What does the cross mean to you?

Preparing for Sunday at NRN - I will be preaching on the Cross of Christ. I will be asking a simple question: What does the cross mean to you? Here is a preview:

Check out Mark 15:21-39

Worst Album Cover - Round two

I realize it has been a while since my last posting. But here is my attempt to bring a smile on your face. Special appreciation goes to my friend Dennis quick for his assistance in this posting.

Well it's time for another round of “worst album covers.” To vote for the worst album cover simply make your selection and click on comment and place your vote. Feel free to leave a few thoughts about your selection. Enjoy!

I used to wear my hair like this - when I had hair to wear...

Guide me Lord to a new hair salon.

Do you think they had that creepy cultish look?

The Famous Cooper Family:

Known for their wild antics and casual style.

What do you think of these graphics?

I think this happened when he was cast out of heaven.

Truely a miracle.

Little Lowell also had great shoes...

I'm a sucker for bands with an accordion and a saxophone.

This album makes me want to lift my hands and spread'em.

You make the call - cast your vote for the worst album cover- Round Two.

As an added incentive - the first person of NRN to solve this simple puzzle I will have a free gift this coming Sunday. Unscramble the letters to form the word I am am searching for:

A H T O G L O G

Pictorial summary of 3.22.09 at NRN

They say "a picture is worth a thousand words" so, here is a short rendition of some highlights from Sunday March 22, 2009 at North Raleigh Church of the Nazarene:

•Rachel Margaret-Moore Cook was born to James and Marsha, and big sister, Bailie on Friday, February 13, at 1:35 a.m., weighed 7 lbs., 7 oz. and was 21.5” long.

•Andrew Michael Rutherford was born to Stephen and Tina, brother Matthew and sisters, Ashlyn & Jessica on Friday, February 20, at 7:57 a.m., weighed 9 lbs., 6 oz. and 22” long.

•Cole Alexander Betancourt was born to Alex and Danelle on Tuesday, March 17, at 1:40 a.m., weighed 9 lbs., 3 oz., and 21.25” long.

We rejoiced when Ben Solomon stood up to share a testimony the son Joe has returned from his tour of service in Iraq and is now on US soil! We welcome Joe back -and just in time for softball season to begin!

Following a time of prayer in our worship experience - I shared about the recent miracle that we are thanking God for. The financial situation of the church has been "tight" for several months. In an attempt to reflect our current income and ministry needs we are making major reductions and adjustments to the church budget for our new fiscal year which begins April 1, 2009. It has been a matter of prayer for several months that we have need of another staff person to help meet the needs of our growing church. Many people have joined me in prayer about this.

Recently a person - who does not attend our church - and does NOT live in North Carolina sent me a check in the amount of $28,000 towards the compensation of a new staff member. Others have added to this amount. Two families stepped forward in faith to finance the moving cost for a pastor to join us. On Tuesday March 17th the Church Board at NRN approved a new staff position and accepted my recommendation to extend a call to Ryan Walker to join our staff. Ryan had been here in September 2008 to lead our worship for Church Under the Big Top.

Ryan has accepted the invitation and will join our ministry staff on April 1st as our Minister of Worship Arts and Small Groups. Ryan and his wife Joy and their family (Grace Ellen - 4 yrs. old and Eli Travis who is 19 months) will be relocating from Grand Haven Michigan to Raleigh.

This announcement was accompanied with applause and cheers!

We experienced a great season of worship as we sang with praise and tears! We express joy in congratulating new parents! We thanked God for the safe return of Joe Solomon! We expressed worship with a great financial offering. Then - I stood to preach.

Here are a few pictures to summarize my message:

Luke 9:28-36

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

look full in his wonderful face,

and the things of earth will grow strangely dim

in the light of his glory and grace.”

Need a little validation?

Are you ready to SMILE today? Here is a 16 minute movie that is a parable about VALIDATION. It is worth the time to watch.




Validation" is a fable about the magic of free parking. Starring TJ Thyne & Vicki Davis. Writer/Director/Composer - Kurt Kuenne.

Winner - Best Narrative Short, Cleveland Int'l Film Festival,
Winner - Jury Award, Gen Art Chicago Film Festival,
Winner - Audience Award, Hawaii Int'l Film Festival,
Winner - Best Short Comedy, Breckenridge Festival of Film,
Winner - Crystal Heart Award, Best Short Film & Audience Award, Heartland Film Festival,
Winner - Christopher & Dana Reeve Audience Award, Williamstown Film Festival,
Winner - Best Comedy, Dam Short Film Festival, Winner - Best Short Film, Sedona Int'l Film Festival.

Sunday at NRN

I look forward to stepping back into the pulpit tomorrow at NRN. It has been three weeks since I last preached at NRN and I believe God has spoken to me about a clear message to deliver.

Here are my opening marks:

All of us have seen the sign along the roadway as we travel through mountains: Scenic Overlook. You can pull over and usually there is a panoramic and scenic view of mountains and valleys.

Mountains have a prominent role in the Bible. They often serve as a strategic meeting place between God and man. I have personally been to each of these mountains ...

* It was on Mt. Sinai that God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses* It was on a mountain that Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son Isaac*

It was on Mt. Carmel that Elijah prayed and God answered with fire.*

It was on a mountain where Jesus encountered one of his temptations.

