9.5.11
27.4.11
Easter Reflections
Now that I have had time to recouperate I can put some thoughts down. Easter was amazing this year. First, I want to say that all of my leaders and volunteers kicked butt. They were awesome. Thank you for what you do.
Second, and very important, at least 4 people accepted Christ for the very first time. What an awesome priviledge it is to share the Good News with someone and watch them take the first step in their spiritual journey towards God. I love what I do.
Third, we broke our attendance from last year which is pretty cool. Every year, more and more people are coming. We had 102 people this year. Very cool.
Lisa and I decided to go out to eat with my In-laws and the Chases for Easter dinner. That was a good decision. It was relaxing and the food was awesome. We ate at the Common Man. Yeah boy. Afterwards we went home and the kids decorated some eggs and we did an egg hunt with them. They loved it of course.
Later on the Gobins stopped by for a little Catan and some dessert. All in all it was a great day being with family and friends. One of the best Easters in my memory.
11.4.11
Rewind
Another great weekend. Busy though. I was running around like crazy. Saturday we had our CSP. What a great time. Good turn out of people to serve. We washed about 80 windshields and gave away about 100 seed packets. Only one person we met was negative. Probably goes to another church. ;) Our Sunday service was great. We moved back over to theater 1 where we started out. Had a great crowd show up. We are gearing up for our Easter service. We have mailers hitting the boxes this week. Going out to Claremont, Newport and Charlestown. We gave away about 200 invite cards to everyone who showed up this week.. Told everyone to invite at least 5 people for Easter. And we are doing a contest with some of the extra mailers we have. Who ever finds the craziest place to put them and takes a pic or I see it will win a prize. I just got the mock up of our Riverstone Golf shirts. They look hot. Can't wait to start wearing it. Everyone is going to be jealous they don't have one. But guess what, we can order you some. So wait until you see it. The new office is working out great. We had our first team meeting here last week. No distractions. We also used the conference room for coffee and snacks after our CSP. This is going to be a great place to have a midweek bible study.
Did I mention that Easter is on April 24th this year? If you don't have a church home come on out to Riverstone Church. We'll leave the light on.
The Master's this year was one of the greatest I have ever seen. No doubt it will go down in the top 10 best. Awesome stuff. I had to miss the last part of it to be at FPU but Merry dvr'd it for me so Dave and I could watch it afterwards. It was awesome.
Anna turned 6 this last Sunday. I cannot believe how fast my girls are growing. I was watching them run around outside and remembered when they were only two doing that. They are so big. I don't want them to grow up so fast.14.3.11
Rewind
It has definitely been one of those weekends. I survived the one hour less sleep deprivation. This is probably the lowest attended Sunday of the year at church. People want to SLEEP. We did have a family or two show up an hour late. Can't do that at our church without missing it completely. :)
We had another great FPU class. Their questions have been good and I think they are learning some new stuff. No doubt they still have the deer in headlights look. But they will make it through.
Have the insurance guy here today to look at the damage to our ceiling from the ice dams. Hoping to get that squared away sooner than later. If you know a good contractor in the area let us know.
Taking a couple of days this week to be at a couple sectional councils for the AG. I've been asked by the district to share the story of Riverstone Church with the pastors. Also going to share how the district has been a great help to us launching and reaching people for Christ.
Already planning for our Easter Service. It is not that far away. The last Sunday of April this year. BTW, you're invited to be our guest at Riverstone Church on Easter Sunday. Kicking off a brand new series "Life 360".
Got some new and great things planned this year for Riverstone Church. Keep your eyes peeled for more info. Some good changes coming.
Our kids area kicked off again two weeks ago. Thanks Joan and Brenda and Cameron for your service and help in this area. The kids are very important to us and we want a great place for them to experience the love of God and grow in their faith.
Btw, we are looking for a new nursery coordinator and someone to help run the soundboard on Sunday mornings. Just give me a holler and we will talk.
Men's retreat is coming up again in May. Looks like it is going to be another great time. The info. will be in the Sunday flyer this week. Be sure to grab it.
We had another great FPU class. Their questions have been good and I think they are learning some new stuff. No doubt they still have the deer in headlights look. But they will make it through.
Have the insurance guy here today to look at the damage to our ceiling from the ice dams. Hoping to get that squared away sooner than later. If you know a good contractor in the area let us know.
Taking a couple of days this week to be at a couple sectional councils for the AG. I've been asked by the district to share the story of Riverstone Church with the pastors. Also going to share how the district has been a great help to us launching and reaching people for Christ.
