November 12, 2008 by Pastor Jon.
Well we achieved another 1st. This past Sunday we held our 1st team meeting in our new building. This coming Saturday we will start the painting and clean up to get ready to launch.
God told me about a month ago to get ready to run. Well it is full tilt to get ready for our 2/08/09 launch.
The real work has begun, and Janice and I are loving every minute of it.
More to come soon.
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October 10, 2008 by Pastor Jon.
Well the time is growing close. We have set our date for the full launch. It will be February 8th, 2009.
Shortly I will be meeting with the owner of a church building in Jenkinsburg Georgia. (Just 4 miles south of the Locust Grove city hall). Hopefully we will be in the building with in about a month.
It is small and will need a little TLC, but it is in great location on Hwy 42. The future for Redeemer’s Way and call of God will get off to a great start here.
More updates to follow.
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September 22, 2008 by Pastor Jon.
We had a fun meeting this past week at Illona’s. We enjoyed dinner and good conversation.
I then took a few minutes to share.
Psalms 48 vs. 8 As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the LORD Almighty, in the city of our God: God makes her secure forever. Selah
I had been praying for clear direction on the church plant. I keep hearing “get ready to run.” I felt that we have a strong word; we have just not seen the fruit of it as yet. God then led me to the above verse. As we have heard, so have we seen. It was God confirming once again that not only will we hear His word, but we will see the fruit.
We must continue to be faithful and know that God is doing a work in all of our lives during this time of waiting.
I also keep hearing “Set a Part” So this week Janice and I are fasting TV. I know that may sound strange since when most people think of fasting they think of food. But for me I need to make sure my mind is clear to hear God’s voice and direction. I am asking that all of our team consider joining with us this week in this fast. If you already rarely watch TV, perhaps there is something else you can give up for the week.
Let us set ourselves apart to hear God’s voice. Let’s press in and take our relationship with Christ to the next level. God has called us to a hard task and it is time for us to step up and press in to launch Redeemer’s Way.
Remember be storng and courageous (Joshua 1:9)
Pastor Jon
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September 11, 2008 by Pastor Jon.
Just before work this morning I visited www.history.com. They have an interactive map of New York City. You can click on certain spots around the map and an eyewitness video will play showing the events of 9/11 from that vantage point. I was shocked by the emotions that stirred within me. I could only handle watching two of the short clips.
I remember I was sitting at my desk that morning. One of my co-workers said that a plane had crashed into the first tower. We quickly pulled up the live videos on our computers, and we were stunned as we watched the second plane crash. I was safe, hundreds of miles away in Atlanta
May we never forget, never forget the firemen, police and ordinary people that risked and sacrificed their own lives to save others.
May we never forget the men and women who were just trying to go about their normal everyday lives.
May we never forget those who thought they were flying to a vacation of a lifetime, or trying to get home to a loved one only to find it a nightmare.
May we never forget those who sacrificed their lives so that flight 93 would never find the terrorists target.
May we never forget the men and women of the Pentagon who lost their lives that day.
May we never forget those who survived but still live daily with the scars, both seen and unseen.
May we never forget the men and women who serve and sacrifice in the Armed Services to make sure it does not happen again.
May we never forget 9/11/2001
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August 29, 2008 by Pastor Jon.
I am always amazed how God seems to show up when I least expect it. Last Sunday night we had our weekly team meeting. Our team is going through “Cleansing Stream” so once a month we show a video teaching from their ministry. I did not have to prepare a lesson for the evening. So I took the time off prior to the meeting to relax. The plan was to do a few praise and worship songs then watch the video. But as usual, God had other plans. God showed up during praise and worship, and one of our team members expressed a deep need. We then spent time praying over them and God brought about the healing that was needed. We still watched the video, but it was obvious that it was not the priority of the evening. In this case, my lack of planning got my agenda out of the way and opened the door for God to accomplish His. He truly is faithful, and His ways are greater than mine. I am thankful that he allows me to participate.
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July 24, 2008 by Pastor Jon.
Yes we are still here. Life has been busy, and unfortunately the blog has taken a back seat. I will do my best to blog more often. The church plant is moving forward and exciting things have been happening.
Today, Janice completed her panel interview for her Pastor’s License. This was the last step she needed to complete to be fully licensed with Foursquare.
On June 15th we started weekly team meetings. We are still looking for a meeting place in Locust Grove, so for now we are meeting at the home of Dwight and Judy Bone in Stockbridge. This also started the 2nd phase of our plant. “Crossing the Jordan” (Phase 3 will be “Possessing the Land” once we do a full launch in Locust Grove). The team received a battle plan that lays out specific areas to pray for each day of the week. Send me an e-mail if you would like a copy, info@livingway.net
Speaking of Dwight and Judy Bone, they have agreed to become the Associate Pastors of Redeemer’s Way. They have a true heart to reach out to people in new and creative ways. They are co-leaders with Mike and Dee Klett of “Brothers of the Covenant” motorcycle ministry and have been leading a Celebrate Recovery group at
Living Wayin Stockbridge. They are a couple that will take our ministry to the next level. On June 15th the team anointed and prayed over them as they assume this new level of leadership.
