Not what you think though. TRICKED YA! We aren't REALLY moving to the new location YET. However, Adam and I did take the first load of Element stuff over there today. Here a couple of pics. The move has begun!
Showing posts with label updates. Show all posts
Showing posts with label updates. Show all posts
Monday, June 2, 2008
Building Prayer
Hey Element Church! Our contractor is REALLY hoping/expecting a demo permit today. Also, he and one of the building owners are meeting with a city official about a site plan/building permit so PLEASE PRAY! If you are getting this later in the day then pray retro-actively, lol.
Praying,
Jeff
Praying,
Jeff
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Sunday Rumination (6-01-08)
Hey Element Church! WOW! June. Today was a great day. Had a few bumps in the road but all in all was another awesome day at church. Here is my ruminations from the day.
--- 498 this morning. 2nd service was PACKED. 10 people on the front row. I am STOKED we had so many but HATE it when people have to sit in the front. Both services are filling up. If we have any seats it's in first service. (I wish e:coustic would have worked. We need the "ability" to grow)
--- We took aim at abortion today. I was VERY excited about the message. Mostly because I really felt like God helped me learn some stuff that I got to share. People seemed to respond well. Abortion isn't an issue that hits a lot of families. We'll see how people respond to issues that hit a little closer. lol
--- I hadn't planned on this at all but I REALLY felt led at the end of first service to ask for any women who had been through an abortion and wanted prayer to raise their hands. 4 women in first service and 6 or 7 men and women did in 2nd service. We had a good moment of prayer for all of them.
--- "God loves the women who aborted her child just as much as he loved the child she aborted." I said that today. I REALLY feel like we need to say that more as Christians. People need to know that we don't just stand up for the unborn, we will stand WITH the women who aborted their babies with the love of Jesus. There IS healing. There IS forgiveness. There IS hope. There IS restoration. Do I believe it's wrong? YES! Do I believe Jesus can forgive? ABSOLUTELY!
--- The band stinkin' KILLED it today! (And by killed I mean good...REALLY GOOD)
--- We have unbelievable volunteers. CRAZY what gets done from 6 AM to 12:30 PM.
--- Continue to pray with us for God's timing in our building. Just waiting still!
--- Next week will be interesting. Alcohol. I heard one pastor preach a message last year and his title "Can a Christian drink a cold beer? (because we all know it's a sin to drink a warm one)" Thought that was funny. Not sure what my title will be. Here are some I'm working on...
- "How can it get better than this?"
- "WASSSSSUP and other silly things you might say when drinking!"
- "Tastes great...less thrilling"
- "The Kings name isn't Bud"
- "Pure Rocky Mountain stream water...Not sure Coors is what God had in mind."
LOL totally don't know where that came from. That's a random Sunday afternoon from Jeff for ya.
--- Getting ready to go hang out with friends tonight. I look forward to Sunday nights every week. That's about it.
--- Four blogs I am really looking forward to doing this week that I'll bust out starting tomorrow hopefully. Have an awesome week!
Following Christ,
Jeff
--- 498 this morning. 2nd service was PACKED. 10 people on the front row. I am STOKED we had so many but HATE it when people have to sit in the front. Both services are filling up. If we have any seats it's in first service. (I wish e:coustic would have worked. We need the "ability" to grow)
--- We took aim at abortion today. I was VERY excited about the message. Mostly because I really felt like God helped me learn some stuff that I got to share. People seemed to respond well. Abortion isn't an issue that hits a lot of families. We'll see how people respond to issues that hit a little closer. lol
--- I hadn't planned on this at all but I REALLY felt led at the end of first service to ask for any women who had been through an abortion and wanted prayer to raise their hands. 4 women in first service and 6 or 7 men and women did in 2nd service. We had a good moment of prayer for all of them.
--- "God loves the women who aborted her child just as much as he loved the child she aborted." I said that today. I REALLY feel like we need to say that more as Christians. People need to know that we don't just stand up for the unborn, we will stand WITH the women who aborted their babies with the love of Jesus. There IS healing. There IS forgiveness. There IS hope. There IS restoration. Do I believe it's wrong? YES! Do I believe Jesus can forgive? ABSOLUTELY!
--- The band stinkin' KILLED it today! (And by killed I mean good...REALLY GOOD)
--- We have unbelievable volunteers. CRAZY what gets done from 6 AM to 12:30 PM.
--- Continue to pray with us for God's timing in our building. Just waiting still!
--- Next week will be interesting. Alcohol. I heard one pastor preach a message last year and his title "Can a Christian drink a cold beer? (because we all know it's a sin to drink a warm one)" Thought that was funny. Not sure what my title will be. Here are some I'm working on...
- "How can it get better than this?"
- "WASSSSSUP and other silly things you might say when drinking!"
- "Tastes great...less thrilling"
- "The Kings name isn't Bud"
- "Pure Rocky Mountain stream water...Not sure Coors is what God had in mind."
LOL totally don't know where that came from. That's a random Sunday afternoon from Jeff for ya.
--- Getting ready to go hang out with friends tonight. I look forward to Sunday nights every week. That's about it.
--- Four blogs I am really looking forward to doing this week that I'll bust out starting tomorrow hopefully. Have an awesome week!
Following Christ,
Jeff
Friday, May 30, 2008
Untouchables
Hey Element Church! Don't forget that we start our new series this week. I am STOKED for these sermons. (SCARED OUT OF MY MIND TOO) But stoked!
