a minute with rice

a minute with rice http://ricebroocks.multiply.com/ Welcome to this website where I hope this running commentary will be beneficial to the members of Bethel World Outreach Center, Every Nation Churches, and our friends around the world. Tue, 1 Jul 2008 12:36:39 -0000 Wed, 11 Jun 2008 01:44:31 -0000 a minute with rice http://images.ricebroocks.multiply.com/logo http://ricebroocks.multiply.com 100 100 When a Father Prays <img class="alignleft" src="http://images.ricebroocks.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SE8x1goKCDcAAELE3Yo1/father%20praying.jpg?et=eu0ZFiO9oBDQgzt6uHXwDA&nmid=0" border="0">This Sunday we honor fathers around the world. There are so many things that can go right or wrong depending on the decisions father's make. When fathers: Stay. When fathers stay faithful to their commitments, it produces a stability in their families. Regardless of the setbacks, disappointments, and the failures we may experience, eventually things will turn around if we stay faithful. So many times men can quit right before the breakthrough comes. Obey. Obeying God means we as fathers have to do what we ask our children to do. We tell our children: "You must obey your Mother and me regardless of what you feel like". In the same way we must obey the Lord's commands. When we diligently obey the Lord, the Bible says " ...all these blessings will come upon you and overtake you."(Deut 28:1) Pray. When a father prays, tremendous things happen. It wouldn't be a stretch to say that there is nothing higher that a father can do than pray for his family, as well as his friends and the world... http://ricebroocks.multiply.com/journal/item/45/When_a_Father_Prays Wed, 11 Jun 2008 01:44:31 -0000 Thursday Night Fire <img class="alignleft" src="http://images.ricebroocks.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SEA1iwoKCDcAAEqaRgQ1/fire.jpg?et=12Skx%2C0FwvMBK%2CRax4YHvA&nmid=0" border="0">I have been on a vacation from Multiply over the last few months, but I am making a comeback. The biggest thing on my heart these days is to see Bethel and the entire EN movement take the call to pray to the next level. In the past, we have set aside the first Thursday of every month for prayer and fasting for all our Churches and ministries around the world. At Bethel World Outreach Center in Nashville, we have made a commitment to pray and fast every Thursday. We gather at our Brentwood congregation on Thursday night at 7pm to pray together as a Church family. We are seeing God's healing hand at work in these Thursday prayer meetings as well as a strong sense of His presence and grace. We invite all Bethel members and their friends to come us every Thursday night for these important times of seeking the Lord. "It is time to seek the Lord." Hosea 10:12 http://ricebroocks.multiply.com/journal/item/44/Thursday_Night_Fire Fri, 30 May 2008 17:13:14 -0000 Winning Your Battles <a href="/photos/hi-res/upload/R9yVIAoKCDcAAGifrPk1"><img class="alignleft" src="http://images.ricebroocks.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R9yVIAoKCDcAAGifrPk1/Churchill%5B2%5D.jpg?et=A0NHQDyh%2C4deGnJUBtkCGg&nmid=" border="0"></a>We will begin a teaching series at <a href="http://bwoc.org">Bethel World Outreach Center</a> in Brentwood, Tn. following our Easter services on the theme: Winning Your Battles. There is no greater task for a Pastor than to help as many as possible to come to grips with the issues they are facing in life and learn how to overcome according to God's Word. God's answers to our problems are not always easy to implement, but are the tried and true path to peace and freedom. The series will focus on the fact that though everyone has some sort of challenge they are dealing with, God has provided the wisdom and strength for any and every situation. I believe we are entering an important season of preparation as Christians in America where we must make sure our foundations are solid and that we are living righteously. The clear message of the New Testament is that the "righteous will live by faith" (Romans 1:17)  Learning to live by faith should be our top priority as we face the turbulent times ahead. Wheth... http://ricebroocks.multiply.com/journal/item/43/Winning_Your_Battles Sun, 16 Mar 2008 00:12:05 -0000 If <img class="alignleft" src="http://images.ricebroocks.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R5p-RAoKCDcAAC9xPiQ1/1000030042.jpg?et=u6TysxfuPVOQdIVlBj1DCQ&nmid=" border="0">As we opened the New Year we embarked on an unusual series in our Sunday services at Bethel World Outreach Center: “IF” It might just set the record for the briefest message title in history.   