On October 4, 2007, three years ago today I was laid off from a very good job as The Director of Commercial Real Estate in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Our life had been in chaos for some time at this point and we were trying to find God's direction in it all. We knew what God had said to us and what we were called to do, but were not sure if that would be a reality again or not.
Within a week of that transition Deidre and I received a call from her mom, Dianne Bates in Hot Springs, AR, with an invitation to work with The Master's Table and begin a mission in this soup kitchen on Sundays to the down and out in Hot Springs. The problem was we were still in South Florida and Hot Springs was a long way away. So we did what we knew to do, we prayed and asked God for His direction. We had some very big issues that needed to be addressed, so I put out a "fleece" to God and said this is what has to happen for me to know it is your will for us to move to Hot Springs; 1. I needed a job there. 2. We had a house in Port St. Lucie, FL to sale in a pretty bad economy. 3. We did not have a place to live and no money to rent it if we did. 4. We did not have the means to make the move 21 hours across the country.
In late October, the 29th, I decided to come on out to Hot Springs for a few days to just check everything out. The day before I was scheduled to fly out I received a call from a national head-hunter I had contacted that said I have a potential job for you in, of all places, Little Rock. She said the only problem was I had to interview there immediately. I told her I was flying into Little Rock the next day and so the meeting was set. I was driven from the airport to the McCain Mall in North Little Rock, met with the mall manager, and in less than an hour I had the job. I left there with the first obstacle checked off.
That night I met with Doug & Lain Rodgers, the founders of the Master's Table. We hit it off and went to the facility the next day. We served 486 people that day, then had 30 return on Sunday for a mission service in which I spoke. By the time this was done I was sold. I called Deidre and told her we were moving to AR. I still did not have a place to live, our house sold, nor did we have money to move, but I had a word from God.
When I returned to Port St. Lucie we decided to go to dinner at Bennigan's. On the way home from dinner my car was rear-ended by a Ford F150. It did a good deal of damage and put me seeing a chiropractor for a couple of weeks. What Iwe did not know was that God was using this event to "give seed to the sower". We settled with the insurance company with all bills paid and $500.00 in cash for pain & suffering. Now we have been around long enough to know that "if it's not big enough to meet your need it must be your seed". We decided to sow that $500.00 in Pastor Clint Brown in Orlando. He was a great mentor and had been our covering pastor for over 5 years.
Within just a few days things started heating up. We had a couple of Hispanic men come to our front door at 9PM and asked to come in and see the house. They said they liked it and wanted to make an offer on it. We showed them around, against my better judgment at that hour, and sure to their word, they made an acceptable offer and bought the house; 2 down, 2 to go!
We then received a phone call from a lady in Hot Springs, she said, "We really feel this is a God thing. We will have signed a lease on a house for 6 months for you, we are going to pay for it and all you have to do it move in." 3 down! Then we received a call from a man who said he wanted to pay for our entire move; gas, hotel, food, everything. He sent me his credit card and that was that. On November 13th, 15 days form the time I flew to Hot Springs I was in a truck with my nephew Andrew and the Twins, Mikayla & Mariah, headed to Hot Springs, AR.
I wish I could say that it has been easy the whole time, but that would be a lie. But I can say, thanks to an initial $500 seed, and many since that, we have been able to walk into the purpose and destiny God has designed for us. My challenge to you is to step out in faith, sow into the ministry God has attached you to, watch God move on your behalf, oh yea go to http://www.facebook.com/note.php?created&¬e_id=100692326663310&id=151781231524220#!/pages/Tell-Us-Your-Story/151781231524220 and let us hear YOUR story.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Live Where You Are!
I am sitting in a Hampton Inn in Baton Rouge, LA. Pastor Jeff and I just left All Access 2010 Church Planter's Conference for the evening, what a day! We just sat through a message by the host Pastor of The Healing Place Church, Dino Rizzo who challenged us to not despise the small things. Everything starts small, but that is just the beginning...
