A fun time was had by ALL!!!
A big THANK YOU to all the volunteers!!!
A SPECIAL HUGE THANK YOU to Mrs. Shelli!!!
(Nathaniel did his first limbo, so cute!)
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Love all the Dum Dums
Christian Life School is back on campus! Today was the first day of school. I had the privilege of teaching the first chapel of the year. We said our pledges to the Christian Flag, American Flag and the Bible. I sat at the piano and we sang some songs to Jesus! Then I talked about how we need to love all the dum dums!
Man looks on outward appearances, God looks at the inside! (1Samuel 16:7) When we look at people we need to remember that we can only see what's on the outside, but God can see what's on the inside - and it's what's inside that counts!
John 13 says this is how men know that we are Christians...IF WE LOVE ONE ANOTHER! I gave out dum dum suckers at the close of chapel encouraging students to not be PICKY but love all the dum dums... Kids tend to "leave out" certain sucker flavors...we committed to not leave one another out...or make fun because of differences...
Proverbs 15:1...A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger... We talked about facing the "bullies" in our lives... And, I made it clear that Pastor Paul and Principal Mary will tolerate no bullying... And ofcourse we closed in prayer asking JESUS for the strength to always LOVE... It was a really good chapel!!!
God's Olympics: STRENGTH
Last Sunday's Sermon Notes: Celebration Service 8/31/08
gotta start w/ Sumpen funny...
A young man asked an old rich man how he made his money. The old guy fingered his worsted wool vest and said, "Well, son, it was 1932, the depth of the Great Depression. I was down to my last nickel. I invested that nickel in an apple. I spent the entire day polishing the apple and, at the end of the day, I sold the apple for ten cents. The next morning, I invested those ten cents in two apples. I spent the entire day polishing them and sold them at 5:00 PM for 20 cents. I continued this system for a month, by the end of which I'd accumulated a fortune of $3.50. Then my wife's father died and left us ten million dollars."
Today we continue a new sermon series entitled God’s Olympics…
Today’s Focus is Strength…
But before we jump into that…I want to share something the LORD through in my lap this week that has to do with last week’s focus on BALANCE…Tony Dungy…
I don’t know what it was about this week but the LORD kept throwing stuff in my face, reviewing what we’ve been talking about, so let me share a little bit on FOCUS…Rick Warren…
Today’s Pentecostal Evangel…Asafa Powell…
So, now that completes our story time, I’ll preach my sermon now…
We’ll let Asafa Powell give us the first point of our Olympic sermon today…
1. Strength is found in praying
Psalm 55:17…Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, And He will hear my voice…
Matthew 26:41…Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak…
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18…Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you…
Psalm 42:8…The LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, And in the night His song shall be with me – A prayer to the God of my life…
Olympic Games, Barcelona, 1992
This was to be his moment. Though he had been plagued by injuries throughout his career, on the evening of August the third, 1992, Derek Redmond had never felt stronger.
He broke quickly in lane five, quickly making up the stagger on the runners in lanes six through eight. Then Redmond felt something pop in his right leg. He had torn his hamstring. As the other runners finished the race, all eyes turned to him, helpless and motionless on the track.
Suddenly, a man appeared next to the injured runner, who, in spite of his injury, was determined to complete the race. Redmond's father had been watching in disbelief from the grandstand. Now, he provided a much-needed shoulder as his son hobbled in agony toward the finish line.
A young man asked an old rich man how he made his money. The old guy fingered his worsted wool vest and said, "Well, son, it was 1932, the depth of the Great Depression. I was down to my last nickel. I invested that nickel in an apple. I spent the entire day polishing the apple and, at the end of the day, I sold the apple for ten cents. The next morning, I invested those ten cents in two apples. I spent the entire day polishing them and sold them at 5:00 PM for 20 cents. I continued this system for a month, by the end of which I'd accumulated a fortune of $3.50. Then my wife's father died and left us ten million dollars."
Today we continue a new sermon series entitled God’s Olympics…
Today’s Focus is Strength…
But before we jump into that…I want to share something the LORD through in my lap this week that has to do with last week’s focus on BALANCE…Tony Dungy…
I don’t know what it was about this week but the LORD kept throwing stuff in my face, reviewing what we’ve been talking about, so let me share a little bit on FOCUS…Rick Warren…
Today’s Pentecostal Evangel…Asafa Powell…
So, now that completes our story time, I’ll preach my sermon now…
We’ll let Asafa Powell give us the first point of our Olympic sermon today…
1. Strength is found in praying
Psalm 55:17…Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, And He will hear my voice…
Matthew 26:41…Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak…
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18…Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you…
Psalm 42:8…The LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, And in the night His song shall be with me – A prayer to the God of my life…
Olympic Games, Barcelona, 1992
This was to be his moment. Though he had been plagued by injuries throughout his career, on the evening of August the third, 1992, Derek Redmond had never felt stronger.
He broke quickly in lane five, quickly making up the stagger on the runners in lanes six through eight. Then Redmond felt something pop in his right leg. He had torn his hamstring. As the other runners finished the race, all eyes turned to him, helpless and motionless on the track.
Suddenly, a man appeared next to the injured runner, who, in spite of his injury, was determined to complete the race. Redmond's father had been watching in disbelief from the grandstand. Now, he provided a much-needed shoulder as his son hobbled in agony toward the finish line.
