tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56415362011-07-14T14:24:25.427-07:00Pastors of Pierce County, Washington, share what is most on their hearts this week.Roderick of TMinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07481622604560945536noreply@blogger.comBlogger811100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-61347597566586000272007-11-01T21:12:00.000-07:002007-11-01T23:12:03.633-07:00

If my understanding is correct, this blog is not being used much as of late.In any case, I am hours away from wondering what great spiritual move might take place in our region this weekend as the church of Pierce County hosts the Pacific Northwest Franklin Graham Festival at the Tacoma Dome.This event has been literally years in the making. Much prayer and intercession has been going upward for

Deannoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1105052746569900842005-01-06T14:59:00.000-08:002005-01-06T15:05:46.570-08:00

As a congregation we generally start each new year with 3 weeks of prayer and fasting. The body has responded well this year and we had over half of our body at a mid week prayer gathering. All of our staff was thrilled to see the response from the people that call PSCC home. Many of the heartfelt prayers that are being offered in corporate gatherings are for our city. The people have been

Kaj and Janell Martinnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1103774732312093132004-12-22T19:59:00.000-08:002004-12-22T20:05:32.313-08:00

About 30 Pierce County pastors and staff ministers assembled for our lunch fellowship and prayer at Trinity Church of Pierce Co. on Dec. 16. We were pleased to have Jean Milliken, Associate Pastor of Grace Com. Church in Auburn join us as a representative from King Co. The Lord blessed us with a heightened sense of passion in our prayers together, particularly as we cried out to God for "death to

Roderick of TMinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07481622604560945536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1100570073911507722004-11-15T17:48:00.000-08:002004-11-15T18:01:32.033-08:00

Pierce County Pastors introduced a new plan at this November's prayer retreat. It is simply a practical plan for putting feet to our commitment to unity and to united effort in our ministries. Here are the details: Definition The “Threefold Cord Plan” is a specific pattern for building fruitful relationships between local Christian ministers. The plan asks each minister (pastor or ministry staff

Roderick of TMinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07481622604560945536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1100552357534349562004-11-15T13:55:00.000-08:002004-11-15T12:59:17.536-08:00

One of the concerns that surfaced in prayer at this November's Pierce Pastor's Prayer retreat, was our county's plague of meth-amphetamine labs. We ask the Lord to direct us in how to attack this problem on the spiritual plane, and how to do it in concert as pastors and congregations of the county.

Roderick of TMinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07481622604560945536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1100551830358405392004-11-15T13:45:00.000-08:002004-11-15T12:50:30.356-08:00

As pastors ministering in the cities of Pierce County, we are endeavoring to develop a biblical "theology of city." Roderick Graciano has provided an initial written installment on a biblical understanding of city, entitled, The Cityward Mind of God. You may download a pdf file of this article by clicking on the title of this posting. We will welcome you comments.

Roderick of TMinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07481622604560945536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1095200547640247702004-09-14T15:10:00.000-07:002004-09-14T15:22:27.640-07:00

The co-founding pastor of PSCC, David Shirk, was with us on Sunday and brought a strong word about, "God always sending a person to bring love." He used a couple passages but it came simply down to the Gospel message of God's redemption offered through the person of Jesus Christ. I played softball with men from the congregation the following evening, that were deeply impacted and asking the Lord

Kaj and Janell Martinnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1090637201114988472004-07-23T19:42:00.000-07:002004-07-23T19:49:14.936-07:00

We Pierce County Pastors want more! At our prayer lunch on July 22, we thanked the Lord for the "firstfruits" He has given us, but we believe He would be pleased to grant a more abundant harvest -- a harvest of people finding life in our county. To that end, we sought the Lord, asking that He reveal His agenda to us and deliver us from the unfruitful pursuit of our own shortsighted ideas.

