Internet Fast

I'm taking a break from the Internet until the first of the year. I'll be back January 1st.

Real Life Worship Team Photos

Living on a Budget

Here is a great link! If you don't live by a budget, now is the time. Elevation Church has put together a budget spread sheet. All you have to do is punch in the correct numbers and Excel will do the math for you.

God has richly blessed us with what we have. Everything comes from Him. He calls us to be good stewards of our belongings and yes this includes our income. A lot of us don't want to face the problem of our screwed up bank accounts, but how do you expect a financial blessing to come your way if you can't even manage what God has given you to start with.

Lets breakdown the walls of poor financial management together!

Watch Out For The Craftiness of Satan

satan is a very crafty being and is very good at what he does. I'm so thankful that he was defeated on the cross.
I want to remind you guys of Ephesians 6:12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

I was talking to somebody the other day and the person said something that highly offended me. I was in shock, I could not believe that they just said that to me. Anyways I tried to just blow it off but my mind was already wrapped around their comment. It effected the way I worshiped, the way I communicated, the way I thought. But then I realized that satan is a pretty crafty being. he used this person to try to break me down to hinder my leadership and my ministry.

I have just broke through a long drawn out spiritual battle that went on for over a month and for the last two weeks I have been living in the freedom from that battle and I dang sure am not getting wrapped back up in one just because satan tries to be sneaky. (I about did though)

What I'm saying is, that you will come in contact with people for the rest of your life and sometimes they might say things to you that might hurt your feelings or offend you or what ever. Just remember that satan is at work through everyone and he will try to use anyone, but it is not a war against each other but rather against the devil.


(I know I did not capitalize the word satan or words that referenced him, but he's a flippin punk and does not deserve it.)

Worship Set 11-2-08

Faithful.....................Steve Fee
Jesus Messiah..........Chris Tomlin
Shout Unto God.......Hillsong

Worship Sets

Here are the Worship Sets for the last two weeks. Sorry I haven't posted in awhile. I have come down with the crud and feel like blah.


Worship Set 10-26-08

Undivided.......................Elevation Church
Be Glorified.....................Chris Tomlin
God of This City.............Chris Tomlin
Yearn...............................Shane & Shane

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Worship Set 10-16-08(Acoustic)

Jesus Messiah..................Chris Tomlin
Reign in Us.......................Starfield
Mighty to Save................Hillsong

A Typical Week

This week is going to be a little different compared to what most of my weeks look like but I will share with you what each day looks like. Monday usually consist of preparing music, scripture and the flow of the first part of the Real Life Worship experience. During this time I'm seeking God through prayer, meditation of scripture and song. (This week will be a little difficult to sing because I have lost my voice) On Monday evenings I'm usually meeting up with the guys to play basketball about 6:00pm.(Thrive Group) This evening however I will be getting up with a friend and working on some music. Here are a couple pics of what today looked like.....

A Typical Week

Worship Set 10-12-08

My Glorious (Delirious)

Prince of Peace (N/A)

Rain Down (David Crowder)

I Kissed A Girl And I lIked It!

Micah's first kiss from Sarah Gregory. He got rejected twice earlier that day so when he finally got the big kiss he was excited.

+++NEW T-SHIRT DESIGNS+++

Our new T-shirts should be coming in soon! It has a great new look!

Worship Set 10-5-08

Meet With Me (Ten Shekel Shirt)

Not to Us (Chris Tomlin)

Better is One Day (Matt Redman)

Unleash 2009

Unleash 2009 Leadership Conference is coming March 12, 2009

The early bird special ends on the 29th of October 2008

Leaders Lead

I was at the ACCELERATE conference back in August and I've held on to what Greg Suratt said, "Leaders Lead". Wow that's so simple but that's just it. Leaders lead. Is the road of leadership easy? I don't know why don't you ask Moses or David. God told Joshua, "Be strong and courageous" three times in the first nine verses of the Book of Joshua. The words bold and courageous must be a pretty important part of leadership if God had to say it three times to Joshua before he was given the title leader of the Israelites.

If you are a leader at work, at church or wherever you lead, know that you will eventually have very tough decisions to make and tough situations that you will go through. Do not fold up in these circumstances. Be strong and courageous and seek God through prayer, study and meditation and then you will prosper and succeed in all that you do.

Worship Set 9-28-08

If We Are The Body (Casting Crowns)
Forever (Chris Tomlin)
No One Is Righteous (Rodney Morton)
Fire Fall Down (Hillsong)

Recap from Sunday

WWE Smackdown!
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Division in the church is caused by a lot of different opinions.
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Churches divide over.....
-Baptism (Which way is correct?)
-Worship Style (Hymns or Contemporary? Organs or Electric Guitars? In tune out of tune vocals)
-Version of the Bible (KJV or NIV or NAS? etc.....)
-What's heaven gonna be like? (have your own mansion or room?)
-Color of the carpet (blue .vs. red, green .vs. pink)

Is any of this worth dividing the Body of Christ?
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What the church has avoided to address.....
-Judgemental ism
-The hungry
-False teaching
-Marriage
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1 Samuel 30:1-8
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There are a lot of thing not worth breaking a sweat over like the color of the carpet.
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There are some things worth fighting for like Jesus Christ died for people's sin and shame and was raised from the dead 3 days later.
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The main idea here is that PEOPLE are the most important thing that God created.

