Even though we are going through some pretty tough financial times as a church right now, I am pumped! Why? Because when the enemy is working, God has already been working and is or is about to do something great! I am pumped because we are baptizing 8 people this Sunday, 7 adults and one child!

It is always exciting to see God changing people’s perspective, their hearts, their lives, their families and ultimately a generation! I LOVE the fact that we have people who are coming out of all kinds of backgrounds, with all kinds of stories, whose lives are being radically changed by the grace of God.  I have had the privilege of sitting down with each of them over the last couple of weeks and hearing their stories and it pumps me up because this is what we are about @ The Ridge! Advancing the gospel, expanding the Kingdom of God in the hearts and lives of people who were previously disconnected, discouraged, burned out, disillusioned, trapped by tradition or ritual, or simply lost…all who have discovered a relationship with Jesus and put their faith in Him. I can’t wait ’til Sunday!

Today was Vision Day @ The Ridge. We began a series called “Keep Your Fork…” as we looked at the SWEET things God has in store for us and His Church @ The Ridge. I am pumped about what God is doing here and I can’t wait to see what He is going to do in people’s lives and in His church! Here are some highlights from today:

• I knew God was going to do something great today, because so many things were going wrong: from the trailer not being there when the set up team got there to the house and stage lights in the cafetorium mysteriously stopping working 20 minutes before the first gathering. It was crazy! The lights didn’t come back on until halfway through the service…just as mysteriously.
• Overall, a great service. John and the band did a great job as usual. The music fit perfectly with the theme and message.
• Attendance was still good, but not as good as we expected today. I think the cloudy, gray, rainy morning had an effect. Our kids areas were down quite a bit.
• Still had several first time guests today.
• All the kids promoted up to new groups today. Ashley, Wendell and all the Ridgekidz team did a great job.
• Offering was in the tank today. Things are really tight. We likely won’t make payroll this week. “But God…”
• Had a great meeting tonight with all of our new Quest Group Leaders for the fall. I am very excited about this group of leaders. We are doing things a little different this semester. I can’t wait until our Connection Night kickoff on September 7th. Ridgers, you can sign up online for groups HERE or at Connection Point next Sunday.
• Ended the day with an emergency meeting of our Stewardship Team at 9PM. We needed their wisdom as we tried to pray through our current financial situation. It was actually a great time. I was very encouraged by this group of folks. Their faith is amazing.
• I know that when things are tough, God isn’t surprised. “But God…”
• We also had a special part of our gathering today as we ended with “cardboard testimonies” of people’s lives that have been changed. It was so moving that we had people coming out of the gatherings who said God spoke directly to them, because they saw their own story in the stories of others. WOW!
• Keep your fork, because I know God is about to do some “sweet” things here @ The Ridge!

This Sunday marks 3 years ago that we first met with a group of families in my living room to share the vision for The Church @ The Ridge. It has been an amazing journey thus far! God has been faithful, people’s perspectives on church, God, themselves and others has changed. Lives have been changed and I believe a generation yet to be born has already been impacted!

This Sunday is Vision Day @ The Ridge. We are kicking off a 2-part series called “Keep Your Fork...” What’s it about? You’ll have to be there tomorrow!

I am excited about what God has in store for this community! It is humbling to be a part of what He is doing around, in, and through us as His church. I can’t wait to share it all with you! See you tomorrow!

Unless you’ve been on another planet for the last two weeks, you’ve seen and heard about Michael Phelps and his quest for Olympic history by winning 8 Gold Medals in Beijing. I thought about it and several things came to mind that we as leaders, and anyone, can learn. First, look at 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, which is a very relevant comparison, then chew on what I’ve learned about leadership in the church or your family:

• INTENSITY- Michael is an intense competitor, not wanting to lose. We should have the same intensity when it comes to the Gospel. Losing is not an option.
• FOCUS- we need to have a single focus (tough to do for those of us with multi-tasking personalities and ADD). We must stay focused on Jesus personally and on lifting Him up professionally. That’s it. Run the race with your eyes on the prize, the finish line, Jesus.
  
  
• WORK HARD/EXERCISE - Phelps is a hard worker, no question. We need to approach our ministry with the same energy and diligence. Sluggards need not apply. Doesn’t mean we become workaholics, just doing our best, giving a full effort every time. Exercise the gifts you have. Be good at what you do. Strive to get better.
• EAT- Phelps eats 12,000 calories a day (while training and competing) WOW! He is said to expend over 4,000 calories in a workout/race. If we are going to work hard at a tough race, grueling battle, like church planting, pastoring, teaching, reaching, then we must be fed. A lot! We will drain our reserves quicker and won’t have the energy to finish well. Spend time in prayer, the Word, reading, listening to others, learning, solitude. EAT…A LOT!
• DEDICATION- ‘nough said!
• HUMILITY- Phelps was always humble in post race interviews. Not the typical cocky athlete we see in most professional sports. Stay humble, knowing where your strength, abilities, and giftedness comes from. Remember Who you represent.
• TEAM- In the Athens Olympics in ‘04, Michael could have gone for his7th gold to tie Mark Spitz then. However, he gave up his spot on the final relay team so that the USA could have the best chance to win gold. It worked too. He wasn’t about himself in these games either. Constantly praising and encouraging teammates in the relays. Knowing that without them, his record would not have been possible. None of us are islands. We must always remember that there are others around us who make what happens in our churches possible. Some are paid others are volunteer. Be mindful of the team. Keep giving them praise when necessary and deserving. Encourage them when they fumble. We’re all in need of someone to lift up our arms as Aaron and Hur did for Moses.
• FAMILY IS IMPORTANT - some of the first people he would look for in the stands was his mom and sisters. It was evident that they had a close relationship and that it was important. As leaders, this is the most important relationship, outside our relationship with Christ. Our families must be a priority if we are to have an impact on another generation. Even when things are busy, intense and focused, don’t lose sight of the ones who are most important in your life (and in whose lives you are most important).
  
