Archive for the ‘friends’ Category

Mitch Made It

Friday, November 6th, 2009

This post is long overdue, but as many of you know by now is that Mitch made it to Cultivate and Story.  It was made possible by the generosity of people that decided to assist someone that they didn’t even know.  It was amazing how quickly people reacted to call for help to make the trip a possibility for Mitch.  Within 90 minutes of my initial posting the necessary funds had been pledged.  Within 36 hours Mitch was able to purchase the airline tickets to make the flight form Denver to Chicago. The majority of those giving to Mitch were also attending Cultivate and/or Story or they were within some form of ministry position like Mitch.Stage of the Cultivate Conference

This event opened my eyes to that fact that people are willing to help, but many times are not sure where or how to help.  Here are some thoughts on asking and motivating others to help.

  1. We must be willing to make ourselves vulnerable and ask for the help.
  2. Be specific and clear to the need we have and how others can help.
  3. Start articulating the need to like-minded people to ensure that the call to action will be heeded quickly.
  4. Throughout the process clearly and frequently communicate the progress.
  5. Celebrate the victories by specifically thanking and acknowledging those that assisted.
  6. Above all, be appreciative and humble.

Story screen on the stage at the Paramount in Aurorua

It was a great learning experience and glad I was a part of it.

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Sending Mitch to Cutlivate09 and StoryChicago

Tuesday, October 20th, 2009

Next week the Cultivate Conference will be taking place October 27th in Chicago at Park Community Church.  I am looking forward to the opportunity to learn from some of the most talented and influential leaders in ministry communication. Cultivate is designed for those that are responsible for influencing how churches communicate. This conference will focus on collaborative development of content and new delivery ideas.  It will be made up interactive work sessions that allow you to work through ideas and challenge your way of thinking with others.

On the following day, October 28th in Aurora at the Paramount Theater there will be Story. Story is a first-of0its-kind experience for communicators.  This event will allow those in attendance to have the opportunity to experience and learn from some of the most effective communicators of the Gospel.  Story is sure to change the way we communicate in ministry. This is another great opportunity that I am being blessed with the opportunity to experience and learn from.

All that being said I am looking to assist a brother to make his way to Cultivate and to Story.  Mitch Bolton had planned to make the trip from Colorado to the Windy City, but funds fell short. Many of you will know him as @muntz on Twitter and his #iphonepicoftheday.  What I would like to do is see if we can assist him in raising the money necessary to purchase him a flight from Denver to Chicago.  Mitch is in a communications role at his church and this would be a valuable opportunity.

I am looking for assistance in raising the necessary $250 to $300 to get him a round trip airline ticket.  I will ensure that he is picked up at the airport and has a place to stay when in town, as well as pitch in the first $50. We need to make every effort to have raised the money no later than Friday, October 23rd at 5pm.  This will give me enough time to coordinate with Mitch on the available flights and pray that tickets do not clime to high.  Please help get Mitch to Cultivate and Story.

I am currently working on a method to take donations online, but do not want this to hold us up.  Here are few current options:

  1. Send me an email to gospelpimp@gmail.com and I will utilize PayPal’s Request Money
  2. Send money by Texting with PayPal (send me an email for instructions and #)
  3. You can also reimburse me at Cultivate or Story, just let me know.
  4. I am trying to get an online Donation feature up and working.

If in the event that the funds are not raised in time or airline tickets get too high I will refund every dollar received.

Posted in Chicago, Ministry, friends | No Comments »

Group Observations

Monday, April 7th, 2008

I started a study of 1 Samuel this past weekend with my Men’s Group. We went over 1 Samuel 1 and dissected verse by verse. It was an informative couple of hours of reflection on Hannah’s predicament and her faith. It is interesting to think that God always seems to use the most unequipped people to change the earth or the direction of His church. Hannah was to give birth to Samuel the last judge of Israel and the one to anoint Saul the first king of Israel, but there was one issue, she was barren. Hannah was praying on the steps of the template for a son; which she swore to give to service of God.

There is much more in this story, but I repeated this to account for an observation made by a member of the group. He had commented on the great faith these people had in the Old Testament and how most of these great figures of faith were nobodies of their days. These people were rarely were witnessed to the great miracles and lived in seclusion only to visit the temple for special occasions. He then expressed his guilt and concern over our lack of faith, since we have all these examples of God providing for others and most importantly we now have Christ. I think he has a great point, why do we have so little faith?

I believe this lack of faith is due to our inability to rely on anyone but ourselves and our conceit. A.W. Tozer penned that he believed our current condition as a result of our loss of the majesty of God and dependence upon ourselves. “With our loss of the sense of majesty has come the further loss of religious awe and consciousness and divine Presence. We have lost our spirit of worship and our ability to withdraw inwardly to meet God in adoring silence. Modern Christianity is simply not producing the kind of Christian who can appreciate or experience the life in the Spirit. Be still, and know that I am God, means next to nothing to the self-confident, bustling worshiper…” (A.W. Tozer – 1961)

So, what do you think?

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Into the Mirror

Thursday, April 3rd, 2008

Here is a really cool concept by an incredible man of God, Steve Sporre. I met him on a visit to Portland last May. At the time he was the Worship Leader of Bethany Church. He has an amazing story and amazing talent that should be heard. Take a few minutes and listen to Chapter 1 of his book and if you are interested he is reading each chapter and posting it on his blog.

Into the Mirror – Chapter 1

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Fun With Lips Show

Friday, January 18th, 2008

These images were taken at the FWL show at Idol’s in Palatine back on the 12th of January. It was cool hanging out with friends from CCC and seeing a friend’s band, Jason. The band did 3 sets that evening, which equated to 45 individual songs that ranged form Ozzy to Mellencamp. I unfortunately had to get my pregnant wife home half-way through the second set.FWL

DePo and James Jason and Carter Charissa and Tim Ride a Cowboy Moss Not Loaded

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Matrix

Wednesday, January 16th, 2008

What do you call 3 Pastors and a very talented Worship Pastors in a Toyota Matrix? I snapped this shot at 80mph on the way to see the January 12th  Fun With Lips show.

Matrix

Posted in Fun, friends | 1 Comment »

Tanyosho Pine and Len

Sunday, January 6th, 2008

Len at Red Bark SpruceIn the Fall, Len came up from Tulsa to spend the weekend with the family and hangout. He is one of those friends that you know will always be there; regardless how long it has been since we spoke, we always pick right back up like we spoke the previous day. He is Mr. Outdoors and gives so much of his life to mission work in Eastern Europe.  He is someone that I go to in those time of moral dilemmas or just need someone to listen.

Thank God for friends like Len.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Posted in Life, friends | No Comments »