2. Strength is found in leaning
Even Christ himself needed someone to lean on…
Matthew 27:32…Now as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. Him they compelled to bear His cross…
After the soldiers beat, no scourged our LORD, mocking and spitting…he was half dead before they even nailed him to the cross…Jesus needed help to carry his cross to Golgotha…
We need one another
There is no shame in leaning on family, friends, the church…
When you feel beat up, lean on the LORD and His people…
It is not a sign of strength to refuse to need anyone, to be a recluse or loner…that kind of individualism is not a sign of strength but weakness…anybody can shrivel up into themselves becoming bitter and ugly…
It is better to trust someone even if you are betrayed than to have never loved at all..
Olympic Games, Mexico, 1968
Out of the cold darkness he came. John Stephen Akhwari of Tanzania entered at the far end of the stadium, pain hobbling his every step, his leg bloody and bandaged. The winner of the marathon had been declared over an hour earlier. Only a few spectators remained. But the lone runner pressed on.
As he crossed the finish line, the small crowd roared out its appreciation. Afterward, a reporter asked the runner why he had not retired from the race, since he had no chance of winning. He seemed confused by the question. Finally, he answered:
"My country did not send me to Mexico City to start the race. They sent me to finish."
3. Strength is found in finishing
2 Timothy 4:7…I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith…
This sermon series is centered around Paul’s words in
1 Cor 9:24 thru 27… (front of bulletin)Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified…
We have already focused on this scriptures mandate for discipline, being temperate in all things, focusing on eternity, fighting for what’s right…
The word that stuck out to me this time was…disqualified…
In order to qualify for the Olympics one must have incredible strength in whatever sport he or she is competing in…
I wonder if our lives would look any different if we recognized that our Christian life, how we run this spiritual race…is being qualified or judged by our Creator…scary stuff…None of us will ever qualify, that’s why Jesus came, that’ why the gospel is our only hope…but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try…the grace Jesus bought on that cross is not something to be taken and then trampled upon as we run the race any which way we choose…I don’t believe in cheap grace…
We are athletes in God’s Olympics…If we are Running the race of the Christian life, Commitment, Focus, Balance and Strength are important tools for the journey…
Friday, August 29, 2008
Pretty Pretty Church
We're on our way!
Look at all that is being accomplished...
It's amazing what can be done even when you don't have much money...
Bo saved us a lot of money painting the church! (he was very detailed, you may notice..he added trim to the windows...I never noticed we didn't have trim)
Buzz gave sacrificially of his time painting the modular!
And Arrow came down in price so we could protect the parking lot...yes, it needs a complete gooing process, but treating the cracks is a good start...kinda looks like a pretty mosaic...
God is blessing our good stewardship!
Edgy Donald Miller
I usually try to avoid politics all together, because I think Christians forget to be like Jesus when the subject is brought up...I HATE NEGATIVE CAMPAIGN ADS AND POLITICAL LEADERS BASHING ONE ANOTHER...
But...
I admire the courage of this Christian Man...
AND HE MAKES ME LAUGH!!!
His new blog detailing email exchanges with Barack is hilarious but not in a disrespectful way...http://www.donmilleris.com/
He's the only author who can respect differences, challenge your Christian thinking, and be hilarious all at the same time...
I think I've read every one of his books: they entertain AND challenge the Christian!!!
In a world where Christians don't act very Christian especially when it comes to politics...This guy shines...
I never agree with everything he says but I like the way he says it!!!
He looks like Jesus to me...
Honestly, I'm tired of Christians labeling every new political leader the Antichrist (I think our over emphasis on the end times turns away souls who need Jesus)...and I really don't get how, when Jesus said we're supposed to be ALL ABOUT LOVE, we do and say such ugly things to those who disagree with us...
Truth is, we need to recognize how wonderfully amazing it is that a black man was just given the democratic nomination!!! Whether or not we agree with his political views...when he began quoting Martin Luther King I was moved...
Since our adoption, Holly and I have experienced over and over (more than we expected) people's ignorance regarding race (it's sad that people make fun of what they don't understand...I didn't realize how alive racism truly is...)
YET I have to tell you Mr. Obama's views on Abortion alone, make it so I can't vote for him...
I encourage you to check out donald's website http://www.donaldmillerwords.com/
He was asked to give the benediction at the Democratic National convention...
Here's his words...
(The Benediction for the Democratic National Convention on Monday Night)
I was honored to deliver the closing prayer at the DNC on Monday night. Evangelical voices have been scarce within this party, perhaps since the Carter administration. But as strides are being made on key issues of sanctity of life and social justice, as well as peaceful solutions to world conflicts, more and more evangelicals are taking a closer look at options certain members of the Democratic Party are beginning to deliver. There is a long way to go, but sending a message to Washington that no single party has the Christian community in their pocket, thus causing each party to carefully consider the issues most important to us, is, in my opinion, a positive evolution. I am glad that, for the most part, the dialogue has been constructive and positive. Will you join me in keeping the conversation thoughtful and not reactionary?
That said, I was honored to speak to, and especially pray with and for, the DNC. Here is the full text of the prayer:
"Father God,
This week, as the world looks on, help the leaders in this room create a civil dialogue about our future.
We need you, God, as individuals and also as a nation.
We need you to protect us from our enemies, but also from ourselves, because we are easily tempted toward apathy.
Give us a passion to advance opportunities for the least of these, for widows and orphans, for single moms and children whose fathers have left.
Give us the eyes to see them, and the ears to hear them, and hands willing to serve them.
Help us serve people, not just causes. And stand up to specific injustices rather than vague notions.
Give those in this room who have power, along with those who will meet next week, the courage to work together to finally provide health care to those who don’t have any, and a living wage so families can thrive rather than struggle.
Hep us figure out how to pay teachers what they deserve and give children an equal opportunity to get a college education.
Help us figure out the balance between economic opportunity and corporate gluttony.
We have tried to solve these problems ourselves but they are still there. We need your help.
