This is a prayer I found in a book I am currently reading: 

I asked God for strength that I might achieve,
I was made weak that I might humbly learn to obey.
I asked for health that I might do great things,
I was given informity that I might do better things.
I asked for riches that I might be happy;
I was given poverty that I might be wise.
I asked for power when I was young that I might have the praise of men;
I was given weakness that I might feel the need for God.
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life;
I was given life that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing that I asked for,
but everything I had hoped for.
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered. 
I am, among all people, most richly blessed. 

Praise God! I am blessed. 

Pray! 

Let's begin to really Pray! Pray for TLCC to make a difference as she leaves the building. 
Pray for hearts to surrender and the waters of the baptistry to be stirred. 
Pray for the Youth of this area to come to Christ and for the Student Ministry of TLCC to grow. 
Pray that the men of the church rise up and start leading their families and this church for the Glory of God! 

Pray! Pray! Pray that the Holy Spirit move people toward repentance and that we begin to move in the power of the Holy Spirit to proclaim the gospel of Jesus to a lost and dying world!

Pray for the Children's Christmas Musical to be a blessing during the Christmas season. 

Pray for me. Just because! 

Pray so that we may stand against the devil's schemes. 

Pray....Maranatha! Maranatha. Come quickly Lord Jesus! 

David

Widgets!

I have a new widget for my dashboard for the MAC. Just testing it out. 

I love the mac world!

David

Contagious!

A new series is just around the corner. every year around this time in the fall, we cover the topic of stewardship. This year the title comes from a book by Barry Cameron, Contagious Generosity. I pray that over the next three weeks, that every person catches this principle from God's Word. Join TLCC as we discover the key to continuos blessing.

On completion of Contagious Generosity, we will launch into our Christmas series: The Perfect Christmas.

I am curious, what is your idea of a perfect Christmas?

December 9th, we will host Christmas at the Lakes! This will be an event for the whole family. I can't wait. the Children are working so diligently on their musical called Christmas Crosstalk. We will also have a great worship time that will warm your heart and turn your eyes toward the light of the world! The team is also working on some other fun and exciting things that will make it a night to remember. Don't miss Christmas at the Lakes.


give us your thoughts...


Love you all dearly,

David

Open Doors!!!!

I hope that you have been motivated and encouraged to invite someone to Church this week. I am praying that even between now and Sunday that many of you will make it a priority to call a friend, neighbor, even a loved one and invite them to church.
If you look at the image for the sermon series, you will notice that the door is open. Indeed, the door is open. The door is open like never before in our culture, in our town, in our communities to advance the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Look for those open doors and if you don't have an open door, pray for God to open them! Paul in his letter to the church in Collosee asked them in his final thoughts to pray for doors of opportunity to be open so that he may proclaim the gospel even while he was in chains. Do you see the irony of it? Paul is not praying that God open doors of freedom so that he could get out of the chains that were shackeled to his feet. No, Paul was praying for open doors of oportunity to share the gospel while standing in the chains that bound him. Wow!

"In Chains" some of us probably feel like God has allowed us to be "in chains." But could I encourage you for a bit? Those chains just might be the very "pulpit" or "platform" that enables you to share about Jesus and how he has changed your life.
What chains has God allowed to shackle you so that the great "go" mission might be fulfilled?


Some of us miss the open doors of opportunity that God puts before us because we are too focused on how we think God should open doors. I pray for a lot of things, I think I am going to start praying more for open doors of opporunity to share the Gospel.

Hello Church!

I am so proud to be your Pastor! I think that TLCC is made up of some of the most loving, gifted, sacrificial and enthusiastic people I know. I also think that we have some very creative people in our chairs every Sunday.

the Big Idea team wants to hear your ideas and thoughts. give us your feedback on things.

The upcoming series is The Church has Left the Building!

this week: What is in it for me?
October 28th: The Great "Go" Mission!
Nov. 4: The time is NOW!
Nov. 11: Transformed by love.

What do you think of when you see these titles?
Are you inviting your friends, neighbors and co-workers?

Thank you for treating Mark Moore so kindly. I told you he was good! He and his wife Barbara enjoyed their visit. You blessed them with your hospitality. Thank you!

I thank God evyday that I get to be the Lead Minister of TLCC at this very time in this very place. Oh, what fun!

David Patrick

New Church Has Left the Building Image

Rich asked me to post this image to the blog. Feel free to leave feedback...

The Elephant has left the biulding!

Poverty. AIDS. Homosexuality. Abortion. Pornography. Some big elephants in the room were discussed. I am curious to know what the Big Idea Team thought and would also like to know Elephant in the room topics for next year.

What do you think?

TCHLTB Image

The Church has left the Building

The elephant is still in the room. abortion and porn Sunday is all that is left of the sad elephant. If I can figure out how to upload the images to flickr, once I figure out how to grant access, I will post the image for the next series...The Church has left the Building!

A great read...for the readers in the team is The Gutter by Craig Gross.

It's time to leave the building and go to the gutter. Jesus said "go!"

The schedule for that series is:

The Great "GO" Mission - Jesus said Go...enough said!
Looking out for #1 - serving others before serving ourselves
Starving Jesus - Matthew 25
Following Jesus - following Jesus to the gutter...several portraits

Just getting started...

Welcome to the Table!

Hello Everyone,

Dave and I are both excited about this new method for us to brainstorm and share ideas for the Big Idea Team at TLCC. Check out Dave's post below to see what he has to say about it!

The idea with the blog is to have a forum for us to discuss upcoming sermon series, share constructive criticism, and brainstorm. We're looking for ideas to better communicate the Big Idea (or the theme of the service, sermon series, etc.) to the people of the church. Think broad. Don't be afraid to share ideas and put yourself out there. Some ideas we will use, some we may not use, and some we'll table for later.

We're still trying to figure out exactly how this will work, but bookmark this blog in your favorites and check back often. When you have a thought or idea to share, scroll down to to the end of the relevant post and leave a comment.

If you have questions, please feel free to email or call!

What's the Big Idea?

Hey Team...
I am so jazzed about this new opportunity for the Big idea team at TLCC.
A big Idea thanks to Alana for nudging me thru the door to the "blogger" world. I am lost, but I am here...that says something doesn't it?

The more we communicate and share ideas and collaborate, the better the team will be. I thrive off of input from the TLCC Big Idea team...your ideas and creativity are inspiring to me.

Do you feel innovative...

Now that Blake has come on board to lead our Student Ministry and Worship Team, Alana will be able to focus much needed attention on this team.

This team has so much potential. I am amazed at the gifts, and talents that God has brought to this church. We will be getting together soon! Alana will let us know when that will be.

Without Him we are nothing. Because of Him we are here, right now, for this very purpose.



Thank you Lord Jesus!