Morning Phrases

Good morning God.
Thanks for Breakfast.
Beautiful morning God.
Thanks for a warm/cool home.
Thanks for my bed partner (I do not mean the dog or cat).
My children are awesome.
God, thanks for coffee.
Lord, thanks for sugar.
Father, thanks for cream or milk.
Thanks for the rain.
I slept great.
What a Sunrise. Wow.
Thanks for my house God.
God, this is going to be a fun day.
God, I am yours.
God, You are awesome.
THANKS.

Genesis 32:22-31 Wrestle w God

22 That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two maidservants and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. 23 After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. 24 So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. 25 When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob's hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. 26 Then the man said, "Let me go, for it is daybreak." But Jacob replied, "I will not let you go unless you bless me."
27 The man asked him, "What is your name?" "Jacob," he answered.
28 Then the man said, "Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome."
29 Jacob said, "Please tell me your name." But he replied, "Why do you ask my name?" Then he blessed him there.
30 So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, "It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared."
31 The sun rose above him as he passed Peniel, and he was limping because of his hip. 32 Therefore to this day the Israelites do not eat the tendon attached to the socket of the hip, because the socket of Jacob's hip was touched near the tendon.

Virginian Pilot Front Page

Please pass the word. Well done article in todays Virginian Pilot about VT Tragedy featuring Adam Russell. Fred, Liz, Adam, Aaron, and Rebecca were an active part of Sunrise before moving to TX. The Nethery's had Adam over for supper on Friday evening, 4-20-07. We had a good time with him. Great mexican food and some fun "Pente", a game Adam enjoys winning. Adam is a student at VT. He is an active servant in New Life Campus Fellowship on campus of VT. Adam is the featured Saxophonist on Sunrise's Christmas CD. To this day Adam is blessing people he has never met because he took the time to help with the Sunrise Christmas CD. May we live that way. Continue to pray. Proseuchomai, Steve Nethery

For SCC - 4-22-07 Crazy Times Call fo A Wild Message

The Service was awesome, powerful, and very meaningful. Thanks to GLARE, Steve Gabriele, Marcus Dulin, Doug Smith for the wrestling mat, and for those who shared from the floor mics. Thanks for all who help with set-up, tear-down, infants, children, students, hospitality, and guest services. It is a pleasure to serve the Lord with you guys.

Crazy Times:

Shootings and killings in Hampton Roads

2 teens killed in car accident by someone DUI

Imus and Rutger

VT Tragedy

Killing at Space Center

Cross down from chapel at WM

Car bombings killing more than 100 in Iraq

Family Break-ups

Need I write more

Wild Message:

Wrestle with God. See post from Genesis. Wrestle with God. When we wrestle with God we are recognizing God, using our mind, will, emotions, and passions to relate to God, and if you will stay on the mat you will be blessed. Stay on the mat. Wrestle with God. Strive in your relationship with God. Do not quit because times are crazy. Because times are crazy live the wild message. Get on the mat.

Spencisms

On Thursday, 4-19-07 I had the opportunity to meet with some very sharp church leaders in Richmond, VA. We had the privilege of hearing from and discussing with Ray Spence who is the pastor or Second Baptist Church (2BC) in Richmond, VA. Ray has been the pastor of 2BC for 45 years. Yes, 45 years. WOW. The dude is witty, smart, wise, real, loving, competitive, and gracious. I do not know Ray personally, but those who do, count him as a blessing in their lives. I tagged Ray as an Intelligent Redneck. By the way, you know the famous last words of a redneck? "Hey Bubba, watch this!" Ray took the time to share with a handful of pastors some insights he has gained over the years about taking a church through big changes. We listened, laughed, and I hope learned. Below are some of Ray Spence's comments, "Spencisms", as he enlightened some "grasshoppers".

About people:
"People who press you hard are not your enemies."
"A dog that bites you once will bite you again."
"Find one thing you can do and do it well."
"Some people don't give two hoots and a holler about the church."
About ministries:
"Junk it."
"They are absolutely crushin' it."
About money/finances:
"Not everyone can give a lot of money, but everyone can give a lot of sweat equity."
Kiss of Death: "Let me pray about it."
"Don't cut me out this year I really need you.''
About ministry:
"Churches want excellence."
"Move from Seminary to the pew."
"Sometimes pastors may want to take a poison pill."
"You always have a righteous remnant."
"Successful people take hits."
"Don't use the language of Zion."
"Hadn't always been a cake walk."
"I think behind my belt buckle and in front of my spine."

I will let you interpret. "That dog can hunt."

Verse for theses times

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34:18

For SCC - A Time For Wild Prayer

This coming Sunday, April 22, SCC will have a special weekend service in regards to the tragedy at VT. Please see www.sunrisecc.org for more information.

We will also have some special guest with us this Sunday, April 22. People who have been helping with CrossBridge Church will be joining us in April and May and will hopefully become a part of Sunrise. Sunrise Community Church was instrumental in the beginning of CrossBridge Church 3 1/2 years ago. After much work, prayer and thought Crossbridge has decided to come to an end. This ending is also a new beginning. This transition for those who have served in CrossBridge is an opportunity for Sunrise and CrossBridge to bless one another, encourage one another and continue to work together as Sunrise Community Church to reach up (worship), reach out (sharing), and reach in (community/fellowship). This is Wild stuff. Let's have some fun.

VT

May we continue to pray for VT students, faculty, administrators, family members and the town of Blacksburg, VA. The pain and dismay of this event is still very real to many.

