Hello Friends: 2.2.12- Staff Perspective

February 2nd, 2012

Hello Friends,

Once a month our WSFC staff and key leaders have an extended time together for what we call a Leadership Lunch. We pray, share God’s stories, vision-cast and equip our core leadership (and then we do something really biblical: eat together).

Yesterday we had a special guest share at our Leadership Lunch. He is a friend of mine that was up from California speaking at another church in the area. I grabbed him while he was in town.  His name is Jason Graves and his a new author of a book called “Anchored Man.” You can find it at www.anchoredman.com. Before he communicated a leadership lesson about the care of our souls, Jason asked each person in the room to share their name, their ministry role and what they see as a strength of West Salem Foursquare. He wanted to know what we were most proud of at our church.

I took notes.

Here are direct quotes from our key leaders regarding our congregation:

• It’s a place for prodigals.

• You can come as you are.

• It’s a fun place that you WANT to be at.

• We have a positive reputation; people know about us.

• We are given permission to wrestle with tough questions.

• We work together as a team.

• We adapt to change.

• We have attached ourselves to the community and are making an impact.

• Our church has “huge arms.”

• We experience the miraculous on a regular basis in the lives of people.

• We are family.

• One word: joy.

Thought you might like to “eavesdrop” in on our gathering!

I love our church:  it’s simple, caring, positive and real.

Blessings,

Pastor John
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Hello Friends: 1.26.12-Persistence

January 26th, 2012

Hello Friends,

A few days ago I was reading Luke 18 in my daily devotions. Jesus told a parable about a widow that wouldn’t leave a judge alone. He taught this parable to show his disciples (that’s us, by the way) that they always pray and not give up.

If you have your Bible nearby I encourage you to read Luke 18:1-8 and notice a few things along with me.

1.  The Plea
This widow had a particular plea: “Give me justice against my adversary.” In other words, “HELP ME!” How many of you have prayed that kind of prayer? I know I have. “Help” prayers are very common – perhaps the most common of all prayers on this planet. And I don’t think God minds it. He asks us to bring him our concerns, worries, and fears. He’s big enough to handle our stuff.

2.  The Passion
I’m always impressed with this woman’s passionate approach to getting justice. She was a real “go-getter!”

What are you passionate about? What makes your heart beat and your voice sing? Perhaps it’s your family, physical fitness, a hobby or upcoming event. Those are all wonderful things, but I ask you this question:  Are you passionate about Jesus?

3. The Persistence
The Judge said some pretty wonderful things about the woman: “This widow keeps bothering me…she will eventually wear me out with her coming!” One might think that these comments are less-than-flattering, but I see them as a badge of honor. She was a persistent person and got the results to show for it.

Notice the word “eventually” in the Judge’s statements. Eventually means possibly, someday, not now but perhaps soon. We tend to think of “eventually” like a child thinks about “maybe” from the mouth of a parent. Parents toss the word “maybe” around all the time in answer to our persistent children. Frankly, we know how frustrating that word is our to kids, but it’s SUCH A GOOD WORD (am I right?)!

Do you ever hear a “Maybe” from the Lord? Rather than quit, perhaps it’s an invitation to persistently and passionately keep praying.

Do give up. Keep knocking.  Jesus encourages us in Matthew 7:7 to:

“Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”

 

Blessings,

Pastor John
Connect Online with West Salem Foursquare    

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Hello Friends: 1.19.21- Dig Down Deep

January 19th, 2012

Hello Friends,

Take a good look at this verse in the Old Testament.

“For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.” Ezra 7:10

Go ahead and read it again.

Did you see the progression? Did you notice the obvious steps?

Study.

Do.

Teach.

Ezra first devoted himself to the study of the Word. Then the actual doing of it (which is called observance in certain versions of the Bible). After that, with confidence, he taught it to others.

This is such an important concept for us to capture. The Word of God must get into our souls and affect the way we live before we run around trying to get others to believe it.

This reminds me of the word of Jesus in Luke 6 when he said that those “who hear my words and put them into practice is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock.”

Church: let’s dig down deep!

Blessings,

Pastor John
Connect Online with West Salem Foursquare    

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Hello Friends: 1.12.12- Imagine

January 12th, 2012

Hello Friends,

IMAGINE WITH ME…

• Imagine people focused on the person and purposes of Jesus Christ.

• Imagine a commitment to the reading of, interaction with, and the application of God’s Word.

• Imagine God-inspired passions that are limited only by the voice and direction of the Holy Spirit.

• Imagine a widespread influence upon the region in which we have been sovereignly and strategically placed.

• Imagine a place where those who are lonely, hurting, or frustrated can find love, acceptance, and forgiveness.

• Imagine being a force that reaches tens of thousands with the Good News of God’s love, and makes room in our family and facility for those who come to Jesus.

• Imagine connecting believers into healthy Christian community to love, learn, and live in unity and with purpose.

• Imagine developing every believer into a maturing disciple who is alive in worship, faithful in stewardship, empowered by prayer, filled with God’s Spirit, and obedient to God’s Word.

