Tag Archive - Tampa Church

You Have The Power!

March 25, 2013 in Easter, Tampa Church with Comments Off

It seems like weekly we hear a story about the abuse of power in our country and around the world.  These men or women have power because of position, name and or money and their stories of theft, abuse, enslavement and intimidation all find their roots in the abuse of power.  These people take their power and use it to meet their selfish needs.  Such are the stories that riddle our world and bring us to disgust.

How different it was with Jesus.  We read in Philippians 2:

(6) Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. (7) Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, (8) he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

Rather than use His power to save himself- Jesus used His power to save us.  Jesus surrendered his position as Lord to become one of us and die on a cruel cross for our redemption. That doesn’t make sense in the world we live in and yet that is the call of Christ for us as well.    We are called to use our power to help people discover the love and forgiveness of God found in Jesus Christ.

I asked you to make a list of people you are going to pray for and invite to Easter Sunday.  You have the power of influence- will you use it this week to invite someone to hear the “good news” of Easter?  Make your list- pray for these folks daily and then invite them to come with you this Sunday.

Are You Detoxing?

February 12, 2013 in church at the bay, Tampa Church with Comments Off

I am loving our Soul Detox Series!  I have talked to several who have said- “yup- you are talking to me”.  The interesting piece for me is II really needed the truthes from this  series in my life! I really struggled with week 1- The Restless Soul.  I am so connected with app’s, calendars and social media- I can “busy” God’s peace right out of my life.  At that point I begin to run on adrenaline.  The problem with adrenaline is there is a crash at the end- it cannot be maintained.  So you and I have to find a rhythm that is not dependent on energy drinks every day.

Week 2 we talked about The Heavy Soul.  Wow- so many said they are struggling with that “fog of heaviness”.

So how is the application coming?  Are you unplugging for at least 5 minutes every morning?  I am unplugged right now!  Are you talking to yourself about what God has said in His word about your situation?  And I hope you are diving into the Soul Detox devotions with us.  If you need more information on the devotions- go here.

So- this Sunday plan to be at Church at the Bay early and bring a friend.  God has something for you.  By the way- if you have missed any of the messages in this series- here is a link to the our Soul Detox Video Channel.

Soul Detox

January 28, 2013 in hal mayer, Tampa Church with Comments Off

Soul Detox Web FrontIt is a new year!  … How many of you have done a body detox or know someone who has gone through that discipline?  If you have ever done a detox you know how amazing you feel afterwards.  I am not saying that it is an enjoyable experience- but you can’t argue with the results.  The first detox I ever did was probably 30 years ago.  It was a fruit juice fast and I did the fast for 21 days.  At first my body was screaming for carbs and comfort food but after one week I was amazed at how much energy I had and how my cravings diminished.  I really think many of us are addicted to food (I know I tilt in that direction) and I have found that through a detox- I can break through that addiction.  I am not recommending that for you- a detox is between you and your doctor!  I want to talk about a different kind of detox.

If there is benefit in a body detox- is there benefit in a soul detox as well?  I think so!  Think of all the toxins we experience daily, all the unfiltered garbage that we ingest mentally and how it can “kill” our hopes and dreams and often leave us depressed.  Maybe that is why the Apostle Paul recommends to the church in Rome what I believe is a Soul Detox in

Romans 12:2
2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. (NLT)

Or this paraphrase

2  Don’t allow the toxic beliefs and passions of this world mold your life.  Instead, let God teach you how to detox your soul by changing how you think and process this life.  When that happens you will begin to understand God’s will for your life and how to please Him- it begins with a Soul Detox by meditating on God’s word. (HMP)

By the way- HMP= Hal Mayer Paraphrase ;-)

Are you interested in this process of detoxing your soul?  Make sure you attend this Sunday, toxins and all, as we start our new series- Soul Detox.  Please bring a toxic friend!

Check out the trailer

No video?  Click here…

Also… We will be challenging everyone to do the Soul Detox devotions during February… You can find them here..  Create a free account- then go to plans and Search Soul Detox

What is Iron Men and Why?

January 14, 2013 in Tampa Church, Vision with Comments Off

Iron Men

I am often asked- “Hal, why do we do Iron Men at Church at the Bay”, what is the real value?  I was reading the book- “Why Men Hate Going to Church” and it made me really re-think ministry.  I believe woman are more “spiritual” (if that’s the right word) than men.  Just look at who showed up first at Jesus tomb, the higher percentage of women involved in churches, the higher number of women serving in churches.  I am not going to try to play junior psychologist and try to explain why- it just seems to me that ladies are more responsive to God.  That does not make men evil or “less than” or second class (maybe slow?).  It does not mean there are not a lot of godly men out there.  I do believe we men need an extra push and or challenge.  As a man, I respond more to the challenge side of the Gospel than to the care side.  You may be thinking- that’s just you. Maybe, but over the last 15 years of leading men’s ministry I have found it to be true for the men I lead.

  • An interesting thing that I discovered during that time is early morning meetings seem to be more effective for men.  Here are some of the things I discovered:
  • When the time is early and requires discipline- men often respond positively to a challenge.  In fact, when I get up early I think I am winning.
  • When I tried meeting at night- it competed with family time and required the wives to bear a heavier load around the house.
  • My wife, Sandy, and many of the wives I know of guys that attend, appreciate the early time that it doesn’t reduce the family time or work load.
  • Most wives seem to want their husbands to attend once they begin to see positive changes or the hope of them.
  • Men do not do well with talking heads- especially early in the morning.  Therefore, I talk in spurts of 5 minutes and then kick it to their groups for the next 10 minutes.
  • Men respond well to authenticity.  So I talk often from my point of failure and challenge the groups to be authentic as well.
  • Early morning meeting need to start and end on time.  I have also found that our Iron Men meetings do better when we run them in 4 -6 weeks cycles. So we run hard for several weeks and then take a break.

The real goal of Iron Men is to help men get past the shallow discussion of weather, the ball game, the new car and talk about the truth of Jesus and how it can be applied in their lives.  My hope is that Iron Men will be catalytic for other meeting like lunches, coffees and such where guys can get real in a small group.  I have heard from more than one guy- “I have never talked about issues like this with other men” and that is a win.

Before I close, let me say this about the ladies.  We (Church at the Bay) also provide opportunities for ladies to connect in groups as well.  I am not for neglecting women (I am married and have a daughter- no way that will happen!) and most of the ladies I know are excited and grateful when they see their husbands becoming men of God.

So wives- we start a 4 week Iron Men run, help me get him out of bed:

Monday, January 21st

6:30 – 7:30am
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