Pivotal Thought's

Toys for Tots

Yesterday @ The SHOW was rather amazing seeing individuals bring in toys for children that would not have a Christmas if it were not for this program.

It was not just the bringing and compiling of toys that excited me... it was the nature and attitudes in which they were brought. People in the church came cheerfully and willingly to give from the heart and it was felt.

Really want to thank Kate Travis for leading this forward and really stepping up and being proactive. You can really see that Kate has a heart for kids and ministry. Thanks SHOW for reaching out and allowing God to be seen through your giving @ Christmas. Joy To The World!

How Many Are In Your Church (@*!#%@*&#!)

Here are some rather interesting Church Planter Stats.

I truly believe and have a deep conviction that we can better these stats if we as churches just combine, merge, come together, and do it for His Kingdom Cause. I guess I have seen more spiritual flexing out there in the church world than I have seen in the gym working out.

We have one goal, one vision, and one thing to truly lay our lives down for.... Jesus Christ. Now I know we give ourselves to the vision of the church and I am all for that. But not at the level of loosing focus. Not at the level of bragging rights. But yes at the level of seeing people restored, lives strengthened, pieces found, and hope renewed. We have one reason to fight, one reason to soar, and one reason to live full of passion.....to see people enter the Kingdom of God!

Lord help me never to forget this ONE thing.

Is This The Truth?

I truly believe that individuals feel this way at one place or another in their continuum's at their local churches. We often habitually fall into an acceptance trap of what we perceive someone, group, pastor, leader, or church as a whole feels about us. This is a lie from the enemy and is straight from Hell! I have seen this more in the church than anywhere else. I stand today believing that we need to be God-Esteemed and not fall into this lie-trap from the enemy. Besides, it was never about you anyway : )

Weekend Reflections @ The SHOW

We are moving quickly towards 2008! It seems like we just started back in January in our House to carry forth the Vision @ The SHOW.

Sunday was amazing as we continued forward in the "Chase the Lion" Series. We spoke on Overcoming Adversity (Week 3). I felt really good about this one as I felt His pulse was my pulse and we were walking it out in a rhythm if you will. Maybe this is where we have felt and every church may feel they face at some point or seasons in ministry. Therefore, I really was just speaking from an abundance of being in this adversity at different points all my life and 10 years in ministry. Nothing new for those that Embrace Uncertainty and Chase 500 lb Lions (Dreams)!

Well, in 2008 we are going to start the using this catch phrase as a constant reminder of our focus this upcoming year: "Translate & Elevate in 2008".......

This year is going to mark our casting the nets further in ministry, community, and the ultimate vision. We are going to place a flag in our new venue that will house The SHOW. We are going to up leadership opportunities and our effectiveness in our leadership pursuit. We are going to use the resources available to us so that we may minimize our preparation time and maximize our outreach to the unchurched & dechurched. And we will continue to Give a Sunday Message with a Monday Meaning which brings purpose to every life!

We are excited about the new endeavors and ministry opportunity. More than that....we are thankful for the privilege to be used by Him in this great calling as we continue to apprehend the One which apprehended us. 

Having a Leadership Moment...

Today is one of those days that has rolled up on me. I stay in control of my schedule rather well and always look for areas to Maximize moments. There are 2 kinds of leaders: The leader that controls and maximizes their calendar, time, and resources. Then there is the leader that lets all those areas control them. Which leader are you?

Today I find myself looking @ these areas of my Leadership Calendar:

• My girl's have parent gatherings @ their school today
• Finalizing Sunday Message "Overcoming Adversity"
• Planning & Finalizing Staff Meeting for Friday
• Family Small Groups Tonight
• Saturday / 2007 Key Speaker for "Annual Remembrance Service" (Aerhart-Eckols)
• Sunday Experience @ The SHOW
• Looking for Key Location for The SHOW (January Time frame)
• Scrubbing documents for CLASS 101-401 (Starting in January)

I suppose as I look at these items that I am marching out on throughout my day I cannot help but wonder how we all handle our time. Are we living up to our callings... are we maximizing our potential... are we becoming what we desire for the Lord... or is everyone and everything filling and dictating our calender and effectiveness?

Pivotal Paradigm Shift

As my wife and I are coming out of a time of Fasting, Prayer, and Reflection this past week I have things that I believe the Holy Spirit was showing me (Church Level, Personal Level, Family Level).

Often in a Church Plant setting we can be growing.... but not growing. I believe when people start looking around and wondering what is next, there is not enough being done. As a new Church Plant we need to be Exceeding peoples expectations. We need to be creating an environment that is a Catalyst. And we need to be the Example for Out of the Box Thinking.

