We must NEVER forget 9/11/2001. Great tragedy exposes the very best and worst of humanity, and reveals our utter depravity without God and our complete dependence on Him.
September 11th is a day to remember, honor, and celebrate- our freedom, the USA, those who willing gave and give their lives for our liberty and safety.
THANK YOU to our law enforcement officers, firefighters, and soldiers defending our freedom TODAY! We love you and are praying for you.
We will never forget the sacrifice of the brave men and women who died on 9/11. We will never forget that evil people murdered innocent civilians. We will never forget that freedom isn't free!
In the same manner that emotion stirs when we see the footage of 9/11 again, and feel the same quiet anger and pain that we did 8 years ago, our resolve must be renewed to care deeply for others and give our lives to a Cause greater than ourselves.
In Christ, our Cause is not of violence, but a revolution of love. We share a triumph of hope and compassion. The message of Jesus is salvation to ALL who will receive Him.
For the month of September, I've given up my car and am jogging and biking everywhere I go that I'd normally drive.
My reason: living on less to give more. I'm donating my car expense for this month to Hagerstown Convoy of Hope, and it will go to help feed those in need through Convoy.
I'm also getting in shape for a triathlon, thuse tri-ing to feed the hungry.
The main point is to live on less for myself to give more to others, and inspire everyone I can to do the same. Many feel like they can't give because they "don't have enough". But we all have so much and live with such abundance, especially in contrast to the deepest poverty in nations where people don't have clean drinking water or any food to eat.
We can make a difference by giving more and living on less.
Want to know how you can help?
Two ways: help Convoy of Hope by sponsoring me per mile and donating the proceeds through the website. I've already riden over 175miles, and expect to do about 450-500 total. You can also donate directly to Hagerstown Convoy of Hope or Convoy of Hope International by going to their websites. This is an international relief organization that brings aid and Hope to those desperately in need.
Join Lifehouse in "Getting Dirty" by serving those around you. If you live within driving range of Hagerstown, you're invited to come serve at our outreach event on September 26th. For more info, go to the website.
Here's some lessons I'm learning about life and leadership will riding my bike: -your average speed is never as fast as your fastest or as slow as your slowest mph. But the fast speed inspires and slow disciurages. -slow down over bumps and around corners. -pedal down hill because it'll make it easier getting uphill. Momentum is our friend, it's power sustains the rider. -what we take for granted in a car, is a big deal on the bike, but the sights are more spectacular.
Have to keep writin.g these lessons so I can learn new ones.
Here's the video footage of an amazing service at Lifehouse that we wanted to share with you. It's broken into 8 parts so that we could get it onto Youtube.com, so enjoy, be challenged, share it, and invite God into YOUR story today!
Introduction and Part 1 of Sermon: Invite God into YOUR Story.
Part 2- Testimony 1- Hunter
Part 3- Testimony 2- Stephanie
Part 4- Testimony 3- Austin
Part 5- Cardboard Testimonies of many people at Lifehouse
Part 6- Part 2 of Sermon: Invite God into YOUR story
Part 7- Challenge to respond and invite God to set us free from chains that bind
Part 8- Response time
Hope you are inspired and challenged to invite God into YOUR story. I hope that by watching other brave individuals authentically share about their faith journey, you're willing to risk inviting God into your mess so that your life can become a message of hope through Jesus.
Just like warning my girls of the dangers and evils of the "real world", I felt like a dad preaching yesterday about watching out for false teachers and avoiding deceptive teaching in the church.
In a world and culture where nothing is TRUTH and everyone is cynical, it's hard to talk about "safeguarding our lives with truth".
In case you weren't at Lifehouse or need a refresher, here's an overview:
Paul wrote from prison to warn the Philippian church to watch out for "dogs" who were teaching a pop-culture belief. They said that you had to follow the religious rules of Judaism BEFORE you could believe in Jesus. In essence, you had to earn your salvation. This was both culturally popular and politically correct, since it fit the format of most world religions of that time.
Paul challenged them to "safeguard their life with truth". Follow Jesus, bring glory to God and avoid people who teach lies.
What can we be certian of in an uncertain world? What will hold us fast when the storms of hardship rage against us? Straight from Paul's teaching, I challenged our church to safeguard our lives with TRUTH! But how?
Watch out for false teachers and teachings: those who appear mature and educated, but their teaching matches pop-culture, and they twist any uncomfortable teachings of the Bible to match culture, deny essential beliefs of following Jesus, resist authority, encourage and/or engage in sensual living full of lust and greed.
Hold to TRUTH: read and study the Bible.
