In this issue:

Cover & Monthly Prayer P.1 God’s Grace Poured Out P.2 Meeting Famous People P.4

Christian Maturity 10 Steps P.5 Hidden Gifts P.6

Dream Big P.6 Closing Remarks P.7

This months prayer:

Heavenly Father, we come before you

today to ask your forgiveness and to

seek your direction and guidance. We

know Your Word says, 'Woe to those

who call evil good,' but that is exactly

what we have done. We have lost our

spiritual equilibrium and reversed our

values. We have exploited the poor

and called it the lottery. We have re-

warded laziness and called it welfare.

We have killed our unborn and called it

choice. We have shot abortionists and

called it justifiable. We have neglected

to discipline our children and called it

building self esteem. We have abused

power and called it politics. We have

coveted our neighbor's possessions

and called it ambition. We have pollut-

ed the air with profanity and pornogra-

phy and called it freedom of expres-

sion. We have ridiculed the time-

honored values of our forefathers and

called it enlightenment. Search us, Oh

God, and know our hearts today;

cleanse us from every sin and set us

free. Amen!'

By Pastor Joe Wright, Central Christian

Church, Wichita, KS

Bcuz of Jesus A monthly journal of God’s grace and good news!

ISSUE 01 NOVEMBER 2012

He has showed you, O man, what is good.He has showed you, O man, what is good.

And what does the Lord require of you?And what does the Lord require of you?

To act justly and to love mercy To act justly and to love mercy

and to walk humbly with your God. and to walk humbly with your God.

—— Micah 6:9 (NIV 84) Micah 6:9 (NIV 84)

God’s Grace Poured Out

-What is it like to see God’s grace

poured out through the small things?

Read this story of my weekend retreat!

Dream Big

-Have you ever wanted to get to something

big but needed a little encouragement to

get there? Read this poem!

God’s Grace Poured Out My story about the MoMENtum men’s retreat...

This past week was very tough for me. At times I even felt like giving up. I was at rock bottom in my life and several

times I even contemplated taking my own life. Several times I looked at my situation and thought to myself that there was

nothing that could bring me out of the pain. Over the past several months I was running from God. My running came from

an experience I had at a former church which caused me to lose my trust in God. I began to run from God for fear that I

would be hurt again. I really hated God because of what someone who claimed to be a servant of God had done to me.

This last week I was invited to the Men’s Retreat with Fellowship of the Rockies church and was offered the oppor-

tunity to go on scholarship. I immediately accepted thinking, “oh I will finally get a vacation.” So finally the day came when

it was time to leave for camp to go on what I just expected to be a “vacation.” Before I go into more detail, let me give you

some more background into my life before this retreat. For many months I was pretending to be someone whom I was not. I

pretended like I had it all together, like my life was perfect, and that I was the best Christian kid out there. Really, all I did

was put on a mask, a mast that hid how I really was feeling and what my actions were between Sunday’s. Each Sunday I

would go to church and put on a show. I made it look like I was worshiping God with all my heart, soul, and mind, when

really I wasn’t. After every Sunday I would go right back to my sinful ways, doing things that surely were not of God. I was a

pretender.

So back to the “vacation.” While we were driving to Horn Creek camp in Westcliffe, Colorado, I pondered what it

would be like at the retreat. I was thinking about how I would continue to look like I had it all together and that nothing

was wrong. I was also planning out how I would keep my pretending to be someone I was not going. Telling lie after lie to

cover up the truth. We arrived at the camp and immediately started setting up the gathering room to meet the needs of the

weekend. Once we finished setting up, all who had already shown up got their room assignments. I was assigned to room at

with my friend who came with me on the retreat. As I walked to my room with my luggage I seen a sign on the entry to the

hall that stated, “Rooms 5-10 Jonah Suite.”

After seeing this sign on the hall, I thought to myself, “maybe I should go read Jonah.” I had not head Jonah in years

and this was just a start in God preparing me for what he had to come later in the weekend. In chapter 1 of Jonah that Jonah

was fleeing God. At first I did not make the connection between myself and this passage. After reading Jonah chapter 1 I re-

ally didn’t think anything about it and just went on unpacking and getting on the internet. Later that afternoon in the first

worship and message time I felt like I was working hard to pretend that I was getting something from that time.

