Travis Warren

Quarry Grad!

2009-06-26T10:44:00.000-07:00

Tonight, 7pm, worship center, be there!

We have some incredible young people who are running across the finish line of The Quarry. They deserve for us to honor them with our presence. See you there!

Then God said... And that is what happened

2009-05-14T19:19:00.000-07:00

In Genesis chapter 1 we find the story of creation. In the New Living Translation you see a reoccurring theme: "Then God said... And that is what happened." Since the beginning of creation God has been saying things and then they have happened.

Too often we let circumstances determine what we believe. If all of creation obeyed and was created by what God said, then why not believe him at His word? I know for me, circumstances and life distort my perception of what God said and I begin to "look" instead of live. 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV) says, "we live by faith not by sight." When we "look" instead of live by faith we forget what God has said and this creates tremendous fear of our current situation.

God said: "I will supply all your need." Philippians 4:19
God said: "By my stripes you are healed." Isaiah 53:5
God said: "I did not spare my own Son, so wont I give you everything else? Romans 8:32
God said: "Ask and it will be given to you." Matt 7:7
God said: "If you lack wisdom ask me and I'll give it to you." James 1:5
God said: "The righteous will not be forsaken, nor will their children beg for bread." Psalm 37:25
God said: "I have not given you a spirit of fear, but one of power, love and a sound mind. 2 Tim 1:7

What has God said to you lately? For your life, "then God said," that is what will happen. I'm getting my eyes off of my circumstances and life and getting my believe on the word of God. God has said he will take care of me and my family, therefore that is what will happen.

Take a moment today to consider your current state. Are you "looking" or living by faith? Has what God said become distorted in your life? Are you fearful of your current situation? Are your eyes telling you something different than what your heart knows to be the truth?

If your answers are contrary to faith, take a moment to pray this prayer.

"Father, forgive me for letting my circumstances dictate what I believe. I know that your Word is the truth. I believe that what you have said for my life will happen. Strengthen me to fight for my faith today. Give me peace to walk through this temporary situation. In Jesus name I pray, AMEN!"

Now go live by faith and not by sight!

U2's Top 10 list on Letterman

2009-03-06T14:04:00.001-08:00

Here's a pretty funny video to check out...

9 Things I don't have time for... Those unwilling to change

2009-03-05T10:57:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite things to do in this life is help people. I love it when God uses me to bring a piece of wisdom that changes someones life. In fact I'd drop almost anything to help someone that wants to change. If they have the desire I will do whatever is necessary to see them change and overcome.

The one thing I don't have time for is those that are unwilling to change. Every once and awhile someone will cross my path that knows all the right words to say, the emotions to show and is really only playing a game. They don't want to change, they just want to take up my time and I don't have time for it.

I love these people, pray for them and want to help them, but I don't have time for them because there are tons of others who want to change and could use my help. When I'm with someone who doesn't want change it steals from someone who does.

Make sure you are helping those who want to change. Love and pray for the ones who don't want change, but don't spend a lot of time with them. Go to those who really want change and connect them to Life.

How to tell if someone wants change:

They ask for it - People who come to you and ask for help to change are serious, as long as the demonstrate the other points. Someone may say, "I need to talk to you," or "Will you please talk to so and so." This may or may not mean they want change. In the first few minutes of the conversation ask them simply, would you like to change? If it's a yes, move forward, if it's a no, end the conversation politely and pray for that person.
They mention it - They may come to you and ask to talk, but someone who wants change will mention what they are going through and how they want to change. They will say things like. "I'm so tired of..., I can't stand it any more...," They will make statements that imply a desire to change. It's in their conversation, they mention it.
They demonstrate it - People who want to change show a willingness to do so by demonstrating change in their life. This doesn't mean they will be perfect, but they make an effort to change. It is demonstrated by their actions.
They pay for it - And I don't mean financially. When it gets really tough, they keep on pushing. When they feel like they can't make it they pay the price to continue. They give up things and they make decisions that cost them. Hard decisions that bring real change. People who want change pay the price of quality decisions to get change.

What you need to know about Texting...

2009-03-04T15:54:00.001-08:00

Texting is a totally different language with rules that break down the grammatical standards our teachers tried so hard to uphold. It’s because of this that I want to give you some common words and meanings and the proper texting etiquette.

T9 or not T9 that is the question?
Have you ever wondered how someone was able to text you back so quickly when it takes you forever to send out a simple: “how are you?” Well they either have a full QWERTY Keyboard (like a computer keyboard) or they are using T9. T9 is recognition software that most phones have that allows you to text faster. If you are not using it ask someone who is text savvy to set it up for you and show you the ropes. It will change your texting life!

Common Text Vernacular:

• LOL – laugh out loud
• U – you
• R – are
• Ur – Your
• Bout – about
• Gonna – going to
• Doin – doing
• Wats – what’s
• L8 – late used to say good-bye.
• TTYL – talk to you later
• Luv – love
• Ya – you
• Y? – Why
• 2 – to
• nm – not much
• Nbd – no big deal
• Np – no problem
• :-) , :-(, ;-) – smile, frown, wink
• K – ok
• Yup, ya – yes
• Kewl – cool
• B – be
• Sry – Sorry
• Sorta – sort of
• Kno – know
• 4 – for
• coupla – couple of
• ova – over
• BRB – be right back
• CUL – see you later
• C – see
• I <3 style="font-weight: bold;">Text etiquette or Textiquette

While there is no uniform code of ethics and etiquette for texting as someone who text’s so much I may need to wear a wrist brace for tendinitis I have come up with some personal guidelines to follow.

Beginning a textversation

Before you text figure out the purpose for the textversation. Are you asking a question, just chatting, do you need prayer? This will determine your approach.

When you want to text someone there are different protocols to follow. Use the same salutations that you would use in your verbal conversation. If you are close to someone you don’t always have to ask how he or she are doing. While it is polite it is not necessary, you can jump right to the point.

If it’s someone you are not very close to you should ask how they are doing, textversate for awhile they ask your question or chit chat.

If it’s the first time you are texting this person you should let them know who it is and proceed from there.

Replies

When you receive a text depending on the content they should be replied to as soon as possible. Now there are days where I do not return non-time sensitive texts for several hours because of my current situation, but they should be replied to.

If it’s time sensitive then the text should be replied to be for the time expires.

As soon as you reply you are saying I am available to engage in a textversation, so be ready to text back and forth until the conversation is over. Just like on the phone you don’t answer a question and then no respond to follow up questions or chitchat.

Keep reply’s brief using shorthand to communicate quickly.

Ending the Textversation

Always end the textversation with closure. A thank you if they answered your question and a goodbye, ttyl, cul, l8, luv ya or something that is appropriate lets you and the other party know this conversation is officially over and neither should expect a reply.

Plz add ur comments on what u kno bout texting. If you'd say idk n e thing bout texting let me know if this waz helpful.

9 Things I don't have time for... Prejudice

2009-03-03T15:54:00.000-08:00

I checked out what the official definition of prejudice is and here is what Dictionary.com had to say for it:

An unfavorable opinion or feeling formed beforehand or without knowledge, thought, or reason.
Any preconceived opinion or feeling, either favorable or unfavorable.
Unreasonable feelings, opinions, or attitudes, esp. of a hostile nature, regarding a racial, religious, or national group.

When we think about prejudice we often think about bullet point number three. Obviously I don't have time for that stuff. That is detrimental to human society as a whole and in Christ (Gal 3:28) there is neither Jew nor Greek (racial and national prejudice), nor male or female (Gender prejudice).

I'm talking about a more sutle and often accepted form of prejudice. The kind of prejudice where we look at someone and by what we see we have a preconceived opinion about them either positive or negative.

For instance, someone walks into the church dressed in the best clothes money could buy and instantly we think, "wow, they've got it together. I want to meet them." Or someone walks in and they appear to be wearing clothes that have never been washed and we think, "Oh God, please don't let them sit by me."

Prejudice. Deciding who we will reach out to, sit by, talk with without know at all the content of that persons character and heart, or the situation they find themselves in. Prejudice can drive people out of the church faster than anything else.

I don't have time for it. Every person who walks across our path can benefit from the love that is within us. I don't have time for it so apply the following in my interaction with people.

Look - I don't look at someone and see Armani or Value Village. When I look at other people I see a person who is loved by, made by and paid for the same God who loved me, made me and paid for me through his death. Even though we are preprogrammed to judge by appearance fight it and look the way God looks. QUESTIONS: How do you look at people? Do you formulate and opinion and move forward or do you recognize the value in each person God has made?
Love - Love does not see with natural eyes, but rather the eyes of a God who died for us. Love fights the natural urges to judge by appearance, hygiene and attitude. Love pushes past it all, breaks down the walls and cares about others. Love conquers prejudice. QUESTIONS: Who do you love? Do you love the person standing on the side of the road asking for a hand out like God loves you? Would you be willing to lay down your life for them?
Listen - In listening you may find you have more or less in common with that person you had a preconceived opinion about. You may be the answer that person has been looking for. You may have the tools and skills they need for success. You may be the one who brings freedom to their life. Listen to them. They may be more broken or whole than they appear.

Prejudice - Unfair and unsubstantiated opinions about someone based on something external. I'm interested on what's happening inside of someone not how they look. I don't have time for prejudice and neither should you!

9 Things I don't have time for... Indifference

2009-02-25T10:26:00.000-08:00

Complacency, apathy, and an I don't care attitude are all associated with indifference. Indifference means to show a lack of concern or interest or to be mediocre. Sadly I meet people every day that live their life with indifference. They are not concerned or interested in what is happening around them and as a result they live a very mediocre life.

I don't have time for this kind of attitude in my life. There are too many people who need the message I carry, the wisdom I've found and the faith that's within me for me to not care and yet it is so easy to slip into a place of indifference. It's easy to focus on myself and not really care about what's happening in other people. I don't have time for this, so to keep me passionate, interested and concerned I do the following:

Choose - I made a decision along time ago that I would rule my emotions and attitudes, they would not rule me, so I make a choice to be passionate and care even when I don't feel like it. I've established I don't have time for indifference, so even though I may "feel" that way I choose a different route. Every time my feelings line up with my choice eventually. QUESTION: When was the last time you made a choice to care?
Test - I constantly test and evaluate myself in this area. I'll read a story that should fire me up and evaluate my reaction to it. When I hear something that would normally stir me to action I evaluate my reaction and again make the right choice. QUESTION: Are you stirred to action by what you hear in areas that should fire you up?
Listen - There is a difference between hearing and listening. Hearing is what we do to receive information. Listening is what we do receive concern people. When we listen we hear peoples heart and begin to really care about their situations. I don't have concern information, I have concern for people. That's why I stop my mind, phone, eyes, and thoughts so I don't hear, but I listen. QUESTION: When was the last time you really stopped and listened?
Serve - The greatest way to squash indifference I've found is to take action. Every time I don't feel concern, I stop, examine a need that will bring concern, and I meet that need. When I don't feel like it the most is when I serve the hardest. Something happens when you metaphorically pick up a towel and wash someone's feet. You can't do that without caring. Serving when done out a heart to care will produce concern and kill indifference. QUESTION: Who was the last person you served?

Life is too short and there are too many broken people that need our concern, care and compassion. I don't have time for indifference and neither should you!

9 Things I don't have time for...

2009-02-18T15:12:00.000-08:00

Time is an interesting thing. We spend most of our lives trying to speed it up, slow it down, relive it, fast forward through it, create more of it, fill it and empty it, but one thing remains the same we cannot do any of these things. Time is the only thing we cannot create more of and because of that we have to ask ourselves some questions.

As we go through this life the question is not will my time be full, but what and/or whom will fill my time?

Ask yourself What/whom will fill my time? Below is a list of things I don't have time for which I will expand upon further this week.

I don't have time for...

Indifference
Prejudice
Those unwilling to change
Insecurity
Prayer
Distraction
Sin
Fear
Uncontrolled emotions

Calling an audible this Sunday

2009-02-14T11:18:00.000-08:00

It's only two weeks since the super bowl and already I miss football season *sigh* but I digress. It's no secret that I am a huge fan of number 18 of the Indianapolis Colts, Peyton Manning. He is the king of calling audibles. When he gets up to the line he observes the scene before him and if what he sees doesn't favor his play he will change it OR if another play they have will produce better results with what he sees he will change it.

Our play for this Sunday was to continue in our series, The Elephant in the Room in GRID 29:11. As we sat down to plan this weekend I began to see not that our current plan was no good, but what was happening in the main facility would be greatly beneficial for us. After seeing the whole plan I realized it was time to call an audible.

This Sunday there will be no GRID and we will be in main service. We will have reserved seating for us, so sit with us. It's going to be an amazing service that will be life changing, so get ready. We will return to The Elephant in The Room next Sunday. See you tomorrow!

Bible Reading Plan Week 6

2009-02-10T14:44:00.000-08:00

Grid 29:11 Reading Plan
Week 6

Sunday, Feb 8th – Genesis - 20-23

Monday, Feb 9th – Judges 1-6

Tuesday, Feb 10th - Psalms 15-17

Wednesday, Feb 11th - Job 11-12

Thursday, Feb 12th - Isaiah 29-33

Friday, Feb 13th - Matthew 14-16

Saturday, Feb 14th - Romans 11-12

Each day pray that God reveals himself to you in each scripture before you begin. Also spend 10-15 minutes in prayer either before or after.

Reading Plan week 5

2009-02-02T19:42:00.000-08:00

Grid 29:11 Reading Plan
Week 5

Sunday, Feb 1st – Genesis - 16-19

Monday, Feb 2nd – Joshua 21-24

Tuesday, Feb 3rd - Psalms 12-14

Wednesday, Feb 4th - Job 9-10

Thursday, Feb 5th - Isaiah 23-28

Friday, Feb 6th - Matthew 11-13

Saturday, Feb 7th - Romans 9-10

Each day pray that God reveals himself to you in each scripture before you begin. Also spend 10-15 minutes in prayer either before or after

The Fast Reading Plan and Prayer Points

2009-01-27T12:00:00.000-08:00

Grid 29:11 Reading Plan
Week 4 with Fasting

Sunday, Jan 25th–Genesis - 12-15

Monday, Jan 26th–Joshua 16-20
1st day of fast – Pray for God to work in you what you are fasting.

Tuesday, Jan 27th - Psalms 9-11
2nd day – Pray for a spiritual awakening in our youth ministry

Wednesday, Jan 28th - Job 7-8
3rd day – Pray for strength and wisdom for your pastors, parents, politicians, friends and you.

Thursday, Jan 29th-Isaiah 18-22
4th day – Pray for breakthrough in your life, family, friends and ministry

Friday, Jan 30th - Matthew 8-10
5th day – Pray for salvation and discipleship like never before.

Saturday, Jan 31st-Romans 7-8
6th day – Pray for it to be finished in your life. Pray for God to move in our city and church.

The Fast

2009-01-20T10:57:00.000-08:00

This past Sunday in GRID 29:11 we discussed the building block in our foundation of faith of fasting. Here is a snap shot of the message:

Fasting is denying yourself something that you desire in order to align yourself with God, spend more time in prayer and the word and to overcome things in your life.
We all have weaknesses, sin, ways of thinking, or brokenness in our life. Some of these things only come out with prayer and fasting.
Read Isaiah 58:6-12 - This is what fasting is all about.

Beginning Monday January 26 to February 1st the youth ministry a.k.a. GRID 29:11 is going to fast. Here is what I am asking you to do:

Pick one thing in your life you want to overcome, this is what you will be fasting for.
Pick one thing you will fast. As I said on Sunday I don't want any body fasting food all six days. You can fast texting, Twitter, Internet, TV, Music, One day no food, next day eat, next day no food, etc... You can fast meat and only eat veggies. You can fast one meal a day. Pick something that will be difficult and challenging yet does not make life impossible.
ASK YOUR PARENTS. Go to mom and/or dad let them know you want to fast and what you want to fast and make sure they are okay with it.
Sunday the 25th pick up the reading plan with prayer points and participate!
Believe God to free you from the one thing and believe for God to move this year powerfully in GRID 29:11.

Today's Inauguration - My thoughts and prayer

2009-01-20T10:33:00.000-08:00

When I woke up this morning I had an overwhelming sense to pray for our nation. Today marks a historic day that regardless of your political affiliation you cannot help but be proud of this moment. I am incredibly excited for the healing that will take place that the scars of decades of racial divide have left on our nation. As I watch the festivities and listened to the speech of our new President here are my thoughts.

A day after we celebrated the life of a visionary and incredible man Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., his dream has come true.
What a moment in time for all races, colors and creeds! Our forefathers said all men were created equal and today that has come true. Regardless of the color of your skin you can achieve greatness in the greatest nation in the history of our earth.
As stated multiple times by the media the peaceful transfer of power between presidents with differing views is a testament to the freedom of democracy that we enjoy.
While I may not agree with every decision and stance our new President may make or take, I will honor him and pray for him.

Here is my prayer for President Barack Obama, his family and our nation:

Father, I thank you for giving me the opportunity to live in this great nation. A nation that you have ordained and set up to be a beacon of hope and freedom and one that is called to take Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth. I thank you for our new President that you have ordained and set up to lead our nation. My prayer for him is that you would draw him to you. That you Holy Spirit would draw him to your presence to seek you in leading this nation. I pray his heart would be turned to you and that he would seek your wisdom and approval and not the opinion and approval of man. I ask that you would protect him from any and all evil. I recognize there are people who would inflict harm physically, emotionally and spiritually and I ask that you expose them and protect our president and his family. I ask that you give him the grace to lead us down the path you have made for us to walk. Grant him success in our economy. Help him to protect us. Always keep his heart turned toward the orphan, the widow and the poor. Now I ask for unity in our nation. Unity to grow and accomplish your will. I ask that the tears on many faces today would wash away the scars of a terrible past of division. Thank you that in you there is neither Jew or Greek, black, white, brown, red, yellow, male or female, but all are equal in you and created by you. Thank you for our nation cause it to prosper, cause it to heal and cause to be drawn again to your son Jesus, in his mighty name I pray... Amen.

Take a moment today and every day to pray for our President, our elected official, pastors, teachers, and anyone else in authority. This is a pivotal time in our nation and we need to continue to pray!

Reading Plan week 3

2009-01-20T09:52:00.000-08:00

Grid 29:11 Reading Plan
Week 3

Sunday, Jan 18th – Genesis - 8-11

Monday, Jan 19th – Joshua 11-15

Tuesday, Jan 20th - Psalms 6-8

Wednesday, Jan 21st - Job 5-6

Thursday, Jan 22nd - Isaiah 12-17

Friday, Jan 23rd - Matthew 5-7

Saturday, Jan 24th - Romans 5-6

Each day pray that God reveals himself to you in each scripture before you begin. Also spend 10-15 minutes in prayer either before or after.

2009-01-13T12:31:00.000-08:00

Grid 29:11 Reading Plan Week 2

Sunday, Jan 11th – Genesis - 4-7
Monday, Jan 12th - Joshua 6-10
Tuesday, Jan 13th - Psalms 3-5
Wednesday, Jan 14th - Job 3-4
Thursday, Jan 15th - Isaiah 7-11
Friday, Jan 16th - Matthew 3-4
Saturday, Jan 17th - Romans 3-4

Each day pray that God reveals himself to you in each scripture before you begin. Also spend 10-15 minutes in prayer either before or after.

Text

2008-12-04T16:28:00.000-08:00

We recently finished our text series in TVM and it was extremely fun! We have a ton of left over questions that I will continue to answer on the Blog as we go along. As we near the end of the question we will open up the discussion again and allow for more questions to be asked and answered on the blog.

Here are today's questions:

1. do you keep a journal?
2. who thought of the idea of the TEXT series?
3. does god love bad people?
4. what time is it?
5. where do i live?

Do you keep a journal?

Not on a regular basis. When I go through something significant (good times, tragedy, new adventures) I will capture my memories and reflections in a journal, but as far as a regular journal... nope. I guess my blog is kind of a journal. I would like to discipline myself to journal more often but... maybe 2009's resolution.

Who thought of the idea of the TEXT series?

The majority of the creative ideas used in TVM are thought of and created by a team of people. While a specific person doesn't come to mind when giving credit for the TEXT series idea I'd blame Justin if you didn't like it. If you thought it was cool then give props to Josh Danskin.

Does God love bad people?

