Thursday, April 22, 2010
Wednesday, April 07, 2010
Tuesday, April 06, 2010
Monday, April 05, 2010
Sunday, April 04, 2010
Saturday, April 03, 2010
Thursday, April 01, 2010
Random thoughts on a Thursday before Easter
Sin It is weird how so often I feel like I am missing it. like i have veered off the road and I can't find my way back. The effects of sin are very heavy. And on Maundy Thursday, it feels particularly heavy. And the promise of God's light and easy burden seems to go unanswered. How on earth am I to believe that this is a light and easy burden. That is a weird verse when you think about it. Take my yoke upon you. Just the word yoke is synonyms with a burden. Burden Just being alive is a burden. The mistakes we make in life are so troubling. Shame and guilt weigh us down. Even if we aren't the one struggling, walking along side people who are hurt and lonely and discouraged gets overwhelming at times. It starts to feel like one is drowning in sorrow and misery. And as the saying goes, hurt people hurt people! And the cycle continues. I need to read my Bible more. Surely there must be answers that I have not yet found for why there is so much suffering in the world. Why does it have to be like this? Miracles Oh, but the miracles. There are so many miracles. Where would one begin to list the miracles? This last week I have thought a lot about the miracles God has done in my life. He has protected me even when my own bad decisions put me in harms way. He has given me courage to fight when running seemed like a better option. He has allowed me to have so many moments in my life that were just crazy cool. I am so thankful that God has worked in me, and through me to bring hope and healing to broken lives. Community We have people with big hearts who love our faith community. People willing to put their time and effort into making the EDGE a place of grace and truth. We have greeters and kitchen workers. We have teachers that come every week and care for our kids. It is fun. Our church is full of life. And the people - the caliber of leaders we have. Men and women who have my back, and pray for me. And I pray for them. Such great sacrificial leadership. Courageous and honorable. Space The building we get to be in. It has heat, and lights, and desks, and bookshelves and meeting rooms...and a kitchen. Even though the money is a bit of an issue right now and that makes it hard. People are doing the best they can, even if it means doing more with less. Success I want to give the gift of success to my church. I want them to taste what its like to work really hard at something, and to see it happen. The victory is going to be so sweet. The championship is just around the corner. The crown of righteousness. This will be the reward for us if we do not give up. Some of us are close to giving up. I can not say that I blame them. It is not easy. But I do hope they will stay just a while longer so they can see the great harvest that is coming. Legacy My friend, Pastor John Fuller baptized 45 people last weekend at his church in Cedar Falls, IA. 45 people. Can you imagine. The line of people waiting for their turn to get into the water and to show by their actions the inner reality that has taken place in their life. I wish I could have seen it. I know that the same God that moved in their lives is moving at the EDGE. God is providing for us every week in miraculous ways. Years from now, I wonder what stories will be told of the EDGE. Will people think of these days as the gold era. Will they tell their grandkids, "If only you could have seen us making those pancakes for over 200 neighbors that day. If only you could have seen us as we cleaned off tables so others could sit down. Oh and our Egg hunt. You should have seen us hiding 1,000 eggs. Each kid went home with a basket full. That was a good Easter." I hope people come this Sunday. Its gonna be good. We are going to have a party. Jesus rose from the dead. The grave is EMPTY.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
#convergeignite - Jan H. -Strategic opportunism means being in the...
Right place-
Right time-
Right attitude-
Right knowledge-
Right skill-
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And it requires risk-- I Corinthians 9 - do all things... that I might save some
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Right time-
Right attitude-
Right knowledge-
Right skill-
-----
And it requires risk-- I Corinthians 9 - do all things... that I might save some
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Two hours till Converge Ignite 2010
300 Church planting pastors will be at Cornerstone church tonight. Looking forward to seeing friends from Minn., Cali., and Iowa. Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Cancelling brazil meeting for tonight - if you're on the team call me.
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Diagnostic: Someone who doesn't know whether there are two gods.
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Sunday, March 21, 2010
Great annual meeting today for TheEDGEColorado - thank you team
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Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Operation Christmas Child collected 8.2 million shoe boxes last year.
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Tuesday, March 09, 2010
Tuesday, March 02, 2010
Pics of our hosts in Hawaii - very cool couple - new life long friends
Rob makes a peanut butter sandwich - army style
Joann and Heidi -tsunami survivors!!
