JOHNNYROBERTS.TV

Hope

HOPE:  For the first time in my life I am living the way God intended... in dependence on Him.  My faith is becoming tangible.  Not simply in words or "that's what I'm supposed to think or say" but in truth.  I'm not "there" but it's becoming more natural all of the time.  God is changing me.  (Not quickly enough, Allison would add)  I now see hurdles as steps, anxious to see what God has lying around the next corner.  HE LOVES HIS CHURCH MORE THAN ANY OF US EVER WILL.  As an example... this week I was challenged to lead at a higher level.  It began last week with a series of phone calls from all different directions and involved several different issues.  Six months ago I would have been over-whelmed trying to "manage" it myself and figure out how to fix it.  In the past, I would have viewed that as a downer, now I rejoice in it as it causes my faith to grow and sets me free from the need to fix things.  I rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.   (Romans 5:2-4 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.)  Oddly enough as I look back over the past year, the things that have been difficult have produced the greatest joy in my life as I have seen God work through them.  Change comes in bursts...  God uses events and circumstances to help us take big jumps.  I've taken a big jump in the past few weeks and it feels good.  Thanks God. 

 

Truth

Galatians 6

7Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature[a]will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers

Jump

The came by email via Jaci via Cindy via Ken via Stan.....

Did you jump?  I did.  Word!

Short List

• 3,075... that's the number of garments given away by The Father's Closet last Saturday in a four hour period ministering to over 300 lives.  They wanted to let the BODers know and say thank you again.  What an incredible opportunity to SERVE THE WORLD.  After that report my first thought was.... WHAT'S NEXT? LET'S DO SOMETHING!
• Momentum is beginning to build again.  You can feel it and see it as summer comes to a close.  We had several first time guests yesterday.  God is up to something.
• Allison and I ran to LCTulsa Saturday night for AT-THE-MOVIES.  It was everything I expected and more.  Powerful worship, powerful teaching...the whole Experience was incredible.  Makes me dream big dreams.
• We toured the children's area.  Very practical, very doable, very exciting.  Be praying that God will open doors to help us take the next steps in making room for growth.
• I love preaching.  It is one of the most challenging and thus rewarding things I have ever done.  My head begins to spin with I think about the vastness of God's creation and the vastness of His love for me... and you... and you... and you... OH HOW HE LOVES US!
• My favorite quote of the week.  It came at the close of our second Experience from a first time guest.  It put a smile on my face... "Is it always that cool?"  My response: "Well... not always.. but we try..." 
• My second favorite quote of the week.  It came from a dead guy probably written in the 1600's...FROM The Practice of the Presence of God (Brother Lawrence)  "We toil and exercise our mind in reason and in science, forgetting that therein we can see only a copy, while we neglect to gaze on the incomparable original."  I could probably have saved us 25 minutes yesterday if I had just stood and quoted Brother Lawrence. 

My question for you is...  Are you wasting your time worshiping a cheap copy or are you taking time to "gaze on the incomparable original"?  I suspect that should we do that, he might MAKE US REVERENT... my ONE PRAYER. 

On Mission, BIG and small.

We received a "THANK YOU" card from The Father's Closet and Eastside Freewill Baptist Church this week in appreciation of your donations and service to their ministry.  A special thanks went to the KidZone.  They took up an offering each week during the One Prayer series and that money was given to The Father's Closet as well.  Nice work BODers big and small.  DON'T BLINK! 

LIVE in the Park 2008

Good stuff.  A big shout out to Gabriel Matney for shooting and editing this video.  All sound is live recording and has a few glitches but who cares.  The video tells the story of the day.  Nice work Gabriel.  Nice work BODers... you guys are GIANT KILLERS!

TheBOD.tv Live in the Park from Gabriel Matney on Vimeo.

There is so much more...

This post started as an email to a close staffer, then to the staff.... and now to anyone who will listen.  If you read this blog you are trying to impact the world for Christ or trying to figure out what that looks like so you need to hear this as well.

   

A quote from THE SHACK.  PAPA: "A bird's not defined by being grounded but by his ability to fly.  Remember this, humans are not defined by their limitations, but the intentions that I have for them; not by what they seem to be, but by everything it means to be created in my (God's) image."

 

I'm praying that God helps us look beyond what "seems to be" and begin to get a taste of what His intentions are for us.  We are our own greatest limitation.  Hundreds, even thousands, of lives are counting on you  and me to show them the truth of what it means to live as if we are created in His image.  To live beyond what could possibly be expected.  To experience the supernatural.  We talk about being "outside the box" and even "there is no box".... my question is... really?  Are we really out there on the edge or are we still splashing around in the kiddy pool while an ocean roars just around the bend.  There is so much more.... Jer 29:11 "For I know the plans that I have for you..."  Don't assume, don't make excuses... Change the world.  DON'T BLINK.

 

A final question.  What assumptions, wrong assumptions, are you making that keep you from soaring the way God intended?

At The Movies 08

Headed to LC tonight for At The Movies 08.  We are dropping in at the Tulsa campus for the 5:00 and then will grab some dinner afterwards.  Caravan will be leaving the church about 2:30.  The Tulsa campus is decked out in RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK and I'm a big fan.  Can't wait. 

Bodquad Camp Recap Tonight

The Bodsquad will have a recap and tell the stories tonight at TheBOD.  Everyone is invited.  It will be good stuff.  All reports are that camp was amazing.  Tons of life-change and impact.  SIX-THIRTY AT THEBOD.TV.  BE THERE!

One Prayer Continues

I must confess I'm really stoked about the past few weeks.  ONE PRAYER has been a tremendous opportunity to hear some truly inspired phenomenal preaching as well as share live teaching.  Jason K. knocked a home run on the home field this past Sunday.  It was awesome to be able to share my sermon with Community Bible Church this past Sunday and I'm looking forward to sharing it with TheBOD on the 27th. CBC is a great church, with great leadership.  Under the leadership of Ed Saucier, whom I have tons of love and respect for, this staff and church are changing lives.  What a blessing to have served along side them and now to go back and partner with them in the ONE PRAYER effort.  CBC has two locations with a satellite campus in Van Buren and have recently called Mike Crane to lead that campus.  God is doing some amazing things through them.  The morning I spoke they baptized 5 children and 10 teens.  VERY COOL.  This week at TheBOD.tv Kevin Thompson, Executive & Teaching Pastor at CBC will be with us sharing his ONE PRAYER:  MAKE US HUMBLE.  Kevin is a great story teller and can preach me under the table.  Trust me... he'll bring his "A" game, so don't miss it.  I cannot wait.  DON'T BLINK.