The Question Is...

What Would You Change About Your Life?

What would you change about your life? Within each of us is a desire to change, to become something better, to become something new. What (or Who) is the source of this desire? Can this desire be quen... more >>

What would you change about your life? Within each of us is a desire to change, to become something better, to become something new. What (or Who) is the source of this desire? Can this desire be quenched with outward change only?

What would you change about your life and is there anyway that you can make changes tomorrow to obtain those goals?

Most people complain about their lives but don't do anything to change their circumstances. What changes have you instituted to make your life different? Did it turn out the way that you thought/hoped it would be? Would you still make those changes today?

A Successful Relaunch!

A look back at our first 30 days...

Our first month as Lead Pastors at LWEC has been an incredible journey! We started off our first Sunday by casting the vision for the ministry and quickly sprinting through our 51-page relaunch strategy.

Initially, we heard many comments that expressed both excitement and anticipation accompanied by a few looks of “OMG, the spirit of overwhelm is attacking me!" Nevertheless, GTG (Glory To God) we got the job done. Now that all of our capacities have been stretched beyond  their perceived limits, I think that we can now go on to our next level.

As I think about all of the positive things that have occurred, there are a few things that stand out. One in particular was a comment made by someone that I have affectionately labeled “G-Man” (that’s my own personal title for him-by the way he doesn’t look like your typical “G-Man”), that stands out. He somewhat jokingly said, "it was great to see that our plan was actually more than just a theory” as we KO'd our list of priorities.

Here are a few of the things that our team accomplished:
Adam Corbeille, Our up and coming videographer extraordinaire!

• Established our vision, mission and goals for the ministry
• Planned our calendar for the first 6-months
• Built our “Vision Wall”
• Added a wall in one of our rooms to be used for Guest Reception
• Built a stage (photos will be posted soon)
• Added carpet to the stage
• Launched our Capital Stewardship/Relaunch Campaign (which has averaged approximately $1000 per week) YEAH GOD!
• Began adding media elements to our services
• Purchased a video camera
• Began reorganizing our Praise & Worship

Dave Carrick-Enjoying the new congas!

• Established a leader over “Next Generation Ministries”
• Established a resident Office Administrator
• Added 4-stage lights
• Changed many of our décor elements
• Built wonderful relationships
• Increased our attendance (our goal is to double in 6-months)
• Established 4 prayer groups
• Built what has proven to be a very successful communications tool (blog)
• Tapped into a wonderful diversity of gifts

Our Guest Speaker: Kimberly Anderberg, an International Communications and Marketing Executive, from Madison WI.Another highlight of our month came from our guest speaker, Kimberly Anderberg, An International Marketing and Communications Executive. All I can say is, WOW Kim! We will be posting her exhortation on the blog soon!

In December...

Ministry Focus: Church Health

Event Highlight: Friends & Family

Special Guest: Kimberly Anderberg (December 28th)

"Prophetic insight with a corporate twist..."                                                                                    Guest speaker Kimberly Anderberg electrifies LWEC with this timely message!

I'm Just, "Goin Through"!

Wow! What an interesting season we are in! Many of us seem to be at a place where we’re being hammered by situations that can be classified as tempestuous or at least difficult. We are in some regards becoming intimately reacquainted with words like bumps and bruises, hills and climbing, as they clammer to define the challenges that we face. And, in the midst of all of this Mr. Life is trying to offer us strange advice that is usually reserved for those abused by the affects of missing the mark, sin.

After getting tossed around a bit wouldn't it be easier to??? (that's your blank to fill it.) So what are we supposed to do. Just because some things are difficult right now are we required to tolerate the status quo and accept this as normalcy?

For me, coming from somewhat of a traditional background, I've had to resist the notion to settle for just “going through”. Many of the sermons and the spectacular testimonies that I remember hearing were often laced with a supernatural endurance element that I didn't seem to have. And it was inferred or implied that by “going through” that somehow you earned gold stars for your crown of Christian maturity. Although endurance can be associated with patience, which is a fruit of the recreated man (and Jesus did say that in this life you would have tribulations), you don’t have to set your affection or hopes on just “going through.” That is the default option. Am I saying that there is an alternative to this ominous predicament? You Betcha!

Q. What if I caused this…

O.K. let’s entertain that question. What if, through repeated mistakes, bad decisions, unfinished goals, bad investments and unrealistic hopes of success, you’ve squandered expectations? Perhaps you’ve mastered the art of mismanaging relationships, consequently eroding the confidence that others had in you?  So what! It isn’t over till the fat angel Cherub sings! (Sorry angels! There must be at least one of you that weighs more than a hundred pounds)

Because we allow ourselves to become self-deceived we act as though we deserve what we are getting out of life, therefore, the impetus to pursue becomes an abstract mission.

