grow | therstblog

Mar 05

a good investment…

Posted in: Get Naked, blind introspect, grow, leadership

Are you a good investment? Does the influence, words, wisdom, challenges or even correction cause a proactive “reaction” in your life, visible to everyone? If someone was to take time out of their schedule to offer you “wise counsel”, and I stress “wise”, would you respond immediately or have to go and pray about it for 40 days, then decide? Is the research a possible investor might need to decide whether or not to invest in you readily available or are you masking it all, hiding it in the dark corridors of your mind, creating the illusion of togetherness? How are you presenting your portfolio? Why should someone invest in you? Do you have proof of previous investments that can shape, good or bad, the opinion of future investors?

I am asking myself these questions right now! I want to be “the good investment, the best investment” that anyone would want to take part in. I don’t want to be the flash in the pan, latest hot “stock” that you have got to be a part of, only to fizzle after a quarter of remarkable results. I WANT TO BE THE LONG TERM STRATEGY, for those seeking to impart wisdom. I want to react, respond, fix, adjust, amend, change, quit, begin, implement, and create the desired results immediately. I want investors, both current and potential to see in me the desire to be ALL God has called me to be. I want the roots of their investment to run deep, deep enough to withstand the worst of storms and attack. I desire to be that investment!

With desire, there must be a plan, a call to action, a strategy… their must be work. I must be vulnerable, open, and transparent. I must be WILLING!

So today, I am letting you know that I am WILLING, and am giving you permission to speak into my life. To invest in me, with results promised.

you have permission to speak freely…

Jan 28

starting…

Posted in: Church Planting, Get Naked, LIFE, To Know Him, blind introspect, grow, leadership, prayer, the love of God

I don’t care what you are starting, family, relationship, marriage, business or church, starting anything is a difficult and can CONSUME YOU, if you let it. The thing is, that no matter what you are starting, no matter what you decide to put together, to create there are typically two things (of course there are more) that it will cost you a great deal of. There are two things that will be a challenge, hurdle (more like a steeplechase) and an indicator of your threshold for both pain and success! What are those two things, TIME & MONEY!

Does that make any sense to you?

TIME

There is never enough. The people around you want more, than you seemingly have to give. Even when you plan the most perfect day (time management) something will come up and attempt to throw a monkey wrench in your plans. If your in a relationship, then time might be one of the most valuable commodities you have, how else will you ever come to know the person you are in a relationship with. When you make a physical, mental, emotional commitment you also have just committed a large (to be determined hopefully by both parties involved) amount of time to the new relationship. This is the same no matter your poison, whether it be business, family, church planting or marriage… TIME is a crucial asset that must be leveraged correctly or it will destroy you and more importantly the people around you. I speak from experience!

MONEY

Look, plain and simple is WE need it. You need it to start a business (if you don’t want to shut down or not be able to pay employees), you need it for the dates and eventually you will need it for a wedding and BOI!! do you need it to start a church (note: I’m not saying how much, but you need some). The reality is this one thing probably destroys more things than anything else, if you don’t believe me just look at our economy. We have been “thriving” (note: plenty sarcasm) for so long as a country off of credit for money we hope to have in the future or make in ROI and when the bottom falls out, there is no cold hard cash to stand on. Political rant over! But seriously, money or lack of and sometimes surplus of, can create issues in any of the above settings. Like time, you must get a real and honest grasp of your control over it. Over the desire to put it first in your relationship, over the temptation to splurge and not be wise, or the temptation to skim from the top of a business or church. The temptation and desire is real! Equally as important is flat out learning to MANAGE the money you have!!! I speak from experience.

These two things, time and money, are not ALL that matters. Nor or they the only things that make or break an endeavor, but they are two of the first things that will be challenged or attacked by the enemy in any one of these endeavors, especially if you have a fondness for either one before entering endeavor! I love the fact that God has provided Grace for these and so many other issues. You are going to need it. Not, just for yourself, but for those you are involved with. Perhaps you are the one who is a great manager of time but your partner isn’t. Perhaps you are a wise financial stud, but your partner needs to mature in this area, God’s Grace is more than sufficient! Your job is to not tear down, but to encourage, correct lovingly and pray- but you probably should pray first!!! LOL!

out of darkness into His marvelous night…

Jan 23

what are you waiting on…

Posted in: Church Planting, LIFE, Peculiar Place, blind introspect, grow, leadership, the love of God

50 giving $10

From Texas, South Dakota, Atlanta to Oklahoma people have answered the call of 50 giving $10 and so far we are only $200 from our goal! I just want to thank ALL of you who have given.

TODAY is the deadline, so don’t procrastinate any longer… GIVE BIG HERE!!

It means so much, I will be sure and let the kinds know who their big brothers and sisters truly are!

We will have pics of the field trip as well!

Jan 15

Stop Whining and Start Winning

Posted in: Church Planting, Get Naked, To Know Him, blind introspect, grow, leadership, the love of God

YES, THAT INCLUDES ME TOO!!!!

