How to be a blessing to the city...

I had the opportunity to meet and interview the Mayor of Minneapolis, R.T. Rybak in December.  He was gracious enough to meet with me and our team as we prepared for the Don't Waste Your Life sermon series, answering the question: "How can a church be a blessing to the city of Minneapolis?"  He is a great guy, and I thoroughly enjoyed our time together.  Here's the finished product (in two parts due to size limitation):

R.T. Rybak on how to be a blessing to a city - interview with Steve Treichler (part 1)


R.T. Rybak on how to be a blessing to a city - interview with Steve Treichler (part 2)

Major Controversy here...

If you are into controversy, watch this trailer for Ben Stein's new upcoming movie, Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed. After you watch it, google "Ben Stein Expelled" and read the blogosphere about it. Wow!! Is this a hot potato!!

FAKT 1034 - "Life is like a cigarette. Smoke it to the butt."

A few months ago, I ran across an incredible short claymation film by Adam Elliot - Harvie Krumpet. Wow! I love this little 20 minute film, and especially his "Fakts". Harvie is a guy who struggles incredibly, but has one amazing truth - that life is to be lived, and lived well no matter your circumstances. That is where Fakt #1034 comes in.

Through the wonders of the internet (Thanks again, Al Gore!) and Atom Films, you can watch this wonderful, dark, thoughtful film right here. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

AtomFilms.com: Funny Videos | Funny Cartoons | Comedy Central

Jonathan Edwards is my homeboy!

THE RESOLUTIONS
of
Jonathan Edwards
BEING SENSIBLE THAT I AM UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING WITHOUT GOD' S HELP, I DO HUMBLY ENTREAT HIM BY HIS GRACE TO ENABLE ME TO KEEP THESE RESOLUTIONS, SO FAR AS THEY ARE AGREEABLE TO HIS WILL, FOR CHRIST' S SAKE.

Remember to read over these Resolutions once a week.

1. Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God' s glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriads of ages hence. Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many soever, and how great soever.

2. Resolved, to be continually endeavoring to find out some new contrivance and invention to promote the aforementioned things.

3. Resolved, if ever I shall fall and grow dull, so as to neglect to keep any part of these Resolutions, to repent of all I can remember, when I come to myself again.

4. Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God; nor be, nor suffer it, if I can avoid it.

5. Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.

6. Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.

7. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.

8. Resolved, to act, in all respects, both speaking and doing, as if nobody had been so vile as I, and as if I had committed the same sins, or had the same infirmities or failings as others; and that I will let the knowledge of their failings promote nothing but shame in myself, and prove only an occasion of my confessing my own sins and misery to God. July 30.

9. Resolved, to think much on all occasions of my own dying, and of the common circumstances which attend death.

10. Resolved, when I feel pain, to think of the pains of martyrdom, and of hell.

11. Resolved, when I think of any theorem in divinity to be solved, immediately to do what I can towards solving it, if circumstances do not hinder.

12. Resolved, if I take delight in it as a gratification of pride, or vanity, or on any such account, immediately to throw it by.

13. Resolved, to be endeavoring to find out fit objects of charity and liberality.

14. Resolved, never to do any thing out of revenge.

15. Resolved, never to suffer the least motions of anger towards irrational beings.

16. Resolved, never to speak evil of anyone, so that it shall tend to his dishonor, more or less, upon no account except for some real good.

17. Resolved, that I will live so, as I shall wish I had done when I come to die.

18. Resolved, to live so, at all times, as I think is best in my devout frames, and when I have clearest notions of things of the gospel, and another world.

19. Resolved, never to do any thing, which I should be afraid to do, if I expected it would not be above an hour, before I should hear the last trump.

