Weekly Rundown (2.28.2010)

• We are officially ONE church in THREE (or in MULTIPLE) locations: Dalton, Calhoun, and now Chatsworth!  We had over 300 people in attendance which is huge!!
  
  
  
  • I use Rick Warren's theory that if you get over 200 people to a new service or effort you have staying power.  Typically, new starts (services, plants, campuses) have a surge and then attendance dips.  Clearing 200 gives critical mass and momentum moving forward.
  
  
  • I am so proud of BOTH our Campus Pastors, Gus & Carll.  They have done an amazing job instilling vision and executing our mission at their respective campuses.
  
  
  
  


• Great start to our JONAH series this week.


• I think our worship leaders are taking things to a whole 'nutha level!!


• Our foreign missions strategy and approach continues to develop.  I had an amazing conversation this week with Living Water International.  We have helped build or repair 2 water wells with them in Haiti and may have an opportunity to travel with them in 2011.  Still praying but looks promising.
  
  
  
  • The work of Living Water is fantastic.  It is amazing what clean water does in a community and the opportunity it gives for people to hear about Jesus.
  
  
  
  


• Adoption update ... we need PRAYER TODAY ...
  
  
  
  • Our court date is Monday, March 1st.  Last week we missed court apparently because of some incomplete paperwork.  We are praying everything is in order and for God's favor in the court and upon our boys!!
  
  
  • We got a crib for the baby ... I just hope he likes to sleep as much as we do :)
  
  
  
  


• More prayer needs -- I'm speaking at an evangelism conference Tuesday afternoon in Warner Robbins ... would appreciate the prayers and that God's Word comes out of my mouth and nothing more, nothing less.

Weekly Rundown (2.14.09)

• So much snow ... in Georgia!!


• Headed up to WV for the Student Ski Trip later this week.  Always a blast to hang out with the teenagers and enjoy some mountaintop worship and a good word from THE Word :)


• I still can't believe Rock Bridge Chatsworth is down to ONE more rehearsal/practice service before the launch on Feb. 28th.  Praying ...


• Had some God directed and appointed conversations this week ... praying that I am more alert for those opportunities -- I know they are all around me.


• Did an altar prayer time during our services this weekend ... we felt it was needed ... I know I needed it.


• I really enjoyed this Fool Proof series ... can't wait for Jonah to kick-off.  Amazing story!!


• Some of our staff are taking some well deserved time off.  Because ministry is so personal and so intense, it can be hard to get away.  However, you always come back better and more able to serve.


• I love the vibe of the Olympics!!  Vancouver sure looks like a beautiful place.


• I met someone running for Congress this week.  I asked him how I could pray for him and then I prayed with him ... pretty cool.


• Our new court date is February 22nd.  We're cautiously optimistic. If we pass we could travel sometime in March!!  The house is almost ready ... got some reorganizing and "childproofing" left to do.


• SEC Spring football practice starts in early March :)


• Have a great week!!

Adoption Update: Court Delay

Right now we have been told by our adoption agency that our court date is being delayed until Feb. 22nd.

As we have learned this is all part of the journey of adoption ... a  journey God is using greatly in our lives and in the end we know it will be worth the wait!!

Thanks so much for everyone's prayers and encouragement!!

Some specific ways to pray:

• For the children


• For the court process to go smoothly


• For Beth & I: peace that passes understanding!!

The Road to Chatsworth

I can't believe that we are just weeks away from launching our 3rd campus in Murray County!!  We're officially launching this campus on February 28th at North Murray High School.  We're going to start with TWO SERVICES as well!!  Check out this blog to stay informed about all things relating to Rock Bridge Chatsworth!!

This is a BIG move for our church family and for God's Kingdom.  This is a BOLD move to continue operating our church by our core values and God-given vision to reach people and connect them ... to live in Christ. This is also a BODY move, meaning that the entire Rock Bridge body of believers must work together to make Rock Bridge Chatsworth a healthy, God-glorifying campus.  Here's some ways we need YOU to be engaged with US:

1) PRAY! The only reason we are in Chatsworth right now at this time in God's history is the BIG & BOLD prayers of people.  We must pray for people to come, to be hungry for God, for their hearts to be opened, and the love/grace/mercy/life of Christ received!!

2) SERVE! We need some "missionaries" from our Dalton & Calhoun campuses to volunteer for a few weeks to help get the new campus "up and running".  We especially need some folks to assist with Sunday morning set-up as we transform a school cafeteria into an amazing environment to worship our amazing God.

If you are interested in helping in anyway, please email Gus: gus@rockbridge.cc

3) INVITE! Start spreading the word that we launch on the 28th of February at North Murray High School.

INVITE ALERT: This Weekend @ RBCC!

I don't normally like to hype any particular service over another ... BUT this weekend (Thursday & Sunday) is a GREAT weekend to bring a guest and to pray BIG for God to open hearts.

We'll be finishing the Fool Proof series and the final principle could be the most powerful and offer the most hope.  The application of this principle is almost universal ...

• Struggling to overcome mistakes & regret? Don't miss Sunday!


• Marriage on the brink and need a breakthrough? Don't miss Sunday!


• Need hope for the rest of your life? Don't miss Sunday!


• Need a God-sized breakthrough? Don't miss Sunday!


• Know someone who might need any of those things? Get them here Sunday!!

Weekly Rundown (2.7.2010)

• Our weekly devotional, Rock Bridge Fuel is now online ... and compatible with mobile browsers.  Check it out here.


• The countdown to launch Rock Bridge Chatsworth is ON ... February 28th is the big day!!


• Rock Bridge PM (Thursday nights) continues to have great attendance and energy.  Every week I meet someone who works on the weekend and is now able to GO TO CHURCH!!


• We've got tons of people wanting to get into a small group right now.  This is so exciting because we believe a BIG part of our walk with God is walking consistently & intentionally together with other Christ-followers.


• I'm loving teaching our current series, Fool Proof.  The finale is this weekend ... GREAT time to bring a guest because of what we'll be discussing.


• Our next series will be called Jonah. We'll be going through that amazing book ... and it is much more than a story of a guy who got eaten by a really big fish :)


• Beth & I are cautiously, nervously exciting about our court date in Ethiopian court this Thursday.  We don't have to be present and it may take a few days to find out the results.  Lots of variables at work -- weather, road conditions, power outages, lot of paperwork, etc. etc.  The big thing is not passing court but court delays.  We are praying everything goes smoothly and this first date is the last date for us.


• Have a great week!!

I Get Into Trouble When ...

"There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death." --Proverbs 14:12

"The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it." --Proverbs 27:12

I did a little self-evaluation today, trying to be prudent and see how and when I get myself into trouble.  Very humbling exercise but hopefully it will prevent some suffering.

Here's what I came up with ... I get into trouble (mental, spiritual, relational, etc.) when ...

• I forget God's Word is powerful, sufficient, and true.


• I try to impress people.


• I try to prove myself to people.


• I let my emotions overrule my beliefs.


• I act like it all depends on me.


• I talk too much.


• I try to do important things or have meaningful conversations when I am hungry, angry, or tired.


• I am not still before God.