Undone

I'm back from our elder retreat...This retreat complete ripped me up...shredded me...honestly...I was on my knees crying last night...why? Because I love this area...I love South Bend...I believe that God wants to do something here through us that will just blow my mind...I believe that there are a lot of people in this city that do not know him...do not love him..do not follow him...and it breaks my heart...aches my heart...it brought me to my knees...so my prayer is: "God...you Break Through...do it, God..."

Here are some highlights from our weekend:
-I loved the hour+ car-ride with my wife...love talking with her
-I ENJOY hanging out with the team and their wives...we have A LOT of fun together!
-I didn't like watching my basketball team leave the retreat, and I couldn't play because of my ankle!
-We watched a message by Perry Noble (a pastor in S. C.) Quotes:
"Don't take your eyes off of where you are going"
"You are messed up"
"I want to be in a place where it is o.k. to not be o.k."
"When you run from God it gets really bad"
"Less politics (in church) and more Jesus"
"God will provide...all you have to do is follow"

THEY WERE PORTABLE FOR 4 YEARS! HAD THOUSANDS COMING...

Jim had us write out different memories that we had of the year...I'll post those at another time...

AMAZING weekend...can't wait for tomorrow morning!

Retreat...

Our annual elder retreat starts tonight...I love the time to get together with the staff and elders, their wives and hang out together...pray together...wrestle through the future together. I LOVE working with them and look forward to what God is going to do through Grace. I have spent A LOT of time praying about what God is and will do through us...I know the other guys have too..."God we long to join YOU in what YOU are doing...reveal it and give us the courage to ACT!" CAN'T WAIT...is it 6 p.m. yet?!?!

Best $1 you'll spend!

I love our worship pastor Jerimae's heart. HE LOVES PEOPLE...he is so much more than a musician...so much more than a "music guy." He has the heart of a pastor...he loves people...especially hurting people. Recently he recorded a new song called "Break Through." The song IS his heart...I would encourage all of you to go to the site listed below and buy the song for $1...PLUS...EVERY CENT WILL GO TOWARD BUYING FOOD VOUCHERS FOR PEOPLE! Here is a word from him about this:


Jerimae Yoder- New Song

The Long Awaited NEW Song!
After a two year hiatus from the studio, the new song "Break Through" will be available exclusively through www.indieheaven.com/artists/jerimaeyoder.

Please download this song- it's only $1! All proceeds will be going to feed homeless and struggling families through Grace Community's "Community of Hope" ministries in South Bend IN. We give out food vouchers to as many people as we can through Community of Hope. We had over 150 people show up last month and only 40 vouchers. Please help us be apart of the solution- it's only a buck!

You can also click on the following link to take you to Indieheaven's Fan Favs charts. Click on view other charts" and view all. The song was just added so look near the bottom of the chart (today it was #127).

Lastly, this song came out of the prayers of our people- literally. It poured out onto a page Friday, January 9 and we played it that Sunday in Worship. I thought that would be the end of it, but the response was bigger than I anticipated and many asked me to record it, so I did. Let this song be your prayer for 2009!

Forward this on to a friend who likes music and has a dollar- Make a difference in someone's life.

Jerimae

A life lesson from...flossing

Growing up I can remember going to the dentist and it was the same story EVERY time. "Tim, you need to make sure you floss, because if you don't your will get gum disease." Later it became, "Tim you need to floss because you are in the early stages of gum disease." GUESS WHAT?!?! That didn't motivate me...I was warned, by an expert, and still didn't do it...well, I did it, you know, once every once in a while...so a couple of cavities later, some swollen gums AND one PAINFUL dentist visit I started to floss...and I floss VERY regularly...actually, I fear not flossing because my gums are the best ever and I don't want to get out of the habit!

MAN...the same is said for my spiritual life and Bible Reading...God is the expert and he says to be connectd to him. Reading the Bible is a HUGE part of staying close to God and I HAVE TO DO IT...WHY? Because I have to stay spiritually healthy...I have to be growing and learning about my Creator...I have to stay consistent or else, just like I used to with flossing, I'll just stop...and then I'll be spiritually unhealthy...I have to clean out my heart and take care on my mind and heart. I have to consistently read the Word...if not, I'll get out of the habit and start looking to my own wisdom (VERY SCAREY THOUGHT!) and not God's wisdom...

I best stop right now 'cause I haven't read the Bible yet today...BOUCHER, GO DIG IN!

ARGH...You know what...I no sooner typed that last message and I checked my email...replied...got flowing and now it is several minutes later and I STILL HAVEN'T DUG IN...Alright...I leaving my office...going to the couch...and READING MY BIBLE!