Here is a post from a pastor that I feel VERY similar too when it comes to preaching.
I am JUST as nervous each week when I preach. Whether it's for 50 people or 500. I used to not be able to eat anything before I preached. Now I have ONE donut and that's about too much. But if I don't eat I get a horrible headache before church is over. Anyway, random glimpse into me right there. Pastor Furticks blog cracked me up cause it's exactly how I feel. If you see me on Sundays after set up, you see me wandering around aimlessly a lot, or sitting by myself. We are a weird bunch, us pastors!
Following Christ,
Jeff
Here is a post from a pastor that I feel VERY similar too when it comes to preaching.
I am JUST as nervous each week when I preach. Whether it's for 50 people or 500. I used to not be able to eat anything before I preached. Now I have ONE donut and that's about too much. But if I don't eat I get a horrible headache before church is over. Anyway, random glimpse into me right there. Pastor Furticks blog cracked me up cause it's exactly how I feel. If you see me on Sundays after set up, you see me wandering around aimlessly a lot, or sitting by myself. We are a weird bunch, us pastors!
Following Christ,
Jeff
Building Update
Hey Element Church! Well, to say I am frustrated would be the understatement of the year. To say I've been worried about the progress of the building would be just short of where my frustration is at. We signed the lease on May 1st and were given two months of free use to begin the remodel of the space. As of today, we still have no permit to demo or build. Things were going SO smooth and God was opening EVERY door and then BAM...we hit a snag. I've had some heart to hearts with God about this in my prayer life recently and then He did what He should have done and SLAPPED me upside the head with a reminder. I need to beware what I preach on cause then I'm held accountable to it. lol
Philippians 4:6 says "Don't worry about anything, instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need and THANK HIM for everything He has done." Don't we typically forget the thanking part? I know I do sometimes. The reason we worry is that we DON'T remember OR thank God like we should. When we thank Him we are forced to remember all the things He has done. Yesterday I was REALLY challenged with this. Here is what I wrote in my journal.
"Lord, I don't know what's going on with the building but I trust You. If this is Your timing, we will wait patiently. If this is a hindrance, Lord I ask that you move it on our behalf. Your will be done. I'm frustrated but I don't want to worry. I need to follow Philippians 4:6."
So I did. I followed Philippians 4:6. Here is what I realized. At this point, I'm worrying and frustrated over ONE need. "Get the permit and start working on the building" So I wrote that need down: "Get in the building" Then I wrote down all the things God has done JUST with this building. 1. A GREAT Christian realtor who helped us through the process. 2. Our GREAT Christian contractor donating his time and doing ALL he can to get us in. 3. The book that God put on my desk that helped prepare me for the decisions that would have to be made concerning the building. 4. The support of the people of Element Church. AMAZING! 5. ONE CHECK for $20,000 6. Two free months of use. (They could have gave us NONE...HELLO!) 7. 450 people coming to church so we NEED a new facility. 8. Consistent giving that enables us to GET a building. 9. The timing of the owners calling me and OFFERING us the building. 10. A staff that didn't waiver to follow me in this decision. I stopped there but there is more. I realized, that God has ALREADY done so much WHY SHOULD I WORRY ABOUT ONE MORE THING? Anyway, God's been teaching me through this.
Element Church...the timing of things with this facility may not be ours, BUT I will trust God that it's His. He is not caught off guard. He is not waiting by the phone hoping the city calls. He is not wondering what will happen. HE KNOWS...HE CARES...and HE WILL GET US IN! Amen?
Learning,
Jeff
Philippians 4:6 says "Don't worry about anything, instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need and THANK HIM for everything He has done." Don't we typically forget the thanking part? I know I do sometimes. The reason we worry is that we DON'T remember OR thank God like we should. When we thank Him we are forced to remember all the things He has done. Yesterday I was REALLY challenged with this. Here is what I wrote in my journal.
"Lord, I don't know what's going on with the building but I trust You. If this is Your timing, we will wait patiently. If this is a hindrance, Lord I ask that you move it on our behalf. Your will be done. I'm frustrated but I don't want to worry. I need to follow Philippians 4:6."
So I did. I followed Philippians 4:6. Here is what I realized. At this point, I'm worrying and frustrated over ONE need. "Get the permit and start working on the building" So I wrote that need down: "Get in the building" Then I wrote down all the things God has done JUST with this building. 1. A GREAT Christian realtor who helped us through the process. 2. Our GREAT Christian contractor donating his time and doing ALL he can to get us in. 3. The book that God put on my desk that helped prepare me for the decisions that would have to be made concerning the building. 4. The support of the people of Element Church. AMAZING! 5. ONE CHECK for $20,000 6. Two free months of use. (They could have gave us NONE...HELLO!) 7. 450 people coming to church so we NEED a new facility. 8. Consistent giving that enables us to GET a building. 9. The timing of the owners calling me and OFFERING us the building. 10. A staff that didn't waiver to follow me in this decision. I stopped there but there is more. I realized, that God has ALREADY done so much WHY SHOULD I WORRY ABOUT ONE MORE THING? Anyway, God's been teaching me through this.
Element Church...the timing of things with this facility may not be ours, BUT I will trust God that it's His. He is not caught off guard. He is not waiting by the phone hoping the city calls. He is not wondering what will happen. HE KNOWS...HE CARES...and HE WILL GET US IN! Amen?
