Tramp'n For the Kingdom

Planting a church is like jumping on a trampoline. There are a lot of ups, and a lot of downs, but if you stick with it,it's a lot of fun.

Ladies Night Update

This entry was written by Shana. Why is that important? B/c it is an overview of last night's ladies night and I would hate for anyone to get the impression that I went to the ladies outting......that would just be wrong.

Oh Yes, It’s Ladies Night. . .

Laughter. Side-splitting laughter. That’s what I had to endure for 3 hours last night. My sides are still hurting, and my eyes are still watering. Who knew that putting 10 women together, who come from all different backgrounds, walks-of-life, and areas of Memphis would laugh their heads off?

I would have to say that our first official “SouthPoint Ladies Night Out” was a success!
Through hours of food, stories, waiter harassment (the good kind, of course!), and laughter, I think that I know some SouthPoint ladies a little better.

Keisha loves animals, Brandy can feed her husband ANYTHING, Cyndy keeps point totals, Patti isn’t very competitive, Sonja has me all figured out, Sara = perfect, Lizisms are the BEST, Becki has the coolest DVD player, and Lisa is a GREAT listener!

If you think there are stories behind each of those, you’re right! You shoulda been there to hear them all. . .

I really feel very blessed to have each of those ladies in my life – and am looking forward to the next “Ladies Night Out”, with many more names to add to the list above!

Peace Out Y’all (see I CAN use it, right?!) –
Shana Leonovich

Pure Shock

Yesterday was one of those days. A day of shocking discoveries......Okay it might not shock anyone else but, well.....I've been counting down the days until we launch.
Days.
Not weeks.
Sunday morning I was sitting there going over some things and the realization hit me that we were only eight weeks from moving to the movie theatre. EIGHT! EIGHT MORE SUNDAYS! HOLY FREAK'N COW! That is not a lot of time. So yes, shock and horror set in. There are so many things to do to launch a church; it is absolutley mind boggling. I know it would be impossible by myself, and I thank God that I have a stellar team around me that is going for it! Praise God. So I have basically come to the realization that you can only do what you can do.
I know; profound.
But really we have all of these thoughts and goals, and when it all comes down to it, we can only do what we can do. Nothing more. I think this is where God said that whole thing about do all you can do to stand, then stand. Once the hububaloo of launch is past, we have to be able to look back and say, "Yup, we did ALL we could do." And then the rest is in God's lap. So, 8 weeks. The clock ticks, and we work.

Shock #2

Sunday night at the end of our preview service Cyndylou came up and surprised me and Patti with a pastor appreciation gift. It was awesome. They gave us a gift and a card signed by everyone. How cool. It was great b/c i was totally surprised. So nice. And then Cyndy almost cried, and I thought about it but refrained.
Thanks Team for all you guys do. You make me smile.

Word of Mouth

We know this good guy named Scott [not really his name but we will call him that to protect the innocent]. Scott manages a coffee house that I go into VERY often. No it is not Starbucks but a really good one nonetheless. Anyway, the other day Scott was in downtown Memphis taking care of some things and he stopped by Starbucks there to get some Java. He struck up a conversation with the one of the workers there and she said, “so what do you do?”
Scott replied, “I manage a coffee shop, but not a Starbucks.”
“Really where at?”
It’s called the Grove and it’s down in Southaven.”
“Really! WOW! Hey have you heard about that new church called SouthPoint that is going to be meeting in the movie theatre? I heard it was really cool?”
Scott stood there dumbfounded. Of course he had heard about it because we are in there all the time, but how did this girl in the heart of Memphis hear about it?

To me it is so cool how word of mouth travels. The best advertising is STILL word of mouth and friends telling friends. See if we really like something we tell out friends b/c we want them to get in on this really cool thing. For example-the Mr. Clean Magic Erasers. They take almost anything off of your walls. It is a really good product. The only reason I bought it is b/c Amanda told me. She found out about it b/c a girl at her office told her, who was told by her mother. Amazing!

Now if we would all get really excited about God. About Jesus. About what he is doing in our lives. And then……Get really excited about SouthPoint and the mandate that God has placed on us to be here in this place….imagine. Just imagine.

