Blog (Page 11)
You Can’t Catch What’s Not There
“It doesn’t matter how good a fisherman you are, if you’re fishing where there isn’t any fish, you ain’t gonna catch anything.” Serious fishermen spend time and money researching maps with information on topography and vegetation and utilize sophisticated electronic equipment to locate their objective. But the best equipment, the most tantalizing bait, and the most advance techniques will not yield a catch if there are no fish in the area. While there are techniques of baiting that can yield…
Where the Church is the People
This month we publically launch NineSevenZero Church. We come out of the closet and announce to our community that we exist. But make no mistake this isn’t the “start” of our church, just our formal introduction. NineSevenZero Church is a new church emerging in the Grand Valley. And while this launch has us consumed for the moment, we’re not working to create an organizational entity. We believe that the church is not a building or a denomination. We believe that the…
Fishin’ Is Better With A Buddy
“Fish with a buddy – it’s nice to have someone to grab the net.” I do enjoy the solitude of fishing by myself. It’s rejuvenating and refreshing but they usually aren’t my most productive ventures. For maximum results and fun – bring a friend. I can’t count the times that I realized that, by myself, I didn’t have what it takes. I didn’t have enough hands or couldn’t troll and fish at the same time. It’s just nice to have…
Hot Spots Attract People
“Hot Spots attract people” Have you ever noticed that when the fish are really biting, you attract other fishermen? It’s the law of the Hot Spot. People are attracted to activity, they are attracted to success, and they are attracted to winners. It’s the quest for the answer to one of those deep inner questions of life, “Wuz Up?” One of the keys to evangelism in our emerging postmodern culture is the same as it was for the early church, create…
Fish Tales
“Nothin’ stacks up to fishin’, but tellin’ the tale is mighty close.” There are few things in this life that transcend time, culture and geography but “fisherman tales” are on the short list. Who of us can’t recall a favorite tale or haven’t constructed one of our own? Another endearing characteristic of fishing tales is that the teller not only brags of his successes (the ones caught) but he also unashamedly boasts of his failures (the ones that got away). For…
Fishing Is 3D – Depth Matters
“You can’t just fish on the surface. Use your sinkers!” While I was in Cambodia on a missions trip the missionary took some of us out for a morning of salt water fishing. We weren’t going after the mammoths of the deep but rather the numerous smaller varieties that live in the coral reefs around the outlying islands. Because of predators and swift currents these fish stay very close to the reef. So he had us put on some rather large sinkers…
Frozen – Hard Water Fishing
“Just ‘cause it’s froze over, don’t mean you can’t fish.” The secrets of hard-water fishing are pretty much the same as warm weather fishing. Knowledge of the waterway and its structure will help you know where the fish are hanging out. Depending on the species you’re targeting, some fish will tend to hug structure, some will suspend themselves to take advantage of thermocline layers and oxygen levels, while others will “tail” schools of bait fish. But there are unique aspects of…
I Will Make You Fishers of Men
“To a die hard fisherman hunting is like shooting fish in a barrel.” I love fishing and hunting and while they have their similarities there are differences. And it’s these differences that make each sport unique and truly enjoyable to a wide range of people. But when it comes to the Kingdom, I’m glad Jesus said to His disciples that He would make them “fishers of men” and not “hunters of men”. Just the idea of “hunters of men” brings mental…
There’s Something Irresistible About Live Bait
There are many fabulous artificial lures on the market but they all seek to imitate real life. Relational Evangelism is like using live bait when fishing. Amazing events and fabulous services can be effective and productive in communicating the Good News to our world but we must never forget that there is something irresistible about live bait. There is no substitute for real life. Many times in our culture we (not the corporate church) are the most effective and productive connection…
Prayer Partner Update – 09/01/2014
I thank my God every time I remember you . . . because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now (Philippians 1:3,5). Thank you so much for holding us up in prayer.This is it – September 2014. This is the month we go public. We have come to the end of us and are totally relying on God for the rest. Pray for God’s favor in our effort, His miraculous provision, and His Spirit’s work…
Block Party – 9/20/14
You & Your Family Are Invited to join us for an evening of Fun and Laughs Bump ‘n Jumps, Games & Giveaways Free Food! (pulled pork sandwiches by Texas Roadhouse) September 20th, 5-7pm [put_wpgm id=3]
Children of the Day
Children of the Day – by Beth Moore An in-depth video based Bible study of 1 and 2 Thessalonians Is family life a challenge? Is work is driving you crazy? Do you know God has a purpose for your life, but can’t figure out what it is? Know that your circumstances are not coincidental. And God’s timing is impeccable. Join Beth Moore on the Thessalonian shores as she walks you through the truth of each verse of 1 and 2 Thessalonians.…