May 27th, 2010 by Tim Moore

I spent many years serving in a church setting where I never saw anything happen. Sure we had great “emotional moments” in God’s presence. But at the end of the day, was someone changed? Rarely. After a while, I got very frustrated and was left wanting more.

That’s when God spoke clearly to me through John 15:16.

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last.

When the reality of that hit me, I knew I must do something different. God began to birth a vision in me for bearing fruit with my life. I don’t want to get to the end of my life and be filled with regret for not impacting people’s lives. For not bearing fruit. That vision has only gotten hotter in me in the past 2 years!

Not only has our church grown 5 times what it was only 18 months ago, but we are hearing testimonies of people’s marriages and lives being changed! Last night I heard of a girl who has a heroine problem had surrendered her life to Christ in our church recently!

To me, this is the gauge by which we measure church. A church is not successful just because it can draw a crowd. A church is successful when the Gospel is preached and lives are being transformed.

May 24th, 2010 by Tim Moore

Many people do not realize the impact that porn has on our lives. It not only destroys intimacy and wrecks marriages, but it is a sin and separates us from God. So many people are trapped by this addiction. It begins with a simple magazine that a friend shows you and then becomes something you must have. My guess, is that there are many even in our own church who struggle with an addiction to porn.

For some reason, so many are embarrassed by this problem. They don’t want to continue watching it, but can’t get free of it. Sometimes you can even feel like you are the only one with this problem. Truthfully, many men and women struggle with pornography. If you have a porn problem, you have to TELL SOMEONE. You cannot get free of this addiction on your own power, otherwise you would be addicted!! Tell someone you trust and ask for help.

This week, Lifechurch.tv and XXXChurch.com are hosting a full week porn event to help people who feel trapped by the addiction of pornography. They are talking with people who have escaped this addiction and helping people get out of it. If you need help with a porn problem, get involved in this event and tell someone!!

Click here to join the PornEvent.

May 17th, 2010 by Tim Moore

Today, I wanted to pass along a story that fits very well with where we are headed with this series on Worship. It a story of a father, husband and staff member at Newspring Church that died way too young. Working in a church, you get very close with your staff. They become like family. So the to think about what Newspring Staff are feeling today is gut wrenching. I’m praying for them and Zach’s family.

When I hear his story and see his faith in the midst of his worst nightmare…I am humbled. That is true worship!

May 13th, 2010 by Tim Moore

The Apostle Paul is one of the greatest heroes of the NT. He wrote much of the NT, started churches everywhere, preached the Gospel to thousands.

But Paul also encountered incredible pain and discomforts along the way. (Read 2 Cor 11:23-28) Even through all of those things, Paul did not give up. Why? Because he wasn’t operating on his own strength, but on God’s.

When he wanted to quit, he said that God spoke these words to him.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor 12:6)

Even if your life doesn’t go the way you planned…finish strong.

Work hard at the job, even if it isn’t what you saw yourself doing in college.
Raise your family with honor, integrity and character, even if you can’t give them everything they ever wanted.
Serve faithfully in your ministry, don’t let your character or moral issues cause you to quit.

In every race it’s not about how you start…but how you finish. You may not come in first, but what really matters to God is that you simply finish strong!

Let these words of Paul be your words. I pray that they are mine!
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Tim 4:7)

May 12th, 2010 by Tim Moore

In my senior year of high school I ran track. I wasn’t the best, but by the end of the season I figured out that the 800 was my event.

I entered the regional qualifiers without much expectation. But, as the race began I found myself in the lead! I thought to myself, “I’m going to tear this up…I’m going to win.” However part way into the 2nd lap, people started passing me. I didn’t know what was happening, but my body wasn’t going to let me sustain that pace. It was starting to shut down.

However, I was determined to finish. Some of the people who passed me, ended up dropping to their knees only yards from the finish line. Although I wasn’t running faster than them, I did finish! I didn’t give up. I might not have been able to sustain the pace I wanted, but I wasn’t about to quit!

