Dreamers

Are you living a safe life without failure? Or are you living your greatest dream? Are you stepping out to attempt to live the dream that God has put deep within you? Decide today to live as a movement of love connected with the community of faith.

Before we were born, we were a dream in the heart of God. There is a divine dream implanted in you. Are you living it? Are you living the greatest dream (in spite of the fear it brings)?

There is a dream within you that causes you to say, "I cant". Its this dream that God calls you to embark on. The one that causes certain levels of fear. Impossible. This dream may not be fulfilled. However, the greatest pain you can feel is the pain of regret. Standing at the end of life feeling a deep sense of regret and lack of trust in yourself and in the God that called you. Failing at the dream is significantly less painful than never trying to live it.

God has given all of us the greatest Christmas gift ever! Jesus Christ and the grace of God for eternal life. With this Christmas recall the gift of the dream that God has placed within us. Over the next year commit to ATTEMPTING the dream. Commit to stepping out, sink or swim. Live the dream. I am here for the journey with you. I believe many will succeed. I believe we will change the world.

God bless and Merry Christmas

Mixed emotions....

Today I feel a bombardment of emotions. There are a number of things happening around me.

Of course we are one week out from Christmas and that brings much joy and peace. (Not to mention the time off!) However, as a Pastor, I know that this season of joy and gladness often fills hearts with depression. Suicide rates and depression increases dramatically during this time. This year it has touched our church. We had a family experience a suicide in their family this week....I got the call. Saddened doesn't do it justice.

A lighter note...this is my last sermon in Oasis....a Wednesday night ministry I launched on March 3rd of 2oo4. It's the right thing and the right time to move on, but......

I also heard this week that a friend from school is being promoted. This saddens me as well. Not because we are the same age and he is now leading the largest church in our denomination. Not because I am jealous or think he is unworthy. I believe in him. I know he is called. I know he can and will do it. I just know he did not want it this way. No son could. I have been thinking about it as if it were me. I pray for you Jason. I cannot imagine. No judgment, no ill will, no secret celebrations....I am broken for your family. I love you and your father. He has had a great impact in such a little time with me (one ride to and from the airport). I pray for grace from the family, grace from the congregation, grace from the community, grace from the denomination, grace from God. I know you will never hear these words, but they are prayed and God will sustain you.

Other emotions....

I am excited....we are having our third child in January. We are celebrating our 1st year at Turkey Creek Church. We are launching a new prayer and fasting initiative. I sense God is preparing TC and PW for great things this year. I want to be ready.

I pray for you that God would prepare you for this coming year with anointing and wisdom for the harvest.......

God bless

Perfect Storm wrap up...

Today we wrap up our series on the Perfect Storm. I have truly been encouraged (should not be shocked by that) from studying the Scriptures for our navigational points during the storm. Any authentic study of the Scripture, of course, reminds us of His Sovereignty. If He truly knew you and I before we even existed or before we were even formed within our mother's womb, AND He states boldly that He has a crazy good plan for our lives even then; well, shouldn't we trust Him then. Earthly father good gifts, Heavenly good gifts, greater works we will do, He will not put more on us than we can bare, My peace I leave with you, not leave you as orphans, never leave you nor forsake you, and on and on and on go the promises!!! Our role is found in the old hymn, Trust and obey for there's no other way....We must keep our eyes fix on the author and finisher of our faith Jesus Christ. That's it. Simple. No complicated formulas, no elaborate memorization, simply stay focused on Him. Don't look at the wind and waves that attempts to distract you (economy, political unrest, relational struggles..you get the picture). We fight battles sometimes when we should be letting Christ our big brother, who has already won, fight for us by keeping our eyes on Him.

Are we crying...

9 And you saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt and heard their cry at the Red Sea, 10 and performed signs and wonders against Pharaoh and all his servants and all the people of his land, for you knew that they acted arrogantly against our fathers. And you made a name for yourself, as it is to this day. Neh. 9:9-10

Are we crying? Are we crying out of a heart for and toward God? When we do, then He will. Think about that. Man2Man Project last night woke me up concerning Life Changing prayer. Craig spoke about Charles Finney and his passionate faith and child-like trust. He demonstrated time and time again a public boldness with ridiculous and audacious prayers that God ANSWERED in God only style, leaving NO room for doubt. Much of our prayers are not even public enough for others to witness if God answered. Furthermore, they are so weak in nature that it truly doesn't take God to answer many of them.

I pray for a heart that trusts and obeys God; that seeks Him first and foremost

Being Who We Are...

Self discovery and identification are ever continuing processes. Just when I feel as if I am closing in on authentically identifying my spiritual and ministerial DNA, I come along something or someone that challenges me to dig to another level. Mark Batterson has done this recently in his post on rebranding. I feel like Turkey Creek Community Church is well on our way, however, we must passionately discover God's calling and our unique design in His plan. Check out Mark's blog and let me know what you think personally and corporate, especially if you are a part of our team.

God bless,

Kaleo...

I have thoroughly enjoyed the challenges and promises of this series. Kaleo, the Greek word for calling, is a dynamic message series from Lifechurch.tv. I am excited about the possibilities of our people truly capturing the essence of this last message; Called to Make Disciples. In just a couple of short hours I will exhort our community of faith to be disciples and to make disciples. There is a stark difference in being a cultural Christian and a disciple of Christ. Every individual follower of Christ, Christian family, community of faith, church and denomination is commissioned by Christ and empowered by His Holy Spirit to go and make disciples. Unfortunately, we have programmed discipleship into a two-hour structured process of the physical church. By this, I mean, we rely on Sunday School and Family Training Hour (Wednesday evening classes) to function as our discipleship. Creative churches (yes, sense the hint of sarcasism) program "organic" discipleship programs within homes, calling them small groups. While this is seems to be a better approach it still, at times, missses the point of our Great Commission. Christ's intentional (incarnational) model of missional discipleship is all inclusive. When I recall the term, "all-inclusive", I experience warm memories of my honeymoon. However, Christ's approach to disciple-making is quite simple: everything, everywhere, everyone and everyway provides an opportunity for a teaching experience. Not only is discipleship sitting around in a circle, (or in neatly formed rows anticipating a lecture) and discussing passages of Scripture. Discipleship, at the fundamental level, is learning to do life in the image of God within the community of faith. Often churches preach well about loving God and others, however, we have forgotten to instruct how to love our neighbor as ourselves. Isn't this the second greatest commandment and like the first, effectually making the basis of the Great Commission the Great Commandment? We have forgotten to live in community, bearing one another's burdens, prefering our brother over ourself, demonstrating that we are truly His disciples because we have love one for another.

If Turkey Creek Community Church captures the essence of this message and we become empowered disciple makers, our community will be supernaturally revolutionized by the power of the Holy Spirit and our godly witness. Pray for us.

Hearing from you....

