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the end is here

2009-10-27T22:18:00.003-04:00

All good things must come to an end. It is ok. I have never really been a blogger and there are many other things I need to focus on. Thanks to everyone who has read and commented. I will at this time remain on facebook.

thanks

I am here!

2008-12-10T12:28:00.002-05:00

Hey everyone! Sorry for the lack of writing lately. Things have been really busy and we also had a death in the family, so I have not had blogging on my mind.

We have finished two weeks of our current series at LCC: All I Want For Christmas. The first week we touched on GIFTS! Not so much getting, but giving yourself as a Gift in honor of Christ. This past Sunday we learned about PEACE! Jesus came to bring Peace to all men. Peace is not the absence of conflict, but the presence of Jesus! "To Know Peace, you must Know Christ." If you missed either message, I would encourage you to CLICK HERE and listen when you get a chance.

I received this e-mail response to the message on Peace and have received permission to share...

Hi, Brian! Just wanted to share something with you…on our prayer request card on Sunday, I put to pray for job security for Brian. We knew lay offs were coming, but not sure if he was one of those getting laid off. Yesterday we found out that they are laying off the entire company for two weeks starting Dec. 22nd. The good news is that we will get to spend an entire two weeks together…I think that will be good…ha..ha!!! Anyway, the point of all of this is because of your sermon on Sunday. As you were preaching, I knew in my heart that Brian would be laid off. Everything that you said was preparing me for how to react when the news came. We were going to have the conflict in our lives that you talked about, but we have to remember to keep Jesus in our hearts. The hardest thing for me is the worrying…I AM NOT WORRYING and that is something HUGE for me…I am a worrier! Instead I am praying. I know that God has a plan for our family, and we will be ok. He is with us and will provide us with what we need! I trust Him and have faith in Him! Your sermon was directed right at me, and prepared me for yesterday. So, thank you! Now…at first, I failed the “test” miserably! I was mad, angry, and worried. Then I started thinking about Sunday. I even pulled Sunday’s bulletin out of the trash! I shared everything with Brian, and I think it eased his mind as well! If you could keep praying for us, and especially Brian. Thanks for all you do…we are blessed to have you as our preacher!

Jamie

New Series Starts Tomorrow

2008-11-29T20:22:00.002-05:00

I am very excited about what God wants to do through the Christmas series this year. It all begins tomorrow morning at LCC. Share with us at one of our three Sunday morning worship services 8:45, 10 or 11:15. Tomorrow will also feature a special evening service - "Christmas Kick-off 08". It begins at 6 pm and will feature familiar Christmas songs, Scripture and the LCC kid's choir. If you are in town, please begin the holiday season by making worship the top priority.

Just had too!

2008-11-26T09:56:00.002-05:00

Got this picture today from Judy McConnell and just had to share it. In honor of the long-standing Thankgiving joke here at Loveland Christian Church which began with Bro. RW Baynes and continues through me!!

WOW! They just keep coming!

2008-11-26T09:54:00.001-05:00

If you didn't get a chance to be a part of this moving service on Sunday, take a listen by CLICKING HERE

Thanks Danielle Temple for sharing your testimony...

Brian,

Okay, so I have put this off long enough! I hope this comment is not perceived as jumping on the band wagon given all the comments that you have received regarding last Sunday. I, too, was completely moved with last Sunday's service. WOW! I still can't express what I felt and what I contniue to feel. It is truly a hard thing for me to admit that I am not thankful enough and take things for granite daily. The biggest impact for me came during communion. The format that it was given allowed me to COMPLETELY focus on the sacrifice made for me and to thank God like I have never thanked him before. Lastly, Philippians 4:4-7 is always a verse that speaks to me but after Sunday I have chosen to live it! God is in control now more than ever!!

Danielle

What a Sunday!!!

2008-11-25T15:17:00.002-05:00

Here is another perspective I received in my e-mail inbox concerning last Sunday...

Wanted to let you know that Sunday was one of the best Thanksgiving sermons I have heard in a long time (even though it was kind of hard to listen at times. Several others showed they are hurting as well and even more than I. Kind of puts everything into perspective). Presented very well.

Greg Miller

Testimony in Comment form

2008-11-25T13:12:00.001-05:00

The following was a comment from my last post. In case you don't read comments, I wanted everyone to read this. Thanks Dan Carter for your words and Praise God!!!

