80‘s- Okay, no big secret here but I as you know am NOT a fan of anything 80’s other than the fact that I met my best friend and wife on June 29th 1988 at a class reunion for my mothers graduating class of West Rome High in Rome. We were living in Melbourne/ Palmbay FL at the time and were here on vacation. I will always remember my wife’s birthday  6/30 and my moms (same day) as the weekend my life changed forever! So how does this tie into the I love the 80’s series at Life Church?

I made it a point to tell my best friend and Pastor why I was not a fan of the series- There are like “0″ memories of the 80’s I care to remember!! I am not bitter or angry, just glad that portion of my mind has been erased by a gracious Father. Forgiveness has been granted and received-

When I heard we would be doing 80’s Series Week #2 Family Ties, I just went Black- not back but BLACK. Black as in a memory passed and dead to me. I wont go into all the details or tell you how I deal with such “things” , but I can tell you I wear my emotions. You can always see my feelings, ALWAYS.

So, Saturday, “The Mayor”, of Rosedale took me to 2 private lakes to fish- We should have quit at 10 am when the last of 8 or 10 were caught but NO- “The Mayor” knew something was up and kept trolling the waters for me. I spent 99% of the day thinking and almost silent. That time was for “us” to bond- funny how he enjoyed the day in a totally separate way than I did- Yes, We had a great time but I really spent the day trying to grip feelings and find a way to be a contributing Team mate at Life for Sunday morning- big news, I didn’t find it. What I did find was an age old saying. “If your not a part of the solution, you are a part of the problem.” I chose to remove myself from the day so that I would NOT be a source of negativity. So on to the – How this ties into LIFE-

By removing myself from  the day- God showed of Big time and 4 people accepted Jesus. I know it is hard for some to understand this, but you need to remember there are times when you are called to serve, and times you need to GET OUT OF HIS WAY. Today- I got out of HIS way.

You hear pastors say it all of the time- “God remove me if I am in the way”, well I didn’t want God to have to move me out of his way- I wanted to be the one that knew I didn’t have the attitude to serve. I spent the entire morning praying for God to move all over His people and boy did he-

Enough about me and on to a few volunteers the make Life happen week in and week out! Remember, all of our volunteers are AWESOME, I just choose to highlight a few each week so that you may get to know them better or choose to serve beside them.

There are a few folks I would like to point out and say way to go~

Scott Rounds, (and Melanie)- Every time I look around he is doing “something else” He has bought into the Mission and Vision of Life and is willing to do what ever it takes!

Gary Teems- Did you know besides lights he takes our trash off, cleans the yard, cuts the grass….I could keep going but just know he is an all star and for Kay, she is a Super Trooper- (look close and sometimes you will see her beside him running the lights.

Ken Ward- Many of you do not see what he does but just know he walks the entire campus and prays over every area! You can also find him serving in the parking lot or as an usher. This guy will do anything you ask- Love his heart!!

I sure hope to see each of you next Sunday for week 3 of I love the 80’s as Jason brings it again! Week 4 you guys are in for a surprise- one quick hint

ONE HIT WONDERS- Yea, 80’s were full of them! Will we play your favorite?

HOME WORK-Go back to Face Book post and name your favorite ONE HIT WONDER-

See ya Sunday~

Everything we do is driven by Volunteers at Life Church. That being the case I like to take time on Sunday and mention a few that stand out in a crowd-

Haden Wallace- Dude spends countless hours making sure Sunday is done with excellence. When you see Haden be sure to let him know what an awesome job he is doing

David and Nathan Hoyt- I am amazed at how two brothers that are new to Life got so involved and are so sold out tho the mission and vision that they spend a Saturday night creating a set and hanging props, I didn’t see when they left but I bet it was close to midnight!

Carley Cater- Coffee anyone? Just a thought, have you “not’ noticed her there? I think you will all agree that we are blessed to have her on our team- always serving us with a smile!

Life Church Band- This week our band took the week off for some much needed rest~ two words for you guys- Hurry Back!! Worship at Life without you isnt the same. You guys, and gals were missed.

