Sunday Recap

• We had another great day this past Sunday. The crowd was strong and the offering was fantastic. I am so thankful to God for His faithfulness and presence with us. I am thrilled when I see our people respond to God in a way that results in generosity and obedience. People are stepping up and you can see the impact on our church.
• We had Snapples and Lindt chocolates for everyone. My daughter, Jenny, gave me a bag of Lindt Chocolates a while back. These chocolates are a rare treat for me. In our service we studied the lepers in 2 Kings 7, who in an act of desperation, went to surrender to the Aramaen armies. This army was laying siege to the city of Samaria and was starving the Israelites to death. When the lepers got to the camp, it was empty of people but rich with wealth and food. At first they thought only of themselves but eventually came to the conclusion that it was not right to keep these things for themselves when people were starving in the city. They shared the good news and good fortune with others. God's blessings are meant to be shared. So, back to the chocolate. Did God mean for me to consume all the chocolate by myself or should I share my good fortune and the generous gift with others? I chose to share and it was fun to see our people enjoy this treat. Much more fun than the stomach ache or extra pounds that would have been mine if I had kept it to myself.
  
• All our visitors were out-of-town family members of Axios people. It was great to see these folks again.
• I believe that God has positioned us for a great opportunity this Fall. My expectations are high. Clarity, compulsion and courage (or if you prefer, vision, action and faith) are coming together. I'm excited to see what God will do.
  

Community Events Coordinator

We want to reach Holly Springs. One way is to get involved with the things that Holly Springs is already trying to do. They have an events calendar on their website. They have three events scheduled for the rest of the year. I need someone who would want to be our liaison with the city of Holly Springs and make sure that we are involved in these events and helping them to be successful. If you are interested, please contact me immediately.

A Moment of Clarity

We have been doing a series called Heroes. The series is built on three words that produce heroes: Clarity (to easily see, hear or understand), Compulsion (the irresistible urge to act) and Courage (faith in action). It always begins with clarity and it is what I have been praying for the most. Throughout this series, I have been throwing out various ideas that we could attempt in order to reach our community. When traditional methods of drawing a crowd (door-to-door, direct mailing, signs, ads, etc.) are not yielding the result you would like, you start looking at other ways to meet people and get our church some visibility. Some of the ideas fell on stony ground but some landed on fertile soil. I felt like we needed to act immediately but I still could not see with clarity what we should do. I felt that doing something was better than doing nothing but I didn't want to do the wrong thing or wasteful thing or unproductive thing. When you cannot see clearly what must be done, it is difficult to act at all. Last week, I had a moment of clarity. We were at the Jump Zone in Canton with all the Axios Kids. One of the dads, Greg, a fairly new attender at Axios, asked me a simple question: "When will the crowd start picking back up from the Summer?" I don't remember exactly how I answered his question but I could not get his question out of my head. My mind went from "when?" to "Will the crowd pick up again?" We had good momentum entering the summer but there is no guarantee that we will pick up where we left off. Which led me to think about how we created momentum this past Spring. We had a plan! We launched on March 18 with a series called "The Simple Life." We started a new series called "Prime Rib, Aroma Therapy, and an Invisible God!" on Easter, April 8. We followed that with "Mama Didn't Raise No Wimp!" on Mother's Day, May 13. With each we did appropriate mailers and ads. And we grew. It hit me like a ton of bricks. I felt like I had a Homer Simpson moment - "Doh!" We need a plan! And almost immediately, a plan started to formulate in my head. My prayer for clarity was beginning to be answered. We didn't need to act immediately or just do a random act of kindness but strategically and purposely co-ordinate our advertising, community outreaches and invitations around significant days this fall. I know that I should have already known this but for some reason I was not seeing the big picture and only thinking of what should be done now. This clarity has generated excitement in me and is moving me to compulsion. I can't wait to get going. But now I must spell out the plan to Axios and pray that they will have the courage to commit the financial resources and personal energy it will take to do what God is leading us to do. When will the crowd come back? I can't guarantee it will. But I know that if we want to ride a wave of momentum, we at least need to start a ripple. So begin praying that on September 9, we can start with a big splash!

Sunday Recap

• It rained hard this morning. I've heard preachers say that "a drop of rain will keep ten baptists at home." I'm glad we're not baptists. Attendance was good and the offering pretty good. I am grateful for both.
• All the Axios kids stayed in the service today. We are closing the Kid's Worship until after school begins and reopening on Aug 12. This gives Jacob and the other workers a small break and an opportunity to refuel for the school year. This is a picture of Jacob and his lovely wife, Jessica. They have been with us from the start. Jacob has done a great job with the kids and I'm so glad that God has given him a heart for kids. Everyone should thank him for the great job he is doing.
  