Career Talk

I get to go to Jaden's Kindergarten class and talk about what I do for a living...I can't wait! It should be fun...I'm taking some popcorn for the kids, since we meet in a theater...got some pics too...looking forward to sharing my life with them and that you really can have your dream job!

Senior Recital...WOW, you mean I could sing?!

We went to Kelsey's grandma's apartment in Indy today and she popped in a video...and the video started with Kels playing violin at her senior recital at Grace College...MAN COULD SHE PLAY! She REALLY needs to get that instrument back out and play again...the kids just were looking at the screen in awe...that "Is that really you mom?!?!" BEAUTIFUL...

THEN, grandma hit the rewind button and BAM...there I was...in a tux...singing my heart out at MY senior recital...1 hour+ of me singing in German, French, Italian and English...folk songs, "serious songs" and show tunes...even ended the recital with "Be Thou My Vision" and you know what...God really has been my vision over the past 13 years!

FUNNY PART...I still messed up on the same song...after all these years...13 to be exact, I still started singing a lullaby in French and then made up German words for the whole first verse before I got back on track in verse two! The best part is, no one really knew! Even my friend, who spoke German and sat in the front row, didn't realize that I made up the words!

It was really, really fun to watch...brought back A LOT of memories of some painful HOURS spent in practice rooms. WOW!! FUN MEMORIES!

The Flood

You thought I was going to talk about Noah didn't you! Well...I'm sitting in the office right now...can't sit at my desk, cause there are boxes all over it...can't sit in Jerimae's office, cause there are boxes all over it. I'm waiting (very patiently I might add ;-> ) for the carpet cleaner to come...for those of you who missed it earlier this week, we had a flood in our office on Saturday. Ceiling tile on the floor...large puddles...mess EVERYWHERE...I have been very impressed this week with the workers in our office building...they have put in A LOT of hours getting us back on track. Today is one of the final steps to getting our office back...come soon Mr. Carpet Man...

So what are my thoughts today? Honestly...hoping that this is almost over. I just don't like to spend too much time on moving stuff...cleaning...I am thankful that nothing expensive was destroyed. God really had a hand it that...cause A LOT got wet...

Oh Mr. Carpet Man come soon...please come soon!!

God is in control...

Do you believe it? How does that phrase..."God is in control" effect the way that you live? How does it encourage you? I set it out as a goal for this week to take time and stop everything...and just listen and pray to God. THAT IS NOT EASY...life is busy...there is a lot to be done...BUT I have to stop all that and let my mind only think about God...tough-VITAL-and then I'm grateful that I did it...so here I go...off-line...BUT on-line with the creator of the world...

Hey...find your time to stop too...I KNOW THAT YOU DON'T HAVE TIME to do that, BUT you can't afford to NOT stop yourself and turn your mind to our creator...

Historic Day...

Today was a historic day...As I watched the inauguration of now President Barack Obama, I was moved. The whole ceremony...the future...the "changing of the guard." To think that 44 times there has been a peaceful change in power in our country...incredible. His speech today was moving and powerful...he is a dynamic speaker...I pray hard for Pres. Obama...for the decisions he will have to make...I thought Rick Warren did an outstanding job of keeping his prayer focused on what the day should be about...the quartet was breath-taking...the # of people that were there to experience the day...millions of people. I'm so glad that I watched it...would have been amazing to have been there...

Monday Reflections...

I found myself at the end of our service yesterday with tears streaming down my face. Jerimae and the band was playing God of this City...and I couldn't control myself. I LOVE the Michiana area...my heart aches and breaks for this area. I long to see every person in a relationship with Jesus Christ...a life-changing...real...deep...passionate relationship with Jesus. I long to see marriages being restored and more than that...I long to see EVERY SINGLE marriage THRIVING. I long to see kids...coming to Jesus...following him and loving and helping other people. I long to see the elderly in our community finishing strong...I long to see thousands in our area saying this is the year to get serious about their relationship with God...to run from addictions...run from trying to be good enough and simple come to God and turn to him.

We started our series on our theme for this year..."It's Time...to THRIVE!" Pastor Jim really "brought it" during his message yesterday...He set me up for my "breakdown." And I have to say...I'm glad he did!

After the service we had our 2nd Direction meeting...a chance for people to learn more about what is happening at Grace. This one was more info driven than the first one and very good. One question that came up was "So how do you decide when to be live and when to have video?" GREAT QUESTION...our principle is that we are 3x's video...1x live every month. That is a PRINCIPLE though...we have time when we are video 4-6 weeks straight and then 3 of the past 4 were live. The point is...we want the Spirit to guide what is shared and not some ridged rule...I believe it has worked well...

