Fantastic day yesterday at Foothills. I am overwhelmed about all of the life-change that is happening!
Strong attendance in Seneca---Toccoa added more chairs and keeps filling them up. Really looking forward to see what happens when they move into their new facility soon.
Talked about money---more specifically about giving. I know it was very direct, but hey, there's no need to beat around the bush because the scripture doesn't!
I'm not sure how much was given toward helping renovate the new Toccoa facility. I should find out soon.
We had a blast this morning, because instead of our regular weekly staff meeting we went bowling. Not bragging, but my team was 2-0 (It aint bragging if it's the truth :-) ) For the record, we have some quality bowlers on the FCC staff.
Many of our staff got a chance to hang out at the Golden Corner Food Bank and help distribute food this morning. Unbelievable how much of a need we have in this county. I had no idea.
Had a very good creative team meeting this afternoon. Some powerful stuff coming your way very soon.
Football season is upon us---thank you God!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Some of the things I've been thinking about
Had a few random thoughts floating through my mind this week, thought I'd share them:
** What If..... I depended totally on the Holy Spirit? What would my life look like? What would our church look like?
** How do we train people to sit through the entire service without getting up to get something to drink/ go to the bathroom/ go check on their kids/ stretch their legs----or whatever other reasons people get up for?
** Why do people bring their kids into the adult services? Don't they realize that we have the most incredible Children's Ministry on the planet?
** Did they ever get around to burying Michael Jackson yet? For the record, when I die, please put me in the ground as soon as possible!
** Taylor Chandler and his team do an amazing job with the stage sets and lighting!
** I really like Jimmy Buffet's music! (and I'm not even a parrot head) When I was on vacation, I had a rental car that had Sirius radio. I listened to him a lot. They have an entire station dedicated to his music.
** I am looking forward to speaking at our Toccoa campus live in the near future!
** I have been shooting my bow a lot in the evenings, getting ready for hunting season. Shooting better than I ever have!
** I hope many people get connected to one of our LIFE groups this Fall.
** Studying the Gospel of Mark right now. I love that book!
** I am so looking forward to this Sunday's message. I really think it is going to stretch people.
** Awesome to find out many of my old friends are listening to messages from Foothills. Thank you Facebook for the hook-up!
Well, I told you they were random thoughts. Time to get some work done.
** What If..... I depended totally on the Holy Spirit? What would my life look like? What would our church look like?
** How do we train people to sit through the entire service without getting up to get something to drink/ go to the bathroom/ go check on their kids/ stretch their legs----or whatever other reasons people get up for?
** Why do people bring their kids into the adult services? Don't they realize that we have the most incredible Children's Ministry on the planet?
** Did they ever get around to burying Michael Jackson yet? For the record, when I die, please put me in the ground as soon as possible!
** Taylor Chandler and his team do an amazing job with the stage sets and lighting!
** I really like Jimmy Buffet's music! (and I'm not even a parrot head) When I was on vacation, I had a rental car that had Sirius radio. I listened to him a lot. They have an entire station dedicated to his music.
** I am looking forward to speaking at our Toccoa campus live in the near future!
** I have been shooting my bow a lot in the evenings, getting ready for hunting season. Shooting better than I ever have!
** I hope many people get connected to one of our LIFE groups this Fall.
** Studying the Gospel of Mark right now. I love that book!
** I am so looking forward to this Sunday's message. I really think it is going to stretch people.
** Awesome to find out many of my old friends are listening to messages from Foothills. Thank you Facebook for the hook-up!
Well, I told you they were random thoughts. Time to get some work done.
Monday, August 24, 2009
What If...
We kicked off the "What If..." series yesterday at Foothills, with the question, What if... I lived up to my potential? Here are some highlights:
** Watching hundreds of people stand asking God to help them live up to their potential was absolutely incredible!
** I have been hearing some of the most amazing stories of life change lately. We are going to be capturing some of those to video, so everyone can see what God is doing behind the scenes.
** We had a huge attendance yesterday (don't know the numbers yet), but I do know that we had over 500 in KidZone between Seneca and Toccoa campuses!
** Speaking of Toccoa, I hear that they had a full house yesterday as well!
** In this Sunday's message I will be tackling the thing that's on everyone's mind. (No, it's not a message about sex--- it's the other thing that's on everyone's mind!!)
