40 Days of Prayer (day 22)

The Grand Opening Season of Radiant Life Fellowship starts Sunday, September 20th @ Blythe Elementary School.

Exodus 10:2 "You will be able to tell wonderful stories to your children and grandchildren about the marvelous things I am doing among the Egyptians to prove that I am the Lord."

Deuteronomy 4:9 tells us: "Do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and (be sure that) they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your sons and your grandsons. "

In these sections of the Bible, there was a strong sense that God was doing some incredible stuff for His people. It was obvious to everyone around.

God knows that we tend to forget. So in these passages, He's telling them NOT to forget how He has provided for, and rescued, His people.

God is still providing for us. God is still rescuing you and me from all sorts of destructive, addictive patterns. God has ultimately rescued us from the consequences of our sin, through Jesus.

Maybe for you...it's remembering way back to a time when it was clear to you that God was near. Maybe it was as recent as earlier today you sensed His work. God is already here, now, working in, through and around you.

Have you taken any time today just to quietly reflect and notice?

God is actually closer than you think. Join me, today, by spending a few moments practicing the presence of God in your life. When you do this...soon you too will be able to 'tell wonderful stories...about all the marvelous things God is doing...to prove He is the Lord.'

40 Days of Prayer (day 20)

The Grand Opening Season of Radiant Life Fellowship starts Sunday, September 20th @ Blythe Elementary School.

This next week; Jacob, Josh, Mike and I will be putting the details of our "Good News Huntersville" series together. This will be the 'opener' series throughout the Grand Opening Season of Radiant Life Fellowship, Huntersville.

Would you join me in praying that...
Jesus would be made famous throughout Huntersville and beyond
the creative juices in our heads to flow out into this series
God would send lots of people to experience Radiant Life's birth
Each sermon would attract people to Jesus
God would use our parking team, greeters, coffee cafe, band, environment to break down barriers to the Gospel.
Our authenticity would be evident
We would bear much "fruit" throughout our Grand Opening Season

Thank you for your prayers. You rock.

40 Days of Prayer (day 19)

Have you ever watched a parade through a hole in a really tall wooden fence?

If you have, then you know something about the "law of perspective" that is at work.

Looking through the hole in the wooden fence gives you a very limited perspective of the parade that's passing by in front of you. In fact, from that perspective you only get to see what is immediately in front of you. You have no idea what's coming. You have no idea of any sort of order or plan or how what's happening right in front of you fits into a bigger picture.

If you watch a parade on TV, you have one of the best perspectives. With 100's of cameras placed along the parade route as well as blimps and helicopter views...you get to experience and see the bigger picture.

This is the framework for the "law of perspective".

Everyone of us is affected by this law.

• Lori Hine's mom (who's battled cancer for years) is back in the hospital, poised to hear news about her fragile health.

• Courtenay Nixon's aunt has a critical doctor's visit today that has created lots of anxiety in the family

• My great friend from college (Paul) has a niece who's husband was killed in a motorcycle accident earlier this week. I got a chance to talk (and pray) with her over the phone about 30 minutes before she was going home to tell their 5 kids that their daddy died.

• Tom Paullins is still looking for employment after losing his job a couple months ago.

• Brooke Seufert is still looking for employment locally, so she won't have to keep her job in Asheville and she can be home with her husband in Davidson.

• We pray and plan for Movies in the Park and there's a high probability that it could get rained out.

WHY?

Part of it has to do with the "law of perspectives". We only see a very small piece of the story.

But our God knows the story from beginning to end. He is mighty to save. He is with (and strengthening) those of us who grieve loss. He is the father to the fatherless. He is our Great Physician. He is our all in all.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Join me in praying a prayer that acknowledges our limited perspective and declares our trust in our all knowing and all powerful God.

40 Days of Prayer (day 18)

"Many hands make light work." - Chinese Proverb

The Grand Opening Season of Radiant Life Fellowship starts Sunday, September 20th @ Blythe Elementary School.

This is a BIG deal. Starting a church is no small task.
I've made lots of mistakes.
I've had to do a lot of learning on the job.

I've had to endure devastating blows to the stomach (so to speak...I wish it was just someone punching/kicking me in the stomach or head. I can take that much better than having good friends jump ship).

