That doesn’t mean that I won’t publish my thoughts about various ministry activities from time-to-time, but it won’t be on a weekly basis through the Monday Morning Rewind series.

I’m going to keep this edition of the MMR short. I hope you don’t mind.

• The 1st annual “A Light In the Darkness” Halloween outreach was a huge success.  Moncks Corner was rocked with generosity and hospitality from the Life-Givers family.
• Can you believe the puppet performance with the black lights?  That was all kinds of awesomeness.  I hope they got a video to share.
• Pride was the root cause of the original sin.  Pride can also be found as a cause of the sins that we commit.  Pride is an attitude, and is a LIAR. It tells us that we’re better than others.  We’re all the same.  We all need Jesus.
• Finally got my Kryptonite sermon posted.  I hope you enjoy it.
• After missing 3 weeks with the Beyond Youth in their class I was finally able to spend some time with them to play a game and teach a small lesson.  I love it!  Those guys (and girls) are awesome.
• The boys in Kids Zone made it official.  They beat the girls in their offering competition.  Their prize = a pizza party.  Yep!  Boys rule!  Woot!
• I still can’t believe that God let’s me be a pastor at such an awesome church.
• Ms. Peggy, thanks for the gifts for Pastors’ Appreciation.  You are an awesome lady.
• Every person who is a part of LGM makes our church better.

God bless.

I’m going to keep this edition of the MMR short.  I hope you don’t mind.

• We had one rededicate his life to Christ during yesterday’s service.  If nothing else happened, then that’s worth celebrating.  I know that those in Heaven are celebrating.
• I’m loving what God is doing at Life-Givers Ministries.  It’s always outstanding to what God do what he does.
• Life-Givers ≠ building.  Life-Givers = people.  And Life-Givers are amazing people.
• I hated not being able to have a Beyond Youth class yesterday.  This makes 3 weeks not teaching them.
• There were still 11 Beyond Youth students at church.  That’s awesome!
• We still need massive help with the Halloween outreach this Saturday at “A Light In the Darkness”.  No matter what, it’s going to be a great time.
• #1 on my bottom ten list: Having a sore throat.  I can’t stress that enough.

God bless.

Get inside my head with another edition of the Monday Morning Rewind.  By-the-way, I’m posting this in the afternoon because I decided to create the graphic above.

• I was honored to be able to preach yesterday at Life-Givers.  Sure, I’m one of the pastors, but it is always a big deal to be able to speak the Word of God.
• Thank you to Pastor Chuck Barrineau for allowing me to use the name “Kryptonite” as my sermon title.
• I got the chills when our Praise Team sang their last song.  I think the crowd enjoyed it too.  All I could hear were the voices behind me praising and worshiping God.
• The “friendly” competition continued between the boys and girls in Kids Zone.  The boys won again.  With two more Sundays left the girls can still win.  Let’s go boys!
• The corn maze was awesome thanks to the adults, kids, and Beyond Youth that came out.  You all are fantastic.
• Samson was a real life Superman equipped with super strength and his own kryptonite.  Although he let his guard down and failed to uphold his vow to God, God did not leave him completely.  His hair started growing back, and God used him greater in his death than in his entire life.
• I’m still amazed that God let’s me be a pastor.
• Having the students God has given me approach me with excitement, even if it to tell me something random, is the greatest experience I can have as a pastor.  I live for those moments.
• I got a vanilla cappuccino at McDonald’s Saturday night.  I wasn’t loving it.
• Although I couldn’t watch the game (because I’m on the east coast), the 49ers got their first win this season over Oakland.  It’s about time.

God bless.

Since I won’t get a chance to write this Rewind post tomorrow I’m preparing it tonight (Sunday).  So, without hesitation here are my thoughts over this weekend.

• Two people came down for prayer today.  Watching them let God work in their lives blessed me intensely.
• God will always be a part of your life whether you want him to be or not.  You don’t have a choice.  Your choice is how much you’ll let him be a part.
• Our Praise Team rocked the stage.  Thank you, everyone, for your service.  You stepped up to be the leaders that you’re born to be.  And I believe you made God smile.
• To Scott Morris, your assistance today was greatly appreciated.  I love you and Anna so much.
• Our guest speaker, Paul Garrett, brought the Word, and he brought it good.  Probably one of the best messages I’ve ever heard on dealing with someone’s past, present, and future.
• 13 kids in Kids Zone.  The boys won again.  Woot!  That makes the record 2-2 girls against boys with 3 Sundays left.
• 13 students in the Beyond Youth. <- awesome // Thank you for filling in for me, Robbie.
• The people of Life-Givers are the best people alive.  Just sayin’.
• Octoberfest was a great time.  Puppets Praisin’ Jesus and the Crossover Drama team made LGM proud.
• Friends are a treasure.  Guard them closely.
• Don’t worry when someone leaves your life.  Sometimes it has to happen.  Trust God.
• I have the worst luck with sports teams.  The SF 49ers are now 0-5 this season.