** College football is right around the corner!
** Meetings today. Ready for a good week!
** Doing some remodeling of our website, so be patient please.
** Watching hundreds of people stand asking God to help them live up to their potential was absolutely incredible!
** I have been hearing some of the most amazing stories of life change lately. We are going to be capturing some of those to video, so everyone can see what God is doing behind the scenes.
** We had a huge attendance yesterday (don't know the numbers yet), but I do know that we had over 500 in KidZone between Seneca and Toccoa campuses!
** Speaking of Toccoa, I hear that they had a full house yesterday as well!
** In this Sunday's message I will be tackling the thing that's on everyone's mind. (No, it's not a message about sex--- it's the other thing that's on everyone's mind!!)
** College football is right around the corner!
** Meetings today. Ready for a good week!
** Doing some remodeling of our website, so be patient please.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Thrive
One of the things that we are passionate about at Foothills Community Church is students. Every Wednesday evening at 6:30pm we have what's called, "Thrive", which is a worship experience for Middle and High schoolers.
This ministry is gaining some serious momentum and tons of new kids are showing up every single week---and having a blast!
It is led by Brian Rhodes and his sidekick Tim Wadsworth, and a bunch of incredible volunteers. These adults pour their hearts into this ministry, and as a result, kids lives are changing. Just last night 8 kids received Jesus as their Savior! Did you get that? 8 kids that met Jesus!! That's what it's all about!
Here's my question to teenagers, and parents of teens, If you haven't been to Thrive, Why not? You are missing out on some serious fun.
Need a little more information about it? You can check it out here.
This ministry is gaining some serious momentum and tons of new kids are showing up every single week---and having a blast!
It is led by Brian Rhodes and his sidekick Tim Wadsworth, and a bunch of incredible volunteers. These adults pour their hearts into this ministry, and as a result, kids lives are changing. Just last night 8 kids received Jesus as their Savior! Did you get that? 8 kids that met Jesus!! That's what it's all about!
Here's my question to teenagers, and parents of teens, If you haven't been to Thrive, Why not? You are missing out on some serious fun.
Need a little more information about it? You can check it out here.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
A little Chick-fil-a humor
Tim Hawkins is one of the funniest guys out there. Here is his parody on Chick-fil-a
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
So many options---how do you choose?
It seems like not a week goes by and our church is invited to participate in an event, ministry opportunity, or missions effort. (or give money to these things) Generally all of these options are good, noble causes. The question we struggle with is, which of these options does God want us to be involved in?
Our former approach was to use the shotgun approach, which means we got involved with a lot of things in a very minimal way. We gave small amounts of money to many different organizations. We had several mission trip opportunities to choose from. We did lots of different events. Recently we have been discussing a need to have a more focused approach to these things. We no longer wanted to be a "jack of all trades and a master of none".
We are going to give more money, effort and attention to fewer things. And I think the results will be much better.
3 of the local ministries that we will be supporting are the Foothills Pregnancy Care Center, The Golden Corner Food Bank, and Our Daily Rest homeless shelter. In fact we are going to be doing a huge concert on October 23rd called "Resonate" , and all proceeds will go toward these ministries.
Make sure you mark that date on your calendars. It is going to be amazing. Our 3 worship leaders will bring their teams together to celebrate the power and passion of music. It will have a lot of surprises and it will be an event YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS!
I will be posting more details in the near future.
Our former approach was to use the shotgun approach, which means we got involved with a lot of things in a very minimal way. We gave small amounts of money to many different organizations. We had several mission trip opportunities to choose from. We did lots of different events. Recently we have been discussing a need to have a more focused approach to these things. We no longer wanted to be a "jack of all trades and a master of none".
We are going to give more money, effort and attention to fewer things. And I think the results will be much better.
3 of the local ministries that we will be supporting are the Foothills Pregnancy Care Center, The Golden Corner Food Bank, and Our Daily Rest homeless shelter. In fact we are going to be doing a huge concert on October 23rd called "Resonate" , and all proceeds will go toward these ministries.
Make sure you mark that date on your calendars. It is going to be amazing. Our 3 worship leaders will bring their teams together to celebrate the power and passion of music. It will have a lot of surprises and it will be an event YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS!
