Sunday Mind Dump

We had part 3 of the Hostage series today. The message was awesome. We had some great comments. So let's dump:

• Today was the best the band has sounded and played....ever.
• Great flow and April did an awesome job leading worship.
• The message was killer.
• The all church business meeting went well.

I know that's not much for a mind dump.....but I am tired....it's been a really long day.....I am out...peace:)

Hostage

Tomorrow will be the halfway point for the teaching series Hostage. I know I say this alot but I think this could REALLY be our best series ever. I have heard story after story of how our folks really needed to hear the messages right after they were done. Tomorrows message is another one of those messages. It's going to hit some people hard. Know that if that's you.....embrace the message and do what it says........That's how your going to find freedom.

Blessed are the....

Doing a little reading of the sermon on the mount today and one thing really came to me....If you want to be blessed there are some things you are going to have to do. God's blessing comes with a price.....Check this out......Matthew ch 5 (MSG)

• “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
  
• “You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
  
• “You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.
  
• “You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.
  
• “You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘carefull,’ you find yourselves cared for.
  
• “You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
  
• “You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.
  
• “You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.
  
• “Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable.

Some great blessings.....Sadly, most of these things don't feel like blessings. Show's you just how different our world can be from God's world.....

You gotta do what you gotta do....

Been doing a lot of reading lately when God hit me with something pretty profound...I am doing a lot of listening to others and not nearly enough listening to him (ouch.) Talk about a painful thought....So, I feel like I am going on a little bit of a media fast. For the next month or so I am blocking out all other books, leaders, and ministries and just listening to God. Actually, I have been doing that for the last week or so and it's been kinda nice just hearing God speak without distraction. Not that listening to others is wrong or bad. The Bible say's "in a multitude of counselors there is wisdom." I believe that and I try to follow it.....but there are sometimes when God's counsel alone is what you need.......that's where I am right now.....just trying to listen to God speak..........If you are hearing too much clutter in your life....consider tuning every other voice out so you can hear God speak clearer.

Sunday Mind Dump

An awesome day. The message blew some folks away today. I had the most requests for DVD's of the message ever. It was awesome to hear so many people come up and tell me their stories of how they are struggling with worry. I know worry is something everyone of us struggle with because we are people and people worry. As pastor Craig said today....we need to do what little we can do and then turn the problem over to God trusting him for the results.......so let's dump.

• Some of the changes we talked about a few weeks ago during the vision message are starting to take shape. Very cool to see.
• The kids had a great time with Ernie today. Seem's like he is a keeper:)
• Aaron is really stepping up in worship. It was great to play and sing with him today. I don't get to do it often and it's always cool to be a part. Saw so many people in the crowd singing today and it made me feel like a proud papa seeing people worship.
• Still working on some things with the new web site. Remember to bring your thoughts to either me or Trezzo over the next few weeks. As we say at a wedding speak now or forever....well you know:)
• We are working on somethings with the elemetary classroom. After that we are turning our focus to the preschoolers.....it's going to be cool.
• Big time events coming.....stay tuned over the next few weeks.
  
• April will not stop talking about all the food for the Superbowl party.....will someone promise to make her some potato skins so she'll leave me alone about it?

I am out of here!

Wise words from Perry Noble...

I saw this post on Perry Nobles blog and it is such a great reminder for us during those times when we are feeling less than perfect. Hopefully it speaks to your heart.

He Delights In You!

Posted: 16 Jan 2009 06:02 AM CST

The other night I came home from a long day and plopped down on the couch next to ‘Cretia. Charisse came over and crawled up in my lap and wanted to play…and I could not resist.

After a few minutes of singing, clapping and dancing I said to her out loud, “Girl, you have NO IDEA how much joy you bring to my life. I am so proud you are my daughter.”

I didn’t say that because she was behaving properly. I didn’t say that because she was walking in perfect obedience. I didn’t say that because she was speaking positively to me and about me…

I said that because she’s my child…she belongs to me, and no matter what happens she will always be mine. I love her so much…she literally has NO IDEA how much I think about her and how much I want great things for her!