Learning,
Jeff
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Untouchables Sermons
Hey Element Church! A couple things about Untouchables. First off, please pray. We are tackling 4 VERY tough subjects. I want the Bible to drive our discussion and not JUST opinion. The WORD is where we find our source of Truth. I have some strong opinions on each of these subjects, as I know all of you do as well. My goal for this series is that we could all walk away closer to Jesus and with a deeper understanding and conviction of what we believe and where we stand with these subjects.
Second, I wanted to share the order in which we are taking on these topics. I know some of you have specific subjects you want to invite people to hear. So here they are.
June 1st: Abortion
June 8th: Drinking
June 15th: Homosexuality
June 22nd: Divorce
June 29th: Q&A (we'll be setting up an email address for you to send in questions to) That will be a fun Sunday.
There ya go. Have an AWESOME day. Working on my messages right now. I'm getting pumped.
Jeff
Second, I wanted to share the order in which we are taking on these topics. I know some of you have specific subjects you want to invite people to hear. So here they are.
June 1st: Abortion
June 8th: Drinking
June 15th: Homosexuality
June 22nd: Divorce
June 29th: Q&A (we'll be setting up an email address for you to send in questions to) That will be a fun Sunday.
There ya go. Have an AWESOME day. Working on my messages right now. I'm getting pumped.
Jeff
Monday, May 26, 2008
Missions Video
Hey Element Church! This is the missions video from Aaron Brakefield that we couldn't show Sunday. If you want to see more from their mission field you can watch it.
Sunday Rumination (5-25-08)
Hey Element Church! First off, let me say "THANK YOU!" to our veterans and those who are currently serving in the military. Also, a thank you to our fallen soldiers who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom. We were able to worship God yesterday because of the lives of soldiers who fought on our behalf. From the Revolutionary War to the current war in Iraq men and women have fought and died for us. Regardless of where you stand on war in general or the current war, you are able to have AND share your opinion because of the men and women who fought for you!! Their sacrifice and commitment blows me away!
--- I took the afternoon off yesterday and didn't blog. I actually played Xbox instead. lol
--- 463 in church yesterday. 2nd service was VERY full. I was pleasantly surprised with the Memorial weekend #'s.
--- We had several first time guests today. One thing we have asked for since we started Unplugged almost one year ago was that God would bring us someone new every week. We have yet to have ONE Sunday where we didn't have one at least one first time guest. PTL
--- We finished off our Little Rascals series yesterday. I can honestly say that this was one of the MOST challenging sermon series' I've ever done. It was so close to home and God challenged Sabrina and I GREATLY through this series. I want to be the BEST parent I possibly can.
--- We had Aaron Brakefield and his wife Christina with us yesterday. Aaron has a wonderful ministry to teenagers in Brazil. I HIGHLY believe in what they are doing on the mission field. I believe we had some new people step up to support them financially. Element is also going to support the Brakefields through our general fund.
--- Our missions philosophy is and always will be Cheyenne first and foreign second. The Brakefields and their youth center WILL be a foreign mission Element takes on. I'll get a video we didn't have time to show yesterday at church up later. Aaron put it together as a highlight of their youth center. Take some time to watch it if you'd like when it's up.
--- No e:coustic was...a relief. I actually got to greet people after the 9 AM service. There was one couple who had been coming for 2 months that I had never met. That's crazy!
--- If there is one phrase that can sum up our time recently at Element it is "Technical difficulties". I swear if we solve one problem 5 more are created. We FINALLY defeated the buzz demon in our sound system yesterday by using the projector we bought for e:coustic instead of the theater projector. It was AMAZING! BUT, we created several other sound problems in the process. Now we have a microphone demon. My wireless mic was wiggin' out BIG TIME!
--- Untouchables is next. This is going to be a challenging series too! Taking on some VERY difficult subjects. I'll get the video promo up later that Adam made. I think production wise it is his BEST! We're themeing the series around the old gangster stuff. Guys who were "untouchable". I think we captured that through the video.
Alright, got stuff to do. I need to do this on Sunday afternoon like I normally do. Much easier than when the fam is all awake.
Following Christ,
Jeff
--- I took the afternoon off yesterday and didn't blog. I actually played Xbox instead. lol
--- 463 in church yesterday. 2nd service was VERY full. I was pleasantly surprised with the Memorial weekend #'s.
--- We had several first time guests today. One thing we have asked for since we started Unplugged almost one year ago was that God would bring us someone new every week. We have yet to have ONE Sunday where we didn't have one at least one first time guest. PTL
--- We finished off our Little Rascals series yesterday. I can honestly say that this was one of the MOST challenging sermon series' I've ever done. It was so close to home and God challenged Sabrina and I GREATLY through this series. I want to be the BEST parent I possibly can.
--- We had Aaron Brakefield and his wife Christina with us yesterday. Aaron has a wonderful ministry to teenagers in Brazil. I HIGHLY believe in what they are doing on the mission field. I believe we had some new people step up to support them financially. Element is also going to support the Brakefields through our general fund.
--- Our missions philosophy is and always will be Cheyenne first and foreign second. The Brakefields and their youth center WILL be a foreign mission Element takes on. I'll get a video we didn't have time to show yesterday at church up later. Aaron put it together as a highlight of their youth center. Take some time to watch it if you'd like when it's up.
