Gilbert Thurston

Random Thoughts About Life, Ministry and Whatever Else Happens to be on my Mind

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Inside Today’s Experience

February 6, 2011 by Gilbert Leave a Comment

  • Before getting to today let me quickly thank Chad, Bill, Chelsea and our entire team for doing an awesome job last week while I was away.
  • Someone asked me if I was nervous not being at Exponential, considering we’re only a couple of months old.  My answer was no because of the incredible team we’ve assembled.  While I may have a more visible role than others, I’m just one small component of the team and life goes on without me.
  • Was really excited about today…we sent out 60000 mailers advertising the new series called “One” which is about marriage, dating, relationships and sex.
  • The phone was blowing up all week long as people called to get more info.
  • One thing we learned for the future is to be even clearer that we’re a church.  I’m not saying this to brag since I designed it, but many were so impressed with the mailer that they thought it was a seminar or conference on marriage instead of a church service.
  • Many called to ask how much it cost to get in.  I kept saying nothing and even on the phone had a hard time convincing people that we are a church.
  • The other thing that confuses people is meeting in a movie theater…I quite a few conversations about yes you can have church in a movie theater.
  • Even with all that, we had tons of first time guests today and everyone seemed to enjoy it.
  • Wish so many of our regulars wouldn’t have been absent because it would have been interesting to see how full the theater could have gotten.
  • In any case, we had a good sized crowd.
  • The day started out early this morning with ice covering everything and I almost took a spill or two getting into my car.
  • Set-up went well today even with adding more lighting.
  • Slowly but surely we’re starting to get the staging looking better and more like what I’d like.
  • Great job by Bill in creating shadow boxes to make the LED strips look even better than they are naturally.
  • The band as always did a great job leading worship and I thought they did a really good job covering “Grenade” by Bruno Mars.
  • Because of going away, I didn’t have time to create the bumper for the “One” series so I had Brad Miller from my old church in Chambersburg do it for me.  He did a great job…if you need video work done, he does a great job and at a reasonable price.  Check out his web-site for more info.
  • Man I was pumped up for today’s message called, “Finding the One“.
  • Had lots of fun presenting it, including an interview with Satan on whether or not single people are losers.
  • Big thanks to my former worship pastor Brian Miller (brother of Brad from above) for playing the role.  Does it a little too well if you ask me.  :)
  • Best part of the day was that 5 more people made decisions to become followers of Jesus!
  • Man that never…ever…gets old!
  • If you know someone who is struggling with their love relationships, whether married or not, download today’s message for them to listen to and then do whatever you need to do to have them attend with you next week.
  • Next week we’ll take a look at how God says you can improve your love relationship…if you thought this week is good…
  • Now getting ready for “The Ultimate Tailgate Party”.  For those that don’t know, we’re partnering with the Boys and Girls Club of Harrisburg to throw a Super Bowl Party for an estimated 200-300 kids and their families.
  • We’ve got 46 people volunteering to serve!  Thanks Exponential for BEING the Church in the community.  That’s what it’s all about!

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Bill Butler, Boys & Girls Club, Brad Miller, Brian Miller, Bruno Mars, Chad Chute, Chelsea Miller, dating, ExponentialChurch.tv, gilbert thurston, marriage, One Series, relationships, sex

Random Tuesday Thoughts

April 7, 2009 by Gilbert Leave a Comment

  • This week so far is picking up where last week left off…crazy!
  • Before I forget…on Saturday I went to the funeral of Brian Miller’s grandfather.  The entire Miller family has been attending United the last few years and wow are they crazy talented. 
  • Brian spoke, his mom read an original poem, his two sisters and brother-in-law sang and his brother produced a very touching video montage of his grandather’s life.
  • I also bought a new video game this weekend…Tiger Woods Golf 2009 for the Wii.  Haven’t got to play it too much yet, but boy do I stink….and I’m sore.
  •  You may remember a few months ago in a message I was talking about the healing power of God and how that week I visited a young girl in the hospital who’s water had broken after only 5 months of pregnancy.  Basically the doctors told her she was going to lose the baby, but God did a miracle and not only did she not lose the baby, but “somehow” her water was restored.
  • The reason I bring all this up is that this morning I got a call from her mom telling me that the baby was born today healthy as can be!
  • Just in case you’re wondering who won the NCAA basketball title this year, my answer is…Maryland!
  • They beat both North Carolina (whom supposed is the national champs) and Michigan State (who were the runner-ups)…in my book that makes them the champs.  Congrats to my TERPS on another great season!
  • Speaking of sports…this morning when I woke up I decided not to shave and to wear my Washington Capitals warm-up jersey…figures then that I had to make a trip up to the hospital…that always happens on the days I’m looking like a bum.
  • Hopefully by now you have made some invites for Easter this weekend…gonna be a great day!
  • In case you’re not a part of the United Group on Facebook, here is the   link to sign-up.
  • Oh yeah…how about my O’s taking it to the Yankees yesterday!
  • Now back to our regularly scheduled blog already in progress…please be praying this week the “3 open prayer”…
    • That God would open doors for you to invite someone.
    • That their hearts would be open to coming.
    • That you would have the boldness to open your mouth and actually make the invite.
  • I guess their is one final open then and that is that their hearts would we open to the message on Sunday…please be praying for me that God give me just the right words to share.
  • Filed Under: Random Thoughts Tagged With: 3 Open Prayer, Brad Miller, Brian Miller, Cindy Miller, Easter, Facebook, Hugh Champion, Kelli Miller, Maryland Terps, miracle, Steph Champion, Tiger Woods, Wii

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