Well, this past week was Jonah’s dad time, and over the course of the past couple months we had been working on writing a rap together.  Jonah is a NATURAL writer.  He LOVES writing songs, poems, or just journaling his thoughts.  After several cumulative hours of working on the rap (Jonah dreams of being a performer), it all came to fruition this past Saturday when we recorded it at Pastor Adam’s Triple Pane Studio.

So without further adieu, here is the OFFICIAL release of Good Times by Jonah Maness (Download lyrics HERE)

Church…When you hear that word what comes to mind? Everybody thinks of something. Whether it’s stained glass & steeples with pews & potlucks.  Or smoke & seats with projectors & ear plugs. We all think of something.  Some say it’s nothing but a crutch. An organized religion used to manipulate people. Some say it’s home, a family. A place where they’ve been accepted.  We all have opinions on what should be done. Church should be this or church should be that. We should do this and we should do that. But the one thing you never here is movement…and that’s really what we are. A movement. Not a church as you’ve always dreamed of, but a church that God designed.  A movement…church as it should be.

Come to Element Church starting February 5th as we look at the very FIRST Church, and talk about the MOVEMENT that was started roughly 2,000 years ago and how it relates to GOD’S church today!

Sunday mornings @ Element Church 8:30//10:00//11:30 AM & Sunday EVENINGS 6 PM.

As a pastor I’ve fallen for this before, and I continue to see and hear SO many others do the same.  Things are said like “MAN, I wish we had the favor like THAT church has.”  “If I had the favor THAT pastor had.”  “If we just had MORE favor.”  And to be honest, when we say things like that, I think it just shows how much we don’t really know.

In Luke 1:27 Gabriel appeared to Mary and said “Greetings, FAVORED woman!  The Lord is with you!” 

FAVORED?  Before you ask for God’s FAVOR you better remember what Mary had to FACE!  Her fiance wanted to divorce her.  More than likely she was accused of being a harlot.  Who KNOWS how many threats she faced; friends and family she lost.  She gave birth in a stable (cave, livestock holding area. Whatever you want to call it, it wasn’t FAVORable).  She fled for her and her Sons life to Egypt. She watched her Son rise to prominence, then be BRUTALLY beaten and crucified on a cross.  FAVORED?  If that’s favor, do we really want to seek it?

Paul had the favor of God.  Read 2 Corinthians 11:23-29.  Stephen had the favor of God.  Read Acts 7:54-60  .  The unnamed people of Hebrews 11 had God’s favor.  Read Hebrews 11:35-40  I mean, I could go on.  Now don’t get me wrong, the favor of God is also an AMAZING thing.  It just seems we focus on all the REWARDS of God’s favor and none of the REFINING!  We see all the PERFORMANCES of those who have it but none of the PAIN they went through to keep it.

The favor of God WILL bring the contempt of men.  The favor of God WILL require more sacrifice.  The favor of God WILL test your faithfulness to Him.  The greater the favor that God pours out, the greater the faith it requires from man.  I just think we…I, need to remember that.

Remembering,

Jeff

— I was moved to tears in worship today as we were singing “Jesus Paid It All”.  As we sang the bridge “Oh praise the One who paid my debt and raised this life up from the dead”, I looked around to see people…specific people, whom God has saved and set free here at Element Church lift their hands in praise to their Savior.  It was just ANOTHER reminder of the PRIVILEGE I have to be a part of what God is doing.

—  I texted Pastor Adam after 1st service today and said “Bro, the band sounds AMAZING!”.  Seriously, they were ON today.  I am so appreciative of the caliber of people we have that lead us to the throne in worship each week.  SO good!

—  Had Joe Sangl as a guest speaker today.  That dude preaches on money in a way I’ve never heard anyone preach before.  Clear, compelling and convincing.  Sat on the front row all four services and got something EVERY time!

—  This was our fourth time having Joe here, and I am confident EVERY time that he is going to bring a fresh, challenging and encouraging word from God on the matter of money.  He did just that today.

