Easter 2011

We had an incredible Easter Sunday. Several people gave their lives to Jesus and we had a ton of guests. We had to go to 3 services so we tried a 7:15am early service....and learned that they don't work for us. HA. I'm kind of glad, because I don't have to get up early. The 2nd and 3rd services were very full and we broke an attendance record with 724 people! God is so amazing! Starting this next Sunday we are moving to 3 services which will be 8:30 / 10:15 and Noon. We are praying for God to continue bring us people far from Him, so that we can "love people to LifeChange."

sports

I got to play some beach volleyball on Thursday night with some friends from C3. I used to play back in the day but never in 50 degrees and wet sand. My toes were literally pale white....but we won all 6 games! I also got to run a local 5k on Saturday and got my first win of the year! I can't wait for Monday when our C3 Men's team has it's first game. At 36, I'm realizing there will come a point where I will start slowing down, but I am going to fight that as long as possible. Tomorrow is Easter and I'm excited to see what Jesus is going to do. I wept while I was writing my message knowing that there will be those there on Sunday that don't know Jesus. I'm praying for Jesus to blow it up. We are doing 3 services, 7:15, 9:15 and 11:15.

offense

This morning I was reading an older book called, "The Bait of satan." John Bevere gives some great teaching on being offended. It's amazing how many people take the bait by being offended and then allow the enemy to ruin their spiritual lives or at least stunt their spiritual growth. I can always tell how spiritually mature someone is, by how much it takes to offend them. It's never the Jesus in us that get's offended, it's our flesh. Many people will keep moving from church to church every time they get offended. It's like continually pulling out a tree by it's roots and then trying to replant it. #1. It never grows deep roots. #2. The tree's growth is either stunted or the tree dies. Roots grow deep through hot summers and strong winds. Have you taken the bait of "offense?"

failure

"You are the only person that can label you a failure." There is a big difference from failing and being a failure. It really comes down to how you see yourself. I think the key is never getting under your failures, but rather staying on top of them. When I fail, I can let it bury me or stand on it so I can reach higher and farther. How do you see failure?

failure

Easter Sunday, we are going a different route. I am kicking off a series entitled, "FAILURE." I will be tying it in to how for a season, the world thought that this "Jesus" had failed. Even his closet followers thought this. They were confused, scared and swimming in what they perceived as failure. The one who they gave everything up for, was now gone and they were in hiding. BUT, with God, "FAILURE IS NOT FINAL." God used this perceived failure to change the world! It was through what the world saw as "failure" that SALVATION was brought to all mankind. With God, failure is NOT final!

great weekend

We pulled off a great 20,000 Eggstravaganza, even with some crazy weather. I'm so proud of our amazing C3'ers. Then Sunday, we had a great crowd for our last 2 service Sunday for a while. After church, I went on a date with my little girl Kali. We went to McDonald's, the dollar store then rode bumper cars, inflatables and a carousel at a nearby mall. I love that little girl. Then back to the church for a meeting, pre-marriage counseling and a "Starting Point" with 12 new potential C3'ers. God is good and I feel amazingly blessed.

simple

Why do we make everything in life so difficult? Life according to Jesus is really simple. Love God, love others. I want to live my life simply, although it can be hard to do. Life can get complicated very quickly. What if we could commit to simply loving God and loving others and enjoying the blessings of God on our lives. That's my goal.