tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6673026911024876557.comments2023-09-12T03:40:44.402-07:00Pastor John's ThoughtsPastor Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02985728106929059405noreply@blogger.comBlogger130125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6673026911024876557.post-51819623790780296502013-04-02T03:51:49.822-07:002013-04-02T03:51:49.822-07:00Religion is always important. I am proud to be Chr...Religion is always important. I am proud to be Christian and I can spend a lot of money on the religious items whether <a href="http://www.clericalshirtsuk.com/" rel="nofollow">clergy shirts</a>, candles, rosary etc...I felt very happy when I read this post. Wish you good luck!Herry Watsonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6673026911024876557.post-81617704509630009262012-06-22T17:27:47.621-07:002012-06-22T17:27:47.621-07:00I saw a sanctuary full of confusion, noisy music, ...I saw a sanctuary full of confusion, noisy music, and all-out chaos my first night's experience of Wednesday worship time with Whiz kids. "Let me outa here, NOW!!!!!!!", I thought. But you know what? in a few weeks the kids were REALLY singing praise music. Sublime. God is so good to allow me to see it happen. Polly PattisonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6673026911024876557.post-19379487276572860972012-04-27T23:05:05.272-07:002012-04-27T23:05:05.272-07:00Pastor John, I feel compelled to write ,, please...Pastor John, I feel compelled to write ,, please don’t lose your nerve. My husband and I have been searching for years after relocating back to the Des Moines area. I, personally, had been praying for a church home. We didn’t have any specific criteria, other than “we’ll know it when we find it”. We’ve been attending Zion a little more than a year and I believe in my heart, God has answered my prayer. As a Church Leader, I believe you are not just a good man, but a Godly man and Spirit filled, and it is a privilege to listen to your thought provoking and inspired words as you provide us an awareness of what God’s will is for our lives. Zion is unlike any church experience I’ve had, in that there is not only much focus on serving others (2nd great commandment, love your neighbor as yourself), but much action in serving others as well. Possibly this may cause some to feel pressure or feelings of falling short. I admit, I have felt like Zion has high expectations even though we have never been pressured directly. But realizing the possibilities for my life and that God is still working on me, trying to direct me, if only I’d listen, understanding this as the truth isn’t pushing me away, but challenges me to pursue it further. Thanks for the direction and I encourage you to keep doing what you’re doing. You’re very good at it!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6673026911024876557.post-80185657424761830202012-04-24T07:38:51.959-07:002012-04-24T07:38:51.959-07:00Anonymous said:
"You may want to consider tha...Anonymous said:<br />"You may want to consider that people who leave are also discerning just as much as you are and may depart because they, too, are keeping in mind who their master is."<br /><br />Or maybe not. Perhaps you should check their blogs and find out for sure before posting passive-aggressive comments. <br />Just a thought.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6673026911024876557.post-90764253253651031082012-04-22T18:41:28.881-07:002012-04-22T18:41:28.881-07:00"People have become so quick to turn their ba..."People have become so quick to turn their backs on churches and pastors these days and walk away." <br /><br />You may want to consider that people who leave are also discerning just as much as you are and may depart because they, too, are keeping in mind who their master is. Just a thought.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6673026911024876557.post-1065013557680346372011-10-14T13:11:46.299-07:002011-10-14T13:11:46.299-07:00PJ - for what it is worth, I love reading this bl...PJ - for what it is worth, I love reading this blog entry and have done so over and over and have also shared with others in DM as well. God bless. CCG.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6673026911024876557.post-75623799312430330372011-08-13T20:22:09.153-07:002011-08-13T20:22:09.153-07:00John-
I think this is an amazing post---we have t...John-<br /> I think this is an amazing post---we have talked about this too that we are too concerned about what others think when the natural thing should be to praise GOD! Thanks for sharing this.....<br />Kari Osborne :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6673026911024876557.post-19272322581784382042011-08-13T11:07:36.122-07:002011-08-13T11:07:36.122-07:00Thank you, Anonymous. Your comment is very wise. ...Thank you, Anonymous. Your comment is very wise. I'd be grateful for contact from you off-line. Your experiences may very well be valuable to us. God is definitely doing something and there is much more to the story. Your concerns are very well received and warranted. We trust God and then try to be as innocent as doves and as cunning as serpents.Pastor Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02985728106929059405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6673026911024876557.post-26565816077125611472011-08-11T12:27:15.165-07:002011-08-11T12:27:15.165-07:00be careful. As a former Muslim myself, and now in ...be careful. As a former Muslim myself, and now in "hiding", be careful. Under Islamic law anyone who kills an apostate is said to be guaranteed a place in heaven. You may regard this as nonsense, but there are other people who don't, and it only takes one "believer" who takes it seriously to ruin lives.