Comments on: How to Dream Big http://epinoiacafe.com/2007/02/how-to-dream-big/ Just another WordPress weblog Thu, 11 Mar 2010 04:58:23 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: glenda garza http://epinoiacafe.com/2007/02/how-to-dream-big/comment-page-1/#comment-419 glenda garza Fri, 16 Mar 2007 00:04:19 +0000 http://epinoiacafe.com/2007/02/28/how-to-dream-big/#comment-419 hello again everyone...jeff, i could not have said it any better than your last sentence ...this is really living transformed!...when people see the change in you and they wonder whats happened to you and/or give you a hard time about it but also compells them to ask you and find out what it is about you, this is when you smile and remember this is why you are ready in season and out of season in order to share with them the love of Christ and the friend you have in Jesus ... Many moons ago....a laborer in the fields of the Lord who people called a church planter gave a simple message...any one heard of David Godwin out of TX or even Bill Wilson in NY or Tommy Barnett in AZ. These people are part of those who built up the church in 20th century ..well the Godwins (go figure the last name) lol, would never stay in one place too long and i love them for that...they would go wherever God lead them, toil the ground until the harvest was in and move where the spirit lead them to go...they dreamed big and left the increase to the Lord..He once gave a Sunday message about the goats and the lambs separated in the last days...He continued to say that his eyes and hearing were opened up by the word of the Lord that had came forth from the mouth of a babe...He recalled that the previous Wednesday bible study service had been dismissed but the alter was left with a small remnant on their knees and prostrate before the Lord when the word came forth "to love and not hold back the little children from coming to Him" well to make it short the church of a 200 plus members went down to 60-80 then through a great transformation 500 to 2000 plus members within 5yrs....the starchy left due to the church filling up with undesireables...the new residents became transformed into Gods garden and gave the church a new breath of fresh air which blew the dead bones out....(i was one of those little lambs who recently celebrated 51yrs young and still loving life even after 30plus yrs of believing it is possible) and was the one who gave an open door for the word of the Lord that came forth that night....its too awesome to look back looking forward when He spoke and its all much clearer... hello again everyone…jeff, i could not have said it any better than your last sentence …this is really living transformed!…when people see the change in you and they wonder whats happened to you and/or give you a hard time about it but also compells them to ask you and find out what it is about you, this is when you smile and remember this is why you are ready in season and out of season in order to share with them the love of Christ and the friend you have in Jesus …
Many moons ago….a laborer in the fields of the Lord who people called a church planter gave a simple message…any one heard of David Godwin out of TX or even Bill Wilson in NY or Tommy Barnett in AZ. These people are part of those who built up the church in 20th century ..well the Godwins (go figure the last name) lol, would never stay in one place too long and i love them for that…they would go wherever God lead them, toil the ground until the harvest was in and move where the spirit lead them to go…they dreamed big and left the increase to the Lord..He once gave a Sunday message about the goats and the lambs separated in the last days…He continued to say that his eyes and hearing were opened up by the word of the Lord that had came forth from the mouth of a babe…He recalled that the previous Wednesday bible study service had been dismissed but the alter was left with a small remnant on their knees and prostrate before the Lord when the word came forth “to love and not hold back the little children from coming to Him” well to make it short the church of a 200 plus members went down to 60-80 then through a great transformation 500 to 2000 plus members within 5yrs….the starchy left due to the
church filling up with undesireables…the new residents became transformed into Gods garden and gave the church a new breath of fresh air which blew the dead bones out….(i was one of those little lambs who recently celebrated 51yrs young and still loving life even after 30plus yrs of believing it is possible) and was the one who gave an open door for the word of the Lord that came forth that night….its too awesome to look back looking forward when He spoke and its all much clearer…

]]> By: Rick Dancer http://epinoiacafe.com/2007/02/how-to-dream-big/comment-page-1/#comment-418 Rick Dancer Thu, 15 Mar 2007 23:55:32 +0000 http://epinoiacafe.com/2007/02/28/how-to-dream-big/#comment-418 I heard about a church that provides paper and watercolors for its' artists to paint....yep, that's worship too. This is fun. I heard about a church that provides paper and watercolors for its’ artists to paint….yep, that’s worship too.
This is fun.

