Finish the Race

The world is filled with plenty of starters, but not many finishers. The story in the video above is a great example of how much courage it takes to finish the race. Watching this clip immediately reminds me of something Jesus said. In John 4:34 Jesus said, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work." Jesus finished the work of making disciples that would in turn make more disciples.

I believe God is looking for finishers today. He is looking for men and women who will make the commitment to make disciples and will see it through. I pray that you will be encouraged and motivated to live a life of making disciples for Jesus Christ. The finish line will be the day you hear Him say, "well done my good and faithful servant!"

Building Disciples the Brazilian Way

I just returned from a ten day mission trip to Forteleza Brazil. It was one of the best mission trips I've ever been on. My first trip to Brazil was ten years ago. We had agreed to help start a new church in Forteleza and I went down to see how things were going. There were around 75 to 100 people attending that church. During our time there I stressed the importance of planting new churches that would make more disciples. This past week I spoke in five different churches that were all a part of that original church in some way. That group of 75-100 is now over 500 people learning what it means to be and build disciples of Christ.

Jesus said, "make disciples of all nations". We've got lots of work to do, let's follow the Brazilian model!

Keep On Driving!

I saw this video and was trying to figure out how in the world it connected with the value of disciple making. Other than the stressing the importance of persevering, I am not sure it does. Anyway, it is just a great clip and worth watching. I do hope I am walking as Jesus walked as well as this woman is driving when I get as old as she is.

A Disciple Making Tool

This past weekend was one of the most exciting weekends I have ever experienced in ministry. Coming into our brand new worship facility on Highway 16 was a blast. You could sense God's presence in a powerful way. We had a couple of people accept Christ and dozens of others take a step of faith to deal with the stronghold of pride in their lives. God received great glory on day one in our new building. Our plan is to do the same every time the doors are open.

Our new building is really just a tool. This new space, combined with our current space gives us some neat opportunities to do even more disciple making. Ultimately that is what buildings are to be used for anyway. Jesus isn't going to ask us if we decorated our building well. He is going to ask us if we made disciples well! I am thankful for our new building. It is a neat tool, but I am even more thankful for all the disciples that will be made there.

Here are some cool photos of our first week in the new tool!

A First!

There are very few opportunities in this life to be one of the "firsts" to experience something. This weekend you have the opportunity to be part of a first! If you attend a service at Crossroads in Newnan, at our new campus on Highway 16, you will experience a first. You will be worshiping God in the very first public worship services ever held in this brand new facility. This will be the only weekend you can be a "first worshiper" in this new auditorium. I trust you will not miss it.

Psalm 122:1- "I rejoiced with those who said to me, Let us go to the house of the Lord."

Book of Books

I hope you have heard about the latest course in the Impact Basics Discipleship Series. It is called Book of Books and it is an eight week survey of the entire Bible. Now obviously you only scratch the surface in eight weeks, but for some people the thing they need most is to cover a lot of ground in a hurry. Book of Books does just that!

Of all the discipleship courses I have written, Book of Books may just scratch the greatest itch. I am amazed at how little people know about the Bible. Even people who have grown up in church, have very little knowledge of how the Bible is written and what it says. If you spend eight weeks in Book of Books you will build a foundation for learning more in-depth about the Bible. Contact Impact Ministries if you would like to get a copy of Book of Books. You'll be glad you did!

A Lesson in Disciple Making

This video of the "Raven" is a great lesson in disciple making. Here is a man who started running one day and hasn't stopped yet. He has been running the same eight mile stretch of beach for over thirty years. During that time people from all over the world have come to run with him. He has inspired runners and built a community among runners.

I believe with all my heart that Jesus wants us to make disciples like Raven makes runners. He longs for disciple makers that will simply "go the distance". Christ wants us to run for him and to influence as many people as possible to run for Him as well. That is the purpose of life- to be a disciple and to build more disciples! May we all be "Ravens' for Jesus.

"Jesus said, No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:62)

Must Hear!

