Monday, June 27, 2011

Monday Morning Thoughts


What a weekend!  It was busy, but so, so, good.  About 20 volunteers showed up at the Kim's house on Friday evening to strip and paper their roof.  On Saturday 10 volunteers installed the roofing and many more dropped by with food!  By 4:00pm on Saturday the roof was done and looking good!  The Kim's were blown away and it was an awesome experience for everyone involved.  A huge thank you goes out to the Olsen's and Lambert's for planning this project.  Smithrite even donated the bin.

Our Sunday gathering was good.  Sir Isaac lead us in worship and we celebrated together the goodness of our God!  I talked a bit about being the Church on Monday.  Then we raised a few hundred bucks for youth camp through a hot dog lunch.  Our Church Elders met following the lunch where we discussed and prayed about future decisions for our Church.  Our Church is blessed to have such humble and loving men and women!

This week is miscellaneous projects at home and the Church.  Some landscaping, painting, and other items are in order.  I hope you have a great week.
 
 

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Prayer Focus This Week

Church Family
  • A 3 month old grandson fighting bleeding in the brain 
  • Friend of Rob G. who is fighting cancer.
  • Shaela Warkentin (Sight)
  • Zain Krikau (Health)
  • A friend of someone in our Church that is fighting leukemia
  • Jim Moses (Health)
  • Mike K. (Health)
Foursquare Family
  • Bible Fijian Fellowship (Surrey, BC)
  • Barry Buzza (President of Foursquare Canada)
  • Tyler & Elizabeth J. (Foursquare Missionaries in South Africa)
Other Churches
  • North Valley Baptist Church (Mission, BC)
Our Community & World
  • Mayor James Atebe & Council
  • Premier Clark & MLA's
  • Prime Minister Harper, Senate, & MP's
  • Afghanistan, Libya, Syria, Yemen, China, Israel

Church on Monday?

Explore More
What Now? A Study in Acts (Pt. 8)
Church on Monday? (Acts 3:1-10)
June 26 - July 2, 2011

PRAY
Before you begin reading, reflecting, discussing, and applying, begin by opening your heart up to our Lord and Saviour.  Praise Him and ask Him to incline your heart to His.

STUDY
Read Acts 3 & 4.  Continue to read Acts to get more comfortable with this part of our history.  We encourage you to make time to sit down and read all of Acts in one sitting at some point... the context of everything really hits home then.

DISCUSS

What was it about Peter and John that gave them the faith and boldness to see and act the way they did?  Why did they not wait for the cripple to come to their Church service to get healed?  Why did they do missions in their home town?  Did you know that you are called to be a missionary... many of us are even career/paid missionaries cleverly disguised as carpenter’s, bankers, plumbers, and administrators!

LIVE
Before you begin your day, take time to get a new perspective!  Pray for people that you know you will see and ask God to show you how to love them.  Pray that your eyes will be opened to all the opportunities that come your way.

Friday, June 24, 2011

Coming Back Down the Mountain

I came across this article and thought it would be helpful for our parents who send kids to camp as well as our Sunday School and Youth Ministry leaders/volunteers.  It will help our homes and ministries with post-camp life.

Posted By: Shawn Michael Shoup on June 20 2011

My two oldest daughters and I just got back from a 2,700-mile, two-week journey visiting summer camps in our district. We've still got a couple more camps to visit in July. It was an amazing trip and I've just got to say that it's such a blessing to do what I get to do!

Every year, as youth workers engage and God does amazing things up on the mountain, we begin to concern ourselves with how well students will hold on to their experience, what they've learned, and what they've received as they come back down from the mountain.

These are simple, but here's three things I shared with students as a challenge to keep growing as they go back home.

    LOVE GOD. Like I said, simple. But a lot of students wonder why they don't experience God in the same way as they do at camp. I have a hunch. When they were at camp, they were consistantly engaging in scripture, small group discussions, quiet times, and reflection. If they go home and don't do any of that, don't spend time building relationship with God, well… guess what? There is going to be a different outcome. I think this is a great time to teach students how to have personal times with God, developing that deeper relationship.
    
    ENGAGING CULTURE. As students go, I believe they are going as "sent ones." If we have been saved, we have been sent. It's all part of the Great Commission (which happened to be our theme verses this year). It's a natural outflow of loving God. As they get closer and closer to the heartbeat of God, students will find that they adopt his compassion for loving others. If we stop going, we stop growing. It's part of who God called us to be.
    
