Ok, I can’t take credit for this pic. My wife found it but it is so true. Obviously this is a satirical illustration with a lot of truth packed in. I think that the pic speaks for itself so I will only add a few observations. People are not drawn to religion, they are drawn to relationships. We as the church should offer people that come through our doors the greatest relationship that they can ever experience. We need to introduce them to Jesus Christ. The one person that can give people hope in a hopeless world. Just like Pastor Byron said a few weeks ago, “Religion says that God loves if… but God just says I love you!” Forget all the rules and the man made lists of do’s & don’ts. When people come to church it does not matter how they look, talk and walk. The only thing that matters is that they meet the Lord Jesus and experience true love. After looking at the pic I think it’s time to lose some religion. Let’s not be creepy, let’s be cool, let’s show them Jesus!
Alright I watched the results from the Florida primary tonight and could say many things about it. Most of you probably don’t know that I have a minor in Political Science so I find this whole election cycle stimulating and interesting. I will not be political on my blog. Therefore you will see no endorsements or hear any recommendations from me. For those of you who know me personally you probably have a good idea where I stand politically. If asked, I will be more than willing and forthcoming with who I am supporting and why. With that being said, I don’t think that this forum is the best place to convince you to vote one way or the other so I am only going to offer this advice. Don’t only vote with your heart and conscience but also vote with your head. Think about it, pray about it and then become informed on the issues and just vote. We live in the greatest country on the Earth and our right to vote, our democracy, is what makes it that way. And which ever way the election might go come November, remember it’ll be alright. God is and will still be on His throne and we are and will still be His children.
Filed under: Church | Tags: C3 Church, First Time Guests, Fresh Movement Of God
I know, I know, but I can’t help but get excited about what God is doing at C3. You might get tired of me saying it again and again but seeing God move in peoples’ lives is just incredible. I have been talking to first time guests as we are following up their visits and it is incredible what God is doing in the lives of people. It is not everyday that a person gets to be a part of a fresh movement of God. And to see it happening in our community is just mind blowing. This is what ministry is about. People, others, people, others. People are the most important thing to God so shouldn’t they be the most important thing to us as Christians? You would think so, wouldn’t you? I have learned since I have been in ministry full time going on five years now that people are not always the most important thing to Christians. I think that pride, power, being right and personal preferences are some of the things most important to Christians. I think that Christians can talk a good game about caring but when it comes right down to it they really don’t. Let’s remember C3’ers it’s not about “religion” it’s about a relationship. When we get that right people will come even more than they already are to hear the message of Christ and how He can change their lives. I think that is what is happening at C3. God is watching us and is pleased and blessing our efforts to reach the thing that is most important to Him, people.
This is for all of you Lost fans out there. Three seasons wrapped up in 8:15 (if you are a Lost fan you know this # is significant). This will catch you up for Season 4 starting this week. Watch fast!
Filed under: Church, Friends, Personal | Tags: C3 Church, Emotional, God's Faithfulness
I can not help the way God made me. For most of you that know me, you know I am an emotional kind of guy. Sometimes I get a little irritated at myself because I think I am a little too emotional. On the other hand there are times when I am glad I am the way that I am. This morning is one of those times. I could feel myself getting emotional at several points this morning. You might ask why were you getting emotional this morning Darrell? Shouldn’t you have been emotional last week on the major kick-off Sunday or even on the first Sunday when it was the first time we saw all of our volunteers in action? Or maybe on the Saturday morning of training of the hundreds of volunteers? I might have a little because all of those are great moments in C3’s brief history at Waterford Lakes Town Center. So why this morning?
I witnessed the faithfulness of God this morning. Every time I saw our hosts and hostesses walking new people around and when I went into the large theater both services I was just blown away by our crowds. After last week having such a great Sunday with so many new people I had set my expectations low for this Sunday. Of course I am ashamed that I did not believe God for the best but thank God He does not operate according to my expectations. I knew we would be moving into the largest theater that Waterford Lakes, Regal Cinema had, which was a miracle in itself, but how would we even begin to fill it was all I could think of. Won’t we look lost in such a big theater and won’t that translate into a loss of momentum? But, that is not what happened at all. We filled it up significantly in both services. Yes, there is room to grow, but it was obvious that our congregation is continuing to invest and invite and God is moving in a very special way. That is why I was emotional at several points this morning. God is faithful even when we can not see it at times, God can see it all the time.
I have so many times over the past few years questioned God. “God, why are going through this?” “God, why did this friend and that friend let Satan convince them to listen to lies?” “God, why did my friends not believe me and throw our friendship away?” “God, why did you not let this person or that person go with us in the journey?” “God, are you going to let our church die?” Well, I know the answer to any or all of these questions and it was confirmed to me today. The numbers of new people coming to know Him are worth anything that we have gone through. And God will reward your faithfulness if you stay the course when He tells you to do something and you do it no matter the cost.
