Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Real life story connected to James
Last night I was in down town San Jose preparing for our Saturday event called Hallowed. The space that we are using was a former dance club. Now it is used for various ministries, events, and a homeless outreach in it's prime location across from a bench filed park with sleeping homeless campers. On Wednesday nights it is used for an elementary aged boys Bible club (mostly Hispanic). We were setting up our room and listening to the crazy screams of sugar filled kids playing basketball and making crafts. Around 8:30pm the club finished and they were leaving the building one by one, parents were coming in and leaders were cleaning up. I happened to be unloading some supplies from the car when I noticed one of the boys hanging outside and talking with the men who were camping out for the night. A parental instinct fired up in me and I wondered if that boy was safe there. Had he alerted the leaders that he had gone out of the building? So I went in and gave the pastor inside a heads up that one of his boys was hanging with the homeless men outside. The leader poked his head outside and said, "Oh, actually he's homeless, too." My heart sank. Really? He's homeless, too? Can I take him home? This is America not Africa. I guess I forgot that it's possible for kids to be homeless and with out daily necessities in our country, in our state, too. What a timely thought as PCC goes through James' words about caring for widows and orphans, not showing favoritism, and putting action to our faith. What as Christ followers to do about this? It's moments like this that mess and stir up heart. I pray for God's leading in my life and yours!
Hallowed set up continues tonight and tomorrow.
Meet Jeff Murphy at 6:45 tonight at PCC Emma Rhen Playground.
Friday 10/27 same time same place.
HALLOWED IS FREE 10/28 7PM-11PM
www.xpfactor.org
Hallowed set up continues tonight and tomorrow.
Meet Jeff Murphy at 6:45 tonight at PCC Emma Rhen Playground.
Friday 10/27 same time same place.
HALLOWED IS FREE 10/28 7PM-11PM
www.xpfactor.org
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Helping with Hallowed..
Would you like to help with Hallowed!
Meet for lunch this Saturday 1pm at Main St. Café 1pm-2:30. 150 Elm St. Redwood City
Rsvp tonyg@peninsulacovenant.com
We need artists, tech people, painters, and people gifted in service to make this happen.
AND IF YOU COME SATURDAY YOU CAN DRESS UP AS A TRACK RUNNER!
Then come Oct 25-27 Weds, Thursday, Friday to install the art, paint, and prepare!
The event is free Sat. Night Oct. 28th
Here is our statement:
It’s like a marathon this life we live. Some start strong but never finish. Some are reluctant to start but despite pain and exhaustion cross the finish line. Others need help to hurdle the obstacles and run the race with others. Everyone has dreams. Some see them come true, others give up. All of us have problems and issues that can either motivate us to fight and stay the course of life or enslave us and break us down. As you walk in the room think about situations in your life that you must persevere through. Are you carrying on with strength or dragging your feet through the brokenness? Watch the short movie and think about your own journey of perseverance. Where are you in the marathon? Do you want to bow out of the journey? Do you need help? Don’t give up. Stay the course. Add your journey to the wall.
An elephant (of Dr. Suess) named Horton inspired this room. He meant what he said and said what he meant no matter what happened to him. Ridicule, tragedy, and time didn’t knock him out of the journey. He stayed the course. He finished his journey. Horton hatched the egg.
Meet for lunch this Saturday 1pm at Main St. Café 1pm-2:30. 150 Elm St. Redwood City
Rsvp tonyg@peninsulacovenant.com
We need artists, tech people, painters, and people gifted in service to make this happen.
AND IF YOU COME SATURDAY YOU CAN DRESS UP AS A TRACK RUNNER!
Then come Oct 25-27 Weds, Thursday, Friday to install the art, paint, and prepare!
The event is free Sat. Night Oct. 28th
Here is our statement:
It’s like a marathon this life we live. Some start strong but never finish. Some are reluctant to start but despite pain and exhaustion cross the finish line. Others need help to hurdle the obstacles and run the race with others. Everyone has dreams. Some see them come true, others give up. All of us have problems and issues that can either motivate us to fight and stay the course of life or enslave us and break us down. As you walk in the room think about situations in your life that you must persevere through. Are you carrying on with strength or dragging your feet through the brokenness? Watch the short movie and think about your own journey of perseverance. Where are you in the marathon? Do you want to bow out of the journey? Do you need help? Don’t give up. Stay the course. Add your journey to the wall.
An elephant (of Dr. Suess) named Horton inspired this room. He meant what he said and said what he meant no matter what happened to him. Ridicule, tragedy, and time didn’t knock him out of the journey. He stayed the course. He finished his journey. Horton hatched the egg.
Monday, October 16, 2006
Greatness
This week I have been reflecting on what it means to be Great. I must admit that if I really was honest about my personal thinking of greatness..it would be very results oriented. Even though I know that true greatness is not about what I can produce or perform...But if I was truly honest and didn't "spiritualize" my answer about greatness..I would say greatness is synonymous with popularity, money, numbers, publicly witnessed extraordinary events and huge stadiums filled with millions of people shouting my name. But I was gently reminded of the truth of greatness this week.
