Forward Living

More Sessions I was on Tony Morgans website today and I was struck by something Mark Beeson said Granger Church - here it is
""No one ever drifts to greatness. Want to be a great musician? Methodical practice is required. Do you long for athletic prowess? You must train, and train methodically. Building a great marriage, a great family, a great friendship or a great career requires the ongoing discipline of methodical effort. Wesley had it right; the methodical practice of scriptural holiness is the way to maturity.

"Just as God calls us into community, Wesley called his “awakened” to live in community. Iron sharpens iron and Wesley knew the best strategy for discipleship included the honesty (and sharpening effect) of Christ-centered friendships." --Mark Beeson, senior pastor of Granger Community Church as quoted on LeadingSmart.com
In case you've missed it Tim's blog has a series of posts taken from an interview with Mark Beeson that will challenge your personal spiritual development and your ministry strategy.


Wow! So what am I doing to grow!

Thank you Tony and Mark for pushing us forward - lets live forward and boldly!

It is good to know We can through God - Lets get Crooked

The team

Life is wild isn't it! Everyday I do feel like it is another session with Jesus - a session to learn and grow.

Today's lesson for me was a hard and good lesson.

So here it is:

As some of you know I wake up early (between 4 and 5) every day so, with some knowing that - enter Rachel (our business manager) said we need coffee before the youth group goes to Houseboats - I said I will pick it up - so here is where the story gets wild and for me a teachable learning session.

Rachel (she is so on top of it) - she calls in the order - I didn't realize that even though I should know she told me, in fact she is not wrong (I cant think of a time that I have known her (2 years almost)where she has been wrong).

So I went to another Starbucks got part of the order done (a list of 15+ drinks)when she texts me hey I called it in to 122 (arrgggh!) why did I not listen instead of doing my own thing - for me that is teaching moment
1 - why don't I listen to those that are helping me achieve success - in leadership I get remenided that it is a stewardship - it is temporary and I am accountable to it ( I am sure I got that from somewhere else recently but it hit me in the face) when God places people in your life to help you use them - listen to them and watch what will happen - they are not there by chance but by God for his purposes even if you don't realize that or accept that.

Second lesson - I am bringing the coffee to the adults going on the trip (they all rock) but they all said thank you to me but I took it and said your welcome and I missed it I BLEW CHUNKS - I should have said - "guys it was Randy and Rachel's idea I am just the team member who picks up coffee". I took it for me not for the team.

I blew a team moment. I know this is ramblings but I need to make sure that I understand what I missed because those moments are few and far between - moments to lift up others I work with who work there asses off and love the Lord and that are doing a great job for his glory - people I could not do ministry without!

God forgive me for missing your moment!

I don't want to miss those anymore with anyone!

Team is so important - living out the team - working together in tandem leadership.

Cease the day!

Change

Change - what does it really mean?

How do describe change?

Change in home. marriage, the work place, personal, life change?




Change - I see it in my kids lives happen so quickly as the grow - as they learn, but what about me - how am I experiencing it in my life?

I guess that is the question of the day for me!

Harmless Living

No more Harmless Living!

I am reminded today the way that Go wants to restore and have us realize who we are (I am)in God.

David was a young Sheppard boy who knew God was bigger that Goliath all of Isreals great army was afraid watching the fight in fear - thats me sometimes wanting to fight but living in fear. No more fear God knows my fights my battles and my issues and He is bigger than them all!

No more living in fear live like there is no tomorrow - only heaven - get crooked (Ecc 7:13)!

Random thoughts in the morning!

Wives/Friends

I love my wife!

I was thinking about what a blessing it is to do life with my best friend. Boy, I sure do make a mess out of life but when I look at my family I realize God loves me and showers me with his grace.

What a day and a blessing!

Earl blumenhaur - Hi Earl read the article in the Oregonian

Simple Pleasures

This summer - The theme is and has been

"SIMPLE PLEASURES"

We are doing our best to enjoy "the simple" - the things that we so easily can take for granted (fresh cut grass, blow up pools, ice cream, a fire in the patio fireplace at night, great coffee at night, reading the paper in the morning sun, eating outside 1 meal everyday" those things that are so easily missed.

I want my boys to not take for granted the simple (like the picture playing in Salmon Creek Fountain in downtown Portland).

What are you missing - the simple, why and how can you find it and enjoy it?

Go experience the simple!

Summer Days and Simple Pleasures

This summer - The theme is and has been
"SIMPLE PLEASURES"

We are doing our best to enjoy "the simple" - the things that we so easily can take for granted (fresh cut grass, blow up pools, ice cream, a fire in the patio fireplace at night, great coffee at night, reading the paper in the morning sun, eating outside 1 meal everyday" those things that are so easily missed.

