I had a great couple of days hunting deer on a 600 acre lease in Waynesboro. For some reason I had a bad case of the jitters the whole time and missed 3 out of four shots. I did bag a nice 2 1/2 year old mature doe that should put 35-40 pounds of meat in my freezer. I was hoping for two, but blew that.
I have never got a buck before. Two minutes after bleating and grunting on some calls in walks a four pointer and a really nice eight pointer. They couldn't have been 30 yards from me. So close I could have shot is with a bow. I got so jumpy, I couldn't settle...buck fever beat me and beat me good. I somehow shot right over it's back. The 30-30 I was shooting was hitting a target within an inch of the bulls eye at 100 yards and here I am missing a 30 yard shot. Jeff said "pastor, I know you can shoot and shoot great now we just got to teach you how to kill deer" It is a different ball game shooting on a range from hunting. Well I guess that's what keeps you coming back for more. That was the fifth doe I have harvested so far I am definitely getting the itch to take a buck. We'll see.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Pray for Rein.........Deer that is
Jeff from our worship team and myself are leaving tomorrow to play and slay baby. We plan to fill our freezers full of venison. MMMMM it's delectable. There is just something about taking meat from the woods to the table that makes you feel like standing up and saying to the fam.... "Who's your daddy" OOOOOHHHHH Yeaaaaahhhhh I am.
My nieces and nephews
One thing I miss about being in Ohio is seeing these guys grow up. I am so proud of them. Brian is twenty and is the worship leader at a church plant in Lexington, OH. Ain't he Crowder-ish. Austin is an amazing drummer and is only 14 years old. Rhema is quite the athlete and Ricky can do anything. I really hate not getting to see them excel in their interests but they know "Chuncle Ross" loves them. Isn't that a horrible nickname they've given me? I love it! Miss you guys.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
I'm thankful for......
...Amie and my children. They mean everything to me and are a reminder everyday that God is better to me than I ever thought possible.
...my embassy metro church family. I am so proud of all that you are becoming in Christ and for Christ.
...a father who decided to follow Christ and was submissive enough to allow God to change him. Pop I am so proud of the man you are and the man you have challenged me to become.
...a mother who in her eyes I can do no wrong. We all need someone of radical grace in our lives and my mother is that for me.
...weekly talks with my sister and brother in law.
...hearing my Grand Dad say he loves me. He just started that since I moved to GA. Pretty cool for an Army Staff Sargent on Guadalcanal South Pacific.
...friends and family that are in our corner. You know who you are.
...Amie is so freakin' hot. (ha ha sorry that one just slipped)
...this is so carnal: my 4 door dodge pick-up. Man I love my truck
...not that they come after the truck but.... the guys on my leadership team and their wives.
...a trip to deer hunt coming up Sunday-Tuesday. Run Bambi Run!
...My Pastor and Mom Blair for everything they have meant to us through the years.
...the increase in my health and outlook on fitness.
...most importantly that I have Jesus in my life and all though at times our relationship has had ups and downs I am finding myself the past few months extremely captivated by His love and presence.
...my embassy metro church family. I am so proud of all that you are becoming in Christ and for Christ.
...a father who decided to follow Christ and was submissive enough to allow God to change him. Pop I am so proud of the man you are and the man you have challenged me to become.
...a mother who in her eyes I can do no wrong. We all need someone of radical grace in our lives and my mother is that for me.
...weekly talks with my sister and brother in law.
...hearing my Grand Dad say he loves me. He just started that since I moved to GA. Pretty cool for an Army Staff Sargent on Guadalcanal South Pacific.
...friends and family that are in our corner. You know who you are.
...Amie is so freakin' hot. (ha ha sorry that one just slipped)
...this is so carnal: my 4 door dodge pick-up. Man I love my truck
...not that they come after the truck but.... the guys on my leadership team and their wives.
...a trip to deer hunt coming up Sunday-Tuesday. Run Bambi Run!
...My Pastor and Mom Blair for everything they have meant to us through the years.
...the increase in my health and outlook on fitness.
