Outside The Walls

If you missed Sunday, wow! Don’t know what to say. It would be like trying to describe a banana to someone who has never seen or eaten one before (try it sometime). Anyway, Christian put together an awesome video. You can check it out here (see below). It will be available for download on Viddler later this week. I think we got the whole service recorded today, so you will be able to see that too.

I’m so proud of you (the Church)! Way to go. I am amazed at the impact our church has in Vancouver and around the world. Many of you are at Whipple because we dare to get out from behind the walls of the church. I’m proud of those of you (45) who came forward and answered the call to “go” into the world whether that is local or global.

I’m excited to see to see what God is going to do over the next year. I’m taking some time over the next few weeks to rest and regenerate. Part of the plan is to get away from the computer and stuff (technology fast).

Church is going to be awesome the next few weeks as you get to here from Andrew Young (youth pastor) on Why Youth, Christian Jung on Why Worship and Russ Manning on Why Volunteer. It’s going to be awesome—you won’t want to miss it.

Again, Wow, thanks for being the Church—may God open the eyes of your heart for you to see the inheritance, the blessing and plans He has for you in the coming year.

Brett

Kaleo

This is a video about the mission outside the walls of the our church (the focus isn't on us). I hope you enjoy.


Brett

What is going on here?

I hear that question more and more, especially from the staff and the leaders of the church. The only thing I can say, "it's a God-thing!" This last series has been off the hook. I really enjoy and get excited talking about our calling (kaleo) and how it connects in with the Church--I get fired up just thinking about it. We've had a great response talking about our call (kaleo) to community, our call to generosity and our call to go (you can listen to these messages through our podcast link or watch them on Viddler.) We are going to conclude the Kaleo series by looking at all the places Whipple has its hands (and feet) in ministry. You'll be seeing & hearing from our various missions. We are excited to have Mark & Naomi Hale, the missionaries from Poland, here with us this Sunday. It's going to be a blast. It was so exciting to see so many hands raised last Sunday that committed to go on a short-term mission trip in the next 12-13 months. (We didn't forget about you raising your hand--you will be commissioned this Sunday!)

Also on Sunday, we had baptisms. What can I say about baptisms--WhooHoo! God absolutely showed up. We knew 5 were going to get baptized but by the time it was all said and done, we baptized 11 people. It was so awesome to not only see the faces, but know the stories behind those being baptized. I was especially moved because my youngest son was baptized. What a special day for the Aljets.

God is moving in the hearts and lives of people. We have so much to share with you this Sunday, don't miss it. Invite someone to hear about a Church that wants to make a difference in it's community, it's city, its country and the world. It is going to be one of the greatest times together in the history of Whipple.

There is so much more to share with you, but I'll save it for another time (ask me about the prayer walking!) God is up to something unique in our community, in our country, in our world and especially in our own lives. Please, I pray that God would open up the eyes of your heart so that you can see it tool

In His Grip, standing Amazed,


Brett

5 days, 500 hot dogs, 70 volunteers, 6 decisions.

If you've been following our church at all, you know we ventured into the arena of Vacation Bible School. You know we don't like to be to old school so we called it Survivor Safari Summer Camp. We just finished day 4 and all I have to say is "WOW!" God is up to something. We've prayed over kids, teachers have lead some of their students in prayer for Jesus to come into their heart, and for some kids, it's just been a safe place for them to meet new friends and be themselves. I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings. We conclude the week with a big Celebration BBQ Friday night where we invite the families back to see a video, hear some of the songs and to, of course, eat!

We have such a good group of volunteers. They are all excited, but a little tired at this point, but they know it has all been worth it this week. Some have taken time of work (unpaid), others delayed vacations and family plans to be able to invest into our community and to these kids. Our volunteers are the best!

I can't some up all the stuff that has happened this week, but be looking for pictures and a video soon. In church this Sunday, we are concluding the OnePrayer series with Perry Noble giving the message on Dangerous Church. It will be good.

I'm looking forward to see where else God's footsteps lead us over the coming months, I hope you are too!

Brett

One Prayer & Fasting

Instead of me writing a bunch of stuff go to the OnePrayer blog (click link) to check out the blog post and click here for fasting info and resources. God is doing some awesome stuff, I hope you are praying for revival!

In His Grip

Brett

A Dangerous Mission

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Matthew 28:19-20

Mission work is not all about doing extravagant things. A lot of what we are called to do doesn't require us to fly over one mission field to get to another. Sometimes we get so caught up in romanticizing mission work that we overlook the greatest mission fields in America: our own neighborhoods, workplaces, schools, and grocery stores.

You can influence people for Christ right where you are, no matter where you are. Your neighbors and friends need Christ just as much as people across the globe. And you can be just as much of a missionary here as you can in Africa, South America, or Europe.

Jesus promised us that he will be with us always. And when we live according to his will, others will see Jesus in us and be influenced by the way we live our lives.

As you go through life, make it your daily mission to be that example of Christ for others. Because when they see the passion you have for Christ, your influence may help others discover what it means to be changed by him forever. And that is a Dangerous Mission!

Starting this Sunday, we are going to be talking about "Dangerous Mission." It all has to do with what God has called us a church to be and do. If you've ever wondered, "What is Whipple Creek all about?" You won't want to miss this next few weeks.

Wanting to Live Dangerously,

Brett

A Prayer for Today
Lord, prepare my heart to go out into the mission field of my own life and share your gospel. Use my life as an example for others to see how good you can be to them. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Living in the Dash Conclusion This Sunday

“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times."
Matthew 18:21-22

There are going to be times in life when people will hurt us so badly that we don't even want to think about forgiving them. But when we choose not to forgive, we are choosing to be attached to a bunch of anger, resentment, hurt and bitterness that will only weigh us down, like a big rock.

A lot of people read a verse like the one above and think, "I'm not going to let anybody get away with hurting me 77 times!" But Jesus was not being literal in his math. He was simply telling Peter how ridiculous to count how many times he forgave people. Forgiveness is designed to be immeasurable.

Christ wants us to experience the most out of life. And a person who is experiencing the most out of life doesn't allow themselves to be weighed down by the junk and funk of unforgiveness. Don't hold yourself back from experiencing life just because someone hurt you. Instead, ask God to help you experience the power of forgiveness. He wants you to live in the dash and have this life you are living to be full and overflowing.

This Sunday, we’re going to conclude the message series “Living in the Dash” and we are going to experience the Easter Resurrection. You may be thinking, “didn’t we just do that a few weeks ago?” The answer is “yes,” but we should be experiencing the Easter Resurrection everyday. After all, that is what Jesus came for, isn’t it?

So, come Sunday prepared for the resurrection. Dress for Easter, if you wish, in all the pastels and splendor of Easter. We’re going to be filled with worship, God’s Word and His wonder. Hopefully, you can change the rock that is holding you down for the rock of salvation so that you too can live this life to the full.

Living in the Dash,

Brett

A Prayer for Today
Lord, true forgiveness can only begin with you. Free my heart from the weight of unforgiveness. I want to experience the life-changing power of forgiveness through your son, Jesus, so that I can share that forgiveness with others. In Jesus' name, Amen.