If I were single…

15 07 2008

Hey Element Church!  I shared in my Sunday Ruminations that my wife and kids are gone for 4 weeks.  Each summer for the past couple years Sabrina has taken some time to go visit family in friends in Oklahoma where she is from.  I can’t typically take that much time off at one time so she takes the kids for the family tour.  Well, this is taking it to a whole new level.  The first three days alone are pretty cool.  Quiet.  Clean.  Freedom.  No diapers.  Three is about my limit.  Then I want the mayhem back.  I realized a few things about me if I were single.

#1  My pant size would be MANY sizes larger.  Skittles and Dr. Pepper can only last you so long.  Eating out is just too easy as a single man.

#2  I’d run out of movies to watch QUICKLY.  Dish Network needs some help in their current movie selection.

#3  I’d probably bug someone to death wanting to hang out all the time cause I’m lonely.  “Hey Grant, can I come over and play?”

#4  I’d either go to bed SUPER early cause I’m bored, or CRAZY late cause there are no kids around.  It would be one of two extremes.

#5  I’d have a motorcycle.  That is one of my goals in life.  To learn to ride AND own a sweet motorcycle.

There is probably more, but a good movie is coming on so I need to go.  lol

I LOVE my family and am already waiting for them to be back. (Anyone feel sorry for me yet?  You can send your sympathy cards and checks to Mr. Jeff Maness… ha)

If I were single…

Jeff


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Goodsearch: The EASY way to give to Element Church

15 07 2008

Hey Element Church!  There is an INCREDIBLY easy way for you to give financially to Element Church, without even spending money.  A new search engine called Goodsearch has been up and running now for several months.  It is a search engine just like Yahoo!, Google, or any other.  For every search you do through their engine, they donate to the non-profit of your choice.  Element Church is currently signed up, you just need to select us as your non-profit.  You can make GoodSearch your default search engine in your web browser.  There are instructions on their site of how to do that.  I have a GoodSearch link on the right column of my blog.  We’ll be getting one on our web-site too.  ALSO, you can click on online shops through GoodSearch such as Amazon, eBay, iTunes, and a TON more.  Anytime then you shop through them they donate to Element Church.  Some places as much as 25% of your purchase.  It is definitely worth checking into and we would GREATLY appreciate you using GoodSearch.  Again, go to www.goodsearch.com and the rest from there is pretty easy.


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One Prayer (Day 16)

15 07 2008

Hey Element Church!  Day 16 of One Prayer.  Our prayer today is fitting.  “Lord, make us patient.”  That’s been tough to do lately as we’re anxious to get moving on the new location.  Please pray for the churches listed on the calendar was well.  Today’s reading is Acts 16.  You can read it HERE online if you’d like.  Here are my thoughts:

Acts 16:3 — Now THAT is a sacrifice for the Lord.  OUCH!

Acts 16:6-7 — This is why it is VITAL that we are in communion with the Spirit.  Testing our spiritual senses.  Apparently Paul and Silas wanted to go to Asia, but the Holy Spirit prevented them from doing so.  Then they wanted to go to Bithynia.  I wonder how He prevented them?  Sometimes I think God has to prevent us from doing things with more of a drastic measure, cause we didn’t here His still small voice.  Or we weren’t listening for it.  Been there before?

Acts 16:13 — This is the first time I know of that Acts records the disciples went somewhere else to minister to people on the Sabbath beside the Synagogue.  What does this mean?  I think it’s a GREAT example of being intentional about ministry.  Why did they go to the Synagogue earlier?  Because that is where the people they were trying to reach were at.  Why now did they want to go to the riverbank.  Because that is where the people were at.  We MUST, especially as church planters, learn the ins and outs of our cities.  Where do people go?   What do they do?   How can we reach them?  This is an area I think we did well, looking back, I would have done MORE.  (But that is just me)

Acts 16:14-15 — This is my prayer EVERY Sunday.  It should be our collective prayer.  That as people listen to the preaching of the Word, their hearts will be opened and accept what we are saying.  That is our goal.  We need people in our churches who do not yet know Jesus, who can have their hearts opened to the TRUTH of God’s Word.

Acts 16:16-18 — This has always puzzled me.  Why did they let her go on for days.  I would have been fed up after a few minutes of someone following me yelling something.  If Paul could have commanded the demon to come out, why not the first time they saw her?

Acts 16:19-24 — What was the main reason they were so upset at Paul and Silas?  MONEY!  v. 19 “Her masters’ hopes of wealth were no shattered, so they grabbed Paul and Silas…”

Acts 16:25-34 — That story NEVER gets old…NEVER.  First of all, in beaten, in prison and WORSHIPING?  Seriously, how often is our reaction frustrating, difficult, painful times worship?  Maybe it should be our FIRST reaction and the chains will come off.  When our focus is on Christ we usually don’t feel the frustration, difficulty or pain as much.  “Lord, make us patient in suffering!”  Hmm.