...I sat in my bed Friday morning listening to one of my favorite broadcasts. Almost daily one of my rituals is to lock into the 8:30am hour of 1100 am KFAX. (It's one of my links on my blog and you can listen online, too). Family Life Today is an amazing ministry that teaches all people. Singles,men, women, marrieds, and parents alike can learn from this show. The topic spoke so much to me. Go and listen to last week's broadcast.
http://www.familylife.com/fltoday/broadcast_schedule.asp?past=1
I was encouraged to be faithful to God no matter what the cost. I needed to redefine my understanding of greatness...that when no one is cheering and no results can be seen, even when dreams and goals are not being met..Greatness is being faithful to God. Saying yes to his ways even when it hurts and it brings no results or popularity. It is in the secret when greatness comes. I remember the broadcast talking about reading books to your children at night. The speaker said that it's those little moments that pave the way for a great relationship with your child in the future, but it may feel insignificant in the moment. That really touched me because as I prepare for fatherhood I want nothing more that to be a great dad! I want to have a great relationship with my kids which requires lots of little "un-great" moments that will lead to truly great moments.Just like being a great man or woman of God requires times of silence, pain, wondering, and answer-less prayers that bring maturity and discipline to our lives (James 1) . That's why is it necessary that I change the way I evaluate my greatness. It's Beautifully messy, humbling, and all about God..not about me.
That same day someone emailed this excerpt from Oswald Chambers:
Getting into God's Stride..."Enoch walked with God"...Gen 5:24
The true test of a person's spiritual life and character is not what he
does in the extraordinary moments of life, but what he does during the
ordinary times when there is nothing tremendous or exciting happening..A
person's worth is revealed in his attitude toward the ordinary things of
life when he is not under the spotlight...it is painful work to step with
God and to keep pace with Him-means getting your second wind spiritually.
In learning to walk with God there is always the difficulty of getting into
His stride, but once we have done so, the only characteristic that exhibits
itself is the very life of God Himself. The individual person is merged into
a personal oneness with God, and God's stride and His power alone are
exhibited...
...I sat in my bed Friday morning listening to one of my favorite broadcasts. Almost daily one of my rituals is to lock into the 8:30am hour of 1100 am KFAX. (It's one of my links on my blog and you can listen online, too). Family Life Today is an amazing ministry that teaches all people. Singles,men, women, marrieds, and parents alike can learn from this show. The topic spoke so much to me. Go and listen to last week's broadcast.
http://www.familylife.com/fltoday/broadcast_schedule.asp?past=1
I was encouraged to be faithful to God no matter what the cost. I needed to redefine my understanding of greatness...that when no one is cheering and no results can be seen, even when dreams and goals are not being met..Greatness is being faithful to God. Saying yes to his ways even when it hurts and it brings no results or popularity. It is in the secret when greatness comes. I remember the broadcast talking about reading books to your children at night. The speaker said that it's those little moments that pave the way for a great relationship with your child in the future, but it may feel insignificant in the moment. That really touched me because as I prepare for fatherhood I want nothing more that to be a great dad! I want to have a great relationship with my kids which requires lots of little "un-great" moments that will lead to truly great moments.Just like being a great man or woman of God requires times of silence, pain, wondering, and answer-less prayers that bring maturity and discipline to our lives (James 1) . That's why is it necessary that I change the way I evaluate my greatness. It's Beautifully messy, humbling, and all about God..not about me.
That same day someone emailed this excerpt from Oswald Chambers:
Getting into God's Stride..."Enoch walked with God"...Gen 5:24
The true test of a person's spiritual life and character is not what he
does in the extraordinary moments of life, but what he does during the
ordinary times when there is nothing tremendous or exciting happening..A
person's worth is revealed in his attitude toward the ordinary things of
life when he is not under the spotlight...it is painful work to step with
God and to keep pace with Him-means getting your second wind spiritually.
In learning to walk with God there is always the difficulty of getting into
His stride, but once we have done so, the only characteristic that exhibits
itself is the very life of God Himself. The individual person is merged into
a personal oneness with God, and God's stride and His power alone are
exhibited...
Friday, October 13, 2006
Beautiful Day Nov 17-19
Beautiful Day – you’ve started hearing about it – but what is it?
Beautiful Day is an opportunity for PCC to join with 40 other churches in the Bay Area (seven in Redwood City and San Carlos) to wow our communities with Christ-like love in tangible ways that don’t require words.
The big idea of BD is five-fold:
1. to serve the city through creative, innovative, and heartfelt ways that are both practical and resourceful for the needs of those in our community.
2. for the church to re-establish itself as an influential hub within our community.
3. for the church to build a strategic alliance with organizations, schools, media, government, and local businesses to partner in compassion/service venues.
4. for churches to “pay it forward” with other churches and build strategic alliances within the Christian community.
5. for the community to see that unity and compassion can come from all Christian churches, regardless of denomination, size and ethnic make-up.
PCC is doing that through several projects by ourselves and 2 projects along with six participating churches on the Peninsula.
In the words of the founder of Beautiful Day (Jon Talbert from WestGate Church, San Jose):
In my opinion… (actually it is beyond “opinion”… it is the white-hot core of who I am) the church has rediscovered Compassion to be a more accurate expression of who God is and how he brings about redemptive and transformational change to the world. I’m also convinced that the Bay Area is the most unreached people group in the US not just because of liberalism, but also because of the nature and shape of the modernist “evangelical” church. I believe that WE have done more of our share of the damage than we are willing to admit. (talk to people in the AIDS/HIV community if you don’t believe me).
This is why Compassion matters… to me, to WestGate, to other churches…. to God. This is our chance to lead a more accurate expression of a Jesus-induced-faith journey. We shut-up and show-up! We stop ranting about Jesus and start living like him. We stop shouting what we believe and start showing it. Collectively we change the perception that the Bay Area has of Jesus, his church, and his followers.
Beautiful Day is an opportunity for PCC to join with 40 other churches in the Bay Area (seven in Redwood City and San Carlos) to wow our communities with Christ-like love in tangible ways that don’t require words.
The big idea of BD is five-fold:
1. to serve the city through creative, innovative, and heartfelt ways that are both practical and resourceful for the needs of those in our community.