I need your prayers.
And so does the staff of people who God has put together for such a time as this. Most of them are volunteers. Only two are part time. I'm the only full-timer (and old timer). They give a lot of themselves. They are a group of huumble, caring, sensitive, passionate, risk-takers who are proving daily that they love God, love people and that love actually wins.

Christine - Her clarifying questions and careful attention to details and communication are such a huge gift to Radiant Life. That's not even close to the gift she has given of herself, personally. She loves families to the point that she has probably only been able to participate in adult worship a handful of times. Why? Because she humbly serves you and me in the infant room or teaching the grade schoolers so you and I can benefit from worship while our kids benefit from her teaching and example of love.

Jacob - His thoughtful reflection of intentionally leading us into worship week after week...since day one...has been such a huge blessing to us all. He has a way of making you think "mmmm" as you sing familiar as well as not so familiar songs. I love how Jacob takes on the challenge of introducing new songs into our mix without flinching. As we gear-up for our Grand Opening, Jacob will be transitioning into a new critical role in our church and on our staff within the next few weeks. More to come.

Courtenay - On a search for an internship, she chose Radiant Life to find her place to serve, lead, learn and grow. She is doing all of them well. She has a heart for our teenagers (which makes this dad of a 6th grader happy to know). She's thoughtful. Wise. Willing to risk. I am proud of the way she handled the Art Walks we hosted this summer. She learned some valuable leadership lessons as well as gave several local artists a chance to show and sell their prized masterpieces.

Mike - After meeting Mike through the Church Planters' Coaching Group I'm in (called Cypress Project), I knew we were going to hit it off great. Mike's call and desire is to plant a church one day. He and his family (Katy, Emily and Ike) came to us from Journey Church after serving on their advisory board since about 6 months after Charlotte North's beginning. Mike brings lots of experience, packaged in a very encouraging and loving person. He's a part of my teaching team. He's creating an inviting "front door" experience for our guests. He's working with me to develop our Discipleship systems and he's fun to be around.

Jenny - My soulmate. Best friend. Wisest one in our family. Now that all 4 of our kids are in school, I invited her to join our staff. She's in a season of discovering her newest role that happens to not include the title of "mom". Can't wait for you all to see her shine in her ministry groove.

Josh - Our newest staff member. I've known Josh since he was in high school and have watched him grow and mature as a worship leader @ Independence Hill Baptist Church and then @ Connection Church. We will benefit from the years Josh has experienced at those 2 great churches. As we gear up for our launch, Josh will be transitioning into the worship leader role in our church and on our staff within the next few weeks. More to come. Can't wait for you to meet Josh.

Would you join me in praying for this team? If you belong to another church, by all means pray for the staff/pastors at your church. They need your prayers too.

40 Days of Prayer (day 17)

The Grand Opening Season of Radiant Life Fellowship starts Sunday, September 20th @ Blythe Elementary School.

Would you join me today in praying for all the teachers who, in many cases, are carrying a heavier load this year as a result of economic realities. I'm especially praying for the teachers and staff @ Blythe. Since that's where our Grand Opening location (for Radiant Life) will be, I think we ought to be praying for and investing in the people who go to that school.

Remember, we are working to gain credibility and influence in order to earn the right to be heard and be given opportunities to share the Good News.

Today, on behalf of all of you @ Radiant Life, I woke @ the crack of dark and arrived at Dunkin Donuts as they opened. I picked up a couple of Box O Joe's and some bagels and some munchkins. These weren't for me or my family (although my kids would have been freakin excited and jumped out of bed). I took these and gave them to the office staff @ Blythe. They were excited and very grateful.

I took several of our newest postcards (the ones we'll hand out @ Movies in the Park this Friday) and gave them out with a note that said "We're praying for you. Thank you for all you do. - Radiant Life Fellowship".

I wanted you to know that you are being represented well to the people @ Blythe even before we actually start there.

Let's take some time today to pray for teachers and for the people of Blythe.

40 Days of Prayer (day 16)

1st Day of school today for CMS students.

This year, Jenny and I have 4 of the over 100,000 CMS students filled with anxiety, excitement and nerves. Our kids talked, last night and this morning, about the fears they had of going to a new class, with a new teacher and not knowing who would be in their class and not wanting to get lost.

