Emmanuel Christian Fellowship - McGregor, TX

Here are a few of the “why’s” that might or might not be justification for our shutting down ECF services in July:   (1)  It will reveal and stretch our “religious” attachment to “church” (this is more real than we know or realize);  (2)  People will have to get good about being good with God…(church or not);  (3)   The body can rest and re-create totally “free” of church obligation;  (4)  It allows us the opportunity to point out that “church” should be every day as we live it;  (5)  We can encourage real “church” apart from our building (who knows?….we might actually invite someone we miss into our homes for dinner or dessert!  Wow!  What a novel ideal for our people.  Especially if they do it out of their heart and not their head!);  (6)  We can answer the question, “will people still ‘give’ to their commitments and passion without physically partaking?”  Risky?  Yes.  Worth the risk?  Yes.  Willing to take the risk?  Yes!;  (7)  We actually nuke the ECF expenses for one month. (Well, kinda.  Not all expenses will go away);  (8)  Because we can and there are no rules we have to abide by!!!

What you’ve just read is an excerpt of an email that passed among the Elders in early May.  To be frank, we know we’re supposed to do this, but it’s a little rattling for us also!  We love you…and…we like you.  It does us good to hug and love on you every week (and visa-versa).  But, it is a good thing we’re proposing here.  It really is!

Several of you have inquired about how to expedite your giving during the month of July.    Here are the mailing addresses:

ECF -  POB 112 - McGregor, TX 76657. 

Every Tribe International:  POB 176 - McGregor, TX 76657. 

So…not much else changes except the fact that we won’t do worship on the four Sunday mornings of July.  If you have a problem, need prayer, want to hang or chill-out out with brothers and sisters…just pick up the phone and call!  We are all free to do just that!  So FREE it’s scary!

Much love! 

Mike

It is a staggering thought, but we really are going to do this!  We are giving the people of ECF a “sabbath rest” during the month of JULY 2009.  We will not be holding any kind of public service in our facility that month!  Yippers…for four Sundays, you will be released to spend that time as needed and desired away from ECF!   We have our reasons and you’ll hear more about all this the next few weeks, but for now…consider yourself in the loop and informed!  Plan accordingly.

Elders

What would happen if we looked up tomorrow and doors of ECF were closed? Closed for a Sunday, four Sundays, or just closed for good. Would we be able to continue to function as believers, use the gifts, and actually be “the church” out in the world  today? Like many other Christian institutions, have we so attached ourselves to our physical location and way of doing things that we sometimes substitute those things for a deeper relationship with the Lord? I believe the answer to the last question can always “yes and no,” for even though we continue to move out of old mind sets and methods of how we do church and into a deeper faith-relationship with Jesus, the lure is always there to create new church systems that end up bringing us right back to where we began in the first place.

Fortunately, I don’t see this happening at Emmanuel now. I feel that we are getting more comfortable being uncomfortable; more certain about the reality of uncertainty. Faith demands this! If our primary focus is to hear God and obey, we have a better shot at not falling into the traps of relying on systems, programs, and habits. Instead, we get the opportunity to follow a “Living God” and be a “living dynamic church” that ministers to a world that exists out side the four walls of what we’ve come to know as church.

For a broader perspective on this topic, I encourage you to pick up a book that has been making the rounds. It is entitled  So You Don’t Want To Go To Church Anymore and per Mike, is a “must read” for us at ECF. Don’t let the title throw you off. The book actually has less to do with people not wanting to go to church, and more to do with changing how we view church, than anything else. Take a chance on it and see if it doesn’t further open your eyes. There are several copies floating around and it can be purchased at Mardel for around $12.00.

Paul

We will be “setting-in” Jimmy Hering and Paul Allison as elders on Sunday, August 2nd.  Mike Paschall, Andrew Shearman & Ronnie Peacock will facilitate the proceedings!

We are putting this date out there NOW for your summer planning.  It is so important that everyone make that particular Sunday a priority!  It’s one of the more significant events in the history of this body.

Mike

YOU GOT TO SEE THIS!  click here     Ok…I’ve watched this video again (for about the 10th time) and I’ve still got tears in my eyes!  The overall message is so pure and so right.  We are too quick to judge and too quick to surmise the outcome or results based on what we see with our eyes and what we hear with our ears.  This dumpy-frumpy little Scottish woman does not look the part we typically expect of our media “air-brushed” superstars.  In fact, I fell victim like everyone else in that audience.  I would have bet a fiasco loomed when she walked on that stage.  But, oh how wrong and so atypical!  I appreciated the candor of the judges and the spirit displayed during Susan’s performance.  It was absolutely thrilling.

Apostle Paul writes to one of his sons and tells him to not allow anyone to judge him based on his age.  He required him to remember the day when other men of God layed hands on him and imparted spiritual gifts and ministry resolve.  I think we all need to have a little “come to Jesus” and remember a that we have destiny on our lives and “how things look” is not really that important.  Yes, we should examine ourselves and we’re encouraged scripturally to do that, but passion and surrender is what determines a man or woman’s life…not our external bling.  Let us remind ourselves that the real fruit comes from seeds planted deeply in a person’s heart.  Be careful  of hasty opinions and shallow vision.  People deserve better.  The Kingdom deserves better.  We have to do better.

