Great Post

Check out the two words of advice Benjamin gave to our youth this week. Good stuff.

Miracles and Slush Puppies

Sunday is our fourth week in the "Miracles" series. The response to these messages have been really encouraging. I'm hoping they will be streaming on Capstone's website soon. We're having some technical difficulties with our media server and so we can't get them uploaded. Keep checking back so you can listen in.

This week's will be cool because it comes from a different angle than the first three. Should be really good. I hope you'll be there.

Lunch today was a cherry slush puppie. Do you like slush puppies? I have loved them since I was a kid and this one was especially good.

Tuesday's Word

It comes from Romans 5:1-11 from the New Living Translation. Read it slowly and let the power of the Word sink in. And be thankful.

"Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God."

Friends of God. WOW! Thank You, Jesus.

Sunday Synopsis

• It got hot at Capstone today! I was so pumped to preach --- could not wait. Finally started feeling better on Saturday and felt great this morning and was ready to bring the Word.
• I preached on spiritual battles and the work of the enemy against us. I have been living this for the past six months and know from personal experience that the warfare is real.
• Some people deny the power of the enemy and spiritual warfare but when Jesus said that the thief came to steal and kill and destroy (John 10:10), He was not kidding.
• I also believe that "kill" part is literal --- actual death. I know some people (Christians) who have recently been led (by sin) into some situations that could have actually taken their lives. The enemy would have loved that.
• I love it when people vocally agree with me while I'm preaching (amens, preach it, etc.).
• Disagreement while preaching I feel differently about :)
• I was corrected by the audience today --- though I did not hear the first few times someone shouted at me. I said "sheep" instead of the "pigs" that the Scripture talks about. Hey --- I'm just glad people are listening!
• God is really teaching me through this "Miracles" series.
• We gave out a ton of CD copies of today's message. It seemed to really connect with many people.
• We had a great Cuba team meeting today. We got all of our events planned. It's going to be a GREAT week of ministry and activities. We've got a really special team too.
• I can't wait to spend Easter Sunday in Havana, though I'm going to miss our annual family gathering at Aunt Kathryn's. I'm bummed about that.
• Pray for my sister and her sons. There's some stuff going on there.
• It's time to move on. That I know and that I must do.
• Saw my former youth minister today at Logan's. Randy Blank is one of those quality guys who had a big impact on my life. I'm thankful for that.
• What else can I say? God is good and has big plans for the week ahead. I'm looking forward to seeing what He is going to do!
• I appreciate your ongoing prayers as we continue walking the path before us.

My latest column

My latest column is in the Saturday edition of the Anderson Independent-Mail. Check it out if you get a chance and let me know what you think.

How has your week been?

My week has been kind of a blur. I've had the "crud" all this week and my head has been foggy - okay---foggier than normal :) . It's been really weird because I haven't had typical cold or flu symptoms. No fever or stomach issues. Just a scratchy throat and non-stop head pressure. I rarely have headaches and so this ongoing pressure has been weird. Today has been better overall so I hope it's about over.

Thanks for praying for me and my family this week. I know that many of you have been praying earnestly for us during the trial of the past month. The things that needed to take place this week did and we saw God's hands in it. He is so good to remind us of His great care and concern for everything in our lives --- even when life seems to be spinning out of control. Life really is never out of control. God's always in control but we are not. Imagine that. I'm still learning that concept.

Keep praying for us. There is still a challenging road ahead to travel. Thank the Lord He knows the way.

In other news, everything is still on for our Cuba trip March 21-28. I have had a few people ask me if Fidel's announcement will impact our trip. I don't expect that it will. I really don't believe there will be any changes on the island until Fidel and his brother Raul are long gone. Our trip is only one month away. We're taking our biggest group yet - 17 including six high school students on spring break. I think it's amazing that they want to spend their vacation doing missions work. God is at work!

I'm really excited about this Sunday at Capstone. We're going to be talking about the spiritual warfare that we face and how God can work miracles even in the times when the enemy is in full attack mode. If you're in the middle of your own battle, be there this Sunday. If you can't make it, you can listen on Capstone's website beginning Tuesday afternoon.

Thanks for continuing to stop by!

Good Cuba Article

The Washington Post has an excellent article out today about possible changes in Cuba. It expresses the sentiment I have felt from my times visiting the island. Take a moment and read it here.

BIG NEWS - Our mission team's visas were approved by the Cuban government yesterday! There was a last minute change in the types of visas that are required for religious groups going to the island that was just implemented last week. So, we were anxiously awaiting word that we would be approved. Praise God! Pray for our team of 17 as we get ready to travel on March 21.

Castro Resigns

According to Granma, Cuba's official state-run newspaper, the almost 50 year reign of the dictator is ending. Pray for the people of Cuba. There is no way of predicting how this news will affect their daily lives. Pray that the freedom found in Jesus Christ will come to this beautiful island and its people. Pray that their physical needs for food, shelter, and clothing will be met. Pray for the churches and for their ministry in the days ahead. Check out the story here.
FYI: Our next mission team returns to the island on March 21.

