One of the greatest songs ever written is "It is Well (w/my soul)". That could never be a truer song than it is today. Im overwhelmed.
Let me say first it seems i havent been in the office for ages. One week i went on vacation with my family to Orlando, FL which by the way I had a great time. I have a great family. I love April more today than ever. This June will be ten years she has put up with me and all that goes with me. I also have two great boys that are growing up way too fast. Caleb is 8 and Josh is 4 and I am the most blessed man on earth. Truly!
Last week I went and played in the Masters Men (of FWB) golf tournament and i stink but i had a great time. We have the best guys in the world in our church and they are a pleasure to be around. That even includes Phillip! :)
So I get back to church and yesterday was unbelievable. In the morning I finished a series of the book of Ruth and talked about how Jesus is our Kinsmen-Redeemer and the great lengths He went to to redeem us. When He got me, He didnt get anything but He went to the cross and died anyway. I serve an awesome God.
But then last night is hard to put into words. We did this thing called "Cardboard Ministries". I must say that when I first heard about it and even saw it on YouTube I wasnt sure. Basically it is where you get a group of people and on one side of the cardboard they write what they were before Christ and then on the other side they write what they are now. They simply walk to the stage one by one and show the before and then the after. It might be the most powerful thing I have ever seen and been a part of. The song "I will rise" by Chris Tomlin played and one by one (myself included) went to the stage and showed their cards. Mine said that before Christ I was "a rebellious hypocrite" but after Christ I was "real". Its a long story and one that i dont tell much, but let me just say that I am different, so different and pray every day to be the "real deal" for Christ. But i guess the one that got me the most was a Godly lady in our church who is such a blessing. The front of her card said "Mom at 15" and the back talked about how now she is trying to be a Godly mom and wife. It was POWERFUL!
So this is over and the altar is full and by the end of the night 3 people were saved!
I've been in church all my life. Been in the ministry almost 10 years. I've been in services that were this powerful but NEVER services this powerful back to back to back and so on. IT IS TRULY WELL!
So starting a new week anticipating the moving hand of God.
Caleb starts baseball games this week and maybe they will do good inspite of his coach! But I wouldnt change it for the WORLD!
So until next time, It Is Well.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Simply Amazing
Joseph told his brothers, "What you meant for evil, God meant for good." And there is NO DOUBT that those words ring true for me and my church today.
I wish I knew where to begin in writing what God is doing in our midst. I think the last think I wrote I was telling about the unexplainable things God is doing in our church. Let me see if i can summarize.
It seems revival started in our church about 2 weeks ago when God began to move in the lives of our people. Then we had actual revival services and they were great. But then we come to today. And this morning 4 people came to the altar and prayed to receive Christ as Lord and Savior. Now I was shouting and praising God for all that He did. I came home tonight from church and it was good, but when I got home I received a phone call from a couple in our church needing to meet me back at church. When I got there I had the priviledge of leading them to Christ as well! WOW what a day! Six people prayed to receive Christ today. And all I can say is Simply Amazing!!!!!!!
But the truth is I believe it is just starting. God is doing something awesome in our midst and I am just glad to be a part of it.
Tomorrow is Monday and I have much to do because I leave for my yearly vacation on Friday to Orlando, FL and I want to get my work done so I can relax while I'm gone. Im excited about vacation but also a little sad to leave church at such an exciting time.
Caleb's baseball starts on Tuesday and I will again be coaching his team. Should be fun. Josh turned 4 today and it just seems like time is moving too fast.
April has three mid-term exams this week so pray for her. She too will welcome vacation Friday.
I will try to update from sunny Florida where I will hopefully be "sitting by the dock of the bay" doing a bunch of nothing.
I wish I knew where to begin in writing what God is doing in our midst. I think the last think I wrote I was telling about the unexplainable things God is doing in our church. Let me see if i can summarize.
It seems revival started in our church about 2 weeks ago when God began to move in the lives of our people. Then we had actual revival services and they were great. But then we come to today. And this morning 4 people came to the altar and prayed to receive Christ as Lord and Savior. Now I was shouting and praising God for all that He did. I came home tonight from church and it was good, but when I got home I received a phone call from a couple in our church needing to meet me back at church. When I got there I had the priviledge of leading them to Christ as well! WOW what a day! Six people prayed to receive Christ today. And all I can say is Simply Amazing!!!!!!!
But the truth is I believe it is just starting. God is doing something awesome in our midst and I am just glad to be a part of it.
Tomorrow is Monday and I have much to do because I leave for my yearly vacation on Friday to Orlando, FL and I want to get my work done so I can relax while I'm gone. Im excited about vacation but also a little sad to leave church at such an exciting time.
