Fasting!

Have you ever fasted? I'm not talking about dieting...or starvation...but biblical, spiritual fasting? I must admit I am not a fasting type of person. I hate even typing that. I believe that fasting, like many other biblical disciplines, is misunderstood. I don't know what everyone else is feeling for 2008 but I believe that 2008 is a year of total commitment to God. While talking to a minister friend of mine, who I believe truly hears from the Lord, he said that this will be the year that things will be exposed. I believe, with him, that there is coming a move of God that is looking for those who truly want to live their lives for God. I see many who add God to their life only to have a better life. Yet, Romans tells us that our service is to present ourselves as a living sacrifice. It's about God and not us...and I believe Christianity has become more about us than Him. We do everything for us...we play the music we like. We preach the sermons we like. We do almost everything for us...but I want to start 2008 all about Him. God Bless.

Local Church Controversy

Ok...so I have been reading everything concerning the Newspring church here in Anderson. If you are not aware of it...go HERE...and I understand any comment whether for or against is bound to insite a riot. My reason for posting is because I have been asked on more than one occasion what I thought. Instead of getting into a heated debate (which I personally find as a waste of time and energy, I've changed a little since I have a child who keeps me busy and tired) I am going to summize my thoughts here. If you like them good...if not, sorry.
Newspring has become one of the fastest growing churches in America. They have surely reached more people than many churches here in our area or for that matter in the nation. I believe what we have to be careful of is that we do not, in any way, bring a reproach on something God is doing. Now, before you make your mind up on whose side I am on...read on.
Just because something is growing doesn't mean it's of God. And, just because someone or some church does things a little different doesn't mean they are NOT of God.
Being a pastor in Anderson I have seen a lot transpire over the past couple of years. I have seen more people excited about church than ever before. In fact, I see magnets on almost every other car I see in town. So for that I am thankful. Whether that magnet or sticker is Newspring, Covenant, or any other.
Yet what really alarms me is we are talking about church but not becoming the church. Understand, I believe Church attendance is necessary for your walk with God. I also believe going to church doesn't give you a ticket to heaven. Church attendance is a by-product of your relationship with Christ. It's not a format by which you use to "apease" the God's.
Church attendance is to Christianity what intimacy is to marriage...it supports it...it makes the relationship stronger and better. Yet, church attendance doesn't make a Christian no more than intimacy alone make a marriage. It takes committment. It takes determination. It takes a change of life. So does being a Christian. Someone who attends church but their life is not changed hasn't truly come into relationship with Christ. I saw a church sign not long ago that read, "You can't live wrong and die right."
I see churches in this area growing and I praise God. Yet, in talking with a friend of mine, the crime rate is still going UP. Yet we talk about church. Teenage pregnancy is still as high in Anderson as almost anywhere else in the state. Yet we talk about church. Drugs are being used at a more alarming rate in Anderson every year. Yet we talk about church. So, what is the problem?
In this I am reminded of 2 Tim 3:1-5 which says, "having a form of godliness but denying it's power." Talking about sin without true repentance is fruitless. It does nothing.
My prayer is that no matter if it's Newspring or the church I pastor, we focus on true change. True change is all that really separates us from the world. Newspring, continue to follow God...making disciples of men and women here in Anderson. I vow to do the same.

A Few Things...

First let me say WOW to all that God is doing in our church! If you have missed it...well, you have missed it! God is opening so many doors for our new sanctuary! Just last week we were hit with a huge fee for a sewer tap...it almost looked as if this would slow down our progress...but it's just like God to already have made a way. I called the guy we bought the land from on another issue and he asked how things were going. I told him about the sewer tap issue and he said "that's not right." I gave the county an easement to place a sewer line across that property and in turn they gave that property a tap free! Praise God!!!
Also, as many of you know we hosted Rocky River Worship Center's Drama team. It truly ignited something in our church. We started with just one girl in our youth group. She was dedicated and committed to see us have a drama team. A couple of Wednesday nights ago we had a short meeting to just see who would be interested. Now we have 4 who have already learned a drama and are ministering tomorrow night (Tuesday) at the revival I am holding in Easley!!!! God is awesome. I saw it last night and it's GREAT! We also have 4 more wanting to join!! To God Be the Glory! That brings me to the Revival at Jones Hill! God started last night moving in an awesome way. We had nearly 20 in the altar worshipping God and receiving from Him. Tonight is going to be unreal!! If you attend CIOC try not to miss tomorrow night...it will be our first ministry opportunity for the drama team!

