Today we had a great service at living Springs. My message today was "It's all about Jesus" Here are some of the main points.
The Jesus we serve and live for cannot be a concept of Jesus but the true presence of the living Lord.
1. We Need to walk along side the Jesus Who transforms and brings life.
2. We need to be in love with Jesus not a concept
3. We need to be concerned with becoming a growing Christian
You cannot explain away how Jesus works in places and in people we would never expect He would. The reason for that is because Jesus shows up when people truly believe and love Him. AMEN
We are planning our Harvest Fest and we are expecting some great things to happen.
I am still amazed at how 4 different churches share the same space week after week. For example on Friday the Excahnge Church had a worship night at the facility. On Sunday the Exchange met at 10am and Living Springs and Southwest Community met at 11am. Dominon Christian Center met at 3pm.
We continue to move forward.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Monday, September 13, 2010
Sunday Reflection on Monday
I preached a message entiled "The Process of a Dream" and used the life of Joseph as the example. Sometimes the message is for the preacher and this one was for me. Joseph had a dream that sent him into a process of some really rough times. From being pampered at home to going into a pit was a real shock to Joseph. Little did Joseph realize he was in for more grief and heartache. It all started because not everybody was a fan of Joseph. God had His hand on Joseph but people were not on board with Gods dreamer.
From the pit to problems. From problems to prison. From prison to the palace and the realization of the dream. Not an easy road but a needed road.
The process of the dream is part of Gods plan and we must embrace all of it.
We had a good service yesterday. Still trying to fiqure out a few things and there needs to be some real improvements in alot of what we are doing.
Just a reminder for those who may be going through a little bit of criticisim.
*usually the bark is bigger than the bite.
*Tomorrow is a new day.
*always take the criticisim and exam it with an open mind.
*Remember it is God who is in control.
I am looking forward to next week as we continue to cast vision and create a cuture of growth for this church.
Until next time
From the pit to problems. From problems to prison. From prison to the palace and the realization of the dream. Not an easy road but a needed road.
The process of the dream is part of Gods plan and we must embrace all of it.
We had a good service yesterday. Still trying to fiqure out a few things and there needs to be some real improvements in alot of what we are doing.
Just a reminder for those who may be going through a little bit of criticisim.
*usually the bark is bigger than the bite.
*Tomorrow is a new day.
*always take the criticisim and exam it with an open mind.
*Remember it is God who is in control.
I am looking forward to next week as we continue to cast vision and create a cuture of growth for this church.
Until next time
Monday, August 30, 2010
Sunday relection on Monday
Yesterday I preached at the Exchange . This Church is getting ready for a great growth sprirt. They have some really passionate people and they have a great vision.
We had a great day at living Springs Church I preach on the words of Jesus to his disciples in Matt 28.
Here are some of the highlights:
.Jesus started with 12 disciples and after 3 years of powerful ministry He had 11. The first church had a decline before they saw some growth.
.Jesus told his disciples to go to the designated place and there they worshipped Him. Sound like Church. I believe that the local church is Gods designated place for every believer. If you love Jesus you will love the local church. If you serve Jesus you will serve through the local church.
.The mountain top is good but its only for a moment. The valley is where the ministry is.
.Some worshiped and some were doubtful.Not every one buys into the vision right away. Some will doubt. That's OK because power is on the way. Transformation makes doubters into believers.
We are having our Vision Banquet this Wednesday. I am super excited to remind people why we can continue where we are and why we need to get to there.
God has me into alot of different things right now. One of the exciting things is Fellowship66 (a network of church using the66 books of the Bible as our guide to healthy ministries. Here is the web site fellowship66
We had a great day at living Springs Church I preach on the words of Jesus to his disciples in Matt 28.
Here are some of the highlights:
.Jesus started with 12 disciples and after 3 years of powerful ministry He had 11. The first church had a decline before they saw some growth.
.Jesus told his disciples to go to the designated place and there they worshipped Him. Sound like Church. I believe that the local church is Gods designated place for every believer. If you love Jesus you will love the local church. If you serve Jesus you will serve through the local church.
.The mountain top is good but its only for a moment. The valley is where the ministry is.
.Some worshiped and some were doubtful.Not every one buys into the vision right away. Some will doubt. That's OK because power is on the way. Transformation makes doubters into believers.
We are having our Vision Banquet this Wednesday. I am super excited to remind people why we can continue where we are and why we need to get to there.
God has me into alot of different things right now. One of the exciting things is Fellowship66 (a network of church using the66 books of the Bible as our guide to healthy ministries. Here is the web site fellowship66
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Sunday Night Reflection
.Very good service today at Living Springs
.We had some friends visit today that I have not seen in awhile. I could not beleive how big those kids got haha.
.I preached a sermon on "where our treasure is that's where are heart is".
Here is the outline:
He wants your Heart-
“for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matt 6:21
Talent- Discover- Use- Develop…. Many don't know there gift so they don't use it. People never develop their gift because they don’t understand that the way you develop is by using your gift.
Time- Realization- Purpose- Eternity…We have to ask ourselves is what I am using my time on impacting eternity.
Teasure-Give- Save- Live…Most people reverse the way God intends for us to use our money…we spend, maybe save, and then give. Jesus calls us a fool for doing it that way. We need to give first then save then spend.
.Going to do a Jericho March around our church campus and property this Wednesday at 7pm.
.The vision Banquet is September 1 at 6:30pm. We are going to talk more about why we can't stay here than where we are going.
.We need to get everyone in the right seat on our bus. It is our time and we will see God move.
