27.  That’s how many people made decisions for Christ yesterday, for which we had a card.  Many were salvation experiences.  Wow!  Praise the Lord! I’m so grateful for our worship team.  Week in and week out they lead us to shake off whatever’s on the outside (in our case yesterday, a dark, sleepy day) and embrace the call of God to worship Him.  Yesterday was no exception.  Thanks, guys! It’s one thing to feel good and excited about a place you experience every day/week.  It’s another to have a fresh set of eyes, like Len Turner’s, to come in and observe.  I can’t tell you how proud I was of you, because of the many things he saw in our fellowship that were healthy and growing. Let the record show that if NOBODY ELSE listens, the Lifeline Singles group does!  Imagine my surprise when I go into my office yesterday afternoon, and lo and behold, there’s about 2 million... (read more)

As I’m sitting here typing this, I’m four minutes into Monday morning – actually a late-nighter on Sunday night, thinking about the day… I expected our youth bunch to be a pack of zombies after getting back from Rock the Desert at around 3:00 a.m.  But I was so blessed by how they were engaged in worship. That video still convicts me every time I see it.  If you want a repeat, or to share it with somebody, you can find it here.  I’ve been listening to Rich’s new CD, and I think it’s awesome.  If you couldn’t get one today, they’ll be available next week, too. Somebody else came up to me today and wanted to be baptized next Sunday.  Awesome!  That’s what it’s all about. I’m so proud of my wife, and believe she really heard a word from the Lord today.  And in that regard, let me add that I believe we’re in a season in which... (read more)

Josh Willson, one of our members, is working on an internship in Houston.  He recenty shared this experience of direct, personal answered prayer.  Enjoy!   This afternoon I was walking to Jack-In-The-Box for lunch. Keep in mind that to get there you must cross access roads (AKA drivers who don’t watch where they’re going) under the bridge and then face oncoming traffic that doesn’t stop until the light turns green. Beautiful day. I didn’t really mind the dark clouds passing, thought it would be another hour before the rain started falling.  I am wearing white pants with black shirt. As I cross access road one, and enter under the bridge, it starts raining. Great. Just my luck. So I pressed the button to cross and stepped back under the bridge to shelter me from the rain. I prayed to God, “Alright dude, I trust you to take care of me, but I’m wearing white pants and hearing aids and I... (read more)

Sitting here, thinking about our weekend and the upcoming week… Worship yesterday was incredible.  And by that, I don’t just mean the band and vocal team (although that was pretty sweet).  I mean the whole congregation, lifting up praise to the Lord.   I am so grateful for Tammy’s honesty and transparency in sharing part of her testimony.  I pray TPCC will always be people who love out of a pure heart, a good conscience, and a faith without faking (1 Timothy 1:5).  You sure met Tammy there, and it transformed her life and ministry.   Did you hear the question that Carrie asked Tammy after she had come to TPCC for a few weeks?  It was about her son, Taylor, who has Asperger’s Syndrome and ADHD.  Carrie asked, “How can we serve Taylor?”  That has me thinking… in what other arenas can we ask that question.  How can teachers ask that question of their adult class members?  How can... (read more)

This Week's Grow! theme is on pleasing God with our performance. One of the central themes of the chapter is Philippians 2:13:  For it is God who works in you both to will and to do of HIs good pleasure.   Personally, because of the many changes I and we have been facing, I've been thinking a lot about recasting vision lately.  It's time to dream some new dreams and seek the Lord about the future of our ministry together.   Interestingly enough, these two ideas come together on page 54 in the "Writing Your Story" section.  Here's how this little visioning exercise goes:   Take a few minutes to pray.  Ask the Lord to tune your desires to His desires.  Then write out your future in the language of desires.  Here are some ideas to guide you: I wish.... I imagine or picture myself as.... I will be very disappointed in myself if somehow I don't.... When I think... (read more)

Sunday I mentioned that every day we have a choice - to be conformed (changed from without) to the world or to be transformed (changed from within) by the Holy Spirit.   Chapter 4 of the Grow! manual mentions three things that govern the world's values - pleasure, prosperity, and pride (1 John 2:16).   Here's my question for you: How do you see the world trying to influence you and/or your family in those three areas? And how does the Holy Spirit transform us to His value system?   I'd love to see your ideas. (read more)

Here are some resources that will assist you in your growth, and will arm you to help others in their growth for Week 3 and Week 4.   Tim Challies shares six ways our prayers are hindered here:    Mart DeHaan has a great article about “praying to pray."  Click here.     Is prayer really that simple?  Yes, it is.  Click here for more.    James Sieffert has a discussion on his site about what people are learning from last week’s service and their personal time with the Lord. Click here to participate.      Share your favorite story of answered prayer at the SynerJACK site.  Click here:  And share how you decide what to read, or share what you're reading and learning in Scripture by clicking on the previous Nfusion article and adding your thoughts to the discussion. (read more)

