The Most Awesome Occurrence on the Face of Facebook!

This past Monday I began an event on Facebook to invite people to church on Sunday. Last weekend at NewSpring we packed out...I wanted to make sure that we keep doing that-- filling up the seats with people who need Christ.

So, I made the event and invited friends. Well, they invited their friends, who invited their friends, and so on and so on and so on...

Guys, 900+ people got invited!!! That's amazing! People were being invited that have not yet accepted Christ! How cool would it be that somebody came to Christ through a FACEBOOK invite!? I was pumped. We reached triple digits in the number of confirmed attendees yesterday. 150 people! Another 100+ people said they might be coming, 330 people decided to miss out (I'm not disheartened though) and 300 people have yet to reply.

This thing exploded (literally) over-night! I even got hate-mail because of it (freakin' awesome!). I responded back as politely and as correctly as possible to those e-mails, but I could really care less if they hate being invited...God is on the move!

I'm planning to keep this up in the coming weeks until we get the ones we know to church, where they can choose to accept Christ and begin to walk in His love.

I'll keep ya'll posted! Have a wonderful day! I've got you, guys!

God Rocked Our Space!

So this weekend....woW!

If you missed out, then you just don't understand: 214 people accepted Christ from a crowd of over 8200 attendees (happy yell). And I'm willing to bet that not everyone that needed to come forward came forward! Which means we still have work to do as Christians and members of NewSpring. It blows my mind that this was just ONE Sunday that came as a result of everyone pitching in, taking the courage, and following through with bringing someone or a loved one who needed Christ to our Church. If this was a competition with the other churches in the area...we'd probably be regional champs...a state champs for that matter!

Here's a copy-and-paste from Perry's blog. I thought it was pretty good:

Was Sunday really that big of a deal???

A little perspective….

* Newspring had a larger crowd Sunday than nine Division 1 football games did on Saturday.

* There were more at Newspring Sunday than the Florida Marlins actual average attendance this year.

* More than the Kansas City Royals actual attendance as they hosted division leader Detroit Tigers yesterday.

* More than the population of the cities of Camden, Clinton, Dillon, Fort Mill, Seneca, York, Abbeville, Belton, Honea Path, Iva, Liberty and 180 other South Carolina cities.

*Newspring had more Sunday than the total population of Jews or Muslims in South Carolina.

*Newspring had more in attendance Sunday than the registered members of all other Baptist churches in our zip code….combined.

* There were almost as many people at Newspring as there are pages in the IRS Tax code (9,000 pages)

* Based on U.S. averages, if every person in attendance Sunday were to join hand in hand and stretch as far apart as they could, you would have a continuous chain of people almost nine miles long! That’s a line of people from NewSpring to the Anderson Courthouse and then to the Anderson Mall!

* Everyone that was saved Sunday could join hand in hand and make an entire loop around a running track (1/4 mile).

Was Sunday big? Uh, yeah, I’d say it was.

We can't give up now! Imagine if we kept going! Imagine if we invited somebody who hasn't expereinced the love of Christ to Church every weekend...it would be, like, the most awesome thing since...I dunno, EVER!

Hopefully I can get some people who need to go to church to go in the coming weekends. We currently have a mini-campaign going on. It's called "Invite Your Waiter/Waitress to Church". I guess since we (the gang and future founders of an awesome church) eat out together, it's a good thing to do. I'm for it! I'm also for asking the policeman who pulls you over, the bag boy at the grocery store, the roommate who bugs you, and the idiot friend who got you in trouble in the fifth grade... to church.

I'm starting a Facebook group as well. I don't care who doesn't like it. I use Facebook as a Jesus tool. Heck, I'll invite Tom on Myspace to Church. I don't give...if they need Christ, I'm saying something and getting them to Church one way or another!
Don't forget: sometimes it's the person who's grown up in church all of their life and hasn't fully accepted Christ. Bring them to NewSpring...I'm confident that we (the members and staff) of that church can help them along the path to salvation.

Oh yeah. This just in: IGNITE IS ABOUT TO EXPLODE! (kind of funny and ironic) It is going to be busting at the seams and I can't wait to get into it and be a leader to those kids.

