J.R. Lee

The time has come!  For the entire month of February we are going to be baring it all at Freedom Church!

I have been excited about this series for over 3 months and now it’s officially time to begin.

Feb. 1 – Sometimes, I’m not who you think I am.  Two big surprises this week, 1 that you won’t see again.
Feb. 8 – Sometimes, I don’t really like Christians.
Feb. 15 – Sometimes, I am scared to death.
Feb. 22 – Sometimes, I want to look at naked women.

This is a great opportunity for you to get your friends or family in the house.  See you Sunday!

(By the way, MANY of you have been asking for more invite cards – if you need them let us know here.)

Crazy day planned today…

1. Message Prep – Thursday AM usually consists of finalizing Sunday’s message and getting the message 7-9 weeks out close to completion.  I have a really weird system.
2. Easter Prep: Both the Egg Drop and what happens on Sunday will be insane!
3. Walking through the logistics of adding an additional worship experience.
4. Phone Appt w/ a mentor of mine.
5. Big Picture Meeting
6. Thrive Prep.  (Once a month leadership training for all partners of Freedom Church)
7. ESPN Zone tonight with a bunch of guys.  Much fun.

Blogging has been one of the greatest things that I have done over the past couple years. For one, I have met a lot of people that I wouldn’t otherwise have had the opportunity to meet.

But…

Blogging has been one of the worst things that I have done over the past couple years.  Reading what God is doing all over the country is one of the highlights of my week, but if I am not VERY careful, it can be a little discouraging as well.

• “My church has ______ on Easter, but _____ church had _________.
• “My church has seen X amount of people accept Christ, but ____ church has seen twice that amount.
• “My church had _______ at our 1 Yr Anniv., but _______ church had _______.

It’s pretty easy to get caught up in the comparison game and become ungrateful for what God is doing in you/your church/business/etc., because you are so caught up in what God is doing in them/their church/business/etc. It’s a dangerous cycle – one we must break.

• What is God doing in you?
• What about your ministry speaks to the greatness of God?

Find the answer and celebrate!  Be grateful for what God is doing – if not – that blessing that we take for granted could easily become a curse.

• Sunday was our best day yet!
• Even though we tripled our seating capacity by making the move to Barber just one month ago – today’s staff meeting topic – adding another worship experience to the mix.  Soon.
• The step team we brought in did a great job!  We haven’t seen the last of them
• It’s hard to believe we have been in existence for 1 Year.  Crazy.
• After Sunday, we have now seen between 90-100 people experience life in Christ – in year 1!
• Word of the day:  Gratitude.  I am so grateful for what God has done, is doing, and will continue to do as we advance into our 2nd year of ministry in Acworth, GA.
• I loved the fact that very few people came alone on Sunday.  It was good to be repeatedly introduced to your friends and family who had been invited to Freedom Church.  Great job! Keep it up!
• WE BARE ALL is already getting a lot of attention.  I’ve heard some crazy stories from people giving out the invite cards.  Love it!
• I bought something yesterday for the message on Sunday.  Your one and only chance to see it is on Sunday morning.  After that, the item goes into retirement – forever.
• 2009 is going to be an unbelievable year!
• See you Sunday!  Don’t be late!

GREAT day on Sunday – I’ll write more about that later.  Until then, just know that beginning Sunday – the series I have been looking forward to more than any other up to this point will officially begin.

We have a few surprises for you – that you do not want to miss.  One of which, you will probably never see again at Freedom Church.  It’s going to be a blast!