Doug Reed Ministries Blog

Jenna's Indian Day @ School

We are at Jenna's school- they are doing a presentation in honor of American Indians. Jenna is very excited! Special thanks to Jim "two crows" Wallen for the authentic outfit :-). This should be fun.

Seattle Trip

Jeanne and I had a lot of fun with te Maltby church in Seattle. This Pic is from the famous Top Pot donut shop. Love the chance to bless the church nationally... But there is no place like home.

Aurtur Bryants With Jordan

Very cool lunch at Bryants in KC with my son today. Real food for real men.

Healthy Marraiges

Tomorrow we will finish the "Together" series with a message about healthy marriages.  We will look at God's original blue-print that was set fourth as early as Adam and Eve.  You are the best advertisement we have... invite someone to the 9AM or !0:45AM service and come early for coffee and donuts. 

Thanks again to all who attended or worked at the seminar today.  Jeanne and I have been hearing great feedback all day! 

"Together" Seminar

There are only about 14 spots left for the Relationship Seminar at Englewood this weekend.  It is tomorrow (Saturday) at 9AM in the student center.  Suggested donation of $15.00 per couple with childcare and a great brunch provided. 

Reply to this post to preregister and will will see you in the morning!

This seminar only lasts 4 hours but it could make a major impact on your relational health.  We all could stand to grow in that area and this is an easy "head-start moment".

Spread this post around if you are coming... Don't miss out!

NY City Missions Trip

This weekend Partnership International has a team in the big apple.  Brandon will be heading this up and leading the trip as well as preparing for future teams.  Our relationships in NY have really grown and God continues to grow the vision of P.I. in that city.  Pray for the team this week when you have a chance.  They have a huge week of ministry planned!

For more trip opportunities check out our new website: partnershipinternational.org

Doral "Blue Monster"

Look close and you can see me hanging out with our awesome winning team.  (we won the lowest division... kings of the scrubs)   Jeanne and I had a lot of fun last week in Miami. 

What a great cause as well... I love the "Speed the Light" missions approach.  Every Pastor should get behind this awesome program to equip our Missionaries. 

Get Lost

I have spent most of my Christian life looking toward the next thing, being visionary.  It is something God put in me early and He has continued to grow me in Vision.  However, about five years ago God began to shift me into a new focus.  At first it seemed counter productive to the pursuit of vision but it has actually been a huge asset.  God simply spoke to me and told me to "get lost" in what was in front of me.  To live in the moment and to serve him with a self abandonment.  In doing so, excellence was raised and divine set-ups materialized. This one thing has taken the pressure off me and put it on God, which is where it belongs.

Most people fail to maximize this moment because they are too busy looking for the next one. You see, vision is a gift but it is really only an elementary beginning.  I have come to believe that a Christian should resembles more of a "guided wanderer" than a confident captain following a course.  He/she is less interested in arriving at a destination and more concerned with the companionship of Jesus on the journey. Others beg for promotions and try to find an angle but the faithful get lost in the story and they let God turn the page to the next chapter. 

*Daily Execution:

• Stop begging for more visionary details
• Live in the revelation you have been given
• Let God set all time lines through the leadership of the Holy Spirit
• Bloom where you are planted,  obey the parable of the talents
• Grow relationally because true Kingdom advancement flows relationally
• Develop your gifts because your going to need them

What a week it has been.  A great mission conference in Miami followed by one of the best Sundays of the year at Englewood.  I am so thankful to be involved in kingdom work and to be in the center of God's will.  Thanks for your prayers and interest. 

Throne Room Night

The Spirit of God was doing such deep things in our people last night.  I spoke on the pattern found in 1Kings 18 at Mount Carmel.  Our monthly Sunday night is an extremely intimate time of worship, and a passionate message that is followed by extended time at the altar.  These services have been a big part of the corporate move of God in our church.  Throne Room nights @ Englewood are the last Sunday of every month at 6PM.

Jeanne and I leave for a Missions Conference in MIami on Wednesday.  I will be back for services on Sunday as we continue our "Together" series. 

Prove It

*Erwin Mcmanus : "God does not even desire to prove Himself to you... His real heart is to reveal Himself." 

The above sentiment is contradictory to the the way that so many of us approach our faith.  We want to see up front, to obey because of blessing thereby avoiding a blind and faithful submission.  Prove it God,  then I will serve you.  This is a game that God refuses to play,  a strategy to move His hand that will never work.  Real faith requires trust.  No formula or struggle or even prayer can make God prove something to you.  He is un-apologetically relational,  He is always teaching us and revealing Himself in the midst of our circumstances.  The miracles He brings are inconsistent but His ability to sustain you and even surprise you is always there.  God is faithful in the best possible way, a Father like way. 

My tendencies:

• To want proof before I will believe
• To ask for more assurance before I obey
• To obey in stages to try and stay in control
• To experience a drop in faith when conflict comes
• To forget how consistently God has sustained me
• To expect God to come through the same way each time

"God, reveal yourself to me and to your people.  Help me to get out of my own way, to submit to you faster and read your ways more accurately.  Grow me up in the things of faith"

Friend Day was awesome today!  A lot of visitors,  especially in the second service.  Several responded for the altar call and the people seemed to be energized. 

Friend Day

This Sunday is Friend Day @ Englewood.  I will be preaching a message called "Game Plan"  - planning for success in all of our relationships.  We will end each service with a wonderful finger food reception for you and your guests.  Invite someone today ! 

KC JUICE

Jeanne and I have become a fan of Jamba Juice in our travels.  It is basically the Starbucks of juice smoothies.  There are no Jamba Juice stores  in KC,  but we have found a replacement that we love just about as much.  KC Juice... just off the Plaza in Westport.  Awesome!  We drove all the way down tonight to feed the crave.

