Saturday, February 23, 2008
Back to the Mountains!
I am so jacked up about tomorrow!!! I will be preaching at Dahlonega Assembly of God again. Last time I was there we had a blast. The folks at DAG were amazing! I will be preaching at the 10:30am service and the 6:00pm service. I am speak on the "I don't get it moments" in life. So if you want to hear the best sermon ever...you got to head for the north Georgia mountains at go to Dahlonega Assembly of God. Seriously, please pray for the service tomorrow. I'm pray that God will do some BIG things tomorrow.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Embassy Metro Church
A couple of weeks ago I attended Embassy Metro Church in Woodstock Georgia. So this post is way over do. Sorry Ross...:( The Lead Pastor Ross Wiseman is a great friend. This was my first time attending Embassy Metro Church so I didn't know what to expect. All I got to say is WOW! I was so impressed with what Pastor Ross and the team at Embassy are doing in Woodstock and Cherokee county. They currently meet at a Cherokee 16 Cinemas off Towne Lake Parkway. It was my first theater church experience and I was blown away. First of all the commitment of their volunteers is freakin' amazing! You definitely need committed volunteers when your a mobile church. I'm sure it's tough enough being mobile but when you have to be out by a certain time you need efficient, committed, and hard working volunteers. As a church planter in waiting it was exciting to see all of the different facets of doing church in a box. Robbie Nichols, the youth pastor, at Embassy showed me the different areas. It was so amazing to see that it is possible to do church in a movie theater. The part I really enjoyed was the service. Pastor Ross did a great job presenting the gospel in a simplistic and relevant way. I got to give him huge props...he was sick as a dog never the less he preached his heart out.
I am so excited for Ross and the team at Embassy Metro Church. If you are looking for a church to call home you got to visit Embassy Metro Church. I promise within seconds you will feel right at home. If you're a church planter I totally recommend that you stop by Embassy Metro Church I promise you won't be disappointed. Thanks Ross, Robbie, and the whole team at Embassy for loving people and serving Jesus with everything you have.
I am so excited for Ross and the team at Embassy Metro Church. If you are looking for a church to call home you got to visit Embassy Metro Church. I promise within seconds you will feel right at home. If you're a church planter I totally recommend that you stop by Embassy Metro Church I promise you won't be disappointed. Thanks Ross, Robbie, and the whole team at Embassy for loving people and serving Jesus with everything you have.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Knight Rider rides again!!!
Just finish watching the new Knight Rider. All I can say right now is...interesting. I remember watching the original as a kid with my dad and I loving it. The coolest thing about the new knight rider is of course the car. K.I.T. is a Ford Mustang Shelby Cobra GT500KR...SWEET! There's nothing like the classic K.I.T. but the new K.I.T. kicks butt. I guess I'll give the new Knight Rider one more chance. The real kicker in the pants was "The Hoff" showed up at the end. Like I said interesting.
I can't what til tomorrow!
I'm so freakin' pumped about tomorrow! I have been looking forward to the Churchplanters.com conference for a long time. I don't know if I'm going to be able to sleep tonight. It's going to be awesome being around a bunch of people who love Jesus and are turning the world upside. See ya'll tomorrow!
Friday, February 15, 2008
Just wondering...
I was just wandering if I'm the only person in the freakin' world that when I start reading my bible something or someone seems to always distract me from reading. No joke every time I open my bible something happens. Let me be honest it is a struggle for me to sit down and read my bible. I wish I was like some of ya'll that could read book after book but I got to work hard just to read my bible. I literally have to separate myself from everyone and almost everything....total separation...just to be able to focus and read. I know this doesn't said very spiritual or pastoral but it's the truth.
On top of fighting off distractions I have to deal with dyslexia. No it's not an eating disorder...if you knew me you would know that's not my problem:). Dyslexia is a learning disorder. There are many forms of dyslexia my issue is that when I read the words get all scrabbled up. It effects that way I read and write. I really get tripped up with numbers. It's so stinkin' weird. So it take me a little longer to read through a book.
