" Life Is A Journey, Let's Walk It Together"

A Bump On A Log

2010-03-24T08:24:00.000-07:00

Certain Things make us feel uncomfortable. Like the Discussion of Money. Talk about Jesus or the use of certain unacceptable words in public. One of the uncomfortable discussions we can have as a church that calls ourselves Followers of Christ is about whether or not we are doing what we should be as compared to just nodding at the facts like we agree or are actually living the teachings we hear each week. This morning in my email I found a pertinent Daily Devotional from John Fischer. I would encourage you to read it and then click on the link to subscribe to his Daily Email called Catch of the day. God Bless!

Jump!
by John Fischer

Three frogs are sitting on a log. One decides to jump down. How many are left? Three. He only decided he was going to jump. He didn't actually jump. Oh, he may have made a great decision. He might have even decided he was going to jump really far when he jumped down, or scream all the way and make a big deal of it. Or his decision may have come out of a good deal of soul searching. He might have been thinking: This time I'm really going to do this. I'm committing myself whole-heartedly to jumping off this log. This is it; there's no turning back now. But regardless of what he tells himself or how far he stretches this out, until he actually jumps, nothing has changed. He's still just a bump on a log.

A friend of mine often says that a decision without action is delusion. I've only deluded myself into thinking I've changed when I really haven't. The decision was only in my head.

Yesterday I wrote a catch about being a good listener to someone in his or her time of grief. After speaking with my sister upon the rapid decline and death of her husband, I was somewhat reluctant to keep calling. What do I say now? There are no words that can possibly reach this pain. That's when I realized, at the end of yesterday's Catch, that I could call my sister even if I didn't have anything to say to her, because I had realized the most important thing I could do for her is listen well. And I'm sure I gave the impression that the next thing I was going to do after writing that Catch was to pick up the phone and call her. But did I? No. You see I decided I could call her, I even decided I would call her, but I didn't actually call her.

I'm still only a bump on a log.

Jesus constantly talked about being doers of the word and not just hearers only. It was one of his major themes. It must have been important or he wouldn't have repeated it so much. We have lots of hearers in evangelical Christianity. Some of us have gotten so good at this, we could be known as professional hearers. We might even make a decision supported by going forward in a meeting and sealing our decision with a witness and a prayer. But until we do something about it, we are just a bunch of bumps on a log. Professional bumps—deluded bumps—but bumps nonetheless.

There's only one way off this log… Jump!

"Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock… But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand." (Matthew 7:24 & 26)

Sign up for John Fischers Daily Devotional here

CLICK

Rusted and Weathered

2010-02-24T19:26:00.000-08:00

I was in the local Wal-Mart a few days ago, just to get some razors and soap. It’s important to stay clean, Right? Anyway, I noticed an amazing array of products in what I call the forever young dept. The isles were filled with face soaps, lotions, washes, creams, gels, pastes and what looked like body putty filler. Huh! All guaranteed to do what no one can do. Keep you forever young! All it cost was a few dollars. Of course you will need daily, weekly or monthly applications so there is an ongoing cost. I’m not opposed to this stuff. I just find it humorous that everyone dies eventually and you can’t help but age. Yet every shelf seems to have the secret ingredient. I mean, did we really want to stay in the diaper stage or did we want to grow out of it? Did we really want to stay in high school or… okay I get it. We just want to look like we're still in high school.

Reading the bible I find nothing that speaks to the retention of youthful skin qualities. In fact, I find a lot that suggests we all must become rusted and weathered to become what we were intended to be.
1 Sam 16:7 says, “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

We as humans put a lot of time, energy, creams and lotions into trying to preserve what won’t last because we prefer a less weathered exterior, but God prefers a weathering that produces a heart turned towards him.

Proverbs 31:3 says, “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.”
1 Timothy 4:8 says, “Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life and the next.”

It’s not that any of these things are bad; in fact let me say “I am for them!” Dab, splash, brush or trowel it on. Do what ever it takes. Anything that keeps me from looking like a bicycle that has survived being handed down in a family of ten is an okay thing. It’s just that we miss something important when all we see is the way we were in our youth instead of focusing on what we are becoming.

In the last several years, in order to find time to clear my head from the daily events of life, I have taken interest in little trees, bonsai. What I find so interesting in them is that as an artist creates, trains and grows them into a visually stunning piece of art. It is all done with the inspiration of trees that have survived harsh elements and severe weathering. No one wants a bonsai that resembles a well groomed tree on a golf course. Everyone works to create trees that have stood the test of time. Trees that have weathered the storms have gained a unique beauty available to only the most persevering trees. God says the same thing about us!
First, in Psalms 139:14, he says we are “Fearfully and wonderfully made.”

He says it’s a process: 2 Cor. 3:18, “And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord.”
He says its tough, but it has its rewards: Romans 5: 3-4 ,“Consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you will be perfect and complete, not deficient in anything”

Revelation 2:10 says, “But if you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life.”
As we become transformed by God, we see the beauty in being rusted and weathered. We no longer fear what we can’t control. Instead, we find our true selves after the trials we endure and we find peace in our place in this world. One of my favorite verses says ,“We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them,” Romans 8:28.

