I really enjoyed Robby Bradford’s sermon on Wednesday night.  He spoke on Immanuel in Isaiah 7, and it was a timely message for us all.  I really belive in what Robby is doing with The Bridge Project, as he will start a church in Paris in 2009 (launch date is actually April 2010).  I am excited that we are supporting them monthly, and we talked about a potential mission trip to Paris in 2010.  Now that will be great!

On December 19-20 The Church at Indian Lake will host a presentation of It’s A Wonderful Life – A Live Radio Play in our church building  Over the last seven years, Lamplighter Theatre Company in Smyrna has become one of the premier semi-professional theatre companies in Middle Tennessee. The vision of Lamplighters is to bring to a local community quality theater that provides a positive, inspiring message.

On Thursday, Greg Wilson, Beth and I obtained some important corporate sponsors to make this play happen.  It was an exciting development, as we now start printing promotional pieces and use  other advertising.

Ultimately, God is the one who holds are destiny.  However, he uses certain people in our lives whose moments of influence changes our destiny.  I have often talked about the mentors who have effected my life in a long-term relationship, but there are other people who may have played a shorter role, but they still changed my destiny through their influence.

– My Young Life director, who gently corrected my “graceless” theology over breakfast,  Thank you, Richard Black.
– My high school teammate, who told his coach about me . . . which lead to a scholarship at a Christian college.  Thankyou,  Bubba.
– My favorite professor in college, who exposed me to tons of new authors that re-defined my faith.  Thank you, Dr. Fine.
– A lady who didn’t know me, but after prayer encouraged her church’s leaders to consider me in their pastoral search.  She now works for me, and is a good friend!   Thank you, Penny Cowart.
– A college professor who challenged me to pursue my master’s degree, and now will be teaching me next year at Southeastern University.  Thank you, Dr. Charles Gaulden.

The list could go on.   But my list isn’t important.  What is your list?  Take time to reflect on who God has used to change your destiny.   If you want to share part of your list with me and other readers, feel free to comment.

On my day off (Monday) I spent all day – all day! – in our flower beds.   Ripping up weeds and misplaced grass was hard, dirty work.   I had dirt and mud everywhere.   At the end of the day, I had beds ready for fall flowers.  As I worked though the day, I thought a lot about spiritual work.   Preparing the soil is a lot of hard, dirty work.   As I think of all the opportunity our church has to see a beautiful harvest, I am thankful for people who prepared the soil.

– I am thankful for the early members of New Community Church who took a risk, and started a church in Beech High School.
– I am thankful for former members of our church who gave sacrificially to see the building built.
– I am thankful for the people who believed in me when we started Sumner Life, and stuck with me and Beth through some difficult times.
– I am thankful for all the members of The Church at Indian Lake who have patiently worked though the pains of transition as we have created a new church.

Its a lot of hard, dirty work that to prepare the soil, but when we see a beautiful spiritual garden grown by God, the work will be worth it.

I really enjoyed Sunday’s service.  I thought the songs were especially effective, and the crowd was full of energy and focus.   I was also blessed to pray with a lot of people who wanted to walk in the freedom from curses that Christ has provided.  This series on Taming the Tongue has hit a nerve for all of us.  I can’t wait to talk about Blessings next Sunday.

Our big day with Lincoln included a trip to the zoo,  HIgh School Musical 3 and dinner at Red Robin.   What a fun day!   To my surprise, I really enjoyed HSM 3.   It was the kind of cheesy, escapism entertainment that you want to see at the end of a long week.

October 26 is a very special day – its the birthday of my baby.  Lincoln will be five years old on Sunday.   It was a Sunday five years ago when he was born with complications that were totally unexpected.  That was a dark day in my life, but now its a day to rejoice.  My healthy, beautiful, smart and spoiled little boy is a joy to so many.  He has become such a good friend to me.

After church on Sunday, the five of us will go celebrate with a family day that we are very much looking forward to.

Saturday Recap
After seeing Vanderbilt inexcusably lose a game to Duke, I enjoyed a great dinner at MiMi’s cafe with the Lifetime Group.   They are a great group to hang out with!

On several of my blogs I have mentioned I Want to Lead.  Hear is a brief run-down of what this is:

I Want to Lead is an event that God has put on my heart that I have been working on for a few months.   This gathering is designed for students who entering or have just completed their High School senior year.    This will take place June 22-25, 2009 in the Nasvhille area.

Note: Yes, I know the date is wrong on the logo.  No, the web-site has not been launched yet, but we own the URLs.

I Want to Lead exists to gather these young Christian leaders for the purpose of fellowship, inspiration, exposure to world-class leaders and long-term networking.

What will be accomplished during the I Want To Lead gathering?
– Fellowship & networking between HS seniors from other churches and geographical locations.
– A reward for good leadership during HS
– Exposure to new experience in a major American city (Nashville)
– Exposure to world class Christian leaders in the local church, academic and the secular market place.
– Long-term networking opportunities with like-minded Christian leaders (both students and faculty).

This is a big vision that some days doesn’t seem likely, but each step I take God has opened up new doors.  When you think of this event, throw up a prayer for me and the team working on this.

On Thursday we posted on-line a new episode of The Water Cooler.  If you havent’ heard A Water Cooler episode, is an unorganized, random talk from me and David Huff.    Its kind of a “behind the scene” look at The Church at Indian Lake.  Check out the “Water Cooler” page on www.indianlakechurch.com, or through The Church at Indian Lake itunes subscription.

On Wednesday night we had a time of prayer and communion.   It was so good to see people seeking God’s presence.  in church services we often design them to respond to people’s “felt” needs – like finance problems, marriage problems, job situations, ect.   In addition to this, we also need to seek God’s presence, not just His help.   Indian Lake’s monthly communion time on Wednesday Night will be a great opportunity to seek HIm in this concentrated way.

I had stated earlier that our HAT presentation would be on Thursday, but it was actually on Tuesday morning.  It was a great experience.  The students and teachers of Beech High School enthusiastically recieved our presentation.  They were so excited to greet the honored teacher – Mr. Calloway.  Congratulations to Mr. Calloway and all the nominated teachers.

With the money raised from VBS, Kim Driver put together a beautiful basket with gift certificates that Mr. Calloway will enjoy.

We look forward to spreading the HAT program to other churches.