I always talk with the kids (4-6 year olds) before our baseball games. After my talk, I always lead our team in prayer... something to this effect (in my most kid-friendly voice):

Dear Jesus, we would like to thank you for allowing us to be able to play baseball today. We ask for Your mercy and safety. Jesus, help us to be good sports and never to laugh at any other player. Thank you Jesus. We love You... AMEN!

Then we either take the field with enthusiasm or get our helmets on with smiles and anticipation.

This past Wednesday night at our game, something a little different happened. We had finished warming up and it was time for the coach's talk. After my spiel, I said, "Take your hats off and lets pray." Then it happened! The stuff dreams are made of... I hear a kid's voice... Gage said,  "Coach Chris... Can I lead us in prayer?"

Boy... that's a no-brainer.  I told him, "Sure, I would like that a lot!"

Dear Jesus, thank You for letting us play baseball today. Please let us be safe and not let anyone get hurt. Help us not to laugh at anyone. We love You Jesus... AMEN!

Oh yeah Jesus... Help us to have FUN!!! AMEN!

Sometimes we think kids are not listening to us... we tell them how to throw the ball, hold the bat, swing, and stop the ball from rolling between their legs...

Well, let me encourage all those investing in the lives of our kids... They are learning from you! What are you teaching them?

My hope and prayer, more than anything else, is that I show them the love of Jesus!

I caught the last 1/3  of the cartoon Barnyard tonight with the kids. Who would have thought it had such deep stuff... For those without kids, and those who have never seen it... read more here.

"a strong man stands up for himself, a stronger man stands up for others" --Otis the Cow

As I was watching this.. it reminded me of the call on my life to pastor Revolution Church. When God calls... we are to look out for those placed under our care.

In the movie, several of the chickens were captured to be devoured by the coyotes. Otis had to make the choice to do what was easiest for him (quit and let it go) or to go into the pit and fight for those poor souls captured by the enemy.

There are tons of people in Florence that are captured in a pit and they do not even realize it. God has called us to show others the hope that only Jesus can provide. It is up to me and you to be a stronger man (or woman) and stand up for them. Put ourselves aside for others.

Who would have ever thought God would use this movie to drive home His vision???  The Lord truly does work in mysterious ways!

(now... switching gears a bit...)

When the cows and other animals jumped on the Harley's and other nice looking bikes, and soared down the road while "Slow Ride" was playing... For some reason, I thought about David Putman @ Evolve.

 

One final thought...

 

WHY IN THE WORLD DOES A MALE COW NAMED OTIS HAVE UDDERS?!?!?!

Who is that sharp dressed man sitting with my family?

YES... I do own a suit... and it looks good on me!

Last Sunday night (March 30th, 2008), I was Licensed to Preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ by South Florence Baptist Church.

(Thanks Karian for taking and supplying the pictures)

It was a very special night!

So good to know that the church affirms God's calling in my life!

I was one of four licensed, which takes the total to 17 men licensed by SFBC in the past 17 years.

We are all starting a great journey. It was an honor to share the experience with these four guys and their spouses.

Tim Bonnett, Richard Pitts, Randy Butler, and Chris Reeder

Please feel free to contact/recommend any or all of us to fill-in preach/teach.
We are all rookies but have a great desire to share Christ with anyone who will listen!

I read the following in my new Bible before going to bed last night.

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.  --Acts 2:42-47

That is my prayer for Revolution Church. For any of you that have kids or have been around kids for any amount of time... Kids fuss and fight with each other... As a father, it disturbs me that my children, who I took part in creating, can't always get along.

Ohhhhh... but when they do (see picture), it brings GREAT JOY to a father's heart.

When I fixed this cup of chocolate milk for Sam... Emilee and Jacob wanted to have some, too. Sam could have said, "It's mine!" but he didn't. He let them get a straw and join in! Awww... JOY to a father's heart!

Our Heavenly Father feels the same way about His children. Just as the kids, drinking from the cup together, had the enjoyment of that milk in common... We should all, drinking from The Cup, have Jesus as a commonality.

I pray that we will always seek Jesus and have Him as a common thread. Through that, we will experience God together, do life together, and turn Florence, SC up side down together!  And through that... many will come to know Christ!