Roderick of TMinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07481622604560945536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1090636827292033692004-07-23T19:32:00.000-07:002004-07-23T19:40:27.293-07:00

Chuck and Janis Lindley complete their active pastorate at North End Community Church on August 15, 2004. They are answering a call to serve at the U. S. Center for World Mission in Pasadena, CA. Please keep them and North End Community in your prayers. We are sad to lose Chuck's and Janis's frequent fellowship, but concur that it is God's will that they take this new step in their ministry lives

Roderick of TMinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07481622604560945536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1089747251439257102004-07-13T12:18:00.000-07:002004-07-13T13:48:32.276-07:00

Pastor Tom shared a word from 2 Chronicles 5 [this Sunday, Jul. 11]. He is a worship leader at heart and has been concerned with the corporate expression of worship in our gatherings. He shared that the "seeker" or "purpose driven" models of ministry have led to a consumer mentality in the Church and an elimination of the Holy Spirit ministry in corporate gatherings. He called us to repentance

Kaj and Janell Martinnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1089418718404640842004-07-09T17:18:00.000-07:002004-07-09T17:22:08.026-07:00

P.A.I.N! For the last month an intercessor (Susan Freeman) from our congregation has come into pray with our interns and other intercessors over the lunch hour (11:30AM-12:30PM). I have been blessed for two weeks to venture in and go after the Lord. It is setting in which we individually go after the Lord praying in tongues and speaking out prophetic words that come during prayer. It will shift (

Kaj and Janell Martinnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1088550862067568552004-06-29T16:12:00.000-07:002004-06-29T16:14:22.066-07:00

Pastor Tom, Matt and I wanted to tell all of you that we are upholding you in prayer. Lord bless you, Kaj

Kaj and Janell Martinnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1088367550912439292004-06-27T13:08:00.000-07:002004-06-27T13:23:26.996-07:00

At our monthly Pierce Pastors' Prayer Lunch (every 4th Thursday, Trinity Church), Sherry Varkonyi, of First Presbyterian in Tacoma, prayed for the NETworking of our Pierce County churches. Her Spirit-led prayer helped us realize that it is the network of our churches that will catch God's fish in our county (Mat 4.19), and it's the holes in our network (our missing relationships) that let so many

Roderick of TMinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07481622604560945536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1087432165396017232004-06-16T17:28:00.000-07:002004-06-16T20:27:58.426-07:00

DOCKED ASSETS In a parallel metaphor to that of the "Frozen Waters," the Pierce Pastors prayed this morning about the "docked assets" in Tacoma. It's great to own a boat, but sadly, many yachts stay in the marina most of the year. Similarly, the church has many spiritual and material assets that remain tied to the dock, i.e., remain unused for the Kingdom. In the Spirit-led prayers this morning

Roderick of TMinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07481622604560945536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1087432109413146252004-06-16T17:26:00.000-07:002004-06-16T20:33:00.883-07:00

FROZEN WATERS In God's providence, our city is named Tacoma. This Native American name means "snow covered mountain," referring of course to looming Mt. Tahoma (Rainier) on our southeastern horizon. Now, a snow-covered mountain is the water reservoir for its region. I believe that Tacoma is an immense reservoir of spiritual waters (think John 7.38), but the snows must be melted for the water

Roderick of TMinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07481622604560945536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1084844190483764852004-05-17T18:35:00.000-07:002004-05-17T18:45:29.643-07:00

Jonah 4.11 If you have a plan for your church only, Your plan is too itty-bitty. God has a plan — It’s a plan for the city!

Roderick of TMinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07481622604560945536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1080002598779479182004-03-22T16:43:00.000-08:002004-03-22T16:47:48.640-08:00

God's Chosen Agent? One of our Pierce County brothers has observed that when God reveals a vision for a ministry, we immediately assume we're the chosen agent to fulfill that vision. It may be that we are called to an intercessory role in seeing the vision accomplished but not to a "hands on" role. Having once had my health completely break down under the ministry pace, I continue to feel a

Roderick of TMinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07481622604560945536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1077743206055517412004-02-25T13:06:00.000-08:002004-03-22T16:37:32.606-08:00

Measured Progress The elevation in or heartfelt stress is often due to lack of progress. And why are we frightened when God promised to bless? Because we can’t measure our progress. The fact is we aren’t thrilled by our progress but the length of the measure is the source of our pleasure. If all sins are equal are all gains equal in God’s eyes? If a choir of hundreds brings joy to you is

Anthonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04164688764213997323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1076452815415306772004-02-10T14:40:00.000-08:002004-06-19T13:29:16.153-07:00

My recent meditations in Scripture took me to a passage that greatly impacted me. In light of this passage I realize that I so easily "tolerate" my sins and accept them as "normal". I forget to view them through the eyes of God -- how He hates all sin as that which is so contrary to His holy nature. Consider the following words that God spoke to Moses on the day of his death: 48. And the Lord