...most importantly that I have Jesus in my life and all though at times our relationship has had ups and downs I am finding myself the past few months extremely captivated by His love and presence.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Brother Crow...a new friend
A few weeks ago when we launched our Wild West Series we placed "www.jesusisyourhuckleberry.com" signs around the city. They have caused a bit of a stir and we have seen a dozen or so people come and one person come to Christ after coming because the sign peaked their interest.
I had one particularly challenging e-mail from an agnostic who was a pastor for 25 years.
He Writes: Jesus is your huckleberry? That is a new low! Taking "Tombstone" as your sermon idea generator? Embarrassing.
I am a local agnostic, and would love to debate your religion. Your website is flashy...but come on, is that the best you can do? Your pictures look like you are funny and fun people, but I am Crow and I see through that.
I have a high level of despite for exploitive faith communities like yours. I was a pastor once. Do you think your faith and religion can stand up to the blistering impact of a person like me? I challenge you to some debate. You up for it...huckleberry?
Now before you pick up your stone slow down and read on. Don't see this e-mail as a negative because frankly the man has become in one afternoon a person I will consider a friend for I believe long into the future. Upon reading his e-mail I didn't think this guy was really trying to bust my chops so much as he was seeing just trying to see where my heart lies.
I wrote him back and told him I would love to sit and have a cup of coffee with him. I wanted to hear the tale of a man who obviously has journeyed so far. No judgment just an exchange of life stories. Well yesterday I had that opportunity and experienced one of the most pleasant and interesting hours this month.
I was surprised to find out that we had similar backgrounds and experiences. We had a like mindedness regarding radical grace and the feeling that Christians after a season of "maturing" begin to miss the real meaning of Christianity. Where we differed and it breaks my heart (as my mother would say) is that I still believe in the Bible's claims of Christ even if at times I am disfranchised with the modern church. Brother Crowhas come to espouse that the Christ story is pure mythology even doubting the histrocity of Jesus.
What was so troubling was seeing a man who has become "de-converted" but is still moved by much of the story of Christ and the "proposed" Holy Spirit's interaction with man. He knows he senses something when faced with elements of the Christian faith, but has reconciled that "something" as anthropological reactions to stories of fancy and myth; much like a heart warms at the thought of Santa and his sleigh.
This is not the guy that claims atheism/agnosticism as an excuse to disengage spiritual dialog. This man has served as a pastor and at one time was second in command to one of the finest pastors and leaders in our nation. To maintain his anonymity I will say no more but was impressed by his past and present. I genuinely like this guy and hope to "convert him back from the darkside" If you're reading this BC I'm just playing with you.
That I am sure will not be the last cup of coffee shared with my new favorite agnostic.
I had one particularly challenging e-mail from an agnostic who was a pastor for 25 years.
He Writes: Jesus is your huckleberry? That is a new low! Taking "Tombstone" as your sermon idea generator? Embarrassing.
I am a local agnostic, and would love to debate your religion. Your website is flashy...but come on, is that the best you can do? Your pictures look like you are funny and fun people, but I am Crow and I see through that.
I have a high level of despite for exploitive faith communities like yours. I was a pastor once. Do you think your faith and religion can stand up to the blistering impact of a person like me? I challenge you to some debate. You up for it...huckleberry?
Now before you pick up your stone slow down and read on. Don't see this e-mail as a negative because frankly the man has become in one afternoon a person I will consider a friend for I believe long into the future. Upon reading his e-mail I didn't think this guy was really trying to bust my chops so much as he was seeing just trying to see where my heart lies.
I wrote him back and told him I would love to sit and have a cup of coffee with him. I wanted to hear the tale of a man who obviously has journeyed so far. No judgment just an exchange of life stories. Well yesterday I had that opportunity and experienced one of the most pleasant and interesting hours this month.
I was surprised to find out that we had similar backgrounds and experiences. We had a like mindedness regarding radical grace and the feeling that Christians after a season of "maturing" begin to miss the real meaning of Christianity. Where we differed and it breaks my heart (as my mother would say) is that I still believe in the Bible's claims of Christ even if at times I am disfranchised with the modern church. Brother Crowhas come to espouse that the Christ story is pure mythology even doubting the histrocity of Jesus.