We are in a series called I love the 80’s- I bet you didn’t know this but I am NOT a fan of the 80’s but I am a fan of 7 people meeting Jesus because we are willing to obey God and teach what He has planned, not what we think we want to do. There was also a bout 4-5 couples attending our Partnership class this week to join in with us as we Dominate a City!

Each week I stand amazed at the Life Change that is happening all around me. People giving up addictions, getting real, meeting Jesus, getting baptized, breaking free from the chains that have held them down for years, marriages restored, finances given back to God, Volunteers sign up to serve where ever needed- I could go on and on- bottom line is He is changing Lives- and that my friends, never gets old………

I am going to keep trusting God on this one-

I would love about 2 pallets of Bermuda Sod, Nice Spring Flowers,  Small Green Shrubs and anything else that will make the grounds look fresh and ready for Easter. Please come join us Saturday at 7:30- trust me, we need all the help we can get.

Caught in the act of serving-

Vince Dostie- Life Security, Vince serves week end and week out making sure our campus is safe and secure as well as safe guarding our children’s area. Thank you Vince for all you do!

Charlotte Jones- Village, She serves week end and week out making sure your grade school children have leaders and volunteers sold out to teaching our kids about Jesus. Thank you for your service!

Sandra Stinson- Jungle, She is working every week recruiting, teaching, planning , rocking babies and playing with our pre schoolers because she is willing to do anything to see the mission and vision of Life Church fulfilled. Thank you Sandra!

Robin Cater- Life Cafe, Robin has transformed our coffee bar into one of the hottest spots in the building! She probably has a waiting list for those wanting to serve. Oh…..and she has to put up with Ole Greg Cater, nuff said!! Thank you Robin

Robert Weaver- Greeter, Robert is the first to arrive and one of the last to leave! He knows most of you by name and if he don’t he will next Sunday. He serves to make sure your experience at Life,  reflective of his love for Christ. Thank you Robert

Each week or so I will highlight 5 Volunteers from various areas and publicly thank them for serving.

Every volunteer at Life deserves a standing ovation, when you see them serving- be sure and thank them!

Easter Sunday- Tattoo! 10 am

Please be ready for two services and or prepared to sit in the metal chairs or the over flow room in the Atrium- it will be wired for Video and sound so you wont miss a beat!

Partners arrive early- 8:30-8:45 and park in the front near Martha Berry. Our parking team will be there by 8:30 to assist you in finding the best spot!

Pack your soccer chairs in the trunk just in case we run out of chairs….again (Woohoo)

See ya Saturday morning,

Mark

See you next Sunday-

We are in the middle of relocating Pulse, our Student Ministry, to the Life Building and in the process of getting our new equipment and some of our existing equipment working together. Top it all off with what could prove to be one of our most important Gatherings in the coming weeks this Sunday! Dominate Rome all Tithers Sunday- We will be receiving a Dominate Offering in addition to our regular tithe- Read the Vision below and commit to praying for what God will have you do this Sunday.

I see a city where prisons are empty, the homeless have careers, divorce attorneys are out of work and the name of Jesus Christ is made famous. 

I see a city where yesterday’s drug dealers are now mentors, prostitutes are now school teachers, alcoholics are now counselors and the name of Jesus is made famous. 

I see a city where those who are far from God find healing from their past, feel loved in the present, and are given a new start for the future. 

I see a city where parents are once again role-models for their children. 

I see an army of 20,000 Christ-followers who give, pray, serve, and lead as though tomorrow is their last day on earth. 

I see a mighty outpouring of God’s favor on Rome, Georgia that is evidenced all around the world. 

I see a city where every night of the week, in every neighborhood, and every street there are families meeting together to find healing from their past, help for the present, and hope for the future. 

I see a city where divorce is not a problem, abortion is not an option, and child abuse is not an issue. 

I see a church full of different races, statuses, creeds, worldviews, who assemble for the purpose of making God look good. 

I see a city that is better for my kids, and grandkids, because they, unlike myself, never have to be afraid of standing up for Jesus. 

I see a city where the hungry have food, the naked are clothed, the underprivileged have stability, the handicapped are accepted, and the unlovable feel loved.

 I believe LIFE Church is the pioneer of this vision, and I am willing to work, pray, lead, serve, sweat, cry, and if necessary die, to see this vision fulfilled.