I want to hear what God is speaking to you. Let me know what Scriptures you are reading and that now seem to be reading you. The more I study the Word of God the more convinced I am that true growth transpires when I allow the Word to study me. I transition from trying to apply the Word to my life and allow the Word to apply me to life. Sounds strange doesn't it? Well, I guess it is somewhat different. But if the Word of God is alive and active and doesn't return to God void of It's missional purpose, then don't you suspect that It's authority and Spirit-driven activity are in more control of applying us to life than we are at controling It and applying It to our lives? Anyway, just wanted to take a second to ask you what God is doing, how He is moving and how you are responding.

God bless,,,

The Insider track...

I've been thinking...I am most definitely an insider when it comes to issues of faith. I am fourth (or fifth) generation Pentecostal. (That means my family was one of the first groups of people to join the Pentecostal movement that began in 1896 and gained momentum in 1906--for those who care.) My parents were traveling speakers (Evangelists) when I was conceived (sorry for any images there...yikes!) They took a small church for my first 4yrs of life then planted the church they currently lead (28yrs ago). Well, I'm 32 and have been in one church for 28yrs, so I believe this qualifies me as an insider. Earned three degrees from our denominational educational institutions, received three levels of ordination from same denomination. Served in full-time ministry for 9+ yrs now.

Well, not writing a resume or job appl. just illustrating my inside track. I say all this to qualify the next few statements. As an insider, everything just is. You know, you grow up believing and adhering and following certain creeds. To the outider, thinking, learning, processing and experiencing these new elements of faith maybe strange and awkward at first. This sounds, to me, a lot like counting the costs as Christ mentioned in the New Testament.

Recently, I began a certain counting of the costs. Now, grant it, it is something I am familiar with. I have been considering health, wellness and exercise again. These are issues I have been passionate and consumed with before. I know well the cost, price and sacrifice needed to obtain levels of fitness and health I so desire. Much like with issues of faith, cares of this world, selfish desires and the influences of friends often deter our intentions. However, as with faith, intentions do absolutely no good. All of my research online, thinking, praying, and past knowledge of training, exercising and nutrition are useless unless I put them into practice. James, in the Bible, speaks of this as well when he states that faith without works is dead. I know about resistance training, cardio, nutrition and rest, I wholeheartedly agree with it and believe in it. I have seen with my own eyes the benefits and results. I have tasted and seen that exercise is good. I have led others toward lifestyles of health and wellness. However, if I am not walking in it and living it daily then it becomes of no use. Often, we gym rats, or ex-gym rats, speak of how quickly we lose it. The benefits. I don't know how quickly we lose it spiritually. I am not saying that two weeks out of the spiritual gym and we are hell bound. But the blessings, protections, directions and favor seems to slip. I hope we can stick to it when things get tough and we hit the walls and the plateaus. Oh, well, let me know what you think. God bless....

recently

The Insider track...

An Ear to Hear.....

Seems like, after reading back through this blog of mine, that all I do is talk about vision. Well, I guess it's close to my heart. I know that God has placed a passion deep within each of us and without a clear vision fostered by an intimate relationship with Him we will simply bounce from fad to fad and burn out and become discouraged in the process.

One prayer I pray often is, "Father give me an ear to hear what the Spirit is saying to the church." And by church I mean quite a few things. 1. I mean the global Body of Christ. I feel that God's global plan is cohesive. By that, I mean, there is a commonality found within our (TC) mission and the village hut in Africa. Generalities in Gospel to evangelize and serve according to our giftedness and personal make-up. The whole one-body many members thing has always been important to my theology and praxis. 2. I mean the local community of faith. What are the specific actions and laser focus the Spirit is speaking to our unique DNA church. What special practical expression of love does the Father desire to flavor East Tennessee with through our faith group? Not copying and competing with ministries 2 miles from us, but being uniquely different and individual as God has made us special. Truly doing things no one else is doing to reach people that no one else is reaching. 3. I mean me. Who am I supposed to be? What do I really look like in the eyes of God? Where am I supposed to be going and what am I supposed to be doing? Know, be and do. These three define our identity and are only truly discovered in authentic relationship with Christ. Knowing Him in faith, doing acts of service for Him and others in love and being/becoming who He has called me to be. These are the essential issues of the life of faith. The guideposts on the journey of intimacy. This simple, yet profound prayer helps guide my passion with vision toward accomplishing the mission I was created to live for. hope this helps you in your faith walk.

God bless.....

Vision........

You are here today because you have passion; you will be here tomorrow because you have vision.

Most often we read the Bible for comfort, assurance, and certainty, but not for courage-------at least not in the truest sense. We’re willing to engage in battle if we believe that God has promised ultimate victory. We have somehow convinced ourselves that God has signed a contract with us, promising that we will never fail. Implied in that is that we will never suffer, go through disappointment, or even be inconvenienced in the journey.
What does it really mean to live by faith? THE RESPONSE OF FAITH IS NOTHING MORE THAN OBEDIENCE. Faith begins with God speaking and materializes when we RESPOND. Somehow we’ve come to believe that faith removes ambiguity rather than calls us to live in it.
The starting point of living by faith is recognizing that God has revealed so much of His will that we have plenty to live by without ever hearing another word. Some things you simply do not need to pray about. When God has spoken and commanded His people, praying sometimes becomes a way of resisting God’s will rather than a way of responding to it.
A church doesn’t need to pray about whether it should pray. It doesn’t need to pray about whether it should serve. It doesn’t need to pray about whether it should evangelize. We somehow believe that God is more interested in our comfort and our prosperity than His purpose in human history.
What took faith yesterday is sight today. When we live by faith, we allow God to take us into new experiences of who He is and how He works. The church cannot live on the faith of the past. The church is called to be the living expression of faith.
A community with the servant heart of God knows no limit to sacrifice, and when its people are doing what God created them to do, there is no limit to impact.
Character transformation is more than the elimination of sin. God is about reclaiming the divine potential He has planted within each individual.

You are here today because you have passion; you will be here tomorrow because you have vision. Vision is birthed through relationship. Passion is kindled in relationship. Mission is accomplished through community. Relationship with God and relationship within the community of God.
Falling hopelessly in love with God and staying hopelessly in love with God are the keys to discovering His loving action flowing through you as it fosters passion and maintains vision. Love is central to the heart of God and the ethos of the New Testament church without it we have no claim to be the disciples of Jesus Christ. In the end love manifests itself in sacrifice. John 13:34: The world will know that we are His disciples because we have love one for another. The practical expression of love is servanthood, love begins to change everything about your relationships. The church erupted out of an act of love. Love produces servanthood. Servanthood sees sacrifice as a privilege.
Love God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength and to love our neighbor as ourselves. This is the culture of love established in the New Testament Church and in need of reclaiming in the contemporary church. Without loving, caring, serving and sacrificing relationships; the church ceases to exist.

Synergism...

