Belfast Trip

Remembering Sunday in Belfast

2009-11-17T05:24:00.000-08:00

Wow - well, here we are - we're home! It's Tuesday morning, and our trip home feels like a blur - as do most of the events since we last talked to you on this blog. The ministry stuff on Sunday, both morning and evening was...well...rich. Newtownbreda's welcome of, and responsiveness to us, continues to amaze and humble us. Wonderful people - long term and deep relationships - hungry, receptive hearts - significant ministry that we sense will leave a lasting mark - it was just...really good.

But I gotta tell you - that one of the best parts of this trip this time (do you remember that this is our 5th time to this church over 10 years?), was bringing you (Open Door) with us through this blog!! It just felt like we were in it together! We loved hearing from you (those of you who could figure out the blog), and had this constant sense of your presence and support through your prayers - it just felt REAL!

So - thanks for coming with us this journey - your partnering with us in it, made it all the richer!

I think we told you earlier about this amazing evening service they have (Sunday nt.) that is literally filled with young people. It's hard to really capture the energy of it with words, and I'm not sure pictures fully capture it either, but Bonnie is posting some to help you get a sense of it. There's also a picture of me in the pulpit (from Sunday morning) - I wanted that one in there as proof that I was actually there!

Thanks again for coming with us!

Grace and Peace - Dave and Bonnie

Message from Ireland

2009-11-17T05:22:00.000-08:00

Dear Open Door:

Well, we have released (reluctantly) Dave and Bonnie back to Open Door. One of our members suggested that we confiscate their return ticket ! We can say that we have had an amazing time with them - to have the privilege of sitting under their ministry with the added bonus of sharing 'free time' with them has for Helen and myself been a wonderful blessing. I know our church elders are delighted and challenged with the ministry and this morning there was a real 'buzz' in our Staff meeting. The connection Dave and Bonnie have with our church can only be described as a ' God thing' for which we are so grateful. Open Door - look after them, you have a very special couple in your midst! Thanks for allowing us to benefit from their ministry and for praying us through the last ten days. Lives have been changed.

Blessings Raymond and Helen

An Update & A Celtic Blessing to You

2009-11-15T01:18:00.000-08:00

It's Sunday morning here - 'Dave's Back' - after laying low yesterday, he is feeling 'normal' again (but who's to say what 'normal' is for Dave?) We are thinking of you today as you meet and particularly of Steve Wiens and the worship Team as you worship together. It's been a great trip, but our hearts are beginning to hunger for home. Hopefully, we will be able to update you about today's ministry before leaving Ireland tomorrow.

God be with thee in every pass

Jesus be with thee on every hill,

Spirit be with thee on every stream,

Headland and ridge and lawn;

Each sea and land, each moor and meadow,

Each lying down, each rising up,

In the trough of the waves, on the crest of the billows,

Each step of the journey thou goest.

by Alexander Carmichael

Faces to Put Your Prayers To....

2009-11-14T02:54:00.001-08:00

As I write this today (Sat AM) David is in bed, having been sick all nite and now into this morning. Not sure if its a flu bug or something he ate? Please pray for him, he is due to meet with some men today (which can be easily cancelled) but obviously has a full day tomorrow preaching in both services morning and evening. Then we have a long travel day Monday heading home.

We spent last evening with the leadership and spouses from Newtonbreda Church casually discussing with them what they see and what we see - as some of their opportunities in ministry and what they/we see as some of their challenges for ministry. It was a rich time of sharing our stories together.

These are some of the people you have been praying for - though you have never met - thanks for your prayers on their behalf.

A Small Group here in Belfast, that uses O.D.'s Message Tool each week as they meet

Glen, David, Raymond, Dave, Roger, Andrea

Alicia & David (see posting on Nov 2nd)

Lester & Viv

David & Bert

Helen, Pam, & Raymond

David, David, & Glen

Sam & Raymond

Oops! Not sure how this one got in there! :)

(we just miss them loads!)

"All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing,

just as it has been doing among you..."