They say it takes about 5 times of someone hearing something [marketing wise] for them to finally investigate it and get it. There are only 1.2 million people in Memphis. We should have all of them told by next weekend. ☺

Weekend at Mosaic

Well, I’m on the plane headed back to the great Memphis area. I have been in Charlotte speaking at Mosaic with Naeem. We had a great time. I really enjoyed hanging out with everybody and catching up on old [okay not that old] relationships. It was a blast! We did two services in the morning at the movie theatre. Each one was full and the second one was packed. Then that night we went down town to the Visualite, which is a night club type venue that Mosaic has just started. Well, they didn’t start the nightclub, but they did start doing church there on Sunday nights. It was packed! People were standing all around with no seats left in the room. The old wood bar was stocked full of cokes, sprites and fresh water on tap. It was a great venue. Nick [one of the team leaders there] told me that when they arrive they have to open all the doors and turn on the fans to blow out the smoke because when they get there, there is still a fog of stale smoke from the night before. What a great place to do church! It was packed full of young people, all of which did not know Christ! Yip-ee! One of the girls that was on the team said that she sat next to two Buddhists gentlemen and they were intently listening the entire time and were touched. They were also planning on returning. Yea! Big win!

So now I’m stoked to return to where God has planted us. I’m looking forward once again to reaching out and touching those people that need Christ. Those that have never met him, and those that need to be touched again. What an awesome responsibility we have, and have been given by God. I was reminded how different we are last night. Naeem took me to a Gideon banquet. It was a room of about 300 people. All of which were well over the 50 mark. All of which had on coats and ties. All of them that is except for me and Naeem. We were a bit noticeable.

But we sat at a table with wonderful people who love God and are each serving Him in their own way. One lady that sat at our table was truly amazed that we were ministering and reaching out to the unsaved. She said [I kid you not] that she had never experienced a church that was that focused on saving the lost. She had only experienced church growth via sheep swapping. She asked a million questions about Mosaic & SouthPoint and then said, “wow. I would love experience something like that. It sounds fun and exciting, and I’ve never seen that in church.” WOW! Hey, let me say it again: I am so looking forward to doing church in a new way that is fun – engaging – life giving – and down right real. How about you?

Well, I just heard the ding-ding. Time to put my little computer away and help this pilot land.

Miracles Still Happen

Two weeks ago at bible study Becki [who is 8 months preganant] requested prayer that her baby turn, because at this point it is breech. The doctor has been preparing her for a C-section. Well, we prayed. While we were praying she felt the baby move over to Becki's side and do some wiggling. Well, today she went to the doctor and the baby has done a complete flip! It is in perfect birthing position and all is well! Praise God!

Second note worthy thing [not near as miraculous], our new website that will help in getting the word out is finally ready. Check it out at www.idigmychurch.com

Thanks Cyndy for all your hard work on the site. You are dy-no-mite!

Tornadoes and Joe-to-Gos

So, I have to be completely honest. I kind of didn’t want to go to pass out free coffee at the community college here in Southaven last night. No, we’re doing honesty, right? I REALLY didn’t want to go.

Last night was the closest we have come to tornadic activity here. Seriously, the winds were ridiculously strong – and the rain was that annoying mist that isn’t enough to really get you wet, but enough to curl straight hair. Cyndy throughout the night kept telling me that we would be in Kansas soon. . .

I digress,

Brian was all gung-ho about this outreach to the college students – since it is midterm week, and they would all be studying and stressing. So, Cyndy and I piled into her car, picked up 7 joe-to-gos, cups, and condiments and headed over to the student center.

After getting settled (and one run to the store for creamer!) we split into two teams. Brian, his son Isaac (one of the coolest 5 yrs old we know) and Keisha went upstairs, Cyndy and I stayed downstairs.

I have to say that I never would have imagined that I would have a good time standing and passing out free coffee. Harassing people isn’t my favorite thing to do, but harassing them to get a cup of FREE, TOTALLY FREE coffee is a blast! We would ask people if they wanted coffee, they’d say “No” and we’d say, “But it’s FREE!” They’d pause, smile, and come over. Isaac was by far, the best at handing out our SouthPoint coasters and magnets, and the Grove Coffee $1 off coupons! Who can really refuse a cute-as-a-button 5 year old?

