We had an awesome night at Crosspointe on Sunday evening. The celtic group, High Road, was with us in concert and they were incredible! I was thoroughly impressed with their sound, their talent and ability; but most of all, I was impressed that they gave all the honor and glory to Christ. If you're a member of Crosspointe or live in the area and missed the concert don't worry, we will definitely have them back again soon.
We had a great crowd last night and the concert was incredible. It marked the end of another great Sunday and the beginning of our series entitled, "Unite: 40 days of life-changing prayer." Like I said yesterday, I really believe that the next 40 days could be the most meaningful days in the history of our church. I can't wait to see what God is going to do when His people come together and pray.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Go Dawgs!
Wow! The Bulldogs have quietly done an awesome job in the College World Series this year. They are 3-0 and today they won Bracket 1 in the CWS. They'll be facing either UNC or Fresno State in the championship series.
I wonder why the CWS doesn't get as much coverage or press as March Madness for basketball or Bowl Season for football. I bet you could really put something together for the entire CWS that could add buzz and create excitement.
This series has reminded me of one thing: I LOVE college sports. It just seems like college athletics has been untainted by the commercialism and over-inflated ego of professional sports. Maybe I'm naive here; if so, I'd like to stay that way.
I wonder why the CWS doesn't get as much coverage or press as March Madness for basketball or Bowl Season for football. I bet you could really put something together for the entire CWS that could add buzz and create excitement.
This series has reminded me of one thing: I LOVE college sports. It just seems like college athletics has been untainted by the commercialism and over-inflated ego of professional sports. Maybe I'm naive here; if so, I'd like to stay that way.
Friday, June 20, 2008
#10 Has Arrived
My brother, Dan, and his wife, Jessica, welcomed their first baby into the world on June 18th. Congrats to both of them on the birth of Rabun Ophie. She was 6 lbs. 11 oz. and 19 1/4 inches long.
And yes, this is number 10 for my mom and dad...their tenth grandchild. That seems hard to believe but I guess we've got 3 out of the 10.
Congrats to Dan and Jessica. I hope you guys enjoy parenting as much as we do. It's a wonderful adventure that is sure to bring you closer to God and closer to one another. Believe me, you will learn how to pray like you've never prayed before, worry like you've never worried before, and hope like you've never hoped before. I truly believe one of God's purposes in giving us children is to teach us that there's absolutely no way we can do it on our own!
Here are a couple of pictures for your viewing pleasure!
And yes, this is number 10 for my mom and dad...their tenth grandchild. That seems hard to believe but I guess we've got 3 out of the 10.
Congrats to Dan and Jessica. I hope you guys enjoy parenting as much as we do. It's a wonderful adventure that is sure to bring you closer to God and closer to one another. Believe me, you will learn how to pray like you've never prayed before, worry like you've never worried before, and hope like you've never hoped before. I truly believe one of God's purposes in giving us children is to teach us that there's absolutely no way we can do it on our own!
Here are a couple of pictures for your viewing pleasure!
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Great Day
I had a great Father's Day today. We had an incredible worship service this morning; watched a dad baptize his daughter, saw a young man give his life to Christ in the service and had an opportunity to lead a lady to the Lord AFTER the worship service in the foyer during the second Sunday School hour. Man, God is good!
After church I went home and had one of my favorite meals; peanut butter and honey sandwich with my family. Then, played with the boys and baby girl for a little while, took a nap and went out to eat. It was my choice where we ate for supper tonight since it was Father's Day and I chose to surprise the entire family. We went to McDonald's...and believe me, this is a huge surprise! The only reason we went there is because it has an indoor playground and the boys love it. Neither Stephanie nor I really enjoy the food. But the boys had a blast and after choking down some supper we enjoyed our time as well.
Came home after supper, invited some neighborhood friends over and jumped in the pool for a little while. The boys are swimming like crazy! Neither can swim without help but Jake does great with swimmies and Judd wears a life-jacket and swimmies and he does fine as well. Both of them will swim to me, jump off the diving board and play all around the pool. All in all, it was a great day.