--- No e:coustic was...a relief. I actually got to greet people after the 9 AM service. There was one couple who had been coming for 2 months that I had never met. That's crazy!
--- If there is one phrase that can sum up our time recently at Element it is "Technical difficulties". I swear if we solve one problem 5 more are created. We FINALLY defeated the buzz demon in our sound system yesterday by using the projector we bought for e:coustic instead of the theater projector. It was AMAZING! BUT, we created several other sound problems in the process. Now we have a microphone demon. My wireless mic was wiggin' out BIG TIME!
--- Untouchables is next. This is going to be a challenging series too! Taking on some VERY difficult subjects. I'll get the video promo up later that Adam made. I think production wise it is his BEST! We're themeing the series around the old gangster stuff. Guys who were "untouchable". I think we captured that through the video.
Alright, got stuff to do. I need to do this on Sunday afternoon like I normally do. Much easier than when the fam is all awake.
Following Christ,
Jeff
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Quick Saturday Reminders!
Hey Element Church! If you can come early to help set up that would be AWESOME! The few new ones who helped last week ROCKED! Each volunteer adds so much to getting the morning done.
NO ECOUSTIC tomorrow! Don't forget that. Just back to 9 am and 10:30 am.
If you can come to 9 AM please do that. That is the area with the most available seats. That's it. I'm excited for tomorrow!
Following Christ,
Jeff
NO ECOUSTIC tomorrow! Don't forget that. Just back to 9 am and 10:30 am.
If you can come to 9 AM please do that. That is the area with the most available seats. That's it. I'm excited for tomorrow!
Following Christ,
Jeff
Thursday, May 22, 2008
WiBo Speaker #1
Right before the event started today, I wrote in my journal: "Lord, expand our vision!" MAN did he do that. None more than the first speaker.
Mark Batterson was first up this morning. Mark and National Community Church have a VERY cool story. If you get a chance to find out about their history please do. Mark also wrote the book "In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day" which our Lead Team is reading right now. That had to be intimidating setting the stage for the whole day with these phenomenal speakers. He did a great job! Here are some quotes I took from him.
"The longer I'm in ministry and the longer I lead, the more I covet the favor of God."
"Your best thought on your best day is about 13.2 billion light years short of God's" (Isa. 55:8-9) Comparing our thoughts to the expanse of the universe.
"The moment we think we have God all figured out is the moment we lose our spiritual curiosity." May we never be satisfied with just the knowledge we already have about God. NO ONE has Him all figured out. NO ONE!
"Your dreams are too small. We confess our sins to God but when was the last time you confessed your small dreams to Him?"
"At some point we stop doing ministry out of imagination and start doing it out of memory" (When we do it out of memory we end up doing what we've always done. We lose creativity and risk)
"I'd rather have one God idea than 1,000 good ideas and you don't get that one God idea from a speaker."
"If there ever was a dreamer his name was Jesus." (The Great Commission was a dream) Then he said this (great line) "You have been grafted into THE dreamer!"
That's it from speaker #1. Blog more later. (This may be a week long thing)
Still Processing,
Jeff
Mark Batterson was first up this morning. Mark and National Community Church have a VERY cool story. If you get a chance to find out about their history please do. Mark also wrote the book "In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day" which our Lead Team is reading right now. That had to be intimidating setting the stage for the whole day with these phenomenal speakers. He did a great job! Here are some quotes I took from him.
"The longer I'm in ministry and the longer I lead, the more I covet the favor of God."
"Your best thought on your best day is about 13.2 billion light years short of God's" (Isa. 55:8-9) Comparing our thoughts to the expanse of the universe.
"The moment we think we have God all figured out is the moment we lose our spiritual curiosity." May we never be satisfied with just the knowledge we already have about God. NO ONE has Him all figured out. NO ONE!
"Your dreams are too small. We confess our sins to God but when was the last time you confessed your small dreams to Him?"
"At some point we stop doing ministry out of imagination and start doing it out of memory" (When we do it out of memory we end up doing what we've always done. We lose creativity and risk)
"I'd rather have one God idea than 1,000 good ideas and you don't get that one God idea from a speaker."
"If there ever was a dreamer his name was Jesus." (The Great Commission was a dream) Then he said this (great line) "You have been grafted into THE dreamer!"
That's it from speaker #1. Blog more later. (This may be a week long thing)
Still Processing,
Jeff
WOW!
Hey Element Church! To say my mind is about to explode would be an understatement. UNBELIEVABLE conference! Talk about expanding your vision. MAN. Both Adam and I are reeling tonight. We haven't even hardly talked about it cause we're still trying to process everything. The format was amazing. Ben Arment did a phenomenal job putting this thing together. It's amazing what the blogworld can do for things. What literally (as far as I understand) was an idea Ben blogged one day, turned into a conference with 800 pastors in attendance and 8 of today's greatest communicators sharing 30 minutes a piece. Each one shared their "one compelling idea". The format is perfect. I hope they do it again next year. I felt it was so beneficial to get 8 guys' 30 minutes of their best stuff in one day rather than a couple guys talking for an hour and a half and you attend 2-3 days. I took MASSIVE notes and will be blogging on what hit me from each speaker. We paid $99 to attend this bad boy. Worth every penny!
Adam and I went and saw Indiana Jones tonight. Definitely not the best of the series but it wasn't horrible. Typical Indiana Jones. I was hoping it would be a bit better but a good flick to go and just relax and not think about anything for a while.
