Burkina Faso

Tonight we are having our last big meeting to prep for our Burkina Faso mission trip starting September 30 thru October 9. I would ask you to pray for God to move own our behalf. There is a ton of work to do in West Africa. It is the second poorest country in the world with a deep lostness from Christ.

We are going to be building a church -- yeah pray for me because I don't know how to lay bricks, etc. I am going to be the best gofer there. At night, we are going to do tons of training like marriage and leadership seminars. I have often had the thought that if I can influence there leaders then the leaders will touch people we will never be able to touch. It will not just be a one time thing but the fruit will remain. Pray God will use us mightily.

Waiting on the Doctor

Well, today was the last day of a long series of doctor's appointments for Britt and baby Riley. I thought I would share some of the waiting room humor. Do not be alarmed but don't try this at home. Britt obviously is afraid that I will teach Riley bad tricks.

Please pray for us as we are winding down the days until the baby is born. We are going in late Sunday night for the induction. I have been amazed through this whole process of watching a baby grow in Britt's stomach and asking the questions that will help once the baby is born. God has been so good to us and we are grateful for this next step in our lives.

The Real You

We spend a ton of time trying to imitate something or someone. God didn't make a mistake when he made us.

1. God has a plan for your life even before you were born. Jeremiah 1:4 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I set you apart..

2. God is working his plan out in your life before the foundations of the world. Ephesians 1:4 “just as He chose us in Him before the foundations of the world. He hand selected you before time begin.

3. We are a work in progress. Philippians 1:6 “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

So, if God knew the plans for our life before we are born and is steady working it for His Glory then why are we trying to be something we are not designed to be. We all struggle with this SIN especially in the church.

Today, BE YOURSELF!! God wants to use the real you!!

Start Up

I'm admitting that I have been slack concerning blogging. I have realized through Facebook that any social networking can truly be a great blessing for the people that know you. The reason I want to start back blogging is simply one word -- INFLUENCE. If I can encourage and help people know what's going on in my life or church life then it is worth taking 15 minutes a day.

So hold me accountable!! :)

Easter in the Park

Yeah I know..... this post is a week old but I want to take the time to talk about our Easter in the Park Service last Sunday.  I want to list several reason we did it in the park.

1.  Space -- You don't have to worry about running out of that.

2.  People -- We had all types of religions (including a Muslim that would never step foot in a church actually heard the gospel probably for the very first time).

3.  Community -- Our vision is to connect our community to Christ.  Many times we are good church people asking the communities to come to our churches but it is very difficult to take the church to the community.  

4.  Baptism -- we have a portable baptismal pool so it pretty sweet dunking outside. 

5.  Weather -- it's Vegas :) and we can because the weather was 75 degrees.

We had over 320 people there -- the band rock it -- the egg hunt was insane -- the food was delicious -- the message was the jam (my sermon :)) -- LIFESONGers are the greatest church with such servant hearts to do things with excellence.  I am proud of you and deeply love all of you.  

A CHURCH OF MISPLACED PRIORITIES

Ephesians is a great book of the bible that teaches incredible truth.  The church at Ephesus is known for their actions:

Revelation 2:2-3 "I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil.  And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary."

They are also known for lack of devotion:

Revelation 2:4 "Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love."

I can't wait to preach this Sunday!! May God help us be the church that is known for the actions of deeds that come out of our love and devotion to Christ.

Where are you guys at on this??

24

I posted a statement on twitter the other day and I can't seem to get it off of my mind.

The show 24 make you wanting more and more after every episode which makes me wonder if people are saying the same about our churches.   Let me know your thoughts. 

Integrity

Proverbs 10:9 "The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out."  

I am blown away that many refuse to protect integrity and live as if they are not controlled by the Holy Spirit.  I have often said when you lose your integrity, then you lose your influence. Once a person's influence is gone then you will be fortunate to ever gain it back.  The issue for Christians and Jesus followers is simple: keep your integrity because as long as you have that you will have influence.  

Joy Prom

Luke 14:12-14  Jesus said also to the man who had invited him, when you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they also invite you in return and you be repaid.  But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you.  For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just."

At LifeSong Church, we truly believe that every life matters.  Joy Prom is a full-scale prom for people with special needs.  The purpose of Joy Prom is to demonstrate God's love to those who are frequently marginalized by modern society.  Our goal is to honor our guests with a first class event that gives them an evening to remember.  We want each guest to feel special and let them know that they are loved and valued by God and this community.

A FRESH START

I'm looking forward to 2009 of fresh starts and new beginnings.  I'm blown away that God gives us another year for Him.  This year my goal and church's is to pursue Christ in a greater. 

Goal is to read the Gospels and Proverbs three time this year and write down observations that you have noticed to help you pursue Him this year.

Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John -- 89 chapters

Proverbs -- 31 chapters

Total is 120 x 3 = 360 days of reading.  My prayer is that one will not read of sheer habit but they would read with a journey mindset.  It has already blessed my heart to hear stories; we are only 5 day in.  

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.