tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939961573689574938Thu, 16 Feb 2012 19:56:40 +00002009Prodigal SonPastorVisionSex GodParentingFirst ImpressionsMemoriesHoly SpiritKylie SchroderRetreatApologeticsChangeChurch DevelopmentMicaiahAppleBatmanRomansSkypeReflectionsNicaraguaJobUprisingBryan SmithTravelSexGenerationsAtlantaFlipConfessions of a HyperActive Youth PastorAndyDave Matthews BandWhat do you hate about Christians?FaithThanksgvingJesusBible JourneyDangerous LifeYOU CHOOSEVideoGatlinburgINFILTRATIONGeneration ChurchTheologyvotingCurrently ReadingNelmsValentines DayGuest BloggerWeekend UpdateiTownStarbucksDecisionsAll AccessAdoptionChristmasDemonsBirthday2007CultStephen KingSmall GroupVentVacationChristmas CrappOrange ConferencePumpkin PatchPrayerBaby News4th of JulyLifeMonday Morning MadnessStrong ChallengeBlessedUndercurrentLoveGranny BillieRandom ThoughtsNFLMoviesJamaicaDisneyStaffMomSunday ThoughtsSummerChurch DevelopmetnDiscipleshipSuperBowlPS3One PrayerNew YearCoastal Community ChurchFamilyRoad TripFriendshipMichiganDadFastingSurveywinterEvangelismIndiana5 Things You Should Be Doing for the ChurchRob BellResignation21 Day FastMoniceaElectionLeadershipBig BrotherNehemiahZachWAVESLIVE YahooTropical Storm HannaWeatherNewspringActsGenesisNotre DameLifeGateCyndiDetroit LionsPiercingCharlestonGIll FamilyCamp Edistodivine obsession'til ZionVBSVolunteersRandisCultic ChurchesSchoolFatherMissionsOutreachAirport thoughtsSpiritual JourneyMusicHoseaJudasHandy MannyMoschella FamilyChurch PlantNakednessVideo of the MonthWinter RetreatNonprofitReal to ReelFallFootballChristmas Eve Servicehttp://jeremiahjbrown.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Jeremiah Jacob Brown)Blogger262125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939961573689574938.post-4442462744997308403Fri, 09 Dec 2011 04:26:00 +00002011-12-08T23:45:15.885-05:00Bible JourneyLeadershipNehemiahChurch PlantCurrently I am reading through the book of Nehemiah. It's a book that I've read before but not really ever actually read to fully engage and learn something. I know that sounds bad, but lets face it, sometimes we read the Bible because we have to and go through dry spells.Well, here are a few things that I'm learning, enjoying, and being challenged with so far in the book of Nehemiah:Nehemiah'shttp://jeremiahjbrown.blogspot.com/2011/12/things-im-learning-from-nehemiah-part-1.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jeremiah Jacob Brown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939961573689574938.post-1576686231045354854Sun, 04 Dec 2011 02:39:00 +00002011-12-03T22:13:07.655-05:00LeadershipChurch DevelopmentChurch PlantGeneration ChurchOkay, seriously I may have a problem. Everywhere I go I am always watching, learning, and writing notes about customer service, hospitality, how to improve things with first impressions at church. This is probably good as we haven't launched Generation Church yet, but here are a few things I have noticed at The Great Wolf Lodge, with my family this weekend.1. There is a constant buzz of fun - http://jeremiahjbrown.blogspot.com/2011/12/3-things-ive-learned-at-great-wolf.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jeremiah Jacob Brown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939961573689574938.post-8795558489871652390Wed, 09 Nov 2011 21:28:00 +00002011-11-09T23:17:25.223-05:00Strong ChallengeStudy Challenge #5 - Read A Whole BookOpen your Bible and read a whole book of it in one setting. We are to jot down anything that stands out...Hey Jude! Okay, I know I did not pick the longest of books, but here are some of my thoughts after reading Jude.Sometimes what you plan is not what God intends (vs. 3)It's amazing that after thousands of years that somethings never change (vs. 4)We musthttp://jeremiahjbrown.blogspot.com/2011/11/strong-challenge-day-15.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jeremiah Jacob Brown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939961573689574938.post-4909591344683686182Wed, 09 Nov 2011 20:53:00 +00002011-11-09T16:28:47.364-05:00Strong ChallengeStudy Challenge #4 - Enjoy A StoryToday we are encouraged to read the entire Book of Ruth and jot down anything that stands out...I cannot imagine what Naomi was going through losing her spouse and then her boysEven in the midst of her own pain and suffering, Naomi seemed to be looking out for others (vs.9)Sometimes when you are dead set on something, no one can talk you out of it (vs. 18)I thinkhttp://jeremiahjbrown.blogspot.com/2011/11/strong-challenge-day-14.