It's been too long...

So I haven't posted in about a week b/c my macbook crapped out on me.  After 4 trips to IPlace and countless times borrowing Shanes macbook pro (which I'm on now) I am officially having to get a new hard drive.  Heres some stuff that's happened in the past week:

-had 10 teens again at youth (which is awesome considering we had three regulars out)

-had a lot more people at church this past sunday than we have been having...God keeps sending visitors our way and I hope we're doing our best to keep them on board.

-worked out for the first time in a long time this week.  Need to keep that going because I've really let myself go lately (I know, I've let myself go and I still look so good...it's true)

-finally had some time to read some books.  New favorite is Starving Jesus by Craig Gross and JR Mahon.  Fusion will probably be hearing much more from them here real soon.

Fusion is AWESOME

So I just thought I would take a second to give my teenagers a shout.  We had 6 at church this morning (when we usually have two)!  I'm so stoked that you guys are being a part of what we're doing at Ridge Pointe and know that God is going to bless you through it.  

Also, remember that Tuesday you need to bring enough $$$ to get food in Carowinds and dinner out of the park.  We will eat somewhere where you can get a dollar menu (like McDonalds).  We leave and get back @ 9.30.  Remember, love God, love people, and remember how good looking your youth pastor is...

Make Us Aware

Too many churches today get stuck in this pattern of feeling defeated.  Too often we shy away from certain types of people, places, or situations because we feel we are defeated before we start.  Do you believe in God?  I believe at the core of who I am that the message of Jesus Christ has the ability to transform lives, penetrated through personalities and situations, and completely change the landscape of our world.  

When Jesus left this earth he left us with a charge: go into all the nations and make disciples in His name.  If we truly believe in the power of Jesus Christ then we will share His message with those around us.  We will live in a way that truly glorifies God.  Many of us say that we want those around us to be Christians and have a relationship with Christ, yet our actions say another thing.  If you're not loving your spouse or kids you're not loving Christ.  If you're not actively serving others then you don't love Christ.  With our faith must come our actions.  Our faith must not be dependent on our actions but our actions formed through our faith.  

If I had one prayer for the church at large it would be that we would be aware of Christ in our lives (or the lack thereof).  I pray that all of us realize the power there is in the name of Jesus and the responsibility that comes with it.  

One Prayer

This Sunday we start our series "One Prayer".  At this point there are 1349 churches spanning the globe that will be joining together for 4 weeks to discuss what there one prayer for the church in general is. I think Craig Groeschel is a genius to come up with this idea.  It is the only thing I can think of that has crossed denominational and political lines to bring so many churches together for one common purpose.  This should be an awesome series because of the seriousness of what will be discussed.  Now I don't get to preach during this series, but I will share my OnePrayer over the next few weeks.  

Sunday

Hung out with the youth today.  We have really been making an effort to hang out more and be more intentional with the teenagers we have.  Sometimes doing the kind of church that we do produces families and teens that would otherwise not be in church.  Our youth group is no exception, which I love.  Our teens are awesome.  They are open and don't put our group in a box like some do.  They just like to hang out and be a part.  

We watched One Night Stand tonight.  Overall it was about a 4 on a scale of 1 to 10.  Hardly any big spots and was overall just kind of rushed and boring.  Also, I'm reading a great book by some twins from Oregon called "Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations".  Only one chapter in, but it is honestly awesome to read of guys who are currently 19 and had the ability to intern with the Alabama supreme court at the age of 16.  I will be reflecting on this book in the weeks to come.

Overall, great day.  Hope we have more like today in the near future.