I was driving around the other day with my nine year old son and he asked me, "why do some people's yards look so nice and green, while ours is brown and dead?" He went on to say, "I thought it was against the law to water your lawn because we are in a drought?"
Interesting observation! Our entire area is in a severe drought. So the decision was made weeks ago that everyone can only water on certain days. Now the law says we can't water at all (at least in Mecklenburg County) and yet, many people still have their sprinklers going at 3am in the morning. I even drove by a house the other day that had it going at 5:45 am and I thought to myself.....funny that guy with the pretty green lawn does not think the law applies to him. With as severe as a drought that we have...it is very easy to see which homes are following the rules and who is not. (unless they are paying the big bucks to have one of those companies come and water their lawn with the big water trucks.)
The same principle holds true in all aspects of our lives. It is easy to follow what God tells us to do when life is going great. However, right and wrong does not change with our life settings. Meaning...right and wrong is not determined by whether something is easy, makes sense or is what we want to do. When life gets unfair and seemingly tough - that is when we have the hard decisions to make.
Here are some drought decisions:
Am I still loving to my spouse even though they are not meeting my needs at this time?
Do I still treat my boss with respect as the authority and not slander him/her even though I was passed up for the promotion again?
Do I still come home and spend time with my kids even though work has been really stressful?
Do I REALLY take 4 minute showers, don't wash my car and water my lawn because that is what the authority in the city I live has said we have to do?
Doing the right thing and obeying is sometimes tough and we ALL struggle. Doing it when life is not going well....that reveals something very special.
See you Sunday!
Go Panthers! Go Gators! Go MARA Colts!
I love this time of year!
Friday, September 28, 2007
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Be A Local Missionary
Every month we send money to help support a local pastor in Ethiopia. Every year we send teams of people over to Ethiopia to serve in the Sports Friends mission organization that we have a partnership with. This coming year we will be supporting our former Student Pastor and his wife as they move to West Virginia to work at a mission outreach there.
Most people at CSF get all fired up about supporting missions. They should! They see it as a way to support people who have a unique calling to go to a foreign country or a poverty stricken place and share the love and grace of Christ to those who have not heard.
We have always had a global aspect to CSF. Always will....
However, for those who cannot go to Africa, WV, or any other "mission area", YOU can be a missionary here in your own backyard. It may take sacrifice, putting others first, a putting down of your personal comfort and what may appear to be what is best for you.....the same things all missionaries must come to grips with.
You can choose to attend our 9am or 12pm Encounter Service. By doing this you will open up space in our 10:30 service. If you have kids that are kindergarten or younger we really need you to be a local missionary. Last week we had 73 kids 0-Kindergarten downstairs in the pre-school area. The other two services had less than half that many in each service.
The Encounter Services are the same, the kids ministry is the same and the parking is a whole lot easier! Our 12pm service is going well and many people are taking advantage of a later morning that is not rushed. However, we need to free up the kid spaces for our guest and the people who have yet to grow to a point where they are willing to be missionaries.
Together, we can continue to reach more people and give our unchurched guests open seats, great parking and space for their kids. Remember, when a Christian comes to a new church...they love to see crowded parking lots, only a few seats open and a kids area that seems to be full. They know those are good signs of life and vitality in a church. When a person comes to church that is not a Christian and does not attend services on a regular basis, they are just turned off by not having a close parking spot, crowded baby area and having to sit up front in a crowded auditorium.
Thanks for being a Missionary!
Most people at CSF get all fired up about supporting missions. They should! They see it as a way to support people who have a unique calling to go to a foreign country or a poverty stricken place and share the love and grace of Christ to those who have not heard.
We have always had a global aspect to CSF. Always will....
However, for those who cannot go to Africa, WV, or any other "mission area", YOU can be a missionary here in your own backyard. It may take sacrifice, putting others first, a putting down of your personal comfort and what may appear to be what is best for you.....the same things all missionaries must come to grips with.
You can choose to attend our 9am or 12pm Encounter Service. By doing this you will open up space in our 10:30 service. If you have kids that are kindergarten or younger we really need you to be a local missionary. Last week we had 73 kids 0-Kindergarten downstairs in the pre-school area. The other two services had less than half that many in each service.
The Encounter Services are the same, the kids ministry is the same and the parking is a whole lot easier! Our 12pm service is going well and many people are taking advantage of a later morning that is not rushed. However, we need to free up the kid spaces for our guest and the people who have yet to grow to a point where they are willing to be missionaries.
Together, we can continue to reach more people and give our unchurched guests open seats, great parking and space for their kids. Remember, when a Christian comes to a new church...they love to see crowded parking lots, only a few seats open and a kids area that seems to be full. They know those are good signs of life and vitality in a church. When a person comes to church that is not a Christian and does not attend services on a regular basis, they are just turned off by not having a close parking spot, crowded baby area and having to sit up front in a crowded auditorium.
Thanks for being a Missionary!
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Scientology
This Sunday we will be asking the question "what would Jesus say to Tom Cruise?" As most people know, Tom Cruise is a follower of Scientology. In preparing for my message this week, I have had to do some research on his beliefs. Wow......
I will be using Tom's statements about his beliefs and some other things that he has said to propose what I believe Jesus would say to him. Should be very interesting.
What do your friends, who are not Christians, believe? Do you know what religion they follow? How do they answer these questions:
Who am I? Where did I come from? What happens when I die?
If you think your friends are not interested in those things....just ask them. You would be surprised what they do and do not believe. Here is a question for you.....If your friend does have a belief that is different than what we know the Bible teaches and goes contrary to Christian beliefs, would you even know it? Could you defend your faith and your beliefs in an intelligent way? Remember...saying, That is just what I was told, is not a good answer.
Do you know why you believe what you believe? If not, I would challenge you to begin to read and study on your own some of the basic beliefs of Christianity and how they are differ from other religious beliefs.
Also, be looking for this type of World Religions class at our next THRIVE classes.
I will be using Tom's statements about his beliefs and some other things that he has said to propose what I believe Jesus would say to him. Should be very interesting.
What do your friends, who are not Christians, believe? Do you know what religion they follow? How do they answer these questions:
Who am I? Where did I come from? What happens when I die?
If you think your friends are not interested in those things....just ask them. You would be surprised what they do and do not believe. Here is a question for you.....If your friend does have a belief that is different than what we know the Bible teaches and goes contrary to Christian beliefs, would you even know it? Could you defend your faith and your beliefs in an intelligent way? Remember...saying, That is just what I was told, is not a good answer.
Do you know why you believe what you believe? If not, I would challenge you to begin to read and study on your own some of the basic beliefs of Christianity and how they are differ from other religious beliefs.
Also, be looking for this type of World Religions class at our next THRIVE classes.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Passing On Your Faith
On Wednesday nights at our THRIVE classes I have been teaching a class we call "Passing On Your Faith." This class is designed to teach people how they can more relationally and comfortably pass their faith in Jesus Christ onto people who are lost in the CROWD of life. We all know people who are in our concentric circles of concern. Meaning....we all have people in our lives that we come into contact each day that are not Christians. They have never accepted God's unconditional love and forgiveness. This class helps all of us do what all of us were commanded to do.