Adam has some new pics up and some thoughts. Amazing day! Can't wait to get back to tornado infested Cheyenne. Looking forward to Sunday.
Processing,
Jeff
Adam and I went and saw Indiana Jones tonight. Definitely not the best of the series but it wasn't horrible. Typical Indiana Jones. I was hoping it would be a bit better but a good flick to go and just relax and not think about anything for a while.
Adam has some new pics up and some thoughts. Amazing day! Can't wait to get back to tornado infested Cheyenne. Looking forward to Sunday.
Processing,
Jeff
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
You're not from here are ya?
Hey Element Church! We've arrived in Washington D.C. I REALLY wish I could share this with my wife. We love coming to places like this. Went to Pennsylvania together 2 years ago and had had a BLAST! Both Adam and I did much better and enjoyed much better the flight today, compared to our last flight. Although I do miss having Permagrin with us. Adam and I have got to stick out like a sore thumb here. We're walking around with our eyes as big as big as baseballs. The difference in culture from Wyoming to DC amazes me. We're in the same country, yet it's SO different here. Beautiful! (that's not what's different, cause Wyoming is definitely beautiful) To say I am excited for Whiteboard Sessions is an understatement. I am SO pumped to be challenged tomorrow. We are staying in an AWESOME hotel. Terri did a FANTASTIC job setting up all the details for us on this trip. Adam and I drove into Reston Town Center, where the conference is tomorrow, and had dinner. We then went to where the conference was held. I felt like a fish out of water. Saw some of the guys who I follow on a regular basis in the blog world. Some GREAT church leaders. Made me feel pretty small. lol Like a fish out of water. We're chillin' now watching the American Idol finale. Gonna head to the conference early. I think Adam got some pictures up already. Here is a link to his blog. We'll both be blogging our thoughts on the conference tomorrow. There are 8 pastors sharing in this one day conference. Each get 30 minutes a piece. It is going to be info overload and I AM PUMPED! I love learning. Love being challenged. Love being stretched. Alright, be watching for more from D.C.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Monday Musings
I know, I need to quit naming things. Still waiting on the word for the permit. We're trusting we'll get the demo permit this week. With that, we are going ahead and planning on demo Saturday at 9 AM. Terri will be contacting everyone who signed up if we do have it. Adam and I are flying back Saturday and arriving in Denver around 9 AM. So we'll get here ASAP to join the fun! Framers and sheet rockers will soon follow that! Pray that we get that permit!
I'm SUPER excited about my message this week. I usually don't finalize it until Wednesday but with leaving Wednesday for D.C. I tried to get as much of it finalized today. I'll be sharing the top things I want my kids to leave home with. We'll be dissecting a Scripture I feel God gave me in my morning devotions last week. As I began writing down the things I want my kids to have when they leave home, it reminded me of what I had read. I know it's Memorial Day weekend, but if you are going to be in town I encourage you to be there!
Getting everything done for the week in two days is tough! Pray that we get everything ready and have a safe trip!
Following Christ,
Jeff
I'm SUPER excited about my message this week. I usually don't finalize it until Wednesday but with leaving Wednesday for D.C. I tried to get as much of it finalized today. I'll be sharing the top things I want my kids to leave home with. We'll be dissecting a Scripture I feel God gave me in my morning devotions last week. As I began writing down the things I want my kids to have when they leave home, it reminded me of what I had read. I know it's Memorial Day weekend, but if you are going to be in town I encourage you to be there!
Getting everything done for the week in two days is tough! Pray that we get everything ready and have a safe trip!
Following Christ,
Jeff
Building Update
Hey Element Church! Just talked to our contractor and he is hoping to give me a call today to meet him down at the city to pay for our building permit and HOPEFULLY get the demo permit today!! PRAY PRAY PRAY! If we get the demo permit, we will most likely get in there this weekend to start working. Just wanted to put that out there in the blogosphere so you Elementers and others alike can join us in prayer today. The contractor said the electrician told him his drawings would be done today. Let's approach the throne of grace with confidence together!!! Amen? (And you thought I only said that from the pulpit)
Praying,
Jeff
Praying,
Jeff
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Sunday Rumination (5-18-08)
Hey Element Church! Got a birthday party to get to with our kids and need to leave at 2:30. Currently 2:06 so this may be a shortened Rumination.
--- I felt GREAT this morning! Got a very good nights rest and woke up ready to rumble. Compared to last week I felt 1000 times better.
--- 452 in church today! We are consistently hitting that mark. I know everyone says when summer hits that church attendance goes down. Why don't we break that norm! I am believing for growth through summer. Who's joining me?
--- We made the announcement today that it was the FINAL service for e:coustic. We've said from day one that if a ministry wasn't bearing fruit we'd prune it (that's politically correct for CUT IT OFF!) LOL We made the decision Monday at our Lead Team meeting. The fruit didn't justify the energy, time and commitment of having it. That's the reason why. We had 23 last week in there, I think 19 this week!?? Adam said he started the service today with the band, sound team and light guy. That's not good! I don't feel like we missed the voice of God. The whole lead team felt God was asking us to do it, and maybe that's all God wanted. To see if we'd obey. I was hoping for a better response but it just didn't happen. I'm not sure anyone new connected through that service, it was all just transfer from e:worship. Anyway, we made the decision and it's done!