20. Resolved, to maintain the strictest temperance, in eating and drinking.

21. Resolved, never to do any thing, which if I should see in another, I should count a just occasion to despise him for, or to think any way the more meanly of him. (Resolutions 1 through 21 written in one setting in New Haven in 1722)

22. Resolved, to endeavor to obtain for myself as much happiness, in the other world, as I possibly can, with all the power, might, vigor, and vehemence, yea violence, I am capable of, or can bring myself to exert, in any way that can be thought of.

23. Resolved, frequently to take some deliberate action, which seems most unlikely to be done, for the glory of God, and trace it back to the original intention, designs and ends of it; and if I find it not to be for God' s glory, to repute it as a breach of the 4th Resolution.

24. Resolved, whenever I do any conspicuously evil action, to trace it back, till I come to the original cause; and then, both carefully endeavor to do so no more, and to fight and pray with all my might against the original of it.

25. Resolved, to examine carefully, and constantly, what that one thing in me is, which causes me in the least to doubt of the love of God; and to direct all my forces against it.

26. Resolved, to cast away such things, as I find do abate my assurance.

27. Resolved, never willfully to omit any thing, except the omission be for the glory of God; and frequently to examine my omissions.

28. Resolved, to study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.

29. Resolved, never to count that a prayer, nor to let that pass as a prayer, nor that as a petition of a prayer, which is so made, that I cannot hope that God will answer it; nor that as a confession, which I cannot hope God will accept.

30. Resolved, to strive to my utmost every week to be brought higher in religion, and to a higher exercise of grace, than I was the week before.

31. Resolved, never to say any thing at all against any body, but when it is perfectly agreeable to the highest degree of Christian honor, and of love to mankind, agreeable to the lowest humility, and sense of my own faults and failings, and agreeable to the golden rule; often, when I have said anything against anyone, to bring it to, and try it strictly by the test of this Resolution.

32. Resolved, to be strictly and firmly faithful to my trust, that that, in Proverbs 20:6,‹A faithful man who can find?Š may not be partly fulfilled in me.

33. Resolved, to do always, what I can towards making, maintaining, and preserving peace, when it can be done without overbalancing detriment in other respects. Dec. 26, 1722.

34. Resolved, in narrations never to speak any thing but the pure and simple verity.

35. Resolved, whenever I so much question whether I have done my duty, as that my quiet and calm is thereby disturbed, to set it down, and also how the question was resolved. Dec. 18, 1722.

36. Resolved, never to speak evil of any, except I have some particular good call for it. Dec. 19, 1722.

37. Resolved, to inquire every night, as I am going to bed, wherein I have been negligent,- what sin I have committed,-and wherein I have denied myself;-also at the end of every week, month and year. Dec. 22 and 26, 1722.

38. Resolved, never to speak anything that is ridiculous, sportive, or matter of laughter on the Lord' s day. Sabbath evening, Dec. 23, 1722.

39. Resolved, never to do any thing of which I so much question the lawfulness of, as that I intend, at the same time, to consider and examine afterwards, whether it be lawful or not; unless I as much question the lawfulness of the omission.

40. Resolved, to inquire every night, before I go to bed, whether I have acted in the best way I possibly could, with respect to eating and drinking. Jan. 7, 1723.

41. Resolved, to ask myself, at the end of every day, week, month and year, wherein I could possibly, in any respect, have done better. Jan. 11, 1723.

42. Resolved, frequently to renew the dedication of myself to God, which was made at my baptism; which I solemnly renewed, when I was received into the communion of the church; and which I have solemnly re-made this twelfth day of January, 1722-23.

43. Resolved, never, henceforward, till I die, to act as if I were any way my own, but entirely and altogether God' s; agreeable to what is to be found in Saturday, January 12, 1723.

44. Resolved, that no other end but religion, shall have any influence at all on any of my actions; and that no action shall be, in the least circumstance, any otherwise than the religious end will carry it. January 12, 1723.

45. Resolved, never to allow any pleasure or grief, joy or sorrow, nor any affection at all, nor any degree of affection, nor any circumstance relating to it, but what helps religion. Jan. 12 and 13, 1723.