Our guest speaker was Robert Amaya, an actor from the movie Courageous, and he came to speak to us about being

Courageous. His first message was entitled “Sincere Hypocrisy – Believing What You Are Pretending.” His first question to

us was, “Do we ever say something we don’t mean?” Many of us agreed that yes, we have done that. So as Robert was going

on through his message I had some questions of my own that I wrote down to get me thinking later. One of those questions

was, “Am I playing a role using church lingo to act like I have it all together?” Another one was, “Am I deceiving others in

the way I am living?” And yet another one was, “Do I take to much credit for things God is doing through me?” Of course I

had answers for all of these… the typical church answers that is. During this first message from Robert I felt like he was just

talking directly to me about where I was at currently in my life.

Robert was truly listening to God, and I felt like God had told him every single thing I was struggling with. He knew

everything about me it seemed. Robert asked that question, “What is your secrete hidden sin?” For obvious reasons this was

a rhetorical question just to get us thinking and then he asked yet another question, “Do you need to seek out help from

God and other men around you?” I knew exactly what my deep hidden sin was and why it was not something that God

would approve of. I kept pretending for so long that my deep hidden sin was not a problem. At the end of Robert’s first mes-

sage he said that in order to get over this sin we not only had to confess it but that we had to say NO to satan and YES to

liberty in Christ.

We took a brief break and then jumped back into another message from Robert Amaya. This next message he had

for us was talking about Courageous Fatherhood. Yes there were some of us in the room that did not have children and were

not married but it was surly a lesson for the future. Robert said he had been reading from Hosea that morning and got a lot

of spiritual food from it, he even recommended that if we had not read it in a while to go back and read it again. Of course I

did write myself a note to go back and read it. .” Continued on Next Page.

Bcuz of Jesus A monthly journal of God’s grace and good news!

God’s Grace Poured Out My story about the MoMENtum men’s retreat...

Bcuz of Jesus A monthly journal of God’s grace and good news!

