I Can’t Believe It’s Thurday Already April 20, 2006

Yesterday went by so fast that when I woke up this morning the first thought that crossed my mind was, “Oh my–it’s Thursday–ALREADY!”

Yesterday morning began with a leisure 10 mile run. I did enjoy the run; however, I am not sure the best thing to do after a run like that is to hop in a car and drive to the ATL.

Oh yeah–in my quiet time yesterday I was reading in the book of Nehemiah and I got to the part where his enemies were trying to distract him and get him to quit the work he was doing and come down off the wall…and his reply was, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down!” YEAH BABY! That is why I refuse to get caught up in debates about methodology–because I feel like I am doing a great work…and to debate with people who don’t even want to understand would be coming down off the wall!

Anyway, so lunch with John Maxwell was awesome. WOW–the dude has wisdom. I asked him questions for about two hours…the thing I love about John is that he shares his successes and his failures with me…and he challenges me. It was so cool because I spoke to him specifically about dealing with criticism and he told me that a secure leader never feels like he has to defend what he is doing. WOW…AND…OUCH! (That was so cool–God got me in my quiet time and then John was calling me out on it as well.)

Oh yeah–it looks about like a 90% possibility that John is going to come to speak at NewSpring this fall!

On the way back I stopped at Starbucks. Let me just be honest–it’s not fair. Atlanta has a Starbucks everywhere…and Anderson has ZERO! If there is someone in Anderson looking for a business opportunity–please–hear me…open a Starbucks! I am begging you! I get so jealous when I read Scotts blog and he has a post about Starbucks–dude, your killing me–it’s not fair!

So I walked in and told the dude behind the counter that I needed something to keep me awake for my two hour drive back to Anderson…his solution was FIVE SHOTS of espresso over ice. It worked–not only did I stay awake for my drive back–but I also rearranged the living room in my home and mowed the yard of everyone in our neighborhood! (Actually I didn’t–but felt like I could have! WOW–that was a SHOT of energy!)

On the way back from the ATL there was a slight traffic issue on 285…everyone was hitting their brakes…I wondered what was going on until I saw it…there he was…a white dog playing “dodge cars.” (Relax–the dog didn’t lose!) Once again though I learned a lesson, I had this thought in my head. “Perry–dogs will slow you down…don’t slow down for the dogs!” Then this verse popped into my mind, “Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh.” Philippians 3:2

That verse is referring to those who, at the time, were claiming to be more godly because they were circumcised. (Aren’t you glad that isn’t an issue anymore?!?!?!) Translation–don’t let people who claim they are godlier than you because they do or don’t do certain things slow you down!

Last night was incredible–we had a creativity meeting for mothers day…I met with 15 women from our church and asked, “What do women need to hear?” Seventeen hours later we were done–JUST KIDDING…WOW…the insight I gained was amazing. I can say this–women are complicated–but in a godly sort of way! :-)

The question of the night that I found most interesting was when I asked, “How are women impure? I know how men struggle with impurity–but how do women deal with this?” OH WOW, HOLY COW! And that’s all I’ve got to say about that!

We did video the entire session…you will be seeing clips from it soon! I said all that to say this, you don’t want to miss Mother’s Day!

My head hit the pillow last night and I was OUT! All in all it was an awesome day! We did the five mile run this morning and I am taking tomorrow off in preparation for our 20 mile run on Saturday! Sound fun?

One more thought…I love it when God totally gets my attention on something and will not let it go–Nehemiah, John’s comments, the dog in the road–amazing! Thank you Jesus for being so real!

Off To Atlanta April 19, 2006

First of all–AWESOME run this morning…it felt great–we did 10 miles and now the day can get started! (We had a new person run with us today–a HUGE shout out to Tiffany for hanging out with us! It was so cool to get to hear your story!)

I am heading to Atlanta today for a lunch meeting with John Maxwell. I have the unique privilege of meeting with him about three times a year and he mentors me. I always leave these meetings feeling so challenged! One of the commitments I made when I first entered the ministry was to never stop learning–to read books, go to conferences AND seek out people who had been where I wanted to go.

(I almost said seek out people that are smarter than me…but there are just so many of them!!!)
Anyway…one of the things I have learned from in meeting with John is the fact that there is so much wisdom in hanging out with and getting ideas from other people…it’s just that we have to make time for these meetings and we have to ask the right questions.