We sit in service every Sunday morning not knowing what the person sitting next to or in front of you are thinking or feeling. I think this past Sunday's service showed each of us that we need to share with the people around us what is going on in our life. Just talking about it to others helps releive the pressure that is constantly building up in us. I knew what my wife was going to say she was thankful for, but that was not the big picture for me. It was the fact that she was still here with me and able to share those feeling with others. God has blessed our lives in so many ways. From the prayers for my wife and new granddaughter from all the people at church to the encourgeing words you send out every Sunday. Our church is an awsome place to call home. Many people say that we have now completed the "circle of life". I feel that my life will be complete when I get to see my granddaughter accept the Lord into her life. I will than feel that I have indeed completed the "circle of life". Thank you for now only a great service this past Sunday, but for also helping everyone understand the importance of reaching out to others in our family.

God showed up!

2008-11-24T13:32:00.003-05:00

I received another cool e-mail this afternoon about how God moved at LCC on Sunday. I just know you will get God bumps while reading this! GOD IS SO GOOD!

Thank you for all you do for us and the Church as a whole. We really do appreciate you very much. I know I don’t tell you enough. There have been many sermons that have uplifted me more than you know. Yesterday in particular, I sat in the very back row. Something I very rarely do. A young lady sat next to me that I hadn’t seen before. The Lord was telling me to introduce myself through the whole service, so I did. I didn’t realize it at the time, but later I ran into a friend of mine at the grocery. She told me her sister had been coming to our Church for a couple of weeks and really liked it. She said everyone welcomed her and she appreciated that. Evidently she had gone to a few other Church’s in Loveland and she was just stared at when she walked in the door. As it turns out, she is my friend’s sister. I have been trying to get my friend to come to Church with me for quite a while now. Her girls did come with Kyleigh this year to VBS and they loved it!

This is just one more reason to take every opportunity when it comes along. I am really praying this will work on my friend and motivate her to join us one of these Sundays very soon.

Thanks again Brian,

Karen

God's Work

2008-11-24T10:21:00.002-05:00

I had the idea for Sunday's special service format several weeks ago and pitched it to the team. No one was really sure and it was very slow coming together. As a result, I went in to yesterday morning very unsure and a little afraid. How would people receive the service? Would the message get lost? Would I mess it up? Well, as I sit at my desk today (Monday) I realize that the very Scripture I used on Sunday "do not be anxious about anything..." I should actually practice. GOD SHOWED UP! HE REALLY MOVED! PEOPLE WERE TOUCHED! I truly believe from the comments people have shared with me, the e-mails I have received and the tears that came in every one of the 3 services, this Thanksgiving (and every day following) will be different for many folks! Thank you God for using ME!!!!

I will close with an e-mail I received this morning. I have been given permission to share...

Brian,
TOTALLY FANTABULOUS, AWESOME, TERRIFIC (I could go on and on) sermon yesterday. My grandpa died December 13th ten years ago and since the last time I saw him alive was Thanksgiving, this is a really tough time of year for me (as I'm crying typing this). As my biological father has been in prison my whole life, my grandpa was everything to me. Yesterday I was able to put my anger at him for leaving me (and possibly a little anger at God for taking him), and I can now start to have an even closer relationship with God. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being you and for being my friend.
Heidi

Thanksgiving Sunday

2008-11-23T20:45:00.002-05:00

It was a very good day at LCC. The choir not only sounded great, but they LOOKED GOOD! The red shirts really "pop". I really appreciated the amount of genuine "testimony" that was shared in all 3 services. I believe today was one of those services that will be remembered for years to come. If you missed it, you really did miss something special. Thanks to Jared for helping to create and organize each aspect. I really loved the T-giving video, it was hilarious. The special "Family Thanksgiving Feast" communion time was inspiring. Congratulations and welcome to Dennis and Millie Braun, they transferred their membership to LCC at the conclusion of second service.

I am excited to get back into the swing of the office and regular work days once again. Keep me in your prayers.

Judy, get back to work! LOL! Told you I would write it.

