JeffCranstondotcom

You Think You Know?

Okay, now that the baseball season is in full swing and my Orioles have already been mathematically eliminated from the play-offs, it's time for another baseball quiz.

It's the 9th inning...batter at the plate...there's the pitch...it's a fly ball, deep into the right field corner. The outfielder runs and positions himself to make the catch...which he does...then at the last second, he suddenly drops it - on purpose.

Why does he do this?

First correct answer wins the adulation of the nation.  Good luck! The answer will be posted on Saturday.

PLEASE post your answer in the comments section of my blog. Our email is under-going some surgery at the office this weekend.

Monday Morning Reflections

- What a great weekend we had at LowCountry ... great spirit among our people ... beautiful weather ... incredible worship ... freedom in preaching.

- We worry so much about gaining more and more biblical information  - and often seek it in place of transformation.  Spiritual depth is not necessarily knowing Greek or Hebrew and being able to parse verbs in the original languages. I'm only as deep as the last person I have led to Jesus.  Everything else comes a distant second.

- The four "basic food groups" every Christ-follower must partake of on a balanced basis are craving the Word of God, having an active prayer life, plugging into the lives of fellow believers, and giving to God.  

- Keep those in your life and you will always be in a position to grow spiritually. The environment we place ourselves in will either help or hinder our growth.  It's the lesson of the koi fish.  We grow according to our surroundings.  

- Church attendance is a funny thing.  We saw over 2200 on Easter weekend, under 1100 last weekend, and somewhere in between this weekend.  But as my friend Perry Noble says, "If we got more concerned with repentance rather than attendance, revival would sweep our nation."  Amen.

- Dave Ramsey's "Town Hall for Hope" last week was terrific. Dave spoke to over one million people ... incredible.  Did you miss it?  Go here for information on how to view it.

- Incredibly busy week coming up ... I think I have 13 appointments between now and Thursday afternoon ...

- Teaching leadership training to our leadership core on Tuesday night ... always enjoy that.

- Happy birthday again, Libby!

- Baseball is back in full stride.  Spring and baseball just go together!

- Our daughter, Lauren, completed her last college class this past week.  She graduates from Clemson on May 8.  Congratulations, Lauren.  We're incredibly proud of you! 

- Just received word that a friend of ours from our former church, Andy Edington, died on Friday from an apparent massive heart attack while he was running with some friends. Andy and his wife Sue were two of the first believers in the earliest days of our ministry at First Alliance Church.  We hurt for Sue and their three children, but are so glad Andy is with Jesus. He was 47.

- Ran across a wonderful quote from my man Boreham. Patty Friesen pointed it out to me and it places the wonder and importance of God's word in proper perspective for us: "It is easy to possess a Bible in the legal sense, and even in the intellectual sense, without in reality possessing it at all. I may have bought it; I may have even read it; but unless it has revealed to me the wonder of the divine love, and awakened in my soul a glad and eager response, it is like the neglected plot in which the gold still slumbers." Mine the ore and get to the gold today!

What's on at LowCountry!

We've got a couple of things coming up I want to let our LCC peeps know about. (If you read this from out-of-town or out-of-state or out-of-country, please forgive me the housekeeping. But scroll down to the bottom anyway for a fun picture...)

MAD Offering - April 25-26

During all services this weekend, April 25-26, we will be collecting a special offering called the MAD (Make A Difference) offering. This semi-annual offering helps to reduce the cost of our short-term mission trips. With your help, we can continue to send folks just like you - maybe even you - on some of these trips this year. Teams are going to New Orleans, Guatemala, Belize, and South Africa.  Read more about the trips here.

Mission Launch Party - April 25

Join us this Saturday, April 25, @ 7:15 pm as we hear the hearts and dreams of three of our own home-grown missionaries. Jeff Armstrong, Lee Miller, and Al Allnoch are all going into full-time mission work. At this dessert, they will each tell of the call God has placed on their lives, share some dreams, and show how we can join them in their ministry. If you can, bring a finger food or dessert to share. Don't worry if you can't bring food - just come and enjoy the party. For more information contact Mark Howard at mhoward@lowcountrycc.org.

Baptism at the Beach - May 17

This is one of the coolest things we do! Our popular "Baptism at the Beach" will be held Sunday, May 17, @ 5:00 pm. Details about the location will be announced next week. If you have a desire to be baptized, please contact Pastor Bob at rcalhoun@lowcountrycc.org. Teens please contact Aaron or Rob at afriesen@lowcountrycc.org or rjacobs@lowcountrycc.org. If you child would like to be baptized, please contact Pastor Vinnie at vemery@lowcountrycc.org.

One More Thing...

We hung out at Hampton Lake the other day. My little buddy, Luke, was there.  We had a blast together!