    KEEP COMMUNITY. Encouraging students to keep surrounding themselves with others who will challenge their faith and relationship with God is key. We need each other. We weren't wired to do this faith thing alone.

I'm praying for students this week. That they will keep pursuing all of the God-purposes that were planted in their spirit at camp. I hope and pray the same for your students!



Posted at: http://www.youthspecialties.com/blog/coming-back-down-the-mountain/?utm_source=Youth+Specialties&utm_campaign=e3812982bd-YSU_6_22_2011&utm_medium=email&mc_cid=e3812982bd&mc_eid=59f9968cb1

Friday Mashup

Yesterday was the day of eating.  I started off with a breakfast meeting, then coffee meeting, then lunch meeting, and then a final coffee meeting.  I came home to "Taco Thursday" with the Hersey's and Pringle's.  We washed down dinner with Angela's soon-to-be world-famous lemonade cake (borrowed from someone on Pinterest [Angela's new favourite interest]).


In other news, we're supposed to have a sunny weekend with perfect temperatures.  I hope it's sunny because a number of people from our Church family are doing a roofing project for the Kim's.  Watching people organically organize loving and helping one another is very exciting for me to watch!  I've heard other reports this week of couples/families helping other couples/families.... many times its simply through cooking meals, bringing groceries, praying, and encouraging one another.  That's the beauty of the Church... and I'm grateful to be a part of this family.

Today, I'm working on a few admin things, helping Sir Isaac on a few things, and finishing up Sunday's message.  Tonight we have a family gathering at my sister's.  Tomorrow I plan on helping out with the roofing project.

On Sunday, we have our Church family gathering.  We'll sing songs of love and praise to God.  We'll pray together.  We'll get in the Word and look at the beginning of Acts 3.  We'll then eat together (hot dog lunch) and support our youth in their efforts to get to youth camp.

I'm really looking forward to this weekend... I hope you are too!

P.S. I hope you are remembering and applying the three challenges from last Sunday.  I haven't been doing very well at it :(
 
 

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

New Athiesm Lecture at Wheaton College


It's almost two hours long, but is definitely worth the time.  I don't agree with all of D'Souza's beliefs or methods, but this lecture has many good points.  We live in a culture of new atheism where the agenda is aggressive and seeks to destroy Christianity.  Our response must not only be founded and wrapped in the love of Jesus, but must be engaged on an intellectual level as well.  For too long Christians have either ignored or run away from worldviews like atheism.  The result has aided the advance of atheism, the belittling of the faith/Church, and the loss of our Children to other worldviews.  I think it's time for the Church and especially parents to do their homework, know the times and have solid, loving, answers.

The lecture can be watched through iTunes (needs to be downloaded and installed on your computer).  Once iTunes is installed on your computer, click this link: http://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/new-atheism-lecture-video/id430708393?i=92793651

Monday, June 20, 2011

Monday Morning Thoughts


Happy Monday morning to you!  I hope you had a good Father's Day weekend.  On Saturday we went a germ swap known as Koko's Activity Center (similar to a Go Bananas) in Port Moody.  It was actually more fun than I anticipated, although I almost got stuck in a couple tubes.  Our kids got to play with their cousins.

Sunday's gathering was good.  I like the new format of the service and I hope you like it too.  Catherine spoke a good word from Acts 2:44-47 and left us with three challenges: 1) As a family/household, take time this week to dedicate (or re-dedicate) all your stuff to the Lord; 2) Invite people over once a month over to your house; and 3) Whenever you meet with your Christian friends don't part before you pray together!

The challenge that will be the hardest for me is the third one.  I'm simply not in the habit of praying with others outside of a crisis, meal, or at someone's request.  Yet, I think praying with others even when there isn't a crisis or meal is so good and important.  After the service we went and had lunch with some Christian friends and I simply forgot this challenge.  It's going to take a while to get in the habit, but I look forward to the fruit of this practice.

This morning I'm hanging out with Isaac going through his orientation of working here for the summer.  I'm starting him out with organizing our softball team, running the youth camp hot dog lunch, and a new filing project!

Tonight I'm going to watch PLBC Alumni, "Handsome & Gretyl" perform at a coffee shop in Port Moody (https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=122723907809201).

