Lordy Lordy Laurie is 40

Don't forget Laurie is a New Years Baby! Tomorrow is the big four-zero. I remember her as a little 15 year old girl walking the halls at our high school. Its hard to imagine...but when we got married I sent her flowers that said come grow old with me...guess what... we are getting old. She says things like ... nowadays people (blah, blah, blah).

THE PARTY STARTS AT 4 PM....EVERYONE WELCOME!

Sunday Reflections

Good message Justin...I really appreciate your heart. It was especially touching to see you tear up while talking about Anthony. It was good just to be a visitor in the church today.

Don't forget tomorrow we are meeting at my house at 11 am to pass out bread.

January 5, 2009 - Ministry Leaders Meeting
All ministry leaders need to mark their calendars for Monday 01/05/09 at 6:30...
Key Leaders:
Mike Shroades
Justin Swasey
Jason Morris
Amy Lines
Debbie Dubose
Tony Dubose
DeWayne Morris
Jim Mock

My Cell Phone Is Demon Possessed

Hey guys this is to let you know that for the past three weeks my phone has been acting demonic. I have no idea if it is the phone or Unicel. So, if you need me please email me, blog, or call Laurie's phone.

Pray for Justins Mother

Found out we would have to cancel our trip to Tallahassee. Justins mother broke her knee cap so please be praying for her.

Passing Out Bread on Monday

Hey guys Justin and I are going to have lunch with Perry Noble tomorrow so we are going to pass out the bread on Monday...if anyone needs fresh bread or bagels just give me a call and I will tell you how to pick some up. If you no someone that could use the bread and bagels please contact me as well.

Its 3AM Christmas Morning & I Can Not Sleep

For the last 2 hours God has just been pouring it out! Our church better hold on. God has just given me three months of messages. Not only that I feel He has given me very specific direction. If Don is reading this he is laughing because all my God stories involve 3 in the morning...at least that is the way it seems. Its after 3 Christmas morning and I am like stoked!

BY THE WAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS!

I have been up meditating on Purpose Driven Praise and I am like a preacher on crack. It is unreal how I feel right now. I need you to know what I feel God is speaking to me about the coming year. Its two very simple instructions:

1. Be excellent in my preaching of the word
2. Say what He tells me to say

If I am on track with the messages that God has given me for the next 3 months, then I know why I must do exactly that. These messages will encourage, challenge, edify and even horrify but I know God is all over it! Do you realize how graced we are? Think about it...every area of our lives is covered by the grace of God...what a good Daddy! Anyway I am going to try to go to sleep...love you guys.

Oh Yeah, MERRY CHRISTMAS!

A Chance to Help the Poor!

Someone just blessed me with hundreds of fresh loaves of bread and bagels. I want to deliver them to some areas that I know could use the help. If you would like to help me this Friday please call me or post a comment on this blog. I thought we could pass the bread out from 11 to 1 on Friday the 26th.

Guys, God is getting me refocused on ministering to the poor and hurting again. There is such a need to help people. I am believing God to help us feed the hungry again in our community. I am looking forward to what God is going to do. I hear the voice of the Spirit of God calling me back to the places we once ministered.