B. OUT!!

football and turkey

2008-11-22T21:13:00.003-05:00

Today was the first LCC Turkey Tag Football game and to make it extra special, it was a FREEZER BOWL! The solid frozen tundra known as the back field at church was the football field. Thanks to Randy Preston and Keith Wrassmann for getting the field measured out, the rules set and the teams put together. We had 11 guys show up. My team consisted of Me (duh), Keith Wrassmann, Randy Preston, Brian Isaacs & Mike Gambill. The other team was Steve Nance, his neighbor Dave, Mike Woollard, Brian Hock, Churck Middlekamp & Larry Charles. I am happy to announce not only did our team win like 9 touchdowns to 5 touchdowns but I actually intercepted the final throw of the game and ran it back for a touchdown. Whooo hoooo! All that Madden playing on PS2 finally paid off. It was cold, damp and early, but it was a load of fun. I am already looking forward to NEXT YEAR! Oh, did I mention, I can't move any of my sore and swollen muscles.?! Expect I will be preaching from a chair on the stage!

This evening was the LCC Thanksgiving Dinner at Loveland High School. What a great crowd and amazing food. It is estimated that there were about 230 people tonight! Thanks to everyone who had any part in helping to make this evening a huge success. Thanks also to Skip Hardwick who went home to be with Jesus earlier this year yet donated a gift to fund this dinner. We love and miss you Skip. Enjoy the pics below...

all good things must come to an end

2008-11-21T22:12:00.003-05:00

As I write this I am less than 2 hours from the end of my vacation. It has been a wonderful time. Thanks to everyone for your support during this needed time off. Thursday was busy as we finished up indoor projects. Jen has been working on our bedroom all week and it looks GREAT. New color, less furniture and more organization. I worked on purging lots and lots of toys. I actually threw 2 large black trash bags of broken, unused or separated toys away. I also filled one large bag to be taken to Goodwill. We are now ready for Christmas! Following Caleb's homework, we headed to Milford for a delicious dinner at the Bells. Thanks Mom and Dad, it was wonderful despite Caleb's "meltdown" which was one of the worst in recent memory. I ended my Thursday evening by watching the Bengals get beat by the Pittsburgh Steelers. During the game, Caleb actually threw up from his overeating of corn during dinner and all the emotion from his melt down. He then fell asleep in my arms while watching the game. Brian Hock also came over for the 2nd half. My boy and my neighbor helped salvage an otherwise waste of TV time!

Today I did the grocery shopping. It was fun not only shopping for our normal items but also for Thanksgiving. I can't wait until Thursday. LOVE THANKSGIVING! We have so much to be thankful for.

Tomorrow morning I will get up and take part in the first annual LCC Thanksgiving Tag Football game. Just praying I leave the game in my car and not an ambulance. LOL. Following the game, it is back to work getting ready for Sunday. BY THE WAY, SUNDAY IS GOING TO BE SOMETHING SPECIAL! Don't miss it!

B. OUT!!

Day 5 & 6

2008-11-19T23:00:00.003-05:00

Tuesday was simply Laundry day for me. I spent all day catching our laundry up. I also took kids to school and picked them up. I also made most of dinner (poppie seed chicken) YUM YUM! I did everything I could to allow jen to paint, paint, paint, paint, paint our bedroom. It looks great.

Wednesday was my outdoor day. (grunt grunt). Well, first of all, I took Lauren and we went on some errands. We went to Meijer to get stuff to make cincy chili as well as other things we needed around the home. We also stopped at Tractor Supply and Smyths to find 2-cycle engine oil. Once home, I played with Israel and Emmaus for a few minutes and then went to get gas from UDF. I mixed the gas at a 50:1 ratio to the 2-cycle engine oil and filled up my brand new, never used leaf blower. UGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! I spent the rest of today blowing leaves everywhere around the yard, the neighbors yard and off the roof and out of the gutters. I WAS DA MAN! All while making cincy chili for dinner.

The chili was YUMMMMYYY! Nothing like the smell of chili cooking all day long. Oh, I forgot to say that I also made Turtle Cookies for a mid-afternoon snack. I was da man today.

Following dinner I cleaned up the kitchen got the chili in containers to freeze and then did some odds and ends. Finally ended another great vacation day with a couple games of Madden on PS2. Now I type. Only 2 more days remain. Still tons to do. Check back tomorrow.

B. OUT!

P.S. Before I leave I must say congrats to DAN AND BRENDA CARTER! They are grandparents as of 12:30 today. Kimmy had a baby girl in Richmond Kentucky. All are doing well. Uncle Brian is very, very, very, very, very excited!

