A message to elders and ministering shepherds

The fall and spring are prime time for church growth and service. The winter and summer seasons are periods for prayer and planning typically mark by a predictable decrease in attendance. I call it the summertime lull - we don't worry about it because we expect and encourage families to spend time together - summer time is vacation time. The winter lull tends to be shorter and varies from year to year depending on the severity of weather. But fall and spring are prime times for church growth. That's why we do a spring campaign that climaxes with friend day on Easter and a Fall campaign that leads up to Thanksgiving and Christmas. We have been praying and planing and preparing for this fall. Our 40 day journey begins on Oct 17 and runs 6 weeks - Thanksgiving will mark the end of our 40 day journey and the beginning of the Christmas season. Paul said "be prepared in season and out of season" - and that's what we've tried to do. The 40 day team has been preparing for Oct 17 since last spring and we believe that God will bless our church family - He's been leading us to this point and we want to do everything with excellence because that is what Jesus deserves - our very best! Our vision and strategy is to build stronger relationships with Jesus and people through small groups. We're asking, encouraging, persuading every member to join a small group for six weeks. Which brings me to the point of this email. Your role as an elder and ministering shepherd is so important. Please contact your partner and let's revive our shepherding groups. Let's make sure no one falls through the cracks from now until Christmas. Working together enables us to care for our church family - whenever any member misses two weeks in a row - please contact them. You're familiar with the plan because you've done it. Yes, during the recent past we seemed to have lost some momentum - but you continued to work the assembling, greeting, caring for people and serving them in so many ways. I love to see you shepherd. Let's kick off the fall campaign by contacting and communicating with our partners. Each month, please hand your sheet to Jeanie or me and you'll receive new care callers. This current list has not been updated but we will take care of that with your help - write down the names of new comers - communicate and work together and assume responsibility for them. That seems like the best way to update the list - rather than arbitrarily assigning people, the elders and ministering shepherds can decide how new people are assimilated - with your help we can complete the update in one month or less. I am excited about this fall - I hope you are too. Pray for me and I'll pray for you as we all serve Jesus together. Grace and peace, Jeff

Phil and I at the Clapton and Daltery Concert

Going to see Eric Clapton and Roger Daltrey tomorrow in Cinci with Phil

Going to see Eric Clapton and Roger Daltrey tomorrow in Cinci with Phil

Home Six Mile (Jeff's song about growing up in Boone County WV)

Jake Copley's new church

Jake and Liz are doing great. I just talk to Jake. He's preaching for Artemus Christian Church in Barbourville KY - http://artemuschristianchurch.com/default.htm

Rob Durst is the Best!

Our AV man, Rob Durst, is the best! Rob stays ahead of the cutting edge of technology. When Jeanie and I walked into the Media Center for our Mac training this morning we were instantly blown away. I wish you could have walked in with us. I don't know how to describe it. Two Macs were sitting side by side on a rectangular table facing a big screen. The LCD projector is mounted on the ceiling projected the computer screen image on the big screen on the wall. He had prepared everything - it was perfect - when we walked in we both said "Wow!" Then he started to train us - which was even more impressive. He was so methodical and thorough. He explained the outter surface, the hidden speakers, hot keys, short cuts, magnetic power cords, and every single port - he knew it all. And everything he said was relevant - he could have went on for hours with technical information and high-tech jargon that neither one of us could understand. But he only talked about the things that were helpful and necessary. He showed us video clips. He demonstrated everything as he taught. It felt like we had hired a high priced consultant. Then, when he finished, he unwrapped a hard-cased she to put over my new Mac. All three of us smiled because we all knew that the reason for the hard-shell casing was to protect the machine from me! I am rough with machines even though I try to be careful. Now, the quality of the training he provided this morning is not any different - this was not a one-time- thing. The quality of Rob's work permeates everthing he does. He understand stage and lighting and audio and video equipment. He networks computers, maintains security and administrates systems. He measures outcomes and tracks hits on our website, the number of people who watch Norway live and tracks how many people download our podcasts. He works very closely with Matt and the Praise Band and mixes the sound for 3 guitars, a bass and electric drums and microphones for 5 singers. He understands me! He anticipates my needs - microphones, power point mix with video clips and on and on. He knows what I need before I asked him for it. And his work at the church is his part time job. His full time job is at First Sentury Bank. On top of this he does other things like church camp. That's where he had be the morning he trained us. Can you imagine that? No one gets any sleep at church camp. That was especially true for Rob. Because Thursday night he created the church camp DVD and all the campers took it home. Kids watch those church camp DVDs all year long. The church camp movie that Rob creates, edits and produces is the best advertisement for church camp. My children watch their church camp movies with their friends. So, I just needed to tell you about Rob Durst. He is the best! I never dreamed I would have the privilege of working with an AV guy of this caliber. I remember when my sermons were recorded on an old cassette deck that was stuck in a little room no bigger than a closet. I was grateful for the man who used to record my sermons in a previous church. The song before the sermon he walk back and push the button and record it. He used a high-speed recorder to make copies and I get a call once in a while from people who listen to my old cassette tapes. When I compare what Rob has done with digital recordings and the number of people that download sermons from Norway - Wow! I thank God for Rob! I feel really close to him and I appreciate his work so much - he makes me a better preacher and he makes everybody at Norway better. Rob is spreading the message of Jesus. We are so blessed to have him. The next time you see Rob show him that you appreciate him.

