BIG WEEKEND @ Cypress!

Think of the “one time” decisions that changed your life forever. Quit thinking about the negative ones...we all have them; they are called regrets - we can’t go back and redo…but we can seek forgiveness and strive to live better moving forward. Instead, concentrate on the positive decisions…

- The decision to give and take…today, you call that person, best friend
- The decision to major in a field of study…today, its led you to a profession that’s rewarding
- The decision to accept and follow Jesus Christ…it’s everything!

Last Sunday we held our Connection Event lunch for newer people to Cypress. I always ask two basic questions: How did you find your way to Cypress the first time and what has kept you coming back? There are always different reasons a person comes to Cypress the first time vs. why they keep coming back. I asked a particular table my question and a lady replied, “Well, we have our own little Chain Reaction.” She went on to explain a friend invited her to attend service (over 90% of the time, an invite from a friend is the reason someone attends Cypress for the first time!) and how over the weeks that followed, and after her experiences at Cypress, she had started extending that same invitation to her friends and family. Because of her simple INVITATIONS to attend church, there were nearly fifteen people at the same Connection Event with her! One invitation can change a life forever.

This weekend former OSU basketball star, Jay Burson, will be with us to share some of his life story. This is a great opportunity to invite friends to come and check out Cypress. I’m praying, that over the next two months, I will be in a Connection Event and ask someone how they found their way to Cypress and hear, ”Well, my friend (insert your name) invited me to come listen to Jay Burson and I keep coming back because I sense God speaking to my life.” 

WHO can you INVITE to Cypress this weekend?

See you soon,
Pastor Ken

God, Politics & the Church...What is your role in this election?

God, Politics and the Church - week 3. If you are like me, I’m already tired of the commercials and I know there's still more to come. In the midst of all this “stuff” being played out before us on TV, internet, and in coffee shops all over America, what should our role, response, and responsibility be? Great question…this weekend we will explore together what scripture provides as a Great Answer. We will unpack unreal, political advice given during a time in human history when the politics of their day were…well, nearly unimaginable.

Whichever TV ad you cheer for…this weekend is for you! My name is Ken Murphy and I approve this emailJ

See you soon,
Pastor Ken

Life Lessons from Coaching Pee Wee Football

Many of you know I coach pee wee football in our local community league.  We are three games into the season and I’ve been thinking about our “progress” thus far.  I wonder if there might be some lessons that apply beyond the field of competition.

A couple quick facts:

-        We haven’t scored yet this year

-        I’ve had more kids take themselves out of games and practices than ever before

A few observations:

1.  It is obvious our competition has “scouted” us.  They know where our strong player(s) line up and they know where our weak player(s) line up.  They try to exploit our weaknesses.

v Business often works like this and so does the one who seeks to destroy you!

John 10:10

2.  It takes a “team effort” to be successful.  We have a small number of great players…no matter how “great” they may be…we still haven’t scored this year and, therefore, we haven’t won a game…yetJ

v Are you pulling your weight on all the teams you belong to…marriage, family, business, volunteer stuff, church, etc.?

3.  No matter how “bad” it may seem, there is always hope…we are getting better and I believe we will win a game, or at least score.

v Gotta believe, baby…once you lose the dream that life can and will be better, it’s all over.

4.  We can’t control the other teams, or the refs, but we can control our effort to get better during practice.

v Complaining and pointing fingers gets us nowhere.  At times, you “feel better” about your self-justification for a lack of progress but, ultimately, we are responsible for our own growth and development.

5.  I need to celebrate the little victories (like not jumping offside for an entire game…it hasn’t happened yet, but someday…see # 3)

v Sometimes, the big goals in life are just too big…break them down into smaller, doable, bite-size pieces.

6.  Parental enthusiasm is incredible!  Only a parent would drive their child to practice three times a week, then go to a game and cheer for a team that hasn’t scored yet. 

v A parent’s love must be based on something deeper than performance.  It makes me wonder about God’s love for us and the root of our love for one another.

7.  I thought coaching would be easier than it has been thus far.  I have never coached this young age level before.

v Wow…I didn’t know what I didn’t know!  It’s very different sitting on the sidelines than coaching on the field.  And, just because I’ve coached different sports and different levels doesn’t mean I “knew” what to do at this level.

8.  Our coaching staff is adjusting.  The best coach in the league is one of my “assistants.”  My assistant coach has coached this team’s offense for about twenty four years now…which equals a lot of experience at this level and a huge amount of success year in and year out.  He has adjusted our team to fit our personnel.

v Just because something has “worked” in the past doesn’t mean it will always work in the future…be willing to change and adjust.

9.  It’s one thing to “study patience” and “love your neighbor” in a classroom setting…it’s another thing to be “tested.” 

v Real life is where our belief and actions meet…even during times of challenge.

10. At the end of the day, it’s still pee wee football.  I dare say if we took the “challenges”   of our scoreless football team and stacked them up against the challenges represented on the cancer unit at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, it would help with what’s called “perspective.”

v Be sure you are keeping the “main thing” the “main thing” in your life and your family’s life. 

I will keep you posted on our progress…we play again this Saturday.

Pastor Ken

God, Politics and the Church...What's Week 2 Look Like?

Week two of God, Politics & the Church is almost here. Last weekend, we examined some social issues that are being debated that will impact the future of America...we are at a crossroads as a nation. In week two, we will shift our conversation to economics and equality from a Biblical position and understanding. It’s going to be…well, let’s just say, the word that comes to mind is “interesting” and don't forget our ground rulesJ

Last weekend, at the Alton Darby campus, we celebrated children being dedicated to the Lord in EVERY SERVICE! This weekend, you will hear the celebration of life change, through baptism, in EVERY SERVICE!

This is going to be fun…see ya soon,
Pastor Ken

#GPC2012cwc

Kicking off this weekend...God, Politics & the Church...Don't miss it!

I know you are very busy, so I will keep this short and to the point. This series, God, Politics and the Church, is the most important series I’ve ever prepared to teach.

Portions of the teaching in adult worship will discuss topics you may not be ready to explain to your younger children. So, especially this week, I would highly recommend our Cypress kids enjoy the amazing time that’s been prepared for them in Children’s Ministry.

Bring a friend; I think they may be surprised at what they find in church.

Sooo…let’s BUILD THIS and MOVE FORWARD! #GPC2012cwc

See ya soon,
Pastor Ken