See You At The Pole (Pre Rally) Worship Set 9-21-08

Oneway (Hillsong)

Everyday (Hillsong)

Love is Here (10th Ave North)

Times (10th Ave North)


The youth did a great job this evening at Pleasant Hill Advent Church.

Worship Set 9-21-08

Undivided (Elevation Worship)

Everyday (Hillsong)

You Must Be Greater (Rodney Morton)

Mighty To Save (Hillsong)

Only You

Are you entertained?
By the lights
By the music
By the style of this church

Do you leave as the same?
person at heart
person in spirit
person as a servent in this world

Did you experience God?
Through our love
Through our compassion
Through our service to you

All the lights, music, and teaching are great, but if you didn't experience my God then it was just time wasted.

God fill our time together as a church with nothing but Your spirit and Your power.

Only You have the power to heal a broken heart, only You have the power to give new life, only You have the power to break down the walls of addiction, Only You draw men to Your presence.

In the beginning You were, today You are, and in the end You will be the only One that draws me to You.

Forgive me for thinking it would be anything other than You.

Random Thought

OK so I was reading over one of the first devotions that I had posted in the beginning of my blogging life. It was called "Give Us Clean Hands". The title came from the song "Give Us Clean Hands". In this post I referred to Exodus 34:14 where it says; "You must worship no other gods, for the Lord, whose very name is Jealous, is a God who is jealous about his relationship with you." At that time God was dealing with me about video games and all the time I was wasting with them. Since then I have not really played any video games, maybe once a month if I'm lucky. But it seems like something always takes it's place.

Who or what is fighting for the time God wants you to spend with Him?

Can you put it down for 30 days?

I challenge you for the next 30 days to put down what ever you are putting in front of God. In those 30 days dig into God's word, pray, and seek God's direction for your life. A lot of times we have a big decisions to make, or a problem we are facing and we throw up a couple microwaved prayers to God and wonder why He is not showing up. I believe God continually speaks to us but we can't hear Him a lot of the times because we are so wrapped up in what we want to do.

Worship Set 9-14-08

Loser (3 Doors Down)
Be Glorified (Chris Tomlin)
One Way (Hillsong)
Famous One (Chris Tomlin)

Awesome set today in the first service. The second service we had some technical difficulties.
Today we started the Couch Potato Series.

Thrive Groups

Thrive Groups are a new way to reach out to your friends. It is easier to invite ones to a Thrive Group because its a group of people who have a similar interest in an area. It's like a first step for the one who is not sure about the church. We only have one Thrive Group that meets right now on Mondays at 6:30pm at the Anderson Creek Gym. We play 5 on 5 full court basketball. It's awesome and very tiring. If you know anyone who wants to play tell them to come out. For more info email me rmorton@reallifenow.net or Darrell at dbrown@reallifenow.net

Life Groups Starting This Week!

Life Groups start this Saturday with the Real Life Men meeting at 8am. The men will meet every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month. If you have never been to this group don't miss it again. It is packed with discipleship and breakfast and just hanging out with the guys.

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The Women's Life Group will meet on the 20th of this month and will continue to meet every 3rd Saturday of the month. I'm not sure of the time right now. Get with Robyn or Nikki for times.

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The Marriage Life Group will meet on every Wednesday of the month starting next week on the 17th. This is a must for anyone who has been married for any length of time. God doesn't only want us to live an abundant life but to live an abundant life with the one He has created us to be with. Let God restore your relationship, rekindle the fire, and learn how we can actually worship God with our marriage. More details this Sunday.

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Two Services Start This Sunday

1st service starts at 9:45am
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2nd service starts at 11:15am
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We are also starting the Couch Potato series
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This Sunday you will experince Real Life Church in a different way. I am so excited! Bring your friends!

Worship Set 9-7-08

All Because of Jesus (Steve Fee)
Faithful (Steve Fee)
Shout Unto God (Hillsong)

I enjoyed this set today. I enjoy all of them but this morning was very energetic!

Are you ready for couch potato?

Thecouchpotato.tv

There's More To Worship Than Singing

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Romans 12:1

When we think of worship we think of music, singing, preaching, teaching, etc... That is worship but there is more to worship than just singing and teaching. In Romans Paul tells us to give our bodies as a living sacrifice because of all that God has done for us.

What does this mean? Our bodies as a sacrifice?

When God created you He gave you gifts and different abilities to advance His kingdom. What abilities do you have? Are you good with starting up a conversation with a complete stranger? Do you love to be with kids? Has God gifted you with organization?