Well today we are going up a mountain. We are going up the mountain with Jesus and three of his disciples. This event is referred to as the Mount of Transfiguration. (Mt. Tabor – located near Nazareth) Jesus took three disciples and made His way to the top of the mountain to spend some time in prayer.

Jesus took Peter, John, and James up on a mountain to pray.And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was transformed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly, two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared and began talking with Jesus. They were glorious to see. And they were speaking about his exodus from this world, which was about to be fulfilled in Jerusalem. Peter and the others had fallen asleep. When they woke up, they saw Jesus’ glory and the two men standing with him. As Moses and Elijah were starting to leave, Peter, not even knowing what he was saying, blurted out, “Master, it’s wonderful for us to be here! Let’s make three shelters as memorials — one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” But even as he was saying this, a cloud overshadowed them, and terror gripped them as the cloud covered them. Then a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, my Chosen One. Listen to him.” When the voice finished, Jesus was there alone. They didn’t tell anyone at that time what they had seen. Luke 9:28-36

We are calling you today to your own transfiguration and transformation. We are inviting you to continue the journey through the Lenten season by bringing focus to your spiritual life.

Join us tomorrow for the rest of the message.....

Shalom! Part 2

One of my favorite sites in Israel is to go the Western Wall - also known as the Wailing Wall.





Here are the words posted at the security entrance to this holy site:

Jewish tradition teaches that the Temple Mount is the focal point of Creation.

In the Center of the mountain lies the “Foundation Stone” of the world.

Here Adam came into being.

Here Abraham, Isaac and Jacob served God.

The First and Second Temples were built upon this mountain.

The Ark of the Covenant was set upon the Foundation Stone itself.

Jerusalem was chosen by God as the dwelling place of the Shechinah.

David longed to build the Temple, and Solomon his son built the First Temple here about 3,000 years ago.

It was destroyed by Nevuchadnezzar of Babylon.

The Second Temple was rebuilt on its ruins seventy years later.

It was razed by the Roman legions over 1900 years ago.

The present Western Wall before you is a remnant of the western Temple Mount retaining wall.

Jews have prayed in its shadow for hundreds of years, an expression of their faith in the rebuilding of the Temple.

The Sages said about it: “The Divine Presence never moves from the Western Wall.”

The Temple Mount continues to be the focus of prayer for Jews all over the world.

“MY HOUSE IS A HOUSE OF PRAYER…FOR ALL PEOPLES” Isaiah 56:7

Technology today provides a way you can view the wall 24/7. Check it out HERE

Several members of our group actually placed prayer request upon pieces of paper and place them in the crevices in the wall.

A time of reflection which lead to tears tool place

as we had the privilege to walk the Via Dolorosa.

This is the route that Jesus took between his condemnation by Pilate and his crucifixion and burial. The Via Dolorosa pilgrimage is followed by Christians of many denominations.

Here is a picture I took one one of the most beautiful paitings I have have ever seen. It brought tears to my eyes:

Consider ... The Via Dolorosa

More to follow ....

Shalom!

Shalom!

I returned home from my pilgrimage to Israel early last Tuesday morning. I am finally over the jet lag - reading over 350 emails - going through my mail and messages at the church - and now back on track! As I was at the church on Wednesday evening and for a few minutes this evening I am so encouraged by the greetings from so many people to welcome me back.

Here are just a few of the many highlights of my trip:

This is the North Carolina contingent that I had the privilege to lead to Israel. We joined with Dr. Wilbur Williams and others from several other churches. Our group totaled 53, which was a great size for our bus.

We arrived in Tel Aviv on Sunday afternoon. We followed the schedule I posted earlier when our trip to Israel began

I enjoyed watching several in our group float in the Dead Sea. Mike Stoupe kept his feet pointed in the right direction!

It was a very peaceful trip across the Sea of Galilee. My mind was flowed with memories of the first time I rode a ship across the Sea of Galilee. I had just resigned my position as Senior Pastor At College Wesleyan Church in Marion Indiana and seeking God's will as to where the future would lead me and my family. On this clear day of sailing God spoke to my heart with clarity about where I was to serve Him. On this trip in 2009 I rededicated my self to be obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit to His plan for my ministry and my life. As I ended my prayer - I noticed "dancing" in the aisle. Ask Rose Thomas about this!

The baptism service in the waters of the Jordan River was a great experience. Dr. Williams and a good friend, Pastor Steve Wilson assisted my in baptising Mike, Dawn and Terri Stroupe as a family - at one time! This was a service of re-dedication for them. I have brought water back from the Jordan River to place in our baptistery at NRN for our next baptism scheduled for April 19th.

It was a breath taking view as we stood upon the Mt. of Olives and looked over the city of Jerusalem. The Dome of the Rock is always a centerpiece of this view.








It was fun to look behind me and see this:

Raynita Kivett seized the moment for a camel ride ...

Rose Thomas did not want to be left behind - Roger stood close by....

Bea Thomas and Dawn Stroupe joined the group.

Later in the week - I took my ride and had a fun time.

Our trip to Israel is too exciting to share in one blog posting.

I'll continue my posting tomorrow...