My normal cologne is Irish Spring bar soap. I’m not sure if it has something to do with my last name being Murphy, but growing up we always had Irish Spring in the house. I think my mom may have kept Dove in her bathroom but that bathroom was off limits. As I think about it, she may have even had a little Calgon…take me away.
Anyway, back to my point…certain smells can evoke strong memories and emotions. Think of a very pleasant smell (perfume/cologne) from your past…are you smiling yet?
Okay, now think of driving down the road on a hot summer day with your windows down and passing “road kill”…are you gagging yet?
This weekend, we are wrapping up our series, UNSINKABLE, by listening to Solomon as he pleads with us…the sweetest way to live our lives! Solomon shares with us how to live ~ so when we walk by others ~ they breathe deeply and smile versus squint their eyes, wrinkle their nose, and look away.
I cannot wait for our time together! I may even splash on some Drakkar Noir for the special occasion! I’m pretty sure Walgreens, CVS, or the Dollar Store still carries it:)
See ya soon,
Pastor Ken
Friday, April 26, 2013
Friday, April 19, 2013
Sharing an incredible story of Christ at work...
This past week, I was privileged to sit at a table with a handful of other leaders from our denomination, as we learned from one another and our General Superintendent, Dr. Jo Anne Lyon. Once again, I was reminded of and encouraged by the power of Jesus Christ working in and through the church! The stories of what the Lord is doing worldwide are incredible and…GUESS WHAT? Ohio and Cypress are a part of the incredible stories being shared! I was amazed by the stories of Wesleyan churches in Pakistan reporting that their “public witnessing” struggles because people still lose their heads if they proclaim Christ as their Savior. Still, the “underground movement” of Christ is sweeping that nation! (It made me realize that getting to Cypress in the pouring rain isn’t all that rough.)
This weekend, we have the privilege of hearing another incredible story of Christ at work in a human life. There is one side to Maurice Clarett’s story that many of us have heard…the public side. There is another part of Maurice’s story he will be sharing this weekend. I’m looking forward to interviewing him and sharing the story of Christ at work in another person He dearly loves. We all have a story; but most haven’t played out on national TV.
The great news for all of us is that the last chapter of our story hasn’t been written…we all have hope in Christ!
This would be a great weekend to invite a friend.
See you soon,
Pastor Ken
This weekend, we have the privilege of hearing another incredible story of Christ at work in a human life. There is one side to Maurice Clarett’s story that many of us have heard…the public side. There is another part of Maurice’s story he will be sharing this weekend. I’m looking forward to interviewing him and sharing the story of Christ at work in another person He dearly loves. We all have a story; but most haven’t played out on national TV.
The great news for all of us is that the last chapter of our story hasn’t been written…we all have hope in Christ!
This would be a great weekend to invite a friend.
See you soon,
Pastor Ken
Friday, April 12, 2013
How do you keep the "main thing" the "main thing" ...
I have a question for you. There probably isn’t a short or easy answer but, here’s my question:
Have you been distracted recently? How are you dealing with it, or them?
Everyone has an agenda in life. Sometimes our agenda is stated and obvious. Other times, it may be subtle and subjective. Every agenda faces distractions. A distraction is anything that holds the power to distract, derail, or discourage progress from the main thing being accomplished or experienced in life.
We are continuing our journey through the personal journal of the wisest man who ever lived to see what light he can shed on keeping the “main thing” the “main thing!”
Another personal highlight I always look forward to is the celebration of communion. This weekend is going to be a GRAND CELEBRATION of the greatest LOVE the WORLD HAS EVER KNOWN! And that, my friends, is the “main thing.”
See you soon,
Pastor Ken
Have you been distracted recently? How are you dealing with it, or them?
Everyone has an agenda in life. Sometimes our agenda is stated and obvious. Other times, it may be subtle and subjective. Every agenda faces distractions. A distraction is anything that holds the power to distract, derail, or discourage progress from the main thing being accomplished or experienced in life.
We are continuing our journey through the personal journal of the wisest man who ever lived to see what light he can shed on keeping the “main thing” the “main thing!”
Another personal highlight I always look forward to is the celebration of communion. This weekend is going to be a GRAND CELEBRATION of the greatest LOVE the WORLD HAS EVER KNOWN! And that, my friends, is the “main thing.”
See you soon,
Pastor Ken
Friday, April 5, 2013
Smart people learn from...
I’ve heard it said: Smart people learn from their mistakes, but wise people learn from the mistakes of others…
Have you ever tried to hire a “Big Name” guest speaker? I have, and they are (at times) incredibly expensive. Some sports stars, movie stars and former presidents demand, and receive, over $100,000 per speaking engagement. (I am working on getting the Duck Dynasty crew here sometime next year ... hey, have not because ask not, what’s the worst they can say… no:) HOWEVER, this weekend, I will be bringing the personal journal of the wisest man who ever walked the face of the earth! As far as big names go and having something worthwhile to say … it doesn’t get much bigger than this guy!
Hope you can join us as we set sail on a new series called, Unsinkable… don’t go down with the ship. We will dive into the life and lessons from a man who “had it all” and nearly “lost it all.” There is incredible insight to learn from his life and wisdom.
PS. Get your Fleetwood Mac on at BOTH campuses this weekend:)
See you soon,
Pastor Ken
Have you ever tried to hire a “Big Name” guest speaker? I have, and they are (at times) incredibly expensive. Some sports stars, movie stars and former presidents demand, and receive, over $100,000 per speaking engagement. (I am working on getting the Duck Dynasty crew here sometime next year ... hey, have not because ask not, what’s the worst they can say… no:) HOWEVER, this weekend, I will be bringing the personal journal of the wisest man who ever walked the face of the earth! As far as big names go and having something worthwhile to say … it doesn’t get much bigger than this guy!
