Worship - More Experiential

Ray Johnston's young leaders weigh in on ministry at Bayside Church in Granite Bay, CA. This is number 5 of 7.

Worship needs to be far more experiential... expect God to show up!

It's not all about the smoke, sound and lights. It's not all about picking the best songs. Worship needs to be approached with an expectation that God is going to show up and do something big... every week. Churches should set up the service with His movement in mind. Plan for it. Expect it. Watch for it.

Young leaders seem to have an almost 'child-like' faith that puts the responsibility back on God to do the 'experiential' part of the worship. I've been guilty in the past in trying to 'help' God where He might be lacking.

Do you 'experience' God in your weekly church services? Does God show up? Quite honestly, many of us might not recognize Him if He DID show up.

Jersey Shore

So... I've heard about MTV's Jersey Shore for quite a while. Normally, it's being made fun of by Joel McHale at "The Soup" or one of the late night talk show hosts.

That kind of attention, although negative, often means there is 'something going on.' So, I tuned in to a couple shows.

WOW - there is something going on over there. And I believe I'm a little dumber from observing this show . Don't get me wrong, I am not saying it's not entertaining (I'm not saying it IS entertaining either... how's that for wishy-washy). I'm just saying the level of partying, sex and mayhem is at an all time high.

Sadly, I can relate to most of it. I remember a day when life was about partying. About hitting the best club. About picking up on the opposite sex. About not being able to have a great night out without a bottle of alcohol.

God's grace is so truly amazing. So truly incredible. So truly exponential. Grace, forgiveness, peace, mercy, gentleness... it's just so wonderful to have a God who sent His Son to be so gracious to us... even in the midst of our rebellion. (Romans 5:8).

There is Solid Hope for Jersey Shore!

Still here...

Hey there! This summer has been an absolute whirlwind of activity, fun, and work. I know I've been kinda quiet on this site... I guess there's a first for everything.

God is on the move in my life and at Impact Community Church www.impact.cc - I'm thrilled to be a part of it.

Hoping you are seeing God moving all around you... or anywhere around you... family, career, blessing, pain, friend, creation, ??? Care to share?

Anticipation Is Making Me Wait...

Remember that song? Remember the Heinz Catsup commercial. What a combo!

I think that about Christmas as well. The anticipation is as much fun as the actual day of opening presents. I suppose that is true for many things.

Yes - I know it's Jesus' birthday. For goodness sakes, I've been teaching about that. I get it.

But, sometimes, it's so fun to see the sparkle in our kids' eyes as they look at that tree with presents underneath... with THEIR name on it. They pick it up... show it to us as if we don't know what's in it... trying to guess what's under that wrapping.

Ahhh yes... it's the ANTICIPATION that's as exciting as the actual unveiling.

Best news about Christmas... we can ANTICIPATE what God is going to do in our lives... EVERY DAY! Wouldn't it be great if we looked at God in the same way we look at Christmas... from the ANTICIPATION standpoint? Wondering what He's going to do in our life next...

I think that would make every day a great day! Give it a shot.

Dog Ate My Shirt: A Spiritual Lesson?

Ok - so last night, as I always do, I took my shirt off before getting into bed and threw it in a pile on the floor. My socks, jeans, etc go in that same pile that is always transferred to the wash the next morning.

No big deal, right? It's what I have always done. No one's around to see the laundry lying there... after all, everyone is asleep.

But we got this stinkin' dog. Cute? Yes. But it's a stinkin' puppy that chews stuff... chews EVERYTHING!

So back to this shirt - it's not my favorite... but it's in the top 3-5. And, it happens to be one of the most expensive shirts I own. This morning - you guessed it... the collar has a HUGE gaping hole in it. Ruined.

Here's the point... my wife has warned me over and over NOT to leave stuff on the floor. But I don't I don't l like that. This is 'my' house. I should be able to put clothes on the floor. I should be able to do that small thing in my own house.

YES - I can do that. But it will have consequences. And I will NOT like the consequences.

Interestingly enough - God has some things He's said to us in His word. Things that could apply to me wanting to throw my shirt on the floor. Sure, I can do those things - but they have consequences. And I will NOT like those consequences.