We handed out about 50-60 cups of coffee, all said and done. We met some really cool people, and blessed a bunch of others. The remaining coffee was taken to the Baptist Hospital ICU Waiting Room, and hopefully blessed some people there.

So, long story short, I am really happy that I went! I am jonesing for the next event we’ll do – and would HIGHLY recommend to all of you that you participate. If you are not in Southaven, please get involved in the outreaches at your local church.

PEACE OUT-

Shana

Change

There are three things in life that I said I would never do….no wait four. Yea, there are four things in life that I said I would never do. #1 get a tattoo #2 Plant a church #3 switch from Windows to Mac #4 live in Mississippi.

Well, I'm 36 years old and I have now accomplished 3 of the four things that I said I would never do. Yesterday I went and got a tattoo of a huge eagle that covers my entire back. Each wing comes down and touches my elbows at just the right angle…..okay not really. No tattoos. But I am switching to Mac. And I am planting a church……and yes, I live 1.3 miles over the Tennessee border in to Mississippi and I'm loving it! Is there a point to all of this? Does it matter? Let's change the subject.

Don't you hate it when someone is in the middle of a story and they just seem to randomly change the subject? That drives me bonkers! So no I'm not changing the subject but I did have a thought about change. Change is constant.

Ed Young [pastor in Grape Vine Texas] says church evolves and God is constant. Kool quote. Craig [church planter, with no tattoos, soon to be a Mac user, living in Mississippi] says, combine the two and you have got an explosive combination. Church should be full of change. Continually moving. The problem is people hate change. The stat is like 83% of people hate change, and the other 17% do it just to tick off the other 83%. But seriously change is such a vital part of life, the eco system, and church world. As soon as you stop changing you have become a prideful person. I know that is a strong statement but think about the concept of someone who is NOT wiling to change. …….God is constantly doing new things. He is the creator of the "New and improved." Look at the children of Israel and their dessert experience. They were constantly moving. Continual change causes us to trust in God not in our own well formed habits and experiences. Change keeps us fresh and real. So when we refuse change we are basically telling God that we have got this whole thing figured about and we can take care of it on our own. Pride.

I'm planting a church in Mississippi, and I'm gonna do it with a Mac.

Still no tattoos.

Incredible Weekend!!!

TO use the 'incredible' word might be a far cry for some of you, but for us here in the top of the Mississippi it is an understatement! Here at Southpoint we had a super-win of a weekend. First off, a few us went to Huntsville for a launch party to raise some funds for the launch of our church. It was great! How great you ask? Well, we raised a chuck-o-change! How much you ask? 'Noneya bussiness!'
While we were in Huntsville the rest of the team set up a HUGE tent at Octoberfest in Olive Branch and gave away free Starbucks, Hot Cyder, and did free pumpkin painting for the kids. And of course balloons. It was awesome. We got so many compliments and hundreds [literally] of people told the team how awesome it was for the 'church' to do something like this. No gimmicks, no hooks, just love and life, and of course TOTALLY FREE!!! For more pictures of this stellar event check out the pictures to the right. Oh yea and they put us in the paper for being so all together kool at the festival.

But wait, that's NOT ALL! We were also the FRONT PAGE of the local section of the DeSoto Appeal [the main newspaper here]. They came and did a great article on us and what we are doing. You can check out the full article and picks at this link:

http://www.commercialappeal.com/mca/desoto/article/0,1426,MCA_451_5052557,00.html

And of course we had a Kick'n Preview service Sunday night. The band from Visible School continues to rock the house in fresh ways. 104 days till launch! Yip-ee!!

Just To Hang Out

Yesterday I was standing in my bathroom brushing my teeth and Phoebe came to the door. Now allow me to preface this by saying that ALL morning Phoebe had been in the "I want-I need" mode. So when she came to the door I was sure it was another "I need" moment. Anyway, she knocked on the door and said, "Dad?"

"What Phoebe?" [this would be me speaking. You can tell by the extra bold manly type]

"Can I come in?"