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Tsunami coming to Hawaii - but we are on high ground
We are ok, and expect to be just fine. For those of you following our adventures, we are on the Island of Oahu. The largest tsunami since 1964 is coming from the Earthquake in Peru. The first waves are expected at 11:19 this time, (2:19pm Colorado time). Our host lives in the middle of the state on the Schofield barracks currently. The church is up on a hill overlooking Pearl Harbor. Our conf (HNL2010conference) starts at 8:30am (11:30 CO time). I currently have three thoughts. 1) pray for those whose homes are on the coast. They will be affected immediately. 2) Pray that the docks and airport will not be affected. 3) Pray that Heidi, Grant and I might have wisdom and opportunity to bring help and support in the name of Jesus to those who need it. Not sure what the day will hold. And now to him who is able to do infinitely, abundantly above all we can ask or think, to him be the glory forever and ever, Amen Peace, Mark
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Friday, February 26, 2010
Pastor Mike Kai's first talk - last night notes
Talk #1 – Mike Kai
Judges 6,7 Gideon
Don’t let your present circumstance limit your vision.
1) Gideon doing the wrong thing – wheat in a wine press
2) Saw Incremental grow, but we need something new
3) Bad circumstances two things grow
a. liquor
b. churches
Don’t allow your current condition to limit our potential.
1) Angel comes and says, “Its time to get out of the wine press.”
2) God sees you not as you are, but as you will be
3) A sculpture sees the potential in a slab of a rock
4) A coach sees an athlete as he will be, not as he is
5) Mike was a divorced, single dad, working at American airlines
Take care of business before moving on
1) God wants you to tear down the asher pole before we go forward
2) You don’t have to inherit your parents stuff
Go with what you got because you have all that you’ll need
1) Don’t be afraid to let some people go
2) God says you have too many people
3) Separate the self indulgent from the ones who care about others
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Why? Reflections on Deer Creek
I was not here when Columbine happened. I wish I was. I wanted to help. Yesterday, I was in my office, 1/2 mile from Deer Creek when Heidi called. Annika's bus drops her off at DCMS. She the parking lot ten minutes before the shooting. When I drove up the police were not letting anyone in. I stood with my neighbor on the corner. His kid was in the school. She had a cell phone. She was ok and in a classroom locked down. We were told kids were being released to Stony Creek. We went to the school. Teachers and kids were brought to the library. They let me in because I am a pastor. I sat with the kids while we waited for parents to come. First kids released about 4:30, last kid about 5:30pm. Everyone was calm. Some cried. A few kids had been standing nearby when it happened. They had talked to the shooter. Some comments we made by the police to the teachers at 6pm. Making sure everyone knew what had happened and could help squash rumors. 1 shooter, two shot, 2 teachers tackled him. I left the school at 6:30 and went to pick up Deer Creek kids who go to our youth group. After youth group, I took them home and talked briefly with their parents. Now its morning. The helicopters are flying over the house. We are supposed to leave for a conference. I am wondering if we should go or not. Either way this week is going to be hard. The weird part about being there, in the school, sitting with the kids, is...its hard to know what to do. You just sit with them. And so God, here we are again. A community shaken, just sitting with you. Lamentations 3 says this: 17 I have been deprived of peace; I have forgotten what prosperity is. 18 So I say, “My splendor is gone and all that I had hoped from the Lord.” 19 I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. 20 I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. 21 Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: 22 Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” 25 The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; 26 it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. --------- Waiting quietly for the mighty hand of God to move, Mark 720-308-4051
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Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Fw: Deer Creek Middle School Shooting
Everyone ok
------Original Message------
From: Jeffco Public Schools
To: Mark Kraakevik
Subject: Deer Creek Middle School Shooting
Sent: Feb 23, 2010 4:39 PM Parents and staff of Jeffco Public Schools
This is an emergency message, please listen carefully. There has been a shooting incident at Deer Creek Middle School. The suspect is in custody, the weapon has been taken away. Two students were injured; we don’t know the extent of their injuries at this time. All other students are accounted for and safe. Currently we have a crisis team in place working with the Jeffco sheriff’s department. Parents and students are being reunited at Stony Creek Elementary. All students are safe at this time. We will pass on updated information as it becomes available. To stop receiving all email messages from Jefferson County School District R 1, follow this link and confirm: https://asp.schoolmessenger.com/jeffersoncsd1/blockmyemail.php?s=a3JhYWtlcmphY2tAeWFob28uY29t Message Sent: Tue, 23 Feb 2010 04:39:40 PM -0700
