I reported that Kael recently began a blog. His older brother, Kyle, thinks he is influencing lives because his brother wants to be just like him, and that is why Kael began blogging.
Well, the truth has come out. Kael started blogging after his wife Sara did. So she is the real influencer in his life. (Sorry Kyle) So check out Sara's blog at http://bloominglives.blogspot.com
Janae, Kari, Brandi and Genelle - when are you going to start blogging - so I can say you just want to be like me?
PrairieParson
JB
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Another Blogger in the Family
It is all Kyle's fault. He began blogging, which got me to blogging, and that has now provoked our youngest son, Kael to begin blogging as well. So our family is turning into bloggers. Do you suppose we can talk Mom into blogging, too?
Check out Tidbits of Thought at http://kaelbloom.wordpress.com
Kael leads worship at Celebration Community Church in Hays, KS. www.celebratejesus.org
He and Sara are expecting Isaac in August. (See my blog Fearfully and Wonderfully Made)
Great picture, Kael!
PrairieParson
Check out Tidbits of Thought at http://kaelbloom.wordpress.com
Kael leads worship at Celebration Community Church in Hays, KS. www.celebratejesus.org
He and Sara are expecting Isaac in August. (See my blog Fearfully and Wonderfully Made)
Great picture, Kael!
PrairieParson
Ten Questions
Almost a daily routine for me is to listen to podcasts from Pastor Brian Zahnd www.brianzahnd.com
The latest messages I have listened to have either asked, or I have turned his thoughts into the following questions.
Selah
PrairieParson
The latest messages I have listened to have either asked, or I have turned his thoughts into the following questions.
- Why do you want to be Christian?
- What is the goal of the Christian life?
- Is Christianity a destination or a journey?
- Is there salvation outside the Church?
- Are you saved into something or from something?
- Is it more important to be ready to die or ready to live?
- Is your salvation private?
- Is your attitude toward Gateway Fellowship (formally Community Church) or your local church in accord how David felt about, Jerusalem in Psalm 122?
- Christianity: Is it a status to be obtained or life-long pursuit of transformation?
- Can spiritual formation be accomplished alone?
Selah
PrairieParson
Sunday, April 20, 2008
It's Official
In a recent post I mentioned that Community Church was in the process of changing names.
It is now official. Our new name is Gateway Fellowship.
We will have a commissioning service for the new name on May 4th in conjunction with our alignment with Destiny Ministries.
We would love to have everyone join us on Sunday, May 4 at 10:15 am.
For more information about why Gateway Fellowship was chosen you can go to
http://sites.google.com/e/st-tel.net/gateway-fellowship.
PrairieParson
JB
It is now official. Our new name is Gateway Fellowship.
We will have a commissioning service for the new name on May 4th in conjunction with our alignment with Destiny Ministries.
We would love to have everyone join us on Sunday, May 4 at 10:15 am.
For more information about why Gateway Fellowship was chosen you can go to
http://sites.google.com/e/st-tel.net/gateway-fellowship.
PrairieParson
JB
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Expecting the Unexpected
We are on a journey. We walked with Jesus through the Gospels for 40 days. Now we are on a voyage through the book of Acts. Acts connects the earthy and heavenly ministry of Jesus. Acts is the continuation of the ministry of Jesus on earth through the Body of Christ, the Church.
During the 40 days following Christ's resurrection, Jesus spoke to His disciples "of things pertaining to the kingdom of God". It was natural for them to then ask, "Will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" The 120 were still looking for the Messiah to establish His earthly Kingdom and rule with a rod of iron. They connected their instructions to "wait" with the restoration of the kingdom of Israel.
But, of course, Jesus had something else in mind. They were to expect the unexpected. It is so easy, isn't it, to get into a spiritual rut; to look back to yesteryear, because that is what we are familiar with. God, though He is the Ancient of Days, is not old nor out of date. He is the God of today; the God of fresh expression. We are to thank Him for yesterday's "move", but we must embrace what He is doing now and what He will do tomorrow.
