Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Ephesians It Is
After praying about it and considering how this study might not get us deeper into God's Word, I shared with the guys that it just didn't feel right. I believe that our group of men need to be grounded in God's Word, not some book that might dabble in a few bible verses here and there.
With much discussion and allowing everyone to be heard, we decided to scrap that study and get back to a bible based study. We will be jumping head first into Ephesians and using the Bible and the Holy Spirit as our main guide. We will be taking a chapter per week, pre-reading it and coming ready to discuss God's Word, His plan for our life in Christ and how to apply it into our daily lives.
I am so excited about this study - you do not even know! Please come ready to discuss Chapter 1 of Ephesians with us on Tuesday, December 30th (6:45pm) at Its A Grind in Murrieta. Email me (whowantsitmore@gmail.com) for more information.
Stay Strong
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
One of the Best Days Ever
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Are you...
(Psalm 1:1-3, NIV)
How 'bout them apples? Is the blessedness of God not awe-inspiring enough for us to get all fired up about? What is going on with us? How soon we forget how blessed we are! Stay in the pocket of His presence my friends and be encouraged by how blessed we are to be called to a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Galatians RECAP
Let's continue to seek after Him as our only example and pray for one another daily to be built into His image and that He will be our stength.
Most of you have seen that I sign off with "stay strong", which I attribute to one of my favorite verses - Galations 6:9-10. "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."
The Tuesday night group will be embarking on a new study, one which will challenge who we are as men versus who we should be in Christ. It will test our ability to see how little compromises against His will put us in harm's way. I am really excited about growing closer to Christ through this study, not only in my daily walk with Him, but in my relationship with my brothers, family and with those who need to here the Gospel according to Him.
Leaning into a Hail of Bullets will showcase a few of the temptations that we face as men in our daily lives. We will be taking on challenging subjects that threaten our jobs, marriages / relationships, and family. If you have ever been stopped in your tracks by one of these thoughts: If I change just one number on my tax return...the hotel bill doesn't list movies by name...if she keeps looking at me like that... -- you need to join us!
Tuesday night is for getting real. The atmosphere is open to share or not, the guys are real guys, with real struggles, in real situations. We come together to provide a secure environment to challenge each other, to encourage one another and to pray for each other.
Stay Stong, my brothers.
you can find more information about the study here:
http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=836908&event=1025SBF%7C10791%7C1025#curr
Quick Bio
A freelance writer with three decades in youth ministry, Tim McLaughlin has his hands in many cool projects a as contributor, co-author or author: ~ Creative Bible Lessons in Galatians & Philippians (Youth Specialties) ~ The student devotional Fed Up (Transit/Thomas Nelson)~ Most of the books in the Real-Life Stuff for Men series (NavPress)~ Contributor, Mission: Africa (Thomas Nelson).
Saturday, December 13, 2008
What's Your Hidden Immunity Idol?
Stay Strong
Friday, December 5, 2008
Pancakes & Bowling = Good Times
If you see this guy -->
sitting next to you, I would have to advise you to run. I do not have a clue who he is and by the looks of things, he would like nothing more than to hang out in his london calling shirt, sipping coffee and eating these huge pancakes all day. Well, now that I think about it that is not a bad call, its a tough call, but not a bad call!
The tough part of that call (hanging out eating pancakes in your london calling shirt and sipping coffee all day) is that there is more to Saturday than the men's breakfast. What more could there be?
How about a little bowling with the family after those hotcakes and hot topics? Come out and support the youth by sliding over to Cal Oaks Bowling Center between 9am - 11am and grab a lane or two. I believe it is a whopping $5 per person for two hours of bowling and ALL proceeds go to the youth programs at Lamb's.
Not too much better representation of the ultimate bowling team, than the W's...Roy Munsen and Ernie McCracken beware.
Stay strong
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
How Are You Living Out Your Faith?
The world needs men:
What's in Your Relationship?
