Pastor Trent's Blog

Pastor Trent's Blog http://www.harvestgranger.org/blog.aspx?site_id=10316&blog_id=105475 EN-US Copyright © 2012 Harvest Bible Chapel - Granger http://www.triplePixel.com Wed, 31 Mar 2010 20:00:00 GMT http://www.harvestgranger.org/Content/10316/thumbnails/105475-rss-thumbnail.jpgPastor Trent's Bloghttp://www.harvestgranger.org/blog.aspx?site_id=10316&blog_id=105475 Harvest Bible Chapel - Granger, Indiana Harvest Bible Chapel - Granger, Indianatrent@harvestgranger.org no In and Out http://www.harvestgranger.org/blogentry.aspx?site_id=10316&entry_id=205727http://www.harvestgranger.org/blogentry.aspx?site_id=10316&entry_id=205727 Thu, 01 Apr 2010 01:00:00 GMT John 17:13 But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. “Come quick, Dad! You have to change the radio station. Their singing about dancing naked!” That was the exclamation of my six-year old daughter who recognized our home was being invaded by an influence that was not consistent with the values we hold as family. The Bible has a very specific name for that influence—“the world.” What is “the world”? It is a prevailing system of beliefs that stands in opposition to the authority and of God and His word, which reduces life to the reason and impulses of the human mind yet fueled by demonic spiritual forces. Jesus used the word 18 times in his prayer for his followers recorded in John 17. He knew the influence of the world would tempt us to stray into unbelief and disobedience. Knowing this, Jesus prayed for our protection before he departed physically from the earth. Christians are those who have been called out of the world to live a life distinct from the world. Our values, attitudes, and lifestyle should stand in contrast to the world. We are continually being sanctified (or set apart) from a world that doesn’t understand why we live to please a God we cannot see with our eyes. As we are sanctified by his world we should expect the world to hate us just like it hated Him. But sanctification is not so much about getting out of the world as much as God getting the world out of us. Jesus specifically says “I do not ask that you take them out of the world.” (John 17:15) In fact, he prays, “I have sent them into the world.” (John 17:18) Why? Those whom Jesus has called out of the world are sent back in for the purpose of calling more out…to be sent back in. There is a cyclical balance to living as a “called out”, “sent in” follower of Jesus. We are not to be of the world but we are to be in the world. We are to separate, but also penetrate. We to should spend time alone with God but also spend time conversing with godless people about God. Why does God leave us in the world? He has sent us in to a world to show them that knowing Jesus is more fulfilling and brings more joy than anything the world has to offer…even dancing naked. John 17:13 But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. “Come quick, Dad! You have to change the radio station. Their singing about dancing naked!” That was the exclamation of my six-year old daughter who recognized our home was being invaded by an influence that was not consistent with the values we hold as family. The Bible has a very specific name for that influence—“the world.” What is “the world”? It is a prevailing system of beliefs that stands in opposition to the authority and of God and His word, which reduces life to the reason and impulses of the human mind yet fueled by demonic spiritual forces. Jesus used the word 18 times in his prayer for his followers recorded in John 17. He knew the influence of the world would tempt us to stray into unbelief and disobedience. Knowing this, Jesus prayed for our protection before he departed physically from the earth. Christians are those who have been called out of the world to live a life distinct from the world. Our values, attitudes, and lifestyle should stand in contrast to the world. We are continually being sanctified (or set apart) from a world that doesn’t understand why we live to please a God we cannot see with our eyes. As we are sanctified by his world we should expect the world to hate us just like it hated Him. But sanctification is not so much about getting out of the world as much as God getting the world out of us. Jesus specifically says “I do not ask that you take them out of the world.” (John 17:15) In fact, he prays, “I have sent them into the world.” (John 17:18) Why? Those whom Jesus has called out of the world are sent back in for the purpose of calling more out…to be sent back in. There is a cyclical balance to living as a “called out”, “sent in” follower of Jesus. We are not to be of the world but we are to be in the world. We are to separate, but also penetrate. We to should spend time alone with God but also spend time conversing with godless people about God. Why does God leave us in the world? He has sent us in to a world to show them that knowing Jesus is more fulfilling and brings more joy than anything the world has to offer…even dancing naked. A Beautiful Bride http://www.harvestgranger.org/blogentry.aspx?site_id=10316&entry_id=205725http://www.harvestgranger.org/blogentry.aspx?site_id=10316&entry_id=205725 Thu, 01 Apr 2010 01:00:00 GMT Rev 19:7 Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure"-- for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. I have a very close friend with whom I enjoy an uncommon loyalty. I love spending time with him because every time I do he encourages me. I regularly tell him how much I appreciate his character and admire his wisdom. I want to be like him is so many ways. But I recently told him, “I can’t stand being around your wife! I don’t know why you love her. She is ugly, selfish, lazy, even unfaithful at times. I love you, but I refuse to meet with you if she is in the room. Can’t we get together without having her around?” In reality, I would NEVER say such things about my friend’s wife. But today there are many who have this kind of attitude toward Christ and His bride—the Church. Today It has become cool to bash the church. Spirituality is hot; church is not. Community is cool; but church is lame. Some might lead you to believe that the church is actually detrimental to a growing relationship with Christ. To hear some tell it, you must leave the church in order to be the church. Do you claim to love Christ but are really disgusted with His church? It is no secret that the church that Jesus died to redeem has its imperfections. There is no such thing as a perfect church. Someone has rightly said, “If you find a perfect church, don’t join it. You will mess it up.” But you cannot claim to love Christ while refusing to love his bride, the church. To love Jesus is to love his bride. To accept Jesus is to accept the church. You cannot receive Jesus and reject his church. He loves it and if you love Him you will love what he loves. You cannot practice a churchless Christianity. If you have become disgruntled, suspicious, wounded, or disconnected with the church you should reengage. Walking with Christ demands walking together with others who walk with Him. You need the friendship, encouragement, and accountability of a community of believers. And other believers need you. Don’t let a bad experience in your past keep you from seeing the beauty of the bride of Christ. Find a local church where the Bible is preached and fellowship is a priority for God’s people then commit yourself them. If you are connected to a local church demonstrate uncommon loyalty to Jesus by loving his bride. Rev 19:7 Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure"-- for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. I have a very close friend with whom I enjoy an uncommon loyalty. I love spending time with him because every time I do he encourages me. I regularly tell him how much I appreciate his character and admire his wisdom. I want to be like him is so many ways. But I recently told him, “I can’t stand being around your wife! I don’t know why you love her. She is ugly, selfish, lazy, even unfaithful at times. I love you, but I refuse to meet with you if she is in the room. Can’t we get together without having her around?” In reality, I would NEVER say such things about my friend’s wife. But today there are many who have this kind of attitude toward Christ and His bride—the Church. Today It has become cool to bash the church. Spirituality is hot; church is not. Community is cool; but church is lame. Some might lead you to believe that the church is actually detrimental to a growing relationship with Christ. To hear some tell it, you must leave the church in order to be the church. Do you claim to love Christ but are really disgusted with His church? It is no secret that the church that Jesus died to redeem has its imperfections. There is no such thing as a perfect church. Someone has rightly said, “If you find a perfect church, don’t join it. You will mess it up.” But you cannot claim to love Christ while refusing to love his bride, the church. To love Jesus is to love his bride. To accept Jesus is to accept the church. You cannot receive Jesus and reject his church. He loves it and if you love Him you will love what he loves. You cannot practice a churchless Christianity. If you have become disgruntled, suspicious, wounded, or disconnected with