I had a great time last week with Bishop Jim Bolin.  It has been 25 years since he started Trinity Chapel and they continue to reach several thousand people in the community of Powder Springs.  Here are a couple of his thoughts…

• “Anointing and power attract.  If you don’t have safeguards in your life than it is the recipe for the perfect storm.”
• “Build bridges.”  Help people get to the place that God desires for them to be - one step at a time.
• “Don’t get comfortable with success. As your community develops and changes - you will have to re-invent yourself in order to reach those who are far from God.”
• “Keep your stories and help people remember how you got to where you are.”
• “Never short-change the power of God and never stop celebrating the Awe of God.”
• “Jesus is more than a principle to follow!”

If you are a church planter/pastor/staff member of a church - he made an unbelievable statement that I will never forget.  The funny thing is that I can’t write it on the blog.  It’s a variation of the three most common temptations and it is good stuff.

If you want to know what it is - let me know and I will tell you.

2.   Don’t underestimate the value of each and every launch team meeting. 

When in launch team phase, we had the opportunity to learn very quickly who was for us and who was with us.  It’s nice for a team to have cheerleaders on the sidelines, but you better pray that you have some players on the field.  There is a huge gap between the two and it will make all the difference in the world. 

For 17 weeks we talked about vision, values, culture, and partnership until people could repeat it in their sleep.  It probably felt like listenting to an Ipod stuck on repeat… It felt like I was saying the same thing 17 different ways, but it was exactly what we needed to do in order to grasp the concept that God wanted to reach this city more than we did, and that He had a plan to see that vision become a reality. 

It was a crazy time emotionally - but it was incredibly valuable in the life of what would become FreedomChurch! 

A few days ago, I wrote about a family on our staff who has eliminated $23,000 worth of debt in the past 4-5 months.   Now I read on this site that another family has joined in on the fun and is selling a car that they recently bought in order clear their debt as well! 

This thing is already gaining momentum and the DebtFreeAcworth initiative doesn’t officially begin until September! Being debt free is a great feeling. I very highly recommend it!

• I don’t remember the last time we had thunderstorms all day like we did on Sunday.  It didn’t just rain - torrential downpour almost all day.  Our parking lot crew did a great job keeping people as dry as possible. 
• We picked up additional stage and lighting gear this week.  Now, I am looking for someone who LOVES stage design.  If that’s you - send us an email. 
• My dog has something called a “hot spot” on his face.  It’s disgusting.  I am really glad people don’t get those.
• Todd called me last night to let me know that the incredible team at Elevation had sent me a copy of this!  Can’t wait to listen to more than just the 20 second previews!  I’ll let you know what I think in the next few days!  Thank you Pastor Steven and the whole crew at Elevation!
• Blake is trying to sell his house in Cartersville in order to get to Acworth.  If you want to buy it - I can even recommend a great church!
• These teenagers are doing a fantastic job this week helping out all over our community!
• Between the implementation of live worship at FreedomKidz and the launch of FreedomGroups and FreedomGeneration in August - things are insane around the offices this month. 
• I have a love/hate relationship with P90X.  It is kicking my butt which is exactly what I needed.
• These have arrived and I love seeing them all over town!

In September we are kicking off an initiative called DebtFreeAcworth. 

With that in mind, any of our staff members that are carrying debt around is taking steps to eliminate it as quickly as possible.  Our Worship Pastor and his wife, Blake and Emily Goss, have been setting a terrific example.  They weren’t up to their eyeballs in credit card debt - but they were making two significant car payments every month.   Not anymore!

They realized they could sell both their cars and pay cash for two more that were a few years older and it would save them over $9,000 per year!  The good news - one of those cars sold in less than a week!  If you want to know what it feels like to get an unexpected $9,000 “raise” - just ask them. I am sure they will let you know. 

I know that this isn’t a big deal to anyone else, but to me it is significant.  A long time ago in a land far away if I wanted to go to the store to get something - it would take me a good 15 minutes to get there.  That is no longer true!

Devin has been trying to get me to try this coconut creamer that she has been raving about since it was introduced by our friend Hollie.    So I just started a pot of coffee, jumped in the car, drove to the store, bought the creamer, and got back home before the coffee had finished brewing.  That my friends - makes me very happy!

As Todd mentioned the other day - we have been busy getting ready for some great things that will kick off in the next several weeks…

• Upcoming Week - A group is coming in to help us deliver 1/2 dozen cookies to 1,000 homes in our community.  They will also be doing a project to help out the City of Acworth, McCall Primary, and Acworth Elementary. 
• August 1 -   Free community event in Downtown Acworth. 
• August 10 - FreedomKidz - Live Worship kicks off for the 1st time (1st - 5th Grade).
• August 17 - FreedomGeneration - the Student Ministry kicks off with a chance to win $1,000, Nintendo Wii, and several other prizes!
• August 24 - FreedomGroups - kick off all over the community and surrounding areas.

It will be an eventful few months! 

Here is the most random of the pics from vacation this past week.  London loves for me to throw her as high as possible. I think I succeeded with this one. 

• Great Sunday this past week.  We had our Easter numbers on a holiday weekend - Love it.
• We had a man who lives in the woods come to church after being invited by partner extaordinaire Kurt Schneider.  Good stuff and yes I am serious. 
• Our people invite everyone they see.  Their example is challenging me to step it up in that area. 
• A large (strong large not the other type) man I have never met named Albert showed up and said he was there to help me get in the best shape of my life.  Kinda random - but he seems to be a cool guy. 
• Acworth has turned into the church planting capitol of the world.  Four have started since our arrival and three more are on the way. 
• It’s official.  FreedomChurch has won the softball championship in it’s first year in the league. 
• Expanded staging and new lighting beginning this Sunday.  Can’t wait. 
• This verse (Joshua 3:5) has been in my head for 2 months solid. 

The P90X journey officially started yesterday. Right when I thought the hour was over, Devin and I had to do something called Ab Ripper X.  That was one of the worst experiences of my life. It was insane!  I looked like an idiot trying to pull off some of the crazy exercises. 

The good news is that if this system is everything that it is supposed to be - then come October 5th (Day 90) - I will be a very happy man. 

I’ll try to keep you updated once a week or so on the progress that we are making.  You should definitely join in the fun!

Tags: P90X, Fitness, Exercise