Controversial surrounding a Terrorist ... or Why we should love our enemies ....

By now you've heard that last month there was a bombing in Boston. And in central Virginia one of the terror suspects was buried a few miles from where I currently live. So why the controvery?

I. No one wanted a shrine for a terrorist.

II. It is always hard to bury bad people.

III. We can identify with Bad people - for without God's grace so go I.

IV. We need to love our enemies. The end of Romans 12 reminds us of this and to show kindness even to those who mean you harm. Ultimately God will be the Judge.

V. There are 3 things that make up a person. 1. Physical makeup (Genetics) 2. Environmental Influence (Peer pressure, music, TV, internet (Afterall millions aren't spent on a 30 second commercial for nothing)) and Thirdly - The Will. You choose to sin or not ... Ultimately we all will answer to the Creator for our sins ...and if in God's Grace - covered by the blood of the Lamb.

VI. We like Swift Justice ... I'd never forget in 1998 after Christmas finding out that a co-worker of mine from KB Toys was robbed, and murdered and his naked body left in his home ... I wanted justice and revenge to the two men who did that to my friend and co-worker. I was angry, hurt and later forgiveness came.

I'd never forget the faces just days after 9-11 in NYC of those who asked us "Have you seen this person?" or looking at the shrines and wanted the answer to the question ..Why?

I'd never forget wanting swift justice for the DC Sniper and two gas stations in Ashland, and Fredericksburg that I had just been and the scareness of those few weeks.

And I could go on .... but God ultimately delivers.

VII. It reminds us of our past. We have fallen. We have made mistakes. We need forgiveness. The journey is never easy. Our pride gets in the way. We can say "Not in my backyard ..." why because of the reminder of pain, past hurts, and a reminder it could of been us. In some ways we have hurt people, maybe not "Deadly bombing" but our words, our actions, our own sinfulness have hurt people (Sometimes doing even more damage) ...Aren't you glad there is a Saviour?

My job isn't to point people to myself but to Jesus. Anyone with me? Let's love God and others together.

May the 4 be with you.

Current Sermon Series: Hebrews

So far it has been on the Greatest Commandment, Palm Sunday, the Resurrection and a study through Hebrews.

Wednesday nites have included: Favorite Memory Verses (and testimony), Names of God, and a Current "One Another" series on lessons for Christian Discipleship.

Our Summer Sermon Series will be topical: "Not a Fan."

What are you teaching on?

Books I'm reading

I'm in the midst of Re-Reading the Hobbit and just finished Vince's book (alot to chew on there to be a renegade) What are you reading?

The One Ring

Cooperative Learning and Its Implications for the Church.

A reader of mine sent me this article on Cooperative Learning


seems to me this is almost like Youth Cartel's Open Source meeting or even some of what discipleship needs to look like in the context of the church of group support, learning, and modeling it.

Thoughts? what do you think Cooperative learnings implications for the church is?

Each church attender has different variety of learning styles and so to win one we become different styles so we can reach one. Taking people from where they are to where they need to be.

Thoughts?

HT to Kerry Walsh for the Article.

An Interview and a Bio of Gman

Gerrard R. Fess was born in Hamilton, Ontario. At the age of 4 – he moved to Selkirk, Ontario. He graduated from Mid-Atlantic Christian University. Pursued a MRE from Anderson University’s School of Theology. Gerrard is married to his college sweetheart, Valerie for over 16years. They have 3 children: Kendra, Nicole, and Brian. Currently Gerrard resides in Ashland, Virginia. Prior to coming to Virginia – Gerrard was a preacher in Maryland and held several youth ministries in NC,VA and Ohio. He is a published author, as well as a messy disciple still on the journey of faith. He dreams of driving a zamboni for an NHL game one day. You can reach Gerrard at fess2@juno.com , visit his blog fess2.blogspot.com or connect with him on facebook or twitter. @fess2us.

