Sunday Thoughts

1. I just finished looking at the numbers comparing Jan 11 to Jan 12. Thank God for GROWTH!

2. Next week we launch 2 services! We kick off a new series called “Love”. I wonder what it will be about?

3. Today I got to meet with all of the leaders and volunteers who make our Sunday services and other ministries happen. I am humbled by their giving. The team of leaders and volunteers at Xtreme almost seem to good to be true. I am so grateful!

4. Small church mentality will be the death of any momentum we have at Xtreme. THINK BIG!

5. Today I have to finish taking the most god-awful mid-term exam ever. Seriously, I’m thankful for the opportunity to get an education and blah blah blah. But this test STINKS.

6. My wife has been a real trooper. She’s been very sick the last week. Yet she managed to pull off a great birthday party for David yesterday, work her job all week, and look amazing. I am not worthy.

7. God is good! When I think about what He is doing at Xtreme, Awaken, Lifepoint, Crossroads, Grace Nazarene, Willow Bend, Christ Community…I literally want to shout! The gates of Hell will not prevail against what God is doing in the Clarksville/Ft Campbell area!

Anticipiation

Today is my youngest son’s 7th birthday. This kids has been counting down the days since last July. He has a calendar in his room that he uses to “meticulously” mark time until his big day. Which is today. Poor guy literally made himself sick with anticipation. He was consumed by the thought of his party, presents, and friends. For the last week I could see the anticipation all over his face.

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have the same level of anticipation about what God is about to do in and through Xtreme. The vision of what God is about to do makes me want to shout. I believe with everything in me that we are on the verge of a new level of growth and kingdom influence. Tomorrow is our last 10am service before we make the jump to 2 Sunday worship experiences (9am and 10:45am). I’m ready for this anticipation to turn into realization, so I can start anticipating the next, next thing!

One More Time For The Last Time

This Sunday will be the last 10am service for Xtreme. Staring February 5th, we make the move to 2 services. Our new service times will be 9am and 10:45am. Here’s what I am believing:

I believe that we will see Xtreme reach more people than we ever have with the Gospel.

I believe we will see more people come to Christ in 2012 than we did in 2011.

I believe that we will smash ALL of our so-called records.

I believe we will bring grace to the broken, the hungry, and the captive.

I believe we will make a HUGE impact for Christ in Clarksville.

Why not start this Sunday? Join us for one last 10am celebration before we make the switch to 2 services!

Weatherman

Sometimes I swear the weatherman want bad weather to strike. The other night I was watching the weather report and the dude seemed almost giddy about the fact that some tornados were headed our way. He wasn’t calm. He wasn’t speaking in a “matter of fact” tone. He actually seemed excited that storms were coming.

Maybe his job is so lame he needs a night full of storms in order to feel vocationally fulfilled?

Maybe he gets beat up so much due to his horrible forecasting that the thought of a sure thing is too much to handle?

It’s actually quite creepy when I think about it.

What’s creepier is that I know people who act this way about life. They love drama. They love to talk about the pain and heartache that others are (or will be) experiencing. They actually get excited about it. The difference is, the weatherman gets paid to talk about storms with enthusiasm. What excuse do the bucket mouth gossips have?

The “Oh Crap” Moment

This month has by far been the biggest in the history of our church. Not big numerically speaking (although we did tie our record attendance). It has been big because we’ve made plans, prayed prayers, and moved out into uncharted territory. It is both exciting and scary at the same time. I have asked God to use me in a bigger way. I have asked Him to raise up a group of believers worthy of the name of Christ who embody the DNA of Xtreme. I have asked for the miraculous, knowing full well that prayers like that will require us to be in desperate need of miracle.

Oh crap.

He’s opening new doors for me and our church.

I’m seeing people step out in faith and passionately pursue those who are far from God.

We are facing mountains that only God can move.

Oh crap. 2012 is about to get OWNED!

“Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear.” – Isaiah 59:3

 

Change…One Life at a Time

“…I will not change the world. Jesus will do that. I can, however, change the world for one person.” – Katie Davis

Back when I was a Master’s Commission director I don’t think a day went by were I didn’t talk about changing the world. I believe that God created each and everyone of us with an innate desire to be with Him, and to give ourselves away…to make a difference in the world. The problem is that we either get distracted with our own little world, or we get overwhelmed with the enormity of the world’s problems. We make it too complicated. Changing the world is as simple as having your world changed by Jesus and then being like Jesus for someone else. Check out a great example:

Sunday Thoughts

1. Encounter Worship was AMAZING last night! For those that missed it, you missed out. Make plans to join us for the next one in April.

2. I have been totally out of it today. I’m dealing with some crazy sinus issues that have my head feeling like  a 500lb boulder.

3. Thank God for the grace He gave me this morning. No way I could have preached on my own strength. I can barely breath.

4. Next week will be our last 10am service at Xtreme. Starting February 5th we move to 2 services – 9am and 10:45am. I can’t wait!! Xtreme, keep inviting and spreading the word.

5. This morning I spoke about how we handle adversity. I choose to celebrate Jesus regardless of what is going on around me. How will you respond when life gets tough?

6. It is hard to believe that January is almost in the books. Where did it go?

7. Time to start prepping for another GREAT week. This life I GET to live is awesome!

Encounter Worship

Join us at Xtreme tonight for Encounter Worship. The plan is simple:

Worship God through song and prayer. We’re 6 days into our 21 days of fasting and devotion and I believe that God is going to meet with us in a powerful way. See you at 7pm!

You Better Mean It

The other day I met a guy outside of our worship space and we started up a great conversation. He shared with me that he was new in town and was looking for a church home. I pressed him a little about where he had been going to church and he quickly revealed that his “church shopping” had stopped after visiting only 1 local church. He visited a church with a friend and really felt that God spoke to him. After the message they opened the service for a time of testimonies. For those of you who don’t know, “testimony” is the time when some churches allow people to pick up the mic and share…anything on their heart. Back to the story. This gentleman was told “share whatever is inside”. He told me that he had a lot of “demons” and pain and although nervous, he thought it would be good to let it all out. So, when it was his turn, he let it all out…including an F-bomb. He left church feeling free, until his friend went off on him for cussing in church.

As we talked this guy told me that it didn’t make sense that the church folks would tell him to “say what he feels” or “let it all out” and then judge him for being honest. He told me he’s never going back to a church like that.

The point of all of that is this:

If you say you want to reach lost people

If you say you want “everyone” to feel welcome

If you say you are passionate about people who are far from God

You better mean it. Because they will show up drunk, with their baggage, and their F-bombs. They don’t care about your precious carpet or protocol. They are hungry and in desperate need of the saviors grace. Be ready to accept them as they are, or stop blowing smoke about how you feel about “lost” people.

Nearing Home by Billy Graham

“All my life I was taught how to die as a Christian, but no one ever taught me how I ought to live in the years before I die. I wish they had because I am an old man now, and believe me, it’s not easy” – Billy Graham

I love Billy Graham. I’ve never met him. But I love him.  I love Billy Graham because in an age that has seen heroes fall, ministers fail, and families fall apart, he has been faithful. I love Billy Graham because he has taught me that longevity in ministry is possible. I love Billy Graham because he has shown me that fame and success are not an excuse to compromise your integrity. I love Billy Graham because for nearly 70 years he has boldly proclaimed that Jesus saves. In Nearing Home,  Dr. Graham opens up his heart and shares about almost everything. The book reads much like the Book of Proverbs in that Dr. Graham’s word of wisdom are pointed at both the young and the old. If you want to “run a good race” and “finish well”, read this book. You can pick up a copy here.

 

(The folks at Thomas Nelson gave me a copy of this book for review)