looooooooooooooooong week
Friday, September 28, 2007
I have been sooooooooo busy. I haven't been able to blog the last week. Here's the deal. Last Saturday my father-in-law and neice we're here and we had a great time. We went over to Shenfest. We were able to spend some good time together. Sunday we had a great service, we had 54 people there. We are growing. Then Sunday night I headed for Des Moines to see my friend and to go to to the E2 conference. It was really good. Sunday night the Cowboys won, they killed the Bears. Monday morning I went to the Outreach Seminar. It was great, and I got lots of great ideas. That afternoon Mark Batterson ( markbatterson.com ) came and spoke to us and it was really good. I really enjoyed the time I got to spend at the sessions. I got to see a lot of my friends in the ministry. Monday night we had a great service, my friend Ryan came and he enjoyed it as well. Tuesday was filled with sessions, they went really well. On Tuesday night my former pastor John Palmer spoke about "mistakes he's made and lessons he's learned". It was great. I came home last Tuesday night. Wednesday I had to go to work, it was alright. Then bible study that evening went great. Yesterday I had a long day, I had a committee meeting, it was just a long day, but a productive day. I am so excited about what God is doing at the church. I want to keep growing in God and tending the sheep. I will write more later about what I learned at the conference. I will see all you New-Lifer's this weekend. God bless.
posted by Pastor Potter @ 11:00 AM,
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just walk
Thursday, September 20, 2007
As I have said many times over this past month we have been going through a DVD series called Just walk across the room. It is great. Anyhow, last night we leared about wierd-God stories, long-winded stories, fuzzy stories and superiority stories. There are many ways that people tell their faith story. We talked about simplifying your story. Make it easy to understand. When it comes down to it people want to know what were you like before, what led you to the decision, and what are you like now? We can take so many things away from that. Write your story down, be ready to give an answer for your hope in Christ. May God bless you as you walk across the room.
posted by Pastor Potter @ 10:37 AM,
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anger management
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Have you ever been so mad at someone you didn't know what to do? That was my experience today. Sometimes you just disagree with someone so much there is no solution at all. I do think we need to do our best to respect people and I do respect them, but there will always be differences. So who do we continue to deal with on differences? That is the question. What do you think? When you disagree so strongly with someone on something and it challenges your faith, when do you say when?
posted by Pastor Potter @ 12:08 PM,
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rainy day
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
It is rainy outside today. Not a very nice view in my new office out here. It's ok though, I am inside enjoying the nice new office and smell of new. This past weekend we talked about joy at church. We talked about being joyful at all times. It doesn't matter what circumstance, we need to have joy. This week we will look at how it is a choice. I am looking forward to it.
I want to take a second to talk to joy stealers. There are some people out there who will do everything possible to steal your joy and make your life miserable. Sometimes these people are Christians. Sad huh? You would think they have experienced the joy in the Lord and would want you to as well, but unfortunately all they want to do is try to take your joy away. Don't let them. Look to God and say thank you for sending someone my way. You must be up to something big in my life if this is happening. I know it seems strange, but before any blessing you recieve, there is a major disturbance. Because the enemy doesn't want you to get it, so if he can just get you to quit, or give up he has won. Don't let him win. Keep the joy!
posted by Pastor Potter @ 9:21 AM,
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one bad game
Monday, September 17, 2007
I think each team is entitled to one bad game a year right? Well we will give the Hawkeyes the benefit of the doubt here and say it's ok, you had one bad game. Pick up the pieces and let's move on. That being said, let's move on to more important issues. We had a great weekend. It was very relaxing and yet we still got a lot done. We got our new day bed and it looks so nice in our spare room. The end result of our painting and day bed is worth it. Our spare room is great. We just have to have guests now.
Yesterday was a good day. We had a good church service at New Life. I really enjoy getting together with the church for fellowship and just the closeness you can have as a church family. Last night we went to a service at my friend Mark Dolphen's church in Shenandoah. It was great. Brian Zahnd spoke. The message was very deep and thought provoking. We really enjoyed it. It was energizing and filled with good nuggets. It was a great weekend
Remember most of all to celebrate the JOY you have from the Lord.
posted by Pastor Potter @ 9:49 AM,
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free weekend
Friday, September 14, 2007
So this weekend is a big weekend. The Hawkeyes play the Clones on Saturday at Ames. I hope the Hawkeyes beat them silly of course. The Cubs also have a 4 game series vs. the Cardinals. If the Cubbies split and win 2 out of 4 I will be happy, but if they won 3, that would be amazing, especially at St. Louis. The Cowboys play the Dolphins and if they would happen to lose, I would be very upset.
