Thursday, September 17, 2009
09/16/09 - Talking Money and Making Sense PT2 - Pastor Tony Ashmore
Talking Money and Making Sense PT2
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
www.churchatmirrorlake.com
Sunday, September 13, 2009
09/13/09 - Mirror Mirror On The Wall PT1 - Pastor Tony Ashmore
Mirror Mirror On The Wall PT1
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, September 13, 2009
www.churchatmirrorlake.com
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Bratislava on Thursday
Forgot to tell you about Tuesday night in Kosice. I received a call Tuesday afternoon asking if I would speak at a meeting for young people ages 15-24 when I arrived in Kosice. I was honored to be asked and accepted quickly. I then spent the rest of the afternoon and the flight time getting ready to speak. I don’t like “canned messages” because I believe in divine appointments. Even if I am speaking on something I have spoken on before, I believe our dynamic God has something specific to say to those who will be listening. I was excited and nervous about this opportunity.
We were greeted at the airport by our driver, one of Miro’s best friends, who whisked into his car and onto the highway. Our plane arrived at 7:15 and the meeting had started at 6 so we were off to the races. We were hitting amazing speeds and one time I think the Kia went up on two wheels as we rounded a steep curve! Needless to say, my prayer life was becoming more and more intimate during this journey. One time we slowed down to about 40 k/m over the speed limit from the 60 to 80 k/m we were exceeding it because it was an area where the police hung out! We arrived at the church about 5 minutes after we had walked off the plane and I was taken to the platform. There was a pretty good crowd of some excited young men and women and I had an amazing time as I spoke through my interpreter Val for about 30 to 40 minutes. I used John 6—the story of feeding 5000 families—and focused on making sure you position yourself to be heard. One next generation leader in that passage of Scripture made sure he was in a place to be heard and Jesus used what that boy had to change the world that day. Heaven wants to hear your voice so you can touch Heaven and change earth.
It was a great evening and a great honor. Afterwards we shared a great meal with Miro, an amazing leader here in Kosice, at his favorite restaurant and took a long walk through this beautiful city center. We encouraged each other about the plans God has for all of us, stirred up dreams about changing our cities, our countries and the world, and just had a great time—a band of brothers who did not even know each other a short while ago and now were joined together by God in a great adventure.
Today we flew back to Bratislava. Lukas headed off to the next conference city—HK—and Danny and I checked into our hotel. Pastor Pasho of Bratislava City Church dropped us off in the Old City and we set out exploring this beautiful place. The first mention of this city in literature was in the year 907 and the castle here has foundations dating back that far. We bought a walking tour book and spent the afternoon exploring history. Then the real adventure began as we decided to use the metro system of trams and buses to make our way back across the city to our hotel. Nothing is written in English. With the help of one young man at the first stop who could speak a little English and a lot of “sign” language, we found our way to Tram #13 which took us to the main train station. After taking a pit stop at the toilet—which we found out was a pay toilet as the attendant chased us into it screaming at us with his hand out—we got on Bus #61 to the airport and 20 stops later got off at the shopping park which is across the street from our hotel. We zipped into the shopping park to purchase a drink and a Magnum—the best ice cream I have ever eaten. Lukas introduced us to them last night in Kosice and Danny is trying to figure out how to get them back to the states without melting.
We will find a place for dinner tonight, Pasho will pick us up at 7:30 in the morning to get to the bus station. There we will catch the 8AM bus to Vienna airport, board a plane for Paris, and then onto Atlanta and home to VR. What a trip. Leaders were trained, connections were made and dreams downloaded from God that will affect our world, here and in VR, for years to come. Can’t wait to get home and share them with you.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
09/09/09 - Is Jesus of the Bible Relevant Today - Everett Spencer
Is Jesus Relevant Today?
Everett Spencer
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
www.churchatmirrorlake.com
2nd Slovakia Conference
Monday we spent the day with about 40 leaders, most of them next generation leaders who are breaking new ground in this country which has passed Albania now as the most atheistic country in the world. The people are not antagonistic toward the church, they just dismiss it as non-relevant and lacking authenticity. I love hanging out with Lukas and Pasho because they are doing something about that as they lead their churches to think outside the norm and reach the unreachable. We met some of Pasho’s new leaders and they are full of energy, vision and excitement. They are hungry for effective tools and principles that will help the church lead the transformation of their country. Danny did a great job with his first experience in training leaders outside of his own church. He connected well with some of the leaders and was able to spend some personal time with them between sessions and at other times.
After the conference we shared dinner with a wonderful group of young Catholic leaders who are taking the gospel all over this country, concentrating on small rural villages. They have gained a lot of influence and are becoming well known. We discussed some ideas on capturing and sustaining their momentum by giving weekly DVD’s of their Wednesday night service in Bratislava to home leaders in the villages where they have made in-roads. They too are hungry for tools to help them be more effective and we plan on connecting them to leaders at CAML who can serve as coaches and friends.
We spent all day Tuesday brainstorming for the future. I am so amazed at how smart God is. He has strategically placed CAML here to make connections that will make us stronger and help Europe. There are so many opportunities to partner with Element Church in Czech Republic. Lukas and Dita, their pastors and our partners here, have a huge vision and some amazing methods for reaching the next generation. Their church has 70 countries represented in their young congregation. They are about to make a move to a bigger location and are doing a virtual re-launch. We have always thought the most effective missions would be through connecting with a local church and working with them as a resource. Even Albania opened to us as we strategized for the future.
Today we are in Kosice for our conference. We are teaching 360 degree Leader. The question and discussion times are my favorite because we share real life with each other. Danny and I just spent an hour answering questions about going through a church rebellion from opposite ends and how God brought reconciliation and restoration. I really didn’t like digging up some of that stuff but I think the group found it very helpful. Danny then shared how the experience helped him be a better leader in working with leaders above him and leaders beside him.
Lukas is such a blessing. I think he will be at CAML in May so everywhere will have an opportunity to fall in love with him like I have. Thank God for the divine connections that have brought us together and have linked our churches as partners in God’s fantastic vision. I am looking forward to spending time with new friends tonight over dinner. Some of the ideas that are being birthed here this week are going to change the world in amazing ways.
More updates tomorrow.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
09/06/09 - Vision Sunday - Tony Sherrill
Vision Sunday
Tony Sherrill
Sunday, September 6, 2009
www.churchatmirrorlake.com
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
09/02/09 - Talking Money and Making Sense - Pastor Tony Ashmore
Talking Money and Making Sense PT1
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
www.churchatmirrorlake.com
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