GOD'S AMAZING CREATION!!! My little gummy bear

Happy Thanksgiving

I love thanksgiving ..... mainly because of LOTS OF FOOD!!  I am thankful for many things.  Here is just a few:

* My Family -- yes even the little two inch baby inside my bride's belly.

* My Family -- hello family sorry we will not get to hang out this holiday season ... we will see you around Christmas.

* My Church Family -- I am grateful to God for the LifeSong Church family.  You are very special to us.  We deeply love you guys.

* My Friends -- we have friends all over the country and we know that many of you pray for us on a regular basis.  we love you all!!

* Finally to that person that introduced the fried turkey idea .... let's go eat!

Unwrapping your Spiritual Gifts

We have been on a journey for the past couple of weeks dealing with the idea of unwrapping your spiritual gifts. I am blown away by the amount to Christians that have no clue what their spiritual gift is or the fact that they are not using their gift to bless others.  

 

Ephesians 4:16 "from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up itself in love."

What are spiritual gifts?  A God-given ability, given to every believer at conversion by the Holy Spirit to share His love and strengthen the body of Christ.  ERIC REES  Discovering your spiritual gifts in not the ultimate goal -- using them to bless others is.  

Do you know your GIFT?  Not unwrapping it is like getting a present this Christmas and never unwrapping it....... I would never do that and neither would you.  In Ephesians 4:11, Christ "GAVE" us the gift and the word gave is a word of value.  So, the gifts that Christ gave is special and something of value so find out what your is and start using it to bless others.

Baby at the Tyler's

We just found out this morning at 2:00 am that we are having a kid.  Britt wakes up and feels pregnant and then takes the TEST.  You know what I mean.  How in the world do you wake up and feel pregnant?  I am already amazed how MOMs know and feel certain things. 

PRAY for us!!  This is an awesome moment as we look forward to our lives changing forever.  

Party at the Pastor's House

Britt and I love to have people at our house.  Tonight we had around 50 people over enjoying wonderful desserts.  We called tonight connection dessert.  At LifeSong, we emphasize people getting involved in service and this gave many an opportunity to connect with other people they see at church on a regular basis.

Being intentional about building relationships are essential in a new church.  GO LIFESONGERS WE DEEPLY LOVE YOU ALL!!

Hope FORE The Nation

We know that a hammer could build a church but who would think that a golf tournament could build multiple churches in Burkina Faso.  Britt and I just left a banquet tonight were an auction raised around $50,000 to build churches.  I am still blown away.  TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!

People really do want to make a difference.  Most people are waiting for an opportunity to get in on God's activity.  A simple Golf Tournament could change the people of Burkina Faso and the Kingdom of God is expanding by swinging a golf club.   

VISION SUNDAY

We opened our service on Sunday with this video to communicate it's our responsibility to go and B "E" THE CHURCH.  Over the next 6 months we are discussing what it means to BE THE CHURCH in Ephesians.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfGvn0ZEXco

Leadership Meeting

Many church leaders know that the success of a church will always depend on how you develop and train leaders.  Over the past couple of weeks, we have started a training called Execute.

The word Execute means to perform or accomplish something as an assigned task.  At LifeSong, we are truly lead by leaders in the church and we understand that if they are not properly poured into then there is no Execution on Sunday.  Most people want to be all that you want them to be the problem is they are not sure about our expectations of them.  In revealing Execution, we are revealing expectations. 

God has blessed us with great people at LifeSong Church.  

Sunday Thoughts!

I would like to praise the Lord for the LifeSong Church family. These people absolutely amaze me. Some of you know that we had to change the cafe around from being a church to Cafe. The owner of the cafe is trying to auction it off this week. Pray God's will be done there. The majority of people stayed after church and the ones that couldn't had good excuses but our folks are literally the hardest working people on the planet. I have been part of many churches but I have never seen any church with the servants available at my right hand. All I need to do it speak and they are there!! To God be the glory for great workers He has sent to LifeSong.

Now for the service on Sunday ...... Logan and Lori knocked it out of the park. I spent 40 minutes talking about two thoughts God put in my heart this week.

1. Love your Family.
2. Love your Bible.

I wrestled with this because we are going through the book of Ephesians which is awesome! God used the service yesterday to speak to many hearts. I told a friend that I spoke on the family and a family got saved. How awesome is that?

VISION SUNDAY is coming October 12th. Hear the direction LifeSong is going the next three months.

PRAYER SERVICE

YES, like many of you leaders and pastors dread a Wednesday night prayer service? Why? We spend little time praying and much on bible study. I'm not opposed to bible study time but don't call it a prayer service when we spend minutes on prayer. Can I get an AMEN here??