Hey!   So how's your Six-Day Challenge going?   In case you missed it, I'm challenging everybody to spend SOME time with the Lord in Bible study and prayer each day this week - actually six out of seven days.  Remember, consistency is more important than diving headfirst into a two-hour study once a week or so.   I mentioned yesterday that I've been reading through Psalms.  Right now I'm in Psalm 110 - and being reminded that the Lord (Jesus) will reign until He has made His enemies His footstool.   Quick Question:  Where are you reading/studying (or HOW do you DECIDE what to read), and what is the Lord speaking to you about? (read more)

This week one of the things we're focusing on is what the Bible calls our "blessed hope."  Jesus said that He was going to prepare a place for us, that where He is, there we can be also.   There are a lot of interesting ideas that float around about heaven.  Some people, like Randy Alcorn, believe that most of what we refer to as "heaven" is actually a New Earth.   What does your "sanctified imagination" think Heaven will be like?  Have some fun if you want, but give it some thought, too.   Post your reply below. (read more)

As we're wrapping up Week 1 and looking toward Week 2, here are some online resources available to enhance your participation in the Grow! Campaign. Grow! Book If you don't have the Grow! manual yet, pick one up in the foyer Sunday for a suggested donation of $7.50.  (Don't have the funds?  Get one anyway.  It's that important).  OR you can download the Ebook version by clicking here.  Week 1 - The Jesus Touch Change involves: Union with a Person (Christ) Separation from Old patterns Application of New Principles Here is an article about what two businesses can teach you about getting rid of the stuff that holds you back.  (Hint:  It isn't always sin we're talking about!) Week 2 - Confidence for the Future Mart DeHaan of Radio Bible Class, shares the struggle of a friend over assurance of salvation here. Discussion Forums In addition to the Nfusion Blog here, you can also find discussions on different Grow! related subjects... (read more)

The Re-new track for Chapter 1 of the Grow! book (p. 13) asks you to write your story by sharing how you would most like to grow or be renewed over the next 12 weeks.  I would like to know what YOUR growth goals are.  Here are my top 3: 1.  Witnessing.  One of the challenges of being a pastor is that we're surrounded with believers all the time UNLESS we intentionally cultivate relationships with non-believers.  I have talking to the Lord often lately about this. 2.  Fullness.  My (our) friend Rich Smith once spoke to me about the need to walk in a New Testament anointing rather than an Old Testament anointing.  The difference?  In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit would come and leave, often based on events.  In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit indwells every believer, and they walk in the Spirit with power.  I am praying that during these days in my personal life, prayer life, and... (read more)

Your Grow! book has opportunities at the end of each chapter to "write your story" in relation to that chapter's content.  Each chapter runs along two tracks - a "New" track, and a "Re-new" track.  The "New" track is designed for anybody; the "Re-new" track is designed for believers who have at least some history with the Lord.  Of course, in writing your story, you can feel free to do either, or both writing projects. The first opportunity to write your story asks you to write a letter.  It could be to someone you haven't seen in a long time, someone you care about who is no longer living, the devil, or the Lord.  Would you be willing to share your letter with other readers?  This will encourage them to celebrate your growth with you, and to share their own stories.  Some of you leader-types - you go first! To share your letter, simply fill in the information below, and type... (read more)

As we continue to live in a crazy-stressful world and economy, here are some affirmations and Scripture verses you can use as a reminder that there is no recession in Heaven! BELIEVE GOD! "And God will generously provide all you need.  Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others."  (2 Corinthians 9:8-9) I will take God at His word. I will give generously I will trust Him to provide abundantly. BREAK FREE OF YOUR PAST! "Owe nothing to anyone " except for your obligation to love one another."  (Romans 13:8) I will fulfill my past commitments. I will not impoverish my future by borrowing today. I will not be a slave to past painful experiences. CREATE YOUR FUTURE! "The wise have health and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get."  (Proverbs 21:20). I will live by purpose. I will dream God-sized dreams. I will save time and money to invest and use in the... (read more)

Sixty-five.  What a cool number.  It's the number of teams in the NCAA Basketball Tournament.  It's the year that "My Fair Lady" won the Oscar for Best Picture and the arch was completed in St. Louis.  Some people still look at this as the magic age of retirement. It's also the number of children, preschool to Grade 5, we had Sunday.  That's incredibly exciting to me. One of the things I'm seeing is that a significant number of children are beginning to respond to God's love and the message of the gospel.  I believe that over the next several months we may see a harvest of children coming to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  That, too, is very exciting to me. Often parents ask how they can know if their children are "ready" to be baptized, or to receive Christ.  That's a valid question, and the way we respond to those children can have a significant impact... (read more)

During Old Testament times, when farmers approached harvest time, they would go into the fields and harvest a representative portion of their crops. They would bring this to the priests, who would offer these crops as a sacrifice to the Lord. These offerings are referred to as the "first-fruits," and became the foundation of our practice of tithing. A person of the first-fruits is one who offers his first and his finest to the Lord with a spirit of gratitude and commitment. I want to challenge you to make a new and lasting commitment to the Lord Jesus to be people of the first-fruits. That means being willing to give of your first and your finest to our wonderful Lord. Give Him the first of your week. Set aside the first day of the week as a time to fellowship with other believers, to study and grow from the Word of God, and to worship. Give Him the first... (read more)