Feelin' Fine For 2009

What a crazy year this has been! The year began with all of us making a huge impact on the nation of India. That was so exciting to watch as God miracuously provided for that life long dream. During the course of this year I felt like it was time to turn complete control of Love In Action over to Ken Tuck. Ken has taken the reigns and the ministry is in better condition than I could have ever imagined.
This year has had its challenges, as well. It was a difficult choice to breakaway from Word of Life, but I knew to accomplish what God wanted us to do it was the only way. Even the leadership of Word of Life always talked about those that you are connected too. I still don't understand why the entire board acted with such a lack concern, but there are lessons still to be learned from all that I am sure. You all know how I feel about relationships...putting a 20 year relationship on the line during the WOL battle was really hard on me. Through it all I still love Pastor Hank and all those involved, and I encourage you to do the same.
Now, I am not one of those people that will try to get you all preached up with some sort of prophetic statement as to what the next year might hold. Considering the way things have unfolded this year, my attitude is just give things a chance and pay close attention. The economy might bounce back ...it might get worse. I will say this the nay-sayers are driving me crazy. I am not going out to buy a bunch of ammo...at least not yet!
I voted for President Bush...there are things I love about him and things I don't like about him. But, I don't like the fact that someone can attack our president and all we as Americans can do is laugh about it...the shoeicide bomber needed his head beat in on national television....bad job by his security. I feel the same way about Barack Obama. He is the president we elected and I don't want the world thinking they can just assault our leaders at will, because that may lead many to beleive that they can attack the rest of us as well. Someone throws a shoe at me while I'm traveling they gettin' a West Virginia butt woopin'. Right after I turn the other cheek back around from ducking and weaving. We have to give the pres-elect a chance, and please quit buying into all the online, off-the-wall rumors that get started. Your name does not make you a Muslim. I have heard Barack say he is a Christian...I will say he is a very liberal person who has made claims to be a Christian. I totally disagree with the liberals (especially the gay community) in the way they have attacked Pastor Rick Warren. It is obvious the Rick has a ton of influence in Barack's life...ladies and gentleman leadership is influence. Let's give this a chance. Obama may usher in plagues and infestastions, but God may also use the Christians surrounding him to reverse Roe v. Wade. I know its unlikely but one of the greatest pastors of all time is a great friend to the most powerful man in the free world. Let's hope for the best.
Wow, I guess I had alot to say about that...let's get back to the church for a minute. Last week I took some much needed time off. I have one more week of vacation that I will use during the last week of the year. For those of you who have made comments....I still love ya. But I am taking my vacation time and I suggest you do the same. I have busted my butt this year, and quite frankly I need a little break. Lisa Mock has also worked hard to keep alot of the business element of our church in smooth working order. She is operating the business end of the church from her home. SHE DESERVES A GET AWAY CRUISE IF ANYONE DOES. She has worked hard for our church and we all should be thankful for that. I know that I am. We love you Lisa...yeah wooo, you rock girl...
Anyway, I am feelin' fine for 2009 and when the new year turns you all better be ready to hit the ground running because we are moving forward with serious force. Leaders need to be ready to lead! Volunteers are going to be celebrated because with out them our church is stuck in neutral. God is going to be glorified. Changes have got to take place. Growth in every area is a must! New campus in Florida is rolling out! People are going to get saved, healed, delivered! We are going to give til it hurts! God is going to bless! I beleive those that talk about us are going to come and talk to us! Invite your friends. Make a list. Get your family in church. This is a new year coming and we are turning over a new leaf. You all are about to see me step it up a notch in my leadership. This ain't for wishee washee mambee pambee coom-buya singing religious folks. Get out the way cause Christ-life Church is moving forward. Get out da way cause if you don't you might get run over...we rolling like a locomotive. The train is leaving station.... All aboard! Let's Roll!!!!

Please Stop By For The Holidays

As always our home is open to anyone who would like to stop by for some holiday fellowship. Just call before you come to be sure we will be around. Christmas Eve we usually go to some friends house, but other than that we should be around. Just to let you know Monday we will have coffee, hot chocolate, and some snacks out for our leadership get together...but don't let that stop you from coming to the house...we will gather around 7pm. And people usually come over in the afternoon on Christmas day......like I said just call to make sure we are around. God Bless and Merry Christmas.

Twenty Years But It Finally Happened

Years ago Laurie told me something she never did as a child that I thought was unbelievable. She had never watched The Wizard of Oz! That's what I thought. She keeps picking on me because I know the songs. She didn't even know who the munchkins were.
She never saw the movie because her dad was a pastor. If you remember The Wizard of Oz always came on the Sunday evening movie. She was always in church...and on top of that they probably taught her that the Wizard of Oz was a sign that Jesus was going to return. Anyhow, tonight Laurie and I sat down and watched the Wizard of Oz...finally after 20 years.

Leadership Christmas Party DEC. 22nd

Just wanted all those who have been attending leadership meetings to bring their family to our home for some fellowship and snacks. I will fire up the cappucino machine, make some hot chocolate, and have an array of sugar filled snacks...maybe some veggies. Please bring your family as we will have some little gifts for the kids (elders families will exchange gifts at our usual get together).

I would appreciate if you could confirm if you are coming and who will be coming with you so we are sure to have enough gifts for everyone. Please confirm you attendance by posting info on this blog...

