WholeHeartedLife

Sunday

Sunday afternoon, 3:12 pm

All i can say is, WOW! I don't usually write my Sunday post until in the evening (and I will probably finish this tonite) but I wanted to write about this morning while I'm "reeling" from it. Truth is, I'm still processing all that happened this morning...

Today was one of the top worship experiences (as a speaker) that I've ever been a part of. The music - really, really great. Steven did an unbelievable job leading worship today (and that song, "Strange Way to Save the World" was priceless!). The outpouring of love shown in our congregation as people in all 3 services, admitting their shortcoming, faults, and the overall need for JESUS asked Him to flood their lives was flooring.

And speaking of that outpouring of love, in all 3 services I felt prompted in the moment to end totally different than we normally do - I asked people needing HOPE in "A" situation to lift their hands and keep them up. The large majority of the congregation lifted their hands (proving to each other that we all struggle and are SO in need of the personal touch of JESUS in our lives). I then asked all people, those with hands raised and without to touch someone near them and to call out to JESUS on that person's behalf...and God showed up.

Not that there is any doubt that He would. He's amazing like that. I believe that many lives were impacted today. I, for one, would say that i have been DEEPLY moved by God's power all day long.

If that wasn't awesome enough...

...the 11:11 service (which was really big today!) saw about 8 or 9 people pray to receive JESUS as forgiver of their sin and entered into relationship with Him -THANK YOU, LORD!

8:45 pm - FUNNIEST THING TODAY : in the 11:11 Service I was talking about Hope and asked if there was anyone in the crowd with a child named "hope" -  as i was scanning the crowd i thought that i saw a lady with her hand raised - i noted where she was in my mind and scanned the rest of the crowd to see if there was anyone else. When I looked back at her I said "you have a child named 'Hope'?" (at the same time I said it I recognized WHO she was) to which I immediately said to "the lady", "YOU DO NOT!!!" She replied, "yes, i do, in my classroom (she's a teacher). What was so funny about it was that the woman was my wife. (the place exploded in laughter when they realized it was my wife i was talking to ). As I've mentioned, today was our anniversary - it almost seemed that I was getting a MAJOR anniversary surprise!!

Sunday Nite (on a Tuesday Morning!)

OK, now i'm ready to do my reflection on Sunday (I know that it's Tuesday - you just had to be "me" to understand that i needed some "process" time ).

The reason I didn't post on Sunday nite was that I was beyond beat - I haven't felt that worn-down in a long, long time after Sunday Services. On Monday morning, I felt so drawn to seek the Lord that I seriously did not have time to adequately "wrap-my-mind" around all that i felt. So, without further adieu, this past Sunday...

• I AM SO PROUD (!!!) of the hyde park worship ministry. For the past 5 weeks they have carried out the task of leading our congregation into worship of JESUS with me basically acting in a "behind the scenes" role (planning services).
• I AM SO PROUD of the ministry that Rhonda Lovin has done! Rhonda Lovin has become such a great lead-worshiper and I feel very confident in her ability to step in when I am not available or other duties call. Rhonda, for the most part, planned the services and led rehearsals for the last 3 weeks and I felt they were all tremendous! A public "HI-FIVE" goes out to her...
• I AM ALSO PROUD of Steven Easterling. Steven led worship yesterday for the 1st time and did an amazing job. (Side note: Steven, though a great frontman and talented singer, has never done the ministry of lead-worshiper and finds himself a little on the uneasy side in this ministry). I look forward to Steven stepping in and leading in my absence in the near future!
• ...by the way - i am FINALLY leading worship again this Sunday!
• ...by the way - i am READY!
• While I am in the "PROUD" arena - our band has really taken it to another level! I look forward to great things out of them this Christmas!
• December 23rd, "The Divine", is gonna be THE BOMB! (that means you better make plans not to miss it).
• Coming off of my longest string of speaking assignments ever (4 Sunday's in 5 weeks - which in hyde park terms equals 13 times because of the multiple services) I realize how tough it is to preach week-in and week-out. The task of staying fresh can be tough when you are preparing a new message every week! Though I LOVE the opportunity to seek the "mind of Christ" that I might speak into others lives and regard it as my most challenging task, I have an even greater respect from my pastor than EVER!
• Sunday's message was a tough one for me. The simplicity of the message is one of those that you feel when you preach it, "they aren't gonna listen to me...i'm gonna lose them...they don't wanna hear this..." but what is more important than learning to hear from God?
• By the way, I am amazed that on the weekend's that I question my effectiveness, so many of you come and tell me how much the message challenged you! Thanks for being obedient. I want so much for your walk with JESUS!
• Christmas at hyde park begins this weekend - i'm excited (and that is saying something) and it is gonna be great!

