Mike Edmisten Follower of Jesus. Husband of Nicki. Father of Ryan & Brock. Communicator of the Word.

Mother's Day at ACC

We've got a big day lined up for us tomorrow at ACC. There is just something inside our staff that wants to take a big day and make it bigger.

Mother's Day is historically a "big day" in the church. People like to go church with their mamas. Hence the bigger attendance.

But instead of just seeing it as a sweet day for moms and kids to be together, we see it as a great day for a powerful move of God. The message tomorrow is going to be unlike any Mother's Day message you've ever heard before. Parts of it will be tough. Probably pretty emotional. But our God is a God of hope, and we'll celebrate that tomorrow!

Melanie's Vision & Bio

This past Sunday, we introduced Melanie Presta, our new children's minister at ACC. Melanie shared her passion and vision for children's ministry in both services.

If you missed it (or if you just want to hear it again), we've posted the audio on our website. You can also read Melanie's bio on our staff page.

Melanie Audio

Melanie Staff Bio

Great Day!

Some days are bad. Some days are good. And some days are dripping with excessive awesomeness! Yesterday falls into that last category!

Once or twice a year, Brian and I check out of the office to take in a Reds game. We went yesterday, and man…I think God wanted us to go to that game!

The Reds hit 7…that's right…7 homeruns! At times, they couldn't even reload the fireworks fast enough. Joey Votto hit three bombs himself. It was unbelievable!

Then last night, I taught the second session of Ground Floor. I absolutely love this ministry! I always have moments in that class where I feel like I'm exactly where God wants me to be doing exactly what He wants me to do. I just doesn't get any better than that.

It was just one of those glad-to-be-alive days!

Geoffrey

Did you know that the teens in our student ministry support a child through Compassion International? His name is Geoffrey and he lives in Tanzania.

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Geoffrey is in kindergarten and enjoys rolling a hoop, ping-pong, and hide-and-seek. His diet consists largely of beans, bananas, fish, cassava, and potatoes…much of which he wouldn't have if our students didn't support him. Most families in the area are unemployed. If people do find work, it's usually as a fisherman or a street vendor, both of which pay very little.

It's really impressive that our teens want to care for this little boy that they'll probably never meet on this side of heaven. Keep it up, gang!

My Offering

I've already posted some thoughts on our worship service without music.

One of the elements we included in that service was a challenge for everyone to think about one thing they could offer God in worship this week besides their monetary tithes and offerings. Our people wrote down what they would offer God this week and then dropped those papers in the offering plates when we passed them around a second time.

I loved reading what our people are going to give in worship this week! These notes are unsigned, so I have no idea who wrote what. But I've gotta tell you…there were some pretty awesome responses. Here's a small sample…

What will I offer to God in worship this week besides my money?

My full attention, making every moment count for Him.

My time. Don't want to get caught in busyness and forget You.

I will contact those who are sick and need prayer/help.

My total commitment.

I will be more loving and less critical.

My attitude.

I will try hard not to sweat the small stuff.

I will be better focused on my job and work more effectively.

I will do something special to love and honor my wife.

This past Sunday, God taught us that worship is much bigger than music. I think our church heard His message loud and clear!

Griffey Going?

Ken Griffey Jr. told USA Today that he expects the Reds to approach him before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline seeking his approval for a trade.

He said, "My situation is different only because I can tell them where I want to go. I want to be in position to win a championship. I'm not strong-arming anybody, but that's the way it is."

When asked about returning to the Seattle Mariners, Griffey said, "It's everybody's dream to go back where they started. Everybody who plays the game would love to go out the way they see fit."

It's sounding more and more like Griffey will "go out" somewhere other than in Cincinnati.

The Edmisten Boys

Just chillin'.

ACC Has a New Children's Minister!

We had the privilege of welcoming Melanie Presta and her family to our church yesterday.

I couldn't be more excited about what the future holds for the children's ministry at ACC. God is going to move in an unprecedented way in our church. We're going to have an opportunity to impact our community like never before. Our children are going to grow in their faith in incredible new ways. It's going to blow our minds!

If you haven't had the chance yet, be sure to welcome Paul and Melanie and their children to the ACC family.

Great days are ahead of us!

Worship Without Music

It all started with a crazy idea. Brian Morrissey came to me one day and the following conversation ensued.

Brian: What if we had one worship service without music?

Me: Dude, you need to back off on the Nyquil.

Brian: I'm serious. I've got this wild idea. I've prayerfully explored it for a while. I'm pretty sure it's a God-inspired idea.

Me: No music? None at all?

Brian: Right.

Me: This has huge flop potential.

Brian: Yeah, but this also has huge God potential.

Me: Let's do it.

And do it we did. Yesterday morning, we had an entire worship experience with no music. There wasn't even an instrument on stage. And…

IT WAS AWESOME!

The church has often pigeonholed worship as singing. We refer to the "worship" part of the service, when what we really mean is the song set. We seem to miss the fact that everything we do in the church is worship.

In fact, everything we do in our lives can be worship. The only act that can't be an act of worship is something that is sinful. Other than that, if you do it, you can offer it as a worship gift to God.

You can mow your yard like you're mowing it for the Lord.

You can approach your job like you're working for the Lord.

You can play with your kids as an act of worship to the Lord who graciously gave them to you.

You can eat your dinner in thankful worship to the Lord.

If it isn't sinful, it can be an act of worship.

Worship is so much more than singing. It is so much bigger than music. God taught us that in a powerful way yesterday.

Check out these Scriptures as you continue to ponder how you can live your life as a worship gift to God.

Romans 12:1

Colossians 3:17

Colossians 3:23-24

Billy Graham & The Bengals

Bryan, over at prayersforblowouts.com, has an interesting post on the Cincinnati Bengals' new connection to Billy Graham.

How's that for a teaser?

Check it out here.