Archive for August, 2006
Pluto & Soccer August 25, 2006
WOW–two posts in one day–what can I say–I got some rest last night.
First of all–I am not happy about the status of planethood being stripped from Pluto–how dare our scientists do this to that poor planet! Besides, it was easy for me to remember this planet when we had to learn all the planets in school. I don’t care what they say Pluto–you will always be a planet in my book! :-)
I can’t believe this–but I think I am actually going to a soccer game tonight…
First of all–I can’t watch soccer on television…I just can’t. I tried the World Cup thing and, to be honest, I would have rather watched the Cooking Channel.
BUT…
Many of the ladies who are on the CU soccer team attend NewSpring…and several of them have joined and serve each week! (Can I just say this–these are student athletes who manage to have time to go to class, play a sport…and serve in a local church–that’s awesome!!!) SO–in an effort to support them I believe that ‘Cretia and I are heading over to God’s country–Tiger Town–and watching them play tonight.
You see, God does work in amazing ways. If you had asked me about going to a soccer game a year ago I would have told you to go and jump in a lake–but God is amazing and has softened my heart! :-) CU ladies–best of luck tonight…I will be there…and you all had better win!!!
Stop Praying & Get On With It!!! August 25, 2006
Yesterday’s post was about prayer & how important it is…but today I want to confront how Christians will often times use prayer as an excuse to delay obedience.
One of the most common answers you get from a Christian when you ask them about something is, “Well, I’m praying about it.” Now understand that I believe that is the case SOME of the time–but not all the time. Scripture is clear that there comes a time when ACTION must be taken.
When the Red Sea opened up for Big Mo and the Israelites–they didn’t need to “pray about this amazing opportunity” in front of them–they needed to move forward.
When the Israelites were held captive by Goliath for 40 days I would almost be willing to guarantee that someone prayed, “God, please remove this giant from our midst.” I would also be willing to bet there were Bible studies going on regarding “How To Kill A Giant.” The problem was these people were so busy trying to be spiritual that no one had time for action!!!
I am NOT discounting prayer…I am just saying that I believe that prayer is an excuse for many people to sit on their “blessed assurance” and do nothing…for example…
There are many of us who have friends and family who do not know Christ…and we often tell others that we are praying for them…so, WHEN are we going to take the initiative and begin a conversation with them about Jesus or invite them to church? I believe I can say with strong support from Scripture that we are supposed to tell people about Jesus–why would we even need to pray about this–just do it!
When it comes to joining a church…especially at NewSpring…I hear people say they are praying about it. Now I do believe some are serious; however, we have had people coming for a year or two and are still praying about it!!! Let me make you a promise…God WANTS you to be a part of a church…if you are not doing something in the body…then something is NOT getting done. Everyone is important and you are WAY to valuable to sit on the sideline…God wants you to serve somewhere…so, if this is you regarding NewSpring…or ANY church for that matter–JUMP IN and stop using prayer as an excuse.
When it comes to starting churches–I know so many planters that say, “Well, I am praying about it.” Listen church planters…if all you ever do is pray about it–then it is NOT going to happen. I am glad you see the need to begin a church…but God honors men to put action to the prayers they are lifting up!
At NewSpring we pray for people to receive Christ every week–we beg God to draw people who are far from Him to Him through our service…but we don’t just pray–we work, we create, we evaluate, we do all that we can to do our part, knowing that if God doesn’t do His part we are screwed!
Stop and think for a minute–what have you been praying about for a long time? What is it that God wants you to do about that prayer? Is it that person in your family, your boss, your parents that need Jesus? Maybe you are not waiting on God to do something–maybe He’s ready and is waiting on you?
Is it a change in a career that you know God wants you to do? College students, is it changing your major? Is it to begin tithing? What is it? What is it that you, deep in your heart, KNOW that God wants to do…and He’s just waiting on you?
Yes, there comes a time where I believe we must stop using prayer as an excuse and get on with what God has called us to!
Stop & Pray August 24, 2006
A HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who has prayed for me this week. For those who were not here this past Sunday–I began the sermon by asking people to pray for me…since beginning this series on finances I have came under HEAVY spiritual attack. (Yes, I believe in “that stuff!”)
