"By Faith..."

This morning I spent my quiet time with the Lord reading Hebrews 11, a very familiar passage, deemed by some as the "Hall of Fame of Faith." The writer of the Book of Hebrews list some of the giants of the faith who in the Old Testament were used by God in some amazing ways. The introduction to each of the different men and women listed start with two simple yet profound words "By faith...". I spent a good portion of the morning reflecting on those two words, "by faith...". Faith, a great word, a word that is essential to our walk with the Lord, a word that as Christians we would say is crucial we embrace and yet on so many different occasions in our lives we abandon. Now we don't abandon it entirely per say, in the sense we don't have faith any longer, we abandon it, in the sense that we misplace our faith.

The key to the success of those written about in Hebrews chapter 11 is that their faith was in the Lord. In the midst of prosperity or in difficulty they remained steadfast in the promises of God. Now don't get me wrong, they failed, they were at times tripped up, but in the end they centered themselves in God.

By faith...I just continued to allow those two words to sit on my heart and mind and I began to reflect on this season of my life. What is it that God is calling me to? What mountains are currently standing in my way? What dreams and visions are at risk of not coming to fruition in this season of my life? And above all of that, what will be my response to these things? Will I cash in, give up, seek to place my faith in something else, or will I hold on to the promises of God. By faith...the Bible says.

I have been doing some serious praying in regards to our church and ministry lately. Six years ago a small remnant of people by faith...stepped out to start a church that would engage the culture and the world. God quickly grew that remnant and after 2 and a half short years by faith...300 people sacrificed their own resources to build a permanent facility that would serve as a launching pad for greater ministry. Shortly after that a small segment of people by faith...set out to start another campus in Naples. Since day one by faith...the leadership of Summit, thought it was as important to be committed to the world as it was to their own four walls, so from day one has decided to give a large portion of their resources to expand the vision of every man, woman and child in many different formats. In so many different ways and in responses to so many different what seemed to be overwhelming challenges, the people of Summit Church, by faith...acted in response to God's leading and saw the move and the glory of God in amazing ways.

Today our ministry stands at yet another crossroads with another challenge in front of us...and my prayer is that just like in our history that in our present...by faith...we will respond. By faith...we will not shrink back! By faith...we will continue to pursue God with reckless abandonment. By faith...we will continue to partner with existing churches in our area and plant new churches and campuses to reach every man, woman and child. By faith...I pray that we will continue to strive to be a generous church, that holds ALL of its resources with open hands, sharing it as God leads us to. By faith...may this expression be defined and be led.

The fact is God's Word states, "And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him." Hebrews 11:6

I challenge you to take a spiritual inventory and complete this statement for yourself and for this recent season of your life..."by faith________?" What do you need faith for right now? What is it that God is calling you to do? And is your faith truly in the One who called you and who has saved you? Just a rambling, but worth a thought. God Bless.

Truly a great night with the fam. Saw Santa, had dinner, raised havoc. Max did such an awesome job. Love those snap shot moments. Autism sucks but God is good!

Going Away Party

Yesterday the staff of Summit threw a going away/appreciation party for my wife, Pam. Since day one of Summit my wife has played a huge role and an integral part of this ministry. In fact outside of the members of the Leadership Team up until yesterday, she was the longest tenured employee we had. And as grateful as I am for her hard work in keeping up with and maintaining the accounting for our ministry and for the many ministries we are connected with, I am much more grateful for a wife who has always supported me and encouraged me to do what God has called me to do.

The office for me will not be the same, but I am absolutely ecstatic that my wife will have the liberty and margin to be more engaged in the lives of our kids, in our community and in the lives of the women that God has placed in her path. I am so thankful for a godly wife.

What's My Name?

So the other day my wife and I were laying in bed with our kids getting ready for the day and I turned and asked my son, Max, "what's my name?" and he replied "HUN!" My wife and I laughed and laughed. Over the last couple of days I have reflected not just on my son's response, but more so on my wife's amazing influence and example over our children. Why did my son respond, with "HUN" because he has heard his mom call me that throughout his life span. Now before you cast that off as no big deal, think for a moment. There are many wives out there that do not honor their husbands and I have been blessed with one that does. Just as easy, my son's answer to the question, what's my name?, could have been, chump, idiot, loser, good for nothing, but the fact remains he has copied his mom's example. Now at some point we'll have to tell him that my name is actually Orlando, but for now I celebrate the blessing of a wonderful life whose life speaks loudly to our precious kids.

