Weekend Update

We had a great weekend, here it goes . . . 

1. Our ConnexionGroups are awesome...we had a great one Friday night - there was no more space in our living room and we were missing quite a few.

2. Travis brought by our ConnexionGroup sign, it looks awesome. The car magnets are awesome too. Thanks Travis for all your help (and Pam for working it out).

3. iConnect was incredible.  Not as many guests as we had hoped, but the team worked together and we had a lot of fun. Lessons were learned that we need to grow on.

4. This Sunday was our last day at The Capital. Many of the launch team members were there for a commissioning prayer from The Capital. It was a great day!

5. Thanks Capital for all you have done - keep us in prayer and know that what God has begun in you we want to continue in North Raleigh . . . leading people to become fully devoted followers of Christ!

God is Good!

1 Samuel 16.7
But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."

Yesterday I began thinking of two key words . . . Impress and Exhibit and this verse came to mind.  We often think that church only deals with our spiritual side, but I'm not sure that's the case.  In the context of this verse, we see that Samuel looked at Eliab and thought he was of God.  However, God made it clear that Eliab was not "the guy" and explained to Samuel that people look at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart.

It seems that many believers try to play God's role by looking at the outer and judging the heart.  This verse doesn't ask us to do that . . . and we shouldn't try.  This verse simply states the facts that we [people] gather information from what we see.  God in his infinite wisdom, however, knows the deepest intents, motives and desires our hearts.  So, where does Impress and Exhibit come into play.  I'm glad you asked!

Consider this, as ConnexionChurch launches we need to keep in mind that God works through relationships.  If  what people see attracts them, that's great.  Let's try to do everything we can to give a Great Impression, after all, people look at those things.  Impressing doesn't change peoples hearts, but it does keep them coming back.  We also need to Exhibit.  More than likely people will not see Jesus in His flesh come and worship with us on Launch Sunday.  However, if we are fully devoted to Jesus they will see Him in us.  As the song says, we become His hands and feet.  It is vitally important we show the love, mercy, grace and hope that we know in Jesus.  Its only when people see Christ in us that ConnexionChurch can make a difference.  Seeing Christ deals with our attitudes, motives, putting others first, faith in Christ and the list goes on.

Impression is important . . . it keeps people coming back.  Exhibiting Christ is important . . . it will lead people to salvation.  We need both!

Do you make it a priority to exhibit Christ?  Have you ever been guilty of  judging the heart because of the exterior?  Make it your prayer to Exhibit Christ and let the Holy Spirit do the heart-work.

Just a Week Away

Random Thoughts

- God is good, all the time . . . all the time, God is good!

- We have an awesome launch team . . . they are the best!

- We have an awesome "mother church" The Capital Church, Garner, NC . . . whose vision 40 years ago when they planted was to plant another church.  The wisdom and diligence God has given them has made ConnexionChurch possible today.

- Our launch is only 6 weeks away

- Revival is seeing people come to know Christ . . . I'm ready for revival!

- Relationships, Relationships, Relationships

- God never fails, He is always faithful . . . He has shown His faithfulness every step of this church launch

- Never forget our goal . . . to lead people to become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.

- Excellence is not perfection . . . its giving your best.

- Pray, pray, pray for the team, the people we are ministering to, for wisdom, courage and strength.

What are your random thoughts, please share.

Dangerous Church

Over the past few days, I've been thinking about what church is and is not all about.  It seems that we've made church safe . . . comfortable, no hick-ups and no real expectations.  Read through Acts . . . particularly Paul's events.  Now he played it safe . . . imprisoned, beat up, snake bit, shipwrecked, mobs, riots, assassination attempts on him . . . and he still wanted to stay on earth because people needed someone to tell them about Jesus.

Paul knew that safety was not the concern . . . unless its the safety of a soul in eternity.  He had a message - Jesus Christ.  He had a passion - sharing with people. He had a mission - to see people come to know Christ.  Everything else was secondary.  I think we have to ask ourselves . . . Are we true to the message? Are we passionate about people? Are we focused on our mission?  Many believers struggle with this, but we don't have to.  Go back and read Acts . . . not for the manifestations that occurred . . . but for the attitude of "Whatever it takes I will share Christ!"  Let God stir in you a passion to see people changed through the message of Jesus Christ.

Church has been safe too long - let's be a New Testament church . . . let's be dangerous!

Has church become safe and comfortable for you?  Are you willing to be a dangerous church?  What do you think is more important - safety or reaching people with a life-giving message?

I would like to hear from you.