46. Resolved, never to allow the least measure of any fretting uneasiness at my father or mother. Resolved to suffer no effects of it, so much as in the least alteration of speech, or motion of my eye: and to be especially careful of it with respect to any of our family.

47. Resolved, to endeavor, to my utmost, to deny whatever is not most agreeable to a good, and universally sweet and benevolent, quiet, peaceable, contented and easy, compassionate and generous, humble and meek, submissive and obliging, diligent and industrious, charitable and even, patient, moderate, forgiving and sincere temper; and to do at all times, what such a temper would lead me to; and to examine strictly, at the end of every week, whether I have done so. Sabbath morning. May 5, 1723.

48. Resolved, constantly, with the utmost niceness and diligence, and the strictest scrutiny, to be looking into the state of my soul, that I may know whether I have truly an interest in Christ or not; that when I come to die, I may not have any negligence respecting this to repent of. May 26, 1723.

49. Resolved, that this never shall be, if I can help it.

50. Resolved, I will act so as I think I shall judge would have been best, and most prudent, when I come into the future world. July 5, 1723.

51. Resolved, that I will act so, in every respect, as I think I shall wish I had done, if I should at last be damned. July 8, 1723.

52. I frequently hear persons in old age, say how they would live, if they were to live their lives over again: Resolved, that I will live just so as I can think I shall wish I had done, supposing I live to old age. July 8, 1723.

53. Resolved, to improve every opportunity, when I am in the best and happiest frame of mind, to cast and venture my soul on the Lord Jesus Christ, to trust and confide in him, and consecrate myself wholly to him; that from this I may have assurance of my safety, knowing that I confide in my Redeemer. July 8, 1723.

54. Whenever I hear anything spoken in conversation of any person, if I think it would be praiseworthy in me, Resolved to endeavor to imitate it. July 8, 1723.

55. Resolved, to endeavor to my utmost to act as I can think I should do, if, I had already seen the happiness of heaven, and hell torments. July 8, 1723.

56. Resolved, never to give over, nor in the least to slacken, my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be.

57. Resolved, when I fear misfortunes and adversities, to examine whether I have done my duty, and resolve to do it, and let the event be just as providence orders it. I will as far as I can, be concerned about nothing but my duty, and my sin. June 9, and July 13 1723.

58. Resolved, not only to refrain from an air of dislike, fretfulness, and anger in conversation, but to exhibit an air of love, cheerfulness and benignity. May 27, and July 13, 1723.

59. Resolved, when I am most conscious of provocations to ill nature and anger, that I will strive most to feel and act good-naturedly; yea, at such times, to manifest good nature, though I think that in other respects it would be disadvantageous, and so as would be imprudent at other times. May 12, July 11, and July 13.

60. Resolved, whenever my feelings begin to appear in the least out of order, when I am conscious of the least uneasiness within, or the least irregularity without, I will then subject myself to the strictest examination. July 4, and 13, 1723.

61. Resolved, that I will not give way to that listlessness which I find unbends and relaxes my mind from being fully and fixedly set on religion, whatever excuse I may have for it-that what my listlessness inclines me to do, is best to be done, etc. May 21, and July 13, 1723.

62. Resolved, never to do anything but duty, and then according to Ephesians 6:6-8, to do it willingly and cheerfully as unto the Lord, and not to man:‹knowing that whatever good thing any man doth, the same shall he receive of the Lord.Š June 25 and July 13, 1723.

63. On the supposition, that there never was to be but one individual in the world, at any one time, who was properly a complete Christian, in all respects of a right stamp, having Christianity always shining in its true luster, and appearing excellent and lovely, from whatever part and under whatever character viewed: Resolved, to act just as I would do, if I strove with all my might to be that one, who should live in my time. January 14 and July 13, 1723.

