New Sermon Series

30 09 2009

i love the 80's 10-3.001The 80′s were full of BIG hair, BIG bands, BIG stars, BIG movies and BIG LIFE!  It was totally rad.  In this new sermon series we’re going to be talking about what how we can live a radical life.  “I Love The 80′s: Totally Rad Livin’” is gonna be TOTALLY RAD!

Don’t be late to church this Sunday.  We are starting off the service with something that we’ve never done AND it is going to be VERY impactful.  It’s not a joke, and you won’t be asked to give anything off of you.  lol  I am SO EXCITED for the direction God took us this Sunday.  It was a total curve ball for me this week.  We start at STRAIGHT UP 830, 10 and 11:30 so don’t be late or you’ll miss the opportunity we are offering.

You can check out the video promo below and even email it to invite someone to come to our new series.  I’m excited about speaking to the church about Life, Family, Change, Worship, Significance and Allegiance.  Don’t miss I Love The 80′s starting Oct. 4 – Nov. 5.


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Sunday Ruminations (9-27-09)

27 09 2009

This will be brief.  It is 6:48 PM and I’m just getting to sit down at my house.  My mind is WIPED.  Totally weird day today.  Here are my thoughts.

— STOKED to open The Well today.  I’ll get pictures up tomorrow hopefully.  Pastor Andy and ALL who helped put that thing together did an OUTSTANDING job.  So pleased with how it turned out.

—  We’re about $3000 short of reaching our goal to completely pay for the remodel.  If you’d like to give to help complete that goal you can give online HERE.

—  Had 40 of our men gone to Lone Tree Bible Ranch in Glendo, WY today (weekend) for our Men’s Advance.  Weird when 40 of your core people are gone on one day.  Had several key families missing today actually.

— I got to go up to the Men’s Advance Friday – Saturday.  I spoke to the men on Saturday night.  Shared with them “What does it take to be a man?”  LOVED spending time with them and sharing my heart with them.  The men at Element Church ROCK!

— I shot a shotgun for the first time.  Even hit some clay pigeons.  Shot a .45 and 9 millimeter too.  LOVED IT!  Can see why people like shooting those things.

—  Today at church, I just didn’t feel right.  I had a HEAVY spirit.  The whole day today felt wrong for me.  Don’t know why, just one of those Sundays where I wasn’t pleased with how anything went.  (Great learning moment for me, I know)

—  I hate when something feels “off” but I can’t figure out what it is.  Totally bugs me.  It was definitely off today and I felt it.

—  I did have some really cool conversations with people today.

— Regardless of how I FELT, God is on the throne, He LOVES His people and the people of Element Church are AMAZING!

—  That’s it for now.  I can’t think anymore and need to VEG.

— AMAZING RACE STARTS TONIGHT!

Following Christ,

Jeff


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Be The Church Day Video

24 09 2009

Pastor Adam got the highlight video completed (more to his liking) and has it posted on Vimeo. I’m posting it here on my blog too. If you don’t know, on Sunday, Sept. 20th, Element Church took its worship service outside, not to gather together but to serve. We did a gas buydown, paying down the price of gas by .50 per gallon for 4 hours. We pumped almost 6000 gallons of gasoline, washed windshields, talked with folks and even prayed with some. It was awesome! We also did a 3 small home projects and 1 major home remodel. Each project was for someone who was in need, one of them in desperate need. Our kids and the adult workers (mainly adult workers) also organized ALL 2700 shoes that were donated to Kirtland Hope Church in New Mexico to minster to the Native Americans there. It was an AMAZING day of serving and not only were the lives changed of those we served, we were changed as well.Changed, Jeff

more about "Be The Church Day Video", posted with vodpod


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Great Hospitals

21 09 2009

Quick thought here.  Great hospitals HAVE the most sick people, because they ATTRACT the most sick people.   They ATTRACT the most sick people, because they are GOOD at what they do.  People come out WELL.

Luke 5:31-32  31 Jesus answered them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. 32 I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.”

Shouldn’t the church then, be attracting sick people and sending them out well?



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Sunday Rumination: Be The Church Day (9-20-09)

20 09 2009

First off, I”M EXHAUSTED!  No amount of words can describe what happened today.  Adam will hopefully have the full video recap up this week sometime.