YES! Just as God created you and I who are hopefully "good" people, he also created those people we would call "bad." They weren't created to be bad, but have made choices to be who they are. I like to present it this way. God is the father of us all. In natural parenting you children will do things that are "bad," the disappoint you, hurt you, make you angry and on and on. However, just because they have chose a behavior contrary to what you'd desire, as a parent you still love them. The same is true with God. He doesn't look down and see the label; thief, murderer, molester, liar and so on, he sees a broken child of his that needs to be healed, forgiven and restored. Check out this scripture:

Romans 8:38-39 (New International Version)

38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

God loves us all, good or bad. This doesn't mean he will go along with our choices and looks the other way. No he sees what is done and will discipline those who need it, but he still loves all of us, no matter what we've done or will do.

What time is it?
At the tone the time will be 4:47pm... beep! It's Christmas time! It's TIME for a word from our sponsors. Tool time? IT'S PEANUT BUTTER JELLY TIME, PEANUT BUTTER JELLY TIME! Take your pick I guess...

Where do I live?

You live at your house. Probably in Washington state or to be more specific Snohomish county.

Most of these questions were some of the funny questions we got. We will tackle some tougher ones in the next post.

Text this week...

2008-11-19T15:26:00.000-08:00

Here are the questions we will tackle this week in our Text series:

Wednesday

What should I do if I like someone from church?
What’s the biggest age difference there should be in a relationship when you are younger?
When is it okay to date? Around what get do you think it’s appropriate to start dating?
If God told you that you were going to marry someone does that mean it’s going to happen? What if you don’t want to marry that person?
What do you do if you really like someone who loves God and wants a relationship with that person, but they are distracting you from God?

Sunday

1st Service

Do you know anyone that has met their wife or husband at 12? And in your opinion what are the chances of that happening?
How should I treat a girl I like, but don’t want to pursue a relationship with them?
How do I fix my heart after a break up when I feel like dying?
How do I break up with someone at church?
Can I have a boyfriend and a boo?

2nd Service

What’s so bad about dating?
How do you know when you’ve found that special someone?
Is it okay to date people in the church because we are all brothers and sisters of God? Why is it so bad to date a non believer? Is it a sin if you do?
How far can you go with your bf or gf?
Is it bad to move in with someone you’re going to marry before u actually get married?

Announcing...

2008-10-30T10:44:00.000-07:00

Gia and I have some very exciting news to share with everyone! We have a lot of people close to us and would love to tell each person individually, but that would be impossible due to all those we know and love. So consider this your personal message from us to you.

A couple of weeks ago we went to the doctors and found out that Gia is pregnant! Yesterday we went again and heard the heartbeat, which was awesome, and found out that the due date is May 23rd.

We are so excited for this next stage of life for the both of us! We cannot wait to be parents of our own child! Please pray for Gia because she's been sick and pray for strength and a healthy baby.

We will be keeping everyone posted via the blog on what's going on. Please if you have questions or anything don't be afraid to ask in person :-).

October to November Daily Reading Plan

2008-10-17T15:29:00.000-07:00

Date Daily Word Daily Prayer
10/18/2008 Luke 5-6 Jesus I know you are calling me so I answer that call.
10/19/2008 Luke 7-8 God help me to shine for all to see. Bring people my way who need you.
10/20/2008 Luke 9 I choose to deny my self, pick up my cross and follow you. Help me!
10/21/2008 Luke 10 Worship and prayer night 7pm. I will go to people like the Samaritan, so I can help them.
10/22/2008 Luke 11-12 Jesus give me a fear of God. Not being afraid, but reverence and awe of you.
10/23/2008 Luke 13-14 Pray for church. Jesus help me to pay the price of following you with everything in me.
10/24/2008 Luke 15-16 God I will give up all to seek you and follow you.
10/25/2008 Luke 17-18 God increase my faith!
10/26/2008 Luke 19-20 God protect me from anything that would pollute my faith. Help me to stand strong.
10/27/2008 Luke 21 Jesus help me to watch and wait for you before I act.
10/28/2008 Luke 22 Pray for church tonight. Father I want to be great, so make me a servant of all.
10/29/2008 Luke 23-24 Jesus continue to reveal yourself to me in everything I do.
10/30/2008 John 1-2 Thank you that I overcome the darkness, Give me the strength to stand.
11/1/2008 John 3-4 Help me to decrease that you might increase along with my effectiveness.
11/2/2008 John 5-6 Jesus no matter what I will not turn away. Help me to be strong.
11/3/2008 John 7-9 God fill me with truth that it would make me free from anything holding me back.
11/4/2008 John 10-12 Jesus help me to know and hear your voice.
11/5/2008 John 13-15 Pray for church tonight. Help me to follow your commandments and your Word.
11/6/2008 John 16-17 Pray for Reach Teams. Turn any sorrow I have into joy!
11/7/2008 John 18-21 Jesus let everything in my life that doesn’t please you be finished.
11/8/2008 Acts 1-3 Jesus bring revival to our city and let people be added to our church everyday.
11/9/2008 Acts 4-6 Pray for revival in our city. We are taking our city. Pray for God’s power in our lives.
11/10/2008 Acts 7-10 Pray God would give you and everyone around you an encounter that changes lives.
11/11/2008 Acts 11-14 God bring a revival to our city that changes our city forever and use me in all of it.
11/12/2008 Acts 15-18 Pray for church. Let me be someone who turns the world upside down. Give us our city!
11/13/2008 Acts 19-21 Pray for Reach Teams. Give me the strength to talk about you to every person.
11/14/2008 Acts 22-23 Pray for your one person you are going to get saved and to a Reach team.
11/15/2008 Acts 24-26 Pray for your one. God you’ve given us this city now open the doors we need open.
11/16/2008 Acts 27-28 Pray for your one. God draw my friends and others to you. Open their hearts to you.
11/17/2008 Romans 1-3 Jesus I will not be ashamed of my faith, but I will live it and not hide it.

The power of prayer pt 2

2008-10-09T08:41:00.000-07:00

Remember 9/11/2001? I do. If you are 12 and older you probably remember exactly what you were doing when you heard and saw the news that terrorists had attacked our nation. I was sleeping and my mom ran in and told me that America was under attack. I ran out to images of burning buildings, planes flying into symbols of freedom and prosperity. I can never forget the images of the twin towers burning and ultimately collapsing killing thousands of people I didn't know, but I grieved for like I did. I can never forget the images of the pentagon burning, or the stories of heroism and tragedy.

I remember going to work that day, broken and unsure of what would happen in our nation. Tragedy had struck a mighty blow, but our nation would respond with characteristics that make this the greatest nation in all of history. We began to pray. I remember prayer meeting after prayer meeting as the church and those not of the body of Christ, began to call on God for healing, hope and wisdom for our leaders. We prayed for families we've never seen as they grieved with the tragedy of loved ones. Stories of Heroism by men and women who gave their lives at ground zero and in the air, flooded our eyes with tears and a passion to pray and continue on.

2 Chronicles 7:14 (New Living Translation)

14 Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land

We are facing a tragedy that requires no less of our time and no less of our prayers. This time no one will die and there will be no heroics. We probably wont shed a tear or be filled with passion and patriotism, but this is no less an important moment for the church to shine. This time instead of losing life, people could lose, houses, jobs, retirements and investments. Instead of going without fathers and mothers, children may have to go without food.

The tragedy we face is financial and it's time for the church to arise! 2 Chronicles is clear. If we, the church who are called, humble themselves and pray then God will restore our land. Our land needs restoration financially, morally and politically and it's time for us to humble ourselves and pray!

It would be so easy to bury our heads in the sand of entertainment, soccer practice, routine, work and everything else, but we need to look around and be aware of what's going on and do our part. The church has the key to changing this situation and it's through prayer.

From now until election day, go to prayer at 6am, noon, 6pm. If you cant make those times read this post for ideas on how you can participate in prayer.

It's time to arise and shine. It's time to pray. It's time to be an anchor of hope, love and faith for those without it. Our prayers are powerful and they will bring healing and restoration to our land.

The power of prayer pt 1

2008-10-08T10:20:00.001-07:00

This Sunday we announced daily prayer times from now until 6pm on November 4th. Prayer at 6am, noon and 6pm. Pastor Jeff and the leaders of the church are asking everyone to pray at one of those times a day here at the church, or if there's no possible way for you to be here then where ever you are. We're talking once a day for less than a month, EVERYONE should do this. I want to show you the importance and power of prayer with a couple of stories.

Hull

In the 1860s over a million people were added to the church. United prayer seemed to be the spark. This is what happened in Hull:

"There were united daily prayer meetings in the port city of Kingston upon Hull, supported by the established church and the dissenting denominations. Numbers of people were unable to gain an entrance to the central meetings, and so, many places of worship were opened each evening for prayer. A monthly united prayer meeting attracted more than 3000. As usual a rising tide of evangelism followed, and campaigns were still crowding halls in 1865 to excess, necessitating the hiring of the circus, at which ministers of different denominations preached. Other very successful campaigns were carried on throughout the year 1865."

Wales 1904

The Welsh Revival started in 1904. It began as a movement of prayer. A key figure was a former coal miner, Evan Roberts, who was studying at Newcastle Emlyn College. He attended a campaign held by Seth Joshua, a Presbyterian evangelist, who prayed at the meeting, ‘O God, bend us.’ Roberts had responded with ‘O God, bend me.’ Following this he kept hearing a voice that told him to go home and speak to the young people in his home church. On his return to Loughor, his home town, his reluctant pastor allowed him to speak only at the end of a prayer meeting.

Roberts told them, ‘I have a message for you from God:

You must confess any known sin to God and put right any wrong done to others.
Second, you must put away any doubtful habit.
Third, you must obey the Spirit promptly.
Finally, you must confess your faith in Christ publicly.’

The response to his message was remarkable and following a series of meetings a break occurred and the movement spread rapidly over Wales: in five months a hundred thousand people were converted throughout the country. The revival had a widespread social impact.

Edinburgh 1905
Soon after the beginning of the Welsh Revival in 1904, a man called Joseph Kemp from Edinburgh went to Wales, where he spent a couple of weeks observing and experiencing the work and power of the Holy Spirit there. On his return he attended a large meeting in Charlotte Chapel. As he recounted his experiences there was an eager response to his story. A man asked for prayer and was the first of hundreds who became Christians during the subsequent revival in Charlotte Chapel. For a whole year prayer meetings were held, increasing in number and intensity, and characterised by passionate praying.

New York 1857-1860

In September 1857, a man of prayer, Jeremiah Lanphier, started a businessmen’s prayer meeting in the upper room of the Dutch Reformed Church Consistory Building in Manhattan. In response to his advertisement, only six people out of a population of a million showed up. But the following week there were fourteen, and then twenty-three when it was decided to meet everyday for prayer. By late winter they were filling the Dutch Reformed Church, then the Methodist Church on John Street, then Trinity Episcopal Church on Broadway at Wall Street. In February and March of 1858, every church and public hall in down town New York was filled. Horace Greeley, the famous editor, sent a reporter with horse and buggy racing round the prayer meetings to see how many men were praying. In one hour he could get to only twelve meetings, but he counted 6,100 men attending.

Then a landslide of prayer began, which overflowed to the churches in the evenings. People began to be converted, ten thousand a week in New York City alone. The movement spread throughout New England, the church bells bringing people to prayer at eight in the morning, twelve noon, and six in the evening. The revival raced up the Hudson and down the Mohawk, where the Baptists, for example, had so many people to baptize that they went down to the river, cut a big hole in the ice, and baptized them in the cold water. When Baptists do that they are really on fire!

Here are four major moves of God and they all had one thing in common... prayer. Now is not the time for us to shrink back as the body of Christ. It's time for us to rise up! We are facing one of the worst financial disaster our nation has ever seen. We're also facing the most important presidential election in our lifetime, as well as, we are still engaged in a war for freedom. It's time to pray. It's time to call on God to move like He did in the above "revivals."

We cannot afford to live life like normal in this time. Everything people have put their trust in, economy, job, government, homes, 401k's, investments, are crumbling and now is the time for us to show them who to truly trust and that is Jesus Christ. He is the same yesterday, today and forever and he is well able to take care of us in any situation.

It's time to pray church! Let the church arise! It's going to take sacrifice on your part, but your sacrifice may be the very thing that brings thousands to salvation. It may be the very thing that heals our land (see 2 Chronicles 7:14). I personally am fasting lunches from now until November 4th to spend my 30 minute lunch praying. Here's some ideas of what you can do:

Students - find a classroom and pray with other students during lunch.
Families - Instead of family dinner or TV at the 6pm hour for less than a month. Bring the whole family to the church and pray. What better example could you show your children than to humble yourself and pray for others?
Individuals - Find a time 6am, noon, 6pm to pray. If one of those times don't work, fast lunches, get up early, pray the whole way home. Don't miss out.
Families - If you cant make it down, dedicate a room of the house until November as a prayer room. At one of those times, come together and pray.

It's time to act church! We need to make the sacrifices to pray for our nation during this time. As you implement different strategies, send a message to Pastor Jeff and let him know how you are doing your part in prayer during this season. Together we can turn the state of our nation through prayer!

Everybody needs a Nome...

2008-10-08T09:11:00.001-07:00

Have you seen those Travelocity commercials with the roaming gnome. If not here's a pic:

Well everybody needs a Nome. Have you ever traveled somewhere you have never been before? Have you been somewhere where you didn't know the language, customs, places to go, places not to go? When traveling to a place you've never been it is always beneficial if not imperative to have a guide. Travelocity offers the roaming gnome to be your guide and the bible offers us the picture of a relationship between two women in the book of Ruth to be our guide.

In Ruth chapter one we see Ruth and Naomi. Naomi is Ruth's mother-in-law and both their husbands have died. Naomi informs Ruth that she will be returning to Judah from Moab and that Ruth should remain in Moab with her family. Ruth insists on going and they argue about it for a little while until Ruth says this: 16 But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God."

Ruth wanted to go on this journey with Naomi and knew that Naomi could be her guide. Every body needs a Nome. We have a youth leader named Naomi and her nick name is Nome. That's why this blog is titled everybody needs a Nome. Every one needs a Naomi.

The moment we choose Christ we embark on a spiritual journey. The journey of faith and we need someone who has been down the road before to show us the way. They can interpret the language, show us where to go and where not to go, be that person we call when we need prayer or just to talk. They are the person who's house we can go over to, to have fun or get away from it all. Everybody needs a Nome, a Naomi. Someone we can follow, someone who can encourage us, correct us, love us and believe in us. Every body needs a Nome.

Who's your Nome? If you don't have one, one place you can look is at a Reach Team. Whether you are an adult or student Reach Teams offer the environment for people to find a Nome. You need one, so don't wait for them to find you, go find them like Ruth did. Get yourself a Nome today!

For more information on Reach Teams click here.

New video - Jedi Battle

2008-09-26T21:53:00.000-07:00

Pastor Jeff, Pastor Rory and I had a little bit of down time, so we cut a little video. Check it out.

Soil

2008-09-24T08:58:00.000-07:00

In Matthew chapter 13 we find many stories from Jesus about the kingdom of heaven, but I want to highlight one in particular, the story of the soil. In this story there are four types of "soil" or conditions of our heart. I'm going to list each with a brief description and the remedy for it if needed.

The footpath - These are people who not only don't understand the Word of God when it is preached or they read it, but they don't really want to understand. There is no desire in them to understand the Word. As a result the Word is stolen from their heart. Change - This person needs a desire to understand. Ask God for a desire to understand and ask others to explain the word.
The Rocky Soil - This person hears the Word, understands it and is excited about, but has no depth. This person lacks character and discipline. This is the person who never prays, never reads the word. This person is a roller coaster. They go up weekly when they go to church and down during the week. They are unstable and as a result they don't last long. They fall away as soon as problems or persecution comes. Change - Read the word, pray, surround yourself with people who are strong. Go to reach teams. Make it a daily pursuit and not a weekly event.
Among Thorns - This person hears the word and receives it, but is too concerned about the world. They are too concerned with what others think, what's hot on TV, music and in movies. Their desire is not for the things of God, but for the riches of this life, material things, popularity, and fame. They care more about their favorite celebrity and what they are doing that the Word of God and what He has for them. As a result the worries of this life choke the Word out and they produce nothing for God's Kingdom. They may come to church their whole life, but it is a waste because they never do anything for God, church is all about what God can do for them. Change - First repent. Then make a decision to crucify your flesh and your fleshly desires and follow Christ. You may have to fast (give up) what feeds that desire in you and read the word or pray. Instead of picking up US weekly pick up the Word. All that stuff is not bad, but it is if it consumes you. Ask yourself am I consumed by the cause and call of Christ or this world. Really examine and make the changes necessary.
The Good Soil - This is the produce who truly hears and understands God's word AND produces fruit. This is someone who reads the Word, Prays, invites people to church, is active in serving and lives a life open to God changing them. This person sees their friends, peers and family changed for Christ. This is the place we all need to get to.

Our hearts are like soil and the condition of it is up to us. Examine yourself and make the changes necessary so God can use you and you can thrive!

For more on this particular story click here.

Fall has arrived...

2008-09-23T12:31:00.000-07:00

This morning I let my dogs out to use the bathroom and felt the chilly air even though it was sunny and realized for the first time fall has arrived. The seasons are changing and I am so excited!

The seasons are not only changing in the natural, but also in the spiritual. The summer has been a time of intense personal growth and devotion. We have seen many people overcome and explode with passion and devotion. We have focused primarily on personal growth and now that Fall has arrived a new season has begun. Summer was the season of devotional growth fall will be the season of numerical growth. We looked inward during the summer, now it's time to look outward.

Fall is always the greatest season of growth in the church and this year I am expecting God to grow our church. Begin to look for opportunities to share what God is doing and to invite people to church. In youth we are going after 100/100. 100 people weekly in services and 100 people in reach teams. I've asked every young person to find one person to pray for and invite to church then get them to a reach team.

Who is one person you could invite?

My one person that I've been working just gave his life to Christ on Sunday and is charging ahead! Choose somebody pray for them and invite them. Lets look outward, seize opportunities and watch God grow our church through the salvation of our friends, peers and family!

Authority

2008-09-23T12:21:00.000-07:00

In Matthew chapter 12 we read that Jesus is confronted by the religious leaders of the day. They are saying false things about him and his ministry, telling others that he does his miracles through the power of Satan. The whole chapter we see Jesus walking in great authority. He did not back down to the crowds, but stood with authority and communicated the message. Jesus walked with authority every where. Authority when questioned about his faith, authority of the works of darkness and authority over sickness and even death. That same authority he had we also have...

When we choose Jesus we become children of God. Jesus told the Apostles that all authority in heaven and earth was given him and he has passed that on to us. That means that we have authority over sickness, we have authority over death and when confronted by those who do not believe we don't have to back down, but can be strong and walk with authority. You have incredible authority at your finger tips to expand the kingdom of God, but one thing must be done to walk with authority.

Submission... Four chapters earlier in Matthew eight we read about the Roman Centurion. He had a sick servant and asked Jesus to heal him. Jesus said yes he would go with him, but the Centurion stopped him. He told Jesus that he had the authority to make soldiers do whatever he wanted because he was under or submitted to a higher authority. He believed Jesus had authority because he was submitted to a higher authority, God, and therefore could heal his servant with only a word. Jesus marveled at his faith and his grasp of the concept of authority and healed his servant with only a word.

The same power to heal and to stand resides in us and is available to us, but can only be released by authority. In order to walk in authority you need to submit, surrender, listen to, obey those in authority over you. You parents, pastors, teachers, police officers, government officials, coaches, bus drivers and so on even if you don't like them or they treat you unfairly. As you submit to authority you will have authority and the power to do great things for God!

Temptation

2008-09-18T21:03:00.002-07:00

In Matthew chapter 4 we see Jesus enter the wilderness to face temptation. The devil and him have a chat and the devil tempts him to sin three different times. The writer of Psalm 119 in verse 11 says that they hid the word of God in their heart so they would not sin. In Matthew four we see Jesus using the Word of God to overcome temptation and not sin.

Three different times he says it is written, or the scriptures say, depending on your translation, and then uses the following scripture to overcome temptation. Temptation is going to come knocking on your door, will you be ready? Read the word and hide it in your heart so you will not sin.

For more on overcoming temptation check here.

Next Steps

2008-09-18T21:03:00.001-07:00

Last night we had a service called "next steps." It was one of the most important services we've ever had in youth ministry because I unveiled the vision God has given us. This Sunday I will again communicate it for those who missed last night, but I also want to lay it out on the blog.

Why does TVM exist? To connect people to life! That is our purpose and mission. What is our vision for accomplishing this. Well read on...