Rusted and weathered is part of the journey. It has a beauty that cannot be copied, purchased or added by anything man can buy. It comes through time, struggle and a harsh environment. It’s only available to those who persevere. We are fearfully and wonderfully made!

First look at our new website.

2010-02-06T07:31:00.001-08:00

Here it is! Take a first look. There is much more to come yet. Some Tweaks and pieces yet to be finished but soon we will have an online community with,calendar of events,online small group management,sign up for events, classes, better communication for things happening at both locations and more. Check it out! I hope you like it.
http://www.ridgeministries.com/

A new web prescence

2010-01-16T14:52:00.000-08:00

Hey we are just a few days away from launching our new website! We are pretty excited because it will give us a whole new way to stay connected. With many options for pod casting and taking part in a service you may have missed to on-line giving and specific pages for both of our campuses Iron Ridge and Stone Ridge. Keep watch for many exciting changes coming in 2010!

Are you "Trying to Make it"? Stop!

2009-12-24T19:00:00.000-08:00

Many of us are struggling with various things this Christmas season. Some are sick, some broke, some broken. It may be hard to see the hope in this season. In fact you may feel anything but hope. The secret in our circumstances may be to stop Trying to make it. Sounds crazy I know. What about this and what about that you say. Well the story of Danny might bring a little more understanding to my point. Read it HERE Here's hoping you see Jah's Soldiers Everywhere. Merry Christmas

In the original text of the Hebrew Bible, "Jah" occurs 50 times, 26 times alone and 24 times in the term "Hallelujah" . In the King James Version of the Bible it is transliterated as "JAH" i.e. all capital letters, in only a single instance: "Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him." (Psalm 68:4)

Christmas Eve Service Cancelled

2009-12-24T08:01:00.000-08:00

There is NO Christmas Eve Service. The weather is just not worth risking. Let me suggest you use the evening in other ways of worship -
• have devotions with your family in your pajamas, and then have a wonderful home-made dinner together around the table, or
• Build a snowman read your Bible and pray together - maybe even sing a little! Or
• just spend some time with God yourself -- reading, praying, and thinking so that you're ready for the opportunities of the coming year. Ask God to reveal what role you're to play in the Stone ridge ministry. Begin taking the steps to get involved!
That's all. Have a Merry Christmas!

What Will You Do?

2009-11-25T15:43:00.000-08:00

National Outreach Conference day Two

2009-11-05T19:08:00.000-08:00

Day Two of The National outreach Conference in San Diego. God made some real interesting people and here is one of them. Lloyd the Builder stopped by. He has a great story to tell. Check out his Facebook page here Become a fan. I did! I didn't say anything but, the guys got a big head.

Later Church planter and friend of mine Charles Hill stopped by. Charles is currently preparing to plant a church in Salt lake, Utah. One of the most un-churched places in America.You can check out his blog here. Tomorrow i will try to get some video of a few things happening.

See you soon.

Marlan

National Outreach Conference in San Diego This Week

2009-11-04T21:10:00.001-08:00

The National outreach convention is on. This week I am manning the booth at the NOC with Dr. Randy Deal from Phoenix Arizona. Some great things here besides the weather! Randy is pastor of Rock Point church in Phoenix He has a great passion for God and making disciples. Besides that he is just fun to hang out with.

The second picture is me with Jon Lowry of Prison Fellowship. Check out their website to see what incredible things God is doing in the ministry to those in prison and how they are Transformed and brought back into the community. Jon stopped by the booth and as we talked he shared his incredible testimony of how God had led him from prison to ministering to gang members in Southern California. I was blown away by his story and yet knew I had met a brother in Christ. We have got to bring him to Ne Iowa to share what God is doing in his life!

More tomorrow!

Marlan

Used by or Using?

2009-10-27T07:39:00.000-07:00

“ If you don’t need the Gospel more than the people you’re sharing it with, you ought not be sharing it with them."
Dan Allender, Professor of Counseling Psychology, Mars Hill Graduate School

Sometimes we can see ourselves as Superheroes or bearers of the truth. We may tend to think we are on the 'right side' rather than see ourselves as a people who need the message as much as anyone we will try to share it with. That simple little adjustment of our position in all of this makes the difference between us being used by God for his purposes or us using God for our purposes. Which position are you in?

Where do Churches come from? What are we about?

2009-10-01T12:28:00.001-07:00

Where Do Churches Come From? from Aaron Youngren on Vimeo.

Redefining success in a modern world

2009-08-06T17:55:00.000-07:00

Image via Wikipedia

Many younger pastors today are looking for ways to redefine what “success” means in the context of today’s world. While some have been tempted to gauge success in terms of the three “Bs”: building, budget, and butts in seats, many pastors are longing for more Biblical metrics of faithfulness to measure “success” rather than the business metrics of square footage, return on investment, and attendance.

How do you define success in ministry?

