God's Love Language...

Have you ever had a dream or vision you felt like was from God? Once you accepted did it feel exciting and motivating? Yeah, I'm sure you got distracted some along the way, but has it kept you somewhat focused, accountable and passionate?

Well, that's what God's vision for my life has done. It's kept me honest. No, not totally honest with everyone around me. But honest with myself and God. I guess some would call it repentant, I am quick to repent. Kinda like David. He blew it big time but was quick to repent. I think he also had a sense of God's hand on his life. That he was created for something bigger. It's really quite romantic to have a vision from God, a sense of destiny. You feel pretty special, different. But, the only thing is, well, its intimidating when God starts bringing the vision/destiny closer to realization. When its out there in the future, that's really cool. But when it's two weeks away, that's crazy! But the truth is vision is not just to give us hope and accountability but God designed it to truly come to fruition. God wants it accomplished.

As the January 6th launch quickly approaches I find myself stressing a little. Recounting my past failures, less than 100% efforts and early retirements from ministry posts. I think the issue becomes: do I really have what it takes? Can I really be what God sees in me? Maybe someone out there that's actually fulfilled God's destiny for their life will post a response to these struggles, if not there's always God's response.

It seems that God's love language just might be words of affirmation. He definitely is the King of encouragement. It seems that every single day God speaks through another way the same thing. YOU CAN DO IT! No He hasn't shouted it, yet. And He's not really used those exact words nor has He repeated the same message many times. But He has continually spoken the perfect words daily. He has given me my daily bread time and time again. He always knows what to say and when to say it.

For instance, He reminded me through a hospital visit of a prophetic word given to me four or five years ago (the patient actually spoke the exact same prophecy to me). Well, like that wasn't enough, I discussed it somewhat later that evening with one of our pastors. As I was leaving the church one of our leaders had went home and drove all the way back to give our Christmas present even though they would have seen me the next morning! Well, the CD they gave me spoke the exact same word during the exhortation of the first song! (No, its not a popular Scripture-it's something I have never heard until the original prophecy)

One last example, I opened my computer bag, a compartment I don't normally dig in. It contained a CD. A CD that had been given to me over a year ago. They handed it to me and said, "Pastor Jeremy, this is a prophetic word for you and the church." Of course, I dropped it into my bag and never listened to it, until... Three days ago I was feeling a little pressure. I opened my bag and found it. Played it and received great encouragement. Last night I played it for Pastor Josh, our worship pastor, he knew the song as it had been his anthem for encouragement throughout the past year.

Well, there you go. God's love language of words of encouragement. I pray that He encourages you and keeps you moving forward toward completion of His vision for your life. Plans are what we work; vision is what God gives. If it's a gift then it's not entirely up to us to complete it.

Happy birthday Charity. (I'm a bad brother...I forgot a card...again)

I truly thank God for His vision and His encouragement.

God bless

Catching up...

Well, we did it. We had our first dry run. The turn out was crazy. We had over twenty people show up to set up and tear down. Of course we discovered a few things we need to do.

Over all, it rocked! The sound is awesome, the projector is great and the set up looks great. It was a great birthday. I am so thankful for such a group of committed and talented volunteers (or missionaries). This is an amazing adventure. If you happen to read this and haven't been involved yet, I encourage you to check out what God is up to. January 6th is going to be one awesome day. Pastor Josh and the worship team are simply going to blow you away. Talent--yes, anointing definitely, unity and harmony and calling--a resounding yes. I thank God daily that He has surrounded me with so many people that remove all stress.

God is allowing this ministry so many platforms. I recorded two shows for TV48 plus a commercial; a couple radiospots for LUV89; two radiospots for 99.1 (990); I did an onscreen ad that will play in the theatre before every movie, everyday for a month; I am recording a thirty minute spot for Star 102.1, 93.1 and 94.3 for their Sunday talk show! And a close friend of mine is holding a worship concert at Lifeway @ Turkey Creek and promoting our church and not his!! Not to mention the web.

Park West has been awesome. (This is the day to overuse awesome) The people, the prayers and the money is more than expected.

We are moving quickly to Jan 6th. We have one more dry run scheduled for Thursday the 20th. Hope lots of you are able to attend. Pray that we iron out a few more things. Pray that we continue to hear from God. Pray for His continued favor and unity.