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05098388257960404506noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1075605866770608022004-01-31T19:24:00.000-08:002004-01-31T19:45:47.076-08:00

10 Things I Love About A Good Sermon I thought my fellow ministers might enjoy seeing what my current Master's Commission students believe, regarding "what makes a good sermon": 1. Creativity of presentation, rather than dependence on the lecture format. 2. Includes illustrations, word-pictures and funny stories. 3. Makes use of visual aids. 4. Illuminates the Scripture, providing a passage’s

Roderick of TMinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07481622604560945536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1075141537533356332004-01-26T10:25:00.000-08:002004-01-26T10:28:47.170-08:00

Thank you to Pastor Anthony Jordan for starting off our Blog Year with a poem in the spirit of the prophets (see below). We so appreciate your gifts, brother. May the Lord enable us to take your words to heart. The Lord's been reminding me of Paul's teaching in Acts 17: 26 From one man [God] made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for

Roderick of TMinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07481622604560945536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1074539379020987932004-01-19T11:09:00.000-08:002004-01-19T11:11:04.246-08:00

How I treated my city Pastor Anthony Jordan Julio’s death Trouble Mama left Drug Dealers saved Miraculous Healing Prayer and evangelism Unity, Holiness, Faith, City in Revival “Throwing ourselves on the Lord” Power of God revealing Still folk concealing Nobody is dealing With their true feelings. Just shouting Is true healing Flesh only? Satan is stealing Our inner meaning While we hide our

Anthonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04164688764213997323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1072299988079241292003-12-24T13:06:00.000-08:002003-12-24T13:07:27.733-08:00

Rod & Kurt... And my thoughts return to Paul's concern expressed in 2 Cor 11:3 that we may be deceived and led astray from simple and pure devotion to Christ. How much of what we do and desire is really important?

Chuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02158755083108261202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1072225236306457502003-12-23T16:20:00.000-08:002003-12-23T16:21:35.013-08:00

Rod & Chuck - As I read your thoughts, I find myself thinking of Abraham, the father of our faith... Of what he responded to, where he was going and why, and of how he went about getting there.

Kurthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09686002533226926486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1072200932329863842003-12-23T09:35:00.000-08:002003-12-23T09:36:30.653-08:00

Wind and Wineskins The people of God have always inclined toward institutionalization and inflexibility. The reason is not mysterious: human nature inclines toward comfort and the minimizing of risk. Here's a thought for our time and place: To be truly "Spirit filled" means, among other things, to embrace risk for the sake of advancing the Kingdom of Christ.

Roderick of TMinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07481622604560945536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1072153882836503792003-12-22T20:31:00.000-08:002003-12-22T20:32:20.500-08:00

Kurt, it may be we have gotten a glimpse of the glory of God, as if at some time or other briefly transfigured in the Church of Pierce County, and we then said, "Let's build a structure to commemorate this great thing!" But God's desire is that we listen to His Son. It seems to me that theology, and ecclesiology as a part of that, is supposed to be descriptive, not prescriptive. We only describe

Chuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02158755083108261202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1071711394595127092003-12-17T17:36:00.000-08:002003-12-17T17:37:27.106-08:00

Psalm 135: 6 & 7b - "Whatever the Lord pleases He does, In heaven and in earth... He brings the wind out of His treasuries." John 3:8 - "The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit." Please consider the force and nature of the wind. Puget Sound is a wonderful region to do that. Do

Kurthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09686002533226926486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1071622698830828532003-12-16T16:58:00.000-08:002003-12-16T16:59:10.013-08:00

May we reflect the joy like the angels of long ago,who rejoiced at the birth of Jesus. I pray God would re-new His joy in us by causing us to rejoice.....(re-joy-us) O God, re-joy-us again! Dean Johnson

Deannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1070733929139561192003-12-06T10:05:00.000-08:002003-12-06T10:06:10.890-08:00

The Danger Zone Where is the Danger Zone for the successful pastor? At what point does the growing size of his congregation and his increasing influence tempt him to feel that he no longer needs the counsel of his peers? At what point does the successful pastor begin to think of church attenders as asset's rather than as persons? Where is his Danger Zone? It's in a different place for every man

Roderick of TMinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07481622604560945536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1070703545370414712003-12-06T01:39:00.000-08:002003-12-06T09:55:51.293-08:00

