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Showing posts from April, 2010

Be Still

The Metamorphosis Church

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The word "metamorphosis" derives from Greek μεταμόρφωσις, "transformation, transforming", from μετα- (meta-), "change" + μορφή (morphe) "form". I believe the church is always changing, growing, transforming into being the Bride of Christ; the Body of Christ. It is more than just an Emergence or Emerging Church movement and yet knows about modernity and post-modernism. The Metamorphosis Church is one that really is just trying to be the Church Christ wants us to be. To love others and love God. Imagine if the church put the Greatest Commandment and the Great Commission into practice? In alot of ways the Church needs Christians to be transformed as mentioned in Romans 12:1-2. "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual[a] act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renew

Top 10 Things for Short Term Missions Trip

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This Friday I leave for a short term missions trip with Hope Missions. We will be working with Diamond Willow Ministries in a native reservation in South Dakota. Here are some reminders I've come across since preparing for this trip. I. Get your funds early. II. Don't forget to get organized and all the necessary paperwork together. I've used a binder and read up on the mission and what we'll be doing before hand. III. Don't forget to pray. Pray like never before. I've been using the book, Through the Eyes of Christ, A short term missions journal by Donna Thomas ( http://www.cvministries.org/ ) to help me prepare. IV. Talk to your family about the opportunity. My wife's response was "You have to go ..." V. Get packed early. I've had to buy some last minute items and am packing this week. VI. Get something to read. Keep your mind alert. Those long bus or plane rides (Mine is a 21 Hr Bus ride) have to be filled with time fillers.

Lessons from a Blind man.

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This Sunday's sermon comes from John 9.

Amazing Grace History/"Amazing Grace" By Wintley Phipps

Chris Tomlin - Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone)

I Need a Person like .... who Taught me .....

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So I've been thinking about some of the past people who I've encountered over the years and what they have taught me. Here are a few highlights. (sorry if I've missed your name ... I know you taught me a thing or two along life's journey as well) I need a person like .......            Who taught me .... Dave Wallace                              Serving Shari                                            Children's Ministry Sandy B.                                       About being organized Penny                                            About loving students Alice Christy                               Encouragement 93yr old Marie Ward                   Being a prayer warrior/ Pie baker. Carl Christy                                 Compassion Fred Gurney                                 Leadership Access Teens                                Worship Jason                                             Missions Dan R.                                          

Praying Hands.

Visiting Boyds Bear Country

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So this past weekend I took my children to a birthday party that was at Boyds Bear Country (Think Fancier Build A Bear Store) Think it was a good experience.  What was the last place you took your family to?

Social Gospel, Social Justice, Get Rich - Oh MY!

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What does the Social Gospel the Prosperity Gospel (Otherwise known as the Health and Wealth Gospel?) and the Social Justice Controversy have in common. Well, when you mention any of them they tend to take the focus off of Jesus. The Social Gospel has alot in common with the Social Justice ... helping others. The problem is the social justice focuses on benevolent acts alone with no discipleship efforts. Social Justice can lead to evangelism efforts. Both the social gospel and the prosperity gospel tend to fall short of the gospel and what it is Meant . Should the church be supporting places that are helping the poor, and thus social justice issues? Sure. We just need to be careful how that concern can be taken off the Author and Perfector of our Faith: Jesus.  We need to be the hands and feet of Jesus, not just "Hands and Feet." Lots of good work have been done in the name of Jesus. Some even anonymously. The reason: People knew who they were Serving. Not these

My Jesus Year: Review.

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Just got finished reading this book entitled: My Jesus Year. It is a story of a non-christian's view of the Church. (Actually a rabbi's son) It was a very amusing and almost SAD look at "Christianity" as a whole. What is amusing is the whole take of the "Christian Industry" side of things of which the author finds both amusing and SAD. Things like being caught up in the holidays around Christmas - but having nothing to do with Christ, nor the real reason for the holidays. And one that stood out to me about Easter pg. 180 on a pastor shortening his service "Sorry Christ. Congrats on the whole coming back from the dead thing. That's really great and all, but it's freezing up here, so God bless and we'll catch you back at the gift shop." WOW. And then there was the focus on the wrong things. "We build a monument where God was, not not where God is." pg. 70 And then the author's observation of a church service "In

An American Symphony - Mr. Holland's Opus

Star Trek Generations - Data Sings "The Life Forms Song"

Afterall God wants your Best.

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I cannot tell you the number of times I've heard this or similar phrases. "Give God your best." "Do all things with excellence" "Let's be professional" I've been caught up in the  lies. This myth of somehow God wants your best. So what do people do they either don't give God  their best, or say forget and don't give God anything at all. God doesn't want your best. He already owns everything. He wants us to be good stewards of what we have and manage it well sure. God has got everything. What God wants isn't the best, He wants YOU! Sometimes I think we focus too much on the show. Best style of music, best dress, best musicians, best speakers, websites. We spare no expense. Problem is that God sees through all that. They are all tools, just tools. Even our buildings are just tools to the ultimate goal changed lives to love God and love others. I've been through the mistake of this. Do all things with excellence. F

The Revolution.

Here is the video shown from Sunday. A few of our Youth Sponsors put together having fun, and then afterwards was a skit promoting our Wednesday Nite Children's and Teen Ministry gladly entitled: The Revolution. Enjoy.

The Gospel Journey

I've met Greg Stier. Actually I've met him a few times though he might not ever know it. I read his blog, and have several of his books. The thing about this video series is it seems to be very simple, very authentic and good for those seeking Where is God? We just finished Session 2 on sunday morning for our teens. Great stuff. Especially for those wondering about what is the gospel, what about Jesus? etc. Gets young adults to read the Word, look at how it applies to them today.