- GRACE: do you give your wife enough grace? Yeah, you were at work all day, but she was most likely at her own job and then did about 85% around the house and took/takes care of the kids most of the time. How many times have you said thank you? Do you think that all the stuff you see cleaned up, put away and prepared was done by itself?
- TRUTH: this does not mean being brutally honest in a way that tears someone down. This means are you who you say you are? Are you living a lifestyle of truth or are you just showing outward stuff so that people think you are something that you are not? Who are you? Are you living a Christ-like walk?
- HUMILITY: do you admit when you make mistakes? do you have a really good picture of yourself? Have you ever taken a step back and seen yourself through someone else's eyes? We need to get over ourselves - we are not that great. Putting our spouse and children before us is what is required to be a loving and caring person, you know the Spiritual Leader of the household -- have you done that lately? or ever?
Strong words, I Know, but sometimes it is these messages that we receive loud and clear that help continue to give us perspective, God's perspective, on how we should be living. I challenge and encourage you to make a change today in one of these areas and discuss it with your spouse. They can really help get us back on track. I know that I need a dose of all three!
Stay Strong
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Recap Chapter 10 or was it?
The focus of the lesson this week was on Emancipation or more likely freedom in Christ. Most of the time we were focused on what derails us -- hoping to find solutions on how to get back on track....where is that huge crane to put the train cars back on the track? When will it be here? Most importantly is God driving it?
We took a sidebar or should I say - we went sideways talking about some conspiracy theories. We shared a few things from internet theory to biblical revelation. What a great discussion. As some of you know, I love a good conspiracy theory. In fact, I have spent many sleepless nigths on the infoweb hunting down answers, biblical answers, to some of the most entertaining ideas (well to me anyway...).
What am I really looking for? Why do I spend so much time on this stuff? Is this really what God wants from me? Why am I not taking that same passion and applying it to reading and studying the Bible? Well, there it is. I figured out that this was another way that I was avoiding the true source of all knowledge! Theories, conspiracy or not, are just that, but by researching the source of all truth I can know what God has in store for me. And, it is much bigger and better than any conspiracy because ----MY GOD IS BIGGER!
Have a great thanksgiving brothers.
Stay Strong
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Huge Response!
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Listen here Brother...
Repeat after me: I do have good ideas, I am valuable to the men's ministry, I would like to have a group to belong too, I know that Rob is really cool -- hey thanks for the last one! Right back at you.
I am going on a limb and praying about starting a new video series starring Louie Giglio (founder of the Passion movement). You can see some of his stuff at http://www.268generation.com/2.0/splash5.htm
and check out one of his teaching videos on youtube at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_e4zgJXPpI4
I have a tentative start date of Saturday, December 6, 2008 at 6:30 am. Pray for God to come in power and might and make this happen. The first series is on worship and is so powerful that you will be amazed at God's love for us!
Pray with me...
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Got Man Card?
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Amazing Race -- Amazing Message
Of course, the day would not be complete without an outstanding message by Monty Sharp. He talked about the need for us as men and parents of girls that we needed to think about the word hurt and make it a positive opportunity to grow together with our daughters. H.U.R.T. is about honesty, unselfishness, respect and truth and was a great way to end the day.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Wasting No Time ...
Jim Brown - OneNewsNow - 11/12/2008 6:50:00 AM
A conservative Christian activist says it's a sad omen for the Obama administration and the United States that Barack Obama has been seeking guidance from the Episcopal Church's first openly homosexual bishop.
The Times of London reports that the president-elect sought out New Hampshire homosexual bishop Vicki Gene Robinson for advice three times during his presidential campaign. Robinson, whose ordination in the Episcopal Church has caused a deep rift within the Anglican Communion, was reportedly sought out by Obama to discuss what it feels like to be "first." Robinson notes in their three private conversations, Obama voiced his support for "equal civil rights" for homosexuals and described the election as a "religious experience."