2. for the church to re-establish itself as an influential hub within our community.
3. for the church to build a strategic alliance with organizations, schools, media, government, and local businesses to partner in compassion/service venues.
4. for churches to “pay it forward” with other churches and build strategic alliances within the Christian community.
5. for the community to see that unity and compassion can come from all Christian churches, regardless of denomination, size and ethnic make-up.
PCC is doing that through several projects by ourselves and 2 projects along with six participating churches on the Peninsula.
In the words of the founder of Beautiful Day (Jon Talbert from WestGate Church, San Jose):
In my opinion… (actually it is beyond “opinion”… it is the white-hot core of who I am) the church has rediscovered Compassion to be a more accurate expression of who God is and how he brings about redemptive and transformational change to the world. I’m also convinced that the Bay Area is the most unreached people group in the US not just because of liberalism, but also because of the nature and shape of the modernist “evangelical” church. I believe that WE have done more of our share of the damage than we are willing to admit. (talk to people in the AIDS/HIV community if you don’t believe me).
This is why Compassion matters… to me, to WestGate, to other churches…. to God. This is our chance to lead a more accurate expression of a Jesus-induced-faith journey. We shut-up and show-up! We stop ranting about Jesus and start living like him. We stop shouting what we believe and start showing it. Collectively we change the perception that the Bay Area has of Jesus, his church, and his followers.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Eternal Salvation: God's choice or Ours?
Have you ever wondered about ETERNAL SELECTION? Does God choose to save some and not others? Why?
John MacArthur, Master's College President, Speaker, Author is offering for a free CD about this topic email letters@gty.org and simply put ELECTION in the subject line. Then in the body of the email put your name and address! The will send you a free CD talking about this topic from the Bible!!!
John MacArthur, Master's College President, Speaker, Author is offering for a free CD about this topic email letters@gty.org and simply put ELECTION in the subject line. Then in the body of the email put your name and address! The will send you a free CD talking about this topic from the Bible!!!
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
from FrankieMarkovich about Saturday 10/14
Hey All,
If you don't already have plans this Saturday then you may want to consider this. I am trying to get a group of people together to go to Great America during the day, and then the Greg Laurie Concert/Crusade in the evening. If you can or only want to attend one, then that is fine.
For Great America: Meet at PCC main parking lot at 9:15. We will go to Great America all day until about 5:00 pm. Admission is $50, but somewhere I am trying to find some $20 off coupons that I had a while back. You'll probably want some $ for food and to also pitch in for some gas/parking if you don't drive. Drivers we will coordinate the morning of. You can also meet up later in the day if you want to do that and not go as early.
For Greg Laurie, here are some details...
http://www.harvest.org/crusades/2006/sanjose/index.php/58.html
Basically, admission is free. Concert is free. Just gas and maybe parking at the HP Pavilion. If you have never been to a crusade before, here is your invitation. It is awesome and powerful. The bands look great too for Saturday night. This also you can meet us there if you don't want to go to Great America.
If you want to meet up with us, you can call me at 650-575-1389.
Hope to see some of you. PLEASE FORWARD THIS TO FRIENDS.
Frankie Markovich
If you don't already have plans this Saturday then you may want to consider this. I am trying to get a group of people together to go to Great America during the day, and then the Greg Laurie Concert/Crusade in the evening. If you can or only want to attend one, then that is fine.
For Great America: Meet at PCC main parking lot at 9:15. We will go to Great America all day until about 5:00 pm. Admission is $50, but somewhere I am trying to find some $20 off coupons that I had a while back. You'll probably want some $ for food and to also pitch in for some gas/parking if you don't drive. Drivers we will coordinate the morning of. You can also meet up later in the day if you want to do that and not go as early.
For Greg Laurie, here are some details...
http://www.harvest.org/crusades/2006/sanjose/index.php/58.html
Basically, admission is free. Concert is free. Just gas and maybe parking at the HP Pavilion. If you have never been to a crusade before, here is your invitation. It is awesome and powerful. The bands look great too for Saturday night. This also you can meet us there if you don't want to go to Great America.
If you want to meet up with us, you can call me at 650-575-1389.
Hope to see some of you. PLEASE FORWARD THIS TO FRIENDS.