As 2008 unfolded I kept hearing many bold pronouncements about how great this year would be. Being a positive person I love to hear good news. Yet, the more I thought about it , the more I was reminded of how conditional the promises of God really are. As much as God wants to bless His people and do marvelous things, there is a part we are to play. God will do great things if we will do what He asks us to do. For instance, John 15:7 says, “If you remain in Me and my Word remains in you, ask what you wish and it will be done for you”  So many want to start the “asking” part without fulfilling their part of the “If”, which would mean to  spending consistent time in reading and meditation in God’s Word (and obedience to it, of course). Another great “If” in Scripture is the promise of... http://ricebroocks.multiply.com/journal/item/42/If Sat, 26 Jan 2008 00:28:33 -0000 Evangelism Taking Center Stage In this coming season we are focusing our efforts on preaching the Gospel and winning the lost. It sounds simple, but it seems to be the most critical piece missing in the American Church. Over the last two months I have been apart of two conferences for leaders and both of them have laid out the reality that the greatest crisis in our country is not the economy or the war in Iraq, but it is the lack of evangelism. Bottom line: More churches are closing than opening each year...the rate of conversion is not keeping up with the population rate. These two statements should jolt us into action. Here in Nashville we have formed a ministry called ICECAP. (International Center for Evangelism Church Planting and Prayer). ICECAP is dedicated to helping local Churches of all denominations. The first priority is to train believers to share their faith as well as train those with a call to evangelism as a ministry. This July we will be holding a conference in Nashville to focus on this area. We ar... http://ricebroocks.multiply.com/journal/item/41/Evangelism_Taking_Center_Stage Fri, 18 Jan 2008 14:29:12 -0000 Merry Christmas Jody and I want to wish all our dear friends around the world the most joyous, Christmas ever. We are so thankful for all of you and pray that this season will encourage you and bring you into greater fellowship with our Savior and King, Jesus Christ. My parents will be spending Christmas with us in Nashville this year. My Dad just turned 83 last week. I am grateful to God for him and my Mother and all the love and support they have shown us. Last night, Pastor Steve Murrell hosted a Filipino party at his house in Nashville. It was a wonderful moment. The only problem was that all the songs we sung were in Tagalog. Check out Steve Murrell.com for pics of the party. My Christmas wish? You know...."every nation in our generation" http://ricebroocks.multiply.com/journal/item/40/Merry_Christmas Sat, 22 Dec 2007 06:28:56 -0000 Pastor Jack Hayford headlines conference at Bethel <img class="alignright" src="http://images.ricebroocks.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/RxGkHAoKCrEAAHwhNWw1/jack-hatford.jpg?et=zIKAXNc014aHA6sLpNxTpg" border="0">Pastor Jack Hayford, the International President of the Foursquare denomination, will speak at Bethel World Outreach Center’s conference on the theme, “Israel, the Church and the Nations”, October 18-20 in Nashville.  He is joined by Kay Arthur, and Robert Stearns along with many other special guests in this very important gathering. Kay Arthur, an internationally respected Bible teacher will speak Thursday, October 18th at 7:00pm. Pastor Jack will speak on Friday night the 19th and Robert Stearns, the executive director for Eagles Wings Ministries and the co-sponsor of the Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem will speak Saturday night. Local Nashville pastors will speak during the Friday and Saturday morning day sessions. Registration is required for the morning meetings, but the nightly gatherings are open to the public. I want to encourage all the members of Bethel as well as our friends to attend these meetings. For more information go to<a href="http://bwoc.org"> BWOC.org </a>or <a href="http://eagleswings.to/Group/Group.aspx?ID=1000017495">Eagle's WIng's</a> con... http://ricebroocks.multiply.com/journal/item/39/Pastor_Jack_Hayford_headlines_conference_at_Bethel Sun, 14 Oct 2007 01:13:24 -0000 Blessed to be a Blessing We are happy to announce that <a href="http://BWOC.ORG">Bethel World Outreach Center</a> in Nashville, Tn.  is now video casting it’s messages. Our current Winning in Life series, Blessed to be a Blessing, can be seen by going to our website at <a href="http://bwoc.org">BWOC.ORG</a>. Join us live in Nashville or online for a special nightly series from Sept.19-22nd. <a href="http://everynation.org"></a>In these mesages we will focus on the promises made to Abraham that we are now heirs to because of Jesus Christ.