Deep Thoughts by Gman

Parable of the Fence

noreply@blogger.com (Gerrard Fess) — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 18:10:00 +0000

Read the Following parable from "Leading the Comeback Church -David Nixon pg.143)

Once upon a time two brothers who lived on adjoining farms fell into conflict. It was the first serious rift in 40 years of farming side by side, sharing machinery, and trading labor and goods as needed without a hitch. Then the long collaboration fell apart.

It began with a small misunderstanding and it grew into a major difference, and finally it exploded into an exchange of bitter words followed by weeks of silence.

One morning there was a knock on John's door. He opened it to find a man with a carpenter's toolbox. "I'm looking for a few days work" the man said. "Perhaps you would have a few small jobs here and there. Could I help you?"

"Yes," said the older brother. "I do have a job for you. Look across the creek at that farm. That's my neighbor, in fact, it's my younger brother. Last week there was a meadow between us and he took his bulldozer to the river levee and now there is a creek between us. Well, he may have done this to spite me, but I'll go him one better. See that pile of lumber curing by the barn? I want you to build me a fence -- an 8-foot fence -- so I won't need to see his place anymore. That'll show him."

The carpenter said, "I think I understand the situation. Show me the nails and the post-hole digger and I'll be able to do a job that pleases you."

The older brother had to go to town for supplies, so he helped the carpenter get the materials ready and then he was off for the day.

The carpenter worked hard all that day measuring, sawing, nailing.

About sunset when the farmer returned, the carpenter had just finished his job.

The farmer's eyes opened wide. His jaw dropped.

There was no fence there at all. It was a bridge -- a bridge stretching from one side of the creek to the other! A fine piece of work, handrails and all -- and the neighbor, his younger brother, was coming across, his hand outstretched.

"You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I've said and done."

The two brothers met at the middle of the bridge, taking each other's hand. They turned to see the carpenter hoist his toolbox on his shoulder. "No, wait! Stay a few days. I've a lot of other projects for you," said the older brother.

"I'd love to stay on," the carpenter said, "but I have so many more bridges to build."

A Perfect Pastor

noreply@blogger.com (Gerrard Fess) — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 17:58:00 +0000

A Perfect Pastor (pg 102 Leading the Comeback church -David Nixon shares the following from In Holly Humor Cal and Rose Samra the profile of a perfect pastor)

A Perfect Pastor...
Results of a computerized survey show that the perfect pastor...
Preaches exactly 15 minutes, condemns sin, but never upsets anyone.
He works from 8:00 AM until midnight and is also the janitor.
He makes $60 per week, wears good clothes, buys good books, drives a good car... and gives about $50 per week to the poor.
He is twenty-eight years old and has been preaching for thirty years.
He is wonderfully gentle and handsome.
He has a burning desire to work with teenagers and spends all his spare time with senior citizens.
The perfect pastor smiles all the time with a straight face because he has a sense of humor that keeps him seriously dedicated to his work.
He makes fifteen calls a day on church families, shut-ins and hospitalized;
Spends all his time evangelizing the "unchurched" and is always in his office when needed.
If your pastor does not measure up, simply send this letter to six other churches that are tired of their pastor, too. Then bundle up your pastor and send him to the church at the top of the list.
In one year, you will receive 1,643 pastors and one of them should be perfect.
WARNING!!! Keep this letter going! One church broke the chain and got its old pastor back in less than three months.

Man in the Water

noreply@blogger.com (Gerrard Fess) — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 17:22:00 +0000

Just used this true story as a sermon illustration this past Sunday.

Why I'm Going to Camp this Summer.

noreply@blogger.com (Gerrard Fess) — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 15:37:00 +0000

So I'm going to Oak Hill Christian Service Camp this summer and here are some reasons why:

I. I love Camp. Its that simple. It is a great ministry and ministry tool.

II. I love the church staff and board. They spend lots of hours and time planning and wanting to teach students about Jesus.