Can you remember times when you were nervous about showing up at a new place for a new thing for the 1st time? What were your feelings?
Fear?
Anxiety?
Excitement?
Nervous?
Confident?

Those feelings could be some of the same feelings people have about going to church. Especially a new church. If they've never been to church before, or even if they used to go to church, the thought of showing up for the fist time can be intimidating.

For some people, that's what keeps them from coming to church, period. The intimidation factor. The fear factor. The perception that church-is-boring-outdated-and-irrelevant factor. All of these are barriers that keep the yet-to-follow-Jesus people from hanging out with His family @ church.

How can you and I help alleviate this barrier?
1) acknowledge that the barrier exists
2) pray that God would help us eliminate all barriers to the Gospel
3) describe our church in a way that helps relieve fears and intimidation factors
4) allow God to transform your own life...that's the most attractive and compelling commercial for Jesus (and for Radiant Life)

The Grand Opening Season of Radiant Life Fellowship starts Sunday, September 20th @ Blythe Elementary School.

Oh. Check out our new website: Good News Huntersville
Let me know what you think.

40 Days of Prayer (day 15)

Did you know that once you start to feel thirsty, you are already on the way to becoming dehydrated? Some doctors say you should drink 8 cups of water per day. That's what your body needs in order to be healthy.

Thirst is your body's way of saying to you "I need something or I'll start malfunctioning."
Hunger is your body's way of saying to you "I need something critical to our survival."
Hunger and Thirst reveal a critical need.
When your body is really thirsty, your "liquid radar" kicks in and you go in a desperate search for something that will quench your thirst and satisfy your thirst. And once you find it... ahhhhh!

Mysteriously God has embedded a hunger and thirst in all people for Him. At various points of our lives we have stronger hunger/thirst for God than at other times. So every person you meet, has some level of hunger and thirst for a God who really does know them and love them deeply.

In a few days, we will get a chance (God willing) to host our last Movies in the Park this Friday. If it doesn't rain, we could have over 1000 people show up. Many of them have a thirst (although they could not articulate it) to have a real relationship with our God who created them, loves them and desires a relationship with them.

Would you join me in praying that God sends us very hungry and thirsty people? I want nothing more than to introduce scores of people to my God who gives us living water so we will never thirst again. (reference to the story about the woman at the well).

40 Days of Prayer (day 14)

I know we need the rain. You can look at the grass in my yard and it's obvious. But I'm asking you to join me and others in praying that from this Friday (around lunchtime on) the skies remain clear enough for us to host our last Movies in the Park for the season.

While we're on the subject of Movies in the Park... let me run through a few details for you.

• We need all of you.
• Set up begins at 4:30pm
• Wear your orange t-shirt
• Make an extra effort to interact more with the individuals and families in the crowd in the time leading up to the movie.
  
• Strike up conversations using the tools we're providing you (ie. bug spray, registration cards, sun screen and the Radiant Life Postcards).
• Make a point to make sure everyone at the park gets a Radiant Life postcard.
  
• Also make it a point to give a verbal personal invitation to everyone in the park to Radiant Life's Grand Opening season starting September 20th @ Blythe Elementary School (10am)
• Would you consider bringing at least 1 or 2 gift cards to give away?

Thank you for all the investment of time, money, sweat and prayer you've put into these events. Most importantly, would you pray with me that God would bless us with a harvest of people (that you've connected with and invited) that will come to Radiant Life and meet Jesus.

The Grand Opening Season of Radiant Life Fellowship starts Sunday, September 20th @ Blythe Elementary School.

40DaysofPrayer (day 12)

Let's say you just purchased some new technical gadget (a new lawn mower, a home theater system or a new ceiling fan) and on the box it indicated some assembly required. How many of you actually read through the instructions before trying to assemble all the pieces? Be honest.

I'll admit, I am a "look at the picture of the fully assembled product on the box and figure out how all the pieces fit together" type of guy. My approach is much like putting a puzzle together. The instruction manual is for when I'm stuck.