Sunday Nite

What a day we had today! Here's what i'm thinking about this evening...

• Tough message for me today... I really felt the weight of trying to make the "DRIVEN" life REAL - as i said over and over - "Love God, Love People and Serve our World" has to be more than a catchy phrase! It's not something we want you to know in your mind so you can repeat it - we want it to download into your very being, your fabric if you will, because "DRIVEN" is not something you know, it's something you live.
• I'm really relieved that today is over. As I was speaking with some friends before lunch (a long, long wait to eat...) i was sharing with them, that in this message, you saw me at the height of what it means to feel inadequate... I was very overwhelmed this weekend by how much i need God in all that i do.
• Also, about this morning... 9:51 was REALLY great... at 11:11 we really connected... but after 8:21 i just wanted to quit! Man, what in the world was the deal in there? Literally, I walked out of the service and cried out to God that i felt like a failure. (amazingly though, after the service, so many from that service shared how much they were moved and challenged by the message - i was like, "what did you hear? Are we talking about the same...") Thank JESUS for 2nd and 3rd chances!
• I had the priviledge of meeting some great new people at church today! I love the enthusiasm of the new attendees... so excited to be a part of a "DRIVEN" people!
• Also had my heart just broken as i prayed with someone after 8:21 who was just heartbroken and hurting... God was ministering in the house today.
• Our band and singers are so great! You will never know how much it encourages me to be in the congregation, worshiping God with you, participating in song and realizing, "man, they sound tremendous!" I'm reminded of how much God has blessed me with great people to serve with.
• i think that it is absolutely amazing that a person can tackle a subject like Service and people realize their need for JESUS in their life. That should prove to all of us that God uses whatever He wants, however He wants - it's SO not about us! Amazing.
• The Narrow Way Band concert was postponed on thursday - i hope that i'll be able to post the make-up date this way - stay tuned on that. Did I tell you how amazing NWB has sounded in the re-grouping rehearsals that we've had?
• This morning at 11:11 i had the priviledge of worshiping with someone corporately for the 1st time - my 7 year old son Matthew. Matthew is ALWAYS over in the kidz place but when he heard me tell someone that i was speaking this weekend he said to me, "dad? I'm going to come hear you speak at 11:11...". (he listens to me preach on the hyde park podcast when he goes to bed at nite - really! i'm sure it puts him right to sleep ) I realized as he and i lifted our voice, together, in song to the Lord, that this was a 1st for us - this was the 1st time that he has actually wanted to sing in worship... maybe (hopefully) my JESUS is wooing this young man whom I pray with faithfully serve HIM for all of his life...
• Missed Pastor today as he was preaching at a homecoming service...
• Thanks for all of you who are SO encouraging towards me - your words of love and affirmation are soothing to my soul.

Well, that's it for me tonite. I'm going to bed...

Sunday Nite

WOW! What a day we've had...

1st - let me say that my friend "Bear" passed away today. Bear has battled cancer for about 18 months - he was a passionate member of the choir and SO loved. (Here's a post that I spoke about him) We hate to lose him but know, really know, that he will never experience pain again. I think, for me, the most amazing thing is that Bear has now seen JESUS. Think about that, he's seen JESUS - the One that everything we do is about, he's seen him. I'll see you soon, my friend...

Bear's Home-going Celebration Service is Tuesday nite at hyde park... my prediction: people will be saved because of his life. Bear's life ended with his light shining bright for JESUS.

