Our loan documents are in review with our lawyer and our plans are to sign next week.
The church met last night after bible study to discuss church clean-up and service location plans during construction. The members are becoming more and more excited about the project as each day approaches which is a good thing. It's a lot of work for us but the final outcome will be worth it all.
It was unanimous to change our service time to 8:30 am during construction in our small building which is occupied by an Hispanic church. I wanted us to venture out and experience other worship styles for networking purposes. While some were for it others objected to the idea. I think, it did go over well only because I didn't have a good plan in place to communicate to the church. But it's good to see the church getting excited and motivated about our project. Now, I pray their excitement moves from just lip service to improved financial support.
While the weather is good, in the month of September we're going to have service on our parking lot on the following days: 9/7/08, 9/14/08, 9/21/08, and 9/28/08 which we're calling "Praising in the Sun". These services will be strategic for evangelism. So, we're going to pass out invitational fliers in the community this weekend. My prayer is God, please bless our evangelistic efforts. I purchased some 10' x 20' tents at the beginning of the year in anticipation for this very day.
Last night I taught a lesson entitled, "Do Your Best". The point of the lesson is if it bears God's name it deserves our best. It is a lesson to encourage our church to strive for excellence in everything that we do for God.
I remember years ago serving under Pastor Charles at the Mt. Sinai Church a conversation he and I had after a sermon I preached one Sunday morning. He did a lot of traveling that year and it was only the two of us at the time sharing the preaching ministry of the church. God was blessing each sermon I preached at Mt Sinai. The people were shouting, joining church, and coming up for prayer after each sermon. One Sunday, Pastor Charles came home early and I was preaching, in my mind the message was a homerun based on the reaction of the people. When service was over, we went into his office, he shut the door and said; "Have a seat." I sat down and he began to critique my sermon presentation. Naturally, I was upset so I started defending me and my sermon. I ran the list of past Sundays of all that God did over the weeks he was gone and how God moved mighty in every service. But he said something to me that has stuck with until this very day and probable will stay with me forever. He said, "You're only as good as the last sermon preached." he explained that although he was not present, he had every sermon mailed to him while he was gone of which he said; "Great job! But this one was not your best".
One of my biggest competitors is ME. During that time each week I tried to out do me every week. And while I'm thinking I'm a huge success, in reality I was a miserable failure.
Here's what I want to leave you with in this blog, God never asks you to be the best just do our best. God be praised and you be blessed.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
No Fun In San Diego
I'm in San Diego, Ca on business for my company. I arrived yesterday morning only to go straight to the office to start the day. This is the second time I came to San Diego, Ca without my wife, Tracy and it's boring. We use San Diego, Ca as our getaway spot because it's so laid back and peaceful. But without her these two days has been no fun at all. I think we'll spend our anniversary this year in San Diego, Ca instead of Las Vegas, Nevada.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Important News Bulleting!! Hurrincane Clint Is Coming
This weekend at First Goodwill, we experienced our very first ever hurricane. The force was fierce and the water was flowing. It was on Saturday, I met with our contractor, architect, electrician, and HVAC contractor to discuss particulars as well as start drawing plans for stage area, bathroom remodel, etc. At the same time, we lease our small building to an Hispanic church and they wanted use our pool for baptizing. I got in the office early Saturday to get everything going for baptizism and to prepare for my meeting. Has we were wrapping up our meeting, I heard water flowing and it dawned on me that the baptismal pool was overflowing. I ran to pull the plug and turn the water off but in the process the cork broke. So, I started running water all over again and needed to fine something else to plug the drain, I did. The water reached a comfortable level and I thought; "Ok, all is well but I should let run just little more". I turned one nozzle to the off position (I thought!). The Hispanic church baptized and I was ready to leave because Tracy and I had made plans to spend the day together.