—  We continued our series called “The Year Of The Comeback” today and Joe spoke on the issue of coming back in the area of our finances.  He spoke from portions of Genesis 39-45 and the story of Joseph.  GREAT insights.  Here are some excerpts:

• Principle #1:  Joseph was faithful with what he could control.
• Joseph didn’t have control of being put into slavery, but he DID control what he did once he was IN slavery.
• Money will not do for you what ONLY God can do for you.  (That’ll hunt)
• No matter where you are in your life or your finances, God is with you. (See Joseph)
• No matter where you’re at, if the Lord is with you you’re in a great place. (YEP)
• The Lord is with you and is that enough?  (GREAT question)
• He applied what he had to where he was.  The same can be true for you in your finances.
• A budget is not telling yourself “no”, it’s being able to say “yes” to what is BEST in your life.
• When God blesses you with SOME, that amount INCLUDES what He wants you to give back to HIM!  (That is straight GOLD there)
• When you have margin you don’t have to look 5 or 10 minutes, days or months down the road…you can look 5 or 10 YEARS!
• You can live life with margin, which allows you to live life on a MISSION!
• Principle #2:  Joseph used his gifts to help others.
• Sometimes God allows you to go through a burden so you can eventually be a blessing to others with the same burden.
• Principle #3:  Joesph was ready when it was time for the comeback.
• One of the reasons God takes people through tremendous challenges is to equip them for the COMEBACK that is coming later.
• You’ve GOT to be ready, and the way you get ready is being faithful with what you have NOW.
• God blesses us in times of abundance to prepare us for the times of famine.
• If you don’t save when times are good you won’t be positioned to prosper when times are bad. (SO good)
• If God blessed you with a million dollars, would you be able to handle it in a way that honored HIM?  (WOW! Such a GREAT question)
• Principle #4:  Joseph forgave those who wronged him.  (Joe did a FANTASTIC job unpacking this issue here and how it plays into our freedom, even financial freedom)

—  I love sitting in on each service cause there was a golden nugget each time he didn’t say in the others.  You can thank me for adding them all here.  HA!

—  We did a cool “next step” today in the service.  Joe had people write down on a card what their financial goals were for 2012.  Whether it is starting to give God our first fruits/tithe to Him, saving money, paying off debt, buying a house or WHATEVER the goal might be.  We then had them put them in stamped envelopes, sealed them and address them to themselves.  We’re gonna mail them back to each person this summer as a personal accountability reminder of what their goal was.

—  Had TONS of envelopes turned in.  LOVED the idea and praying that this would help people take their next step in their finances.

— By the way, I filled one out as well!  With God’s help, we WILL achieve it!

—  We have over 160 people signed up to attend the Financial Learning Experience tomorrow night @ 6:30 with Joe.  It’s not too late to register.  You can register HERE.  It’s from 6:30 – 8:30 PM, childcare IS provided and Joe will be teaching on the financial principles and tools that helped him overcome the financial hole HE had created in his own life.  It’s HIGH energy and SO practical.  Whether you are DESPERATE for help or just need need some confirmation and encouragement you need to be at this event.

—  A new season of Community is starting in February.  If you are not connected into Community here at Element, we have some GREAT groups starting up that you could be plugged in to.  We have groups that go along with The Year Of The Comeback, spiritual formation groups, classes and more.  Check out all of our Community opportunities HERE and sign up to get plugged in.

—  That’s bout it folks.  Can’t wait for the Financial Learning Experience tomorrow night.  This will be my FOURTH time to attend and I get something new every time.  Thanks Element for being who you are…I LOVE you guys!

Till the end,

Jeff

Space — God is continuing to bless our church with new people and continued growth.  Back in October we made the decision to launch our fourth worship experience on Sunday’s at 6 PM to help with a space issue at that time.  We launched that 4th service, people went to it, it’s been consistently steady, and now we’ve filled up the space it alleviated in the morning.  We had 35 empty chairs this past Sunday in our 10 AM service, and overall we had our SECOND HIGHEST non holiday attendance EVER!  That 10 AM service was beyond comfort level full.  That is AMAZING and I LOVE seeing that happen.  However, that is also the most popular service for new people to attend here at Element Church.  This past Sunday we had one first time guest (FTG) in first service, SEVEN in second service, six in third service and three at 6 PM.  That number usually indicates families, not just individuals, and those are only ones who filled out a card.  Bottom line, we need people who attend our 10 AM service and call Element Church home, to consider choosing to attend our 8:30 am service or 6 PM service.  This will help create SPACE at our optimal inviting hour…10 AM.  WE NEED SPACE!

Singing —  We’re starting something new this Sunday in our 6 PM service.  Because we aren’t as limited on time in that service as we are in the morning, we’re adding some time of worship through singing on Sunday evening.  If you are someone who is looking for MORE singing…MORE worship, then 6 PM service might be a GREAT option for you AND you can help give us some more SPACE on Sunday morning in the process too.  (Side Note:  We also serve freshly popped popcorn on Sunday evenings.)  Sunday evening is a GREAT opportunity to serve Sunday morning during one of our experiences, and attend Sunday night.  I challenge you to try it out!