There are so many gifts that God has blessed His people with so that we can work as one body. If you don't know what your gifts are try asking God to reveal them to you. When you recognize them, put them to use to serve others. This is exactly what Jesus has taught us to do. Serve! This is truly the way to worship God. Where are you serving in your church? Where are you serving in your community? Where are you serving at work?

God has equipped you. You are awesome!

Here is some more pictures

George and Rex jamming out about a month before the launch. George has got pretty good at playing the bass guitar.

This is the first time leading worship at the launch of Real Life Church.

It's Been a Year

This was our first sevice at the high school. We were setting up getting ready to launch. Good times!

I can't believe we are coming up on a year since launching the first service of Real Life Church. This is an awesome testimony of what God is doing in the Anderson Creek/ Spring Lake area!

Don't forget this Sunday evening around 6pm we will celebrate our 1 year anniversary by providing a catered meal at the church. If you would like to know anything about the church please email myself, (rmorton@reallifenow.net) or Darrell, (dbrown@reallifenow.net) with your questions. We will sort through the questions and during the meal on Sunday, we will have a Q & A.

Buy List!

Here is a couple cd's you guys need to purchase! We use songs from these cd's in worship. Awesome stuff!

What A Weekend!

This past weekend was an awesome weekend. College football started Saturday,(really Thursday but it was on all day Saturday)I had a nice break on Sunday from leading worship,(Darrell did an Awesome job! Thanks Darrell!) we had a couple of friends over Sunday evening for some food, a little football, and Rock Band on the PS3, and Monday I took the family to South Point Mall in Durham(huge mall) and ending my weekend with playing about 3 hours of basketball at Anderson Creek Gym with a bunch of guys.(That was the most effort I have put into playing basketball since in school)

There are weeks and days that we will go through that will be very tough and will seem like there is no way out. But hold fast to what God tells us in Jeremiah 25:11. This weekend was so relaxing after coming off a pretty tough week.

Worship Set 8-31-08

Worship Leader- Darrell Brown

Enough (Chris Tomlin)
Grace Like Rain (Todd Agnew)
Amazing Love (Terry Stauffer)


Awesome job today guys!!

Couch Potato

Are you considered a couch potato? Do you have friends or family that might be considered a couch potato? T.V. is a huge part of American culture and we watch a lot of it. Stay tuned to Real Life Church and see how God's word relates to some of the shows that we watch. You don't want to miss this!! If you have family and friends you need to get them to come. Get more info at CouchPotato.tv

Summer Vaction 2008

I misplaced my digital camara when my family and I went to Myrtle Beach. I had to buy a disposable camara so I could at least take some half way decent pictures. I got the pictures developed today. Here are a few pictures from our trip. (This was Micah's first visit to the beach)

Worship Set 8-24-08

No One Is Righteous (Rodney Morton)
Everyday (Hillsong)
Rain Down (David Crowder)
Hungry (Kathryn Scott)

ACCELERATE

The first day of ACCELERATE was absolutely amazing. It was so informative. God is really doing an awesome work at C3 church in Clayton, NC. Pastor Matt Fry and guest Pastor Greg Surratt were very inspirational. The time we had in worship was so freeing. We have two more sessions tomorrow and then that will conclude this years conference. If tomorrow is anything like today it will be flooding with the Spirit. God bless.

Last Set In Week 3

30-22-22-20-MAX(30)=124 Push-ups.<~~~~~~~~~~This was FLIPPIN HARD. But I got through it.

We Need to Pray For Mike!

Guys, on July 9th I posted two videos I titled, "This is Worship" by Mike Guglielmucci.
Mike wrote a song called "Healer" and it was inspired by the terminal cancer that he had been struggling with for 2 years. Well I read today that his terminal illness was a lie. He had never suffered with cancer at all.

We need to seriously pray for him and his family through this. Also pray for the ones that this has affected in a negitive way. We need to pray for the ones who will struggle with unforgiveness. The song, "Healer" is a great song and will be for along time to come. It has blessed me greatly. You can read the article here.

Going into week 4

Well I missed doing my push-ups on Sunday so I had to do them on Monday which means that I have to do my last set today with no 24 hour break in between. My set Monday looked like this...
27-19-19-15-MAX(30)= 110 push-ups

Heart Doctor

Deuteronomy 8:2- Remember how the Lord your God led you through the wilderness for these forty years, humbling you testing you to prove your character, and to find out weather or not you would obey His commands.

In this verse Moses was talking to the Israelites and telling them to remember what they and their ancestors had just went through. He told them to remember the Exodus from Egypt and what it took for them to stop going around the same stinking mountain.

God had tested the Israelites hearts through the wilderness of the Exodus. God knew what was on their hearts, so He did not test them for His benefit. He tested them so they could reflect on their own character. If you can remember the Israelites had complained to Moses on several occasions that God had led them out into the wilderness to die. Check theses next verses out.

Deut8:3- Yes, He humbled you by letting you go hungry and then feeding you with mana, a food previously unknown to you and you ancestors. He did it to teach you that people do not live by bread alone; rather we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

Deut8:4- For these forty years your clothes didn’t wear out, and you feet didn’t blister or swell.