CONTINUED: In fatherhood there is so much joy of having a beautiful child in your arms, caring for them, loving on them, and providing for their every need. When we have take a road that leads to destruction we find that our joy has left. Robert talked about how we are the greatest influence in our children’s lives. He stated, “If you are not the greatest influence in your child’s life, you cannot call yourself their father.” Proverbs says in 27:8, “Like a bird that strays from its nest is a man who strays from his home.” Have we forgotten how to be a man? Robert said there are 2 primary ways we can identify a biblical man. One is by the work of his hands. Genesis 2:15 says, “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” 1 Timothy 5:8 says, “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” This is how we can ID those who really do live as biblical men based on works. Second we can ID a biblical man by the word of God he obeys. Do you have a high view of God? If not, why? Close your eyes, imagine the majesty of God and all creation surrounding him and praising him. Can you see why God is so big and can do big things in our lives!?! Have you softened the gospel message for yourself and those around you? Do you have a biblical attitude? Robert Amaya said, “The environment we create is the evidence of what we believe. We can easily pro-voke others just by our example. Proverbs 22:6 says, ” Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” Are you training future generations in the word of God? If we are the example to children and we don’t show interest in them, especially our own children, then why would they want to believe God is interested in them? Remember we are responsible for training our youth in the right directions for a life of being a Christ follower. Responsibility build character. I went into all that great detail about what Robert Amaya was saying to lay the foundation for what happened to me next during our Courageous retreat. After we heard the messages from Robert we broke out into our small groups. In this group time I shared with others how I felt that my dad was surely not there and how it had effected me. When we were done, we had a long free time until our next activity. So during this free time, like Robert encouraged us to do, I went back to my room and was going to sit down and read through the book of Hosea again. When I sat down to do so I found my self skipping over Hosea and going straight into Joel. I looked at the subheadings and found one that caught my interest. The subheading was “Rend Your Heart.” Joel chapter 2 starting in verse 12 through 14 says, “Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gra-cious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. Who knows? He may turn and have pity and leave behind a blessing— grain offerings and drink offerings for the Lord your God.” After reading this passage I knew fully what it meant to “Rend Your Heart.” It meant that I had to rip my heart open for God. It was with this passage that my mind began racing, thinking about what God was saying to me through the scriptures he had been leading me to. First he lead me to Jonah who was fleeing from God, then he took me to Joel where he commanded that I return to him.I really got to thinking about what God was saying through all these scriptures. I took some time now to sit back and write out my prayer to God. I said, “Lord, I have been fleeing from you. Running so far away that I feel there is no way I could ever make it back to you. Lord if it is your will, please Lord, bring me back to your family. God, I am so ashamed of my sins against you and your people. My lips have spoken evil and even caused problems between me and others. God I need you! In Joel 2:12 you are calling me back to you. God I pray that I may return back to your kingdom. God if there has to be fasting, weeping, and mourning, then so be it. God you are gracious and compassionate to me, and Lord, I know I do not deserve your grace, love or forgiveness. God pour out your spirit upon me. Restore me to your kingdom. Jesus I ask for your forgiveness for my sins. I ask Lord that you would clean the slate. God I pray for your strength to keep away from these sinful things. God guide me to the right man here at the retreat to talk to about my sins. Amen.” It was with that prayer that God did speak and lead me to the right man to talk to. I went up to a man named Tom, who was my group leader and I told him that I would like to talk to him later when he had time. He agreed to talk with me and I felt such a relief that that part was over. We finished out our free time and then had dinner. Following dinner we watched the movie, Courageous. When watching this movie it was very hard to hold back emotions. Seeing God move in my own life and being able to relate to everything that was happening in the movie with all the characters. It was very hard to go to our small group session following the movie to discuss the resolution. We discussed the resolution and my group leader Tom asked each of us to point out on resolution we thought we needed to work and and tell everyone about it so we could all pray for each other and hold each other accountable. Everyone else went and it finally came back around to me. The resolution I choose was to be a chain breaker. I choose this because I did not want to be like my earthly father and become a drunk or drug addict. It was very hard to tell my story of what it was like growing up with a father that was not there when I needed him or did not ever say, “Son, I’m proud of you.” This was a very emotional time for me, not only because of how I related to the movie but because almost everything in the movie was near to what it was like for me. CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE.

God’s Grace Poured Out My story about the MoMENtum men’s retreat...

Bcuz of Jesus A monthly journal of God’s grace and good news!

CONTINUED: After the group session time I stayed back and as agreed earlier, Tom and I chatted. It was not easy to confess my sins before him and to tell him one of my greatest fears. One of the questions that Robert stated he was asked when apply-ing for the position to be an actor in the movie was, “How do you know you are really saved?” I told Tom that I really had no idea how I would answer that question of if I could even say I was saved and would go to heaven. With the way I had been act-ing over the past several months I felt there was no way that I would ever be good enough for God that he would want to let me into his kingdom. After much fasting, weeping, and mourning as I had told God earlier in the day, “so be it.” After me and Tom got through all I had to confess he asked me if I wanted to renew my faith in Christ Jesus to which I said yes. He asked me to pray with him to rededicate my life to Jesus in which I did sobbing and barely able to speak. Then Tom prayed over me and I felt a huge weight come off of my shoulders and I felt like I had a daddy again. God is the best dad-dy that anyone could ever have. To experience what I did was one that I will never forget. Joel 2:12 is a passage I will also never forget because the day after I had a major conformation that God was using that passage to touch my life because he used it to touch the lives of 3 men who accepted him for the first time and many others who rededicated their lives to Christ because he spoke to me and then used his speaking to guide the retreat coordinator in using that passage for an alter call at the end of the retreat. Thank you for taking the time to read my story. I’m sure many of your have been at your wits end and are not sure where to turn. I encourage you to just look around you. God is giving you signs all around to help guide you in the right direc-tion. They may not be big bold signs but they are there. If you have not accepted Christ in your life may I encourage you to do so today! If you are a believer and you feel lost or are running from God, may I encourage you to stop running and return to Jesus. God has a plan for each of us and he guides in the ways that he wants us to go. If you are questioning your faith in Jesus ask yourself this one thing, do you believe you could ever lose your salvation? God is there for you. Just listen to the little things because they could lead to something huge!