I got up Sunday morning to go to church and prepare for the day. When I went to open the door, I heard water running. I started fumbling with my key rushing trying to open the door. Once I got into the church there was water everywhere. The baptismal pool overflowed. I ran upstairs and literally dove into the pool fully clothed to pull out the plug. Has the pool emptied I still heard water running. The nozzle I called myself turning off I actually turned on. I got towels, mops, old clothes, newpapers, and whatever I could get my hands on to try and clean up my mess. For two hours, I mopped trying to get the water up and then at about 8 am I gave up.
When the members came and saw caution tape everywhere, naturally they wondered; "What happened?" I explained my mistake; "I made the mess but I was not trying to destroy the church to get construction done!" See, we were having a meeting after our morning service for updating and planning for construction. I still have some members who think I'm crazy and they think I will go to any length in getting the work done. Of course, they think I planned it but I didn't.
Needless to say, I did not get to preach my sermon on Our Commitment to Disciples which would have completed by sermon series because I wrestled with hurricane Clint and was not able to complete my writing. I have what I call life saver sermons for moments like this, so I preached:
Topic: Spread Good Rumors
Text: Mattew 9:27-31
When Jesus departed from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out and saying, "Son of David, have mercy on us!" And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to Him, "Yes, Lord."Then He touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith let it be to you." And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, saying, "See that no one knows it." But when they had departed, they spread the news about Him in all that country.
Thesis Statement: Spreading good rumors is not a hard thing to do when you are aware of the fact that the good outweighs the bad.
I. Reasons for Spreading Good Rumors - v. 27-28
I got up Sunday morning to go to church and prepare for the day. When I went to open the door, I heard water running. I started fumbling with my key rushing trying to open the door. Once I got into the church there was water everywhere. The baptismal pool overflowed. I ran upstairs and literally dove into the pool fully clothed to pull out the plug. Has the pool emptied I still heard water running. The nozzle I called myself turning off I actually turned on. I got towels, mops, old clothes, newpapers, and whatever I could get my hands on to try and clean up my mess. For two hours, I mopped trying to get the water up and then at about 8 am I gave up.
When the members came and saw caution tape everywhere, naturally they wondered; "What happened?" I explained my mistake; "I made the mess but I was not trying to destroy the church to get construction done!" See, we were having a meeting after our morning service for updating and planning for construction. I still have some members who think I'm crazy and they think I will go to any length in getting the work done. Of course, they think I planned it but I didn't.
Needless to say, I did not get to preach my sermon on Our Commitment to Disciples which would have completed by sermon series because I wrestled with hurricane Clint and was not able to complete my writing. I have what I call life saver sermons for moments like this, so I preached:
Topic: Spread Good Rumors
Text: Mattew 9:27-31
When Jesus departed from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out and saying, "Son of David, have mercy on us!" And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to Him, "Yes, Lord."Then He touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith let it be to you." And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, saying, "See that no one knows it." But when they had departed, they spread the news about Him in all that country.
Thesis Statement: Spreading good rumors is not a hard thing to do when you are aware of the fact that the good outweighs the bad.
I. Reasons for Spreading Good Rumors - v. 27-28
- Following Jesus Demands Good Rumors - v. 27a
- The Mercy of God Desreves Good Rumors - v. 27b
- Answered Prayer is a Deligthfully Good Rumor - v. 28-30a
II. The Restriction For Spreading Good Rumors -v. 30b
Point: Jesus told them to not say a word! Why? For whatever the reason, this is one of those times when disobeying God is in order.
III. The Result In Spreading Good Rumors - v. 31
Point: Blessed people can't keep quiet! The world needs to hear about a goodness God.
The Lord blessed even in the midst of my stormy mess yesterday morning! God be praised.