Our website has taken on a new look. Thanks to Chris Stallings and his programming skills, we have been able to update our look. Be sure and check it out @ www.redeemersway.com Chris is continuing to keep it updated and fresh. Keep referring to it often as we are continually adding new information.
Within the next month we hope to start a Wednesday night service. We are working hard to find a place for this service in the Locust Grove area. We will keep you updated as soon as we have the details worked out.
Finally, the audio for several of our team meetings are available on www.redeemersway.com and www.sermonconnect.com/redeemersway Over the next several weeks we hope to have them all on line. Thanks again to Chris for helping me with the recording and editing.
Be strong and courageous, (Joshua 1:9)
Pastor Jon
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June 6, 2008 by Pastor Jon.
I wanted to post this to honor the brave men that sacrficed their lives on D-Day. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt leads the nation in prayer on June 6, 1944 as the battle of D-Day began.
Click here to listen http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUy1ejRq9RE
Thanks,
Pastor Jon
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May 25, 2008 by Pastor Jon.
I want to take you on a journey. What will Redeemer’s Way look like? Well what it will look like really depends a lot on those people that will come along on this journey. But here are some possibilities.
So sit back and picture it as if you are there. It is a Sunday morning. The service does not start for 30 more minutes, but people are beginning to gather. Of course there are smiling greeters at the door. Once inside the coffee, tea, and juice is flowing freely. Inside the sanctuary round tables and chairs fill the room. People laughing at one table, at another, friends are praying for each other. At another one someone is excitedly sharing something they learned that week from the word of God. Some are in suits, others in jeans and t-shirts. Some are cleaner than others. Oh yea there is plenty of biker leather to go around. Culturally the room is melting pot of all races and ages. Also inside are the underground greeters. No name tags, but they are on the lookout for new faces and missing faces.
Soon the worship leader steps up and gets everyone’s attention. Quickly the leader is in “the zone” as they enter the throne room of God. Then they remember where they are and they reach out to the congregation and begin to draw them in. Soon people begin to dance while others lay on the altar. But some just stand still in the moment.
In the nursery a baby is crying. The nursery minister is holding her close and begins to quietly pray in the spirit. Then she starts to sing before the Lord. Also in the room is the mother that has not slept for several nights because of the crying baby. The nursery minister holds the baby with one hand, and lays her hand on the mom. She begins to pray, she begins to prophesy. Soon the baby stops crying and even a smile comes across her face. The mother sits down in a near by rocker as it seems a weight has been lifted off of her shoulders.
In another room, the children are learning to worship and praise. The older children line up across the altar and the younger kids begin to come down for prayer. The children’s ministers move along the line teaching the older kids how to pray for them. Not only are they learning the word of God, they are being mentored to be ministers. Not just for the future but for today!
During the youth service a similar seen is taking place. Adults line the back of the room. Some are security, and others are intercessors providing spiritual security for the youth and the youth ministers as they work. If this takes place during a regular worship service there is a good chance there are more adults with the youth than in the “big” service.
Tuesday afternoon around 4:30 cars begin to drop off kids of all ages. It is homework time. Inside are teenagers, young adults, parents and teachers ready to tutor those who need help. Teachers will be at school and find a struggling child. I will be at Redeemer’s Way church this afternoon, why don’t you stop by and I can give you some extra help. Other kids that do not need help will beg to still come so they can work on their studies.
Before the school year started we invited the teachers and support staff of the nearby schools to a Saturday morning breakfast. We spent the morning edifying and building them up. We conclude with prayer and assigning an intercessor(s) to each teacher and support staff to cover them the entire year.
Saturday morning Brothers of the Covenant Motorcycle ministry arrive early on their Harleys. Soon teenagers and young adults on their sport bikes (Yamahas, Hondas, Suzukis) begin to pull up. The Brothers are conducting a biker clinic. They conduct a safety lesson, and then they teach how to do a bike tune up and basic maintenance. Finally they are invited to meet back again in two weeks to go on a ride together.
It is Friday night. A youth band is warming up. Once again coffee and sodas are flowing. The purpose tonight is to simply provide a safe place for teenagers to hang out. A safe place for positive peer pressure to flourish
One week during the summer we set up a big tent at one of the local trailer parks, or housing projects. We will take VBS to the community. The kids just need to step out their door. No transportation required.