the church you should reengage. Walking with Christ demands walking together with others who walk with Him. You need the friendship, encouragement, and accountability of a community of believers. And other believers need you. Don’t let a bad experience in your past keep you from seeing the beauty of the bride of Christ. Find a local church where the Bible is preached and fellowship is a priority for God’s people then commit yourself them. If you are connected to a local church demonstrate uncommon loyalty to Jesus by loving his bride. I'm Thirsty http://www.harvestgranger.org/blogentry.aspx?site_id=10316&entry_id=205724http://www.harvestgranger.org/blogentry.aspx?site_id=10316&entry_id=205724 Thu, 01 Apr 2010 01:00:00 GMT Jeremiah 2:13 for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water. Like a vast desert, your heart is thirsty. Yet it’s dryness is only slightly moistened by the trickle of a thousand worldly streams. Just like physical thirst in your body motivates you to seek out water, your heart has a spiritual thirst that motivates you to pursue ultimate satisfaction. Whatever you seek when you sense your thirst indicates what you believe will ultimately satisfy. Both in the Old Testament and in the New Testament God uses the analogy of living water to show that He alone can quench thirst. In John 4:14, Jesus told a very thirsty woman, “whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." Sadly, most people gulp gallon after gallon out of the world’s sewer pursuing money, power, and mindless entertainment never realizing that Jesus holds out living water as the only thing that can quench the thirst of their soul. My 2 year-old daughter came to me one day holding up her empty sippy cup. She had just downed about 6 ounces of grape juice in a matter of minutes. As she held it up to me, she said, “I’m thirsty.” Suspiciously, I began to fill it with water but then she said, “Daddy...I want juice.” I said, “This time you only get water.” She frowned, and then said, “Never mind, I’m not thirsty.” As I thought about what had changed, I realized that she was really not dehydrated. The juice had quenched her thirst. So why did she want more? She wanted to taste the sweetness of the juice again. When you first come to Jesus you come with a thirst that is the result of complete spiritual dehydration. But after He quenches your initial thirst, you will continue to come to Him because you want to taste the sweetness of his satisfying grace and love. Don’t waste your time drinking out of the sewer. Hold your cup out to Jesus and tell him, “I’m thirsty!” He will quench your thirst with the sweetness of His living water. Jeremiah 2:13 for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water. Like a vast desert, your heart is thirsty. Yet it’s dryness is only slightly moistened by the trickle of a thousand worldly streams. Just like physical thirst in your body motivates you to seek out water, your heart has a spiritual thirst that motivates you to pursue ultimate satisfaction. Whatever you seek when you sense your thirst indicates what you believe will ultimately satisfy. Both in the Old Testament and in the New Testament God uses the analogy of living water to show that He alone can quench thirst. In John 4:14, Jesus told a very thirsty woman, “whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." Sadly, most people gulp gallon after gallon out of the world’s sewer pursuing money, power, and mindless entertainment never realizing that Jesus holds out living water as the only thing that can quench the thirst of their soul. My 2 year-old daughter came to me one day holding up her empty sippy cup. She had just downed about 6 ounces of grape juice in a matter of minutes. As she held it up to me, she said, “I’m thirsty.” Suspiciously, I began to fill it with water but then she said, “Daddy...I want juice.” I said, “This time you only get water.” She frowned, and then said, “Never mind, I’m not thirsty.” As I thought about what had changed, I realized that she was really not dehydrated. The juice had quenched her thirst. So why did she want more? She wanted to taste the sweetness of the juice again. When you first come to Jesus you come with a thirst that is the result of complete spiritual dehydration. But after He quenches your initial thirst, you will continue to come to Him because you want to taste the sweetness of his satisfying grace and love. Don’t waste your time drinking out of the sewer. Hold your cup out to Jesus and tell him, “I’m thirsty!” He will quench your thirst with the sweetness of His living water. Do You Know God? http://www.harvestgranger.org/blogentry.aspx?site_id=10316&entry_id=205723http://www.harvestgranger.org/blogentry.aspx?site_id=10316&entry_id=205723 Thu, 01 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT <div style="border-bottom: #4f81bd 1pt solid; border-left: medium none; padding-bottom: 4pt; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none; padding-top: 0in;"> Rom 11:33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! "For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?" </div> Do you know God? I don’t mean knowing God like you know your phone number or the recipe for grandma’s double-layer chocolate fudge cake. Nobody gets very excited about recipe but everyone wants to taste the cake. You probably have been told some facts about God. You know he is Creator and that he sent His son, Jesus, to die on a cross for sin. Those truths are not to be diminished. In fact, believing them is essential to salvation. But do you have more than head knowledge about God? I mean, “Have you tasted how good he is?” I have a wife whom I have known for over 15 years. I also know the guy who changes the oil in my car. But I know my wife in a way that I do not know Mr. Goodwrench. What’s the difference? When I think of what I know about my wife I feel something in my heart. Not a syrupy emotionalism. But a motivation to be with her, share life with her, and even learn more about her. I’m always wondering what she is thinking and often ask to find out. The knowledge of God is inexhaustible. When you initially come to know God through Christ, you begin a quest for more of the knowledge of God that goes beyond the facts and acts of God. But when we stop seeking knowledge we stop growing in our faith. Hosea 4:6 says, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you.” God knows our first step toward destruction is failing to seek knowledge of him. God longs to reveal more of Himself to you. Psalm 103:7 says, “He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel.” Don’t you want to be like Moses? Don’t just be content to know his “acts.” Seek to know his “ways.” You can know God on an experiential level. As you take your life and all its heartaches and joys to God you will begin to see how God works and why he is doing what he is doing. Don’t be content knowing recipes about God. He wants you to know the taste of how good He is. Rom 11:33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! "For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?" Do you know God? I don’t mean knowing God like you know your phone number or the recipe for grandma’s double-layer chocolate fudge cake. Nobody gets very excited about recipe but everyone wants to taste the cake. You probably have been told some facts about God. You know he is Creator and that he sent His son, Jesus, to die on a cross for sin. Those truths are not to be diminished. In fact, believing them is essential to salvation. But do you have more than head knowledge about God? I mean, “Have you tasted how good he is?” I have a wife whom I have known for over 15 years. I also know the guy who changes the oil in my car. But I know my wife in a way that I do not know Mr. Goodwrench. What’s the difference? When I think of what I know about my wife I feel something in my heart. Not a syrupy emotionalism. But a motivation to be with her, share life with her, and even learn more about her. I’m always wondering what she is thinking and often ask to find out. The knowledge of God is inexhaustible. When you initially come to know God through Christ, you begin a quest for more of the knowledge of God that goes beyond the facts and acts of God. But when we stop seeking knowledge we stop growing in our faith. Hosea 4:6 says, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you.” God knows our first step toward destruction is failing to seek knowledge of him. God longs to reveal more of Himself to you. Psalm 103:7 says, “He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel.” Don’t you want to be like Moses? Don’t just be content to know his “acts.” Seek to know his “ways.” You can know God on an experiential level. As you take your life and all its heartaches and joys to God you will begin to see how God works and why he is doing what he is doing. Don’t be content knowing recipes about God. He wants you to know the taste of how good He is. God Wrote a Book http://www.harvestgranger.org/blogentry.aspx?site_id=10316&entry_id=186035http://www.harvestgranger.org/blogentry.aspx?site_id=10316&entry_id=186035 Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:00:00 GMT 1Th 2:13 And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. Much is made of “tell-all” books written by famous