Wife said...how about no TV week 1....yikes!!!
It has been great so far...Late night I am ready to relax and flip. The Holy Spirit has had room to work though. More time in reflection, more time to converse with wife, spending time with kids (Julia always wants me to win new levels on Mario), post on blog after almost three years. One less idol to deal with for the week. I like it. Lord may you continue to give me patience in where you are calling. May your Holy Spirit in me gain strength in this season. Amen.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
What the...?????
This just bothers me. Is this with complete patience and teaching or just shaming and guilt?
A full dumpster
I wish I would have taken a picture of this but I did not. This past Saturday myself and a handful of others orchestrated a garage sale in order to raise money for a new missional outreach called the Alvin Toiletry Giveaway.
I saw this full dumpster before leaving the property and it made me feel GREAT! The lid was popping up it was so full. I see full dumpsters all the time but hardly ever at our church property. See, thing is, our church property has been so seldom used for Kingdom ministry. The only night our church is used by multiple people is Wedneday night at our Bible study. Now we have all been up there for that plus preparing for this garage sale.
Just hanging out with folks cleaning and organizing seemed to fill me up because we were creating community with each other. Even though we were all focused on how we can serve others, it brought those who were serving, closer through the experience.
As I looked at that dumpster it represented all the things that had culminated for the last few weeks of preperation. Loading and unloading my truck bed full of stuff, cleaning out storage, cleaning out the office area, and dumping trash in general. Amongst all the chaos, we also found an opportunity to host a Scottish family traveling through the US as missionaries serving smaller churches or wherever God was leading them. We cleaned there place up and found more trash going in the dumpster.
As I drove away from that dumpster this all raced through my head. I thanked God for the full dumpster. I hope I have the opportunity to fill a lot more dumpsters with the motivation of serving others behind each pile and to see them overflow.
I saw this full dumpster before leaving the property and it made me feel GREAT! The lid was popping up it was so full. I see full dumpsters all the time but hardly ever at our church property. See, thing is, our church property has been so seldom used for Kingdom ministry. The only night our church is used by multiple people is Wedneday night at our Bible study. Now we have all been up there for that plus preparing for this garage sale.
Just hanging out with folks cleaning and organizing seemed to fill me up because we were creating community with each other. Even though we were all focused on how we can serve others, it brought those who were serving, closer through the experience.
As I looked at that dumpster it represented all the things that had culminated for the last few weeks of preperation. Loading and unloading my truck bed full of stuff, cleaning out storage, cleaning out the office area, and dumping trash in general. Amongst all the chaos, we also found an opportunity to host a Scottish family traveling through the US as missionaries serving smaller churches or wherever God was leading them. We cleaned there place up and found more trash going in the dumpster.
As I drove away from that dumpster this all raced through my head. I thanked God for the full dumpster. I hope I have the opportunity to fill a lot more dumpsters with the motivation of serving others behind each pile and to see them overflow.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Dinner Conversation...little moments count
Last night my wife and I took my parents out for their birthdays. We went to a great place in Rice Village and ate some AWESOME Thai food...LOVE Thai! We were discussing how people are used by God in the smallest of ways. My mom mentioned a prayer that she prayed over someone at church abotu 20 years ago and sometime after she spoke with the daughter of the woman she prayed over. The daughter said her mom's life had been changed completely. My mom simply said..."it wasn't me who changed her life." Another instance, my mom was cutting a neighbor's hair. She notice a mole on her ear and told her she never saw it there before. She got it checked...it was malignant (cancerous) and she had it removed. Skin cancer undetected is serious. This neighbor is an old school evangelist and she has sincerely touched life after life over the years since.
God used my mom in that one little moment to keep the course for what God had in store for that neighbor to do (to be His agent). Little moments...little moments are when it counts. We are so deceived by Satan when we lie to oursleves. When we lie to ourselves about how we are not making a difference. YOU ARE!!! YOU ARE!!! How has the Holy Spirit used you lately? Did you even know it? Did they? God is always at work through you if you have accepted His grace and invited Him to indwell in you. He even uses those who have not accepted His grace...I love it! Always be sensitive to those little moments and know that God is working through you and others. Maybe not everyday, maybe not so apparent to you, but He is.
May you be blessed with the understanding that everyday does not have to be a spiritual high but know that God is using you throughout each one.
Btw, we finished the night off by wathing "Evan Almighty." IT was AWESOME and sincerely on eof the funniestmovies I have seen in a long tim. Rolling out of my chair!
God used my mom in that one little moment to keep the course for what God had in store for that neighbor to do (to be His agent). Little moments...little moments are when it counts. We are so deceived by Satan when we lie to oursleves. When we lie to ourselves about how we are not making a difference. YOU ARE!!! YOU ARE!!! How has the Holy Spirit used you lately? Did you even know it? Did they? God is always at work through you if you have accepted His grace and invited Him to indwell in you. He even uses those who have not accepted His grace...I love it! Always be sensitive to those little moments and know that God is working through you and others. Maybe not everyday, maybe not so apparent to you, but He is.
May you be blessed with the understanding that everyday does not have to be a spiritual high but know that God is using you throughout each one.
Btw, we finished the night off by wathing "Evan Almighty." IT was AWESOME and sincerely on eof the funniestmovies I have seen in a long tim. Rolling out of my chair!
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Desiring community
You know, we all talk a big talk...I do that! But I truly want to keep an ongoing theme here. What is it to live IN community? Last week we had a car wash for the students going to camp and one student wanted to go to the movies afterward. I asked if one student had seen the movie and he replied, "Yeah...three times!" Then he followed up with, "but I'll go see it again." He said last year he had a buddy who saw one movie ten times at the movie theatre. Even at matinee price that's around $55 plus whatever on dogs, candy, and soda. $55 bucks! It was totally worth spending twenty plus hours in a movie theatre with friends who had not seen the movie and most of the time they are probably not even communicating with each other.
It struck me then and there how much we all desire community with each other. How much we all desire to just be around one another...even if we don't talk. To just sit and be with folks is lifting in some ways.
This kid was willing to spend all these hours in a movie theatre, not talking, spending earned money, just to hang out with friends. Imagine if we take this zeal of a fourteen year old to hang out with friends at a movie, whom all have kindred spirits.
Imagine coming together not for a movie but to paint someone's house, give a garden or living room a face lift, fix a mower, knock out a car project, knock out a big item on someone's to-do list, BBQ, just to talk, share gifts, share talents, and lift each other in or joys and our sorrows. As Christians we are called to so much more than what we do. We are called to go out, we are called to share in our pain and our healing, we are called to be IN community with each other.
