Sunday reflections

7 is God’s number of perfection, and today’s 7 CLC worship experiences were just about that wonderful!

Before I give that summary, let me just say that Marilyn Hickey is perhaps the most gracious, down-to-earth, genuine Christian that we’ve ever had as a ministry guest at CLC!  I must admit to being a little nervous going into the weekend, since I had never met her and she is a TV “personality” – but I could not have been more impressed with this amazing 79-year-old lady who is still going strong with the gospel.

What was most impressive to me was not her public persona or her teaching gift, which was so obvious today, but the behind-the-scenes Marilyn, who went to extra-efforts to witness to our Ecuadorean waiter in the restaurant yesterday, making sure that he understood the gospel in Spanish…..or her decision to go on FaceBook so she could reach out to more people with the Word…..or the text messages she sent & received with several Muslim friends back in Denver that she is winning through her friendship.  I’m simply saying, she is the real deal, who embodies Titus 2:9-10 by making the gospel more attractive by everything she does.  I’m so thankful for the impartation she left at CLC today – may her tribe increase!

Now my thoughts about those 7 worship experiences:

1.  8am, Tinley Park: Marilyn used the life of Joseph to teach us 3 Greek words for wisdom: the ‘big picture’ of God’s plan for our life; the ‘how-to’ accomplish it, which is a process; and the ‘networking’ of people & circumstances that God brings into our life to fulfill that vision.  Awesome!

2. 9:30am, Tinley Park: she used the life of David to illustrate those same principles.  I think I’ll always remember Ziklag, the place of “overwhelming despair” – you must get this podcast!

3.  11:30am, Tinley Park: she helped us see those same principles in the life of Esther.  Wonderful!  (Special props to Zack Derbas – I’m sure leading worship in Jon’s absence, with Marilyn Hickey on the front row would create some anxiety for anyone – but he led us into the Presence of the Lord each service.  We’ve got an awesome group coming up in this next generation!)

4.  South Bend: Pastor Doug reports a fun & exciting day, with 5 babies dedicated, 2 baptized in water, great worship, communion, and several guests in the house!  God is at work at CLC-SB!

5.  Shorewood: Pastor Dan was excited about their Family service with great worship, 7 babies dedicated, 5 baptisms, prayer over all their returning students & a good response to the message!

6.  Lisle: today was the day we moved into the Hyatt (our new home in Lisle), and Pastor Eric said it was an incredible day of their teams all pulling together to make a ’mobile church’ happen.  The unity and anticipation is obvious – good reports all the way around in preparation for the grand opening on September 12!

7.  Centro de Vida Cristiana - Pastor Jaime had my favorite report about a great service where he preached about intimacy with the Lord, and 3 people gave their life to the Lord! Gloria a Dios!

Speaking of people coming to the Lord, our online services resulted in at least 2 people who prayed to receive Christ, and they’re both from the south suburbs!  I also met other first-time families in the lobby today whose only contact with us was through the live-stream – praise God for the technology that’s helping us reach beyond our 16 walls (4 walls x 4 campuses)!

That’s what I’d call a good day!

Sunday reflections

The fourth Sunday of August is now history…..where has 2010 gone?  Here are my random thoughts around CLC today:

• At the Tinley Park campus, I don’t know when we’ve had so much on the service schedule: Family Sunday with the children in the auditorium; youth-led songs in the worship set; special prayer for ALL students, teachers, administrative personnel, bus drivers – literally everyone involved in the educational system from Kindergarten thru Grad school; 3 water baptisms; 3 babies dedicated; and a special video testimony from Jason Tirado – whew!  All in all, I think I had about 20 minutes to preach & a few more minutes for the altar invitation – but glory to God, we not only got it all done, but we also saw people pray to receive Christ in every service, including what must have been about a dozen people in the 9:30 service!  THAT NEVER GETS OLD!

• I do apologize for those who came expecting to receive Communion today – it was on the agenda, but we just ran out of time in each service and the last thing I want to do as a pastor is ‘rush’ that very sacred time around the table of the Lord – so we postponed it for another time when we can give it proper priority.

