Archive for January, 2009
Some EXCELLENT Reads… January 20, 2009
If you have not read the following…you should SERIOUSLY do so right now…
- If you are a pastor…or care about one…Craig’s post (and series) on life in a fishbowl is incredible!
- This post by Seth Godin on being boring is OUTSTANDING! SERIOUSLY!
- Mark Batterson is one of my favorite bloggers/writers…and this post on not giving up is excellent.
- This post by Tony on “Five Reasons Consensus Sucks” is one of the best things he’s ever written on his blog…in my opinion!
- And if you want to forget about all your problems for a second or two…then you need to look at this link (saw it on Ken’s site) ONLY READ THIS if you need a good laugh!
Just wanted to share some cool stuff…
Eight Questions I Believe Pastors Should Wrestle With–Part One January 20, 2009
The further along I get into this pastor gig…the less answers I have & the more questions that I ask. Recently I made a list of eight questions I feel like I always need to keep in front of me…its helping me and I pray it may do the same for others.
#1 – “What if this Sunday was the last sermon I ever got to preach?”
Dear pastor, STOP…and read that again. Think about it…wrestle with it, seriously, allow that question to consume you for the rest of the day.
If THIS SUNDAY were the last time the Lord allowed you to preach…what would you say? How would you say it? What fear would you let go of? (Hmm…maybe someone needs to scrap the sermon they had originally planned for this Sunday & just go for it!)
Two weeks ago I made the decision that I am going to preach every sermon like it is my last…because…reality is I don’t know when my last sermon is going to be…and I don’t want to EVER leave the platform full of regret.
My prayer every Sunday is that God will absolutely set me on fire…and that I will speak clearly and full of conviction. Galatians 1:10 is very real to me…and I want to honor Jesus by saying everything I feel like He’s put in me to say.
Pastor…if Jesus puts it in you…you’ve got to speak it…otherwise you are “burying your talent,” and all of us know how that story ends!
One more thing…the goal of a message like this should be to lead the sheep…not beat them. Just something to keep in mind.
#2 – Am I waiting on God to do something for me that He has clearly asked me to do?
Let me be very clear…the term “waiting on God” really ticks me off because…well…it basically says, “I am so fast that I outran God…and now I am waiting on the Almighty to catch me!”
Uh…that has NEVER happened!
We don’t wait on God…He waits on us! (By the way…He’s outside of time…He doesn’t have to wait!)
So many pastors use the term “waiting on God” in order to remain passive in their leadership decisions. It may work with others…but not so much with Him!
I was reading the book of Joshua the other morning when God told Joshua, “Hey man, the land is yours…but I am not going to ‘do it all’ for you…you’ve got to TAKE IT!” Joshua was NOT waiting on God…but rather had to get to a place where He could embrace all that God has planned for him before he was even born.
Pastors…leadership requires that we take action, not be passive and hope that by some miracle that God will handle the situation that He has given us clear direction on.
God told Joshua to go in and take the land…and went ahead of him as he moved in obedience to God’s direction…and He expects the same from us as well.
When we “wait” on things to happen…we play defense…and God has called us to play offense.
Is The Economy Freaking You Out? January 19, 2009
I am unapologetic about the fact that I teach on money at NewSpring Church.
BECAUSE…one of the most “out of control” areas in our lives as Americans today is the way we handle our finances.
AND…because of carelessness, greed and ignoring the obvious warning signs…the economy has gone through some SERIOUS turmoil.
Here at NewSpring I tell people that when it comes to personal finances we really have two desires for everyone…
#1 – To Put God First In Your Finances.
Jesus doesn’t just want some of us…He wants all of us. And one of the most direct things He ever said in regards to money is found in Matthew 6:21 where He covers the fact that if He doesn’t have our treasure then He doesn’t fully have our heart.
He doesn’t want leftovers…He wants our love…and love is when we are NOT just about being a taker…but rather a giver.
We challenge people to tithe…and I have even said that tithing is not about NewSpring being after your money…and that if you actually believe that then just send your tithe to another church for the next three months. SERIOUSLY!
I don’t want ANYTHING from people…I want something FOR them (quote from Andy Stanley!!!) I want FOR you to discover the incredible freedom and blessings from putting God FIRST in your finances.
Our second goal…
#2 – For You To Get Out Of Debt.