Later on that night God spoke to me and said, “You think your love for Charisse is amazing…you have NO IDEA how much I love you!”

AND…honestly, that amazes me.

He doesn’t love me because I am following all ‘the rules.” he doesn’t love me because I am spending a certain amount of time reading my Bible and praying. He doesn’t love me because I speak positively too Him and about Him.

He loves me because I am His…period. And if I, as an imperfect father, can’t quit thinking about Charisse and wanting the best for her…how much more does God think about and want the best for me?

AND the same is true for you!

If you are His child then He delights in you…not because of what you do and do not do…but because you are His! He thinks of you WAY more than you think of Him…and His desire for your life is greater than anything you could ever imagine.

I have often struggled with the idea that a perfect and holy God could love someone as imperfect and screwed up as I am…but it’s true. It’s true for me and it’s true for you!

His love is amazing…and we have NO IDEA how much He loves us. Once again…not because of who we are…but because of WHO HE IS and WHAT HE HAS DONE!

Thank You Jesus for loving me! I’m amazed!

A great example of why we do it.

Found this posting in my mailbox today from Rick Warren's daily devotional. It's a great example of why we do church the way we do it....

2009/01/12

Spiritual Growth Is Not a Private Matter
by Rick Warren

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25 (NLT)

*** *** *** ***

Some of us hesitate to commit ourselves to developing an intentional plan of growth that requires accountability or relationship with others because we believe spiritual growth is a personal and private matter. We choose to believe each person develops in his or her own way at his or her own rate.

This is an aberration from the truth.The idolatry of individualism has influenced even the way we think about spiritual growth.So much of the teaching on spiritual formation is self-centered and self-focused without any reference to our relationship to other Christians.

This is completely unbiblical and ignores much of the New Testament. The truth is that Christians need relationships to grow. We don’t grow in isolation from others. We develop in the context of fellowship.

Over and over again in the New Testament we find this basic truth: Believers need relationships with each other to grow! Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another …” (NIV).

God intends for us to grow up in a family.

Sunday Mind Dump

Well...I have to admit. Over the last month my mind has been racing with all the possibilities before us. We have all the talent we need, all the systems we need, and the right people we need to make this thing take flight. The last year has been all about getting that in place. This year is going to be about making the leap to drawing more people into Real Life.

Over the next few months look for some changes to happen. We have been busy behind the scenes making some big decisions that are going to help us do what we need to do. We have been shifting people around trying to find the right place for them to serve and we have some more yet to do in that department.

So lets dump.....

• It was like a second snow day today. Over half our church was out.
  
• I was tempted to cancel church but I am really glad I didn't. Some people really needed to heat the message today.
  
• It was fun playing guitar and singing. I don't get to do it often so when I do it's a treat for me. Next week I am bringing out my favorite guitar. My 2oo1 Stratocaster as I fill in for Tim.
• We got Tracy and Nate all moved out of their old place. Now they just need about 3 months to open boxes and put stuff away :)
• Thank you to everyone who braved the snow and came to church and to the moving party.
  
• DVD's of the play are on the way. I got the disc from Nate today. I will work on getting them done this weekend.

I am out. It's been a long weekend.

Snow Day

It's not often you get a Snow Day on Saturday but that's exactly what we had today. Way too much snow to move around so we huddled up at the house and got some work done we've needed to get done. We are looking forward to rocking your socks off tomorrow :)

Just so you know.....This teaching series is going to mean freedom for some and pain for others. It just depends on whether or not your willing to get real with yourself and God.

Peace..

Sunday Mind Dump

Felt nice to be back home at church this weekend. Seems like many people were dragging a bit after all the holiday visit, parties, and travels. Was great to see everyone after being away for a week and a half. So let's dump:

We talked about the vision of the church today. We talked about how far we have come and what we are going to be focusing on this year. So in a nutshell here are our main focus points for the year.

