What the LT Is Reading

The Leadership Team (Doug, Arnel, Marty, Troy, and Ron) is currently reading a book by Dan Kimball (pastor of Vintage Faith Church) called "They Like Jesus But Not The Church." So far the book has stimulated insightful discussion among the group. If you'd like to read along, get a copy (call Brian and Betty at Living Water to order). We're reading chapters 2-3 for our next meeting.

Here's a link to an interview with Dan Kimball:   http://www.northpointministries.org/player/722player.jsp?occurrenceID=3178&mediaItemID=3452

Here's the Wikipedia stuff for Dan Kimball:   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Kimball

[Gotta love the hair!]

If you pick up the book and read along with us, be sure and tell us about what you're thinking. Use the blog, or email me, or jot a note on the InfoCard (that yellow, cult-like instrument of conspiratorial data-gathering found stuffed in your bulletin every week and collected by a guy codenamed Jerry).

God's Calling - Hide and Seek

Yesterday we began an exploration in the ways God intersects our lives and communicates with us. I'm learning a lot preparing for these Sundays. It's going to be good.

Already I've heard from a few of you, on InfoCards and in person, about your own "messages." I'm interested in reading and hearing your stories, and I may share a few of them. (Keep in mind that I will ALWAYS get your permission before sharing anything).

This blog is a great way to gather accounts of God's intervention in our lives. So if you have a story about how God spoke to you, let's hear it!

Please pray for this series. Lots of people long to hear from God. I'm praying that they will.

Ron

NPC

The convention has again proved itself to be the best in the U.S. Check it out:

- Nazareth  - the comedian.

- The Sons of Korah -an Australian group singing only Psalms.

- Shane Claiborne - urban radical.

- Rob Bell - a message aimed directly at pastors! Whew.

- As We Forgive: A must-see movie about Rwanda and forgiveness.

- Bill Hybels - about listening to the whispers of God.

- Great worship.

- Being with Linda for four days--well, just us and 2,000 other pastors and wives.

- Laughing my head off, crying my eyes out, hearing from God. It's all good.

We'll be home early Monday morning. We'll be praying for Pastor Cliff and GCF Sunday - that God would have something to share with all.

Grace, 

Pastor Ron

National Pastors Convention

Linda and I will be leaving the house at 3:00 a.m. tomorrow to head to the National Pastors Convention. We'll be back next Monday morning at around 2:00 a.m. 

We've attended this gathering a few times, and we can say that it's one of the best places for pastors and spouses in the nation. I'll try to post a couple times through the week to tell you what we've been doing.

Please pray for safe travel, for a good convention, for Grandma and the boys at home, and for our cars to work OK until we get back. (Actually, just pray that our cars get healed!)

Pastor Ron

God is God

I'm very interested in your feedback to today's message. Please make a comment or, if you prefer more privacy, drop me an email.

Someone asked for the lyrics to the Joan Baez song, God is God. I like the words to this song except for one small part -- the bridge. The rest is good. Here's a link. You can even click to hear the song.

Have a great week. And remember, it's OK to jump.

For Further Study

Well, C-Sunday is over. I want to thank the wise parents who made decisions about today with/for their kids -- Thanks for helping us be careful with God's word.

I'm interested in your input about today's message. As I mentioned this morning, we are prone to avoid subjects that are culturally complicated, and I'll admit to skipping over stuff like this in the past for fear of reprisals. I don't think that's good, and I don't think it's what God wants from us. I think we need to be honest with his word, and let him speak without our filters. (Not always easy). But I also want to know that we're doing it in a fair, honest, and safe way. Please let me know your thoughts.

Here are some scriptures regarding circumcision that you may want to read to look into the matter further. I've linked these scriptures to the online Bible resource I use most, Bible Gateway. (You can also do some study on your own by typing in "circumcision" or "circumcise" in the search box at BG).

Genesis 17 - Abraham given the covenant sign.

Deuteronomy 10 - Moses records God's plan for circumcision.

Jeremiah 4:4 - The circumcision of the heart.

Romans 2 - Paul diminishes physical circumcision.

Colossians 2 - Paul calls what God has done in a believer's heart "circumcision."

These three all say the same thing, with a different slant:

1 Corinthians 7:19

Galatians 5:6

Galatians 6:15

Next Sunday we'll be looking at Joshua 6. Get a jump on everyone else and read ahead!

Pastor Ron

"C" Sunday!

This coming Sunday we'll be jumping back into Joshua, and it's chapter 5. Get your Bible and take a look. 

Here's the thing: in order to talk about what's going on here without a lot of euphemisms and double entendres, we're going to approach the passage in a forthright, honest way. Which means we'll have to discuss the "C" word.

That's why we're labeling this Sunday's message "PG13." Our Children's Church program will be temporarily altered to include any age, and parents are encouraged to make the call about having their kids stay for the message or attend Children's Church for the day. Kids will be dismissed mid-service, as usual.

If you have any questions about the service, give me a call.

Grace to you,

Pastor Ron