  

 

 

    We're excited about hosting Thursday's Town Hall for Hope at both  of our campuses. This free event, which lasts for 90 minutes, is hosted by nationally sydicated radio and television host, Dave Ramsey. During the town hall-style gathering, participants will have a chance to ask Dave questions through email, Twitter, texting, phone, YouTube and FaceBook. Dave will address what is happening with our economy, how we got to this point, and where we're going. Over 6000 churches and businesses have signed up to host Town Hall for Hope, with an estimated audience of over one million people. 

    It all happens on Thursday, April 23, at 8:00 p.m. 

    We have been partnering with Dave and Financial Peace University as a church, which has resulted in debt relief and freedom to many in our church family. We are honored to partner with Dave again at both LCC campuses. Click here to register - and remember: it's free! See you there!

The Father of a Nation

     April 17th brings to mind the incredible life of Benjamin Franklin.  My honored literary mentor, F. W. Boreham, writes a lovely tribute to one of our Founding Fathers.  Thanks to my friend, Dr. Geoff Pound, for making this available.

 

     Today the people of the United States, indeed of the whole world, pay homage to the illustrious memory of Benjamin Franklin, the man who, in the fine phrase of a French philosopher, tore the lightning from the skies and wrested the scepter from the hands of tyrants. On April 17, 1790, full of years and honors, the majestic and patriarchal figure of Franklin passed from the imposing scene he had so long adorned. It would be difficult to exaggerate the value of the services he rendered to the American nation in the days of its infancy. If, as Sir J. R. Seely declares, the British Empire was created in a spasm of absentmindedness, then it may also be affirmed that the American nation was brought into existence in a gust of passion. Its foundations were laid by a handful of comparatively youthful hot-heads writhing with indignation at the tactlessness of British rulers.

     Granted that their fury was a justifiable fury, and that many of those hot-heads contained most brilliant brains, it remains a matter of everlasting gratitude that, in that hour of destiny, the architects of western civilization included among their number an elderly man of ripe experience and shrewd commonsense whose strong hand steadied and directed the exciting movements of that epoch-making crisis. When, as the climax of all their discussions and adventures, the historic Declaration of Independence was drafted, Benjamin Franklin sat among the creators of that celebrated instrument like a father with his boys gathered round him. He was 70. Washington, destined to become the first President, was 44; Adams, subsequently second President, 41; Jefferson, immediate draftsman of the Declaration and afterwards third President, 33; Hopkinson 39; Patrick Henry 40; and most of the others were young men about the same age. Franklin fathered them all and, in fathering them, fathered the nation, to the abiding profit of the American people and of all mankind.

How Nation's Torch-Bearer Began Career

     In the school of hard knocks Franklin received the scanty education of which, as author, philosopher, plenipotentiary, statesman, and scientist, he made such excellent use. Like the old woman who lived in a shoe, his mother had so many children she didn't know what to do, and, as Benjamin came at the tail-end of the procession, his parents were getting a little tired of the business of rearing their offspring by the time he arrived.

     His father was a soap-boiler and tallow-chandler, and, following the line of least resistance, took Ben into his own factory. The boy could never make up his mind which he hated most, the soap or the tallow, so, to settle the matter satisfactorily, he resolved to take the earliest opportunity of leaving them both. It chanced that, just at that moment an older brother, who had been more or less of a rolling stone, returned from his wanderings bringing with him a printing press. Announcing that he intended to set up in business as a printer and establish a newspaper, he invited Benjamin, then a boy of 11, to join his staff.

     A contract was signed by which the younger brother undertook to serve the elder for 11 years. Among the stipulations were these: "Taverns, inns, or alehouses he shall not haunt. At cards, dice, and tables he shall not play. Matrimony he shall not contract." As soon as the newspaper was launched the elder brother, as editor, began to receive anonymous contributions of extraordinary merit. They became the outstanding feature of the journal. Everybody was talking about them. And not until long afterwards did James Franklin, the proprietor, guess that his mysterious contributor was no other than the young brother whom he had employed as his apprentice. After a few years the brothers quarreled. Benjamin, then 17, ran away to Philadelphia. On the day of his arrival, while walking down Market St. devouring a cake that he had bought with the only coin that he possessed, he caught sight of a pretty girl standing in a doorway. He instantly vowed that he would marry her. And, some years afterwards, he did.