Friday, August 22, 2008
RESTORE THE LAND PROJECT UPDATE
I met with another potential general contractor on yesterday for lunch to negotiate work to be done. This particular general contractor is also the banker who is funding our loan. It is to our best interest to use him because he has more to loose than we do. Our original proposal started out at $350,000 with another contractor. By the time we finished yesterday, our negotiated price is now $285,000 (savings of $65,000 and maybe even lower once project is completed). On top of lower cost, I was able to negotiate additional items be done as well. Such as:
- a new asphalt parking lot with striping included,
- total bathroom makeover for all 3 bathrooms with new urinals, toilets, sinks, etc
- Central Air/Heating for entire church (The original proposal from another contractor was $84,000. This price was too high and we were considering just putting air/heat in sancturay only to lower the price. But, I negotiated with new contractor for a price of $30,000 for complete church).
- I also negotiated with contractor that we purchase most of the material. I have a lot of contacts for carpet, tile, drywall, etc that can be purchased at wholesale pricing and with a discount. This will save even more money.
- All work performed will be guaranteed for the life of the loan. I did this to see how confident he was in his work performance. He agreed (good sign).
Final negotiation was to locked in at $285,000 if any new problems arise it would be the responsibility of the contractor to complete at his expense. Here's how I know God is at work in this project, many contractors will not go for this. I threw a bone at him regarding time frame, if job is completed by 11/30/08 I will give him a 3% bonus. His eyebrows raised because he thought it was on total cost of project. Then I lowered the bomb; "On your profit margin of $27,000!" which equates to $810 (I may round it up to $1000). Also remember, a general contractor is not actually doing the work, he is the coordinator. Always work that to your favor if possible. As well with time frame negotiation I went at this angle for everyday lost there will be a 1% penalty reduction on his contractor overhead. This is to insure a timely completion but I don't it dragged out any further than it has to be. We don't plan to enter our new sanctuary until Jan '09 but he doesn't need to know that.
I write this blog as a testimony of God working things out for our good but I also know many of you are in the midst of a project yourselves and hopefully some of this information may help you.
Be blessed!
Thursday, August 21, 2008
New Sermon Series
We're just about ready to close our loan and start construction as scheduled for the 1st week of Sept. This is a huge step of faith for our church that I'm believing God to provide all we need, financially, to continue ministry operations. I'm getting so excited because this will be a turning point in our ministry in that once construction is completed we will have much more flexibility to minister to all ages in a comfortable environment. So, I've been praying about what to preach to prepare us for the adventure.
I will complete our sermon series this Sunday on "Our F-I-R-S-T Essentials" discussion closing with Our Commitment to Discipleship - 2 Timothy 2:2. I had been praying as to what direction I should go in the next sermon series. I would rather preach in series formats because my time is so limited it makes it easier for me to stay focused. My mental capacity has been consumed with one thought for our church; "The Importance of Supporting Your Church".
I will complete our sermon series this Sunday on "Our F-I-R-S-T Essentials" discussion closing with Our Commitment to Discipleship - 2 Timothy 2:2. I had been praying as to what direction I should go in the next sermon series. I would rather preach in series formats because my time is so limited it makes it easier for me to stay focused. My mental capacity has been consumed with one thought for our church; "The Importance of Supporting Your Church".
- With Your Love - 1 John 4:7-11
- With Your Prayers - Colossians 4:2
- With Your Gifts/Talents - Romans 12:3-8
- With Your Stewardship - Genesis 2:15
- With Your Worship - Nehemiah 9:8
- With Your Service - 1 Peter 4:10-11
- With Your Hospitality - 1 Peter 4:9
I believe this sermon series will help us to create team ministry and unity in our church. In addition, I've started gathering information and writing curriculum for our new members class of which Our F-I-R-S-T Essentials sermon outline and this new sermon series will incorporated.
I can't take full credit of the above outline other than I've been reading a number of books on the church lately and that has inspired this sermon series structure. Please keep us in your prayers.
Be blessed!
Monday, August 18, 2008
Is it a Prophecy or Prophe-lie?