• We are going to focus on BEING THE CHURCH one person at a time. We are to Jesus hands and feet and be the church to a hurting a broken world. This year we are focusing on that big time. We are going to use small groups to adopt hurting people. We are going to partner with recovery ministries so the church can minister to the hurting and broken.
• We are going to HIT YOU WHERE YOU HURT. That means I am going to be teaching on some very tough things over the next 6 months. Not because it's cool or hip but because we need to deal with our hurts and hang ups before we are in a position to help others.
• We are TAKING KIDS MINISTRY TO A WHOLE NOTHA LEVEL. We are going to be doing some really cool things with our kids ministry. Adopting grandparents, changing curriculum, and adding activities outside of the church day. It's going to be cool.
• we are GOING TO DOUBLE IN SIZE. This last year we doubled in size and we are going to do that again. Not because of cool programs or because we spent a ton on advertising but because each person who's life has been changed for the better invites someone to church. Most people do not go to church because no one is asking them to. That cannot happen at Real Life. Our people are going to get freakish about inviting people to church.

We are also having an all church business meeting in a few weeks. Make sure you are here so you can see and ask questions about the budget and how we do things.

California Last Day

So our last day in Cali was laid back and uneventful. We slept in at the Aryes (did I mention they have the most comfortable beds ever?) and then drove up the coast through long beach to Malibu. We stopped and had lunch at one of my favorite LA spots (Wahoo's Fish Taco.) If you are ever out this way seriously, you have to try it. We then went out and walked on the Santa Monica Pier. After that we came back to the airport and checked into our hotel.

We had dinner tonight with Jamie and Tim Long. Jamie is an old college friend of Aprils that moved out to LA a few years ago. They took us to this Mexican joint called Paco's. All I can say is that was some seriously good grub. It's now 8:15 LA time. We are going to hit the showers and get ready for bed. The flight leaves at 6:15 and that is early for anyone :)

It's been a great trip but I am ready for home and getting back to work. God has given me some incredible things that we are going to be working on over the next year and I am really excited to be telling all the Real Life family what we are going to be working on. Hold on to your forks....this is going to get good.

California Day Five

Yet another great nights sleep here at the Aryes Suites. Have I mentioned how awesome this bed is? Seriously, the bed is really comfortable. Today April and I headed up to Anaheim and a day at Disneyland. Big mistake, I mean Disney is nice and all but I am not a person who likes the crowds and man were there a lot of crowds today. We actually had to wait 20 minutes to ride the stinking train.

Tomorrow we are either heading off to Big Bear Lake or we are sleeping in and heading up to Santa Monica to the pier. At first my vote would have been Big Bear but I am now thinking I might like to sleep in and just head to the pier. This is our last night at the Aryes. We are staying at an airport hotel tomorrow night as our flight to Detroit leaves at 6:15 saturday morning. I don't care it it's east coast or LA time. 6:15 is mighty early.

BTW....The message for this weekend is done. Vision 2009....what a catchy title :)

Here are a few titles I am toying with:

• Extreme Vision 2009
• Blinded by the Vision 2009
• Vision 2009 (hosted by Stevie Wonder)
• Vision 2009 Version 9.1
• Ivision 2009 (the upgraded 3G version will be 100 bucks cheaper and available in 6 months)
• Nightvision 2009 (special goggles needed)
• Blurry Vision 2009 (would have worked better if church was Jan 1st)

I am taking a poll....email your votes to me and maybe I'll change my mind about the title and go with one of the titles I am toying with:)

California Day Four

I think if Obama really wants to kick start the economy he could buy everyone one of these beds that they have at the Ayres hotels! They are the most comfortable things ever. I sleep like a baby on them.

Ok, on to the vacation log. We took off at 9 this morning and got on a boat. That boat took us out to Catalina Island. We had a full day on the Island we had lunch at a little Mexican place, we rented a golf cart and drove around taking in the scenery. Then we actually went out on mini-submersible (which is sort of like a sub) that was cool. We toured the outside of the island and saw tons of fish. After we got back to shore we had some coffee and treats then took the boat back to the mainland.

Dinner tonight at In N Out burger. Man, I forgot how good those puppies were!