Vision...The KEY

I just recently received an email from a guy wanted to know more about our vision. This is not meant to be a 'shot' at anyone who has done this - in fact, I am guilty of this very idea as well. So, please don't get the wrong ideas here.

I've had hundreds of emails wanting to know what our church has to 'offer.' This was the first email that focused just on our vision and I have to say it is a refreshing change of pace. It really made me re-read the sentence-long email more than once and reflect on what God has been doing at Real Life Church. What is our vision? Even more - in light of the message this coming Sunday - how are we being Glorified by God so we can, in return, Glorify Him? How are we Knowing Him and Making Him Known?

The Key to our vision, to any vision for any church, is to acknowledge where God is leading and commit to follow Him on that path. I have tried it other ways - see something I want to do and work towards MY vision and try to make God like it. It makes me laugh looking back at it now. God is not interested in getting a glimpse of our vision, He wants us to get a glimpse of His. If someone were to ask my right now, "Jay, what's changed at RLC?" My response, my answer is Whose vision we aim to follow.

Come back soon for follow-ups to this idea. Have a great day.

GO...It's What We Should Do!

To wrap up this idea of the BIG Challenge, I want to focus on GO! So let's say, you see the need. Let's say you know that God is moving in your life to BE more, IMPACT more, DO more. What keeps us from doing it? We fail to GO.

Most followers of Christ want to see others know HIM. Most of us want to see lives changed and hope given to those who need it. Unfortunately, we fail to make our heart-feelings into BIG actions. I challenge you to GO. Let me share an insight here:

Growing up, we had missionaries in our church all the time. They'd talk about going to Africa and Asia which would make many of us uncomfortable. Our college would show up and talk about going to Nashville to get training to live out God's will. Then, in my opinion, the message changed. I started hearing how I could serve God WITHOUT going to Africa or Asia. I could go to the college and not have to be a pastor or a missionary. See, we were uncomfortable. I'm not going to tell you you don't have to GO. You really have to.

We have got to be sold-out to God's will. How else are we suppose to live? Does God allow us only to give him 80%? No, He wants all of us. Going requires us to be okay with being uncomfortable. I struggle with this, but have found the joy of serving Him fully. That is what was needed in my life. Go. Go Now.

The IMPACT

For me...this is my opinion...there are way too many 'undercover Christians.' We have to live for an IMPACT! Let me tell you a true story:

We just moved to the GA and starting networking and getting involved. I was helping out with the boy's baseball team - you know - trying to meet people. After a few weeks, one of the coaches asked me what I did for a living: which I had already shared that we were starting a new church. So I told him, again. Wow! You should have seen the look on his face - shock. He was a coach. Sometimes they talk certain ways. Anyway, he apologized and said he didn't know I was a pastor. Now whose fault is that?

MINE. I was undercover and didn't even know it. What does that say about my testimony? Am I having an IMPACT on those around me? With God's help - I Pray I Do! However, the fact that someone knows we are Christians is not enough. We have to have an IMPACT on their lives. Now, let's be real - some impacts will be negative. That's the truth. If we live by, stand by, and live out God's Word in our lives - we will offend. Well, let me clarify that - we'll offend the world.

This is part of the BIG plan. Impact. Impact. Impact. Your family, your co-workers, your classmates, your friends - they need YOU! I am praying that you can find the strength and courage to live out in the open for God.

Next time - GO! That will wrap up BIG!

The BIG Challenge

What is the BIG Challenge? To give a brief overview, the BIG is a way to remember God's plan for our lives and especially His church. We cannot become so comfortable that we forget why we are here: to bring honor to God. It can be debated what comes first, or even, what may be the most important. Christ gave us clear instruction on this topic; Love God. Simple.

The challenge is how we do that. See, I believe that loving God sparks in us a desire to live for Him more completely. Living for Him to the fullest of our being, and when this happens we can live BIG.

Today, let's focus on getting started. We must accept Him as our God. We must accept Christ as His Son and our Savior. Then, and only then, can we BE who we are to be. Being who God desires us to be is a great adventure. We get so caught up into thinking we must be like others. No. We are to BE like Christ. Simple. By striving to live out our lives so that Christ is 'lifted' up, we BEcome who God desires us to be.

I pray that we al can find this wonderful place. To be honest, I struggle greatly in accepting who God desires me to BE. It would not be life without the struggles. Praying for strength and wisdom helps and I hope it helps you as well.

Tomorrow we will focus on IMPACT.

Finally BACK!

It's been awhile, so here you go - My Thoughts!

The big news has been our move closer to the church site, Macon's Place in Cataula. This is such a big deal. It will help us become more rooted in our community. Real Life Church has had it's ups and downs over the past few months. However, God has opened so many new opportunities to reach people. That is the BIG Challenge!

The BIG Challenge...I save that for tomorrow.

This Sunday

Find out this Sunday how you can get released from those things that hold you hostage. Services begin at 11 AM at Macon's Place in Cataula, GA.

Brunch starts at 10:30 AM and there will be free family portraits offered to anyone who would like one. Easter is a BIG day. It's going to be awesome! Come see us.

Weekend Wrap-Ups

1. I don't know if the time move will have that big of an impact at Real Life Church or not. We did have more time to get things prepped and ready. This is a unique situation. I'll come back to this thought over the next several weeks.
2. I can see the ambers burning at Real Life. We are primed for something big. I am excited to see God working in the hearts and minds of those involved with our ministry. I know this is just a prelude to something great.
3. Finally, I see a huge need in our church mission. We have got to raise that evangelistic temperature each week. We did have some first-time lifers at RLC this past week. We still are only cranking about 50% return on guest information. We still need KEY people in KEY areas. There is much to do (yeah, Jesus said the Harvest was great), but I do love what I am seeing (praying for those additional workers).

I hope you get a chance to come see us at 108 Macon Dr, Cataula, GA some day. Start time is 11:00 AM. We'll see you there.