Vacation Day 3 & 4

2008-11-17T20:36:00.002-05:00

Sunday was nice. It was cold and there were actually some very light snow flakes falling. The coolest part was that I actually got to get up with my family and help get everyone ready to head to church. Due to my schedule and job, I don't ever get to experience the Sunday morning thing at our home. We left around 9:50 am to go to Bethel, Ohio and attend the Bethel Church of Christ. My father-in-law Jon Gee is an elder there. It is the church that my wife spent a lot of her growing up years attending and the church where we had our wedding. Recently they hired Dan Achsie to be their pastor. Dan actually was the guy that Loveland had agreed to call in 2002 before hiring me. It was great to worship with the church at Bethel and to hear Dan preach. It was a very nice experience. Following worship we gathered at the Gee's for some of Grandpa's yummy Cincinnati style chili. It was a big hit. Our visit also included watching the Bengals through the first half of their game.

Once we returned home, Jen had kids choir practice and I finished watching the Bengals figure out a new way to avoid a win (they tied) and hung out with the kids. The rest of the evening was a typical Sunday evening with Jen's piano lessons and the kids Screen time and popcorn then off to bed. At 9:45 or so, Brian Hock came over to play an 18 hole skins game on PS2. WOW, we were equally matched all the way. It was a fight to the finish and... well, if you want to know, ask one of us.

Monday morning began day 4. I took the kids (Caleb and Savannah) to school and then came home. Jen then took Megan (our dog) up for her $400 + operation at the Vet. Once she returned home Jen and I worked on different projects around the house until she had to leave to take Lauren to the Doctor. She has this terrible cough and noise in her lungs. He gave her an antibiotic and an inhaler. FUN STUFF!! Lauren was able to go to school. Today was special, because not only am I on vacation, but Jennifer and Brian (across the street) both had today off, so we all 4 went to a nice lunch out. It was so good. We decided to dine at Claddagh Irish Pub. I had the most amazing French Onion soup and Monti Cristo Sandwich. WOWZERS. I highly recommend eating there. The rest of the day continued with projects around the house, picking up kids, playing with kids, bath time, screen time and bed time.

OH FORGOT SOMETHING REALLY COOL ABOUT TODAY...

It snowed almost all day. Not the kind that adds up on the ground, but the kind that is so pretty falling through the sky. I think this is going to be an amazing winter for snow lovers like me!!!! Today was a vacation gift from God!

Vacations are good, even when you are home. Thanks for taking time to follow along.
God is good...all the time & All the time...God is good!

B. OUT!!

Vacation Day 2

2008-11-15T22:39:00.004-05:00

I stayed in bed until 9:20 am! Praise the Lord!!! Now don't think for a second that our kids stayed in bed, Caleb was up at the usual 7:15 am or so and Lauren followed, however, they were willing to watch TV downstairs and allow us to stay in bed. YES!

Another victory today...Caleb got a shower with me today. This is huge, because he doesn't take showers. He did a great job, I was so proud of him. That was the start of our FATHER SON DAY! The pictures are below. We went to Ace for a big sale. Went to the bank. Went to Cracker Barrel for lunch (we both ate a ton of chicken and dumplin's). We then went to Meijers and ended our time out at United Dairy Farmers. Once we got home we were promtly joined by his sister for several different games. It was a great day. Not a lot done on our projects, but great family time.

The evening was for Jen and I. It was a date night. Danielle came over to watch the kids and we got "dressed up" for the evening. Jen (Speedy Boat) and myself (Paxton Woods) were invited to a special game night murder mystery. What happens there, must stay there, but here is a hint in pictures...

Loving my vacation!

B. Out!!

Vacation Day 1

2008-11-15T00:46:00.002-05:00

It was a good day. I took Caleb and Savannah to school and then came home to get to work. First item for me was to clean out Megan's "condo" under our back porch. I got everything out, threw away the nasty stuff and then tried to level out the dirt. I then cleaned everything like new. It was time for a trip to ACE! I purchased 3 bails of straw and brought it home to fill Megan's condo for the winter. While playing with Megan I realized she had something on her stomach. It was a tumor that had burst (can you say yuck). I took her to the vet around 4 and $200 later have to take her back on Monday to find out if it is cancer, who much, what kind and possible surgery. Did not expect that one.

