Sunday Rumination (2-10-08)

10 02 2008

Hey Element Church! I don’t know what to say. UNBELIEVABLE day today. I’m not going to say I’m amazed cause I say that every week. Folks, what is happening at Element Church can ONLY be of God. People are being set free from sins, bondage and fears every week. Today was no other. Decisions were made today by parents and teens that can change the course of their lives forever. Here are my thoughts on the day.

— 1 young lady received Christ today. PRAISE THE LORD! Of all today’s happenings, that is the greatest!

— 372 in church today. NO, that is not a typo. That is 3…7…2. Our second service was ENTIRELY full. Every seat in the front row was taken. There couldn’t have been but a handful (3-5) seats left in the entire place. After the opening song and random act of kindness video there were people lining the theater hallway waiting to get in. What God is doing through us has struck a chord with MANY people.

— It was an odd morning. While doing my final study and walk through on my message this morning, I opened my computer to jump on a commentary just to make sure a certain thing I was going to share in my sermon was correct. It was…but when I opened my computer my email program received two emails. Both emails were discouraging ones and began to overwhelm my thoughts. I just felt a heaviness today about the service. Adam shared some AWESOME Scripture with me on the way to the theater and through the morning God really cleared my mind and heart. The heaviness of this subject is doing that to my heart, just making it heavy. (in a good way)

— Set up went wonderful today. Getting better every week. Our sound tech is learning her way around the board and today I did even less in helping her out. She is doing a great job. WAY TO GO PAM!

— We had a group of teens come down from a church in Torrington today, that was cool!

— Held The Tour today. Had a great turnout. I love re-telling our story each month. It never gets old. Thanks Curtis, Grant and Adam for sharing this job with me! You guys do great!

— The band added a new member this week and it really filled the sound. Adam is continuing to do a great job of leading the band, adding, teaching and ministering through music.

— We introduced our new RAK (Random Act of Kindness) idea for the month today. We showed a video of me putting away shopping carts at Wal-Mart. That’s your task. Help out when you go shopping (wherever it may be) to put some errant carts away, or put someone elses away for them. (Just make sure the groceries are out first) I’ll post the video here later this week. It was funny!

— Folks, we are out of space. We need help in e:kidz with all these new people. Lots of unknowns surrounding Element Church right now. One thing that is NOT unknown is the fact that God is in control. He is not caught off guard by our growth. He is not surprised at our need for space or volunteers. God has something SPECTACULAR in store for Element Church, for you and for our city.

Well, those are my quick thoughts on the day! I’m sure I’ll think of more later! You guys are awesome!

Following Christ,

Jeff


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Categories : Church Planting, Element Church, Sunday Rumination, Updates

A prayer to live for (or perhaps die for)

7 02 2008

Hey Element Church! My wife said something to me a few days ago that I’ve been ruminating (chewing on) for a while now. Sometimes Sabrina says or does things that blow me away (in a good way), and this was one of those times. We were talking about the space issue we are dealing with right now at Element Church. The frustrations I am going through as the leader of trying to figure out what in the world to do.

FIRST let me say this (rabbit trail thought)…If you are an Elementer KEEP INVITING PEOPLE TO EXPERIENCE LIFE! We, as the local church (all Believers), hold the greatest message our world has known. That there is no other name but Jesus by which men must be saved. We can’t let “lack of seats” keep us from helping people come to know Jesus. I/we FULLY understand that we are quickly running out of room, BUT SO DOES GOD! We are going to keep presenting, at FULL FORCE, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Amen? (rabbit trail done, back on track)

Anyway, Sabrina said “God’s asking me to pray a big prayer…” I was thinking, cool, she’s praying for a building or land or something. She said “I know it sounds crazy but I feel like God wants me to pray for the entire city of Cheyenne to get saved. To be Christian. I don’t even know if it’s possible” she said “But I am being led to pray that the mormon churches, jehovas witnesses and any other non-christian churches would shut down because they all got saved.”