My take away is that we need to "Live", truly live, where we are. So many times we spend our lives looking for what's next, praying for the next BIG thing, that we forget to enjoy where we are. I am in a town on the Gulf Coast, my family and my church are seven hours away and I am reminded of what is most important. I am so very blessed. I have the greatest wife and kids anyone could ask for. My wife, Deidre, is the most amazing, talented, gifted person I have ever met. She has spent her life giving of herself for people to be saved. She never ceases to amaze me with her love, compassion, and passion for The Bridge. My girls are the prize of my life. God has blessed me greatly. I am so blessed to be able to minister to the greatest church in Hot Springs! I have decided to live where I am and watch God take us to the next place.
Here is the point of my rambling, God has put you and positioned you right where you are. You have two choices, walk around the mountain for 40 years grumbling about where you are, or thank God for his provisions and blessings and watch Him remove every obstacle and take you into the promised land. In the words of John Maxwell, Bloom Where Your Planted! God has great things for you, enjoy the ride!
My take away is that we need to "Live", truly live, where we are. So many times we spend our lives looking for what's next, praying for the next BIG thing, that we forget to enjoy where we are. I am in a town on the Gulf Coast, my family and my church are seven hours away and I am reminded of what is most important. I am so very blessed. I have the greatest wife and kids anyone could ask for. My wife, Deidre, is the most amazing, talented, gifted person I have ever met. She has spent her life giving of herself for people to be saved. She never ceases to amaze me with her love, compassion, and passion for The Bridge. My girls are the prize of my life. God has blessed me greatly. I am so blessed to be able to minister to the greatest church in Hot Springs! I have decided to live where I am and watch God take us to the next place.
Here is the point of my rambling, God has put you and positioned you right where you are. You have two choices, walk around the mountain for 40 years grumbling about where you are, or thank God for his provisions and blessings and watch Him remove every obstacle and take you into the promised land. In the words of John Maxwell, Bloom Where Your Planted! God has great things for you, enjoy the ride!
Sunday, January 3, 2010
EPIC
It has been way too long since I sat down and put my thoughts to paper (or keyboard as it were). I am sitting in front of the fire in my living room at 5:30AM just thinking about how great and wonderful God is and decided it has been long enough.
We have just crossed into, not just a new year, but a new decade. For some of us we can remember a few of these transitions. I remember graduating high school 20 years ago in 1990 and the feeling of anticipation I felt to finally be "in the nineties". Then who can forget Y2K, the year 2000. A transition into a new millennium with its confusion, uncertainty, fear and yes, amazingly disappointing total lock down of all things electronic. (That didn't happen for those who are confused right now, but Microsoft did post record sales in Windows related upgrades that year, just saying.)
We are once again standing at the entryway of a new decade, 2010. We have crossed the threshold and are looking into a new time, a new era, with excitement, fear, frustration, expectation, and longing. Longing for this year to be better than last year. To finally live up to the resolutions we made two days ago, for our marriage to be better, or jobs to be better, to make more money, to lose weight, to pray everyday, or to stop smoking.
It is against this backdrop that God has placed a single word in my spirit for 2010 - EPIC. I believe this year, this decade, will be an epic one for God's people. Epic means to go beyond what is ordinary or commonly accepted in scope and size. I believe this year the body of Christ will begin to see different than it has ever before (scope) and that vision will cause us to become greater than we have ever imagined (size).
Habakkuk said that, "even though the vision takes a little longer to get here than you would like, wait for it. It will come, that you can depend on". I am sitting in my living room at 5:30 in the morning with a prophetic message for you today, your life it getting ready to turn a corner. You are in the place of transition, moving from one arena to another.
In the math world the number 10 is significant because it transitions us from counting in single digits to double, or from 1's to 10's. It begins a new system of measurement. It takes us from simple addition to multiplication. God is speaking, through this Epic year that you are going to be moving to a different counting system. Your church will not be able to count the same as it has before. Your life is exploding this year to a new level. Your relationships are transitioning to a new depth of intimacy.
