funky faith friday

Here is a few things that I am crazy enough to believe God for:

1. People who are crazy enough to partner with me in launching a mulit-cultural church in Joliet, Ill.

2. A great location at a low price.

3. Opportunities to love Joliet with the love of Christ.

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chasing the call

Paperwork, forms, meetings, phone calls, email, facebook, twitter, blogging…

When you start a church, there is an endless stream of tasks to take care of.
It is a huge undertaking that requires patience, time, energy, and cash.
You find yourself spending every waking moment thinking about or doing something for the start of this new church.

Don’t get me wrong, I know it takes dedication and perseverance to start anything new.

But at what cost?

I have found myself chasing this calling to start a new church but I have been neglecting some of the things that God has already commanded me to do.
I have researched everything about starting a church but have gotten away from diving into God’s word to receive the things I need for my daily life.
I haven’t stopped praying, its just that my prayers were less about how much I loved God and more about how much I need him to be active in my ministry.
I was too consumed with numbers (people and money) than I was with knowing Him in a deeper way.

I haven’t “back-slided” and I am not forfeiting the call on my life.
Actually, what I am doing is realizing that what I do is not as important as who I am.
Better yet, what I do is only effective if it comes out of who I am.

What I need to keep in front of me at all times is what God has already commanded me to do:

Love God with all my heart, mind, soul, and strength.
Love my wife as Christ loved the church.
Love and protect my children.
Love my neighbors.
Love my enemies.

So this is my declaration:

Obedience to commands first, calling second.

God is showing me how to live.
I want to show others how to live for Him.

canton jones

who’s afraid of the Dark Night?

It is interesting how the enemy is so successful in the dark.
The night seems to be his “comfort zone”.

Some of our best “dirt” is done undercover.
We try to hide what we do from God, but He still sees it all.

The enemy encourages us to forfeit our futures and destroy our destiny.
He wants you to trade in your treasures of life for the temporary and ungodly.
What he offers in the night is a counterfeit, a fake.
Sure, it looks real in the shadows of the night.
But, in reality, it is nothing more than the shallow replacement for God’s blessing.

Why is it that he offers it to you in the night?
Why doesn’t he come face to face to you in the middle of the day?

He wants to come to you when he thinks you are most vulnerable.
He wants to approach you when he thinks your guard is down.
You are relaxed. You may even be exhausted.
He figures this is a good time to make his move.

You see, the night is not just a particular time on the clock.
The night may be when your child has left home in anger and rebellion.
The night could be when your closet friend has died tragically.
It could even be when you are passed on the promotion that you were promised.

The night reveals our insecurities and fears.
It gives the enemy the opportunity to make an offer that we seemingly can’t refuse.
He gives us the opportunity to rid ourselves of pain and regret.

Thank God that He shines His light in the middle of the darkness.
He gives us a path to freedom and healing.
You don’t need to fear.

new (to me) music

Yunek – Got fruit

soul vitamin

“Compassion will cure more sins than condemnation.”

Henry Ward Beecher

let’s do this – it’s possible!!

Every once in a while, I read something that slaps me across my face.
You know, the kind of thing that is so startling and raw that it makes a permanent mark on your psyche.

Milan Ford, a gifted writer and friend, wrote on his blog about a video he saw about a wonderful woman with a wonderful ministry in Uganda.
He was impacted so deeply about her work and the need she was having that him and his wife decided to help her out.

They need to raise $16,000 for a new ministry van by March 1st.

I believe that IT’S POSSIBLE.

Here is where you come in:

Click here to donate to this cause

jumpstart 2/16/09

“…..All things are possible to him who believes”
Mark 9:23

It has been said that faith is not knowing that God can, but knowing that God will.

As a Christ-follower, we get the built-in benefit of unlimited possibilities.
We get to play on a team, where even if it’s the bottom of the ninth inning, and there are two outs, we can still win.

So even if you’re sick, HEALING is possible.
If your marriage is crumbling, RESTORATION is possible.
If there is chaos in your life, PEACE is possible.
If you are broke, PROSPERITY is possible.

Give God a chance to make your impossible POSSIBLE.

Father, thank You for allowing us the opportunity to be on your team.
Thank you for making things POSSIBLE. All we have to do is BELIEVE.
We trust only in Your Word. We rely totally on Your Spirit.
Give us the courage to continue on, inspite of the way things may look.
We believe that You are faithful to do what You said You would do. Amen.

funky faith friday

Here are a few things that I am nutz enough to believe God for:

1. A multi-ethnic crew who will partner with me to make this church launch possible.

2. People who aren’t afraid to STEP UP.

3. Finances to make it happen.

step up

Stop complaining and do something.

Do something extraordinary, not the usual mediocre so-and-so.
Pull out all the stops. Don’t hold back.

What are you waiting on?

The perfect moment, season or hour?
When there is enough money, time, and experience?

Shut up talking and get to work!

Stop making a lot of noise spinning your wheels.
You burn rubber but you never get very far.

So, here is the deal:

Your name has been called.
Will you step up or be passed over?
Will you go down as one of the history-makers?
Or will you be forever forgotten?

The choice is yours.