Tonite (10:38 pm) i'm in Cherry Grove on what will end up being an abbreviated Staff Retreat (it was supposed to last until Weds but we'll have to wrap up meetings tomorrow so we can make things happen for the Tuesday nite Celebration Service. (Thanks to Bree for making some stuff happen towards Tuesday )

Today...

• it was great being back with ya'll leading worship this morning. I can't believe how awesome our musicians and singers are!
• People were really stepping up to the plate with the "DRIVEN" Challenge! Do you know someone, a business or business owner that can take this thing to the next level?
• Walked around and checked out what was going on in other areas - i always see stuff that we can take up a notch...
• Announced the 6-week bfg grouplink today. I'll post the classes this week online!
• I'm preaching next week!!! I get to tackle "DRIVEN" part 3, "Serving Our World"
• Do you know how pumped i am about that?
• Help me out today... pray that the Lord will give the staff a sharp, clear mind and creativity beyond imagination.

Love ya'll - talk to you tomorrow!

Sunday Reflections (on a Monday Morning)

Man, it's Monday and I am SO behind... I feel as if I've been gone for weeks so here are my Sunday reflections (written very quickly on a Monday Morning):

• I don't know if you noticed but I wasn't at hp yesterday . I was the guest speaker at a beach retreat for hyde park's college/young singles ministry - more on this in a sec...
• and speaking of not being at hp on Sunday, I heard that you had some really great services yesterday! I am SO PROUD of our music leadership team, those who head up different facets of what you see on Sundays (yeah, it's way more than just me - there are a bunch of people who make what you see every Sunday happen - I lead them but they produce - WELL). It has been a goal of mine for a long, long time to be able to be "off-stage" and for a 1st time guest to see hyde park worship MINUS mike p and think, "man, the music in this church is incredible - God is HERE!". In my opinion, that day has come...
• I heard that Pastor's message was great (no, i didn't hear it from him - WE are always our own worst critics ). I can testify that it was a super message, because I had the opportunity to hear it last nite; more about that in a sec...
• The beach retreat - 17 young people, gathered in a beach view home on the end of holden beach which is this "natural" area (complete with deer running around cottages - pretty surreal). Hosted by Johnny and Lynn Smith (and funded by hp) we had an amazing weekend. The young people were awesome, loving one another in Christ, having lots of fun and (i hope) BEING INCREDIBLY CHALLENGED by the stuff i was teaching. They were SO great - our study sessions would reach up to 2 hours at a time and no one was 'yawning'... very attentive - great questions and comments - very mature. I am proud of this group of young adults - their hearts are in a good place and I believe God is raising up leaders.
• Lynn, Johnny and all of you who attended: I AM SO HONORED THAT YOU CHOSE ME TO LEAD YOU TO EXPLORE A FRESH ENCOUNTER WITH JESUS THIS WEEKEND. I love you all!
• I fully intended on posting a picture on this post this morning, but "someone" didn't send it to me... i won't call him out for leaving me hanging, but i will tell you that his initials are J.(osh) C.(urrier). You know, the REAL JC will never leave you hangin .
• How did i hear Pastor's message live last nite? He and I are doing some "revival" services in Durham at Leesville Road Baptist Church through Weds. nites. If you know someone in the area that wants a "taste" of hyde park tell them to come on out. Services begin at 7pm nitely. I am leading worship every nite (and consequently traveling back and forth - i CANNOT be out of the office 3 full days this week - to much on the schedule for me!)

Anyway, that's it for me - Gonna be talking about the "DRIVEN" challenge some tomorrow and much more this week. Love ya'll and so thankful that you choose to "do life" with me. Peace! 

It's Over and I'm Off!

Is it over all ready? How did it happen so fast? Was it worth the work?

Yes - It's always that way! and definitely yes. GuyFest, in my opinion, was a great success! And, to be honest i'm spent - i really have nothing else to give and so now I'll retreat...