I recently engaged in an online discussion on this topic at www.originsproject.org to find out how younger pastors are defining (and redefining) success. They said success is…

* When a church moves from being a fortress from the world to being the hope of the world

* When servanthood organically emerges from your community

* When nobody leaves the church because a guest is on the patio smoking a cigarette

* When you have to expand your new believers ministry

* When the city government calls and asks for your help to solve a local problem

* When modern and postmodern Christian sub-culture lingo is completely absent from your service

Read on

Crazy Love Study Group

2009-07-11T08:51:00.000-07:00

In his new book Crazy Love, first-time author Francis Chan, pastor of Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley, California, takes his opportunity to challenge the church. “This book,” he says, It is for those who are bored with what American Christianity offers. It is for those who don’t want to plateau, who would rather die before their convictions do.” It is a book that is meant to change the way Christians live their lives.

Everyone agreed that this new small groups format is going to work great throughout the church. We may never see our relationship with God the same! This fall we will be running several new groups and Crazy love will also be offered.

The Church in Acts

2009-07-04T10:34:00.000-07:00

The Book of Acts Is Still Disturbing November 12, 2008

God is continuing to rock my world on my journey through Acts…here are a few things that are standing out to me personally.

* The church had to let go of the comfortable and the familiar in order to fully follow Jesus and advance HIS Gospel.
* The church was passionately obsessed with seeing more and more people come to faith in Christ.
* The message of the church was Jesus…nothing political or social, they didn’t try to legislate morality…simply Jesus!
* God kept raising up gifted leaders who were willing to embrace their calling…one group of people were not expected to do it all…and when people embraced God’s calling on their lives–the church grew!
* The people in the church were willing to work hard AND beg God to intervene on their behalf.
* The crowds opinion can change often… Click Here

Are You A Positive, Negative or Neutral

2009-06-10T07:25:00.000-07:00

Every ministry leader needs to be a positive. They also need to know who the positives, negatives, and neutrals are both in official leadership and unofficial leadership in their ministry.

Positives are people who do gospel things in gospel ways for gospel reasons. They are trusting, supportive, and encouraging. They build bridges and mediate conflict. Positives bring organizational health, work for the good of the gospel over any single issue or cause, and are a blessing because they humbly want the gospel to win. Positives are prone to turn neutrals into positives, while they also work to neutralize negatives. In the Bible, positives are often referred to as shepherds.

Negatives are...Read On Click Here

Are You a Good Christ?

2009-05-19T19:24:00.000-07:00

Are You a Good Christ?
By Francis Chan

I think it's time we stop asking ourselves the question: "Am I a good Christian?" We live in a time when the term "Christian" has been so diluted that millions of immoral but nice people genuinely consider themselves "good Christians." We have reduced the idea of a good Christian to someone who believes in Jesus, loves his or her family, and attends church regularly. Others will label you a good Christian even though your life has no semblance to the way Christ spent His days on earth. Perhaps we should start asking the question: "Am I a good Christ?" In other words, do I look anything like Jesus? This question never even entered my mind until...Read More

New Series Starting May 24th

2009-05-19T19:05:00.001-07:00

A New Series is starting this Sunday! Many times we go from Sunday to Sunday just trying to stay energized to follow God. Yet God has no lack of energy and is involved in every moment of our lives. In fact the bible tells us that God is scouring the earth looking for hearts that would be turned towards him! Maybe we need someone else's perspective to see Gods involvement in the world around us. Join Us starting this Sunday as we point out where God is working n a new series entitled. Can You See Him?

Starting This Thursday April 30th At GFC

2009-04-29T14:34:00.000-07:00

It’s crazy, if you think about it. The God of the universe-the creator of nitrogen and pine needles, galaxies and E-minor – Loves us with a radical, unconditional, self-sacrificing love. And what is our typical response? We go to church, sing songs, and try not to cuss.

Whether you’ve verbalized it yet or not....we all know something’s wrong.

Does something deep inside your heart long to break free from the status quo?
Are you hungry for an authentic faith that addresses the problems of our world with tangible, even radical solutions? God is calling you to a passionate love relationship with Himself. Because the answer to religious complacency isn’t working harder at a list of do’s and don’ts – it’s falling in love with God. And once you encounter His love, as Francis describes it, you will never be the same

Because when you’re wildly in love with someone – it changes everything.

On April 30th we will begin looking at how God really intends us to walk through life as we start the Crazy Love Series. This could be a life changing experience. Don't miss this chance to rediscover your first love.

We will be doing this at both campuses GFC in Decorah and Ironridge in Waukon. Each Thursday for 13 weeks we will meet at GFC and Fridays at Ironridge. If one day doesn't work you can maybe make the other!

http://www.crazylovebook.com/

April 23 at GFC

2009-04-02T11:19:00.000-07:00

New series starting on Easter Sunday

2009-04-02T08:47:00.000-07:00

On Easter Sunday we will begin a new series entitled
"Live like you were dying". What if you found out that you only had a few weeks left to live. Last year this very thing happened to someone I knew. What came of it was that God did amazing things in her life in those last days and today what she became continues to impact the lives
of those who were around her. Jeff will start us off Easter Sunday and I will continue the following week. You won't want to miss this and what a great time to invite a friend. It could be the beginning of a changed life.