Im so serious! Lately I have found myself caught up in this cesspool of bitter whining about this or that. Complaining about this church or that guy doing something outrageous. Taking offense by someone off color comments about people they dont even know.

Now, i am no Terrell Owens, and im glad that most of you are not either, but there has to be a point where we shut up the whining and begin WINNING! Here is our winning theme, vision statement, mission statement, motto and whatever else you want to call it…

Romans 8:37 (New International Version)

37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Take a look at this definition of the root word for conquerors, conquer and tell me… HOW IN THE HELL CAN WE LOSE???

con·quer

(k?ng’k?r) Pronunciation Key
v. con·quered, con·quer·ing, con·quers

v. tr.

To defeat or subdue by force, especially by force of arms.
To gain or secure control of by or as if by force of arms: scientists battling to conquer disease; a singer who conquered the operatic world.
To overcome or surmount by physical, mental, or moral force: I finally conquered my fear of heights. See Synonyms at defeat.

v. intr.
To be victorious; win.

[Middle English conqueren, from Old French conquerre, from Vulgar Latin *conquaerere, from Latin conqu?rere, to procure : com-, intensive pref.; see com- + quaerere, to seek.]
con’quer·a·ble adj., con’quer·or, con’quer·er n.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

Churches closing, pastors falling, infighting between theology, denominations, races, cities and so many others.

Can we stand up and take ownership of the victory that has been afforded to us by the sacrifice and obedience of our Father and His Son?

What say yea?

Jan 14

How long should change take?

Posted in: LIFE, grow, leadership

I have been asking myself this question for some time. And honestly still don’t have a real answer, other than it varies from person to person and situation or circumstance. So, why write this post? I am hoping to ignite a discussion about the art of “CHANGE”. It would seem an appropriate topic with a new administration taking office soon whose mantra was built on the idea of change. It would also seem beneficial as we often share with those far from Christ why they should “EXPERIENCE LIFE CHANGE” by entering into a relationship with Christ and maybe there is someone, like myself, who still has some things to change (and yes its a laundry list) then maybe you simply want to know how long it will be before it “TAKES”!

There is a thought in the social science world that three consistent months of an activity creates a habit. I have heard some mention that this habit must first begin as a thought, or better a way of thinking that becomes an action, which would lead to the habit, desired or not.

Then I begin to think about the promises of Jesus and the miracles performed by Him and those who followed Him. Change was instant, so we think. The woman with an issue of blood, touches His garment and “instantly” she was healed, right? It would appear so, but what about all the years she suffered, from doctor to doctor, medicine, surgery and God only knows what else she tried before she “mustard” (pun intended) up the faith to BELIEVE that if she simply touched Him her life would never be the same, she would CHANGE. The same would go for the Jairus and his daughter and even more astonishing was the faith of the centurian- who simply stated that if He would say the Word, his servant would be healed, and He did and he was!

OK, so what are you saying? I am simply stating that although it would appear that these, “CHANGES”, miracles took place instantly, i am willing to step out on a limb and offer that there was much work, effort and most importantly “FAITH” building/growing inside of each individual before “opportunity met preparation”, before they came face to face with Him.

The desire to change, is a great place to start, but it alone WILL NOT create change. There must be effort, there must be commitment, there must be hard work and lastly you have GOT to have FAITH! Expect the end result in which you desire. Expect to see the change, even if it is only you who initially notices the change! Pressure on yourself to change without willingness to work on the change will lead to insanity! I know, I’ve been there and was recently close to going back down that road.

Lastly the desire to change MUST come from WITHIN! You cannot do it for anyone else! You just can’t. The minute you make that change, and the minute they don’t notice it, you are probably going to have a fit, or lose it or both!

So how long does change take?

The better question is how long do you want it to take?

Jan 13

no matter….

Posted in: Get Naked, To Know Him, grow, the love of God

There are times when I’m sure we all feel alone. Not lonely, but alone. There is a difference you know. For example, you ever been in a room filled with thousands of people and no matter how many people you know in that room, it would appear that you were alone, it feels like no one else in the room can see you, hear you or even cares. Ive been there countless times! For some of us, this occurs at the one time you would think it wouldn’t, in church!

This morning, I twittered, “He will NEVER leave you, nor forsake you”! Guess what, that is not a slogan, a cliche Christian saying, but that is a PROMISE! A promise made by a FATHER who does not and can not lie. A father who has given His ALL to you, His Son, that the very relationship found in this simple promise could exist. Imagine that! He gave His Son, Jesus, so that this promise of a this RELATIONSHIP (not religion) could exist!

For some, i know, its not the same as having someone next to you, that physical representation of relationship, but i challenge you this morning, IT IS BETTER! Try it. Open your heart, your mind to the possibility of someone, God the Father, never leaving or forsaking you. Yes, you! No matter what you’ve done, do this NOW! It will make all the difference! Not promising rainbows, thunder from heaven, or even goose bumps, but an assurance from God, who is LOVE!