Simple Prayer Pointers for such a time of this.

Be still
Still your mind and heart
Thanks for your famly
Thanks for the opportuity to live
Recognition of God's greatness
Awarenss of God's presence even in chaos and pain
Confess sin and ask for renewal in your life
Ask for people to be aware of God's love
Ask for good grief for families
Act on what God speaks to you

Proseuchomai: To Pray

Very Relevant for Today

I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My own wisdom and that of all about me seemed insufficient for that day.

Abraham Lincoln

Wild Worship

Be still, (cease striving, calm down, stop, quit trying to control everthing in you life) and know (be aware, look, sense, acknowledge, admit) that I am God (your friend, in control, active, on your side, moving, Incredible); I will be exalted (recognized, known, lifted up) in all the nations (throughout the whole world and universe including your life).
Psalm 46:10 found in the Bible

For SCC - 4-15-07 The Church: A Wild Celebration - Worship

Helpful Bible Passages: Isaiah 6:1-9a; Psalm 46:10; Matthew 28:18-20

Wild Worship. These words placed together seem to make an oxymoron. But the fact is Worship is Wild. Worship is Celebration. Worship is looking to The God, and only God who is Awesome, Powerful, Loving, Just, Involved, and desires for us to look to Him. "Love the Lord you God with all....."

This past Sunday we looked at Isaiah 6:1-9a. Wild Celebration/Worship will involve our time, God's awesomeness, Our sinfulness, God's forgiveness, God's calling out to us, and our obedient response.

Andrea Doane helped us understand Worship Posture as she silently presented various postures you and I may use in worship. She also helped us understand Worship Language as she spoke short phrases we are familiar with that can be used in wild celebration. Ruth sang to us Isaiah 6:1-9a and helped us understand God's Holiness.

Celebrate.

Isaiah 6:1-9a

1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple.
2 Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying.
3 And they were calling to one another: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory."
4 At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.
5 "Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty."
6 Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar.
7 With it he touched my mouth and said, "See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for."
8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"
9 He said, "Go and tell this people.
Isaiah 6:1-9a found in the Bible

For SCC - 4-15 Horizon Correction

Correction! Correction! The offering given on 4-8-07 was not $441.00 it was $4,441.00. Sorry about that mistake. $4,441.00 is sweet. Keep it up. :)

Red Bird SINGS

Long day, yesterday. Productive from 5:00 am till 8:30 pm. Good Stuff goin' down in people's lives. My son returned from beach vacation with family friends. He's grown. Missed him while he was gone. Great to have him home.

Today. 6:15 am. The Cardinal SINGS. Cool. May we SING.

Post-Easter. HE

Happy Easter (HE). (HE) Happy Easter. HE. In the beginning God. HE. This is what we need to remember for post-Easter. HE. God is God. I Am. HE is present. HE is powerful. HE is real. HE is Easter. Easter is HE. HE is the resurrection and the life. HE is today. HE is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. HE. God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit. God is HE. Happy Easter (HE). Easter is more than a Sunday, Easter is an experience. HE. HE cares for you. HE is passionate about you. He is The Good News everyday. Easter, experience it.

So True. So True.

From the calendar at our kitchen sink window:

Afflictions may be lasting, but not everlasting. Watson

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans12:12

Features and Benefits

Easter Features: God. Power. Love. Beauty. Meaning. Hope. Life. Heaven. Purpose. Excitement. Joy. Crunk(in the good sense).

Easter Bennefits: God. Power. Love. Beauty. Meaning. Hope. Life. Heaven. Purpose. Excitement. Joy. Crunk(in the good sense).

For SCC - 4-8-07 Experience Easter

This past Sunday was fanbulgeous (fantastic, fabulous, outrageous). Easter Sunday. Power. Life. Love. Peace. HOPE. The Continental Breakfast was sweet (no pun intended). Both the decor and food were well done. Thanks to all who helped with the set up and goodies. GLARE (God's Love Audibly Reaching Everyone) rocked our hearts with music that drew us to God. Way to go GLARE. We love you guys and gals. The concert was kickin'. The service was powerful. Many lives were touched. Many books given away. Many CD's given away. That's the way, uh ha, uh ha, we like it. Sorry, I almost broke out into a song and dance. People have told me they have already started the book. The CD will help hundreds accept Jesus Christ and begin to grow in their walk with God. The multi-media, monologues, life stories and music presented during the service led individuals to encounter God and life change. God is on the move. Where be you? I hope you have an Easter week. Get some rest. Recognize God. Notice the miracles all around you. Choose the path of God. God is speaking, listen. He is the Big stuff and in the small things. Remember His sacrifice of love. Experience Easter.

HOPE

Later

I have a friend who does not say "Bye" when ending a conversation via the phone. Instead he says "Later". That's good. Meaning he is looking forward to seeing or speaking with you "later". "Later". "Later", a word of hope.