So, like I said, the weekend was awesome! I finished playing Keokum and The Great Eagle in the musical Pocahontas by CYT (Christian Youth Theater). It was awesome because I love the stage, and I was able to be a Christian leader and example to those kids. The audience was great and we had an awesome week of shows!

I'm off to do schoolwork again. Everyone have a fantastic afternoon! I've got you!*

*If you wonder what that means, it means I'm praying for you (the readers). One, I pray for you cause if you're reading this blog, you're probably crazy. Two, because I hope God will use my words for his purpose. You got it? Cool!

GodSpace: A Place for Everyone

So, yeah, this Myspace series at NewSpring is pretty geniusness. I love the thing that Perry said about getting out of "my space into other people's space so we can get into God's space." Maybe that's not an exact quote, but it's close enough. I also agreed with what Perry said this weekend about reaching people; that "God's plan for reaching people is people reaching people." I don't care who you are, that's good stuff right there. God has pushed me to become active in ministry and so I am glad to be a part of Ignite and NewSpring. I also have a little story to go with that.

So, I was trying to negotiate my time with my director for Pocahontas. I wanted to attend the leadership dinner/training for Ignite (Middle School Student Ministry) but we have rehearsal at the same time. My director, Mrs. V as we call her, said "You know, being at rehearsal is leadership training too." Well, yeah...she was right, and I agree with her. It is definitely leadership training dealing with all the young actors and the staff and crew of the show. I also realized that such a leadership role put a new spin on my belief that shows must be used to stimulate ideas and bring people to the Faith. I realized that the responsibility of leading people to the Faith by example is within two arenas: not just the audience, but the actors as well. Both may have to be led to Christ and in the Faith. It is so awesome then that I have the opportunity now to do that!

This brings me to my next thing to share in this show and tell of ideas. It is amazing because I read this poem on Saturday night-- before I heard Perry's message at NewSpring. The poem was written by Emily Dickinson and is replicated here as follows:

If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain:
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help the fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.


I think there are some parallels that can be drawn here, and I think the poem encapsulates an idea that is essential to ministry. Let me know if you (the readers) have any ideas or find this helpful.

I also had the recurring thought about relationships after Alden started discussing friendships at Ignite. That thought is this: friendships, like any relationship and everything else, are given to us by God. They are God's things. And as God's things (not exclusively ours) we can ONLY MANAGE them, and manage them to the BEST of our ABILITY. In that mind-set, all the things Alden will talk about seem to fall into place. I'll talk more on that later.

Anyway, I hope I meet someone this week that I can invite to NewSpring this weekend. I really couldn't think of anyone I know at the time this weekend when names were placed on the stage...at least nobody who was around Anderson or Clemson. I'm hoping that God will help me to find someone to bring; that would be awesome! Or even if I didn't actually bring them, if I could get someone who doesn't know Christ to at least show up, that would be good too. We'll see how it goes down. Perry believes it'll be the best service ever!

In my end notes I would like to say that this morning has been a beautiful morning and I am semi-well-rested and ready to start a fun filled day of class and rehearsal for Pocahontas! Also, thumbs up and love to my homies (The Group That Is All In It Together). Everyone have a good week! I've got you!

Ramblin' Man

So This is pretty much gonna be a ramble...hopefully something good will come of it.

Today it is raining. I like rain, but it's kind of bad that I don't have anyone to play in it with. Some people say that it rains because there is somebody who's sad; that when they cry it rains and it rains because they cry. Some say it rains when God cries-- I'm not sure about that one, but I do think "God is IN the rain".

I also like it when everybody is walking around with their umbrellas open on the Cooper Library Bridge. It would make a cool aerial photograph.

Yesterday, I watched part of the old movie "The Ten Commandments". The parts when Moses is talking about going up to the holy mountain and then when he speaks with God-- ya'll it made me cry! I know the special effects and everything in that movie weren't the best, but holy moly! It was just awesome! I'm gonna have to watch the rest this weekend.

Anyway, I'm pretty much hooked on OT right now (Whit, maybe you and I can swap notes), especially the Torah, cause of my Western Civilization class. I hadn't read those in a while, so expect some thoughts and blog posts about the stuff I find. I've pretty much taken to reading the Book at lunch too, which has drawn some judgemental glances from passersby. My word to them: deal with it!