I have a plan

Few phrases in life are more powerful than " I have a plan ."  It immediately creates wonder and can even generate hope.  The problem is that so few of us really have enough information to form an efficacious plan for life or ministry.  The key is to spend time with the one who has an "ariel view" of your circumstance and who knows the future.  God can see where we have been and he knows where we need to be.  Most of us get lost in the confusing details and quick moving nature of our own lives and callings.  Need direction?  Discouraged?  I see in scripture that often God energized a servant by giving them a plan.  Waiting seasons end when God sets a plan ablaze in our hearts.  Obedience simply defined is " Something to do " ,  a task given,  involvement in God's process.  That is the Father's heart coming out and it is a great gift.

Three signs that a plan is from God:

1. It is consistent with Scripture and enforced by a peace from the Holy Spirit.
2. It is a repeating theme of personal desire,  it won't go away.
3. Your gifts and talents fit and therefor the possibility of success is imaginable. 

Step back and listen today.  God is both in and above yours situation and that qualifies Him to direct you.

Don't forget that Sunday is Friend day at Englewood.  Invite someone and stay for a phenomenal reception with our staff!

Process

In staff meeting today we were talking about process.  I shared with the staff that every significant ministry or personal spiritual development in my life has followed five basic steps.  I think positive patterns are extremely important to recognize.  They speak of the way God moves us to higher levels and help us to make a map for others. 

My pattern almost always follows a 5 step path.  

• God will deal with me and creates a philosophy that I believe in.  This usually includes frustration about something that needs change.                                                                            
• I am prompted to action in that area.  Often this is not a fully conscious thing but it is accompanied by strong feelings and the need to lead.

• Conflict begins to surface. This happens from both the inside and outside.  In me, questions are birthed and an inward spiritual and philosophical struggle is there.  Other may begin to question and struggle around me as leadership in a direction is enforced.

• The Holy Spirit convicts and the philosophy becomes a conviction.  I become strong in my belief and it is now a point of obedience to God.

• Strategic planning happens as God helps me to live out what He has dealt with me about.  The conflicts within are gone and I can lead and live with purpose.

It is worthy to note that God's word is the tool that the Spirit uses to move us through His patterns. 
I love the fact that God is always working in our lives.  Finding the repetitions can help us rejoice at His consistency that flows out His faithfulness.

I preach the 3rd message in our purity series tomorrow night.  Masquerades that lead to a lack of authenticity will be the headline subject of the night.

Together Series

I am discovering that God will consistently put me in a position where I cannot accomplish goals without the help of others.  He loves for us to surround ourselves with a "cluster of comrades" and to fight for change in a spirit of unity.  I am reminded that if I have dreams that are big,  it will demand that I trust other people.  I can over-lead or I can release others into a place of vulnerable fullness that pushes them to trust God and recruit others. This is the cycle of the kingdom that all are called to participate in.       

  several observations here:

• Trusting others speaks of my limitations and glorifies God
  
• Comradery of Cause opens up the chance for the deepest friendships
• My gifts can only be full-filled in an atmosphere of relational integrity
• God loves it when we trust the system that He created
• I am built for connection and isolationism is poison

The loneliest place on earth is an unshared moment of victory.  

A shout out to my many great friends... love you guys.

The Chiefs

We lost to the Raiders today... that makes 25 out of 27 games.  A dark season at Arrowhead indeed.  I am committed though,  Real fans stand in the rain and cry,  they never abandon the ship.  Todd Haley looked rough today,  every Pastor knows about a bad Sunday.  It's still early!

"Together Series"

We are looking at relationships for about 6 weeks at Englewood.  We are in week 3 -"amazing friendships".  Week 1 was "divine Partnerships" and last week was "loving relationships".  God is doing something fantastic as he heals our hearts in this area.  One of the big focuses here is the idea that you can only reproduce in others what is already in you.  Healthy people can have healthy relationships.  The key is to focus on growth and wholeness in you,  which can only come from God.  You cant change others but you can change and that changes everything! 

Later in the Series I will post all the sermon note outlines.  For now,  you can listen in @ www.englewoodministries.com..... link to the right. >

"Together" series

I am in week 3 of our "together" series this Sunday.  Taking a look at the amazing friendships found in scripture.  I will post the outline the 1st of the week...

The Launch Update

This Sunday at Englewood represented the birth of a ton of new ministry structure in our church. God has been moving and we have seen a lot of growth during this season.  I only did 3 events this summer as the church has needed me during this growth phase that we are in. I will travel some later in the fall and will update the blog as I do.  Here is a copy of the Launch update sheet for Launch Sunday that just happened for us.  More to come...

A summer missions trip update from PI

Partnership International Short-Term Missions

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Summer Team Up-dates 2009

*Great results from our PI summer missions team trips---THANK YOU for your prayers and support!

Peru:

The PI team reached over 14,000 students in the school assemblies!!!  What an awesome opportunity to impact a generation with testimonies, dramas, and especially the word of God.  Each student, teacher and administrator received a copy of the Book of Hope.  We also ministered in children's feeding camps/programs, church services, community outreaches, and street ministry.  Powerful results and life changing moments filled the entire week in Peru! 

UK team #1:

This team got into 6 new schools during the week and built towards two big events for the students and their families at the end of the week.  Over three hundred kids, youth and adults attended each event.  The exciting thing is that these were all completely unchurched kids/youth.  Our partnering host "Global Lancs" is located in an area that is about 50% Muslim.  During the trip the team worked in several predominately (90%) Muslim schools and with the outreach event about half of the children and parents that attended were Muslim.

