Great Sunday

We kicked off 3 services yesterday with 8:15, 9:45, 11:30 services and had a great turnout. Our team did amazing preparing for this and our church jumped in to serve and make it happen. We now are positioned to grow to the next level by being able to hold more people. Our community groups kick off in 2 weeks helping people grow in relationship with God and others which is perfect timing. Last night we had an incredible prayer service. God is moving in our church and we are honored to be a part of it.

afraid of

Today, I'm really thinking through the question; What am I afraid of? That is a really hard question and the answers to that question leave me vulnerable and weak. This causes me to protect myself by putting up a wall of protection, which then keeps me from ever dealing with these things until the walls are broken down. My walls will never be broken down without an incredible and usually painful impact. .....Wow...the more I think on this, the deeper it goes. I really believe the key is, when you see something in your life contrary to the Word of God, quickly confess it, ask for strength and then line up your life in obedience to God.

What are you afraid of?

consumers vs. contributors

The bigger our church gets, the easier it is to have our people become producers. It is just the nature of the beast. In a small church, everyone has to do something, which creates contributors. So we are at the point where we have to get smaller as we get bigger. We have to create opportunities for people to discover and develop their giftings and then put them to good use, while at the same time remain focused. This is a big and constant undertaking.

past

I read a good blog today about never letting the past hinder our future. If anything, our past should be a launching pad for the future, regardless of whether it was good or bad. If our past was negative, it should drive us to change. If our past was positive, we should continue to move forward to build upon it to honor it. Both positive and negative pasts can either hinder us or propel us. They can hinder through fear to move forward or trying to recapture what was once experienced. They can propel us by running away from it, or by striving to make the world better than what you experienced. The key is to learn from our pasts and use that experience to help us move forward in the here and now.

passion feeder

What are you passionate about? How do you stay passionate? It is a constant battle to stay in the stream that produces your passion. I think the key is figuring out, what feeds your passion and then being intentional about constantly trying to stay there. When we operate in our passions, we are way more effective and live with greater levels of satisfaction.
What feeds your passion?

Filthy rich

Did you know that if your household makes over $38k a year, you are in the top 4.5% riches people on the planet? Or that over half the worlds populations makes under $2 a day? But the hard one to swallow is that everyday, 26,565 children will die of preventable causes related to their poverty. We ask ask the question, "Why God would you let this happen?". But I believe someday that God will ask us the same question. If He blessed us with so much wealth where our garages and basements are full, yet we still don't give and instead continue to consume and hoard it all for ourselves. Will we not be held accountable for this? It would be like a father watching one child who has several cookies, while his brothers and sisters have none and then the father watches that child consume every cookie while the other children look on. You and I are filthy rich and we will be held responsible for what we do with it.

15 years

Today, is my Keri and I's 15th wedding anniversary. We have had an amazing adventure together. I can honestly say that I love her more today than I did when I married her. We have both grown considerably in the last 15 years and learned a lot about loving and respecting each other. Every marriage has it's moments, but I can honestly say it has been amazing. When two people are committed to each other and allow God's grace to be continually be in the middle and daily make the decision to love and cherish each other, marriage can be incredible. I am blessed beyond measure. I love my wife!