John made a deal with me, “I’ll buy the lunch and you supply the questions.” He doesn’t have a fill in the blank outline for me, nor does he have a leadership lesson prepared–he just lets me ask questions. SO–I am off now–and I am LOADED up with questions!

Oh yeah, Ed Young mentioned the questions thing a couple of years ago at C3–he talked about asking the right people the right questions to get the right answers. So who in your life do you ask the right questions to?

Thoughts About The Civil War And Church April 18, 2006

I was born in Los Angeles in 1971…but my parents moved to Easley SC in 1975–so, even though I was not born in the South…I grew up here, which has caused me to deeply appreciate Southern culture.

I LOVE sweet tea (yes, I heard that Amen), I love biscuits and gravy, I love a tomato sandwich and I really do like sitting on a back porch and watch bugs commit suicide by flying into that beautiful purple light! (You would think they might look @ all the other dead bugs and back off but…oops…sorry, almost chased a rabbit…speaking of rabbits…)

However, one of the things I do not understand about us Southerners is our whole fascination with the Civil War. I LOVE history–I read about it all the time; in fact, it was the ONE subject in school that I excelled in…and I have never read an account of the South winning the war. In fact, by the time it was over I believe we had pretty much received a beating! (I actually had a Yankee tell me one time, “Be nice to me–I have matches…”)

But for some reason there are some Southerners that will NOT let it go–even though the war was over in 1865–that’s about 140 years ago. I about fell out of my chair when I read this letter to the editor in our local newspaper about how Jefferson Davis was a better leader than Abraham Lincoln.

Some people refuse to let the past die–speaking of that…it reminds me of the church in a few ways…

I was talking to a discouraged pastor the other day who had just made a bold move in his church–he installed a screen and a projector. He told me about the hour long conversation he had with a church member who had a serious problem with this “tool of the devil” coming into their church. He then made the comment to me, “Dude–if the 1950′s ever make a comeback–we are ready!”

As I read the book of Acts I see the church was a powerful movement…a FORCE in the world; however, today it looks more like an institution. It was once a way to reach the world–now too often it resembles a fortress from the world. I read something the other day that rocked my world, “You cannot wash the feet of a dirty world if you refuse to touch it!”

It saddens me that the church is no longer an agent of change in our society! We have became more concerned with who we are trying to keep rather than who we are trying to reach.

We have given more attention to how many we bury rather than how many we baptize.

We have become more concerned with what people are wearing than how messy their lives might be on the inside.

We have become more concerned with parliamentary procedure than focusing on what matters!

We have become more concerned with taking a vote rather than getting off our blessed assurance and loving a world that so desperately needs Jesus!

(If I can be honest–many churches today are nothing more than “mini-mafias.” There is a family or two in the church that makes all of the decisions…and if you do not agree with the decision you are simply “done away with” as the pastor!)

The church became more concerned with guarding tradition rather than reaching people–and because of the churches desire to play it safe we almost lost an entire generation to the enemy!

Folks, I have no desire to play it safe at NewSpring–God has not called us to be “keepers of the aquarium” but rather “fishers of men.” We can’t put our feet up and relax–there are too many people in this world that are going to hell for us to begin looking at things that, in the grand scheme of eternity, don’t amount to a hill of beans.

God has been rocking my world lately. About two months ago He began to lead me to pray for a “harvest of souls.” I literally wrote that prayer out in my journal nearly every day. AND a few weeks ago I met with the whole staff here at NewSpring and told them that God had been really laying it on my heart for us to pray for a “harvest of souls.”

In fact, during our last First Wednesday service I preached a message on how we as a church needed to reach this community for Christ. (You can download it here.)

God is AWESOME–in the past two weeks at NewSpring we have seen over 200 people accept Christ! Why? Because we love people enough to take the Gospel to them and put it on a level where they can understand it AND accept it.

200 people–I can’t get over that–in two weeks–that’s a God thing! STOP and think about that for a minute–200 PEOPLE! 200 new believers!!! And people–this is merely the beginning! There is MORE on the way! God is going to rock the entire upstate of South Carolina–and we get to be a part of it.

If you are a member or regular attender of NewSpring I want to ask you to do two things…

#1 – Stop right now and thank God for all that He has been doing!

#2 – Ask God to show you who you need to reach out to and invite to church!

I am amazed!

Let me say one more thing before I quit…and I know this has been long.

