Here's a great talk by Amy Groeschel.
http://open.lifechurch.tv/apps/preview.php?item_id=5841
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Addiction
Struggling with addiction or feeling like something in your life has more control than what it should? Check out what Craig had to say about 5 Easy Steps to Addiction... you might be surprised.http://www.lifechurch.tv/message-archive/watch/five-easy-steps/3
A Great Team
Friday, September 25, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
LifeGroups
LifeGroups - just another weekly commitment to try and squeeze in.
LifeGroups - a life giving, life changing, life impacting time that we each need.
Surprise surprise, I have decided to champion the second definition. My choice is based on my own personal experience with LifeGroups. Yes, my involvement means I cut other stuff from my schedule and give up personal time in order to invest in a group. But I can wholeheartedly say it is a great investment. We need to do life together. We need to have the support and encouragement of other believers in our life. We need each other. The Bible says, Iron sharpens iron.
Don't miss out on LifeGroups this fall. Email me now.
LifeGroups - a life giving, life changing, life impacting time that we each need.
Surprise surprise, I have decided to champion the second definition. My choice is based on my own personal experience with LifeGroups. Yes, my involvement means I cut other stuff from my schedule and give up personal time in order to invest in a group. But I can wholeheartedly say it is a great investment. We need to do life together. We need to have the support and encouragement of other believers in our life. We need each other. The Bible says, Iron sharpens iron.
Don't miss out on LifeGroups this fall. Email me now.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Week of Prayer
Please note the incredible opportunity to bring a friend to the Mayors Prayer Breakfast with special guest speaker, Paul Henderson. If you have a friend that loves hockey they need to hear Paul's faith story. See details at the link below:
Friday, September 18, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Churches United
The end of this month the churches of Niagara Falls will stand together to pray, care and touch our city with the love of God.
On Sunday, September 27th churches will assemble together at Firemans Park to Pray together and to give food to Project Share. Consider joining together and bringing along a bag or two of food to help the food bank,
On Thursday, Oct 1 at 6:30 am the Mayor will host a Prayer Breakfast with guest Speaker Paul Henderson. Paul is remembered for his pro-hockey career and his game winning goals against the Russians in 1972.This is a great event to bring a friend who needs to hear the message of Christ. Paul will clearly share his own personal story of faith and challenge others to follow Christ.
Other opportunities are available during this week of prayer, please see the OURTURN website.
On Sunday, September 27th churches will assemble together at Firemans Park to Pray together and to give food to Project Share. Consider joining together and bringing along a bag or two of food to help the food bank,
On Thursday, Oct 1 at 6:30 am the Mayor will host a Prayer Breakfast with guest Speaker Paul Henderson. Paul is remembered for his pro-hockey career and his game winning goals against the Russians in 1972.This is a great event to bring a friend who needs to hear the message of Christ. Paul will clearly share his own personal story of faith and challenge others to follow Christ.
Other opportunities are available during this week of prayer, please see the OURTURN website.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Starbucks Would Go Bankrupt
What if Starbucks operated like some churches do? Here's a humorous look at why CATF works so hard to be relevant and welcoming to our guests. Remember it's not about us, but about welcoming guests to receive what we already have. What will you do differently this Sunday to help someone else connect?
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Keep Pressing On
I spoke to many over the last few days that are facing struggles of all kinds. Can I encourage you with what I have been wrestling with over the last while.
So often we give up before we see the other side of trials. What does God want to accomplish in our life? Who, in our life, does God want to speak to through our response to challenges? What will our life be like on the other side of the challenges? We will never know if we give up on our faith or pull back. With God all things are possible.
So often we give up before we see the other side of trials. What does God want to accomplish in our life? Who, in our life, does God want to speak to through our response to challenges? What will our life be like on the other side of the challenges? We will never know if we give up on our faith or pull back. With God all things are possible.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Excited About The Days Ahead
Some different things on my mind:
- "It is possible in the midst of intense life challenge to know the peace of God that passes all human understanding." Don't give up on God, because he never gives up on you. (My thoughts come from some very personal challenges I have been facing.) God is good. Don't wish for a life of ease, pray for a life that is totally dependent on a loving God.
