Here are 5 more…

The church is thriving around the world… I was in two great churches on the trip– Nairobi Lighthouse Church and Hillsong Kiev. Both churches are growing, thriving, winning the lost, and making a difference in their cities and even around the world. Nairobi Lighthouse just had a Missions Conference where the members of that church pledged to give over $300,000 (above tithing) to help reach the world. That’s an amazing amount for any church, but a church in Africa? Wow! I was fired up when I heard that report. I get so tired of hearing negaholics talking about how bad things are, and how the church isn’t doing anything…That’s just not true! Jesus said He would build His church and He’s still doing it. I like what Bill Hybels said, “The local church is the hope of the world.” I love that statement and I’m sowing my life into building the local church. At both churches I preached from Psalm 92:12-14 about being “planted in the house of the Lord” and whether it’s in Africa or the former Soviet Union, the mission, message and impact of the local church is still powerful and relevant.

www.seatguru.com… I came across this cool web site because I’m a fanatic about being in the right seat on the plane. This web site gives you the configuration from every plane of every airline. I guess I’m not alone in my obsession.

We’ve got to be a part of meeting needs in Africa… I mean “we” as in The Life Church, but also “we” as in the church at large. I’ve been brainstorming with some friends about how we can partner and make a bigger difference there. I’ll be sharing more about that later.

Traveling with people you like to be with is a must… Lately it seems like I’ve been doing these overseas trips by myself, but it was great having some cool guys along this time. It was fun being with Michael Norwood and Casey Goff. I’d take those guys with me any day.

I’m glad to be alive right now… I’m amazed at what God is allowing me to experience and be a part of locally and around the world. Those who’ve gone before us paved the way for the day we’re living in right now. Think about it, we’re living someone’s dream right now! I’m really pumped about the opportunities and the relationships that God is forming, and the friendships he’s brought into my life. I’ve been listening to that Delirious CD, The Mission Bell, and I love the song, “All this Time” (track 4). It says… “All this time, since the day that I’ve been born, I’ve never known a time like this. I don’t want to let you down.”