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What Meekness Is

I read a book a few years ago called Franklin and Winston by Jon Meacham.  He examines the deep friendship forged between Winston Churchill and Franklin Roosevelt during World War Two. Churchill was quite a character in many respects; one thing he was particularly known for was his humor. He was once asked, “Doesn’t it thrill you to know that every time you make a speech, the hall is packed to overflowing?”

“It’s quite flattering,” replied Sir Winston.  “But whenever I feel that way, I always remember that if instead of making a political speech I was being hanged, the crowd would be twice as big.”                     

That’s owning up to a right understanding of one’s self.  You may think that self-deprecating, but it is, in a sense, a right attitude of humility; it’s a type of meekness: a right understanding of one's self.

 

What's On at LCC!

We have a lot of things going on at LowCountry Community Church and we want to make sure that you are aware of all the details.

MISSION TRIP to Atlanta - This Friday to Sunday, Pastor Joe will be taking a team to Atlanta to work with a Christian agency called the Dream Center.  Their work in the Old Fourth Ward (Martin Luther King's original neighborhood), will include ministering to kids, the homeless and hungry, drug addicts, and everything in between.  Please be in prayer for our team while they are away.  

DATE NIGHT IS BACK - March 3 from 6 to 9 pm.  Take advantage of this great, low cost opportunity to get out while your children are in a safe place. CLICK HERE for details.  

MARRIAGE & PARENTING BIBLE STUDIES ARE STARTING!  Beginning March 19 to April 23 we are offering two short-term Bible studies relating to Marriage and Parenting issues. 

"Who Did You Really Marry?" reveals how even opposites can get along, communicate, and resolve disagreements, and explains the five "love languages" that bring couples closer. You and your spouse will discover how two very different people can "become one" as God intended.

"Ten Building Blocks for a Solid Family" gives parents practical advice and tools to live, laugh, love and play better as a family.

Both classes ($15 per couple each) will meet at the Bluffton church campus on Monday nights from 6:30-8:00 pm. The classes start on March 19, and run through April 23.  Child care will be provided for $5.00 per child for each week (maximum $10 per family).  CLICK HERE for more information and to sign up.

CREATIVE ART WALL EXHIBIT AND RECEPTION: ARTISTS WANTED

We are seeking art for our next showing on March 25.  The theme is Easter/Spring time related and called "Rebirth."  CLICK HERE for more information.  We would love to see how you would express "Rebirth" creatively.

REMINDER: You can listen to all LCC messages on iTunes!

CAFE' CLASSIC is now offered at 8 a.m. It is a 45-minute service with hymns and some of the older choruses. Give it a try this Sunday. 

It's More Than Discounted Chocolates on February 15th!

Around the globe today, people are exchanging cards and expressing love or appreciation for one another.

Every Valentine's Day for the past four years, I get together with three other friends and we prepare a really nice dinner for our wives. We help one another out and it sort of takes the inherent pressure we males feel to make it a fantabulous day. We haven't killed our wives off yet with our cooking, (that's NOT one of our goals!), and we have a blast together.

According to tradition, on this day, February 14, 269, a young man named Valentine was executed in Rome for his faith.

But what does our exchange of sentimental cards, gifts, and acts of love have to do with a third century martyr?

Dan Graves of Christianity.com, has written a very informative article that answers that very question here.

How Do You Handle Interruptions?

Interruptions are a part of life. They can either work against you or you can make them work for you. Watch...

Five Ways to Stifle Emerging Leaders

I often hear or see leaders who complain about the perceived lack of new leaders. "Where are they? People aren't as committed as they used to be. This younger generation is nothing but an entitled bunch of misfits! And the older people are no better!" And on and on it goes, ad infinitum, ad nauseum.

With tongue firmly in cheek, here are five ways to keep new leaders from emerging within your organization:

1.  Communicate a complete lack of confidence. Say things like, "We can't find anyone else to do this, and you're probably not the first choice we would normally go to, but we're in a fix, and you're all we've got right now. As soon as someone better comes along, we'll probably go with him/her." Since every new(er) person has never before done the job, it's too easy to portray a hesitant spirit toward them. When the new or younger leader senses your hesitancy, they sense your lack of confidence in them to do the job well.

