Hanging with Gary Lamb

Being in ministry can be pretty lonely.  Lori and I have definitely felt the weight of that over the years.  We’ve been very intentional about trying to build relationships with other pastors.  We’ve made it a point to build friendships with church planters, and to seek to encourage them.

Without a doubt, one of my best friends in ministry is Gary Lamb.  Gary and his wife Deanna are the real deal, and they’re getting it done in Canton, Georgia.  Lori loves Deanna, so it’s just cool to be with them.

So Lori and I headed up to Gary’s town today and just hung out with him and Deanna. It was great to see Gary’s town; he truly is the Boss Hog of Canton

We got to see the theater they meet in (great set-up), their offices, and some of the local area.  Canton is about to boom, and I believe Ridgestone Church is going to reach a ton of people for Christ.  Gary’s the right guy in the right place at the right time.  I’m excited to see what happens.

Anyways, it was very fun to hang out with Gary & Deanna, they’re truly some of Lori’ and I’s favorite people. We talked a ton of ministry, 80′s hair-band music, real estate, and our most embarassing moments.

Thanks G & D for the hospitality, you guys are the best.  We love you guys! Gary, you’re my favorite redneck in the whole world.

Hanging With Tony McCollum

After hanging with Gary & Deanna, we went and had dinner with some new friends, Tony & Amy McCollum. Tony started Mill Creek Community Church in Buford, Ga about 3 1/2 years ago.  I’ve known Tony through pastor’s forums for about 6 years, but this was the first real chance to hang out togehter.

All I can say is that Tony is flat out one of the nicest (and forgiving) guys I’ve ever hung out with.  He obviously loves the Lord, and loves pastors Mill Creek.  Even more striking, though, is that Tony loves his wife, Amy, and their kids more than he loves the church. This was evident after about 30 minutes with him. I like guys who have their priorities in order.

It was encouraging to hear the story of how Tony and Amy came to the Lord (wow!), and then into ministry. Tony’s had some rough minstry experiences that almost killed his desire to pastor anymore (I can touch that).  They’re rockin’ in Buford, and with their hearts, I believe Mill Creek Church will continue to get it done!

Lori and I loved swapping stories with Tony & Amy, it just felt natural to hang with them. They’re the newest addition to my cool people’s list.  I’ll hang out with them anytime. Thanks guys for meeting us last minute, it was a blast!

Visiting This Weekend

Lori and I got to visit Westridge Church just outside of Atlanta this weekend.  There are only a few weekends a year where I get the privilege of sitting in church with Lori.  It’s pretty cool just to worship together, put my arm around her, and be fed together.

Westridge is a GREAT church.    They’re 8 years old, running 3,500, and just moved into their first building.  Before that they were meeting in a high school gym (sounds all too familiar). I admire the way they do things, and their integrity. They have a solid reputation from every one that tells me about them.

Being 5 1/2 years old, running 2,000, and meeting in a gym, I feel like they’re about 2 steps ahead of us on the curve, and it was great to get a peek into our future. They’re building is very cool, they did a nice job on it.

They’re such a solid church, with great teaching and worship.  The people had a spirit of excitement to be there, which is always contagious. If I lived in the area, I would definitely attend Westridge Church, they’ve got it going on!

Weekend Recap

I heard this weekend was awesome at Palm Valley Church.  Had a bunch of people call/email me to let me know the Ryan and Karina did an outstanding job teaching on the DaVinci Code. 

I love that we have such a gifted staff.  They all have a heart for the Lord and for our church, and they’re willing to do whatever it takes to help us reach people for Christ and grow them up in their faith. 

I also heard that Nate Endicott did an awesome job leading worship.  Our worship team has been doing an incredible job, and I know Nate just added to the level they’ve already established!

Can’t wait to watch the video and see for myself, but I’m thankful to be a part of such a great team of people!

Serious Preaching

Somebody posted a video on myspace.com that is a compilation of some incredible preaching.  If you don’t want to be challenged in your faith, don’t watch this video.  If you don’t want your world rocked today, don’t watch this video.   If you want to remain comfortable in your faith, don’t watch this video.

Okay, I warned you, here’s the video… serious preaching

Don’t say I didn’t warn you

Loving What I Do

Very few people I know get the privilege of doing what they love for a living.  Most people I speak with don’t really love their jobs, they’re simply making the best of it because it’s a good paycheck.

I love what I do.  I love leading Palm Valley Church! When Lori and I started PVC in our home, I could never have imagined how much I would enjoy every step of this process.

I love seeing people’s lives changed every week.  I love seeing people accept Christ as their Savior.  I love seeing people getting baptized. I love seeing people get connected to a Home Team and grow in their faith.  I love seeing people serve in the local church. I love seeing people reach out and share Christ’s love with others. I love seeing people worship together every week! 

I love that it happens in the lives of children, and in the lives of seniors.  I love that couples grow closer together, and that singles connect with others in solid relationships.

Granted, there are things about my job I don’t love…dealing with critics who think they know how to run a church being my least favorite, but overall I’m right where I know God gifted and called me to be, and that’s an awesome feeling.  I simply love being the pastor of Palm Valley Church.

Go Suns!

What a game last night! The Suns are finding ways to win the close games, something they couldn’t do all year.  Up 1-0, great start to this series!

Remembered

This weekend we celebrate Memorial Day in our country.  For many it’s simply another vacation day, and a reason to have a barbeque.

I’m so thankful for the freedom we have as a country.  I believe we live in the greatest country on the face of the planet. I’m grateful for the men and women who have served, and given their lives, to purchase and protect our freedom.

So, if you’ve ever served in our country’s military, THANK YOU!

This Weekend

This weekend is going to be incredible at Palm Valley.  Ryan and Karina are teaching together on the topic, “Who Is Jesus”.  They’ll be answering some of the questions raised in the DaVinci Code, like “was Jesus Married?”, “Did He believe He was God?”, “Did others believe He was God?”, “Did Constantine and the council of Nicea determine Christ’s deity?” and so on. 

We’ve got a guest worship leader with us this weekend.  Nate Endicott is one cool guy, and an incredibly gifted worship leader.  You’re going to love his heart for the Lord, and his style of leading worship.  Come with your hearts prepared!  We’ll be taking communion this weekend in all 3 services also.

DaVinci Resources

There’s a ton of discussion going on in our culture about the DaVinci Code movie.  Here’s some resources I found helpful in my study of the subject…

Josh McDowell has done a ton of research, and relays his findings in a very simple formate.  He did kind of a talking points paper you can download here.  He’s also done a series of Q&A mp3′s on 19 different questions from the DaVinci Code.  Go here and look at the bottom right of the page.  You can simply click on any of the 19 questions and listen as Josh discusses it.

Here’s a list of books I found helpful in study, you can purchase them at Amazon or any Christian bookstore…

The DaVinci Hoax by Carl E. Olson & Sandra Miesel

DaVinci Code – A Quest For Answers by Josh McDowell

Exploring The DaVinci Code by Lee Strobel & Garry Poole

Discussing The DaVinci Code (Home Team Study) by Lee Strobel

The DaVinci Code: Fact or Fiction by Hank Hanegraaff

The DaVinci Deception by Erwin Lutzer

Cracking DaVinci’s Code by James Garlow