Sunday night thoughts…

• CRAZY hectic morning.  It is NEVER easy being portable, but some mornings are just over the top difficult… this was one of those mornings.
• With that said, the volunteers of Lifesong are the BEST… you guys got it done!
• Kicked off our “Break Free” series and talked about fighting for freedom.   Some highlights of the MESSAGE were…
  • If you are goung to experience freedom in your life there will be a fight.
  • Many of us have just accepted the fact that we will ALWAYS struggle with the same old sins and habits… that’s just NOT true (John 8:36).
  • The world teaches us to  NORMALIZE or MINIMIZE the sins in our life.
  • Before freedom can manifest in your life it must materialize in your mind (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).
  • What do you do when you struggle with sin in your life?  You pulverize the patterns of sin with the promises of God.
• Several guests with us again today… VERY COOL!
• Proud of the band for handling a curve ball at the last minute.
• Praying for may of you who are going through difficult times right now!
• That’s it… gotta get ready for the Lifesong Super Bowl party!  Lets go COLTS!!!

Sunday night thoughts…

• Awesome day at Lifesong church!
• Wrapped up our “Epidemic” series today and talked about different pictures of the church found in the Bible.  Some highlights of the message were…
  • The church is a building (1 Cor. 3:9) but NOT how you think.  WE are the building.  You can go to a meeting… you can go to a building, but you CAN NOT go to church because YOU are the church.  The reason that the early church was so successful in spreading the epidemic was because they understood this principle.
  • The church is a bride.  You can’t say that you like Jesus and NOT like His bride.
  • The church is a family.  One of the reasons that the early church was able to get through so many difficulties was because they were CONNECTED in FELLOWSHIP.  They really got the idea of doing life together.
  • God is VERY protective of the UNITY of His church… Read Acts chapter five to see just how serious.
  • The church is a body (Rom. 12:5).  If you are not doing your part then the body is not functioning as it should.
  • If more churches understood that we were ALL part of the Body of Christ then maybe we would be more interested in COMPLETING one another instead of COMPETING with each other.
  • The early church understood that they were part of an ARMY and were in a battle that they could not lose.  For far too long we as the church have been on defense, but as I read the Bible, Jesus calls us to forcefully advance His Kingdom.
• My wife (AKA Hot Momma) was able to sleep in and actually just ATTEND a service today for the first time since we started… very cool!
• Several guests with us today.  Many of you are INVITING your ONE to Lifesong and they are showing up!  GREAT JOB!
• God answered prayers last night… we were forecast to have snow flurries and rain overnight with 20 degree temps.  I prayed for God to give our set up teams a break and He did
• The band really ministered to me today.  So thankful for their talents but more importantly their heart for Jesus.  A guest turned in a connection card that simply said, “WE LOVE THE MUSIC!!!”  No mention of the preaching
• Pray for the mail out hitting this week for our “Break Free” series.  Do WHATEVER it takes to get your ONE here for this series.
• Don’t forget… Superbowl party next Sunday.  Come watch the game on the real BIG SCREEN.  This is such a big deal that we canceled Sunday night services
• I am honored to be your pastor!

Sunday night thoughts (the remix)…

Seems that my first post did not make it on the site… sorry for the delay.

• Week three of our “Epidemic” series.  We used Acts Chapter four and talked about the unseen side of  a “successful” church.  Some highlights of the message were…
  • Every thing has an unseen side.  With ANY thing successful you very rarely see what it took to become so.
  • Pain is part of becoming the church that God intends.  Many see persecution as a bad thing or a sign but it WILL be part of a church that is spreading the Epidemic of Grace.
  • Peter RISKED a lot by preaching the truth to the religious leaders.  It took great faith to proclaim the Gospel so boldly… God is pleased NO OTHER way.
  • Many want to eliminate all risk from their lives.  They will not move if they cant figure things out logically yet we are to operate in FAITH.  The Bible is pretty clear that we can NOT please God with out it.
  • The Disciples left EVERYTHING to be a part of the Epidemic.  Are we?
  • Sacrifice – giving up something you love for something that you love even more.
• Tons of kids running around the theater today… I LOVE kids!
• Speaking of TONS of kids… send tammy@lifesonglive.com an email to volunteer in Lifesong Kids
• The band did a great job today… run through was tough but it all came together in the end.
• Life Groups start in a couple of weeks… send greg@lifesonglive.com an email to get plugged in.
• I can not wait to start our new series, “Break Free” in a couple of weeks.  Do EVERYTHING you can to INVEST and INVITE someone to be here for this series.  Trusting that God is going to do GREAT things!
• Lots of stuff to work through right now… would really appreciate your prayers!  God is doing some great, and uncomfortable, things in me and I do not want to mess things up!