Easter Story - Mark 16:1-20

1-3 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so they could embalm him. Very early on Sunday morning, as the sun rose, they went to the tomb. They worried out loud to each other, "Who will roll back the stone from the tomb for us?"
4-5Then they looked up, saw that it had been rolled back—it was a huge stone—and walked right in. They saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed all in white. They were completely taken aback, astonished.
6-7He said, "Don't be afraid. I know you're looking for Jesus the Nazarene, the One they nailed on the cross. He's been raised up; he's here no longer. You can see for yourselves that the place is empty. Now—on your way. Tell his disciples and Peter that he is going on ahead of you to Galilee. You'll see him there, exactly as he said."
8They got out as fast as they could, beside themselves, their heads swimming. Stunned, they said nothing to anyone.
9-11After rising from the dead, Jesus appeared early on Sunday morning to Mary Magdalene, whom he had delivered from seven demons. She went to his former companions, now weeping and carrying on, and told them. When they heard her report that she had seen him alive and well, they didn't believe her.
12-13Later he appeared, but in a different form, to two of them out walking in the countryside. They went back and told the rest, but they weren't believed either.
14-16Still later, as the Eleven were eating supper, he appeared and took them to task most severely for their stubborn unbelief, refusing to believe those who had seen him raised up. Then he said, "Go into the world. Go everywhere and announce the Message of God's good news to one and all. Whoever believes and is baptized is saved; whoever refuses to believe is damned.
17-18"These are some of the signs that will accompany believers: They will throw out demons in my name, they will speak in new tongues, they will take snakes in their hands, they will drink poison and not be hurt, they will lay hands on the sick and make them well."
19-20Then the Master Jesus, after briefing them, was taken up to heaven, and he sat down beside God in the place of honor. And the disciples went everywhere preaching, the Master working right with them, validating the Message with indisputable evidence.
Mark 16:1-20 found in the Bible

Surround Sound

5:45 AM the birds are singing like crazy. This morning I am listening in surround sound as the birds greet the day and their creator with joy, charm, and praise. As I sit on my porch I am able to hear birds from afar and nearby, to the left and the right, from behind and in front. Surround Sound. Beautiful. Those of you familiar with the Commodore Theater's Sound System; no comparison to what I am currently enjoying. Rich. AM radio is plain. FM stereo is okay. A good sound system in your home or vehicle is nice. A surround sound system that is done properly is rich, thick, and seems alive. I hope you have some idea of what I write. The birds at dawn know of what I type. Surround sound. Sweet!!!

Questions for us:
Do we live an AM radio life or a surround sound life?
What does God live?
What is Easter about, AM, FM, Surround?
Where do you want to be?

This past Sunday Kristen Ellis shared with us some insight from John Maxwell. The two important days in your life are the day you were born and they day you know why. Discover your why and live in Surround.

Dear God, Thanks for the why?

Mark 14:66-72

66While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. 67When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him. "You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus," she said.
68But he denied it. "I don't know or understand what you're talking about," he said, and went out into the entryway.
69When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, "This fellow is one of them." 70Again he denied it. After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, "Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean."
71He began to call down curses on himself, and he swore to them, "I don't know this man you're talking about."
72Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times." And he broke down and wept.

Kitchen Calendar Quote

Though you may ask God to do something for you, He generally wants to do something in you.

This week as we read the latter part of the Gospels may we be open to God's work within us.

John 19:1-16

1Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. 2The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe 3and went up to him again and again, saying, "Hail, king of the Jews!" And they struck him in the face.
4Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews, "Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against him." 5When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, "Here is the man!"
6As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw him, they shouted, "Crucify! Crucify!" But Pilate answered, "You take him and crucify him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against him."
7The Jews insisted, "We have a law, and according to that law he must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God."
8When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, 9and he went back inside the palace. "Where do you come from?" he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer. 10"Do you refuse to speak to me?" Pilate said. "Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?"
11Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin."
12From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jews kept shouting, "If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar."
13When Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judge's seat at a place known as the Stone Pavement (which in Aramaic is Gabbatha). 14It was the day of Preparation of Passover Week, about the sixth hour. "Here is your king," Pilate said to the Jews.
15But they shouted, "Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!" "Shall I crucify your king?" Pilate asked. "We have no king but Caesar," the chief priests answered.
16Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified.

For SCC - 4-1-07 Begin Living Your SHAPE

Today we ended a series and begin to live in SHAPE. The SHAPE series has been awesome. People have been very responsive and in tune with what God is desiring to do in their live and through their lives. Today GLARE rocked while presenting the song This Is Your Life by Switchfoot. The DVD Clip about Jack and his comfort zone was funny, yet not funny. May you and I step out. John Ortberg has written a book titled If You Want To Walk On Water You Have to Get Out Of The Boat. The theme of the book is START, GROW, and MOVE. We need to START. We need to GROW. We need to MOVE. We need to realize God has given us a green flag. Ladies and gentlemen, start your SHAPE. We need to GROW. Purchase a little Miracle Grow, spray it on and GROW. We need to MOVE. Make a move from fear to faith. Change neighborhoods. Move out of the fear subdivision and into the faith subdivision. FEAR = False Experiences Appearing Real. Do not live in fear. Live in faith.

Just a reminder. We are moving forward. SCC's mantra for 2007 is forward. Forward is a fun and exciting word. It is also a word of change, growth, challenges, new territory and faith. Moving forward.

Begin Living Your SHAPE

The more we get what we now call "ourselves" out of the way and let him (God) take over, the more truly ourselves we become. C.S. Lewis

The absolute surrender of everything into his (God) hands is necessary. If our hearts are willing for that, there is no limit to what God will do for us or to the blessing he will bestow. Andrew Murray

Basketball

Watching some Bball. These guys are good. Went to a high school Soccer game last night with my daughter. Those guys were good.

www.sunrisecc.org

New site going public this Sunday, April 1, 2007.

Cardinal

The past two mornings I have been able to set on the porch for my morning prayer, read, focus time. Each morn there has been a cardinal that sits in the top of a tree near our porch and sings, and sings, and sings. He is bright red and his song brightened my morning. His song is beautiful. It is as if he knows God is listening, and he gives it his all. What a way to live. Singing with everything you have to God.

