“Sticks and stones may break my bones - but words will never hurt me.”  I am convinced that whoever came up with that was a little dishonest.  Words have tremendous power! 

I am not talking about gossip and slander - almost everyone knows that those things are detrimental.  I am talking about the fact that you and I have the opportunity in every comment and/or conversation to speak life into the dreams of others (Eph. 4:29).  The opposite can be true as well.   Just as one word can lift up - one word can just as easily tear down…

Think about the pattern of your conversation (or writing) - how are you doing?

I am pumped about Mothers Day at Freedom!  I know a lot of people don’t really like Mothers Day at churches - but we are switching things up. 

Typically, great women of the Bible like Hannah, Ruth, Naomi, and the “Prov. 31 woman” tend to be the normal topic of conversation on days like this.  For us, we are going to talk about a demon possessed naked guy.  It is going to be a blast!

Ladies, we will hook you up (no, you don’t have to be a mom) and no - not with a flower!

These verses have had me thinking quite a bit over the past week…

Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died at the age of a hundred and ten. 9 And they buried him in the land of his inheritance, at Timnath Heres in the hill country of Ephraim, north of Mount Gaash. 10 After that whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation grew up, who knew neither the LORD nor what he had done for Israel. (Judges 2:8-10)

Rather than being an indictment on the public speaking (or lack thereof) of God’s works in the life of a nation - I have thought about them in the context of my own family.  I wonder how often I neglect the opportunity to speak life, truth, and the goodness of God into the lives of my own girls?  Of all the opportunities I have had in the past and/or will have in the future - this is one that I definitely can’t afford to miss. 

1. Good day today as we finished up Continuum…
2. The 9:30 and 11:00 today had complete different personalities. 
3. The Hawks are getting destroyed!
4. I can’t wait for Mothers Day next week!  No matter who you are - it will be a blast. 
5. I am worn out today for some reason.  Much more than any Sunday so far. 
6. Had the 1st student ministry info meeting.  This is going to be fun. 
7. Some necessary change taking place beginning tomorrow. It’s a strategic move that will help move us to the next level. 

I have been a big proponent of Safe Eyes for about a year now.  I’ve tried all the software and this one has been the best.  Last time I wrote about this company - I got a comment from a guy who works for them.  One thing led to another, and we realized that our offices were only about a mile apart. 

Todd and I went to lunch with these guys to hear their story.  It was sweet to hear how they started in an office in a garage - with very little resources - and now it’s a thriving organization that is making a difference in the lives of people.  Very cool stuff!  We are going to partner with them some over the next several months - but in the meantime - if you don’t have this service. Go get it! Click the link on the main page of the blog.  It’s good stuff.

A friend of mine asked, What advice would you give to a guy that has been called into church planting, but sometimes feels that he has no idea what he is doing? 

The answer is part of a series of posts Chris is doing for on his blog.  Go check it out here.

Todd and I took off for Anderson a few days ago for some meetings at Newspring.  Perry has invested a ton into my life and I am extremely grateful for his time and influence.   Everytime I walk out of that place - I feel that I have had a vision-enhancing experience. 

I desire to have that same impact on others.  I want to speak life into the dreams of my family, my team, my friends, the crew at Freedom, and other people that I meet.  How can you unleash the power of encouragement in the life of people?  How have others unleashed that power for you?