may a song serenade you…

Posted in Uncategorized on November 18, 2008 by ipictureyouandme

serenade-man

Probably not the image that comes to mind when you here those words.. Just a little thing to brighten your day, make you laugh and know that your alive! 

 

Traffic - Do Not Enter - No Compromise

Posted in Messages with tags , , , , , , , on November 17, 2008 by higherplace

Do Not Enter – One way street (The rules/boundaries are there for good reason)

The Problem:

Genesis – Adam and Eve History – they blew it by compromising the rules that were there to protect them

God gave man a choice – Adam and Eve Chose other – So we all are born into a broken state

Jeremiah 17:9,10

Romans 7:14-25 – the “do do” chapter

·         We are human

·         We are sinful

·         Brokenness – history, tendencies, weak foundations

·         It’s all around us – Opportunities everywhere and it’s easy

·         It usually starts small and builds and find yourself in a world of hurt before you know it

·         “Surely you won’t die” the lie of the enemy is the same today – “it’s not that bad”, “No one will know”, “It’s just a little wrong”

The Results:

·         Death – It all collapses – Romans 7:7-13 God set the rules violating them produces death – “the wages”

o   Maybe physical

o   Mostly in other areas

o   Death always occurs – in relationships, trust, positions, etc.

·         Condemnation – John 3:17

o   Jesus doesn’t but humans do a major job

·         People living crippled by compromise and it’s results

o   Shapes their futures

o   Robs them of potential

How to Overcome it:

·         Repent

·         Sense of mission – why am I not going to compromise

o   I know what is in store if I do - Death

o   I know what is in store if I don’t – Life and life in others

o   People are watching – Passion for representing Jesus

·         Choice

o   Faith – taking God at his word

o   Action – Don’t think through or sit and fight emotions

§  Get out and do something

§  Accountability

·         Power

o   Holy Spirit – Be filled

§  Guides into all truth

§  Brings revelation

§  Empowers to walk out choice

“Gonna live the difference, Gonna pay the price

It’s all or nothing no compromise

Gonna live the difference, put my life on the line

This is my generation, I’m gonna fight

It’s time”

Sunday Wrap Up

Posted in Community with tags , , , , on November 17, 2008 by higherplace
  • Hope you made it out to the Chris Sligh Concert. It was a great time.  The dude can sing!
  • Last night was a great time.  I continue to get more and more excited about ethos.  There is a culture of fellowship and hunger for deeper things of God that is developing that just gets me all hyper!
  • It’s been good to meet all you new folks.  I pray you are feeling at home and that God has some powerful things in store for you!  We’re really excited that you’ve been coming and please make sure you get a chance to catch up with each of the staff if we don’t catch you first!
  • God was really stirring my heart last night in our message time.  All day yesterday God was dealing with me about making sure that my heart was undivided.  That I was sold out and would make a commitment to not compromise the relationship I have with Him.  That’s my prayer for you guys.  Chase Him, take those little steps towards knowing Him more - He’ll meet you there!
  • GET READY FOR STATIC!  It is going to be killer!  It’s not just about noisy TVs.  We’re going to tune in and be a part of the Best Show Going!

Evil Squirrel vs. David Crowder

Posted in Uncategorized on November 14, 2008 by ipictureyouandme

I stumbled across this video today while checking out some stuff from the david crowder band…

 

Jeffery

Don’t Miss Chris Sligh this Saturday

Posted in Events with tags , , on November 14, 2008 by higherplace

American Idol Finalist, Worship Leader, Great New Recording Artist Chris Sligh Will be right here at Eagle’s Nest this Saturday Night at 7:00 PM

Tickets are just 10 bucks and YES you can get them at the door.  Grab your neighbor (it’s a great way to invite them to church) and come on!

Traffic - Road Rage Study Notes

Posted in Messages with tags , , , , , on November 10, 2008 by higherplace

Is it ok to get angry or not?  One thing for sure is you are going to get angry

We’ve talked about that we are on this Journey and that we need a guide – The Holy Spirit.  We said that the fruit of the Spirit is our land marks.  What is the Spirit’s leading and what are the landmarks that we are getting there?

Matthew 26:36-56

-          Set the scene – The disciples have been told and prepared for what is about to happen

-          Jesus goes to prepare his heart for it

-          Judas and the crowd come to arrest Jesus

-          One of Jesus’ followers draws his sword and cuts off the ear of the servant to the high priest

-          Vs. 56 – all has taken place to fulfill

Most angry moments have a REASON and a little preparation goes a long way

-          Jesus had been teaching these guys but they didn’t get it.

o   For the believer there is something bigger is going on than the irritation of the moment

o   They (disciples) were focused on who would be greatest in the kingdom and missed the great issue of redemption for all. – Jesus said he would rise

-          We need to be learning to listen to the Holy Spirit’s guiding everyday

o   Understand that there are bigger things at play than the person cutting you off in traffic – the enemy wants to rob you

o   Pay attention to the great purpose in life it will guide your reaction

 

Our REACTION in angry moments is paramount

-          Consequences are real – Foster and Henson

o   In the natural and spiritual

o   Imagine for us if the disciples had been successful in disrupting God’s plan of salvation

-          If we have a firm grasp on what is most important (our reason) – we are listening to the Holy Spirit’s leading

o   We should begin to look for land marks in our lives – Galatians 5:22

§  Self control

§  Peace

§  Gentleness

§  Patience

-          When you get angry, what landmarks are you seeing?