I played PS2 this afternoon and then went to pick up the kids from school. It was Friday, so I took them through the drive through at Sonic. Came home and played with the kids for a while. We had a family dinner at McDonald's this evening (YUMMY)! It was then off to the Doziers for Danielle's 18th birthday party. HAPPY B DAY DANIELLE!

The evening ended with a couple late night games of PS2 football with Brian Hock next door. I won the first game and he won the second. A quick check of facebook, a nice conversation with Jessica Hall and now this entry.

GOODNIGHT!
Let it snow!

B Out!!

IT HAS FINALLY ARRIVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-11-13T21:59:00.002-05:00

Vacation! Mr. B is on vacation!!! I cannot wait to enjoy every minute of the next 7 days! I will be checking e-mails, so drop me a line if you would like. I will try to blog once or twice so that you don't miss me too much (dan carter)!!

Love and prayers to you all!

Let the fun begin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

catching up. Random Thoughts

2008-11-12T21:52:00.003-05:00

Election Day...

I left church (which had 2 precincts). Looked at the church across the street which also had 3 precincts. Drove past a couple churches with voting. Went to a church to vote. I think the guy in front of me in line said it best when he looked around and said: "So much for the separation of church and state." Seriously, could we have elections without precincts meeting in churches? Interesting that when the state needs the church, they will pay for it, however, when it is not needed anymore, the church is the enemy!

One other thing hit me while I was standing in line for 1 1/2 hours to vote. I was thinking about how many cars were parked in church lots. In some cases, people left work, took a long lunch, skipped work, put family things aside, waited in traffic, drove around lots several times waiting for a spot to park, stood in long lines and missed appointments ALL TO GO TO CHURCH to vote. Sad that many of those churches will not have crowds like that again until 2012. Amazing that people will do all of these things to vote at church, yet they use the same reasons for missing church.

JUST RANDOM THOUGHTS!!!

By the way. Church, we didn't elect God out of our country. He is still in control and His promises are still true. Let's stand for HIM no matter what. America is counting on YOU!!!

Sunday at LCC

What an amazing day. The singing was totally sweet. Even though we lost our projection, we never missed a beat. The choir was rockin! The band sounded great! The applause for the men and women who serve or have served our country still gives me goose bumps. The sermon received a ton of positive feedback and thanks. Chuck Middlekamp joined the church after second service. Offering was great for the second week in a row. The veterans display in the foyer was breath-taking and very informative. The lunch at the American Legion hall was simply fabulous. Great turn out and lots of great food. Thanks to everyone who had any part in the weekend, your work did not go unnoticed.

SPECIAL THANKS...

Several people have been working around LCC. I am not going to name anyone, because I will miss someone. Thanks to ??? for painting the trim on the building. Thanks to ???? for helping remove shingles from the shelter roof. Thanks to ???? for roofing the shelter.

LOVE MY D-GROUP

We had another great meeting tonight. It is extra special because we only have one meeting left. What do I mean? Well, our (small group) has grown from 12 people to 26 people. WAY TO BIG!! We are now splitting into two groups. One will meet in Loveland and one in Maineville. Thanks to Larry Charles for stepping up to facilitate one of the groups. We split in December. It is exciting times, however, I will miss my loveland peeps!!!!!!! Now, which group will grow and need to split first? Could it be a competition? LOL!

ONE DAY!!!

Starting tomorrow evening I AM ON VACATION!!!!!!!

B. OUT!!

Past Present Future

2008-11-03T20:45:00.002-05:00

PAST:

Sunday was another of many incredible days at LCC! WOW, was God all over or what? First of all, the choir sounds GREAT! Nancy Coates and Susan Fortin hit their solo's at all 3 services, thanks for sharing your gifts with us! The band, well, WE ARE JUST SO BLESSED! We had some "glitches" with technology, sound issues and server confusion, but even in that, God was praised, and genuine worship took place. I was shocked at how full the worship center was for second service. I mean first service was good and third service was pretty full, but second was packed. I know that some of it was the fact that many people thought it was 11 and not 10, but still, it was cool. The total attendance was really great! Giving was "off the charts"! The message about the foundation of LCC really challenged and encouraged many folks! David and Julie Mock rededicated their commitment to the Lord and His church at the conclusion of the 3rd service! We were blessed to meet many new families as well as see many, many, many faces return to share with us again. Sunday school classes were full! NP-3 had 35 kids in the third service (and they got to sit in the brand new chairs)!! Finally, people were thrilled to hear that we let Holly Kern go as our Administrative Assistant and then hired her full time as our Director of Children's Ministry!!! WELCOME HOLLY! God is soooo good! I just love serving as the minister at Loveland Christian! What an awesome family of God! YOU ALL ROCK!!!!!