Sunday Night Stuff

Quick thoughts on a stormy Sunday night:

• Capstone was great today. God showed up and it was awesome.
• I woke up this morning with NO voice. I've had a sore throat for a couple of days (and am just generally run down) and wondered what it would sound like at 10 am. God came through! I didn't talk much before the service so I was at about 80% during the message. I thank God for that!
• Since I wanted to save my voice, I did not mix and mingle during the fellowship time this morning. It was weird because it felt like I didn't really get to talk to people today. Know what I learned? If you're coming into church right when the service starts and leaving as soon as it's over, you are missing a HUGE part of what Capstone is all about.
• I love this MIRACLES series. Today was the two blind men who said "Yes, Lord" when Jesus asked if they thought He was able to heal them. "Yes, Lord" are two words that need to be in my daily, hourly vocabulary!!!
• Hanging out with the youth at Winter Jam Friday night was great. We have some of the greatest teens in Anderson at Capstone. I'm thankful Brent is here to lead the way with them.
• Yesterday's weather was AMAZING. We sat outside and played with the cats and Yvonne even worked in her garden getting it ready for Spring. That's why the South is so amazing!
• God provides for us in unexpected and wonderful ways.
• I need to lose 10 pounds before we go to Cuba. I've got almost five weeks to do it. Somebody smack me next time you see me eating french fries!!!
• Next Sunday, we're going to talk about the spiritual warfare of miracles. I'm excited about that one!
• Keep praying for me and the family --- this week especially. Thanks for that.

Claire met Mandisa

We took our youth group to WinterJam Friday night and Claire met Mandisa, the girl from American Idol last year. She's an amazing vocalist and has a great story of encouragement, especially for teen girls. I'm jealous I wasn't with them when they met.

Just Finished

Just finished all of the stuff for Sunday's message and I'm really excited about it. We're in week two of the Miracles series and the Lord is really blessing me personally as I prepare.

I was told today that someone in last Sunday's service thought I said I didn't believe in miracles. WHAT????????????? Helloooooooooo???? Is this thing on??? If that was really the case, would I even be preaching a series on the miracles in the Bible???

Okay, back to the real world. Sunday is going to be another great week at Capstone. So be there and bring a friend with you who needs a miracle!

PS --- I've also got some funny "miracle" products to share with you as well. There's a hint over there to the right. Hope you're ready!

Relationships

One of the greatest blessings of the past six years of Capstone has been the concept of relationships. We decided on Day One that this church would be about relationships and that we would build relationships in order to build the Kingdom. We’ve worked to be intentional relationship builders outside the church as well as inside the church.

When trials come into our lives, the value of relationships becomes even more evident. I’ve been thankful over the past few weeks for a few incredibly close friends that I am able to talk it all out with. I’m also thankful for the relationships that have been built in our church staff. They are such an amazing support to me.

And tonight I was reminded again of the value of relationships within the context of small group ministry. Yvonne and I have hosted a small group in our home for the past six years. Capstone actually began as a small group meeting in our home. The group has grown and changed over the years. We’ve birthed new groups out of ours, having to reluctantly “push” people out of the nest in order to start others. (Not always easy but very necessary.)

Through it all, we have enjoyed the relationships that have been built through the intimacy of sharing life together week after week. Tonight our group (which has relocated to Craig and Terri Hanson’s house) reminded me that they are our safety net as well. They said that while they recognize me, Yvonne and Claire as leaders in the church, they wanted us to know that we are also a part of their HOME group and will be loved and supported through whatever we are going through. That was such a HUGE blessing for me.

As a pastor, I am usually the one being the safety net for people as they walk through their trials. That’s not a problem for me because I actually love that part of the ministry. God has wired me that way. But when the times of difficulty come for people like me who are usually the supporters, it’s often hard to feel “safe” and allow others to carry our burdens.

Tonight, my group reminded me that they are here for us --- no questions asked --- and that they will love and support us through whatever. I knew that to be the case but to hear the words was a huge blessing to me.

Thank you, Lord, for real relationships. And thank you, my friends, for continuing to love and pray. You are the best.

Weekend Review

Some quick thoughts on a Sunday evening.