entertainers, athletes, and politicians. People clamor to read details about the lives of people they may never meet. But how much would it change your perspective on the Bible if you viewed it as God’s autobiography. The Bible is simply God’s self-revelation to you and me. In the Bible God tells all we need to know about him and us. Without the Bible we would have only a general understanding of our creator through the things that he has made. Even without the Bible we would have no excuse not to believe in God (Rom. 1:20). But God wrote a book so that we can know not only that he exists but how we can have a relationship with him through Jesus. Today, even in a world of great skepticism there is interest in getting to know who God is. That’s why new age books and mysticism are so popular. But, you cannot claim to want to know who God is without taking seriously what God has said. You can have confidence that you have an accurate and authoritative revelation of God in your Bible. The words of the Bible have been “breathed out by God.” (2Tim. 3:16) Just as our words are formed when breath from our lungs passes over our vocal chords then out our mouths, God has breathed out his words onto the pages of scripture. If we really believe that the Bible is God’s word why do we treat it so casually? · If it really is the Word of God one day you will be judge by what God has written in it. · If it really is the Word of God you had better learn what is in it. · If it really is the Word of God you would be wise to do what it says. · If it really is the Word of God you should long to share it with others. · If it really is the Word of God you have a place to stand when everything around you is falling apart. Many books have been written by men about the Bible, but God only wrote one book. So invest the time to read, obey, and share God’s word today. How have you attempted to know who God is without regard to what he has said? What would change if you firmly believed that the Bible really is “breathed out by God? 1Th 2:13 And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. Much is made of “tell-all” books written by famous entertainers, athletes, and politicians. People clamor to read details about the lives of people they may never meet. But how much would it change your perspective on the Bible if you viewed it as God’s autobiography. The Bible is simply God’s self-revelation to you and me. In the Bible God tells all we need to know about him and us. Without the Bible we would have only a general understanding of our creator through the things that he has made. Even without the Bible we would have no excuse not to believe in God (Rom. 1:20). But God wrote a book so that we can know not only that he exists but how we can have a relationship with him through Jesus. Today, even in a world of great skepticism there is interest in getting to know who God is. That’s why new age books and mysticism are so popular. But, you cannot claim to want to know who God is without taking seriously what God has said. You can have confidence that you have an accurate and authoritative revelation of God in your Bible. The words of the Bible have been “breathed out by God.” (2Tim. 3:16) Just as our words are formed when breath from our lungs passes over our vocal chords then out our mouths, God has breathed out his words onto the pages of scripture. If we really believe that the Bible is God’s word why do we treat it so casually? · If it really is the Word of God one day you will be judge by what God has written in it. · If it really is the Word of God you had better learn what is in it. · If it really is the Word of God you would be wise to do what it says. · If it really is the Word of God you should long to share it with others. · If it really is the Word of God you have a place to stand when everything around you is falling apart. Many books have been written by men about the Bible, but God only wrote one book. So invest the time to read, obey, and share God’s word today. How have you attempted to know who God is without regard to what he has said? What would change if you firmly believed that the Bible really is “breathed out by God? Glimpse of our Worship at Harvest Granger http://www.harvestgranger.org/blogentry.aspx?site_id=10316&entry_id=183223http://www.harvestgranger.org/blogentry.aspx?site_id=10316&entry_id=183223 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:00:00 GMT God has blessed us with skilled musicians at Harvest led by Micah Klutinoty each week. Here is a glimpse of what it is like worshipping at Harvest. Click the link below to see the video. <a href="http://vimeo.com/7310140">http://vimeo.com/7310140</a> God has blessed us with skilled musicians at Harvest led by Micah Klutinoty each week. Here is a glimpse of what it is like worshipping at Harvest. Click the link below to see the video. http://vimeo.com/7310140 Thank you for messing up my life! http://www.harvestgranger.org/blogentry.aspx?site_id=10316&entry_id=181529http://www.harvestgranger.org/blogentry.aspx?site_id=10316&entry_id=181529 Fri, 09 Oct 2009 20:00:00 GMT Today I found a letter that I saved in an old file from someone who sat under myministry years ago. Here's what it says... "Thank you for messing up my life! I mean it's messed up that I'm getting up an hour earlier every morning to pray and read God's Word. Today, I even ran out fo time, so I'll probably have to start extending this to 2 hours. That's messed up! It's messed up that I've found that disciplining our children causes them to crawl up in my lap a half an hour later to tell me they love me. That's messed up! I also want to say we've already cancelled our satellite subscription...and I love ESPN. Now that's messed up! I've also been struggling with giving in obedience to God. I came close to giving away my 1966 Mustang to the point where I talked with many people one day about it. The crazy thing was they all encouraged me to do it. That's messed up! Finally, you have messed up my life when it comes to relationships with other. I love people now. That's messed up!" Of I don't have the power to "mess up" anyone's life. But the application of God's word does! It 's not about he messenger but he message. What a beautiful mess God makes when we obey His message in the most practical areas of our lives. That's what we are all about at Harvest. Don't be surprized if God starts to mess up your life too if you come ready to receive God's message. Today I found a letter that I saved in an old file from someone who sat under myministry years ago. Here's what it says... "Thank you for messing up my life! I mean it's messed up that I'm getting up an hour earlier every morning to pray and read God's Word. Today, I even ran out fo time, so I'll probably have to start extending this to 2 hours. That's messed up! It's messed up that I've found that disciplining our children causes them to crawl up in my lap a half an hour later to tell me they love me. That's messed up! I also want to say we've already cancelled our satellite subscription...and I love ESPN. Now that's messed up! I've also been struggling with giving in obedience to God. I came close to giving away my 1966 Mustang to the point where I talked with many people one day about it. The crazy thing was they all encouraged me to do it. That's messed up! Finally, you have messed up my life when it comes to relationships with other. I love people now. That's messed up!" Of I don't have the power to "mess up" anyone's life. But the application of God's word does! It 's not about he messenger but he message. What a beautiful mess God makes when we obey His mess age in the most practical areas of our lives. That's what we are all about at Harvest. Don't be surprized if God starts to mess up your life too if you come ready to receive God's message. Don't fix it. http://www.harvestgranger.org/blogentry.aspx?site_id=10316&entry_id=180806http://www.harvestgranger.org/blogentry.aspx?site_id=10316&entry_id=180806 Mon, 05 Oct 2009 17:00:00 GMT For the first decade of my marriage Andrea and I would continually have conflict anytime she would begin to express her frustrations, pressures, or problems. My response to her was to deal with her problem like I would deal with one of my problems--FIX IT! I would treat it as a home repairproject. I would lay it out on my mental workbench, pull out all my available intellectually tools, and offer what I considered helpful step-by-step solutions to her problems. But while I was communicating my insight she would start shaking her head. She would say, "I don't want you to FIX IT." I just want you to UNDERSTAND IT." I couldn't believe why listening, empathizing, understanding my wife's pressures communicated more love than removing her pressures. Finally it began to click for me when I read For Men Only by Jeff and Shaunti Feldhaun. I know I would have to retrain my brain to respond differently to my wife so I posted the following adaptation from their book above my desk for a year... "I must resist the temptation to want to fix it. When there is a problem she needs to express it. (I need to think about it). What she is feeling about the problem is more important than the problem itself. What she is feeling IS the real problem. Therefore, listening to her feelings actually fixes the