What was so troubling was seeing a man who has become "de-converted" but is still moved by much of the story of Christ and the "proposed" Holy Spirit's interaction with man. He knows he senses something when faced with elements of the Christian faith, but has reconciled that "something" as anthropological reactions to stories of fancy and myth; much like a heart warms at the thought of Santa and his sleigh.
This is not the guy that claims atheism/agnosticism as an excuse to disengage spiritual dialog. This man has served as a pastor and at one time was second in command to one of the finest pastors and leaders in our nation. To maintain his anonymity I will say no more but was impressed by his past and present. I genuinely like this guy and hope to "convert him back from the darkside" If you're reading this BC I'm just playing with you.
That I am sure will not be the last cup of coffee shared with my new favorite agnostic.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
I Love Church Planters
I am on a committee for the Assemblies of God that helps lead church planters in the State of Georgia. Yesterday, along with the team, I spent the entire day interviewing prospective church planters. You have to love the passion, vision and no holds bar hearts of people purposing to reach the unchurched in their communities.
We saw everything proposed from student and family oriented churches to a church for cowboys. One churched planned to launch in a school, another a skating rink, even a barn...bet you can't guess which church that would be?
This morning I was thinking about church planting in general and the surge of church planters in the nation the past decade. I was wondering is this just the "en vogue" thing to do. It seems like every young preacher has a passion to plant a new church.
Obviously we know God is at work in this just as he was in the mass evangelism of the last century.
During the last century young men full of passion for the lost and a hunger to see people changed by God hit the evangelism trail preaching in tents, fair grounds and churches. During the 40's and 50's and with a resurgence through the 70's and 80's we saw the rise of the traveling evangelist peak. I am a product of that scene my father had a tent that would seat 175-200 people and we traveled and ministered in it all through the summers during the decade of the 80's.
I had a huge passion to reach the unchurched and hit the "evangelism trail" at the age of 20 with a ministry I dubbed "Fanning the Fire Ministries". As I look back it seemed like I was on the tail end of something that had stirred America for Christ for years. I am not saying the days of mass evangelism in America are over, but most traveling ministries I know have seen a decline in engagements. The argument goes "the churches are apathetic...they don't want to see God touch people anymore." The truth of the matter is half the time services with evangelists are a gathering of believers which isn't a bad thing. It's just not something that stirs the hearts of the preachers that God is calling into his service in the new millennium.
The young men of this generation are still fulfilling the call of evangelism they are just following a "Timothian" model (I think I just made that word up) Paul told Timothy, who was a young pastor, to do the work of an evangelist. As a church planter I am a pastor but I have the eyes,ears, hands, heart, and mind of an evangelist. I think that is true of all church planters.
Let me break this down. In a culture when spectacle was king God employed mass evangelism to reach the unchurched. It worked people would flock to the fair grounds, tent meetings, and church services. Today we receive our informational uptake through relational download. We've all heard it said "people don't care what you know until they know that you care." The modern day move of God to reach people is occurring through these pastor-slash-evangelists. Throughout the country church planters with keen eyes towards their communities and hearts towards God are leading the masses to Jesus one person at a time. The major thrust of evangelism today isn't occurring in stadiums but in communities through local churches that are purposeful in reaching the unchurched one relationship at a time.
So if you are a pastor in a community and someone is getting ready to plant a church down the street don't get discouraged welcome them to the city. Pray for them as they connect and help people connect one person at a time to a life changing experience with Jesus. If you are an evangelist don't get mad or frustrated that engagements have fallen off. Realize that God is still reaching people in America it is just in a way that is consistent with the shift in culture over the past 20 years. If you are a church planter check your motives. Be sure that you're not just doing the "en vogue" thing to do because it is the hardest thing you will ever accomplish for God. If God is genuinely calling you to plant then prepare well. Don't act like you have all the answers...because you don't. Embrace fully what God is doing in your life and do the work of an evangelist to reach and lead people to reach your community one friend, co-worker, and neighbor at a time.
We saw everything proposed from student and family oriented churches to a church for cowboys. One churched planned to launch in a school, another a skating rink, even a barn...bet you can't guess which church that would be?
