Archive for September, 2007
Sunday Night Reflections September 30, 2007
Great week coming…great Sunday that just took place…here are some thoughts!
- You have GOT to read Tony’s post about Starbucks, seriously, this is one of the best things I have ever read in blog world.
- Every time I share vision I get chocked up…today was no exception. To see how far the Lord has brought us in less than eight years is amazing! I can’t wait to see what God does next week on commitment Sunday…let’s all continue to pray and step up big time!!!
- Oh yeah–BE EARLY next week!!! Seriously!
- Charisse is teething…please pray!
- Steven and Holly had their baby boy on Friday…congrats guys!
- If you didn’t read Q & A with Lucretia last week–check it out here. Dang my wife is amazing!!!
- I was PUMPED to see our new service times and the amazing turnout for the evening services. We had almost 500 kids at the 5:00 service alone…it’s amazing what God can do with pizza and ice cream! :-)
- Don’t forget–same thing next week!
- A young lady sent me an e-mail on Thursday that MADE MY WEEK! She was informing me about her recent decision to trust Christ. Oh yeah…she came to NewSpring as a result of her friends inviting her and NOW her life has been changed–ETERNALLY!
- Clemson lost–oh well, at least I’m not a Notre Dame fan!!!
- We made the Baptist press…they wrote about our recent baptism…here’s the link to the story.
- Something happened to me a few weeks ago that I NEVER thought would happen–EVER, I am blown away by the opportunity and I can’t wait to blog about it in the future.
- Registration for Unleash is going crazy! There are already over 400 people registered…and the conference isn’t even until March. You can check out Tony’s thoughts here if you would like.
- Our leadership team made a last minute decision last week to head down to Catalyst this week–and I am STOKED! I love this conference…and I will be like a huge sponge, soaking in some awesome teaching on leadership! Can’t wait!!!
- Another thing that is awesome about being in Atlanta is that I will get to eat at THIS RESTAURANT, seriously, this is the best place to consume food on the planet! They just keep bringing dead cow to your table until you stop them!
- Speaking of learning some awesome things about leadership–over the past two weeks I have had the privilege of sitting down with Mark Driscoll and Andy Stanley for a combined total of six hours and just ask them questions! God has used these men to influence my life in a major way and I would have to say that they are two of the wisest and godliest men that I know. The Lord stretched me in incredible ways during the conversations I had as He used these men to both encourage and challenge me. I love those guys!
- Oh yeah, when I meet with guys like this I take my notebook, have a list of questions, ask them and then shut up and listen…the more I get into this church thing the more I realize that there is SO MUCH that I do not know! AND I learn just as much in these type of environments as I do in conferences. (Not knocking conferences…I think both are necessary for learning!)
- I STILL REALLY want to share a meal with Erwin McManus and pick his brain…love the guy and his creativity…and God used his book “The Barbarian Way” to REALLY mess me up!
- One more thing…the past month and a half I have spent WAY more time seeking the Lord through Scripture AND trying my best to meet with godly people who are doing something great for God instead of looking at negative, critical blog posts by people who aren’t actually doing anything…and my mind is SO MUCH MORE refreshed and prepared for ministry!
- Kem Meyer laughed at me this week about how many exclamation points that I use in a post!!!!!!!!!!!!! OK…so I overdo it at times. So, Kem, when are you going to write a book? Huh?
That’s about it for now–going to bed–long day tomorrow!
She Has No Idea How Blessed She Is…And Neither Do I! September 28, 2007
Last night I took Charisse to bed and as I put her down into her crib I had this thought, “She has NO IDEA how blessed she is. She’s got clothes, food, a comfortable home AND parents who would do ANYTHING for her! Seriously, she’s got it made.”
However, AT THAT MOMENT she began to cry…nothing serious, just sort of a fussy sort of cry, one that said, “You just put me down…now watch me cop an attitude!”