So that's why I have to separate myself and focus really hard when I am reading my bible or for that matter any book. If you have any reading habits that you use and think would help me please share. I NEED PLEH...i mean your "HELP"!!!:)
On top of fighting off distractions I have to deal with dyslexia. No it's not an eating disorder...if you knew me you would know that's not my problem:). Dyslexia is a learning disorder. There are many forms of dyslexia my issue is that when I read the words get all scrabbled up. It effects that way I read and write. I really get tripped up with numbers. It's so stinkin' weird. So it take me a little longer to read through a book.
So that's why I have to separate myself and focus really hard when I am reading my bible or for that matter any book. If you have any reading habits that you use and think would help me please share. I NEED PLEH...i mean your "HELP"!!!:)
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Churchplanters.com
I can't wait for the Churchplanters.com conference next week. This will be my very first church planting conference that I have ever attended. The conference is at Mountain Lake Church in Cumming Georgia. Which is awesome because one...I live in Cumming so I don't have to travel anywhere two...because Shawn Lovejoy and the Mountain Lake team are kicking butt in Cumming Georgia.
It's been inspiring to see what Mountain Lakers have done in Cumming. Exactly if aren't from Cumming, allow me to let you in on a little secret. Mountain Lake Church is "that church" that pushes the envelope in our community. But here's the thing awhile back when I had lunch with Shawn Lovejoy it was very clear that his heart and the heart of Mountain Lake was to present the gospel in a way that would catch the attention of unchurch people. They are totally succeeding! They are doing whatever it takes to reach the unchurched and the churched.
Shawn thanks for not really caring about what others are saying about you and your church! Thank you for caring more about what God thinks of you! Dude your my hero!!!
Okay back to the conference. The line up for the conference is crazy...Bil Cornelius, Mark Batterson, Darrin Partrick, Steven Furtick, Gary Lamb, Devin Hudson, Mel McGowen, Eric Bramlett, Chris & Autumn Ward, Gabe Lyons, and last best not lease David Putman and the one and only Shawn Lovejoy. If this line up doesn't turn your crank than your crank is broken!
Seriously if you can make it to the conference DO IT! The conference is affordable, the speakers are amazing and you can eat at the greatest resturant in the freaking world or at less in Cumming Georgia...Chili's!!! If you need directions to our hometown Chili's just let me know. I'll set you up...hope to see ya'll there!
FYI...
Last Friday I let you know about Pastor Joel Stockstill's wife Amy. She had been sick for quite a while but on Monday night Amy went home to be Jesus. Click here to read what Joel wrote regarding his wife's graduation! Please continue to pray for Joel and Amy's families including their their church family as they deal with the lost of this amazing woman of God.
Pastor Joel please know that my family and I are praying for both of your families. I pray that God continues to give you peace and strength through this time. God bless you.
Pastor Joel please know that my family and I are praying for both of your families. I pray that God continues to give you peace and strength through this time. God bless you.
Very Thankful
I just wanted to share some reasons why I am very thankful to Jesus!
- It's Valentine's day everybody i've come into contact seems to be in a GREAT mood! I get frustrated with moody people that's why I'm thankful for Valentine's.
- It's beautiful today in Georgia! Not to cold or not to hot just right:)
- I had a amazing date night with my wife last night. I have to work today so we had our Valentine's date last night.
- My wife gave me my Valentine's gift this morning...I know what you are thinking, first we're married so we can totally do that, but it wasn't that...second gave me some pretty cool gifts. My wife ROCKS!!!
- Had a doctor's appointment for my little boy this afternoon. The doc told us it wasn't as serious as he thought it was so even though my son still has to have surgery it will be a out-patient surgery. PRAISE THE LORD!!!!
- Some good things are happening for my family regarding a ministry opportunity. More about this later. Please pray for my family as we consider this ministry opportunity.