WHAT? Holy cow! Now that is a prayer. Folks I said a few weeks ago at Element Church. “My dream is for God to takeover our city” (and spare me the God already has taken over He’s sovereign. You know what I mean). “I know it’s a lofty dream, but it’s the only one worth pursuing.” I’m going to join my wife in that prayer.

Anyone with me?


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Categories : Church Planting, Discipleship, Element Church, Personal

Element Gives Back

5 02 2008

Hey Element Church! Don’t forget to check out the new stories on the Element Gives Back web-site. So proud of our people. Many of them trying to figure out how to keep the money going and continuing to help people who are in need. Thanks Element Church for how you responded!


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Categories : Element Gives Back

Element Church Knitters

5 02 2008

Hey Element Church One of our Life Groups is based around knitting and with their knitting and Bible study they are putting together some GREAT gift packs with some toilitries and essentials for the Wyoming Safehouse. Anyway, the leader of the group started a blog for this Life Group and wanted to show you the latest update. Check it out here. GREAT stuff! Awesome to see Life Groups sharing life with the community.


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Categories : Church Planting, Element Church, Updates

Roller Coaster

4 02 2008

Hey Element Church. MAN, today was one of those days. No other way to describe it other than “one of those days”. Ever had one? Had a BLAST this past weekend at the finance seminar, church, and the super bowl party. Finished off our wonderful visit with Andy and Aubrey Hazelet who are praying about a move here to Cheyenne to join the Element staff team when Andy graduates from Oklahoma Wesleyan University in May. We had a record day in attendance on Sunday with 313. Two people gave their hearts to Christ and the energy and excitement at Element is off the charts. Had a great dreaming and planning session with Grant and Adam this morning, spent some great time in prayer then held a GREAT staff meeting. We felt we had a great lead on a meeting location and before going to do a walk through today actually felt as if God was opening an unseen door for us. Then it all came crashing down to make it “one of those days”. Where something just totally takes the wind out of your sails. All the positives of the meeting location turned into “no” “no” “no” and “NO” on a couple of VERY key details that became deal breakers. It was nothing against the venue or their management just things that won’t work for them or Element Church to partner together in. Isn’t it amazing how ONE thing can totally change your day? How 10 things can be GREAT and ONE can erase them all. I’m ending this day by saying “Thank you GOD for ALL you are doing”. Am I frustrated? YES Am I anxious? YES Am I waivered? NEVER Why? Well as many of us sang growing up…”My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly lean on Jesus name. On Christ the solid ROCK I stand all other ground is sinking sand, all other ground is sinking sand.” Everything around us might give way but JESUS can be our rock! Praise the Lord!


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Categories : Church Planting, Element Church, Personal, Updates

Rumination Additions for 2-3

3 02 2008

Hey Element Church!

— Ummm can you say “Giants are Super Bowl Champs”? If your own team doesn’t win there isn’t much better than watching Bill Bellachick walk off the field like a big baby after the loss. LOL, that was mean but MAN does that dude bug me. I didn’t think the Giants had a chance. That was one of the better Super Bowl games in recent memory.

— Can’t believe we had 313 today. That # doesn’t make sense to me. Hard to believe.

— THANK YOU to everyone who has shifted to 9 AM. AWESOME to have two full services. It has definitely helped enable room to grow. More news on a new venue later this week! VERY excited about the opportunity.

— I was more open, un-filtered and honest today in a message than I may have ever been. I shared some past, ugly, embarressing mistakes I made as well as talked VERY openly about sex and how God has designed our sex lives to be.

Random statements of the day:

—”When a man and a woman experience sex within the bonds of marriage it is pleasing in the eyes of God.” That is WEIRD to say but 100% true.

— “God blessed Adam and Eve and told them to be fruitful and multiply, and he wasn’t talking about eating oranges and doing math.”

— “Honey, I’m praying!” (Had to be there)

— There are PLENTY more you’ll just have to listen to the podcast or watch online.

— Keenan TOTALLY nailed the role of satan in our video today. We made a video called “Satan Talks Sex” for the sermon transition video. It was done in some direct and intentional humor BUT totally reveals the answers our culture would give about sex based on the lies he gives.