Is God testing you in a certain area of your life?

Is there something that you are struggling with inside that you can’t seem to shake?

What is it?

It is important for us to reflect, to take an account on where we are at spiritually, as a leader, as a follower, as a husband, as a wife. It is easy to get into a everyday routine and end up missing what God might be trying to show us. The Israelite went in circles around the same mountain for forty years because they continued to turn back to what they knew and did not pursue God.

God knows you. He knows everything about you. He wants us to put our life into His hands and trust Him. He longs for our relationship with Him. In Jeremiah 1:5 God says, “ I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb.”

Sorry for the post delay

Sorry that I haven't post like usual. This last week has been extrmely busy and my thoughts are scattered. I'll get back on track this week.

Here are some things coming up that I am excited about.......

1. ACCELERATE CHURCH LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE 8-22 8-23

2. INNOVATIVE CHURCH CONFERENCE 8-25

3. Creative/Stratagy Team Meetings

4. SERMON SERIES starting 9-14 (COUCH POTATO)

5. Worship Team Auditions in September (more info to come)

6. Hundred push-up challenge (this was my set for Fri.. 25>17>17>15> MAX(30)=104)

Worship Set 8-17-08

Faithful (Steve Fee)
Beautiful One (Tim Hughes)
Mighty to Save (Hillsong)

I thought this was a great set today.

Yesterday's Results

Here are my results from last night. 15-15-12-12-MAX(35)= 89 push-ups
Starting my 3rd week Friday and this means I have to do another exhaustion test. I'm gonna try to do 50.

VBS

VBS has been awesome this week! We have had a full house everyday. The kids are great and full of energy. Darrell and I have had a blast getting in to character and preforming as Bones and Bumpo. We have two more days of The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything. Invite your friends to come out and be apart of the last two exciting and adventurous days of VBS.

One hundred push-ups

Sunday I waited until last minute to do my push-ups because it was a long day. I really about forgot to do them. This was my set at 10:15 lastnight: 16-13-11-11-MAX (25)=76push-ups.

Worship Set 8-10-08

My Glorious (Delirous)
You Must Be Greater (Rodney Morton)

This conference will be on August, 25 2008 at 10:00am at Spout Springs Church. For more information click on links below.

http://www.newchurchon87.com/

http://www.innovativechurches.org/

What is a True Disciple

I ran across some notes I had taken from one of Darrell's messages back when we went to Centerveiw. What does it really mean to be a true disciple?

* Disciples look at spiritual issues, not circumstances.

*Being a disciple doesn't mean you can just tag along.

*Nothing equal too or more than Christ in your life.

*(Luke 14:26) God is to be #1 in your life over everything.

*(Luke 14:27) A disciple will share in Christ suffering.

*(Luke14:28,32) A disciple will count the cost.

*A disciple loves and trust Christ enough to go.

*(Luke14:33) A disciple will pay the price.

* (Luke14:34,35) A true disciple will just do it.

* Be who God has called you to be.

Your identity is found in Christ not in what you have done.

2nd week started today!

Today I started the 2nd week in http://www.hundredpushups.com/ challange. I felt refreshed and ready to go this morning after a two day rest. Here is my results from today. 12-12-9-7-MAX(20)=60 push-ups.
I was glad to see my MAX today was more than when I first started the program. I started off with 18 in a row going into the program.

NFL is here

The NFL in my opinon is the most exciting thing on TV in the Fall. It doesn't matter how much drama the NFL can produce at the start of each season it is still at the top of the sporting world. Why? I guess the guys in the office know what it takes to market the sport. There is no other televised sport that can change rules and have their drama episodes and keep their fan base. There is a lot of NASCAR fans who have sworn not to watch racing anymore due to all the rule changes. MLB over the last several years have started to get their fans back due to the strike years ago. You get my point. Anyways the NFL this season has it's pre-season drama with Brett Farve. Where is Brett gonna go? Tampa Bay? New York? He is defenitly not staying in Green Bay. Who is in the wrong here? Is Green Bay in the wrong for not letting Brett come back out of retirement to start at quarterback after they have started to build around Aaron Rodgers? Or does Brett think just because he is who he is he can have special treatment? It kinda reminds me of a word in James2:1-4
My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here's a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,”
have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d809c425f

Hitting My Marks

This past week I started the one hundred push-up challenge and I really thought it was gonna be easier than it is. I really wanted to believe that I was stronger than what I am. But I'm not. Although I am a little stronger than I was when I first started the program. This was my set today: 15-13-10-10-MAX(15)=63 push-ups. That's 19 more push-ups than when I first started. Friday I start week two. Week two will be more challenging than week one.

Things that I've learned about myself.

I've learned some things about myself that I really already knew but here it goes....

1. I really stink at golf.

2. I'm not very strong. (this one hundred push-up program continues to remind me of that)

3. I have been extremly blessed with an awesome wife and two little rugrats.

4. My problems are no match for my God.

5. and I have an awesome group of friends.

