I’m getting very, very excited about our topic this weekend.
After working out this morning at the gym I was getting ready and thinking about the upcoming talk.
I’ve studied the content of the message many times before and my mindset was this: How will I present this information that I believe?
God spoke to my heart and said:
Don’t think as much about the PRESENTATION, but let’s take another look at what you believe…
It’s an interesting twist on a subject that I’m so comfortable with theologically. Yet, God really challenged me to continue to be a learner, even when it’s a topic that I’ve been passionate about for a long time.
I am SO PUMPED about all that God is doing at Keystone! The lives being changed forever, the relationships brought back together by God, the Godward momentum is CONTAGIOUS.
Back in June, I went away for a few days to get with God and envision Keystone over the next 18 months… Then, in July, the staff ‘got away’ for a few days to join me in that vision. THIS SUNDAY, we will share part of that vision with Keystone… here’s a PREVIEW:
Here’s a brief RECAP of all that God is doing at Keystone…
YOU ASKED FOR IT is going great! After addressing ‘How to stop habitual sin’ and ‘How do I know God’s plan’… this weekend we talked about ‘How could a loving and powerful God allow suffering and evil?’
Highlights from the weekend talk: *Suffering is a sign-post for sin; *Sin attacks everything that’s alive; *God is honest about suffering, he doesn’t run from this hard topic; *There is purpose in the pain
TONS of new volunteers are signing up to volunteer like never before… we’re preparing ourselves for the hundreds of new lives and stories God will bring to Keystone this Fall
KID’S CELEBRATE 08…unbelievable!!! Over 300 people showed up for a night of kid’s worship. The team pulled of another amazing event. Also, the kids who sang, danced, and worshipped were INCREDIBLE. A couple pics below…
All throughout the Bible there is a LASER FOCUS on the mission of mankind: Do war against the broken, sinful world through the power of God that makes all things NEW. That’s the mission – take the broken, burnt places and renew them through the power of Jesus Christ. That’s why we celebrate changed lives at Keystone… we’re fulfilling the mission launched with the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We’re embodying the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham in Genesis 12.
This weekend, we had the opportunity to see the power of confession that leads to changed lives. Check out this video, and share it with someone who would be encouraged by it. ”Facebook” it, blog it, email it… whatever it takes to share the message that God wants to BURN our sin and give us new life!!!
At least 20 people became Christ Followers in our 3 services (Sunday I asked those who wanted to invite Christ in their lives to raise their hand… The hands went up very, very quick and there may have been more than 20)
We launched our new series, YOU ASKED FOR IT, and we had the most moving conclusion to any talk I have ever led at Keystone… We provided everyone with red cards and I asked Keystone to write their sins on the card. LITERALLY over 400 adults left their seats and dropped their cards into trash cans we stationed throughout the room… they left their sin in the room. Video coming soon!
We had a Baptism Celebration at Lake Grapevine… our first ever. It was HOT (107 degrees). While 150+ RSVP’d, we actually had 250+! MAJOR PROPS to the team & staff that organized this event – it was incredible. My last count we actually baptized 19 people!!! Oh yeah, AND we burned the cards! Video coming soon!
At the end of the night (late) Susan, Brian, and I were reflecting on the day. Brian had a great comment. He said, “Three years ago we would have dreamed of a weekend like this.” What incredible insight.
I love this church… tell your friends about all that God is doing in your life and at Keystone.
More coming this week!!!
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You are currently browsing the Brandon Thomas weblog archives for the month August, 2008.