• Some of you enjoyed my “rattlesnake prayer” and asked for a copy – so here it is.

• My wife ministered at the South Bend campus today with Pastors Doug & Shanna Neal, and they reported a FUN time in the house today.  (Chris always outdoes me when it comes to visual aids & object lessons, but I guess she outdid herself by adding congregational dramatization, dance, passed out nickels to everyone in attendance, had pictures of the straying sheep/dog named Pedro, and even used a marker board for a brainstorming session with the people as they looked at the Luke 15 stories!) From what I heard laughter filled the house….and then the Holy Spirit came!

• Our Lisle campus had their final Sunday service at the small, historic building in downtown Lisle as they move next week to the new launch site inside the Lisle Hyatt – and finished with a bang to a packed house of excited folks, including some new musicians & other new guests who are excited to be in on the ground floor of our newest campus!

• Pastor Dan told me our Shorewood campus had a strong attendance today, and just as importantly, a strong Presence of the Lord in worship and another great response to the message!

• At our Hispanic campus this afternoon, Pastor Jaime was excited about several new guests, including some long-time friends of his who came & brought others with them!

• Our Media Director, Eduardo Marroquin reports that our livestream was attended by people from 14 different states today, and most importantly, we had 2 online viewers who prayed to receive Christ!  (We’re working to follow-up with these folks just as we do our new believers locally – redeeming technology for the Kingdom!)

• And of course, today was our annual All-Church PICNIC and we had representation from every campus for a terrific afternoon of food and a variety of activities for the entire family.  Fellowship is actually a Biblical concept and the first-century Church set the pace by eating together often – I don’t know if we’ve got the ‘often’ part down, but I do know that we ate A LOT today, from burgers & dogs, to ribs & chicken and of course, the annual CLC Baking contest…..which I helped to judge (I know, I know; it’s just one of those necessary sacrifices for the sake of the ministry).  Of course, there were balloon-tosses and egg tosses and 3-legged races and more – but my FAVORITE part is just watching our CLC family interact together – red & yellow, black & white – you all are precious in HIS sight, and in mine!  (special thanks to Neesha Stringfellow & her entire team for ALL the hours of work pulling it off!)

Enjoy a few pics from the picnic-

Sunday reflections

I’ve heard that 2010 is the hottest summer on record in Chicago, and I believe it. I’m staying inside with the A/C and I’m writing this from the couch, where I collapsed after 3 services & a newcomer’s reception and have hardly moved since.  Here’s my reflections on another Sunday at CLC:

• I’m out of practice hosting a service! It dawned on me during the last service that I had not mentioned ‘connection cards’ in the first 2 services, or even welcomed newcomer’s to the service – uh, oh, not sure how that’s going to affect guest follow-up this Monday!  (Glad Pastors Jim & Cheri will be back next week!)

• I miss my wife! Usually when she’s not in Tinley with me, it’s because she’s ministering at one of our other campuses….but today she’s in MI for the open house of her only nephew before he heads off to college, and I’m ready to see her again!

• Today in Tinley felt like a whole church full of Filipino’s who decreed, “I be the one!” (except for the clean your house part – I definitely sensed a drop-off in that commitment) – fun times!

• Someone told me as they watched the sermon skit, THEY wanted to jump up & say, “How can I make a difference?  I’m only one person.  Besides, what does it matter if I witness anyway?”

• Excited about at least 4 people who prayed to receive Christ today!  (Met Torin at Newcomer’s reception – he prayed the prayer last week & is excited about growing in Christ!  Gotta love it!)

• Pastor Dan reports from Shorewood today, another good response to the ONE message and that “surely” the Presence of the Lord was in the house!

• At the Lisle campus, Pastor Eric said one of their first-time guests said, “I never literally felt God before…this day has changed my life!” It feels like the launch team is ‘peaking’ at just the right time, with great momentum going into our Grand Opening there on September 12.  Join me in praying for those postcards arriving in homes this week!

