a clear view of stewardship

Came across this powerful quote about stewardship that nails it!

Our stewardship of money tells a deep and consequential story. It forms our biography."

Randy Alcorn, quoted in Giving by John Ortberg, Laurie Pederson, & Judson Poling

So the Lord says to me,"So what is your biography?"

1.7 million reasons to say thank you!

What a Celebration Day we all experieinced yesterday! the culumination of a month long emphasis on stewardship. I am so proud of our congregation and the way that they have responded to God's directives to their hearts. We had 3 unbelievable worship celebrations yesterday, and climax for me was when I met a man who was there for the first time, brought by a friend who has been coming for a few months. This man told me that he could not believe what he had experienced, and then his friend just beamed and said "I told you so!" Exactly what the vision is all about, to reach people where they are so they are impacted by the power of the Gospel. Then we gathered 200 strong last night for a fellowship dinner and worship time that raised the roof. I had the privilege of announcing the faith promise commitments of our congregation over the next 3 years of 1,736,099.64(and counting). I say that because I was handed more commitment cards at the end of the evening. God worked through His people, and cant wait to see what He is going to do in their lives as they stepped out on faith. Love this church, Love this assignment from High!

Reflections as I prepare for Sunday

As I look back on all that God has done over the past years at CBC I just fall on my knees and cry Holy Holy Holy! Today is Celebration Sunday, and we are going to stand back and watch what God is going to do through His people. We will praise Him for the commitments made by everyone who calls Central home, as we see the construction going on all around us. Even though that is very exciting and causes my heart to skip a beat, that is not what is causing the overwhelming sense of awe. It is the lives that we continue to see changed every week through the power of the Spirit, it is the depth of love that this congregation has for each other and for our community. It is the privilege of fulfilling His assignment in serving here. Holy, Holy Holy!

Beginning of something really good

This has been an awesome week! Pastor Gilmer started on staff as our Pastor of Spiritual Development and has already made great contributions. It is a lot of fun to have him on our team, and I cant wait to see what God will do through him.

We had our leadership commitment event last evening, where many of our leaders stepped out and made their faith promise commitments for the building of our facility. Great spirit in the evening, and alot of fun. Looking forward to Celebration Sunday when the body as a whole will step forward with their commitments. These are always stretching times for my faith as well as we step out and trust God on this thing we call a faith journey.

Random Weekend Thoughts

It is Sunday Morning and I am pumped! Cant wait to preach this message about the rewards waiting for the follower of Christ
Cant wait for the congregational meeting to vote on calling Anthony for Pastor of Spiritual Development. The response has been so encouraging!
Cant wait for growth group tonite,love these folks
Cant wait to thank God for the healing power He displayed for a woman in our church who had major back surgery this past week
Cant wait to see what God is going to do
On another front, had a great Saturday, working in the yard, powerwashing the house, and sprucing things up. This morning sore and tight, but feels good to know I did the right thing!
Felt like summer, went to Ritas for water ice with the family, have to love the northeast... Never got water ice in Texas
Gonna be a good day

What a day!

As i reflect back on an awesome Lord's Day, all I can say is that I am so thankful to be able to serve at Central in the role God has placed me. i am thankful for:

a teachable spirit on the part of the congregation willing to step forward by faith
a people who are concerned for others both in our congregation and in our community
the progress of construction as the blacktop is ripped up, and the nursery building goes up
the potential of a new pastor on staff who candidated today for Pastor of Spiritual Development and the congregation really connected with
the faith journey we are all on as we ask God what He wants from us as we seek to build for His glory.

What an awesome God, and what an awesome place to serve!

refreshed and recharged

Great two days at the conference on preaching in DC. Heard Chuck Colson and Rick Warren yesterday and was once again reminded of the neccesity of exegeting not only the text I preach but the culture in which I live. The only way for us to fulfill the vision God has given to us at CBC.

Jeremiah 1:4-5

Heard a dynamic message last night by AR Bernard from New York City at the Preaching Conference I am attending. I am still chewing on it it was so good! Talk about boosting your sense of destiny and dignity. I am just asking the Lord to seal this one deep in my heart. It settles so much as to who we are, why we are here, and where we are going in our lives, regardless of background, culture, inheritance, weaknesses. WOW! What an awesome God!

God at work

I am continually amazed at how God chooses to use something that he directs me to say in a message to challenge someone in a specific way. Yesterday a woman came up and shared how she had been struggling with an issue, and it was as if God just nailed her in arms of grace to challenge her to get out of her seat and into the game. Thanks Lord for choosing to use the foolishness of preaching to challenge hearts and the foolishness of this preacher to impact your kingdom

Challenge and refreshment

I will be away for the next few days at a conference on preaching, looking forward to some good time to rest, reflect, and refresh as I hear from Chuck Colson, Mark Batterson of Chase the lion fame, and Rick Warren. Asking God to speak in a special way, it will be fun to just sit and soak in, while someone else delivers. Gotta love it!