My son Daniel and Ben Petersen went to Houghton MI to visit Daniel and Staci Cerminaro this weekend. First long trip without parents or youth leaders.
This has been a summer of many goodbyes: Cerminaros moved to the UP, the Alleys to Maine and the Mortons to Wyoming. It is in these times that you hold on to prophetic words such as this one.
You understand what it means to be an offering. You have chosen to give and not hoard. To release what you cannot hold on to. You have an understanding of a kingdom principle that few grasp. For those that come in are meant to go out. Every resource is meant to release and distribute, you have not been selfish or extravagant, but have given all for my kingdom. For I have made you a drinkoffering for many and you will be poured time and time again. And many will come and many sent out. People, resources, provision. I will make you a place of refuge, recovery, healing and release. This place will be a place of shelter from the storm. For since you have held open hands with the things I have given you, I will make you a source of relief and blessing to many.
Kim PuffPaff

It is time for the church to leave the building and go to the street.
This video will stir your heart and mess with your head.At church we are currently talking about the gifts of the Spirit, we want to be fully equipped for what every situation. Enjoy,,, there is more on YouTube search for God lands in Disneyland.

Big hair and tight pants

This is picture of me and my friend Robert, it was taken in 1989. We traveled for hours and hours to get to the Grand Canyon. I remember pulling up to this fantastic view, we both looked at each other in awe. After taking this picture (and maybe a few more), pointing out a few things we grew instantly bored. So we jumped into our trans am rental car, cranked up Stryper "to hell with the devil" and went our merry way.

This weekend I went to MI-SOM, it stands for "School of Ministry", a place I go to get my next level of credentials. The teacher for my class was JP Dorsey, he did a great job teaching on the book of Romans. One of the things that he said was that he thought that most believers read their bible with a certain amount of guilt because they are not getting the things out of it that they are expecting. We keep reading because that is what we are suppose to do, our bible reading becomes more of a ritual and an obligation then a adventure. I totally agree.

It is kinda like those two young men standing at the edge of Grand Canyon, the initial response was fantastic but it faded quickly because they never got into the canyon or understood it's history and meaning. Same thing is true with the Word of God, so many times we plop open a book hoping that it will tell us something that will impact our lives.

J.P challenged us to do some research and read the Word with more of a plan. For example: before you pick a book like the book of Romans, figure out who wrote it, who did they write it to, to what culture was it written in. When we start reading the Word with that in mind and with the guidance of the Holy Spirit it is like going down into the Grand Canyon rather then just sitting on the edge. So that is my next journey, I am picking a book in the bible, doing some research, putting on my hiking boots and letting the Holy Spirit guide me in all truth.