Monday:

I was tired from a long day at work. Mondays are always fun (can you read the sarcasm?). 4:45 PM... had to leave early to make it to the Astros' scrimmage game by 5:30 all the way across town. We had all the kids show up ready to play! They were throwing, catching (sometimes), and really HITTING that ball! Several of the kids hit their first home runs! Everyone was smiling the entire game. After the game, we always "take a knee" for coach to player talk. They were still beaming from excitement... After a little praisin' on the kids... they all said almost at the same time... "Can we do the Goooooooooooooo ASTROS!!!!" And we did.

God showed me how those kids  lift me up and encourage me!!!

Tuesday:

I had my hair cut at 12:30. On the way there, I realized I was hungry. (you may think that is funny... but sometimes I get so caught up in work... I forget to get hungry.... sometimes...) I thought I would stop at Checkers, before I get my hair cut, and get a good nutritious Cheese-Double-Cheese Burger, two apple pies, and a cup of water. Ya see... I only had 2 dollars in my wallet... 48 cent in my cup jar in my truck... I ordered... Grand total... $2.48

God showed me that He is in control and He will provide!

Wednesday:

I was praying about ways that Revolution Church can minister and serve Florence, SC. On the way home from work at one of the busiest intersections in town (2nd Loop & Cashua @ 5:00 PM)... I notice waaaay up ahead near the light there are cars swerving into the median and then back into the lane. As I got closer (4 light changes), I noticed a car was broken down in the left lane and every car for the past 8 minutes just passed right by and sometimes even stopped beside them. NO ONE helped these two little ole' ladies. I jumped out of my truck about the same time another guy jumped out of his and commenced to pushing the car to the median out of the way. They were thankful and then I drove off. I did not loose one place in the long line of cars or miss a stop light.

God showed me that we can serve the widow in Florence. God will provide ways for Revolution Church to serve and show the love of Christ to Florence! God also showed me He can control the stop lights!

Thursday:

Nope... This one does not start out about me being on the way home from work. In fact... I was on the way to work. I just dropped my middle child off at school and started a sermon on my iPOD of J.R. Lee preaching on Loving Others. I found myself praying for chances to love others... low and behold... In front of Carolina's Hospital... more cars swerving around a broken down car. I eventually got up to the car and went to help. A guy, his wife, and daughter were in the car. The guy got out and we started pushing... UP THE HILL... Cars BEEPING their horns... Cars not wanting to stop while we crossed the road... even a school bus about hit us... (I guess people were just in a hurry to get to work) My legs turned to jelly but we got the car moved out of the road... The guy with tears in his eyes told me "you are a good man" and then gave me a BIG OLE' MAN HUG. WOW... I started to tear up too.

God showed me people need to know people care! It is up to us to show them that through Jesus Christ, we care! God also showed me how crazy it was to try to cross a busy street on foot pushing a car!

I can hardly wait to see how He blesses me tomorrow!

After a great weekend of resting, relaxing, no email, no blog reading, no book reading, no working, no "gotta do this"... nothing but enjoying my family. Saturday, I did venture out of the house to the baseball field for our first scrimmage with a great group of kids on my PeeWee Baseball team (Go Astros!).

I want to share this video with you all... Susanne told me, I know you are taking a blog break... but you have to see this...

So glad I did... Has God put a burning passion for your town in your heart?

If so, what are you doing about it?

I am writing this after one of the busiest weeks in my life. I have had one emotional roller coaster ride this week: I have been on cloud nine, had "brain cramps", experienced awesome closeness with God, and several other emotional rides... and had to somehow work today.

Plain and simple... I am physically, mentally, and emotionally tired.

My accountability partner, Jeffery Allen, called and told me I needed to read the Feb 22 entry from Oswald Chambers' book My Utmost for His Highest.

The Discipline of Spiritual Perseverance

Be still, and know that I am God . . . —Psalm 46:10

Perseverance is more than endurance. It is endurance combined with absolute assurance and certainty that what we are looking for is going to happen. Perseverance means more than just hanging on, which may be only exposing our fear of letting go and falling. Perseverance is our supreme effort of refusing to believe that our hero is going to be conquered. Our greatest fear is not that we will be damned, but that somehow Jesus Christ will be defeated. Also, our fear is that the very things our Lord stood for— love, justice, forgiveness, and kindness among men— will not win out in the end and will represent an unattainable goal for us. Then there is the call to spiritual perseverance. A call not to hang on and do nothing, but to work deliberately, knowing with certainty that God will never be defeated.

