure: Discovering the Joy of a Life in Christ” it will run for aprox. 6 weeks
Conference
While we were in Washington DC I went to a conference called 'Buzz conference'.
The church that held the conference has made the messages and even the films available on line at www.buzzconference.com/media
The conference was great and it is great that this church has made the talks available FREE.
The church that held the conference has made the messages and even the films available on line at www.buzzconference.com/media
The conference was great and it is great that this church has made the talks available FREE.
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Washington DC
We just came back from our vacation to DC. My take on DC is that it represents both the best and the worse of America. You see the memorials etc. and patriotism, loyal and sacrifice rise within your heart. You are glad and proud to be an American.
You see the homeless and the hungry wondering the streets and all the money and space used for musuems (musuems that are to represent art and it looks like a bunch of garbage) and you are ashamed to be an American.
Great trip with the family none the less and everyone needs to make the pilgrimage at least once in their life.
You see the homeless and the hungry wondering the streets and all the money and space used for musuems (musuems that are to represent art and it looks like a bunch of garbage) and you are ashamed to be an American.
Great trip with the family none the less and everyone needs to make the pilgrimage at least once in their life.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Fathers Day
THE FATHERHOOD CYCLE
4 years: "My Daddy can do anything."
7 years: "My Dad knows a lot, a whole lot."
12 years: "Oh, well - naturally - Father doesn't know that either."
14 years: "Father? Hopelessly old-fashioned."
21 years: "Oh, that man is so out-of-date. What did you expect?"
25 years: "He knows a little bit about it - but not much."
30 years: "Maybe we ought to find out what Dad thinks."
35 years: "Let's ask Dad what he would do before we make a decision."
40 years: "I wonder what Dad would have thought about that? He was pretty smart."
50 years: "My Dad knew absolutely everything."
60 years: "I'd give anything if Dad were here so I could talk this over with him. I really miss him."
4 years: "My Daddy can do anything."
7 years: "My Dad knows a lot, a whole lot."
12 years: "Oh, well - naturally - Father doesn't know that either."
14 years: "Father? Hopelessly old-fashioned."
21 years: "Oh, that man is so out-of-date. What did you expect?"
25 years: "He knows a little bit about it - but not much."
30 years: "Maybe we ought to find out what Dad thinks."
35 years: "Let's ask Dad what he would do before we make a decision."
40 years: "I wonder what Dad would have thought about that? He was pretty smart."
50 years: "My Dad knew absolutely everything."
60 years: "I'd give anything if Dad were here so I could talk this over with him. I really miss him."
Sunday, June 03, 2007
Congratulations
We performed the wedding last night for Jennifer Dorfe and Joe Touhy. We congratulate them and pray Gods best for them
Sunday night services
We have decided to cancel our Sunday evening services for the months of July and August. With that service being cancelled we would like to encourage everyone to make an extra effort to be at our Wednesday evening service which begins at 7:00pm
DS Visit
Our district superintendent, Jerry Root, will be with us on Sunday June 17, Fathers Day. He will be bringing the morning message.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Childrens Worker
We are looking for someone to do a VBS for us this summer and/or start a childrens ministry with us. We can furnish a small apartment. If you are interested contact pastor Brian at bkjohn777@aol.com
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
GOOD WORDS ABOUT MAINTAINING UNITY
In Essentials, Unity; in Non-essentials, Liberty; in All Things, Charity.
Friday, April 20, 2007
servanthood
I used this as my outline for Sundays message on 'Servanthood'
Richard Foster, in his book Celebration of Discipline, put together a brief comparison of the characteristics of service that is focused more upon ourselves and service that is focused more upon Christ. In paraphrased form, it becomes a self-help test worth taking. Why not measure your clarity of vision against his conclusions'
Self-focused service is concerned with impressive gains. It enjoys serving when the service is titanic or growing in that direction. Christ-focused service doesn’t distinguish between small and large. It indiscriminately welcomes all opportunities to serve.
Self-focused service requires external reward, appreciation, and applause. Christ-focused service rests content in hiddenness. The divine nod of approval is sufficient.
Self-focused service is highly concerned about results. It becomes disillusioned when results fall below expectations. Christ-focused service is free of the need to calculate results; it delights only in service.
Self-focused service is affected by feelings. Christ-focused service ministers simply and faithfully because there is a need. The service disciplines the feelings.
Self-focused service insists on meeting the need; it demands the opportunity to help. Christ-focused service listens with tenderness and patience. It can serve by waiting in silence.
Richard Foster, in his book Celebration of Discipline, put together a brief comparison of the characteristics of service that is focused more upon ourselves and service that is focused more upon Christ. In paraphrased form, it becomes a self-help test worth taking. Why not measure your clarity of vision against his conclusions'
Self-focused service is concerned with impressive gains. It enjoys serving when the service is titanic or growing in that direction. Christ-focused service doesn’t distinguish between small and large. It indiscriminately welcomes all opportunities to serve.
Self-focused service requires external reward, appreciation, and applause. Christ-focused service rests content in hiddenness. The divine nod of approval is sufficient.