UK team #2:

Things were great in York!  The team was in front of  2,000 students by the time all was said and done! Between primary and secondary schools, assemblies, streets outreaches at night, and the 2 youth events on Friday night, many lives were impacted.  The team was able to present a Biblical message in a school that Global had not been in before named Hunnington.  The students loved it!  One of the teachers came to the Friday event.  He is not saved, but loved Global.  He is going to another school next year, and has asked if Global will come to do some lessons there. They have not been in that school either.  Two open doors, many souls,  and more connections in the public schools!

New Orleans:

Hot weather didn't stop this PI team from helping many families with their home repairs.  Between daytime work projects and evening outreaches, many lives were touched and forever changed.  Carl Tillery Jr., our newest PI associate, did a wonderful job leading the crew on the ground in partnership with our ministry host in St. Bernard Parrish.

Minneapolis:

Trailer Parks are being impacted by a great ministry in the northern part of Minneapolis.  Pastor Tony directs a ministry called "Tree Top Kids" that happens to be impacting hundreds of families in trailer parks.  Our PI team did a wonderful job painting and getting community centers ready for after school programs that will be starting up this fall.  We also had hundreds of kids come out every night for our outreaches and saw many kids comes to Jesus!

Belize:

This team was scheduled to go to Honduras, but because of the political fall-out their trip was cancelled.  They called PI to see if we could help them find a place to minister overseas.  With only four days in our favor, God opened up a door for us to send them to Belize.  The team was such a big blessing to thousands of people.  They did food distribution, street ministry, church services, orphanages, and many people came to Christ because they were still willing to GO somewhere to share the WORD.

New York City:

Another powerful week working in the greatest city in the world.  This team was made up of 6 different states/churches and impacted thousands during their week in NYC.  From VBS programs throughout the city to feeding the homeless, each member of the team shared God's love with hurting and needy people.  We have had the greatest opportunity to take more than 200 trip goers this past year to NYC.  God is moving in these last days.  Speaking of NYC, look at the trip we have coming up in December below and be a part of what God is doing there!

MAKE PLANS NOW!!!

NOTE:  PI is offering a New York City Mission Trip December 30th-January 3rd.  This team will have the opportunity to ring in the 2010 New Year through outreach driven ministry that will focus on benevolence needs.  

Details and Application click HERE.

Fathers Day

Yesterday was fathers day here at Englewood.  I preached on the story of David in 1 Samuel 16,  when Samuel anointed him as the next King of Israel.  His own Dad,  Jesse had left him in the field while his seven brothers had a chance to be King.  Samuel stepped up and obeyed God by seeing Davids potential even when his dad could not.  Our day yesterday centered around the idea of being spiritual moms and dads to a generation who has been forgotten.  We have to find ways to speak life to one another.  The simple truth is that most people have never really had spiritual confirmations in the area of personal worth or promised destiny.  It was a great day with so much brokenness in the alters.  We also opened our new coffee shop and student center yesterday.  God is truly moving and encouraging the hearts of His people. 

My travel has been extensive this past month.  I am not on the road again until late July at a district camp.  Things are so busy here and I so glad to simply be undivided for a month or so. 

Great Sunday

We had a great Sunday today at Englewood. A lot of brokeness in the prayer time that was extended today. I am on my way to Twin Falls Idaho now as I am speaking to leaders in the morning and a conference tomorrow night. Back to KC on wednesday. I will try and post a more extensive update on the church this week. Thanks for all your prayers and interest.

Life at Englewood / Time on the Road

Things are really moving fast in our first few months at Englewood.  The church is growing and we are growing as well.  Honestly, there has been an ease and authenticity about this whole experience.  Ministry should not be a chore and this has been anything but, it has deepened our relationship with God and maximized our gifts.  Jeanne and I are really blessed to have the foundation that is here to build on and to have a board that has such vision and a true spirit of serving.  We have really worked hard to create a team atmosphere with the current staff and I am so happy with the progress.  We have had some new staff come on, including a new senior associate, Carl Tillery.  Carl has a phenomenal heart and giftedness about the way he operates, we are thrilled to have him and his great wife, Teresa. 

I am blown away at how fast things are moving and how open the church is to the simple moves that God is leading us to make.  Probably, the biggest moment we have had so far is what we call the "P.I. Project."  This has represented the strategic move of our missions ministry, Partnership International to the Englewood offices.  We have created a divine partnership of sorts that will serve both the ministries of the church and God's heart for a lost world.  Brandon and Ashley, our directors, will be moving to Kansas City sometime this summer.  Partnership International will remain a separate organization, but will base out of Englewood church.  This is really a unique match made in heaven that will have huge benefits for both organizations.

My traveling ministry is still functioning at a high level with some obvious limitations.  In the past ten weeks I have spoke at three major events.  The first was a series of meetings for the UCLA Chi Alpha.  This tremendous ministry is run by some dear friends of mine named Winston and Kim Bui.  Just 2 weeks ago, I was privileged to speak at the Northern New England District Men's Conference.  It was amazing to see the deep work that God did in a short period of time.  All 150 men in attendance participated in the altars and were impacted by the messages.  Finally, this past weekend, I missed the first of 3 Sunday's this year that I will speak at churches other than my own.  I really felt a burden to be with Mark Boone at Heritage A/G in Brainerd, MN.  This tremendous work has been led with a visionary excellence that I have seen in few places.  I did a 3-service "life conference" for their church. 

My family has made this ministry transition with both grace and an attitude of sacrifice.  All three of my kids have just been troupers and have already relationally connected with the church.  Jeanne has become an administrative assistant to the pastoral staff and is heading up the restructuring and development of several new and existing ministries.  It has been a lot of fun to get to know our existing and incoming staff.