Father, will you restore our moral standing in the world.
A lot of people don’t like us but that’s because they don’t know the heart of the average American.
Will you give us favor and forgiveness, along with our allies around the world.
Help us be an example of humility and strength once again.
Lastly, father, unify us.
Even in our diversity help us see how much we have in common.
And unify us not just in our ideas and in our sentiments—but in our actions, as we look around and figure out something we can do to help create an America even greater than the one we have come to cherish.
God we know that you are good.
Thank you for blessing us in so many ways as Americans.
I make these requests in the name of your son, Jesus, who gave his own life against the forces of injustice.
Let Him be our example.
Amen."
I was honored to deliver the closing prayer at the DNC on Monday night. Evangelical voices have been scarce within this party, perhaps since the Carter administration. But as strides are being made on key issues of sanctity of life and social justice, as well as peaceful solutions to world conflicts, more and more evangelicals are taking a closer look at options certain members of the Democratic Party are beginning to deliver. There is a long way to go, but sending a message to Washington that no single party has the Christian community in their pocket, thus causing each party to carefully consider the issues most important to us, is, in my opinion, a positive evolution. I am glad that, for the most part, the dialogue has been constructive and positive. Will you join me in keeping the conversation thoughtful and not reactionary?
That said, I was honored to speak to, and especially pray with and for, the DNC. Here is the full text of the prayer:
"Father God,
This week, as the world looks on, help the leaders in this room create a civil dialogue about our future.
We need you, God, as individuals and also as a nation.
We need you to protect us from our enemies, but also from ourselves, because we are easily tempted toward apathy.
Give us a passion to advance opportunities for the least of these, for widows and orphans, for single moms and children whose fathers have left.
Give us the eyes to see them, and the ears to hear them, and hands willing to serve them.
Help us serve people, not just causes. And stand up to specific injustices rather than vague notions.
Give those in this room who have power, along with those who will meet next week, the courage to work together to finally provide health care to those who don’t have any, and a living wage so families can thrive rather than struggle.
Hep us figure out how to pay teachers what they deserve and give children an equal opportunity to get a college education.
Help us figure out the balance between economic opportunity and corporate gluttony.
We have tried to solve these problems ourselves but they are still there. We need your help.
Father, will you restore our moral standing in the world.
A lot of people don’t like us but that’s because they don’t know the heart of the average American.
Will you give us favor and forgiveness, along with our allies around the world.
Help us be an example of humility and strength once again.
Lastly, father, unify us.
Even in our diversity help us see how much we have in common.
And unify us not just in our ideas and in our sentiments—but in our actions, as we look around and figure out something we can do to help create an America even greater than the one we have come to cherish.
God we know that you are good.
Thank you for blessing us in so many ways as Americans.
I make these requests in the name of your son, Jesus, who gave his own life against the forces of injustice.
Let Him be our example.
Amen."
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Rogue River Assembly Of God HEROES: Neva
This church is filled with SO MANY WONDERFUL SOULS...
I will forever continue this heroes blog series...
This young lady actually taught me sunday school at this church when I was just a wee little boy. Ok, mabye I've never been little, but I was younger...
I found these pictures she had taken (I think it's from an Easter Sunday several years ago). Yes, I am exactly as tall as her on my knees...
She may not be very tall but I think she's a GIANT when it comes to spiritual things!
She has filled many roles of ministry through the years at RRAG. I wouldn't even know where to begin...
Right now she leads a team of professional bulletin folders...
She's one of those AMAZING souls that does all the behind the scenes stuff, quietly building the Kingdom of God...
OH HOW I LOVE THE NEVA!!!
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Just wanted to remind you how cute our baby boy is...
He is the baby of many faces...from mischevious to pleased...and very polite too: shaking the doggy's paw...
God's Olympics: BALANCE
There's always something special going on at our church! This morning I dedicated Kylie and baptized Kelly...
AND we clapped for all who are helping spruce up our church...BUZZ painted the outside modular...BO's almost done painting the church...Kathy just painted the women's restroom...This week ARROW will be filling in the parking lot with goo...
Sermon Notes from this morning's Celebration Service:
I always like to start my sermon with something funny...
Question: Why did the chicken cross the road? Answers: KINDERGARTEN TEACHER: To get to the other side ARISTOTLE: It is the nature of chickens to cross roads. CAPTAIN JAMES T. KIRK: To boldly go where no chicken has gone before. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.: I envision a world where all chickens will be free to cross roads without having their motives called into question. MOSES: And God came down from the Heavens, and He said unto the chicken, "Thou shalt cross the road." And the chicken crossed the road, and there was much rejoicing. RICHARD M. NIXON: The chicken did not cross the road. I repeat, the chicken did NOT cross the road. MACHIAVELLI: The point is that the chicken crossed the road. Who cares why? The end of crossing the road justifies whatever motive there was. JERRY SEINFELD: Why does anyone cross a road? I mean, why doesn't anyone ever think to ask, What was this chicken doing walking around all over the place, anyway?" FREUD: The fact that you are at all concerned that the chicken crossed the road reveals your underlying insecurity. BILL GATES: I have just released the new Chicken Office 2000, which will not only cross roads, but will lay eggs, file your important documents, and balance your check book. DARWIN: Chickens, over great periods of time, have been naturally selected in such a way that they are now genetically disposed to cross roads. EINSTEIN: Whether the chicken crossed the road or the road moved beneath the chicken depends upon your frame of reference. BUDDHA: Asking this question denies your own chicken nature.
COLONEL SANDERS: I missed one?
AND MY FAVORITE ERNEST HEMINGWAY: To die. In the rain.