(Galatians 3:29) In order to have extraordinary faith,  we must necessarily hear, meditate, and obey God's Word in an extraordinary way as well. This is why we are setting aside these special nights for this purpose. Regardless of your circumstances, now is the time to pay extra attention to the Word of God and make it the priority of your life.   God promised that He would bless us in order to bless the nations of the world. (Gen 12:3). This is His eternal purpose and we have an opportunity to be a part of it. http://ricebroocks.multiply.com/journal/item/38/Blessed_to_be_a_Blessing Tue, 18 Sep 2007 15:01:08 -0000 9/11: Remembering to Remember Six years ago we all sat in disbelief as the images of the toppling twin towers in New York City played over and over again on our TV sets. A handful of extremists had carried out an unthinkable plan to attack innocent civilians. Not only did three thousand lose  their lives but the world lost something as well: another piece of freedom. Now, we all live lives that are constantly overshadowed by the specter of terrorism. From the new reality of virtually undressing to board an airplane, to the ever present awareness that the same forces are at work plotting the next moment where they can seize the world’s attention through a dramatic act of violence. We vowed to never forget what we saw during those days following September 11, 2001. What were we supposed to remember? The brutal nature of the enemies of freedom? The horror that our own countrymen experienced, or maybe the frantic searching of thousands of people for lost loved ones? We as believers must remember that what the wo... http://ricebroocks.multiply.com/journal/item/37/911_Remembering_to_Remember Wed, 12 Sep 2007 00:36:35 -0000 The Tomczak's host our anniversary party http://ricebroocks.multiply.com/photos/album/20/_The_Tomczaks_host_our_anniversary_party Thu, 6 Sep 2007 03:19:38 -0000 Celebrating our 25th anniversary <a href="/photos/hi-res/upload/Rt9tQwoKCrEAADxBbUM1"><img class="alignleft" src="http://images.ricebroocks.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/Rt9tQwoKCrEAADxBbUM1/IMG_3018.jpg?et=1KaQt3TNg5klIjs%2CaSfpjQ" border="0"></a>On September 4th,1982, Jody and I were married in Dallas Texas at the Highland Park United Methodist Church.  Steve and  Deborah Murrell were married two weeks earlier. After a two week honeymoon in Hawaii- we launched out into a world-wind of traveling to the nations to preach the Gospel. 25 years later, here we are still in love with Jesus and one another. Last night, our friends Larry and Doris Tomczak hosted a small gathering of friends in honor of the occasion and encouraged us greatly by their love and support. We so appreciate all of you who have made an impact on our lives and inspired us to greater things Thank you Jody for standing by my side, putting up with me and most of all, serving the Lord with me. You are more beautiful today than when we first met, and much smarter too! Our prayer is that all of the marriages in our Church as well as the Every Nation family will come into a season of greater strengthening and encouragement. http://ricebroocks.multiply.com/journal/item/36/Celebrating_our_25th_anniversary Thu, 6 Sep 2007 02:59:39 -0000 Dog tales <img class="alignleft" src="http://images.ricebroocks.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/RtByGwoKCrEAACKGrMw1/images.jpg?et=X2bFqqvZG0ZbwnlWztFEow" border="0">The Bible many times uses animals to teach humans about life. Whether birds, fish, donkeys, cattle(the ones on those 1000 hills). Here is a true story of how God used a dog to teach our family several important lessons. It all started last year when our family broke down and bought a little puppy.(never mind what kind, just stay with me.)  