In Search of A Building for Christ Life

First, it was great having fellowship with Headland Assembly of God today. What a great ministry opportunity Sean and Shira have ahead of them. Really enjoyed meeting their new baby, Elisha....Our God is a God of miracles. Oh yeah, nice to see Sean's mom, Sherry, she lives two house around the corner from me and we had to drive to Headland to talk with her.


I know this has been a challenge. Today I put it the best I could in talking with a church planter. We are not experiencing the excitement of starting a new church. We are going through the agony of holding a church together. And that's the key we all have to stay together to make this work.

Karen Lewis was able to help secure David's Catfish House so she is back on the beat helping us with a building that I think is a real possibility. If that does not work I need to know if you would be willing to travel to New Brockton? Enterprise is to dang expensive! That's why most their buildings sit empty!

New Brockton is only 5 miles out of the way...it has larger buildings available...we can set up without tearing down til we found something in Enterprise or saved enough to build a building.

As far as services go right now. We will be organizing some home groups until we find a building. Its crucial that we attend. If we do not have a building by Teusday we will organize home groups for the next four weeks. So, will anyone volunteer their home?

Finally, I need to remind everyone to remember their tithe and offering. We still have financial obligations that don't involve buildings. Also, we need to be sure to have money when the right door opens.

Well, I love you guys...sorry to everyone on the church bus today. It wouldn't be a successful church outing if the church bus didn't break down!!

Sunday Service To Be Held @ Headland Assembly of God

Hey guys just a reminder that we will not be meeting at David's Catfish House this week. As know we will no longer be able to use the restraunt as they have to open on Sunday due to hard economic times.

We will be car pulling to Headland Assembly of God for Sunday services. Sean Morgan is the senior pastor...you may remember that he lead our worship team until he moved to Dothan. Everyone needs to be at my house by 9:30 as we will pull out on time. Church starts at 10:45...216 Cleveland Street if you don't make it. That is in Headland, AL.

Looking forward to being with some old friends that we have not seen in a while. A special thank you to Pastor Sean and the enire Headland AG church for your kind offer...

David & Deana Wedding Relocated Due to Rain

Just a note on behalf of David & Deana...they are having the wedding at The Enterprise Inn & Suites because the wedding on the bridge just won't fly with all the rain.

Make sure you are there on time....the Inn is not working very well with them in this situation. We will begin at 4:00 pm.

Final Service At David's Catfish House

Yesterday when I clicked the icon to post my blog...my cell phone rang. It was the owners of David's Catfish House. They explained to me that the economy has slowed them down so much taht they will have to be open on Sundays. They are willing to let us be there this week, but we will need to find another location after Sunday's service.

I have a couple leads and others are now looking. Enterprise is just so stinkin' proud of their stuff. Rent is crazy. I do believe God is going to see us through to the next building. I think we need a larger building as we have had some good attendance lately. I am shooting for something that can seat at least 250. Its time to get a location where we will not be constantly setting up and tearing down if possible.

We will probably move our grad service to this Sunday so all grads be sure you area in the service this week. I will be giving $100 to all grads...just kidding!

The Outpouring will be talking about The Promises...two promise that can turn a church upside down. I am excited about what God wants to say to His people. Stay posted...

The Outpouring - Pt. 1 Problem Identified

Well I wanted to wait a day or two so I could look back and post a blog with proper hind-sight instead of writing under the lack of adrenalin that Monday so often offers. I'm glad I did because yesterday was blah...kind of strange considering how awesome Sunday was. The Outpouring has begun at Christ-Life Church.

First, thank you to all the faithful people that have hung in there in the transition from The Potter's House to Christ Life...from Battens to Davids Catfish House. You deserve a crown! Beleive me when I say this you are going to look back and be glad that you stayed. You didn't let your feelings get hurt, you stayed even though tired, and you have not made it about you...God will honor that....and I love you for it!

Many of you have kept tithing right through the worst of financial calamity in our country. Remember that tithe is given to God, and He knows your obedience in doing so. You have put God first...now He is about to bless you with first-class ministry.

I am going out on a limb here but I want you to know the vision I have from God...I admit I have not enjoyed living in Enterprise. As an outsider it has been very difficult to make true friends in this very clickish/political town. The spiritual enviroment seems to operate under the same conditions which is typical of most places. Churches often take on the enviroment of the community. Another thing is that this place is so flipping boring. There is nothing to do...and this is where I believe its time to go out on a limb. Since this town is so boring...why not create a church that is the exciting thing to do in Enterprise (with Gods help of course). A church where people will want to attend, visit, become a member and get involved. Where its all about Jesus...He is lifted up ... and people are drawn. A church where men can gather for fellowship. Where women can build strong relaionships. Where the youth are being shaped into world changers. A place where discipleship is still part of the vision! A church that people are being added to daily. A place where the poorest are seated right next to the wealthiest...and they have a mutual love for each other. OH...there's more! How about touching the entire world with the joy of the Lord instead of being frustrated by all the junk that happens.

