I am asking for your prayers tonight and tomorrow. We (Donnie, our Construction Team from Choate, our engineers, and myself) have a meeting tomorrow afternoon at 2PM with officials from the City of Concord to talk about our water pressure problem at the new church building. Folks, this is a BIG deal. I cannot stress this enough. Please ask God to give us wisdom, guidance, and favor as we meet and that His will be done.

Will you let me know you're praying? I'd love to have an email from you saying, "I am praying." It would be a real encouragement and witness to our construction team. Email me directly at jimmy@rockyriverchurch.com.

Remember Genesis 22:14, "On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided." God is sovereign!

I love you guys.
Jimmy

Hey All! Just wanted to get you excited about being at Rocky River Church this weekend. I realize that some of you may have Labor Day plans that include your being out of town, but if you're anywhere nearby, you HAVE GOT to be at Rocky River Church on Sunday. I am wrapping up a series called "Family Matters." BTW, Travis Bush kicked off this series two weeks ago and the messages are AWESOME. You can listen to them on our podcast. Here's the link http://www.rockyriverchurch.com/media.

Anyway, my message title for this Sunday is "DISCIPLESHIP” (Teaching a new generation to follow Jesus). This is not just a message for your kids, it is a powerful message that every adult needs to welcome into their life. This is a message that could take your life - and your whole family - to the NEXT LEVEL!

So, make plans to be at Rocky River Church this weekend at 9:30 or 11:00. Here's a link to our website where you can directions from your doorstep to ours. http://www.rockyriverchurch.com/directions. See ya Sunday!!!

God bless.
Jimmy

Hey all! Just wanted to give you a post surgery update in rapid-fire form.

-Clear liquid diet (broth, popsicles, Jell-O) is finally over. That was pretty tough considering I had been on a liquid diet (full and clear) for the previous two weeks.

-On August 26 (yesterday) I started the pureed portion of my diet. Basically, everything I eat for the next three weeks will be about the texture of applesauce. The portion size for each of my three meals per day is ¼ cup (which is about all I can make myself eat). It sounds tough, but so far so good. At least I’m able to eat “real” food.

-I am recovering well. I’m still a little sore, but other than that I would say that I’m about 90-95% back to “normal.”

-I am able to drive, move around and do about anything I want to for myself.

-I have been to the office a few times this past week just to move around and get out of the house. I’m working on my sermon for September 5. I’m chomping at the bit to preach again. ☺

-Thanks for all your prayers, emails, texts, calls and cards. I’ve never felt so loved. God bless you guys.

-Oh yeah, I know you’re probably wondering how much weight I’ve lost. Well, since my surgery on August 18, I have lost 10 lbs. So all total since the process began earlier in the year, counting the pre-surgery weight I had to lose in preparation for the surgery, I’m down a total of 51 lbs.

Let me say this too, I have the greatest wife and kids on the planet. From now on, I’ll never ask a couple during their wedding to repeat after me, “in sickness and in health” that I won’t think of Karen. She has just been awesome - as always.

Again, thank you for your prayers, encouragement and support.

The Peace of Christ
Jimmy

I grew up in a good Ol' Baptist Church in the South. And I still love those old songs we use to sing back then, including Southern Gospel music. Anyway, this is one of my favorite Southern Gospel songs. It's called, "God On The Mountain." God actually put this song in my heart again last week right after my surgery when I was in a lot of pain and looking at recovery. And also with some of the struggles we've had in our building project. I been singing it ever since and thought I would share it with you.

The chorus is especially great. It says, "For the God on the mountain, is still God in the valley. When things go wrong, He'll make them right. And the God of the good times, is still God in the bad times. The God of the day, is still God in the night."

I hope you'll let God speak this into your life right now. Maybe you need it as much as I have. God bless you.

BTW, Michelle Reel Drye, if you're reading this, I still hear this song in your voice. And I always will. Love you!

The countdown is on! Surgery is tomorrow morning at 10:30, Mercy Hospital in Charlotte. I really appreciate your prayers. I will let you know how things go tomorrow as soon as I'm able. I think Karen is going to post something on Facebook too.

I'm not scared, just a little nervous. A lot of folks have asked about that. I'm nervous because I will be "under" but confident in God that I am in His hands - NO MATTER what!

Thank you again for your thoughts and prayers. I thank God EVERY DAY for my family, friends and Church family at Rocky River Church!