Caleb's baseball starts on Tuesday and I will again be coaching his team. Should be fun. Josh turned 4 today and it just seems like time is moving too fast.
April has three mid-term exams this week so pray for her. She too will welcome vacation Friday.
I will try to update from sunny Florida where I will hopefully be "sitting by the dock of the bay" doing a bunch of nothing.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Unexplainable
Its been a few weeks since my last update and it has been a wild two weeks. What has been going on is not important, but what God is doing now is amazing.
There is no doubt that in my own personal life I have times where I get complacent in my Christian walk. And it never fails when that happens that God does something to wake me up. Well, God has woken me up. And now what He is doing is unexplainable.
There are so many things happening right now I'm not sure where to begin. Our services lately have been awesome and God is truly showing Himself mighty. Many of our people are developing deeper walks with Christ and seeing the seriousness of the spiritual battles.
Our small groups are doing great right now and it seems like every time one takes place, the effects are seen in our church.
So all in all, God is truly being with us.
Revival starts Sunday morning with Christian Powell and I am excited and the church is ready for something great.
So thats about it. BTW, the Braves start Spring Training games this week. So I'm pumped.
There is no doubt that in my own personal life I have times where I get complacent in my Christian walk. And it never fails when that happens that God does something to wake me up. Well, God has woken me up. And now what He is doing is unexplainable.
There are so many things happening right now I'm not sure where to begin. Our services lately have been awesome and God is truly showing Himself mighty. Many of our people are developing deeper walks with Christ and seeing the seriousness of the spiritual battles.
Our small groups are doing great right now and it seems like every time one takes place, the effects are seen in our church.
So all in all, God is truly being with us.
Revival starts Sunday morning with Christian Powell and I am excited and the church is ready for something great.
So thats about it. BTW, the Braves start Spring Training games this week. So I'm pumped.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Great Sunday
I just wanted to update the blog and let everyone know what a great Sunday we had.
As many may know, we started our new service time yesterday at 10:50 and had the largest crowd we've had in a while. The service was powerful from the music to the preaching to the invitation.
God is doing some great things here. He is really working in peoples lives and causing them to dig much deeper in their lives. The small groups seem to really be having a positive impact and we are trying to implement them in the other SS classes. So we will see how that goes.
Last night I started a series on the family. That too went well and had good response. Hopefully the families in our church will be solidified.
Ok, so thats it.
Braves baseball not far away!
As many may know, we started our new service time yesterday at 10:50 and had the largest crowd we've had in a while. The service was powerful from the music to the preaching to the invitation.
God is doing some great things here. He is really working in peoples lives and causing them to dig much deeper in their lives. The small groups seem to really be having a positive impact and we are trying to implement them in the other SS classes. So we will see how that goes.
Last night I started a series on the family. That too went well and had good response. Hopefully the families in our church will be solidified.
Ok, so thats it.
Braves baseball not far away!
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Being Me
Well, its almost February but January was an exciting month and I have learned a great deal.
We just got finished with our Missions Conference at church and we had some great guys come speak for us. Our attendance was pitiful but my heart was challenged. But as I talked to these guys and thought about my own spiritual journey, I have determined more than ever to just be me. To understand this would take a long time but let me just say that its been a process for some years now.
You see for some time I have been trying to make sure men accepted me and my stands on things instead of worrying what God thought. And it was frustrating for a long time. But God wants me to be me and follow Him as He leads my ministry. Let me settle some down who might be reading this and thinking Ive fallen off the turnip truck and say these are not radical changes but changes non the less.
I just finished a series on Sunday nights entitled "Out of the Box" which btw was my favorite series to preach ever. It focused in on simply maximizing ministry and making sure we were not being exclusive in reaching people for Christ. So many are, and I refuse to exclude anyone based on non-Biblical grounds.
We are starting small groups which kicked off tonight. Our young adult SS class has been averaging 45-50 on Sunday mornings and they have been broken up into 9 small groups. Yes, we still have SS but they also will meet outside of church at least once a month. Hopefully this will develop relationships, encourage discipleship and also create salvations in those who are unchurched. I think it will go well.
Anyway, February is soon approaching and I will make a final decision on my next series in the morning. Sunday morning will either be "Pressing for the Prize" or "Escape: A Look At Jonah". Sunday nights will be on the family unless the Holy Spirit changes my mind.
Nothing else going on except I now am the parent of an 8 year old and that makes me sound real old.
April is doing great in school and I am so proud of her. And Josh is growing up before our eyes. I no longer have babies.
