Keyes for the Kingdom

Down to ATL

We came down to Atlanta today to go to a very special birthday party - for our 3 year old grandson: Nyle Elisha Keyes! Aaron and Meg had a "Buzz Lightyear" party for him because he LOVES Toy Story...They had an awesome "sparkler birthday candle" with the number: 3 - you light the end of the "3" and it burns down like a sparkler - I took it out of the cake because of the massive smoke it was producing. After holdng it high to rid the party of the smoke, the candle finally gave out - EXCEPT one final flame, which quickly landed on my hand between my thumb and fingers - YEAHOOOOWWW - it burned!!!

My two boys challenged me and my son-in-law, Mark to a marathon tennis match... 2 out of 3 - in honor of Wimbledon! They have never beaten us before so we were pretty cocky - until we got waxed by he young guns 6-4, 6-4! We surrender - you guys were the best..... TODAY! We'll continue the competition tonight with a game of yard darts and bocce ball... not quite as hot or strenuous as tennis for sure!

Heading back to good old Greenville tomorrow, then looking forward to SUNDAY MORNING AT CRCC!!! It's going to be an AWESOME DAY - don't miss it!!! Big news coming!!!!

The REAL reason...

I was riding down the road and heard my FAVORITE radio station mention they were having a live remote at Chiefs to celebrate the station's birthday. I listen to talk radio every day and really love the Russ and Lisa show each morning. I feel like I know these people because I've listened for so long - it was good to finally shake their hands and meet them face to face. I even got a free t-shirt that I'll proudly wear to show my support of the station!

That's the REASON I went there - but GOD had another reason... I ran into a man named Hank - I've met him at a Bible study I've taught a few times in the past - He invited me to sit down and poured out his heart to me - His wife wants a divorce and he's devastated - I was able to pray with him, love on him, give him Biblical advice, recommend a good book, and give him info on the Word of God Counseling Center. When I had to leave I told Hank that HE was the reason I was here today - God KNEW we would have this encounter and I felt so honored to be used by God to help Hank in his place of great need.

This reminded me to always keep my "antenna" up - looking for "God moments" wherever I am - whatever situation I see myself in - maybe there are a LOT MORE GOD REASONS than my reasons to do and be where I am...

NEW series starts SUNDAY!

Do you believe God has any "plans" for your life? Do you have any "plans" for your life? Are these "plans" one and the same - or are they miles apart? How does God reveal the "plans" he DOES have for you? Join us for the next few weeks as we begin our new teaching series called..... CALIBRATE.

Learning to align our lives with the supernatural and sovereign plans that God has in store for each of us! We'll be casting vision about where we are as a church family and how we sense God is moving to align us to His heart for our city. This week will be one of the MOST IMPORTANT EVER in the life of CRCC! Do NOT miss this Sunday! We'll be making CD's available for anyone that can't be here for this exciting news...

We'll also take an in depth look at a man in the Old Testament by the name of "Caleb" - one of the two spies sent out check out the promised land of Israel. The Bible says Caleb had a '"different spirit" in him compared to the average people on this spiritual journey. What made Caleb "different" and what did he have that each of us should desperately desire? Join us each week as we "Calibrate" our lives to the plans of God and His will for us!

Gracie has arrived!

Pastor Brian Woodard and his wife Rachel are shown here WELCOMING their new daughter: Gracie! This is the result of a three year process where God has been at work to provide for this awesome adoption! Their whole family will be in China for another week to love on Gracie and get her used to her new "family": including Allison, Erin, and Quinn!

We'll certainly look forward to a glorious homecoming soon! Wow... God is GOOD!!!

Hanging with Becky...

This morning we drove to Greenwood to attend the "South Carolina Festival of Flowers" at the Park Seed company. Do I LOVE flowers and things like this - not really, but my wife does for sure. Do I LOVE Becky - you bet! It really was quite beautiful and amazing - the flowers and plants were stunning - We went on a guided tour of the gardens, then drove downtown - walked the square and had a great lunch.

Tonight we both went to serve Bar-B-Que alongside the team from "Tom's Bar-B-Que" at the annual picnic/fun day at Flour Daniel. I think Tom said we'd be serving over 5000 people! I think most of them came through MY line - My right hand is sore from using the tongs to load up people's plates. They just kept coming and coming... There were rides, games, and a firework show to end the night. I usually eat at Tom's at least a couple of times a month. He's been such a great friend to me over the years - it was a joy to come alongside and help him tonight! It REALLY makes me appreciate all the wonderful servants who work in the food service industry!

Sunday at CRCC: Jentezen Franklin

This Sunday will be our LAST in the ONE PRAYER series - we'll be hearing pastor Jentezen Franklin speak on a POWERFUL subject: GOD IS ABLE! This is my favorite of all the talks I chose for our people to hear during this series. You've heard the old expression: "Saved the best for last" - that's how I feel about this talk... don't miss it... I had the privilege to teach a Walk Thru the Bible Seminar in Pastor Franklin's church a few years ago -This was the largest seminar I have ever taught - over 2000 people in attendance!I found him to be warm, welcoming, and very humble. People in his church treated me like royalty!  Here's some more info about him and his life....

His life-changing messages include a unique blend of hard-hitting drama, powerful storytelling and moving musical performances. He is also an accomplished saxophone player, with his latest musical release, “Restoration Generation.”