I hope that I can do less talking in the months ahead and do more acting and being IN community with my fellow brothers and sisters. Looking forward to what the Holy Spirit brings my way this summer.
It struck me then and there how much we all desire community with each other. How much we all desire to just be around one another...even if we don't talk. To just sit and be with folks is lifting in some ways.
This kid was willing to spend all these hours in a movie theatre, not talking, spending earned money, just to hang out with friends. Imagine if we take this zeal of a fourteen year old to hang out with friends at a movie, whom all have kindred spirits.
Imagine coming together not for a movie but to paint someone's house, give a garden or living room a face lift, fix a mower, knock out a car project, knock out a big item on someone's to-do list, BBQ, just to talk, share gifts, share talents, and lift each other in or joys and our sorrows. As Christians we are called to so much more than what we do. We are called to go out, we are called to share in our pain and our healing, we are called to be IN community with each other.
I hope that I can do less talking in the months ahead and do more acting and being IN community with my fellow brothers and sisters. Looking forward to what the Holy Spirit brings my way this summer.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Being Intentional
A few months ago I had a conversation with a friend who had been discussing the actions a community would take to actually be living into a communal lifestyle with each other. I realize that the less we are intentional about communal living and literally sharing life together....the more we become self absorbed and self reliant.
At our small group last night, we discussed what it means to be intentional and how we could live in to that calling more intentionally. Some ladies talked about helping decorate another ladies house, men talked about house chores that could get done faster with more guys to help. It was beautiful to actually open up and have this conversation each other. I believe it is a first to what could be.
What does it look like as we continue this journey as Revolutionaries in this postmodern world? What will it truly be like to live in real community? What will it look like to live out Acts 2:44?
At our small group last night, we discussed what it means to be intentional and how we could live in to that calling more intentionally. Some ladies talked about helping decorate another ladies house, men talked about house chores that could get done faster with more guys to help. It was beautiful to actually open up and have this conversation each other. I believe it is a first to what could be.
What does it look like as we continue this journey as Revolutionaries in this postmodern world? What will it truly be like to live in real community? What will it look like to live out Acts 2:44?
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Being Active
Well, the first part in being active will be to get this blog going again. I hope to keep anyone interested with regular updates. Sorry for the long span of time there has been no posts. It would be to my amazement someone might read this now.
The latest news is another scale being lifted off of the eyes of CrossCreek's community and seeing what was before us...we officially voted to unify with Ecclesia May 2, 2007. These folks have been patient and the remnant of what remained at CrossCreek has unanimously approved the dissolving of what was known as CrossCreek to become Ecclesia and join their newest efforts of planting a new church in the Clear Lake area. I beleive we truly let the Holy Spirit guide us and that we gave the decision it's due time of consideration and prayer.
Loren Jones will be the lead pastor of Ecclesia Clear Lake and the goal is to get some weekly gatherings launched September'ish. I could not be happier about thenew endevour with LoJo and the leaders that are forming up to start this missional movement. I look forward to the Holy Spirit inspiring others with the same passion.
Let us be reminded of Paul's words in Philipians 3 to not rely on self and to let the things of this world be lost because all is lost if it is not for Christ. Galatians 5:17 where we need to understand that the Holy Spirit is constantly battling our flesh. Our flesh keeps us from doing what we really want to do. Imagine that, our own self keeps us from doing what we want to do. What are you keeping yourself from doing right now? Serving? Sacrificing? What?
Let us consider the one thing that Paul reminds us of in Philipians 3:13...to let the past go, live in the present, and look to the future.
Check out Doulos Community blogsite for postings of needs in the Bay Area and Galveston.
The latest news is another scale being lifted off of the eyes of CrossCreek's community and seeing what was before us...we officially voted to unify with Ecclesia May 2, 2007. These folks have been patient and the remnant of what remained at CrossCreek has unanimously approved the dissolving of what was known as CrossCreek to become Ecclesia and join their newest efforts of planting a new church in the Clear Lake area. I beleive we truly let the Holy Spirit guide us and that we gave the decision it's due time of consideration and prayer.
Loren Jones will be the lead pastor of Ecclesia Clear Lake and the goal is to get some weekly gatherings launched September'ish. I could not be happier about thenew endevour with LoJo and the leaders that are forming up to start this missional movement. I look forward to the Holy Spirit inspiring others with the same passion.
Let us be reminded of Paul's words in Philipians 3 to not rely on self and to let the things of this world be lost because all is lost if it is not for Christ. Galatians 5:17 where we need to understand that the Holy Spirit is constantly battling our flesh. Our flesh keeps us from doing what we really want to do. Imagine that, our own self keeps us from doing what we want to do. What are you keeping yourself from doing right now? Serving? Sacrificing? What?
Let us consider the one thing that Paul reminds us of in Philipians 3:13...to let the past go, live in the present, and look to the future.
Check out Doulos Community blogsite for postings of needs in the Bay Area and Galveston.
Friday, February 2, 2007
going Fight Club!
At the gathering of the Ecclesia Clear Lake, on January 28, 2007, Jack Wisdom from Ecclesia-Taft spoke. The following are words and phrases that might make a little more sense on where I feel God is truly leading us as individuals walking the “Christian walk” in this localized geographic area south of Houston, Texas.
He warned us right off the bat that we should watch out for people that say there are only two types of people! He then went on to say there are two types of Christians.
1. Go with flow Christians : they do what they are expected to do; they
do what their parents expect them to do; they have to look a certain way in which they groom and dress themselves; they tend to stay in Holy huddles not venturing out into the sinful world of heathens; It’s a safe bet to go with the flow and it’s comfortable
But this was the actual group that Jesus was against: The Pharisees and Sadducees of the Jewish religion.
2. Call to fight the powers Christians : In Mathew 16;13-16 Jesus asked the disciples “what are the people calling ‘the son of man’?” …… John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets….. Who do you (the disciples) say I am? Peter answers saying, you are the υἱός “hwee-os” Χριστός “khris-tos” (Greek) meaning the anointed one. You are Christ the son of the living God. You are the liberating King! Mark 1:15 Jesus states “ for the kingdom of God is at hand, repent……” To the Jews and especially Peter this was the prophesy that had been foretold in the old testament (2 Sam7:8-17;Isaiah 11:1-9;24:23; Jer. 23:4-6) they were expecting a ruler to establish himself on earth.
