Thursday, May 15, 2008
Are You Green?
I don't know that words can do justice, but here's my try. The last two weeks my amazing student and young adult ministry has turned green! But not in the way you think. Two weeks ago we had our annual youth revival All In. This year we asked the students the question: Are You Green? As in, are you organic, is your praise not determined by the beat of the drum, but by an organic relationship with Jesus, thorugh time spent with him alone in prayer, in reading the Word, and in developing in our relationship. My good friend Corey Trimble and his lovely wife Alecia came all the way in from Murfreesboro, TN. The kids couldn't help but respond to how real Corey is. He just loves Jesus so much and wants everyone to know it and to know how great God's love really is. Corey spoke to us about reaching out into our community and sharing the love of Jesus everywhere we go. His words touched us, and so, this past weekend, Corey and Alecia made the trip back up to be with us again for our weekly FUEL service. Corey shared some of his testimony, and let us know that as bad as we are or as bad as we feel, God loves us so much and just wants us to give our lives over to him. Three received the holy ghost, one of which was baptized that night and another the next morning. We've been revived, and are getting back to what's important, to being organic in our relationship with God.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Don't Blame Me - God's Will Part3
Be not conformed to this world…
1 Thess 4:3-9
3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;
5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:
6 That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.
7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
8 He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.
9 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another
KJV
Fornication, lust, and defrauding of a brother of any matter are things we are to abstain from to line up with the will of God. God has not called us to be unclean but holy. Separated from sin and the world and fully dedicated to Him. We are clearly instructed not to be conformed to THIS world almost implying that there is a world we should be like. One scripture states that Jesus is not of this world and another state that we are to pray thy will be done IN earth, as it is heaven. So not only is the will God of for us not to be conformed to this world through fornication and youthful lusts, but we should formed in the spiritual world heaven.
The will of God is to see what done in heaven happen on earth.
What happens in heaven???
To Be Continued…
1 Thess 4:3-9
3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;
5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:
6 That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.
7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
8 He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.
9 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another
KJV
Fornication, lust, and defrauding of a brother of any matter are things we are to abstain from to line up with the will of God. God has not called us to be unclean but holy. Separated from sin and the world and fully dedicated to Him. We are clearly instructed not to be conformed to THIS world almost implying that there is a world we should be like. One scripture states that Jesus is not of this world and another state that we are to pray thy will be done IN earth, as it is heaven. So not only is the will God of for us not to be conformed to this world through fornication and youthful lusts, but we should formed in the spiritual world heaven.
The will of God is to see what done in heaven happen on earth.
What happens in heaven???
To Be Continued…
Don't Blame Me - God's Will Part2
Don't blame me! - God's will part2
No really it is not the will of God that any should perish. God doesntwant us to perish in everday tasks, and eternal salvation. But we allknow that daily pursuits often end in failure, and history is an exampleof not everyone will attain eternal salvation. So has God's willfailed? Or is it the conduent of which it flows?
I would say it to be the ladder of the two. The Pharisees had a great understanding when they said if we leave Jesus alone all men will believe on him. Thus the revelation if we will get out of the way of Christ men will believe. It is our antics, analytical perspectives, and misunderstood blogs that keep people from Christ. We are the vessel of which Christ chooses to use (by the way he doesn't have to), the conduent that He flows through. And the reason why the will of God is not poured is because we stop it with junk. So many of could use spiritual "Drano" to unstop the clog the spirit can flow.
And amazing step by step process can be found in the book of Romans...
Rom 12:2
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.KJV
1. Don't be conformed to this world (and to say be conformed to another?)
2. Be transformed - renew your mind
with the purpose to...
1. Prove what is Good
2. Prove what is acceptable
3. Prove what is perfect
4. Prove what is the will of God
To be continued...
No really it is not the will of God that any should perish. God doesntwant us to perish in everday tasks, and eternal salvation. But we allknow that daily pursuits often end in failure, and history is an exampleof not everyone will attain eternal salvation. So has God's willfailed? Or is it the conduent of which it flows?
I would say it to be the ladder of the two. The Pharisees had a great understanding when they said if we leave Jesus alone all men will believe on him. Thus the revelation if we will get out of the way of Christ men will believe. It is our antics, analytical perspectives, and misunderstood blogs that keep people from Christ. We are the vessel of which Christ chooses to use (by the way he doesn't have to), the conduent that He flows through. And the reason why the will of God is not poured is because we stop it with junk. So many of could use spiritual "Drano" to unstop the clog the spirit can flow.
And amazing step by step process can be found in the book of Romans...
Rom 12:2
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.KJV
1. Don't be conformed to this world (and to say be conformed to another?)
2. Be transformed - renew your mind
with the purpose to...
1. Prove what is Good
2. Prove what is acceptable
3. Prove what is perfect
4. Prove what is the will of God
To be continued...
Don't Blame Me - God's Will
Don't Blame Me! - God's Will
Finger pointing is not a new concept. We are quite willing to put theblame on someone else in order to save our neck. So many times we chalk up misfortunes, downsettings, and mistakes toGod. With expressions like well it must not be God's will... And even salutations of gratitude are stamped to God's will pamphlet. But really is God's will or lack there of really left up to our finitehuman deducting? I would hope not! I would like to hope God's will is always in motion barreling down anyobstacles on its way! You see where the problem lies is we consult God's will after we signthe papers, exchange vows, or move out of state. And if the situationfails we blame the Almighty! To be continued...