• Our South Bend campus enjoyed ministry from Pastor Shanna’s brother, Stephen, today, and Pastor Doug called it an “amazing service” and great connections with some brand-new families!

• Didn’t you enjoy the testimony from Cesar Giron of our Hispanic campus today?  Kudos to our Media team and special “gracias” to Cesar for sharing his story….who knew that Facebook could be an answer to someone’s prayer?

• MAJOR PROPS to the entire leadership team for Destiny Youth Camp 2010: Pastors Jim & Cheri, Directors Sam & Taylor Hamstra, Tony & Lauren Oliva, Brent & Sol, and leaders like Nathaniel Hernandez, Nicholas Ruffin, Shaun Thomas, Kristen Yoder, Jen McQuay, Terrell Wilson, Linell Muse, Zack Derbas, Dennis Debrie, Demetrious Shaw, and probably several others whose names escape me just now – Camp was a BIG success and someone said every student is coming home different!  Thanks to each of you for the sacrificial gift of love & service!

Stay cool!

Sunday reflections

Whew….it’s been a loooooooong day….but good stuff all around CLC:

• it was GREAT being home again at the Tinley Park campus – I miss you guys when I’m away!

• However, the vacation has affected my stamina (or just made me soft), ’cause I was running on fumes by the last service!

• Seeing at least 8 people pray to receive Christ (and another baptized in water) made it a good day (never gets old!)

• Pastor Dan Johnson gave a glowing report from Shorewood, where he says there is a real urgency within the congregation to share their faith with others, thanks to the “ONE!” series.

• Speaking of ONE!, how ’bout those video testimonies?  (I loved Carole’s story from Lisle today!)

• In South Bend, Pastor Doug also reports a great service and great reception to some practical tools for personal evangelism.

• At our Spanish service, Pastor Jaime said the presence of the Lord was Great!

• Pastor Eric told me the Lisle service saw several returning guests today, including one family that was told to check out CLC because “that’s the church that helps people”! GET THIS: the person who made that statement to invite them has never attended – but that’s the reputation in the community!  May it be so for every CLC campus!

• I heard from Pastor Herley at our Philippines campus that 24 people prayed to receive Christ in their 2 services today!  Not only that, but their youth team just returned from a visit to Cagayan de Oro (a city several hours from Davao) where they sparked a real revival among the youth of that city!  (Gotta love what God is doing in the Philippines & so thankful that CLC is playing a part there!)

• Our Media Director tells me we had some folks from Jamaica online today who watched at least 2.5 hours worth of our services – Jamaica, mon! Amazing what technology enables us to do today!!!

• got a report tonight from a young lady we prayed for today – she went to the doctor after service but was already free of pain & hearing normally (couldn’t hear from one ear at all before service!)

I spent the last 4+ hours at a wonderful 50th birthday celebration for one of our elders, Dr. Yomi Akintorin and I gotta tell you: Nigerians know how to par-tay! I thoroughly enjoyed the festivities, but I snuck out before they were finished because I’m done – my bed is calling me NOW!

Alaska, Day 7 / Sunday reflections

Gotta be honest: it felt strange to not be in church anywhere today!  (I think that’s probably a good thing)

We spent most all day getting acclimated to the ship, figuring out where things are & how life works on a cruise ship, so I didn’t get a chance to take many pictures (and couldn’t get internet access until a few minutes ago) – but just a short while ago we sailed into a bay that gave us a look at Hubbard Glacier, which I think is one of the largest we’ll see up here.

I’ve tried for the past 15 minutes to upload a few pics for you, but the internet access here is NOT what we’re accustomed to at home, and it’s just not cooperating – sorry.

What I’m NOT sorry about is the WONDERFUL reports I received from 3 campuses today:

• Pastor Doug says the whole service in South Bend was incredible, with a strong attendance and one person baptized in the Holy Spirit at the close of their service (and plans for at least 3 water baptisms next week!)