- Finally, I am so thankful that I serve a GREAT, AMAZING, & FAITHFUL God! I know that sounds churchy...but that's exactly how i feel.
Just a few things that I am very thankful for today. What are you thankful for today?
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Where am I going to church tomorrow?
On Easter 2007 I resigned from Christ Community Church in Cumming Georgia. I served at CCC for 4 1/2 years. I am very greatful for the time that I served there. I was very blessed to learn and work with an amazing Senior Pastor. Since my exit my wife and I haven't really been actively attending ONE church. Although, when we are not visiting a church we attend The Life Church. Let me give them a quick plug.
If you are ever in Cumming Georgia on a Sunday morning you have to visit Pastor Hal & Sondra at The Life Church. I promise you that you'll love it! They are two of the most amazing and authentic persons I have ever met. They have always welcomed me and my family with open arms and a smile. I have personally have been to their home and hung out with them. I guess what I am saying is if the Pastors are like this you can bet that they church is like this. Real, welcoming, and loving. You won't be disappointed.
Anyway whenever we aren't at The Life Church we have been visiting different churches. You see, I honesty don't know where God is going to take us. I know that a change is coming. Ever since I resigned the Lord has been encouraging me to prepare and learn. So that's what I have been doing. I have been reading my bible, reading books, setting meetings with Pastors who have been thinking out side the box and making a real impact in their communities, and of course visiting churches. So tomorrow my family and I will be visiting Embassy Metro Church. A good friend of mine, Ross Wiseman, is the lead pastor of this church. I spoke to him today he was excited about hanging out with them tomorrow. From what I hear they are doing some amazing and crazy things in Woodstock Georgia and the surrounding area. I'll let you know how it was tomorrow. Until then check out his blog and church website.
If you are ever in Cumming Georgia on a Sunday morning you have to visit Pastor Hal & Sondra at The Life Church. I promise you that you'll love it! They are two of the most amazing and authentic persons I have ever met. They have always welcomed me and my family with open arms and a smile. I have personally have been to their home and hung out with them. I guess what I am saying is if the Pastors are like this you can bet that they church is like this. Real, welcoming, and loving. You won't be disappointed.
Anyway whenever we aren't at The Life Church we have been visiting different churches. You see, I honesty don't know where God is going to take us. I know that a change is coming. Ever since I resigned the Lord has been encouraging me to prepare and learn. So that's what I have been doing. I have been reading my bible, reading books, setting meetings with Pastors who have been thinking out side the box and making a real impact in their communities, and of course visiting churches. So tomorrow my family and I will be visiting Embassy Metro Church. A good friend of mine, Ross Wiseman, is the lead pastor of this church. I spoke to him today he was excited about hanging out with them tomorrow. From what I hear they are doing some amazing and crazy things in Woodstock Georgia and the surrounding area. I'll let you know how it was tomorrow. Until then check out his blog and church website.
10 Pastors that I would love to meet @ Chili's
I was inspired by Jay Hardwick's blog about Five Pastors that he would love to meet at Starbucks. But instead of Starbucks I would meet them at Chili's over chips and salsa and an order of southwestern egg rolls and of course a HUGE cup of Georgia sweet tea. I love Starbucks but there's something about sitting at Chili's and having a great conversation over a great meal!
Friday, February 8, 2008
encounters w/JESUS
Encountering Jesus...when was the last time that you remembered the moment that you encountered Jesus? The day that your life changed forever. The day that you realized that it was not about you. The day that your priorities took a 180. The day that His desires became your desires. The day that you knelt down and humbly took the cross and decided to become more like Jesus.
I'm sure if you're like most people in the world it's been awhile. You see we have this bad habit of only remembering Jesus when the crap hits the fan. Suddenly when we are up to our necks in our "mess", we remember Jesus' famous last words..."I will never leave you or forsake you." So what do we do, we start reminding Jesus of His promise to us. These are usually the encounters we remember with Jesus.