This year, 2010, is an Epic year for every child of God, every Christ follower. Take your vision, write it down, make it plain. Picture yourself walking in it. Take the time to put together a Vision Board, see it, feel it, smell it and live it. This is the year of faith, of advancing, this is an Epic Year! God bless!!!
We have just crossed into, not just a new year, but a new decade. For some of us we can remember a few of these transitions. I remember graduating high school 20 years ago in 1990 and the feeling of anticipation I felt to finally be "in the nineties". Then who can forget Y2K, the year 2000. A transition into a new millennium with its confusion, uncertainty, fear and yes, amazingly disappointing total lock down of all things electronic. (That didn't happen for those who are confused right now, but Microsoft did post record sales in Windows related upgrades that year, just saying.)
We are once again standing at the entryway of a new decade, 2010. We have crossed the threshold and are looking into a new time, a new era, with excitement, fear, frustration, expectation, and longing. Longing for this year to be better than last year. To finally live up to the resolutions we made two days ago, for our marriage to be better, or jobs to be better, to make more money, to lose weight, to pray everyday, or to stop smoking.
It is against this backdrop that God has placed a single word in my spirit for 2010 - EPIC. I believe this year, this decade, will be an epic one for God's people. Epic means to go beyond what is ordinary or commonly accepted in scope and size. I believe this year the body of Christ will begin to see different than it has ever before (scope) and that vision will cause us to become greater than we have ever imagined (size).
Habakkuk said that, "even though the vision takes a little longer to get here than you would like, wait for it. It will come, that you can depend on". I am sitting in my living room at 5:30 in the morning with a prophetic message for you today, your life it getting ready to turn a corner. You are in the place of transition, moving from one arena to another.
In the math world the number 10 is significant because it transitions us from counting in single digits to double, or from 1's to 10's. It begins a new system of measurement. It takes us from simple addition to multiplication. God is speaking, through this Epic year that you are going to be moving to a different counting system. Your church will not be able to count the same as it has before. Your life is exploding this year to a new level. Your relationships are transitioning to a new depth of intimacy.
This year, 2010, is an Epic year for every child of God, every Christ follower. Take your vision, write it down, make it plain. Picture yourself walking in it. Take the time to put together a Vision Board, see it, feel it, smell it and live it. This is the year of faith, of advancing, this is an Epic Year! God bless!!!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Jesus & the Swine Flu
We are facing a "pandemic"! People are running through the streets donned with surgical masks and hand sanitizer. We are walking our days out in fear and anxiety over who had, has or will have the dreaded virus.
While I am not here to minimize the threat, and even horrible loss that has been connected to this sickness, I do want to take a minute and see how Jesus handled the issues of sickness in his day.
We are called to be followers of Christ. As children we all played "Follow the Leader", the basketball game "Horse", "Simon Says", or some other game that called for us to follow after someone else and do whatever they did. As followers of Christ we are called to play a similar game, to do what he did and, in his words, even great things.
Leprosy was a big deal in his day. It was contagious and people would walk around the leper colonies to avoid contact. When a leper came around other people they were required to make the statement "unclean, unclean" so people would not get too close. But in Matthew 8 Jesus reached out and touched them, and even crazier, healed them. In fact, not one time in the Bible does Jesus say the word leprosy, he never acknowledged the sickness, just the person.
James 5 says that if you are sick the elders of the church are to "anoint you with oil and the prayer of faith will save the sick". Instead of running away from and avoiding the sick, Jesus and the disciples went after them.
We are going to be devoting this Sunday at The Bridge to this end, saving those who are sick! If you know anyone that is suffering from any sickness bring them with you this week. We are believing God is going to do great and mighty things in the lives of HIS people!
Pass this on to anyone you know that needs prayer and let them know there is still a community of Christ followers that are "following our leader"! Visit us one the web at www.thebridgehotsprings.org for information and directions!
While I am not here to minimize the threat, and even horrible loss that has been connected to this sickness, I do want to take a minute and see how Jesus handled the issues of sickness in his day.
