Weird Saturday Night
10/13/07 11:09 PM
It's weird because I'm not preaching tomorrow. In
fact, I didn't preach last week. Last week we
showed the video message by Pastor Craig Gross of
xxxchurch.com for Porn Sunday. Tomorrow Jeremiah,
our Youth Pastor, is speaking. I called him tonight
and asked him if he's in the "zone." He is. I've
seen his message, it's going to rock! In 17 years
of ministry here at Coastal, this is the first time
I have not preached at Coastal for two consecutive
weeks. Through vacations, sickness, crutches, the
births of my children, holidays, interns, Associate
Pastor, I've never missed two consecutive weeks
preaching. The truth is I've needed it. Long term,
the preaching schedule I keep is not good for me,
for you, and my family. I need to take breaks,
rest, reflect, and hear from God. Tonight, Janet
and I went out on a date. It was awesome! Jeremiah
will speak more often this year. It's good for him,
for me, and for you.
But guess what? I can't wait to preach next week! It's in my bones! It's my calling! We're beginning a new series next week called, "Simple Church." This preaching break came at just the right time. I'm jacked about this new series! It's going to be about the simple process at Coastal for experiencing and sharing LIFE - love it, learn it, live it, give it. That's it. It's that simple. In a world where there is so much clamoring for our attention - it's time to simplify, to strip away all of the noise and focus in on what matters. And sometimes even the church follows the world in that we just keep doing so much and keep changing our mind. We say this program is important, no this program, no, this new seminar, no, this way of doing things, no, wait, just add this to your schedule. It's crazy! At Coastal it is and always has been about experiencing and sharing LIFE! However, there have been times when we've fallen into the trap of just adding more and more to be something we're not. Strip all of it away - here's the process at Coastal: love it (worship), learn it (life development), live it (Small Groups), give it (ministry & evangelism). Love it - Learn it - Live it - Give it. That's what we do. That's what we'll protect. It's what will cause us to say "no" to some things and "yes" to others. This might not be the focus of some churches, but it is ours. We are not trying to mimic anyone. We're trying to be the church God has called us to be. As you can see - I am already in the zone for next week! Strap it on tight - we're going to rock this city for Jesus!
But guess what? I can't wait to preach next week! It's in my bones! It's my calling! We're beginning a new series next week called, "Simple Church." This preaching break came at just the right time. I'm jacked about this new series! It's going to be about the simple process at Coastal for experiencing and sharing LIFE - love it, learn it, live it, give it. That's it. It's that simple. In a world where there is so much clamoring for our attention - it's time to simplify, to strip away all of the noise and focus in on what matters. And sometimes even the church follows the world in that we just keep doing so much and keep changing our mind. We say this program is important, no this program, no, this new seminar, no, this way of doing things, no, wait, just add this to your schedule. It's crazy! At Coastal it is and always has been about experiencing and sharing LIFE! However, there have been times when we've fallen into the trap of just adding more and more to be something we're not. Strip all of it away - here's the process at Coastal: love it (worship), learn it (life development), live it (Small Groups), give it (ministry & evangelism). Love it - Learn it - Live it - Give it. That's what we do. That's what we'll protect. It's what will cause us to say "no" to some things and "yes" to others. This might not be the focus of some churches, but it is ours. We are not trying to mimic anyone. We're trying to be the church God has called us to be. As you can see - I am already in the zone for next week! Strap it on tight - we're going to rock this city for Jesus!
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