Life in the Big City - A Call to all Hope Bloggers!!!

Hey, all you Hope bloggers! I'd like to update my blog site here with a new section called "Hope Blogs" as well as a new section called "Blogs I read". If you have a blog that you would like to have linked from my site, and it would be a blessing to the body of HCC, just post a comment below. So far I know of the following:

Sean J.
Tim J.
Aaron E.
Steve S.

If you would like to be linked, just comment below with your blog address. I love reading blogs to stay up with what is going on. Cool!

Trike

PS --> Sabbatical starts in t-minus 14 hours, but who's counting?!?!?

One sweet day!

Yesterday was one sweet day of worship for me at Hope. John, Cindi, Mike and Rob decided to publically declare their faith in Jesus Christ through baptism! I love baptisms, and the amazing stories of God's grace in people's lives...it is such a thrill to hear how God is STILL moving among people today.

Rob, who was baptized last on Sunday, shared in his testimony a confession of faith written by Rick Warren. Rob desired to make it his statement for his baptism, and I concur with that. I was moved to tears as Rob read these words by Rick Warren describing his commitment to now be a follwer of Jesus Christ:

Today I am stepping across the line. I'm tired of waffling and I'm finished with wavering, I've made my choice, the verdict is in, and my decision is irrevocable. I'm going God's way. There's no turning back now!

I will live the rest of my life serving God's purposes with God's people on God's planet for God's glory. I will use my life to celebrate his presence, cultivate his character, participate in his family, demonstrate his love, and communicate his word.

Since my past has been forgiven, and I have a purpose for living, and a home awaiting in heaven, I refuse to waste any more time or energy on shallow living, petty thinking, trivial talking, thoughtless doing, useless regretting, hurtful resenting, or faithless worrying. Instead I will magnify God, grow to maturity, serve in ministry, and fulfill my mission in the membership of his family.

Because this life is preparation for the next, I will value worship over wealth, "we" over "me," character over comfort, service over status, and people over possessions, position, and pleasures. I know what matters most and I'll give it all I've got. I'll do the best I can with what I have for Jesus Christ today.

I won't be captivated by culture, manipulated by critics, motivated by praise, frustrated by problems, debilitated by temptation, or intimidated by the devil. I'll keep running my race with my eyes on the goal, not the sidelines or those running by me. When times get tough, and I get tired, I won't back up, back off, back down, back out or backslide. I'll just keep moving forward by God's grace. I'm Spirit-led, purpose-driven and mission-focused so I cannot be bought, I will not be compromised, and I shall not quit until I finish the race.

I'm a trophy of God's amazing grace so I will be gracious to everyone, grateful for everyday, and generous with everything that God entrusts to me.

To my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I say: However, Whenever, Wherever, and Whatever you ask me to do, my answer in advance is yes! Wherever you lead and whatever the cost, I'm ready. Anytime. Anywhere. Anyway. Whatever it takes Lord; Whatever it takes! I want to be used by you in such a way, that on that final day I'll hear you say, "Well done, thou good and faithful one. Come on in, and let the eternal party begin!"
by Rick Warren

May God richly bless you John, Cindi, Mike and Rob as you serve, love and enjoy Jesus!

[sab·bat·i·cal]

Pronunciation: sa-’ba-ti-kal
Etymology: Latin sabbaticus,
from Gk sabbatikos, from sabbaton
1 : of or relating to the sabbath
2 : a break or change from a
normal routine (as of employment)


“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened,
and I will give you rest.” ~ Jesus in Matthew 11:28

I first entered full time ministry work in 1987 as a staff worker with The Navigators at the University of Minnesota. It seems like only yesterday when I was a young punk, leading Bible studies, teaching at Nav meetings, hanging out in dorms and coffee shops with college students, and staying up late playing cards talking about Jesus to people who were interested in knowing more about him.

I’ve changed a bunch in the 18 years since then, but then again, not so much. That last paragraph still pretty much sums up what I do here at Hope now. It just is a bit more complex with multiple staff, and dozens of ministries happening. But, those are the things that I have truly loved to do for the last 18 years.

In all the years of ministry, I have never taken any substantial time off for reflection, rest and refueling. Two years ago, our Overseers encouraged me to take a 3 month sabbatical as soon as possible. Not to get rid of me (I’m sure the thought crossed their minds!), but to allow me and my family to recharge ourselves in Jesus and each other - to take some time away from the day to day operations of the church, seek God, get some rest, as well as do some development. I’ll be taking two courses to further my Doctor of Ministry program at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and taking 2 trips to Colorado (one with my lovely wife CAROLE for a marriage getaway weekend, and one solely for FLY FISHING IN THE ROCKIES!!!) We also have some home projects as well as family camping and fishing trips.

In all, I’ll be on sabbatical from May 1st to July 31st. In my absence the staff will do great (in fact, I can hear them cheering already!). Even though we are on sabbatical, you all are our friends, so feel free to email or call on us ~ but just know that it might take a little bit for us to get back to you. I really hope to be blogging a lot during this time - more for a journaling process than anything else...

Pray for us that God would truly give us his rest and excitement to return this August and labor in his kingdom work!

Coming to Jesus for rest,

Trike

Biblically, what is right in this case?

I know the Terri Shiavo case is a hot topic right now. However, I would absolutely love to have a discussion here about the whole "living will" or "end of life" issues. Honestly, I am totally in process on this whole thing, and see the value of both sides of the reasoned argument. I'd love to hear from many of you what you think is the right course of action from a biblical mindset.

This is a SAFE blog entry. In other words, please DO NOT respond overly emotional to someone's viewpoint or attack personally the person making a point. I really would love to have an open 'conversation' about this. Feel free to respond anonymously if that is helpful. I'll be vulnerable in some of my thinking as well in the comments section. Looking forward to a good discussion.

Steve