This Wednesday I finish up a 12-week topical series about God leading us out of the wilderness of our issues.  So many of us struggle with a sense of lostness among the issues we face in life.  Wednesday nights have grown from around 50 adults in attendance to somewhere around 175 during this series.  My next trip will be to Twin Falls, Idaho for a 2-service "Life Conference" with a leadership event in between. 

So sorry for the lack of blogs over the last couple of months, but my transition really took me for quite a ride.  I am back...

Good Friday

I am up this morning really early,  it is just me and this computer right now.  God has my mind on the events of this day 2000+ years ago.  The day would be torturous and long for Jesus.  He would be forsaken by almost everyone and would be beaten even before any real trial.  He would die one of the most painful deaths in recorded history. All this in spite of the fact that he was the only truly innocent man to ever live.  These thoughts have me stirred this morning because I want to live in a way that honors what He did.

I think the worst part of this day,  the final betrayal if will,  was when the Father turned His head.  This was a moment when Jesus was truly alone, as alone as anyone has ever been. 

• He had a mission that no one else could do
• He carried a burden that no one else on earth even understood
• He deserved and could have had fantastic honor and fellowship
• The church hated him,  religion is often just hate that self justifies
• His friends abandoned Him
• Laws that should have protected Him were used to destroy Him
• The Devil and his demons reveled in this moment
• Jesus had all power to stop this but He chose not to

I could go on.... You see, no one could take his place and that unique fact is incredibly lonely all by itself. 

My question this morning is about the sacrifice He made.  He became sin for us, the sins of all mankind was place upon Him.  In that moment when the father could not look upon Him,  it was the nature of this sacrifice that saved us.  He was the perfect sacrificial Lamb!   I wonder if in that moment He knew the shame of sin?  Not the guilt, for he was not guilty, but the shame.  You and I know this shame well,  the worst and best among us know the shame of sin.  I believe that this is what made Jesus sweat drops of blood in the garden,  not the physical pain of the cross but rather the nature of its sacrifice. 

Take some time today to reflect,  but do not stay in this mood for long.  On the third day it will be Easter morning and everything will change.   He will emerge  from the grave with the keys that set all of us free.  Praise God!

I am finishing up my final plans for Easter Sunday this weekend.  God has been moving in huge ways at Englewood Ministries and it is a fun privilege to be the Pastor there.  I am continuing to travel as I can, I will be in Las Angeles this Monday and Tuesday for a great Chi Alpha (college) event.  My dear friend Winston Bui directs a phenomenal program there and I am honored to go and minister for him.

Thanks for all you interest and prayers!

 

PI 2009 Summer Schedule

Hello everyone...this is Brandon Watkiss the director of PI.  Doug asked me to share a little about the upcoming missions trips we have scheduled this summer.  We have a number of stateside and international projects developing into great opportunities for our teams this year.  

Peru

June 18-25 We have a team going to Lima, Peru.  This missions team will be outreach driven...ministry will include school assemblies, outreach events, orphanages, street projects, church services and more.

United Kingdom

July 1-11 We have 2 different teams going to two different locations in the UK.  These teams will be working in schools, community outreaches, events, projects, and church services.  A powerful experience of ministry in the British culture. 

New Orleans

July 6-13 We have a teams traveling to New Orleans from across the United States to continue the process of helping rebuild people's lives and homes.  St. Bernard Parish is still rebuilding 3 1/2 years after Hurricane Katrina and these teams will be doing construction projects as well as outreach into the community.

Minneapolis

July 6-13 We have a team going to the greater Minneapolis area to do impact outreach in trailer park communities.  This team will be working in the community centers during the days and provide a VBS in the evenings.  Kids and youth will be bused into our local church partner for dinner every evening followed by the VBS event.  

New York City

July 10-17 We have teams from across the United States flying into New York City.  They will be ministering to the homeless, doing street/park outreaches, VBS programs with local urban churches, jail & hospital ministry and much more!  

**We also have a number of fall & winter trips that are available, check out the PI website for more details soon!  NOTE:  We are launching a NEW WEBSITE this month!

** Please pray for all the teams that have answered the prayers to the Lord of the Harvest..."Touching the World...ONE MISSION AT A TIME"

Missions Team Update

We have teams in India and in Nicaragua right now doing missions work.  Please check out Brandon's (P.I. Director) blog at the link on the right.  That is the best way to get real time updates.  Here are some exerts from Brandon's travel Blog...

My day in the great Northwest

I spent some time yesterday running around Portland and Vancouver (which are right by each other) and I am both impressed and burdened.  It is a beautiful area with great people but there is so much Spiritual warfare happening here.  There is a depression in the air and it is not just psychological,  it is Spiritual.    I saw gorgeous development but I also saw many homeless and hurting.  My point here is that we have the gospel and it is being preached but the Church has become intimidated.....  as a result, the enemy seems to rule whole areas.  Know this,  God is sending a wave of His Spirit.  I promise you that these hard times are setting up something of massive proportions that will result in an unprecedented number of people coming to Christ!

I preached this morning on the death and Resurrection of Vision and  there was a tender and God driven response to the word.  It has been great to spend time with new friends here and  to see a church with such ambitions to serve God authentically.  Pastor Jim and  Brian are an awesome father/son duo that Pastor this wonderful Church.  Tonight I will preach again and then back home tomorrow.  I am really looking forward to being home and am anticipating a great week. 

On a special note... I am very pumped to be with Englewood next week.   God has been preparing us for this for a long time and we are excited to meet so many of you.

Thanks again for your interest and prayers. 