In Joshua chapter 1, 3 and 6 God is speaking to Joshua about the promise land. In chapter one he tells Joshua to be in the word, follow it, be strong and courageous and He will make his way successful. In chapter three he tells the people to purify themselves because God is about to do wondrous acts among them. Then in chapter six God tells Joshua that he's given them the city Jericho and all they have to do to take the city is obey and praise.

Over the last seven months God has been speaking to me about these three scriptures. Every time I go to him about vision He says the same thing over and over. "I have given you this city." Over and over I have heard Him say that He has given us this city. In other words, nothing can stand in our way from taking this city for Him. Nothing can stand in the way of our friends and peers who are hurting and lost, from being healed and saved by Him. He has given us this city and now it's up to us to obey and praise like He's given it to us, pray like He's given it to us, Give, serve, and act like He's given it to us.

The vision of TVM is very simple. We are taking our city for Jesus Christ. This is the vision. Now just as the Israelites had to take "steps" (theirs were literal) we also must obey the steps and in doing so, step by step, we will take our city. Here are the first few steps we will take. You ready because God has a place for you in each of these and it will take all of us in order to take our city. Oh and if you're from another city, don't worry, after we take Monroe and there is an army of us living for Christ, we will take your city too! Here are the steps...

The Word - the foundation of our ministry is the Word. It is built upon the Word and it is the Word that we stand upon. Joshua 1:8 says Study this Book of Instruction (The Bible) continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. ONLY THEN WILL YOU PROSPER AND SUCCEED IN ALL YOU DO. You reading your bible will be the very thing that brings us success. Every person has got to be in the Word everyday, it is then we will prosper and succeed. To help in that we have a bible reading plan available here and for pick up on Sunday.
Prayer - The word is the foundation, prayer is the power. The word gives us a foundation to stand upon, prayer gives us the grace and the power to accomplish the vision. With the bible reading plan is a daily prayer nugget. We've got to be in prayer everyday for our friends, our lives, our families, and the vision. We will also be doing monthly prayer and worship times to be announced soon!
Wednesday Nights/iNights - We need a service we can invite our friends to and that is Wednesday nights. Beginning October 1st we will be doing weekly Wednesday night services with worship and preaching. Also once a month on the last Wednesday beginning in November we will have iNight services. iNight stands for invite night. These will be great services to invite your friends too. We need every person to be at Wednesday nights and to be inviting their friends with no faith to come. Here are some upcoming series we will be doing:October - "What the... Hell?" - A series on hell, the devil, eternity, repentance and salvation. November - "Text" - A series where we answer questions about anything that you text in.
Reach Teams - I cannot stress how important it is for you to have a leader that is discipling you, praying for you, encouraging you, holding you accountable and correcting you. You will not thrive in Christian life unless you have this and this will happen in Reach Teams. Some are weekly, some every other week, but EVERYBODY needs a Reach Team that they go to. Sign ups on Sunday! Do it!
100/100 - 100/100! This step is 100 weekly in services and 100 in Reach Teams. Right now we average between 60 and 70 weekly in services and we want to see that grow to 100/100. Here is your part in this. If everyone of us will go after 1 person. Just 1, pray for them and invite them every week. Get that person to church, see that they find salvation and get them to their Reach Team we can take this step before the end of the year. I want you to go after 1! Get them to church, pray for their salvation and get them to your Reach Team. Now here's the deal. Your one person cannot be someone from another church. I'm not interested in young people from other churches. They have a church and a pastor and they need to help their church grow. We want people who have no faith to encounter Jesus and become full of faith. Go after 1! Who is your 1 going to be?

These are the 1st five steps in front of us. Now it's our turn to obey and to praise. Get in your word, pray, be at Wednesday nights, go to a Reach Team and get 1. Together we can take our city. Together we can see friends and peers we never thought would know Christ, bow their knee and live the life you know! We are taking this city the question is will you be one of those who takes it with us?

Be there Sunday for more and be ready because God is going to use you!

September to October reading plan

2008-09-18T09:03:00.000-07:00

Date Daily Word Daily Prayer
9/18/2008 Matthew 1-3 God use me to show others that Jesus is the Son of God.
9/19/2008 Matthew 4-5 God open my eyes and heart to follow your Word.
9/20/2008 Matthew 6-7 God create in me a clean heart that is for you and that trusts in you.
9/21/2008 Matthew 8-9 God fill me with faith and use me and others around me to reach my city.
9/22/2008 Matthew 10-11 God send me to my friends, my peers, and my school.
9/23/2008 Matthew 12 God show me the authority and power I have in your Son Jesus.
9/24/2008 Matthew 13 See you at and after the pole. Pray for this day.
9/25/2008 Matthew 14-15 Show me what to give and give me the strength to give it.
9/26/2008 Matthew 16-17 Lord reveal yourself to me. Let me know you more.
9/27/2008 Matthew 18-19 Lord help me to give you everything. Even the things and areas of my life I don’t want to.
9/28/2008 Matthew 20-21 Lord MAKE ME a servant you can use.
9/29/2008 Matthew 22 God I give you everything I am.
9/30/2008 Matthew 23-24 Help me to recognize the signs around me and hear what you are saying.
10/1/2008 Matthew 25 Lord I offer my time, talent and treasure to you. Use them to build your kingdom.
10/2/2008 Matthew 26 Lord I receive what you did for me on the cross.
10/3/2008 Matthew 27 Let it be finished in my life. Pray for anything that needs to be finished.
10/4/2008 Matthew 28; Mark 1 God I will go. Open doors for me to speak to my friends.
10/5/2008 Mark 2-3 Pray for your leaders today. Pray for strength and blessing for their lives
10/6/2008 Mark 4-5 Ask for boldness and then take the step to reach someone.
10/7/2008 Mark 6 Lord give me a proper perspective on suffering.
10/8/2008 Mark7-8 Purify my heart, so out of me will flow rivers of living water.
10/9/2008 Mark 9 Fill me with faith to do the impossible.
10/10/2008 Mark 10-11 Show me areas where I'm sinning and I ask for forgiveness.
10/11/2008 Mark 12 God show me anything that I love more than you!
10/12/2008 Mark 13-14 God give me a willing heart to worship you no matter the cost.
10/13/2008 Mark 15 Lord let me be in your presence everyday!
10/14/2008 Mark 16 Lord give me the faith to believe for miracles and let me see them come to pass.
10/15/2008 Luke 1 God make me strong in the Word, Prayer and faith!
10/16/2008 Luke 2-3 Lord give me wisdom!
10/17/2008 Luke 4 Give me such a burden for my generation that I must tell them.

Baptism

2008-09-15T23:19:00.000-07:00

Today we began a brand new Bible reading plan in TVM. We are reading through the new Testament between now and the end of this year. Today's reading was Matthew 1-3 and I want to highlight one area of the scripture we read today.

In Matthew 3:13 we find that Jesus goes to the Jordan river to be baptized. John baptizes Jesus, the Holy Spirit comes upon him then he is lead into the wilderness to be tempted. Baptism is a very important step in our journey of faith. If Jesus felt the need to be baptized then surely we should be baptized.

What is baptism all about?

Rom 6:3-6
3 Or have you forgotten that when we became Christians and were baptized to become one with Christ Jesus, we died with him? 4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.

5 Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised as he was. 6 Our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. - NLT

Baptism is identifying with Christ. It’s saying I go under the water as this old sinful, foolish person, and rise out of the water made brand new through the cross and now I am associated with Christ. Baptism says that I'm not longer associated with the world or who I used to be, but my association and identity is found in Christ. It is a doing away with the old and bringing of the new. It's a doing away with the power of sin and walking with the power of Christ!

Baptism is a command of Christ and one each of us should follow. Many people get baptized when they are young and don't really understand what it means. If you've never been baptized before or did it when you were young and didn't understand what you were doing you need to get baptized. The next time you hear about a baptism get signed up!

Thoughts on the seventh anniversary of 9/11

2008-09-11T15:32:00.001-07:00

Seven years ago today, our country was rocked with the news of a terrorist attack on the twin towers in New York. I can still remember the feeling of grief and sadness as I and other mourned the loss of people we didn't even know. I remember the uncertainty that I felt, the fear and the sorrow. I remember the shock and horror of the images that I saw as our fellow countrymen were killed senselessly. That was seven years ago and yet the memory is still fresh in my mind.

As I went about my business today, I've had great joy because of all that God is doing in our city and our church. He is moving and touching lives like never before. In the midst of all my to-do's I have had a deep sense that I need to remember. While we cannot change what happened seven years ago we can do some things to honor and remember those who died without need and those who died as heroes.

With that in mind here are some things we should do today:

Make sure and tell the ones you love, how much you love them... Many people didn't get that chance.
Be thankful for what you have and don't focus on what you don't... Many people would trade it all to have what you have.
Say a prayer for the families of those who lost a loved one... Their memories and pain run far deeper than ours.
Pray for the soldiers... they have given their lives to keep us safe from this happening again.
Pray for the family of soldiers... they have given their mom's, dad's, husbands, wives, children, brothers and sisters to make sure we are safe.

Take a moment today and remember. Pray and ask God to continue to heal our nation and to bring salvation. Honor those who gave their lives with your time and prayers today!

Volunteerapalooza

2008-09-10T14:17:00.000-07:00

On September 21st at 6pm we will be having a festival of funness for all you volunteers. Be sure to save the date and sign-up at the Information Kiosk. Cost is $10 per person with family rates available.

This is a night where we will honor all of our volunteers, so make sure you come! There will be games, prizes and dinner! See you there.

Oh yeah, you need a ticket to get in, so sign up ASAP at the information kiosk.

My nieces and my LifeSavers Children's ministry experience

2008-08-29T11:28:00.000-07:00

This previous weekend my wife and I had the honor of watching our twin nieces, Jordan and Taylor, while their parents went away for their anniversary. They are only a month old and they kept us up most of the night, but it was a lot of fun.

I have to say that our children's ministry is absolutely outstanding. This was my first experience ever bringing kids to church with me. You should have seen all the faces and heard all the questions we got as people thought they were ours. :-) It was priceless.

Anyways, the check-in experience was swift and informative, the drop off was warm, the people welcomed us and I felt comfortable leaving them there (it's a little scary when they are not your own), in fact I felt peace because of the high quality of our volunteers. They took great care of them during service and they were sleeping peacefully when we picked them up. We have an incredible Children's ministry and I know when I have kids of my own (many, many months down the road) I will feel safe and at peace leaving my kids there!

Invite

2008-08-29T11:18:00.000-07:00

Read: Matthew 22:1-13, 25:14-30

How will they know unless they are told? This is the question I ask you about your friends and family. How will they know unless they are told? Think about when it clicked for you and you realized you had a need for Christ. Where were you? Most people were at church when this happened. They didn't know there was an answer to the hole in their life until they were told and usually that happens at church. Your friends and family need to be at church.

How will they come unless they're asked? Often we pray and pray and pray for our friends and our families to come to the knowledge of Christ and yet we do little to get them to come. I know I have. I've thought if I pray for my friends they will get saved, yet I never invite them to the place where I got saved. There are opportunities all around us to invite some one to come. It's up to us to take the step and invite them.

There are many more people than you think that would come to church with you if you asked. You need to pray for them, but more importantly you need to ask them to come. I forget the exact statistic, but it's something like 85% of all people who come to church do so because they were personally invited. It's time for you to invite. If you are going to double and disciple then you need to invite.

Who is someone you could invite this week? Give them a call, text or face to face and invite. You will be surprised at how many people come because you invite. It's time to invite.

Prayer: God give me the courage and boldness to invite someone this week. Go before me and place a desire in them ahead of time, so when I invite they are willing in Jesus name!

Make disciples - "double and disciple"

2008-08-29T10:57:00.000-07:00

Read: Matthew 28:19, 9:37; John 8:31, 13:35; 15:8.

This year you have a goal, well an opportunity to make a goal and accomplish it. You ready for it? Well here it is: I will double and disciple this year! Sound good? Great, now go do it.... What? You want to know what that means? Well, okay then.

This year make it your aim to bring one person to Christ. Just one. Yes pray for your school, work place, family, community to come to Christ, but set your sights on one person. Choose that person right.... Now! Got them in mind? Now write their name down and begin to pray for them everyday. Look for opportunities to invite them to church and to lead them to Christ. This doesn't mean you don't invite others, but this one person is your goal for this year.

How many people did you lead to Christ last year? How many people were you trying to reach? Many of us would answer zero to the first question and thousands to the next. You see the problem is that our efforts are scattered. Jesus said Go into all the world, preach and make disciples, we make disciples one at a time. If each of us would set our sights on one person we would see that person come to Christ. Focus on one person and when they come to Christ your job is half done. Then it's time for the real fun.

After your one has come to Christ you have doubled. One (you) plus one (your friend) equals two, you've just doubled. Now it's time to disciple. Many people run from this because they feel totally unequipped to disciple. They don't know all the scriptures on giving, baptism, healing, why you should read the bible. They don't have a degree in theology, or a fancy business card that says Youth Pastor. Because of this they feel unqualified to disciple, but it is not man or knowledge that qualifies you it is God and because you have faith you are qualified. So how do you disciple? Here is how it's done:

Discipleship is taking someone from where they are to where you are. 1 Corinthians 11:1 says, "follow me as I follow Christ." That is what discipleship is. The person you lead to Christ is going to need to know about baptism. Tell them what you did, how it transformed you and what you know about it. They are going to sin, show them how to repent. Show them how YOU pray. Read the bible with them, Show them how to worship. Talk to them about giving and what it's done for you.

Discipleship is showing others what God has done for you and helping them through all the experiences that you were helped through. It's not as hard as we make it. You are qualified, just be you, use your experiences and what God has shown you and you will make a disciple. Don't worry if something comes up you are not equipped to handle, call the person who discipled you and they will help.

This year double and disciple. Once you've done this, you and the one you discipled should double and disciple again. You are equipped to double and disciple. Begin praying today and watch how God will use you!

Prayer: God help me to double and disciple this year. I pray that you would work on _______'s heart and that I would have opportunities to invite them and lead them to Christ. Help me to disciple them and not be afraid. I am equipped!

Persecution

2008-08-29T10:30:00.001-07:00

Read: Matthew 5:10; Mark 10:29-30; Luke 6:22; John 15:20; Romans 8:35-39; 2 Corinthians 4:8-12; James 1:2-5; 1 Peter 4:12-16.

Any time we talk about standing up for what God has done in our lives, we have to take a moment and talk about persecution. It would be unfair for me to paint of Christianity as the end of all trouble and pain. As Christ followers we will experience trouble and pain because of our stance but we don't have to go through it alone.

When evaluating persecution we know three things: It is guaranteed to happen, we will make it through it, on the other side is blessing. This is what the Word tells us about persecution. We will look at each aspect of this below after we address what persecution is and isn't.

What it is? Persecution is being made fun of, treated unfairly and unjustly because of what you believe. It is what people do to you when you stand for truth and they don't like it. I've seen parents persecute children and vice versa, friends persecute friends, teachers persecute students and on and on and on. Persecution is not suffering pain because of sin. If you sin and people do this things to you or you go through a hard time that's your own fault, you sinned. Persecution is suffering because you stand for Christ and it is an honor.

1 Peter 4:12-16
12 Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. 13 Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. 14 So be happy when you are insulted for being a Christian, for then the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you. 15 If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs. 16 But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name!

It's guaranteed - In John 15:20 Jesus basically says you are going to be persecuted because you love me and stand for me. Above it tells us not to be surprised when we are persecuted. Persecution stinks! It's painful and not fun, but it is the price of devotion and discipleship and every time you pay a price for Jesus, He always makes it worth the pain of paying it.

You'll make it - No matter what happens in your life God will always be there. He cannot leave you or forsake you and you cannot be separated from His love. 2 Corinthians 4:8-12 tells us that even though we go through stuff, God will be there to help us. In the midst of persecution God is there and it is the fiery trials of life that cause us to depend on Him more and grow closer to him. It may feel like everyone has abandoned you and you cannot make it another day, but God is there and you will make it. Run to him and call on his name for help.

Blessing - Always on the other side of persecution is blessing. Jesus said that anyone who has given up friends, family, houses, etc... for his name will receive 100 times more in this life and the next. The other side of persecution has greater blessing, greater anointing, greater friends, greater victory, and a greater relationship with God. Every time God asks you to pay a price for him the reward always out weighs the pain of paying it. There is great blessing for you on the other side of persecution.

Every person who stands for God and takes ground from the enemy will be persecuted. I've been persecuted by family, friends, enemies, teachers, and other Christians. I've had rumors spread about me that weren't true, I've been labeled as many things and lost friends because of my stand. It was painful and it really stunk, but I wouldn't trade the blessing I've received and where God has taken me to go back.

Persecution is coming, God is ready to help and it will be worth it. Stand and endure!

Prayer: God give me the right perspective when I am persecuted. Strengthen me to endure and stand for you and bless me on the other side.

Confess

2008-08-26T10:57:00.000-07:00

Read: Matthew 10:32; 1 Timothy 6:12-13; Romans 10:9-10; 2 Timothy 1:8; 1 John 4:15.

"Everyone who acknowledges (confesses) me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven." Matthew 10:32-33

Confession. The bible is full of it. In fact according to Romans 10:9-10 you cannot receive salvation without confession. Confession is the key to forgiveness of sin and the healing of a sinful past. There is one area of confession that often doesn't get mentioned.

After you've confessed that Jesus is Lord, confessed your sins and been healed, had your life completely transformed, it is natural when you get around people who know nothing about the power of God and transformation to slide under the radar as the same old, so and so. It's easy to go back to school and go back to the same friends, have the same conversations and make the same choices. That is easy and natural, but you've been changed, radically transformed, you cannot go back, so now it's time to confess.

It's time to live the transformation and tell others about it. When your old friends ask what has changed about your old life, you confess. When they want you to do the same old stuff you used to and engage in the same conversations you used to, you confess, I've been changed, I don't do that anymore.

It's easy not to confess because of fear and rejection. Yet Paul told Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:8, "So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord." If we confess Christ before our friends they may mock us and reject us, but God will accept us and continue to transform us. If we deny him and what he's done for us before our friends then he will deny us. It's time to stand and confess what God has done for our lives.

Fear - Fear is the greatest enemy of faith. There are many people that have missed what God wanted to do through them because of fear. Fear will paralyze you and keep you from the purpose God has for your life. Take fear by the neck and throw it out of your life.

Timothy was a young man was radically transformed. Paul knew it might cost him his friends, his popularity, and much more if confessed God, so he told him never be ashamed, so right before that he shared with Timothy that God has not given us fear, but power. Paul knew if Timothy would pay the price, God would use him and he did. Timothy was the pastor of one of the largest churches in the world in his day, as a young man.

Fear will keep you from your destiny. Confront it head on and confess what God has done for you. It may be painful at first, but you will be in complete shock at what God does through you and for you. You will be amazed at the friends you never thought would come, are now living radically for God.

Rejection - I hate being rejected. I have never woken up and thought, "man I'd love to get rejected by people I care about today!" Yet rejection is a part of life, especially when you begin to stand for what God has done and is doing. In fact Jesus was rejected by his own family because of his stand. We too may be rejected as we confess what God has done, but because Jesus was rejected we are accepted by God. I don't know about you, but I'd rather be accepted by God and have Him place people in my life, than be accepted by everybody and be rejected by God. As you confess you may be rejected, but you will always be accepted by God and your church family.

Confession can cost you, but the reward or confess far out weighs the cost. As you go back to school transformed and changed, confess Him and watch what God does in your life!

Prayer: Lord give me the strength to confess you and not deny before man. When I fear or am rejected help me to stand and know that you are taking care of me!

Yearbook yourself!

2008-08-25T22:45:00.001-07:00

Here's what Gia and I would look like through the decades:

50's:

60's:

70's:

80's:

90's:

Good times! You can do it too here. Have fun!

GO!

2008-08-25T15:00:00.000-07:00

Read: Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-48; John 15:16; Colossians 1:6, 23.

Now that we have received Christ, the power of the Holy Spirit and are a part of the church family it's time to go. Too often people get transformed and they do nothing with that transformation. I've heard this analogy many times and I'd like to share it with you.

In the middle east there are two seas that are not far from one another. One sea is teaming with life and the other is completely dead. In fact it is incapable of supporting or sustaining life. They are the Red Sea, full of life, and the Dead Sea, well it's name says it all. The only difference that can be found between the two is this; one goes and the other stays. Both seas have rivers pouring into them, but only the Red Sea "go's" or has a river coming out of it. You see it is because the Dead Sea keeps all that is poured into it that it is dead. There must be pouring in and pouring out.