If our hopes seem to be experiencing disappointment right now, it simply means that they are being purified. Every hope or dream of the human mind will be fulfilled if it is noble and of God. But one of the greatest stresses in life is the stress of waiting for God. He brings fulfillment, "because you have kept My command to persevere . . ." ( Revelation 3:10 ).

Continue to persevere spiritually.

A little while later, I received an email from one of Revolution's prayer warriors that offered these words...

I'm writing to tell you I love you, I care, and am revving up the prayer power.

Satan attacks us hardest when we' re tired

...Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him.... the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God.  ( I Cor 2:9)

For My thoughts are nor your thoughts nor are your ways My ways declares the Lord. (Isaiah 55:8)

When possible, be still and quiet, rest, eat right, so you'll be strong and ready to do the work God's ordained for you.

And this one from another prayer warrior...

"Let the peace of Christ Jesus rule in your hearts deciding with finality all questions that arise in your mind." ( I Col 3:15)

Tomorrow, March 15th, will be the one year anniversary of the call that changed my life forever. So this weekend, we are going to be still, and know that He is God! I will share some of my experiences over that past week... next week.

I don't plan to check my email or blog comments this weekend. I may not even get on the computer at all. I want to enjoy the family that God has so blessed me with.

Please pray that I will "Be Still." That is hard for me to do. If I am still with nothing to do, my tendency is to find something. Pray for my wife that she will force me to be still without sedation.

I hope that these words spoke to someone else too... Remember that God loves YOU.

As a reminder of what Jesus did for me as a stupid, unworthy nobody...

I am so thankful for that Sunday!

(Follow link if you cannot see the video above)

Thanks to Jimmy Britt for sharing...

You have no idea what Monday and Tuesday meant to me at Evolve. On this blog, and in person, I have always tried to be real and very transparent. So... here is my story.

I know with out a doubt that God has called me to plant a church to make a difference for Jesus in Florence, SC.

Over the past month... the devil has had a hay-day (southern for field day) in my brain. He has told me often that I am not good enough to lead a church. I have had a hard time dealing with this. Upon examining myself, my weaknesses showed up in an awful way. It is hard stuff to hear and realize!!! Since that time... I have been really defeated.

This week, I have realized (little slow sometimes) that I am not good enough to plant a church!

BUT GOD IS!!!

I met so many great people this week that truly ministered to me and probably have no idea how much! I want to take just a few minutes to share how...

On Monday morning, before the Evolve Conference even started, Susanne and I went to the Waffle House to get some good quality breakfast. Our waitress was a hoot. She was so happy to be alive. Her coworker received a phone call... evidently she had man issues. Our waitress looked at her in a stern voice after a little bit of chatting with her... "Girl, you need to put your faith in God up in Heaven, not some man". It hit home... I cannot put my faith in some man (me), Susanne, or a core team... My faith belongs in God alone! Through Him I can do all things!

When we arrived, we were greeted by a great bunch of volunteers. Thanks everyone for making us feel so welcome! While walking around, Shawn Lovejoy and wife Tricia stopped us to chat a little. What great people! I see a lot of myself in him. He is even an Alabama Fan! Thanks so much Shawn for allowing us to come and get ministered to!

Later Monday, I spoke to to Steven Furtick and shared a little about how the devil was messing with me and that I did not feel good enough to plant a church. He shared from his heart with this comment: "Florence needs you!" Please note what he did NOT say... He did not say God needs me. God does not need me but He wants me! Florence needs people to show LOVE and GRACE and live the The Gospel in front of them.

After speaking with Steven, we ran into Mark Batterson. I had to share with him how much his book In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day changed my life. (He is probably one of the most humble men I have ever met.) He shared with us how much he needed to hear that. He mentioned to us that he was struggling a bit with his new book. God told me pray for him right there. I reasoned with it... my mind kept saying, "That is Mark Batterson, he has places to go, people to talk to"... so I was disobedient and did not pray. God cleaned my clock about it while heading to the hotel. Needless to say... it was a little late, but he did get prayed for. God spoke to me that I was to always pray for others! Always... even when I don't feel like it, or question the timing!

