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Joe Farmer's Profile

Joe Farmer (dd964vet)

Introduction: A disciple of Jesus, cleverly disguised as a recovering drug addict and alcoholic.

Name: Joe

Age and Gender: 38

City: Hartland

State:: Wi

Country:: USA

Where are you from?: I was born and raised in the boondocks

My Website:: www.overcomersoutreach.org

My other Website: www.hopestreetministry.org

Mac or PC: PC

Religious Preferences:: Ev non dom

Your astrological sign: Aries

Political Tendencies:: Conservative

What is your "cover" (occupation)?: Engineer

What is your vocation (passion)?: Spiritual specwar

What are you working on now (mission)?: Bringing Christ and Him crucified to drunks and addicts

If you could live anywhere in the world, what city would be your "Gotham"?: Singapore or Seattle, maybe Innsbruck

What leader from a feature film most reminds you of you?: Tom Hanks in "Saving Private Ryan"

What leader from a feature film would you be most likely to follow?: Spartacus

Favorite Movies: The Pirates of Penzanze, In Harm's Way, Bringing Up Baby

If you pressed play on your iPod, what song would come up?: Ball and Chain, Susan Ashton

Favorite Music:: Rockabilly/Punk Fusion

Favorite Artists: Monet
Susan Farmer

What book(s) are you reading right now?: Chasing Daylight

Favorite Authors: Tolkien
Lewis
S Briscoe

Favorite Books: No Comprimise
The Simirillion
Mere Christianity

Favorite TV Shows:: Scrubs

What are your Super Powers (according to you and those who know you)?: Success in spite of myself

What is your given Superhero Name?: Larryboy

More About Me:: Husband and Father
Global War on Terror Vet (US Navy-SW/SWCC)
Interested in hearing your thoughts on Discipleship, Spiritual warfare and Christian Recovery

Relationship Status:: Married

Joe Farmer's Groups

Internet Promotion for Christian Websites: (3 members)
Created by Chris McElroy

Jhn 8:36: (1 member)
Created by Joe Farmer

Forum

On being "The Church"

Added a reply Sep 13 2007

Michael; Great insight! If we could only fully lay hold of those things there would hardly be need for anyone to question the "relevance" of Christ or His people. Read More »

On being "The Church"
3 Replies

Started this discussion. Last reply by Jean Sep 23 2007.

I have been pondering some of the postings we have up here. There is alot of thought being put into "not church", "emergence" and the like. However it seems to me that the more basic question ought... Read More »

The Church in the Postmodern world.

Added a post Jul 31 2007

In my opinion the "Emergence Movment"'s collective philosophy ( or lack thereof) could be summed up as follows, ahem; "Most of the time I have absolutly no idea what I am doing. I'm just this dumb ... Read More »

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Sinners and Tax Collectors

I came across an interesting quote in an article I read recently. “Two of the signs of a healthy church are sexual immorality and heresy.” It was printed in bold type, and just leaped off the page at me, demanding that I give it attention. How could anyone seriously make such an assertion? The very statement is, well, immoral and heretical!

…

Continue Reading…

Posted by Joe Farmer on September 21st, 2007 at 12:34pm — 2 Comments (Add)

Eliminate the Para-Church?

I have seen this sentiment popping up alot lately. Allow me to respectfully disagree.

I am a member of a fairly large congregation. By SE WI standards I suppose you could even call it a "mega-church".

I am also a recovering drug addict and alcoholic.

When I am speaking with one of our pastors regarding this particular state of being they are , as one would expect, genuinely concerned, empathetic and desirous to minister Christ's love and grace to others of like afflict…

Continue Reading…

Posted by Joe Farmer on August 17th, 2007 at 7:00am — No Comments (Add)

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At 10:39am on October 15th, 2007, Gary R. Tucker said…: Freedom Fellowship is an inner city outreach. The "mega" church several of us were going to was given this church building in an socioeconomically depressed area. Seven of us stated meeting there on Wednesday night studying the Bible. We then started walking the neighborhood inviting people to our study. Then the "mega" church got involved and started providing meals every Wednesday night. We continue to have the Bible study and meal every Wed. night and a worship one Saturday a month. We have about 40 regular attenders now from the neighborhood. That is Freedom Fellowship.

At 4:59pm on September 26th, 2007, Patina Ripkey said…: Very true. I guess it's all about perspective. You know, in the Northwoods you can really see the "bat signal" -- lots of black nights and awesome starts!

Working on finalizing the CD right now. It will be mixed and mastered in 2 weeks.

