Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Great sacrifices and great rewards

This morning I read 2 Timothy. A letter from the Apostle Paul written to his "son" in the faith Timothy.

Paul was so focused on his calling by God. In 2:10 Paul says, "I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen."

The Trent version of that verse reads, "I am willing to endure some things if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen."

God continues to teach me that the story we live in is truly His story and not mine. My role in the story is to point people to Jesus - no matter what! Paul encourages us in 3:12 "everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil people and impostors will flourish."

That's encouraging (not)! The road we walk as Christ-followers is a difficult road. A road filled with persecution, spiritual warfare, struggle, temptation and battles of epic proportions. We are to expect those things - knowing that "everyone who wants to live a godly life ... WILL suffer persecution."

And I love Paul's closing comments in 4:7 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me - the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of His return. And the prize is not just for me but for ALL who eagerly look forward to His appearing."

On the epic adventure we can expect great trials and great triumphs! Great sacrifices and great rewards! And it will be worth it all - for all of eternity!

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Meet the Creator

Tomorrow we introduce epic to the main character of the epic story! The only one in the story who always does what is good, right and perfect! Pray for open hearts and minds as God takes center stage!

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Light of the world

I've been reading through the book of John lately and am regularly amazed at Jesus! Jesus is incredible! God wrapped in human form. The only person able to face every kind of temptation and choose life - every time! God Himself sent to earth for us!

Jesus said "I am the light of the world. If you follow Me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life." ~ John 8:12

Do you have the "light" that leads to life?

If you have the "light" are you following that "light"? How bright does that light burn within you? Is that light barely flickering or has it been set ablaze? You and I determine the intensity of the "light" within us!

Monday, September 21, 2009

humbled

I sit here Monday morning humbled at God's grace and goodness. The blessings of yesterday are many! We have an incredible team of committed servants worshiping God with every act of service! We had around 300 people show up for our first service!

Thank you to all who helped support epic's launch! Everyone from those who gave $ to those who prayed to those who gave of their time and talents, etc...

It's so humbling to see what God will do when we get out of His way! God, You are so awesome and worthy of our praise!

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Tomorrow is Game Day!

We are under 24 hours till Game Day! We've done all we can do. We've worked as hard as we could work. Now it's time to watch and see what God does! I hope you are expecting great things! Come expecting to see God do more than we could ask or think!

No matter what happens tomorrow morning, give the day to God as an act of worship!

Worship Him while setting up!
Worship Him while holding babies!
Worship Him while putting out chairs!
Worship Him while welcoming epic kids!
Worship Him while greeting people before and after the worship experience!
Worship Him with all you have!

Worship is about giving to God! It's not about getting from God!
Come tomorrow and give your day / your life as an act of worship to the King! He's worthy!
See you tomorrow!

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Crazy Week!

How's your week going? A bit crazy?

Our week so far has been pretty chaotic at home. Tammy's pain scale has increased significantly, we still have much to do for Sunday and Tammy just called to tell me that our son, Koty, just threw up on her.

This doesn't surprise me at all. I've been expecting this. The closer we've gotten to the launch of epic church the crazier things have gotten around us. I've personally battled strange bouts of depression and discouragement in the midst of God doing incredible things around me. Tammy and I have had more relational conflict within the past several months than normal. At times I've been on edge over insignificant things and have had conflict and miscommunication with good friends. Things at home have broken and have needed repair. It's felt crazy!

The crazier it gets, the more I'm reminded of the Larger Story we find ourselves in. I'm reminded of the enemy of God who will do everything within his power to discourage us from doing God's work. I'm reminded that he is trying to get us off task from doing what God is asking.

More than that I'm reminded of the Hero of our story! The Hero that has made us more than conquerors! The Hero that resides within us! The Hero that can do more than we can ask or think! The Hero that will always be with us! The Hero that fights for us! The Hero that makes available peace that passes all understanding when we go through difficult times.

So, if your life feels a little crazier than normal, maybe you're doing just what God wants and just what the enemy can't stand. Be encouraged and stand firm! Don't quit! Don't throw in the towel to dispair or discouragement! Stand your ground in God's truth!

"A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm." ~ Ephesians 6:10 - 13

Monday, September 14, 2009

5 days

5 days till epic is officially launched! Time seems to be speeding up minute by minute!

We need to be ready for next Sunday. Here's some ways we can get ready personally:

1) Pray, pray, then pray some more! We're in a spiritual battle for the souls of people who don't yet know the love of God. The enemy of God will do anything and everything within his power to keep us from being effective. We need to be prayed up everyday for the battle!

2) Stay connected to the Vine! John 15 talks about Jesus being the Vine and us being the branches. We cannot do anything without being attached to the Vine! Spend time with God being transformed by His truth daily. Talk to God moment by moment through prayer. Memorize bible verses that remind you of how to live! Listen to music that draws you to the Creator! There are many ways to stay connected to the Vine!

3) Expect the unexpected! Things won't go always as we plan them. We must be prepared for things to go wrong. And when they do, we need to respond quickly with grace, humility and love. We need to hold everything loosely!

4) Build a "Whatever it takes" mentality. Jesus came to serve, not to be served. And He modeled a "I'll do whatever it takes" mentality. Nothing was too great or too menial for Him to do. He spoke with the religious elite and washed his disciples feet. Nothing is insignificant in kingdom work! Everything matters - and what matters most is how our hearts are transformed through serving!

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Tammy update

Please be in prayer for Tammy as her pain has increased the past few days. Her pain scale has decreased to a 1 - 2 on a scale of 1 - 10 over the past month and a half - which has been extremely exciting to watch! She's been taking baby steps toward healing but there has definitely been improvement! Thanks to all of you for your prayers through the process. It appears we've finally discovered the right treatment for Tammy and it is working - slow, but working!

Her Dr wants her to get 3 more months of IV therapy and then to take a break and see what happens. We have mixed feelings about that. If Tammy is feeling better by then, that's great! But if she's still struggling, we'd rather keep going until the symptoms are completely gone. Be praying with us about that! Pray that we'll know the right thing to push for when December rolls around!

Over the past 2 days Tammy's pain scale has increased which can easily be explained by the lymes symptoms cycling around - as they continually do. It's been a while since her pain has been this elevated so pray that it is short lived! She went to bed at 6 PM tonight because of the pain. She hasn't done that in quite a while now.

She's such an amazing woman! She lives with constant pain and rarely complains about anything. I get a stomach ache and start complaining. That's usually when she takes out some frustration and smacks me on the head for being a baby! She keeps pushing through pain, limited mobility, etc... to bring honor to Jesus - in spite of her condition! She's my hero! When I grow up I want to be just like her! Thanks Tammy for being the example of maturity and endurance as a Christ follower! I love you!

Sunday, September 6, 2009

2 weeks till launch

Great morning at epic getting ready for launch Sunday! Thanks to everyone who helped get us set up, practiced and torn down. It's starting to feel like the real deal now!

Be in prayer this week:
1) that God will go before us and do more than we can ask or think;
2) that we will be transformed by God's love, grace and mercy;
3) that the word about epic will continue to spread and people will come and find their role in God's epic story;

It's so exciting to see how God is bringing everyone together with their gifts and resources! God is blessing us already in some incredible ways! Thanks for serving God with all of who you are!

Have an epic week!