Monday, 28 April 2008 06:32 by
ronnieAfter doing a little research I'm fairly sure that the phrase "peter out" comes from a leaching process once associated with saltpeter mining. To extract the saltpeter from the "peterdirt," the miners would put it through successive leaching of clear water. For good dirt, somewhere about the sixth leaching, the saltpeter in the dirt would be pretty well all leached out. At that point, the miners said that the dirt had "petered out." In time the phrase spread into more general use to refer to anything or anyone who was all worn out (exhausted). By the way the word "saltpeter," means "salt-rock" because of the salty taste of saltpeter. Of course the "peter" part comes from the Greek word meaning "rock" the same root that gives us "Peter" the famous apostle. This makes me wonder if the phrase “petered out” refers to Peter telling Jesus he would be by His side but later disappearing, just as Jesus predicted. Have you ever "petered out"? You don't' have to look any further than the story in Mark 14 to see the process. Peter said, "Lord I'll die for you." but he couldn't even stay awake to pray for Him. Moments later he and every other disciple ran in fear. Marks gospel says that when Jesus was on trial Peter was at a distance warming himself by the fire, staying a safe distance away from any conflict. In the end Peter denied Jesus three times just as Jesus predicted. Have you ever felt such passion for God you would be willing to die for Him only to find within hours you're broken down because you disappointed Him? I don't think Peter is the only person to have "petered out." I will say for Peter somewhere between his complete failure and the Book of Acts he got it back. The encouraging thing for me is that through the process of the journey Jesus never stopped loving Him. Today if you’re "petered out" know that Jesus never gives up on you and you are in a great place to do some amazing things for God. Just stay on board...
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Sunday, 27 April 2008 15:18 by
ronnie
Great Service today. I dropped my first confession of my "Confessions..." series, "I Struggle with Insecurities". It went well. It felt good just to admit a weakness, something to few of us pastors do. Starbucks hooked us up with there "Pike Place" blend. The people loved drinking coffee during the service. The place smelled like coffee (probably due to the coffee beans laying around everywhere) and very appropriate for a blue jean wearing, Starbuck drinking pastor. We started the "blue jean blitz" this morning as well. Don't forget to pick up a bag and bring back a new pair of jeans next week for kids in our community. We will be doing this through-out the series. Hey Micheal great job leading this morning... the band sounded awesome. I love watching you grow. It takes so many people doing little things to make a great service every Sunday morning. If you look around you can see some pretty amazing things. Like Mike Brashier parking peoples cars so they didn't have to walk in the down pour right before the service. A fairly new individual to Lifepoint, walking around introducing herself and welcoming new comers. WOW!!! That blesses my heart. Someone told me this morning they were praying for me. That will humble you and bless you at the same time. Watching all the volunteers who work week-end and week-out at Lifepoint. There is nothing that moves me more than seeing people get it - I mean the service thing. Thanks. Don't miss next week and be sure and sign up for our "Mother's Day" Brunch May 11th...
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Wednesday, 23 April 2008 05:59 by
ronnieHave you every heard of the "Pastor's Mystique."? I remember being told buy a Pastor that people think they want their pastors to be normal, everyday people, but they really don't. They want to see you as superhuman, better than the average person. Church members want to believe your marriage is always strong, you faith never falters, and you are virtually without sin. He said, "Keep your guard up, and don't let them know the real you. Don't let them to close. Always dress the part. You're a Pastor, and you can never let them into your life, or become to close to you, or you will regret it. I don't know maybe he is right, but the reality is that God called me not to be like a Pastor, but to be like Christ. I realize it's a risk to open yourself up to people, because many will judge you. But I had rather be judged than live a lie. In a world that demands perfection, we all make mistakes. In fact the Bible is filled with stories of individuals who were less than perfect. I want to encourage you to let go of the expectations and high standards that are keeping you in bondage and let God start to become one or your truest friends through your own confessions. If God is looking for perfect people to get the job done, He will never get it done. Beginning this Sunday I lay it all out, my own struggles and failures. Don't be to judgmental we're all in good company. Come early, free Starbucks coffee for everyone and some give aways as well. Bring a friend who is disillusioned with the church, it will change their life.
