Come

 I just finished reading the book of Revelation, PHEW! I don't know about you, but whenever I read Revelation more times then not it stirs up more questions then answers. I mean really, Dragons are real???!!! This is every geeky guy's dream come true! And when does Babylon (modern day Iraq) become the financial mecca  center of the world?
I once heard a preacher say that if someone tells you they can interpret Revelation you need to run, because it probably means they are a weirdo!
But even in the craziness and confusion of  the book of Revelation you still find some of the most powerful scriptures in the Bible about how much God hates sin and how redemptive and powerful the death and resurrection of Jesus really is. He is our rescuer and our deliverer! And by the end of the book in the mist of all the dragons and serpents and multi-headed beasts one thing is clear. JESUS WINS! And the Church, The Body of Christ, Overcomes! Not by our own strength but by the Blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony! (Rev. 12:11)

At the end of Revelation is one of my all time favorite scriptures.

Revelation 22:17

The Spirit and the Bride say, "come." And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.

I love this verse. I see so much of God's grace and love for us here. "The spirit and the bride say come." The Spirit of God is saying "Come." Speaking to those who are far from Him, those who have not yet come to an understanding that Jesus is the only way, truth and life. "Come." 

Then the next part of the scripture is one I think we tend to overlook. The Bride says "Come" the Bride. Who is the Bride? 

The body of Christ is the Bride, the Church, those who claim to be Christ followers. WE are the Bride of Christ. 

I wanted to take a minute to challenge us today. Who in our lives are we telling "Come"? Who in our lives are we reaching out to? The Gift "the water of life" that God offers us is a free gift, But how will people know if we are not inviting them to come drink? Pray for boldness today. Pray that God will open your eyes to the opportunities that are constantly before us. Pray that we can reach a thirsty city with the life giving message of Jesus. He is the ONLY answer. 

Now What?

2 Peter 1:5-8
"Make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, LOVE. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Well, we finally did it! we moved to Oregon to start a new church! This has been such an exciting and terrifying process. I have stepped out in faith like never before and am learning to trust God more then I ever have. We are excited to start this journey and believe with all our hearts that God is going to do something significant and amazing in Hillsboro Oregon.

So now what?

We moved our family, our amazing team, and our lives here to reach this city; so how do we do that?

I came across this scripture in 2 Peter and it gives the perfect formula for reaching those who are far from God.  here is is......
Be full of
Faith
Goodness
Knowledge
Self-control
Perseverance
godliness
mutual affection
LOVE

If we want to be affective in reaching our city we must be a reflection of Jesus. The church is the only Jesus this world will ever see. What kind of Jesus are we reflecting?

Are we reflecting a Jesus who is good?
Are we reflecting a Jesus who is full of knowledge and self-control? A Jesus who does not grow weary but is able to persevere? And what about LOVE? are we portraying a Jesus who Loves?

Scripture tells us that "No man has seen God but when we love each other then they see God through us because God is love."

If we want to reach our city we must walk in these Christ-like attributes.

Now, I know this all sounds good and amazing because really, who doesn't want to be like Jesus? and I am the first one to admit that it is so much easier said then done!

But I have good news! Jesus sent his Holy Spirit to lead us. Scripture says that when we become Christ followers the Holy Spirit lives in us and empowers us to live lives that reflect who Jesus is.

Galatians 5:22  says that the fruit of the Spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness. Goodness, and Self-control.

Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you and guide you. To give the strength to live a life that reflects Jesus and the grace to uphold us when we fall short.

Because, yes we have other strategies and plans to start this church and to reach our city but, if we lack the fruit of the Holy spirit in our lives we will be INEFFECTIVE and UNPRODUCTIVE just as Peter tells us in 2 Peter 1.  But if we walk by the Spirit and live a life that reflects Jesus we will be effective and productive in reaching our city for Jesus!