• Imagine releasing disciples to become servants in significant Kingdom ministry that is matched by his or her gifts, talents, passion, personality and experience.

• Imagine one day hearing the voice of the Lord say: “Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant!”

This is how I imagine West Salem Foursquare Church.

Do you?

Blessings in 2012,

Blessings,

Pastor John
Connect Online with West Salem Foursquare    

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Hello Friends: 1.5.12- 20/20/20 Groups

January 5th, 2012

Hello Friends,

This month we are dedicating ourselves to the reading of and interaction with the WORD OF GOD. For 31 days let’s read the Bible together. Visit our website at www.wsfc.org for the daily reading portions of Scripture. Every weekday in January the WSFC Ministry Center is open THREE-TIMES A DAY for 20/20/20 Groups:

20 Minutes of reading the daily portion of Scripture
20 Minutes of journaling on a passage

20 Minutes of sharing gems you’ve gleaned

The following is a good and helpful explanation of how to Journal your discoveries in Scripture.

“All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16

As we read God’s words, we begin to see how God responds to things. Doing regular devotions re-patterns our  mind and transforms our spirit. Then when we face situations like Jesus did, we begin to respond in the same way. We begin to understand that His words always build, strengthen, affirm, and give life.

Journaling is an excellent way to both record and process what God has spoken to us. It’s also a useful tool to use at a later time, to reflect on and review some of the ‘gems’ that you have received. Without writing them down, you may forget those blessings and some very important lessons! And while journaling is a very personal time with the Lord, you may want to share some of your daily journaling with your small group. Through discussion, you may be able to look deeper into what God is speaking to you, gain new insight and even encourage others.

You’ll need three items: a Bible, a pen/pencil and a journal. There are many journals you can purchase at a bookstore or a plain notebook will do. The Life Journal is handy because it offers “how to” instructions to help you get the most out of your scripture readings and devotions. There’s a section for special prayer requests where you can record the day you began praying and the day God answered your prayer. It also has a Through-the-Bible Reading Plan, using daily scripture readings from the Old and New Testaments to guide you through the entire Bible in just one year. Life Journals may be purchased from Welcome Center or you can also use our online daily devotional at www.wsfc.org.

Next, set aside a certain time in your schedule each day and find a quite place where you’re not likely to be distracted. Many find peaceful meditation sites in nature, by the beach, in the back yard, or in a favorite lawn chair. It’s not important when you do your devotions, but that you make it a very important part of your day.  Give God the best part of our day, whatever time that is. For morning people, it’s a great way to start your day. For others, it’s 20-minute lunchtime appointments with Jesus. For the night owls, it’s the final act of the day, the time to quiet their hearts and hear God’s voice.

Now what? One way to do your devotions is to follow the simple acronym, S.O.A.P. which stands for Scripture, Observation, Application & Prayer.

S for Scripture

Open your Bible to the reading found under today’s date. Take time reading and allow God to speak to you. Highlight, underline or place a mark in the margin of your Bible, next to the scriptures that stand out. When you are done, reread the passage you marked, look for one that particularly spoke to you that day, and write it in your journal.

O for Observation

What do you think God is saying to you in this scripture? Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and reveal Jesus to you. Paraphrase and write this scripture down in your own words, in your journal.

A for Application

Personalize what you have read, by asking yourself how it applies to your life right now. Perhaps it is instruction, encouragement, revelation of a new promise, or corrections for a particular area of your life. Write out how this scripture can apply to you today.

P for Prayer

This can be as simple as asking God to help you use this scripture, or it may be a greater insight on what He may be revealing to you. Remember, prayer is a two-way conversation, so be sure to listen to what God has to say! Now, write it out.

If this seems a little overwhelming, take it slow and keep it simple. No matter how you decide to do your devotions, the important thing is to show up for the appointment, because God is always waiting for you!

Blessings,

Pastor John
Connect Online with West Salem Foursquare    

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Hello Friends: 12.21.11- Merry Christmas

December 22nd, 2011

Hello Friends,

On behalf of all our WSFC staff, key leaders, elders and council, we want to wish you a very Merry Christmas to you and yours. We are so blessed. The words captured on the wall of our lobby say it so well:

“We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy.
The Lord has done great things for us,
and we are one happy people.”
Psalm 126:2

Denise and I are so happy to serve as your Lead Pastors. We are simply following the model of our Senior Pastor Jesus Christ. He is the one that came as the Ultimate Servant. The Incarnation (God with us) is affirmed in Philippians 2 when it says:

“Christ Jesus…Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

In coming to earth in human likeness, Jesus displayed how WIDE, LONG, HIGH and DEEP is his love for us. Join us this Christmas as we celebrate the vast dimensions of his LOVE. Our celebration services are Friday, December 23 at 6:00 & 7:30 PM and Saturday, December 24 at 4:30 & 6:00 PM. All are invited and welcomed!

Blessings,

Pastors John & Denise

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