BillSimmonsLive

SpringWell Kidz Choir

2009-10-16T14:42:40-04:00

Check out our children on YouTube.

My Anniversary

2009-10-12T13:28:22-04:00

Today is my Blog Anniversary. I wrote my first blog 2 years ago on October 12, 2007. Since then, I have blogged about 150 times. My topics have covered issues regarding life, leadership, and church health. I have been honored and humbled by the influence blogging provides. As I have reflected today, here are some thoughts I have about blogging:

When I don't blog….I am too busy
When I blog….it's a sign I am reflecting
Reflection is a sign of spiritual health
People have visited my blog from 43 different countries in 2009
I need to consider more video blogs
I need to blog more often
Never underestimate the influence you have
Despite your intentions, some people will misunderstand you
I love it when I receive a comment on my blog
People like bullet lists

It’s All About Love

2009-10-05T09:44:31-04:00

Yesterday we launched a new series called 40 Days of Love. Life is all about learning to love. It sounds simple but it's not always easy. Life can be so confusing and full of distractions. So many things can demand our focus. We must be extremely intentional if love is going to be our greatest aim (1 Corinthians 14:1).

Here are a few reminders from the message (you can also checkout the podcast):

We love because God loves us
Love is a choice and a commitment
Love is an action not emotion
Love is a skill I can learn
Love is a habit I can develop

At SpringWell, Growth Groups are labs where we learn to love. They are a place where relationships and discipleship collide. This is why we are re-opening registration for you to get involved.

If you are not in a group…it's not too late. You can register here.

It's all about love!!

Will You Partner with SpringWell Kidz?

2009-08-26T14:35:45-04:00

We are so excited at SpringWell about the future of our Family Ministry. We have spent months praying about how to intentionally impact families. We have integrated all ages (nursery through 12^th grade) under one strategic effort.

On Sunday, August 16^th, Chip Joiner shared many of the things we are hoping to accomplish soon. I highly recommend you listen to the podcast. Also, checkout the SpringWell Kidz Facebook page to stay updated with happenings.

It is our goal in 2010, to totally renovate the Family Ministry Center and making it a place where Preschoolers, Elementary, Middle and High School Students can develop as fully devoted disciples of Jesus Christ.

In the mean time, we have 5 small projects that need to be accomplished over the next month. They are:

Paint Building A (now the Family Ministry Center) – we are going to make this colorful. Can you say CRAYOLA!!
Signage – We want to place a large 20' x 11' sign on the front of the building with the new SW Kidz logo (Above)
Lighting – We need to brighten the large auditorium for preschool students on Sunday
Portable Walls – We are building portable walls to create a better environment for preschoolers
Update Audio/Video – The small auditorium needs updated for audio, video, and computer.

I would like to encourage you to partner with us in making this a reality. Here is how:

Pray – Pray for the families in our church. Our staff is committed to praying with you.
Serve – If you are not serving in a ministry consider serving in the nursery, preschool, elementary, or student ministry.
Give – Will you consider giving (above your tithe) an offering toward the above projects? The estimated cost is $5,000.

You can give here. Please put "Family Ministry" in the memo.

These are exciting time in our church. Let's partner together to impact a new generation of Christ followers.

Proud of Our Staff

2009-08-16T19:19:01-04:00

Today was a great day at SpringWell. Our staff shined.

Chip Joiner, our Family Pastor, spoke and shared the new strategy we are implementing in our Family Ministry. Chip did a great job. It was clear he was well prepared and shared a strategy he has spent months praying and reflecting upon.

Todd Carpenter, our Pastor of Connection & Discipleship, led a Growth Group Leaders training event this afternoon. It was great to hear so many Growth Group Leaders share their experiences and prepare for our next semester. Todd provided the team of leaders with a great resource to help them be the best leader they can be. Todd has invested a great deal of energy to the success our Growth Groups and it is paying off.

Tracey Daniel, our Director of Communication & Information, shared during the Growth Group training as well. She updated the leaders on how to use the online tools we have available to register groups and organize them throughout the semester. Tracey has worked very hard behind the scenes to help us be much efficient and effective. We are definitely seeing the fruit of her labor.

I am blessed to have such great men and women on our team. It's great to have a front row seat when they shine.

Make sure you let them know how much YOU appreciate them.

Prayer: Armor Up!

2009-08-14T16:07:37-04:00

Prayer does not change God….Prayer changes us.

On week four of Prayer 101, we continued to investigate the Lord's Prayer as our model to follow.

We've also provided this outline to guide your personal prayers.