Healthy Church

This Sunday we begin our brand new summer series called "Healthy Church" - it's a study of 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy and Titus. "Health" is is a major theme in the pastoral letters. Paul used the word "sound" e.g. "sound teaching", "sound faith," etc. The Greek word "sound" actually means "healthy". Jesus wants his church to be healthy, growing and full of love.

Let's get healthy this summer! OK? I'm ready are you? Diet and exercise improves your healthy. I am not talking about physical exercise. I am talking feeding on God's word and exercising spiritual disciplines.

Let's begin with a 30 minute exercise in God's word. Just follow the three simple steps below.

1. Say a short prayer - ask the Father to fill you with his Spirit so you can understand Him.

2. Read the 3 books (1 Timothy, 2 Timothy and Titus) before Sunday.

3. Say a short prayer and ask God help you live like Jesus.

See you Sunday Healthy Church!

Garrett Family Vacation (2010) Siesta Key Florida

We just returned from our family vacation. We spent a week with Bob, Susan and Heather and it was a great vacation. Kim, Tori, Shayna and I drove. Amber and mom took a direct flight. It was a refreshing, relaxing, memory-making vacation. Bob and Susan have a beautiful home in Siesta Key - just a block from the beach. A salt water canal weaves it's way through their neighborhood. They live in paradise. Below are a few video clips.------------------------------ At Bob & Susan's Jeff caught a Catfish Fun in the Sun White Sandy Beach (Bob, Susan, Kim and Jeff) Picking up Amber and Mom at St Pete Airport Tori and Dad at Gilligan's listening to the Blues

Todd's video

Cooper - some pics from hospital and home

Amazing Grace - 7yr old Rhema Marvanne

Evan's Rock and Roll Band Wins the Battle of the Bands

Last night Evan Shoemaker's Rock and Roll band won the battle of the bands. I love their style of music. They played John Mayer, Steve Miller, Foo Fighters, Matchbox Twenty and Skynyrd. Rock and roll. Evan looks like a rock! Take a look at those guns on his arms. He's a football star and a rock and roll star. All of the members of his band are great musicians - their music is tight, their singer is great - man, the are impressive - we've got to have them play some Friday night. They are awesome!

