Sunday Reflections
03/11/07 09:54 PM
Let me just say it up front - I hate Time Change
Sunday - especially "Spring Forward." In fact, I'm
probably speaking for all Pastors when I say that.
Typically it's one of our lowest attendance days
and today was no exception for Coastal. Truthfully,
that just bugs the crap out of me! We are such a
spoiled culture and church here in America. "Oh no,
I lose an hour of sleep. I can't make it to my
church." Or, "Oh, it's time change Sunday - I
forgot. I didn't hear or see all the announcements
in the bulletin or at the end of the service for 3
weeks straight. I didn't see the reminder in my
email, in the paper, or the local news. Never mind
that the Son of God died on the cross for my sin,
an hour less of sleep is just too big a sacrifice
and too confusing for me to figure out." When we
got home I told Janet that next year we ought to
advertise - "Time Change - Not at Coastal!" and
then just have our service at 11:30AM instead of
10:30AM. She didn't think it would work. Okay, okay
enough of my rant.
Even though we were down in numbers, it was still a
powerful day. Cindy Tighe & Tammy Brockman were
here today and told me that their Mom, Dodie, was
still not doing well (see yesterday's post). Keep
Dodie and their family in your prayers. Just giving
them a hug and seeing people express their love to
their family was moving. We showed a hilarious
video about Hal A. Lujah, a
relational expert who shares several "proven
techniques" for inviting friends to your
Easter Service. Then we passed out "You're
Invited" cards to use as a tool to invite your
friends to Coastal. So - who are you bringing
to church with you on Easter Sunday? Our
strategy is very simple. In fact, it's Jesus'
strategy and it hasn't changed in 2000 years.
It's you and me being the church, missionaries
penetrating our culture with the gospel.
Intercede, Invest, Invite, and Include. Pray,
build relationships, invite people to Coastal
where they hear about Jesus, and include them
in the fellowship here.
My message was about Worry. At the end of my message I challenged everyone to "cast" all their worries on Jesus (1Peter 5:7). We had talked about the definition of the word cast - to dump, unload, get rid of, like trash. But many times we "cast" our worries like we cast a fishing rod or shrimp net. We cast it out and then reel it back in. Seeing the stream of people walk forward and "cast" their worries in the garbage can on the stage was way cool. Another Giant bites the dust!
Our Ministry Leaders Meeting went well, although we were missing some folks. We dreamed big dreams and talked about several ministry changes - more about that later. I love our Leaders. I can not adequately express my gratitude for their service and sacrifice.
Well that's about it. This week's Giant is Discouragement. And then after that, Financial Debt. Talk about some heavy hitting Giants - Temptation, Worry, Discouragement, and Debt. That's okay, my Jesus hits harder! This week Jeremiah and I drive to Anderson, SC to go to a one day Church Leaders Conference. I am jacked about it. It's going to be great! Keep us in your prayers.
My message was about Worry. At the end of my message I challenged everyone to "cast" all their worries on Jesus (1Peter 5:7). We had talked about the definition of the word cast - to dump, unload, get rid of, like trash. But many times we "cast" our worries like we cast a fishing rod or shrimp net. We cast it out and then reel it back in. Seeing the stream of people walk forward and "cast" their worries in the garbage can on the stage was way cool. Another Giant bites the dust!
Our Ministry Leaders Meeting went well, although we were missing some folks. We dreamed big dreams and talked about several ministry changes - more about that later. I love our Leaders. I can not adequately express my gratitude for their service and sacrifice.
Well that's about it. This week's Giant is Discouragement. And then after that, Financial Debt. Talk about some heavy hitting Giants - Temptation, Worry, Discouragement, and Debt. That's okay, my Jesus hits harder! This week Jeremiah and I drive to Anderson, SC to go to a one day Church Leaders Conference. I am jacked about it. It's going to be great! Keep us in your prayers.
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