What it Means To Be A Missional Church

2009-04-01T17:29:00.000-07:00

I've been reading a book about what it means to be a missional church - a church that has, at its core, the desire to share that God longs to have an intimate relationship with every person. I was fine reading the book until I came to page 23 where the author wrote that this desire:

'begins with asking God, "who have you called me to?" Perhaps you have never asked this question, "God, who is it you are calling me to reach?" Until we are prepared to answer this question, we should go no further. As we open our eyes
and view the harvest, we might be surprised. When we answer that question, we can begin to move toward becoming that missional church.

It's one thing for me to say that I am concerned about 'reaching the lost', and another for me to begin identifying specific individuals God has placed in my life. Its like standing at a distance and looking at an apple tree full of apples and saying that I see the apples are ripe and ready and ready to pick versus walking over, identifying the ripe apples, and begin to harvest them.

We have been working on the physical changes in the church (remodeling), a new constitution has been proposed to change the operational structure and a new vision statement for the church - "To build and multiply Christian communities that reach a new people for Christ and disciple them to become fully committed followers."

Ephesians 3:20 tells us that "God can do exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think." In the next few weeks we'll be voting on a new constitution and starting a new small group to learn how to share God's 'Crazy Love' in our every day walk. In all that has and is happening at GFC, the bottom line is that God calls each one of us to live out our faith and help with the harvest. Who has he called you to? Do we really live like He 'can do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think'?

Jeff D.

The Realization of a Dream

2009-03-25T18:03:00.000-07:00

This week I am leading the converge USA assessment center in Orlando, FL. The history of Bill bright who was a candy man and his dream of impacting the world for Christ has led to the largest mission organization with over a quarter of a million staff members. This Sunday i will share with you the possibilities of God leading ordinary people to incredible things.

Have you ever wondered if you are missing it?

2009-03-14T11:07:00.000-07:00

It’s crazy, if you think about it. The God of the universe-the creator of nitrogen and pine needles, galaxies and E-minor – Loves us with a radical, unconditional, self-sacrificing love. And what is our typical response? We go to church, sing songs, and try not to cuss.

Whether you’ve verbalized it yet or not....we all know something’s wrong.

Does something deep inside your heart long to break free from the status quo?
Are you hungry for an authentic faith that addresses the problems of our world with tangible, even radical solutions? God is calling you to a passionate love relationship with Himself. Because the answer to religious complacency isn’t working harder at a list of do’s and don’ts – it’s falling in love with God. And once you encounter His love, as Francis describes it, you will never be the same

Because when you’re wildly in love with someone – it changes everything.

On April 23rd we will begin looking at how God really intends us to walk through life as we start the Crazy Love Series. This could be a life changing experience. Don't miss this chance to rediscover your first love.

We will bring the two campuses together for this very special time! Lets get everyone there

http://www.crazylovebook.com/

The Sun is Rising

2009-03-03T12:56:00.000-08:00

I was in the lobby of GFC this morning talking about the strategy's we will use to reach the community. Sharing about how we will redirect ourselves to bring excitement to our ministry, when the person I was talking to said, "I just want to be a part of the excitement God can bring".

Only God can bring life changing excitement! All of our efforts will focus on growing his kingdom by making him known to the world around us. Last night we had 34 people in the Dave Ramsey FPU and many of the people attending were not from GFC. God has a plan for us. You being a part of that is important. The Sun is rising on a new day. I have never been so excited for the people of Decorah.

With the future of GFC looking toward reaching the community in creative ways. I want to take a brief look at an article by Gary Rohrmayer National Church Planting Director for Converge USA called The Times They Are A-Changin'...How will you respond?

In Bob Dylan's classic song The Times They Are A-Changin' he makes a poetic call to embrace change; it is "sink or swim".ResponsesToChange

Come gather 'round people
Wherever you roam
And admit that the waters
Around you have grown
And accept it that soon
You'll be drenched to the bone.
If your time to you
Is worth savin'
Then you better start swimmin'
Or you'll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin'. HT

Change is rapidly hitting all sectors of life...economic, political and spiritual. How are you responding to the changes all around you? And how are you leading your people through the changes facing all of them?

In the Center for Creative Leadership newsletter they offered an insightful article on 4 Ways to Respond to Change. READ ON

Moving Forward in Grace

2009-02-18T09:05:00.000-08:00

Lead us to a place, guide us with your grace
To a place where we'll be safe.

We are moving forward. There are many changes at GFC these days. However they are not changes for the sake of change. They are instead changes that will help us reach the community. There is this thing that Jesus gave the Apostles. It was the knowledge that they were not just working their way through life. They were in fact SENT!. They were not stuck in the middle of life's traps or forces,guilt or sins. Rather they were sent to accomplish a mission to make Jesus known in all the corners of the world. To see his message of love, forgiveness, hope and salvation carried to everyone. This song by Andre Bocelli and Heather Headley called 'The Prayer' can be our covering as we move forward to love the lord God with all our hearts and Love our neighbor as ourselves in Grace!.

