In Him we live and breathe...

Do you ever feel like the world is against you? I know that this week has been starting out particularly difficult but I felt like I should share with you some words of encouragement that one of my friends has shared with me.
Remember that Jesus has been in your shoes. He knows. Remember that the world was against Jesus first... Second, when you feel like God is far away just remember that He said that he was with us always and unto the ends of this earth. Nothing, and I mean nothing can separate us from God. IF you believe, then nothing will separate you from Jesus Christ. Remember also that He knows you the best and loves you the most. Jesus lives in us, therefore he will never be far away. I hope this encourages you as it has me.

"How was it?"

I finally found some time to sit down and write about how Easter at our house went. First off let me just say that this Easter was so much bigger than any one person could have imagined... Living Hope Church broadcasted the message on channel 12 "fox" and with the potential of reaching 4 million people, I am already seeing the affects. My friends all saw it, people at work saw it... with out me telling all of them. Friends of Crystal's saw it. On a daily basis thus far I have heard of story after story about how someone heard it, or saw it. That is ONLY GOD. As for my small group here in Gresham, we had almost 20 people here. I believe in my heart that it made a difference in some people's lives.

From it we (Crys and I) are starting a "LifeGroup" every other week here at the house on Sundays at 7pm starting Sunday the 6th of April. This in essence will be the start of our Gresham Campus of Living Hope Church. Can't Wait! If you want to attend please let me know. We would love to have you. It will be open to all people of all age groups and all walks of life. Can't wait to see what God has in store next. From these 20 there WILL be hundreds.

ONLY GOD.

Passion

First off, look below this blog... You will notice that it is 6:30am. Let me just say that I don't think us humans were supposed to be up this early. The sun isn't even out yet. I have a meeting at work this morning. I guess I just don't want to be there. Anyways that is why I am up. It also probably didn't help that I didn't go to bed til midnight last night. I stayed up and watched Mel Gibson's the Passion of the Christ.

This movie, if you haven't already seen it, shows the last three days of Jesus' life before the ressurection. It is detailed. I feel that it is a good reminder of what our Jesus went through for us... but the one thing we HAVE to understand is that Jesus didn't die a painful death because they made him, He GAVE UP his life, they didn't take his life. He knew the pain, he knew the hurt. And because He did that, we can come to him anytime for any reason, we can have a relationship. We can pray with out going to the altar. We can go to Him. That is truly what Easter is about... Because God sent his son to die on the cross and raise up as the perfect sacrifice now can have everlasting life. AMAZING.

Can't wait to celebrate this with you on Sunday. We still have some space. Let me know if you can come. 9:30am (thank Jesus it isn't 6:30am) in my living room. See you then.
ONLY GOD.

reflections on this coming Easter

So it's been confirmed, we have about 15-20 people coming this Easter to our house... There still is plenty of room. Really! Only thing that could be an issue is parking but whatever, we'll figure it out. so if you want to come, just comment and let me know. I can't wait to see what God has in store for us this Easter. My video from the past blog talks about me taking the first step to a "Leader in this area" I should have just been blunt with it... I am trying to get this Living Hope Gresham Campus started, and I feel that this is the first step. I want to get a leadership team together for our campus. From now on we will have a life group every other week either on sunday evenings or mondays... haven't decided yet. I will keep you all posted.

We will see you Easter. Breakfast will be served... that's not a bribe, it's just valuable information to have. :)

- Me

We Invite you to our house for Easter!

Gresham

So for those of you who don't know, I live in Gresham, OR. I have lived here for the last 6 years, but grew up in Portland, and then SE Washington.... Here is just a couple of facts about Gresham. Population as of Feb 2, 2008 (est) over 100,000 people which makes Gresham the fourth largest City in Oregon. There is a huge need for ministry here with less than 40 churches city wide. This is where my heart is. In the next week I will post my first video blog. Please keep looking for it. I imagine I will have it up by Friday. It will explain where I am going with this.

Have a great Week!
-Tim

Change

This last weekend I have been challenged time and time again to go out of my comfort zone... talk to new people, try new food, go on a diet... yes it is true. I am on a diet.

What I am learning is that it is in the times of discomfort and movement we change. As I talk to new people and make new relationships. I find that God works through them to touch me, and I hope that with the words and actions that come from me, through me, God helps others change.

With new food and a new diet comes change, for the better hopefully ; ). My goal is to lose 30 pounds in the next 6 months. With help from friends and encouragment from my wife this is possible.

Change is a great thing. If we got stuck in the same rut, where would that lead us??? Even if that rut is- in your mind, a good thing, I would encourage you to do just one thing different, just one, and see what a difference it makes in you, in your relationship with your significant other and also in your relationship with God.

Well thats it for me... I am going to go to bed. I got a haircut today... thats change! And might I just say "John ClaudvanDam" I look good! LOL you know you liked that. chao.