Going Deeper With God

This is the third in a 3 part series on overcoming truths!

We have focused on:

1.  Speaking LIFE over ourselves.  The power of life and death is in the tongue.  Proverbs 18:21
2.  Creating a 'instafilter' over the messages that we allow into our lives.  Philippians 4:8

Are we going to believe the news that we received or the message that we believed?

The news was out when Jesus died, but the message to believe all along was that He would rise on the third day and he did conquering sin and death.

Going deeper with God means we are tired of manufacturing our own ways to satisfy the deepest needs of our heart.  Essentially that is what sin is. It is anything that I do apart from him to try to fill the hunger that only He can satisfy in my soul.



1.  Pray in the Spirit.  1 Corinthians 14:13-15; Romans 8:26; Ephesians 6:18

It is words and utterances that go beyond my comprehension leading me to a place of my deepest heart cry.  It comes out as a spontaneous overflow of the heart.  It isn't forced but it is beautiful.

2.  Aggressive Worship

We are bombarded with messages from the media everyday and we need to attack that mindset aggressively with our own focus a message of worship.

I'll never forget watching a young man at the Fire Conference as he danced with passion and it was a triumphant movement acting out the words of the song.  It reminded me of how we need His presence to penetrate our very being.  Matthew 22:37 calls us to love the LORD our God with ALL our heart, soul, strength and mind!

3.  Read the Father's love letter!

Romans 10:17 tells us that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God!

The Father's Love Letter

Essentially it is also about diet and the messages that we feed ourselves.  I cannot deny the life giving presence of the Word of God as I make it part of my routine.  I can also see my weakness and see how much more vulnerable I am without it.

4. Listen to His Voice!

Psalm 46:10  Be still and know that I AM God.

Take time to be still, find the quiet in your busy schedule and allow His Spirit to penetrate your thoughts.  Ask Him,  what is it that you want me to know today?  I also pray like Samuel, 'speak LORD for your servant is listening.'  and then I write down in my journal what I sense His Spirit speaking to my spirit.

5.  Press ON.

We must forget what is behind and press on to what is ahead.

Philippians 3:13,14

1 Corinthians 1:10  He will keep you strong to the end!

Messages That We Listen To

We need a focused faith.  Eyes ON Jesus!

2 Corinthians 10:5 demolish the arguments and take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ

What is holding you back from moving forward?  People begin to list things like finances, hardship, health, etc…

Some are doing it with courage, faith, victory and an overcoming spirit.. HOW?

It is not the THING that is holding you back.  It is how you think about the THING

THINK ABOUT SUCH THINGS – hold that thought as Pastor Steven Furtick said in his ‘Be Brave’ series.  There are all kinds of reasons for us to praise God and dwell on the goodness of God

It was a fact that Jesus was in the grave.  But the truth was that He conquered the grave with resurrection power and so it is with us.The TRUTH will set you free

Do you have crazy thoughts when you pray?

1. Be anxious for NO THING  Philippians 4

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Meditate on These Things

8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

It is one thing to hold a thought, but is quite another thing for a thought to hold on to you. 

Example – the fear of failure.

2 Corinthians 10:5 treat the thoughts in your mind that don’t come from God like a prisoner of war.  You need to interrogate your imagination.  There is such a thing as a terrorist thought.  Steal, kill and destroy.

Be brave in your mind, you hold that thought and you can either let your thoughts lead you into destruction or destiny. 

Where did you come from thought?  Who sent you? 

Take hold of something that has been holding you for far too long.  You are to be leading that thought around.

Joshua 1:8,9 – Philippians 4:9   whom shall I fear, the Holy Spirit is within me. I am the righteousness of God in Christ.

I am healed, I am righteous, I am free  ( hold that thought!)  You can have it if you hold it.  You need peace? restoration?

Let go of fear, anxiety, regrets, you are missing the moment.  You are so busy focused on the people that left you that you are missing the people that God has brought into your life.

It doesn’t matter what the enemy thinks, what I feel. 

Keep holding on to Jesus!

The enemy is terriorizing you with thoughts that God could never love you

Or

You are stuck and feeling like you can’t get unstuck…

You can’t control your thoughts, but you can control what you hold on to.

2.  We Need Boundaries

Boundaries are invisible property lines, invisible fences that define where my property begins and where my property ends…. Get off my property!

They show people where my responsibility for me begins and where my responsibility for others ends. We are still commanded to love one another and we need to keep this in the forefront of our thinking.

