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I am a secret fan of Monday’s.  As a pastor most of the time Mondays are really hard.  We are coming down from a high or even focusing on a low.  Let me explain that a bit.

A high would mean that attendance was high on Sunday, or it was a good offering, or even spiritually - Jesus did something amazing.  Salvation was professed, or sin was accounted for.

A low would mean that attendance was low, the sermon was flat, not that many people pitched in to help with various projects.  Repentance was preached but no one responded to the call of God.  Well, for whatever reason it was a low.

But, Monday!  Monday is a new day.  It is wide open to possibilities!  Great things can happen and so can bad things.  You can meet new people, creditors can call, you can get into a car accident, God can show you something new from his Word.

Whatever the case, I am a secret fan of Monday.  The possibilities are numerous.  My plan for this Monday is to go with the flow.  To be responsive to God’s Spirit when he calls.

What is your plan for this Monday?

I have signed The Manhattan Declaration, have you?

Christians, when they have lived up to the highest ideals of their faith, have defended the weak and vulnerable and worked tirelessly to protect and strengthen vital institutions of civil society, beginning with the family.

We are Orthodox, Catholic, and evangelical Christians who have united at this hour to reaffirm fundamental truths about justice and the common good, and to call upon our fellow citizens, believers and non-believers alike, to join us in defending them. These truths are:

1. the sanctity of human life
2. the dignity of marriage as the conjugal union of husband and wife
3. the rights of conscience and religious liberty.

Inasmuch as these truths are foundational to human dignity and the well-being of society, they are inviolable and non-negotiable. Because they are increasingly under assault from powerful forces in our culture, we are compelled today to speak out forcefully in their defense, and to commit ourselves to honoring them fully no matter what pressures are brought upon us and our institutions to abandon or compromise them. We make this commitment not as partisans of any political group but as followers of Jesus Christ, the crucified and risen Lord, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Here is a Southern Baptist Seminary President and member of the Gospel Collation on why he signed his name to the declaration.

I am of personal conviction it is so much better to state what I am for instead of making a case about something I am against.  This declaration is just that.  It brings about the convictions of Bible believing followers of Jesus into the culture of today.  I am laboring in my city to see her a better place.  To see her made good though the obedience of followers of Jesus.  And to that end I have placed my name on this declaration.  And not only do followers of Jesus value this three things covered by the declaration but so do many others in my generation.  It is time to take a stand and declare we value the family.

I believe if we as followers of Jesus are going to be a part of making our city good we also need to do our part to stay focused on the mission.  The mission is to glorify our Father in heaven.  Yesterday I wrote about our need to connect with another, same sex, friend for the purpose of being ourselves.  Everyone needs this.  I need this so bad.

A number of you contacted me and shared how you want this kind of person in your life and that I am lucky to have a person like this.  Let me be honest, I am just finding this again.  You see a couple of years ago my dear friend moved to pursue Jesus in another area of the country.  It damaged me for sure.  Then just this year another dude I was close with moved away too. And let me tell you it SUCKED!

I have not wanted to let another friend in close to me just for the fear that they would move away.  But, let me tell you I needed to push past this self made fear and pursue authentic relationships where I am asking other men the hard questions and men are asking me the hard questions in return.

I came across this as a guide for time together with a trusted friend.  A friend who is concerned with you becoming more like Jesus.  You take time and each answer these questions and then seek Jesus in prayer for each other.  Hope this helps you in some way.

Neil Cole:

1. What is the condition of your soul?

2. What sin do you need to confess?

3. What have you held back from God that you need to surrender?

4. Is there anything that has dampened your zeal for Christ?

5. Who have you talked with about Christ this week?

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So much is going on in my life right now I can’t really verbalize it all.  But, one thing I do know is that Jesus is up to something in my life.  He is doing a work in my life.

As the scriptures say, ” ¹⁷ Iron sharpens iron and one man sharpens another.” http://ref.ly/Pr27.17

I had an outstanding time today with a friend. You see all too often we forget to have meaningful relationships. Relationships were we can just talk openly and honestly. Where we can confess sin. Where we don’t have to have it all together. That was one of those meetings today for me.

If you don’t have someone, of the same sex, where you can put all walls and facades down and away; I encourage you to ask Jesus for such a friend.

This was a good day. Here are some thoughts about church planting and maybe another random thing or two.  I also finished reading, Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die.  It was a really good read.  Surprisingly the book had a lot of scriptural references.  I think I will be able to use this book as a resources as a pastor and church planter in the future.  I would recommend this to anyone who is in sales, public speaking, training or marketing.

OU, Cavs, Obama, Prop8, and other random thoughts.

Video Blog - May 27th 2009

Video Blog.  Join me on Facebook:  Jake Rasmussen and Twitter: @jake_rasmussen

Sitting in the Starbucks tonight studying for class and working on my sermon for Epic Church two weeks from now, titled: Growing a Movement.  This picture came to mind as I see the people coming and going.

The church used to be the focal point of any community, the tallest building and the soul of the city.  Only 50 years ago, it was the place where neighbors and near neighbors came together at least once a week.  Today churches can be difficult to find in the city where the skyline is dominated by banks and business buildings.  Still, the search for purpose goes on and the hunger for spiritual wellbeing is as great as ever.  As it says in Jeremiah 29:7 - “But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.”

It begs me wonder, what am I doing to on Jesus’ behalf for the welfare of the city?  And what I am doing, is it enough?  Maybe it is enough but could I be doing it better?  And who could be doing it with me?  Our communities have real problems, real hurts, real needs and as cliche as it sounds, Jesus is the answer.  The question is though, how am I being Jesus to my community?

How are you being Jesus to your community?

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