I'm sure we can all agree there's safety in numbers. There's also freedom in numbers too. Imagine having the capability to draw on the resources of a global organization for inspiration, guidance, best practices, and a great deal more. Imagine how these treasures can affect our mission as a church here in Chico. We have the opportunity to truly connect people to God, to other people of like minds, and to a higher and better purpose. In one short year as Abundant Life Church, we have done great things. Lives have been changed, people have been healed and brought to a deeper understanding of God and his will for us. But He has so much more to do!
On Sunday, take a look around at the people you worship with. Remember this moment. I believe that a year from now the faces you see today will be surrounded by an astounding number of new faces that aren't with us today. We will grow. Our mission will be stronger, our reach greater, and our lives fuller than we can imagine.
Christian City Church (c3church) is a global movement that has been blessed by God and is growing by leaps and bounds. Pastor Peter says that when you see or hear of God doing a great work in a particular place RUN! Don't walk. Get there. Share in that blessing. c3 church is a great work being done by God, through some amazing people, half way around the world, on a global scale.
And that is why c3. Our mission is theirs; they are kindred spirits who have been where we are and are eager to help us achieve great things in Butte County and even beyond.
In the end, I feel there is nothing better than the feeling of being a part of something larger than yourself, something that connects you to all people in a work that is for the good of all.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
God Is Good! Always
"God is good all the time, and all the time, God is good."
This is a great saying, and so true of the God we serve.
Not only that, but we need to REALLY believe it!
So many times when Christians experience a rough patch, or even a series of tragedies, their faith and belief in 'who' their God is, gets shaken, and sometimes falters.
One thing we HAVE to get down into our spirit, is that Jesus is totally good. There is no shadow of bad in Him. Everything He does is good and he never changes (Hebrews 13:8).
We also have to remember there is an enemy out there called Satan, or the devil, and everything the devil does is bad - there is absolutely no thread of good in him.
God is totally good, the devil is totally bad.
Therefore, the next time something good happens to us, praise God. When something bad happens to us, don't blame God, blame the devil, get mad at him. Start declaring who you are as a child of God and start telling him where to go.
James 4:7 tells us that if we resist the devil, he will flee - literally run in terror - He is scared of YOU and he should be! Remember, you have the power of God within you.
Love God, resist the devil. That's the way it should be. Everyday we need to love on God. Praise Him. Get so full of Him that He just oozes out of you.
God is good all the time, and all the time, God is good.
Have an awesome day,
Pastor Peter
This is a great saying, and so true of the God we serve.
Not only that, but we need to REALLY believe it!
So many times when Christians experience a rough patch, or even a series of tragedies, their faith and belief in 'who' their God is, gets shaken, and sometimes falters.
One thing we HAVE to get down into our spirit, is that Jesus is totally good. There is no shadow of bad in Him. Everything He does is good and he never changes (Hebrews 13:8).
We also have to remember there is an enemy out there called Satan, or the devil, and everything the devil does is bad - there is absolutely no thread of good in him.
God is totally good, the devil is totally bad.
Therefore, the next time something good happens to us, praise God. When something bad happens to us, don't blame God, blame the devil, get mad at him. Start declaring who you are as a child of God and start telling him where to go.
James 4:7 tells us that if we resist the devil, he will flee - literally run in terror - He is scared of YOU and he should be! Remember, you have the power of God within you.
Love God, resist the devil. That's the way it should be. Everyday we need to love on God. Praise Him. Get so full of Him that He just oozes out of you.
God is good all the time, and all the time, God is good.
Have an awesome day,
Pastor Peter
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Why c3? (Part One)
Things are changing. Last year at this time Abundant Life Church had about 15 solid members; we met at the Holiday Inn where we set up our stage and our chairs every Sunday and put people out front to wave cars in so they wouldn't get lost if this was their first time visiting.
Today we have a stage that we share with two other wonderful churches but the caravan of equipment now stays put for the most part when we finish service on Sunday. We used to have three to five people meeting in the Wolcott's small living room for an informal Bible study. Today we have a mens connect group, a women's connect group, a vibrant and crazy young people's ministry and each service is including more and more children which means the start of our children's ministry is not far off.
