what I think I thought…

• Yesterday might have been the most amazing church service I have ever been a part of.
• We finished up our Elements series teaching on Baptism…and without anyone pre planning to be baptized…17 people were immersed yesterday.
• WOW.
• As amazing as that is…here is what got me most excited last night…12 of 17…were men. Not male…men. Husbands, fathers, and grandfathers! Grown men submitting the word of God and being baptized.
• Why does that excite me? Because when a man…the leader of the home…is obedient to the Lord…then 90% of the time the family follows suite.
• Sad confession: We bought some shorts and shirts for people to use for their baptism…I only bought 5 sets.
• I was praying for 10 people to respond…only bought 5 sets of clothes. My view of God is WAAAYYY too small.
• Between services we had to send someone out to go get more clothes for the second service.
• The Holy Spirit was moving so much that during the second service I had a lady come forward in the middle of my message ready to respond RIGHT THEN. She didn’t even want to wait for the invitation time. WOW
• I pray that happens every week.
• Everyone I spoke with yesterday was amazed at what happened in our services. But here is what we all need to know…this should be the norm for a church that is Passionate Pursuing God and Creatively Caring for People!
• Seeing god move in people the way he did yesterday ought to be standard fare for us. We should be SHOCKED when it doesn’t happen…not when it does!
• I can’t think of a better way to cap off a Thanksgiving weekend.
• Putting together some thoughts for our Christmas series for December. We are diving into the truth of Immanuel. Bring someone with you!

·    I will never look at a dog create the same ever again.
·    Yesterday was an emotional mixed bag.
·    There was disgust, anger, shock, and sadness.  But the last feeling I had walking out was one of Hope.  We as the body of Christ CAN do something about this!
·    Sometimes it’s easier not to know what goes on in the back allies.  Sometimes we don’t want the curtain pulled back because we know what is behind it will make us uncomfortable.
·    But God’s number one priority for his people is not comfort.
·    Only when we see what God sees…and know what he knows…can we feel what he feels.  All of our anger, disgust, and sadness…pale in comparison to the Father of these victims.
·    Still can’t get over this statistic: The average age of entry into prostitution in Phoenix and U.S. is 13 years old
·    Larry Fraley and Peggy Bilsten have amazing hearts for these girls…and are literally leading the way nationally on how best to rescue and restore these young lives.
·    If you have yet to check out Streetlights website….do it now!
·    And check out the Branded site as well.
·    Yesterday we had our lowest attendance since June 1st 2008…even so…today we are writing a check for $12,500 from the offering that was collected.  AMAZING!
·    For all of you who were missing yesterday…please check out the message on our website it should be up by Tuesday morning.
·    And if you missed out on the chance to give…you can do it here.

·    I can’t tell you how excited I am about what God is doing with the people of Prescott Christian Church.
·    I am privileged to be a part of a staff and elders who have let me dream big and are willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish Gods mission in this world.  Sadly this is rare.
·    As hard as it is too believe, I know seeking justice as God has called us to, is not a popular preaching topic.
·    I know there are going to be some who think we are wasting time and wasting energy and wasting resources…and would rather hear warm and fuzzy messages that require nothing of us.
·    But a faith that requires nothing is a faith that is worth nothing…James 1:22, 2:18, 2:26
·    Favorite comment from Sunday, “I know you probably don’t hear this enough…but thank you for not letting us just come and sit in a pew.”
·    Today we writing two checks for $6000 each to be given away from yesterdays offering.
·    I am so excited to get to go and drop them off.
·    Next week’s message is going to leave you dumbfounded.  We are going to have the former vice mayor of Phoenix along with a special guest from Christ’s Church in the Valley to share with us about one of the greatest injustices in our time that is happening in our own backyard.
·    YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS THIS!
·    I beg of you…bring someone with you this week.  Let’s start a movement of people who are committed to getting people on board with us as we try to live out seeking Justice.

• Had a Great day at PCC.  Camping out in the book of James will be great for all of us.

• I know today’s topic hit home for a lot of families.  It is inevitable for all of us…but I know for some this past year has been particularly difficult.

• Remember:  DON’T GIVE UP!

• Band did a great job today…thanks guys for all you do in helping us express praise to God.

• Had a lot of comments about the windshield wiper story…YES it was absolutely true.

