how do you play?

Some people play to win, others play, not to lose.  When we play to win, we are saying, we will gladly give up what we have in order to get something greater.  When we play not to lose, we are trying to protect what we currently have, but will take more if we don't have to risk what we currently have.  These are 2 different mindsets.  Whichever you have, will greatly effect how you live your life.  How are you living and why?

growth hurts

- You can't remain comfortable and continue to grow.

- Growth = change = movement = friction = pain

- You can't follow Jesus and remain the same.

- Growth means doing something new.

- Grow daily or die gradually.

-  Are you growing?

dream vs. doubt

Here is a fact of life....The bigger the dream, the bigger the doubt.  

As God entrusts us with more, always know that our enemy will hit us harder.  It's because there is so much on the line.  The bigger the dream, the stronger the battle rages, because we are moved to the front lines of the battle.  Doubt is one of the main tactics of our enemy.  The devil gets us to take our eyes off of Jesus and the Word that He has given us and instead begin looking at ourselves.  When we do this, we doubt.  Of course we should doubt, we can't do anything without God!  We desperately need God and His power.  As long as we keep our eyes off of ourselves and our weakness and keep them securely on Jesus, we have hope and all the power we need.

death for life

In order for a plant to give new life, a seed has to die.  It's the same for us in our lives.  Our past must die, in order for us to truly live.  Many times our problems determine our belief in God.  We try to shrink HIM to the size of our biggest problem and we allow our past hurt to hold us prisoner.  We then live as a victim rather than in victory.  Does your past hold you prisoner?  Jesus died to set you free.

normal

There are so many people who are just trying to fit in and be normal.  The truth is normal isn't working!  The normal American is in debt up to their ears, so busy they can't even enjoy life and are chasing a mirage of what they think will bring them happiness.  May we think about our lives today, what we are chasing and who we are becoming.  Will we leave a legacy someday?  Will the world be a better place because of our time on this planet?  Will we fulfill our God given potential?  To do these things....we can't settle for normal.

Every Sunday

Every Sunday at C3 Church, is someones first Sunday!

Wow, just the thought of that makes me want to give everything I have every single week.  We have no clue what people are walking through the door carrying, but no matter what it is we have the answer...JESUS!  This is why every person who serves at C3 truly makes a difference in loving people to LifeChange.  It's all of us together, using our time, talent and treasure that allow people to experience Jesus.  Because every Sunday, is someones first Sunday at C3 Church!

Boston Marathon

I remember like yesterday finishing the 2010 Boston Marathon.  So much time, training, discipline, preparation go into making that dream a reality.  I couldn't imagine running down that final stretch toward the finish, only to have a bomb go off?  I mean, who does something like this?  In my flesh, it incredibly angers me.  The selfishness, carelessness, sickness inside a person to do something like this...and for what?
Truly whoever did this, suffers from the same sickness everyone of us face...sin.  Sin cares about no one and it's not rational.  Sin only brings destruction and pain.  But Jesus, came to give the world hope from sin.  Right now our prayers are with the families and those affected by such a senseless action.

seeking

What are you seeking?  What am I seeking?  Our lives reveal the answer to that question.  We spend our time, talents and money to chase after what we are seeking.  The Bible says to "Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you."  If we are seeking anything other than Jesus, we are missing what is real and truly matters in this life.

shame

Tomorrow at C3 we are talking about shame.  All of us at some point have dealt with it.  My main point is that we usually run away from the very ONE that can take it away.  The enemy desires for us to hide our shame and when we do, he haunts us with it.  Then many times our shame begins to shape us, cause we soon believe that we are what we are ashamed about.  The truth is, Jesus died to cover our shame and only He can set us free!

crop failure

The Bible says "you reap what you sow." We all know that nature itself operates this way. If you plant corn, you will harvest corn. What is planted, will always bring forth fruit in time....but....when we have planted crops we don't want, we can always pray for crop failure! This is where you have messed up and then throw yourself at the merciful feet of Jesus. No promise that the crop will fail, but it's always worth a shot. lol.

Real Church

I had the opportunity to speak at Real Church in Pataskala this past Sunday. My friend and Pastor James Dewhurst was out of town. This was only their 3rd Sunday being up and running since their launch. They had over 200 people in attendance within the 2 services. They have an incredible thing going! I'm so proud of James and his team. Myself and C3 are their biggest fans!

follow

You can't follow Jesus and remain the same. It really is that simple. We are all lured away by sin, comfort, fear, pride, the list can go on and on. But if we are going to truly follow Jesus, we must be willing to let go of anything.

I am

I am my greatest limitation. What can hinder God's power at work in and through me? I can. Will we allow fear and pride to limit what God can do in our lives? Can you imagine what God could do, through just 1 person who wouldn't allow fear or pride to cause them to shrink back? That person could literally be used by God to change the world. Be that kind of person.

anchor or engine

Are you an anchor or an engine? Anchors hold on and don't want to move. In fact they keep the boat from moving. An anchor that is down can only be moved by dragging it. It greatly hinders movement and change. Or we are engines, which move the boat. Engines are the power behind the movement. Engines move things forward and carry the boat forward. Are you an anchor or an engine?

BOOOOM

Easter was incredible! I normally don't post numbers, but I want to give praise to JESUS. We had 20 people come to Jesus this past weekend and 1,102 in attendance between the 4 services. Our teams did amazing to accomadate all the people. We are humbled that God would trust us with so much. Also, we have heard from several of the churches we have partnered with to launch this year and they had incredible Sundays as well! To God be all the glory!