The Church

If anyone is still reading this, I would like to know: What are you thoughts on the current state of the Church. Is the Church relevant? Is it accomplishing it's mission? Has the Spirit of the American church been quenched or is it in danger of being snuffed out all together?

Just been doing some reading lately and am about to write a sermon on the state of the church.

Wondering????

Small Groups: 10 things before you start - Ministry Toolbox - Pastors

Small Groups: 10 things before you start -  Ministry Toolbox - Pastors

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15 of 40

This continues to be a different kind of journey. No, I am not talking about the rock group sans Steve Perry, but I am talking about my ability to not digest solid food and still have a productive life. I am amazed by the bodies ability to work and function on little or no nourishment.

The Lord has kick started my spiritual journey yet again. During this time of fasting I have been bringing before the Lord the atrocities that are taking place in the Indian state of Orissa. There continues to be full on daily persecution of the Lord's church. During my prayer time I have not gotten a specific answer on what I could be doing to help our brothers and sisters out. I do pray for strength, encouragement, physical healing, and the light to shine ever so brightly in Orissa. Please join me in prayer for the brothers and sisters who are being sought out and killed for there faith in Jesus Christ. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYs92b

I will continue to let you in on the fast, and any hardcore answer from the Lord regarding Orissa.

back in 10

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Here we go, we are in the thick of this Fast, it has been amazing how quick and easy this time around has been. Not a lot of hunger pains, sleeping good, alert. What I have been doing that has been challenging for me has been the daily reading from the Purpose Driven Life. Knowing that I've already read this book before and have marked it up, I am finding myself during the current reading, being drawn to thoughts I have not highlighted. It has made for an interesting quiet time.

I am still praying for the ministers in Orissa daily. And daily trying to lay down my life. I still don't know what this fast is leading my to, it will be interesting when I get there I know.

See you in ten

...A Day Late

Sorry for not touching base yesterday. Had a busy day and was not able to get by the cpu. We had Walk Through the Bible at our church building yesterday. What an amazing ministry, if you have the chance to have them at your church or go to an event they are hosting....by all means do it.

On to the business at hand. I am doing really well. I can't believe how the Lord has made this trip without solid food extremely easy. I have journaled to have Him take away the food cravings, and the empty feeling... and so far the Lord has proven faithful. During this fast, my Discipleship partner and I have decided to read the Purpose Driven Life. A chapter a day- for forty days. Along with reading the book we are also enjoying the scriptures and jotting down thoughts in a Fasting journal. I have looked forward to this since my last 40 day trip. If you have not trusted God in a long time...I would encourage you to try fasting. It is long standing tradition within the community of the church.

Along with bringing fasting tidbits from history, I have also been able to bring before the Lord the human tragedy that is happening in the Indian state of Orissa. Preachers of the word are being pulled out of there churches and beating publicly. Several are being martyred everyday. One of the things have decided to do during my 40 days is to pray for these fellow Christians that they might receive more power from the Spirit to preach the word more boldly and to have their words cut the hearts of the ones who are doing the prosecution. If you can't join me in the fast, please for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ, join in pray for the saints in Orissa.

See you in 5

Going Back for Seconds

If you have not read any of my posts, today I am starting my second 40 day fast. I will not eat any solid food, just water and juice for 40 days. My discipleship partner and I will break the fast on Easter Sunday morning. We thought that would be cool. Along with fasting we will also be blogging, and reading the Purpose Driven Life (there are 40 chapters meant to be read daily). I have already read this book some years ago, but we thought it would be a good refresher. We will need your thoughts and prayers this is an eye opening experience.

If you spiritual life needs a kick in the butt, give this a try. Check back I will be sharing the details often. I will post at 5, 10, 15, 25, 35, 40 and maybe a little something extra... we will just have to wait and see.

See you in 4,

I am Done...or am I?

Well this is it. The 40 day fast is complete today at about 8 pm. I find myself a little sad, I have really enjoyed my time with God during these last forty days. It has been intense prayer at times, with scripture easing my feelings, and it has been some hard hitting passages convicting me into a more focused spirituality. Whatever, it has been good for me to do this.

I forgot to mention it earlier that during the 40 I was also reading "Presence Centered Youth Ministry". which really could have been called Presence Centered Life. The book took me back to some very early if not first century practices of the first church. This coupled with the forty days really sent me over the edge spiritually speaking. I wholeheartedly recommend you at least trying a prolonged fast, it has been a HUGE blessing in my life.

So lets break it down; I have roughly estimated lost 45 lbs. I have been able to start the habit of writing in a journal, been able to slow down my bible reading pace to a more digestible speed, and have been ready willing and able to share my experience with others...and so far that has birthed at least 4 people interested in getting off the pew and ignite their spiritual life.

See if this is for you, pray to Lord to guide you and prepare you for what He has is store for you to do............THEN DO IT!

One final thought; starting next week I will fast for one day every week, in the spring....I will hit another 40. It has been that good of a thing for me.