Here’s a sneak peak at what we’ll be looking at this week.
Christmas Seen – Part 1 Preview
7 12 2010Comments : Leave a Comment »
Categories : Church, Church Plant, Preaching
This CHURCH: Part 3 Preview
30 11 2010You do not want to miss this Sunday. See you there!
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Categories : Church, Church Plant, Purpose
How Could I Not Tell Ya – October 11, 2010
11 10 2010Thanks for checking out this edition of “How Could I Not Tell Ya?” It’s been an incredible season. I am so excited about what God is doing in me and in people around me. I hope you can catch a glimpse of it in this quick review. I LOVE WHAT I DO!
- Another preview Family Worship Gathering this Sunday @ Mahaffie Elementary. Let us know you’ll be there.
- Do you think you can help us get 80 people there so we can get feedback from a decent sized crowd? Please help. Only 3 previews left.
- I want to challenge everyone to get a free twitter account and mention @33Church so that we can tell people about what’s happening.
- This week’s passage rocks my world. It’s John 12:37-50 and I cannot hardly convey how it’s impacted me!!!
- Seriously, what on earth is holding you back from being set free from this (John 12:42-43) issue?
- Watch what Jesus does in the chapters ahead to prove God’s praise of men…He gives up HIS LIFE PEOPLE!!!!
- This is officially the worst Fantasy Football season I have EVER had. Add to that the Packers are riddled with injury…not a good football season.
- We are officially launching 33 Church on November 21, 2010 at 10:00 AM at Mahaffie Elementary. I want you to be there and be a part of this incredible start.
- I’ve been meeting with a personal trainer for about 4 weeks and it is changing my life. In the past couple of months I’ve dropped about 20 lbs and I feel incredible. Thank you God for Marc Williams and for giving me this new energy with my health!!!
- Please be praying for 33 Church. I really believe we are on a mission that will impact the world. Sign up for our e-mail communications here.
Thanks for all your support and for taking the time to read what’s been happening. Life is incredible. God is at work. Stick around for the ride. You won’t want to miss it.
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Categories : Church, Church Plant, Family, How Could I Not Tell Ya
How Could I Not Tell Ya – September 27, 2010
27 09 2010I have been a complete stranger to my blog as of late. Wow, sorry about that. I’ve had over 5,000 hits on my blog and I have not given you much to read lately. I’ll try to pick that up. Here’s some of what’s been going on. Thanks for checking it out.
- Sunday morning was absolutely incredible. I was amazed by nearly every aspect of what happened. From set-up, to singing, to communion, to fellowship, it was incredible.
- The text from communion was written by Sara Nelson. If you would like to read it, or read it again you can do it here.
- The response of people saying they’re in with our launch team is so humbling. Keep bringing it. We are praying for about 30-50 more people to commit before November. Help us out. Let people know what we’re doing and that we would love to have them join us.
- We will have a 33 Church Launch Team Party on October 6 at the Nelson Home. Come be a part of the discussion. The story is being written. More to come in our e-mail communications. Sign up for our e-mails here.
- I challenge everyone that’s a part of 33 Church to get a Twitter account and start talking about what God is doing with 33 Church. Use #33Church in the twwet when you talk about us. Also, start following @ryanknelson and @33church
- In addition to that I encourage you to tweet about what we’re doing during 33 Home Groups and our Family Worship Gatherings. If you’re feeling really crazy, shoot out a twitpic.
- Our 33 Home group last night was incredible. We were looking at Jesus entering Jerusalem. I learned so much from the discussion.
- I wish our next Family Worship Gathering was going to be next Sunday…I don’t want to wait three weeks to do it again.
- Let us know if you’ll be there for our next Family Worship Gathering on October 17, 2010 – Click here.
- I love seeing the voice of 33 Church’s worship being discovered. Jess Hinton is INCREDIBLE!!! It’s a privilege to serve along side her.
- I just got word (literally while I was writing this blog) that we are getting the go ahead on using the incredible facilities at Mahaffie Elementary School. God is amazing!