Hope you can join us as we set sail on a new series called, Unsinkable… don’t go down with the ship. We will dive into the life and lessons from a man who “had it all” and nearly “lost it all.” There is incredible insight to learn from his life and wisdom.
PS. Get your Fleetwood Mac on at BOTH campuses this weekend:)
See you soon,
Pastor Ken
Monday, April 1, 2013
Top Ten Reflections List from Easter
1. 100s, if not 1000s, of Volunteers
A HUGE Thank You to literally hundreds of volunteers who helped make eight services possible at two different campuses. From parking team (in the rain) to set-up crew in the early morning hours (at Dublin), to nursery workers, musicians and tech team…to all who made it possible – Thank You!
2. Three Days Later . . . do I really need to explain?
3. Four Yellow sticky notes
Four sticky notes from our Dublin Campus… all worth it!
Seeing a family of four come up with four sticky notes… all worth it!
Knowing there were 126 YELLOW STICKY NOTES TOTAL… ALL WORTH IT!!
4a. I rode my motorcycle to church Thursday, Friday & Saturday. (It was really all about saving parking spots for cars:)
4b. I live close enough to church so I didn’t have to ride more than 3 minutes; it was a chilly ride home.
5. Over 7,200 heard the greatest story the world has ever heard… the largest Easter attendance we’ve ever had! And you guys did so well, we had enough room for everyone to sit! Thank you for your patience as we struggled a little with parking, but we managed J
6. Purple sticky notes… I’ve heard many stories of the re-commitments and personal responses to Christ, as we responded to His invitation this Easter.
7a. Hearing stories from those of you who took a risk and invited... whether your “invite” made it or not, THANK YOU for being faithful to do your part! Serena and I both invited people this year. They did thank us but didn’t make it.
7b. Hearing stories of folks who have been to Cypress a million times connecting and worshiping with some here for the first time… and the new ones say they will be back!
Never forget, the goal is not how many we can get to attend one weekend, it’s how many we can compel to return and walk / live life with Christ daily. I measure the success of Easter by:
a. How many connected / responded to the story of Christ
b. How many will count Easter 2013 as their spiritual starting point
c. How many of the “newer friends” to Cypress we can get to come back the following week
d. Was Christ glorified and honored above all?
8. Celebrating Hope In Christ… His Love Never Runs Out
9. No one got “sea sick” during the video for UNSINKABLE! I can hardly wait for next week and the new series.
10. Incredible stories from both our Student and Children’s Ministries… they celebrated the Greatest Story Ever Heard in age-appropriate, creative and engaging ways.
11. Giving away over 2,200 Bibles! I know I said Top Ten, but this one was too good not to make the list:)
Many great memories… but now it’s over. We move on in the Truth and Hope of Christ … day by day. His mercy is new EVERY DAY!
Have a great rest of your week and SEE YOU SOON,
Pastor Ken
A HUGE Thank You to literally hundreds of volunteers who helped make eight services possible at two different campuses. From parking team (in the rain) to set-up crew in the early morning hours (at Dublin), to nursery workers, musicians and tech team…to all who made it possible – Thank You!
2. Three Days Later . . . do I really need to explain?
3. Four Yellow sticky notes
Four sticky notes from our Dublin Campus… all worth it!
Seeing a family of four come up with four sticky notes… all worth it!
Knowing there were 126 YELLOW STICKY NOTES TOTAL… ALL WORTH IT!!
4a. I rode my motorcycle to church Thursday, Friday & Saturday. (It was really all about saving parking spots for cars:)
4b. I live close enough to church so I didn’t have to ride more than 3 minutes; it was a chilly ride home.
5. Over 7,200 heard the greatest story the world has ever heard… the largest Easter attendance we’ve ever had! And you guys did so well, we had enough room for everyone to sit! Thank you for your patience as we struggled a little with parking, but we managed J
6. Purple sticky notes… I’ve heard many stories of the re-commitments and personal responses to Christ, as we responded to His invitation this Easter.
7a. Hearing stories from those of you who took a risk and invited... whether your “invite” made it or not, THANK YOU for being faithful to do your part! Serena and I both invited people this year. They did thank us but didn’t make it.
7b. Hearing stories of folks who have been to Cypress a million times connecting and worshiping with some here for the first time… and the new ones say they will be back!
Never forget, the goal is not how many we can get to attend one weekend, it’s how many we can compel to return and walk / live life with Christ daily. I measure the success of Easter by:
a. How many connected / responded to the story of Christ
b. How many will count Easter 2013 as their spiritual starting point
c. How many of the “newer friends” to Cypress we can get to come back the following week
d. Was Christ glorified and honored above all?
8. Celebrating Hope In Christ… His Love Never Runs Out
9. No one got “sea sick” during the video for UNSINKABLE! I can hardly wait for next week and the new series.
10. Incredible stories from both our Student and Children’s Ministries… they celebrated the Greatest Story Ever Heard in age-appropriate, creative and engaging ways.
11. Giving away over 2,200 Bibles! I know I said Top Ten, but this one was too good not to make the list:)
Many great memories… but now it’s over. We move on in the Truth and Hope of Christ … day by day. His mercy is new EVERY DAY!
Have a great rest of your week and SEE YOU SOON,
Pastor Ken
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