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
------Original Message------
From: Jeffco Public Schools
To: Mark Kraakevik
Subject: Deer Creek Middle School Shooting
Sent: Feb 23, 2010 4:39 PM Parents and staff of Jeffco Public Schools
This is an emergency message, please listen carefully. There has been a shooting incident at Deer Creek Middle School. The suspect is in custody, the weapon has been taken away. Two students were injured; we don’t know the extent of their injuries at this time. All other students are accounted for and safe. Currently we have a crisis team in place working with the Jeffco sheriff’s department. Parents and students are being reunited at Stony Creek Elementary. All students are safe at this time. We will pass on updated information as it becomes available. To stop receiving all email messages from Jefferson County School District R 1, follow this link and confirm: https://asp.schoolmessenger.com/jeffersoncsd1/blockmyemail.php?s=a3JhYWtlcmphY2tAeWFob28uY29t Message Sent: Tue, 23 Feb 2010 04:39:40 PM -0700
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Deer Creek Shooting: I am in stony creek library with kids who are being released to parents
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Saturday, February 20, 2010
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Just heard my first radio ad for marijuana on Kool 105. Just doesn't seem right.
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Saturday, January 30, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Converge World Relief funds Haiti earthquake projects
------Original Message------
From: Converge Worldwide
To: Mark@theedgecolorado.org
Subject: Converge World Relief funds Haiti earthquake projects
Sent: Jan 28, 2010 3:49 PM Converge Worldwide (BGC) Converge World Relief funds Haiti earthquake projects
After the 7.0-magnitude earthquake January 12 in Port-au-Prince and southern Haiti, the question everyone is asking relief agencies is, “What are you doing and how will my dollars be used?” The Converge World Relief (CWR) team has approved initial projects, knowing there will be many long-term needs. CWR has wired an initial $14,500 to our Haiti ministry partners to launch the following projects: Temporary shelter (housing) and food for the families of five pastors who perished in the quake. These men were well-known to our Haiti ministries director (and Brooklyn, N.Y., pastor) Withny Pierre. Housing will be a critical matter in Port-au-Prince, since some pastors’ homes were destroyed in the quake. Help families relocate to their hometowns. Some are making it back to their villages and towns in the unaffected parts of Haiti some distance from Port-au-Prince. Others have few resources to be able to extract themselves from the city. Partner with a Christian Clinic near Port-au-Prince that is assisting victims of the quake. In addition, CWR has: Sent $8,000 to assist a Haitian team of 30, including 19 medical doctors, from Beraca Baptist Church, Brooklyn, N.Y., traveling at their own expense to Haiti February 8 to provide medical care, food and nutrition needs and shelter. Wired $8,500 to help Milot Hospital near Cap-Haitien to treat 250 injured people who fled Port-au-Prince. Wired $6,400 to support two soup kitchens in Port-au-Prince and one on Leogane for at least two weeks. Sent $5,000 to Baptist World Aid and $5,000 to World Relief (National Association of Evangelicals), our long-term partners in relief efforts. As of January 27, many generous individuals, churches and district offices had already contributed more than $81,080 to CWR for Haiti earthquake aid. In Haiti, a temporary team of Rev. Emmanuel Pierre (no relation to Withny), the general secretary of the Baptist Convention, Withny Pierre and 1by1 child sponsorship staff member Mireille Joseph will m
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
From: Converge Worldwide
To: Mark@theedgecolorado.org
Subject: Converge World Relief funds Haiti earthquake projects
Sent: Jan 28, 2010 3:49 PM Converge Worldwide (BGC) Converge World Relief funds Haiti earthquake projects
After the 7.0-magnitude earthquake January 12 in Port-au-Prince and southern Haiti, the question everyone is asking relief agencies is, “What are you doing and how will my dollars be used?” The Converge World Relief (CWR) team has approved initial projects, knowing there will be many long-term needs. CWR has wired an initial $14,500 to our Haiti ministry partners to launch the following projects: Temporary shelter (housing) and food for the families of five pastors who perished in the quake. These men were well-known to our Haiti ministries director (and Brooklyn, N.Y., pastor) Withny Pierre. Housing will be a critical matter in Port-au-Prince, since some pastors’ homes were destroyed in the quake. Help families relocate to their hometowns. Some are making it back to their villages and towns in the unaffected parts of Haiti some distance