The same is true in our lives. God has poured his transformation and life into you and now you must go and take it to others. If we stay, what has been poured into us will eventually die. Jesus commanded us to go into all the world and tell others. This means getting out of the four walls of the church and telling others about what God has done.

We don't have time to stay, we have got to go. We need to pour out what is being poured in. As we pour out and go, God pours new and fresh anointing into our lives. It's time to go!

Prayer: God I will go. I will not be afraid. I will pour out and believe that you will pour in to my life!

Evangelism Reading Plan

2008-08-25T12:07:00.000-07:00

Monday GO! Read: Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-48; John 15:16; Colossians 1:6, 23.
Prayer: God I will go. I will not be afraid.

Tuesday Confess Read: Matthew 10:32; 1 Timothy 6:12-13; Romans 10:9-10; 2 Timothy 1:8; 1 John 4:15.
Prayer: Lord give me the strength to confess you and not deny before man.

Wednesday Persecution Read: Matthew 5:10; Mark 10:29-30; Luke 6:22; John 15:20; Romans 8:35-39; 2 Corinthians 4:8-12; James 1:2-5; 1 Peter 4:12-16.
Prayer: God give me the right perspective when I am persecuted.

Thursday Make disciples Read: Matthew 28:19, 9:37; John 8:31, 13:35; 15:8.
Prayer: God help me to make disciples of every person I bring.

Friday Invite Read: Matthew 22:1-13, 25:14-30
Prayer: Please place spiritual mothers in my life to nurture me and encourage me.

Saturday Pray Read: Matthew 5:44; John 17:20-21; Ephesians 1:18, 3:17-21; Colossians 4:3-4; 2 Thessalonians 3:1
Prayer: Please help me understand my role in the family.

Sunday Live Read: Galatians 2:20; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Matthew 5:13-16; 2 Corinthians 4:6.
Prayer: Please help me to fulfill my role in the family.

Your role in the family part 2

2008-08-25T11:53:00.000-07:00

Read: Acts 2:42-47; Romans 1:8-13; 1 Thessalonians 5:25; Romans 12:9-13.

As I mentioned last post each of us has a role to play. Here are more areas each of us need to contribute to the family of God. Sharing our time, talent and treasure and prayer.

Time - Each of us has time. We use that time to work or go to school. We use that time for TV, the Internet, to hang out with friends. We use our time to do many things. One area we need to share our time is with church family. We need to spend time volunteering, discipling, helping, and hanging with church family. It is important to give your time to your church family.

Talent - God has given each of us a talent for one purpose. To contribute it to the church family. You have talents that you can share with the church family. When each person shares their talent the church family grows in health and number. What are your talents? Share them with the church family and watch God grow the church family and your life.

Treasure - Finances, money! We each have it in different measures. Some have tons, some have little. Each of us should share with the church family out of the measure they have. It is so important to give your finances to God and to His family because it shows that your heart is for him and his family. The tithe, offerings and blessing others are ways to share your treasure with the family of Christ. Give and it will be given to you even more. Share your treasure and God will bless you with more.

Prayer - Pray! Pray for your church family, pray for your pastors and leaders. Pray for others! This keeps you focused on the needs of others and not yourself. Remember there is no room for selfishness in this family, only those willing to serve. Prayer eliminates arguments and grudges. Pray for everyone, people you like and don't like, friends and enemies. Pray for your church family!

Each of us has a part to play. It's time for you to begin playing yours. Share your time, talent and treasure and pray! Don't wait, start now.

Prayer: Father I am going to share my time, talent, and treasure with my church family and I will pray. Use me to grow the family of Christ.

Your role in the family part 1

2008-08-25T11:25:00.000-07:00

Read: Galatians 6:10; Matthew 20:25-28; Proverbs 17:17; John 13:35.

The moment we choose Christ we become part of a church family. There are huge benefits of being a part of the family. Leadership, guidance, destiny, identity, DNA and much more. The joy of having a spiritual father and mother, brothers and sister and on and on. Each person has a part to play and role. Here are a few roles that each must fulfill: Do good, serve, love and friendship.

Do good - In everything you do, with every word do good, especially to those who are in the family of Christ. Many families are built around selfishness. The attitude of what can you do for me is the attitude of most people. In the family of God our attitude needs to be what can I do for you? In every possible way we should do good for and to each other and not harm. Every time you have an opportunity, do good!

Serve - Jesus addressed this one. He told us that it's natural to lord over people. If we are older or have achieved more we feel we have earned the right to be served and honored by people "under" us. It's natural to flaunt our authority, yet Jesus commands us to serve. Instead of fighting over who's in charge and who should be listened to, we should serve one another, listen to each other and submit to one another. This means treating our younger siblings and those "under" us with respect and serving them. It's crazy, I know, but in this family we serve each other.

Love - The church family is built on the foundation of love. Love endures, it keeps no record of wrong and it covers sin. In this family we are quick to forgive and love all even if we don't like them. There is no room for grudges, gossip and hate, but love and forgiveness. It is your duty to love others and help them. Read 1 Corinthians 13 for a greater understanding of the love we should have for each other.

Friendship - As a part of the family of God we have a role of friendship to play. We have a duty to be friends to others in the family. Friends are loyal and trustworthy. Friends help us through difficult times. You need to make friends and be friends with people in the family of God. My best friends are those who are in God's family. They encourage me and help me through things and I return the favor.

Each of us has a role to play in the family and this is only the beginning. If each of us will play our part the family of Christ will be irresistible to those who are outside. People will know that Jesus is who He said He is when we each play our part in the family.

Prayer: Father please help me understand my role in the family and help me to fulfill it!

Spiritual Mothers

2008-08-23T11:04:00.000-07:00

Read: 1 Timothy 5:1-2; 2 Timothy 1:3-7; Proverbs 6:20-23; 1 Thessalonians 2:7

Spiritual Mothers! Everyone of us needs one, just as you need a spiritual father you need a mother. Proverbs tells us to tie our mothers teaching around our neck as a constant reminder to us. Spiritual mothers pass on genuine faith and godly character. They also draw out our destiny and bring encouragement. I know in my life my natural mother has been my spiritual mother as well. The above four things have been huge in my development as a man of God. Let's take a look at each using Timothy and Jesus as our examples.

Genuine Faith – 2 Timothy 1:5 says the genuine faith that is in you which was first in your grandma and your mom. Timothy had genuine faith because it was passed from his grandma to his mom and then to him. Spiritual mom's are instrumental in passing on genuine faith. I know that my mom constantly spoke faith and still does into my life. When my faith is weak I call her and she always knows what to say and pray to stir up my faith. Spiritual mothers will pass on genuine faith.

Godly Character – 1 Timothy 4:12 says be an example of Godly character. Timothy had Godly Character, he had integrity, he was pure, had faith, loved others, conducted himself as he ought to. Spiritual mothers teach Godly character by modeling it in their life. Mom's typically spend more time with children instructing them and showing them what is right. Being around a spiritual mother, receiving the teaching and instruction will fill you with Godly character. Godly character is so important to becoming and maintaining who God calls you to be. Another way to explain this would be DNA. Natural mothers pass on DNA, Spiritual mothers pass on Spiritual DNA, faith and character.

Destiny - It is the job of a Spiritual father to give destiny and identity, but the job of a spiritual mother to draw it out of them. Jesus' mom drew the destiny out of Jesus at the Wedding of Cana. Jesus thought it wasn't his time yet to begin ministry, to step out and fulfill the destiny he had, but his mom had another idea. She was right and Jesus began to perform miracles. Spiritual mothers draw the destiny out of you. They nudge you when it's time to be who God has called you and comfort you when you are afraid.

Encouragement - Mothers encourage. They always know what to say when you need it. Their smiles, words and hugs are HUGE to keeping you going when things get tough. Spiritual mother will encourage you and comfort you when you need it.

Spiritual mothers are so important to your life in Christ. Surround yourself with older ladies that can be mothers to you, can pass on faith, character, draw out destiny and encourage you. If your natural mother is a woman of God let her be your spiritual mother, if not God has a spiritual mother for you.

Prayer: God please place spiritual mothers in my life to nurture me and encourage me. Let me receive the faith and character that they pass on!

Ignite Recap Videos

2008-08-23T10:53:00.000-07:00

Check them out! You can copy them from Josh Danskin's YouTube page here.

Day 1 and 2

Day 3

Day 4

What an incredible week! I cant wait until next year.

See you Sunday!

And the superstar volunteer of Ignite camp goes to....

2008-08-22T10:06:00.000-07:00

Tristan Berg! Jenny Brien! Tiffany Bourgeois! Nate Caldwell! Tina Chavez! Justin Crouch! Josh Danskin! Heidi Levesque! Jon Levesque! Terryl Padilla! Anna Tatham!

Each one of these guys made Ignite Camp the most incredible week this summer.

Tristan Berg

Tristan has been a faithful volunteer at GRID 2911 for many years. He works an insane schedule and still makes sure he is at everything. Tristan took a week off of work to volunteer at Ignite Camp. His leadership and passion was and is contagious. He did an incredible job leading the G's for Jesus with his co leader. Thank you Tristan!

Jenny Brien

Jenny has also been an incredible volunteer at GRID 2911 for many years. She took a week away from her husband to lead with Tristan the G's for Jesus. She was a vital part in helping work out details for the camp. Her prophetic voice at camp was inspiring, her leadership, passion and compassion were incredible. She had the opportunity to help some young ladies through some tough issues and she did it with power and anointing. Thank you Jenny!

Tiffany Bourgeois

Tiffers co lead Team ID with her future brother in law Terryl. Hailing from the island of Guam Tiffany's passion for our generation is evident and contagious. When she took the mic God's anointing was so evident, it certainly broke chains off of people. Her leadership changed the lives of many young ladies, especially those who didn't want to be there. Thank you Tiffany!

Nate Caldwell

Nate was our utility player at camp. He came early, worked day and night to set up and get things ready and was always willing at a moments notice to do what ever it took to make it the greatest week of the summer. Nate not only was vital to Ignite camps success, but pulled double duty and lead at Accelerate Kids Camp. Nate's desire for the things of God and to see people's lives changed was key to the success of Ignite and Accelerate. Thank you Nate!

Tina Chavez

WOW! Tina's leadership was absolutely amazing. She had to lead through some real difficulties and did it with strength and anointing and many, many, many, many lives were changed because of it. As the leader of Magma I saw her students transformed in a real powerful way and it was because of Tina's passion, love and leadership. Thank you Tina!

Justin Crouch

Justin was my right hand man at Ignite. He oversaw the audio production set up and ran it. He made the youth worship team sound really good and he co lead team R2D2 with Anna. One night Justin took the mic and preached the most anointed seven minute word I have heard in a long time. His passionate prayer and leadership was outstanding and lives were change because of his faith! Thank you Justin!

Josh Danskin

Josh was the media maniac at camp. He got there early too to set up lights and video. All week Josh worked his can off to film and produce highlight videos. Not only did he film, edit and run video during services, he lead, prayed, and tore it up with all the young people there. He was the adopted leader of Team ID. One night he stayed up until 4:45am to produce a highlight video, that was off the heezy by the way. Josh is the man! Thank you Josh!

Heidi Levesque

Heidi! She also took work off for the week, lead team D4 and drove the bus down and back and down and back and down and back. Few people knew, but Heidi got up early or drove late on several occasions to drop off and pick up buses. This was her first camp leadership experience and she knocked it out of the park. Her passion and faith are evident and have changed many lives. She is an incredible spiritual mother to many! Thank you Heidi!

Jon Levesque

Jon was only able to get the last couple days of work off, but he did it and he showed up with an explosion of faith and passion. He stepped right in and helped his wife lead team D4 and did an incredible job. His leadership was outstanding and in only a few short hours gained the trust of his team and was able to help many change and grow. Thank you Jon!

Terryl Padilla

Terryl took his leadership to a whole new level! He co lead with Tiffers team ID and help many young men develop a passion for God. His team were found on many occasion reading their bible, engaging in passionate worship and hungry for God and it was his leadership and passion that sparked this. He taught from the stage on worship and helped take camp to the next level. His prayers and teachings were outstanding and vital to Ignites success. Thank you Terryl!

Anna Tatham

My nickname for Anna is quiet thunder because she's always been quiet, but extremely powerful. At ignite the thunder roared as Anna unleashed the passion and incredible leadership that is inside of her. On several occasions she took the mic and preached the word. It was incredible to see the anointing on her life. She stepped up and stepped in to help any in need. Her faith and leadership certainly transformed many! Thank you Anna!

Each one of these leaders contributed in far more ways that a little paragraph can say and deserve far more thanks. Ignite could not have been what it was had it not been for their leadership, passion, faith and prayers. When you see them give them a HUGE thank you!

Others who contributed and deserve mad props: Ryan Brien, Kristian Gorman, Jaime Flippin, Kat Bourgeois, Chuck and Stephanie Richter and Mark Wilmot.

Temptation is knocking

2008-08-21T19:26:00.000-07:00

Read: Matthew 6:13, 26:41; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Ephesians 6:12-13; 1 Peter 5:8-9;

Everyday you will be faced with temptation. What do you do when temptation is knocking at your door? What do you do when temptation is calling your name? Everyday you are going to have opportunities to fall prey to temptation. What is temptation? Temptation is the desire and opportunity to sin, to fall back into that which you've been free from. You have the choice everyday to turn your back on temptation or to open the door and let it in. So what do you do when temptation knocks on your door?

Well... you get the hammer, wood and nails and you board up the door it's knocking on. Actually just burn down the door it's knocking on. In other words, don't entertain temptation for even a second. The second you go to the door the harder it is to walk away. If you open the door to see whose knocking the chances you will open the door and fall to temptation are extremely high. The Word of God is your greatest tool in overcoming temptation. Here are some ways to overcome.

Go on the offensive - Matthew 6:13 is a prayer for God not to lead you into temptation. If you know you are tempted by something, don't wait for it to come to you. Get rid of it. Go on the offensive and get it out of your life. It's not worth falling time and time again. Be strong and courageous and get rid of it. We are in a spiritual battle, so fight. When Jesus was tempted he used the word of God to overcome temptation. Do the same and you will have victory over that which tempts you.

Don't buy into the lie - The enemy will lie to you and tell you that nobody else struggles with what you struggle with. There is no one to help you and you are the worst person to ever walk the planet. There is a lie that you will never be able to overcome. 1 Corinthians 10:13 tells us that the temptations we face are no different than what others face and God is faithful, he will not allow us to be tempted more than we can stand. Don't believe the lie. Believe the truth... the Word of God!

Accountability - Get someone in your life who can lead you and hold you accountable. This will help you overcome. They can pray for you, encourage you, correct you, show you how to overcome. You need a leader, not a friend, that can hold you accountable in your life. This is so important to overcome temptation. When it knocks on your door they can hold you back from opening it and falling on your face again. Get some accountability in your life.

Temptation is knocking on the door of your life, but you don't have to answer it. Use the word, stand upon the truth and get some accountability and you will have victory over that thing that has held you back for so long. The victory is yours for the taking! When Temptation knocks... knock it out with the Word of God!

Prayer: Lead me not into temptation, but deliver me from evil. God I will read the word and speak it in the midst of temptation. Help me to be accountable to someone who can lead me out of my sin and into your righteousness.

For more on temptation I posted more on a blog here.

Spiritual Fathers

2008-08-21T17:59:00.000-07:00

Read: 1 Timothy 5:1-2; 1 Timothy 1:1-2; Proverbs 6:20-23; Ephesians 6:1-4.

1 Corinthians 4:14-16 The Message Bible
14-16I'm not writing all this as a neighborhood scold just to make you feel rotten. I'm writing as a father to you, my children. I love you and want you to grow up well, not spoiled. There are a lot of people around who can't wait to tell you what you've done wrong, but there aren't many fathers willing to take the time and effort to help you grow up. It was as Jesus helped me proclaim God's Message to you that I became your father. I'm not, you know, asking you to do anything I'm not already doing myself.

Fathers. Everyone of us needs a spiritual father and often many spiritual fathers in our lives. Paul tells us in Ephesians 6 that they provide discipline and instruction from the Lord. Proverbs tells us that the correction, instruction and counsel will guide us, be a light for us and it is the way to life. Fathers bring us life, light, counsel and guidance. 1 Corinthians tells us that they help us mature or grow up!

You need a spiritual father in your life. A person with wisdom to help you through all of life's difficulties. A person you respect and honor and can receive correction and direction from. Spiritual fathers provide four things: Destiny/identity, Protection, Spiritual Food and Authority.

Destiny - In the Jewish culture your father told you what you would one day be and do. Fathers held the destiny of their children. Today's culture it is the same. Spiritual fathers will unlock and help you see the destiny in your life. Destiny and identity go hand in hand. If you have a destiny you have an identity and vice versa. We have an identity crisis in the youth of America because of a lack of fathers. A spiritual father will provide destiny and identity for your life. They will tell you, then show you who you are (identity) and position you to hear God on what you should do (destiny).

Protection - Fathers also provide protection. Protection from others, protection from yourself and protection from anything harmful. A spiritual father will be a covering of protection for your life. Showing you things, areas in yourself and others that are harmful. Listen to them! If they tell you a relationship is harmful, listen! They know what they are talking about. My natural father protected me from others, myself and anything that could harm me, the same is true with spiritual fathers.

Spiritual Food - In today's society both fathers and mothers provide for the home. According to the Word Fathers have a mandate from God to provide. This doesn't mean a mother cannot it's just Fathers are required to provide food and nourishment for their families. A spiritual father is someone who can feed you spiritually for a time and then teach you to feed yourself. They can guide you and show you what to read and how to pray and once you have it down release you to feed yourself. They help you grow strong in your faith and in Christ.

Authority - Authority is the difference between someone who gets set free and someone who stays in bondage. We all have power, but we need the authority to exercise the power. In order to have authority in your life you must first be under authority. You have to be submitted, or willing to listen to and follow someone else. You need a spiritual father in your life that you are willing to listen to and follow. One you honor and are under. One who can come at anytime and say you need to change this and you will change it. This creates authority in your life and that is the way to tapping into the power that God has for you!

You need a spiritual father in your life. How do you find one? Well start with your own father. If your dad is a man of God who can provide these things then there you go! You will still have a pastor that you need to submit to as a spiritual father, but your natural dad if they are a man of God will be the best spiritual father you can have.

If you don't have the joy of having a natural father like that then God has a spiritual father for you. Pastors, Elders, leaders and older men who are men of God will be that spiritual father for you. Submit yourself to them and they will provide that which you need.

Prayer: Please place spiritual fathers in my life to speak destiny and purpose into my life. I choose to submit myself to them and receive what I need from them even I don't always like what I hear. Help them to mature me and grow me into the person I am called to be!

Twitter - the 411 on my life and the GRID

2008-08-21T16:12:00.000-07:00

Ever wonder what I'm doing at random times of the day? Ever want to know what's happening at GRID 2911? Well follow me and the GRID on twitter and get updates right to your phone on what's going down. Here's how:

Go to twitter.com and sign up... it's free!
Go to www.twitter.com/twarren to sign up for my twitters.
Go to www.twitter.com/grid2911 to sign up for the GRID twitters.
Turn phone device updates to on (if you unlimited text) and you will get a text every time I or the GRID updates.
Know exactly what's going on at all times!

Get signed up today!

Brothers and Sisters

2008-08-21T12:15:00.000-07:00

Read: Hebrews 10:24-25; 1 Timothy 5:1-2; Romans 16:1-2; James 2:15-17; Philemon 1:1-7; Romans 14:21.

The moment you receive Christ into your life, you become a part of the family of God. This means that those guys sitting next to you in church are your brothers in Christ and the those ladies are your sisters. Just like in a natural family there is a proper way to treat your brothers and sisters.

Your brothers and sisters should be treated with respect and with all purity. We should encourage them, treat them purely, help them out in time of need, and love them.

Encourage them - "...but encourage one another..." Hebrews 10:25 It can be rough out there. Work, school, family life, all of it can drag us down. We need to make sure we encourage one another. Encouragement is often the difference between someone who quits and someone who pushes through to victory. Encourage each other!