5 weeks ago I was on the brink of burn-out, literally. On that Monday morning, as i tried really hard to pray i found myself confessing to the Lord (kinda like i do you right now) that i felt like i had nothing else to give. "Lord", i said, "the next 5 weeks are very important in the life of hyde park and somehow i need the ability to pull 'just a little' more from somewhere; God, i really need You now..."

i was SO burnt and tired - and then, something really cool happened...

i looked at my calendar and the VERY NEXT DAY i was scheduled to go to a prayer retreat. My first thought was, "i really need to be there!" and then my second thought was, "there is NO WaY that i can take tomorrow off with everything that is pressing." Then came the thought; not any thought, but THE thought, the one that said, "Do you trust Him? Do you really think that you need HIM? Because if you do, HE will redeem the time that you offer to Him, even tomorrow, in prayer."  And so I went - I met with God - God renewed my strength, vision and stamina and that is what i have literally run on for the last 5 weeks.

And now it's done.

GuyFest was great, all around; thanks so much to those of you who did so much to make it happen - the ladies who cooked the outstanding breakfast, the musicians who gave their talents, the ladies who made the main auditorium run smoothly, the production team in the ROC, the guys who showed up Saturday night to set up tables - YOU ALL WERE THE HEROES OF GUYFEST.

Now i will take a WholeHearted break. I'm gonna love my wife and those around me, I'm gonna love my God and hopefully return renewed and in awe of the wondrous blessings JESUS has shown to me. My love to all of you. 5,000. (means we out)

Sunday Nite

"Whatcha gonna do about it? Remember, Knowledge without application is Hypocrisy. Will you give your life away? Because if you do, you'll find the life that you've always wanted." That was the way the message closed - This Wednesday we'll finally get to see if hyde park is a church of "hearers" or "doers" - my prayer is that we discover the latter.

Today was a tremendous day! So much went right today. I found myself in awe of people serving today - from Amy working Guest Services Central (outside) who enthusiastically told me, "Mike, i've been giving away GuyFest tix right and left!" to Mrs. Cathy, excellently driving the golf cart and making our guests sometimes long walk to the buildings a little more pleasant...

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO SERVES WEEK IN AND WEEK OUT! YOU ARE THE DIFFERENCE MAKERS!

Tonite I find myself wondering who will step up to make "Shipwrecked" excellent? We've had a small setback in our team that will make that happen which means I'm immediately seeking talented individuals RIGHT NOW from our church to step up this week so that we can get this thing happening. Worse comes to worse I WILL RUN "SHIPWRECKED" WHICH MEANS THAT I WILL NOT LEAD WORSHIP FOR THE 8 WEEKS THAT SHIPWRECKED WILL RUN. Understand this - we WILL have an excellent program for the kidz of hyde park this summer at 8:21 and 11:11 even if it is ME and my team making it happen! So, talented people sitting in the hyde park shadows, step up so I can continue to do WHAT i do!

Brandon, for the first time since coming on staff, stepped up to the mic to lead worship on a few songs today (doing a great job!). I remember, 6 months before he came on staff, telling Pastor that I thought he had a lot of potential as a worship leader saying, "with some encouragement, I could see him filling in for me when I'm not available." Well, today was that day - he, along with Rhonda helping him out, both made me proud. Rhonda always does an outstanding job - they both really complimented each other today.

Tomorrow morning we begin the mad dash to GuyFest - 6 days and counting - have you registered you and your friends who will attend with you? If not, do that here.

Looking forward to watching our church get outside the walls Weds. It's not too late to get involved. Tell Eddie D if you wanna help.

Taking the Plunge

Let me start by saying that today was one of the greatest days I've had in a long, long time.

Let me also say that obviously I look like such a "goofball" (see picture below)

Today at hyde park we had the priviledge of celebrating new believers taking the "Plunge" for JESUS. 20 people were baptized over our 3 worship experiences in a pool out front of our church, in the most public way that we knew how to do it.

We wanted to celebrate baptism in a deeper way - we wanted to make a big deal out of something that should be HUGE in the life of a believer. YES, we have an indoor baptismal. YES, we actually bought a portable pool from Sam's and put it in our front yard. YES, it was worth the trouble (matter of fact, I think it would be cool to do all of our warm weather baptisms this way).

