baptism with a capital B

what a weekend...60 people were baptized this past weekend...the buzz was electric...at the last service 20 extra people decided to take the plunge... It was one of the best messages on baptism i've heard or experienced in a long while... hear the message, and read the notes for free here Doug did a great job worth a listen

Everyone can serve

Everybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace.

--the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

an interesting article in Time

the writer talks about how young people mainly junior high students are making a difference. It is worth the read...

Young Heroes is based on the idea that no one is too young to make a positive difference in the world around him or her, and that service, if begun early, can become a life-long commitment.
Samantha Appleton writer for Time

Baptism

over 40 people are being baptized this weekend here a few sound bites that are encouraging... I had so many questions, and then to the starting point class which answered so many questions. The class opened my eyes. I want to deepen my relationship and life my life for him. Natasha

My family started to come to the Vineyard a couple of months ago. At a service Doug said if you haven’t taken Jesus Christ as your savior pray this prayer with me. I am ready to start fresh and commit my life to Christ. Doug

I became born again a year ago and I wanted to be baptized. Darla

Something came over me as I was in recovery and I asked God to help me because I could not do it myself. I am being baptized so I may receive more of the Holy Spirit. Bridgett

I hit bottom and prayed for a new start. Larry

To wash away my sin of the old man and receive the Holy Spirit. Timothy

I was at church camp. I want to grow closer with Christ. Alexandra

A church in Arizona that got me going on the right path...to further my walk with Christ. Jennifer

I love God He’s #1 so I can be saved. Sabrina

To publicly show that I am a Christian and that I believe in God and believe that he sent His son to forgive me and reign over all. Kelly

I went on a Christian Singles Cruise last August since then I have become closer to Christ as I was brought up when I was younger. I want to confirm my faith and be closer to Christ. Kristy

I was led to the Lord by my friend Andy; to deepen my relationship with Jesus. Matthew

I was at a retreat as a teen 15 years ago and accepted Christ while I was there. I have never been baptized and it feels like the right time in my life; to confirm my faith. Keri

I saw a billboard on Rt. 70 every day asking if I died today where would I spend eternity. My next step in my journey with Jesus. I learned in my reading that I should be baptized. Russ

I recognized the emptiness and lack of focus was caused by you lack of faith; to show my commitment to Jesus Christ. Robert

I had it as a child and than lost the connection...then during a retreat I got saved; it’s time. Victoria

I met the Lord looking at Easter decorations in a catalog; because Jesus wants me to. Swayer

I found that many things were lacking in my life until Jesus came into my life; to affirm my faith in Jesus as an adult. Ron

I seek baptism because I need a better relationship with God Lauren

My wife has been instrumental in awakening my faith; to complete my obligation to God. Derek

It happened over time but I finally fully accepted him a year ago while I was reading the ‘left behind’ book series; I am ready to enter God’s kingdom. Kerrie

amazing grace

this past weekend we gave 15 people a gift card and an instructions sheet. Their mission, go view amazing grace, eat a meal, answer a few questions for feedback. Some picked were single mom's, new people, and a couple of long term members.

We are launching a new series, the theme... grace. The movie a moving story about william wilberforce and john newton...

see a review at film school rejects

20,000 easter eggs

this huge event is just around the corner, thousands of moms, dads, kids, dogs show up for this amazing event. You almost have to be there to experience the moment. When the families line the field and the horn goes off...it is like locusts moving gathering eggs, having fun, and basically enjoying the day. It takes many volunteers to help pull off the event, and much praying about the weather, safety etc. Behind the scenes we begin in Jan to gather supplies, etc.

Building a bridge into the community takes consistency and time. This is our 4th Easter we've done the event. One writer in a national outreach magazine stated, "egg hunts are boring and should be left in the past." I thought, 'he doesn't have kids, nor is he in touch with the felt needs of families.' Most want a safe, high energy, fun filled place to take their kids. Providing such an event, meets a felt need and opens dialogue.

A couple of years ago a policeman parked his car, and observed the event...he went home and asked his wife, 'who would do such a great event for our community for free?' She said, 'The Vineyard a pretty good church.' It seems she had attended, and was impressed with our consistent community involvement...and was savy enough to communicate the Good News in a way he could understand.

This year I've had the opportunity to coach a few other churches and encourage them to begin to create community events that would be the spring highlight for their area.

Small steps of kindness open hearts in a big way.

kindness in action

2nd Sat outreach... yesterday was a rain out...however we went to 2 local nursing homes to deliver a personal pack of tissues... What's in a tissue? Most nursing homes use generic low quality tissues. Ever use a piece of wood to blow your nose. That's the feeling. Most people in homes are very appreciative of good quality tissues. We offer the box, place it in the room and have a quiet chat with each person. Some people are touched in a powerful way when we pray. Wikipedia.com defines Kindness:

Kindness is the act or the state of charitable behaviour to other people. It is considered to be one of the Knightly Virtues, and is a recognized value in many cultures and religions . It is considered to be one of the seven virtues, specifically the one of the Seven Contrary Virtues (direct opposites of the seven deadly sins) that is the direct opposite to envy^[1].

According to book two of Aristotle's Rhetoric it is one of the emotions (see list of emotions), which is defined as being "helpfulness towards some one in need, not in return for anything, nor for the advantage of the helper himself, but for that of the person helped"^[2].

Paul defines love as being `patient and kind...` (I Corinthians)

kindnesstogo.com

just started a new blog/page...see www.kindnesstogo.com

I will be sharing some stories and some reasons why a little kindness goes a long way.

"Kindness gives birth to kindness."

Author:Sophocles (447 BC)

Kindness in words creates confidence.
Kindness in thinking creates profoundness.
Kindness in giving creates love.
Chinese Proverb

"We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give."

Author:Winston Churchill

"I've learned that people will forget what you said,
people will forget what you did,
but people will never forget how you made them feel."

Author:Maya Angelou

bono

a must see...download free from itunes ...bono John Williams

in the war room

found some really stimulating leadership soundbites from brian tome from Crossroads in Cincinnati...they are a cutting edge church with some insights into culture and leadership...

recently a few of us went to check out the place...we went to the creative department...I asked, 'how many creative people work in your department?' reply, 'we are all creative here.'

True, challenging, stretching, encouraging...to hear some great leadership encouragment...go to itunes/podcasts...brian tome...in the war room...been there, done that, and learned the lessons. check out in the war room ... great workout listening, thought stimulaton...honest, truth, lessons learned...wisdom is to learn from those ahead on the creative, community changing curve...if you are encouraged to stay in the game...why not let brian know what you think...it will encourge him...out

live like you were dying

just talked to a friend who has cancer in his lung and it's growing...the doc said he had about a year if he does radiation...he mentioned he will be seeking prayer whenever he can, he wants to give the rest of his life to serve the church, to put things right as best he can and live a full life...

here is a passage i thought is encouraging...
Romans 14:8
If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.

We both mentioned we are all terminal, the problem most of us don't realize it...I asked are you going to ride a bull named fu man chu? he laughed...

have a listen...it will move the ole heart