Examine teachings and teachers: look at the merits of those who teach and evaluate the credibility of the books, sermons, podcasts (that goes for me too). Any teacher worth listening to will appreciate your scrutiny.
What to look for when evaluating credibility of a teacher or teaching: do they bring honor to Jesus or themselves? Do they teach the Bible as TRUTH and teach from the Bible, not just one verse but work to communicate the context of the Bible? Are they becoming more like Jesus or living in blatant contradiction to the way of Jesus?
This doesn't mean that we should be pointing fingers at every preacher and author. Honestly, we are ordinary, imperfect people who also need God's amazing grace and mercy. But it's a caution to watch out and avoid those false teachers that peddle their lies for personal gain or the destruction of ignorant believers.
While I want to express this with deep conviction in a way that the Church will listen and respond to, I assure you that no level of passion can carry the intensity of warning that burns inside of me.
One final thought: I don't call out individuals or books by name, simply because I believe my role is to teach Truth and the principles of the Bible. I want to give you the tools, then invite you to use them effectively. I'm confident that the Holy Spirit will lead His Church into all Truth and will protect you from deceptive teaching. I'm trying to prepare you for the real spiritual world out there!
Thought I'd post the link to parts 5 and 6. Hopefully ya'll enjoyed watching these. There is a point to these videos, not just a camera in our "office". Follow this link to listen to the sermons.
In case you're not sure why we made these videos, again, please listen to the sermons that coorelate to them.
Our goal is to have fun and get you laughing, so that we can introduce the powerful and life changing truths of the Bible. My mission is to help everyone I can apply the message of Jesus into their everyday life.
Thought you all would like to see the video for St. Patrick part 4 on Integrity:
Yes, we do have way to much fun making these videos. But you've got to give it up for our team, especially Corey who does all the filming and editing, and for Melody who writes all these ridiculous scripts. Please forward these on to all your friends. Encourage them to listen to the sermons that go with them at www.lifehousechurcheast.org.
Thought ya'll would like to see some of the ideas we're tossing around for renovating the front elevation of the cinema building.
Here's our first draft drawing for renovating. Since this design, we've started putting our focus more on the entrance area rather than the exit. I'm simply posting this image to give you an idea of the quality and excellence with which we are planning to renovate the property.
Our goal is to quickly turn around this facility so that when the Grand Opening date arrives,both Leitersburg Cinema, LLC and Lifehouse Church East will generate excitement and positive feedback from the community. Since the Grand Opening date is only months away, we must quickly raise the resources to begin renovations immediately.
What's exciting is that we'll see immediate impact on the investment we are making in God's Kingdom.
This is your opportunity to join us in partnering both in prayer and giving. You may also consider volunteering time to work on a crew to help renovate.
If you are interested, please consider maing 18-MONTH Pledge by emailing us at info@lifehousechurcheast.org or turning a pledge card on Sunday June 7th or by mail.
We are asking that you would consider making an initial sacrificial offering on Sunday, June 7th, and then give a monthly pledge over the next 18-months. Also, we strongly encourage you to pass this email, letter, or blog post along, to those you believe will be willing to partner with Lifehouse in this bold adventure.
Our hope is that Exodus 36 will come alive at Lifehouse as you and our church family join in what God is doing:
“…the people continued to bring freewill offerings morning after morning. So all the skilled craftsmen who were doing all the work on the sanctuary left their work and said to Moses, “The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work the Lord commanded to be done.”Then Moses gave an order and they sent this word throughout the camp: “No man or woman is to make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary.” And so the people were restrained from bringing more, because what they already had was more than enough to do all the work.”
We covet your earnest prayers and generous giving. I can assure you that we will keep our focus on sharing and showing Jesus’ love to our community, and this building will be a tool to advance the Cause of Christ.
We are grateful for your financial support of Lifehouse and are encouraged by your confidence in our ministry. May God bless you abundantly!
Fired up!
P.S. For more information about the renovation project or your 18-Month Pledge, please call our church office at 301-824-4656.
In February, we learned that the Hagerstown 10 Cinema complex was going up for auction, and we immediately called our church to prayer. During that season, we fasted, prayed, and waited. As we waited, we didn’t feel led to bid on the property.
On March 17th, the auction came and went with no buyer. That day, the owners asked us to consider purchasing the property. I read Joshua 3:2-5 that morning:
“When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God… you are to move out from your positions and follow it. Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. But keep a distance of about a thousand yards between you and the ark; do not go near it.”Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.”
