which means praise Yahweh...
I heard many people say that they love the old song that has become popular again Hallelujah. As a pastor I am curious about this, is it the tune or the words? Lets look at the words and start this discussion...
"Hallelujah"
Now I've heard there was a secret chord
That David played, and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do you?
It goes like this
The fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Your faith was strong but you needed proof
You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you
She tied you
To a kitchen chair
She broke your throne, and she cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah
Baby I have been here before
I know this room, I've walked this floor
I used to live alone before I knew you.
I've seen your flag on the marble arch
Love is not a victory march
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
There was a time you let me know
What's really going on below
But now you never show it to me, do you?
And remember when I moved in you
The holy dove was moving too
And every breath we drew was Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
You say I took the name in vain
I don't even know the name
But if I did, well really, what's it to you?
There's a blaze of light
In every word
It doesn't matter which you heard
The holy or the broken Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
I did my best, it wasn't much
I couldn't feel, so I tried to touch
I've told the truth, I didn't come to fool you
And even though
It all went wrong
I'll stand before the Lord of Song
With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Monday, February 1, 2010
February 2010 Rhodes Family Church Planting Update
Dear Family and Friends,
Here we are at the beginning of a new year and God has blessed us in so many ways. We have been blessed with a great place to meet on Sunday mornings as well as a sound system that meets our needs. We are also very excited about our first Sunday morning gathering coming up on February 7th at the Boys and Girls Club. This is a great spot just one block from city hall in downtown Chico. This is also a place that we will begin serving at as a way to continue to reach out to our community.
As we enter into our second year of church planting, we are very excited about what God is going to do. This last year has been an amazing adventure. Fusion has begun to make a name for itself in the community. We have met many people that we are praying will be involved in Fusion in a more active way. Our vision of being a community filled with Faith, Hope, and Love is something tangible to be seen in the way we do ministry. We still have a ways to go.
We are asking that you pray for leaders to emerge in areas such as children’s ministry and worship. We also need prayer for our Sunday Morning gatherings that are beginning this month. And we are still asking for prayer in the area of financial support. We still need more commitments so that we can reach the goal set before us.
On this subject we ask if you would prayerfully consider increasing your current support or making a first time commitment if you have not already done so. If you would like to increase your support you may do so by contacting the Converge office at (209) 830-6222 or going online at www.sunergeo.org/donate.html Just indicate the additional amount you are able to give and you are all set! You may also do this if you would like to commit for the first time. Thank you all for your prayers and support. We are constantly thankful for all of you. You are as much a part of this team as anyone here in Chico.
If you are currently supporting us and have not yet sent in your support for February please do so at this time. Thank you!
Blessings!
Jeremy and Elizabeth Rhodes
Here we are at the beginning of a new year and God has blessed us in so many ways. We have been blessed with a great place to meet on Sunday mornings as well as a sound system that meets our needs. We are also very excited about our first Sunday morning gathering coming up on February 7th at the Boys and Girls Club. This is a great spot just one block from city hall in downtown Chico. This is also a place that we will begin serving at as a way to continue to reach out to our community.
As we enter into our second year of church planting, we are very excited about what God is going to do. This last year has been an amazing adventure. Fusion has begun to make a name for itself in the community. We have met many people that we are praying will be involved in Fusion in a more active way. Our vision of being a community filled with Faith, Hope, and Love is something tangible to be seen in the way we do ministry. We still have a ways to go.
We are asking that you pray for leaders to emerge in areas such as children’s ministry and worship. We also need prayer for our Sunday Morning gatherings that are beginning this month. And we are still asking for prayer in the area of financial support. We still need more commitments so that we can reach the goal set before us.
On this subject we ask if you would prayerfully consider increasing your current support or making a first time commitment if you have not already done so. If you would like to increase your support you may do so by contacting the Converge office at (209) 830-6222 or going online at www.sunergeo.org/donate.html Just indicate the additional amount you are able to give and you are all set! You may also do this if you would like to commit for the first time. Thank you all for your prayers and support. We are constantly thankful for all of you. You are as much a part of this team as anyone here in Chico.
If you are currently supporting us and have not yet sent in your support for February please do so at this time. Thank you!
Blessings!
Jeremy and Elizabeth Rhodes
Monday, January 18, 2010
be careful what you pray for...
