Ponderings from Pastor Nate

Tuesday, Jul 27th 2010

If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck...

Is it really a duck?  For most things, my black-and-white brain would say, YES!  But in the case of Christians I don’t think it is that easy.  What do you think?  Shouldn’t we be able to believe that if someone goes to church, refrains from cursing, obeys the law, and is generally a nice person that they are what Jesus wants to see being labeled a Christian?  I’m not so sure.  Every Sunday there are a massive amount of people who find their way to church, but don’t really understand or live out what it means to be a Christian.  I should know; that used to be me.  But we are not Christians simply because of any of our practices or values.  We are Christians because of what Christ did on the cross for us and our accepting and believing in that.  That values and practices are simply what follows as the result of our hearts fully understanding and owning that truth. 

Unfortunately, many people have it reversed and think that if they can just avoid sin, they will be counted among those who get to go to Heaven and many of these people become quite good at creating the look of a clean life.  Most of us, if pressed, could behave well enough to pass as a “Christian.”  The problem is that the Bible tells us that we are all sinners and the only thing we can do to change that condition is to accept the free gift of atonement Christ offered to us when he died for those same sins.  “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.  Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins” (Romans 3:23-24 NLT). 

Iowa native Billy Sunday said it well when he said, “Going to church on Sunday does not make you a Christian any more than going into a garage makes you an automobile!"  Please understand I believe going to Church is an important part of anyone’s Christian walk, but we all need to remember that’s not what makes us a Christian.

-Nate

 

Thursday, Jul 22nd 2010

Strange Love

 

I’ve been making final preparations this week for Austin and Hannah’s wedding.  Rounding the bend on these, this will make 5 of 8 weddings I’m performing this year plus two more that Megan and I are attending so needless to say marriage has been on my mind.  It’s disappointing how often in public you hear someone talking negatively about their spouse when they aren’t around.  I believe there is a time and place to seek help in a struggling marriage, but I’m speaking of the everyday things that frustrate husbands about their wives and wives about their husbands.  From people you know to strangers in the checkout line it’s amazing how many folks seem to talk more about their spouse than to them!  I’ve heard it said, “how you talk about your spouse in public reflects your relationship in private.”  I think that holds true in most cases.  Why do people act this way toward their spouse anyway?  They obviously thought their love was a blast at one point or why would they have even bothered to get married?  The Bible tells us we are supposed to have fun with our spouse (who we’ve promised to love). 

Ecclesiastes 9:7-9 says this, “Be happy and enjoy eating and drinking! God decided long ago that this is what you should do. Dress up, comb your hair, and look your best. Life is short, and you love your wife, so enjoy being with her. This is what you are supposed to do as you struggle through life on this earth” (CEV).  Guys, take your wives out on the town to do something she likes to do and ladies don’t be stingy with the flirting you did when you were dating.  As Ecclesiastes tells us, life is short and we need to enjoy the time we have here together!

-Nate       

Thursday, Jul 15th 2010

The most powerful muscle in the body

Many people don’t realize the value, the power and consequences of the words they speak.  Proverbs 18:20-21 states, “From the fruit of his mouth a man's stomach is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied.  The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”  I don’t think it is any coincidence that pound for pound, the tongue is the most powerful voluntary muscle in the human body.  Clearly, the way we speak is deeply significant and we each carry the responsibility for speaking with truth and love.  We’ve all been hurt by someone who didn’t mean harm but spoke carelessly, and I know I’ve done my share of being careless with my tongue.  I remember one time around my late middle school years, when I felt I was being pestered by a few of my peers to do something I wasn’t particularly interested in.  There really wasn’t anything wrong with what I was being asked to do, but I simply wasn’t interested.  After the 3rd or 4th time of being asked within a few minutes I finally made a comment that was way over the top to ensure I wouldn’t be bothered again.  The comment was a hurtful negative remark about an individual who didn’t deserve it.  It was one of those moments where you wish you could just reach out and grab the words back that just left your mouth, but of course I could not.  It was done.  To this day, nearly 20 years later and even after apologizing, I still feel bad about that remark. That must be what the psalmist meant when he says “From the fruit of his mouth a man’s stomach is filled.”  Words are indeed powerful and we do ourselves and those around us a huge disservice when we aren’t careful with what we say. 