40 Days of Getting Real - Norway Ave Members are Writing a Book for our 2010 Fall Journey

This fall Norway Ave Church members are going to write a book for our 2010 Journey. Last year we used Saddleback resources (40 Days of Love) and bought boxes of Tom Holliday's book (The Relationship Principles of Jesus). God bless our church family with 27% growth! It was great - God blessed it and we know has has led us to take another journey this fall. It will begin Oct 17 and last 40 days. This year we're going to write the book. Freddy Peatros is going to work with me in order to get the book professionally published. Freddy has written several books and has connections to self-publishing companies. We really appreciate his help. I am going to meet with the writers this Sunday after church and give them the writer guidelines which are below. Writer’s Guidelines - The theme of our fall 2010 Journey is “40 Days of Getting Real.” We are asking you to help write the book. Jeanie put together a great list of possible topics on page 2. It’s not an exhaustive list but it gives you ideas for what you could write about. We want you to select one topic below and tell your story. Do not intellectualize or philosophize – keep it real. Describe your struggle and how God helped you. Once the manuscript is complete we’re going publish it. Yes, that’s right! Your story, along with 39 others will be published (very affordable packages are currently being offered (e.g. iUniverse and another self-publishers) and the church will read one story a day for 40 days during our 2010 fall journey. It’s going to be great! The book will contain 40 stories from 20 men and 20 women who “get real” for Jesus. The idea “Get Real” came from Matt. I believe God gave it to him. Read his email below. Matt captures to whole spirit of the journey in two paragraphs. Hey everybody, When the idea hit me, it reverberated in my soul as a member driven "from the heart" offering of personal testimonials that holds nothing back. Our fears, guilt, shame, betrayal, hate, anger, sadness, ... along with our triumphs, victories, renewals, times of refreshing, spontaneous praise, joy, peace ... basically everything and anything, all in black and white and totally surrendered to God. The concept is to "Get Real and Be Free!" To live to the calling of "life to the fullest" and to be completely and totally God's every day, every second. Free of the garbage and bondage of things in this life Satan uses to hinder us. There are so many amazing people in our church family with so many powerful life events that we are aware of. Think how many more are out there that we are unaware of! We get as many folks as possible to share their stories and agree to have them published in a book that our entire family can read and be challenged and encouraged by. Love you all, Matt Now that you understand the theme, please follow the writer’s guidelines. 1. Read and mediate on 2 Cor. 1:3-5. 2. Present your story in two parts 1) What it is like and 2) How Jesus helps. 3. Mention the name of Jesus at least 4 times (very important) 4. Refer to at least 4 Bible passages or verses. 5. End with 3 questions and a short prayer (aim your questions at reader reflections) 6. Manuscript length should be between 1000-1200 words (Times New Roman – 12pt) 7. Save your manuscript as “first draft” and email it as an attached document (with a digital picture of yourself) to Jeanie (secretary@norwayave.org) by June 1, 2010. 8. Receive constructive feedback from four editors and be willing to modify it. The editors are Susie May, Stephanie Hayes, Bill Wright and myself. Discouragement Worry - Loneliness - Depression - Dissatisfaction - Confusion - Temptation - Anger - Rebellion - Fear - Impatience - Grief Stricken - Lukewarmness - Doubting God - Pain Health Problems - Marital Problems - Addictions - Empty Nest - Trouble with Children - Aging Parents - Jealousy - Conflict - Mental Anguish - Job Loss - Guilt Death of a Family Member - Changes in life - Moving to nesw City - Abandoned - Anxiety - Divorce - Promiscuity - Interracial Marriage - Child with a disability - Loss of a child - Growing old - Spiritual stagnation - Pride - Gossip - Disobedience - Single in a Married World - Fear of failure - Arrogance - Losing a mate - Not able to have children, etc. Writer's will choose their topic, which may not be on the list above. Someone called me today and ask if they could write about "middle age rage" - it is perfect. The list is contains suggestions but the Holy Spirit will ultimately decide what goes in the book. Real stories. Real struggles. That's what Jesus wants - authenticity. We're going to stop pretending, take off our mask and get real for Jesus.