Yesterday evening, I spoke with Bil Cornelius after his sermon in the final session. I shared how discouraged I have been, and how I did not feel like I had what it takes. He told me a quick little story about Saul. Saul had all the great markings of a leader (in man's eyes)... There was one problem. He was not the man God wanted and called. God called the young, unqualified, clueless shepherd-boy, David. That is so me! Susanne has been telling me that God does not call the equipped, but He equips the called! Man... That has never resonated so strongly.

So, here I am a day later... conference is over... I have finally accepted what the devil told me... I cannot do this nor am I good enough...

But my God is! I am trusting in His calling!

 

I will share my notes from Day 2 of the conference over the next couple of days... If you missed day 1, check it out here.

I did want to send a shot out to some other great people I met: Paul Peterson and his wife (he called me astute... had to look that one up...), J.R. Lee, Rindy Walton, Chris Elrod, Tadd Grandstaff, Boyd Bettis and his wife, Jamie Limato, Gary Lamb, Casey Graham (BAMA FAN... he even knew where Opp, AL was located!), David Putman, Dave Anderson, Adam Walker (check out the video he posted here... WOW).

 

I know I am missing some and I am very sorry... I want to thank you all for spending time to encourage me and lift me up!

You all were matches that helped ignite the fire! Now I am ready to burn for Jesus, and give him all I've got!

I started reading unChristian the other day... It really is a great book and has done an excellent job to keep my attention and is full of enlightening  information...

But, sometimes we have to change.

Thanks to Vince Antonucci, I have re-prioritized my reading list:

I Became a Christian and All I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt: Replacing Souvenir Religion with Authentic Spiritual Passion has now moved into the top spot.

Vince was gracious enough to send me a copy of his book which arrived in the mail today. (Thanks Vince!!!) I am putting the kids to bed in just a few minutes and then plan to get started reading it.

I am sure I will be sharing more on it soon...

 

Please keep me and Susanne in your prayers tomorrow (Feb 7th) around 2:00 PM. We have a very important meeting in Columbia. Thanks for those that have already emailed us to let us know they have and will be praying for us.

 

FYI: If you read my blog, live close to Florence SC, and would like to borrow any book I have mentioned on my blog, just let me know. You are more than welcome to borrow any of them. To see a list of the books we own, you can visit our online store. Once you are there, you can click on the link for 5Reeder's Book Collection. That will show you books we own. I am still trying to get them all entered.

With all the buzz about our big announcement (and for the last time, Susanne IS NOT PREGNANT)... Susanne and I realized that we had never had a sit down with the two oldest kids to tell them about the church plant.

We feel at age 8 and 6, they are old enough to understand what is going on. It was truly an awesome family time where we explained that God has called our family to be missionaries to Florence, SC... Just like the ones that they learn about in R.A. and G.A. class. They were both so excited about it. (and a hint... they both were SOOOOOO excited about the big announcement...)

Emilee blessed me so much! She said "Dad, does that mean you are going to be a preacher?" I told her yes. She then told me with a gleam in her eyes and smile on her face... "Dad, you are going to be the best preacher in the world!"

Talk about melt your heart!!!

This morning was church (Men's Day). I enjoy hearing the testimony of men where Jesus Christ has ROCKED THEIR WORLD!!! Then Mike Blackmon shared a message on how the Holy Spirit is always there for us... to carry our baggage, just like a Porter does when boarding a train. Wow... Did I need to hear that!

We went to get Sam from Columbia and while there, decided to stop in a check out Dustin over at MidTown. We even participated in the Lord's Supper! Thanks Dustin for such a wonderful message... Even if it was the NyQuil talking! BTW: They have such a cool kid's area!!! My three young'uns did not want to leave! The amazing thing was, the teachers did not want them to leave either. Emilee had to hug several girls she met tonight before leaving!

It is 10:42 and fast approaching bed time... so to wrap up a wonderful weekend, I want to leave you with this...

I PROMISE!!! PROMISE!!! Tomorrow you can find out the big announcement right here at ChrisReeder.com.

I am reading another great book by Andy Stanley called Communicating for a Change: Seven Keys to Irresistible Communication. I am getting close to completing it and wanted to share a few WOW statements!!!

