Archive for September, 2008
Four Transitions We SHOULD NOT Want To Make–Part Two September 24, 2008
#2 – “It’s All About Jesus,” to, “It’s All About Me!”
Leadership CAN be intoxicating…especially when things are moving up and to the right. The overwhelming temptation is to begin to take personal credit for all that is going on.
NOTHING could be more dangerous for the church than this!
It’s easy to be “all about Jesus” when we begin ministry, heck, we don’t have anything! However, when crowds begin to gather, buildings are built and staff are employeed a huge transition is tempted with is, “I can handle this!”
And we can’t!
When we begin to fall into the “all about me” trap there is always a pressure to perform. The next series HAS to be better than the last one. You can’t rest on Sunday night because you are thinking about how next weeks message can be better. Your next blog post has to have more hits than ever before…
The focus is shifted from the power of God to our ability to perform…and eventually that will kill the drive of every leader out there every time.
Hold on! It’s not wrong to desire to preach great messages and have captivating series that people can invite others to…but when THOSE things become the proverbial tail that wags the dog–SERIOUS problems emerge.
Our goal, as leaders, should be to make the name of Jesus famous–period.
Several Things I Am Thankful For… September 23, 2008
One of the themes in my times with God lately has been that of thankfulness. He hit me between the eyes in I Thessalonians 5:16:18. Clearly the Scripture says that we should be thankful in all situations…and that being thankful IS GOD’S WILL!
My home group just recently studied through the book of Philippians…and, once again, in Phillipians 4:6-7 God says, “Hey, instead of worrying about everything…why not spend some time thanking me?”
I’ve noticed that if I spend more and more time thanking God for all He has done that I am less likely to worry about all that He is doing because, through thanksgiving, I understand that HE IS FAITHFUL!
So…I made a list of things I am thankful for…
- That Jesus saved me! He didn’t have too! (Titus 3:4-7)
- A wife who loves me in spite of the fact that I look like a Wookie with my shirt off…and can see through my selfishness and takes the time to talk TO me about it instead of ABOUT me! (Proverbs 31:10-12 is her!!!)
- A little girl that loves to give me hugs and kisses…and who loves it when her daddy chases her around the house.
- The Holy Discontent He placed in my life that enabled me to begin NewSpring Church…and the fact that He has allowed me to serve here. I REALLY do love you guys!
- The AMAZING friendships He’s blessed me with…I literally get to work with the people that I love! AND…He’s brought so many pastors and ministry leaders into my life that actually care…which is AWESOME.
- The team I get to serve with and the authenticity and passion for Jesus that each person shares.
- My health!
- Ice cream!
- College football!
Yes, I am serious about the last two!
Here’s my challenge…make a list…and say “thanks!”
And if your worried about something…take some time thanking God for all He has done in your life. I promise it will take the focus off of your problem and place it on His faithfulness!
Four Transitions We SHOULD NOT Want To Make–Part One September 23, 2008
As a leader one of the natural things we will go through are transitions; however, there are four that I think are incredibly dangerous and ALWAYS lead to destruction…they are…
#1 – From “I Want To” to “I Have To.”
I fought this BIG TIME last year!
When we first started NewSpring I was overwhelmed at all that the Lord was allowing me to do! I LOVED my job and everything about it; however, over time the stress and day to day pressure began to grind me down…and I went from “GOOD MORNING LORD” to saying, “Good Lord, it’s morning!”
One of THE single most dangerous things a leader can deal with is the loss of passion for what God has called him to. This can be caused by…
- A wave of negativity
- Lack of rest
- An attempt to do everything alone
- Sin
- Pouring yourself out consistently without taking the time to fill yourself back up!
If you’re a leader then you’ve been there…and you know what it’s like. AND…if you are in this stage then you need to be willing to honestly evaulate where you are…and then make the hard decisions that you need to make to pace yourself for the long haul.
I once heard someone say that if the enemy can’t make you sin then he will try to do something even worse…he will attack your passion.
AND…from the looks of things across the ministry battleground…he’s winning. There are way too many of us that have simply lost sight of our first love.
One of the things that has been stirring my passion lately is a prayer that the Lord put on my heart several weeks back, “Lord teach me to see as you see and feel as you feel so that I can walk as you walked!”
And he’s rocking my world!
Leaders…he paid WAY too high a price for us to be complacent! Pray that He will set you on fire like He did for Jeremiah (see Jeremiah 20:9!)
He doesn’t need us…but he called us and has empowered us! He’s got Ephesians 3:20 plans for us…I Corinthians 2:9 says that we can’t even wrap our minds around the upcoming blessings.
My advice…take some time today just to say “thanks” for His calling on your life! Remember where He found you…spend some time thanking Him for His faithfulness…and ask Him to set you on fire like never before. I promise none of that will offend Him!!!
Is God Too Busy? September 22, 2008
Friday mornings are my sleep in day. So…this past Friday I got up, began brewing coffee and then listened for the noises in the house that would lead me to ‘Cretia and Charisse.
After playing with them for a few minutes we walked downstairs where I poured myself a cup of java and walked with the girls into the restroom where Charisse proceeded to brush her teeth!
I gave ‘Cretia and kiss & told her I was going to read my Bible and pray for a while and walked down the hall towards my destination until…I heard little footsteps behind me.
When I turned around Charisse was running after me (toothbrush in hand) and when I made eye contact with her she smiled and said, “Da-da!”
All of a sudden I forgot what I was doing. I stopped, scooped her up and we played for a while. I had to…what daddy can resist it?
