Sunday, December 5, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
Man Up or Man Down? Who defines your masculinity? Christ or culture?
Culture is changing and how we work is not the same but does it mean that we are less a man, especially if we are living out our true nature?
To “man up” means to be more of who we already are in Christ.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Another great band of brothers finishing up some good grub and Jesus speak
Does God Exist?
Sometimes we need a simple way to explain things like how to know that God exists in a hurting world.
(Thanks to Judy Brooks for passing this along)
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Discover the Map to the Path Great Men Walk
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Congratulations to Kevin Janisse
Kevin:
Congratulations on your promotion to 7th degree Black Belt and the inheritor of Kong Shin Bup.
Check out Kevin's class on Martial Arts on Tuesday and Thursday Nights at New Hope.See more on Kevin's Face Book page
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/profile.php?id=864220491&ref=ts
Monday, August 16, 2010
Oops! Wrong Father!
Dennis
I heard an incredible story today and I think it is as true for many of us as it is for the person who sent it to me in an email. I quote:
I feel like I’m meeting my Dad for the first time!
My wife’s best friend is a real-life Jerry Springer show. She hadn’t been talking to her dad for a few years, bad situation. He’s a pretty terrible guy. Anyway, she found out a month ago that he isn’t her actual dad, and that her real dad has been trying to find her for 22 years, ever since the one-night stand that produced her. He has prayed for her non-stop since coming to know Jesus along the way.
Once he found her, he and his family immediately came to from a long distance to meet his daughter. She has a new dad! Just like that, everything she thought to be true about her father was completely WRONG and she had a dad! And her newborn, their first, now has a grandfather! Beautiful.
What a story, and I love his take-away from it!. Many of us have been taught that the God of the Bible is a mean, demanding, angry taskmaster and that if we don’t please him horrible things will happen to us. Try as we might to please him, we were never good enough and we end up feeling rejected and all alone. But that isn’t your Father. That’s someone masquerading as him to abuse your love, devour your joy, and destroy your life.
The Father who is really your Father has been searching for you all your life long. He has been closer than your breath, only you may have missed him with all the pretenders. Stop long enough to behold the Father who has always had great affection for you. That’s beautiful too!
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Facebook | William Buchert's Photos - Second version of soap box Car
Check out one of our guys: Bill Buchert and his soap box passion. Go Bill!
Facebook | William Buchert's Photos - Second version of soap box Car
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Here's a Man who wants to see how far he can go!
Meet Pat Bolan - new member to New Hope and a real ambitious guy.
"Big high five" Pat.
My Workout: Small business owner gets serious about triathlons | OregonLive.com
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Living by faith
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Invitation to view Dennis Deardorff's Picasa Web Album - Guys Night Out 6-24-10
Message from Dennis Deardorff: Prizes, good food, mano to mano competition -even a water "chugging" contest (huge burps!). Can't wait to the next one. If you are having problems viewing this email, copy and paste the following into your browser: http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=112551791060803970507&target=ALBUM&id=5494209389408644497&authkey=Gv1sRgCPPL6JLm07LdqgE&feat=email To share your photos or receive notification when your friends share photos, get your own free Picasa Web Albums account. |
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Portland needs to "Man Up"!
Guys - would you agree that Portland could "man up" a little more? Here's a recent survey.
http://www.kgw.com/news/local/Study-says-Portland-not-a-manly-city-96993344.html#
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
One Minute for Men
http://www.millionmightymen.com/1min.htm
Guys
For those of you who attended the NWMC last January, you remember Bill Perkins as one of the speakers. Bill is also one of the founders of the NWMC and on the Exec Team. I think that you will enjoy his "One Minute for Men" internet broadcast. Go to his website and sign up.
Monday, June 21, 2010
A Father's Delight - time with his guys
My Father's Day was a special treat this year with again being able to hang with all of my guys. Along with another dad (Mike Stone - Mark's dad) we spent 4 days in the high country of NE Oregon near Troy fishing, hiking, shooting (lots of noise!) eating tons of food (some not so good for you) and just being guys. What a privilege to have this time and to be able to be with the men of my family. They are all fine men, with great families. God has truly blessed me with this heritage and these times of memory making. Fatherhood is such a great honor. I can see why God so wants to be known as a Father. He gets the delight and pride of watching and seeing His children grow and getting to call them (us) His own. I believe that He also enjoys just "hangin" with His "kin". I wonder what His family pictures look like with all His kids gathered around Him. It would take a galactic size camera for sure!
