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Check back Monday and I will try to explain who I am voting for and invite you to share with me who you are voting for and why.  Have a good weekend!

I read a blog today and am proud to call Alisha a friend.  She is willing to dialogue about a very tough social topic, abortion.  It isn’t important, to me, for you to believe like she does, or even like I do, but to seek Jesus and discover the answers to our toughest questions.  I desire for our generation to seek Jesus and to be intentional about bringing the Kingdom of Heaven to earth.

Check out her writing HERE and be sure to leave her a comment.

I am super, super, super stoked that Starbucks Coffee Company is partnering with (Red) and giving a portion of every holiday drink sold to the Global Fund with a vision to “Make Poverty History”.  Buy Starbucks holiday drinks with confidence that they are giving back.

Because I am a partner at Starbucks I am excited this is happening but also because I am a Follower of Jesus, I am excited to see this happen.  Jesus Followers care about the “least of these” and we (together) can make a difference.  As excited I am for a huge mega company, Starbucks, to be partnering to help make our world a better place; I can’t help but to think if the Church, which is, Followers of Jesus would just be doing what that are “supposed” to be doing… would we even need something like (RED) or ONE or the Global Fund?

What part does Epic Church need to play in making our community, city and world a better place?

Read here for the article: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5h8HCh-agGfWkC39bZJ218E0005nAD944FB8O1

Many of you know that over the past 30+ weeks have been part of starting a church in Tucson, Arizona called Epic Church.  This process has been uber stressful, very fun, sad and so much more.  But, one thing that I have been thing about is this…

People ask me often, with great sincerity, “What can I do to help?”

Those are powerful words and I welcome them SO much.  The problem is that I am not sure what to give people.  Have you been there?  Like you need help, you desire help, you are a team person but you don’t where to first lead others to help you?

Well, that is where I am at.  If you have any ideas, I would be open to the “help”.  (smile)

What happens with you start to love things more than people?
It was a question I heard as I was driving down Speedway towards my office.  It cut me to the heart.  I mean without skipping a beat I would eagerly share with you that it is clearly people that I love more than things.
But do I live that way? …hummmm

On my trip to Ohio I snagged one of my favorite magazines, Wired.  There is always a plethora of information in each issue regarding our culture in relation to technology.
The theme of one article is that the blog is so 1994, and we are in 2008… HELLO!
Twitter.
Facebook.
Ning.
These are taking over.  They may be taking over but as I was sitting in the airport, I started asking the people around me, “What do you know about Twitter?”
Now for those of you who know me really well can actually picture me talking to complete strangers sitting trapped waiting for their flight.  Funny picture huh?
Besides the one women that thought I was trying to get fresh with her…. No one had a clue what Twitter was.
Either I am on the cutting edge of technology as a clergyman, aka wide whale cords, or I am totally stupid.
So, keep reading my blog here or better yet join Twitter and add me: jake_rasmussen and epicchurch

I have been stuck in the Atlanta airport today since early this morning.  I have been reading a bunch and working on the iLife series which starts this weekend at Epic Church.  But, I came across this thought provoking equation.  Read it.  Think about it.  Wrestle with it. Pray about it. Talk about it with others. Then share your thoughts.

Building + Clergy + Program = Church.

Body + Mission + Kingdom = Church.

*from http://threadsmedia.com/index.php?/store/detail/sent-leader-kit/

It seems to me the first is a very common way of “doing” church and even starting churches here in North America, in Tucson to be specific.  We find a location to meet, we raise some money to hire staff, we structure the best program we can think of for: children, youth, adults, bible study, and so on.  Then, we feel we have a church!  And the things I hear and even at times, I confess… think, if we just get a better place, get more staff, and have better things to do then we have a more successful church.

The later has a focus on relationships.  The relationship with Jesus as its foundation.  With the “body” being those who have accepted the forgiveness from Jesus Christ and have made a decision to journey with Jesus though life.  That journey is made with others toward the common focus which we hear over and over though the pages of the New Testament which is about brining the Kingdom of Heaven to earth.  Which leads the final addition to the equation; a Kingdom focus.  Not a “my church”, “my denomination”, “my city” focus but a Kingdom focus.  One that says, “I don’t care if my name ever become great, or if my church ever becomes great.  I desire for the name of Jesus to become great and that the Kingdom of God/Heaven is multiplied here on earth.”  When those things happen we have a church being born.  A place where you can be you.  Where you can journey with others toward a common goal, and serving our cities, friends, nation, globe, family… in the name of Jesus Christ.

I have more thoughts about this but thought I would share what I have thus far with you.

Finishing up here in Ohio.  It has been good time for sure.  The people of Ohio are wonderful and gracious.  I got the chance to stay with the pastor of First Baptist Church Mason, Ohio for the weekend.  He is a wonderful man of Jesus and excited about what God has done in his life and has a great passion for the people of his city.  I mean, this guy knows the scores of the local high school sports like Cross Country and girls Golf.  This man is passionate about this community and just a few moments with him you know it. His wife is kind, funny, and so supportive of her family.  Just a great family!

As I have been here a few things came to mind:

• The Kingdom needs all types of churches for all types of people.

• Southern Baptist Church building styles are the same NO MATTER WHERE YOU GO IN THE US.

• God is good and works all over the place.

• The Cooperative Program totally ROCKS.  It not only supports Epic Church but over 10,000 missionaries, students, hunger programs, disaster relief, community programs and so much more.

• If we are to reach our country for Jesus we need to start in the cities and we must start SIMPLE. Complex, highly funded systems will not transform our cities and our nation. (Benesh taught me that)

I have enjoyed my time here but I am excited to get back to Tucson and continue investing into the people of Tucson to transform our city for Jesus!  Anyone with me?

I came across the YouTube video below while I was checking out a new friend’s blog.  His name is Jeff Bajenaru.  He is a former Major Leauge Baseball player with the Chicago White Sox and Arizona Diamondbacks.  Jeff is currently on staff at 2nd Mile Church in Tucson Arizona.  Jeff has a heart for Jesus and it shows not only on his blog but just the breif moments I was able to spend with him at a seminar.  God is doing great things though this man.

Check out this video below.  You have have seen it before or this might be your first time.  But, in the words of Mr. Bajenaru, ” I am not a big fan of plays or musicals but this five minute skit brought tears to my eyes and made me question why I don’t immediately run back to God when I fail…as we cannot fix things on our own.”

Enjoy:

A friend of mine put me onto this thing called, “Advent Conspiracy“.  I am moved to my core about the vision of this thing.  As I am dreaming of ways for me and my family to be involed I wanted to share it with you.  I wonder what would happen if like minded people stacked hands together to make this world a better place, and better yet… to make our city a better place.

Here is the link: http://www.adventconspiracy.org/ Be sure to watch the video on the home page and let me know what you think.

Email:  jake@jakerasmussen.com

Twitter: jake_rasmussen

Facebook: Jake Jen Rasmussen