This week we will be talking about Joy. I am excited to see what happens here in the next month at our church. We will be talking about how we can have Joy No Matter What. I am excited for us all to put this into practice and understand that nothing that is thrown our way can take away the joy of knowing we will see Jesus face to face one day.
Oh yeah, I forgot to say why this was a free weekend. We have everything ready for Sunday, so today and tomorrow we can relax knowing everything that we know of is ready for Sunday. It is always nice to have your "day off" to do nothing. On a side note we did have our new day bed delivered today, so last night we finished painting the spare room. It looks great. It is a Taupe-ish looking color on 3 walls and one wall is a soft pink. It actually looks really good. Melissa doesn't know this, but the reason I (yes I) picked out the pink color is cuz it is said to be a relaxing color. A page right out of the Hawkeyes playbook. They have a pink locker room for the opposing teams locker room. I thought since the only time this room will really be used is by guests, what better thing could we give our guests than a calming, relaxing stay.
posted by Pastor Potter @ 9:08 AM,
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last night
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Last night at church we continued with our "Just Walk Acroos the Room" series. I have thoroughly enjoyed it. It has so many practical things that each of us can use to reach others for Christ. I am excited about what is going to happen as we do little things in people's lives to make a difference. Last night we talked about Living in 3d. Developing Friendships, Discovering Stories, and Discerning Next steps. All 3 are important as we are intentional about rubbing shoulders with lost people.
The 7 project is coming to Clarinda on November 7th. This is going to be a huge event for the youth. We are excited about what God is going to do through the service. This is a clear message of the gospel going out to many kids who will attend, we are hoping for at least 500. We will see what happens. We are going to start praying now because this is HUGE for Clarinda.
posted by Pastor Potter @ 10:21 AM,
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debate
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
There is a big debate going on right now in Clarinda. There have been many responses to an article in the paper where a local pastor said there are different ways for people to get to heaven. There was a response article and letters to the editor proclaiming there is only one way to get to heaven. This is the way I believe as well. Unfortunately it has been in the public for all to see. Two ministers and Christians bickering between each other. While there is a need for truth, there is also a need for wisdom. I do believe people have the right to stick up for what they believe, but if there is an error in our brother we need to go to them. Now this has played out publically because the article was public. Where do we go from here?
We talk to each other and see what each other's heart is. If we come to the conclusion that we cannot agree on an issue, we go to the bible. What does the bible say? The bible is infallible, it is all truth. So we go there. Our opinions don't change lives, the Word of God does. Let's pray together that God resolves this situation for the whole community.
posted by Pastor Potter @ 10:15 AM,
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brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr..........
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Ok, so it's not that cold, but from what our weather has been like, it is. It is nice to be able to open the windows, but it got pretty cold last night. I don't think it will last all that long. Fall is definitly on it's way. I am grateful for the cooler weather so you don't have to run the air conditioner and you get fresh air in your house. Anyhow, not much is going on this week. Contender is on tonight. Tomorrow we have a meeting for the 7 project and church. We get our new daybed on Friday. Hawkeyes play the clones Saturday. That is about it. Boooooring.
posted by Pastor Potter @ 10:32 AM,
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monday :(
Monday, September 10, 2007
I don't like having to go back to work on Monday's, but who does? So the Love and Respect Conference was really good. The insights shared at the conference were life changing. I cannot urge people enough that they should do their best to read this or attend a conference. We had a good day away and we were so blessed. I got back Saturday to catch up on college football. Then at 7 the Hawkeyes played. It was a win for the Hawks. This week we play ISU. They have lost 2 games to pretty horrible teams, but this week for them is the biggest of the year. They always get up for the Hawks. We will have to see what happens.
Yesterday at church our projector didn't seem to want to work. Church still went on, people still worshipped and God still showed up. I felt like we had a really good service. God is good. We will be starting a new series on Joy for the next 3 weeks.
