Here are two links to articles that ran in the weekend paper of the Post-Bulletin Saturday, Jan, 16th, 2010. Praise God for 2 1/2 pages of press and a great write up.
Thanks Matt Russel and the PB team.
http://www.postbulletin.com/newsmanager/templates/localnews_story.asp?z=2&a=434081
http://www.postbulletin.com/newsmanager/templates/localnews_story.asp?z=31&a=434086
If you want to donate financially to help this dream come alive.... go to this link.
Your tax free donation will make a radical difference in the life of a city and thousands of people.
http://www.razoo.com/story/Journey-Church-Of-Rochester-Minnesota
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Saturday, January 09, 2010
Words
Sometimes it amazes me how powerful words can be.
Powerful in both a positive and negative way.
For most of my life I have made living with words. As a professional broadcaster, youth leader and the last several years as a pastor/ teacher/ leader.
Words often paint pictures, help people connect, cast vision, and bring about emotional responses. Words can inspire, irritate and hurt people... no matter if you meant to or not.
"Sticks and stones may break your bones, but words can never hurt you" is a an out right lie. Words are powerful, can do great damage, and often can cost you a lot.
But what bothers mean the most about words is... when you think you are trying your best to communicate and yet your words confuse people. The wrong, or unintentional word picture gets created, comes across and things spin out of control. It's at these times that the emotional response inflames things faster than a forest fire on a windy day. When these times happen, the confusion of words and intentions creates crazy responses from people. I have been both the confused crazy one and the confused communicator many times. We all have.
Jesus was an amazing communicator... yet so many were confused by what he was really trying to say. Many responded "crazy" because of how they heard and interrupted his words. Ultimately Jesus words became a threat to others that were also trying to teach and communicate. A war of words grew and grew.
Yet, as amazing as a communicator as Jesus was, I don't believe it was his words that really spoke the loudest.
IT WAS HIS ACTIONS BEHIND, BEYOND THE WORDS THAT SPOKE VOLUMES.
Action clarifies intentions, dreams, and plans.
Where words confuse and confound.... action adds definition.
So if my words every confuse, confound or even get you angry. I hope and pray that my actions, intentions and heart speak volumes more than my choice of words.
You see it's not if I will miss-speak or be miss-heard, but rather how often will it happen and what will happen because of it.
Powerful in both a positive and negative way.
For most of my life I have made living with words. As a professional broadcaster, youth leader and the last several years as a pastor/ teacher/ leader.
Words often paint pictures, help people connect, cast vision, and bring about emotional responses. Words can inspire, irritate and hurt people... no matter if you meant to or not.
"Sticks and stones may break your bones, but words can never hurt you" is a an out right lie. Words are powerful, can do great damage, and often can cost you a lot.
But what bothers mean the most about words is... when you think you are trying your best to communicate and yet your words confuse people. The wrong, or unintentional word picture gets created, comes across and things spin out of control. It's at these times that the emotional response inflames things faster than a forest fire on a windy day. When these times happen, the confusion of words and intentions creates crazy responses from people. I have been both the confused crazy one and the confused communicator many times. We all have.
Jesus was an amazing communicator... yet so many were confused by what he was really trying to say. Many responded "crazy" because of how they heard and interrupted his words. Ultimately Jesus words became a threat to others that were also trying to teach and communicate. A war of words grew and grew.
Yet, as amazing as a communicator as Jesus was, I don't believe it was his words that really spoke the loudest.
IT WAS HIS ACTIONS BEHIND, BEYOND THE WORDS THAT SPOKE VOLUMES.
Action clarifies intentions, dreams, and plans.
Where words confuse and confound.... action adds definition.
So if my words every confuse, confound or even get you angry. I hope and pray that my actions, intentions and heart speak volumes more than my choice of words.
You see it's not if I will miss-speak or be miss-heard, but rather how often will it happen and what will happen because of it.
Wednesday, January 06, 2010
Zoning and Planning Appeals Board
Tonight we make our appeal to the county Zoning and Planning Board on our proposed Outreach Center location. Parking has been the last remaining giant that needs fall and clear the way for our long standing dream. We have done all that can humanly do.
Now it sits in the hands of God, the appeals board and the neighborhood.