I wanted to tell her how blessed she was…but I couldn’t because, well, she’s just not mature enough to understand that for one…and secondly, if she HAD been mature enough then she would not have been able to hear me because of her crying.
Then BAM…it hit me…that’s the exact way things are with God and me at times.
You see, when it comes to my heavenly Father…I am blessed. Seriously, I often tell people that EVERY GOOD thing I have in life is the result of Him saving me. He has blessed me BEYOND anything I could ever deserve; however, as time passes by I am discovering more and more how blessed I really am. I Corinthians 2:9 is true–we have NO IDEA how blessed we are as His children.
One more thing…at times I can’t comprehend God’s blessings because I am crying about something He did that I didn’t like. I complain, try to get Him to see it my way…shoot, I’ve even thrown a temper tantrum or two…but none of that EVER seems to work. I am coming to understand that…
#1 – God loves me more than I could ever imagine…and He will do what is best in HIS time. Sure, it may be uncomfortable at times…but at the end of the day, no matter what happens, I am blessed.
#2 – I need to spend WAY much more time being QUIET before Him instead of complaining to Him when things don’t go my way.
Charisse has NO IDEA how blessed she is as a child…just like most of us have no idea how blessed we are as children of God.
Q & A With Lucretia–Part One September 27, 2007
#1 – How do you deal with the criticism that comes Perry’s way?
My initial reaction is to debate “them” and logically explain to them why they are wrong; however, I know that will not work–it is equal to casting pearls before the pigs. It does hurt me when this happens, but ultimately I leave it in God’s hands because I know that the critics do not know Perry, nor do they understand what is going on at NewSpring. AND I try to see it in a positive light because usually the time of most criticism is usually preceding something incredible.
#2 – Have you ever been surprised at a story, comment or ad lib that Perry said during a sermon?
No! Perry is Perry–the guy people see on stage every Sunday is the same guy I am married to–he doesn’t change, he always like that…and so it doesn’t surprise me when he says or does certain things because that’s just the way he is.
If there is every anything regarding me that Perry thinks is questionable he always runs it by me and asks my permission before sharing the story.
I know when Perry says things he didn’t plan to say…and it always cracks me up when he cracks himself up.
#3 – How do you balance your role as Perry’s wife with the expectations the church has of you as a pastor’s wife? Just as Perry doesn’t fit the mold for the typical preacher, the same seems to be true of you and your involvement in NewSpring and it’s ministries?
Before we began dating I dealt with the fact that I didn’t fit the role of the typical pastors wife that I had always known; however, in seeking Jesus He clearly showed me that my call was not to fit a particular mold…but to just be me and Perry’s wife.
When it comes down to it…I am the ONLY person who can support Perry in the way that I do…and he has made it very clear to the church from the beginning that I am his wife–not the churches wife, and he has always refused to allow unrealistic expectations to be placed upon me by those who could never understand what it is like to be in my shoes.
Bottom line–Perry IS my ministry…and as his wife I am called to encourage and support him first…NOT be involved in tons of activities to merely keep church people happy.
I fear that too many pastors wives focus on the churches calling on their lives rather than what God has called them to do. I know that He has called me to be unique…and while I won’t be singing or playing piano any time soon because those are not my talents and abilities…I will be faithful to Him and His calling and giftedness on my life.
#4 – Can I have your white chocolate cake recipe?
Yes! I will get Perry to post it sometime in the future.
Superficial Sunday In The South!!! September 26, 2007
OK…so I am on a rant today…it’s been a while and I am fired up…this one will be fun!
I recently heard of a church in the area taking a stab at NewSpring DURING a worship service, saying that we allow people to dress any way they wish and that suits and dresses are not required, even frowned upon in our church. This comment was made to criticize us…but lets unpack it for a second. :-)
First of all–we do not look down on those who choose to wear a suit or a dress…unless it is a man in a dress, then we will say something! We simply ask people to wear what is comfortable and modest.
