People Say The Stupidest Things...

I know you've never said anything stupid OR that didn't make sense. Take a quick look at some comments that didn't quite come out right:

"You guys line up alphabetically by height."
- Bill Peterson, Florida State football coach

"The internet is a great way to get on the net."
- Bob Dole, Republican presidential candidate

"I get to go to lots of overseas places, like Canada."
- Britney Spears, Pop Singer

"Smoking kills. If you're killed, you've lost a very important part of your life."
- Brooke Shields, during an interview to become spokesperson for a federal anti-smoking campaign.

"You guys pair up in groups of three, then line up in a circle."
- Bill Peterson, Florida State football coach

"And now, will y'all stand and be recognized."
- Gib Lewis, Texas Speaker of the House, to a group of people in wheelchairs on Disability Day

"I would not live forever, because we should not live forever, because if we were ever supposed to live forever, then we would live forever, but we cannot live forever, which is why I would not live forever."
- Miss Alabama, in the 1994 Miss Universe contest, when asked if she would want to live forever.

People say the stupidest things...

All to often our words can get us in trouble. And as powerful as our words are...I'd submit to you that our actions carry so much more weight. What is it, as we enter into a hectic holiday season, that your actions are saying to your neighbors, family, co-workers, and classmates?

The way we act and treat others often says more about our faith in Christ than our words do. I challenge you to remember this as you visit family and friends, as you push your way through Wal-Mart or some crowded mall, and as you come and go from your home with neighbors watching.

It was once said that we should "...share Christ with everyone we come in contact with...and when necessary we should use words..." Think about it. Do it. Don't blow it.

Hope to see you Sunday.

Hurry Up And Wait...

So my wife is VERY pregnant...so much so that she was actually due this past Wednesday...two days ago. This past week we've done everything we knew to do to get ready for our 3rd child (our 3rd boy). We set up the crib, finished the baby decor in the room, installed the car seat, purchased the necessity "odds and ends", and countless other things. We spent the last several weeks and most recent days in "hurry up and wait" mode.

This entire process has me thinking about Lifepoint Church. Week in and week out we work so very hard to prep for Sunday: choosing the perfect songs for worship, put together graphics and stage designs, and ensuring we do everything we can to create a warm and welcoming environment for attenders...but more importantly for first time guest. This entire ordeal of "hurry up and wait" reminds me, yet again, of a quote that continues to haunt and challenge me: "pray like it all depends on God and work as if it all depends on you."

It's often easier said than done...I can attest to that. I know personally I find myself all to often working like it all depends on me...that's it. We need to be willing to hurry up (get things done on our end) and wait (pray and wait for God to move). When we continually partner those two aspects...watch out! Just image how our neighborhoods, schools, and workplaces would be impacted if we make sure to leave God in the equation. I challenge you to hurry up and wait this week.

Hope to see you Sunday.

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday...

What a kickin' day at Lifepoint!

We had a great response to today's teaching, a "Q & A" session to end our current series "So You're Dead...Now What?" We answered a bunch of questions that people had regarding death, Hell, and Heaven. It was good to be able to answer questions and concerns that our attenders had...it's always good to be able to help people build a strong foundation and fully understand what the Bible says while leading them into a deeper relationship with Christ.

There was a great atmosphere in the crowd today. Lots of laughter and joy...that's always a good thing to have when visitors are in attendance. Worship was great this morning. There isn't a band around that can compete with the talent or anointing that our guys have...we're blessed! Just a side note...Blake and I have talked in recent weeks about having the band do a studio album...we'll keep you posted on when that might take place and be available.

After service we had a staff lunch / planning meeting. I love hanging with my crew! I've already stated that we've got the best band around, which is true, but my staff is equally amazing. The talent, drive, intellect, passion, and creativity that my staff and their spouses possess is insane! I'm constantly in awe of the team that God has assembled.

These next two Sundays we're shaking things up a little bit...

Hope to see you Sunday.

It's True...

I was reflecting on what God has done through Lifepoint Church and every time I do that...I get excited and humbled. I started thinking about the favor and blessings that God has poured out on Lifepoint Church, it's staff, and attenders / members. I was thinking about all the genuine relationships and changed lives that are a direct result of what we've seen happen at Lifepoint. And it dawned on me...Satan Hates Lifepoint. It's true.

So, I put together a very generic ad for the local newspaper (see simple black & white jpg below) and updated the Lifepoint website today. I'm so excited for what God is going to do at Lifepoint Church during the remaining weeks of 2008. I want to challenge and encourage you to make plans to hang out with us during the Thanksgiving & Christmas season. If you're going to be in town...then we'll be expecting you at Lifepoint!

Hope to see you Sunday.

Guess What...

We had yet another great day at Lifepoint yesterday. Jenna had a great group of kidz (she said they totally listened and behaved!). Our nursery was pretty quiet...of course the babies can't talk. And our pre-k group...we'll, they all went by nick-names on Sunday morning...my 3 year old came home with a name tag that read "Tater-Bean." As for the adult experience...Blake's voice had been jacking with him all week...but him and the guys pulled off a great worship set and I had a lot of great feed back on the "heaven" talk in our current series, "So You're Dead...Now What?" Over all...another great day at Lifepoint Church.

Hope to see you Sunday.

Elderly Choir @ Lifepoint...

We're an extremely young church (most adults are in their late 20's's - late 40's). So when the elderly attenders wanted to put together a choir...we made them do songs that were cooler than cool...ice cold!



This is a joke of course... I just thought it was funny and wanted to share it with the 3 people who read my blog.

Hope to see you Sunday.

Tough Talk...

Sunday's talk was a rather tough one. Not only did we discuss Hell, in our current series "So You're Dead...Now What?", but I also touched on giving / tithe. How do Hell & tithe go together? Let me explain it this way...

During our talk yesterday I said that "...If I were the devil...my number one priority or strategy would be to convince people that Hell wasn't real...or at the very least...Hell wasn't that big of a deal." By convincing people of that...2 things would happen: 1.) Unbelievers would continue to reject Christ & believers would not fear (be in awe / have respect) for God and ALL His commands. 2.) You wouldn't feel the need to share your faith. - - I'd submit this because of the way that most of us live our lives...we don't fear God (we don't obey ALL his commands) and we don't share our faith...which means we must not fully believe in Hell. That's hard to teach and hard to hear isn't it?!?!

In America we have a "cafeteria" approach to Christianity. It's like we walk through a cafeteria line picking and choosing the things from the Bible that we want to believe and live out in our lives...while leaving the things we don't want to believe or follow sitting on that "cafeteria" counter.

I was VERY CLEAR THAT NOT TITHING WON'T KEEP A BELIEVER OUT OF HEAVEN. However, I pointed out that all to often the tithe is one of the things we decide not to put on our tray as we go through the cafeteria line...and by doing so I was also perfectly clear in stating that "...by not tithing...you may be keeping someone else out of Heaven." Let me explain...

When we are not obedient in EVERYTHING that God calls us to do...which includes the tithe...churches won't be able to function...churches all over America close every week because of the lack of finances. And when churches close...well, that means fewer people are likely to hear about the amazing love and grace of God...thus missing a chance to have a relationship with Christ. Again...it's hard to hear, isn't it?! We've all got to do our part...not just in the easy things (like showing up to a service, giving of our time & energy)...but in the things that we as Americans find so hard...giving of our finances.

Tough talks are hard to teach and hard to hear. But when those tough talks come (and they will)...we have to remember that reaching people who are far from God is what we are called to do. That's what it's all about...LOVE WINS.

Hope to see you Sunday.