A Church Within A Church

May 5^th, 2008

There’s something happening in Bend Oregon.  On a warm Sunday evening  a lively crowd is gathering at a thing called “Journey”  This is going to be a special night, I can feel it- we’ve invited a special guest tonight, and I can already feel His impact before things even get started.  Something in the air is electric and a sense of energy surrounds us.  This special guest is about to rock our world tonight.

Journey was birthed a few years ago from the idea that our church needed somewhere for the college age kids to hang and learn about Jesus.  A bible study if you will.  It started with barely enough students to count on one hand, and they met every Sunday evening in a living room.  Soon, more students came, and it grew to the size of a small football team, and the meeting place was moved to the lounge area at our church. Fast forward now three years, and we have moved from the coffee lounge to our old sanctuary to the new (larger) sanctuary which seats about 700 people.  We’re not there.  Yet.  Lord willing though…

Journey is a church within a church.  We’re kind of like the younger sibling that’s a little too loud to bring out when the guests arrive.  Our music is loud, we come in shorts and flip flops, and we have long hair tattoos and piercings.  And we love Jesus!  We raise our hands, get our knees, yell out an amen, and give full on, sold out, surrendering type of worship to Jesus!That’s one of the greatest things about Journey - the authenticity and rawness.  There is only one rule:  It’s all about Jesus.  That’s our tagline, or mantra, and when it’s realized – it’s awesome.  We sit around tables because we don’t like pews or rows of chairs. We light tons of candles because its cool and we can.  We believe in community, and getting to know one another.  We don’t have a polished band, although the potential raw talent here is phenomenal, we don’t have the theatrics, the lighting, the budget or the stuffed shirts.  It is a come as you are atmosphere, where we don’t put on a big production to lure you in – we send our (His) people out in the streets full of excitement and passion to let the Holy Spirit leak out of them on to others.  The result is real people sitting down in a safe environment to listen to a potentially very dangerous message. 

Journey is a community.   Sorry, I know that’s the overused Christian-eese buzzword, but it’s really what we’ve become.  We’re not a community because we have similar tastes, but the same passion - to love Jesus.  We love to go out and engage our local culture!  Bend is small, by city standards, about 70,000, but still very diverse, and the need is as great here as in any other city.  There is about 6 months of winter here so the need to help the homeless is greater here than in a warmer climate.   Yes, there are still 4 seasons in Bend: Winter, June, July, and August.  Once a month a handful of us goes to the Shepherd’s House, a homeless shelter, and put on a dinner, some worship songs and I preach a short message.  We also do the same for Bethlehem Inn, another homeless shelter.  Once a month we prepare and serve them a nice hot breakfast.  We have a heart and a real compassion for the homeless and the needy.   We fill up garbage cans placed around the service on Sunday nights with things like toiletries, socks, gloves, hats, etc.  then distribute them to the needy in the area.  We are also involved in other community projects.  This summer we saved quarters for a few months, then disbanded to all the local laundry mats and paid for everyone’s laundry.  The conversations that stemmed from that were nothing short of authentic and real.  Some loved it; some thought we were some kind of Jesus freaks.  It was awesome.

And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ Matt: 25:40

Keith Kirkpatrick is the one who really birthed Journey a few years back.  There are not many men I know of who have the passion Keith has for Jesus.  It’s contagious, it’s real, and it’s stinking awesome!  Keith is our pastor, and he is an up on your toes, energetic, speak the truth in love pastor.  He is really a God send.  Trust me your not clock watching when Keith is speaking.  We cover topics that our relevant to our culture, as well as topics you may not hear at your traditional “church”  We spent almost 8 months on the book of Revelation that was a “journey” in and of itself.  Some churches are ‘afraid to even tackle that book, or are so Left Behind, that it’s just a big scare you into believing tactic.  How awesome is it to know the end game result and be part of the winning team.  Team Jesus! 