For SCC - 3-25-07 Learning from Experiences

"Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards."

Soren Kierkegaard

Yesterday the weekend service focused on learning from the past. We were encouraged to think about positive achievements and painful experiences in our lives that are meaningful and have somewhat formed the way we live and think and will help us minister to others as we begin to live in SHAPE. We are not to live in the past, but we need to be aware of the past. We live in the now. We relate in the now, and yet God uses past achievements, painful experiences, family backgrounds, past training, careers, and education to help form and SHAPE us in order to live a life that brings glory to Him and fullness and meaning to us and others.

Painful experience quotes stolen from others:

Allow your mess to become your message.

Allow your crisis to become your catalyst for ministry.

The passages below from the Bible will help you understand how God works in all of our experiences.

II Corinthians 1:1-11 Look closely at 4, 9, and 11

1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God in Corinth, together with all the saints throughout Achaia: 2Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. The God of All Comfort 3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 5For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. 6If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. 7And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort. 8We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. 9Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, 11as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

Romans 8:28

28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Isaiah 6:1-8

1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3 And they were calling to one another: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory." 4 At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. 5 "Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty." 6 Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 With it he touched my mouth and said, "See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for." 8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"

Isaiah 43:2

2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

This morns read and prayer time

1 I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; before the "gods" I will sing your praise.
2 I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.
3 When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted.
4 May all the kings of the earth praise you, O LORD, when they hear the words of your mouth.
5 May they sing of the ways of the LORD, for the glory of the LORD is great.
6 Though the LORD is on high, he looks upon the lowly, but the proud he knows from afar.
7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes, with your right hand you save me.
8 The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O LORD, endures forever—do not abandon the works of your hands.
Psalm 138:1-8 found in the Bible

Student Ministry Move

Sunday, April, 15 the Student Ministry is changing meeting locations in the school building. Due to spiritual and numerical growth the student ministry will gather at the Teacher's Lounge area and them move to the Auxiliary Gym which is located behind the main gymnasium. Parents: Look for the fylers about this move that are all over the school building on Sunday morns.

Website Launch

Sunday, April 1, 2007 SCC is launching a newly constructed website. www.sunrisecc.org

Weekend Services April 8 - 29, 2007

Born to be wild.

www
World Wild Witness
4-8 Easter Sunday Morning
9:30 Continental Breakfast
10:00 Concert
10:30 Wekend Service
4-15 www
The Church:
A Wild Celebration
(Reaching Up: Worship)
4-22 www
The Church:
A Wild People
(Reaching Out: Sharing)
4-29 www
The Church:
A Wild Party
(Reaching In: Community)

Proseucomai (pros-yoo-khom-ahee)

Keep Praying. Stay in prayer. Pray at all times.

SHAPE

This coming Sunday, 3-25 there are 19 persons attending "The Hour of SHAPE" in the morning and 9 attending in the evening. This is good stuff. We are going to have a great time getting into SHAPE. Lookin' forward to it.

For SCC - 3-18-07 Abilities and Personality

What are some of your abilities? The following list will help you think this question through.

Cooking

Teaching

Partying

Welcoming

Listening

Sewing

Underwater Basket Weaving

Dancing

Building

Breaking

Writing

Mechanic

Decorating

Analyzing

Designing

Camping

Hunting

Athletic Abilities

Coaching

Organizing

Photography

Acting

Singing

Burping

This is just a start. What are some of your abilities? Remember: Availability is more important than ability.

What is your personality groove? Let the following help you determine.

Extrovert or Introvert

Party Animal or Wall Paper

Rock n Roll or Country

Quiet of foot in Mouth

Spinner Rims or Plain Rims

Outdoors or Indoors

Bookworm or Doofus

Wild Thang or Cool Cat

Plain Jane or Cool Cat

This is just a start. Have some fun. Be you. Remember: Availability is more important than personality.

St. Patrick did not invent green beer but he did help many people become followers of Christ in Ireland in 400 AD because he was sincere, he cared, he introduced others t0 Jesus and he was available. Ed Lane helped many people in TX and CA experience Jesus Christ and enter into a new realm of life because he was sincere, he cared, he lived for Jesus and he was available.

Become available. Move forward.

Your abilities are important. Your personality is important. AVAILABILTY IS THE MOST IMPORTANT.

Please see the Psalm 139 post to begin to understand just how important you are to God

Psalm 139

1 O LORD, you have searched me and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD.
5 You hem me in—behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
7 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,"
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.
13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
16 your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you.
19 If only you would slay the wicked, O God! Away from me, you bloodthirsty men!
20 They speak of you with evil intent; your adversaries misuse your name.
21 Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD, and abhor those who rise up against you?
22 I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies.
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139 found in the Bible

Passion is more than a fragrance

The core problem is not that we are too passionate about bad things, but that we are not passionate enough about good things.
Larr Crabb, Finding God

Passion is the fuel of life. It is the great source of energy and drive. It's what makes us explore new vistas, develop new relationships, and seek solutions to perplexing problems.
Bob Buford, Halftime

We were created with a passion to live. Erwin McManus, Stand Against the Wind

From morning reading

God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.
Ephesians 3:20 found in the Bible

From morning reading

So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover's life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God.
Philippians 1:9-11 found in the Bible

For SCC - 3-11-07 It Is a Matter of the Heart

On Sunday, 3-11-07 we took another step forward in discovering our SHAPE and living a full life that honors God and touches the lives of many others. Steve Gabriele and all his muscles "pumped us up" after GLARE (God's Love Audibly Reaching Everyone) pumped us up by presenting to us a song about wanting to live the life that God created us to live. the "H" in SHAPE is for Heart. The "H" is about living with passion or living out of your passion. Living life with some zeal. Heart = Desire. Heart = Passion. Passion for life. Living with passion. Discovering what is important to you and living to make a difference. Andera led us in some exercises that got our hearts pumping and pulses up. Passion is about living life "pumped." Living for something. Check your pulse. Discover your SHAPE. Live.