Exhale. Slightly annoyed.

"Why Phoebe? Why do you need to come in here?"

"I just wanna hang out with you."

Heart melt.

New smile on face.

I feel loved.

That little exchange got me thinking. I wonder how many times God wonders why in the world we want in His throne room AGAIN. I know he is awesome and absolutely perfect. I know God loves us like nothing we can even imagine. But I still have to wonder if now and then God would like to hear us say, "Hey Dad-can I come into your throne room and just hang out? I don't want anything. I don't even need anything right now. I just wanna hang out with you."

I wonder if we would make a habit of that daily……maybe weekly…..How would that totally transform our relationship with God. Not coming with a prayer, a scripture, or our favorite song, but simply sitting in silence and being in his presence. I wonder. In case you're wondering too, let me let you in on a little secret…….it's stellar!

HEY! Subject change!

This Saturday is Octoberfest and a Launch party in Alabama. So listen. You guys…..everybody…..needs to be praying for this weekend. We need to touch our community this weekend. Love on kids and speak peace and love to the parents. The launch party….we need money. I would love to make it some hidden bait and switch, but it's just not in me. There just isn't enough time to play games. We know we are here on a mission and we need money to achieve our goals of saving souls for the kingdom. So COME ON GANG! Let's hit a home run this weekend!

Removing the Wedgie

Team dynamics are so vital to health and wholeness of a church plant, I cannot even begin to explain. Who was that professional football player that was fighting with his own team mates in the locker room and stuff? I think he played for the Eagles? Anyway, the point is, you can't have a successful team if there is fighting on the team. And you can't have a powerful team if there is griping on the team. What does a successful team look like? Well, it looks like a group of people, with locked arms all moving simultaneously towards the EXACT same goal. A goal that they are ALL passionate about. A goal that is not frivolous, but in their minds is a matter of life and death. Each and every team member using their special God given time, talents, and resources to achieve the goal.

So what's the danger? Where is the peril? Well, you've worked with people enough to realize that any time you have more than one person in a room you have conflict. Whenever two or more are gathered in my name a crisis is there in the midst. Here at SouthPoint we have a dynamic team that has locked arms and are slowly walking towards January 21st. One of the main perils that I see happening right now is the enemies desire to wedge us. And we know how we all hate wedgies.

One of the great dynamics with a team is that each protects the one next to them. Safety in numbers. But right now, I feel like the enemy is trying to take each one, and separate them from the pack. Thereby driving a wedge inbetween the individual and the safety of the pack. Making that person thereby-wedged. A wedge-ya know-that thing that starts off very small and insignificant, but then, with time, it grows into a much wider, larger thing. At the start, it is almost un-noticeable, but with a little time and negligence it grows into a separating force that really causes a detriment to the team, and ultimately messes with the individual in a nasty way.

NO! I am NOT saying that I see this happening. What I am saying is I see the potential for this to happen since we do have a great team with positive dynamics. So what am I trying to communicate? Well, let me sum up:

If you are a part of a team then do everything you can to stay a vibrant part of that team. If a small point of contention arises. Fix it. Wipe it out. If you let it fester, it will cause more harm than good. Don't get wedged. Because after all, you're the one that would get hurt the most. So let's all stop allowing the enemy to wedge out good people from our church teams. Lock arms. Fix your eye on the prize and let's go

Church? A New Way? Continued.......

If you were one of the brave one who actually commented on the previous blog, THANKS! Feedback is lovely.

So church……yea…….I grew up in church. Did you know that? Did you know that on day number 5 of my life I was in church. I can really understand Paul when he does his little bragging session about being a Pharisee of the Pharisees. Do you remember that? [if not you can find it in the Bible. I'll give you a hint, it's in the New Testament.] I could just as easily say I am a Christian of the Christians. [so let's try it]

I was born as a fifth generation follower of Christ. On my fifth day I was brought into church. At the appropriate time I was dedicated to be raised in the fear and admonition of the Lord. I only missed Sunday school for death, major sickness, or loosing a limb. When the church doors were open, I was there. I have never been drunk a day in my life. I have never smoked a cigarette. I have never done any type of illegal drug [including marijuana for those who are not sure if it is illegal]. I was formed and shaped at a solid fundamental Christian University. Called into the ministry I served in many different capacities to serve the Lord and advance the Kingdom.