]]> By: Jeff Wisdom http://epinoiacafe.com/2007/02/how-to-dream-big/comment-page-1/#comment-417 Jeff Wisdom Thu, 15 Mar 2007 05:02:53 +0000 http://epinoiacafe.com/2007/02/28/how-to-dream-big/#comment-417 The more I talk to people, in church or out, I see that there is a gerneral consensus and dissatisfaction of the way "church" is being done. In regards to your comment about "worship: Rick....I know we all generally see worship as the music time. But I heard a teaching last week, I think it was Swindoll. That was saying "worship is not just the music, in the old testament worship was the entire time...singing, teaching..learning...living. I think this should apply today. Really even in the times of learning more of Christ we can see that as worship, reading his word, and even fellowship, ministry, outreach, etc. I also believe Nick has some good points in regards to the fun focus and the enriching times of reading the word and conversing. But a thought also came to me and I will bring it up again at the next Tuesday's meeting and that is "Servant Evangelism. To me this is ways to serve various people in your community, not for the sake of getting them to your church but to extend the love of Christ. We used to do this in my church in Santa Monica, wash cars for free, tune up cars of single moms for free, etc. I reflect back on the church of Acts and how they were about the business of serving in love and meeting the needs of the community. In considering what is being said....reading the word, sharing, praying together. This is all good and it is beneficial. I know we all have an idea of what fellowship should be (or church) or at least its potential, we seem to be too limiting due to our preconceived ideas,bad past experiences or our time committments. One of the greatest treasures I receive from what I call "REAL CHURCH" is fellowship that creates a family of Christ and develops or influences transformation in oneself, others and the community that reflects, exalts and glorifies Christ. The more I talk to people, in church or out, I see that there is a gerneral consensus and dissatisfaction of the way “church” is being done. In regards to your comment about “worship: Rick….I know we all generally see worship as the music time. But I heard a teaching last week, I think it was Swindoll. That was saying “worship is not just the music, in the old testament worship was the entire time…singing, teaching..learning…living. I think this should apply today. Really even in the times of learning more of Christ we can see that as worship, reading his word, and even fellowship, ministry, outreach, etc.
I also believe Nick has some good points in regards to the fun focus and the enriching times of reading the word and conversing. But a thought also came to me and I will bring it up again at the next Tuesday’s meeting and that is “Servant Evangelism. To me this is ways to serve various people in your community, not for the sake of getting them to your church but to extend the love of Christ. We used to do this in my church in Santa Monica, wash cars for free, tune up cars of single moms for free, etc. I reflect back on the church of Acts and how they were about the business of serving in love and meeting the needs of the community.
In considering what is being said….reading the word, sharing, praying together. This is all good and it is beneficial.
I know we all have an idea of what fellowship should be (or church) or at least its potential, we seem to be too limiting due to our preconceived ideas,bad past experiences or our time committments. One of the greatest treasures I receive from what I call “REAL CHURCH” is fellowship that creates a family of Christ and develops or influences transformation in oneself, others and the community that reflects, exalts and glorifies Christ.

]]> By: Nick Mosher http://epinoiacafe.com/2007/02/how-to-dream-big/comment-page-1/#comment-416 Nick Mosher Mon, 12 Mar 2007 23:47:40 +0000 http://epinoiacafe.com/2007/02/28/how-to-dream-big/#comment-416 Adding to what i just said. I was at school at didn't say much. I ran out of time. I believe there is more we could do, but I don't know what yet. I don't know what goes on in a church so I have nothing to compare to or think of something similar to do. I bet it would make a difference if you knew how many people would go, because I believe you would learn more from hearing what many people have to say instead of a couple. I would also like to hear what many people have to say and meeting more people. I don't know if this would be considered a bible study,what you want to do. If we all got together, shared a meal, read a scripture, said how we felt and also heard what everyone had to say about it, said a prayer and went home like Rick said, would that be enough? I am thinking it is enough, but at the same time I don't. I believe there is something missing. I can't think of it. Adding to what i just said. I was at school at didn’t say much. I ran out of time. I believe there is more we could do, but I don’t know what yet. I don’t know what goes on in a church so I have nothing to compare to or think of something similar to do. I bet it would make a difference if you knew how many people would go, because I believe you would learn more from hearing what many people have to say instead of a couple. I would also like to hear what many people have to say and meeting more people. I don’t know if this would be considered a bible study,what you want to do. If we all got together, shared a meal, read a scripture, said how we felt and also heard what everyone had to say about it, said a prayer and went home like Rick said, would that be enough? I am thinking it is enough, but at the same time I don’t. I believe there is something missing. I can’t think of it.

