Thought for the day -- July 29th

The most valuable thing the Psalms do for me is to express the same delight in God which made David dance.

-- C.S. Lewis

Prairie Camp has begun!!!

Prairie Camp started last night. The camp eveangelist is Joel DeSelm who will be bringing a series on the life of Jacob.
It runs through next weekend. Come on out and take part. There is a Family Life series and Bible study in the AM, as well as a kids program. There are evening services, with kids programs, as well. Whatever your schedule we hope that you will be able to take in some or even all of the events. The general schedule is below, see the link for full info.
Don't forget our church fellowship on Sunday at 4 PM. Bring a dish to share and join us at the Camp Pavilion.

Evening Schedule:
Saturday/ Sunday: 6 PM
Monday - Friday: 7 PM

Prairie Camp link

Pronoun - The Right They

What they are you listening to?

Thought for the day -- July 28th

Understanding is the reward of obedience. Obedience is the key to every door.

–George MacDonald

Thought for the Day -- July 25th

If you have not chosen the Kingdom of God first, it will in the end make no difference what you have chosen instead.

--William Law

Thought for the day -- July 24th

The strength of a man's virtue should not be measured by his special exertions, but by his habitual acts.

--Blaise Pascal

GC - Ron Hockley

I am still personally mulling/ processing the teaching that we heard at Conference. I have notes from a couple more sessions that, as promised, I will be posting. What follows are the notes from the morning devotional given by Ron Hockley. Ron pastors the Trinity Project (a Missionary church in Portland).

Matthew 14:13
- Jesus retreated when he heard the bad news about John the Baptist (his cousin)
- the people followed him
* the danger of giving all of ourselves to the "needy" around us
* example of a giant Slurpee and everyone gets a sip until it's gone
- Jesus had compassion and ministered even during his personal time of sorrow
- you cannot do ministry without encountering need -- there are broken people everywhere
John 6:5
- "where will we get food for all of these?"
- there is never enough to meet all of the needs around us
The Disciples' Solutions
1. Its not my problem
- send them away to buy their own food
2. We can't afford it
- "it would take 8 months wages..."
3. What I have Isn't enough
- we only have 5 loaves and 2 fish to go around
Jesus' Solution -- You feed them
- Jesus calls us to accomplish things beyond our own capabilities
- giving what we have to Jesus = multiplied blessings
- do we measure our resources by what we have or in terms of what God can give?
- what is the provision that you need?
*** the key lies in giving what you have to Jesus and having Him multiply it

Discipleship Groups Forming

If you are planning to host/ lead a discipleship group for the Fall semester now is the time to make the plans. Get with Pastor Bud, Paul Neel, or Cris this week! We need to gather some basic information about your group so the catalog can be created at people can get signed up. We have some great groups potentially forming and are anticipating more.

Remember that all groups will have a core value of promoting spiritual growth in the live of the participants. However, the format and themes surrounding this goal are only limited by our imaginations. It could be inductive Bible study, weight loss/ management, Parcheesi, self help, crafts, sports, topical studies, service projects, and the list could go on.

If you feel that God is calling you to host a group or have an idea for one. even of you have never done anything like this before, don't hesitate to give us a call and talk about it.

Thought for the day -- July 23rd

One can believe in the divinity of Jesus Christ and feel no personal loyalty to Him at all - indeed, pay no attention whatever to His commandments and His will for one's life.

--Catherine Marshall

GC - "How to build a team" by Tom Mullins

• we spend far too little time working in our strengths. they are strengths for a reason.
• Jesus was the greatest coach of all time! we need to follow his examples
• the church is not about OUR comfort.
• the message of Christ and the Word are sacred; not the methods we use to present them
• good fishermen know all about the fish that they're after
• creating a Coach/ Team environment gives a common goal and people will follow

--- The Power of Celebration ---

Celebration ACKNOWLEDGES accomplished goals

Celebration VALIDATES the effort needed to achieve victory

Celebration MOTIVATES the team

Celebration BUILDS & SUSTAINS team attitudes

Celebration ATTRACTS potential new team members

** we need to find things to celebrate; even if they seem small. we should never create an environment where the only times we meet are about negative things.