I pray you'll be our eyes, and watch us where we go.
And help us to be wise in times when we don't know.
Let this be our prayer, as we go our way.
Lead us to a place, guide us with your grace
To a place where we'll be safe.

La luce che tu dai
Nel cuore restera
A ricordarci che
L'eterna stella sei.

I pray we'll find your light,
And hold within our hearts
And stars go out each night,
Ai,ai....................

Nella mia preghiera
Quanta fede c'e.
Lead us to a place ?

Let this be our prayer
When shadows fill our day
Guide us with your grace

Give us faith so we'll be safe.

Sogniamo un mondo senza piu violenza,
Un mondo di giustizia e di speranza.
Ognuno dia una mano al suo vicino,
Simbolo di pace...di fraternita.

La forza che ci dai
E desiderio te
Ognuno trovi amor
Intorno e dentro se.
Let this be our prayer,
Just like every child.

We ask that life be kind
And watch us from above.
We hope each soul will find
Another soul to love.
Let this be our prayer,
Just like every child.

Needs to find a place, guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we'll be safe
E la fede che hai acceso in noi
Sento che ci salverai...

Grace Makes Beauty.....

2009-02-09T16:19:00.000-08:00

This Sunday February 15th we will be taking a look at Grace. No not your Aunt Grace. Grace, A thought that changed the world! Sometimes we can get caught up in the rights and wrongs of life. We can see ourselves inside or outside of any issue. Yet there is another position that overrules either side. That side is Grace. It is the most profound thought to ever come to earth. AS Bono from U2 put it.

"What once was hurt
What once was friction
What left a mark
No longer stings...
Because Grace makes beauty
Out of ugly things"

Whatever you are dealing with in life. You need to know that Grace covers everything. It was given as a gift. A chance undeserved, it finds beauty in everything. This Sunday we will start a new series that takes us to discover or rediscover the Gift we have been given. Grace

Bring a friend as we start this new series. It could be a life changing moment.

Go Into all of the World and Make Disciples....

2009-01-31T08:59:00.000-08:00

Recently I have heard many talk about the church and it's need to stay the same in a changing world. While I agree the Message of Christ is the same. How will the church function in a world that is ever changing it's methods of communication and movement?

I think it is possible for the church to Connect, Ignite and Transform lives globally when it follows Christ as he reaches the peoples of this ever changing World. 'WE' (GFC) can impact the world in ways never thought possible before. Just look at all of the people who have viewed our blog from around the world on the map below. God is not small and to catch up to where he is, We must think God sized thoughts. He knew all of this would happen and he is prepared for it. Are we?

The Journey we are on...

2009-01-29T09:17:00.000-08:00

Life's a journey, let's walk it together.

With change, come questions. Big picture questions and specific questions. What is the new Grace Fellowship going to be like? How is the church changing? What is my part in the new church? These are some of the questions we have been hearing over the past few weeks.

The new GFC will be focused on how we travel through life and what it means to do that with Jesus Christ as Lord of our lives. That He calls us to travel together; helping one another; reaching out to all that we encounter on our journey.

Our focus, or structure, will be centered on this journey. We are adapting the specific structure used by the ConvergeUSA/BGC church planters for our restart. Many of you have heard about the Eight Systems of a Healthy Church developed to advance the message of hope to communities across the world. In the next six months we will be focusing our efforts on the first four of these. They are:

· Weekend Service – the corporate worship time when the body comes together to worship our Maker.

· Marketing/Outreach – the ways in which we tell those around us of God's love and Jesus' ultimate display of love for us.

· Small Group Ministries – a place for each of us to learn about and develop ways to put our faith into action.

· Assimilation – the way in which people are introduced to GFC and how they are brought into the activities and ministry of the church.

We are also in the process of looking at several candidates for our Campus Pastor. (A Campus Pastor is someone who is gifted in connecting and ministering to the body, but not necessarily someone who creates and oversees the overall structure of the church.)

In the past weeks you've seen and been a part of the physical changes in the building. These changes reflect the new direction of the church. The next steps are to the focus on the changes in our ministries and lives--

* To continue to develop our time of corporate worship in ways that will deepen our walk with Christ.
* To encourage each other to be Christ in our community.
* To strengthen and deepen our relationships with each other and Christ by encouraging each other.
* To continue developing the people who join us on this journey.

Hebrews 10:22-25 (The Message) "So let's do it—full of belief, confident that we're presentable inside and out. Let's keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let's see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching."

Where is God leading you as you consider the direction of the church?

Change is Gods design

2009-01-21T20:16:00.000-08:00

“The only person who likes change is a baby with a wet diaper”
Mark Twain

There is a lot of truth in that statement. We are truly creatures of habit. We like to get things where we want them and then we expect them to stay that way forever. The bible tells us that God created all things. The account of creation in Genesis is nothing short of spectacular. When you read it you discover that God created all things including Adam. He created him from the dust. After he created Adam he told him that he could name all of the animals. Think of it. How do you come up with the name Elephant? How about Rhinoceros, Baboon, Platypus, Butterfly or Inch Worm? Wow! What a spectacular use of imagination and creativity.