NHL Playoffs 2010 Thoughts and beyond.

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Western Conference VS Sharks in 6 VS Chicago in 6 VS Vancouver in 5 VS Yotes in 7 Eastern Conference VS Caps in 7 VS NJ in 6 VS Buffalo in 6 VS                                                                    Pittsburgh  in 5   Western Conference Winner: Vancouver.   Eastern Conference: Washington.   Series to Watch in the First Round.   Phoenix and Detroit. (Young versus old.) Phoenix the Cinderella story ...weren't even to be projected to make the playoffs at the beginning of the Season   Capitals and Montreal. Goaltending versus Ovie.   Devils-Flyers. Rivals. Flyers just make the playoffs versus One of the Greatest Goaltenders in the NHL. Can Boucher keep up his own hot goaltending with the Flyers or be outmatched by Brodeur?   Other notes: Jimmy Howard's first playoffs could make an interesting storyline. Don't forget Crosby. Also the Sharks have something to prove that they can finally make it to the Big dance.   History will be made

Is the Cross a symbol of life or death?

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So what is the Cross a symbol of? Seems a lot of people associate it with a symbol of Death . Others of Cruelity And others of Violence and status Seems weird that people wearing Cross necklaces are wearing a symbol of death. Seems the Cross of Christ is where the symbol of life begins. You see Jesus died for us. And if He stayed dead, the cross would be meaningless. Our message would be foolishness. Especially if there was no resurrection. But Jesus didn't stay that way and so the Cross seems to be a symbol of life, hope and love. Ultimately the symbol of the Cross is the message of Grace. God giving us something you don't deserve. So ultimately the Cross is a symbol not just of life and death but ultimatle of love and Grace and to that I am thankful.

A Bit of Irony!

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Fresh Water for Dry Souls

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This Sunday's sermon is from John 7. Hope you can join us.

Jesus 101

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His Birth – Humanity His Ministry – Reality of God with us. His Death – A Sacrifice His Burial – Finality. His Resurrection – Victory His Coming Again – Hope. Our Reaction: Celebration and Anticipation.

Post-Resurrection Lord's Day Thoughts

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Otherwise known as Easter. This week has been busy with meetings. We're actually hosting a Women's Ministry event tonite at our facility with local churches planning on coming. Here are my thoughts: I. Loved the Sunrise Service. Short and sweet. I'd say over 50% of our attendees came out before 7am. II. Breakfast, and the Praise and Worship were Great! III. Was glad to see we had to open the overflow room. IV. I love preaching. I tend to ramble... but was great the preach the good news about Jesus Dying for You! V. Can't wait to do it again this Sunday. Afterall, every Sunday is Resurrection Lord's Day. We celebrate that Jesus did indeed Rise from the grave and is coming again. VI. This Sunday is Scout Sunday. So lots of work to do behind the scenes. Great things going on. Also have my short term missions trip just weeks away. Pray for me. Have a good weekend.

Things They Didn't Teach You about Ministry.

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So I went to a Bible College (Now a Christian University) and even went to Seminary. But there are some things that they didn't teach you. Sometimes it is learning only by the school of hard knocks. (I know I've written on this before but would like to update) I. You and You alone are responsible for your Soul Care. No one else is going to do it for you. II. Ministry is tough. It is great and rewardful but not meant for sissies. There will be challenges. III. There will be that guy. You know the one. The one that just gets on your nerves. There will be conflict. The thing is to know to pick your battles wisely. Is this worth fighting for? In the scope of eternity is it worth battling over? (Personally I think things like personalities, music styles, color of carpet do not fall into that) IV. Facility Upkeep. You will need to know codes: Fire, Insurance, liability, etc. V. Technology. I'm no social media expert but computer programming, powerpt and that come in han

Math Shadow

Day 21 of 21

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He is Risen. Luke 24:1-8 1On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.' " 8Then they remembered his words. Jesus conquered death. If he stayed in the tomb our faith would be foolishness. But He has risen, risen indeed. What does this mean for you?

Day 20 of 21

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Jesus Burial. Luke 23:50-56 50Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, 51who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea and he was waiting for the kingdom of God. 52Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body. 53Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid. 54It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin. 55The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. 56Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment. Jesus has died for us and was buried but didn’t stay that way. Satan thought that the tomb would end Jesus attraction to the world-or so he thought!

Jesus to Us

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Here's a snippet from the beginning of And the Angels were Silent ... "Commonly clad. Uncommonly focused. Leaving Jericho and walking toward Jerusalem. He doesn't chatter. He doesn't pause. He is on a journey. His final journey. "Even the angels are silent. They know this is no ordinary walk. They now this is no ordinary week. For hinged on this week is the door of eternity. Let's walk with him. Let's see how Jesus spent his final days. Let's see what mattered to God." His Birth – Humanity His Ministry – Reality of God with us. His Death – A Sacrifice His Burial – Finality. His Resurrection – Victory His Coming Again – Hope. Our Reaction: Celebration and Anticipation.

Day 19 0f 21

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John 19:17-30 So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. 17Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). 18Here they crucified him, and with him two others—one on each side and Jesus in the middle. 19Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. 20Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek. 21The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, "Do not write 'The King of the Jews,' but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews." 22Pilate answered, "What I have written, I have written." 23When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. 24"Let's not tear it," they said to

Day 18 of 21

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Peter’s Denial. Luke 22:54-62 54Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. 55But when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. 56A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, "This man was with him." 57But he denied it. "Woman, I don't know him," he said. 58A little later someone else saw him and said, "You also are one of them." "Man, I am not!" Peter replied. 59About an hour later another asserted, "Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean." 60Peter replied, "Man, I don't know what you're talking about!" Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. 61The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me thr