One again Living Hope you amaze me.  What a great weekend.  Wasn't the God's List thing so cool.  At every service, I saw people come up to the banner with their mom, boyfriend or husband and find their name, hugs were exchanged, people were crying, just seeing their picture and realizing that their name is now on God's list, never to be removed, ever.   What matters more?   I am excited that we "get" to "give" to God.  Living Hope you just simply get it.   I couldn't imagine being in another fellowship.   So much love, so much thanks, so much help.     The series is encouraging so many.  Next week Pastor Rick is talking about where is God in Winter.   In those times of loss, how are we to see God?

Thanks to all of you for the encouraging comments on the leadership blog interview I did.   So much more I could have said, maybe next time.   

My family, along with "several" other familes are getting ready to leave for Maui.   I am excited to get away to rest, recreate and spend time with family and people I love.   Danny and Erin are already there.   Pray for us, pray for me.  I really don't like airplanes.   Especially flying over 2400 miles of ocean.   Isn't that a bit weird?   Trust God for so much, but you'd rather take a bus to Hawaii?

Friends, continue to let love win in every conversation, in every relationship and in every circumstance.   The devil is predictable in that he never gives up trying to defeat you and I.  Guard your hearts, guard your minds, guard what comes out of your mouths.   Don't for a second allow gossip.

Mostly this week, enjoy the moment you have in front of you.   So often we strive to get where we aren't. We worry and get so busy this time of year.  Remember what it is all about, have fun and love the baby who grew up, lived perfectly and died for you.

See ya

John

Hi! My name is Erin and I’m Pastor John’s Executive Creative Assistant/Director here at Living Hope. I’m taking it upon myself (because I can!) to let you know about something very exciting. Pastor John was asked by a national Christian leadership blog to post an entry which was a response to some questions they asked him. This blog posts entries from well-known Christian leaders and we are very excited that he was asked to participate! To check it out go to http://leadershipblog.blogspot.com/2005/11/leadership-blog-interview-john-bishop.html

I just want to take a second and say what God did this weekend in the hearts of so many people was amazing.   There were so many people really disposing of trash that has been poisoning their lives for in some cases years.   I never get tired of seeing God break people free from bondage and junk in their lives.   I remember on Sunday the father and son who stood in front of the garbage and both threw stuff in the pile.  They hugged and walked away.   I wonder how different their home life will be this week?  I wonder how different marriages will be?  I wonder how many students released parents from so much stuff.  Hundreds of people who will never be the same because the believe the cross is big enough for even their pain.

I pray that Living Hope is always known as a community of grace.  I pray we never forget the mountain of garbage that God has forgiven us of.   

The Church ought to be the ultimate landfill, where people can come, not be judged, and can drop all of the "stuff" where it belongs.

Amen

John

I need to ask a BIG favor.   

You know the statement I (boldly) made this last weekend, "What would someone do in your  current situation who was CONFIDENT that God was with them?"   Well, I am living that reality at the moment.  We had a problem and I at first was stressed out, and then as I began to think about that statement, I began to think a bit more clearly, because instead of blaming people and becoming frustrated, I began to realize that God allowed this for a purpose.  I think so often we miss the purpose because we are frustrated, depressed or angry.   

God either allows or causes everything that happens to happen.  He allowed the service this weekend not to be recorded.  I had a choice, to be frustrated or to SEE Him in my/our circumstance and to respond to the problem as if He was really with me, because He is.

Here is what I think.   God spoke to so many people this weekend.  I wonder how many people missed something.   What if we could re-do the service?  What if God allowed this to happen because there are some people who NEED to live in the reality that God is with them?   What if each of us could bring a friend, relative or co-worker to the service Thursday night? 

THURSDAY NIGHT 7:00 PM.  Can you be there?   Will you risk inviting someone who may need to hear the central promise of God's Word?   

We are planning some different and cool things.   Try to be there.  There will be food.  If you can e-mail and let us know.   

YES, KidsWorld will be provided.   Who knows, maybe this could be something we do again. 