Another question was about our location...here is the deal for me...I would love to be in a more permanent spot someday...actually, I believe we will be...may be months...may be a year or 2...seeking God's heart on that!...BUT that is not an end all. Portable or not...Church building or warehouse...pews or chairs...Main St. or Back St...those things are not what is most important. Most important is whether or not the Spirit is moving among the people...Are THE PEOPLE attached to the ultimate power source...are THE PEOPLE using their unfair advantage (The Holy Spirit)...are THE PEOPLE friendly...are THE PEOPLE passionate...If those thing are there...WOW...the sky is the limit..."God always keep Grace Community using YOU as the source of EVERYTHING that we do!"

Raining Inside...

I got a call today from Heath, a good friend and a pastor, saying he was in our office space and water was POURING in...needless to say, I went running out the door with my daughter to see what was happening. Sure enough...pouring was the right word...our copier was wet...our carpet has STANDING water...Kyle, a passionate musician that goes to our church, had A LOT of equipment that was wet. The jury is still out on whether anything was ruined...letting everything dry out first.

A few thank yous come to my mind though...Heath, Kyle, Ben, Rachel, Kim...all came to our rescue. I was working at home while this happened and had my phone in the kitchen. I didn't hear it vibrate, BUT those people moved things in our office and probably saved THOUSANDS of $$ of equipment. THANKS!

It also reminded me that this stuff is temporary. Fancy copiers and laptops and digital camera's are really cool...GREAT tools...BUT what really matters are people. And that is what I will remember about today (well at least once we get everything cleaned up!)...the people that came through when I couldn't be there...people from our church and not that pulled through for us. "Thanks God that you put those people at our office building at the right time." God is good...even in CRAZY times!

Good thoughts...

Here is a post from Mark Batterson...a pastor in D.C. Food for thought!

"I was part of an interesting gathering yesterday called The Movement. Not even sure how I got invited. But it was quite an eclectic group. I sat at a table with Hank Hanegraffe, the Bible Answer Man. And I was in a discussion group with Phil Vischer, creator of Veggie Tales. Talk about left-brain and right-brain ends of the thought spectrum. Lots of different theological and methodological persuasions represented.Just thought I'd share some personal reflections. The gathering really revolved around this question: what's wrong with the church? That isn't the way it was phrased. And it wasn't meant in a negative way. I think everyone gathered deeply loves and believes in the church. But the church-at-large has issues. And we need to be humble enough, honest enough, and courageous enough to admit it.Here's my take.I think the modern church has fixated on sins of commission. Don't do this and don't do that and you're alright. But that's not alright. Why? Because goodness is not the absence of badness. You can do nothing wrong and still do nothing right. That is why we're more known for what we're against than what we're for. Christianity was never intended to be a noun. It was meant to be a verb. It is sins of omission, those things we could have, would have, or should have done for the cause of Christ, that grieve our Heavenly Father. We've got to quit playing defense and start playing offense. We need to quit fighting amongst ourselves and start loving our enemies. We need to quit pointing out problems and become part of the solution. Discipleship is so much more than the accumulation of rote knowledge. It's a sanctified imagination that dreams God-sized dreams. It is a heart that breaks for the things that break the heart of God. It's not enough to create our own sub-culture. We desperately need to raise up a generation that feels called to culture-shaping professions as God-ordained vocations. We cannot reduce the gospel to the forgiveness of sins. It's about glorifying God by maximizing our God-given potential and serving our God-ordained purpose. It can't just be about creeds. It's got to be about deeds. It can't just be about us. It's got to be about others. We need the courage to stand up for what's right in a culture where nothing is wrong. But we need to do it in a spirit of humility. We need the courage to incarnate the gospel in creative ways. But we need to do it in a spirit of authenticity. And we need the courage to preach the truth, the whole truth, nothing but the truth. But we need to do it in a spirit of grace."

I'm proud of these guys...

Here is a link that Pastor Jim had on his blog of a news story done on Elkhart, IN. I have to say that what impressed me the most was the work those men were doing. These guys are out of work and VOLUNTEERING their time to build a shelter. That shows STRONG character. STOP and pray right now for everyone you know that needs work...PRAY!

Here is the news story. (Take note of the woman's shirt in the interview...she attends our Goshen Campus...)

http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=6649667

These pics are better!

I was challenged to go outside without a T-shirt on...so here you go! And it is -15 now!

A Pic

YEP...had to have a picture of me standing outside in -12 degree weather...I think my face is frozen in that position!!