Heritage Church, Vancouver WA

This weekend I am speaking at Heritage Church in Vancouver.  I flew into Portland last night and I spoke at a Mens event right after I arrived as well as at a Mens breakfast this morning.  This is a great Church with a real vision for their community and for missions.   I will do 3 services for the church starting tomorrow.  I spoke on the subject of maturity this morning and the role of Men in the family and the church.  Tomorrow I will share on Passion development and then on Relationships in the evening.  I am a bit road weary as this is my 3rd state this week and my 7th time to minister. 

More on the Vancouver later....

New York

This is a picture of the inner city church that we are working with (the one in the middle).  They actually had God perform a miracle and they own this facility free and clear.... unheard of in NY!

I got back home yesterday after checking on and encouraging our team there.  We also did some planning for future teams to this needy place. The team is working with a dear friend, Pastor Abner Rosario and his great church.  East-Side Tabernacle is located in the lower east side of Manhattan and is surrounded by almost a half of million people that Jesus loves.  The team is helping the church to form a new and consistent homeless ministry.  They also have been blanketing the apartment complexes around the church with thousands of fliers and ministering in nightly services.  Many have been encouraged and have come to Christ.  This church has really been challenged and they have just loved this team.  One of our former interns is actually leading this group and is doing a fantastic job!  

I flew in to be with our NY team for a couple of days directly from Wisconsin.  After having a great time in NY, I arrived in back KC around 10:00 pm Wednesday night.  This is really a fun  part of my calling... it is  such a  privilege  to serve Christ!

Tomorrow I leave for Vancouver, Washington to speak at a men's/leadership event and to be with the church for a full Sunday. 

I will post the last blog teaching in the "Your Story" series sometime next week.

New York Missions Team

 
This is a picture what our college missions group is dealing with in NY.   It is the 1st time in 5 years that NY, NY has had to close schools due to weather.  Brandon (our missions director) tells me that they have close to a foot on the lower east side of Manhattan where they are working.  The team was out till 4:30am last night with the homeless,  reaching out to them in Christs love.  Tonight they are hosting a children's crusade at the Church.  The team distributed 3000 fliers to nearby apartments yesterday and they are expecting a huge crowd tonight. 

I will be with the team tomorrow and Wednesday.  I fly out of Green bay into NY in the morning,  dog early!  Thanks for your prayers for our teams. 

Today at Fox Valley Christian Fellowship

I had a great morning today in a wonderful Church just outside of Appleton Wisconsin.  The Pastors here are Steve and Jeanne Nickel and they are just tremendous.  Steve has a great mind for Church growth and outreach structure.  He is a lot of fun to talk with about anything Ministry.  The Church here is beautiful;  you would never know that it was once a shopping center.  This plant is now so strong that they are going to begin planting other Churches!

In this 3 service life-conference I am ministering on a very broad view of healthy relationships.  This morning I dealt with our relationship with God,  specifically from the standpoint of protection of it.  Tonight I will inductively look at the issue of our relationship with each other,  getting back to God's original intention for loving relationships.  Tomorrow night I will preach on the "anointing"  of God upon us and in us.  This will highlight our relationship with a lost and hurting world.  We had a huge response this morning and I am really expecting great things the next 2 nights. 

On Tuesday I head to New York out of Green Bay to meet up with one of our great missions teams.  Go to Brandons blog (link to the right) for real time trip updates.  Please pray for the spring missions trips.

Your Story - Part 2 - "Your Popular Story"

Your Popular Story :  What Others Say about You

Robert McKee Said that "Stories are the currency of human contact".  In context,  this quote is a sentiment toward a more meaningful experience with each other.   As much as I appreciate that thought,  I have found that most of us misinterpret, misunderstand and misuse each others stories.  We are usually not evaluated by those around us with an accurate assessment of who we really are.  This can work in a both directions;  We generally either glamorize of minimize one another.  Like most relationally destructive behaviors,  the root of this issue is usually insecurity.  Once again,  this travels in both directions;  The insecure project false images of themselves and they also think falsely about others.

A great example of this is found in Numbers 13 and 14.  This is the story of the spies who explored the promise land an their reaction to the challenges.  Eleven of the thirteen spies were incredibly fearful (insecure) and they gave this blunt report:  Numbers 13:33b - "We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes and we looked the same to them.  This is a very telling sentence in that it decides both sides of the story.  It says that we are inadequate (we seemed like grasshoppers) and that others see us that way as well (we looked the same to them).  You see, the insecure always underestimate their own value and they often decide for themselves what others must think.  When we do this,  we do not give our story a chance at an accurate representation.  Other forms of this come the way of false fronts and even out right lies about personal condition.  This is an epidemic among people of faith as we try to impress each other and stay on par with false images of growth and success.

The answer to this dilemma is found in rejecting the ways of Egypt (your past) and moving on to the next chapter of the story.  God is still writing in your life and He deserves for you to not edit the work that He is is creating.  Let him heal hurts and speak to your fears so you can act out your story with confidence.  I want to be like Calob and Joshua in Numbers 13 who interpreted the information gathered in the best possible way.  They exuded faith and optimism and this was not just in God or themselves,  they actually believed in those around them.  How others perceive your story probably has a lot to do with whether or not you believe in theirs. 


This weekend I am doing a 3 service life conference in Appleton WI.  I will report on this and my other busy travels for next week in a couple of days.  Thanks so much for your interest and prayers. 

Pray for our Teams!

Five Missions trips this spring...

This Spring we (Partnership International) our missions ministry is facilitating five missions trips.  Above is a picture of one of our great summer teams from 2008.