“So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart. Trouble no one about their religion; respect others in their view, and demand that they respect yours. Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people.

When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song and die like a hero going home.”

~ Tecumseh

How do you keep your head from blowing up when you meet someone famous? Well you

just remember they are just another person just like you. The last weekend of October I

have the opportunity to meet and hear messages from Robert Amaya who played the role

of Javier Martinez in the movie Courageous. Meeting Robert was a huge blessing to me and

I was easily able to make a connection with him because of my background in acting as

well. God used Robert to speak to me and many other guys at the MoMENtum men’s re-

treat. Through the messages from Robert Amaya and the Courageous movie 3 men at the

retreat gave their lives to Jesus for the first time along with many others who rededicated

their lives to Jesus over the weekend. I to rededicated my life to Jesus because I realized

that I was not on the right track with him. It was awesome to see so many guys in one

place worshipping God and giving their lives to Jesus!

Left: Robert Amaya; Right: Dustin

Cox, during the photo shoot.

Horn Creek

Camp and

Retreat

Center

Meeting famous people...

Christian Maturity 10 Basic Steps What does it mean to mature as a Christian?

Bcuz of Jesus A monthly journal of God’s grace and good news!

The uniqueness of Jesus (Intro)

Every day more and more people everywhere are get-ting excited about Jesus of Nazareth. Wherever the true message of Jesus Christ has

gone, people and nations have been revolutionized, resulting in new life, new hope, and new purpose for living.

The Christian Adventure (Step 1)

Have you been living in spiritual defeat – powerless and won-dering if you can make it as a Christian? This study will show you how to enjoy what millions of other Christians around the world have experienced – the adventure of a full, abundant, pur-poseful and fruitful life in Christ.

The Christian and Abundant Life (Step 2)

Have you ever wondered if there was something more exciting than you are experiencing as a Christian? This step describes the Christian way of life – what it is and how it works practical-ly. The study discusses the problems of sin and temptation and the spiritual warfare of life.

The Christian and The Holy Spirit (Step 3)

Is your life filled with purpose and power? Are you living in joy and victory? Or does your Christian life seem dull? Discover how the revolutionary power of the Holy Spirit can help you rise above your discouragement and defeat and move into a life filled with God’s supernatural power.

The Christian and Prayer (Step 4)

Prayer is the most revolutionary source of power known to man. This step will teach you how to tap into this power. The truths you learn will ignite your spirit.

The Christian and the Bible (Step 5)

The Bible – God’s holy, inspired Word – is without comparison. The heart-warming story of God’s love for mankind, the Bible is an exciting and joyful adventure of reading, meditation and study. No other book written can equal it. And no one can live a full, abundant, supernatural life without daily drawing upon the supernatural resources of God’s word.

The Christian and Obedience (Step 6)

What is the secret to personal purity and power as a Christian? How can you experience a deep, abiding sense of God’s holy presence as a way of life? Surrendering to the will of God and living daily in His grace is the key.

The Christian and Witnessing (Step 7)

Now you can learn to share your faith with confidence in the power of the Holy Spirit. The principles presented in this step have been learned on the front line of experience. They have changed millions of silent, guilt-ridden Christians into radiant witnesses for our Lord.

The Christian and Giving (Step 8)

Does God reserve a special blessing for those who give gener-ously to His work? Does the “Law of the Harvest” hold true to-day? Can you give liberally and still miss God’s blessing? Learn the answers to these and many other vital questions concerning your money.

Exploring the Old Testament (Step 9)

Is the Old Testament a big mystery to you? Do you wonder if it is really important for the Christian? What does the Bible mean when it talks about a time of law and a time of grace? And who are some of the major players in the drama of God’s dealings with mankind? This step explores the answers and shows what God did to prepare the way for Jesus Christ.