Sunday night thoughts…

• Great day at Lifesong church!
• The band did an awesome job leading worship… their version of “My Chains Are Gone” was POWERFUL.
• Week two of Epidemic.  Taught out of Acts chapter three.  Some highlights of the message were…
  • The Church was given a mission by Jesus… we do not get a vote.
  • For the early church their faith was effected every aspect of their life.  They were so AMAZED by the grace of God that they HAD to tell others about it.  Are we still amazed?
  • Peter and John noticed the need and did something about it.
  • Peter and John did not worry about what they DIDNT have… education, training, a lifetime experience in healing.  The ONE thing they had was the power of the Holy Spirit and that was enough.
  • Peter and John met the crippled man where he was and offered him a hand up… are we willing to do the same and get our hands dirty reaching out to people that others have forgotten about?
  • May we fill our city with the grace of God.
• LOTS of Lifesong peeps expecting babies over the next several months… I LIKE BABIES
• Several guests with us today… thank you for BEING the church and INVITING people!
• The  kids in “Wee Wonders” (pre-school) were asked to shout out the main point of their lesson today that “Jesus took our punishment” and one of our kids yelled that Jesus took our blood pressure… very funny
• You are making an IMPACT to the people of Haiti… we are giving 20% of our “Crazy Love” offering to Samaritan’s Purse to help provide much needed supplies and relief.  Click the link if you would like to give to this worthy cause.
• $4000 was given to “Crazy Love.”  This was short of the goal but I am still very proud of those who sacrificed and gave to make a difference.
• Would appreciate your prayers… we have some pretty big (and AWESOME) things to work through over the next couple of months that could help take Lifesong to a place we have NEVER been before.

Sunday night thoughts…

• Crazy COLD day today… something like 20 degree’s this morning.  NOT COOL!
• Good morning at Lifesong.  Kicked off Epidemic today and used Acts chapter one and two.  Some highlights of the MESSAGE were…
  • The book of Acts is not just history, it is a playbook for starting an epidemic of grace.
  • In order for God to work THROUGH us He must work IN us.  That is what happened for ten days after Jesus ascended and Pentecost.
  • The early church prayed for OPPORTUNITY and BOLDNESS to share the MESSAGE… do we do the same?
  • They early church did not have the internet, bands, lights, video, or direct mail.  They were completely reliant on the Holy Spirit… we could learn a lot from that.
  • Without the Holy Spirit moving the church is nothing.
  • The early church was DEVOTED… they did not give up when it got hard.  As a matter of fact when, the harder it got the MORE the Epidemic grew!
  • Peter preached and 3000 people were saved… that can happen again!
• Really proud and thankful for everyone who did set up today… you guys ROCK!
• Lifesong Kids looked AWESOME today… the new decorations were incredible.
• Thank you for being faithful in your giving… a giving church is a healthy church.
• I love you guys and am proud to be your Pastor.

Sunday night thoughts…

• Good to be back at Lifesong today… it was an interesting morning!
• Seems that we have a bit of a virus making its way through the church right now… it was a miracle that I didn’t puke on the stage
• MANY volunteers were out sick today, but you guys stepped up and made it happen… I can not tell you how proud I am of our team.
• Shared what my prayer is for you this new year.  Some highlights of the message were…
  • I want you to VALUE your time.  To spend the time that you have making an impact on eternity.
  • I want you to let go of the past.  Our memories can either be a friend or an enemy.
  • I want you to establish the right priorities.   In 2010 to chase hard after Jesus like never before.
• We had some first time guests this morning that came from a flyer handed out at the fourth of July parade… you never know what kind of impact a small act can have or how long it may take to see the results of that act.
• I was given a gift card to Starbucks this morning… this makes me smile
• I can’t wait to kick of out new series “Epidemic” next week.  I want to challenge you to NOT miss a week.