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Our NH Bicyclers are tough!
Check out the proof that the tough guys bike any time. Hats off to the NH Cycle Club.
http://nhcccyclingclub.wordpress.com
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Annual White River Campout - men who will be boys.
Our guys survived another year in the back country of the White River canyon over the Memorial Weekend. This year saw some new guys ( Josh & Robert) plus some younger brothers. Check out all the pictures at the link.
There are plenty of stories but you have to ask Dennis Engman or Dan Barton to verify.
ooo! ooo!
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/album.php?aid=17742&id=100000555739696
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Monday, May 24, 2010
Finding the right direction in life - Check out this great article by Cliff Young
Walking the Narrow Road
Cliff Young
Crosswalk.com Contributing Writer
Have you ever reached a point in your life where you needed some direction? Where you wanted someone to just show you the path to take or tell you what to do? I have a time or two. It is not very difficult to find "help" in a situation like this. Everywhere I look, I can find people, resources, websites and "solutions" for everything—what I "should" be doing and how to achieve it, how to look better or "fix" something about myself, how to find the perfect job and become wealthy, how to get "more" and be "happy," etc.
Although the world's view of what is important in life (and how to get there) can seem enticing, glamorous and simple at times, it runs contrary to what the Bible instructs us to do.
World: Be like Mike.
Bible: Be like Jesus.
World: The person with the most toys wins.
Bible: It is harder for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 19:23).
World: We deserve everything.
Bible: We don't deserve anything (Psalm 103:10).
World: We are not responsible.
Bible: We each must account for ourselves (Romans 14:12).
Some of us have gradually been influenced over time to strive, pursue and live for those things that are of this world, and have now found ourselves on a different road from what our heart truly desires.
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world (Romans 12:2).
For many of us (singles), our choices may appear to be broader than those who are married or have children since we are able to make many of our decisions strictly based upon our own needs and wants. However, we will be accountable as everyone else for all of our decisions, even more so if we are squandering our time and God-given opportunities.
So, how do we get back on path?
Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life and only a few find it (Matthew 7:13-14).
Have you ever been to a sporting event or concert where you were a part of a large crowd? It is so easy to get swept up and literally carried along. Trying to navigate against the flow is nearly impossible. The only means of escape is finding an alternative path where others would not look or be willing to take. That is what life can be like when we get caught up in what everyone else is doing. The culture of today's society is like a massive current that can engulf and deposit us in some new location far from where we want to be. In order to avoid being misguided, we must actively and deliberately seek the Lord for His guidance, insight and strength in order to recognize these opportunities and options which may be obscured or not as pronounced as the obvious ones. A resolute effort needs to be made on our part for us to see those doors that are cracked open specifically for us.
Sometimes, we may not pursue a course of action due to our own personal fears, weaknesses, doubt or uncertainty. As a result, we turn away and miss out on those narrow hidden paths that were intended for us to take.
The path of life leads upward for the wise to keep him from going down to the grave (Proverbs 15:24).
If you have ever done any sort of hiking, you have surely found it is a great deal easier to descend a mountain on a wide path than traverse a mountain on a narrow ledge. The wide path takes little faith, requires minimal skill and takes little effort. On the other hand, the narrow ledge requires precise calculated steps, utmost attention and trust in knowing where you're headed and who is leading you.
A couple of years ago, a group of friends and I embarked on what we thought would be a relatively short (and easy) hike up Half Dome in Yosemite National Park. Battling muscle cramps, heat exhaustion and dehydration, eight hours, thousands of feet of elevation change and miles of mountain trails later, three of us stood on top of the granite rock.
We could have found an easier hike, changed our goal or given up altogether, but we wouldn't have had the sense of accomplishment, the mutual bond having completed it together or the amazing experience (and pictures) of looking down from above.
Our mountain-top (and God-ordained) experiences don't usually come from living (and settling) in the valleys. They are achieved by stepping out of our comfort zones, away from what everyone else is doing, and walking the narrow path. Our growth occurs when we push ourselves beyond what we think we are capable of and closer to what God made us to be.
We climbed mountains because of what we bring down, mainly an experience of what we're made of—strength, perseverance, determination and honesty (David W. Pierce, Don't Let Me Go: What My Daughter Taught Me about the Journey Every Parent Must Make).
God never promised life would be easy, especially for believers. It is an everyday battle of stretching ourselves, (sometimes) placing ourselves in difficult positions, making the right choices and doing the right thing. As Christians we should be living differently and uniquely from the rest of the world—not following their lead and going along with the crowd. That difference should be exhibited in our lives.