Another ruler had already established himself on earth and this was Satan and his Kingdom. Two kingdoms were now on a collision course; Satan’s kingdom who has hostages of sin and death and the Kingdom God with Christ as the liberating king of sin and death saying “I’ve come to set the captives free” (Luke 4:18).
Peter when asked realizes when he answers Christ’s question that the battle is now “on”. For Jesus says to him “blessed are you for this is a disclosure from God Himself.” And then for the first time we see this word mentioned, Ecclesia. Jesus speaks to Peter saying “on this rock I shall build my Ecclesia (church) on this confession that I am the son of the living God. (When you break the root ἐξ “ek” and καλέω“kaleô” It literally means - to be called out of. We as Christians are to be called out.)
This church, Christ spoke of, was no pansy church, it was called out to fight (to go fight club), to mobilize for a struggle, fight the way Jesus did; sacrificial love in that he died for us; a serving attitude to everyone and sacrificial pain bearing the wounds of lashing, thorns in his head, a sword in his side and emotional verbal lashings. He stated that the gates of Hades shall not be able to come against it (the church). We the church will storm against the gates to proclaim the goodwill of his peace. We will not try to hide in peaceful places as the “go with flow Christians” do.
We, the southern churches of Houston Taft Ecclesia, are being called to this good fight. We are to be doing: small loving things for God and foolish (in the eyes of the world) acts for God that eventually bring people into His Kingdom and free them from the kingdom of sin and death. This is Ecclesia!!!!!
A follow up to this was a true story of a Mrs. Carter in Baycliff. She is being taken home by one of the At the Waters edge men in his car. She says to him as they arrive at her house” this is the first time that a guy has not tried to get a sexual favor from me in a car!” Sometime later when another man from the church is filling up her car with gas , she asks “ How do you know when it is full?” The man responds, “It automatically stops when it is full.” She responds, “I’ve never had my tank full.” Her husband is very wary of the people trying to help them but has come to the conclusion that he does like the shampoo that he gets every six weeks. He has never shampooed his hair. Both of them are beginning to see that Christians are real and trustworthy.
The benediction before we parted said; “May this great God who called you…Keep you broken enough to mend others. Keep you hungry enough to feed others. Keep you wondering enough to find the lost. Keep you secure enough to present the truth. Keep you out enough to see the broken. Keep you real enough to be touched by the hurting. Keep you sensitive enough to feel the others pain. Keep you weak enough to reach out to the strong. Keep you strong enough to reach the weak."
For those of you that weren’t able to attend I hope this gives you an insight into the walk that Ecclesia is on and for those of you that were there a refresher of what we heard. May God Bless you all as you continue to pray on which way the lord is leading you.
He warned us right off the bat that we should watch out for people that say there are only two types of people! He then went on to say there are two types of Christians.
1. Go with flow Christians : they do what they are expected to do; they
do what their parents expect them to do; they have to look a certain way in which they groom and dress themselves; they tend to stay in Holy huddles not venturing out into the sinful world of heathens; It’s a safe bet to go with the flow and it’s comfortable
But this was the actual group that Jesus was against: The Pharisees and Sadducees of the Jewish religion.
2. Call to fight the powers Christians : In Mathew 16;13-16 Jesus asked the disciples “what are the people calling ‘the son of man’?” …… John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets….. Who do you (the disciples) say I am? Peter answers saying, you are the υἱός “hwee-os” Χριστός “khris-tos” (Greek) meaning the anointed one. You are Christ the son of the living God. You are the liberating King! Mark 1:15 Jesus states “ for the kingdom of God is at hand, repent……” To the Jews and especially Peter this was the prophesy that had been foretold in the old testament (2 Sam7:8-17;Isaiah 11:1-9;24:23; Jer. 23:4-6) they were expecting a ruler to establish himself on earth.
Another ruler had already established himself on earth and this was Satan and his Kingdom. Two kingdoms were now on a collision course; Satan’s kingdom who has hostages of sin and death and the Kingdom God with Christ as the liberating king of sin and death saying “I’ve come to set the captives free” (Luke 4:18).
Peter when asked realizes when he answers Christ’s question that the battle is now “on”. For Jesus says to him “blessed are you for this is a disclosure from God Himself.” And then for the first time we see this word mentioned, Ecclesia. Jesus speaks to Peter saying “on this rock I shall build my Ecclesia (church) on this confession that I am the son of the living God. (When you break the root ἐξ “ek” and καλέω“kaleô” It literally means - to be called out of. We as Christians are to be called out.)
This church, Christ spoke of, was no pansy church, it was called out to fight (to go fight club), to mobilize for a struggle, fight the way Jesus did; sacrificial love in that he died for us; a serving attitude to everyone and sacrificial pain bearing the wounds of lashing, thorns in his head, a sword in his side and emotional verbal lashings. He stated that the gates of Hades shall not be able to come against it (the church). We the church will storm against the gates to proclaim the goodwill of his peace. We will not try to hide in peaceful places as the “go with flow Christians” do.
We, the southern churches of Houston Taft Ecclesia, are being called to this good fight. We are to be doing: small loving things for God and foolish (in the eyes of the world) acts for God that eventually bring people into His Kingdom and free them from the kingdom of sin and death. This is Ecclesia!!!!!
A follow up to this was a true story of a Mrs. Carter in Baycliff. She is being taken home by one of the At the Waters edge men in his car. She says to him as they arrive at her house” this is the first time that a guy has not tried to get a sexual favor from me in a car!” Sometime later when another man from the church is filling up her car with gas , she asks “ How do you know when it is full?” The man responds, “It automatically stops when it is full.” She responds, “I’ve never had my tank full.” Her husband is very wary of the people trying to help them but has come to the conclusion that he does like the shampoo that he gets every six weeks. He has never shampooed his hair. Both of them are beginning to see that Christians are real and trustworthy.
The benediction before we parted said; “May this great God who called you…Keep you broken enough to mend others. Keep you hungry enough to feed others. Keep you wondering enough to find the lost. Keep you secure enough to present the truth. Keep you out enough to see the broken. Keep you real enough to be touched by the hurting. Keep you sensitive enough to feel the others pain. Keep you weak enough to reach out to the strong. Keep you strong enough to reach the weak."
For those of you that weren’t able to attend I hope this gives you an insight into the walk that Ecclesia is on and for those of you that were there a refresher of what we heard. May God Bless you all as you continue to pray on which way the lord is leading you.