Sunday night thoughts…

• Great day at Lifesong church… I really do love this time of the year.
• Wrapped up our Crazy series and talked about the Mystery of Christmas.  Some highlights of the message were…
  • When you understand the Mystery of Christmas you can experience genuine love.
  • Knowing ABOUT God’s love and EXPERIENCING it are two different things.
  • When you understand the mystery of Christmas you can experience real peace.
  • Peace with God, peace with others (who needs that at Christmas ) and peace with ourselves.
  • When you understand the mystery of Christmas you can have real purpose.
  • Our ULTIMATE purpose is to KNOW God… the whole CRAZY Christmas story is about this ONE thing.
• The band did an INCREDIBLE job this morning… they surprised me with our version of “Silent Night.”
• I am so proud of Lifesong… the Blessing Tree was COVERED in present for the six families that we adopted.  Hearing some of the stories from those who made deliveries was awesome.
• Several more gave to our Crazy Love offering today.  You can continue to give through January 3rd.  We are still short of our $10,000 goal, but I BELIEVE that we will make it!  Have YOU given your best?
• NO SERVICE next Sunday… if you show up at the theater you will be very lonely … going to give ALL of INCREDIBLE volunteers a day off.
• I love you guys… have a blessed time this Christmas!

sunday night thoughts…

• Is it Summer yet?  Cold and rainy are NOT my favorite things.  Thank you Lord for allowing the rain to stop long enough to load in and then stop AGAIN to load out this morning!
• Once again the volunteers of Lifesong ROCKED… the Post Office ain’t got nothing on a Lifesong volunteer… Rain, sleet, snow, and ice, nothing can keep us from getting the job done.
• Week three of Crazy, used Matthew chapter 2 to talk about Crazy Generosity.  Some highlights of the MESSAGE were…
  • When you are Crazy Generous you give joyfully.
  • It is a blessing to give… pretty sure I heard that some PLACE before.
  • When you give you will be blessed.  You can NOT get past the PRINCIPLE of sowing and reaping.
  • When you are Crazy Generous you give extravagantly… Crazy Love causes you to go over the top.
  • WHen you are Crazy Generous you give your best.
  • We will ALWAYS find money to fund our priorities.
  • Giving is not a matter of finances it is a matter of the HEART.
• Proud of you guys and what you have done with the Blessing Tree!  All the ornaments are GONE.  Remember, we deliver NEXT Sunday.
• Crazy Love offering continues through January 3rd… make sure you give your BEST to Christ this Christmas.  You can even give ONLINE.
• Had a chance to hang out with the Leadership Team last night for our little Christmas get together…. Love the people that I get to work with and it was great to have a chance to bless them back!  I even learned what osso bucco was

sunday night thoughts…

• Week two of “Crazy.”  Talked about the first people who missed Christmas.  Some highlights of the message were…
  • The Innkeeper missed Jesus not because he was a bad guy he was just too busy and focused on the wrong things.
  • Sometimes we have to give up the good things in order to experience the best things.
  • Herod missed Jesus because he was afraid of losing his kingdom.  No one would be king but him.
  • Many want Jesus as a resource, or a friend, but nor Lord… uh, that’s a problem (read Romans 10:9)
  • The religious leaders missed Jesus because they were indifferent and wouldn’t even walk the two miles to see if the prophecy was coming true.
  • How many of us have grown accustomed to the presence of Jesus and lost our sense of wonder.
• Several more tags were taken today from the Blessing Tree and several gift ALREADY brought in.  Remember you have until December 20th to bring them in.
• Pumped about the kick off of our “Crazy Love” offering… expecting God to do BIG things!
• It was COLD this morning… even saw a microphone koozie today.  Our Production Team is the best
• Took a four-hour nap this afternoon… it was awesome

sunday night thoughts…

• Kicked off our “Crazy” series today and used Joseph to talk about the craziness of life and what happens when God changes our plans.  Some highlights of the MESSAGE were…
  • Our best laid plans are subject to get interrupted and that is sometimes NOT a bad thing.  Joseph was content to be a small town carpenter but instead became the Dad of Jesus.
  • Joseph had a crazy devotion to God in order to follow God’s plan.
  • Following God’s plans is NOT easy… it will always cost you something.
  • When Jesus shows up things get turned upside down.  It happened with Joseph and it will happen to you.
• I really struggled with the message  today… no ones fault but my own.  Some days you have “it” and some days you don’t…
• Really proud of you guys for getting so many ornaments off the blessing tree today.  Six families from 2 elemtary schools WILL be blown away by the love of Jesus this Christmas because of you.  There are still several ornaments left and you can bring the presents (Wrapped and TAGGED) up until December 20th.
• Forgot to mention that we are partnering with the City of Griffin for the lighting of Downtown this Thursday starting at 6 pm.
• We shared about our Crazy Love Special Offering this morning… be looking for more info this week in the mail.  We have set a goal of $10,000 and I can not wait to see what God is going to do during this challenge!
• We just finished getting our Christmas decorations up… don’t tell anyone but I really do like decorating for Christmas
• Oh… forgot to mention but I really enjoyed watching TWO un-ranked SEC teams beat up on the two ACC championship contenders.  GO DAWGS!!!