Tuesday, September 28, 2010

God is at Work 2

Once again I am excited to share with you another testimony of what God is doing.

Also for those that were not able to make it on Sunday, I uploaded a video from Sunday night that gives the information for what will be happening in October.

You can view it by clicking here.

I will be working at getting highlights from the class uploaded as well for those that missed some of the gatherings.

Take Care,
Brian



The Journey

I have always had a relationship with God; it just seemed at times that
I let many other things stand in the way. I am no different than a lot of
people, who just seem to get involved in life, and lose the focal point of that
relationship. As I look back, I can see the many times God was trying to
bring me and my family back to him, but I was not ready or willing to listen
or see the signs.

I have always been one to believe in fate, as I call it at times, but in
reality, it is God leading you to where he needs you to be. We, as people of
faith, are broken at times in order to feel the grace of God. I know how it
feels to be broken, but now, I know how great it feels to follow the signs and
be in the grace.

As our Journey to Riverbank began, I felt that fate was leading us to
be part of this great mission, but as I later found out, family and friends of
this community, had been praying for it as well. This just goes to show, at
times, the most powerful words ever spoken for you or about you are shared
with God, and you may never know about it.

I know that God is at work in my family, life, community, and
Riverbank. I am just excited about what he is doing, and that I and my
family are a part of it.

Daniel Johnson
--

Monday, September 27, 2010

God is at Work

Good rainy morning,
Very excited to see the rain falling to water my grass. God does a much better job of that than me. This morning I am excited to share a testimony from David that I think you will find encouraging. Also, here is a summary of the upcoming October schedule.

Oct. 3 10AM My Liscensing as part of the morning worship service at Cornerstone of Augusta. We will plan to go as a family out for lunch at Golden Corrall in W'boro after the service and would love to have you join us there.

Oct 10, 17, 24 We will gather at the Riverbank 4-6PM... we just don't know where the will be. Some weeks that will be a corporate gathering and some weeks we will break into small groups. David & Mari will be leading the small group for the kids, John & Katrina will be leading the small group for the teens, and John and Susie will be leading the small group for the adults.

Oct 31st We will be holding an outreach to the "trick-or-treaters" that gather in Lovingston. Jeff and Melody will be heading that up.

Testimony

It is an exciting time for our family as we have been moving forward with meeting here in Nelson after traveling over to the Augusta church for the past 7 years. It is an answer to our prayers to see a “life giving” church here in our community where we can reach out to family and friends.
On a more personal note God opened a door for me to make a career change this past August. As a result of this move I am more free to serve on the ministry leadership team with John Shimp and Pastor Brian. Also, in the new job I have more opportunities to share with a different circle of friends and co-workers about Riverbank.
Seeing God move in the lives of my brother and his family as they have been participating in the classes we’ve held over the past month at Riverbank has been a wonderful experience. Watching Riverbank become a reality reminds me of the promise God gave me over 15 years ago that my wife and I would be a part of establishing a Spirit-filled church in our community. I know that God is laying a foundation with core group of people who now make up Riverbank in order to reach the families and community which are “Nelson”.

By David Johnson

Be Blessed,

Pastor Brian

Friday, September 24, 2010

My Prayer for You Today

This is my prayer for you today. May you live today in the encouragement that comes from know that God is faithful and He will accomplish his good will in you. Whatever your struggles, wherever you fall His is working in it and will receive glory. Share your struggles with someone close to you today, that they may support you and be encouraged by the way God moves.

Philipians 1:9-11
I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ's return.May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.

Pastor Brian

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Rebounding From Failure – My Story

This post is a little more personal. I have been reflecting a lot on what has happened to me in the past year and what that means for my present and future. I decided to share this in the hopes that it will encourage and help someone else.

As many of you know the remodeling business that I founded in 2003, Home Innovations, failed this past January. The months before and after that were some of the most difficult I have ever experienced. It was not a pretty picture.

Through my years in construction, those I worked and did business with had become friends. I watched as those friends lost jobs, lost work, lost money, and in some cases lost the opportunity to make a living from something they really loved. And, in the midst of that I watched my wife and kids struggle to adjust to financial hardship.

At the time it felt like I was losing everything. Today I would not say that. Did I lose a lot of money and things that were dear to me? Yes, but God has looked out for us, and I have been blessed in many ways. As, time went by my biggest struggles were the sense of failure, the feelings of letting everybody down, and journey to find my identity again. So much of my energy and skills were poured into Home Innovations, and so many of my relationships centered around the business it was very difficult to know where to go next when that came crashing down.

