J.R. Lee

Never apologize for empowering people!  I have met very few individuals (there will always be that occasional 43 year old man who lives at his parents house and plays XBox 360 all day), who do not want to be part of something bigger than them.

George Bernard Shaw wrote about his desire to be empowered to live life when he wrote:

This is true joy in life:  being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one…Being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy…”

Make it your goal to call out the potential that exists in those you influence.  God didn’t make a mistake when He created them and He didn’t make a mistake when He created you!

For all the Church Planters and leadership types who read this blog – this one is for you…

Perry Noble has been very influential in my life over the past three years.  When he told me they were doing a leadership conference at Newspring – I knew it would be a can’t miss event!

It’s one day…six speakers…and only $99 until Friday!

Mark Driscoll
Jud Wilhite
Judah Smith
Francis Chan
Steven Furtick
Perry Noble

I know Pastors Steven and Perry very well and the two of them alone make this thing worth your time.  I met Pastor Jud last year in Vegas and he is the real deal!  I could go on and on.  Bottom line – don’t miss this thing.  sign up now and I will see you there.

So…get registered…and we will see you on September 16th!

I received a great email a few weeks ago from a lady at Freedom. I wanted to pass it along. It’s a great reminder.

Pastor JR,
Message today was right on. I want to share my story about giving…I have been a tither (10%) since I accepted Christ in 1955 – even though I had three small children and lost my husband only 1 1/2 month’s after I accepted Christ.  I have never become wealthy, but my needs have always been met. When I get my Social Security and retirement checks, the tithe comes out first.
If we put God first in our finances, he promises to meet our needs. Maybe not all our wants, but all our needs. It just seems to make the rest of the money’s go further. At least that is what I have found to be true over 54 years of trusting the Lord. Mal 3:10 says, Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there may be food in my house, and test me now with this, says the Lord, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.  This is the message I heard back then and it hasn’t changed over the years. God is faithful to His word. When things get tough, He always has made a way, it would be hard to not trust Him after over 54 years of His being faithful to His word.  He always has been and He always will be.

Stephen King gave great advice in his book On Writing:

“If God gives you something you can do, why in God’s name wouldn’t you do it?”

God knew what He was doing when He gave you gifts and talents.  Don’t be afraid to use them.