-Nate

 

Friday, Jul 9th 2010

Creeping Vines

I’m not a big fan of chain link fence.  This goes back to my younger years when I was given the task of cleaning up a fence that had all sorts of vines and weeds growing up through it.  I got most of the fence cleaned up through a lot of pulling and tugging, but there was one particular place where two vines had so wrapped themselves into the fence I left them to do last.  Finally, everything else was clear and all that remained were the two vines.  Initially, I tried to pull at the root of the first one, thinking it would be easy enough to pull the rest of the vine out if I were able to get it out of the ground.  Unfortunately, the trunk was too large to break and the roots held fast in the ground.  Not having the tools to cut the thing, I was left to pull the tangle of vines out piece by piece, wrestling with all the snares and tangles of the vine in the process.  It was not fun.  I finally got it all out and ripped down as far as I could but there was still a rooted vine that could begin to grow and work it’s way back through the chain link as soon as tomorrow.  Just as I was about to get started on vine number two, Dad came along with a saw to cut through the vine at the base.  He helped me cut it, and when I asked if he’d help me get the tangles out he said, “Nah, let’s do it next week.”  After a little over a week, he sent me back and the sun and heat had withered the cut vine so that the tangles nearly fell out as I pulled on them.  What I had worked so hard for hours on the first vine had been accomplished in much less time and with very little real effort. 

I look back now and wonder if it could be the same way with sin in our lives.  We can work so hard to pry and pull and wrestle with the tangles of sin thinking that we’re making progress and maybe we are…slowly.  But how much easier would it be for us to grab the right tool snip the root and allow the Holy Spirit to wither away all those tangles of sin?    

Romans 6:13-14 says, “Offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.”

It is good to work to do what is right, but we must remember who is ultimately in charge of cleaning up our lives.

-Nate

 

Thursday, Jul 30th 2009

Harassment

No one likes being picked on.  No one likes people to think less of them because of the color of their skin, the size of their body, or the way they choose to worship God.  Harassment is an age old issue that is alive and well in 2009.  There are literally hundreds of people who are killed every year because of the way they choose to worship (or not worship) God.  How do you handle harassment?  Come to church this weekend as we jump into this hot topic. 

Wednesday, Jul 29th 2009

Dog Days of Summer

We are right in the thick of summer.  It doesn't really feel like that though.  The temperature has been in the low 70's and last night at our ball game is was downright chilly.  You do not hear me complaining though.  The cooler temps are really nice. The softball game on the other hand was not too nice.  We dropped the game and are on the verge of elimination.  Our bats better get hot on Thursday or it will make for a long winter!

 

Monday, Jul 27th 2009

Back...

I have been away for a few days and am back (at least part-time) this week.  It is weird how much surgery takes out of a guy!  Cindy and I did get our 30 minute walk in this morning, but it was definitely not an easy time.  My plan is to work mornings for a few days until I get my strength back.  Thanks for your prayers.

Sunday, Jul 26th 2009

Sunday!

We hope you will join us at one of our two worship experiences this morning at Cornerstone.  We have a blended style of worship that begins at 8:45 and a contemporary style of worship that begins at 11:00 this morning.

We hope to see your whole family this morning at Cornerstone!

Tuesday, Jul 21st 2009

Taking a Vacation

The blog will be unattended for several days due to my upcoming surgery.  I thought that this would be someting good to ponder every day for a few days until it has been updated again...

THE BEATITUDES

"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure of heart,
for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

Matthew 5:3-10

Monday, Jul 20th 2009

Truck Washing

I went to get into the Yukon yesterday when I noticed that someone had used their finger and wrote in the dirt on the driver's door, 'wash me!"  I decided to take it over behind McDonald's and clean it up a bit.  Now the truck looks like new again.  You can see that it is truly a red truck and not a brown muddy one!