Boundaries show others what I am responsible for and what they are not responsible for.

Boundaries help us keep the good in and the bad out.

Activity:  Take time to draw a large circle on a piece of paper and write words inside the circle that describe what you want in your life, your preferred future—who you want to be.   They are characteristics, qualities that you want to possess.  Jeremiah 29:11

(Examples: words that describe desirable feelings, attitudes, beliefs, behaviors, choices, values, limits, talents, thoughts, desires) Label the line ‘boundaries’.

Boundaries help us keep things that will nurture us inside our fences and keep things that will harm us outside.

Things controlling people say and do:

·         They won’t take no for an answer

·         They create division between family and friends

·         They do something for you and expect something in return

·         They need excessive attention

·         They have frequent temper outbursts

·         They assume they know what you are thinking

·         They wait for you to call and keep track of who called last.

The world is unprincipled. It’s dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn’t fight fair. But we don’t live or fight our battles that way—never have and never will. The tools of our trade aren’t for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture. We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity.  2 Corinthians 10:3-5

3.  Hold That Thought!  John 10:10

The devil comes to steal, kill and destroy, but God comes to give us life and life more FULL

The enemy is terrorizing you with thoughts that God could never love you or you are stuck and feeling like you can’t get unstuck…  Joshua 1:8,9 – Philippians 4:9   whom shall I fear, HS is within me. I am the righteousness of God in Christ.

I am healed, I am righteous, I am free  ( hold that thought!)  You can have it if you hold it.  You need peace? restoration?

Instathought filter!

Take three weeks to really focus on what comes into your circle.

Here is one tool that we want you to use.

Philippians 4:8  Take the lovely, good, pure and true challenge.

Is this lovely, good, pure and true?  That’s it!  This is your ‘instathought’ filter or these are the lenses we want you to look through.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

Winter Storm Warning!

A storm is brewing, winter is coming and that is what I said three weeks ago when we started this series and here we are again in the deep freeze!!  We have been told that this time of time of year is the most difficult for people.  It gets dark sooner and often the mind goes there too.   It’s harder with the holidays and a lot of people blame God…but how did we really get here?

We all have personal triggers that lead us down a dark path and get us stuck in a ditch of confusion and despair.

1.       Not expecting the storm.  All too often, myself included, we start our day by being totally unprepared.  We don’t put on the armor of God, we don’t take captive every thought, we don’t renew our minds. We allow our minds to wander much like someone using Instagram to explore pictures that led them astray from purity and righteousness.  We think that we can remain immune from temptation.  However, when we are not proactive with our decisions and who we follow, the message and story of our life loses focus.  John 10 The devil comes to steal, kill and destroy

2.      Our approach.  We mark our lives by INSANITY by doing the same thing over & over again and expecting different results.  Simply, if it takes you 45min to get ready in the morning and you choose to keep setting your alarm for 30min before you need to leave…guess what… chaos!

3.      Shame. We listen to the wrong voices. We assume that Jesus doesn’t care much like the disciples said to Jesus that night in the boat…’ Lord don’t you care that we drown?’  They assumed that by sleeping in that moment that He wasn’t there for them.  ‘For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses,  Hebrews 4:14-16 He is right there in the midst of our mess, our muck and the chaos of our lives.  He is the one who will carry us through. 

Overcoming TRUTH

Carry ON!  

Have you ever been to a beach where there is warning signs of an undertoe?  What are you supposed to do?  For one, you don’t fight against the current and then you are supposed to swim parallel to shore to get out of the current.

We want to fight, kick and get out of the difficult situation, but Jesus is the one who wants to calm the storm in our lives.  Awaken your brave heart!

As Steven Furtick shared in his ‘Be Brave’ series, we need to learn to speak peace to the real waves in our lives, to our anxious heart, to our negative emotions.  Be anxious for NO THING! 

I thought that was a brilliant take on Philippians 4:6,7  We will succeed when we don’t press the panic button.  We will find our way when we don’t run to our ‘addiction of choice’ and try to meet our needs in our own way and learn to experience the presence of the Holy Spirit in the eye of the storm.  John 14:27   "I am leaving you with a gift--peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid.

OVERCOMING TRUTH

The Words That We Speak!    