I was wondering why this was–literally–this series is the 2nd most draining series I have ever put together–the first was “Highway 146″ when we went through the other religions, compared them to Christianity, and showed that in NO WAY were “all religions saying the same thing!” In that I had to actually study and research other writings and documents–and I felt like someone threw up all over me the whole time I was doing the series!
So, I could not figure this out until a good friend reminded me that one of the biggest strongholds the enemy has on people in America is materialism…and that when a pastor starts preaching against that then the enemy gets upset…
So…I asked this church to pray…and OBVIOUSLY you have because this has been one of the most incredible, productive, and creative weeks of my life! THANK YOU!!!
BUT–this does not mean you can say, “Whew, now that things are cool with Pastor P I don’t have to do that anymore!” NO–please–pray harder–we’ve got some stuff coming up over the next few months that are going to be incredible…and I need your prayers.
When should you pray? I would say anytime you feel led…that’s pretty much my deal–when the Holy Spirit leads…I pray–let me share with you a true story that happened to me a few years ago…
I had this buddy who was speaking at a youth event and asked me to pray for him–he specifically asked me to pray that he would be able to share Christ with a kid that was going to be there. I agreed to pray for him–but didn’t–haven’t we all done that?
So the night that he’s speaking rolls around and I am washing dishes with ‘Cretia and I get this feeling to pray for this guy. I can’t explain it–but it was one of those, “If I don’t do this now I think I will explode” feelings. So–I prayed that he would be able to share Christ with the kid he was wanting to see come into the Kingdom…and then went on washing dishes.
About 10 minutes later the phone rang and it was the dude who I had prayed for–he was calling me to thank me for praying for him and told me that the kid he had wanted to accepted Christ actually had accepted Christ.
I asked him how that happened and he said, “Well, Perry, I had already given my talk and the guy did not respond. Then I began talking to him after the service was over–but he was stone cold–but all of a sudden…in fact, about 10 minutes ago he just looked at me and said, “I’m ready.” My friend asked him, “ready for what?” The kid replied–”Ready to accept Christ–NOW!”
I about fell out in the floor. You may believe in coincidence…but I believe in the Holy Spirit, the power of prayer…and a God who works out all things for the good of those who love Him. That totally amazed me–and is just one example of when the Spirit led me to pray for someone–I had no idea why–but God did–and I have came to realize that it is not my job to try to understand all the things about God that confuse me–but rather to OBEY what I already understand.
So pray–pray for people when they come to your mind riding down the road. Pray for me, my wife, this staff–people you want to see come to church–people you want to see come to Christ…and ask God to lead you to pray.
When you show up at church–pray that God will prepare your heart for the message. Pray for the people around you. Pray that the band will lead us all in passionate worship.
One thing I have began in the past two weeks is that whenever I am driving down the road and see a car with a NewSpring sticker on it–I pray for the people in that car–that God will continue to use them to draw people who don’t know Him TO Him through our church.
As Christians we have to work like it all depends on us–and pray like it all depends on God…more on that tomorrow…
One more time–thank you to all those who are covering me in prayer–keep it up–God is doing amazing things!
What A Pastor (And Church Planters) Need August 23, 2006
One of the most fun days in my week are Thursday’s–that is the day my assistant schedules a lunch with a church planter or a pastor for me…and I love hanging out with these guys. They have so much energy and fire–and that stuff is contagious! AND–I learn from them–the day we think we can’t learn from someone is the day we just need to STOP!
One of the questions that is often asked of me by church planters is, “Perry–what do I need to start a church?” And then the list goes something like this…”Do I need a lot of money in the bank?” Nope–we had a few hundred dollars and God seemed to be able to use that…just like the fish & chips miracle.
“Well–do I need a seminary education?” Nope–not that seminary is a BAD thing…but I believe it is a calling and not a biblical mandate–besides, 80% of seminary graduates QUIT the ministry within five years!
“Well–do I need a building?” Nope–we met for over six years in portable facilities…and while those years were challenging–they were awesome.
“Well–do I need a kick butt sound system?” Uh–yeah–eventually–but I still say this is NOT the most important thing–neither are fancy screens and cool multi-media presentations.
“Well then WHAT is needed?” Simple–Vision and Courage…if you don’t have those two things you will fail in the ministry–you show me a successful ministry across the nation–church or parachurch, contemporary or traditional…and I will show you someone at the core who has Vision and Courage.