III. I love my kids and the other kids going too. I really do. My wife and I are sending our children to camp because we believe in it. There is nothing to it. Seeing kids being transformed for Jesus.

IV. It will be fun. Even in the dullest of days it will be fun. From mud pies to swimming to singing silly songs. Camp is fun.

V. It gives opportunity to model Jesus to others.

VI. It will be life changing for me. I think I get as much out of camp as the students. It reminds me that it isn't so much about programs as it is about relationships and being real. (See #5)

VII. There will be Food. Some of the best food I've ever had has been at camp. Nothing like food and fellowship.

How about you? Volunteering for camp this summer? Which one? Why do you go?

Why Church Camp Matters!!

noreply@blogger.com (Gerrard Fess) — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 15:26:00 +0000

In a few weeks camp season will start. So why Church Camp? Why does it matter at all?

I. Camp can be and is an extension of the church and its ministry. It is a vital mission and equipping of the leaders today and the future.

II. It is life changing. It helps kids have that "Light bulb" turn on and the transforming power of Christ. (Romans 12:1-2)

III. It is equipping. Teaches people to be the hands and feet of Jesus to others daily.

IV. Exposes students to other cultures and ministries. Nothing like those mission moments and the Call to "Go."

V. Supports other ministries. The Funds raised for camp to support other missions are the starting point for many young people to giving and what really matters.

VI. Gives a chance to hear God's Word in a different way. The Chapel talks, Vespers, classes etc. A week of Camp is like a year of Bible School wrapped up nicely to point others to well ...Jesus.

VII. Worship. Teaches students to worship. From the AM to PM to around the campfire .....

VIII. Fun.Fellowship and Family. From the silly games to messy games, swimming, the times together in teams building community and just knowing that this is just a glimpse into what the Family of God is suppose to be like.

IX. Food. Camp is nothing without the great food and snacks and canteen. Contests like how fast can you drink that soda .... and great cooks because they know it isn't just about the physical food but the spiritual that the students are getting as well.

X. Memories that will last a life time. Knowing the times when you finally got this "Jesus" thing. Praying. Telling your friends that you decided to put God first .... and then there were all those "Boy-Girl" relationships at camp. Who knew you could have a girlfriend for one day or the ole phrase "let's just be friends" can be said at camp. Camp brings back so many memories for me it was camps like OCA, Camp Selkirk, Elkhorn, Mahoning, Oak Hill, Park Springs, Tri-state etc.

What memories do you have of camp? Any others to add to why church camp matters?!

The Spiritual Warfare Bible?

noreply@blogger.com (Gerrard Fess) — Fri, 31 May 2013 17:53:00 +0000

Ummm isn't the Bible in and of itself suppose to be used for Spiritual Warfare? Isn't it rather redundant afterall the Bible being God's Word and a "sword" ...ah, marketing.

Simple Outline of the Bible

noreply@blogger.com (Gerrard Fess) — Thu, 30 May 2013 17:42:00 +0000

I came across this simple outline of the Bible and thought to share. (Don't know the source but thought a good insight)

I. God creates the heavens and the earth and all things in them, including mankind. Found in Genesis 1 and 2.

II. Mankind, alone, rebels against God's authority. Found in Genesis 3.

III. God moves through history to re-establish His authority over all creation. This is from Genesis 4 through Revelation 22.

I'm a Big "Patrick Roy" Fan.

noreply@blogger.com (Gerrard Fess) — Wed, 29 May 2013 20:01:00 +0000

I admit I'm a Patrick Roy fan ...so big that my oldest daughter if born a boy would of been named after him. (No lie - Wayne Gretzky Fess was too cunning and so we liked the name Patrick and Roy after my middle name and Grandfather hence the name though Valerie didn't know until later it was a famous player)

so Roy being named the AVS new coach is just the right thing to do. It adds to the list of great players now GMs or Coaches like the CAPS Coach - or the TB's GM Yzerman, or great coaches like Wayne ...(OK maybe the Great One had a bad time) I'm a big fan of OVIE too seeing him drafted in NC. But really one of the greatest goaltenders ever to coach ...(BTW I still have his rookie card and though I have some dislike of the HABS and AVS) Patrick Roy will bring name, fame recognization for the AVS. So congrats and kudos to the AVS. (IT could be worse at least you don't have Barry Melrose coaching ...what was TB thinking?)