What can be done to change this whole quandary?

With these menacing dilemmas coming at us with the antagonizing fury of a raging storm, (having the capacity to sink the ship of our lives), does it mean that our days are numbered? Absolutely Not!

I know that the absence of land in you periphery and water in your boat makes sinking seems inevitable, but, this light affliction will only last for a moment if you will get your eyes off of the water and celebrate the fact that you don't have any water in your nostrils!  Whoa, Now that will preach!

Hey, there is a solution.  Instead of just focusing on “making it through”, IF you can identify the source and the type of storm you may be in, you can also deliberately Calm it! How? We’ll talk about this later…I gotta run.

From "Anticipation to Kaboom"

As I have been sitting here contemplating what to write, the only word that comes to mind that best describes how I feel is the word, "anticipation." I often say that, "anticipation is God's invitation." If you expect Him to do something then heaven considers it done! At which point, the entire universe then becomes voice-activated, just waiting for you to say something.

| Anticipation is God's Invitation! |

Recently, it seemed as though my tongue had become anesthetized to the reality that life and death are truly in the power of what you say. And when you are surrounded by a world that is shaped by declared utterances, why wouldn't you just—say?

Hey, I forgot to mention something that happened last night that was waaay (intentional) cool! Warning: you are now officially on a side journey.

Last night  Leila and I were driving and talking about our desire to have a digital video recorder when I casually mentioned that I remembered purchasing one—oh maybe 6, 7, 8 years ago. I last remembered  seeing it in a box somewhere that only the mature angels could remember its exact whereabouts. Shortly thereafter, we were reminded by our need to be good stewards, which meant that we needed go and "purge" an overcommitted storage unit. So grudgingly and without haste we made the journey. As we were rummaging though the boxes and loose articles, next in line—A green bag. A green bag that had no relationship to a video camera—not even a member of the same species. And inside that unassuming sack was a VIDEO CAMERA! My long lost video camera. What happened? We stated our desire and guess what? The earth coughed it up! In my heart I was kinda anticipating it, but wasn't expecting such a rapid, decisive, Kaboom, but the words had been spoken...

You know, I can't really explain it but I have a sneaking suspicion that a lot of "cough-ups" are about to happen! Something majestic, magnanimous, magnificent, marvelous, miraculous (o.k. enough with the "m" words) is about to take place. So my question to you is, "Are you ready for the event?" Let me encourage you to begin living in a constant state of ready. As a matter of fact, I challenge you to begin living your life on constant alert. Anticipation. Isn't that what we are supposed to be doing anyway? My pilgrimage though this barren land is starting to gain some traction again and I'm ready to get after it. Even as I have been writing, the "anticipation" is starting to expand...

P.S. There is even more detail to this story—it was so "off-the-hook" that I'm not sure you can handle it!

I just Wonder. Where's the next Kaboom?

The Revolution Continues-"Jyeah"

"The Revolution" The Fifth Service

The last few days have been great! We began our first official Sunday as the new lead pastors of LWEC and it was fantastic. On several occasions it was as though God slowed things down just enough for me to see and to realize just how awesome the opportunity is that He has placed in my hands.

On Saturday... L & I left for Eau Claire which by the way, means, "the water is clear". It's a French thing. Maybe I should start calling it "water-clear?"... maybe not. Eventually (around six or so) we made it over to the site and began thinking through what needs to happen in order to make the facility "service-friendly." We are expecting people to come so we need to be ready.

"The Revolution"

Four hours later... we began the arduous task of assembling our "relaunch strategy" booklets which translated into a long night of becoming best friends with a cheap stapler and bulletins. We finally got to sleep about 1 am and were jolted out of bed about 5:15 am by an obnoxious wake-up call which was also an hour early since the hotel's phone system didn't adjust for the time change.

Sunday (am)... was so full of excitement that I don't even know where to begin. It started at the church with an awesome time of fellowship where I got to share the vision with the sheeepsses. (I know, that's not a real word). They seemed to really appreciate the time together and I am pumped for this week already. As a matter of fact, after just 3 hours of sleep I found myself tossing and turning thinking about everything that I am suddenly excited about.

Sunday (pm) ... Once again, I had the honor of sharing at the 5th Service. The atmosphere was electric! I think the prayers before service and the music that rocked made it very easy to preach (yell and holla). We continued with "The Revolution" and at least from my vantage point, I had a lot of fun. As a result of that service I have now added a new word to my vocab-Jyeah! Later...

Key points form the preach:

Revolutionaries—

• Can't make "issues" Idols!—Jonah 2:8
• Prepare the way for the greater
• Are a part of the "Elijah Generation"—Luke 1:17                                                           They possess and are evidenced by unique characteristics and abilities: Boldness, Special Faith, Supernatural Provision, Miracles & the rest to be continued...