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jeremiah Jacob Brown)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939961573689574938.post-4100040530819617898Wed, 09 Nov 2011 20:49:00 +00002011-11-09T15:53:25.152-05:00Study Challenge #3 - MemorizeLet me start out by saying....UGH!!! I hate memorizing. Although, I've been pretty good over the years at memorizing Scripture (partly thanks to going to a church camp growing up that challenged us with Bible quizzing). I must confess, I haven't memorized much as of lately. So, today's challenge is more than fitting.Here are the four passages we are encouraged to http://jeremiahjbrown.blogspot.com/2011/11/strong-challenge-day-13.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jeremiah Jacob Brown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939961573689574938.post-7228859109271593739Wed, 09 Nov 2011 20:24:00 +00002011-11-09T15:49:06.509-05:00Strong ChallengeStudy Challenge #2 - Read Someone's MailI know, scandalous right...but today we are to read Ephesians 4:1-16 and then write down anything that stands out in this 2000 year old letter to the early Church at Ephesus...Our calling issues a responsibility (vs. 1)I've got some things to work on (humility & patience for sure) (vs. 2)One of my jobs as a pastor is to help people discover who they are in http://jeremiahjbrown.blogspot.com/2011/11/strong-challenge-day-12.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jeremiah Jacob Brown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939961573689574938.post-9160820730087304321Wed, 09 Nov 2011 20:15:00 +00002011-11-09T15:24:44.684-05:00Strong ChallengeStudy Challenge #1 - Hear From A ProphetToday I am to read from Isaiah 40:1-5 then reflect on what I think the passage meant to God's people when it was written, and the meaning for me today...I think that God's people may have gotten a sense of relief and comfort by knowing that their time for comfort has finally come. There is a promise by God that seems to proclaim a joyous event. Not only http://jeremiahjbrown.blogspot.com/2011/11/strong-challenge-day-11.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jeremiah Jacob Brown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939961573689574938.post-778988676225269638Fri, 28 Oct 2011 15:49:00 +00002011-11-02T12:10:05.867-04:00Strong ChallengePray Challenge #5 - Imagine If Jesus Walked InImagine Jesus just walked into the room. What do you want to ask him? What do you imagine him saying? Here is some of the conversation I see...First and foremost, Jesus why is it that we have to go through certain things? I mean I know I'm hardheaded but why do you allow hurts, pains, and struggles?Sometimes, the best way to learn is to go throughhttp://jeremiahjbrown.blogspot.com/2011/10/strong-challenge-day-10.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jeremiah Jacob Brown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939961573689574938.post-183035071202754214Thu, 27 Oct 2011 15:44:00 +00002011-11-02T11:49:09.700-04:00Strong ChallengePray Challenge #4 - Be StillToday, I encountered one of the most difficult challenges. Many of you know that I tend to be very hyperactive. ADD still runs rapid in my mind, and seems to take effect in times of stillness and quiet. However, today I was forced to remove distractions, both physical and in my thoughts. The goal was to let God just speak. Here is what I heard.Stay strong. I am http://jeremiahjbrown.blogspot.com/2011/10/strong-challenge-day-9.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jeremiah Jacob Brown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939961573689574938.post-2373355620163466106Wed, 26 Oct 2011 15:41:00 +00002011-11-02T11:44:34.567-04:00Strong ChallengePray Challenge #3 - Pray For Three FriendsToday's challenge was to find a quiet place and ask God to bring a few friends to mind. We are to spend five minutes considering each person and write down in your journal anything you think or feel about them during that time.I've decided I'm not going to share my thoughts and prayers for these three on here but rather challenge you to take part of thishttp://jeremiahjbrown.blogspot.com/2011/10/strong-challenge-day-8.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jeremiah Jacob Brown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939961573689574938.post-384305339194512090Tue, 25 Oct 2011 15:34:00 +00002011-11-02T11:40:49.941-04:00Strong ChallengePray Challenge #2 - Light A CandleToday I was challenged to first think of a hope I have...For me, that hope is to launch Generation Church in September 2012 and specifically seeing over 100 decisions for Christ at the launch.The challenge continues but lighting a candle and sharing that hope with God. As the flame and smoke rises we are to envision our prayer of hope rising to God.http://jeremiahjbrown.blogspot.com/2011/10/strong-challenge-day-7.