I Love FPC and Other Thoughts!

• Our band did an amazing job today - "Promised Land" - great way to launch the service!
• All three services were almost full - well over 500 today!
• One thing this series has taught me . . . I am richer than I care to admit; therefore, I have a greater responsibility.
• Brian Sabin has assumed a volunteer staff role as "Director of Technical Communications". Everything Brian does has the mark of excellence. We are honored to have Brian serve with us. He will make us all better.
• Lana is in California this week - pray for me!
• Thanks to Kate, we now have new and improved coffee in the lobby - the world just keeps getting better and better.
• I get more impressed with Evan's drumming each time he plays - now he has begun to give drum lessons to kids here at our home - he has two lined up for tomorrow - Advil, here I come.
• My dog needs grooming. I don't know how he sees where he's going.
• I'm so thankful for our volunteers at FPC. Each week, they step up and lead with excellence. There is no way that we could impact the people we do without each one.
• Special thanks to Ty DeHart who fixed our banner outside. It always amazes me when people know how to actually use a hammer, level, shovel, etc. Not me. If I can't read it or cook it, I'm lost.
• Dr. Leo and his lovely wife from Ecuador will be with us next week and speaking in all three services on the 24th. Lana and I are so excited.
• Snow already! If not, let's see some sunshine and warmth.
• Lana is in California this week - pray for me.
• Do you have questions about Forest Park? If so, Discovering Forest Park is next Sunday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. - a full meal and child-care are provided. Register if you haven't already.
• If the weather permits, you should see the concrete for our pavilion and outreach center poured this week. The buildings will start going up in just a few weeks.
• When will working out at the "Y" become fun? People tell me that eventually it gets easier. Liars! Every minute seems like an hour. Sorry, but I hate it. I mean "hate" in the most Christian of ways.
• The series, How to Be Rich, is challenging for me. Unfortunately, I'm not as generous as I once thought. What about you?
• I just finished reading, "Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger". Wow!
• I just began reading, "The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs". I got a lot to learn about communicating more clearly - I'm just saying.
• Lana is in California this week - pray for me.
• Forest Park Church has over 700 friends on Facebook!
• There are so many hurting people within FPC - sometimes the needs seem overwhelming - I know that we can't meet all the needs - but I just feel so inadequate.
• I'm a "blessed" man - I have great kids, an incredible wife and faithful friends. What else do I need?
• Lana shared a quote with me this week, it goes something like this, "There will always be people who say negative things about you; just live your life so that no one believes it." Love it!!!
• The interview with Satan was great this morning, huh? If you weren't there . . . no, we didn't interview your spouse or mother-in-law.
• Our next series is going to challenge you like crazy - I haven't titled it yet, but it's coming!
• Lana is in California this week - pray for me.

I've been thinking . . .

• Sunday was another incredible day at FPC from the opening song in the 8:30 service to the end of the children's program that evening. I'm proud to be the pastor.
• Lori Monaghan did a fantastic job leading our kids in "No Wonder" - I don't know how she pulled it off, but she did.
• I love our staff and volunteers - they make me want to go to the office everyday.
• Had an amazing talk with someone after the 3rd service on Sunday - made my whole afternoon. God is moving!
• My son is beginning to drive - pray for me.
• We wrap up our Naked Faith series this coming Sunday - this has been a fun series for me. Much deeper than many people were expecting, but it's been an exciting ride.
• Did you see all of the presents in the lobby last night for our Angel Tree outreach? Incredible! FPC blessed 130 children through Elizabeth City - did I say I love it here?
• My Community Group Christmas party is this coming Saturday evening - I'm ready - bring on the food and bring on the gifts!
• We have the largest Christmas tree that we have ever had at the Neal house - 9 feet! I had to use a latter to put the angel on. Let's hope that it doesn't fall over. I'm saying that because our Christmas tree fell over last year. And I don't care what Lana says, it was not my fault.
• Dr. Leo from Ecuador will be with us in January - he will speak in all three services. I'm so pumped! As you know, we built Dr. Leo a medical clinic this past summer. It's amazing to have him with us here at FPC and to catch his vision.
• If all goes as planned, you will see construction on the outreach center and the covered pavilion in January.
• Our worship team did an outstanding job Sunday morning - God of the Ages - wow! - what a way to end the service!
• Financial Peace University is coming to FPC in February - Dale Jones will be teaching it - if you've never taken it, whatever you do, don't miss it.
• Kate Klein (Director of Connections) led a few volunteers to Wave Church on Sunday morning in order to learn and grow from their connection teams. Way to go Kate! I love to see our teams growing, learning and becoming better and better. Did I say I love it here?
• My kids are growing up too fast - I don't want to miss a second of their lives.
• My wife is too good to me - it's obvious that I married up (no comments, please).
• I love coffee.
• I love books.
• I especially love to drink coffee while reading books.
• I want everyone in Elizabeth City to experience God's incredible grace - how can we make that happen? I want your thoughts.
• Had dinner this evening with several friends in order to celebrate a birthday - food was great - friends were better.
• Last Sunday evening about 50 FPC volunteers prepared and served an amazing meal to several families. Each family received a food basket, the children received gifts and while they were eating, our FPC kids entertained them. We have enough volunteers to served three times the families - next year we'll do it. Did I say I love it here?
• I'm ready for some snow - what about you?
• Are you going Christmas Caroling? If so, meet at FPC next Monday evening at 6:30. You'll have a blast!
• Said goodbye to great man this past week - Doug Simpson - he will be greatly missed by so many people.
• The best days of FPC are just ahead - I can see them on the horizon - can you?
• Lana, Evan, Ashlyn, Camryn and I wish you a MERRY CHRISTMAS!