Purity - "...treat younger women with all purity as you would your sister..." 1 Timothy 5:2 "It's better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else if it might cause another believer to stumble." Romans 14:21 When you are checking that member of the opposite sex out remember they are your brother or sister and don't treat them any differently until you are married. Would you talk about, look at and think about your sibling that way? If you are knock it off. Treat them with purity. Also, ladies and few men, be careful with how you dress. Everyone be careful how you talk to one another. If you dress and talk in a way to get people to like you or look at you, you are causing them to stumble. It's time to be pure in how we treat each other.

Help them - "Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing... So you see, faith by itself isn't enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless." James 2:15, 17
"...help her in whatever she needs..." Romans 16:2 If you know someone can't afford something and they need it and you have the ability, provide it. Give out of your abundance. Help others get to events, get clothes, food and such. Help each other financially, in prayer and support. We are a family!

Love them - "Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother..." Philemon 1:7 Love each other. Give your life to one another. Don't be rude and short with each other, but be patient. Love each other it will bring joy and comfort to those who need it. In fact if we love one another others will know that we are Christ followers. Even if you don't like them you still need to love them. Let love be your guide in your conduct.

We are brothers and sisters and some of you out there don't like your natural brothers and sisters. That trend is now changing in your life. Love, give, serve, encourage, and pray for your brothers and sisters in Christ. You need it and they need it.

Prayer: Help me to relate to my brothers and sisters and treat them with respect.

Special Worship and prayer night this Wednesday

2008-08-19T22:18:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow night at 7pm we are having a special time of worship and prayer for all our students at The Grid. Plan on being there! It's going to be incredible. We are going to continue in crazy worship and praise and begin to pray for God to do amazing things in our friends!

The One

2008-08-19T19:27:00.000-07:00

Read: Genesis 2:21-24; Proverbs 18:22, 19:14; Matthew 7:7-8; John 16:24

God has someone for you. Someone special for you. Someone perfect for you and you have a choice. Will I wait for God to bring me the one or will I go out and try and find them? Many people would tell you that you need to date around, test drive a bunch of cars before you know which one you will want. I disagree with this view point and so does the word. God brought Eve to Adam and Rebekah to Isaac. If you will trust God he will bring you the one you will spend your life with. If you choose to wait, and you should, there are some things you need to do to prepare yourself.

Make a list - Seek God and ask him what you need in a mate. Write it down. Hint: being a person full of faith should be number 1. Make a list of what you desire in a future mate and do not settle for anything less. If someone meets half of the list, not good enough. 3/4 not good enough. God will give you the perfect person for you. He will give you what you desire.

Pray - Pray for the person you will be with. Pray that God will keep them and prepare them for you. Pray that God will prepare you for the person. Pray for their destiny and for their life in God. Pray for your future spouse. It will keep you focused on what God has for you and keep you from trying to find someone yourself.

Wait and Serve - God is big enough to bring you the perfect one when you are ready and to keep them for you. You don't have to go out and find them. In fact you shouldn't. If you will stay in the house of God and serve the house of God, he will bring you the perfect one. Adam was fulfilling his purpose when God brought him Eve. Isaac was in the field, this symbolizes serving and God brought him Rebekah. Trust God, wait and serve and God will bring you the perfect one. It happened for me, Adam, and Isaac and it will happen for you.

God has a perfect one for you. Wait for it, it will be worth it! I waited for my wife. I didn't fool around with dating in high school, but served God and he brought me Gia. She is perfect for me and I could not be happier. She was more than worth the wait. In fact at times I cannot believe that I'm married to her. She is my gift from God. You don't know what you want when you are 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, so you really shouldn't be dating. You can however ask God to place a right desire in your life, show you what you need and make a list and pray. Then wait and serve and God will bring you the one for your life!

Prayer: God please bless the person I am supposed to be with. Keep them for me and bring them into my life when the time is right. Prepare me to be the perfect mate for them. Help me to stay focused and wait.

Not all relationships are created equal...

2008-08-19T18:08:00.000-07:00

Read: 1 Corinthians 6:14-15, 15:33; Ezra 9:1-2; Amos 3:3.

When it comes to dating as a Christ follower there are specific guidelines that will bring you great success! Just like if you ignore the guidelines for driving a car it will end in pain, disaster and possibly death, if you ignore the guidelines set in the Word of God as to who you should and should not date it will end in great pain, disaster and potentially spiritual death.

Why you date is the most important aspect of dating. It should only be to find a life long mate. Don't date until you are ready to find a mate. It should not be because you are lonely, insecure, and lack confidence, this will end in pain and heart ache as well. Who you date is the second most important aspect of dating. Because you are searching for someone to spend the rest of your life with you better make sure you follow biblical guidelines.

Not all relationships are created equal. In 1 Corinthians 6:14-15 it tells us not to team up with an unbeliever. In other words do not date or marry somebody who doesn't follow Christ. The reason is your outlook on why you date and how you should live will differ drastically and this person will only hinder what God has for you.

"But Pastor Travis I can change them!" Um okay, try this illustration you will need someone to help. Stand on a chair and have a person stand on the ground. Now, hold their hand and try to pull them up onto the chair with that one hand. What happened? Unless you are twice their size and work out everyday you can't do it. Now have them with that one hand try and pull you off the chair. What happened? Unless you chose someone who took it easy on you, you fell. This is what happens when we date someone who is a person of no faith. We try and pull them up to God, but in the end they pull us down. This is why not all relationships are created equal.

Amos 3:3 says how can two walk together unless they agree? The answer they cannot. What happens if you marry someone who is a person of no faith and you are going to tithe. Will they agree... no! What if you want to serve and take vacation to help out with camp, will they agree... no! What about prayer, the word, morality, worship, what kind of media you watch and listen to, how to raise your children, church? In all of these areas there will be arguements and fighting and division and a house divided cannot stand. There will be no unity from the beginning and your relationship will be doomed to fail. Not all relationships are created equal. Date and marry only those who are full of faith, believing what you do.

If you are in a relationship right now and the person you are dating is a person of no faith, you need to break it off right now if you are a student. If you are older and maybe you got saved while dating this person, consider your life since you got saved. Have they been supportive, has there been peace and unity? If not you should probably break it off and decide to only date and marry those who believe what you believe.

Your dating relationship and marriage can be the greatest time of your life or it can end in disaster, all you've got to do to make sure it's the greatest is evaluate why you are dating, who you are dating and live by a standard that sets you apart from the culture.

Prayer: God help me to end any unhealthy relationships and wait for someone who loves you. I will date when I'm ready to get married and date only those who are full of faith in you!

The Purpose of the Family

2008-08-19T17:26:00.000-07:00

Read: Ephesians 3:15-20; 1 Corinthians 12:18-27

What is the purpose of the family of Christ? It is to be the representation of God in your life. The church family is there to encourage you, direct you and correct you. The family is called to be the voice of God, the representation of God in your life and should show you the love of God.

1 Corinthians 12 talks about the body and how each part is important. The same is true about the family. Each member of the family is important. Spiritual fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters are needed in our life. Here is a breakdown of the purpose of the family of Christ.

Encouragement - Nothing gets me fired up to continue in God's purpose for my life like encouragement and it is from Spiritual fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters. Encouragement is fuel for your fire when life stinks. You need it in your life. That is why you should surround your self with church family. People who are not a part of the family of Christ cannot encourage you like those who are a part. Surround yourself with these people!

Direction - I've heard of many people who went to others who did not know Christ for direction in their life and it ends in disaster. The church family has the things of God in mind and can often see God working in your life when you cannot. You need a pastor, father, mother in your life to give you direction. They can help you with life's difficult decisions. I don't know where I would be without the direction of my pastor... lost for sure! Direction will keep you on the right path, heading towards your destiny!

Correction - Most people want encouragement and direction, but think when they are corrected people have gone to far. It's because of correction some people leave the church. They think, "what right do they have to say that to me?" Well when you are a part of a family there are times where correction is needed. In fact I have grown more from correction than from direction or encouragement. Correction is not a mean thing but rather a sign of love. In fact Hebrews 12:6 says that God disciplines the ones He loves. Correction/discipline is a sign of love. You need people in your life who will correct you and who you can receive correction from.

The Church family is so important to your growth spiritually. You need it in your life. Encouragement, Direction and Correction!

Prayer: Father help me to yield to the purpose of the family of Christ in my life. Help me to surround myself with people who will encourage, direct and correct me. I open myself up to receive encouragement, direction and correction. I'm not going to go about it alone.

The Family of Christ

2008-08-18T09:10:00.000-07:00

Read: Proverbs 18:1; Acts 2:42-47; Matthew 12:47-50.

"Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?" Then he pointed to his disciples and said, "Look, these are my mother and brothers Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother." Matthew 12:48-50 NLT

In the above scripture Jesus begins to set us up for a new revelation of people who follow him. When we enter the kingdom of God by asking Jesus into our life we receive salvation, hope a new life and one more thing among everything else. We are now a part of the family of Christ. In the book of Ephesians we see the church represented in a variety of ways. The church is a body, it's an army and it's a bride. One of the most important functions of the church is that it is a family. We have been adopted (Ephesians 1:5) by God into his family and are now his sons and daughters.

There are so many benefits and responsibilities that come with being a part of a family. Each and everyone of us has a role and responsibilities to take care of as members of the family of Christ. There are no free loaders in this family. There are no 29-year-old-single-people-with-no-job living-in-their-momma's-basement in this family. Each person is very important and has a role.

Many people have come from a broken home. It is not common anymore for people to have a proper understanding of how a family should act and function. They don't know what a true father does, acts like and how they love. They don't understand what a true mother should do and how they act and love. They are in the dark when it comes to being a true brother or sister. They need a lesson in what it means to be a part of a family. This week will be dedicated to shaping your view of how a family should act and interact. It'll show you the relationships you need in your life and role you play.

If you have a warped understanding of family I want you to read 1 Corinthians 13. This chapter is about love and the foundation of your Church Family is love and a desire to serve one another. Also read Philippians 2:3. God has a family for you a Father, mother, brothers and sisters that are a part of his family.

Prayer: Father help me to understand the family of Christ. Take any fear or previous bad experiences I've had and give me a proper outlook on your family.

Church Family Reading Plan

2008-08-17T19:54:00.000-07:00

Church Family Reading Plan

Monday The Family of Christ Read: Proverbs 18:1; Acts 2:42-47; Matthew 12:47-50.
Prayer: Father help me to understand the family of Christ.

Tuesday The purpose of the family Read: Ephesians 3:15-20; 1 Corinthians 12:18-27
Prayer: Father help me to yield to the purpose of the family of Christ in my life.

Wednesday Brothers and Sisters Read: Hebrews 10:24-25; 1 Timothy 5:1-2; Romans 16:1; James 2:15-17; Philemon 2:1-7; Romans 14:21.
Prayer: Help me to relate to my brothers and sisters and treat them with respect.

Thursday Spiritual Fathers Read: 1 Timothy 5:1-2; 1 Timothy 1:1-2; Proverbs 6:20-23; Ephesians 6:1-4.
Prayer: Please place spiritual fathers in my life to speak destiny and purpose into my life.

Friday Spiritual Mothers Read: 1 Timothy 5:1-2; 1 Timothy 1:3-7; Proverbs 6:20-23; 1 Thessalonians 2:7
Prayer: Please place spiritual mothers in my life to nurture me and encourage me.

Saturday Your Role in the family pt 1 Read: Galatians 6:10; Matthew 20:25-28; Proverbs 17:17; John 13:35.
Prayer: Please help me understand my role in the family.

Sunday Your Role in the family pt 2 Read: Acts 2:42-47; Romans 1:8-13; 1 Thessalonians 5:25; Romans 12:9-13.
Prayer: Please help me to fulfill my role in the family.

Go to TravisWarren.com for further explanation of each topic everyday!

Ignite Recap

2008-08-16T19:00:00.000-07:00

WOW!!!!!!!! That is the first thing I say when I'm asked about Ignite Camp. The next thing I say is that it was UNBELIEVABLE. I expected God to move, I expected Him to change lives, I expected Him to do miracles, but what happened was exceedingly, abundantly, above all I could ask or think. It was unbelievable. Here are some highlights from each day:

Monday

Arrived safely to camp around 1pm and got into teams.
Each team did a little team building exercises, getting to know you games and came up with a team name.
Team names were: D4 (the devo divas and disco dudes), Team ID, Team Magma, G's for Jesus and R2D2 (radically devoted times 2).
Dinner was the best ravioli I'd had in a long, long time. It just so happened I was really hungry, so maybe that had something to do with it.
At 7 we opened the doors with a crazy 60 second countdown right into the youth worship teams first worship set in front of anyone. Thank you to Quinn Richter, Danny Morales and Daniel Bender for working so hard to get ready for camp.
There was a huge buzz and expectation as the students entered and during worship.
I preached on the road blocks to devotion out of the parable of the sower. Here is a blog post on that.
Tons of people responded to the alter call that night to get the little bitty thing off to the side that can grow and choke the word out of your life out of their life.
We had small groups later that night and a leader morning after everyone went to bed.

Tuesday

Up bright and early at 7am.
Breakfast and morning worship.
During worship the different team leaders prayed up a storm. You should have heard them. Anna, Tiffany, Justin, Terryl, Jenny, Tristan and Tina all lead the students in praying to God for more. It was incredible to see the leaders step up and lay it down in prayer.
After this we had small group time and personal quiet times then lunch. Then the fun began.
After lunch we began with a huge game of wizard, elf, giant (rock, paper, scissors combined with tagging the loser). It was epic! I think the best was the game where one of the teams got low on players, so the massive team did cross because the cross beats all and won the game!
Then we played a little toilet tag and extreme soccer.
After we all got hot and sweaty we had the best water fight I've ever seen. The leaders took all of the water balloons and squirt guns from the students and were set to ambush them. I found out and told the students to charge them. 2 hours later we were all soaked and had huge smiles on our faces.
I was dry for most of it until all the leaders and students tricked me into thinking a student was hurt (Tessa), so I ran to the circle was grabbed and drenched with several buckets of water. Good one all! I will not forget who you all are so watch your backs! Just kidding.
Dinner that night then service. This is where something broke in the Spirit at camp. Normally by the last night everybody is dancing in worship and dealing with the serious junk. It's always my heart that by the last night that students really "get it." In fact I was expecting God to move the last night and for them to be free and leave camp changed.
We did our first two songs and when we finished Break Free I was switching to acoustic guitar for worship and a student yells ONE MORE TIME, then a chant began with all the students yelling ONE MORE TIME began. Terryl looked at me like well? and I gave him the nod, so he told them we'd do it again and all of the students ran to the front without any prompting. We played it again and the whole time they jumped and praised God because He was breaking them free. It was incredible. Worship was incredible and God was doing something.
What I had hoped to happen by the last day was happening on the second. It was unbelievable.
I spoke that night on the fire of devotion. You can read about it here. The alter call was good, the small groups better and the leaders were going crazy with stories until late in the morning. Kids that didn't want to be there were dancing in God's presence, reading their bibles because they wanted to in their room and anticipating what God had for them.

Wednesday

Woke up at 7am.
Breakfast and morning worship and prayer. This time with the whole band. As we got ready I was wondering if the students would still worship and praise like they did the night before. As soon as we started they began to worship and praise like they did before.
As we worshiped we prayed with them, teaching them how to pray every morning.
Next was small group time and personal quiet times then lunch.
That afternoon we had paintball, climbing wall, games, and the gym was open.
Dinner then Accelerate worship. The youth worship team played for the Accelerate camp which was a lot of fun.
We performed our team cheers for the Accelerate kids and Team ID was voted the winners! Congrats!
Service was at 7pm with Pastor Mel.
All the kids were so excited for her to be there, worship was incredible with the kids once again chanting ONE MORE TIME for Break free (we sang it 11 times at camp for the students and we all still love it!)
Pastor Melinda preached an incredible message from Psalm 34:8 and 1 Thessalonians 1:18. Taste and see that the Lord is good.
One young lady heard God speak in worship that she need to stop letting boys use her for their gratification and then Pastor Mel spoke on something similar and she was floored.
I was so honored to have Pastor Mel there and it was an incredible night.
We had small groups and a leader meeting then off to bed for one more full day of camp.

Thursday

Wake up? You guessed it 7am.
Breakfast then morning worship and prayer. Again we all got crazy for Jesus.
Team ID went to the lake early because they won the cheer comp and had their quiet time in the van over to the lake. The rest of us had small groups and quiet time then off to the lake.
Volleyball, swimming, toss-toss, Tubing behind the boat, water fights and sun burns (even though sunscreen was required several times that day) galore!
We headed back and made it just in time for dinner.
Accelerate Kids Camp's service was right after dinner. We did worship again and I spoke. I shared about David and how he was R.A.D. and therefore was unshakable. Reading and Asking (praying) equals Devotion or R.A.D. We must be R.A.D. to be unshakable.
Youth service was right after that beginning with judging the Accelerate cheer comp. The 4th graders won! Congrats to them!
That night worship was off the hook again! We did three fast songs and still they wanted more Break Free! After Tuesday I was praying and wondering what more could happen. I mean what you expect for the last night already happened. I'd never been to a camp where it happened so fast, so I didn't know what more there was for us. We already had tons of God moments what more was there, but God had a Word for everybody.
About fifteen minutes before service He gave me two scriptures, an illustration and a title. When I spoke the anointing fell in that place. That night people all over wrote down the old life they were leaving on paper and took it to the cross. There were tears, prophecy and baptism in the Holy Spirit. Here is the message.
The Spirit of God fell in a way I haven't seen in a long time. The service lasted three hours and ended with people all around the room on their face before God crying out for more. We dismissed them to get snacks or stay until their small groups and probably half stayed because they didn't want to leave God's presence. It was unbelievable!!! You can read the message here.
Many groups that night were speechless when asked to sum up the night. It was something God did that was amazing.
That night was Junior/Senior night, so they all hung out with us leaders, made lunches for the trip home, played games, ran around for a couple of hours playing with mice and got to bed really late.

Friday

Woke up at 7, cleaned and packed and went to breakfast.
Worship was crazy again and I spoke the final message of the camp on I.G.N.I.T.E. you can check it out here.
We cleaned up and headed home.
About a block from the church the bus taking the students home ran out of gas! It was hilarious. We used the other bus and picked them up. What a way to end camp :-).
By 3:30 all the students were gone and the leaders talked until 5 about the experience and what to do next year.

It was unbelievable and this is only the beginning of what God is going to do. See you Sunday at 10 and 11:30 for worship and small groups. The 10 o'clock service will be open to Jr. High and Sr. High, so everybody be there!

How to sustain a life of devotion

2008-08-16T18:46:00.000-07:00

In order to sustain a life of devotion you must I.G.N.T.E. the fire every day. In the old testament they worshiped on an alter. God told them to never let the fire on the alter go out. Every day they would have to stir the fire and add fuel to it. The same is true if we want to keep our fire of devotion going. Jesus was the final sacrifice and now we are the new alters. Our life is the alter and when we praise and worship it is a sacrifice in our life. Everyday we must I.G.N.T.E. everyday. We need to keep the fir lit everyday. Here is what it means to I.G.N.T.E.:

Invest Daily - Invest time daily in prayer, the word and worship. Everyday you need it. Pray through the Lord's prayer and get a bible reading plan or follow ours!
Need the gathering - You need the weekly gathering we call church. It refuels you and it's important to connect with others.
Groups - You need a reach team. A group of people who believe what you do, can hold you accountable and inspire you to grow.
Ingest what is pure - When you go to camp or have an incredible experience with God you are in an environment where there is only that which is good and pure around you. When you go back you can slide right back into the old environment and life style. You can eat music, TV, relationships, friendships, internet sites that are not pure and it will be like a fire extinguesher to your devotion. The wrong environment will cause your devotion to die.
Turn - So you've nailed the old life to the cross and you are picking up your new life? Well you need to do it everyday. Every day turn from the old and live the new. Everyday crucify the flesh and walk in the Spirit.
Endure - After you change there will come tests and temptations that try and drag you back. No matter which friends you lose, what you have to give up, what happens endure! If you will endure there is more for you on the other side.

Every day you have to I.G.N.T.E. the fire of devotion on the alter of your life. Make the choice, take the steps and your encounter with God will not be something that lasts for a short while it will last for a lifetime!

The Point of no return

2008-08-16T18:45:00.000-07:00

Read Galatians 2:20; 2 Corinthians 5:17

When you go cliff jumping there is a point where the balance of your cliff foot shifts to the air foot and you fall to the water with a velocity that gives you a rush of adrenaline you have reached the point of no return. Once you pass the tipping point you cannot go back. When you encounter God you come to the edge of a cliff and you have to decide will I leave the old life behind on the cliff and jump into the new life that has begun in Christ or stay on the cliff with your old life?