- Pray for Mahaffie Elementary. The students, the teachers, the administration and it’s surrounding community. We want to be a blessing to them.
- I’m so glad to be moving towards October. In September I was gone for part of every week of the month. I am ready to be done traveling for a while. Whew!!!
- I was in Chicago last week for Story Chicago. Incredible couple of days with some phenomenal people. A great blessing…then there was the traffic…ugh!
- I have a meeting with a fellow from what I believe is the Largest Methodist Church in the country. He wants to learn about what we’re doing at 33 Church. Great opportunity to be about a Kingdom effort. I love doing what I do.
- If you want to see the God of Second Chances video that we saw yesterday you can see it here.
- Pray for 33 Church and the people that are jumping on board with us to do this Kingdom effort.
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Categories : Church, Church Plant, How Could I Not Tell Ya
How Could I Not Tell Ya – September 7, 2010
7 09 2010This past week has been fantastic. I can’t wait to tell you some of the highlights:
- Our “Lord of Life” series has really had a powerful impact on me. Check out some of the studies in this series at Lord of Life Page.
- This week we will be combining our Sunday groups and Monday groups on Wednesday Evening. Going to be a great study.
- Last week was a great week of reflection on our Debut Family Worship Gathering. That event was such a blessing.
- So many questions running through my mind after that gathering. Who will return? What will this group look like in a year? How about 10 years? So fun to dream. We are going to be changing the world.
- I had the opportunity to see the Packers play for the first time in my life. It was AMAZING!!! I was like a little boy.
- Check out some of the photos from our trip to the game on my Facebook page.
- Had an amazing birthday this weekend with my family. I’m 37 years old. Can’t wait to see what God has in store for this year.
- Had the privilege to spend a couple days with my in-laws and my sister-in-law’s family. God is good. I am so blessed.
- About to turn our focus towards our next series “Beginning of the End.” It kicks off on September 26.
- Bring on the NFL season. I’m so ready.
- Here’s my fantasy football line-up. Check it out and let me know what you think.
- Checking out a facility today for a future meeting place for 33 Church. Some big news may be breaking in the next few weeks. Stay tuned.
Thanks for checking in. Be praying for us.
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Categories : Church, Church Plant, Family, How Could I Not Tell Ya
How Could I Not Tell Ya – August 30, 2010
30 08 2010This past week has been one of the craziest weeks we’ve had since we’ve moved to Kansas. It was also one of the greatest weeks. It was filled with preparation and anticipation of our Debut Family Worship Gathering. Here are some of the highlights:
- We were expecting around 40 folks to show up at our Debut Family Worship Gathering and we had over 60. That was so cool!!!
- The folks from Tonganoxie Christian Church provided our childcare yesterday and they did an incredible job!
- I can’t wait to have our next Family Worship Gathering. Incredible time.
- A very special thanks to Robin Kreiger and Missy Hargate and Sarah Robinson for making the facility available for our Gathering on Sunday. Incredibly gracious. Thanks to these ladies and Keller Williams Realty. Go become fans of theirs on their new Facebook page.
- This week we start our new series, LORD OF LIFE, in our 33 Home Groups.
- Here’s the series homepage: LORD OF LIFE. Go check out the latest.
- This week I reconnected with the first coffee shop I visited in JOCO. This is one of the places I saw God leading the way for us to be here.
- Hearing our 20-month old saying “I love you” may be one of the sweetest things in the world.
- The testimony by Lisa Eaton in our study this week is incredible. You’ve got to watch it and share it with everyone you know.
- I love stories of God’s faithfulness.
- We are giving over $750 to Veronica’s Voice from the gifts we collected this weekend. I just shared this with their team and they revealed that it was God’s timing because they just made some new financial commitments that this will help with. God is INCREDIBLE!!!
- I was having a great conversation with a worker at a coffee shop. Then he informed my I was twice his age. Hahahaha!!! Still love the kid.
