Thursday, February 25, 2010

The Basin Group


















The Basin Group follows the same mission statement as our founding ministry FootWash Ministries.  This mission states that, “We exist to advance the gospel modeled after the servant’s heart of Jesus Christ.”  This model comes straight from the example as set by Christ in John ch. 13.  His example of leadership by being the model servant, unafraid to give and serve in humility, is an example that we should all seek to follow.

Through “The Basin Group” (TBG), our goal is to assemble a body of believers who offer a ministry, business, or service that meets or exceeds our ethical standards and provides  a unique opportunity, service, ministry,  or idea for our many members/viewers/ users.  TBG is a powerful networking tool for those who follow our ministry.   Our primary focus is that of sharing the gospel, creating and providing low to no cost resources, and restoring the family.  The  participation of these businesses, ministries, and ministry minded individuals assist FWM in enhancing our capabilities to provide creditable ministry services.  It is important that you know, these ministries are a part of The Basin Group at the expressed invitation by FWM, because of the exemplary ministry or business that they are and conduct.  Most of the members of TBG are coordinating with our ministry in the development of content or other contributions to the "Salvation App" for iPhone, iTouch, and iPad users or like resources, but not every one.  Other associations in TBG exist because of the uniqueness of the business or ministry and we want to assist them by high lighting their efforts.

Our goal is to do our best to enhance your networking capability, viewer, and followership.  In today’s social market, your ability to be at a fingertip glance to your audience, and those you serve, is of vital importance.  TBG offers this own many levels:

Click on ministry to receive more information:





























Cruise With A Cause

Join us on CRUISE WITH A CAUSE 2011 OFFICIAL DATES are May 30 - June 4, 2011 on the Carnival Destiny as we take our mission to Montego Bay, Jamaica. Start making plans for the most family friendly and family affordable fully chartered cruise anywhere that is also the World's Largest Mission trip.


We will share the Gospel with over 133,000 students in more than 200 
schools.

BOOKING HAS BEGUN!!



CONFIRMED Lineup (More to be announced soon)

SPEAKERS



Pastor John Hagee, Dr. Johnny Hunt, Jentezen Franklin, Bishop Paul S Morton, Bishop Dale Bronner, Pastor Matthew Hagee, Dr. Debra Morton, Mark Hall, Dr. Ergun Caner, Josh McDowell, Brandon Crouch, Lex Luger, Ted Dibiase, Nikita Koloff, Acton Bowen, Jim Raley. Jamey Ragle, Julie Wells, Martin Houston, Ryan Garrett, Darrel Rundus. Lyrica Smith, Frank Shelton, Chris Dorrity, and Bryan Taunton







ARTISTS


Casting Crowns, Donnie McClurkin (Island Only), Hezekiah Walker, David & Tamela Mann, The Crabb Family, NewSong, Sonicflood, Byron Cage, Jason Crabb, Tye Tribbett, Vicki Yohe, Russ Taff, Anthony Evans, Martha Munizzi, Mike and Kelly Bowling, John Gray,  Papa San, Crabb Revival, Aaron and Amanda Crabb, Buddy Mullins, Patrick Dopson, Comedian Rodney Allison, Danny Ray





Mission: This is your opportunity to join with us in the world's largest missions trip.  We will be going into Jamaica and sharing the gospel with over 133,000 students.


WE NEED YOU TO:







                     

Monday, February 22, 2010

Righteous Carnality










In my last note entitled, “Be My Valentine, signed Jesus” I used Romans 5:8 as a demonstration of the great redemptive love that Jesus has shown us.  Today, I would like to review this same passage in comparison to how we, “The Church”, appear to the world today.

 

Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.   

What an awesome demonstration of love.  Yet, I am afraid that in many ways the Church today has lost this perfect picture.  Over the years the Church, which defines how Christianity is perceived by the world, has become known more for what it stands against rather than what it stands for.  To that end let me say this, The Church or ministry that defines itself by what it stands against rather than by what it stands for is plagued with carnality.”  What does this mean?  Simply put, when one focuses on what they stand against they are themselves focused on the wrong things and in fact may find themselves in the same predicament as those they are accusing.  Now this is not defining right or wrong action.  It’s simply making a point.  Without question there are things that we stand against.  I’m simply questioning our methods, misplaced passions, funding, and anxieties.