What I am wondering is where in the world did the modern day church ever get the idea that somehow dressing up in a suit OR wearing a dress equals godliness…and those who would wear jeans and a T-shirt, or even (GASP) flip flops just are not as godly. Can we all say “insecurity” boys and girls?
Now I’m not a theologian or a scholar…but it seems to me that someone who would look down their nose at someone else for not dressing properly–when no dress code is mentioned in the Bible–is PRIDE and ARROGANCE…you know, the things that got satan kicked out of heaven!
I know, I know…some wing nut is firing off an e-mail right now, telling me about how the Bible says for us to give God our best! Uh…yeah…somehow I just don’t think that the Lord meant suits and ties and dresses–especially since none of those things existed when the Scripture that says to give God our best was penned!
Do you REALLY think that, just because someone wears a suit, tie or dress that they actually love Jesus more? Are you really that stupid? Are you really that superficial? SERIOUSLY…I worked in/attended churches where people “dressed up” in an effort to “give God their best” every Sunday…AND…
- I saw a man, who wore a suit every Sunday, get caught having an affair with several different women, all of whom wore the latest fashion.
- I saw a deacon, who had a NICE suit, get caught having sex with a staff members wife. (And she wore a dress to church every week as well!)
- I saw a man, who wore a suit every week, have an affair on his wife and LEAVE her like a coward!
- I saw a lady, who wore a dress every Sunday, gossip and lie and try to DESTROY lives through “prayer requests!”
- I saw people who, dressed up every weekend, but were at the parties the night before and were so drunk they could not walk! (Can you imagine their faces the first time they saw me at church–it was a sight to see!!!)
I could literally go on and on…people–it DOES NOT FLIPPIN’ matter what is worn to church…as long as you are there!!! I Samuel 16:7 says that God is looking at the heart…and I honestly believe there are some very well dressed people in churches all over America who are on their way to hell because they are so caught up in looking good and playing the part that they have never trusted Christ with their salvation!!!
Oh yeah…by the way…that whole “giving your best” thing–I know people who wear suits every week but are not…
- Giving their best in their time to Jesus!
- Giving their best in their marriage.
- Giving their best in their money!
- Giving their best in the way they raise their children.
- Giving their best in the way they take care of their bodies!
BUT…this doesn’t flippin’ matter to some superficial Christians…as long as you wear a suit and look good–you get a pass on actually having to know Christ like Paul said we should know Him in Philippians 3:10-11. (I wonder what Paul wore? Never really mentions it in Scripture…MUST not be important–EXCEPT for the command In I Timothy 2:9 for women to dress modestly!!! AND…if you will look at I Timothy 2:8-10 ONCE again you will discover that dress is secondary to true worship!)
It’s time that Christians people that go to church STOPPED this crap! Dressing up does not make you godly…for many it simply means they are good looking hypocrites!!! The REAL question is how is your heart…are you and I doing what Jesus outlined in Matthew 22:36-40? THAT matters!!! (Once again please note they asked Jesus about what was most important…and He never mentioned a dress code!)
I am pumped because at NewSpring Church I see people coming every week–many who can not afford a suit (and would be judged at others churches) and they are being accepted by our community and CHANGED by Jesus!!! THAT IS WHAT IT IS ALL ABOUT!!!
We are not anti-suit–we are anti-stupidity…anti-superficial…anti-Pharisee…you know…all the things that people say you MUST dress up to love Jesus stand for!!!
By the way…I do own ONE suit…and I do weddings and funeral in it–but ONLY if it is requested!!! :-)
Jesus changed me from the inside out…and that change is real and doesn’t have to be dressed and proclaimed in some sort of fashion statement. I praise God for our church–for an environment that does not CARE how you are dressed as long as you are here. We understand that there are WAY more important matters each and every week than picking a tie that matches and finding those darn earrings.
Just so we know where Jesus stands on this–He made it VERY clear in Matthew 23:25-28! He was very clear that those most obsessed with outward appearances often had something inward to hide! Isn’t it funny how things never really change…2,000 years later and the Pharisees still exist!