Self-focused service is highly concerned about results. It becomes disillusioned when results fall below expectations. Christ-focused service is free of the need to calculate results; it delights only in service.
Self-focused service is affected by feelings. Christ-focused service ministers simply and faithfully because there is a need. The service disciplines the feelings.
Self-focused service insists on meeting the need; it demands the opportunity to help. Christ-focused service listens with tenderness and patience. It can serve by waiting in silence.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Antoine de Saint Extupery
“If you want to build a ship, don’t summon people to buy wood, prepare tools, distribute jobs, and organize the work, rather teach people the yearning for the wide, boundless ocean.”
Saturday, April 07, 2007
Might as well be you
Found this at www.charleswear.com and liked it
somebody is going to win the race,somebody is going to make the next Million
somebody is going to be the next brownhouse
somebody is going to change the world
there will be a next president
somebody will be the highscorer
somebody will make varsity
somebody will open a cool coffee shop
somebody will write a book
somebody will plant a church
somebody will represent a social cause in a radical way
somebody will transform a town one house at a time
might as well be …. (who?)
somebody needs to be the next rockstar…
somebody is going to win the race,somebody is going to make the next Million
somebody is going to be the next brownhouse
somebody is going to change the world
there will be a next president
somebody will be the highscorer
somebody will make varsity
somebody will open a cool coffee shop
somebody will write a book
somebody will plant a church
somebody will represent a social cause in a radical way
somebody will transform a town one house at a time
might as well be …. (who?)
somebody needs to be the next rockstar…
Thursday, March 29, 2007
re-emerging generation
Phil Stevens, evangelism and church growth director of the wesleyan church has a good article about ministering to those 55 and over.
Church planting has often been seen as a means to engage a new generation— new churches
which are planted to connect with an emerging generationthat the existing church may not be leveraged to effectively reach. But might there be a forgotten generation? A generation, it is assumed the existing church is reaching? I will call this the “re-emerging” generation. It is the 55-and-over crowd, a crowd that has been with us, but is re-emerging and re-inventing itself. The challenge is that many churches tend to address the “Senior Adult” as they have previous older generations. This will be inadequate as we move deeper into the 21st Century. This re-emerging generation thinks of aging differently: “None of them think they’re old or are ever going to be old” (USA Today, 3.9.07). This re-emerginggeneration is wealthier, more active, and more health conscious than previous generations. “Pulte Homes has started adding river rafting,
recreational flying and even sky diving to the activities at its Del Webb-brand retirement
communities” (USA Today, 3.9.07). They are working past the “typical” retirement age.
This trend is catching the eye of homebuilders and other market-driven organizations. It needs to catch the attention of the church as well. Here are some observations regarding this re emerging generation as it applies to the church.
1. Ministry to this generation will need to be more “youthoriented” than traditional senior
adult ministries: Midweek lunch potlucks with a lecture on HMO’s will not cut it. This group wants action and adventure. They want to be challenged. They are living longer and want to squeeze life for all it’s worth.
2. They want to be engaged: They still have thoughts, insights, wisdom and abilities which they want to be used. They want to be participants in leadership. They may be busy, but will make time for that which adds value to their lives.
3. They have a new set of challenges: They, unlike previous generations, worry about outliving their retirement. It is not out of the ordinary that those in their fifties will live into their nineties. Churches that address stretching retirement dollars will be hitting felt needs.
4. They are staying put. Retirees are no longer flocking to Florida or Arizona. “Only 5% of people over 55 move in any given year, and of those, half stay in the same county and three-fourths in the same state…” (USA Today, 3.9.07). The re-emerging generation ministry field surrounds most churches.
5. Churches may want to consider planting a church in active retirement communities. 55- and-over communities are cropping up everywhere. It is estimated that “Homebuilders will start construction on 145,000 homes in 55-plus communities this year…” (USA Today, 3.9.07). These communities are typically selfcontained. Many have golf courses, activity centers, and
athletic facilities—why not a church?
6. This re-emerging generation demands quality. They have had it for most of their lives, and they won’t sacrifice it now. The church simply cannot offer second-rate ministry for those 55-plus. It must be done well. It must be done with excellence. Are you missing this reemerging
generation in your church? What might you do to re-tool to connect with them better? Where might you plant a church that will be geared toward these vibrant and vital people?
Church planting has often been seen as a means to engage a new generation— new churches
which are planted to connect with an emerging generationthat the existing church may not be leveraged to effectively reach. But might there be a forgotten generation? A generation, it is assumed the existing church is reaching? I will call this the “re-emerging” generation. It is the 55-and-over crowd, a crowd that has been with us, but is re-emerging and re-inventing itself. The challenge is that many churches tend to address the “Senior Adult” as they have previous older generations. This will be inadequate as we move deeper into the 21st Century. This re-emerging generation thinks of aging differently: “None of them think they’re old or are ever going to be old” (USA Today, 3.9.07). This re-emerginggeneration is wealthier, more active, and more health conscious than previous generations. “Pulte Homes has started adding river rafting,
recreational flying and even sky diving to the activities at its Del Webb-brand retirement
communities” (USA Today, 3.9.07). They are working past the “typical” retirement age.
