Life Pointe @ the Movies- Help Start This Church

On Saturday December 3rd at 8 AM, we will be leaving from the Life Pointe Church parking lot in Homestead to go help with the starting of a new church in Port Charlotte called, “Life Pointe Church @ the Movies.” Basically, its a one day missions trip.

Charlotte County is a rapdily growing community on the SW coast of Florida. Its primed and ready for a great, young cutting-edge church like Life Pointe. The new “baby church” is being led by Pastor Lewis Wilkerson.

We will be there doing creative stuff to raise awareness in the community about the need for a church like this. Then, we will join them Saturday night for a special Saturday night Celebration service. Our band is going to play and I’ll be speaking that night. If you’d like to be on this SUPER, MEGA important missions team, email Mayra Herrera ASAP! See you there!

The World Wanted John Wayne and Instead Got Billy Joe

I have been putting most of my time into building the Edge Church Think Tank blog lately. So, after basically neglecting my personal blog, I noticed a spike in traffic today. I had to figure out why my I had been googled about 50 times today and slammed with traffic. The answer? Billy Joe Daugherty.

One interesting sidenote is that apparently at least according to Brian LaCrox, Steven Rogers did the same thing 15 years ago to none other than Richard Roberts.

After reading the comments on one message board linking here today, I realized that many had hoped to see Billy Joe lay the guy out in a John Wayne sort of way. It wasn’t because they thought Daugherty got a raw deal. It was because they wanted to see a preacher lose it.

Also, I was a bit surprized to read a couple of the comments basically saying that it was too bad that Rogers didn’t get a good swing. In the end, it reaffirms that whatever is on the inside of a man is what will come out. As I heard from Larry Coker, one of the greatest College Football coaches in the game, “Character counts!”

-see my orignal entry with both videos-

Video: Rev. Billy Joe Daugherty Gets Hit in the Eye

While conducting an altar service at Victory Christian Center in Tulsa, OK, Billy Joe Daugherty gets hit in the eye by 50-year-old Steven Rogers and continues preaching. Daugherty did not press charges.

I am proud of the response that Daugherty had. His response was Christ like and inspiring. The funny thing is that if you watch on to 53:00, you will hear that the Sunday night before a man in a black cowboy hat came down to the altar and announced that he was Jesus Christ and asked the Pastor’s wife if she would follow him. She said “no.”

I’ve just added Victory Christian Center to my prayer list. I’m thankful for what God is doing there and want to ask God’s protection on them.

Video of Daugherty’s Comments and Clips of Punch

Video of Entire Church Service (the punch is thrown at 46:13)

To Biffle Goes Battle, Stewart the War, Rednecks Take Wal Mart As Consolation

After fighting traffic and barriers for the past three days, the Homestead race has finally come and gone. I have no voice (not related to the Redneck Euphoria Syndrome so often associated with NASCAR) and as a result was unable to go with the Masterpiecce Group that had so generously offered me incredible seats on Saturday night.

In the end, my absence had no bearing on the outcome of the race or season. Greg Biffle won the race by a bumper. Tony Stewart won the NASCAR Title for the 2nd time in four years.

Of course, its always nice to have the race here. The RQ (redneck quotient) for the city goes through the roof. In fact, I knew it was race weekend when while sitting a Mario’s Latin Cafe’ surrounded by bent bill #8 hats, I heard the phrase, “Ma’y'am, mind I have anuther one a these here “Coffee Cone Leaky’s???”

Battling for my favorite redneck moment this weekend was seeing a rather large NASCAR couple riding a moped down Palm Drive to the Track AND a group of 7 men with very high “RQs” tailgating in the Wal Mart parking lot about 5 miles from the track. Classic. I can’t wait until next year’s final race comes back to Homestead!

Complaining Attender Voicemail

Check out the latest entry over on the Edge Church Think Tank. If you liked Blake Bergstrom’s “Pitching Tents” sermon, you will never stop laughing after hearing the “Complaining Attender Voicemail.“

A Toast to Great Friends

Next to personally leading someone to Christ, I can’t think of anything more rewarding than performing a wedding, especially when it is for someone that you love.