I was just thinking about something that happened to me yesterday after church. After our service someone came to me and said; "I have a special word for you from the Lord". My eyebrows raised with apprehension and he said; "Stay on the wall your harvest is about to burst. Your church is about grow and this place will be filled beyond your wildest imagination". Then to confirm that what he was saying was a special word from the Lord, he says; "A prophecy isn't a prophecy until the prophecy is fulfilled!"
I left church and went home to relax after a long taxing day but the statement; "A prophecy isn't a prophecy until it's fulfilled" kept playing in my head. Don't get me wrong, I really appreciated the words of encouragement. However, I have a problem with labeling words of encouragement as prophecy. I think that sometimes in our attempt to encourage one another in church, we confuse edification with what we consider as a special word of futuristic revelation, prophecy.
Here's what I mean, to give encouragement to another person (believer) does not require labeling our words and attempts with spiritual terminology to be deep. I have people on my job that are Christians and one lady has a habit of saying "My spirit told me." One Monday, we were discussing getting tickets and I was explaining that at one point in my life I think my middle name was Clint "Get A Ticket" Smith because every time I looked around I was getting a ticket. But in the last several years, I have not received a ticket, thank God. She responds, "Yea, the other day I wanted to run the red light but my spirit told me not to". I couldn't help but to respond, "It wasn't your spirit, it was the photo camera that will take your picture and send you a $300 ticket if don't cross the intersection in time that made you stop". She laughed and said; "You're right!"
We've made church so complicated now that the basics of Christian living like, faith, love, joy, obedience, etc isn't enough anymore. I remember preaching a series out of Hebrews chapter 11 (I can't remember the sermon) and I was arguing the point that we don't need supernatural experiences or special revelations to validate our faith. The men and women mentioned in Hebrews 11 were rewarded because of their faithful obedience to God. The practical principle in Hebrews 11 and throughout scripture is that God rewards people who are faithful to Him even if it costs you everything. Prime example, Job. Job lost everything in one day but stayed faithful to God as difficult as it may have been.
I believe the Word of God is all need for revelation. As a matter of fact, Paul said to Timothy that "The Word of God is inspired and profitable for correction, rebuke, doctrine, and instruction in righteousness that the man of God maybe complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work (2Ti 3:15-16)". Biblical inspiration is not about obtaining special revelation above what he's already said in Scripture.
Is it a prophecy or prophe-lie? Or is it words of encouragement labeled with spiritual terminology to be deep rather than practical?
I left church and went home to relax after a long taxing day but the statement; "A prophecy isn't a prophecy until it's fulfilled" kept playing in my head. Don't get me wrong, I really appreciated the words of encouragement. However, I have a problem with labeling words of encouragement as prophecy. I think that sometimes in our attempt to encourage one another in church, we confuse edification with what we consider as a special word of futuristic revelation, prophecy.
Here's what I mean, to give encouragement to another person (believer) does not require labeling our words and attempts with spiritual terminology to be deep. I have people on my job that are Christians and one lady has a habit of saying "My spirit told me." One Monday, we were discussing getting tickets and I was explaining that at one point in my life I think my middle name was Clint "Get A Ticket" Smith because every time I looked around I was getting a ticket. But in the last several years, I have not received a ticket, thank God. She responds, "Yea, the other day I wanted to run the red light but my spirit told me not to". I couldn't help but to respond, "It wasn't your spirit, it was the photo camera that will take your picture and send you a $300 ticket if don't cross the intersection in time that made you stop". She laughed and said; "You're right!"
We've made church so complicated now that the basics of Christian living like, faith, love, joy, obedience, etc isn't enough anymore. I remember preaching a series out of Hebrews chapter 11 (I can't remember the sermon) and I was arguing the point that we don't need supernatural experiences or special revelations to validate our faith. The men and women mentioned in Hebrews 11 were rewarded because of their faithful obedience to God. The practical principle in Hebrews 11 and throughout scripture is that God rewards people who are faithful to Him even if it costs you everything. Prime example, Job. Job lost everything in one day but stayed faithful to God as difficult as it may have been.
