• I was amazed at our attendance @ C3 Church - I didn’t expect that until next week when school’s back in.
• I met so many new people - wow!
• The Dolphins, like the Cowboys, know how to suck pond water.
• Excited about launching Mosaic next weekend.
• Also, C3’s new website will be live next weekend.

Now I have to go take some medicine… anything because I’ve been watching “House” and now I think I have everything…

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!

Don’t miss Jan. 4 as we set the stage for Mosaic!

• 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.

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.

• 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.

C3 - this Sunday we have a rare opportunity.  There are people you know - your neighbors, work associates, classmates, family members - who desperately need to know the love of Christ and how he longs to know them.  They will come this Sunday just because it’s Christmas.  They will come… only if you invite them.  In the rush of the holidays, with all that is to be done, please don’t skip the most important things - thinking about Christ, spending time with family, and inviting others to a worship experience this Sunday.  Think about it, you could help someone experience their very first Christmas as a follower of Christ.

So, this Sunday 100 families will be helped with food and basic necessities, and they will hear about the love of Christ and have an opportunity to know him personally.  And, hundreds more that we invite will also have the opportunity to meet Christ.  This will be one of the most important Sundays in the life of C3.  As a pastor, sometimes God lets you in on what he’s about to do… I’ve seen it and this Sunday is going to be huge for many.  This Sunday at C3 people will move from death to life - will it be someone that you invite?  Every single day invite someone to meet you at C3 Church this Sunday!

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.

C3 - Sunday’s flyin at us - invest and invite!!!