Frankie Markovich
info about Hallowed for Oct. 28th
PRESS RELEASE
SAN JOSE, Calif. - (09/28/06) – X-Factor, a San Jose-based non-profit community group, is proud to present the fourth annual Hallowed: An Underground Awakening October 28th at 7:00pm at the Oasis in downtown San Jose. A group of local artists will plan the space with each room symbolizing the pilgrimage and challenges we face as we go through life searching for truth. Guests will embark upon a multi-sensory journey of music, film and art. Some of the Bay Area’s best alternative bands will be showcased in live onstage performances from The Edge and Finding Mercury, with returning performers An Opiate for Angels, Efata, and live mixes by DJ Incognito.Jonathan and Allison Fung, event curators, position this as a collaborative art experience created by and for the community. “This year’s Hallowed returns guests to their childhood as they journey through various children’s books and re-experience the beauty and truth they portray,” said Allison. “Through the eyes of nostalgia and the sentiments of childhood, art can establish a fantastic medium for spiritual contemplation and a lens through which we can examine our world in a simple and honest way.” “It’s inspiring to see how a free evening of art and music can cultivate a sense of community,” said Jonathan. “That’s what inspired us to create a collaborative event like Hallowed, which provides an opportunity for artists and participants to explore the connections between artistic expression and spirituality. Each individual’s life journey is different and they come to their own inner revelation through creating art and experiencing art.” Hallowed has routinely produced crowds of 500 – 600 over the past three years, and X-Factor looks forward to welcoming even more guests this year. Admission is FREE. The event will take place Saturday, October 28th, from 7:00-11:00pm at the Oasis, 200 N. First Street, San Jose, CA. Press Contact:Jonathan Fung408-813-2505
SAN JOSE, Calif. - (09/28/06) – X-Factor, a San Jose-based non-profit community group, is proud to present the fourth annual Hallowed: An Underground Awakening October 28th at 7:00pm at the Oasis in downtown San Jose. A group of local artists will plan the space with each room symbolizing the pilgrimage and challenges we face as we go through life searching for truth. Guests will embark upon a multi-sensory journey of music, film and art. Some of the Bay Area’s best alternative bands will be showcased in live onstage performances from The Edge and Finding Mercury, with returning performers An Opiate for Angels, Efata, and live mixes by DJ Incognito.Jonathan and Allison Fung, event curators, position this as a collaborative art experience created by and for the community. “This year’s Hallowed returns guests to their childhood as they journey through various children’s books and re-experience the beauty and truth they portray,” said Allison. “Through the eyes of nostalgia and the sentiments of childhood, art can establish a fantastic medium for spiritual contemplation and a lens through which we can examine our world in a simple and honest way.” “It’s inspiring to see how a free evening of art and music can cultivate a sense of community,” said Jonathan. “That’s what inspired us to create a collaborative event like Hallowed, which provides an opportunity for artists and participants to explore the connections between artistic expression and spirituality. Each individual’s life journey is different and they come to their own inner revelation through creating art and experiencing art.” Hallowed has routinely produced crowds of 500 – 600 over the past three years, and X-Factor looks forward to welcoming even more guests this year. Admission is FREE. The event will take place Saturday, October 28th, from 7:00-11:00pm at the Oasis, 200 N. First Street, San Jose, CA. Press Contact:Jonathan Fung408-813-2505
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Coming up...
THIS WEEK’S SHOUT OUT:
This Saturday-Brunch at Main St. Café 10:30am, 150 elm St. RWC.
Click here to watch "Main-St-Cafe"
MEDIA TEAM! Starts This Sunday 10/15
1pm lunch at PCC for anyone wanting to create, write, edit, produce, direct, act, etc.
email kirstend@peninsulacovenant.com to rsvp!
Sunday night After Sunday at 6-- 10/15—We are going out to Amelia’s and Young’s ice cream for our last time. (We’ll go to a Franklin St. Café on the 22nd and 29th.)
The Deep on Friday October 20th. 8pm Choir room. We need people to read scripture that night. Interested? Email me.
Hallowed-October 28th San Jose! 7pm
Fall Retreat November 3-5 $55 covers cabins and food! Twain Harte. Brochures are available now. Pick one up on Sunday night! This weekend is an important and valuable time to build community for us! Hope you can come!
www.myspace.com/yapcc
tonyg@peninsulacovenant.com
This Saturday-Brunch at Main St. Café 10:30am, 150 elm St. RWC.
Click here to watch "Main-St-Cafe"
MEDIA TEAM! Starts This Sunday 10/15
1pm lunch at PCC for anyone wanting to create, write, edit, produce, direct, act, etc.
email kirstend@peninsulacovenant.com to rsvp!
Sunday night After Sunday at 6-- 10/15—We are going out to Amelia’s and Young’s ice cream for our last time. (We’ll go to a Franklin St. Café on the 22nd and 29th.)
The Deep on Friday October 20th. 8pm Choir room. We need people to read scripture that night. Interested? Email me.
Hallowed-October 28th San Jose! 7pm
Fall Retreat November 3-5 $55 covers cabins and food! Twain Harte. Brochures are available now. Pick one up on Sunday night! This weekend is an important and valuable time to build community for us! Hope you can come!
www.myspace.com/yapcc
tonyg@peninsulacovenant.com
great resource!
EVER NEED HELP?
DIAL 1-800-NEW-LIFE
1-800-639-5433
COUNSELING AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY!
DIAL 1-800-NEW-LIFE
1-800-639-5433
COUNSELING AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY!
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
I pray for healthy relationships and marriages
My thoughts for the first week of October:
This weekend a member of our young adult, Laura Kostrikin, will become Laura Palm. I remember Laura when she first came to PCC over a summer 6 years ago, and then she served as an intern the following summer. She continued to grow and then joined the Sunday at 6 band. And just two weeks ago we all prayed for her and blessed her into her next phase of life. CONGRATS BEN AND LAURA!
Just thinking about that encourages me about how valuable it is to do life in community. I also continue to pray for great, healthy relationships to develop in our community, too. After being married almost two years myself, I have become more of a “matchmaker” in heart that I ever thought I would. I truly hope for the young adults of PCC to learn what it means to be Godly men/women so that each can enjoy Godly/healthy friendships with the opposite sex that someday lead to godly/healthy marriages and family. I am literally praying for this to happen in our community. I am completely for you all enjoying God’s best!
I hope you all grow together and encourage each other in this as a care group! Again, email me and let me know if you are interested in hanging out and doing a “real talk,” too. (tonyg@peninsulacovenant.com). In our effort to be a living community/serving community here’s what’s going on!
Sunday night After Sunday at 6—going out to Amelia’s and Young’s ice-cream/possible prayer walk
Promise Keepers Oct 6-7. See Jeff Murphy for more info
Saturday-October 14th Brunch at Main St. Café 10:30am, 150 elm St.
The Deep: Friday night October 20th 8pm in the worship center basement.