Last night, LifeSong had its first prayer service. It was so different, here were the elements:

• Lighting was down
• People came into an environment where it was intense
• Music was playing
• Opened the service with a call to repentence
• Pray over specific needs (not grandma's cousins uncle's father-in-law ......you get the point)
• We prayer walked
• We experienced group prayer with guidance from prayer leaders
• Everyone got a prayer journal with a challenge to double their time in prayer

We involved many different environments with a common purpose ......... the awareness of PRAYER.

Next month, we are doing something entirely different. I will tell you about it later. So, pastors and leaders, if we really believe that prayer is the power then let's call God's people together for an intense time of prayer.

SALVATION IS HERE

Many of you have been praying for Gary Goett's salvation over the last year. Gary is the master developer of Southern Highlands. He is for sure a very influential man in Las Vegas. Yesterday, his wife came to know the Lord. R U SERIOUS!!!!!!!!!!! Here is the email I received last night.

Well this morning I sat across my Mom who I have had an extremely difficult relationship with my whole life and she shared with me that she surrendered her life to Christ this morning. My Mom has struggled for a number of years with a number of addictions, is not healthy mentally and has been in the hospital twice in the last 4 months for a total of 8 weeks in ICU due to 3 different major surgeries. We have thought we were going to loose her a number of times due to illness and her own doing and this has been a huge burden...and prayer request to all of you for awhile. I just wanted you all to be able to rejoice with me on this day when all the angels are rejoicing in heaven for yet another will be joining us all for eternity in heaven!

God is doing some amazing things .......... more to share later. Stay tuned.

SUNDAY!!

I'm amazed everytime I stand up before our people on Sunday and think to myself where did all of these people come from and how did they hear about us? Couple of praises!!

• We finally have our worship leaders in place. THEY ROCK!!!!! Lori and Logan are absolutely a God send to the LifeSong family.
• Great stuff with the association (more on this in the future when everything develops).
• Gentlemen I have never meet before dropped off a check for $5,000 because he heard about the things we are doing in the community and excited for us to continue. This gentlemen doesn't even go to our church.
• We have average over 100 people for the past couple of Sundays and we are only 2 1/2 months old.
• Starting our Upward Soccer Sports League in Vegas.
• Starting our Men's and Women's Ministries this month.
• Families are getting control over their finances in Financial Peace University.
• We are starting a Grief Share Ministry.
• Much more to come!! I share with our church the best is yet to come!!

This verse sums of my quiet time today and God's activity lately. Proverbs 8:35 "For whoever finds me finds life, And obtains favor from the LORD."

BACK TO SCHOOL

It may have been the case years ago that churches actually worked together to engage their communities. Now, when I talk about partnership with churches most people think just in conversation pieces alone, but not actually holding hands for the same purposes. I believe churches are diagnosed with the "territory disease."

LifeSong is in such a large community that even if we could reach everyone, we would never have the resources to make it work. I'm pretty certain that it is the same where you are, but why do we not celebrate when churches do their part in Kingdom expansion. Anyway, I could talk forever on this issue .....read below.


The state of Nevada has issued thousands of dollars in tax cuts on the public school system. Administration has asked parents/students to assist in purchasing extra copy paper for the teachers, in addition to the normal school supplies the student will have to buy. LifeSong Church and Destiny Church have partnered together to pull off a free school supply give-away at a "Back to School Bash." Both churches realize that the economy is a challenge for many families and we want to serve this community by meeting a practical need. Local businesses and churches will partner with us to allow this event to be a success. We are hoping to provide the free supplies to the first 500 kids at the event. Other items that will be donated-Lord willing-are free hair cuts, dental cleanings, food, movie, concert, and much more. LifeSong could not pull off an event of capacity alone. That is why churches should be willing to work hand in hand to better their communities and grow the Kingdom of God.


Churches could do so much more for the Kingdom of God if we were willing to work together. It's truly a process!!

Financial Peace University

At LifeSong, one our core values is FAMILY. We believe families should have opportunities to serve together. We encourage families to commit time and energy each week toward building and developing values within their family. We desire to see our families build guine relationships where they live, work, and play.

LifeSong Church: Helping Families take Control over their Finances

Statistics show that seven out of ten families are living paycheck to paycheck. According to USA today, the number one reason for divorce in America is related to money issues within the marriage. Does this sound familiar…are you looking for Financial Peace? Check out this stat: the average family that completes Financial Peace University eliminates $5,300 in debt and saves $2,700 in just 13 weeks. Now, that is a reality worth pursuing.

