Summit Community ChurchSummit Community Church - Reaching every man, woman, and child with the Life-Changing Reality of Jesus Christ.

Letter to Summit-Staying in Love

Summit — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 20:03:53 +0000

Two weeks ago we started a series titled “Staying in Love.” It has been an incredible series to teach, but hard one to live out. Which is what I’d bet most of you would say as well. In week 1 we looked at Jesus’ command found in John 13:34closeJohn 13:34 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. (ESV) , “A new command I give you love one another, as I have loved you so you must love one another.” This verse has really become the foundation for the entire series because when we live out this command we make love…a verb! This is something we are commanded too, not suggested. Yesterday, we looked at one of the most powerful passages in all of scripture, Philippians 2:3-8. This passage by Paul, had some very convicting text for the way we are too love! We concluded by saying inside relationships we need to:

1. Do nothing, which means nothing out of selfish ambition…eliminate the competition inside our relationships.

2. Put our partners interests above our own.

3. Take on the mindset of Jesus, who laid aside his rank, respect and what he deserved for each one of us.

This is only a quick snapshot, so please if you have missed either of the last two weeks go listen at:

http://summitroundrock.org/sundaymessages/

You can listen there or follow the podcast link and download the messages to your ipod, ipad or phone!

Let’s not just have marriages, but ones that Stay in Love

Letter to Summit-Been Some Time

Summit — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:16:57 +0000

Hey Summit,

I don’t know how many of you read this, but I enjoy writing it!! I know it’s been a while since my last “letter,” but it’s time to get back after it!! As we are a month into 2012 there are somethings that I am very excited about:

1. Pray and prepare was an amazing three nights of prayer! Thank you to all of you who were able to make it out a night or two. It was so great coming together for prayer! My hope and prayer is that each of you would continue to pray for Summit and the people of Summit on a daily basis!! Since then God has provided for us in a few awesome ways!! Let’s continue to seek God, scripture is clear that when we seek him, we will find hime, when we ask, he will give!! So let’s not forget that we have a father that wants to give to his children!!

2. I am also very excited about the series we started yesterday! If you missed it or were in the children’s area yesterday make sure you go to the website and listen. I believe one of the greatest area’s of attack is in the area of relationships. Whether it’s in a marriage falling apart, dating the wrong person or just existing…that is not what God desires for each of us!! Instead, He desires us to have amazing, life-giving relationships!! So, this week, love like a verb, not a noun!!!

Also, don’t forget our Valentine Dinner is this Sunday, go get signed up!!! It’s a ton of fun!!

Letter to Summit-Math in Scripture??

Summit — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 16:43:46 +0000

He>I, get it?? He is greater than I! A friend of mine working with a church in Hawaii sent this to me a while back. So, where does this math come from? It can come from a few different spots in the Bible, but I think the clearest place in scripture we find this math is in John 3:30closeJohn 3:30 30 “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (ESV) when John the Baptist tells his disciples, “He must become greater; I must become less.” What powerful math!! Think about this for minute, here is one of the most important figures in all of scripture saying, “I have to become less!” He is saying that life is not about himself, but about Jesus!!

What if every Christian actually lived as if this life wasn’t about them, but about the kingdom? Right?? Isn’t this the way our lives as Christians should be lived? Now, don’t get me wrong this is much easier said than done, but what if, what if this year we decided to live out the math that scripture teaches us? What would this look like? Imagine with me for a moment, it would be a church body unified over something so great petty things would not be an issue, it would look like people loving others above themselves, it would look like people serving the needs of others, it would look like….dare I say it, the Kingdom of God here on earth! What if this become our personal and church theme for the year, that we would decrease, so that HE can INCREASE!! Just a thought, but what a powerful one it could be.

Letter to Summit 12/14-Will You Pray for the Impossible with Us??