I will be posting more details in the near future.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Sunday recap
We had such an incredible day at Foothills yesterday.
It will go down in history as one of the most unusual days we have ever had. Some crazy things happened, but God was moving big-time!
In the 9:30am service as soon as I turned on my mic and began to speak it just started making this huge popping sound. Now bear in mind, the mic had already been tested during the service run-through, and worked fine, but apparently when I put it on, the cable that connects to the belt pack got damaged (which was the cause of the problem). So we had to improvise, which means I had to use a hand-held microphone. For the record, I hate to use hand-helds. It made it especially difficult because I was using a visual illustration, that really needed two hands! Somehow I got through that message, and we swapped cables between services so I had my regular mic for the 11:15am service.
In the 11:15am service, as soon as I got ready to read the passage of scripture, I picked up my glasses and they broke in half. I could not use them to read the scripture, so I had to read from the big screens in the front of the auditorium. Over the last 4-5 years, I literally have to use reading glasses, or I cannot see to read.(It stinks getting older!) Fortunately I don't use sermon notes or I would have been in trouble (1 more reason to go noteless, Pastors)
But despite all of those things, God showed up. The worship was awesome (thanks Eric, David and their teams), The attendance was strong, the people were pumped, and there is this sense of expectation that is so tangible. WOW!
I am in awe of what is happening in our midst. I have no idea what God is about to do, but it is going to rock our world---get ready!
This Sunday we will begin a new message series that is called, What IF....
This series is going to be one of the best series we have ever done. You do not want to miss an of it.
Also remember, now that school is back in, people are starting to get back into a more normal routine. And Fall is always a time when many people start to think about going to church. Why not invite some friends to come with you this Sunday?
Our Toccoa campus is rocking and rolling. They are so excited about their new facility. They have basically finished with the demolition, and will begin putting up new walls next week! If you have any type of construction skills and would be willing to put those skills to good use, why not consider helping at the Toccoa campus?
It will go down in history as one of the most unusual days we have ever had. Some crazy things happened, but God was moving big-time!
In the 9:30am service as soon as I turned on my mic and began to speak it just started making this huge popping sound. Now bear in mind, the mic had already been tested during the service run-through, and worked fine, but apparently when I put it on, the cable that connects to the belt pack got damaged (which was the cause of the problem). So we had to improvise, which means I had to use a hand-held microphone. For the record, I hate to use hand-helds. It made it especially difficult because I was using a visual illustration, that really needed two hands! Somehow I got through that message, and we swapped cables between services so I had my regular mic for the 11:15am service.
In the 11:15am service, as soon as I got ready to read the passage of scripture, I picked up my glasses and they broke in half. I could not use them to read the scripture, so I had to read from the big screens in the front of the auditorium. Over the last 4-5 years, I literally have to use reading glasses, or I cannot see to read.(It stinks getting older!) Fortunately I don't use sermon notes or I would have been in trouble (1 more reason to go noteless, Pastors)
But despite all of those things, God showed up. The worship was awesome (thanks Eric, David and their teams), The attendance was strong, the people were pumped, and there is this sense of expectation that is so tangible. WOW!
I am in awe of what is happening in our midst. I have no idea what God is about to do, but it is going to rock our world---get ready!
This Sunday we will begin a new message series that is called, What IF....
This series is going to be one of the best series we have ever done. You do not want to miss an of it.
Also remember, now that school is back in, people are starting to get back into a more normal routine. And Fall is always a time when many people start to think about going to church. Why not invite some friends to come with you this Sunday?
Our Toccoa campus is rocking and rolling. They are so excited about their new facility. They have basically finished with the demolition, and will begin putting up new walls next week! If you have any type of construction skills and would be willing to put those skills to good use, why not consider helping at the Toccoa campus?
Thursday, August 13, 2009
a few thoughts
Recently I started reading a book by Jim Cymbala (Pastor of Brooklyn Tabernacle) called Fresh Power. All I can say is Wow!
I've had this book for a couple of years, and I think I have already read it, but there have been some fresh takeaways for me.
I thought I would share a few quotes from the book that have stood out to me.
(disclaimer: I do not agree with everything that Jim Cymbala teaches, but this is some good stuff)
* Audiences are best gathered by the unexplainable work of the Holy Spirit.
