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For six months, I have been anticipating our next teaching series that begins on Sunday. I have rediscovered what it means to intimately walking with Jesus and it has been personally transforming. My prayer every day since launching is for our church family to individually hear from Jesus every day and obey. What if we loved the Lord so much that we were constantly aware of his presence? Over the next several weeks, we will break down how this is possible and how the journey will never be the same.
Marriage Miracle
After hearing Paul and Summer share how their marriage survived multiple affairs and destructive addictive behavior through God’s grace and forgiveness, we have no excuse to believe that God can restore ANY relationship.
Volunteer Team of the Day
By 7:20 a.m., Emily Cass transformed her theatre into a Kidzcorner experience. I am so proud that her team sees their time with four and five year olds as much more than child care. I appreciate you Emily for consistently leading with excellence. If I didn’t have a little something to do on Sundays, I would be honored to volunteer on your team.
Habits for Relationship Longevity
Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. 1 Cor 13:7
To go the distance, we must…
1) Give more grace
2) Trust
3) Never give up!
Staff Team Lunch
I love our team’s comittment to the the main thing! It was great having our staff team over for lunch as V made her version of the panini and fresh fruit for us.
Spiritual Growth Meeting
Discipleship may be the most challenging pursuit in ministry. It is hard to figure out, spiritually taxing, and time consuming. We are forced to depend on the Holy Spirit as he continues to lead our spiritual journeys. After much prayer, I am stoked about what is happening next.
Mountain Bike Ride
I love the summer and had a blast riding with our mountain bike group that included three impressive chics. After riding O.P. Park and one “mountain lion attack”, we ate a recovery Mongolian feast at Hu Hot’s. If you have a bike, you are always welcome to join us on the second Sundays of the month.
“Jesus Christ came to rescue us from listlessness as well as lostness; He came to save us from flat souls as well as corrupted souls. He came to save us from dullness. Our culture is awash in immorality and drowning in dullness. We have forgotten how to dance, how to sing, how to laugh. We have been stunted by mediocrity.” Mike Yaconelli
If I could only keep ten books…
1. NLT Study Bible
2. Core Book – Winkie Pratney
3. The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah – Alfred Edersheim
4. Planting Missional Churches – Ed Stetzer
5. The Unshakable Kingdom and the Unchanging Person – E. Stanley Jones
6. Come Be My Light – Mother Tereasa
7. Just Walk Across the Room – Hybels
8. Developing the Leader Within You – Maxwell
9. Never Eat Alone – Keith Ferrazzi
10.Wild at Heart – John Eldredge
No Excuses
While greeting guests, my friend Ryan Queck walked through the door with his face looking like Sylvester Stallone from Rocky V. One bad moutain bike crash, several stitches, and he is in church less that 24 hours after it happened. I love his comittment to God and church!
My Beloved
Thank you Mandy and the “Strings” for sharing your beautiful story. The song you wrote and song was the perfect ending to our Union series.
Dating Fools
If you are single and not in church today, please download the podcast yesterday. Drew did a great job teaching on the importance of placing God first while dating.
Hospital Visit
My daughter Emma joined me on a hospital visit after church. Patrick and Eyrn Sizemore delivered a perfect baby girl. Emma was honored when asked if she wanted to hold little Abby.
Staff Team Meeting
I love our Staff team! After eating lunch together, we met for a couple of hours. The number one challenge for a growing church with changing systems and additional leaders is communication. I am thankful for a group of leaders and pastors that is commited to puting the “team” first. We are currently going through The Five Dysfunctions of a Team and learning several great principles.
Mountain Bike Group Ride
I look forward to this ride every month. Eight of us hit the Government Canyon trails, laughed, talked about guy stuff, and sucked down several Chipotle burritos.
Repent
The closer I get to God the more junk I need to confess daily. There was a time the little selfish things or thoughts didn’t even fit the “sin” category. At the beginining of my morning prayer, I pray like David by asking God to bring any wrong motives to the surface. I also ask the Holy Spirit to bring to my memory any thing I have chosen to be offended with. My intimacy with Christ is often tied to me staying current with him and others. May I never loose the sense of awe and gratitude because of the blood spilled at the cross. May I daily take up this cross and surrender all of my rights.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
This is how I want you to conduct yourself in these matters. If you enter your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you, abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right. Then and only then, come back and work things out with God. Matthew 5:23,24
Early Service Launch
I loved the intimacy of our first service because it reminded me of when we first launched our church. It proved to be a no-brainer after two of our theatres were still stressed during the second service. Unfortunately for us, we are still there with our second one. Please help us create more empty seats by switching over to our identical 9 a.m. service. You will by my hero this weekend. We may have to do something soon and I’m not opposed to bribing people with Krispy Kreme donuts either.
Big Mo in Kidzrock
There was a buzz in the lobby about Kidzrock. There team has grown by 80% and momentum is back. My favorite moment of the day happened, when Garrett came up to me after service to let me know that he made his decision to have a personal relationship with Jesus. Now its time to get this boy baptized!
Volunteer of the Day
One of my coaches told me that it generally takes 9 months to a year for people to be a warm body before serving. We haven’t had that luxury, but I do see his point. Thankfully, we get great families who move into our community from healthy churches and get “it”. Jason Doan showed up early to set up and his wife shares the same heart! We have enough guys to have two or three teams, but they mock the schedule. Who knew they could have so much fun?