How?
- By choosing not to do what everyone else is just because it's the "cool" or popular thing to do
- By making a decision to do the right thing in the workplace even though everyone else is overlooking or going along with it
- By choosing to follow God's direction for your life instead of pursuing the love of fame, money and wealth
- By honoring God and your commitments in relationships instead of "the norm"
- By allowing the Spirit to lead instead of doing what is "expected"
· By committing everything you do to the Lord
We are blessed as followers of Jesus to have a body of believers who can surround and lift us up when we can't stand, guide us when we have lost our way and instruct us in how to live a righteous life. It is invaluable to have people who walk beside you on your journey.
However, regardless of how many godly and well-meaning friends, family members and wise counselors we may have around us, ultimately, we have to make our own choices and decisions (and mistakes), learn our own lessons, walk our own path and account for our own actions.
We can make every effort to look, act, and be like someone else, nevertheless we will never be the same person nor live the life they live. We were each designed, formed and created uniquely for a specific purpose only we can fill.
Find your own unique purpose on your specific path that leads to the gates of heaven.
Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men (Proverbs 4:14).
Cliff Young is a contributing writer to Sandlot Stories (ARose Books), as well as the monthly column, "He Said-She Said," in Crosswalk.com's Singles Channel. An architect and former youth worker, he now works with Christian musicians and consults for a number of Christian ministries. Got feedback? Send your comments and questions to CYdmg@yahoo.com.
Dennis Deardorff
Director of Community Life
New Hope Community Church
Monday, May 17, 2010
Spiritual Community- Is it safe?
(That's why many people are just not interested in getting into a group. It's too "unsafe". They are content with just the safe environment of Sunday morning, sitting with faces forward, and with little relational risk.-dd)
"Should I stop wanting more? Should I simply go to church, meet mice people, sing good music, listen to decent preaching, cooperate with believers in causes I agree are important? Shall I let go of this mystical idea that we could actually "pour Christ" into one another and become inlamed with the Spirit's power?"
(Who wants to go through the "door" and explore the land of "Aslan" with me?-dd) Sent from my iPhone
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
A true hero to be remembered.
Courage.
You're a 19 year old kid.
You're critically wounded and dying in
the jungle somewhere in the Central Highlands of Viet Nam.
It's November 11, 1967.
LZ (landing zone) X-ray.
Your
unit is outnumbered 8-1 and the enemy fire is so intense, from 100 yards
away, that your CO (commanding officer) has ordered the MedEvac helicopters to
stop coming in.
You're lying there, listening to the enemy machine guns and you know you're not getting out.
Your family is half way around the world, 12,000 miles away, and you'll never see them again.
As the world starts to fade in and out, you know this is the day.
Then - over the machine gun noise - you faintly hear that sound of a helicopter.
You look up to see a Huey coming in. But ... It doesn't seem real because no MedEvac markings are on it.
Captain Ed Freeman is coming in for you.
He's not MedEvac so it's not his job, but he heard the radio call and decided he's flying his Huey down into the machine gun fire anyway.
Even after the MedEvacs were ordered
not to come. He's coming anyway. And he drops it in and sits there in the machine gun fire, as they load 3 of you
at a time on board.
Then he flies you up and out through the gunfire to the doctors and nurses
and safety.
And, he kept coming back!! 13 more times!!
Until all the wounded were out. No one knew until the mission was over that the Captain had been hit 4 times in the legs
and left arm.
He took 29 of you and your buddies out that day. Some would not have made it without the Captain and his Huey.
Medal of Honor Recipient, Captain Ed Freeman, United States Air Force,
died last Wednesday at the age of 70, in Boise, Idaho .
May God Bless and Rest His Soul.
Monday, April 26, 2010
The Temptation to Make a Rule Where God Does Not - via Patrick Morley, Man in the Mirror
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Friday, April 23, 2010
True Discipleship
wiser in God's word but to mature them in His love. It's instruction
in heart and mind purity and authentic faith so that God's love can
flow through them. The gauge of true discipleship is in how loving a
person becomes.
DD
Sent from my iPhone
Monday, April 12, 2010
The NH Bike Club Next Rides - Join in
Two States Ride
April 11, 2010
When: Saturday April 17th
Time: 8am
Location: New Hope Community Church
Trip: Start at New Hope, taking the 205 pathway all the way up into Vancouver stopping for Brunch once there.
http://nhcccyclingclub.wordpress.com/2010/04/11/two-states-ride/Sunday, April 11, 2010
Great Movie and true story for Dads and their kids
This looks like it could be good.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
It wasn't just Jesus that was raised from the dead.