Monday, January 8, 2007
...living water
Last night I attended Ecclesia with my wife, kids and some friends. Chris Seay was speaking about Living Water International last night. Of the handful of churches committed to donating to Living Water, over $250,000 was raised. In some places it only takes $6,000 to drill a well. As the year progresses there will be opportunities to partake in mission trips to these villages. I look forward to the chance of doing something like this real soon.
Chris asked us to imagine the child who walks miles and miles to get water for their families and then to imagine the wonder and awe that a child must feel as they see water come up from the ground in their village or town. What a miracle! $250,000 is a miracle! What a geat thing to sacrifice for!
I look forward to the new year and the many opportunities that are out there just awaiting for us to see them, to reach out to them, to uncover them, to speak for them, to care for them, to support them, to clothe them, to feed them, to invite them, and to love on them. At CrossCreek we are kicking off new home groups this Wednesday.
I hope and pray they become missional communities that are empowered and encouraged to be salt and light to the poor and marginalized of this southern part of Houston. They are in our own neighborhoods and communities. I pray we ask God to illuminate the needs we are to find and that we obey Him when we are told to act on it. As Leeland sings in his song Tears of the Saints, "children stretch out your hands and pick up your crippled man...May we see this generation and it's state of desperation for Your glory...this is an emergency. There are tears from the saints for the lost and unsaved."
This song gets me every time I listen to it. May it be a reminder of what our commandment (Matt 22:37-39) and commission (Matt 28:16) is from Jesus.
-JW
Chris asked us to imagine the child who walks miles and miles to get water for their families and then to imagine the wonder and awe that a child must feel as they see water come up from the ground in their village or town. What a miracle! $250,000 is a miracle! What a geat thing to sacrifice for!
I look forward to the new year and the many opportunities that are out there just awaiting for us to see them, to reach out to them, to uncover them, to speak for them, to care for them, to support them, to clothe them, to feed them, to invite them, and to love on them. At CrossCreek we are kicking off new home groups this Wednesday.
I hope and pray they become missional communities that are empowered and encouraged to be salt and light to the poor and marginalized of this southern part of Houston. They are in our own neighborhoods and communities. I pray we ask God to illuminate the needs we are to find and that we obey Him when we are told to act on it. As Leeland sings in his song Tears of the Saints, "children stretch out your hands and pick up your crippled man...May we see this generation and it's state of desperation for Your glory...this is an emergency. There are tears from the saints for the lost and unsaved."
This song gets me every time I listen to it. May it be a reminder of what our commandment (Matt 22:37-39) and commission (Matt 28:16) is from Jesus.
-JW
Friday, December 29, 2006
Prayer Reloaded
Part 1
The Challenge
Part 2
Part 3 - coming soon
(It might take a minute to download but please be patient or save to your PC or Mac and lsten later or on your mp3 player.)
This is a new series CrossCreek is going through right now. We are coming up to the last part on December 31. The Challenge is coming in January.
The Challenge
Part 2
Part 3 - coming soon
(It might take a minute to download but please be patient or save to your PC or Mac and lsten later or on your mp3 player.)
This is a new series CrossCreek is going through right now. We are coming up to the last part on December 31. The Challenge is coming in January.
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
...love wins
Ahh, another beautiful spring day in mid-winter! I love Texas. I always claim I would love to live up north, but really, being north and shoveling snow (necessity) or south and raking pine needles (just makes your yard look better-optional).
It is funny, as I have spent time thinking through why we do church, I have also been trying to observe the many people doing Christmas. I wonder if people really know what it is all about or if they do know, do they take the time to stop and just reflect on that.
Not that traditions are necessary for my faith but they help some things resonate better for me. I would like to observe advent in 2007. I came across the tradition of advent this December but I look forward to doing it with more awareness next year. I had heard of it and I also knew about advent calendars but I never took the time to actually read about it. The celebration of our coming Christ is great and I would like for my family to begin to celebrate that in a more tangible and experiential way.
As for giving gifts, my wife and I did things a little different this year. We gave some of our gift money to Living-Water, adopt-a-family at church, and then the rest to family and friends. I have found that no matter what, I will struggle with the self-sacrifice of me. I feel like we did good, but how good did we really do? What is really good and WISE when it comes to self-sacrificing your time and money for others?
I found myself feeling guilty that I did not give enough to the needy and that I did not give enough to my unneedy family. Why?!?! I even had this feeling at my own home like, "where are my presents?"...when I knew I had none there. While visiting family and exchanging gifts my thoughts where whispering, "when do I get my present?" Why?!?! We are innately prideful and selfish! All people are! We must constantly fight it off with the help of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit and flesh are constantly at battle...constantly! Next year (the whole year) I would like to challenge myself and family to give more of ourselves to others.
Don't get me wrong, I love gifts, and most that I got this year will aid me in my quest for more knowledge about God, Christianity, history, leadership, love, etc. But I would love to be a part of something that just gives abundantly. I know to give abundantly you must receive abundantly too. So I hope and pray that my family and I can be a part of something that receives with joy and gives with joy in order to make love win. That's what I want more then all...for love to win.
By the way...I just listened to "Velvet Elvis" by Rob Bell. Great book. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to it as well as discussing topics with my wife, who is listening to it now. Quick point from the book: Rob talks about how we always say "God showed up" at some particular time but really "we showed up" - God is ALWAYS there.
I hope that our church shows up to meet God this January. I am challenging the church to commit to meeting on Sundays and mid-week to pray with each other about the future of CrossCreek. I will soon be posting my 3 part series - Prayer reloaded (the challenge, why pray with the church?, and fasting) - on www.crosscreekchurch.net and will do my best to post it here as well.
-JW Shaw
It is funny, as I have spent time thinking through why we do church, I have also been trying to observe the many people doing Christmas. I wonder if people really know what it is all about or if they do know, do they take the time to stop and just reflect on that.
Not that traditions are necessary for my faith but they help some things resonate better for me. I would like to observe advent in 2007. I came across the tradition of advent this December but I look forward to doing it with more awareness next year. I had heard of it and I also knew about advent calendars but I never took the time to actually read about it. The celebration of our coming Christ is great and I would like for my family to begin to celebrate that in a more tangible and experiential way.
As for giving gifts, my wife and I did things a little different this year. We gave some of our gift money to Living-Water, adopt-a-family at church, and then the rest to family and friends. I have found that no matter what, I will struggle with the self-sacrifice of me. I feel like we did good, but how good did we really do? What is really good and WISE when it comes to self-sacrificing your time and money for others?
