JOHNNYROBERTS.TV

Troubled?

Sometimes the load is just plain heavy.  We fight the good fight, we become weary, our soul becomes troubled, and we tend to ask why.  We don't need to look far into the scripture to find a story of someone facing much larger hurdles than we could ever imagine.  Jesus included.  In the face of trials I pray that I would respond as he did in John 12:27-28 as he sees his earthly journey coming to a climax....      vs 27Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name!" ...

DON'T BLINK...

Hard work and focus

It is so easy to get busy doing church and forget to be the church.  Often we get bored or even numb to what is and see greener grass.  This time of year the vineyards of Napa valley are covered in yellow flowers.  Actually pretty yellow flowers.  It would be easy to skip the hard work of making grapes and just let the pretty flowers grow and sit around and admire them.. the problem... the flowers are simply weeds and the flowers fade.  Weeds that must be killed out so that the vines will make the fruit that will make the wine... uuuhhh enhanced grapejuice... that will make the money.  When we allow ourselves to become distracted or bored or sidetracked from the never-ending process of leading people to become fully devoted followers of Christ the harvest will never come.  Without the harvest... we'll just be growing weeds.  DON'T BLINK!

A Third Place

Below is an intersting post I came across about the church and Starbucks.  In an effort to move to the "next thing" and re-kindle the fire in their business it seems that Starbucks is going the way of the masses.  Losing identity.  Losing their domain as "The Third Place".  Sweet Bay in Fort Smith seems to understand being the Third Place pretty well.  We enjoyed our very own Chris Kimmell along with brother Corey and J.R. for a gig at SB Saturday night.  It was fun.  I got to sing a song.  Friends and family gathered to support Chris.  It felt good.  It was gathering at a Third Place.  Shouldn't TheBOD feel like... no BE a third place.  Shouldn't it be the place "where everybody knows your name....dum dum dum... and their always glad you came..." (old Cheers fan)...  But isn't that the point.  Isn't it about being the body TOGETHER.  About relationships.  About laughing and crying togther.  About growing closer to Christ together.  I hope we never trade in our passion for intimacy and real, raw, authentic relationships.  I hope we never become McBOD.tv...  That's why we keep our focus.  That's why we say no to more and more stuff and programs.  Do less.  Do it well.  Do it with PEOPLE!  DON'T BLINK.      

This is the post from Church Marketing Sucks that inspired mine:

By Michael Buckingham on Brand & Identity Starbucks is oftenusedasanexample within the world of church marketing. They have an experience, they knew how to tell their story. Yes, I said "knew how to tell their story." I've had numerous conversations with church leaders about Starbucks' concept of a "third place" and how the church could harness that feeling. We have work, we have home ... Starbucks was that third place, a getaway, a place to relax, etc. etc. Then they installed a drive-thru. So much for a third place, it was just a stop on the way to either home or work. They've put another nail in the coffin now with instant coffee. Doesn't get any less third place than that. Starbucks no longer has a story to tell. Their story is now the same as McDonald's and Folgers. I've seen the same thing in the local church. They start off with a core calling, know who they are and what God has created them to do. Then they either get bored or see the church down the road try something new and they change there story. Excellence as church marketers is all about being great storytellers. Know your story and stick with it. Don't let things--even seemingly good things--distract you from your unique story. When you start to change your story, often you don't end up with something new, you end up without a story to tell. Let someone else sell instant coffee or add a drive thru. Put your efforts into creating a more excellent third place, whatever that unique component happens to be for your church.

Sunday Six 2-22-09

*There is a natural gravitation that pulls people to the 11:00.  9:30 was really low with many regulars out with sickness but 11:00 was packed!  Our numbers have held strong even with all of the sickness.  As a leader it's a constant battle to not allow numbers to control your mood and thinking.  Numbers are not success.  Life-change is the guage.  Tons of that happening.

*Our first partnership class was great.  Besides covering all of the foundational stuff we rolled out "Find Your Fit".  This the tool we will be using to help people find where they are gifted and plug them into ministry.  Cassi is doing a great job pulling this together.  This tool is going to have HUGE impact on our future.

*Our Next Steps class is coming soon.  If you are new to the church, ready to take the next steps in your relationship with Christ or a brand new believer... this class is for you.  Check it out and get signed up. 

*Our pre-schoolers were in the parking lot washing cars!  We have them Serving-The-World early!  Good job Imagination Station Team Leaders!

* Two hands went up yesterday to accept Christ as Lord and Savior for the very first time!  That's what I'm talking about!  Way to go God!