God is full of grace. We ARE forgiven. But we may face consequences for our actions. This weekend - let's make decisions that have positive consequences...

Out Of Nowhere

It's always good to give God glory. You do it. I do it. We sometimes even do it when things are not going too well.

But every once in a while... when things aren't too bad. In fact, when things are going pretty well. Life is happening. Ups and downs occur. But, overall, life is going pretty decent.

And then... WHAM! Out of nowhere - God just blesses the absolute bejeezers out of you. And you stand there and go... whaaa? What was that? Why did You do that? Where did that come from?

Honestly... I'm ashamed of myself for not believing He will do this kind of thing more often. I'm ashamed that I feel the need to write about it. I'm ashamed that I make such a big deal out of it.

C'mon folks... God loves us. God loves YOU. God loves His children. And He WANTS to bless us. I guess the question is... "Are we trustworthy with those blessings?" Do we recognize Him in the midst of our struggles?

I am blessed. I am so thankful. I can 'see' Him at work in my life and my ministry. I am honored and humbled to be a part of His team. Just thought you should know that.

My first sale of "Full Disclosure: Exposing Church Planting Blind Spots"

This is Graydon Jessup, newly hired Stadia International employee. He bought my first book, "Full Disclosure: Exposing Church Planting Blind Spots." I am going to have that $20 bill framed.

You might think that is silly. I kinda do too. But then again... let's just ponder about the power of God and blessing of God for a moment. What if... what if... what if God chose to bless this book? And the next two books that are already in process? What if one of them became a best seller? What if one of them was the next "Purpose Driven Life?"

I think it would be cool to show my kids and grandkids the first $20 bill received from my first book. I'd then tell him that dreams can come true. I'd tell him to never give up on those dreams. I'd tell him that God's power is infinite and anything is possible in Christ.

Come to think of it... that's what I'd tell you too!

21 Day Daniel Fast... WOW!

This is it kids - the 21 Day Daniel Fast began yesterday. For me and my wife, it all began Friday morning. I gotta tell ya, I am looking forward to a gigantic Mt Dew big gulp at the end of this thing... like maybe 6am on the Friday 3 weeks from now.

I am truly amazed and blown away by the response from the people of Impact. I am honored and priveleged to serve alongside so many people of faith.

Here's the deal though... can you imagine what God is going to do throughout the next three weeks and beyond? Seriously! This is going to be absolutely amazing. People are seeking God, praying for lost people to come to Christ during our Easter series, "It's Personal," and they're going deeper in their own walks.

Be watching for stats this week on just how many people are doing the 21 Day Daniel Fast, one-day complete fasts, and miscellaneous fasting from all sorts of things over the next three weeks.

You Go God!

Fireproof Movie - Still Rockin'

Fireproof opened up as the #4 movie in America. It is still in the top 10 today. WOO HOO!

The book, "Love Dare," that inspired the movie opened at #1 on the NY Times Paperback List. There are more than 2,000 testimonies of marriages saved (changed lives) uploaded to the movie's website.

ABC World News Tonight, Fox News, and CNN have all aired stories on this awesome film. If you haven't seen it yet, what's stopping you?

Vote For God As President

I know, I know.  Don't get political.  After all, I'm a pastor, right?  Yes - but voting is not just about the issues or morals... it's about God.  Too often, Christians will ONLY look at the morality of a leader.  In addition, too often we don't look at morals enough in our candidates.

Voting is not just about our rights, it's about our obligation.  Please, get out there and vote - and as best you can, vote for God on your ballots.  Here is a simple 'score card' for the presidency.

Additionally, consider the long-term ramifications of not only your decisions but your accusations as well.  Society is full-on blaming Bush for the economic crisis in lending.  However, they seem to forget that the Clinton administration had a lot to do with the sub-prime market to begin with.  Oh how easily we forget.

Our world will be different by the way we vote.  Certainly, California is an entirely different animal compared to most of the rest of the USA.  And that's not really a compliment.  The liberal agenda is off the hizzle... and it shows.

