Archive for the 'money' Category

My Day

Today at C3 Church we wrapped up “Life. Money. Hope.” with Dave Ramsey.  This is a series made possible by Lifechurch.  Dave spoke there and they filmed it for churches to be able to use.  Got to say - best series I’ve seen/heard on money.  (Pastors… use this series - seriously, use it - it will help your people a ton!).

After the C3 gatherings we got to hang with some friends from Texas for lunch - great time catching up.

Tonight I’m just worn out… not sure why - didn’t really sleep well last night.  So, few thoughts bout my day:

  • you-asked-logogreat attendance @ C3 for a holiday weekend… much better than I expected.
  • Can’t wait for “You Asked” beginning next Sunday - kicking off with “Can a Christ-follower drink?” - gonna be a blast (for some :-) ).
  • Excited about C3 hosting the “Xcel Experience” this October - gonna rock! (pastors… check out the site - love to see you there!).
  • Love my bride.  Seriously - greatest woman I’ve ever known.  Her compassion for people and passion for Christ are contagious (and she can stinkin bring it leading worship!).
  • Really looking forward to a family day tomorrow… our kids make each day …interesting - keeps us young and old at the same time.
  • Diesel is growing… fast… really fast.
  • Angie’s purse-dog, Sugar Boy, doesn’t seem to appreciate Diesel…

Finally, I’m grateful.  Tomorrow we celebrate Memorial Day.  We remember those who’ve given their lives for freedom and in protection of this nation.  Right now there are countless thousands of men and women serving our nation… serving us… and I’m grateful.  To those who’ve served in our military, or are serving, thank you.  My prayers and deepest gratitude are with you.

Tomorrow We Let It Fly

Tomorrow I’m not bringing the message @ C3 - we’re going to hear from Dave Ramsey again as we continue “Life. Money. Hope.

I will, however, be sharing in the service one of the most important things I’ve ever talked about.  Several days ago I mentioned that there was something huge in the works for C3 Church - the biggest thing we’ve ever done and it will have major impact, not only in Central Florida but literally across the nation.  Well… tomorrow I will talk about it.  You’re going to find out one of the many things God is doing in and through C3 big time.  So, great message by Dave Ramsey and huge announcement… don’t miss it… and invest and invite!!!

Today @ C3

Today we wrapped up “So You’re Dead… Now What?”.  After our gatherings, I came home and crashed big time.  It’s been a long time since I rested that much on a Sunday.  Here’s the “down-low” on what’s flying through my head:

  • I’m so grateful for those who serve through C3.  This morning five adults gave their lives to Christ, and without those who serve C3 wouldn’t even be possible.  (I’m really pumped about people giving their lives to Christ each week also!).
  • Communion today was special.
  • Sonny’s for lunch - continuing the crusade against the swine flu :-) .
  • Looking forward to our CG next Sunday night.  I love connecting with people who love God and are loving others and journeying through life together.
  • The next three weeks at C3 are going to be huge.  It will be one of the most beneficial series we’ve ever done.  We’ll be hearing from Dave Ramsey about “Life. Money. Hope.”  I can’t wait.

Life. Money. Hope. from C3 Church on Vimeo.

From The Mother Sate

It’s been an interesting day.  Here’s a little of the flow:

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  • Angie and I are in Texas for a few days.  We went over to Grapevine Mills Mall today.  As we were leaving a store I asked the cashier where the Hallmark store was in the mall.  She told us to go down about half a mile to the left (large mall…).  Angie clarified, “so we go out the doors and to the left” - to which she replied “yes, go left and you’ll see it down a ways.“  When the proceeded to walk the entire mall to find the Hallmarks store only 4 stores away from the original store.  If we had gone right - 4 stores down… but she sent us left.  Angie would not let me go back in and “have prayer” with the cashier - I really felt strongly that I had a message for her…
  • We got to see Bill and Kelli Jones new baby girl, London.  Bill designed our new website, and our blogs.  (Pastors - if you’re looking for a web designer, graphic designer - he’s awesome!).
  • This afternoon I was getting my boots shined and had a great conversation with “Dr. Ervin.”  He’s been a Christ-follower for 67 years.  He made a statement that stuck with me.  He said, “in this economy people will run to church.  But when they run to church, they won’t bring their checkbooks because there’s nothing in them.  But, when the economy turns around many will run from church back to their checkbooks - I’ve been watching it for 67 years and it’s just what most church people do.“  While that may be true for some, I’m so grateful for the people of C3 who keep pursuing Christ!  I guess it’s the difference in religious people and Christ-followers.
  • I’m pumped about C3 Church’s feeding families initiative we’re about to launch again.  We’re going to be adopting 100 needy families again and providing food and basic necessities for 4 weeks for them.  I love being a part of a movement that truly makes a difference in lives.  We have such a huge opportunity right now to truly love God and love others - I don’t know of a time when people are craving someone actually caring about them.  At C3, we’re seizing the moment and lives are being changed big time!
  • Looking forward to the C3 Conference @ Fellowship Church this week.  God used this conference in my life in a huge way a few years ago.  Can’t wait to see what he does this year through it.
  • I’m really missing Kayleigh, Ashley, Nate and Ethan!!!

Making the Impossible Reality

This Sunday begins a whole new level for C3 Church.  This morning as I was at our storage units helping to load two trucks with food and supplies, I was deeply moved with gratitude for the people of C3.  It takes a true passion for Christ to put others first, to sacrifice time and to give beyond logic.

Years ago God put a deep vision in my heart to be a part of a movement that truly makes a difference - to lead a church that actually impacts the community and brings hope to the hurting.  People are suffering all around us and the vast majority have decided that church is not the answer to their pain.  In fact, research shows that while many are searching for God, the majority have decided that church is not where you find him.  How could we look so different than the one we claim to love and follow?  It will be through following the words of Christ - “loving God and loving others” that we will capture their attention and then their hearts.

The people of C3 are doing the unthinkable.  In a struggling economy when we have less, they are giving more.  We (Christ-followers) have an unprecedented opportunity to show what we care about.  It all comes down to us or others, what’s comfortable and sensible or what pushes us to the edge of our faith - a place of hope without all the answers.  C3 has chosen.  We are not about building an institution, we are all about advancing a movement.

As we’ve been reminded this week to be thankful, and we move into the celebration of the birth of Christ, this year can be more than the past.  For C3, 100 families who have real needs are going to be helped.  We are going to help feed and provide basic necessities for 100 families for an entire month.  Then, on December 21 these 100 families will come to C3 as we celebrate the birth of Christ, and each of their kids will get a Christmas present, and many of them will receive the greatest gift in all of life.

It just makes me wonder… if 11 men changed the world, what could a few hundred do?  Or… what could hundreds of thousands do if we truly loved God and loved others.

C3, we’re about to change the world!  I’ve never been more grateful for a group of people - you’re awesome!