"For this reason, since the day we heard about you,

we have not stopped praying for you..." Colossians 1

Back to Belfast

2009-11-13T02:31:00.000-08:00

I love the way Bonnie "sees" things - she helps me "see" them too! I'm usually standing there (in the midst of all that beauty) thinking about lunch - or how on earth Jay Cutler could throw 5 interceptions - are you kidding me? 5 interceptions? Unbelievable! Oh, wait...look at that ocean view - isn't God good? Yea! Thanks Bon!

We're back to Belfast today, and later this afternoon the meeting stuff begins again. Not so much speaking, as it is meeting with various people - some from the Newtownbreda church (tonight it will be all the elders and staff), and others from the local church community (a group of elders from a neighboring church who are going through a difficult time).

Not sure what's up, but a high percentage of churches here are going thru very turbulent things - just hard stuff - not unlike our own at times. Just pray for me to have some kind of wisdom - words that might actually provide some hope, if not guidance. Sometimes the "help" is just to assure people that they're not crazy or defective for having these difficulties - it kind of "goes with the territory". I know I can't "fix" them, but I'd like to bring some encouragement - maybe some perspective - whatever.

I talked to Steve Wiens today thru e-mail, and he told me where he's going this week in his sermon - continuing with Paul's prayer for the Colossians - it sounds incredible - I just love how he thinks, and the things he sees!! We really are blessed!

This weekend will be very busy, and I'm sure quite exhausting - thanks again for coming with us, and praying for us.

Love and kisses - Dave and Bonnie (See Bonnie's next post for more photos)

The Things I See....

2009-11-13T01:59:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, we drove along the coast of Northern Ireland with Raymond & Helen and took a Ferry over to the Republic of Ireland - these are some of our sights along our journey. I often think of this verse when I look on something new - or if I have new eyes to see...

For since the creation of the world, God's invisible qualities

his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen,

being understood from what has been made.....

Romans 1:20

The above photo is one from this morning as I sat at the window and watched the sun rise over the hills and ocean - the photo doesn't do it justice....

Smallest Church is All of Ireland

2009-11-12T02:41:00.000-08:00

We do not have time to post a big update this morning, but wanted to send along this photo of a place we stopped to see. David thot maybe his retirement years could be spent here ministering to the few that would fit in...NOT! Great views though.

Scenes of the Emerald Isle

2009-11-11T02:24:00.001-08:00

These are just a few of our shots yesterday. We have a cheap digital camera and are not the photographers at O.D. like Kathy Hanson or Steve Hanson, but it will give you a taste for the beauty that surrounds us here. Our weather has been lovely with rain, rainbows, and sun everyday (probably high 50's-low 60's) -no complaints! Blessings! D & B

2009-11-11T02:20:00.001-08:00

Hi all - so great to hear from all of you - well, all 4 of you! Seriously, we (Bonnie and I) both feel this sense of you being with us on this journey, and we're grateful.

Today, Bonnie and I were able to find an internet cafe so as to re-connect with you. Monday afternoon, we left with Raymond and Helen for the Irish coast - it's beautiful - amazing - just, amazing.

Really crazy - we had a visit yesterday with Michael Anderson and Mitch Weaver. Old Open Door people might remember the days when Mike was an elder at O.D. - great guy - good friend - so crazy to see him (and Mitch) here. Had a great time catching up at a local Pub.

I'm reading a book that's kind of rocking my world - who knows, it may end up rocking ours - called "The Missional Renaissance" (sp?) by Reggie McNeil. It's weird how when I got away from the ministry stuff of last weekend, my thots drifted quickly to Open Door - how things are - where we're going - where we're stuck, etc. In some ways that feel quite hopeful to me, this book is scratching where a number of people I know (myself included) are itching. Who knows - just thot I'd let you know some of the weird stuff I'm thinking about.

We'll try to post another blog in a day or 2 - ministry kicks in again on Friday - once it does, things will be a bit of a blur - but lots of fun - meeting lots of people, and acting like I know what I'm talking about - HA!