This Sunday we are in sense having a "Passing On Your Faith" service. I will be concluding our Headliner and News Makers series by answering the question, "What would Jesus say to Tom Cruise?" As we discuss the topic of Scientology and other false beliefs that people have....I will give a very simple and clear message of how each person can know for sure they know the Truth and how they can have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and become a Christian.
This is a Sunday that every person should work real hard to get their friends and family members to CSF. Your job is to get your friends here to hear the message. My part is present the message the best I can. From there, the Holy Spirit will take over.
I promise to do my part! I assure you the Holy Spirit will come through. What about you? Will you do your part? Coming on Sunday morning is so much more than coming to see friends, drink coffee, worship and hear a message. It is about reaching out to those who are lost in the CROWD and telling them...."come and see the greatest thing that has ever happened to me."
Christian people are great about asking other Christians who already attend another church to "come and see how cool my church is" ....this week....pray and then invite someone who you know is a non-Christian to hear about the only truth that can save their soul and give them the best life possible here on this earth. Look at this verse that talks about the partnership we each have in this manner of reaching people for Christ.
1 Corinthians 3:5-6 "What, after all is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants through whom you came to believe - as the Lord has assigned to each a task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow! So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who makes things grow. The man who plants and the one who waters have ONE PURPOSE, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor."
This Sunday we are in sense having a "Passing On Your Faith" service. I will be concluding our Headliner and News Makers series by answering the question, "What would Jesus say to Tom Cruise?" As we discuss the topic of Scientology and other false beliefs that people have....I will give a very simple and clear message of how each person can know for sure they know the Truth and how they can have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and become a Christian.
This is a Sunday that every person should work real hard to get their friends and family members to CSF. Your job is to get your friends here to hear the message. My part is present the message the best I can. From there, the Holy Spirit will take over.
I promise to do my part! I assure you the Holy Spirit will come through. What about you? Will you do your part? Coming on Sunday morning is so much more than coming to see friends, drink coffee, worship and hear a message. It is about reaching out to those who are lost in the CROWD and telling them...."come and see the greatest thing that has ever happened to me."
Christian people are great about asking other Christians who already attend another church to "come and see how cool my church is" ....this week....pray and then invite someone who you know is a non-Christian to hear about the only truth that can save their soul and give them the best life possible here on this earth. Look at this verse that talks about the partnership we each have in this manner of reaching people for Christ.
1 Corinthians 3:5-6 "What, after all is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants through whom you came to believe - as the Lord has assigned to each a task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow! So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who makes things grow. The man who plants and the one who waters have ONE PURPOSE, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor."
Monday, September 24, 2007
Tough Weekend
One of the phrases we used when we started CSF was that we would "Do Life Together" in Fellowship. Starting at about 11am on Friday....I saw this in action.
On Friday we had a few families that work for the same Mortgage Company get told that the whole company was shutting down here in Charlotte and they were all losing their jobs. Within an hour, emails and phone calls were being passed along of prayer support. The employees who lost their jobs were getting emails of support and the spouses on the home front were getting personal calls.
One of the families told me, "It was great to know that within minutes of knowing we were losing our jobs, we had so many friends from CSF calling to offer support." This kind of bonding and pulling together is normal in small towns like where I grew up. In small towns where a mine shuts down or a mill goes out of business...people are used to that kind of relational closeness. However, in the big city, in the transient suburbs...people are not used to it. Unless you have devoted yourself to God and the people of CSF.
The same holds true for the Lizarazo family. As many of you know, Luis Lizarazo passed away late Saturday night from an issue with his heart. Luis was 45 and in great condition. He leaves behind his wife, Wendy and their son Daniel. When I got the call at 11:45 pm on Saturday night it was from a friend of the family who was also in their Home Team. (Luis was the HT leader) He called to let me know that he and a few others from the family and HT were there. Friends from CSF stayed with the family for hours after the death and then they were well taken care of on Sunday morning. People were coming up to me and giving wonderful reports about how the "Fellowship" went into action.
Great Job CSF!
True Fellowship...you don't get it by only coming to an Encounter Service once in a while. You don't get it from bouncing from one church to another every a few years looking for the cool church to meet "your needs." You don't get it unless you invest in other people's lives in the good and bad times for a longtime.
Charlotte South Fellowship....Big Church, In The Big City...feels just like home!
On Friday we had a few families that work for the same Mortgage Company get told that the whole company was shutting down here in Charlotte and they were all losing their jobs. Within an hour, emails and phone calls were being passed along of prayer support. The employees who lost their jobs were getting emails of support and the spouses on the home front were getting personal calls.
One of the families told me, "It was great to know that within minutes of knowing we were losing our jobs, we had so many friends from CSF calling to offer support." This kind of bonding and pulling together is normal in small towns like where I grew up. In small towns where a mine shuts down or a mill goes out of business...people are used to that kind of relational closeness. However, in the big city, in the transient suburbs...people are not used to it. Unless you have devoted yourself to God and the people of CSF.
The same holds true for the Lizarazo family. As many of you know, Luis Lizarazo passed away late Saturday night from an issue with his heart. Luis was 45 and in great condition. He leaves behind his wife, Wendy and their son Daniel. When I got the call at 11:45 pm on Saturday night it was from a friend of the family who was also in their Home Team. (Luis was the HT leader) He called to let me know that he and a few others from the family and HT were there. Friends from CSF stayed with the family for hours after the death and then they were well taken care of on Sunday morning. People were coming up to me and giving wonderful reports about how the "Fellowship" went into action.
Great Job CSF!
True Fellowship...you don't get it by only coming to an Encounter Service once in a while. You don't get it from bouncing from one church to another every a few years looking for the cool church to meet "your needs." You don't get it unless you invest in other people's lives in the good and bad times for a longtime.
Charlotte South Fellowship....Big Church, In The Big City...feels just like home!
Friday, September 21, 2007
How Good Do You Want To Be?
I am in the middle of reading a leadership book written by Nick Saban. At the time of the writing he had just coached the LSU Tigers to a college football National Championship. The book is filled with lessons learned and encouragement to be a person who is steadfast in your values, disciplined, committed to excellence, willing to suffer through failures and setbacks...while persevering, and having pride in what you do and why you do it. Nothing new...but good stuff.
This morning I was reading through another great leadership book, The Bible, and read this from the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 2:9-10. Chew on this great leadership for life principle:
"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" But God has revealed it to us by His Spirit.
What do you want to accomplish in life? What do you want to do for God? What kind of family do you want to be a part of? What goals have you set for yourself, your family and in your career? What about your life at CSF?
How Good Do You Want To Be? The Bible says that key to achieving that which is remarkable in your life is simple....Love God with all you heart, soul and mind.
He is able to give us joy, success, pleasure and a sense of Holy accomplishment that is more than we can even imagine....if we love Him more than anything else. What does God have prepared for you? Start being full-devoted and love Him with your life and start dreaming.
