Posts Tagged ‘ Church ’

“The Next Step” (Week 1 Sermon)

Rocking ChairIn the good old days friends would gather and sit for hours on the front porch.  It was a great place to share stories, spend time with friends, and find support from people that care about you.  In Biblical times the believers gathered on a place called Solomon’s Porch and God did amazing works.  

Your next step is to make the Porch a Priority in your life.  God chose to use the church as his way to spread His grace and love to the world.  Church is not an old fashioned thing to do, it is relevant and necessary to grow in your relationship with Jesus.  It is a place to encounter the teaching of God’s truth that challenges and encourages us in our daily life.  It is a place to form meaningful relationships with others.  A next big step is to find a “Porch” and make it a top priority for you and your family.

Click HERE to listen to “Porch”

2009
03/01
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“The Next Step”

the-next-stepWe talk about topics in church that fill people’s minds with great inspiration and knowledge, but leaves some confused about what to do with it.  I am often asked “What is my next step?” by people that want to continue growing in their relationship with Christ.  At Awestruck we are going to talk about some practical and necessary steps to take.  This series will be impacting for those still questioning and the more mature Christian.  Following Christ is much simpler than most make it out to be, but following through with the commitment can be difficult.  Join us this month as we talk about “The Next Step”!

2009
02/25
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Awestruck Updates
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Stupid Cupid (Week 4 Sermon)

This one is just for the single folks!  The dating game is hard and sometimes stressful to play.  In this message we talked about how to make dating enjoyable and how to avoid some of the most common mistakes.  Dating should be fun, but too often people practice divorce by giving too much of themselves away in their relationship!  God has created someone just for you to spend the rest of your life with!  Have fun and enjoy your dating years, but be patient to find the Right One!

Click HERE to listen to “Fear the Diapered Man” 

2009
02/22
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I’m Surrounded…

rioting-crowdI’m so grateful to be surrounded by great leaders at Awestruck Church!  Setting up early each week then staying late to pack it up is a challenge.  There is a great investment of time and sweat to make our service happen each Sunday.  I am so proud of the men and women that show up every week to get things done…many who then carry out vital roles of ministry after the hard labor.  Everyone chips in and no one pulls “rank” when it comes to the medial tasks!

Evan and Heather Blackerby came on board with Awestruck last summer as “staff” without a salary.  Evan is responsible for the Creative Navigation and Future planning.  His mind is full of great ideas and creative expressions for our worship time.  They recently posted their Monthly update and I wanted to pass it on to you.  It is always great to hear what God is doing through another perspective.  You can click HERE to see The Blackerby’s most recent update.  

I love what God is up to in our church, and can’t wait to see what His future holds!

2009
02/20
CATEGORY
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Stupid Cupid (Week 3 Sermon)

Micah's Tarheel HatMen are simple creatures with very simple needs!  (often simple minded?)  From the time we are young boys we are trained to be aggressive in sports, rude to our buddies, violent when necessary, and protective over our emotions.  The problem with these simple traits is they are the complete opposite of what women need from us in a relationship.  In this message we talked specifically to men about how to become more like the “Prince Charming” your woman is looking for.  These four practical needs are a good basis of how to treat your lady like the Queen she is!  We must let go of our childish ways and become a man in order to love our wives the way God intended.

Click HERE to listen to “Prince Charming”

2009
02/19
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Monday Download

1.  Kids say the funniest things sometimes…and this week I heard 2 of the most hillarious quotes!

2.  My son told my wife he heard someone on the radio say “Stick a paint brush in a Monkey’s butt and wave a Banana at it”?  So glad he was with her and not me!  🙂

3.  Sunday morning in the kids class at Awestruck Aubrey told them if they were interested in having a relationship with Jesus they could talk to any adult or their parents…One of the boys in her class said, “or I bet you could look it up on the internet!“.  That is too funny!

4.  Speaking of Awestruck…we had one of our largest attendances in our short 24 history.  The reason we celebrate our attendance is because our people are bringing their friends a family with them.  We have new visitors every week!

img_06705.  Brandon, Tana, Josh, and Jon (from Layden) did a a great job leading our worship on Sunday!  I say it all the time, but we have so much talent at Awestruck.  

6.  I attended my first Gun Show Sunday.  It wasn’t exactly what I was expecting, but we had a good time drooling and browsing.

7.  The Carolina Tarheels beat the mess out of Duke last week!  Not bragging, just reminding.

Valentine's Dinner8.  We celebrated Valentines Day by creating a new family tradition.  The boys cooked dinner for the girls.  One of the best V’Days we’ve ever had!  The menu: Filet Mignon, Shrimp, Loaded Mashed Potatoes, Sour Dough Garlic Bread, and Homemade Ice Cream!  It was incredible!!!

The Circus

 

9.  We went to the Circus last week…when did the Greatest Show on Earth” turn into a choreographed Song and Dance show?  The kids really liked it, but it is not the circus I remember!