Ephesians 4

Ephesians 4

I love the the book of Ephesians! The 4th chapter has especially been speaking to me lately. Over the next week or two I am going to begin blogging about all that God is speaking to me in this chapter. Lets begin with Verses 1-3........


Ephesians 4:1-3"As a Prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in LOVE."

 Paul gives us 5 initiatives here

1. Live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 

What is the calling? The calling is a Christ follower. We are all called to follow Christ and to live a God honoring life. Live in such a way that makes the world around you want what you have. I am not saying be fake or unauthentic, sometimes life is challenging, People are challenging. But how we respond or react to our situations is what the world around us will take notice to.

2. Be Humble

Jesus spoke of humility often. In Luke 14:11 Jesus tells us "All who exalt themselves will be humbled and those who humble themselves will be exalted" 1 Peter 5:5 says "All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." Romans 12:3 tells us "Do not think of yourselves more highly then you ought to." 
God is asking us to be humble, not proud. He gives unending grace to those who are humble and believe me, I need a lot of grace! 


3. Be Gentle
Titus 3:2 tells us to "speak evil of no one, avoid quarreling, be gentle and show courtesy toward all people." Be gentle and kind to each other. This honors God. 


4. Be Patient 
Yikes! this is a hard one isn't it? I sing a little song to my girls about patients and it goes like this..... 
"Have patients, have patients, don't be in such a hurry, when you get impatient, you only start to worry, remember, remember, God has patients too, So think of all the times when others have to wait for you!" 
Patients is not easy but it is attainable. Lets learn to be patient with each other and patient with God. 


5. Bear with one another in LOVE
God expect and mandates us (Christians) to be there for each other. when we see someone hurting or burdened we should to be the first shoulder they have to lean on. We can not let people fight alone. We have to be there for each other in love. 


Today I want to challenge you all to Pray. Pray that the Holy Spirit will help you live a life worthy of the calling, to be humble and gentle; to be patient with people and patient with God; and to bear with each other in love. Love each other. 

Those Who Dreamed

Psalms 126:1-3 
When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, "The Lord has done great things for them." The lord has done great things for us and we are filled with joy!

I read this today and loved it so much! God has given us so many good gifts and sometimes we forget. We tend to focus on all that we don't have and forget all that we do. But when we begin to remember and thank God for all he has given us we become like "those who dream" I love that statement! I love it because people who dream are the people who change history, dreamers are the people who change the world! But also, dreaming brings life and joy not only in our own lives but to the lives of the people around us. When we have God's inspired joy it causes people to say "The Lord has done great things for them." Just like Matthew 5:16 says, "Let your light shine before others that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." When we let our light shine it brings glory to God.

So, today I am going to make a challenge to us all. What do you have to thank God for? Maybe its for our families, or our health. Maybe its for a job or for a great friend. Whatever good thing it may be, give thanks to God.  But if you still can't think of anything to give thanks for I know of one that we all have to be thankful for, salvation. The fact that God sent his son Jesus to die so we could have salvation is enough for all of us to thank Him today. Be filled with thanksgiving and joy today. And be a dreamer!

Harvest

 Hey Guys! I wanted to give you a quick update on all that is going on with the Church plant. Adam and I are officially out of New Mexico. We are staying in Arizona until June. We then will officially become Oregonians! Can't wait! We will be taking these next few months in Arizona to dream, pray, and prepare for the launch of Catalyst Church.  We should have our Website up sometime in the next week so keep your eyes open for that. www.Catalystchurch.com

We will be taking a trip to Portland at the beginning of February with a few people from our launch team. Please pray for us. We still need some direction on where exactly in the city God wants us to launch. We are hoping God gives us some clarification on this trip. Thanks!

Matthew 9:36-38
 When Jesus saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He said to his disciples, "The harvest is great, but the workers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

I can't stop thinking about these verses today. I believe with all my heart that God is preparing the harvest in Oregon. Please pray with us that He will draw in even more laborers. Ones who are ready and willing to give there lives to bring in the harvest, to bring in the confused and helpless, to bring in the broken and the hurting, to bring in the ones desperate for an encounter with a God who loves them.