One last thing as you start to dream....this is not some TV pastor, lucky rabbit foot promise that God will grant all your dreams exactly the way YOU want...the precept is that we Love God AND submit ourselves to His leadership of our lives. He then gives us the desires of our hearts because our dreams are God honoring and match His will.
This will be revealed to us by the Holy Spirit that lives in us and shows us the way.
See you Sunday.....remember to park and sit in a place that supports our guests.
This morning I was reading through another great leadership book, The Bible, and read this from the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 2:9-10. Chew on this great leadership for life principle:
"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" But God has revealed it to us by His Spirit.
What do you want to accomplish in life? What do you want to do for God? What kind of family do you want to be a part of? What goals have you set for yourself, your family and in your career? What about your life at CSF?
How Good Do You Want To Be? The Bible says that key to achieving that which is remarkable in your life is simple....Love God with all you heart, soul and mind.
He is able to give us joy, success, pleasure and a sense of Holy accomplishment that is more than we can even imagine....if we love Him more than anything else. What does God have prepared for you? Start being full-devoted and love Him with your life and start dreaming.
One last thing as you start to dream....this is not some TV pastor, lucky rabbit foot promise that God will grant all your dreams exactly the way YOU want...the precept is that we Love God AND submit ourselves to His leadership of our lives. He then gives us the desires of our hearts because our dreams are God honoring and match His will.
This will be revealed to us by the Holy Spirit that lives in us and shows us the way.
See you Sunday.....remember to park and sit in a place that supports our guests.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
CSF Vertigo
At 3 am this morning I woke up with my head spinning. I have had this experience once before and the Dr. called it vertigo. By 6am I felt like I was on a small ship in very large waves. Finally, after taking a drug called "Bonnie" that is designed for motion sickness....I felt like the waves were stilled and my head stopped spinning.
I apologize for being 20 minutes late on the promised BLOG out by 10am....a little grace please!
While laying in my bed with my head spinning I thought about things at CSF that make my head spin in amazement. Here is the short list:
1) My head spins when I think about how where CSF started and how He has used the dream of a few people with big hearts and unbridled passion to accomplish His will at CSF.
2) My head spins when I see volunteers show up three times a week to clean our bathrooms, floors, and the entire facility. We do not pay for cleaning services at CSF and our place is never dirty! (This concept of not hiring a cleaning service is very uncommon in suburban churches)
3) My head spins when I hear how great our band sounds every week and realize they are ALL volunteers. (of course KC is our paid worship leader) No hired band guns that are here just picking up a paycheck.
4) My head spins when I see 80 adults show up last night to THRIVE so that they can deepen their knowledge, sharpen their skills and become PLAYERS in the real game called life.
5) My head spins when I see people parking far away from our building so that guest can have the best parking spots.
6) My head spins when I hear about a single mom who lives on much less than most at CSF but she tithes 10% of her income every month in obedience to our heavenly father.
7) My head spins when I see the hundreds of changed lives at CSF because they have put their trust in Jesus Christ.
8) My head spins when I hear about the hundreds of volunteers that it takes to make our children's and student ministry a place that kids LOVE to be and a place that leads them to Jesus Christ.
9) My head spins when I think about our vision for the next 16 months and how big of a challenge it is for us as a fellowship....but how many lives will be connected to God and impacted when we accomplish the goals God has set before us.
10) This one is for you to fill in......think about what it is that you do at CSF that is so extraordinary that it would make someones head spin????
I apologize for being 20 minutes late on the promised BLOG out by 10am....a little grace please!
While laying in my bed with my head spinning I thought about things at CSF that make my head spin in amazement. Here is the short list:
1) My head spins when I think about how where CSF started and how He has used the dream of a few people with big hearts and unbridled passion to accomplish His will at CSF.
2) My head spins when I see volunteers show up three times a week to clean our bathrooms, floors, and the entire facility. We do not pay for cleaning services at CSF and our place is never dirty! (This concept of not hiring a cleaning service is very uncommon in suburban churches)
3) My head spins when I hear how great our band sounds every week and realize they are ALL volunteers. (of course KC is our paid worship leader) No hired band guns that are here just picking up a paycheck.
4) My head spins when I see 80 adults show up last night to THRIVE so that they can deepen their knowledge, sharpen their skills and become PLAYERS in the real game called life.
5) My head spins when I see people parking far away from our building so that guest can have the best parking spots.
6) My head spins when I hear about a single mom who lives on much less than most at CSF but she tithes 10% of her income every month in obedience to our heavenly father.
7) My head spins when I see the hundreds of changed lives at CSF because they have put their trust in Jesus Christ.
8) My head spins when I hear about the hundreds of volunteers that it takes to make our children's and student ministry a place that kids LOVE to be and a place that leads them to Jesus Christ.
9) My head spins when I think about our vision for the next 16 months and how big of a challenge it is for us as a fellowship....but how many lives will be connected to God and impacted when we accomplish the goals God has set before us.
10) This one is for you to fill in......think about what it is that you do at CSF that is so extraordinary that it would make someones head spin????
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Follow Up
On Sunday we had many first time guests. From the people I met and those who our staff talked to, it was clear that many guests came because they were INVITED by someone at CSF. Of course, having Mike Minter as a guest speaker made it an easy invite. That is why we had Mike come. We knew there were people who normally do not attend church anywhere that would come and hear about the Love and Grace of God because a sports star like Mike was speaking.
What should you as a regular attendee do now? You should take time over the next few days and do these things:
1) Ask the person you invited how they liked the service?
2) Ask them how they like the style of CSF?
3) Ask them what they thought about the message in the music and the message that Mike gave?
4) If, they have questions about what Mike said or about CSF....do your best to answer their questions. If they ask a questions you do not know...tell them you will find out the answer and get back with them.
5) Ask them to join you again this Sunday.
At CSF we are about reaching out to people who need to hear about Jesus Christ. We value wanting to help connect relationally to Him and of course to the fine people who call this place home. It has been my experience that if people come and enjoy the actual service and the people....then they stay. Then, after time, they begin to allow the truth of God to help guide them and their families into a great new journey.
Go ahead...follow up. You and your friend will be glad you did!
What should you as a regular attendee do now? You should take time over the next few days and do these things:
1) Ask the person you invited how they liked the service?
2) Ask them how they like the style of CSF?
3) Ask them what they thought about the message in the music and the message that Mike gave?
4) If, they have questions about what Mike said or about CSF....do your best to answer their questions. If they ask a questions you do not know...tell them you will find out the answer and get back with them.
5) Ask them to join you again this Sunday.
At CSF we are about reaching out to people who need to hear about Jesus Christ. We value wanting to help connect relationally to Him and of course to the fine people who call this place home. It has been my experience that if people come and enjoy the actual service and the people....then they stay. Then, after time, they begin to allow the truth of God to help guide them and their families into a great new journey.
Go ahead...follow up. You and your friend will be glad you did!