--- If you're an Elementer I again encourage you to come to the 9 AM service. It, by far, has the most room to grow. Also, if we start filling up again I encourage Elementers to sit down after worship starts. Leave seats for newcomers before we sit!!
--- I have some MAJOR suggestions for church planters who are considering a staggered service. So many things we learned from doing this. Most of them are things NOT to do! lol
--- ALL HYMNS THIS WEEK! I thought Adam led the band to an absolute home run today. The Elemented up 5 hymns and rocked it out. I had such an awesome time of worship before I preached in the 9 am service. We sang All Hail the Power; Holy, Holy, Holy; Come Thou Fount; Fairest Lord Jesus; and Amazing Grace! There is such GREAT theology and teaching in the old hymns. I think we miss that in the newer songs. I love singing those songs with a new modern feel to them!
--- It was funny cause at least one of our band members didn't know many (if any) of those songs. We get so worked up about "traditional" vs. "modern" and they wouldn't have known which category they were in. If we'd just shut up and worship (I know oxymoron) we'd enjoy church a lot more.
--- I really felt like today's message was very good for ME! It was right where Sabrina and I are at in parenting. Very challenging for us.
--- I haven't felt like I connected like I could yet in this series. Don't know what it is, just haven't felt great about it. I think pastors go through that in spurts. You "feel" on and then you don't. What's great is typically whether I think it was good or not, God still uses it and people tell me they got something out of it. We can't always trust our feelings.
--- We launched the "Untouchables" promo today. It was one of Adam's BEST video productions since we started I thought. I'm PUMPED for that series. Make sure and begin inviting people to it!
--- Took up our Climb pledges today. We'll update you on that later this week! We're trying to raise $100,000. We encourage you to partner with us.
--- Adam and I are going to a Conference in Washington D.C. this Wednesday. We're going to hear from some GREAT pastors and communicators. Check it out here. Can't wait to be stretched!
Alright, that's about it. Gotta wake everyone up from their nap and get ready for the party! Thanks Element Church for letting me lead you! You are a blessing.
Following Christ,
Jeff
--- I felt GREAT this morning! Got a very good nights rest and woke up ready to rumble. Compared to last week I felt 1000 times better.
--- 452 in church today! We are consistently hitting that mark. I know everyone says when summer hits that church attendance goes down. Why don't we break that norm! I am believing for growth through summer. Who's joining me?
--- We made the announcement today that it was the FINAL service for e:coustic. We've said from day one that if a ministry wasn't bearing fruit we'd prune it (that's politically correct for CUT IT OFF!) LOL We made the decision Monday at our Lead Team meeting. The fruit didn't justify the energy, time and commitment of having it. That's the reason why. We had 23 last week in there, I think 19 this week!?? Adam said he started the service today with the band, sound team and light guy. That's not good! I don't feel like we missed the voice of God. The whole lead team felt God was asking us to do it, and maybe that's all God wanted. To see if we'd obey. I was hoping for a better response but it just didn't happen. I'm not sure anyone new connected through that service, it was all just transfer from e:worship. Anyway, we made the decision and it's done!
--- If you're an Elementer I again encourage you to come to the 9 AM service. It, by far, has the most room to grow. Also, if we start filling up again I encourage Elementers to sit down after worship starts. Leave seats for newcomers before we sit!!
--- I have some MAJOR suggestions for church planters who are considering a staggered service. So many things we learned from doing this. Most of them are things NOT to do! lol
--- ALL HYMNS THIS WEEK! I thought Adam led the band to an absolute home run today. The Elemented up 5 hymns and rocked it out. I had such an awesome time of worship before I preached in the 9 am service. We sang All Hail the Power; Holy, Holy, Holy; Come Thou Fount; Fairest Lord Jesus; and Amazing Grace! There is such GREAT theology and teaching in the old hymns. I think we miss that in the newer songs. I love singing those songs with a new modern feel to them!
--- It was funny cause at least one of our band members didn't know many (if any) of those songs. We get so worked up about "traditional" vs. "modern" and they wouldn't have known which category they were in. If we'd just shut up and worship (I know oxymoron) we'd enjoy church a lot more.
--- I really felt like today's message was very good for ME! It was right where Sabrina and I are at in parenting. Very challenging for us.
--- I haven't felt like I connected like I could yet in this series. Don't know what it is, just haven't felt great about it. I think pastors go through that in spurts. You "feel" on and then you don't. What's great is typically whether I think it was good or not, God still uses it and people tell me they got something out of it. We can't always trust our feelings.
--- We launched the "Untouchables" promo today. It was one of Adam's BEST video productions since we started I thought. I'm PUMPED for that series. Make sure and begin inviting people to it!
--- Took up our Climb pledges today. We'll update you on that later this week! We're trying to raise $100,000. We encourage you to partner with us.
--- Adam and I are going to a Conference in Washington D.C. this Wednesday. We're going to hear from some GREAT pastors and communicators. Check it out here. Can't wait to be stretched!
Alright, that's about it. Gotta wake everyone up from their nap and get ready for the party! Thanks Element Church for letting me lead you! You are a blessing.