Importance of vision casting

Well, It's true. I'm learning how important it truly is to continue to cast vision. Why are we here? I ask this almost daily. I wish I answered it daily. I am coming to learn that simply saying vision doesn't work. Vision, vision, vision, vision, vision, vision and VISION. Did that inspire you? Me neither. Too many church/missional authors are screaming vision without unpacking it. Stetzer, Hirch, Mancini, Stanley and Groeschel are helping us a lot. But,,,.....

Well, it comes down to this.....vision..jk..knowing Christ radically and serving Him the same. Stop critiquing the text (scripture) and allow it to critique you. Stop attempting to apply the Word to your life and allow the Word to apply you to life. (Wow I can't believe God just said that through me...sorry I get a little beside myself when I KNOW God is speaking!) My model of ministry has always been to apply the Word to my life and situation. Pray, plan, prepare and push the Word into my context. (Sounds familiar doesn't it). That's what our dad's have done, our schools and denominations have taught us. I believe the theological terminology is incarnational ministry. The contextualization of the Gospel. I believe these ideaologies fall short. I have attempted to create a hermenuetic for my culture, discern my culture and apply the Word with biblical integrity. All to feel as if I have fallen short. The result always pushes us to DO more. Learn more, study harder, etc. Truth is we can't do it. We can't make it happen. Pray harder...what are you going to agrue, beg or earn enough favor with God to get Him to do what you're asking? There is nothing I can do to make Him love me any more. There is nothing I can do to make Him love me any less. I truly believe the answer to clarifying our vision, casting our vision, remembering our vision, contextualizing the gospel is......Allowing the Word to apply us to life. Chew on that for a while and I'll unpack my thoughts on it later.

By the way, our vision is coming together. I have been praying and thinking and studying (yes, some of the things I said didn't necessarily matter...they do help though :) ) Roughly.. Empowering people to become what God has planned for them to BE. Let me know your thoughts.

Its been a while since I posted anything....just haven't really thought much about the blog. Maybe needed to clear my head a little bit. I am still here. I am still moving forward with God's plan and call. Wanting to truly be who He sees me being. What is He calling you to do? Who is He calling you to be? You know, He's called you from the foundation of the world. He formed you in your mother's womb. God does things right. He does them big. Way bigger than we can imagine ask or think about. He has plans to prosper you and give you a secure hope. I hope these don't just seem like words. I pray the Spirit of the living God quickens them to your spirit and rocks your world. Get fanatical about His plan. Die to the junk of mediocrity. Jump into your destiny. Quit living in the margins of hope and life. It may simply be stepping up as the parent/spouse that God has called you to be. Or it may involve selling everything and moving around the world to give your life for the Great Commission. I don't know. But the bugging voice won't go away. It keeps moving from "life could be like...." toward "life should be....." toward "life must be.....". God's chazown--vision, dream, revelation, plan---always burns deep beneath the surface of our daily lives. Looming greater than all our insecurities. Pushing us to examine our fears and shortcomings. God's voice speaks piercing through our can'ts, won'ts and never could's. Those fears that paralyze us, those doubts that stop us in our tracks, those past failures that confirm our greatest fears. God's chazown always permeates those very fearful and real failures. Why? Why God must You speak so confidently through the pain of my past? The discouragement of my failures? The disappointments of my intentions? Why does Your calm voice call through the chaos of my dreams? Simply because, His voice, His plan is always God-sized. It is never based on our abilities. He doesn't take inventory of the gifts and talents you bring to the table; yes even the ones He gave you. He doesn't need to look over your performance review. Your sucesses and failures don't deter His plan and will for you. He glares into His image within you, His likeness, His Son and Spirit placed upon you. He sees what He placed at birth. Not simply potential but PROMISE. His promise, His Word that does not return void. What will it take? What length must He go to? How does He get through to us that He believes in us and WANTS to accomplish the eternal and significant through us? The answer scares me. God says, "I will spare no expense, I will hold no power back, I will spare no means to convince you of your divine destiny. Your calling is more important than your comfort. I will shape and hone your character to prepare you for the call I have placed on you." Wow, can you believe that God cares that much about you and I fulfilling His calling? Can you imagine how serious He is about us rising past mediocrity? Can you fathom how He loves you and pains to see you floundering around and squandering His resources? Let us arise, take serious His words and pray and obey His Word. I want to see it come about it my life. How about you?

God bless

Convicting video preaching from a Baptist missionary..

http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=19fd9c84c942a08316e0

Hopefully this link works. I tried to embed it (sounds technical doesn't it) and link it otherwise, but failed. Obviously, I am not that tech savvy. This guy, Paul Waters--I think. Is an incredible preacher. He hits it really hard but worth. It's long but worth it. I don't want to be a cultural Christian. I want to do the will of the Father who is in Heaven. I want to live in the truth. Live the style of life that pleases the Father. Not 85% of the nation claiming to be Christian. I want to be a fully devoted follower of Christ, living in His image.
Watch this when you have 48 minutes to watch and another 15-20 to repent and receive the overflow love of God washing through you.

Awesome faith...

The following was emailed to me by Pastor Josh. It originally came from John Piper's website. It's convicting and amazing. Lord let us have this faith and conviction.

On July 18, 1738, two months after his conversion, Charles Wesley did an amazing thing. He had spent the week witnessing to inmates at the Newgate prison with a friend named "Bray," who he described as "a poor ignorant mechanic." One of the men they spoke to was "a black slave that had robbed his master." He was sick with a fever and was condemned to die.

Wesley and Bray asked if they could be locked in overnight with the prisoners who were to be executed the next day. That night they spoke the gospel. They told the men that "one came down from heaven to save lost sinners." They described the sufferings of the Son of God, his sorrows, agony, and death.

The next day, the men were loaded onto a cart and taken to Tyburn. Charles went with them. Ropes were fastened around their necks so that the cart could be driven off and leave them swinging in the air to choke to death.

The fruit of Wesley's and Bray's night-long labor was astonishing. Here's what Wesley wrote:

They were all cheerful; full of comfort, peace, and triumph; assuredly persuaded Christ had died for them, and waited to receive them into paradise. . . . The black . . . saluted me with his looks. As often as his eyes met mine, he smiled with the most composed, delightful countenance I ever saw.

We left them going to meet their Lord, ready for the bridegroom. When the cart drove off, not one stirred, or struggled for life, but meekly gave up their spirits. Exactly at twelve they were turned off. I spoke a few suitable words to the crowd; and returned, full of peace and confidence in our friends' happiness. That hour under the gallows was the most blessed hour of my life.

Two things amaze and inspire me in this story. One is the astonishing power of Wesley's message about the truth and love of Christ. All the condemned prisoners were converted. And they were so deeply converted in one night that they could look death in the face (without any long period of "follow-up" or "discipling") and give up their spirits with confidence that Christ would receive them. O, for such power and witness!