Today we continue a new sermon series entitled God’s Olympics…
Today’s Focus is BALANCE…
Have you been watching NBC’s coverage of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing??
(thoughts on viewing…phelps, gymnastics, more clothes)
Today’s Pentecostal Evangel… Tamika Catchings
You’ve probably already figured it out that all of life requires an understanding of BALANCE…
Just as the gymnist tumbles all over the balance beam, life demands a balancing act…keeping all the commitments around us in right order, prioritizing etc…
My mentor often uses the word BALANCE when advising my life choices…I can become tunnel visioned…we all have a tendency to begin to veer off the right course or fall off the horizontal bar, maybe even causing an injury…
The only way to keep things in balance is to follow the manual, so to speak…
If your wanting to achieve excellence in a sport it takes more than just trying hard, you must practice yes, but without an instruction manual or without studying the rules of the game you won’t achieve much…
For the Christian, I’m ofcourse speaking of God’s word
You’ve heard the different silly acronymns for the Bible
Like…Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth
Actually that’s more than a silly little acronymn, it’s truth…
We need a manual to help us Balance the pressures of everyday life…practicing the Word of God can help us achieve a balanced life…
For instance…walking the balance between TRUTH and GRACE seems impossible to me…
Only God is good at it…
When do I respond to an issue lovingly confronting and when do I Let Grace swallow the issue in forgetful forgiveness???
Walking the balance beam between truth and grace needs much practice in the Word…
The Olympics have their own bible, so to speak…
The Olympic Charter (OC) is the codification of the Fundamental Principles of Olympism, Rules and Bye-Laws adopted by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). It governs the organisation, action and operation of the Olympic Movement and sets forth the conditions for the celebration of the Olympic Games. In essence, the Olympic Charter serves three main purposes:
a) The Olympic Charter, as a basic instrument of a constitutional nature, sets forth and recalls the Fundamental Principles and essential values of Olympism.b) The Olympic Charter also serves as statutes for the International Olympic Committee.c) In addition, the Olympic Charter defines the main reciprocal rights and obligations of the three main constituents of the Olympic Movement, namely the International Olympic Committee, the International Federations and the National Olympic Committees, as well as the Organising Committees for the Olympic Games, all of which are required to comply with the Olympic Charter.
Fundamental Principles of Olympism
1 Olympism is a philosophy of life, exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body, will and mind. Blending sport with culture and education, Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on the joy of effort, the educational value of good example and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles.2 The goal of Olympism is to place sport at the service of the harmonious development of man, with a view to promoting a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human dignity.3 The Olympic Movement is the concerted, organised, universal and permanent action, carried out under the supreme authority of the IOC, of all individuals and entities who are inspired by the values of Olympism. It covers the five continents. It reaches its peak with the bringing together of the world's athletes at the great sports festival, the Olympic Games. Its symbol is five interlaced rings.4 The practice of sport is a human right. Every individual must have the possibility of practising sport, without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play. The organisation, administration and management of sport must be controlled by independent sports organisations.5 Any form of discrimination with regard to a country or a person on grounds of race, religion, politics, gender or otherwise is incompatible with belonging to the Olympic Movement…BOY does that translate into the Christian faith…since our adoption Holly and I have been running into all kinds of ignorance in this area…6 Belonging to the Olympic Movement requires compliance with the Olympic Charter and recognition by the IOC.
You may be wondering why your pastor has been talking about all this stuff…
Well, I’m inspired by the apostle Paul… he often used the ancient Olympics in his teaching of Christian principles…
I can really understand this…I think you could insert Christianity everywhere you see Olympism in what I just read and find balanced truth…
For instince…If I go back to the number one fundamental principle of Olympism and insert Christianity…
Christianity is a philosophy of life, exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body will and mind. Christianity seeks to create a way of life based on the joy of effort, the educational value of good example and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles…
This sermon series is centered around Paul’s words in
1 Cor 9:24 thru 27… (front of bulletin)Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified…
We have already focused on this scriptures mandate for discipline and being temperate in all things…
The words that stuck out to me this time was…THUS I FIGHT
Sometimes we have to fight for what’s right
When was the last time you stood up for something even if it made you unpopular…
Pleasing God over man
And today’s focus on Balance sometimes requires a fight…
There will always be many issues or people in your life trying to throw you off balance…sometimes you have to fight for balance…sometimes you have to just say no, no matter how much they guilt trip ya, somebody knows what I’m talking about…
ACTS 14…fighting for God’s glory
We’ve already talked about the fact that Balance requires an adherence to a manual, set of rules, scripture
But BALANCE also requires the right tools
HERE’S THE 3 POINT SERMON ON BALANCE
1…scripture 2…fight 3…tools
We all have tools, gifts God has placed, purposed for us…
Don’t believe the lies of the enemy you are gifted for His Glory!
The rarest medal in the Olympics wasn't created from gold, but a bolt.
The story begins on a cold, winter afternoon in Innsbruck at the 1964 Olympic two-man bobsled competition. A British team driven by Tony Nash had just completed its first run, which had put them in second place. Then they made a most disheartening discovery. They had broken a bolt on the rear axle of their sled, which would put them out of the competition.
At the bottom of the hill, the great Italian bobsled driver Eugenio Monti, who was in first place, heard of their plight. Without hesitation, Monti removed the bolt from the rear axle of his own sled and sent it to the top of the hill. The British team affixed it to their sled and then completed their run and won the gold medal. Monti's Italian team took the bronze.
When asked about his act of sportsmanship, Eugenio Monti deflected any praise, saying, "Tony Nash did not win because I gave him a bolt. Tony Nash won because he was the best driver."