• At the Tinley Park campus, Pastor Jim reports wonderful worship & response to the preaching, with at least 5 people who committed their lives to Christ today!  (That not only NEVER gets old, but I especially love that it happens when I’m away!)

• AND our Lisle Campus set a new attendance record of 122 today, six weeks before our official launch there…..I’d say they’re building momentum at just the right time!

I didn’t hear from Pastor Dan or Pastor Jaime today (and I have no cell service presently to contact them), so if you attended the services at Shorewood or at Centro da Vida Christiana, please let us know how things were by commenting below.  Thanks!

Hopefully I’ll be able to upload more pics tomorrow. Thanks again, CLC, for making this vacation possible!

Sunday reflections

Today was, hmmm, how shall I say it….interesting at CLC-Tinley.  Here’s my reflections on the day:

• After 20 years of my beans & cornbread kind of preaching, we tasted a real theologian in Dr. Daniel Juster (the leading Messianic theologian in the world, at that), and I could tell from the looks of some CLCers that it was a LOT to digest. (I’d say you got a few credit-hours from each Bible college in the world today!)
• It will probably get better if you go through the CD’s or podcasts (they’ll be up here later this week) slowly, with your Bible in hand, to see the passages he was referring to for the various points of each message.
• Best of all (from my perspective), his teachings boiled down to 3 applications for us at CLC that exactly match what the Lord has already put into my spirit: (1) Evangelize our local area and get involved in missions to reach the Nations with the gospel; (2) Stand with Israel through prayer & financial partnership with ministries of integrity that are being fruit in reaching Jewish people with the gospel; (3) Pray for & support the efforts of those reaching Muslims with the gospel.  At CLC, we’re committed to all 3 of these strategies!
• Pastor Doug says our South Bend campus enjoyed an awesome service today, with great worship & exhortation from Shanna as well as his message which he said was difficult to preach but still well-received!
• At the Lisle campus today Pastor Eric reports a visit from Missionaries Ken & Cris Sandberg and my wife’s message about “Kingdom Perspective” that was both challenging & encouraging. He was also excited by a report from his wife that Kidstown there is growing both numerically & spiritually.  They’re getting geared-up for the OFFICIAL LAUNCH on September 12!
• The Shorewood campus enjoyed their annual picnic today, but not before what Pastor Dan described as “awesome” worship & a good response to his message on prayer.  New momentum there, for which we’re all thankful!
• Pastor Jaime Flores was back from Peru to minister at our Hispanic service for the first time in three weeks, and he says it was “GOOD” to be back!

Tonight’s ‘Encounter’ service was sparsely attended, probably because we did a poor job of promoting/informing people of the every-other-month observance, but Patty Juster shared some prophetic insights and we had a great time worshipping around the “table of the Lord’ in communion – mark your calendar for the last Sunday in September & plan to join us!

OH, one last thing: if today’s messages stirred a desire for you to join our trip to Israel this November, it’s NOT too late – just click here and go to the missions tab for all the info.

That’s it for this Sunday….still got some packing to do before bedtime and an early trip to O’Hare tomorrow.  Later-

Sunday reflections

First day back in the saddle after a 2-week vacation…..where to begin?

