Wednesday, May 26, 2010

The good news about a bad past

Lots of people struggle getting past their pasts. The memories of past mistakes haunt them. The good news is, that no matter what you've done, God still has a plan for your life. This is from last Sunday at Foothills Community Church:

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Love your enemies

I got this video sent to me, and I wanted to share it. Simple, but powerful message.

Monday, May 24, 2010

Get In The Game



I wanted to take a minute to invite you to the Next Get In The Game series that will be coming up on Wednesday June 9th at 6:15pm in the Planet Kidz auditorium.
Normally we offer the Get In The Game every 1st and 2nd Sunday morning at 9:30am---- BUT in June it will be ONLY on Wednesday.

Here's the deal--- I am totally excited about this because I get to personally lead it! In the early days of Foothills Community Church, I used to lead all of the classes (many of them at my house), however since we began doing them on Sunday mornings, obviously I'm unable to do them anymore.

The reason I'm so excited about it is because I ABSOLUTELY LOVE leading this! WE cover the vision, values, strategy and structure of FCC.

So here's what you can do, next Sunday, sign-up to attend on your info card. There will be child care available, but we need to know in advance how many kids you will be bringing.

The session will run from 6:15pm (sharp!) until 8:15pm

You may be wondering, what is Get In The Game?----well here is a link (just remember, the date is June 9th at 6:15pm)

See you there!!

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Feeling a little stuck?

This is from last Sunday at Foothills Community Church. It is the last message from our Fix You series, called, "Stuck"

Monday, May 17, 2010

Sunday review

Another solid day at Foothills yesterday. Here are few highlights:

* We finished the Fix You series. We had more salvations during that series than any other we've ever done!

* I spoke about how to get unstuck in life. Talked about how Nehemiah got the people re-focused on rebuilding the wall after getting stuck half way through the project.

* It is interesting how a few negative people were able to put a halt to an entire construction project by being critical.

* There are two types of people, Critical people and Catalytic people. Choose to listen to the catalytic voices. The critical people want to bring you down, the catalytic people will build you up!

* Stuck is defined as the inability to move. Lots of people are stuck in their finances, marriages, careers, parenting, spiritual lives. Through Christ we have the ability to move forward.

* Eric Peters and the band did an incredible job singing a country song called, Stuck. It was phenomenal.

* We did our Seneca Shine 2010 projects Saturday. Lots of people served. I don't know how many yet, but a bunch. Toccoa campus will do their Shine 2010 projects this Saturday.

* We start a brand new message series this Sunday, called "Walk This Way". It is a 5 week series from the book of I Timothy.

* I know most of you already know this, but we are blessed at Foothills with an incredible staff. One of the ways you could bless them is by just thanking them for what they do (another good way would be by serving on one of their teams!)

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

some random things

I've got a bunch of random things rattling around in my mind right now.

* I am fired-up about some of the message series that are coming up through the end of the year!

* This Sunday, I will be doing a message called, "Stuck". I shared this message with my staff a couple of months ago in a staff meeting. If you've ever been stuck before (in your finances, job, marriage, spiritual life, school---whatever), you need to be at Foothills this Sunday.

* Can't wait for Saturday. FCC will be doing Shine 2010 projects. Hundreds of people signed up to perform 3 hours of community service this Saturday.

* We have some cool things planned from our worship teams for the next series. I can't wait! Rumor has it that the praise choir may be back up soon. (If you like to sing, this is a great opportunity to serve)

* I am hearing so many great stories of how our Care team has been helping people going through all kinds of stuff. You may not realize this, but FCC has an entire team of staff and volunteers that help people.

* If you attend FCC, but have never served before, you're really missing out! Sign-up for the next Get In The Game series which is scheduled for the first Sunday of each month at 9:30am in our small auditorium (you'll be out in time for the 11:15am service)

* I love hearing stories of life change that's happening at FCC. One of the places that really is making an impact is in our Kidzone. Parents, if you are bringing your kids in the main auditorium with you, you are making a huge mistake! Recently the kids were asked what they liked about Planet Kidz? The number one thing was that they really understood the messages.