As, I have walked this journey a number of things have been key to my healing.
  • My relationship with God was the only place I could turn many times. I was hurt and angry both at myself and Him, but He loved me anyway and helped me through.
  • My close friends and family never left me. Even though my phone doesn't ring all day long anymore there have been many who have supported us through this.
  • I have realized once again that my identity cannot come from what I do. It must come from inside of me and the understanding that I am valuable because God created me in his image and not because of anything I can produce.
  • My attitude is crucial. This takes constant work. Some days a good attitude comes easy and some days it doesn't. But, I have a choice about what I think, what I speak, and how I act.

This is still a process for me. I loved what I did in construction and business through Home Innovations. Today, I don't do those same things anymore. However, I have the opportunity to help others with their businesses and encourage those that are struggling through my roles as a Social Media Manager and a Pastor. For that, I am very thankful and I am trusting that each day God will bring across my path the people that He wants me to help and encourage.



Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Let's Celebrate - Time to Eat

Good Morning,

Phil. 1:2
May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

We are looking forward to sharing a meal together this Sunday afternoon.  As, we conclude this class, we will celebrate all that God has done and look toward what He has for us next.  Bring yourself, bring some food, and bring some friends.  This will be a very light hearted evening.   You can visit the Facebook event page to RSVP and get more information.  Also, use the Facebook event page to invite your friends.  It is simple and easy to use.  

And, even if you haven't made it to the classes yet, please come on out and join us.  This is certainly not exclusive to those that made it to the class. 

Also, I posted some pictures from the soccer games on saturday and some class pictures that I think you might enjoy.

Be Blessed,

Brian

Monday, September 20, 2010

Do you know who you are talking to?

Acts 17:19-23
Then they took him to the high council of the city.s "Come and tell us about this new teaching," they said. "You are saying some rather strange things, and we want to know what it's all about." (It should be explained that all the Athenians as well as the foreigners in Athens seemed to spend all their time discussing the latest ideas.)  So Paul, standing before the council, addressed them as follows: "Men of Athens, I notice that you are very religious in every way, for as I was walking along I saw your many shrines. And one of your altars had this inscription on it: `To an Unknown God.' This God, whom you worship without knowing, is the one I'm telling you about.

As we reach out to those around us it is important to understand who they are and  how think.  We can observe how to do this from the actions of the Apostle Paul when he went as a missionary to Athens.  We must remember that the goal of any sharing is to be heard.  If we don't look for with proper time and place to share we will not be able to effectively share Christ's love with our community.

Paul had taken the time to observe the culture and presented Christ in a way that was relevent to them.  There are three things I think we can take from this passage.
1)  He spoke in a place where they were used to listening
2)  He spoke about a topic that they liked to talk about
3)  He didn't criticize them for their beliefs

Be blessed,
Pastor Brian

Friday, September 17, 2010

From the Inside Out

From the Inside Out

A thousand times I've failed
Still your mercy remains
And should I stumble again
 I'm caught in your grace

Your will above all else, my purpose remains
The art of losing myself in bringing you praise

Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame

Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame

My heart, my soul, I give you control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise become my embrace
To love You from the inside out

This song has been my cry this week as I continue to seek God and His understanding of what He wants to do in me.  I want to be molded and shaped into the vessel that He created me to be.  

Be encouraged that as you cry out to God He will meet you right where you are.   Give Him control and let Him consume you from the inside out, instead of hiding what is inside.  He knows the deepest cry of your heart and He wants to meet you there.

May He consume us today,

Pastor Brian

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

What is God's plan for my Life?

Psalm 139:13-16 
You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
  and knit me together in my mother's womb.
 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
  Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
  as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
 You saw me before I was born.
  Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
  before a single day had passed.

Many times we ask the question, "what is God's calling for my life?"  Then we look for God to "answer" with "Go do....  While the answer to this question is not easy.  I think a lot of times we make it harder than it is.  

First, we have to remember that God made us and He created us for His purposes.  Therefore understanding His will for our life goes hand-in-hand with understanding how He made us.  He created us perfectly and the interests, passions, etc. that he formed in us are the resources that He has given us to fulfill His plan.   

Second, our responsibility is to join Him in the mission and work that He is doing.  Therefore, the answer to the question is the intersection of who we are with what He is doing.   If we will take the time to pray and seek Him we will see the plan that He has for us.  Joining Him there results in tremendous fulfillment and Joy as we serve with Him and see the kingdom advanced.  

May God continue to lead into passionate worship and service to Him,

Pastor Brian

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

How Deep Will We Go?