• You can learn a lot from a truck driver named Will.
• ME, WE, GOD, YOU, WE (Read the book to learn what in the world that means...)
• "An audience has to buy into the messenger before they buy into the message. You know from your own experience that if there is something that bugs you about the communicator it's difficult to engage with their content. This is especially true if they don't seem genuine. A lack of genuineness makes it difficult to trust a speaker."
• "Before we stand to deliver a message we must OWN it."
• "I find something very disingenuous about the speaker who says, "This is very, very important," and then reads something from his notes."

I really enjoy reading Andy's books. Trying to decide between one of these books to read next... Any thoughts?

• Creating Community: Five Keys to Building a Small Group Culture by Andy Stanley and Bill Willits
• unChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks about Christianity... and Why It Matters by David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons
• The Purpose-Driven Church by Rick Warren
• Making Vision Stick (Leadership Library) by Andy Stanley
• Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality by Donald Miller

Which book should be my next book for a very early in planning Church Planter? If you have a great list or recommendation, please share. I want to learn and get the most BANG for my time reading!

I really wish there were more good books on CD/Tape!!!

Jason and Donna Foster, two of our dearest friends, continue to need our/your prayers.

"Please pray that she learns that the bottle is no longer her enemy! I have to praise God for all His faithfulness and all of His blessings. We have been through the fire but Jesus has been that unfailing "fourth Man in the fiery furnace" once again." --Donna Foster

Please visit Rachel's Story for the latest on their journey.

I am sure they would appreciate your encouragement and prayers for Rachel and Samantha (Rachel's big sister) very much.

In case you did not already know. One of my Goals for 2008 is to get in God's Word DAILY!

I am not committing to read the entire Bible in 2008, only to read God's Word DAILY!

As you may already know from Jay, Perry, and Tadd; YouVersion.com has a One Year Bible available online. There is one problem with it (sorry Craig); there's not a good way to print it nicely for non-online reading.

Even being the techy person I am... I would prefer to read from a book rather than a web site (I look at a computer screen all day at work). So, I have taken the YouVersion Bible Reading Plan and created a document that I can print for reading offline. It is ONE page, front & back. It will fold and fit nicely in front of my journal notebook.

Here are the links to the download: (Craig, I hope this was ok... If not, I will remove it.)

Microsoft Word:

http://chrisreeder.com/ReadTheBibleInAYearYouVersion.doc

Adobe PDF File:

http://chrisreeder.com/ReadTheBibleInAYearYouVersion.pdf

If you wish to follow along with my plan, I am reading the right most option each day (Example: Jan 10th is "Genesis 15,16 Psalms 18 Matt 10"... So, my reading today is Matthew 10).

My co-worker, Darlene Winborne, said something profound the other day and it has stuck with me...

"You cannot change what you tolerate."

Man... what a statement!

"You cannot change what you tolerate."

So many times in life, we see/experience things that get on our last nerve...

• Leaky faucets...
• Dirty house (for my wife)...
• Showing up late for church...
• Showing up late anywhere...
• Showing up late everywhere... (we're not that bad)
• Not being able to see the scale when weighing in...
• Having to write a check to pay a credit card bill...
• I think you get it now...

Today is January 1st, 2008; The day everyone is making new years resolutions. When you make your list... add this quote to the top of the page.

As long as we tolerate this stuff... we will not change. Our new year's resolutions will be nothing more than a well written list of words.

So I challenge you all and myself this year; make a set of goals for 2008 that you have made up your mind you will no longer tolerate not doing anymore and actually do something about it!

Here are my goals for 2008:

• Take my wife out on more dates
• Pray more with my entire family (thanks grandpa)
• Read God's Word Daily
• Meet regularly with my Accountability Partner
• Read more books on leadership, pastoring, and church planting
• Continue paying off debt
• Drop a few pounds (okay...maybe several)

December is such a wonderful time of the year. After all, it is the time when we celebrate the birth of our savior Jesus Christ! It is also a time when we can give gifts to those we love... and some we don't (just kidding). It is also a time to spend with family members and those we only see once or twice a year. Oh... what a great time!

December is is also a very stressful time of the year. After all, it is a time we give gifts, spend time with family and friends. (didn't I just say that above?)

These events during Christmas time can be very stressful. Money already tight, now gifts? Already busy, now Christmas parties. Budgeting for next year. Planning for new committees. Oh yeah... plans for starting a new church?

Have you ever heard...

