J.R. Lee

Short and sweet.  This is a powerful series.  Pray that God would do what only God can do this Sunday and do your part by bringing as many people with you as you possibly can!

We are expecting a ton of guests Sunday so we are making room for them.  We’re opening up additional seats at 11:00 and I also need some of you to make the switch to 9:30.  God is bringing us a ton of new people every single week.  Let’s make room.

NEWCOMERS LUNCH: This is one of my favorite things that we do!  After both Worship Experiences we will be hosting anyone who is relatively new to Freedom, never been to Newcomers in the past, or is just interested in learning more about the vision God has given us.  We hook you up with free food, free childcare, and you hook us up with your presence.  Immediately following both the 9:30 and 11:00.

I knew that this was going to be a powerful series before it ever began. Here is an email I received on Sunday afternoon…

Pastor,

I was looking for you after the service to give you a big hug and to thank you for helping set me free.  I was able to forgive all those who have hurt me since my childhood. Funny thing is I did not know I had all this baggage because I had buried it so deep.  After the worship experience this morning God enabled me to let them go and I feel as if something huge has been lifted from me.  I have been set free I am now a new person!  I let my Mother, Step Father, Step Mother, Father, and even My husbands mistress.  I forgave them Pastor and I am the one who has been set free. Thank you soooo much.

That was just one email I have received already (I am writing this on Monday).  The next 2 weeks are going to be extremely powerful as well.  Join me in praying that God would do what only He can do.

• Devin and I have been married for 9 years today!  We have lived in 3 houses, resided in 3 states, worked at 3 churches, and had 3 incredible kids.  I am SO grateful to be married to her.  I am proud of the fact that after 9 years our relationship is stronger than it has ever been.  My goal is that every year we will be able to say the exact same thing.
• Sunday was a powerful day!  Grateful to hear what God is doing in the hearts and lives of people as a result!
• Devin and I took London to the fair on Friday night.  She had a blast!  She is the most adventurous 4 yr. old girl that has ever walked the earth.  Seriously.
• I have been praying that God would continue to show me the steps we need to take in order to move to the next level as a church.  A few things became clear.  One was a full time position we needed to add (Children’s Pastor) and another had everything to do with me personally.  Pray that I will consistently obey as God shows me the steps I need to take.
• By the way, welcome Ben Fowlkes as our new Children’s Pastor!  I CAN’T WAIT for you to see and experience what is getting ready to happen in Freedom Kidz and at Freedom Church!
• The U beat Oklahoma this past Saturday.  Love this group of players and the coaching staff that Randy Shannon has put together.  Great job guys!
• Our Block Party is going to be a ton of fun.  Excited to hear what everyone else is doing as well!
• I know that a couple people are having 2 parties because they didn’t have enough room to invite everyone the first time.  40+ people turned out for one in particular and apparently they partied til well past 11PM
• We are freeing up a bunch of seats at 11:00 this week to make room for even more first time guests, etc.  You can help us do even more by coming to 9:30 instead.
• This coming Sunday will be one of the most liberating days we have ever had at Freedom Church!  I am praying that God would do what only He can do in the hearts of people.  Invite and bring people with you!  Going to be a powerful Sunday!

Sometimes I think that I am just one of many workers in God’s life that He has employed to carry out His work.  It’s not a very healthy way to think – not to mention the fact that it’s far from accurate.

Isaiah 64:4:   Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.

Actually, God is actually LOOKING  for opportunities to work on behalf of those who trust Him.

2 Chronicles 16:9:   For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war.”

Those “insurmountable” obstacles that stand in the way  don’t seem quite as large when I realize that God is the one working on my behalf as I seek to honor Him.   Not only that, but He continues working through the night.  Every night.

Psalm 121:2-3:  My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.  He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber;

Marc Andreessen made history at Netscape several years ago.  In an interview he did for the book Mavericks at Work he made a comment that has some sticking power.  He calls it the Rule of Crappy People.

There are good people and there are great people.  Great people tend to hire other great people, because that’s who they want to work with.  But good people tend to hire people who aren’t so good.  They don’t want to manage people who are smarter than they are.  So over time, unless you’re tough and disciplined, the talent level in the company declines to the lowest common denominator, and you wind up with lots of crappy people.  It’s a disaster.

Surround yourself with high capacity people.  If you’re not willing or are too intimidated to do so than you are closer to succumbing to the above-mentioned rule than you might think.