The deets:  (details)

— Canceled church (inside the walls) today to go have church (outside the walls).

— Over 200 volunteers (not counting kids) at 6 projects today, hopefully making a LASTING impact to people.

— We paid down the price of gas by .50 cents per gallon for four hours today.

— 5864 gallons of gasoline was pumped over four hours by 80 volunteers today.

— Gas buydown volunteers were OFF THE CHAIN!

— Had lots of great conversations and even was able to pray with one gentlemen while he was in line.  He asked for prayer for he and his wife.  His wife has a brain tumor and will be having surgery on Sept. 28th.  He had brought his vehicle through one time and one shared his story with the volunteers at his pump.  When he pulled off they huddled and prayed together.  Then he came back through and ASKED for prayer.  VERY cool!

—  Doing the buydown on Sunday was really cool.  It was a steady stream of cars ALL day long but never got overwhelming.  The Saturday buydowns in the past have been chaotic.

— If you haven’t heard about our shoe giveaway, you can read about it HERE.

—  The kids (mostly the adult volunteers) organized 2787 pairs of shoes today.  You can check out what that looks like below.

IMG00970

— Had the people who attended church tonight help us assembly line all the boxes to the trailer.

IMG00974

IMG00975

— Almost 1200 pairs of kids shoes.  LOVE that!

—  The General and Terri will be taking all the shoes down to New Mexico tomorrow to deliver to the church we are partnering with.

—  30 – 40 volunteers COMPLETELY remodeled a gentleman’s house that was in DESPERATE need of work.

—  He didn’t have a bed until today.  Got new appliances, furniture, doors, walls, ceiling, roof and one of our volunteers bought him a KICKIN’ new bike.

— Capitol Roofing donated a brand new roof.  It was AWESOME!  The change in him the past few weeks has been amazing.

—  Bunch of volunteers re-did one ladies entire landscaping and gutters.  Others helped another lady repair and paint all her trim on the house, foundation and windows.

—  Still others did some MAJOR landscaping repair and fix up for a couple that REALLY needed some help.  The volunteers and projects were UNBELIEVABLE.  Don’t have time to share even HALF the stories that came out of today.

— We capped off the evening with a celebration service tonight.  Close to 300 Elementers came out to worship God and recap the day.  It was a VERY hectic service for the staff but it was an AMAZING time together.

—  Alright, my brain is fried!  I am absolutely WIPED!

Following Christ,

Jeff


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Be The Church Update: Why?

18 09 2009

This came in from the neighbor (an Elementer) of one of the individuals we will be helping on Sunday.  This is awesome.

I wanted to share with you something about my neighbor that we are helping this weekend. She called and asked me to come over today to show me the final plans for the yard cleanup. She was very anxious and worried. I was able to ease her mind but at the end I finally asked her, “what is it that is really bothering you?” She said, “I cant figure out why someone would do this for ME.” I shared a little with her then said, “(Name), we should live in a community where people say, “Why wouldn’t someone do this for me, not one that would wonder otherwise. We are doing this because we are neighbors.”

As I pondered this later I remembered the church service I went to that settled in my mind that we belonged at Element (since I have a brain injury, remembering that is todays little miracle!). You said in your sermon that we want to be a church that reaches the community first, then our world. Then you listed some of the things Element had planned. I leaned over to my husband in that service and said, “If this guy is for real, THIS is our church”.

We committed to Element not long after that and then a series of events happened in our lives that had us believing Satan did NOT want us there (my injury, my husbands motor cycle accident, my husband being hospitalized, my son getting hurt, our daughters separation from her husband, etc.,…). We knew at that time that we HAD to stick the the plan GOD had laid out before us.

Jeff, THANK YOU for being REAL. Thank you for humbly leading the people of Element in a God-pleasing direction. Thank you for sticking to the words you spoke that day two years ago.

BE THE CHURCH –> YES!!!

I hope we can be a part of a change where people don’t ask “Why” but “Why not?”

Humbled,

Jeff


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Every JOSHUA Needs a MOSES pt. 4

18 09 2009

Switched it up a bit today.  This week I’ve been talking about how every MOSES needs a JOSHUA.  You can read pt. 3 HERE which has links to pt. 2 and 1.  Kody pointed out to me (last week) as I was sharing this concept with him, that on the flipside, every Joshua ALSO needs a Moses.  I’ve alluded to it a little in each of the other 3 posts with questions toward “Joshua’s”.