Love you all - (well, except for a few - and you know who you are - HA!) Dave & Bonnie

Weekend Ministry

2009-11-09T03:05:00.000-08:00

Life since Thursday has been kind of a blur - very busy with speaking, meetings, interacting with old friends and new - all of it great! Yesterday was a big day with morning and evening services, but kind of hard to describe. The morning service is jammed with people - young and old - but the evening service is something else -filled to the rafters with young people and not only from this church - but from all over the city. The energy (partly because of the youth) is electric but the hunger for God is what you notice most. Passion - desire - eagerness to follow and obey and become - it's all very encouraging. After the service, they have what's called "The Fusion" where the kids just hang around - some go to small groups, others hang out at the cafe where Bonnie & I sat around for a Q & A time. We'll try to get more photos of this next weekend.

It was great to here from some of you - how great the weekend at Open Door was, so proud of Jen & Vicki. We knew you would do great! We were praying for all of you and will continue to do so.

We leave Belfast today with our dear friends, Raymond & Helen for a few days of rest before we come back for more ministry later in the week. We'll try to keep posting while on the coast. God Bless you all and thanks for coming with us, David & Bonnie

P.S. I heard the Bears got 'killed' again - I don't care anymore - no seriously, I just don't care - no really.....

Saturday Leadership Conference

2009-11-07T08:43:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone - it's Sat. afternoon here - 4:45 pm, which makes it 10:45am at home. Odd isn't it - because at 10:45am Belfast time, I was teaching at the leadership conference - 6 hours ago. So if we could do a time warp / weird reality thing - I'm actually doing my talk at this very moment - Minneapolis time. Wow - that is just so cool!

Just so you know - Bonnie is shaking her head - rolling her eyes - but (grudgingly) laughing!

I thot the seminar/conference thing went really well. I had most of the morning to talk about and then to do some interactive stuff around how people actually change - and why it seems so often that people don't. Alot of it was taken from the talk I did a couple weeks ago at Willow Creek, but this time I had the time to expand on it, and open it for discussion. The basic premise was that while there are many factors involved in why people do or don't experience real transformation, 3 things are non-negotiable - we HAVE to be AUTHENTIC (tell the truth about what's really going on) - we HAVE to be COURAGEOUS (because to bring out into the light what we all tend to hide in the dark, takes incredible courage) - and there HAS to be GRACE (because if there isn't grace, we'll never have the courage to be authentic).

Turns out, the struggle around this kind of stuff isn't unique to the weirdos who live in Maple Grove (Ha!) - this stuff is universal, and it seemed to be a breath of fresh air to many of the people here.

They really are great - track with what we're saying really well - partly because we've been here before, and there's a sense at times of picking up where we left off - good stuff.

We'd ask you to pray about a couple things. One is simply that the jet lag stuff seems to be worse the 2nd day than the first - it would be nice to get some sleep tonight. And, tomorrow morning and evening we'll be doing the church services - I'm gonna do some of the Parables - tomorrow will be the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Lost Son. Don't know if you remember those talks, but they're in the Bible - HA!

Anyway - thanks for "coming with us", and thanks for praying.

Love and kisses - Dave

2009-11-06T02:14:00.000-08:00

Well here we are -we arrived in Belfast last evening (11 am CST Thursday). Dave is a very patient traveler (YES - I'm joking- he's a big baby)... and although our suitcases haven't arrived yet (it's now Friday morning)- he's handling it with the kind of character that you would expect from Jesus himself - ha!

Truth is - we are fine. We met our friends Raymond & Helen for dinner, after which I (Bonnie) spoke at their monthly Women's Meeting at Newtonbreda. David begins this afternoon with some informal meetings with their staff and elders. We know the people involved and it will be fun to catch up.

Tonight we are meeting with a group of leaders from Youth For Christ, who have been following our messages on the web and gather weekly to discuss together.

The speaking responsibilities start in earnest tomorrow morning with a Leadership Conference. This will involve lay people and staff from Newtonbreda plus pastors and others from the neighboring area. Dave will be giving the talk he did a couple weeks ago at Willowcreek Church, but will be able to expand it significantly. The topic is about transformation and how people change.