In the past, I have been reluctant to lead the church to own or buy a building.This was for several reasons:
Most church buildings consume the bulk of the church’s resources (over 50%),
Ministry events and gatherings begin to gravitate toward the building rather than toward the community,
The community and the believers begin to identify the term “church” as a building rather than a people.
I did not want the ownership of a building to hinder Lifehouse’s focus on the community. So in the past, I have explained to our leadership team that we would own a building only if ministry was hindered by not having a building, and if our resources would not be tied up in the facility.
Thankfully, God orchestrated a business plan that would not only enhance our impact in the community, but it would not burden the church financially.Between March and May, we prayed and negotiated with the owners, and on May 15th, we signed a lease-to-buy agreement.
The miraculous part of the story is that Joe and Lois Quesenberry, our congregational pastors, prayed over this very property back in 1978.At the time, the theater was a sordid business, even showing X-rated movies to families.The Quesenberry’s prayed that the property would be redeemed and used for the glory of God.
Here's a video of their story:
Who knew that 30 years later, they would be ministering at the very church that would occupy the property!
Details and Business Plan for the Cinema Complex
The owners had a $2.8 million contract on the property two years ago but declined the offer.
Our final agreement:
Beginning June 1, 2009, Lifehouse will lease the cinema complex for one-year for $3,000 monthly.This amount is nearly equal to what we currently spend leasing the theater on Sunday mornings and using office space elsewhere.
At the end of the one-year lease, we have a guaranteed option-to-buy the 7.2 acres of the cinemas and parking area for $838,000 (what owners owe on it).
Also in the lease, after two years, we have a second option-to-buy the additional 11.6 acres for $892,000. (Giving us room to expand.)
Hagerstown Cinema 10, the current theater company renting the facility simultaneously with Lifehouse, will operate in the building as usual until the end of August.
Leitersburg Cinemas, LLC (a new theater company) will occupy the cinemas beginning in October in a separate lease agreement with the owner. Their lease will be $7,000 monthly, plus 95% of utilities.
During our one-year lease, our use of the building will increase significantly, and we will be able to renovate and use office space on the second floor.
At the end of our one-year lease, we will purchase the cinema complex and discontinue making payments of $3000 monthly. Then, as the owners, we will continue to lease the building to Leitersburg Cinemas, LLC to cover the full mortgage and additonal costs.
The income from Leitersburg Cinema, LLC will cover all mortgage costs, nearly 95% of utility costs, and the company has additionally agreed to tithe 10% of their profits to Lifehouse.
Additionally, Leitersburg Cinemas, LLC is owned and managed by a Christian businessman at Lifehouse, who has agreed to operate the cinemas as a family-oriented business.The cinemas will NOT show R-rated movies, and will create a very family-friendly environment.
To summarize, Lifehouse will have the benefit of owning the building without the financial burden.Because the building will continue to operate as a theater, Lifehouse will continue to focus on the community, and the church will continue to be viewed as a people rather than a building.Our hope is that Lifehouse Church East and Leitersburg Cinemas, LLC will be able to work together to use the theater property for God’s glory.
Renovating the Cinema Complex
To make this endeavor successful, our part is to renovate the building to make it a highly visible, attractive facility.In doing this, we will increase the impact of our church, and attract business to Leitersburg Cinemas LLC.
October 1, 2009 is the target date for a Grand Opening of Leitersburg Cinemas LLC and the new Lifehouse Church East building.Our initial phase of renovations must be complete by that date.
The last several months have been very eventful and exciting at Lifehouse Church East. I’d like to take this opportunity to give you an update, and invite you to partner with us as we boldly step forward in God’s plans for our church. Please take a few minutes to read this letter and give us your heartfelt response and prayers.
Our Cause
Lifehouse exists to reach up to worship God, reach in to develop relationships and devoted Jesus-followers, and reach out to share God’s love with our world.
When Laura and I moved to Hagerstown, we believe God gave us Joshua 1:3-9 as a promise. Here are a few key verses:
“I will give you every place where you set your foot… Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you…”
As I’ve jogged around our city and prayed, I’m pursuaded that God has called us to reach this entire region with the powerful message of Jesus. We won’t stop until we have shared and showed God’s love with everyone possible.
Our Growing impact in the Hagerstown-area
April marked our four-year anniversary of launching Lifehouse on Sunday mornings with 24 people. Since then, we’ve grown to nearly 400 in regular attendance and have seen over 1000 people make a decision to follow Jesus. We’ve served our community in various outreaches, including being the point church for Hagerstown Convoy of Hope in 2008 and again this year on September 26. Last year we coordinated with over 120 local churches and organizations to feed and give groceries to over 2500 people in our community.