Peter LaBarbera, president of Americans for Truth About Homosexuality, believes Obama's consultations with Robinson show the true tenor of his upcoming administration. "It looks like Billy Graham has been replaced by a gay bishop. We're moving to, perhaps, our first anti-Christian president; it's beyond post-Christian. Gene Robinson advocates homosexuality as part of the Christian experience," he explains. "Now Bible-believing Christians cannot accept that. Homosexual practice is sinful, as taught by the scriptures. This man [Obama] pretends to be faithful to Christianity, even as he works very hard to undermine it." LaBarbera suggests Robinson may possibly replace Jeremiah Wright as one of Obama's main spiritual advisers. Wright was Obama's Chicago pastor for 20 years before disassociating with the controversial preacher during the presidential campaign.
Stay Strong my friends,
Rob
Sunday, November 9, 2008
The Amazing Race
Just a few words to share regarding this whole All Pro Dad thang... it is quite seriously one of the best things to be involved in. Bob Gideon and his crew are genius when coming up with these events. These are serious fun and in the grand scheme of things - two hours spent together is making a lifetime of memories for me and my kids. Bring a friend and his daughter(s) too ... you'll be glad you did.
I hope that you come on out with your daughter or daughters and be blessed. Monty will not disappoint either...
Stay Strong
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Monday, November 3, 2008
Great Message
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Fall Back to Standard Time - Tonight!
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Galatians Ch. 6 Recap
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Friday, October 24, 2008
PROPOSITION 8: Vote YES
The California civil code already guarantees full rights for homosexual civil unions; proposition does not take away those rights.
However, if proposition 8 is NOT passed, our view and right to teach marriage as being the union between one man and one woman WILL be taken away.
The consequences of this would be very ugly and far reaching. Furthermore, the process by which California has now arrived at actually granting homosexual marriage licenses is a travesty – a perversion of the democratic process where imperial judges are overriding the ‘consent of the governed’ and imperiling our culture.
I encourage you to watch this video which explains some of the reasons for a ‘yes on 8’ vote in a pretty fair way.
I also encourage you to check out the http://www.protectmarriage.com/ website for further info.
My strongest encouragement to you is to vote YES on Prop 8. Protect marriage.
Saturday Night is Live @ Lamb's!
The photo at right is almost exactly what the band looked like and people were all about praising God. It is actually Chris Tomlin in concert, but Tyler and the worship team were tight, Pastor John's message was right on the mark (as usual) and the atmosphere was awesome.
We'll be making the switch and inviting as many people as we can to come worship with us!
Tuesday AM Study: Week 2
Strong Arm, Weak Will
Samson: His triumphs pale against tragic choices.
Check your email for week two of the Tuesday 6:30 am bible study at Church led by Men's Ministry Leader Kerry Holmes.
This is a great study, part one was about Jacob and how God persistently blessed him despite Jacobs faults. Have faith in him and he will bless you.
Have a Great Week!!
Galatians Chapter 5 Recap
Friday, October 17, 2008
Galatians Ch. 4 Recap
Galatians 3:1-9
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Joy?
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Galatians Ch. 3 Recap
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Fireproof (the movie) Your Marriage!
http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1810036605/trailer
Friday, October 3, 2008
Galatians Ch 2 - DEFENDING THE GOSPEL
The discussion about Paul's testimony (v.15) revealing something about God's grace and mercy was AWESOME. If He know every hair on our head before we are conceived, why did God allow Saul to persecute His followers and then convert him to Paul? God has some kind of patience.
How zealous are you? Have you lost your passion for Christ, how can you get it back? I shared some tough things that I had been reading in Crazy Love regarding Lukewarm Christians. Francis Chan believes that this saying "Lukewarm Christian" is an oxymoron. Revelation 3:15-18, Jesus says:
I know that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm - neither hot nor cold - I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, "I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing." But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white robes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.
Tough words for sure. We attempted to examine what zealousness is. But maybe it our modern understanding of lukewarm that needs correction. Jesus is saying to the church that because they are lukewarm, He is going to spit them out of His mouth. There is no gentle rendering of the word spit in Greek. This is the only time it is used in the New Testament, and it connotes gagging, hurling, retching. Many people read this passage and assume Jesus is speaking to saved people. Why?