The book of Joel revealed a huge problem...a plague of locusts. The locusts destroyed everything the people of God had. It translated into 4 more problems:

1. No New Wine! To me that is symbolic of the absence of the Holy Spirit. Remember when David commited adultry and had someone murdered. In Psalm 51 he prayed God do not take your Holy Spirit from me. I say it like this... God do not take your spirit of holiness from me. When things are so bad you cann't even feel the Spirit of God you become tempted to comprise your personal holiness. For God to restore, His Holy Spirit must be the guiding force. Not what I want...not what you want...egos must go! The Holy Spirit operates to point people to Jesus. So, for there to be new wine in our midst we must simply be conduits by which the Holy Spirit can flow and direct people to Jesus!
2. No Offerings! The priest were morning because there was nothing to offer God. No money..no burnt offerings...nothing and it was demoralizing. When you are stripped of everything and you have nothing left to offer God it is depressing. Most godly people want to give more than they do. Authentic pastors wish their respective churches would prosper so they could do more for the kingdom. If you have nothing material to offer God...offer Him you! Do as Isaiah did and declare here am I Lord! Isaiah had some work to be done inside of him...but he still made himself available to God. Offer yourself to God!
3. No joy! Unhappy Christians...need I say more. Enjoy Jesus...its time that we wipe the frown of disappoint off our faces. Many of you may be weak...let the joy of the Lord be your strength. Remember in our weaknesses He is made strong. Let Jesus live through you! Don't let this world drain you of the things this world cann't restore. The world didn't give it to me and the world cann't take it away. Remember the old song...this joy that I have, the world didn't give it and the world cann't take it away. Don't confuse happiness with joyfulness...you can still have joy even if you're not happy with the conditions you find yourself in.
4. No celebration! Three songs a message and out the door. There's a problem when the most exciting part of a church service is the benediction. Celebrate Jesus! Forget all the other junk that is going on in your life and get focused on the One who saved your soul. Worship should be an audience of One. Its not what you get out of worship...its what you put into it. Celebrate, Shout, Dance, Sing, Clap, Cry...just do it. God is worthy...He inhabits the praises of His people. If we aren't celebrating Him we will not experience His presence.

To restore all the things that had been stripped away God required two things....rip your heart open in my presence and intercede for the people. I invited people who used to attend primarily to get them interceding for us because I saw how tired and weak we had become. When our strongest leaders were ready to throw in the towel I knew we had entered desperate times. Desperate times require desperate measures. It was was so amazing to see people who left our church (some years ago) come in with a smile on their face and worship with us. By the end of the day...some asked forgiveness for hurting the church by leaving the way they did...other recommitted their lives to Jesus....during the week some people emailed and let us know they could not come but that they were praying for us. Some have told me that they have wanted to come back, but that will have to be between them and God.

Through all the hurt of the past couple years (especially) I feel its time to allow God to restore what has been taken, pour out His Spirit and to move on. I want everyone to know I do not hate Hank Davis or Word of Life officials. What they did was unethical and immoral but it is not up to me to seek revenge. God will repay them...they already have their reward. I must forgive them so I can be totally focused on what God's will might be for our fellowship. None of us are called to wrestle with flesh and blood! I feel as if we (primarily me) had entered that arena so I now gracefully bow out. I now stand in the gap for you...asking God to restore more than you lost. To grow our church out of a restraunt...to be the light of the world. From this time forward no more mentioning of the wrongs brought to our church...lets move forward in the power of the Spirit.

READ THE BOOK OF JOEL FOR THE OUTPOURING

Just a quick blog to remind everyone to read through the book of Joel. The Outpouring series was birthed from Joel 2:28. It will be easier if everyone has a basic understanding of the book before they come on Sunday. Since this will be a series that lasts three weeks there is no way I can read every scripture.

I hope to have a nice crowd Sunday. I have invited a bunch of people that used to attend the church. Not necessarily to draw them back but to get them involved in the process of interceding for us. It has been a struggle the past couple years and I am looking forward to a restoration of all things. Come to The Outpouring expecting!