The story of Monti's selfless act spread. And because of it he was given the first De Coubertin Medal for sportsmanship. The award, named after the founder of the modern Olympics, is one of the noblest honours that can be bestowed upon an Olympic athlete.
In other words, the most precious hardware any Olympian can own.
I believe you will find a Christian principle behind every inspiring story…Jesus is the very creator of the parable…test me on this one…even secular stories, I guarantee the author of all stories is behind any inspiring moment…for instance, this bolt can represent what we’re all about at RRAG, LOVE, behind every selfless act is love…
We are athletes in God’s Olympics…If we are Running the race of the Christian life, Commitment, Focus, and Balance are important tools for the journey…
AND we clapped for all who are helping spruce up our church...BUZZ painted the outside modular...BO's almost done painting the church...Kathy just painted the women's restroom...This week ARROW will be filling in the parking lot with goo...
Sermon Notes from this morning's Celebration Service:
I always like to start my sermon with something funny...
Question: Why did the chicken cross the road? Answers: KINDERGARTEN TEACHER: To get to the other side ARISTOTLE: It is the nature of chickens to cross roads. CAPTAIN JAMES T. KIRK: To boldly go where no chicken has gone before. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.: I envision a world where all chickens will be free to cross roads without having their motives called into question. MOSES: And God came down from the Heavens, and He said unto the chicken, "Thou shalt cross the road." And the chicken crossed the road, and there was much rejoicing. RICHARD M. NIXON: The chicken did not cross the road. I repeat, the chicken did NOT cross the road. MACHIAVELLI: The point is that the chicken crossed the road. Who cares why? The end of crossing the road justifies whatever motive there was. JERRY SEINFELD: Why does anyone cross a road? I mean, why doesn't anyone ever think to ask, What was this chicken doing walking around all over the place, anyway?" FREUD: The fact that you are at all concerned that the chicken crossed the road reveals your underlying insecurity. BILL GATES: I have just released the new Chicken Office 2000, which will not only cross roads, but will lay eggs, file your important documents, and balance your check book. DARWIN: Chickens, over great periods of time, have been naturally selected in such a way that they are now genetically disposed to cross roads. EINSTEIN: Whether the chicken crossed the road or the road moved beneath the chicken depends upon your frame of reference. BUDDHA: Asking this question denies your own chicken nature.
COLONEL SANDERS: I missed one?
AND MY FAVORITE ERNEST HEMINGWAY: To die. In the rain.
Today we continue a new sermon series entitled God’s Olympics…
Today’s Focus is BALANCE…
Have you been watching NBC’s coverage of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing??
(thoughts on viewing…phelps, gymnastics, more clothes)
Today’s Pentecostal Evangel… Tamika Catchings
You’ve probably already figured it out that all of life requires an understanding of BALANCE…
Just as the gymnist tumbles all over the balance beam, life demands a balancing act…keeping all the commitments around us in right order, prioritizing etc…
My mentor often uses the word BALANCE when advising my life choices…I can become tunnel visioned…we all have a tendency to begin to veer off the right course or fall off the horizontal bar, maybe even causing an injury…
The only way to keep things in balance is to follow the manual, so to speak…
If your wanting to achieve excellence in a sport it takes more than just trying hard, you must practice yes, but without an instruction manual or without studying the rules of the game you won’t achieve much…
For the Christian, I’m ofcourse speaking of God’s word
You’ve heard the different silly acronymns for the Bible
Like…Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth
Actually that’s more than a silly little acronymn, it’s truth…
We need a manual to help us Balance the pressures of everyday life…practicing the Word of God can help us achieve a balanced life…
For instance…walking the balance between TRUTH and GRACE seems impossible to me…
Only God is good at it…
When do I respond to an issue lovingly confronting and when do I Let Grace swallow the issue in forgetful forgiveness???
Walking the balance beam between truth and grace needs much practice in the Word…
The Olympics have their own bible, so to speak…
The Olympic Charter (OC) is the codification of the Fundamental Principles of Olympism, Rules and Bye-Laws adopted by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). It governs the organisation, action and operation of the Olympic Movement and sets forth the conditions for the celebration of the Olympic Games. In essence, the Olympic Charter serves three main purposes:
a) The Olympic Charter, as a basic instrument of a constitutional nature, sets forth and recalls the Fundamental Principles and essential values of Olympism.b) The Olympic Charter also serves as statutes for the International Olympic Committee.c) In addition, the Olympic Charter defines the main reciprocal rights and obligations of the three main constituents of the Olympic Movement, namely the International Olympic Committee, the International Federations and the National Olympic Committees, as well as the Organising Committees for the Olympic Games, all of which are required to comply with the Olympic Charter.
Fundamental Principles of Olympism
1 Olympism is a philosophy of life, exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body, will and mind. Blending sport with culture and education, Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on the joy of effort, the educational value of good example and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles.2 The goal of Olympism is to place sport at the service of the harmonious development of man, with a view to promoting a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human dignity.3 The Olympic Movement is the concerted, organised, universal and permanent action, carried out under the supreme authority of the IOC, of all individuals and entities who are inspired by the values of Olympism. It covers the five continents. It reaches its peak with the bringing together of the world's athletes at the great sports festival, the Olympic Games. Its symbol is five interlaced rings.4 The practice of sport is a human right. Every individual must have the possibility of practising sport, without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play. The organisation, administration and management of sport must be controlled by independent sports organisations.5 Any form of discrimination with regard to a country or a person on grounds of race, religion, politics, gender or otherwise is incompatible with belonging to the Olympic Movement…BOY does that translate into the Christian faith…since our adoption Holly and I have been running into all kinds of ignorance in this area…6 Belonging to the Olympic Movement requires compliance with the Olympic Charter and recognition by the IOC.