Father forgive us Father forgive us; you must love us to put up with us. You whom we should trust, we thrust away when night overcomes the day. Your loving acts we see as sin; we see you as men see men they don’t trust. We poop and blame you for the smell, but that scent of hell came from us. Then you change our diaper and we whimper because the cloth is cold. We are so bold as to get you

Anthonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04164688764213997323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1068695427329230852003-11-12T19:50:00.000-08:002003-11-20T14:54:19.920-08:00

Seven Words from the Pierce Pastors' Prayer Encounter (Nov. 10-12, 2003) Here's what the Lord has been saying to me: (1) A fragmented church affronts the Living God (as much as any Goliath ever did). (2) God's house in Pierce county will not stand if God's builders in Pierce county do not obey*. (Cf. Mat. 7.26) (3) "Loving one another" begins with pastors (John 13.34,35). (4) Congregations must

Roderick of TMinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07481622604560945536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1068486581236994542003-11-10T09:49:00.000-08:002003-11-10T10:01:12.350-08:00

Influence Me We have avoided fellowship with one another in the past for fear of being tainted by faulty doctrine or ecclesiology. In so doing, we have precluded influencing one another toward better doctrine and church life. I mourn the lost opportunities we had to build one another up (Eph. 4.1-13). Brothers, I invite you to speak into my life. I have repented of my doctrinal arrogance and I

Roderick of TMinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07481622604560945536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1068470059978740152003-11-10T05:14:00.000-08:002003-11-10T09:56:38.476-08:00

To Chuck L. The Silent Treatment Job 31:35 Oh that one would hear me! behold, my desire [is, that] the Almighty would answer me, and [that] mine adversary had written a book. In times of great distress, silence sounds so loud, when despair chokes the air. Where is the joy? Where is that good feeling I used to have? I don’t feel it anymore. Was Sunday just yesterday? So much can happen in

Anthonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04164688764213997323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1068469255728460972003-11-10T05:00:00.000-08:002003-11-10T09:34:18.213-08:00

The Spiritual Chiropractor Lord I thank you for being a chiropractor to me. For years I have been the crippled me so misaligned my yoke was not easy, to me. Physical strength bore the weight of “wait” but in agony. I depended on me. In times of intimacy you worked on me. Crack, snap and pop you have straightened me. Adjusting me by holding me and pressing me or placing me and pressing me

Anthonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04164688764213997323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1068255330107057512003-11-07T17:35:00.000-08:002003-11-07T18:33:57.646-08:00

The Price of Influence Why was it that we pastors used to not associate with one another? One reason was that we felt the others had missed the mark when it came to doctrinal purity and God-honoring church practices. Therefore we avoided them. But now I wonder: how did we ever expect them to see the light? They sure weren't going to be enlightened by us, because we stayed away from them!

Roderick of TMinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07481622604560945536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1067478141075399822003-10-29T17:42:00.000-08:002003-10-29T17:42:18.030-08:00

Acts 16:6-10... Paul - "We will preach the word of God in Asia." God - "No." Paul - "OK, we will minister in Bithynia." God - "No." Paul - "Alright then, we'll go to the end of as far as we can think of. I guess we need to get as far away from where we currently are as we can get." God - "That's not far enough. Come to a place you never considered before; a place you had no previous sense

Kurthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09686002533226926486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1067470798675558082003-10-29T15:39:00.000-08:002003-10-29T15:43:33.153-08:00

The fullest extent of the supreme supemacy of Christ has seriously impacted me. This morning I read the following devotional from Charles Ringma, Dare To Journey With Henri Nouwen, reflection #14: One of our persistent difficulties is that while we want help, we do not want to change. We are quite willing to go to God to ask for strength, but not so willing to ask for redirection. We are happy

Chuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02158755083108261202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1066866930808168792003-10-22T16:55:00.000-07:002003-10-22T16:55:30.200-07:00

I haven't posted recently, not wanting to sound like a whiner and complainer. Nevertheless, following are some excerpts from some things I shared recently with some of you about where I am right now: My week was and is in tatters... Since the greatest command is to love the Lord with heart, mind, body and soul, it only stands to reason that attacks may come against the heart mind, body and soul.

Chuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02158755083108261202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1066834614293557042003-10-22T07:56:00.000-07:002003-10-22T07:56:54.466-07:00

Lord I ‘m waiting Lord I will not run today I hear the sounding alarms I listen for what you'll say Pastor Anthony Jordan

Anthonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04164688764213997323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1066775287887039322003-10-21T15:28:00.000-07:002003-10-21T15:28:07.643-07:00

Brothers - Just back from most of the last 2 1/2 weeks away, last week at a Prayer Summit in California where we saw the Lord take a group of city leaders farther than we've ever seen into the process of becoming The Church in the City. Part of what He emphasized there pertains to what Anthony has presented regarding Pregnancy. God brings forth new life through us, individually and corporately,

Kurthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09686002533226926486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1066525175985117242003-10-18T17:59:00.000-07:002003-10-18T21:28:14.836-07:00

Pregnant Genesis 25:22 And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to enquire of the LORD Father help us all for so often it seems we each carry twins that wrestle within the womb of our spirit. The child called Church and the child called family. Meeting the needs of each drains our resources and makes us toss and turn at night.

Anthonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04164688764213997323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1066066687466402562003-10-13T10:38:00.000-07:002003-10-13T12:36:50.430-07:00

One definition of burnout: "trying to walk in another man's calling." (Mike Bickle quoted by David Ravenhill in The Jesus Letters.) David Ravenhill writes on p. 157 of his Jesus Letters: "According to a recent survey, 70 percent of today's pastors would leave the ministry if they had another way to support themselves and their families. Seventy percent of all pastors constantly experience

Roderick of TMinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07481622604560945536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1065457385098648772003-10-06T09:23:00.000-07:002003-10-06T09:23:05.006-07:00

I'm in a foreign place right now and I know I cannot reach my destination from where I am. It seems I'm in for the "full treatment" (CS Lewis, Mere Christianity, p169, 1960 ed.) and am being ploughed up. Yet, I know I must begin that journey right here, right now, learning how to count it all joy as I learn how to walk with the only One who knows the fullness of where we're going and how we're

Chuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02158755083108261202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1065201092769838242003-10-03T10:11:00.000-07:002003-10-05T07:50:41.866-07:00

I've read somewhere that a faith that cannot be tested is a faith that cannot be trusted. And I ask myself, "Do I live as though I trust Him to know and deliver what is the very best for me?"

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18349304117317554605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1065134280626223852003-10-02T15:38:00.000-07:002003-10-02T15:38:00.236-07:00

If I had not know you in my rain, then my suffering would have been in vain. My pain was for a season but the growth it brought remains. The struggle is gone but the strength is here to stay. A Hiaku; Pain for a season Rain for a reason unknown Growth for a lifetime Anthony Jordan

Anthonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04164688764213997323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1065027039065883842003-10-01T09:50:00.000-07:002003-10-01T09:50:39.296-07:00

Faith is an invitation into that which you are incapable of.

Kurthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09686002533226926486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1064961823202957352003-09-30T15:43:00.000-07:002003-09-30T15:43:42.740-07:00

More of "The fellowship of His sufferings" - Are we done yet? I know I'm not. I am considering the proper response to suffering - in particular, suffering wrongs from others. I believe He calls us to respond with mercy. Mercy is what we give someone instead of what they deserve. James 2:13 says that "mercy triumphs over judgment". It is a contest between them in our heart. Which will win? Like

Kurthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09686002533226926486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1064951344669808332003-09-30T12:49:00.000-07:002003-09-30T12:49:04.126-07:00

The Lord has been personally challenging me in the area of complete unconditional surrender. If I want His will for my life I must yield to Him. The things unyielded will become hinderances that divert my life from His highest.

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00611643247688437524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1064944135726634132003-09-30T10:48:00.000-07:002003-09-30T22:27:09.546-07:00

Friday night, my wife Wendy and I read the Rich man and Lazrus story to our kids (Luke 7, Anna 6, and Dawson 4). Shortly after we finished, there was a slight burning smell. We checked through the house but it turned out to be from somewhere outside, somebodies chimney. But as we started to pray after settling back down, my oldest son Luke began weeping and asked, if there really was a fire

Jay at Crossroadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17978596342818195813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1064859127021047022003-09-29T11:12:00.000-07:002003-09-30T22:28:27.233-07:00

I was richly blessed last night as saints from Central Bible Evangelical Free, Peace Assembly, and North End Community Church joined hearts, minds and spirits in ministering to the Lord together last night walking through the "Altar-Temple-Wall" progression.* In addition to this corporate blessing, the Lord poured out two specific, personal, unexpected blessings upon me. I thank Him and praise

Chuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02158755083108261202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1064532120095081022003-09-25T16:22:00.000-07:002003-09-26T12:19:18.163-07:00

Servants > Friends > Brothers (John 15.15 and 20.17) Jesus has given us the progression for becoming authentic brothers to our fellow pastors in Pierce County. The first step is to serve them. Once we have done that faithfully, our fellow pastors will think of us as Jesus thought of his disciples, "I no longer call you servants ... I have called you friends." Then, as we live out a true

Roderick of TMinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07481622604560945536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1064337639841530942003-09-23T10:20:00.000-07:002003-09-25T16:13:44.580-07:00

God is convicing me that when he says blessed are the ... (fill in the life circumstance that doesn't fit the usual standard of what it means to be in the about-to-be-blessed line) it's really the case. He's encouraging me to look at people in the hard scrabble places of life with expectation instead of with a sigh or pity.

Jay at Crossroadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17978596342818195813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1064288794463904562003-09-22T20:46:00.000-07:002003-09-23T09:32:40.106-07:00

A new step for me today shared with John Piper from, Brothers, We Are Not Professionals, in which he says, We are outcasts, aliens and exiles in the world. Banish professionalism from our midst, Oh God, and in its place put passionate prayer, poverty of spirit, hunger for God rigorous study of holy things, white-hot devotion to Jesus Christ, utter indifference to all material gains, and

Chuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02158755083108261202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1064277967553651482003-09-22T17:47:00.000-07:002003-09-22T17:47:01.226-07:00

Though I haven't made any contributions lately, I have enjoyed yours. I continue to consider "the fellowship of His sufferings", and here, another type of Christ's sufferings... Suffering the wrongs done to us by others. I am most encouraged by the rewards available from this suffering, if we suffer as He did, for the same reasons He did, and respond like Him. These rewards are the lives of

Kurthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09686002533226926486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1064260623045048442003-09-22T12:57:00.000-07:002003-09-22T12:57:02.420-07:00

You don't have to respect me because I respect myself: The words of my mind The words of my mind are mightier in my mind than the words of mankind cast against my mind. I simply must remind my mind that I am the human voice that matters most to me. I refuse to flee what belongs to me because they refuse to see my indentity. The victory is when I take charge of me, in Christ's authority. The

Anthonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04164688764213997323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1063985764093618872003-09-19T08:36:00.000-07:002003-09-19T08:36:03.743-07:00

Many things are tested in times of trial: our faith, our endurance, our obedience. I'm finding that the thing that gets tested most in my life is my love. No wonder the Lord warned that in the last days "the love of many would grow cold." It is a supernatural manifestation of God's grace when we continue to care for one another in the face of pressures and attacks from within and without.

Roderick of TMinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07481622604560945536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1063833210105778412003-09-17T14:13:00.000-07:002003-09-17T14:13:30.086-07:00

"They raised their voices together in prayer." Acts 4:24 I traced that little word translated "together" in it various forms through the rest of Acts and in the New Testament. It's everywhere, a God created sense of being in one accord that "just happens" to show up when the believers are praying and worshipping. We think of the New Testament church as being marked by conversion growth and

Jay at Crossroadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17978596342818195813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1063743255447717172003-09-16T13:14:00.000-07:002003-09-16T13:14:15.480-07:00

On my walk of emerging discovery, I have found others on a similar path discovering things that Dallas Willard says are "only recently forgotten." For me, one of those "ah-hah's" is a statement from Hudson Taylor who believed, "God's work, done in God's way, will never lack God's supply."

Chuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02158755083108261202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1063432726807408482003-09-12T22:58:00.000-07:002003-09-12T22:58:46.666-07:00

Authority and Compassion Authority and compassion go together like hand in glove. The hand provides the power and direction to accomplish a goal. The glove protects the hand as it is accomplishing that goal. My authority is my power to accomplish the goal. Thereby I can grab hold of a purpose, reach for a hot topic, I can root out a bitter root of contention. With my authority I can press

Anthonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04164688764213997323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1063432000758280102003-09-12T22:46:00.000-07:002003-09-12T22:46:40.666-07:00

Just a line of prayer. Help us Lord, we weather with you. We wither without you. Pastor Jordan

Anthonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04164688764213997323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1063238333336970032003-09-10T16:58:00.000-07:002003-09-10T16:58:53.386-07:00

