Monthly Archives: July 2010

Some Summer

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1. It’s hard to believe that Summer is almost over. School starts next week!

2. This is the first year in a while that we didn’t take a summer vacation or stay-cation. Hopefully we’ll get away in the fall.

3. The heat has been unreal this year!

4. My family has grown so much in the past 12 months. Thank God for grace!

5. We kick off a new series at Xtreme tomorrow called “No Rules, Just Right”! Hope to see you there!

6. We’ll be learning from Galatians and getting down and dirty about religion. Don’t miss it.

7. It’s been some summer…can’t wait to walk through this next season!

The Provider

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“You can’t worship God and Money both.If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, his generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus. Our God and Father abounds in glory that just pours out into eternity. Yes. If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.”

Matt 6:24-26, Phil 4:19-20. Matt 6:30-34 (MSG)


Good God

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If you’ve been around church I’m pretty sure you’ve heard the Christians call and response: “God is good”…”All the time…All the time…”God is good”. If not, well good for you. Seriously, God IS good. Goodness is part of the fabric of His being. Even when life seems sucky. Even when we’ve been anything BUT good. He is. Don’t let that powerful truth become a cheesy cliche in your life.

“When I was desperate, I called out, and God got me out of a tight spot. God’s angel sets up a circle of protection around us while we pray. Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see— how good God is. Blessed are you who run to him.” Psalm 34:6-8 (MSG)

All Things New

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1. My new schedule will take some getting used to. It’s a new kind of busy.

2. Please don’t use pastorcarlo@clarksville1ag.net to email me. Comment with your email and I’ll give you my new address…or hit me up on Facebook/Twitter.

3. I’ll be speaking at Xtreme Ministries on Sunday Aug 1st, 8th, and 15th! I’d love to see YOU there!

4. Did I tell you I am fired up about Xtreme? Can’t wait!

5. If you are miserable in you current situation but you feel like God hasn’t told you where to go, think about this question:

Did God call you to be miserable?

6.”Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.They are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness.” – Lamentations 3:22-23

Next Level Memories

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Tonight is my last night with our young adults group (Next Level). Its been a great 6 years doing life with the 20-30 somethings of CFA (not that we’re all about to die or anything). I remember my first Sunday AM small group back in 04. I was a nervous wreck. I wanted to prove myself so bad. I also remember the highs and lows of Saturday nights. Good times. Here’s a random list of my favorite memories:

1. The first “One Single Purpose” Retreat at Happy Hills.

2. Bowling on FTCKY when Givens freaked out on everybody.

3. Karaoke night with Marti singing NSYNC.

4. Rachel about to punch Aaron.

5. When we went to hang out with the “older” singles in Smyrna.

6. The air hockey table.

7. Never ending games of Guesstures.

Next Level peeps, any memories that should be on this list?

Gracious

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Isn’t it ironic how most of us want to receive grace, yet we struggle to show it to others? We want everyone to overlook our shortcomings. We scream from the mountain tops “DON’T JUDGE ME”. Yet, if we are honest, we are quick to point out the flaws of others. We are first to judge someone for their different opinion, body type, skin color…etc. I dare you to be gracious. Today. Show the same unmerited favor that you so desperately desire and so desperately need. Will it be easy? No way. Will it change your life? Absolutely.