It was a trying time of teaching the dog to not sprinkle the carpet and bark all night. Pretty standard stuff when you are “house-breaking” a dog. Our two youngest children are 8 and 11. They were delighted to have a little dog, but were realizing the energy needed to take care of it. The most difficult part was whenever someone opened a door in our house, the dog would dart out the door and run off into the neighborhood. The real problem came when it ran repeatedly into a neighbor’s yard.(not our next door neighbor). One day, I received a call that this neighbor had our little dog in “custody”(in their house) and that I must”personall... http://ricebroocks.multiply.com/journal/item/35/Dog_tales Sat, 25 Aug 2007 18:17:09 -0000 Together, Together <a href="/photos/hi-res/upload/RszoCAoKCrEAAG9rft01"><img class="alignleft" src="http://images.ricebroocks.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/RszoCAoKCrEAAG9rft01/swaw06_lightning.jpg?et=Zyc2VK%2BvcWgpAfDyECP5HA" border="0"></a>This past week our Bethel staff met for three days and strategized for the coming months about how to reach our city (Nashville) for Christ. We were assisted by Kevin York, the executive director of Every Nation Churches. I could not exagggerate the impact of Kevin's insight and wisdom for us as a team. He is a gifted servant of God. Anyway, he helped us to clarify our vision as a team as well as the values that we all hold dear. Sometimes, you assume everyone is on the "same page", only to find out later how divided people really are. The blessing for us is that as a result of our time together we were able to solidly reaffirm our common faith and dream for God's purposes in our region. We have been unified in the past, but this time took us into a greater place of agreement. You can  sense the promise of Jesus that if "any two of you agree about anything they ask, it will be done for them.."( Matt. 18:19) will be a reality for us.  Though we have many areas of need to a... http://ricebroocks.multiply.com/journal/item/34/Together_Together Thu, 23 Aug 2007 01:44:46 -0000 Changing the World Starts Here! <img class="alignleft" src="http://images.ricebroocks.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/RrbBdwoKCrEAABURdAI1/kids.jpg?et=iJxz6FveZYdnYpm25ew3FQ" border="0">I wanted to write this note to bring a much needed spotlight on the Children’s ministry of <a href="http://bwoc.org">Bethel</a>. When you think about our calling as a Church to see families restored, disciples made, and nations transformed, it all starts with our children. There is no higher calling than to minister to the heart of a child the encouragement and grace of Jesus Christ. The rewards of helping children develop lives of faith are vast. The children will forever remember the kind and encouraging spirit that comes from a teacher or worker that shares Christ love with them. In the coming days we are trusting that God will give us the laborers we need for this harvest field. That’s right, the children’s ministry  represents the most open and fruitful harvest field we could hope for. Trusting little hearts are the most fertile soil for even the smallest seeds of faith.  When we think of missions we imagine heroic men and women braving the dangers of land and sea to bring the Gospel to a ... http://ricebroocks.multiply.com/journal/item/33/Changing_the_World_Starts_Here_ Mon, 6 Aug 2007 06:25:24 -0000 Sunday message preview : Deliver us from evil <img class="alignleft" src="http://images.ricebroocks.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/RrR19goKCrEAAHvxl8s1/jack.jpg?et=9O1JtLrhWRZDq9U4ajyAuQ" border="0">The final request we are taught to pray in the Lord's prayer is to be delivered from evil.This might be the most basic of all human desires. The desire to be protected from evil. I am immediately struck by the fact that our Lord is the one that instructs us to pray this. The reason? He is against evil as well and desires we be shielded from it's impact. The most common reason for people to reject God and the fact that He is loving and merciful, is the existence of evil. That it even exists to some means that either He is not all-powerful (because He can not abolish it) or He could remove it, but doesn't care enough to do it. The human mind seems scandalized that God would even allow evil to be an option. According to the Bible, God's ultimate desire was for evil to not be apart of the human situation. In the creation of man and woman in the image of God, they were given the gift of volition or choice. The fact that there was something called "good" meant necessarily the opposite was... http://ricebroocks.multiply.com/journal/item/32/Sunday_message_preview_Deliver_us_from_evil Sat, 4 Aug 2007 12:50:28 -0000 Brett Fuller gives a charge <img class="alignleft" src="http://images.ricebroocks.