Broken, confused, alcoholic, homeless, they’re all here.  We welcome anyone that wants to have their world rocked by Jesus.  Our doors are open to all.  And it can get messy.  That’s when you know you’re being effective.  We send out a van every Sunday night to a couple of homeless shelters, and have some homeless friends from a camp not far from our church show up.  We have teen agers, grey hairs (like me) and everything in between.  It’s bound to get interesting with that crowd.  We have had people walk up to the stage during worship and flat out stare down the worship leader, all the time wondering what will he do next.  Pretty trippy if you’re the worship leader.  A homeless man lay down on the floor weeping and praising God in front of everyone.  And just the other week I noticed a man from the streets reaching into a plastic bag in the back.  Drugs?  No, he was just rolling a smoke for later.  I just sat back with a smile on my face thinking to myself…this is where Jesus would hang out if He were walking through Bend tonight. 

The special guest I talked about at the onset was the Holy Spirit.  He showed up big time.  The night was May 5^th, 2008.  We were going through Revelation and before the teaching Keith and I were talking about the night ahead.  The message was on the wedding feast, and that one day we would be singing and praising with the greatest worship leader of all time.  Jesus!  How cool is that gonna be?  The thought of people not knowing Christ and not participating got me thinking.  We need to pray for those people tonight.  Pray like we mean it.  In the upstairs maintenance room was a piece of Styrofoam about 3 feet by 6 feet.  I said to Keith “we should take this Styrofoam board and have people write the name of anyone they know who is not saved on it, and let’s pray for them.  That night the worship music was incredible.  Moving.  During the course of worship that night, a long winding line of people formed waiting to get to the “prayer board”.  When the night was over there were over 250 names written on that board!   That board rocks!   We bring that board out for every service now, and people can and do go to it on their knees and pray for those names.  The really cool thing is that we see Jesus at work.  We are starting to cross off names now in a big bold RED marker.  They no longer have a place there.  They are redeemed!  Can I get an amen?! 

There is a fire that has been lit here in Bend, and it’s starting to roar.  It is so exciting to see what happens when people put Jesus in the drivers seat, take their hands off the wheel, and let Him drive.  I am so excited to see where He will take us next.  Our vision / goal is to move to our own building in the fall of ’09.  Keith and I have been scoping out buildings, but it’s a timing and even more so, a money thing.  There is an old warehouse building that we would love to move into, but that would be a huge God thing.  Not saying He can’t do it, so we will continue to dream BIG.  The building is a very large and would hold probably about 800 or so.  It’s run down, grungy, and right across the street from the local strip club.   What a cool place to plant a church. 

Going forward I meditate on this:  “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.Proverbs:  3:5&6 

Who Cares Friday 4

It's been awhile since I did a "Who Cares Friday" so...it's Friday!

SCUBA divers cannot pass gas at depths of 33 feet or below. (did they try?)

Smearing a small amount of dog feces on an insect bite will relieve the itching and swelling. (who figured that one out?)

Although difficult, it's possible to start a fire by rapidly rubbing together two Cool Ranch Doritos. (survival facts you only get here!)

The first McDonald's restaurant opened for business in 1952 in Edinburgh, Scotland, and featured the McHaggis sandwich. (I wonder if they'll come out with the McCain sandwich?)

To human taste buds, Zima is virtually indistinguishable from zebra urine. (really?)

4,000 people are injured by tea pots every year. (that's why I drink coffee.)

In an average day, a four year old child will ask 437 questions. (oh yeah!  That's true!)

If you yelled for 8 years ,7 months and 6 days you would have produced enough energy to heat a cup of coffee. (I think my kids are trying that.)

In downtown Lima, Peru, there is a large brass statue dedicated to Winnie-the-Pooh. (Lima's got issues.) 

2,500 left handers die each year using products designed for right handers. (sucks to be left handed I guess.)

Americans spend around $3 billion for cat and dog food a year. (I contribute to that.)

When a horned toad is angry, it squirts blood from its eyes. (My ex girlfriend could do that!)