Dec 19

making Him famous…

Posted in: Church Planting, Peculiar Place, grow, marketing

flier-front flier-back

We ordered these last night and they have shipped today. I am so excited, even after i said a million times I would not do fliers, well I guess i have to take that back dont i. You will be seeing the “making Him famous” a lot more in the very near future as you ride through downtown Atlanta and the Old Fourth Ward. So be on the look out.

I designed this flier to simply spread the love about our soon to be released peculiarlove website. A website we decided to create to share with you and others the work in the community we plan to engage in. Our first effort came during election, and this weekend we are doing our GiveBack, where we will place $2000.00 worth of gift cards in the mailboxes and hands of the residents of Old Fourth Ward. Shhhh! They don’t know yet, so don’t tell them!

Looking forward to your thoughts on the flier and the website as it launches – really hope you add your stories to the peculiarlove website!!

Dec 17

Exposed

Posted in: Church Planting, Peculiar Place, grow, the love of God

Today I had my second meeting at an amazing school. John Hope Elementary should be the darling of Old Fourth Ward, but as of right now might be the best kept secret.

With 182 students, the majority of them being boys, the teachers and admin are doing an impeccable job with these little darlings. The principle Dr. Ashley in her first year and a half has already seen to some important changes and improvements.

So why adopt a school that appears to being on a track for success? Because everyone deserves to be pushed, helped and given a chance or the tools to succeed. I am so sure that this is the school we adopt, that i have already committed to helping with as much as we can, and working on ideas and strategy to get things done!!

What do they need? Volunteers!! uniforms, supplies, did i mention volunteers, monies to be able to take field trips. I am making it a priority to engage the community of Old Fourth Ward, the students of Georgia State and Morehouse to assist us in our volunteer efforts. I plan to seek help from John Hope get a chance to experience LIFE outside of their neighborhoods.

My thoughts are all over the place, my passion for our children’s future and the restoration of a sustainable and successful public education system are second behind my passion for seeing these kids and their parents who are far from God be led to living a lifestyle centered in Christ!!!

Until later.

Dec 08

The game plan..

Posted in: Church Planting, Peculiar Place, grow

The game plan is coming together. I have, for months, been deliberating with myself, God, team and myself again about “our next steps”. Well, God wins and I lose. We are about to do something really BIG for Christmas. BIG as far as im freakin concerned!!! LOL! A website will be popping up very soon to explain, but lets just say we are going to bless some people for Christmas. I just have to rent some scooters!!! I have to figure that part out still.

Finally made contact with the owners of our dream venues. Hoping to wrap that up before the end of the year. I really, Lord, want these two venues. Hear my cry!!! Downtown, and Underground Atlanta will never be the same, EVER!!!

March will be here before we know it, so much to do! Looking for inroads to GSU. Need to reach out to the students there!!!

Did I mention that I hate raising financial support? Yet, I am getting out of God’s way and asking the question, Will You Support What God Wants to Do in Downtown Atlanta, and Surrounding Communities? Hint: I am asking you, yeah you, right now!!! Email me: lloyd.owens@gmail.com and I will tell you how you can!!! God has not given me a vision that He will not provide for, but it is through you that His provision WILL come!

More to come…

Nov 15

intentional inclusion… part one

Posted in: Church Planting, Get Naked, Peculiar Place, grow, leadership, likes and loves

I have been putting off on writing this piece for a minute now, but after my boy dturn wrote this piece
“my thoughts on diversity”, I could no longer hold my peace! Why aren’t churches more diverse, and why doesn’t anyone seem to care?

The first question is probably easier to answer than the second, but either way they are both important. Churches, especially in this church planting movement, focus on communities, neighborhoods to reach out and be a beacon of light, to reach those far from God, to help the poor and to add to the Kingdom of God. With that said it is understandable if the particular community that church calls its home is not a diverse community. But what about the church who in its “1, 2, 3, and even 5 mile radius” has a community as diverse as heaven? What about the church who sits in between two communities divided by color or race, economics and lifestyle?

If there is no diversity in your community by all means ignore this post, but if there is then DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. Serisouly, we are the body of Christ. There is no white body, black body, asian body, poor body and rich body of Christ, just one body, one faith, one God and one salvation.

Is it because we dont really care? Is it because we are simply comfortable around people who look like us, talk like us and understand “our” culture? Is It? If that is the case, then how in the hell can we stand to claim we want to engage those that are far from God “sidenote: only those far from God who look like us, or who are wealthy, or who are from a particular race”?

God has not called us to be FREAKING comfortable? He has not called us to only associate ourselves with those we are most comfortable or have the most in common with. DON’T BELIEVE ME? Look here and here!

I can tell you right now peculiarplace will be EXTREMELY INTENTIONAL ON CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT THAT IS REFLECTIVE OF HEAVEN!!! You can take that to the bank!!!

Talk to me, prove me wrong please!!!
Part two coming soon!

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