We will be in India with a medical team;  New York with a college group;  New Orleans with a building Team;  Washington DC with an inner city outreach Team and in Nicaragua with a Book of Hope team.  See our full trip schedule on the PI web-site , 09' trip page. 

God is truly moving on the hearts of His people to be involved with Short-Term Missions.  I would encourage you to not let the economy or anything else hold you back from God's best.  His plan is to bless you so that you can be a blessing to the lost and hurting of the world.  Please pray for our spring teams and our leadership that God would set up divine appointments for them. 

More on "Your Story later this week.

I am in Appleton Wisconsin next weekend...

Today in Hutchinson MN

I had a great morning today at Riverside A/G in Hutchinson. God moved in both services as I ministered on the subject of Grace. We had over 60 respond to get back to a relationship with Christ. We talked about the "used to be" people of the world, those who have been hurt or dismayed by the church. This church's resolution to reach the lost and forgotten was strong and passionate today. Randy Adems, the Pastor here, is one of our great young leaders. Tonight I will speak at a leadership banquet... I fly back home tomorrow afternoon. Next weekend I am in Appleton, WI.

You Story - Part 1 - "Your Past Story"

Your Past:  What has happened to you

The story of my life came alive at the age of 16 when I accepted Christ into my heart.  That was the moment I became consciously aware of purpose and a my place in a bigger plan.  However,  My story did not begin in that moment,  it was being written long before that.  The Bible says that God formed me and knew me even when I was in the womb (Psalms 139).  My past,  good, bad and ugly past is and was an integral part of my story.  God, the author of my story,  (Hebrews 12:2) had been taking notes and forming me as a character, setting up my future narrative.  I may have felt as if the events of my existence were random but the Author saw connection. 

I can think of at least two major examples:  First,  I had speech issues as a kid and as a result I had to take special therapy classes just to learn how to properly verbalize words.  Amazingly enough,  as I reached my early teens, I began to discover a speaking gift.  I accelerated in creative communication and English came extremely easy to me.  Writing and forming outlines as well as the delivery of material and story telling was a natural and effortless experience.  With this being said,  I also awkwardly struggled with a lack of confidence.  There were massive self doubts in me that haunted my days and tortured me in my private moments.  Now,  on the the other side of restoration,  I make a living by speaking and have helped thousands to find their true worth in Christ.  The author new that a broken past could be a weapon used in chapters to come. 

We like to say that your past does not disqualify your future.  I would turn that around and declare that your past can actually be a very important part of your future.  I believe that the Holy Spirit is constantly trying to help us see the strategic purpose behind what has happened to us.  Donald miller said: "I am a character in a story that has yet to be written.  Random events are just noise, but a story is engaging, a story is music."   The promise of scripture is purpose from pain and progress from choosing to grow.  Your past is about your development,  not your definition.  The author gets to decide how to use the material.  Your writer has promised to always script the story for your good and your destiny. 

This weekend I am at Riverside A/G in Hutchinson MN for a one day life conference.  They are turning the Sunday night service into a banquet,  it should be a lot of fun.  I will blog this weekend about the trip.   Thanks for your prayers and support!

An Unconditional Surrender

On September 2, 1945 at precisely 9:04 am aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay WW2 officially ended.  Signing on behalf of the Emperor,  the representatives (pictured above) inked a signature that offered a full and unconditional surrender.  General Douglas MacArthur,  the Supreme Allied Commander, conducted the ceremony.  He stated at the event these immortal words:  "It is my earnest hope - indeed the hope of all mankind - that from this solemn occasion a better world would emerge out of the carnage of the past."   If you follow history, you know that Japan would arise to new,  unimaginable heights of prosperity in the next few decades.  Their surrender made possible a better life of freedom for all of us. 

I am using this incredible story as an introduction to a purity teaching I will do for a group of men tonight.  A pure life begins with a moment of true and unconditional surrender to Christ.  Most of us practice some form of false surrender.  We hold on to the battle of self effort and refuse to submitt to the power of God.

Here are 3 examples of false surrender... this is a part of my introduction for tonight.

• Partial Surrender - Our issues of sin are usually a replacement for true fulfillment,  which makes them difficult to fully forsake.  We cannot keep our strength in ourselves and surrender at the same time... He is made strong in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:10).

• Conditional Surrender - To forsake our issues but keep access to their benefits is the most common form of false surrender.  "You cannot harbor an enemy inside of your walls of protection and not expect that he will not kill you in your sleep."

• Counterfeit Surrender -  This is about going through the motions but not really giving up.  Our surrender has to be willful with brokenness at its core. 
  

The addictive behavior that we face can only truly be conquered by a submission to the power of the Holy Spirit.  Romans 7 and 8 really outline this truth and this struggle in amazing detail.  Even the great Apostle Paul had to surrender because he could not do this on his own.

More on "Your Story" later this week. 

I am in Minnesota this weekend....

Purity Conference at Tuxedo A/G

This is a picture of Brent Logsdon... YP at Tuxedo:

This weekend I am in Bartlesville Oklahoma at a great church called Tuxedo A/G.  They do not wear Tuxes there.. it is the name of the road it sits on...  My dear friend,  Brent Logsdon is the Student Pastor here and is doing a fantastic job.  The purity conference this weekend included over 60% of his youth ministry.  It is so moving to see youth make a commitment to stand against the sensual culture of today.  These kids were serious and I was really honored to get to share with them.

This Sunday I was with the whole church which is led by a tremendous Pastor couple,  Bret and Gina Luallen.  I just met these guys but I am really impressed with the excellent way they are leading these people.  This morning I taught on failure and we had over 25 respond to get right with God.  I will minister on the subject of Maturity tonight,  I am expecting a great crowd and a genuine move of God.