The outreach of his ministry goes far beyond his church, Free Chapel in Gainesville, Georgia, and even beyond his television broadcast, Kingdom Connection, aired weekly.Pastor Franklin and his wife Cherise have been blessed with a beautiful family, including four daughters – Courtney, Caressa, Caroline, and Connar and son, Nolan Drake. 

Jentezen will NOT disappoint you this Sunday - DON'T MISS IT!

Pray for Discover Church

I just had a great meeting with Dan Atkins, pastor of DISCOVER CHURCH here in our city. I love his heart and his passion to reach people for Jesus Christ! We've been contacting pastors all over our city to see if they would be involved with us in THE HINGE - our prayer initiative in our city on August 29. Dan signed up to get on board with us! yeah!!!

They've been in a rented facility for the last few years, but now have an opportunity to break ground on a new building in the next few weeks. It will be in Simpsonville behind Hillcrest HIgh School. PRAY for them as it is a HUGE undertaking. I certainly remember all the work, toil, and sweat involved in getting into our current church home! Dan said they've been having trouble with the RAILROAD company (because all attenders would have to cross "their tracks" to come to the building) They have continued to harass them and cause them a LOT of money in legal fees and mumbo jumbo! PRAY for justice to do be done for Dan and this awesome church ministry. They are now going to have to put in guardrails that raise and lower just like at major roads at a large cost! Pray that this money would NOT have to spent on this type of equipment!!!

Last Train to Clarkesville

If you remember THAT song, you're pretty OLD for sure! Ha - the Monkees sang it probably back in the early 70's. I thought of it because we just came back from "Clarkesville, Georgia". My favorite Aunt called and invited us to join them at Apple Mountain resort - we went down and spent one night with them. I got to play a couple of rounds of golf with her "new" husband of five years - Cecil Smith. My Uncle Joe passed away around 6 years ago and I'm so happy that Joyce found such a good man as Cecil! He's 81 years old and hits a golf ball about 150 - 200 yards mostly right down the middle! I told him I hope I could still swing that well when I'm his age - We had such a great time!

I shot the two best back to back rounds of my life - 79, 78 - and had 4, yes that's right - 4, birdies today! Who knows? Maybe I was inspired by Lucas Glover, Greenville resident and winner of the US OPEN! Maybe I was inspired by David Duvall - ranked 821 in the world and coming in SECOND at the tournament - wow...

It was a quick down and back trip, but SO MUCH FUN to see my fam from Texas. My Aunt is so full of life - tells great stories, and keeps me grounded to my Texas roots.

Now it's back to business - in the office and getting ready for Sunday - our LAST message in the ONE PRAYER series - (I saved my favorite one for LAST!) - We'll start a new series the following week on the subject of.... nah - I'll tell you later!!!

Heading to China - Bring Gracie HOME!

Yesterday we had a prayer of dedication for pastor Brian, Rachel, and their three kids - they leave in the morning for China to bring home their beautiful adopted baby girl: Gracie

Brian told us yesterday of God's amazing provision over the last three years and how they have seen almost 30K come to them from the hand of the Lord. I asked Brian this question:

"How much do you still need to have it all covered" - He said, "about $3000".

After the service, guess what happened? A man they didn't even really know came up and gave them a check for  (drum roll here?) $3000! A few other gifts came in as well, so they leave tomorrow knowing this: OUR GOD SHALL SUPPLY ALL YOUR NEEDS ACCORDING TO HIS RICHES IN CHRIST JESUS!

What a testimony to his kids - they were stunned and thrilled! Brian told me today that he and his daughter just fell to the floor thanking God for this awesome answer to prayer! The kids have never even been ON an airplane, so what a great way to "break into the friendly skies" - a 16 hour flight over Alaska to mainland CHINA!   All I can say is :YEAH GOD!!!

Sunday recap - Father's Day

What a WONDERFUL Sunday at CRCC! Since David Walker and the band were playing today at the Wayfarer Ministries camp - it was a joy to have my son, Adam, leading us in worship! I am so blessed to have two musical sons -Aaron and Adam! My dad (and mostly Mom) MADE me take piano lessons for about a zillion years! Maybe, just maybe, there was a genetic trace of the "music gene" given to my boys! ha!

We saw the third in our ONE PRAYER series - a great message by John Seibeling on: God is UNSHAKABLE! He reminded us that Jesus is praying FOR US - Faith is the key - and WHEN we come out of our shaking - to help others still there! WOW... what a great reminder. I talked to Teresa Miller after the service - she lost her husband Bill over a year ago - she was having a TOUGH day for sure - knowing her 4 kids would think a lot today about their daddy who's no longer there. I did see in her a beautiful thing, though - she was telling me about reaching out to ANOTHER widow lady in our church! WAY TO GO TERESA!!! Hang in there and use your life experiences to help and bless others!

The end of our service was just incredible - Rich invited all dads to come forward - then called them out for prayer - health issues, relationship issues, spiritual leadership issues! MANY men indicated the need for prayer and our prayer team and others just loved on and rallied around all of our wonderful dads!!! It was a VERY moving experience!

Pray for our 50 kids at Wayfarer Camp - They will be coming home tomorrow - I talked to one dad this morning with two kids on the trip - he is praying for BREAKTHROUGH in his son's life! Let's JOIN him!!