Over the next 13 weeks, we will offer Financial Peace Universtiy to our people and the community to help them get control of their money. Dave Ramsey teaches about how to save money, live on a budget, communicate about money, eliminate debt, find bargains, and experience the joy of giving.

30 Day Give

At LifeSong, over the last couple of weeks we have set our hearts as a church to deal with serving others as a practical way of showing the Love of Christ. Has it worked? Absolutely, we have had families give like crazy. Few stories:

1. We have taken up close to 1,000 pairs of socks for the homeless community.
2. Families have bought groceries for single mom's.
3. Give our landlord additional $500 just to be a blessing.
4. Families giving waters our to workers
5. Gentlemen works a second job and all of the money from the second job over the next 30 days is to help needy families.
6. Free movie in the parks.
7. LifeSong feeding the security and the community association of Southern Highlands.
8. Help support pastor's in Honduras and provide schooling for families in Kenya.
9. Many more stories that I'm actually forgetting right now!!

It's so cool because I can see how families are truly looking for opportunities to pour into others. Over the course of the month, we haven't asked families to give one penny extra to LifeSong; however we are seeing our greatest month of giving since we have started. Proof ....... if you keep your hands open, it is amazing what God will entrust you with.

Sun Stand Still -- 5 year anniversary

Joshua 10:12 "Sun, Stand Still.... " If there was a time to ask God to make the sun stand still, it was last night. Britt and I had a dinner cruise on the Pacific Ocean right outside of Maui. We had the opportunity to watch the sun set. Wow!! This picture doesn't do it justice.

We are having the best time. We were talking yesterday that everybody should come to Maui at least once in their lifetime. Fortunately, we have friends that live here so we were able to get unbelievable deals, making this trip just as affordable as any other vacation we have had. Saving for 5 to 10 years is well worth the investment to be a part of this wonderful place that God has created.

Johnny Hunt

Could this be the year? First, I am absolutely grateful to know Pastor Johnny personally and I could not agree more with my dear friends across this country that Johnny Hunt is exactly what our denomination needs. Pastor Johnny has spent his life investing in "preacher boys" all across this country and the fruit still remains. Only God knows how many people have been touched and impacted for the Kingdom by Pastor Johnny.


God called Britt and me to plant a church in "Sin City" or Las Vegas, that is. I am here today because of the First Baptist Church of Woodstock Georgia and Pastor Johnny's training and encouragement. We are planning to launch June 15th and I believe every victory that is WON (and we have already seen many) will all be because of one word ...... INVESTMENT. Pastor Johnny is the epitome of investing in relationships with God, people, church, and the Kingdom.


Pastor Johnny I wanted to say to you along with the blogging world that I deeply love you and you are making a difference in the next generation of leaders. See you soon!

God of this City

Chris Tomlin wrote this new song called God of this City and it's as if he took the words right out of my heart. "Greater things are yet to come....Greater things are still to be done in this City." If you haven't heard it then it is no question a must. At LifeSong Church, we really believe that God is going to give us our community and city. I have a meeting right now with our community leaders. Pray God will continue to give us FAVOR!

Investments that Matter

Most of the time when you use the word investment people immediately think of money. The word invest means to use, give, or devote (time, talent, etc) as for a purpose or to achieve something. How does it look when we invest in our relationship with God?

Example of how this looks in Scripture: Exodus 34:1-30

1. Preparation – verse 2 “be ready in the morning”
2. Personal and Private – verse 3 “No one else may come with you." NO DISTRACTIONS
3. Presence of God – verse 5 “Then the Lord came down in a cloud and stood there with him”
4. Praising God – verse 8 “Moses immediately threw himself to the ground and worshipped.”
5. Pardon – verse 9 “please forgive our sins”
6. Plans that God gives – verses 10-28 is the instructions and directions.
7. Pen to Paper – verse 27 “write the instructions down that I give to you”

More on God's Favor

Yesterday I talked about praying and seeking the Favor of God and some Christians find it difficult to ask God to bless. I just wanted to say it again today that it is absolutely ok to ask God to pour out His Favor on us. Psalm 119:57-58 "Lord, you are mine! I promise to obey your words! With all my heart I want your blessings. Be merciful as you promised.

Illustration: I'm at a Upward Conference with a couple that will be leading this ministry at LifeSong Church. Go Matt and Amy ... you guys are completely awesome!! Last November, I hosted an information meeting in our home about planting LifeSong. Matt and Amy attended because they heard that we were focused on sports initiatives to reach families and they wanted to hear more. Matt is a P.E. teacher so this is right up his alley. That night, to their surprise we didn't talk about sports but we talked about being a part of God's family and Matt gave his heart to Christ. GO GOD!! Fast forward months later, Matt and Amy are now leading this ministry. Only God could have this couple to shape them for this opportunity. They are perfect for the task.