Old Versus New

noreply@blogger.com (Gerrard Fess) — Tue, 28 May 2013 19:48:00 +0000

On Sunday I mentioned (Hebrews 8) Old versus New and here is what I mentioned:

Old Covenant Vs. New Covenant
Gifts and Sacrifices for guilt of sin Self-sacrifice by guiltless Christ
Physical Building where One goes to worship Reign of Christ in hearts of believers
Limited promises Limitless promises
External standards Internal Standards
Limited Access to God Unlimited access to God
Legal Cleansing personal cleansing
Obey the rules serve the living God
Forgiveness earned Forgiveness freely given
Repeated yearly completed by Christ’s death.
Human effort God’s grace
Available to some. Available to all.

Meeting the Governor of Virginia and other Oddities ...

noreply@blogger.com (Gerrard Fess) — Tue, 28 May 2013 19:43:00 +0000

Yesterday the Family spent the day at the Virginia War Memorial and to visit Hollywood Cemetery. We heard the Governor speak and had just by chance to meet him and his wife. It was a highlight and history lesson for my children.

The odd thing to me was that we were there to honor men and women who served and sacrificed for our country and here are those serving in the military serving us (Common people) Water. Shouldn't I be serving them? Giving them water on this day of remembrance and honoring their fallen companions and friends?

Maybe that is what I need to be doing more. Serving people: water. The Living Water. How about you?

Book I"m Currently Reading - Taking your church to the next level.

noreply@blogger.com (Gerrard Fess) — Fri, 24 May 2013 14:34:00 +0000

Next Door Savior - A Review

noreply@blogger.com (Gerrard Fess) — Fri, 24 May 2013 14:32:00 +0000

Just finished Reading Max Lucado's Next Door Savior.

I admit I'm an avid reader of Lucado's. I like his style. Very simple to the point. The point of the book's premise is easy that our Savior wants to know us. Our great Commander In Chief wants a relationship with us. Max takes scriptures, stories and helps point us to well, Jesus.

This book helps not dumb down the gospel but simplify it to let us know that Jesus - 100% God and also 100% man understands us and what we go through.

Junior 2 week of Camp - Oak Hill Christian Service Camp

noreply@blogger.com (Gerrard Fess) — Wed, 22 May 2013 18:53:00 +0000

I'm going ...how about you?

Hebrews Sermon Series

noreply@blogger.com (Gerrard Fess) — Wed, 22 May 2013 18:52:00 +0000

Controversial surrounding a Terrorist ... or Why we should love our enemies ....

noreply@blogger.com (Gerrard Fess) — Fri, 17 May 2013 16:59:00 +0000

By now you've heard that last month there was a bombing in Boston. And in central Virginia one of the terror suspects was buried a few miles from where I currently live. So why the controvery?

I. No one wanted a shrine for a terrorist.

II. It is always hard to bury bad people.

III. We can identify with Bad people - for without God's grace so go I.

IV. We need to love our enemies. The end of Romans 12 reminds us of this and to show kindness even to those who mean you harm. Ultimately God will be the Judge.

V. There are 3 things that make up a person. 1. Physical makeup (Genetics) 2. Environmental Influence (Peer pressure, music, TV, internet (Afterall millions aren't spent on a 30 second commercial for nothing)) and Thirdly - The Will. You choose to sin or not ... Ultimately we all will answer to the Creator for our sins ...and if in God's Grace - covered by the blood of the Lamb.

