The Mind #1 – Jason Hirsch

“For the mind of the flesh is death; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace: because the mind of the flesh is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God neither indeed can it be: and they that are in the flesh cannot please God.”  Romans 8:6-8

The mind is so fascinating to me.  My thoughts drive me.  Scary huh!  What is even scarier is, my mind drives my emotions.  So if that is true of most of us, what should we be filling our mind with?  Good question!  Ahhh, but even another good question is:  What should we be protecting our mind from?  Especially in a culture of uninterrupted messages, images, opinions, etc……  It is so important to decide what you will allow in your mind, and make sure you filter out that what is not necessary, or possibly even wrong.

I am going to wrestle the mind down for a few days.  Bare with me as I unpack a plan for renewing our minds.  I think it is biblical to do this!!!  ”Do not think like the world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, and then you will be able to prove what is the good and acceptable will of God.”  Romans 12:2

First if you are going to understand why you think the way you do?  If you are going to understand why you are happy, or why you are continuously sad?  If you are going to understand why some people are highly volatile, and some are tranquil?  I think we have to tackle the mind first.  Why?  From the mind flows everything else in your life.

I do not offer solutions today, just a glimpse into  what has created or developed my thinking (mind) over the years.

1.  Verbal Communication. I had encouraging parents.  It helped my thinking. I was a chunky kid up to the 8th grade, and was picked on.  So I still at some level struggle with insecurity physically.  Verbal communication has shaped my thinking over the years.  Take a moment and reflect on whether words, past, present, or future, are influencing your mind for good or bad to this day?

2.  Written Communication.  I have grown to love reading, but that wasn’t always the case.   Letters from friends have either hurt me or helped my thinking. Books I read, have produced world views that have even stuck with me to this day.  I have a biblical world-view because I was inundated as a child and teen with the Bible.  I do thank God for allowing me that.  So many have never cracked open the Bible, hence their world-view is so skewed from what their heavenly Father really thinks of them. What material in written form has been put in your hands over the years that has, or still does impact you?

3.  Visual Communication.  I have fear today because of movies I have watched.  I struggle to keep my mind pure, because I opened my mind to porn at 8 years old.  I also became a student of reading peoples body language.  That can be good or bad, and can influence the mind tremendously.  Visual communication is probably the #1 thing that influences our minds today, because we are in a technological day like no other.   Are you highly visual?  What visually has affected your thinking (mind) over the years?   Has it been for good or bad?

There are other factors that influence the mind, but those above 3 have been the biggest influencers of what drives my internal world (Mind) to this day.  I have grown to be very cognoscente of what I am letting my mind become exposed to.  Why?  What you allow into your mind, will ultimately drive your life. You have good thoughts?  There is reason!  You have bad thoughts?  There is a reason!  What is driving your mind?

Do Not Forget Haiti – Jason Hirsch

It has amazed me to hear the responses from churches across America to aid the people of Haiti.  But  do not forget to pray for them and possibly play a part if you can?  There is still much more that needs to be done. EpicChurchlv.org is doing a benefit concert for Haiti.  More to come!!

As I have gained an understanding of some of the phases that places like Haiti go through after its disaster,  I pray that EpicChurchlv.org will one day get so organized that we can be involved in relief efforts like that of Haiti.  Here are the phases:

1. Rescue— Faith-based relief organizations, along with government agencies, race against the clock to save as many lives as possible through search and rescue efforts and the immediate distribution of food, water and medical supplies.   Bill Hybels said  - “Let’s leave this to the professionals … The most important thing we [churches] can do is give a generous offering”
2. Relief— In the immediate weeks after a disaster, there are many displaced people who have lost their homes, family members and livelihoods. In this phase, faith-based organizations give temporary shelter, grief counseling, and distribution of relief supplies to help sustain communities.
3. Rebuild— The last phase involves the long-term commitment to rebuild communities and infrastructure so that people may return to their normal lives. This needs to be carefully strategized and coördinated with agencies and the government.

What I hope for the future is, that EpicChurchlv.org will be able to partner with organizations like World Vision, Convoy of Hope, Compassion International, Etc…. to possibly be part of rescue efforts.  Then I pray that we can do more to bring relief to crisis zones, as well as send teams to be a part of helping rebuild communities.

