Now here's a story of knowing what you want in life and going for it. Mike Leach is the head coach of the Texas Tech Red Raiders. (You guys know how big of a college football fan I am) Mike graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in 1983. He then went on to Pepperdine University School of law and graduated with a law degree in 1986.
After all of this time and effort he decided that he wanted to be a football coach. That had always been his dream but he was never willing to pursue it. "Why Not?" That was his attitude!
So today he coaches a team that is undefeated and about to play Texas (the #1 team in the country) this Saturday. A lot of people are saying that texas Tech will win the game. If you ask me I'm not so sure. However, Mike Leach is already a winner. He knew what mattered most to him in life and he didn't settle. By the way, Mike is one of only 4 Division I coaches that didn't actually play football in college. That's what I'm talking about. Having a dream and the courage to pursue it!
LifePoint Church has been a dream and vision of mine for many years. Six years ago in the midst of much criticism and questions from even friends and family I decided to go for it. Since then we have been on one amazing ride. There have been great days and not so great days but through it all God has been faithful and has allowed us to be a part of a great story.
For the last several months I have been seeking God about the next few years of my life. I have been sharing on Sunday's that I feel like He is calling us to take the heart and vision of who we are outside the church walls and make a great difference in our communities. I truly believe that the greatest days are ahead of us.
The last two weeks have been a time of great anticipation for me. I almost feel like I did when God first began to give me the dream of this place. I know that this is what He has called me to and I am ready to make the next run.
For those of you who have been a part of this journey, thanks for all you have done and I know you will continue to be a part. For those of you who are new to LifePoint, hang on because we are about to have some fun and watch God do great things!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Thursday, October 23, 2008
BIG CHALLENGE!
So, did I issue a "big challenge" Sunday or what? In the midst of some of our toughest economic times in history I asked the people of LifePoint to step up their giving to an all time high in an effort to be a part of a huge plan God has for us. I am confident that, as always, the response will be huge and together we will once again see God do amazing things.
I can't wait to get into the next few months and begin to see some of our dreams become a reality. Things like stepping greater into our community and meeting physical needs, helping people begin to discover their purpose for living, and seeking to lead the church into the future. Only time will tell what will be accomplished and I for one am waiting with great anticipation.
Come prepared this Sunday to be part of a fun time of celebration as you bring your gifts during the service. (We will fill the treasure chest) Remember, "where your treasure is there will your heart be also!"
I can't wait to get into the next few months and begin to see some of our dreams become a reality. Things like stepping greater into our community and meeting physical needs, helping people begin to discover their purpose for living, and seeking to lead the church into the future. Only time will tell what will be accomplished and I for one am waiting with great anticipation.
Come prepared this Sunday to be part of a fun time of celebration as you bring your gifts during the service. (We will fill the treasure chest) Remember, "where your treasure is there will your heart be also!"
Monday, October 20, 2008
Buried Treasure
We are in a series right now called "Buried Treasure", and I am loving the ways God is stretching us! I am not usually so comfortable with asking people to consider giving like I have been the last few weeks.
For the last 6 years I have resisted talking much about money in an attempt to not make people misunderstand my passion, heart and desires. The reality is that I am starting to understand that people really do want to be a part of something bigger than themselves and that means we may have to step outside of our comfort zones.
God had no problem with the money conversation because His motives were pure. As I have prayed these last few months I feel like mine are as well so I am going for it.
We have been called as a church to make a huge difference in the lives of those we call our neighbor and it will mean that each of us will have to sacrifice. This past Sunday I gave a big challenge for the church and you can listen to it here.
Join us again this Sunday as we continue this journey!
For the last 6 years I have resisted talking much about money in an attempt to not make people misunderstand my passion, heart and desires. The reality is that I am starting to understand that people really do want to be a part of something bigger than themselves and that means we may have to step outside of our comfort zones.
God had no problem with the money conversation because His motives were pure. As I have prayed these last few months I feel like mine are as well so I am going for it.
We have been called as a church to make a huge difference in the lives of those we call our neighbor and it will mean that each of us will have to sacrifice. This past Sunday I gave a big challenge for the church and you can listen to it here.
Join us again this Sunday as we continue this journey!