Our pastors, Peter and Gay Chapman finally have their belongings with them in their new home that has a bedroom for both the Chapman kids and we all feel better that they are settled. We are attracting many new members and are even welcoming some old friends back from the original Abundant Life Center. These are the things we have been praying for and God has been faithful to answer those prayers in a positive way.
So, if everything's going so well, why spoil a good thing by aligning ourselves with a church that's half way around the world? Well, let's look at their values:
According to Phil Pringle, Pastor of Christian City Church (c3 Church), their values include fervent, heartfelt prayer, the worship and praise of God, and a foundation of faith and vision. In their services prayer plays an important part as it does in all of Abundant Life's services. We don't rush through "the singing part" to get to the preaching. We take time to "love on God" with worship and praise music and he answers by visiting His Spirit on us. At c3 church Worship is such a big part of who they are, that recordings of their music are known worldwide.
We do not practice "religion" - a systematic approach to the worship and service of God - we live faith. At c3 Church, faith is what they have built their church on as well. A culture of faith permeates all of the c3 churches around the world. Peter and Gay Chapman have imparted the vision they have for Chico and Butte County to Abundant Life and we as members have made it our own; bring the people in this area closer to God and make them disciples who can then go out into the world and spread the Good News. c3 Church is also committed to making not just believers but disciples for Christ. Abundant Life and c3 both seek to train up leaders in the service of the one to whom we owe all.
This lifestyle doesn't mean a life of austerity; it is a lifestyle of abundance! as the current name of our church implies. Jesus said in John 10: 10, "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly". Some of the richest men who ever lived wrote down the words found in the Bible. David gave 2.5 billion (yes, that's with a B) for the building of the temple. Solomon had boatloads of gold arriving at his ports daily. Even Jesus, who had received kingly gifts at his birth did not want for money. Both Abundant Life Church and c3 Church support and celebrate the financial blessings God showers on us.
(continued next week in Part two, Why c3?)
For a look at the culture of C3, check out this video by Phil Pringle.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTBZKaualTc
Today we have a stage that we share with two other wonderful churches but the caravan of equipment now stays put for the most part when we finish service on Sunday. We used to have three to five people meeting in the Wolcott's small living room for an informal Bible study. Today we have a mens connect group, a women's connect group, a vibrant and crazy young people's ministry and each service is including more and more children which means the start of our children's ministry is not far off.
Our pastors, Peter and Gay Chapman finally have their belongings with them in their new home that has a bedroom for both the Chapman kids and we all feel better that they are settled. We are attracting many new members and are even welcoming some old friends back from the original Abundant Life Center. These are the things we have been praying for and God has been faithful to answer those prayers in a positive way.
So, if everything's going so well, why spoil a good thing by aligning ourselves with a church that's half way around the world? Well, let's look at their values:
According to Phil Pringle, Pastor of Christian City Church (c3 Church), their values include fervent, heartfelt prayer, the worship and praise of God, and a foundation of faith and vision. In their services prayer plays an important part as it does in all of Abundant Life's services. We don't rush through "the singing part" to get to the preaching. We take time to "love on God" with worship and praise music and he answers by visiting His Spirit on us. At c3 church Worship is such a big part of who they are, that recordings of their music are known worldwide.
We do not practice "religion" - a systematic approach to the worship and service of God - we live faith. At c3 Church, faith is what they have built their church on as well. A culture of faith permeates all of the c3 churches around the world. Peter and Gay Chapman have imparted the vision they have for Chico and Butte County to Abundant Life and we as members have made it our own; bring the people in this area closer to God and make them disciples who can then go out into the world and spread the Good News. c3 Church is also committed to making not just believers but disciples for Christ. Abundant Life and c3 both seek to train up leaders in the service of the one to whom we owe all.
This lifestyle doesn't mean a life of austerity; it is a lifestyle of abundance! as the current name of our church implies. Jesus said in John 10: 10, "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly". Some of the richest men who ever lived wrote down the words found in the Bible. David gave 2.5 billion (yes, that's with a B) for the building of the temple. Solomon had boatloads of gold arriving at his ports daily. Even Jesus, who had received kingly gifts at his birth did not want for money. Both Abundant Life Church and c3 Church support and celebrate the financial blessings God showers on us.