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/RrAHwgoKCrEAAFZ1EJM1/brett.jpg?et=%2CqJtVBTvrsCo0OAtxFh6gw" border="0">Remember the Titans is one of the all time great movies on my list and Denzel Washington is one of my favorite actors. I have never met Denzel, but I do know Pastor Brett Fuller.  Pastor Brett gave a message to our leaders in Manila that reminded me of a speech Denzel gave in the movie, Remember the Titans. In the movie, a high school football team is divided because of ethnicity. Black vs White. As the coach,he brings them to the civil war battlefield in Gettysburg, Pa. and charges them to let go of their division and come together as a team. They heed his message and go on to win the championship.(true story) Pastor Brett, called us to that same unity at this past World Conference. As a ministry, our challenges aren't loving different ethnicities, but rather loving each other and standing strong together to accomplish the dream God has given us as well as His purposes in the earth. The essence of the message was to "guard the dream". The dream that we as lead... http://ricebroocks.multiply.com/journal/item/30/Brett_Fuller_gives_a_charge Sun, 29 Jul 2007 10:46:05 -0000 Message preview: "Lead us not into temptation" <a href="/photos/hi-res/upload/RqqsWwoKCrEAAAaGmQE1"><img class="alignleft" src="http://images.ricebroocks.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/RqqsWwoKCrEAAAaGmQE1/Nightly-prayers.jpg?et=MOY1LLUDb86I5vzdevmSvg" border="0"></a>We are so excited to bring the faith  and vision from the <a href="http://everynation07recap.com">ENO7 conference</a> back to our cities and Churches. I don't believe any of us will ever be the same after this past week. I will continue to write about all the great things that happended or ideas that came out of these amazing meetings. Back in Nashville, our prayer series continuies at <a href="http://bwoc.org">Bethel</a> as we look at the prayer Jesus taught us to pray. This week we consider the instructions to pray that we are not led into temptation. Over the past few weeks we have studied each phrase of the Lord's Prayer and looked at the full meaning of the instructions He gave. We come to Him as Father, we reverence His Name, we ask that His Kingdom come and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven. We are taught to ask for our needs to be met when we pray, "Give us this day our daily bread". Last week our focus was to ask for forgiveness for ourselves as we at the same time forgive others. What is the importance of praying that... http://ricebroocks.multiply.com/journal/item/29/Message_preview_Lead_us_not_into_temptation Fri, 27 Jul 2007 22:51:19 -0000 The World Of 10 <a href="/photos/hi-res/upload/RqewLQoKCrEAAC4U6lk1"><img class="alignleft" src="http://images.ricebroocks.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/RqewLQoKCrEAAC4U6lk1/World%20of%2010.jpg?et=dcM8pntGXhh57QRDZqFfsw" border="0"></a>There were many remarks made about an example I used in my conference message on Sat. night, "to the ends of the earth". These comments centered around the example of how the world really looks when reduced to 10 people. This example was referred to by Bill and Amy Stearns in their book, "20/20 vision". The example was originally used by a  speaker they heard at a missions conference in Colorado Springs. Before I explain it here in this post, let me echo the amazing reports of all that God is doing around the world. Though the lack of growth in the western world has led many to assume that Christianity is declining, the worldwide picture offers great hope. A quick report: 74,000 people are coming to Christ everyday. Over 3500 Churches are opening worldwide every week. There are hundreds of testimonies of people in the Muslim world being converted because of a vision or dream of Jesus Christ. Africa is almost 50% Christian! However, there is much work to be done. If y... http://ricebroocks.multiply.com/journal/item/28/The_World_Of_10 Wed, 25 Jul 2007 05:41:04 -0000 Every Nation 07 http://ricebroocks.multiply.com/photos/album/19/Every_Nation_07 Sun, 22 Jul 2007 17:03:46 -0000 To the ends of the earth <a href="/photos/hi-res/upload/RqWe2goKCrEAABgDtUA1"><img class="alignleft" src="http://images.ricebroocks.