Already planning for our Easter Service. It is not that far away. The last Sunday of April this year. BTW, you're invited to be our guest at Riverstone Church on Easter Sunday. Kicking off a brand new series "Life 360".
Got some new and great things planned this year for Riverstone Church. Keep your eyes peeled for more info. Some good changes coming.
Our kids area kicked off again two weeks ago. Thanks Joan and Brenda and Cameron for your service and help in this area. The kids are very important to us and we want a great place for them to experience the love of God and grow in their faith.
Btw, we are looking for a new nursery coordinator and someone to help run the soundboard on Sunday mornings. Just give me a holler and we will talk.
Men's retreat is coming up again in May. Looks like it is going to be another great time. The info. will be in the Sunday flyer this week. Be sure to grab it.
2.3.11
How to Recognize the Anti-Christ
I guess the very first way to recognize him would be, if the guy happens to be the ruler of the world, well, pretty good indicator. Not talking just countries, talking whole world. Humor aside there are a few ways to discover who is the anti-Christ.
It is important to note that Jesus said many "false teachers"/"antichrists" have already come. I John 4:3 says "but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world."
So the spirit of the antichrist is alive and well in the world. I believe Satan raises up a person who fits the description of the antichrist, in every generation, because he doesn't know when Jesus is coming back. I don't have a scripture text to back that up, that is just my feeling on the subject.
"This world ruler that is to come onto the scene will be the embodiment of Satan himself. He is given several titles from scripture to describe his character: "the beast (Rev. 13:1), "man of sin" (2 Thess. 2:3), "wicked one" (2 Thess. 2:8), "abomination" (Matt. 24:15), and many more too numerous to list here. " **
"He will be the most incredible human leader the world has ever known. He will be the epitome of human genius and power and a master of deception, empowered by the "father of lies" (Dan. 11:21). Promising peace, he pushes the world into war."**
There are at least 10 factors that will identify him when he comes to power.
"1. He will rise to power in the Last Days (Dan. 8:19-23).
2. He will not come on the world scene until after the rapture (2 Thess. 2:3-8).
3. He will rule the entire world (Rev. 13:7).
4. He will rule by international consent (Rev. 17:12-13).
5. He will rule by deception (Dan. 8:24-25).
6. He will be intelligent and persuasive (Dan. 7:20).
7. He will control the global economy (REv. 13:16-17).
8. He will be assisted by the False Prophet (Rev. 13:11-18).
9. He will make and break a peace treaty with Israel (Dan. 9:26-27).
10. He will claim to be God (2 Thess. 2:4)."**
Whether he is Jewish or Gentile is unclear. But what is clear is he will come proclaiming peace to the whole world but in the end will plunge it into the most catastrophic war of all time.
** Ed Hindson
It is important to note that Jesus said many "false teachers"/"antichrists" have already come. I John 4:3 says "but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world."
So the spirit of the antichrist is alive and well in the world. I believe Satan raises up a person who fits the description of the antichrist, in every generation, because he doesn't know when Jesus is coming back. I don't have a scripture text to back that up, that is just my feeling on the subject.
"This world ruler that is to come onto the scene will be the embodiment of Satan himself. He is given several titles from scripture to describe his character: "the beast (Rev. 13:1), "man of sin" (2 Thess. 2:3), "wicked one" (2 Thess. 2:8), "abomination" (Matt. 24:15), and many more too numerous to list here. " **
"He will be the most incredible human leader the world has ever known. He will be the epitome of human genius and power and a master of deception, empowered by the "father of lies" (Dan. 11:21). Promising peace, he pushes the world into war."**
There are at least 10 factors that will identify him when he comes to power.
"1. He will rise to power in the Last Days (Dan. 8:19-23).
2. He will not come on the world scene until after the rapture (2 Thess. 2:3-8).
3. He will rule the entire world (Rev. 13:7).
4. He will rule by international consent (Rev. 17:12-13).
5. He will rule by deception (Dan. 8:24-25).
6. He will be intelligent and persuasive (Dan. 7:20).
7. He will control the global economy (REv. 13:16-17).
8. He will be assisted by the False Prophet (Rev. 13:11-18).
9. He will make and break a peace treaty with Israel (Dan. 9:26-27).
10. He will claim to be God (2 Thess. 2:4)."**
Whether he is Jewish or Gentile is unclear. But what is clear is he will come proclaiming peace to the whole world but in the end will plunge it into the most catastrophic war of all time.