Proverbs 18:21  The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

We need to start with the words that we speak over our lives and the lives of others.  All too often we can get caught up in negativity and take the path of self defeat.  We have to know that the words that we say and the promises that we claim will have a direct affect on the atmosphere of our heart.  One of my favorite verses to being an overcomer is Philippians 3:13,14  Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 4: 29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Romans 12:2  Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

OVERCOMING TRUTH  

Be An Aggressive Worshipper!

I was at a Fire Conference recently where Todd White was challenging us to always be ready for opportunities to share about Jesus, to be totally unashamed followers of Christ who don’t care what people think of us.  So while I was there I saw a young man at the front in worship dance.  However it was his style that really caught my eye.  It was as if he was acting out the words of the song through his motion and it was aggressive, passionate and he was completely absorbed by the music.  It was powerful to me and reminded that in worship, breakthrough happens.  Pastor Jim Gordon at our church makes it clear every Sunday that in a moment of worship we can be changed in an instant where lifelong recovery could never do.  I believe we can lift the atmospheric pressure in our lives simply by our decision to worship with thankfulness and praise.

Manor Ministry Update

So, last week I was meeting with Roger, the owner, who is almost always at every service.  He sees one of the men come down for lunch from Sue's Inn and notices that he is heading back to his room.  He pulls him aside and challenges him to stay for the service.  He then brings him to me to answer his questions about religion.  We have a good talk and then he sits down with one of our ministry team members and stays for the time of worship! So, as you can see Roger will do whatever it takes to get people there!

So, this week he says,  ‘Why can’t we just have one religion?’  It would be great if the Jews would just accept Jesus but they are too stubborn.  He always surprises me by what he says!  He is so open to talking about faith and life with me.  He attends our services, tells me I’m his pastor and I fell down into his seat as he pulled me down for a hug.   

Another praise item as a young man by the name of Joey prayed to receive Christ on Sunday and wants to be baptized!  So, that brings the total to 3!  Now, time to set a date.

Introduction to a social experiment…   We have four people who have been speaking truth over themselves from verses that affirm their identity in Christ. This Sunday will mark three weeks for them and we look forward to hearing their stories.

So consumed...I’m running on fumes!

Today is the end of another month and for me the greatest realization is that I’ve been running on fumes.  I have been so consumed with the ‘project’ of turning a house around (our Ferndale #reno – see last month’s blog) that I have had no margins, no Sabbath!  Every chance I have had, I have made the trip to 52 Ferndale Avenue.  I have been so consumed, I asked the neighbour to turn on their outside lights so I could keep adding facia and soffit working till 10:30pm at night.  The other neighbor remarked, ‘the house that Jack built’.  The only problem with a project like this is that the work isn’t finished at the end of the day, end of the week, end of the month.  I still have time lines and I really want to be finished by Thanksgiving but I’m learning that I’m not in control of the job every day.  I have plans, I depend on other trades and workers as well.  When they don’t show or someone is sick, the process slows down.  Here’s a newsflash, I don’t do slow very well.  I have a hard time just sitting down and being in the moment.  Sit me down for any length of time and I will probably either get very restless or I will fall asleep in any position. 

So, for the first time in a long time I went to bed early last night and I woke up early and spent time in His presence and it was so amazing.  I started my journal with a confession.  LORD, this house has been so consuming and it has left me without margins.  I need to restore intimacy and relationship with You.  I need to explore the depths of Your love, grace and mercy.  Thank You for every new morning!  Drench me with you Spirit like the rain drenching the ground.  May I soak in Your living presence.  Then I waited and listened and sensed His voice.

Jack, draw near and live.  Draw deep from the depths of my love, drink from my cistern and I will fill you up.

Another confession, Forgive me for going so long without resting in You.

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”  Matthew 11:28-30

Howard Hendricks, who was a professor at Dallas Theological Seminary, is credited with saying, ‘75% of spirituality begins with a good night’s rest!’ 

Those who flourish in their lives with God have a Spirit –initiated rule of life, a rhythm of practices that enables them to welcome and respond to Jesus.  Ken Shigematsu

Grace is not opposed to effort but to earning.  Dallas Williard  We cannot earn our life with God – it’s a gift.  Bue we are to make every effort to add to our faith, goodness…knowledge and love.  See 2 Peter 1:5-7

I know that personally my life has been out of balance and it is often in times of transition that we are at the greatest risk to losing rhythm especially in the case of a significant change in our work schedule.  More than anything I need to rediscover that. 