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/RqWe2goKCrEAABgDtUA1/Me%20and%20Jody%20at%20en072%5D%5B1%5D_2.JPG?et=9ivjq7teLKPOCFYnZBfwqQ" border="0"></a>Our theme at the EN07 World Conference in Manila has been: "To the ends of the earth". This call to the nations has been our call as a ministry since our beginnings in 1994. The phrase, "Every Nation in our Generation", has been repeated over and over by multitudes around the world. We celebrated the fact that we are currently ministering in 56 countries! We certainly give God the glory for all He has allowed us to do. The conference has been highlighted with intense praise and worship by the 14,000 delegates. A world class production team led by Julius and Eilleen Fabergas has given nightly dramatic presentations illustrating the call of Acts 1:8. The media staff led by Mae and Carlos have been incredible and the videos from this great event will be released in the coming days. Pastor Rafe Young of Bethel in Nashville led an outreach team in ministry before the conference and Pastor James Lowe and his wife Debbie were featured in the conference for their work with the Youth Life Lea... http://ricebroocks.multiply.com/journal/item/27/To_the_ends_of_the_earth Sat, 21 Jul 2007 16:24:37 -0000 Victory in the Mall <img class="alignleft" src="http://images.ricebroocks.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/RpyU6woKCrEAAGYZEwY1/entrance.jpg?et=Lq2%2Czr2HANZ3fGCRh9kT5g" border="0"><img class="alignleft" src="victory.org.ph" border="0">On Sunday, July 15th I ministered in the morning in one of our congregations in Manila that meets in a shopping mall. What an incredible strategy to have a facility right in the midst of the places where a majority of the people in a city congregate, and from the managers of the malls standpoint a huge drawing card for their businesses as well .Altogether there are 5 malls with <a href="http://victory.org.ph">Victory Christian Fellowships</a> with a total of 29 services meeting there. In one mall there have 7500 people attending in 14services. It is becoming almost as popular as the movie theaters! At the same  time they are meeting in locations that are their own facilities as well. The strategy seems clear: to utilize every key facility possible as you expand to reach a city for Christ. More important than the facilities they utilize in Manila are the leadership teams that  operate them. If fact, besides the hundreds of leaders that help operate the 60 weekend services that take place in 12 different venue... http://ricebroocks.multiply.com/journal/item/24/Victory_in_the_Mall Tue, 17 Jul 2007 10:03:47 -0000 Site of World Conference This is a photo from a previous gathering and will be alot more crowded(if possible) for the World Conference in http://ricebroocks.multiply.com/photos/album/17/Site_of_World_Conference Fri, 13 Jul 2007 10:30:18 -0000 Jet Lag in Japan After a long journey we are all kind of crashed out here in the Tokyo airport. Jody didn't sleep much due to the record 4 movies she watched on the plane. William, Wyatt, and Charlie are wondering if we ever left America due to the fact that one of the first things they saw when they got off the plane was a McDonalds. I am happy because there was internet connection here in the terminal. Already, there is an anticipation for God's help and strength as we approach this gathering. I am reminded of how He usually blesses us when we take the time to assemble together. Our minds tend to think that we can skip church services and conferences with the notion, "You can listen to the messages on CD or online." Yet something happens when people make the effort to come together. One of the most important things that I know will happen to us in Manila is a renewed passion for God's purposes in the earth. The importance of living an "inspired" life can not be underestimated. Time and time again, thes... http://ricebroocks.multiply.com/journal/item/22/Jet_Lag_in_Japan Fri, 13 Jul 2007 08:22:50 -0000 Purple book training in Korea These pictures give a little insight into the importance of helping people understand how to effectively use the tool of the Purple Book so they can better study and know the Word of http://ricebroocks.multiply.com/photos/album/16/Purple_book_training_in_Korea Sat, 30 Jun 2007 07:31:24 -0000 On the roof of the Jerusalem House of Prayer http://ricebroocks.multiply.com/photos/album/15/On_the_roof_of_the_Jerusalem_House_of_Prayer Fri, 8 Jun 2007 12:15:32 -0000 Libby and me in her dorm in Israel http://ricebroocks.multiply.com/photos/album/14/Libby_and_me_in_her_dorm_in_Israel Tue, 5 Jun 2007 11:42:34 -0000