In life, we approach things ready to “tear it up”. We have big plans for our career, plans for our family, plans for our ministry. But then we often discover that many of these things are more difficult than anticipated. The career doesn’t go where you want. You struggle to have children. The ministry doesn’t seem to grow!

It is at that point when we must decide to either give up and bow out of the race or to finish strong!

Tomorrow I’ll talk about what it means to finish strong.

May 11th, 2010 by Tim Moore

Today I celebrate 14 years married to the most incredible woman.  My wife marrying me has truly been one of the best things that has happened to me.  I love sharing this journey with her.

I remember back to this day in 1996.  It was one of the greatest days of my life.

It was a rainy day, much like it is today.  Some say that’s bad luck.  The church we were getting married in had a sudden death that week and were holding a funeral only 4 hours before our wedding!  Again, some would say that is a bad sign! We got married young, many discourage that.  They say it probably won’t last.

Honestly, I don’t believe luck has anything to do with the last 14 years.  I married a woman who has a heart for God.  Without her I would be lost!  (Along with half of my stuff). She truly is the epitome of a Proverbs 31 wife.

To my wife on our anniversary:
You are amazing and I want you to know that I love you more today than the day I married you…and you are even hotter now than when you were 14 years ago!  Thanks for marrying me.

May 11th, 2010 by Tim Moore

The Apostle Paul is one of the greatest heroes of the NT.  He wrote much of the NT, started churches everywhere, preached the Gospel to thousands.

But Paul also encountered incredible pain and discomforts along the way.  (Read 2 Cor 11:23-28)  Even through all of those things, Paul did not give up.  Why?  Because he wasn’t operating on his own strength, but on God’s.

When he wanted to quit, he said that God spoke these words to him.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor 12:6)

Even if your life doesn’t go the way you planned…finish strong.

Work hard at the job, even if it isn’t what you saw yourself doing in college.
Raise your family with honor, integrity and character, even if you can’t give them everything they ever wanted.
Serve faithfully in your ministry, don’t let your character or moral issues cause you to quit.

In every race it’s not about how you start…but how you finish. You may not come in first, but what really matters to God is that you simply finish strong!

Let these words of Paul be your words.  I pray that they are mine!
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Tim 4:7)

May 10th, 2010 by Tim Moore

In my senior year of high school I ran track.  I wasn’t the best, but by the end of the season I figured out that the 800 was my event.

I entered the regional qualifiers without much expectation.  But, as the race began I found myself in the lead!  I thought to myself, “I’m going to tear this up…I’m going to win.”  However part way into the 2nd lap, people started passing me.  I didn’t know what was happening, but my body wasn’t going to let me sustain that pace.  It was starting to shut down.

However, I was determined to finish.  Some of the people who passed me, ended up dropping to their knees only yards from the finish line.  Although I wasn’t running faster than them, I did finish!  I didn’t give up.  I might not have been able to sustain the pace I wanted, but I wasn’t about to quit!

In life, we approach things ready to “tear it up”.  We have big plans for our career, plans for our family, plans for our ministry.  But then we often discover that many of these things are more difficult than anticipated.  The career doesn’t go where you want.  You struggle to have children.  The ministry doesn’t seem to grow!

It is at that point when we must decide to either give up and bow out of the race or to finish strong!

Tomorrow I’ll talk about what it means to finish strong.

May 5th, 2010 by Tim Moore

On Monday I got to help clean up parts of Lithopolis with some amazing people from our church. It was an honor to serve along side of about 40 people from Crossroads. Impact week is going strong and the affects are being felt. We still have many hours left to serve…so keep it up Crossroads.

Here are some pics from Impact Week.

May 3rd, 2010 by Tim Moore

Can I take a moment to say how proud I am of our church? I issued a challenge to everyone to get involved and serve our city during Impact Week. The response was AMAZING.

– We have nearly filled every event we had planned.
– People were giving much more than just 1 hour!
– We filled a trailer full of food to give away and people are still bringing more.
– It was inspiring to see students sign up on their own.
– We gave away every serve shirt we bought and have to order more.

I just wanted to brag on our church. Many of them “get it”. They know that life isn’t about how you can be served but how you can serve others. So proud.

Get ready city…here we come!