When you read this passage, do you naturally conclude that to be "spit" out of Jesus' mouth means you're a part of His kingdom? When you read the words "wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked," do you think that He was describing saints? When He counsels them to "buy white clothes to wear" in order to cover their "shameful nakedness," does it sound like advice for those already saved? (Crazy Love, Francis Chan, pgs. 84-85)
Some things to ponder for sure ... until next week!
Stay Strong
Gal 6:9-10
Rob
Friday, September 26, 2008
Have You Ever Wondered If We Are Missing It?
Here is a few snippets:
I get nervous when I think of how we've missed who we are supposed to be, and sad when I think about how we're missing out on all that God wants for the people that He loved enough to die for.
I haven't always felt this way. I grew up believing in God without having a clue what He is like. I called myself a Christian, was pretty involved in church, and tried to stay away from all of the things that "good Christians" avoid - drinking, drugs, sex, swearing. Christianity was simple: fight your desires in order to please God. Whenever I failed (which was often), I'd walk around feeling guilty and distant from God. In hindsight, I don't think my church's teachings were incorrect, just incomplete. My view of God was narrow and small. (Preface, pg. 20)
What if I said, "stop praying"? What if I told you to stop talking at God for a while, but instead to take a long, hard look at Him before you speak another word? Solomon warned us not to rush into God's presence with words. That's what fools do. And often, that's what we do. (Ch 1, pg. 25)
Go here now: http://crazylovebook.com/ & check out the awe factor of God video...left me, my wife and son absolutely speechless.
Definitely a must read.
Thanks Eric
www.ericbeeman.com
Galatians Chapter 1 Recap
Time to Get Real?
FASTING
A few weeks ago I asked you to consider joining me and thousands of other Christians in California for a 40 day period of fasting and prayer for our nation and our communities. The fast is from September 24th to November 2nd. If you didn’t get to start on Wednesday, jump in now! Let’s fast and pray together; I am fasting from coffee and watching the news on TV. What might you fast from? As we fast, let’s pray together for: the elections; Proposition 8 to be passed, for our community to elect godly local council members, for our church’s launch of two additional services, and for the lost in our community to be saved. Join me at The Call prayer rally in San Diego on November 1st by registering at www.thecall.com .
Rob
Thursday, September 18, 2008
What Up with Your World?
Friday, September 12, 2008
Galatians Begins Tuesday Sept. 16!
I went with Galatians over Ephesians, but also found some awesome other studies that I will be posting on this here blogspot so that we can vote for upcoming studies. I have also started to put up some great reading with a biblical/historical perspective as you can see from the last post.
The Galatians Study will be just like the Colossians one. We decided that Luke- A - doo was pretty good at bringing up questions that make us go - hmmmm. It also gave us some great conversation starters so that we could form a base friendship to build on as we move through this guy group thang.
Remember, we are hanging at the Grind now. The show starts around 6:45pm and goes until it goes. Drop in and out whenever you can - there will always be somebody there to hang out with.
This week, I have (or will have) prepared a short introduction to Galatians and hopefully will have all the books to hand out. I had to order a few so I am hoping that they come in before Tuesday night. If they do not, I will photocopy the first session and have the books for the following week.
Stay Strong
Rob
The Search for the Twelve Apostles
Friday, September 5, 2008
The Cross?
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Tuesday Night Grind
For those of you wondering what in the world we got going on Tuesday nights, the rules of engagement are below:
- No one is the expert, we all are allowed to say not so smart things. Bring your bible so that we can all back each other up.
- Man Code Issues: any issues related to a person's personal life situation that does not leave the group and is not shared outside the group. This is enforced by repeatedly yelling "MAN CODE" in a hushed tone.
- Friend Finding: didn't want to use relationship, because that scares men away.
- Faith Building: iron sharpens iron, we are not always iron, but we do sharpen each other.
- Prayer Time: We open and close in prayer and take prayer requests for the week.