Now I know lots of you would carefully read the manual first. And you'd be much wiser than I. Once I stayed up all night trying to install a ceiling fan in Cole and Noah's room. The end result was a 4 speed remote-controlled fan with a light that now operates at only the highest speed with no possibility of ever being remote controlled. Good Times.

I mention this, because I totally understand how technical glitches can mess up well laid plans.

Radiant Life Fellowship is purchasing all the equipment (large sound system, video projectors, screens, helium tank, laptop, speakers, wireless mics, lighting, etc) from Connection Church. Our Sunday mornings are getting ready to change radically. It's going to rock. But "Murphy's Law" has a way of kicking in to big plans. Murphy's Law states that "if something can go wrong...it will".

So my request from you is that you begin adding this area of planting a church to your prayer times. Join me in praying that God would protect us from technical failure and glitches. That we would be able to have a smooth transition from where we are (technically) to where God wants us to be (spiritually). That God would be who we rely upon to grow Radiant Life...and not a video projector. After all, it's His church anyway.

I'm grateful for the new equipment we're acquiring and how it will enhance our ability to do more in Huntersville. It's a tool to help us do what God is calling us to do here in Huntersville -- make disciples of Jesus who make disciple of Jesus.

The Grand Opening Season of Radiant Life Fellowship starts Sunday, September 20th @ Blythe Elementary School.

40DaysofPrayer (day 10)

The Grand Opening Season of Radiant Life Fellowship starts Sunday, September 20th @ Blythe Elementary School.

I want to take today's post and leverage it to ask all of you to join me in praying specifically for the following:
1) For Tom Paullins to get some great job offers.
2) For Brooke Seufert to get a job in Davidson (or a lot closer to their home in Davidson). She's been commuting to Asheville to keep her job (with benefits) until she or Neil can get a job locally that would support them.
3) For Neil Seufert and Courtenay Nixon and Jacob Collins as they begin this semester of seminary.
4) For Rafael Hernandez to have just the right job offered and for clarity and wisdom to know what that job might be.

Please pray. These are real people who love and follow Jesus...and they have real tangible needs. I know for a fact that they would get giddy excited to know that all of YOU were praying specifically for THEM.

Thank you for praying.

40DaysofPrayer (day 9)

You probably remember the occasion when Gamaliel told the Sanhedrin to leave the disciples alone because:
“If their purpose or activity is of human origin it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” Acts 5:38-39

If you are doing the work of God for the purposes of God in the power of God, you’re unstoppable too. Just like the early church. Just like Jesus Christ.
When I want what God wants for the reasons God wants it I’m unbeatable and unstoppable. - author unknown

Receive that today. Breathe it in. Then live it out.

Maybe it might seem like the odds are stacked against you. Maybe you have lost your confidence and courage. Maybe it's been awhile since you've taken a risk on behalf of God. Maybe you've felt stagnant and stuck in life.

Stay on the wall, Nehemiah. That person / situation /fear can’t stop you. God is fighting for you! Dream, implement, preach, evangelize, cast vision, reach out, risk...
It will come to pass.

Maybe you’re a parent trying to instill godly values into your child, and they’re putting up a hell of a fight every step of the way. Remember, your child isn’t fighting against you. According to Gamaliel, they’re fighting against God!

And whether they know it or not, they’ve met their match. It’s just a matter of time ‘til He lands the knockout blow.

Maybe you need God to fan what is now a tiny ember into an internal blazing flame that passionately pursues God's agenda for this city. Maybe you need a kick in the pants to get you off the couch and into this exciting game God's got planned for your life.

Keep training, encouraging, correcting, disciplining, praising, mentoring, sowing. It will produce a harvest. But you've got to get off the couch and get in the field.

If God is for you, who can be against you?
As long as you keep moving forward, you’re unstoppable!

Will you join me in praying that the assuring 'breath' of God will blow on the people of Radiant Life as we pursue God's plan for this city...which will be unstoppable if God is leading it.

The Grand Opening Season of Radiant Life Fellowship starts Sunday, September 20th @ Blythe Elementary School.

You don't want to miss out.

40DaysofPrayer (day 8)

Today I went by Blythe Elementary School and met with the new principal Mrs Johanson. She is really excited about Radiant Life using the facility, starting September 20th.