You may be wondering why your pastor has been talking about all this stuff…
Well, I’m inspired by the apostle Paul… he often used the ancient Olympics in his teaching of Christian principles…
I can really understand this…I think you could insert Christianity everywhere you see Olympism in what I just read and find balanced truth…
For instince…If I go back to the number one fundamental principle of Olympism and insert Christianity…
Christianity is a philosophy of life, exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body will and mind. Christianity seeks to create a way of life based on the joy of effort, the educational value of good example and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles…
This sermon series is centered around Paul’s words in
1 Cor 9:24 thru 27… (front of bulletin)Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified…
We have already focused on this scriptures mandate for discipline and being temperate in all things…
The words that stuck out to me this time was…THUS I FIGHT
Sometimes we have to fight for what’s right
When was the last time you stood up for something even if it made you unpopular…
Pleasing God over man
And today’s focus on Balance sometimes requires a fight…
There will always be many issues or people in your life trying to throw you off balance…sometimes you have to fight for balance…sometimes you have to just say no, no matter how much they guilt trip ya, somebody knows what I’m talking about…
ACTS 14…fighting for God’s glory
We’ve already talked about the fact that Balance requires an adherence to a manual, set of rules, scripture
But BALANCE also requires the right tools
HERE’S THE 3 POINT SERMON ON BALANCE
1…scripture 2…fight 3…tools
We all have tools, gifts God has placed, purposed for us…
Don’t believe the lies of the enemy you are gifted for His Glory!
The rarest medal in the Olympics wasn't created from gold, but a bolt.
The story begins on a cold, winter afternoon in Innsbruck at the 1964 Olympic two-man bobsled competition. A British team driven by Tony Nash had just completed its first run, which had put them in second place. Then they made a most disheartening discovery. They had broken a bolt on the rear axle of their sled, which would put them out of the competition.
At the bottom of the hill, the great Italian bobsled driver Eugenio Monti, who was in first place, heard of their plight. Without hesitation, Monti removed the bolt from the rear axle of his own sled and sent it to the top of the hill. The British team affixed it to their sled and then completed their run and won the gold medal. Monti's Italian team took the bronze.
When asked about his act of sportsmanship, Eugenio Monti deflected any praise, saying, "Tony Nash did not win because I gave him a bolt. Tony Nash won because he was the best driver."
The story of Monti's selfless act spread. And because of it he was given the first De Coubertin Medal for sportsmanship. The award, named after the founder of the modern Olympics, is one of the noblest honours that can be bestowed upon an Olympic athlete.
In other words, the most precious hardware any Olympian can own.
I believe you will find a Christian principle behind every inspiring story…Jesus is the very creator of the parable…test me on this one…even secular stories, I guarantee the author of all stories is behind any inspiring moment…for instance, this bolt can represent what we’re all about at RRAG, LOVE, behind every selfless act is love…
We are athletes in God’s Olympics…If we are Running the race of the Christian life, Commitment, Focus, and Balance are important tools for the journey…
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
YEAH! the church is being PAINTED
Bo and his family started prepping the church for painting today!!!
THE DARAS are such a BLESSING to our church!!!
Yup, Bo was at the top of that ladder...he doubles as a trapeze artist...
Happy Birthday To Me
My wife (with some help from the KQ) threw another birthday party for me last night...
We went bowling and Red Robin people sang and clapped at my head...
If we keep this up, people are gonna think we are PARTY PEOPLE!
Wait, I think church people should be party people...Jesus first miracle was to KEEP THE PARTY GOING!!!
THANKS EVERYBODY FOR SPOILING ME AGAIN...I am so blessed!
Friday, August 15, 2008
Thanks for the amazing out-pouring of LOVE
A couple weeks ago our family, friends, church overwhelmed us with the biggest adoption shower ever! Truth is, we haven't stopped receiving gifts for our little boy since we announced his adoption finalized months ago. Nathaniel Mesfin has been very busy writing THANK YOU cards. He's quite advanced... I haven't been able to post pictures of the shower because our camera decided to erase over 200 pictures! But the Photo Den in Grants Pass recovered them off our memory card! So, now I sing praises to the Photo Den!
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Rogue River Assembly Of God Heroes: Cliff Leidecker
I'm really enjoying blogging about the heroes of our church!
This time I want to praise the amazing Cliff!
He has served on my church board since I walked back in the door almost 5 years ago. He was elected to the board the very month I was voted in as pastor and re-elected the year before last...
I may not have enough room on my blog to write out everything he does around this church!
He helped master-mind the sound system and now is in charge of it's continued use...
Cliff and Trudi graduated from Christian Life School and send their son, Ryan presently...
He helped master-mind the coffee shop and now is in charge of it's continued use...
I'm starting to wonder how one gentleman can do all he does around here?
What a blessing the Leideckers are to our CHURCH!
Hillsong
God has blessed Holly and I with many wonderful friends and family...
We lost contact with a good college friend, Lance Davis! A couple years ago we were shopping in Medford and just happened upon him (GOD MOMENT!)... He's living in Australia, attending Hillsong college, and being spoiled by their incredible church... Hillsong is mostly known for their AMAZING worship music: truth is, they pretty much set the standard...Darlene Zschech of Hillsong Australia wrote Shout to the Lord... SO, Lance came to the states last month and spent one of his weekends with us... He revolutionized our drummer (my nephew Dominic) in one weekend of lessons... And he gave Holly and I Hillsong's newest CD/DVD release: THIS IS OUR GOD... OH MY, THERE ARE NO WORDS FOR THIS NEW MUSIC, SO ANOINTED... SO, I'm on this Hillsong kick: sitting at the piano learning every Hillsong Song I can get my hands on...