This morning I was thinking about church planting in general and the surge of church planters in the nation the past decade. I was wondering is this just the "en vogue" thing to do. It seems like every young preacher has a passion to plant a new church.
Obviously we know God is at work in this just as he was in the mass evangelism of the last century.
During the last century young men full of passion for the lost and a hunger to see people changed by God hit the evangelism trail preaching in tents, fair grounds and churches. During the 40's and 50's and with a resurgence through the 70's and 80's we saw the rise of the traveling evangelist peak. I am a product of that scene my father had a tent that would seat 175-200 people and we traveled and ministered in it all through the summers during the decade of the 80's.
I had a huge passion to reach the unchurched and hit the "evangelism trail" at the age of 20 with a ministry I dubbed "Fanning the Fire Ministries". As I look back it seemed like I was on the tail end of something that had stirred America for Christ for years. I am not saying the days of mass evangelism in America are over, but most traveling ministries I know have seen a decline in engagements. The argument goes "the churches are apathetic...they don't want to see God touch people anymore." The truth of the matter is half the time services with evangelists are a gathering of believers which isn't a bad thing. It's just not something that stirs the hearts of the preachers that God is calling into his service in the new millennium.
The young men of this generation are still fulfilling the call of evangelism they are just following a "Timothian" model (I think I just made that word up) Paul told Timothy, who was a young pastor, to do the work of an evangelist. As a church planter I am a pastor but I have the eyes,ears, hands, heart, and mind of an evangelist. I think that is true of all church planters.
Let me break this down. In a culture when spectacle was king God employed mass evangelism to reach the unchurched. It worked people would flock to the fair grounds, tent meetings, and church services. Today we receive our informational uptake through relational download. We've all heard it said "people don't care what you know until they know that you care." The modern day move of God to reach people is occurring through these pastor-slash-evangelists. Throughout the country church planters with keen eyes towards their communities and hearts towards God are leading the masses to Jesus one person at a time. The major thrust of evangelism today isn't occurring in stadiums but in communities through local churches that are purposeful in reaching the unchurched one relationship at a time.
So if you are a pastor in a community and someone is getting ready to plant a church down the street don't get discouraged welcome them to the city. Pray for them as they connect and help people connect one person at a time to a life changing experience with Jesus. If you are an evangelist don't get mad or frustrated that engagements have fallen off. Realize that God is still reaching people in America it is just in a way that is consistent with the shift in culture over the past 20 years. If you are a church planter check your motives. Be sure that you're not just doing the "en vogue" thing to do because it is the hardest thing you will ever accomplish for God. If God is genuinely calling you to plant then prepare well. Don't act like you have all the answers...because you don't. Embrace fully what God is doing in your life and do the work of an evangelist to reach and lead people to reach your community one friend, co-worker, and neighbor at a time.
Friday, November 16, 2007
I can walk
I am able to walk again. I think I exercised muscles this week that haven't been used in five years. You have to go through the breaking down process to begin the building up. No pain no gain baby. I am fully committed to weight training 3 days a week and 200 plus minutes of cardio over five days. I am looking forward to getting back to myself. It's amazing how five years of being a schlep can creep up on you and then bam! you just don't feel right in your own skin.
"This is going to be fun!" or at least that's going to be my mantra over the next 70 pounds. I have already lost 20 so I am well on my way. The thought that I had 90lbs to lose really makes me sick. Things you don't control will control you. If you are allowing anything to get the best of you stop it! It's not too late to turn it around. Go for the life that God says you can have and do whatever it takes to get there. He will give you strength to do what you know you need to do.
"This is going to be fun!" or at least that's going to be my mantra over the next 70 pounds. I have already lost 20 so I am well on my way. The thought that I had 90lbs to lose really makes me sick. Things you don't control will control you. If you are allowing anything to get the best of you stop it! It's not too late to turn it around. Go for the life that God says you can have and do whatever it takes to get there. He will give you strength to do what you know you need to do.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
I can't walk!