We must expect the unexpected and embrace the unknown. God, because He is God, is still greatly unknown. We do not have Him figured out. Therefore, if we are going to embrace God, we must embrace the unknown.
I want to be part of what God is doing now. I thank Him for the moves of His Spirit I have been part of in the past, but I want to be open to, and recognize what God is doing right now, and go with it, and flow with it, and embrace it, and be a part of it.
Amen!
PrairieParson
JB
During the 40 days following Christ's resurrection, Jesus spoke to His disciples "of things pertaining to the kingdom of God". It was natural for them to then ask, "Will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" The 120 were still looking for the Messiah to establish His earthly Kingdom and rule with a rod of iron. They connected their instructions to "wait" with the restoration of the kingdom of Israel.
But, of course, Jesus had something else in mind. They were to expect the unexpected. It is so easy, isn't it, to get into a spiritual rut; to look back to yesteryear, because that is what we are familiar with. God, though He is the Ancient of Days, is not old nor out of date. He is the God of today; the God of fresh expression. We are to thank Him for yesterday's "move", but we must embrace what He is doing now and what He will do tomorrow.
We must expect the unexpected and embrace the unknown. God, because He is God, is still greatly unknown. We do not have Him figured out. Therefore, if we are going to embrace God, we must embrace the unknown.
I want to be part of what God is doing now. I thank Him for the moves of His Spirit I have been part of in the past, but I want to be open to, and recognize what God is doing right now, and go with it, and flow with it, and embrace it, and be a part of it.
Amen!
PrairieParson
JB
Sunday, April 13, 2008
It Came to Pass
We have concluded our 40 day journey of reading through the Gospels together. This blog got its start as a forum to record our thoughts from reading through the Gospels with fresh eyes and open hearts. It will continue. We are going to continue into the book of Acts, believing God for a supernatural Spring and Summer. You're invited. Come on the journey with us.
For the past seven weeks we have seen Jesus as:
In John 21 Jesus restored Peter. What a beautiful scene. And how beautiful it is to see Jesus restore broken lives today.
Following Christ's ascension the disciples returned to Jerusalem with great joy. What a difference a few days make. Remember this, beloved, the trial you are facing will not last forever and joy awaits you.
Jesus is with you. Go. Impact your world, your zip code, with the life-changing, life-giving good news of the Kingdom of God.
Amen!
PrairieParson
JB
For the past seven weeks we have seen Jesus as:
- The Champion over temptation
- The Leader of the church and we are heading His call to deny self, take up our cross, and follow Him
- The Messiah who was crowned King
- The slain Lamb from the foundation of the world
- The resurrected Christ who turns our sorrows into rejoicing
- The ascended Lord of glory who dispenses His glory to the earth
- The returning King. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
In John 21 Jesus restored Peter. What a beautiful scene. And how beautiful it is to see Jesus restore broken lives today.
Following Christ's ascension the disciples returned to Jerusalem with great joy. What a difference a few days make. Remember this, beloved, the trial you are facing will not last forever and joy awaits you.
Jesus is with you. Go. Impact your world, your zip code, with the life-changing, life-giving good news of the Kingdom of God.
Amen!
PrairieParson
JB
New Name? Not Yet
Our goal was to announce the new name for Community Church today. But it did not happen. Why? We, the leadership team, simply came the conclusion that we did have have the correct name yet. So, back to the "prayer board". Actually, an alternative name is under consideration, so stay tuned.
PrairieParson
JB
PrairieParson
JB
Thursday, April 10, 2008
The Glory of the Lord
Jesus said, "I brought glory to You here on earth by doing everything You told me to do." (Jn. 17:4 NLT)
I think those of us who are of the Pentecostal, Charismatic persuasion have looked for "glory bumps" or glowing hallos or have waited for the mystical cloud of glory to descend upon us similar to what Moses experienced; and then we would know that God has been among us. We are waiting for the glory to fall, while God is waiting for us bring Him glory by obedience. We are waiting to glow while Jesus has called us to penetrate darkness with light.
