What a rainy and cold weekend we just experienced! The good news is that spring weather should be here in a day or so. South Carolina is one of those rare places where you get the chance to run your heat and A/C on the same day. Lots of stuff in my mind today, here's some:
- The way God speaks through scripture continues to amaze me. I was reading through 1 Timothy this morning when a verse jumped off of the page at me. 1 Timothy 3:16 says, "Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great...".
I was reminded of how my normal desire is for all of life to be neat and tidy, but it rarely is. The whole path that God wants us to walk down is full of mystery and awe. Even our best efforts at godliness and understanding who God is can be full of surprises. I have read Timothy many times before, but today God used part of one verse to remind me of why I'm here. That's amazing.
- Baseball's back! The Braves lost their opening game last night, but Chipper Jones hit a home run. If he plays a full season without injury or time off this year, he is on pace to hit 162 home runs! That would shatter the current record! Seriously, I'm excited about the Braves chances this year, but it's a long season.
- This isn't important in the grand scheme of things but, I saw a commercial for Toyota trucks yesterday that uses the REM song "I Am Superman" for the background music. Is anyone other than me surprised that they would allow one of their songs to be used to sell trucks? I'm not saying they shouldn't, it just surprised me. I was just as surprised when John Mellencamp did the same thing.
- Pray for other new churches this week. Beginning Freedom has taught me that we are part of a much bigger movement of planting new churches across the state of South Carolina. I just found out that a friend of mine who started a new church in Lexington a couple of years ago made the tough decision to close down the church. Almost half of all new churches die within the first three years. One thing that is true is that every time a new church begins, people's lives are changed. Here's a list of some guys I know who are starting new churches, pray for them by name. Ask God to use them to reach as many people as possible. Maybe the day will come when no more churches close their doors.
Carl Martin
Michael Green
Jonathan Everette
Sammy Clary
Art Fulks
Jim Reppart
Thanks for reading. Be sure to leave a comment. I'd love to hear from you!
Monday, March 31, 2008
Thursday, March 27, 2008
No more Chikezie and other random stuff
If you are a regular comment leaver on this blog (thanks Dave, Chip & Blake!) you have noticed that I now have things set up where you leave a comment, and then I decide if it should be published. I had to make this change because I got two Spam comments that if you clicked on them it tried to load some type of software on your computer. Despite that, I love for you to comment on anything I write. I believe it makes things much more interesting.
Now on to what's on my mind this morning:
- It was a sad night in my home last night due to the American Idol results show. My main man Chikezie was sent home. I had a feeling that the end of the line for him was near, but I really thought that the blond country girl or even the dude with the dreads would go first. By the way, what was that move that Chikezie's Mom was doing while he sang last night? Too bad he's gone, now we won't get to see anymore of that.
- NCAA tournament games start back tonight. I'm hoping Western Kentucky and Davidson both make it to the Final Four. Plus, I'm waiting for Bobby Knight to have an in-studio meltdown over something Digger Phelps says. Maybe he could rip that highlighter out of Digger's hand and throw it at the camera. That would be great television.
- We'll be finishing up our series on "Uncensored Grace" this Sunday. You will want to be sure and bring your friends. The message for this week is based on Galatians 2:21. Check it out before you arrive on Sunday.
- Sherry is going to a women's event at the Bi-Lo Center on Friday night, so I am planning on renting a manly DVD. I am thinking of getting either, "No Country for Old Men" or "We Own the Night". If you've seen either one of these let me know what you'd pick.
- Here's something cute Grace said the other day, "Daddy, I know that dogs are color blind, but are they color deaf?" That one really made me laugh.
Now on to what's on my mind this morning:
- It was a sad night in my home last night due to the American Idol results show. My main man Chikezie was sent home. I had a feeling that the end of the line for him was near, but I really thought that the blond country girl or even the dude with the dreads would go first. By the way, what was that move that Chikezie's Mom was doing while he sang last night? Too bad he's gone, now we won't get to see anymore of that.
- NCAA tournament games start back tonight. I'm hoping Western Kentucky and Davidson both make it to the Final Four. Plus, I'm waiting for Bobby Knight to have an in-studio meltdown over something Digger Phelps says. Maybe he could rip that highlighter out of Digger's hand and throw it at the camera. That would be great television.
- We'll be finishing up our series on "Uncensored Grace" this Sunday. You will want to be sure and bring your friends. The message for this week is based on Galatians 2:21. Check it out before you arrive on Sunday.
- Sherry is going to a women's event at the Bi-Lo Center on Friday night, so I am planning on renting a manly DVD. I am thinking of getting either, "No Country for Old Men" or "We Own the Night". If you've seen either one of these let me know what you'd pick.