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
God Is Faithful
Every Monday our staff prays for the prayer request that were written down and turned in on Sunday. We also share our personal prayer request, special concerns and needs. This is always a good reminder to us that every Sunday we have people who come through our doors who are having struggles and challenges.
Many times we do not know the people we are praying for....we just have a name and a heart's cry of an issue. Of course, the CSF staff are also real people with real personal challenges and needs. Mix all of that together and sometimes the Monday prayer time can be a somber one at best. We pray for marriages, finances, those who are not Christ followers, those with cancer, people in crisis, parents whose kids are struggling and the list goes on.
One of the daunting things of a growing Fellowship like ours is the increasing amount of people who have real struggles. I was thinking of this when I read this verse this morning in 1 Corinthians 1:9. "God, who has called you into fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord is Faithful." Paul is talking to the people in the fellowship at Corinth. However, the promise rings through the halls of time into your current situation.
Whatever you are going through....GOD IS FAITHFUL! Sometimes that is the only thing we have to hold onto in difficult times...My God is Faithful. Done deal!
For those of us who are Christians and have a personal relationship with our Heavenly Father, here is the another great promise...He is faithful even when we have been faithless. Done deal!
Many times we do not know the people we are praying for....we just have a name and a heart's cry of an issue. Of course, the CSF staff are also real people with real personal challenges and needs. Mix all of that together and sometimes the Monday prayer time can be a somber one at best. We pray for marriages, finances, those who are not Christ followers, those with cancer, people in crisis, parents whose kids are struggling and the list goes on.
One of the daunting things of a growing Fellowship like ours is the increasing amount of people who have real struggles. I was thinking of this when I read this verse this morning in 1 Corinthians 1:9. "God, who has called you into fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord is Faithful." Paul is talking to the people in the fellowship at Corinth. However, the promise rings through the halls of time into your current situation.
Whatever you are going through....GOD IS FAITHFUL! Sometimes that is the only thing we have to hold onto in difficult times...My God is Faithful. Done deal!
For those of us who are Christians and have a personal relationship with our Heavenly Father, here is the another great promise...He is faithful even when we have been faithless. Done deal!
Monday, September 17, 2007
What A Guy!
Yesterday was a great day at CSF. We had the most people ever at CSF! Mike Minter did a wonderful job sharing his story and then challenging people to give their life to Christ. His illustration from the Super Bowl was one of the best I have ever heard about being close to heaven...but missing it. You can listen to it again and share it with friends on line at out website. (The link to our website is on this BLOG)
I really could sense that people were paying attention and that many prayed to receive Jesus Christ at the end of each service.
I was really impressed with Mike Minter. He showed up at 8:40am. He was interviewed and then spoke for thirty minutes for the first service. He then signed autographs for 35 minutes straight. He went directly back and did the second service. As soon as the 2nd service was over, he signed autographs for 35 minutes straight again. Then went back and spoke at our 3rd service. When Mike left to go to the Panther game...he told me really enjoyed it and was impressed with what we have here at CSF!
I was impressed with Mike. He let kids take pictures with him. He was never rude or acted like the kids were bothering him. He was and IS a class act. His genuine love for God and our people was very evident! It made for a powerful day. I had a first time "unchurched" guest that I had invited, tell me that they never knew church could be so fun! Moreover, these same people who typically don't go to church anywhere told me..."people at CSF actually seem like they want to be here! The volunteers are so nice!"
Speaking of CSF people....thanks to all that parked in PLAYER parking across the street and in the woods. We needed every spot!
Yesterday was a big day for the Kingdom! It was made possible because a person spoke from his heart, people served, people sacrificed and God moved. It is a simple solution....but it works to help change the world!
I really could sense that people were paying attention and that many prayed to receive Jesus Christ at the end of each service.
I was really impressed with Mike Minter. He showed up at 8:40am. He was interviewed and then spoke for thirty minutes for the first service. He then signed autographs for 35 minutes straight. He went directly back and did the second service. As soon as the 2nd service was over, he signed autographs for 35 minutes straight again. Then went back and spoke at our 3rd service. When Mike left to go to the Panther game...he told me really enjoyed it and was impressed with what we have here at CSF!
I was impressed with Mike. He let kids take pictures with him. He was never rude or acted like the kids were bothering him. He was and IS a class act. His genuine love for God and our people was very evident! It made for a powerful day. I had a first time "unchurched" guest that I had invited, tell me that they never knew church could be so fun! Moreover, these same people who typically don't go to church anywhere told me..."people at CSF actually seem like they want to be here! The volunteers are so nice!"
Speaking of CSF people....thanks to all that parked in PLAYER parking across the street and in the woods. We needed every spot!
Yesterday was a big day for the Kingdom! It was made possible because a person spoke from his heart, people served, people sacrificed and God moved. It is a simple solution....but it works to help change the world!
Friday, September 14, 2007
Just My Luck II
It never fails....I teach or now BLOG about something and WHAM! On Wednesday I mentioned that as a person who Tithes and puts my financial trust in God's hand, I never worry about the market dropping, recessions or the like.
Yesterday I spoke at the Butler High School chapel. I had parked in the grass area next to the road like everyone else. When it was over I went to leave and someone had parked behind me next to the field house. No problem, "I have a jeep I will just pull forward over this grassy area and get on the road!
WHAM...while pulling forward my high rise bumper goes over a raised sewer manhole cover. However, it was just the perfect height to crinkle my oil pan and bend the little screw thing that holds the oil in. On my way home, oil is going everywhere and of course it leaked all over my drive way. When I finally discovered it....the stain was there and my blood pressure was starting to rise.
I had my Jeep taken to the dealership where they are quite certain my oil pan and 10 other things are damaged. And of course my 10 year 100k mile warranty does not cover accidents....ARGH!
After putting out 2k to replace my wife's transmission in her van this summer....I am sure glad I don't have to worry about finances! HA HA
Anyway, that is why I am late on the Blog. However, it is still out before 10am!
This Sunday, we need all PLAYERS to park across the street or in the wooded parking area. We are expecting a lot of new people to be here! I hear that most of the Butler High football players are coming, Porter Ridge High School too and a ton of screaming Pop Warner Football players!
I have been told that many Panther Fans from CSF and the area are coming here for the 9am service and then heading to the stadium to tail gate and enjoy the game. All 3 services will have great excitement and anticipation. Best part is that Mike will be sharing about his personal relationship with Jesus Christ and how each person listening can have the same thing!
Come early, park in Player parking and sit up front!
Yesterday I spoke at the Butler High School chapel. I had parked in the grass area next to the road like everyone else. When it was over I went to leave and someone had parked behind me next to the field house. No problem, "I have a jeep I will just pull forward over this grassy area and get on the road!
WHAM...while pulling forward my high rise bumper goes over a raised sewer manhole cover. However, it was just the perfect height to crinkle my oil pan and bend the little screw thing that holds the oil in. On my way home, oil is going everywhere and of course it leaked all over my drive way. When I finally discovered it....the stain was there and my blood pressure was starting to rise.