2.  Give them accountability without authority. Make sure they are held to a very high standard, but don't give them the tools they need to do the job. Hamstring them with no power to carry any of their responsibilities out. The key here is to hold them accountable - no matter what.

3.  Create an atmosphere of criticism. Keep people on edge. Even when giving words of encouragement or praise, make sure they are expecting, "but..." Insure that they think and move in the belief that anything short of perfection is unacceptable. And when they fail to attain it, come down on them - hard - and preferably publicly. 

4.  Emphasize how much pressure they will be under. "The last person in your position couldn't cut it!" Leaders who don't want others to grow and flourish under their leadership assure their subordinates that failures will be summarily fired.

5.  Expect results too soon. "I need you on top of this in a couple of weeks. I'll be back to check on you." Leave them out to dry. Give them no context, no direction, no guidance, and no support. But demand results - and the quicker the better.

And there we have it; now go and do the opposite!

My Alma Mater

Here's a good news story from my undergraduate alma mater, Columbia International University, in Columbia, S.C. It's about a place I knew existed but must admit, did not spend an inordinate amount of time there: the library.

Just before graduation in May 2010, the G. Allen Fleece Library caught fire. The blaze, began by an electrical problem, caused $2.5 million in damages.

On January 24, 2012, CIU re-dedicated the library and opened it to students and guests. Dr. Fleece's son-in-law, Dr. David Calhoun, gave the re-dedication address.

CIU is a Christian university which has trained thousands of pastors, missionaries, and educators since 1923. The college, graduate school, and seminary are all top-notch. I received an incredible Biblical training there.

Students camped out overnight in anticipation of the library opening (Who does that for a library?!). Here is a brief news segment from WIS-TV.

What's Happening!

There are many things rolling around in my mind today, so I thought I'd just off-load some of it with you! (Aren't you fortunate?)

 - The last four weeks at LowCountry Community Church have been the highest attended ever in the history of our church! We are out of room at every turn.

- LCC peeps, PLEASE, PLEASE consider attending the 9 o'clock service while there's still some room there. Aw, the heck with that! Just attend the 9:00 service! Thanks.

- We've been in a series called "Lose the Weight." Many have commented on how it's "hitting the spot" for them each week. This Sunday is "Lose the Weight of Insecurity."

- LCC hosted an art show on Sunday afternoon which was attended by approximately 150 people. We've created an incredible art gallery and have done so for a few reasons. First, it allows us to celebrate the artistic giftedness which God has granted to many of our people. Secondly, it allows us an outreach/connection point with the rather eclectic (and proud of it!) arts community in Bluffton, S.C.

 - Our Promiseland Kidz children ministry had their largest attendance EVER this past Sunday...over 300! Here's a picture of just one of the classrooms. And here's the best news: 24 children prayed to receive Christ this past Sunday! Woohoo!
Parents, please make the move to the 9:00 hour for your child's sake!

- Our parking lot expansion is FINALLY underway! All permits have been signed, sealed and delivered. Silt fencing is up, and dirt will be moving and trees will be coming down as we make more room for more people to hear the gospel. And thanks to the faithfulness of God's people who trust God as their Provider, it is already all paid for.

- Twenty-one students are participating in this semester of the Bible Institute of the Low Country which began this past Monday night. We will be studying 1 Kings through Song of Solomon.

- What a joy was mine last night as I invested in the lives of our core LCC leaders. We couldn't do it without them! We spent an hour rejoicing in what God is doing, and talking and dreaming about the future God has for us.

- I will be making an exciting announcement this Sunday. Don't miss it! It will hopefully allow for us us to keep growing by adding more worship options.

- On a more personal note, congratulations to Tiffany and Lauren who completed a half-marathon in Miami over the weekend. And I really enjoyed being able to take care of my grand-daughter Callie last weekend. I had her all to myself for most of Friday and we had a great time together. She is so much fun! That little face right there should help you make it through the rest of your week! (Sorry; no matter what I do I can't get that picture rotated!)

- And last but not least, greater Bluffton is getting a Cracker Barrel. We are living the dream!