What's the point? A year ago, Britt and I prayed because we knew what but we didn't know who. We knew we would use sports to reach families but we had no clue who would lead....now we do. That is only one way of God's Favor!!

God's Favor

Sorry about not blogging for a week. I spent several days in Orlando at the Exponential Church Planting Conference. It was absolutely incredible. I You will hear more down the road.

Acts 2:47 "praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved." My prayer is that God would give us favor on the people in our community. I just found out that the lady I have been dealing with at the Community Association office is a Jesus follower. THIS IS HUGE!!! She told me on Monday that she has been praying for Revival in our city and community. Now, I didn't know that people in Vegas knew what Revival meant. It's really cool to know that God has given LifeSong Church this person of peace at our association office to bless this community.

Thought to ponder ........ If you have the favor of God, will you have the favor of people?

All throughout the book of Acts you see how the God's favor was all over the church. What happen to today's church? The church forgot that prayer is the work. I know it seems simple but think for a moment. When is the last time your church prayed over your community? When is the last time your church wept over your city? Acts 4:31 "When they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness." The church will never experience God's favor nor power without PRAYER!

The Game of Life..... The Game of LifeSong

Over the next couple of Sunday's, LifeSong is exploring the idea of the game of LIFE. It was really cool to hand out board games at gifts for first time guest. Now, you are probably saying "wow, how much did that cost?" I shared the thought with someone and they bought 21 games. They probably would have bought more but they cleaned Wal-Mart out. Another family went out and got 4 games. What's the point? Let God's people take what God has put in your heart and let them run with it. They may mess it up but so will I.

The point of the Series to to explore our core values for guest before we publicly launch our church, JUNE 15. Wow it's here!!

1. Connecting with our Community -- COMMUNITY
2. Family Matters -- FAMILY
3. Moving down the tracks -- DISCIPLESHIP
4. It's not about our churches -- MISSIONS

FYI, the company that makes the game will let you personalize the board game to fit your church. It is a great and fun way to communicate what LIFE is all about ..... and in our case what LIFESONG is all about.

Wake-Up Moments

Last night I woke up around 3:30. Maybe just like the normal routine of letting the dog out to potty and of course potty myself. Well, it was not another normal wake up moment. I couldn't go back to sleep so I tossed and turned for about 20 minutes before asking God "why can't I go back to sleep?" I have been thinking about how our church can connect to our community. So, here is why I couldn't go to sleep and what I was thinking about.

We lead the nation in foreclosures and pretty much every other catogery. But when you have tons of bank owned properties the landscaping of those properties is horrible. I thought, "how would it look if we approached communities and asked if we, LifeSong Church, could help clean up the yards that make the entire community look bad. We could have people coming out to help with this effort, but most importantly this is another practical way to show that we care for the betterment of our communities. Most people will not want homes in their neighbhoors to look bad, so offering to clean up the place would show the community that we deeply care for its people. Give feedback???

FEAR NOT..... God knows you by name

LifeSong Church Las Vegas is connected with a network of LifeSong Churches across the country. LifeSong Vegas is being planted by LifeSong Lyman in addition to other churches. Let me say upfront, I deeply love Jeff and Amy Hickman. They are absolutely the right fit for the task of reaching their community for Christ. Their church was out in Vegas a couple of weeks ago handing out fliers to invite folks to a community wide block party. Complete Success!


I said all of that to say this......I was reading about their new sermon series called Don't be Afraid.... thoughts that came to mind.


Isaiah 43:1 "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine."


Most people live a life of complete fear. Think about it, God calls you His....God knows your name....God has redeemed you..... what is there to fear?


Noah was called to build a boat, God called him by name.
Abram was called to leave his comfort zone, God called him by name.
Moses was called at the burning bush to put fire in his heart, God called him by name.
Samuel was called in the middle of the night, God called him by name.
David was called to serve as King, God called him by name.
Zaccheus was called out of a sycamore tree, God called him by name.
Paul was called on the road to Damascus, God called him by name.


When God calls His people to a task...why FEAR?

Blogging World

Finally, Bobby Tyler has entered the Blogging world. Of course, like most people I have delayed blogging because of time. Update.

We are living in Las Vegas, oh yes baby, I said VIVA LAS VEGAS. Growing up in the South, moving to Sin City seems to be a sin. God's activity is all over this city and Britt and I are blessed to be here to get in on what He has already started. We are planting a church called LifeSong Church in a community where 25,000 people call it home and yet there is no church. Take the time to watch a couple of YouTube videos to catch up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfa_o_ooKyg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JP892oyQspw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WW6mzNPJYCM