Thank you for all your prayers and support!

Changed

2 Corinthians 5:17
^" This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!"

I cant stop thinking about this verse today. When I became a Christian at the age of 15 my life was completely changed. At the time I was just a little girl with serious abandonment issues. I remember I would come to church and my youth pastor would say this simple sentence to me "Dana, I am so glad you are here!" and that simple sentence would bring me to tears. Every week he would say the same thing and every week I would cry. During that first year of me becoming a Christian my life was completely changed. I didn't become a perfect Christian (I am still not) but my life was set on a completely different course. I fell in love with Jesus, I realized that Jesus loved me even though I was a completely broken person. I realized that he had a plan for my life and I wanted nothing else but to fulfill that plan. I was a changed person, not a perfect person, but changed.

As we are closer then ever to the launch of Catalyst Church I cant help but to remember that 15 year old girl who gave her life to Jesus at a tent revival meeting on a rainy summer night almost 15 years ago, and wonder about all the other 15 year old girls who are desperate for their own life changing encounter with God. Those are the people we want to reach. The broken, the hurting, the abandoned. We want to be the hands and feet of Jesus and show them that God sees them and that he loves them. We don't want to grow a church full of church attenders, we want to grow a church full of broken people that have a life changing encounter with the living God and will never be the same again.

"Diversity's Symphony"

Provider

Philippians 4:16
"My God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."

 Church planting cost money. And not a little bit of money, a lot of money. we need money for a building, for chairs, for sound equipment and video projectors and screens, for kids curriculum and kids equipment, and a million other little things. It gets expensive really fast.

I have to admit that at times it becomes overwhelming when I begin to think about all we need in comparison to all we have. But isn't that how God always seems to work? He seems to always asks us to do something beyond our own ability. And at the end of the day all we can do is have FAITH that He will provide.

These last couple of weeks I have been amazed at how God has already begun to provide for Catalyst Church. We haven't even begun to do our official fund raising yet and money has already began to pour in. First with a ten thousand dollar donation, and then a two thousand dollar donation.

But the donation that impacted me the most  happened a week and a half ago while we were in Panama. The church took up a 1800 dollar offering for the church plant. They told us they believed in us and wanted to be apart of what God was going to do in Portland Oregon.  As we stood in front of  500 Panamanians I was overwhelmed with emotion because I realized that this gift was from God. He used the generosity of the Panamanians but the gift was His.  It is a reminder that He is for us and that He has called us.

New Logo and New Promises

 

Hey guys! this is our new Logo for Catalyst church. We haven't decided on color yet but I kinda like the gray on black.  Let me know what you think.  

The old song "I have decided to follow Jesus" has been running through my mind all day. If you don't know what song I am talking about, here are the lyrics......

I have decided to follow Jesus

I have decided to follow Jesus

I have decided to follow Jesus

No turning back

No turning back

The lyrics are so simple yet so powerful. "I have decided to follow Jesus." I can remember singing this song as a 15 year old girl when I gave my life to God. It was my hearts prayer and I meant it with everything in me. But the truth is, I did turn back. Lots of times. That is why I love the scriptures in  Lamentations 3:22-23

Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,
   for his compassions never fail.
 They are new every morning;
   great is your faithfulness. 

His compassion is new every morning. Some translations say His MERCIES are new every morning. I am so grateful for this truth because I need mercy and grace everyday!
So,  I will continue to promise my devotion to him, and try my hardest to live that promise. And even if I do turn back I know that he will never turn away from me, and I find my comfort in the truth that His Mercy and His Compassion is new everyday for me.

Isaiah 32:17

"The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever." -Isaiah 32:17 

I came across this scripture today in my daily reading and I just loved it. It reminds me of what Jesus says in Matthew 6:33-34 to "Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be added. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own."