Faith in People

I am working through Becoming a Person of Influence by John Maxwell with Steve Gabriele. He and I meet together on Thursday afternoons and have a good time laughing, sharing, and learning. Today are discussion was about a chapter in the book that spoke about having faith in people. We both enjoyed the read and the discusson. We see God working in people's lives and consider it an honor to be a part of that work. We are grateful that God has faith in us even when we may not have faith in ourselves. We want to be men who have faith in God and faith in others. Steve and I are thankful for the life-change that God is accomplishing in our lives and are pumped about people wanting to know God, grow in Christ and begin to discover their SHAPE.

Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. Each exclamation is a trigger to prayer. I find myself praying for you with a glad heart. I am so pleased that you have continued on in this with us, believing and proclaiming God's Message, from the day you heard it right up to the present. There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.
Philippians 1:3-6 found in the Bible

"Spring Forward" on Saturday evening, March 10, 2007.

A Helpful Book

For those who enjoy reading. This book will be beneficial to you during the SHAPE series.

For SCC - 3.4.07 Open the Present: Spiritual Gifts

We have started a new series called Getting Into SHAPE. This past Sunday we looked at the S in the acrostic SHAPE. Spiritual Gifts. We discovered that Dodge ball is not a spiritual gift even though it is a blast to play. We also were reminded that god wants us to move forward with Him in His service and His work and in a relationship with Him. Part of moving forward in Jesus Christ is knowing our SHAPE. As we looked at Spiritual Gifts this past Sunday the following is the Cliff notes of what we uncovered.

What are spiritual gifts?

A God-given special ability, given to every follower of Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit of God to strengthen the church and reach others.

Who receives spiritual gifts?

Every believer (follower of Christ) receives spiritual gifts.

Why does God give spiritual gifts?

To strengthen the church and bless others.

How do I know what gifts I have been given?

Spiritual growth, affirmation of others, and serving and sharing.

What to do?

Enter into a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ and move forward.

I have posted a few passages from the Bible that speak about spiritual gifts. Take a few minutes this week and give them a read. Have fun.

Spiritual Gifts: Ephesians 4:11-12; I Peter 4:7-11

11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up
Ephesians 4:11-12

7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
I Peter 4:7-11

Spiritual Gifts: I Corinthians 12 and 13

1 Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. 2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols.
3 Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit.
4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.
7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.
12 The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
14 Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. 15 If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way.
1 Corinthians 12

1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
I Corinthians 13

Spiritual Gifts: Romans 12

1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,"says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12

JER-333

Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.

Jeremiah 33:3

It works!!!

I received a phone call last night that was very encouraging. The person called to say she was able to spend time with God in prayer and was able to stay focused because of what she has learned the past month and on Sunday, 2-25-07 during the "Proseuchomai" series. It works!!! She was able to sit for a time of scripture reading, life reflection and prayer in the evening. She was pumped on the phone. I am pumped as I type. It works!!! I am so thankful she called. It encouraged me in my prayer life. If you and I will just place a little effort into our relationship with God we will begin to grow in our faith and want to share it with others. It works!!!

I know what you are saying. "Well, good for her. She probably had nothing else to do." Wrongo. She is married to a husband who is full out most of the time. She is the mother of five children. Yes, she is insane. She is an office manager for a large company. She wakes early and goes to bed late. Her life schedule is full as she is a social butterfly (kinda). She does like to party. YET, she carved out time for proseuchomai. WAY TO GO.

Take heart all you busy people. Take heart. You can do it!.

Thanks for calling ___________. You know who you are you saint of God. THANKS.

For SCC - ADPD and WMD 2.25.07

On Sunday, 2.25.07 the series about prayer came to a happy ending and we discovered a few simple hints that will help us overcome Attention Deficit Prayer Disorder (ADPD) and Weapons of Mass Distraction (WMD). Focused Prayer. Prayer Time. God Speaking. These seem to be oxymoron's, and yet they are not. We can experience a time of speaking to God and hearing from God during focused prayer.

In order to help you overcome ADPD and WMD try the following:
1. Make the time and find a place for prayer. Carve out some time during the week to spend time with God. Find a place or places that allow you some silence and stillness in your life.

2. Start short. Five minutes is a great place to start. If you go over five minutes that is fine. Just start. A good way to start is stat short.

3. Develop a system. You use systems everyday. You have a system for waking in the morning, preparing for the day, progressing through the day, ending the day, etc. You may realize you are using systems, but you are. Developing a system or plan for your prayer life will help you stay focused. Develop a pattern or patterns that help guide you. You can use the acrostic of ACTS = Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication. You can focus on your family, including you, then move to your friends, and them begin to speak to god and hear form god about your daily and weekly schedule. A system I use during the day to help me stay in tune with God is STP = Stop, think, Pray. During the day when I am transitioning from one event to another I will take just a few seconds to stop (pause), think (reflect), and pray (a whisper to God or just seek to listen). STP happens in a matter of seconds and is a simple system.

