Sunday, June 27, 2010 @ 12:31 pm by Josh Burcham

Just found this in one of my notebooks, actually I forgot I had it. The second I saw it brought back feelings of hope, hope for people. Too many people walk through this life without hope. They live day to day without a purpose or something to strive for… a life mission. And unfortunately a lot of those people go to the grave never finding what would fill that void and give them hope.

This dollar represent a change for these people. This dollar is the first dollar given to the vision of Ridgepoint Church. It was given by a 15 year old boy that knows God wants to give hope.

I’ve known Jesus a long time and honestly I forget sometimes what Jesus has actually given me that others don’t have. I’m not talking about stuff. What I’m talking about is so much more than that. I’m talking about peace when things get tough, hope when there seems to be none, strength when I don’t think I can keep going and faith that His plan I always perfect. I know that I’m loved with a love that is unfailing. People that love me will always disappoint, their human and it is just in their nature. Jesus loves me no matter what. No matter what I’ve done or am going to do, I’m loved. I’m loved because of His character, not because what I’m actions. Thank you God for loving me even when I haven’t deserved it!

That dollar represents hope for people. Because we don’t need another church. We really don’t. But we do need Christians to live as Christ has called us to live by loving God and loving people. We do need a church that’s focus is helping people meet Jesus.

Ridgepoint Church isn’t just another church, we are a movement of believers doing anything in our power to help people meet Jesus. If that moves something inside of you, God might be calling you into this movement. To make a difference and to give people hope! If that doesn’t move something inside of you stay where you are, because you’re not ready.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009 @ 1:56 pm by Josh Burcham

We complicate things. We take a simple message and add and add until we get to a point where it becomes difficult to find that original message. Jesus came to this earth and left us with a simple command. Love God and Love People.

Over time we have taken this simple command and complicated it. Creating our own commands to help us keep original command. Loosing focus of Jesus on the way. We’ve started to focus on the command, instead of the reason Jesus gave us those commands.

Mark talks about the perception problem that Christianity has. “We are better know for what we are against than what we are for.” He talks about that problem not lying with our churches, but within you and me. We’ve lost focus on the greatest command of Love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our mind and strength.

We need to stop being just okay with the Great Commandment and become great at it. We need to stop focusing on Christianity as a religion and focus back on Jesus. We need to get Primal about our faith, we need to get back to basics.

Primal explores the four elements of Great Commandment: compassion, wonder, curiosity, and power. Moving us from just people that have beliefs to a people that want others to meet Jesus. As primal moves through those four elements, we find ourselves going primal and rediscovering Jesus’ heart within us. Becoming compassionate for the things that break God’s heart; discovering the raw wonder that is beyond logic and words, the place where we step back in awe for God; developing a curiosity that isn’t afraid to ask the tough questions; and experiencing the power and energy that only God can grant.

This is a must read for any Believer or those searching for more to their lives. Take the journey and go Primal with your faith. Get back to the basics and become great at the Great Commandment.

Visit: The Primal Movement

About the Author: Mark Batterson serves as lead pastor of National Community Church in Washington, DC. NCC was recognized as one of the 25 Most Innovative Churches in America by Outreach Magazine in 2008. One church with eight services in four locations, NCC is focused on reaching emerging generations. Nearly 70% of NCCers are single twenty-somethings.

Friday, October 9, 2009 @ 10:51 am by Josh Burcham

No, not: you missed out Francis Chan. More like you missed out, because God spoke through Francis tonight. I’m just under 2,000 miles away, but in Atlanta this week is Catalyst’s tenth conference to next generation leaders. I was bummed to have missed out, but tonight they broadcast via www.catalystbackstage.com the evening session with we were able to listen to God speak and take communion. It was exactly what I needed. I’ve been in a funk the last couple of weeks and tonight I laid my worries at the cross. Worries that I don’t even think about, but worries that I just let sit there. It felt good to let them go and know that I am loved by the Creator of this universe and not only loved, but known by Him. The Holy Spirit worked in my soul tonight 2,000 miles away from the speaker He was using. God is a great God and we have great tools to be able to tell other about that same God.

My prayer tonight was, Jesus let me experience your love personally; like I haven’t before. Allow me to help others experiences that same love.

Sunday, May 24, 2009 @ 2:20 am by Josh Burcham

I’m not a bar guy. I have never really thought highly of bars, because they were never a part of my life. But I went to a bar with a friend tonight and I have to say I liked it. If I was honest, I was nervous. I didn’t know what to expect or for that matter what to do. But I learned something about bars tonight. First, the bar next to my house is a happening place: dance floor, pool tables, video games and a patio. I think I counted at least 6 bar tenders behind the bar and three or four security guards, but people were friendly. More friendly than other place you would hang out at. Probably has something to do with the alcohol, but it was interesting and I would go back.

Here is the truth I walked away with. I’m called to love God and love people. I was intimiated by the bar scene, but have learned it can be a real place to develop relationship to love His people. A place to show Jesus’ love.

I will be going back.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009 @ 1:42 pm by Josh Burcham

An open letter to anyone that could use some help:

Hello,

I know there are a lot of needs within our communities and I would love to be able to help one or more of those needs. It could be anything for anyone. If you know of someone, or a family or even yourself that has any type of need that I can meet, please email me under that contact tab at the top or respond back in the comments. Honestly, it could be anything from yard work, to cooking, to construction, to transportation, to cleaning, etc. I’m just looking to help anyway I can and have a group of friends that are willing to help as well.

Why am I doing this you ask? Because I’ve been blessed with so much and want to be a blessing back to someone else.

Appreciate your help in finding those needs. Thanks.

Josh

Christ calls us to love on others and that is what we are trying to do. If you know of a family or a person that has a need that needs to be met, please contact me and I will do everything in my power to meet that need. Pass the letter on and post it to your Facebooks. Let’s show Christ’s love and stop just telling people about it.