I'm the new guy on the blockg and loving it! I'm a frustrated writer, in other words, I love to sound off in print, but have never been published! Now, those frustrations can be taken out in this blog!
I invite you to do two things. First, comment back! I enjoy the give and take and we can learn from each other! Second, pass this site along to other friends! Misery loves company!
I will be talking about my family, church, political opinions, sports opinions, some Bible truths, and anything else that comes to mind. I will try to keep it interesting, fresh, and even provocative at times!
Tune in on Sunday evenings to get an update on the day at LifeBridge Church. I am stealing that idea from Perry Noble, Senior Pastor of NewSpring Church in Anderson, South Carolina. Perry has inspired me numerous times on a Sunday evening with his Sunday Night Reflections.
Give me any advice as I begin this journey... I'm waiting to hear from you!
What a day! I am tired but thankful for the opportunity to have experienced another awesome Sunday. Here's a few of the highlights...
A great day at LifeBridge Church! We had 370 people attend our Friend Day. Even though we didn't quite hit our goal of 400, I am very happy with the turnout. Actually, it was 120 more than our average attendance for last year. We are experiencing a growing time numerically. This is our 10th week in a row over 300!
There were at least 2 adults who trusted Jesus for the very first time today. I don't know the final numbers yet.
Pastor Bobby, Pastor Jeff and I met at 7 AM this morning and we put final plans in place for a very special June at LifeBridge! It will be a very unique month! I am very excited and look forward to talking about it this Wednesday evening at our First Wednesday service! We are going to be doing something we have never ever done before in this ministry and something that we haven't done in a long time!
I was given a very cool gift today by a couple in our church who are moving back to Hawaii. The gift was a life sized cardboard William Shatner, the original Captain on Star Trek! Along with that was the complete video set of the original Star Trek! All you Trekies eat your hearts out!!!
We had a LifeGroup leaders meeting today after church. The lunch we had together was good and the fellowship was sweet! That group of people have done a great job of leading our small groups in this first year of their existence! They encourage me!
I visited my Mom today. She is a precious lady! Her heart is really missing my Dad, but she is hanging in there. I am so blessed to have parents like I've had! Mom will be in church this Sunday for Mother's Day! I am looking forward to that!
Eating my Mom's famous banana pudding today really capped off a day from Heaven! That recipe will be active in Heaven , I'm almost sure!!!
No doubt about it, we are in a time of financial turmoil! Are we in or about to go into a recession? That one I'll have to leave up to the "experts" to figure out! However, you don't have to be an expert to know that we are in financially troubled times. (i.e. rising gas and food prices, foreclosed homes, etc.)
Where does that leave our churches? Should we panic and pull back? Is this going to be an obstacle to our mission?
I contend that this is one of the greatest opportunities to come our way since the terrible tragedy of 9/11! That was a time when people seemed to be more open to spiritual matters. Church attendance increased for awhile and people were reached for Christ.
People will need help! It can come in several ways...
The obvious... a food and clothing ministry for the under-resourced.
Financial counseling, classes, and mentoring from the church.
Preaching and teaching what the Bible says about finances. Jesus talked about finances more than about Heaven and Hell!
At LifeBridge, we are going to do a four week series in July on biblical stewardship. I will probably call it, "Only One Life To Give". We will share what the Bible says about all the "stuff" we've been given. We will offer financial advice and extra classes during that month. We will encourage our attenders to bring unchurched friends to come for the series.
In addition, I am working with other pastors in our area to bring together an area wide food and clothing ministry. Cooperation of that kind takes work and a willingness to put aside differences. (We all share the same view of salvation through Jesus Christ alone!)
I am open to other ideas!!! Bottom line though... this is an opportunity, not an obstacle!!!
On Sunday I brought a message about friendship. I said it is the most valuable possession we have on this earth. (Of course that doesn't include our relationship with God!)
I also said that it is the only thing we can take with us to Heaven! If that is so and if friendships are so valuable, why don't we take the time to invest more in them?
Friendships occur on three possible levels...
Acquaintances- I know you.
Associates- I am allied with you in a mutual venture. (neighbors, co-workers, etc.)
Affectionate soulmates- I know you very well, trust you deeply, and love you!
Jesus had friends during His time on earth. A prime example is His friendship with Lazarus, Martha, and Mary. John 11:11
Another example is His friendship with those far away from God. Luke 7:34
One of my long time friends, from way back in church youth group days, is pastoring Pathway Church in Alabama. Check out his website and link to his blog. Brian is a great family man and pastor.
Who are your friends and are you taking time for them?
Tonight I announced to the church the details of a very special upcoming June... We are teaming up with over 600 other churches to pray!
"One Prayer" is the name of this event. The idea is to pray a prayer for the church at large and for our church in particular. What do we want to ask God for?
Here are some of the highlights of June at LifeBridge...
Prayer Rally Kick Off on the next First Wednesday, June 4... together with several churches and pastors in our area, at our facility.
24 hours of prayer at our church facility beginning Friday, June 13 at 6 PM. People will sign up for half hour increments to pray during that period.
I will preach a sermon on June 8 entitled, "Make Us Unique". That message will be taken from John 17 and will form the basis for our prayer requests for the month.
On Sunday, June 15, 22, & 29, we will have three national pastors preachvia video! Two of the sermons are entitled, "Make Us Dangerous" and "Make Us Creative". The third sermon is yet to be determined.
I am very excited about this unique month! I believe what I heard Dr. Jerry Falwell say many times... "Nothing of eternal importance ever happens apart from prayer!"
How's your prayer life? Could it use a kick start?
Subscribe to this Site
May, 2008
. I am stealing that idea from 