Our Student Pastor, Michael Mathews, is blogging now. I’ve read through some of his posts today, and they’re pretty good.
Give ‘em a read here. And let him know what you think…
Archive for February, 2008
I Can’t Get Over It
February 27, 2008I just got off the phone with someone who was in our service this week who wants to give their heart to Christ. And I gotta confess, it never gets old. I’m so pumped I could go outside and scream. In fact, I just may do that.
I’m back. And I’m still pumped. Another baptism. Another life saved.
It still happens one soul at a time.
I baptized his wife two weeks ago. Now it’s his turn.
So what do you think about it? Are you stoked?
Money Management
February 25, 2008Just read a post on Tim Stevens’ blog about money management that I wish everyone would read. Here is a small excerpt concerning our subject matter from yesterday:
- Tithe–I really believe that God blesses those who tithe. I think he keeps the car running longer, the roof from leaking as soon as it would have, and He loves to sprinkle you with raises and added cash you didn’t expect.
- Give generously. The tithe is the minimum. We began our first year of marriage giving 10% of our income and then increased it every year until we got to 20%. The first 10% goes to the general fund at our church. The other 10% we use to support missionaries, give to new building projects at our church, and bless people who come into our lives.
There’s MUCH more to the full post, and it’s well worth your time to go check it out. Find it here.
Feedback? Thoughts? Observations? Comments?
Sunday Rewind
February 24, 2008Man, what a day. Still trying to catch my breath, but here goes…
We all want to be rockstars. And maybe that’s our problem. I know the song was hard-hitting, but I think it’s important to understand what our culture has to say about a subject before we discuss it. We mostly use secular music to reiterate our teaching, but today was another example of how – sometimes – we use a song that we totally disagree with to contrast God’s teachings with our culture’s.
Some people were upset. And I respect that. But I think anyone who stayed with us ’til the end of the service understood where we were coming from. I’m sure I’ll hear more as the week progresses…
Our visitors are great. Several of them found me after the service to tell me how much they enjoyed it and were challenged by it. I’m still amazed each week at the number of new faces we’re seeing.
I was out of it. I’ve been on cold medicine for 2 days, so my mind was in a fog all morning. It’s interesting to try to speak when you have trouble stringing together two coherent thoughts.
This subject gets my blood flowing. I get pretty upset when I think about the lies our culture tells when it comes to giving and generosity. We’ve been sold a bill of goods, folks. And the price is steeper than we know.
Ministry Friendships
February 21, 2008Craig Groeschel had an interesting post today on how hard it is for pastors to make and keep friends. There was some good stuff in it, and some that doesn’t apply to me. The most relevant point was this:
We love your notes of appreciation. They mean more than you know. You have a way of sending them when we really need them. Thank you!
I can’t count how many times someone has sent just the right card or email at just the right time. Sometimes it feels like all we hear about is when people disapprove of something. It’s nice to know how much something touched you too.
Anyway, it was interesting reading. Check out the original post here – I think he’ll add more on this subject tomorrow…
Catching Up
February 20, 2008Sorry it’s been so long since the last post, but I’ve been busy. This will really be more in “machine gun” format – when I think it I’m saying it…
Sunday was grrreat. Who am I, Tony Tiger? That’s a typo, but it’s funny so I’m leaving it. I didn’t do a rewind, but I’ m sure you’ve already read the one from Travis. I’ll do better next week…
Dallas is far. I spent the last two days there at my coaching network, but this time my flights had layovers in the ATL so they took quite a bit longer. Left Dallas at 5:30 Tuesday afternoon, walked in the house at 1:00 Wednesday morning. I’m too old for this…
My wife is a hunter. A mouse hunter, that is. We had a visitor while I was gone, but my ever-industrious wife went on safari in search of big game. Haha. She put down some glue boards and when we came in from the airport last night we had a little surprise waiting for us. Problem solved, and I didn’t have to lift a finger. Which is exactly the way I like it…
Mofro is coming. That’s right, we’re going to see them AGAIN. This time it’s Friday at Skipper’s Smoke House. Looking forward to some fresh Florida cuisine, good times with good friends, and smokin’ juke joint tunes. All good things…
I’m in love. Remember when you had that young, naive, I-can’t-live-without-you-and-I-feel-physical-pain-when-you’re-not-here love? The really sappy kind? That’s the way I feel about my boy. Seriously, when I have to go out of town I hate it, and can’t wait to get back. This may sound stupid to you, or you may completely understand – which is directly related to whether or not you have curtain-climbers of your own…
God Is On The Move
February 15, 2008So we’ve reached capacity again.
For the past few weeks our 10:30 service has been full. If you’ve been in it, you can testify to that.
When we went from 3 services back to 2, we knew this would happen. In fact, this was why we tried 3 to begin with.
We’re not ready to go down that road again just yet. But, we have to do something.
The most obvious solution also happens to be the easiest. Move some people from the 10:30 service into the 9:00 service
It’s EXACTLY the same – sermon, music, announcements. The only difference is the time.
So, if you normally attend the 10:30, how about taking one for the team and switching to the 9:00? It’d be a tremendous help to RPC.
Hope to see you Sunday. Earlier rather than later.
Hurry Home
February 14, 2008
Tonight is the next installment of our quarterly Married Life Live event, and it’s gonna be off the chain. Travis is speaking, Justin has some sweet tunes planned for us, Emily is handling all the creative elements (which will be great), and I’m doing…nothing.
That’s right, tonight – for the first time – I get to sit and enjoy an event just like everyone else. I’m really looking forward to sitting with my valentine and nibbling on her ear holding her hand. This is just another reminder that God continues to develop our leadership at RPC – when I don’t have to be everywhere or do everything and can hand things off with confidence.
I’ve seen the behind-the-scenes prep, and let me tell you that you DON’T want to miss it. Of course, it’s too late to buy tickets, but if you already have one then find a sitter, grab your date, and get your butt to RPC tonight.
The Party’s Over
February 12, 2008Last night wrapped up a whirlwind of speaking 7 times in less than 2 weeks, and Miranda & I had a great time at the Gutter. Chris Weatherly, who attends RPC (and fills in for me occasionally), started a college-age ministry in the Avon Park area that meets on Mondays. And last night he asked me to speak for him.
Wow, what a challenge to speak to someone in a different time of life than you’re in. It’s hard to try to go back and think the way I did in college, plus things are different now than they were 10 years ago. Then add in the subject matter (sexual purity) and you’ve got the recipe for an interesting evening.
Overall I think it was a good night. Justin leads worship for them, and he rocked it as usual. Everyone seemed in tune and interested in what was going on. And I wasn’t as bad as I thought I would be at speaking without notes (not that I use them much anyway, but it’s good to know they’re there).
All in all, I felt it was a good night. Anyone who was there want to comment?
Reel Funny
February 11, 2008Justin shared this moving video with me yesterday. In light of all the buzz surrounding Carrie Underwood, it’s useful to note that there is some serious competition out there…
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