I’m excited about being a part of some powerful city prayer over the next few Tuesday nights leading up to Sept 11 (from 7pm-8pm). This September 11th is the 10 year anniversary. Thompsons Station Church is hosting these prayer nights under the organization of AWAKENING AMERICA and “Cry Out America”. They have already done 2 nights but have quite a few more to go. Each Tuesday night will be led by a different local pastor. My night to lead is coming up on August 2nd. I hope we can see all of you come out for an hour to pray with other local Christians. One hour goes by fast and think of all the power that will be coming from a room full of people, from different denominations and backgrounds, lifting up our families, our city and our nation. It’s going to be good!

M

Here is a link to view and download more info about this event.

CRY OUT AMERICA in SPRING HILL, TN

Posted: July 18th, 2011 under Culture/Society, Leadership.
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April 7
Southwest delay on our layover in Chicago which caused us all to get $100 vouchers. We ended up being pretty rushed once in San Diego and chowed down on In-N-Out. Once we got into Mexico both our van and Lucas’s van got pulled over by the Mexico board patrol.  Paul met us and took us to the best authentic mexico food and it was delicious. We then got to our camp and saw Ramon and Ps Nikko. Had a great time of prayer over Ramon and we got excited about the ministry getting ready to happen this week. Had a great time of worship and reflection as a group.

April 8
Finished a house in record time (6hrs). We had the whole team of BCM helping us and our team was large. It rained for about 20 mins and then the weather was perfect. Our travel to the site took us over to a different part of Mexico. Apparently these people were relocated here after they had a big mudslide that ruined their first area. We built this house for a young mother and her 2 sons and 1 daughter. She made us some soup and it was very good. We went and bought the family some house warming gifts as well as candy for all the neighborhood kids. So far we have had nothing but Mexican food. Go figure. (Although it’s been the best we could ever have.)  Shower time was also quite an experience. These dudes from our church are crazy. BTW- On the way to the job site we encountered a police checkpoint complete with police driving after a car trying to escape the checkpoint. These police carry large machine guns. Pretty crazy. I also found that driving in Mexico is almost like playing a video game. It was crazy and very funny. I’m pretty sure this is the most unruly traffic there is.

April 9
Started our 2nd house build but today was much different than the first. No where near the help, power tools or great location.  We literally had to walk through the lady’s old house to get to the job site. Paul was our contractor today and he had a small amount of tools to work with.  But he had patience with us . Bob Sanders (the owner of Baja Christian Ministries) came today and gave us his new book. Great man of God that loves evangelism. We worked our butts off today. Literally were finishing up right before sunset. The family of this house accepted Christ before we finished. We also found out that the extended family of the first house, from the day before, got saved because they were blown away by the love of God. Awesome!! As we drove back to the camp we found out it was packed with people coming to visit the church (our camp is also a church). We had to park around back and I drove over some rod sticking out of the ground and popped the tire. We will fix it tomorrow. Great day though we are beat. Two houses in two days is alot!

April 10
First we had to fix the tire. Found our the “rod” I drove over was actually a rock with a very pointy tip…would have never saw it. ugh! Fixed the tire with help from Alex (from Lucas’s church). Today we went out to evangelize in the streets. Had an amazing time of worship and prayer with the group. Felt good since we all missed our own church services. Some people got delievered and we felt a real strong anointing of Gods power. We met up with Ramon and Guadalupe (Ramon’s soon to be wife) and Pastor Nikko. We went door to door and invited people to the local soccer field. About 70 people showed up and gave their life to Christ after testimonies by Lucas, Erica, Laura, Mike, Jody, Sulu, John, Will and Matt. My dad also fainted during the altar call from dehydration. Talk about mood killer .  We gave out purple books and bibles to them. The purple books are great foundation building books. While we prayed for healings,  people got healed of diabetes, leg problems, pain in her back and cancer. Also prayed for a girl that had trouble speaking clearly. She was prophecied that she would speak to nations. We then prayed for a lady that was demon possessed. She had wanted to be free of the oppression. I could see the demon through her eyes. We prayed and then went in hear house to have her get rid of the idols in her house. The idols were something she had since she was 9 years old. Once we got rid and broke them, you could see a change in her. She had been free and was so  happy. We then prayed over a lady in a wheel chair who was progressively getting worse with disease. We prayed and she felt warm feelings and healing. She was told that the healing would continue until she was totally healed. Her family was very happy.  We then went to dinner at a chicken restaurant, which had some very tasty chicken. I also bought 3 spongebob piantas from a street vendor for $5. I later found out I paid too much but hey…nothings too expensive for my kiddies! Now we are chilling at the camp the rest of the night. Great great day and trip!

MR

Posted: April 12th, 2011 under Culture/Society, Life Stuff, Trips.
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Check out this POST.