Never forget that the hands of the local church is a tangible expression of people who not only know truth(The bible), and feel emotions, but put to action what they know and feel.  Faith without the hands moved is not faith at all!!

A Dad – Jason Hirsch

Just got off the phone with my Dad.  His leadership and insight have proven very valuable to me over the years.  He has been an E9 in the military.  The founder of the EMS in my hometown.  The chairman of industrial development.  A Banker for over 40 years.  Vice President of my home bank, and now President of the Assemblies of God Bank in Springfield, MO.  When I finally started listening to his advice years ago, here are few things he has taught me, and a few things he has recently taught me.

1.  Love your wife!  He has modeled a love for my mother that I respect immensely.

2.  Love God!  Since I was young my dad has gotten up at 3:30 a.m to spend no less than an hour with Jesus.  I watched my dad get on his knees.  Now I do!

3.  Do not quit!  Fight until the day of inevitability.  You do not quit what you started.

4.  Work hard, but play hard as well!  We fished, camped, played ball, went on vacations, etc….

5.  Choose the high road!  Love in spite of injustices.  He was hated back in the 70’s as a loan officer that had to foreclose on businesses, and farms.  He still loved them in spite of the threats.

6.  Give generously!  He gave more time, talent, and treasure to our local church & to missions than anyone I ever knew.  He helped the poor, and took in the needy.

7.  Do not burn bridges!  You might have been wronged, but God will repay evil.  Bridges not ditches are always better!

8.  Be authentic!  Posers lose!

9.  Read to Lead!  My dad had more books that challenged him and sharpened him, than I will ever have.

10. Find an outlet!  Golf made him mad.  Dad became a string art master.  Not my cup of tea, but it relaxed him.   He also played tennis, and took-up running, which he still does to this day.

11.  Laugh often!  I have never met anyone that has laughed as hard as my dad.  Except my son Sam is now his rival.  They kill me with laughter!

12. Prepare! Prepare! Prepare!  Never walk into a meeting ignorant.  You may not know it all, but if you did your homework, you have a better chance of success.

13.  Moderation!  Live modestly.  Eat modestly. Excess will make you digress.

14.  Admit your faults!  This paved the way for me to grow in love with Jesus.  A humble dad, humbled a son!

15.  Good followers make great leaders!  Dads ability to follow others leadership in the past, led him to be a great leader in the present.

I now talk to my dad at least 2-3 times a week.  Why?  To learn!  There is nothing like “A Dad!”  ”I love you Dad!”

EpicChurchlv.org Update #3 – Jason Hirsch

I do not have a ton to report to you, but let me give you a brief update of where we sit in our pursuit of debt reduction @ EpicChurchlv.org.  The sky is not falling!!! Oh…….and let me give you a brief snap-shot of what I am feeling and believing for internally.

Here you go:

1.  Myself and the leadership council of EpicChurchlv.org, were supposed to have a meeting Jan 27th with people of importance.  (That is a politically correct way of communicating without communicating:)

2.  The meeting did not occur.  Why?  Not sure!!

3.  I pushed a little bit out of frustration.  Not all my decisions are wise, believe it or not!!

4.  Was given a listening ear by someone of importance:)

5.   Have been told a meeting with additional people of importance will take place next week.  That is called the table of negotiation!!:)

6.   Now we wait!!!

What is my gut on the feasability of debt reduction, for the purpose of giving us breathing room and margin to do life-giving ministry?  Toss a coin!

What do we need?  We absolutely need a miracle!!   I am serious!!  This is not a home mortgage modification. This is commercial property that is worth less than half of what we paid for it.  That is reality!!  If you feel led to fast and pray for a miracle – please do!