Wow! There is my pedigree. Impressed? I'm not. Not really. I mean really my only point was to say that I grew up in church. I know how it works. I can fit in. I speak the language. I know how to impress, I know how to tick off. I can play the game if put on the field.

Don't get me wrong. I am so NOT anti-church. I am so WAY pro-church that it might shock you. I strongly believe that people should go to church. Consistently. Like ya know, all the time. So to get back to our discussion, was' up with church?

Everyone has such varying opinions on what church is, or should be that it has separated people, and people groups for generations. So if you think I'm gonna write a blog to further the gulf……wrong. But church is more than a style of music, a form, a preaching, a time of prayer, a time to give $. It's more than kids programs, youth programs, drug rehab, single adults ministry and or a vibrant senior citizens outreach. It can be all of those things, or some of those things. Church, more than any of that is believers, coming together. When we come together we [hopefully] experience community. A community of faith. A place that through our relationships, God is worshipped. Through laughing, sharing, loving, crying, and hoping, a fragrant scent of worship goes up, and God is pleased. So I guess my real point is that church can have many different looks. It can have many different flavors. And that is a good thing. God is unlimited. He is multi-faceted. He is everything, and is there before you can think it. He is God.

Church Evolves.

God is.

Church? A New Way?

“I’m completely in favor of the separation of Church and State.

My idea is that these two institutions screw us up enough on their own, so that both of them together is certain death.”

George Carlin (1937- )

To say that church "screws us up" really makes a lot of you cringe doesn't it? You think to yourselves, "How can God's institution on earth do anything but create peace and harmony on earth. Come to think of it you will burn in the deep pit of fire for even putting that quote on your blog!"

Okay, you need to calm down and take a deep breath.

#1 it's my blog.

#2 I can explain.

Jesus said "Upon this rock I will build my church." But what is church? Really, what is the definition of "church?" How is it that we have accepted a definition of 'church' based solely on what we see, as apposed to what He said. If Jesus, working with & through Peter, started the New Testament church then maybe we should take a very brief look at what this entity looked like. Because I think we might be surprised. We might realize that the church of America today has more of the appearance of an executive business instead of a Spirit led/filled/guided/directed entity that is alive and moving. So before I go into my thoughts, how about you? What's your thoughts? What's your take on it? Do you feel the church as a whole is slightly askew? Maybe focusing on minors while ignoring majors? Leave a comment or two, no lengthy diatribes please, but what are your thoughts on this evolving entity called, "the Church."

Thinking Can be Scary!

I just got off the phone with one of my good friends planting a church in the Atlanta area [Hal Hardy www.thelifechurch.tv] and he got me thinking. And thinking for me is a scary thing. You see to me, numbers are important. To say they are not important in church work is a lie and most of the time false humility. Ya know. Preachers say things like, "Ah bless God, it's not about the numbers son. It's about the Spirit of God!" Well yea. Duh. But if you don't have people, then well, the Spirit of God is whooshing around your empty sanctuary not doing a whole lot.

I look at it this way;

Numbers = Souls and Souls = Influence and influence = changed communities.

Okay let's look at it the super-spiritual way: The only time in the New Testament where we see the 'strong man' over a city being cast down is when Jesus sent out his boys [disciples] to do the works. Ya know the whole healing the sick, casting out demons, and leading folks to a knowledge of Christ. And Jesus said, "I saw Satan falling like lightening…." Remember? Just a thought, could it be that Satan's Kingdom gets really messed up when average, everyday people go out and serve?

Just a thought.

Maybe?

Could it be then, if we follow this crazy thinking, that the more people we have serving a community the more messed up Satan's Kingdom in that area will be?

Just a thought.

Maybe?