Manny and Lisette Molina are my neighbors and good friends. They’ve been a part of Life Pointe for close to two years…first Lisette and then Manny. I’ll never forget seeing Manny lift his hands to worship for the first time. That day he gave his heart to the Lord. It wasn’t too long and Manny and Lisette dedicated their girls in church with about 8 other families, including Kelly and me when we dedicated Kourtney to the Lord.

A few months ago Manny and Lisette shared that while they had been married by a judge, they would like to reaffirm their vows in church. Yesterday, surrounded by friends and family and after one hurricane delay, Manny and Lisette again exchanged vows asking God’s blessing on their marriage and their family. What an incredible moment.

Life Pointe is blessed to have such a great family. Kelly and I are proud to have such great friends and neighbors. Kourtney and McKenna couldn’t have better friends. So, I raise a glass of IBC Black Cherry soda and salute you.

God’s very best to you both!

Pneuma Blogs RSS Feed Aggregator

Rich Tatum, you dirty dog, hereto promoted from Blog Rodent to “Blog Dog.” You are the man!

Thanks for one killer aggregation of RSS feeds for your Pneuma Blogs (all blogs Spirit Filled)! I have to say that you are missing one truly great feed: Travis Johnson Atom Feed. You’ve got Pneuma Blogs linked to all my peeps from my COG Blog Directory and never link me. I’m flattening your tires.

Thanks to Rebellion Coffee Co. for the Feature

A quick thanks to the people at Rebellion Coffee Co. Libertarian Blog for the Nov. 10th feature of my entry on A Christian Citizen’s Response to Jimmy Carter. I’m tippin’ my Venti Caramel Macchiatto to you!

A Christian Citizen’s Response to Jimmy Carter

Christian first, citizen second. Thet’s the way the priority works for me. I’m not so sure that is the case with our former president and famous Georgia Baptist, Jimmy Carter.

Of course, Bruce Miller of the Blue Voice had a lot to praise in Jimmy Carter’s new top seller, “Our Endangered Values.” In response, I’ll share a few thoughts when it comes to the political leanings and social perspective of this Christ follower.

ABORTION
As a huge advocate of personal freedom and a Christ follower, I absolutely hate abortion and the way it touts a woman’s right to choose while stomping all over an infants right to live. Babies are dependent on us before birth. They are totally dependent on us for many years after birth. Therefore, my political perspective leans heavily toward politicians that can do the most to protect the defenseless unborn babies. In light of the Scriptures, I have no idea how Carter reconciles his faith with his social view.

ECONOMY
What does a national economy have to do with Christianity? Probably not much. In the end, my perspective comes down to personal preference. There are certainly Scriptures that advocate earning financial gain through work, productivity, and commerce such as I Cor. 9:9, 2 Thes 3:10, Mat 18:21-35. In the end, my preference is a capitalist free market economy. If you are a Christian and have a socialist/communist leaning, I don’t fault your Scriptural understanding. Though, on a personal level, I’d say you’ve selected a failed economic policy. So, with my economic perspective in view, I tend to lean toward the politicians who promote free trade, less regulation, less government involvement. Perhaps, that explains Carter’s roaring economy of ’76-’80 and the long gas lines and 20% mortgage rates.

COMPASSION
I think America is blessed in large part as a result of how we treat the least among us. I tend to lean toward the most compassionate politicians. However, I do not view compassion as giving able bodied people free passes in life. I think that we have some social policies that destroy family, ambition, and work ethic. To me compassion is positioning people to win in life. Rather than incentivizing personal stagnation, incentivize growth, home ownership, and retirement savings.

There are plenty of other hot button issues that I have thoughts toward and plenty of disagreement with Jimmy Carter when it comes to Scriptural and political perspective. I especially have disagreement for his perspective that many of the Biblical truths we hold to were merely cultural suggestions.

So, I’ll continue to think out these things the best I know how to and encourage you to work out your own weltanschauung with fear and trembling.

Who Governs the Government?

Please understand that I DO NOT ENDORSE anything about the All Saints Church, the church in this article. In fact, their views are far from what I consider to be orthodox on many issues. Secondly, I am not a big fan of churches running guns ablazing into political issues at all times. Though, there is certainly a time and place for it. When that time comes, I am quick to let my voice be heard. Maybe I’ll get into what I consider those times to be at some other time.

