David Miller

So stoked for camp this year!
June 14-18th (Save the date)

*more info to come

Have you ever been hurt by a church?

David Loveless, Lead Pastor of Discovery Church along with good friend Francis Anfuso from The Rock of Roseville co-authored a great book exploring the reality of church wounds.

Here is what the publisher is saying about the book:

Church Wounds is a rare, candid look at the blunders and blemishes of the 21st century church and the often-tragic affects on innocent Christians. Written by two seasoned local church pastors the book is based on a survey of 1,500 church attenders. It identifies the most common church wounds andholds out the love and power of Christ to be healed from them.Judgmentalism, legalism, favoritism, immorality, abuse of authority, doctrinal differences, church splits, financial impropriety and more aretruthfully exposed along with Christ’s powerful cure for the wounded disillusionment that often follows as a result. Both honest and hopefulChurch Wounds is the book for anyone who has ever been injured by the Church or abandoned it all together.

Pre-released  copies of the book are now available in the Discovery Church lobby or you can order your copy on Amazon.com.

I’ve become obsessed with the story of Jonah because it’s such a beautiful picture of God’s character.  In four chapters we see His grace as he offers the Ninevites an opportunity to repent. We see God pursuing Jonah as he runs from Him and how God rescues Jonah from death as he’s thrown into the sea.

Phase 2 of my Jonah sleeve in finished!  Rob did an incredible job.

Here are some pictures of the finished product.

Check out the phase 1 post to read more of the story.

I am skinny and a nerd. A jock and a weakling. I’ve been called a longhaired hippy and Jesus freak. I’m a skater and a poser. Tattooed and conservative. Unapproachable and the kindest person you’ve ever met. I’ve been told I’m smart and called stupid to my face. My job is beneath me and no one sees its worth.

I have been labeled each one of these things and at some point I’ve believed them all.

Far too often I find my identity in who others say I am rather than who God says I am. The truth is, we’re bombarded with a culture that is tearing us down on a daily basis and many of us only hear what God thinks about us once a week at church.

It’s no wonder we buy the lie.

About a year ago I was really struggling with finding my identity in what others thought, in my job title, and in everything else the world finds important. I needed to remind myself who God says I am. So I searched The Bible and compiled a list. Every time I start to buy the lies of this world I refer back to this list.

This is who God says we are…

You are the son or daughter of God- John 1:12; Romans 8:17; Galatians 3:26; Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 1:5; 1:3-8

You are Justified (Pronounced not guilty)- Acts 13:39; Romans 5:1; Romans 8:30

You are called (chosen)- Romans 1:6, Ephesians 1:4a; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:5; 2:9; John 15:16

You have been given Grace- Romans 5:2; 1 Corinthians 1:4; Ephesians 1:2; Ephesians 4:7

You have received mercy- 2 Corinthians 4:1; 1 Thessalonians 1:10

You are Christ’s ambassador- 2 Corinthians 5:20

You are sanctified (made Holy)- Hebrews 10:10; Hebrews 13:12; Ephesians 1:4b; Hebrews 3:1; 1 Peter 1:16

You are accepted- Ephesians 1:6; Colossians 1:13

You are loved- Ephesians 2:4; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Colossians 3:12; Romans 1:7

You are forgiven (redeemed)- Ephesians 4:32; 1:7 Titus 2:14; 1 John 2:12; Colossians 1:13-14

You are made new- Colossians 3:31; Colossians 3:10

You are the Bride of Christ- Revelation 19:7; 21:2, 9; 22:17

You are Complete- Colossians 2:19-10

You are His workmanship- Ephesians 2:10

You have been bought with a price- 1 Corinthians 12:27

You are the branch of Jesus Christ, the true vine- John 15:16

What are the lies that you buy into and how are you combatting them with truth?

I connect with God through music.
Each week I’ll feature bands and worship leaders, both well known and those flying under the radar, who are drawing The Church to the feet of Jesus.

This week: Jesus Culture – Kim Walker

What’s one of your favorite love songs?

On January 27th thElement  Student Ministry worshiped on a rooftop in Downtown Orlando.  This is a recap video of that night.

The response to Bellarive’s new video on RELEVANT.TV was so strong that they decidded to feature them on The Drop.

If you don’t know Bellarive, do yourself a favor and check them out!

The following is an online conversation with Leonard Cohen about Christianity today.   I found it intriguing and thought it would spark some great thought and conversation.

From an online chat…
Seth: You have such vivid Christian imagery in many of your songs,
and much of it is contrasted with the selfishness of the “modern”
individual. I was wondering what’s your take on the state of
Christianity today?

Leonard Cohen: Dear Seth, I don’t really have a ‘take on the state
of Christianity.’ But when I read your question, this answer came to
mind: As I understand it, into the heart of every Christian, Christ
comes, and Christ goes. When, by his Grace, the landscape of the heart becomes vast and deep and limitless, then Christ makes His abode in that graceful heart, and His Will prevails. The experience is recognized as Peace. In the absence of this experience much activity arises, divisions of every sort. Outside of the organizational enterprise, which some applaud and some mistrust, stands the figure of Jesus, nailed to a human predicament, summoning the heart to comprehend its own suffering by dissolving itself in a radical confession of hospitality.

So, what do you think?

Bellarive‘s video for “Love Has Found Us” is being featured on RELEVANT.TV this week!  Incredibly proud of those guys.  Stop by and leave some love.