GC -- Changes for the future

One of the changes that the denomination is seeing as necessary is to take our missions organization and create a separate entity for it. WP (abbreviated on purpose) needs to be unconnected from the denomination so that work may continue. In many places of the world it is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain visas and work permits that allow people into the country. This will only increase over time and this "firewall" will help WP continue their work. When more of this is made known do not be dismayed or think that they are turning away from their mission.
Along this line all churches and individuals that have websites, blogs, personal pages, etc. on the web are being asked to show discernment in what they might write or post anywhere on the Internet. A church who might list that they are actively supporting "so and so" in "such and such" country may in fact place that missionary in danger. Please check any pages you are responsible for. If you desire to have something on your page a suggestion is to simply state that you or your organization support ministry in "fill in the blank" country without including names or personal info.
If you would go to the WP page at this time you would find that there is nothing there. In the future there will likely only be a bulletin board type page with contact information for the organization.
All of this has been a powerful reminder to me that we need to be in constant prayer fro those who are ministry around the globe. Most of us have no idea the level of potential persecution and personal danger that many of these folks would be subject to if discovered.

Thought for the day -- July 19th

Preaching is to much avail, but practice is far more effective. A godly life is the strongest argument you can offer the skeptic.

--Hosea Ballou

Welcome to G-Rap

3DYC is coming. This is a tour of the new venue in Grand Rapids; aka G-RAP

GC Takeaway -- Denominational Reorganization

One of the things that was discussed at GC was how the denomination should be organized. Are we 12 districts with a leadership hub or are we one denomination with the President at the head? The following is an excerpt of what the General Board has assigned this cpmmission to work on:

At least three “competing” or “conflicting” models are currently a working paradigm for various parts of the Missionary Church. Some see the Missionary Church as a gathering of a cooperative group of semi-independent churches working together for global impact and church planting. A second group functionally sees the Missionary Church working historically as an affiliation of semi-autonomous Districts. Those Districts, in that paradigm, have a broad measure of independence (credentialing, doctrinal issues, etc.) A third group views the denomination as an historical central authority body where the decision-making rests at the top levels (i.e. Nazarene model).
The commission is to "help the Missionary Church identify who we are, how we can most effectively operate, and how we can best position ourselves for effective ministry through healthy synergy and corporate alignment.”

While no decisions were made at this conference there was a forum on these issues as well as opportunities for those in attendance to give their thoughts, feelings, input on the issues at hand.
The commission involved desires to hear from as many in the denomination as will give their input. With that in mind they have set up The Commission Blog as a means of education and a place to give input on the issues regarding the structure of our denomination. Stop by, check it out, and give your input.

Thoughts for the day -- July 18th

A Wednesday two for one....

A holy life has a voice. It speaks when the tongue is silent, and is either a constant attraction or a perpetual reproof.

--Hinton

Preaching is to much avail, but practice is far more effective. A godly life is the strongest argument you can offer the skeptic.

--Hosea Ballou

GC -- "Marked for Life" by Gary Aupperle

As promised I will be sharing notes from the Conference sessions. I needed a few days to recover mentally and skim these with that perspective. What follows are my notes from the final devotional session where Pastor Aupperle challenged us prior to corporate communion.

• Galatians 6:11-18


• we will all be marked by something in life; what will it be in mine?