- Hope to see you all this Sunday. We have an amazing day planned on Sunday. This first message is really appropriate for teens and even preteens. Not to mention all of the adults. We need to hear what God has to say about protecting our relationships from sexual compromise and how to help others or pray for others (parents you need to be equipped to pray by what you hear on Sunday). It will be powerful.
- I'm at home doing a little work, but really trying to take it easy. I am thankful that I did not have to have surgery, but I'm not out of the woods yet. I am waiting for a new medical treatment for my Crohn's and hopefully will get on that next week. I'm not sure if I will be with you on Sunday, but we have a great team that will serve well on Sunday.
- I am praying for all of you. Keep walking close to God.
Friday, September 04, 2009
Profound
Simple and Profound
"Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so."
Just let that sink in. No matter what you are facing. No matter what questions you have. No matter what... that statement changes everything.
Looking forward to seeing on Sunday!
"Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so."
Just let that sink in. No matter what you are facing. No matter what questions you have. No matter what... that statement changes everything.
Looking forward to seeing on Sunday!
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
It's Easy To Get Things Backwards
I just read an excerpt from a book entitled, Jesus Loves You This I Know. It was so powerful that I had to pass it along. Not that I haven't embraced this very idea already, but it just became so incredibly clear how accessible we should make Jesus to all people.
For a long time Christians have been taught a three-step approach to God. It starts with belief. Essentially, if you believe the right things, it will lead to a change in behavior. When you have changed your behavior, you will be accepted by the church. Believe, Behave, Belong. If you believe this way, you will behave this way, and if you behave this way, you can belong here. This is preached, modeled, and affirmed in thousands of churches across America (around the world).
It’s time to flip this. The Jesus of scripture reached out and loved people regardless of where they were. It is essential to show people that they can belong in your world even if they don’t act, think, behave, or believe like you.
Imagine a church or community where Jesus was communicated in such a way that everyone belonged. They were included. And from this feeling of belonging, over time the message of Jesus made an impact on their belief. And from that newfound fullness of God, their behavior changed. If this practice won out over religious dogma, rooted in rules and regulations, more people would find hope in the authentic Christ.
Let's let that really sink in.
For a long time Christians have been taught a three-step approach to God. It starts with belief. Essentially, if you believe the right things, it will lead to a change in behavior. When you have changed your behavior, you will be accepted by the church. Believe, Behave, Belong. If you believe this way, you will behave this way, and if you behave this way, you can belong here. This is preached, modeled, and affirmed in thousands of churches across America (around the world).
It’s time to flip this. The Jesus of scripture reached out and loved people regardless of where they were. It is essential to show people that they can belong in your world even if they don’t act, think, behave, or believe like you.
Imagine a church or community where Jesus was communicated in such a way that everyone belonged. They were included. And from this feeling of belonging, over time the message of Jesus made an impact on their belief. And from that newfound fullness of God, their behavior changed. If this practice won out over religious dogma, rooted in rules and regulations, more people would find hope in the authentic Christ.
Let's let that really sink in.
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
We Need Your Ideas
As our church continues to grow we need "all hands on deck" when it comes to ideas. I love to hear your ideas about how we better reach people and help people grow in their relationship with Christ. Maybe you have an idea about how we can set up more efficiently on a Sunday morning or how we better communicate with people or how we care for children or how we care for our community. You get the idea, we want to hear from you. Now I need to say this, in order for this to work you must understand that we will not implement every idea. For every 100 ideas there might be 5 that God says, yes make that change at CATF. So let me say this, we need you to keep dreaming, thinking and pondering because God will use some of your ideas to reach souls for Christ and help people become all God wants them to be in Christ. That pumps me up and I hope it does the same for you. Don't be the guy who said, "I had an idea once and they didn't use it so forget them". Instead be like the Apostle Paul who said, " I keep pressing on - I keep running the race".
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