It is an amazing reminder that when we seek God and His righteousness we can find peace and confidence knowing that no matter what our situation might be,  He is with us, and He will take care of us. Seek God today. Seek His righteousness; and find your confidence and peace in His promise. 

Radical

    I just read the most amazing book. It is called Radical (Taking your faith back from the American dream) by David Platt. In this book David Platt confronts the idea of the "American Dream" and challenges Christians to live for a greater purpose. To live a life of radical obedience and abandonment to Christ so we can make Jesus' name known in all of the world. It is a book that will make you feel uncomfortable and inspired all in the same sentence. And its a book I think every Christian should read.

    Our Oregon team is reading David Platts second book from the Radical series called Radical Together (unleashing the people of God for the purpose of God).  David starts the book off with an analogy that I just loved and thought I would share it with you.

"High atop the Andes Mountains, the rays of the sun strike ice, and a single drop of water forms. It begins to trace a hesitant course downward, gradually joining with other drops of water to become a steady stream. The stream gains speed and strength. Thousands of feet below and hundreds of miles later, what were once single drops have converged to become the mightiest river on the earth. The Amazon.
Using this imagery above, I tried to picture what happens when the truth of Christ penetrates our hearts, melts our assumptions, and propels us on a journey of abandonment to God. But you and I are not intended to plunge down the mountain of obedience alone. That's one of the reasons I love this imagery of the Amazon. The force of a single drop of water descending the Andes is minuscule. Similarly, as long as individual Christians journey alone-no matter how "radical" they are, their effect will be minimal. But as men and women who are surrendered to the person of Christ join together in churches that are committed to the purpose of Christ, then nothing can stop the spread of the gospel to the ends of the earth."

If you are looking for a great book to read I recommend both of these!

4th of July

I love the 4th of July. I love the fireworks. I love the hot dogs and watermelon. I love Otter pops and ice cream. But most of all I love the patriotism. I love how everyone wears red white and blue. I love that parents are teaching their children why we celebrate our independence day on the 4th and how not all nations have this privilege, that we are special. I love that people cry and stand with pride as they sing the National Anthem and God Bless America. Because God has.  God has absolutely blessed America. But God has not blessed America just so we can be blessed. God has blessed America so we can reach the world for Jesus. I want to challenge all of you today as we celebrate our nation and the God given independence we have been given. How are you using the blessings God has given you?  Don't waste them. Use them for His glory. Use them to change the world. Happy 4th of July!!!!

Jigsaw Puzzle

Hey everyone!
Last night we had a gathering with some of the team coming with us to Oregon. It was so great! I love to hear my husband talk about the vision for Catalyst Church. It inspires me and encourages my faith like nothing else.
I feel like we are putting together a Jigsaw Puzzle. We know how we want it to look in the end, and right now we are just trying to find the pieces and put them where they are suppose to be. Its a pretty big puzzle but we have faith that God's hand is leading us and we find our confidence in that.  
I wanted to encourage those of you who are still wondering if God is calling you to be apart of this church plant. Pray about it and ask God. Maybe he will send you to Portland or maybe he will have you serve faithfully where you’re at for years to come. Either way, we’re all called to be apart of this mission, and all of us have a role to play right now. All of us can pray for more people to meet Jesus. All of us can tell more people about Jesus. And all of us can give so that we can reach more people for Jesus.
Please continue to pray for us and for our team. We appreciate it more then you can ever know!

2nd Kings 5

Hi everyone! I know it has been a while since I've posted a blog entree, we have been super busy. But life is back in regular routine so I hope to start putting out a new post every week.
 The countdown has begun!! We officially have 11 months until we move to Portland! AHH! It has been so amazing to see how God's hand has already been moving and providing.