Afterwards it hit me when I got to the location where I was about to have my quiet time, “Just like I wasn’t too busy for my child, God isn’t too busy for me!”
I had to stop & reflect on that for a few minutes. It still blows my mind…GOD, the CREATOR of the UNIVERSE has time for me.
AND…I don’t have to shoot Him an email to get on his schedule.
Why did I have time for Charisse? Simple–she’s my child!
God has time for His children! In fact, His eyes are on us even when our eyes aren’t on Him.
God has time for His children! And when His children RUN after Him…well, I just believe He is honored by that.
God has time for His children! There isn’t a need or a hurt that bothers Him!
God has time for His children! ALWAYS! He’s NEVER too busy! THAT’S AWESOME!
Sunday Night Reflections September 21, 2008
Here are a few thoughts before I hit the bed–hard!
- I NEVER get tired of seeing people go public through baptism–ever! All four testimonies today were powerful!
- We had over 400 people walk forward between our Anderson & Greenville campuses that signed up for baptism that will be taking place on Saturday, October 4th…and I know a lot more will sign up between now & then!
- By the way…if you didn’t respond today and still want to be baptized…here is the link where you can find out all of the information AND sign up!
- Jesus wants us to go public for Him…He went public for us. Why in the world would we want to hide the fact that we’ve received Jesus, He power washed our souls and made us brand new.
- Yes, the goose story was true!!!
- PLEASE do everything you can to BE at the baptism on October 4th…it will be one of the most powerful things you’ve ever experienced, trust me!
- AND…go CRAZY! Tailgate!!! There will be an award at both locations for the best tailgating spot!!!
- HEY, if people celebrate football games this way…I think the church should OUTDO them by the way we celebrate people going public for Christ.
- Next week we will be dealing with another “next step” that Christ commands us to take…and I can’t WAIT to preach that message. I’ve literally been sitting on it for about a year!!!
- Yes, I WAS serious about our church one day having a service in Death Valley…AND filling the place up–TWICE! Why not? God’s huge!!! I think He is WAY capable of making that happen!
- AND…as I said today, WHO is actually bothered when the church grows and the Bride of Jesus shines…God or satan? Who would want to keep the church small and controlled? Would it be God or satan? Hmmmm….
- Our MISSION as a church is to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ, NOT to endorse a political party…NOT to legislate morality…but to tell the world about JESUS! I am so committed to that because HE CHANGED MY LIFE!
On a personal note…
- I would appreciate the prayers…I think I am fighting an oncoming cold…and my back is REALLY giving me trouble. Getting old STINKS!
- Pray for me as I will be traveling to Los Angeles this week to speak at the Dream Center. I love getting to spend time with Pastor Matthew and Pastor Tommy…God ALWAYS uses them to stretch me.
- Charisse keeps saying the word “jeep” tonight. I’ve been contemplating getting a motorcycle…but I am thinking about a jeep instead now. Can’t decide!
- HOWEVER, I did find an AWESOME recliner on Saturday…might have to get that soon! Every man needs a recliner! I am sure that is in the Bible somewhere…maybe I Opinons 2:31!!!
Sharpening Your Leadership September 19, 2008
Andy Stanley is one of the most incredible leaders I’ve ever seen. God has used him MANY times to challenge, frustrate AND encourage me. (We need people who will do all three!)
So…last week I am browsing around on Itunes and discovered that he now has a leadership podcast. The first issue/episode has to do with assumptions…it lasts around 20 minutes or so…and is WELL WORTH YOUR TIME!!!
If you want my advice…I would go to itunes NOW and download it. AND…this ISN’T just for church leaders, trust me…ANY leader in ANY situation will be challenged.
A Touch of Randomness On A Friday… September 19, 2008
Here’s just a few things that are happening with me…
- As far as church goes…remember, 4:15 service this week–give it a shot! I’ll be honest…it had tons of energy last week…and remember the kids get FREE ice cream!
- On a spiritual note…just finished reading I & II Timothy & Titus…DANG, I needed that!
- Had the 2nd session of our coaching network yesterday and…WOW…love these guys!!! Can’t wait until next months session!
- An AWESOME friend gave me a pumpkin cheesecake on Sunday & it has taken every ounce of will power in me to not absolutely stick my face into it and eat until I can’t eat anymore!
- I clipped my toenail (3rd one, left toe) too much the other night & so when I run it REALLY hurts!
- Took a lot of time on Tuesday to work through our series for women. We decided that every service will have a “man moment” in it…you’ll just have to be here to see what I am talking about.
- The title of the series is, “Beautiful, A Series For Women & the Men Who Pursue Them!”
- Tony blogged about it here!
- Charisse’s new favorite word is “moon!”
- Our creative team actually planned out our schedule through next May…we’re going to try something we’ve never tried before…and we’re PUMPED about the possibilities!
- I am going to speak at the Dream Center next week…REALLY excited about that, love being around Pastor Matthew and Pastor Tommy!
- Listened to Driscoll’s teaching on spiritual warfare recently (its on itunes!) Quite possibly THE BEST teaching on spiritual warfare I’ve ever heard–EVER! It’s well worth the time!
- DecembeRadio is absolutely one of my favorite bands of all times! You should immediately download “Satisfy Me” & “Dangerous” and crank up the volume on your computer!!! TRUST ME!!!
- By the way…DecembeRadio will be at NewSpring Church NEXT SUNDAY (the 28th)…and YES, Greenville will get the pleasure of having them there as well. “How,” you ask. It’s called use of technology! :-)
- I know I say it a lot–but I REALLY want this election to be OVER! NOW!!!