As we were talking, I thought I'd offer to bring coffee and bagels and such for her staff as they get ready for school starting. She was thrilled.

I even got a chance to talk with Freddy. He's the friendly custodian at Blythe who will be unlocking the doors for us each Sunday...starting September 20th. It was good to catch up with him and find out how his week was going so far.

It's the little things that mean so much in a relationship like this.

The little thoughtful things matter.

As we prepare for the Grand Opening Season of Radiant Life Fellowship, there are 1000's of little thoughtful things we could be thinking to encourage, invite, attract and compel the people of Huntersville to come check out Radiant Life Fellowship.

Can you think of some little details that would help us attract and welcome people well?

My prayer today is that God would give us the ability to pay close attention to the little details (like opportunities) as we prepare for September 20th.

40DaysofPrayer (day 7)

"I hate Radiant Life Fellowship." -- Satan

Prayer is one of the tools (gifts) God has given us to acknowledge that we need help. There is a battle going on all around us. It's not against people. Most of the time, we aren't even aware...but you and I (as Jesus followers) have a real enemy (Satan) who does not want any church that puts Jesus on display to succeed...much less a new church.

But God is faithful...

Would you join me in praying that God would protect us from the evil one who means to steal kill and destroy? Pray that God would use the people of Radiant Life Fellowship (and other churches in this community) to make Jesus famous by making disciples of Jesus who make disciples of Jesus...

September 20th will be here in the blink of an eye. That's the season-opener of our campus @ Blythe Elementary School for Radiant Life Fellowship.

Love God. Love People. Love Wins. Prove it.

40DaysofPrayer (day 6)

September 20th will be here in the blink of an eye. That's the season-opener of our campus @ Blythe Elementary School for Radiant Life Fellowship.

I love to laugh.
I love making other people laugh even more.

When my kids laugh...it warms my heart. Sometimes I don't even get what they are laughing at...it's just their laughter that makes me laugh.

I remember one time laughing so hard with my kids that I spit milk out of my nose. When someone came in to see what was so funny...I honestly didn't know. I just got so tickled at how funny it was to hear Sara and Jake laughing at something that it became contagious. Laughter, at the right time, is contagious like yawning. (But yawning is not a high values @ Radiant Life)

{video clip inserted here}

Laughter is a high value around me and within my family. Hopefully you can tell I like to laugh and have fun.

I think laughter ought to be a high value around the church. After all, it's good medicine to laugh. Do you agree?

Somehow a good sense of humor tends to break down barriers. Humor makes people feel at ease. I especially am attracted to people who are not only funny...but their humor is not used at someone else's expense. I'm not attracted to people who think they are funny by making fun of someone else who's vulnerable. That's not funny at all to me.

If I can, in some way, create some laughter around some of the silly mistakes or quirkiness that make me who I am, then in some mysterious way I can create a connection with people who might be afraid to admit the same things that are true about them. Humor, used wisely, can open all sorts of relational doors. Laughter is laughter in any language or culture. It transcends.

Would you join me in praying that Radiant Life Fellowship would be a place and a people who can enjoy laughter and good humor...even if it means laughing at ourselves?

40DaysofPrayer (day 5)

40DaysofPrayer
Day 5

September 20th will be here in the blink of an eye. That's the season-opener of our campus @ Blythe Elementary School for Radiant Life Fellowship.

Ok. I'm going to say it. I know it's risky but if I don't dream big about the Grand Opening season of Radiant Life, then the alternative is dreaming too small and not trusting that God can do the impossible. So here it is.

I am praying and trusting that God will send us people, from the Huntersville area, who are yet to be Jesus followers. After just a few weeks of hearing and seeing the Gospel preached and lived out among RLF-ers...I am banking that we'll have to Baptize a slew of new believing peeps. In other words, I'm going to go ahead and call it. We'll have baptism Sunday by mid October. And that's just the beginning of the transformed lives we're expecting as a result of God's work through the obedient people of Radiant Life.