I want my boys to not take for granted the simple (like the picture playing in Salmon Creek Fountain in downtown Portland).

What are you missing - the simple, why and how can you find it and enjoy it?

Go experience the simple!

The Day!

Here is the verse for the day:

“In that day you will say: "Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted.”

This verse makes me think of what I got to participate in this week with a bunch of people from our church - proclaiming who God is!

What a great time on the Fourth!

Our Church had an event that it helped serve thousands - I loved it!

we gave out over 3000 bottles of water
2400 Glowsticks
fed over 300
Now that is priceless!

It is so good to be involved in a church like Abundant Life!

On the Fifth I worked a bit and then hung out in the pool with the boys!

Then met with a couple who is getting married - good times.

Today will be barkdust and yard work!

Oregon summers are the best in this country (all 45 days of it) so lets get at it!

Cheers!

Children and Leadership

My children picked these on this week and had no idea that these are what carrotts looked like (I have been in suberbia to long).

We should go off and live off the land - NO WAY! My idea of living off the land is picking up dropped food and eating it or cold In & Out.

I love kids and all that they do they make me realize who I am and where I reall Stand!


I found this info off of another blog

Reading from Erwin McManus’ Seizing Your Divine Moment this morning. He has some GREAT stuff to say about…

Influence:

“We understand the difference between authority and influence when we watch our children grow up. What your children act like when they’re under your authority is very different from who they become as a result of your influence. Many parents become broken-hearted when they realize that their influence on their children is at best minimal, at worst inconsequential, compared to the influence of others in their lives. I am convinced that great parenting is all about influence. It is more about shaping values than it is setting boundaries.“
“Influence is rooted in character - who we are and who we are becoming. Influence transfers best and moves most quickly whenever respect and trust are present.”
“There may be no greater reward than to experience the life change of another human being through the investment of your influence. But to have this kind of influence, you have to let people come close.“
“If you want to increase your influence, risk bringing people up close.”
Risk:

“The most important decisions of our lives will require us to forsake invisibility and risk becoming visible.”
“The greatest opportunities require the highest risk.”
“Women and men who seize divine moments embrace the inherent dangers that come with them. Divine moments oftentimes require us to put our own well-being aside for the well-being of others, to relinquish our safe places for the sake of others. We can touch only those within our reach and can change only the world in which we live, but we can do that much. It requires us to move from the isolation of our invisibility to the dangers of visibility if we are going to make the invisible visible. That’s the amazing thing about seizing divine moments. We choose to no longer be invisible, to take the risk of letting others see us, and so when we become visible, the invisible presence of God becomes visible.”
“Risk that God respects is fueled by a passion for His purpose and a willingness to subjugate our lives to His mission. Prayer moves from God, what is your will for my life? to God, what is your will, and how can I give my life to fulfill it?“
“There comes a time when you just gotta get up, get out from under the shade, pull your team together, and go to the point of no return. To the best of my understanding, faith is trusting God enough to obey what He has said, and hope is having the confidence that God will do everything He has promised. One pushes you; the other pulls you. They lead you into the wonder of experiencing divine moments. But without question, in between faith and hope, there is risk.”

The Word for the day-My Journey

“The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O LORD, endures forever— do not abandon the works of your hands.” - Psalm 138:8

This verse makes me think of my life - (mostly because I am doing a funeral tomorrow and I have been pretty reflective becuase of it).

Also Gods love does endure forevor and I am so glad for it because on my own I am so lost - I really only understand love because of my savior and His care for me!

The iPhone Has Arrived!

Well it is here and I am going to do it - maybe? I do have some hesitation but the money is saved and I might do it!

I hate indecision so that it the only thing that makes me think no, but once I have the box in my hands I do think I will go for it.

So look back tomorrow and I will let you know how it is!

Today

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

Great verse for the day - True & Pure Freedom!

When you feel like you cant get ahead!

My boys made this - even a plane flying - no strings - cool!



But today I feel like that monkey and my tasks and life issues feel like the tower.

Have you ever had the feeling like you cant get ahead but we can! It is not about us!

My wife sent me this to remind me of how God sees me in all this - I love it!

David - knew bad days and good days!

PSALM 23

The Lord is my Shepherd
That's Relationship

I shall not want
That's Supply

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures
That's Rest

He leadeth me beside the still waters
That's Refreshment

He restoreth my soul
That's Healing

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness
That's Guidance

For His name sake
That's Purpose

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
That's Testing

I will fear no evil
That's Protection

For Thou art with me
That's Faithfulness

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies
That's Hope

Thou annointest my head with oil
That's Consecration

My cup runneth over
That's Abundance

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life
That's Blessing

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
That's Security

Forever
That's Eternity!