So God help my unbelief and thank you for blessing C3 Church. And, what’s so amazing is that this is just the beginning. I am truly sorry for those that could not believe and set aside the vision for their own preferences because they are going to miss out on a truly great movement of God. Then again, I won’t question God’s purpose and will for them because God has us all on a journey and C3 Church was just not part of theirs. God has them in His hand just as He has all of us in His hand as well. I am just thankful that God called me to be a part of what I believe is one of the greatest ministries in Central Florida and will be in the Nation and the World. The detractors and naysayers will always try to be heard but fortunately that does not hinder God blessing a church He cares about and neither do my expectations. Thank You God. Thank You God. Dang it! why must I be so emotional?!!!!!!!!!
Alright, for all of my friends that have left me comments on my previous blog. The whole point of me sharing the dream was that my 75yr. old mom was driving a car way to fast on I-4 and I was in the back seat trying to save us from getting killed. It was just a situation that is weird and would never happen. I know where my mind is and I have no problem sharing that “weird” dream. I just thought it was funny, you guys are the ones with problems if you think anything differently. Because I am a good friend and love you all I will not embarrass you guys by publishing your comments showing the whole world where your minds are. I know sometimes my voice or my words, in this case, get out before I can engage my mind but I guess I just expect the best out of everyone and I sometimes look a little goofy in the process. Oh well, if I can put a smile on someone’s face I guess it’s worth it. I will be praying for each of you to be saved. Maybe you guys should try going to church. In fact there is a great church that meets at Waterford Lakes…
Filed under: Personal, Pop Culture | Tags: american idol, cvs, dreams, moment of truth, neck pain
Ok, it’s time for some light blogging. I am so happy that my neck muscles have finally released my head as their hostage. It felt like my neck muscles were clamped down so tight, I guess they thought my head was going to run away.
American Idol was pretty lame last night or I was just in so much pain it didn’t matter.
I don’t know what to make of that new show, Moment of Truth. It’s kind of weird that people know that their dirty laundry will be aired out in front of America and their friends and family that are on the show. I guess it has kind of a voyueristic quality about it because it’s like you’re getting to hear and watch something that you normally wouldn’t hear or see about someone. I think it has the potential to be one of the huge shows for one season and then it’s done.
I’m looking forward to filing my tax return. Isn’t that a little weird? I guess I know we’ll be getting a return and that return will pay for our upcoming cruise. So I guess that’s why I’m looking forward to it.
I love living in Avalon Park. The CVS just opened up two blocks from my house.
I woke up this morning from the weirdest dream. I was in the car on I-4 with my 75 yr. old mom driving and she was tailgating and I knew we were going to hit the car in front of us so I was in the back seat screaming at her to stomp on the brake. I kept saying “harder, harder”. Then I woke up and now I’m blogging.
Oh well, enough weirdness and useless blogging. Have a great Thursday!
FYI For those of you who want to know a little bit more about me. I finally filled out my “about me” page. Check it out and get a little insight into Darrell.
Thanks for reading!
Filed under: Church | Tags: C3 Church, First Time Guests, Fresh Movement Of God
Staff meeting today was a great time. You might ask, what would make a staff meeting where we are hammering out tough issues and making big decisions great? Well, all of the difficult things that we had to discuss and plan for were a result of tons of people coming to C3 Church over the past three weeks. This week we had over 70 first time guests and total attendance was over 700 people. Let me just say, it is nothing that we as a staff are doing except encouraging people to invest and invite and more importantly it is because a fresh move of God is happening at C3 Church.
As usual we as a staff evaluated and have a good handle on what we have to tweak and adjust to make the whole Sunday morning experience the best it can be for everyone that attends. We have a lot of work to do and by no means have arrived. Let’s keep praying, keep inviting and investing and most of all, give God thanks and praise for the way that He is moving in lives at C3 Church.
Only one word could describe our kick-off Sunday at Regal Cinemas at Waterford Lakes. LEGENDARY! Today couldn’t be described in any other manner. It is our third week in the theaters and we are starting to get the hang of things. It has been said before and let me say it again. We could not do this without the hundreds of volunteers that have caught the vision and see it! All of your smiling faces at 6 am and throughout the morning, still smiling at 12 pm, are an incredible sight.
I have a confession to make. This week at certain times I was feeling a little depressed as I thought back through the past year and a half but today was the medicine that I needed. God knows just what I need and what I needed was to remember that Sunday’s always on the way.
Now back to today. The crowds were awesome. The first service was probably 96% full and there were only TWO seats, yes only TWO seats left available in the second service. People were obviously investing and inviting over the past several weeks. In fact SEVEN of Andrea’s friends she works with came to C3 this morning. We had so many first time guests it was crazy. The hosts/hostesses were stinkin’ busy. There were also so many new kids in Powerhouse, Playhouse, First Look and the Nursery. God was definitely in the house this morning and of course His presence makes all the difference.
As I was worshiping in the worship theater, I could hear all of the voices lifting up praise to the Lord. Josh and the C3 Worship Band and Vocal Team did an amazing job. Like I said before, it finally feels like we are at home. C3 has found its heart and its people. It’s all about investing and inviting. It’s all about others. It’s all about Barbaric Grace. It’s all about losing our religion. It’s all about Connecting the Community with Christ. Jesus and people what a concept, what a way to do church. To sum it all up, LEGENDARY simply LEGENDARY!
loveworshiplovelife 