Deuteronomy 31:14-15 & 23 says Then the Lord said to Moses, “The time has come for you to die. Call Joshua and present yourselves at the Tabernacle,so that I may commission him there.” So Moses and Joshua went and presented themselves at the Tabernacle. 15 And the Lord appeared to them in a pillar of cloud that stood at the entrance to the sacred tent. 23 Then the Lord commissioned Joshua son of Nun with these words: “Be strong and courageous, for you must bring the people of Israel into the land I swore to give them. I will be with you.”

Why Joshua?  Why was HE the next leader?  Joshua NEEDED Moses to become the leader GOD wanted him to be.

To become the leader GOD wanted him to be, Joshua needed a vision from a Moses to believe in.  Joshua needed a Moses to STAND BESIDE and say “Don’t be afraid for God is with us.”  A Joshua who’s unwilling to GIVE encourageent AND support, will never be God’s man to RECEIVE the same.

To become the leader GOD wanted him to be, Joshua needed a Moses to serve, “behind the scenes”, so Moses could present God to the people.  A Joshua, unwilling to be a servant, will NEVER be God’s willing leader.

To become the leader GOD wanted him to be, Joshua needed a Moses to look up to and rub off on.  A Joshua who thinks they don’t NEED a Moses to rub off on them, will never be a leader that gets to rub off on others.

Every Moses needs a Joshua AND every Joshua needs a Moses,

Jeff


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Shoe Update: Being The Church

17 09 2009

Got this email today from an Elementer.  They asked to remain anonomys and we’ll respect that.  Was moved to tears as I read this, seeing the impact this is having BEYOND giving our shoes.  THIS is what it’s about.

“As I turned the corner I could hear the just purchased groceries roll around in the back of my fairly new SUV.  I had just checked the post office box – no
checks but no bills either, so that makes it a pretty even day.  Just a few blocks more and I would arrive back at my 5 bedroom, 3 bath house in my
upper-middle class neighborhood to cook a meal for my wonderful family.

Then I saw her.  It was a warm day in Cheyenne and even from afar I could see she was sweating as she held her sign.  “Young family needs help.”  As I
passed her I saw her lip quiver and moisture pooled in her eyes from tears she willed not to fall.  My hand reached for my wallet but traffic forced me to
pull away before I could hand her a few dollars.  I didn’t even get a block before I pulled to the side, made a u-turn and came back.  If I am to ‘be the
church’ how could I just pass by her?

My plan was to give her a few bucks and a couple cans of soup from my fresh supply of food.  My plans quickly changed as I pulled over, rolled down my
window and saw her face.  “How can we help you my friend” rolled off my tongue more sincere than ever before.  Out poured a story of joblessness, the health issues of her husband, inability to pay rent and no food for 3 days.  My heart broke as she told me of her daughter Lilli who she agonizingly released to the care of her mother in Denver two weeks ago.  She wept as she told me how much she missed her Lilli and all she wanted to do was get on her feet and bring her daughter home.  Her voice cracked as she told me she hated to stoop to begging but had no choice.  She and her husband were hungry.

I did something I have never done before.  I asked if I could take her shopping.  She was a little taken aback and said ‘Are you kidding?’  I shook
my head and she and her sign climbed in my car.  The groceries in the back once again rolled as we drove away.

We got a cart and I asked what she wanted.  A bit in shock, she wasn’t sure so we started in the cereal aisle.  She modestly grabbed a box and grabbed a
couple more.  “What next?” I asked.  “I don’t know.  No one has ever taken me shopping before.”   I smiled and we walked around the store putting items in the basket.  A few times she broke down and tears fell from her eyes.  “Thank you so much she whispered.”  I hugged her and whispered back, “Don’t thank me.  Thank Jesus.”

For the remainder of our time together we talked about God and how she had found a good church that she liked.  I encouraged her to pray and told her I and my friends would be praying that she finds a job and is able to bring Lilli to a good home in Cheyenne.  We paid and for the first time in my life, I asked for cash back from my debit card.  I handed her the money.  Again she whispered, “Thanks.”