Of course we have to realize that the disciples did NOT sit on a rock and study the deeper teaching of Jesus. They did NOT pull up a rock after they were sent out and say, "Hey Peter, can we go over the deeper symbolic meanings of the sower parable again? I would really love to hear the multi-layered theological meanings of how the third portion fits into the eschatological times that are upon us." NO! Jesus said go and "SERVE" "WORK" Do the Works of the ministry. Could it be that to really alter the spiritual makeup of a community it would take an average group of people, going out, and doing the works of the ministry.

Just a thought.

Maybe?

Wow! Looks like the ball is in our court. So I guess the real question is, What are you gonna do today? Who is on your hit list to serve?

[Hey Hal, thanks for making me think.]

The Ups and Downs

Well, it's Sunday morning and I'm sitting here thinking about this past week. There are still 3 launch team members that do not have jobs. Another that needs a new job [company changing leadership and employees] and then yesterday Mike Thompson [Sound Man Extraordinaire] had a heart a major heart attack. Wow! Thankfully he went to the hospital in time and they were able to get things flowing again like they need to and he is recovering well at the moment. So please continue to pray for Mike and his wife Judy as they recover from this surprising turn of events. I know he will be back behind a sound board very very soon.

Team dynamics are so much fun aren't they? Working with people is the 'funnest' most challenging thing in life. If you are sensing sarcasm seeping through the type then you are wrong. I thoroughly enjoy working with people. It challenges me because there are many things I know I can do.

I can turn on a computer and edit video

design a webpage

do a poster design

email

write a letter

I can spend some quiet time and prepare a talk

I can sit down and counsel a friend

oh the list goes on & on. However. In all of that doing I think I miss the greater good many times. If all I do is 'do' then I miss what God is wanting to 'do' in others through me.

Do you ever think that maybe we get so focused on the, "God working 'in' us" part, that we forget the, "God working 'through' us" part? A read a verse from Romans 15 the other day in prayer that said, "Our strength is for serving, not for status." WOW! There is that through us thing again huh?

These awesome people that have moved here to start SouthPoint Church are not only awesome, but they are also the very tools with which God wants to work to change a county. Think about it, if they NEVER meet people. If they NEVER get out of their comfort zones, if they NEVER share the good news of Christ, then SouthPoint will be nothing but a name and a small gathering of people. But when the tools get out of the [tool] box, and into the right hand [of the master] then things can change rapidly.

Yup. I love working with people. It's what God is doing. And I would rather be doing what God is doing then just doing.

Biblical Thoughts For the Day

Throughout the years, most of us have heard the cliché used for the church “We are the Body of Christ. We are the hands, the feet, the eyes of God.” We have heard sermons and stories about how we are to accomplish our job, because “the hand can’t do what the leg needs to, or the eye can’t smell for the nose.”

But, have we ever thought about the fact that each of these parts of the body really ARE inter-dependent? What I mean is, without the lungs, how does the heart get its oxygen? Without the feet, how do the hands get to the place where they can lay on a healing touch?

Each of us need each other for strength, support, encouragement and nourishment. God has created us to need others, and for others to need us.

So, in that light, How involved are you in the lives of those around you? Do you let others in? How many times do you make yourself available to a friend in need? Do you really mean it when you ask someone “How are you doing?” Do we stop and let them really answer?

I know I just asked a lot of questions, but sometimes we need to stop and ask them. Sometimes we need to take the time to reflect and see where we can tweak our daily habits and let God use US.

Apply this to our little bitty body of SouthPoint, you say. Ok, it’s a fact of life that the more you work out, the happier you are, and the more you eat, the more you grow. So, naturally, the more that we, as SouthPoint Church, open ourselves to give AND receive strength, support, encouragement, and nourishment, the more we’ll grow. I guarantee it.

First Preview Service

Last night was our very first preview service. It was really good. I love hang'n out wiht people and having a good time. We had three stellar guys come and hook us up with some tunes. Marco played Acoustic; Carter played drums/rythm; and Matt paved the low on bass. It was awesome! And of course, Patti sung some tunes for us.

For those of you not here (AKA living in another part of the world) we met in our house and set it all up in the gathering area. Tunes-fellowship-coffee-speaking-prayer-friends: it was an awesome night. There were things of course that I would like to change, and will, but for our very first time together I was pleased.