We started praying over the house every day too… and I lost that rhythm.  I took time to start the day with prayer and I can’t tell you how amazing it was from finding the exact size vanity for the bathroom and laundry tub we needed at the ReStore to the perfect windows and tiles for the basement at Rona to the berber at the Carpet Store.  I learned to live freely and lightly in the midst of this project!

Ministry at the Manor

So, our ministry at the Manor continues to take a life of its own as well.  I have been told for one that I am a nice f____in  pastor!  That’s a first!  I have been able to use our van to help one of the guys who lives at Sue’s Inn get his trough and materials to his work sites.

As we continue to work on the reno at Ferndale, we have hired some of the guys who attend our services and they have done great work from hanging drywall to framing and plumbing.  Some of the days they have been feeling sick with tooth pain or have been dealing with back pain for example.  It has led to some intense times of prayer and also healing has been experienced, praise God!  They have joined in the prayer as well and seen God work.  They have shared how they feel ‘100x better’  Wow, I say, God is good!

Sharon has also taken on the role as ‘surety’ for a young lady and we have seen God at work with her as well.

 

It really in many ways resembles the way transformation takes place on the house we are working on.  People are not a projects that you complete in one day, one week, one month.  Yes, I know people aren’t projects, but what I do see is that transformation continues to take place and our goal is to call out of them what Father God created them to be!  They need to see their full potential much like people are beginning to now see the full potential of our reno!  Timeline is fuzzy too,  we have a date in mind to be done the house and yes we want to see the people we are working with completely free, but they are on God’s timeline and we cling to the promise of Philippians 1:6 for them.  He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it!

So, one more shout out to Maggie Barrato who spoke to us this past month and was so amazingly used by the Spirit of God to remind us of our mission to call the heart of the orphan to their true calling as children of their Heavenly Father!

Under Renovation!

Sharon and I have taken on the challenge of renovating and ‘flipping’ a home.  We are only three days and it has been a deconstruction marathon.  All the panelling, ceiling tiles, rubber under pad are gone from the basement.  To my surprise I also found three subfloors in the kitchen.  We are almost ready for drywall and paint!

It reminds me of our spiritual renovation that is always ongoing as well.  Sometimes we try to do our best to cover up our lives, put a new finish on and it only lasts for so long.  The only way to a real heart renovation is to strip away and get to the root longings in our lives.

Titus 3:3 Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. 4 But—

When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, 5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.  6 He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. 7 Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.

1.       An Honest Appraisal

Before you can get approval for a mortgage on a house, a thorough inspection needs to take place and the value of the home is assessed.  The assessment on the house we purchased was done and all its ugly warts were exposed.  We knew what we were getting into, both eyes wide open and made the commitment to the overhaul!

The reality with us is that we were all foolish, we have all made stupid decisions, we all have been misled or misled others and the Bible spoke of haters long before ‘haters gonna hate’ became a catch phrase.  The bottom line is that our lives were ugly and we were in need of a major renovation!  The great news is that God made the commitment.  He said I’m committed to you! ‘while we were still sinners, Christ died for us!’ Romans 5:8

2.      





     
      Love Beyond Reason

Here’s the revelation, ‘it has nothing to do with your ability to win God’s love!’  There is nothing that you could ever do to make yourself acceptable or presentable to God for that matter.  Our righteous acts are like filthy rags as Isaiah 64:6 states.  We have left an achieving system and moved to a receiving one.  He has made the investment, purchased with a great price.  1 Corinthians 6:19,20.  We are living houses of God…actually temples in which His Spirit dwells!  He wants His house to shine and bring glory to Himself. 

It is a new birth, new life through the outpouring of His Holy Spirit.  The word here for new birth actually means a ‘spiritual renovation’  that stresses ‘the inception of a new state of things in contrast with the old.’  Forerunner Commentary

3.       The Big Reveal!

I am so excited about the opportunity to see this house completely turned around and looking like a million bucks…well ok, not quite.  I fully anticipate seeing this place transformed with amazing curb appeal and an irresistible draw once you walk in.  We have a long way to go still and a lot of hours of labour and elbow grease, but I know it is so worth it.

We are worth it.  God already declared us righteous, purchased our transformation and won’t let us stay where we are.  He wants absolute transformation as well and He will continue to shape our lives and change us to look more like His Son!  Philippians 3:10

How's Your Appetite?

Did you know that we can learn a lot about our bodies by just the foods that we crave.

