WOW! Today Was A Challenge

In short, today was one of the most crazy days of this year. I found myself frustrated, angry at times, quiet and thinking AHHH! And believing that God is going to do something amazing in my life all at the same time. Some would say this would qualify as a horrible day. I want to take it a step further and say "I think it was a day of learning, because I found some true colors I am not fond of." In short, I have some things I need check in my life, and check them right away. So, tonight after I write this, I am going to find my own little special place for a while, and work to change some of the true colors that I feel are harmful for the long haul.

A Thought From Kevin

Tuck in your shirt! Take off your hat! Clean up your language! Stop running with that crowd! Don't come back until you look better! These are such uplifting statements aren't they? This blog could potentially tick off some of you reading this, but I write this with a very humble heart, and deepest conviction. I think that the church is often know for what we are against instead of what we stand for. This potentially turns people away from actually giving Jesus an opportunity to be apart of their daily living. John 3:16 contain the words "WHOSOEVER believes Him." I know that this is a no brainer, but that covers every single person on the face of the planet, it is not reserved for a certain people group. (thank God) 2 Corinthians 12:9 contain the words "my GRACE is sufficient for you." Who's grace? GODS GRACE! Here is the point, we as human beings need to consistently remind ourselves that God's Grace looks a whole lot different than the grace we as people give each other. So if you are reading this, and you have been turned off by "church people" because of man made grace, and hurtful phrases, I want to apologize on behalf of the church. God's Grace is all you need. If you are one that abuses the grace of God and condenses it into man made phrases, please repent, and begin to let people experience the true grace of God. Our sole purpose is to intentionally lead people closer to Jesus.

Relationship?

It's the 8th day of the new decade! We have all sat down and aligned our new goals and vision for the future. I established great goals for my family, my physical (tough)..ok (in tough shape) physique, my future business adventure, my finances, and my friendships. These are all great things to re - calibrate year to year. But what about your relationship with God? I would say that is the most important aspect of our year to year operation. I read a verse the other day that broke my heart and made me think. Here it is - Mathew 7:21 "Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven."

Our relationship with God is by far, the most important thing we should capitalize on daily. I have botched this so many times, and believe me, I still don't have it down to a science. Relationship is something that takes time, sacrifice, determination, and energy. This year I want to know God better than I ever have before, that is my main goal for this decade.

Ahhh I Am Parched!

So, I was driving down the road the other day with a friend. He looked at me and this is what he said: "Dude we should get some water, I'm parched." It's so funny how the most common phrases can trigger a thought that flys at you from left field. Here is thought that hit me. How spiritually parched am I? If I have not been drinking soul water, that explains why I feel so spiritually de - hydrated. I can take this a step further and say, maybe that is why my soul stinks sometimes. I have developed a spiritual case of cottonmouth, and it is giving off a nasty odor to God, Family, Friends, and to the world. So, how did I quench my spiritually parched soul? Today, I have taken a little time to read some scripture, and meditate on how God is so good and full of Amazing Grace. Take a little Time Today and quench your thirst!

Ichabod or Emmanuel?

In just a few short days we are going to be entering a brand new Decade! Can you believe that 10 years has already blown by? Over the last ten years here is what I have done with the time God blessed me with -

Started a Church
Got married
Had Children
Met amazing people
Led 100's of teenagers to Christ
Led the best youth church of the decade
And gained 40 pounds!

Now that was a great decade! But all of that is in the past and a brand new decade is arriving! So with that I want to say, Don't let the next Decade be labeled an Ichabod Decade! The bible defines the name Ichabod as "The Glory Has Departed!" That's a terrible name to label the next decade of life. Don't live life like the Glory Has Departed, how depressing! Rather, let's look at the name we will give this next Decade.

Emmanuel! Or, "God With Us!" If God is with us, then the next Decade of Family, Life and Ministry are going to be better than expected. Yes, we will encounter tough situations, but that's just life. Live this next Decade with and Emmanuel mindset. God is with us. I look forward to hearing what God is doing in and through you over this next amazing decade!

Does Size Matter? Blog Post By Craig Groeschel

I Read This On Craig Groeschel's Blog & Wanted To Share It With All You!!

I love small businesses. Four years ago, I bought my only television from a local, small business. They delivered it, set it up, and called a week later to see how I liked it. Great service.

I decided to get a second television so I could watch the Superbowl while my kids watched “18 Kids and Counting” or whatever they’ll be watching. So I went back to the small business. The sales guy remembered me and showed me four different televisions that might work. He quoted me a price. I decided to compare prices and went to a mega-store. The salesman showed me probably 40 different options, all priced considerably less than the smaller store. My heart was with the small business.

But I bought from the big business…

Why? They had more options and better prices.

In a multi-site church, you can worship with a smaller group of people at your campus. You can be deeply involved with Christ in your specific community. At the same time, you can experience the options and excellence of the large church.
This certainly isn’t the only or best means of doing ministry, but we have found it effective to minister to those God has sent and reach more along with way.

Church Planting

I know there are a ton of pastors out there right now thinking about starting a church. This excites me. I have been researching church starts, how to start a church, successful church starts, and all kinds of other resources on starting a church, and I have to be honest with you for a second, it can be somewhat overwhelming. There can be this feeling that creeps in that causes you to think, "Am I Able To Start A Church?" "Will Anyone Really Attend?" "Does This Specific Community Need Another Church?" And I am sure that many of you out there have many other questions that bombard your thoughts as you think about starting a church. Here is the question that tops all the other question for me as I get ready to leap into the unknown, "What If My Church Doesn't Become As Successful As Some Of The Churches I Have Read About?"

Don't Allow That Question To Paralyze You! Starting a church is all about reaching people for Jesus Christ! Yes, there have been some churches out there that have grown fast, and that might happen to you! I get stoked as I follow those pastors and see what God is doing through those Churches, but the thing that gets me even more excited is seeing what God is going to do through your church start! Your church hasn't hit the community yet, that means that anything is possible! If you reach 1 person, was it worth the start? If you reach 3 was it worth the start? If you reach 10,000 on any given weekend was it worth the start? The answer to this is obviously YES! I am right now working through this process myself, so stay with me over the next couple of months and let's start some churches together! I look forward to hearing what God does through your church start! Don't back down! Stay the course you believe God has put you on!