This morning getting ready I prayed that God would lead me to the person he wants me to speak to today. He did. That was an investment that I was not prepared for, much patience was needed, God granted me to the needed tools and I learned something new.
I spent a long time speaking with a man who really needed someone to talk to, he was a little different but still needing love like all of us. That is the challenge of ministry.
Matthew 25:22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’
How could I expect to lead a ministry if I cannot love one awkward person? How could I be a servant of Jesus if I cannot love the least of these? The everyday of following Jesus is being faithful with little things.
I spent a long time speaking with a man who really needed someone to talk to, he was a little different but still needing love like all of us. That is the challenge of ministry.
Matthew 25:22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’
How could I expect to lead a ministry if I cannot love one awkward person? How could I be a servant of Jesus if I cannot love the least of these? The everyday of following Jesus is being faithful with little things.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
reflections of time well spent...
We are coming up on completing our fist year as Church Planters. We moved to Chico on January 17th 2009 with a plan and a vision. Now a year later the vision remains but the plan has been reworked many, many times. the words of James ring clearly in my ears. James 4:13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— 14 yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For t you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. 15 Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”
We have remained flexible and now preface all of our plans with if God is willing. As we come into the new year we see things falling into place and we are really excited. So we will be taking the month of January to hold prayer meetings dedicating our work and the work of Fusion Church to God. We are inviting Pastor's and intercessors from other Churches in town to join us for prayer. I want to make sure that we are truly following after God every step of the way as well as working together with other congregations and believers in town.
I would like to invite all of you to prayer with us in the next month as we follow after God in the new year.
We have remained flexible and now preface all of our plans with if God is willing. As we come into the new year we see things falling into place and we are really excited. So we will be taking the month of January to hold prayer meetings dedicating our work and the work of Fusion Church to God. We are inviting Pastor's and intercessors from other Churches in town to join us for prayer. I want to make sure that we are truly following after God every step of the way as well as working together with other congregations and believers in town.
I would like to invite all of you to prayer with us in the next month as we follow after God in the new year.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
in need of prayer
We have made it through all four of our preview gatherings. The next step is some prayer meetings and a launch. Please pray for us as we look at what it will mean for us to meet every Sunday morning.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
November 2009 Rhodes Family Church Planting Update
Dear Family and Friends,
Here we are again. The end of the year is fast approaching and we can’t believe how quickly it has flown by!! As we come close to Thanksgiving we are realizing how much we have to be thankful for. We are also reminded that we should be thankful to our Savior everyday, not just once a year!
First off we are very thankful for all of you. We are thankful for those that have committed to us financially and have faithfully given every month. We are thankful to those that have committed to pray for us and are doing so regularly. We feel those prayers covering us and are very comforted by them.
We are also thankful for the work God has done in Chico. Our last preview service had a great turn out. We had a wonderful intimate time of worship and heard a powerful testimony and message. The relationships we have built here are growing stronger daily. Jeremy continues to serve regularly at the Jesus Center and making a positive impact in the community. Fusion Church is getting known and building a solid reputation in the community.
Jeremy is in talks with the Chico Fire Department about becoming their Chaplin. This is an amazing opportunity for him to give back to a group of men who are constantly giving to the community and keeping us safe. A lot of these men do not know the Lord and it is a great opportunity to minister to them. We should know more about this in the coming weeks and will keep you posted
As you well know we are in the thick of fundraising an additional $1,000 a month. Well God has proven faithful once again and we are already half way there!! We ask that you pray with us as we continue to work towards our goal. If you are already giving to us and find yourself in a place where you can increase your giving you may do so by contacting the Converge office at (209) 830-6222 or going online at www.sunergeo.org. Just indicate the additional amount you are able to give and you are all set! You may also do this if you would like to commit for the first time.
As always we thank you and praise God for you!! We hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Blessings!
Jeremy and Elizabeth Rhodes
Email: pastor.jdr@gmail.com
Church Website: www.fusionchico.com
Here we are again. The end of the year is fast approaching and we can’t believe how quickly it has flown by!! As we come close to Thanksgiving we are realizing how much we have to be thankful for. We are also reminded that we should be thankful to our Savior everyday, not just once a year!
First off we are very thankful for all of you. We are thankful for those that have committed to us financially and have faithfully given every month. We are thankful to those that have committed to pray for us and are doing so regularly. We feel those prayers covering us and are very comforted by them.
