Monday, May 02, 2011
Weather
Just another normal "spring" day in MN. I can't believe that we are once again into May and still having 35 degree days. It's no joke, we really do from winter to summer in MN. The other two seasons of the year are "GREY"
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
New Believers Group
Often we have so many questions about what it means to be a "Christian". Or maybe we have heard so many ideas about who God is that we have no idea what to really believe.
Well I am really excited that tonight, Cyndi and I have the chance to have a small group in our home just for those people that are new to Jesus. Or new to the idea of really following God.
BASIC is a video teaching series featuring Pastor Francis Chan that we will be using as a jumping off point. Each 8-10 minute video will help to get our hearts and minds thinking. My hope is that as we go through this series, we'll all have a greater understanding of the basic foundational concepts and teachings of who God is, what does it mean to follow Jesus, and how to really let the Holy Spirit guide our live.
It's exciting to know others are hungry for the truth, and they have intentionally set time aside to grow in wisdom and understanding. The time of the video series is BASIC, I believe that there is noting basic or simple that will come of this time together. Rather I hope and prayer that the amazing happens each week in our lives.
If you want to join us, let us know. 507-281-1420
or come to our home at 1114 West Center St., Rochester, MN
Well I am really excited that tonight, Cyndi and I have the chance to have a small group in our home just for those people that are new to Jesus. Or new to the idea of really following God.
BASIC is a video teaching series featuring Pastor Francis Chan that we will be using as a jumping off point. Each 8-10 minute video will help to get our hearts and minds thinking. My hope is that as we go through this series, we'll all have a greater understanding of the basic foundational concepts and teachings of who God is, what does it mean to follow Jesus, and how to really let the Holy Spirit guide our live.
It's exciting to know others are hungry for the truth, and they have intentionally set time aside to grow in wisdom and understanding. The time of the video series is BASIC, I believe that there is noting basic or simple that will come of this time together. Rather I hope and prayer that the amazing happens each week in our lives.
If you want to join us, let us know. 507-281-1420
or come to our home at 1114 West Center St., Rochester, MN
Monday, April 18, 2011
Lazy Day
Took Sarah to the doctors today. Found out that too much dancing, running, jumping can be hard on a growing kids feet. Now she is a in sexy looking wrap for two or three weeks. The doctors medicine... "Take it easy, not any dancing for a week or so"
Yeah, right that will happen.
Other than that.... I simply rested my day away, after a great Sunday. It really felt good all the way around this weekend, but man was I a lazy man today.
Yeah, right that will happen.
Other than that.... I simply rested my day away, after a great Sunday. It really felt good all the way around this weekend, but man was I a lazy man today.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Yet another
Praise to God for yet another person seeking, asking and find her freedom in the truth of Jesus Christ today. Not only another new committed follower, but another chance to disciple a newer follower of Christ in listening, sharing and helping another cross over the faith line.
Now May 8th we'll have at least 3 people getting baptized!
God is on the move and great and mighty days. Oh for the days of acts Chapter 2 when, "God added to their numbers daily those that were being saved".
It's not daily yet... but it is growing to be a more and more regular thing.
Please Holy Spirit don't stop now! We want more and more to know Jesus as Lord and Savior. More For Freedom in Christ!
Now May 8th we'll have at least 3 people getting baptized!
God is on the move and great and mighty days. Oh for the days of acts Chapter 2 when, "God added to their numbers daily those that were being saved".
It's not daily yet... but it is growing to be a more and more regular thing.
Please Holy Spirit don't stop now! We want more and more to know Jesus as Lord and Savior. More For Freedom in Christ!
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
My tax day
I used to be one of those early tax guys. Everything was nice and in order and ready to go after the first of the year. Not anymore. It's not really that my taxes require that much work, it's just that my days fill up more unexpectedly. That's one part about being a pastor, I never know what my day will really be like, the adventure person within me likes that. But then it takes away from the nice and orderly system I used to have in my life, like tax prep.
Honestly, I also just don't care as much about getting them done. It's not really a bad attitude as much as it's, I just know it will get done, because it has to get done each year. So why rush it.
I am thankful to have a great tax accountant that has served me and my family very well for many years. I do not know what I will do when calls her home.
Today is the day, I have it all ready, the time is carved out and then we'll get to see if we get any money back to reinvest in our family, life and ministry.
At least I got in done before the real due date!
Honestly, I also just don't care as much about getting them done. It's not really a bad attitude as much as it's, I just know it will get done, because it has to get done each year. So why rush it.
I am thankful to have a great tax accountant that has served me and my family very well for many years. I do not know what I will do when calls her home.
Today is the day, I have it all ready, the time is carved out and then we'll get to see if we get any money back to reinvest in our family, life and ministry.
At least I got in done before the real due date!
Monday, April 11, 2011
Deeper into addiction
This morning I went deeper into the world o addiction.
In fact over the course of the last five days I have gone deeper and deeper into the addictive world... and man is it great!
Now let share why this is so great.
Earlier this year our leadership team agreed with my feelings that God wanted us to press in even deeper into the recovery and addiction ministry area. Over half of the people that attend Journey each month are opening struggling with some form of addiction.
Over the years we have seen God do some amazing things in these peoples live.
