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Where I'd like to be most Sunday Evenings

Sunday Evening Thoughts

May 2, 2010 — 4 Comments

Today was a great day for the LivingWater Foursquare family.  Not only did we see the grace of God at our normal campuses, but today was the beginning of a new journey with our Crossroads (Rochester) Foursquare sister church.  More about that later.  Just a reminder to all the guys out there-next weekend is Mother’s Day.  I’m sure you already have something planned…

  • This weekends message was about the joy that comes through tests.  I’ve already seen on Facebook how it resonated with many people.  Praise Jesus.
  • Temptation Tests come when we are lured to fulfill godly desire through UNGODLY means.  Faith Tests come when God was to REVEAL our potential faith that we wouldn’t experience any other way!
  • A little bit of exercised faith is better that a whole lot of theoretical faith.
  • Often times it feels like the amount of faith we have compared to the challenged is like the disciples bringing 5 loaves of bread to feed 10,000+ people. YET, Jesus takes a little faith put into practice and Continue Reading…
In Church Life, Current, Religion, Spiritual thoughts, Sunday Night, Weekend , , , , ,
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St Ignatius Loyola

Have you lost the taste of PEACE?

April 30, 2010 — Leave a comment

St. Ignatius of Loyola wrote the following in his “Spiritual Exercises”:

In times of dryness and desolation we must be patient, and wait with resignation for the return of consolation, putting our trust in the goodness of God.  We must animate ourselves by the thought that God is always with us, that He only allows this trial for our greater good, and that we have not necessarily lost His grace because we have lost the taste and feeling of it.“

Be encouraged today!  Even when we have lost the taste of His grace, He is NEAR.

“Jesus said this to test Phllip, for He himself already knew what He would do.” (John 6:6 Paraphrased )

In Life Journal, Ministry/Leadership, Religion, Spiritual thoughts , , , , ,
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Thumbds

Aaron Keyes and Jewish-Christian RelationshipsI

April 27, 2010 — 1 Comment

Over the last week some great things have happened.  I’ve also been challenged to ponder several issues due to current questions and events.  I’d love your input.

  • I got to meet Aaron Keys at Catalyst West. – Aaron led worship for part of the conference and it blew me away.  This man is FULL of the scripture and it POURED out of him when he led.  When I spoke with him I could tell his passion for Jesus and Discipleship are authentic and DEEP.  Take a few minutes to read more about him, buy his stuff and support a great worship pastor.  My favorite statement that he made Continue Reading…
In Church Life, Ministry/Leadership, Spiritual thoughts , , , ,
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An amazing woman

April 20, 2010 — Leave a comment

My wife is truely amazing. I mention over the weekend that I’m blessed because I caught a beauty and a brain, that’s a HUGE understatement! Here is an excerpt from a recent post:

“Perhaps hearing from God is directly related to our own belief that He will actually respond. Perhaps if we really knew that the God we speak to not only hears to our prayers, but wants to engage in conversation, we might take time to listen. So I suppose…” (read the rest http://j.mp/bERFiA )

In Current, Spiritual thoughts , , , ,
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Tozer is so good…

April 20, 2010 — 2 Comments

TozerTozer was a Pastor/Leader who’s work is still relevant and life-changing today.  When you read Tozer, be prepared to follow this pattern; read, cry, repent, pray,read…  Good stuff.  Here’s a excerpt from Out of Ur

To have found God and still to pursue Him is the soul’s paradox of love, scorned indeed by the too-easily-satisfied religionist… read the rest

In Ministry/Leadership, Spiritual thoughts ,
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Sunday Evening Thoughts

April 19, 2010 — Leave a comment

I probably say it most weekends, but this was a great weekend at Living Water! Here are some of my hightlights:

  • When I finished my first draft of speaking notes on Thursday, I had about 90 minutes worth of material.  I prayed it through and narrowed it down to 1 of what was going to be 3 points.  From that point forward I felt like I was going to explode because of what God wanted to do over the weekend!  I love it when God does it like that.
  • There was a powerful prophetic word about people who where trapped in a “phone booth” shaped prison because of unforgiveness.
  • Dozens of people responded to Jesus and stepped out of the prison of unforgiveness and it was awesome.  Worship EXPLODED Continue Reading…
In Ministry/Leadership, Religion, Spiritual thoughts, Sunday Night, Weekend , , , ,
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The Backpack of Potential

April 17, 2010 — 2 Comments

Posted via email from Jon’s posterous

In Church Life, Ministry/Leadership, Spiritual thoughts, Video
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Sunday Evening Thoughts

April 11, 2010 — Leave a comment

I've been looking forward to beginning this series for quite some time.  I really believe that the message of the woman at the well has HUGE significance for every person.  If you didn't hear the message today, you can find it on the website in the next day or two.  Some of my highlights from the weekend:

  • First, Cody and Dan were really, really good!  Cody sang, "I will rise" by Chris Tomlin.  I heard it 5 times and it got better each time.  I've known Cody for 5 years and I'm so proud of the husband and leader he has become.  If you've got J Highers, get them plugged in!
  • I pray that every Christian (I know I am) was convicted to evaluate their willingness to "go where the harvest is" even if it moves us outside of our religious preferences.
  • Fawn and I were reacquainted with a gal who started coming to church 10 years ago when we were the college leaders.  We love that she's getting plugged in again!
  • Don't believe the lie that your past failure disqualifies you from His abundance!
  • Jesus wants to deal with our spiritual problems, then our physical problems. 
  • When you encounter Jesus face to face, someone else's testimony can become your EXPERIENCE.
  • Literally DOZENS of people responded to the call to release something to Jesus that they've been holding back and embrace His abundance.

I love you church!  It's an honor to serve and get to be a part of what God is doing.  Don't hold anything back from Jesus this week.  Let His abundance overflow and impact the people you encounter.

In Church Life, Ministry/Leadership, Spiritual thoughts, Sunday Night, Weekend
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Sunday Evening Thoughts

March 30, 2010 — Leave a comment

Today was an amazing day at Living Water.  Not only did we celebrate the Triumphal Entry of Jesus, but dozens, that's right, dozens of people gave their lives to Christ.  Here are some of my highlights:

  • The Youth Choir was really, really good!  Props to Daniel, Cody and Pastor Shane for discipling young people to worship!  The church loved it and I think Jesus was pleased as well.
  • As we studied the beginning of this Historically and Spiritually significant week, we saw how Jesus accomplished not only living a sinless life, but also a life lived under and with AUTHORITY.
  • I heard a story of someone who had recently lost their job and was discouraged coming to church on Saturday.  After hearing that Jesus doesn't always take the PATH we desire but He will 

Continue Reading…

In Church Life, Spiritual thoughts, Sunday Night, Weekend
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Getting DEEPER…

March 22, 2010 — Leave a comment

Foursquare_connection_jack_hayford
 Last week I spent 4 1/2 days with 25 other pastors from around the world.  Our motivation to be together was to sit under the teaching of Dr. Jack Hayford at the college and seminary he founded in Van Nuys CA.  Pastor Jack consistently sets aside weeks throughout the year to mentor pastors of all ages and backgrounds.  Someone asked me, "Isn't he kind of old to be giving advice about the contemporary church?"  My response, "The church isn't anything new, nor are the principals and TRUTHS that make her the most powerful community on the planet."

What Pastor Jack brings to the table does not fall into the categories of trend or style.  Because of his vast experience and fruitful ministry, he focuses on the theology and experience that he has gained over 50+ years.  

Some of my take-aways:

  • I love that he still LOVES and HONORS his

Continue Reading…

In Ministry/Leadership, Spiritual thoughts
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