Following Christ,
Jeff
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Blog Link
Hey Element Church! I am so proud of our student ministry we have at Element Church and the leadership God has placed there. I'm SUPER pumped to see where Fusion goes now that Curtis and Andy can give more focused time to their respective groups (Varsity and JV). Fusion I believe is living out Paul's charge to Timothy of "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set forth an example...!" Every month Varsity Fusion does a RAK with the students. Here is a link to the latest RAK on the Fusion blog. GREAT JOB FUSION! If you have a child in 6th - 12th grade, let me implore you to get them involved in Elements student ministry. I can't wait until my own kids are under the leadership and example of couples like Curtis and Heather and Andy and Aubrey!
Proud Leader,
Jeff
Proud Leader,
Jeff
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Shorthanded
Hey Element Church! MANY of our regular and trusty set up crew is not going to be available on Sunday. If there are any of you Elementers out there who could sacrifice one week of sleeping in a bit to come at 6:30 AM to help set up that would be a HUGE help! We do a LOT of set up and with as many road crew members out that we'll have it is gonna leave a HUGE hole. If you can come and help please email me so we know who to expect. Also, there is a noon movie being shown this Sunday which means we are in for a super fast tear down. Anyone who can come back at 11:45 to help tear down or stay after 3rd service would be greatly appreciated!
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
YOU'RE HIRED!
Andy got the job he was looking for today! God is good! The timings of events can only be credited to God. We're excited about Andy being here and God has opened up doors that enable him to give time to Element that he needs without forsaking taking care of his home FIRST! Thanks for your prayers.
Celebrating,
Jeff
Celebrating,
Jeff
Approaching the throne of grace with confidence
Hey Element Church! Andy joined us for his first staff meeting yesterday and then we met as a Lead Team (Grant, Adam, Curtis, Andy and myself) to discuss and plan some church stuff. It is great having Andy here and on the team. He and Curtis spent many hours prior to Andy moving here talking on the phone, planning, strategizing, etc. I commend Curtis for his hard work in making sure this transition is smooth. Andy will be leading JV Fusion tomorrow night! Anyway, I love the verse in Hebrews 4:16 that says "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." It's amazing to me that we can approach God's throne with confidence and not terror. (A healthy fear of God is needed. We should not be terrified of Him) Why can we approach with confidence? Yesterday I think we as a Lead Team experienced why.
Andy is coming to Element completely volunteer. That means he needs a good full time job with the right hours. Our staff meetings are Mondays, JV Fusion is Wednesday nights and obviously he needs to have weekends off, especially Sundays. Well, he received a job offer yesterday that was the pay he needed and the hours he needed, but he would most likely work EVERY Monday. Another job he applied for would give him Saturday - Monday off, still with the hours he needs and pay he needs but he hadn't heard back for his second interview yet. The first job offer HAD to know by today if Andy wanted the job. It was a tough decision time for Andy. He was leaning toward the Saturday - Monday off job but just didn't know if he could wait when this other was on the table. Before we broke the Lead Team meeting we prayed for Andy. Andy said his prayer was that if God didn't want him to say yes to the offer on the table for the other opportunity to call him back that day.
So, we approached the throne of grace with confidence. We prayed "Lord, if Andy is supposed to wait on taking this job offer we ask that TODAY the other place would call". During our prayer Andy received a phone call. We ended, he looked at his phone and said "That was them!" LOL "NO WAY!" I said. They called, WHILE WE WERE PRAYING FOR THEM TO CALL, and set up an interview this morning at 6:30 AM for Andy. SO, Andy could go to the interview and still have time to way the two options before making a decision.
Why can approach the throne of grace with confidence? I think it's found in the last part of the verse. Because we can find grace to help us in our time of need. It's the times we pray and receive answers like that, which allow us to approach God's throne with confidence. He hears us! He answers us! He takes care of us! Because of moments like those, it enables us to trust in Him when the answer may not come as quickly. Or the need is not filled right away. We will always remember the time God answered our prayer WHILE we were praying. Next time? We'll approach the throne of grace with confidence again! Praise the Lord.
Confidently Approaching,
Jeff
Andy is coming to Element completely volunteer. That means he needs a good full time job with the right hours. Our staff meetings are Mondays, JV Fusion is Wednesday nights and obviously he needs to have weekends off, especially Sundays. Well, he received a job offer yesterday that was the pay he needed and the hours he needed, but he would most likely work EVERY Monday. Another job he applied for would give him Saturday - Monday off, still with the hours he needs and pay he needs but he hadn't heard back for his second interview yet. The first job offer HAD to know by today if Andy wanted the job. It was a tough decision time for Andy. He was leaning toward the Saturday - Monday off job but just didn't know if he could wait when this other was on the table. Before we broke the Lead Team meeting we prayed for Andy. Andy said his prayer was that if God didn't want him to say yes to the offer on the table for the other opportunity to call him back that day.
So, we approached the throne of grace with confidence. We prayed "Lord, if Andy is supposed to wait on taking this job offer we ask that TODAY the other place would call". During our prayer Andy received a phone call. We ended, he looked at his phone and said "That was them!" LOL "NO WAY!" I said. They called, WHILE WE WERE PRAYING FOR THEM TO CALL, and set up an interview this morning at 6:30 AM for Andy. SO, Andy could go to the interview and still have time to way the two options before making a decision.
Why can approach the throne of grace with confidence? I think it's found in the last part of the verse. Because we can find grace to help us in our time of need. It's the times we pray and receive answers like that, which allow us to approach God's throne with confidence. He hears us! He answers us! He takes care of us! Because of moments like those, it enables us to trust in Him when the answer may not come as quickly. Or the need is not filled right away. We will always remember the time God answered our prayer WHILE we were praying. Next time? We'll approach the throne of grace with confidence again! Praise the Lord.
