Grant Thiessen

The incredible blessings of being a part of "CHURCH"...the body of Christ...

with the endless horror stories of all the ridiculous, stupid, ignorant, self-absorbed. arrogant. all about me, worship me, CRAP that has gone on under the heading of "CHURCH"....please know that in the right order, and right mindset, and right attitude.... the church can and should be the greatest blessing of our lives while on this earth...for some reason our perfect God chose us who are imperfect to make up, lead, grow, and BE the church... in it's right place the blessings of being a part of a church are immeasurable to our lives...may we get it right for Jesus sake, for all, are those who he wants to be a part of this thing we call "church"...

to hear more, join me @ Experience church this sunday, 5:30 at my house. 20761 colima ln. HB 92646.... here's a preview...

FAMILY - joining the pack beats being a stray

NEVER ALONE - solitary confinement is the most destructive imprisonment, in any scenario

 ACCOUNTABILITY - the safety and protection of boundaries and answerability

WHOLENESS - "the body's" amazing ability to heal itself

see ya there.... G

Finding Clarity

been wrestling lately trying to find the plan of God for my life and church. much transition over the last year or so here at Experience church. we've really come to a place where we must rebuild a team and relaunch in the near future. the learning curve of that process has been incredible for my life... God is stretching me beyond what i thought possible. didn't realize the reality of what i must become to really be able to build a "church for the unchurched". met with one of the other dads from wrestling yesterday for lunch, trying to begin a friendship with him. he told me while talking and sharing passions back n forth, that i seemed to be more of a "missionary" than anything.... interesting...don't know how that all fits, but i know one thing, and that is as i continue telling people that we must make friends of strangers and win them to Christ, and commit to disciple their lives,,, that i better be leading the way.... nothing hacks me off more than leaders who are supposed to be growing the kingdom, do nothing personally to grow the kingdom....God, i don't know what this church will look like, but i know it must have its main priority in existing for those who are not yet apart of the kingdom, because it's the cause you died for...bring me clarity...

I'm a Christian, but i don't read the bible, i'm not into that stuff...

made a new friend today.... Leah, about 50ish was down at my hangout, SB on main st HB. I walked over to grab the paper from the stand and she was sitting right near it. she was reading a book but cut her eyes my was, and that's all I needed. i said, "good morning" and she replied the same... during some basic small talk i asked her what she was reading, and she said, "oh the greatest book ever it's call the power of now by Eckhart Tolle". i asker to tell me about it and her life's journey (side note-my coach, Sam Douglas says i talk to much and need to use the 90% listen and 10% talk rule).. so i listened. here are some quotes from our conversation....

• "this book is like a bible for living life"
• "this book helps me to not be in bondage to my past but live in the NOW only"
• "it's given me a great spiritual awakening"

i asked her, "have you ever read the bible, because you've mentioned it twice now"?...

• no, I'm a Christian, but ive never read the bible, i'm not into that stuff, just the books Eckhart writes"

I'll be praying for Leah today and the thousands of others in the city who are searching for something spiritual, but looking only in the deceptive direction the devil is throwing their way. and you know why?... because for many of them, it's the only door to choose from.

may we be the senders of spiritual truth today to all the hurting people longing to connect with the one who made them and died for them, but they just cant see it thru all the lies of the evil one. THE RESPONSIBILITY IS ON US, to present the truth of Jesus to them. but don't get stupid pushy and drive people away. we must remember that we're not the convicter, or the savior, but the sender of good news and truth....remember - "if you win them to yourself, you can win them to your God"

welcome to my mission field...

G

a great day with Karen

what a day...75 degrees in HB today. worked from 4-8am then did a little work in the office and then me and Karen spent the day hangin out downtown crusin the sweet 72 chevy, walkin the pier, and eatin at Sharkeez on main st. left the grandkids with Jake.... he owed us one..

man been gone a while from blogging... thnx to FB & twitter... in study today creating a talk about how "WE BELONG TO EACH OTHER".