]]> By: Nick http://epinoiacafe.com/2007/02/how-to-dream-big/comment-page-1/#comment-415 Nick Mon, 12 Mar 2007 15:53:41 +0000 http://epinoiacafe.com/2007/02/28/how-to-dream-big/#comment-415 I would believe that qualifys for me. That is all I do minus the meal. Well we do go play games, but we shouldn't do that. In my groups we start of with high light and low light. We go around the whole group and everyone says their highlight which is something good that happend in your week. Then you say your low light which is what happened in your week that made you mad or dissapointed. I like doing it, because I get to let them know more about me. Then we just read a verse and say how we feel abuot it. I bet we could find many more things to do. I also feel that we might need more to do. I would believe that qualifys for me. That is all I do minus the meal. Well we do go play games, but we shouldn’t do that. In my groups we start of with high light and low light. We go around the whole group and everyone says their highlight which is something good that happend in your week. Then you say your low light which is what happened in your week that made you mad or dissapointed. I like doing it, because I get to let them know more about me. Then we just read a verse and say how we feel abuot it. I bet we could find many more things to do. I also feel that we might need more to do.

]]> By: Rick Dancer http://epinoiacafe.com/2007/02/how-to-dream-big/comment-page-1/#comment-414 Rick Dancer Mon, 12 Mar 2007 12:31:00 +0000 http://epinoiacafe.com/2007/02/28/how-to-dream-big/#comment-414 In my business we call that "The Target Audience". We need to stop trying to recreate church as we've known it in the past. Not for the sake of change, but for the sake of people. We should ask ourselves why do we worship? What is the purpose of worshiping God? Is it to sing? Is it to simply exalt Him? Do we need to sing three songs, two fast, one slow and then do collection time? What if we simply got together, over a meal, read scripture, argued about what it meant, prayed and went home? Would that qualify as church or do we need to do more? In my business we call that “The Target Audience”. We need to stop trying to recreate church as we’ve known it in the past. Not for the sake of change, but for the sake of people.

We should ask ourselves why do we worship? What is the purpose of worshiping God? Is it to sing? Is it to simply exalt Him? Do we need to sing three songs, two fast, one slow and then do collection time?

What if we simply got together, over a meal, read scripture, argued about what it meant, prayed and went home?
Would that qualify as church or do we need to do more?

]]> By: Nick Mosher http://epinoiacafe.com/2007/02/how-to-dream-big/comment-page-1/#comment-413 Nick Mosher Mon, 12 Mar 2007 02:54:45 +0000 http://epinoiacafe.com/2007/02/28/how-to-dream-big/#comment-413 As a teenager speaking, I would use my sandals. Why? I don't got a job to afford the famous burkenstocks. Well to continue to what I said previously. I also go to Young life. Campaigners is run through Young Life. The Young Life I go to is strictly Sheldon High school students, which is kinda lame. If I were to be in charge I would have all the people who would want to come learn God's words and have FUN doing it. Yeah, we have fun. People might say church is boring some say it is fun, I don't know for sure, I haven't been. That is why I go to these groups, so I can get the feeling of a mini church. I know there is a big difference in what I do in my groups and what people do in church, but I am not allowed to go to church. I am allowed to go to a bible study Rick told me about. I know some people in my life don't want me to go, but I want to get out there and experience life. I was a lazy teenager who did nothing and I wasn't a Christian until recently. I ca honestly say that my life is much better and more meaningful. I have screwed up recently too, but I am learning from my doings. Ah, sorry back on topic. I will say this " I love going to bible studies and my groups." People will ask me why I like it so much and why I keep going to them and I tell those people " I found something that I love to do and I have fun doing it." They will sometimes ask me how I have fun. I told my friend this. " I get to be myself when I am there." That is my life goal. To be myself. In the end of this. I personally think what you want to do is a great idea. You can show them you can have doing it. I do. I have fun by letting people know my look on the verse that was read. Sometimes it will be the opposite of everyone else, but it is my look on it. I love talking to people about life and God. It is giving me something to look forward to in life, keeping my head up when I am down. You can have fun by sitting down and reading the bible with friends. I do all the time. One last thing, I am a teenager without a fancy suit. I have yet to own one. As a teenager speaking, I would use my sandals. Why? I don’t got a job to afford the famous burkenstocks.