10.  Oh yeah, and Micah picked out some Tulips for Shannon…she liked that!

2009
02/16
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Monday Download (well..Tuesday?)

1.  Last week was one of those weeks you wish you could replay over and over on a regular basis.

2.  For the first time in my ministry I had a man come by my house to shake my hand and tell me thank you for the message I preached!  Very flattering and humbling!

3.  Due to lack of childcare I was able to spend more time with my kids…that is my favorite thing in the world!  And my mom came up to help out…they love seeing their Nana.

4.  On Friday I attended the funeral of the oldest living UNC Basketball player.  It was an incredible celebration of the amazing life he lived.

5.  The Awestruck leadership met to discuss our upcoming teaching series…I am pumped about what the future holds for our church.

Princess and Daddy6.  Speaking of Awestruck…I brought my princess on stage with me this week.  Ady loves the spotlight.

7.  The “Stupid Cupid” series is really hitting home with a bunch of people!  It is amazing how many comments and conversations I am having with people that struggle with love.  God is doing some big things in this teaching series.

img_05728.  Layden is taking a couple weeks off and I am thankful for Evan, Tana, Beej, and Ricardo filling in this week.  They did an awesome job with the music!

9.  The new stage design looks phenomenal, but is still a great task to assemble every week.  I think it’s worth it.

10.  I am jacked up about what we are planning for our Easter Community outreach.  The idea is not original, but the way we are going about it might break all the “rules”.  🙂

2009
02/10
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Latest Stage Design (“Stupid Cupid” Series)

We decided to use a clean new design for February since we had been very themed for Christmas and our Jaunary Series (“CelebReligion”).  We are using six Radio Tower Trusses (much cheaper option to Aluminum Trusses from sound and light companies), electrical conduit, and zip ties for our main structure.  It is a bit like a large jigsaw puzzle that was frustrating to get together the first time, but very sturdy and cost efficient.  We are working on some ideas to simplify the assembly process.  The white and red lycra fabric was purchased from Hancock Fabrics and fastened to the trusses with zip ties.  Two color changing LED par cans to light the side panels and two to light the front of the stage.  The beauty of the structure is that we can add on and rearrange in the future.

2009
02/01
CATEGORY
Awestruck Stage Design
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“CelebReligion” (Week 4 Sermon)

britney-on-mouse-clubWhere do you find your inner fulfillment and joy?  That is the question we asked in week 4 of the CelebReligion at Awestruck Church…”The Gospel According to Britney Spears”.  A synopsis of Britney’s life shows that she has attempted everything to find joy, but seemingly nothing she has attained has fulfilled her.  It’s as if she knows that her life has purpose and she is going to do her best to find it.  Unfortunately, not even fame, popularity, money, record sales, friends, marriage, kids, drugs and alcohol, or even different religions did it for her?  Our truth for the week was God created us all with a purpose, and our fulfillment is only found in God.  If we take and honest assessment of our life then we might discover we are all living out the Gospel according to Britney more than we’d like to admit.  Filling our lives w/ stuff, people, relationships and temporary fixes that leave us empty.  Where do you find your fulfillment?  Do you live as if your life has purpose, or are you just maintaining?

Click HERE to listen to “The Gospel According to Britney Spears”

2009
01/26
CATEGORY
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Monday Download

1.  Ryan took me shooting this week in spite of my misfire that hit a large metal power structure last time we went.  Glad he gave me a second chance.

2.  I have discovered that shooting guns is a lot of fun!  So much fun that I am now in the market for a handgun.  My wife is not pleased!

Shooting3.  Speaking of my wife being unhappy…Micah went gun shopping with me Friday and came home telling her he wanted a Bolt Action .22 Rifle for his birthday.  Could be my fault for letting him hold it?  🙂  

***Check out THIS VIDEO to see her idea of “Safe”***

4.  Sunday at Awestruck was Incredible!  We talked about the “Gospel According to Ellen”

5.  A side note: The “CelebReligion” series has been very challenging to preach.  We have tackled some touchy subjects, but I am very pleased with our folks are receiving the sermons.

6.  Our Core truth for the week was “We are all sinners in need of a Savior”.  To0 often the conservative church wants to stand against individual sins as if they are more punishable than others?

7.  We had a bunch of new folks on Sunday.  I love seeing new faces every week and I’m pumped that our people are bringing their friends and family.

8.  Layden, Evan Blackerby, Bannister, and Josh Stegenga flat brought it last night at the Bring the Hope Tour!  

britney-spears9.  I was glad to see so many Awestruck people show up…even though I announced the wrong time on Sunday morning.

10.  I am really looking forward to Preaching “The Gospel According to Britney Spears” next Sunday!  I guarantee you it is not what you are thinking!  🙂

2009
01/19
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FYI

The thoughts expressed here reflect only my personal opinions and viewpoints. Awestruck Church is free from any blame on my rants.