64. Resolved, when I find those ‹groanings which cannot be utteredŠ (Romans 8:26), of which the Apostle speaks, and those‹breakings of soul for the longing it hath,Š of which the Psalmist speaks, Psalm 119:20, that I will promote them to the utmost of my power, and that I will not be weary of earnestly endeavoring to vent my desires, nor of the repetitions of such earnestness. July 23, and August 10, 1723.

65. Resolved, very much to exercise myself in this, all my life long, viz. with the greatest openness, of which I am capable of, to declare my ways to God, and lay open my soul to him: all my sins, temptations, difficulties, sorrows, fears, hopes, desires, and every thing, and every circumstance; according to Dr. Manton' s 27th Sermon on Psalm 119. July 26, and Aug.10 1723.

66. Resolved, that I will endeavor always to keep a benign aspect, and air of acting and speaking in all places, and in all companies, except it should so happen that duty requires otherwise.

67. Resolved, after afflictions, to inquire, what I am the better for them, what am I the better for them, and what I might have got by them.

68. Resolved, to confess frankly to myself all that which I find in myself, either infirmity or sin; and, if it be what concerns religion, also to confess the whole case to God, and implore needed help. July 23, and August 10, 1723.

69. Resolved, always to do that, which I shall wish I had done when I see others do it. August 11, 1723.

70. Let there be something of benevolence, in all that I speak. August 17, 1723.

Husbands, love your wives!!

One thing that has become very important to me is that men start acting like men.  I taught on this last fall in our "God Created them Male and Female: WHY?" message series and still feel this is such an important biblical concept to understand and apply in God's design.  We have way too much confusion going on in homes with men who won't take the intiative to really put on their cleats and get dirty to get in the game with their wives and children.  Men, lead out in loving, and not dominating ways.  Love your wives!

With that said, it is extremely humorous to think about how relationship can and do go south when either person tries to dominate the other.  For an example:

(Ephesians 5:22-33, NIV)
22 Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Saviour. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no-one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church-- 30 for we are members of his body. 31 “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” 32 This is a profound mystery--but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

Found a new place to rock your brain... to Jesus!!!

I just came across a relatively new Christian Rock internet only station that is worth a listen if you are into "head banging" like all of us 80's rockers like to do!  It's called The Blast.FM and I've been enjoying it all morning!

THE POLITICALLY CORRECT TWELVE DAYS OF C*****MAS

On the 12th day of the Eurocentrically-imposed midwinter festival, my potential acquaintance gave to me,

TWELVE males reclaiming their inner warrior through ritual drumming.

ELEVEN pipers piping (plus the 18 member pit orchestra made up of members in good standing of the Musicians Equity Union as called for in their union contract even though they will not be asked to play a note...)

TEN melanin-deprived, testosterone-poisoned scions of the patriarchal ruling class system leaping,

NINE persons engaged in rhythmic self-expression,

EIGHT economically-disadvantaged female persons stealing milk products from enslaved Bovine Americans,

SEVEN endangered swans swimming on federally-protected wetlands,

SIX enslaved fowl-Americans producing stolen, nonhuman animal products,

FIVE golden symbols of culturally-sanctioned enforced domestic incarceration, (NOTE: after a member of the Animal Liberation Front threatened to throw red paint at my computer, the calling birds, French hens and partridge have been reintroduced to their native habitat. To avoid further animal American enslavement, the remaining gift package has been revised.)

FOUR hours of recorded whale songs,

THREE deconstructionist poets,

TWO Sierra Club calendars printed on recycled, processed tree carcasses,

and a Spotted Owl activist chained to an old-growth pear tree.

Merry Christmas!! These guys are awesome!!

Just a reminder...

Preparing for Ruth and looking at the incredibly scandalous genealogy of Jesus I came across this anonymous quote:

The next time you feel like GOD can't use you, just remember...