VI. We like Swift Justice ... I'd never forget in 1998 after Christmas finding out that a co-worker of mine from KB Toys was robbed, and murdered and his naked body left in his home ... I wanted justice and revenge to the two men who did that to my friend and co-worker. I was angry, hurt and later forgiveness came.

I'd never forget the faces just days after 9-11 in NYC of those who asked us "Have you seen this person?" or looking at the shrines and wanted the answer to the question ..Why?

I'd never forget wanting swift justice for the DC Sniper and two gas stations in Ashland, and Fredericksburg that I had just been and the scareness of those few weeks.

And I could go on .... but God ultimately delivers.

VII. It reminds us of our past. We have fallen. We have made mistakes. We need forgiveness. The journey is never easy. Our pride gets in the way. We can say "Not in my backyard ..." why because of the reminder of pain, past hurts, and a reminder it could of been us. In some ways we have hurt people, maybe not "Deadly bombing" but our words, our actions, our own sinfulness have hurt people (Sometimes doing even more damage) ...Aren't you glad there is a Saviour?

My job isn't to point people to myself but to Jesus. Anyone with me? Let's love God and others together.

May the 4 be with you.

noreply@blogger.com (Gerrard Fess) — Sat, 04 May 2013 16:52:00 +0000

Current Sermon Series: Hebrews

noreply@blogger.com (Gerrard Fess) — Fri, 03 May 2013 16:50:00 +0000

So far it has been on the Greatest Commandment, Palm Sunday, the Resurrection and a study through Hebrews.

Wednesday nites have included: Favorite Memory Verses (and testimony), Names of God, and a Current "One Another" series on lessons for Christian Discipleship.

Our Summer Sermon Series will be topical: "Not a Fan."

What are you teaching on?

Books I'm reading

noreply@blogger.com (Gerrard Fess) — Fri, 03 May 2013 16:45:00 +0000

I'm in the midst of Re-Reading the Hobbit and just finished Vince's book (alot to chew on there to be a renegade) What are you reading?

The One Ring

noreply@blogger.com (Gerrard Fess) — Fri, 03 May 2013 16:29:00 +0000

Cooperative Learning and Its Implications for the Church.

noreply@blogger.com (Gerrard Fess) — Wed, 01 May 2013 19:58:00 +0000

A reader of mine sent me this article on Cooperative Learning

seems to me this is almost like Youth Cartel's Open Source meeting or even some of what discipleship needs to look like in the context of the church of group support, learning, and modeling it.

Thoughts? what do you think Cooperative learnings implications for the church is?

Each church attender has different variety of learning styles and so to win one we become different styles so we can reach one. Taking people from where they are to where they need to be.

Thoughts?

HT to Kerry Walsh for the Article.

An Interview and a Bio of Gman

noreply@blogger.com (Gerrard Fess) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 20:16:00 +0000

Gerrard R. Fess was born in Hamilton, Ontario. At the age of 4 – he moved to Selkirk, Ontario. He graduated from Mid-Atlantic Christian University. Pursued a MRE from Anderson University’s School of Theology. Gerrard is married to his college sweetheart, Valerie for over 16years. They have 3 children: Kendra, Nicole, and Brian. Currently Gerrard resides in Ashland, Virginia. Prior to coming to Virginia – Gerrard was a preacher in Maryland and held several youth ministries in NC,VA and Ohio. He is a published author, as well as a messy disciple still on the journey of faith. He dreams of driving a zamboni for an NHL game one day. You can reach Gerrard at fess2@juno.com , visit his blog fess2.blogspot.com or connect with him on facebook or twitter. @fess2us.

What gets played the most on your Ipod?
David Crowder Band.

What’s the one book (besides the Bible) you’d recommend to anyone.
I love to read, it is hard to pick just one. I would recommend “Who Stole my church?” – Gordon Macdonald. I’d also say Daring to Dance with God by Jeff Walling.