Salvation —  This is what it’s ALL about!  We are about helping people experience LIFE to it’s fullest in CHRIST!  If you attend Element Church, you know that most every Sunday we offer people a chance to say “YES” to Jesus and accept Him as their personal Savior.  Seats = souls and souls is what God’s after!  At least that’s how I see it.  Every available seat we have, is a seat available for someone to hear about Jesus.  We are in this if only for the ONE!  I know that the 10 AM service is popular with MANY of our regular Elementers…I’m just asking, would you at least consider choosing some more singing at 6 PM, or choose to get up a little bit earlier on a Sunday so that we can create MORE space to reach MORE people for Jesus?

Element Church, I LOVE you guys and count it an HONOR to serve with you.  KEEP inviting people, KEEP bringing people, KEEP serving people, KEEP attending, KEEP worshiping, KEEP giving to GOD, and GOD will bring the harvest!

Till the end,

Jeff

The reason we are offering this is, as I say in nearly ever sermon we do on money, we don’t want something FROM you we want something FOR you.  The FLE is a high energy, fun event where Joe will walk you through some very simple and strategic money management techniques.  Whether you are LOST financially, or even if you’re doing pretty good, you will benefit from Joe’s teaching.  If you put into practice the principles Joe teaches, you will see a MAJOR effect on your financial situation.

We are also taking away excuses for this event.  Not only is the event FREE, but we are also offering FREE childcare for you and your family.  There is NO reason why you should not be attending this event.  I’ve been to it three times before, and I’m going again!  You can sign up online by going HERE or at Community Central on Sunday morning.

When:  Monday, January 23rd at 6:30 PM

Where:  Element Church (600 E. Carlson, Cheyenne)

Who:  ANYONE

Why:  To live out God’s BEST for us in money management, REGARDLESS of income potential.

How:  Sign up HERE online or at Community Central at Element Church on Sunday.

—  TONS of hands went up today asking for prayer to deal with unresolved conflict, unreconciled relationships, hurt or pain in their life.  Maybe I shouldn’t be, but was shocked at how many people acknowledged that.  Praying for forgiveness, healing and hope.

—  We are SLAMMED today in second service.  Literally running out of chairs.  This is AMAZING but it also brings a problem.  2nd service is BY FAR our most popular service to attend for new comers to Element.  It would be a TRAGEDY for someone to come to church and not have a seat available for them, OR feel so uncomfortable squeezing everyone in that they don’t come back.

—  We want to have as MANY seats available at our most POPULAR time to attend church.  In order to do that, we need some people who call Element Church “home” to consider moving to first or fourth service (8:30 AM & 6 PM).  Next Sunday (January 22nd) we are going to be extending our time of worship in fourth service.  Since we don’t have any time limitations at 6 PM, we are going to add some more time of singing to God in praise.  If more worship is something you are seeking, fourth service is a GREAT option for you.

—  By the time our first three services were over, we already had 140 more people than this same Sunday last year, AND WE STILL HAD ONE MORE SERVICE TO GO! Unreal.

—  KEEP INVITING PEOPLE!  We will do whatever we can to make sure that people you invite and bring to Element Church feel VERY comfortable as they hear a VERY dangerous message.

—  Had The Tour today.  LOVE seeing new people get connected into the ministry of the church.

—  Continued our series called “The Year Of The Comeback” today.  Asked the question “How can I live in peace with everyone?”.  Preached from Matthew 5:21-26.  Here are some excerpts on the day:

• God’s best is not based on what’s happening TO us, it’s on the condition of our heart.
• A person who’s living out God’s best doesn’t do so because everything in their life is perfect, they do so because the Perfect One is EVERYTHING in their life.
• The best God has is a heart condition, and a heart condition from HIM is always followed by a change in physical conduct in us.
• A lot of living in peace with everyone has much more to do with OUR heart condition than it does THEIR personal conduct.
• When I see people through my view of Jesus, I realize how horrible of a person I am and am able to view them as better than myself.
• When I see people through my view of Jesus I’m not comparing myself to THEM and what they did to ME, I’m comparing myself to JESUS and what I did to HIM!
• As long as you think you’re better than someone else, you’ll never go and be reconciled to them.
• Until you’re willing to reconcile the problems you have in your relationships Jesus won’t accept any practice of your religion.
• I don’t think forgiveness comes from the state of our heart.  I think forgiveness CHANGES the state of our heart.
• Forgiveness is not forgetting what was done to me, it’s letting go of my right for revenge.
• The cross is not only our avenue to be forgiven, it’s the ONLY avenue by which we must forgive.
• It’s hard to stay mad at someone when I’m caught up in the love of Jesus, and the love of Jesus was perfected on the cross.