Conciliatory Influence In Age Of Conflict

     Fame came to him in two very different ways. Always fond of experimenting, even as a small boy, he made a huge kite, fastened the string to a belt round his waist, and then, floating on a lake a mile wide, compelled his toy to tow him across. By a somewhat similar venture many years later, he discovered the electric energies inherent in lightning, and invented the lightning-conductor. Though this phase of his activity won for him the applause and the honors of the academic world, he will always be remembered as a skilful diplomat, a wise counselor, and a powerful statesman. In those momentous days in which the relationship between the American and British peoples was strained to the breaking point, the eyes of the whole world were focused upon Franklin. He dared the English king, yet conducted the dangerous controversy with such adroitness and force that he won the admiration of the most eminent Englishmen, including the elder Pitt, Lord Chatham. True, Franklin failed to avert the dreadful conflict from which he shrank in horror, but, by his personal bearing and his persuasive eloquence, he won for himself and for his fellow-countrymen the profound respect alike of those who sympathized with the indignant colonists and of those who thought their policy misguided. Later on he represented his country with serene dignity and telling effect in delicate negotiations with the governments of France, Sweden, and Prussia. All Europe honored him and, because of him, thought more highly of the nation whose ambassador he was. In his 85th year, pleading passionately for the emancipation of the slaves, he died, leaving a name that, as Bigelow avers, grows more lustrous and more loved with every year that passes.

An Update on Hannah

A few weeks ago I asked you to pray for my niece, Hannah Liss.  She's been critically ill in Nottingham, England, where she is a graduate student.  Thank you for praying.  Hannah was released from the hospital last week and has made some significant progress.  There is still a need for complete and total healing, and she is dealing with some serious issues yet, but God has answered prayer.  Here is the latest; thank you for your continued prayers.

- Hannah's white blood cell count was at 0.  It now is in the 1.9 range.  We'll find out exactly where it is in a couple of days after tests today.

- Her platelet count has improved.

- Her red blood cell count is down and a concern.

- She is dealing with aplastic anemia, which is a disease of the bone marrow. The body is still creating blood cells, but not enough of them to maintain health. In its severest form, this disease is life-threatening.

- Hannah tested positive for mono.

- She still struggles with sores in her throat and spleen pain.

- Doctors are monitoring her health in a out-patient manner to avoid another crisis of health.

                    "Yet He Himself bore our sicknesses, and He carried our pains ... 
                            and we are healed by His wounds." - Isaiah 53:4, 5b

Monday Morning Reflections

- This was one of the most amazing weekends EVER at LowCountry Community Church!

- Over 40 people responded to Jesus' invitation to become Lord of their lives.  It was incredibly humbling to be a small part of that.

- Our total church attendance was the largest in our history!  Over 2200 worshippers at both campuses in nine services. Over 500 were children between newborns and 5th-graders.

- The Hilton Head campus had a record attendance: 231 in three services!

- The Bluffton campus had almost 2000 worshippers in six services.

- We unapologetically preached the gospel.  I tied the gospel presentation in with Luke 15 and how Jesus is The Locator, seeking to place us in a right relationship with God.  People responded to Jesus at eight of nine services.

- I have never been as absolutely bone-tired/exhausted as I was yesterday when all was said and done. It's going to take a few days for me to re-group physically and mentally.  But it's a good kind of tired! I almost didn't make it through the message at 10:00 a.m. yesterday. The room started closing in on me (like it does before you pass out). I made a dramatic pause - which I hoped people thought was for oratorical reasons (!)- and tried to grab some deep breaths. I had Pastor Brian on stand-by for the 11:30 service.  Thankfully, prayer and protein kicked in. I ended the day feeling great!

- The music video that Clay and John, along with a cast of dozens put together, ROCKED and was an incredible addition to our worship experience. I hope we can get it on-line; you've got to see it.

- I watched it every time we played it throughout the weekend.

- Following the last service on Sunday, I saw two lines of people queued up to receive new believer packets from our Information Window...it was a beautiful sight!

- LCC'ers, has it sunk in yet that over 120 people have prayed to receive Christ in the last three weeks?!  Do you realize - sadly - that this is so abnormal in the American church today?! Let's keep ourselves in the place where God wants us: sharing His good news and leading people to the cross!

- We begin a new series this weekend called,

 

-  It's going to be a great series!  Have a wonderful day!

One Exciting Weekend Ahead!

Easter weekend, is for me, one of the most exciting of the year.  People come out from many different places and parts of the world to worship at LCC.  Those who are CEO people (Christmas and Easter Only) show up; we have a wonderful opportunity to present Jesus, in all His power and glory, to everyone.

I make no apologies that our nine services at LowCountry are out-and-out evangelistic.  I try to preach this weekend as if it's my first sermon and as if it's my last. I will be preaching from Luke 15 which contains the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost person. Jesus is The Locator and He is seeking out those are lost.

Please do all you can to invite those without Jesus in their lives to attend one of our nine services at two campuses.  Here are the service times and locations. And again, LCC'ers, please try to attend any service other than Sunday at 10:00 or 11:30 a.m. Those will be slammed (but that's a good thing!)

