Truth learned from Ps 51

This morning as I read Ps 51, I was struck with the following truths:

1. I can only teach and lead as far as I have learned and been led
(vs. 7-13).

2. Discipleship is not just for believers... You disciple lost people
for salvation (vs 13)....God does the saving!

3. Evangelism = Discipleship AND Discipleship = Spiritual Growth &
Transformation... Both of which ultimately lead to the worship and
glory of God (vs. 14-19)!

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#Dawgs Win 9-8 over Stetson U

Had a fun time with the family at the GA Diamond Dawgs game!

UGA Baseball vs Stetson

Enjoying the UGA baseball game at Foley Field.

Remodel Day 2

Day 2 of the remodel. Outside is complete with vinyl siding and vinyl
windows. The vinyl windows were my deal of the week! $70/window!

If you are looking for deals on windows, check out Discount 507 in
Winder! They are on the right on Hwy 29N about a 1/2 mile from Hwy 11.

Remodeling the back porch

I'm having the backporch enclosed. Looks awesome!

Message From @rickwarren at #Velocity confernce #cp10

Yesterday, I had the wonderful opportunity to listen to Rick Warren speak from his heart to a group of church planters!

First of all, I was humbled to just be in the room among those men and women who have weathered the storms of church planting. Coming out of a traditional context of church ministry, I really don't have a clue what all a church planter goes through. However, my level of respect for these people is incredibly high!

To hear Warren share his heart on the topic of Spiritual Velocity was an unforgettable moment in my life that I will always cherish! Here are some of my notes I wrote from his message:

QUOTES and NOTES:
Rick started off his message with this quote:
"If God has called you to be a church planter, then never step down to be the President of the United States!"

• NOTHING matters more than the church... the CHURCH will outlast everything!
• Don't be afraid to fail!
• Don't take losses seriously!
• Focus on MEMBERSHIP and DISCIPLESHIP (not attendance)
• Three Pillars for Spiritual Success: HUMILITY, INTEGRITY and GENEROSITY
• GLORY always comes through suffering...NOT SHOWING OFF!
• INTEGRITY is the antidote to the "lust of the flesh". You don't have to be PERFECT to have integrity...but you do have to be AUTHENTIC!
• GENEROSITY is the antidote to the "lust of the eyes". You can give without LOVING, but you can't LOVE without GIVING!
• HUMILITY is the antidote to the "pride of life".  Humility is not so much denying your strengths as much as it is being honest about your weaknesses.

6 Phases of Faith:
1. DREAM
2. DECIDE
3. DELAY
4. DIFFICULTY
5. DEAD END
6. DELIVERANCE

Thoughts from Generational Velocity Message by Dave Gibbons

In this morning's message from Dave Gibbons, he talked about cultural
shifts in the world today and how pastors should respond. Here are my
notes:

Cultural Shifts:
1. Multi-cultural (skin color) to 3rd Culture (skin color AND sub-
cultures) - for example: African-American & Speed bikes (motorcycles)
2. Economic shift: India and China are projected to have a greater per
capita income than the rest of the world
3. Technology shifts
4. Vision dissemination - vision begins on the FRINGE not at the CORE!
Vision is burned out of great relationships.
5. The Majority will become the minority
6. Professionalism to Activism
7. From West to East- the South and the East will be leading the world

Responses to Shifts:
1. LEVERAGE the power of the Holy Spirit!
2. Communal Living
3. Cultural focus - adapting to the culture (contextualization)
4. Have campaigns for building people
5. Mindset shift - belief determines action! We define success as UP
and to the RIGHT! God defines success as DOWN and to the LEFT!
6. We have to have a new target! Don't love people who are just like
you... That's too easy!
7. Father's coming home - sometimes your role as pastor means you are
HOME with kids!

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Missional Velocity - "The Traditional Church is DYING!" -Alan Hirsch

I thought that would get your attention! Read on...