Around 75% of Americans live from paycheck to paycheck. MANY of us have credit card balances that are TRAPPING us in serious debt.
Proverbs 22:7 speaks VOLUMES about the borrower being a slave to the lender…and as followers of Christ we are NOT supposed to be enslaved by ANYONE.
When we don’t have debt there is an INCREDIBLE amount of freedom in our lives.
AND…saying that, we want to help you get out of debt…to win with money so that you can do what God has called you to do rather than being enslaved in payments!
SO…this coming Wednesday at the Greenville campus and Thursday at the Anderson campus Joe Sangl will be teaching his Financial Learning Experience…AND WE WANT YOU TO BE THERE. (YOU CAN GO HERE TO SIGN UP!)
It’s free!!! Why? Because we want YOU to stop stressing over money. To stop fighting over it. To STOP letting it dominate your marriage.
We offer this every year…multiple times…and THIS NEEDS TO BE THE YEAR THAT YOU EMBRACE THIS!!!
SERIOUSLY…you don’t have to freak out when it comes to finances! SO…do whatever you need to do to get to NewSpring THIS WEEK…and learn how simple it is to be set free from the burden of debt!!!
Sunday Night Reflections January 18, 2009
A few thoughts on the day…
- We had a total of NINE SERVICES…four in Anderson, three in Greenville and two in Florence with over 10k people at church again this weekend. AMAZING!
- GREAT ATTENDANCE at our two new services…the 4:15 in Anderson & 6:00 in Greenville…THANK YOU NEWSPRING for stepping up.
- Saw around 75 decisions for Christ today…that NEVER gets old.
- Alden Ellis received the offer to become the campus pastor of NewSpring in Columbia this week! I LOVE THIS GUY…had the privilege of baptizing him…can’t wait to see what happens as God uses him. AND…he’s a Gamecock fan!!!
- Today’s sermon was a completely “feel good” message…we dealt with the wrath of God, being hated for loving Jesus and greedy Christians…you know, that kind of stuff!
- Got a text today about a guy who brought someone to NewSpring for the first time…and he accepted Christ. I LOVE IT!
- I will have to honestly say that I believe that today’s message was one of THE most uncomfortable talks I’ve ever delivered in our church…BUT…
- As followers of Jesus we MUST allow Him to place us in uncomfortable situations. After all…HE allowed Himself to be uncomfortable in order for us to have peace!
- The fact that there is a hell and people really go there who do not know Christ BOTHERS ME; in fact, it should bother us all to the point to where we DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!
- Saying that…next Sunday we need to do all that we can to get people to church…trust me! It’s going to be one of those messages where we want our lost friends to be here!
- I will be sharing more details about Kenya at this site as things develop. Right now I am excited out of my mind at the possibilities that are shaping up.
- We’ve got two more weeks in this series…and I honestly believe they might be the most unforgettable weeks ever!
- Our next series is a four week, hard hitting series on marriage entitled iwantanewmarriage.com Can’t wait!!!
- Our all staff meeting this past Thursday MIGHT have been the best one we’ve ever had…seriously!
- Unleash is getting closer and closer…are you signed up yet? It’s one day…it’s cheap…and you need to be there!
- Marathon training is going well…ran 10 miles on Friday, was 15 degrees outside…and when I got back the collar on my shirt was frozen…yes, I am a freak!
- The Arizona Cardinals going to the Super Bowl MIGHT be the last prophecy in Scripture that needs to take place before Jesus comes back! SERIOUSLY…DID THAT JUST HAPPEN?
- There is MORE potential for us in today’s world to spread the Gospel that ever before…we need to be ALL OVER IT!
- NewSpring…the best is yet to come!
He Delights In You! January 16, 2009
The other night I came home from a long day and plopped down on the couch next to ‘Cretia. Charisse came over and crawled up in my lap and wanted to play…and I could not resist.
After a few minutes of singing, clapping and dancing I said to her out loud, “Girl, you have NO IDEA how much joy you bring to my life. I am so proud you are my daughter.”
I didn’t say that because she was behaving properly. I didn’t say that because she was walking in perfect obedience. I didn’t say that because she was speaking positively to me and about me…
I said that because she’s my child…she belongs to me, and no matter what happens she will always be mine. I love her so much…she literally has NO IDEA how much I think about her and how much I want great things for her!
