Filed under: Family
The word Halloween comes from the words “All-Hallow-Even” which is the day before “All-Hallows-Day” which is also “All-Saints-Day” – November 1st. It truly is a day to remember the dead (those who have passed from this life to the next). I don’t get all freaked out about letting my kids dress up and beg perfect strangers for candy (err, as long as I am there). I don’t think very many people today associate Halloween with pagan history and I certainly don’t think kids do. To the contrary, Halloween is a Christian holiday and an especially sweet one at that.
Here are my kids from two years ago on All-hallows-Eve and here they are this year.
In two years my son has transformed from a baseball player to a monkey and my daughter has changed from a Princess to a Queen. At least one of them is headed the right direction on the evolutionary chart.
Filed under: Uncategorized
Someone in my congregation organized a little gift gathering for pastor’s appreciation month. Today I was blessed with two surprises. I have not shown them to my wife so I can’t tell you about them. So, shhh, they are a secret. 
Filed under: Dayspring
I have been in serious prayer the past several days about something BIG for Dayspring. I have yet to hear back on whether this ministry opportunity will happen or not, but until then and I keep knocking on heaven’s door. My hand is getting tired so I am about to start using the doorbell. If you are reading this maybe you could knock a little for me today?
Filed under: Uncategorized
Thursday morning I am “giving a talk” for students at a nearby High School. The group is called “Students for Jesus” and I think they should come up with a better name than that. Anyway, I am supposed to talk at 7:15 in the morning. I am just blown away that a group of High School students have such a commitment to Christ that they get up at 6 something in the morning to meet and have a devotional together – amazing!
I plan to talk about what it means to be ‘Holy.’ These students have such a commitment but I want them to understand that being holy is more than just following a list of don’t rules, it means that we are called to action as well.
Filed under: Church Planting
Filed under: Dayspring
My Worship Leader and I have been planning our services through Christmas. This week we finish up our “Superheroes” series and then we kick off a two week video series where I will be doing NO PREACHING at all. The great thing about being a new church is that there are no historical expectations, so if we want to do a video series instead of live preaching, we just do it.
We will be doing this several times a year, which will give me opportunity to take off and the congregation the chance to hear some of the best speakers in the world – win/win.
During Advent we will be using series resources put out by TWUMC called “Given.” It is their first series to make public and I hope they will do some more, the graphics and video resources are some of the best I have seen.
Filed under: Dayspring
We tried to rent the local Planetarium for our Christmas Eve services and they said – no! Apparently on December 18, power is shut off to the school for Christmas break - ugh. Since we are portable I am now looking for another cool and unusual place to hold Christmas Eve Services.
Filed under: Uncategorized
My friend Rick posted his top 5 strengths based on Tom Rath’s “Strength Finder 2.0″. I recently preached on everyone’s gifts being important and contributing in their own unique way. But as is clearly evidenced mine are better than his.
1. Intellection
2. Input
3. Learner
4. Harmony
5. Analytical
Filed under: Dayspring
Wow, I kind of feel like Joel Osteen, praying for favor and all. I am praying about something that could have a HUGE impact on our church. We have a chance to manifoldly increase our ministry in Tyler – if only we find favor in the eyes of two key people. I am praying BIG TIME right now. Pray and I will update ASAP.
Filed under: Uncategorized
My children’s director showed me this site today. I wonder what she is teaching our kids?