For the rest of the week, I've got lots of meetings.  I hope you have a good week and remember to implement the three challenges from Sunday.
  
 

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Rekindle the Love

Explore More
What Now? A Study in Acts (Pt. 7)
Will Someone Stand With You? (Acts 2:44-47)
June 29-25, 2011

PRAY
Before you begin reading, reflecting, discussing, and applying, begin by opening your heart up to our Lord and Saviour. Praise Him and ask Him to incline your heart to His.

STUDY
Read Acts 2. Continue to read Acts to get more comfortable with this part of our history. We encourage you to make time to sit down and read all of Acts in one sitting at some point... the context of everything really hits home then.

DISCUSS
How is the Church's mission like an earthquake?  What does sharing our possessions look like in this day and season?  What role does participating in weekly gatherings with the Church to play in our lives?  Why is it good to eat together?

LIVE
Three challenges: 1) As a family/household, take time this week to dedicate (or re-dedicate) all your stuff to the Lord; 2) Invite people over once a month over to your house; and 3) Whenever you meet with your Christian friends don't part before you pray together!

Prayer Focus This Week

Church Family

  • A 3 year old grandson fighting bleeding in the brain 
  • Friend of Rob G. who is fighting cancer.
  • Shaela Warkentin (Sight)
  • Zain Krikau (Health)
  • A friend of someone in our Church that is fighting leukemia
  • Jim Moses (Health)
  • Two families outside of our Church that are facing marital separation.
  • Mike K. (Health)
Foursquare Family
  • Victoria Foursquare Church (Victoria, BC); Pastored by Neil & Barbara Blackstock
  • Barry Buzza (President of Foursquare Canada)
  • Tyler & Elizabeth J. (Foursquare Missionaries in South Africa)

Other Churches
  • Northside Community Church (Mission, BC)

Our Community & World
  • Mayor James Atebe & Council
  • Premier Clark & MLA's
  • Prime Minister Harper, Senate, & MP's
  • Afghanistan, Libya, Syria, Yemen, China, Israel

Friday, June 17, 2011

Friday Mashup


Warning… I haven't preached in a week and so I'm overflowing with thoughts!

First, I am so glad Spring is here.  As I walk around my yard, I am encouraged by the new growth.  I had one bank of laurels that I thought didn't survive the winter and while parts of them did die, there is new growth!  One of the reasons I like to work in the yard so much is because there are so many life lessons in God's creation.  God lovingly reminds, corrects, and refreshes my soul when I'm in the garden.  As I prune/uproot the things that died in the winter I am reminded of God's pruning (correction/focusing) in my life.  As I see new growth I am encouraged and filled with hope of the new and good things God is doing in my life.  I take what I learn in the winters of my soul and I praise God for the way He uses that time to teach me and bring about new understanding and life.  As I take a step back and admire the beauty that is also appreciated by my neighbours and family, I am reminded of my life's purpose.  It's why this blog is called 'know.grow.sow.'  Every year I get to know Jesus better (fall more in love) and this in turn results in me growing (becoming more healthy/mature… more like Him), and the fruit of that is enjoyed by family and neighbours (sowing).  God gets the glory!

The next thought that has been rattling around inside is the Vancouver riot.  I was so encouraged to see people step up the next day and begin cleaning/rebuilding the City.  That in itself is a powerful story of God's design/purpose of Jesus/Church.  However, a side thought has become my main thought.  It's obvious that people were horrified and ashamed by the actions of a few (even though I would argue that all of us are capable of such darkness, and before Christ, leaned to that side).  People were so horrified and embarrassed that they actually took action.  The thought I had regarding this was that this is what it's like when we spend time with Jesus.  God's presence brings clarity (just as the CTV cameras brought clarity to the riot) and darkness was revealed.  A sense of justice and putting the world to rights rose up within us and moved us to action.  The same happens when I spend time with God, listening, reading His Word, and talking with Him.  I see myself, my family, and my world more clearly and I am horrified by the darkness that I see in me.  I am so horrified, ashamed, and embarrassed that it moves me to action.  My initial action is that of humility, repentance, and gratitude for the grace that has been extended to me in Christ's forgiveness.  The next action is to change my behavior and extend that same grace and light to my world... because I want/get to.  My guess is, that in the busy world we live in, it's even more important for the Church to be spending time with Jesus.  There would be a lot less talk and a lot more action going on.