We are called to be followers of Christ. As children we all played "Follow the Leader", the basketball game "Horse", "Simon Says", or some other game that called for us to follow after someone else and do whatever they did. As followers of Christ we are called to play a similar game, to do what he did and, in his words, even great things.
Leprosy was a big deal in his day. It was contagious and people would walk around the leper colonies to avoid contact. When a leper came around other people they were required to make the statement "unclean, unclean" so people would not get too close. But in Matthew 8 Jesus reached out and touched them, and even crazier, healed them. In fact, not one time in the Bible does Jesus say the word leprosy, he never acknowledged the sickness, just the person.
James 5 says that if you are sick the elders of the church are to "anoint you with oil and the prayer of faith will save the sick". Instead of running away from and avoiding the sick, Jesus and the disciples went after them.
We are going to be devoting this Sunday at The Bridge to this end, saving those who are sick! If you know anyone that is suffering from any sickness bring them with you this week. We are believing God is going to do great and mighty things in the lives of HIS people!
Pass this on to anyone you know that needs prayer and let them know there is still a community of Christ followers that are "following our leader"! Visit us one the web at www.thebridgehotsprings.org for information and directions!
Friday, October 2, 2009
The Horrible Truth About Your Pastor (By Mark Johnston)
A ministry friend of mine, whom I have known for many years put this on his most recent blog and I feel to pass it on to you today. There are so many emotions I felt while reading it that I feel it is worth the hand-off to you. God bless!
He’s a human being.
"Yep. He worries – like you do. He puts his pants on (or she puts her pants on – or her skirt… or, well, you get the picture) one leg at a time… just like you do. He gets overwhelmed… just like you do.
He feels pressured sometimes. Fifty years ago, he would’ve been a success if he helped people grow close to God. Today, to be a “success” he needs the gift-set of a CEO. He’s supposed to keep attendance and finances on a steadily upward trajectory, speak with a remarkable blend of hipness/diplomacy/skill/humor/passion/anointing, smile constantly, maintain a blog, twitter, network, write a book, regularly convert other Starbucks customers to Jesus, speak at conferences, be covered in at least one national publication… and in his spare time help people grow close to God.
The thing is he’s not a superhero to be revered or an archaic throwback to be derided or a goofball to be avoided. He’s a human being who happens to have been called by God to help you grow spiritually. He’s a leader and a servant; a boss and a busboy; a vision-caster and an empathic listener. Sometimes he leans too far in one direction, sometimes in the other. That’s because he’s human.
But here’s what else I know about your pastor: he prays for you. He works hard to shepherd and feed you. Know why? Because he loves you. He loves you, the passionate Jesus-follower who gives their best to Christ and his body… He loves you, the faithful supporter who’s always at everything… He loves you, the sporadic attendee who assures him “you’re plugged in” when you both know you’ll forget you said that by the time you get to the parking lot… He even loves you, the critic who questions his vision and motives and the direction of the church when he’s not around to defend himself.
His heart, all at once, bubbles over with anticipation and hope for you when you move forward, grasp a little more of God’s grace, and do good for others… and breaks for you when you stumble, suffer, or slack off spiritually. He loves to see you succeed, rejoicing with you in your victories. He hurts to see you fail, weeping with you over your weaknesses. He forgives you. He hopes you’ll forgive him too.
He has nothing to gain in this world by leading and serving you. He’s burned his bridges. All of his “could’ve been’s” have died at the cross of Jesus so he could do this. And you know what? He doesn’t mind at all. If he was asked to run as president, he’d decline… because pastoring you – and doing it well – is more important to him than anything else in the world.
I just thought you’d want to know. Your pastor, whoever he or she may be, is first of all a human being just like you; who just happens to have been called by God to help you grow spiritually.
And he’s glad. I hope you are too."
He’s a human being.
"Yep. He worries – like you do. He puts his pants on (or she puts her pants on – or her skirt… or, well, you get the picture) one leg at a time… just like you do. He gets overwhelmed… just like you do.
