Vision Of Hope 21st Century Church

True Life...

2011-07-09T18:59:00.000-07:00

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What do we call living?

How do we gage our success?

How about our self worth?

1 Timothy 6:17-19
English Standard Version (ESV)

17As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 18They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and(G) ready to share, 19thus(H) storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

Life = Greek = life real and genuine, a life active and vigorous, devoted
to God, blessed, in the portion even in this world of those
who put their trust in Christ, but after the resurrection to
be consummated by new accessions (among them a more perfect
body), and to last for ever.

Simple Faith, Simple Hope, Simple Love.... Simple Jesus.... That is a Life worth living...

Growing In Christ

2011-01-30T19:26:00.000-08:00

Galatians 5:13-17 (The Message)

13-15It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don't use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that's how freedom grows. For everything we know about God's Word is summed up in a single sentence: Love others as you love yourself. That's an act of true freedom. If you bite and ravage each other, watch out—in no time at all you will be annihilating each other, and where will your precious freedom be then?

16-18My counsel is this: Live freely, animated and motivated by God's Spirit. Then you won't feed the compulsions of selfishness. For there is a root of sinful self-interest in us that is at odds with a free spirit, just as the free spirit is incompatible with selfishness. These two ways of life are antithetical, so that you cannot live at times one way and at times another way according to how you feel on any given day. Why don't you choose to be led by the Spirit and so escape the erratic compulsions of a law-dominated existence?

Be Careful What You Promise

2011-01-17T18:56:00.000-08:00

Ecclesiastes 5:2
2 Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your hear to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.

Ecclesiastes 5:4
4 When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow.

Ecclesiastes 5:6-7
6 Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, “My vow was a mistake.” Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands? 7 Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore fear God.

Do you make promises to God? Scripture advises caution before we commit something to God- good advice for any decision a leader must make. Solomon describes three major pitfalls lying in wait for careless leaders:

1. Hasty speech: Leaders must listen as much as they speak.
2. Empty promises: Leaders tend to say what others want to hear. Don't promise what you can't deliver.
3. Lame excues: Leaders dimish their influence when they try to reverse a mistake with a lame excuse.

Quotes: John Maxwell ( Leadership Promises for Every Day)

Leading the Leader

2011-01-12T14:57:00.000-08:00

Genesis 13:14-15 (English Standard Version)
14The LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, "Lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward, 15for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever.

Vision is everything for a leader. It is utterly indispensable. Why? Because vision leads the leaders. It paints the target, sparks and fuels the fire within, and draws them forward. And it is also the fire-lighter for others who follow those leaders. Show me a leader without vision, and I'll show you someone who is isn't going anywhere. At best, they're traveling in circles. To get a handle on vision and how it comes to be a part of a good leader, understand these things.

1. Vision starts within.
2. Vision draws on your history.
3. Vision meets others' needs.
4. Vision helps you gather resources.

One of the most valuable benefits of vision is that it acts like a magnet-attracting, challenging, and uniting people. The greater the vision, the more winners it has the potential to attract. The more challenging the vision the harder the participants fight to achieve it.

Thanks, John Maxwell... The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader

Checklist Before Taking New Territory

2011-01-10T15:02:00.000-08:00

Joshua 1:2-3
2 “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. 3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses.

People need to be shown the team's vision clearly, creatively, and continually. Whenever I endeavor to cast vision with the members of my team. I use the follwing checklist. I try to make sure that every vision messgae possess....

Clarity: brings understanding to the vision (answers what the people must know and what you want them to do)

Connectedness: brings the past, present, future together

Purpose: bring directionb to the vision
Goals: bring targets to the vision
Honesty: brings integrity to the vision and credibility to the vision-caster
Stories: bring relationships to the vision
Challenge: brings stretching to the vision
Passion: brings fuel to the vision
Modeling: brings accountability to the vision
Strategy: brings process to vision

Thoughts from John Maxwell : 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork

Have a great day....
Keith Adkins

Health is Important....

2010-03-11T18:19:00.000-08:00

Have you ever realized how much of a difference exercise can make for your life. Research consistently shows that exercising strengthens your immune system, enables you to deal with stress more adequately, increases your self-confidence and helps you to naturally fight depression and anxiety. Because of the endorphins your body releases when you exercise, being active also provides you with more energy and clarity in your thinking. While exercising aids your body in all of these areas, did you ever realize that exercise also strengthens you spiritually? Think about it. You were created with a purpose and placed on this earth to fulfill a destiny. You have been given your body to help you accomplish the very thing you were created for. When you take care of your body by exercising, you have the energy, tenacity, and focus to handle all of the issues life throws your way while pursuing the purpose you were created for. So take some time for yourself today to exercise and reflect on becoming the person you are destined to be.