(continued next week in Part two, Why c3?)
For a look at the culture of C3, check out this video by Phil Pringle.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTBZKaualTc
Sunday, December 20, 2009
When God Came Down
Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! Feliz Navidad! Happy Christmas! Joyeux Noel! Buon Natale! However it is said, it is a familiar greeting around this time of year. The closer we get to December 25 the more frequently it is heard; especially if snow is falling. For many, this time of year is about giving and getting presents, decorating our homes with red and green and lights, giving to charities, and having family over for a feast. However we celebrate it, Christmas has become a favorite time of year around the world.
Why do we celebrate the birth of one baby with so much enthusiasm after more than two thousand years? The child that was born that night only lived until he was 33; He had no wife or children. He was the son of a carpenter from a small, backwater town. His mother’s character was no doubt called into question due to the speed of her first-born’s arrival after marriage. He was not a warrior that won battles that we could see. He did not discover medical cures that we could prescribe; He did not lead a great nation or leave a legacy of great art or music. All he did was show up, and this fact changed everything. Lying in that manger on that cold night was God himself in the form of a vulnerable, weak infant. He was fully man and fully God; willing to trust this young couple to help him grow and deliver the message and the gift he came to give us.
I can think of no other religion whose deity came down from on high to be among the people of the earth. The Mountain did not go to Mohammed, Mohammed went to the mountain. The Budda was a man who ascended to heaven. He did not return. Vishnu and Brahma reside in the heavens and see no reason to visit the lower castes on the earth below, and God’s chosen people, the Jews, are still waiting.
He came to us. God: the one who created the universe, the planets, the cells in our bodies, everything. He loves us so much he decided we were worth saving. God came down on Christmas day and changed the world, one person at a time. Think about this astounding act as you wander the mall looking for the right gift for aunt Joan or uncle Joe. As a matter of fact, think about it as you are cleaning up the wrapping paper and putting away all that red and green and tinsel until next year. Think about it in July when you are waving sparklers in the air and in August when you are swooning from the summer heat. Never forget it. He came to us so that we could someday be with Him.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Laundry Day
Laundry Day
I was thinking the other day that.......
Going to church is a lot like doing the laundry. Think about it, Once a week all the grime and stains of the previous week are cleaned away and forgotten, Then you are given a warm, fuzzy feeling and all fluffed up!
You know what I love most about doing laundry? When you get the clothes out of the dryer and lay them on your couch or your bed or whatever and do a FACEPLANT right into the middle of the pile! That smell and that warm feeling pretty much sums up how I feel when I get out of church. All that great static electricity flowing off of me from the Spirit! It's awesome. I just wish I could keep that warm fuzzy feeling and that energy all week. Do you feel the same?
What if I told you there is a way that you can? Would you want to know about it? Would you use it?
That's what the Abundant Life Church website and blog and upcoming podcast are all about; not to mention all of the other great resources out there that lots of hard-working people have put together. We want to give you the energy and the good feelings you get from going to church all through your week. How many of you have gotten to the middle of your week and you notice that your growling at your kids and you're cutting people off in traffic; Everyone who crosses your path is in danger of receiving some of your bad attitude? (Raise Hand). Even my dog stays clear of me when I get like that.
Yeah, that's me. What I finally discovered was every time I start to feel like that If I spend some time alone with God listening to worship music, or a good podcast by one of my favorite pastors or doing a Bible study, I can get my mind off of how lousy I think things are and I can get my focus back on God and all the great things he's done for me; and what he wants to do with me.
So, here's what I propose: for one week spend one half hour smack dab in the middle of your week reading this or any other Christ-centered blog or going to a Bible study website and searching for answers to a question you have, or just reading your Bible. Then come back to church on Sunday and tell someone about it. Or, tell everyone about it. Did it help? Remember, it only takes 21 days to make, or break a habit. This is a good one to make.
I was thinking the other day that.......
Going to church is a lot like doing the laundry. Think about it, Once a week all the grime and stains of the previous week are cleaned away and forgotten, Then you are given a warm, fuzzy feeling and all fluffed up!