I had my Jeep taken to the dealership where they are quite certain my oil pan and 10 other things are damaged. And of course my 10 year 100k mile warranty does not cover accidents....ARGH!
After putting out 2k to replace my wife's transmission in her van this summer....I am sure glad I don't have to worry about finances! HA HA
Anyway, that is why I am late on the Blog. However, it is still out before 10am!
This Sunday, we need all PLAYERS to park across the street or in the wooded parking area. We are expecting a lot of new people to be here! I hear that most of the Butler High football players are coming, Porter Ridge High School too and a ton of screaming Pop Warner Football players!
I have been told that many Panther Fans from CSF and the area are coming here for the 9am service and then heading to the stadium to tail gate and enjoy the game. All 3 services will have great excitement and anticipation. Best part is that Mike will be sharing about his personal relationship with Jesus Christ and how each person listening can have the same thing!
Come early, park in Player parking and sit up front!
Thursday, September 13, 2007
The Best Breakfast Meeting
I am an early riser in the morning. I like to get up and get moving early. Three days a week I am in the gym at 5:45am (I only enjoy it AFTER I am finished with my attempt to stay healthy and am having my morning coffee at the office) and the other two days I try and set aside to have breakfast meetings with different people.
Over the last few weeks my normal Thursday meeting has not been able to make it and so I have set up a breakfast meeting at 7am with my 4th grade son. It has been great! His alarm goes off at 6:30am and we are eating breakfast by a little after 7am.
I think I have found a new connection point with my son. He loves to get up early and get moving if he knows we are going to breakfast before school. With our crazy afternoon schedules of practice, homework, work and two younger siblings who also need attention, this has become a great 45 minutes of talking and hanging out.
All around us are adults having breakfast meetings. Some of them seem to be very important gatherings. Lap tops and day timers are out. Calendars are discussed and strategies analyzed. This morning Peyton noticed that he was the only kid in the place.
At that moment I had a calm assurance that I was having the best breakfast meeting in the restaurant. What did we talk about? We talked about his homework, his school day ahead, the fact that recess will probably have to be inside today because of the rain, his football practice tonight and what new state we will discover together next summer on vacation. Nothing earth shattering or some theological outline of the omniscient and transcendent nature of God and how God wants him to act today.....But it was a great meeting!
I know many of us as parents have crazy schedules these days. However, we must find time for these kinds of "weekly" moments with our kids. I know I always seem to have time to meet for breakfast with other people. These days, I am meeting once a week with my son. You may have to get up early or maybe the mornings won't work for you so you will need to go somewhere late.....but I am more aware these days that as our kids get older, we must set aside time for a little one on one.
Over the last few weeks my normal Thursday meeting has not been able to make it and so I have set up a breakfast meeting at 7am with my 4th grade son. It has been great! His alarm goes off at 6:30am and we are eating breakfast by a little after 7am.
I think I have found a new connection point with my son. He loves to get up early and get moving if he knows we are going to breakfast before school. With our crazy afternoon schedules of practice, homework, work and two younger siblings who also need attention, this has become a great 45 minutes of talking and hanging out.
All around us are adults having breakfast meetings. Some of them seem to be very important gatherings. Lap tops and day timers are out. Calendars are discussed and strategies analyzed. This morning Peyton noticed that he was the only kid in the place.
At that moment I had a calm assurance that I was having the best breakfast meeting in the restaurant. What did we talk about? We talked about his homework, his school day ahead, the fact that recess will probably have to be inside today because of the rain, his football practice tonight and what new state we will discover together next summer on vacation. Nothing earth shattering or some theological outline of the omniscient and transcendent nature of God and how God wants him to act today.....But it was a great meeting!
I know many of us as parents have crazy schedules these days. However, we must find time for these kinds of "weekly" moments with our kids. I know I always seem to have time to meet for breakfast with other people. These days, I am meeting once a week with my son. You may have to get up early or maybe the mornings won't work for you so you will need to go somewhere late.....but I am more aware these days that as our kids get older, we must set aside time for a little one on one.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Umbrella Of Protection
Housing market is down, gas prices are still up and many experts say we could be heading toward a pretty sever recession over the next 12-16 months. Heck, even Wal-Mart reported not having any gains in the last quarter.
With all this news about the one thing we Americans love, our money, many people begin to get tense and worried. As a Christian, let me ask you a question. Do you trust God with your life? What about your finances?
Here is another question? As a Christian do you practice the Biblical command of tithing? If you answered "Yes" to the first two questions, then you probably answered "yes" to the tithing question. Every time we teach on tithing at CSF I say the same thing. If we really trust God with our life then why not trust Him with our finances? If we trust Him with our finances by tithing....then and only then can we rest in the promise that our Heavenly Father will "meet all our needs according to His riches" (Philippians 4:19) and that "in all things and at all times, God will grant us all we need." (1 Corinthians 9:8-9) Those promises and all the other financial promises come with the prerequisite that we first give and trust.
Every time I teach on tithing I share the Biblical truth that if, as Christians we are not honoring and obeying God with our finances, then He has no Biblical requirements to meet our financial needs when tough times hit. He may do it....but there is no promise given that says He will. Basically, when we decide not to tithe, we are playing the game of life with MY money and we do not see ourselves as stewards of God's money. When we are acting as stewards, it is like playing with "house" money. And the house never runs out!
Every time I teach on finances, I share my personal story that as a single person and of course now, (I)we have always honored and obeyed God by tithing off our income. Therefore, I have never worried about the market, recession and other financially stressful things. I know that because I give to God as He asks....He will always meet my needs. Standard of living may go down....but I live a stress free life because I know that I have placed my life and finances in God's hands.
Last question: Do you honor God with your finances as a steward? Or do you see your self as an owner of what you have? For more on this topic go to our website and listen to the message from this summer called "Bet The Farm."
With all this news about the one thing we Americans love, our money, many people begin to get tense and worried. As a Christian, let me ask you a question. Do you trust God with your life? What about your finances?
Here is another question? As a Christian do you practice the Biblical command of tithing? If you answered "Yes" to the first two questions, then you probably answered "yes" to the tithing question. Every time we teach on tithing at CSF I say the same thing. If we really trust God with our life then why not trust Him with our finances? If we trust Him with our finances by tithing....then and only then can we rest in the promise that our Heavenly Father will "meet all our needs according to His riches" (Philippians 4:19) and that "in all things and at all times, God will grant us all we need." (1 Corinthians 9:8-9) Those promises and all the other financial promises come with the prerequisite that we first give and trust.
Every time I teach on tithing I share the Biblical truth that if, as Christians we are not honoring and obeying God with our finances, then He has no Biblical requirements to meet our financial needs when tough times hit. He may do it....but there is no promise given that says He will. Basically, when we decide not to tithe, we are playing the game of life with MY money and we do not see ourselves as stewards of God's money. When we are acting as stewards, it is like playing with "house" money. And the house never runs out!