He feels pressured sometimes. Fifty years ago, he would’ve been a success if he helped people grow close to God. Today, to be a “success” he needs the gift-set of a CEO. He’s supposed to keep attendance and finances on a steadily upward trajectory, speak with a remarkable blend of hipness/diplomacy/skill/humor/passion/anointing, smile constantly, maintain a blog, twitter, network, write a book, regularly convert other Starbucks customers to Jesus, speak at conferences, be covered in at least one national publication… and in his spare time help people grow close to God.
The thing is he’s not a superhero to be revered or an archaic throwback to be derided or a goofball to be avoided. He’s a human being who happens to have been called by God to help you grow spiritually. He’s a leader and a servant; a boss and a busboy; a vision-caster and an empathic listener. Sometimes he leans too far in one direction, sometimes in the other. That’s because he’s human.
But here’s what else I know about your pastor: he prays for you. He works hard to shepherd and feed you. Know why? Because he loves you. He loves you, the passionate Jesus-follower who gives their best to Christ and his body… He loves you, the faithful supporter who’s always at everything… He loves you, the sporadic attendee who assures him “you’re plugged in” when you both know you’ll forget you said that by the time you get to the parking lot… He even loves you, the critic who questions his vision and motives and the direction of the church when he’s not around to defend himself.
His heart, all at once, bubbles over with anticipation and hope for you when you move forward, grasp a little more of God’s grace, and do good for others… and breaks for you when you stumble, suffer, or slack off spiritually. He loves to see you succeed, rejoicing with you in your victories. He hurts to see you fail, weeping with you over your weaknesses. He forgives you. He hopes you’ll forgive him too.
He has nothing to gain in this world by leading and serving you. He’s burned his bridges. All of his “could’ve been’s” have died at the cross of Jesus so he could do this. And you know what? He doesn’t mind at all. If he was asked to run as president, he’d decline… because pastoring you – and doing it well – is more important to him than anything else in the world.
I just thought you’d want to know. Your pastor, whoever he or she may be, is first of all a human being just like you; who just happens to have been called by God to help you grow spiritually.
And he’s glad. I hope you are too."
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Creativity & Teamwork
I am sitting in my parent's office at their house. We are in South Florida getting ready for the weeding of the century on Saturday and catching up with old friends. It has been a great trip so far. We had dinner with John & Brenda Paquette. They are some of the most creative people I know. We just bounced ideas off of them and got a lot of input and ideas back.
It got me thinking about our gifts and abilities. We are all gifted in so many different ways. But when we put them all together in a team we can accomplish much more than by ourselves. I am learning that in order to do what God has called it takes a great team. This is no one man show. The old school Senior Pastor and everyone else attending will only allow you to go so far, but when you equip and empower a group of people to apply their strengths, your potential is unlimited.
I am so excited about the bridge because God has begun to bring together a great team. We are in the learning phase and are getting to know each other, but as synergy is developed we will be able to apply the individual strengths to the team and watch what God will do.
If you are reading this and you are trying to do life alone, it's time to rethink some things. We have been challenging The bridge to a 10-10 Challenge, now being renamed as the 3:10 challenge. Spending 10 minutes a day in prayer, praying for 10 minutes for 10 people to be saved and being a part of a small group with 10 people - because you were never designed to live life alone.
It got me thinking about our gifts and abilities. We are all gifted in so many different ways. But when we put them all together in a team we can accomplish much more than by ourselves. I am learning that in order to do what God has called it takes a great team. This is no one man show. The old school Senior Pastor and everyone else attending will only allow you to go so far, but when you equip and empower a group of people to apply their strengths, your potential is unlimited.
I am so excited about the bridge because God has begun to bring together a great team. We are in the learning phase and are getting to know each other, but as synergy is developed we will be able to apply the individual strengths to the team and watch what God will do.