Summit — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 17:02:26 +0000

This morning in reading my Bible I was reminded of something very true, very real, but hardly believed by most of us. It came out of Luke 18closeLuke 18 18:1 And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. 3 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ 4 For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” 6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 7 And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” 9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” 15 Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 17 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” 18 And a ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 19 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 20 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.’” 21 And he said, “All these I have kept from my youth.” 22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 23 But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. 24 Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, “How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” 27 But he said, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.” 28 And Peter said, “See, we have left our homes and followed you.” 29 And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30 who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life.” 31 And taking the twelve, he said to them, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. 32 For he will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon. 33 And after flogging him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise.” 34 But they understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said. 35 As he drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. 36 And hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what this meant. 37 They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” 38 And he cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 39 And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 40 And Jesus stopped and commanded him to be brought to him. And when he came near, he asked him, 41 “What do you want me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, let me recover my sight.” 42 And Jesus said to him, “Recover your sight; your faith has made you well.” 43 And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God. (ESV) , when Jesus says, “What is impossible with human beings is possible with God!” This is a life-changing verse if you think about it. The things that seem impossible are possible with God. Now, I know many of you will say, “yeah, but they have to be in God’s will!” Which you are right, but why not start praying for things that seem impossible that we know are God’s will because of the promises we find in scripture?? So, here are some things that seem impossible that I am praying for and would love to have all you praying with me…

1. That God will use Summit to change this community!

2. That God will use each one of us to reach someone this year with the life-changing reality of Jesus Christ. (Now this means you have to invest and invite people!!)

3. That God will use Summit to plant churches in Austin, Texas, United States and the World…sounds like Acts 1:8closeActs 1:8 8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (ESV) doesn’t it??? If you don’t know, go read it.

4. That God will provide more Baptisms in 2012 than 2011, what about an average of at least one a month???

5. That God would use Summit to serve even more people in 2012…think this is starting with Callison! Did you know someone at Summit just gave a family a mattress? Yes, the need in our community is that big!

6. That God would provide the resources we need to reach every man, woman and child!!! This is both financial and people!

…this is just part of my list!! Come on let’s pray that in 2012 God makes the impossiblePOSSIBLE!!!

Letter to Summit-12/4 Prayer of a Child

Summit — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 22:08:32 +0000

Yesterday morning was one of the most powerful reminders of why Summit exists. It wasn’t during service or after service with someone coming up to me saying I delivered the most inspiring messages ever, it was in our prayer time before we set up. Not to brag on Caleb, but he prayed one of the most inspiring prayers I have ever heard, with a maturity that surpasses his years by a long shot. As a father, I couldn’t have been more proud, as a believer and a brother in Christ to him I couldn’t have been more challenged. In his prayer, he prayed for people that didn’t know God, that didn’t have a church, he prayed that they would come to Summit and if they didn’t that they would end up in a church so that they could, “hear about God’s name.” What a powerful, unselfish prayer! This is a KINGDOMprayer!! My hope is that we will pray like a child, that we are praying for people that are driving by and seeing the Summit signs or maybe living next door to us, have kids on our kids teams, in the cubicle next to ours or whoever it may be, are we praying? Remember, the birth of Jesus is an incredible gift, but salvation is the most powerful gift in the world, so let’s not be greedy with it, let’s share it. Who are you investing in? Who are you going to invite? Christmas is one of two times a year people are thinking about church, this year at Christmas Eve who can you invite to join you at Church?

Letter to Summit 11/21 Thank YOU for Loving People!

Summit — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 21:46:22 +0000

Hey Summit,

I just want to thank all of you who participated in the Clothes for Callison Dodgeball tournament!! This morning Colin and I had the privilege of dropping the truckload of clothes off at Callison. The staff that received the clothes were so grateful! It was fun to watch their expressions as we kept bringing in boxes and bags of clothes! It may seem like such a simple thing to drop off a few bags of clothes, but just think, you were a part of impacting lives in very real and practical way! I just want to thank Christa and Amanda for their help in making yesterday run so smoothly, y’all were awesome. The ladies at Callison were not only extremely grateful for the clothes, but for the organization as well!!