Every time I teach on finances, I share my personal story that as a single person and of course now, (I)we have always honored and obeyed God by tithing off our income. Therefore, I have never worried about the market, recession and other financially stressful things. I know that because I give to God as He asks....He will always meet my needs. Standard of living may go down....but I live a stress free life because I know that I have placed my life and finances in God's hands.
Last question: Do you honor God with your finances as a steward? Or do you see your self as an owner of what you have? For more on this topic go to our website and listen to the message from this summer called "Bet The Farm."
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Kid Nation
There is a new show coming on TV this fall called Kid Nation. I won't watch it. I do not have to watch a bunch of kids terrorizing a place....I have three at home. Moreover, every Sunday in our All-Stars children's ministry area we have an over run of kids that makes our church look like Kid Nation.
This brings me to quick observation and two questions that I have for you.
Our All-Star Children's Ministry was packed on Sunday morning in the two early services. This was especially true upstairs and downstairs during the 10:30 service.
If you are new to CSF or currently not on a service team and you are looking for a great place to make an impact that will last a lifetime, please check with Mrs. Chick or Leah Prasse in the All-Stars kids area on Sunday morning. We are in need of more people to serve in this exciting and rewarding ministry.
Also, we need families who have kids that are Newborn - Kindergarten to make a commitment to attend the noon Encounter Service. We need to make room at the 10:30 service for new people who are coming and to reduce the crowded rooms that are full of little kids even without adding any more new people. This is a great challnege to be facing....but we must face it.
The noon service is the exact same as the other services. Moreover, as a CSF Player you can park next to the building in the best parking spots we have! This makes it easy with the kids!
I could go on and on about some advantages that you would have if you were to commit to the noon service. However, the best advantage is that you would be making a bold personal choice to put others first so that they could have room to listen to the saving message of Christ. A chance to get their families connected to our Fellowship.
You would have the opportunity to put others first and help kill the ME monster that so many Christians have today.....they think being in Fellowship is all about ME and what is best for ME and getting MY needs met first. New Testament Fellowship is about WE teaming up and being focused on those who have yet to hear and see!
Thanks in advance for helping us reach and impact more people!
This brings me to quick observation and two questions that I have for you.
Our All-Star Children's Ministry was packed on Sunday morning in the two early services. This was especially true upstairs and downstairs during the 10:30 service.
If you are new to CSF or currently not on a service team and you are looking for a great place to make an impact that will last a lifetime, please check with Mrs. Chick or Leah Prasse in the All-Stars kids area on Sunday morning. We are in need of more people to serve in this exciting and rewarding ministry.
Also, we need families who have kids that are Newborn - Kindergarten to make a commitment to attend the noon Encounter Service. We need to make room at the 10:30 service for new people who are coming and to reduce the crowded rooms that are full of little kids even without adding any more new people. This is a great challnege to be facing....but we must face it.
The noon service is the exact same as the other services. Moreover, as a CSF Player you can park next to the building in the best parking spots we have! This makes it easy with the kids!
I could go on and on about some advantages that you would have if you were to commit to the noon service. However, the best advantage is that you would be making a bold personal choice to put others first so that they could have room to listen to the saving message of Christ. A chance to get their families connected to our Fellowship.
You would have the opportunity to put others first and help kill the ME monster that so many Christians have today.....they think being in Fellowship is all about ME and what is best for ME and getting MY needs met first. New Testament Fellowship is about WE teaming up and being focused on those who have yet to hear and see!
Thanks in advance for helping us reach and impact more people!
Monday, September 10, 2007
Dealing With Adversity
Every great Army, Team, Company, Marriage or even Individual will have to deal with, and overcome adversity at one time or another. We make our plans and decide to move forward...and then WHAM! Something unexpected happens. Something that will force us to change our plans. We may have to improvise...make do....re-do....but most certainly someone will have to "step-up" and do something they were not planning to do.
It is called dealing with Adversity! You can give up OR step up! You can have faith in God to see you through it and give you strength...or you cry and complain that life is not fair. The latter reminds of the story I just read in the Bible.
This sense of urgent and sudden adversity is what the Prophet Elijah had to deal with in 1 Kings chapter 19. He has just come down from the mountain where he saw God show up and whip the Priests and followers of Baal. It was a huge victory.
Then WHAM...His own life is threatened, as a bounty is put out on his life by the wicked queen Jezebel. Elijah gets so scared and discouraged that he feels like the only thing to do is quit....he asks God to take His life. God then begins to show Elijah that although plans are not going the way he thought they should...God was still behind the scenes working and was completely in control. To see how this story ends....go read the chapter. It will take you less than 5 minutes...but will give you a completely different outlook on ANY adversity you are in right now or adversity that may hit you this week!
Thrive starts this Wednesday!
Celebrate Recovery AND Divorce Care start this Friday!
Be thinking and praying about who you are inviting this coming Sunday to hear Mike Minter speak. It will be a great Sunday.
It is called dealing with Adversity! You can give up OR step up! You can have faith in God to see you through it and give you strength...or you cry and complain that life is not fair. The latter reminds of the story I just read in the Bible.
This sense of urgent and sudden adversity is what the Prophet Elijah had to deal with in 1 Kings chapter 19. He has just come down from the mountain where he saw God show up and whip the Priests and followers of Baal. It was a huge victory.
Then WHAM...His own life is threatened, as a bounty is put out on his life by the wicked queen Jezebel. Elijah gets so scared and discouraged that he feels like the only thing to do is quit....he asks God to take His life. God then begins to show Elijah that although plans are not going the way he thought they should...God was still behind the scenes working and was completely in control. To see how this story ends....go read the chapter. It will take you less than 5 minutes...but will give you a completely different outlook on ANY adversity you are in right now or adversity that may hit you this week!
Thrive starts this Wednesday!
Celebrate Recovery AND Divorce Care start this Friday!
Be thinking and praying about who you are inviting this coming Sunday to hear Mike Minter speak. It will be a great Sunday.
Friday, September 7, 2007
God vs gods
I got to read one of my favorite stories in the Bible this morning! The story is found in 1 Kings 18:16-46. It is the story where Elijah challenges the priest of Baal (false god the people worshiped) to a duel. It was better than the "Thriller In Manila."
There was a severe drought going on and they needed rain bad. Elijah told the people to build two altars. They would put a sacrifice on each altar and pray to their God. Which ever God came through by sending fire and consuming the altar would be declared the "true" God.
The prophets of Baal prayed, danced and pleaded for Baal to send a fire and show himself true. They screamed and chanted. They cut themselves and acted crazy. Nothing happened.
Elijah then steps onto the field of play and ask God to show Himself. The fire came and consumed both altars at once. Then they heard a crack of lightning and the rain began to fall. All who were there saw the power of God and knew he was the One True God. You should read that story today! It is great.
As I read it, I thought of how we today do not have names like Baal for our gods that we worship....thinking they are more fulfilling and meaningful than God. However, everyday we walk around acting crazy thinking that our little gods of money, sex, power, stuff, prestige and the like will bring us the true happiness and contentment that only the One True God can do!