If you are reading this and you are trying to do life alone, it's time to rethink some things. We have been challenging The bridge to a 10-10 Challenge, now being renamed as the 3:10 challenge. Spending 10 minutes a day in prayer, praying for 10 minutes for 10 people to be saved and being a part of a small group with 10 people - because you were never designed to live life alone.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Doing What You Love...
I am sitting in Starbucks working on this blog, making contacts with people, planning the rest of my day and just enjoying what God is doing in my life. We had a new small group kick off last night, Success iN Life (SNL). It is designed to help people find true, Biblical success in their lives. We talked about what success looks like last night. We had a white board out and people gave words to define success. We had money, security, "Mother Theresa", but my favorite was from Mike Bates, he said, success for me is Happiness. Wow what a statement. I believe that true success is seen in that simple word that most of us find hard to find - happiness.
The true test of success in life is whether or not you are truly happy where you are. The Bible says, "the joy of the Lord is our strength". The word joy denotes happiness. I have heard many people preach that joy and happiness are two different things, I don't thank so. I think that when you are fulfilling God's purpose for your life, you can truly say I am happy - right now, where I am! That is truly freeing.
Now, don't get me wrong, in this world you will have trouble, BUT BE OF GOOD CHEER, He has overcome the world. In other words, you can be happy even in the middle of trouble, if you know you are living the life God has purposed for you to live.
I believe that every person has been given the gifts and talents necessary to fulfill the purpose you have been given life to achieve. Like Esther in the Old Testament, you are here for such a time as this. While I do not believe in predestination in the Calvinist tradition, I do believe that God has a purpose, and yes, even a destiny for your life. The key is unlocking that destiny and your potential to be all you were created to be.
So, how do I do that, how do I "get happy"? Well it starts with a relationship with your maker. You have to have an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ to be able to have him share your propose with you. Then you have to learn to hear his voice, this comes from reading his word and spending time listening in prayer to the Spirit speaking to you.
Your mission, should you choose to accept it, determine your purpose, and begin to take the steps necessary to achieve that purpose. Maybe that means going back to school, or getting your finances in shape, of making that very important decision to become a follower of the Christ. Wherever you are today, throw caution to the wind, put up your sails and see where the Spirit blows your life today!
By the way, I will be preaching next week, August 16, in Melbourne, FL at Fusion Church, Sunday at 10:30AM. Pastor Brian Gregory and I would love to see you there, contact me for more information!
Until next time...
The true test of success in life is whether or not you are truly happy where you are. The Bible says, "the joy of the Lord is our strength". The word joy denotes happiness. I have heard many people preach that joy and happiness are two different things, I don't thank so. I think that when you are fulfilling God's purpose for your life, you can truly say I am happy - right now, where I am! That is truly freeing.
Now, don't get me wrong, in this world you will have trouble, BUT BE OF GOOD CHEER, He has overcome the world. In other words, you can be happy even in the middle of trouble, if you know you are living the life God has purposed for you to live.
I believe that every person has been given the gifts and talents necessary to fulfill the purpose you have been given life to achieve. Like Esther in the Old Testament, you are here for such a time as this. While I do not believe in predestination in the Calvinist tradition, I do believe that God has a purpose, and yes, even a destiny for your life. The key is unlocking that destiny and your potential to be all you were created to be.
So, how do I do that, how do I "get happy"? Well it starts with a relationship with your maker. You have to have an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ to be able to have him share your propose with you. Then you have to learn to hear his voice, this comes from reading his word and spending time listening in prayer to the Spirit speaking to you.
Your mission, should you choose to accept it, determine your purpose, and begin to take the steps necessary to achieve that purpose. Maybe that means going back to school, or getting your finances in shape, of making that very important decision to become a follower of the Christ. Wherever you are today, throw caution to the wind, put up your sails and see where the Spirit blows your life today!
By the way, I will be preaching next week, August 16, in Melbourne, FL at Fusion Church, Sunday at 10:30AM. Pastor Brian Gregory and I would love to see you there, contact me for more information!
Until next time...
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