The other thing that amazes me is the sheer fact that Wesley went to the prison and asked to be locked up all night with condemned criminals. It was a huge risk. These men had nothing more to lose if they killed another person. Wesley had no supervisor telling him that this was his job. He was not a professional prison minister. It would have been comfortable and pleasant to spend the evening at home conversing with friends. Why did he go?

God put is it in his heart to go. And Wesley yielded. Wesley believed in hell and heaven. He believed that what these prisoners believed from their hearts on that night would determine forever their eternal destiny. It was worth risking his life for. O that I might discern the leading of God when something outside my usual path is called for.

Amazing, isn't it? Let us respond so boldly and passionately.

OnePrayer...

OnePrayer is finally here! This Sunday we will join with nearly 1400 churches and close to 800,000 believers around the world to pray Lord Make Us One. I am so excited that the church (outside of denominations) can unite and pray and fast and GIVE to see the local church truly advance the Kingdom of God.

I was honored to meet with three other local churches participating in Oneprayer. (New Hope in Oak Ridge, Real Life in Ktown, Knox Life-downtown) Building team work instead of competition is great. I challenge everyone reader to pray weekly for these churches, fast weekly for THE CHURCH and OnePrayer and find a micro-mission (maybe Lost Sheep, or KICKO) and minister by serving with other organizations. I know of an single elderly lady in need of yard work. God wants us to serve and thrive in this world. Join with me as I lead our congregation in OnePrayer.

Expecting....Unexpectedly

Yep. In eight years of marriage, last night Heather surprised me with one of the top one or two surprises. Last night she asked me, do you want a boy or a girl. Yep. We're having a baby. Number 3. More later.

God will supply all of our needs according to His riches...

The forty years of wandering is quite interesting on a number of levels. We know from earlier accounts that not even their sandals wore down. They ate for forty years, bread from heaven. God's judgment and our trials are sprinkled with His grace, mercy and provision. The righteous, even the fallen righteous have never been forsaken by God. (Verse 11)--The day after the Passover, that very day, they ate some of the produce of the land: unleaven bread and roasted grain. 12 The manna stopped the day after they ate this food from the land; there was no longer any manna for the Israelites, but that year they ate of the produce of Canaan. It's this type of love and grace from God that allows the writer to state: "Count all joy brethren when you fall into various trials....:James 1:2-ff. (It's worth reading)

God bless,

txt message

This series is really challenging. I know that sounds strange since I am the one speaking. But it really is. I hope you are inviting friends and family to join us. I believe that God's Word is alive and active and the more we learn to engage it and allow it to engage us, the more our lives will be radically changed for the cause. God is serious about His Word. He took 1,500 years to write it, used over 40 different people. He chose kings, shepherds, slaves and women to pen this message. We should approach it with a seriousness. Check out www.youversion.com for some different ways to approach His Word. Again, spread His revolutionary love, be missionaries and allow His love to transform you and those around you.

God bless,

What if....

John 3:25-30 (New International Version)
25An argument developed between some of John's disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing. 26They came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—well, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him."
27To this John replied, "A man can receive only what is given him from heaven. 28You yourselves can testify that I said, 'I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him.' 29The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. 30He must become greater; I must become less.

Can you imagine the kind of impact we could/would have if we, one community of faith, operated in this attitude! What if we decided to look at the gifts and callings God has placed on us; what if we decided to focus on the needs immediately in front of us; what if we chose to receive God's grace and gifts that HE has chosen for us. If we rejoice with those that rejoice, other churches, other ministries, other people's promotions, gifts and talents, what would happen. What if we really thought that we needed to become less as He becomes greater in us and through us and, wait, yes-through others? What would happen?

The Church (no not just our church--His Church) would explode with wonders and salvations. Let's join in OnePrayer.com. Joining churches around the world uniting together in Him. Let's let our love for one another shine.

I'm reading again...

It's true. I haven't really read anything challenging or current in leadership, ministry or life (except the Bible) since defending my dissertation. But now, I think, I am ready to start reading again.

I was reading a blog www.stevenfurtick.com and loving his style and thoughts. Before I knew it I was glancing at his recommended reading list. Then, like old times, I was on amazon.com checking out a couple of the titles. Now, they're here. Authors I have read before so I am having flashbacks. I feel as if I am supposed to critique, write up a 10-20 page theologocial and methodological Praxis of Pentecostal leadership with case studies and so on.

However, I am encouraged with the trends, thoughts and suggestions of these writings. It seems that TC is intiutively doing and living these principles. God desires for us to stretch and continue to grow in all areas. (Can't just rely on the degrees) I am excited about what God has on the horizon for us at TC. I know that as we remain faithful and continue to listen to His voice and obey, He will take us to places never seen. Reading these books is great, but relying on His voice and plan will always prevail. It's a continual balancing act of exposure to other's insights and models and being true to oneself and the unqiue call and plan of God for our specific journey. Let me know what you think.

God bless,

Oneprayer

I want to encourage all that read this to pray and fast for the upcoming series OnePrayer. We are joining with over 700 other churches and over 460,000 believers around the world. We are teaching on "God Make Us ________". TC will talk about "God Make Us Contagious". Then we will join with the other churches on June 8th to hear about Make Us One. The next three weeks we will join with other world class teachers to pray prayers for the corporate church at large. Join me in prayer and fasting for revival and maturity.

Leadership...

The following stuff I took from www.perrynoble.com

Joe, one of our pastors on staff found this video on you tube the other night. BEFORE you watch it please keep in mind that it is around nine minutes long…but worth every second. It brought tears to my eyes and raised several thoughts in my mind.
#1 - Every Week Is Someone’s First Week At NewSpring.
If you are a pastor…the same could be said about your church…that every single weekend COULD be THE weekend that THE PERSON who people in your church have been inviting and praying for show up. For some people that may be an afterthought…but I am OBSESSED with this thought. This video was proof that you never know who is going to show up.
#2 - If The Tomb Is REALLY Empty Then The Atmosphere At Church Should Reflect It!
It blows my mind that a person will go to a football game and nearly kill themselves yelling for a bunch of people they don’t even know…and that SAME person will go to a church the next day and show no emotion at all.
I once Mark Beeson, pastor of Granger Community Church, say that Christianity is THE most exciting thing that has ever happened in the world…and it has taken the church 2,000 years to make it boring!!!
It IS our job to make the environment exciting and friendly.
I can’t get these thoughts out of my mind
Jesus is ALIVE…He ROSE!!!
WE WIN…I’ve read the last chapter of the book
People do not have to go to hell!!!
These thoughts govern my teaching and my leadership…which is one of the reasons I am getting away from the critics…with all that God is doing here–I simply do not have time for you. I want to see more people reached for Christ!!!
#3 - God AND The People Walking Through Our Doors Every Week Deserve Our Best!
It bothers me when a church throws some sort of program together at the last minute & then asks God to bless it…this is equal to the college student that refuses to study for an exam all semester long and then shows up to take the test and throws up some lame prayer, asking God to help him out.
I know this–Sunday at NewSpring God is going to give His absolute best. We are going to get His best attention…His best grace & mercy…His best empowerment…His best beauty…His best protection…the best of everything He has. (Yes, this is there for every church in the world!)
BUT…we should give Him our best…our best in prayer…our best in preparation…our best in the singers…our best in the musicians…our best in the parking lot…our best in the greeting…our best in the children’s & nursery area…our best in EVERYTHING!
AND…when you combine God’s best with the churches best…BAM…things happen. Churches grow when people in the church do not sit around and offer God half-hearted, watered down presentation…they grow when people KNOW that God is SOVEREIGN…and because of that very fact are willing to go all out to see as many people as possible come to Christ.
I can’t wait for Sunday!!! I promise you we will give our best. Oh yeah…just a sidenote…we mess something up EVERY week. Seriously…which is a beautiful reminder that God is so much bigger than all of us or our efforts…and its so cool to see Him work MANY times not because of us…but in spite of us!