We are also thankful for the work God has done in Chico. Our last preview service had a great turn out. We had a wonderful intimate time of worship and heard a powerful testimony and message. The relationships we have built here are growing stronger daily. Jeremy continues to serve regularly at the Jesus Center and making a positive impact in the community. Fusion Church is getting known and building a solid reputation in the community.
Jeremy is in talks with the Chico Fire Department about becoming their Chaplin. This is an amazing opportunity for him to give back to a group of men who are constantly giving to the community and keeping us safe. A lot of these men do not know the Lord and it is a great opportunity to minister to them. We should know more about this in the coming weeks and will keep you posted
As you well know we are in the thick of fundraising an additional $1,000 a month. Well God has proven faithful once again and we are already half way there!! We ask that you pray with us as we continue to work towards our goal. If you are already giving to us and find yourself in a place where you can increase your giving you may do so by contacting the Converge office at (209) 830-6222 or going online at www.sunergeo.org. Just indicate the additional amount you are able to give and you are all set! You may also do this if you would like to commit for the first time.
As always we thank you and praise God for you!! We hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Blessings!
Jeremy and Elizabeth Rhodes
Email: pastor.jdr@gmail.com
Church Website: www.fusionchico.com
Monday, October 12, 2009
October 2009 Rhodes Family Church Planting Update
Dear Family and Friends,
This month we held our second preview gathering! This time around the gathering reflected our vision and what we want to do here in Chico. We are very excited for the way that God touched the people who came. We once again saw people find us through different avenues and it was great meeting them for the first time. We are praying that these people with connect with us and come back again.
After the gathering on Sunday night we invited people to come to a Thursday Night Bible Study. We have been encouraged by the people who have came to our Bible Study and more people who seem to be interested. We are going to be going through the book of Romans. Please pray for us as we struggle through the hard concepts in this book.
It has been an adventure coming to the community with a few contacts and seeing God make great connections. We are humbled by the way that God has brought healing to some and friendship to others. We stand amazed by his grace to us through the fulfilling work that he has allowed us to do. We are truly blessed by the support that we have received through prayer and financial gifts.
God is doing great things in Chico and he is using all of you as his vessels to make that happen. Thank you for your continued support financially and prayerfully. We have 3 months to raise $1,000 more a month so if you find yourself in place where you can increase your support we would be very appreciative. We ask that you pray with us that we will reach this goal and also that God would continue to grow his church in Chico.
Also if you are not currently supporting us, but now find yourself in a position to do so, now is the time. You may increase your giving or make a first time commitment at http://www.sunergeo.org/donate.html. If you have not yet sent in your support for October please do so at this time. Thank you again for your support. We are also always praying for each of you and thanking God for you!
Blessings!
Jeremy and Elizabeth Rhodes
Email: pastor.jdr@gmail.com
Church Website: www.fusionchico.com
This month we held our second preview gathering! This time around the gathering reflected our vision and what we want to do here in Chico. We are very excited for the way that God touched the people who came. We once again saw people find us through different avenues and it was great meeting them for the first time. We are praying that these people with connect with us and come back again.
After the gathering on Sunday night we invited people to come to a Thursday Night Bible Study. We have been encouraged by the people who have came to our Bible Study and more people who seem to be interested. We are going to be going through the book of Romans. Please pray for us as we struggle through the hard concepts in this book.
It has been an adventure coming to the community with a few contacts and seeing God make great connections. We are humbled by the way that God has brought healing to some and friendship to others. We stand amazed by his grace to us through the fulfilling work that he has allowed us to do. We are truly blessed by the support that we have received through prayer and financial gifts.
God is doing great things in Chico and he is using all of you as his vessels to make that happen. Thank you for your continued support financially and prayerfully. We have 3 months to raise $1,000 more a month so if you find yourself in place where you can increase your support we would be very appreciative. We ask that you pray with us that we will reach this goal and also that God would continue to grow his church in Chico.
Also if you are not currently supporting us, but now find yourself in a position to do so, now is the time. You may increase your giving or make a first time commitment at http://www.sunergeo.org/donate.html. If you have not yet sent in your support for October please do so at this time. Thank you again for your support. We are also always praying for each of you and thanking God for you!
Blessings!
Jeremy and Elizabeth Rhodes
Email: pastor.jdr@gmail.com
Church Website: www.fusionchico.com
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