Blake Bouldin

Get Ready To Rumble!

One of the things that I have experienced my whole life is that after I have gone to a spiritual mountain with God, Satan always attacks.  For instance, two weeks ago I had a spiritually exhilarating experience when I went to camp BigStuf with our youth.  I mean every day it just seemed like that God was noticeably present and speaking into my life.  However, that all changed when I got back from the trip.  I can't explain what happened or why it happened other than to say that I believe that Satan will do anything to try and stop us from experiencing God like I did at camp.  I know many of you who read this blog probably have experienced the same thing.  One moment God is moving in extraordinary ways in your life and then Satan attacks.  Below is a list of things that help me minimize what Satan tries to do.

1. Making sure I get enough rest.  One of the things I am confident that Satan capitalizes on is our exhaustion.  Any time we are mentally, physically or spiritually exhausted, Satan has an easier time of having his way.

2. Staying busy.  I know this seems like a contradiction to #1, but a full schedule with little idol time helps defeat the adversary. Whenever we know that we are vulnerable, getting busy and focused on productive tasks keeps us from from being easy prey.

3. Being held accountable.  Recently I downloaded a tool called "Covenant Eyes" to my laptop.  This is a program that enables my accountability partner to see wherever I have been on the Internet.  I did this not because I struggle with porn or going to sites that I shouldn't.  I did it to make sure that I never will.  Having someone holding us accountable to living a Godly life is essential to keeping the adversary at bay.

4. Making sure I don't forsake going to church.  Interestingly enough, one of the optimum times for people to stay away from church is after they have been on a spiritual retreat. Heck, I almost didn't go the Sunday I got back from BigStuf.  Mark Patterson was preaching and my rationale was that I had had enough spiritual stuff for the week.  It wouldn't have hurt me to stay home and rest on that Sunday, but it certainly didn't hurt me to go either.  I am convinced that the discipline of going to church and being around others who can encourage us in our faith is essential to defending ourselves against Satan's onslaught.

I hope this helps any of you who feel like you have been under attack lately.  Remember, the Bible makes it clear that if we "Submit ourselves to God and resist the devil then he will flee from us." James 4:7.  You and I can be more than conquerors if we are prepared and ready to rumble when Satan comes knocking. 

God Bless.

Blake

It's Party Time!!!!!

Check out this passage from Luke 15:8-10.  Jesus says, "Imagine a woman who has ten coins and loses one. Won't she light a lamp and scour the house, looking in every nook and cranny until she finds it? And when she finds it you can be sure she'll call her friends and neighbors: 'Celebrate with me! I found my lost coin!' Count on it—that's the kind of party God's angels throw every time one lost soul turns to God."

It was party time for the angels while the youth of WCC were at camp Bigstuf.  The final night we were there, Jared Herd told the gospel story about as clear as it could be told.  He then offered the opportunity for any of the 2500 youth that were sitting in the huge auditorium to respond to God's offer of forgiveness and salvation.  The way in which he asked those who had asked Christ to become their master was to stand.  Now, that seems like a pretty simple invitation, but it's not.  I mean, to stand up in a room full of 2500 teenagers, many of which you don't know, and proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord is hard!  In other words, you have to be serious about your decision to become a Christ Follower or it ain't happening.  AJ Gile was SERIOUS.  As soon as Jared offered the invitation, without hesitation, AJ stood up!  It was absolutely unbelievable!  Not only did those around AJ celebrate that evening, based on what Jesus said, Angels were partying like mad.  Last night AJ's decision was celebrated by WCC's youth as he again declared that Jesus Christ was his master and took the plunge of "believers" baptism. All I can say is this is what it is all about!  AJ, I am proud of you my friend.  Your decision to follow Christ is the best decision you'll ever make.

For The Cause! Way to go Brad!!