I had a conversation with some friends the other day who told me that a fear among some people in this church is that I am going to leave one day for “greener pastures.” That I am going to begin to look for other opportunities…that I will go to a large city & be at a church with more resources and more prestige.

Now let me qualify this by saying that God can do anything He wants–anytime He wants…BUT…

I HAVE NO DESIRE TO GO ANYWHERE ELSE!!! I LOVE ANDERSON! I WANT TO SPEND THE REST OF MY LIFE HERE! I want to pastor NewSpring until I die–I want to preach my own funeral, crawl in the box, let you guys bury me…and then come back here and have a celebration!

I am not a “preacher for hire.” It gripes me when I see pastors who always have a resume in their briefcase and are seeking other places of employment! I don’t want to be anywhere else–I want to be right here!!! I understand where the fear comes from…the average stay for a pastor today in America is 22 months–no wonder our churches are in a sad state–they can’t find leadership that cares!

I love our church…but folks–we will always change! We will always do what it takes to reach this world. We will always listen to the voice of God! We will always care about those far away from God! And because of this I believe God will be honored, Jesus will be lifted up…and we will continue to see more and more people come to Christ!

Sunday Night Reflections April 16, 2006

I’m tired!

Seriously–I was almost too tired to eat lunch today when I arrived home. (Now if you know me–THAT’S TIRED!)

Easter wears me out every year–in fact, our whole staff and volunteer team probably let out a huge “yeah” followed by a “whew” at the end of our 11:15 service today. After two Saturday night services–followed by two today–and a record crowd of 7,445 people I believe we all had reason to celebrate and then relax!

I don’t have the complete count as of yet–but the last I heard there were at least 57 kids in our children’s department that had accepted Christ. NOW WAIT…hold on, I know what you are thinking–that we coerced them into raising their hand…and as soon as that happened we said, “BOOM,” you are now a Christian!

Not so!

Each child was individually met with and asked over and over again if he or she understood what they just did. There were some that raised their hands just because other kids were–but like I said earlier–the last I heard we had 57 kids that had nailed it down!

In fact, one kid said, “I was baptized in my last church–but I think they tricked me into it.”

I don’t know about you–but hearing everyone sing “Amazing Grace” today ROCKED MY WORLD! That song is SO powerful!

Tonight Lucretia and I went to Outback with some friends and I had a cheeseburger! (Don’t make fun of me–if you have ever had a cheeseburger at Outback you would understand–THEY ARE AWESOME!) It was a relaxing evening!

BUT–next week we are back to our normal schedule. Please help me to get the word out–I had at least five people speak to me in the lobby yesterday and ask, “Now are you guys starting a Saturday night service?”

We have thought about the possibility of a Saturday night service…ONE DAY…but NOT NOW. Next Sunday we will be doing three identical services–9:30, 11:15 & 6:00. Help me get the word out!

That’s it–I’m going to bed!

Top Ten Reasons To Attend NewSpring This Weekend April 14, 2006

#10 – Its EASTER–we should all go to church “whether we need it or not!”

#9 – Because I can attend on Saturday evening and sleep in on Sunday–guilt free!

#8 – The word “cantata” will not be used in any capacity whatsoever!

#7 – You will not hear a sermon on “Reasons the Easter Bunny Is From Hell!” (But seriously folks, it always freaked me out as a kid when I was told that a giant rabbit came in my house at night! I still haven’t fully recovered from it!)

#6 – Because NewSpring is one of the few places on this planet you might hear, “Hey dude, check out my new Easter tattoo!”

#5 – Because our creative arts area has worked so hard in putting together one of the BEST presentations I have ever seen in my life! (Props to Lee, Ken, DJ, Judith, Karla, Gizz…and my hero–SHANE!) One more thing–you are going to REALLY want to be here early this weekend, I can’t tell you what is happening–but there is going to be some COOL stuff happening before the service starts!

#4 – Because pastels are not mandatory!

#3 – Because you do not have to buy new clothes & have other people more interested in what you are wearing rather than the person you are becoming! (We have declared a ban on large Easter hats…anyone wearing one will be tackled!)

#2 – Because the message will be FOCUSED on the most awesome person to ever live on this planet–JESUS CHRIST! I firmly believe this message will encourage the believer AND challenge the socks off of those who say that there is nothing that special about Jesus!

#1 – You decide! And once you do–then tell at least 10 people your reason and DRAG them with you this weekend. Remember–four services, 4 & 6 on Saturday and 9:30 & 11:15 on Sunday!