Happy Birthday Emily!

Happy Birthday Emily!!! Today you are three and yet it feels like yesterday that your mom and I were driving you home from the hospital. You were God's divine yet unexpected blessing to us. After your brother's miracle adoption we thought maybe it would be awhile before another door like that would ever open again. Boy were we surprised that after only 15 months God would bless us again with you. Your birth parents made a courageous choice and for that they have our respect and gratitude and one day when you are older I am sure they will have yours as well. My prayer for you and Max is that you would always see your adoption as God's story, because it is and He has some amazing plans for your life.

Emily, I have nicked-named you the Queen Bee, because you command attention. You have so much personality and spunk in that little body of yours that it keeps my mind running on what God is going to ultimately do in and thru you. You are an absolute joy for your mom and I. You keep us laughing and smiling and every time we have the opportunity to hold you and be still our hearts and amazed by the goodness of God seen through your little life. I pray every day for your salvation, your future which God holds, your husband who better not be a chump and your kids who I hope I will still have energy to spoil, but as I do that I pray daily that God would cause my heart not to miss a moment!

I pray that as you grow you would understand the depth of God's love for you and the amazing salvation that He has provided for your soul. I pray that God alone would shape you and mold you and that He would give your mom and I wisdom to raise you rightly and grace to live out His character in front of you. We love you very much. You are an incredible blessing!

The Greatness of God

I have a friend who constantly challenges me to not miss the greatness of God around me. As followers of Christ we know that we serve a God who is most passionate about His glory and loves to display it to all humanity. It is as we gaze on the glory of God that we discover our depravity and begin to understand that nothing or noone can satisfy like God. So this morning I began to just reflect on the greatness of God and how in this recent season He has been positioning me to see and experience His glory. I was overwhelmed.

My wife, Pam, and I had the privilege to lead a team of 14 others on a mission trip to Iquitos, Peru. This is my 3rd trip in 9 months and every time I am there I see God's hand at work in amazing ways. This trip was no different. In the midst of deep poverty I saw the power, the beauty and joy of the Gospel. I talked with families that from a worldly perspective have absolutely nothing, but have found Christ and have joy that nothing in this world can compare to. I was so convicted by the evidence of the Gospel in these individuals who have discovered the true meaning in Psalm 73:25 "Whom have I in heaven, but you O God and I desire nothing on earth more than You!" That is the greatness of God.

This past weekend we ended all of our services early at both locations and we challenged our people to "be the church" and go to Publix and shop for groceries in an effort to help stock the local food pantries in our area. I was overwhelmed by the response. Our people invested over $35,000 and helped to stock four food pantries. That is the greatness of God...His activity in the lives of people, creating movement for His mission.

There was so much more that God brought to my heart and mind this morning and the challenge was clear, don't sleep walk! Be aware and attentive to my activity, to My greatness, to My glory! I pray that you will see the greatness of God today...don't sleep walk! Just a rambling. God Bless!

Prayer of Thanks

God I thank you for Your continual grace and mercy. I thank You for the many who made decisions this weekend to trust You as their Lord and Savior. I thank You for the amazing stories of life change. I thank You for the many men and women who partner with us in this mission. I thank You for their willingness to lay down their name and lose themselves in Yours. I thank You for our staff and for their humility, burden for the lost, passion for Your glory and commitment to Your Truth.

Father I pray that for those who accepted Your free gift of salvation through the Gospel of Jesus Christ that You would continue to show them Your reality and grow them in their new found relationship with You. I pray that we as believers would steward the gift of grace well and seek to dispense grace in the lives of those you allow to cross our paths.

Father I am amazed at what You are doing in and thru Summit Church, but I pray that we never forget that its not about our church, but the Your Body. I pray that we do not forget that its not about filling a building but fueling a movement of people that live on mission. I thank You Lord for allowing us to finishing our fiscal year ahead of budget. Thank You for Your incredible blessings. You are amazing. Father may Your people continue to steward their resources faithfully and may we as Your church continue to use all You have given to us in a manner that reflects You and furthers Your Kingdom. Father I am so excited about the days ahead and I pray that You would continue to pour out Your Spirit and lead us on to Your agenda. You are mighty to save Father and I thank You for continuously moving the mountains. I love You Lord. Amen.

If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, move from here to there and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. Matthew 17:20