Do you ever feel that your imagination left when you realized you had to make it or break it in this world? Did the daydreaming stop when you had to get a job? Do you strain to think what it was like to wonder?

Something happened to Adam quite unexpectedly at one point. After God had introduced him to such incredible wonder, He told Adam that there was something else he wanted to do. He told him he wanted to give him a helper and that this helper would be an important part of his existence. The same Adam that had the creativity to name all of the animals could not muster enough imagination to dream of what this helper could be.

God put Adam to sleep. It says in Genesis 2:19 – 21
So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh. Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.

Can you imagine the look on Adam’s face when God brought him this Woman? In fact, Adam was so moved by what God had done he said this:
"This is now bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh;
she shall be called 'woman, '
for she was taken out of man."

To say the least God did something beyond Adam’s wildest imagination. What I am getting at is that God lives in a place where he does things greater than anything we can imagine and he invites us to meet him there. He tells us over and over in scripture to not waste time worrying about our needs because He Will Take Care Of Them! Instead, he calls to us to come to a place where change is the norm and his imagination picks up where ours leave off. The secret place. Change is good, embrace it!

Show Me the Way

2009-01-17T12:18:00.000-08:00

I remember a song from a group called Styx, that still causes me to stop and think. In the song the the writer says this:

"Every night I say a prayer in the hope that there's a heaven
And every day I'm more confused as the saints turn into sinners
All the heroes and legends I knew as a child have fallen to idols of clay
And I feel this empty place inside so afraid that Ive lost my faith

Show me the way, show me the way
Take me tonight to the river
And wash my illusions away
Show me the way

In his article titled Converts to What

Ed Stetzer writes
If you want to convince me (and the body of Christ) to your cause, you must show me it is a better way. You must tell and show something different. You must not just protest what is, but you must show me what should be.

Ivan Illich was once asked if the way to societal change was best through revolution or through reform. He explained it was neither—at least if you wanted long term change. Instead, he said we need to tell an "alternative story" that is so compelling it draws others to the story.

So, tell your alternative story. Show me a way that is passionate about the cause and filled with new converts to Christ. If all you have are criticisms, concerns, or new ideas, but no new converts, that hardly seems a better path or an "alternative story."

So, don't defend your lack of converts, repent of it, weep over it, and resolve to change it. You can read the entire article Here http://www.catalystspace.com/content/read/ed_stetzer/

Converge USA Assessment Center

2009-01-14T06:12:00.001-08:00

This week I am in Chandler Arizona Leading the Converge USA Church Planters Assessment Center. Cornerstone has hosted this event for us as Church planters have come from all over the country to take part in it. Oh by the way as a promotional tool for the church. Cornerstone is giving away a free car. All you have to do is read one book in the bible for a chance to win. 66 books in the bible = 66 chances. I am reading as fast as I can. I will share more with you about Cornerstone later this week.

Have a great Week!
Marlan

Are you an Encourager or Discourager?

2009-01-06T19:55:00.000-08:00

How many times has your day been going great only to hear someone say something to you that was less than positive? How many times have you been the spoiler of someone’s joyous moment with angry, jealous or spiteful words? Maybe you’re not like that at all. So from the other angle. How many times are you encouraging with your words when someone tells you of a new idea they have? How often are you the bright spot in someones day? How often do you decide to encourage over discourage?
I want to let you in on a secret. Anyone can see the pitfalls of a given situation. Let me rephrase that. Any Monkey can point out the problem.

Jesus said; “Take heart for I have overcome the world” In fact he says that we are more than overcomers! He also says that we can do all things through him. Then why do so many people become the opposite of Barnabas who was known as “the Encourager”. The answer is Immaturity. Immaturity is the inward focus on oneself that kills the “fruit of the spirit” and discourages spiritual growth in others because of a focus on the 3 Amigos. Me, Myself and I.

Do you want to feel the “spirit” in your life? DO you really want to see God work? Try to become like Barnabas the Encourager
You can look someone in the eyes and tell them:
• “I believe in you.” They may never have heard that from anyone else. Give them the gift of your faith.
• “You are making a difference.” Many great people serve Christ and His church for years without ever hearing those special words. It is our duty as Christ followers to spread God’s touch to those around us.
• “God has forgiven you.” Many people walk around without experience God’s forgiveness in a tangible way. You can speak on behalf of God’s promises to help someone be free from the guilt they struggle with.
• “God used you in my life.” Don’t let this life pass by without telling those who have made an impact in your life. You may be the reason they keep going rather than give up. We need to Wake up and become encouragers of each other, before we so easily call ourselves Christians. There is a song that calls to me in the moments I struggle with encouraging others. It says in its chorus “and they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love. Yes they’ll know we are Christians by our love…
Deuteronomy 3:28, “But commission Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he will lead this people across and will cause them to inherit the land that you will see.”
• Commission others to Grow in Faith with your words.
• Strengthen others with your words.
• Encourage others as often as you can.