See you this weekend–AND PEOPLE–I just won’t listen to excuses as to why someone isn’t able to show up on Saturday or Sunday…I’ve got a 14 mile run Saturday morning…and I will be preaching twice that evening…if I can do it…so can you! :-)

Oh yeah, one more thing…if anyone is going to bring me Easter candy then keep two things in mind…

#1 – I HATE PEEPS! I mean it–those things freak me out and make me want to throw things! It may be a holdover from the whole big bunny coming into my house trauma!

#2 – I LOVE ROBIN EGGS! :-) (You know–the Whoppers Easter candy!)

And One More Thing… April 13, 2006

Mark…dude–you nailed it!!! This is a MUST READ for pastors who have a desire to be REAL and connect with people!!!

So What’s The Big Deal With Jesus? April 13, 2006

I am a man obsessed! I can’t help it–the more I read and study about Jesus the more I am fascinated with Him.

Let me be very clear…I am NOT one of those wimpy pastors who portray Jesus as a frail, weak and sad individual. I can’t stand the pictures of Jesus that many people have in their homes and churches–there He is, white, Anglo-Saxon Jesus (I thought He was Jewish), wearing a white robe with a purple sash, looking skinny and frail, a tear in His eye and holding a lamb.

I have to be very honest at the risk of offending some people–but the picture I just described DOES NOT inspire me–AT ALL! It makes me sick…if this is the Jesus the church is portraying then no wonder it is so difficult to get men to come to church!!! No man in his right mind would want to follow a wimp–which is EXACTLY what the church has been teaching!

I believe that the picture of Jesus that the Scriptures teach about is far different from the ridiculous paintings we worship!

First of all I believe Jesus was a tough kid! Seriously–his mother was a teenager and became pregnant before she was married. (Do you REALLY believe that everyone at that time believed the whole “virgin birth” story?) Mary knew the truth, so did Joseph–but growing up in that culture and being known as the kid whose mom became pregnant HAD to be tough. Remember, He WAS fully God–but fully human as well!

Secondly lets take under consideration his occupation until the age of 30…He was a carpenter. I have to be honest–I have never seen a wimpy carpenter. I can imagine His hands were calloused and I believe that He had to be strong!!! Remember–Jesus didn’t have power tools!

There is a story of Jesus clearing the temple…and to my best recollection–He didn’t need any help! Basically we see Jesus here whipping some rear end–so much for the passive view of Jesus!

(I love the stories of strength in Scripture–like when the Spirit of God came upon Samson and he tore the lion apart…or in the last chapter of Nehemiah when he went and beat the crap out of people who were not doing what was supposed to be done!!! I think the world needs more passionate people today!)

If you study the culture of that time period you will come to understand that Jesus was not a somber individual who was always rebuking people and speaking in the King James version only, but rather He used humor at times and had a grasp on the cultural climate of the day.

He CHANGED everything–He didn’t care what people said about Him…and trust me, they blasted Him–the people of that day who loved tradition fought against the changes He brought about–and even were the catalyst for the movement to crucify Him. (Aren’t you glad we’ve progressed so much since there–there is no one who loves tradition more than Jesus right here in good ‘ole 2006!!!) :-)

And then lets not forget the resurrection–ANYONE who gets killed and then comes back to life in three days…now there’s something to brag about!!!

As I said before–Jesus was fully God–AND fully man! And when I say “man” I do not mean some weak, pathetic, passive wimp! I mean strong–confident–passionate–and willing to do whatever it took to honor God!!!

I can’t wait until this weekend–we are beginning the series entitled Davinci Decoded and we will be talking about my favorite subject–JESUS! And NOT in a way that you might be used to!

IN OTHER NEWS:

I am currently compiling a list of top 10 reasons to come to NewSpring on Easter–there have been some awesome suggestions; however, at least five or six people have said something about me dressing up in a bunny costume. I have no idea where this came from–but I can assure you that I will NOT be dressing as a bunny–it’s just not me!

If you are into leadership development–Tony’s post today knocked the ball out of the park!!!

I loved what Jonathan had to say about the Gospel of Judas–people, it’s really not new news!

Lee had some thoughts on Jesus this week that were outstanding and were one of the inspirations behind this post today.

Fourteen miles Saturday…and then two services on Saturday evening! Remember–4:00 and 6:00 on Saturday…and then 9:30 and 11:15 on Sunday! (If you are coming on Sunday you might want to get there early!!!)