• amazing that ALL that rest didn’t build up stamina….I was running on fumes in the 11:30 service, and since the Membership class I’ve been pretty much worthless on the couch…
• enjoyed praying with folks in the altar during worship today…especially with the new CLCer who came up because she’s in “constant pain” yet returned to her chair with “no pain whatsoever”!  Nothing like seeing people experience the reality of the Holy Spirit for hte first time!
• Heard some wonderful reports of generous CLCers who stepped up big-time to help our students to be able to attend Youth Camp – including one family who provided sponsorship for 3 teens!
• Favorite hallway conversation today was with 3 adults I met for the first time, but who said they’ve heard me preach at least 10 times via the internet, which is how they first heard of CLC, and they’ve worshipped with us physically for the last few weeks!
• Speaking of the web, our Media Director told me there is a real & growing sense of community during the live-stream services, with CLCers connecting with virtual guests, praying together, etc. – wonder what the Apostle Paul would think about internet church? I love it!
• At our South Bend campus, Pastor Doug gave a glowing report of their service, with sense of congregation being lifted to a new place in God!
• Pastor Dan says the Shorewood service today was ‘awesome’ and he’s sensing real momentum building with Pastors Steve & Shae Wasmundt leading worship there.
• At the Lisle campus, my favorite report from Pastor Eric had to do with one of their members who came early for coffee 2 Sundays ago, where he met one of the elderly members from the traditional service.  In conversation, he learned that she needed healing, and also that she had not painted since her husband died 20 years ago – so he prayed both for healing & that her passion for painting would return.  She called Eric this week and said, “I don’t know what he did, but I felt something change in me when he prayed…..and I haven’t felt this good in years!” She also painted a picture for him as a gift – the first time she’s painted in 20 years! Love it when God uses ordinary folks like us to do extra-ordinary things!!!
• Pastor Herley in the Philippines reports that 7 new visitors came forward to receive Christ in their service this morning!
• He is also requesting our prayers for his son, Joel, the Youth Pastor there in Davao, who is hospitalized with dengue fever.  This can be quite serious, so please join me in praying for God’s complete healing.

On that note, I’ll close – thanks in advance for your prayers.  Think I’ve got time for one TiVo show before my bed calls-

Sunday reflections

Today was one of the lowest-attended Sundays at CLC in the past several years – I guess it was a combination of vacation travel, baseball tournaments, sickness, and even the World Cup!  At any rate, still several things to be thankful for:

• in Tinley Park, the low attendance didn’t seem to bother the Holy Spirit, as there was a wonderful atmosphere of worship & prayer…..lots of heartfelt testimonies in the lobby about the message being timely & personal…..and we had at least 7 people pray to receive Christ – that never gets old!
• Excited about Backyard Bible Clubs…..still wondering if God will use them to open a door of ministry in some of our neighborhoods.  If you’re interested in hosting or helping with you, please click here or call the office – and plan to attend the orientation on July 13!
• Thankful for the response to help sponsor students for our Youth Camp – if you want to make a donation to help change a teen’s life, click here or visit the kiosk at the Media booth or just designate an offering any Sunday through July 25.
• Speaking of July 25, mark your calendar and don’t let ANYTHING keep you away from CLC that day, when our 20th Anniversary Celebration continues with our primary partner in the Land of Israel, Daniel Juster of Tikkun Ministries will be our special guest!
• Oops…back to today: in South Bend, Pastor Doug reports great worship & great message from my wife, and better still, lots of new guests and returning guests!
• Speaking of Pastors Doug & Shanna, if you didn’t hear the announcement today, they’ll be ministering at our “Summer Revival” this Wednesday in Tinley Park.  I think it’s their first time preaching here since they left to serve the South Bend campus, so I’m hoping all their TP friends will be there for a grand welcome back!
• Meanwhile, Pastor Dan reports a good day in Shorewood with all of heaven rejoicing over one person who came to repentance!
• Pastor Jaime says our Hispanic service this afternoon was “quiet”, but the Presence of the Lord was great (in spite of the World Cup!!!)
• Pastor Herley at our Philippine campus preached this weekend at their newest location, which just started in the pastor’s home about 6 months ago, and already more than 50 people are worshipping together in a prominently-Muslim area!  Meanwhile, at the Davao City campus, his son Joel preached in the morning and 4 people came to salvation and his assistant pastor preached in the evening and 15 more came to the Lord!  (It’s definitely harvest-time in the Philippines, and I’m so glad we get to be a part of it!)
• Our Media Director, Eduardo Marroquin reports that at least 224 people joined us online today, including some first-time guests and several who have never visited a physical campus!  LOVE IT!!!
• My favorite conversation in the lobby today was a CLCer who ‘corrected’ me for saying I ‘want’ CLC to be a thin-place where it’s easy for folks to enter God’s Presence…..she says “it already is a thin-place!  When I first came here months ago, I was so lost, but I immediately felt God’s Presence here.  My husband believes in God, but not The Church….but he’s heard me talk about it so much, that he never misses an online service now!” (She made my day!)
• Finally, today in Lisle, Pastor Eric gave a final challenge for the launch team in preparation for our September Grand Opening there.  He reports a GREAT response, even from some of the newest attenders, as a ‘culture of serving’ is growing there…..AND they committed $$$ (I was trying to wait for the report totals, but my bed is calling) toward the launch expense!  (It will cost us over $120,000 to launch this new campus, so if you’d like to be a part of making that happen, you can click here and designate your gift for the Lisle campus)