You know what I love most about doing laundry? When you get the clothes out of the dryer and lay them on your couch or your bed or whatever and do a FACEPLANT right into the middle of the pile! That smell and that warm feeling pretty much sums up how I feel when I get out of church. All that great static electricity flowing off of me from the Spirit! It's awesome. I just wish I could keep that warm fuzzy feeling and that energy all week. Do you feel the same?
What if I told you there is a way that you can? Would you want to know about it? Would you use it?
That's what the Abundant Life Church website and blog and upcoming podcast are all about; not to mention all of the other great resources out there that lots of hard-working people have put together. We want to give you the energy and the good feelings you get from going to church all through your week. How many of you have gotten to the middle of your week and you notice that your growling at your kids and you're cutting people off in traffic; Everyone who crosses your path is in danger of receiving some of your bad attitude? (Raise Hand). Even my dog stays clear of me when I get like that.
Yeah, that's me. What I finally discovered was every time I start to feel like that If I spend some time alone with God listening to worship music, or a good podcast by one of my favorite pastors or doing a Bible study, I can get my mind off of how lousy I think things are and I can get my focus back on God and all the great things he's done for me; and what he wants to do with me.
So, here's what I propose: for one week spend one half hour smack dab in the middle of your week reading this or any other Christ-centered blog or going to a Bible study website and searching for answers to a question you have, or just reading your Bible. Then come back to church on Sunday and tell someone about it. Or, tell everyone about it. Did it help? Remember, it only takes 21 days to make, or break a habit. This is a good one to make.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Sometimes it's Hard.
But sometimes you Win.
The last few years have marked extraordinary changes in my personal life.
Yes. I closed a chapter of my life, the one where I lived in the Pacific Northwest, about 50 miles south of Canada, eh?
How did I close that chapter? I prayed, out loud, to God. I asked for his help.
Oh yeah right.. I think we all do that from time to time. But this time God answered. In a big way.
At the time, I was not a "Christian." I was not "Saved." I had not been to a church, any church, for over 25 years. At the time, I didn't have any personal grasp of the depth behind words like Christian, Saved, Baptized... let alone the mind-boggling concept of Jesus.
To make a long story short, God paved the way for unbelievable coincidences that... even 'Vegas bookies wouldn't lay odds. I was able to find a 'high-tech' job in Chico, CA - the same town where Sean, my 17-year-old son lived with his mother. And it's a true thing: I needed to spend more time with Sean. I was able to sell a sailboat that I'd called 'home' for nearly a year - this, in a down economy, when it hard to even 'give away' boats. Never mind sell them, and walk away with any amount of money.
And then, once I'd moved to Chico, CA - I met my wife-to-be. The most beautiful and wonderful woman in the world (yes!). In so many ways, we're perfectly right for each other. Yet we never would have met, noway, never... except for my desperate prayer. MY prayer that God answered for me, personally to ME, back in those dark days of my life in January, 2008.
I think back to my old life, and all I can do is weep with joy. Indeed: God had a plan for my life, and was there to respond: to help when it was time for change. And YES - So much has changed for me. WOW!
Oh yeah... back to the topic of this post: What the heck is all this weepy-eyed preamble? What does this have to do with "Sometimes it's Hard?"
Okay: it's like this:
Last Monday was my birthday. Yahoo! I was able to get together with my son Sean and my wife Catherine, and we all went out to dinner. The three of us spent a grand evening chatting about my son's plans for college, his struggles with learning to drive a car, stuff about his girlfriend, and more. But somewhere during all of that, I was able to say:
"Sean, the best present you could give me for my birthday would be... could you come to church with us one day? See me and Catherine up there on the 'Worship Team,' playing guitar and singing? That would mean like, really a lot to me. Okay?"
To my Serious Surprise, he said: "Okay, sure!"
Hard? YES it was hard. I don't know where I found the courage to ask my son to come to church. Honestly, I didn't want to test the waters of religion with my son, especially considering that my own personal 'enlightenment' had been so recent. And to date, my son and I, we've shared nothing of ... of just how much my involvement with Church and God means to me. I mean, how much it means to me, personally.
Maybe that's the next hard topic for the two of us to share. Maybe a father-son 'bonding' time yet to come. And yes: I think him and me will 'win' that one too.
Win it? Yes. In fact, I know it.
Thank you, God.
