Good Grief Jennifer and I were in tears as we discussed the reality of what happened on Wednesday. After looking at photos and videos, reading commentary, watching my friends react & argue online, and considering the implications of such an event in our Nation...I am tired. So are you. You are tired, frustrated, aggravated, and filled with emotions that you don’t even know how to describe. I see it all over you. Which side will you
12 | “HUMBLE” Today's Reading: Luke 1:54-55 A Simple Thought: God is humble. Too often in the church we are preaching and teaching about what God wants us to do for him. We talk about working and serving and giving. The reality is, he doesn’t need us. We need HIM! The mere fact that He’s willing to get involved in our lives our mess, and then he comes from heaven to earth, God incarnate, he humbly
11 | “Just” Today's Reading: Luke 1:53 “he has filled the hungry with good things, and has sent the rich away empty.” A Simple Thought: GOD IS JUST In Bible college I did a paper examining the “the reversal of fortunes” in the book of Luke. This is a clear example of that. The last will be first, the lowly will be exalted, the hungry will be fed, the poor will be housed, the needy will
10 | “Generous” On the 10th day of Christmas, I'd like to acknowledge Brian Fuller. You stepped in and carried our worship department through a very challenging, unpredictable year. You've been generous with your time and your talents. Late nights editing, early mornings emailing, all of it is making a difference. Thank you for "giving" of yourself when you could have withheld. You have made a significant difference in our community. Today's Reading: Luke 1:53 - "he
09 | “Gracious” On the 9th day of Christmas, I'd like to acknowledge Harrison Burgess. You treat everyone with the highest respect. You elevate, you encourage, you show grace. You are gracious. I haven't known you long, but what I have seen in you is God's grace flowing through you. Thank you for your kindness, support, and your investment of time and attention to elevate things toward excellence. Seems like everything you put thought into, and everything
08 | “Powerful” On the 8th day of Christmas, I'd like to acknowledge Jack Garrell. Jack, you've handled change like a champ. You've taken on new responsibilities, you've leaned into your role, and you've carried weight as a leader. When challenges come, you overcome. When problems arise, you solve them. Thanks for standing in the gap and being willing to take a hit if necessary to see the mission move forward. Today's Reading: Luke 1:51 - '
07 | Mercy On the 7th day of Christmas, I'd like to acknowledge Bonnie Liegey. Believe it or not, you actually operate in the gift of Mercy, and you do it often. I've been serving in ministry with you for almost 10 years, and I've never met anyone with more capacity for "helping." I've seen people neck deep in a project, overwhelmed and over their head, and you step in and relieve them from the pressure...no
06 | Mighty & Personal On the 6th day of Christmas, I'd like to acknowledge Todd Davis. Much of your ministry has been on the premise that God can and does GREAT things. I think that's why you work so hard, because you believe your effort is faith in action, which compels God to do mighty things. You have had rock solid faith during uncertain seasons. You have displayed the power of God through your selfless
05 | Honor & Respect On the 5th day of Christmas, I'd like to acknowledge Jeremiah Caswell. You've embodied this sense of "honor" to everyone you come into contact with. You honor up, down and all around. When people are at their lowest, you step in and show honor, respect, and give dignity to them when they feel the least valued, least noticed, and least loved. Way to go Jeremiah for embodying this attribute of God.
04 | “He Knows Me” On the 4th day of Christmas, I'd like to acknowledge Tianna Leger. You are leaving the unseen, the unnoticed, and you are going to be in the spotlight in this next season. Don’t ever forget those years of being “developed in the dark room.” God always saw you. He noticed. He always valued, appreciated and respected you. He knows your heart, your ways, and every hair on your head. He called
03 | “SAVIOR” On the 3rd day of Christmas, I'd like to acknowledge Jason Johnson. Your testimony of God's saving power will always astound me. At your lowest point, you woke up in the rain with a gun in your face. But God reached down into the pit you were in and plucked you out. He is your savior. I hope you never forget what he saved you from, but it's important to know what he
02 | "Lord" On the second day of Christmas, I'd like to acknowledge Sandy Byrne. You have continually surrendered to Christ as "Lord" over the past 5 years. From the first step of baptism, serving, to tithing, and ultimately to serving in a pastoral leadership role, you have laid down your life for your Lord. I admire your conviction to be yourself while allowing the work of God to change your heart, mind, spirit, and soul.
01 | "Top Down" On the first day of Christmas, I'd like to acknowledge Matt and Jenny Lundy. I have watched the two of you face a very challenging 2020, and, like Mary, you have certainly lived a "top down" faith. I admire your faithfulness and your steadfastness through the health, financial, and other challenges life has thrown at you this year. Today's Reading: Luke 1:46-55 A Simple Thought: We can either live life with a
Today I preached Luke 1:39-45 - the story of Mary and Elizabeth meeting and introducing their unborn babies to each other. John, Elizabeth's unborn son, was filled with the Holy Spirit upon their meeting one another. It's a powerful, prophetic picture of God seeing, blessing, and finding favor with the "least of these." It's a story of two marginalized women, and two unborn babies, being called by name, visited by Angels, and experiencing the infilling of
Make Psalm 91 A Personal Prayer God, I take shelter in you. You are the Most High, and I will rest in your shadow. I will live and reside and dwell in your presence, because you are the almighty. Lord, you are MY refuge, MY place of safety, and MY God. I trust you. I believe you will rescue me from every trap and continue to protect me from deadly disease. Cover me with your feathers,
The other day I was telling someone I was looking forward to seeing them, as I typed I hesitated... I paused with “looking forward” typed into my text thread. I asked myself the question, am I really? What does it even mean to look forward? Is this just something I say, or do I REALLY “look forward”? Seems like I’ve been spending a lot of time looking backward. I’ve wasted a few hours a week looking
This past Sunday I spoke about Authentic Emotions. We explored the story of David, how he went from living in the Kings palace to hiding in a cave afraid for his life. We may not be experiencing the same circumstances as David, but with Thanksgiving and Christmas right around the corner I can imagine many people are dealing with some of the same emotions that David experienced in the cave. When we focus on the “what
Confessions!! I am theologically moderateI am politically conservativeI am methodologically liberal Confused yet? Me too! Here’s my train of thought: I am theologically moderate Theologically, I am not a fan of any extremes. On moral issues, scripture is not always “black and white.” A lot of times scripture is gray. Where scripture is black and white, I embrace it and do not attempt to make it gray. And where scripture is gray, I do not attempt
Everyone knows about the grand opening of Oasis, January 19, 2014. It was our very first Sunday morning service. Hundreds of people showed up, 28 people met Jesus, & it was a big, exciting day. But here’s the part people don’t know... Technically, we started Oasis 9 months earlier with a small crew of 40-something people in a rented room at the Holly Springs Cultural Center. There were no lights, no cameras, no frills. We stuck
To my love ...the one who laughs with me. ...the one who eats beef with me. ...the one who sacrifices, serves, and loves me. ...the one who gave me the greatest gift I’ve ever received, children. ...the one who forgave me even after I accidentally farted on her my sleep the other night. ...to the most beautiful woman, who has given me the most wonderful life. You married me?! I’m still in awe about!!! 😂 Sometimes I