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Don't Miss Sunday
You do NOT want to miss this Sunday! As I shared this past week, all of the staff will be on the stage with me this week and we will be sharing some great stories.
For the past several weeks we have been discussing generosity and the characteristics of a generous life. Now we move into the real issues. "What is God asking me to do?" and "How can I display the marks of generosity?"
For the next several weeks we will be sharing with you some exciting things that are on the horizon for LifePoint Church and the communities we are a part of. The staff and I have been stretching ourselves to think outside the box and seek what it really looks like to be generous, which is simply being like Christ. Now we want to share our thoughts and visions with you and invite you to invest your time, talents and resources in helping us accomplish some great things.
We know that if anything of lasting value is accomplished it will be by the grace of Christ, and yet we also know that He has chosen to work through ordinary people like you and me.
So get ready to hear some exciting stuff and to be challenged like never before.
See you Sunday!
For the past several weeks we have been discussing generosity and the characteristics of a generous life. Now we move into the real issues. "What is God asking me to do?" and "How can I display the marks of generosity?"
For the next several weeks we will be sharing with you some exciting things that are on the horizon for LifePoint Church and the communities we are a part of. The staff and I have been stretching ourselves to think outside the box and seek what it really looks like to be generous, which is simply being like Christ. Now we want to share our thoughts and visions with you and invite you to invest your time, talents and resources in helping us accomplish some great things.
We know that if anything of lasting value is accomplished it will be by the grace of Christ, and yet we also know that He has chosen to work through ordinary people like you and me.
So get ready to hear some exciting stuff and to be challenged like never before.
See you Sunday!
Monday, September 29, 2008
Sunday Morning Conversations
For the last several weeks I have been asking questions during our services. That's not very different. I mean we have always heard teachers ask questions in churches. However, the questions I have been posing have not been rhetorical questions but ones that I really wanted to hear some feedback.
By the way, thanks to all of the brave ones that have been wiling to shout out in one of our services and give your insight to the subjects we are addressing. I know that this is a very new idea and yet I think it is a very healthy and potentially life changing one.
In the last few days Chris had a great post on relationships where he talked about the importance of really listening. You can read it by clicking here!
I long for the day when we can regular gather as a group and just share openly with each other. Where someone isn't the "Bible answer man" (or women) standing in front of the group but where we can learn in community.
This is the idea behind the internet site know as wikipedia, where the information is shared information. The thought is that one person (source) can't possibly have all the perspectives needed to really bring a full understanding to any subject.
My desire is that at LifePoint we would be a people of God who explore this thought in many ways and I look forward to the journey with you.
I would love to get some feedback from those of you who read this blog about how this whole idea strikes you!
By the way, thanks to all of the brave ones that have been wiling to shout out in one of our services and give your insight to the subjects we are addressing. I know that this is a very new idea and yet I think it is a very healthy and potentially life changing one.
In the last few days Chris had a great post on relationships where he talked about the importance of really listening. You can read it by clicking here!
I long for the day when we can regular gather as a group and just share openly with each other. Where someone isn't the "Bible answer man" (or women) standing in front of the group but where we can learn in community.
This is the idea behind the internet site know as wikipedia, where the information is shared information. The thought is that one person (source) can't possibly have all the perspectives needed to really bring a full understanding to any subject.
My desire is that at LifePoint we would be a people of God who explore this thought in many ways and I look forward to the journey with you.
I would love to get some feedback from those of you who read this blog about how this whole idea strikes you!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Generosity
This past Sunday we shifted gears on our series and started a mini series on Generosity. Anytime yo hear that word our minds quickly go to money. No doubt money is a tool where we are able to see our generosity or lack of but what we are talking about is much deeper than dollars.
We're talking about the generous life! This Sunday we'll dive into the characteristics of the generous life. If you are going to come and hang out with us I want you to begin thinking about that.
Where have you encountered extreme generosity in a life?
What are/where the characteristics of that life?
Paul told Timothy to teach the people to "be generous and willing to share." (We'll look at this specific passage this week)
There are some amazing things happening in the lives of some of the people who make up LifePoint and over the next few months we will highlight some of the stories and invite others of you to dive in to what is happening.