 

Now, let’s be honest.  There aren’t many ministries or Churches that are out there promoting themselves by what they stand against.  Then what is my point?  The point is, they are doing it, but they are not doing it intentionally.  Example if you announced in your Church that you were going to have a rally against abortion, or against homosexuality, or against an upcoming gambling bill then you would most likely have many that would show up or want more information.  While on the other hand if you announced that you were going to host a rally for an upcoming evangelistic event or outreach program how would your attendance be and to what level of passion would you see your attendees?

 

Time and time again, “Christians” are pictured at a ballgame, a rally, a political campaign, or some politically charged event picketing, holding signs, making boisterous accusations, and being overly assertive toward this cause or that cause.  I wonder if those same individuals have ever used as much energy, time, or money to introduce someone to Christ.  Often, and organized campaign for a political cause will reach across many denominational lines and serve as a unifying cause for believers.  Yet, can we rarely come together for a unifying cause simply uplifting the name of Jesus.  In conclusion let me ask you this question, where do you feel this nation would be had we “Christians” taken the billions of dollars we’ve spent fighting this cause or that cause but instead invested in uplifting the name of Jesus.  I don’t have to worry about a young woman getting an abortion if I she knows Christ as Lord.  That’s not to say that she won’t make a mistake and get pregnant but it dramatically reduces the risk, and it will dramatically reduce the risk of abortion being an option for birth control.  After all, being carnal simply means to be focused on the things of the world or the flesh.  Righteous Carnality is when an individual or group is more focused on sin,  causes, or agendas rather than the promotion of the Gospel.  They then make themselves subject to their own speculation because they are equally carnal.  

 

Here’s the thing.  Christ came and offered us salvation with no guarantees that we would accept His sacrifice.  Yet, He did it anyway.  He loved us enough that it was worth the chance. We would have no guarantees that our showing love, and becoming more passionate about lifting Christ instead of causes would make a huge impact, but isn’t it worth that chance.  Certainly, trying to politically legislate our conservative agenda hasn’t worked.  I submit, we concentrate on creating change by changing individuals with the love of Christ rather than beating them down with our mass cause/agenda.  This is what has made the “Christian” nation known more for what we stand against rather than what we stand for.  I submit to you, we need to be stripped of our carnalities (focusing on the world, it’s fault and wrong doing) and begin focusing on the Cross and the empty tomb and thereby change the world! Christ said, "If I am lifted up, from the earth, will draw all men unto me". John 12:32  We have the most powerful tool to draw people to Christ, the gospel!  Let's strive to put as much time into it as we do our "Causes."

 

Giving God the Glory,

 

Bryan Taunton

Executive Dir. FootWash Ministries

Sunday, February 14, 2010

"Be My Valentine", signed Jesus



"Be My Valentine", that’s what Jesus says, today and every day.   Never has there been such a relevant example of what true love is all about.  I remember years ago I had a very cynical professor say, “I challenge anyone to define the word love that applies to every circumstance.”  No one, in the class accepted the challenge.  I wish I would have had the wisdom then that, God has granted me today.  Her point being, there are so many different types of love that it is impossible to truly define it in a general way that it is applicable to all circumstances.  This was a disturbing idea to me, because if I can’t define something how can I recognize it.  Just today, I heard my Pastor make a great observation.  He said, “We throw the word “love” around like it is interchangeable with the word, “like”.  In reality, it is not and we shouldn’t do that.”

We have greatly done the word, “love” and all that it encapsulates a great discredit.  You see to love something or someone is not an emotion or great overwhelming feeling, such as a Hollywood movie might suggest.  Rather love is a decision.  It is a rational choice that we make based solely upon our decision.  Christ gave us the ultimate example and definition of love.

