.

Church-Wide Fast

What if you could do something that would bring amazing blessings to your life, would cost nothing, and wouldn’t hurt anyone?  Blessings like;

·       Deliverance from bad habits

·       Revelations from God

·       Divine Healing & Protection

·       Broken Addictions

·       Answered Prayers

·       Constant Supply of your Needs

You can receive blessings and benefits like these through fasting.

So you may be thinking to yourself; what is fasting? Let me take a few minutes to help explain a little bit of this.

Fasting is weaved through out every part of the scriptures. Fasting always involves abstaining from something specific. Food is an easy illustration. Many fasts involve abstaining from 1 meal a day, a certain food for a specific period of time or a total food fast.

There are many types of fast’s to cure different diseases and to break people free from addictions.

David fasted often and was called a man after God’s own heart. David fasted while interceding for a friend. Nehemiah fasted while seeking guidance from God. Daniel fasted often and received many revelations and visions from God. John the Baptist fasted regularly. Jesus began His public ministry w/ forty days of fasting.

If God took fasting so seriously, I believe we should do the same. Matt 6:16 says, “Moreover, when you fast, be not as the hypocrites of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast.” Notice that Jesus didn’t say, “if you fast”, He said, “When you fast”, there was no option left for guessing.

Eph. 6:12 says we wrestle against flesh and blood- and this war must be fought w/ prayer.

Let God know what you are praying for, be specific and expect the reward.

There is much power in multiplication and many people praying.

So in preparation for our church wide fast, here are some scriptures you can read. Is. 58, Mark 2:29, Daniel 9:3, 2 Chron 20, Matt. 6:17-18 and Ps. 35:17.

On Sunday, January 10^{th @} 6PM we will be kicking of our 3 week fast w/ a special Plugged in Prayer time. This prayer time is for all ages, young and old alike. Our fasting will run for 3 weeks w/ Saturday & Sundays off. The first week will be from 1/11-1/15 and we will be fasting Television. The next week, 1/18-1/22, we will be fasting 1 meal a day and replacing it w/ prayer. Then the final week of fasting, 1/25-1/29, we will be fasting 1 meal item. For instance this week you may want to fast all sweets, all caffeine, all meats, something like that, but it must be a sacrifice to you.

I hope you can join in our 3-week church-wide fast w/ us. We are expecting miracles and breakthroughs during this time, don’t miss out!

Be Blessed & Happy Fasting,

Pastor Ryan

www.ryancook.net 

 

Impact 2K

It is that time of the year again.  Our annual back-pack and school supply giveaway event called IMPACT2K.  The reason for the name is we want to impact 2,000 lives on this one day in our community.  Since our first IMPACT2K event back in 2007, we have impacted 2,000 lives each day of the event.

This year we are upping the number and quality of the backpacks. We are moving from 1000 to 1250 packs filled w/ school supplies and bibles.

Starting in July, we will be receiving donations of school supplies.  Pease drop off all school supplies in the main foyer, front office or see myself, we will take care of them.

We have added a lot of new elements this year to make this event unique and to directly meet the needs of our community.  One quick glimpse is, we will be giving out free haircuts to those in need, right on our campus.

The entire staff has been bathing this in prayer and we are ready to see a huge IMPACT in our community.  Please get on board w/ us.  Whether you have served in either of the 2 previous years and know what you want to do, or if you are just willing to help, we are getting the list started.  Please send me an email, facebook or text and let me know that you want to be involved. rcook@gjfa.org

Did I mention we’ll have two live remote radio station on our campus the day of the event, August 15.  It is going to fun and a great way to IMPACT our community.  Come be a part of it.

-Peace 

www.ryancook.net

Missed Blogs

Ouch, embarrassing, March 5^th was my last post.  Where did March go? WOW, I have been slacking in the blogging department! I love to blog and write my life experiences, but just haven’t been finding the time.

So whats been going on in my life? A LOT! Too much to mention all at once. Just about everyday is exciting w/ me, my job and my family. Not a dull day goes by. 

On another note, a little sad news, my grandmother of 96 years old passed away a few days ago. I will write a blog about her life soon.

I have been learning a lot of website stuff for our church website, www.gjfa.org, very interesting stuff!

It was great to see people give their lives to Christ and accept Him yesterday!

Hell is real…people who die without knowing Christ really go there…and we are commanded by God to take Jesus to the world!

Jesus didn’t die so church people could be comfortable and to make sure we have people to serve us…but rather so we can serve Him by taking HIS GOSPEL to the world!