Other than the typical update on our preview service, let me say that God has been hooking us up with some really awesome, like minded people here in this area. People that have a desire to reach out and touch others. I find it so refreshing and life-giving to meet with someone; and their heart is in tune with God. Whether or not they come to SouthPoint, it is just refreshing to know that there are other people in this county seeking the lost. Searching, looking for dark places to go and spread light. You know, if we would hang out more in dark places, our little lights of righteousness would shine that much brighter. Just a thought.

The Saga Continues

I know all of you are just chomping at the bit for me to continue our talks on the unchurched and the most effective ways to reach them. I mean after all that is why we all do what we do right?

We do have a choice in our Christ-following-walk. We can choose to hang out and grow spiritually. To instill ourselves full and over flowing with the presence and power of the Holy Ghost to cause others that are around us to become more jealous of the spirit of God that rests on us [this is a good choice]. Or we could choose to get right with God. Accept the spiritual gifts that He has set aside for us. Recognize our God-predestined-gifts and talents that are inherent in us and then work. Strive to be around people that are NOT like us. Make sure we live and operate in places that are dark. [Because I mean after all the littlest light always seems the brightest in the darkest of places.] And show others the love and joy and hope of Jesus Christ [this is the BEST (of course this is my opinion) choice].

Okay well, that was my little soap box let's look at the next couple of 'best' ways to reach the unchurched.

6. Discern patterns of relationships in your own church.

We might think that unchurched people have NO connection with the church. However, that is not the truth. Studies have shown that many unchurched people have a spouse that regularly goes to church. If on any given Sunday you handout cards and ask them to write down three people that they are praying for to receive Christ. Inevitably you will receive a plethora of spouses. So what does that mean? Even the saved Christians in your church know people that don't know Christ.

7. Check your facilities.

The formerly unchurched spoke cogently of the necessity of having neat, clean and updated facilities to reach people.

"I saw a lot of things through unchurched eyes before I became a Christian a few months ago," one participant responded. "What surprised me was how many churches let their facilities and their landscaping go to the dogs. It was as if they were advertising 'we don't care' by the way they looked. I sure didn't go back to those places."

Okay, so clean. Present something that is nice, clean and well…….something you wouldn't mind your mother-in-law seeing. :)

How to Hike Like a Princess

Labor day. I have about decided that holidays mean extra work as a parent. Have you noticed that kids like to do more on days off? It's like they have an innate sense of laziness in parents and have a passion to crush that demon. Okay it wasn’t that bad. Actually we had a great time! We went to the city park here in Olive Branch and picnicked, hiked and played. The hiking was interesting b/c the trail really was a bit challenging. I took Sierra [8] and Phoebe [4] with me. Sierra is like an ATV so I had no concerns that she would fair well. However, Phoebe is less than outdoorsy. In fact I call her my little princess. She is only four yet she insists on wearing pink and keeping her nails nice and long. It is amazing. So needless to say I was a bit concerned about taking her on this trek.

What lies inside a person is amazing. True leadership and veracity is rarely on the surface, but usually lays deeply dormant in a person, until they are faced with an unsavory situation. Something that requires them to dig deep.

Past the people pleasing Flamboyancy.

Past the sociological properness.

Even digging deeper, past the political correctness of this century.

Phoebe, was not overwhelmingly excited about going on the hike. I think she would have been just as happy to stay at the picnic sight with Noah her younger brother. But she chose. She willingly chose the hard, adventurous road. I mean after all anybody can sit on a blanket, but it takes an adventurer to get off the blanket and see what lays just beyond the trees. (Okay, so I am waxing a bit warm, however she is MY daughter, and there is a point to this). So our small group ventured past the tree line and began to climb. Sierra was off ahead of the pack, and Phoebe stayed close to me. As we approached the first hill that loomed in front of this tiny framed 4 year old, I leaned down and said, “You can do it honey, even Princess’ need to know how to climb.”

She never stopped walking she just said, “Yea, I know I can do it. I can SO do this.”

She climbed. All the way up the hill, as her pink Converse All-Stars slipped and skidded in the dirt, you could her Phoebe saying in a tiny quiet voice, “I can do this. I can make it. I know I can, I can do it.”