What do I see?  I see a gathering of Christ followers that will live what they believe.  I see a team committed to equip the church to serve each other, the community, and the world, out of love.   I see more people awakening in Las Vegas than ever before in its history.  I see that awakening producing people who will re-structure their lives financially, so that the Kingdom of God will be not only funded, but will awe the world.  I see not only the children of families of the church being loved on, but the outcast, broken, and sick child being given hope and a new life because of families that set aside their own agendas to live out the heart and love of their Heavenly Father.  I see students growing to love Jesus so much, that elementary schools, middle schools, and high-school environments will be drastically impacted for God’s glory.  I see a worship movement so Christ-centered that it will not only spark people to be moved emotionally, but that emotion will move peoples hands to motion.  In other words, the church will not merely be consuming, it will be feeding!!  Water – roofs – food – clothes – will lead to momentary salvation, but ultimately eternal salvation.  All the above will stem out of repentance of the Church, led by men that will wake-up to fill their God given role (Once men wake-up, everything else will fall in line).  This awakening will elicit prayer that moves heaven to pour out God’s Holy Spirit.  You may not see the wind, but you will see its effects!  Gracious love given by God will pave the way for the return of Jesus.  Heaven is watching. The world is waiting. What will be your role?

If the above stands true – a miracle is just around the corner.  Please pray to action!!!

Being humbled!!

Fasting To Understand God’s Will – Jason Hirsch

The purpose of fasting and prayer is to bring our world in line with God’s will — to introduce and interpose His rule over our will, flesh and any influence of evil.

I taught on this topic last Sunday as we continued “The Awakening” series at EpicChurchlv.org.  I am not an expert on the topic, but I wanted to do an upfront recap of what I shared.  I will share some of the other things tomorrow.

Fasting and prayer is not about trying to manipulate God to do our will.  It is about bringing our world in line with His will.

We should never exalt our will above God’s will.

There are certain things we know about God’s will that give us confidence when we pray.

The two I really targeted that God has worked on with me is:  1.  Fellowship (Community) with Christ followers. I shared how I believe we have bought into cultural clicks and can often sit next to people we know nothing about.  If the church is to prevail, it must start walking across rooms to care about others and get to know them (believers and non).  Christ followers must rearrange their lives to place true biblical fellowship at a higher level than it now sits at.  2.  Giving. Yes I shared my heart about how so many that claim to be a Christ follower do not give a dime to the local church.  Very sad!  Some do not care.   Others do, but there in such financial bondage that they have no margin to give first fruits, let alone help the poor and needy.  If this trend continues on with our church, as well as other church’s, it will render the church – dead in the water.  I will not belabor this, because I realize that people will not truly worship a God they do not know.  They will not give to a God they do not trust.  They will not serve a Father they do not love.  I can preach tell I am blue in the face, but until the Holy Spirit changes the hearts of people, all I can do is till the soil.  I am tilling, but God will cause the growth.  I am optimistic and passionate like no other time in my life.  To those of you that are honoring God with you resources –  way to know, show, and go the way of being obedient to your Father’s will.  Spur on your younger brothers and sisters in the Lord!!

Those are two areas that God has spoken to me about.  They are not just Jason’s will.  God wills that people Fellowship and that people surrender their Resources into His care.  That is obedience!  That is part of His will!!

I have come to the conclusion that the greatest earmark of true Christ followers is:  Their ability to bring their first fruits to their local church.  And their willingness to leave margin for causes like Haiti.  Think I am wrong?  Jesus spoke more about our money than any other topic.  You can no longer call yourself a Christ follower and live in blatant disobedience in this area that is very dear to the Father.  I do not need your money, but your Heavenly Father lovingly wants your heart and  from that flows everything else in your life.

How will all the above change?  The Church (Christ Followers), must return to reading the Bible.  The primary resource to know your heavenly Fathers will is – THE BIBLE (God’s Word and Will to you).  You can never apply what you do not know.  And you can never stay focused on you Fathers will without continually having it put in your face.  Why?  Vision leaks!  With a culture on information overload, the greatest thing the church can do now is:  return to God’s Word.  God loves you, and the world needs you to express it.  Eternity is in the balance for so many.  Come on!

God – What Is He Saying? – Jason Hirsch

The more I pursue God, the more finite I feel!  The more I seek Him, I am humbled by His limitlessness.  The only way I comprehend God is through His creation and words.  When I do get off the train of life to sit and try to comprehend creation, my mind hits a barrier so big that I stop trying to comprehend.  Oh, there is one other glimpse of God – Jesus.  His life, leadership, love, compassion, values, words, etc…..give us a huge glimpse about how God thinks and works.  I thank God for His Son!  I cannot comprehend living pre-Jesus earthly life.  Also, imagine no written word of God to be able to study God.