Noah was a drunk, Abraham was too old, Isaac was a daydreamer, Jacob was a liar, Leah was ugly, Joseph was abused, Moses had a stuttering problem, Gideon was afraid, Samson had long hair and was a womanizer, Rahab was a prostitute, Jeremiah and Timothy were too young, David had an affair and was a murderer, Elijah was suicidal, Isaiah preached naked, Jonah ran from God, Naomi was a widow, Job went bankrupt, John the Baptist ate bugs, Peter denied Christ, The Disciples fell asleep while praying, Martha worried about everything, The Samaritan woman was divorced, more than once, Zaccheus was too small, Paul was too religious, Timothy had an ulcer...AND Lazarus was dead!

No more excuses now. God can use you to your full potential.

Besides you aren't the MESSAGE, you are just the MESSENGER!

Another free audio book

Wow! I LOVE FREE STUFF!!!

I'm groovin' on this free audio book thing - really enjoying Edwards' "Religious Affections" and this month it is John of the Cross' "Dark Night of the Soul". Just click here for this month's freebie from christianaudio.com. Use the code DEC2007. Enjoy!!

To all my TULIP Brothers, here's a pick up line she will NOT be able to resist!

Free Audio Book!

Every month this organization gives away a free audio book. This month's is Jonathan Edward's Religious Affections, probably one of the most influential books written during the 2nd Great Awakening. Use the coupon code NOV2007 to take advantage of this freebie!!

The absolute heresy that the Prosperity Gospel gives.

I know I don't do a lot of ranting on this forum, but those of you who know me fairly well will know that I do my fair amount. In recent years I have been on the watch out for a heresy so wrong, so devestating that if IS "another gospel" like Paul said in Galatians 1. It is radically spreading all over America, but is even stronger and gaining more steam in Africa, China, Central America.It is NOT the gospel of our Lord. It is NOT the gospel of suffering for his name. It is NOT the gospel of grace. It is a gospel of health, wealth, and personal satisfaction. It is ultimately wrong, and not only wrong - it is leading people AWAY from God.

It is the Prosperity Gospel and it is very dangerous.

Romans 1:18ff say:

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.

24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.

You see, the definition of SIN is that we exchange the glory of God (CREATOR) for the worship (CREATION). Paul says in 1 Timothy 6:

17 As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

In other words, riches are a possible HINDRANCE to the kingdom, not a sign of being in it. They do not provide life. God has given us things to enjoy - but NEVER to worship or to IN ANY WAY put before him or , even worse, to say that riches and health are signs of being in God's blessing. What about Job? What about Joseph? What about Paul? What about Jesus?

Romans 5
1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Whatever happened to a good theology of suffering for the kingdom?

How did we ever let it be that we are "almost on the same page" as these people who are spreading the WRONG GOSPEL?

Why are we not "contending for the gospel (Jude 1:3) as we should to protect the church from this incredible wrong?

I don't know the answers to these question, but I do know that I have had an ilk and disdain for this theology for a long time.

Let me share with you my former mentor and friend, John Piper, as he states it much more elequantly than I can, but with the same disdain:



The uncomfort we feel by listening to this is the very reason why we need to fight for the gospel.

Think about it...kinda scary huh?

Hot Wives and Church Marketing

I'm just going to post this, and I'd love to hear your reactions!

Gonna Fly Now

I am a huge Maynard Ferguson fan, and a major Rocky fan! Maynard died in 2006, but this tribute to him rocks! Thanks to Tim LaBerge for showing me this youtube video tribute:

Happy Reformation Day!!

For those of you who might not know, today is Reformation Day. Four hundred ninety years ago, Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the Wittenburg Church door, setting in motion the process that would be known as the Reformation.

Lyrics:
When I was just ein junger Mann I studied canon law,
While Erfurt was a challenge, it was just to please my Pa,
Then came the storm, the lightning struck, I called upon Saint Anne,
I shaved my head, I took my vows, and Augustinian! Oh...

Chorus:
Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation
Speak your mind against them and face excommunication.
Nail your theses to the door, let’s start a Reformation.
Papal bulls, indulgences and transubstantiation.