Called to Thrive
In late 2008, I felt strongly challenged by God that Lifehouse would “thrive” in ’09.I invited our church to participate in an “Isaiah 58 Fast,” referencing verses 11-12:
“You’ll be like a well-watered garden, a gurgling spring that never runs dry. You’ll use the old rubble of past lives to build anew, rebuild the foundations from out of your past. You’ll be known as those who can fix anything, restore old ruins, rebuild and renovate, make the community livable again.”
From that fast, God revealed what it would mean for our church to “thrive:”
Lifehouse Church East would thrive and spread out in our community.We would see significant impact and flourish at the theater property.
We would facilitate unity among other area churches and work together to build The Church in this region, even send leaders out to help other churches.
We would plant two churches in the next three years, and we are currently developing these church planters.
Check out this video we created explaining THRIVE:
Thought I'd give you all the St. Patrick videos that we did for this sermon series.
Just a note: these are parodies, and meant to illustrate how often we do lack character. There funny, but all to accurate depiction of our own tension between living more like Jesus.
Episode 1: Faithfulness means keeping our word.
So, here goes. St. Patrick: the life of a "perfect" pastor.
Episode 2: Kindness means lifting others up.
Episode 3: Patience means waiting for what God wants.
Check out www.lifehousechurcheast.org to listen to the sermons and discover how to grow in these areas of character.
Just got back from Orlando, FL and the Exponential Conference. I'll be blogging more about it, but absolutely feel privileged that I was able to go and be around some of the greatest leaders of the Church worldwide.
Although I got little sleep, I'm not complaining. We (Ray came with me) left FL at 3:30pm and had a lay-over in Atlanta, that turned into a never-ending saga. A thunder storm shut down the airport, then lightning struck the Air Traffic Control center, so around 2am, we finally took off.
After 12 hrs of traveling, my bed never felt so good. Thrilled to be home with Laura and the girls, and looking forward to finally being able to spend some time with them tonight.
Got refreshed spiritually, mentally, emotionall, and in my passion and call!
I'm reminded of some John Wesley quotes:
Catch on fire with enthusiasm and people will come for miles to watch you burn.
Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can.
Funniest quote of conference was Erwin McManus, "telling someone you are a pastor in our culture is liking saying, 'I'm a cannibal, want to join me for lunch'." Histerical... and so true.
However, people aren't looking for church but for the presence and power of God!
Just got back from a 24 hour prayer get-away with 7 other pastors from the Hagerstown area. I didn't realize how much I needed it until I got it. We went about 1.5 hrs NW into the mountains of PA. It was gorgeous and even snowed.
I shared with these pastors (who I know consider friends), that I need to build a one-day prayer get-away into my monthly schedule. I need to get-away with God, and get refueled, re-connected, and re-energized.
Change of Pace + change of Place = change of Perspective AND renewed Power and Presence of God.
I hiked up a mountain this morning, and felt God whispering His guidance into my life all the way.
The most encouraging thing I learned today, "God speaks Patrick-ese." Yep, He speaks my language. He knows exactly how to communicate in a way I will understand and will get maximum impact. So glad that God is so personal.
I took some time off from running and training over the last 3 weeks. Great refresher, and I was crazy busy with Lifehouse.
Finally got a chance to get a run in this morning, and it felt great. 4.5 miles in the light mist. Invigorating. I want to get a marathon and olympic triathlon in by early summer. Time to get in gear and back into serious shape.
What are your phyiscal goals for 2009?
Oh, and I know that phyiscal exercise is not as profitable as spiritual, but Paul didn't say that it's not profitable at all. For me, training keeps me focused and at my best spiritually.
At some point, nearly every parent responds to a "why" from their child with, "because I said so".
That's the moment when a parent decides that they don't want to or are not ready to explain the why's to their children, and they simply want obedience. They want immediate, unwavering obedience to their expectation or request.
For me personally, this happens rarely. I enjoy explaining life, chores, homework, whatever to my girls. They rarely ask a "why" question in protest, but usually just inquisitively. So, when their curiousity peeks, I love to help them grow.
However, on those rare occassions, when I don't want to explain, and I expect immediate obedience, they will receive the firm hand of correction if they don't comply. Usually, that's followed by, "When Dad speaks, you listen immediately regardless of your questions. Do as your told. If you have a question- obey first, ask later."
God does that to US as well! Yep, there are moments in following Jesus, that we're busy asking "why's" and not moving or obeying.
... but why should I stop sinning?
... but why is that wrong?
... but what about them? They're doing it, why can't I?
... NOW God? Are you sure? I mean, I have a lot going on, and next year would be better.