A Million Miles

I'm reading Donald Miller's book, A Million Miles In A Thousand Years. I can't wait for the next chapter. Let me pass a few of his thoughts on to you.

"Your brain doesn't stop growing until you turn twenty-six, so from birth to twenty-six, God is slowly turning the lights on, and you're groggy and pointing at things saying 'circle' and 'blue' and 'car' and then 'sex' and 'job' and 'health care'. The experience is so slow you could easily come to believe life isn't that big of a deal, that life isn't staggering. What I'm saying is I think life is staggering and we're just used to it. We all are like spoiled children no longer impressed with the gifts we're given--it's just another sunset, just another rainstorm moving in over the mountain, just another child being born, just another funeral."

Miller observes,

"I've wondered, though, if one of the reasons we fail to acknowledge the brilliance of life is because we don't want the responsibility inherent in the acknowledgment. We don't want to be characters in a story because characters have to move and breathe and face conflict with courage. And if life isn't remarkable, then we don't have to do any of that; we can be unwilling victims rather than grateful participants."

Are you an "unwilling victim" or a "grateful participant"?

Just wondering.

Alright, back to reading.

Stuff I'm Thinking

• I enjoyed Sunday! From the worship to the beginning of a new series to community group last evening - great day!
• The opening song was excellent - thanks Bob.
• Yesterday was Tony's first Sunday singing on the Worship Team - amazing job! I heard lots of positive feedback - I'm confident that we will see him more often.
• I am so pumped about this new series, Naked Faith: Stripping Off Religion. A lot of positive feedback after part 1 - a lot of people wondering about the Naked Quiz - this is going to be fun!
• Remember for part 2, don't wear any clothes! It's a creative element that we're trying. Come on, it will be fun -- anything for Jesus, right!! (I'm not serious, BTW - trust me, you never know who will take me serious).
• Really excited about the basketball court and pavilion going up soon.
• Thanks for your giving.
• Our Women's Ministry (WOW) had another amazing trip to the Women of Faith Conference. Special thanks to Diane Hollowell and her team for making it happen - you ladies are on a roll - keep it up.
• I love our community group - the people, the fellowship, the teaching (not me), the food, everything - I look forward to it each time.
• We have so many needs within FPC and our community - I'm praying that God will resource our church with more and more people who are generous, so that we can give to others and meet needs. Please pray with me and give with me to make it a reality.
• Winterfest at Liberty University looks like a blast - get your kids there! Trust me, they will benefit a lot more from going to Lynchburg and participating in worship and activities with other kids than getting another expensive gadget. (Sorry kids)
• God is using FPC to change lives! I keep hearing about someone else who has been impacted and encouraged and challenged - it is a humbling experience to realize that God is using us to affect people's eternity.
• I'm diving back into some classes in 2010 - trying to finish up a degree - bitter/sweet - can't imagine finding time to read, read, read and write, write, write - but, there is no better time than NOW.
• Ecuador is on my mind again this week - 2010 will be our best year ever - we will reach more people and impact more lives - go with us, please!
• Lana is doing so good - I'm proud of her - she is and always has been my inspiration.
• I'm making so many new friends at FPC. We really have a great church - I love it!
• I will try to blog more. (Yeah, right!)
• Who are you praying for and investing in and loving into God's kingdom? Just a question.
• I love your comments, feedback and questions - keep them coming!!
• Have a wonderful week. Now, I must get busy doing other things than simply blogging.
• I love you - I really do.

I just began reading Michael Green's book, Thirty Years That Changed The World. I am learning so much about the early church and the character of the first disciples. Please read and reflect on the following two quotes. Each of these were written just 90 -100 years after the death of Apostle Paul (150-200 A.D.) These quotes describe the early church and give us a glimpse into the inner-workings, values, thoughts, reputation and practices of the first disciples.

The first one comes from Clement:

"For when unbelievers hear from our mouth the oracles of God, they wonder at their beauty and greatness. Then, discovering that our deeds are not worthy of the words we utter, they turn from their wonder to blasphemy, saying it is all a myth and delusion." (2 Clement 13:3).

Forest Park, that is still true after 1,850 years!

The next one comes from the Epistle to Diognetus. A little longer but read it slowly and reflect on each line.

