Today was a FULL day...long and packed with so much good stuff. I will have to dig into the audio teachings after this. WHEW!
Did you know you can listen to our testimony on the 2010 conference track at www.crosspowerministries.org
There really is some pretty rich teachings.
Today Patrick the head Pastor talked about how we got this way...so very different than what we probably think. There are factors that intertwine in us that influence us in our growth as humans, and then there's the 'fall' into sin. Yet we see generations before us walking it out...in great ways and not so great ways. Do we see a legacy in our own lives? What if we never see the legacy...or how we walk out our lives and the impact it has on others? I prayed that today that I wouldn't be consumed with "who gets it and when" but rather, be faithful to what God has given me right now to be a good witness, and preach the gospel...and leave the rest up to him.
Eric...another pastor taught tonight on God's love for us...and the importance of brokenness. Sometimes we get saved because we have an authentic experience, or we realize we don't want to go to hell, or that it's the right thing to do. We can think...okay...did that...now I'm okay...and we begin to work for God rather than be loved and in love with God and know that it isn't what we do and how we serve or tithe or do missions, but rather, it's uncovering just how much God loves us...and has given us the holy spirit to live IN US. I have heard this message before, but tonight it was a refresher...it spoke new things into my life...thank you Eric for obediently hearing from the Lord...you are a faithful friend.
Now...I am exhausted...and it's time for bed. Another full day tomorrow...and then Church Sunday morning.
It's also great...GREAT, to be here with 4 other couples from Manitoba. Each of you are a gift and blessing...and God is doing great things in your hearts.
Friday, April 13, 2012
Hold Fast
Once again, I think about the cross where you died...I'm humbled by your mercy and I'm broken inside...once again I thank you, once again, I pour out my life...thank you for the cross, thank you for the cross.
It's only through the cross of Jesus that we have been reconciled to God. Through this act of incomparable love and mercy through Jesus' death and resurrection, we can stand before our God and worship Him, praising all that he has done for us.
We're in Midland Texas at the CrossPower Marriage Conference and each year, I am caught off guard and surprised by how it impacts me. The same each time. I get off the plane and am instantaneously overwhelmed with emotion. Quick...grab the sunglasses...!! Maybe it's the air!
We know the reason. We see men and women who have caught a glimpse of broken people seeking and fighting for their marriages, who are going counter cultural in their desire to walk in holiness. It truly is magnificent...though not easy. Marriage, isn't for the faint at heart and couple that with same sex attraction and many churches responses to that struggle, people can walk in great shame and hiddenness. So this weekend is often quite overwhelming to have countless men and women serve each of us that come.
In our walk we have experienced great friendship with others who walk similar paths with us, but we walk with those who don't and that is a great gift. A gift that shows that we all have 'stuff' to deal with, and we all have the same marital 'issues' to some degree or other. It's really not about the same gender stuff. It is about relationship with God first and foremost and my relationship with my wife. I am challenged like most men to initiate to know her heart, to seek it out and cherish it. To stay emotionally connected and to serve her, like Christ.
This weekend is a time of refreshment for our marriage, a time of strengthening and being poured into by others. It is by far one of the greatest gifts that we cherish, especially in today's cultural changes in and out of the body of Christ. We would often be classified as 'fools' as Mike said last night...but in reality, we're all fools. We all look a bit foolish to the world...and some of us, even in the Church we look foolish.
This year our previous pastors Gerry and Sharon are here (from Soul). They are here as mentors, as ones to be POURED into and we could not be more excited for them. God has rich things in store for them. I just have this feeling!
So excited of what God has in store for us this weekend. Last night was great...and today...? I'll try to post later.
It's only through the cross of Jesus that we have been reconciled to God. Through this act of incomparable love and mercy through Jesus' death and resurrection, we can stand before our God and worship Him, praising all that he has done for us.
We're in Midland Texas at the CrossPower Marriage Conference and each year, I am caught off guard and surprised by how it impacts me. The same each time. I get off the plane and am instantaneously overwhelmed with emotion. Quick...grab the sunglasses...!! Maybe it's the air!
We know the reason. We see men and women who have caught a glimpse of broken people seeking and fighting for their marriages, who are going counter cultural in their desire to walk in holiness. It truly is magnificent...though not easy. Marriage, isn't for the faint at heart and couple that with same sex attraction and many churches responses to that struggle, people can walk in great shame and hiddenness. So this weekend is often quite overwhelming to have countless men and women serve each of us that come.
In our walk we have experienced great friendship with others who walk similar paths with us, but we walk with those who don't and that is a great gift. A gift that shows that we all have 'stuff' to deal with, and we all have the same marital 'issues' to some degree or other. It's really not about the same gender stuff. It is about relationship with God first and foremost and my relationship with my wife. I am challenged like most men to initiate to know her heart, to seek it out and cherish it. To stay emotionally connected and to serve her, like Christ.
This weekend is a time of refreshment for our marriage, a time of strengthening and being poured into by others. It is by far one of the greatest gifts that we cherish, especially in today's cultural changes in and out of the body of Christ. We would often be classified as 'fools' as Mike said last night...but in reality, we're all fools. We all look a bit foolish to the world...and some of us, even in the Church we look foolish.
This year our previous pastors Gerry and Sharon are here (from Soul). They are here as mentors, as ones to be POURED into and we could not be more excited for them. God has rich things in store for them. I just have this feeling!
So excited of what God has in store for us this weekend. Last night was great...and today...? I'll try to post later.
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