DD
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Its not just the big name guys who are the stars. Look at Jesus
So much of the activity I see among leaders today is focused on reaching the masses. “Successful leaders” speak at big conferences, host popular television or radio shows, publish bestselling books, or write successful blogs. Their goal is breadth. They want to extend their influence to as many people as possible.
Jesus had a much different leadership strategy. His goal was not “reach” or popularity. In fact, as strange as it sounds today, he actively discouraged publicity. On more than one occasion, after performing a jaw-dropping miracle, he told those who witnessed it, “Tell no one what you have seen” (see e.g., Matthew 8:4; 16:20; 17:9; Mark 7:36; 8:30; 9:9; Luke 5:14; and 8:56). He was a publicist’s nightmare.
Instead, Jesus focused on true depth and long-term impact. To achieve this, he had a four-pronged leadership strategy:
- He taught the multitudes. Yes, Jesus had a public ministry. He occasionally spoke to thousands. However, he didn’t pander to these groups or “tickle their ears.” He confronted the status quo, jarred his listeners’ sensibilities, and often taught in parables. He didn’t feel the need to clarify everything. He often left his audience confused and wondering what he meant. His goal was apparently to shift their paradigm and get them to think.
- He mobilized the seventy. Jesus had a smaller, more intimate group to whom he gave specific assignments. He sent them out two-by-two. He asked for a BIG commitment. He gave them virtually no resources. Yet he demanded that they perform miracles. He told them to expect opposition (see Luke 10:1–12) and promised no earthly reward (see Luke 10:18–20).
- He trained the twelve. He chose the twelve disciples to be “with him” (see Mark 3:14a) He taught them and also gave them assignments (see Mark 3:14b–19). However, he also shared with them his daily life. Like the Apostle Paul would do years later, he poured into them his very life (see 1 Thessalonians 2:8). Because of this, he entrusted them with power to do the work he himself had done. In fact, he promised them that they would actually do greater works (see John 14:12–14).
- He confided in the three. Jesus had an inner circle comprised of Peter, James, and John. He took them on special outings (see Matthew 17:1). He allowed them to witness his greatest glory (see Mark 9:2–3) and his deepest temptation (see Mark 14:33–34). He prayed with them (see Luke 9:28f). He taught them things He did not teach the others (see Matthew 17:2; Mark 5:37–43). He even introduced them to His heavenly family (see Matthew 17:3). They were his closest friends and confidants.
Jesus’ leadership strategy evidently worked well. Within a generation, His followers turned the world upside down (see Acts 17:6). Within seven generations (318 A.D.), the emperor Constantine accepted his message and made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire. And here I am, almost two millennia later, writing about it.
After interacting with leaders at every level for more than three decades, my observation is that most leaders only focus on the first two strategies. They have a public teaching ministry, and they are good at mobilizing groups for specific assignments. However, very few intentionally train a small group of disciples. Even fewer build deep relationships with a handful of confidants. As a result, they do not have the kind of lasting impact they could have.
The older I get, the more value I see in going deeper with a few. Leading the masses may feed my ego, but it won’t guarantee an impact that will outlive me.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Check out this resource for sexual integrity
Breaking Free is the blog of Covenant Eyes, Inc.
What we do online impacts our lives offline. Breaking Free is about empowering people with knowledge and resources in the fight against Internet temptations.
We here at Covenant Eyes know good technology needs to be coupled with good relationships as we pursue integrity online. Accountability software is only as good as our relationships to those who hold us accountable. This blog is just one way we hope to bridge the gap between technology and relationships.
Internet pornography, cybersex, and other sensual images online are modern-day threats against God%u2019s standard of sexual purity as expressed in the Bible. But regardless of faith or creed, we desire all people see the importance of not treating others as sexual commodities, either in fantasy or reality. We desire all people to know the destructive effects pornography has on hearts and relationships.
Breaking Free is also a Christ-centered blog. We seek to provide resources that point people Christ as the answer to sexual impurity. He alone forgives us, cleanses us, and brings us near to God. He alone can recapture the human heart, grant repentance from the idolatry of sexual fantasy, and reorient our lives to love and serve our Creator.
- Luke Gilkerson
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Internet Community Manager
CovenantEyes.com