Flippin’ Fire Ants Should Be Sent To Hell!!! September 25, 2007
OK…so I’m mad–VERY mad…at fire ants. I know there is a purpose for everything God created; however, I am seriously concerned that the fire ant could have been some sort of experiment in heaven gone bad–and God just sort of rolled with the punches to see what happened.
What is the reason for my sudden anger and bitterness?
Last Sunday after lunch I packed up all the garbage and took it outside…BAREFOOT. When I walked back in the house the big toe on my left foot felt like it was on fire–I began to do a dance (which will probably make a Baptist angry) and literally thought I might be going crazy. THEN I looked down on my toe and saw an itty bitty fire ant going to town!!!
SO…I killed it–and YES, I used excessive force. Trust me when I say that if I would have had a bazooka in my hands that I would have unloaded on the stupid creature!
I walked into the living room and my toe began to swell–BIG TIME…and it was itching…BAD! I tried rubbing Clorox on the bite–but it didn’t seem to help. The next day I even struggled putting shoes on…and when I tried to run my big toe felt about as big as the state of Rhode Island!
Now I think there is some sort of lesson in everything…and so I’ve been thinking about my encounter with the creature of death that tore up my toe…and I can’t this out of my mind–SOMETIMES in our lives it is not the BIG things that do the most damage to us–but rather the small ones.
Stay with me…
Churches often hit on the BIG sins, you know, the ones we say that God really hates–homosexuality, adultery, murder, abortion and whatever else a particular denomination may be passionate about. AND let me be clear that if the Bible calls something a sin then so should the church!
HOWEVER, I believe there are too many Christians who sit in the chairs every week and say to themselves, “Well, I am not committing any of THOSE sins…so I must be OK.” But my question is, “What about small issues in life?”
What I have discovered for me personally is that “the small things,” the sins that many of us claim are “no big deal” can actually do the most damage to our walk with Christ–and eventually our testimony. They are damaging–just like the fire ant.
Want an example? Before 1999 I used to have certain movie channels in my home…and thought it was “no big deal;” after all, we HAVE to be entertained, right? However, I discovered that for me it was not good to have access to these channels because my mind would wonder…and then eventually I would “just flip around” to “see what might be on.” And in my search flipping I would eventually find what I was REALLY looking for–porn.
Some of you men know EXACTLY what I am talking about!
SO…I decided that I didn’t want them in my home–EVER! NOW…I don’t have a verse that says you should not have these channels, nor do I judge and condemn those that do–I just know that for me, even though it can be dismissed as a small problem, that there was a period in my life that it did A LOT of damage!!!
Maybe it’s something different for you…maybe someone has talked to you about the way you handle alcohol. To you it’s no big deal–but it is controlling your life…and you can’t be seen socially without it. Be careful…it could be damaging.
For some it may be a relationship…you know you should not going that far physically, and you tell others that it’s not a big deal; however, you have began to do things you once considered sinful, but you justify it by saying “it’s no big deal!” If you want to destroy your ability to hear from God and seriously build intimacy before marriage then go ahead, have sex…but trust me–it’s a BIG DEAL!
Maybe it is that other person at the office, you know, the one you are going to lunch with…just you and her. Sure, it’s innocent right–you tell yourself it’s not that big of a deal, but recently you have began to have sexual fantasies about her…and you tell yourself you never will–but you can’t stop thinking about it. I remember Ed Young saying once, “Sex begins between the ears before it happens between the legs!”
Maybe it’s something that you KNOW the Lord has been dealing with you about. Paul wrote for us in Ephesians 4:30 not to grieve the Holy Spirit…if HE says to do something or STOP doing something then we need to pay attention to that. You may not consider it to be a big deal…but if God is dealing with you about it–THEN IT’S A BIG DEAL!!!
Is there anything the Lord is dealing with you about? Remember–fire ants, though they are little do a lot of damage…and the Lord knows that this “little” issue He is talking with you about, if not confessed and then turned from, will do some long term damage.