"God won't give you more than you can bear"

Seems like I am to that point ever so often. The Bible does not state that but actually states: (thanks to Steven Furtick)

"No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it."  --1 Corinthians 10:13

So, I say that to say this... Though our lives are busy and it seems as if we never have enough time... We  need to fight like the lizard in the picture... when it looks gloomy and crazy... Remember these words...

12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.  --Philippians 3:12-15

I leave you with the words from a song by Reliant K; from their song Pressing On

I think we're going somewhere.
We're on to something good here.
Out of mind, out of state.
Trying to keep my head on straight.

I think we're going somewhere.
We're on to something good here.
There's only one thing left to do.
Drop all I have and go with you.

[Chorus:]
Somewhere back there I left my worries all behind.
My problems fell out of the back of my mind.
We're going and I'm never knowing (never knowing) where we're going.
To go back to where I was would just be wrong.
I'm pressing on.
Pressing on, all my distress is going, going, gone. (pressing on, pressing on)
And I won't sit back, and take this anymore.
'Cause I'm done with that, I've got one foot out the door.
And to go back where I was would just be wrong
I'm pressing on.

I think we're going somewhere.
We're on to something good here.
Out of mind, out of state.
Trying to keep my head on straight.
I think we're going somewhere.
We're on to something good here.
Adversity, we get around it.
Searched for joy, in you I found it.

You look down on me, but you don't look down on me at all.
You smile and laugh, and I feel the love you have for me.
I think we're going somewhere.
We're on to something good here, and we're gonna make it after all.

Focus on the JOY of Christmas! After all, you are gonna make it... Laugh and smile and feel the love that Jesus has for you!

Last night, I was woken up to someone crying outside our bedroom door. 2:15 AM!!!

I was a little upset, I was sleeping good!!! Sam was on his knees just crying...

I picked him up and stood there in the hallway trying to calm him... Finally... He was calm... maybe even back asleep.

When I put him back in the bed (all you parents know what happened next)... That's right, he started crying again...

Man, am I ever going to get back to sleep???

I ended up laying on the couch with him on my belly and chest. Under the blanket on the couch and in my arms... He became calm again. A minute or two went by and he was snoring lightly with his arms wrapped around me. As I held him, I knew he was crying more for my purpose than for his.

You see, God ordained that time last night for me. I just held, kissed, and prayed over him.

So many times, we I look at those times in life as burdens, but they are not. They are times we can be there for our children; a time to hold them, love them, and protect them.

Don't get angry when...

• You are awakened during the middle of the night and you have the alarm set for 6:00 AM...
• You are trying to get food on the table and your kids keep interrupting progress...
• You trying to hurry and cut the grass but your kid wants to ride with you on the lawnmower which slows you down...
• Your kids want to go to Chuck E. Cheese (even if that place is of the devil! just kidding)...
• Your kids have craft "stuff" everywhere in your house and want you to participate in the chaos...
• You are trying to get some work done on the computer but your 3 year old wishes to work on the computer too...
• You just cleaned the house and the kids want to get out the play dough or Legos...
• Did I miss any???

 

Cherish those times... They are a "God Send" in Disguise! If only we could see them that way...

Susanne and I are in the great city of Greenville, SC this weekend for a get-a-way.

No worries...
No times to be anywhere...
No Kids...

Well... Almost. We got checked into the hotel and wanted to get some good grub (food). Carrabba's.. here we come (we don't have one in Flo-Town).

While waiting to graze (outside in the cold)... we have a surreal moment. A dad came out of the restaurant carrying (well, actually she was flung across his right shoulder) a SCREAMMING 4-5 YEAR OLD GIRL!!!  Kicking and screaming is more like it...

SCREAMING... "I Don't Want No Butter! I Don't Want No Butter!". Mom was walking far behind them to the car. This kid would not stop. Evidently, they had gotten up and left their food. As the kid kept screaming and the parents kept coming in and took turns watching the kid scream outside.

It made me so sad... not that the kid needed a spanking... but that the parents were not even trying to correct the child.  That kid was literally crying out for parents who would step up to the plate and PARENT...not just run and hide in embarrassment.  Susanne and I literally watched the whole thing with our mouths wide open...amazed that this kind of thing actually happens...

So, here I am now... stuffed from the Chicken Trio... Writing this post sippin' some Dunkin' Donuts coffee.