I'm on a walk of emerging discovery. I don't know where it's headed, I only know with whom I walk. As a part of this walk, last week I was struck by these thoughts from a book recommended by Jim Thoburn, Missional Church, Darrell L. Guder, ed., in which Guder quotes Diogenes Allen: "We remain captives within a mental framework that has actually been broken. We are like prisoners who could

Chuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02158755083108261202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1063235386546149042003-09-10T16:09:00.000-07:002003-09-10T16:11:46.203-07:00

Few events have impacted me more than the recent ruling by the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals that, in effect, ruled the Ten Commandments to be unconstitutional. This is not about the Constitution and the rule of law, rather it is about whether or not we will acknowledge The Lawgiver Himself. Romans 1:28 tells us that 'when they refused to acknowledge God, He abandoned them to their evil minds and

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18349304117317554605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1063232223716375802003-09-10T15:17:00.000-07:002003-09-10T15:17:32.813-07:00

Our prayers at the 7:30 a.m. Wednesday prayer meeting for pastors at Trinity church (by Tacoma Mall) address issues in our own county, take up burdens for different parts of the world, and often zero in on needs represented in our own circle of brothers. A wonderful thing is the adjustment that takes place in our souls and spirits as we listen to one another pray. I think that by the end of the

Roderick of TMinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07481622604560945536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1063129810543945952003-09-09T10:50:00.000-07:002003-09-09T13:43:26.513-07:00

I'm engaged today thinking about Josiah's reivial at the end of 2 Kings. So sincere, sweeping, and diligent was his turning to God and cleansing of the land and yet it was too late to forestall God's hand of judgment at the hand of the Babylonians. It would seem that there are seasons of opportunities for a nation or a city perhaps to turn, avoid chaos and experience the shalom of God instead.

Jay at Crossroadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17978596342818195813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1062620266715402782003-09-03T13:17:00.000-07:002003-09-03T13:19:38.710-07:00

Over the last month my thoughts have kept coming back to the persistent widow and the Lord's teaching from her story: Luke 18.7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. (NIV) The justice in view is against an adversary. I wonder if we have fully

Roderick of TMinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07481622604560945536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1062614419826312992003-09-03T11:40:00.000-07:002003-09-03T11:43:08.086-07:00

Continuing with "the fellowship of His sufferings" - specifically, the suffering of temptations. It appears that the first temptation the devil threw at the Lord is also the first one thrown at Eve. It was repeatedly experienced by Christ. It was also the last temptation he endured (according to scripture, not Hollywood), and, I think, the primary, most persistent, most powerful and most common

Kurthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09686002533226926486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1062524080999619812003-09-02T10:34:00.000-07:002003-09-02T10:34:40.930-07:00

At the monthly prayer gathering at First Prebsbyterian church last Thursday we enjoyed a strong time of intercession for our city. Several brothers and a sister from that part of town were with us which was enjoyable. We also prayed for complete healing for Cordez from his cancer surgery and for Abe at The Sound life chuch as they make a major shift toward prayer as a congregation. Jay

Jay at Crossroadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17978596342818195813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1061930914674058312003-08-26T13:48:00.000-07:002003-09-10T15:20:41.263-07:00

It came to my attention that this summer is the 300th birthday of John Wesley. I was struck by a consise description of the Methodist movement of the 1700's from an SPU professor. 1) Avoid evil 2) Do good 3) Diligently pursue a maturing relationship with God. Always being one who like consise expressions of broad ideas or movements, these three aspects are helpful as I try to articulate to

Jay at Crossroadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17978596342818195813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1061914941085555832003-08-26T09:22:00.000-07:002003-08-26T09:30:22.656-07:00

Our "Dad's Club" focus this summer has been upon "Learning to Be Faithful Disciples of Jesus". What a beautiful weekend God gave us -- both in weather and in fellowship -- as Fathers and Sons back packed into the Cascade Mountains to consider what the "appetite of a disciple" must be. With Psalm 19:7-11 as our text, we revelled in the treasure that God's Word really is! Think of it

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05098388257960404506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1061854223394655592003-08-25T16:30:00.000-07:002003-08-25T16:40:31.593-07:00

I am continuing to press in to what it means to know Christ in the fellowship of His sufferings (Phil.3:10). There is more to this than appears at first glance. His sufferings are plural, not just in multiple occurance, but in type. One type is His suffering of temptation (Heb. 2:18 & 4:15). While we may identify with Him in suffering temptation, do we believe that He identifies with us? I think

Kurthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09686002533226926486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-106178973430602172003-08-24T22:35:00.000-07:002003-08-24T22:38:27.266-07:00

One of our interns at PSCC, James Wells, shared a heartfelt message from his life today: God uses the trials of life to bring consciousness of sin, then repentance, then spiritual health. Nothing new, but a message used by the Lord to bring many to the front of the sanctuary for prayer at the end of the service.