Mike

Check out Stephanie’s latest blog - CLICK HERE!!! Do yourself a favor, pour another cup of coffee and have a serious read on this woman’s blog site.  Patti and I are constantly amazed to discover the next layer of depth, passion and call on these people.  It really is breath-taking to catch these kid’s heartbeat.  Please pray for Stephanie and her team Luminous!  They are desparately seeking God’s way this month!

Mike

Check out Ashli’s video!!!    CLICK HERE!!!   OK…I’m just going to keep feeding you blog sites and links of these amazing kids!  Ashli is one of those racers who brings so much stability and God juice to the squad and her team!  She is amazing!  Read her stories, pray for her and follow the journey!  Ashli is a world changer!  She is making a difference  Patti and I love her so much.   -Mike-

Check out Stephanie’s blog!!! The World Race is a giant net that catches all types of fishermen.  These kids come from all kinds of places, all kinds of backgrounds, with all kinds of gifts and talents.  Patti and I are constantly amazed at what they can do individually and collectively!  Stephanie Pridgen may be the best writer that The World Race has ever had.  Her writing usually comes from a deep place and always moves our heart!  Do your self a favor and get acquainted with Stephanie’s stuff!  It is beyond good!

This is an experiment.  I preached at Black’s house last week in Colorado Springs and this is the “outline” of that message.  The Queen Mum suggested I put it on paper…so here it is.   It really doesn’t belong in a blog, so just consider it a Bible Study.  Yeah…print it off, get yo Bible and dig.  Send me a text message if it helped.   Peace!  - Mike -

KILLERS OF OUR CALL
-    We have to come to grips with the fact that there is a “call” on our life.
-    Quit thinking in terms of public “ministry”
-    Realize that there is a purpose and destiny that drafts us into a “call”.

1 Thessalonians 5 (highlights)
V:5  We are sons and daughters of light and life.  Do our attitudes and behaviors reflect that?
V:8  Give attention to the spiritual atmosphere in our heart…be sober…alert to such information.
V:11 Does the juice coming off of our life edify and build up others?
V:23  Blameless which requires us being aware of our condition.

-    We have to wake up and live in “agreement” with our call, destiny & purpose.
-    The following are the exact opposite of the release of Christ thru us.
-    These things kill the effectiveness of our “call”.

#1 -  ANGER PACKAGE  Colossians 3:1-10

V:8 – The Anger Package
•    Anger – {orge} impulsive natural animal instincts
•    Wrath – {thumos) heated rage, fierce indignation “looses mind”
•    Malice – {kakia} wickedness…wants to return the favor of a wound.
•    Slander – {blasphe} blasphemy…willing to use a lie to spin untruth
•    Abusive Speech -  {aischologia} will use old wounds to dig up leverage.

-    Anger is a power demon that will run interference for control.
-    Anger is the root of depression.
-    If anyone was ever justified to be an angry person, it would have been Jesus Christ!  But, He was not angry at anyone.  Ever.

#2 – JUDGEMENT  Matthew 7:1-5

-    The most disturbing thing about this is that these are HIS words.
-    He points out that hypocrisy is the root of our judgment.

V:2 – “the way” we judge ends up being “the way” we are judged.  We release a judgment and it returns upon our own head.

Galatians 6:1 – We have no business judging how lost people sin.  They are only doing what lost people do.  It is their job description.

We do have responsibility to confront “with love” and “because we love” in the Body, with restoration and healing in mind.  Anything else is just mean and loveless.  There is a warning in this verse that just seeing the sin will release the possibility of our facing that sin and temptation in our own life.

#3 – UNFORGIVENESS  Matthew 6:14-15

The story  found in Matthew 18 tells us that if we are not willing to forgive…anyone and everyone…we release a curse of “torment” upon ourselves.  Most bondage has legal right and access to our life because we won’t forgive.  Forgiveness doesn’t have to make sense.  In fact, most times it makes no sense at all!  But, it is a CHOICE to be free from the spirit of death that steals our joy, peace, happiness and ultimately our “call” to affect people and life with Kingdom.

Luke 17:1-4  Again, we lovingly have a responsibility to hold brothers and sister of the faith to truth…but, if we don’t love them…we have more to get right than they do.  Every time we are sinned against, we MUST chose to forgive.  HE forgave everything!!!

1 John 1:8-10  We do not have the right to NOT forgive.

So now what?  What do we do?  Simple questions.  So here is a super simple answer…R E P E N T!  Drop your rocks, get in touch with your own sin, confess it, release it and go and live again.  The Father moves toward brokenness and a humble spirit.  Receive His forgiveness!  It’s better than sucking on the bitter herbs listed above!!!