There was a point of no return for Christ. The whole time that he was accused, beaten and nailed to the cross he could have called 12 legions of angels at any point to rescue him, but he didn't. His point of no return was when he uttered the words IT IS FINISHED. We have to go past the point of no return, take the old life, who we were before we encountered God, nail it to the cross and let it be finished.

When you jump into your new life, you crucify the past, the flesh and you begin a new life. It is finished in your life!

The Fire of devotion

2008-08-16T18:44:00.000-07:00

The title of this message was let it in ya, consume ya, and let it outta ya. When you read John 18:15-27 you find a man named Peter who was so week and timid that he couldn't stand up for his savior to a slave girl. In Acts chapter 2 you see the same Peter a short time later standing up for Christ in front of the whole city and 3000 people were added to the church that day! What happened? He went from not being able to stand up to a slave to standing up to those who killed Jesus and could kill him.

Peter received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The fire of devotion came into him, it consumed his weaknesses and timidity and it flowed out of him in the form of boldness. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is the difference between timidity and boldness. Matthew 3:11 says that Jesus came to baptize us with the Holy Spirit and with fire! The baptism of the Holy Spirit brings the fire of devotion, the passion, and hunger and the thirst.

Let it in ya - You've got to let the fire of God into you. You can ask, "Jesus baptize me in the Holy Spirit and with fire." Let God fill you with His fire, passion and all He has.
Let it consume ya - Don't hold anything back. Let God consume every part of you. Be willing to put every friendship, relationship, choice of media, weakness, desire on the alter for God to consume with his fire.
Let it outta ya - After you've received the baptism of the Holy Spirit you have the boldness to stand up to anyone and tell people about what God has done! Tell somebody! Let it outta ya. Don't keep what God has done inside of you for only you to enjoy let it outta ya.

If you find yourself unable to stand up to others get prayer for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. I didn't have time to teach all about the baptism at camp, nor in this post, but if you have questions comment or email me at twarren@trclife.com and I will answer them.

Road Blocks to Devotion

2008-08-16T18:43:00.000-07:00

Read Mark 4:1-20 NLT

In the above scripture Jesus talks about the different soil conditions. There are four. The first tree lead to abandonment of the Word and a life in Christ and the fourth to a life of devotion that produces a harvest 30, 60 and 100 times more. They are stony ground where the birds eat it up (we know from Jesus' description that the birds are Satan stealing the word), shallow ground where you have no depth, so temptation and persecution kill the world and thorny ground, the cares of this world choke out. These are road blocks to devotion. Here are the three road blocks to devotion broken down: for those into grammar remember the target audience.

The word don't go deep - This is stony ground. It's the person who comes to church, sits in the chair and hears the message, but doesn't LISTEN to it. Their heart is hard or stony and because of this the word cannot go deep enough to grow in their life. It sits on top of their heart where it's easy for Satan to take it away. This person needs to listen to the word at church and when they read it, let it sink deep into there heart.
They don't go deep - This person is the shallow ground. On the surface they look like they have it all together. They know how to go through the motions at church, small group, camp, etc... You'd look at this person and think they were a strong devoted Christ follower, but they are only surface. They have no depth. They have a corporate devotion (at church devotion), but no private devotion. They read their bible once and awhile, pray once and awhile. This person is in danger when temptation or suffering or problems come because the little devotion they have will get scorched by the heat of life and burn away. This person needs to get a personal devotion life that will create depth. Reading the Word, praying, showing up every week for service and for special worship and prayer. This will give them depth!
The weeds go deep - Finally the thorny ground. This is the most dangerous of them all. These types of people are devoted. The word goes deep and they go deep, but there are weeds in their life that go deep. There is a little bitty thing off to the side of their life that they let grow next to the devotion life. It could be the music they listen to, TV they watch, their friends, or boyfriend/girlfriend. There is something(s) in their life that is growing that will choke the word of God. Something that is growing that will distract them and cause them to take their eyes off of God and onto it. It will cause the one who was devoted to fall because it choked the word out of their life. The bible calls it the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, worries of this life and desire for other things. Pretty soon their desire for God (devotion) is choked out by the desire for music, TV, boyfriend, girlfriend, job, car, money and on and on and on. This person has got to let God examine their life and they must pluck out the little bitty thing(s) before they become weeds that take over their whole garden of devotion.

There are road blocks to devotion, but breaking through them and living devoted will bring you 30, 60 and 100 times more. More joy, life, anointing, salivations of those around you, healing, grace, faith and so much more. Live devoted!

Ignite Camp details

2008-08-08T18:02:00.000-07:00

Here are the nitty gritty details for camp in case you didn't pick up a packet. This info is also at our information kiosk, so you can pick it up there as well...

The details:
• August 11th – Meet at The Rock Church for registration between 8am and 10am. We will be leaving for Camp Berachah at 11am. We will provide their transport to the camp.

• August 15th – Pick up is at 2:30pm at The Rock Church.

What to bring:
• Clothes for five days.
• Bible, Pen, Notebook
• Sack Lunch for bus trip down
• Sleeping Bag and pillow
• Toiletries – bring extra towel for water activities
• Girls - 1-piece Bathing suits please, those with two-pieces must wear a non-white t-shirt. Tankini’s are accepted.
• Guys – Shorts must fit securely. No short shorts please and especially no speedos.
• Snacks to share
• Water balloons (optional)
• Your favorite water gun (optional)

What not to bring:
• iPods
• Cell Phones
• Video Games
• Any electronic Devices
• Drugs and Alcohol
• Weapons, Tobacco, Fireworks

Possession of any of these items will result in confiscation and possible removal from Ignite Camp.

Expectations for Ignite Camp

Ignite Camp is a time for us to grow closer to one another and God, so please understand that these expectations are here to help ensure that everyone has a safe and great time!

1. Everyone is expected to come with a good attitude and ready to have fun.

2. The leaders have volunteered their time to be with us. Listen to them and do what they ask.

3. Enjoy the diversity of your room assignment.

4. Alcohol, drugs, firearms, and tobacco products are strictly forbidden at any time, at any location.

5. No youth is allowed in the rooms of the opposite sex. Guys only in guys’ rooms; girls only in girl’s rooms.

6. At no time should there be any guys and girls alone together.

7. You must be in your room for lights out and not leave the room until morning (bathroom breaks okay).

8. No one will leave the retreat without permission from Ignite Camp staff.

9. Attend every session, including small groups.

10. Be at all meals unless otherwise notified.

11. Enjoy every minute, Laugh and make new friends!

Violation of any of these rules will result in either a verbal warning or a parent being called to pick up youth.

Where have all the blog posts gone...

2008-08-08T17:55:00.000-07:00

I wrote the title singing the song where have all the cowboys gone! Typically I've been writing everyday on the subject of the week. This week it's on relating and dating and with camp I haven't been able to keep it up. I've been running around from 7:30am to 11pm the past couple days and nights, so I will resume the blog posts on relating and dating when I return! Can't wait for camp!!!

Conduct

2008-08-06T08:50:00.000-07:00

Read: 1 Timothy 5:1-2, 4:12; Philippians 1:27.

"conduct yourself worthy of the Good News about Christ..." Philippians 1:27

When we discuss dating and relating to the opposite sex we've got to discuss how we conduct ourselves with them. Conduct is defined in the dictionary as personal behavior or way of acting.

What is your personal behavior or way of acting with the opposite sex?
Do you see every member of the opposite sex as a potential person to date?
Do you examine each member of the opposite sex and decide for yourself hot or not?

Conduct in dating and relating is this:

What thoughts go through your mind about the opposite sex?
How and what do you think of them?
If their hot do you think one way if they're not do you think another?
How do you treat the opposite sex?
Are you always flirting and trying to position yourself to be in their mind all the time?
How do you touch the opposite sex?
Could your momma see you do that or would she slap you upside the head?

What is your conduct with the opposite sex? There's the flip side of the above too.

Do you never talk to the opposite sex?
Do you hide from them?
Are you only friends with the same sex?
Are you only friends with the opposite sex?
If you are are a girl do you only get along with boys and vice versa?

Your answers to these questions will determine if your conduct is worthy of the Good News that saved you.

1 Timothy 5:1-2 tells us that we are to treat members of the opposite sex as our brothers or sisters. Our conduct should be to treat them like we would our brother or sister. Now answer these questions:

Would you think about your brother/sister, touch them, look at them and, talk to them the way you do with the opposite sex?

If that "way" is impure absolutely not. So then why are you looking at the opposite sex that way? People say you can look, but you cant touch, but we know from Jesus that looking is the same as touching. Our conduct needs to be holy.

Flip side. Some people go to the other end of the spectrum and have no friends of the opposite sex. As you get older 14, 15, 16 and on it's a good idea to make FRIENDS (no b or g attached to that) with holy members of the opposite sex in groups. This will give you the skills when you are ready to date to talk to a girl or guy. It will help you understand a sliver of how they think and act. Good, holy, healthy friendships with the opposite sex are important.

What is your conduct with the opposite sex? If it hasn't been holy or worthy of the Good News, worthy of a Christ follower, repent and make a decision today that you will treat them as brothers and sisters with all purity!

Prayer: Help me to treat the opposite sex as my brother or sister in Christ!

Awaken

2008-08-05T15:27:00.000-07:00

Read: Song of Solomon 2:7, 3:5, 8:4; Ecclesiastes 3:1, 11; 8:6

For everything there is a season, a time for every activity in heaven... Ecclesiastes 3:1. This includes dating. You see many people believe that when you are attracted to someone you should date them. I'm mean it cures loneliness, it gives you someone to give your love and affection to and you feel confident in who you are because of them. This all sounds good right? Well...

The reasons for dating are many and I agree that it does do those things above, but what about God? He should be our cure for loneliness, He should be the one we give our love and affection too and we should find self worth and confidence in Him. Your spouse is the icing on the cake, but your relationship with God is the cake, it is the foundation for your life.

Just because you like someone doesn't mean you need to date them. In fact there is a time for you to date and unless you are ready (your age is right, your finances are right, you are spiritually and emotionally ready) to get married it's not the time. I liked people when I was 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20. Had I followed the patter of attraction = dating I would have had 30 girlfriends by the time I was 20 and had nothing to show for it. In fact I would spent a ton of money, time and had a lot of heartbreak by following that model.

Instead I decided to wait until I was ready. I waited until the time was right. The people I liked when I was1 2, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 were no where near what I truly wanted or needed. It wasn't until I it was time that God brought my wife to me. Had I dated earlier I might have settled for a person that was not right for me. I would have awoken love before the time was right and would have been swallowed by temptation.

Three different times in Song of Solomon it says, "promise me not to awaken love before the time is right." In other words wait to date until you are ready for a mate. There is a right time to begin dating. If you are stuck in lust, now is not the time to date, but get healed. If you are emotionally a mess, healing time, not dating. If you're under the age of... well too young waiting time not dating time. If your finances are not in order, it's working time, not dating time. If spiritually you are weak it's time to grow in God, not date.

There is a right time to date. How do you know? Ask. Ask your parents, ask a leader/pastor they will tell you. Promise me this; you will not awaken love before it's time. There is a time to date and a time to wait. For many reading this it's time to wait and good things always come to those who wait. I would never have married a woman that is perfect for me had I not waited. When it was time God brought her to me and opened my eyes to see that she was all I ever wanted. Wait to date until you are ready for a mate!

Standards

2008-08-05T10:38:00.000-07:00

Read: 1 Thessalonians 4:3-6; Proverbs 1:10, 2:16-22, 4:10-13

"If you stand for nothing you will fall for anything..." Standards. Standards are guidelines we place in our lives that protect us from temptation. They do not keep us from fun, but rather keep us from harm, so we can enjoy life to the fullest.

When it comes to relating with and dating the opposite sex we have to set standards. These standards will make sure we are protected from temptation and will provide the path to follow towards the ultimate relationship.

The bible outlines clearly what is sin in relationships. 1 Thessalonians 4:3 says to stay away from sexual sin. Jesus said in Matthew 5:27 that if you look at a woman with lust you've committed adultery with her. So we know that premarital sex, looking with lust and touching someone inappropriately are wrong. That's already been established, but we need standards in our lives that will keep us far from that place.

Standards are something you set before your dating in your personal life and when you start dating with your new acquired bf or gf. Before your start dating you need to take some time and establish standards for your life. It would be a good idea to ask your parents or a leader what they should be. I will list some suggestions that will protect, but you must decide for yourself. Here they are:

I'm not going to date until I'm old enough to get married... - a lot of people get themselves into trouble dating too early. Don't date till you're ready for a mate!
I'm going to be careful what I put before my eyes. I'm not going to watch shows, get on Internet sites or look at the opposite sex in a way that will cause me to lust.
I'm not going to be alone with a member of the opposite sex that isn't my family.
I'm not going to buy into the cultures idea of what a dating relationship looks like, but choose purity for my life.
I'm going to pray for my future spouse. Asking God to protect and keep them for me.
I'm going to keep and protect myself for them.

When you are of age to date and when you begin you need to establish standards, then go to your parents or a leader you trust and let them know what your standards are. Give them permission to add to your standards and check in with you on a regular basis to make sure you are doing well. Here are some suggestions for standards in dating:

Don't be alone in one another's room, house, couch etc... Temptation comes when nobody is around.
Have a curfew. I.e. we won't be alone after 11pm. When your tired and late at night is when many people give in to temptation.
Establish boundaries in physical touching. Not just we will not have sex until we are married, but we wont kiss, or we will kiss but only like this. Making out, physical touch and such will lead to temptation and you want to avoid temptation.
Environments. Be careful what environments you put yourself in. Couches, beds, romantic fires in the middle of the woods, the back seat of your car looking at the stars can all lead to sin. Be careful, there will be plenty of time for that when you are married!
Be transparent. Make a choice that if you do fall to temptation that you will go quickly and confess it, so you can be healed and it doesn't l
Lead to more. One little slip not confessed can lead to big falls that create lots of pain.

These are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to standards. You need them in your life now and when you date because if you stand for nothing you will fall for anything. God has such an incredible spouse for you and marriage don't ruin it by falling into temptation! Set some standards and have someone in authority hold you accountable.

Relating and Dating Reading Plan

2008-08-05T10:36:00.000-07:00

Relating and Dating

Monday: Standards. Read: 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8; Proverbs 1:10, 2:16-22, 4:10-13

Prayer: God I choose biblical standards for relating and dating the opposite sex. I commit to lay those standards out with someone who can hold me accountable when I date.

Tuesday: Awaken. Read: Song of Solomon 2:7, 3:5, 8:4; Ecclesiastes 3:1, 11; 8:6

Prayer: God help not to do anything that would cause me to burn for more. Also if I have awoken love before its time help me to put it to sleep.

Wednesday: Conduct. Read: 1 Timothy 5:1-2, 4:12; Philippians 1:27;

Prayer: Help me to treat the opposite sex as my brother or sister in Christ!

Thursday: Not all relationships are created equal. Read: 1 Corinthians 6:14-15, 15:33; Ezra 9:1-2; Amos 3:3.

Prayer: Help me to end any unhealthy relationships and wait for someone for you!

Friday: Sexual purity. Read: Colossians 3:5; Ephesians 4:17-19; 1 Timothy 2:22; 1 Thessalonians 5:22; Psalm 119:9; 1 Corinthians 6:18.

Prayer: I want to walk in purity. Help me to get rid of anything that doesn’t glorify you.

Saturday: Temptation is knocking. Read: Matthew 6:13, 26:41; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Ephesians 6:12-13; 1 Peter 5:8-9;

Prayer: Lead me not into temptation, but deliver me from evil.

Sunday: The ONE! Read: Genesis 2:21-24; Proverbs 18:22, 19:14; Matthew 7:7-8; John 16:24

Prayer: God bring bless the person I am supposed to be with. Keep them for me and bring them into my life when the time is right.

Media’s view of Christianity

2008-08-03T07:52:00.000-07:00

Read: Matthew 5:43-48, 19:19, Matthew 22:37-38, Galatians 5:14

We've spent a lot of time talking about what our view, attitude and heart should be about media, now it's time to talk for a moment about the media's (world's) view of Christianity. I believe there are three main vies out there and they are: We are hypocrites, we are extremists, we are bigots. I want to break down why they think this and how we can show what true Christianity is.

Hypocrites - With Christian leaders falling because of sin the media has begun to view all Christians as hypocrites. There have sadly been instances where one Sunday a preacher is preaching about homosexuality and the next Sunday he's confessing that he's been engaged in a homosexual life. This paints a picture that we say one thing and do another thus earning the label hypocrite for all.

It also doesn't help that there are a lot of people out there claiming to be a Christian, but they cannot back up their words with their actions. It's extremely sad. Most people want to do good they need permission to repent and help.

What to do: Live it. If you say it do. Don't walk in Sunday and pretend to be holy when you were out Friday living like hell. Come in Sunday and confess your sin and get help. Don't be a faker, be real. When we live it people will want it. When asked about leaders falling and such let people know that there are millions of others who live what they say.

Extremists - In our nation we celebrate the right to freedom of religion. Unfortunately there are some crazy people out there who claim to be Christians, but are pushing another agenda. I've read articles about people who picket hospitals with soldiers, go to funerals for soldiers, preach messages against our country and more. These people are extremists and they are certainly not Christians, but have painted a warped view of Christianity. They are acting outside the Word of God and have no authority from God to do what they are doing.

What to do: When asked reply these people may say they are Christians, but they are not. Just like being in a garage doesn't make you a car, these people are not Christians. Their actions are wrong and are not found anywhere in the bible.

Bigots - Recently I was in down town Seattle with my wife for our anniversary and we stumbled upon a man holding a sign that said turn or burn or something like that. He was arguing with a man who was a homosexual (it was obvious by their conversation this was the case). They were basically yelling at each other about the bible. What the man with the sign had to say was true. If you do not have Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior you will not inherit eternal life, but where is the love? The bible says mercy triumphs over judgment. Christians get labeled many things, but true Christianity is one without bigotry, without hate. It is on of love, not acceptance for what you do, but love for who you are. It's not about cramming a message down someones hope, but rather showing them love and hope that they too can be made well. We had a message awhile back about this and I wrote a post addressing this here.

What to do: Love. Not accept. We do not approve of or accept behavior that is sin, but we certainly love them. We look past any labels anyone might put on them and love them. Pray for them and let others know when they think that Christians are bigots that we love every person no matter what they've done.

The media will continue to paint pictures of Christianity as many things. It's important for you to recognize that Christianity is about love, hope, forgiveness and healing. Not judgment, hatred, bigotry or anything else. Jesus is the hope every person needs! Don't let outside sources come in and cloud your view of what it means to be a Christian.

Prayer: Don’t let me give into the medias view of Christianity.

What would Jesus watch, listen to, play….

2008-08-02T06:51:00.000-07:00

Read: Matthew 4:19; John 14:6

"Come follow me and I will make you..." When we ask Christ into our life He begins to make us into His disciples. He begins to make us into the image of himself. In fact the world Christian means little Christ's. We are called to be copy's of Jesus. Now, Jesus was perfect, can we be perfect? Not on this earth, but we can sure try and that's what we are supposed to do.

Jesus, being perfect, had incredibly high standards. He never sinned. When we talk about choices and standards of media we have to ask ourselves what would Jesus do (that was so corny)? Seriously though. When we are considering listening to a song, watching a movie/TV show, playing a video game or getting on a website we need to ask ourselves these questions:

Would I want my parents knowing about this?
Would I want my spouse knowing about this? (if you are married)
Would Jesus watch, listen, play, permit this?
Would I want my pastor to know about this?
Would I want my Christian friends knowing about this?
Could I stand on the stage and tell the whole church about this?

If the answer to any of those questions are no. That is a good indication you should not participate in this no matter how funny it looks, how fun it seems or anything else. Your holiness and destiny is not worth being put off by entertainment.

Above is the standard for evaluating your choices of media. If you are unsure don't be afraid to ask one of the above people what they think about your choice in media.

Prayer: Give me a standard and desire to be like Jesus.

It may not be sin, but...

2008-08-01T07:51:00.000-07:00

Read: Proverbs 3; 1 Corinthians 6:9-12, 10:23-24.

Media, Media, Media *sigh*. When you start talking about the music people listen to, the TV shows and movies they watch, and the online social networks they are a part of people can get really crazy. They can accuse you of being religious, old school, and many other things.