"They dwell in their own countries, but simply as sojourners. As citizens they share in all things with others, yet endure all things as if foreigners . . . They marry, as do all. They beget children, but they do not destroy their offspring. They have a common table but not a common bed . . . They pass their days on earth, but they are citizens of heaven. They obey the prescribed laws and at the same time surpass the laws by their lives. . . They are poor, yet make many rich. They are in lack of all things, yet abound in all. They are dishonored, and yet in their very dishonor are glorified. They are evil spoken of, yet they are justified. They are reviled, and bless. They are insulted and pay back the insult with honor. They do good, yet are punished as evil doers. When punished, they rejoice as if quickened into life. They are assailed by the Jews as foreigners, and are persecuted by the Greeks. Yet those who hate them are unable to assign any reason for their hatred."

Wow! Makes me wonder how the church of 2009, especially Forest Park, is doing? What would be written about us? How would we be described?

I've got some thinking and praying to do. Please join me.

Sunday Night Thoughts

• Great Sunday! Thanks to everyone who made today successful. Even though a lot of people were out due to sickness, the Women's Beach Retreat and weekend getaways - you made it work - FPC people, you always impress me!
• I announced this morning that construction will begin soon on our basketball court, pavilion, volleyball court and outreach center. I cannot wait! Lots of planning and it is finally coming - your generous giving made this a reality - thank you.
• Today's message was difficult to present - it wasn't the material (I knew the material) - it was the subject - not an easy one. Suffering is hard to explain, especially when so many of our people are suffering.
• What are you doing to eliminate suffering throughout our world? I know I'm not doing much - God, break my heart with what breaks your heart!
• We have some new microphones ordered - they should be in this week - excited.
• We have some new lights ordered, too - they should be in next week - maybe a few new colors can tone down the shine on my head - probably not.
• I've been listening to a couple of new c.d.s - Hope Rising (Steve Fee) and Epic (Healing Place Church) - great worship experience. I especially like "Rise and Sing", "We Crown You" and "Promise Land" (Steve Fee) and "Beautiful King" and "The Creed" (Healing Place).
• I am so pumped about a new series that I'm beginning in November - I don't know the name yet - but it will be the most bold, clear, strait-forward presentation of the gospel that we have ever done! Trust me - people will either run to FPC or run away during this series. I just finished reading a book that discusses exactly what I have been wanting to say for a long time - it helped me to finally construct an outline for the series - excited and nervous!
• I also just began to read a book that has moved me like NO OTHER BOOK in a long time - it is called The School of Dying Graces, by Richard Felix - unless you want your heart pulled out of your chest - DO NOT READ THIS BOOK. It details the journey of Richard's wife from the moment she discovered she had cancer through her funeral and beyond. I can only read a chapter or two at a time - it is powerful, gripping, eye-opening.
• The Women's Beach Retreat was a HUGE SUCCESS! I have heard so much about it and how great it was - Lana had such a fun time. I'm pleased that we have a women's ministry team that cares about the women of FPC. Great job!!
• Sometimes I don't believe that my heart can contain any more love for my family than I feel. Each of my kids is a gift from God to me - I am blessed beyond measure. Lana is a dream come true for me - I love her with all that I am and thank God each day that He partnered us together.
• The colder weather? - Bring it on!
• I've got a new cell phone - now, I just have to figure out how to use it.
• Our Invite Cards look great - although one of the service times is wrong (8:00 instead of 8:30) - they look incredible - please go by and pick up some and give them to your friends - remember, leave a GENEROUS TIP if you put one on the table at a local restaurant - no cheap people at FPC - right?
• Good night!

How "Feisty" Are You?

I picked this up from Michael Hyatt’s Blog this week and when I read it, I immediately shared it with our FPC staff and just had to share it with you too. If you are a leader, you will appreciate these insights.

Did you know that General Tommy Franks flunked out of the University of Texas in 1967? (Yes, even successful people sometimes fail) Rather than waiting to be drafted to fight in Vietnam, General Franks enlisted in the Army. As he got on the bus to leave for boot camp, his father said, “Son, I have one piece of advice. Be feisty.”

Tommy replied, “But Dad, I am feisty.”

His dad said, “I mean it as an acronym. F-e-i-s-t-y.” He then went on to explain:

“F” is for focus. You need to get focused on what is important and stay focused.
“E” is for energy. Bring all the energy you can muster to every situation.
“I” is for integrity. This is your most important possession. Don’t ever compromise it.
“S” is for solve the problem. Don’t argue. Don’t make excuses. Just solve the problem and get on with it.
“T” is for take the blame when no one else will. Accept responsibility and be accountable.
“Y” is for “Yes, I do windows.” Don’t ever say, “That’s not my job.” Do whatever the boss asks you to do and do it with enthusiasm.

Great advice!

How F-e-i-s-t-y are you? How focused? How energetic? How’s your integrity? Do you solve problems or make excuses? Do you accept blame or pass it off to someone (or something) else? Are you constantly looking for ways to get out of work or do you finish your work and sometimes you do the other guy’s work too -- WITH ENTHUSIASM?

This is the stuff that separates the GOOD leader from the GREAT leader.

Think about it!