It’s amazing to me that this “partnership” with Callison fell into our laps less than two months ago and God is providing very practical ways for us to serve them. Not only have we been able to provide clothing, but this week we are also giving six families Thanksgiving meals!!! This is amazing and demonstrate love of God in a very tangible way! It is such an honor to be creating a church that truly wants to love on it’s community with all of you!!!

Thank YOU!!!!!

Letter to Summit 11/14-Livin’ Large

Summit — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 21:57:22 +0000

Hey Summit,

Let me just tell you, it has been such an amazing ride over the last year and one I am so thankful that God called Amber and I on!! How many people can say they get to do exactly what they want to do in life?? NOT MANY!!! But even with that it is easy to get stuck in a rut and lose that adrenaline or excitement that we should have in life! Yesterday we looked at the fact that in Jesus we find LIFE, not death and it’s time we live that way! So, my challenge to you this week is what do you need to do to experience life to the fullest? This is what Jesus came to give, not a life that is just goes through the motions, but one that is filled with joy, pain, passion and everything else. What do you need to do to experience the freedom that comes with the life-changing reality of Jesus Christ? Need some suggestions?? Let me know I’ll be glad to come up with some! This week commit to Living Large!

Letter to Summit 11/7-Impacting Our Community

Summit — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 20:24:58 +0000

This morning as my alarm went off the last thing I wanted to do was get up and go for my run, but I pushed myself out the door not only to run, but to run for longer than I have in a long time!! What seemed like a marathon to me would pail in comparison to some of you out there!! Anyways, as I was running past Cedar Ridge, Ridgeview, Callison, Gattis and Blackland Prairie God reminded me of one of the reasons the church is here, to be a light to the world around it. (Matthew 5:14closeMatthew 5:14 14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” (ESV) ) It is so easy to get caught up in our own lives and forget that we, the church, are too be a light to people all around us. When the small group of us that stepped out in faith in order to start Summit, we said that if we were to close our doors in five years we’d want the city to beg us to stay open! This still excites me today in a very powerful way as I look at all the people that are now calling Summit home. Wouldn’t it be amazing to build a church that actually shapes the city it is in? Wouldn’t that be more satisfying than anything you could do with your with your life? I know that God has an amazing plan for Summit and this city and this is why we are going to be a church that will make a difference in people lives! This will happen not because we have all the answers, but because we will do everything we can to represent the Jesus of the Bible to everyone we come across! I hope you can get as fired up about this as the leadership of Summit does. This is why we are doing things like:

-Clothes for Callison dodgeball, something that seems ridiculous, but will be so much fun! Don’t just show up, put a team together, invite someone!!

-Pray and Prepare 2012, we believe that there is incredible power in prayer and it is time to tap into it!

-Operation Ridgeview, the adoption of families that can’t afford Christmas and providing it for them!

These are only a few of the things we do, but our hope and prayer is that they will be a light to our community!

Letter to Summit 11/1-Camp Rock Fever

Summit — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 20:03:35 +0000

This past Sunday was an amazing day for all of our Camp Rockers and volunteers! They had 58 kiddos in Camp Rock and Climbers!! Can you believe that?? The truth is I can believe it, do you know why? Because we have some of the best leadership any church can ask for in Jeremiah and Lindy. I know that many of you know this all ready, but if you don’t let me just tell you that they are doing an amazing job leading our children to a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. They are also teaching our children how important it is to have a vision for every man, woman and child. This last week because they have been encouraging kiddos to pray for and invite their friends Andrew Hall invited a few friends and three of them rode their bike to church!! How amazing is this? This is another reason why we need to have child-like faith. They pray, then they invite, pretty simple, maybe we could learn something from them.

Two things I would like all of us to take away from Sunday, please pray that God will bless the Priddy’s in an amazing way for the hours of work they put into CM!! Second, just like the kiddos, who can we be investing in and inviting to church?

Have a great week!!