Ok really it isn't that bad. Amie and I invited Phil & Debbie Roness to church. Debbie (ask for Debbie) just so happens to be a personal trainer. She called last week saying that she wanted to help me out and would I be willing to be trained pro bono by a pro. Yesterday the butt whoopin' began. She sent me an eating plan (not a diet but a way of life) and she is going to tell me what to do 3 times a week. I feel very accountable because this lady's time is valuable and she is offering it to me for nothing. I teased her about me being her "poster boy" ha ha. I have been doing ok on my own, but this will take it up a huge notch.
One thing i discovered is when working out with your own regimen you tend to work towards your strengths and likes. The things you don't like or feel weak at somehow just never make it to the list of exercises for the day. I never do much with lunges and other leg type exercises. Seeing how your thighs are the largest muscles in the body they are fat burning machines and should be developed. So to make a long story short I can barely walk today. Man I hurt, but I am excited about what this guru of the gym this princess of pain is going to do with my health. Thanks Debbie & Phil for your investment into my life and health. If you are looking for an excellent trainer get hooked up with Debbie.
One thing i discovered is when working out with your own regimen you tend to work towards your strengths and likes. The things you don't like or feel weak at somehow just never make it to the list of exercises for the day. I never do much with lunges and other leg type exercises. Seeing how your thighs are the largest muscles in the body they are fat burning machines and should be developed. So to make a long story short I can barely walk today. Man I hurt, but I am excited about what this guru of the gym this princess of pain is going to do with my health. Thanks Debbie & Phil for your investment into my life and health. If you are looking for an excellent trainer get hooked up with Debbie.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Sunday Remix
-Just got back with the family from hiking at Red Top Mountain. We have been careful with our water usage so has most of Cherokee County great job people last month there was a 27% decrease in usage. In our overly indulgent world that is pretty good. One trip to Red Top will convince you to conserve. The water was at least 75+ yards from the banks.
-Today went great at the embassy. We looked at taking on the outlaw of doubt (lack of trust). One of the biggest areas that we struggle when it comes to trust is in our finances. We saw that God asks us to trust Him by bringing to Him our tithe.
I hate preaching about money but today went great. I was so proud how people responded. Frankly giving was up by 60% from our average weekly amount for last month. I know you will begin to see God's faithfulness regarding His promises in Malachi 3. First week of December we'll be telling our stories about what God has done in our lives during the Wild Wild West series. I can't wait to hear your story.
-We have been ready to start on time the past few weeks. Our band and tech team are doing a great job to give us a 10:02 start. Please if you are a regular emc-er I love that you all enjoy each others company but if you would begin creating movement towards the worship theater at 10:00. We want a timely start so that we can have a timely end, but starting with 80% of the people outside of the theater doesn't lend to much energy to the beginning of the service.
I know we created this ourselves because for too long we didn't start on time. We have fixed that so for our guests' sake let's try to get in on time. Guests usually find their seat and are ready for things to begin at 10:02.
-For what it's worth....I love being the pastor of emc. Thanks for everything ya'll have done to make emc such a great community.
-Today went great at the embassy. We looked at taking on the outlaw of doubt (lack of trust). One of the biggest areas that we struggle when it comes to trust is in our finances. We saw that God asks us to trust Him by bringing to Him our tithe.
I hate preaching about money but today went great. I was so proud how people responded. Frankly giving was up by 60% from our average weekly amount for last month. I know you will begin to see God's faithfulness regarding His promises in Malachi 3. First week of December we'll be telling our stories about what God has done in our lives during the Wild Wild West series. I can't wait to hear your story.
-We have been ready to start on time the past few weeks. Our band and tech team are doing a great job to give us a 10:02 start. Please if you are a regular emc-er I love that you all enjoy each others company but if you would begin creating movement towards the worship theater at 10:00. We want a timely start so that we can have a timely end, but starting with 80% of the people outside of the theater doesn't lend to much energy to the beginning of the service.
I know we created this ourselves because for too long we didn't start on time. We have fixed that so for our guests' sake let's try to get in on time. Guests usually find their seat and are ready for things to begin at 10:02.
-For what it's worth....I love being the pastor of emc. Thanks for everything ya'll have done to make emc such a great community.