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jeremiah Jacob Brown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939961573689574938.post-6714372197371877127Mon, 24 Oct 2011 15:25:00 +00002011-11-02T11:34:45.561-04:00Strong ChallengePray Challenge #1 - Write A LetterToday's challenge is to write a letter to God that begins with, "The life I want most for myself is..." We are to finish the letter by completing this opening thought. It's okay to acknowledge mistakes you've made, but try to focus more on describing what a "good and beautiful life" would look like for you. We are to dream big, and let God in on our greatest http://jeremiahjbrown.blogspot.com/2011/10/strong-challenge-day-6.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jeremiah Jacob Brown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939961573689574938.post-3309080188924368498Sun, 23 Oct 2011 15:20:00 +00002011-11-02T11:24:42.837-04:00Strong ChallengeThis week's topic of being strong is "Pray."I love that prayer is much more than reading someone else's thoughts or feelings, but rather a communication/conversation between me and God. I have complete access and freedom to tell God my thoughts and feelings, concerns and frustrations, and needs and praises. I'm reminded that praying is designed to connect us with God on a real, intimate, and http://jeremiahjbrown.blogspot.com/2011/10/strong-challenge-week-2-pray.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jeremiah Jacob Brown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939961573689574938.post-2918826260398954282Sat, 22 Oct 2011 15:02:00 +00002011-11-02T11:19:26.327-04:00Strong ChallengePlay Challenge #5 - Meet Jesus At The PartyInteresting title, but today's I was challenged with spending 15 minutes reading some Scripture passages and reflecting on them, specifically looking at the character of Jesus. So here we go...John 2:1-11Jesus was a family guy (vs.1)Jesus gives the best of everything (vs.10)Mark 2:13-17Sometimes Jesus picks what we see as the most inopportune time to http://jeremiahjbrown.blogspot.com/2011/10/strong-challenge-day-5.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jeremiah Jacob Brown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939961573689574938.post-8667922638423920351Sat, 22 Oct 2011 14:52:00 +00002011-11-02T11:01:59.241-04:00Strong ChallengePlay Challenge #4 - Have Fun InsteadToday's challenge is to write down a list of things we have to do today and cut one of them out. Instead invite God into that extra time, thank him for the gifts of rest and play and then relax and have some fun.Well, really I only have one thing on my to-do list today and that is to drive to Michigan. We've been planning on going to visit some friends and http://jeremiahjbrown.blogspot.com/2011/10/strong-challenge-day-4.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jeremiah Jacob Brown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939961573689574938.post-1767127957749956178Sat, 22 Oct 2011 02:29:00 +00002011-10-21T22:33:40.577-04:00Strong ChallengePlay Challenge #3 - Rest From WorryToday's challenge was to spend a whole day free from the burden of worry. I can say that I think this was accomplished.Spent the day shopping with Cyndi (which normally sends me in to a state of worrisome behavior) but I remained calm cool and collected. We've been saving some money for today for awhile and so relaxing and enjoying the day prevented me from http://jeremiahjbrown.blogspot.com/2011/10/strong-challenge-day-3.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jeremiah Jacob Brown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939961573689574938.post-2296535363794816718Fri, 21 Oct 2011 20:30:00 +00002011-10-21T16:58:16.308-04:00Strong Challenge Play Challenge #2 - Be GratefulToday's challenge is to make a list of at least ten things for which I'm grateful and to write a one-line thank you note to God for each of these things.My wife, Cyndi - God, you've not only blessed my with my best friend & soul mate, but the greatest woman I've ever known. She is the most incredible mother, the greatest encourager, and toughest challenger. Thankhttp://jeremiahjbrown.blogspot.com/2011/10/strong-challenge-day-2.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jeremiah Jacob Brown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939961573689574938.post-4965067225434261992Fri, 21 Oct 2011 02:42:00 +00002011-10-20T22:53:38.096-04:00Strong ChallengePlay Challenge #1 - Sleep InThe challenge that I accomplished today was to sleep in. The challenge was simple: pick a night to sleep in as long as we possibly could. Why? Matthew 11:28, reminds us that in Jesus we find our rest. Sleep is a reminder to lean into God's love, and to remember that He's more interested in our trust than our to-do lists.So, last night, I turned the alarm clock/my http://jeremiahjbrown.blogspot.com/2011/10/strong-challenge-day-1.