Let me hit vision first–you have GOT to have vision. One of the things about myself AND the other freakishly passionate pastors and leaders I know is that they EAT, SLEEP, and BREATHE vision. I can’t have a 10 minute conversation with someone and NOT talk about the church and where I believe we are headed. I love talking about football–basketball–and other things–but for some reason all conversations seem to come back to the church–this is vision.
And…the vision HAS to be written down…and it can’t be something stupid. I remember once asking a pastor what his vision was and his reply to me went like this, “I just don’t want to be traditional.” That’s not vision–that’s bitterness–that’s rebellion…it’s not vision.
A vision is something that guides you–consumes you–and literally makes your decisions for you. A solid vision helps us to make good decisions around here because, if something doesn’t fit into the vision, we simply do not do it.
NOW–keep this in mind…if you have vision…and you have passion for that vision…then from time to time vision vandals will arrive at your church and try to sidetrack the vision–this is where you need courage.
It pains me when I see a pastor who feels that they have a vision from God…but they are afraid to put their hands to the plow & see that vision come to reality because they might upset a big giver in the church. If God has given you a vision…and you truly believe the things the Bible says about Him–like He in COMPLETE CONTROL then go for it!!!
It takes courage to follow your vision! And, as a church planter…you will be tested EARLY and OFTEN. One of the things that no one told me when I planted NewSpring was that when you plant a church you have a tendency to attract every freak within a 15 mile radius who has an idea of HOW your church should be ran…and they are usually very loud!
It took courage for me to look them in the eyes then and say, “Maybe this isn’t the church for you.” And we still do that from time to time today…it’s not that we are trying to be mean…but I am passionate for the vision of this church–passionate about doing what God has called us to do…and have never been willing to let anyone sidetrack us…and I never will.
AND please understand this–when you have courage to defend the vision…you will be misunderstood. You will be called cocky, arrogant, and people will say that you are unwilling to accept criticism. Keep this in mind–99% of the time these comments are made from “steeple people” who came from another church where the pastor was a pathetic wus that performed for a paycheck (sort of like a prostitute) and was easily pushed around! THOSE are the people who whine about vision…and it’s best to let them leave!!! It’s not that they don’t matter to the kingdom–it’s just that they do not need to be in your church.
Church planters–I know this causes you to freak out a little when people leave, you don’t want to see this. I hear so many pastors say, “We need to close the back door.” Allow me to explain something here…and this will get graphic–but I think you will understand…
I once heard a pastor say that the back door never needs to be closed. In Scripture the church is called the “BODY” of Christ. Well–the body has a “back door” and if that door is closed then the body can get septic. The body needs a way to pass what does not belong into it out of it…and so does the church. Once again–it’s not that the people leaving are bad people–they are just not a good fit for your church. (I can just read the e-mails now!!! Yes I meant that–yes it was graphic–no, I will not consider taking it down!)
Church planters–always listen to advice–always bounce ideas off of people–always be willing to those who you know love Jesus, love you, and love the church. BUT when it comes to vision…be solid. I ask a lot of questions about a lot of issues around here at NewSpring…I never make a decision without seeking godly advice from people inside and outside the church–but when it comes to vision the direction has been set…and we will follow what God has called us to follow and do what He has called us to do–no matter what!!!
Vision and courage–that’s a MUST!!! Now GO FOR IT!
Hooters August 22, 2006
Got your attention? Good–stay with me…
For those who do not attend NewSpring–let me explain what happened this Sunday…
We are currently doing a series on finances called Deal or No Deal; however, towards the end of the message I threw in a relationship nugget. I made the comment that I do not go to Hooters because in doing so I would dishonor my wife…and I challenged the married men in the room to ask their wives if this was dishonoring.
When I made the comment I just moved on…but since Sunday I have had several women tell me how much they appreciated me making that comment. One woman actually told me that three other women called her on Sunday night and said, “Did you hear what Perry said about Hooters?”
Guys–I know, you go for the food, right? WRONG! I am a man…I know how men think…I know what a man wants to look at…and so if you are a regular customer at Hooters…I KNOW why you go…and it’s not for the food but rather to feed lustful desires. Come on men…you can’t argue here…you know it’s the truth.