We are so excited about this news, so help us spread the word.
Vision of Hope has begun a phenomenal children’s program that is promised to revolutionize the hearts of your children and set them ablaze for Jesus Christ. Come and allow your children to experience God like never before and allow them to see the vision of hope for their future.

United Together

2010-02-13T20:11:00.000-08:00

Through the month of January, Vision of Hope teamed up with four other churches in our community to fast and pray for the hearts and lives of the people of Madison and Huntsville . During this time of fasting, God drew us closer and closer to his heart and we learned, more than ever, that God’s heartbeat is for the unity of believers. Somehow, a mentality of “our church vs. your church” has crept into our society forcing churches to see one another as competition instead of partners. Ultimately, this mindset holds us back from fulfilling the purpose of what the local church is called to be.
More than ever, God is showing today’s 21st century church that He can use people who are unified. The five churches that came together to fast for our city were from different denominations and backgrounds, yet, as we joined together with the same passion and the same purpose, God unified our hearts to see the kingdom of God advanced in the Madison/Huntsville area. Vision of Hope, along with other churches in our community have committed to unite together to see people’s lives changed with the gift of hope that God offers. We are partners in furthering the name of Jesus and we commit to resource one another, pray with one another, hold one another accountable, and work together to see that everyone in Madison/Huntsville hears about our God. Despite our differences, we have linked arms and joined together for the awesome cause of Christ.

My Road

2010-01-05T18:01:00.000-08:00

Church Planting? Who would of thought that starting a church would be so challenging. Thinking a clear vision, a doable strategy, and an idea of a great place of worship would be good enough, wrong, this is only part of it. I have seen in the past 8 months a series of changes within a short period of time. Some good and others would be considered minor setbacks. In all this, I realize there is more than just meeting on Sundays when establishing a local church. With every special event, email invites, updates, and posters being placed on windows of local grocery stores the thought stays the same, "Reaching the City", being consistent, building relationships, putting in the time. We always want a quick return from a small investment. We see in the Bible the investment may be small, but the return will be great. I am reminded of the scripture in Psalms that tells us, "Unless the Lord builds the house, we labor in vain." Please keep Vision of Hope in your prayers as we begin our 21 day fast this Sunday.

21st Century Church What?

2009-10-31T16:44:00.000-07:00

Yes, it's a different tag line for a church, I know. Did I choose this tag to be different? Does it have a meaning? Yes , names mean something. The name by which we label ourselves will govern the actions by which we take in developing ourselves. Everyone views themselves in a certain way. I have found that names are important.

It is my deepest passion to build a 21st century church that "Jesus wants". I have been in church all my life, served in both large and small congragtions, and have seen a lot of ministry styles. But my prayer is Lord don't let me establish this work in familar ways, but let me establish this church (Vision of Hope) in the way you would desire for this generation. A church that will introduce the spiritual shift that is taking place in your kingdom to the 21st century culture.

About My Family

2009-08-14T13:02:00.004-07:00

Amy and I have been marrie for 9 years. We have two wonderful children Madelyn (7 years old) John Garrett (3 years old) we have been in full time ministry for 9 years. God has used us in many different areas of ministry such as church planting, evangelist, youth and children's pastor. Now God has placed it in our hearts to plant a new work in Madison Alabama.We believe the local church is the hope of the world and our deepest passion is to see people experience hope-fulfilled by the power of Jesus Christ. Also we have embraced this call of building the kingdom of God in the 21st century through the local church. With your prayers we will see this hope in our life become reality. "Become Hopefulfilled."

About Vision Of Hope

2009-08-14T13:02:00.003-07:00

Vision of Hope is a revolutionary church striving to reach the 21st century with the power of intimacy of God. It is our goal to instill the hope of a better way to a generation in desperate need of the love of God. Through cutting edge worship, powerful, life changing preaching, creative mulitmedia, visual arts, and the intensity of God's presence colliding in every service to infuse hope in you life and empower you to reach your fullest potential. If you've been thinking that there has to be more to life than this- then you've just found a church that can show you a great vision of hope that God has instore for you!