My desire for the rest of my life is to listen to the voice of the Lord and then do exactly as He says, not trying to argue with Him or justify sinfulness…I ALWAYS get it right when I follow His leadership, I have never screwed up listening to Him!!! Trust me on this…if He’s speaking to you about something–listen, and then obey…trust me, it is always beneficial to do so!!!
Sunday Night Reflections September 23, 2007
There are two words that describe right now–ON FIRE!!! Seriously, I am a man consumed…and it seems that everywhere I turn God is rocking my world…saying that, here are a few thoughts from today…
- This morning in my quiet time I read Ezekiel 2:1-2 and I WAS PUMPED! It is NO secret…apart from the Lord speaking to me and through me…I have nothing to say!
- Oh yeah–Ezekiel 3:16-17 ALSO rocked my world…there are times as a speaker that I have to just know that I have heard from the Lord and I need to say what needs to be said–even if it does not make me win popularity contests.
- Speaking of my quiet time…I have made a SERIOUS turn in the way I approach my time with the Lord over the past few years. I used to approach Scripture asking, “What does this say to the people I need to correct.” I realized, however, that the Lord considers that prideful arrogance…I am to approach Scripture seeking what the Lord wants to say to me!
- The tension in the room today at a couple of points was AWESOME…I love tension because it means that the Lord is REALLY dealing with our hearts!
- I had a skinny vanilla latte from our new coffee shop today and I was WIRED in the second service!
- Yes, we opened a coffee shop…and it was awesome…tired of waiting on Starbucks!
- Gametime is pumping me UP! What we have planned over the next two weeks is BLOWING my mind. This coming week we are doing something that has a few people quite nervous…and the next week (October 7th) will be AMAZING!
- If you have questions about Gametime just shoot me an e-mail.
- October 7th is commitment Sunday…it is THE day when we make our pledge and take our first Gametime offering…we are praying for God to do GREAT things that day!
- God has called us to an amazing vision–going to Greenville, building a children’s facility AND a youth facility, IMPACTING a community through generous giving and also participating in worldwide missions like never before!
- Someone did ask, “Is this what Perry wants?” My reply–NO WAY…folks, trust me…I could have NEVER thought of something this big!!! God is all over this–He has put an amazing opportunity right in front of us…and I know we are about to step up big!
- I was reminded of something that TD Jakes once said earlier this week, “You can tell what God is getting ready to do in your church by the equipment He is bringing in around you! If He’s bringing in heavy duty equipment (people) then He’s getting ready to do amazing things!”
- I SEE THIS HAPPENING in our church–when I look at who God has been bringing around the past seven years…those who unselfishly are serving as a volunteer and giving of their $$$ I just keep thinking, “God is about to BLOW OUR MINDS…AGAIN!”
- THANK YOU to everyone who give in so many ways to our church–YOU ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE!!! LIVES are being impacted…and there is so much more to do!
- I sincerely believe with all my heart that THIS vision the Lord has called us to could lead to serious changed lives all across the world!!! Why wouldn’t God use a place like Anderson to begin a worldwide movement? Isn’t it just like Him to do something like that?!?!?
- NewSpring–seriously, I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!
A few more random things:
- It was a great football weekend–Clemson won, USC lost!
- Thanks to everyone who sent in a question for Lucretia to answer on this blog–she will be doing so later this week…if you still have a question that you would like to see answered by her in regards to being a pastor’s wife, etc…shoot me an e-mail.
- Joe was interviewed by the Anderson Independent…here is the article…folks, I promise you this dude is for real! I have personally watched God do amazing things in his life…and if you are messed up financially then you NEED to MEET with JOE!!! You probably won’t like him when you leave…but if you will listen to him you will be better off!
- Singles…here are 20 theological pick up lines that should NOT be used…I laughed out loud at several of them!!!
Going to bed!!! :-)
What Would You Be Willing To Attempt For God If You Knew You Could Not Fail? September 21, 2007
That question changed my life!