4. Keep in mind that prayer is about a relationship. Prayer is conversation God. Prayer is communicating with God. God desires to relate to you. He takes pleasure in your time with Him. You do not need any magical words or have to know any big churchey words in order to pray. Just begin to speak to God and He will listen and answer.

5. CHANGE. Change will occur in you life as you begin to pray. Be open to God and allow Him to work in your life as you grow in your relationship with Him and others through prayer.

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10 found in the Bible

Over the past couple of weeks I have had numerous opportunities to pray with people over the phone or after meeting with them personally. It has been a charge for me and them. A simple and short time of praying together. The prayers consisted of thanksgiving, confession, asking, praying for others, specific request and general request. During these times there was even some silence (weird). Not really. We did not try to impress one another because we know each other to well and any "fake prayer stuff" would have been noticed real quick. We were able to pray big which I noticed led to praying humbly and realizing just who is God, and it was not those praying. At one time I prayed while on the cell phone with another guy while he was on his cell and we were both driving. That is dangerous prayer. Not for those praying but for those in vehicles near those who are praying. It was a little strange bowing my head and closing my eyes in order to pray while driving at light speed. God guided. Really, if you pray while you drive please keep your head up and your eyes open. These short and simple prayer times boosted my personal prayer time and have helped me "Be still and know that God is God and that He will be exalted among the peoples or nations" (Psalm 46:10).

Ephesians 3:20-21

20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21 found in the Bible

For SCC - 2.18.07 God, is that You?

Throughout the Bible their is story after story of God relating to man and speaking people. In Genesis 3:8-9 God enters the Garden wanting to speak with Adam. God calls out to a young boy by the name of Samuel in I Samuel 3:1-11. Elijah hears God in a breeze in I Kings 19:9-14. God speaking to people. People hearing from God. As we continue to learn about prayer and hope to improve our relationship with God in and through prayer we need to learn to discern the voice of God. God desires to relate to us and and speak to us. He longs to reveal Himself.

As we pray it is helpful to understand that God answers all our prayers. His answers may come in the for following ways:

No - pretty clear

Slow - wait

Grow - personal growth

Go - yes

God speaks to us through the Bible, the Holy Spirit, others, nature and circumstances.

Helpful hints hints for hearing God:

Read the Bible

Seek to align yourself with God and His ways

Be attentive

Develop relationships with godly and caring people

Act on what you know

Prayer Quotes

I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had absolutely no other place to go. - Abraham Lincoln

We have to pray with our eyes on God, not on the difficulties. - Oswald Chambers

Before we can pray, "Lord, Thy Kingdom come," we must be willing to pray, "My Kingdom go." - Alan Redpath

Any concern too small to be turned into a prayer is too small to be made into a burden. - Corrie ten Boom

Happy Valentine's Day

16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."
John 3:16-17 found in the Bible


16This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 17If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 18Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
I John 3:16-18 found iin the Bible


1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever.
4 to him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever.
5 who by his understanding made the heavens, His love endures forever.
6 who spread out the earth upon the waters, His love endures forever.
7 who made the great lights, His love endures forever.
8 the sun to govern the day, His love endures forever.
9 the moon and stars to govern the night; His love endures forever.
Psalm 136:1-9 found in the Bible

Colossians 1:9-12

9For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully 12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.

Colossians 1:9-12 found in the Bible

Proseuchomai

(pro-yoo-khom-ahee)

To pray

For SCC - 2.11.06 Pray, "In Everything"

As we continue our "proseuchomai" series it is evident that peoples lives are being touched. This past Sunday was fun, challenging, and encouraging. Chris Fritzsinger and GLARE stirred out hearts with the song "Hold Fast". Both DVD clips made us think about prayer and our relationship to God via prayer. Remember February 11 and March 11. Pray in everything. John Davenport shared from the following passage Scripture.

4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

He focused on "in everything" and presented to us the benefits of moving from a life of worry to a life of praying. He also challenged everyone to not just hear from God, but to act in obedience to God. We are to live a life of joy, gentleness, thanksgiving and prayer that will be followed by blessings and hope.

This week open your Bible to Philippians 4:4-7 and read through it several times, ear mark the page refer to this passage often and Pray, "In Everything".

Bold Prayer - Bold Answer - Bold Living

29Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus." 31After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

Acts 4:29-31 found in the Bible

Prayer Quotes

"Prayer is not getting man's will done in heaven, but getting God's will done on earth. It is not overcoming God's reluctance but laying hold of God's willingness."

Richard C. Trench

"The greatest tragedy of life is not unanswered prayer, but unoffered prayer."

F.B. Meyer

"Do not make prayer a monologue-make it a conversation."

Author unknown

"Our prayers must mean something to us if they are to mean anything to God."

Maltbie D. Babcock

Chocolate Chip Cookies

We should be like the 3-year-old boy (that Paul Harvey told about) who went to the grocery store with his mother. Before they entered the grocery store she said to him, "Now you’re not going to get any chocolate chip cookies, so don’t even ask."She put him up in the cart & he sat in the little child’s seat while she wheeled down the aisles. He was doing just fine until they came to the cookie section. He saw the chocolate chip cookies & he stood up in the seat & said, “Mom, can I have some chocolate chip cookies?” She said, “I told you not even to ask. You’re not going to get any at all.” So he sat back down.They continued down the aisles, but in their search for certain items they ended up back in the cookie aisle. “Mom, can I please have some chocolate chip cookies?” She said, “I told you that you can’t have any. Now sit down & be quiet.”Finally, they were approaching the checkout lane. The little boy sensed that this may be his last chance. So just before they got to the line, he stood up on the seat of the cart & shouted in his loudest voice, “In the name of Jesus, may I have some chocolate chip cookies?”And everybody round about just laughed. Some even applauded. And, due to the generosity of the other shoppers, the little boy & his mother left with 23 boxes of chocolate chip cookies.