A Leader is a Reader

I don't know who said that, but I believe it is true. I have books filling dresser drawers, nightstands, and bookshelves.  I have full shelves in my office, home, and home study; I've filled up a number of shelves in my assistant Lynn's office as well.  Darlene has always been incredibly patient with all of this and doesn't ask too often to clean things out and get rid of some books.

When do I read?  After everyone has gone to bed; sometimes before everyone's up.  I usually read for an hour to an hour and a half every night. I enjoy history and biographies most of all. I've read a good bit of the book of Judges lately and I always try to read some Boreham on a daily basis. I read a good bit of leadership stuff.  Every now and then I'll dive into fiction, but's that's fairly rare.  The picture below of the pile I am currently reading or have just finished reading will give you an idea of my reading habits.  (Oh, yeah: I almost forgot: I never miss the Sunday comics!  I love "Shoe"!)

Monday Morning Reflections

- If you've read my earlier posts then you'll know what a fantastic outreach weekend LowCountry had.  From infants up to 12th-graders, and their families, LCC literally touched over 3000 lives.  Please pray with us that many will come out for our Easter services and respond to what Jesus wants to do in each of their lives.

- Cynthia leads worship at our Hilton Head campus.  Her little guy is named Sean. Watch Sean blow Chris Tomlin out of the water on, "Sing, Sing, Sing."

- Take a quiz here of Easter through the ages.  If you think there are a lot of wrong-headed notions about Christmas ...

- The winner of last Friday's blog quiz is ....... Denise Tomlinson!  Way to go, Denise.  Five of you submitted the correct answer (and one of you even answered the question after I posted the answer, so I kicked you out of the contest!) Denise, you now have impressed us with your vast store of knowledge. I've got to take it up a notch on my next quiz question.  That one was apparently way too easy for you brain-iacs!  (I want to thank Click and Clack, the Tappit Brothers, who have a Saturday a.m. PBS radio show for that question and answer.)

- I have UNC going all the way in my bracket.  Fingers crossed ... and speaking of sports: all is right with the world again - even if it's only for a short time.  Baseball is back!!  Go Braves! Go Orioles!

- Clay Cartwright, our worship arts pastor at the Bluffton campus, preached yesterday and shared an incredible message. The take-away for me was a timely reminder: when I get my eyes on my present circumstances, I tend to forget God's past faithfulness and His future promises.  Thanks, Clay, I needed that!

- I'm continually amazed at the level of preachers we have on staff.  Joe, Brian, Todd, John, and  Clay can all bring it!  These guys are keeping me on my toes!

- We saw 81 people pray to receive Jesus in a six-day period last week!  That NEVER gets old!  Do you realize how incredible this is?!

- People coming to Jesus reminds me to remind you of our upcoming MAD offering for missions. During all weekend services April 25-26, we will be collecting a special offering called the M.A.D. (Make A Difference) offering at both campuses. This semi-annual offering goes to help reduce the cost of our short- term missions trips. In 2008 we took teams of LCC'ers to South Africa, Guatemala, and the U.S. Gulf Coast to make a difference in the lives of hurting people and introduce them to the love of Jesus. With your help, we can continue to send folks just like you - maybe even you - to Belize, Guatemala, South Africa and two teams to New Orleans. Check out our 2009 opportunities here; Click on Mission Trips.

                                    EASTER 2009 at LowCountry Community Church

- Easter is this weekend.  Here are the NINE service times for both campuses:
Hilton Head: Saturday, April 11, 6:30 p.m.; Sunday, 9:15 and 10:45 a.m.
Bluffton: Friday, April 10, 6:30 p.m.; Saturday, April 11, 5:00 & 6:30 p.m.; Sunday, April 12, 8:30, 10:00, & 11:30 a.m.

- LCC, I am asking you to GO ALL OUT and bring someone with you!  If not us, who? and if not now, when?  Ask at person you think will never say "yes" to attending church.  Who knows?  They just might! Bring family members, friends, co-workers and neighbors. One more for Jesus!!

- This weekend will be one of the greatest worship experiences ever at LowCountry!

- I guarantee you that we will present the Gospel in a way everyone will understand.  I am praying that God will bring hundreds to Himself.

- I believe we will see the Holy Spirit move in incredible ways in people's lives this weekend!

- Pray through Luke 15 this week and ask God to bring those who are lost to Himself.  He'll do it; I know He will! I'm already so excited about this weekend that I awoke at 5:55 this morning.

- LCC'ers at both campuses, PLEASE try to attend on a day other than Sunday.  Last year at the Bluffton campus, the 11:30 a.m. Sunday service was the most attended.  PLEASE consider a Friday or Saturday worship service and make the missional move to provide seats and parking spaces for newcomers on Sunday.  That's when they come when they're new to us.  PLEASE and THANK YOU! (Won't my Mom be proud at my manners!)

- Let's go make Jesus famous where we are today!