problem. Instead of filtering out her emotions to focus on the problem, I must learn to filter out the problem to focus on her feelings. Only after she feels like I have understood her feelings is she ready to solve the problem." This confirms what Peter said in 1Peter 3:7. "Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way." That was a turning point in our marriage. Pressure and problems still arise and we usually find a solution. But the connecting with my wife emotionally before I try to fix it has eliminated many potential blow ups. Now I attempt to understand before I attempt to fix. For the first decade of my marriage Andrea and I would continually have conflict anytime she would begin to express her frustrations, pressures, or problems. My response to her was to deal with her problem like I would deal with one of my problems--FIX IT! I would treat it as a home repairproject. I would lay it out on my mental workbench, pull out all my available intellectually tools, and offer what I considered helpful step-by-step solutions to her problems. But while I was communicating my insight she would start shaking her head. She would say, "I don't want you to FIX IT." I just want you to UNDERSTAND IT." I couldn't believe why listening, empathizing, understanding my wife's pressures communicated more love than removing her pressures. Finally it began to click for me when I read For Men Only by Jeff and Shaunti Feldhaun. I know I would have to retrain my brain to respond differently to my wife so I posted the following adaptation from their book above my desk for a year... "I must resist the temptation to want to fix it. When there is a problem she needs to express it. (I need to think about it). What she is feeling about the problem is more important than the problem itself. What she is feeling IS the real problem. Therefore, listening to her feelings actually fixes the problem. Instead of filtering out her emotions to focus on the problem, I must learn to filter out the problem to focus on her feelings. Only after she feels like I have understood her feelings is she ready to solve the problem." This confirms what Peter said in 1Peter 3:7. "Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way." That was a turning point in our marriage. Pressure and problems still arise and we usually find a solution. But the connecting with my wife emotionally before I try to fix it has eliminated many potential blow ups. Now I attempt to understand before I attempt to fix. Holding Hands http://www.harvestgranger.org/blogentry.aspx?site_id=10316&entry_id=180252http://www.harvestgranger.org/blogentry.aspx?site_id=10316&entry_id=180252 Thu, 01 Oct 2009 12:00:00 GMT Rev 2:4-5 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. God demands a love from us that is exclusive. While in college a friend of mine went to a movie theater by himself to blow off some steam. As the movie rolled, a drama played out in the row of seats in front of him by three teenagers that was even more intriguing than the one on the screen. The seats were occupied by three teenagers. A guy sat beside a girl to his right and another girl to her right. The guy was holding hands with the girl to his right but with his left hand stretched across his body. Half way through the movie he extended his right arm behind her seat. Then the second girl reached her left arm behind the first girl’s seat until eventually she was holding his hand too. This creeping guy was holding hands with two girls at the same time while the first had no idea what was going on behind her back. As much as you would want to wring this guy’s neck for cheating on his girlfriend you might want to ask yourself if you have ever done the same thing in your love relationship with Jesus. Upfront where everyone can see you go to church, wear your Christian t-shirts, and use the approved language all for Jesus. But behind his back” (you think) you give your affection to competing loves. Your heart is embracing things or activities that are contrary to his will. You are as guilty as the guy holding hands with two girls at the same time. The only remedy for leaving your first love with Jesus is to remember how sweet your love for Jesus was in the early days of your relationship with Him. It requires repenting of giving your heart to competing love and returning to the works we did out of the overflow of our love for him. Stop holding hands with the world and give Jesus your exclusive love. · Make a list of things you are giving your affection to that is competing with your love for Jesus. · Take time to remember something you did in the early days of your walk with God and then make a point to do one of them this week. Rev 2:4-5 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. God demands a love from us that is exclusive. While in college a friend of mine went to a movie theater by himself to blow off some steam. As the movie rolled, a drama played out in the row of seats in front of him by three teenagers that was even more intriguing than the one on the screen. The seats were occupied by three teenagers. A guy sat beside a girl to his right and another girl to her right. The guy was holding hands with the girl to his right but with his left hand stretched across his body. Half way through the movie he extended his right arm behind her seat. Then the second girl reached her left arm behind the first girl’s seat until eventually she was holding his hand too. This creeping guy was holding hands with two girls at the same time while the first had no idea what was going on behind her back. As much as you would want to wring this guy’s neck for cheating on his girlfriend you might want to ask yourself if you have ever done the same thing in your love relationship with Jesus. Upfront where everyone can see you go to church, wear your Christian t-shirts, and use the approved language all for Jesus. But behind his back” (you think) you give your affection to competing loves. Your heart is embracing things or activities that are contrary to his will. You are as guilty as the guy holding hands with two girls at the same time. The only remedy for leaving your first love with Jesus is to remember how sweet your love for Jesus was in the early days of your relationship with Him. It requires repenting of giving your heart to competing love and returning to the works we did out of the overflow of our love for him. Stop holding hands with the world and give Jesus your exclusive love. · Make a list of things you are giving your affection to that is competing with your love for Jesus. · Take time to remember something you did in the early days of your walk with God and then make a point to do one of them this week. Picking Fruit at Harvest http://www.harvestgranger.org/blogentry.aspx?site_id=10316&entry_id=160710http://www.harvestgranger.org/blogentry.aspx?site_id=10316&entry_id=160710 Mon, 27 Jul 2009 15:00:00 GMT Have you ever been to one of those U-PICK-IT fruit farms? Last week, our family grabbed our buckets and returned from one of those farms with 23 pounds of blueberries. I was told the blueberry bushes we harvested were planted 80 years ago. I wonder if those who planted those bushes could have known how much fruit they would bare. Harvest Bible Chapel Granger is proving to be quite the U-PICK-IT farm! The seeds that we have been sowing have grown and are now producing a harvest. Jesus told us it would happen if we would be faithful to sow the seed on fertile ground. John 4:35-36 says, “Lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together.” If the rain scared you off from our picnic last week we missed you…and you missed a climatic moment on our church’s young life. We witnessed our first 17 baptisms. Each of these people shared their story of coming to faith in Christ. God was present as we passionately worshipped outside in the beauty of His creation. And, no, it did not rain where we were! This week at Harvest Byron Paulus, president of Life Action Ministries will bring God’s Word to us. Micah and the worship team will take us before the throne of God. Let’s be faithful to prepare for the next season of harvest. Grab your bucket and let’s pick some more fruit! Have you ever been to one of those U-PICK-IT fruit farms? Last week, our family grabbed our buckets and returned from one of those farms with 23 pounds of blueberries. I was told the blueberry bushes we harvested were planted 80 years ago. I wonder if those who planted those bushes could have known how much fruit they would bare. Harvest Bible Chapel Granger is proving to be quite the U-PICK-IT farm! The seeds that we have been sowing have grown and are now producing a harvest. Jesus told us it would happen if we would be faithful to sow the seed on fertile ground. John 4:35-36 says, “Lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together.” If the rain scared you off from our picnic last week we missed you…and you missed a climatic moment on our church’s young life. We witnessed our first 17 baptisms. Each of these people shared their story of coming to faith in Christ. God was present as we passionately worshipped outside in the beauty of His creation. And, no, it did not rain where we were! This week at Harvest Byron Paulus, president of Life Action Ministries will bring God’s Word to us. Micah and the worship team will take us before the throne of God. Let’s be faithful to prepare for the next season of harvest. Grab your bucket and let’s pick some more fruit! What does it mean to have a heart that is wholly true toward God? http://www.harvestgranger.org/blogentry.aspx?site_id=10316&entry_id=132765http://www.harvestgranger.org/blogentry.aspx?site_id=10316&entry_id=132765 Thu, 26 Feb 2009 19:00:00 GMT Churches are filled with half hearted followers of Chrst. If we want to be a church entrusted with God's glory we must have a whole heart toward God. On the day that God filled the newly built temple in Jerusalem described in 1 Kings 8, Solomon charge the people with these words, " <dir> "Let your heart therefore be wholly true to the LORD our God, walking in his statutes and keeping his commandments, as at this day." </dir> What does it mean to be wholly true to the Lord? <ul> <li>It means that your heart is overwhelmed with the glory of God…</li> <li>It means God’s glory is your greatest desire, your love, your passion, your thoughts.