One year ago today...

We were in Orlando at the Disney World Resort. We took the kids to the Magic Kingdom's "Not So Scary Halloween" event. I grew up as a "Disney kid". My mom and dad were both Disney Executives and Mickey was everywhere. I like to say that little rat put a roof over my head and food on the table for all of childhood. Now having said all that I will say I think no one can do an event like Disney can. Last year was so memorable. The Magic Kingdom was transformed into the "No So Scariest Place on Earth" when the lights went down. The population was smaller and all the rides were open. The kids could go to specific places in the park and get candy. They had all the Disney Villains out and they had "control" of the park. It was wild and a very good time. It was so much fun seeing all the kids in their costumes, most of them were Disney themed, but they were great.

How fast this year has gone...

Have a great Halloween and enjoy the trick-or-treaters tonight.

Ministry Fair

We are busily preparing for our Ministry Fair on Sunday morning. I am excited that we will have all of our fantastic ministries highlighted and available for people. My prayer is that everyone will find a place to connect and become involved in the future of TRCC. If you have ever wondered how to get connected then this Sunday is for you. See you there!

Feeling great...

Some have noticed that there is a bit less of me physically over the last six weeks. I haven't talked too much about it, but I have been working out and eating a high-protein, low fat diet. I have lost 21 pounds and 12 inches over the first 30 days. I wanted to share with you the workout that Lisa and I do every morning. It is called Power 90.



If you want some additional information about this workout or others you can look here or check out my fitness blog for additional videos and information. I will say that I have learned it is less about the metrics (loss of pounds and inches) and more about the fitness (how I feel) and I feel GREAT!

Blessings all!

Interesting weekend...

Yes it was an interesting weekend. My mom and grandma visited from Ohio for my grandma's 86th birthday. We celebrated by going out to dinner and little jaunt over to the local DQ. Then my daughter decided to dent the living room wall with her head. Yeah with her head. She is ok, but we ended up in the local ER for a little "parental peace-of-mind". Thank God that she did not really hurt the wall...I am just kidding...I was really scared that she was seriously hurt, but she is a tough little girl. Her goose-egg was gone by Saturday morning.

Sunday morning was one of those mornings that you could just feel the Holy Spirit's presence in our worship celebration. The church also gave me a very nice gift for Pastor Appreciation Month. I am so blessed to be at TRCC. I can feel God's leading for TRCC and think others can too.

Have a great Monday!

Spiritual Formation in Groups

Small groups is one of the major focuses of TRCC. Spiritual Formation is also at the very core of who we are and what we want to do. I would encourage you to watch this video and see how spiritual formation takes place in a small group.

Blessings Abound

Yesterday was one of those days when I know God is smiling down on TRCC. Here is what happened: The day started with an email conversation between me and our senior high leader about her awesome vision for the youth and plans for a youth rally in KV. Then another TRCC'er came into the office and proposed a partnership with a veterinary clinic in town so that we can offer free or low-cost spade and neutering for dogs and cats. She also talked about a mission trip in February to Mexico. Then another TRCC'er dropped off no less than 30 boxes for our shoebox ministry. This is a real blessing since we want to increase the size of this ministry. Then we received a call into the office from a member of the community that was so taken with our new billboard that she said she had to call us. She is a member of another church in town but said she is glad that she is part of the same team as TRCC.

Wow! God sure is blessing our church. Persevere and we will all see the blessings that God is preparing to pour out on this wonderful community. I don't know about you, but I am going out today to prepare my fields for rain...heavenly rain.

Sunday Scorecard

Here is how Sunday 10/14 went:

Music: The highlight for me was clearly the song "Salt and Light". Despite Rhoda not feeling well she brought that song with such feeling and energy. You could just feel the Spirit come and fill the worship space. The energy among the people was amazing!

Message: I delivered the vision for the next 40 months of TRCC. It was a long message, but the Lord has much for us to accomplish over the next 40 months. The message is built off of the acrostic of the words SALT and LIGHT and Matthew 5:13-16 is the foundational verses. We will be posting a page on our website that details the main points of the vision.

Attendance: 258 (15% increase from same Sunday last year)

Small Group Life

Part of the vision is to think and act radically around the issues of small groups and spiritual discipleship. I am going to post a collection of short videos about these subjects over the next week. I would encourage you to watch these and reflect on them for your own life. They are very powerful.

What I love about small groups:

It is up...

I had a pleasant surprise yesterday driving north on 63. Our new billboard is up! It looks so sharp and really catches the eye from even further back on 63. Get over to see it if you haven't already.

The Vision Unveiled

Yesterday I the vision to the congregation of TRCC. The foundational scripture for the vision is Matthew 5:13-16 where Jesus calls us to be the Salt and Light of the world. I am really excited about what I believe God is about to do in this community and how we are uniquely positioned to be at the vanguard of God's blessing. A page will be devoted to the website so if you missed the message on Sunday you can catch the vision also.

One of the things that I raised up yesterday is Stephens Ministries out of St. Louis, Missouri. I have experience with this wonderful ministry model and I believe that TimberRidge will be an even greater place. More information will be coming over the next several weeks about this ministry and opportunities to serve.

Flat tires and good friends

This morning was one of those mornings. I worked out and left it all on the mat. After dropping my daughter off at the babysitter I hit one of the many potholes in Kirksville and my right rear tire went flat. As I was trying to figure out where the spare was located one of our friends drove up and offered to take Lisa to work and our son to school. It seemed like God was watching over me as two wonderful guys came to help me change the tire. No one called them they just showed up! God is great!

Have a great Wednesday!

Sunday Scorecard

Here is how Sunday, September 30 played out:

Praise: My highlight was Amazing Grace sung to the melody of House of the Rising Sun. I really love the alternate renditions of Amazing Grace. The words are so powerful that you can almost put them to any melody and have a powerful message.

Movie Clip: I used Samwise's speech from Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. I love how he tells Frodo that they really should not even be there, but they are and they keep going because they believe here is some "good in this world". How true that is of TimberRidge. We keep going because we believe we can do some good in this world.

Message: I started the vision series with "HIS-story". We looked at how TRCC was built to last for the Kingdom of God. We recounted some of the history of the church and looked at a foundation of belief and values that has at the core of everything we have ever done.

Attendance: 192

Remembering those that serve

Today is what is known as Ranger Day. It was fifteen years ago today that an element of the 75th Ranger Regiment and Delta Force engaged rebels in Somalia to capture a warlord who was denying the hungry U.N. Food assistance. Many brave men gave their lives on that ill-fated day. My prayers go out today to all U.S. soldier and their families. Thank you for the sacrifice that you are making for our freedom.

Have a blessed day!

New Billboard

I just saw the proof of the new billboard we have S. Baltimore Road. I am so impressed with the talent God has given people to create something awesome out of almost nothing. Shaun has done such a great job with the billboard. I am so tempted to put the proof up here for all of you to see, but I am going to wait until I have confirmation of production. Let me say, it is different than anything we have seen around here. You will be impressed and proud.

Have a God-filled Tuesday!

Waiting on God

We have been earnestly looking for land for the future building site of Timber Ridge. Well the property that we had our sites on has sold. I was feeling pretty down about it until yesterday. God sent a messenger in the form of our members. After a brief conversation Lisa and I got a very clear sense that God is telling us to wait on him. I am telling you that God is working on blessing for TRCC. So I am slowing down and being much more mindful of God's workings in and around TRCC. I don't know what he is going to do, but I am excited to find out.

Keep praying and keep watchful TRCC folks. God is blessing us in so many ways.

Have great Monday!