Saturday October 21st. A women’s retreat called GLIMPSES OF GRACE sponsored by Women at the Well. http://www.newcollegeberkeley.org/
“Hallowed”-Halloween experience—10/28 IN San Jose at the OASIS. 7pm. Live Bands and experiential art house.
Fall Retreat November 3-5 $55 covers cabins and food! Twain Harte. More info to come! Registration is available now
Don’t forget every Tuesday and Thursday night you can serve the poor and homeless with Street Outreach in Menlo Park!
For this and more info: Please check in the following resources:
www.myspace.com/yapcc
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pccyoungadults/
This weekend a member of our young adult, Laura Kostrikin, will become Laura Palm. I remember Laura when she first came to PCC over a summer 6 years ago, and then she served as an intern the following summer. She continued to grow and then joined the Sunday at 6 band. And just two weeks ago we all prayed for her and blessed her into her next phase of life. CONGRATS BEN AND LAURA!
Just thinking about that encourages me about how valuable it is to do life in community. I also continue to pray for great, healthy relationships to develop in our community, too. After being married almost two years myself, I have become more of a “matchmaker” in heart that I ever thought I would. I truly hope for the young adults of PCC to learn what it means to be Godly men/women so that each can enjoy Godly/healthy friendships with the opposite sex that someday lead to godly/healthy marriages and family. I am literally praying for this to happen in our community. I am completely for you all enjoying God’s best!
I hope you all grow together and encourage each other in this as a care group! Again, email me and let me know if you are interested in hanging out and doing a “real talk,” too. (tonyg@peninsulacovenant.com). In our effort to be a living community/serving community here’s what’s going on!
Sunday night After Sunday at 6—going out to Amelia’s and Young’s ice-cream/possible prayer walk
Promise Keepers Oct 6-7. See Jeff Murphy for more info
Saturday-October 14th Brunch at Main St. Café 10:30am, 150 elm St.
The Deep: Friday night October 20th 8pm in the worship center basement.
Saturday October 21st. A women’s retreat called GLIMPSES OF GRACE sponsored by Women at the Well. http://www.newcollegeberkeley.org/
“Hallowed”-Halloween experience—10/28 IN San Jose at the OASIS. 7pm. Live Bands and experiential art house.
Fall Retreat November 3-5 $55 covers cabins and food! Twain Harte. More info to come! Registration is available now
Don’t forget every Tuesday and Thursday night you can serve the poor and homeless with Street Outreach in Menlo Park!
For this and more info: Please check in the following resources:
www.myspace.com/yapcc
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pccyoungadults/
Friday, September 29, 2006
Convicting truth
This is a letter sent by the coordinator of PCC's 72 hours of prayer:
We send you weekly prayer requests from the body of Christ at PCC for your prayer. Some involve physical, relationship, situational, emotional and spiritual needs. Many of those needs are visible and observable.
I'd like to enlist you to pray for the Body of Christ at PCC the way the Lord sees us. Ask the Lord to show you how He sees Us spiritually.
I think we see ourselves as fairly diverse, friendly, capable, family oriented, good with children and youth, fairly wealthy with a beautiful facilities, great staff, relevant programs, great worship, outreach oriented, and missions-minded.
With all these great things, there can be a potential problem.
If our priorities aren't what God's are, these great gifts can become idols leading us to be proud of ourselves and self-reliant with our strength in ourselves rather than in God. Then, Revelation 3:17-22 applies.
Then the Body of Christ at PCC can't function as a Body. The Body's role is to minister to the needs we see in other members of the Body and outside the Body.
We become like a heart patient who has arterial blockages in the blood supply (the life of the Spirit) getting to the heart (our affections, motivations and priorities).
The vitality of the life of Christ flowing through the Body is essential for us to be fruitful in 3 areas: 1. Becoming Christlike in our character; 2. Manifesting the fruit of the Spirit; and 3. producing fruit--new believers.
I mention these things as areas of focus in prayer. Some of the people who fellowship with us need a new heart through a new birth, a "heart transplant." They currently trust in God plus other things or don't believe that Jesus is the only way to God.
Please pray, using the metaphor of the heart patient that God will remove all blockages so that our hearts may be fully His and his life will effectively flow through us.
proud hearts: that we are self-confident and know how things work. We trust in our own opinions and assessments. (Psalm 108:12, 13.)
Pray for the blockages that are: seeds of doubt, unrest, disappointment in God and fear.
Pray for the Body to trust God when His will is a mystery, when they have and unclear or cloudy vision of Him.
Pray that God will expose hidden and secret sins, unspeakable sins. Pray that people will confess, repent and forsake them so obstructions will be removed.
Pray for God to remove blockages that come from sadness, grief or loneliness.
Please pray that our focus would be on Jesus, that we would keep our eyes on Him by faith in difficulties (Heb. 12:2).
Please also pray through the verses of Hebrews 12:1-17 as they could apply to those in the Body at PCC.
Thank you for your intercession for the Body at PCC.
God needs people to stand in the gap so He can make this Body what He designed it to be. Many at PCC have done all we can to help ourselves and the Word has been faithfully preached and often, all that can be done humanly has been done. So, we need to come before God in prayer so that His glory can become manifest in our midst, in our Body.
Russ Llewellyn
PCC and 72 Hour Prayer Coordinator
We send you weekly prayer requests from the body of Christ at PCC for your prayer. Some involve physical, relationship, situational, emotional and spiritual needs. Many of those needs are visible and observable.
I'd like to enlist you to pray for the Body of Christ at PCC the way the Lord sees us. Ask the Lord to show you how He sees Us spiritually.
I think we see ourselves as fairly diverse, friendly, capable, family oriented, good with children and youth, fairly wealthy with a beautiful facilities, great staff, relevant programs, great worship, outreach oriented, and missions-minded.
