Today was a good day. . . or . . . Your Pastor is a drunk and a glutton!
03/02/07 11:58 PM
Well there's a lot on my heart tonight that I want
to share with you as the day closes. It was just
one of those days in ministry where you look back
at the end of the day and give thanks. It started
out like any other. I got to the office and put the
finishing touches on my message for Sunday. We're
in this series called, "Facing Your Giants," and
Sunday the Giant that is coming down is Temptation.
It's going to rock (pun absolutely intended)! Don't
miss this Sunday - bring your rock!
By the way, when I arrived at the office, Melissa
White was already there cleaning the building. She
just had a baby at the close of the year and she's
already volunteering for the month of March to
clean! Then just little things happened throughout
the day that remind me that God is at work at
Coastal. Like every day I got the prayer update
email from Prisca and I was reminded of the
faithfulness of our Prayer Team and how much I
depend on their prayers. Later on in the day I got
a phone call from someone who needed the touch of
God in their life and it's just awesome to know
that I can call Prisca and know that our Prayer
Team goes to work.
Janet and Teresa Spell met today to talk about our Promiseland Ministry and get ready for their meeting later in the month with their Team. Teresa then met later in the day with Twila to talk about their D.O.G.S. Class. We have an awesome Children's Ministry at Coastal and our volunteers are the best!
And then, I hope this doesn't offend you, I went to a bar. Actually I went to Halligan's across the highway from our church, next to Food Lion. I really don't care if you're offended, but let me explain. We have been building an unbelievable, nothing short of miraculous relationship with Oakland Elementary School across the street from our church. I lead a Tuesday morning, before school, Prayer Group for the Teachers. After our group, while kids are arriving in their classroom, I walk around the school and pass out Krispy Kreme doughnuts to the teachers and just take a minute and let them know that we pray for them and tell them to have a great day. There's so much more that I would love to tell you about what goes on over there and our relationship with them, but it would just take too long. But now that I'm Blogging, over time, I'll try to tell you more about it. Suffice it to say that it has been one of my most cherished relationships and one of the best things I get to do.
About 8 weeks ago now, after the Christmas break, the teachers told me about a "Biggest Losers Club" some of them were beginning to lose weight. $1 a week for 6 weeks and the person who loses the most weight wins all the cash. I asked if I could join and guess what - that's right I AM THE BIGGEST LOSER! I won! The trash talking was awesome! When I would turn in my $1 every week I would call it my "savings account." Every week I would play the Devil and tempt my fellow Losers with a fresh, hot, still soft, melt in your mouth doughnut. It was awesome! During this time, my weigh in buddy, Joanne, one of the secretaries at the school shared with me that she was applying for another position in the county and if she got the job, would be leaving Oakland. She asked me to pray for her. Well, she got the job. Although she will be greatly missed, it is a great opportunity for her. Today was her last day at Oakland. A group of teachers were getting together after school for Happy Hour at Halligan's to say goodbye to Joanne and I got to go. They cried a little, laughed a lot, and shared war stories. I was honored to be there. I brought my winnings from our little weight loss competition and used it to pick up the tab. Before she left, Joanne hugged me and said that she still will be coming to our Tuesday morning prayer group before she goes to work at her new job. I told the teachers I had to head back to the church to get ready for our Movie Night (by the way, Joanne even passed out tickets to the teachers this week). They thanked me for coming, for picking up the tab, and for all we do at Oakland. Say what you want, but as I drove back to the church I knew I was right where I needed to be. Matt. 11:19, "Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and “sinners.”’ I'm also in good company.
And then - Friday Night @ the Movies! "Facing the Giants" was awesome! And we had over 100 people show up - lots of guests! And it wasn't just the crowd, but the ministry I saw take place while we were there. Keep it up Coastal. Keep inviting! Don't give up on people. Keep praying. We are just beginning to reap a harvest. Our evangelism strategy is simple - Intercede, Invest, Invite, and Include! Pull out all the stops! We are just getting started. I feel as though I'm 22 again and we're starting our church brand new with a vision to reach people who don't know Jesus! My passion is just as strong as ever! Well, it's late and this was way too long. See you Sunday. Like I said . . . it was a good day!
Janet and Teresa Spell met today to talk about our Promiseland Ministry and get ready for their meeting later in the month with their Team. Teresa then met later in the day with Twila to talk about their D.O.G.S. Class. We have an awesome Children's Ministry at Coastal and our volunteers are the best!
And then, I hope this doesn't offend you, I went to a bar. Actually I went to Halligan's across the highway from our church, next to Food Lion. I really don't care if you're offended, but let me explain. We have been building an unbelievable, nothing short of miraculous relationship with Oakland Elementary School across the street from our church. I lead a Tuesday morning, before school, Prayer Group for the Teachers. After our group, while kids are arriving in their classroom, I walk around the school and pass out Krispy Kreme doughnuts to the teachers and just take a minute and let them know that we pray for them and tell them to have a great day. There's so much more that I would love to tell you about what goes on over there and our relationship with them, but it would just take too long. But now that I'm Blogging, over time, I'll try to tell you more about it. Suffice it to say that it has been one of my most cherished relationships and one of the best things I get to do.
About 8 weeks ago now, after the Christmas break, the teachers told me about a "Biggest Losers Club" some of them were beginning to lose weight. $1 a week for 6 weeks and the person who loses the most weight wins all the cash. I asked if I could join and guess what - that's right I AM THE BIGGEST LOSER! I won! The trash talking was awesome! When I would turn in my $1 every week I would call it my "savings account." Every week I would play the Devil and tempt my fellow Losers with a fresh, hot, still soft, melt in your mouth doughnut. It was awesome! During this time, my weigh in buddy, Joanne, one of the secretaries at the school shared with me that she was applying for another position in the county and if she got the job, would be leaving Oakland. She asked me to pray for her. Well, she got the job. Although she will be greatly missed, it is a great opportunity for her. Today was her last day at Oakland. A group of teachers were getting together after school for Happy Hour at Halligan's to say goodbye to Joanne and I got to go. They cried a little, laughed a lot, and shared war stories. I was honored to be there. I brought my winnings from our little weight loss competition and used it to pick up the tab. Before she left, Joanne hugged me and said that she still will be coming to our Tuesday morning prayer group before she goes to work at her new job. I told the teachers I had to head back to the church to get ready for our Movie Night (by the way, Joanne even passed out tickets to the teachers this week). They thanked me for coming, for picking up the tab, and for all we do at Oakland. Say what you want, but as I drove back to the church I knew I was right where I needed to be. Matt. 11:19, "Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and “sinners.”’ I'm also in good company.
And then - Friday Night @ the Movies! "Facing the Giants" was awesome! And we had over 100 people show up - lots of guests! And it wasn't just the crowd, but the ministry I saw take place while we were there. Keep it up Coastal. Keep inviting! Don't give up on people. Keep praying. We are just beginning to reap a harvest. Our evangelism strategy is simple - Intercede, Invest, Invite, and Include! Pull out all the stops! We are just getting started. I feel as though I'm 22 again and we're starting our church brand new with a vision to reach people who don't know Jesus! My passion is just as strong as ever! Well, it's late and this was way too long. See you Sunday. Like I said . . . it was a good day!
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