21 Days of Prayer & Fasting: Week 1

Nothing can survive, let alone thrive, without water.  Does your spiritual life show symptoms of dehydration? Is it brittle, lacking luster, fragile, or crumbling? Does it look good on the outside, but inwardly feel dry?  The answer is to this dehydration is simple and accessible; spend daily time in prayer, Bible reading, worship, and devotion with God.

What does it take to be relentless in our spiritual life? To abandon empty rituals and dry religion? To live the vibrant spiritual life that God has purchased for each of us?  The abundant life is found only through a relationship with Jesus Christ.   Are you willing to take 21 days to discover and embrace the “extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love?”

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?  Psalm 42:1-2, NIV

Week 1 Focus: Spiritual Health & Growth

• Sunday, Jan. 6: As you begin fasting, prayer that you would have a hunger for the things of God – His Word, His righteousness, His will. Matthew 5:6
• Monday, Jan. 7: Pray that we will be bold and faithful in this season of prayer, that God will raise up faithful intercessors and praying Jesus-followers. Joel 1:13-14; 2:12-18
• Tuesday, Jan. 8: Focus on repentance from sin and turning to holiness. Pray for corporate repentance of sin and that God’s righteousness would be a safeguard for our church. Isaiah 58; Psalm 51
• Wednesday, Jan. 9: Pray for Jesus-followers to grow in godly character, lay aside ungodly habits, and become spiritually mature; for sexual purity among pastors, leaders, Christians, and to guard against perversion, immorality, and sexual strongholds, broken marriages. Matthew 6:16-18; Ephesians 4:14-32
• Thursday, Jan. 10: Focus on the church community: that there would be a growing desire among Jesus-followers and within the church for relationships and “building one another up in love.” 1 Corinthians 12; Romans 12
• Friday, Jan. 11: Pray for the heart of worship personally and corporately as a church; that we would desire to make God smile, fear God and fear nothing else. Psalm 95 and 150
• Saturday, Jan 12: Pray that as Jesus-followers grow in maturity, they will give obediently and generously to God through the church; that there will be an abundance to advance the Cause of Christ. Malachi 3:6-18

My Challenge for 2013...

At the end of each year, we Americans go through a New Year’s ritual. We evaluate the previous year, and set resolutions to change our habits and lifestyles. We make the same resolutions we’ve made for years, each time failing to follow through with our commitments.

Resolutions start with good intentions: We set goals, we make commitments, we tell our friends, and then we start.  Then, as quickly as the new year begins, our resolve wanes. Busyness kicks in and old habits find new life. What was once comfortable becomes comfortable again.  Then, we justify our lack of follow-through: the resolution was unrealistic, the timing was bad, and our schedule had too many unexpected demands.

But what really happened to our resolutions?  Frankly, we maintained our motivation until the comfort of normal outweighed the discomfort of change. We got busy. Daily life distracted us. Deadlines and demands zapped our energy and quieted our enthusiasm.

The same happens with our spiritual life.  We intend to follow God, and really want to. But then life happens, and we don’t follow through!  Instead, we follow the crowd; we follow comfort; we follow the path of least resistance.   We find our identity and significance in so many empty things, only to leave us longing for more.

For this reason, I’m calling all supporters and Ministry Partners of Lifehouse Church to 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting, January 6-27.  This is a call to live “INSIDE OUT.”  This is a call to step away from the routine of everyday life and discover once and for all, “I am empty, and nothing can fill me or complete me! I need to be transformed by Christ from the inside out!” If we have Christ plus nothing, we have all; if we have everything without Christ, we have nothing.

Why fasting?  Don’t ask me why, but the discipline of fasting works. When we use our physical appetites as a constant reminder to pray, read the Bible or meditate, we grow desperate for God and realize how consumed we are with consuming.  Fasting gets our priorities back into right order.

Why 21 days?  In Daniel 10:2-13, Daniel prayed and fasted 21 days, during which time a spiritual battle was fought.  After his 21-day fast, there was breakthrough and Daniel received the answers to his prayers.  These 21 days will be a time for us to get reconnected with the Creator of the universe and the Savior of our souls.