</li> <li>It means God’s glory is what wakes you up in the morning. </li> <li>It means God's glory is the last thing you think about before you fall asleep.</li> <li>It means God’s glory is the subject of the books you read.</li> <li>It means God’s glory is what you talk about to others.</li> <li>It means God’s glory is what dominates your prayer life.</li> <li>It means God’s glory is what you teach your children.</li> <li>It means you long for God’s glory to fill your family, church, and country. </li> <li>It means you live everyday to know more of the glory of God. </li> <li>It means you want to live and die for the glory of God. </li> <li>It means you have a sobering sense that you were made to display the glory of God. </li> <li>It means you grieve when you sense the absence of God’s glory. </li> <li>It means you are dissatisfied with how little of the glory of God you have, but you long to display more of the glory of God. </li> <li>It means you are looking for in a church filled with the glory of God. </li> </ul> Do you have a whole heart toward God? Me either...but I won't stop pursuing one. Let's do it together at Harvest this Sunday! Churches are filled with half hearted followers of Chrst. If we want to be a church entrusted with God's glory we must have a whole heart toward God. On the day that God filled the newly built temple in Jerusalem described in 1 Kings 8, Solomon charge the people with these words, " "Let your heart therefore be wholly true to the LORD our God, walking in his statutes and keeping his commandments, as at this day." What does it mean to be wholly true to the Lord? It means that your heart is overwhelmed with the glory of God… It means God’s glory is your greatest desire, your love, your passion, your thoughts. It means God’s glory is what wakes you up in the morning. It means God's glory is the last thing you think about before you fall asleep. It means God’s glory is the subject of the books you read. It means God’s glory is what you talk about to others. It means God’s glory is what dominates your prayer life. It means God’s glory is what you teach your children. It means you long for God’s glory to fill your family, church, and country. It means you live everyday to know more of the glory of God. It means you want to live and die for the glory of God. It means you have a sobering sense that you were made to display the glory of God. It means you grieve when you sense the absence of God’s glory. It means you are dissatisfied with how little of the glory of God you have, but you long to display more of the glory of God. It means you are looking for in a church filled with the glory of God. Do you have a whole heart toward God? Me either...but I won't stop pursuing one. Let's do it together at Harvest this Sunday! Happy Birthday Harvest! http://www.harvestgranger.org/blogentry.aspx?site_id=10316&entry_id=130088http://www.harvestgranger.org/blogentry.aspx?site_id=10316&entry_id=130088 Sun, 08 Feb 2009 23:00:00 GMT February 8, 2009 was a historic day - The birthday of Harvest Bible Chapel Granger. On this day, 250 people came together at Northpointe Elementary School to worship at our first service. If God gives us His favor, we will often look back to this day in the years to come to celebrate the birthday of a healthy, growing, maturing church. Those of us on the launch team have given countless hours, thousands of dollars, and shed many tears in preparation for this day. Our motivation is not to promote ourselves, our opinions, or our creative ability. We live with a very sobering sense that we have been sent to communicate a timeless message in a timely fashion preserved forever in God’s Word. We will not measure our success by attendance, dollars, or meeting felt needs. We believe the world has seen enough of the church’s human efforts to impress them or convince them that Jesus is still relevant or cool. Our measure of success will be obedience to God resulting in the transformation of self-focused lives to Christ-centered lives. We simply want to be a church God can trust with his glory. When the world sees God’s glory in the church some will be drawn to it, others will be repelled, but let it be known that God’s glory is the one thing the church cannot live without. February 8, 2009 was a historic day - The birthday of Harvest Bible Chapel Granger. On this day, 250 people came together at Northpointe Elementary School to worship at our first service. If God gives us His favor, we will often look back to this day in the years to come to celebrate the birthday of a healthy, growing, maturing church. Those of us on the launch team have given countless hours, thousands of dollars, and shed many tears in preparation for this day. Our motivation is not to promote ourselves, our opinions, or our creative ability. We live with a very sobering sense that we have been sent to communicate a timeless message in a timely fashion preserved forever in God’s Word. We will not measure our success by attendance, dollars, or meeting felt needs. We believe the world has seen enough of the church’s human efforts to impress them or convince them that Jesus is still relevant or cool. Our measure of success will be obedience to God resulting in the transformation of self-focused lives to Christ-centered lives. We simply want to be a church God can trust with his glory . When the world sees God’s glory in the church some will be drawn to it, others will be repelled, but let it be known that God’s glory is the one thing the church cannot live without. I feel like a can of Coke http://www.harvestgranger.org/blogentry.aspx?site_id=10316&entry_id=129854http://www.harvestgranger.org/blogentry.aspx?site_id=10316&entry_id=129854 Fri, 06 Feb 2009 18:00:00 GMT It's 2 days before our public launch of Harvest Bible Chapel. I feel like a can of Coke that has been shaken for months. We get to pull the tab in 48 hours. Hopefully, what comes out will be refreshing and not too hard to clean up. What do we want to accomplish that first Sunday? Honestly, we just want to have a meeting with God. How many people will come? I anticipate a number of people will join us for the first time who long for God's presence as well. I have no idea how many people will show up but I do know this...if God does not show up, it really doesn't matter how many people do. Come join us as we seek his presence! It's 2 days before our public launch of Harvest Bible Chapel. I feel like a can of Coke that has been shaken for months. We get to pull the tab in 48 hours. Hopefully, what comes out will be refreshing and not too hard to clean up. What do we want to accomplish that first Sunday? Honestly, we just want to have a meeting with God. How many people will come? I anticipate a number of people will join us for the first time who long for God's presence as well. I have no idea how many people will show up but I do know this...if God does not show up, it really doesn't matter how many people do. Come join us as we seek his presence! So, What kind of church is Harvest? http://www.harvestgranger.org/blogentry.aspx?site_id=10316&entry_id=127655http://www.harvestgranger.org/blogentry.aspx?site_id=10316&entry_id=127655 Sun, 25 Jan 2009 21:00:00 GMT The landscape of American churches is diverse. Today, it seems many churches are going through an identity crisis. Many traditional churches are trying to become more contemporary while many of the most cutting edge, innovative churches are discovering cool methodology is not resulting in quality discipleship. Church labels abound. "Purpose driven...Emergent...Missional...Seeker-Sensitive." So, what kind of church is Harvest? We like to say, "First Vertical, Then Missional." We recognize that God is the Seeker and what he is seeking is true worshippers--those whose heart and mind are sensitive to Him and His truth. (John 4:24) But we also embrace the mission Jesus has given us in John 17:17-18. "Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. As a church, we are called by God to separate from the world while simultaneously being sent by God to penetrate the world with the good news of Jesus. How can we do both? Here is a summary of our dual responsibility. <table style="border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: auto auto auto 0.5in; border-left: medium none; border-bottom: medium none; border-collapse: collapse" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="1"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="border-right: black 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: black 1pt solid; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left: black 1pt solid; width: 222.2pt; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: black 1pt solid; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="296"> Separate </td> <td style="border-right: black 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: black 1pt solid; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left: #f0f0f0; width: 220.6pt; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: black 1pt solid; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="294"> Penetrate </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-right: black 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: #f0f0f0; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left: black 1pt solid; width: 222.2pt; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: black 1pt solid; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="296"> Called out of the World </td> <td style="border-right: black 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: #f0f0f0; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left: #f0f0f0; width: 220.6pt; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: black 1pt solid; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="294"> Sent in to the World </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-right: black 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: #f0f0f0; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left: black 1pt solid; width: 222.2pt; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: black 1pt solid; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="296"> Value Discipleship </td> <td style="border-right: black 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: #f0f0f0; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left: #f0f0f0; width: 220.6pt; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: black 1pt solid; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="294"> Value Evangelism </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-right: black 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: #f0f0f0; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left: black 1pt solid; width: 222.2pt; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: black 1pt solid; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="296"> Embrace Fellowship </td> <td style="border-right: black 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: #f0f0f0; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left: #f0f0f0; width: 220.6pt; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: black 1pt solid; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="294"> Embrace Missions </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-right: black 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: #f0f0f0; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left: black 1pt solid; width: 222.2pt; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: black 1pt solid; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="296"> Sanctified </td> <td style="border-right: black 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: #f0f0f0; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left: #f0f0f0; width: 220.6pt; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: black 1pt solid; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="294"> Surrounded </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-right: black 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: #f0f0f0; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left: black 1pt solid; width: 222.2pt; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: black 1pt solid; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="296"> Visible Demonstration </td> <td style="border-right: black 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: #f0f0f0; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left: #f0f0f0; width: 220.6pt; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: black 1pt solid; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="294"> Verbal Declaration </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-right: black 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: #f0f0f0; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left: black 1pt solid; width: 222.2pt; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: black 1pt solid; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="296"> Live Authenticity </td> <td style="border-right: black 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: #f0f0f0; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left: #f0f0f0; width: 220.6pt; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: black 1pt solid; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="294"> Speak Authoritatively </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-right: black 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: #f0f0f0; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left: black 1pt solid; width: 222.2pt; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: black 1pt solid; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="296"> Be Biblically Faithful to the Text </td> <td style="border-right: black 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: #f0f0f0; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left: #f0f0f0; width: 220.6pt; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: black 1pt solid; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="294"> Be Culturally Fruitful in the Context </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-right: black 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: #f0f0f0; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left: black 1pt solid; width: 222.2pt; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: black 1pt solid; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="296"> Listen to Word of God </td> <td style="border-right: black 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: #f0f0f0; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left: #f0f0f0; width: 220.6pt; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: black 1pt solid; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="294"> Speak the Language of the People </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-right: black 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: #f0f0f0; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left: black 1pt solid; width: 222.2pt; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: black 1pt solid; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="296"> Love God </td> <td style="border-right: black 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: #f0f0f0; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left: #f0f0f0; width: 220.6pt; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: black 1pt solid; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="294"> Love your neighbor </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-right: black 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: #f0f0f0; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left: black 1pt solid; width: 222.2pt; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: black 1pt solid; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="296"> Spend Time alone with God </td> <td style="border-right: black 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: #f0f0f0; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left: #f0f0f0; width: 220.6pt; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: black 1pt solid; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="294"> Spend Time Together With Godless People </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-right: black 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: #f0f0f0; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left: black 1pt solid; width: 222.2pt; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: black 1pt solid; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="296"> Danger: Seclusion </td> <td style="border-right: black 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: #f0f0f0; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left: #f0f0f0; width: 220.6pt; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: black 1pt solid; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="294"> Danger: Syncretism </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table style="border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: auto auto auto 0.5in; border-left: medium none; border-bottom: medium none; border-collapse: collapse" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="1"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="border-right: black 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: black 1pt solid; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left: black 1pt solid; width: 221.4pt; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: black 1pt solid; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="295"> Not… </td> <td