Thought some of these things were worth hearing again and thinking about. I appreciate that we (PW and TC) strive for excellence and don’t just throw things together. God does deserve our best and someone’s first impression or last chance at God may weigh in the balance. There was another blog about sent reminding us to not forget the power of prayer. Sometimes we tend to trust in the programs, educations, curriculum or talent we may bring to the table, but without prayer it stinks and that always shows. As Pentecostals we know the importance of prayer, but our churches tend to look ineffective in the numbers game. We see other models, traditions, or styles blowing the doors off without an emphasis on the Spirit or prayer and we may rely too heavily on a program or model or curriculum too easily. Bottom line is: don’t forget to bathe everything we do in prayer. Strongholds are broken, direction is birthed, vision is discerned and wisdom garnered.

More Revolutionary Love...Keep spreading the love

Last Thursday, I was getting off the exit in Lenoir City, on my way to Wal-Mart, when I noticed a man on the side of the road with a sign saying “Anything will help.” My first reaction was the usual: lock my doors & keep my eyes on the red light. I had already been praying that God would show me what He wanted me to do with the Revolutionary Love cards (which, “conveniently”, were right next to me) & I just knew that God wanted me to feed this man dinner. But of course, I was in a rush to get to Wal-Mart & get home. If I’m being honest, I immediately started wrestling with myself. I knew in my heart that I was supposed to feed this man dinner, but I thought, “I’m a woman. I’m alone. People are crazy these days. You can’t trust anybody.” So I went on to Wal-Mart, got my items & left. As I was getting back on the interstate, I noticed he was still there. I knew I had the choice to either be obedient or disobedient. After all, THIS is what I had been praying for!!! And I was going to be disobedient in the moment of opportunity??! I made a quick decision & moved over into the opposite lane. I ran to Krystal’s & bought him a sackful! I put the Revolutionary Love card right on top of the burgers, so it couldn’t be missed. I beeped my horn, he came over & I could totally see the surprise on his face. I told him that God loved him & that I hoped he found what he was looking for (which, I have no idea why I said that! Lol! Afterwards, I thought of about 50 things I could have said!). He thanked me, said “God bless you”, and went back to his post. I cried the whole way home. I was just completely humbled by the whole experience. It is just a really good feeling knowing that God has used me to meet someone else’s need. If you do it once, you want to do it again! So I bought my friend (who is a single mom, with another on the way) lunch today!! Knowing you’ve been the “hands & feet” of God is an awesome, humbling feeling!

TC3 OnePrayer....

I am excited to partner with LifeChurch.tv and over 544 other churches from at least 15 nations in www.oneprayer.com The premise for this series is what prayer would your church pray for the church at large if God would answer it? God make us _____. I will preach June 8th and then show video teaching from some of the greatest churches of our time. My sermon will be God make us CONTAGIOUS. LifeChurch.tv is recording God make us ONE, we will show this the following week and follow up the next couple of weeks with other sermons from the best speakers of our day. I am so excited to partner with other churches and unify the church in such a way. As of this post there is a combined attendance of over 388,202!

blog, blog, blogs...

I'm not a big fan of blogs. I know that sounds wierd since I am writing one. I read one daily, keep up with one or two others maybe monthly and sort of force myself to write on here.

I just realized that everyone has a blog. I guess everyone thinks they have something to say. Reading Swerve has often led me to reading many other blogs that respond to Craig's thoughts. Some of these guys that post are interesting, in similar or inspiring spots. However, some blogs just should not be. Some may say the same about mine. But, some bloggers, that's what we're called, really have nothing to say. I find I waste some of my day chasing these blog trails.

(I guess most of my responses on Swerve have been to see if anyone might stumble onto my blog or get a response from Craig--oh I got a response from Crag the other day!!--I don't know if you know it, but I'm kind of a big deal now.) (Craig is the pastor of LifeChurch.tv--a church that is totally impacting my ministry. I've read his books and attend his Internet worship experiences every Tuesday evening. They have 22,000 attendees!)

Of course, my primary purpose in this little blog is to provide insight into my random thoughts and certain direction for TC3. And God has again turned up the heat on our calling! Stay tuned for more~

More RL stories....

· I used my first card at Starbucks on Cedar Bluff. The guy at the window was very interested in the whole deal. However, he did say that I was not the first person to use one of these cards. Anyway, then another guy came over to the window to talk about it too. I paid for the person behind me & when they handed her the card, she then took out her debit card and paid for the person behind her. It was awesome!
· I used my 2nd card @ Hardee’s. A very old car pulled up behind me so I was thrilled to get to buy her breakfast. I got to show the card to 2 different ladies at the window & they were both really impressed! We’re spreading the LOVE! What an awesome feeling!!!

RL Stories....

That was so freakin awesome. I woke up this morning thinking about where and when I could use RL today. I was so stoked, I couldn't wait to try it. So I pull into Bojangles. Two cars jumped in front of me in line. So, now there was nobody behind me. I was so bummed. It was almost my turn to order, so I asked the Lord to put somebody in line behind me. At that moment an old red clunker pulled up behind me and it appeared to be a husband and wife. I order and get out my debit card and the RL card. As I pull up to the window, the lady tells me my total. I said " I would like to pay for the person behind me as well". She gave me this look of confusion and said OK. She rings me up and goes to hand me my card back and says "Are you sure". I said "yeah". She gives me my card back and my receipt, but not theirs. I start seeing a few employees gather around. I ask her for a copy of their receipt. She leans over and asks another employee for their receipt. He says "Why". She says "Because he paid for theirs" All of a sudden there are 4-5 employees standing around doing nothing, looking at me like I was a ghost. Haha..it was so killer dood. So I give her the RL card and said "Would you give this to them, and tell them to consider this not a gift from me, but a gift from Jesus Christ". At this point, she is the one looking like a ghost. I started to realize that this was not just witnessing to the person behind me, but to all of the employees that were staring at me like I was crazy. As I pulled away I began weeping and I was hit with a priceless revelation. The feeling that I got when we were able to help send that girl on an ambassador trip, was the same feeling I had by spending only $7.56. It doesn't matter whether we spend $5000 or $500 or $7.56, giving is giving and I truly feel that I was more blessed by being able to buy their lunch than they were by receiving a free lunch. Thank you for these cards and for sharing this passion with us and the rest of the church. What I have realized is that, this is just the tip of the Iceberg. We are going to be able to advance the Kingdom of Heaven and destroy the works of the enemy with huge strides. And give all the glory to God.