Well to continue to what I said previously. I also go to Young life. Campaigners is run through Young Life. The Young Life I go to is strictly Sheldon High school students, which is kinda lame. If I were to be in charge I would have all the people who would want to come learn God’s words and have FUN doing it. Yeah, we have fun. People might say church is boring some say it is fun, I don’t know for sure, I haven’t been. That is why I go to these groups, so I can get the feeling of a mini church. I know there is a big difference in what I do in my groups and what people do in church, but I am not allowed to go to church. I am allowed to go to a bible study Rick told me about. I know some people in my life don’t want me to go, but I want to get out there and experience life. I was a lazy teenager who did nothing and I wasn’t a Christian until recently. I ca honestly say that my life is much better and more meaningful. I have screwed up recently too, but I am learning from my doings. Ah, sorry back on topic. I will say this ” I love going to bible studies and my groups.” People will ask me why I like it so much and why I keep going to them and I tell those people ” I found something that I love to do and I have fun doing it.” They will sometimes ask me how I have fun. I told my friend this. ” I get to be myself when I am there.” That is my life goal. To be myself.

In the end of this. I personally think what you want to do is a great idea. You can show them you can have doing it. I do. I have fun by letting people know my look on the verse that was read. Sometimes it will be the opposite of everyone else, but it is my look on it. I love talking to people about life and God. It is giving me something to look forward to in life, keeping my head up when I am down. You can have fun by sitting down and reading the bible with friends. I do all the time. One last thing, I am a teenager without a fancy suit. I have yet to own one.

]]> By: Rick Dancer http://epinoiacafe.com/2007/02/how-to-dream-big/comment-page-1/#comment-412 Rick Dancer Fri, 09 Mar 2007 04:10:58 +0000 http://epinoiacafe.com/2007/02/28/how-to-dream-big/#comment-412 burkenstocks actually, you are in Eugene you know burkenstocks actually, you are in Eugene you know

]]> By: Jeff Wisdom http://epinoiacafe.com/2007/02/how-to-dream-big/comment-page-1/#comment-411 Jeff Wisdom Fri, 09 Mar 2007 03:54:54 +0000 http://epinoiacafe.com/2007/02/28/how-to-dream-big/#comment-411 Anthony, don't forget the sandals........... Anthony,
don’t forget the sandals………..

]]> By: Anthony Doheny http://epinoiacafe.com/2007/02/how-to-dream-big/comment-page-1/#comment-410 Anthony Doheny Thu, 08 Mar 2007 16:32:41 +0000 http://epinoiacafe.com/2007/02/28/how-to-dream-big/#comment-410 I think doing "church" in a radically different manner is appealing to me. But one thing I must do before we meet. I must get all my suits dry cleaned and my dress shirts pressed cause I gotta make sure I wear a suit and tie if/when we decide to worship together. That's very important! I love to dream big, especially in my olive green, double breasted, 3 button suit. Can't you just see Jesus in that? I think doing “church” in a radically different manner is appealing to me. But one thing I must do before we meet. I must get all my suits dry cleaned and my dress shirts pressed cause I gotta make sure I wear a suit and tie if/when we decide to worship together. That’s very important! I love to dream big, especially in my olive green, double breasted, 3 button suit. Can’t you just see Jesus in that?

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