This week we kicked of our Fall '08 Growth Groups. Sunday night our college group met at our home led by Patrick Knorr (he's the guy...well, I guess you can figure out who he is in the pic). We had a great meeting and then we had the Hargrove/Riggs group meet at our home Tuesday night. Again, another wonderful evening. My vision for Ridgeview even before we had our first worship service was to see our church meet throughout the community in small group Bible studies. I love what we do with our groups by not only having a time of Bible study but also these groups are serving once a month on Sunday and once a month in the community. Next up- single mom's oil change. Spiritual growth happens by taking in the word and giving out as well through service. A Christ-follower needs both in his or her life. I know I do!

Today I paid an $80 fine at the Greer municipal traffic court for allowing my decal to expire. I was guilty and I had no ground to stand on. It kind of reminded me of the guilty verdict God renders towards my sin. I am guilty. Fortunately for me and all people, God "demonstrates His own love for us, while we were still sinners Christ died for us (Romans 5:8)." That's good news!

Last Friday a reporter from the Greenville News Greer edition called me about an article they were going to do about O'Neal Village and our church that is going in there. It was published on Tuesday. I thought they did a great job on the article. I am very excited about the direction we are headed!

My father turned 70 last week. We took him to lunch. No frills. Just the way he liked it. I wrote him a letter that shared how proud I was to have a dad like him. He told me Sunday night how much that meant to him. The Bible says we are to honor our father and mother. I believe we all should sit down and write a letter to our parents and share with them good things we've always wanted to say in the living years. Here's a rather somber question: if your mom or dad were to go home with the Lord tomorrow would there be things you regretted not sharing with them today? Don't wait. Do it now. I'm glad I did with both!

I picked this up this week. It is known as the responsibility process. I know it will help me because there are things on my mind at times that take more energy there mulling about them than to deal with them. Maybe this will help you?

1. What is a difficult or troubling situation in your life?
2. What payoffs or benefits do you get for keeping it like it is?
3. What costs do you pay for keeping it like it is?
4. How do you create, promote, or allow it to be the way it is?
5. What do you pretend not to know?
6. What do you want?
7. What actions could you take and what requests could you make to get it?
8. When will you do that?

Last weekend was a great weekend in the life of our church. It capped off what I feel has been a great summer at Ridgeview. On Saturday our church was out buying down the cost of gas $5 for each customer who arrived at the Spinx on highway 290. Reactions ranged from "what's the catch," to extreme gratitude, hugs, handshakes, and even two ladies began to cry. I was reading my Bible this morning (good thing to do, right?) and came across this passage: "If anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward (Matthew 10:42). I continue to lead our church to reach out to our community because I want people to know the joy having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. God's word says we all will be rewarded one day at his "Awards and Appreciation Day." I know I am rewarded each and every time I see a life changed by Christ. Our church continued sharing the love of Christ on Sunday as we hosted the North Greenville University football team for our morning worship. We also fed them after church. What a great day! I was especially thrilled to see 5 young men express their desire to begin a relationship with Christ! Again, the rewards of serving Christ are incredibly fulfilling.

The Big "Ask"

I've recently rediscovered an audio recording of the book "The Alladin Factor." The whole premise of the book is to ask for what you want in life. Think about that for a moment. How simple a concept and yet how many of us are afraid to do it. This has been a growth process for me. I've had to step out of my comfort zone and give the big "ask." Two of the major "asks" in my life have been: 1) Asking Jesus Christ to forgive me of my sin and to come into my life to be the forgiver of my sin and leader of my life. I was 13 years old. 2) Asking this drop dead gorgeous Texan out on a first date and then dropping to one knee for her hand in marriage (not on the first date, mind you.) Probably the third biggest ask in my life was my meeting with Dr. Frank Page and the asking of his blessing to start a new church in the Blue Ridge community that we now know as Ridgeview. Now that I think about it, just some months ago had we not asked developer Jeff Randolph to consider our church in O'Neal Village, we would never be where we are today. Someone recently told me as we start the process of raising funds to build our church, "Man, I'm excited about the building but I hate the asking of fundraising." I understand to an extent, but when there is a greater cause behind the ask than one's own self interests, it gives one the boldness to move forward in faith. Ridgeview Church has a great cause: "To be a bridge of God's love to all people." As I will be doing much asking in the next couple of months, that helps me with the boldness. My challenge to anyone reading this blog today: What great things can you ask for; things greater than just yourself but contribute to make the world a better place?