This afternoon I sent two of my sons, Brett (13) and Brad (9) out to deliver post cards for the "Color Your World Green" event.  The cause of Christ and serving our community is something I want my whole family to always have as a very high priority.  Every chance I get I try to involve my children in some way for this "Cause".  Brad, in particular, was excited about the opportunity to help WCC and "the cause" of Christ. He may have been too excited.  In his attempt to hastily pass out over 100 postcards, he busted.  When he came home, he said, "Dad, I hurt! But it's ok, it's for a good...you guessed it...CAUSE."  Here's to you Bradley.  I am proud to see you are willing to take a few scrapes for the greatest CAUSE in the world.

Color Your World Green......Say What?

Part of being a "missional" church means that WCC attempts to do things in our community for no other reason than to demonstrate that we love people and want to serve them in very tangible ways.  We have no other agenda.  This Friday, the way we plan on doing that is by having a community wide event called "Color Your World Green".  This event is designed strategically to teach children and families how to prepare for great outdoor adventures while minimizing the impact on the environment.  In other words, very simply put, it is our way of helping the community develop a sense of stewardship for the world around them.  I am stoked about this opportunity and all that plan on participating.  We have REI and Earth Fare topping the list of vendors that will be there.

I hope you plan on attending.  Saying we care about our community is one thing.  Demonstrating it is another.  Friday night will be WCC's night to demonstrate that we mean what we say when we say we care about people.  I hope all of you who read my blog and attend our fellowship will block out 2 hours from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm to come to Weddington High School and be a part of this event.  For those of you who read this blog and don't attend WCC, I want to invite you to come and allow us the opportunity of showing you we care about you and your family.  Come Color Your World Green!  I will see you there.

Blake

Shout outs to all my counselors at BigStuf...You Rock!!

More Big...Stuff!!

Crazy stuff...God stuff is happening at Bigstuf!

Friendships are being forged at BigStuf!
An Elder and his wife sacrificing at BigStuf!
Thousands of lives changed....at BigStuf!

Too Tired to blog....BigStuf Day 2

BigStuf...Day 1

We finally made it.  When the alarm went off at 4:00 am at the Bouldin house, I wasn't in the mood to head to BigStuf.  Angie and I had literally spent the night playing ping pong with a house full of teenagers dying to head down to Panama City, Florida for a week of fun....and more importantly growing closer to God.  12 hours and 500 million bathroom stops later, we arrived.  Needless to say....It was worth it.

Highlights from the night included James David Carter singing Glorious One with 2,500 kids singing with him.  If you haven't ever experienced it, I can't even begin to explain.

Jared Herd knocked it out of the park with a message named "Live Loud".  His major points included:

1. Your life is broadcasting something

2. What we broadcast doesn't just come from our mouth, it comes from our lives

3. What we DO is louder than what we say

4. Ultimately we broadcast what we care about most

5. When what we care about changes, what we broadcast changes

Weddington Community Church is giving away $100,000

Poverty

30,000 Children die each day due to poverty

Unclean Water

2.6 Billion people lack basic sanitation

Homelessness

1.35 Million U.S. children are homeless.  On any given night...42% are under the age of 5

Illiteracy

121 Million children don't receive an education

Disease

40 Million people are living with HIV/Aids

Hopelessness

2,251 People groups do not have any of the Bible in their language

How Should WCC Respond?

Give...Give...Give

What if we came together as the Body of Christ and gave?

How many Bibles can $100,000 provide?

How much clean water can $100,000 provide?

How much medicine can $100,000 provide?

The Bible says that "Real religion, the kind that passes the muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight...."  James 1:27 (TM)

The need is great!  The time is now!!

So WCC is going to GIVE IT AWAY!  $100,000 for the glory of God!

I'm About To Bust!!

Several weeks ago I said that the first weekend in July we were going to announce something incredible!  Tomorrow we will.  Suffice it to say, I have NEVER been as excited about announcing anything as I am about what we will unveil tomorrow.  What is it you ask?  Don't miss tomorrow because that's when I will give it all away!  See you then!