Why now?  Throughout the year, things distract and dampen our passion for God, but we want to start off the New Year by clearing out the cobwebs in our hearts and by refocusing the “lens” of our spirit.   We don’t want to wander through 2012 haplessly going about our business.  Nor do we want to attempt God-sized dreams without God’s presence going before us.  We want God-led strategies that will accomplish HIS will in HIS time through HIS power. 

Why me?  Together, we can accomplish something so much greater and more powerful than any one of us could as an individual.  Lifehouse Church doesn’t go through this ritual to earn a spiritual merit badge or prove how devoted we are to God.  Rather, we partner together in prayer & fasting as a way to partner with God in HIS purposes, His will, and His Cause for the Church and for every Jesus-follower. 

I guarantee this season of fasting and prayer will be the most exciting, challenging, and intense time of the year—both for you individually, and for our entire church and community.  As always, thank you for your partnership with Lifehouse and for taking the time to read this heartfelt message.  Let’s stop the endless pursuit & begin living from the INSIDE OUT!

For more information and resources for the 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting, visit our website.

Who is a FOOL?

Excerpt from my notes in Sermon Series: Fool-Proofing Your Life- a Study of Proverbs

What is the PORTRAIT of a FOOL from teachings of Solomon in Proverbs?

The fool is the antithesis of a God-follower. While the Book of Proverbs, and the Bible as a whole use several words for “fool”, it must be understood that this individual isn’t just silly or goofy like the Three Stooges, but an actual menace- full of destruction, deceit, and death.

Fools can be recognized by the following characteristics:

1. Unruly- quick-tempered (12:16; 29:11), careless and swift speech (10:8,10,14; 12:23; 15:2; 18:2,7; 19:1), unrighteous (10:23; 14:9; 27:22); contentious (9:13; 18:6; 30:21-22; 29:9)
2. Unreliable- not trustworthy, not faithful or a person of their word (26:6-10), a liar (10:18; 14:8); lazy (1:32)
3. Unteachable- unwilling to listen to counsel or learn from others or even his own mistakes (1:7,22,29-32; 9:7-8; 14:6; 15:12; 17:10, 16; 24:7; 26:11); proud (21:24)

We are called to apply wisdom. Wisdom is ONLY found in the Fear of the LORD. To Fear God is to hate what is evil, love what is good, and to stand in reverent awe of God and His law.

Wisdom in SKILLFUL LIVING and the only way to AVOID playing the FOOL.

Why join a LIFE GROUP?

Join us Sunday, January 22 as we kick of Open House Week for Life Groups!

On Sunday, browse through the lobby and visit each Life Group’s table to sample some of their homemade goodies and meet a few members of their group. During the Open House Week (February 12-20), make it a point to visit one or two groups that interest you. Each group will be having an “Open House,” so it will be easy to stop in, check things out, and feel right at home. No pressure to commit or sign-up- just have fun and make new friends!
Check out the list for the Winter 2012 Life Groups, and we hope to see you this week!

But WHY should you check out and JOIN a life group? Let me say, come out Sunday and you'll find out WHY? It's what I'm preaching about too. But let me add a few thoughts.

We were created for and NEED community. God uniquely created us (in His image) to need and want to belong and be part of community. That's why we feel disconnected and messed up if we are not in connection with people and building meaningful friendships.

1. Sundays Life Gatherings aren't for COMMUNITY. We gather on Sundays to worship and grow. That's why it's essential to get plugged into a group during the week. Sundays are designed to gather as many believers together to worship and gather as many unbelievers together to introduce them to the GOSPEL.
2. We need to BELONG and to be KNOWN and that CANNOT happen on Sundays. When you come out on Sundays to our gatherings, we know you feel a little lost in the crowds, and it's HARD to meet people and make friends. Truth is, even if Lifehouse were only 40 people, you wouldn't know everyone. It's just that you would at least see someone you do know. Plus, no matter where a person attends, Sundays really aren't meant for community. So, we need to belong and the best way to belong is to get connected to a life group.
3. Life groups are a "FAMILY of FRIENDS!"Joining a life group of 6-25 people allows you to meet and get to know other Jesus-followers. In groups, you'll build authentic community and meaningful friendships, and you'll know that you belong. We want to be a family, well... a church should be a family of friends!
4. Life groups help you GROW! The best place to develop in your personal, spiritual journey is in a group with other believers. They can pray with you, and you for them. Together you can study the Bible, encourage each other, and ask questions. Once of the key goals of a life groups is DISCIPLESHIP (or becoming more life Christ!)
5. Life groups are easy an easy place to invite friends. Who's intimidated to go over someone's house? How DOESN'T like to be invited to someone's house? It's easy to invite friends who don't know Jesus over to another friends house to meet people like them and to talk about God. Another key goal of life groups is to invite un-churched friends.