If you crave salty food, it often reveals that you have a low calcium diet.  A lack of potassium, calcium and iron in our diet.  Research has also shown that it also reveals interesting facts about your personality.  A salt lover often feels like their world is out of control.

Ok, what about chocolate??  Any chocolate lovers here?  Chocolate stimulates the release of serotonin and is basically an antidepressant that your body seeks out when your happy chemicals are bottoming out and you need a quick fix.  We are also drawn to sweet food when we feel anxious.

Jesus had a lot to say about our appetites and how hard people work for everything that will meet their physical needs in this life.

In John 4, we have the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well.  He is absolutely dehydrated from a long journey and so he sits by Jacob’s well while the disciples make a quick food run.  The woman shows and Jesus asks her for a drink.  She is caught off guard because Jews don’t associate with this type and for sure not a woman in broad daylight!  So, the conversation turns to worship and Jesus talks about a well that she can drink from that will never make her thirst again.  He speaks of Himself and the rivers of living water that flow through a person once they put their faith in Christ for all their needs!   So, she is all over that and is ready for living water. 

Then the story takes an interesting twist as Jesus refers to her messed up sex life.  He asks her to get her husband and as it turns out she is living with a guy. He knows that and knows that she has had six men in her life. Why does He go there?  He is pointing to the fact that she has been trying to get all her fulfillment and needs met in men. 

There are a number of attitudes about sex in our culture.  One view is that it is just unmentionable or it’s should just be between two loving people.  Another attitude speaks of it as a right.  Everyone should be entitled to it.  The view that I want to focus on is that it is an appetite.  Sex is just that, an appetite and so people see it as a natural need like eating or drinking and you shouldn’t starve your body.  However, the problem with that view is to miss the essence of what a sexual relationship is.  Tim Keller refers to it as a sacrament.  He goes on to speak of what we do in a sexual relationship is meant to be done with what we do with our life.  It is a complete giving of our whole life and is the culmination of the perfect union of every other part of our life.  Genesis 2 speaks of a husband and wife becoming one flesh.  It is the essence of this that every type of sex without giving of our whole life falls so desperately short.

If you are hungry and there is nowhere to eat, it feels unbearable doesn't it?  If this is an area that you haven’t trusted Jesus to be your living water, choose to possibly look it as a diet.  Consider sexual fasting until marriage so that you can experience the true richness of a deep and satisfying love.  It was always meant to mirror the picture of our oneness in every way, complete vulnerability and sacrifice with each other.

The Lord’s Supper is an example of this.  As sex in marriage is a picture of renewing our covenant with each other so is communion in that Jesus saw the bread as his very body and the blood as his very own in John 6.  The bread represents the true satisfaction that comes from doing the will of the Father, it is higher than appetite.  The blood represents forgiveness, reconciliation, healing.If we do this outside of marriage, we miss the essence of it altogether.

Well, back to John 4.  The profound realization that this woman experiences with Jesus makes her run to her community and tell her friends all about this man who could just be the Messiah!  She is changed by her conversation with Jesus.  The disciples return on the scene and they are very concerned about Jesus’ appetite.  They tell him to eat and he tells them, “I have a kind of food you know nothing about.” and “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work.”   Amazing!  We can actually experience a true satisfaction that goes beyond our appetites!!

Check this out!!  A great expression of the living water of Jesus to fulfill our appetites!  A 'forever monologue' by Issac Wimberley with Kari Jobe!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCOvxfHGIPQ

Shout It From The Rooftops!

I realize it has been a while since I have blogged, but for the past couple of months I have been on a roof…literally!  It’s hard work throwing a pack of 80lb shingles on your shoulder and going up ladders, taking ‘rippers’ and ripping opening up roofs day after day.  It is not for the faint of heart to throw down ripped shingles from two stories up and hit the trailer, clean out troughs, nail down bundles of shingles while the sun beats down on you, but air guns are cool though…  The rain is cool too as long as you’ve got everything water tight so we do a lot of map checking on the weather network app! 

Lessons I’ve learned since roofing!

1. Comraderie!  I have developed great friendships with the guys that I work with.  I have a great respect for the guys and the hard work put in day in and day out!  We also push each other to be better,  it’s great racing each other up a side of the roof.  However, just don’t let Jeremy lose..he’s a Ninaber and doesn’t take losing easily.  “It just doesn’t make sense!!”  I hear him say when he is beaten…  and yes, this speaks for me too, but I’m a rookie so no great expectations there!