God spoke to me yesterday through a story in 2nd Kings 5. The story is about a great army commander and warrior named Naaman. Naaman had leprosy and needed a healing. Someone told him of a prophet named Elisha who God had given the ability to do miracles. So Naaman went to go see the prophet Elisha. When he arrives at Elisha's house Elisha tells Naaman in vs.10 "Go wash yourself seven times in the Jordan river and you will be healed." now this made Naaman angry and in vs. 11 he responds..."I thought he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy."
I think this story is so funny. How often do we do this!? We have an idea or expectation on how God should move in our lives and when he doesn't do it the way we thought he would it totally freaks us out! The story goes on and Naaman is obedient and washes himself in the river and he is healed of his leprosy.

Today you may be going through something and are having a hard time seeing God in the situation. Know that he may just be working in a different way then you anticipated. Stay obedient and you will see God come through.

Jesus is Building His Church

"85% of churches in America have plateaued or are in decline. This means that churches in America are in a free fall and everyday churches are closing their doors and those who remain open are hanging on by a thread. And in their place God is bringing up out of fresh soil new life giving, life changing, dynamic, Christ exalting churches. Not just more churches but better churches. And thousands of them." -James Macdonald

I read this quote today by Pastor James Macdonald and I loved it so much!  I feel like over time the church has lost its focus on what is really important (which is connecting people to a life changing relationship with Jesus) and instead has put so much of it's focus on upholding traditions and beliefs that have no biblical merit and have no importance when it comes to the truth of eternity. I believe with all my heart that God is raising up new churches that hate religion and are passionate about the message of Jesus.

I love the Church! I believe that the church when represented correctly is God's plan to reach this world. Jesus said He would build his church and I am so honored that I get to be apart of it.

Catalyst Church

The definition of Catalyst is...
An agent that provokes or speeds significant change or action.

 We decided on the name Catalyst Church for the church plant because we loved the idea of lives being changed because of one encounter with a living God who loves them. We know that if we can introduce the People of Oregon to a God who loves them, to a savior who gives salvation and hope, that lives will be changed and the kingdom of God will expand. 
Please continue to pray for us and for Catalyst Church. Your prayers and support are so appreciated and so needed. Thanks guys!

Jesus is building his church!

Orange in Atlanta

Hey everyone! I just got home from an amazing few days in Atlanta Georgia. Me and a few girls from our church were sent to the Orange Conference there. The Orange Conference is a family ministries conference put on by Reggie Joiner (former children's pastor at Northpointe church) The conference is based off of his book "Think Orange". 

The Idea of Think Orange is.....
How do we combine the Heart of the Family (red) and the light of the church (yellow) to influence our children.  Its an amazing concept and was so inspiring for me as I am trying to figure out how our Children's Ministry will look once we start Catalyst Church. 

Here is a paragraph from Think Orange that pretty much sums up the heart of the book and conference.....

"Imagine the difference it will make if every leader, every volunteer, every parent is on the same page, working toward the same end. what if we believed our mission was simply to incite wonder, provoke discovery, and to fuel passion in the heart of every child. Imagine him, and every other child in your ministry growing up with authentic faith that connects them to a better story for their life. That's what happens when you think ORANGE."


If you are anyway involved in Children's ministry I recommend this book and definitely recommend this conference.
 http://whatisorange.org/

Feeling Inadequate?

Feeling unworthy, inadequate, or insufficient?
Welcome to the club! I have this really annoying voice in my head that is constantly reminding me of all my limitations, but the worst part is, is it is all true! I am unworthy to be used by God and I am definitely inadequate! Because at the end of the day no matter how hard I try I still am a sinner just like everyone else.
Both Romans 3:10 and Psalms 14:3 make is very clear, they both say.....
"There is no one righteous, not even one" 

But there is good news! You see God has this funny little habit of using the unworthy, and insufficient. Lets take a look at scripture.