—  As I said, TONS of people responding saying they needed prayer for reconciliation, restoration, healing and forgiveness in relationshps in their life.

—  Don’t forget about Joe Sangl being here this coming weekend and the Financial Learning Experience we are hosting on Monday, January 23rd at 6:30 PM.  The event is FREE and childcare is provided.  You can sign up to attend HERE.

—  In my opinion, there isn’t ANYONE better out there than Joe when it comes to teaching on money management, and God honoring principles when it comes to our finances.  If you want some good, solid, practical advice on money management, you need to be at the Financial Learning Experience.

—  Our Winter Community Season kicks off in February.  We’ve been talking about it each week at church.  There are some GREAT community opportunities for you to plug in.  Make sure and check out our Community page HERE to get signed up and connected.

—  I forgot to mention today that we are offering a group SPECIFICALLY on the issue of relationships that we talked about. It’s called The Bait of Satan and you can get more information on it and other Year Of The Comeback specific groups HERE.

—  That’s about it!  Thanks for checking out the blog, and thank you Element Church for allowing me to lead you.  You guys are AMAZING!

Till the end,

Jeff

“But forget all that — it is nothing compared to what I’m GOING to do.  For I am about to do a brand new thing.  See, I have already begun!  Do you not see it?  I will make a pathway through the wilderness for my people to come home.  I will create rivers for them in the desert!”  — Isaiah 43:18-19

That was the Scripture I read out of my New Living Translation – One Year Chronological Bible 6 years ago when God confirmed the calling in my heart to plant Element Church in Cheyenne.  And last night, there we were…standing in a conference room of a bank in Wheatland, WY seeing the beginning of a “brand new thing” again.  That Scriptural promise is something I pray for our church every week.  “Lord, do a BRAND NEW THING!”  I don’t want what happened last year, last month or last week to be what happens all the time.  I’m praying for God to do BRAND NEW THINGS!  Amen?

Last night we held our first “official” informational meeting in Wheatland to talk about the eventual launch of our Element Wheatland Campus in January of 2013.  We didn’t have any idea what to expect.  We didn’t know if one family would show up, or none.  When we started Element in Cheyenne, it wasn’t until our 2nd or 3rd small group meeting that someone NOT on our original team came.  I remember seeing that one person walk up to our door and could hardly contain my excitement.  I felt the same thing last night.

About 10 minutes till 6 pm, people started slowly walking through the door.  One family, then another.  One individual and the next.  By the time 6 PM rolled around and we kicked off our meeting, we had 24 people there (not counting Element staff) that were curious about this thing called Element Church.  A few already attend Element in Cheyenne and will be a part of starting Element in Wheatland.  Most of them, we had never seen before.  PRAISE GOD!

I took a few minutes to talk about the mission and vision of Element, introduced our campus pastor to the people and let him share his testimony, heart and passion.  We then opened it up for some questions.  It was an AWESOME time of just talking about God’s mission, how Element plays a role in that, and how that role can fit in Wheatland.

The COOLEST thing about last night, I didn’t even realize until today.  Yesterday was January 10th.  Well, it was January 10th of 2006 that I read these words in the book The Barbarian Way:  “We look to Jesus not to fulfill our shallow longings or to provide for us creature comforts.  We look to Him to lead us where He needs us most and where we can accomplish (Him) the most good.”

Those words WRECKED my heart that day.  I believe they were the genesis of Element Church.  I committed that day in 2006 to pray every day “Lord put me where I can do you the  most good.”  It was through that prayer that God called my heart to Cheyenne, and ultimately now, our church to Wheatland.  Yesterday, six years ago to the DAY, God started another BRAND NEW THING, and I believe is putting us where we can do HIM the most good.  SO cool!  To GOD be the glory!

Till the end,

Jeff

Generosity is not something many of us are natural at, but it IS something we are called, even COMMANDED to be.  Now, giving is a spiritual gift that I think many people have and if they have it, it is OBVIOUS by the way they live.  My daughter Makalah, has been given the gift of giving and generosity…and I LOVE it!

Makalah LIVES and LOVES to give.  Not many days go by without me receiving something from her that she has made or found.  When we were at Disney World this past month, she used some of the money WE had given her to use as SHE wished to buy a gift for her sister.  What seven year old does that? Makalah wants to go to the Childrens Hospital for Chrsitmas and buy gifts for the kids who are sick, instead of GETTING gifts for herself.  WHAT?  And this past week, she did something that again blew me away.