"We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us."
1 Thess. 2:8

I have circled back to this verse again, because the Holy Spirit will just not let it go for me.  What does it me for me to "share my life?"   Jesus did that by dying a physical death for our spiritual freedom.  But, what does that mean for me?  I am sure that this verse speaks to more than just what I do when I am at a worship service or a small group meeting.   God is asking me for something deeper.  To share my life I must not only spend time with others, but be willing to share the things that are important to me... my passions, emotions, values, joys, and pains.  It is only when I go to this level that I truly live out what Paul was describing as he wrote these words.  These are the kind or relationships that I dream of for the Riverbank.  A place where our Love for Christ, Family and Community results in us truly being able to experience the sharing of our lives.  

I weep as I write these words as God is doing something deep in me.  

May our amazing God do more than I can ask or dream!

Pastor Brian

Monday, September 13, 2010

Riverbank: We Plant the Seed, God Sends the Rain

Riverbank: We Plant the Seed, God Sends the Rain: "Good Morning, Once again we had a wonderful time together last evening. I am enjoying growth in our relationships as we gather and build c..."

We Plant the Seed, God Sends the Rain

Good Morning,

Once again we had a wonderful time together last evening.  I am enjoying growth in our relationships as we gather and build community.  It was a lot of fun drawing maps, talking about our circle of accountability, and discussing who we are as the people of Nelson.  

Today's verse comes from Zechariah which is not a book that I read very often, but it was on my chronological Bible reading list for today.  As read this, something struck me that I had never thought about before. (Don't try to make an inductive Bible Study proof out of this, but I think the principle that the Holy Spirit showed me is well supported by scripture)  This passage talks about God sending the rain to water the crops.  As, I read this what I realized was that there are many places in scripture where it talks about God sending or withholding the rain.  But, can't think of a place that talks about Him planting the seed.  That piece is our responsibility.  In every work that we are called to do there is a part that we can take responsibility for, and there is a part that is out of our control and we have to trust God for.  That is what makes life a relationship.  It isn't all about us and it isn't all about Him.  Our gracious God has chosen to make it us co-laborers together.  Our struggle becomes when we get out of balance one way or another.  Either trying to do it all ourselves without trusting God or sitting back lazily doing nothing expecting Him to do it all.  As we plant this church, go to work, go to school, raise our children, etc. let us experience the peace and blessing that comes from co-laboring with Him.

Zech. 10:1
Ask the Lord for rain in the spring,
  for he makes the storm clouds.
And he will send showers of rain
  so every field becomes a lush pasture.

Live in Peace,

Pastor Brian

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Be Encouraged

I am up early this morning getting ready to head out to the Lowesville yard sale.  It is going to me a glorious day of meeting new people and hopefully getting rid of some stuff and making some money. :)

Phil. 1:3-6
Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

Be Encouraged,

Pastor Brian

Friday, September 10, 2010

Riverbank: Share Our Lives

Riverbank: Share Our Lives: "Good Morning, Wow this is great love that not only shares the good news but shares our lives. That is exactly what we have felt from our f..."

Share Our Lives

Good Morning,

Wow this is great love that not only shares the good news but shares our lives.  That is exactly what we have felt from our friends and people we have met here in Nelson over the last year since we moved here.  Let us continue to share our lives as we build relationships that further the kingdom of God.

1 Thess. 1:8
We loved you so much that 
we shared with you not 
only God's Good News 
but our own lives, too.

As we reach out to those that God has brought into our sphere of influence remember the following things:

Listen
Love
Share
Support
Serve
Participate

On another note you can give your tithe and support for this new work in Nelson County through the online giving on the www.CornerstoneAugusta.org website and just select "Nelson Tithe" to designate your gift.

Looking forward to seeing some of you guys at the Lowesville 3 Mile Yard Sale on Saturday.

Have a Blessed Day,

Pastor Brian

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Let's Get Where the Action is

Good morning,

It is a glorious morning here in Nelson County.  I am so thankful that we serve a creative God.

As we prepare for our time together this week, remember that we will be focusing on two things understanding who we are called to reach and how we can live our lives with them.  It is not their responsibility to come to us, but our responsibility to go to them.  So take sometime to think about your friends and neighbors... who are they?  what do they like to do?  where do they like to go?  where do they work?  what are their families like?  what is important to them?

Hebrews 13:13-16 From the Message
So let’s go outside, where Jesus is, where the action is—not trying to be privileged insiders, but taking our share in the abuse of Jesus. This “insider world” is not our home. We have our eyes peeled for the City about to come. Let’s take our place outside with Jesus, no longer pouring out the sacrificial blood of animals but pouring out sacrificial praises from our lips to God in Jesus’ name. Make sure you don’t take things for granted and go slack in working for the common good; share what you have with others. God takes particular pleasure in acts of worship—a different kind of “sacrifice”—that take place in kitchen and workplace and on the streets.  