At 3:25pm on September 23rd, 2007, Jean said…: Joe I was thinking of what we did in a Spiritual Formation Workshop. You put the 6 Spiritual traditions in a circle with spokes from the centre with a 1 at the centre and rate yourself on each one out of 10. So if you think you are doing quite well on Social Justice (the compassionate life) you might put 6 and for Evangelical (The Word-centred life) 5 but score yourself low at say 2 for Contemplative (the prayer-filled life) you might say to God and your group 'This week I will spend 5 minutes each day in silent listening to God' or on Holiness (the virtuous life) 'I will say 3 positive things about x or ask forgiveness about something- or write an encouraging letter--
(see www.renovare.org and Books by Richard Foster and Dallis Willard)

At 1:20pm on September 22nd, 2007, Ronald said…: Hi Joe. Thanks for the comment about NO COMPROMISE and Keith Green. Keith Green's music is awesome. It's been a long while since I read the book, but I can still remember the part about what happened when he played the Prodigal Son suite at Oral Roberts University. That song is so anointed for anyone who has gone astray, one can't help but cry their way back into the Father's loving arms while listening to it. Blessings!
--ronald

At 7:50pm on September 21st, 2007, allthisforaKing said…: Joe,

I'm glad to be in contact. Let's see, I'm not sure I have anything to offer that you don't already know. I just can tell you what has worked for me. And again, it's probably stuff you already know.

The funny thing is this. I myself have just turned 29 and my two very closest and best friends in the world are 18 and 21 years old. It's funny because they actually were students that I once led youth group for. They have over the past 3 1/2 years grown from students to friends and more so now to almost like family. Many people caution me and find this to be so very odd that my closest friends are close to a decade younger than me, but they are the truest sense of the word "soul mates". I feel for them as David and Jonathan felt towards one another. They are so close to me now after years of investing and then mutual sharing of life.

I remember how hard it was to enter their worlds. We would spend formal time at youth group together and over the first months it was contact through planned events. As I began to get to know them more, it was the mutual sharing and not just trying to get to know them but also allowing them into my life equally. It was caring about what they really cared about even if I didn't agree with it. It was genuinely understanding their point of view not so I could figure out how to break it, but so I could really know them.

Yes, I think you're right that sometimes they aren't ready, but what I realized is that everybody need and craves, whether they admit it or not, someone who genuinely cares, someone who will not be afraid of the real them, someone who will fight for them, who will defend them, who will dare to draw near to them. A lot of the time, society says that those closest to us will be those who are most like us, but I challenge that. Especially when it comes to age. I do believe there is something with generations, but the reality is that many young people have been hurt by those older in their lives and the greatest thing is that we, like the church, have the opportunity to present what is real, what is genuine, regardless of the stereotypes that already exist.

And for us, we must not tire, we must not stop pursuing and being moved by the very Spirit indwelling us. We must not be discouraged when we are not received or welcomed, and blatantly rejected. We must pursue others for Christ and as Christ has pursued us in our disillusionment. And we must care so deeply for the person, and solely for that person. We must care beyond converting them, and we must genuinely just care for them. And we must be willing to enter their worlds, even if that causes us discomfort and potential risk. When they see that we genuinely care for them, they will be willing to find out more about us, and we must then be willing to share our lives as well. Lastly, we must be diligent to know rightly our identity and significance in Christ alone! that we will not be shaken when we are not received as we wished we had been or expected to be. We must be willing to abandon all expectations and let God alone be our only hope and expectation, knowing and trusting completely in God complete and utter sovereignty.

When we have the opportunity to engage in the lives of others, we must always see that sacrifice will provide opportunities for others. That if we abandon our agendas, our plans, our control, our comfort, and all that we know, we may be able to actually be able to draw out the greatness and potential that exists, which God placed, within them.

My mission in life is to share my life so intentionally and intimately with those who God has put around me. My vision is that people would discover their God given dreams and potential and that my sacrifice, intentionality and influence may impact their lives and that they would be unleashed to live with passion and focus. And my purpose is to show that from my life, from brokenness comes beauty that we cannot imagine, and ultimately that wholeness and healing come from hope. And ultimately our hope is Christ. I desire to live my life in response to the reality of the gospel, giving glory to God in all I do, and living in constant worship of him - that my life would be an offering to him, "all this for a King."

Again, nothing new, but this has been my journey.
All this,
Emily

At 4:46pm on September 13th, 2007, Gary R. Tucker said…: I do live in Abilene now which is the "Big City" from where I grew up. I grew up in a little town called Sundown, Texas population 325 if you count the dogs, cats, and other stray animals. It was like growing up in Mayberry all the way down to a Bernard P. Fife. Have you read Victory over the Darkness by Neil T. Anderson. Looking at your interests this would be a good book if you have not read it.

At 12:37pm on September 13th, 2007, Gary R. Tucker said…: I got the invitation and looked at your page. One question: Are you in the raft or the one taking the picture? We will have to compare boondocks and see who was born and raised in the boonestdock.

At 6:14pm on September 12th, 2007, Michael said…: I love Singapore.
We stay over when we go to Europe, usually on the way back to deal to jet lag and the time stuff.
I prefer to fly Singapore airways to Europe as I love the stop overs at Changi airport. Which i consider what all "Hubs" should be designed around.

At 10:24pm on August 3rd, 2007, Rich Merritt said…: First tour on a DDG, then an FF; Battleship Iowa, and last was the Simon Lake in Scotland, that was a subtender.

I can turn a wrench and I like tea both! :-) ; but love coffee more - must be the Chief in me!

Richie

At 5:00pm on August 3rd, 2007, Rich Merritt said…: Yea man! Va Beach, but I am leaving here eventually. I have been here on and off since 1978. SO.., when I leave it will be tough. I am a retired LDO, what about you?

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