I want to share what I will be presenting at the conference in Pitt next week. Sometimes I have to pinch myself to make sure I am not dreaming - God is soooo good. My presentation was just posted on the American Counseling Association's (ACA) Website. I am a little nervous about it b/c very smart people will be in the audience. There are two links below. The first link is ACA's homepage - ACA is the mother association of the counseling profession w/ 19 national and international divisions - http://www.counseling.org - The second link takes you directly to my handout - if you have 5 minutes please skim it - http://www.counseling.org/handouts/2010/397.pdf This is an important score as I work toward tenure - for me, it's like a big touchdown b/c in may impact the counseling profession at two levels (accredation and licensure). Please pray I do a good job presenting, that I am able to answer all questions (the professors from Texas A&M and Seattle Pacific will not be able to copresent due). Then, please pray that God continues to open more doors of opportunity like this - I give him praise and I am so thankful for what he is doing for me! My passion and primary role is pastor but I enjoying being a professor on the side. Paul made tents, I teach.

Lynn Anderson Smells Like Sheep (a note I posted for Lynn on caringbridge)

I continue to pray for you. When I read Carolyn's post today - well, how can I describe what I feel? I love you Lynn! Carolyn's faith is so strong. God has given you peace and strength to face the most difficult battle of your life. You both are amazing. I can't wait to see the video interview on the Oak Hills Church website. Three times, just this week, I told stories about you. You are so full of Jesus. You taught me, pastored me, guided me through stormy weather. And when the weather cleared, you taught me even more. You opened your heart to me and I'll never forget it - so affirming, encouraging - so wise and understanding - filled to the measure of the fullness of Christ! I will never pastor you like but I am a much better pastor because of you. I smell like sheep Lynn. I smell like you and I like it because you smell like Jesus. I esteem you so high. Paul said to esteem others higher than yourself - well, that's easy to do with you. You are so much better than me in every area. Your leadership, influence and preaching - man, you can preach! You've touched thousands and thousands. There are so many people who feel like I do. We look up to you, admire you and love you. Just look at your guest book - page after page of stories, expressions of love and warm affection. And why? Because you loved us with the love of Jesus. You preach like Apollos, write like Paul, lead like Moses, fight like David and love like Jesus. You are my hero. I knew you before you knew me. I read your books - I ordered your tapes - I guess I've listened to a 100 (no, far more). Whenever I had the privilege to hear you in person, I was on the front row hanging on every word. Then, I met you in CA. Nice restaurant, beautiful view of the Pacific sitting at a table with about 12 preachers. It was so fun. We laughed so hard I thought I would bust. Afterwards one guy said you and Lynn really hit it off. Yes, we sure did! I was so happy to know that it was ok to be normal in the presence of a great man like you. Since that time we've shared more than laughs. You've seen my tears. When I fell into sin and came back to the Lord, you hugged me and kissed me in front of everybody. I walked in five minutes late because I had just finished my session across campus and I rushed to yours. You had already started preaching but you stopped when I walked in. You motioned for me to come down front and hugged me and gave be a big holy kiss on the cheek. I felt like the prodigal son who came home. Then you smiled real big and turned me around to face your audience and introduced me. You told them that I had a story like Joe Beam and you said some other nice things that I remember well but I'm not going to share. But the Holy Spirit filled my heart with such joy and when I sit down I thought "Lord, how could you be so good to me after what I have done. I was ashamed to walk into room but Lynn showered me with your grace (tearful as I write). I've seen your tears too. I've seen them well up in your eyes when you talk about Jesus and God's awesome power. I've seen tears in your eyes when you talked about Carolyn and your children and the people you love. And in that San Antonio hospital where I visited you. I remember what you said about the big "C" word. You explained that the the big "C" was not cancer. The big C's were Christ, Carolyn and Children. God gave you that and I could see how it strengthened you. Right now my heart is so full. Full of pain as I think about your battle with the little "c". But full of faith as I think of your strength and courage and the way you fight. You inspire me. I pray God gives me courage like you. Now, please say a prayer tonight for me and our church. You would love our church Lynn. If you were able to come and preach I know they would love you. And you would love them. Pray that God will keep blessing us and that I will do a good job as I pass on to others what you gave me - Jesus. I love you brother! Jeff