Date: December 22nd
Day: Monday
Time: 7:00 to 9:00

When The Cat's Away The Mice Will Play

In the vastness of my antiquated experiences I have learned that the proclamation of my absence usually derails the attendance of otherwise participatory worshipers. Thus upon admirable pontification I have concluded that I must report all those who.....shall I say...superfluously subjected themselves to the lack of worship.... to Santa Claus. Therefore, those of you who are superior in intellect due to the vastness of the wisdom that flows from me to you by way of osmosis....I must declare you were naughty! Naughty because you unintelliglibly developed the veltagshaung, that is to say, world view, that if the pastor is not there I need not be either. As a result, you have been declared as being naught! A pastoral proverb declares that when the cat is away the mice will play. Oh, you naughty mouse!

Christ-Life Church is Official!

We have successfully changed the name of the church to Christ-Life Church. Sunday was an awesome day for our fellowship. The move of the Spirit was so sweet and many people were ministered to in several areas. The overriding theme in my heart for our church is that we would be a church that cares about people while committing our lives in service to Christ. We will be the Enterprise campus. We are also developing a campus in the New Smyrna Beach area. Who knows in the coming years we may be developing other campuses.

As far as giving financially to the church. We will continue to write checks to The Potter's House til 2009. At that point we will receive a new EIN.

Just so you know...our desire was to grow numerically and financially. We have been averaging 20 to 25 people more per service over the last couple months...God is on the move. Also, since we committed to give 10% of all we receive in tithe and offering has been on a steady increase...PTL!

Please invite your friends and family. Don't give up keep inviting them!

Sorry I have not bloggeed in a few days...my computer was down. Love you guys!!

Good Trip to Jacksonville!

Special thanks to John Darnell for meeting with a portion of our leadership team in an attempt to help us gain a better understanding of multi-site ministry. John and his wife Stacey are long time friends that I have gone years without seeing, and then in the midst of desiring to launch a campus in New Smyrna Beach, Florida they surfaced by God's divine appointment.

It was a joy to see what God has placed into their care. I know they will be instrumental in our attempt to fulfill what God is calling us to do. Today was about four hours of non-stop discussion. But, on the way home we really focused on helping our church to identify its DNA. We also worked on an area of our ministry that we feel will help us gain an advantage to continue with numeric growth.

Thanks to Justin, DeWayne, Todd, and Shane for taking this quick trip with me. The road we started down today will benefit both the Enterprise and New Smyrna Beach campuses. I look forward where todays discussions will lead us. It was a great day!!!

Giving Part 2 ... God's Heart

It goes without saying that God's heart goes out to us. Especially, when He sees us in a sinful, lost, and seperated from Him condition. God gave His absolute best when He gave His only Son on the cross.
Now, since I said that...I'm talking about giving from the perspective of our wealth, substance and resources. So where is God's Heart in all this giving. Later I will blog about your part being the tithe....but today I have learned there is a group of people we can give our money, time and resources to that pronounces God's blessing.
I want to take you back about five to six years ago. Our church was experiencing rapid growth numerically, financially and spiritually. That was the time we were committed to reaching out primarily to the lower income areas of our community. I was embraced by the community and often ridculed by church people. People would come to our church fall in love with the vision until they saw the amount of work involved. Til they really went to a church (like ours) that wasn't talking about reaching homeless, drug addicts, trouble youth, prostitute, other races and the working poor BUT WE WERE DOING IT. We had drunk people on the back pew passing out. Prostitutes coming forward at the conclusion of messages about sexual purity. I will never forget a lady that God "told her" to come to our church. Her and her family came to the church were a blessing, but after a short while God lead her and her family away because we ministered to the poor. I will never forget the day she told me that she was sick of hearing about the poor...that she was poor (she just built a high dollar house in a high dollar community). Where I failed was as I saw people come and go with her attitude I began to back off that vision. WHEN WE STOPPED MINISTERING TO THE POOR OUR RAPID GROWTH SLOWED TREMENDOUSLY.
Let me share a scripture that reveals the heart of God...remember this is just one of many
Psalm 41:1-4 "Blessed are those that consider the poor. For the Lord rescues them in times of trouble. The Lord protects them and keeps them alive. He gives them prosperity and rescues them from their enemies. The Lord nurses them when they are sick and eases their pain and discomfort." I encourage you to read several translations of this verse...all of them bring out many great angles for reflection. The Old Testament is full of judgement upon those who mistreated the poor. Scriptures tells us when we give to the poor that we are lending to God...imagine His interest rate. We are told when we help the homeless, visit the sick, go into prisons with the gospel, feed the hungry, provide refreshing drinks, clothe the necked (southern for naked), and help the least that we are actually doing it to Christ. WOW! Hallelujah...ministering to our Savior!
I have not mentioned this in some time. I was up early this morning praying and I really felt as if the Lord wanted me to blog about this because....are you ready...we need to get back to that type of ministry. Is anyone out there interested?

