Let me begin with a prayer. “God, I don’t’ know why You have allowed me to lead PCC. Apparently You have seen something in me that I’ve never seen in myself. Or perhaps it is the people – You knew they were just the right people for me. Either way, I recognize that it is Your wisdom that has put all this together. For the changed-lives, the good people of PCC, the kingdom-impact, to the sheer enjoyment of it all, I want to say ‘thank You.’ I will never take this for granted.”
Okay, let’s talk smack:
- Attendance jumped about 50 people today. Where are all these people coming from?
- Giving was good today too.
- First-service was literally wall-to-wall people. Man, we need some room. Perhaps 75 of you could commit to the second service.
- The second service has critical mass, and is larger than some other churches I know. It really is a second congregation. But it lacks the energy (synergy) of the first service. Some of you sold-out-for-Jesus raving-disciples could inject some much needed enthusiasm. Give it some consideration.
- Was the music blow-your-socks-off good today, or what? I just wanted to unstrap my guitar and run the isle.
- Okay, we cannot keep up with the demand for the free sermon, “Facing Eternity.” They flew off the shelf today within 5 minutes. We will have more out next Sunday. My wish is that hundreds of these CDs will penetrate the community…. And we are well on our way to accomplishing that. This sermon/testimony will touch people for years to come… and only God knows the kingdom impact it will have.
- And what about this mornings message? I especially enjoyed the part about “shopping for a church.” You were there, you know what happened. I blogged about this once. You can read it here: http://www.ronniechristian.com/2008/08/okay-im-coming-out-swinging-today.html
- The Most important part of the message? Probably the part of “crisis” – when one member suffers we all suffer (I Cor. 12:25-26).
- Have you noticed that since we put up our new sign on the highway, we DON’T have our service times listed on any other signage? That’s right. Yet people keep coming. Why is that? It has to be a God-thing. BTW, we have remedied the problem – we had three signs made that has the information provided (service times, phone number, and web site) – now we just have to get them put up. Should be done within a week or two. Any volunteers for this?
- Next Sunday’s message – “Is Anyone Going to Heaven Because of You?” Sure to be challenging, informative, and inspirational all at the same time.
- Somebody said to me today, “I am very proud of our church… and I like inviting and bringing people to it.” Yea God!
- Had a long talk with Scott & Cathy D. today after church. We simply visited. It was good to catch up.
- I had lunch with a local pastor two weeks ago. He spoke some unfiltered truth into my life over Mexican food.
- One of the greatest issues I’m wrestling with right now is falling back into my old leadership habits. That is, my tendency is to work too much, rather than smarter. I allow my plate to get filled up and up and up. I’m not proud of that. I’ve done a good job over the years of delegating almost everything I do. But every time I turn around new responsibilities emerge (after all, we are a growing church) that need attention and my tendency is to do what has worked for me in the past – just do it myself. I’ve learned my lesson before and will not make that mistake again.
- Right now, Renae and 30 other people are on a Sunday afternoon canoe trip and I’m home alone. Quiet house.
- Did you notice the man come to the altar in first service today? No invitation, he just came. He was desperate for God.
- God is doing stuff at PCC.
- I’ve been teaching Seminar 101 for ten years. I still enjoy it.
- I listened to a Leadership Lecture by Andy Stanley yesterday. Awesome.
- I’m going to be teaching a message series on “Spiritual Warfare” soon. It might be next.
- God’s Kingdom is present whenever and wherever God is having His way. The kingdom of God is when He is allowed to reign and rule in our lives. Again, God is doing stuff at PCC.
- It has come to my attention that someone (out there in church land) is actually hoping that PCC will fail and that I will be ruined. Furthermore, they might even be actively working towards that end, because they are "speaking words of death" from their tongue. I’ve just got one thing to say, “the Lord reward you according to your works” (2 Timothy 4:14-15).
- Here’s it is: 2 Timothy 4:14-15 (NIV) 14 Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done. 15 You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message.
- I might blog about this passage this week.
- And for the record - as long as God is on the throne, and Jesus is building the church, and godly people are praying for their pastor, and I’m surrounded by such a high caliber group of colleagues, PCC will never go under. Even if I blow it (personally), this church is bigger than me and any one else for that matter. Like it or not, this church is a God-thing and "the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." Just because someone out there is bitter doesn’t mean that God shares their opinion. The very idea....
- One thing I’m certain of: If I can get the right people around the table with me (or without me), we’ll be fine.
- We had about ten more membership applications turned in today.
- The economy is bad, but God is still in control. His work continues in good times, bad times, and at ALL times. Now is not the time to slack up. In fact, now is the time to step up. Give to God according to your need, and God will give to you according to your need. See Malachi 3.
- When I get to heaven, I don’t want to hear Jesus say, “Well read” or “Well informed.” I want to hear Him say, “Well DONE, thou good and faithful servant.”
- At PCC we are producing disciples who DO STUFF, not those who only know stuff.
- We have some end-of-the-year initiatives still in the “idea” stage right now. If we go forward with this, it is going to be awesome.
- Florida State University lost the game Saturday. I really hate that. I hope they turn it around and have a good season this year. My youngest son and Greg G. were at the game. Thanks Greg for taking him.
- If you want to be like Christ, expect controversy. In fact, you’ve got get comfortable with it. Controversy is a sign of progress, and it is a training ground for greater things. God uses it to develop you and promote you. When it comes, embrace it and learn from it.
- I’m having a blast! These are amazing days at PCC… some of the best in our ten years of our being together. I am having a blast providing the day-to-day leadership with a young and energized team of colleagues. Fasten your seat belts as we move into our God-guided future together.