This has been an incredible week. I can’t believe I am as blessed as I am…wow, the fact that Jesus would allow me to live the life that I am living is a testimony to the fact that HIS grace IS amazing.
(Today’s Father’s Day service was special to me…I shared with the church seven things I would love to say to my unborn daughter. I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house when we were done…it was a time of God doing an incredible thing among our men. You can visit our NewSpring site to watch the message—or download it off of i-tunes. I think it will be a challenge AND encouragement to every man who takes the time to check it out.)
I had a friend ask me the other day, “Hey Perry, how can I be praying for you?” And I said…
“Ben, I am at a place right now in life where I am getting ready to embrace a series of challenges that I have never had to face…I am about to be a dad, we are about to add on a children’s and youth facility at the Anderson campus, we are going to begin a campus in Greenville…and I have NO idea what in the world to expect.”
And then I said, “AND…I want things to be like this for the rest of my life…I always want to be at a place where I have no idea what is coming next—I WANT the unpredictable…I want to NOT be able to fall into a normal and boring routine…I want to face challenges and climb mountains and REALLY discover who God is NOT just in my readings…but in my life experiences as well.”
I know I am seeing that personally in my life as I prepare to be a father. AND I know we will continually see this as a church—we will…
- NEVER be satisfied with where we are!
- ALWAYS be thankful for what God has done!
- NEVER limit what God can do!
- ALWAYS dream big…and take bold steps!
- NEVER stop reaching people for Christ!
- ALWAYS spend money on ministry!
- NEVER let the critics and skeptics silence us!
- ALWAYS be willing to make NOISE for Christ!
- NEVER forget where we came from!
- ALWAYS celebrate where we are going!
- NEVER allow creativity to trump Scripture!
- ALWAYS show the world how relevant the Gospel is!
- NEVER lift up a personality!
- ALWAYS lift up the name of Jesus!
It blows my mind to see what God has done so far…and I can’t wait to see where we are going. I love what I do—thank You Jesus for an amazing church…and amazing staff…and amazing group of volunteers…YOU are advancing YOUR kingdom…and I know the best is yet to come.