Kudo's to the community of people that have started going to Macon each Sunday night and feeding and hanging out with the homeless and hurting people up there.
Kudo's to the community of people that are working on houses of those in need and especially this week on the house of one of those who is part of our church family.
Thank you! Thank You! Thank You! To all of you who displayed generosity toward my family as Carey has been recovering from back surgery.
I'm so grateful to be part of a community of people who get it and who display the marks of a generous life!
We're talking about the generous life! This Sunday we'll dive into the characteristics of the generous life. If you are going to come and hang out with us I want you to begin thinking about that.
Where have you encountered extreme generosity in a life?
What are/where the characteristics of that life?
Paul told Timothy to teach the people to "be generous and willing to share." (We'll look at this specific passage this week)
There are some amazing things happening in the lives of some of the people who make up LifePoint and over the next few months we will highlight some of the stories and invite others of you to dive in to what is happening.
Kudo's to the community of people that have started going to Macon each Sunday night and feeding and hanging out with the homeless and hurting people up there.
Kudo's to the community of people that are working on houses of those in need and especially this week on the house of one of those who is part of our church family.
Thank you! Thank You! Thank You! To all of you who displayed generosity toward my family as Carey has been recovering from back surgery.
I'm so grateful to be part of a community of people who get it and who display the marks of a generous life!
Friday, September 19, 2008
Ryder Cup 2008
This year USA and Europe square off for the 37th Ryder Cup Golf event. It's a match that is played between the two foes every other year. It happens to be one of my more favorite sporting events to watch. The USA has not done so well in the last several events but its always fun to watch and brings out a great spirit in the competitors and even those like me that just observe.
One of the players for the US, Kenny Perry, has worked very hard to make this team. The top 10 players, based on money (earnings) make the team each year and then the team captain gets to pick two other players. I just listened to an interview with Kenny where he shared all he has done this year to make the team. The event is being played in his home town so he had a little extra desire to participate.
Golf has 4 major championships every year and Kenny qualified to play in each of them. However, he chose to not play in the one outside the US and to play in more tournaments than he ever had in order to reach the earnings needed to make the team.
Now, that's what I'm talking about! Starting off the year with a goal in mind and then making the little decisions necessary to reach that goal.
Right now, at LifePoint, the staff and board are working through our 5 BHAG's (Big Hairy Audacious Goals) for 2009. We are asking God to direct us to five areas where if we grew and worked extra hard we could see our church go to a greater place. We have almost finalized the list and those of you who are part of our church will get to hear about it soon.
Having the goals will be one thing but the real challenge will be making the tough decisions necessary to position ourselves to accomplish the goals. There will be things we are doing that we may need to stop doing and there will be new things to start doing. It should be fun having a goal in mind and then creating a plan to accomplish that goal.
I believe with all of my heart that the greatest days at LifePoint are still ahead of us. I also believe that the greatest ways of doing church have still yet to be discovered. Together I look forward to seeking the things of the future!
One of the players for the US, Kenny Perry, has worked very hard to make this team. The top 10 players, based on money (earnings) make the team each year and then the team captain gets to pick two other players. I just listened to an interview with Kenny where he shared all he has done this year to make the team. The event is being played in his home town so he had a little extra desire to participate.
Golf has 4 major championships every year and Kenny qualified to play in each of them. However, he chose to not play in the one outside the US and to play in more tournaments than he ever had in order to reach the earnings needed to make the team.
Now, that's what I'm talking about! Starting off the year with a goal in mind and then making the little decisions necessary to reach that goal.
Right now, at LifePoint, the staff and board are working through our 5 BHAG's (Big Hairy Audacious Goals) for 2009. We are asking God to direct us to five areas where if we grew and worked extra hard we could see our church go to a greater place. We have almost finalized the list and those of you who are part of our church will get to hear about it soon.
Having the goals will be one thing but the real challenge will be making the tough decisions necessary to position ourselves to accomplish the goals. There will be things we are doing that we may need to stop doing and there will be new things to start doing. It should be fun having a goal in mind and then creating a plan to accomplish that goal.
I believe with all of my heart that the greatest days at LifePoint are still ahead of us. I also believe that the greatest ways of doing church have still yet to be discovered. Together I look forward to seeking the things of the future!
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