Check out this post from Gary Lamb, on “Thoughts Keeping Him Up”. It contains thoughts that are keeping him awake at night as they prepare to launch their first satellite campus. Here a few good ones.

• What is the bottom line cost we can launch campuses for without compromising our vision, style, and excellence?
• How quickly can I launch campuses?
• How important is the role of campus pastor?
• How do you duplicate the buzz and energy of our main campus?

Check out his post for more of his thoughts and questions about it.

In continuing my thoughts on dreaming big, i wanted to talk about a few types of dream killers(people). You see whenever someone has a big dream there inevitably will be dream killers trying stop that dream from coming true. Here are a few of the big ones.

1. The Comfortable - These are the people who are in your life who are comfortable where they are at and know that your dream would upset their routine.
2. The Jealous - These people are the ones who have forgotten their dream or gave up on it. They are bound and determined to keep anyone else from achieving a dream so they can feel better about not achieving theirs.
3. The Rivals - These are people who have a similar dream to yours. They are similar to the jealous except their motivation is to be the only one succeeding at the dream. They may not be a rival in your eyes, but in their eyes you are a rival
4. The Doubters(a.k.a. The Skeptics) - They are the ones that don’t think it is possible to achieve your dream. Whether it is something they see lacking in you, your plan, or just the validity of the dream in general, they don’t hesitate to point it out to you.

How do you deal with these people when they stand in between you and your dream? What are some other types of dream killers(people).

One of the things God has been putting on my heart lately is the concept of dreaming big. You know, reaching for the stars, going for it at all costs, walking around with your head in the clouds. Yeah, that type of stuff. So I recently came across a copy of “The Dream Giver” by Bruce Wilkenson and decided to buy it (it was $1, can’t beat that) and give it a read. I am loving it so far as it is really challenging me to re-think my dreams and how to go for them. Anyway I really just want to share some of my thoughts on Dreaming Big.

1. We serve a BIG God, who gives BIG Dreams. - Yes, you have a big dream and it is from a big God.
2. He gives us BIG dreams so we can go out and fulfill them. - God gives us those dreams to go after, not to sit around an reminisce about.
3. He can do more with your big dream, then you can even dream. - check out Ephesians 3:20
4. People will try to discourage you from going for your dream - Weather it is in the form of doubters, criticizers, or those “just trying to protect you” from failing. Don’t listen to them!

One of the areas He has stretched me with this is the area of church growth. I have seen too many times churches that just don’t dream big and don’t have the desire to grow, because they think that they should just be content, and that God doesn’t want them getting to big for their britches. What a load!

The God I serve wants to see people come to know His everlasting Love and know the life that is found in Him. Why would he not want your church to grow. For all you church leaders out there struggling with this, know this, God did not call you into ministry to stay where you are and not experience growth. He will never think you are self serving for trying to grow your church through reaching the lost. Other pastors might, church members may, outsiders might say things mean and untrue about you, but the God of the universe will be pleased that you are reaching the lost and seeing lives changed.

Big Dreams are from God, don’t be afraid to pursue them.

Just wanted to let everyone know that my wife finally got her new blog launched the other day, thanks to a super special web designer, me. Anyway head over and check it out http://SpringLakeChristian.com

Gone

pain comes from deep within
thoughts of places that we’ve been
you left with just a simple word
and went about your way

now where do I go next
and in who do I have faith
you dropped off so very soon
and left me here all alone

what made you leave
who’s to say
if you’ll return
I’ll wait for that day
when you were here
my life had truth
but now your gone
and I don’t have you

We had so much planned
our whole lives ahead
seems we had to much
for your life’s way

what made you leave
who’s to say
if you’ll return
I’ll wait for that day
when you were here
my life had truth
but now your gone
and I don’t have you

now that I know
my life will move on
but inside of me
you’ll still be gone

of all our dreams
our hopes and goals
where you’ll be
is in memories

but I still don’t know

what made you leave
who’s to say
if you’ll return
I’ll wait for that day
when you were here
my life had truth
but now your gone
and I don’t have you

These are some of the things God has been putting on my heart to pray for the past few weeks:

• This guy and his family. I folow his church and have seen him lead worship, so he has been on my heart the past few weeks. Read this and you will see why I have been praying for him.
• Other churches. Specifically NewSpring, Elevation, and Lifechurch.tv. Also the pastors of those churches Perry Noble, Steven Furtick, and Craig Groeschel. These churches have had a big influence on me the past few years and I love reading these guys blogs. They have really encouraged me and forced me to grow with their wisdom and insight. If you haven’t read their blogs yet head over and check them out.
• My wife and her lupus. I am praying for God to heal her and give her relief from the chronic pain that comes with the disease.
• My little minions. I am always praying for them(as well as my wife), but really have been praying for them lately just in regards to their future.
• My new church.God has led us to a great church in the last month. It is less then a year old and the vision and passion God has given them for the lost is awesome. I am praying for wisdom and guidance in serving God and the church, and praying for vision and strategy for the leaders.

So those are some of the things God really laid on me in the past few weeks to be praying about. What are you praying about? I would love to hear so we can be praying together.