Later on that night God spoke to me and said, “You think your love for Charisse is amazing…you have NO IDEA how much I love you!”
AND…honestly, that amazes me.
He doesn’t love me because I am following all ‘the rules.” he doesn’t love me because I am spending a certain amount of time reading my Bible and praying. He doesn’t love me because I speak positively too Him and about Him.
He loves me because I am His…period. And if I, as an imperfect father, can’t quit thinking about Charisse and wanting the best for her…how much more does God think about and want the best for me?
AND the same is true for you!
If you are His child then He delights in you…not because of what you do and do not do…but because you are His! He thinks of you WAY more than you think of Him…and His desire for your life is greater than anything you could ever imagine.
I have often struggled with the idea that a perfect and holy God could love someone as imperfect and screwed up as I am…but it’s true. It’s true for me and it’s true for you!
His love is amazing…and we have NO IDEA how much He loves us. Once again…not because of who we are…but because of WHO HE IS and WHAT HE HAS DONE!
Thank You Jesus for loving me! I’m amazed!
NewSpring…PLEASE…I Need You To Pray January 15, 2009
From time to time I read something on the internet that STOPS me in my tracks and completely overwhelms me.
It happened this morning.
One of the churches that we have had the privilege of pouring into over the past several years is Revolution Church. (Their pastor is Gary Lamb…I’ve linked him several times.)
So…I went to his blog this morning and read this post about a couple in his church whose 14 month old little girl went to be with Jesus this week and it has absolutely messed me up!
I am asking you as a church to please pray for Kevin and Karen, that they will feel closer to Jesus than ever and that He will hold them SO close.
And please pray for Gary and his staff as they minister in this incredibly difficult time.
We are all a part of the “Big-C” church…and right now is an excellent time to go to our knees on behalf of people we may never meet this side of eternity…but who need our prayers desperately.
Thank you!
Dealing With My Seven Fears – Part Three January 15, 2009
Final post in the series…
#5 – Staff Betrayal
Pastors, please hear me on this…sooner or later IT is going to happen. Someone you love/care about…who has worked along side of you and has shared in ministry with you is going to leave…it will be nasty…and you will be hurt.
I won’t go into the details of how this has happened to me personally on this site…but I will say that when this happens you’ve got to…
- Forgive – which is HARD!
- Move on – if you allow betrayal to control you then Jesus’ voice will grow more and more faint!
- Do not become bitter – YES, this will happen…but if you are going to be an effective leader you must STILL continue to trust people…even after someone close to you hurts you deeply.
It’s easy, when betrayed, to begin to look at everyone around you through the lens of doubt and fear. But PLEASE do not punish everyone around you because someone hurt you! It’s not fair to them and it’s not fair to the Kingdom!
“But it hurts!” Of course it does…and Jesus understands that better than any of us do!!!
#6 – Disappointing People
I hate telling people “no!”
I want people to be happy…and even more than that, to be fired up about the vision.
So…when I am in a meeting and am casting vision…and I see that there is that one person who isn’t seeming to be excited about it…often times I am tempted to begin to talk in a way that will pull him or her in and make them be excited because I don’t want them to be disappointed!
WRONG RESPONSE!!!
One of the facts I MUST learn to deal with is that as a leader I will often disappoint the other leaders around me. AND…what I have found is that 99.9% of the time the other leaders are perfectly fine with that…as long as I give them a chance to express themselves to me honestly and openly.
#7 – The Thought Of Having To “One Up” Ourselves After We Have An Amazing Service.
It used to seriously BOTHER me when we had an awesome worship service…because…I wouldn’t even get off the stage before THIS thought hit me, “What in the world are we going to do next…there is no way it could ever be better than this!”
Until it hit me…it should never be our job to try to be better than the time before…it should be our job to teach the Scriptures in an excellent creative manner, all the while begging God for His Spirit to dominate the entire program from the planning to the execution of it!!!
God is not into us “one upping” ourselves…He’s into changing lives through His church…and our call is to LISTEN to HIM and REMAIN COMPLETELY OBEDIENT!
Besides, when it comes to creativity…HE IS THE MASTER! We’ve NEVER gone wrong listening to Him! EVER! Don’t try to be better…try to be more obedient (which, I honestly believe will result in amazing and life changing worship services!)