We do everything together, not just roof.  There are challenges like doing 50 push ups on our break just because and racing across the rafters in monkey bar style on a new home.  There  is  jumping off the Belwood bridge, taking vents and hitting them golf style into the bin and everyone buying  ball caps with ridiculous sayings!  It’s all in or nothing!  I feel like a youth pastor once again working with guys half my age!  But, I don’t back down.  It’s hard to do that when they sing, “nobody’s tough as Jack!”

           2. Water!  I have never drunk so much water in one day well other than a race, but everyone is making sure we are all drinking high quality H2O.  There are times when this is turned into a race as well, but like the water cooler in the office, it brings us together to sit down, rest and enter into conversation.

           3. Laughter and Affirmation!  We have a lot of fun together.  The guys are quick to poke fun at each other, we sing to each other songs that play on the radio and then there are ‘head shots’!  This happens when the plastic wrap around the shingles is tightly tied into a ball and boom, someone is nailed…good fun!  However, there is also good talk happening, guys challenging each other, affirming each other’s gifts, encouraging each other.

I don’t know how long I will be roofing but for right now, it has been the right tonic for me.  It gives me time to think, to pray, to focus.  My ultimate goal is to be doing pastoral ministry with church at the Manor full time.  When I shared with Roger, the owner of the Manor about what I’m up to now with my present work, he says, “Jack, you are a pastor, you need to be ministering to the people, not on a roof!”  So, inside my head, I’m thinking, wow, he’s more convinced about this than I am.  God speaks in mysterious ways!  So, I continue to be bi-vocational, but it has given me a real appreciation for what a lot of others do day in and day out.  I’ve been a pastor for over 20 years and I can honestly say I have learned so much in this past few months since launching a church plant with my wife Sharon in the most unexpected places I have ever been, but I wouldn’t change it for the world.  This past Sunday one of the guys I have been building a friendship with walks into our service with a brand new NIV study Bible.  He is beaming and I am thrilled because he is ready to go deeper with God and together we will begin the first of many groups focused on life in Jesus!

So, back to the lessons I learned and a spiritual lesson for the church.  I believe the church is best when it experiences these same three qualities.  It is for that very reason that we will do great exploits for the kingdom.

1.       Comraderie!

A few verses to consider…

 Psalm 133:1 A Song of Ascents, of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity! 2It is like the precious oil upon the head, coming down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard, coming down upon the edge of his robes.…

It has a sweet perfume about it, comparable to that precious ointment with which the first High Priest was anointed at his ordination. It is a holy thing, and so again is like the oil of consecration which was to be used only in the Lord's service.   The Treasury of David

Nothing replaces unity and a common desire to see the same vision accomplished.  The people that serve with us at the Manor Church know that it is not about what they are going to get as much as what they give!  We are there to pour out the anointing of the Holy Spirit through prayer, worship and listening and we do receive!  Oh man, do we ever receive.  It is seen in the tears of those who come for prayer and they experience the Father’s love.  We said His love is relentless and that message comes through every week.  We know our mission!  It is Luke 4:18

"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free!!

2.       Water

Living water is all about the presence of the Holy Spirit in us and on us and without the pouring in, there can be no pouring out!  So we love to soak in the Holy Spirit and the Spirit breathes life into our conversations and prayers when we listen to Him! 

John :38,39"He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.'" 39But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive;

Luke 12:12 reminds us the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what needs to be said.

3.       Laughter and Affirmation

One afternoon one of our attendees was ready to walk out of our church and walk across the street to the church gathered there to tell them to “come over here, because we are having more fun!’  Don’t worry, Sharon stopped him.  So Roger the owner has been on our side and last week he showed up with a popcorn machine.  He thought what other church is serving up popcorn during the service.  He has also brought in coffee as well for us.  We sing and shout out our praises every week and we ‘dance upon injustice’ because we believe God is in the business of restoring what the enemy has stolen!

The town will be rebuilt on its old foundations;  the mansions will be splendid again. Thanksgivings will pour out of the windows;  laughter will spill through the doors.  Jeremiah 30:19

Thanks to all those who are praying for us and partnering with us in this ministry…you rock!  We are so excited about what God is doing, we have to shout it from the rooftops!

And  if you need you roof done, give me a call 226-979-0676!  I quote roofs too!  It blesses our ministry and supports us too and it’s a lot easier than shingling!!