We look forward to seeing YOU get plugged into a life group.

Commitment produces maturity NOT vice versa

Many people are afraid of commitment. Others think they'll be ready once they mature. Truth is: commitment produces maturity not vice versa. Think about marriage. It's the lifelong covenant of marriage that demands personal growth in each spouse.

Spiritual growth is similar. We grow through commitment. Here's an opportunity for YOU to grow!

If you have not YET been through Lifehouse's Life Commitments process, sign up. It's starting THIS Sunday!

Life Commitments is an exciting 8-week discipleship course that teaches commitment to God and commitment to the body of Christ (the church). We believe the church is a family; and it takes commitment to build a strong family. The course is an interactive teaching with video illustrations, gifts assessment tests, and plenty of group discussions. The process concludes with an overnight retreat, where students are given the opportunity to deepen relationships with others in the class, review the material, and allow each person to individually experience God’s presence in a life transforming way. After completion of the course, individuals are given the opportunity to become a “Ministry Partner.”

The Winter Semester begins January 15 and ends March 4. The following class times are offered weekly at Lifehouse Bethel (515 E. Wilson Blvd. Hagerstown, MD):

Sundays, 2:00-3:30 PM
Sundays, 6:00-7:30 PM
Thursdays, 6-7:30 PM

Sign-up for this semester or next by emailing info@lifehousechurcheast.org or by calling 301-824-4656.

Why I LOVE the Organized Institution of the Church

So many people today hate organized religion, and for many years I would have joined them. I've stated that we're not about religion but relationship. The organized church has certainly earned their hypocritical, corrupt reputation. Not all of them, mind you, just a few that spoil the whole bunch.

But the Church is the hope of the world. She is the conduit of God's Gospel and Grace to all mankind, and God loves His Church, the Bride and Body of Christ. And the LOCAL church is the "first name" of the Church. It's how people know who Jesus is and how His followers live and love. The local church is the hope of a community and neighborhood. While others depend on government, look to bailouts, or settle into despair, the local church rises as a beacon of hope and compassion.

PRAY for the LOCAL Church. Pray for Lifehouse and our Network churches.

Paul states, "since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you..." Col 1:9, NIV.

Let's be found faithful in praying for the local church, our family of God in the faith. Paul wrote his letter to the Colossians, sharing his love for them and the demonstration of that love in prayer.

How did Paul pray for the church?

• Thanksgiving- in Col 1:3,12, Paul says that he "always thank God" for the local church in Colosse. Take time to thank God for your church, her pastors, and for your community of faith.
• God's Will- next, in v.9, Paul says that he prays that they "may be filled with the knowledge" of God's will and with spiritual understanding. Pray for God's will over your church, and for God to guide the leadership with His vision through spiritual wisdom.
• Pleasing and fruitful- in v.6 & 10, Paul's prayer is so that they would please God and be fruitful. That is an important balance- both do what is right and pleasing to God AND be fruitful. If either are missing, then the church is unhealthy and missing her mission. Pray that your local church is FRUITFUL in reaching and discipling the unchurched.
• Strengthened- Paul's prayer, in Col. 1:11, is that the church would be strengthened through God's power with patience in joy! Wow! Pray that over your church and leadership! 

Please join Lifehouse Church today, during this season of fasting and prayer, in praying for us, the churches within our Network, and for your local church.

RESOLUTION-FREE LIVING. A call to being RELENTLESS in 2012

At the end of each year, we go through a New Year’s ritual. We evaluate the previous year, and set resolutions to change our habits and lifestyles.

Resolutions start with good intentions:
We set goals.  We make commitments.
We tell our friends. We start…

Then, as quickly as the new year begins, our resolve wanes. Busyness kicks in and old habits find new life.

What was once comfortable becomes comfortable again.