Is it not possible that if we will do what He says, we will see His glory and bring Him glory?
Kierkegaard, the Danish theologian, had this to say about obedience: "When it comes to doing what we know to be God's will, we do not dare to say: I will not! So we say: I cannot. Is this any less rebellious? If it is God's will that you do it, how is it possible that you cannot?" Then he pointedly said: "Today's Christianity ... is now used to hearing everything without having the remotest notion of doing something."
Pretty heavy stuff!
PrairieParson
JB
I think those of us who are of the Pentecostal, Charismatic persuasion have looked for "glory bumps" or glowing hallos or have waited for the mystical cloud of glory to descend upon us similar to what Moses experienced; and then we would know that God has been among us. We are waiting for the glory to fall, while God is waiting for us bring Him glory by obedience. We are waiting to glow while Jesus has called us to penetrate darkness with light.
Is it not possible that if we will do what He says, we will see His glory and bring Him glory?
Kierkegaard, the Danish theologian, had this to say about obedience: "When it comes to doing what we know to be God's will, we do not dare to say: I will not! So we say: I cannot. Is this any less rebellious? If it is God's will that you do it, how is it possible that you cannot?" Then he pointedly said: "Today's Christianity ... is now used to hearing everything without having the remotest notion of doing something."
Pretty heavy stuff!
PrairieParson
JB
Spring Storm
Thanks be unto God for the wonderful moisture we have received out here on the prairie - both rain and snow! It is wonderful!!
And may the thirsty, fractured souls of the prairie be flooded with the Spirit of God.
Amen!
PrairieParson
JB
And may the thirsty, fractured souls of the prairie be flooded with the Spirit of God.
Amen!
PrairieParson
JB
Friend of God?
The song writer wrote: "I am a friend of God. He calls me friend. God Almighty, Lord of Glory You have called me friend." Jesus: "You are my friends if you do whatever I command you." Friendship with God is based on more than the love of God and Him thinking of me. Jesus said we're friends if I obey. Friendship with God is not automatic. Selah
Without the ascension of Christ, the Holy Spirit would not have been poured out upon all flesh and that is incomprehensible. To my dismay, I don't think I had ever devoted an entire sermon on the ascension of Christ in my 30 plus years of ministry until a couple weeks ago. May other preachers not cheat their congregations of this timeless truth and essential doctrine like I have.
The disciples just could not grasp Jesus leaving them. How could the Messiah rule and not be present? It was a mystery. To eliminate the mysteries of the Gospel leads to bad theology. Sometimes the only honest and correct answer is "I don't know."
Life is full of overcoming opportunities. Jesus has overcome the world. Therefore,be of good cheer and take heart!
PrairieParson
JB
Without the ascension of Christ, the Holy Spirit would not have been poured out upon all flesh and that is incomprehensible. To my dismay, I don't think I had ever devoted an entire sermon on the ascension of Christ in my 30 plus years of ministry until a couple weeks ago. May other preachers not cheat their congregations of this timeless truth and essential doctrine like I have.
The disciples just could not grasp Jesus leaving them. How could the Messiah rule and not be present? It was a mystery. To eliminate the mysteries of the Gospel leads to bad theology. Sometimes the only honest and correct answer is "I don't know."
Life is full of overcoming opportunities. Jesus has overcome the world. Therefore,be of good cheer and take heart!
PrairieParson
JB
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Awesome Win
The KU win last night in overtime was incredible - unless you were a Memphis Tiger fan!
From our Gospel reading:
Thank God for the resurrection of the dead. The Sadducees didn't get it, but billions are looking forward to it!
Religion is cruel, cold, callus, and condemning. Jesus is just the opposite.
Those who teach and adhere to not tithing somehow have missed Jesus' words: "You should tithe." Are you? I'm not talking about a generic "tithe", but a Bible tithe - 10% of all your increase.
Greed and self-indulgence. Two powerful enemies of the authentic Christian life.