• GO HARD ALL THE WAY TO THE FINISH - in the finals of the 100m Butterfly it looked as if Phelps was going to lose the gold. But as the guy in the lead glided toward the wall, Phelps took one more quick half stroke. That made the difference as he won the gold by .01 seconds. The narrowest of margins. It was a great race, but the difference was that extra stroke. Going hard to the finish as opposed to gliding when things seem won. We have to remember that no matter what, we have to go hard all the way. No gliding.

Just some things God showed me as I watched this great athlete. Lessons that apply to being great leaders in the Kingdom of God. Maybe there’s more. What have you learned?

Perry Noble had a great word…no RANT…today. Check it out here.  I couldn’t agree more.

Today was a different type of Gathering @ The Ridge. We ended our series, “Undercover…no more” with a focus on worship. The service was all about expressing worship in different ways. It was way different from what we normally do, but it was great. We expressed worship through music, but also scripture, prayer and communion. It was a very meaningful and focused gathering, even though it went a little longer than we intended or anticipated. Worship is something that I’m not sure any of us really grasp fully. However, I hope and pray that we have a little more perspective on it after today. Major props to John and the Creative Arts Team for their work in putting this gathering together. Great job!

Attendance was good, pretty much like last week, around 380. People are getting back and with school starting tomorrow, most folks will be back in full swing next week.

We had our Quest Group leadership orientation meeting tonight at our house. It went well. It is going to be exciting this fall, to see what God has in store for our groups. Our goal is to have 60% of our folks in groups. I pray that God would make that happen. Man, we need a Connections pastor!

I’m excited about next week as we begin a two part series called “Keep Your Fork…” Next Sunday is “vision day” @ The Ridge. Next Sunday marks 3 years ago that a group of families first met in my living room to talk about the vision for The Ridge. We had no idea what things would look like now, nor did we know what we were doing, just that God had called us to start something in this area and we weren’t to look back. It is going to be a great year and I can’t wait to see what The Lord has in store!

It’s been a super busy day. I’m gonna veg for a little while and watch some of the Olympics (which aren’t nearly as exciting now that swimming is over), then I’m going to bed!

… ’til Sunday! Tomorrow is going to be a great day @ The Ridge! I am pumped, our staff is pumped, our creative arts team is pumped! We are going to be doing something we’ve never done before. It is going to be likely the most unique worship experience most of you have ever been a part of. I believe that we will have a very personal and fresh encounter with the Lord tomorrow. You do not want to miss it. Did I mention it’s going to be different?

So, I’m watching the Olympics and Michael Phelps, aka The Machine, do his thing in the pool. Aaron Peirsol is another swimmer that is dominant in his events as well. Anyway, as these guys keep racking up the medals, I keep thinking that Aaron Peirsol reminds me of someone. Who is it? Ummm…that’s it! I’ve got it! What do you think?

Aaron Peirsol, Olympic Medalist

Shawn Lovejoy, Pastor Mountain Lake Church

I’m certain that there is a conspiracy afoot. I realize that everyone thinks that the oil companies are soaking us right now, but really the government makes more per gallon of gas in tax percentage than the oil companies profit. But, there is another aspect to this. It is what I call the “1 cent conspiracy.”

You’ve experienced it. All of us have. You want to buy $20 in gas, but no matter what you do you CANNOT stop it on $20.00 even. It will always go over to $20.01. I used to be able to stop it on the zeros, but in the last several months, I’ve noticed that I can’t, no matter how careful I am.

You say, “oh that’s silly. What is one cent anyway?” Think about it. How many cars come through a day? If most of them were to pay an extra cent, how much profit would that be? Ah Ha! They ARE soaking us! I knew it!

Conspiracy? I don’t know. On the other hand, maybe I’m just getting old and my reflexes aren’t quick enough anymore to stop the stupid pump! Just a random thought. What do you think?

Here are a few random things we are working on and planning for the fall @ The Ridge:

• This Sunday, Aug. 17th concludes our “Undercover…no more” series, with a totally fresh and unique worship gathering. You don’t want to miss it! More on that later this week.
• We need a host site for our student groups to meet on Sunday evenings. Anyone interested in hosting, should let me know.
• CONNECTION Night for our Quest Groups will be on Sunday evening, September 7th. Don’t miss out on a chance to get connected! We are taking a fresh approach to small groups that I think will give more people a chance to get involved and stay involved.
• “Keep Your Fork…” series kicks off the fall on August 24th. What’s that about? Come and see!
• August 24: All RidgeKidz & RidgeKidz Jr. will promote up to new classes! New stuff happening in these environments too!
• “Survivor Man: principles to survive financially in today’s world” series. Promises to be fun, practical and stretching. Runs through September.
• “Fireproof Your Marriage” series in October. What can you do to make your marriage better or to restore what may seem lost. We’ll also be checking out the release of the movie Fireproof from the guys who made Facing The Giants
• Community Carnival, October 25th at Kroger shopping center.
• FamJam returns! October 26th!! New, improved, and more exciting than ever!
• “UFC: Ultimate Family Challenge” series, November 2-23. A fun and unique look at families, conflicts, and God’s answers.

Well, that’s SOME of the things happening soon @ The Ridge. There is more too, so stay connected and don’t miss chances to change other people’s perspective by helping them to discover what God has for them…and you!