... but God, 10% is a lot of money? Are you sure? Maybe I'll just give 2%, that's better than nothing.
... but that doesn't make sense. Why should I give that up?
... but it wasn't my fault, why should I say I'm sorry?
Well, you get the idea. God's response to me is usually something like mine to my girls, "Because I said so, that's why? You may not understand it, but I do expect you to obey!"
What questions have kept you from obeying?
What is God asking you to do that you haven't because you can't figure it out?
Did you get that? That's what you type if you place your hands on the wrong keys on the keyboard, so instead of your left-hand pinky being on the "a", it's on the "s". What I was trying to type, until I realized that my hands were out of alignment, was:
Are you in alignment with God?
Just like placing my hands out of alignment, and the message gets all messed up and becomes incomprehensible, when we are out of alignment with God, we get messed up. If my attitudes, spirit, and thinking are not properly connected to God in obedience, the message of Jesus will become incomprehensible through my personal life. While we're trying to say one thing, our life will be saying another. And for those "listening", all they hear is "gobble-dee-goop". The impact of our mis-alignment is confusion, and even hypocrisy.
Let's all check our life and see how well we are living in obedience to God's Word.
Is there secret sin in my life that I need to confess? Is there an attitude that God wants to correct? Is there a wrong that I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness?
BTW, I thought of this illustration at 2:30 am while waiting in bed for the rest of the world to wake up!
When something big happens in my life and/or ministry, nearly everytime there is a well meaning person that will give me a compliment followed by, "just don't let it go to your head, 'cause I don't want you to get prideful".
Now, I'm aware enough that the "pride of life" is a core temptation and struggle for all, and part of our sin nature. However, I thought I'd share briefly why I don't personalize Lifehouse "success" or anything else "big" that happens with my life.
Six and half years ago, at the lowest point in my ministry life, I felt like a failure and wanted out of ministry all together. I was leading a prayer time in my home, when I felt God speak to my heart,
"Patrick, do you believe I (God) can do something great with your life?"
It was the word "great" that scared me, and my response was, "Honestly God, NO, I don't."
Immediately, God stirred my heart with these words, "You are not doubting your abilities, but Mine (God's)." Ouch! I got the point and responded,
"Far be it from me to question Your power or plan. God, if you desire to little or much with me, small or great, I will obey and be Your servant."
So, when small or great things happen through my life for God's Kingdom, I remember nearly immediately and everytime a moment in life, when I genuinely had no self-esteem or confidence, and fully realize that I am walking in God-esteem. I know that God can do whatever He wants through whoever He wants whenever He wants. I continue to desire to be fully obedient to God regardless of whether His plans for my life are "small" or "great".
Regarding "greatness", I'm also aware that God doesn't measure it as we do. God said the last would be first, servant would be master, and least would be greatest. So, who am I to judge what parts of my ministry life are truly "great" and which only look great through a worldly perspective. My desire is to only desire to be "great" in God's eyes.
When others see my life, may their response be, "ONLY GOD!" That's the only comment I care to hear.
There are seed moments in God's design. These are moments when God plants a dream, idea, prayer, passion, and/ or destiny. Initially, it feels vague, impossible, and "pie-in-the-sky", and often we have to just trust God and keep praying.
Through obedience and faithfulness, God will cause the seed to germenate into a growing plant that eventually breaks the surface of the earth. And as the young plant grows and develops, it becomes a strong and mature plant that produces much fruit.
God's desire for our lives is that we would THRIVE! Read John 15:8.
Watch the seed moment for Lifehouse Church east revealed. This is an amazing story of God's faithfulness to bring the seed to fruit-bearing tree through our faithfulness and obedience. Thank God for the giants of our faith who have prayed our dreams into existence.
What seeds are in you that God desires to grow to fruitfulness? Are you being obedient and faithful?
Why do we pray? worship? gather as the Church? do outreach? invite friends and share Jesus with our community?
Recently, in our weekly staff prayer meeting, we began with a time of singing and worship. Since I have a lot to pray about and request of God, I wanted to challenge our team to pray boldly and really seek God on behalf of Lifehouse East. However, as we were singing, this passage came to mind,
Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. Ecclesiastes 12:13
I was reminded, "Prayer is not a means to an end. Prayer is the end (or the whole) of man. Worship isn't a means to an end. It's the end game."
We're not trying to manipulate God through worship or convince him to do something through prayer. We do everything else as a church to bring more people into a place where they can experience an intimate and loving relationship with God through prayer and worship.
We're not praying to reach more people as the end game. We are reaching more people for God, so that all people will turn and worship God!
