Mike Hoffman's blog
Egg Bake
I make an egg bake for our Bible Study and add different ingredients to each one to mix it up. The strangest one had beets, avacado, and chopped cashews in it ("memory" foods). Try something different in in your study of the Bible. Read through an entire book, use a study guide to read through the Bible in a year, or alternate between the OT & NT. - Pastor Mike
Details
Mies van der Rohe, a famous German architect, once noted that "God is in the details." I do believe what he said is true. Whatever we do, it must be to the glory of God and thus should be our best. A shoddy lesson, a sloppy illlustration, or a misquoted Bible verse is not what God expects from us. He wants us to shine for Him! - Pastor Mike
Bulletin Board
The Converge bulletin board is simply a snapshot of what has gone on at our Saturday young adult movement. It show what we have eaten, discussions unfolding, worship experiences, discipling, gaming, and service projects. But a board cannot speak of new friendships, lives that have become better, and a deepening intimacy with God. Boards are 2-D. Life is 3-D. - Pastor Mike
Vision and Mission Statements
Yesterday I completed a vision and mission statement to share with the Converge Core team. A mission statement answers, "what do we do?" while the vision statement answers, "why are we here?" Jesus has answered those questions for us. He commands us to love God and love our neighbors, and to go and make disciples of all nations. Enough said! - Pastor Mike
Transmission
Big Blue, our church van, has been running a bit rough lately. It seems to struggle shifting into a higher gear. When the transmission fluid was checked, it was almost empty. Are you running a bit rough and struggling with sin in your life? Take it to God and asked to be filled up with his Holy Spirit. Don't run on empty! - Pastor Mike
Full Moon
This morning I noticed the huge, glowing, full moon. It's awesome that the moon reflects the light from the sun. We are God's moons. He shines on us and we are to reflect His love back to the world. How can you be ready to reflect? Read your Bible, worship, pray, spend time with fellow Christians, and witness to non-believers. Shine on! - Pastor Mike
Recycled Canvases
I painted over 7 canvases last evening, preparing them for an art class that will begin for young adults this Saturday at Converge. We are God's canvases. We take on the colors and shapes of this sinful world but when we turn our lives back over to Him, God makes into blank canvases that can be repainted in His image. Remember, He is the Master Artist! -Pastor Mike
Witness
I used to think that evangelism meant turning people into Christians. I don't even want to use the term evangelism any more. Instead, I prefer the term, witness. My witness, or personal story, should be an invitation to "come and see" who Jesus is. (Mt. 11:28). People should see through me, how Christ can carry their burden and change their lives. - Pastor Mike
Interruptions
How crazy-busy is your schedule? Do you feel that you can't fit in another appointment? I used to say, "Life is full, and that is a good thing!" I don't believe that anymore. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German theologian once said, "We must be ready to allow ourselves to be interrupted by God." Do you have room in your schedule for God today? - Pastor Mike
Unpopped Kernels
Yesterday at 4:12 and CREW Youth Groups we had a movie and microwave popcorn. Soon the unpopped popcorn kernels began to be thrown around at people to annoy/tease/wake them up. Are you an unpopped popcorn kernel? Are you at the bottom of the bowl just waiting to burst into the person that God wants you to be? Time to heat up and pop onto God's scene! - Pastor Mike