With all these great things, there can be a potential problem.
If our priorities aren't what God's are, these great gifts can become idols leading us to be proud of ourselves and self-reliant with our strength in ourselves rather than in God. Then, Revelation 3:17-22 applies.
Then the Body of Christ at PCC can't function as a Body. The Body's role is to minister to the needs we see in other members of the Body and outside the Body.
We become like a heart patient who has arterial blockages in the blood supply (the life of the Spirit) getting to the heart (our affections, motivations and priorities).
The vitality of the life of Christ flowing through the Body is essential for us to be fruitful in 3 areas: 1. Becoming Christlike in our character; 2. Manifesting the fruit of the Spirit; and 3. producing fruit--new believers.
I mention these things as areas of focus in prayer. Some of the people who fellowship with us need a new heart through a new birth, a "heart transplant." They currently trust in God plus other things or don't believe that Jesus is the only way to God.
Please pray, using the metaphor of the heart patient that God will remove all blockages so that our hearts may be fully His and his life will effectively flow through us.
proud hearts: that we are self-confident and know how things work. We trust in our own opinions and assessments. (Psalm 108:12, 13.)
Pray for the blockages that are: seeds of doubt, unrest, disappointment in God and fear.
Pray for the Body to trust God when His will is a mystery, when they have and unclear or cloudy vision of Him.
Pray that God will expose hidden and secret sins, unspeakable sins. Pray that people will confess, repent and forsake them so obstructions will be removed.
Pray for God to remove blockages that come from sadness, grief or loneliness.
Please pray that our focus would be on Jesus, that we would keep our eyes on Him by faith in difficulties (Heb. 12:2).
Please also pray through the verses of Hebrews 12:1-17 as they could apply to those in the Body at PCC.
Thank you for your intercession for the Body at PCC.
God needs people to stand in the gap so He can make this Body what He designed it to be. Many at PCC have done all we can to help ourselves and the Word has been faithfully preached and often, all that can be done humanly has been done. So, we need to come before God in prayer so that His glory can become manifest in our midst, in our Body.
Russ Llewellyn
PCC and 72 Hour Prayer Coordinator
GOING DEEP TONIGHT 9/29
We are talking about God's love and our relationship with him as our Father tonight. I have realized we can never talk enough about God's love and how to know him more. That's what Paul prayed for the Ephesians..that our hearts would be open to know God more! And, I sometimes need a "re-introduction" to God..the real God..
Check out James 1:16-18 and Read Psalm 103.
Come to the Choir room tonight and worship from 8-10pm (basement of worship center)
Chris Gothold and Kirsten Grothe lead music.
also-
SATURDAY MAIN ST. CAFE 10:30 AM BRUNCH
150 ELM ST.
Redwood City, Ca 94061
and SUNDAY AFTER SUNDAY AT 6
To
Amelias and Young's Ice cream again
(possible prayer walk)
Check out James 1:16-18 and Read Psalm 103.
Come to the Choir room tonight and worship from 8-10pm (basement of worship center)
Chris Gothold and Kirsten Grothe lead music.
also-
SATURDAY MAIN ST. CAFE 10:30 AM BRUNCH
150 ELM ST.
Redwood City, Ca 94061
and SUNDAY AFTER SUNDAY AT 6
To
Amelias and Young's Ice cream again
(possible prayer walk)
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
A real answer
A friend of mine emailed me and asked how I was doing on some specific areas that he knew were challenging for me. In an effort to be vulnerable here's my response:
My teeth on the other hand..Ug..It’s shaming at times for me.because I know to others it may not seem like a huge deal but all this dental work I have had to go through the past four years...it takes a toll.but let’s just say I am on my face crying out to God a lot.it’s weird and very humbling realizing the waiting process.
Some people deal with cancer or the death of friends and family, and for me..this is my thorn, my trial. That's where James 1 comes along and teaches me to be mature.
So keep praying. I have touched hopelessness and depression in a very real, yet not extreme way—which again causes me to reach toward God and struggle in his love and grace instead of running toward unhealthy escapes, which for me can be TV, magazines, movies, celebrity websites, etc.
My teeth on the other hand..Ug..It’s shaming at times for me.because I know to others it may not seem like a huge deal but all this dental work I have had to go through the past four years...it takes a toll.but let’s just say I am on my face crying out to God a lot.it’s weird and very humbling realizing the waiting process.
Some people deal with cancer or the death of friends and family, and for me..this is my thorn, my trial. That's where James 1 comes along and teaches me to be mature.
So keep praying. I have touched hopelessness and depression in a very real, yet not extreme way—which again causes me to reach toward God and struggle in his love and grace instead of running toward unhealthy escapes, which for me can be TV, magazines, movies, celebrity websites, etc.
Prayer and Driving
Many of us do "prayer walks." We pick a day/time and walk around praying. Then say AMEN and try to do it again another time. Rather than limit it to a church event, why not consider it a lifestyle worth adopting.
Pray everytime you are walking around. No matter where you are. Work, School, grocery store..AND then there is "Prayer Drives." OR "Prayer Biking."
In between and during putting the car into Drive, braking for pedestrians and dogs, hitting up the drive thrus...why not pray for everything and everyone you see. Simple.."Hey God, open the hearts of the taco bell people so that they can know you." Or "God, thank you for...the sky, the trees...this light that turned green, or red.." Seriously..find anything to thank God for. Bring the annoying people who can drive to God. And of course try doing some listening. God will speak to you through music, the silence, your thoughts, your radio...
This is a lifestyle.
Praying in whatever we do.
