GOOD STUFF!!!
Funny and good for thought about church.
A NEW SERIES IS COMING! Knotwork: Jesus' Church
What IS the Church?-What's the difference between a worshiper and a religious consumer? What is a healthy Church?, What are THIS Church's values and vision? What is Jesus doing through His Church... what is He after anyway? These questions and more answered as we explore what does the Scripture say about Church as an organization and an organism in the world today. Great series to invite friends to by the way!
Premiers Sunday April 29th @ E
This Sunday at E our Easter Season Mini-Series arrives -This Sunday's Message = "The Gospel According to Barabbas" - Jesus' Cross viewed from a death row inmate who got a last minute reprieve... (It's about us...)
The Flame message #6 is all about the battle for our eyes and minds with regards to lusty looks, pornography, covetous mental "relationships" and all the stuff that we're bombarded with day in and day out in a post-modern high-tech post-Christendom world.
It's waaaay more than just porn but here are HELPFUL tools for those who need some help with online image temptation.
Here is the main XXX Church website It's filled with useful info about porn , porn addiction, stuff for women, men, teens it's awesome!
Here is the FREE version of the X3 Watch anti porn ACCOUNTABILITY software
And one more... a friend of mine who is a computer EXPERT says this software- SAFEEYES is so good he uses it because even he can't get around it or defeat it. for under $5. a month!
Scripture doesn't say stand and fight sexual temptation it says ... "Run" Get helpful tools and put on your Nikes RIGHT NOW if the Holy Spirit has given you a tingle recently about this area.
For anyone who wants to know a little about these questions here are some various clippings from my library that I grabbed for your quick perusal.
The Bible's teaching about God is that He is the All-powerful, All-wise Creator of all things who is Just and Holy and at the same time Loving and Merciful; He is Transcendent (above and distinct from the creation) while, at the same time, He is Immanent (resident in and involved with His creation). He is a Personal God who seeks fellowship with His redeemed people; He punishes ultimate rebellion with eternal death; He rewards faith and obedience with eternal life through His Son and Mediator, Jesus Christ. He is the Supreme Being, who is also the Heavenly Father. He spoke into being the immeasurable universe, yet He notes the sparrow's fall, and hears the faintest cry. He made the galaxies, but He stooped to Bethlehem's manger. We tremble before His Majesty, but we seek solace in His unconditional Love. He dwells beyond the remotest galaxy, but He is no farther from us than the reach of faith. This is the Christian's God. There are, however, different views held by those who ignore the scriptural doctrine of God.
click the link below to read the rest of this blog.
Continue reading IS God IN everything? & also hey, What IS the Gospel of Thomas?.
Who owns you and your sex? Here's the meditation and personal study application from last night's message. Read 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 (last night's passage).
Then read ROMANS chapter 6 with an eye to terms like slavery, servant, sin, master. What do these passages teach about sex, slavery , ownership , you & Jesus? Why is Pornea not right for God's people?
pic = the look at E last night great job environment team!
A Sex Ed Exam: Here's the self examination / application piece from Week #1 of our Series "The Flame". Take some quiet time this week to think through the questions and think through any needed actions. - find the messages at iTunes or the Elevation Website
Where did I get basic "sex ed" about the purpose and reason for sex?
Where did I get, or do I get bad info?
In what ways has the current culture's view of sex taught me about sex differently than the Scriptural view of sex?
Is there any way in which I think of sex or my body as having shame or embarrassment attached to it? Are there any ways that I think of sex as being dirty or gross?
Do I treat sex (even in my mind) as holy and the seal of a sacred covenant?
Are there any conduits of negative "sex education" in my life, media, pornography, or individuals? Is there an action I should take regarding this?
How has the fire of sex gotten out of the "fireplace of marriage" in my thoughts and actions? How has it caused smoke damage in my life?
Do I ever use sex to manipulate or control someone or have I ever used sex or the withdrawal of sex as a bargaining chip to get what I want?
Do I have a healthy understanding that sex should be super pleasurable and without guilt? Am I committed to be sexellent for my spouse, or future spouse?
If married: "How is high is the Pleasure Quotient" in our intimate life? 1-10. Do we need to take initiative to make our sex life hotter? Plan a date...
If single: Is there anything in your life that is "fanning the flame" in your thoughts or deeds? Is there an action to take?