Face it, the Lord is crazy about you. Send this to someone you love.
What is most valuable is not what we have in our lives, but WHO we have in
Our lives.

Make it a great day!

Be reminded how God sees you!

It has been too Long - I am back

Wednesday, June 20, 2007


Ephesians 4:12-13

12 So that his people would learn to serve and his body would grow strong. 13This will continue until we are united by our faith and by our understanding of the Son of God. Then we will be mature, just as Christ is, and we will be completely like him.

Thoughts of Service -

- when we serve the church grows stronger
- Serving brings about the kingdom of God
- Serving unites the church community
- Serving builds our faith
- Serving teaches us understanding of who Jesus is
- Serving completes us
- We miss out in the process when we don't serve
- Serving makes us like Jesus!

Serve - Lead and Grow

Mike

Posted by Mike Vermace at 3:04 PM



Well the day is the day. I have a huge afternoon ahead getting the message out for Sunday.

I thought that I would share some thoughts on serving

Serving

- Holy trust
- When you serve you grow and God grows you through it – even though you may not even see it
- Simple and flexible, totally transferrable, Fast, fluid and flexible –
- People are more creative – when you (they)have less – flows with limited resource (head of marketing with Google) – boundaries help create the masterpiece – unlimited canvas actually will hinder art ( God is limitless – we have boundaries)
o Money
o Space
o Time
- When you are not serving you get cynical
- You can t out give God
- Never give up – God will
- When we work on the church God works on us
- Keep on believing what you cant see
- Tests
o Building
o Finances
o Space
o People
o Attendance
o Expences (as you grow – they grow)
- Gods timing is perfect
- Test/Crisis help us in our dependence on Him
- No complaining – it wears us out
- Wear it out don’t give it up
- Don’t be complacent and settle down (especially when you get a building or a resource)
- Never Stop Growing
- People are more important than money
- People are more important to God than program
- Kids are only around us for a time (Capt. Underpants – my favorite says “you spend 3 years trying to get your kids to talk and walk and then 15 more telling them to be quite and sit down”)
- Kids are precious
- Your spouse is a blessing – makes you realize how much God loves you – because He gave you that gift
- We need a ministry Center – to show where to move people
- Never stay in a drift
- Baptism goals how about 1,000 a year by 2010
- 10/20 – 20% within 10 miles attending Church

Posted by Mike Vermace at 3:04 PM



Tuesday, May 18, 2004
Obedience is the next step. "obedience unlocks Gods power". This statement amazes me when I think about where and what my obedience level is and where it should be. I think about what God has for me and the family and I realize that I must obey.

That is alot of ramble but my point is I want Gods power in my life and like my sons - I love it when they obey in the same way God wants me to obey - they get it all whn they obey and Gos is the same way!

I must grow up - I think about the areas in my life that I am not grown up in and it makes me go AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! I realize that I must and need too. Growing up and growing old are 2 different things all together - I will grow old but I want to grow up.

The next poit inthe blog is - I must learn to ask God to take are of where and how we go and grow - that is not something I do well at all. So please God lead me and my family direct our every thought and crossing!

Posted by Mike Vermace at 8:28 AM



Sunday, May 09, 2004
It has been a while since I have been online - my daily blogs have been random. THis is an interesting week of failures and conquests. It seems that is more how life is ups and owns on top and looking up at the top. I am always trying to capture the heart of the one who loves me the most - God Himself. This week reading has been the most difficult - mostly because of the fact that I am forgetting that God loves me and that obedience is about - obedience! To obey God is to show that I am a freiend to him. I have a hard time obeying - it is the thought life - actions like choosing my selfish desires over Gods. I want nothing more than all of Him and it seems that looking at it from a distance I am satisfied though with a spoonful. - No! It is time to dive into the pool. Where do we go from here. I am there and it is time to get in to the pool. I also sit back and think about the future of the family and of my own boys I want them to obey me but I cant obey my own father.
This week my Dad has huge surgery - and I dont know what the outcome will be. I want him to think oh it is nothing but it is huge surgery. As my Dad sits in my house this morning all I can think about its what will come of this surgery.

Surrender
Authenticity
Relationships
Focus
Drive
Real Devotion

My words for the day - never forget that God does love us and wants us to be his best friend - We are his friends.

Posted by Mike Vermace at 6:21 AM

The Life

I have big dreams of large homes and great cars and what it seems would be the "life", but when I think about it - I am living someones gream life. I am living the life of someones dreams - I have 3 cars (old they maybe) I have a 4 bedroom home in the suburbs. - I complain over my issues - my pride and selfishness. - why because I want (selfishness)

Selfish people pray like they live - I am tired of being selfish


Lord forgive me of my pride may fear you and obey your commands and live to love you deeply and deeper every day.