(1 Thess 5:24)
Pray everytime you are walking around. No matter where you are. Work, School, grocery store..AND then there is "Prayer Drives." OR "Prayer Biking."
In between and during putting the car into Drive, braking for pedestrians and dogs, hitting up the drive thrus...why not pray for everything and everyone you see. Simple.."Hey God, open the hearts of the taco bell people so that they can know you." Or "God, thank you for...the sky, the trees...this light that turned green, or red.." Seriously..find anything to thank God for. Bring the annoying people who can drive to God. And of course try doing some listening. God will speak to you through music, the silence, your thoughts, your radio...
This is a lifestyle.
Praying in whatever we do.
(1 Thess 5:24)
Saturday, September 23, 2006
Goodbye Helen
Today Helen Craddock went home.
Helen lived for 98 amazing years. I knew her because she and my great grandmother Josephine were good friends. I only met her four years ago on her 94th birthday --which was April 12th of 2002, and I instantly fell in love with her. This little Chinese woman had the personality and the wit of a ninja. She lived in San Francisco and I would often visit her care facility. She lived with a very diverse popluation of senior citizens and would often introduce me to her neighbors. She made fun of how most of her time was spent listening to her friends talk about all their aches and pains--while she in her little apartment (which was barely a studio) would watch soap operas, talk shows, and game shows on her two TVs that usually were on at the same time--and of course super loud. She had a hilarious sense of humor and made me laugh every time I visited her. In a way, Helen was my Morrie-(Tuesdays with Morrie). God used her to grow my heart and value those aging people who can't get out and about. My unique relationship with Helen reminded me that God extends the borders of our "blood" to bless us with close relationships with people who become like family.
Every time I left her apartment building she would stand in the hallway and watch me out her window. She would always wave and say, "I love you." and I would tell her back the same.
Helen touched my life. She believed Jesus for who he was and what he did and I loved reading the Bible to her, talking and praying--always the Lord's prayer. As I reflect, we would often talk about the day she would go to heaven and be done with life here on Earth and now she finally has finished her life here. I treasure the memories I have with her immensely. Death is not the end. She lives on forever with God. What a gift she was to me.
Sunday, August 20, 2006
A familiy on the way!
WE ARE HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE THE ARRIVAL OF OUR "BABY GAP" DUE IN MARCH 2007!!!
God has given me a great gift-my Wife Wendy, and now a child to share with her!
Pray for our little bambino
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
My top 6
My top 6 pursuits worthy of time...
1-Live into your identity in Christ and your relationship with God as your Father. You will never be disappointed with spending your life understanding God's love. Make time for your relationship with God and BE IN HIS WORD! Read the Bible, and all books about Gods love and the roles of the trinity. Talk about it with humble, trustworthy, Biblically rooted people, do word studies in the Bible and examine how your family of origin has affected you and your understanding of God as Father. Seek to live in Gods forgiveness, and extend it to others. God really loves & likes you. Worship Him accordingly and reverently.
2-Live into your God given purpose in life! Develop (and understand) your prayer life and spiritual gifts. What has God called you to do? Read, study, and meet with people who live this out. Pray without ceasing. Study biblical prayers. What can you learn from them? Then makes sure you can teach others. DREAM!
3-Pursue Biblical and healthy sexuality/masculinity/femininity. Study the roles that God has given to men and women. Learn all that you can about sexuality/healthy relationships, and if you want to be married, live like it now in your purity and roles as men and women. (When/if you are married..Prioritze your family above all else. Your spouse is your first ministry). I believe that when men and women truly live out their God given roles, it affects all of society. When these roles are dysfunctional, weak, or lacking power, it contributes to the breakdown of the family, society, and our world. Picking a spouse is one of your most important decisions!
4-Practice all out authenticity and be honest about your brokenness. Find people to share your story with and prioritize God-centered community. Care more about what God thinks of you then what people think about you. Check your emotions. God created you with them and they are good. Live life with trustworthy, intimate friends. The lamest choice in life is the choice to be fake, to live in fear of what people think, to compartmentalize life, or to choose to believe/live lies. Live freely in community.
5-Be a missionary...wherever you live as God has made you. Don’t be anybody but who you are, and do this in a way that impacts and influences our world. Ministry is not just for those who are paid by the church--we live lives of ministry, Mentor, disciple, multiply! Share God’s story help and others know Him (see #1) Get God/ministry/church out of the box: Worship is not just about music. We need to be careful with our church terms. Worship is not just Sunday. I don't think worship can be "good or bad," only vain or empty hearted. The church it not a building, but God’s people, etc.
6- Give, save, and manage money as a steward of the real owner and giver: God. I had to add this because in our life I realized how important and dangerous not prioritizing money can be. Spend more on others than yourself. Seek simplicity. This is hard, but challenging. Your credit card statement/checkbook reflects your heart for God. Avoid debt, materialism, and closets full of clothes and stuff.
Do all of this with while letting the word of Christ dwell in you richly
(Colossians 3:16) and abiding in him so that you connect with the Father. (John 15).
1-Live into your identity in Christ and your relationship with God as your Father. You will never be disappointed with spending your life understanding God's love. Make time for your relationship with God and BE IN HIS WORD! Read the Bible, and all books about Gods love and the roles of the trinity. Talk about it with humble, trustworthy, Biblically rooted people, do word studies in the Bible and examine how your family of origin has affected you and your understanding of God as Father. Seek to live in Gods forgiveness, and extend it to others. God really loves & likes you. Worship Him accordingly and reverently.
2-Live into your God given purpose in life! Develop (and understand) your prayer life and spiritual gifts. What has God called you to do? Read, study, and meet with people who live this out. Pray without ceasing. Study biblical prayers. What can you learn from them? Then makes sure you can teach others. DREAM!