Okay, well I'm off to many exciting and wonderful adventures...leave a comment and be sure to check out my new links entitled: "The Almond" and "Sean Gaffney". That's good stuff right there!

Later, guys!

He Has Called Us

Hey guys! If you missed John Maxwell speak at NewSpring this weekend...then you have a PROBLEM. (some of you are laughing right now because you know what that means.) But for those of you who don't know, John Maxwell spoke about what it takes for Jesus to work miracles in our lives. I thought it was a pretty gripping message that was multi-faceted in life applications and just dripping with the wisdom of God. I'm not being sarcastic, IT WAS REALLY GOOD!

This weekend I took my sister to Ignite so that she could give the NewSpring experience a try and hang out with a couple of her friends who were there. For those of you who don't know, IGNITE is NewSpring's Middle School Ministry, and it is FLIPPIN' AWESOME. The message last night was on TEMPTATION and how we should 1.) expect it. 2.) detect it . and 3.) reject it.

Interestingly enough, Perry wrote a blog entry that talks about DISTRACTION, which can lead to temptation. I encourage ya'll to check it out. CLICK HERE!

This weekend I also had fun going to church and hanging out with some of the coolest people around, known collectively as Whit-Amanda-Sean-Jenni. But as much as I love these guys, the late Sunday nights are killin' me, especially when you're like me and have class at 8 in the AM on Monday morning. I might have to stop staying around so late...just might.

Oh, and just for the record...how awesome was it that we just stood up and started clapping and being crazy when they played the first song Sunday? Lee didn't even tell us to! I thought it was great, and kudos to Rob, Jenni, and Whit for leading the way!

Well, this looks like it's gonna be a long blog, cause I still have a B-I-B-L-E verse to share (that song is great). Alright, so in my studies this weekend, I found a verse I wanted to focus on for a tick.

The verse is Ephesians 2: 10, which says: "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

OK. Raise your hand if you DON'T like the idea of pre-destination, or the idea that every single second of your life has been planned out ahead of you. BE HONEST! At first, when you think about that, or when I do, I'm like, 'Man, that kinda sucks.' It's like when your mom or dad knows you want to go to the movies with your friends, and you go to ask them if they can take you, and before you say ANYTHING your mom says, "Don't even THINK about asking me to take you to the movies today." And then you're like, "JUST LET ME LIVE MY OWN LIFE! QUIT TELLING ME WHAT TO DO! WHY DO YOU ALWAYS THINK YOU KNOW WHAT I WANT TO DO!?"

Haha, maybe I scared you all just now, and maybe you think I have an issue with my parents. No, that's not the case, but the point is this: God is our parent, and He does know what we're going to do. I think some people get caught up in the attitude that we make our own choices and that God isn't as involved in their lives as he really is because of the problems they face and because bad things happen to them, but guys....BAD THINGS ARE GONNA HAPPEN. To everybody, to best friends, to boyfriends/girlfriends, to husbands/wives, to kids......everybody. So what do we do?

Now, we do make choices that are purely human...stupid, evil, ignorant human choices. And we make good choices, too. But see, God MADE us. Do you think the first people who designed cars didn't know what it was going to do? It wasn't like Henry Ford was in his factory going, "Geez, is thing gonna fly? Is it gonna float? What's it gonna do?" God KNOWS what we're going to do. He's smarter than us! Quit trying to outsmart GOD.

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

The second part of that verse "created in Christ Jesus to do good works". This is a very literal part of the verse, and you're probably like, "Yeah, yeah. I get the picture, God created us and we're supposed to serve Him, blah, blah, blah." Well, don't gloss over it too much. It says created IN Christ Jesus. The first part said "For we are God's workmanship." So there are two distinct points here: 1.) God created us all 2.) Jesus RE-CREATES us for a DISTINCT purpose.
The distinct purpose is simple: do good works. But, it's not simple is it? You don't always go to bed each night saying, "GOD! Man, that was one awesome workday! Everything I did was GOOD WORKS!" We get distracted, we get tempted, problems come up, and it isn't so easy to do good works, much less good, all the time. So, how do we go about doing what God has made us to do? As Christians, how do we do good works? How do we know when and how to do them?