There is nothing in the world like being a father. It's a tough job with enormous responsibilities and huge rewards!
After church I went home and had one of my favorite meals; peanut butter and honey sandwich with my family. Then, played with the boys and baby girl for a little while, took a nap and went out to eat. It was my choice where we ate for supper tonight since it was Father's Day and I chose to surprise the entire family. We went to McDonald's...and believe me, this is a huge surprise! The only reason we went there is because it has an indoor playground and the boys love it. Neither Stephanie nor I really enjoy the food. But the boys had a blast and after choking down some supper we enjoyed our time as well.
Came home after supper, invited some neighborhood friends over and jumped in the pool for a little while. The boys are swimming like crazy! Neither can swim without help but Jake does great with swimmies and Judd wears a life-jacket and swimmies and he does fine as well. Both of them will swim to me, jump off the diving board and play all around the pool. All in all, it was a great day.
There is nothing in the world like being a father. It's a tough job with enormous responsibilities and huge rewards!
Saturday, June 07, 2008
Quote of the Day
Believe it or not, this quote of the day is from Judd, not Jake. Although he only knows a handful a words, this quote is priceless.
One of Judd's favorite words is "Da-Da." In fact, he said "Da-Da" a long time before he ever said "Ma-Ma" but of course he still loves his mommy very much. Lately, I'v been asking Judd questions like, "Who's your favorite?" He answers, "Da-Da." And, "Who's boy are you?" He answers "Da-Da." In fact, the very first time I asked this question that was his response.
Stephanie was just reading a book to the boys about the Bible and I'm assuming it talked about Romans 3:23. So, she asks the question, "Who's a sinner?" And, you can already tell where this one's headed...Judd's immediate answer is, "Da-Da." I wonder if he and his mother have been practicing that one for a while.
Alright then, I guess I need to go repent now. My one year old has no questions about whether or not I'm a sinner. I mean, of course I'm a sinner; I was just hoping it wasn't that obvious to him yet. :)
One of Judd's favorite words is "Da-Da." In fact, he said "Da-Da" a long time before he ever said "Ma-Ma" but of course he still loves his mommy very much. Lately, I'v been asking Judd questions like, "Who's your favorite?" He answers, "Da-Da." And, "Who's boy are you?" He answers "Da-Da." In fact, the very first time I asked this question that was his response.
Stephanie was just reading a book to the boys about the Bible and I'm assuming it talked about Romans 3:23. So, she asks the question, "Who's a sinner?" And, you can already tell where this one's headed...Judd's immediate answer is, "Da-Da." I wonder if he and his mother have been practicing that one for a while.
Alright then, I guess I need to go repent now. My one year old has no questions about whether or not I'm a sinner. I mean, of course I'm a sinner; I was just hoping it wasn't that obvious to him yet. :)
Thursday, June 05, 2008
100th Post!
I know this is not hugely significant but I thought it was an interesting fact. This is my 100th post on my blog since I began a few years back. I did take a brief hiatus for a little while around the time that Judd was born but started back again once we moved to Tennessee.
So, I hope over the past 100 posts you have been encouraged, challenged, motivated and uplifted. I hope you have learned a little about me, a little about our family, a little about our ministry and a lot about God. All in all, it's been a fun trip to say the least.
I guess I should offer a prize or something like businesses do. Since this is my 100th post, the first 5 people to comment win an incredible prize. (Don't ask me what it is...I have no clue...just thought it sounded clever!)
So, I hope over the past 100 posts you have been encouraged, challenged, motivated and uplifted. I hope you have learned a little about me, a little about our family, a little about our ministry and a lot about God. All in all, it's been a fun trip to say the least.
I guess I should offer a prize or something like businesses do. Since this is my 100th post, the first 5 people to comment win an incredible prize. (Don't ask me what it is...I have no clue...just thought it sounded clever!)
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Trust
Someone in our church sent me an email of encouragement and support a few days ago. Included in this email was this quote by Brennan Manning about trust. I think it's absolutely powerful!