Also, you can keep up with the Riverbank events calendar online.

Be Blessed, 

Brian

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

You are a Gift


Good Tuesday Morning to everyone,
I pray that the weekend holiday was restful for each of you and your families.  We enjoyed some time together as a family as well before the girls headed back to school today.
It was wonderful to be together on Sunday. I truly believe that God meet us that evening as we worshiped together and took time to dive into His word.  I hope that you were as blessed as I was that night.  I believe that God is building "community" as we meet together.  Thanks so much for participating so enthusiastically. It was a great night!  If you were not able to make it know that you were missed and we look forward to seeing you next time. 
I just wanted to re-cape a bit and also encourage you for this week as you reflect on what we shared and talked about in our small groups and as a larger group.  
We talked about how each one of fits into the Mission that God is calling us too.  It's different for each person because God has uniquely gifted each one of us.  Some of you may have answered that questions easily while others may still be wrestling with where you feel God may have you.  That's ok! We are a continued work in progress. I believe that as you continue to seek Him in this that He will show you in time.  

Ephesions 4:11-12
 Now these are the gifts 
Christ gave to the church:
 the apostles, the prophets, 
the evangelists, 
and the pastors and teachers. 
Their responsibility is to equip 
God's people to do his work 
and build up the church, 
the body of Christ.

On a final note I want to leave you with this verse from Sunday - talking about people who came together to love and serve on another.  My challenge to you for this week is to pray and ask God who he would have you to encourage this week.  Part of being a community is reaching out to one another. Maybe someone needs an encouraging word or needs a helping hand.  Whatever may come across your path this week I pray that you will reach out with "community".  

Acts 2:42-47
All the believers devoted themselves 
to the apostles' teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals, and to prayer.
  A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders.


Be Blessed,
Pastor Brian

Friday, September 3, 2010

The Forming of Community - What do we value?

The last verses I will leave you with this week before we meet on Sunday, are from Acts 2. The writer Luke shares a description of the life of the new church that formed after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit that happened at Pentecost.  As you read these verses think about the actions that you see and then ask yourself "What was important to them that caused them to take these actions?"  Our actions will always grow out of what we value.  What do you value?  Does it line up with the values of the early church?  

The Believers Form a Community Acts 2:42-47

42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord's Supper, and to prayer.  43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders.44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had.45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need.46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord's Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

Also, If you haven't seen it I launched the Riverbank website and Facebook page.  The website now includes an events calendar so you can check on times and schedules.  

I look forward to seeing everybody on Sunday evening 4-6 at the Shipman center as we continue this journey together of discovering what God has in store for us here in Nelson Co.  Spread the word and bring a friend.

God Bless,

Pastor Brian

Thursday, September 2, 2010

What is the Mission of Jesus?

I have always thought that the passage that Jesus quoted from Isaiah at the beginning of his ministry was the best summary of how he lived.  I love this passage.  Here are a few points to take away from it today.

Luke 4:18-19
18 "The Spirit of the LORD is upon me,
  for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released,
  that the blind will see,
that the oppressed will be set free,
19   and that the time of the LORD's favor has come.s"

*  The power for this way of living came from the Spirit of the Lord that was "upon him."  We can't do this in our own strength we have to be "plugged in" and filled with the Holy Spirit

*  We all experience the bondage that comes from hurts, pain, life, and sin.  It is the power of Jesus that sets us free.  The amazing thing is that we get to join Jesus in this ministry and continue to proclaim the same freedom we have experienced to others.

*  Thank you Lord that we live in the day and age of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and your favor.

Blessings,

Pastor Brian

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Our Mission

This morning, I am reflecting on Jesus words to the Pharisees when they criticized his association with "sinners."   Now I would never voice such criticism... but do I live it out by my actions... only associating with those that are like me...  other believers?  Yes, we need to be in fellowship with other believers, that is important.  But, we need to balance that with the fact that we are to join Jesus in His mission to bind up the broken hearted and proclaim "the year of the Lord's favor.  

Matthew 9:13
9 As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector's booth. "Follow me and be my disciple," Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him.  10 Later, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners.11 But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with such scum?s"  12 When Jesus heard this, he said, "Healthy people don't need a doctor—sick people do."13 Then he added, "Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: `I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.'s For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners."

Take Care,
Pastor Brian