I found myself feeling guilty that I did not give enough to the needy and that I did not give enough to my unneedy family. Why?!?! I even had this feeling at my own home like, "where are my presents?"...when I knew I had none there. While visiting family and exchanging gifts my thoughts where whispering, "when do I get my present?" Why?!?! We are innately prideful and selfish! All people are! We must constantly fight it off with the help of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit and flesh are constantly at battle...constantly! Next year (the whole year) I would like to challenge myself and family to give more of ourselves to others.
Don't get me wrong, I love gifts, and most that I got this year will aid me in my quest for more knowledge about God, Christianity, history, leadership, love, etc. But I would love to be a part of something that just gives abundantly. I know to give abundantly you must receive abundantly too. So I hope and pray that my family and I can be a part of something that receives with joy and gives with joy in order to make love win. That's what I want more then all...for love to win.
By the way...I just listened to "Velvet Elvis" by Rob Bell. Great book. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to it as well as discussing topics with my wife, who is listening to it now. Quick point from the book: Rob talks about how we always say "God showed up" at some particular time but really "we showed up" - God is ALWAYS there.
I hope that our church shows up to meet God this January. I am challenging the church to commit to meeting on Sundays and mid-week to pray with each other about the future of CrossCreek. I will soon be posting my 3 part series - Prayer reloaded (the challenge, why pray with the church?, and fasting) - on www.crosscreekchurch.net and will do my best to post it here as well.
-JW Shaw
Sunday, December 3, 2006
the emerging church
For the past several weeks I have been reading The Emerging Church by Dan Kimball. In many ways it is a journey back into time to the Acts church that started after Christ's resurrection and return to Heaven and God sending down the Holy Spirit (to empower the disciples of Christ in doing what he(Jesus) told them to do); "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believes not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name(Jesus Christ) shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick , and they shall recover." "Verily, verily, I (Jesus)say unto you, He that believes on me(Jesus Christ the son of God), the works that I(Jesus) do shall he(Holy Spirit) do also; and greater works than these shall he(Holy Spirit) do; because I (Jesus) go unto my Father(God).......And I will pray the Father(God), and he(God) shall give you another Comforter(Holy Spirit) that he(God) may abide with you forever......But the Comforter which is the Holy Ghost(Spirit) whom the Father(God) will send in my name(Jesus Christ), he(Holy Spirit) shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatever I(Jesus) have said unto you.....but wait for the promise of the Father(God) which ye have heard of me(Jesus). For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost(Spirit) not many days hence....but you shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost(Spirit) is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto me(Jesus) both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and to the utter most part of the earth.....I (Jesus)ascend unto my Father and your Father, and to my God and your God.... Peace be unto you; as my Father (God)has sent me(Jesus), even so send I(Jesus) you" And when he said this, he(Jesus) breathed on them, and said unto them, "Receive thee the Holy Ghost(Spirit)."
The scripture references from the above paragraph come from Mark16:15-18, Luke24:49, John14:12,16,26 and Acts1:4,5,7,8 which I put in some form of chronological order setting up the church of Acts that started after Christs ascension up into Heaven where He(Jesus) sits today at the right hand of God(the Father). Since that time the "Church "or the "bride of Christ" has been growing with the help of the Holy Spirit and with the soon hoped for return of our Lord always on our minds. But as we wait ,we continually try to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and
Gods will in bringing into the Kingdom of God those "seekers" or should I say "sinners" that have been predestined by God to understand his calling(pulling, tugging, nudging) of their souls. Churches of religion(finding and being accepted by God through works) and of Christianity(finding God through faith in the sacrifice of his son, Jesus Christ, and his resurrection) had set up programs of Worship, Praise, teaching(sermons and bible studies) and Thanksgiving(tithes and offerings) to an almighty God for a God conscious society to attend and eventually the spiritually hungry souls of the world found our Lord . As time passed though, the world became faster, more complex, more self conscious of the self than of God and more consumed with money and pleasure than eternal spiritual values and morals. This is where we find ourselves today, trying to draw in the spiritual seekers of today that have more than 3500 different spiritual choices to choose from, a cornucopia of gods that promise sexual, monetary and every desire known to man to be fulfilled if one follows in their way. This is the challenge presented to the emerging church of today.
Dan Kimball offers many ideas for today's church and we have to be sensitive to them all realizing there is no one sure fire way, no perfect equation or formula to save the world and fill our churches with new reborn souls for the kingdom. Dan talks about change. Changing music in worship, adding more candles and crosses, art, home groups, a missional attitude toward the poor and disabled, theatrics, meditation, prayer, fasting, silence, different types of seating arrangements and communion are all up for grabs if it pulls the people, the lost ,the down hearted , the lonely , the depressed, the sick and disabled and those that just don 't feel worthy of being loved or forgiven for the way they have lived their lives and treated others into the church to hear and see the gospel of Christ proclaimed. All are welcome to the service without judgement, with love and compassion and hope that they might see the light that could lead them into the kingdom of God through Our Lord Jesus Christ.
My whole opinion on this. Let's give it a try. I am up for change as long as it continually brings new souls into the kingdom and the church itself into a closer walk with God. If these changes are not of God but are a slippery slide into religious idolatry which some fundamentalist conservative groups believe, it should be a lesson well learned. God will still be with us and love us. We know that King Solomon in Ecclesiastes, being blessed with wisdom, tried everything under the sun including having over 800 wives and still he came to one conclusion; All is vanity; you cannot trust anyone or anything including your own heart except God . God is our everything. In the beginning God Created the heaven and the earth. Fear God and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man.
Early on in my christian walk these situations happened to me. I realized that God was in charge of my life. Through Christs forgiveness of my sins and my acceptance and belief in Him, I could now talk to God. I KNEW THERE WAS MORE THOUGH. Don't ask me how I knew but I just knew. I heard of heeling's, spirits being exercised, I heard of miracles, speaking in tongues and I searched them all out in churches, on the radio, on TV and in books and newspaper articles and magazines. I went to Christian seminars, I heard of the baptism in the holy spirit and I wanted it and received it. I was led to churches where God seemed to be moving and working in. I wanted to be around people that were being changed by a living miraculous God and I wanted to tell people about what I saw and heard so that they might become excited too. If the following were told to you what would you do?
".......Tell John what things you have heard and seen; how the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleaned, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached..."