Yes. I closed a chapter of my life, the one where I lived in the Pacific Northwest, about 50 miles south of Canada, eh?
How did I close that chapter? I prayed, out loud, to God. I asked for his help.
Oh yeah right.. I think we all do that from time to time. But this time God answered. In a big way.
At the time, I was not a "Christian." I was not "Saved." I had not been to a church, any church, for over 25 years. At the time, I didn't have any personal grasp of the depth behind words like Christian, Saved, Baptized... let alone the mind-boggling concept of Jesus.
To make a long story short, God paved the way for unbelievable coincidences that... even 'Vegas bookies wouldn't lay odds. I was able to find a 'high-tech' job in Chico, CA - the same town where Sean, my 17-year-old son lived with his mother. And it's a true thing: I needed to spend more time with Sean. I was able to sell a sailboat that I'd called 'home' for nearly a year - this, in a down economy, when it hard to even 'give away' boats. Never mind sell them, and walk away with any amount of money.
And then, once I'd moved to Chico, CA - I met my wife-to-be. The most beautiful and wonderful woman in the world (yes!). In so many ways, we're perfectly right for each other. Yet we never would have met, noway, never... except for my desperate prayer. MY prayer that God answered for me, personally to ME, back in those dark days of my life in January, 2008.
I think back to my old life, and all I can do is weep with joy. Indeed: God had a plan for my life, and was there to respond: to help when it was time for change. And YES - So much has changed for me. WOW!
Oh yeah... back to the topic of this post: What the heck is all this weepy-eyed preamble? What does this have to do with "Sometimes it's Hard?"
Okay: it's like this:
Last Monday was my birthday. Yahoo! I was able to get together with my son Sean and my wife Catherine, and we all went out to dinner. The three of us spent a grand evening chatting about my son's plans for college, his struggles with learning to drive a car, stuff about his girlfriend, and more. But somewhere during all of that, I was able to say:
"Sean, the best present you could give me for my birthday would be... could you come to church with us one day? See me and Catherine up there on the 'Worship Team,' playing guitar and singing? That would mean like, really a lot to me. Okay?"
To my Serious Surprise, he said: "Okay, sure!"
Hard? YES it was hard. I don't know where I found the courage to ask my son to come to church. Honestly, I didn't want to test the waters of religion with my son, especially considering that my own personal 'enlightenment' had been so recent. And to date, my son and I, we've shared nothing of ... of just how much my involvement with Church and God means to me. I mean, how much it means to me, personally.
Maybe that's the next hard topic for the two of us to share. Maybe a father-son 'bonding' time yet to come. And yes: I think him and me will 'win' that one too.
Win it? Yes. In fact, I know it.
Thank you, God.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
I Proclaim
If you weren't with us in church on Sunday you missed it. Of course, I say that about every Sunday. Especially the ones I miss. Pastor Robin of Almond Blossom Fellowship, the wonderful folks we share our awesome building with, was our guest speaker. I always love having guest speakers. It shakes things up a bit and gives you a new perspective on what might be old material. Or a new perspective on new material as the case may be. Pastor Robin definitely gave all of us a new perspective. Flashing from one Bible verse to another, he expounded on our need to know who we are in Christ(2Cor 4:13). I can't recall the last esoteric moment I spent wondering "who am I, really?" Usually the face in the mirror identifies itself every morning as yuk and my day goes on from there.
Listening to Pastor Robin has inspired me to rethink that morning ritual for a very important reason. That's not how God sees me. He tells us through the Word who we are and its not a good idea to disagree with His Word (Rom 10:17). So, who does God say we are? you will be surprised. Pastor Robin also gave each of us a page of proclamations. Bible verses that tell us how Christ sees us and therefore, how we should see ourselves. I am attaching a copy of it here for you to read. Robin says we need to find the ones that the Spirit speaks to us through, stand in front of our mirrors and proclaim them over ourselves. Probably not the most comfortable thing to do but, do you really want to argue with Jesus?