* If you can fully explain a church, then something's wrong. (Warren Wiersbe)
* HE (God) wants the church to be a place of awe and wonder--two qualities that we have largely lost in our meetings
* The preacher must have the power given by direct connection with God..... God does not mix His power with other solutions to give it efficiency. It is not some or much of the Holy Ghost mixed with some or much of other ingredients. (E.M. Bounds)
* An anointed pulpit is the mightiest agency that God has in this world. (E.M. Bounds)
* A decade of gadgets and gimmicks will never accomplish what God, the Holy Spirit can do in one month as He works in the life of a church.
* Revival comes when people get dissatisfied with what is and yearn deeply for what could be.
* If God were to take the Holy Spirit out of this world, most of what the church is doing would go right on, and nobody would know the difference. (A.W. Tozer)
I've had this book for a couple of years, and I think I have already read it, but there have been some fresh takeaways for me.
I thought I would share a few quotes from the book that have stood out to me.
(disclaimer: I do not agree with everything that Jim Cymbala teaches, but this is some good stuff)
* Audiences are best gathered by the unexplainable work of the Holy Spirit.
* If you can fully explain a church, then something's wrong. (Warren Wiersbe)
* HE (God) wants the church to be a place of awe and wonder--two qualities that we have largely lost in our meetings
* The preacher must have the power given by direct connection with God..... God does not mix His power with other solutions to give it efficiency. It is not some or much of the Holy Ghost mixed with some or much of other ingredients. (E.M. Bounds)
* An anointed pulpit is the mightiest agency that God has in this world. (E.M. Bounds)
* A decade of gadgets and gimmicks will never accomplish what God, the Holy Spirit can do in one month as He works in the life of a church.
* Revival comes when people get dissatisfied with what is and yearn deeply for what could be.
* If God were to take the Holy Spirit out of this world, most of what the church is doing would go right on, and nobody would know the difference. (A.W. Tozer)
Monday, August 10, 2009
sunday thoughts
Great day at FCC yesterday.
** Week 2 of man vs Wild. John the Baptist is the man!
** You do not want to miss this Sunday's service.
** During the 9:30 am service near the end of my message, a mouse ran across the stage (Although I would like to take credit for creativity,for the record, that was not planned to go with the man vs wild theme). I didn't see the little sucker. Apparently he ran behind me. I heard people start to laugh. Honestly my first thought was, "is my zipper down or something?" I guess when you build a facility in the middle of a field, mice go with the territory.
** Attendance seemed a little light in Seneca. You could definitely tell people are cramming in those last vacation days before school starts next week.
** Attendance in Toccoa was strong. School starts there today.
** Lots of guests again today. People seem to really enjoy Foothills!
** For those who asked if I would show the dorky picture of me when I was 12 years old that I mentioned yesterday----the answer is NO!!!
** My Flag football team had practice yesterday at 2:00pm in the 95 degree heat. For the record, that is not too much fun.
** Busy week at the office.
** Been shooting my bow a lot lately. That means one thing--- archery season is just around the corner! Can you say venison sausage?
** Week 2 of man vs Wild. John the Baptist is the man!
** You do not want to miss this Sunday's service.
** During the 9:30 am service near the end of my message, a mouse ran across the stage (Although I would like to take credit for creativity,for the record, that was not planned to go with the man vs wild theme). I didn't see the little sucker. Apparently he ran behind me. I heard people start to laugh. Honestly my first thought was, "is my zipper down or something?" I guess when you build a facility in the middle of a field, mice go with the territory.
** Attendance seemed a little light in Seneca. You could definitely tell people are cramming in those last vacation days before school starts next week.
** Attendance in Toccoa was strong. School starts there today.
** Lots of guests again today. People seem to really enjoy Foothills!
** For those who asked if I would show the dorky picture of me when I was 12 years old that I mentioned yesterday----the answer is NO!!!
** My Flag football team had practice yesterday at 2:00pm in the 95 degree heat. For the record, that is not too much fun.
** Busy week at the office.
** Been shooting my bow a lot lately. That means one thing--- archery season is just around the corner! Can you say venison sausage?
Thursday, August 06, 2009
Vacation reflections
Sometimes coming back to work after being on vacation takes a few days to get acclimated once again. Fortunately it didn't take me long!