I believe the Word of God is all need for revelation. As a matter of fact, Paul said to Timothy that "The Word of God is inspired and profitable for correction, rebuke, doctrine, and instruction in righteousness that the man of God maybe complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work (2Ti 3:15-16)". Biblical inspiration is not about obtaining special revelation above what he's already said in Scripture.
Is it a prophecy or prophe-lie? Or is it words of encouragement labeled with spiritual terminology to be deep rather than practical?
Many Thoughts!
Thoughts About Me:
Over the past 2 weeks, I've taking some time to reflect on my growth development has a husband, father, pastor, and Christian. The final analysis reveals that I have a lot of growing to do. Recent conversations with my wife, Tracy who love dearly has shown me that I cannot allow my work in the secular and church cause me to neglect my family. My work in both areas, as a pastor and buyer, is very demanding of my energy capacity. Therefore, I've neglected to mention and recognize my wife's accomplishment of finishing college in June of this year in which she received an Liberal Arts AA Degree and is a certified sign graphics maker. It is and was a huge accomplishment for her of which I am very proud. I could have done a much better job at recognizing her accomplishment. Great job, T-Baby.
Thoughts About Church:
Yesterday was a good day! Attendance was decent but it can always be better. My auntie and uncle is visiting from Dallas, Texas for the week and made it a point to come worship with us on yesterday. It was refreshing to see some visitation in our service and they brought their worship with them which made it easy to preach. I finally preached 1 Peter 3:15: "But sanctify the Lord God in you hearts and always be ready give a defense for the hope that is within with meekness and fear". I struggled for the last 3 weeks putting this message together but it finally came to me on Saturday. I pray God was pleased with the outline.
Sermon Series: Our F-I-R-S-T Essentials (5 Functions of the church: worship, ministry, evangelism, fellowship, discipleship)
Sermon Topic: Our Commitment to Evangelism
Sermon Text: 1 Peter 3:15
Thesis: No matter the persecution we face in life, we must stand up and be a witness to God's saving power:
Tranisitional Sentence: How we respond during times of trouble can affect the effectiveness of our witness.
The text provides three (3) principles for effective evangelism:
1. The Measure of our Witness
"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts.."
Point: The effectiveness of our witness is based on the life that we live. In evangelism, your life matters.
2. The Message of Our Witness
"...and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you of the hope the lies within."
Point: The effectiveness of witness is based on the message that we speak in word and action. So the exhortation is this; let's get the gospel message right.
3. The Manner of Our Witness
"...with meekness and fear."
Point: The effectiveness of our witness is based on the attitude we display in evangelism.
I tried to keep it simple without being too technical and the church was very receptive. Now, I pray they be doers of the Word and not just hearers only.
Thought about Restore the Land Project:
I met with our loan representative on Friday for a discussion I was not pleased with at all. Our loan company is also in the business of general contracting. I informed him last week of our contractor selection and he was not happy. They submitted a quote just like everyone else and their quote was much less than others. However, it was not comprehensive enough for me to want to consider his company for the job. I understand that many times contractors bid on jobs and then when construction begins pricing starts increasing with "C.O. (Change Order Notices)" because they didn't factor in the unknown. He pleaded his case and I listened very attentively. When he finished, I let him know that I'm not in the business of signing and/or agreeing to unwritten, unclear, cloudy contracts with anyone. If his construction company wanted the job, he and his crew needed to spec out every detail possible with pricing but until then he will not get the job. I also said to him; "That all good contractors know the condition of a place based on it's structure. We're not changing our structure we're upgrading which should make it easier to spec out". He thought I was a little harsh being that I'm a pastor. I explained to him that I'm also a businessman and to use my position as a pastor to get the work may mean I need to go somewhere else for the loan process. Of course, he didn't want that. So, we made an appoint for him to come in today with his crew and spec out the work with pricing. I gave him a deadline for his quote for Wednesday of this week and no later. There's always going to be some red tape for the church in these types of ventures but nothing we can't overcome. I have to protect every area of our church especially the business aspect of our church. Please be in prayer for us, our goal is to start construction the 1st week of Sept.
