Tag Archive - Momentum

Did you hear the rumor?

August 20, 2012 in Tampa Church with Comments Off

It’s not a rumor- it’s true, we signed last Friday!  I am fired up about our new office/warehouse space.  The new space will give us extra office space, a volunteer room, small kitchen and a reception area in the front half of the building.  The rear half of the building is about 2000 square feet of open warehouse space.  This space is insulated and fully air-conditioned.  The warehouse space will give us the opportunity to:

  • Provide our middle and high school students space for Bible study and activities (we have needed something like this that can be permanent)
  • Allow our ladies to do events their periodically
  • Do specific training events for volunteers, marriage seminar or financial workshops.
  • It will give us space for our Iron Men early morning meeting.

I am sure you can think of many more uses.  Our goal is not to create a bunch of new meetings but to provide space for our current programs.

Want to help us move in?  We will need volunteers over the next few weeks to:

  • Tear out the current carpet and vinyl baseboard
  • Paint the office space
  • Help us move our office over

Watch our weekly email blast and Facebook Page for real time updates for volunteer opportunities.

 

Embracing Brokenness

August 13, 2012 in Tampa Church with 1 Comment

This past Sunday I spent some time talking about embracing brokenness.  So much of my life I have tried to run from and eschew brokenness.  I am not suggesting that we seek brokenness on our own but, when God brings it into our lives we need to embrace.  If God begins to break my heart for a need and I embrace it- He brings fresh vision and compassion.  Yet, when I see a need and back away because it hurts too much- I can become calloused and uncaring.  Have you noticed when you go through brokenness with God He enlarges your heart?  As a pastor I have always tried to care for people who were dealing with cancer and the pain and hurt it brings to all those involved.  When my Dad got the news of his cancer- I wept.  Yet, I never really embraced the brokenness until I talked with him about what he felt and what he was concerned for.  Even now when I think of that conversation- I weep.  When Dad was diagnosed I stepped into caring mode.  I got busy taking care of my Dad, checking with doctors and following through on questions.  My business kept me from brokenness.  We buried my Dad 12 years ago and God opened my heart to new levels of compassion and care.  Sometimes when I am all alone- and thinking about my folks- I embrace brokenness again.  Because of that brokenness God has enlarged my heart for families dealing with cancer.

A couple of Brokenness Axioms:

  • If we will slow down and engage our hearts- God will break our heart with that which breaks His heart.
  • Brokenness is not a onetime event.
  • God never uses anyone that He doesn’t break first. (Look though people in the scripture who were greatly used by God- you will find great pain and brokenness)
  • When we allow brokenness by God to invade our lives- we come out the other side more whole than we have ever been.
  • God does not cause evil and yet He can use the brokenness that results to grow us (Romans8:28)

Ezekiel 36:26      And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.

If you missed Sunday- here is the video.


No video? Click here…

Day 1- Let’s Get Started!!

August 6, 2012 in Tampa Church with Comments Off

Have you signed up for our devotions for August?  If not you can do so at the bottom of this post and follow the simple directions.   Here is day 1 of our devotions  “The Better Reading Plan” from YouVersion.com .

“We must let go of the good to grab hold of the better. Living a better life begins with understanding this one key thought from Psalm 84: better is one day with God than thousands elsewhere. His ways are better than your ways. His love is better than life. His blessings are better than material possessions. This week you will read from God’s Word about what it truly means to have a day with God.”

Psalm 84:1-12

1 How lovely is your dwelling place, lord Almighty! 2 My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. 3 Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young— a place near your altar, lord Almighty, my King and my God. 4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you. 5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. 6 As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. 7 They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion. 8 Hear my prayer, lord God Almighty; listen to me, God of Jacob. 9 Look on our shield, O God; look with favor on your anointed one. 10 Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. 11 For the lord God is a sun and shield; the lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. 12 lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you.

If you have a Smart Phone Get our Church at the Bay App now:
  1. Go to your app store and get the Church at the Bay APP
  2. Once you have downloaded it- Click the “Free Bible” tab
  3. Download and sign up for a free YouVersion account
  4. Click “browse plans” (at the bottom)
  5. Keyword- “better”-
  6. Top selection- “The Better Reading Plan”
  7. Tap start plan (you can choose from many versions of the Bible- I am using the NLT)
  8. There is a gear in bottom that you can choose your preferences
If you don’t have a smart phone or would also like to have availability to availability to use YouVersion on your computer:
  1. go to www.youversion.com
  2. Click “sign up” (its free)
  3. Point your mouse on bar on left and choose “Reading plans“
  4. Keyword – “Better“
  5. Select “The Better Reading Plan“
  6. Once you subscribe you can change your setting for- font size, email delivery, reminders, etc.

I love the opportunity to align a teaching series with weekly devotions- we will do it again.  I am praying many people take this BIG step.

 

You MUST get this …. hurry!

August 1, 2012 in Monmentum, Tampa Church with Comments Off

During our Momentum series we have a daily devotion that you can get (for free) through a smart phone app, on the web or by email. So, I need you to come ready this Sunday by doing two things.  They are listed below- if you have a problem let me know.

If you have a Smart Phone Get our Church at the Bay App now:
  1. Go to your app store and get the Church at the Bay APP
  2. Once you have downloaded it- Click the “Free Bible” tab
  3. Download and sign up for a free YouVersion account
  4. Click “browse plans” (at the bottom)
  5. Keyword- “better”-
  6. Top selection- “The Better Reading Plan”
  7. Tap start plan (you can choose from many versions of the Bible- I am using the NLT)
  8. There is a gear in bottom that you can choose your preferences
If you don’t have a smart phone or would also like to have availability to availability to use YouVersion on your computer:
  1. go to www.youversion.com
  2. Click “sign up” (its free)
  3. Point your mouse on bar on left and choose “Reading plans“
  4. Keyword – “Better“
  5. Select “The Better Reading Plan“
  6. Once you subscribe you can change your setting for- font size, email delivery, reminders, etc.

I love the opportunity to align a teaching series with weekly devotions- we will do it again.  I am praying many people take this BIG step.

 

 

 
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