• The wind is about to blow our house off the side of this hill!!!
• We had 11 couples head to Asheville, North Carolina this weekend for a marriage retreat. It was a fun time hanging with some great people. I was reminded again how amazing Capstoners are - high quality folks to be sure. Dr. Gary Chapman was great --- much better than I remember him in the mid-90s.
• If you're in Black Mountain, North Carolina, check out The Dripolator coffee shop. Amazing coffee and desserts. We had our own "Friends" flashback there --- you remember Central Perk, right?
• I totally enjoyed Capstone today. We started a new series called "Miracles" and I was pumped about the sermon. At times, I felt like I was talking way too fast because I just needed to get it out. (Other pastors know what I'm talking about!)
• I am claiming this verse: "You are the God who performs miracles. . ." Psalm 77:14 (NIV)
• Had two first timers in the band and they did a great job. Benjamin Beaver was on keys and vocals and Westside High student Josh Hawkins was on drums. I love how Bekky is letting people express their gifts in worship and so many new folks are getting involved. Keep the good stuff coming everybody.
• Tomorrow is my third week to volunteer at the Anderson Soup Kitchen. I'm looking forward to that.
• Loved the conversations with David and Christi Norris on the drive to and from the marriage conference. They are incredible, real folks that I appreciate more than they know. (And they can talk some politics!!)
• Enjoyed some coffee and wandering through Books-A-Million with my daughter this afternoon. She's an amazing young lady!
• We're looking for some volunteer help in the church office if anyone has some time and wants to hang out in our craziness.
• Keep praying, praying and praying. It's still needed in a HUGE way.

New Series

Sunday we begin a new series called "Miracles." I am really excited about what God is going to do because, well, I need a miracle. I bet some of you do too!

If you feel like you are hanging on by a thread, this one is for you. So don't miss the first one this Sunday at 10 am at AmStar.

Sermons will also be online every Tuesday afternoon here. Now if you're in Anderson, that does not mean you can skip church and just listen online, okay???? See you Sunday!

Good Stuff

There is some really great stuff going on at Capstone. Here’s an update --- all written to give God glory!

• We have 11 couples headed to Ridgecrest tomorrow for a big marriage conference. It should be great.
• January’s Saturday Servants project was amazing. We had about 20 folks come serve every Saturday and about 40 on the last Saturday of the month. Once again, we see Capstone’s passion for serving and making a difference in the community.
• We have 17 people going to Cuba in six weeks on our third mission trip to the island in the past year. Six are teenagers who are spending their spring break on mission. Isn’t that awesome?
• "Give It Away" has been so great. What a way to start the New Year --- giving!!!
• This Sunday, we’re beginning a new series called “Need a Miracle?” We’re going to look at the miracles of Jesus and look for some in our own lives. I am really excited about it because, quite frankly, I need some miracles. I bet you do as well in some area of your life. The first miracle this week is one of my favorites. Join us to find out what it is!
• I love the music our band is bringing for worship each week. They have grown so much over the past six months! In the last year, we’ve gone from performing to worshiping and it has made such a huge difference in our church and what happens on Sunday mornings.
• Our student group is amazing --- everybody is talking World Changers and that makes me excited!
• This past Saturday, a HUGE crowd of volunteers came out at 8:30 am (amazing!!!) to be appreciated and get focused for the new year. Our folks are amazingly committed to the vision of Capstone and that is incredibly encouraging.
• We are all about “Loving people into the abundant life that comes through a relationship with Jesus Christ.”

I am so glad to be a part of this amazing church!

Saturday Evening

I haven't written much this past week. Sorry about that. The past ten days or so have been a roller coaster of emotions and events. So many of you have been incredibly encouraging to me even though you don't know the details of this trial. As I said before, THAT IS OKAY. We often think that we have to know the details of someone's trial so that we can adequately pray. That's not the case at all since God is fully aware of what's going on. Our need to know is just that ---- OUR need to know. We struggle when that need is not satisfied. That's when we have to realize that it's not about us and so we must trust God and simply pray. Thank you for that.

I have found myself surrounded by some amazing folks who truly care. The folks I work with have been amazing to encourage and offer their help in anyway possible. David is preaching in my place tomorrow and I'm excited about that. I get to sit and participate in worship and listen to the Lord speak through others. I'm usually gone when I'm not preaching so I'm looking forward to simply listening. I've been trying to do a lot of that this week.

Today has been a busy day. We had a GREAT volunteer appreciation breakfast this morning at the church office. Counting kids, we had about 60 to 70 people show up at 8:30 am on a Saturday morning. THAT SHOWS HOW AMAZING OUR CAPSTONE FOLKS ARE!! This church could not happen without all the great people who serve the Lord through Capstone. Thanks if you are one of those!

After the meeting, Yvonne, Claire and I jumped in the car and headed to Columbia. We took our carpet steam cleaner and did some cleaning at Yvonne's parent's home and hung out with them for a while. They are great folks. We all ate at Olive Garden and then headed home. It's been a good day and we got a lot accomplished.

I'm looking forward to Capstone tomorrow and then the Super Bowl. For the first time in many years, we have no plans (nor any invites---what's that all about???) for watching the Super Bowl. We'll probably just hang out at mom and dad's and watch it with them. I'm pulling for the Giants. I always want the underdog to win.

If you don't mind, please continue to pray for me and my family. He knows our needs. Thanks more than you know.