Stay Blessable!

John

PS:  The Rhino hunt is so fun, you won't believe the e-mails and phone calls.   People are like serious about this.  Please be careful, I expect every Rhino to be returned in mint condition.   

P.S.S.:  The prizes will increase each week, as with Waldo, the Rhinos will be a bit more difficult to locate.   

Have fun

I am so amazed at all the creativity of so many at Living Hope.  When we talked about doing this, I hesitantly agreed and then shook my head and said, "only at Living Hope."   Today I was at the office, and Tabi, Jeremy and others were working on this project.  I hope we have fun with it, I pray we don't get arrested, and I think we are a church that knows how to have fun.   I understand there will be a clue every day on our website?   I also understand that there will be a prize each weekend, at the service the person normally goes to, unless, of course, the Rhino isn't found.  I am impressed with the competition of all you "hunters." 

Here's the thing:  I really love Rhinos.   They are in a group called a "CRASH."  Did you know, a  rhino can only see approximately 30 feet in front of them, they weigh un to 4500 pounds and can run 35 miles per hour.  I love that!   When I grow up, I want to be a Rhino.  I have a fairly intense Rhino collection (well I did until they took some of my collection for this competition.  It was a significant sacrifice, I am still crying, you can't believe the tears, but God knows, He created Rhinos and gave me a love for them.  I will own a real one one day, maybe.  The collection I have is impressive.  I think it would rival anyone in Vancouver.  I may enter contests someday.   In fact, someone gave me a Rhino tie this weekend.  Pretty cool.............. if you want to borrow it, let me know.

Crash on

John

It is 7:10 PM, I am in my office getting ready to go speak.   What a great new series.  I am excited about it.   It is entitled "Where's God."  The premise is what would I do different in my life, if I KNEW that God was with me in and through my current situation.  OK, we know it in our minds that God is with us.  It is the central promise of Scripture.   The problem is, we don't truly believe it for our lives.    Imagine what you would do different if you KNEW right now that God was with you.   The truth is He is!   

I never read any Where's Waldo books growing up.   I never knew that with each page of the book, it gets harder and harder to see Waldo.   I think that is the way life can be for us in relationship to God.  The older I get, the longer I have been with God, the more I think I have figured it all out.   Then something happens, I get a bit derailed and disillusioned in my walk with him.   I can't experience what I don't expect.

This will be a good series, I hope.   I need to go now, Teresa is coming, I have to speak.

Pray for me

John

In less than an hour from now, myself and 13 other leaders from the church are being honored by going on an "adventure."   We have no idea what we are doing, and are a bit nervous.    I am sure it will be great, probably at this time Friday my body will be in pain because as far as I know we are bungy jumping off the I-5 bridge.   

When the days over, I will (if I am able) let you know what happened during this "adventure."

Until then, two things.

One.  All of us love being in control.   We just do, so in a situation as I am facing, it is just difficult to be excited because we aren't in control.   The anticipation turns into to worry.   Then you get frustrated.  Then you give up, believing you will die jumping off the bridge.   

I have learned honestly through this little adventure that every day is that way....if I choose to let it be.  In other words, am I really ever in control?  It is such a false believe to think we are in control of anything, any day, ever.    I know it will be good, adventurous, fun day with friends.  I kinda believe we will have a great time.   

What if I just gave control of every day to God?  Instead of worrying, praying.   Instead of frustration what if everyday we said thanks to God for whatever the day would bring.   Psalm 118:24 says, "This is the day the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it."    It is all about how we see things.   This is the only day you and I have to be close to who we love the most.  This is the only day we have to live to the fullest, to see creation, to hear a bird, to just simply be.   

Two.   I want to thank all the (I'm told) volunteers who have helped with whatever it is we are embarking on today.   The management team (15 people who lead our church) are being honored, and they do so much, it is good to see them excited about this day.   So thank you whomever you are for whatever you've helped with, to bless us with whatever it is.  Seriously.

Here we go..............