• I gave away prizes to all the Axios Kids who followed along and filled in their sermon outline blanks. Almost all of them did it. I hope that they listened as well. I spoke on potential and I pray that all of them will realize that they can partner with God in His redemptive plan for this world and fulfill the purpose and plan that God has for their lives.
  
• I spoke on Natural Born Heroes using Moses as an example. Three times in scripture it speaks of him as "no ordinary child." We all are born with potential and will only fulfill it if we make the right decisions on the road of life.
  
• Had cold drinks again for everyone.
  
• We had visitors.
  
• Music was awesome.
  
• Ben took the family out to Stevi B's after church. That was a blessing and a very generous act on Ben's part. It makes a father proud.
  
• Bob and Monica ate with us too. That's always fun.
  
• Spent most of the late afternoon and early evening at the laundromat but that's a whole other story.
  
• Had Krystal 's for supper and ate them with Pattie in the gazebo in Holly Springs. Can it get any better? Eating the food I love with the woman I love in the place that I love.
  
• Pattie and I spent time imagining ways that we can reach out to this community.
  
• Sergio Garcia choked at the British Open.
  
• Braves lost but there's always tomorrow.
  
• I love Sundays.

Birthday Fun!

Friday the 13th was my birthday and it was a great day. Here's a picture of my grandson, Jacob, helping me with my presents. I was going to try to skip this birthday but everyone started calling to wish me Happy Birthday. It was no use if no one else was going to ignore it. So here was how my 47th birthday went down.

• My mom and dad called right off the bat. That was nice.
• Worked most of the morning.
• Steve Sisk took me to Steak n' Shake (my choice) for lunch. The coffee mocha shake was worth it.
  
• Our Jeep Cherokee was returned after a couple of months of being in the shop. It was nice to drive it again.
  
• I took the Jeep to get tires compliments of Jim and Donna as a B-day gift. Thanks again. What a blessing.
• The whole family came over for a cookout and cake. Jenny, Brian, Matthew, Jacob, Rachele, (Kris had to work), Camille, Ben, Davia, Joe, and Rayanne plus some adopted family, Kayla and Dana. Dana is the Dutch Blitz champion or at least he likes to think so.
• They actually put 47 candles on the cake and lit it. I did get them out with one blow and very little spit on the cake.
• Got a birthday e-mail from Penny. It was good to hear from her.
• Got some great gifts. Thanks everyone.
• The Braves won and the Mets lost.
• I have a great family.
  

Sunday Recap

Great day today! At least I thoroughly enjoyed it. Here are the highlights.

• Great attendance. Definitely the biggest in July. Good to see several folks back from vacation.
• Added a keyboard to the band today. It sounded great. Its always mare fun for the band when the place is full.
• They surprised me with a birthday cake. Thanks everyone.
• Snapple and Fruit2O for drinks. Cold drinks for everyone in July.
• We had several visitors. That's always good.
• Great offering.
• We covered the book of Amos today. Showed Amos as an everyday man who championed the cause of the oppressed and poor. Challenged people to rethink their wealth. God has a heart for the oppressed and we should be championing those causes. It was a hard message. Most prophets were killed for their message. Amos 3:10 characterizes many of us: "They do not know how to do right," declares the Lord, "who hoard plunder and loot in their fortresses." We were not made to hoard and keep but to bless and give.
• I can't thank the Lord enough for the great atmosphere He keeps creating at our place.
• Ate Lunch at Zaxby's with the family. That was a great treat.
• After preaching against building wealth on the backs of the poor, we watched Blood Diamond this afternoon. It illustrates the inhumanity that comes from exploiting people and valuing wealth over people. It was a harsh movie but good. Christians shouldn't be turning their backs on such atrocities.
• My hand is swollen from a wasp sting yesterday.
• God is at work in my life and in others. My expectations are high as the beginning of school nears. I believe that we can make a difference in our community. We are praying for clarity, compulsion and courage.
  

Just chillin'

Just sitting at the computer listening to the Chris Tomlin CD called See the Morning. What a relaxing, worshipful CD. "How Can I keep From Singing", "Made to Worship", "Everlasting God", and his "Amazing Grace" are all worth the CD. Its really a great ending to a good day. We get our Jeep back tomorrow. What a blessing from people who act on my behalf. People who want to be generous and do good deeds. They bless me. I cannot repay them and of course they are not asking to be repaid. I am glad that they serve a God who rewards such generosity.

Holy Discontent

I just finished Bill Hybel's new book called Holy Discontent. It is a must read after you read Shane Claiborne's book. Nothing will stir up a "holy discontent" in your life like The Irresistible Revolution. Claiborne's book opens your eyes to the injustices in the world. You will see the world through a different pair of glasses. It will cause a discontentment in your life and make you want more from your church, your faith, your lifestyle, your life. But his is a shotgun approach and delves into many areas of injustice. It will cause you to wonder where to begin. Hybel's book will pick it up from there and give you some direction on your specific discontent and how to feed it and focus it. I recommend it highly for those who took the dare and read Claiborne. I dare you to keep pursuing your "holy discontent."