style="border-right: black 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: black 1pt solid; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left: #f0f0f0; width: 221.4pt; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: black 1pt solid; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="295"> But… </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-right: black 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: #f0f0f0; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left: black 1pt solid; width: 221.4pt; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: black 1pt solid; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="295"> Isolation </td> <td style="border-right: black 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: #f0f0f0; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left: #f0f0f0; width: 221.4pt; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: black 1pt solid; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="295"> Insulation </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-right: black 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: #f0f0f0; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left: black 1pt solid; width: 221.4pt; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: black 1pt solid; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="295"> Of the world </td> <td style="border-right: black 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: #f0f0f0; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left: #f0f0f0; width: 221.4pt; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: black 1pt solid; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="295"> In the world </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-right: black 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: #f0f0f0; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left: black 1pt solid; width: 221.4pt; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: black 1pt solid; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="295"> Friend of the world (James 4:4) </td> <td style="border-right: black 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: #f0f0f0; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left: #f0f0f0; width: 221.4pt; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: black 1pt solid; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="295"> Friend of sinners (Luke 7:34) </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-right: black 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: #f0f0f0; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left: black 1pt solid; width: 221.4pt; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: black 1pt solid; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="295"> Seclusion, Syncretism </td> <td style="border-right: black 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: #f0f0f0; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left: #f0f0f0; width: 221.4pt; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: black 1pt solid; background-color: transparent" valign="top" width="295"> Subversion </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> May Harvest be a church that is distinguished from the world by the prensence of God and impacting the world around us with His life changing truth. The landscape of American churches is diverse. Today, it seems many churches are going through an identity crisis. Many traditional churches are trying to become more contemporary while many of the most cutting edge, innovative churches are discovering cool methodology is not resulting in quality discipleship. Church labels abound. "Purpose driven...Emergent...Missional...Seeker-Sensitive." So, what kind of church is Harvest? We like to say, "First Vertical, Then Missional." We recognize that God is the Seeker and what he is seeking is true worshippers--those whose heart and mind are sensitive to Him and His truth. (John 4:24) But we also embrace the mission Jesus has given us in John 17:17-18. "Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. As a church, we are called by God to separate from the world while simultaneously being sent by God to penetrate the world with the good news of Jesus. How can we do both? Here is a summary of our dual responsibility. Separate Penetrate Called out of the World Sent in to the World Value Discipleship Value Evangelism Embrace Fellowship Embrace Missions Sanctified Surrounded Visible Demonstration Verbal Declaration Live Authenticity Speak Authoritatively Be Biblically Faithful to the Text Be Culturally Fruitful in the Context Listen to Word of God Speak the Language of the People Love God Love your neighbor Spend Time alone with God Spend Time Together With Godless People Danger: Seclusion Danger: Syncretism Not… But… Isolation Insulation Of the world In the world Friend of the world (James 4:4) Friend of sinners (Luke 7:34) Seclusion, Syncretism Subversion May Harvest be a church that is distinguished from the world by the prensence of God and impacting the world around us with His life changing truth. Gospel Discussion Starters http://www.harvestgranger.org/blogentry.aspx?site_id=10316&entry_id=125164http://www.harvestgranger.org/blogentry.aspx?site_id=10316&entry_id=125164 Sun, 04 Jan 2009 02:00:00 GMT Have you ever wanted to talk to someone about the good news of Jesus but didn't know where to start? <ol> <li> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in" align="left">Do you think much about spiritual things?</div> </li> <li> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in" align="left">We've never had a chance to talk about your religious background. Tell me about it?</div> </li> <li> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in" align="left">What role does faith and spiritual values play in your (work) (day) (marriage) (perspective on life)?</div> </li> <li> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in" align="left">We've been friends for quite some time now, and I've never really talked to you about the most important thing in my life. May I take a few moments and do so?</div> </li> <li> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.5in" align="left">We’ve never really talked to you about the most important thing in my life. May I take a few moments and do so?</div> </li> <li style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.5in"> <div align="left">What influence has church been in your life? </div> </li> <li style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.5in"> <div align="left">What would you say God requires for a person to go to heaven?</div> </li> <li style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.5in"> <div align="left">Can I share the thing I've found most important to me as a (dad), (mom), (boss)?</div> </li> <li style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.5in"> <div align="left">Most people in America say they believe in God. What does believing in God mean to you?</div> </li> <li style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.5in"> <div align="left">If you were to die tonight are you sure you'd go to heaven? If you were to die tonight and God were to ask you, “Why should I let you into my heaven?”, what would you say? Has anyone ever explained how you can know for sure? </div> </li> </ol> Have you ever wanted to talk to someone about the good news of Jesus but didn't know where to start? Do you think much about spiritual things? We've never had a chance to talk about your religious background. Tell me about it? What role does faith and spiritual values play in your (work) (day) (marriage) (perspective on life)? We've been friends for quite some time now, and I've never really talked to you about the most important thing in my life. May I take a few moments and do so? We’ve never really talked to you about the most important thing in my life. May I take a few moments and do so? What influence has church been in your life? What would you say God requires for a person to go to heaven? Can I share the thing I've found most important to me as a (dad), (mom), (boss)? Most people in America say they believe in God. What does believing in God mean to you? If you were to die tonight are you sure you'd go to heaven? If you were to die tonight and God were to ask you, “Why should I let you into my heaven?”, what would you say? Has anyone ever explained how you can know for sure? Remember what Christmas is all about http://www.harvestgranger.org/blogentry.aspx?site_id=10316&entry_id=124667http://www.harvestgranger.org/blogentry.aspx?site_id=10316&entry_id=124667 Tue, 23 Dec 2008 12:00:00 GMT Celebrating the brith of Christ in an increasingly secular culture requires intentionality on the part of Christians. There's nothing wrong with exchanging gifts with those we love but we must remember why Christ has come in the first place. · Christmas is not about men dressing up like Santa. It's about God dressing up like a man. · Christmas is not about Santa coming to your house to deliver gifts. It is about God coming to this world to deliver us from sin. · Christmas is not about going to the mall on a search for the perfect gift. It is about a perfect God coming to this world on a search for you and me. · Christmas is not about