Feeling Refreshed
03/16/07 06:43 PM
I know it's been a few days since my last post, but
it's been kind of a hectic week. Just the regular
stuff, but when I know I'm going to be out of town,
even for a day, I'm usually scrambling around to
make sure I don't get too behind. Anybody else like
that? Or is it just me?
Two things this week have stood out to me. I love
the Small Groups that I'm in! I lead like three
right now. And I just turned one over to the
Claude's on Tuesday night (great group - with great
people). And I'm getting ready to launch another
one right after Easter. We'll do what we did with
the Claude's Group - start it at the church
(Thursday nights), see who shows up, let someone
volunteer to host, move it to their home, and then
release the group. If you're at Coastal, be on the
lookout for its launch!
But on Tuesday morning I lead a before school prayer group at Oakland Elementary School. It's only about 20 minutes, but it's so awesome. We read a scripture, take prayer requests, and pray. Then I get a chance to walk around the school, hand out doughnuts, and just encourage the teachers. One of the teachers in my group had back surgery on Monday. We've been praying for her for weeks. I went to see her in the hospital later on Tuesday and she talked about the tremendous peace God had given her because of prayer.
On Wednesday morning at 7AM I lead a Men's Group. We only meet for about 45 minutes to an hour. But again, I just love this group and these guys. Right now we're reading through Romans. We share a little, laugh a lot, read a small section of Romans, talk about it's implications, and then pray.
On Wednesday night I have a Small Group at my home. Truthfully, for various reasons, we haven't been meeting very regularly. Just stuff of life things. But even though some couldn't be here this week, we met anyway and I'm glad we did. We read the story in Luke 15 about the prodigal son - a passage I have read and preached hundreds of times. But on this particular night, someone shared about some unforgiveness in their past. It was very powerful.
I know that to some, I might sound like a Small Group Freak, but I just don't know how people make it in this world without relationships. God never intended that. In fact, He made us for relationships - with Him and with each other. At Coastal, we don't just have Small Groups on the side - we are a church of Small Groups. Get involved in one! We don't have one convenient for you? Start one. As you can tell, we'll do whatever it takes to help you get it going.
I went to bed kind of early for me on Wednesday because on Thursday Jeremiah and I spent the entire day at the New Spring Church Leaders Conference in Anderson, SC (the other thing that stood out). WOW! It was awesome! Great church, great staff, great volunteers! It's not that I heard anything new, it's just that it was stuff that I needed to be reminded about. It reminded me of my calling, renewed my vision, and rekindled my passion. So hold on tight Coastal - God is moving and we're going places!
With my little vacation last month, the conference this month, I guess what I'm saying is that your Pastor is refreshed and refocused. I needed the rest. I needed to get away. I needed to learn and listen. Here's what I want to share with you: there are people in our community who need Jesus! And that's why Coastal was started - to share the LIFE found in Christ. Who are you praying for to come to Christ? Who are you investing your life in? Who are you inviting to Coastal - this week and on Easter? Speaking of this week - we're bringing down the Giant of Discouragement. Ever been discouraged or depressed? Read I Kings 19 as a primer and get someone to church with you!
Well, that's about it. I love you Coastal! Join us for the adventure of a lifetime! See you on Sunday!
But on Tuesday morning I lead a before school prayer group at Oakland Elementary School. It's only about 20 minutes, but it's so awesome. We read a scripture, take prayer requests, and pray. Then I get a chance to walk around the school, hand out doughnuts, and just encourage the teachers. One of the teachers in my group had back surgery on Monday. We've been praying for her for weeks. I went to see her in the hospital later on Tuesday and she talked about the tremendous peace God had given her because of prayer.
On Wednesday morning at 7AM I lead a Men's Group. We only meet for about 45 minutes to an hour. But again, I just love this group and these guys. Right now we're reading through Romans. We share a little, laugh a lot, read a small section of Romans, talk about it's implications, and then pray.
On Wednesday night I have a Small Group at my home. Truthfully, for various reasons, we haven't been meeting very regularly. Just stuff of life things. But even though some couldn't be here this week, we met anyway and I'm glad we did. We read the story in Luke 15 about the prodigal son - a passage I have read and preached hundreds of times. But on this particular night, someone shared about some unforgiveness in their past. It was very powerful.
I know that to some, I might sound like a Small Group Freak, but I just don't know how people make it in this world without relationships. God never intended that. In fact, He made us for relationships - with Him and with each other. At Coastal, we don't just have Small Groups on the side - we are a church of Small Groups. Get involved in one! We don't have one convenient for you? Start one. As you can tell, we'll do whatever it takes to help you get it going.
I went to bed kind of early for me on Wednesday because on Thursday Jeremiah and I spent the entire day at the New Spring Church Leaders Conference in Anderson, SC (the other thing that stood out). WOW! It was awesome! Great church, great staff, great volunteers! It's not that I heard anything new, it's just that it was stuff that I needed to be reminded about. It reminded me of my calling, renewed my vision, and rekindled my passion. So hold on tight Coastal - God is moving and we're going places!
With my little vacation last month, the conference this month, I guess what I'm saying is that your Pastor is refreshed and refocused. I needed the rest. I needed to get away. I needed to learn and listen. Here's what I want to share with you: there are people in our community who need Jesus! And that's why Coastal was started - to share the LIFE found in Christ. Who are you praying for to come to Christ? Who are you investing your life in? Who are you inviting to Coastal - this week and on Easter? Speaking of this week - we're bringing down the Giant of Discouragement. Ever been discouraged or depressed? Read I Kings 19 as a primer and get someone to church with you!
Well, that's about it. I love you Coastal! Join us for the adventure of a lifetime! See you on Sunday!
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