I dropped her off at a dark, run-down hotel room.  Her husband met us at the car and helped carry bags in.  He proudly showed me pictures of his little
girl and he too said he could not wait to have her back with them.  I prayed for them, got in my car and drove away. As I turned the corner I realized I
did not even tell her my name.

Seeing an altar full of shoes right off the feet of the people of Element Church last week has profoundly affected me.  I was not one of the those who laid
their shoes at the altar, but there has been a gnawing in my gut ever since. This gnawing was brought to the streets of Cheyenne today and I believe I
have been changed.

Did you leave your shoes at the altar?  If so, the people of Farmington, NM will be blessed.  If you did not leave your shoes, has there been a gnawing in
your gut?  What can you do to ‘be the church’?”

What a GREAT story of how God moves beyond the four walls of our church and the message of one Sunday.  What can you do to BE the church?

Encouraged,

Jeff


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Every Moses Needs A Joshua Pt. 3

17 09 2009

You can read pt. 1 and 2 HERE and HERE.

#3  Moses needed someone to invest in

Exodus 33:11  Inside the Tent of Meeting, the Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Afterward Moses would return to the camp, but the young man who assisted him, Joshua son of Nun, would remain behind in the Tent of Meeting.

I talked yesterday about one of the reasons Joshua may have remained behind at the Tent of Meeting.  Today, I want to look at a different one (or additional one).  I think Joshua ALSO remained behind because he wanted MORE of what Moses had.  Joshua saw in Moses SOMETHING DIFFERENT.  He saw that when Moses met with God, MOSES CHANGED!  I think Moses NEEDED a Joshua to invest in.  What HORRIBLE stewardship for Moses, to have the ability to speak to God FACE TO FACE, and not share that with a Joshua by investing in him.  Coaching them.  Discipling them.  Without a Joshua to share it with, I’m not sure Moses would have continued to receive it.

If you’re a pastor/leader this question should wreck you.  Does your time with God make Joshua’s want more of what you have?  Seriously!  Does the way you live, and God’s work IN you (not by you or through you) leave something desired by Joshua’s around you? Do you have a Joshua you’re WILLING to and INTENTIONALLY investing in?

If you are a Joshua, have you found a Moses to learn from?  Is there a pastor/leader in your life that is “rubbing off” on you?

Every Moses needs a Joshua,

Jeff


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Every Moses Needs A Joshua Pt. 2

16 09 2009

You can read Part 1 HERE if you’d like.  Talking about some things that inspired and encouraged me in the relationship of Moses and Joshua during the Exodus and 40 year journey in the wilderness.

#2  Moses needed someone to stay behind sometimes

Exodus 33:11 says Inside the Tent of Meeting the Lord would meet with Moses face to face, as one meets with a friend.  Afterward, Moses would return to the camp, but the young man who assisted Moses, Joshua son of Nun would remain behind at the tent of meeting.

I’m actually going to talk about this from Joshua’s perspective later this week.  As I read this, I was reminded of something that was VITAL for Moses.  Inside the Tent of Meeting, he would receive “messages” from God.  After he met with God, it was his duty to go back and be God’s messenger.  The people needed ministered to.  They needed challenged.  They needed encouraged or they needed disciplined.  Moses NEEDED someone to stay behind at the tent of meeting.  He NEEDED someone, doing the “behind the scenes stuff” so he could go minister to the people.  Is that what Joshua was doing?

Moses NEEDED someone NOT looking for the glory, but wanting the glory of GOD to be revealed. I believe Joshua had a heart for the people to HEAR from God (through Moses), and to SEE God for who He was, so he stayed behind, releasing Moses to be God’s man.  I believe Joshua realized that when he stayed behind, the people moved forward.

Every pastor/leader BETTER understand how VITAL behind the scene Joshua’s are to the ministry.  WITHOUT Joshua’s who are willing to NEVER be the face of  ministry, ministries would never have a face.

If you are a Moses, when’s the last time you thanked your Joshua’s for “staying behind at the tent of meeting” so you can go out and be with the people?  If you’re a Joshua, are you WILLINGLY “staying” so your Moses can “go to the people”?  Do you realize that often when you stay, the people move forward?

Every Moses needs a Joshua,

Jeff


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