The reason I'm doing these posts is because these principles have brought me to where I am today. A place where I'm hungry for God, I hear His voice often daily and I am fulfilled. If you read these posts in their entirety you see that they are not a list of do's and dont's but a heart and attitude one must have to "see God."

When talking about choices in Media I want to present another argument. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 6:12 NLT, "You,say I am allowed to do anything - but not everything is good for you." In other words your choices of music, TV, and movies may not be sin but... They're probably not good for you.

I mentioned in an earlier post that in order to hear God's voice we've got to turn off the other voices (sounds like a crazy person :-). Too much intake of all the stuff that's out there is not healthy to your spirit. You need a balance. In fact the more of the Spirit you allow into your life and the less media or world you take in the better.

It may not be sin to listen to rap music or the top 40, but it's not good for you. It may not be sin to watch your favorite TV show, but depending on what it is and about it's not good for you. It may not be sin for you to watch the latest movie, but depending on what it is and about, it's not good for you.

There comes a time in your life where you have to decide, do I want to be entertained, or do I want to engage God's plan for my life. This again doesn't mean no music, TV or movies. It means that if you are sacrificing your holiness in the name of entertainment... Houston we have a problem.

It's time to make a choice. The choice that you are willing to give up anything to go up with God. It's time to set some standards in your life. Standards that say I will or will not allow this kind of stuff into my head. It may not be sin, but it's not good for your spiritual health.

Prayer: Help me to know what you want and do not want me to have in my life. Search me!

Search my heart...

2008-07-31T06:50:00.000-07:00

Read: Psalm 4:1-5, 139:23-24; Jeremiah 17:10.

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life." King David - Psalm 139:23-24

When we talk about media, being in this world and not of, being above the culture and holiness we have to talk about the attitude and the heart. Our desire for holiness cannot be driven by religion or guilt. It cannot be quest we take because of all the wrong we've done. In fact it should be driven by a desire to be with God, hear His voice and to be used by Him and that alone.

In order to walk holy, be in this world and not of it and be above the culture we have to have the same attitude that David had. In fact it was said about David by God that He was a man after God's own heart. Why? Because David was willing to let God search him and test him. He was willing to open his heart to God for God to examine Him and point out anything that needed to go!

In order to walk holy and be used by God we have to have the same heart. We have to be willing to expose to God our deepest and darkest secrets (He knows them anyways). We have to be willing to, like Abraham was willing with Isaac, sacrifice anything. We have to be willing to put anything God wants on the alter and sacrifice it to Him. Often that thing he wants us to sacrifice has something to do with media.

This is the heart and attitude of those who are used by God, hear from God and have His presence in their life. God will search you and point out anything that offends Him. When you remove that from your life it allows His presence to come because God does not hang around things that offend Him.

This is a dangerous prayer to pray because God will take you up on your offer. He will ask you to sacrifice things in order for you to walk with Him. The great thing about God though is that the pain of sacrifice is always dwarfed by the power and pleasure of being in His presence. His blessing and favor come to those who are willing to lay it all out for Him.

Let God in today to search you and point out anything that offends him. He may ask you to get rid of some hard things, but the joy of accomplishing His will for your life will far outweigh the price you pay to do so!

Prayer: Search my heart, try me and see if there is anything in me that shouldn’t be. Give me the strength to remove it from my life!

Bleeding love Christmix video

2008-07-30T14:15:00.000-07:00

Jon sent me this video and I thought I'd share it with everybody. It's a pretty cool remix of the song bleeding love. Check it out.

Be Holy...

2008-07-30T13:05:00.000-07:00

Read: Romans 12:1-2; Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 1:15-16; Ephesians 1:4, 1 Corinthians 1:2.

"But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." 1 Peter 1:15-16

I've had a lot of people ask me how do you hear the voice of God? I've also heard a lot of people say that they desire the presence of God in their life. So how do you have God's presence and hear his voice? Read these scriptures:

Rom 12:1-2
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2 Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Without holiness no one will see the Lord - Heb 12:14

These scriptures tell us that it is holiness in our lives that will allow us to hear God (know His will for us) and see Him in our life. God commands us to be Holy as He is holy! Holiness is not a set of regulations. It's not do this, don't do that, but rather it is becoming more like Christ. Every time you obey the voice of God you become more holy.

Like I said I cannot give you a list of do's and dont's that are not in the bible, that would be religion, but holiness will cost you. To be holy God will eventually ask you to give up different types of media. This will allow you to become more like Him and will allow more time for Him to speak to you.

I look at it this way. The media I let in my life is a voice. Depending on how much I watch, listen too and see depends on how loud that voice is in my life. Well God has a voice too! From 1 Kings 19:12 we know that His is a still small voice. If our life is consumed with all these other voices how are we going to have the time and the quietness to hear God's voice?

Holiness is also a revelation. As you go on your journey in this Christian life God will reveal to you the level of holiness that He wants you to walk in. I honestly believe that there is a perfect level of holiness for you to walk in right now. I believe people can try and be holy which leads to religion and pride because it's on your own strength and therefore they cannot be used by God, nor will they hear Him. And other people are not holy enough, so they cannot be used by God, nor hear Him in their life.

If you are wondering if you are holy enough or not, go to God and ask Him. Ask God if there is anything in your life that is holding you back and be willing to give it up. He may want you to give up R rated movies, or secular music or something. Ask Him and He will tell you. You can only be as holy as God has revealed to you and given you the power to be.

If you are a student you need to obey God and your parents. If your parents say no more of this music or TV show, don't tell them that God hasn't spoken that to you. Parents are the voice of God in our lives. Hear and obey and you will hear God!

Prayer: Lord make me holy as you are holy! Give me a greater revelation of your holiness and the power to walk in it. I want to hear your voice and be in your presence.

In this world but not of it...

2008-07-29T09:56:00.000-07:00

Read: Hebrews 11:13; John 17:14-19

"Dear friends, I warn you as "temporary residents and foreigners" to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very soul. Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors..." 1 Peter 2:11-12.

The moment we open our heart to Christ and invite Him in we change. 2 Corinthinas 5:17 says we become a new creation. In fact we are engaged in a battle for the souls of mankind and when we choose Christ we switch to the winning side. In this process of switching sides we become temporary residents and foreigners. We are now in this world, but not of it.

When I look around today at many Christians I am overcome with grief, sadness and sometimes an anger because of what I see. I see many people squandering the gifts and callings God has placed in their life all in the name of entertainment and it tears me up! I see people who are supposed to be in this world, but not of it, yet when you take a closer look they are in this world and of it.

There has got to be a difference between someone of faith and someone of no faith. If you go to all the movies your friends of no faith go to, listen to all the music, watch all the shows they watch and visit all the websites they do and the only difference between you and them is that you go to church once a week on a Sunday, is there really a difference between you and them?

Sure you may not be at the parties and you are not committing the same sins they are, but in their eyes they see someone who is no different. Holiness is not committing no sin it is committing your life to God and only Holy people are powerful people.

I'm not saying that you should never see a movie, listen to music, watch TV, go online. I'm saying that you need to examine your life and your choice of media and ask yourself if God would be pleased with your selection. Ask yourself will this movie, TV show, Music, internet site help me or hinder me from the call of God on my life. Will it make me more effective in fighting the battle for souls or destructive towards fighting that battle.

There are many people that need the message you have received, but in order to have a platform to speak that message to them you have got to sacrifice some things out of your life and one of those things is your choice of media. Are you in this world and not of it or do you look exactly like those you are trying to reach? It's time to live properly!

Prayer: God help me to be in this world, but not of it.

Be above the culture!

2008-07-28T07:16:00.000-07:00

Read: Proverbs 4:23-27; 1 Peter 2:9-13

"Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life." Proverbs 4:23. "Dear friends, I warn you as "temporary residents and foreigners" to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very soul. Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors..." 1 Peter 2:11-12.

Live properly, guard your heart. What does this mean? What does it mean to live properly and guard our heart?

When talking about media: movies, music, TV, internet, etc, we have to address culture. Pastor Jeff says that movies are the art of our present culture. Media is the art of our culture. It is what people are talking about, thinking about and sometimes acting out. In fact I cannot hang out with a group of people and not hear from someone about a movie, TV show, song or internet site. It is in our minds and therefore in our hearts.

As Christ followers we are called to live properly, keeping away from worldly desires and we are called to guard our hearts. This means we need to be above the culture. When culture tells us its okay to watch this and listen to that and act it out we've got to go to the Bible and find the truth. If the Bible tells us something different we have to make the choice to be above that garbage and not allow it into our heart.

Just listening to music for the beats, or watching movies for the laughs, or watching TV to have something to talk about can still allow the junk that's being spit out to get into our hearts and we have to guard our hearts.

I'm not saying or even suggesting that you should not watch TV, movies, get online, or listen to music. I'm saying examine what parts of the culture you are allowing into your life and be open for God to instruct you on what you should and shouldn't do. When in doubt, be above the culture. If we will be above the culture those that are lost in the culture will have people to look to for help!

Prayer: God help me to be above the culture living Holy for you!

Media Reading Plan

2008-07-27T23:10:00.000-07:00

MEDIA Reading Plan

Monday: Be above the culture. Read: Proverbs 4:23-27; 1 Peter 2:9-13

Prayer: God help me to be above the culture living Holy for you!

Tuesday: In this world but not of it. Read: Hebrews 11:13; John 17:14-19

Prayer: God help me to be in this world, but not of it.

Wednesday: Be Holy. Read: Romans 12:1-2; Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 1:15-16; Ephesians 1:4, 1 Corinthians 1:2;

Prayer: Lord make me holy as you are holy!

Thursday: Search my heart. Read: Psalm 4:1-5, 139:23-24; Jeremiah 17:10;

Prayer: Search my heart, try me and see if there is anything in me that shouldn’t be.

Friday: It may not be sin, but... Read: Proverbs 3; 1 Corinthians 6:9-12, 10:23-24.

Prayer: Help me to know what you want and do not want me to have in my life.

Saturday: What would Jesus watch, listen to, play…. Read: Matthew 4:19; John 14:6

Prayer: Give me a standard and desire to be like Jesus.

Sunday: Media’s view of Christianity Read: Matthew 5:43-48, 19:19, Matthew 22:37-38, Galatians 5:14

Prayer: Don’t let me give into the medias view of Christianity.

A burden of prayer

2008-07-27T07:17:00.000-07:00

What tears you up inside? When you see something and it causes you to get a little angry and it breaks your heart you have a burden for that situation. Maybe when you see a fatherless child struggle to find self worth and identity it breaks you. Maybe is a sick person, or a poor person. Whatever it is we all have burdens that God has placed on our hearts so that we will help those in need.

Matthew 11:30 promises that the burdens God gives us are easy and light. Even though something tears us up inside we are not crushed by it. That is how we know it is a Godly burden and not something placed there by man.

We ought to have a burden for our generation, for those who have no faith, for vision, revival, the broken, the poor, the hurting and our city. Jesus had a burden for all of these people/things and more. We need a burden for these to pray for them to be fulfilled.

A burden of prayer is what it will take to see God move in our city. When His people pray, He listens and God is quick to answer. All throughout the psalms we find the word prayer and cry used together. Each of the psalmists cried out to God for Him to do the impossible in their lives. It was a burden of prayer.

We too need a cry, burden for our generation. 2 Chronicles 7:14 tells us that if we will humble ourselves and pray, God will hears us and restore our land! We are in need of restoration and salvation in our land and it will only come through the burden of prayer.

Go to God and ask Him for a burden to pray for the above things and when you receive it be faithful to cry out to Him. He will do the impossible through your prayers!

Prayer: God give me a burden to pray for vision, my generation, and revival.

A life of prayer

2008-07-26T06:04:00.000-07:00

"Never stop praying" 1 Thessalonians 5:17. Prayer is not something you do to fulfill some righteous holy check list for God, your pastor or anyone else. Prayer is a lifestyle. Prayer should be a daily appointment with God that kicks things off followed up with a whole day spent being mindful of the things of God, praying to him and thanking him at every moment you get.

When you read through the New Testament you find that beginning with Jesus and continuing through all the disciples and apostles they didn't pray, they lived a life of prayer. Jesus often withdrew by himself to spend all night in prayer.

Peter, James, John and Paul all spent countless hours praying. Prayer is the key to unlocking God's grace in your life to do extraordinary exploits. Prayer unlocks the supernatural and makes the way for you to walk in the power of God.

If you will devote your life to prayer, you will overcome and walk in power. How do you live a life of prayer?

Here are some ways:

Pray in the car.
Pray in the shower.
Pray while you are doing menial tasks that take no brain power.
Pray in the Spirit.
Pray before every meal.
Pray before going to bed.
Pray for people when they are sick, depressed, going through difficulties...
Pray when situations arise that would cause you to freak out or worry.
When in doubt... pray.

Don't just pray. Live a life of prayer!

Prayer: Lord I don’t just want to pray, but live a life of prayer!

Teach us how to pray

2008-07-25T06:46:00.000-07:00

The disciples came to Jesus at one point in the Gospel and asked Him to teach them how to pray. From this passage we have what is called the Lord's prayer. This is not a specific prayer we memorize and pray over and over, but rather the format for prayer. Here is how you pray:

Matthew 6:9-13 NLT:

"Pray like this:

Our Father In heaven, may your name be kept holy.
May your Kingdom come soon.
May your will be done earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us today the food we need,
And forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.
And don't let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one."

Begin with praise! Our father in heaven, may your name kept holy. Don't begin your daily prayer with repentance or asking God for your needs. Praise Him! Tell Him how much you love Him and need Him. Psalm 100:4,5 says enter with thanksgiving and praise. Begin with praise.

Ask for God's will to be done in your life, school, church, pastors, friends, family. "May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done..." Pray for God's will to be done in your life. Ask Him to reveal His will to you and let Him know you are willing to do His will.

Ask for your daily needs. "Give us today the food we need." Ask for love, joy, peace, finances, faith, strength, favor, grace, friendships and on and on and on. Now it's time to let your request be made known to God.

Ask for forgiveness. "And forgive our sins, as we have forgiven..." Ask God to forgive you of everything you did wrong since the last time you repented. Say out loud that you forgive others around you that have hurt or wronged you. Now is the time for repentance.

Ask for strength and protection. "And don't let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one." Ask God to keep you from temptation. Speak out loud that you crucify the flesh and that you walk in the Spirit. Pray for protection and deliverance.

End with praise. Finish your prayer with praise again. Thank God for doing these things in your life. Praise Him again and go out with a heart of thanksgiving and praise!

Prayer: Jesus teach me how to pray. I want to pray powerful and effective prayers like you did!

I heard a teaching on this long ago and cannot remember who I learned this from and therefore cannot give proper credit. However since that time I have come upon what is called a "Rhema Card" written by Pastor Wendell Smith of The City Church. He has one called the Daily Prayer card which helps you pray through this. You can purchase one of these here. I use this in my prayer life and want to give him the credit for the above teaching.

The Word as a light

2008-07-24T06:13:00.000-07:00

"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it." John 1:5 Have you ever been in the dark, been afraid, you turn on the light and the darkness and fear leave? I know I have. In fact I have never turned on the light, had it shine brightly and then all of the sudden while it's still shining the darkness wins and it's dark again. It is impossible, light always wins over darkness.

I've also thought I saw shadows, or monsters when your a kid, I turned on the light and the evil had to flee. This is what God's Word does for our life. His word shines a light in our heart and begins to expose sin and other things that should not be there. When we spend time in the Word these things are revealed and through the Word we overcome.

Psalm says that the Word gives us insight for living, it shows us how to live our life. It shows us what is right and wrong, good and evil. It is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path guiding us on our journey of faith towards God.

This is one reason it's so important to read the Word. It will show you the darkness in your life and give you the power to overcome. The Word is a light for you guiding you, protecting you, and empowering you in this life. Read your Bible everyday and let it be a light for you!

Prayer: Let your Word guide me and expose anything in me that is not of you.

The most important meal of the day!

2008-07-23T06:00:00.000-07:00

Growing up I always heard that breakfast was the most important meal of the day. It gets your metabolism kicking and gives you energy to set out and conquer the world! Or go to school; you choose :-). I'd like to propose a different meal as the winner of the title for most important.

In Exodus 16 we find the account of the Israelites in the wilderness. They were miles away from any source of food and a couple thousand years away from a McDonald's. They had to depend upon God to provide food for them.

Everyday they went out and found manna (bread of heaven) on the ground for them to eat. If they tried to save some to eat the next day it rotted. Everyday they had to depend on God to feed them.

The same is true in our life. The most important meal of the day is the meal we spend in God's Word, the Bible. His Word feeds our souls and gives us the spiritual nourishment we need to accomplish the task at hand.

Everyday we need to go to God, read the Word and receive the fresh manna He has for us. We cannot live off of yesterday's quiet time, we need a new one everyday. It is the most important meal of the day.

Prayer: Open your Word to me. Let it be my daily bread. Help me to be more desperate for your Word than anything else.

Hunger and Thirst

2008-07-22T08:02:00.000-07:00

All throughout scripture God promises to fill, satisfy and feed those that are hungry and thirsty. Spending time in prayer and the Word is about getting to know God and getting filled with His presence, therefore we need to be hungry and thirsty for the Word, prayer, and his presence.

Psalm 42:2 says my soul thirsts for God. When can I get into his presence? This is the place we need to get to. When we are so hungry and thirsty that we cannot wait to get in the Word or get in prayer or get into God's presence we will be filled!

When someone is recovering from an eating disorder where they don't eat food they have to force themselves to eat because they have lost the ability to be hungry. After forcing themselves to eat for a while their body begins to crave food again and the hunger returns.

This same principle applies to our spiritual lives. We've gone so long without a regular diet of prayer and the Word we no longer crave it, we've lost our hunger. If we will force ourselves to read the Word and pray eventually we will crave it, our hunger will return and we wont find it so hard to seek after God!

You need a hunger and thirst for the living God. Make yourself read and pray and watch a hunger for the living God grow in your life!

Prayer: Father place a hunger and a thirst for your Word and prayer inside of me.

Everyday no exceptions!

2008-07-21T10:59:00.000-07:00

If you had a choice between eating a meal and spending time in prayer and the Word what would you choose? If you thought or said the Word or prayer repent because you are lying! I'm just kidding maybe you really feel that way, but most people do not and that is natural. When faced with TV, food, internet, talking on the phone and every other thing there is to do most people choose these things over spending time in prayer and the Word.

This is the natural choices many people make, but if you want to walk in the supernatural seeing God use you to change your world you've got to make supernatural choices. That choice is everyday no exceptions I will spend time in prayer and the Word. All of us can carve out 15 to 20 minutes a day to spend time in prayer and the Word, the choice is ours.

The bible tells us that Job treasured the Word of God more than the food he ate everyday. He made a supernatural choice and as a result he saw supernatural blessing and increase. The Word tells us that man does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes out of God's mouth! (Matthew 4:4) In order to walk in the supernatural we've got to live off of the words from God's mouth.

Our natural tendency is to allow life to distract us from God's presence and the Word. In order to walk in the supernatural we've got to make the hard choices. Everyday no exceptions is a hard choice that will cost us some natural things, but in the end the harvest of the supernatural will far out weigh anything we give up.

This summer I've chosen to fast TV for our 93 days of devotion. This elimination of a natural thing has allowed me the time to add the supernatural. With this void I've been able to read the Word and spend hours more in prayer and my life has never been better.

I want you to consider giving up something natural to make room for the supernatural. Make the choice today when it comes to spending time in the word and prayer, everyday no exceptions!

Spending time in prayer and the Word reading plan

2008-07-21T10:52:00.000-07:00

Spending time in prayer and the Word
In order for you to get all of these topics and receive all of it you'll need to check back everyday!

Monday: Everyday no exceptions! Read in NIV: Job 23:12; Proverbs 30:8; Matthew 4:4; Exodus 16:21-26.

Prayer: Lord I will meet with you everyday no exceptions. I am willing to pay the price to meet with you.

Tuesday: Hunger and thirst Read: Matthew 5:6; Psalm 17:14, 107:9; Nehemiah 9:15; Proverbs 10:3, 15:14.

Prayer: Father place a hunger and a thirst for your Word and prayer inside of me.

Wednesday: The most important meal of the day. Read: Luke 12:22-31; John 4:31-34; 1 Corinthians 10:1-4; Hebrews 5:14;

Prayer: Open your Word to me. Let it be my daily bread. Help me to be more desperate for your Word than anything else.

