This is the video trailer for Sizzle, a new sermon series we are kicking off this Sunday @ Rocky River Church.

This is why NASCAR - no matter what they do to the cars or anything else - will just never be the same for me. I admit that I don't even get cranked up for the Daytona 500 anymore. I miss that black #3...

- Just because you "believe" something doesn't make it true. Many people build their life upon lies. Instead, be a truth seeker.

- It doesn't matter that you are sincere because you can be sincerely wrong.

- The grass is greener wherever you water it. Stop looking over the fence at your neighbors yard and water your own.

- How can you expect the blessings, power and help of God if you live like you don't believe in Him? Your life and actions should demonstrate that you believe in God.

- Don't just live your life watching other people live theirs. Life is a participatory sport. Go live it!

- You will never know the mind and will of God until you get into the Word of God.

That's about it for now....

Hey Rocky River Church! We've made a decision about tomorrow's services. We are going to have ONE service at 11AM. It will be a "family style" service which means we will not have age-graded ministry's (nursery, students, etc.). It will be like our Christmas Eve service in that everyone will be in the worship center together. It will be great! We'll worship as one big family tomorrow. :)

If you are planning to come, please be safe and allow yourself extra time for travel and don't take any unnecessary risks.

Hope to see you at 11!
R2C Staff

About my post yesterday, "Snow and Junk," I was not trying to suggest that folks who don't try and brave the snow to come to church tomorrow don't love God, or aren't faithful, or anything like that. I was just being one of "those pastors" freaking out because we might lose some momentum in the building campaign and also that it will hurt us to not receive tithes and offerings. Of course, the most important thing is that we won't be able to preach the Gospel. My point was to say that all of that is out of my hands and I am trusting God with it. So I'm not worrying about it anymore...

Hear me when I say that if we're able to have a service tomorrow morning, DO NOT venture out if you are uncomfortable about driving on the roads. Seriously, missing church one Sunday is NOT worth you getting hurt. So just use your best judgment. Anyway, check back here later tonight or early in the morning and I'll give you the word about church.

Love you guys. Enjoy the snow! We are here at the Britt house! :)

Okay. I love the snow! But, why Friday, Saturday and Sunday?! That's what I've been saying all day long. Lord, why now? Of course, I realize that many of you are thinking the weekend is perfect for snow (if it has to) because you don't have to drive to work (or miss work). You don't have to worry about childcare. The timing is great for most folks, I realize. But it STINKS for pastors and churches. :)

Why? Because we (we pastors) know that most people are already looking for a reason - any reason - to stay home on Sundays and snow makes it a "lock" for those folks. So we (pastors) worry about canceling services and losing momentum. We worry about the offerings because some folks make their offering up the following week - but most do not. And a church like Rocky River (while we don't
"do it" for the money) depends on those weekly tithes and offerings to keep the bills paid and the doors open. It would be kind of like you missing a paycheck this week and how that would hurt your family's finances.

So, I've been worrying all afternoon about not being able to have services this Sunday. We have NOT cancelled as yet but it is already looking like we'll at least drop back to one service this week (the 11AM service). On top of that we've been planning all week to give out info packets on the UNLEASH campaign that are "date specific." So that is going to be a washout. UGH!

But, here's the way I'm feeling right now. I'm not going to worry about it either way. I sure hope we're able to have at least one Sunday service, but again, I'm not worried about it. I have a good sermon this week but if I don't get to preach it this week then I'll already have next week's message prepared (which is nice). My lack of worry is not a lack of caring. I CARE GREATLY! But, God has reminded me today that He is bigger than one Sunday of canceled services. He's bigger than one week's offerings. He's going to provide for the UNLEASH building campaign whether folks get the information this week or the next or at all. He's got the whole world in His hands and that includes Rocky River Church. And for sure, remember that he has you in His hands as well.

So, to our pastors and leaders at Rocky River Church. don't sweat it! God's got it covered. To my buddies out there sweating it because missing an offering might cripple their church, don't sweat it. God's got it covered!

RRC, stay tuned to our blogs, emails, facebook, the website and WBTV for service information. I hope I get to see you this weekend, but if I don't, I love you! Stay faithful!

God bless...
Jimmy

I am so jacked up for the weekend coming. I'm preaching (what I think) is the best and most important sermon of my life. I'm serious when I say that too. I'm teaching about spiritual markers. Spiritual markers are references points; places you can look back to and remember how God changed your life there. I have many spiritual markers in my life and it is interesting that some of the most important ones are "places." Berryhill Baptist Church (my home church) is one such place. Paw Creek Christian Academy (where I went to school) is another. God changed my life in those places. I think it will be a timely sermon since we (Rocky River Church) are about to begin building a "place." A "place" that will be a spiritual marker for hundreds, if not thousands of people in the years to come.

I hope to see you at Rocky River Church this week. Again, it will be an awesome Sunday. Don't let ANYTHING - or ANYONE - keep you away!

See ya.
Jimmy

In Romans 9:1-3 Paul says, "I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it in the Holy Spirit—I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race, the people of Israel."

In these verses Paul expresses an incredible love for his people - Israel. He was willing to give up his own eternity if it would save his people. Of course, he couldn't give his life for his people; Jesus has already done that. But still, the point is that he was willing to give everything for his people. I'm wondering what you might be willing to give/sacrifice for your people (your kids, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, best friends, colleagues, etc.) to come to faith in Christ. Are you willing to give your time, money, energy, comfort and safety? That's what it takes. And folks, it is worth it. You realize that when you watch them being baptized. You realize in that moment that a spiritual life is worth sacrificing everything we have.

We have two dates for our next Membership Class, which we we call Church 101. Here are the dates and times. This Sunday (January 24, 1-4) and Thursday night (January 28, 6:30-9). The location for both classes is our church office located at 5323 Roberta Road in Concord (the church office is located directly across the street from our land). We are not providing childcare for these classes.

Here's a short description of Church 101:
[Church 101 is the Membership Class of Rocky River Church. It is taught by our Lead Pastor Jimmy Britt and is designed to explain the beliefs, practices, vision and values of Rocky River Church. This class is for folks who are ready to become members as well as those who just want to know more about Rocky River. At the end of this class you will have the opportunity to become a member.]

We have a few spots left for each class. If you would like us to hold a spot for you, send an email to Teresa@rockyriverchurch.com.

I guess I have church leaders on my brain this morning. Anyway, here are two resources you need to check out ASAP. Both at Church Leader Insights (www.churchleaderinsights.com).

1. The free e-book by Nelson Searcy on healthy Church Systems. Most churches drop the ball when it comes to systems and processes. Nelson (and The Journey) do as good a job on this as any church in the country. And that is a fact. Get this material and let these guys help you with systems. If you need a personal testimony about their systems and how to use them in your church, email me at pastor@rockyriverchurch.com.

2. Check "Managing Stress out of Ministry." It's an audio download. It only takes about 10 minutes for it to ship via email. The product description speaks for itself. Enjoy! And for goodness sakes, learn something today! :) If you're not learning, you're not leading.

www.churchleaderinsights.com