** Ed Hindson
24.2.11
The Two Witnesses of Revelation
Rev. 11:3-12 , read to get a full description, gives us a description of two witnesses that will be preaching during the first 3 1/2 years of the Tribulation in Israel. There has been great debate over the years as to the identity of who these witnesses will be. Many have speculated Moses and Elijah or possibly Enoch.
Their reasoning for these choices is that the Bible tells us "it is appointed to men once to die and then the judgment.' (Hebrews 9:27) Elijah and Enoch did not die but were brought up to heaven by God. Therefore to fulfill this scripture they must die. Also, the miracles they will do are similar to those done by Moses and Elijah. So that is why they might believe it is them.
There are a few reasons why I don't believe it is them.
1. Rev. 11 is vague as to their identities. It calls them "two olive trees and lampstands" which is a designation for Spirit-filled believers. It seems to me if Moses and Elijah were the two witnesses the Bible would specifically tell us it was them since they both represent the Law and the Prophets of the Old Testament. That would be news to know.
2. The miracles they will wrought are much more powerful than anything Moses and Elijah did. They will have the power to keep it from raining for 1260 days. Also, they are given power to devour their enemies with fire that shoots out from their mouths. They will also have the power to turn the water of the earth into blood and cause all kinds of plagues to go world-wide. Moses and Elijahs miracles were limited to the Middle East.
3. As far as fulfilling Heb. 9:27, we know that not everyone will die and go to judgment. The Bible tells us about the event of the Rapture of the Church which will effectively take a huge segment of the population of the earth, the believers in Christ, and bring them up to heaven, without ever tasting death. (see I Cor. 15:50-51) Therefore Elijah and Enoch do not have to come back and die.
So who are they?
We are sure of several things. There are two of them. They work together. Their agreement further establishes the truth of their prophetic warnings. And their message and the plagues they bring leave the world with no excuse for not repenting. They are invincible until their testimony is complete.
What we can speculate is that it will be two Jewish men from Israel, who have received Christ after the rapture of the Church and God calls specifically to this task. Once their testimony is complete the anti-Christ/beast will have power over them to kill them.
The beast will go to Jerusalem, confront the two witnesses and kill them. Their bodies will lie in the streets of Jerusalem for 3 1/2 days while the world celebrates their deaths by sending gifts to one another. This is done to humilate them even further because the world hated them.
After the 3 1/2 days of their death, which anyone who goes without food or water that long is considered dead, God's Spirit/breath will enter them and they will be resurrected and live again. This will be in full view of the world, who will be dumbstruck and filled with great fear to see them come alive again. And at that moment a voice from heaven will call to them to "come up" and they will go up in a cloud.
The after effect of this will be a great earthquake that will level a 10th of the city and kill 7000 people in Jerusalem.
Their reasoning for these choices is that the Bible tells us "it is appointed to men once to die and then the judgment.' (Hebrews 9:27) Elijah and Enoch did not die but were brought up to heaven by God. Therefore to fulfill this scripture they must die. Also, the miracles they will do are similar to those done by Moses and Elijah. So that is why they might believe it is them.
There are a few reasons why I don't believe it is them.
1. Rev. 11 is vague as to their identities. It calls them "two olive trees and lampstands" which is a designation for Spirit-filled believers. It seems to me if Moses and Elijah were the two witnesses the Bible would specifically tell us it was them since they both represent the Law and the Prophets of the Old Testament. That would be news to know.
2. The miracles they will wrought are much more powerful than anything Moses and Elijah did. They will have the power to keep it from raining for 1260 days. Also, they are given power to devour their enemies with fire that shoots out from their mouths. They will also have the power to turn the water of the earth into blood and cause all kinds of plagues to go world-wide. Moses and Elijahs miracles were limited to the Middle East.
3. As far as fulfilling Heb. 9:27, we know that not everyone will die and go to judgment. The Bible tells us about the event of the Rapture of the Church which will effectively take a huge segment of the population of the earth, the believers in Christ, and bring them up to heaven, without ever tasting death. (see I Cor. 15:50-51) Therefore Elijah and Enoch do not have to come back and die.
So who are they?
We are sure of several things. There are two of them. They work together. Their agreement further establishes the truth of their prophetic warnings. And their message and the plagues they bring leave the world with no excuse for not repenting. They are invincible until their testimony is complete.
What we can speculate is that it will be two Jewish men from Israel, who have received Christ after the rapture of the Church and God calls specifically to this task. Once their testimony is complete the anti-Christ/beast will have power over them to kill them.