Friday, November 09, 2007
Good bye to my Twenties
If you know me you know I haven't been in my twenties for five years. So what's with the farewell now? See I spent a large part of my twenties on the back of a Honda XR400 dirt bike. It offered some of the best times and experiences of my life. Memories of friends and moments of exhilaration, triumph and tragedy will forever be etched in my mind.
Since I moved to Georgia I haven't ridden. Mainly because planting the church hasn't afforded me the extra margin for injury and frankly if you know me you know I got injured pretty often on that mechanical steed. Can't very well help with set up on a Sunday morning if I'm limping or have my arm in a sling. So I just put her away and finally this week sold her. As the Russian who bought her drove away I couldn't help but feel like I was saying good bye to my 20's. I would like to add this for the record I said good bye, but it's only a good bye for now. Someday when life is more settled I look forward to Grant and I tearing up the North Georgia Trails and to making some trips back to Wayne National Forest in Ohio with old friends. Until then I'll continue to be the gym rat that I have become here in the city. I'll always miss the 15 acre woods just down the street from my Ohio country home, but I do love not having to drive 10 minutes to get to a gas station or restaurant.
To all my friends who I experienced the woods with thanks. Here's to you Gary, Billy, Paul, Dan, Jeff, Brian, Steve, Uncle Tom, Tom H, Faith, Dave, Aaron,Mark, Don, Chad, G.G., Jason,Jeremy. I know I'm missing a bunch of others but thanks for the fun and pulling my broken carcass out of the woods on a few occasions.
Since I moved to Georgia I haven't ridden. Mainly because planting the church hasn't afforded me the extra margin for injury and frankly if you know me you know I got injured pretty often on that mechanical steed. Can't very well help with set up on a Sunday morning if I'm limping or have my arm in a sling. So I just put her away and finally this week sold her. As the Russian who bought her drove away I couldn't help but feel like I was saying good bye to my 20's. I would like to add this for the record I said good bye, but it's only a good bye for now. Someday when life is more settled I look forward to Grant and I tearing up the North Georgia Trails and to making some trips back to Wayne National Forest in Ohio with old friends. Until then I'll continue to be the gym rat that I have become here in the city. I'll always miss the 15 acre woods just down the street from my Ohio country home, but I do love not having to drive 10 minutes to get to a gas station or restaurant.
To all my friends who I experienced the woods with thanks. Here's to you Gary, Billy, Paul, Dan, Jeff, Brian, Steve, Uncle Tom, Tom H, Faith, Dave, Aaron,Mark, Don, Chad, G.G., Jason,Jeremy. I know I'm missing a bunch of others but thanks for the fun and pulling my broken carcass out of the woods on a few occasions.
Thursday, November 08, 2007
www.JesusIsYourHuckleberry.com
www.JesusIsYourHuckleberry.com is making a bit of a stir. We have received negative and positive responses from the signs. Either way they have started some conversations and that's what it's all about.
I got a call today from an artisan who creates forged art out of metal. For Christmas they usually make a western ornament that can be hung on a tree. Well he wants to make the ornaments this year with Jesus is your huckleberry on them. He said the a portion of the proceeds he'll send to the church. Too cool. Who would have thought a dude in Wyoming would be making "Jesus Is Your Huckleberry" ornaments for Christmas this year.
He said we need to copyright it because there's a market for it up his way and that they would definitely be conversation starters. Could you imaging JIYH t-shirts ha ha I'm laughing now because I know my aversion to Christian T-shirts and marketed items.
Would there be a market for JIYH coffee mug or wall calendar with your favorite Bible characters dressed in Western apparel. I know.....maybe a JIYH spittoon would be a hit.
OK to be honest if it started a conversation about Jesus in a positive way that would be cool. It would be a heck of a lot better than a "You think it's Hot here" t-shirt or a "get right or get left" hat. Well I need to stop blogging for I now...I have to find out how do you get something trade marked. :)
I got a call today from an artisan who creates forged art out of metal. For Christmas they usually make a western ornament that can be hung on a tree. Well he wants to make the ornaments this year with Jesus is your huckleberry on them. He said the a portion of the proceeds he'll send to the church. Too cool. Who would have thought a dude in Wyoming would be making "Jesus Is Your Huckleberry" ornaments for Christmas this year.
