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Chapter 3 of The Church of the Perfect Storm was written by Stephan Joubert. We all know we are created in God’s image and designed to follow Jesus. Neuroscientists have determined that we have a “God-spot” in the temporal lobes of our brains that is activated during spiritual activities; therefore, “we are biologically wired to long for God!” (page 44) How about that? If we could only remember that wiring in our day-to-day activities, it would make it easier to follow Jesus’ example in chasing storms.

Jesus came to this earth with a new honor: a slave. True Jesus-followers and storm-chasers must carry that slave honor as well and empty ourselves of everything to welcome would-be family members into God’s household.

As true storm-chasers, we must be like fish out in the midst of the storm, not hiding out in the “aquarium” (church buildings). Fish who spend all their time in controlled aquariums can’t survive once they’re dumped out into the sea. Jesus-followers can’t spend all their time in church buildings; they won’t survive out among the people they’re trying to save from the storm. We need to become living expressions of Jesus, staying close to God as we head deeper into the storm (page 51).

Tags: Books, Ministry by Brenna Phillips
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Chapter 2 of The Church of the Perfect Storm is written by Greg Glatz. Storms come and storms go. The problem is that the church is afraid of storms. Why should the church be afraid of storms when we are being sent out by Jesus to face the storm? He is calm in the middle of the storm. Storms are challenges that can strengthen and refine the church, but the church must ask what it costs to follow Jesus into and through the storm. The church must give up something and it will gain something to prepare for the greatest rescue mission from the storm. Greg Glatz says, “The answer to these crucial questions lies in the oppositional relationship between fear and love. You cannot fear and love” (page 40). For the church to choose love, it surrenders fear. To follow Jesus in and through the storm, the church must choose to love, die to self, and think of others; therefore, the church gives up the fear of the storm and becomes more like Jesus.

Tags: Books, Ministry by Brenna Phillips
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A few months ago I read Len Sweet’s Soul Salsa and loved it. I loved the creative ways of looking at paintings and designs and seeing the Bible messages come through each of those sights. It’s a more creative way of participating in devotions other than simply reading devotions.

There are questions, additional thoughts, and websites at the end of each chapter. I found myself going to my computer to look up those websites and find the paintings and ideas that Len referenced in the book. I love Van Gogh’s painting of The Church at Auvers showing a church building with no doors. There is a person walking up to the building trying to find an entrance. How many times do we make it difficult or challenging for people to find entrance into our churches? Or once they enter our church buildings, how many times is it challenging for them to really connect?

My favorite thought in the book is the love knot. Len illustrates the love knot with the traditional story that a sailor would send his lady friend some fishline loosely tied in a true-lover’s knot. The tradition says if the knot was returned to him just as it was sent, then the relationship wasn’t going anywhere. If the knot was returned tightly tied, then the feelings were mutual between the two lovers. If the knot was capsized, then it was time to ship out and cut the relationship.

After searching the internet and local stores for weeks for love knot jewelry, I showed my jewelry-making friend the picture in the book. And she designed 2 pairs of earrings and a ring for me! They are beautiful, just what I had been looking for, and ORIGINAL! I can hardly wait to show Len at the LEC5 cohort class in May.

Soul Salsa is highly recommended reading for a spiritual-pick-me-up.

Tags: Books, Personal by Brenna Phillips
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Today is my mom & dad’s 39th wedding anniversary. What a blessing to have parents who have been married so many years and have provided role models for me in life, ministry, education, adventure, and fun. May you share many more experiences together.

Tags: Personal by Brenna Phillips
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A few days ago we suffered the loss of one of our fish … Gator. Well, he’s back. No, not the original fish, but Gator II, and he brings a friend with him to the fish tank … a little tiny shrimp. We will call him Bubba … from Bubba Gump Shrimp.

Hopefully they all get along in the tank and provide hours in relaxation sights and sounds.

Tags: Personal by Brenna Phillips
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Interesting post on Why ministers should blog

Tags: Ministry by Brenna Phillips
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