Freedom Sunday

LifePointe Worship Feb 7 2010I don’t mean to sound repetitious, but we had another wonderful service at LifePointe today. The entire service was just electric. I cannot say enough about our teams. They are pros. Everybody is clicking. The band, as usual, took it up another notch.

Occasionally, I feel a strong impression from God to change course a bit from my planned preaching path. So I did that today. We took a week off from Church Revolution to talk about who we are, who we really are, in Christ. There are so many external sources that attempt to define us, but God tells us exactly who we are in Him. I was so wound up to preach the message. I think my hands were actually shaking as I waited to take the stage. I lost my voice after 10 minutes but managed to finish. I’m hoping some chains fell off today. I think I heard some hit the floor. Freedom in Christ!

We had one very special young man begin his walk with Jesus today! There’s nothing better than watching a young person light up with Jesus. We now have three people lined up for baptism next Sunday. That’s going to be a very special day.

Now, I’m trying to catch my breath before heading back to the LifePointe building. We’re going to eat more than we should and go crazy watching the Super Bowl with a real church family. I can’t wait. I love those people!

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A Review of Learning to Soar by Avery T. Willis

Probably one of the most impacting Discipleship studies I’ve ever done was one called Masterlife. The author was Avery T. Willis. His humility and depth was apparent in the Masterlife material and I continued to read other projects he released. That latest project is Learning to Soar.

Learning to Soar uses Deuteronomy 32:11 as the basis for the entire book.

Like an eagle that rouses her chicks and hovers over her young, so he spread his wings to take them up and carried them safely on his pinions. (Deuteronomy 32:11, NLT).

Willis takes this verse describing God’s work in the Hebrew people during their exodus and brings it to bear on God’s work in our lives today. The analogy is used throughout the book to show how God may allow some trouble or hardship in our lives to move us out of our comfortable “nest.”

The book is co-authored by Matt Willis, the grandson of Avery Willis. Matt wrote quite a few “aside” sections intertwined with the book text. These sections are included to put a present-day context to the writings of his grandfather.

Since Learning to Soar was published, Willis has been diagnosed with leukemia. I feel quite confident that he will soar through this time of problems in his own personal life.

As with all of Avery Willis’ writings, Learning to Soar is a great tool for discipleship. If you are facing some hard times in your life right now, this book may help add a new perspective to those troubles. You may just find that God is using these times to move you from where you are to where He wants you to be.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NavPress Publishers as part of their bloggers book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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Proud of the LifePointe People

ConnectingOver the past six months, God has really been doing a work at LifePointe Church. And in the last month, since January 2010, we have consistently had higher and higher attendance. Which is a great thing to happen!

Our teams have been great through this growth spurt! Every single person is pitching in, serving where needed, and just making LifePointe Church a great place to attend. All of our new guests are highly complimentary of hard working teams.

I am so proud of our guys and gals, from the welcome team to the kitchen team to all the children’s teams. We’re seeing more and more get involved and make a real difference. Our Worship Team and Media Team seem to have it in sync. These guys are the heart of LifePointe and our heart is very healthy.

If you want to get involved with one of these teams, go to them and tell them you want to help. Believe me, they will be excited you’re asking and would love to have you jump in with them.

To you guys and gals serving on teams now, I just want to say: YOU ROCK! You are making LifePointe Church a place where everybody feels wanted and relaxed. I know how much you put into what you do and, mam, does it show. I have never served with people who care so much, not just about their church, but about the Lord of their church. Thank you! You make my job easy.

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I Gave

I GaveA couple of Sundays ago at LifePointe, we gave all our offering from the previous week back to our people. We placed $10 bills in envelopes and gave every person in our worship service one. There were only two rules: Give the money to someone who desperately needs it and let everyone know the story.

We’ve got a form on the LifePointe Church website to give a report. We also have a page with all the reports listed to read. The stories are starting to come in. You should take a few minutes are read them. And keep those stories coming in. We love to see God working through the generosity of His people.

The “I Gave” Story Form: http://lifepointeonline.org/i-gave/
The “I Gave” Stories: http://lifepointeonline.org/i-gave-stories/

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Review of Where Is God by Dr. John Townsend

It’s a question that comes up often:

  • When your doctor gives you a report that’s not favorable.
  • When a loved one suddenly dies.
  • When your spouse decided he no longer wants to be married.
  • When disasters that destroy many lives occur.