Over the past 2 weeks, I've taking some time to reflect on my growth development has a husband, father, pastor, and Christian. The final analysis reveals that I have a lot of growing to do. Recent conversations with my wife, Tracy who love dearly has shown me that I cannot allow my work in the secular and church cause me to neglect my family. My work in both areas, as a pastor and buyer, is very demanding of my energy capacity. Therefore, I've neglected to mention and recognize my wife's accomplishment of finishing college in June of this year in which she received an Liberal Arts AA Degree and is a certified sign graphics maker. It is and was a huge accomplishment for her of which I am very proud. I could have done a much better job at recognizing her accomplishment. Great job, T-Baby.
Thoughts About Church:
Yesterday was a good day! Attendance was decent but it can always be better. My auntie and uncle is visiting from Dallas, Texas for the week and made it a point to come worship with us on yesterday. It was refreshing to see some visitation in our service and they brought their worship with them which made it easy to preach. I finally preached 1 Peter 3:15: "But sanctify the Lord God in you hearts and always be ready give a defense for the hope that is within with meekness and fear". I struggled for the last 3 weeks putting this message together but it finally came to me on Saturday. I pray God was pleased with the outline.
Sermon Series: Our F-I-R-S-T Essentials (5 Functions of the church: worship, ministry, evangelism, fellowship, discipleship)
Sermon Topic: Our Commitment to Evangelism
Sermon Text: 1 Peter 3:15
Thesis: No matter the persecution we face in life, we must stand up and be a witness to God's saving power:
Tranisitional Sentence: How we respond during times of trouble can affect the effectiveness of our witness.
The text provides three (3) principles for effective evangelism:
1. The Measure of our Witness
"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts.."
Point: The effectiveness of our witness is based on the life that we live. In evangelism, your life matters.
2. The Message of Our Witness
"...and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you of the hope the lies within."
Point: The effectiveness of witness is based on the message that we speak in word and action. So the exhortation is this; let's get the gospel message right.
3. The Manner of Our Witness
"...with meekness and fear."
Point: The effectiveness of our witness is based on the attitude we display in evangelism.
I tried to keep it simple without being too technical and the church was very receptive. Now, I pray they be doers of the Word and not just hearers only.
Thought about Restore the Land Project:
I met with our loan representative on Friday for a discussion I was not pleased with at all. Our loan company is also in the business of general contracting. I informed him last week of our contractor selection and he was not happy. They submitted a quote just like everyone else and their quote was much less than others. However, it was not comprehensive enough for me to want to consider his company for the job. I understand that many times contractors bid on jobs and then when construction begins pricing starts increasing with "C.O. (Change Order Notices)" because they didn't factor in the unknown. He pleaded his case and I listened very attentively. When he finished, I let him know that I'm not in the business of signing and/or agreeing to unwritten, unclear, cloudy contracts with anyone. If his construction company wanted the job, he and his crew needed to spec out every detail possible with pricing but until then he will not get the job. I also said to him; "That all good contractors know the condition of a place based on it's structure. We're not changing our structure we're upgrading which should make it easier to spec out". He thought I was a little harsh being that I'm a pastor. I explained to him that I'm also a businessman and to use my position as a pastor to get the work may mean I need to go somewhere else for the loan process. Of course, he didn't want that. So, we made an appoint for him to come in today with his crew and spec out the work with pricing. I gave him a deadline for his quote for Wednesday of this week and no later. There's always going to be some red tape for the church in these types of ventures but nothing we can't overcome. I have to protect every area of our church especially the business aspect of our church. Please be in prayer for us, our goal is to start construction the 1st week of Sept.
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