And what happens to our resolutions? We want and even intend to do what we couldn’t do in the past. Yet, new resolutions require new disciplines. We get tired. We experience setbacks, delays, and unanticipated obstacles.

We get busy. Daily life distracts us. Deadlines and demands zap our energy and quiet our enthusiasm.

Therefore, I’m calling for no more resolutions. 2012 will be RESOLUTION-FREE.

Let’s NOT make any more commitments with good intentions but no execution.

Let’s NOT recycle the same guilt, failures, and regrets into yet another year of broken promises, disappointments, and inadequacies.

At Lifehouse, our goal is to provide resources that will empower you to live RELENTLESSLY for God. We want to assist you in developing a vibrant relationship with Jesus by establishing a daily prayer time and reading through the Bible. We want to challenge you to give your talents, time, and treasures to the Cause of Christ, and to join this authentic community of Jesus followers called the Church.

What do you need in order to be RELENTLESS in 2012?

Join us THIS Sunday for a powerful call to a radical commitment to live relentlessly in 2012.

What do you want to be different about your life this time next year?


Are you willing to commit? Will you give God your all this year? 

REPOST- Fishers of men, not keepers of the aquarium

I often read blogs, books, and writings from pastors and authors who communicate concepts I think, but in a more effective manner. So, rather than try to compete, I just repost theirs.

Great thoughts by Pastor Steve about the focus, philosophy, and Cause of The Church and why we do what we do! Enjoy!

Here's a great blogpost by Steve Furtick of Elevation Church from February 7th on Leadership, Ministry Perspective:

- - -

People ask me all the time how we’ve been able to see so many people come to Christ in five years.

Outside of the favor of God, I could give you a lot of specifics. Tell you a lot of things that we’ve done. But none of it will help you until you make a decision we made in the early days of our church.

And that was the decision to be more focused on the people we’re trying to reach than on the people we’re trying to keep. As others have said, to be fishers of men, not just keepers of the aquarium.

We’re not going to cater to the personal preferences of the few in our pursuit of the salvation of the many.

And that includes if the few is ten people when we’re pursuing one hundred.
Or 5,000 when we’re pursuing 10,000.
Or 10,000 when we’re pursuing 20,000.

Most people and churches aren’t willing to do that. They’re keepers of the aquarium. They say they want to reach people, but in reality they’re more focused on preservation than expansion. On keeping people rather than reaching them.

They let saved people dictate style. Saved people dictate focus. Saved people dictate vision.

The result is a room full of saved people. Not people getting saved. Why? Because the people you’re trying to reach aren’t interested in the church that has been created by the people you’re trying to keep. If they were, they’d be coming. But they’re not.

For some reason, right here is where people usually play the discipleship card. They’re trying to disciple the people they’re trying to keep. They accuse you of pitting evangelism against discipleship.

But that isn’t the case. I just believe true disciples should care more about making disciples than freeze framing the church the way it was when they became one. Or wanting twenty-six programs customized to their liking. If the mark of Christian maturity is a bunch of people who want to create a museum glorifying and preserving their personal preferences and then sanctify it by calling it a church, count me out.

Some people say why can’t we have both? You can. Focus on the people you want to reach and you’ll keep the people you want to keep. Let the rest walk. They’ll find a church elsewhere to graze.

The way I see it is they’re just occupying the space of a person who needs to hear the gospel. You’ll fill their seat.
And it will be with the person who needs it the most.

Water Baptisms THIS SUNDAY!

Water Baptism Water Baptism is a great opportunity to publicly declare your decision to follow Christ, and to symbolically demonstrate “dying to the old self” and being “raised to a new life with Christ.”  Contact us at lauren@lifehousechurcheast.org to sign up for Sunday's Water Baptism Ceremony  @ Lifehouse East! You can read more about Baptism in the Bible. Matthew 28:19, Acts 10:47-48, Romans 6:4

I Had to Get Away BUT It's Great to Be Back

My family and I just returned from vacation and sabbatical, and I must say that it's great to be home. We had a blast!

We enjoyed the beach, lots of family time, campfires, and lots of grilled food. We also listened to nearly the entire Chronicles of Narnia series on CD while we drove 3,700 miles.

But there's nothing like coming home... to your own bed and to your own church family. There's nothing like falling into my own bed, and similarly, it's the best feeling to return to our loving Lifehouse family!

