D-Now Weekend

I’m not sure where the idea of Disciple NOW came from, but I know it has been around for awhile.  If your not familiar what it’s about the concept is really simple.  Youth stay with the others the same gender and same age as themselves, inside the home of a church  member.   They have a small group leader who leads Bible study in the homes and they get together in the evening for worship.  Some churches do things differently, but that is the basic format. 

One thing I have learned from my D-Now experiences is that it works.  God used D-Now this weekend as a tool to move the hearts of teenagers towards himself.  We saw many teenagers commit their lives to Christ.  After the event was over it was awesome walking through the church and seeing that nearly every Sunday school classroom had a light on and chairs rearranged.  As I walked, it was awesome to know that a few hours before someone was recognizing their need for Jesus and responding to Him right there in that room. 

In the message on the final night our speaker played an old Christian song, I Surrender All, by Clay Crosse.  Here are some lyrics to that song:

“I surrender all my silent hopes and dreams
Though the price to follow costs me everything
I surrender all my human soul desires
If sacrifice requires
That all my kingdoms fall
I surrender all”

Praise the Lord for life change!

Have a great week.

Monday Quote

A few notes:

• I completed the Krispy Kreme challenge, but I did not finish under the time limit.  I need to start training for next year.
• I thought I could eat 12 donuts faster than 15 minutes, I’m disappointed in myself.
• The winner finished in under 30 minutes (4miles and 12 donuts). 
• We are back to the drawing board on the new church name, if you have any ideas let us know. 
• Noah turns 6 months on Wednesday!!!  Thinking about a throwing a birthday party.
• Why do I always wait for the last minute on V-Day gifts?

I’m preaching this week and looks like I’m going to tackly Ephesians 5, “Biblical Marriage in an Unbiblical World.”  Today’s quote comes from Matt Chandler or at least a document with his church name on it.

“I believe much of the reason that women today are so leery of Male-headship is because of the almost absolute failure of evangelical men to be the nail pierced servants of their wives. “

What a challenge and a reminder that as husband we must serve our wives with a Christlike passion and humility. 

matt

Krispy Kreme

Some have asked what the Krispy Kreme Challenge is all about.  Check out this trailer I believe it will answer your questions.

 

Monday Quote

This post is from last week never got published on main page.

 

Notes:

• Had a Mexico meeting last night and am excited to take this group to Casa Hogar Emmanuel.
• The church will vote this week about the church plant.
• Jennifer and I just realized that we have had a baby in our house for almost 6 months!! 
• I’m preaching Feb. 15th feeling real strong about Ephesians 5.
• Indiana might not win another basketball game all year.
• Super Bowl Sunday is coming up: Cardinals/Steelers — Who cares?

As I mentioned last week I have been making my way through Piper’s book, Hunger for God and there is one quote that I have carried around with me for a few days.

“If you don’t feel strong desires for the manifestation of the glory of God, it is not because you have drunk deeply and are satisfied.  It is because you have nibbled so long at the table of the world.  Your soul is stuffed with small things, and there is no room for the great. “

Have a good week

matt

Monday Quote

A few notes:

• Good Super Bowl Game, Bad Super Bowl Result
• Tuesday Denny’s will be giving out free Grand Slam Breakfast from 6am-2pm, I’ll be there.
• Valentine’s Day is around the corner, remember buying all those cards when you were in school? 
• I sent the RSVP card in for my cousin’s wedding, looks like we will be in Indiana March 19-23. 

Update:   The church voted yesterday to bless the new church plant, and we are excited to be moving forward.  It has been more than 6 months since we introduced the idea to our church leadership, and yesterday we got their blessing to carry out what we believe God has called us to do.  The next step will be to present our plan to the church plant team of the local association.   Please continue to pray for both the church plant and our sending church, Wendell Baptist  Also, pray for those in our community we will have an opportunity to reach with the Gospel.  

As we look toward the new church we must do so in a full reliance on God, realizing that our only chance of impacting people for Christ rest in Him alone.  It is with that in mind that I leave you with a quote from Martin Luther:

“Here I stand, I can do no other.  God help me.”

Have a good week.

Matt