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

This comment was not meant to be a knock at numerically small churches. I believe that God is honored by churches of all numerical shapes and sizes. However, I do not think that God is honored when numerically small churches THINK small.

Small thinking cares more about “my favorite seat” then it does about inviting new people.

Small thinking cares more about “the way we’ve done it in the past” then what God wants to do in the future.

Small thinking cares more about “I’m not used to these changes” then the big picture behind those changes.

I thank God that the team at Xtreme is full of BIG THINKERS who have caught the vision for our church. It’s not about us. It’s all about bringing grace to a lost world.

If you attend a numerically small church let me challenge you, get over your small thinking and start seeing your church with the BIG vision that God has for your church.

You Lost Me by David Kinnaman

Sensation and Perception by E.B. Goldstein

Drugs, Behavior, & Modern Society by Charles Levinthal

Bloodlines by John Piper

Simple Ways to Be Missional by Verge Network

Blackhawk Down by Mark Bowden

Kisses From Katie by Katie Davis

Through My Eyes by Tim Tebow

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!

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!

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!

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?

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

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:

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!

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!