Sunday Mind Dump

I am not sure about everyone else but I actually had a great time at church today! The music was great and I really enjoyed giving today's message. Learning to hear God's voice is something every Christian struggles with from time to time....So, let's dump:

• IF you want to hear God speak into your life there are 4 basic things you need to do....first, have an open heart and mind. Second, set aside some daily quiet time and just listen. Third, Get along and eliminate the distractions of life. Lastly, be willing to do what he tells you in advance. Seems simple doesn't it?
• The band sounded great today. Lot's of positive comments about the music. People really loved the closing song. Great choice Aaron :)
• Tough meeting after church talking about some of the struggles we are having as a church. Many churches are struggling with the same things as us. It's a sign of the times. God is in control and we are merely along for the ride.
• Next week's message is even better than this weeks. I am stoked.
• We'll get to the I love my church series in a couple of weeks. It's taking longer than we'd like to edit the video's we shot. As soon as those are all completed we'll be ready to go. I know you're all eagerly waiting but patience is a virtue!
• Going to be making some big changes in the way we run our kids ministry. You'll hear about it more over the next few weeks.
  
• I am loving this song called "How He Loves." It's coming to Real Life soon. Really soon :)

I am outta here....my wife says that I need a shower.

Dinner

Been playing with a recipe for chicken enchiladas....we'll see if this one is the bomb or not. I can't seem to find one I really like. If you happen to have one send it my way and I will gladly award you with 1000 brownie points. Make sure you give it to me and not April as she will eat the brownie points and you'll be left with nothing :)

Sunday Mind Dump

Man, I had a blast this weekend. First off, thank you to everyone who has served our country and given a part of themselves for our freedom. The 4th of July always takes me back to my days serving as a paramedic in the Army. I know the costs that were paid and I am glad to call you my brothers and sisters :)

So, let's dump:

• Had a lot of fun playing guitar for Aaron the last few weeks however the party is over, now let's bring back the REAL worship leader :)
• Loved Perry Noble's message this morning on God is Here. Perry is very funny, but he can also preach like no ones business.
• Thanks John and Shelley for having everyone out to your boat Saturday for food and festivities.
• Still really loving the new set up at church. All those new tables really help deliver the coffee house feel.
• Got a new guitar toy I am going to be breaking out next weekend. I love it.
• Had a bunch of people over to the house for dinner and games this afternoon....Lot'sa fun.

That's it....I could say a few more things but it's midnight and I do need my beauty rest.

I Love Our People

One of the things I really love about Real Life is that I don't have to be everywhere and do everything. In some churches, the lead pastor is the guy on everything. He handles all the hospital visits, phone calls, moral boosters, teaching, etc.

Today when I went to the hospital I found out that I was the 4th or 5th visit from a Real Life member or staff person. How cool is that? Our people love each other so much that they'll make sure they get up to the hospital to visit those of us in need :)

I LOVE that you guys rock it like that!!!

Planning and thinking ahead

Over the last few days I have been doing some planning and thinking ahead.....here are a few things I am pondering.

Teaching: Next month we are doing the I Love My Church series. That should be a lot of fun! I totally changed my mind on what I was teaching and we are changing up the teaching series. We are going to do a series called Five Lies: Things Satan Wants You to Believe. The sad thing is many time in life we are not only believing Satan's lies but we are acting on them. This August we are going to start the process of confronting them.

Outreach: Now that we have the tables in place I am kicking around doing a once a month open mic night. We could have bands come and play a few songs, poets, artists, and maybe a band to close out the night. Any thoughts? I'd love to hear them....

Celebrate Recovery: We are moving in that direction. Not sure when we'll be ready for it but it will happen. Part of the purpose of our pastoral coaching and consulting network is meant to help us design that. When we feel like we have it down we'll move forward. The only thing worse than not doing something is doing something really poorly and leaving a bad taste in everyone's mouth :)

Sunday Mind Dump

I wish I could say today was a great day at church but in reality it sucked. Not from a programming perspective but from a people perspective. Today I had to watch someone I care about deeply break down as I had to tell everyone how someone she was married to/in a relationship with for 12 years decided to leave her to pursue a sinful relationship with a woman who was a Sunday school teacher and for a time her best friend. Sin Sucks. Because they refuse to deal with the sin we are forced (Matthew 18) to cut off fellowship with both of these people. Relationships and trust have been shattered. Kids lives are about to be permanently damaged and the parties involved are smiling all the way to their destruction.

We say this all the time but our sin and our desires if left unchecked will always take us farther and cost us more than we are willing to pay. The sad thing is (much like buying on credit) we don't fully appreciate the cost until it's too late. I am afraid for this new "couple" the truest cost is going to be paid not by them but the kids and those around them. Right now they are leaving a path of destruction pretty much everywhere they go. Hopefully, the healing process began today at our church for the people who have been hurt.

So let's dump:

• We played a song I wrote last summer. It's nice to take a private prayer and hear it sung by the church in worship.
• Seems like people really enjoyed our new look. We are almost finished with the cafe'/coffee house design. It is cool and makes the place so neat!
• Nice to sit in for Aaron Hammitt for a few weeks on guitar. I don't get to play my acoustic very often so it's fun for me. Painful on the fingers, but still fun. I am not nearly as good as he is and it shows :)
• Almost finished shooting the I love my church video's. One left to shoot and we'll be finished. Some very cool things going into them!
• After church I took a 2 hour nap. I was spent after this week and the Real Life sale a thon yesterday!
• Just took April out for some Baskin Robbins. We're not really big drinkers so ice cream is our vice :)

Ready to call it a night....peace out everyone.

Fun Tomorrow!

Tomorrow will be our second annual church wide garage sale! It's going to be a blast and some really good deals to be had :) Hope to see everyone there anytime from 9-3.