Acts 16:35-40 — We don’t have to be doormats as Christians.  That’s what I get from that passage.  We don’t have to roll over and bed walked on all the time.  They took their lumps, but when push came to shove Paul said “They can’t do this legally.”  They need to be held accountable for their actions.  I know, I know, the whole “turn the other cheek” quote you’ll give me.  Were there not times Jesus stood up to people?  Peter?  Paul?  This is a discussion for another day and another blog, but sometimes I feel like as Christians people think we shouldn’t have a backbone.  Can’t confront.  Can’t stand up to people.  Defend.  Etc.  I’m gonna get off track so I’ll stop.  We CAN have a backbone.  We SHOULD have a backbone.  (“Stop Jeff” the voice in my head keeps saying)  lol

Trying to stop,

Jeff


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Back in the saddle

14 07 2008

Hey Element Church!  It was great to be back in the office today in to my normal routine.  I felt we had a GREAT Lead Team meeting and prayer and planning session.  Today we took on our first stab at monthly evaluations.  I blogged a while back about some leadership shifts I felt I needed to make.  This was one of them.  I feel we have an AWESOME office and staff environment.  I love the fact that I consider ALL of our staff my friends.  I was talking to Grant about the fact that if I want to go to a movie with some friends, the first people I’m calling are the men on my team.  I know many people say never to hire your friends, especially in the church world.  MAN, I can’t imagine doing this with ANYONE BUT my friends.  I trust EACH guy on my team with my life.  Charging my hill I don’t want anyone but them.  In that though, creates some interesting work dynamics.  The guys I hang out with, I also employ.  The guys I laugh and joke around with also have to lead.  The guys I consider some of my closest friends, I have to boss.  I felt like providing an accountability and evaluation monthly was a way I could be a better leader, without just listing some things I see.  Each month all the staff fills out an evaluation form.  On it, it has job related, spiritual related and personal related questions.  I get to pray with and for them specifically and individually, and then talk about where they are at in those areas.  I met with Grant, Andy and Terri today and thought that they all went really well.  Adam has more problems so I’m taking on his tomorrow. LOL  Curtis’ is coming too.  I don’t want these times to be me telling them what to do better.  If done right, these times will be the Holy Spirit revealing to them areas of improvement.  Accomplished goals.  Prayer needs and personal struggles.  I have a church planter friend who we are going to do evaluations on each other so I have that same accountability as well.  I think this is a good step for the team at Element.  Look forward to seeing the progress of each one of us as God continues to mold us.  I firmly believe He is NEVER done with us.  There is always more God can do in me.

Being molded,

Jeff


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One Prayer (Day 15)

14 07 2008

Hey Element Church!  We are halfway through our month of One Prayer.  Crazy it’s already half over.  I failed to blog yesterday on Acts 14 so I’ll throw a few thoughts in on that today.  Our prayer today is “Lord, make us wise!”  I’m reminded of Solomon each time we talk of asking for wisdom.  James says “If any of you lacks wisdom to ask God and He’ll give it to you”.  Please pray for the churches listed on the calendar as well.  Today is Acts 15 our Bible reading.  You can read it HERE online (Also added ch. 14).

Acts 14:1 — The effectiveness of Paul and Barnabas continues.  The “same thing” happened in the next town.   What is the same thing?  The people begging them to stay.  Crowds listening to the Word of God.  AND, critics!

Acts 14:3 — Despite the critics and opposition, the apostles “preached boldly” about the grace of God.  We need to preach boldly about the Truth of God’s Word.  REGARDLESS of who opposes us.

Acts 14:11-18 — Their new hearts revealed again.  Now some people wanted to make them gods, but they flat out refused.  Power, honor, affirmation, worship, DIDN’T MATTER TO THEM.  “We have come to bring you the Good News that you should turn from these worthless things and turn to the living God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in it.”

Acts 14:19-21 — WHAT?  Paul was stoned by the members of the town.  But he got up and walked back in to the town.  Probably preaching.  Crazy.

Acts 15:5 — All of Acts 15 is about the conflict between Jewish believers and Gentile believers.  The Jews wanted the Gentiles to adhere to their “traditions” or they couldn’t be Christians.  Hmm, that sounds a tad familiar.  “Look, act, and talk like us then you can be in our church”.  We see this well in 15:5.

Acts 15:8-11 — Peter defends the Gentiles saying that “He cleansed their hearts through faith”.  NOT by our traditions or our laws.  He told the Jews they were challenging God, by putting unnecessary burdens on the Gentile converts.  He says “We are all saved the same way, by the undeserved grace of the Lord Jesus”.