- Pray for 33 Church as we attempt to secure venues for future Family Worship Gatherings.
I love being able to serve Johnson County as I serve God. This is a great life.
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Categories : Church, Church Plant, Family, How Could I Not Tell Ya, Preaching
How Could I Not Tell Ya – August 23, 1020
23 08 2010Wow, last week was crazy busy. This week is going to be amazing. Here are some things from the past week and things from the upcoming week that I had to tell you about.
- THIS SUNDAY is our Debut Family Worship Gathering. I can’t believe it’s happening. We’ll start getting an idea of what our worship might look like at 33 Church.
- This week’s 33 Home Groups are looking at John 10:22-42. Wow! There is some serious meat in that passage. There’s a lot to wrestle through in this passage. Incredible. If you’re looking at this by yourself I am certain you’re not going to get out of it what you’d get in community.
- In our prayer time last night this came out: “Lord, please take the passivity from us.” Wow!!! Can you imagine what could happen if we allowed that to happen? UNBELIEVABLE!!!
- I survived being a Solo Dad for four days last week while Sara went to visit a friend. It was really great for all of us. I am so blessed!!!!!
- A storm took down some branches on one of our trees on Friday. Then, on Saturday I was cutting the trees up and discovered one wasn’t broken it was just bent. When I cut the end off it sprang up smashed into my face. Here’s the result: OUCH!!!
- We had some friends visit from Albuquerque on Friday and Saturday. So good to see some old friends and share our new life with them.
- On Saturday the family headed down to Arkansas. Spent some time with the Shacklett’s. Ashton and their daughter were instant friends. So fun!!!
- Sunday I had the opportunity to preach at New Springs Christian Church. It was crazy going back to a church that we were a part of when it started 10 years ago.
- I want you to pray for our Debut Family Worship Gathering this Sunday. Pray that the presence of God is with us and that we respond accordingly.
- If you’re in the area I want to invite you to join us for 33 Church’s Debut Family Worship Gathering. I have no idea if we’ll have 30 people or 100. But, whatever the turnout, there will be a passionate pursuit of God. LET’S DO IT!!!
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Categories : Church Plant, Family, How Could I Not Tell Ya
Make Believe – Part 3
13 08 2010In Part 2 I mentioned my daughter dressing up and playing Make Believe for our date. Although she is only 4 now, I anticipate there is coming a day when she will be all dressed up and looking like a princess but it won’t be Make Believe. She will be dressed up and she will be the most important person of the day. I see this happening at her wedding. We have a song she calls “Our Song.” It brings me near tears every time I hear it.
But, in this series of blog posts I want to make a distinction. As a little girl my daughter dresses up to fulfill her imagination. But, on her wedding day she will dress up not for imagination but for a real occasion where she will be the bride. Her Prince Charming will take his princess and sweep her off her feet and carry her away and provide for her and live happily ever after with three children that live just around the corner from us (Oops, a little of my imagination may have slipped in there. Sorry!). But, my point is, there will be a difference for her dressing up on that day and dressing up as a 3 year old.
Make Believe is a wonderful place to visit as a child. However, as adults and as Christians, if we continue to live there we are not becoming what God needs us to be. Hebrews 5:11-14 says:
11We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. 12In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
Followers of Christ, we need to be maturing in our knowledge of God and we need to be using that which we are learning for the purpose of discerning good and evil. We must not make excuses for our wrong actions. We must not be content with a lack of commitment to God, to His church, to the ministry He has placed around us.
The Church must live in the reality of this world. We must be aware of the brokenness of people around us. We must care about the fact that there is prostitution around us destroying women and their families–not to mention what it’s doing to the men and their families. We must be aware that there are homeless people living in the streets of our very city. We must be broken by the fact that there are people around us going to hell because we have chosen to live in our Make Believe world instead of confront the reality of the situation before us that says we, as mature Christians, have to be transformed by the Word of God. Out of that transformation we must make a REAL difference in people’s lives and their eternities.