INVITATION TO THOSE WHO USED TO COME TO CHRIST LIFE

To those who have not been to the church in a long time. Maybe you left happy...maybe you left mad (that usually means at me). God has really been putting a huge message on my heart for our church.

It is no secret we have gone through some huge changes. Most of you who left was bought in at one time, and for some reason or another your attendance is irregular or not at all. Maybe you have fallen into sin, just lost interest, felt lead by God or just got mad. Many of you left just because we did not offer this or that. I am pushing the doors wide open...even to those of you that have not been to the church in years.

God has given me a message called The Outpouring. It is from the book of Joel...and believe me it is an eye-opener. If you once attended Christ Life/The Potter's House you know we have really gone through it over the past couple of years. It has been a real struggle. I am not sure what God is up to, but I know he has put it on my heart to invite some old friends back to the church for this serve.

We start at 10:30 on Sunday...coffee and donuts at 10:00...Brad Garrett will be leading worship for The Outpouring....God is doing something huge...please come...pray about it...ask God...I dare you!

Start Praying NOW! And Don't Stop!

Just a quick post to let you know that I feel God has a message for our church wrapped up in the series I passionately refer to as ' The Outpouring'.

Recently I took a three day prayer retreat to be sure I was hearing from God. Next Sunday cannot come soon enough to me. All I am asking you to do is pray that God will pour it out...and then be there when He does!

Stay up to date this week via my blog, twitter, emails...and the old fashion mail. Please take this seriously..do not blow it off. If you want God to move in our midst...
If you want to a fresh encounter with God... If you want to experience the power of the Holy Spirit... If you want to see people meet Jesus....

THEN START PRAYING NOW...AND DON'T STOP!!!

Frustration-The Devils Foothold!!!

Prior to my prayer retreat I had felt an overwelming feeling of frustration. Frustration from so many external forces that were out of my control that it was effecting every area of my life. Below I have listed some frustrations and the course of action I have taken to remedy the situation:

• Physically-I was frustrated that I had allowed myself to become so heavy because its gonna take alot work to lose this much weight. Frustrating because I am a high energy person. Sometimes my body aches so bad I can hardly move. I found that I cann't endure the work of the day like I used to. To counter that I have begun eating a little better and not as much. Also, I walk as close to 5 miles a day as I possibly can.
• Financially-Laurie and I had worked hard to get our debt problems remedied. We had been a servant to the lender for so long that we were in bondage. We took some drastic actions to get ourselves in a position that we did not owe everything that was coming in to someone else. This year we finally got to a point that we could start saving money. Embarassed to say we had no savings, no retirement (other than social security). Then, for the past several months the bottom fell out and the finances at the church seemed to dry up. For a month and a half I never received my salary (housing only). What little savings I had was immediately dried up, and my hobby of selling on ebay/auctions had to float the family. To counter these frustrations I kept tithing and started giving more in the form of offerings. As soon as I could I replaced the small amount of savings...more psycological to know its there. I talked openly with my wife and kids keeping them informed.
• Emotionally-I was beat down! Totally felt fried on life! I developed the mindset that all the church problems was my fault. Believed I had not been a good husband, father, provider. I could feel depression settling in. To be honest I was (and continue to be) angry with Word of Life. I find it hard to let it go because the changes the church has gone through has effected my family in every way. The church members are tired and worn out. I worry about some of them falling over dead...more than walking away from the church. The church condition has caused me to consider a career change...which to me would be a job and not a career. When you struggle financially, physically and spiritually it will have a negative impact on you emotionally. To counter this I have committed to be honest whether its popular or not. The thinking happy thoughts and trying to keep everything positive is superficial to me. Also, I have recommitted to spending time in open ended communication with God. He is the Sustainer of my emotions. I have been keeping my emotions in check by challenging the things that make me feel guilty or fearful.
• Spiritually-I was losing ground...didn't feel like praying...didn't feel like reading my Bible...very little fellowship with other believers. A church that has gone through so much. I became very frustrated with church people because they were not doing anything other than Sunday. I kinda lost sight that everything I went through they went through with me. As a matter of fact, (not being overly confident) many probably keep going in an attempt to please me. As you can tell, the church has been a real frustration to me and my family. I noticed my kids were becoming sarcastic and making very critical comments about the church. My kids expressed the disbelief in some of the leaders that recently burnt the church. So, I became concerned that all the effort I have put into pointing my kids towards Jesus and not allowing the church to drive them from Him. To remedy things with my kids they got excited when we all talked about me getting out of the ministry...that really concerned me. So I knew the only way to see change was to lead the charge. I got in my prayer closet...kept my wife and kids informed of all that I was feeling. Made sure we were spending quality time as a family. We even discussed the possibilities of moving to another part of the country. Prayer has been the key...allowing God to speak to me because I was losing hope.

