Today on my way to the office, I went by my favorite store in the world to get my fix, SBUX! That’s right in the morning I get what I call “Christian Crack”. I have to admit, coffee is one of my favorite past times. I love to drink it, I love to smell it and I just know there will be coffee in heaven (don’t get all theological on me now, it’s a joke). So as I was waiting for a free cup because they needed to brew a new pot, I just love it when that happens, I watched as the line began to grow. While I waited I listened as people placed their orders. A little game that I play while I stand waiting for my fresh cup of java, I try and figure out what they are going to order before they actually place their order. Most of the time you can tell what they will drink by what they look like or their demeanor. I think to myself, “He has to be a double-shot espresso, she must be a Caramel Frappicino, and he has got to be a Vanilla Latte”. So hey, if you like coffee, what kind of coffee are you?

Here are a couple guesses from me of some people you might know:

Penny (if she liked coffee): Caramel Macchiato - because she’s really sweet

Brittany Spears: White Chocolate Mocha

George Bush: Americano

Bill Gates: Coffee Black

Noah: Chai tea latte with no water

Apostle Paul: French press coffee, natural sugar

I am curious about all you bloggers out there.  When you wake up in the morning, what would you say about your day, your life or your career…”I should”  or “I want to”.  I would love to hear your thoughts about this.

By the way, I know some of you aren’t commenting.  Come on and join the dialogue.

This morning when I got up and looked next to my reading chair, behold 3 mac computers were lying there. Amazing! We are a complete “Mac family”. Penny just got a mac about 1 month ago. I have had a mac now for almost 2 years. And, Colby because he did so well in school we invested in a computer for him. We were able to get a used Macbook on Ebay for almost half of what you would normally pay for one outright. What a deal! I also found this other sight that has refurbished computers at great prices. It’s called Gainsavers.com. Check it out if you are looking for new computer.

Yesterday was just incredible at FHC.  We joined with Fellowship Church and Pastor Ed Young as He talked asked God to “Wake us up”.  I love doing things new at church.  As I was greeting people as they left yesterday people were so excited about the way things are done at our church.  We love to keep things unpredictable.

Testimony:

Yesterday during the first service, God gave us a word that someone knew someone who was having liver problems.  Honestly, this is the first time I can remember at FHC that God spoke about someone who wasn’t in the service.  It ended up being someones father who has been dealing with internal issues for a while.  What a great God we serve!  We gathered around the woman and prayed over a clothe so she could take it to her father.

I know I already blogged today but I have to share something that happened that really grieved me. I was eating lunch at this little dive in Charlotte called “The Penguin”. It was my first time there. As I was walking into the restaurant there was a woman outside balling her eyes out. I looked down and her foot was bleeding terribly. She was on the phone calling someone to help. I asked her if she needed some help and proceeded to grab her by the arm and take her into the restaurant, get some towels and get her cleaned up. She had torn her entire toenail off. She was in excruciating pain. I ended up carrying her to her sisters car and she took her to the hospital.

Here is what really bothered me. This place was packed. There were people going in and out walking right past her and nobody stopped to help. When I took her into the restaurant everyone just starred.  Why didn’t anyone help this poor lady?  What in the world have we come to, to just ignore people when they are hurting?  She was hysterically crying and people just walked by…

Distinguishing Factor 2

The found (believers) must be led to grow up in Christ. So, not only are the lost found but the found are taught not to get lost again. Our churches should be a place where the gospel is being taught in such a way that the found are challenged in their walk. Here are some ways to do that in our churches:

• environments should facilitate growth
• Sunday services must be taught in a way to reach the lost and challenge the believer
• find ways to measure spiritual growth other than attendance and giving
• create a path for discipleship - defined by the DNA of your church

What ways can you determine if you are growing as a believer?

If you don’t know already, I have a passion for the church. I believe that she is the hope of the world. It’s not a man but an organism, resuming the role of the Body of Christ. Literally and figuratively being Jesus Christ to the world. So, what does that “look” like. The New Testament is great at describing what a NT church should be.

Distinguishing Factor 1

A NT church should be bringing the lost to Jesus Christ. This means that a healthy church in the 21st century should at all points of their existence open an avenue for people to come to know Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. By this a churches growth should come from new converts. If not we are just really “swapping sheep”. People just moving from church to church. This doesn’t mean that people won’t come from other churches but there should be an intentional focus is getting people into the kingdom of God.

This is the heart of why we are here. Why God sent His son.

Have you shared the gospel with someone recently? I would love to hear the journey.

In just about 1 hour, Paul Wilson our youth pastor and I will be traveling to the ATL (that Atlanta in case you didn’t know).  We are heading to the Jesus Culture conference and to hang out with my pastors Dennis and Colleen Rouse.  They are hosting the conference at Victory World Church.

I will make sure and keep you up to date on the happenings over the next few days.

Don’t forget….Brady Boyd from New Life Church in Colorado Springs will be with us this weekend for fathers days.  Don’t miss it.  See you soon FHC!

1. Join us this Sunday as we begin ONE prayer. A series of messages along with 1300+ churches world wide. This Month promises to be one to remember.

2. Pray for churches around the world who are participating in the ONE prayer series. Pray for hunger and unity. Let’s believe together for great things.