How are you doing? Are you content in living in this Make Believe spiritual world or are you ready to mature and step into a Reality that changes the world around you?
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Categories : Church, Church Plant, Family, Personal Growth, Purpose
Make Believe – Part 2
12 08 2010My daughter is AMAZING!!! I love to go on “Daddy Dates” with her. We’ve had so much fun.
One year, around Valentines Day, we went on a very special date. She put on here princess dress-up gown. It was just a cheap dress bought for the purpose of being a costume, but it was undoubtedly, in her mind, her princess dress. She was beautiful. Not beautiful like I see my wife–whom I always refer to as “The Most Beautiful Woman in the World,” but beautiful in the sense that she desires so much to be a princess and to look special for our date. It was quite beautiful.
We went out. I bought her flowers. She picked out a tie for me to buy so I’d match her dress. We went to a nice restaurant. The house musician serenaded her. It was a special day for sure.
But, all of this, while special in the moment, was a masquerade in her imagination of what it would be like to be a princess. I call her princess. I want the very best for her. But, she’s not royalty in the sense that she was born into a king’s family (I understand there could be a discussion about being born into God’s family–that’s not where this is going).
This sense of fantasy and make believe is cute when you’re looking at a 3-year-old little girl living in that world. But, so often in the church we see adults living there as well. We have this make believe idea of what it means to be a Christian. While some believe when you accept Christ everything is perfect from that point on. Others believe that you have to “look like” a Christian and not have anything appear to be wrong in life.
THAT’S ALL MAKE BELIEVE!!!
The real Christian walk is ridiculously tough. The real Christian walk is uncertain and requires faith. The real Christian walk is not meant for the eyes of other people. That’s all make believe.
The real Christian walk is meant to be lived out for God. If you’re living this Christian life for other people then you’re living in a Make Believe world. You can stop it. In fact, I don’t just want to give you permission to stop I want to insist that you stop. STOP IT!
Galations 6:1-5 says:
1Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 2Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, 5for each one should carry his own load.
Don’t miss verse 2 where it tells us we are to “carry each other’s burdens.” You were not meant to keep your burdens to yourself. You were not meant to live alone. You were meant for community. You were meant to be supported and encouraged by others. That’s why I believe in 33 Home Groups so much. That’s why I believe you need to be a part of one of our 33 Homes or a part of some other small group community in which you share your real life journey.
You don’t have to live in a make believe world. You really need to quit playing make-believe and start living in the realness of your life–hurts, warts, and all. Let’s quite playing Make Believe. Get plugged into a small community that encourages you to be real.
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Categories : Church, Church Plant, Family, Leadership, Personal Growth, Purpose, Scripture, Uncategorized
How Could I Not Tell Ya – August 9, 2010
9 08 2010Here’s some of the latest thing going on in my world. Thanks for taking the time to come by and catch up.
- This week’s study BLIND Faith comes from John 9:35-41.
- These “Keep the Change” family sheets that go home with the kids at our 33 Home KIDS groups are really great for our family discussions.
- I love hearing my 7 year old and 4 year old tell the stories from Scripture they learn in 33 Home KIDS.
- I cannot wait to experience our Debut Family Worship Gathering. You won’t want to miss it.
- I am anticipating the weekend with a bit of fear and trembling. I will be on my own with all three kids for 4 days. Please pray!!!
- Keep an eye on this blog this week. There will be posts all week long–Monday-Friday. I hope the rest of them challenge you.
- Speaking of prayer, if you want to be part of our Prayer Partner team please e-mail me at ryan@33church.com.
- Please be informed. Click here. It’s simple.
- There’s a special little girl I love named Kaiya. Her family is raising awareness for Rett Syndrome. You can help by going here and adding on.
- Have I told you about the incredible event coming up on August 29 at 10:00 AM. You won’t want to miss it.
- Our BLIND series continues this week with BLIND Trust. Join us on Sundays, Tuesdays, or Wednesdays. E-mail me for more information.
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Categories : Church Plant, Family, How Could I Not Tell Ya