I am truly stoked!!

God is awesome...

Serving Well…

Attitude means everything. We've all heard it said that loyalty and attitude are much more valuable than talent. As I search the Scriptures I see God reinforcing this principle. At TC3 we truly value unity, harmony and servanthood. Tonight I am going to include quite a bit of Scripture in this blog. This is adapted from an email I sent earlier to my team. I feel it's needed for everyone so here goes….

 

Romans 12:9 Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.

Philippians 2

Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from His love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don't be selfish; don't try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though He was God, He did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, He gave up His divine privileges; He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When He appeared in human form, He humbled Himself in obedience to God and died a criminal's death on a cross…..

 

Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him. Do everything without complaining and arguing so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Hold firmly to the word of life, then, on the day of Christ return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.

 

I encourage you to read over the Scriptures many times and allow God to speak to you. Reflect on your attitude. Our attitude can disarm the nastiest situations. let God put in you the same mind that was in Christ Jesus. You always know if you are a true servant when someone actually treats you like one. How do you respond?

 

Help us all love You more, Father….

God's Vision...

Every time I begin to stress, worry, over think this thing, everytime; God gently reminds me that it's not mine to worry about. It's His. Don't get me wrong I feel responsible and I am taking a great deal of ownership. But it still isn't mine. I love to think about TC3 as mine, my legacy, my turn to shine. But truth is it's really all God's. God's vision is always more than one can do. If we can do it then it's simply a plan. God gives vision. We do plans. TC3 is God's vision. Not my plan. As in Ezra and Nehemiah it takes way more than one person to implement God's vision. Pulling off vision alone is like trying to play football in the NFL without the rest of the team, coaches or equipment--impossible. Imagine trying to play QB without an O-line. Sacked and broken in two each play. TC3 is the work of God and all the team. Each person is called and gifted to focus on their calling. Ezra read the Word and rebuilt the altar then rebuilt the temple. Zerubbabel led some captives back. Of course Nehemiah rebuilt the walls and the were scores of others involved. All this illustrates that I am not alone. God is the coach calling the plays and orchestrating the vision. Many others are involved in leading their areas and fulfilling the vision of TC3.

Resting in His Purpose...

Going Green....

I've been thinking a lot about our cultural tendencies. We (I say we because I am included in this group as much as the next guy) love our stuff. We love our comfort. We love having and obtaining what we want. I've got my wife and two kids in a SUV for safety. I've gotta say I love that heated leather seats await me inside my cozy two-car garage. Pretty much we respond to desire faster than the right thing. Take 'going green'. Now that it's trendy, the cool thing to do. More people are doing small green things. For some it's not the trendiness that gets them, it's the whole 'what's in it for me' thing. I get that. I tend to be me first more than I should. Especially as a minister (wow, did he really say that? Isn't he supposed to be better than me so that I can strive to be like him?) Yeah, maybe so. All I can promise is that I am called and I am growing and God has gifted me with His Spirits guidance. Yeah, His guidance as a leader, but I'm speaking more about His guidance that says, "Jeremy, I'm not letting you act like that. You know I love you and love those that this decision will hurt. It's not all about you, if you'll love like I am calling you to love, you'll be taken care of. You do trust me don't you Jeremy?" That's the kind of guidance I'm talking about. The kind that empowers me to be holy for He is holy. The kind of guidance that guides my steps and directs my paths.

Wow, I digress. Talking about going green and the pull for "me" mentality. Now that going green can actually save you money in certain ways is appealing to some. Evangelicals (that's what most of us who are reading this are.-religiously speaking) have unfortunetly been slow at best, resistant and beligerant at worst when it comes to environmental issues. (Oh no, Pastor Jeremy has gone tree hugging liberal. He wants us to pray to trees and respect Mother Earth--hold on one sec. Don't write me off yet). All I am saying is that true Followers of Christ should take the whole stewardship thing pretty seriously. If God created the whole world and it was good and He placed man in charge, we should probably take that job seriously.

I simply wanted to take this time to cause us to pause and think. Maybe we can do things better. Maybe we can open doors that are closed since our actions have caused others to think we don't care, we are consumers and not concerned with future. Sure we have dominion but not destruction. Well, hopefully God will work this out in us.