People today would travel half the circumference of the earth to see and hear these miracles. I know I would. Unfortunately these words were said by Jesus about 2000 years ago. But wait a second. The God I know is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Yes, Jesus might be in Heaven but it was promised us that one(Holy Spirit) would come that would do even greater works than these. We know that great miracles were done with the disciples of the New Testament and no doubt God did some pretty miraculous stuff in the Old Testament with his prophets, so what's going on today and where is it happening, through who? Why isn't it happening here? Are we "quenching the spirit"? Why do pastors need to apologize to their congregation when service is longer than usual? Where are the testimonials of a living God, the Holy Spirit, working in our congregation? Is our faith not big enough ( as a mustard seed)? I am sure you all have questions like this going through your mind. All that I can say right now with all these questions still in my mind is that " I am excited; excited about how the Holy Spirit is moving in and through our congregation. I see growth and love for the Lord in so many individuals. There is a saying by reporters that everyone has a story. Many of us don't believe that we are worth even a sentence yet a whole story. My challenge to you is to find those stories in our congregation of how God is working miracles in peoples lives and then go tell others about them. I think you will be surprised at peoples responses and their openness to a living God. May you have fun and be blessed as you hear stories of peoples lives that you have never heard before. You will find new prayer requests going up to Heaven and new praises to a living God that truly does answer prayers.
May the Holy Spirit lead you and guide you in all your endeavors.
Your parking lot minister , John Shaw Sr
The scripture references from the above paragraph come from Mark16:15-18, Luke24:49, John14:12,16,26 and Acts1:4,5,7,8 which I put in some form of chronological order setting up the church of Acts that started after Christs ascension up into Heaven where He(Jesus) sits today at the right hand of God(the Father). Since that time the "Church "or the "bride of Christ" has been growing with the help of the Holy Spirit and with the soon hoped for return of our Lord always on our minds. But as we wait ,we continually try to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and
Gods will in bringing into the Kingdom of God those "seekers" or should I say "sinners" that have been predestined by God to understand his calling(pulling, tugging, nudging) of their souls. Churches of religion(finding and being accepted by God through works) and of Christianity(finding God through faith in the sacrifice of his son, Jesus Christ, and his resurrection) had set up programs of Worship, Praise, teaching(sermons and bible studies) and Thanksgiving(tithes and offerings) to an almighty God for a God conscious society to attend and eventually the spiritually hungry souls of the world found our Lord . As time passed though, the world became faster, more complex, more self conscious of the self than of God and more consumed with money and pleasure than eternal spiritual values and morals. This is where we find ourselves today, trying to draw in the spiritual seekers of today that have more than 3500 different spiritual choices to choose from, a cornucopia of gods that promise sexual, monetary and every desire known to man to be fulfilled if one follows in their way. This is the challenge presented to the emerging church of today.
Dan Kimball offers many ideas for today's church and we have to be sensitive to them all realizing there is no one sure fire way, no perfect equation or formula to save the world and fill our churches with new reborn souls for the kingdom. Dan talks about change. Changing music in worship, adding more candles and crosses, art, home groups, a missional attitude toward the poor and disabled, theatrics, meditation, prayer, fasting, silence, different types of seating arrangements and communion are all up for grabs if it pulls the people, the lost ,the down hearted , the lonely , the depressed, the sick and disabled and those that just don 't feel worthy of being loved or forgiven for the way they have lived their lives and treated others into the church to hear and see the gospel of Christ proclaimed. All are welcome to the service without judgement, with love and compassion and hope that they might see the light that could lead them into the kingdom of God through Our Lord Jesus Christ.
My whole opinion on this. Let's give it a try. I am up for change as long as it continually brings new souls into the kingdom and the church itself into a closer walk with God. If these changes are not of God but are a slippery slide into religious idolatry which some fundamentalist conservative groups believe, it should be a lesson well learned. God will still be with us and love us. We know that King Solomon in Ecclesiastes, being blessed with wisdom, tried everything under the sun including having over 800 wives and still he came to one conclusion; All is vanity; you cannot trust anyone or anything including your own heart except God . God is our everything. In the beginning God Created the heaven and the earth. Fear God and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man.
Early on in my christian walk these situations happened to me. I realized that God was in charge of my life. Through Christs forgiveness of my sins and my acceptance and belief in Him, I could now talk to God. I KNEW THERE WAS MORE THOUGH. Don't ask me how I knew but I just knew. I heard of heeling's, spirits being exercised, I heard of miracles, speaking in tongues and I searched them all out in churches, on the radio, on TV and in books and newspaper articles and magazines. I went to Christian seminars, I heard of the baptism in the holy spirit and I wanted it and received it. I was led to churches where God seemed to be moving and working in. I wanted to be around people that were being changed by a living miraculous God and I wanted to tell people about what I saw and heard so that they might become excited too. If the following were told to you what would you do?
".......Tell John what things you have heard and seen; how the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleaned, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached..."
People today would travel half the circumference of the earth to see and hear these miracles. I know I would. Unfortunately these words were said by Jesus about 2000 years ago. But wait a second. The God I know is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Yes, Jesus might be in Heaven but it was promised us that one(Holy Spirit) would come that would do even greater works than these. We know that great miracles were done with the disciples of the New Testament and no doubt God did some pretty miraculous stuff in the Old Testament with his prophets, so what's going on today and where is it happening, through who? Why isn't it happening here? Are we "quenching the spirit"? Why do pastors need to apologize to their congregation when service is longer than usual? Where are the testimonials of a living God, the Holy Spirit, working in our congregation? Is our faith not big enough ( as a mustard seed)? I am sure you all have questions like this going through your mind. All that I can say right now with all these questions still in my mind is that " I am excited; excited about how the Holy Spirit is moving in and through our congregation. I see growth and love for the Lord in so many individuals. There is a saying by reporters that everyone has a story. Many of us don't believe that we are worth even a sentence yet a whole story. My challenge to you is to find those stories in our congregation of how God is working miracles in peoples lives and then go tell others about them. I think you will be surprised at peoples responses and their openness to a living God. May you have fun and be blessed as you hear stories of peoples lives that you have never heard before. You will find new prayer requests going up to Heaven and new praises to a living God that truly does answer prayers.
May the Holy Spirit lead you and guide you in all your endeavors.
Your parking lot minister , John Shaw Sr
Thursday, November 30, 2006
...I need to be filled
Nov. 28 I started to post. It was only a line or two. I saved it...came back...saved it...came back. I realized I had nothing. Maybe it was the day or my mind trying to function off of the coffee, but I had nothing. Maybe it is because I am new at this. Although, what I sensed and now know is that I need to be constantly filled by God. Without daily devotion, prayer, and reading of His Word, I am empty. I was empty. I want to be full. I read books, Christian books, but none compare. I need Him, only Him. God longs for conversation with us, yet we (I) deny Him when it is most needed at times. Sometimes I wish I had more physical need so that I would be more apt to take action. I pray for that need to be burning in me. Should one wish a thorn in their own side? Do I need something to dig deeper in me?
