Sunday Reflections and Discipleship Notes

 Church at the Grove, Community, Random Thoughts  1 Response »
Dec 092008
 

Big Idea:
God uses signs and symbols to remind us of His goodness and faithfulness.  Baptism and Communion are signs and symbols that He has commanded for us to reflect on in our faith.

Random Thoughts:

  • Wow!  What a weekend!  I was busier than a one-legged man in a butt-kicking contest!  It was awesome!
  • Our second annual “Shop With A Hero” took place Saturday and was great.  We were able to minister to 51 children who “shopped with a Hero” and they were able to spend $100 on gifts for them and their family.  I love this day.  It is a great ministry for the community to see us show the love of Jesus in a practical way.  Thank you to all the volunteers and “heroes” that made it a great day.
  • We married Nathan and Katelyn on Saturday afternoon.  We had a great rehearsal dinner Friday night and the wedding on Saturday was beautiful!  There is nothing like a day in Bethlehem in December!  Nathan and Katelyn are cruising in the Caribbean hopefully and will be returning Sunday. 
  • Sunday morning was about as good as it gets!  We baptized a total of 6 in our two morning services and had a “mad and crazy” crowd.  I am so proud of Dave, Katie, Emma, Craig, Renee, and Morgan.  It was our largest crowd since Easter and it was so exciting.  I am thankful for all of our hardworking volunteers.  I am thankful for Ric and the band.  They do such a great job leading us to the throne of God.
  • I am very excited about Christmas Eve this year.  It will be a sweet night of Christmas music and worship with some great creative elements.  Don’t miss it!
  • This coming Sunday we begin our new series “Hello My Name Is” where we take a look at two names of God and how He initiates a relationship with us. 

 Posted by at 11:59 am

Tuesday Tips for Stretching a dollar

 Financial Freedom  No Responses »
Dec 032008
 

In light of the economic times I am planning to do a series of blog posts once per week on Tuesday to share some money saving tips and thoughts that will hopefully offer some practical ways to save. 

  • Go an extra week or so between haircuts. This will save a good bit over a period of time.
  • When you and your family go out to eat, order regular tap water to drink.  For a family of four this could save as much as $400 over a year. 
  • Talk to your kids honestly and openly about your finances.  You don’t have to share every detail with them, but let them know how things are going and use it as a teaching opportunity for how they should begin handling their money.  Talk with them about what God’s Word says about money and wealth and help them learn now how to “live frugally so they can give generously”. 
 Posted by at 12:35 am

Sunday Reflections and Discipleship Notes

 Church at the Grove, Random Thoughts  2 Responses »
Dec 012008
 

Big Idea:  Lasting and Influential Leadership results from our actions matching our beliefs.  The result is “Moral Authority” which is leadership that transcends titles or positions.

Memory Verse:
1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)
12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

Action Step:
Seek a place to be a servant-leader with lasting influence for Jesus.

Random Thoughts:

  • It was great to get away with the family and go to the farm where Jill grew up for our Thanksgiving break.  We had a great time with “Grammy” and “Papa”.  We also spent some time grinding sugar cane and making syrup with the Hall family and the food was good enough “to make you slap yo mama”!  As great as it was, it was good to get back into my bed at home.  I think that means I am getting old. 
  • On Friday we had another Thanksgiving gathering with my side of the family at my mom’s house.  It was again great food and fun.  I enjoy being with my aunts and uncles and it is a blast to hang with Butch, Terri and their kids.  Meg Butcher (my niece) makes me laugh so much.  I am looking for a husband for her.  If you know someone that would like to apply let me know. 
  • Saturday we were able to hang out with a cool family.  The Jordans love Jesus and love reaching out to people with the purpose of sharing God’s Love.  They go to a great church but I sure wish we had them at The Grove!
  • Sunday morning was a special morning.  We ordained one of our staff guys, Nathan Boyd, into the gospel ministry.  We are a young church plant barely two years old.  I hope it counts!  It was great.  Nathan had a lot of his family and friends there and some of our sponsor church’s (Summit) leaders came to be a part of it.  Nathan is very gifted and mature beyond his age.  He loves Jesus and is really growing as a leader and a follower of Jesus.  I can’t wait to see how God uses him. 
  • Nathan and Katelyn get married this coming Saturday!  I think it is at 2pm.  I should find out for sure since I am a part of it. 
  • Our second annual “Shop with a Hero” is this Saturday!  I love it!  Bunches of kids, bunches of uniformed men and women loving on them.  Thanks to our church’s and our community’s generosity, we are able to meet some great needs. 
  • Baptism and Communion this coming Sunday with a baby dedication as well.  I am pumped about us baptizing several people this Sunday!  YES! 
  • Our community group had a blast last night with our final meeting and big-time bar-b-que and meal at Lee and Stacie’s house.  I am so proud of my friend Billy and his leadership with the group.  He has done an incredible job leading the group and it is a joy to serve with him.  I really enjoyed this group.  Those people can cook! 
  • Yes the DAWGS lost!  I have to give the Jackets credit for playing great.  It hurts but life goes on. 

 Posted by at 10:59 pm
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