They are often the modern day, "lame, sick, blind" that Jesus touched and reached so well. Our passion to see God work powerfully had lead us to want to see the most broken of people fully healed and restored.
So decided to be even more intentional about reaching, loving and serving these people whom God cares deeply about. The week after we shared this at our annual vision night, we saw a new wave of addictive, hurting and searching people come in our doors....and that wave has no stopped since.
Sunday I was in a different mens recovery / re-entry house and this morning I was invited to visit the Gables Recovery House (For women). Each place wanted to hear about our outreach / coffee house called Uturn, and the Gables has asked me to come semi-regular (rotating basis) on Fridays and talk, listen, help give spiritual advice to these ladies in recovery.
It is amazing how we heard God leading us more this way, how we intentionally responded and now how he has added, and added to this already. We did not go seeking these new connections, they came to us.
Add to all this, on Thursday of this past week a women in recovery meet with me and another lady and she gave her life to Jesus! God has clearly called us to step out and reach these people in recovery. We are reaching them on their terms, in their comfort zone, at church, at recovery meetings and one-on-one settings.
To reach the lost, hurting and broken... we must intentionally be looking for ways to meet up with them and hear their stories. I can see that we are doing that better and better each day, and God is taking us deeper and deeper into this unique area of ministry.
God confirmed how much of an impact we are already having in this new wave of people.
One young lady was proudly wearing the Uturn T-shirt that she bought this Sunday at Journey. The staff at the Gables stated, "They had no idea that you were coming today".
To save a life, you must go to wear people are dying.
I look for and expect God to continue to do even more amazing things as we go deeper into addiction.
In fact over the course of the last five days I have gone deeper and deeper into the addictive world... and man is it great!
Now let share why this is so great.
Earlier this year our leadership team agreed with my feelings that God wanted us to press in even deeper into the recovery and addiction ministry area. Over half of the people that attend Journey each month are opening struggling with some form of addiction.
Over the years we have seen God do some amazing things in these peoples live.
They are often the modern day, "lame, sick, blind" that Jesus touched and reached so well. Our passion to see God work powerfully had lead us to want to see the most broken of people fully healed and restored.
So decided to be even more intentional about reaching, loving and serving these people whom God cares deeply about. The week after we shared this at our annual vision night, we saw a new wave of addictive, hurting and searching people come in our doors....and that wave has no stopped since.
Sunday I was in a different mens recovery / re-entry house and this morning I was invited to visit the Gables Recovery House (For women). Each place wanted to hear about our outreach / coffee house called Uturn, and the Gables has asked me to come semi-regular (rotating basis) on Fridays and talk, listen, help give spiritual advice to these ladies in recovery.
It is amazing how we heard God leading us more this way, how we intentionally responded and now how he has added, and added to this already. We did not go seeking these new connections, they came to us.
Add to all this, on Thursday of this past week a women in recovery meet with me and another lady and she gave her life to Jesus! God has clearly called us to step out and reach these people in recovery. We are reaching them on their terms, in their comfort zone, at church, at recovery meetings and one-on-one settings.
To reach the lost, hurting and broken... we must intentionally be looking for ways to meet up with them and hear their stories. I can see that we are doing that better and better each day, and God is taking us deeper and deeper into this unique area of ministry.
God confirmed how much of an impact we are already having in this new wave of people.
One young lady was proudly wearing the Uturn T-shirt that she bought this Sunday at Journey. The staff at the Gables stated, "They had no idea that you were coming today".
To save a life, you must go to wear people are dying.
I look for and expect God to continue to do even more amazing things as we go deeper into addiction.
Wednesday, April 06, 2011
Recovery Ministry
It is amazing to see how God is growing Journey's recovery ministries both formerly and informally. There are lots of newcomers attending Journey on Sundays and many are trying to break free from some addiction, or really unhealthy behavior. These that are coming in are truly hungry, thirsty and dying to hear about the love of God through Jesus.
But another amazing thing that is happening is that many of these same recovery people are already ministering and serving others. I am not talking small stuff here, rather deep Holy Spirit, power of God stuff! Last night at group, yet another individual stopped and spoke words of life, encouragement and insight that brought tears of joy and freedom to another. The words were not of their own prior knowledge or insights, but the Holy Spirits! Each week I see men and women, in recovery praying together of their own free will. Not pastor or group led.... just one-on-one natural pray time because of love for one another and God's Spirit speaking in hearts way beyond any teaching or words that I may share.
There is something truly special happening at our Freedom For Life and Women Sober Support groups. I pray we simply stay out of the way and continue to follow the Spirit's leading. What is happening is not scripted or planned, but it is fun to be a part of!
But another amazing thing that is happening is that many of these same recovery people are already ministering and serving others. I am not talking small stuff here, rather deep Holy Spirit, power of God stuff! Last night at group, yet another individual stopped and spoke words of life, encouragement and insight that brought tears of joy and freedom to another. The words were not of their own prior knowledge or insights, but the Holy Spirits! Each week I see men and women, in recovery praying together of their own free will. Not pastor or group led.... just one-on-one natural pray time because of love for one another and God's Spirit speaking in hearts way beyond any teaching or words that I may share.
There is something truly special happening at our Freedom For Life and Women Sober Support groups. I pray we simply stay out of the way and continue to follow the Spirit's leading. What is happening is not scripted or planned, but it is fun to be a part of!
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