Phillip Goes Wild - Phillip Reaches Out

26-28Later God's angel spoke to Philip: "At noon today I want you to walk over to that desolate road that goes from Jerusalem down to Gaza." He got up and went. He met an Ethiopian eunuch coming down the road. The eunuch had been on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and was returning to Ethiopia, where he was minister in charge of all the finances of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. He was riding in a chariot and reading the prophet Isaiah.
29-30The Spirit told Philip, "Climb into the chariot." Running up alongside, Philip heard the eunuch reading Isaiah and asked, "Do you understand what you're reading?"
31-33He answered, "How can I without some help?" and invited Philip into the chariot with him. The passage he was reading was this: As a sheep led to slaughter, and quiet as a lamb being sheared, He was silent, saying nothing. He was mocked and put down, never got a fair trial. But who now can count his kin since he's been taken from the earth?
34-35The eunuch said, "Tell me, who is the prophet talking about: himself or some other?" Philip grabbed his chance. Using this passage as his text, he preached Jesus to him.
36-39As they continued down the road, they came to a stream of water. The eunuch said, "Here's water. Why can't I be baptized?" He ordered the chariot to stop. They both went down to the water, and Philip baptized him on the spot. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of God suddenly took Philip off, and that was the last the eunuch saw of him. But he didn't mind. He had what he'd come for and went on down the road as happy as he could be.
40Philip showed up in Azotus and continued north, preaching the Message in all the villages along that route until he arrived at Caesarea.
Acts 8:26-40 found in the Bible

For SCC - 4-29-07 The Church: A Wild People - Reaching Out: Sharing

Where is your dollar coin? Place it in an area where you will see it several times every day of the week. May it remind you that sharing is fun. May it remind you of how much God has given each of us in Jesus Christ. In Christ we have eternal life, eternal hope, real purpose, real meaning, new perspective, power, love, self-discipline, LIFE. Let's reach out and share with others we know and meet the good news of hope in Christ.

Thank God that someone took the time to share with Marcus Dulin at the Bowling Alley over 10 years ago. Because someone shared Marcus has and is experiencing life change and new purpose. Because someone was wild in their faith Marcus is blessing many today. Go Wild!!! God will bring people into your life this week so that you can have the opportunity to tell them about the dollar coin. Have some fun.

Be Aware of God.

He is always active and calling out for us to join Him as He seeks to give dollar coins to others. He desires to work in and through you to help others experience what you are experiencing in Jesus.

Start A Conversation.

Say hello to someone. Take some cake to your office. Buy your close co-workers lunch and tell them it is because of the dollar coin. They will ask. Listen to someone very intently this week when they open up to you. Didn't we go to Kindergarten together?

Focus on Jesus Christ.

When you begin to share your story with others in your family, friendships, and working life include what Jesus Christ is doing in your life. You do not have to become all religious and use big words. Just tell them how God is working in your life through the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Where is that dollar coin? Thanks to Marcus Dulin, GLARE, and the bank for helping us discover how to be A Wild People and Reach Out through Sharing.

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.