Life Development Plan 2012

December 29, 2011 in LifeSpring Letter with Comments Off

Howdy, LifeSpring!  Two things I want to share with you today…

#1 – I’m super pumped about our new series starting Sunday, January 1st entitled: “Life Development Plan 2012.”  I can’t wait to dive into the Bible to discover what it is that Jesus actually wants you to invest your life in.  LDP12 will help you radically evaluate and redirect your life toward total commitment to Christ. Its a new way of thinking — YOUR blueprint to help you set goals regarding your relationship with God, your relationship with people, your physical life, your financial life and your work life…and I can promise you that this series is going to take your walk with Jesus and our church to the next level!

#2 – DECISION DAY is coming!  And  I’m asking EVERYONE at LifeSpring to continue to prepare for January 8th by doing two things…first of all do EVERYTHING you can to get as many people as possible who don’t know Christ here on that day as we are going to be extremely intentional about sharing the Gospel and calling for a decision.  (AND…if you’ve asked people before and they refused then ask them again!  God didn’t give up on you…and you best not give up on them…God maybe using you to get to them!  Second…pray with me and BEG GOD to save people on that day.  Seriously…let’s pray like we’ve NEVER prayed before and then sit back and watch God do what only He can do.  It’s going to be an amazing Sunday!

I LOVE MY CHURCH!

 

Zach Dill’s Funeral Message

December 14, 2011 in Spiritual Growth with Comments Off

People have been asking me for a copy of the message from Zach’s funeral.  Here is the exact transcript of my sermon.

Funeral Message for Zach Dill

Usually, the month of December is full of laughter, gift-giving and joy.  But tonight it’s full of tears because we are here to mourn.  We’ve come to this place to grieve.  This is not a day any parent wants to experience.  Each of us is devastated at the loss of Zach but none of us more than Danny, Michelle, Jacob and Alyssa.  We are suffering with you.  We too are shattered and broken-hearted.  And tonight our prayers and our love are for you.

Death serves as life’s greatest reality check as it reminds us of life’s uncertainties and of our own mortality and to consider what is truly lasting and significant!  When death comes so tragically, and so suddenly, and to someone so young — it adds to the difficulty of accepting it.  Zach’s unfulfilled dreams leave a void in our world.  The abandonment of his ambitions touch our hearts because of what might have been but never will be!

Continue Reading…

Speaking BOLDLY

November 13, 2011 in Spiritual Growth with Comments Off

Today at LifeSpring our focus was on Peter and John speaking boldy in the name of Jesus about what they had seen and heard. The religious leaders attempted to shut them up but Peter and John could not help talking about Jesus because we speak boldly about what we believe deeply.

Here are a list of the verses from the book of Acts that mention people speaking boldly about the name of Jesus Christ.

5 When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and talked abusively against what Paul was saying. 46 Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. 47 For this is what the Lord has commanded us: “‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’” 48 When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed. Acts 13:45-49

Continue Reading…

Praying BOLDLY

November 5, 2011 in Spiritual Growth with Comments Off

This past Sunday our focus was on PRAYING BOLDLY and the key thought was that what you pray for reflects what you believe about God.  For example, if your prayers are usually small it reflects that you don’t believe God answers big prayers.  If your prayers are self centered, it reflects that you believe that God is here to serve you.  If prayer is your last resort during difficult situations then it reflects that you believe God is the last place to turn for help in time of need.  What you pray for reflects what you truly believe about God.

In Acts 4, Peter and John are bold about their faith in Jesus Christ and when they report to the other believers what happened to them at the hands of the chief priest and elders the response of all the disciples is to “raise their voices in prayer” and they asked God to give them great boldness to speak God’s truth.

Quick Self-Evaluation:

  • How would describe the way you pray?
  • What’s keeping you from changing your selfish and small prayers into bold prayers?
  • What bold things do you need to start praying for right now?
  • What bold results would you like to see come from your bold prayers?
  • Remember: The transcript of your prayers becomes the script of your life.

Prayers in the book of Acts

  • Prayed to speak Word with boldness (4:29)
  • Prayed for God to show them who would replace Judas (1:24)
  • Laid hands on the sick and prayed for healing. (28:9)
  • Peter got down on his knees and prayed for Tabitha. (9:40)
  • Fasted and prayed. (13:3)
  • Preached that people should pray. (8:22)
  • Had visions during prayer. (9-13)
  • Knelt and prayed on a beach (21:15)
  • Prayed on a roof (10:9)
  • Prayed for those without Christ (26:29)
  • God sent Saul to Annais who was praying (9:11)
  • The church prayed (12:5)
  • Met in homes to pray (12:12)
  • Worshiped and prayed in prison at midnight. Acts 16:25 Stephen prayed… receive my spirit (7:59)
  • Prayed for people to receive Holy Spirit (8:15)
  • Prayed for Dorcas when she died. (9:40)

Being BOLD

October 31, 2011 in Spiritual Growth with Comments Off

Rock ClimberLast Sunday we started a 4-week series called BEING BOLD. The fact is, you have a choice. You can play it safe or you can live the bold life God intends for you. This series looks at the bold actions of the early church recorded in the book of Acts and how we can become as bold as they were.