Christ Dependence
With my head feeling like it would explode from being sick, wondering if people could even understand me, and then realizing my Bible and notes were no where to be found just seconds before I spoke; I prayed. A total peace came over me as whispered, “Jesus, please let me get out of the way and people remember an encounter with you today. I don’t feel like speaking. I have no clue what happened to my manuscript during the transistion, but I’m fully dependent on your strength.” Sometimes we all need to go through these moments to remember it isn’t about us. The big idea as we started our marriage series was, “Besides Christ, can you say with your heart and actions that your spouse is your # 1 priority?”
Missionary to Russia
It was an honor having my friend Steve Hayes in service with us today. It was the first time our Gateway fam has met one of our foreign missionaries that we support monthly. I was humbled to hear what Steve has sacrificed in order to fulfill what God has called him to do in Russia.
Monster Jam
After grabbing a quick lunch at Taco C, we hung out with my friend Lisa and her 4 year old son Xander at the Alamodom. El Torro Loco won it all by smashing cars and his competition. I just wish I brought my ear plugs.
What was your favorite moment of the day?
I love first times. I can remember waiting two hours to be the first customer of the new Shakey’s grand opening in North Little Rock several years ago. There is something magical about it because there will never be another one. This Sunday, we will launch a second service at 9 am. We are excited about the “empty seats” so we can invite our friends who are not going to church anywhere. We are also opening another theatre for Kidzrock (ages 4-6) to help with our adult to child ratio. Who are you bringing this Sunday?!?
When was the last grand opening you attended?
Secret Spot
After Drew leads our 9 am pre-service meeting with the band, ushers, and production team; I find a place in the back of another theatre to pray and review my notes one last time. Because of the Christmas Break, our theatre started showing movies at 9 a.m. It was weird seeing customers eating hot dogs for b-fast. I finally found solitude in a bathroom stall. It wasn’t ideal, but it worked.
Volunteer of the Day
Veronica introduced me to a first time guest this morning in the hall way. I’m not sure anyone gets our mantra “You Matter” more than V. When she met him outside, she rolled out the red carpet by giving him a personal tour and introducing him to EVERYONE. I was so proud and thankful for V!
Ancient Disciplines
After service, one of my neighbors who recently joined our Gateway family expressed how much he enjoyed the simple message. I love church history and looked back to our early Jewish brothers and sisters to rediscover sacred disciplines that are vital for our spiritual growth. May we embrace these spriritual practices as we move into a new year.
-Communion
-Tithe
-Fast
-Prayer
-Studying Scripture
-Sabbath
-Pilgrimage
The Note
Before service began, I read this note given to me by a friend Drew invited to church: Since the first day I came to Gateway, I felt a sense of community and family. I’ve always felt welcomed and cared for. That makes it so easy to connect with others and care for them.
Worship Team
Two different people visited this morning because they heard about the music at Gateway. Our worship team had a lot of energy today helping us create an atmosphere to love Jesus. At the end of service I found myself in tears wanting to continue worshiping for another 30 minutes. We are seeing the law of attraction come true. Starting in January, we will have two different teams that will trade at the beginning of each new series.
The Nap
For the first time since I was a kid, I climbed into bed and took a very long and much needed nap. I was all rested to cheer on the Cowboys. In the end, it wasn’t enough. I should have grown out my beard.
Next Sunday, I am excited to share the State of the Gate. I will seize this opportunity to celebrate why God’s blessing and favor have been huge and cast vision for 2009. You will not want to miss being here.
Our crowd was very strong inspite of 14 Gatewayers running the San Antonio marathon this morning. I remember finishing the marathon last year so my thoughts and prayers were with you earlier. I’ve heard several times and very proud of those who finished. Also, excited about seeing you in church more often and not having the “long run” as an excuse to be gone. Just kidding, kind of.
Monopoly
We played the world’s longest game in record time. Everyone received a monopoly piece in their wg. We gave away Dave Ramsey’s Money Makeover to the people who “owned” Broadway and the “Go to Jail” card.
God of this City
Our band nailed a song called God of this City this morning that perfectly depicts where we are as a church. Click here to listen to it over and over. Thank you Johnny Rodriguez for bringing it for the first time on the electric guitar too!
Ian William Campbell
Two of my favorite people dedicated Ian William Campbell today. I did some research on his named and discovered it is the Celtic name for John – God is gracious. Last Sunday they volunteered on our worship team. Monday, Mandy gave birth. Today, we dedicated Ian. I know it sounds crazy, but this family is head over hills in love with Jesus and can’t stay away from Gateway.
Ownership vs. Management
Drew and God’s scripture melted my face off today. Here were a couple of things he said:
-The longer we serve God, the greater the focus is on others and the Kingdom. If you serve money, the focus becomes you.
-Malachi says bring your tenth. Scripture doesn’t say give it. We don’t give becuase it isn’t ours.
-Earthly investments bring eternal rewards.
Generosity Con’t
Nat emailed me this word from our 411 table, “We had 10 families drop off Thanksgiving baskets! It may not sound like much, but it filled my huge bins and took up the back half of the van! We also had about 15 people pick up a list.”Way to go church family!!!
Volunteers of the Day
Peter emailed me this story about Brian and Kristi Cordeau. “Their twins were sick today and had to be kept at home… Rather than bail on the service completely, Brian showed up for setup, then went home to take care of the twins while Kristi came in to work the nursery… So neither one of them got to attend service, but both showed up for their respective volunteer teams. Brian skipped teardown but he told me last night that he was going to. I just thought it was awesome that they chose to serve and miss service rather than just stay home.” Click here to see an adorable pic of their girls.
What was your favorite moment of the day?