<br /><br />http://www.thereligionofpeace.com/Quran/012-apostasy.htmAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6673026911024876557.post-67117206149398178942011-06-29T08:58:02.324-07:002011-06-29T08:58:02.324-07:00Thanks for the comments. We have men's and wo...Thanks for the comments. We have men's and women's showers already installed on the north side of the basement. The guys use the showers at Zion on Sunday mornings currently. Our hunt for "transitional" housing that might include some kind of accountability continues. The man I was speaking about just got a job, we'll provide a bike equipped with night gear for him as his first transport. After finding a place to stay, he can start saving for a vehicle. If you're suggesting the hotel next to North End Diner as a place for housing people, I really like that. We'd need permission from somebody and some on site supervision. I'll pray about it and see what happens.Pastor Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02985728106929059405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6673026911024876557.post-68203592028163790792011-06-29T07:32:12.581-07:002011-06-29T07:32:12.581-07:00You ask for help or direction for our lost sheep, ...You ask for help or direction for our lost sheep, and yet the motel next to and including what was the North End Dinner, has been sitting empty for several years. <br /><br />Or can a shower be installed in the South end of the basement and begin to utilize the kitchen in that area of our Church for our lost sheep.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6673026911024876557.post-58879218181281642752011-06-26T05:57:32.557-07:002011-06-26T05:57:32.557-07:00If we are doing God’s will, temporary messiness wi...If we are doing God’s will, temporary messiness will show that we have faith in God’s eternal goodness, love, sovereignty, grace, providence, and promises.Bryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15390056751552475994noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6673026911024876557.post-80812040662528146102011-04-27T19:06:43.595-07:002011-04-27T19:06:43.595-07:00Pastor John... I applaud you and the Christ-follo...Pastor John... I applaud you and the Christ-followers at Zion for your heart and intentionality toward being a church for all people! Let me strongly encourage you to be a people of prayer. You're right... unity does stir things up! But I can assure you... it is ALL worth it! Keep in touch!<br /><br />Mike Clowers, XP<br />Mosaic Church of Central Arkansas<br />mike@mosaicchurch.netAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6673026911024876557.post-28693990334759199322011-04-04T20:38:13.694-07:002011-04-04T20:38:13.694-07:00God bless you Pastor John and your vision.God bless you Pastor John and your vision.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6673026911024876557.post-91167509662005167602011-03-08T07:24:34.290-08:002011-03-08T07:24:34.290-08:00AmenAmenAsnoweeriverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04489168798934320475noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6673026911024876557.post-23481924843023006722011-03-05T15:23:23.287-08:002011-03-05T15:23:23.287-08:00Thank you for the appeal for mutual ministry, and ...Thank you for the appeal for mutual ministry, and for accepting inspiration from evangelism around the world. Dynamics will help sustain demographics. The celebrations of EECMY are within a context of the sociology of Ethiopian religion, among the oldest homes to Christianity. The celebrations of the Lutheran communion in the U.S. also reflects both global migration and domestic sociology. The connection of very-broad dots above hardly does justice to the field of statistical analysis. Please keep seeking fuller understanding of concurrent--not contradictory-- developments in attitudes and ethos in our pluralistic country.<br />Grace and Peace, lnjAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6673026911024876557.post-30943265825800138262011-01-12T04:10:08.226-08:002011-01-12T04:10:08.226-08:00Let’s be clear: God is in control and we are defin...Let’s be clear: God is in control and we are definitely not. Amazing things have been happening and we will continue to try and respond faithfully to what we believe is a move of God. We also understand that having a holy ambition is a good thing. So, here are some of the things we think might happen (but only if God wants them):<br />1. God wants us to recognize we are all created in His image.<br />2. As Lutherans we believe we are called to be pastors.<br />3. When God has created a Gay pastor, are we to turn our backs on them?<br /><br />by the way, the first paragraph is directly from your current blog.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6673026911024876557.post-57066941515260960472010-12-22T18:23:23.402-08:002010-12-22T18:23:23.402-08:00Praise God.Praise God.Bryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12563002594702403167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6673026911024876557.post-81636974195208481102010-10-25T16:43:26.330-07:002010-10-25T16:43:26.330-07:00We are all guilty of misperceptions.