In other news, I met with Sir Isaac Dagneau this morning.  Our Church received a grant from the federal government to hire a college student for the summer and so we've hired Isaac.  I'm really excited about this opportunity for a few reasons: 1) Isaac has been called to ministry and this has been affirmed by those around him and so this summer will be a good beginning to his development; 2) There are things that have been on my 'to do' list for years that were never high enough in the priority queue to get done and so many of those I can download to Isaac; 3) We've added lots of Summer Sundays to the calendar and so Isaac will be helping with the prep and execution of these; and 4) It helps Isaac save for his next year of Bible College.

I was disappointed about the Canucks loss, but for some reason this one didn't hurt as much as the '94 run.  The more I reflect on the series, the more I realize that Boston was simply a better team.  I went in thinking they weren't going to be a problem.  However, Boston was simply tougher and more consistent in their game.  I think the Canucks learned a good lesson and will be ready for next year :) (provided they put Schneider in and sign a tough Canadian center).

Angela was really nice to me this week (as always), but went out of her way on Wednesday.  For the whole cup run we've either been over at friends/neighbours or they've been over at our house… which is great for the most part, but some nights we had so many people/little kids over that you could barely hear the game (I recognize my selfishness in that statement).  As an early Father's Day present, Angela took the kids to a friend's house (thanks Steph) and I got to watch the game in peace and quiet.  It was a beautiful experience (except for the game).  I even ordered some Chinese food (Prawn Garden's ginger beef is amazing) and it continues to bless me in the form of leftovers even until this day.

This morning I'm in Abbotsford for an oil change and enjoying the ebb and flow of the Tim Horton's line.  I came in at the perfect time (no lineup) and ordered my regular steeped tea double-double.  I also just saw a lady get a Wendy's Chili at 10:00am!  At first I thought that to be weird, but upon second thought, Chili for breakfast would be good.

The rest of the day is organizing logistics for Isaac's new job, getting some stuff ready for Sunday.  On Saturday we're doing some Father's Day stuff and then chores around the house.  I hope to pop down and catch some of the Soapbox Derby (I'd like for our Church to be more involved in this event in the near future).  I think we'll begin by having a boys and girls kart for kids from Sunday School to race in.  We can get them to paint it too.

Sunday is Father's Day.  Catherine will be preaching from Acts.  Looking forward to our gathering!

Monday, June 13, 2011

Monday Morning Thoughts


I watched confessions of a shopaholic last night.  I don't know why, but I was too tired to turn it off.  The only redeemable thing about watching it was that it actually emphasized the importance of making right decisions, no matter what fallout may occur.

Yesterday's service was fun.  Karin did a good job leading us in worship through her giftings/music.  We changed up the order of the service a bit and I think it was a good change.  We'll try it for a few more weeks and may need to tweak it a bit.

Dave gave a great sermon from Acts 2:42-43.  I was encouraged to get in the Word, to live my life in fellowship, to regularly share in meals and the Lord's table, and to pray.  All great things... all essentials of every believer.

Sunday was also cool because our Church family got to hear about a team's latest adventures to the Skatin reserve (where they did a service project of building a septic tank so their community hall can use the toilet and not have to use the lady's across the street).  I also heard of a bunch of families that blessed another family with the funds and labour to replace their leaking roof.

Sunday afternoon I watched Charlie while he napped.  Angela took Ruby to the kid's event at Heritage Park.   In the evening we had a good Council meeting.

I enjoyed our Anniversary date on Saturday.  We had a good meal out and nice walk.  It was simple, but really good.

On Saturday morning I trained two of our newest Lawn & Garden Society members.  They did a great job.  On Saturday afternoon a few of our Church members hosted a memorial service for a member of the Ewert family.

Today I get to work at the College then come home and try to watch the kids and the Canucks at the same time.  My deepest desire is that this is the last Canucks game of the season!!  The rest of the week is working on different tasks for the College and Church.
 