This story has been circulated on the net and can be found at various websites.

Luke 18:1-8

1Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2He said: "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. 3And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.' 4"For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care about men, 5yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her coming!' " 6And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"

Luke 18:1-8 found in the Bible

Luke 11:1-13

1One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples." 2He said to them, "When you pray, say: " 'Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. 3Give us each day our daily bread. 4Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.' " 5Then he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, 6because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.' 7"Then the one inside answers, 'Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.' 8I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man's boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs. 9"So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. 11"Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

Luke 11:1-13 found in the Bible

For SCC - 2.4.07 Ask. Seek. Knock.

Ask. Seek. Knock. Sunday we looked at Luke 11:1-13 and Luke 18:1-8. These passages of Scripture encourage us to be persistent in our prayers. Ask. Seek. Knock. Words of action. As we are persistent in our "proseuchomai" we move from the passive prayer life into the active prayer life. When this happens we move into a new dimension of communication with God and and God communicating with us. When we are persistent we are...

..purposefully entering into the presence of God.
..showing to God just how important the matter we continue to take to God is to us.
..living by faith.
..seriously looking for a "yes" from God

Persistent prayer pointers:

• Actively and consciously turn worries into prayer.
• Purposefully pause during the day and offer your request to God.
• Begin to set a regular time during the day when you purposefully and actively communicate with God. Hint: start with just three minutes per time. Pretend like it is a phone call appointment with God.
• Memorize a few verses about prayer, faith and living a God honoring life.

Proseuchomai

STP - Repeat Post

"Whew, what a day." This is a phrase I have used and I know others haved used to describe a day in "everyday life." A full work day, family matters, school, shopping, household stuff, twist and turns, crash and burns, blah, blah, blah. "Whew, what a day." Good news. God created the days and the nights. Great news. God cares about mine and yours days and nights. Really good and great news. We can speak to God and hear from God in "everyday life." STP. Stop. Think. Pray. STP. Richard Petty, a NASCAR guy at one time did commercials for this gooey oil stuff called STP. Richard Petty and Mario Andretti were awesome drivers, one in NASCAR and the other in Indy. I digress. STP was to be added to your oil in order to help your car run smoother. Well, I do not know much about the STP that Petty promoted, but I do know that STP (Stop, Think, and Pray) can calm the heart, soul and mind if we will practice Stopping (a brief pause between daily transitions), Thinking (What just happened, what is next, where is God in all of this), and Praying (a quick word and an open heart to God). STP. Stop. Think. Pray. Add a little STP to your "everyday life." "Wow, what a day."

...And if by prayer
Incessant I could hope to change the will
Of Him who all things can, I would not cease
To weary him with my assiduous cries.

John Milton
I found this in Phillip Yancy's book Prayer

Survey says...

Answer yes, maybe/sometimes, or no to the following statements.

I pray occassionaly.
I want my prayer life to be more meaningful.
I could use a little more peace in my life.
I would like to have more prayer answered yes by God.
I would like to tap into God's power.
I would like to worry less and hear from God more.
When I do pray it seems I am a little scattered brained.

If you answered yes or maybe to any of the above the sentences the post on this blog for the next month will be a huge benefit to you.

For SCC - 1.28.07 What is prayer?

This past Sunday we moved forward into a new series with and interesting title, "Proseucomai". This is one of the New Testament Greek words for prayer. The music rocked, Anita Fritzsinger and GLARE stirred our souls with the song "When I Call on Jesus", and "Du" AKA Marcus Dulin shared a strong, passionate and very "everyday day" message about prayer. What is prayer?

Prayer is...

conversation with God.

confession of sin (missing the mark).

being in the presence of God.

praise and worship of God.

claiming our dependence on God.

lifting up our souls to God.

the exercise of faith and hope.

the study and understanding of God's will.

a sign of spiritual life.

life changing.

Prayer is the most perfect and the most divine action that which a rational soul is capable of.

Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God for things agreeable to His will, in the name of Christ, with confession of our sins and thankful acknowledgment of His mercies.

The Model Prayer

9This, then, is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 11Give us today our daily bread. 12Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil; for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Matthew 6:19-13 found in the Bible

Proseuchomai

proseuchomai "to pray," is always used of "prayer" to God, and is the most frequent word in this respect, especially in the Synoptists and Acts.

Forward

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.

Ephesians 6:10 found in the Bible

This is SAD

In reality, hope is the worst of all evils, because it prolongs man's torments. ~Friedrich Nietzsche, Human, All Too Human, 1878

This is GLAD

22 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him."
25 The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;
26 it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.

Lamentations 3:22-26 found in the Bible

ONLY 77 DAYS

momentum

How 'bout those games yesterday. The key word is momentum. I am not sure what it means, but I sure want it on my side. Forward momentum. Is that tantamount to an anti-oxymoron?

For SCC - 1.21.07 Forward: The Sequel to the Sequel

I do not know about you but I am looking forward to the upcoming weekend series called "proseuchomai". I am not sure on the pronunciation but I am looking forward to learning more and praying in a way that draws me closer to God and His Kingdom. I am also looking forward to having more prayers answered yes, because I am drawing closer to the heart of God.