Disciples or Christians....Pt 2

Week 2 of Disciples: becoming fully devoted followers of Christ kicks off in the morning. I am stoked about the direction of this series, the feedback and the momentum. Tomorrow we will announce the launch of 7 new LifeGroups. 7 couples opening up the borders of their lives to invite others to learn to do life together with them with a spiritual emphasis. Every follower of Christ is qualified to lead and LifeGroup. Go make disciples--its not really an optional thing in the eyes of Christ. Our Rabbi calls us, mentors us and requires us to do the same things He did. It's not at all about leading a Sunday School class. (I'm actually quite comfortable with the churchy stuff-its the real life stuff that's difficult). I pray that 15 more couples catch the passion and vision of LifeGroups and jump in.
Also, we launch Revolutionary Love. We will give out our RL cards and ask people to spread God's love in creative ways and share the cards. I feel a sense of God's activity in the air.

Finally, coming soon more info on OnePrayer, our uniting with thousands of churches to pray, fast and listen to God together to advance His love.

God bless....

American Idol Church....

I'm not a fan. Don't ask why. I'm not even a causal watcher. But the last two weeks I have caught American Idol Gives Back on Wednesday nights. They actually have a full choir and "worship tunes" with megastars. It seems that they even take an offering. Actually listening to Shout to the Lord right now! Many mixed emotions here. Great songs, great message, great cause great theology.....except that the rest of messages they 'preach'. I hope that the message of the Gospel sticks and the message of dualistic lifestyle doesn't. However, if history means much, the dichotomy will win out. Jesus and blank you in the same show within two minutes, that's the message this world is preaching. It seems that everyone wants in on the power and mobilization of the message of love and giving. However, this hybrid message of Jesus and everything else will lead to death. This should challenge the church to know that we are not cutting it. We need re-evaluate how we are communicating and reaching out. The church must rise up and offer the pure Gospel without dumbing it down, reach the world and make a difference.

oh well, my thoughts.

Revolutionary Love.....

I am excited to announce that Revolutionary Love is coming soon. At TC we refuse to just show up on Sundays and play church. We have to be the church; not just go to church. The most powerful force on the earth is love. God is love and I think He's got the power thing locked up. He's the hands down favorite. If we have been touched and changed by His love then we should share it. The Bible even says that we have freely received and we should freely give. So I am encouraging us to share the revolution, the revolutionary love of God. Stay tuned for more info on this crazy opportunity.

Ten Questions Every Leader Should Ask....

The following is taken from Craig Groeschell's blog...swerve.

Ten Questions Every Leader Should Ask

1. What did I learn in God’s word this week?
2. Is my burden for prayer growing or diminishing?
3. Does my heart break for the things that break the heart of God?
4. Have I grown accustomed to or accepted sin in my life?
5. Am I doing ministry out of an overflow of God’s work in my heart or out of my own strength?
6. Has my teaching and ministry deepened, changed, or evolved in a positive way in the last year?
7. Do I have a sincere peace that I’m living an authentic life of spiritual integrity?
8. Is my heart growing larger for people and God or is it shrinking?
9. Am I closer to God today than I was a year ago?
10. Do others comment that they can clearly see evidence of God’s work in my life?

Which of these resonate with you? What else would you ask?

Man 2 Man....

Coming soon..... Man 2 Man, a monthly service designed to empower, mobilze and encourage men to be priests of their homes by being formed in the warrior image of God. Stayed tuned.....

Disciples or Christians....

I am really excited about starting this new series. Disciple: becoming fully devoted followers of Christ. A mentor, Craig, has preached this series and I really sense God's hand on this series. Too often our Christianity boils down to religious practices and looses intimacy with Christ. This series will help us recapture our distinctives, passions and callings. Are we concerned with obeying Christ with illogical obedience or blending in to the cultural landscape, not make too many waves and mind our own business and arrive in Heaven safely. Do we want to spend it all, leave it all on the field for Christ? This five week series will challenge us to meet weekly in homes as in Acts 2 and be the church not just go to church once a week. Its my prayer that we radically answer His call and fulfill our destiny. Join me for this exciting journey. I commit to being a lead-learner on this adventure.

Secret to doing Kingdom work....

God has placed His Hand on you to do mighty exploits for His Name. Be encouraged to not lean on your own understanding. Schooling, training and work experience teach us to figure it out, work through it, pull all-nighters and dig deeper. There comes a time that we as ministers must cast all our cares on Him and lean not on our own understanding. We allow His Spirit to refresh and restore (Acts 3) and we literally enter into His rest. His love, joy, peace and grace produce fruit that will remain. The funny thing about a fruit tree is that it doesn’t stress about producing fruit. If it rains enough and has adequate soil it will just bear fruit without trying. Worshipping and hearing God speak will cause the joy of the Lord to be our strength. We will hear His voice and another we will not follow. There’s a word in the Greek that means automatically, without human effort. It’s found in Mark 4:28 when Christ is speaking about earthly seeds automatically growing. He is sharing a powerful parable that illustrates the seeds of the Kingdom of God growing and producing fruit through our lives. As seeds grow and don’t show up in one day, so are the spiritual seeds growing in our hearts.

Mark 4:28
‎Automatee‎. By its own energy, without either the influence or industry of man.

Grace showed up….

God's grace showed up wonderfully today. Salvation, healing and deliverance. Through the blood of the Lamb and the word of Pastor Josh's testimony God moved us to pray and lay hands on the sick for healing. During prayer one received salvation. I thank God for His presence. God continue to help us preach Your grace so we receive Your finished work. Help us to rest in You; in Your finished work. The only thing that really works in the Christian walk is the finished work. Christ has already tasted death once and for all. He has paid it all and finished the work. The only thing that can stop God's grace and power in our lives is us. We hold the power to resist His grace, to operate in unbelief. If we will receive the Word of God at face value and allow God to work it through us, then we will receive all His benefits. Remember, God can't stay away from us, He loves us so much that He shows up and heals, delivers and saves.

 

God bless

What is normal….