Fireproof - Insane Statistics

I had the privilege of emailing back and forth with a partner of Lovell-Fairchild Communications, publicity agents for Sherwood Pictures, about the church's latest film, "Fireproof."  Here is a copy of the email Julie Fairchild sent me.

Last week, Fandango reported that 40% of all ticket sales – ALL TICKET SALES – were Fireproof.  They were blown away!  

The Love Dare, the book in the movie, had already shipped out 600,000 copies before it officially hit the market this morning, and was ranked #11 on Amazon.com.  A 7th printing is already underway with tens of thousands backordered.

The box office numbers are $6.8 mil for opening weekend on 839 screens, putting FIREPROOF at #4 at the box office, just narrowly behind Lakeview Terrace which was #3.  To help with perspective here, the movies ahead of Fireproof had 3 or 4 times the number of screens and most of the films behind it did too.  The per screen average, a major indicator in Hollywood, was only a few dollars less than Eagle Eye, the #1 movie. (which cost 160 times as much to make)

Fireproof’s box office take is the largest of any film that has opened on less than 1000 screens this year (except Hannah Montana’s 3-D concert).  

But the real evidence of success is in all of our inboxes.  We’ve received an avalanche of email from people who have seen the film, and whose lives and marriages were affected.  MANY people in desperate circumstances have written to say they have hope.  Others have said, their marriage was literally snatched from divorce in the movie theater.  One woman wrote that she babysat for a couple who was certainly headed for divorce so they could go.  They called her from the theater and asked if she would stay over, that they wanted to go to the mountains after the film, and try to work things out so they could save their marriage.

While making films that are financially viable is important, Sherwood Pictures, an outreach of Sherwood Baptist Church, measures their success in changed lives.  Today they are rejoicing!
Julie Fairchild

My friends, this is nothing short of the power of God working right in front of our faces.  It is absolutely AMAZING what God is doing.  No one would have imagined a $500,000 budget with little to no secular advertising could turn these types of numbers.

Once again, if you have not seen the movie - PLEASE, GO SEE IT THIS WEEK!  I'd consider it a personal favor.  It would be absolutely incredible to not only see a Christian based movie hit it big, but to see more and more marriages enhanced or saved... let alone how many might choose Jesus for the first time because of this film.  Invite a neighbor and then let me how you liked it.

Fireproof - The Movie

Fireproof is the third movie from the producers of Facing The Giants.  Sherwood Baptist Church has topped their last two successful movies of faith with a tremendous way to reach OUT to your friends and family.

The movie stars Kirk Cameron.  You might remember him from the hit TV show, Growing Pains.  When Kirk got saved, he really went overboard with his Christianity.  Some might say a little too far.  In fact, if you've watched any of his Christian media lately, it's well over the top.  I love his enthusiasm and passion.  But his target audience is not likely to be drawn to his approach.

However, outside of a couple moments of 'over-acting' - the movie is fantastic.  And I wanted to write about it before others would sway me to downgrade it because of its origin (a church) and its technical value.  No, it's not a normal $100 million dollar production.  In fact, they did the entire movie for around $500,000.  Every actor volunteered their time... including Kirk Cameron. 

The point behind this movie is the Point.  It is a call to saving marriages and lives.  The message isn't hidden.  They flat-out preach the gospel during the flick.  But it wasn't in your face.  It was like you were caught up in the movie's story-line - but you could feel the Holy Spirit convicting everyone in the room.  Not only should Christians support this endeavor by viewing it on the Big-Screen - EVERYONE should check it out for the value it places on marriage.

After the movie, we stayed and watched the credits and talked about what we had just taken in.  I looked around and there was more than one couple sitting in silence... staring at the screen... in a zone.  My guess?  They were thinking one of two things: 1) We have a long, hard road ahead to fix our marriage, or 2) We need Jesus in our life.  Either way, they sat their stunned at what they had just seen.  It was like the ending of the Passion of the Christ for a handful.

Check out Fireproof this week.  You will be glad you did... AND you'll be supporting a movie that stands for God, Marriage, and Family Values.

PS - As a side note... tomorrow, I will be posting the most amazing stats about this movie... seriously, you are going to be absolutely shocked and amazed what God is doing... don't miss it!  Hollywood, TAKE NOTE!