WholeHeartedLife

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We Start a 2nd Service This Weekend!

We are so excited over all that we have experienced over our first 8 months of ministry. All of the stories of people's lives being touched by the Lord and the way God is using those people to touch others. 

I believe that there are many more stories to be written.

With this in mind I am excited to announce that beginning THIS SUNDAY, October 23rd, we begin a 2nd Worship Service:

• 2 times for worship at Vertical Church - 9am and 11am
• 2 identical services, music and ministries

One of the reasons I'm excited is this gives people options -

• options to attend an earlier service because of a prior engagement, 
• options to serve 1 service and sit 1 service with your family.
• options to attend church before you have to go to work
• options to play golf (we know it happens)

Most importantly, this service gives us another opportunity to reach people through our services and gives YOU another opportunity to serve.

Options are always a good thing.

Sunday Nite (October 16)

So tired. My throat hurts, my head hurts, my eyes are burning and all that I want is to go to sleep. I'm not sick - I just had an incredible day and feel like I gave everything that I had. To feel this way is totally worth it to have the opportunity to be part of Vertical Church. I am so thankful that Jesus called me to this and has given me this experience.

Here are the things on my heart this evening:

• Today was the final day of our "Real Holiness" series. We have determined that holiness ISN'T any of the following things: morality, a certain style of dress or music, attending church, giving in the offering, wearing your hair a certain way, not having tattoos, etc. None of these things can make us holy.
• My goal for this morning was to connect the dots and answer the question, knowing that holiness ISN'T me trying real hard to be good, "what DOES God expect from you?"
• Once again told the many people attending VC who haven't yet given their hearts to Jesus that today's message isn't for them. I'm NOT calling people who haven't received Jesus to learn to live a better life that looks more "christian". One of the biggest problems in the church is that people think they can fake it til they make it!!!! We don't want people to fake anything - we want them to come to the place that they desire God's power to change. We are praying that the Spirit draw them and that they might desire to be transformed by Him.
• The question isn't "how good can I be? - the question is "how empty can I be?" 
• At the end of my message I asked everyone who is serious about living a holy life, one that is given to God to give us their mobile number so we could encourage them with a daily text. Listen friends, we are here for you!! We are going to do this together. If you are interested in concentrating on your desire to allow Jesus to change your heart you can still sign up to receive our daily text message: http://trunc.us/r7a768
• I poured my heart out to our church today... left every bit of it on that stage. I pray that I adequately made clear all that God expects and how every bit of it is counting on Him.
• Not only was today the last day of "Real Holiness", it was also the last day that Vertical will only have 1 service. BEGINNING NEXT WEEKEND WE WILL HAVE 2 IDENTICAL WORSHIP SERVICES - 9 am and 11 am. 
• Which service will you be attending?
• Next Sunday we kick off a new series titled, "The Office". Honestly... this is a CAN'T MISS Sunday as we will be doing something crazy - something beyond anything we've ever done at VC.
• Music today was pretty incredible. As Jon was on a much deserved break Rhonda led worship and with the anointing she always carries absolutely BROUGHT IT!!! The thing that would surprise most of you is that she was having serious vocal issues, to the point of drinking lemon juice backstage between services and songs (it works - for some reason the LJ helps you to keep your voice). I didn't know this until right before the 10:30 service and was shocked because of the notes she was hitting at the 9am. By the way she was still hitting them at the 10:30.
• Rhonda, Justin, Robby, Christoph and Andrew brought a powerful set this morning starting with a new song, "Your's is the Victory" (Newspring), "A Mighty Fortress" (North Point), and "Your Love Never Fails" (Jesus Culture).
• The conversations happening after the service said it all - people, broken and desiring to bring God glory with their lives. I'm believing that this is a week that God will begin a major transformation in our church... 
• Never forget that before what happened in the bible can happen in our region it must first happen in our own hearts. 

There are some exciting things that we will be unveiling this week at Vertical Church - exciting week - you WILL BE hearing about all that is coming up at Vertical. Honestly, I love you guys... thanks for taking the journey - we're just getting started.

 

 

Vertical in Pics (a few weeks worth)

 

This last set of pics are from our student ministry, FUZE, which meets at Mr.P's Skateworld on Wednesday nites at 5:45pm. We're seeing some great things happen among our young people. I am very thankful for the large team that makes that happen!!