What I have discovered about my wife is this–she wants to know that she is beautiful to me. She makes an effort to take care of herself and, when we go out, to take a little extra time for me…she wants me to check her out–to tell her she is beautiful…and when she goes through this effort and I check out another woman or feel the need to go somewhere that puts women on parade to fuel my incredibly weak male ego–this hurts her. Once again men…if you don’t believe me–ask!
Men…I know we all live in a tough world. Sex sells…and beautiful women are used to sell everything from a new car to a cure for hemorroids. (Where does that logic make sense? “Hey–can I have the hemorroid medicine that the beautiful people on television use?”)
Maybe that is why Scripture tell us in Job 31:1 that he made a covenant with his eyes not to look lustfully at a woman…and we need to do the same.
It’s tough…I know–especially in the gym. I remember once a lady getting in front of me with some shorts that were so short that her rear end was literally hanging out! Later that day I was having lunch with a dude who held me accountable and I was telling him about it. He said, “Well…as soon as you saw her on the machine in front of you you moved didn’t you?”
“Uh, no,” I replied.
“Well Perry, how long did you stay there?”
“Uh–about thirty minutes…” I was busted–he called me out…and I never will forget that day that I taught myself the phrase when an attractive woman walks by, “That’s not my wife.” I have had to say that out loud!!! (It really freaks people who are with me out!)
Men–we need to be pure with our eyes…it matters to the woman we are married to. Single dude–it matters to your future spouse. Fathers–it matters to your sons and daughters. You are modeling for you sons how to treat women…and for your daughters how they should allow men to treat them. So…a family trip down to Hooters shows them nothing more than women being treated as objects of lust…and remember when they go down that road in the future–you discipled them.
One more thing and I will let up on this…and this is a challenge to women…the way you dress can greatly affect how a man thinks about you–or what he thinks about you. And I am not talking about those “women in Hollywood.” I am talking about women who claim they love Jesus…but also feel the need to reveal their cleavage to the world. Seriously–there have been some Sunday’s that, if I had put a steel pole in the middle of our stage here at church, many women would have probably felt right at home.
Ladies–if that offends you–check yourself…you don’t want to be treated as a piece of meat…then you can help yourself out by ot putting so much of yourself on display! I know this is a challenge for many of you–where is the line between being beautiful and dressing like you are for sale? My advice–ask a man who is in love with Jesus…and give him permission to be honest…and he will let you know. What might be “cute” to a group of women can be “seductive” to a group of men.
Men have a responsibility to control themselves…but you have a responsibility to help us do so…it is a partnership…and as we work together God will be honored in this.
We will cover more of this kind of stuff in a series this fall–should be fun!
Repentance Or Rebellion? August 21, 2006
I remember when I was a youth pastor serving at another church and was invited to some people’s house for supper. We had just sat down at the table and the father said to us all, “OK–let’s pray before we eat.” The youngest child immediately, “Why are we going to pray? We NEVER pray before we eat.”
Yes, it was tense in the room!
I remember another particular occasion when I was in a deacon’s home with the entire family present and the five year old little girl asked me, “Perry, do you drink beer?” I thought that was an odd question–but I told her no…and she replied, “My daddy does!” No lie–the dude was sitting right in front of me–if he could have crawled out of the room–he would have!
Yes, it was tense in the room!
We have all been in tense situations. We read things that make us tense. We hear things that make us tense. We are confronted with situations that make us tense…and it is in those moments we must decide what to do with that tension.
It was tense yesterday at NewSpring–very tense. I spoke with my best friend and accountability partner, Clayton King, last night on the phone and he told be, “Dude–any time you talk about people’s money or their sin–it will be tense!”
We talked about money AND sin…because Scripture is clear that if you rob from God to build your own personal kingdom–that’s sin! And I will admit that it got highly uncomfortable in the room on multiple occasions.
(Once again–let me explain–it is not wrong to have nice things–it’s wrong when God is robbed and the poor are neglected so that we can have nice things. God blesses us with nice things…but we should always seek to be a blessing to Him and to others!!!)
I confronted people who use “grace” as an excuse not to tithe by telling them there are plenty of examples of gifts in the New Testament going way beyond the tithe–but none that fall short of it–and that if grace is an excuse to give “less” then all you are doing is manipulating Scripture to fuel selfishness and greed…and it was tense.