I hope this sort of specific dreaming, praying and trusting from me gives YOU a sense of the direction we're headed and what's important along the way. We are putting a high value on transformed lives.
We want lots of yet-to-be Jesus followers to be attracted to us.
We will share the Gospel message each week and give people a chance to respond.
We will not hold back or water it down.
We will have a clear and compelling process for making disciples who make disciples of Jesus
We will pray often for the lost people in Huntersville
We will orient our lives toward lost people
We will do our very best (each Sunday) to engage the people of Huntersville in a way that softens their heart and breaks downs walls of fear, hurt, doubt and confusion in order to give them a chance to clearly experience God.
We will be authentic with our own lives and stories, understanding that Sundays are not a show or a performance but a gathering of seekers, doubters and followers.
We will filter everything through Love God. Love People. Love Wins. Prove It.
We will invest ourselves in all of this so God has a chance to use us for His greater purpose.

That's my big dream. Would you join me in praying to God about this?

40DaysofPrayer (day 4)

40DaysofPrayer
Day 4

September 20th will be here in the blink of an eye. That's the season-opener of our campus @ Blythe Elementary School for Radiant Life Fellowship.

Short and simple.
Anyone who shows up to Radiant Life, on a Sunday morning, is considered a FRIEND of ours. We will never refer to anyone as a "visitor". When we use the term "visitor" we imply that they are a stranger who is just stopping in for a brief stay. Like when you are on a long trip that crosses stateline borders and you need to use the bathroom. So you pull into the "visitor" center to relieve yourself. (Probably not the best illustration).
So...everyone who comes to Radiant Life is our FRIEND.
Friends know each other's names.
Friends spend time together.
Friend make a point to invest in their friendship.
Friends invite each other over.
Friend go do stuff together.
Friends share.
Friends laugh.
Friends love.
Friends forgive.
Friends stick around through good times and rough times.
Friends play together.
Friends are there when you need a, well, friend.

You get the point?
Thanks for being one of my friends.
Chris

40DaysofPrayer (day 3)

40DaysofPrayer
Day 3

Today, I was so busy I hit the ground running and just got a chance to pause and create the day 3 of our 40 Days of Prayer leading up to the Grand Opening season of Radiant Life Fellowship in Huntersville.

September 20th will be here in the blink of an eye. That's the season-opener of our campus @ Blythe Elementary School for Radiant Life Fellowship.

SCRIPTURE (1 Corinthians 12)
4There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.

7Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.

12The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. 13For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

14Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. 15If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 16And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 17If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

21The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" 22On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

27Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. 29Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 31But eagerly desire the greater gifts.
And now I will show you the most excellent way.

Something Specific I Want You To Pray For (related to our Grand Opening)
Please pray about what part of the body (here at Radiant Life) you will invest yourself in. There is a place for everyone. There is a place for you. God wired you and has given you a story for such a time as this.

Something Specific I Want You To Do to Prepare Yourself (and Your Family) for our Grand Opening
Take the initiative to let me (or any of our other staff members): Jacob, Christine, Courtenay and Mike know that you're willing to help.

A Prayer I Prayed Today
Dear God,
Here I am...send me. Use me.
In Jesus name, Amen.

40DaysofPrayer for Radiant Life

40DaysofPrayer for Radiant Life
Day 2

September 20th will be here in the blink of an eye. That's the season-opener of our campus @ Blythe Elementary School for Radiant Life Fellowship.

Scripture
After this the Lord (Jesus) appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He (Jesus) told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.

Something Specific I Want You To Pray For (related to our Grand Opening)
We need high relational-connector Jesus followers willing to build relationships with those yet-to-be Jesus followers and spend the time to make disciples of Jesus out of them.

Essentially, this would be people who are willing to be intentional about their life. People willing to invest their life in making followers of Jesus who would then make other followers of Jesus. If you are that kind of person...WE NEED YOU!!! If you want to be that kind of person WE NEED YOU!!!

There are enough high maintenance Christian pew-sitting church attenders in this city. I'm asking the Lord of the Harvest to send us people who would see themselves as "missionaries" with a mission.

Would you please join me today, praying that God would answer this specific prayer? Let’s all pray together today, expecting God to answer our prayers.


Something Specific I Want You To Do to Prepare Yourself (and Your Family) for our Grand Opening
Would you do a quick assessment?
Are you in love with the mission of making disciples of Jesus enough to actually be making disciples OR are you more in love with the idea...but not willing to actually adjust your own life to really make even one disciple of Jesus?
I'm just saying...The harvest (those who are yet to be Jesus followers) is plentiful but the workers (disciple makers) are few. Would you consider being a disciple maker if you knew how? Then let's talk.