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Prayer Focus This Week

Church Family

  • Friend of Rob G. who is fighting cancer.
  • Shaela Warkentin (Sight)
  • Zain Krikau (Health)
  • A friend of someone in our Church that is fighting leukemia
  • Jim Moses (Health)
  • Two families outside of our Church that are facing marital separation.
  • Mike K. (Health)

Foursquare Family
  • Maranatha Foursquare Church (Nanaimo, BC); Pastor Barry Hansen.
  • Barry Buzza (President of Foursquare Canada)
  • Tyler & Elizabeth J. (Foursquare Missionaries in South Africa)

Other Churches
  • North Fraser Community Church (Lake Errock, BC)

Our Community & World
  • Mayor James Atebe & Council
  • Premier Clark & MLA's
  • Prime Minister Harper, Senate, & MP's
  • Vancouver Canucks :)
  • Afghanistan, Libya, Syria, Yemen, China

Will Someone Stand With You?

Explore More
What Now? A Study in Acts (Pt. 6)
Will Someone Stand With You? (Acts 2:42-43)
June 12-18, 2011

PRAY
Before you begin reading, reflecting, discussing, and applying, begin by opening your heart up to our Creator and Sustainer. Praise Him and ask Him to incline your heart to His.

STUDY
Read Acts 2. Continue to read Acts to get more comfortable with this part of our history. We encourage you to make time to sit down and read all of Acts in one sitting at some point... the context of everything really hits home then.

DISCUSS
What does it mean to stand with someone? How can you apply Acts 2:42 to your life? What does your devotion to God’s Word, fellowship, communion and prayer look like? As you fellowship this week, share with someone your struggles and your successes in these devotions.

LIVE
Ask the LORD to continue to fill you with His Holy Spirit. Let our collective prayer be ”that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you(us) the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your(our) understanding being enlightened; that you(we) may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power “ Ephesians 1:17-19 NKJV

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Saturday Mashup

The week of BBQ's is over and it was good.  On Tuesday night we had a BBQ for this last year's greeters.  Angela made her world famous braided bread and it was accompanied by some tasty caesar salad, hot potato salad (thank you Katy), and thai/greek/maui kebabs from Dressed to Grill.  We washed it down with watermelon and ice cream sandwiches.  It was a really fun evening filled with great people.

On Wednesday some friends came over and we ate steak, more hot potato salad, more caesar salad, and twice baked potatoes.  The hardest thing to swallow, however, was the Canuck's loss!

Thursday night I went to the Sandwich Generation BBQ at the Pankratz's and ate even more good food. It was great hanging out with these fantastic people.

Last night some friends came over, I made a few deep dish pizzas, and we cheered on the Canucks!  Wahoo!

Today is my wedding Anniversary.  Angela and I have been married six years and it really does keep getting better.  I'm amazed at the graciousness of my wife.  Can't say enough about her!

Monday, June 6, 2011

Monday Morning Thoughts


I hope you had a good weekend and are ready for all the opportunities that this week will bring.  I spent Saturday morning working with Casey "John Henry" Moses on the front landscaping at the Church.  Casey can swing a hammer like no one else and was a big part of getting that portion of the project done.  Saturday afternoon we celebrated Josh P.'s 30th birthday with hamburgers, hot potato salad, iced tea, and oreo ice cream cake.  That evening we got to watch the Canucks game with my bro-in-law and sister and Mark.  Mark and I found and ate some cookies that we found out later were for a special event that Angela was preparing for... uh oh!

Yesterday's service was good.  Tony did a fantastic job leading us in worship.  Dave shared a story of God miraculously healing his daughter.  Rob & Donna praised God for an awesome opportunity for ministry through Christian Motorcyclists Association in a Kamloops service.

We went to Rotten Ronnies for lunch and then I got to watch the kids for the afternoon and evening as Ang went to a baby shower.  I spent the afternoon in paradise mowing the lawn and puttering around the yard.  I made beans and wieners for dinner and Ruby said I was a better cook than her mommy :)  With the hot weather, I turned on the AC for the first time this year and the house is back to being cold.

Today is a miscellaneous day of errands and preparing for the game.  Tomorrow we're having a BBQ for our Church's greeters.  Wednesday night is another BBQ and hockey game with friends and neighbours.  Thursday is another BBQ at the Pankratz's.  Let the week of BBQ's begin.

So let's go into the world this week and share the life and love of Christ as the Spirit leads and enables.