Another Saturday morning Pastors from the surrounding area begin to show up. Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Church of God etc. They will come tired and weary. We will feed them a great breakfast, teach them a great word then send them away with resources they can take back to their ministries.
Of course this list could go on. Because our members are involved in Rotary, Kiwanis Lion’s club, and other service clubs. We will be in the charity walks, school fundraisers, and community festivals. Whenever the community needs something, we get a phone call. We will be masters at networking and relationship building. We will be everywhere.
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May 2, 2008 by Pastor Jon.
Mark 1: 32-38 That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon possessed. The whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let them speak because they knew who he was. Very early in the morning while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed; “Everyone is looking for you! Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else to the near by villages so I can preach there also. That is why I have come. (NIV) (Emphasis mine)
There is a lot we can learn from these few verses. It says that the whole town gathered, but Jesus healed many not all. Later when the town was looking for Him again, he moved on to the next town because that is what he was called to do. Jesus stayed focused on his calling. It would have been a “good” thing to stay in the same town, but there was a greater call. Because he had spent the solitary time with the Father, He was not swayed by the apparent need of the current town, but he knew when it was time to say “no,” and move on to the next.
People tend to live very busy lives. We often take on more than we should. This can just as easily happen in business, ministry and even our families. We do a lot of good things, but none of them become great. And these things are often unfulfilling and leave us feeling that we have not accomplished anything.
Chapter 5 in the book Good to Great by Jim Collins, he talks about the “Hedgehog Concept.” He defines it this way: foxes live a very complex and scattered life. Hedgehogs on the other hand do one thing and do it well. “[They] simplify a complex world into a single organizing idea, a basic principle or concept that unifies and guides everything.” p. 91
So has God called us to do a lot of good things, or has he called us to do a few great things. I tend to believe that it is the latter. We get caught up in the doing, and forget the purpose. Satan gets us distracted by doing “good” We get so busy we forget to spend time with the Father, with our families, we neglect our own health. God’s call is specific and sure. We must be able to identify that call, and then use that as the standard to judge the responsibilities and activities we take on
My goal is to try and live a life of focus. I want to live a life that goes beyond just doing. To do this I have to learn that is ok to say no. I have not found it yet, but I am looking for my “hedgehog concept.” What are those basic God given principles that unify and guide everything I do?
To live a life that is focused, we must define the essentials, and at the same time the non-essentials. First and foremost, we must be sure we have a strong habit of spending that solitary time with the Father. Without that we will never be focused on the right thing. I truly believe that our first focus should be on our relationship with the Father. Once that becomes our primary focus, ministry then becomes a fruit. We often get caught up and focus on the ministry but that only leads to us doing a lot of little things and then eventually burnout and discouragement.
Below are the examples from Good to Great. They were written for business, but I have tried to personalize them so that they can be applied on a personal level. Remember, before answering the following questions, we must be sure and seek guidance of the Holy Spirit. And also remember this is just a starting point.
Ø What are your natural and spiritual gifts and talents?
Ø What is your past experience?
Ø Do you feel like you were born to do this?
Ø What has God called you to do? Where do you fit in His plan?
Note: What you can be best at may not be what you are currently doing? p. 95
Ø What motivates you?
Ø What gives you energy to keep going?
Ø What will you do no matter what, even if you are not paid?
3. What are you deeply passionate about?
Ø Where do your dreams take you?
Ø What activities do you engage in that lead toward that passion?
I am sure this is a gross oversimplification, but it could provide a great starting point. The idea is to identify the activities of our lives that fulfill all three areas. These activities then become our focus. Yes there will always be times when we have to do other things that must be done. But do not let them become your priority. Spend time in the word and with the Father and he will keep you in focus on the right path. Hopefully with the help of the Spirit we can discover the guiding principals that will bring focus and clarity to our lives. These are the things that we should focus on.
In Isaiah 48:17 God says that he will teach us to profit and lead us by the way we should go. Listen and He will keep you focused.
Now the hard part is to do it.
You can learn more about Good to Great by visiting www.jimcollins.com/
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April 21, 2008 by Pastor Jon.
So it was when the Philistine rose and came and drew near to meet David, that David hurried and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine 1 Samuel 17:48 (emphasis mine)
David ran out to meet Goliath. From a logical stand point, David was not the best choice to send against Goliath. He was small, young and inexperienced. He did not have the confidence of King Saul, his brothers, or the rest of the army.
So ask yourself, do you see yourself as God sees you? Do you hear from God? Do you have the confidence to move out and run towards the battle? (Step out into what God has called you too.)
If not, then the place to start is with your relationship with Christ. Spend time each day in His word. Spend time in praise, worship and prayer. Make it a daily habit. This daily investment will continually draw you to find your place in God’s plan.
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