Because God is with us!

Icy Road Cancel Services (Jan. 4, 2009)

2009-01-04T05:58:00.000-08:00

Due to the bad weather conditions, services are canceled for Jan. 4, 2009.

Then how should we live?

2008-12-31T15:09:00.000-08:00

I have to admit. I love looking into the life of a man named Winston Churchill. The life he led and the difficult times that he was called on by his country produced what were extraordinary times for one to live. When you talk about character you must include the name of Winston Churchill in the discussion. One of my favorite quotes from him is: "We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." Winston Churchill.

Seldom do we discuss what we give without placing the spotlight on ourselves. On the other hand it is far to easy to discuss what we get. Our new TV, an iPod, car or even the great dinner we were served last week at the best restaurant in town. The truth is even though we may not see it we are "giving" everyday. However it may not be the love and Grace that Christ has asked us to give as followers of himself.

This video of Penn of Penn & Teller has a lot to say about how the world sees what we "give" as followers of Christ. Penn makes a great point even though he is a self proclaimed Atheist. "How much would you have to hate someone".

How is Christianity relevant for today's culture?

2008-12-25T21:26:00.000-08:00

So then how should we live? Tim Keller shares in this video how we as Christ followers are to live in today's culture. Understanding how our lives are to impact not just our private life but our public life as well leads to a profound affect on our culture. Check out www.thegospelcoalition.org for more.

Christmas Eve Service

2008-12-24T06:11:00.000-08:00

Greetings!

Well, it's almost here - Christmas 2008! We hope this has been a truly great season for you. One more opportunity to usher in, not just the Season, but the One for whom it all exists. Christmas is our reminder that "in Christ" it is God who wins. The purpose He was after in eternity is accomplished!

Remember our Christmas Eve service @ 6:30 p.m. The church is located at 1111 Montgomery Street, Decorah, Iowa (the old Pamida Building). We anticipate a great time of celebration together, including a candlelight communion service.

Looking forward to seeing you.

Grace Fellowship Church Worship Team

Logan Sky Angel

2008-12-15T13:49:00.000-08:00

Tired of the lights at Christmas? Wishing that through all of the hustle and bustle you could find the spirit of a Christmas that would help you be a light in someone's holiday? Maybe this will explain Christmas in simple terms. Merry Christmas from GFC

A Christmas Conspiracy

2008-12-08T13:44:00.000-08:00

There is a lot that has been said about Christmas over the years. To the point that sometimes we have heard it so much we just unconsciously ignore it. We don't mean to. It just happens.

In the months ahead GFC will be undergoing some great changes. God changes! We will be talking about spiritual growth. What does that really look like? What is my part in it? What does it mean to be a follower of Christ? And how does following him make anything different? These are questions we should ask.

It is going to be an exciting journey that we believe God will do greater things in our midst than ever before. We hope you will join us. The place to start? Well, Christmas. Watch the video below as Jon Collins shares some incredible thoughts about the season.

Faith Hill - O Holy Night

2008-12-06T12:22:00.000-08:00

It is easy in this holiday season to forget what it is all about. Christmas above all other times of the year is the chance to celebrate a promise. The bible calls him Emmanuel which means "God with Us" imagine that. God Is With Us!. This Christmas season let us celebrate it with a renewed sense that God is with us and share the peace , Joy and eternal hope he has brought you with others.

Being A Missional Church, Tim Keller

2008-12-04T09:51:00.001-08:00

The fine line

2008-12-02T12:17:00.001-08:00

1. What inspired you to write The Fine Line?

I grew up in a Christian home. I did the whole Christian school, Christian college, and Christian seminary gig. One day I guess I woke up and said, gee, I have nothing in common with anyone in the world. In fact, I don't even know many unbelievers. I found myself extremely judgmental toward culture and I knew God wasn't impressed. Jesus told his followers he wanted them to be in the world and not of it. But here I was, removed from the world, isolated in my little Christian subculture.

I knew my problem, but I didn't have a solution. And believe me I looked. Everywhere! CD's, seminars, conferences, you name it. Sure there was the book Christ and Culture by Richard Niebuhr, but that was written well over fifty years ago when times were different.

Niebuhr, a genius faculty member of Yale Divinity School, named the Sterling Professor of Theology and Christian Ethics, attempted to describe the variety of ways in which Christians interact with culture, and make sense of it. His book was profound, for its time. Many classify it as one of the most influential Christian books of the past century. No other book has dominated an entire theological conversation for so long.

But as a twenty-something at the time, I wasn't impressed. It's not that I didn't like the topic of a believer's role with culture– I was fascinated by it - but I couldn't understand Niebuhr's book. Even though I'd been a pastor for years, graduated from two seminaries, and have a doctorate in ministry, I couldn't grasp Niebuhr's style. It's written for the elite within the academy not for the masses within the church.

You see, in 1951 the world was very different. Homosexuality was considered a mental illness. The divorce rate was less than ½ of what it is today. Prayer was still allowed in school. Abortion was illegal. There was no Internet or cell phones. And attending movies was considered a sin by many.