Monday, May 10, 2010

Sunday review

We had a great day at Foothills yesterday. It was nice being back at FCC yesterday. I love our church!

* We celebrated Mother's Day, but not with the usual Mother's day service. Our focus was on Shine 2010.

* I don't know how many people signed up for the community service projects, but there was a bunch. Thanks to all of you, who will be serving our community this Saturday from 9:00am until noon in SC, and the following Saturday in GA.

* When we serve people, we are doing what should come naturally for a Christ-follower.

* In James 2:14-17, James actually questions if we even have faith if we are unwilling to serve others----wow!

* We did parent/child dedications yesterday----lots of them. I believe there were 30 in Seneca, and 5 in Toccoa. tons of small children in our church. Love that!

* About to head into our staff meeting. We are going to be talking about some very cool things.

Thursday, May 06, 2010

Thursday thoughts

We're preparing for a huge Sunday this week at Foothills Community Church. Here are just a few things we're preparing for:

* This Sunday is Mother's Day, so don't forget to bring your Mom to church with you (and don't forget to get her something nice too!)

* We will be doing Parent/Child dedications at both of our campuses. We have a ton of people who will be participating. That will be fun.

* We will be collecting canned goods, diapers and gently used women's clothing for a few area ministries this Sunday in Seneca, and the following Sunday in Toccoa.

* This Sunday we will have tables set up for people to pick up their Shine 2010 projects

* God is doing spectacular things at Foothills. We had 255 people saved in April! Are you kidding me? God is up to something big!

* Today is the National Day of Prayer. Be sure to pray for our Nation and our leaders.

* Got a chance to watch the message that Brian Rhodes preached last week. he did an awesome job.

* Why not invite someone to attend church with you this Sunday?

Monday, May 03, 2010

Fellowship Church

Last week while I was in Dallas, I had the opportunity to spend a couple of hours with Tracey Barnes and Chris Prater from Fellowship Church in Grapevine TX. Tracy and Chris are both Campus Pastors, and long-time staff members of Fellowship.

Fellowship Church, whose Lead Pastor is Ed Young Jr. is one of the most influential churches in America. They have approximately 20,000 people in attendance on a typical weekend.

It was very cool hearing about the ministry of Fellowship Church, and also getting the opportunity to go behind the scenes, and comparing notes with Tracey and Chris. What's pretty encouraging is realizing that even though Fellowship Church is on a different scale than Foothills Community Church, we have a lot in common.

I not only came away inspired, but also encouraged about what God is doing right here in SC and GA through Foothills Community Church!

Sunday, May 02, 2010

sunday review

I had a different sort of Sunday today. I got a chance to fill the pulpit for my friend Dean Herman, who pastors a church in Easley, SC called 5 Point Fellowship. Dean and his wife were out of town celebrating their 30th anniversary.

* I rarely speak at other churches, but I had a lot of fun. I'm not sure they knew what to think of me though! (In case you're wondering, yes Foothills I missed you all!)

* I heard that the services at both of our campuses were fantastic today.

* At our Seneca campus, Brian Rhodes spoke on forgiveness. I hear that he did a great job. He is an excellent communicator!

* I also hear that the feature song was very cool with the acoustic feel to it.

* In Toccoa they had another solid attendance and from what I understand they did acoustic worship and had a prayer time at the end of the service that was powerful.

* This past week I got a chance to spend a couple of days in Dallas with 10 other pastors from around the country. One thing is for sure, God is at work in America!

* It is cool hanging out with guys who are going through similar things and understand you. Over the next 2 years we will be getting together several times.

* Looking forward to tomorrow's staff meeting, because my friend Perry Duggar from Brookwood Church in Simpsonville will be coming to lead it.