Daddy / Daughter date night concert tonight with Carly Gerwig
Church planters often need a LOT of things. Resources are scarce, staff is scarceerer and time is scarceereriest.
What if you had a creative team who could gather visual assets for your keynote or powerpoint presentations?- (if you use visuals). What if this team cost nothing from budget? What if you could spend less looking for visuals and more time doing what you got into ministry for?
here's an idea:
- Clearly communicate your visual values to a few people who are on the internet alot and understand the feel you are looking for with regard to graphics.
- Ask them to search Pinterest for meaningful images related to upcoming sermon metaphor- many of your folks are already on Pinterest looking at pictures of purses, pasta and puppies...
-Have them send any meaningful images to you and then file them for use in your sermon visuals (check on copy-write if nessasary)
Church Planters and people who attend and serve Jesus at church plants -don't miss this one ! A great blog posting from a friend, Dave DeVries
Dave Wrote: As I watch this video, I keep thinking of all the ways that church planters and pastors try to grow the church. It is important to remember that God causes the growth.
I Corinthians 3:6-7, "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow."
The church planter's responsibility is not to grow the church. That's God's responsibility. Church planters are responsible to make disciples who make disciples - sowing the seed of the gospel! We can't take credit for the growth and then claim what we did was "very hard work."
Today's Missional Challenge: Be patient. Remember that God is the One who causes the growth.
After you watch the video definitely go to the blog post and see Dave's comments
Each of us humans are born with a pilot light. There's a bit of a fire in every one of us. It's our God-given blessing of sexuality. Understanding how to manage the flame in our life is crucial to living well, loving well and not burning down the house.
Our next series is an exploration of what the Scriptures teach about the goodness and the risk of the flame. Regardless of whether you're single, married or divorced you'll benefit from aligning your understanding in a greater way with what God has revealed in the Scriptures.
This week's Shabot Plot : To take a Mexico themed Fiesta and Siesta. We're taking one day to stop GSD "getting stuff done" and celebrating with mexican food, south of the border music and a Siesta (nap) to the Glory of God. Press Pause and join the Rhythm of God this weekend.
Shabot Scripture reading = read a complete Gospel (Matthew, Mark, Luke or John) in one sitting or in a few sittings throughout the day and listen to what Jesus is saying to you.
THIS WEEK"S SHABOT PLOT: An island themed day of rest with Jesus.
If you went to the Islands for a day what would you spend the day doing? Do that here!
IDEAS?
FOOD: Go to dinner or lunch at Hula's downtown, or Pono or Aloha Grill: no cooking, Broke?= Go to Jamba Juice and Get a tropical Smoothie - or make spam, now thats hawaiian ! Make a luau dinner at home with friends or family /// SOUND TRACK Put on some Hawaiian music or reggae music, it can be found free on Pandora / Spotify and other free music services /// BEACH? Surfing- walking- shell collecting- walk by the sea too cold? -drive the coast /// SLEEP IN /// READ - a good book in a comfy lounge chair /// SPA - got a hot tub? get in, got a bathtub, take a long hot bath, get a massage or give one, MEDIA -Movie time watch and Island movie like Blue Hawaii, 50 first dates , or???/// JESUS -Add Spiritual Action & Awareness Be thankful and aware of God's presence and blessing throughout the day Prayer time, bible reading, put on a worship CD and sing, take communion, read a good Christian book you've been meaning to read.
Live in the Corona commercial setting for a day let Jesus sit in the other beach chair!
SHABOT Doesn't just happen we intentionally choose to realign attitudes, plans, actions and calendars. YOU have to Push Pause.
4 Intentions for Shabot
-Intentional Stopping ("GSD" Getting Stuff Done)
-Intentional Worship (of God)
-Intentional Awareness (of God throughout the day)
-Intentional Refreshment ( things that recharge your batteries)
The E Shabot Challenge for this weekend.
A Tech Shabot: Turn off your phone (oh my!) and computer, facebokk, ipad, TV and Video games other tech items and give them a Sabbath.. and yourself on too! It's one step into the shallow end of the pool of ceasing. You can do it Hint: if you really really need your phone for emergencies create a special ringer for the people who might need to call in an emergency and ONLY answer that ringer sound.