We see it everyday in the Headlines. The big time stars like Owen Wilson with all the money, fame, sex, drugs, power and whatever else they want...are lonely depressed people who actually think killing themselves is better than living. Crazy and sad.
This Sunday we will be looking at what God would say to another Headliner and News Maker....Paris Hilton. Bring a friend who needs to hear about the True God who has the power and grace to be everything their false god's are not.
Remember the new times 9 10:30 12
There was a severe drought going on and they needed rain bad. Elijah told the people to build two altars. They would put a sacrifice on each altar and pray to their God. Which ever God came through by sending fire and consuming the altar would be declared the "true" God.
The prophets of Baal prayed, danced and pleaded for Baal to send a fire and show himself true. They screamed and chanted. They cut themselves and acted crazy. Nothing happened.
Elijah then steps onto the field of play and ask God to show Himself. The fire came and consumed both altars at once. Then they heard a crack of lightning and the rain began to fall. All who were there saw the power of God and knew he was the One True God. You should read that story today! It is great.
As I read it, I thought of how we today do not have names like Baal for our gods that we worship....thinking they are more fulfilling and meaningful than God. However, everyday we walk around acting crazy thinking that our little gods of money, sex, power, stuff, prestige and the like will bring us the true happiness and contentment that only the One True God can do!
We see it everyday in the Headlines. The big time stars like Owen Wilson with all the money, fame, sex, drugs, power and whatever else they want...are lonely depressed people who actually think killing themselves is better than living. Crazy and sad.
This Sunday we will be looking at what God would say to another Headliner and News Maker....Paris Hilton. Bring a friend who needs to hear about the True God who has the power and grace to be everything their false god's are not.
Remember the new times 9 10:30 12
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Our Immediate Vision
Proverbs 29:18 says, that where there is no vision, people wander around aimless and without direction. This wandering leads to a useless life and deadening of their spirit, hopes and dreams.
Last night at our Vision Night 2007 I gave specific things that CSF will be doing in the next 16 months. Here is a quick look. You can also go online and listen to it in a day or two.
It is our heart and passion to accomplish these things by our 10 year anniversary in January 2009.
We are starting now and will have a full spectrum of classes and seminars offered at CSF on Wednesday nights. THRIVE will offer everything from Connect 101, 201, How to study your Bible, New Testament Survey, 10-10-80 financial basics, apologetics, parenting classes, and much more. Our goal is to have a multitude of classes offered through out the school calendar year. Classes will range from 3-8 weeks.
We are launching our Public School Impact Ministry. Teams of volunteers will be trained and certified to go into our public schools and volunteer in as many ways as one can imagine. Our public schools need Christian people to go into them with a servants heart and serve the teachers, administration and students. Trust me....the harvest is full and in today's Christian culture, the workers are few! Not anymore!
We are launching our Community Impact Ministry. These volunteers will be trained and certified if needed, so that they can go into our local fire departments, police stations, jails, hospitals and other such places as chaplains, Bible study leaders, care givers and the like. Giving food and clothes to help our community was a good start, but it is time to give volunteer leadership and volunteer pastoral care to these places. The NICU and PICU at our local hospitals are places where families sit for days wondering if their kids will survive. (trust me...I have been there) We want to put a team of volunteers in these places to help these folks in their real time of need.
We will plant a new church somewhere. We will bring in a church planter in January and have them trained and resourced for a full fledged new church plant to launch on our 10 year anniversary Sunday. This church will have a specific target group in a specific area. Boone, NC? Monroe, NC? Albemarle NC? Not sure yet....we have some things cooking!
We will begin looking, praying and strategically implementing the process for an extension campus. We have many people who love CSF and our unique DNA as a Fellowship. However, they have a hard time inviting and bringing their friends WHO ARE NOT CHRISTIANS to CSF because of the 35 - 40 minute drive. We believe technology can help us start a CSF campus in their area.
We have adopted Kevin and Emily Layne as local missionaries as they leave us to go and serve in WVA.
We are starting Divorce Care and Addiction Care groups on our campus.
We are making plans to reduce our debt on our current new building so that we can start the process of expansion. More kids space is needed, athletic fields, office space on site, gymnasium and community use space. This process will start this winter.
Of course....these are just the new things! The next 16 months are going to be great! The question is will you be a part of it Heart and Soul?
Last night at our Vision Night 2007 I gave specific things that CSF will be doing in the next 16 months. Here is a quick look. You can also go online and listen to it in a day or two.
It is our heart and passion to accomplish these things by our 10 year anniversary in January 2009.
We are starting now and will have a full spectrum of classes and seminars offered at CSF on Wednesday nights. THRIVE will offer everything from Connect 101, 201, How to study your Bible, New Testament Survey, 10-10-80 financial basics, apologetics, parenting classes, and much more. Our goal is to have a multitude of classes offered through out the school calendar year. Classes will range from 3-8 weeks.
We are launching our Public School Impact Ministry. Teams of volunteers will be trained and certified to go into our public schools and volunteer in as many ways as one can imagine. Our public schools need Christian people to go into them with a servants heart and serve the teachers, administration and students. Trust me....the harvest is full and in today's Christian culture, the workers are few! Not anymore!
We are launching our Community Impact Ministry. These volunteers will be trained and certified if needed, so that they can go into our local fire departments, police stations, jails, hospitals and other such places as chaplains, Bible study leaders, care givers and the like. Giving food and clothes to help our community was a good start, but it is time to give volunteer leadership and volunteer pastoral care to these places. The NICU and PICU at our local hospitals are places where families sit for days wondering if their kids will survive. (trust me...I have been there) We want to put a team of volunteers in these places to help these folks in their real time of need.
We will plant a new church somewhere. We will bring in a church planter in January and have them trained and resourced for a full fledged new church plant to launch on our 10 year anniversary Sunday. This church will have a specific target group in a specific area. Boone, NC? Monroe, NC? Albemarle NC? Not sure yet....we have some things cooking!
We will begin looking, praying and strategically implementing the process for an extension campus. We have many people who love CSF and our unique DNA as a Fellowship. However, they have a hard time inviting and bringing their friends WHO ARE NOT CHRISTIANS to CSF because of the 35 - 40 minute drive. We believe technology can help us start a CSF campus in their area.
We have adopted Kevin and Emily Layne as local missionaries as they leave us to go and serve in WVA.
We are starting Divorce Care and Addiction Care groups on our campus.
We are making plans to reduce our debt on our current new building so that we can start the process of expansion. More kids space is needed, athletic fields, office space on site, gymnasium and community use space. This process will start this winter.
Of course....these are just the new things! The next 16 months are going to be great! The question is will you be a part of it Heart and Soul?
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Apple Jacks On The Floor
Last night at 8:20 pm I got home from Football practice with my oldest son Peyton. I am the head coach and practice had started at 5:45pm....which meant we had left the house at 5:15pm. As soon as I walked into the house my two and half-year-old son, Brady, screamed "daddy is home" and he now wanted to play.
