Bruce Frank

One of the best days at Biltmore I can remember!  Was blessed today in so many ways.  10 random thoughts before hitting the bed:

*was awesome to have to bring in overflow chairs this morning (have not seen #s yet but pretty sure we had over 5,000 again)

*”Repentance is the oxygen of the Christian life”

*So blessed by all the music throughout the day.  God has sent us SO much musical talent!  I love the culture @cbsiii has set: excellence, passion, Christ-exalting, theologically sound, authentic, balanced.

*Was great to see 14 more people baptized today.

*I loved seeing more people from my subdivision visiting the church.

*Grateful for all the education staff who have busted their tail following up on all the Hoopla guests.

*Really like the lyrics to “I will Exalt You” and “At The Cross”

*Thoughts I am still chewing on from James 4:6-10 – God stiff arms us when we are prideful; God does not ask us to pray for humility but to humble ourselves; We can return to the Lord after being away because of His grace; submitting to the Lord is made in a thousand small decisions each day

*It is so cool to have the roadwork done! It only takes about 15 minutes to empty the parking lot where it used to take 50 plus! (PTL!)

*It is truly a joy and honor to be able to pastor Biltmore.  I love the vision, passion, heart for Jesus, love for people.

Good night.

Great Sunday at Biltmore!  A few thoughts before hitting the sack:

*I am loving preaching out of the book of James in a series called “Proof…” Hearing from God through the Word was good for me personally to study and apply .

*So glad SO many took the “7 day challenge” to spend 30 minutes/day this week in God’s Word.  Remember to ask the basic Bible study questions:”What did it mean then?  What does it mean now?  What does it mean to me personally?”

*I love seeing how the Lord is leading more and more families in our church to adopt children.

*Already looking forward to Kristian Stanfill leading worship at Vertical this upcoming Sunday.  Bring a friend!

*I never get tired of hearing stories of life transformation.  A lady shared with me how she came to Christ a few months ago and God delivered her immediately from a heroin addiction.

*Thankful that not one man stood up in any of the services that had a mirror on him:) (You had to be there::)

*Had great meeting with our Long Range Planning Team about very exciting plans for Biltmore for 2011-2012.  Will be sharing in the months to come.  It is indeed a privilege to pastor a church that is grateful for the great things God is doing currently but still hungry to be used of God more.

*Was great to hear there were so many students we ran out of room in the Student Center at 11 o’clock hour!  Gr8 work @jmharrison, @johnleathers, @andrewscarr!

*Rejoicing with Humble Area’s First Baptist Church (church I pastored for 9 years before coming to Biltmore 2 years ago) on calling their new Pastor today!

*Very grateful for the prayer ministry at BBC.  There are 1100+ people who pray for an hour a week for the Pastors, staff,  and ministries at BBC.  Carolyn Fuqua leads that vital ministry and is the coolest grandmom I know:)  She prays for me that I would “have a backbone of steel and a heart like Jesus”.(note: my backbone is usually good, keep praying for the heart part:))

*Thankful that the road work is done and our traffic has dramatically improved.  But met a family who has recently moved here and saw all the cars a few weeks ago and asked a neighbor what the “deal was”.  When the neighbor told him that was the norm for Sundays leaving “that church”, the man said “we have to check that out”.  They visited 3 weeks ago for the first time with their kids and haven’t missed since:)

I am wiped out and going to bed.  Will blog later in the week.  Have a good one.

Pastor Bruce

I am very grateful for the Lord’s movement at Biltmore going on right now.  Each weekend is filled with numerous life change stories, record attendance, great unity and harmony, many first time guests, etc. A few thoughts on the day before hitting the sack:

* Kenya was great last week, but it sure was good to be home. (btw- the next time I eat goat will be too soon:))

* Was good to have the Mars Hill men’s soccer team at Vertical tonight.

* I love serving with a staff that cheers for each other to succeed (and works their tail off to make sure it does!).

* Hearing so many people kissing at the conclusion of the morning services was possibly the strangest sound I’ve ever heard in church:)

* “Biblical love is the relational dynamite  that obliterates all obstacles in it’s path”

* Grateful for Gary Chapman’s 5 love languages insight.  If you didn’t jot them down, they are:

1. Words of affirmation

2. Quality time

3. Receiving gifts

4. Acts of service

5. Physical touch

* Was so encouraged to get a text from my good friend @clayton_king right before the 1st service saying that he was praying for me.

* @susannakirksey and the choir were just incredible on Nockles version of “A Mighty Fortress”.  Wow!

* It’s still funny that Solomon compliments her for having all her teeth and that they are white! – see Song of Solomon 4:1-3

* It’s exciting to see all of the new college leaders from different campuses starting to lead.

* Was SO hungry by mid-morning – engulfed some fajitas after 11 o’clock service!

* “Jambo” means hello in swahili. “Asante” means your welcome.

Enough for today.  Will be blogging a few things this week.  Have a great week.  I am going to bed.

PB