New York/Staten Island Mission Trip Reflections

17 kids accepted Christ on the last day of Sports Camp! What in the world is more important than that?

Rob Smith and Tyler at the Yankees game. Later that week Tyler expressed his desire to follow the Lord in believer's baptism to his dad and me. There is no greater joy in life to see your son give the reigns of his life over to Christ!

We walked across the Brooklyn Bridge to Grimaldi's Pizza Monday night. The guy in the middle from Grimaldi's made our experience one we'll never forget!

Liz (on left) and Pastor Ray (on right) from Crossroads Church were great to work with. Ray is doing an awesome job in an area where 98% are unchurched. Although Liz is a sophomore at Clemson University, we were able to put our differences aside for the gospel!

Milo is an awesome team mate in ministry!

We pushed our people hard by driving all night to get there, working all day and then sight-seeing in Manhatten at night with 3-6 hours of sleep a night. Yet, each day they worked hard and their attitudes were incredible!

Dean Lewis: One of my roommates on the trip and all around great guy! Here he is getting busy painting at IS 72. Pastor Ray from Crossroads Church in Staten Island has seen some great doors open for him and the church by groups coming up and painting the public school. I've preached this many times to our church: "Good deeds become the bridge upon which the good news can travel."

This was truly one of the best mission trips I've been on! God did an amazing thing this past week in us and through us. The key is not to leave it there but to bring it home. My prayer is that God continues to work through me throughout the summer and in the life of our church as we enter a very exciting time in the Fall.

Ridgeview Church Mission Trip 2008

Staten Island, New York

We're back this summer to the Big Apple for our second trip to partner with Crossroads Church here in Staten Island. Pastor Ray of Crossroads Church is doing a great work and has a real heart for the people here. We've come here to help advance the gospel on behalf of Crossroads Church. We are having an incredible trip and there is barely a minute of free time to post a blog. We have done kindness projects like passing out water. We are prepping and painting IS 72 public school to build bridges of God's love for Crossroads Church. We are leading a sports camp at PS 58 public school and had 42 kids show up today. We are literally at the Crossroads of the world up here this week. It is a true melting pot of people of different races, cultures, and religious backgrounds. One young lady at our sports camp who is a Muslim told us she didn't pray to our God. It is so awesome to have an opportunity to share with her about our God and His Son, Jesus Christ. I certainly appreciate the prayers of my Ridgeview Church family!

I am currently reading The Breakthrough Company: How everyday companies become extraordinary performers. Chapter 3 discusses the topic of "Crowning the Company." These are great questions all Pastors must ask themselves: "Is your company building something that is far greater than the leader?" (p. 28) "Visit Roger Staubach in his office and you'll notice that something is missing-practically anything relating to football. Ask him why and he'll tell you, 'It's because we are building something here that is bigger than Roger Staubach.'" The chapter goes on to show keys to crowning the company are 1) Crown the customer first 2) Aim high 3) Avoid the trappings of corporate royalty 4) Shift from commander to coach 5) Don't let loyalty become a liability 6) Encourage chaotic communication (i.e. do you have an open door policy?) 7) Cut people in on the action (i.e. take care of your people).

Ridgeview Church is so much bigger than her Pastor. I want us to speak of the purpose for which we labor and take the focus off of me. John the Baptist said something about that didn't he? "He (Jesus) must increase, I must decrease."