Move On!
May/090
I can't wait to hit the stage this Sunday! God has given me a message that has been stirring around in my spirit for a long time.
The message, entitled Move On!, is based on an exchange in Exodus 14 between the Israelites, Moses, and God right before God parted the Red Sea. I've read that story countless times. I thought I knew it backward and forward. Then I noticed this short conversation and it rocked my world.
That's the incredible thing about God's Word…no matter how well you know it, there is always something fresh and new for you to discover. And I can't wait to share this new insight from an old story.
Warning…if you think that faith=safe, get ready. God is going to rock your socks off.
Sports Camp Volunteer Training
May/090
If you will be volunteering at Sports Camp, there is a mandatory training session this Sunday right after our 11:00 am service.
If you cannot attend, a video of the training session will be posted online afterward. But attending the session in person is preferable.
Again, it is mandatory for all volunteers to either attend this session or watch the session online. It is imperative that you get this information so we can all work toward the same purpose and goal.
And don't forget…the deadline to register for Sports Camp is this Sunday, May 31. Register online today!
Looking for a Rainbow
May/090
Earlier this week, I stepped out of my office to look for a rainbow. It was lightly raining and the sun was also shining. Perfect formula for a rainbow.
So I stepped out to see if I could find it. No luck. Instead of a rainbow, I just got rained on. And a loud clap of thunder convinced me to head back inside.
Have you ever gone looking for a rainbow, only to find more rain?
It happens to believers all the time. We believe that God is working for our good, but that belief can be stretched to the breaking point at different times in our lives.
It happens when it's all rain and no rainbow.
Instead of beauty, we only see misery.
Instead of relief, we only find more pain.
Why does this happen?
I have a Bible College degree, as evidenced by the diploma that I have displayed in my office. Not only am I a Bible College grad, but I'm a "professional Christian." I get paid to study and preach the Bible.
So, considering my extensive background and education, surely I can answer this question: why do bad things happen to good people?
Actually…no. I can't answer it. I've tried, but I've always come up empty.
Don't get me wrong…I can give you a theological dissertation as to why bad things happen to good people. But high-brow theology never provides comfort to someone who is in pain. So instead, I honestly admit that I don't know why bad things happen to good people.
Why are you seeking rainbows, only to find more rain? I don't know.
When will your pain subside? I don't know.
Why is this happening to you? I don't know.
All I know is this…God loves you. There is no question about that.
Maybe He'll reveal the purpose of your trial to you in this life. Maybe you'll have to wait until you're on the other side of eternity to fully understand it. But He loves you. And if you persevere, you'll be rewarded.
But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. (Job 23:10, NIV)
Why Culture Is Not An Accurate Scorecard
May/090
Larry Osborne wrote an amazing post on his blog recently. Every Christ-follower needs to read, and wrestle, with this post.
No Cruising Allowed
May/090
I'm tired. I've been running and gunning since Christmas with very little time off. I'm staring a two-week vacation in the face and I can't wait!
Honestly, all I wanted to do was set my ministry on cruise control. I just wanted to cruise easily and quietly into my vacation.
Then God messed things up. It happened in our weekly staff meeting yesterday. In my "cruise control" mentality, I just wanted an easy meeting. Take care of a few housekeeping items, tell our staff to have a good week, and go on my way.
That didn't happen.
God showed up. And yes…He messed things up. Our half-hour meeting stretched to two and half hours. Our staff faced down some very hard-hitting, very uncomfortable questions about our church's ministry. We laid it ALL out, and the results messed me up…which I think was God's point all along.
I'm not cruising anymore. I'm giving it all I've got until my vacation. And the day after my vacation, I'm putting the pedal to the floor again.
Listen up, church…we don't have time to be passive. We don't have time to "cruise." I'm repenting for even harboring the thought of "taking it easy."
If we are truly the church of the risen Christ, then we have to go all out all the time.
If you want to cruise, go take a drive somewhere.
But it you want to knock down the walls of hell, shift gears. Stomp on the gas. Get off your butt and get in the game.
1,000+ posts
May/092
I don't know how I missed this, but I just passed the 1,000 mark for blog posts. This post is #1,003. All this from a guy who once said, "I don't think I'll ever blog."
1,000+ posts later, I think I've changed my mind.
Here's to another 1,000.
Sports Camp Registration Deadline
May/092
This Sunday.
May 31.
Mark it.
Remember it.
Own it.
Don't you dare forget it.
It's the deadline to register for our free Mega Sports Camp. And yes…it is FREE. Melanie told me that the number one question about our FREE sports camp is, "How much does it cost?"
Um…
It's FREE!
And the deadline to register is this Sunday, May 31.
Register online today.
Honor Their Sacrifice
May/090
As I've said here on my blog multiple times, I come from a family that is steeped in military pride and tradition. Memorial Day has always meant something extra to me because of that.
I wanted to give some blog honor to a couple of local soldiers who recently gave their lives in defense of our freedom. You can click the links to read their stories. If you live in the Amelia area, you're probably familiar with "Wojo's" story. He's a true local hero.
You might not be as familiar with the story of former Cincinnati native, Steven Hutchinson. A very compelling, heart-wrenching story.
Honor these, and so many others, who gave their lives so we could have family gatherings and cookouts in peace today.
Sermon Previews
May/090
Here's a sneak peak at some upcoming messages at ACC…
- May 24 – This Sunday, we're wrapping up our Beautiful series. We're going to talk about how to be a beautiful mom. But guys, don't you dare miss this one. If you're a dad…especially if you're the dad of a daughter…you need to be at ACC this Sunday.
- May 31 – I've got a hot message cooking for you called Move On! If you think that faith = safe, then God is going to blow you away in this message. I'm stoked!
- June 7-21 – We've got an amazing opportunity coming in June. Everybody is talking about money. Worries about the economy dominate the news headlines every day. But as God's people, we follow God's Word, not the latest headlines.
For three weeks in June, our message is going to come from the guru of Biblical finance: Dave Ramsey. Dave is going to preach three messages via video that will give us a radically different and thoroughly Biblical approach regarding money. Seriously, you can't miss even one week of this three-week series.
God's Word is always served up fresh and piping hot at ACC. I can't wait to watch Him move through these messages of truth.
SEAP Review
May/090
Every year, I judge some of the Senior Exit Action Projects at Amelia High School. And every year, I leave with the same thought:
Kids today are getting a bad rap.
Most of the time, I hear how today's teens are lazy, unmotivated, and apathetic. That's not what I saw yesterday.
Granted, there were a few students who could have done a lot more with their projects. But it was easy to see that the majority of students really stretched themselves to put together a quality project.
It was also a lot of fun to watch the students conquer their fear. There is a lot riding on this project, and most students have very little public speaking experience. So getting up to present a year's worth of work to a panel of judges is extremely intimidating for most of these kids. It's so much fun to watch these kids knock down their fear.
Great day yesterday!