Here’s the key thought from week 1:  What you believe determines how you behave.

3 Bold Truths

  • Ordinary people can be amazingly bold for Christ.
  • The world will be amazed by your boldness of the name of Jesus.
  • Being bold about Jesus requires a deep relationship with Him.
Quick Self-Evaluation:
  1. What beliefs about yourself do you need to change that are keeping you from living with amazing boldness?
  2. Where in your relationship in Christ do you need to become bolder?
  3. What steps do you need to take that will help you grow your faith in Christ?

The Kingdom Ethic is Love

June 17, 2011 in LifeSpring Letter with Comments Off

If you get a chance today read Luke 6:27-38…all of it.  It’s a continuation of the “The Blessings” we talked about last Sunday.  Jesus is very specific about how we are to live the kingdom life.  Notice the counter-cultural ethics of Jesus…

#1. Love your enemies.  Yes, those who have done you the most harm, have caused the most grief, and brought you the most pain.

#2. Do good to everyone who hates you. In other words, don’t return evil for evil…instead return evil with love.

#3. Bless everyone who curses you.  When someone says terrible things about you…don’t hit back at them with your words.

#4. Pray for people who mistreat you.  Make a list and pray for them daily.

#5. Give freely to those in need.  Jesus did.  Selfishness is the antithesis of what it means to follow Christ.

LOVE WINS!

It’s sad…but Father’s Day is one of the lowest attended days nationwide in regards to church (and Mother’s Day is one of the highest.) LifeSpring Church…we should NOT be ok with this.  Make every effort to be present this Sunday.

Congratulations to JACK HARWICK on his baptism last Sunday!  We are so proud of Jack for his bold faith, love for Jesus Christ and obedience to the gospel.

Letter to LifeSpring

June 10, 2011 in LifeSpring Letter with Comments Off

Howdy LifeSpring…THREE things I want to share with you today!

#1 – I absolutely LOVE LifeSpring Christian Church.  I can’t think of a better way or a better place to invest my life on Sunday mornings than at LifeSpring with those who have been called to serve, worship and adore The One who has called us out of darkness and into His light.  I can’t wait for Sunday! 

#2 – This Sunday afternoon, Jack Harwick, son of John & Julie Harwick, will be baptized into Christ. I’m thrilled for Jack and his whole family.  This will be a day they remember for the rest of their lives. You are invited to celebrate this special occasion which will take place at their home located at: 6869 Hidden Glade Place, Sanford, FL 32771. Plan to arrive around 4:30pm for a backyard BBQ followed by Jack’s baptism.  It’s gonna be a good day!

#3 – I continue to be excited about our study through the gospel of Luke.  Last week, we talked about Jesus’ call of The Twelve disciples and how he calls us to follow Him today.  This week, we begin a section on the Beatitudes at the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus spent much of his ministry. Jesus taught that he is the King of kings who is bringing a countercultural kingdom. The kingdom of God is not about getting wealth, power, comfort, or fame. It’s about being in relationship with God—loving God and loving others, especially your enemies.  I hope to see you there!

Jack Cottrell Reviews, “Love Wins”

June 1, 2011 in Spiritual Growth with Comments Off

Rob Bell’s controversial new book, “Love Wins” has caused quite a stir among conservative Biblical scholars not the least of which is Dr. Jack Cottrell, Professor of Theology at Cincinnati Christian Seminary.  His general reaction is sobering, He says,

“I found not one single redeeming quality in the book. It has not one shred of value for anyone seeking a Biblical understanding of God, heaven, hell, or anything else.”

Check out Dr. Cottrell’s full review here.

For further reviews of “Love Wins” and a chronology of Rob Bell on Hell go to The Resurgence Blog.

 

Inspiration: Ultimate Balance

January 6, 2011 in Cycling with Comments Off

Danny MacAskill, an amazing cyclist who performs unbelievable stunts on his bike as he journey’s across his homeland of Scotland. Just watch…

1st Song – Wax and Wire – Loch Lomond
2nd Song – The Jezabels – A Little Piece

Desperate Households

November 3, 2010 in Spiritual Growth with Comments Off

New Teaching Series at LifeSpring Christian Church

Maintaining the appearance of a perfect home, perfect children, or a perfect marriage can make for desperate times. No one can keep it up for long, mainly because we’re all far from perfect. At LifeSpring, we get that. We’re beginning a teaching series on how to take our families from “desperate” to “dynamic” and begin to focus on what really matters in life. Why put energy into a better appearance when you can put it into a better family?

  • Desperate Marriages – Nov. 7th
  • Desperate Husbands – Nov. 14th
  • Desperate Children – Nov. 21st
  • Desperate Parents – Nov. 28th
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