Their will be no updates for this website for a while because Im going on a retreat to worship God with my friends and fellow followers of Christ and I want to spend time on my relationship with God, family, and friends. But dont worry I will be back soon enough as God is most important and I take great joy in this website,=

John 18: 12-40 NLT
12 So the soldiers, their commanding officer, and the Temple guards arrested
Jesus and tied him up. 13 First they took him to Annas, the father-in-law of
Caiaphas, the high priest that year. 14 Caiaphas was the one who had told the
other Jewish leaders, "Better that one should die for all." 15 Simon Peter
followed along behind, as did another of the disciples. That other disciple was
acquainted with the high priest, so he was allowed to enter the courtyard with
Jesus. 16 Peter stood outside the gate. Then the other disciple spoke to the
woman watching at the gate, and she let Peter in. 17 The woman asked Peter,
"Aren't you one of Jesus' disciples?""No," he said, "I am not." 18 The guards
and the household servants were standing around a charcoal fire they had made
because it was cold. And Peter stood there with them, warming himself. 19
Inside, the high priest began asking Jesus about his followers and what he had
been teaching them. 20 Jesus replied, "What I teach is widely known, because I
have preached regularly in the synagogues and the Temple. I have been heard by
people Jewish people; also in 18:38." href="#fn-descriptionAnchor-a" everywhere,
and I teach nothing in private that I have not said in public. 21Why are you
asking me this question? Ask those who heard me. They know what I said."22 One
of the Temple guards standing there struck Jesus on the face. "Is that the way
to answer the high priest?" he demanded. 23 Jesus replied, "If I said anything
wrong, you must give evidence for it. Should you hit a man for telling the
truth?"24 Then Annas bound Jesus and sent him to Caiaphas, the high priest. 25
Meanwhile, as Simon Peter was standing by the fire, they asked him again,
"Aren't you one of his disciples?""I am not," he said. 26 But one of the
household servants of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had
cut off, asked, "Didn't I see you out there in the olive grove with Jesus?" 27
Again Peter denied it. And immediately a rooster crowed. 28 Jesus' trial before
Caiaphas ended in the early hours of the morning. Then he was taken to the
headquarters of the Roman governor. His accusers didn't go in themselves because
it would defile them, and they wouldn't be allowed to celebrate the Passover
feast. 29 So Pilate, the governor, went out to them and asked, "What is your
charge against this man?" 30 "We wouldn't have handed him over to you if he
weren't a criminal!" they retorted. 31 "Then take him away and judge him by your
own laws," Pilate told them."Only the Romans are permitted to execute someone,"
the Jewish leaders replied. 32 This fulfilled Jesus' prediction about the way he
would die. 33 Then Pilate went back inside and called for Jesus to be brought to him.
"Are you the King of the Jews?" he asked him. 34 Jesus replied, "Is this your
own question, or did others tell you about me?"35 "Am I a Jew?" Pilate asked.
"Your own people and their leading priests brought you here. Why? What have you
done?" 36 Then Jesus answered, "I am not an earthly king. If I were, my
followers would have fought when I was arrested by the Jewish leaders. But my
Kingdom is not of this world."37 Pilate replied, "You are a king then?" "You say
that I am a king, and you are right," Jesus said. "I was born for that purpose.
And I came to bring truth to the world. All who love the truth recognize that
what I say is true."38 "What is truth?" Pilate asked. Then he went out again to
the people and told them, "He is not guilty of any crime. 39 But you have a
custom of asking me to release someone from prison each year at Passover. So if
you want me to, I'll release the King of the Jews." 40 But they shouted back,
"No! Not this man, but Barabbas!" (Barabbas was a criminal.)


 I have said nothing in secret. Jesus had a message for us not only did the
Son of God die to save us but to teach us how to live life: love, compassion,
and fogiveness. This message challenged the Jewish Religous structure and the
power of the Sanhedrian made up of two dominate Jewish groups of the time the
Pharisees and the Saducees-both very powerful groups. It also possed challenge
to the political powers of the time. Jesus stayed true, stayed strong, and was
willing to stand alone at the cross when all had gone astray, even his
disciples. We as the body of Christ are called to do nothing less. To walk in
the love and justice of Christ Jesus then we must challenge evil and injustice
where we see it and to not do so is to deny just as Jesus did. We are so suppose
to be a light to all nations, to bring the Good News of our chains and bounds to
sin have been broken and that we are love beyond human comprehension and ability
by the loving and true God. God is compatient, always Good, always faithful,
always loving, and changes us. We know following Christ will bring us in
conflict witht the ways of the world, that we can no longer accept the
injustice- we will be in conlfict with the powers at work, What is true faith in
Christ, it is a willingness to die for Christ sake, for his message, and for his
glory (not your own). Jesus came to give us a new ways to live and to bring
adudant life in him. everlasting and eternal life. We must be willing to die for
his message which is the Kingdom of God is at hand, the reign of God will be
realized by all. We are able to give becaue Christ we are to reach out the
oprressed and persecuted, the captives, the proclaim the Good News to those who
have never heard it or to those who never heard that the Good News is for them
as well,