There was a time in my life I truly struggled with choosing Music or Preaching... A leader I trully respected said that you must choose one over the other, you can't do both... BUT after much soul searching I decided to listen to what the LORD put in my heart and that is song AND the word... Yes, I'm probably over-extended BUT the truth is I will burn out NOT doing what's in my heart...SO, I'll stay at the piano and the pulpit!
This is the song I can't get out of my head...MAGNIFICENT: (Blessed)
Who compares to You
Who set the stars in their place
You who calmed the raging seas
That came crashing over me
Who compares to You
You who bring the morning light
The hope of all the earth
Is rest assured in Your great love
YOU ARE MAGNIFICENT, ETERNALLY
WONDERFUL, GLORIOUS
J--E--S--U--S
NO ONE EVER WILL COMPARE TO YOU
Where the evening fades
You call forth songs of joy
As the morning wakes
We Your children give You praise
OH and I can't get this one out of my head either...DESERT SONG: (This Is Our God)
This is my prayer in the desert
When all that's within me feels dry
This is my prayer in my hunger and need
My God is the God who provides
This is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved of more worth than gold
So refine me LORD through the flame
AND I WILL BRING PRAISE, I WILL BRING PRAISE
NO WEAPON FORMED AGAINST ME SHALL REMAIN
I WILL REJOICE, I WILL DECLARE
GOD IS MY VICTORY AND HE IS HERE
This is my prayer in the battle
When triumph is still on its way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I'll stand
ALL MY LIFE, IN EVERY SEASON
YOU ARE STILL GOD
I HAVE A REASON TO SING
I HAVE A REASON TO WORSHIP
This is my prayer in the harvest
When favor and providence flow
I know I'm filled to be emptied again
The seed I've received I will sow
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
God's Olympics: FOCUS
SERMON NOTES: CELEBRATION SERVICE, August 10
I always begin my msg. with something funny:
I saw a billboard sign that said:
NEED HELP, CALL JESUS 1-800-005-3787
Out of curiosity, I did.
A Hispanic gentleman showed up with a lawnmower.
Today we continue a new sermon series entitled GOD’S OLYMPICS…
Today’s Focus is Focus…hee hee
I mean we’re talking about FOCUS
Have you been watching NBC’s coverage of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing??
(thoughts on viewing…)
Today's Pentecostal Evangel: Laura Wilkinson
Did you hear the theme for this year’s Olympics?
ONE WORLD ONE DREAM
There’s two directions I could go in response to this theme…
One is to see the surprising link to what Revelations reveals about the end of days…
Scripture says in Rev. 13 that ALL the world will marvel and follow the Antichrist…all who dwell on the earth will worship the beast…
Christians have always been leery of anything that begins with ONE WORLD…
Yet, with much wisdom, we could look at the theme thru the eyes of the Olympic spirit (lower case s)…
The official website of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games explains the theme this way…
“One World One Dream” fully reflects the essence and the universal values of the Olympic spirit – unity, friendship, progress, harmony, participation and dream. It expresses the common wishes of people all over the world, inspired by the Olympic ideals, to strive for a bright future of Mankind. In spite of the differences in colors, languages and races, we share the charm and joy of the Olympic Games, and together we seek for the ideal of Mankind for peace. We belong to the same world and we share the same aspirations and dreams…
This theme very much reflects the ideals of Pierre de Coubertin, the father of the modern Olympic games…we talked about him last wk…
along these lines, Pierre explains the Olympic flag and rings…
These five rings – blue, yellow, black, green and red – represent the five parts of the world now encompassed by Olympism and ready to compete against each other. Moreover, the six colours (including the white background) thus combined represent those of all nations, without exception. The blue and yellow of Sweden the blue and white of Greece, the French, English, American, German, Belgian, Italian and Hungarian tricolours, the yellow and red of Spain are side by side with the new Brazilian and Australian flags, the old Japan and the new China. It is a true international emblem…
Truth is, this all reads like the scriptures mandate for love, unity, peace…We’re all God’s children…
And, yet that truly is what begins to separate us…so many do not want to belong to God…they want to be God…and this is where the Olympics gets dangerous…sometimes it promotes worship of man, even the human body, idolatry, worshipping the created instead of the Creator…let alone its’ link to greek mythology…
Sounds like the wrong FOCUS…
Moving on, This week I decided to become incredibly creative, so I made an acronym for FOCUS…
all the scriptures I found are ofcourse the apostle Paul…he compared the Christian life to athletics constantly…
F is for Faithful
2 Timothy 4:7…I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith…
O – Obedient
2 Timothy 2:5…And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules…
C – Christ (you may notice, Christ is in the center)
Philippians 3:14…I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus…
U – Unwavering
Hebrews 12:1…Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us…
S – Secure
Philippians 2:16…Holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain…
This series of course centers around the apostle Paul’s words in 1 Cor 9:24 thru 27… (front of bulletin)
Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified…
This scripture says so many things…
This week the words: TEMPERATE IN ALL THINGS smacked me in the face…
Have you ever struggled with your own temperament…
I know I have…sometimes I drive myself crazy!
How can we truly be TEMPERATE IN ALL THINGS
Always giving the right emotional response no matter the circumstance…
First of all ONLY BY HIS STRENGTH
BY HIS SPIRIT
and truthfully, you will never arrive
I think we’ll be TEMPERATE IN ALL THINGS when we reach heaven…
Until then, we’re running this race trying to achieve it…
We are all athletes in God’s Olympics…If we are Running the race of the Christian life, Focus is an important ingredient to success…
Rome, 1960…Throughout her childhood, all Wilma Rudolph wanted to be was a normal kid. As a toddler, double pneumonia and scarlet fever kept her bed-ridden while other kids played outside. When she was just four years old, she contracted polio, which crippled her left leg and forced her to wear a heavy, metal brace wherever she went.
