It’s almost time for #EasterAtFreedom!

Here are a few things to make sure you and your guests have a first-class experience.

Arrive early – You’ll need to have time to park, get your kids checked in to Freedom Kids and be escorted to a seat. I suggest arriving AT LEAST 15 minutes early. Seriously, one of the creative elements actually begins 2 minutes BEFORE the Worship Experience officially begins.

Times/Locations
Acworth: Thursday at 7PM, Saturday Night at 5PM, Sunday AM at 8:15, 9:45, 11:15, 12:45PM
* If you attend at Acworth and have schedule flexibility on Sunday – could you attend at 8:15 or 12:45? It would GREATLY help us make sure that everyone has a seat and the best experience possible! Thanks in advance!

Kennesaw: Sunday at 9:45AM and 11:15AM

Got Kids? – our teams are ready to give them an amazing experience and opportunity to learn about Jesus on their level! Also, we will host a Blacklight Easter Egg Hunt at every hour and Whether your kids have ever been to church or not – they will LOVE their time in our exciting, safe, and secure environment designed specifically for them!

Bring People –Thousands of people are looking for a place to go this Easter. DO NOT SAY NO FOR ANYONE! Even if you’ve invited them before – do it again! If you are reading this and no one has invited you – consider this your invitation. I’d love for you to spend Easter with my family!

Adjust your schedule  – the best worship experience for you to attend is the one your guests can attend – make their experience YOUR priority. If you need to attend more than one in order to accommodate – do it. It will be worth it for you and for your guests. Remember we have 8 options to choose from so if you have some friends that come on Friday and others that can come on Sunday – that will work for you!

It’s going to be a life-changing weekend. Can’t wait to see you and those you bring with you.

He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. – Jonah 1:3b

We are kicking off 2018 and too many to count are trying to figure out God’s Will for their life.
Should I date this person? Should I take this job? Is he ‘the one’? The list goes on and on.

Before making any decisions – Here are three common lies about God’s Will that you probably believe (we all have at some point).  

• “It must be God’s Will – the details came together”
  I hear this one ALL the time! Without going into too much detail let me say this: When you want to run from God there will always be a ship ready to take you where you want to go! I believe Satan can open doors for you just like God can. The difference is that Satan wants to destroy you and lead you away from God’s best for your life! Just because the door is open – doesn’t mean we should walk through.
• “I have a ‘peace’ about it!”
  You might not have heard this one as much but people who have been in church for a long time – use this ALL the time.
  I’ve had a ‘peace’ about a lot of things that I later regretted. It’s scary how your desires can consistently lead you in the wrong direction AND make you feel good about where you are going! Don’t fall for that in 2018! Your ‘peace’ about a direction doesn’t override God’s Word. Let Him be your guide. He is a lot more trustworthy.
• “God knows my situation is complicated – so He understands.”
  Of course life is complicated. Everyone’s is. Just know this – God’s Will never contradictions God’s Word and your situation (or mine) is not the exception! No matter what!

Now that you know – in 2018 – you aren’t falling for that!

We’re All Running Somewhere. We run in the right direction at times and in the wrong direction at others. That’s what gets us in over our heads, lost in a sea of painful memories, regret and bitterness. We sometimes think life will never get better, that we’ve gone too far. The good news? God still has a great plan for your life! Y0u don’t have to stay where you’ve been. You don’t belong THERE. You belong HERE!

Join us for this brand new series! If you are within driving distance – pick a location and time convenient for you.

Not within driving distance? We have you covered! Invite some people over and Join us online at 5PM on Sunday!

Every year I try to nail down some of the books I plan to read over the next 12 months. Here are a few that have made it onto my desk and/or Kindle as we head into 2018.

1. Work Rules by Laszlo Bock
2. The Last Arrow by Erwin McManus
3. The ONE Thing by Gary Keller
4. The 5 Most Important Questions by Peter Drucker
5. Triggers by Marshall Goldsmith
6. What Got You Here Won’t Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith
7. Kingdom Triangle by JP Moreland
8. Joy Unspeakable by Martin Lloyd Jones
9. The Power of Moments by Heath
10. Commanding Excellence by Gary Morton
11. The Trellis and the Vine by Colin Marshall
12. Staying is the New Going by Alan Briggs
13. Paid to Think The Founders Mentality
14. The Founders Mentality by Chris Zook
15. 5 Voices by Jermie Kubicek/Steve Cockram

This isn’t everything but it’s a great start. I always leave room for 5-6 wildcards. Do you have a book that has impacted your life that you would recommend?

We are in the middle of a Relationship Series at Freedom Church and here is what I have realized:
We need to do a 52 week series on relationships: Then, do it again! This past Sunday Devin and I did a message entitled ‘Stack the Deck’ about how we can WIN in our relationships! (You can watch the entire message HERE but below are the main points for you to enjoy!)

1.  What Attracts Initially will Attack Eventually!
Isn’t that so true?  – You were attracted to their passion at the start but now it drives you crazy! ;Their passion for Mexican Food is good but their passion during disagreements drives you nuts! Realize that what attracts you initially isn’t going to go away during stressful situations. Devin and I have had to learn to embrace the nuances of each others personality over the years. When something drives you crazy – ask yourself – is this the thing that actually attracted me to him/her? Perspective shifts your thinking!

2.  Choose your Battles
Don’t win the argument and lose the relationship! I see this happen online all the time. Social networking is the worst!
Far too many people have sacrificed their platform because they try to make a point instead of making a difference. Choose your battles wisely! Not every hill is one worth dying on!