- Here's something cute Grace said the other day, "Daddy, I know that dogs are color blind, but are they color deaf?" That one really made me laugh.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
The indestructible church
I recently read a very realistic and moving description of the church. It was written by Rob Bell who is a pastor and author. I thought it might be something you'd like to read so here it is:
One of the central metaphors for God and His people throughout the Bible is that of a groom and his bride. God is the groom; His people are the bride. I like this because it makes the church a "she".
She's a mystery, isn't she? Still going after all this time. After the Crusades and the Inquisition and Christian cable television. Still going. And there continue to be people like me who believe she is one of the best ideas ever. In spite of all the ways she has veered off track. In spite of all the people who actually turned away from God because of what they experienced in church. I am starting to realize why: the church is a double-edged sword. When it's good, when it's on, when it's right, it's like nothing on earth. A group of people committed to selflessly serving and loving the world around them? Great. But when it's bad, all that potential gets turned the other way. From the highest of highs to the lowest of lows. Sometimes in the same week. Sometimes in the same day.
But she will live on. She's indestructible. When she dies in one part of the world, she explodes in another. She's global. She's universal. She's everywhere. And while she's fragile, she's going to endure. In every generation there will be those who see her beauty and give their lives to see her shine. Jesus said the gates of hell will not prevail against her. That's strong language. And it's true. She will continue to roll across the ages, serving and giving and connecting people with God and each other. And people will abuse her and manipulate her and try to control her, but they'll pass on. And she will keep going.
I thank God for the church and that He allows me to be part of it!
One of the central metaphors for God and His people throughout the Bible is that of a groom and his bride. God is the groom; His people are the bride. I like this because it makes the church a "she".
She's a mystery, isn't she? Still going after all this time. After the Crusades and the Inquisition and Christian cable television. Still going. And there continue to be people like me who believe she is one of the best ideas ever. In spite of all the ways she has veered off track. In spite of all the people who actually turned away from God because of what they experienced in church. I am starting to realize why: the church is a double-edged sword. When it's good, when it's on, when it's right, it's like nothing on earth. A group of people committed to selflessly serving and loving the world around them? Great. But when it's bad, all that potential gets turned the other way. From the highest of highs to the lowest of lows. Sometimes in the same week. Sometimes in the same day.
But she will live on. She's indestructible. When she dies in one part of the world, she explodes in another. She's global. She's universal. She's everywhere. And while she's fragile, she's going to endure. In every generation there will be those who see her beauty and give their lives to see her shine. Jesus said the gates of hell will not prevail against her. That's strong language. And it's true. She will continue to roll across the ages, serving and giving and connecting people with God and each other. And people will abuse her and manipulate her and try to control her, but they'll pass on. And she will keep going.
I thank God for the church and that He allows me to be part of it!
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
You only get one chance...
Seth Godin is a businessman and author who has written books with unique titles such as, "Purple Cow" and "Meatball Sundae". He also writes a blog that I read regularly. Check out what he wrote recently about customer service here.
That reminds me of something I heard Perry Noble say once about first impressions of church. He talked about how as church leaders we always want to be sure that everything goes well on big Sundays like Easter or close to Christmas. We do that in order to make a good first impression for guests. Then he said, "we remind ourselves that every Sunday is somebodys first visit to our church."
We get one shot at that first impression and, we should prepare as if every week is Easter, or as Seth Godin says, "you can't have a bad table."
That reminds me of something I heard Perry Noble say once about first impressions of church. He talked about how as church leaders we always want to be sure that everything goes well on big Sundays like Easter or close to Christmas. We do that in order to make a good first impression for guests. Then he said, "we remind ourselves that every Sunday is somebodys first visit to our church."
We get one shot at that first impression and, we should prepare as if every week is Easter, or as Seth Godin says, "you can't have a bad table."
Monday, March 24, 2008
Monday morning quarterback
Yesterday was unbelievable! It was amazing to celebrate the resurrection with you. Here were some highlights for me:
- Once again our band did a great job of helping us worship through music. What better songs to sing to Jesus on Easter than "Glorious One" and "How Great is Our God", and I always get emotional when we do "Jesus Paid it All". When Rhett was belting out that last part about Jesus paying our debt and raising us from the dead I could have gone home to Heaven right then!
- Our new welcome team is fantastic! Amber Ploof has done a tremendous job of organizing, recruiting, and training this team so that they are prepared to make sure each guest who walks in the doors on a Sunday morning feels at home. That makes a huge difference in whether or not our guests will continue to come and hear the message that can change their lives.
- Seeing the video of people being baptised while Dan and the band sang "Happy Day" reminded me of why we need to continue push forward with the message of Christ. There are so many more who need their lives transformed!
- All of you did a tremendous job of inviting your friends. We had more people in worship yesterday than ever in the short history of Freedom. Our previous high was 389, yesterday there were 468 people who heard the story of the cross and resurrection! Keep inviting your friends, every Sunday is a celebration of what Jesus has done for us!