I am also looking forward to the Super Bowl's commercials. I am looking forward to an afternoon meeting with a friend over a Latte. I am looking forward to seeing my family this evening. I attended a gathering of church planters (people who start local churches from scratch) this morn that I've been looking forward to for some time. This looking forward stuff is almost exciting.

This past Sunday we came to an end in our FORWARD series, but I sure hope we do not stop looking forward. Three steps forward, two steps back, one step forward. What is something you want to see happen in your life, family and SCC? Think about this and move forward. Step out of the boat and sink or maybe walk on water. Move forward. Yeeeeehaaaaw!

when you start moving forward in a very intentional and deliberate way you will face mountains. Mount Despair. Mount Discouragement. Mount Distraction. Mount Doom and Gloom. Mount _______________. The fact is mountains are a part of life. The fact is many people avoid mountains because they are in neutral which really is not neutral. So as you move forward and seek to overcome mountains keep in heart the following. Overcoming mountains is easier accomplished when you have mountain climbing and mountain moving people in your life. Overcoming mountains is easier when you live with purpose and live by faith.

Go forward. Set some God goals and go forward. When the mountains move into your path, quit. Stop. Turn around. Give up. Throw in the towel. Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.

Go forward. Call a friend and receive a boost. Recall your purpose. Fan the Flame. Stoke the fire. Go to God. Muster "seed" through it and over it.

"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat."

Theodore Roosevelt
"Citizenship in a Republic," Speech at the Sorbonne, Paris, April 23, 1910

Now this is the life!!! This is one of my sister's cats. You can tell he has a hard life. His name is Jughead. Looks like a smart Jughead.

Mission Possible

Last week I sent out a mass e-mail requesting that we at Sunrise make a change for the better and everyone plan on moving into the auditorium a few minutes before the sevice begins and you responded to the mission in a wild and crazy way THANKS. MISSION POSSIBLE.

For SCC - 1-14-07 Forward: The Sequel

12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
15All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

Philippians 3:12-16

"Hello, my name is Gary." We all have a little or alot of Gary in us. May we not let this keep us from setting a few goals in our personal lives, family lives and in the life of Sunrise. What is something you want to see happen in your life, your family, this church? Give some thought and then action to that question. Can I make a very honest confession here. I mean can I be straight up honest. Okay, here goes. I like neutral. I Like comfortable. I like the remote control. I like the lounge chair. Whew, I hope you feel better because I sure do. BUT, and this BUT is important. I am not to remain in neutral. I was not created to live in neutral. neutral is neutral. Neutral isn't really even neutral. It is closer to reverse. Forward. I was created to move forward. I was created to live. Move forward and into love, joy, peace, patience.... Move forward in your Christian walk. Move forward in the Kingdom of God. Move forward in your relationships with your family. Move forward into new and godly ways of relating. Move forward in "treating others the way you want to be treated." Move forward. Move forward in your giving, inviting, and serving in SCC. Move forward.

Remember the boy who told the story of his Aunt Sara. Take a drink and move forward.

Billy Graham TV Special

Friday, January 19, 2007 at 8:00 PM on Channel 13 in the Hampton Roads area. Go to www.billygraham.org/tv for more information. The theme of the TV Special is HOPE. Mark you calendar for this one.

From today's reading

"Will all your worries add a single moment to your life?"
Jesus Christ word's found in Matthew 6:27 in the Bible

NO, is the answer to the rhetorical question. But you may end up looking like this.

For SCC - Forward 1.7.07

I'm looking forward to...
..the weekend.
..the game.
..the party.
..summer.
..the party
.._______________.

This past Sunday we began a new series entitled "Forward". The polls were 100%. We all look forward to positive events such as listed above. We also agreed that it is easier to hope someone else will change somethiing in their life, rather than us making changes in our lives. Yet we recognize in order to move forward we must experience some change and so we took a gander at looking forward and moving forward from Philippians Chapter Three. Out of the text, and real and raw life of Paul, we glanced at the following in regards to moving forward.
Progress, not perfection
The past is over, forget it
Move forward, press on.

Let's move forward.

What is something you want to see happen in your life in '07?
What is something you want to see happen in your family in '07?
What is something you want to see happen in SCC in '07?

Get on the bike!!!

3 days

2007 has been short and sweet. Made some mad cash on Monday, 1-1-07. Discovered a new resource for ministry on Tuesday, 1-2-07 and was honored to help with the food delivery today. Some sweet conversations in person and via the phone and net. These are just the tip of the iceberg. Good stuff even though my prayer life is just kinda there. At least it is kinda there. God's grace.

Food Bank

I went to the Food Bank today and made the food drop with a fellow SCC'er. SCC's goal was 500 lbs. We collected and gave 503 lbs. Nice. Way to Go.

Speaking of Beginnings

1I, Paul, am a devoted slave of Jesus Christ on assignment, authorized as an apostle to proclaim God's words and acts. I write this letter to all the believers in Rome, God's friends. 2-7The sacred writings contain preliminary reports by the prophets on God's Son. His descent from David roots him in history; his unique identity as Son of God was shown by the Spirit when Jesus was raised from the dead, setting him apart as the Messiah, our Master. Through him we received both the generous gift of his life and the urgent task of passing it on to others who receive it by entering into obedient trust in Jesus. You are who you are through this gift and call of Jesus Christ! And I greet you now with all the generosity of God our Father and our Master Jesus, the Messiah.

Romans 1:1-7 (found in the Bible)

This is a sweet beginning.