You’ve seen it haven’t you?  I’ve watched it countless times.  Having grown up in a small community that was fortunate to have a public swimming pool, lots of kids spend their summer days hanging out at the pool.  It seemed daily that there was another 5, 6 or 7 year old kid who climbed the 3 meter diving board to make that inaugural leap of faith into the sparkling bed of liquid blue diamonds.  It always played out the same…the slow climb to the top, a parent, a brother or sister on the side of the pool chattering away encouragement or rebuke, the shuffle towards the end of the handrail and ultimately that last couple of steps to the end of the diving board.  It was at the end of that sandpaper textured board where a decision had to be made.   What didn’t look so high from the side of the pool, now appears to be a sure free-fall into nothing larger than a toilet bowl.  Fear sets in.  The mind squeals that death is probably certain.  Knees knock, a war with the will ensues and some actually back away, grab the rail and shimmy back down the ladder.  The pool I grew up at wouldn’t allow the back-track to the ground.  Jumping off was the only exit.  Tears would show up and many a lifeguard actually had to climb up the ladder and enforce the poor kid’s plight.   Plenty of fingernail has been gnawed up there, but ultimately the leap of faith, leap of terror, leap of freedom and conquest of the goal ensued.  It was rare for a kid not the march straight back to the line and “do it again”.  But the first time to pursue the unknown is sobering and can be quite life changing.

We’ve been talking a lot about “transition” around ECF.  It does seem that the whole world is in movement with some kind of divine orchestration for change.  Hindes brought a great message when he was here.  Most sermons for the past few months are saturated with the ingredients of transition and change.  We are in “it” and we know it.  Wished that made it easier!

Jesus went thru something very similar with his disciples.  For three years he hung out with his boys.  They saw first-hand what only the rest of the world has read about.  They knew him, how he smelled, what he liked to eat, knew that he had a different way of looking at people.  You couldn’t guess in a million years how he was going to respond to anything.  He had changed their world and every one had an opinion about Jesus.  The buzz of living around Him was like a drug.  Like him, love him, hate him…you knew when He was around or engaged in a moment…anything could happen.   Life was good.  Life was crazy.  People everywhere were clamoring for something from him.  It was intoxicating and draining at the same time.  Quiet with Jesus was so precious.  His undivided attention to a question or issue had to be like liquid gold.  What a ride for a bunch of goobers He called to follow him!

The most familiar text in His transition speech is found in John 14.  It’s emotional enough, but Peterson’s way puts a little sugar in the medicine.  It goes down pretty smooth.  “Don’t let this throw you. You trust God, don’t you? Trust me.  There is plenty of room for you in my Father’s home. If that weren’t so, would I have told you that I’m on my way to get a room ready for you?  And if I’m on my way to get your room ready, I’ll come back and get you so you can live where I live.  And you already know the road I’m taking.”  Thomas said, “Master, we have no idea where you’re going. How do you expect us to know the road?”  Jesus said, “I am the Road, also the Truth, also the Life. No one gets to the Father apart from me.  If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him. You’ve even seen him!”  Philip said, “Master, show us the Father; then we’ll be content.”  “You’ve been with me all this time, Philip, and you still don’t understand? To see me is to see the Father. So how can you ask, ‘Where is the Father?’  Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you aren’t mere words. I don’t just make them up on my own. The Father who resides in me crafts each word into a divine act.  “Believe me: I am in my Father and my Father is in me. If you can’t believe that, believe what you see - these works.  The person who trusts me will not only do what I’m doing but even greater things, because I, on my way to the Father, am giving you the same work to do that I’ve been doing. You can count on it.  From now on, whatever you request along the lines of who I am and what I am doing, I’ll do it. That’s how the Father will be seen for who he is in the Son. I mean it.  Whatever you request in this way, I’ll do.  “If you love me, show it by doing what I’ve told you.  I will talk to the Father, and he’ll provide you another Friend so that you will always have someone with you.  This Friend is the Spirit of Truth. The godless world can’t take him in because it doesn’t have eyes to see him, doesn’t know what to look for. But you know him already because he has been staying with you, and will even be in you!  I will not leave you orphaned.  I’m coming back.  In just a little while the world will no longer see me, but you’re going to see me because I am alive and you’re about to come alive.  At that moment you will know absolutely that I’m in my Father, and you’re in me, and I’m in you.”

I have to believe that Jesus knew exactly what the boys needed to hear!  I also have to believe that he had total confidence in their ability to transition into their destiny without becoming emotional mush  in ladder climbs and shuffles across narrow and shaky planks.  Without saying it, he tells them that they need to grow up in their faith, assume some responsibility for the plan and to become “effectual doers” of the Word!  Not easy words for them to process back then.  Not easy words for us now considering our fragile narcissistic culture.  BUT, He knows.  He knows everything.  Everyone one of us has to let go of a rail that directs us back down a trail to our past and what appears to be the illusion of safety.  The leap requires faith and a stomach for a little free falling!  Yippers, we’ve never been here before.  But, we had never been to the last place we just came from either.  IT IS time to go.  It is time to jump.  It is time to put it all out there on the edge.  It really is time to allow Father God to be OUR Father.  I say we jump!  I say we find out.  I say we obey the passion inside of us for what He has promised.  Up we go..toes to the end…lean into it…launch yourself…enjoy the ride!

Oh yeah…it helps to scream…”CANNONBALL!”

Much much much love!

Mike