This Is A Test

This is a test of the emergency broadcast system. This is only a test.

GODS BLESSINGS

I am so excited about where God is leading us that I can barely contain myself. About a year ago, the vision of the youth trading locations in the church with the adults was placed on a young mans heart. He shared this vision with Mark and myself, and in turn we shared it with the church leadership. There was much debate and discussion, and there was some resistance. Unltimately, the move was approved, and here we are today. I truely believe with everything in me that this was Edinbrooks first step of faith in the journey that God has set us on. Our Sr. Pastor, Ivan Veldhuizen is the annointed leader of Edinbrook Church, chosen by God to lead us. In the book of Joshua, God tells Joshua that wherever he plants his foot, God will go with him. He tells Joshua to be strong and courageous THREE times, and know that God will come through on his promise. I believe that Ivan is leading us just like Joshua lead Israel, and that Ivan (and the leadership) have taken that first step of action by allowing the move, and now, God is pouring out his blessings on us. Just as Joshua first had to step into the land of milk and honey before God would bless him, Edinbrooks leadership has taken that first step, and we are starting to see His Blessings.
This blessing is coming in the form of First Time Decisions for Jesus! In the 7 years that I have been doing youth ministry, I have not seen fruit like this. Outside of the Revolution outreach event, I think I could count on one hand the number of students who have made first time decisions for Jesus. This year alone, in the 7 months of ministry so far we have seen 35 students come to Christ! THAT BLOWS MY MIND! Only GOD can do stuff like that! We are seeing this happen not only in the youth ministry, but in Edinbrook as a whole. God is pouring out his blessings on Edinbrook Church in the form of new creations for Christ. I also believe with all of me that God is going to also bless us with mind blowing resources, both finacial and human resources. God is unleashing the giftedness in our current attenders, and is bringing new gifted attenders to further Glorify Him. God is unleashing the finances of our current attenders, and I beleive is bringing new attenders who will astound us with their generosity. All for HIS GLORY!
I am so blessed to be used by God, here at Edinbrook Church, and know that even my small role has an impact for His Kingdom!

John

HE IS RISEN

In Glory, Jesus raised from the dead.
There are many who have tried to explain away this truth. Some say the the Apostles came and stole the body and hid it. Some others say that Jesus was only in a deep sleep, and he escaped into obscurity. When you take a serious look at these options, you see just how ridiculous these claims are. First, lets take a look at the Apostles stealing the body. OK, so let's say that somehow they are able to get past the war seasoned warriors of the Roman army who are guarding the tomb. This legion of soldiers would never fall asleep, or let their guard down, because if they did, they would be executed. So now why would the Apostles continue on with the lie that Jesus rose from the dead? Why would they spread the good news of Jesus Christ and suffer horrific deaths for a lie?
Ok, so let's look at the notion that Jesus was only in a deep sleep. So after being beaten up to an inch from death by the cat-of-nine tails... hanging on a cross with 8 inch spikes driven through his hands and feet, Jesus woke up and tore the 100+ pounds of ointment and cloth off of him, then rolled a 4000lb stone uphill to escape the tomb. Then he tip-toed around the legion of Roman soldiers undetected to escape. I've heard some whopper stories, that that one takes the prize!
When you look objectively at this, there is only one conclusion that you can come to.

JESUS WAS RAISED FROM THE GRAVE!
HE DEFEATED DEATH!
JESUS IS ALIVE!

Happy Easter...

John

Celebrated as KING

Jesus came to save me and you. He came to save the sinners of his day too. Only they didn't get it. So many times in that last year of his ministry, the Pharasies made attempts on his life. Cephus, "The Godfather" put a hit out on Jesus. So how does that work? The most respected and religious people of their time, and they found a way to justify killing Jesus. WOW. They failed in all their attempts leading up to his arrival in Jerusalem. They were really freaked out when Jesus came in riding on a donkey as the King. You see, the people (including Judas) wanted a King who would rule over them, and throw off the oppression of the Roman empire. When they saw that this just wasn't going to happen, all heck broke loose. One week after entering the city as a Royal King, he was hanging on a cross!

How will you look at Jesus this Easter? Do you see him as a good guy who was a good teacher? Do you see him as a guy who was a prophet and spoke to God? Do you see him as a martyr who suffered and died, but the story ends there? Or will you see JESUS for what he IS.... The Way, The Truth and The Life! He is the only way to Heaven. He is who He says He is! GOD!