Thursday, March 29, 2012

Prayers From Dallas


I'm writing this as Sara and I drive back from the All Access Conference in Dallas. What a great three days with my best friend! Over these days we've prayed together and talked a lot. We're really asking God to show us a tangible next step to take that would propel us and our church to the next level in building God's Kingdom. Will you join us in that prayer? I know it's a little foggy, but we both know there is something there that we need God's clarity on.

Here are some other, more tangible, prayers I'm praying this week:
  • Easter Egg Hunt this Saturday – We're asking God for great weather (forecast as of now is 86 & sunny!), huge turnout (1500 invitations went home with students this week), safety & great connections for everyone who comes.
  • Easter Sunday Next Week – April 8 is Easter Sunday and we're asking God of 50 new people to attend that day. We will be mailing an invitation to everyone who's been to our church before and all the people who register for prizes at the Egg Hunt. Also praying for 30 salvations and many of the guests to return and stay with Freedom Valley.
  • Key Leaders in Key Positions – I can feel that we're in a season of change and shift at Freedom Valley. We are in the process of getting the right people in the right places. Change can be messy, it can be painful, but most of all, it can be powerful. I'm asking God for wisdom, direction and boldness as we navigate these changes.
Thank you, again, for all your prayers and friendship! Please let me know how I can pray for you.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

What I'm praying about this week


Just wanted to send a few ideas your way as you pray this week.  Thanks so much for all your prayers and friendship!
  • Engle Landscaping - In case you didn't know, this is my new employer.  I'm just praying for God to give us a ton of business.  This landscaping job has been a real God-send.  I'm going to need to be mowing 40+ hours each week this summer for our family to make it.  Looks like we're on our way to that level, but want to ask for more of God's favor.
  • Easter Egg Hunt - March 31 is our Easter Egg Hunt outreach.  We're believing for 500 people to show up and for 50 new guests at church the following week for Easter Sunday service.  
  • New people in new positions - Leaders are really shifting positions at Freedom Valley right now.  There has been a fair amount of shift already and I think there is more to come.  That can be a little confusing and turbulent, but it ends up being a big win for everyone involved.  I'm asking for God's wisdom and guidance in this season of change.
Thanks so much for your prayers.  Love you guys.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Aggressive Faith Begins NOW!

Ok, maybe it begins this Sunday.  But, either way, we begin a 3-week mini-series leading up to Easter Sunday entitled "Aggressive Faith".  Here's the deal.

At Freedom Valley, we are calling this the year of Aggressive Faith.  But to have aggressive faith, some things have to be faced . . . some fears must be put to bed . . . and some issues need to be settled.

This week, we begin looking at what the Bible tells us about those issues and what "aggressive faith"  looks like in action.  This Sunday's message is called "Convincing Myself".  We will face some real issues.  Like the fact that everyone - even great people -  have had doubts.  We will see how willing God is to put your doubts to rest . . . if you're willing to choose to believe.  I hope you'll join me this Sunday as we begin this powerful series.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

5 Days Til Friends Day . . . Who Will YOU Bring?

Just wanted to remind you that this coming Sunday is Friends Day!  I'm asking all of you to do two things this Sunday  . . . ok, three things :)
  1. Make sure you are at church.  I know we're starting Spring Break, but I'm asking you to make church a priority, especially if that's been something you've struggled with lately.  You'll never regret that.
  2. Bring somebody with you.  I doubt there is one of us who does not know at least one person who is disconnected from church or disconnected from Jesus.  You thinking of that person now?  Good.  I've been praying for you this week that God would give you the opportunity, the boldness and His favor to invite and bring them to church with you this Sunday.
  3. Bring some food to share.  One of the funnest parts of Friends Day is the food!  Bring some to share at our 10:30am breakfast.  
We are starting a new teaching series called "Aggressive Faith" and we will be receiving new members this Sunday too.  Oh, and by the way, if you have not seen our newly renovated lobby, you are in for quite a treat!  It's not totally finished, but it's very close and very cool. 

I'm really looking forward to seeing YOU and YOUR FRIENDS this Sunday.  See you then.

Helpless Reliance


Wow, a lot has happened and a lot is happening.  Last week I asked you to pray with me that I would be guided to a good fit regarding employment outside the church.  What feels like an absolute God-send just materialized early last week.  I won't boar you with the details, but I've begun working for Engle Landscaping.  The pay is good and the hours are very flexible.  It also has a really strong earning potential as the summer rolls on.  By the way, if any of you know of anyone with a trailer who would be willing to let us borrow or rent for a couple months, that would make the life of us landscaping guys so much easier :)  Let me know.  It could be a landscaping or enclosed trailer for now.

Here are some other prayers I'm praying right now:
  • Helpless reliance - Sara and I are in a stage where we're learning helpless reliance on God.  I won't lie.  It's really hard and we are being stretched and pressed further and harder than we ever have been before.  But, God sure is teaching us a lot.  I'm asking God to teach me all He needs to in this season of my life.
  • Bless the business - I'm asking for God's blessings on Engle Landscaping.  The more business we have, the better I can provide for my family.  
  • Bless the church - I'm asking for God's blessings on Freedom Valley Church.  I'm mowing and landscaping now because I have to.  What I moved to Tulsa to do is plant a church that changes people's lives.  The good news is that is happening!  I'm asking God to bless what's happening there even more.  We have set our faith BIG for Easter.  We're asking God for 50 first-time guests, 30 salvations and 120 in total attendance on Easter Sunday.
  • Family Health - My boys are really struggling to stay healthy.  I'm home with the 3rd different boy in the last 7 days.  I'm asking God to heal my family and keep us protected and healthy.  
Thank you so much for your prayers!  I appreciate and love you so much.

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Up In the Air


This week is a strange one.  Things are going very well, yet there is so much up in the air, I'm not sure where it all will land.  Some of the great things going on . . .
  • Our church building is under renovations that should be about finished this week
  • We are building up to make a really strong push for connecting with new people who are not connected to church during this Easter Season (planning a big Easter Egg Hunt, many invitations & door hangers being distributed all over the place, people gearing up to invite friends)
  • I'm getting to know myself a lot better lately and see some exciting personal opportunities on the horizon as well as opportunities to extend our reach in the realm of church-planting.
But, like I said, it's all half-done.  It's all up in the air.  Some specifics I'm praying this week . . . 
  • Personal direction on employment.  I have decided to  look for some work outside of the church that can generate some income for my family right now.  I'm really asking God to guide me to the right opportunity.
  • Key Leaders filling key roles.  I was just talking to a key leader on our team today and we came to the conclusion that we have a good number of people in our church who have not yet found their "right fit" when it comes to serving and leadership.  I'm praying that we can help those people find that fit and fill some key roles that are vacant in the meantime.
  • Health for my family.  I'm writing this from home today as I'm home with one of my boys who has a Strep infection .  Im just praying health and protection over my family today.
Thank you so much for your prayers.  I love you all and would very much like to pray for you.  Reply back with a prayer I could pray with you today!