What God wants from us are the RESULTS of Spirit Led Obedience

-          When we begin to make listening and following the Holy Spirit a daily practice and we are looking to display the fruit of the Spirit

o   We will begin to be more Christ-like

o   People will see Jesus in us and our action and thereby be drawn to him

Acts 1:8 – You will be my (Jesus’) witnesses when the Spirit comes upon you

Sunday Wrap Up

Posted in Community with tags , , , , , on November 10, 2008 by higherplace
  • If you didn’t, you should have made it out to the Wii Bowling Tournament last Friday.  It was a killer time! 15 TVs, 15 Wiis, 40+ Teams, 200+ people, prizes, and a moon bounce.  We’ll be doing it again to stay tuned.  We’re also having numerous other opportunities to plug in with other people over this month.  Head over to www.eaglesnest.ch and see all of the events on the announcements page.
  • It was absolutely awesome to see 71 one of you guys last night!  We’re growing and God is on the move!  Invite your friends and be a part of what God is going to do in Sussex county through ethos!
  • Worship at ethos has been powerful!  Jeffery and the gang are doing a great job!
  • It was so funny, today I already had great opportunities to practice what I preached last night.  Broken equipment, lack of sleep, my own scheduling mistakes.  What what you preach - you’ll have to do it!
  • Special thanks to Gail and the cafe’ crew.  Every week at ethos, I get the best sugar fix!  Brownies, cakes, cookies - now this is church!
  • DON’T FORGET THE CHRIS SLIGH CONCERT THIS WEEKEND!  If you haven’t got tickets yet, call the church or go to www.wknz.com.
  • New series “STATIC” coming in two weeks!  Don’t miss it!

5 things to do this weekend

Posted in Community with tags , , , , , , on November 6, 2008 by higherplace

1. Wii Bowling!  I hope you signed up and are coming out tomorrow night to participate in the most killer bowling tournament ever! EVER!  That’s right, tomorrow evening at Eagles Nest we will gather, compete, and laugh a lot.

2. Read a good book.  Cut out of the Rat Race.  Recover from the election weariness.  Curl up with a book that impacts your life for a number of hours this weekend.  Me . . . I’m re-reading “The Unquenchable Worshipper” by Matt Redman for the 7th or 8th time.

3. Go to bed early.  I’m not kidding.  When is the last time you decided to just tuck in early and get the extra hour or two of sleep you’ve been going without since God knows when?

4. Go to church!  Well duh.  You didn’t think I’d miss that one did you?  If you haven’t been on Sunday morning in a while for all of you ethos folks, come see what’s happening in th AM.  You might be surprised!  For sure be at ethos.  It is getting increasingly more amazing every week.

5. Be spontaneous.  Go to the Dover Mall and have a Bible study with some worship right in the food court.  Ask a neighbor over for Sunday lunch and football.  Go to McDonalds and pay for the lunch of the stranger in line behind you.  Heck, go through te drive throuh and make your order in a Kermit the Frog voice.

I just want to encourge you guys.  Jesus came to bring life and life more abundantly!  Live it.  More-over, be it.  Go and be Jesus with skin on.

URGENT - Please Read

Posted in Community with tags , , , , , on November 4, 2008 by higherplace

Stand on Scripture, Pray hard, Listen, AND GO VOTE

You have been blessed and entrusted with a say - please use it

Also, please read my post about “Decision Time” I made here:

http://www.higherplaceministries.com

Sunday Wrap Up

Posted in Community with tags , , , , , , on November 3, 2008 by higherplace
  • Missed some of you guys last night!
  • Thanks to the Haven Church youth ministry for coming to visit last night!  We were excited to have you come and worship with us!
  • Each week I find myself saying we’ve got amazing volunteers.  Then the next week comes and I realize that I was right!  We’ve got amazing volunteers!  It doesn’t happend without you guys!
  • I want to encourage you guys in relationship to last night’s message.  Lay it down folks.  The pride, the pain, the memories, the unforgiveness - lay it down.  It will free you to be about God’s business!
  • I went on a 10 minute rant on how much I love my wife.  I just want ya’ll to know it’s absolutely true!
  • PLEASE PRAY FIRST, HEAR GOD, THEN GO VOTE!