John

I am in my office at church, it's 3:15 pm, and there are over 100 volunteers in the building putting finishing details to the weekend service.    Every week, I can't believe we get to do something for God.  This week is especially exciting because it marks nine years.   468 weekends.   All I can say is who would have known?    The video team has worked literally two straight days and nights putting together the videos (Thanks Micaela, Bryan and Nathan...not only are you all talented, your hearts are amazing)    Dave and the worship team are practicing.  The choir is on this weekend, so cool (Thanks to each of you.  Thanks Dave for your leadership and your friendship.  Who would have thought where God would have us?)    To all the artists who made banners for one weekend.  (Erin you are so creative, and happy birthday)   To Kidsworld staff and volunteers.   What you do matters more than you will ever know.  Thanks!  To Teresa, Trinette and so many other volunteers who labor for the sake of one person coming to Christ this weekend.   Remember:  It is a good tired.  I love you all SO MUCH.  What else would we want to do with our one and only life?

This series has been a kick.   God has worked so much.   Thanks Rick and Life group leaders.   Over 70 new groups in barely 5 weeks.   Wow!  God has blessed us in so many ways. 

To our upfront team, willing to do whatever.  Thanks for all you do.

To so many pastors who have ended up at Living Hope.  Dave D, bleep W, Bruce A, John L, Joe G, Rick G.  You are pastors, we are friends and I feel honored to serve Jesus with you.  I pray as God directs, your hearts will be healed, your families will be refreshed and together we can put towels around our arms for the next season of ministry.

To our prayer teams.  You know and God knows!  You make things happen.  Thanks.  Prayer is the engine behind any great work of God.  Please never quit.

To the elders and management team.   You are leaders, servants and God is using your lives.  Guard your hearts, minds and your families.   Thanks for risking so much.  God is honored through your lives and I am inspired to keep running the race.  I can't wait until next Thursday.

To so many of you (Like Eric D) who have crossed the line of faith, and asked Christ into your hearts.  You are why we do what we do.   THANK YOU for trusting Jesus.   Keep letting His faithfulness intersect with your faith.   Never lose the passion you feel right now.

To Michelle.  I am more in love with you today than ever.  You still make my heart jump when you come into a room.  David, Katie and Hannah.  You put meaning into the word "Daddy."   I love each of you the mostest.  I love seeing God work in and through your lives.   

To Jesus.  Thank you for saving me.  I was so lost and now I am full of purpose and joy and love.  I was so blind and you took the scales off my eyes to see so much that I used to miss.   I pray that we always lift up your name, that we always give you the glory for what you are doing in our midst.  It is truly all about you.  Promise.

Nine years!  Wow.   The best days are still in front of us.   

It's worth it!

John

Sorry for not posting anything new for a week.  Every time I sat down to write, nothing seemed to remotely compare to what God had done, so I would sit at my computer watching the little blinkning line for a few minutes and close out and go on.   So since I can't compare, I can tell you something about our family.  So....let me tell you how not smart I can be.   

We have a teacup female poodle that is 3 1/2 years old.  Our family loves her, her name is Sadie. I thought if one dog is good, 2 dogs must be better.  So we searched, found a puppy and proceeded to purchase a second puppy that is 9 weeks old, oh ya and while we were there, David thought how cool, he wanted a dog, so on that fateful night we bought the two dogs the lady had.  Now I am realizing that puppies are ALOT of work.   I also want to point out that although their poop is little, sorry it is still that. It still accomplishes its goal.  Sorry, I am not all that optimistic right now.  I keep telling myself, I am smarter than this.   We have had the dogs for almost a month. They are sprinting around the house, tearing up whatever we haven't put up, eating whatever they find, whining at night.  Check this out,   I haven't even named one of the dogs yet. Maybe Napolean, or Brutus?  The dog is supposed to be all of 3 pounds.   It is black.

I keep thinking what could be worse.  The only thing I think that would be worse is owning three cats.   I am a definite dog kind of guy.  Honestly, the good news is everyone (but me) is so happy.   They love the puppies and all will be well.

Rambings of absolutely no value.

John