Check these out
I am covered by the Blood of Jesus and I abide in the secret place of the Most High, under the shadow of the Almighty. (Psalms 91:1)
Your angels have charge over me and will keep me in all of my ways bearing me up lest I dash my foot against a stone (Psalm 91:9-12)
I have authority to trample serpents and scorpions and over all the powers of the enemy and NOTHING shall by any means hurt me. I will rejoice, my name is written in the book of life. (Luke 10:19-20)
Every place my sole treads on my Lord God will give me (Joshua 1:3)
I will resist the devil and he MUST flee from me (James 4:7)
I am a son of the Most High God, Co-heirs with Jesus. (Romans 8:16-18)
I am more than a conquoror (Romans 8:37)
I have the mind of Christ (1Cor 2:16)
I walk by the Spirit and my mind is controlled by the Spirit. (Gal 5:16 & Romans 8:6)
Lord you have called me and are Faithful to sanctify my spirit, soul, and body and keep me blameless at your coming. (1 Thess 5:23-24)
Lord you equip me with everything good to do your will. (Hebrews 13:21)
I thank you Lord God that I belong to You and that you have chosen me to be part of Your Royal Priesthood and part of Your Holy Nation. (1 Peter 2:9)
By God, I am righteous, through faith in Jesus the Christ. (Phil 3:9)
My prayers are powerful and effective because I am righteous. (James 5:16)
Righteousness goes before me and prepares a way for my steps. (Psalms 85:13)
No weapon forged against me will prevail. I will refute every word that accuses me. (Isaiah 54:17)
I am an overcomer because the ONE who is in me is greater than he that is in the world. (1 John 4:4)
As your chosen child, holy and dearly loved I clothe myself with compassion, kindness, gentleness, and patience. (Colossians 3:12)
I will not grieve for the JOY of the Lord is my strength. (Neh 8:10)
I will not be terrified because You, God go before me and fight for me and you, God carry me. (Deut 1:29-30)
Listening to Pastor Robin has inspired me to rethink that morning ritual for a very important reason. That's not how God sees me. He tells us through the Word who we are and its not a good idea to disagree with His Word (Rom 10:17). So, who does God say we are? you will be surprised. Pastor Robin also gave each of us a page of proclamations. Bible verses that tell us how Christ sees us and therefore, how we should see ourselves. I am attaching a copy of it here for you to read. Robin says we need to find the ones that the Spirit speaks to us through, stand in front of our mirrors and proclaim them over ourselves. Probably not the most comfortable thing to do but, do you really want to argue with Jesus?
Check these out
I am covered by the Blood of Jesus and I abide in the secret place of the Most High, under the shadow of the Almighty. (Psalms 91:1)
Your angels have charge over me and will keep me in all of my ways bearing me up lest I dash my foot against a stone (Psalm 91:9-12)
I have authority to trample serpents and scorpions and over all the powers of the enemy and NOTHING shall by any means hurt me. I will rejoice, my name is written in the book of life. (Luke 10:19-20)
Every place my sole treads on my Lord God will give me (Joshua 1:3)
I will resist the devil and he MUST flee from me (James 4:7)
I am a son of the Most High God, Co-heirs with Jesus. (Romans 8:16-18)
I am more than a conquoror (Romans 8:37)
I have the mind of Christ (1Cor 2:16)
I walk by the Spirit and my mind is controlled by the Spirit. (Gal 5:16 & Romans 8:6)
Lord you have called me and are Faithful to sanctify my spirit, soul, and body and keep me blameless at your coming. (1 Thess 5:23-24)
Lord you equip me with everything good to do your will. (Hebrews 13:21)
I thank you Lord God that I belong to You and that you have chosen me to be part of Your Royal Priesthood and part of Your Holy Nation. (1 Peter 2:9)
By God, I am righteous, through faith in Jesus the Christ. (Phil 3:9)
My prayers are powerful and effective because I am righteous. (James 5:16)
Righteousness goes before me and prepares a way for my steps. (Psalms 85:13)
No weapon forged against me will prevail. I will refute every word that accuses me. (Isaiah 54:17)
I am an overcomer because the ONE who is in me is greater than he that is in the world. (1 John 4:4)
As your chosen child, holy and dearly loved I clothe myself with compassion, kindness, gentleness, and patience. (Colossians 3:12)
I will not grieve for the JOY of the Lord is my strength. (Neh 8:10)
I will not be terrified because You, God go before me and fight for me and you, God carry me. (Deut 1:29-30)
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