Exploring the New Testament (Step 10)

What is the key idea of each book in the New Testament? Why do we have four Gospels? Why did Paul write so many letters? And what is in store for us in the not-too-distant future? This step explores the answers and surveys the message of the New Testament as a whole. The study shows the focus of the four Gospels and highlights the exciting beginning of the Church.

———————————————————————————

From the Campus Crusade for Christ

Hidden Gifts An inspirational story...

Bcuz of Jesus A monthly journal of God’s grace and good news!

A young man was getting ready to graduate college. For many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealer’s showroom, and knowing his father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted. As Graduation Day approached, the young man awaited signs that his father had purchased the car. Finally, on the morn-ing of his graduation his father called him into his private study. His father told him how proud he was to have such a fine son, and told him how much he loved him. He handed his son a beautiful wrapped gift box. Curious, but somewhat disappointed the young man opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible. Angrily, he raised his voice at his father and said, “With all your money you give me a Bible?” and stormed out of the house, leaving the holy book.

Many years passed and the young man was very successful in business. He had a beautiful home and wonderful family, but realized his father was very old, and thought perhaps he should go to him. He had not seen him since that graduation day. Before he could make arrangements, he received a telegram telling him his father had passed away, and willed all of his posses-sions to his son. He needed to come home immediately and take care things. When he arrived at his father’s house, sudden sadness and regret filled his heart. He began to search his father’s important papers and saw the still new Bible, just as he had left it years ago. With tears, he opened the Bible and began to turn the pages. As he read those words, a car key dropped from an envelope taped behind the Bible. It had a tag with the dealer’s name, the same dealer who had the sports car he had desired. On the tag was the date of his graduation, and the words…PAID IN FULL.

A poem by: Sandy Olson-Loy Dream Big

If there were ever a time to dare, to make a difference, to embark on something worth doing, it is now. Not for any grand cause, necessarily-- but for something that tugs at your heart, something that's your aspiration, something that's your dream. You owe it to yourself to make your days here count. Have fun. Dig deep. Stretch. Dream big. Know, though, that things worth doing seldom come easy. There will be good days. And there will be bad days. There will be times when you want to turn around, pack it up, and call it quits. Those times tell you that you are pushing yourself, that you are not afraid to learn by trying.

Persist. Because with an idea, determination, and the right tools, you can do great things. Let your instincts, your intellect, and your heart guide you. Trust. Believe in the incredible power of the human mind. Of doing something that makes a difference. Of working hard. Of laughing and hoping. Of lazy afternoons. Of lasting friends. Of all the things that will cross your path this year. The start of something new brings the hope of something great. Anything is possible. There is only one you. And you will pass this way only once. Do it right.

Pueblo, Colorado

http://Bcuzofjesus.wordpress.com

This months scripture:

“Even now,” declared the Lord, “

return to me with all your heart,

with fasting and weeping and

mourning.” Rend your heart and

now your garments. Return to the

Lord your God, for he is gracious and

compassionate, slow to anger and

abounding in love, and he relents

from sending calamity. Who knows?

He may turn and have pity and leave

behind a blessing — grain offerings

and drink offerings for the Lord your

God. — Joel 2:12-14 NIV 1984

Bcuz of Jesus

ISSUE 01 November 2012

Closing Remarks

Bcuz of Jesus

Over the past few days I have been thinking about what it is going to

be like to be in heaven and what types of questions I would ask God. I

didn’t come to this sort of thinking before I became a Christian. God

hides his blessings from those who do not believe in his son Jesus.

In Mark 16 God tell us that we must believe in Jesus in order to live

eternally and also not be condemned for our sins. In John chapter 3

verse 16 God says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one

and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have

eternal life.”

With unbelief comes condemnation and eternal life in hell. God does

not want to see anyone live eternity separated from him. He loves all

those he created. When you look at Genesis during the creation of the

earth God got to the seventh day when he created man. Up to then he

looked at what he created and said it was good but when he created

man he said it was “Very Good.”

Can you believe that! God said you are very good and that he loves

you so much that his son gave his life for you so that you might have

eternal life in heaven?! I encourage you to get to know who Jesus is if

you do not already know him.