Jesus, help me not to be a hypocrite!
PrairieParson
JB
From our Gospel reading:
Thank God for the resurrection of the dead. The Sadducees didn't get it, but billions are looking forward to it!
Religion is cruel, cold, callus, and condemning. Jesus is just the opposite.
Those who teach and adhere to not tithing somehow have missed Jesus' words: "You should tithe." Are you? I'm not talking about a generic "tithe", but a Bible tithe - 10% of all your increase.
Greed and self-indulgence. Two powerful enemies of the authentic Christian life.
Jesus, help me not to be a hypocrite!
PrairieParson
JB
Monday, April 7, 2008
Tribute
I simply want to pay tribute today to the love of my life - my wife Genelle.
She is amazingly Christlike. Her wit and intelligence are enviable. Her love and devotion to her family is unsurpassed. Her sacrifice, to be away from her parents in California for 30 plus years, to obey the call of God on the prairie does not go unnoticed in heaven.
The enemy has fired his best shot, but she stands. Life has thrown her some very mean curve balls the last two years, but through Christ, she continues to overcome.
Her outward beauty is only surpassed by the beauty of her soul. I am blessed beyond measure!
Happy birthday, beautiful.
I love you, more...
Jamie
She is amazingly Christlike. Her wit and intelligence are enviable. Her love and devotion to her family is unsurpassed. Her sacrifice, to be away from her parents in California for 30 plus years, to obey the call of God on the prairie does not go unnoticed in heaven.
The enemy has fired his best shot, but she stands. Life has thrown her some very mean curve balls the last two years, but through Christ, she continues to overcome.
Her outward beauty is only surpassed by the beauty of her soul. I am blessed beyond measure!
Happy birthday, beautiful.
I love you, more...
Jamie
Friday, April 4, 2008
Tax Time
Paying taxes is not new. Neither is giving. Jesus said to do both. Our son Kyle went fishing last week. I don't think the fish had a coin in its mouth, but it was a big fish - 65 pounds and 5' long!
Power is seductive. Servitude is required for biblical authority.
The crowd, often times will discourage you from reaching Jesus, your desire, your miracle, your vision. The crowd preferred that the blind men remain blind - in the presence of the Giver of sight. Interestingly, Jesus did not presume they wanted to receive their sight.
I wonder how Judas felt when Jesus washed his feet?
Jesus has left us a gift - the gift of peace of mind and heart. (Jn. 14.27 NLT)
The path of blessing is doing the will of God.
Jesus loved. May we each demonstrate our discipleship by our love.
PrairieParson
JB
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Back to the Gospels
We are continuing to read through the Gospels, even though I have not written a blog concerning our reading schedule for a long time.
The issue of divorce continues to plague society and the church. It is a heart-wrenching problem that virtually every family has experienced to one degree or other. Jesus simply said the cause for divorce is not incompatibility, but hardness of heart. Do you suppose anyone has ever filed a divorce and said the reason is my hard heart?
Jesus never advocated the idea that children are to be seen and not heard. In fact, I think just the opposite was true.
The love of money still is the root of all evil. Consumerism in America is a mighty stronghold. The desire to become rich causes many to stumble. May the Lord help us have a proper, biblical view of money and prosperity.
Most TV preachers, when preaching about the 100 fold return, leave out, "with persecution."
PrairieParson
JB
The issue of divorce continues to plague society and the church. It is a heart-wrenching problem that virtually every family has experienced to one degree or other. Jesus simply said the cause for divorce is not incompatibility, but hardness of heart. Do you suppose anyone has ever filed a divorce and said the reason is my hard heart?
Jesus never advocated the idea that children are to be seen and not heard. In fact, I think just the opposite was true.
The love of money still is the root of all evil. Consumerism in America is a mighty stronghold. The desire to become rich causes many to stumble. May the Lord help us have a proper, biblical view of money and prosperity.
Most TV preachers, when preaching about the 100 fold return, leave out, "with persecution."
PrairieParson
JB
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