God bless.

God's grace is still amazing....

Birthday Plans

Many past birthdays served to celebrate individuality. Think about birthday parties. They are typically about one person. Its all about you on your day. Not that there's anything intrinsically wrong with a little me time. But this year, the way God would have it, my birthday is about the team. (Truly, I am thankful for the way this is working out.) My birthday is December 11th, has been now for 32 years (or at least that's what they tell me).

This year as many of us that possibly can, will celebrate my birthday (well, its not actually a celebration) at the theater. 7 am Tuesday December 11th we will unload all of our stuff to "practice" set-up/tear down procedures. We will fine tune our audio system to the room, lay out our instrument and singer arrangements. Configure our video projector, figure out how to lay out a Kid's Church and nursery. Since I was born at 8:32 am, I will turn 32 in the theatre (I know you like how I alternate between theatre and theater!) I think this might just be one of the coolest and most memorable birthdays ever.

FYI: the following Thursday, December 20th we are doing the exact same thing for anyone that wants to celebrate their birthday likewise. (I wouldn't want to be special or anything.)

Alright, I love you guys and hope and pray that many of you can join us for one or both days so we can figure this thing out. God bless.

God's favor is unending.

A Chat With Dad

Its starting to come together. I find myself thinking more and more about that first Sunday in the theatre...looking up at all the faces (at Heather and the worship teams!!) Its crazy to think that in six short weeks we'll being ministering in the theatre.

Last night talking with my dad caused more thankfulness. 27 years ago, he and my mom moved to Knoxville from Union City TN. Driving around town looking for places to worship led to approaching the Middle School @ Cedar Bluff. With my grandparents and our family as the only sure things for the first Sunday, they opened the doors. My mom played a little piano in the music room and sang three choruses. Twenty other folks rolled in and gave 96 dollars for that first offering.

Well, we've got it made. 100 or so people have committed to coming-the greatest worship team available--greatest children's ministry and awesome volunteer base--the greatest parent church available.

I am very thankful for God blessing with this awesome opportunity to walk on the water.

God bless

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving. I hope and pray everyone takes time to thank God for salvation, His Word, His Spirit and His church. With the hectic lifestyle of today's holiday schedules it is easy to scurry here, rush there and miss the beauty of the day. Often, obligation to please others and make showings robs us of the peace and presence of God in the days of celebration.

Today, I just want to remind everyone to take a moment to pray and worship the God that gave us this day. (If anyone actually reads blogs on holidays---of course I'm still wondering if anyone actually knows that I have a blog-oh, well, this is still very therapeutic.)

I know that my time with God this morning was perfect. As I was thankful for His blessings; He blessed me more. Now I have more to be thankful for, more confidence to move forward in Him, more passion and assurance that He is in control of the church thing and my life entirely.
Walk in unity and harmony and see what God will do. Remember to drop ego and receive grace.

God is love and His grace is perfect.

Welcome Home

Just want to welcome home Dr. Pete and all those who were on the trip with him. I know that this trip was tough but eternally worth every sick moment. (Easy for me to say from the healthy comfort of my home, huh?)

Just know we are proud to be associated with you and partnering in the awesome harvest!!

I know there were over one hundred thousand people responding to the Gospel!! Countless miracles and on and on!! For more check out Dr. Pete's website www.matthew10.com

God's will is pure joy.

The Learning Process

Wow! I have never blogged before, never posted one thing before. I am learning how to blog! Secret is...let the website do all the work.

God is truly doing some cool things. Turkey Creek Community Church is really coming alive. I truly don't know what I'm doing. I have never planted a church before. But now I've been thinking...God has planted literally every church that is actually His in the history of churches. So....I guess the secret is just let Him do all the work.

Right now God has our team in the learning process. As you can imagine, we are learning how God is working in us to bring us together. Our stories are now connected to each other in God ways. We are discovering how we lead. God has truly brought the most perfect and incredible team together. Josh and Jason lead with anointing and sincerity. Their worship talent, yes worship talent not just music talent is off the charts. Jason and Ginny are called and equipped and passionate toward children. God has put the best spirits together for this journey. Misty is Turkey Creek's Janice (if you don't know-don't worry about it). This thing could not happen without this team.

The team is awesome.

More later.
I love God