We just got finished with our Missions Conference at church and we had some great guys come speak for us. Our attendance was pitiful but my heart was challenged. But as I talked to these guys and thought about my own spiritual journey, I have determined more than ever to just be me. To understand this would take a long time but let me just say that its been a process for some years now.
You see for some time I have been trying to make sure men accepted me and my stands on things instead of worrying what God thought. And it was frustrating for a long time. But God wants me to be me and follow Him as He leads my ministry. Let me settle some down who might be reading this and thinking Ive fallen off the turnip truck and say these are not radical changes but changes non the less.
I just finished a series on Sunday nights entitled "Out of the Box" which btw was my favorite series to preach ever. It focused in on simply maximizing ministry and making sure we were not being exclusive in reaching people for Christ. So many are, and I refuse to exclude anyone based on non-Biblical grounds.
We are starting small groups which kicked off tonight. Our young adult SS class has been averaging 45-50 on Sunday mornings and they have been broken up into 9 small groups. Yes, we still have SS but they also will meet outside of church at least once a month. Hopefully this will develop relationships, encourage discipleship and also create salvations in those who are unchurched. I think it will go well.
Anyway, February is soon approaching and I will make a final decision on my next series in the morning. Sunday morning will either be "Pressing for the Prize" or "Escape: A Look At Jonah". Sunday nights will be on the family unless the Holy Spirit changes my mind.
Nothing else going on except I now am the parent of an 8 year old and that makes me sound real old.
April is doing great in school and I am so proud of her. And Josh is growing up before our eyes. I no longer have babies.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Brand New Year
So its been awhile since my last post. Its a brand new year and its been a busy new year already.
Let me just say first of all, I had a great Christmas and holiday season other than Bama stinking it up and my Cowboys imploding. Smoltz has left the Braves (traitor) but they now have Derek Lowe. Hopefully by the time I post again, they will have a new Left Fielder.
Anyway, at church we hit the ground running. We have some changes and I hope they are being received well.
For starters, we've changed the morning time of service to 10:50 am. That will begin on Feb. 1st. We want to include more singing in the service and because Im known to be a little long winded, we had to add some time. But the one thing I really like about the am service, is its all about worship. We've cut out all the excess. And it seems to be going well.
On Sunday nights Ive been preaching a series entitled, "Out of the Box". Being that I pastor a small town Alabama church, it lends itself to get in the "we've only done it one way" mentality. Im hoping with preaching, praying and effort, that will change. And it is already starting and its exciting.
April started nursing school and shes loving it. The kids are in their groove and that seems to be going well.
So, there is my update and I will try again soon.
Let me just say first of all, I had a great Christmas and holiday season other than Bama stinking it up and my Cowboys imploding. Smoltz has left the Braves (traitor) but they now have Derek Lowe. Hopefully by the time I post again, they will have a new Left Fielder.
Anyway, at church we hit the ground running. We have some changes and I hope they are being received well.
For starters, we've changed the morning time of service to 10:50 am. That will begin on Feb. 1st. We want to include more singing in the service and because Im known to be a little long winded, we had to add some time. But the one thing I really like about the am service, is its all about worship. We've cut out all the excess. And it seems to be going well.
On Sunday nights Ive been preaching a series entitled, "Out of the Box". Being that I pastor a small town Alabama church, it lends itself to get in the "we've only done it one way" mentality. Im hoping with preaching, praying and effort, that will change. And it is already starting and its exciting.
April started nursing school and shes loving it. The kids are in their groove and that seems to be going well.
So, there is my update and I will try again soon.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Its Christmas Time
Well, its December and im sitting at my desk listening to Brian Free sing Christmas songs. What a great time of year. Its busy around here but once Christmas actually gets here things should slow down.
This weekend was ok. Ive been sick for about a week and a half and dont seem to be getting better. It seems almost everyday that I come up with a new symptom. But hopefully I'll be better soon. Just pray for me.
Sunday was good. Attendance was ok. I began a series Sunday morning entitled, "What does Christmas teach us about God?" I talked about God's Limitless Love for His children. Its always a good reminder.
Two Christmas parties this weekend and then our Christmas Cantata Sunday night. It doesnt slow down. But its still the greatest time of year!
This weekend was ok. Ive been sick for about a week and a half and dont seem to be getting better. It seems almost everyday that I come up with a new symptom. But hopefully I'll be better soon. Just pray for me.
Sunday was good. Attendance was ok. I began a series Sunday morning entitled, "What does Christmas teach us about God?" I talked about God's Limitless Love for His children. Its always a good reminder.
Two Christmas parties this weekend and then our Christmas Cantata Sunday night. It doesnt slow down. But its still the greatest time of year!
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