I know and feel that my primary job @ The SHOW is to make sure that we are all being challenged and ever growing in every area. This means getting the Leadership, Core, Community, and Crowd re-focused and looking to new heights... this will take a Pivotal Paradigm Shift.

One thing that I know the Lord is not BIG on is Comfort! We will discuss this on Sunday as we look @ "Overcoming Adversity" in the "Chase the Lion" Series. Hold on, Get Ready, A Pivotal Paradigm Shift is Coming to a SHOW near YOU!!!

Weekly Reflections: Thoughts & More......

As I am wrapping up for the week I cannot help but think of How BIG God is. I guess it does not help as I finalize our Conversation (Message) for Sunday, "Facing Fears" in Chase the Lion Series.

I look back and see so much that He has delivered me from and the things that once paralyzed me and inundated my thoughts, relationships, dreams, goals, and circumstances. It is Pivotal the things that the Lord has allowed me to get through. The things that He has wiped away. The things that are gone for ever just because He is who He is and that is just what He does. He does all things WELL.

Maybe you are reading this Blog and something right now....at this very moment has you fearful and or discouraged. Let me just say that my God can help you over come any obstacle. The first thing that you must do is Minimize your Fear and or Circumstance and start to Magnify (Maximize) the Lord. He is bigger than our Biggest problem. And He is more than able to accomplish in you what He has started and destined you to become and do. I would like to pray for you now.... if you would pray with me:

Lord, I stand here now. Ready, willing, and wanting to give this fear, this hurt, this circumstance to you. I know that you are able....more than able to do the Exceedingly and Abundantly in my Life. I know that you wait for me to come boldly before your throne in order that I can leave changed, whole, and brand new. I thank you for the patience that you show in your love for me. And I thank you now for the strength, vitality, and new hope. I praise you always as you are Worthy of all Praise. In Jesus Name..... Amen!

Reflections on DC Small Group

Our first Tuesday Night in DC was awesome as we kicked off our New Small Group Location @ DC Ink on U St.

We had several people from the SHOW in Maryland, several Tattoo Artist, College Students, my oldest son Colin, and The Holy Spirit; as He blending hearts and minds. We shared the points from this past Sunday's Experience on "Defying Odds" in the "Chase The Lion" Series. The response and sharing was amazing as we discussed our View of God. Is our View High or Low? We found out that maybe our Greatest Blessings are underneath our Greatest Odds.

After we finished up we had given out about 5-6 "In A Pit with a Lion" books. We exchanged emails and shared what we are looking to do in the DC area as a Multi-Site Church. I believe the excitement is only going to transpire more and more as the Lord puts His purpose on our hearts. Cannot wait until next Tuesday as we discuss "Facing Fears". Look forward to others coming out and joining into our conversations as we continue to give a "Sunday Message with a Monday Meaning".

New Series, "Chase The Lion" 7 Weeks

Well, this past Sunday we kicked off our New Series "Chase The Lion". This is the series that was inspired by the book, "In a Pit With A Lion".

This past week we covered Skill 1: "Defying Odds". We really felt the Lord speaking to hearts and challenging the normality of our lives and those things that somehow we believe we could never do without Divine Intervention. At the end of the service we handed out a copy to each person present so that they may start reading the whole story.

There was a dual-emotion that I sensed after the message was completed. On one hand excitement and anticipation to read the book and hear the rest of the Skills. On the other, the things in each persons lives that they need to reverse the odds in. The 500 lb Lions that have been overshadowing their circumstances. What if our Greatest Blessing was lying behind our Greatest Fears? What if God was in the business of Defying Odds and doing Foolish things so that He may be Glorified in your Circumstances?!?!? Chase The Lion!

Week / Skill 2: "Facing Fears"

Skills: Defying Odds, Facing Fears, Reframing Problems, Embracing Uncertainties, Taking Risks, Seizing Opportunities, Looking Foolish

Tonight Is The Night!!! Small Group DC Style

We are excited as tonight @ 7:30pm (1350 U St. NW Wash. DC) we kick off our DC Small Group Location @ DC Ink.

It is going to be a great time of growth, conversation, laughter, and new friendships. I know this night is only going to lead to other things as the Lord has opened a HUGE door for us in the District of Columbia. If you are available to come out we would love to have you. This location is Metro accessible (U St. Cardozo Station). Look forward to seeing you there!

Also got some Starbucks for those with sweet tooth's : )