Which leads me to the final part of the verse: "God has prepared in advance for us to do" the good works. God says, "Look, I made you, I know what you're going to do, I know what's going to happen to you, but I am calling you to do something for me. You don't have to worry about planning anything, penciling in 'Good Works Time' in your daily planner. I will PREPARE everything for you, so that when you get to that point in life, you will know when and how to do good works and bring glory and praise to My name."

It doesn't make pre-destination/destiny that bad when God's got it all under control does it? God asks us to put trust in Him so that we CAN DO the things He has called us to do.

OK, that was a long blog. Hope I said something that wasn't completely off-base. Let me know if I screwed it up! I enjoy constructive criticism! Everyone have a good day, and let HIM speak to you!

Awesome Best Friends!

These guys are awesome! Very awesome!

Bible Verse

So, while I'm thinking about it, I wanted to share a verse that kinda goes along with my previous post entitled "We Have a Job To Do!". It's a verse in which Paul lists some cool stuff and some hardships about ministry and spreading the word to "Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and all the ends of the earth"

This is the passage

I thought it was pretty cool, hope you enjoy, and I hope God speaks to you!

First Wednesday and Journal Entry

Tonight was First Wednesday at NewSpring, and it was pretty awesome! A lot of wonderful songs were played by Lee and the crew; God was definitely there with us as we were rockin' out and giving praise to Him.

I want to share a journal entry I made tonight at Jenni's house. Maybe it will speak to you like the Spirit spoke to me.

"My prayer of yesterday has sustained me today. I gave praise to God in worship tonight at NewSpring. God is God in the good times and the bad. God is good forever and always. He puts us where we need to be; even if we are brokenhearted, he puts us there to raise us up again. He gives us a clear vision; a clear promise for us to cling to when our own vision is blurred. He is the light when all other lights go out. He is our Friend of friends and our Lord of lords. The prince who brings us inner peace. Our one and only awesome God.

Lord, help me to love by your example in all my relationships. Help me to be the friend, the companion, the mentor, the leader, the servant, the student, the teacher, the son that I need to be. May I be these things to fulfill your plan and bring glory and praise to You. Amen.

This is not our time. It is God's time. It is not my life. It is the life of Christ. I deserve nothing good and can own nothing. I can only manage the time, the life, and the things God gives me to pour out glory and praise to Him. "

Praise God, and goodnight!

We Have A Job To Do!

First of all, this weekend was crazy busy! But it was fun, and I learned a lot. It was cool to observe the Production Team at NewSpring, as well as the youth leaders at IGNITE. I'm starting to get some ideas about where I might be able to serve best in the Body. Still praying about it though, but I'm sure God will guide me where I need to be soon enough.

Anyway, if you missed the sermon on Sunday...you're a loser. (Just kidding) It was an awesome service. The band started up with "Marvelous Light" (I knew they would...just a "hunch") and then Perry had a great, inspiring message on where NewSpring is going to go in the next few years. We have a LOT of people that need Christ out there, and it's our job to do what we can to help people on a DAILY basis, as well as working with and through the Church.

One area of Anderson that I think needs a lot of spiritual and physical help is the neighborhood on the west side of town, mostly the area off of and around Market Street. With enough people, and enough love, and everyone showing by EXAMPLE how much Christ's LOVE is worth and what FAITH can do, I agree with Perry's assessment that Anderson could be changed in ONE generation. It's all about getting out of the box, out of the comfort zone, blazing the path for God to get out of heaven and INTO the people that need Him.

This weekend was one of great observation. While it's not good to just sit back and watch all the time, it is good to take note of all the things happening around you. It's good to look at the things you see and ponder about them and ask God about them.

I'm still pondering. If I have any good idees, I'll post 'em. For right now, I'm feeling tired and a little bit stretched, so I hope that wears off soon so I can tackle life again with all my strength. I had the feeling that more than one of us have felt this way recently. That it's difficult to make so many transitions, to open your heart so much, to be the best Christian you can be. It's tough stuff, kiddos. But it takes more than one to get the job done. Jesus has done his work, now it's our turn. As long as we give ALL to Him, He will be there to help us in our time of need.

Alrighty, I guess those are the "thought's o' the day". Everyone have a good one, and I've got you!

The Band at FCA