The beast will go to Jerusalem, confront the two witnesses and kill them. Their bodies will lie in the streets of Jerusalem for 3 1/2 days while the world celebrates their deaths by sending gifts to one another. This is done to humilate them even further because the world hated them.
After the 3 1/2 days of their death, which anyone who goes without food or water that long is considered dead, God's Spirit/breath will enter them and they will be resurrected and live again. This will be in full view of the world, who will be dumbstruck and filled with great fear to see them come alive again. And at that moment a voice from heaven will call to them to "come up" and they will go up in a cloud.
The after effect of this will be a great earthquake that will level a 10th of the city and kill 7000 people in Jerusalem.
15.2.11
14 Reasons why the Church will not go through the Tribulation cont.
6. The Great Tribulation, while affecting the whole earth, especially concerns Israel. Jeremiah 30:7 - "The times of Jacob's trouble".
Matt. 24:22 - "Days shorten, elect."
Israel tribes - vs.30 - "tribes mourn."
7. The promise to the church concerning her gathering to the Lord is timeless and signless.
8. Enoch, that pre-eminent O.T. saint, who escaped by translation the judgment of the flood, has always been considered a type of the true church raptured before the storm of judgment of the Great Tribulation breaks. Hebrews 11:5
9. The 70th week is described both in the Old and New Testaments described as:
a. judgment
b. indignation
c. punishment
d. hour of trial
e. hour of trouble
f. destruction
g. darkness
The antithesis of I Thess. 5:9 is conclusive evidence that the church will not go through the tribulation: "For God appointed us not unto wrath, but unto obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ."
10. The doctrine of imminence concerning the rapture of the church. The scriptures warn the believer to be watching for the Lord Himself, not for signs that would precede his coming.
11. Rev. 1-3 present the development of the church in this present age. Chapters 4-11 cover the events of the entire 70th week period and conclude with the return of Christ to the earth to reign in 11:15-18. Thus the seals are the events of the first 3 1/2 years and the trumpets the last 3 1/2 years. Chapters 12-19 a second survey of God's timing.
12. Tribulation period begins with the confirmation of the false covenant. Dan. 9:27
13. If the church is here for the first 3 1/2 years then the 144,000 are seen as saved in the church but the scriptures say they are Jewish witnesses.
14. The Last Trumpet - The trumpets of Rev. 11 are followed by judgment and Christ ascending. In I Thess. 4 the "trump of God," for the church is singular. In Rev. 11 there are several. I Thess. 4 the trumpet brings blessing, life and glory and in Rev. 11 it brings judgment. In I Thess. 4 it is a "moment," "a twinkling of an eye." In Rev. 10:7 it extends over a period of time.
Ok that is it for the 14 Reasons. Stay tuned for more posts.
Matt. 24:22 - "Days shorten, elect."
Israel tribes - vs.30 - "tribes mourn."
7. The promise to the church concerning her gathering to the Lord is timeless and signless.
8. Enoch, that pre-eminent O.T. saint, who escaped by translation the judgment of the flood, has always been considered a type of the true church raptured before the storm of judgment of the Great Tribulation breaks. Hebrews 11:5
9. The 70th week is described both in the Old and New Testaments described as:
a. judgment
b. indignation
c. punishment
d. hour of trial
e. hour of trouble
f. destruction
g. darkness
The antithesis of I Thess. 5:9 is conclusive evidence that the church will not go through the tribulation: "For God appointed us not unto wrath, but unto obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ."
10. The doctrine of imminence concerning the rapture of the church. The scriptures warn the believer to be watching for the Lord Himself, not for signs that would precede his coming.
11. Rev. 1-3 present the development of the church in this present age. Chapters 4-11 cover the events of the entire 70th week period and conclude with the return of Christ to the earth to reign in 11:15-18. Thus the seals are the events of the first 3 1/2 years and the trumpets the last 3 1/2 years. Chapters 12-19 a second survey of God's timing.
12. Tribulation period begins with the confirmation of the false covenant. Dan. 9:27
13. If the church is here for the first 3 1/2 years then the 144,000 are seen as saved in the church but the scriptures say they are Jewish witnesses.
14. The Last Trumpet - The trumpets of Rev. 11 are followed by judgment and Christ ascending. In I Thess. 4 the "trump of God," for the church is singular. In Rev. 11 there are several. I Thess. 4 the trumpet brings blessing, life and glory and in Rev. 11 it brings judgment. In I Thess. 4 it is a "moment," "a twinkling of an eye." In Rev. 10:7 it extends over a period of time.
Ok that is it for the 14 Reasons. Stay tuned for more posts.
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