Acts 15:19 — “We should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.”  I think some of mis-construed this verse by saying we shouldn’t challenge people to flee from sin.  That we should just let new converts continue “sinning” because we don’t want to make it difficult for them.  This verse has NOTHING to do with sin and EVERYTHING to do with tradition, made made requirements, and the “law” of Moses NOT the commands of God.  We need to make sure that we don’t put unnecessary burdens on people but we MUST challenge ALL converts whether new or old to flee the life of sin and pursue righteousness!!

Acts 15:20-35— I think it’s funny that they still include some “traditions” that must be kept in their letter to the Gentiles.  They didn’t require circumcision but kept a couple of “simpler” traditions included in the requirements to be a believer.  Interesting.

Still learning,

Jeff


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Sunday Rumination (7-13-08)

13 07 2008

Hey Element Church!  It was great to be back with you this week.  I’ll be coming guns a blazin’ next Sunday after two weeks from preaching at home.  Here are my ruminations on the day.

— Low attendance, great service!  We had 375 today.  That’s our lowest in a LONG time.  Regardless we had a great service.

— Heard from Pastor Perry Noble on video to kick off our One Prayer series.  Perry was AWESOME and got lots of great comments from people on his message.   Some people who were leery of doing the whole “sermon on video” thing gave us great responses.

— “Lord make us dangerous” was his theme.  Talking about being a “dangerous” church.  I think Adam will put it on-line if you missed it.  You’ll want to watch it.

— With the theme being dangerous, Adam and the band kicked off the service with “Highway To The Danger Zone”.

— Band ROCKED IT today.  We sang another Adam Cruz original today.  Let It Burn.

— Today was perhaps the most chaotic day at Element since we started.  Where do I begin?

#1  We had to move auditoriums due to the AC problem in the other one.  This meant new set up routine.  We also had a big set design and new elements to add this week.  The staff showed up at 5 am just to play it safe.  Glad we did.

#2  Multiple communication issues that resulted in some audio/visual issues.  Too many to count.  Man, today was an off day.

#3  First service, during our response time I was leading a prayer of forgiveness and POW we lose all power to our sound system.  We didn’t have power for the remaining prayer, offering, OR closing song.  Adam kinda stood there.  At one point he said “Awkward”  LOL  I left him on stage to deal with it.  That’s the kind of boss I am.  We solved that issue between services.

#4  Second service, response time.  This time praying a salvation prayer and POW the movie trailers come on the screen WITH sound.  WHAT?  That isn’t coincidence is it?  I couldn’t believe it.  We actually finished the prayer, AND the closing song with the movie playing.  LOL

#5  We close service at 11:45 AM and find out, there are 3 noon movies.  One in our worship theater and one in our nursery.  I couldn’t believe it.  Tear down was mayhem.  THANK YOU to everyone who stayed after and served.  There were people waiting with soda and popcorn to come in.  They actually moved the movie in our theater to another cause no tickets were sold for the other at that point.  It was crazy.  CRAZY

— Tech team review tomorrow is going to be interesting.  Got LOTS to talk about with Adam and Andy.  Some things to get ironed out.  Hopefully it didn’t appear as chaotic to everyone else.  It seemed out of control to me.  lol

— I’m excited about the remainder of One Prayer.  Two sermons left.  We’ll promote our new series for August this Sunday.  I’m SUPER STOKED about that one.  Gonna be fun.

— That’s it for now.  Going to hang with my crew.  My wife and kids are in Oklahoma for FOUR WEEKS!  HOLY COW.  I’m already bored.  lol


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One Prayer (Day 13)

12 07 2008

Hey Element Church! How is your one prayer journey going. This is day # 13 of 28 days together. Our prayer today is “Lord make us faithful”. Please pray for the churches that are listed on the calendar. Our reading today is from Acts chapter 13. You can read it online HERE:

Acts 13:2-3 — Struck me that AFTER the Holy Spirit said to dedicate Barnabas and Saul for special they fasted and prayed some more. Why? I’m not sure their reason but it reminded me that we need to “test the spirits” to see if they are from God. I know there are MANY times that we as Christians and churches drag our feet when God wants us to do something. But I wonder how many times we jump the gun too? There may be times when we sense a move of God that we need to go back to fasting and praying. Test the spirit to make sure it is the SPIRIT. I don’t know. What do you think?

Acts 13:4 — The call of God is of UTMOST importance. They were sent by who? The HOLY SPIRIT. Not a good idea. Not an organization or denomination. Not a challenge. They were sent by God. CALLED!!

Acts 13:14 — The intentionality of the apostles we need to take note of.  On the Sabbath, they went to the synagogue.  Why?  Because that is EXACTLY where their audience was.  They went to where they knew they’d have an audience.