Each week, one of our children gets a daddy date with me.  (For Jonah we call it Father/Son hangout time.  His idea…and I’m cool with it. HA)  This last Thursday, Makalah had her date.  I LOVE taking my girls on dates and my son on some hangout time and they look forward to it every month.  Sabrina and I have budgeted money for each week so I can do that and the kids get to choose what we do, up to a specified dollar amount.  As soon as it was Makalah’s week I asked her what she wanted to do, and she said “I want our daddy/daughter date to go buy a gift for somebody.”  I told her “You understand that if you use your money to buy a gift, that’s what we’re doing for our date?”  She said, almost with a “DUH dad” kind of response.  “I know!”

So that’s what we did.  I came home from work, had dinner with the family and took my amazing daughter on a date.  I actually had a Starbucks giftcard that was given to me, so we used it to go sit down, have a donut and drink before she bought a gift for her mom.  We headed to Walmart, and I walked the aisles hand in hand with Makalah as she smiled from ear to ear, living out the LIFE of generosity.  She used every penny of her money to buy some things for her mom that SHE wanted to get her.  It was amazing.

We ended our date by going to the mall to check out the dogs in the pet store and see the guniea pigs, snakes and lizards.  (I like going down the snake aisle with her cause she holds my hand even tighter.  Daddy trick)  As we walked out of the mall and headed to the car, I unlocked her door and opened for her.  She looked up at me before she got in the car and said “This was the BEST daddy/daughter date EVER!”

God just spoke to my heart, and I thought “MAN…If I were as generous as a SEVEN year old I’d make a much more SIGNIFICANT impact.“  Makalah LOVES to give, and I LOVE affirming that gift in her.

Friends, we belong to a RADICALLY generous God, may we be RADICALLY generous people…like my seven year old.

Learning from my daughter,

Jeff

—  25 people acknowledged to us they said “YES” to Jesus, accepted Him as Savior and experienced LIFE in Him!  WOO HOO!  If only for the ONE!

—  LOVE seeing people accept Christ as Savior.  The miracle of new life should NEVER wear out on us.  It is AMAZING!

—  2011 was the most fruitful year we’ve EVER SEEN at Element Church.  Salvations, giving, attendance were ALL record years.  But I believe that 2012 is going to be EVEN GREATER.  No reason NOT to believe that.

—  I saw WAY too much Bronco paraphernalia in church today!  How can we expect God to bless us with THAT going on.  HA!

—  I got some Bronco bashing in today.  I’m sorry, I just can’t help it.  It happens naturally.  LOTS of Bronco jerseys in the crowd today.

—  Kicked off our new sermon series today called “The Year Of The Comeback”.  Preached from Revelation 2:1-7. Been praying over this series that it would be LIFE CHANGING for people.  Here are some excerpts from the day:

• The past is a dangerous place to live.  Past failures can define us, past successes can distract us.
• The year of the comeback is not about us having the best YEAR of our lives.  It’s about being the FIRST year of the best possible life we can live.  It’s not about being better this year, but living out God’s best for our lives.
• I can be better than what I am today without having to live out the BEST that God has planned for my life.
• I don’t want to go through the motions, I want to live my life with spiritual momentum.
• Repentance is not just something you do one time so you can be saved, it’s something you do continually so you will stay strong.
• People who don’t take sin seriously don’t take Jesus seriously.
• Jesus didn’t save us so we could be stuck in our sin, He saved us so we could have power OVER sin.
• Slavery to sin is broken through submission to the Gospel, and the power of God is found in the pursuit of righteousness and holiness in HIM.
• We are saved by the WORK of Christ alone, but we’re also saved to do the WILL of Christ alone.
• You’ll never live with momentum FOR Jesus until you’re live on mission WITH Jesus and His mission is lived out through the local church.
• When I talk about serving I’m not talking about you being on our roster so we can have church on Sunday morning, I’m talking about you being on mission with Jesus so you live your life with spiritual momentum.
• Most of us don’t need to know more, we need to do what we already know.

—  We will be hosting Joe Sangl and his Financial Learning Experience (FLE) coming up on Monday, January 23rd.  Joe has been with us the last several years and SO MANY people have found financial freedom through his leadership and teaching.  You can sign up to attend the FLE and get all your information HERE.  At the FLE you will learn about budgeting, saving, retirement, insurance and MUCH more.  I don’t know of ANYONE better than Joe right now who is teaching on money management.

—  That’s all I’ve got for today.  Element Church, I love you guys!  Thanks for allowing me to lead you.

Till the end,

Jeff