Life is good, God is better!

www.ryancook.net

 

 

 

 

 

First Post of 2009

Happy New Year to all!!

Although 2008 was a great year for me and my family, I am expecting 2009 to be even better and for God to move in miraculous ways!

The first thing I did today was woke up and thanked God for 08 and prayed over 09. After that, Renee and I were off to the gym for a little cardio exercise.(after maintaining through the holidays, we are upping our cardio exercises to drop a few more unwanted lbs') 

To my surprise the gym was a little empty. After all the resolutions I heard about, I thought for sure it would be packed. I guess after the New Years eve festivities, people were a little vertically challenged. Maybe they will come around after a good nights sleep- haha.

Anyway, there are many things I look forward to in 2009. 

The first thing on the radar is our Stir Winter Conference at GJFA. We have a great speaker line-up and we are expecting God to Stir in a great way. 

Drayven is going to start playing basketball. He is a very talented boy, so I look forward to watching him dominate the court!

Our firstborn, Chayce, will turn 16 this year (man, I feel old after that statement).

Of course there is a few new TV shows I look forward to: 24 and Jack Bauer, American Idol, The Biggest Loser, Survivor and Homeland Security.

I am also looking forward to some preaching opportunities and finishing up a couple college classes.

There are many more, but too many to list..... one last thing I look forward to is SPRING, SUMMER and FALL!!!  I am sooo done w/ winter!! LOL

Here's to a great 2009!!

www.ryancook.net

-Peace

This week so far......

This week so far…..

I got the privilege to hear these guys sing. Bob rocked the base! ☺

We have gotten many rave reviews from our ‘what is love’ video.

Went to the doctor on Tuesday. In August my grand total weight was 268 lbs, 2 days ago it was 240lbs, YEAH!

I am getting more and more excited for Thanksgiving. I am gonna attempt to make some molasses cookies and some candy.

Found out our new youth pastor got to skydive w/ a midget.

Heard some great youth worship tonight! These guys keep getting more and more talented!

I also got to listen to our new youth pastors’ Mike and Janelle. A few highlights:

1. We are passionate about serving God and want students to be passionate as well.

2. You can live bigger than you are living right now. There is a better way to live.

3. We want to help students find their identity and purpose.

4. Always allow God to touch your life here.

5. We will cry together and pray together.

6. We want to build real genuine relationships w/ you guys. We didnt leave everything we know to come here and play church.


When you guys see Mike and Janelle, help welcome them to GJFA.

www.ryancook.net

Reave at Work

Reave was in the office today for a few minutes w/ me and wanted to make a video, so here it is: www.ryancook.net

In the Now....

Man, there are many of things going on and a lot of things to be excited about.  Here are a few:

1) Otis G. Clark will be joining us this next Sunday for part of our service.You will not want to miss this! I dont want to give it all away, so here are just a few teaser facts about the 105 year old evangelist:

• Evangelist Clark is older than the state of Oklahoma, which was incorporated in 1907.
• He still lives independently and has his own car.
• He has all of his teeth, except for one, which he claims the dentist did not know what he was doing when he pulled it.
• He eats whatever AND everything that is put before him—no restricted diet!   

Ok, thats enough, you will just have to show up here next Sunday @ 8:30am or 10:40am to see the rest for yourself! 

2) I am excited to attend The Leadership Summit conference this Thursday and Friday.  This is going to be an awesome time of learning, challenging and some great leadership training.The best thing about it is, its in our own backyard.With todays technology, we are able to watch it live via satellite from a location in town. No out of town expenses, SWEET! 

3) Today I got invited to a new online community created by Seth Godin and his crew called Triiibe (yes, spelled w/ three i's) it is focused on building communities, creating products, building relationships & spreading ideas. I have already found some great people there. You can read a little about it in one of his blogs here.I think there are still a few spots open during this prelaunch period, so if you want try to get in. It is supposed to go public sometime in October.  

4) FUSION! Fusion is starting this Wednesday. I am looking forward to this launch and the relationships that will be formed through it! If you are reading this blog and you are not signed up, drop all you are doing and email us at fusion@gjfa.org and get signed up for a life group today!

5) Thank you to all of those that signed up to serve during IMPACT2K.  We have received about 60 registration sheets so far. If you have not filled one out and want to be involved, please email me. IMPACT date is 8/16/08 from 9am-1pm.  Please spread the word.

There you have it... in the now!

-Peace

www.ryancook.net