When Tetzel came near Wittenberg, St. Peter’s profits soared,
I wrote a little notice for the All Saint’ Bull’tin board:
“You cannot purchase merits, for we’re justified by grace!
Here’s 95 more reasons, Brother Tetzel, in your face.” Oh… Chorus

They love my tracts, adored my wit, all were exempleror,
The Pope, however, hauled me up before the Emperor.
“Are these your books? Do you recant?” King Charles did demand.
“I will not change my Diet, Sir, God help me here I stand!” Oh… Chorus

Duke Frederick took the Wise approach, responding to my words,
By knighting ‘Georgre’ as hostage in the Kingdom of the Birds.
Use Brother Martin’s model if the languages you seek,
Stay locked inside a castle with your Hebrew and your Greek! Oh… Chorus

Let’s raise our steins and Concord Books while gathered in this place,
And spread the word that ‘catholic’ is spelled with lower case;
The Word remains unfettered when the Spirit gets his chance,
So come on, Katy, drop your lute, and join us in our dance! Oh… Chorus

In the beginnning God made them male and female sermon series update - Books/Articles/Website resource list available online

Here is the list I was promising of good resources about maleness, femaleness, marriage, sexual abuse, homosexuality and also on recovering some of the sanity in your sexuality that God desires. I know there are more out there, but this is a start.

It is located at hopecc.com/sundays/books.html

Finally, Ford makes a car worth considering...

I'm not much of a Ford guy, but I may switch after viewing this new ad and how it helps rid the planet of unwanted felines!

On fear, and preaching about God's design of women

Yesterday was a banner day for me. I had much anxiety about preaching on the subject:

"Is there more to being a woman that being 'hot'?" (Powerpoint is available here.

It's not that I haven't thought about the issue - I have. Even before becoming a Christian I had a strong interest in trying to figure out what is going on in the mind and hearts of women, primarily because I was very interested in girls in High School, and desired to be married someday. Since becoming a follower of Jesus in 1983, I have studied, restudied, talked, and debated many times over the issue of how God designed men and women 100% equal in value, but VERY different in design. God's 'Different by Design' pattern of maleness and femaleness is not something to be feared, maligned or rejected - but celebrated. I have thought deeply about the issue, was totally prepared for the message (in fact, I had EASILY another HOUR of material that didn't make it into the sermon!).

No, my fear was primarily because I knew how hurt and exploited women have become in our culture through body image issues, the radical feminist movement which says 'men suck' and yet forces women to disgard their femininity and become masculine in many ways, and through their own struggles with understanding their God given, graceful role as women.

I had real fear...

And it didn't get easier to preach at the second service either. I had just as much fear. I knew that no matter what I said, there would be come dear, lovely daughter of Eve out there who so drastically has been hurt by men, that what I was intending to be a healing message would instead be seen as, once again, a male dominance speech.

However, in spite of my anxiety, I knew this was a message the men and women of Hope needed, and so taking a line from Cor's sermon last week, I stepped out in as much courage as this guy could muster, asked God for the strength to make it through and preached what I knew God had for us yesterday.

And an amazing thing happened... Women were blessed... God showed up remarkably and I have had more emails, calls and positive comments on that message during the last 24 hours than I have ever had about any sermon in 11 years of pastoring at Hope. God met us last Sunday, September 30th, in only ways that his Spirit can. I really do think that some major healing and truth was happening in that room and I praise God for it. He is SO good to us all, men and women:

"“And it shall come to pass afterward,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your old men shall dream dreams,
and your young men shall see visions.
Even on the male and female servants
in those days I will pour out my Spirit."

~Joel 2:28-29 (ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION)

I began the message by sharing an AWESOME video off YouTube that has blown me away for about 2 weeks with God's absolute, pure, powerful love for women. If you have 5 minutes and 32 seconds, please watch it. It'll be the best spent time you have today! It can be found here as well.