I fly back to KC early in the morning.  The road has been busy lately and I have not been home much,  I am really look forward to this week with the family. 

More on "your story" next week.

Your Story (introduction)

I have been thinking about and researching the idea of the "value of individual stories". The Bible tells us that we overcome the enemy by the "blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony."  The crux of that truth is that God gets involved in our story.  He steps right into the middle of our struggle and our conflict and changes everything.  In this,  there is a power that comes by way of proclamation and overcomes even the very forces of hell.  Our story with God becomes a weapon that He uses to set the stage for others to be free.  All this is only made possible by the ultimate completed story,  the Son of God and His death and resurrection.  This ancient truth has modern day implication that may surprise you.  

Steven Spielberg said "People have forgotten how to tell a story.  Stories don't have a middle or an end any more.  They usually have a beginning that never stops beginning."  I think that this director extraordinaire make a good point. Real life and good stories for that matter should have progression.   A trend has developed in that most people seem to want to avoid conflict of any kind,  and the real process of life has plummeted in value.  When we avoid struggle and serve selfish wants,  it does not make for an interesting story.  Movie producers would reject that narrative and writers would not consider it worth their time.  Simply put, the life without conflict is boring on screen, in print and in reality.

The Bible is full of stories.  I love the fact that the Scripture is so raw and real when it relays the life of a character.  David was seen as the ultimate worshiper and warrior and yet his failure is unveiled without restraint.  His struggles and his victories are seen and the time-line speaks of the grueling nature of life.  That is just one story and in the Scripture there are hundreds.  This is the way the Holy Spirit chose to inspire truth in its authors. It is no wonder that Jesus uses stories so often in His own teachings. Stories are the language of life and they are truly the language of the soul.  

Our next 3 teaching blogs will explore this from 3 distinct angels.  

Check out the new category down the right in-titled "teaching Blogs"....

The Bridge Service in Oklahoma City

Tomorrow I leave for Oklahoma to speak at a phenomenal Church called "The Bridge".  I will be doing what they call the "drive service" which boasts a fairly young and contemporary crowd.  My good friend,  Robby McClure is the Associate Pastor in charge of this service and is one of the best leaders I know.  I will just be there for one night and then back to KC.  It should be a fun and powerful evening. 

I am speaking at on of our Pure Life Conferences this weekend in the Tulsa area.  This is one of my favorite topics and it should be very special on Valentines weekend.  (I have already given Jeanne a great gift, so I hope she forgives me for being gone...)

Next week I am in Minnesota.

Today at DYD conference

I just had the privilege of sharing the vision of Partnership International with all the A/G youth directors. These conferences can be challenging but God has given us great favor. It has been fun to see friends from around the nation and to develop missions strategies. Our new promo brochure and booth looks awesome, it has created some buzz.

I have really got caught up in the schedule here but I will post more blogs soon...

District Youth Directors Conference

This weekend Brandon and I are in Branson for the DYD conference to promote Partnership International.  See our link to the right...  We will be one of 6 missions ministries they invited to promote their trips to a National audience of directors that represent entire states or regions.  This basically means the possibility of huge exposior to the work that God has placed on our hearts.  We are excited and honored by this unique opportunity.  I will also speak at a friends church in Boliver for the Sunday services. 

I am in Oklahoma city for services and the Tulsa area for a Purity conference next weekend. 

Thanks for your interest and prayers.

Orlando / Pittsburgh

This weekend I began with a leadership retreat that I mentioned in my last blog.  Let me once again say how impressed that I continue to be with the Youth Ministry at Faith A/G.  The leadership of that massive program show us clearly that character and authentic growth leads to success.  Thanks to all at Faith for how well they treated me and all you awesome comments.

From Florida I flew directly to Pittsburgh on Saturday evening and spoke at a College vent at Robert Morris University.  It is a 7000 member business school that has some godly leadership working the campus.  It was a small crowd but sometimes those intimate settings provide the sweetest times in His presence.  This was no exception and we had 2 salivations that night.  I spoke in the AM on Sunday for Pastor Wayne Jackson in the Pittsburgh area.  This was a hungry congregation that just devoured my message and really made the trip incredibly worth while.  We had a powerful time in Gods presence and at the end over 30 responded to get back to a right place with God.  Pastor Wayne, I look forward to being back some time this year. 

All and all, a great weekend. 

I will start a new teaching blog this week called "Your Story."

Faith A/G in Orlando

I am on the plane in Orlando, on my way to Pittsburg for a college event. I just spoke at the leaders retreat of my friend, Jonny Wilson. This is one of the best Youth Ministries in the country. The leaders were sharp and hungry for growth. I love settings like this, it was fun and it really touched me deep to see thier response. More soon...

Reach the World!

Reaching the world is the greatest responsibility we have through one mission at a time.  I hope this finds you doing well.  My name is Brandon Watkiss and I'm the director of Partnership International.  Doug has asked me to share a little about the up-coming missions trips we are facilitating this coming spring.  We have a team from Central Bible College going to New York City...Feb. 28th-March 7th.  We have a team from RMU Chi-Alpha going to Nicaragua...March 8th-15th.  We have a medical team from across the United States going to Northern India...March 5th-19th.  We have a big team from 4 different state going to New Orleans for a building/outreach team (video) in St. Bernard Parish...March 15th-24th.  March is starting our year out with an urgency of our purpose to reach the world!  Below is an example of our trip categories and prices:

Trip Categories:
Construction-building churches, ministry centers, schools, and homes
Conferences-training pastors, business leaders, and church leadership
Medical-providing medical, dental, vision, and pharmaceutical services
Outreach-sharing God’s word through distribution, evangelism, drama, film and relief work
Customized-creating a trip specific to your group’s needs and preferred location (25 trip goers or more)

Trip Pricing:

*All pricing includes ground transportation, lodging, meals, insurance, country fees, PI identity package, ministry supplies, and support staff.
*Prices do not include airfare or transportation to and from the ministry location.
*Prices are estimates and are subject to change and vary between ministry locations.