Why did we come to Greenville? Stay tuned... more to come later.

I have been going through books like crazy lately!! ...Well, for me, anyway.  My beautiful wife noticed me with a book this morning and made this comment...

"You have read more in the past six months than you read in the first nine years of our marriage."

Very true! I just can't get enough. God has placed such a desire in my heart to learn and grow as I seek to fulfill his call on my life. I am currently reading The Radical Reformission: Reaching Out without Selling Out, by Mark Driscoll. Just finished watching Trees, by Rob Bell, to review for my Sunday School lesson (9-12 Grades) tomorrow . The combination of reading last night and the video today... rocked me for a good one. They both discussed how we deal with the culture around us. Are we just here to live to get to Heaven... Or are we here to impact this world the way Christ intended?

Here are a few quotes from the book and video:

“We live between the trees, in a world drenched in God. And some people seriously ask, you know, ‘Where is God?’ Maybe a better question would be, ‘Where isn’t God?’ I mean, his fingerprints are all over our world. Or maybe it’s his world and they’re our fingerprints.” -Rob Bell in Nooma video "Trees"

On both sides of the river was the tree of life bearing 12 kinds of fruit, producing it’s fruit every month. The leaves of the tree are for healing the nations. Revelation 22:2 - The Bible

"First, to change a culture, we must change the people in that culture. The question that arises is whether people do what they are, or if they are what they do. The answer to this is imperative, because if we are what we do, then all we need to do is train people to act differently, and they will change themselves. But if we cannot do good until we become good, the very thing which bad people cannot do, no matter how many dollars are spent and organizations are founded to help them.
The Bible clearly teaches that we do what we are. It also repeatedly teaches that our sin comes from out hearts, the center of who we are. ...
The sinful nature of our hearts is the root of all cultural problems and sins. The unredeemed heart is a glutton for sin and death. Only God can give a person a new heart, one with new desires for a redeemed life that contributes to a transformed culture." -Mark Driscoll in The Radical Reformission, p.109.

God has called us to be the "salt of the earth"... We are not called to just "get more junk and leave this trailer park of a planet before God's tornado touches down on all sinners" (Driscoll). We are to reach out to the world/culture in which God has placed us.

God has put us here, as leaves on a tree to provide fruit; love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,meekness, self-control.

Have you ever thought about that tree? Jesus spread his arms wide open on a tree, to shed His blood, that all may be saved! Are you reaching out to make a difference?  We are here on this planet, in our respective towns/cities, during this particular time in history, to complete HIS purpose our lives...to impact our world..."For such a time as this"!!!

 

(Disclaimer: I do not necessarily agree with everything Driscoll says in the book... but it's a great eye opener to a "Sheltered Christian", and I must say, his passion for reaching others is contagious).

As many of you may already know, Susanne and I surrendered to God's call to ministry last March. We have been fervently praying for God's will in our lives, and for His guidance in the next step(s) we should be taking in obedience to accomplish His will.

After much prayer, we have decided to sell our home.

We have had a burden on our hearts for over a year now concerning financial freedom (thanks Joe), and while we have made great strides in getting there, we feel that this will be a BIG STEP towards finally making it happen!

We know that God is in control, and we have already found a home that is going to be a step of faith. We are trusting that God will sell our house quickly and He can make it happen!

Buy purchasing this home, we will accomplish two things...we will be DEBT FREE except for a mortgage (which by the way will be a little more than half of what we are currently paying) and we will also be fulfilling a dream of being "out in the country" on a few acres of land. 

Please pray for favor with the owners of this property (a sister and two brothers selling their mother's home) and for God's perfect plan to be accomplished.  We have not listed our house with a realtor because financially that would be a bit of a set back, so we are trying to sell it on our own. 

We have constructed a website at www.2121TwinBridge.com for potential buyers to view, and we have made printable flyers to distribute. If you know of anyone that would be interested in buying our house, please let them know. Otherwise, please pray that the house will sell quickly and that we will be able to accomplish our financial goals.

Thank you all so much for praying, and for being wonderful brothers and sisters in Christ who we can turn to in our trials, laugh with in our joys, weep with in our sorrows, and celebrate with in our successes.  We cannot imagine doing this "thing" called life without you all!!!

Quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death. Set God-sized goals. Pursue God-ordained passions. Go after a dream that is destined to fail without divine intervention. Keep asking questions. Keep making mistakes. Keep seeking God. Stop pointing out problems and become part of the solution. Stop repeating the past and start creating the future. Stop playing it safe and start taking risks. Expand your horizons. Accumulate experiences. Enjoy the journey. Find every excuse you can to celebrate everything you can. Live like today is the first day and last day of your life. Don't let what's wrong with you keep you from worshiping what's right with God. Burn sinful bridges. Blaze a new trail. Criticize by creating. Worry less about what people think and more about what God thinks. Don't try to be who you're not. Be yourself. Laugh at yourself. Quit holding out. Quit holding back. Quit running away.

Chase the lion.

Well said Mark!!! Author of the book:

In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day: How to Survive and Thrive When Opportunity Roars

Here is the Promotional Video:

If you are a man, you need to read this book!

I promise it will change your life! Now I need to get the small group leader kit!

Susanne and I watched a movie yesterday that inspired this post. Thanks David for allowing us to borrow it.

The name of the movie is Joshua.

In the movie, Joshua was a leader by example! He took a small town and radically changed it for the better. The town learned to care for one another through seeing Joshua do it. It was contagious! If you are a Christian, God has called you to be just like Jesus. To show love!

When you see hurt, reach out the best way you can.

When you see devastation, figure out how you can help.

When you see kids playing and smiling, smile with them.

When you see someone a dollar short at the cash register, give them a dollar.

When you see someone that needs a friend, be that friend.

You may be the only person able to minister to that person for Jesus.

Two thousand years after the death and resurrection of Jesus, what Joshua said in this movie is still true.

The message is still the same. Tell My people I love them!

God's love is for everyone and we have been called to tell the world.

My Pastor, Howard Allen, has shown me how to love everyone. I have seen him show it in so man ways when he didn't even notice I was watching. He and Mrs. Nancy has shown love to me, Susanne, and the kids too. They have become like second parents for us. Thanks Howard and Nancy for loving us just like Jesus!

I leave you with this challenge: Love one another! It really can impact someone's life!

WOW!!! What a great past couple of days! Jesus has been rockin' my world...

Friday I was reading my blogs that I read every day...and boy, this one hit me!!!

"What Would You Be Willing To Attempt For God If You Knew You Could Not Fail?"

In this post, Perry Noble was confronted on why this "attempt for God" was not being pursued.

“You are a coward if you don’t!”

"However, there are MANY reading this right now that know exactly what you would do…you just lack the courage to take a dive of faith. You say you are waiting on God…when, in actuality God is waiting on you! You say you are praying about it…but you really aren’t because every time you do God prompts you to take action–BUT because you don’t have all your questions answered you are SCARED and refuse to move."

Then this morning, Howard Allen (our preacher), preached on having a vision and dreaming dreams. He cast his vision for South Florence: salvations, tithing, staff, membership, and impact on Florence, SC. The Bible says in Proverbs 29:18; "Where there is no vision, the people perish." Howard know's where God is taking us... He challenged the entire church to get on board and make a difference in God's Kingdom!

Then on the way home from church... Susanne says... "Chris, I've got a song for you to hear." Here is the chorus...

"Whatever I gotta be
I'll be for you
I'm for you
If you never knew
If you never knew
I'm for you
You know it’s true"

Jesus, I am yours! All I have is yours! All that I am is yours! My service is yours!

Make it clear ...the next step... and I will step!

Talk about a spit your coffee out moment. I just read this post from Mark Driscoll. He spoke about his trip to see some UFC fights in Vegas (Jeffery, right up your alley).

But here was the awesome part. He was witnessing and well... here is the part I loved...

Our cab ride was particularly curious. Our Kenyan Muslim/Voodoo driver and I argued over whether Jesus or voodoo was more powerful. He admitted that voodoo was "kind of satanic," which I told him was like "kind of having herpes" but he was not dissuaded. He said he prayed as a Muslim but also used voodoo to seek revenge on people who sinned against him. When I asked him why he would not simply pray to Jesus for justice, he said, "Yeah, you can do that too, but Jesus takes too long." When I told him I was a Christian preacher he said I should not be in Vegas because it was a place filled with bad people who do bad things . . . such as Muslim cab drivers who do voodoo, I presumed.

I really like the in