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Prayer Focus This Week

Church Family

  • Shaela Warkentin (Sight)
  • Zain Krikau (Health)
  • A friend of someone in our Church that is fighting leukemia
  • Jim Moses (Health)
  • Two families outside of our Church that are facing marital separation.
  • Mike K. (Health)

Foursquare Family
  • Northgate Foursquare Church (Courtenay, BC); Pastor Scott Gaglardi.
  • Barry Buzza (President of Foursquare Canada)

Other Churches
  • New Heights Community Church (Mission, BC)

Our Community & World
  • Mayor James Atebe & Council
  • Premier Clark & MLA's
  • Prime Minister Harper, Senate, & MP's
  • Vancouver Canucks :)
  • Afghanistan, Libya, Syria, Yemen, China

Will Someone Speak Prophetically?

Explore More
What Now? A Study in Acts (Pt. 5)
Will Someone Speak Prophetically? (Acts 2:15-41)
June 5-11, 2011 
 
PRAY
Before you begin reading, reflecting, discussing, and applying, begin by opening your heart up to our Creator and Sustainer.  Praise Him and ask Him to incline your heart to His.

STUDY
Read Acts 2.  Continue to read Acts to get more comfortable with this part of our history.  We encourage you to make time to sit down and read all of Acts in one sitting at some point... the context of everything really hits home then.

DISCUSS
What does it mean to speak prophetically?  How do you apply Acts 2:17-18 to your life?  Have you ever spoken prophetically? Have you ever been able to use the Word of God to speak to a modern day situation?  If not, why not?  Have you ever been able to see past the smoke screens of the world and spoken Biblical clarity into a situation?

LIVE
The only way to live a sustainable life of speaking prophetically is to be grounded in the word, submitted to the Body (the Church), oberservant and knowledable aobut the ongoings of the world, and an opennes to the Spirit of God.  Which area(s) are you strong and what area(s) are you weak?  Begin to step out this weak in working on those weaknesses.
 
 

Friday, June 3, 2011

Friday Mashup


I shut down the boiler to the older part of the Church building last week in hopes that the temperature would rise (we do this every year to save money).  However, my hands feel a bit icy this morning.

I have had a tremendous week so far.  The Canucks won (in case you've been living under a rock)!  God has been speaking to me in new and powerful ways.  I got to spend a couple hours with a seasoned Foursquare pastor and an emerging leader from our Kingsway Foursquare Church.  It was good to connect with them, learn, and share challenges.  The greatest thing I got out of our conversation was perspective... I tend to look at things within a one year view and then wonder whey everything hasn't worked out that way I think it should :)  Things are in process and God's plans may be different then mine and they won't come about in the way or timing that I think they should.  My job is simply to grow in my love and trust for Him... the fruit of that will be what God makes of it.

Last night I had a stellar meeting with Angela and Monica (two very gifted women in the area of creative arts) and began to plan our float for the Christmas Candlelight Parade.  Yes, I know it's June, but our budget is cheap and so we have to begin thinking and preparing creatively.  We are following the advice that you can only choose two of the following options in life: CHEAP, FAST, QUALITY.  It looks like our float is going to be sweet (but don't get your hopes too high... it won't be parade of roses caliber).

Today I am working at the Church office on a pile of different things.  Tomorrow is another landscaping party, then a friend's birthday party, and then Canucks.  Sunday is going to be great.... I'm already looking forward to our gathering.

I hope you have a great weekend!
 

Thursday, June 2, 2011

God is Stirring the Pot

I've been listening/watching to the online streaming of the US Foursquare Church Convention called Connect and have been very encouraged.  I find God's grace and providence amazing as the US Foursquare Church has been focusing on Acts since January and I wasn't even aware.  Connect has been the fruit and the discussion place for the result of pastors reading and teaching acts for the last five months.

There is something stirring in my heart that began before reading/studying/teaching Acts, but has grown during our early stages of our journey through Acts, and Connect has thrown more gas on to the fire.  I believe that over the next couple years we are going to experience a significant amount of changes/correction/calling/centering.  I don't move fast, but each step is strong and steady.

God has put us together, the ingredients (you and me [our time/talents/money/heart/experience]), and he is stirring to unite us into a recipe that can be enjoyed by our community and world... it's called the Church (the complete expression and manifestation of the wisdom of God) and by His power and presence He will build His Church and the gates of Hell will not withstand our advance.

A video that helps communicate some of the thoughts that are stirring in my heart can be seen below:

This is Discipling from The Foursquare Church on Vimeo.