Sin is like that in our lives too.  It can build up to a point that it makes it hard to see the real us.  All that is needed is a quick trip to our knees and ask God's forgiveness.  Jesus' blood washed us white as snow.  Spend some time today cleaning up your act!

Sunday, Jul 19th 2009

Good Morning

Happy Sunday!  The sun is out and it looks to be a beautiful day.  Our prayer is that you will join us this morning for worship at Cornerstone.  We are in a series called, Hot Topics for Hot Days.  Today's Hot Topic is Harry Potter.  We have services at both 8:45 and 11:00 a.m.  Hope to see you soon!

Thursday, Jul 16th 2009

Change of Plans

My oldest son, Zach invited me on a date yesterday to see the new Harry Potter movie.  I cannot say that I am a Potter fan, but I'm a huge fan of Zach.  He urged me to get tickets ahead of time and I agreed, but was thinking why not get them at the door.  We went to the 3:30 showing in Ames and it was a full house.  As we left we found a line that went all the way to Staples for the next show.  Harry Potter is definitely a hot topic.

You may already know where I am going with this.  My idea of preaching on being harassed for your faith is being pushed back a couple of weeks.  I think we will look at Harry Potter this weekend.  I hope that you will join us!

Wednesday, Jul 15th 2009

Elevator

Today the construction crew began the process of removing the asbestos from the grain elevator that we acquired several months ago.  It is a very tedious project and I do not envy the fella's who are over there working.  I did take them some water and offered our building and air conditioning as they need it.

This is one more step closer to hseeing our vision come to pass.  God is going to give us a Family Life Center.  We need to pray more than ever for Him to continue to open doors!

Tuesday, Jul 14th 2009

Sore!!!

Yesterday I decided to go to the YMCA for a good sweat.  I got my sweat in all right and today I am paying for it.  Yikes is my upper body sore!!!  That old saying says though, no pain, no gain.  That is so true in many areas of life.  Think about that last hardship you were in.  I bet if you look hard enough that you will see God's hand pulling you through.  Hardships in our lives bring spiritual growth.  No one likes the hardships, but we endure them knowing that God has a purpose and that He will be with us through whatever storm we may be walking through.

Monday, Jul 13th 2009

Swimming Party

Last night we rented the MvHose Park swimming pool for a family fun night for Cornerstone Church.  It was a huge success.  We had 79 swimmers show up!  There were young and old enjoying the water.  I was a little skeptical at first but it turned into a wonderful night.

It is so healthy for churches to move their fellowship beyond their four walls.  Families that play together, stay together.  That is what we are at Cornerstone, the family of God.  Keep an eye on the bulletin.  Our next event will be a night in Des Moines with the Iowa Cubs.

Sunday, Jul 12th 2009

War

This weekend I am beginning a new series called, Hot Topics for Hot Days.  The congregation has challenged me to talk on a few controversial issues so we are going to take them head-on.  Today we will talk about war and what is a Christian's attitude and obligation to the whole ordeal.  I hope yor family can join us.

Services are at 8:45 and 11:00 this morning.

Don't forget about the swim party tonight at 8:30 p.m. at McHose Park.

Friday, Jul 10th 2009

Friday

Friday is my day off and I took full advantage of that today.  I met Rev. Ray Hoke from Bethel for golf this morning.  We waited out the storms and had a great time fellowshipping together.  We played best-ball and it was very relaxing. 

I then came home and spent the afternoon outside.  I trimmed the lawn.  Then I trimmed the hedges and cut down a few branches.  I then cleaned up the yard from the storm.  It was a very productive day.

Cindy's sister and her three daughters are in this weekend for a visit and I cooked some hamburgers on the grill for supper.  Now it is time to find my recliner for some R&R.

Don't forget about Saturday worship at 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, Jul 9th 2009

Surprise!

So I am in pounding away on my computer this morning when Megan Yoder sprang in the door carrying a gourmet breakfast.  there was french toast, bacon, fresh fruit and yogurt.  I am not sure the occasion, but let me just say uff-da!  What a great way to start the morning.