- Deut.21:23

• - I Cor. 1:18
• we should be tattooed by the cross
• Barna's 12 most significant religious findings of 2006 included:

*15% of evangelicals see God as the top priority in life

* 35% say God expects us to be holy

#1: I will EMBRACE the cross

• the cross + nothing = salvation. nothing else is needed !
• Judaizers: cross + the law needed
• Gal. 1:6,7; 3:3; 6:11-15
• this view helps avoid any persecution because of the cross
• picking up your cross and carrying it is a one way journey - you don't get to come back

#2 I will ENDURE the cross

• Gal. 6:16,17
• 2 Cor 11:23-28
• no distraction from the goal
• Luke 9:51; 14:27
• I cannot say YES to the cross and continue to hang on to the things of this life

#3 I will EXALT only in the cross

• Gal. 6:14-15
• it's not about the externals
• Phil. 2:14-16
• nothing in this world holds attraction for me
• Acts 20:22-24

WHAT WILL YOU BE MARKED BY?????

Thought for the day -- July 16th

The Christian ideal has not been found tried and found wanting, it has been found difficult and left untried.

-- GK Chesterton

GC - We're Home

I apologize for the lack of posts for the last 48 hours. We got in late Thursday evening and Friday was a whirlwind into into the early AM Saturday. There will be a series of posts to follow on varying topics but this is the summary.
Thursday was our "mostly free" day and we took advantage to take in some sights in the region after the morning sessions. We saw Haystack Rock and Multnomah Falls as the highlights (photos to follow). In between we saw incredible views of mountains, volcanoes, immense evergreen forests, the Pacific Ocean, and the Columbia River Gorge to name a few.
Friday morning included a final devotional challenge and corporate communion led by Pastor Gary Aupperle from our Bluffton church -- we look at tattoos a new way after this session. Don;t worry, Pastor Matt didn't get one :) We also had our final business meeting of the conference (look for a coming post on the business that transpired at this conference.
After the meetings we checked out of the hotel and headed to the airport. Upon arrival a logistical error caused Pastor Bud to spend about 20 minutes in a service line because it appeared that the flight we needed to San Francisco did not exist! Fortunately we did and we were on our way. The bad part was that the airline change the original flight time to 25 minutes later than originally scheduled so it made our layover/ change terminals and pass security again to change airlines time about 20 minutes. Somehow we made it (God is good!). In fact that flight was about a half hour late taking off after we boarded due to an issue with the water line. We landed in Chicago at about midnight to find that the short switchover had cause our bags to be left behind -- they have been delivered as of this writing. A special thanks to Dave and Wendy Ellis who drove up with Cris to pick us up and drive us HOME!

A little math revealed that we traveled 5250 miles and saw some incredible sights in person and from the planes.
Most of all we were honored to represent the body of California Road at this year's General Conference. We take very seriously the need to represent the body in matters pertaining to our denomination.
General Conference will be held at Bethel College in 2009 (July 14-17). The worship, devotional, and business sessions are open and I would encourage our people to attend as they can to take part. We are blessed to be a part of a denomination that is seeking after the heart of God. See you all at church tomorrow.

GC Photos #3

Today's agenda only includes one business meeting; but it is an important one. The elections went smoothly. There is good but tough theological debate occurring. Continue to pray for unity of the denomination. I will post more on these issues when I have better time. I will also be adding notes from a great morning devotional by Ron Hockley and a seminar on building a team by Tom Mullins. For now, here are a few photos. They include Pastor Matt relaxing by the pool and in a "Moses" moment by the river as well as the incredible rose bushes that are here.

The slower schedule today is allowing us some time for sight seeing. I hope to have some great pictures later tonight or tomorrow AM. Have a blessed day everyone!!

Thought for the day -- July 11th

If you can climb a mountain alone. it is just a little hill; you need a team to succeed.

-- Tom Mullins

GC Photos #2

This morning's photos include an incredible look at Mt Hood from the balcony beside our conference room, a look across into Washington at Mt St Helens, Tim hard at work, Bud looking down the river near the hotel pool, and another look at the bridge to Washington (which as a side note is also a draw bridge. I wish I would have gotten a photo of the mural made of wood that was on the wall of the Mongolian restaurant we ate at last night.

Please be praying as today Denominatioal officers are elected and possible changes to the Costitution are discussed and possibly voted upon.