Sunday Nite (October 9) - Little Different Perspective

A little bit different "Sunday Nite" as I just barely made the service yesterday. Keyna and I took a brief trip to Myrtle Beach on Friday night (love the Grand Strand, especially in the off-season). We had a relaxing time, great food, good movie, a little shopping and most importantly, some free time together. We had no intentions of making it back to Ltown for service but with an earlier than usual check-out time and no real plans for Sunday afternoon KEYNA decided (no, it wasn't me not wanting to miss) that we should leave and go to our church for service.

No arguments here (grin).

So this is my observations of Sunday from a different perspective:

• This would be my 1st time attending Vertical when I had nothing to do with set up, getting there early or being part of pre-service. As a matter of fact, like many Vertical attenders, we got there after service started.
• I have never driven up to Vertical after everything is happening - i'm always on site. So, when I drove up to the stop light at Roberts avenue it was pretty exciting - full parking lot, Vertical flags waving by the road, signage up on corners - it certainly looked like something was going on there. The orange and black VIP tents were up, the road presentation was really great. No wonder people are always commenting to me how it really looks like some great things are happening by the looks of the parking lot!
• I got out of the car and was happily greeted by the VIP team. I know they were happy to see their Pastor and wife unexpectantly walk up late but still, much excitement underneath those tents. I have often said I would love to be on VIP team!
• The lobby looked great - Rhonda was at the NEXT table preparing to help people take that NEXT step. I was greeted by more of the greet team on the inside and was excited to see new members of the team shadowing experienced members and learning what their role at Vertical will be.
• We stopped at the cafe for our 1st cup of coffee of the morning (thank You, Jesus). We also got hugs from Mrs. Libby and the cafe team.
• On the way in we got smiles and hugs from Mrs. Brenda, Sarah and the team at the door giving out worship guides and pens. (I'm smiling right now as I type and think through...)
• Walking in the auditorium was so exciting... the pipe and drape was WAY back and the crowd, music and Spirit was THICK. Our amazing usher team with Mike Jackson and Jason Hammonds showed us to our seats...
• Jon was just leading into the opening chorus of a favorite of mine, "Fire Fall Down", I was so glad to be in there... Robby had switched up to acoustic guitar, Jon on keys. Shay and Chris were laying down a very worshipful groove. We are so blessed with talent. I am so very thankful for the talented musicians giving their blessing back to the Lord.
• Donnie brought week 2 of Real Holiness with a very heavy message based on Leviticus 20. As he was introing it I felt kind of bad as Lead Pastor of VC for strapping him with this (certainly wasn't intentional). That being said, Donnie is such a great preacher he skillfully walked through those heavy passages with the precision of a surgeon, a surgeon bringing healing instead of the death those passages are laden with.  
• "Holiness is not designed to restrict but to unleash the fullness of life that God desires for us". Yes!
• I love what @tomdawg09 tweeted: "Donnie Paschal talking about holiness not being restricting sounds like racing. Both cannot be our best if something is holding us back." Exactly T!!!
• Donnie's candy illustration at the end was just great. God IS NOT holding back on us!! As he said, thinking that is like trying to eat a piece of candy with the wrapper still on never tasting the sweetness of the candy. If we haven't tasted and seen that the Lord is good than we have no clue what we're missing out on.
• We had a big crowd from the UNCP football team with yesterday morning at Vertical. We are so proud of the program, their great coaching staff which believes not just in football but most importantly in making men. I am praying and believing great things for these young men.
• One of the best things of the day: I had the priviledge of worshiping with you all while sitting next to my beautiful wife who normally works VKidz. It was a powerful service and I see why people love to worship at VC.

Yesterday was just an incredible day at Vertical Church. I am very thankful for the opportunity to view it from a different context. To our amazing team - YOU KILLED IT YESTERDAY AND I AM SO PROUD OF YOU ALL!!! KEEP DOING WHAT YOU'RE DOING FOR THE GLORY OF GOD.

Yeah, We're Talking to You!!!

Have you noticed that a bunch of people serve on the Vertical team? You probably think we don't want or need you. You would be wrong.

Did you realize that God can use you to change a life?

Every week Jesus is changing the lives of people at Vertical Church and behind every changed life are the faces of Vertical VTeam volunteers! What most people don't understand is that we are ALWAYS LOOKING for people to join our VTeams! You have the opportunity to immediately begin helping people who don't like church meet God.

This Saturday we are having VTeam orientation. As we meet you will meet some new people, learn what it means to join a team and figure out what you would like to do at Vertical Church. LUNCH IS INCLUDED! Here are the details:

What: VTeam Orientation
When: This Saturday Morning, October 8 - 9:30 am to Noon
Where: At Vertical Church, Cinema Four 

We are so excited for you to take this most important Next Step. If you're interested in being part contact John Paul Dever and let him know, "yes - I want to serve!" I believe service is the activator for a believers faith. We're excited to see God activate your faith.