Roderick of TMinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07481622604560945536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1061424841694330152003-08-20T17:14:00.000-07:002003-08-20T17:28:17.200-07:00

This morning's coffee discussion with Pastors Anthony Jordan and Dick Lasse explored the problem of our American "culture of privacy." In the African culture of Dick's experience (by contrast), everyone in town knows one another's business and every endeavor is pursued with the community in mind. What would it be like if all the pastors of Pierce County knew one another's business and pursued all

Roderick of TMinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07481622604560945536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1061309332173805972003-08-19T09:08:00.000-07:002003-08-19T09:08:52.343-07:00

This week I'm thinking about David's prayer of confession in Psalm 51, especially as he pleads for renewal having acknowledged the depth of his sin. I have a sense that I've been too casual about my confessing habits and want to recover a strong skill of doing so.

Jay at Crossroadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17978596342818195813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1061242580533190722003-08-18T14:36:00.000-07:002003-08-18T15:57:01.123-07:00

For the last four months the Lord has me delving deeper and deeper into "the fellowship of His suffering(s)", so much of my learning is in what those sufferings are and the sequence of progression from knowing Him, through the Power of His ressurection to the fellowship of His sufferings.

Kurthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09686002533226926486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1060877101273854302003-08-14T09:05:00.000-07:002003-08-14T09:09:34.720-07:00

I am currently digesting Dallas Willard's excellent series of 4 books (Hearing God, Spirit of the Disciplines, The Divine Conspiracy, Renovation of the Heart) on how God transfrorms us. It's been very helpful as I consider how we are presently going about this at Crossroads.

Jay at Crossroadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17978596342818195813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1060578600744934162003-08-10T22:10:00.000-07:002003-08-10T22:10:00.810-07:00

I have been asked to teach on hermeneutics and on the archaeology of the gospels this fall, so my studies will focus on these subjects for the next several weeks.

Roderick of TMinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07481622604560945536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1060546396393937482003-08-10T13:13:00.000-07:002003-08-10T13:13:16.393-07:00

PSCC arrived at 1 Cor. 13 in their 1 Cor. teaching series today. Kaj Martin emphasized that the context of the "Love Chapter" is the use of spiritual gifts. 1 Cor. 13.8-10 does not teach that gifts have passed away (not until we see the Lord face to face), but the entire chapter teaches that gifts exercised without love are unfruitful and even destructive.

Roderick of TMinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07481622604560945536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1060231846469033232003-08-06T21:50:00.000-07:002003-08-06T21:50:46.510-07:00

Tonight, Kaj Martin at PSCC taught on the essential foundation for healing prayer ministry: compassion.

Roderick of TMinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07481622604560945536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1060231714848332842003-08-06T21:48:00.000-07:002004-06-21T13:58:28.196-07:00

At the Pierce Pastors' prayer meeting this morning, the Lord reminded us of our tendency to pursue our own good ideas rather than waiting on Him for His. He also reminded us of our need to more fully trust "the Pilot of the plane." It was great to have evangelist Ernest with us, along with Anthony's son, Michael Jordan!

Roderick of TMinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07481622604560945536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1059946174418931422003-08-03T14:29:00.000-07:002003-08-03T17:22:50.006-07:00

In view of the people in our community who are not currently attracted to traditional church services, Matt Allen of PSCC proposed today that Christians form common-interest groups by which to relationally draw in such non-church persons.

Roderick of TMinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07481622604560945536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641536.post-1059882761399069342003-08-02T20:52:00.000-07:002003-08-10T13:24:11.916-07:00

This week I reviewed the principle of Rev. 19.10, "the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy" (cf. James 2.26). Had some great discussion with a group of ministry interns about how Bible prophecy unveils the character and work of Jesus.

Roderick of TMinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07481622604560945536noreply@blogger.com0