turned out

My guy, Minister Slugger, has a great post over on his blog.
Check it out here.

It’s amazing when God leads you down a path that looks like an impossible situation.
To the average person what you are about to do looks crazy.
Stupid.
Foolish.

I am so glad that I don’t serve an average God and even more glad that He didn’t create me to be average either.

We were made for the impossible because we are not let circumstances dictate how we are to live.
We are not to look at our provision and let it determine what our vision is.

I am looking to launch a church later on this year and some of the obstacles seem overwhelming.

So, what do I do?
I speak the Word of God and believe that I receive what I ask for.
I walk boldly into the future that God has prepared for me.
I give no attention to the haters and the doubters.
I press on.

We are approved by God, we don’t have to win the approval of others and look good in their eyes.
We are not perfect people.
Too many of us take ourselves too seriously and God not serious enough.

John Maxwell

2010 is THE year.

It is the year that a new church will be launched in Joliet, Illinois.
A church that will be geared for this current generation.
A church that will attack relevant issues, head-on.
A church that will love people, no matter what their race or ethnicity is.
A church that will care for people, regardless of their religious background.

We will use the arts (music, video, dance, spoken word) to communicate the Gospel in a way that connects with the culture around us.
We will show the love of God in action.
We will show students that they are valuable to God and to us.

Please pray that God will continue to give us wisdom and bless each step we make!

“They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.”
Psalm 145:7

Today is a day to celebrate.

It is a brand new occasion to feel good and to expect great things.
In spite of the challenges that you will face today, take some time out to celebrate.
You may celebrate by wearing that favorite outfit that you have in your closet.
You also may celebrate by playing that song that makes you want to dance whenever you hear it.
Whatever you need to do to enjoy this day, you need to do it.
God has created this moment in time for you not to be depressed and blue, but to rejoice at the fact that you were given another day on this earth.

Don’t take for granted this opportunity.
Don’t let situations and circumstances keep you from celebrating.
Don’t let people overwhelm you with their problems.

Choose to celebrate.
Choose to make yourself happy.
Choose to live.

Father, thank you for giving me many reasons to celebrate. Thank You for being able to look in the mirror and see the wonderful person that you have created. Help me to show others that they also have a reason to celebrate. As I go forward into my day, help me to remember that this and every day, should be celebrated. I rejoice in Your love and kindness toward me. Amen.

“Do you know what my favorite part of the game is? The opportunity to play.”

Mike Singletary

1. There are 195 million non-churched people in America, making America one of the top four largest “unchurched” nations in the world.

2. In spite of the rise of mega-churches, no county in America has a greater church population than it did ten years ago.

3. During the last ten years, combined communicant membership of all Protestant denominations declined by 9.5 percent (4,498,242), while the national population increased by 11.4 percent (24,153,000).

4. Each year 3,500 to 4,000 churches close their doors forever; yet only as many as 1,500 new churches are started.

5. There are now nearly 60 percent fewer churches per 10,000 persons than in 1920.

* In 1920 27 churches existed for every 10,000 Americans.
* In 1950 17 churches existed for every 10,000 Americans.
* In 1996 11 churches existed for every 10,000 Americans.

6. “Today, of the approximately 350,000 churches in America, four out of five are either plateaued or declining.”

7. One American denomination recently found that 80% of its converts came to Christ in churches less than two years old.

“The single most effective evangelistic methodology under heaven is planting new churches” (Peter Wagner).

“He who walks with the wise grows wise, a companion of fools suffers harm”
Proverbs 13:20

Most of us are familiar with the saying “guilt by association”.
Although it may be a cliché, there is some truth to it.

We are influenced by who we hang around.
We have a circle of people around us and who they are and what they stand for can say a lot about us.

If most of your friends are negative, you probably will be also.
I’ve had people that I was friends with when I was younger. As time went on we grew further and further apart.
Although this sounds bad, it wasn’t.
The more I thought about it the more I realized that neither of us was improving the life of the other.

That’s what I think friendship is all about—improving the life of someone else.

You can’t be in a positive, productive relationship with someone who is selfish, mean, condescending or rude. As a matter of fact, if you do hang around people like that, I guarantee that you’ll become just like them.

It doesn’t matter how good your intentions are.
If your friends don’t take on some of your characteristics, you’ll take on theirs.

Make sure your friends are like-minded people.
Surround yourself with people that will strengthen you and build you up.
Think deeply about how you affect those who are around you.

Birds of feather flock together.

Father, I pray that we consider the seriousness of the company that we keep. Send us friends that we can count on and let us also be considered worthy enough for someone to want to be around us. We understand that life is fragile and temporary. We are only here for a short time and we must take every moment as a time to make an impact on this world. Thank You for your example of friendship to us.
In Jesus name, amen.

This clip is from Sonz Of The Most High
(feat. Chris Searcy) who represent Chicago.
I first heard these brothers on Keno’s gospel show that comes on Sundays on Power92.
I believe these guys are the real deal.
I hope to do some ministry with them in the future.

Da South has an excellent article regarding the tragedy in Haiti.
Check it out here

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Galatians 6:9

When facing a difficult situation you must face it head on.
No matter if your back is against the wall and you can’t figure out the solution, you must deal with it.
Don’t be distracted by those people who say that you can’t make it.
Don’t be distracted by your past failures and mistakes.
God loves you too much to let you be defeated.
He has provided a way of escape for you.
It’s up to you to take it.

Even though it may seem impossible, all things are possible with God.
Get rid of any negativity or unbelief. This will only hinder you.
Continue to build your faith by reading God’s word.
Let go of any bitterness, anger, or unforgiveness. These things will stop your blessings.
End any sinful practices and wrong associations.
Proverbs 13:20 says that a companion of fools will be a fool.
Connect with people of integrity and strength.
You have to want to get out.
Seek direction from the word of God.
When the time comes, act.
Don’t be afraid to make a move in the direction you want to go.
It may be tough but the reward is worth it.

Father, thank You for the ability to keep going. Although it difficult sometimes, it is comforting to know that You are always with me. Your Holy Spirit is a guide and an encourager for me.
As I continue to walk in Your path, I am confident that I will receive Your blessings.
Give me the strength to climb over, walk through and dig deep until I reach my goal.
Amen.