I am still "chewing the cud" from Alan Hirsch's message yesterday on Missional Velocity. I was like a dry sponge soaking up all I could from his powerful message on the church becoming a cross-cultural, apostolic (a missionary perspective and drive), missional church. Here are some of my thoughts and notes from his message:

• There are barriers to meaningful communication of the Gospel. However, the church is increasingly becoming more isolated and distant because the movement of the church and the movement of culture are moving in opposite directions. The result is that more barriers are created AND the missional orbit of the church becomes smaller and less effective.

• ALL communication of the GOSPEL is CROSS-CULTURAL! The church today has focused on the "ATTRACTIONAL" -- "if you build it they will come" OR "we have a contemporary service at 8:30 and a traditional" service at 11", OR program after program are created to cater to people's NEEDS. Nothing inherently wrong with wanting to "attract" people to your church. However, the church must focus on becoming more "EXTRACTIONAL". In other words... the focus of the church should be to SEND OUT! Hirsch said, "There is no such thing as an UNSENT CHRISTIAN!" 

• Most people are open to discuss GOD, JESUS and SPIRITUAL things. But to speak of the CHURCH, there is a negative persona in the world today! It's very sad to think that the BRIDE of JESUS has such a tarnished reputation. This should not be! The MESSAGE is obviously "sound", but the church has to change the delivery system to engage the culture!

• Hirsch said, "The traditional church is dying everyday. And the contemporary church is carrying the load of evangelization." Please NOTE... I have friends who are pastors or are members of effective "traditional" churches where the Gospel is proclaimed with boldness, and the church is reaching and discipling lost people! These churches understand the context in which they minister and are doing well. However, Hirsch was not talking about "traditional" in the context of STYLES of WORSHIP on a Sunday morning. He was talking about a paradigm shift that must happen in the mindsets and attitudes of traditional churches in America today!  You see, a majority of the 400+K churches in America today who have 80 people or less are trying to become a CONTEMPORARY church. Instead, they should engage the culture they are in to see how the delivery system should change. It's not about LABELS... it's about PEOPLE who are living in a multi-cutural world today! The focus is on the wrong group of people! The focus should not be on the Contemporary Church... the focus should be on the group of people that are not yet a part of the Kingdom of God!

Here are some of Hirsch's quotes that keep replaying in my heart:

• "The church JESUS designed was designed for GROWTH and ADVANCEMENT!"
• "The church is a message tribe...to the 60% who are resistant to the church."
• "You PLANT the GOSPEL! You don't plant churches!"
• "The GOSPEL spreads on RELATIONAL GROUNDS!"

TWO Questions Every Church Should Ask and Answer:
1. What is "church" for this PEOPLE GROUP?
2. What is GOSPEL for this PEOPLE GROUP?

Velocity - Big Idea(s) from Session 1 with Shawn Lovejoy

For the next two days I, along with Chip and Brandt, will be at the
Velocity Church Planter Conference hosted by www.churchplanters.com
and Mountain Lake Church in Cumming, GA.

Here is are two big ideas I'm taking away from session 1 led by Shawn
Lovejoy, pastor at Mountain Lake:

1. There is a thin line between learning from a leader and envying a
leader.

2. Comparison leads to self-condemnation and the condemnation of others.

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My Pastor's Post on "Sunday Reflections"

My pastor, Chip Wheeler, posted an great testimony of our day yesterday at River Hills Church. For more on his post, click here.

Must See Video! Phenomenal Family Story of a Father and Son

Michael Farmer forwarded to me the following video of Patrick Hughes - blind and crippled from birth - but born with an amazing ability and God-given talent to play music! Watch this!

To Torrie...(a letter to a 7yr old child)

Torrie is a 7 yr old girl, and is a close family friend of the Breedlove's. She wrote out some tough questions for me to answer; and with her father's permission, here is my reply:

Torrie...

I am so thankful that God has been working in your heart by pulling you to Himself! It is obvious from your questions that you want to know God more! I wish all people... like you... would demonstrate a "childlike faith" and pursue God with their whole heart!

I was so honored that you asked me to write out my answers to some questions you have. I hope you don't mind that I posted my answers to your questions on my blog because, I wanted to not only share them with you, but with all people who may have some of the same questions you have. So here goes...

