As we begin ‘09, C3 Church will be kicking off a brand new series called “Mosaic.” Starting a new year causes us to think about our lives. We all have areas we want to improve. We all have areas we’ve messed up - we’re in some ways… broken, and we know it we just don’t know what to do about it. God has this incredible way of taking our brokenness and creating something incredible, and yes, even better. You can only experience the beauty and healing of brokenness when you take this one step. What is that one step? How do we bring it all together to create something better? Are you tired of beginning year after year with great intentions, only to so often end them with too many disappointments?
As we explore and become part of “Mosaic,” it will not only change our lives, it will also make 2009 the greatest year we’ve ever lived!
As I think about ‘08, I’m grateful for all that God’s done. This year was much better than ‘07 or ‘06. Those two years I was at war, but in ‘08 I’ve gotten to live what seeing God win that war looks like. As I anticipate all the things God will do in ‘09, I’m wrapping up this year having learned so many things - a few are:
The greatest blessings in life are not things, they are the people who make life richer and more meaningful.
My bride and kids mean more to me than ever. I pray God helps me become the husband and Dad they deserve.
The difference in sustaining an institution and building a movement.
Unity comes with a price. Many churches are unified in their attempts at nothing, in their satisfaction of stagnancy, and in their “dislike” of others who are really doing something. ‘08 is the greatest year of ministry I’ve ever lived. I’m grateful that I lead a growing church that is passionate and unified about loving God and loving others and actually doing something to impact lives. I’m grateful that our church is unified about reaching “others” not about trying to re-live a re-written past.
I’m learning that when you really love people, and sacrifice to show them, they are open to knowing the God who changed you to be that way.
For the church, a struggling economy doesn’t have to be a deficiency, it can be a huge opportunity.
When you begin to live what you were born to do and pursue Christ hard, those who aren’t will try to stop you… but they can only stop you if you let them.
I’ve see God change more lives and develop more people in ‘08 than I’ve ever seen in ministry… with no permanent buildings, tons to set up each week, and less financial resources than when we were an “established church.“ We’re seeing more with less b/c we’re not distracted by churchy mess.
I believe God has big plans for those who believe in a big God. To think that almost a year ago we had half the people we had last Sunday really humbles me. Growing a church is not hard but it is difficult.
There’s so much more - maybe I’ll hit this again after the 1st of the year. For now, this is enough. This was a year that God moved, God blessed and lives were changed and I’m so much more than grateful. I love Jesus and what he’s asked me to do, and we’re going to see more in ‘09 than can be imagined. In this one life I get to relentlessly pursue Jesus and him making a difference - the best is yet to come.
Today we were wrapping up stuff from the weekend, then trying to finish Christmas stuff. This year Christmas seems to be flyin at me, but for some reason I’m just not wigged out about it.
Yesterday at C3 Church we had record attendance at our weekend gatherings. We’ve now completed our first year meeting at Regal Cinemas. Our average attendance before moving to Regal was about 400… yesterday we had almost 800 (our highest attendance). God really is “connecting the community with Christ” through C3. We also saw 20 adults become Christ-followers yesterday! Think about that… 20 more people will experience heaven in eternity, and knowing Jesus in this life as well, just because you cared, prayed and invited.
C3 - you made a huge difference in lives. Thank yo so much for your sacrifice of time, your faithfulness in giving, and your heart to love God and love others - obviously it’s more than just a saying. I can’t wait for Jan. 4, ‘09 as we talk about what God’s done, and what’s next! Loving God and loving others really does change people.
Last night during dinner we were talking about “Christmas Vacation” and the C3 devo for the night. The discussion turned as a couple of the kids began to have “more intense discussion” (don’t know if that ever happens w/your family during dinner). It stopped when I said, “Nate, say something nice about Kayleigh.“ Then every person at the table, one at a time said something nice about her. Of course, everyone wanted to be next. We spent some time with each person hearing something nice from everyone at the table.
I watched something happen.
I saw the power of words.
What I saw was more moving that what I heard. I watched the countenance of faces change, the atmosphere became lighter. Last night at dinner every person in my family was encouraged - I heard things I really needed to hear, and I believe each person did. It struck me that we had each heard more kind things last night than many people hear in week… or much longer.
Our home is crazy hectic - a pastor’s home with 4 full of energy kids and a bride with a million talents, and a husband that’s got to be worth 4 more kids - it really is crazy… but it’s crazy good. This Christmas season I pray that in all the business we take the time to love and encourage those who mean so much.
Several things have stayed on my mind today. So often we sing “Silent Night” while living very noisy lives. How do we remove the clutter and noise of life, especially in this season. We find the answer in the Christmas story - there’s a rush of noise from the moment Mary learns she’s pregnant, right up to the birth of Christ. Then, we read these words, “…She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger…“. At this point the noise stops, and it seems the story stops. In fact, we know very little of the first few years of the life of Christ. There’s a ton of activity, then the manger, then… silence.
Perhaps what we need in this slammed season are some “manger moments” where we are intentional about spending time focused on Christ, thinking about his love, reading his word, and talking with him. We can’t control the pace of life, but we can control our focus. If you were at C3 this morning we gave you a devotional guide for the week to help create these “manger moments” (if you missed it I’ll be putting them up each day).
I’ve also been thinking about the stories that are pouring in as C3 continues the Food For Families Christmas opportunity (helping to feed and provide basic necessities for 100 needy families for an entire month). We really are encountering people who have real challenges and needs. There’s one resounding theme I’m hearing from C3′ers - “there are so many people who are hurting, with real financial needs, right here in our area.“ There are needs all over the world, but often we fail to see those right in our neighborhood - when we see what God sees the opportunities are huge!
Angie and I delivered some stuff today after church to our families. Knowing that we can help in a small way means so much. These people know we care.
Next Sunday we’ll continue to rock the house with “Christmas Vacation” - invest and invite!!!
