My podcast story

It is Tuesday morning and there was no Monday morning elevation wrap-up podcast for this story to be told.  Honestly it was told twice but unfortunately no one heard it except David and I.  We had just finished a 13 minute Grammy nominated podcast when the power went out and we lost it.  We thought a moment and then agreed because it was so good we would try again.  No joke, 2 minutes before we finished the power went out again.  So here is the story.  I had a bad couple of days, nothing to worry about now.  I was sitting in my office looking at Ecclesiastes 3 and wondering.  I picked up a book given to me by my grandmother when I started preaching.  She gave me all of my papaw's books...he was a preacher also.  When I opened it to Ecclesiastes 3 I found a business card.  It was my papaw's.  The card is about 50 years old.  That was not to impressive but what he wrote on the back was to me.  He wrote, "In the church's lowest condition the faithful few need not despair: the time to build up will come.  The love of God to his church is unchangeable.  The judgment of God will yet repair all the wrong of time."  I read this and wept.  I got on the floor and prayed to God.  I do not know why my papaw wrote this.  I do not know if it was for himself or someone else?  I do not even know if he ever used it?  I do know that God knew I needed to read it last Friday morning over 50 years after it was written on the back a business card.  I now keep it in my wallet.  I am so thankful that God loves us, he is with us, and someday he will repair, fix, and destroy the evilness of the world.  

Please do your homework!

How many times have I heard my mother say that to me when I was in school.  At my house growing up, you had to finish homework before you could play outside.  Now that was motivation!  Sunday night we challenged you with homework.  Have a party!  Why didn't I get that assignment in school?  have a party and invite people who need friends and invite people who need Jesus!  Maybe you start with friends and people in the neighborhood.  Fire up the grill and load the cooler down with drinks.  Make some phone calls and have football on the TV!  You will be amazed and who might come and what may happen.  That may just be the first step of many for a person to come to Jesus.  Remember love people period!  Have fun this week but not before you do your homework!  I will see you Sunday!

Mark

Your Story?

elevation week 2 was amazing! I loved seeing people worshipping God. There was an excitement and passion for God and it was a fun night to be with you. I met a woman named Amanda who accidentally found elevation last week. She and her son Mason came and Mason accepted Christ. How amazing! In the podcast, (that you can get at www.chilhoweehills.org or iTunes), we spoke about customer service. We need to be people who give people a great first impression about CHBC and elevation. I told our touch team to engage people, both members and guests, be warm, take people where they want to go, and have a smile on your face. Sometimes we can forget the fear and confusion that came when we all went to church for the first time. At elevation we want to create spaces for people to find God. At elevation everyone matters because everyone matters to God! What is your story? How was your experience? Share with us your best or worst story about visiting churches. What are some principles you think would help us to help new people?

Our Baby is Cute!

Tonight was divine!  God showed up.  I told David and the band before we walked out to play for the glory of God.  Let's all leave the stage knowing we gave our best and played and preached our best.  Tonight I can honestly say we did that!  We launched with close to 400 people of all ages.  I am so excited and honored to be a part of elevation.  Thank you to all who prayed and made tonight a success.  Please leave any comments that you have regarding the service.  You can also leave you prayer and praise reports here also.  I am so excited and cannot wait until next Sunday. Until then, love God supremely and love others more than yourself.  Live this week and plan to do something for someone else.  Love a neighbor or a friend and invite them to elevation!  I am glad we are journeying together.  Go to Starbucks and settle the craving I gave you tonight.

Mark