This Week @ Twin Cities Church!

Hey everybody. I think many people may have felt the series on The Seven Deadly Sins was going to be either a sleeper or way too tough. It’s not been either extreme, but it has certainly been a series that reaches deep into areas we have kept under wraps.

Here’s how God has been working in me through this series. As I’ve shared, I have had some encounters in my family this summer which left me feeling frustrated, angry and misunderstood. What God has done is to take those encounters and allowed me to see them with fresh eyes. During this series I’ve had “AHA” moments where I could connect what my family was feeling with the sin we were talking about that week.

Here’s the really cool thing, though. God not only showed me how it was my sin that was the problem, and not my family or their perception, He also gave me something I could do differently. For example, He showed me that I often times will say things outwardly that make it seem like I’m angry – it doesn’t matter whether I am or not if my family perceives me to be angry.

Well, last weekend at our men’s retreat, Fritz Moga mentioned a principle I shared a few months back – doing something productive while waiting. God immediately said to me, “Your family thinks you’re angry when you talk about other drivers, pedestrians, etc. when they are doing something you don’t like. Instead of making those comments about them and how they need to get with the program, speak words of praise about who I am. Speak Bible verses out loud. Fill the air with positive thoughts.”

Isn’t God so cool? His patience and kindness is what leads us to repentance, and I, for one, am so glad He’s a patient and kind God. Hope that helps as you see how God works in my life.

See you Sunday as we talk about anger.

Pastor Ron



**Notes** The TCC Softball Team plays at Litton Field on Saturday at 12pm. Go cheer them on! Correction: Courageous opens September 30 at Sutton Cinemas, Grass Valley

This Week @ Twin Cities Church!

Hey everybody. On Sunday the sin of greed caught many of us by surprise. I am so grateful to God for His patience with me. He shows His kindness over and over. I am so thankful for His persistence with me. He just won’t let me go. His mercy and grace allow me to open my heart and listen as He talks through this series on the Seven Deadly Sins. I expect no less from God and will be no less open as we cover “Envy” this Sunday. God has already been working in me this week. If you’ve missed the past two weeks, please go online and watch so you can be in on what God has been doing in our church.

On a completely different subject, I want to let you know of a special milestone. Dave Bollen celebrated 15 years as our Celebration Arts Pastor on September 1. Dave and Michelle are key pieces of the Twin Cities Vision and Mission. In a day where pastors stay in a place for only a few years, Dave has shown his faithfulness to God’s call and our church.

I am so thankful for Dave’s heart to grow – he wants to be the best and give God his best. I’ve seen him take challenges and risks time and again to allow God to do the hard work of soul-transformation. I’ve seen him expand his skill set and leadership potential to allow our Arts Ministries to mature and flourish. I’ve been in on the personal discussions with Dave about his heart to passionately worship God. Dave’s pursuit of God allows him to lead our Arts teams and us to want to know God and make Him known. Please take time this Sunday to say thanks. You can also send a note to daveb@twincitieschurch.com. I know he would love to hear how God has used him to impact you.

Breaking free with you,

Pastor Ron

This Week at Twin Cities Church - Monthly Food Drive!

Hey everybody. On Sunday we talked about Pride. The most used phrase on the Connection Cards was, “I really had no idea how much deadly pride I have and how it is impacting my relationships.” I want to just thank you as a church that we have created an environment that allows people to safely look at themselves and honestly admit their weaknesses and sin. I am grateful we have a place where it’s okay to be real as we continue to risk taking off our masks and allowing our inner self to be exposed and healed. You are an amazing group of people. I swear you could have heard a pin drop on Sunday as God exposed our pride issues.

Our series, Se7en, is based upon the Seven Deadly Sins first described around 400 A.D. by a group known as the Desert Fathers. These folks devoted themselves to a lifestyle that allowed them to concentrate each day on the truth of God in their lives. Out of that time of separation came an awareness of how certain longings seem to lead people toward becoming prisoners of their own desires.

In this series, we’re going to let God’s Word speak each week on a different sin. This week we’ll talk about the sin of GREED. I wonder how many of you will make extra effort to be here on Sunday to allow God’s Spirit to speak to you. I know many are involved in community events that day. I encourage you to make that event fit in with one of our service times. You will thank God later that you did.

Make sure to bring some non-perishable foods for our Interfaith Ministry Food Drive on the patio.

Breaking free with you,

Pastor Ron

This Week at Twin Cities Church - New Series!

Hey everybody. It’s hard for me to describe the power of God’s Word in my life. I am just blown away and in awe at how each series we tackle touches me in ways that surprise me every time. It’s awesome to know God loves me so much to show me my condition and His grace. I sometimes get discouraged that I am not further along than I am. Why does each week’s message seem to be just for me? Two reasons jump out at me.

First, God’s Word is active and alive. It pierces to the heart and soul shines light into areas that are not fully committed to His loving instruction. Second, God loves me too much to let a single week go by without some word from Him. Friends, we need what happens through the power of God’s word in our lives.

Our new series, Se7en, is based upon the 7 Deadly Sins first described around 400 A.D. by a group known as the Desert Fathers. These folks devoted themselves to a lifestyle that allowed them to concentrate fully and primarily each day on the truth of God in their lives. Out of that time of separation came an awareness of how certain longings seem to lead people toward becoming prisoners of their own desires.

In this series, we’re going to let God’s Word speak each week on a different sin. We’re beginning with PRIDE. I was nailed again as I began work to speak Sunday. As I began my preparation, I really didn’t see how pride was a struggle in my life. Wow, I was so wrong. I hope you’ll be here this week and every week in this series because God loves us and wants and us to be free!

We’ll also have a special moment at the end of our service to remember the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

Breaking free with you,

Pastor Ron

This Week at Twin Cities Church!

Hey everybody! Can I just brag about you? When we started our church one of the core values we listed on our program each week was “Every Member A Minister.” Our church was built on the firm belief that God calls all His children to be involved in serving His kingdom activities. In fact, it’s only as we serve together that we are able to accomplish His purposes for our church and individual lives.

Our SPLASH picnic was just another example of how our church still owns the value of serving. I could never begin to list every person who served, but I’m going to mention some of our ministries who linked arms together and made our picnic a splashing success.

Huge Thanks Go To:

• The Men’s Ministry for preparing and cooking over 350 incredibly delicious meals
• The 55+ Empty Nesters for coordinating and keeping things on track
• The Women’s Ministry for organizing and serving the food
• The Children’s Ministry for providing fun “get all wet” games for kids
• The Reach Team for assisting the 20+ people getting baptized
• The CR Team for helping with set up and tear down of all the tents and tables
• The Denny Russell Band for creating such a fun vibe
• The Dunk Tank folks for helping us enjoy soaking our pastors
• The Facility Care Team for transporting tables and chairs
• The ERT Team for keeping us safe and handling emergencies
• The Celebration Arts Team for providing sound during the baptisms
• The people with great attitudes during the food serving delays
• The Welcome Tent Greeters who helped people find their way
• The Bus Drivers who helped us move people with ease
• The Video Team who created that awesome Splash Video
• The people who said, “How can I help?” and made life easier for everyone
• Our God, who provides everything for our enjoyment

And all of this in the 95 degree heat… Thank you to EVERYONE! We’re all Ministers!

This weekend we wrap up “The Jesus Stories” by looking at the “Parable of the Vineyard Workers.” If you want, you can read the story before you come on Sunday in Matthew 20:1-16.

Listening to Jesus with you,

Pastor Ron