- Bible Study: This time is really built on what God lays on our hearts to discuss. Its light, casual, friendly (see first bullet point). One of the best times we had was in Colossians during the Forgiveness portion of the study... I still think we haven't finished that one yet.
In Paul's letter to the Romans, he wrote..."I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong - that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith." (Romans 1:11-12, NKJV) ... that is really what we do. Discuss biblical stuff so that we can be mutually encouraged.
We all have something to bring to the table to share to encourage each other in this thing called life. Come on and try us out.
Feel free to email me at whowantsitmore@gmail.com or contact me at 951.830.2518.
Rob Johnson
Father - Son Olympics = Great Time
time. So good to see so many guys out with their kids! Bob Gideon
has partnered with All Pro Dads to put on some really fun events over the past
two years - if you missed this one, the Father/Daughter Event is coming in
November.
One of the best parts, besides the pentathalon, was the message short but important message that Steve Solarzano (sp?) touched on --- what legacy are we leaving our boys/kids? That really hit home for me. It got me thinking about the following:
- How do I react when things don't go so well?
- How am I modeling how to treat women (in my interactions with my wife)?
- Is money important to me?
- Do my kids "catch me" reading/studying my bible?
- Am I spending enough time praying with them and teaching them about Jesus?
Phew...I know that I need to do a much better job in this area. Thankfully, God knows all the more and will be by my side to remind me to not wait for "teachable moments", but to model 24/7.
"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith." Galations 6:9-10 (ESV)
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Are You Cornfused?
We are working on our PM Study right now, going through Proverbs 5 chapters each week. It is amazing what God's Word can point out in our lives. We talked this past week about how easy it is to see where OTHERS need correction, but how difficult it is to swallow some of those things that you know God is directing at you.
We will be meeting one more time on Wednesday night (8/27/08) at 7pm at the Church in the Joshua Room (right across from the Youth Room) and then we are moving back to Tuesday nights, 6:45pm, @ It's A Grind (Village Walk Shopping Center - off Jefferson/Kalmia) starting on (Tuesday, 9/2/08). If you want more info feel free to email me at whowantsitmore@gmail.com.
Upcoming information will be posted when the AM group gets rolling again too.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
welcome...
Check it out a man-code area just for us. Of course, I would not put anything that has been added to the "man-code" here, because it is not protected! I thought we needed a spot to share some stuff, talk about other stuff, put some stuff and such...well here it is.
I hope that Pastor John will allow us to put a link to this blogspot to the Lambs webpage, but if not we will just have to make it word of mouth. You can send me email to my man-code address at
whowantsitmore@gmail.com
for posting or information that you would like to share.
First things first, this is first and foremost to be a site for all men of The Lamb's Fellowship. This is a spot where we can communicate between different groups and different leaders. Right now, we have two bible studies:
- Tuesdays, 6:30 am -- meets at church
- Tuesdays, 7:00pm -- this group moved for the Jr. High Program & now meets for the time being on Wednesdays at 7:00pm at the Church
We do want our Tuesday night group back, so we most likely will be moving back to Tuesdays, just need to find a suitable location.
I would like to post pix with names of the guys who attend each bible study, because I think it is important that we start saying hello to each other to stay connected. We are all part of the same church and often times feel disconnected or forget each others' names due to our two service times and two bible study times.
The Tuesday AM study is lead by the Men's Ministry Leader, Kerry Holmes (lambsmob@yahoo.com) and our current Wednesday PM facilitator is Gregg Fosgett/Rob Johnson.
The Tuesday AM group is about to kick off again and the Wednesday PM will be following with the same study, so if you can't make the mornings come join us at night. The PM group is currently working its way through the book of Proverbs with the following schedule in place:
- 8/20/08 Read Proverbs 11-15 and be ready to discuss anything that you find that you would like to share
- 8/28/08 Read Proverbs 16 - 20
- 9/4/08 Read Proverbs 21 - 25
- 9/11/08 Read Proverbs 26 - 30
If the AM group kicks off a new study, the PM group will put aside finishing Proverbs and jump right in.
Stay Strong (Gal 6:9-10)
Rob