What’s my favourite restaurant?
I love to eat. (anything but the Golden Arches). I would say Golden Corral …lots of choices.

What team do you root for the most?
I would say the Toronto Maple Leafs. I’m a hockey fan.

Who (besides Jesus) is your favourite leader in the Bible?
I would say King David. A man after God’s own heart – messy, repenting and all.

What do you get most excited about?
When people finally get it. By “IT” I mean the gospel – that we are loving God and others and are transformed ….. from immersing a new believer to others making disciples ..it makes me go “woohoo!”

What do you like to do in your free time?
I like to read and try new social media things. I love to be with my family and just enjoy life.

The Balmoral Hospitality House

noreply@blogger.com (Gerrard Fess) — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 20:33:00 +0000

Purchased by BBCOC August 27, 2008.

In faith and trust in the Lord for the future of His church, Bonnie Brae took a step of faith toward enhancing and enlarging His Church in the community. May the actions honor and glorify God now and in the years to come.

The Balmoral Home and property is a two fold investment. Acquiring the property will enable the congregation and/or expand when needed. We now have added yard space for games, picnic area, children's play area. etc.

The house would include classroom space, intimate small group meeting areas, class parties, seminars, ladies meeting, and small dinner and lesson areas.

Then of course the "hospitality house" could house our missionary guests, seminar speakers, those in our congregation with out of town guests for weddings and funerals, and possibly could be used as a parsonage for the next preacher, and/or associate if need be.

The congregation's prayer is God would bless this endeavor so that what is being done will enlighten, encourage, and bring many to know and have a relationship with the Lord as the church uses this tool.

Why Counseling Matters!!

noreply@blogger.com (Gerrard Fess) — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 13:59:00 +0000

People seek counseling for a variety of reasons. Christian counseling matters. It helps. Church leaders that refer - get the people the help they need and free up their time.

Why does Counseling matter? Especially Christian counseling.

I. Gives People Hope.

II. Gives people a person who can listen. There is just something about the ministry of presence.

III. Gives Direction.

IV. Give reassurance. Am I doing this right? What direction can I go etc.

V. Peace of mind. Sometimes we need to know we are doing the right thing.

VI. Gives people some patience. Just like in the movie: "What about Bob?" Gives time and direction.

VII. Taking Baby Steps. Just like Rome wasn't built in a day - these issues we deal with won't go away in a day's time either. Taking it one step at a time.

VIII. Brings back Joy. People want joy in their life. Not that there will always be "happiness" but joy and contentment.

IX. Helps with the Unknown. So often we fear that of which we cannot control. Focus on that of which we can. Know the stories, the facts and go from there ...not the "But this will or that she or he said ..." focus on what you can control not what you can't.

X. Helps get the forest out of your own eye, not the speck in your brother's.

We like to place blame, or admit we don't have a "Problem." etc. The only person can fix you is you. I've heard of a lot of church leaders willing to refer to Christian counseling for others, but they themselves not go. (which is a danger sign in my own opinion). Counseling is a good thing and help people to focus on the main thing - that of pointing others to Jesus as well. Christian counseling matters.

Other thoughts or reasons you would give?

Revelation Simplified.

noreply@blogger.com (Gerrard Fess) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 18:30:00 +0000

From Gman's Desk: Sayings and Quotes.

noreply@blogger.com (Gerrard Fess) — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 19:53:00 +0000

Thought I'd share some sayings and quotes that I seem to use alot.

"The Church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints."

"We are an imperfect people, serving a perfect Saviour."

"WooHoo"

"Let's be Jesus' hands and feet."

"Take one of our pew Bibles if you need one ...they're FREE. You didn't steal it, we gave it to you ...."

"I'm too busy logging the forest out of my own eye to worry about the speck in my brother's."

"So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you." Romans 12:1-2 The Message.

"I don't have it all figured out ...I'm just on this thing called a faith journey."

What sayings do you have? Any others to add?