Worship Set 8/3/08 (Acoustic)

Mighty to Save (Hillsong)
Here I Am to Worship (Tim Hughes)
Shout to The Lord (Hillsong)

2nd day of push-ups

Push-ups come early on Sunday morning. What I did this morning...
12-12-10-10-MAX(10) = 54 push-ups

I was not impressed with my MAX today but I did accomplish 10 more push-ups.

Most Memorable Worship Experience

Comment and share what your most memorable worship experince has been. What happened? Was it in a corporate setting? Were you by yourself? Was it physical, emotional? Or was it a spiritual act of worship? Explain.

If you want me to post your experince on this blog for others to see as a testimony comment at the top of the page PLEASE POST.

You Voted!

The poll closed yesterday about 4:15 P.M.

This is what you voted as your favorite worship songs.

1. Be Glorified (Chris Tomlin) 45%

2. Better is One Day (Matt Redman) 27%

3. One Way (Hillsong) 9%

4. Rain Down (David Crowder) 9%

5. None of the above (wonder who?) 9%

1st day of challenge

Today was my first day of the one hundred push-up challenge. What I did this morning...

10-10-8-6- MAX(10) = 44 Total push-ups on Day 1

One Hundred Push-ups

Well after a long thought process of if I should or shouldn't I have decided to go for it. I've read several blogs about ones doing one hundred push up for 6 weeks in order to build strength, fitness, and general health. I have really wanted to get in shape and build strength but my excuse was, "I don't have enough money to join a gym and it would be easier and give me more motivation if I was working out with someone." Well after checking out the http://www.hundredpushups.com I realized that I might not have to spend a bunch a money in a gym that I really have no time for and I have all the motivation I need with the others that are doing the same program. (They usually post their progress.)

I did the initial test this morning and pulled off 18 push-ups without stopping and now my arms feel like jello. That puts me at a level 3 out of 7 in rank of fitness. I was surprised. I will continue to post about my progress with this venture and if you want to join in with me just check the website above for the details.

Give My Wife Some Blog Love!!

Check out my wife's new blog. She has just started it. Go to the Blogs I Follow and click on Nikki Morton.

Jesus fulfilled the Jewish Law

I heard a pastor teaching on Jewish Law the other day and how Jesus really ticked off the Pharisees. The Pharisees cornered Jesus because they had this plan to humiliate Him. What they could never figure out was that He was really the Messiah so there was no humiliating Him when it came to God. One of them, an expert in Jewish law came to Him with this question: "Which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?" Now I always thought when they talked about laws and commandments they were referring to the BIG 10, which they are. What I didn't realize was that from the BIG 10 came a WHOPPING 613. 613 rules of dos and don'ts. http://www.jewfaq.org/613.htm (<--- Check them all out. This is what the people lived by before Jesus changed it all by the cross. Some still live this way because they don't believe the Messiah has come yet.) Can you believe that! Anyways, Jesus was like, "Love the Lord with all your heart, mind, and soul. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: Love you neighbor as yourself. Jesus was like, BAMM! Whats up now?

Thank you Jesus for fulfilling the law by way of the cross!

Worship Set 7-27-08

Everyday ( Hillsong )
Blessed Be Your Name ( Matt Redman )
Amazing Grace ( Chris Tomlin )

Great Weekend!

Wow! What a way to start off the weekend. Friday night was so awesome. So many people came out to the community block party and experienced the love of Jesus. We gave away about 3/4 of all that we had to give. It was great to litsen to some of the life stories people had to share. It was the church being the church. It was Real Life with Real People expressing the love of a Real God.

Today part of the worship team played at a benifit for a guy who has stage 4 lung cancer, along with Chosen Remnant and another Trio from The River. It was a great time out there with those guys. The guys that play with Chosen Remnant are very talanted guys and have such a heart for God. Check them out on Myspace! www.myspace.com/chosenremnantmusic

Thinking About Parenting by Tim Stevens

This Post is from http://www.leadingsmart.com/.

I've been thinking alot about parenting lately. Maybe it is because we have four kids at home, ages 7, 11, 13 and 15. Yeah, our quiver is full.
I think everyone would admit that there is a point in a teen's life when the influence of his/her parents becomes less, and the influence of their friends becomes greater. I did an informal survey yesterday on Twitter, and again last night at dinner with some friends. It seems that the age at which the parents' influence drops dramatically happens somewhere around 13- to 15-years old.
As I reflected on my life as a child, the influence I perceive that I have with my own kids, and my informal survey, I charted it like this... (LOOK AT CHART ABOVE)

As a parent, the awareness of loss of influence can be alarming if you didn't see it coming. So be warned young parents, I have just given you a glimpse of the future.
Here is the key learning: Environments matter. Who my daughter is influenced by as a 15-year old is dependent greatly on the environments that my wife and I placed her in as a 10- and 12- and 14-year old.
It's a little early to tell whether we will survive life with teenagers, but here is the advice I would give parents of pre-teens...
Get involved in a great church with strong youth leaders.
As they start middle school, don't give them the option to stay home from the youth program.
Find a school that has strong values and where there is good chance they will be able to find solid friends. That might mean paying for private school or moving to a better school district.
Get them in situations where they are hanging with young adults who are following God. That's why we had college-age students live in our home for two years.
Teach them the joy of serving when they are very young.
Let them participate in events where there is a good chance they might take a step spiritually, like summer camp, missions trips, or weekend retreats.
Oh, and one last word of advice for those with teenagers---stop lecturing and start listening. Stop giving direction and start asking questions.
It's your turn now...is my chart way off?