He said we need to copyright it because there's a market for it up his way and that they would definitely be conversation starters. Could you imaging JIYH t-shirts ha ha I'm laughing now because I know my aversion to Christian T-shirts and marketed items.
Would there be a market for JIYH coffee mug or wall calendar with your favorite Bible characters dressed in Western apparel. I know.....maybe a JIYH spittoon would be a hit.
OK to be honest if it started a conversation about Jesus in a positive way that would be cool. It would be a heck of a lot better than a "You think it's Hot here" t-shirt or a "get right or get left" hat. Well I need to stop blogging for I now...I have to find out how do you get something trade marked. :)
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Sunday Remix
-The launch of the Wild Wild West Series seemed to be a little flat, but I think the majority of that was just in my head.
-I felt like my head was in a fog the whole day. Thank God when we're in a fog He still sees clearly. God really use the day to stir people to embrace adventurous faith in God and God's plan for our lives.
-We didn't have anything in the foyer showing that we were doing a Wild West Series. I think this brought an awkwardness for guests because our pre-service music included some old western songs from movies and for some reason Hank Williams "And we'll go Honky Tonkin' Honkey Tonkin" got in the mix. I could see on the face of one guest not familiar "with our ways" (sinister laugh) that she just wasn't quite sure what she got herself into. By the end of the day she was lovin' it.
-I presented the thought that our heart is a Wild Wild West that God desires to win, but if that's going to happen then we will have to deal with some outlaws. Over the next three weeks we will look at three different outlaws that keep us from experiencing great adventures and discoveries in our faith.
If the west was to be one then: #1 The law had to be laid down. every town needs a sheriff. Dodge City had Bat Masterson. Tombstone had Wyatt Earp, and we has Christ followers have God's word both written and etched into our hearts by His Spirit.
#2 If the west was to be won then the outlaws had to be dealt with. Every outlaw needs a high noon. Jesse and Frank James, the Dalton gang all were dealt with so that the west could be one. There are outlaws in our life that need a high noon. They need brought into the light and dealt with. Outlaws like doubt, fear, envy, whatever threatens to stake claim to your territory, treasure, or testimony.
#3 While conquering the west always remember that a man alone was a dead man. Every cowboy needs a posse. We encourage people to get into small groups over the next five weeks as we look at conquering the Wild Wild West in our lives. This was we can see God bring us into new experiences, discoveries, and adventures with Him.
-When I recapped the every's of the sermon: every town needs a sherif, every outlaw needs a high noon and every cowboy needs a posse; it popped into my head the old song from Poison "Every Rose"
It was hilarious hearing everybody sing "every rose has it's thorn, just like every night has it's dawn, every cowboy sings a sad sad song.... every rose has it's thorns." I love emc!!!
-After service we did a Journey Group Connect so people could get linked with a group for the next 5 weeks.
-Finished the night with a group of leaders at our house having our final and fourth week in Discipleship for Leadership. Those who were able to make it, it was a great time spent with you all I am so thankful that God has all of us in this journey together. Let's take 1000's with us over the decades to come!!!
Monday, November 05, 2007
Trying out Ecto
Ecto is a product that let's you blog off line and will load it to your blog when you get internet access. So is this thing working or not?
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Kid's Fest 2007
Everyone who helped to make Kid's Fest an amazing event thanks!!! You guys were great. I know the kids loved it and you really impacted our city officials and workers who organized the event. Thanks emc for embracing this event so fully and for reaching over 400 kids not including parents and grandparents with the love and acceptance of Christ.
Frankly how could you ban a night like that and say, "we couldn't be a part of the city's Halloween event because we are Christians." Yes we are and last night 1800 people got to see a whole crew of Christ followers shining the light of Jesus brighter than any Jack-O-Latern.
