‘You like participating in competitive sports.’
NOT TRUE ! I like watching the National Football League on TV from the beginning of August through the beginning of February. That’s about as close as I get to competitive sports. I’m not an athlete. I’m a lover not a fighter !
1. I was the first person to arrive at the movie theatre this morning. I beat both Pastor Paul and Anne J. by a long-shot. The ‘rock’ in ‘CHURCH ROCKS !‘ was already connected and playing its 3RD song in the main lobby once the other two early-birds finally arrived.
2. Two Names – Lesia & Evelin – They are the names behind two VIPs at Life Pointe Church. They are the ones that are working diligently behind the scenes (behind the curtains) to prepare the Starbucks Coffee that is served at our Café every Sunday morning. Without them we would have a lot of sleepwalkers roaming the hallway.
3. It was the final week of the ‘Simply Jesus’ message series this week. It’s hard to believe that we kicked-off this message series on our record-breaking Easter Sunday morning over a month ago. Pastor Travis hit a home run and brought it all home this morning as he explained ‘What Makes Jesus Superiour To Other Saviours’. God commanded that the baby born to Mary be named ‘Jesus’ which means ‘God saves His people from their sins.’ Jesus is a global Saviour who is sufficient for all people, all races, and all nations. Christianity is exclusive in that there is only one God. It is inclusive in that Jesus is the Saviour who invites all people everywhere to be saved by Him. If Scripture is true then we must be absolutely clear on this most important spiritual issue – that there is only one way to God.
4. I don’t usually report on Teardown because I don’t usually stick around for it, but on this Sunday morning I did just that. It all went so smoothly, and one of our loyal and faithful members Dan B. created this really nice wooden storage unit that has totally organized and simplified the Teardown (as well as the Setup) process. With a large bulk of our portable church materiel centrally located within one convenient unit it makes everything so much simpler than ever before. The only downside to this high-quality wooden storage unit is that when everything is in there it weighs several hundred pounds, and a 165-pound weakling (such as myself or Jesse) can’t push or pull this thing by ourselves.
5. Following Teardown about 20 of us eventually gathered over at my longtime favourite Chinese Restaurant in Homestead – Peking House. Being a regular of the joint it was so cool to hang out with a whole bunch of my friends at a place where all of the employees know me by name and preferences. The next time I go there on my own for Lunch I’ll be given the royal V.I.P. treatment !
… And that’s how I rolled from 7 AM to 2 PM on this glorious Sunday on God’s fantastic journey !
LEFTOVERS – Tuesday April 22ND 2008 – Thursday April 24TH 2008
1. This is the 4TH and probably final edition of the ‘Tossed Salad’ from the Exponential Conference in Orlando this past week. It’s the ‘Leftovers’ edition where I highlight the top items and events that didn’t get covered in the first three editions – such as the brilliant 2|42 Community Church band that was the house band throughout the conference. The’re based out of Brighton Michigan (in the southeast portion of the state). I actually thought that ‘242’ was the area code that they were from. Not so. I should’ve known that ‘242’ is the area code for The Bahamas ! Acts 2:42 (NLT, 2ND Ed.) states as follows: ‘All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.’
2. In order for existing churches to be exponential and give birth to new churches there needs to be an active movement of disciples within the parent church as well as the child church. ‘NO’ / ‘GO’ / ‘EGO’ – You’ve got to say ‘NO’ when it is appropriate. When the answer is not ‘NO’ then get to it and ‘GO’. Do it with ‘NO EGO’. Philippians 2:5 states as follows: ‘You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.’
3. The residents of the surrounding neighbourhood and city and region of your church may freely attend your community events, but don’t expect them to all flock to your Sunday morning services en masse. Get your name out there. Get your face out there. Get your mission out there. Make sure that the community knows who you are and what you are all about. Your neighbours are more likely to check out your church if not sooner then later. Be patient, and let God recruit the unchurched in His time. They will come when they are ready.
4. Rick Warren (author of ‘The Purpose Driven Life’) was the final speaker at the conference. Here are some miscellaneous takeaway statements from his session:
5. At this time I am publicly thanking Pastor Travis and Pastor Paul for giving me this opportunity to spend 3 days with them and the rest of the staff and their families in Orlando to attend this fantastic conference of information, education, praise, worship, and fellowship. I’ve been to Orlando many times over the past 15 years, but I can honestly state that this was the most memorable and enjoyable of them all. I am so truly honoured to be part of the Life Pointe Church leadership team. The next adventure of a lifetime is just around the corner, and I am there alongside with you guys and gals. You can count on me to serve Our Lord Almighty enthusiastically.
CountUp