This I know, I want to know God more every day.  I want to read His word.  Listen for His voice.  I also want to hear from people who are reading and hearing His voice as well.  Have you heard God lately?  I mean, maybe not verbally (Although He can transcend the natural and supernaturally speak to your mind. After all He created it!)  Have you read about God lately?  About Jesus?  What is He saying?  If the creator of all things.  The Alpha – Omega – the beginning and the end still speaks (He does)?!  I want to know what He is saying.  Do you?  When God speaks are you listening?  Do we have an option?

This I know as well.  I do not want another clever saying or clichéd statement from people.  Hey, I do not want another clever saying or clichéd statement from me.  I want God!  He speaks right?   I do not want another clever book, unless it points me to who? (God)!  If King Solomon’s words from Ecclesiastes stand true “there is nothing new under the sun”, than who do I want to listen to and hear from?  God!

As I have fasted and been Awakening.   I have come to the conclusion in my solitude, that I am ready to hear my Creator.  I am ready to listen to His voice.  I am ready to hear what He is saying to you, so you can speak into me and others.   The problem (I confess) is, I have not been listening.  Am I alone?

Our men, women, students, children, do not need another book – (I like books FYI).  I am just saying that the day has come that I want more than books.  I want to read what God wrote, and hear what God  saying (Somewhere I missed that.)

Only listen to me as I hear God. After all, His Words will remain, sustain, and never return void.  His words are eternal and you can take that to the bank.

God – What Is He Really Saying?  Start with the Bible.  Listen and learn.  If you have stopped hearing?  Than stop reading and listening to everything else around you that is not His Word or Voice.   Nothing else matters!  Man does not live by bread alone, but on every Word the proceeds from the mouth of God!!!

God – What Is He Saying To You?  I promise you – He is speaking!!!

Haiti Relief Effort In Full Swing – Jason Hirsch

Sunday EpicChurchlv.org contributed thousands of dollars to help bring relief to Haiti.  We decided to run the dollars through “Convoy of Hope.”  There are many other great organizations like, World Vision, Compassion International, Unicef, etc.  But because I know the director (Hal Donaldson) of Convoy of Hope, I decided to route our $$$$ through their relief efforts.

In the wake of Haiti’s 7.0 earthquake, Convoy of Hope relief teams were on the ground in Port-au-Prince distributing food, water, medicine and more. Water purification units are also being implemented.  Huge help!

When the earthquake hit, Convoy’s country director was in Port-au-Prince. And because Convoy’s warehouse was fully stocked, the team was able to begin responding immediately with 50,000 meals.

One load of relief supplies is being airlifted shortly and another truckload of food and medicine just arrived from the Dominican Republic. Additional loads are being readied for immediate shipment and distribution at several points of distribution in Port-au-Prince.

More supplies are critically needed!

Security personnel have been retained to protect the relief workers. Volunteer teams are being asked to register at goteams@convoyofhope.org. However, until Convoy of Hope can ensure their safety, volunteers will not be deployed.

“The best way to assist the people of Haiti right now,” says Hal Donaldson, president of Convoy of Hope, is by making a cash gift. “This is a major disaster that requires a major response. We’re encouraging people to join with their family and friends and make a sacrificial gift so more people can receive help. Our pledge is to stretch every dollar to minister to as many suffering people as possible.”

If you are interested in donating additional dollars to the Haiti relief effort, consider donating to “Convoy of Hope.”

Are Your Thoughts Off Center? – Jason Hirsch

If you haven’t already noticed, life moves fast, and each day comes with tremendous fluidity.  Because of that reality I find myself continually struggling to gather my thoughts.  My thought life is often far more scattered than gathered.  Understand?

4:30 A.M. – been awakened lately to listen & learn.  It is amazing what one hour of uninterrupted thinking can do for you.  I know 4:30 is not optimal, but when both spouses work, 4 children demand your care and attention, and people are in constant need.  You take what you get!