Sunday Recap

• Summer is definitely on us. Attendance stayed fairly steady for June but July is hitting us hard. But I love the responsiveness of our people right now. It creates a great atmosphere in the service.
  
• Offering was fair considering the crowd.
  
• The band was exceptionally good today. They had a great set and was heavy on the Steve Fee. You can't go wrong with songs like "Burn for You" and "All Because of Jesus." I can't recommend his album Burn For You enough.
• Joe and Joe made a video called "The Task" Very funny and strange.
• Had IBC Black Cherries and Orange Cream Sodas as well as Fruit2O for the health conscience.
• The message, "Save the Cheerleader, Save the World" went well. It was about how we will never know how the impact of one vision or one act of obedience or courage or compassion could save the world. We will never know the value to the Kingdom of God of one soul reached or one obedient Christian. Our text was Acts 9 where one man's (Annanias) act of obedience saved the cheerleader (Paul) and led to the gospel being spread throughout the whole world.
• We had visitors today and also some familiar faces that we haven't seen in a while.
  
• I hope everyone is enjoying their Summer vacations.
  

Joe and Tyler at the Coffee House

Joe and his friend, Tyler, helped open a new coffee house in Riverstone called CafeMisto. They drew a pretty good crowd. It was fun and they did a great job. They played a variety of music from David Crowder to Jimmy Eat World.

Can't Get Enough of Camille

We went swimming with Camille the other day. I can't help it if she's the cutest baby around. I just have to keep reminding you.

Happy 4th of July

Yesterday Pattie and I went to see Pattie's mother in Trenton, GA. We had a great time visiting with her and also a sweet time just being Pattie and I together. Today we are heading to my daughter, Jenny's home, for 4-wheeling, swimming, and cooking out. Rachele and Kris and Camille will be there too. We will also get to hang with my other grandkids, Matthew, Jacob, and Michayla. We haven't seen them in a while. With this week's rain, it is now safe enough to allow a fireworks display this evening. We will be heading up to Riverstone for this. Joe sprang his ankle yesterday playing hockey. He was on crutches last night. I hope it will heal quickly. I hope everyone reading this is also getting to enjoy family today.

Sunday Recap

• Attendance was good but probably the lowest of the Summer. The atmosphere was tremendous.
• Our air conditioner is definitely not working. It was especially hot today. We set up oscillating fans on the sides and we brought in ice cold YooHoos and Vitamin Water to help us stay cool. Everyone seemed to really appreciate the drinks.
• Offering was great (see previous post for details).
• Began the new series on Heroes and it went well. Spoke on David and Goliath and three things heroes have in common: Clarity - easy to see, hear and understand; Compulsion - the irresistible urge to act; Courage - faith in action.
• The things I said today about reaching our community have really resonated with several people. From comments on our communication cards to e-mails to conversations following the service, our people are ready to act. We don't want to rely on signs and advertising and hope someone comes to church but want to be a church that goes and meets needs in our community and sees people face to face. We want to go to them instead of waiting for them to come to us. Pray for clarity to accompany our compulsion. It looks like the hamburger idea is gaining support. Better to do something rather than nothing.
• Showed a video of Joe sword fighting with some kind of white Darth Vadar character. It was funny.
• It was a great day!
  

God is Great!

I said yesterday that I had good news to share but I wanted to wait until after the service today to tell you. I'm glad that I waited because now the good news is even greater news. Those of you who are close to us know the struggles that we have had this past year especially in the finances. We went through 4 yrs of ministry without failing to meet our obligations. But one year ago beginning last July, we found ourselves falling behind and getting ourselves in quite a hole. Doubts began to creep in about our future and our ability to sustain our ministry. I knew that we could get out of this hole over time but I felt like our time was short and we were not being fair to our landlord by prolonging things. At the end of May, we stopped all church activities (home teams, Bible Blasters, etc.) except our Sunday Worship and opened the church for prayer on Wed. nights. Our offerings immediately increased. We were able to make a payment at the end of May and two weeks later made another payment. Two weeks later (last Sunday) we paid $2000 that we owed on some internal construction on a fire wall to meet city code. This past Friday, one of our young men came to my office and presented me with a check. He said that he would not be able to be at church on Sunday but knew that we could use the offering. It was more than enough to make another payment but I wanted to wait and see what happened in our offering today before I shared this story. So tomorrow, we are sending in two payments and are officially out of the hole. All we owe is for July. We are current! Praise God! In a six week period, the debt is gone. Now we can look forward instead of behind. It is nothing short of a miracle. Thank you for your prayers and your generous spirit. I love our church and love the God that we serve. I am humbled and blessed and elated by God's goodness and greatness.