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Tuesday, 22 April 2008 06:52 by
ronnieStarbucks ribbon cutting today. I'll be there! Speaking of Starbucks next week starts "Confessions of a blue jean wearing Starbuck drinking Pastor". I'm laying it out. Be sure and pick up a bag in the foyer for the jean giveaway to needy families in the community. Oh also free coffee for everyone. See you Sunday...I'll probably be drinking a cup Sunday, so look out!!!
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Tuesday, 22 April 2008 06:29 by
ronnie"And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. (Interesting thing to do for a day) Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. (You're kidding just one penny?) And he called his disciples to him and said to them, "Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. (Jesus wasn't very good at math) For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on." Every time I read this story I am amazed. I recently was visiting with an individual who said they were so poor they had nothing to give. Excuses, excuses... do you have a penny? If not you can usually find them on the ground, most discard their significance, but not Jesus. I think Jesus was trying to say a lot through this story and I have to admit I'm not sure I get it all, but one thought that comes to mind is maybe it's not how much you give, but how much is left. Sometimes we pride ourselves in our money, but the question is does God really have our hearts. It's easy to give our of great abundance, but start talking about giving everything and it's a whole different story. At least it is for me. I've often said, "If the only thing between you and having nothing is one penny why put off the inevitable". There is so much Jesus is trying to say to us in this story and it's obvious that Jesus doesn't do math like we do. What do you think about this incident? What is God saying to you? Think about it today....
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Monday, 21 April 2008 08:25 by
ronnie
Jesus was a teacher. He taught not only orally, but by example. Mark 11:1-3 is one such example. So what can we learn from the great teacher today? Let's look into a typical day in the life of Jesus and His disciples. Jesus had issued a request that the disciples go into the village, upon their arrival they would find a donkey tied to a post that know man had sat upon. He told them to untie the colt, bring it to Him and if any one ask about it let them know that the Lord has need of it. Don't miss the last part, "He will send it back immediately". What strikes me in this story is Jesus had a need. I mean he turned the water into wine, why not turn one of the disciples into a donkey. Hey it happened in Pinocchio! I am amazed at how many times that when Jesus faced a need he turned to those he trusted. Whatever needs Jesus may face we must never forget he needs us. He instructed them to untie what he needed. What is it in my own life that Jesus is asking me to untie in order for Him to use it. Is it fear, pride, material goods, greed, judgmentalism, time,... what is it? If we are going to meet the needs of humanity we have to let go of some things and give them to Jesus. However, whatever we give to him he always pays back. The bible says, "He who gives to the poor, loans to the Lord, and he will repay." I don't know about you, but my guess is that what we untie and give to Him, he gives is back in better shape. For our fear He gives faith, pride - humility, greed - contentment, judgment - grace, for our material goods he supplies our need. God always pays back; what he ask is that we untie what he has need of. What do you need to untie today and trust God?
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Monday, 21 April 2008 07:40 by
ronnieFelt good about the service overall. Micheal and the crew did an awesome job with worship. I love these guys. Every week just gets better and better. I'm excited because we have these guys through the summer and into next fall. I feel like we are finally in a stable place in our worship. We are certainly in a position to grow. Thanks for your faithful service. I felt like I could have been better prepared. At times I felt like I was just rambling. I trust I communicated my heart with the people. I'm not sure that I ever walk away from a service feeling totally good about it...at least my part. I don't know maybe that's a good thing. It certainly keeps me trusting God every week and realizing how much I need Him. I love the people at Lifepoint, I just don't want to play church, I want to be the church, and I believe we will be. Dealing with mind-sets and belief systems that have been established over years of living are difficult for us to break. I believe it takes two things, a teachable spirit and discipline. I know this the righteous gives and does not hold back. This lifestyle of giving our lives for something greater than ourselves is the Christ-life. Change is not easy, but it is necessary. My prayer is that people saw my heart...