-11 & 0

President Bush is on TV right now...Here is an interesting stat that was just shared...there have been 0...you read it ZERO, terrorist attacks on U.S. soil since 9/11. THAT is a stat you don't hear very often, but I think it is profound!

It is -11 degrees outside...THAT is a South Bend Record...kidding...by the time I finished writing this it dropped to -12!!!!

Pastor's Update...

Here is the link to my video update for this week...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDsAlwdtkIQ&feature=channel_page

Could you be that person...

Just got off the phone with a man who made the comment "Sometimes the people you expect to be there aren't, but God puts other people there to help you." BE that person to someone today...the person who shows up for someone...the person who invests themselves into people...Be ready...God is going to bring people across your path!

Hitting a target...

Last Friday I went with a couple of my friends to a shooting range. They are WAY better than me! I really had a good time...Something hit me while I was there...you see we went into our lane...got our guns out...put the ammo in...put on the eye and ear protection...then we did something else...we didn't stop there. We could have just started shooting...shooting out into the open room...shooting at the wall or the ceiling, maybe even the back black wall...we could have done that, BUT we never would have known what we hit...so what did we do? We put up a target. Something to shoot at...something to measure our success...It was very clear when we hit the target and when we didn't. As I prepared to preach this past Saturday it hit me...THAT is why I set goals...why our church sets goals. We need a target...we could just shoot into an open room...never knowing if we were accomplishing anything OR we could put a target, our goals, out in the room and then we know how we are doing...where we need to adjust...what we need to work on...what we are doing well. So, if you haven't done it already...set some goals for this year...put them out there...have a target to shoot at, you'll be glad you did!

It's Time...

We are going to announce our theme for this year on Sunday. "It's Time" is the theme...I'm so excited about it right now I wish it was Saturday night already!!!! Want to see God do something amazing this year...something that blows our minds...I can already feel it...sense it...it's an anticipation of the Spirit of the living God changing people forever. PRAY...for God to move in the hearts of people...PRAY...that the lost find him...PRAY...that more people connect with Grace than at any other time...PRAY...for that concern that you have-that God will breakthrough...PRAY...and thank God Jesus-what he has done for you...PRAY...

24

I LOVE 24...Jack is back and I am soooooooooooooooooo glad. I love the show...love the action...love the leadership principles...just a great show...I have seen every season... And I'll admit it...I want to be Jack for Jesus...sounds crazy...but I want to be on the front lines of seeing people's lives being transformed...of marriages being restored...of people giving up addictions...of bring the best out of people...people doing more than they think that they can...of making decisions in the heat of the moment...with the best information I have at the time...but moving forward...making "it" happen...know what I mean?! I want to spend my life making a DIRECT impact on people...

What does it take to be that person? What kind of training is needed? What will have to be given up to accomplish that? What disciplines will I have to develop? What habits must change? Then...when those questions are answered...am I really willing to follow through? WOW...

Theodore Roosevelt:
"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat."

More anticipation than ever...

I am excited...it's not a giddy excitement...it's an excitement way down in my gut...one of anticipation...one that makes me WANT to go to work...one that makes me want to find out what God is up too! Have you ever had a time when you just sense that God is up to something and little by little he is letting you in on it? THAT is where I am...I compare it to playing video games. NO REALLY...think about it...the more you play and the better you get at the game...you unlock more and more levels. There is more that you are able to do. Same in life...God only gives us so much information and then a time comes when he just unlocks another level for you.

I'm there right now...last week I spent a lot of time going through old journals of mine. Looking back and seeing where I was and what God had done. I realized as I read my journal from '06 that God had answered EVERY SINGLE PRAYER! I prayed for the opportunity to lead more people to Jesus and in the past two years I have seen more than the other 33 years combined! I prayed to be a part of a church that was impacting their community and seeing life change. I HAVE THAT! I prayed for a children's leader and worship leader to rise up...AND IT HAPPENED...I longed for a day when we would be seeing God move and acting on it...AND WE DO!!

SO WHAT...you may ask...first it makes me thank God for what he has done...and thank him A LOT...I was in tears last week thanking God...I actually locked our office door and was jumping around...crying...laughing and THANKING GOD for what he had done. (Should I really admit that?!?!?!?) THEN...it makes me anticipate what God is up too now...the requests that I have for him today...the goals that I have personally and the goals for our church...the dreams that I have...things that I long to see happen...OH...if God can do what he has done over the past 3 years, what can he do now. I'll admit...I'm dreaming bigger this time around!!

We won!

Yep! Our basketball team won their first game today...and it felt good. Except that I can tell that I ate too much over Christmas and didn't run! Guess I better get myself back in shape!