I made the statement that the kingdom of darkness isn’t holding the ministry of the church back–greedy Christians are…and it was tense.
I made the statement that it is amazing the number of Christians that trust Jesus with their soul but will not trust Him with their wallet…and it was tense.
I quoted the statistics that the average American gives $649 to the church every year–while spending over $900 per year on dog food and $1,000 on specialty coffee drinks…apparently more people in our country are passionate about worshipping Fido and caffeine than God…money does not like…and it was tense.
And I have discovered something–when tension arrives in ANY area of your life…you can either rebel or repent.
Rebellion is all through Scripture–it is when someone clearly hears what the Lord says and purposefully chooses to go in a different direction. That is ONE way of handling tension…and it always brings about PAIN.
The other choice is repentance…saying, “God, I see what YOUR word says about this…You are right and I have been wrong–help me to change the way I think and act about this.” And this always brings about PROGRESS!
We have a choice–not just when it comes to money–but any area of our lives–to rebel and experience pain or repent and experience progress.
The bottom line question that we are asking in this series…the question that is causing us all to wrestle with tension in a very uncomfortable way is, “Is Jesus LORD of every area of my life–including my finances?” If He isn’t–we can either continue to rebel and remain in financial bondage…or we can repent and begin to climb our way out of it. We have a choice…if you are in bondage…you do not have to remain where you are.
I have done both…and let me just say that the repentance thing works the best!
BUT–let me say this in regards to repenting…in order for this to happen–pride must be swallowed! And men have a much harder time with this that women…most men would rather hit rock bottom than ask for help–and this is stupidity at its best. Men–think about your family–your wife–you kids, there is this thing called college…and ASK for help!!! Our church is offering a FREE Bible study on finances…FREE financial counseling…all you have to do is ASK!!! (E-mail us–money@newspring.cc)
For those that were there yesterday…I hope you enjoyed the message–the next two are going to be off the hook! Our team has put together a presentation this week and next week that you do not want to miss. This Sunday we will be talking about generosity and contentment…and the final week we will be concluding with a sermon subtitled: God, Set My Rear End On Fire! (Yes, I am serious!!!)
It’s Friday!!! August 18, 2006
YEAH! Several things going on today…
#1 – I am PUMPED about continuing the series “Deal or No Deal” this weekend. We are going to be examining what I used to think was one of the most confusing parables that Jesus told…and seeing a thing or two that I had never noticed before–like I said, I am pumped.
#2 – My ipod died!!! But do not fear…a friend sent me a nano last year and I haven’t activated it yet…or whatever the heck you do to an ipod to get it working. I am about to call Jared and see if he can walk me through getting it started so I can jam to some tunes while I lift weights!
#3 – I rode a go cart last night for the first time in about a zillion years! Our home group had a “meet and eat” night at the home of Allison’s parents…yes, Allison is in our group. AND they have this little go cart…I can’t believe I actually fit in the thing! It ran out of gas while I was riding it…but someone came and picked me up in a golf cart! Yes–we had two golf carts, a go cart, and a scooter in a field…this was awesome Southern fun–the only thing missing was a shotgun…and I am sure we could have rounded one of those up if we had wanted to.
#4 – Clemson football starts two weeks from tomorrow!!! And USC fans…I know you start two weeks from yesterday…I hope you do well….I guess the schedule makers wanted to go ahead and get you out of the way on Thursday so people could really enjoy the first day of college football that Saturday.
#5 – I received an e-mail from this guy telling me he’s going to be at the Innovative Church Conference at Granger…I can’t wait to meet him–should be a lot of fun…and MAYBE he will buy me a cup of Starbucks coffee since he is always blogging about it and rubbing it in my face that we don’t have one!!!
#6 – The last First Wednesday service we had was incredible. If you listened to it on our podcast then that is awesome…but you had to be there to get the full experience. We have had people tell us that they wish we would do that service again…well…hold on…you might just get your wish. We are praying about it and it looks like it might happen in September.
#7 – If Lucretia and I have a little boy first (NO–she is not pregnant), I have finally found a middle name that I love–I will be revealing it on Sunday…and pray for Lucretia–she’s NOT that crazy about it!
#8 – This made me laugh out loud!
#9 – I saw this again…it’s awesome, I crack up EVERY time!!!
Have an awesome weekend!