Here is a good theological and fun way to answer some tough questions.
February 3, 2010
Need an explanation of Atonement?
January 13, 2010
NewThru30 reflections-Day 3
Please leave a comment of what God is teaching you through this discipline of reading.
January 11, 2010
NEW THRU 30 Reflections-Day1
Check back each day for a new one. Leave your own reflections in the comments.
December 30, 2009
Goals for 2010
As a new year comes upon us…the thinking, dreaming, and goal setting is in full force. There is no doubt in my mind and heart that 2010 is going to be a year in which God shows Himself true and faithful. Our desire is to see people who are far from God come to new life in Christ and become true disciples of Him. These are just a few goals that I have.
1. Know Christ and Make Him Known
2. See our baby born…(oh…I guess it’s not a secret anymore)
3. To see 100 people pray to receive Christ through Aletheia Norfolk
4. To see 25 people baptized through Aletheia Norfolk
5. To see attendance reach at least 100
6. To see a new Aletheia planted.
7. To finish Seminary
8. To lose 50 pounds (i am the fattest Aletheia Church Planter…gotta change that)
9. To begin writing a book/study that will help dudes with dude-issues.
10.To see our ministries in Togo, West Africa grow.
Remember to set audacious goals because we serve an audacious God who is waiting to “open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it.” Be faithful and be diligent. What is it that you are thinking, dreaming, and setting goals for? Please share.
December 23, 2009
Primal: A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity
Primal: A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity
I was honored to receive an advanced copy of “Primal” by Pastor Mark Batterson. Pastor Mark is the founding and senior Pastor of National Community Church in Washington, D.C. If you’re not familiar with his story I encourage you to read up about him and see what God is doing in both his life and the life of his church.
Just so you know… I’m Huge fan of Pastor Mark Batterson. Several years ago, I took the metro up to D.C. and met with Mark and some of his staff to learn about church-planting. At the time, I was on staff at a church in Northern Va. and was praying about what was next for me. I had begun to really feel God calling me to do it but I really didn’t know how to go about it. While asking Mark questions, He said that he appreciated me wanting to learn and ask questions but He wanted to know what God was doing in me or what “lions that God was calling me to chase.” I told him about the things that God was speaking to me about and He responded that I should “quit my job and start a church!” Mark was one of the voices that God used in my life to encourage me to “Chase the Lion” and start a church.
Since then and since attending the conference NCC hosted called “Buzz” (day 1, day 2), I have kept an eye on NCC and read two other books by Pastor Batterson, “In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day” and “Wild Goose Chase”. Both of these books provide inspiration and insight worthy of your time. I also happen to own Pastor Mark’s “ID: The True You” so I’m familiar with his work.
Primal is essentially a book written to awaken within the believer a passion to get back to the very essence of our faith. Through fascinating storytelling the reader gets to engage in a lifetime of adventures all the while uncovering deep spiritual truths. From joining Pastor Mark as he explores ancient ruins to hiking the rim of the Grand Canyon, this book is full of amazing tales of personal achievement and adventure.
The premise is that in Christianity there is a deep and primary truth to which we must return. That truth, a truth we often forget, is to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”
If you are a follower of Jesus there is no doubt that you have explored this verse but like many you may have come to an uncertain conclusion on how “exactly” I can love God with my heart, soul, mind and strength. Primal should be your primary read!
One of the attributes God has given to Pastor Mark is an ability to stretch our mind by pointing to God’s creation in scientific terms while simultaneously pulling in compelling stories.
I absolutely love the illustrations and methods that Mark uses to get the reader to not only think right brained but from the left brain as well.
This book should be on the top of every reader/ leader’s reading list for 2010. Let’s all get back to the core of our faith in 2010 and show the world this God to whom we give our entire being. The basics, that’s what it is all about.
December 10, 2009
Undivided
This generation that I have been called to reach is amazing because of their “wonder” and “amazement”. My fear, though, is that in their desire to “live in the moment”, they will fail to pursue holiness and ‘live for tomorrow”. So, how do we balance this. I think it all comes down to the first and great commandment. Jesus said it this way because it is of first importance. He said, “And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.” (Mark 12:30) If we will simply live in each moment of our lives to know and love God with all of our heart, with all our souls, with all of our mind, and with all of our strenth, then we will not only live in the moment but also for the future. This is a cause and a commitment worth giving our lives to.
December 4, 2009
Matt Chandler- Listen and pray for him today
Check this out. Very convicting when it comes to creativity. Creativity is good but the cross of Jesus and Godliness must be at the center and prevail. Pray for Matt today. He is having surgery on a brain tumor.