Last night I got to watch the Cowboys play the Giants. My team, the Cowboys, won of course. It was a good weekend. Weekends never seem long enough though. That's ok.
posted by Pastor Potter @ 9:23 AM,
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friday's here!
Friday, September 07, 2007
One of the best feelings I have every week is when it is Friday. I only have to work a half day (depending on church stuff). It is so nice to be able to relax on Friday's. Unfortunately most of us don't get to rest over the weekend because we have to go places or to see people because you can't do that during the week. So our weeks are full of work and busyness. Then when the weekend comes we are running to get groceries and whatever else we need in Omaha or Maryville. Then Sunday's for me are crazy because I get up to the church so early. It makes weeks seem very long. I am so grateful for God's strength. Without Him we could not do it.
Melissa and I are going to Atlantic tonight for the Marriage Conference. I am hoping not only to be blessed by the conference, but to also get information to take with me for ministry. Marriage takes work, and any tools we can take and put into practice will be beneficial, not only for us, but the church as well. God bless you. Have a great Friday and Saturday and we hope to see you Sunday.
P.S. (not sure why I put p.s., but I think that is how people used to write notes) the Hawkeyes play Saturday Night at 7 vs. Syracuse. Go Hawks. The Dallas Cowboys play on Sunday Night vs. the New York Giants. They better win.
posted by Pastor Potter @ 9:35 AM,
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hard day's work
Thursday, September 06, 2007
So this morning, actually about the last hour and a half I have been helping pour concrete at my job. (not pastoring) It's not in my job portfolio or on my job description, but it needed to be done. So many times as people of the church we only want to do what we think we should do, or what we are required of. If we are not a teacher, we don't teach, if we don't work with children, we don't go out of our way to work in the nursery. So many times we are asked by God to step in and fill the gaps. Will we do it? Will we step up and serve when needed?
People are probably thinking, I should only do what God has called me to do. God has called us to reach the lost at any cost. He has called us to serve. He didn't come to be served, but to serve. Lord let this be our prayer.
I am ready when needed. Even though I might not be called specifically to a certain service at church, Lord please give me the grace to step up to the plate.
posted by Pastor Potter @ 11:16 AM,
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back to work
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
So Melissa and I both had to work yesterday. Then we came home and layed down. We are so old. We are both 30 and you would think we were 60. Anyhow, things are getting back to normal after getting unpacked and settled in from a long weekend. We are going to Atlantic this weekend to go to a Love and Respect Conference. Check out the site www.loveandrespect.com. I am really excited about that. We have been reading Cracking the Communication Code and it is a great book. I am excited as tonight we start our Just Walk Across the Room DVD series. I hope we have a good turnout.
posted by Pastor Potter @ 10:43 AM,
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Labor Day Weekend
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
So here is a short recap of this last weekend.
Friday we left around 12 to head to Waterloo. We stopped in Des Moines to eat lunch with my good friend Ryan at El Rodeo. (good food) Then we drove to Vinton, IA to watch my nephew Andrew play his first freshmen football game. They won 12-6. Then we went out to eat at Happy Chef for supper. We ended up at my brothers house to watch a movie, then we went home to mom and dad's to sleep.
Saturday we got up and ate cinnamon rolls. yum. Then we went to town for a few things and ate pizza hut for lunch. After that I met my bro and his family at the mall. Chris and I went to watch the Hawkeyes (win). We also saw that Michigan had lost. That was quite hilarious. After that we came home and went out to eat.
Sunday morning we went to church at dad's church. It went well. After service my mom had put a roast in, so we had a great meal for lunch. We took a nap after that, then went over to my sister's house in Dysart. That was a good time handing around the family. We came home from there and had a bonfire with my bro and his family.
Yesterday we woke up and went out for breakfast at Villiage Inn. After that we went over to Chris's house and played some games while Melissa and Missy went and got pedicures. After that we went to mom and dad's for mom's homemade taco shells. Delicious. After that we packed up and drove 4 hours to get back to Clarinda.
I am excited about tomorrow night. We are starting a new DVD series from Bill Hybels called "Just walk across the room". Please God allow us to just go across the room and change lives by the power of the Holy Spirit.
posted by Pastor Potter @ 11:34 AM,
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