My wife, Kelly, gave Peyton his dinner and started him going on his homework. I washed up and sat down to eat. I was thinking I could catch a few minutes of Sports Center, eat and relax a few minutes. Brady would have none of that. He jumped up onto my lap and and said he wanted to watch Mickey Mouse and play. I tried to redirect his ambitions by giving him a dry bowl full of Apple Jacks to eat like dessert.
Instead of eating them he thought it would be more fun to dump them on the carpet and start throwing them into the bowl as a game. About the time I was ready to put him in "time-out" I realized I had not seem him all day and had not played with him at all. I looked into his big blue eyes and saw a little boy who just wanted to play. So I slid down onto the floor with him and we played a weird game of Apple Jacks basketball. At that moment, on this day, I made the right choice. Many times I do not. Being a parent is hard sometimes and we all make mistakes. Dad's have different challenges than moms. If you are a dad you know what I am talking about.
As a dad who loves sports I have found this site to be very helpful. Check it out and see what you think. It is an organization started by Tony Dungy of the Colts.
http://www.allprodad.com
See you tonight at our CSF Vision Night!
My wife, Kelly, gave Peyton his dinner and started him going on his homework. I washed up and sat down to eat. I was thinking I could catch a few minutes of Sports Center, eat and relax a few minutes. Brady would have none of that. He jumped up onto my lap and and said he wanted to watch Mickey Mouse and play. I tried to redirect his ambitions by giving him a dry bowl full of Apple Jacks to eat like dessert.
Instead of eating them he thought it would be more fun to dump them on the carpet and start throwing them into the bowl as a game. About the time I was ready to put him in "time-out" I realized I had not seem him all day and had not played with him at all. I looked into his big blue eyes and saw a little boy who just wanted to play. So I slid down onto the floor with him and we played a weird game of Apple Jacks basketball. At that moment, on this day, I made the right choice. Many times I do not. Being a parent is hard sometimes and we all make mistakes. Dad's have different challenges than moms. If you are a dad you know what I am talking about.
As a dad who loves sports I have found this site to be very helpful. Check it out and see what you think. It is an organization started by Tony Dungy of the Colts.
http://www.allprodad.com
See you tonight at our CSF Vision Night!
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
It Is A Jeep Thing
"It Is A Jeep Thing...You Wouldn't Understand" is a favorite bumper sticker that Jeep lovers put on their Jeep Wranglers. I have owned my Jeep for two and a half years now. The funniest thing is that when you are driving a Jeep Wrangler you have instant friends and fellowship with other people. The first few times it happened...I wondered, "what are these people doing?"
It does not matter where I am driving, when I pass another Jeep, they wave! It took me a few times to realize that if you drive a Jeep...their is code of honor. You wave to other Jeep drivers...no questions asked. You may not know who they are...you wave. You may be in a hurry....you wave. Your arm may be broke and you steering with your knees...you wave. I am no longer out of the loop...."I am in the know!"
Jeep owners have their code, picnics, camp-outs, clubs, and much more. I never knew this about Jeep people. I just wanted something that I thought looked cool, I could take the top off and I could go off road and have some fun. Who knew....I do now. I am one of the "few" now....I drive a Jeep Wrangler. I am no longer out of the loop. I understand what it means to be a Jeep owner.
This Wednesday night at CSF we will have our Vision night. I will be sharing with everyone the direction we are specifically going over the next 16 months as we begin gearing up for the next journey at CSF. I will reveal some cool stuff that CSF will be doing that we have never done before. I will share with you how you can be "in the know" at CSF. YOU need to come so that when people are talking around CSF and around town talking about what YOUR FELLOWSHIP is doing...you understand...you know the code...you are informed.
Their is more to Fellowship than just attending on Sunday. Come hear how we plan to continue our "Journey Of Impact" in our city and beyond. Come and hear so you can be a part of the inner workings and dream....not just a spectator wondering, "What are these people doing?"
It does not matter where I am driving, when I pass another Jeep, they wave! It took me a few times to realize that if you drive a Jeep...their is code of honor. You wave to other Jeep drivers...no questions asked. You may not know who they are...you wave. You may be in a hurry....you wave. Your arm may be broke and you steering with your knees...you wave. I am no longer out of the loop...."I am in the know!"
Jeep owners have their code, picnics, camp-outs, clubs, and much more. I never knew this about Jeep people. I just wanted something that I thought looked cool, I could take the top off and I could go off road and have some fun. Who knew....I do now. I am one of the "few" now....I drive a Jeep Wrangler. I am no longer out of the loop. I understand what it means to be a Jeep owner.
This Wednesday night at CSF we will have our Vision night. I will be sharing with everyone the direction we are specifically going over the next 16 months as we begin gearing up for the next journey at CSF. I will reveal some cool stuff that CSF will be doing that we have never done before. I will share with you how you can be "in the know" at CSF. YOU need to come so that when people are talking around CSF and around town talking about what YOUR FELLOWSHIP is doing...you understand...you know the code...you are informed.
Their is more to Fellowship than just attending on Sunday. Come hear how we plan to continue our "Journey Of Impact" in our city and beyond. Come and hear so you can be a part of the inner workings and dream....not just a spectator wondering, "What are these people doing?"
Monday, September 3, 2007
Labor Day
Like many people today, our CSF staff is off and the offices are closed.
I love this holiday.....it is the official kickoff of college football and the week before the National Football League begins. People ask me why I enjoy football so much....
I love the strategy that it takes to go eleven against eleven on every play.
I love the fact that it is a TEAM sport like no other sport.
I love the fact that it takes eleven people working in unison on every play to create success. Eleven people ONE heart beat!
I love the fact that it takes all kinds of people with different skills and passions. You have to have blockers, tacklers, throwers, catchers, runners, kickers, snappers and much more to be successful.
I love the fact that it takes people who are willing to sacrifice for each other and actually endure a little pain now and then to be successful.
I love the fact that it takes muscle and your mind to be successful.
I love the life lessons that football can teach kids and adults.
Sometimes people ask me why I loved starting a church from scratch and being the Lead Pastor of that Fellowship.....the same list applies with the addition that we get to change lives for eternity!
I love this holiday.....it is the official kickoff of college football and the week before the National Football League begins. People ask me why I enjoy football so much....
I love the strategy that it takes to go eleven against eleven on every play.
I love the fact that it is a TEAM sport like no other sport.
I love the fact that it takes eleven people working in unison on every play to create success. Eleven people ONE heart beat!
I love the fact that it takes all kinds of people with different skills and passions. You have to have blockers, tacklers, throwers, catchers, runners, kickers, snappers and much more to be successful.
I love the fact that it takes people who are willing to sacrifice for each other and actually endure a little pain now and then to be successful.
I love the fact that it takes muscle and your mind to be successful.
I love the life lessons that football can teach kids and adults.
Sometimes people ask me why I loved starting a church from scratch and being the Lead Pastor of that Fellowship.....the same list applies with the addition that we get to change lives for eternity!
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