Some guys complain about an unloving congregation.  Not me.  I love pastoring Cornerstone Church.  God has indeed taken care of my family by placing us in Boone.  What a great church we have.  Thanks!

Wednesday, Jul 8th 2009

Gentleness

This morning I was reading in 2 Timothy and was reminded of Paul's words to be gentle with those who oppose you.  He also explains that we should refrain from harsh language and needless arguments.  Paul is reminding us that life is too short to try to get the last word in every argument or discussion that we are involved with.  How do you do with this?  Do you push to heard.  Are you confident enough in yourself to step away from a hard discussion without getting your two cents worth in?  Think on that one...

Tuesday, Jul 7th 2009

Early Morning Golf

I went out on the golf course early this morning with Jim Bever.  Jim and Kathy are relatively new to Cornerstone, but not new to the faith.  Jim and I had a wonderful time getting to know each other.  Isn't it funny how we can take something as simple as a quick round of golf and get to know someone better.  I believe that God gave us likes and dislikes for a reason.  Two guys both doing something they enjoy and in the process spending two hours alone fellowshipping and getting acquainted.  Is it possible for you to use your likes and dislikes to better acquaint yourself with someone in the Christian faith?

Monday, Jul 6th 2009

Walking

This morning was day 2 for Cindy and I on our trek to be healthy.  We got up with the alarm and took a 30 minute walk.  It ended up being about 1 1/2 miles.  We are not trying to break records yet.  We just want to get into the habit of being healthy.  This could be a good idea for you as well.  Our bodies are the dwelling place of God's Spirit.  A roomy mansion is not ideal...

Saturday, Jul 4th 2009

Happy Fourth of July

IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their Public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected, whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock Trial from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:

For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation, and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & Perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. — And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.

— John Hancock

Friday, Jul 3rd 2009

Picnic

I am hoping that the weather passes by pretty quickly today.  I promised to take Cindy and Dodger for a little picnic and walk in the woods today.  I love my days off, but today is especially nice because Cindy has the day off too.  I wanted tio do something that I knew she would really enjoy. 

Be sure that you do something fun and productive this holiday weekend.  Don't let it slip by without enjoying yourself.

Remember that Saturday night worship is canceled this week.

Thursday, Jul 2nd 2009

My Truck

I bought a used 1991 Dodge pick-up last month.  I knew it was not a great vehicle.  I wanted something to just get me around town.  I went to get into it on Tuesday night and was surprized when the door fell to the ground.  The top pin fell out of the hinge. It is supposed to get fixed this afternoon, but in the meantime I am climbing over to the passenger side to get in and out.

Sometimes we have to improvise in life.  Everything does not always go our way.  It is an important quality to be able to roll with the punches.  If you can't do that, you will likely be headed for lots of heartache in life.

Wednesday, Jul 1st 2009

Summer Slump...

Seeing that this is the 4th of July weekend coming up, I want to share this story from one of my all-time heroes, Dwight Eisenhower. Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States, and served  from 1953 until 1961. He was also a five-star general in the United States Army.  Eisenhower had a speckled religious background growing up, but truly gave himself to the Lord in his early adulthood. Two major things he did for our country that continues to exist today are that he got “under God” placed into our Pledge of Allegiance and he also fought to get “In God We Trust” placed on our currency.

This is a quote from him in regards to church. “The schools were three in number; churches abounded. From memory alone I can identify seven and everybody I knew went to church. Social life was centered around the churches. Church picnics, usually held on the riverbank, were an opportunity to gorge on fried chicken, potato salad, and apple pie. The men pitched horseshoes, the women knitted and talked, the youngsters fished, and everyone recovered from the meal.”

This makes me question, what happened? Why is church not a central part of the lives of Americans today? What has happened in the last 50 years that has drawn even so called 'strong Christians' to push God to second and third place in priority behind work and family? Why is it that soccer games and work related parties cause so many people to bypass their weekly time of corporate worship? Is there something that can be done?