On August 10, 1999 I was having lunch with a mentor at Red Lobster and discussing with him that I really felt God was stirring me to do something; however, I THOUGHT of an option or two and informed my buddy of my incredibly safe plans.
He looked at me as I was eating a cheese biscuit and asked, “What would you be willing to attempt for God if you knew you could not fail?”
Without hesitation I answered, “I would start a church!”
He replied, “You are a coward if you don’t!”
That one minute dialog ruined my lunch; seriously, I couldn’t eat any more cheese biscuits! I knew he was right. I knew that God had told me in 1996 that I was going to start a church one day; however, I kept making excuses as to why I would not do it–the first being that I was too young and the second being that I was “praying about it.”
(Christians OFTEN use prayer as an excuse for inactivity–I know I did…and it sounded so spiritual!!!)
Within a month of that conversation I was meeting with a core group of people who were wanting to do more than just go to church on Sunday…WE WANTED TO CHANGE THE WORLD! (AND STILL DO!!!)
God has done more in the past seven and a half years that I could have ever imagined…and, as I always say, I really feel that our best days are ahead of us…as long as we continue to be obedient and NEVER fall into “safe mode,” being afraid to take risks because we feel like we actually have something to lose!
I had thought for the longest time that I was waiting on God–when in actuality God had been waiting on me…
MAYBE you are experiencing the same thing!
Let me ask YOU this question, “What would YOU be willing to attempt for God if you KNEW you could not fail?” Seriously–STOP right now and answer it!
First let me say that there are some reading this who have no idea what the answer to this question would be. My challenge for you is to take some time and figure it out–to wrestle it to the ground–seek the Lord on this one because Ephesians 2:10 tells us that He created us to do something GREAT for Him.
However, there are MANY reading this right now that know exactly what you would do…you just lack the courage to take a dive of faith. You say you are waiting on God…when, in actuality God is waiting on you! You say you are praying about it…but you really aren’t because every time you do God prompts you to take action–BUT because you don’t have all your questions answered you are SCARED and refuse to move.
When we began NewSpring it was a HUGE risk for me. People ask me, “Were you scared?” HECK YES! I quit a job that was providing me with this stuff called MONEY, which is pretty much essential…oh yeah, the job I was in also provided my health insurance as well. AND…I was getting married in eight months and had NO INCOME.
BUT…I knew that God had stirred my heart to do this and I could not deny His prompting any longer. (By the way…the day after I made this decision a friend came to see me and gave me a check for $800, telling me the Lord had prompted him to do so…I told him that he needed to continue to listen for additional promptings!!!) GOD PROVIDES!!!
What is it? What is “that thing” that you just can’t shake…you are consumed with it…and you want to try it SO BAD but you are SO AFRAID of failure? Keep in mind that II Timothy 1:7 says God has not given us a spirit of fear!!!
- Maybe you KNOW the Lord has called you to start a business!
- Maybe you KNOW the Lord has called you to take a risk and try something new in your existing ministry!
- Maybe you KNOW the Lord wants you to ask her out! (By the way dude…sending a text message or an e-mail to ask a girl out on a date is LAME…and you are a loser for doing so! BE A MAN!)
- Maybe you KNOW the Lord wants you to put Him first in your finances!
- Maybe you KNOW the Lord wants you to change your major!
- Maybe you KNOW the Lord wants you to stay at home with the kids!
- Maybe you KNOW the Lord wants you to turn down that promotion–EVEN though it means more money!
- Church planter, maybe you KNOW you are supposed to hire that staff member OR buy that building!
What would you be willing to attempt for God if you knew you could not fail?
One more thing–the reason some people won’t move is because they don’t feel like it makes sense OR that they don’t have all their questions answered!
UH…when has God ever asked anyone to do anything that really made sense? AND when did He ever answer every question that a person had? That’s why doing what the Lord prompts us to do is called FAITH!!!
Take some time today and wrestle with this–God has called YOU to do great things!!!