*The building... Well if you haven't figured it out by now... I'm not a big cheerleader or hype builder when it comes to this sort of thing.  I'm doing everything I can to keep the business of church and the ministry of church seperated... so often I try to play things close to the vest.  In place of the rah, rah hype I'm patiently working, planning, waiting, praying, and expecting God to move in the lives of people to make this thing happen.  In spite of the economy I'm still believing God is calling us to reach this community in a big way which means we need space... I honestly appreciate the patience and trust of the BODers.  You can know that things are happening behind the scenes.  I say all of that to say this.  Yesterday one of our partners/BODers handed me a check for $20,000.00.  Not a miss print.  TWENTY-THOUSAND DOLLARS toward campus development!  He simply said, "We're in."  That makes the second family to take this big step, which puts us half-way toward our goal of $200,000 before we break ground.  It takes faith to take the step.  It's not the size of the investment, it's the size of the sacrifice that matters.  The majority of BODers cannot make a contribution this size but ALL can make an equal sacrifice.  Being ON-MISSION means "all in"... including your finances.  You can know that our building will be simple and functional.  Every penny will be maximized as we work to be good stewards of all that God has blessed us with.  I'd expect that we will take the white chairs with us... :)  Even with the high costs I'm trusting that once we meet the $200,000 goal God will provide what is needed to finish a project we can afford.  Now the question is... are you all in? 

Nasty Virus

My friend and computer techie sent out this email so I thought I would pass it along.  Be careful, this is one nasty bug!  Stan writes:

I’ve been fighting the same family of viruses recently on many computers and thought I should pass along a warning.  The virus comes with different names but all similar in how they affect you.  It seems to be getting past most of the current antiviruses, including Norton.  It is called AV360, Antivirus 2009, Spyware 2009, Win Antispyware, etc.,  The names are usually very generic.  The program looks very official and in some cases uses a multicolored shield that looks like Microsoft’s.  There is no specific website that you get it from but from my experience it definitely lurks on chat sites like Myspace and music download sites.  It will pop up a bubble at the bottom of your screen warning you that you have infections, offers you there software to remove it and asks you what you want to do.  No matter what you do, if you click anywhere on the window including the X to close, it installs on your system.  I have had limited success with cleaning the systems infected and in some cases I’ve had to reload the systems completely.  If you google the names you will find tons of suggestions and I’ve tried most, again not all successful.  If the “bubble” pops up on your system I suggest you just turn your system off which I normally don’t suggest but it may be the only way you can keep it from installing on your system.  Caution those in your company or family to beware of going to sites you don’t normally go to or to not accept invitations from people you don’t recognize, like in Myspace, if you don’t know them then decline them.  I wished I had a full proof way to keep you from getting it or removing it if it gets on but I’m actually still working on it.  They claim that this free utility will remove it, so I’ve provided the link to it.   

http://download.bleepingcomputer.com/malwarebytes/mbam-setup.exe     

Just wanted to give you a heads up.

Thanks,

Stan Robison, Owner

Techsource Inc

Vacation Video

Scariest Hiking Trail In The World - Watch more Funny Videos

Just some video from our recent trip to San Francisco.... NO! Not really.  But we did drive Hwy 1 up the Pacific coast and it felt like this a few times.  Next to that the riskiest thing we did was eat SUSHI daily... I LOVE IT!  Oklahoma never looked so good as we flew over Lake Eufaula and Kerr Lake.  It's good to be home.  DON'T BLINK!

The BIG THREE @ TheBOD

1.Lifegroups are in full swing.  It’s not too late to join in the fun and get connected.  Lifegroups are where the action is and where YOU will grow in relationship with others and Jesus!

2.Partnership Class:  February 22nd  12:30-2:30, lunch.  This class is critical to understanding who we are at TheBOD .tv and where to “Find Your Fit” in ministry.  Sign up Sunday at the Information Center.

3.San Francisco:  Allison and I are grabbing a much needed escape to “the city of _____ “… Well I looked it up expecting to find “City of Love” or “City of Promise” or “City of Something” but all I found was “Baghdad by the Bay”… What???? Oh well we’re going anyway.  So we’ll miss you guys this weekend but Jason is preaching…. No not really.  Craig is on with the final message of TRUEish so don’t miss it!  Right on the heels of that we launch into a new series called The Vow.  Love, relationships, and what God has to say about it.  Good stuff.  Guys don't forget what Saturday is.... eat some chocolate...  

See you next week.  Blessings.  Johnny

Blogging Break

 

So you know... I'm going to take a week or so off from writing any blogs.  I have some reading and other things I need to do.  The batteries need re-charged.  Allison and I are headed to San Francisco for a few days so I've decided to "un-plug" during that time.  Hopefully I'll come home locked and loaded... ready for the mad dash to Easter.  Love you guys... DON'T BLINK!

Born with IT...

Some things you are born with... most you have to earn.  This kid has a good head start... DON'T BLINK!

Love God, Love Others, Serve the World

The mission is so much bigger than our tiny, petty, pitiful, selfish, TRUEish, searching for what will make us "happy"  lives... LIVE FOR SOMETHING MORE... LIVE ON MISSION!  DON'T BLINK!