Community Block Party

Tonight at 7:00pm at the Old Anderson Creek Gym Real Life Church will be hosting a Community Block Party. If you know someone in need of household items, clothing, etc.. invite them to the block party tonight.

Register to win these prizes... 6mp digital camera

Personal DVD player

4g touch screen Mp3

Not Getting Any Younger.

Well, today was my 28th birthday and I must say I felt under the weather. About a week leading up to my birthday I have had different symptoms. I was aching all over my body for a couple of days as if I had the flu and then I come down with the chills and Monday I felt my throat starting to get sore which had really start to hurt the night before my birthday. To top it all off last Thursday I was playing basketball with a bunch of guys and got busted in the lip going up for a rebound. You don't really think much of a busted lip because it only stings for a couple of minutes and then ends up healing. My lip never healed. It ended up turning into a nice size ulcer. Wow, this thing is very aggravating too. Anyways if this week has any indication on how it might feel to reach 30 then I'm gonna buy a helmet.

On a good note my wife bought me an espresso machine.

Falcon Children's Home

We had an awesome time in worship yesterday afternoon at the Falcon Children's Home. A couple guys from Pleasant Grove helped lead worship. Raymond and Trey did a great job! This was honestly one of my top worship experiences. There was such a freedom in that place, and to hear everybody singing praises to God. It's hard for me to explain it. You just had to be there.

Worship Set 7-20-08

No One is Righteous ( Rodney Morton )
Be Glorified ( Chris Tomlin )
Better is One Day ( Matt Redman )

Up Coming Events at Real Life Church

****TONIGHT****
- At 6:00PM we will have a covered dish meal to welcome the Plesant Grove Youth Group to our community.

****THIS WEEK****
- Monday 7/21 - Friday 7/25 **BACK YARD BIBLE CLUB** 10:00AM - 11:30AM
**2 Locations** Real Life Church and Tradewinds Community

- July 25th 7PM - 8:30PM COMMUNITY BLOCK PARTY @Old Anderson Creek Primary School
Everything will be FREE FREE FREE FREE. No donations no anything it all will be FREE!

We will have... hotdogs, hamburgers,drinks,popcorn.
GENTLY USED ITEMS.. Baby Furniture, Clothing in All Sizes, Household items, etc... ALL FREE!!

***REGISTER TO WIN PRIZES***
6MP DIGITAL CAMERA, PERSONAL DVD PLAYER, 4G TOUCH SCREEN MP3

****IN AUGUST****
- VBS coming up August 11th-15th

Everything (WATCH THIS)

This is what the Plesant Grove Youth Group shared with us today. They did an awesome job. This will touch the deepest part of your soul!

Weclome Plesant Grove Baptist Youth Group

The Plesant Grove Youth Group will be arriving today around 3:00pm. They will be spending about a week with us doing different mission projects around the community. If you need any information on this upcomig week or how you could be apart contact Darrell or Robyn Brown. http://www.reallifenow.net/contacts.html

Thank You Elevation!

Elevations new worship project "We Are Alive" was just released a couple weeks ago and they decided to give 100 free copies away to worship leaders to use them as a resource. I have their first worship project and it was awesome! I've heard bits and pieces of this one and it sounds great. I should receive it here soon. Check out their website! www.elevationchurch.org Check out Steven Furticks blog! www.stevenfurtick.com

Just chillin with theses little rascals

Mission Team

The Mission Team from South Carolina will be arriving this Saturday. If you will be hosting some of the guest and did not receive a schedule please contact Robyn Brown to get that information.

Real Kidz This Friday!

This Friday at 6:00pm Real Life Church will host it's 2nd kids event of the Summer. Bring your kids and their friends. They will enjoy music, food, skits, activities, and more....

Accelerate Promo Video C3 Conference

C3 Church Conference coming up in August. Funny video.

Worship Set 7-13-08

One Way ( Hillsong United )
Not to Us ( Chris Tomlin )
Hungry ( Kathrynn Scott )

Worship Set 7-11-08 Coffee House

My King is a Rock ( N/A )
Beautiful One ( Tim Hughes )
How Great is Our God ( Chris Tomlin )

Sunday in Review

- We started our 2nd service today. Thank You to the ones who came to the early service.

- 4 Wal-mart gift cards where given to the ones that names were selected from a random drawing in the 1st service.