What gets played the most on your Ipod?
David Crowder Band.

What’s the one book (besides the Bible) you’d recommend to anyone.
I love to read, it is hard to pick just one. I would recommend “Who Stole my church?” – Gordon Macdonald. I’d also say Daring to Dance with God by Jeff Walling.

What’s my favourite restaurant?
I love to eat. (anything but the Golden Arches). I would say Golden Corral …lots of choices.

What team do you root for the most?
I would say the Toronto Maple Leafs. I’m a hockey fan.

Who (besides Jesus) is your favourite leader in the Bible?
I would say King David. A man after God’s own heart – messy, repenting and all.

What do you get most excited about?
When people finally get it. By “IT” I mean the gospel – that we are loving God and others and are transformed ….. from immersing a new believer to others making disciples ..it makes me go “woohoo!”

What do you like to do in your free time?
I like to read and try new social media things. I love to be with my family and just enjoy life.

The Balmoral Hospitality House

Purchased by BBCOC August 27, 2008.

In faith and trust in the Lord for the future of His church, Bonnie Brae took a step of faith toward enhancing and enlarging His Church in the community. May the actions honor and glorify God now and in the years to come.

The Balmoral Home and property is a two fold investment. Acquiring the property will enable the congregation and/or expand when needed. We now have added yard space for games, picnic area, children's play area. etc.

The house would include classroom space, intimate small group meeting areas, class parties, seminars, ladies meeting, and small dinner and lesson areas.

Then of course the "hospitality house" could house our missionary guests, seminar speakers, those in our congregation with out of town guests for weddings and funerals, and possibly could be used as a parsonage for the next preacher, and/or associate if need be.

The congregation's prayer is God would bless this endeavor so that what is being done will enlighten, encourage, and bring many to know and have a relationship with the Lord as the church uses this tool.

Why Counseling Matters!!

People seek counseling for a variety of reasons. Christian counseling matters. It helps. Church leaders that refer - get the people the help they need and free up their time.




Why does Counseling matter? Especially Christian counseling.

I. Gives People Hope.

II. Gives people a person who can listen. There is just something about the ministry of presence.

III. Gives Direction.

IV. Give reassurance. Am I doing this right? What direction can I go etc.

V. Peace of mind. Sometimes we need to know we are doing the right thing.

VI. Gives people some patience. Just like in the movie: "What about Bob?" Gives time and direction.

VII. Taking Baby Steps. Just like Rome wasn't built in a day - these issues we deal with won't go away in a day's time either. Taking it one step at a time.

VIII. Brings back Joy. People want joy in their life. Not that there will always be "happiness" but joy and contentment.

IX. Helps with the Unknown. So often we fear that of which we cannot control. Focus on that of which we can. Know the stories, the facts and go from there ...not the "But this will or that she or he said ..." focus on what you can control not what you can't.

X. Helps get the forest out of your own eye, not the speck in your brother's.

We like to place blame, or admit we don't have a "Problem." etc. The only person can fix you is you. I've heard of a lot of church leaders willing to refer to Christian counseling for others, but they themselves not go. (which is a danger sign in my own opinion). Counseling is a good thing and help people to focus on the main thing - that of pointing others to Jesus as well. Christian counseling matters.

Other thoughts or reasons you would give?

Revelation Simplified.

From Gman's Desk: Sayings and Quotes.

Thought I'd share some sayings and quotes that I seem to use alot.


"The Church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints."

"We are an imperfect people, serving a perfect Saviour."

"WooHoo"

"Let's be Jesus' hands and feet."

"Take one of our pew Bibles if you need one ...they're FREE. You didn't steal it, we gave it to you ...."

"I'm too busy logging the forest out of my own eye to worry about the speck in my brother's."

"So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you." Romans 12:1-2 The Message.

"I don't have it all figured out ...I'm just on this thing called a faith journey."

What sayings do you have? Any others to add?