I think of the song, "I Dare You to Move" by Switchfoot. Move like today never happened. No matter how bad your day is or how guilty you feel for days, weeks, months, or years without maintaining your relationship with Christ...He awaits for us to move toward Him. I am so thankful for a merciful and gracious God!
Next...
As we venture into Christmas I again come to realize that we are so unbelievably consumeristic. My wife and I discussed one day how we needed to cut TV completely - cold turkey! Next day we stroll through Wal-Mart gawking at the wall of HD flat screen TV's...we actually discussed the feasibility of getting one!!! Galatians 5:17, "For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit." (NASB) This is a battle we face constantly.
As for my cohort's most recent post...
Isaiah 58 will knock your ego on the floor and then knock it down again. What an unbelievable passage, as well as the others. Those filled me up today. I will be teaching in the main service Dec. 17 and 24. I will be praying and meditating on this passage as to what God wants to speak through me.
Faith of My Fathers...
I am about half way through Chris Seay's book. I am not to familiar with Don Miller's style but I haven't quite figured out why he is part of it. As I read on I will let you know. As for "Papa"...he rocks! What lessons to be learned from his experiences. What a blessing to have multi-generational pastor in a family as close as theirs seems to be. My father and I have some great conversations and I look forward to the conversations I can have with him and my son. Right now we get together and make silly faces at Trace (my son who is 4 months old). I will share more in detail as I wrap up the book. Meantime (which truly is "mean"-especially writing research papers) I will be concentrating on my seminary research paper for hermeneutics.
I am researching the differences between tongues as a true language (i.e. Spanish, French, Hebrew, Latin, etc.) and tongues as unintelligible utterances (heavenly tongues). I will share my paper with you if I get a decent grade.
By the way...Google alerts are awesome!
-JWShaw
I think of the song, "I Dare You to Move" by Switchfoot. Move like today never happened. No matter how bad your day is or how guilty you feel for days, weeks, months, or years without maintaining your relationship with Christ...He awaits for us to move toward Him. I am so thankful for a merciful and gracious God!
Next...
As we venture into Christmas I again come to realize that we are so unbelievably consumeristic. My wife and I discussed one day how we needed to cut TV completely - cold turkey! Next day we stroll through Wal-Mart gawking at the wall of HD flat screen TV's...we actually discussed the feasibility of getting one!!! Galatians 5:17, "For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit." (NASB) This is a battle we face constantly.
As for my cohort's most recent post...
Isaiah 58 will knock your ego on the floor and then knock it down again. What an unbelievable passage, as well as the others. Those filled me up today. I will be teaching in the main service Dec. 17 and 24. I will be praying and meditating on this passage as to what God wants to speak through me.
Faith of My Fathers...
I am about half way through Chris Seay's book. I am not to familiar with Don Miller's style but I haven't quite figured out why he is part of it. As I read on I will let you know. As for "Papa"...he rocks! What lessons to be learned from his experiences. What a blessing to have multi-generational pastor in a family as close as theirs seems to be. My father and I have some great conversations and I look forward to the conversations I can have with him and my son. Right now we get together and make silly faces at Trace (my son who is 4 months old). I will share more in detail as I wrap up the book. Meantime (which truly is "mean"-especially writing research papers) I will be concentrating on my seminary research paper for hermeneutics.
I am researching the differences between tongues as a true language (i.e. Spanish, French, Hebrew, Latin, etc.) and tongues as unintelligible utterances (heavenly tongues). I will share my paper with you if I get a decent grade.
By the way...Google alerts are awesome!
-JWShaw
Monday, November 27, 2006
...from the lips of Bono
Yesterday, Crosscreek Church experienced an earth-shattering testimony. It was from Bono, yes THE Bono, lead singer of U2. "Why was Bono in church" you may ask? Better question: "Why did Bono agree to come to your podunk church??" Well, in short...he didn't!
On August 11th, 2006 John Shaw (fellow blogger), Lisa Rodriguez, and myself were attending the Leadership Summitt presented by Willowcreek Church. We were attending a satellite location in The Woodlands. I was particularly giddy (sp?) on this specific day because I knew that we were going to hear from Bono. Bill Hybels interviewed him several months before, and they were going to show that video.
It was nothing short of earth-shattering for me, and I know it was for John and Lisa too? Why? Well, it was the very beginning of a journey that I am still on. It began in me, a questioning of many things. All of these questions began to shape in me, a desire to do something radical for Christ...specifically the "least of these", in the name of Christ. I started to understand that we as a Christian subculture, have been almost exclusively focused on ourselves.
Bono said that years ago, a very good friend of his told him, "stop asking God to bless what you are doing Bono. But find out what God is doing, because it is already blessed".
Wow. That's so true, and man have I been guilty of that. So, what is God doing? Here's a simple reading assignment. Read these chapters of the Bible. Ask God to reveal Himself to you through these scriptures, and let it soak in.
Isaiah 58
Isaiah 61
Matthew 25:31-46
Galatians 2:10
These are just a few of the thousands of verses in the Bible, urging us as believers, and followers of The Way, to take up the yoke of the burdened, and serve the marginalized people. You have to ignore the scriptures to not see that His heart, is a heart for the broken-hearted, and for the poor, and oppressed.
Naturally I asked myself, "what have I done for the least of these??" The answer was crushing. If I'm honest, I had done NOTHING. I have been a worship leader in my church for 9 years, and it's been a comfortable 9 years. What I mean by that is, that I can't remember doing one thing or serving one of the least of these. I just can't remember. So, that didn't feel right.
In this video Bono said another thing that really rocked me. "The world is an unhappy place for the vast majority of people living in it". Immediately we think of Africa when we are told something like that. We picture the swollen stomachs of the starving children. We think of the hollow look in their eyes. But do you realize that there are people around us, here in Houston that live in the dark? There are people in Friendswood that need someone to reach out to them. In short...to LOVE them. It's all about love! It just, really is.
As we enter a season in which we will inevitably spend millions on toys, and gifts for loved ones, please also remember the poor. Teach your children by your example. Adopt a family, or bring blankets and food to the homeless, do something with your kids. It really will bless you, more than you expect, and no doubt you will bless someone else!! "Find out what Jesus is doing, because IT IS already blessed!!"