This trend is catching the eye of homebuilders and other market-driven organizations. It needs to catch the attention of the church as well. Here are some observations regarding this re emerging generation as it applies to the church.
1. Ministry to this generation will need to be more “youthoriented” than traditional senior
adult ministries: Midweek lunch potlucks with a lecture on HMO’s will not cut it. This group wants action and adventure. They want to be challenged. They are living longer and want to squeeze life for all it’s worth.
2. They want to be engaged: They still have thoughts, insights, wisdom and abilities which they want to be used. They want to be participants in leadership. They may be busy, but will make time for that which adds value to their lives.
3. They have a new set of challenges: They, unlike previous generations, worry about outliving their retirement. It is not out of the ordinary that those in their fifties will live into their nineties. Churches that address stretching retirement dollars will be hitting felt needs.
4. They are staying put. Retirees are no longer flocking to Florida or Arizona. “Only 5% of people over 55 move in any given year, and of those, half stay in the same county and three-fourths in the same state…” (USA Today, 3.9.07). The re-emerging generation ministry field surrounds most churches.
5. Churches may want to consider planting a church in active retirement communities. 55- and-over communities are cropping up everywhere. It is estimated that “Homebuilders will start construction on 145,000 homes in 55-plus communities this year…” (USA Today, 3.9.07). These communities are typically selfcontained. Many have golf courses, activity centers, and
athletic facilities—why not a church?
6. This re-emerging generation demands quality. They have had it for most of their lives, and they won’t sacrifice it now. The church simply cannot offer second-rate ministry for those 55-plus. It must be done well. It must be done with excellence. Are you missing this reemerging
generation in your church? What might you do to re-tool to connect with them better? Where might you plant a church that will be geared toward these vibrant and vital people?
Monday, March 19, 2007
Prison Ministry
A brother from our church is involved with 'Kairos" a ministry to prisoners. They are having a reunion with some of the inmates at Plant City in April and we as a church are trying to supply the cookies for the reunion. The cookies must be sealed (no home made), store bought. If you would like to help you may drop the cookies off at the church during our regular service times. Sunday morning 10:30am @ 6:00pm. Wednesday 7:00pm......
If you would like more information you may email Emmett Harrington at hnutri@hotmail.com
If you would like more information you may email Emmett Harrington at hnutri@hotmail.com
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Alan Hirsch
Alan Hirsch has written an excellent book titled "The Forgotten Ways". He also has a interesting blog at www.theforgottenways.org/blog
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Fellowship Dinner
We will be gathering in the Civic Center this Sunday evening at 5:30pm for a pot-luck dinner. It is to welcome our new members the Harringtons. they have transfered their membership from their Wesleyan Church in New York. We are glad God has led them our way.
Everyone is welcome to the dinner
Everyone is welcome to the dinner
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
word made flesh
Here is a group that does missionary work among the poor. I like their name
www.wordmadeflesh.org
www.wordmadeflesh.org
Saturday, February 10, 2007
missionary
This Wednesday night, Feb.14, at 7:30pm, our missionaries, the Bishops, will be here to share with us about their ministry in Albania
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Jim Elliot, missionary martyred by the Auca Indians of Ecuador in 1956, prayed: “Am I ignitable? O God, deliver me from the dread asbestos of other things! Saturate me with the oil of the Spirit that I may be aflame. But flame is transient and short-lived. Can’st thou bear this,
my soul—short lived? In me there dwells the Spirit of the Great Short-Lived, whose zeal for God’s House consumed Him. And He has promised baptism with the Spirit and with Fire. ‘Father, take my life, yes, my blood if Thou wilt, and consume it with Thine enveloping fire. I would not save it for it is not mine to save. Have it, Lord, have it all. Pour out my life as an offering for the world. Make me Thy fuel, Flame of God.’”
my soul—short lived? In me there dwells the Spirit of the Great Short-Lived, whose zeal for God’s House consumed Him. And He has promised baptism with the Spirit and with Fire. ‘Father, take my life, yes, my blood if Thou wilt, and consume it with Thine enveloping fire. I would not save it for it is not mine to save. Have it, Lord, have it all. Pour out my life as an offering for the world. Make me Thy fuel, Flame of God.’”
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Community Wesleyan Church
The link for the chuck colson article is not working so to get the article, go to www.breakpoint.org and click on the 1/29/07 breakpoint commentary. That should get you there.
Sorry about the link
Sorry about the link
Thursday, January 25, 2007
God is still moving
More Muslims converted to faith in Jesus Christ over the past decade than at any other time in human history. A spiritual revolution is under way throughout North Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia:
http://wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=53884
http://wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=53884
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
health/nutrition
Beginning Sunday evening February 4, Dr. Emmett Harrington, a PhD nutritionist and his wife Nancy, an experienced chef with be holding a seminar on "Healthy Aging through Healthy Living". They will be sharing every Sunday evening at 6:00pm in the month of February.
If you made a new year resolution to get in better health, this may be a good place to begin. The seminar is free and everyone is invited
If you made a new year resolution to get in better health, this may be a good place to begin. The seminar is free and everyone is invited
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