Pax Christi,
Jimmy

I think a lot of "Christians" (maybe most) are really just pagans masquerading as Christians. For example, as Christians, we don't believe in "luck," we believe in the Providence of God. We're Christians, not pagans; therefore, we don't believe in "Nature;" we believe in creation. We're Christians, not pagans, we don't believe in "behavioral errors" or "moral pathology" or "social dysfunction" or whatever other pyscho-social babble is being promoted by the pagans these days; rather, we believe in "sin," a violation of God's expectations of us and a breach of our relationship with Him and with each other. We're Christians, not pagans; therefore, we don't believe in "conflict resolution" or some other kind of organizational, manipulative mumbo-jumbo; rather, we believe in something much harder and deeper and Christian - confession and repentance and forgiveness. We're Christians, not pagans; therefore, we don't believe in growing the church through slick marketing techniques or clever gimmicks or "good customer service;" rather, we believe that the church is grown through conversion and baptism and discipleship. We're not trying to make " satisfied customers," we're trying to make disciples.

So, Christian or Pagan?

BTW, for a definition of "Pagan" click to this link - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paganism

I am reading through the Bible right now chronologically and found a promise that has really spoken to me this week, perhaps it will to you as well. The context for the promise is that Abraham has taken his son Isaac (his "only son" according the Genesis 22:12) to Mount Moriah to offer him as a sacrifice to the LORD (at the LORD's directing I might add). On the way up the mountain, Isaac asked his father "where is the sheep for the burnt offering?" not realizing that he was the offering. Abraham's response was one of GREAT faith. He simply said, "God will provide."

Right now we are going through some serious financial times at Rocky River Church. There's no way to beat around the bush on this. But I believe God gave me this promise for my family and your family and our church family. It is a story of God's provision.

The whole story is found in Genesis 22 and I would encourage you to read it. It is very powerful. The key point in the story is that Abraham didn't hold anything back from God - not even his son. And when God saw his TOTAL faith in Him, God made provision for the sacrifice. He provided a ram in the thicket. When we have faith in God, He provides. I can't wait to share more of this on Sunday.

Here's a great verse for memorization; Genesis 22:14. It says, "On the mountain of the LORD, it (the sacrifice) will be provided." These are Abraham's words about the provision of God. He called God "Yahweh-Yireh" which means, "The LORD will provide." It also means, "God will see to it" and "God will appear."

I wanted to share this with you today and encourage you that no matter what the deficits are in your life, if you are faithful to God, He will provide. He will "see to it...He will appear."

This is a picture of the church I grew up in - Berryhill Baptist Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. The church is still alive today, but this particular building was bought and torn down by the City of Charlotte to expand the airport several years ago. What you see here is the backside of the sanctuary with the education wing under construction in the back. This picture was probably taken during mid 1960's. My mom posted this picture on her facebook page today and seeing it just brought back a flood of memories.

This is more than just a building to me. It's the church where I grew up. In this building is where I went to Sunday School and learned about Jesus. I went to VBS in these classrooms you see being built. My parents dedicated me to Christ here. I received my first communion here. In these buildings I committed my life to Christ, was baptized, called into the ministry, went to RA's, was ordained as a deacon, licensed into the ministry, married, and ordained as a minister of the Gospel. I preached my first sermon here!

My Grandpa Simpson was my pastor here. He is Pastor Emeritus at Berryhill Baptist Church. I can see him standing in the pulpit. He always seemed so big and strong to me. He had a much better preaching voice than me. An image of my Grandma Simpson sitting in one of the pews, a few rows from the front (stage right) is forever burned into my memory. This is where I worshipped with friends and family. My parents had a mural placed in the baptistry in honor/memory of my Grandma and Grandpa Simpson. I have memories all throughout these buildings and all over the grounds.

Did I mention that Karen and I were married here? So were my parents, my sister Carmen and her husband Steve, my aunt and uncles like Merle and Tony, Reba and Steve, and Rita and Carey and a few cousins too. Do you see the door opening to the left in the picture? On my wedding day I stood just outside of that door with my dad - just he and I - talking about life stuff. And when it was time to go into the sanctuary for the wedding, my Grandpa Simpson (wearing the same cleric robe I still perform weddings in today) and Rev. Charlie Smith met us in the hallway to walk in together. I'll never forget that.