And that question is “Where is God?”

Where is God is also the title of the latest great book by Dr. John Townsend. Dr. Townsend is a Christian psychologist and Leadership Coach. In this book he takes us through our life’s experiences where God seems to be absent and shows us where God really is. He provides a Scriptural basis for answering this commonly asked question and guides us to a Biblical understanding.

With several recent events in my life causing me to ask the question, “Where is God?”, this book has come to me at just the right time. After reading the first few chapters I already felt I understood the answer a bit better. The book is easily read but gave me much to consider. It’s message has already given me insight and hope. And, as a pastor, I think this book will be one pulled off the shelf frequently when I have people asking the question, “Where Is God?”

If you’re facing trying times right now, wondering where’s God when you need Him, you need this book. There’s no quick fixes offered but good honest guidance in determining your situation and seeing God in the midst of your struggle.

And if you’re a pastor, you should have this book to your library. I think you’ll find yourself referring to it time and time again.

I review for BookSneeze

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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Another Big Sunday

A Pic from Sunday's Worship - Jan 24 2010The Sundays just keep getting better and better. Full house again with more new families and faces. The band was phenomenal. A few minor hiccups (Welcome Time: handled like (semi)pros!, and total confusion with the sermon graphics: my bad). Overall though, we had another spirit-filled, high energy time. We’re running low on chairs and may have to buy more soon. A great problem to have, wouldn’t you say?

The Revolution is heating up. We got personal with the Church Revolution today and I think there were quite a few decisions made. I can see it in the eyes that God is bringing it all home. We’re just a few commitments away from a total Church Revolution.

I want to give a shoutout to all our teams who are working so well together and adding so much value to our mornings. These people give of themselves so that others might be comfortable in our service. You make LifePointe happen: Worship Team, Media Team, Refreshment Team, Welcome Team, our Cleaning Team, and all our team members of our Children’s ministry. We could not do it without you. Love you guys.

Right now I am completely exhausted, and, at the same time, completely blown away with what God is doing. I stand amazed at our Great Lord and Savior and I pray for even more of what He’s doing now.

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It’s Almost Sunday!

The last few months at LifePointe have been phenomenal, especially our worship services. And we’re expecting another fantastic worship service tomorrow. The band is fired up and our teams are ready to serve. If you haven’t attended a LifePointe Church worship service yet then tomorrow would be a great day to come. You’ll be there to hear the next message in our series: Church Revolution.

Another area where LifePointe is taking off is our Sunday Night Prayer and Share. Prayer and Share is our weekly small group experience. Here’s how our Prayer and Share goes: We take a look at the Book of Acts, a few verses at a time. Everyone participates in the Bible Study, which last 25 to 30 minutes. Then we break out into to small groups where we discuss the Bible Study, share prayer needs, pray, and go. While the adults are in their study, there’s activities going on for the kids. Prayer and Share starts at 6:00 pm. If you’ve been attending LifePointe’s Worship Service, or just looking for a Bible Study, Prayer and Share is the next step for you.

I’m really looking forward to Sunday. Hope to see you there!

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The Sum of Your Life

Backlight by Csaba J. SzaboI just returned yesterday from a quick 24 hour, 600 mile trip to my former church. I went there to be part of the funeral of one of the pillars of that church. The occasion was sad but also an opportunity to think back and reflect on a life well lived.

As I prepared my message, I thought back over the things I remembered about Mr. Howard Conner. As I was writing these down, two things began to emerge. First, Mr. Howard was never about Mr. Howard. As far as I can recall, he was always serving or helping others. I never remember anytime when he tried to call attention to himself. He spent his life on various mission trips, serving people locally, and devoting himself to the church he loved.

Second, Mr. Howard was all about Jesus. He always had Jesus on his mind. And it was always clear to those around him: Jesus was his life.

It struck me that Mr. Howard Conner’s life could be summed up in these two points: He placed others over himself and he pursued Jesus with all he had. Not a bad summary for one’s life.

Death has a way of bringing focus to the living.

On that day when people are thinking back over the life you lived, what will be said? When the activities of your life now are added up by others later, what will be the sum of your life?

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