Attitude and Love...

Attitude is everything...tonight we finished painting the hallway...Wednesday we were painting too, but it was quite a different experience. Let's just say I was a jerk for most (well actually) ALL DAY...feel free to ask Kels she'll tell you (or don't, cause...why stir all that up again anyway!!)

Here's the deal...I am glad that people love me inspite of how I act sometimes...how I get grumpy or say something that hurts...I'm glad for forgiveness! How about we all remember how good it feels to receive forgiveness and to have someone be patient with us. THEN, let's treat others that way...let's treat each other BETTER than we deserve!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Journaling...

I read through my old journal entries today and was reminded of how God has moved in my life and those around me in the past years. I had smiles...tears...shouts of "THANKS GOD"...it really challenged me to make sure I remember where I'm from, so that I trust God with what he is doing in the future...also was good encouragement to journal more this year!

Be My Everything

I finished my last post and headed to Pastor Jim's blog...our lead pastor...Wednesday he had a post called "Be My Everything" I'll just say, click on the post below and spend 4 minutes of your day watching the video...YOU WILL BE GLAD YOU DID...I am...

http://thebrownbytes.blogspot.com/2009/01/be-my-everything.html

God is moving...

Today we had the opportunity to give away food vouchers again...Something really grabbed me today though...something different...something deeper...I was thinking of what it must have been like to be Jesus. No really...what would he be thinking about as he gave away the vouchers. Jesus would be encouraged that his people have sacrifically gave enough money to provide 160+ food vouchers to HIS community...to feed HIS people.

Then today I was standing at the entrance of our office building...talking with people...people that our Father LOVES and telling them that we were out...we didn't have any more to give...I looked deeply into some of their eyes and sensed the pain...their struggle...my mind went to Jesus again...We read about the people that he healed...we read about the people that he fed...BUT, I believe that there were people that he did not help...yet he saw their needs...he saw their struggles. What an unbelievable heaviness that must have been...NOT a paralyzing heaviness...but a weight...one that he MUST have given to His Father...Jesus...God-as-man...was not, in his human side...able to help everyone...so he must have felt that tension, yet in His perfection, he found peace... I find great power in that...that my Savior knows how I feel tonight...that I am completely EXCITED...PUMPED UP about MANY lives that we were able to touch, help and pray with...AND I feel completely HEAVY about the MANY lives that we were unable to touch.

"Thank you God, that you are just that...GOD...the all powerful...all knowing...creator of the world...who gave us the perfect example in your Son...who knew how to deal PERFECTLY with this tension...the ultimate joy, yet heaviness...AND HE PROMISES to give us the strength and courage to THRIVE and not just survive with the tension that exists between those we are able and not able to help. I sure love you God!"

My prayer for '09

God work in me
God work in those around me
God show me where you are working
God give me the courage to act immediately

Better things!

Now on to better things...Here is the link to my pastor's update for this week. Very fun...sure glad I didn't get hurt in the process!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUb_YPidFmI

Ouch...

If you're from Ohio...you understand...The Drive...The Fumble...The Blowout...The Blowout II...NOW: The Drive II...Ouch...

COME ON BUCKS!

MAN that band is good! GO BUCKS! You won the half-time show...NOW go win the 2nd half and get us a Bowl victory!!!!!

Monday Reflections...

I really enjoyed having 3 days off last week to hang out with the family. My parents came in over the weekend...it was GREAT. The kids' rooms are officially done and look great. Kelsey is so creative and really did a FANTASTIC job making those rooms fit the kids...AWESOME!

Yesterday's service was incredible...we really broke it down yesterday...I had everyone write out things they were thankful for...things they were concerned about going into 2009 and ways that God BROKE THROUGH in 2008. We took the concerns we had...tore them up...threw them in the trash...BUT we didn't stop there! We threw the trash away...just emptied the trash cans and threw the trash bags outside...OUR CONCERNS WERE TRULY THROWN OUT! It was a moving moment...AWESOME...we ended the service with testimonies...great to hear the heart of our people...my dad shared too! Cool to hear what God is doing in his life.

I have to say that Kyle and Jerimae did a fanstastic job yesterday...they were "on" for the whole service...the music never stopped...they were either singing and playing or providing background while I spoke and people were writing...LOVED IT! I feel soooooo blessed to work with them!

OH...I have to mention the chance I had to pray with a man before the service started who wanted to know Jesus. HOW COOL IS THAT!? THAT is how you want to start the new year...

God is really working all around us...I see him in so many people's lives...it is really overwhelming..."God continue the break through...Keep showing us where you are working...we'll meet you there!"