Sun Stand Still

For the past 24 hours, Pastor Steven Furtick of Elevation Church here in Matthews, NC has been preaching every hour....I've tuned in off and on during the past 24 hours to hear some great sermons, see some great videos, and listen to some great worship.

On my way home last night I stopped by and picked up my reserved copy of Furtick's new book "Sun Stand Still".  I bought it at the bookstore in the same shopping center that Elevation Church Matthews Campus is located.  I know that really doesn't matter where I bought it or that it was so close to the live web broadcast.  But this is a new way to reach people by preaching for 24 hours online to promote a new Christian book.   This is not something I would see Andy Stanely, Adam Hamilton, or even Perry Noble (who was on the Sun Stand Still webcast via Skype).    But I really believe that only Steven Furtick could do this.  I have been a fan on and off of the Elevation Church movement here in Charlotte.  I have been to church there.  I have heard Furtick speak at several conferences.   He has a huge heart for God and for a revival in the church.  I think that his sermon's over the past 24 hours have been very powerful and he wants the world and society to change.   I think it is really awesome how they have been giving away books, dvds, sermon series, and free resources during the past 24 hours.  They see the big picture.  They see that we should all work together and be the body of Christ.  I am really looking forward to reading this book.  And I will blog more on this in the upcoming days as I read it.

Updates

So I'm finally updating my blog....

As I've stated several times over the past couple months...I've been busy and was going to get back to daily updating my blog.


One problem has been that I have had several issues with my church computer.  But no more!  Our IT guy cleaned off my computer and added Windows 7 to my church computer.  And after reinstalling most of my software during the past couple days, I'm almost back in full gear with my computer here at the church.

Its always fun and exciting to update or reformat your computer...its like getting a brand new CPU!  Everything is slowed down by any cookies, spyware, or malware that you get from time to time from various sources.  It really reminds me of how I feel after worship or a retreat.  Everything is cleaned out and you are given a clean slate with God.

So when is the last time you'v had an update...an upgrade...a reformat to your spiritual life?

Psalm 51:10
"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."

I've been busy

This summer has been busy busy busy.....

I was hoping with grad school coming to an end I would be less busy...well.....I still had all of June to finish my paper for my Evangelism class...and I had until July to finish my final project for my degree.   The project's first draft ended up being 32 pages...and then by the time I finished it...67 pages!

I've been evaluating a lot about my ministry over the summer.  I have been looking through the past 14 years of ministry notes from every Sunday night since I first started in December 1997.   I looked at the good, the bad, and the what were we thinking.

I've been getting ready and took 36 students and adults to New Orleans for a mission trip with UMCOR.   I have been doing all sorts of things....

And now school is getting ready to start.  I'm working on changing some things in ministry.  I'm hoping to hear back about a couple things in the next couple days that might really change how I do youth ministry.

In the mean time I'm going to get back to reading for fun.  I have really missed my late night and early morning non-school books.

Over the past 2.5 years of grad school, I've bought, been sent, and suggested over 100 books.  I can't wait to start!

UMCOR2010-Vlog4.wmv

Ready or not....here we go

Tomorrow we leave for New Orleans for our High School Mission Trip. Last year we took 21 and this hear we are taking a group of 36.   This week in the planning stages was scheduled for more off time to help me get ready.   But as things happen you sometimes have to roll with the punches.  
The other night I decided to pick a book to help get me in the mindset for this trip.  I put several books down on the couch and closed my eyes, shuffled, and picked:

This is the second time I'm reading the book....AND WOW!   God is really speaking to me in so many different ways than the first time I read this book.  I'm really excited for the next week with taking our group to New Orleans.