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.
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It’s late and I don’t have much left - this day has worn me out. While I’m dead tired, my mind is still racing from this morning. I’m just overwhelmed with gratitude. As I reflect on this morning, and wrapping up our first year in meeting in the theaters I’m grateful for:
- Our amazing God who continues to blow my mind with how much he loves us.
- The movement that is C3. C3 Church you stepped up big-time. Not only did you deliver the food and supplies, but in many cases you added to it. For people who needed help you paid utility bills, rent, and mortgages. You helped people with Dr’s for checkups and tests. Some of you even helped people who were unemployed find a job. Then, you invited people to experience C3 with you today, and as a result they experienced God. You even provided their kids with Christmas gifts. You’ve made loving God and loving others have traction in people’s lives. Your love for God and others is contagious and you’ll roll through Christmas this week knowing you’ve made someones life better.
- January 4, 2009 - that’s right, I’m already grateful for it. Even though it hasn’t happened yet, I know what we’re planning and I believe God’s going to use it to change even more lives. Remember, next weekend we have no gatherings so be ready Jan. 4 and bring people with you!
In the midst of deep gratitude I’m also burdened. I’d like to ask you to pray for a couple of needs I’m aware of. One of the families we’ve been helping is scheduled to be evicted Christmas Eve. Please pray that God provides the necessary funds for them. Also, another one of the families we’ve been helping experienced a tragedy this week. The Mom in this family ended her own life. For her husband and three kids Christmas will be very different now. There are constant reminders all around us that people desperately need Christ - and to know his deep love. Let’s share that love this week.
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It’s been another intense week. This week many things have come together that we’ve been praying about for some time. In our Management Team meetings on Tuesday, I laid out the next steps in the vision God has given us for this movement called C3. I can’t believe what God’s doing and is about to do. It’s so far beyond what I would have even thought about just 3 or 4 years ago. I will be laying out some specifics at an evening with our leadership and volunteers the first week of November, then shortly after that to the entire church.
This Sunday we end “I Wish Jesus Hadn’t Said…“. I have really gotten a lot personally from my study for this series. Jesus taught some very challenging stuff. Actually, it’s not challenging if it’s only Bible Study discussion material… it’s living it that stretches you big time.
I’ve got to be honest. I’m really burdened about Sunday. I will be sharing the most important message I could ever communicate. What people decide to do personally with this message determines everything. This message is so important that I’m going to make a couple of contacts tomorrow inviting more people.
C3 - we have one more day. We’ve got to do a couple things:
1. Pray for Sunday. Pray that people are open to God and that he moves and changes lives.
2. Invite, invite, invite. The most important thing you could ever do for C3 is to invite someone to come with you. The people that God has placed in your life are strategic opportunities. These are people God desires to love through you, engage through you, and meet through you. You may not know how to address all that’s going on in their lives, but you can invite them to come with you this weekend to C3. Just ask them to check it out with you!
As we look at something else I wish Jesus hadn’t said, I don’t want you to be listening and thinking “I wish I had invited ______.” Do it now, live in love, make a difference!
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There really are only a few things in life that ultimately matter. When this life is over we all want to know that we made a difference… that our lives counted. In these crazy, hectic days in which we’re living, there’s one thing everyone of us can do to make a difference. It’s the primary thing we’re to be about as Christ-followers. In living the Christ life we’re called to engage others and love them.
At C3 there is a simple principle we live by. While we don’t have unlimited financial resources, but we do have the greatest resource on the planet… the people of C3! It’s the people that God uses to reach others. It’s not marketing or billboards or catchy message series (there’s absolutely nothing wrong with those things!). The primary tool God uses to impact lives is other lives. Hear it from a C3′er:
“We have been with C3 now for almost a year. Our lives have changed. Less stress at home and life in general, I don’t worry about anything any more, I let God have it all. My two oldest children are now members also. I look forward to what God has in store for my family and my church. I got our kids their own Bibles and not only do they read them, they take them to school. I could write a book about the changes in my life since C3…“
The man who wrote this is in a battle. It’s not just the everyday battles that you and I face, but he’s battling cancer. I’ve been amazed on Sundays when I know he’s been in the hospital during the week and he shows up not only to attend, but many times to serve. Why? God has used this movement to literally change his life and his family. His passion is not because he has to do something, it’s born in love for what God used to change him. Would you take a moment right now to pray for Robert Witt, his wife Jacquie and their precious family? Please pray for them.
Now, I have to ask you… What must it feel like to be the person who invited Robert to C3? Who’s story will you help write because you loved them enough to invite them to C3 this weekend? Who will be able to say, “Our lives have changed!” because you cared? There is a huge opportunity this Sunday to see people meet God. Your life can count - invest and invite today!
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My mind is fried today. It was just an intense week last week. Tomorrow should be interesting (Monday’s usually are…). Just a few things are rolling around in my head as I’m winding down:
- I love Sundays, but hate when it’s over.
- I love when the Cowboys win, but hate watching them play (but I can’t help myself).
- I love this time of year as it begins to cool off, but hate that the days end earlier.
- I love chillin with my bride watching tv, but …”love a little less” watching British comedies.
- I love my kids, but hate that I have to get up so bloomin early to get them ready for the day.
- I love the Longhorns, but I hate that Pete Wilson doesn’t (I still pray for him
)
Seriously, there are so many things I love. I’m so grateful for all that God’s doing in the movement that is C3.
C3 - pray for me this week. We’ve got some significant meetings as we finalize some next steps in our strategy. There are some huge things coming that I’ll be sharing with our volunteers on November 7, then with the entire church shortly after. God is setting the stage for us to make an even greater difference in lives.
Also, I’ll be connecting with a church staff from out of town this week. I love spending time with guys who are leading churches to make a difference. Their coming to O-Town to connect and I’m really pumped about the opportunity.
Finally, please pray that God will use next Sunday big time in people’s lives. Remember, compassion and condemnation never exist in the same moment - let’s be compassionate this week - invest and invite like crazy! Every person God has place in your life who doesn’t know Christ needs to be at C3 next Sunday. I can’t wait. Let’s purpose to invite someone each day this week!
Oh yeah, Ladies, don’t forget the Girls Night Out. Angie is hosting it - click the logo for for info:
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