We focused on Do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Prayer is the ultimate battle stance

God does not lead us to defeat but victory. Going into battle requires we be properly prepared.

When you pray, consider praying through the Armor of the Lord found in Ephesians 6:10-18.

As you put on your Armor, you are also putting on the nature of who Jesus is. Put on Jesus!

Belt of TRUTH = Jesus is my truth John 14:6
Breastplate of RIGHTEOUSNESS = Jesus, You are my righteousness II Corinthians 5:21
Shoes with the PREPARATION of the gospel of peace = Jesus, You are my readiness Philippians 4:13
Shield of FAITH = Jesus, You are my faith Galatians 2:20
Helmet of SALVATION = Jesus, You are my salvation Hebrews 5:9; Philippians 2:5
Sword of the Spirit which is the WORD OF GOD = Jesus, You are my Living Word John 1:14

Take a listen to our Podcast for the final installment of Prayer 101.

I would love to hear about the difference prayer is making in your life.

Prayer: You’ve Been Acquitted…Pass It On

2009-08-13T11:11:41-04:00

Prayer does not change God….Prayer changes us.

During week three of Prayer 101, we continued to investigate the Lord's Prayer as our model to follow.

We focused on Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

Unforgiveness blocks the effectiveness of our prayers

We all stand in need of forgiveness of our sins and the Good News is WE ARE! Jesus paid the price for our sins and the debt has been cancelled. You've been acquitted.

Once forgiven, we are called to PASS IT ON!

If you have someone in your life with whom you are withholding forgiveness, don't allow this to block the effectiveness of your prayers.

We must use our freedom to free others. Self-centeredness causes short-sightedness. Reconciliation must be our ultimate goal.

I know this is easier said than done. Not everyone you are in conflict with wants to truly reconcile. I have experienced this recently in my life. I have struggled learning to forgive a person who will not take responsibility for their role in the situation. But despite this, Jesus teaches us to forgive over and over if needed. Though the relationship doesn't fully reconcile, your willingness to forgive, removes the blockades between you and God through prayer.

Is Unforgiveness blocking the effectiveness of your prayers?

Who are you harboring bitterness toward?

You are forgiven…Pass it on! Always make relationship the priority.

Take a listen to our Podcast for more about forgiveness and the power of prayer.

I would love to hear about the difference prayer is making in your life.

Prayer: Your Agenda or His?

2009-08-12T15:37:47-04:00

Prayer does not change God….Prayer changes us.

During week two of Prayer 101, we continued to investigate the Lord's Prayer as our model to follow.

We looked at two phrases: You kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. AND Give us this day our daily bread.

When we pray, we must learn to pray according to God's agenda not ours.

It is very tempting, when we pray, to come to God with our list of things we want done. This is ineffective and frustrating.

Effective prayer is prayed according to God's agenda. His will and not ours.

What is the focus of your prayers? Is it His agenda or yours?

Are you asking God to make your will happen or His?

Are you seeking His provision or giving Him your list of wants?

Take a listen to our Podcast for more about praying God's agenda.

I would love to hear about the difference prayer is making in your life.

Prayer: Know Who You Approach!

2009-08-11T12:01:45-04:00

The past four weeks have been a blast as I've preached at SpringWell. We have been discussing the topic of Prayer.

Prayer does not change God….Prayer changes us.

The Lord's Prayer has been the model we have investigated.

The opening statement is Our Father in Heaven, Hallowed be Your Name

When we pray, we must know who we are approaching.

God is Jehovah. He is the God who has always been, He is the God who IS, and He is the God who will always be.

Jehovah God is our Righteousness, our Sanctifier, our Peace, our Healer, our Provider, and our Shepherd.

WOW! When you pray….do you really know who you are approaching?

Take a listen to our Podcast for more about approaching God.

I would love to hear about the difference pray is making in your life.

Memories or Vision?

2009-07-16T01:11:18-04:00

Yesterday, I heard Andy Stanley make the following comment: If your memories outweigh your vision....the end is near.

I found myself thinking about it most of the day. It caused me to pray and ask God to open my eyes to the grander vision he has for my life.

What is the grander vision God has for my…Marriage…Family…Ministry?

My blessing is my challenge. I am blessed to have great memories in each of these areas of my life. God has done some incredible things in my marriage, in my family, and through my ministry. The challenge is to not allow these memories to outweigh the grander vision God has for my future.

I plan to take some time over the next couple of weeks to seek God's grander vision. I am confident He has great plans for Renee and I, for my family, for SpringWell, and Legacy Coaching.

I look forward to sharing.

How about you? Do you memories outweigh your vision?