State-Side-$400-600
Central America-$500-700
South America-$600-900
Asia, Europe, and Africa-$800-1200 

Last Sunday

Yesterday was a great day.   I preached on the subject of growth and maturity in both services.  In the morning we looked at the relationship between Paul and Timothy and highlighted the mentor-ship aspect of their relationship.  I really hit on the truth that even life-long character issues could be resolved through a dedicated growth process.  In the evening we looked at the story of David and Goliath and the fact that God prepared David in obscurity for his destiny.  It was a weapon that he developed in private (a sling) that God would use for a very public victory.  It is our commitment to growth in times of no reputation,  living above expectation when you do not have too, that will prepare you for greatness.  Kingdom advancement is always about the growth process. 

Thanks Kent and Dave for an awesome day,  love you guys!

A new Dog

Many of you have heard me tell stories over the years about our dog "Charlie."  He died this summer and we grieved for about 6 months.  Pictured above is our Christmas dog, a new and endless source of stories for me named Kooper.  I don't really like this pic as it doesn't represent him quite right, but it is the only one we have.  He is currently 4 lbs and will not get bigger than about 5 1/2 lbs. 

Today I leave for Oologah Assembly of God, just outside of Tulsa, to be with  the the church that my dear friend Kent Jensen pastors.  I've been fighting a cold so please pray that I get better or that God will use me even stronger in my weakness.  I've never missed a ministry weekend due to sickness and I'm not going to start now.

Larry Walters

Tonight in my Mens Class I taught on the "Value of Routine"  ( all great people have great routines).... For my teaching,  I pulled out an old story from my Archives;   - Larry Walters... the "lawn-chair Pilot.   Many have heard this and many have heard inaccurate versions.  It is a great illustration that you might enjoy or use if you are a speaker.  I found this awesome link on Wikepedia that gives you the best and most truthful version of this real story.

Here is the link...Download En.wikipedia.org:wiki:Larry_Walters .  

Hope you enjoy it!

A Proper Response

A dear Pastor friend of mine was recently ridiculed for his passionate urging of the Church to rise up and pray for our new President.  He was called a heretic and said to be cowardly, that He should be praying for the failure of this administration as they do not purely represent righteousness.  It is amazing to me, that the worst attacks still come from those who claim to be the most religious.   Like most of you,  I have mixed emotions today and I am trying to be cautiously optimistic,  I feel joy and sadness at the same time.  I certainly understand that this is Historically,  one of most progressive days that any of us have ever witnessed.  I also am well aware that there are agendas and ideas represented today that do not honor God or the truth of Scripture.  However,  I think this, on some level could be said of all Presidents and all inaugurations. 

What should we do on such occasions as this?  We should pray.  We should hope.  We should enjoy the moment.  We should take courage and tell the truth.  Our authenticity demands that we honor the entire myriad of responses in our hearts.  In doing this we position ourselves for evangelism and we stand up for truth.   I have great hope and great concern,  these opposing emotions create a balance that I will embrace because it is real.  I can love my Jesus and my country.  I can vote my values and still relevantly work within the current climate.

My Pastor friend is a hero who is above the criticism of those who would ignore one part of scripture to justify another.

This picture is of the 2 million plus who showed up in Washington today...

6 in a row...

Six churches in a row,  so far, in just the last two months,  I have heard the same sentiment.  On Sundays when they were not preaching,  the Pastors felt a need to address the economy.  Each of them had incredible things to say that highlighted the "control" of God over our lives.  This thing we are going through is everywhere,  it is bigger than National,  it is Global.  Something that keeps coming to my mind is this, - "the season is for a reason".   When God allows chaos to invade our environment and then proclaims His control,  we are faced with choices:  Will we trust or will will will panic?  Will will climb upward or cycle downward?  Will we believe the original dream He put on our lives or will we allow it to be altered by circumstance? 

Here are a few things I know for sure:

1. When things are happening on such a big scale,  there are ramifications that we may not see right away.  God is drawing the hearts of Men back to Himself.
2. Chaos and crisis challenge and purify our agendas.  The fulfillment of your calling and purpose may not include a personal definition of comfort.
3. The nature of Dreaming is that is is not subject to reasoning.   This part of your brain actually shuts down during real dreams,  which is why you can break time and space limitations and fly with the elephants.  God wants us to trust him,  not the assessments of ourselves or others.  
4. Prayer will lead to peace.  This is the only way to get past our trigger response of leaning on our own understanding. 

None of this takes away the need for wisdom and Spirit led caution.  This season will come and go like all the rest of them.  The times change but God never does.

Faith A/G - Joplin MO

Jeanne and I had a great day yesterday with our dear friends,  the Griffen's at Faith A/G in Joplin.  I spoke in the AM service about Catastrophic Failure and the tendencies we all have that can lead to our own own destruction.  I used the life of Judas as a backdrop and there were over 50 that responded to get right with God.  In the PM I dealt with the subjects of Insecurity and Restoration.  There was such a tender work of the Spirit in the alters at both services.  I had to get back to KC so we left around 8PM Sunday Eve and the whole church was still in the alters seeking God!  I will be back in Joplin tonight for one more service and then back home for a huge week here in the office. 

Next weekend I am in the Tulsa area...