I’m excited. It’s amazing how God plants you somewhere with a future purpose in mind. I believe this city is going to experience a huge outpouring of God’s favor and anointing. It’s because of godly churches and families that have prayed and helped each other. It’s because of our passion to see people changed for the better. For people to experience God’s glory. Now God is bringing the people to US!! What an honor to be one of the churches here to be part of this.

This is a time for the church to prepare to be the hope that people are looking for. This town will be growing quickly, but we must rise up to the challenge to be the love to those that are coming. God let your glory and power fall on us!

This is an exciting time and an exciting area to be living in!

MR

Posted: March 2nd, 2011 under Culture/Society, Life Stuff.
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Sunday morning I met a surfer from California. Our friend and keyboard player, John, met him on the side of the road earlier that week when his car broke down. Instead of passing him by, John got out of his car, helped him push his car to the side of the road and gave him a ride. Within that time, John heard this man’s life story and how he was at a state of brokenness. Longing for a breakthrough and a change, John ministered the love of Jesus to him. That day this man gave his life to Christ.

John offered to pick him up for church on Sunday. He told him he needed to come meet some of his “church family”. I met him right before music rehearsal on Sunday morning, and I knew in my spirit that this guy was going to experience some Jesus that day.

I preached on The Lord’s Prayer and the power of praying to a loving God. After the message he came up to me and was blown away by God. Crying, he told me that he had never experience anything like that before. He said my message was directly for him. He couldn’t believe that God would plan a day like Sunday to speak directly to him and tell him how much he loved him. I told him he wasn’t there by accident and that God wanted to give him a new start. He stayed after service for a while and talked to just about everyone. He couldn’t get over how much we loved God and how much God loved him. It was so amazing to see such a fresh hunger and a new born excitement. I felt like God set up that whole service just for that one man.

Today it hit me….God allowed his car to break down exactly where it did, so John, being a faithful servant, would stop by to offer help. That help would be more than a ride, but life changing and life altering. I’m so proud of John taking the time to do the “love thing” and not just miss this golden opportunity to impact this man’s broken life. I’m so proud that he drove out of his way to pick him up on Sunday and bring him to church. I’m so happy that our church just doesn’t let a new person sit in a seat without giving them a handshake, hug, coffee, chat…whatever it takes to let him know we love them. I’m so proud and honored to serve a God that still takes time to rock each person, in whatever situation they are in, to show them that He loves them. I’m so proud that God uses broken cars to heal broken lives.

This NEVER gets old and it NEVER fails to blow me away…the awesome power of God’s love for us.

MR

Posted: February 14th, 2011 under Culture/Society.
Comments: 1

Throughout the months of Jan and Feb we are doing a new series called I’ve Got the Power.

My plan is to talk through the points that I believe God has told us will bring us power, not only in our relationship with God but with each other as well. Sometimes it’s the simple things that we do that gives us the most power.

I finally started up back at the gym. It’s been a little while but I’ve needed to do this. My excuses were always a lack of time. Now that my schedule is much different, I can make the time I need to, with out sacrificing time away from my family. Already I feel a different and I know, over time, it will be something that will help me in many ways. But although we all know the importance of working out, we fight it and usually end up not doing it anymore. Even though our bodies were created for physical activity, it’s much easier to sit around and be lazy than make the time to do something as basic as walking, running or riding a bike. I believe that’s exactly the way we view the things the God has given us to do in His Word.

Many of us regulars at church know the power in reading the Bible, praying and worshiping God. But do we also know the power in serving others, healing, the power in having a vision, and getting dreams from the Holy Spirit? Some of us can’t remember when was the last time we even felt like we heard God speak to us? Why is that the very simplest of things become so foreign to us? Maybe it’s the same thing with working out. It’s that we get conditioned to become spiritually lazy and we learn to accept it as normal.

In order to do something remarkable, we need to live a remarkable life. Going through the daily grind with no regard for God or what pleases His heart will eventually lead someone to live a life foreign to God’s plan for their life. If we value the things of this world more than value the Father’s heart we will miss the very thing that gives us the ability to live a life of supernatural power.

Are we a people that desire to walk out the daily simple life of servanthood, reading the Bible, praying earnestly for each other, being undignified in our worshiping and praise, giving unselfishly, loving all and being a light for Him. Or do we want to call ourselves Christians, while we live spiritually “out of shape” and become examples of hipocrites that the world sees all the time?

It’s time to step up the plate and live a life of supernatural power!

Jan 2 – The Power of Vision

Jan 9 – The Power of Love (Ps Aaron Davis from Oasis Church)

Jan 16 – The Power of Putting God First

Jan 23 – The Power of Serving the Least of These (Ps Mike Coupe from A Place of Hope)

Jan 30 – The Power of Praise

Feb 6 – The Power of Serving

Feb 13 – The Power of Prayer

Feb 20 – The Power of Healing

Feb 27 – The Power of Visions and Dreams (Ps Clint Thomas)

MR

Posted: February 1st, 2011 under Culture/Society, Leadership.
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