peace on earth between warring men. Christmas is about God sending Jesus as a peace offering for men warring against God. · Christmas is not about illuminating your home with lights. It is about illuminating a dark heart with the Light of the World-Jesus. · Christmas is not about putting up a tree with your son in your living room. Christmas is about God sending his Son to be put on a tree so we could live. Celebrating the brith of Christ in an increasingly secular culture requires intentionality on the part of Christians. There's nothing wrong with exchanging gifts with those we love but we must remember why Christ has come in the first place. · Christmas is not about men dressing up like Santa. It's about God dressing up like a man. · Christmas is not about Santa coming to your house to deliver gifts. It is about God coming to this world to deliver us from sin. · Christmas is not about going to the mall on a search for the perfect gift. It is about a perfect God coming to this world on a search for you and me. · Christmas is not about peace on earth between warring men. Christmas is about God sending Jesus as a peace offering for men warring against God. · Christmas is not about illuminating your home with lights. It is about illuminating a dark heart with the Light of the World-Jesus. · Christmas is not about putting up a tree with your son in your living room. Christmas is about God sending his Son to be put on a tree so we could live. Something Special http://www.harvestgranger.org/blogentry.aspx?site_id=10316&entry_id=120722http://www.harvestgranger.org/blogentry.aspx?site_id=10316&entry_id=120722 Sun, 16 Nov 2008 21:00:00 GMT I believe God has begun something special as we seek to grow a church that God can trust with His glory. Although there will never be a perfect church, we desire to embrace the values that God has always chosen to bless with his presence and power—and that is something that the world desperately needs to see from the church. If you’re looking for a community of believers who take God’s Word seriously and worship Him passionately then we invite you to grow with us. I believe God has begun something special as we seek to grow a church that God can trust with His glory. Although there will never be a perfect church, we desire to embrace the values that God has always chosen to bless with his presence and power—and that is something that the world desperately needs to see from the church. If you’re looking for a community of believers who take God’s Word seriously and worship Him passionately then we invite you to grow with us. Generosity Feeds the Church Underground http://www.harvestgranger.org/blogentry.aspx?site_id=10316&entry_id=106010http://www.harvestgranger.org/blogentry.aspx?site_id=10316&entry_id=106010 Mon, 27 Oct 2008 03:00:00 GMT Last Saturday night was a great meeting for the Launch Team of Harvest Bible Chapel. The food was good but the fellowship was so much better. We were joined by new friends who, I trust, found out why we are so excited about what God is doing with Harvest. We now have about 80 people committed to our vision of Harvest Bible Chapel Granger! Please keep in mind two very important items. 1. Weekly Meetings. Beginning this week, we will be meeting every Saturday night. We will continue to meet at North Pointe Bible Church on SR 23 in Granger at 6:30pm. Invite your friends to come worship with us and learn more about what we are all about. 2. Generosity feeds the church underground. Our regular offerings are necessary to meet expenses as we continue to build infrastructure for the church. Soon we will be incurring rent for facilities and office space. This week, I introduced the opportunity to give toward our Launch Fund. In order to acquire equipment and purchase advertising we will need approximately $75,000 before our launch in January. I asked us all to take home the commitment card and bring it back this week indicating our level of involvement for October, November, and December. Please be in prayer about our need and what part God wants you to play. I was encouraged to receive the first gift of $2,500 within 24 hours of sharing the need! Remember the Church Underground principle we found in 2 Corinthians 9:6. "Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully." Looking forward to a bountiful harvest. Last Saturday night was a great meeting for the Launch Team of Harvest Bible Chapel. The food was good but the fellowship was so much better. We were joined by new friends who, I trust, found out why we are so excited about what God is doing with Harvest. We now have about 80 people committed to our vision of Harvest Bible Chapel Granger! Please keep in mind two very important items. 1. Weekly Meetings. Beginning this week, we will be meeting every Saturday night. We will continue to meet at North Pointe Bible Church on SR 23 in Granger at 6:30pm. Invite your friends to come worship with us and learn more about what we are all about. 2. Generosity feeds the church underground. Our regular offerings are necessary to meet expenses as we continue to build infrastructure for the church. Soon we will be incurring rent for facilities and office space. This week, I introduced the opportunity to give toward our Launch Fund. In order to acquire equipment and purchase advertising we will need approximately $75,000 before our launch in January. I asked us all to take home the commitment card and bring it back this week indicating our level of involvement for October, November, and December. Please be in prayer about our need and what part God wants you to play. I was encouraged to receive the first gift of $2,500 within 24 hours of sharing the need! Remember the Church Underground principle we found in 2 Corinthians 9:6. "Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully." Looking forward to a bountiful harvest. Every Harvest Begins Underground http://www.harvestgranger.org/blogentry.aspx?site_id=10316&entry_id=117958http://www.harvestgranger.org/blogentry.aspx?site_id=10316&entry_id=117958 Mon, 29 Sep 2008 15:00:00 GMT At this phase of our church plant, I want to call us to become a CHURCH UNDERGROUND. One day we hope to have an incredibly fruitful church in our community. If this happens, our church will become somewhat visible. But right now we must chose to embrace invisibility. By this I mean we must choose the way of humility and brokenness. We must recognize that we do not have the resources, abilities, or knowledge to build the church God wants. All we have is Him. But do we act like it? Do we think that that if we just had the money, the staff, the programs, the music, or the preaching we will have the church God desires? What we need is a heart of desperation that embraces the position of lowliness and humility and surrenders all desires for prominence, position, and power. Before we will see God produce the fruit of the Harvest we must allow him to plant us deeply underground. From John 12:20-26 we learned that GOING UNDERGROUND means… • Glorifying Jesus • Becoming Invisible – Let them see Jesus! • Getting Dirty • Choosing Death • Gaining Security • Multiplying Fruit In short, HUMILITY is a key nutrient that will nourish the seed resulting in anticipated fruit. Will you meditate on these two scriptures as we go deeper in becoming the CHURCH UNDERGROUND… Isa 57:15 For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite. Isa 66:1-2 Thus says the LORD: "Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; what is the house that you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest? All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the LORD. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word. At this phase of our church plant, I want to call us to become a CHURCH UNDERGROUND. One day we hope to have an incredibly fruitful church in our community. If this happens, our church will become somewhat visible. But right now we must chose to embrace invisibility. By this I mean we must choose the way of humility and brokenness. We must recognize that we do not have the resources, abilities, or knowledge to build the church God wants. All we have is Him. But do we act like it? Do we think that that if we just had the money, the staff, the programs, the music, or the preaching we will have the church God desires? What we need is a heart of desperation that embraces the position of lowliness and humility and surrenders all desires for prominence, position, and power. Before we will see God produce the fruit of the Harvest we must allow him to plant us deeply underground. From John 12:20-26 we learned that GOING UNDERGROUND means… • Glorifying Jesus • Becoming Invisible – Let them see Jesus! • Getting Dirty • Choosing Death • Gaining Security • Multiplying Fruit In short, HUMILITY is a key nutrient that will nourish the seed resulting in anticipated fruit. Will you meditate on these two scriptures as we go deeper in becoming the CHURCH UNDERGROUND… Isa 57:15 For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite. Isa 66:1-2 Thus says the LORD: "Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; what is the house that you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest? All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the LORD. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.