I am grateful for Freedom Church.

You have gone insanely overboard with this Pastors Apprec. month thing!

Thank you for the tickets, cards, gifts, FOOD, etc., etc., etc.  Seriously, at the beginning of this journey we said that we desired to develop a culture of generosity.   It looks like we are well on our way!

Thanks again!  Y’all are awesome!

One of the dangers in blogging are the incomplete thoughts that are put out there for the world to read.

This is one of those times.  I haven’t really processed through this completely; however, I throw it out there anyway.

It seems to me that one of the primary reasons that stress fills our lives is because we spend way too much time trying to figure out in advance how God is going to provide for our needs in the future.

What do you think?

Financial awareness is on the increase as our economy continues to struggle.

With that in mind, check out this blog from Darren Hardy at SUCCESS magazine.   It’s a great article full of practical advice that can help you out.

Also, just a few more days to register online for the Financial Learning Experience.  Register at DebtFreeAcworth.Com

• Sunday was the most sick I have been in a pretty long time.   Once the 2nd service was over - I didn’t move the rest of the day.
• The day went VERY well.  Great energy and response in both 9:30 and 11.
• Three church planters in the house on Sunday.  We usually have about 3-4 per month, but this month we have had between 6-7.
• We have a few big opportunities right in front of us at Freedom.  It’s going to be an adventurous and exciting next couple of months.
• DebtFreeAcworth is finally here.  This series is going to change the lives of so many people!
• The partnership team at Freedom is second to none.  They proved that again on Sunday.  Trust me!
• I’ll be headed to the Miami game when they play GT next month.  Thanks again to the crew at Freedom!
• The Phillies…well that will now have to wait for another day!
• If anyone wants a job working at a movie theater.  I have a friend who needs to fill 60 positions.
• I went to the Dr. yesterday.  I got there at 10 AM and walked out at 10:07. Miracle!
• Just a few more days til we find out whether the baby is a boy or girl.
• I love this city!  Beginning now…it’s going to get interesting!

The Bible consistently tells us that as follower’s of Christ - we have been set free! (Gal. 5, Rom. 6, Rom. 8).

The problem is that most of us choose to live like we are still imprisoned by that one particular sin that we can’t seem to shake.  We’ve tried hundreds (thousands) of times, but we seem to be powerless to break free.

The truth is that we HAVE been set free - we just choose to stay in prison while the doors are wide open…

This is something that’s going to require some honesty.  Leave an anonymous comment mentioning that one thing that consistently brings you down.  Just putting it out there - could be the first step to freedom!

Guest Blog:  Blake and Emily Goss (Worship Pastor @ Freedom Church)

I bought into the lie that it’s normal to live in debt. Like most people, Emily and I financed brand new cars, used credit cards, and lived above our means. Being a young married couple, that’s what we thought you were supposed to do. Our entire way of thinking about money was changed in February when we read Dave Ramsey’s Total Money Makeover, while on a cruise that we put on our credit card.  Our eyes were opened to the way that God intendedfor us to handle His money. As a result, I wanted to do whatever it took to
reconcile our finances as quickly as possible.

We immediately changed our entire lifestyle. We cut the credit cards, downgraded to basic cable, cancelled our home phone line, cut out all the “extras”, and the list goes on and on. The hardest thing was selling both of our brand new cars. We sold both vehicles and with the money we got bought two very good cars with cash. By selling our cars we were immediately saving $200 a week. Now we take all the money that was used for car debt and put it toward the rest of the debt.

Since we started in February we’ve been able to payoff $43,000. It’s not because I make that much money, but because we sold things we didn’t need and cut back on spending that wasn’t necessary. I cannot even begin to describe the freedom that comes with getting your financial life under control. It has helped my spiritual walk, my marriage, and my overall stress level. By 2009 we will be debt free (except house) and have paid off $55,000 of debt.

To celebrate we’re going on another cruise, but this time we paid cash!

I am so proud of Blake and Emily!  I hope their story inspires you to take action as well.   That’s the reason we are doing DebtFreeAcworth.  Your financial breakthrough could be the story that everyone is talking about.  What are you waiting for?

• I am proud to be the Pastor at Freedom Church!
• We are in the process of making 3 big decisions that can greatly help advance the gospel in our city.  Right now we’re gathering info. and seeking advice.
• I am learning the power of prayer right now. More about this on Sunday!
• 24 starts back next month.  That’s definitely one of the best shows on TV!
• I am writing this post at 11:30 PM.  I very rarely stay up past 10.  Blame that on the Phillies!
• We will find out about the sex of the baby in exactly one week.  Hmmm….
• The nasal rinse thing that everyone told me to get is overrated at best.
• I am excited about the Freedom Friday story that I will throw out there tomorrow!
• I am blessed!  So are you!

I’ve said it before and I will say it again… The economy is a mess - but your personal finances don’t have to be!

DebtFreeAcworth.com begins on November 2nd and I can’t wait!  In addition to the series (Nov. 2, 9, 16th at 9:30 and 11:00 AM), we are also hosting a Financial Learning Experience that can set you free from the financial pressure that continues to build in your life.

Joe Sangl, author of I Was Broke - Now I’m Not will be with us on Saturday, Nov. 8th from 9-11:00 AM.  Joe is passionate about helping people get out of debt, stay out of debt, and accomplish far more than they ever thought possible in their personal finances.

This isn’t a Freedom event as much as it is an Acworth event.  Space if filling fast - so register at the DFA site right now!

I can’t adequately express how thankful I am for the people God has placed in my life…

•  Family
•  Friends
•  Mentors
•  The team at Freedom Church.  They are talented visionaries who are willing to do anything in order to impact the lives of people.
• The team of partners at Freedom.  They embody a “whatever it takes” attitude and are passionate about advancing the vision!

I refuse to go through life with an entitlement mentality (thanks Perry).  No one owes me anything and I don’t deserve the blessings that God has given.  For those blessings and for the calling that God has placed on my life - I am grateful!  Thank you, thank you, thank you!

What are you thankful for?

I hear a story very similar to this ALL the time in the world of church planting.  “All Hell is coming against us.  No one has as difficult a journey as we do.”   These stories come in many forms.

• “A major church supporter backed out of a $55,000 promise.”
• “A key person our our team is getting the vision - just not the one for OUR church”
• “The people from the facility we want to meet in - keep telling us no”
• “Churches are popping up all around us so it’s keeping us from reaching our potential.”

The list could go on and on.  Every church planter has a similar story.  Every one! That means your situation is probably not 10x harder than that of people around you.

You can complain and make excuses for mediocrity or you can move ahead knowing that God knew the situation He was calling you into.  Go after it!  God’s greatest miracles occurred when His people were facing insurmountable odds.