GC -- Day one

A good day in Portland. Two business sessions, seminar time, and corporate worship were on the agenda. The best part for me was the morning devotions led by Tom Mullins. Below are the main points from the message. I will be passing even more detailed notes to our Discipleship Committee. Keep praying for our denomination, it is important that our leadership feel and know that they are being led by God in all they do.

Defining a Godly L.E.A.D.E.R.
Dr. Tom Mullins

Lead by Integrity
Excellence
Attitude
Developer of teams
Endurance
Ready to serve

I will be having "take away moments" from this message for some time. Nothing like being motivated by an old football coach.

GC -- Photos #1

It appears I have overcome the issue keeping me from uploading photos. Here are a few, more to come for sure. The top and bottom ones were taken form the walkway outside the hotel at approx. 5 AM Pacific this morning; it was incredible! The others are from the plane. One of Mt. Hood as we approached that the other two looking down on Yosemite National Park.

It has heated up today, but still is great.

As I write 1 business session is in the books and another in about a half hour. We are feeling our way through issues that may seem on the surface to be no brainer type things but will carry implications for the future of the denomination as it seeks to find the Lord's direction for the future. Please keep praying.

I hope to post notes from the awesome morning devotions lead by Tom Mullins today as well.

General Conference (GC) -- The trip In

Pastor Bud, Matt and I took off yesterday morning from OHare on our excellent journey. We saw Chicago and San Diego on our way to Portland. It was an excellent day for flying and we were treated to views of mountains, mesas, deserts, Los Angeles, and at least 2 National Parks. God's creation is truly amazing!!
We arrived in Portland over the Columbia River with Mount Hood in the background. Our hotel room has a great view of the river just yards away and we can see the mountains and into Washington state as well. Unfortunately we arrived about 8 hours ahead of our luggage. For clean shirts and socks we are truly greatful.
Last night we enjoyed a local BBQ joint named Boomers (great stuff) and we enjoyed a walk this morning before breakfast. The first sessions start in about 40 minutes. Keep checking back in on the blog as we will be posting more info and some photos as well.
Please be praying for the business of the Missionary Church.

Thought for the day -- July 7th

Sometimes we don't need another chance to express how we feel or to ask someone to understand our situation. Sometimes we just need a firm kick in the pants. An unsmiling expectation that if we mean all these wonderful things we talk about and sing about, then lets see something to prove it.

--Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Thought for the day -- July 6th

No man has the mind of Christ, except him who makes it his business to obey him.

—George MacDonald

Thought for the day -- July 5th

Let no one imagine that he will lose anything of human dignity by this voluntary sell-out of his all to his God. He does not by this degrade himself as a man; rather he finds his right place of high honor as one made in the image of his Creator. His deep disgrace lay in his moral derangement, his unnatural usurpation of the place of God. His honor will be proved by restoring again that stolen throne. In exalting God over all, he finds his own highest honor upheld.

--A.W Tozer

Thoughts for the day -- Independence Day Part 2

As I have been reviewing the freedom/ patriotism quotes for the past few days it has come to me how important it is to remember those who are still in need of a spiritual Independence Day. Without this, even the best of life circumstances and all the freedom in the world means nothing toward eternity. Here are a few thoughts on salvation that struck me:

The salvation of a single soul is more important than the production or preservation of all the epics and tragedies in the world.
-- CS Lewis
The knowledge of sin is the beginning of salvation
-- Latin Proverb
Reply implicitly upon the old, old gospel. You need no other nets when you fish for men; those your Master has given you are strong enough to hold the little ones. Spread these nets and no others, and you need not fear the fulfillment of His word, ‘I will make you fishers of men.
--Charles Spurgeon
Being a Christian is like being a pumpkin. God lifts you up, takes you in, and washes all the dirt off of you. He opens you up, touches you deep inside and scoops out all the yucky stuff, including the seeds of doubt, hate, greed, etc. Then He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside you to shine for all the world to see.