• I wasn’t kidding…the sound of people sharing with each other about their trials and what God was teaching them through it was one of their greatest sounds I have heard in that sanctuary.  I would love to hear your feedback on that part of our service.

• If you didn’t get a study guide to this series you can stop by the office this week and we will get you one or you can pick one up next week.  Our hope is you will spend a few minutes with the book each day as we digest what God wants to teach us through this little letter.

• Did some training with some of our Life Group leaders tonight.  Getting pumped about seeing them launch this fall.  If you haven’t gotten involved before…make plans now to be a part.  More info coming.

• Students got back for Christ in Youth conference in CA tonight.  We had a couple of students get baptized in the ocean and will proably have a few more in the coming weeks at PCC.  That never gets old.  Can’t wait to hear all about it.

• Been a good day.  Glad to be a part of what God is doing at/through PCC right now.

(…on Monday morning)

• This series has been one of my favorite.  Not because I have this all figured out…precisely the opposite.  I have such a long way to go in learning to love my wife as Christ loves the church.

• Have heard some great comments on how people are putting hands and feet on this series…had one lady tell me almost in tears that her husband of nearly 60 years before hanging up the phone told he he loved her.  Her comment, “you don’t know how much that means…he just doesn’t do that.”  Had another lady in her late sixties pull me aside and thank me because her husband gave up her a pat on the butt that week!

• What an awesome (not awesome as in cool or hip…but as in frightening and daunting) responsibility it is to know my union with my bride is a celestial copy of union of Christ and the church.  WOW!

• I have started to get some feedback from some people attending the GreatDates.  Please check them out on our website and GO.  And when you are done let us know how it went by emailing greatdates@prescottchristian.com

• We are kicking off a new series this weekend…we are going to spend the next few weeks camped out in the book of James.

• He starts off the book talking about “Trials of many kinds…”  Know anyone that might be applicable too?  If so get them here this weekend.
• We have officially entered the new millennium…(we are just 9 years behind!).  PCC sermons are now on Itunes.  Check out the PCC Podcast page by searching Prescott Christian Church in the Itunes store!

• I am amazed and humbled that I am a part of a community of believers that has multiple 60 year old marriages in it.

• I am saddened that one of those marriages ended this week.  We’ll see you soon Mr. Bailey.

• Preaching on “treating others better than yourself” is a lot simpler than actually living it out.

• I am really excited about the “Great Dates.”  They will be posted on the website this week and available for pick up at the welcome center next weekend.

• Met a lot of new faces today…lot of out of towners up for the holiday.  Missed a lot of regular faces, too.

• Thinking about some big things for this fall.  Can’t wait t see what God will do.

• Looking forward to a day off with the family tomorrow.  Hope too see you next weekend.

• It has been a long week.  Got roped into helping with VBS.  I know this may sound odd to those who don’t know me well…but I am an introvert by nature…so being that energetic for 5 days, well that really takes it out of me.

• I have also had a close up view of this week of a man preparing to meet the Lord.  I can’t yet put into words what I have seen.  Suffice it to say…I have been left speechless.  Often.

• Today’s message was a blast to preach.  Living like Love in a verb isn’t always easy…but it is always worth it.

• Dr. and Mrs. Rodgers interview was fantastic.  I am in awe of people who truly live what they say they believe. Their marriage is an example to us all.

• Mark and the team did a great job filling in for Tom.  Thanks for being flexible guys.

• Keep your eye out for the “Great Dates.”  If you are married you aren’t going to want to miss being a part of these.

• We are going to continue to talk about staying in love for the next few weeks.  I pray if you are married (or ever hope to be) you make it a priority to be a part.

• Today was the longest day of the year…I think it is only appropriate it fell on Fathers Day.

• My Bride set me up on a golf date to try out the new clubs I got for Fathers day.  Turns out the new clubs work about well as the old ones.  Maybe I need new golf balls…

• I hope all the father’s let church today encouraged.  Father’s often get beat up at church…I think all the Fathers who make church a priority on Father’s Day need to be celebrated.

• Again…can’t overstate the influence of a Father.  If you would like to see some of the research I shared this morning check out Josh McDowells site for yourself.  Once there search “fathers”.