“Love bear...We are all guilty of misperceptions. <br /><br />“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”<br /><br />Love does not believe falseness. Love perceives truth. Misperceptions happen when we think too highly of ourselves and too lowly of others. With God, true perception is possible.Bryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12563002594702403167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6673026911024876557.post-75561422191194982362010-10-16T05:10:44.875-07:002010-10-16T05:10:44.875-07:00John, I agree with you. Faith is the opposite of ...John, I agree with you. Faith is the opposite of fear. Faith is loving God with our whole heart, soul, mind and strength. Faith is loving our neighbor as ourselves. Faith comes from hearing the word of God through the grace of the Holy Spirit.<br /><br />Human nature thinks too highly of itself and too lowly of God and others. God’s word teaches the truth about ourselves, others and most importantly, God. It is his way.Bryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12563002594702403167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6673026911024876557.post-57496818188078279992010-10-11T15:41:44.438-07:002010-10-11T15:41:44.438-07:00Nice piece. Mission is risky. We do need to love...Nice piece. Mission is risky. We do need to love like God. The only reason that mission is possible is due to the blessing or the promise that Jesus has absolute authority and will be with us.<br /><br />“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me... And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”Bryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12563002594702403167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6673026911024876557.post-78948742098136982172010-10-10T06:29:01.602-07:002010-10-10T06:29:01.602-07:00“I wonder if this is part of the church’s decreasi...“I wonder if this is part of the church’s decreasing relevance in our society. If you don’t come to the church, chances are, you don’t see it’s relevance.”<br /><br />We both agree that the church’s relevance and presence is decreasing in our society. I agree with you (John) that we need to go and get the message out. The current message being delivered is also part of the problem. The message is only part of what God has given us. It has been changed to be less offensive. The church is not effective in expressing its faith to an unbelieving society. The church is not dealing with the divisions in the church, the hypocrisy in the church, evil, evolution... The church does not understand the Holy One.<br /><br />"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."<br /><br />The church has also been taken out of politics due to fear of losing its tax exempt status. Please see the following web site for help in making our Christian faith more relevant.<br /><br />http://www.iowapastors.com/Bryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12563002594702403167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6673026911024876557.post-15516197830844458372010-09-29T18:16:32.658-07:002010-09-29T18:16:32.658-07:00April is right. Being the Church is our relations...April is right. Being the Church is our relationship to Jesus Christ. It is our position and our calling. Once we are his bride, he will always be our husband, no matter where we are and no matter what we do. By God’s grace and our intention, we will bring him glory and reach out to the world as we go.<br /><br />John is describing gathering together as being the “church”. We are called to gather together and worship God. We are to read his word, pray, learn about him and be in community with other believers. Then we go out and live our “mission”.<br /><br />The gathering together “church” has been this way for almost 2000 years. If you want to change it, fine. You should not worry too much about it. We are already are being obedient in our imperfect ways. The more the pastor feeds the sheep that he has been given, the more they will be empowered to reach the world. The better we live our lives by faith, the better we will do our mission.<br /><br />"Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. “Bryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12563002594702403167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6673026911024876557.post-56066002076613113312010-09-28T18:12:05.452-07:002010-09-28T18:12:05.452-07:00Excellent points and no equipment is required. But...Excellent points and no equipment is required. But there may very well be times that equipment might help people see or hear or stay out of the rain, etc.Pastor Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02985728106929059405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6673026911024876557.post-27060715547928857812010-09-28T09:10:55.913-07:002010-09-28T09:10:55.913-07:00At a prior church, we used last year's VBS mat...At a prior church, we used last year's VBS materials and went to an inner city park with blankets and held class all week under the trees and had a great turnout. Why do we need to be burdened with a sound system and other "needed" items.<br /><br />A thought that I have been pondering is this: People, including myself, will loose their voice cheering for their favorite team. How many people loose their voice telling others about Jesus? And telling othes is part of "Go".<br /><br />If we are to "Go", then "Go" should include our actions and how we live our lives. I am reminded that we are, "my brother's keeper". And in a world of "me" how often we forget others. And when Jesus called his disciples they went, they didn't wait. We are called to "Go".Asnoweeriverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04489168798934320475noreply@blogger.com