Here's why I had to get away...

• to get refreshed. When we began planting Lifehouse back in '03, I knew I wouldn't get Sundays off and would rarely get a vacation day. For 3.5 years I didn't miss Sundays, which meant no extended vacation. This was a necessary sacrifice. However, if it goes on for too long, it leads to burn out. I take a few weeks in a row so that I can get refreshed from the rigors of ministry.
• to get family time. My family sacrifices for ministry along with me, most of that means they give up daddy-time. So, vacation allows for much needed time for me and the girls.
• to get perspective. We enjoy visiting other churches and ministries while we're away. We get to see what others are doing, experience being renewed by worship and preaching. And it's a great reminder of how it feels to be a guest at church. I take notes on sermons, talk with members and pastors, and try to learn as much as possible during these visits.
• to get recharged. A few years ago, a mentor challenges me to take a chunk of time off during the summer, speak less, so that I would be a better preacher. This seemed crazy, but I respected his opinion, and now, I can honestly say that I am a better pastor, leader, and communicator because I take time-off. Not preaching every weekend gives me a chance to recharge and recalibrate. Plus, I have a great charge to get back to preaching. Honestly, sitting and listening at Lifehouse yesterday, Pastor Brian did a great job, but I'm chomping at the bit to get back to preaching! Can't wait until this Sunday!
• to take a sabbatical. What's a sabbatical. Time off, but not just vacation. Time to read, pray, study, learn, and write. Last year and this, I took significant time to read leadership, inspirational, and theological books. I took time to focus in prayer and worship to God. And I had time to write. Hopefully, someday this will translate into a book!

Just a few thoughts on why I take time off and to let you know how excited I am to be back! Can't wait to speak this weekend. Also, pumped about our upcoming launch of life groups, Friend Day, kick-off of "God Exposed" and the launch of Lifehouse- Hedgesville (the New Church on the Block).

Do you have IT? New Sermon Series

IT.  Some people have it.  Other people want it.  Still others are jealous of it.  They’re not quite sure what it is, but they know they need it.  When you see someone with it, you know.  It is powerful, inspiring, and life-changing.  When someone has it, you want to follow them, even be like them. It gets people to do what they didn’t think was possible and go where they had only dreamed of going.  It will demand more than you’re willing to give, hurt more than you think you can endure so you can become more than what you ever thought you could become.

Of course, you’re asking, “What is it?”

Join me Sundays 8:45, 10:00 or 11:15 AM as we dive into a new series that explains what it is, how to get it, grow in it, and use it for God’s purposes.

Catch a sneak peak of the series by watching the trailer, and we hope to see you this Sunday!

St Patrick Part 3- Living the best life possible

Check out the video trailer for the sermon:



Listen to the message here.

Too often, we see rules and laws as stealing the best in life- telling us what we can't eat and all the fun we can't have. AND in the Name of God...

The Bible seems a like a mountain of laws, rules, civil codes, from hygiene, food care, clothing, home care, medical practices, what foods to eat, not eat, sexual practice and morality. These seem so legalistic!

Jesus actually said the same thing about the religiously leaders who added to God's Law...

Read Matthew 23:25-28 (NIV)

Jesus was challenging these religious leaders that God's Law was not about religious observance but total moral renewal. The Law wasn't about appearances (what can be seen) but the heart.

The goal wasn’t to “cover up” rottenness OR to look religious, but something deeper.

God wants to clean deep parts of our lives. Then, why all the civil law and commands to be holy? How does this apply to my life TODAY?

Read Leviticus 11:43-44 (NIV). The word "consecrate" is to chose an ordinary thing, and set it apart for special purpose.

We are called to Be Set Apart

Read Deuteronomy 26:16, 19, (NIV). God's Law comes from His desire to set apart this nation as His special, chosen people to show all people what is best. His Law is from His love and relationships with Israel.

Be Set Apart for Your Well-Being


Read Deuteronomy 26:17-18, (NIV).

Law of God was for their best- to enjoy, embrace life NOT to prevent them from best. God gave the Law for their well-bring, to instruct them how to live healthy lives and have honorable relationships. This civil law prevented wide spread disease, outbreaks of plagues, sickness.

Observance of law made them different and distinguishable.