Finger pointing is not a new concept. We are quite willing to put theblame on someone else in order to save our neck. So many times we chalk up misfortunes, downsettings, and mistakes toGod. With expressions like well it must not be God's will... And even salutations of gratitude are stamped to God's will pamphlet. But really is God's will or lack there of really left up to our finitehuman deducting? I would hope not! I would like to hope God's will is always in motion barreling down anyobstacles on its way! You see where the problem lies is we consult God's will after we signthe papers, exchange vows, or move out of state. And if the situationfails we blame the Almighty! To be continued...
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Christmas Presence
In just a few days we will awake early Christmas morning wipe the crusty sleep from our eyes, and scurry to the place where wrapped goodies have been placed.
We tear open each gift like a dog sifting through the earth trying to uncover a buried bone. After the wrapping paper settles and the boxes are folded back to be used again another year. We try on every article of clothing, and test every gadget.
We hurry out the door the next day to spend our gift cards, and to return any unwanted gift.
Corporate America, mom and pop shops, and you and I the consumer have made Christmas more about the presents we receive than the presence we feel. We crave the latest gizmo constructed by Steve Jobs and his cronies (s I type this on my I-Phone) more than we crave the hands which constructed the very world we live in. When the Christmas gifts of 2007 are long forgotten about, out of style, worn out and broken the presence of God that we barely sought after, looked to or focused on will never go out of style, wear out or break.
Let this Christmas be a time when you seek after the presence of God, and not the presents of men.
We tear open each gift like a dog sifting through the earth trying to uncover a buried bone. After the wrapping paper settles and the boxes are folded back to be used again another year. We try on every article of clothing, and test every gadget.
We hurry out the door the next day to spend our gift cards, and to return any unwanted gift.
Corporate America, mom and pop shops, and you and I the consumer have made Christmas more about the presents we receive than the presence we feel. We crave the latest gizmo constructed by Steve Jobs and his cronies (s I type this on my I-Phone) more than we crave the hands which constructed the very world we live in. When the Christmas gifts of 2007 are long forgotten about, out of style, worn out and broken the presence of God that we barely sought after, looked to or focused on will never go out of style, wear out or break.
Let this Christmas be a time when you seek after the presence of God, and not the presents of men.
Sunday, December 9, 2007
RUSH Hour
RUSH Hour The phrase rush hour refers to the time of day when most of corporate America punches out of their 9-5 job. But for many of us, rush is not segmented to a certain time of day. No, we live a rush life.
I write in great concern that those of us who live a rush life, don't have time to... fill in the blank. Time to care, pray, face to face conversation, relationship, and fun. We live a rush life. Rush hour gives birth to a lot of angry, frustrated people trying to get nowhere fast. I think it is time to slow down and take notice.
I know I am preaching to myself first. The guy who lives on coffee and no sleep. I promise to take time out and smell the roses, listen to that song, and read that book.
Don't be in a such a hurry... That you don't realize what is happening in your world. Just this past week someone shot up a shopping mall in Nebraska, killing innocent lives. I know a guy whose wife works right where it all opened. And Sunday some duranged individual went into a local house of worship where he shot and killed people.
We can get so busy and in a rush that as long as it doesn't effect me I don't care. But what if that was Somerset and what if that was The Apostolic Church. News flash: that was someone's mall and church.
R.U.S.H.
R U Serving Him?
I write in great concern that those of us who live a rush life, don't have time to... fill in the blank. Time to care, pray, face to face conversation, relationship, and fun. We live a rush life. Rush hour gives birth to a lot of angry, frustrated people trying to get nowhere fast. I think it is time to slow down and take notice.
I know I am preaching to myself first. The guy who lives on coffee and no sleep. I promise to take time out and smell the roses, listen to that song, and read that book.
Don't be in a such a hurry... That you don't realize what is happening in your world. Just this past week someone shot up a shopping mall in Nebraska, killing innocent lives. I know a guy whose wife works right where it all opened. And Sunday some duranged individual went into a local house of worship where he shot and killed people.
We can get so busy and in a rush that as long as it doesn't effect me I don't care. But what if that was Somerset and what if that was The Apostolic Church. News flash: that was someone's mall and church.
R.U.S.H.
R U Serving Him?
Hanging with Wayne Francis
To all my best friends...
Today I leave for St Louis to hang with Wayne Francis and other cultural transformers. We will converge for a series of meetings to come up with ideas for the 2008 Commune-ity meeting in Cincinatti, Ohio. Impact Student Minsitry - we are rolling in full force to this meeting. I have a challenge with one of my comrades, Brandon Shanks, to see who can bring the most staff.
Last night, we had an awesome fuel service. Called & Chosen rocked it out, and we were lead to worship by Page 5. The message was delivered by Brandon Flynn who pointed out some really cool stuff.
Brandon referenced the Word of God when it stated that we are to seek first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto us. The point was that the instruction was to seek that you didn't even have to find and all these things will be added. Cool thoughts Brandon...
I'm out-tune in next time...
Today I leave for St Louis to hang with Wayne Francis and other cultural transformers. We will converge for a series of meetings to come up with ideas for the 2008 Commune-ity meeting in Cincinatti, Ohio. Impact Student Minsitry - we are rolling in full force to this meeting. I have a challenge with one of my comrades, Brandon Shanks, to see who can bring the most staff.
Last night, we had an awesome fuel service. Called & Chosen rocked it out, and we were lead to worship by Page 5. The message was delivered by Brandon Flynn who pointed out some really cool stuff.
Brandon referenced the Word of God when it stated that we are to seek first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto us. The point was that the instruction was to seek that you didn't even have to find and all these things will be added. Cool thoughts Brandon...
I'm out-tune in next time...
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