I don't know about you, but I want to trust God like that! If you are anywhere near Millington, make sure to be here THIS SUNDAY; I'll be talking about what it means to trust God with everything.
"The way of trust is a movement into obscurity, into the undefined, into ambiguity, not into some predetermined, clearly delineated plan for the future. The next step discloses itself only out of a discernment of God acting in the desert of the present moment. The reality of naked trust is the life of a pilgrim who leaves what is nailed down, obvious, and secure, and walks into the unknown without any rational explanation to justify the decision or guarantee the future. Why? Because God has signaled the movement and offered it his presence and his promise." - Brennan Manning, Ruthless Trust
I don't know about you, but I want to trust God like that! If you are anywhere near Millington, make sure to be here THIS SUNDAY; I'll be talking about what it means to trust God with everything.
Monday, June 02, 2008
Change
I announced Sunday morning in our worship service that we have some big changes coming to Crosspointe in the fall! We are all excited about what God is going to do and looking forward to seeing this vision He has placed in our hearts become a reality. I spoke Sunday morning on "The Power of Change" and mentioned several facts about change. It's interesting because naturally, I don't really like change myself. But I realize in order to be the pastor God has called me to be and for us to be the church that God has called us to be we must continually change. Here's what I said about change on Sunday morning;
1. Continual growth means constant change
Everyone wants the church to grow, but not everyone wants the church to change. The simple truth is, change is a part of growing businesses, organizations, educational institutions and churches.
2. If you stop changing, you stop growing; if you stop growing, you start dying
It’s true of an organism and an organization; there’s a life cycle that is present. In order to continue to move forward, you must continue to change.
3. We constantly change our methods; we never change our message
I believe one of biggest and most damaging mistakes that many churches make is confusing theology and methodology. Our forms are not sacred, Scripture is sacred; our traditions are not sacred, the cross is sacred! While we will always change the WAY of doing church, we will never change the WHY of doing church.
4. Some people can’t handle change
I have a pastor's heart and never want to leave anyone behind. But the truth is this; it's impossible to make everyone happy. To me, this is one of the most challenging facets of leadership. When it comes right down to it, I have to live my life, make my choices and lead the church for an audience of One!
5. God is the author of change
I know what you’re thinking, “God never changes.” You are absolutely right! God never changes, but He certainly changes things! Since the creation of the world, God has been the Agent and Author of continual change.
I thank God for the privilege of pastoring at Crosspointe. It's an honor and I'm humbled to serve here. I also take my responsibility to listen to the voice of God and lead His people accordingly very seriously! I'm excited about the days ahead. I truly believe they will be the best we've ever seen.
1. Continual growth means constant change
Everyone wants the church to grow, but not everyone wants the church to change. The simple truth is, change is a part of growing businesses, organizations, educational institutions and churches.
2. If you stop changing, you stop growing; if you stop growing, you start dying
It’s true of an organism and an organization; there’s a life cycle that is present. In order to continue to move forward, you must continue to change.
3. We constantly change our methods; we never change our message
I believe one of biggest and most damaging mistakes that many churches make is confusing theology and methodology. Our forms are not sacred, Scripture is sacred; our traditions are not sacred, the cross is sacred! While we will always change the WAY of doing church, we will never change the WHY of doing church.
4. Some people can’t handle change
I have a pastor's heart and never want to leave anyone behind. But the truth is this; it's impossible to make everyone happy. To me, this is one of the most challenging facets of leadership. When it comes right down to it, I have to live my life, make my choices and lead the church for an audience of One!
5. God is the author of change
I know what you’re thinking, “God never changes.” You are absolutely right! God never changes, but He certainly changes things! Since the creation of the world, God has been the Agent and Author of continual change.
I thank God for the privilege of pastoring at Crosspointe. It's an honor and I'm humbled to serve here. I also take my responsibility to listen to the voice of God and lead His people accordingly very seriously! I'm excited about the days ahead. I truly believe they will be the best we've ever seen.
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