Wednesday, May 6, 2009

The Inside Scoop ...what's next!?!

Did you know in the days of the early church believers were often viewed as gods because they were so powerful and effective!?! What happened to that world-changing potential?

On April 26th & 27th, we filmed the new curriculum study for my upcoming book, Extraordinary: The Life You’re Meant to Live. In all 12-sessions the crowd was extremely receptive and responsive. I was amazed to see such energy and excitement. Why was there so much excitement? I believe it is because this message is simply illuminating what the Spirit of God is stirring within every believer right now… our days of ‘normal’ are over.

The set design for the taping required over 120 working-hours to construct. While you won’t be able to see the final result of the Extraordinary Curriculum until Fall 2009, I wanted to share some photos with you.





I need to give a huge thanks to Pastor Mark Cowart and all the staff and volunteers at Church for All Nations! I would also that to thank our staff who put so many hours into this event, I have the best team. Finally, to our Partners who made the journey to attend the taping, you are a big part of this ministry. Thank you for all of your love and support.

My prayer is that each of you would know how extraordinary our God created you to live!! YOU are love among the broken, light in a dark world, powerful beyond measure and God’s representative on Earth … the exact ingredients for a world-changer!

Godspeed,
-John Bevere

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Twitter BUZZ




Hey friends!

We'd love to connect with you on Twitter. It's fun, entertaining, and even inspirational - at times! ;-) We absolutely love people of faith and it would be our joy to stay in touch this way.

Oh, and here are some of our latest Tweets...
  • Awake in Australia after a good rest on the prowl for java! Love this city at sunrise. ~Lisa
  • Ponder this. Your Faith is only as good as the trials you withstand! ~John
  • Don't allow the current economic atmosphere to intimidate you! Rise up and hear your word from heaven! ~Lisa
  • Shot 69 today on the beach course. Thank you Jesus for golf and the grace to play it!!! ~John
  • Men that bring their wives coffee in bed are keepers! ~Lisa
  • We are coming into a new season in the church. Let's enter it correctly. Let's hear what God is saying and go to the next level of glory! ~John
http://twitter.com/JohnBevere & http://twitter.com/LisaBevere

Love to all our blog friends!
John & Lisa




Thursday, March 19, 2009

Defining YOU

As I’ve shared the definition of daughter, mother, and grandmother from my book, Nurture, many women have requested them so I wanted to share them with you…

Daughter…
A daughter is her father’s joy and her mother’s treasure because she quickens the heart. An heiress, she was hoped for and is their hope for the future. As the potential carrier and bearer of life, she is human wealth. Her creation was God’s altogether lovely crown of creation, the one who completes. Daughters are the feminine form, which embodies love, beauty, hope, and tenderness. A daughter is smiles, hugs, and laughter. She is a seeker of truth who asks many questions, longing to know who she is. She is a friend and comfort in your latter years. A daughter is like a priceless pearl.

Mother…
I have found mothers to be those who lay down life to bring forth life—whether this is by way of natural childbirth, adoptions, or rescue. I have found mothers to be advocates for children and change, protectors, nurturers, and healers of sick children. They are the ones who respond to a child’s cry in the night. They grow into masters at multitasking. A mother is one who feeds and sustains life with warmth and what beauty she finds. She is a wiper of tears, calmer of fears, tender of injuries, instructor, teacher, friend, and confidant who gives advice whether you ask for it or not! She is a woman with answers who will tell you who she is. (“Because I am your mother, that’s why!”) A mother is likened to the interior coating of a shell called the mother of pearl. What is often painful for a mother becomes priceless in her daughter.

Grandmother…
I have found grandmothers can be the amazing ones who know and love. They are the “yes” to whatever you ask. They wear soft smiles and give even softer hugs. They are confidants and advocates for both mother and daughters. Grandmothers are the givers of both practical and unnecessary gifts. They are the guardians of perspective, secrets, and insight. They listen and pray as they watch over their children near and far. They have selective memories and give advice when asked. Grandmothers no longer ask who they are because they have discovered why they are. Grandmothers could be likened to the outer shell of the oyster that surrounds and protects what is precious within.

Daughters are growing, so they need to ask for things, such as connection, love, affirmation, and answers. The question “Why?” is often in their mouths. If questions are not asked and answers are not given, then no one grows and healthy perspective is lost. Daughters keep mothers relevant and real if we will allow them to do so.

Mothers are grown; they have answers, meet needs, give love, ask for obedience, and are often busy. The word “Because” is often in their mouths.

Grandmothers have blossomed and almost embody maternal love and life answers, but they watch and wait as they ask for hugs and kisses. The phrase “Let it go, it doesn’t matter” is in their vocabulary as they pat you.

Love to all the ladies,
Lisa Bevere

Friday, March 6, 2009

Crafting Your Story

Movies have become a common language and love stories a favorite theme. Films are a medium with power to move this jaded world by awakening senses long dulled by years of disappointment and overstimulation. God is not afraid of this medium. He is more than happy to move through this multisensory approach to draw His children to Himself.

Under a film’s influence, the human heart can be temporarily captivated and transported to a realm beyond the reach and impact of the outside world. Movies speak directly to the mind in the fluent language of the heart. This type of interchange happens regardless of whether the message relayed is for our benefit or detriment. Movies have the power to exploit our deepest fears or quicken dreams long dead.

God can use this melding of story, beautiful cinematography, and powerful music to punctuate and expound truth. We would be foolish indeed if we did not listen to our culture’s cry for hope, love, and goodness. A movie’s story line and imagery often communicate a longing so large and painful it could not be captured or conveyed in the language of words alone.

We realize this concept is not new when we understand that each life is a story. Every scene is recorded in a Heavenly book. God has woven you into His beautiful epic. This makes the issue about so much more than a person, a culture or Christianity . . . it becomes a matter of purpose and intent.

Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. (Psalm 139:16, NIV)

We are the ones who determine what stories our lives tell. What story do you want to tell?

Though we cannot determine how our stories begin, we are very much a part of how they will end. Never doubt, there is a wrestling match taking place for how your tale will close. More often than not, happy endings come only after there has been a battle waged with evil. In our world, very little good happens without some sort of fight. Each and every day could be likened to a page. We are the writers who craft the stories with our words and choices. This is but one of the reasons why stories speak so powerfully to us.

When Jesus walked the earth as a man, He was a master storyteller. He packaged timeless messages in word pictures. He used parables, natural law, and real-life experiences to teach His audiences about His Father’s kingdom. He wanted the truth to be heard within the framework of living, progressive pictures. He took the abstract and made it tangible and embraceable in the everyday.

So what about your story? Before the most exciting parts of your story can be realized, you must first discover your role. I am afraid far too often a true casting never happens. We float through life, hoping someone else will tell us what parts we are to play. There is great potential for danger when we make others responsible for our happiness.

God is the ultimate storyteller who wants to reveal His love story in you. He has written your role and scripted the desires of your heart.

Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Don't be afraid of missing out…The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself. (Luke 12:31-32, TM)

Friends, send us your prayer requests... it would be our honor to pray for you. With love, John & Lisa