Everything by Lifehouse (Awesome Video)

New Pictures of Corban!!

I have posted new pictures of Corban on his site...www.kingskidone.com. Go check them out. They were done by right touch photo in Seneca. You can check them out HERE. God Bless.

And people don't believe in David and Goliath

Last week a David and Goliath event took place. My old college roommate called me and told me that he knew the coach of App State and said he is a great Christian man!

Update on my tests

I went to the Dr. today and everything is good. They did find a place (for fear of spelling that huge dr. word they used) in my sinuses that has swollen and putting pressure on my eyes and causing the headaches. They put me on some medicine and said everything should be good in a couple of days! Praise God. Sunday will be awesome! Get lost love ones there.

Ok..so here's the deal

Ok, well here's the deal...I was just writing my next blog (cause I said I would in my previous blog) and I came up with an awesome sermon for Sunday...so knowing myself, I am not typing any more in fear I will give it away...but if you know someone who is lost and you are really wanting them to come to the Lord...invite them, beg them, go pick them up Sunday morning...it's going to be simple but get them there...it will change their life...now for a testimony...a visitor was there last Sunday and afterwards the person who invited them asked them how they liked the service...they said, "there was a message in tongues (yeah our church still believes in that) and an interpretation given...it was awesome." Go God! Things are happening at CIOC! See Friday night at First Friday Prayer!

Thanks...

I want to thank everyone tonight for the prayer. So many times the enemy pushes men and women of God into thinking if you ask those you lead for prayer it will damage your ability to lead them. My thoughts? I don't want to lead people who will think differently about me if I need prayer! CIOC peeps are the best in the world. I know every pastor says that about their church (they should) but I have traveled around and been in many churches. I have seen many great churches and met many great people...but as a whole...CIOC has the best people around. We love beyond anyone's faults which is what I believe Christ did for all of us. God bless all of you...now for my next post. I will post the results from my tests today, tomorrow as soon as I get back home.

Ok...so I should have known better...

Ok...so I should have known better than to announce our revival with Joel Talley. As many of you already know, Joel is known for extended revivals almost everywhere he goes. This is an exciting thing when he is at your church but it causes changes in his schedule. Having been on the road myself I used to dread the call to the pastor you were suppose to go to next. Well, that pastor was me today. And, I know this from experience...God is up to something in our CHURCH. Everytime I had to postpone a revival it was like the afterburners were turned on. It seemed as if God was placing that church in a spiritual crockpot to move in an unprecedented way. Joel, if you are reading this...CIOC will be ready when you come our way. To the rest of you...Joel and I will reschedule as soon as we can. Keep watching...God is up to something.

Update on about everything...

Things are getting crazy around the King household. Corban is growing like a weed and responding to almost everything we do now. He laughs out loud (LOL) for those cyber geeks, and he is able to let you know quickly if he's not happy. Tyra and I are loving being parents. There is nothing like it.
We just finished 5 weeks of revival in Calhoun Falls. What a move of God! We saw so many people come to the Lord. I will be posting pictures this week on Enter In Ministries site so check it out. God is moving in our ministry in leaps and bounds! I am holding several more revivals coming up. One in Jacksonville, FL (dates are being determined now). One in Columbia, SC in October and another one in Pickens, SC. If you want information please just visit our EIM site often as we will be updating it!
This Sunday we start in revival with Joel Talley! This will be our first revival at CIOC. (Our Church Site is being overhauled as we type) Joel will be with us Sunday 10:30 am and 6 pm...no service Monday night in honor of Labor Day and resume on Tuesday and Wednesday at 7pm. We are having Acts of Praise from Rocky River Worship Center on Tuesday night so get there early for a SEAT!!
We will also be breaking ground sometime in September, so I am told. We will make sure you know so that you can come to this awesome event. There will be nothing like it around!
Now on a more spiritual note...is God messing anyone up other than me? I am so convicted about how much we try to do life on our own. I am sick of learning 4 points to having a better marriage only to point God out of the way. I believe our prayer time has become a spiritual psychological couch where we simply tell God all that is going on in 'our' lives and leave before truly leaving our cares with Him. There is a difference in telling Him and Trusting Him. Well, I hope to see you next week at revival! If we are close come see us if you can!