For seven years, she and her mother made weekly 100-mile treks for treatments on her leg and her brothers and sisters took turns massaging it daily. Then, when she was 11 years old, Wilma could finally walk without the brace and her hope of being a normal kid was finally in sight.
But a strange thing happened. Rather than just keeping up with the other kids, she outran them. At 16 she won a Bronze medal at the 1956 Olympics. At 20, Wilma Rudolph became the first American woman to win three gold medals in one Olympiad. It turned out that her dreams of being a normal kid never came true after all.
Have you ever heard it said…YOUR FOCUS DETERMINES YOUR REALITY???
I think if the woman in this story would have focused only on her problems she would have never had her miracle…
I always begin my msg. with something funny:
I saw a billboard sign that said:
NEED HELP, CALL JESUS 1-800-005-3787
Out of curiosity, I did.
A Hispanic gentleman showed up with a lawnmower.
Today we continue a new sermon series entitled GOD’S OLYMPICS…
Today’s Focus is Focus…hee hee
I mean we’re talking about FOCUS
Have you been watching NBC’s coverage of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing??
(thoughts on viewing…)
Today's Pentecostal Evangel: Laura Wilkinson
Did you hear the theme for this year’s Olympics?
ONE WORLD ONE DREAM
There’s two directions I could go in response to this theme…
One is to see the surprising link to what Revelations reveals about the end of days…
Scripture says in Rev. 13 that ALL the world will marvel and follow the Antichrist…all who dwell on the earth will worship the beast…
Christians have always been leery of anything that begins with ONE WORLD…
Yet, with much wisdom, we could look at the theme thru the eyes of the Olympic spirit (lower case s)…
The official website of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games explains the theme this way…
“One World One Dream” fully reflects the essence and the universal values of the Olympic spirit – unity, friendship, progress, harmony, participation and dream. It expresses the common wishes of people all over the world, inspired by the Olympic ideals, to strive for a bright future of Mankind. In spite of the differences in colors, languages and races, we share the charm and joy of the Olympic Games, and together we seek for the ideal of Mankind for peace. We belong to the same world and we share the same aspirations and dreams…
This theme very much reflects the ideals of Pierre de Coubertin, the father of the modern Olympic games…we talked about him last wk…
along these lines, Pierre explains the Olympic flag and rings…
These five rings – blue, yellow, black, green and red – represent the five parts of the world now encompassed by Olympism and ready to compete against each other. Moreover, the six colours (including the white background) thus combined represent those of all nations, without exception. The blue and yellow of Sweden the blue and white of Greece, the French, English, American, German, Belgian, Italian and Hungarian tricolours, the yellow and red of Spain are side by side with the new Brazilian and Australian flags, the old Japan and the new China. It is a true international emblem…
Truth is, this all reads like the scriptures mandate for love, unity, peace…We’re all God’s children…
And, yet that truly is what begins to separate us…so many do not want to belong to God…they want to be God…and this is where the Olympics gets dangerous…sometimes it promotes worship of man, even the human body, idolatry, worshipping the created instead of the Creator…let alone its’ link to greek mythology…
Sounds like the wrong FOCUS…
Moving on, This week I decided to become incredibly creative, so I made an acronym for FOCUS…
all the scriptures I found are ofcourse the apostle Paul…he compared the Christian life to athletics constantly…
F is for Faithful
2 Timothy 4:7…I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith…
O – Obedient
2 Timothy 2:5…And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules…
C – Christ (you may notice, Christ is in the center)
Philippians 3:14…I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus…
U – Unwavering
Hebrews 12:1…Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us…
S – Secure
Philippians 2:16…Holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain…
This series of course centers around the apostle Paul’s words in 1 Cor 9:24 thru 27… (front of bulletin)
Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified…
This scripture says so many things…
This week the words: TEMPERATE IN ALL THINGS smacked me in the face…
Have you ever struggled with your own temperament…
I know I have…sometimes I drive myself crazy!
How can we truly be TEMPERATE IN ALL THINGS
Always giving the right emotional response no matter the circumstance…
First of all ONLY BY HIS STRENGTH
BY HIS SPIRIT
and truthfully, you will never arrive
I think we’ll be TEMPERATE IN ALL THINGS when we reach heaven…
Until then, we’re running this race trying to achieve it…
We are all athletes in God’s Olympics…If we are Running the race of the Christian life, Focus is an important ingredient to success…
Rome, 1960…Throughout her childhood, all Wilma Rudolph wanted to be was a normal kid. As a toddler, double pneumonia and scarlet fever kept her bed-ridden while other kids played outside. When she was just four years old, she contracted polio, which crippled her left leg and forced her to wear a heavy, metal brace wherever she went.
For seven years, she and her mother made weekly 100-mile treks for treatments on her leg and her brothers and sisters took turns massaging it daily. Then, when she was 11 years old, Wilma could finally walk without the brace and her hope of being a normal kid was finally in sight.
But a strange thing happened. Rather than just keeping up with the other kids, she outran them. At 16 she won a Bronze medal at the 1956 Olympics. At 20, Wilma Rudolph became the first American woman to win three gold medals in one Olympiad. It turned out that her dreams of being a normal kid never came true after all.
Have you ever heard it said…YOUR FOCUS DETERMINES YOUR REALITY???
I think if the woman in this story would have focused only on her problems she would have never had her miracle…
Monday, August 11, 2008
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