Just thinking out loud...

Thursday, Jul 31st 2008

Computer Problems

I am hoping that this post makes it to the website.  We are having major internet issues today.  The system kicks us offline about every five minutes.  It is a real hassle! 

It is amazing how dependent we have become to the world wide web. I often think about guys like John Wesley and Charles Spurgeon that preached several times each week and did not have the available research tools at their finger tips that I have.  I guess I am glad I was born in the late 20th century.

 

Wednesday, Jul 30th 2008

The Dunk Tank

Can you believe that I allowed myself to get into this position? If you know me very well you do. I love to laugh and I do not mind being laughed at. God is doing some marvelous things at Cornerstone and that gives us all a huge reason to laugh!

Several people got the opportunity to dunk their pastors in some pretty seriously cold water. I wouldn't want to do it every Sunday, but for the occasion...It was awesome! Looking forward to some great things that are lying ahead for Cornerstone Church! I am proud to be your pastor!

Tuesday, Jul 29th 2008

Concert

I know that I am a bit prejudiced, but in my opinion, Cornerstone Church has the absolute best worship team in the state of Iowa.  The awesome thing is...they just keep getting better!  Last Saturday they held an impromptu concert at the church.  Everyone there had a very good time.

Music is an integral part of most worship services.  If you like Contemporary Christian Music and you do not have a church home, I would very much recommend coming to Cornerstone and checking us out.  God is up to some marvelous things here.

Monday, Jul 28th 2008

Love

I will be starting a nine week series this Sunday on the Fruit of the Spirit.  This week we'll tackle the issue of love.  Believe me when I warn you to be careful when you Google the word 'love.'  The world's idea of love is not the same as God's idea on the subject.

I'm very excited at this new series.  I believe that through the Holy Spirit that God is going to open some very interesting doors for Cornerstone Church.

 

Sunday, Jul 27th 2008

Friendship Sunday

Once a year, Cornerstone Church holds the Sunday worship service in the city park.  That day is...Today!  Please join us for public worship at Herman Park at 11 a.m. this morning.  there will be a potluck picnic to follow.

For all of you who call Cornerstone home, this is a great week to bring a friend with you to church.  It will be a lot of fun, and you might have the chance to splash one of your pastors in the dunk tank!  We hope to see you this morning...

 

Saturday, Jul 26th 2008

Me???

The rumor is that the congregation is going to get me to sit in the dunk tank tomorrow at our all-church picnic.  My idea was that my associate, Curt Bowman could sit in this thing for a little fun.  Now the crowd is turning on me!!!

Join us for worship at Herman Park tomorrow at 11 a.m.  You might see me get a little wet!

Friday, Jul 25th 2008

What a fish story!

If you come to the all-church worship service on Sunday at Herman Park you will hear about my monster catch in Canada this week.  This fish is 27 inches and weighs 8 pounds!!!

Our worship service will be a combined service that will begin at 11 a.m. on Sunday.

Wednesday, Jul 16th 2008

My Helping Hand

This Sunday I am going to put my helping hand to work again.  Pastor Curt will be bringing the morning message.  I really hope that you will make it this week.  Curt plans to roll out our plan for this fall.  We have so many new people who call Cornerstone home and it is Curt's job to get everyone involved in ministry!  Services are at 9 and 11 a.m.

Tuesday, Jul 15th 2008

Welcome

We welcomed Curt and Kendra's baby into the world this morning at 3:19. His name is Kenan Joel.  He is 7 lbs. 12 1/2 oz. and is 20 3/4" long. He has dark hair and a fair amount of it. The delivery went well.  Both baby and momma are doing well. Lord willing, you will see the Bowman family of four on Sunday. Thanks for your prayers.

Monday, Jul 14th 2008

A Great Weekend!

I would call this weekend one of those mountain top experiences.  jamie Morrison from The Power Team was here for a one day crusade.  We witnessed nearly 40 first time decisions for Christ and 10 baptisms this weekend!  God is good.

