Inside Today's Experience - Gilbert Thurston

Today was exactly what we had hoped it would be.
We wanted to capture the momentum of Easter and have the week after be just as big or bigger.
So to kick-off our iLife series we gave away 4 FREE iPads.
It worked great…we by far had our highest attended day ever other than launch day.
Best of all, 3 more people prayed to begin a relationship with Jesus!
That makes 83 now in the 6 months we’ve been meeting!
So proud of my team and all they do from parking lot to seat to help prepare people’s hearts for the preaching of God’s Word each week.
Set-up and everything was a bit different today because Bill (our worship pastor) was away for the weekend.
This meant everyone pitching in to do the things he normally does which of course meant longer time and a couple of “where the heck does this plug in” moments.
Bill did though create the new stage set that has all the iLife icons…pretty cool.
Huge thanks to Aaron Hoke for stepping up and leading the band this weekend…he did a tremendous job.
It was also great to see JD Ridenour who came up to check out our tech stuff for help with his new job he’s taken with LifeHouse Church East in Hagerstown, MD.
JD’s pastor (Patrick Grach) and I were both in Orlando this week and had lunch together this past Thursday. Grateful to Patrick for his encouragement and the team LifeHouse sent to us when we did our Preview Experiences back before launch.
Speaking of Orlando…being gone all week with Chad at the Exponential Church Conference meant my normal routine was disturbed this week.
Even though I wrote today’s message long ago, my normal routine has me working with it throughout the week so that by the time Sunday rolls around its completely a part of me.
This week was different though and I thought it came through in my delivery…not my best effort but I think the point was still made…
…we live on the edge so often emotionally, financially, relationally, in our schedules and we’re in danger of disaster.
You can listen here to see what God has to say about that.
It was weird that during my illustration where I stood up on the arms of the theater seats I actually felt really comfortable…sort of ruined my point…although I think everyone got what I was saying.
Congrats to those who won iPads…and thanks to all those who invited so many people come out and be a part of today’s Experience.
This week I’m away again…this time at our denomination’s annual conference.
I’ll be speaking briefly Monday and then I’m teaching two workshops on Tuesday…please keep me in prayer.
Also, our band has been asked to provide the music for Monday night’s activities, so keep them in prayer as well as they get off early from work, travel to the site, set-up, play, tear down then return home.
Next Sunday we’ll continue the iLife series by looking at how to build margin into your schedule so you do and become all that God has for you!

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