The thing that was so great about doing this was that as we stood in the portable pool set up for this event I continued to see cars slow down to see what we were doing and I was reminded of this. I knew that God was once again using our people to lift Him up that He might draw all men (and women) to Himself. (John 12:32)

I am so fired up - I LOVE SEEING PEOPLE GO PUBLIC WITH THEIR FAITH!!! Seeing people publicly stand for JESUS never gets old!

Top all this off with a really great BFG (Bible Fellowship Group) leadership meeting and I am ready to win this region for the One who spent His life on me.

Coming out of the BFG meeting we decided that...

• our groups are going to do some big things to draw in new people this summer.
• our groups are going to get outside of the walls of hp to put feet to our desire to impact lives.
• our groups are gonna PARTY!!!! this summer (if you aren't plugged-in, come on, DO the NEXT right thing!)

Sunday Reflections (on a Monday Morning)

Not as much to write about because I was over in the KIDZ PLACE leading worship for Kidz Konnection! Some things I'm just thinking...

• Rhonda does a great job leading worship in my absence. It is so encouraging to know that when I'm gone things can still be good. They are definitely different (they should be, i'm not in there ) but they can still be excellent and are.
• Our band is incredible. I am amazed at what God has done with our live music in the last few years!
• Penny Blaine does an awesome job with KIDZ KONNECTION at hyde park! Yesterday "the kidz" (the cast that does the weekly skit) were off but it was still great! By the way, mike p's Kidz Konnection worship team absolutely ROCKS!!!!
• I heard that Pastor hit a home run with his message yesterday (i'll hear the podcast).
• We're baptizing next week and I'm excited about what God is doing in the lives of the people who surround us.
• We have some great things in the making for a sizzlin' hyde park summer.
• Thank God we will have something for the kidz this summer!
• I love what I do!
• I'm thankful to serve at hp!

Sunday Nite

First, let me say that you've gotta watch this video on Bree's blog from yesterday - Great find, girl!

What an AWESOME day we had today! As we journeyed into week 3 of the "CLICK: Doing the Next Right Thing" Series we were discussing hitting "FastForward" on our faith - specifically, "Going Public". The challenge today was how many of those in attendance have actually "gone public" with their faith (see verse) - not dealing with whether people know that they go to church but how many understand that they desire to live for JESUS in this world. To top it off I decided rather than just talk about Baptism that we would demonstrate it with some people who needed to be baptized (and I would actually finish teaching the message in the pool).

I came into the morning with a baptism scheduled at 8:21 (Adeana) and 11:11, though I was unable to schedule someone for the 9:51 service; however, I had a quiet peace about that this morning - for some reason (God) I KNEW that someone was going to ask me to baptize them at 9:51 -

AND THEY DID (way to go, Nancy!). Then...

Immediately following the person asking me to baptize them, the brother of the guy being baptized at 11:11 sees me and says, "he's not coming, Mike." Well, by this time I had faith that God was gonna work that out (the baptism and actually finishing the message in the pool was the main illustration and the closer to the invitation this morning - needless to say, it was PRETTY important)...

Guess what? Immediately after finding out that my 11:11 candidate's going to be a no-show, SOMEONE ELSE comes up (Sandy) and says, "Mike, my wife (Tarra) and I would like to be baptized at 11:11." As you can imagine, I'm about ready to shout now (I haven't even spoken in the 2nd service yet!), then...

After the 9:51 service (and my 2nd set of wet clothes) I'm outside for a moment and a guy walks up (Kelvin) and says, "Mike, YOU WERE TALKING TO ME THIS MORNING! I'm going home to get my clothes for you to baptize me in this service if it's ok with you!"

That's the kind of day i've had; people DYING to go public with their faith. "God, may we never again have so little faith concerning those whom You've put in our care. You are a miracle Worker and You desire to do great things in our midst."

To those of you who stepped up and "went public" on the spur of the moment today by participating in "spontaneous baptism" - I am proud of you beyond belief; It took a lot of guts to do what you did today.

And to those of you who placed your trust in JESUS this morning - welcome to the family of God! We're excited to watch God work in your life and look forward to serving HIM with you. Much love to all...