Will they catch the vision and see how it will be a positive light for a neighborhood that desires to shine better for our city and region?
Will they see and hear the love we have for our city?
Will they understand that this bigger than one church?
God has lead us at lighting speed and has cleared so many paths. Almost daily over the last month I have, or others on our taskforce have received e-mails, phonecalls of people wanting to volunteer, donate and help. It has been amazing to see God go before us.
Tonight is a big night!
Will it be the giant that becomes bigger than we thought? Or will it be just another in a long line that falls, and shows more of God's glory and power?
I am confident that this giant will fall with a loud thud, which is followed by a big cheer towards the heavens for God. I invite you to pray and listen with us.
It's a big night, but we follow and serve a BIG GOD. THE GOD OF GIANT KILLERS!
Now it sits in the hands of God, the appeals board and the neighborhood.
Will they catch the vision and see how it will be a positive light for a neighborhood that desires to shine better for our city and region?
Will they see and hear the love we have for our city?
Will they understand that this bigger than one church?
God has lead us at lighting speed and has cleared so many paths. Almost daily over the last month I have, or others on our taskforce have received e-mails, phonecalls of people wanting to volunteer, donate and help. It has been amazing to see God go before us.
Tonight is a big night!
Will it be the giant that becomes bigger than we thought? Or will it be just another in a long line that falls, and shows more of God's glory and power?
I am confident that this giant will fall with a loud thud, which is followed by a big cheer towards the heavens for God. I invite you to pray and listen with us.
It's a big night, but we follow and serve a BIG GOD. THE GOD OF GIANT KILLERS!
Monday, January 04, 2010
It's the end of the world... and I feel fine!
Christmas is over.
Once again we have prepared and explored the first coming of the Messiah.
The First Advent was all about God living a perfect, spotless life, revealing his deep love for us, and willing sacrificing Himself for us.
But before we move too fast, let’s stop and explore the second coming of God.
We live as the people of the Israel lived before Jesus was born. We live in the gap, between his first arrival and his return. But will we be caught by surprise, just as they were when Christ returns?
We are starting a new series this exploring the book of Revelation.
A book that deals with some mysterious and disturbing stuff. But over all it focuses on the second advent. Jesus ultimate return as KING JESUS.
Where you really explore the book of revelation, there is lots of hope.
We get glimpse of eternity with God.
That’s powerful stuff.
Yet most of us are afraid when we hear words like “end times”, “tribulation” and apocalypse. So as we start this series of hope I’m curious as to what your thoughts, fears and questions are regarding Revelations and Jesus return.
In order to make this series as practical as possible I want to search for the answers in light of the most common questions that we may have. Any questions, thoughts, fears.... let’s hear them now.
But remember, this is not a series to add to your fears but to bring HOPE to all.
Re-read Revelation 1:3 over and over again.
Remember that God promises us a blessing if we read, study and share what is recorded in John’s vision from Christ Jesus.
Are you excited about the second coming of Christ? or are you afraid?
The First Advent was all about God living a perfect, spotless life, revealing his deep love for us, and willing sacrificing Himself for us.
But before we move too fast, let’s stop and explore the second coming of God.
We live as the people of the Israel lived before Jesus was born. We live in the gap, between his first arrival and his return. But will we be caught by surprise, just as they were when Christ returns?
We are starting a new series this exploring the book of Revelation.
A book that deals with some mysterious and disturbing stuff. But over all it focuses on the second advent. Jesus ultimate return as KING JESUS.
Where you really explore the book of revelation, there is lots of hope.
We get glimpse of eternity with God.
That’s powerful stuff.
Yet most of us are afraid when we hear words like “end times”, “tribulation” and apocalypse. So as we start this series of hope I’m curious as to what your thoughts, fears and questions are regarding Revelations and Jesus return.
In order to make this series as practical as possible I want to search for the answers in light of the most common questions that we may have. Any questions, thoughts, fears.... let’s hear them now.
But remember, this is not a series to add to your fears but to bring HOPE to all.
Re-read Revelation 1:3 over and over again.
Remember that God promises us a blessing if we read, study and share what is recorded in John’s vision from Christ Jesus.
Are you excited about the second coming of Christ? or are you afraid?
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