Years ago I listened to a band named "Kansas". I remember how excited I was when I heard that the lead singer, Kerry Livgren, had become a Christian. Kerry soon began singing songs about Christ. Recently a friend sent me this clip of Kerry sharing his story. What a great story of how Christ makes a disciple. I hope you enjoy it.

Happy 20th Anniversary, Jesus!

Today is a day to celebrate! Twenty years ago on this very day Crossroads Church of Newnan held her very first service. I wasn't there that day, but I am told there were 178 people in attendance. On March 26, 1989 another local expression of Christ's church was born.

I am told that most new churches don't make it. By the grace of God, Crossroads Church did and only by His grace will she endure.

A day like today cannot pass by without taking the time to reflect on what God has done in this place these past twenty years. He deserves our thanks and reflection. As we celebrate what God has done a few thoughts come to my mind.

First, all the credit goes to God! Isaiah 42:8 says, "I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols." Everyone should know that Crossroads Church, blemishes and all, belongs to Jesus Christ and He alone receives glory from her existence. Supporters and critics alike, should praise God that disciples are being made at Crossroads Church. It is about Him.

Secondly, I appreciate very much all of the people who went before us. Someone has said, "those who drink the water must remember who dug the well". God has brought lots of people into this fellowship over the years who have carried shovels. Some have gone home to be with Jesus. Some have been moved away for other reasons. You will always be appreciated for helping make Crossroads Church what she is today. God has used you and He is honored.

Third, I do thank God for all the people who have been committed to this local body of believers. Very few people today stay committed to things for the long haul. People change jobs, changes homes, change spouses, and change churches without much thought these days. Those of you, (you know who you are) who have been faithful to this church the past twenty years are a living praise to God. Thank you for being committed.

The first twenty years of Crossroads Church have been a blast. I thank God I have been given a front row seat to see all that He has done. I will be forever grateful that I was given an opportunity to be apart of such a great church. As excited as I am about the past, I am that much more excited about our future. I can't wait to see what God does as we continue to seek what it means to be and build disciples of Christ. Hold on, the ride is about to get even better!

Disciples take up the Cross of Christ

I just finished reading a book called "Tried and Transfigured" by a man named Leonard Ravenhill. If you are not familiar with Mr. Ravenhill's books you might check out "Why Revival Tarries". Mr. Ravenhill has gone home to be with the Lord, but his words are still some of the most powerful and convicting one can read. Here is a section from "Tried and Transfigured" that probably wouldn't fit in the "Your Best Life Now" library.

"We want to go to the cross, but few want to get on the cross. We want Christ to die for us, but we do not want to die with Him. Christianity is all right if I can use it to my own ends. But when Christ wants me to purge my squirming ego, crucify my stubborn self-will, seek to eliminate my reeking self-pity, vanquish my vacillation, and claim to reign supreme within the heart that He has purged- that is another matter."

Think about it!

Doing The Right Thing!

Every now and then you come across a story that simply illustrates doing the right thing. This is one of those stories. I hope you enjoy watching it and I hope it inspires you to walk as Jesus walked.

Lesson from an Atheist

Listen to this interesting video by entertainer Penn Jillette on Youtube. A professed atheist, he gives a very thought provoking comment that reinforces the importance of our need to share Christ with folks that have not heard of him yet.

Outlook 09

Has anybody ever told you that you needed a new outlook on life? I've had someone tell me that and I've even drawn that conclusion myself at times. There are just points along the journey when you need to recalibrate. You need to take stock and evaluate where you are and where you are headed. I believe the beginning of a New Year is a great time to change or tweak your outlook. The New Year is a prime time to look at your life and make adjustments to make your life better.

This weekend I will begin teaching a brand new series of messages out of II Timothy that just might be life changing for some. Paul's words to his young disciple, Timothy, give us some great things to consider about our own lives as we launch into a new year.I hope I see in church this weekend and I hope God gives you a great outlook for 2009!