E-mail I sent out today

Thought you might be interested in seeing an e-mail I sent out to a bunch of people today.                               

Well the first thing you might be noticing is that this isn't a cool looking professionally done e-mail.  That is on purpose.  I am not in a cool looking professional e-mail mood.  I didn't have Sheri edit it either so, any typos I claim completely!

It has been a crazy few weeks.  We have definitely been through a lot these past few weeks.  It has been at times stressful but God is faithful.  We have had a few bumps along the way with misunderstanding with other existing churches, but we have tried to remain faithful. 

God has done some big things for us this week.  In have in my possession 10 Tickle Me Elmo Xtreme dolls.  They are (as of now) the biggest and hardest Christmas gift to find this holiday season.  We are going to try to have some creative giveaways to let people know who we are.  We are very excited about this!

I have been making a relationship with the manager of KB toys here in Lakeland.  Along the way I have also been able to connect with many of her employees as well.  The other night while I was talking to her, she told me that if we had any information about our church, we could give it to her and she would put one in every bag when people purchased something.  I was blown away, I asked her if I could get her something for Black Friday to pass out that day and she said yes.  They are so busy on that day, that they have bouncers at the front door, and can only let so many people in the door at a time because of fire codes.  Read this carefully. EVERY PERSON WHO PURCHASES ANYTHING FROM THAT STORE WILL GET SOMETHING FROM JOURNEY CHURCH!  Thousands of people will be getting information about our church!  What an awesome opportunity for us.

On Black Friday we also have the opportunity to pass out FREE Starbucks coffee to everyone waiting in line at Sears, as well as KB toys.  It is going to be a busy day since we have to be there around 4:00 am to get everything set up.  But what a great opportunity to serve our community on a cold November morning.  That afternoon we are also going to "cater" lunch in for all the employees at KB toy store, Sears, and Starbucks.  It is going to be a stressful day for them too dealing with customers so we want to serve them as well. 

If you are going to be i the area on Black Friday, we need smiling faces to help pass out coffee, Will you help?

We have another busy week coming up next week too.  I am sure you do as well with traveling for Thanksgiving.  Will you do me a favor?  Will you take time next week to pray for Journey Church?  Well scrap that, pray for us everyday til next week.  We need your prayers badly, we need the power of God to be there on Black Friday to help us be a blessing to the shoppers and not just another obstacle for them to have to shop around.  We need God to open doors for us to connect relationally with people so we can see how we can better serve them.  We simply as I said before need God's power and presence to show up. 

As I sat on my back porch this morning sipping my hot tea while Tanner (my dog) sniffed around the yard.  I thought about the people in Lakeland.  My heart broke for them again.  I starting sobbing.  There are so many people in Lakeland who need God, so many people who don't need a new mega-church  but need a relationship with the Loving Father.  I am broken by the broken families and broken marriages.  I know only God can fix these issues, we need more people to carry his message.  Today i am weeping for Lakeland.  If you are doing the same, I ask you to move here and help us do something about the brokenness.  If you are weeping for your community, then I ask you to do something to impact those who are hurting in your community.  My heart is simple.....REACH LAKELAND FOR CHRIST.  As I said before no fancy e-mails to do that.  Simply love. 

God please help us to LOVE the communities we are in.  Make us missionaries.  Let us see the needs of others and then meet them.  Let us mow yards, fix meals, listen to hurting people, or do whatever it takes to love people in Your name.  God thanks for my burden for Lakeland.  Make it stronger.  Make we weep more often.  Lord break me for my community.  Use me Lord, Use me!