(Of course you know I was proud right?)

Hill after hill she climbed. Now and then she would look back to make sure I was right behind her, and then she would turn and keep climbing. Encouraging herself all along the way. Never once crying. Never once saying I quit. Not once did she say, “This hill is too big. I’m just a little girl.” Not once.

We got to the end of the trail and we had a choice. We could walk back to the picnic area via the parking lot, or back the way we came, via the trail. I said, “Okay Phoebe, let’s go back this way it’ll be easier.”

Her jeans were covered in dirt. Her pink high-tops had an even dusting of brown silt that made them look more tan than pink. Sweat was running down her face streaking the dirt that had caked there. And her long finger nails had dirt and grime packed beneath their manicured shape.

She didn’t look like a princess.

“Dad, why can’t we go back the way we came. It was fun, and I can do it.”

We took the trail back.

I realized through this little holiday hike that I can do it. Even when the hill in front of me is sometimes a mountain, I can do it. Maybe that’s what Jesus meant when he said that if you had enough faith you could cast a mountain into the sea.

One step at a time.

Each step encouraging YOURSELF.

Now, I wouldn’t be caught dead in a pair of pink high tops, and god forbid I get my nails done, but everybody needs to climb. Life is too long to sit on a blanket and eat fried chicken. At some point we have to get off the comfy blanket and climb. It is not the easiest thing to do, but we can do it. It is not the road most traveled, and it is not what everybody else is doing, but we gotta climb. It doesn’t take special gear, you don’t even need a B.A. in trail climbing. Our Heavenly Father is right behind us the whole time. Just in case we fall, he catches. Just in case our little high-tops slip, he slides his hand underneath them to give them sure footing. And, he never leads us to a trail that 1) He doesn’t want us to climb, and 2) He never leads us to a trail that we can’t climb.

So I don’t know about you, but I’m climbing. Even if I slip. Even if I get dirty. I am NOT sitting on the blanket. It’s time to climb, the view at the top is merely a moment in time that gratifies; but the knowledge that I got off the blanket and climbed is a life time of satisfaction with zero regrets.

Money

Money. Money? Money! No matter what the punctuation is following the word, it is still money. Money is more talked about in the Bible than salvation, heaven, or hell. Crazy huh? Maybe that's because God knew that money [even back in the day] was a dynamic thing. It turns people off, and it turns people on. It completes projects, and the lack of it can stop an army. Money makes people feel happy and secure, and the lack of it make people question the existence of God. Don't believe that last one? Well, maybe existence is a bit to strong. However, when we lack money [as followers of Christ] to fill basic needs we begin questioning. We question if we have heard form God, we question if we have some hidden sin. We look back over our tithing record to see if we missed any payments [as if paying tithe was a 'payment']. Sometimes we even question God's voice, and sometimes God's existence.

I have always heard people say, "God is never late, he's never early, he's just right on time." Well…..Many times if God was early with money solutions we would spend it before we ever needed it. We would think, WOW! Extra cash! How can I spend this? And then two days later our transmissions clunks on the ground and we wish we could take back that new 52" HDTV.

To be honest though I can remember one time where God was early. Really early. I received 600 bucks out of the blue one day. Totally extra cash. So I'm chomping at the bit to get to Best Buy to remove from my presence the filthy lucre that that Bible says is the root of all evil! [of course I know I miss quoted that but it makes the story funnier]. The best way to remove your unhealthy partnership with money is to go to a local electronics store and trade it for something.

Anyway, I can never get the time with work and family. One week later the washer and dryer both died! I quickly thanked God for the supply before the need. Go God!

My point you ask?

I'm not really sure. It's just that seeing as how money seems to be in short supply right now, I've been thinking a lot about it. And this I know for sure:

"Thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ…"

2 Corinthians 2:14

"Trust in the Lord and do good, dwell in the land and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself in Him and He will give you the desires of your heart……"

Psalm 37

Even when money is short, God is not. What it really boils down to is the fact that many times our lack of money helps us draw a distinct line between those two massive words:

WANT & NEED.

Many things are wanted and desired, but very few things in life are actually needed.