Now that I have opened myself a little to prove my point. Frustration is the devils foothold. I beleive if the enemy sees you frustrated he applies pressure. Have you ever noticed that sin seems so appealing when you are frustrated? You get frustrated sexually you may be tempted to flirt with that person you secretly adore. Maybe you think about committing adultry to fill the void you sense. Its possible you feel no emotional attachment to your spouse so you try to connect to someone else.

When I am frustrated...the beer cooler is a magnet. I can go in out of the gas station and never think about it. All of a sudden a cold beer sure sounds good. I have never said a beer would send you to hell. My problem is...I knew if I drank one I would probably do something stupid. Like drink til I couldn't walk. I say this to let you know temptation abounds...and it is magnified when you are frustrated.

Therfore, identify the areas that are frustrating you and begin to counter them. Frustration is the devils foothold! God's plan is not to frustrate you! Remember he will not put more on us than we can carry...it just feels like it. In our weakness He is made strong. The joy of the Lord is our strength. Lean not on you own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him. He will never leave you nor will He forsake you.

The Reason Our Church Relocated In A Nutshell!!

I have been receiving alot of requests explaining what happened to our church so I have reposted the two year ordeal (really Hank has been a problem for 10 years...basically ever since I have known him 1990.)

The youth pastor who struggled as the interim sought counsel in his old pastor in regards to Battens P&W. His pastor was Hank Davis. Hank is the leader of Word of Life Ministries and the senior pastor of Church of the Harvest in Cleveland, TN. Word of Life came and approached the church about becoming their covering. The church accepted and the problems began. First, Hank Davis managed to get the property transferred to Word of Life for the amount of $10 via the unsuspecting youth pastor. Then, he borrowed $16,000 for repairs...most of which never were finished. He came to the elders and told them this would be a blessing to the church and then stuck them with the loan for repairs.

I failed to mention it was Word of Life that I was a part of while in college. Hank and his staff asked me to pastor the church in Alabama. I was not wild about working with Hank, but I fell in love with the people in this church. So I came to E'prise.

The loan was the first bone of contention. Many contentions have followed since. On every occasion we tried to be supportive but never felt as if we had received the truth. He had some serious sexual allegations and we went to him. We told him the church was in his ministries name and we felt it would be best if he signed it back to us. He said no worries I will not plea-out to anything. We found that he made a plead to a lesser charge by way of the internet.

The thing is we were growing and doing some good ministry. We wanted to move into town and build a nice new church. The upkeep was too much on the old church. We arranged a meeting with the Word of Life board, traveled to Tennessee to present our plans, and there was no board. Just Hank Davis. He said God had spoke to him about us wanting to build and he was all for it ( I knew he was lying). He said That he would sign the property back to the church he just needed to talk with his lawyer.

Two of the people he claimed on his board notified me that there must be a mistake as they are not on a board for Word of Life. One had said they had to ask him during the sexual lawsuits to quit bringing their name into it. Anyways, he has some loyalists that did support him and allowed him to do this to our church. They are:

• Marcus Lamb, Owner Daystar Television
• Scott Thomas, Pastor Church Without Walls Lakeland, TBN speaker (go figure)
• Kent Davis, Pastor City Church in Tampa (came and locked us out of the church last May)

I spoke with Hank a week later...he reemed me out for bringing him before the sheep and gave me verbal consent to sell the property. He never contacted us again. He would not return our calls. We sought legal advise and the banks advice...they both said quick making mortgage payment and force him into foreclosure. We did that and Hank had his lawyer evict us. He never did sign the property back to us. He paid the $35,000 balance and just sold it to the first offer at $165,000. We had no where to go. We met in the park for two weeks. We rented a hotel conference room and now we rent a restraunt weekly. That is two years in a nutshell.

New Series - THE OUTPOURING - Coming Soon

For over a month now I have been stuck in the book of Joel. I have no idea what God is about to do, but I know He has given me an awesome message for Christ Life Church. The new series is called The Outpouring. This will begin the third Sunday of May.

Everyone please make sure you clear your schedules for the last couple Sundays of May. God has put some very specific things on my heart. Y'all be sure to be reading through the book of Joel. Its three chapters of easy reading.

I am not assuming any results. Just trying to be obedient to God and leaving the results up to Him. Please be in prayer. Invite everyone you can...call people that used to come they really need to be there.

POUR IT OUT GOD!!!