Acts 13:15-37 — The relevance of the apostles we need to take note of.  Paul didn’t force anything down the throat of the Jews.  When the floor was opened up, Paul spoke to them from the Old Testament.  He reasoned with them through the methods (Old Testament) which THEY understood why Jesus was the Christ.

Acts 13:38-39 — The practicality of the message we need to take note of.  “Through Jesus there is forgiveness of sins”.  The message, the method, the place was ALL practical.  “Everyone who believes in Him is declared right with God.”

Acts 13:44-45 — The effectiveness of the apostles we need to take note of.  The following week almost the ENTIRE city turned up to hear them preach the Word of God.  Now THAT is effective.

Acts 13:45 — Critics again.  lol

Following Christ,

Jeff


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One Prayer (Day 12)

11 07 2008

Hey Element Church! Today is day 12 of One Prayer.  Our prayer today is “Lord make us risk-takers!”  Following Christ will ALWAYS bring risks.  Whether or not we’re willing to take them will determine our walk.  Please pray for the churches that are listed on the calendar.  Today we’re reading Acts 12.  You can read it online HERE.

Acts 12:2  — This is the first disciple (Jesus’ 12) that was martyred.  This took place about 44 AD.  King Herod Agrippa did this and when he saw how much it pleased the Jews he arrested Peter too.

Acts 12:5-18 — Peter was in prison and the church prayed very earnestly for him.  I don’t want to re-type my thoughts on this so you can read my recent blog about it HERE.  Still makes me laugh that they were gathered praying for Him but couldn’t believe that He was rescued.  Like I asked in that blog “How do we pray?”  I want to pray expectantly.

Acts 12:23 — How many times did Peter have a chance to receive worship and praise in Acts.  Good thing he QUICKLY gave God the praise.  Makes me want to ALWAYS deflect praise to God in everything.

Acts 12:24 — Herod Agrippa tried ending the movement and he couldn’t either.  One of the themes in Acts has got to be “UNSTOPPABLE!”  The church is literally the only unstoppable organization in the universe.  EVERYTHING has been thrown at her and she can’t be stopped.  WHY?  Another theme of Acts…The Holy Spirit!

Expecting,

Jeff


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One Prayer Sermon Series

10 07 2008

Hey Element Church!  Don’t forget we ARE BACK at the theater this Sunday for our normal service times.  9 AM and 10:30 AM.  I am SUPER STOKED about the start of our sermon series. I hope you’ve been following the daily blog on the One Prayer Calendar.  I’ve been so blessed praying for the churches each day and praying the one prayer for each day as well.  I hope it’s been a blessing to you.  See ya Sunday.

Looking forward,

Jeff


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One Prayer (Day 11)

10 07 2008

Hey Element Church!  Welcome to day 11 of One Prayer.  Today’s prayer is “Lord make us passionate!”  We should clarify as passionate for the right things.  Lots of people are passionate for the wrong things.  Also pray for the churches listed on the calendar.  Today we’re looking at Acts 11.  You can read it HERE online.

Acts 11:1-3 — This was absolutely pivotal in the history of the church ESPECIALLY as it relates to us.  The apostles were in danger of becoming like the Pharisees.  “You gave the Gospel to WHO?”  “You ate with WHO?”

Acts 11:4-17 — He explains again his vision from God in chapter 10 and what happened with Cornelius.  The key verses here are 15-16.  He hearkens back to the day of Pentecost AND to the words of Jesus.  “The Holy Spirit fell on them JUST as He fell on us”  “Then I thought of Jesus’ words ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’”  Then he says “Who am I to stand on God’s way?”  We need that attitude sometimes don’t we?

Acts 11:18 — Here is the pivot.  They stopped objecting and rejoiced that the Gentiles received eternal life as well.  This moment, enabled US to hear the Gospel.  PIVOTAL in church history.

Acts 11:19-21 — See again the spread of the Gospel BECAUSE of the persecution of Believers.  The Gentiles too were being reached because of this.

Acts 11:26 — Don’t know why but I always like reading this “It was at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians”  Imagine the joy that had to flow through the disciples and believers at this time.  God was moving through SO MANY towns and the church was expanding and influencing like crazy.  NOTHING could hinder God.  NOTHING!  They were hearing of new towns that were experiencing revivals.  New converts everywhere.  There weren’t just churches but TOWNS…REGIONS seeing revival.  Is that still possible today?

Acts 11:29 — We need to be like this…”Everyone was giving as much as they could.”  Not everything they were comfortable with.  Not everything they wanted to.  Everything they COULD.  Tough to do.  VERY tough.

Christian because of early believers,

Jeff


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