Finally .... The Gman has come back ...

It has been a decade in the making. After ministries in NC and MD ... The Fess Family has come back to the Central Virginia area. In the Richmond area. From Canada to college to a youth ministry in Ohio, Seminary in Indiana and from 1999 - 2003 I was in Mechanicsville, VA. Now we have returned - a different ministry and role but feels alot like home. In the words of the late great Mike Yaconelli: "what a Ride!"

The last 6 mths have been challenging, humbling, forgiving, grace filled, and hopeful. We had a great church ministering to us - through Grace Community Christian in Frederick. We had sister churches praying, helping, and encouraging ... Ringgold and Church of the Greater Valley. We had my former ministries (Liberty, Corner House) and my home church ...helping in the transition - through prayer and financially. And we had God provide when times were tough through the great people at CCHMD. God has been good. Family supportive, and God in it all. The great thing is HE isn't done yet.

We had a surprise send off luncheon in Hagerstown. We had moved to Richmond just over a week ago.

The process was long and was wondering what God was doing. I had worked with an insurance place ...interviewed everywhere. God closed doors in Indiana and Michigan. It came down to three places: A Church near Elkhorn Camp in Ohio (where preacher was for over 30yrs), a possible church plant in Canada (work in Toronto then goto NB) (This was still in the talking stages) and the church in Virginia. (Where Valerie's fmaily is near and her grandfather use to be an elder at). So God lead us here ... it has been exciting .... SAD to leave MD but a new start and new opportunities. Keep us in your prayers.

The Video is of the Rock saying Finally ...He has come back ...

The love of TV: Early Edition.

Lots of people love TV shows. Several of mine: Happy Days, Six Million Dollar man in the 70s. In the 80s: Cheers, Cosby Show, and in the 90s: Early Edition, Highlander (of course Star Trek TNG) Recently I've been watching

Early Edition
reruns ...great show.

What is your favourite TV show?

I've got a log in my Eye.

"Why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye but don't notice the log in your own eye?" Matthew 7:3 Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)

I've always been citing this verse in Matthew. In context it is from Jesus' sermon on the mount. He is talking to the people and the hyprocritical ways of being self-righteous and pointing flaws in others without looking at one's self first.

For me I've always cited: "I'm too busy lumberjacking the forest in my own eye to worry about the speck in my brother's." How about you? What logs, specks, forests are you working on?

I Love the Bride of Christ.

I love the Bride of Christ. So often I tend to be her biggest critic but also her biggest fan. Why is that? I've seen the worst in the Bride but also the best. The ole saying goes that "the church is the only army in the world that shoots its wounded."

So why do I love the Bride of Christ?

I. Because I am part of the Bride, the body of Christ Romans 12

II. Because of her mission: To go and make disciples. Matt. 28

III. Because we are to love the Groom, Jesus. Mark 12:28-34.

IV. Because we are to rejoice. Phil. 4:4

V. Because we are to love one another. 1 John 4

VI. Because Jesus gave His life for the Bride. Eph.4:25-27

I may be critical of the Bride of Christ at times but I've seen the best in the church in wanting to be Jesus' hands and feet to a lost world. It is in times like those I love the Bride ...am proud that I am part of the Church and get to not "Play" church or "Goto" church but actually "BE" the church.

so how are you being the Bride of Christ? Love the Bride? See ways she can improve? Trying to improve yourself? Let's strive together to be the church God would be proud of.

Top Pet Peeves in the Candidating process.

So I've been applying different places and finding out my own pet peeves in this and questions asked.



I. How old are you? (This gets me everytime due to age discrimination - some too old for one position, or too young for another etc)

II. Are you married? (I get some places want a married man etc. but still ...)

III. How old are your kids?

IV. Can you sign this waiver and give us consent to run a full background check? (I understand this further on in the process but upfront and you want my SS# etc and I haven't even made the first cut yet?)

Any others you get?

Books I've been Reading