What is normal? Why do we strive for normal? What is it about blending in and not being noticed that becomes so appealing? God has great things for each person. For some reason or another we measure ourselves by the actions, accomplishments and beliefs of others. What is normal for someone else may be destructive and/or just plain wrong for you. I guess it's just easier to measure ourselves from those around us instead of spending time listening to the voice of our Creator. He is speaking. The easy way of measuring is not always the best way. I hope that I learn to take the time to hear from God about God's views on my life. How am I measuring up to His standards? Joining an authentic community of faith that will know you, love you and speak God's love to you is the only guarantee to cultivate God's expectancy's. A community that will not selfishly mold you into their image but allow God to challenge, change and shape you into the special and unique person that God has called you to be. If I pressure normalcy like me, that means I am insecure and need people to be like me to validate my calling and development. Hopefully, you will allow God to pull out of you your normal which is excellence. God desires to move each of us to His perfect will which is divine excellence. Remember, each one of us are great; some of just don't know it yet. God bless….

What would happen if….

The ministry of Jesus, to the Father, through the Holy Spirit for the sake of the world. (Steve Seamands, Ministry in the Image of God: The Trinitarian Shape of Christian Service.)

The church should exist for those who are not yet its members.

The value and need for community is ever growing within the post-modern culture. Leslie Newbigin said it this way: "I am suggesting that the only answer, the only hermeneutic of the gospel, is a congregation of men and women who believe it and live by it…Jesus…did not write a book but formed a community." ( Leslie Newbigin, The Gospel in a Pluralist Society) McLaren agrees by stating "the greatest apologetic for the gospel is and always has been a community that actually lives by the gospel." (Brain McLaren, Church on the Other Side)

What if we could see ministry and belonging to the church in a new way? Inherently, we see the church as existing for our needs and fulfillment. I'm not necessarily against that. I like feeling fulfilled and taken care of. I enjoy being blessed and nurtured. But what if these became results, secondary, by products of fulfilling the actual mission of the church. What would really happen if we started serving God with everything? I mean, even causing people to talk. Maybe good talk, maybe some bad. But if we got to a place that we just went for it. You know, didn't care about what others thought, but just loved people, served God, obeyed that intuition to help someone, that voice saying 'ask them if they're okay'. What would happen?

Could God contain His joy? Could He keep from dancing and laughing? Would His tears of joy rain on us and truly bring blessing? We think we experience His blessing now, what would happen if we caused Him to leap for joy? If we stopped hording Him to ourselves and lived to share, what would happen? What would happen if we did exist for those that are not yet our members, brothers and sisters?

 

I think we would surely start to ask about "their" needs. I think we would surely start to listen instead of doing all the talking. I think we would surely start caring instead of judging.

 

My prayer is for God to change our attitudes, change my heart, o God. Help me to love who You love. Help me to love how You love. I know that in loving and serving those You have purposed for me to reach, every need I have will be cared for. I realize that if I seek Your kingdom and righteousness all my needs and everything else will be added to me. I pray for God's heart and will to be accomplished through our community of faith. Faith is active. It is purposeful. Lord, help us to move and live in You, fulfilling Your heart for those who are not yet connected to You. Give us the grace to live this way…..

Hearing from you…

I would love to hear from anyone that actually reads these things that attended one of our first two services. Especially if you picked up a Vision shirt. I would like to know what word you wrote on the back. What's the story behind the word? What do you sense God saying and doing in your life? What might He be preparing you to do? Remember, we are on the same team, God, most likely, is preparing you for a work in and through our local body. Ephesians 4 has long been an inspiration and standard for ministry fruit in my life. Am I equipping the saints to do the work of ministry? Am I serving as a resource hub to administer, coach and orchestrate the vision of God and the role of the follower in the corporate body? Drop me an email and let me know what God is doing in your life. I especially want to hear from those that God is drawing back to His heart. Baptism is approaching quickly and I would love to fill the baptistery with more than water. People and testimonies are definitely on the menu. Pray, talk with me and let's see what God has in store for those that believe. I trust God is moving in your heart as He is in mine.

 

Love His Presence

Staying in the Spirit

I was reading back over the blog and thought....that title sounds a little ridiculous. "We made it". Like after two weeks we've arrived. My dad and I were talking studying for Sunday. (Its pretty cool to be in the next office knowing that he's studying to preach at the same time I am). And he mentioned premature celebrations that caused competitors to lose their focus just long enough to lose the match or game. Arnold Palmer had a 2 stroke lead walking up to the eighteen fairway when a long time friend in the gallery stuck out his hand and congratulations. He knew that he had lost his focus. He went on to shank into the bunker, then another bad shot, finally he lost the match. That got my head spinning. I thought about the Bluegrass Miracle in 02. LSU won; 76 yards in 2 plays. Oh yeah, Kentucky gave their coach a Gatorade bath just before the kickoff to LSU. Can you imagine, both coaches shaking hands soaked in Gatorade!! YouTube has some great video from ESPN while they even comment on the fans rushing the field for Kentucky. All that said, we shouldn't think more highly of ourselves than we ought (that's in the Bible, by the way). God exalts the humble. I got to thinking about Galatians. Paul reminds us to continue in the Spirit. He says something like, why do you think you can complete or continue this work that God began in the Spirit now by the means of the flesh (paraphrased, of course.) I thought about Zech 4:6 it is not by might, nor by power, but by the Spirit of God. God simply says to us today, "Continue to live and move in this ministry in prayer, what was created, birthed and blessed in prayer must continue to live by prayer"

Thanks. God bless

Week two….we made it

Week two. Things moved along even smoother than last week's set up/tear down. I have arrived both weeks at about 8 and haven't even been needed around there! It's pretty sweet to be leading and not be needed (I think?) Generally things went well today. Of course, the worship was phenomenal. I only heard great things about KidMax. We had quite a few new guests this week. I really look forward to getting to know everyone. I hope that folks are reading these to learn a little about me. But, you know, it's impossible for me to get to know 225-250 people in under an hour. I think our Going Deeper services on the last Sunday night of the month will give us some time to connect. I am excited about these services. Baptism is so important in the life of the believer. I pray for conversions and testimonies of transformed, renewed and restored lives. (Anyone wanting to be baptized needs to email me @ Jeremy@turkeycreekchurch.org. ) Over the next weeks I want to develop Community Groups. These groups will gatherings of people desiring to study God's Word together, maybe taking the sermon a little further and holding one another accountable. Maybe this is done @ Turkey Creek restaurants immediately following the service over a nice lunch. Maybe it's done in the home or even lunch breaks at work. Whatever really works for each group. I really just see this vision of people connecting with one another intentionally around the Word of God through the Spirit of God. Community is a must for this church to thrive. I am already praying and planning week three's sermon. I am so excited to be a part of this God thing. It is incredible. I am still learning the leading thing. There are little things I can do better to move toward excellence. Thank you for your prayers and your commitment to God's Chazown for TC3. The future is very exciting and bright. God bless.

Oil change…

Well, I'm sitting getting my oil changed and can't turn the wheels off in my mind. Really am looking forward to Sunday. I am actually staying on schedule for sermons. (Of course, that's not saying all that much since this is just week two!!) All that really means is that I want to not be studying and preparing for Sunday for the first time on Saturday. I want to know where we are going on Sunday by Wednesday. I hope and pray that the Lord allows us to pretty much stay in series and focus on developing a systematic plan to move toward implementing His Word throughout our lives.