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jeremiah Jacob Brown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939961573689574938.post-1408831515517126935Fri, 21 Oct 2011 02:27:00 +00002011-10-20T22:41:49.757-04:00Strong ChallengeThis week we are encountering the discipline of "Play." We discovered through the main teaching on Sunday that Play Pleases God...because play pleases God...I am Helped to Live BetterI am Reminded of God's Purpose (Genesis 2:9)I am Purged of Unhealthiness (Nehemiah 8:10)I am Put in my Place (Ecclesiastes 9:7; Genesis 2:2)I am reminded of a couple of quotes that stood out to me this Sunday:"You http://jeremiahjbrown.blogspot.com/2011/10/strong-challenge-week-1-play.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jeremiah Jacob Brown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939961573689574938.post-6791792271197050902Fri, 21 Oct 2011 01:29:00 +00002011-10-20T22:27:12.533-04:00Strong ChallengeCurrently our sending church, as well as our small group is participating in a church wide campaign (along with other Hoosiers & Buckeyes, over 50,000+ people are participating in this) called the Strong Challenge. What this is, is a daily challenge that encourages each participant to make space for God. The challenges are focused on building relationship, and the more our relationship with Godhttp://jeremiahjbrown.blogspot.com/2011/10/strong-challenge.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jeremiah Jacob Brown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939961573689574938.post-6954204017941714689Wed, 15 Jun 2011 14:30:00 +00002011-06-15T10:38:24.469-04:00Church PlantGeneration ChurchLet me start out by saying I love my life! Seriously, I've never enjoyed what I am doing and who I get to do it with more than I am right now! However, I am learning some major things in our church planting endeavor.No matter how much you prepare for the Spiritual Warfare you are going to endure, there is not enough preparation.Vision is key. If you cannot communicate who God has called you tohttp://jeremiahjbrown.blogspot.com/2011/06/few-things-im-learning.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jeremiah Jacob Brown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939961573689574938.post-4012838255286158189Tue, 14 Jun 2011 19:30:00 +00002011-06-14T15:37:45.216-04:00SurveyChurch PlantThis week we are blessed to have two churches helping us in Noblesville. These churches are from KY and OK and are helping us with community surveys. I've had several individuals ask me about what are we asking. We try to keep things as simple as possible and so here is the survey questions that we use.1. Do you attend a church? (If yes, what church and how often?)2. What do you think is thehttp://jeremiahjbrown.blogspot.com/2011/06/community-survey.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jeremiah Jacob Brown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939961573689574938.post-3211651762285377730Fri, 27 May 2011 14:54:00 +00002011-05-27T11:01:28.020-04:00Random ThoughtsSummerIs it the end of May already? I feel like we've barely begun the month and here it is almost over. But, I'm okay with this month being gone because it brings the beginning of several great things.1. Summer! This is my favorite season! Cookouts, longer days, nice weather, baseball, etc.2. Lake! Since I was a baby, we've had the privileged of being a lake family. End of May means boating, http://jeremiahjbrown.blogspot.com/2011/05/where-has-may-gone.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jeremiah Jacob Brown)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939961573689574938.post-7435558035702429606Mon, 16 May 2011 13:21:00 +00002011-05-16T09:32:21.692-04:00Sunday ThoughtsWhere is the month of May going? Even though it is flying by it just brings Cyndi and I that much closer to meeting our second son, Josiah!I love that every Sunday is like Super Bowl Sunday in our house! It's t he highlight of our week, and it is the most energetic and fun day for us. I will say that I am sad to say that its only Monday and that means we have to wait 6 more days until Sunday http://jeremiahjbrown.blogspot.com/2011/05/sunday-night-unwind-monday-morning.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jeremiah Jacob Brown)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939961573689574938.post-1861303465554653487Tue, 19 Apr 2011 17:29:00 +00002011-04-19T13:37:35.891-04:00LeadershipLifeOver the last four years the Pastors in my life have been very great at helping me open my eyes to the spiritual warfare that happens. They have also been great about preparing me as a church planter and Pastor for the spiritual warfare that will occur in my life and in our family. I am so appreciative for their instructions because what has happened to me over the course of this last week http://jeremiahjbrown.blogspot.com/2011/04/life-happens-when-we-least-expect-it.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jeremiah Jacob Brown)3