Are you feeling called to lead? Are you nervous? You are not alone. What distinguish's a godly leader? We are participants in God;s plans and his creation. We are not simply bodies, but also have a spirit and participate in relationship with the Divine (God). Those who are called to be leaders must not missue their gifts or abuse their authority. In order to be in ministry we must show up, to pay attention, to tell the truth, and leave the ultimate results to God. Dont get overly anxious for the results are ultimately up to God.  Moses has lead his people all through the wilderness of Sinae and up to the edge of the promised land. He has climed up mount Nebo and can finally see the land promised by God across the river. However his time as a leader has ended as he is going to die their and a new leader will be brought up. However Joshua will continue the work of Moses for God-Moses has lead his people and discerned and now it is time for Joshua to finish the task. A signifigant part of godly leadership is about succesion, who is next in line? Many of God's chosen leaders are suprising choices, at least to those around them. Youngest and weak (skinny) harp playing shepard boys such as David, the unclean outsider Rahab, outcasts such as the women at the well, socialy unacepted Mathew, murderous Moses, and the Son of God Jesus Christ coming down as a humble carpenter. A good example of Leadership is Paul: He had been mistreeted and has suffered yet doesnt complain. The tough moments havent stopped him from answering his call to spread the Good News, he hasnt been decietful but honest and transparent. Answering to God and not those around him. He is not out to become rich or to make himself look righteous, but to be a gentle and helpful servant . That is what Christian leadership is about serving God and his community and the Son of God Jesus came as a servant so we are so called to be too. We are both sheep and sheppard- each one of us are both leader and disciple, sheep and sheppard, minister of the Gospel and proclaimer of Good News and Grace. Dont be scared either because Moses questioned and no one is ever ready when the  time comes but God changes us and gives us his words through the Holy Spirit, so be not afraid God is with us, Emmanuel. The life of faith in Christ is partly about leadership and we are all called to do it at some point. This is part of what is said at the end of the service: go out in Peace to love and serve the Lord. Celebrate and share the joy, celebrate new life. We are called by God to go out their and change the world through him. We havent yet arived at the fullness of the kingdom of God, we havent yet fully crossed into the promised land, that is why God is continuing to raise up leaders. An example of this is Remigius as he was born around 487 in what is modern France. From his youth he was know to be a servent of God and for his holiness. When their was a need for a bishop in Rheims he was elected despite being only 22 and a laymen. He is known to have converted the Frankish people and their leader Clovis. Clovis was responcible for uniting the Germanic tribes and his baptism was signifigant. Talk about God raising a suprising leader. I think taking the risk of leadership as it is a part of growing in Christ, and really it is no risk at all as Christ will be their with you, God will be their to guide your actions. God Bless.

Their are places were Christians are more concerned with weather or not people know how to use all the hymnals, BCP (or other books depending on denominations), or know all the responces during worship service. Though we ultimately must remember this is about salvation and we must be more caring to those outside of the church, as the church is ment to draw others in, be a benifit to the world, and to do its best in following God and its will. Of course at times that the truth of the Good News will conflict with worldy understanding but that doesnt mean we  shouldnt invite people were they are as Christ can and will change them if it is his will. Yes the church isnt just their to reflect the trends of society either- we are also here to challenge the worst that their is and support what is good and constructive. The church should not be a place where you must know completely how to dress and act, as Jesus loves all and meets us where we are. We must not just invite people to have a saving relationship with Christ but also welcome them to the community, to the body of Christ. I think some Christians and I myself at times can be very judmental and we musnt be. We like to judge other peoples sins which isnt right- We go She (or he) must be a worse sinner than I, thank God. This is a parrellel to the women who walks into Simons house with her head uncovered. Oh man, how scandelous ---she is a obviously a women of the street. Also she is embarrasing to them, as she is crying and particularly on our saviours feet and cleaning them with her hair. Oh gosh, I cant believe this, why Lord-this is crazy now she is covering him in perfume, We Cant Have This In A Proper House! What will people think? This just wont do at all, how could he let this happen (refering to Jesus). I guess we know what kind of person he is, as a man of God he should know better than to hang out with sinners. Despite what they think it is this women's love and humbleness before Jesus that brings her to be forgiven before the Lord, the Son of God. She doesnt even have to ask, Jesus knew in her heart she wanted to start over, to know God, to be forgiven, and for her heart to be changed and it was. Their is another aspect to Jesus's example that no matter your past God can forgive and loves you. Also it is an example that we shouldnt be always hanging around other followers of Christ, otherwise their is no one to witness to...It isnt going to do anygood to always be bunched together, we need to go out into the world and proclaim the Good News and share God's love with all. Finally the last aspect is that we must realize we are still sinners too, we were once in that position and are sins are no less. We have been forgiven by Christs sacrifice and we are to forgive others as God forgives us (Jesus told Peter 70 x 7)...God Bless