- Kaitlynn Byrd was baptized today after the 2nd service. Be sure to lift Kaitlynn up when you pray and to encourage her as she starts seeking Christ to be more involved in her life.

- Are you a Survivor, Grinder, Hoarder, or are you Full of Life

- Key Scriptures
- John 4:25-30,39-42
- John 21:1-3,4-6
- Matt 19:16-22

- Do you have lost dreams?
- Is there a goal that you haven't achieved?
- Does you marriage feel stale?
- Are you just living a daily routine? (going through the motions)


**** The EXCITEMENT is still there.****

**** The FIRE has to be rekindled****

- Deut 30:15,16 (Remember this verse)

2nd service Tomorrow

Our early service will start @ 9AM our later service will be @ regular time 10:37AM. From 10AM to 10:37AM Help yourself to our breakfast bar.

-----ATTENTION-----

Their will be free gas cards randomly given out to the ones who attend our early service. To the ones who think this is a bribe, your right, it is.
We need some people to commit to the first service because we are starting to out grow our space as a whole. I believe come Fall we will have both services packed out and probably have to go to a 3rd service, Possibly on Saturday nights for the ones that might not get to make it on Sundays.

Be blessed!

God has and is everything that you need!

What are you going through or struggling with right now? Are you not sure what tomorrow or next week or month will bring?

I've been working on a new song, titled "You Are All I Need". It is absolutely amazing how God shows up in your life when you feel like you can't go any further. He may speak through another person to build you up, He may show up in a way you would not expect in you finances, He may completely heal your body of disease or physical condition. Whatever the situation trust God for anything that you need!

Below are some of the names of God. I pray that you will be blessed when you read what He is to you. My favorite is Jehovah-Shammah "The Lord is There". The Lord is already in a problem that might come up down the road. He is already at the place where you have to make a decision, He has a plan and a future for your life. (Jeremiah 29:11) If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.(Jeremiah 29:13)

Jehovah-Yahweh (GOD)
Jehovah-Jireh (The Lord will provide)
Jehovah-Rophe (The Lord who Heals)
Jehovah-Nissi (The Lord our Banner)
Jehovah-M'kaddesh (The Lord who Sanctifies)
Jehovah-Shalom (The Lord our Peace)
Jehovah-Elohim (Lord God)
Jehovah-Tsidkenu (The Lord our righteousness)
Jehovah-Shammah (The Lord is There)
Jehovah-Sabaoth (The Lord Host)
Jehovah-Elyon (Most High)

Coffee House tonight!!!

Come hang out with everyone tonight at 7pm. We will provide smoothies and milkshakes and also funny skits. We will wrap the night up with praise and worshipful music. This will be a great time to get to know others within the church.

This is pretty hilarious! Jesse Jackson talking smack not knowing the mic is on.

What's really important

I read this on jeffkapusta.com I thought I would share it with you.

Cna yuo raed tihs? fi yuo cna raed tihs, yuo hvae a graet mnid…Olny 55 plepoe out of 100 cna.
i cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno’t mtaetr in waht oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Azanmig huh?
yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt!
I guess you could say that the beginning and end, the first and last, the alpha and omega are what is really important. I’ll let you draw your own conclusion from that.

Church Confrence

This Week @the Coffee House

This Friday night at 7pm we will be opening the church for the Real Life Coffee House. Last Coffee House we shared in Communion and this week we will come together in worship with songs and skits. It will be an entertaining plus a very worshipful night. Some people don't like to use the word entertaining and church in the same sentence but the skits are gonna be hilarious. Smoothies will also be served Friday night. Come out this Friday and invite a friend!

Healing

What do you think about when you hear the word "healing"? Do you picture Jesus touching the blind man's eyes? Do you think of Pentecost and all the miracles that were performed? Or do you think of a loved one, a family member or a friend that might have a disease or physical handicap?

What does the Word of God teach us about healing today, here in America? I've read the bible where Jesus heals the lame and the sick and then where the disciples do the same with the Holy Spirit, but I have not seen it with my own eyes. You see and hear of people in other countries being healed. Why don't we see it here? Is it our lack of faith? Do we not feel that physical healing is relevant today?

When I was in the 3rd grade my dad was in a car accident, and since then he has lost the ability to walk and use of his hands. I'm not sure of the time line but I believe when I was about 15 years old God had spoke to me and told me and told me, "Lay hands on your dad and pray for his healing". I thought God was speaking to me but I wasn't sure of it so I thought I would save myself the embarrassment and not do it. Time went on and I continued to be burdened by what God had spoke to me and still I continued to ignore it.

My faith has been tested up and down the highway this past year and yet it is being tested again. My brother who is miraculously healing from his near fatal car accident called me the other day and said that, "God had spoke to him several days earlier to pray for dads complete healing and that I was to pray also". When he had called I was not really in the mood to hear it. I was thinking to myself that maybe God wasn't speaking to him, maybe he just thought God spoke to him. Then I got to thinking well if I pray for his healing then he probably would pass away. The only reason I had thought this is because if someone passes away that has an illness or whatever and you have been praying that God would heal them of this, your usual response is God did heal them he's walking with Jesus now. I'm sorry if I offend anybody with what I'm about to say but that is a load of bologna.