Hope you had a laugh and learned something too.  All without staying at a Holiday Inn Express!

Who Cares!!

Metamorphosis

Romans 12:2 ESV

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good, acceptable and perfect. 

Transformed is the key word here.  The Greek word is metamorphoo.  We relate that to metamorphosis.  The first thing we think of when we here that word is a butterfly.  A beautiful creature transformed from a worm.  The transformation that takes place is one of suffering and absolute change within the cocoon.  A life change.  What a cool thought to think "we" are transformed!  This word is used only 3 other times in scripture.  I believe we are still struggling within our cocoons, and we will fully "transformed" when we arrive at the wedding feast in heaven, as described in Revelation.  Then we will be holy and without sin living in the presence of Jesus.   Truly transformed into the beautiful butterfly.  Imagine what it will be like.

True Lies

Tonight our small group started a 13 week video series titled "The Truth Project" created by Focus On The Family.  In my mind it's probably some of the best "stuff" that FOTF has ever put out.  Tonight was on the subject of "Truth", and I've never heard truth explained quite like that.  Jesus claimed He came to earth to "...testify to the truth."  Do we really believe that what we really believe is really real?  Do we?  What do we really believe in?  Wouldn't our actions prove what or better yet who we really believe in?  One scripture really stuck out to me tonight amongst many great scriptures.  We call Jesus our father, but is He really?  Or is it Satan who is really our father? You judge for yourself.   

Children of the Devil 

John 8: 42-47

Jesus said to them, "If God were your father, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here.  I have not come on my own; but He sent me.  Why is my language  not clear to you?   Because you are unable to hear what I say.  You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire.  He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is not truth in him.  When he lies, he speaks in his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.  Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me!  Can any of you prove me guilty of sin?  If I am telling the truth, why don't you believe me?  He who belongs to God hears what God says.  The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God."

Wow!  Do you hear what God says?  Better hope so, or you're on the wrong team.

Letter of the Law

This last week I had the pleasure (honor) to preach again at Journey in Rev. Keith's absence. We went through the 1st 14 verses of Galatians chapter 3. One of the things that stuck out to me was the legalism that the Judaizers adhered to. Their thinking that you had to have faith plus. Not just faith alone, but faith plus. Pentecost listeners just believed and wham! the Holy Spirit did his stuff. Abraham, David, Saul etc. just believed. Faith. That's all we need, child like faith. Even today religion says that unless we dress a certain way, look a certain way, act just right, listen to the right music, we are not being sanctified. That's a load. If we have a tat, or drink a dark beer, or listen to 98.3 on the radio, we are heathen. Would most of American churches allow a dirty homeless man to come in and hang out? If so, would they stare, murmur amongst themselves, sit him in the back? Heck a few weeks ago at Journey (www.journeyinbend.org) I had a couple of homeless guys sitting next to me rolling smokes in the back. Legal smokes. I watched with baited caution, thinking this is where Jesus would be hanging out, knowing that He as well as I would make him "light up" outside. So forget the legalistic holier than thou attitude, thinking your works will get you to the front row in Heaven. It's all about your heart. Jesus hung out with the drunks, hookers, and thieves. He came to save the lost, not the well. He came to hang with the less fortunate. We should use Him as our role model, not the pastor, or man who lets everyone know just how holy he is. It's a heart issue. Check your heart. How's your pulse today.

God. Cruel? I Think Not

This question came up kinda sorta at our last small group. The Babylonian King threw Daniel's conspirators (and their families) into the lions den / pit for trying to set up Daniel to get him killed. The question was why did God allow the women and children of the families to get eaten? Long story short, it was the custom of the Medo - Persian law that if any one of the family members were convicted of something, the whole family was guilty. Nice huh? This got me thinking of some other instances in the Bible where God is seemingly ruthless. The annihilation of the Amalekites for example. He told the armies to go back and kill the women and children also! That sounds brutal to me. The same can be said about the Canaanites, or the "little children" (KJV) that taunted Elisha, and two bears mauled 42 of the "little children" to death! Ouch!