I am thankful for the message that Bono brought, and that I was able to listen. I am praying for you that read this, and that read the scriptures above, that God would begin in you a fantastic journey of what it really means to be the hands and feet of Christ. May God richly bless you through this endeavor. JC
On August 11th, 2006 John Shaw (fellow blogger), Lisa Rodriguez, and myself were attending the Leadership Summitt presented by Willowcreek Church. We were attending a satellite location in The Woodlands. I was particularly giddy (sp?) on this specific day because I knew that we were going to hear from Bono. Bill Hybels interviewed him several months before, and they were going to show that video.
It was nothing short of earth-shattering for me, and I know it was for John and Lisa too? Why? Well, it was the very beginning of a journey that I am still on. It began in me, a questioning of many things. All of these questions began to shape in me, a desire to do something radical for Christ...specifically the "least of these", in the name of Christ. I started to understand that we as a Christian subculture, have been almost exclusively focused on ourselves.
Bono said that years ago, a very good friend of his told him, "stop asking God to bless what you are doing Bono. But find out what God is doing, because it is already blessed".
Wow. That's so true, and man have I been guilty of that. So, what is God doing? Here's a simple reading assignment. Read these chapters of the Bible. Ask God to reveal Himself to you through these scriptures, and let it soak in.
Isaiah 58
Isaiah 61
Matthew 25:31-46
Galatians 2:10
These are just a few of the thousands of verses in the Bible, urging us as believers, and followers of The Way, to take up the yoke of the burdened, and serve the marginalized people. You have to ignore the scriptures to not see that His heart, is a heart for the broken-hearted, and for the poor, and oppressed.
Naturally I asked myself, "what have I done for the least of these??" The answer was crushing. If I'm honest, I had done NOTHING. I have been a worship leader in my church for 9 years, and it's been a comfortable 9 years. What I mean by that is, that I can't remember doing one thing or serving one of the least of these. I just can't remember. So, that didn't feel right.
In this video Bono said another thing that really rocked me. "The world is an unhappy place for the vast majority of people living in it". Immediately we think of Africa when we are told something like that. We picture the swollen stomachs of the starving children. We think of the hollow look in their eyes. But do you realize that there are people around us, here in Houston that live in the dark? There are people in Friendswood that need someone to reach out to them. In short...to LOVE them. It's all about love! It just, really is.
As we enter a season in which we will inevitably spend millions on toys, and gifts for loved ones, please also remember the poor. Teach your children by your example. Adopt a family, or bring blankets and food to the homeless, do something with your kids. It really will bless you, more than you expect, and no doubt you will bless someone else!! "Find out what Jesus is doing, because IT IS already blessed!!"
I am thankful for the message that Bono brought, and that I was able to listen. I am praying for you that read this, and that read the scriptures above, that God would begin in you a fantastic journey of what it really means to be the hands and feet of Christ. May God richly bless you through this endeavor. JC
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Beginning the conversation...
What an unbelievable 5 months it has been for CCC! It seems as if so much has changed over the last few months but to look back and realize how things have transpired - it is so God driven! Let me just introduce myself. I am the interim pastor of CrossCreek Church (also youth pastor).
As Johnny C said in the first post, this is a site for John and I to shed a few layers and share our hearts with our friends of CrossCreek and beyond. My personal perception for this blog, originally, was to make this an emerging(ent) genre book review blog but I realize that we (John and I) have much more to share with our friends than just book reviews. We will also invite others to blog some thoughts on here as well.
In all this my goal is to do nothing but unify and uplift. As Cordes stated we are from a contemporary church history at CrossCreek. As we move away from that model and towards this emerging/missional model I want it to be a compliment to what others in the body of Christ are doing, period. By no means do we want to down play the role that others have played for growing God's Kingdom.
I have been reading Chris Seay's book, "Faith of my Fathers." In the next week I will share some of my thoughts on that as well as other things happening around CCC. I hope this blog is informative as well as interactive. Please feel free to post comments and create dialogue. This site is not a sight to personally attack but to edify and have progressive dialogue. If you have personal issues that need to be addressed please email us at acts918@gmail.com.
As I continue to stretch my faith and scales seem to keep dropping from my eyes daily (hence Acts 9:18)...I hope this blog site is something that will in turn provide the same for you as you journey from afar or close by.
In His Grace and Mercy,
JWShaw
As Johnny C said in the first post, this is a site for John and I to shed a few layers and share our hearts with our friends of CrossCreek and beyond. My personal perception for this blog, originally, was to make this an emerging(ent) genre book review blog but I realize that we (John and I) have much more to share with our friends than just book reviews. We will also invite others to blog some thoughts on here as well.
In all this my goal is to do nothing but unify and uplift. As Cordes stated we are from a contemporary church history at CrossCreek. As we move away from that model and towards this emerging/missional model I want it to be a compliment to what others in the body of Christ are doing, period. By no means do we want to down play the role that others have played for growing God's Kingdom.
I have been reading Chris Seay's book, "Faith of my Fathers." In the next week I will share some of my thoughts on that as well as other things happening around CCC. I hope this blog is informative as well as interactive. Please feel free to post comments and create dialogue. This site is not a sight to personally attack but to edify and have progressive dialogue. If you have personal issues that need to be addressed please email us at acts918@gmail.com.
As I continue to stretch my faith and scales seem to keep dropping from my eyes daily (hence Acts 9:18)...I hope this blog site is something that will in turn provide the same for you as you journey from afar or close by.
In His Grace and Mercy,
JWShaw
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Welcome to our new little blogger site.
Acts 9:18a-"Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again..."
It's kind of like a great awakening in my estimation. Things are happening at our church that have really captured the heart of what we should be about. For 8 years, I have been a part of a contemporary church that was quite focused on herself. Things are starting to change.
This blog will attempt to share with you all, what many in our church feel is our great transformation. Thus, Acts 9:18. My name is John C, and I am the Worship Leader at Crosscreek Church in Friendswood,TX. I invite you, to journey with me as we discover the heart of Jesus for this broken world.
Acts 9:18a-"Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again..."
It's kind of like a great awakening in my estimation. Things are happening at our church that have really captured the heart of what we should be about. For 8 years, I have been a part of a contemporary church that was quite focused on herself. Things are starting to change.
This blog will attempt to share with you all, what many in our church feel is our great transformation. Thus, Acts 9:18. My name is John C, and I am the Worship Leader at Crosscreek Church in Friendswood,TX. I invite you, to journey with me as we discover the heart of Jesus for this broken world.
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