Keeping Our Focus

May 2009

Keeping Our Focus

“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses

Surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance

And the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run

With endurance the race that is set before us,

Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith”

(Heb 12.1-2)

Turbulent Times

We are living in times of increasing storm winds of change, bringing fear and uncertainty to those around us. Economic crisis, climate change, natural disasters, violent conflicts that take a terrible toll—especially on women and children, breakdown of the family and relationships

leaving children subject to abandonment, abuse, and the tragic fallout that follows.

We witnessed a powerful declaration of the Redeeming Love of God from the fury of the

tempest in Tevis’ life this past Sunday. God reigns in the midst of the storm!

Refuge in the Storm

We have been called out as the Family of God to be a place of safety and restoration into the fullness of our true identity—a place of face to face personal transformation in the midst of the

tumult of an increasingly impersonal world. We need to remember who we are!

Our Core Values

Warm – Embracing all with God’s love, committed to cultivating deep friendships and small groups where we receive God’s heart and each other’s hearts—to be the family we need, and

the world around us needs!

Worship – Come early—to welcome newcomers and greet friends—with an undivided heart to experience the Presence of God that restores our souls, renews our vision, strengthens our

faith, and inspires fresh hope to run the race.

Word – Building our lives upon the rock that withstands every storm…The Word of God.

1^st Sunday – Marty, family communion service, Living out the Lord’s Prayer.

2d Sunday – Dan, Colossians, Newcomers, Specialty Coffee in the Courtyard.

3d Sunday – Fresh input of other voices, young and old.

4^th Sunday – Dan, Colossians, strengthening the foundations of the family of God.

Wind – Receiving the power of the Holy Spirit to love, heal, sustain, and transform.

World – Reaching out to all, especially those unlike us—those unfamiliar with God and His

ways—providing a way home to His heart and into His family.

Each of us are MVP’s: Most Valuable Players

M = Mission = Messengers of Heaven

V = Vision = Bringing Heaven to Earth

P = Purpose = Discovering Our Potential in Him—and helping others find theirs

Each of us has a sphere of influence no one else has, with a story no one else has.

Let’s let God use it to bring healing to hearts and to welcome His kids home!

National Vineyard Conference: Heroic Leadership in Times of Change

There were six keynote messages that were gripping:

• Paying any price to follow Jesus – Cherith Fee Nordling
• To reach our generation – Bert Waggoner, National Director
• By the Power of the Holy Spirit – Don Williams, Elder Emeritus in the Vineyard
• Moving beyond our comfort zones to reach our cities – Jay Pathak, Church Planter, CO
• Especially Our Children! – Wes Stafford, Director of Compassion International
• Ultimately to love our enemies – Sami Awad (Palestinian Christian) and Rich Nathan

Check out www.holylandtrust.org for Sami’s ministry in Palestine.

You can hear each of these outstanding messages at our National Website. Go to:

www.vineyardusa.org, click on “National Conference” at the top of the screen, and enjoy!

The Treasure of the Generations

For those of us approaching fifty or beyond, it is not time to “relax,” but to pray, to impart the legacy God has entrusted to us, to invest in and support those younger than us, and to

strengthen each other to run faithfully to the finish. Let’s finish well and strong.

For those of you in your 40’s, you are modeling and carrying primary leadership in our family in this season of your lives. We love you, are grateful beyond words, and pray for God’s strength

and vision as you provide such vital strength to our family.

For those of you in your 20’s and 30’s, it’s your turn to lead a new generation into the adventure of the Kingdom of God with a model and wineskin that reflects who you are. Every

generation has its own unique personality and expression. Go for it! We’re with you.

For our teens and children… they are our Father’s highest priority investment!

Take a fresh look at Matthew 18.1-14.

85% of all who say “Yes” to Jesus, make that decision between the ages of 4 and 14.

9% make that choice between the ages of 15 to 20. That means 94% by age 20!

6% make that choice after the age of 20.

“It is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones perish.”

Giving Our Best

Let’s invest in the values of eternity—giving the Lover of our souls our first and best, not just

the margins and leftovers of our lives.

Let’s give the first and best of our Time, our Strength, and our Money to see His Kingdom reach our city, our region, and the nations—and to hear those wonderful words at the end of the race

“well done, good and faithful servant.”

Proud to be with you on the adventure as our God Protects, Provides, and Empowers us to be

and do all that He has called us to!

P.S. Don’t toss this aside… keep it visible so we can remind ourselves to “Keep Our Focus.”