But what about the encounters you had with Him today, yesterday or last week? You know...on that ordinary day when nothing was hitting the fan and it was just another Monday, Wednesday, or Friday (or pick your favorite day). It's interesting how we don't think these ordinary encounters are as or more important then the crappy ones.
It's easy to have encounters w/Jesus when life dumps on you. We expect it at those crazy moments. The moral of the story...the lesson for the day. We expect Jesus to be compassionate, gracious, merciful, faithful, and forgiving. But what about those ordinary days? When in all honesty we live as if we don't need Him on those ordinary, average, mundane days.
For the last couple of weeks the Holy Spirit has been encouraging me to rediscover the encounters Jesus had with people throughout the Bible on ordinary days. You know the stories that we read over or totally skip because we think that they have no value. As I have begun to read these "ordinary" stories some might say "boring" encounters I have been discovering something about myself and Jesus. I'm discovering that it was in these ordinary days that Jesus made the greatest impression on the people He encountered. I'm learning that it was on those ordinary days that the people Jesus encountered had their greastest life lessons. It was on those ordinary days that people discover how far they were from Jesus and how desperate they needed Him.
So for the next several months I'll be reading through these ordinary encounters w/Jesus and sharing with you what Jesus was teaching in the encounters and what He is personally teaching me. At any time during this blog series please feel free to comment back and give your 2 cents.
DISCLAIMER: I am not a theologian...I have never claimed to be a theologian...I'm just a regular guy with a passion to learn more about Jesus. So whatever I blog about will be from a personal discovery and not a theological prespective.
I'm sure if you're like most people in the world it's been awhile. You see we have this bad habit of only remembering Jesus when the crap hits the fan. Suddenly when we are up to our necks in our "mess", we remember Jesus' famous last words..."I will never leave you or forsake you." So what do we do, we start reminding Jesus of His promise to us. These are usually the encounters we remember with Jesus.
But what about the encounters you had with Him today, yesterday or last week? You know...on that ordinary day when nothing was hitting the fan and it was just another Monday, Wednesday, or Friday (or pick your favorite day). It's interesting how we don't think these ordinary encounters are as or more important then the crappy ones.
It's easy to have encounters w/Jesus when life dumps on you. We expect it at those crazy moments. The moral of the story...the lesson for the day. We expect Jesus to be compassionate, gracious, merciful, faithful, and forgiving. But what about those ordinary days? When in all honesty we live as if we don't need Him on those ordinary, average, mundane days.
For the last couple of weeks the Holy Spirit has been encouraging me to rediscover the encounters Jesus had with people throughout the Bible on ordinary days. You know the stories that we read over or totally skip because we think that they have no value. As I have begun to read these "ordinary" stories some might say "boring" encounters I have been discovering something about myself and Jesus. I'm discovering that it was in these ordinary days that Jesus made the greatest impression on the people He encountered. I'm learning that it was on those ordinary days that the people Jesus encountered had their greastest life lessons. It was on those ordinary days that people discover how far they were from Jesus and how desperate they needed Him.
So for the next several months I'll be reading through these ordinary encounters w/Jesus and sharing with you what Jesus was teaching in the encounters and what He is personally teaching me. At any time during this blog series please feel free to comment back and give your 2 cents.
DISCLAIMER: I am not a theologian...I have never claimed to be a theologian...I'm just a regular guy with a passion to learn more about Jesus. So whatever I blog about will be from a personal discovery and not a theological prespective.
Pray for Amy
Hey everyone I just read a blog on Dino Rizzo's blog about the Amy Stockstill the wife of Joel Stockstill. They pastor the North Campus and youth at Bethany World Prayer Center. Amy has been sick for a long time now. I don't know the details or situations but the doctors have told the Stockstill family that Amy doesn't have long to live. Please lets unite in prayer for this amazing family. I know that my Jesus can still perform miracles today. I'm sure if we were in Joel's position we would want everyone in the world to pray for our spouse.
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