Thoughts for the day -- Independance Day Part 1

As promised, here a several more quotes surrounding patriotism, etc. Hope these provoke thought in your own life...

Patriotism is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime.
-- Adlai Stevenson

Does the government fear us? Or do we fear the government? When the people fear the government, tyranny has found victory. The federal government is our servant, not our master! --Thomas Jefferson

Each must for himself alone decide what is right and what is wrong, and which course is patriotic and which isn't. You cannot shirk this and be a man. To decide against your convictions is to be an unqualified and inexcusable traitor, both to yourself and to your country, let man label you as they may.

-- Mark Twain

If our country is worth dying for in time of war let us resolve that it is truly worth living for in time of peace.

-- Hamilton Fish

In the future days, which we seek to make secure, we look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms The first is freedom of speech and expression--everywhere in the world. The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his own way--everywhere in the world. The third is freedom from want--which, translated into world terms, means economic understandings which will secure to every nation a healthy peacetime life for its inhabitants--everywhere in the world. The fourth is freedom from fear--which, translated into world terms, means a world-wide reduction of armaments to such a point and in such a thorough fashion that no nation will be in a position to commit an act of physical aggression against any neighbor--anywhere in the world.

-- Franklin D. Roosevelt

Loyalty to the country always. Loyalty to the government when it deserves it.

-- Mark Twain

My God! How little do my countrymen know what precious blessings they are in possession of, and which no other people on earth enjoy!

-- Thomas Jefferson

These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as freedom should not be highly rated.

-- Thomas Paine

We must be free not because we claim freedom, but because we practice it.

-- William Faulkner

You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism.

-- Erma Bombeck

You're not supposed to be so blind with patriotism that you can't face reality. Wrong is wrong, no matter who says it.

-- Malcolm X

Coming Events @ CRMC

The following are events happening in the next 2 weeks. Who said summer is a slow time?

July 3rd: 7PM Prayer for the Nation

July 9th-13th: General Conference in Portland, OR (Pastor Bud, Pastor Matt, and Paul)

July 10th: 6PM Softball @ Cedar Road

7PM Prayer for the Nation

July 13th: 6:30 PM Family Night @ CRMC

-- Also, remember that there are no services on the 4th --

The measure of a man

The Measure of Man

Not “How did he die”? But “How did he live?”
Not “What did he gain?” But “What did he give?”
Not “What was his station?” But “Had he a heart?”And “How did he play his God-given part?”
Not “What was his shrine? Nor “What was his creed?”But “Had he befriended those really in need?”
Not “What did the piece in the newspaper say?”But “How many were sorry when he passed away?”
Was he ever ready with a word or good cheer,To bring back a smile, to banish a tear?
These are the units to measure the worthOf a man as a man, regardless of birth.

Author Unknown


How will you be measured?

Thoughts for the day -- July 3rd

In honor of Independence Day I will be focusing the quotes around liberty/ freedom. I couldn't pick just one or two favorites so there will be several for each day. We have much to be thankful for. I am amazed at how many of these take spiritual application as well.

Freedom has its life in the hearts, the actions, the spirit of men and so it must be daily earned and refreshed - else like a flower cut from its life-giving roots, it will wither and die.
~Dwight D. Eisenhower

He that would make his own liberty secure, must guard even his enemy from opposition; for if he violates this duty he establishes a precedent that will reach himself.
~Thomas Paine

It is easy to take liberty for granted, when you have never had it taken from you.
~Dick Cheney

Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it.
~Thomas Paine

Order without liberty and liberty without order are equally destructive.
~Theodore Roosevelt

Liberty means responsibility. That is why most men dread it.
~George Bernard Shaw

Thought for the day -- July 2nd

The Bible parable says that while men slept, the enemy sowed tares among the wheat. A boy who rises at 4:30 to deliver papers is considered a go-getter, but to urge our young people to rise at 5:30 to pray is considered fanaticism. We must once again wear the harness of discipline. There is no other way.

--Leonard Ravenhill