Friday five (what going through my mind right now)…

I have a confession.  I rarely open my Bible and even though I have bookshelves full of study aids, I don’t read those either…  Here are the tools that I use most often…

• E-sword is a free Bible software that has hundred’s of translation and lots of books and commentaries by people MUCH smarter than me.
• With out a doubt the best tool I use to study is Roget’s Thesaurus of the Bible.  Tammy’s grandfather gave this book to me years ago when I first got into the ministry.  I couldn’t study without it.
• QuickVerseis another Bible software tool that I use.  It is a little pricey, but has alot of stuff that E-sword doesn’t.  Again, its has alot of books by people who are MUCH smarter than me.
• Here is a shocking revelation to some… I read and have preached other guys sermons (EVERY pastor has whether they admit it or not).  Sermon Central is a great place to read sermons, get ideas, and do research. 
• There is a new website that I am getting to know called www.YouVersion.com.   This site allows you to read the Bible, read other people’s comments and even post your own.  If you are interested in reading the Bible in a year they have a plan here.  You can set it as your homepage to make it easier. 

What have you found to help you study and take your next step?

CHURCH MEMBERS ONLY…

That’s pretty welcoming, huh?  We may not have a sign like that in front of our church but our actions may say the same thing… if your not like us then go away.  We Christians even have our own language to communicate to each other – Christianezian, it has words and phrases like…

“Benediction”

“Sanctification”

“Angels prostrate fall” (they make medicine for that now)

“Fellowship” 

“Sanctuary”

“Amen”

“Bless your heart”

We Christians understand these words (most of them anyway), but the unchurched do not.  If you have ever been to another country you know how frustrating the language barrier can be.  It is the same with those coming into our church… after all how can we reach them with the life changing message of Christ if they don’t understand it?   We must be sensitive to those who come into our church and do all we can to make a guest feel welcome and at ease.  We want to make it easy for people to hear a hard message. 

What do you think?

Sunday night thoughts…

• It was a good day today.  Attendance was off… I guess it was the last weekend of winter break.
• I am so proud of my wife.  We dealt with the differences between men and women today and she co-taught the message today… she did great… I might be out of a job.
• Speaking of my wife… this was the first time my wife has been in “Big church” since we started. 
• The team did an INCREDIBLE job today with setup.  I must have jinxed us last week when i was bragging about how smoothly things run for us at the EVOLVE conference.  Much props to Brian and Josh!
• I am really looking forward to Lifesong’s “Date Night” next week… see you at 6PM at Spicy Thai with the movie Jumper at 7:45PM… its going to be a blast!
• We did not record the message today so no podcast… we might record it in the studio and get it posted.
• Be praying this week as I have some meeting concerning a possible Easter event… it could be HUGE!

Friday five (what going through my mind right now)…

• I wish I had a British accent… everybody sounds smarter with a British accent.
• Some of our road signs are disappearing.  We thought it was the shopping center, but its not… I guess somebody liked them so much they put them in their house.
• Today is Tammy’s birthday… “Oh crap!”
• Chuck bump checked me at a red light on Monday at the EVOLVE conference… funny, but I will get him back (insert devious laugh here)
• I love this church and know that this is God’s calling in my life… don’t miss Sunday when we will talk about being “Desperately Different,”  Tammy will be teaching with me… I am a little afraid of what she might say!

Pictures from Sunday…

As promised, here are some pictures from Sunday.

Thoughts on EVOLVE…

Here are some of my favorite thoughts from EVOLVE…

• The health of the church is directly connected to the health of the leader.
• Healthy = Disciplined
• The growth of Lifesong church is not dictated by ability but by our capacity to accommodate God’s blessing.
• Dress for the wedding, not the gas station… we must put systems in place for future growth even if they appear foolish and overdone now.
• Our job is to accommodate God’s movement not produce it.
• Enjoy the journey because the destination is a mirage.
• The difference between a vision and a daydream is the audacity to act.
• I must pray “sun stand still” prayers… and be ready when God moves.
• Between the promise and the payoff is a process.
• The people of Lifesong church will become like me… is that a good thing?
• What, other than being a child of God, do I find meaning in?
• We all underestimate what God can do.
• Success is influencing those closest to us.
• If your insecure your greatest asset becomes your greatest threat.
• Do not let the arrow of criticism pierce your heart until it passes through the filter of scripture.
• Adversity clarifies your core values.
• People will leave your church… it is a disservice to those who stay to stay focused on those who leave.
• What you focus on is what you get.
• God does not bless your intentions, He blesses your actions.
• I find confidence in my calling… NOTHING else. 

It was a great couple of days.  The notebook I was using had all my lists and notes for getting ready for Lifesong’s first preview services and as I sat in the conference I was reminded of just how far God has brought this church.  The best is yet to come!

WOW…

Just got in from the Evolve conference… It will take me a little time to process everything, but WOW!  I am ready to take Hell on naked (for your sake just a metaphor) with a water gun!  God really spoke to me during the last couple of days and it was both encouraging and convicting.  I will write more on it later… I am going to MY bed and sleep. 

Sunday night thoughts…

• It was an awesome day today… a great kickoff to a new series.
• The decorations for this series looked great.  You guys really went all out!  I feel pretty confident we were the only church in town that had a lawn mower in the lobby.  I will post pictures later…
• We had several people take their “next step” today and volunteer!  That’s AWESOME!  I really do believe that there is NOTHING better than serving God through the church.
• I am so proud of what Lifesong is doing to make an impact in this community.  If you have not shared your story, do it… its not about bragging, its about sharing wins.  Check out the makeanimpact website and share/read your stories.
• Looking forward to the next couple of days.  I am heading up to Mountain Lake Church for the EVOLVE conference.  This is a great opportunity for church leaders and planters to learn, network and get inspired.  Plus Tammy’s coming with me… two days without the kids… very cool:-)
• The best is yet to come!

Your impact…

“In the same way that you gave me a mission in the world, I (Jesus) give them a mission in the world.”  John 17:18 MSG

I am so proud of Lifesong church.  You guys are stepping up BIG time and making an impact in our community! Make sure you share your story of impact on makeanimpact.com… we all want to hear what God is doing! 

Videos…

For those who are interested, all of the videos and roll ins we have done are available here.  Go check em’ out.