You asked:
     How do you go get saved?
     What saves you?
     Do you know any thing else about babatuem (baptism)?
My response:
Torrie,
GOD loves you sooooo much! People say that "ACTIONS speak louder than WORDS!" I think God understood that, because He ACTED out His love for you through Jesus' death on the cross.

Has anyone ever DARED you to do something crazy? Well, Jesus did something that NO ONE would even DARE to do OR could do...HE died for YOU so YOU could LIVE with GOD forever (See Romans 5:8).

You asked, "HOW DO YOU GO GET SAVED?" That is a great question! You also asked another great question: "WHAT SAVES YOU?" Many people think if you do good things or live a good life that that would be good enough to get a person to heaven. But, that is not what Jesus says. He says, "I am the WAY and the TRUTH and the LIFE. No one comes to the FATHER except through ME (John 14:6)."  Jesus is saying that when a person trusts (or believes) in Him for eternal life and the forgiveness of sin you will be saved. So... "HOW DO YOU GO GET SAVED?" And "WHAT SAVES YOU?" There are two words that answer your two questions..... "Believe Jesus!"

Baptism is a picture-story of what God has done in your life! Now, I will tell you... some people think that getting baptized saves a person.... this is not true! As for baptism, I believe in getting dunked. Preachers call this "immersion". I believe this is the picture that Jesus gave us to follow. Going under water is a symbol of our OLD LIFE going away. Coming up out of the water is a symbol of the NEW LIFE that Jesus promises to all who believe.

I love you Torrie and I look forward to watching you grow in your faith.

Mr. Spencer

Worship is NOT canceled for River Hills Church

In case anyone is wondering about whether or not River Hills Church has canceled the worship service for tomorrow, we have NOT. We are looking forward to Julian Drive leading us in worship, and hearing the second message from our pastor, Chip Wheeler, in the Deadliest Catch Pt. 2 series.

See you at 10:45 AM at the YMCA - 50 Brad Akins Dr - Winder (click link for directions).

JULIAN DRIVE LEADING WORSHIP AT RIVER HILLS CHURCH on February 14

Julian Drive will be leading worship at River Hills Church this Sunday, February 14, 2010, at 10:45AM. We will hear from the band about their experience in Haiti and how you can support orphans right now and find out some information on adoption!

You will want to get to the Y early as seating will be stretched to the max.

We will also be collecting our Change Haiti water bottles this weekend. A percentage will be going to Holt International to care for orphans in Haiti.

Finally, Chip will be preaching his second sermon in the current series, Deadliest Catch Pt. 2 - Making the Most of Your Marriage!

View from Jeff & Pam's front porch

Headin out of Winder

JULIAN DRIVE LEADING WORSHIP AT RIVER HILLS CHURCH on February 14

Julian Drive will be leading worship at River Hills Church this Sunday, February 14, 2010, at 10:45AM. We will hear from the band about their experience in Haiti and how you can support orphans right now and find out some information on adoption!

You will want to get to the Y early as seating will be stretched to the max.

We will also be collecting our Change Haiti water bottles this weekend. A percentage will be going to Holt International to care for orphans in Haiti.

Finally, Chip will be preaching his second sermon in the current series, Deadliest Catch Pt. 2 - Making the Most of Your Marriage!

JULIAN DRIVE LEADING WORSHIP AT RIVER HILLS CHURCH on February 14

Julian Drive will be leading worship at River Hills Church this Sunday, February 14, 2010, at 10:45AM. We will hear from the band about their experience in Haiti and how you can support orphans right now and find out some information on adoption!

You will want to get to the Y early as seating will be stretched to the max.

We will also be collecting our Change Haiti water bottles this weekend. A percentage will be going to Holt International to care for orphans in Haiti.

Finally, Chip will be preaching his second sermon in the current series, Deadliest Catch Pt. 2 - Making the Most of Your Marriage!