When Jesus or the disciples laid their hands and prayed for people to be healed, they didn't die they picked up their belongings and walked off, they opened their eyes, they spoke their first words and they heard their first words.

I'm not sure if I'm that full of faith. I like to think I might be. All I know is that I have to be obedient to the calling. So I'm asking for serious down on your knees prayer. Pray that God gives me clear direction on what to do. Pray that I discipline myself to prepare myself for this weekend.

Feel free to comment on this post or any other post. Love you guys!!

Thank You!

I just want to take some time and thank the guys that help me lead worship each week. You guys are awesome! Thank You for doing what you do! I really appreciate everything do, I know I don't say it enough. THANK YOU!

Worship Set 7-6-08

Be Glorified (Chris Tomlin)
Forever (Chris Tomlin)
Draw Me Close (Kelly Carpenter)

You are invited

You are invited to join us Saturday July 5th at 4pm for the Real Life Freedom Celebration!
It will be held at Real Life Church 1994 Ray Road Spring Lake, NC.
Bring yourself a friend and a covered dish or two.
The churchwill provide canned sodas and bottle water.

Worship Set from the past two weeks

6-22-08
You Must Be Greater ( Rodney Morton)
Prince of Peace (Marc Imboden)
We Fall Down (Chris Tomlin)

6-29-08
Every Move I Make ( David Ruis)
Lord Reign in Me ( Brenton Brown)
Rain Down ( David Crowder)

Sorry

Sorry I haven't posted anything lately, it's been very frustrating not having the Internet. My youngest son (Micah) pulled our laptop to the floor and broke our air card. Now I post from our desktop computer at home because the laptop can't seem to find the air card for some reason. Anyways, I'm back.

Worship Set 6-15-08

If we are the Body (Casting Crown)
No One is Righteous (Rodney Morton)
Better is One day (Matt Redman)

Post Communion

WOW!!! That's all I can say about the worship at the Coffee House tonight. We shared in Communion tonight and man did the Spirit of God consume that place. One of the best times in worship yet. This Communion meant more to me tonight than any of the others that I have participated in. I had been excited about it all week. Wow, I wonder, if we would get ourselves pumped up and excited each week for the following Sunday worship service if the Spirit of God would show up like that. Probally so. :) God Bless!

Don't Be a Stumbling Block

Romans 15:20-22 Don’t tear apart the work of God over what you eat. Remember, all foods are acceptable, but it is wrong to eat something if it makes another person stumble. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else if it might make another believer stumble. You may believe there is nothing wrong with what you are doing, but keep it between you and God.
There is a lot of controversy dealing with this verse among followers of Christ. I’ve talked with a lot of people about what is and what’s not appropriate in the Christian life. In most cases we tend to know what’s appropriate and what’s not appropriate. Like, you probably shouldn’t kill someone because you didn’t have anything better to do. Or, it might not be a good idea to rob a place of business for the pure fun of it. These ideas are just common sense, even among unbelievers. The idea Paul is talking about in Romans are the things that we do that might cause other believers to fall, even though you don’t see anything wrong with it.
Several years ago when I was serving in a church back home, my Pastor and I and a couple other guys had went to play golf. (I had just submitted my life to Jesus and was living like I thought I should be. I was reading my bible, praying, just trying my best to build my relationship with God.) It was an awesome spring day, perfect golf weather. I was teeing away slicing the little white ball right and left and it seemed everyone around me had their game under control. All was great until we started at hole #5 and my world came tumbling down. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing with my own eyes. My Pastor, who I looked up to, was chewing tobacco. Agh!! I was in shock. I was confused and did not know what to think. I was deeply hurt. To make a long emotional story short. I had made my mind up, that if he can chew tobacco and preach then I could be a follower of Christ and do what I wanted to do. So then began a fall back into drugs and a bunch of other things.
That might sound a bit extreme but it is the truth. At the time I really didn’t have a balance in my life and I was a very young Christian. He probably wasn’t thinking anything about it because he didn’t see any wrong in doing it.
Do you see what Paul is telling us in this passage?
I have talked to Christian friends about the subject of consuming alcohol and if it is right or wrong. Personally I don’t see anything wrong with it along the lines of our laws. They drank wine in the bible. The bible tells us not to become drunk with wine. The problem with this is if another believer has a conviction with drinking and you drink while he is around, then you are in the wrong according to Paul. There are several other things that we could put out there in place of alcohol, but I used this because it’s the #1 topic I talk to people about.
I leave you with this. As followers of Christ we need to put others before us. We need to think of what will best benefit our friends, family, co-workers, etc… It is far more important to build up the church than it is to exercise our freedoms. We should not partake in things that result in others sinning against their conscience.