- Our crew that teaches our preschoolers worked especially hard yesterday. There were lots of babies and toddlers at Freedom yesterday, and our preschool team handled the extra pressure extremely well. I know that some of you got recruited from worship to help at the last minute, thanks for pitching in!
Overall, yesterday was one of those Sundays I'll remember for a long time. God is up to something big here at Freedom. Let's keep riding the wave and see where He takes us!
- Once again our band did a great job of helping us worship through music. What better songs to sing to Jesus on Easter than "Glorious One" and "How Great is Our God", and I always get emotional when we do "Jesus Paid it All". When Rhett was belting out that last part about Jesus paying our debt and raising us from the dead I could have gone home to Heaven right then!
- Our new welcome team is fantastic! Amber Ploof has done a tremendous job of organizing, recruiting, and training this team so that they are prepared to make sure each guest who walks in the doors on a Sunday morning feels at home. That makes a huge difference in whether or not our guests will continue to come and hear the message that can change their lives.
- Seeing the video of people being baptised while Dan and the band sang "Happy Day" reminded me of why we need to continue push forward with the message of Christ. There are so many more who need their lives transformed!
- All of you did a tremendous job of inviting your friends. We had more people in worship yesterday than ever in the short history of Freedom. Our previous high was 389, yesterday there were 468 people who heard the story of the cross and resurrection! Keep inviting your friends, every Sunday is a celebration of what Jesus has done for us!
- Our crew that teaches our preschoolers worked especially hard yesterday. There were lots of babies and toddlers at Freedom yesterday, and our preschool team handled the extra pressure extremely well. I know that some of you got recruited from worship to help at the last minute, thanks for pitching in!
Overall, yesterday was one of those Sundays I'll remember for a long time. God is up to something big here at Freedom. Let's keep riding the wave and see where He takes us!
Friday, March 21, 2008
A little perspective makes a big difference
It's amazing how much clearer things appear to us when we look back. More often than not, the circumstances we find ourselves in at any moment can seem much better or much worse than they actually are. No matter who we are, we all benefit from a little perspective.
We call today Good Friday because from where we sit we can see the importance and the impact of Jesus' death on the cross. In fact "good" seems a little low key to describe what this day represents. Maybe we should refer to it as, "Amazing Friday" or "History Changing Friday" or even "The Friday That Gives My Entire Existence On Earth Significance". That last one doesn't roll of the tongue as smoothly as "Good Friday". Of course, to the disciples and the other followers of Jesus who were there when He gave His life away, I'm sure that Friday seemed very far from good. I read the scripture and it amazes me that the disciples couldn't see it coming. Jesus had told them repeatedly that He would be arrested, beaten, and killed. Why were they surprised? Then I remember that I have the benefit of perspective. It's easy for me to see because I know how the story ends. I know that the tragedy of Friday led to the victory of Sunday!
Wherever you are today remember that no matter how desperate your current situation may seem, God has not forgotten about you. He wants to bring a victory out of what seems to be certain defeat, and He will do it if you allow Him to. Then after it's all over you can look back and wonder why you couldn't see it then. It's all about perspective and knowing who brings the victory. Enjoy your weekend. I can't wait to worship together with you this Victory Sunday!
We call today Good Friday because from where we sit we can see the importance and the impact of Jesus' death on the cross. In fact "good" seems a little low key to describe what this day represents. Maybe we should refer to it as, "Amazing Friday" or "History Changing Friday" or even "The Friday That Gives My Entire Existence On Earth Significance". That last one doesn't roll of the tongue as smoothly as "Good Friday". Of course, to the disciples and the other followers of Jesus who were there when He gave His life away, I'm sure that Friday seemed very far from good. I read the scripture and it amazes me that the disciples couldn't see it coming. Jesus had told them repeatedly that He would be arrested, beaten, and killed. Why were they surprised? Then I remember that I have the benefit of perspective. It's easy for me to see because I know how the story ends. I know that the tragedy of Friday led to the victory of Sunday!
Wherever you are today remember that no matter how desperate your current situation may seem, God has not forgotten about you. He wants to bring a victory out of what seems to be certain defeat, and He will do it if you allow Him to. Then after it's all over you can look back and wonder why you couldn't see it then. It's all about perspective and knowing who brings the victory. Enjoy your weekend. I can't wait to worship together with you this Victory Sunday!
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Easter invitations
My friend Jerry Chapman gave me this encouraging statistic: 82% of unchurched people invited to church by a friend will actually go. Keep that in mind as you continue to invite your friends to join you at Freedom this Sunday. The odds are are in your favor! Invite everyone in your office. Invite everyone in your class. Invite everyone you play golf with. Wouldn't it be amazing if every seat was full this week with people who need to hear the story of Easter? Keep up the good work. I can't wait to see you on Sunday.
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