God bless.

• I love my church.  Can’t say that enough.
• 10 students in the Beyond Youth class yesterday with 3 visitors.  That’s always cool.
• There are some lessons that church leaders can learn from the current state of NASCAR.  Hopefully, I can blog about them later this week.
• The boys and girls have been competing in Kids Zone each week.  So far, the girls have won 2 Sundays and the boys only 1.  The boys need to step it up!
• Parents, listen to your kids; especially teens.  They want to be heard, and not just seen.  It might surprise you by what they have to say.
• When did we start losing our creativity?
• Church ≠ programs.  Church = people striving to obey God.
• Who are you? <- really think about it

God bless.

Let’s keep going.  Here are a few thoughts from this past week:

• I love explaining the freedom of God’s love and forgiveness to people.
• Learn to say no. It helps you keep your priorities straight and to keep you from doing too much.
• Life-Givers Ministries is the greatest local church in Moncks Corner, SC. I’m a bit partial, but I’m sure it’s true.
• If you still don’t know, LGM has changed locations.  We’re no longer at the Berkeley Middle School.  Our new address is 808 Whitesville Road, Moncks Corner, SC 29461.
• Fortune cookie awesomeness states, “Better is the enemy of good.”
• Last night’s Crossover Drama practice = Fantastic. We’re gonna blow the St Stephen Octoberfest away.
• Tuesday, 9/21, was World Gratitude Day.  What are you grateful for?
• Don’t let anyone or anything keep you from getting closer to God. <- very very important

God bless.

• It’s mind-blowing when God does something amazing.  Not that it should surprise us that God can do great things.  It’s just watching God do it is awesome.
• Last week was a very long and tiring week.  Really makes me appreciate when God gives me time to relax.
• I hate learning things about others that I do not want to know.
• It was also great laughing at myself while I was opening the church service.
• Don’t let your circumstances dictate your joy. Joy comes from God. “for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10 NLT
• Stick by the truth even when you’re the only one who believes in it. Elijah did & beat 950 false prophets in an epic contest.
• I’m unsure of any other power greater than the power of one person believing in the authoritative truth of Jesus Christ.
• I love teaching.
• It’s nice when others notice when you’re not around.
• Proud to announce that my friends Brandon and Megan Goff are pregnant!  They are the pastors of Undone220 at Ebenezer’s PH Church in Columbia, SC.
• God’s got this!!!

God bless.

• Luke 1:37 NLT, “For nothing is impossible with God.”
• The mission of the Church is three-fold:
  1. to worship God,
  2. to disciple believers, and
  3. to evangelize to the unbelievers.
• A lot of work went into getting the new building ready for yesterday’s service at LGM’s new church building, but the hard work was definitely worth it.
• How did everyone enjoy the new church building?  It took a lot of work over the past two weeks, but from my perspective it was well worth the effort.  Keep an eye out on new developments as more work gets completed.
• Now that LGM has a permanent building, the real work begins.
• 20 kids in Kids Zone.
• I keep hearing nothing but good things coming from the Kids Zone leaders and parents.  Keep up the good work!
• 6 students in the Beyond Youth.
• Can I say that the Beyond Youth students are the greatest teenagers in the history of teenagers ever?
• To repeat last week: Frustrations can come from the most unlikely places.  Keep your head up, and keep moving forward.

God bless.

• God is awesome! Can I start by saying that?  Yes?  Okay, so we’re cool.
• 14 kids in Kids Zone.
• 6 students in the Beyond Youth.
• Have you seen the sneak peek pics of the new LGM building?
• We’ve been working really hard to get the building ready for this coming Sunday, and I think we’ll be right on time.  Everything is looking good.  Thanks to everyone who has helped so far.
• Quick reminder.  A building doesn’t make a church.  People make up a church, and THE Church.  I don’t recall Jesus dying for a building.  He died for people.  You, me, and everyone.
• Frustrations can come from the most unlikely places.  Keep your head up, and keep moving forward.
• The Crossover Drama Team is back!  Our first practice was Sunday.  The performers were awesome.  I am so proud of each of you.
• Let me end by saying that my wife is the greatest woman alive.  I’m still trying to determine how she puts up with me.

Enjoy your short work week.