By the way my son made a personal decision to follow Christ this week!!!! No it wasn't at a Christmas Cantata, Easter play, or even Sunday School (I like all three don't get me wrong)It's just Grant came to Jesus as the family was carving, God forbid, pumpkins on Tuesday night. See every year we talk about the junk inside us that Christ cleans out when Jesus (like a candle) comes in to shine His light in and out of our lives. Well this year that clicked with Grant's little and can I add sin filled heart. I know he's five, but I can assure you sin is resident within him as well (pay back for me when I was his age). He asked if Jesus could do that to his heart and a few moments later prayed to receive Christ into his life!!! Too Cool!
Frankly how could you ban a night like that and say, "we couldn't be a part of the city's Halloween event because we are Christians." Yes we are and last night 1800 people got to see a whole crew of Christ followers shining the light of Jesus brighter than any Jack-O-Latern.
By the way my son made a personal decision to follow Christ this week!!!! No it wasn't at a Christmas Cantata, Easter play, or even Sunday School (I like all three don't get me wrong)It's just Grant came to Jesus as the family was carving, God forbid, pumpkins on Tuesday night. See every year we talk about the junk inside us that Christ cleans out when Jesus (like a candle) comes in to shine His light in and out of our lives. Well this year that clicked with Grant's little and can I add sin filled heart. I know he's five, but I can assure you sin is resident within him as well (pay back for me when I was his age). He asked if Jesus could do that to his heart and a few moments later prayed to receive Christ into his life!!! Too Cool!
Great Email
This is an excerpt from an emc-er's e-mail who came to Christ a few months ago. If you find yourself locked into skepticism, but still feeling like you are missing something...check this guys story out:
It's amazing how opposite everything is from what I thought it was. I had it all figured out for years. I would watch TV and it would confirm everything I knew to be true about the fallacies of Christianity. Secular and Atheistic philosophy seeks to strengthen the resolve of people like me. It was so important to me to not believe. Skepticism became absolute truth and it all made sense. It was just fine to indulge in logical and rational secularism - there are no consequences - Hell? Yeah, right.
Why then was I facing every negative consequence that has ever been faced? If I had it completely figured out, why couldn't I just live it? Because everything turned out to be opposite. The logical was shown to be illogical. Rationality was irrational. Objectivism was actually close-mindedness.
The truth is that Christianity requires an open mind. Why then are Christians portrayed as close-minded robots? The truth is that Christianity requires logic, i.e. if it's a bunch of worthless bunk, then why the non-stop offensive against it? Logically, because it's true. The truth is that Christianity is everything THEY say it's not. And it's NOT everything they say it is.
I pride myself on not being easily swayed (36 years to make the decision). But how EASILY I accepted all the world's lies - to the point of being just another confused idiot running around preaching elitist secularism and impressing myself with how great I sounded. I felt so pleased with myself for being a true non-conformist, never realizing that the non-conformist is the one who goes AGAINST the world's lies, not the one who buys into them.
So there you have it.
It's amazing how opposite everything is from what I thought it was. I had it all figured out for years. I would watch TV and it would confirm everything I knew to be true about the fallacies of Christianity. Secular and Atheistic philosophy seeks to strengthen the resolve of people like me. It was so important to me to not believe. Skepticism became absolute truth and it all made sense. It was just fine to indulge in logical and rational secularism - there are no consequences - Hell? Yeah, right.
Why then was I facing every negative consequence that has ever been faced? If I had it completely figured out, why couldn't I just live it? Because everything turned out to be opposite. The logical was shown to be illogical. Rationality was irrational. Objectivism was actually close-mindedness.
The truth is that Christianity requires an open mind. Why then are Christians portrayed as close-minded robots? The truth is that Christianity requires logic, i.e. if it's a bunch of worthless bunk, then why the non-stop offensive against it? Logically, because it's true. The truth is that Christianity is everything THEY say it's not. And it's NOT everything they say it is.
I pride myself on not being easily swayed (36 years to make the decision). But how EASILY I accepted all the world's lies - to the point of being just another confused idiot running around preaching elitist secularism and impressing myself with how great I sounded. I felt so pleased with myself for being a true non-conformist, never realizing that the non-conformist is the one who goes AGAINST the world's lies, not the one who buys into them.
So there you have it.
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