I picked up Lee Stroebel's book "The Case For Faith" and read some super cool things. If you don't know who Lee Stroebel is, he was an atheist that worked for the Chicago Tribune newspaper and set out to write a story on the fallacy of Jesus Christ, and prove him as legend rather than the authentic messiah that He is. Lee became a follower of Christ during his "investigation."

He (Lee) has an interview with an incredibly intelligent Christian man named Norman Geisler and challenges him on some of these tough questions about God being merciful vs. merciless. For example; God calls for the complete destruction of the Amalekites. The Amalekites were so wicked and corrupt to the core, that God chose to wipe the entire nation out so that no offspring could ever reproduce their corruption. They were given 400 years to repent beforehand by the way, but to no avail. Same with the Canaanites. He (God) gives us a chance to repent. He wants us to repent. He wants that all will come to Him.

When someone questions us about the "cruel" God of the Old Testament, we need to know our bibles. There are some really bad translations of Hebrew words in the KJV bibles. The "anti" Christ people out there have really been fed a believable pack of lies by the enemy, and if we don't do our due diligence, we have no effective and correct answer for their questions. God is sovereign and merciful beyond belief. We question His actions and motives?! How dare we! If you can create life, then you may have the power to take it away. God created life, He has the power and the right to do what He wants with it. We think how dare God let bad things happen? No the question should be "how dare we let bad things happen" We need to take care of just ourselves. I think God pretty much has things figured out, and doesn't really need our help. But that's just my opinion.

Anytime you question the mercy and grace of Jesus, dig a little deeper. Who else do you know that willingly chose to die a merciless brutal death for the people that hated Him? I can't think of anyone. Can you? I know I wouldn't. Yet we question God's integrity in dealing with people that He created. Wow! We better be careful. God is great, He is, He just Is!

Fall Already?

It almost feels like fall is in the air with the cool weather and all. Fall sports are definitely in full swing here in the Coats abode. New things this year. Justin is playing soccer for Bend High (the #1 high school in town) Jake is playing tackle football this year (fun) and Jenna is playing soccer again in Parks & Rec. In my opinion, summer has gone way too fast this year. We do have our 4 seasons in Bend however; Winter, June, July, & August.

As life gears up into crazy mode, it's easy to put God on the back burner. Or I can simply be reminded, every time I watch my kids perform in their respective sports, that God is good, and I have much to be thankful for. I can have the crappiest day, but seeing the smile on my kids face when he or she scores a goal or a touchdown, puts it all into perspective. Thank you Jesus for choosing me to be the father of Justin, Jenna, & Jake. I hope todaythat I can put a smile on Your face.

Redeemed

"Are all of you angels?" he asked.
"Is it speaking to us!" exclaimed one of the angels.
"Am I an angel?" The approaching creature paused and slowly looked around. "No, I guess I am not an angel. I think I used to be a human being. But oh, look at me!"
"I have never seen such innocence, purity, and perfection," whispered one of the angels. "He does not seem to be aware of how beautiful he is or how bright his light is."
"Where am I? What am I doing here? Who are you? Please pray tell what am I?"
"Dare we speak to him?" asked one of the angels.
"You have never seen anything like me have you?"
"You are the first," stammered one of the angels, finally, "but...I have an idea you will not be the last. As to who you are...I would be pleased to tell you, but I do not know who or what you are." "He told me that I would be here today. Is this today?"
The mouths f the angels fell open. One said, "At least we know who you are!" Another said, "That is not possible. After all, remember what he was: He was an old thief. That old, cheating, lying thief."
"Now I remember!" exclaimed the thief. "And oh, oh, oh! He remembered me!"
"We know who you are now, dear one. But we are a little surprised, considering what you were this evening."
"I am a thief. Or was. What am I now?"
"You are the first of the redeemed." You are the handiwork of Christ's redemption."
"That is what I am!" exclaimed the thief. "I have another question. Am I as beautiful as I think I am?"
"Even more so," replied the angels as one. "
"Am I as bright as you are?" he inquired again. "
"No. More so. Much more! We have never been that bright."
"Never before have I been able to see places which cannot be seen," observed the thief in wonderment. "Are you sure I am the only one of my kind?"
"Yes," answered on of the angels. "But we expect many more of your kind." "You are the first of your species," another angel informed him.
"I think I died," said the thief. "I was on a cross just a few moments ago. Now look at me! Am I in ...in...paradise?"
"This is at the least paradise," replied the angel, "and perhaps it will be even more. We will know in three days. In fact, with your arrival, we are sure this will be much more than paradise-in three days."
At those words, this child of God grabbed one of the terrified angels, embraced him, and began to dance.
"Angels do not dance," observed one of the heavenly host gruffly. "We do now," smiled another. "I do not know who I am. I know not where I am. I do not know what I am, but I sense I am not what I used to be- and that I am wonderful and beautiful." he shouted.