I played a shepherd in the children's Christmas pageant here when I was a little boy. My local library was the one in this church. I remember what this place smelled like. I remember the asbestos tile on the floors, the color of the carpet in the sanctuary and the green-apple trees out back. My favorite songs to this day are the ones I sang here from a Baptist hymnal.

Anyway, this is more than just a "church building." This is where God changed my life. Some of my greatest memories and most important decisions were made here - in this place. It's more than just a building of brick and mortar. This "is the House that built me."

At Rocky River Church, we are building a "church building" - but it is SO much more. We are building a place where God will meet with us. Our children will make some of their greatest life decisions in the place we are building today. I'm so thankful that men and women of God made the sacrifices necessary to build the church where I grew up. One day, others (like our children - and people we don't even know yet) will thank us too. Their testimony will include a place - they call "more than a building" - called Rocky River Church. It is worth the sacrifice. It is worth the cost. It is worth the worry. It is worth the wait.

To God be the glory!
Jimmy

Today I told my congregation at Rocky River Church that on August 18 I am having Gastric Bypass Surgery. Since I’ve decided to go public with my decision, I feel like I can openly share some of the details and answer some of the questions folks have about my surgery.

- This is not something I decided to do over night. I have been working through a ten-month process that has led me to this point. There has been a lot of thought and prayer and conversations with family, friends and doctors and TONS of research.

- I have struggled with my weight for nearly my whole life. It was mostly up and down until after I graduated High School (and stopped playing sports). Since my early twenties it has been a pretty steady climb to the weight I am today. I’m still embarrassed about how much I weigh right now but I’ll share that down the road. Let me lose some pounds first. ☺

- I’m sure there are folks thinking that I’m taking the “easy” way out with the surgery. That’s what I’ve been saying for years about other folks who’ve had this surgery. But I’ve learned over the last ten months that there is nothing easy about it. While it is not an easy way out, it is a way out. It is a TOTAL life change for me, and my family too.

- This journey toward Gastric Bypass surgery began in October of 2009. I basically went to see my doctor to talk with her about putting me on a weight loss program. Immediately she said, “Jimmy…looking through your charts I can see that you have struggled with your weight for years. I can tell that there are times when you are working on your weight because I can see the 20lb drops. But then you gain that back plus another 10lbs. Now you are in a hole - a BIG hole. Why not consider a more permanent solution? Lets consider Bypass surgery. You are young, strong and healthy (except for the weight) and a perfect candidate.” She doesn’t “do” the surgery so she has nothing to gain by recommending it. She has my best interest in mind. I trust her. So that began the process.

- I chose to go with Bypass rather than lap band surgery for a couple of reasons. First, the lap band and pump stay inside of you forever. For some reason that grosses me out (it’s a personal thing only). I don’t want something inside of me like that. And second, I have a LOT of weight to lose - more than most people lose with the lap band.

- I have my mental struggles with all of this to be sure. I feel weak in a way. I feel weak because in some areas of my life I am so strong. I have accomplished a lot. Yet, this area of my life has overcome me. And I feel like I should be able to conquer it but I haven’t been able to for all these years. Honestly, I don’t want to waste any more of my life. For ten+ years I have felt trapped inside of my own body. Honestly, I don’t even recognize myself (as a way of speaking) when I look in the mirror.

- Most of my reasons for wanting to shed the weight are selfish. I know some of you are probably thinking, “Of course. Nothing wrong with that.” But the truth is that when you’re a pastor you get caught up in taking care of everyone else. And there is a certain amount of guilt when you do something for yourself. I’ve had to overcome some of those feelings - at least where my weight is concerned.

- I will probably be “down” or on a limited schedule for about a month. It is just a “play it by ear” kind of thing for a while. I’ll be in the hospital for a couple of days post surgery. And then we’ll just see from there.

- I bet you’re wondering how much weight I’ll lose. By my surgery date I will have lost about 40 lbs. already. By the time my birthday rolls around in March (the 25th), I could be down as much as 125lbs. That’s 40 lbs pre op, and 85 lbs. post op. But it varies so no way to know for sure.

- Karen and the kids are very excited. My whole family is to be honest with you. They all have worried about me for a long time. This is a relief for them - more than I had expected.

My church family is excited too. Their response today was overwhelming. Like, I almost couldn’t handle the emotion of it when I told them today.

Anyway, there’s a lot more but that’s the gist. I’ll be posting more in the days, weeks and months to come. Please keep me in your prayers. Thank you!

God bless!
Jimmy