Giving Part I ... Your Heart!

In a down economy its easy to get depression mentality. To hold on to "things" and not let go. Remember that this world's economy is not God's economy. He owns it all...it all belongs to Him. One of the concerns of ministries all over the world is the lack of charitable giving due to our nations economic crisis. I have some thoughts I want to share in regards to spending, saving, and giving.

1. Avoid being spontaneous. Check for sale prices on items you need to purchase. Be sure to check the newspaper for sales through out the holiday season. Comparitive shop on items that can be purchased online. Ebay is a good place to get items at a cheaper price (just be sure to calculate shipping costs in your budget). To save even more money be sure to check for local sellers online...try to work a deal where you can pick up the item without paying any shipping and handling fees.

2. Get out of debt. One of the wisest things I beleive we can do is get out of debt. Many people are sinking under the flood of inflation, rising costs, rising interest rates and the like. I have noted a few ways to get out debt. Start with your smallest debt and work your way up to the largest. Contact your creditors if your interest rates are rising. In the event you are not making ends meet you may need to contact a credit couseling agency (start with Dave Ramsey). I am often asked about bankruptcy...that should only be used as an absolute last resort. Before considering bankrupcy exhaust all other options. Proverbs tells us the borrower is servant to the lender...Craig Groeshel calls debt bondage!

3. Budget your spending. Laurie and I found ourselves on a very tight budget when gas went over $4 per gallon. I set aside $100 per week and said when thats gone we don't go anywhere. We also set aside $150 per week for groceries. During the summer that wasn't buying many groceries, but we ate what we had and rarely ate at restraunts.

4. Clip coupons. Take the time to check your papaer and print coupon off the internet. Laurie is very good about clipping coupons. She gets all excited to see how much she saved at the bottom of her receipt. Often she will save up to $20 off our grocery bill.

5. Have an emergency savings. Try to build an emergency account of $1000. This could be for unexpected car repairs, house repairs, or you never know when tragedy may strike your family which may force you to travel, or a hurricane may force you away from your home.

6. Start saving. Once you get out of debt open a savings account. Start putting money away for large purchases, college or retirment.

7. Give to Gods Work. This is what I want to talk about in this blog as I beleive giving reveals the condition of your heart.

Charles Stanley said that there are two ways that you can determine a persons love for the Lord. First, check their date book to see how much time they spend with Him. Second, look at their check book to see how much they give to Him. Later this week I will blog about tithing, offerings, blessing others, and caring for the poor.

Today I want to talk about your heart. Scripture tells us where our treasure is that's where our heart will be. The text for today is 2 Corinthians 9:7...
"You must each make up your own mind as to how much you should give. Don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves the person who gives cheerfully" (New Living Translation)

I always pray about what I should give before I arrive at any church service. Giving is part of our worship to God so its not something I only think about when the offering is being received. So let me encourage you to pray about any offerings you give to any ministry. Allow the spirit of God to speak to you and guide you in your giving. Anytime you feel compassion going out it is a good sign that God may be leading you.

I also detest gimmic giving. Give because God has laid it on your heart. Never give if you feel pressured. Take time to walk away, get counsel or pray over the request for money. When we are struggling financially its easy to get tricked into giving to greedy "preachers". Let me tell you this if everyone watching a particular television show sends $52.12 it allows them to keep living their lavish lifestyles absorbed with greed and materialism. Because millions of people send money. Don't get me wrong alot of ministries are credible and committed to Christ...I also recognize they don't seem to be so pressure oriented.

But your heart is at the matter of it all. Once you have decided to give...don't stress! God loves a cheerful giver. I have heard some say that this can be translated 'hilarious giver'. To me that means we should give with a smile on our face. I remember a time when I would take the offering that a lady named Helen would applaud and that would spark others to shout amen and so on. It was awesome...people were excited to give. We need to be cheeful givers and that can only spring from a heart that is full of gratitude. Generous givers full of cheer can help a church grow and reach its full potential.