from Port-au-Prince. Others have few resources to be able to extract themselves from the city. Partner with a Christian Clinic near Port-au-Prince that is assisting victims of the quake. In addition, CWR has: Sent $8,000 to assist a Haitian team of 30, including 19 medical doctors, from Beraca Baptist Church, Brooklyn, N.Y., traveling at their own expense to Haiti February 8 to provide medical care, food and nutrition needs and shelter. Wired $8,500 to help Milot Hospital near Cap-Haitien to treat 250 injured people who fled Port-au-Prince. Wired $6,400 to support two soup kitchens in Port-au-Prince and one on Leogane for at least two weeks. Sent $5,000 to Baptist World Aid and $5,000 to World Relief (National Association of Evangelicals), our long-term partners in relief efforts. As of January 27, many generous individuals, churches and district offices had already contributed more than $81,080 to CWR for Haiti earthquake aid. In Haiti, a temporary team of Rev. Emmanuel Pierre (no relation to Withny), the general secretary of the Baptist Convention, Withny Pierre and 1by1 child sponsorship staff member Mireille Joseph will m
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Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Avatar review (2)
Odds of a superior army with economic interest in a region leaving a planet because they lost one battle - zero
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Monday, January 25, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
Can anyone in the church world confirm that this is legit?
Looks like all those wireless mics the church has been using for the last 30 years are now illegal.
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2010/01/time-for-churches-to-come-to-jesus-on-wireless-mic-legality.arsMark Kraakevik
The EDGE Colorado - Live The Message
720-308-4051
To live is Christ, to die is gain.
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Tuesday, January 19, 2010
My wife wrote a book - come read about it here:
Hello!Many of you know that I wrote a book this last year (some of you are now saying, "Oh, that's where she has been... :)), and have asked to read it. I am currently shopping it out to get published, but I found a site put out by Harper-Collins that allows me to securely download a portion of it.The uber cool thing is that when my book gets placed on others' virtual bookshelves and receives comments, its ranking gets higher. Once it reaches the #1-5 slot and stays there until the end of the month, Harper-Collins will take a look at it.So...I need your help. Would you be willing to register at the site, shelve my book and comment on it? If you want to read it while you are there, that is awesome too. The following is a short blurb: "Set in a small Montana ranching community outside of Yellowstone National Park, The Pearl Edda brings Norse mythology to modern day and weaves together the lives of seventeen-year-old Montana ranch girl Mia Holden and the young, yet ageless, Norse god Ve on the eve of the Norse world’s destruction." I realize that most of you are not 12-18 year old girls (which the novel is geared toward), but several adults have read it and have loved it (and you can still comment on it regardless :)) Also, you should not get spammed by the site unless you upload your own book.I will keep a posting on FB of how the ranking is going. If you know of others who would enjoy the book (or if you know a publisher... :)), please let them know about this too.Thanks in advance!HeidiThe How To:The site is www.authonomy.comBook name: The Pearl EddaAuthor name: H.J. Johns
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Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Saturday, January 09, 2010
Great expectations for Staff/A-team Christmas Party at the Improv Downtown Denver tonight
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Wednesday, January 06, 2010
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
IOWA WINS!!! Now if the Cubs can just win the world series, the world can end
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Monday, January 04, 2010
In Matthew 3:2 the John the Baptist says, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." - hmm
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Hey I am only four days behind in my Bible reading
1) Read my Bible
2) Listen
3) Act courageously
4) Be thankful for results
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2) Listen
3) Act courageously
4) Be thankful for results
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Saturday, January 02, 2010
He Was Me - The importance of nurturing the inner child
Peter H. Reynolds often talks about “kids, grown up kids, and adults.” The adults are the ones who became very serious, while grown up kids remember how important it is to have fun, feel inspired, and keep learning! It’s important for students to see teachers creating and learning alongside of them.
If you’re feeling a bit more like an adult than a grown up kid, watch He Was Me. It’s a quiet story about the inner child in all of us, and the eternal struggle to retain our sense of self in a busy world. (Copied from the website)
Mark
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