Redirect the time with
- One Spiritual Action
Ex: prayer time, Bible reading, singing, communion
- One Recharger
One thing that recharges your personal batteries : beach, woods, go for a drive, reading, board games, surf, go out for a meal,bike your ride, sleep in late, time with friends you never get to spend enough time with, play an instrument,
Spread the word! Facebook what you'll be doing for your shabot the night before, right before bed to give everyone else some ideas and the reminder to PUSH PAUSE for 24 hours
This Sunday we start a brand new series in God's Word on finding rest, sabbath and joining in God's rhythm.
Here's the skinny E folks downsized and sold offstuff and you folks raised over $5000 for clean water wells in rural Ethiopia ! -glory goes to the God who gave such abundance that we could share. Such fun, keep living on less so the poor can have more!
We explored the "Kingdom Quality" of Forgiveness at Elevation this Sunday. As promised, here is a link to a message from Elevation Past (October 2008) on how to forgive and put away the past... live Kingdom Style today. If you are working through forgiving someone who has wronged you, give it a listen and then spend some time with Jesus this week!
We're liquidating for water, but what things are people giving up? Last Sunday in an interactive worship experience at Elevation people posted the various things they were selling to help provide clean water for Ethiopians. Here's what they posted.
If you're looking for ideas of what you could give to the poor, here are some items that are on their way out so water can be on its way in!
Nintendo Wii
Collectable dolls
Legos
Old jewelry, dental work, coins
Prom dresses
Friends the DVD set
Snowboard
Guitar amp
Necklace
Clothes
I Pod
Snowboard
My favorite guitar
Wakeboard bindings
Silver
Snowboard boots
Snowboard bag
Guitar amp
Another Guitar amp
TV
Gaming systems
Desk and chair
50 percent of my abundance
Softball
My abundant space
Trying to figure it out!
Winnie the Pooh tea Pot collection
Books
Jewelry
Clothes
Silver
Le Creuset Dutch oven cooking pot
Brass designer heat register
Lamps
Books
Music
Snowboard
"Still looking through our blessings"
"Lord I pray that the mink I sell will bring lots of $$$ to help fund this kingdom assignment"
Join us! contact me for info on how you can Liquidate for Water with Elevation!
Holy Smoke November 28th at 8pm - Bocci's Cellar
Gentlemen Holy Smoke #3 is coming NEXT Monday, November 28 at
8 o'clock at Bocci's Cellar in Santa Cruz.
Join me and a cast of Elevation-ites spending the evening hobnobbing and enjoying a quality cigar.
Here's an opportunity for you to invite someone who would normally NOT attend church to experience the Elevation community at its best. Pray and consider who it is you could invite that doesn't yet know Jesus and be part of incarnating into our community for the gospel.
There will be a few cigars for sale on-site but it's always best to stop and pick up something before arriving. There will be some folks partaking in moderate use of alcohol at this gathering, if you have a background with addiction or concern about Christians drinking (in true moderation) this might be a good event to pass on.
Our Kingdom Assignment: "Liquidate For Water" is on!
If you missed last Sunday at Elevation you missed the rollout to our exciting new international outreach to the people of Ethiopia. It's called Liquidate for Water.
In a nutshell work asking Elevation attenders and friends to prayerfully consider sacrificially selling something that they own on eBay or craigslist. We are part of a group of churches who are trying to raise $1 million, which will be matched by the Hilton Corporation with additional $1million dollars. The goal is to get water to half 1 million people who currently have no clean drinking water in rural Ethiopia by 2015!
On December 18 we'll have a big celebration service we'll all bring the proceeds and donate it all to our clean water for the people of Ethiopia project! World Vision will be on hand to accept the offering that evening.
This is going to be a great project, which will allow us to downsize the abundance that God has given us and without even taking cash from our pockets invest in the basic life necessity for the poorest of the poor- clean drinking water. You may find it more challenging than writing a check though... it's a great process of self-examination!
Want to see what it's all about??? see the video!
So the challenge is on, we're asking people to give up something worth $100.00 or more to practice Kingdom Living, sacrificial generosity, love for the poor by action and to grow as disciples of Jesus. Join us!
About Chuckk
- Be magically transported to Chuckk's primary website
- Elevation: The Church I Pastor
SoundCloud: music I am writing and recoding- Email Chuckk