A Prayer I Prayed Today
Father. There are so many people, even here in Huntersville, who are facing an unimaginable eternity apart from You. It's overwhelming. We need more disciple makers. I am asking you to send Radiant Life just the right disciple-making people that you think we need to help the yet to be Jesus followers of Huntersville give their life to You. We would be honored if You chose to use each of us (@ Radiant Life) to grow Your kingdom. Show favor on us. We look forward to seeing first-hand Your mighty hand at work in and through us over these next 40 days.
It’s in Jesus name that I come to You, Amen.

40DaysofPrayer (Day 1)

40 Days of Prayer
Day 1

September 20th will be here in the blink of an eye. That's the season opener of our campus @ Blythe Elementary School for Radiant Life Fellowship.

Scripture
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)

Something Specific I Want You To Pray For (related to our Grand Opening)
We need equipment:
a trailer
sound system
large portable screen
video projector
flat- screen TV’s
carpet rolls
portable curtains for make-shift rooms in the school hallways
a cool coffee bar kiosk
a cool check-in kiosk

We also need people to serve:
parking
greeters
coffee hosts
ushers
nursery leaders

Would you please join me today, praying that our God will supply ALL our needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus? Ask God to provide. We need God to come through for us on this. Let’s all pray together today, expecting God to answer our prayers.


Something Specific I Want You To Do to Prepare Yourself (and Your Family) for our Grand Opening
Are you tithing to Radiant Life? Are you investing in Radiant Life. Maybe part of the answer to our prayer above is you. Maybe you're not at a place where you can give $ generously, but you are getting there. Maybe you are resourceful and can help us find ways to aquire the equipment we need.

If you are tithing (with your resources) thank you. You are investing in a kingdom movement that will outlast and outlive you. Your sacrifice will not go unnoticed.

A Prayer I Prayed Today
Father. You are so good. I want you’re your plans for today to be accomplished. I submit myself to You completely. I realize that today you have some opportunities in store for me. I ask that you allow me to be fully present and aware of the ways You want to shape and use me for Your purposes. Today I join with lots of other Radiant Lifers in asking you to provide critical items and people we need to launch a church. I know You already know our needs. I also know You desire that we come to You and ask. You are our God. Without You we have nothing and we are nothing. We depend on You to come through. Please provide as You see fit. We would be honored if You chose to use each of us (@ Radiant Life) to grow Your kingdom. Show favor on us. We look forward to seeing first-hand Your mighty hand at work in and through us over these next 40 days.
It’s in Jesus name that I come to You, Amen.

40 Days of Prayer

September 20th will be here in the blink of an eye.

That dates is not just any Sunday. It's the Sunday we are telling the (unchurched, lost, broken, messy, hurting, confused, disillusioned, weary) people of Hunteresville to show up at Blythe Elementary School for the Grand Opening season of Radiant Life Fellowship.

And we are going all out to make sure everyone comes and experiences something fresh from God.

We're going to need a lot of help. Our biggest need is for all of you to PRAY. If God does not move with us...we do not go -- PERIOD. I'm asking each of you to commit the next 40 days to PRAY for God to move in a BIG and POWERFUL way in our community. I'm asking you to PRAY that God would use us (YOU) over the next 40 days.

This is too big for us. We need for God to come through and show His favor on Radiant Life by choosing to use us to reach this whole community for Jesus. It's that simple.

You and I need to take the next 40 days to prepare ourselves to be used by God if He so chooses. Each day, over the next 40, I will post a blog entry that will include:
1) A Scripture. 2) Something Specific I Want You To Pray For (related to our Grand Opening) 3) Something Specific I Want You To Do to Prepare Yourself (and Your Family) for our Grand Opening 4) A Prayer I Prayed

Please feel free to add comments or prayers or stories to this blog at anytime. Also, sign up (on this right side of this blog) to receive these in your email inbox.

Thank you for joining me, and others, as we commit the next 40 days to prayer and watching/expecting great things from God for our city.

Chris