Studying purpose could keep us busy until He returns. Seriously, it's the main thing. It holds our perspective, keeps us on target and gives motivation to get out of bed. Knowing who we are, why we are here and what we are to do with that knowledge relieves outside pressure and silences all voices but the right one. My prayer is that this initial study shapes the future of our community of faith, our corporate vision and our individual roles. I trust that we will discover our purpose and not just strive toward it but achieve the very thing that God has in store for us. I keep hearing God say, everyone is great; some just don't know it yet. We haven't fully bought into the vision-chazown-dream-revelation that He has for us. Once we see what He thinks about us, what He sees in us; His very Presence and gift; we will arise in His power and purpose and see His Hand at work.

Baptism…

If God has started something new in your life through this community of faith, I would love to hear about it. I sense that God is drawing people into relationship with Him. I sense He is restoring purpose, passion and personality. We each are created with a unique design. God has a specific, individual and significant purpose for each of us. There is this God-given passion that lies deep within us; this drive and desire that often becomes starved and silenced with the years of failures and lies. Our unique personality often becomes marred by our broken and violated relationships. Injuries and disappointments shape our personality rather than the encouragement and promises of God.

If God has begun to reconcile your purpose, passion and personality to your present existence then let me know. It just might be time to be baptized or re-baptized. TC3 will be holding our first baptismal service January 27^th (the last Sunday night of the month) @ Park West Church on Middlebrook. This service will be a special time of worship, baptism and teaching. We are calling these Sunday events: Going Deeper. For more information and scheduling please drop me a note: Jeremy@turkeycreekchurch.org or give us a call @ 865-862-770 or 865-693-0144 (and mention Turkey Creek Church). I know God is doing some wonderful things, let's celebrate together.

What a day….

I cannot believe how incredible Sunday was. We had our first service and I didn't stress, things didn't blow up, and people showed up!! When I rolled up at 8:00 am things were hopping. Our hostesses greeted me very enthusiastically. Things were ninety percent ready to go an hour and a half early! And remember, this was our first Sunday. We had no problems. God's favor and presence is awesome. We had someone commit to following Christ! (For all of you church folk-they got saved!) Park West truly supported us. We must have had a hundred people from PW just to support this first Sunday. Again, I was truly amazed at the attendance. The worship was incredible. People truly worshipping and rejoicing. Hands raised, jumping, weeping and pressing in. The emails keep pouring in of people God touched and ministered to. Some felt the Holy Spirit for the first time in their lives! Others, that are seasoned, stated its some of the best worship they have ever experienced. I tell you, it is amazingly easy and enjoyable to speak after worship like that. That's what I am used to @ PW. Sunday felt natural, like that's what I was born to do, like we had done it for years already. (Except it is still totally exciting!) Well, I hope you keep showing up, yeah you, but You too. We really need God to show up. Without Him there is no Presence, there is no changed lives, just talented and entertaining music and motivational speaking. We really must have Him there at every moment. From set-up to tear down, He is the most important. For with God all things are possible. The Chazown He has given will come to pass, without Him even my earthly plans will fail. Without you then it simply becomes a small group thing of PW people. We want to be God's missionary outpost to advance the kingdom of God and destroy the works of the enemy. Help us connect people to the God that cares deeply for them.

 

We have many opportunities to serve, Gear team, media team (if you can double-click your mouse and read this then you can learn our media program), sound team and small group leadership. We will soon be launching weekly small group meetings. Contact me if you are interested in serving in any of these areas. Jeremy@turkeycreekchurch.org

 

God bless you.

Birthday time…Thanks Dad

Well, ready or not it's here!! Tomorrow morning we give birth. TC3 comes out of the womb of PW and enters the world. God's appointed time has arrived. Rehearsals, meetings, shopping sprees, prayer meetings and studying have all ended. Tomorrow morning 9:30 am God brings forth TC3. Pastor Josh will lead us in worshipping the King then I, well, then it's my turn to stand and talk. To enter into my destiny. Vision 08: Without Vision people perish. This is becoming more than a launch sermon title; it's becoming an anthem. It rings in my ears: Lead or Die! Quit hiding (matter of fact, all hiding places have been stripped). Not just speaking a message, I've done that plenty of times. But, this time, I become Pastor. I put on the mantle. Sure, we are still covered under the authority and leadership of Dad, but I feel it. I know why his face has had that look so many times. It's not a bad stress. Its concern, responsibility, care, love and nurture. I guess the best way to say it is he is a true shepherd. I hope that's what I feel. I want to feel that. I want to love and care and lead like that. Definitely not want to feel stress because I want to impress, but I want to feel stress because I care and want to nurture as he does. I think that's what I feel. I pray to love more than the idea of TC3. I want to love each and every individual. He set the shepherd bar high. I want to lead with excellence and professionalism. I want to care and nurture as a father and shepherd. I think I feel the right pressure. I think I feel the right stress. Yeah, it's the right one, thanks Dad.

 

You know I work out. I know the difference between the right pressure and stress and pain in my muscles and the wrong type. That's easy to discern. This is different. But I think all his mentoring, parenting and leading has paid off. I think I feel the right stress. Speaking of birthdays…this event keeps reminding me of looking down and holding that little girl. She truly melted me. I recall the day I found out we were pregnant. We went for a walk in the rain. I remember Heather entering and showing me the pregnancy test. I was napping in our chair studying for seminary. As we walked I remember talking to Heather and telling her that only that baby in her belly could name me Daddy. Any denomination could name me bishop, any church could call me pastor and any school could give me the title doctor. But only that little girl could name me Daddy. Well, now, Luke has come along and joined the game as well. And, yeah its true that I could go to a church and be their pastor. But TC3 is the only church that can first name me Pastor. Sure, I've been Pastor Jeremy @ Park West. But that's different. I'm the associate. Sure, I love and care for Park West, I grew up there. It's like my younger brother (27yrs old). But only a Dad can love a son. Only a parent's love will do. That's what TC3 is doing to me. I love PW, but TC3 is mine. Don't misunderstand me, I know that it's God's. I used to always get upset when a Pastor would speak of "my church". I would think, "Doesn't he know that it's God's. He doesn't own it." But now I know. It's a godly pride thing. I parental pride thing. You don't know the love and pride I feel for TC3 and it's not fully here yet. I have spent time with the leadership team: Pastor Josh, Pastor Jason, Pastors Jason and Ginny, Misty, Tim, Lee, Justin and Brandon (even though they technically have to stay at PW)-the whole worship team, the hospitality team, the Gear Team, prayer team and others. I love them, I know them and God is birthing this church first thing in the morning.

 

Well, time for one more prayer, few more thoughts on the order of service and rehearsing the sermon in my head a little and then off to bed to see this thing happen.

 

WOW, I'm really stoked now.

 

God bless,