ONE INVITATION AWAY ... just imagine!

I’m sitting here at Tim Horton’s (between meetings) and I’m amazed at how busy the drive-thru has been with non-stop traffic. All different shapes, models, and colors of cars…some look worn and dull, others are bright and shiny. Of course, I’m describing the cars, but one could say nearly the same thing about the people driving them.  

As I’ve been praying between meetings, my mind has wandered to a simple question. I wonder how many of the people, who have visited this drive-thru in the past hour, have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ? How many are in need of hope? How many are in crisis…relationally, physically, financially?

A few of the faces are familiar, however, I realize I don’t know the majority of these people…but, I do know these things are true:

• Jesus Christ died for every person who has gone through the drive-thru during the past hour.
• God desires for those of us who believe in and follow Him to share His story so that others may investigate for themselves.
• Many of these people are ONE INVITATION AWAY from experiencing LIFE like they never imagined!

Keep Praying and Keep Inviting…see you at one of our Christmas services!

 

Christmas at Cypress:

Friday, December 21 - 7 pm

Saturday, December 22 - 6 pm

Sunday, December 23 - 3 & 5 pm

Monday, December 24 - 3, 5 & 7 pm

&

A special service at our Dublin campus

Sunday morning, December 23, at 10 am.

 

Let’s celebrate the greatest gift ever given!

Pastor Ken

Greatest news of all time!

I want you to think of the greatest news you’ve ever received…what was it?
A few possibilities: 

• It’s a boy / girl!
• Yes, I will marry you!
• You got the job!
• The test results came back normal!

This weekend, we will examine what scripture says is the greatest news of all time. It opens the door for each of us to live a JOY-filled life, right here, right now. If JOY has been a struggle, DO NOT MISS THIS WEEKEND! If you know someone who could use a fresh encounter of JOY, BRING THEM WITH YOU.

The Cypress response to our food drive goal = Mission Accomplished...overwhelming!! I will announce the total and we will celebrate what God is doing, in and through the church, to impact our communities.

See you soon,
Pastor Ken

The Top 10 Reasons to INVITE a Friend to Christmas Eve Service @ Cypress!

1. If they say…“I don’t normally go to church,” you can say…“Great! You will have lots of company because everyone who doesn’t go to church shows up on Christmas Eve!”
2. Where else will you hear the Trans-Siberian Orchestra without buying a ticket?
3. It’s an opportunity to quiet oneself and gain perspective during an extremely busy time of year.
4. You get to sing along, or at least hum along, to familiar Christmas carolsJ
5. You will have the opportunity to be a part of changing lives in El Salvador.
6. “Mary, Did You Know?” by Wilson…you can thank me nowJ
7. Jingle Jam - a fun “kid-centered” experience after each Christmas Eve Service.
8. The kids will have an amazing time riding on the hay wagon, from the parking lot to the front door!
9. You could play a role in helping shape eternity.
10. By investing and inviting, you are doing your part to honor Christ, the King…the true expression of LOVE, JOY, PEACE, and HOPE!

Don't miss ... Two BIG reasons to be here this weekend!

This is shaping up to be the absolute best Christmas season we’ve ever experienced together at Cypress!  There are two BIG reasons to get here early this weekend:

1. FOOD DRIVE- Bring your food drive donations, as we express love in a tangible way, to help meet the needs of people in the Dublin, Hilliard, and Westland areas.  Over 250 families will have FOOD TO EAT, this Christmas, because of your generosity
2. SOCKS & UNDERWEAR ~ not what you want, but what you need… The office got a call this week asking if the socks and underwear donations had to be new or could they be used!  We are not collecting socks and underwear.  If we were, yes, they would need to be new…too funnyJ While preparing for this weekend, I’ve been challenged by a passage of scripture that I’ve never used before during the Christmas season.  Wear your track shoes…we have a lot of ground to cover.  We will never think about the LOVE of Christ, expressed at Christmas, the same way ever again!

