Here it is, May 22nd, 2012 and I have been praying and thinking and having a good morning with the Lord.  I have some good ideas and thoughts for Sunday's message and it seems that God, in His amazing way, as usual, has blessed me with ideas and thoughts on how to convery His heart to others because His heart has first been conveyed to mine.  He is teaching me and speaking to me and for that I am grateful.  As He has blessed me, I want to write down some things before they escape my mind and so after I emailed Ginny and Andy and told them how much I love them and how they are a blessing to me, I then for some reason started looking at my email; which led to me looking at potential future sights for the church.  I still can't believe I am looking at property and buildings and picturing us as a church in those buildings.  I think to myself, "are we really ready for this?" or "can we really do this?" and then I just see God in all that we do now and remember that a few years ago, I wondered the same thing as we were launching and planting Life Pointe, and suddenly I realize, "sure we can do it" for we serve a mighty God is who Jehovah Jireh, our provider! It's just that it is scary sometimes and involves a lot of money, but once again, God can do it, and so I must practice what I preach and step out in faith and take a deep breath, and continue to walk in grace and faith, and with vision, watch the amazing things God accomplishes through those who have been called according to His purpose, and to those who are obedient to following His will.  It's exciting, and just like a little kid at Christmas, I look forward to opening the presents God has in store for us and to all those who are looking forward to His appearing!

New Responsiblities!

I must admit I am still learning a lot being a church planter and pastor.  This past week a neighbor who lives down the street but close to us came up to see us.  We really haven't talked a lot but do speak from time to time.  It has been awhile so I was somewhat surprised because we've never really been that close although we knew the parents of this woman and have talked to her and her husband a few times.  Most of the time I see her husband Randy, as I am walking our kitty cat Tory on his leash.  So while I have spoken to both Randy and Jane a few times, I must admit I don't know them a lot just to share a few bits of news from time to time.  But this time the news Jane brought was really completely shocking.  She came up, knocked on the door and the proceeded to tell us that Randy has stage 4 cancer.  That means he really doesn't have that long to live.  So I went to visit with him the other night and then have been back once since then.  I suppose that is the very first true visit I have made as a pastor to a person in the hospital.  It is a shame that the person is dying that I am visiting.  I want to make sure he knows Jesus for sure before he leaves this world, that's for sure but just to be in this place at this time, while it doesn't surprise Jesus, it does suprise me; but God gives grace and prayerfully I will make a difference. And to show the contrast of the above information....this afternoon I visited with a couple that want to be married so I conducted my first ever premartial counseling.....everything went very well so I was blessed and pleased.  God was with me or should I say "us" as we planned for the upcoming wedding, which is just in 3 weeks!  So from counseling in a hospital to counseling a couple wanting to be married God continues to grow me both as a pastor and a person; I hope and pray I mature the way HE wants me to and do the things successfully that He's called me to do.  God is good; may the adventure He's called me to....continue with His annointing and blessing!

It has once again been awhile since I have last posted, (Easter service, I believe), and so I wanted to jot down a few things, so to speak.  I think we are reaching a plateau at Life Pointe in that I feel God wants us to stretch ourselves and start doing somethings to further grow our church.  Even if it is just adding a nursery so the little ones can be in there while Ginny teaches those 5 and up will help tremendously.  Last week was the first time for our nursery, so we are already beginning to do things a little different and probably a little better.  As God leads, I want to listen and follow and then help our church to see the vision of where He wants to take us and where we need to go.  It's exciting, but a little scary, so Hebrews 11, reminds us to walk in faith and follow Him for without faith it is impossible to please God. I am exciting though and looking forward to the May series, which is appropriately titled:  LOOKING TO THE FUTURE! 

Exciting Easter!

Well, here it is April 9th, the day after Easter, and I have to post if for no other reason just to say how gratefull I am to the Lord for how He continues to bless us at Life Pointe Church. Yesterday we had 44 people attend our Easter service which is the highest number we have ever had apart from our first baptism which had 50 people in attendance. God is so good! Everyone seemed to enjoy our early service which was a short devotion on the front lawn of the school at 9:30 and then our tasty foods which several prepared for our breakfast time. And then God blessed our main service with His presence and power to remind us all to be ready when He calls us home to be with Him forever. Ginny is so valuable as she continues to teach the kids, sometimes ranging in ages from 1 year to 13 years old. And Andy helps make the message come alive with some great powerpoint slides and videos. And God just brought us some people who had not been in a while and others for the first time, and still the regular attenders who seemed blessed and happy to be at the service. Several asked questions which shows God is at work and tugging on their hearts. May we continue to see folks saved, people's lives changed, and God's church to grow the want He wants it to. A great Easter service....!

New Things!

I still get excited, just like a little kid, when I get some new things in the mail! This past week I finally got some things in that I had ordered for the church and it was exciting to once again see some things with the Life Pointe Church name on them! I ordered some coffee mugs a few weeks ago with our name and logo on them and wanted to have some on hand as visitors come to see us at church. I also thought about letting them be part of an Easter present for our regular church attendees! My goal is to remind people of us so they'll pray for Life Pointe on a regular basis and also to encourage folks to know that Life Pointe is there for them to be encouraged and point their lives to Christ! Along with some bumper stickers, and some new banners I just ordered yesterday, I hope Easter is one of the best services we've seen yet, since planting Life Pointe! God is good and I look forward to a great spring time. By the way, today's temperature is probably in the 60's and so spring is on the way!

Last Sunday in February!

Good service at Life Pointe again today! God is blessing our efforts to learn the Old Testament with the Footers and Foundations series. Good numer too!...30 I believe.... God is good I find myself looking forward to next Sunday before this Sunday is over.....I love the Lord and the fact He's called me to lead and be the shepherd at Life Pointe! I'm truly blessed. Today marks our second communion; that too is such a blessing. God continues to bless and show Himself faithful.

SUNDAY SNOW DAY

Wow! If every snowday is like this past Sunday, I say (as the lyrics of that wintery song says), Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! God was just amazing this past Sunday! I mean He oftens blesses and touches hearts but this past Sunday, He just blessed my heart beyond measure! I love it when God encourages us and confirms that what we are doing is exactly what He wants us to do! I must admit with a predicted snowfall on the way, that I thought it might be a small crowd. And I try to be positive and optimistic but will admit it is a little tough, especially with snow on the way. But I had a great message planned and was ready to start our new series of Footers and Foundations and so I thought, "Lord, I'm ready to go,.....so I sure hope the snow doesn't run folks off or keep them away!" So isn't it just like the Lord to honor that request and give us not only a good crowd but a great crowd of 34 people, one of the biggest we've ever had, and blessed us with the biggest offering we've ever had in the history of the church! Isn't God just amazing!! So we continue to see God's Hand upon us and the ministry of Life Pointe Church! Plus today I had the opportunity to sit down with one of the friends of Joey Patterson and we got to minister to this person for several hours and share what Christ can do in his life. So God gives us doors and we are going through them as He directs....may we continue to point lives to Christ!