PRESENT:

I am totally chilled out, watching Monday Night Football, eating Halloween candy, drinking sweet tea and blogging! Does it get any better than this?

FUTURE:

Tomorrow is election day. I have remained silent about my choice and will continue to remain that way until I cast my vote tomorrow. We, as a church, and myself, as a minister have done as much as could be done to inform, teach Biblical Worldview, educate, and encourage everyone to exercise their freedom and privilege to vote first as a Christian, second as an American and finally as a "party". Remember, no matter where you sit in politics, be sure to read God's Word and pray long before you enter that booth. GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!

In conclusion, I want to share 10 points that were e-mailed to me today from Danielle Temple. She heard these given in a sermon at her mom's church in Northeast Ohio. Bottom line, no matter who wins tomorrow, these things will continue to be true:

1. The Bible will still have all the answers.
2. Prayer will still work.
3. The holy Spirit will still move.
4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.
5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.
6. There will still be singing of praise to God.
7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
8. There will still be room at the cross.
9. Jesus will still love you.
10. Jesus will still save the lost.

WOW!
B. OUT!!

One great mentor!

2008-10-25T22:56:00.004-04:00

God knew what He was doing when He sent my wife and I to Brazil, Indiana in 2000. Greg Comp was the minister there at that time. He not only became a partner in ministry and a mentor but even more so, A FRIEND! I would not be where I am in ministry today without his words, support and love. One day is not enough to spend time with this humble man of God, but I will take what I can get. I am thankful for the conference we both attended at CCU today. I appreciate talking with Greg, sharing his life and spending time in worship together. May God richly bless your ministry in Pennsylvania my brother! I love and appreciate you with all my heart. Keep living for Him! B. OUT!

Back to School

2008-10-23T22:56:00.004-04:00

In case you don't really believe me, I hope these pics will prove that I am back at CCU (it was Cincinnati Bible College and Seminary when I attended there in the late 80's). I am taking a class with Dr. Bill Bravard on Developing Leadership. I have enjoyed every moment of the class. We end on Saturday by attending the Energizing the Small Church Conference. Thanks LCC Elders for allowing me and providing for me to attend this class. Thanks to Holly Kern and Calvin Turner for going with me. Thanks to Dr. B for your hard work and great leadership.

Going to school, being a husband, being a dad, leading a growing church and all that comes with those things is hard work, but someone has to do it... LOL!!! Sleep well Brian, sleep well!

View Beyond The Pew

2008-10-23T22:46:00.002-04:00

Sunday was awesome. WOW! God is sooo cool. The worship was fantastic, the spirit was active, people were excited to be there, attendance was good, God brought brand new friends to share with us, prayers were answered, burdens were released and the entire service was particularly relevant. This N That is a great series because it allows me to speak into the very heart of where we all are here and now. If you missed it, please CLICK HERE and spend a half hour or so listening to the message. Do me a favor, if you are a Christian, please listen to this message before you vote in November. Long story short: We are disciples of Christ first, We are American's second, then and only then, do we show our "political party" colors. Don't forget, we are Ambassadors of Jesus Christ not any human, even a candidate for President of the United States of America. Live for Him. Love for Him. BE HIM to this world.

The morning was complete when Nina Cadigan came forward with her family to confess her faith in Christ and to be baptized for the forgiveness of her sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit. It was a moving moment! Congratulations Nina, I am so proud of you!!

REVIVAL AT LCC? Could be? Don't miss this Sunday as we look at FEAR in a sermon entitled "Fear Factor". This is a must before Halloween weekend arrives.

B. OUT!!

NEW SERIES STARTS THIS SUNDAY!

2008-10-15T10:22:00.002-04:00

Hope to see you at LCC!

VIEW BEYOND THE PEW

2008-10-13T08:35:00.005-04:00

"I asked for strength and God gave me difficulties to make me strong.

I asked for wisdom and God gave me problems to solve.

I asked for prosperity and God gave me brawn and brain to work.

I asked for courage and God gave me dangers to overcome.

