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Confessions of a Pastor-Part 2

February 13, 2010 at 11:41am

I grew up in a household of professional Multi-level Marketers.  My mom and step-dad were big wigs in networking and had a statement they would tell new people all the time, fake it till you make it.  They would encourage people to start acting like they were living out the dreams of there life even though they had yet to accomplish them.  Act like you have got everything all together and that everything is perfect and people will want what you have.

Personally I am tired of putting on this fake act that I have got it all together, because I don’t and probably never real.  It is more tiring faking it than it is making it because you are always trying to be someone you are not.  This whole idea that the pastor is or has to be perfect is ridiculous and I am definitely not perfect.  I don’t have it all together, probably never will but I am trying to become better everyday.

The reality is that when I get focused on trying to be this perfect person I am trying to please people instead of trying to please the one who matters most, GOD.  I am making this year the year that I stop living for an audience of many and start living for an audience of ONE.

Are you tired of the act?

Posted in Personal, Random Thoughts | Tags: ,

by T.J.

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February 15, 2010 - 6:44 pm m v b - Jim and I totally agree. We want to BE THE CHURCH, not just go to church. We want to be transparent and sincere and vulnerable and real with each other and with others. We want all to know that Jesus is not finished with any of us yet. We are all His WORK IN PROGRESS!!! We love you T.J., keep on keeping on.

Confessions of a Pastor

February 12, 2010 at 12:30pm

I have really been studying a scripture in James 5:16 a lot lately.  A lot of pastors use the last half of the scripture for having an effective prayer life, but God has really been talking to me about the 1st half.

James 5:16 “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.  The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”

We all want a powerful and effective prayer life, don’t we?  I know that I do, but the way to get to that point is to have a pure heart.  God is talking to us about confession, and confession of what we are doing wrong.  I don’t know about you, but I am not big on letting others know where I struggle but at the same point I want to have a pure heart before God.

I really struggle with pride in my life.  I want to be up front, I want people to recognize me, I want to be a part of those special moments with people, I want the accolades and I want, and I want and I want.  If you haven’t noticed, it is a lot about me.  I am tired of it being about me and not more about God.  I want it to be Thy kingdom come, rather than My kingdom come.  God is doing somethings in me over the past 6 months and I am ready to live out a life of confession cause I am sick of living a life of concealment.  Andy Stanley said this…

“The reason you fear the consequences of confession is because you’ve yet to realize the consequences of concealment.”

I am tired of living with the consequences of concealment.  I want to live in the freedom that comes with confession.  I don’t want to be prideful and jealous when I don’t get the attention, in fact I don’t want the attention, I want it to go to the one who is deserving of it all, Jesus Christ.

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by T.J.

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Psalm 91

February 10, 2010 at 10:14am

I was doing my time with Jesus today before early morning prayer at our offices and a verse really stuck out to me today that I have read hundreds of times.  It is found in Psalm 91:1

“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.”

What really struck me about this verse was the word DWELL.  In the Webster’s dictionary it means: to live as a resident.  I started to think about my relationship with God and am I a resident of a consistent time with God.  The thing that happens when I am dwelling with God is that I am right there with him, following (hence why I am in His shadow) but yet protected because he is making the way for me, leading out in front.

I find it so easy to be a nomad in my relationship with God.  There are times when I dwell with him but then all of a sudden I will find myself out wandering around looking at other places to be my shelter or residence.  I don’t know why I have this tendency but I do.  I want this year to be the year where I take up permanent residence in God’s house, where I don’t wander out looking for other places to rest or other people to follow.  This is the year where I believe each of us needs to establish our residence with His.

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by T.J.

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The Morning After

February 8, 2010 at 10:39am

This past weekend was incredible at Coastal Community Church.  We finished up our series called THE BLESSED LIFE with a message on reaching the lost.  I love talking about Jesus and how he changed my life and how we should be passionate to tell others what he has done for us.  I was a little jacked up and got my preach on when usually I am pretty laid back and chilled.  There are just some things in life that I am incredibly passionate about and reaching people for Jesus is probably the one that tops them all.

I cannot wait for this upcoming series that we have called UNWRITTEN, I believe that it is going to help each one of us see the purpose and plans that God still has for our lives whether we are 12, 22, 72 or 102.  God still has a story that he wants to write in our life and all we have to do is discover what that is and pursue those dreams with all that we have got.  I cannot wait to see everyone this next weekend.  You don’t want to miss what we have in store for the next couple of weeks.MainSlide

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by T.J.

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February 10, 2010 - 10:21 am T.J. - Susan, We would love to have you out to Coastal again. I am truly passionate about reaching people for Jesus. It is the reason we can to Ft. Lauderdale to start the church and I am so excited that we are inspiring you to reach out and make a difference in peoples lives for Christ.

February 9, 2010 - 10:12 am Susan - Hi TJ! You sound so filled with The Spirit and dedicated to spreading the Good News about our Lord!! I think about you and Shayla often. Too much time has passed since our last meeting. I must get out to Coastal for another great service REALLY, REALLY soon! And I feel refreshingly convicted about doing some evangelizing as well :) Thanks, and God bless.....Susie

Relationships

January 28, 2010 at 12:07pm

friendship2This past weekend at Coastal Community Church I talked about our need for relationships in our life.  This is probably the thing that I am most passionate about in life.  I know that I am who I am today because of the people who I have surrounded myself with over the last couple of years.  I know that for many people it is hard to find the kind of people that can move you towards the destiny that God has for you.  I am so thankful to the men who have walked with me through the good times, the bad times and everything in between.

I want to encourage EVERYONE and I mean EVERYONE to find some people in life who will encourage, build you up, stand with you, give you a kick in the butt, push you towards your dreams, hold you accountable and most importantly love you.  If you don’t know where to find people like that, I would encourage you to get involved in a small group at church.  I know that for us at Coastal Community Church we will have the opportunity to sign up for small groups again this Sunday, January 31st after the service and all the groups will be starting next week.  Find some place to jump into relationships with others and see how God transforms your life to look more like the life you have always dreamed.

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by T.J.

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February 4, 2010 - 1:12 am Jennifer Shepherd - Hey TJ. I have a friend that has attended your church since you guys first opened the doors. Her name is Nicole Watson and she is a very old and dear friend of mine. We were talking about our churches and it sounds like you guys are rocking down there. Let me back up...I am a member at Newspring Community Church in Anderson, SC, and I noticed from one of your blogs that you had been in contact with Perry Noble, our pastor. Well, long story short, The Unleash Conference at Newspring is coming up and I would like to extend an invitation to you and your wife to stay at my home if you are planning on attending. I have been a member of Newspring since near beginning and I remember hearing Perry talk about how "rough" church planting is and really would be honored if you would allow me to host you and your family and or staff and family. I have 8 extra beds and could do blow-up mattresses if you guys are in for roughing it. I will be volunteering the day of the conference and just would love to help you and your church out any way I can. I think the church vision is great and if it weren't for a guy like you (Perry) stepping out of your comfort zone and following God's plan, I would not have the relationship I have with Christ today. Sincerely, Jeni Shepherd 22 Abbott Lane Walhalla, SC 29691 jenishepherd@yahoo.com 864-844-0515 PS. You are welcome to make sure I am not a "looney tune" through Newspring. Ok, maybe I am a little crazy but I am crazy for Christ.