— I think when people watched the video initially they didn’t know if they were allowed to laugh or not. We definitely pushed the line more than we ever have today but I started the sermon by saying “We are not going to push the line JUST to push the line. We will push the line SO we can expose who the devil REALLY is.” That’s important!

— The Big Question today was “What are satan’s six biggest sex lies?” 1. Sex is no big deal 2. Sex is purely physical 3. God is down on sex. (loved teaching against this lie) 4. I am guilty for what was done to me (abuse) 5. God can’t forgive me (HUGE lie of satan) 6. It’s impossible to stay pure (I HATE this lie. HATE IT! why? Because I KNOW it’s possible)

— We shared some STARTLING stats today about sex. Many of them dealing with pornography. Absolutely STAGGERING what sex is doing to our lives.

— We TOTALLY blew the timing of the service today. Adam and I didn’t have any time to organize the service together. We completely spaced that communion was today and didn’t make the proper adjustments to the service. THUS we didn’t get out of first service until well after 10:20. We need to be out NO LATER than 10:15. We took one song out for second service and started 5 minutes late to accommodate. Not a good day on timing.

— Set up and tear down went GREAT! Great teams today. GoooooOOOOO TEAM! lol (that is 9:49 PM and VERY tired dorkiness right there)

— My blogging bid to play keys on the praise team is paying off. I had two people say things today about me getting my shot. Adam will cave eventually and you will be AMAZED! I can play “Wherever You Go” by Richard Marx like nobody’s business.

— Had a GREAT time tonight with everyone watching the Super Bowl.

— Praise Band once again did a great job. Sang an Adam original today. “Come and Rescue” LOVE that song. Adam is continuing to do an AWESOME job guys. MAN we are blessed.

— Ok, I can’t stop talking. Thanks for following. I love leading Element Church. You guys ROCK!

Following Christ,

Jeff


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Categories : Church Planting, Sunday Rumination, Updates

Sunday Rumination (2-3-08)

3 02 2008

Well, LOTS on my mind but this may be short. Got folks coming over for the Super Bowl. GO GIANTS!!

— Today was the most difficult sermon I’ve ever preached. I feel like I’ve been in a boxing match. Or UFC, that’s more manly! There are some weeks when I preach I just feel like I’ve been through the ringer. Today is one of those. It was VERY emotionally, physically and spiritually draining. Wow!

— Two people received Christ today! PTL

— 313 in church today. Another high for Element Church. We are looking at some possible new meeting locations this week so may have some announcements on that soon!

— This series I think is going to REALLY strike a cord with people. It is HORRIBLY uncomfortable to talk about but we are called to BOLDLY proclaim the Truth of God’s Word, so we are doing that…But WOW is it uncomfortable.

— I am using terms and talking about things I don’t even want to in a closed room let alone from the pulpit.

OK, folks are showing up, I’ll have to do this later.


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Categories : Church Planting, Sunday Rumination, Updates

Financial Seminar

1 02 2008

Hey Element Church! We are very excited about the financial seminar tomorrow! Everything (I think) is in place. This has been a crazy week with Adam’s loss in the family, we were waiting by the phone each day as my Grandpa appeared to be nearing his passing (PTL he is making a GREAT recovery). As of this past Sunday morning we thought for sure he wouldn’t make it through the day, now he’s doing much better. We had the financial seminar this weekend, First Friday, communion on Sunday AND a very good friend of ours is flying in today to kind of check out Cheyenne and pray about the possibility of moving here and helping out with Element Church. Adam really did a lot of the leg work on the financial seminar with a few connections he had. Terri (as usual) did all the admin work on meeting space, food, etc. We got the packets all put together last night while watching Lost (WHICH WAS AMAZING!). Each person will get a three ring binder filled with all the information they need for the seminar. We didn’t want to just do a sermon series on money without offering some practical counsel on how to keep it going, so this fills that role. We have 110 I believe coming which is awesome! Alright Element Church. I’m STOKED for Sunday. Can’t wait to see you all through the weekend!

Following Christ,

Jeff


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Categories : Element Church, Finances, Updates

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