I asked for patience and God placed me in situations where I was forced to wait.

I asked for love and God gave me troubled people to help.

I asked for favors and God gave me opportunities.

I received nothing I wanted. I received everything I needed."

I was asked to place that poem which I read on Sunday on this blog, so there you go! I also included the "endless fascination" picture. Hope you take time to just "rest" and "listen" some this week.

What a great Sunday at LCC. What a great conclusion to a really relevant and powerful series of messages. Church, make sure that you are wearing the clothes that God has called you to dress with - Colossians 3:12!

Just some things I noticed on Sunday...

The praise choir sounded great, love it when they help lead!!
The band is really something special (even with a broken bass drum)
The songs really set up the sermon perfectly (GO GOD)!
A lot of interaction during the message, thanks to everyone willing to share your struggle with patience.
More laughter than any Sunday I can recently remember.
Nice attendance considering it was a holiday weekend.
Offering was down below budget once again.
A sort-of Revival feel after sharing about the 3 baptisms from last Wednesday night.
Lots of tears and prayer!
Great testimony by Colleen Fantini following third service.
NO MORE ROOM in the foyer!!
New first time faces and new returning faces
Kurt's Care team was ON! Way to go!!

This Sunday already promises to be "over-the-top". Here are just a few reasons: a new series begins (watch this blog or the church website for details), trusting and praying that the baptismal waters to be stirring once again, the holiday weekend will be a thing of the past so we should be packed in like sardines, new faces will be lead here by God, familiar faces will return and most importantly, CHRIST WILL BE IN THIS PLACE! See you on Sunday at LCC!

B. Out!!

I am Back

2008-10-08T21:59:00.002-04:00

To Dan Carter and the other folks who read my blog, I am sorry. I never intended to stay away so long, but it is what it is.

It began with the windstorm Ike that tore through our area and left my neighborhood in the dark for some 120+hours. Once we recovered from that, it was catch up time for the week we lost. Then the Richard family stomach virus took hold off and on for another week. Finally, this week we seem to be back to some sense of normality.

I will simply "forget what is behind and press on to what is ahead..."

This whole day was totally amazing. I started two new Discipleship Bible Studies for men. One meets at the Fields Ertel Cracker Barrel at 6 am and then another one at Kidd Coffee at Twenty Mile Stand at 10:30. Same study, two different groups of men. IT ROCKED! I am really excited about what God is going to do through each of these men. Leadership? Biblical Growth? Restoration? Commitment? Only God knows and I can't wait to discover it over the next weeks and months. We studied John 1:1-4. WOW! Powerful stuff. Do you know that Jesus was with God from the beginning? Did you know that Jesus was God. Did you realize that Jesus was speaking the worlds into existence in Genesis? Do you realize that Jesus is THE WORD! That Word is the light of men and true Life! We also discovered that each of us will someday be judged by God, but according to the standard of THAT WORD!

Tonight was my weekly D-group. Man, our small group (LOL) has really swelled into a middle sized group. We had a house full tonight. I think we run between 20-25 now. I know, I know, that is not right. We need to split. Actually, we all know that and "feel" that. It is cool how God is going to make that happen so easily right before our eyes. Anyway, our group experienced a EARLY ACTS CHURCH MOMENT tonight. Three individual from our group (all 3 having gone through a discipleship and baptism study) humbled themselves and was immersed into Christ tonight. We left our study at my house, picked up kids at childcare, went into the worship center, was joined by our Student Ministry (who happened to be in the building) and experienced spiritual death and new life! It was sweet. When all was said and done there must have been 50 people in the worship center. We raised the roof in celebration, it was awesome. Revival? maybe? The Church through the power of the Spirit, OH YEAH!

Congrats to Colleen Fantini, Gene Hatmaker and Larry Charles! The angels in heaven are still rejoicing!
Who is next? I know many folks have studied and just simply need to walk in faith and "take the plunge". Comment, e-mail, facebook, myspace, call me, stop by the office, ANYTHING!!!

We then gathered in the foyer for a good ole fashion afterglow complete with snacks, hugs and fellowship. It simply rocked. God must be pleased!

I LOVE MY D GROUP! I LOVE MY CHURCH! I LOVE MY LORD! I LOVE BEING A PASTOR! I LOVE BLOGGING ONCE AGAIN!

B. OUT!!
Brian