Thursday: The Word as a light. Read: Mark 7:17-23: Psalm 19:8, 43:3, 37:30-31, 119:105, 130; Proverbs 6:23; John 1:5;

Prayer: Let your Word guide me and expose anything in me that is not of you.

Friday: Teach us how to pray. Read: Luke 11:1-4; Matthew 6:9-13. Go to blog for explanation on how to pray.

Prayer: Jesus teach me how to pray. I want to pray powerful and effective prayers like you did!

Saturday: A life of prayer. Read: Matthew 26:41; Acts 10:9; Ephesians 6:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; James 5:16; Jude 1:20; Colossians 4:2.

Prayer: Lord I don’t just want to pray, but live a life of prayer!

Sunday: A burden of prayer Read: Psalm 17:1, 39:2, 61:1, Colossians 4:12; Matthew 11:30.

Prayer: God give me a burden to pray for vision, my generation, and revival.

MIke Wallace

2008-07-21T10:18:00.000-07:00

This Sunday we took time to honor a man in our church who was of the highest caliber. Mike passed away Saturday night in a motorcycle accident on highway 2. When I received the call I was in total unbelief and in deep pain because Mike was a part of my family. He was an incredible man of God and an incredible servant. I never saw him have a bad day and there was never a time where he didn't take a moment to make me smile. He was always full of faith and always saw the best in every person.

This tragedy brings a lot of questions. There are a lot of why questions that I and others want to know. Why did this, why didn't this? We will never have the answers to these questions, but one thing is true, God is still good in the midst of all of this.

It will take some time to grieve for our friend and family member. I love you Mike and I know that you are in the presence of Jesus right now. We will all miss you!

Here are some of Pastor Jeff''s thoughts.

How do I receive the Holy Spirit? Part 2

2008-07-21T00:27:00.000-07:00

Our first experience with the Holy Spirit is being born again which is a one time occurance. Our second experience with receiving the Holy Spirit is an everyday occurance and it's called being filled with the Holy Spirit.

Everyday we have a choice to make will we walk in the Spirit or in the flesh. Everyday we get to make the choice and the way we make that choice is through being filled through prayer, worship, and praise. Everyday when we choose to pray and spend time in God's presence we are filled with the Spirit.

Galatians tells us that the fruit of the Spirit which is produced by being filled is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. When we get into God's presence and get filled these attributes become the way we live.

Being filled with the Holy Spirit will transform you into the image of Christ. This is why it's so important to spend time in prayer, worship and praise everyday. It fills you and transforms you into the image of Christ.

How do I receive the Holy Spirit? Spend time everyday in His presence through prayer, praise and worship. In His presence you are filled and transformed!

How do I receive the Holy Spirit? Part 1

2008-07-20T10:26:00.000-07:00

The very first experience in receiving the Holy Spirit is at salvation. The Holy Spirit draws you to a place where you recognize the need for salvation. Revelation 3:20 says that he stands at the door and knocks and if anyone hears my voice and opens the door I will come in. The Holy Spirit knocks on the door of your heart and when you open it He comes in.

Ephesians 2:1 tells us that we are dead in our sins. When we receive Jesus we come alive in the Spirit of God. This is what it means to be born again. We receive the Holy Spirit when we are born again. Our spirit comes alive when the Holy Spirit comes into us. Love, joy and peace come alive. Faith comes alive. A knowledge of sin and righteousness come alive when the Spirit of God comes into our lives.

How do I receive the Holy Spirit? Respond to his knocking and receive Jesus into your life as Lord and Savior, then the Holy Spirit will flow into you and you will be born again.

If you've never received Jesus before pray this prayer and tell someone you prayed it;

Jesus, I open the door of my heart and invite you in. I ask you to forgive me of all my sin and cleanse me of all unrighteousness. I believe in my heart that you are Lord and I confess with my mouth that God raised from the dead. I receive you today, I am yours. Amen!

Why do I need the Holy Spirit?

2008-07-18T08:00:00.000-07:00

I'm saved. I've got Jesus that's all I need right? Well... no actually. The Holy Spirit is not just a gift He is a necessity. He is as much a part of God as the Son and the Father. In fact 1 Corinthians 12:3 says that no one can say Jesus is Lord without the Holy Spirit. This means that you cannot be saved with out the Holy Spirit drawing you to a place where you cry out for salvation. Without the Holy Spirit you would never have known that you needed salvation.

I like to explain it this way. The Holy Spirit leads us to Christ. He convicts our hearts of sin and shows us that we are in need of a savior. Once we have Christ He is the way to the Father. So the Spirit leads to the Son who leads us to the Father. God gave the Son so we could be with Him just as Christ gave the Spirit, so we could know Him. We need the Holy Spirit. Here are some other reasons we need the Holy Spirit.

Romans 8:14-16 tells us that the Spirit leads us and the presence of the Holy Spirit in our life gives us confirmation that we are children of God and therefore will spend eternity in heaven.

The Holy Spirit is our power according to Acts 1:8. He is the power for healing, salvation, boldness, overcoming, etc...

The Holy Spirit gives us the words to say in the midst of persecution and testing. When we witness to others as well the Holy Spirit gives us the words to say. Mark 13:11

He teaches us and reminds of the words that Jesus has spoken. He brings to remembrance the Word of God and teaches us to live righteously. John 14:26.

He fills our hearts with love! Romans 5:5. We are commanded to love God with everything and love our neighbors as ourselves. This is impossible apart from the Holy Spirit. He gives us this love to fulfill the Word.

Through the Holy Spirit we have confident hope. Confident hope that God will take care of us, love us, spend eternity with us. Romans 15:13

We have new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. Titus 3:5.
Helps in our weakness by praying for us – Romans 8:26-27
He is our freedom – 2 Corinthians 3:17 – where the Holy Spirit is there is freedom!
He transforms us into the image of Christ – 2 Corinthians 3:18

These are only some of the reasons we need the Holy Spirit. There are so many more that one blog or one lifetime of study couldn't bring them all out. The point is we need the Holy Spirit in our lives!

Here are more reasons we need him from a post on who He is.

Thursday - Is He for everyone?

2008-07-17T09:57:00.000-07:00

We already answered the question is the Holy Spirit for today. According to the Bible and not the opinions of man we find that yes He is. Now since He is for today is He for everyone? Can every person who is gives their life to Christ be a candidate to receive the Holy Spirit? Lets again see what the Bible says...

Matthew 7:8 says "everyone who asks , receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened." Luke 11:9-13 tells us that if we ask God He will not give us something weird or different that what we ask for. Instead our heavenly Father will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!

The Holy Spirit is for everyone who asks! In fact Acts 2:38 shows us how to receive. Peter tells the crowd to repent of your sins and turn to God, get baptized for the forgiveness of your sins, then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This tells us that every person who has given their lift to Christ can enjoy the Holy Spirit as the gift He is.

Is He for everyone? Yes! All you have to do to receive the Holy Spirit is ask. It is a gift from God! The Holy Spirit is for every Christ follower regardless of what they've done. He is for you. You can receive the gift of The Holy Spirit today! Ask and you will receive.

Wednesday - Is He for today?

2008-07-15T13:46:00.000-07:00

There are some out there that might try and tell you that The Holy Spirit, the gifts of the Holy Spirit and the baptism of the Holy Spirit were given to the early apostles and after they died, so did the gifts, baptism etc... I would like to offer a different perspective and answer the question is the Holy Spirit for today? Check out the video.

Reading Plan

2008-07-15T13:30:00.000-07:00

I totally forgot to put this weeks reading plan on the Blog. There are hard copies for pick up at the GRID. Here is this weeks reading plan:

Monday Who is The Holy Spirit? Read: Acts 1:8, 2:3; John 7:37-39, 14:16, 26, 15:26. 16:13;
Prayer: God reveal to me The Holy Spirit. Let me know Him for who He really is, not my past thoughts or feelings about Him.

Tuesday Who is the Holy Spirit? Part 2 Read: Romans 8:9, 15; Hebrews 10:29; 1 Samuel 16:13; Isaiah 44:3.
Prayer: God give me a desire to know the Holy Spirit like I know my friends.

Wednesday Is He for today? Read: John 14:16-18; Hebrews 13:8-9;
Prayer: God help to see that The Holy Spirit and all that he offers is for today!

Thursday Is He for everyone? Read: Matthew 7:7-8; Luke 11:9-13; John 14:15-18; Acts 2:38
Prayer: God I see that the Holy Spirit is for everyone. Let Him come and touch everyone around me!

Friday Why do I need The Holy Spirit? Read: Romans 8:14-16; 1 Corinthians 12:3; Acts 1:8; Mark 13:11; John 14:26; Romans 5:5, 15:13; Titus 3:5
Prayer: God I need the Holy Spirit. I need power, authority, comfort and strength.

Saturday How do I receive The Holy Spirit? 1st Born of the Spirit (salvation) Read: 1 Corinthians 6:17, 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 John 5:11; Ephesians 2:6
Prayer: Jesus I believe that you are Lord! I receive salvation and am now a new Creation! I have been born of the Spirit!

Sunday How do I receive The Holy Spirit? Part 2: Be filled! Read: Acts 1:4-8; John 16:5-15; Luke 11:9-13; Galatians 5:22-25
Prayer: God fill me with your Spirit and let me walk in the fruit of the Spirit.

You may have to play a little catch up, but it will be good!

Tuesday Bonus - Who is the Holy Spirit? Part 3

2008-07-15T13:10:00.000-07:00

Here are more attributes of The Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit:

Is the giver of Spiritual gifts – 1 Corinthians 12
Is the way to Jesus – Romans 8:11
Is the revealer of the deep things of God – 1 Corinthians 2:10-12
Is our guarantee of Salvation – 2 Corinthians 1:21-22
Is our freedom – 2 Corinthians 3:17 – where the Holy Spirit is there is freedom!
Was present at creation – Genesis 1:2
Calls us and qualifies us for ministry – Acts 13:1-2
Hears, speaks, and he teaches. He guides us to truth. He glorifies Jesus. He brings all of Jesus’ words to our remembrance. He shows us things to come. 1 Corinthians 2:9-15
Is our instructor, teaching us God’s ways – Nehemiah 9:20
Is our sanctifier – 2 Thessalonians 2:13
Fights for us – Isaiah 59:19

This list only begins to scratch the surface of who He is. Only an intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit will reveal to you how incredible He truly is and everything He has to offer you!

Tuesday - Who is The Holy Spirit? Part 2

2008-07-15T07:02:00.000-07:00

Who is The Holy Spirit? Today we will answer more and reveal more about his nature and character.

He is the life of God that keeps us from being controlled by our sinful nature (Romans 8:9, 15). When we are controlled by the Holy Spirit we are not controlled by our sinful nature, so we do not walk in sin. Verse 15 promises that we are not fearful slaves, but rather God's children because of The Holy Spirit. Being controlled by the Holy Spirit is the greatest freedom you will ever enjoy!

The Spirit brings us mercy and makes us holy (Hebrews 10:29). In and of ourselves we cannot measure up to God's standard of morality and holiness, but through the power of The Holy Spirit we can. He makes us holy by convicting our hearts of wrong doing and giving us the power (Acts 1:8) to do right.

Finally He is the oil of anointing in our lives (1 Samuel 16:13). Isaiah 10:27 NKJV tells us that the anointing breaks the yoke. The Holy Spirit is the one who breaks bondages and chains that are upon our lives!

The Holy Spirit desires to have a deep and intimate relationship with you today!

Pray:

"God give me a desire to know the Holy Spirit like I know my friends. I want a deep and intimate relationship with you Holy Spirit."

There is so much more about Who the Holy Spirit is. Check back later today for a bullet pointed list of more about who the Holy Spirit is.

Monday - Who is The Holy Spirit?

2008-07-14T07:00:00.000-07:00

This week we are going to read about, talk about then learn about next Sunday the topic of knowing the Holy Spirit. In order to do this we have to answer the question who is the Holy Spirit? Is he some mystic force that floats around giving us goose bumps when the music at church sounds good? No, the Holy Spirit is the third part of the trinity, God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), God the Holy Spirit. He is God! He is the Spirit of God. He is so much more!

The Holy Spirit is a person that presents himself as many different things, but know he is not a dove or a ghost or anything weird he is a person that comes in the form or other things. For instance Acts 1:8 tells us that He is power! When we have the Holy Spirit we have power.

Acts 2:3 tells us that He is fire! When we have the Holy Spirit we have a fire in us, that is passion. Also as a fire the Holy Spirit burns away sin and wickedness in our lives.

John 7:37-39 and Isaiah 44:3 tell us that He is living water. When we have the Holy Spirit we are refreshed and revived. He takes away weariness.

John 14:16, 26 and 15:26 tell us that He is the Comforter. The Holy Spirit brings us comfort and peace in the midst of any situation good or tragic.

John 16:13 tells us that He is the Spirit of Truth. The Holy Spirit is truth. He guides us to truth, showing us what is right and what is wrong. He brings truth to our lives, so that the deception we once believed an walked in must go.

The Holy Spirit is so important to our life in Christ. He presents himself in many more ways. We will continue to dive into it tomorrow. For today though pray:

"God reveal to me The Holy Spirit. Let me know Him for who He really is, not by my past thoughts or feelings about Him!"

Day 7 Bonus

2008-07-13T09:00:00.000-07:00

What happened at the Cross? We've been discussing this and reading about this all week and I wanted to break it down for you. Below is a list of what Jesus did for you on the Cross.

What happens when I go to the Cross?

Jesus Takes He Gives Me

My sin His righteousness 2 cor 5:21
My foolishness His wisdom 1 Cor 1:24
My Weakness His strength Heb 11:34
My inadequacy His adequacy 2 Cor 3:5-6
My poverty His riches 2 cor 8:9
My defeat His victory 1 cor 15:57
My sickness His Healing 1 Peter 2:24
My anxiety His peace Phil 4:6-7
My limitations His potential Phil 4:13
My bondage His freedom John 8:36
My curse His blessing Gal 3:13-14
My mourning His joy Isaiah 61:3
My will His will Luke 22:42
My desire His desires Psalm 37:4
My emptiness His fullness Eph 3:19
My failure His success Ps 103:4
My rejection His acceptance Isaiah 53:3
My fear His power 2 Tim 1:7
My insecurity His confidence Eph 3:11-12
My guilt/shame His forgiveness Rom 9:33

If you've never gone to the Cross and made the trade, you need to!

Get on your knees and pray:

Jesus I come to you today at the foot of the Cross. I need you and desire you to be the Lord of my life. I trade everything I am, have done and desire to be for all that you have for me. I exchange all of me for all of you. Today the old me that is full of sin and wickedness dies and I am alive today in you as a new creation. Thank you for all you've done for me. Thank you for the Cross. I love you and need you! In your name I pray amen.

Day 7 - Healing

2008-07-13T08:00:00.000-07:00

I hate being sick! I hate sickness and disease. I have known many people whose lives were tragically cut short because of sickness and disease. Sickness was never a part of God's plan, but was introduced to the earth when Adam and Eve sinned. Yet when we search the scriptures we see that God had a plan all along.

Not only does the Cross bring us eternal life, freedom and forgiveness of sin, it also brings healing. 1 Peter 2:24 and Isaiah 53:1-5 both tell us that Jesus bore our sickness, like our sin, upon the cross. I always like to say that they died with Jesus and when He rose they didn't rise with Him. Jesus did not have to be whipped and beaten, but His body was broken, so ours could be whole. Through the Cross we can be healed!

Jesus went from city to city healing all who had diseases. On the Cross he purchased victory over sickness and disease once and for all. Like He told those He healed, "your faith has made you well." Your faith in God as a healer is what will make you well. Here are some ways to see healing in your life!

Believe! Faith is what will make you well. If you don't have the faith pray like the father in Mark 9:24 who had a sick child, "Lord help my unbelief!"
Pray every day! Stand upon the promises of God's Word for healing and speak it everyday that you will be healed.
Get prayer! James 5:14 tells us if we are sick to call on the elders and have them pray for us and we will be healed. Go to an elder in your church and get prayer!
Never give up! Even after death people were still healed by Jesus. It doesn't matter if you or someone you love is about to die, Jesus can still heal! Don't give up if the healing doesn't come immediately. Believe!

God has healing for your mind, your heart, your body and from your past today! He has healing in His wings for those you love. Believe!

Day 6 - Victory over the Devil

2008-07-12T08:00:00.000-07:00

Sometimes we struggle with the same sin over and over and over. Maybe it’s lust, maybe it’s gossip, maybe it’s addiction, it could be anything. The point is when we struggle time and time again, even though we try to overcome and yet we fail it can leave us feeling defeated. It can leave us with questions about why we can't overcome and after defeat after defeat we may give up all together. Have you ever asked why do I struggle with the same thing over and over?

The reason people fall prey to the same sin and weakness time and time again, is the Devil has a stronghold in their life. At one point they opened the door of their heart to him and since then he has had a grip of an area of their life. 1 Peter 5:8 says that the Devil searches like a roaring lion for people he can devour. As long as we let him we will continually be devoured by sin. He will continue to devour our joy, peace, love, future, destiny, finances and life.

It is through the Cross that we get victory over the Devil in every area of our life. The Cross will free us from the grip the enemy has over our minds, hearts and lives. Revelation 12:11 says that we overcome by the blood of the Lamb... Matthew 28:18 tells us that Jesus has all authority and power and when we go to the Cross and turn our lives over to Him he gives us that power and authority.

Romans 6:6 says that when we choose Jesus we are crucified with him (our sinful nature that is) and no longer are we a slave to sin. No longer does the enemy have a foothold in our lives. You don't have to fall time and time again. Below are some ways to get victory over the devil!

Pray! Go to Jesus and ask him to crucify your sinful nature, so you are no longer a slave to sin, doing whatever it desires not what you desire.
Stand on the Word! Read these scriptures and the reading plan scriptures here. Speak them over your life and believe them.
Ask God to renew your mind. Often the enemy has a hold of your mind and that is where the mistakes begin. Read Romans 12:1 and 2 and pray this for your life.
Confess your sins to one another and you will be healed (James 5:16). Find someone who can hold you accountable, pray for you and challenge you to overcome your sin. Don't pick someone who also is going through this, but someone who has overcome.

You can have victory over the devil in every area of your life because of the Cross! Don't go another day without walking in it.

Dr. Dave Martin this Sunday!

2008-07-11T16:46:00.001-07:00

I just received word that Dave Martin will be speaking at our church this Sunday! If you have or have not ever heard him be here and be ready to receive an impartation.

Hearing him speak is always incredible and life changing. Not to mention he's very funny!
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Summer Camps

2008-07-11T15:00:00.000-07:00

One month until camp and it is getting exciting around here!

In Acts chapter nine, Saul (later called Paul) had and encounter with Jesus that forever altered his life. Every person needs an encounter like Paul’s in their life in Christ to solidify a devotion to Him. Summer camps provide an atmosphere for students and kids to have an encounter that leaves them changed forever. Your students need to be at camp!

Here are the camps:

Accelerate Kids Camp – Grades 3 to 5 - $100 – August 13th-15th Register here.

There are many fun activities planned for Accelerate!

Ignite Camp – Grades 6 to 12 - $215 – August 11th-15th Register here.

At Ignite Camp we will have Paintball, Tubing, and more!

This Sunday is the final Sunday to sign up! There are many scholarships still available here.

Also we are doing a garage sale fund raiser to help sponsor kids to camp. If you have an items that you could donate please do so!

Hide and Seek

2008-07-11T12:35:00.001-07:00

This morning I spoke to around 70 3 to 8 year olds about the topic, "Hide and Seek." I love speaking to kids and seeing them worship because the bible is clear. Out of the mouths of children is perfect praise and we must have child like faith to enter the kingdom of heaven. It is inspiring to watch kids love Jesus with everything!

In Psalm 119:11 the psalmist writes, "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." I shared with the kids that we have to play hide and seek with our Bibles. We've got to take the scriptures we hear our teachers (or in your case pastors) talk about and hide them in our hearts. This is why reading the bible is so important. When we read we hide the scripture in our hearts.

When scripture is hidden in our heart then we will respond correctly to situations that arise in our lives. When we are sick scriptures that have been hidden can now be sought, found, believed and applied. During financial difficulties scriptures hidden can be found, believed and applied.

When was the last time you hid some scripture in your heart by reading the Word? I want to encourage you to get a daily reading plan and let the Word of God be a seed in your heart that protects you and brings you life!

Play Hide and Seek this week with the Word of God!