During my time off, I got a chance to reflect a bit about life and ministry. Here are few of my thoughts:
** I must be totally dependent on the power of the Holy Spirit for anything significant to happen in my life.
** I have no desire to waste my life by playing it safe. I want to live by faith. I want to take risk. I want to make an impact.
** I am way too insulated from the "real world". I live in a ministry bubble, that by its very nature, cuts me off from interaction with non-Christians.
** I want to see Foothills Community Church experience the same type of movement of God that the Acts 2 church experienced!
** I desire more than anything else, to be used by God in a significant way.
** I want Foothills Community Church to have more impact from a global perspective.
** I am not interested in church growth through slick programs or promotions. I want God to do something so significant that there would be nothing human that we could point to, when trying to explain what is happening at Foothills Community Church.
** I desire to be a church that produces true disciples of Jesus.
There are so many other things that I am praying about. But one thing I am convinced about, and that is our best days as a church are still in front of us. I am so excited to serve God with each of you!
During my time off, I got a chance to reflect a bit about life and ministry. Here are few of my thoughts:
** I must be totally dependent on the power of the Holy Spirit for anything significant to happen in my life.
** I have no desire to waste my life by playing it safe. I want to live by faith. I want to take risk. I want to make an impact.
** I am way too insulated from the "real world". I live in a ministry bubble, that by its very nature, cuts me off from interaction with non-Christians.
** I want to see Foothills Community Church experience the same type of movement of God that the Acts 2 church experienced!
** I desire more than anything else, to be used by God in a significant way.
** I want Foothills Community Church to have more impact from a global perspective.
** I am not interested in church growth through slick programs or promotions. I want God to do something so significant that there would be nothing human that we could point to, when trying to explain what is happening at Foothills Community Church.
** I desire to be a church that produces true disciples of Jesus.
There are so many other things that I am praying about. But one thing I am convinced about, and that is our best days as a church are still in front of us. I am so excited to serve God with each of you!
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
Monday, August 03, 2009
Sunday recap
We had an all-around fantastic day at Foothills Community Church yesterday. Here are a few highlights:
** Really fun to be back delivering the message after being gone for 2 Sundays. I had to cut the message short in both services, because I felt led to spend more time on point #1 than I originally thought.
** Started our Man vs. Wild series. Taylor C. created a great, "wild' looking stage set with vines and moss, etc. ( I kept feeling like something was going to jump on me)
** In case you're wondering, Man Vs Wild is a look into the life of John the baptist.
** Scott C. did a phenomenal job with all the graphics, videos, etc.
** If you missed out yesterday, make sure you are at Foothills this Sunday!
** Yesterday evening we headed over to our Toccoa campus' new facility for a building dedication. It was awesome. It is a former furniture store that we will be converting to a worship center.
** There were a lot of very enthusiastic people from Toccoa there that are pumped about reaching the community for Christ. Jonathan led worship (man, Toccoa, you all really sing loud!) After worship I did a short challenge message, and then Shannon C. had people take markers and write the names of people that we prayed would become Christ-followers--- what an awesome evening.
** We hope to be done with the renovation and have our first service in the new building in late September.
** Really fun to be back delivering the message after being gone for 2 Sundays. I had to cut the message short in both services, because I felt led to spend more time on point #1 than I originally thought.
** Started our Man vs. Wild series. Taylor C. created a great, "wild' looking stage set with vines and moss, etc. ( I kept feeling like something was going to jump on me)
** In case you're wondering, Man Vs Wild is a look into the life of John the baptist.
** Scott C. did a phenomenal job with all the graphics, videos, etc.
** If you missed out yesterday, make sure you are at Foothills this Sunday!
** Yesterday evening we headed over to our Toccoa campus' new facility for a building dedication. It was awesome. It is a former furniture store that we will be converting to a worship center.
** There were a lot of very enthusiastic people from Toccoa there that are pumped about reaching the community for Christ. Jonathan led worship (man, Toccoa, you all really sing loud!) After worship I did a short challenge message, and then Shannon C. had people take markers and write the names of people that we prayed would become Christ-followers--- what an awesome evening.
** We hope to be done with the renovation and have our first service in the new building in late September.
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