A book about Christians transforming that type of culture is a little bit different than today. One might argue that our culture back then was much more Christian. On some levels it was easier.

Even though culture has changed God hasn't. And our generation needs to re-envision what it means to live in the world and not of it. Christians today want to know how they can transform culture not separate from it or conform to it. We need a new paradigm for a new time.

2. What's the main point of your book?

Christians fall into one of three camps: the Separatists, the Conformists, and the Transformists. Only one camp is relevant. The other two have alienated themselves from the conversation. Separatists reject culture. Conformists embrace culture. Only Transformists change culture.

The Fine Line explores the meaning of relevance. Many people think it has to do with externals like the clothes you wear or the music you listen to. But ironically relevance has little to do with externals. In fact, Jesus illustrated relevance with a story, a parable as he called it.

Jesus spoke about a Jew traveling on a certain road. He was overtaken by some bandits and left for dead. The relevant person was not his fellow Jews who dressed the same, talked the same, and thought the same. Rather, the relevant person was a Samaritan.

On the outside, Samaritans were irrelevant to Jews. They saw the world very differently. But there is a language that cuts through cultures. There is a language that transcends time, location, wardrobes, and wallets. Love is that language – that language of relevance.

It's why Jesus said that the entire Law and Prophets hung on 2 commandments, loving God and loving people.

The Fine Line shows how we all lean tend toward irrelevance. Separatists think they love God and end up failing to love people. Conformists think they love people and end up failing to love God. But only Transformists love God and people. They're the Christians who walk the fine line and they're the people who are re-envisioning the gap between Christ and culture.

3. Why your book now?

Each generation of people who follow Jesus must wrestle with the question- how does one live in the world and not of it. Each generation must emerge with some kind of answer. This question of relevance is, as Michael Joseph Gross puts it, "arguably the most basic ethical question of the Christian faith."

Christ followers are supposed to be the most liberated, grace-filled people on earth. We're supposed to have what people want—a message so powerful it will cause the dead to rise and the blind to see. We're supposed to have the Living God, living inside us. We're supposed to know how to live in the world but not of it.

Most believers I know don't know. Most are either out of the world or they're of the world. No wonder Christians have so little impact, so little relevance.

The world doesn't want to be sold a product. They don't want to hear a sermon or handle a Gospel tract. The world wants to see a changed life. And that's exactly what this book does. It is changing people's lives because it puts words to an age-old mystery. It is our generations' answer on how to live in the world and not of it.

4. The title of your book, The Fine Line, refers to what you believe is a fine line between being in the world but not of the world. What are some misconceptions in the Church about what it means to be in or of the world?

Many Christ followers for many years have misunderstood what being in the world, but not of it truly entails. For fear of being of the world, the Separatists (in the book "deceived God lovers") have forever attempted to escape the world. Their motives are correct, wanting to be righteous, but their outcome are always skewed.

Sometimes the Separatists have built a Christian subculture -a cheesy, vanilla flavored, sanctified copycat version of pop culture. Other times Separatists have done some fairly epic, but irrelevant acts, like a guy named Simeon Stylites a monk type figure alive in the 400's who lived on top of a 50 ft. pillar for over 36 years, in order to escape the wicked world.

The plan backfired and he became a rock star in his own right, only attracting more "worldly" fame.

For fear of going out of the world, the Conformists (in the book "deceived people lovers") have forever become of the world. Their motives are correct, wanting to be relevant, but their outcomes are always skewed too.

Many Conformists become church haters and hypocrites. Conformists want to change the stereotype of Christians being lame, but they cross the line and the limits by simply conforming to the world, instead of transforming it.

5. How do you the concepts of Transformist living and a holistic worldview manifest themselves in the local church? How do those churches model "the fine line" for their communities?

Let me give two concrete examples (I am a simple guy and I like simple illustrations).

My church (Grace Church) has started a free medical clinic called Grace Clinic (check out the video clip HERE). Doctors, nurses, and volunteers show up every Wednesday night to offer free health care to those who have no insurance. We offer prayer first. Some people accept it and some refuse.

We give people a taste of the Kingdom and some want more. Some just want a prescription. We now have several people in our church who started out as Grace Clinic patients. Although initially unbelievers, they made the decision to follow Jesus. Some of these people are hardened people: ex-convicts, drug addicts, and people wanting sex changes. Still Jesus has freed them from their addictions and given them holistic peace in this life and the next.

Because not all readers can do a "Grace Clinic" I'll share a less glamorous story. A few months back I'm at the YMCA doing my routine workout. I see a man next to me obviously struggling with his mp3 player. I asked him if he needed help. Turns out Bob, a 71 year old, African American, needed an introduction into the technological age.

After several encounters and several lessons with iTunes, Bob started attending our church. Just last month he stayed after the service and informed me that he wanted to give his life to Jesus. Evidently, the light he saw in his mother's eyes before she passed was the same light he saw in people's eyes at our church and he wanted it.