Suddenly he paused. "The one dying next to me said that I would be with him in paradise, but he also mentioned something to me about a book. A Book of Life. Is there something called the Book of Life? Oh, also, there was something about being known even as I am known." With that the angels rushed to the Book of Life. Just as they had expected, the very first name written in the Book was that of the thief. The angles began to shout praises, joined by peals of laughter. They bust into a crescendo of song as rarely known before.
"I am the first of what?" he asked.
"You are the first of those for whom we have waited throughout the ages. We have long waited for this day to arrive."

"One last question: You are called angels. What am I called?"

"You are called a holy one."

chapter 39 The Day I Was Crucified

Journey at the lake

Saturday a few of us from Journey went up to East Lake and did some painting for the owners of the resort. We painted a few of the buildings, and built a fire pit in the group camp area. The next day (Sunday) we went back up to the lake and the owners of the resort (Dave & Kathy Jones) allowed us to use a couple of their big pontoon boats, canoes, kayaks, and even a paddle boat that seemed to spin in circles. A huge thank you to Dave & Kathy for allowing us to use their boats, and play in the lake. One of the big pontoon boats (the one I was driving of course) pooped out and we had to be towed into the dock. Regardless, it was a blast. We even threw our fishing rods in for awhile (to no avail) and tried for some big browns or rainbows.

The evening brought worship music and a short (but always stellar) message from "Rev." Keith, around the newly constructed and most beautiful fire pit. We cooked up some dogs, burgers, and even smores at the end. It was a fun day. Looking forward to seeing Journey do more things like this. God is good, don't forget to tell Him that.

Who Cares Friday (3)

Well, this goes out to anyone who is still blogging in my sphere of influential blogging friends. Who Cares Friday is still going, but will be posted only on the first Friday of each month. Unless I change it again, which I "can" do. So here it for this month. Enjoy, and even laugh a little, sheesh, loosen up, it's Friday!

Coca-Cola was originally green.

The average number of people airborne over the US any given hour: 61,000

It is impossible to lick your elbow.

(betcha just tried it huh)

111,111,111 x 111,111,111 = 12,345,678,987,654,321

It was the accepted practice in Babylon 4,000 years ago that for a month after the wedding, the bride's father would supply his son-in-law with all the mead he could drink. Mead is a honey beer and because their calendar was lunar based, this period was called the honey month, which we know today as the honeymoon.

Q. If you were to spell out numbers, how far would you have to go until you would find the letter "A"?
A. One thousand

Many years ago in Scotland, a new game was invented. It was ruled "Gentlemen Only...Ladies Forbidden"...and thus the word GOLF entered into the English language.
True or False?

Each year, there are more than 40,000 toilet related injuries in the United States.

Maine is the only state whose name is just one syllable.

In every episode of Seinfeld, there is a Superman somewhere.

Who Cares!!!