Guilt is only good when it is real

Guilt is good when it is real. Godly sorrow leads to repentance. When I feel guilty for my sin the Holy Spirit convicts me and produces an urgent desire to repent. Paul explained the process in 2 Cor. 7:10-11 when he wrote "Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter. So guilt is good when it is real because it makes you want to repent and turn to God. But, "worldly sorrow brings death." Excessive and inappropriate guilt kills you. Once you feel the pain and make the change you need to let it go. Why do you keep holding on to it? Why do you kill yourself with ongoing thoughts of regret? Did you notice what Paul said? He said "Godly sorry leads to salvation and leaves no regret." It's over. Guilt has served it's purpose and you're back on track - God has forgiven you, your guilt is gone so don't preoccupy your mind with regret - it will kill you! God said "I will remember your sins no more." Now, since God forgave you and promised not to remember it why do you keep dwelling on it? It's "unreal" guilt because it's gone. The blood of Jesus has washed all your sins away. Another kind of guilt that is "unreal" is when you blame yourself for things you didn't do. Some people automatically assume responsibility for other people's problems (e.g. parents are bad about this) and feel guilty for things they didn't do. Now if you you contributed to a problem, apologize and make amends. But remember, guilt is only good when it is real. Stop killing your self with false guilt. Stop beating yourself up for things you didn't do. That's not what God wants. You don't please God when you feel guilty for things you didn't do. And God does not want you to continue to beat yourself up for past sins. Jesus was sufficiently beaten for your transgression - don't beat yourself as if you have something to pay. He absorbed all your punishment. Your guilt is gone and you're making changes gradually by his transforming Spirit - so be free! Your guilt is gone! Blotted out! Totally righteous! That's what God wants you to accept by faith. That's it. Trust Christ! Jesus did not die on the cross to make you feel guilty. Jesus died and rose again to set you free.

If you look at the future it changes and that changes everything else

I just heard a good line from a man - I can't remember his name but what he said captured my attention. He said, "Here's the thing about the future. If you look at the future it changes and that changes everything else." I like it. It's true. When look ahead and change your plans it changes your future. And that changes everything else. You can avoid many problems by looking ahead. Maybe now, as you read this post, is a good time to look at your future. Ask yourself this question: "If I keep heading down the road I am on where am I going to be when I get there?" If you are on the high road following Jesus, stay on it. If not, take the next exit and change directions. When you do this, it may change everything else (relationships, your "station" or place in life, etc) because you do not life in isolation - what you decide affects your family and friends - changing one part changes the whole. I think it could also apply to the past - not that looking at your past changes it but that the linear logic used in blaming all your problems on one event (or person) is a mistake - it's not true. The cause was not the one bad thing, it was many things and that changed everthing, including your reaction to it. The S-R model you learned in Psychology 101 does not fit. It's not billiard ball world. You can't find cause using linear thinking. It's circular, complex and multidiminisional and accepting responsibility for how you think, feel and behave in reaction to the bad thing that happened may be the most important factor. OK. Enough.I need to think about it later. It has captured my attention for too long - I need to get back to reviewing and rehearsing my sermon for Lord's Day morning. But all of the above is related to God. David said "we are fearfully and wonderly made" and that's certainly true of everything he created. All of creation - time, space, everything - all of it is so wonderfully complex. Who can understand it? Who has ever known the mind of God? His thoughts and ways are so high and lofty. When I look up it makes me bow low and worship him.

Medical Team in Haiti (Susan Wright)

Dr. Susan Wright from Norway Ave is serving the suffering people of Haiti. Here is a message from the medical team in Haiti: "We were preparing to open the clinic this morning when we noticed a mother holding a very malnurished child...it was a 3 year old boy in the end stages of AIDS...it was a tough start to the day. The clinic is crowded today. We are seeing the second wave of problems, many severely infected wounds that are a result of th...e unsterile operating environments in the city. Keep praying!"

Without a King (A Study in the Book of Judges)

This Sunday I begin a new series in the book of Judges. The series title is called "Without a King" and the theme Verse: Judges 17:5 In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit.

Bible Study Resources

If you enjoy Bible Study and are looking for online resources click on the links I have listed on the front page of this blog. I love to study God's word and the resources that I have listed under links have been helpful to me - perhaps you will find them helpful also. If you know of other Bible study resources I hope you will share them with me - please send me your favorite links.