My thoughts on a Tuesday Wednesday about Sunday:

1. The “@ our core” series is rocking!  It seems that every week the truths we’re unpacking in Scripture just gets better and better, and this past week I couldn’t stop smiling as I listened to the stories that were shared by our people about how Jesus has moved in their lives.  If you missed it, you definitely need to catch them in the teaching archives on the website.  There is no doubt that the MESSAGE OF JESUS IS UNDENIABLE!

2. It’s no secret that I LOVE Sundays at The Gathering, but what I love even more is hearing the stories about how Jesus is using our church on the OTHER 6 DAYS of the week!  One of the greatest lies of the enemy is that Sunday is the most important day in the life of a church, and if we fall for it, then we’ll become one of those powerless, “a few hours a week” churches that have no impact on our city.  Wherever you are today, find a need and meet it.  Perhaps it’s a family in your neighborhood, or a co-worker a few cubicles over.  Maybe you need to pick up the phone and make the call you’ve been putting off so that you can begin to mend a relationship.  Who knows?  The point is, we’re together for 2 hours at the most on a Sunday, and while they are a great 2 hours, you’ve got 110 hours throughout the other days to be the church.  Be intentional about living what you’re learning.

3. We talk A LOT about Community Groups and here’s why: while some of the things Jesus said may have been hard to understand, most of what He said was direct and clear.  John 13:35 was one of those.  He turned to His disciples and simply said, “All people will know that you are my followers if you love each other.”  He didn’t mention anything about our worship services or about the size of a building or crowd.  He simply said that the way we love each other would be the undeniable evidence that we are, in fact, following Jesus. At The Gathering, we learn how to love each other in community, and that’s why the weekly Community Groups are so critical.  They are the primary tool for developing the authentic and unbreakable relationships that will help make The Gathering more like family than anything else.  Get to one this week.  Locations are on the website.

4. I absolutely CANNOT WAIT FOR JESUS CULTURE on April 11!!  If you’re interested in going, shoot us an email letting us know.

5. And speaking of things that are gonna ROCK YOUR WORLD, Secret Church with David Platt takes place April 6.  Trust me when I say that it’ll be one of the most memorable things you’ll do this year in your journey with Christ.  It. Is. Amazing.

6. Wendy and I are so blessed!  We get to lead and love the best people and are PUMPED about the future at The Gathering.  WE LOVE OUR CHURCH!!!

My thoughts on a Tuesday about a Sunday:

1. We saw a record number of people in our worship experience this past Sunday.  Numbers are a funny thing, of course, and can quickly become the wrong focus, but when I see a crowd like that, it always makes me smile.  God is doing something amazing in our church, and it’s cool, awesome, humbling and downright fun to be a part of it.  I mean, when something is good, why wouldn’t you want everyone you now to experience it with you, right?!  I LOVE MY CHURCH!

2. To those of you who are doing G90X and you’re still at it: WOW!!  I have to admit that I find myself a day or two behind, but at over 50 days into this amazing trek through the Bible in 90 days, I’m finding insights into God’s word every single day.  I have no doubt that you are, too.  If you’ve falling so far behind that you think catching up is impossible, than make sure you don’t stop reading the Bible even if you stop following your Bible reading plan. THIS STUFF IS GOOD!!

3. Thanks to all of you who have brought your baby bottles back!  The Pregnancy Resource Center has begun the long job of counting all the coins collected, and so you still have time to bring your bottle with you to church and we’ll get it to them.  Remember, even if your bottle’s empty, it still helps them to get it back.

4. In news related to number 1, we are getting closer to a location that will provide us the space we need to do the best ministry possible for the people that God is entrusting to us.  Please keep the elders in your prayers as we seek God for HIS PLAN more than OUR PLACE.  We can’t wait to see what’s next!!!

5. We need T-shirt designs!!  If you’re gifted at creative stuff, why not mock one up for us?  If we use yours, then, well, you can point at people in Wal-Mart who are wearing them and shout out, “I designed that!!”

6. COMMUNITY GROUPS, COMMUNITY GROUPS, COMMUNITY GROUPS!  In real estate, it’s all about location, right?  Well, at The Gathering, it’s all about Community Groups.  These are the places where you will make – and keep – the truest relationships you’ve ever known.  Get to one this week and start digging deeper.  You can find one near you here.

7. And finally, WE WANT TO TEXT YOU!  If you’re like most people, then you know that email is so last week, and texting is so much easier!  We’ll let you know all the latest updates and news at The Gathering by text message if you’d like!  All you’ve got to do is text iGather to 99000 and we’ll take care of the rest!

What a great day at The Gathering Sunday! Here are a few things I’m thinking about on a Tuesday morning:

1. G90X has been amazing. I know that it’s a TON of reading each day, but reading the Bible through this fast has made it undeniable that God’s sovereignty and power are unstoppable. I have never been more aware of His GOODNESS and PATIENCE with mankind as I am right now. I’d love to hear about what you’re learning, too.

2. I hate Vimeo. Well, actually, I love Vimeo because they make it possible to host the weekly teachings, but their upload speeds are ridiculously slow.  Believe it or not, but the video from this past week has apparently been uploading for OVER TWENTY FOUR HOURS!!!  It’s worth it, though, because the teaching God downloaded to all of us about Samson and new hair was amazing.

3. I’m so thankful to pastor THE BEST CHURCH AROUND. Not only am I writing this update from Charleston while I enjoy a quick pastor appreciation getaway with The B99, but I get the FREEDOM each week to share honestly and passionately the TRUTH OF GOD’S WORD. I never fear how you will react, because I know that The Gathering is made up of poeple JUST AS HUNGRY FOR TRUTH as I am.

4. It’s always so humbling to see the SPIRIT OF GOD DRAWING people to Jesus, and Sunday was one of the best ones yet as 8 people responded to the strong message that no matter what we’ve done in our lives to mess up our destinies, God is able to restore us to positions where we can BRING HIM GLORY.

5. The takeaway from Sunday for me? IT’S TIME TO STOP ASKING GOD TO MAKE OUR LIVES BETTER, AND TO START ASKING HIM TO MAKE OUR LIVES COUNT.

6. Whatever it takes, get to a Community Group this Wednesday. You need the people there and they need you. Dig deeper. You can find directions and more info at The Gathering’s website.