SO? God's Law is for OUR well-being. The Bible is not restricting us, but teaching us how to live for our own well-being. We think we know what’s best, but we must be willing to trust that God knows best, then obey Him by FAITH.

When we obey God's Law, we are noticeably different and distinguishable without the devastation and destruction that comes from sin.

Be Set Apart for Your Wholeness

Read Deuteronomy 26:16, (NIV).
The Law is about heart issues not appearance issues. Jesus corrected Pharisees since they missed point.
The Bible is not about behaviors- trying to make people look holy. BUT to lead people to wholeness in their BODY, SOUL, HEART- whole being.

However, the Law cannot make someone whole, anymore than a traffic sign can make someone drive safely. it can only exposes disobedience.

Therefore, the Bible is not about conformity but consecration.
Read Romans 7:19-8:3 (NIV). The Law isn’t bad. It actually is a reflection of God and His character.
BUT the Law does reveal that we cannot live up to it to experience the best wholeness God offers.

Jesus taught that wholeness doesn’t come from being perfect in the law (impossible), but by having a whole heart. Only God can make the heart whole- restore life and offer true wholeness.

Thus, faith in Jesus is an inner-work: see 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV).

When we give God full access and invite Him to clean up our insides rather than just change some of our behavior, an amazing transformation occurs. What we once were gives way to the new life that God intended for us to have. We are cleansed from the inside.

Not only are we cleansed but the inner wholeness begins to spring out of us, just like the filth and vile once did.

We can’t keep anything hidden- whether evil or good. It will come out. When we allow Jesus to transform our hidden shame, the new joy, life, and hope that begins exists will emerge.

Please PRAY

Too often we turn to prayer as a last resort, kinda the "Hail Mary Pass" in moments of crisis.

But prayer is our primary source of strength, help, hope, power, and protection. Prayer builds and maintains our relationship with God at a vibrant level. Prayer advances God's purposes and builds His Church.

I am specifically asking you to take time from now through Sunday to PRAY for LIFEHOUSE CHURCH meeting at Leitersburg Cinemas! We need your intercession and focus in deep, heartfelt, faith-filled prayer.

The enemy of the Church, Satan, has always devised strategies to destroy or at least limit the impact of the Church. We are in a moment where we can clearly see the strategies of the enemy at work to hinder and distract Lifehouse from our mission and the Cause of Christ. Our antidote? PRAYER.

How to pray?

Please pray for me, our pastoral leadership team, for our elders and staff- for encouragment, wisdom, peace, and that we are not distracted from the great Cause of sharing and showing God's love.

Pray for protection over the gathering of and unity of Lifehouse. We are presently facing some challenges that can certainly be both annoying and distracting. God will protect His Church and His people.

Pray for God's purposes to prevail. We know that Lifehouse's story is simply a part of God's story. May His plans (not our desires) and Cause be accomplished.

I'm reposting a note that I think passionately communicates how I feel in this moment. Listen to how a missionary in the jungles of New Guinea explained his situation in a letter to John Yates:

Man, it's great to be in the thick of the fight, to draw the old Devil's heaviest guns, to have him at you with depression and discouragement, slander, disease! He doesn't waste time. He hits good and hard when a fellow is hitting him.


You can always measure the effectiveness of your work, by how hard Satan hits back. When you're on your back with fever and at your last ounce of strength, when some of your converts backslide, when you learn that your most promising inquirers are only fooling, when your mail gets held up and some don't bother to answer your letters, is that the time to bail out?


"No Sir! That's the time to pull out the stops and shout 'Hallelujah'! Satan’s really getting it and he’s launching an all out attack. And all of heaven is watching and asking: 'Will he stick it out?'


And they see who is with us…and they see around us the unlimited reserves, the boundless resources, and they see the impossibility of failure with God on our side…how sad the angels must be when we run away from hard times. Glory to God! We're not going to run away. We're going to stand."

Listen to how Paul expresses all of this in 2 Corinthians 6:4-10.

Thank you for joining us in prayer!

Kick-off of Newest Sermon Series - DOORS

Check out our trailer for DOORS, a new sermon series going through the First Letter to the Corinthians.

This series examines who the gospel changes everything! Hear who the good news of Jesus goes through the various doors that we so often keep God out of. Here are the overview pages of the study guide.