3.   Speak to their Potential – not their  Problems

Proverbs 18:21 – The tongue can bring death or life those who love to talk will reap the consequences.

Are your words bringing life or death into your relationships? Think about this one for a moment: Not just your relationship with others but also your relationship with yourself! I’ve talked myself out of making important decisions over the years because the words in my head spoke death instead of life! You have what it takes to do everything God has called you to do! Don’t let your words sabotage your potential!

4.  Focus on the future not the past
Conflict is NOT the time for a history lesson! Relationships can’t win when bones from the past are dug up and used as weapons.

Are relationships easy? NO!!! Are they worth it? YES!!!  The process will be painful but without the process their is no payoff!
—

This series has been so much fun AND we still have 3 more weeks! Join us at a Freedom Church location this Sunday!
 

We kicked off our brand new relationship series this past Sunday entitled “Relationship Goals” and the feedback has been overwhelming!

Your relationships can thrive! You don’t have to settle. You can become better than you are apart! You have relationship goals and we want to help you reach them!

Join us this Sunday at our Acworth or Kennesaw location! Until then, here is a quick clip from this past Sunday!

You’ve been invited to #EasterAtFreedom or maybe you’ve seen a sign or 12 around town. Being a guest at a church for the first time can be a little intimidating. You probably have some questions and others probably have the same questions as you. I like knowing what to expect on the front end so let me try and fill you in…

What Should I Wear?
Whatever you want. Some dress up. Most don’t. It’s like going to the mall. You’ll see people wearing all kinds of different styles. Wear what you are comfortable in and come hang out at one of our campuses. You’ll be fine. Promise.

How Long Does it Last?
Every Worship Experience (you’ve probably heard it called a service) lasts about 65-75 minutes. We won’t surprise you with a 2 hour marathon that causes your Easter dinner to get burned to a crisp.

Which Campus Should I Attend?
Whichever one you choose and whichever is most convenient for you! You can get the details on times/locations here but I’ll give you the highlights right now…

Acworth: (Cobb Parkway across from Wal-Mart and next to Day’s Chevrolet)
Friday at 7PM
Saturday at 5PM (Inflatables and Easter Egg Hunt)
Sunday at 8:15, 9:45, 11:15, 12:45, 5PM

Kennesaw: Regal Cinema by Town Center Mall
Sunday at 9:45 and 11:15 (Inflatables BEFORE each Experience and Egg Hunt immediately AFTER)

What Time Should I Arrive?
No matter which campus and experience you plan to attend – we suggest arriving 15 minutes early. If you have kids, that will help you get them checked in to Freedom Kids, find your seats, and say hello to one of your neighbors who will probably be sitting in a row next to yours. If you don’t like your neighbor, this will give you an extra minute to sit a little further away.

I have Kids. Will They Like It?
No. They will LOVE it! We have special events planned for them at Each Experience. In addition, we have special events scheduled at specific times including inflatables and egg hunts! You can get all those details here.

I Don’t Have Kids – Will I Like it?
Yes! You and your friends/family are going to have a great time! We promise you this – you will not be bored out of your mind and confused about what’s going on around you. We work hard to make sure every person understands every word whether they have attended church their entire lives or this is their very first time!

I hope this answers some of your questions! I’d love for you to spend time with us this weekend at #EasterAtFreedom! If you have any other questions – go ahead and ask!

I legitimately can’t tell you how excited I am to kick off this brand new series on Sunday!

A lie that we believe is true, even though it is not true, will affect us as if it were true.
What if a lie you believed was keeping you from experiencing a greater life than you ever thought possible?

On Sunday and throughout this series we will expose a few of those lies and show YOU what to do about it!
Bring a friend and join us at a Freedom Church Campus in Acworth or Kennesaw. I’ll save you a seat.

Acworth Campus: 8:30, 9:45, 11:15, 5PM
Kennesaw Campus: 9:45, 11:15

Maybe you recently lost your job.
…financial situation is a disaster
…marriage is on the rocks.
…parents split up and gave you a life you never asked to live.
…overwhelmed having to make major decisions without a clue what to do.

What do you do when life is spinning out of control and no one can make your situation any better?

I love this statement I read recently in the Bible from a guy who experienced what could be considered the epitome of a no good very bad day… His family and the families of those he led had been taken hostage, multiple people wanted him dead – including his friends who had just realized their families were in harms way. That’s enough to make almost anyone want to throw in the towel but that’s not what happened. Instead

David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.

I love this! There wasn’t anyone around to encourage him. There was nowhere for him to turn. Been there? Doesn’t matter how loved you are – you can’t always rely on your spouse to encourage you. You can’t always rely on your kids or your parents. You can’t always rely on your friends. Sometimes, when hell is coming against you – you are going to have to encourage yourself. The best way to do that is to remember the promises of God.

When you are scared and/or alone?
I will fear no evil for you are with me! Psalm 23:4
When you feel like the pain will never end?
Weeping may stay for the night, but joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5
When you feel like giving up?
but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run & not grow weary, they will walk & not be faint. Is 40:31
When you doubt that you have what it takes?
No weapon formed against me will prosper.  Isaiah 54:17
If God is for us, who can be against us? Rom. 8:31
When you feel overwhelmed?
Greater is He who is in me than he that is in the world. 1 John 4:4

David made it through (I encourage you to read the rest of the story in 1 Samuel 30) and so can you.Don’t ever doubt in the dark what God has shown you in the light… You are loved by God. He has a plan and a purpose for your life! Be encouraged today. When we are at our weakest – God is at His strongest.