Amazing things are planned for the kids this weekend.  We’ll also be celebrating communion, and I’ll be referencing a number one song from 1964…anyone want to take a guess?  I think we may sing it together during the teaching this weekendJ

See you soon,
Pastor Ken

'Twas the day before Thanksgiving ... Eight thoughts about Thanksgiving

1. Thanksgiving seems to have become more “Family & Friends” based than any other holiday. The Murphy agenda revolves around Family, Food, and Football. Take the time to build relationships and memories…sit at the table a little longer…do a fun family outing like going for a walk after everyone’s eaten way too much:)
2. Speaking of memories…as I’ve talked to my boys about our annual Thanksgiving traditions, it is the LITTLE THINGS that they remember most! Dear Mom and Dad, don’t fret over the table cloth being perfect (nobody remembers a week later!!!) What kids and families do remember is time spent together!
3. Ok, now I’m on a roll…when you get together with extended family, LOVE ONE ANOTHER. You do not need to make it your personal project to explain why you voted the way you did in the presidential election and why they should have voted the same:) People are not argued into a relationship with Christ; they are loved and served into a relationship.
4. For some, this will be the first Thanksgiving since the loss of a dear loved one/family member. Give yourself permission to grieve. How grief works is a funny thing. I’ve often said it reminds me of ocean waves…a happy thought or memory…followed by a wave of sadness…followed by another great memory. Remember, death can never steal those great memories. I will be praying for you this Thanksgiving Day. YOU WILL MAKE IT.
5. I like pecan and pumpkin pie…in moderation of course:)
6. I can laugh at friends who get up at 3am to stand in long lines in order to save $50 on a purchase.
7. High school basketball season is right around the corner (my oldest son’s team is very young…it could be a long season, but I still love it)
8. Two days after Thanksgiving I get to teach the wrap up to our series on personal finance. GIVING THANKS is at the heart of a life well lived in obedience to the author / owner / source of life.

Psalm 106:1 (NLT)

Praise the Lord! Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.

 

See you this weekend,

Pastor Ken

Don't miss week 3...boosting the power of personal finance

Have you ever opened the refrigerator door and stared inside?  Have you ever flipped a light switch and when it didn’t turn on, you flipped it again?  Have you ever heard the quote, “Money is Power?”

Food does not “magically” appear in the refrigerator, nor does electricity exist in the switch.  If the “Money is Power” quote is true, then money would allow you to buy happiness, peace, and fulfillment in life…but it can’t.  This week, we are looking at a story where Christ tells us, “The quality of our life and our power for truly living will never consist in the abundance of our stuff.”

Week 3 … boosting the power of personal finance = How do we harness, or tap into, POWER for living from an economic standpoint?

See you soon,

Pastor Ken

Opportunity...

Recently, I’ve been thinking about OPPORTUNITY.  I saw on Facebook where a college roommate of mine (from Oral Roberts University) lost his dad yesterday.  His post described the pain and loss and then, he said, “Tell someone you love them while you still have the opportunity.”

I just finished a business meeting where “opportunities” were discussed for the next wave of ministry and influence, for Christ, through Cypress Church.  I was invited to this meeting by a friend of mine who wanted to share information about an “opportunity.” 

My wife, Serena, was telling me last night about one of those rare, but incredibly rewarding, “life discussions” she had with one of our sons.  She sensed he was ready to talk about stuff and she put aside the housework to take advantage of the “opportunity” to connect with him on a deeper level.

I’m reminded of the verse in Galatians 6:9-10…
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Opportunity involves two basic aspects:

1.     Looking for moments to advance the cause near and dear to your heart

2.     Taking a step of action

As we approach the season of Giving Thanks and the Celebration of Christmas, let me encourage you to do a couple of things:

1.     Don’t become so busy with the meaningless details that you miss the opportunity to connect with Christ and others on a deeper level.

2.     Cultivate opportunities to extend simple invitations to friends to experience Cypress…so they may experience Christ in the coming weeks.

What an opportunity!
Pastor Ken