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Saturday, 19 April 2008 07:44 by
ronnieJesus talked about minerals. Maybe it was because he created them that he knew so much about them. SALT, that's not an acrostic for something, it's just simply SALT. Jesus said, "Have SALT in yourselves..." So what does SALT do? It adds liveliness to food, so how about your life does it bring dullness to others or liveliness. Are you the walking dead or are you alive? Do you live on the positive or the negative side of life? SALT is primarily used as a seasoning. How about your life does it add seasoning to others. SALT is also known to be a great preservative. I think there are a lot things in our lives that need to be preserved, things like passion, love for people, righteous living, giving,...just to name a few. These are characteristics that God wants preserved in our lives daily. Living in Colorado for fourteen years I can tell you something else that SALT does, it melts ice. Think about it, all of us have frozen areas in our lives that need to be thawed out. Sometimes our thinking is frozen in religious ideology, sometimes relationships are frozen at a standstill because we refuse to ask forgiveness and do what's right. Maybe your passion, your gift is frozen because of fear. Get some SALT in yourself and you'll warm up to what God has for you. SALT brings sharpness and an edge to what we eat. I believe God wants us to live life on the edge. He is looking for us to dream big and have huge vision. What would you do for God if you knew you couldn't fail? Keeping SALT in your life will keep you living that dream. If you have all the resources and have everything lined up to accomplish what God wants you to do, your vision is probably not big enough. If everyone agrees with it, it's not big enough. The point is SALT keeps an edge in our lives that if God doesn't come through our vision, our dream will not happen. Live your life everyday with energy and vitality, make sure you are adding too others and not taking away. Keep your life filled with passion, giving, and love for people. Allow God to melt away everything that is not of Him, and live life on the edge. If it were easy everyone would be doing it. Have SALT in yourselves. Don't miss "Heart to Heart" this Sunday.
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Friday, 18 April 2008 05:35 by
ronnieJesus said, "And if I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way, and some of them have come from far way." Mark 8:3 I so believe this to be true in a spiritual sense as well as physically. People come to us from far away, they are far away from an understanding of what it means to be loved, so far away from acceptance, having lived lives of abuse and rejection. People are so far away from the reality of a loving savior. They may be close to a religious establishment, but no where near the life giving relationship. Geographically they may be very close to a church building, but in reality miles away from "the church". Jesus said, people are hungry, not just physically, but spiritually. The reality is they faint in life under the heat of addictions, stress, worry, abuse, rejection...the list goes on and on. They are distressed, dejected, and searching. Why? Perhaps it's because Jesus is the only one who sees the need. He was on this particular day. He did finally get the disciples engaged. And that is exactly what he is looking for today. This morning I feel the weight of these wonderer's, these journeyman in society. I cannot send them away hungry, and without hope. I cannot send them away without a living relationship with a God who loves them more than they will ever comprehend. If I do they will faint. God help us at Lifepoint to feed them. Help us to take whatever resources we have and give it away. Open our eyes to see that it is the job of all of us, not just one or a few of us to feed them. I refuse to believe that people are not looking for reality in the church. They are looking for a church that has laid down their lives, their resources, their time... for the hurting of our world. They are looking for a church that will quit fighting long enough to see hurting humanity. Lifepoint Church I believe in us. I believe God wants us to feed people spiritually and physically. Lifepoint Church - Doing LIFE together. Don't miss this Sunday - "Heart to Heart."
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Thursday, 17 April 2008 19:13 by
ronnie
Jeremy and I had a great planning meeting today and invited Ben & Jerry. O man did they eat it up, or did we? Wal-Greens had buy one get one. It's hard to pass up a good deal.
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