• “But as for me and my household we will serve the Lord”  Yes, it really is 12 words.
• Can’t put into words what an honor it was to do the child dedications today.  To see those families stand up and commit in front of God and everyone that there home is going to strive to live out those powerful 12 words…AMAZING.

• We should have ordered more hats.  Just so you know that was completely my call.  I honestly didn’t think we would have that many fathers make it church today.  I underestimated your faithfulness.  And for that I am sorry.

• Really excited about the next sermon series…we are going to spend a few weeks celebrating marriages.  You aren’t going to want to miss this.

• Did you know we have about a half dozen couples in our church who have been married for over 60 years!  WOW.  What a testimony!

• Parting shot…Fathers you are the leaders…That is the way God designed it.  There is no changing it.  My prayer is that following you means following Christ.

Thoughts from Sunday

• Nothing easy about preaching on being Judgmental.  As one friend put it this morning, “not going to to get a lot of fan mail from the church people on this one.”

• But as I told him…I didn’t write it, I only get to preach it.

• This has been a challenging series for me…both as a preacher and as a man.  A lot to try and live out.

• Preaching today reminded me of the need for relational accountability.  Paul had an expectation that sending someone out of fellowship would wreck them to repentance.  I think a big part of that is based on the fact that to them the severed relationships would be too high a price for someone to pay.  I wonder…are you experiencing relationships like that in the body of Christ?  If not why not?

• Stephanie Trombley did a great job leading today.  I am continually amazed at the amount of talented people we have as a part of our community.

• Glad to hear our Grand Canyon rafting guys made it back safe and sound…look forward hearing their stories in the coming days.

• Next Sunday is Father’s day.  And although it may seem like the best way to spend your day would be watching the race or hitting the links…use the DVR and make your tee time for 1:40 not 10:40.  The greatest lesson a father teaches his children is what’s most important.  And you are teaching them…not by what you so but what you do.

• Mandy had a great post dealing with last weeks message…you need to check it out.  Thanks Mandy…couldn’t have said it better myself.

• Spent a couple hours out with my bride tonight.  Have heard too many stories in the last few months of marriages crumbling.  After Fathers day we are going to share some thoughts on marriage.  Whether you are married or not…I hope you make plans to be a part.  I truly believe this can be a catalyst for change in marriages throughout our community.

Love being a part of Prescott Christian Church.  Thanks for giving my family a place to belong.

Today’s topic always makes a people a little uncomfortable.  Who likes talking about sexual immorality?

But as uncomfortable as it is it is a HUGE issue that affects all of us.  You may be thinking…not me.  I don’t deal with that at all.  Even if that were true (and I sincerely doubt it) you are still affected be it.  There are at least 4 couples I know of in our congregation who’s families have/are/did live the nightmare scenario of an extra marital affair.  And when in happens to any of us…it happens to all of us.

And the pornography issue is no isolated incident either.  There are both men and women in our congregation that struggle daily with this temptation.  For many it started during childhood…sometimes with something they chose…often times because what they were exposed to by others but no matter where it began…it seems as if there is no end.

But there is hope.  If this is an issue you are struggling with let me share these thoughts…

• First…let me say you are not alone.  And the quicker you stop believing the lie, that you are the only one who has this problem, the quicker you can find healing.  If you are a man…find some men you trust and tell them.  Women…find some women you trust and tell them.  Sin lives in the darkness…but it loses all its power when it is brought into the light. So tell somebody.

• Second…you are going to have to make tough choices to change your behavior.  You are keenly aware of the places, people, channels, times, circumstances, environments that feed into your addiction.  And you can keep on convincing yourself that this time will be different, or you can make the hard choice now to reset the boundaries…before it costs you your job, your marriage, your children, your dignity…etc. etc. etc.

• Third …there are people who want to help.  www.xxxchurch.com is a wonderful ministry dedicated to helping people held captive by this issue.  They have great resources on their site.  They have everything from online workshops…claiming 30 days to purity…to articles…to testimonies…to a great free downloadable software (called 3x watch) that sends all the questionable websites you visit to an accountability partner.  I have it on my computer right now…because I want to set my boundary far back from the edge.

Remember the command from today 1 Cor. 3:16…run scared.  Don’t try to stand up and fight it…dont’ be a hero…flee.  To do anything less is disobedience.
There is hope…and there is help.  The question is are you willing to suffer a little humiliation now and get some help…to keep you from experience total devastation later.