One of my greatest struggles is the principle of celebration.  I am quick to pray for all types of things. Then, when those prayers are answered, I just move on to whatever is next.  

Today, I have been reminded of the need to celebrate what God has done.   Slowing down to say thank you is imperative if gratitude is to be a characteristic of my life.  With that in mind, I have MUCH to be thankful for!  What about you?

What an Easter!  I am pumped about all the great stories I have heard all across the country. 

1. Gary had an eventful few days!  Great job today my friend…
2. Michael and the crew had their best day ever as well…
3. Tadd continues to experience the hand of God…
4. Perry is living in the realm of the unexplainable!  God is showing off in Anderson…
5. This Pastor hasn’t posted about his day yet - but Dear Lord! Just wait until you hear what happened in Charlotte!
6. We experienced a great day as well.  Very good attendance and 10 people gave their life to Christ.  Our people are some inviting machines. Keep it up!  Most people are just one invitation away!  On a side note, our volunteers were incredible all weekend! Thank you again, for about the 231st time

We have so many reasons to celebrate.  Jesus is alive and the revolution that was started 2000 years ago is alive and well!

 One event down - two to go!  The Easter Egg Hunt went great and I am extremely proud of our volunteers who pulled that thing off.   The “orange shirts” were everywhere - and people couldn’t stop talking about how grateful they were for this year’s event.  Good job everyone! 

Tomorrow kicks off the two service era at Freedom.  9:30 and 11:00 am will give everyone the opportunity to “go to one and volunteer at one.”  I love hearing the stories of how many people you are inviting… How many of our neighbors are one invitation away from having an encounter with Christ?

Don’t forget the Easter After Party NEXT week after the 11:00 am service!  Much fun!

 

Preparing to kick off this series has been insane!  It all begins in two days.

Did I mention I can’t wait until Easter?

Yes I know…

… we (Duke) almost got beat by a very good girls team.
… we played terrible in game 1
… we were very close to making a first round exit two years in a row.

But…

… we didn’t!
Let’s go Duke!

 

 Three big events coming up over the next 10 days… It’s never been easier to invite the people you love and even those you don’t

EasterInAcworth kicks off with the city-wide Easter egg hunt on Saturday in Cauble Park at 10 am, continues on Sunday at TWO services -9:30 and 11:00 am, and finishes off with an After Party like no other immediately following the 11:00 am service the week FOLLOWING Easter. 

This is a great opportunity to invest in the lives of those in this community.  Let’s make it happen!

All too often I buy into the “that’s just who I am” lie.  You know the one, “I can’t help it, that’s just who I am”.  This lie will cause you to rest comfortably in your mediocrity rather than becoming the person that God created you to be. 

Being a work in progress, I have no desire to stay the person that I am right now.  I want to move forward in the journey every single day.  My prayer is that, “this is just who I am” never get’s in the way of “this is who God wants me to become”. 

What if at this very moment, you are already living up to your full potential?

This is a question that we discussed last night as a staff.  It’s a sobering thought.  I desire to move forward in every area of my life.  The problem is that desire is not enough.  Having the desire to lose weight, have a great marriage, grow a business, etc., etc. is a good starting point, but it will never take you where you want to go. 

To continue moving forward, desire must be combined with appropriate action.  Reading, asking the right questions of the right people, and just making a genuine effort to learn all you can - will enhance your life and raise the “lid” of your potential.  As I grow as a person, my potential increases.  Growth is a process - and it’s one that must never stop!

1. Very good day yesterday.
2. 31 people stayed after for the Newcomers Lunch.
3. The NCAA brackets are out - let the games begin!
4. I ran on a treadmill during a portion of the message.  I am glad we did that before the move to 2 services.
5. 9:30 and 11:00 am beginning this Sunday.  Can’t wait.
6. Easter is going to be fun - All 3 events!

The citywide Easter egg hunt has been moved to next Saturday, March 22nd at 10 am. 

This will keep you updated over the next few days…