Fasting and Prayer at RHC Offices today

Today, we hosted our first Fasting and Prayer event called "Second Wednesday" to fast our lunch and pray for these specific areas:

1. Local Churches - that there would be a sweeping revival in all of our churches; that area churches would be spiritually healthy and fruitful in advancing God's Kingdom; we prayed for pastors and their families to be protected; we prayed that local pastors in Barrow Co would come together by putting aside denominational differences and stand together on reaching people with the Gospel!
2. Community - Chaplaincy opportunities with local schools; Habitat builds; Teacher Appreciation Days; Mobile Food Pantry with Barrow Benevolence
3. River Hills Church - Mens' Ministry; Community Involvement (outreach and publicity); Reach 500; Property in Bethlehem near Hwy 81 and 316.

Second Wednesday will happen each month on the second Wednesday from 12-1PM at the River Hills Church office in Winder.

Foxworthy in Winder, GA

Foxworthy started off his routine by busting on the Double "G' spelling of Winder-Barrow Bulldoggs then launched into a hilarious routine that kept all of us guys in stitches. From potty-humor to personal stories to "I don't know how..." thoughts, it was a great night for rednecks and city folk alike.

The best part of the whole night...aside from listening to some great music from Joel Goddard and laughing our heads off at jokes... was when Jeff shared with all the great message of God's grace and God's love for "rednecks".

When Jeff went from joke telling to preaching the Gospel you could have heard a pin drop as all men were glued to every word! God was glorified, and I am sure He laughed right along with us!

• BIG Thanks goes to our friends at FBC Bethlehem for hosting the event! Great job guys! It was a pleasure to experience something like that in Barrow Co!

• Also, thanks to my cousin, Brad Lingerfelt (owner/operator of the CFA in Monroe), for organizing and providing the Chickfila sandwiches! You, Shane Todd (Athens) and Chris Owens (soon to be Winder) did a great job!

Today at River Hills--Fasting and Prayer

Today, from 12pm to 1pm, we will be hosting a fasting and prayer event
at the River Hills Church office.

We will be joining together to pray for our community, our local
churches, and one another.

Please join us today... Give up your lunch and spend some time praying
with others.

The River Hills offices are located at 70 Broad St in Winder. The
office is in the second floor of the Broad Building. The entrance is
on the Candler St side directly across from GeGe's restaurant and just
above the Hair Gallery.

Please park in the public parking lot on Candler St.

See you this afternoon!

Spencer Breedlove
blog.spencerbreedlove.com

www.Twitter.com/SpencrBreedlove

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2200 Plus @ Winder Barrow High School for Jeff Foxworthy

There are so many men at this event I could not get all in the photo!

Joel Goddard Jamming out at the Foxworthy Event

Joel and the band kicked off the Jeff Foxworthy with some great tunes.
This is going to be an incredible event in the community of Barrow Co.
This could be one of the most powerful and life-changing events in the
lives of men!

Deadliest Catch Pt. 2 Begins this Sunday

 

How's your marriage? 

Do you know a couple who could use some encouragement?  

Is your marriage in crisis mode? 

Can you communication be improved? 

When is the last time you and your spouse went on a date...without the kids?

Come join us at River Hills Church this Sunday as we work through Deadliest Catch Part 2 - Making the Most of Your Marriage!                                              

Our pastor, Chip Wheeler, will be preaching through Song of Solomon throughout this month and will be focusing on the following: 

Week 1 - Overcoming Crisis

Week 2 - Communication

Week 3 - Romance

Week 4 - Sex

"Deadliest Catch: Making the Most of Your Marriage" begins this Sunday, February 7, 2010 @ 10:45AM.  

River Hills Church currently meets at the Winder YMCA located at 50 Brad Akins Dr.  Click on the link for directions.

See you there!

JULIAN DRIVE LEADING WORSHIP AT RIVER HILLS CHURCH on February 14

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! 

INVITE YOUR FRIENDS!

On Sunday, February 14, 2010, River Hills Church welcomes the Athens band, Julian Drive, to lead worship in our morning service at 10:45AM. Many of you are aware that Julian Drive was in Haiti at the time of the major earthquake while they were visiting orphans at an orphanage sponsored by Holt International.

During the service, Julian Drive will share part of their story from Haiti and will share how you can get involved with Holt International.

ALSO...

I hope to see you this Sunday, February 7, at River Hills Church as we launch "DEADLIEST CATCH Pt. 2: Making the Most of Your Marriage."