I was especially blessed to see one man that I have been praying for several months go forward to the altar!  If you have someone you are praying for, don't give up.  Keep praying!  God is still in the miracle business!

Sunday, Jul 13th 2008

A Great Night

Last night Cornerstone Church hosted Jamie Morrison from The Power Team for a one-night only event. It was absolutely awesome. This must be the strongest man that I have ever met in my entire life. In fact, he is so strong that he carried me on his back for 2 or 3 minutes. That is no small feat!

By the end of the night we witnessed a couple dozen people go to the altar and give their hearts to Christ. many of them will be baptized this morning. Please join us for worship this morning at 9 or 11 a.m. as Jamie shares with us about the vision of The Power Team.

Friday, Jul 11th 2008

The Power Team

One night only! Saturday at 7:00 p.m. we will host Jamie Morrison from The Power Team for a very special show. Jamie is here to speak to the principals from various local schools about our upcoming March '09 Power Team crusade.

There is no admission for the show and the doors will open at 6:00 p.m. If you thought what happened here in 2007 was awesome, wait until you see what Jamie will do on Saturday evening. Whatever you do, don't come alone. Please bring a friend...or two!

Thursday, Jul 10th 2008

New Windows

The church is having new windows installed in the parsonage this week.  The old windows are broken and lose so much energy.  Cindy and I are very happy that we are able to have them replaced before the Bowman family moves in next month.

Getting new things is always fun.  The Bible tells us that once we are in heaven that our old worn out bodies will be replaced with new ones that are perfect.   Can you imagine, no more bumps and bruises, no more headaches, no more arthritis.  Heaven will be perfect and everyone in it will be perfect as well!

Tuesday, Jul 8th 2008

Bocce Ball

One of the things that I did while I was away in Hawley was to learn how to play Bocce Ball.  I was creamed at the game, but I think that I could learn to be pretty good.  We played with four teams of two.  One person throws the little yellow ball, and everyone else tries to get to be closest to the yellow ball by throwing their designated ball at it.  It is pretty fun

Learning new things is very scary to some people.  They like to just stick to the things that they know best.  By stepping out of our comfort zone and experimenting with new things is how we learn to grow.  Are you willing to step out and learn something new?  Great things are happening at Cornerstone.

Monday, Jul 7th 2008

Time Away

For those of you who are regular readers of this blog, I'm sorry that it has not been updated as of late.  We were away to our former church in Hawley, MN for the last several days.  We were completely away from the internet, so updating was impossible.

We pastored in Hawley, MN from 2001 until 2006.  It was so much fun to go back after being gone for two years and seeing our friends in MN.  It was truly like going home again.  We love them all so much and it was very difficult leaving them.  God is so good though.  They have a wonderul pastor who loves them very much.  The church is continuing to grow.

Hopefully this week I'll fill you in on some of our activities we were a part of.

Wednesday, Jul 2nd 2008

Another Softball Game

Our softball team played Ames Evangelical Free Church for the third time last night. We lost again... for the third time! Man do I want to beat those guys! Maybe we will meet again in the tournament. It is pretty humbling to get beat by the same team three times. The bad thing is that every single game we have just one bad inning and then cannot recover to come back and win.

We did have some bright spots. Mark Klatt pitched well and made some very good defensive plays at pitcher. Shane Dickinson has mastered his position defensively at short stop. Joby Clauson hit a long ball to get a triple. All in all it was a very good game. We play two games next week in Nevada. We hope you can come out and cheer us on.

Tuesday, Jul 1st 2008

Opening Countdown

Over the past several months we have been usung a countdown to show how much time there is before the service begins. We have used trivia, games, music videos, and even smiley faces. We get these countdowns from a company called, Sermonspice. They are rather inexpensive and when we purchase them, they are ours to use whenever we wish. I asked around on Sunday a little bit about the smiley faces. It seems that they "creep" our teens out a little bit!

We like to use video to help aid in our service. Do you like that? Do they help to set the stage for where we are going each week? Please submit a comment so we can gauge your interest level.