Gilbert Thurston

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

Inside Today’s Experience

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  • 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!

Other Weekend Thoughts…and Beyond

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First Baptist Orlando

  • Wow sorry I haven’t been able to blog as much this past week or so…things have been crazy.
  • Many of you were following me on Facebook last week, so you’re at least partially in the loop.
  • If you haven’t yet signed-up for a Facebook account it’s easy to do and an awesome way to keep up with all of your friends at United.
  • Had a great trip to Orlando for the Exponential Conference at the First Baptist Church of Orlando.
  • Got to spend time with a few other guys from our region, including Mike Schooley who started United back in 2005 before heading to New York to start his own church.
  • Mike and I roomed together and every night after we’d turn the lights out we’d talk and dream about church stuff for a long time.
  • I told him the last night I was going to miss our “Walton’s Family” chats.
  • The worst part of the trip was when my good friend Chuck Frank had to fly home early because his wife, Tammy, fell and broke her ankle.
  • Please keep them in prayer…it’s going to be a long recovery process and may still require more surgery.
  • I got a ton of great ideas at the conference and can’t wait to try some of them out.
  • The pic above is of their sanctuary.  To try to give you some perspective, there were 3000 people at the conference and almost everyone sat on the floor level.
  • Perhaps the highlight of week was the very last thing.  Not only did Francis Chan deliever a great talk, but the intro that was given for him left everyone…including Francis saying wow!
  • Got to meet Francis then at the airport that day and he was still talking about it.
  • Was finally able to get the interview with Satan video online from the “Finding the One” message.  To watch it, click here.
  • Satan will be making another appearance this week as a part of the message about sex called, “It’s Business Time”.
  • Seriously the entire Experience is something that is going to be talked about for a long time…
  • …we have things in store for you that you just simply will have to be there to believe.
  • For those that can’t make it, the number of downloads I’m sure is going to not just break but shatter every record we have.
  • Tomorrow (Tuesday) I’m speaking for our denomination on how to reach the 18-35 crowd.
  • Please say a quick prayer for me.
  • Night!