One Person Looking in the Wrong Direction

Often times people become moved for something. In the church we call it getting "a burden". They identify something that is wrong and think, "this isn't right - something needs to be done about it!" Next, they look for someone who can help them, usually discussing it with their closest friends. Often they go to a pastor or someone they respect in their church. The person with the burden looks really hard for someone to do something about the thing THEY have become passionate about but they are looking in the wrong direction.

I would suggest they look in the mirror.

It only takes one. One person with a burden can do amazing things. God is looking for people who are willing to do whatever it takes, people willing to trust Him. I don't make this stuff up - look at what the bible says:

Therefore he said he would destroy them— had not Moses, his chosen one, stood in the breach before him, to turn away his wrath from destroying them. (Psalm 106:23 ESV)

God was ready to destroy Israel but Moses begged God not to. But at a later time we see God looked for someone to intercede for Israel and found no one.

And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none. (Ezekiel 22:30 ESV) 

Two scriptures. Two opportunities for greatness. Two different outcomes. Sometimes it takes only one courageous, righteous person to stop great evil, but in the 1st scripture there was no one. I personally believe that God's greatest movements begin in the heart of one - I have experienced this personally in my own life. I want to relive it through yours.

I believe that God is looking for people who are ready to quit looking for others to carry out THEIR mission. Remember, it's not God AND you, it's God IN you. What is Jesus telling you to do. I dare you to do it.

Text Messages CAN Grow Your Faith!

"As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God's life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, 'I am holy; you be holy.'" (1 Peter 1:14-16, the Message)

Is your life being shaped by God's life? Could you classify your life as one that is blazing with holiness?

Join the club.

Do you ever feel like, when it comes to following Jesus, that you SUCK? Does this ever describe you: "I sometimes just feel incomplete in my walk with God, like there's something missing." There is: Personal holiness.

We cannot will ourselves to live holy lives. We CAN will ourselves into good morals but holiness is not that!!! Holiness isn't a moral code, the music you listen to or the clothes that you wear. Holiness isn't about the things that you DO or DON'T do. Holiness is a life energized by God's life. 

Holiness is not God AND you, it's God IN you. Holiness is God working through you, God working IN you. God's not saying, "come on... you can do this - as a matter of fact, let's do this together, it's Me AND you!" What God is saying is, "quit fighting this, I'm gonna do this IN you." God AND you is like that dumb bumper sticker, "God is my co-pilot." STUPID! God isn't anyone's co-pilot - He's your pilot or you're on your own. God IN you is is declaring that Jesus is the leader of your life. God AND you is like saying, "I'm doing my best to be good." God IN you is you declaring I'm surrendering my heart to His goodness.

So here's my challenge to you, let's practice this together in a practical way: every time that you get a text, phone call, facebook notification today on your mobile phone, before you respond stop and remind yourself: It's not God AND me, it's God IN me... Lord, I give you control right now, my thoughts, my words and my actions - fill me with Your love right now. Everytime you get a text. Everytime you get a fb notification. Everytime you get a call. EVERYTIME.

I pray for you, right now as I type, that your life be shaped by God's life and that this week would be the most Jesus filled week you have ever experienced. For His glory. Amen.

We Had a Banjo!! (Sun Nite, Oct 2)

HALLELUJAH!!!! I'm shoutin' with all I have that it's not God AND me, it's God IN me!! (I hope you are as well).

It's Sunday nite, I am absolutely wiped out but I wanted to share with my friends all that which fills my heart to overflowing. Jesus is alive, He's changing lives and I CANNOT believe that He allows me to be part of this move that happens weekly at Vertical Church. I hope that you were there, if not, here's what you missed:

• Today was the kickoff of our new series, "Real Holiness" and it was slammin'.
• I started the message off by sharing that our sermon roll-in for this series makes me a little uncomfortable. The reason it bothers me is that it's doing it's job by pushing my "buttons", creating tension - it's doing exactly what it was created to do.
• The reason that video makes some of us uncomfortable is because we have a screwed up vision about what real holiness actually is.
• The atmosphere for today's service was totally different - the stage set with stained glass windows (amazing job Kelly and team), the big pulpit I preached behind (don't know where Brandon scored that from), the band playing acoustic gospel music (which they did awesomely). We wanted to give our people some of the things that we normally classify/associate with holiness within the church.
• A church that sings from a hymn book is not more reverent than a church that reads words off a screen. Churches that meet in "church buildings" are not more holy than churches that meet in movie theaters or schools. NOR IS A CHURCH THAT MEETS IN A MOVIE THEATER BETTER THAN CHURCHES WHO MEET IN A TRADITIONAL BUILDING. People... NONE of this has anything to do with holiness.
• Our church gets accused of being new, modern, cutting edge, as I heard this week, a “church person” told someone that they just think what we do is a great big show. And that’s a shame... that person doesn’t see the work that GOD is doing in our midst - they don’t experience the passionate worship, the stories of life change you regularly see on the screens - they didn’t witness last weekend people praying to receive Jesus, JUMPING UP from their seats to be immediately and obediently baptized into their new faith - THEY DON’T KNOW... 
• I know that WE ARE different than most, but I believe us to be very old school in what we believe in as a church because Vertical Church believes that God’s people should be holy. We believe that God has called the people who are Jesus followers to be changed, different.
• We literally tackled Leviticus 19 today, to which I said after announcing it, "and all God's people said, "ewwwwww!" I think we did a good job of taking a tough passage and helping people see it in a different way.
• My Worship Pastor Jon Lloyd (who does have a tattoo) just texted me and said, "so, is it a sin to have a tattoo? I don't think you ever said." Answer: No. Let me clarify again: When God said you shall not tattoo your body He was referring to a Caananite religious ritual.
• Nor do you have to grow out the hair from your temples or grow a beard (grin). 
• Thank You Jesus for Your Word!

As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God's life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, "I am holy; you be holy." How is my life being shaped by God’s life? Is your life blazing with God’s holiness?!?

• It's not God AND you, it's God IN you. I hope this phrase changes your relationship with Jesus Christ this week. If you missed it I hope that you'll check out the podcast which should be up by Tuesday.
• Today's crowd was huge again. It was almost as big as last week which is awesome because we knew that some of our people last week were there to see baptisms. 
• I guess that means our church is growing again. So much praise to the Father!!! Glory to Jesus!!!
• Also, most importantly, PEOPLE WERE SAVED AGAIN TODAY! I am always blown away because lately I have the opportunity to pray with people at the NEXT table who pray to receive Jesus every week! Thank You Jesus for Your great salvation - God is so good.
• I am just blown away by our teams every single week - today was no different. Words do not describe how happy I am to be part of the team that makes Vertical Church happen every week. Jesus is just doing an amazing work here (can't say it enough!!!)
• The banjo. It was a pleasure to have my friend Ron Stansel grace us with his talent and presence this morning. Ron was pickin' and grinnin' with Vertical Worship this morning. They were incredible. I thought that the crowd just loved it in a different type way.
• Yeah, we played some Johnny Cash this morning (grin). Jon, Justin, Robby, Bob and Bree were vertically versatile this morning bringing it a totally different way. They continue to bring people to the throne. When Bree brought a beautiful rendition of the hymn, "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus" "Softly and Tenderly" I thought we had a quartet up there singing back-ups. I sounds like I'm joking on them (and I am because it was so different and unlike them) but truly, it was beautiful.
• Music: I Saw the Light/I'll Fly Away, Will the Circle be Unbroken, Blessed Assurance, Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus. 
• Next week's worship music will be a little more in the style you have grown to love at Vertical.

This week, as you go remember, everytime you receive a text, a phone call, a tweet or a facebook, before you receive it, STOP, and say, "It not God AND me, it's God IN me... right now, Jesus, fill me with your love, take control of my thoughts, my words and my actions." May this week be the most spirit filled week of your life, in Jesus Name. I love you all.

 

Spread the Word: Courageous Opens Friday

It's not often that a movie comes out that we can assure you that is family friendly and doesn't involve cartoons. It's even less often that we can say that a movie will encourage your faith and be faithful to the Gospel message.

This is one of those movies - you really should check Courageous out.

Courageous is the latest movie by Sherwood Baptist Church, who produced the movies "Fireproof" and "Facing the Giants". The film is about fatherhood, and the story centers around four police officers "all in various stages of fatherhood trying to figure out what it means to be a great dad." Stephen Kendrick stated that "The film's desire is for men to leave the theater making the decision that Joshua made when he declared in Joshua 24:15, 'As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord'."

"Courageous" opens this Friday in Lumberton at Vertical Church's home, Cinema Four Theaters. Below you will see what USA Today found when they visited the Courageous movie set. We will be giving away some free tickets to the movie during Sunday's services but don't let that stop you from seeing it this weekend. I encourage you to not only see Courageous but to tell people about it. Let's support ministries that encourage and lift high the mission of God.