.We prayed for every empty seat in our sanctuary. We prayed for every seat to be filled for not 1 service, but for 4 services. "Ask and shall be given."
.We are starting our after school program this week. I am thankful for this program for several reasons. It really does meet several important needs.
.Until next week. God Bless
.We had some friends visit today that I have not seen in awhile. I could not beleive how big those kids got haha.
.I preached a sermon on "where our treasure is that's where are heart is".
Here is the outline:
He wants your Heart-
“for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matt 6:21
Talent- Discover- Use- Develop…. Many don't know there gift so they don't use it. People never develop their gift because they don’t understand that the way you develop is by using your gift.
Time- Realization- Purpose- Eternity…We have to ask ourselves is what I am using my time on impacting eternity.
Teasure-Give- Save- Live…Most people reverse the way God intends for us to use our money…we spend, maybe save, and then give. Jesus calls us a fool for doing it that way. We need to give first then save then spend.
.Going to do a Jericho March around our church campus and property this Wednesday at 7pm.
.The vision Banquet is September 1 at 6:30pm. We are going to talk more about why we can't stay here than where we are going.
.We need to get everyone in the right seat on our bus. It is our time and we will see God move.
.We prayed for every empty seat in our sanctuary. We prayed for every seat to be filled for not 1 service, but for 4 services. "Ask and shall be given."
.We are starting our after school program this week. I am thankful for this program for several reasons. It really does meet several important needs.
.Until next week. God Bless
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
What Jesus said about Prayer
When the disciples asked Jesus how to pray he said "pray like this" and then proceeded to give a model for prayer. I don't believe we should just have vain repitition of any prayer but I do believe we can use the model prayer as a springboard to pray more effectively. What do I mean. As we spend time in prayer we can quote the model prayer ,and as we do, we can allow the components of the prayer to make the prayer ours. So we start buy reciting the model prayer and then as we come back around to the begining wecan focus on the parts of the prayer that will act as a focal point. "Our Father who is Heaven" O how thankful I am that you my Father are so far above anything a man can even imagine. Your greatness surpasses all power and glory. How long can you park on that that statement and just give God the praise and honor due His name. One part of the prayer that has helped me is when Jesus says "and lead not into temptation but deliever us from evil". Here we can spend time asking God to head temptation off even as it will make its way to us during the day. We can thank God before hand that we will not allow temptation to creep up on us because we have asked for supernatural strength before hand to overcome. We can place a shield of protection around us when we ask to be delivered from evil.
The model prayer can help us pray strong everyday. We should use the words of Jesus to help us pray everyday. When you don't know what to prayer go to this prayer and use it as a jump off point to get you in the Spirit of prayer.
The model prayer can help us pray strong everyday. We should use the words of Jesus to help us pray everyday. When you don't know what to prayer go to this prayer and use it as a jump off point to get you in the Spirit of prayer.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Sunday Night Reflection
This morning we had a guest speaker at Living Springs. Don Baily is a Biker preacher(He goes to Sturgis and Daytona bike rally's). Brother Don also sings Christian Country music. Bottom line about this preacher is he loves Jesus. Don is the guy who preaches where ever the door opens. Most weeks you will find him in a nursing home and out of the way places preaching and singing for Jesus. Brother Don loves lost souls. Brother Don loves people.
It was good to see new faces in the crowd this morning. I am praying for the day when the crowd become the core. Rick Warren says like this:
The community becomes a crowd, the crowd becomes a congregation, the congregation becomes the committed and the committed become the core.
We are getting ready for our Vision banquet. It is necessary to continue to cast vision. We need to revisit vision often because vision leaks and people forget. The main focus will be the urgency of why things cannot remain the same. We will talk more about the here than the there.
Living Springs cannot not stay where it is because we will miss the greatest opportunities to reach its community. Everything is on the table but the greatest obsitcle we face is ourselves. The status quo is safe. Cruzing is optional but not acceptable. We cannot, we will not remain where we are. It is time for "Carpe Diem" "seize the day".
It was good to see new faces in the crowd this morning. I am praying for the day when the crowd become the core. Rick Warren says like this:
The community becomes a crowd, the crowd becomes a congregation, the congregation becomes the committed and the committed become the core.
We are getting ready for our Vision banquet. It is necessary to continue to cast vision. We need to revisit vision often because vision leaks and people forget. The main focus will be the urgency of why things cannot remain the same. We will talk more about the here than the there.
Living Springs cannot not stay where it is because we will miss the greatest opportunities to reach its community. Everything is on the table but the greatest obsitcle we face is ourselves. The status quo is safe. Cruzing is optional but not acceptable. We cannot, we will not remain where we are. It is time for "Carpe Diem" "seize the day".
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Measuring Growth
Sometimes in church work we measure growth by numbers. How many members. How big is the offering. Things like that. In a church that is being revitalizing I think we need measure things by other criteria as well. Most Churches that are in need of revitalization have lost there way in terms of vision and effectiveness. How long does it take to get a church turned around. In my experience every church will be different. A church in revitalization is doing other things that are measures of growth. Creating new space from old space, remodeling, training leaders, preaching about change,vision casting, helping the conformed deal with new ideas, putting out fires and creating small victory's like special events and projects.
When churches are in transition people leave when change begins. New people are hard to impress when you are in between here and there. How do you measure growth in the transition process. You have to get people to buy into the new vision. You have to get things going in the right direction and if you can do that you are growing.
When churches are in transition people leave when change begins. New people are hard to impress when you are in between here and there. How do you measure growth in the transition process. You have to get people to buy into the new vision. You have to get things going in the right direction and if you can do that you are growing.
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