This first day is a 'jet lag' adjustment day. Thanks for your interest in us and the people here in Belfast who are very dear. As Paul states in Colossians; " we always thank God when we pray for you, because we have heard (and seen) of the love you have for all the saints."

Thanks for your interest and your prayers.

Traveling Tonight...

2009-11-04T05:27:00.000-08:00

There is an element of excitement when you take a trip like this - but there is also an element of dread, knowing the time frame you will be traveling or waiting in airports.

Even as I write this, David is in his office pulling his talks for the different speaking engagements he will be doing while we are there. If he speaks 8 times, he brings 15+ of his talks, waiting and praying between now and when he starts, as to what will be a fit for the people in Belfast. We know them, we've been there before - but the work is to continually listen to what the Spirit may need to be saying to them.....now. So you go with a sense of knowing and not-knowing at the same time.

What would help - is if you would just pray, that we would be filled with what Dave described Sunday as that, 'in your bones knowing' of God's desire for us and the people in Belfast. We'll be praying the same for you.

When we arrive on Thursday afternoon, I will be joining their Women's Ministry that evening - in a casual 'interview', sharing what God is doing in me and the ministry at Open Door. Traveling takes a physical toll on me, and I want to be present for this time, so your prayers will be appreciated.

This is where we will be sleeping tonight, as we leave for Ireland. We land tomorrow in London and then after a 3 hour layover - 'puddle jump' over to Belfast. Who ever said flying is glamorous?

We looked into - what would 1st class seats cost? Thousands of dollars - laughable. Ok, maybe we have enough miles to upgrade? No - it now takes billions of miles. So, instead - we'll just take drugs to sleep- they're much cheaper, ha!

Blessings, Bonnie & Dave

Together - on our Journey

2009-11-02T15:16:00.001-08:00

A bit surprised, but really excited that so many of you have indicated that you want to, 'come with us' on our trip to Ireland.

Some of our friends from Ireland have already heard of your interest in and prayers for them - not a big surprise, that they are now interested in and praying for you. Holy moly - this could be fun!

Love & Kisses - Dave

I recently emailed a couple friends in Belfast - telling them about our blog, and that they must be on their best behavior as we will be posting about them :) .

This message is from Alicia Murphy - her husband David is on staff at Newtonbreda - we will have to send you pictures of them when we get there. Alicia is from Florida and met David who is from Belfast, while they were both attending Dallas seminary. They now serve together at the Newtonbreda Baptist Church.

"I just looked at the blog you told me about. That is so very encouraging. It is believers like you both that keep me going everyday...to know we are in this journey together even across the world"

Thanks for your prayers - for us and for them. Bonnie

Beginning our Journey - praying like the Apostle Paul

2009-10-30T16:14:00.000-07:00

Wednesday evening Bonnie and I will be boarding a plane for Belfast, Northern Ireland. This is a place that we have been to several times before and have developed some deep and meaningful relationships with the dear people of the Newtonbreda Baptist Church and a number of leaders in the surrounding area.

On this trip, it is our desire to in some way 'bring you with us', asking you to pray not only for us, but for the people to whom we will be ministering. These are people that you have never met and probably never will, but in the spirit of the apostle Paul, who wrote the book of Colossians to people he had never met, we are asking you - like Paul, to carry these people in your heart the way Paul did by praying for them.

Paul said it this way in Colossians 1:3 "...we give thanks to God the father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints - a faith and love that springs from hope. For this reason also, since the day we heard of it (your faith, hope, & love), we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God."

An amazing prayer - so let's pray it - for people we know, for people we don't know, for all the saints who may be struggling to find their faith, and love, and hope.

We're going to keep you posted as we can, so check out the blog, it may help you pray.

Leaving Wednesday, November 4

2009-10-30T12:48:00.000-07:00

David and Bonnie Johnson will be sharing stories, pictures and prayer requests while in Belfast, Northern Ireland.