Confidently Approaching,
Jeff
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Weekend Wrap Up AKA Sunday Rumination (5-11-08)
Hey Element Church! I got the best nap in I've had in MONTHS today. MAN I needed that. I slept with Jonah in his room. He is in the basement so it was nice and cool, had the fan on high, loved it. lol Here are some thoughts on my weekend and ruminations on today.
Weekend Wrap up:
--- Jonah turned 7 Friday. Doesn't seem real. He's growing into a young man. That responsibility to me is HUGE.
--- We took him and some friends roller skating. He had a blast. I love the analogy of "giving good gifts" to your children and how God delights to give "good gifts" to His. By the way, God's good gifts are not worldly possessions, they are His Holy Spirit. That's all we need.
--- Jonah is a wild man. I'm amazed with all of his skating, skiing, snowboarding and general wackiness we've had NO broken bones.
--- I planned a surprise date for my wife and I on Friday afternoon. Scheduled babysitting and set up lunch and then we were going to take the Trolley Tour around Cheyenne. We got to the depot and it was SOLD OUT! That was a bummer. But we had a great time touring the Governor's Mansion and Wyoming State Museum. Something different for us to do.
--- Saturday we got to take the trolley tour. It was REALLY cool actually. Then we went to Olive Garden. Two days and two dates HOLY COW!
--- Guys, you planned and done your date yet? YOU NEED TO!
Ruminations:
--- 449 today. Good numbers. Didn't know what to expect on our first Mothers Day!
--- HAPPY MOTHERS DAY by the way. Two ladies in my life and the two best moms in the world. My WONDERFUL wife Sabrina and my AMAZING mom Becky! I can't imagine life without either of them. Sabrina, you are the love of my life. Thank you for marrying me. Mom, what can I say, you were/are an incredible mother and now you've carried that into being an awesome grandmother. Thank you!
--- I felt horrible today. Just heaviness in my spirit all morning. I was struggling. Didn't feel like I really connected until 3rd service. I just didn't feel right for some reason. It was a tough morning.
--- Three services is getting hard. Just being honest. The early set up THEN preaching three times is what is tough. If it weren't for the set up I don't think three would be as heavy. Crazy.
--- ANDY IS HERE! (new youth pastor) So cool to have him here. Can't wait to see what Fusion does and how Andy and Curtis will flourish in their roles.
--- Be praying for our permits to come in. I REALLY want to start working in our building. Right no we are literally just waiting for permits.
--- The Climb commitments and offering is this Sunday. Be praying about what God can do through you.
--- The guys put together dinner and grilled out tonight for the ladies. We had a fun time hanging out.
--- This series is REALLY stretching me. Very challenging. Lots of views on parenting. I know that my opinion is not the only one.
--- Chillin' with my wife watching the Survivor finale. Blog more through the week!
Following Christ,
Jeff
Weekend Wrap up:
--- Jonah turned 7 Friday. Doesn't seem real. He's growing into a young man. That responsibility to me is HUGE.
--- We took him and some friends roller skating. He had a blast. I love the analogy of "giving good gifts" to your children and how God delights to give "good gifts" to His. By the way, God's good gifts are not worldly possessions, they are His Holy Spirit. That's all we need.
--- Jonah is a wild man. I'm amazed with all of his skating, skiing, snowboarding and general wackiness we've had NO broken bones.
--- I planned a surprise date for my wife and I on Friday afternoon. Scheduled babysitting and set up lunch and then we were going to take the Trolley Tour around Cheyenne. We got to the depot and it was SOLD OUT! That was a bummer. But we had a great time touring the Governor's Mansion and Wyoming State Museum. Something different for us to do.
--- Saturday we got to take the trolley tour. It was REALLY cool actually. Then we went to Olive Garden. Two days and two dates HOLY COW!
--- Guys, you planned and done your date yet? YOU NEED TO!
Ruminations:
--- 449 today. Good numbers. Didn't know what to expect on our first Mothers Day!
--- HAPPY MOTHERS DAY by the way. Two ladies in my life and the two best moms in the world. My WONDERFUL wife Sabrina and my AMAZING mom Becky! I can't imagine life without either of them. Sabrina, you are the love of my life. Thank you for marrying me. Mom, what can I say, you were/are an incredible mother and now you've carried that into being an awesome grandmother. Thank you!
--- I felt horrible today. Just heaviness in my spirit all morning. I was struggling. Didn't feel like I really connected until 3rd service. I just didn't feel right for some reason. It was a tough morning.
--- Three services is getting hard. Just being honest. The early set up THEN preaching three times is what is tough. If it weren't for the set up I don't think three would be as heavy. Crazy.
--- ANDY IS HERE! (new youth pastor) So cool to have him here. Can't wait to see what Fusion does and how Andy and Curtis will flourish in their roles.
--- Be praying for our permits to come in. I REALLY want to start working in our building. Right no we are literally just waiting for permits.
--- The Climb commitments and offering is this Sunday. Be praying about what God can do through you.
--- The guys put together dinner and grilled out tonight for the ladies. We had a fun time hanging out.
--- This series is REALLY stretching me. Very challenging. Lots of views on parenting. I know that my opinion is not the only one.
--- Chillin' with my wife watching the Survivor finale. Blog more through the week!
Following Christ,
Jeff
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