3-Pursue Biblical and healthy sexuality/masculinity/femininity. Study the roles that God has given to men and women. Learn all that you can about sexuality/healthy relationships, and if you want to be married, live like it now in your purity and roles as men and women. (When/if you are married..Prioritze your family above all else. Your spouse is your first ministry). I believe that when men and women truly live out their God given roles, it affects all of society. When these roles are dysfunctional, weak, or lacking power, it contributes to the breakdown of the family, society, and our world. Picking a spouse is one of your most important decisions!
4-Practice all out authenticity and be honest about your brokenness. Find people to share your story with and prioritize God-centered community. Care more about what God thinks of you then what people think about you. Check your emotions. God created you with them and they are good. Live life with trustworthy, intimate friends. The lamest choice in life is the choice to be fake, to live in fear of what people think, to compartmentalize life, or to choose to believe/live lies. Live freely in community.
5-Be a missionary...wherever you live as God has made you. Don’t be anybody but who you are, and do this in a way that impacts and influences our world. Ministry is not just for those who are paid by the church--we live lives of ministry, Mentor, disciple, multiply! Share God’s story help and others know Him (see #1) Get God/ministry/church out of the box: Worship is not just about music. We need to be careful with our church terms. Worship is not just Sunday. I don't think worship can be "good or bad," only vain or empty hearted. The church it not a building, but God’s people, etc.
6- Give, save, and manage money as a steward of the real owner and giver: God. I had to add this because in our life I realized how important and dangerous not prioritizing money can be. Spend more on others than yourself. Seek simplicity. This is hard, but challenging. Your credit card statement/checkbook reflects your heart for God. Avoid debt, materialism, and closets full of clothes and stuff.
Do all of this with while letting the word of Christ dwell in you richly
(Colossians 3:16) and abiding in him so that you connect with the Father. (John 15).
Sunday, August 06, 2006
No Ordinary Sunday
Our whole church took the morning "off" to serve our community. There were no morning "services" because we decided that we would all go out and serve others. So we decided to invite our nieghbor kids over for lunch, games, and crafts. Our good friends Isaiah & Kat Whelpley helped us out and we had a good old fashioned mini-camp in our backyard!! Kat and Isaiah brought over frames which they got to decorate, and after taking their pictures will give them a copy to put inside. Wendy prepared mini-pizzas and they got to put on their own toppings. We prayed together, colored stories from the Bible coloring book, and played games in our front yard. Our little guests were Oswaldo, Jonathon, Cedric, Karen, and Jennifer.
Click here to watch 'Kids-August-6-2006'
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
I am going to die
I am going to die. (And hopefully not of heat exhaustion). Its true. Someday I am going to die and believe it or not you will too! Isn't that an encouraging topic to talk about? Well, actually it can be and hopefully it will be as that's my focus this Sunday at PCC. Well talk a lot about DEATH. NO ORDINARY DEATH. We will look into John 11 and Jesus "no ordinary day" with Lazarus. (Our whole church is going through the book of John and studying the extraordinary life of Jesus.)
Talking about death can make us feel uncomfortable. When a death occurs it can bring sadness, confusion, and grief. Jesus himself experienced trouble in his spirit because of Lazarus' death. But maybe, like in John 11, there are extraordinary things that can happen when we have to experience or talk about death. For me, the two places that stir my nerves the most are hospitals and funerals. But these same places have also been extremely redemptive, supernatural, and well extraordinary because of what God has done (And it seems God has a tendency to send me to these places that I might have extraordinary days). Maybe we can prepare, live freely with out fear, and reconcile with others in our life so that when death comes it doesn't cause regret for things unsaid or undone. And with the right perspective, we can prevent unholy anger toward God because of his timing by seeing that death is not the end and God is glorified in death. I know that this is not an easy topic to discuss. For some of us, death is so fresh, as we have recently suffered the loss of a loved one, maybe others still carry the unresolved pain caused by the death of a spouse, relative, or friend for years, while for others this topic is equally challenging for fear of accidental death enslaves or impending sickness threatens to take the life of someone you deeply love. Whatever you are feeling, come and wrestle. Come and cry if you need to. It's OK because Jesus wept, too.
Peninsula Covenant Church
9:15am, 11am, 6pm
3560 Farm Hill Blvd.
Redwood City Ca 94061
Talking about death can make us feel uncomfortable. When a death occurs it can bring sadness, confusion, and grief. Jesus himself experienced trouble in his spirit because of Lazarus' death. But maybe, like in John 11, there are extraordinary things that can happen when we have to experience or talk about death. For me, the two places that stir my nerves the most are hospitals and funerals. But these same places have also been extremely redemptive, supernatural, and well extraordinary because of what God has done (And it seems God has a tendency to send me to these places that I might have extraordinary days). Maybe we can prepare, live freely with out fear, and reconcile with others in our life so that when death comes it doesn't cause regret for things unsaid or undone. And with the right perspective, we can prevent unholy anger toward God because of his timing by seeing that death is not the end and God is glorified in death. I know that this is not an easy topic to discuss. For some of us, death is so fresh, as we have recently suffered the loss of a loved one, maybe others still carry the unresolved pain caused by the death of a spouse, relative, or friend for years, while for others this topic is equally challenging for fear of accidental death enslaves or impending sickness threatens to take the life of someone you deeply love. Whatever you are feeling, come and wrestle. Come and cry if you need to. It's OK because Jesus wept, too.
Peninsula Covenant Church
9:15am, 11am, 6pm
3560 Farm Hill Blvd.
Redwood City Ca 94061
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)