Letter to Summit 10/24-Facing the Storms

Summit — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 16:38:40 +0000

Yesterday we looked at an incredible miracle performed by Jesus when he calmed the storm and brought peace to situation. (Mark 4:35-41closeMark 4:35-41 35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” 36 And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. 38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” 39 And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” 41 And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” (ESV) ) As we took the time to look at the miracle we saw how this miracle is still very relevant to our lives today. If the truth be told most of us have faced storms that knocked us off our feet, are in the midst of one now or will be facing one soon. As Jesus brought peace to the storm the disciples were in we believe that Jesus will bring that same peace to our lives. So, as a reminder allow Jesus to calm the storms in your life by:

1. By remembering that Jesus is always with you. Just as Jesus was with the disciples, he is with you!! If you are having a hard time with this, read his word about it. Psalm 23closePsalm 23 A Psalm of David. 23:1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
3 He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
forever. (ESV) , Hebrews 13closeHebrews 13 13:1 Let brotherly love continue. 2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. 3 Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. 4 Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. 5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 6 So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper;
I will not fear;
what can man do to me?” 7 Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 9 Do not be led away by spanerse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them. 10 We have an altar from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat. 11 For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp. 12 So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. 13 Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. 14 For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. 15 Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. 16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. 17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. 18 Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things. 19 I urge you the more earnestly to do this in order that I may be restored to you the sooner. 20 Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, 21 equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. 22 I appeal to you, brothers, bear with my word of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly. 23 You should know that our brother Timothy has been released, with whom I shall see you if he comes soon. 24 Greet all your leaders and all the saints. Those who come from Italy send you greetings. 25 Grace be with all of you. (ESV) , Joshua 1closeJoshua 1 1:1 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' assistant, 2 “Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun shall be your territory. 5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” 10 And Joshua commanded the officers of the people, 11 “Pass through the midst of the camp and command the people, ‘Prepare your provisions, for within three days you are to pass over this Jordan to go in to take possession of the land that the Lord your God is giving you to possess.’” 12 And to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh Joshua said, 13 “Remember the word that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, saying, ‘The Lord your God is providing you a place of rest and will give you this land.’ 14 Your wives, your little ones, and your livestock shall remain in the land that Moses gave you beyond the Jordan, but all the men of valor among you shall pass over armed before your brothers and shall help them, 15 until the Lord gives rest to your brothers as he has to you, and they also take possession of the land that the Lord your God is giving them. Then you shall return to the land of your possession and shall possess it, the land that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise.” 16 And they answered Joshua, “All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. 17 Just as we obeyed Moses in all things, so we will obey you. Only may the Lord your God be with you, as he was with Moses! 18 Whoever rebels against your commandment and disobeys your words, whatever you command him, shall be put to death. Only be strong and courageous.” (ESV)

2. By realizing and praying for peace in the midst of the storm. Sometimes we forget that God cares more about our character, our refinement than our comfort. Storms are inevitable, but an amazing miracle is when we find peace through Jesus in the midst of them. Again I would say read scripture about finding that peace. Psalm 3:3closePsalm 3:3 3 But you, O Lord, are a shield about me,
my glory, and the lifter of my head. (ESV) , Psalm 4:1closePsalm 4:1 To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Psalm of David. 4:1 Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness!
You have given me relief when I was in distress.
Be gracious to me and hear my prayer! (ESV) , Psalm 18:2closePsalm 18:2 2 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. (ESV) , Psalm 30:11-12closePsalm 30:11-12 11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;
you have loosed my sackcloth
and clothed me with gladness,
12 that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever! (ESV)

3. Lastly allow Jesus to bring peace to your storms by trusting in the character of God. We know that God is good and that He loves us despite us. We need to remember that we are His children and trust that He will not allow anything to pull us away from Him or be more than we can bear. Romans 8:37-39closeRomans 8:37-39 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (ESV) , John 3:16closeJohn 3:16 16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (ESV) , Romans 8:15, 1closeRomans 8:15 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” Romans 8:1 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (ESV) Corinthians 10:12-13close1 Corinthians 10:12-13 12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. (ESV)

If you are in the midst of a storm, let Jesus calm it. If you know someone in the midst of the storm invite them to allow Jesus to calm it, don’t sit on the greatest truth our world has ever seen, share it!!