That’s it…..toast….over…..finished…..stick a fork in me, I’m done…..my bed is calling me!

Sunday reflections

To all the online DAD’s – hope your family made your Father’s Day as special as mine was!  Here’s my random thoughts on this special day:

• I dunno if the message was as practical as Proverbs has been – but I sure know it hit home.  Thanks to all the CLCers from all 3 services who received the Word and committed afresh to being the “priests” in your home.
• It was an emotionally-charged message for me – had a hard time getting thru it all 3 times – and was really drained afterwards.  There’s something about the bond between fathers and their children - and I join with every Dad today who had a chance to tell your kids, “I love you.  I’m proud of you!  You’re good at…….!”
  
• Special thanks to Chris, Jen, Brent, Sol & Jaden for making my day special with lunch at one of my favorite places, cards, gifts, more cards (Jen!), and then one of the funniest movies I’ve seen in a long time – pure nonsense, totally unbelievable, and thoroughly entertaining…..and to my LA kids: Chad and Dorothy, for the card, gift & phone call that made my day extra-special, too!

Pardon all the personal stuff – around the CLC campuses, it was a good day:

• Pastor Dan in Shorewood reports 2 salvation decisions and several returning guests from the week before, which is always a good sign!
• In South Bend, Pastor Doug says it was a very emotional service with lots of tears as he shared his personal testimony about his dad-
• A first-time guest in Lisle told Pastor Eric after service, “I can’t believe it….I finally made it home!  From the way I was welcomed in the parking lot to the sermon, everything tells me this is home!”
• Our media director, Eduardo Marroquin reports that we had 5 local guests  online today who are currently searching for a church home, along with more than 130 others from around the internet…..I still think it’s so cool that we can extend our reach beyond our four walls!
• And according to Pastor Jaime, our Hispanic ministry continues to receive new guests each Sunday

My bed is calling……g’night!

Tuesday reflections

The last couple of days have been a blur of meetings & activity, but I wanted to grab some time tonight to reflect on this past special weekend:

• we were in God’s Presence – that’s not a new thing at CLC, but I sure don’t want us to ever take it for granted!  Honestly, no matter your tastes in music, you have to love Ashmont Hill and their all-out worship in each song!  In a world with too many “celebrities”, I so appreciate the authenticity & hearts of these young people!
• we heard from God – that, too should happen each time we come together, but it seemed especially true of each message from “The Bishops” (G.A. Thompson on Sunday morning & Tudor Bismark on Sunday & Monday nights).  Honestly, it was coming so fast that I’m going to have to listen again to glean more of the invaluable truths we heard.  The podcasts will be up soon here, or you can order the CD’s or DVD’s at CLC.
• we responded with generosity – in many ways, this was the most ‘ambitious’ weekend we’ve scheduled, with 9 musical guests and 3 guest speakers to care for, with airfare, local transportation, lodging, meals, and honoraria – BUT, just like you always do, you responded with one of the largest offerings in our history, and we were able to make our budget and bless our guests!
• we received an impartation – my biggest desire when we planned our 20th anniversary year of celebrations was that the various guests we brought in would leave something of their anointing & experience behind – a tangible impartation to CLC.  I know that happened on Sunday with Bishop Gideon Thompson with regard to prayer – and I believe CLC will be different as a result!

In fact, I’ll have a couple of special announcements tomorrow as a direct result of this weekend – stay tuned!

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