• Abraham, was a liar and a polygamist (Genesis 20:1-3; Genesis 16:1-4).
• Isaac, was a liar also and showed favoritism in his children (Genesis 26:6-9; Genesis 25:28).
• Jacob, was an extortionist and a swindler (Genesis 25:29-34; Genesis 27:1-27).
• Tamar, who is the mother of Perez, was a fornicator and a deceiver (Genesis 38:6-26).
• Rahab, the mother of Boaz, was a pagan prostitute (Joshua 2:1).
• Ruth, once worshipped false gods (Ruth 1:4).
• David, was a polygamist, adulterer, murderer, and poor father (1 Samuel 25:39-44; 1 Chronicles 14:3; 2 Samuel 11:1-3; 2 Samuel 11:14-17; 2 Samuel 13:1-39).
• Solomon, was a polygamist and was drawn away from God by his many pagan wives (1 Kings 11:4).
• Rehoboam, foolishly split the kingdom of Israel and led Judah to sin (1 Kings 12:1-24; 1 Kings 14:21-31).
• Abijah, walked in the sins of his father and was not devoted to God (1 Kings 15:1-3).
• Uzziah, disobeyed the worship regulations of God and was struck with leprosy (2 Chronicles 26:16-21).
• Ahaz, was very wicked, even leading Israel to sacrifice children (2 Chronicles 28:1-4).

What do all these people have in common? This is the Genealogy of Jesus! God chose this family for the savior of the world, the one who knew no sin, Jesus.

There are a thousand more stories in scripture that tell of how God used the broken and unworthy to do something amazing for the kingdom of God.  Because God is not worried about our inadequacies infact when we give God our weakness and inadequacies only then will he be glorified in our lives.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10
"But Jesus said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

So.... yes, by myself I am extremely inadequate But with Jesus I am unstoppable! 

Praise The Builder Not The Hammer

    I was at the park Saturday with my girls. My youngest Madison (Maddie) is two and a half and fearless. At this particular park there is a really big slide that Maddie desperately wanted to slide down, but she realized quickly that she could not climb up the ladder by herself to get to the slide. So, she called out to me "Mom, help! I went over and helped her climb up the ladder so she could get to the slide. Once I helped her up I was expecting her to say something like this... "You are amazing Mom! I never could have done this without your help, thank you!" (okay, so maybe my expectations were a little high) But that is not what happened, instead she yelled out "I did it!!" And as I walked away laughing a thought popped in my head, "How often do we do that to God?"

    How often do we give God's credit to something or someone else? We may not even realize we do it. It may look something like this....You pray for God to keep your kids healthy and safe and he does. But instead of giving Him the praise we give the praise to vitamins and hand sanitizer.  (I am guilty)
  
    It would be like if Adam went out and built me an amazing new book shelf and he used a hammer. And when I came out to see the bookshelf he built all I could say is "WOW! that must have been one amazing Hammer! Thank you Hammer!" And I gave all the credit to the hammer he used and not to him, the one who built it. It is so easy to give credit to the tools God uses every day in our lives and completely forget to give God the praise for giving us those tools.
  
    My chalange to all of us today is to see God through the tools he uses everyday in our life.  Are your kids healthy because of medicine? Thank God for the Medicine. Are you financially taken care of because of your Job? Thank God for your Job. Did you wake up this morning feeling cruddy so you drank an amazing cup of coffee and instantly felt better? Thank God for creating coffee! =) whatever it may be, today remember to thank the One who gives us all good things. 

This City Is Yours

This city Lord it is yours, This city Lord it is yours
This City Lord it is yours, this city Lord it is yours
So break our hearts, break our hearts
For the people who are far from you break our hearts
Teach us to love the way you love God
Send us out, send us out
And pour out your fire, and flow through our lives.
send us out, send us out


The Heart in my chest it is beating so fast......
I can hardly contain all the hope in my vains........
As I see you a light in this city arise like.........
the sun shinning bright we see darkness and night run


This city lord it is yours, this city lord it is yours
This city lord it is yours, this city lord it is yours
Teach us to love the way you love God
Send us out send us out
Pour out your fire and flow through our lives
Send us out send us out
we'll take to the streets with fire in out hearts
Send us out send us out.