But, for now, I’ll say I a have major problem with the government dictating to the church what can be said from its pulpits. What is happening right now with this situation should send chills down the back of every Christian who is also a US citizen.

Kelly’s Blog

Kelly has been posting all of our kid’s pics to a babiesonline.com site for the past 2 years so our friends and family from out of town can keep up. Now, she has moved over to a blog format. Check it out.

Kelly’s Blog

Pastor Appreciation Day

WOW! I have never felt so loved by a church before. I tip my hat and throw out a big bear hug to my family at Life Pointe for throwing such a wonderful day for us. You overwhelmed Kelly and me this Sunday. UNBELIEVABLE.

Your generosity speaks volumes about who you are. As Kelly and I finished up our day after having a huge lunch at Mario’s, we brought all of our gifts into the house. They filled the living room.

We began opening them. They were all very personal and touching. I never imagined that a pastor could love his folks so much. I never imagined being loved by such wonderful people like this. You guys are more than a pastor like me could ever deserve!

The Ultimate Fighters 2 Comes to a Close

Ultimate Fighter 2 comes to a close with a great fight between Rashaad Evans and Brad Imes. What a great fight. Rashaad was my favorite along with Luke Cuumo, who lost in the middle weight final (bogus decision).

Rashaad had an unconventional fighting style. At 5’11″ and 225 lbs, he took out the 6’7″ big man Brad. With the Ultimate FIghter going off the air and College Football winding down, I will go back to watching strictly the news.

But, in the meantime, I had a great weekend watching Rashaad win the UFC and the “U” dominating Marcus Vick and the Hokies!

ps. What is a hokie anyway?

The Tale of Two Pictures

It was nice to Homestead’s Charlie Jones step up to fill in for T. Moss in our 27-7 schlacking of VTech. Kyle Wright is the man. Coach Coker shined as he forced VTech to start off the game with a TO when Devin Hester lined up as our punter. Special Teams A. O-Line A+. Defense A+. Sorry for a few fleeting doubts, guys. Go Canes.

My girls

I love these pictures of Kourtney and McKenna. Actually, there’s a picture of Kelly in there also. But, that is to show how much Kel and McKenna look alike. Funny. They both look a little freaked out!

On the right, Kourtney was all dressed up for Aimee Herrera’s princess party. And then on the left, Kourtney’s hair is in half a dozen little pig tails on a Saturday morning just before Little K and I went for our morning coffee together.

I’ve turned into the biggest sucker these days. My girls have me on lockdown. They just shoot their big eyes at me and I melt, complying to almost any reasonable request. So, I am totally outnumbered in the house 3 girls and a guy. I don’t stand a chance!

Top 50 Most Influential Churches in America

Taken from The Church Report, the “Top 50 Most Influential Churches” points out one terrific point and implies another. First, 7 of the Top 10 Churches are still led by their founding pastors. Second, the most influential church in the world to you is the one where you were radically changed from darkness to light and have found a family to serve and honor the Lord with!

How has your church been influential?

The Best Dog in the World

You were a small little pup, brown and black. You looked like a little bear when we brought you home in a box. On the bad days when it felt like no one was on my side, you always greeted me with a big smile and a wagging tail. On the best days, you were up for any challenge thrown your way. When Kourtney and McKenna came along, you were protective and patient.

You were the smartest dog. You’d jump in our arms, speak, play dead, dance, shake, give high fives, get my shoes and your leash so we could go for a walk, and walk on two legs around the house. You were headstrong. No dog was too big for you to bully. No child was too rough for you to love.

This morning when Kourtney called your name to find you just like she does every morning, I explained you weren’t coming home. I told her I missed you. She said she misses you too.

Introducing the Life Pointe Church Blog

Since this blog began, church and personal stuff has been intermingled. But, that is no more (officially). From time to time, I may put up some thoughts here concerning the church. But from now on, all church items will be in the “Boss Blog” of Life Pointe Church.

In fact, if you would like to get some info on our upcoming selection of Elders, the recommendation form, application form, or the letter sent to the church concerning the Dec. 11 conference, check it out there…but not here! Over and out.

LIFE POINTE CHURCH BLOG