How do you know if your thoughts are a little off-center from God’s?

1.  You feel inadequate.  What does God think?!

2.  Your emotions rule you.  As you think, so goes your emotions.

3.  You desire to escape.  Maybe not all the time, but the thought of running has entered your mind.

4.  You try to fill a void.  This can be done through relationships, possessions, hobbies, porn, food, facebook, kids, alcohol, etc…

5.  You pursue comfort over character development. In other words, your thoughts keep you from disciplining your life.

Those are the things God has been revealing to me about my thought life.  ”Thoughts left unchecked result in train wrecks!!!”  Be transformed!  Renew your mind!  How?  You tell me what rejuvenates you.

Fasting: A Biblical Overview – Jason Hirsch

After some requests for a more biblical understanding on fasting, I decided to do a post for those looking to study further on the topic.

Instances of fasting in the Bible:

The Israelites fasted for the restoration of the Ark of the Covenant  - I Samuel 7:6 –  You have to read this one!

Nehemiah fasted when he heard about Jerusalem’s condition – Nehemiah 1:4

The prophet Joel called the Israelites to fast – Joel 2:12 – I love God’s compassion in this story.

Commissioning of Barnabas and Saul to their first missionary journey – Acts 13:1-3

Marriage practices – I Corinthians 7:5 – Not taught on very much.

Jesus fast – Matthew 4:2 – Best example!

Jesus instruction to His disciples – Matthew 6:16-18

Purposes of fasting:

Expressing humility, grief and repentance – II Samuel 1:11-12, Psalm 35:13, I Kings 21:27-29

Seeking God more intimately and intensely – Judges 20:26-28 Jeremiah 36:4-7

Preparing for effectiveness in God’s will and work – Ezra 8:21-23

Receiving strength and victory during spiritual battle – Matthew 4:2-3

Securing God’s protection and deliverance – II Chronicles 20:2-4, Esther 4:15-16 – Great God stories!!

Demonstrating devotion to God – Luke 2:36-38

That should get you on track to begin understanding why, and when people chose to fast.

My favorite is: Isaiah 58.

Reach A Man #4 – Jason Hirsch

No matter what barriers stand in your way, do not stand still!  There is a time to be still, but my dialogue is about advancement.:)

Let me recap our ministry to men journey from EpicChurchlv.org.  I have 3 prior posts on reaching men, so if you want to go back and read them – feel free.  But here is the final post on our process so far.

1.  One year of leadership development & character formation.  We have written letters to our children and spouses.  We have prepared talks and had them recorded.  We retreated & played tackle football on a frozen lake in Utah (A blast).  We have prayed and played.  What a year!  The year gives you a chance to find the eagles.  We did!!

2.  Identified a mens ministry director.  It all rises and falls on this.  Measure twice!

3.  Spent multiple meetings formulating a strategy to reach men.  Still in motion, but moving forward.

4.  We use a retreat as a launching pad to reach more men.  At the retreat, men will hike, shoot guns, bows, and eat more than they could ever imagine.  A huge team building time.  I learn more about a man in one weekend than I could in a year of community life.  Retreat, retreat, retreat!!

5.  We are using a chili cook-off as a promo to get men signed up for the retreat.  A connection event prior to a big event is necessary.

6.  In the mean time we are getting ready to launch a new leadership development year for eagles.  The retreat is the catalyst.

7.  You have to have mens groups ready to launch after the retreat.  Strike while the irons hot.  Do not retreat if you are not ready to get men into leadership development or groups.

8.  One of the most significant groups that men must go through is, “Every Man’s Battle” by Steve Arterburn. Dealing with the issue of porn.  We are launching that at our retreat.  There will be other groups, but this is probably the most notable one.

9.   Develop, develop, develop.  When you done developing, you are done!!

What is our mission?  Build the man to become like Christ!  Manhood and Christ-likeness are synonymous.  When you build the man to become like Christ, you change a marriage, a family, a city, a nation.  Reaching and building men is the most challenging thing I have ever embarked on in my life, but the eternal implications are too great to not.  When men awake – hell quakes!!!   It is time to REACH MEN!!