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life.”

This verse represents the perfect definition of love.  Here’s what you can take away as the greatest example of love and should anyone ever ask you to define love tell them this, “Love is self fulfillment through self sacrifice by which you gain an appreciation for not from someone or something.”

You see, God is fulfilled when He invested in us through Christ, and therefore he now has a vested interest in us and appreciates us as His creation.  He loves you!  He is fulfilled with or without you but His choice is to be with you.
 
Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

God sent Christ to die, for your sin even while you are still living in sin.  He had and has no guarantee that you will ever accept this sacrifice.  Yet, God said, it’s worth a chance.  In essence God said, “Son, I know there are no guarantees.  In fact you and I both know they are not all going to listen and they are not all going to accept you. But Son, I love you and I know you love them as I do.  So, it’s worth a chance.  Let’s give them a chance at an eternal guarantee.”

Christ said, “Yes”, even though it hurt, even though he knew He would be rejected, even though He prayed for another way, ….He obeyed.  Christ loves you so much!  He doesn’t care about your situation.  Every day is another day that Jesus says, “I Love You!”  The Bible is your Valentine card from Him.  Praise God, His love for us is not dictated by our behavior or circumstances!  Tell Him, you love Him today.

Giving God the Glory,

Bryan K. Taunton

Friday, February 5, 2010

The Lucifer Complex

II Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

The good: Dr. Peter Church, Dr. John Cortz, Bro. Joe Johnson, Bob Santusiano, – great men of God, whom I’ve had the opportunity to meet and some to even develop a relationship with over the years.   When they walked into a room they were so full of the Holy Spirit that it was in the air around them.  These were real men of integrity.  Their relationships and personal belief in Christ had grown so much that, their lives were lives of impact by their very being.  The life they led was made evident in that it was the same in the open as it was behind a closed door.  While they weren't perfect they were great examples.  The kind of examples we aspire to be.  While falling short of those aspirations doesn't make one bad by any means there is a great and grave culture taking place.

The Bad: No names…. But many of those I and you have met fall greatly into this category.  Not that they were bad people, or bad ministers, but lacked the integrity to honor their word.  They treated ministry as business more than privilege, honor, and duty.  These are men and women in ministry who have yet to come to the full knowledge of Jesus Christ.  Much like Judas, they hold positions of power and often high esteem but their true motives are questionable.  These motives are made suspect by the actions they so often take.  I feel this is a virus that runs amok in the Church today.  You may know someone very much like this in ministry or even in your own church.


Our issue is: The Lucifer Complex - The Devils brand of belief.

Definition: Believing in God/Christ without having a relationship… i.e. Confessed belief, without believing or submitting

Diagnosis – Terminal to Body, Spirit, & Soul

Symptoms:
  • Says I believe in Jesus
  • Speaks to God often
  •  Produces Fruit but the plant is found undesirable…ex. The raspberry plant.
  •  Is Visible
  •  Is absent of Peace
  •  Lacks a true relationship with Christ

Mathew 6:21-23
Christ defines what will happen to those afflicted with this disease of the soul.

Let us pray for the following:
  • That we stand united as one body and operate with integrity!
  • That those afflicted with this deadly disease of believing without believing this “lucifer complex” might be healed and we are given opportunity to share and bring them to the realization of the need for more than a simple minded belief, but rather a deep and meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ.
  • The needs of our communities might be met
    • People will recognize their need for Christ
    • Their private needs will be met financial, family healing, sickness, hunger, etc.
    • Good and Godly community leadership
    • We realize the need for real relational evangelism and that means maintaining and integrity with the people around us.





The Challenge:  To walk upright in your calling, seeking to be an uplifting tool, standing for what is right, doing what is right, following through on your calling, and helping others do the same.

Blessings,

Bryan K. Taunton
Pres. Founder of FootWash Ministries




Become an Advocate

Subscribe to The Basin News Quarterly E-Newsletter

join our mailing list
* indicates required

God's House Band