It was great to be back at Fellowship today after some time away. Can’t wait to teach next week after my summer teaching break. I’m going to be launching a new series called “Side-Effects.” More on that later this week.

I thought our team put together a great service. Ryan brought it with a great message today. I see a lot of growth in him over the last 17 months. God has gifted him as a leader and a communicator and we are blessed to have someone of his caliber on our team.

Our worship continues to inspire me…I hated for it to end. Jeff will be away this week in Austin, TX at a national worship leader’s conference. This is his second year in a row to attend and I know he is looking forward to his time of learning and inspiration.

I wanted to pass along a prayer request tonight. One of our Russian partners had tragedy strike last week. The pastor of the church/feeding center in Kaspli, Vladimir, lost his grandson to a drowning accident. We built a playground at the Kaspli feeding center two years ago and Vladimir has been incredible faithful in serving and leading. He was a former Colonel in the Soviet Army before he became a Christ-follower. He came to Smolensk to join our group for our farewell dinner at the end of our trip in June. Please remember to pray for him and his family.

I’m having a great summer.

• “Elevate” is off to an incredible start!
• Russia was an amazing experience.
• I have had some good down time at the house.
• I have been “training” to “run” in a 10K (I actually got 4 miles out of these knees on Monday).
• I found out my niece Kristi is going to be living with us for a year.
• I am getting the longest break from speaking that I have ever had (took over 7 years to get here).
• My brother-in-law Don is moving here from Missouri.
• I am immersed in the world of facebook and now have 164 friends (Alli is kicking my butt with over 300 friends). It has been cool to see people in our church connecting on facebook as our Fellowship fan page continues to grow (Thanks Greg Davis for your vision in making this happen).
• I still have LIFT camp to look forward to at the end of the month.
• The Sixers just made an awesome free agent signing.
• The Phillies are barely in first place.
• The Eagles open camp in a couple of weeks.
• I loved our “One-Prayer” series.
• Michelle and I are digging the “Next Food Network Star” reality series.
• Alli makes the best spaghetti ever…
• I am speaking at Northway Church in August…
• I saw Hancock this week (some funny stuff).
• I broke my neighbor’s pressure washer…
• My friend Jim Miller fixed my car.

Finally, we are headed to Hilton Head for a family vacation and some fun in the sun. Lots of the beach, pool, bike riding, and other fun stuff. Yes Linda, we will use sun-screen. It is our favorite “just family” time of the year and I look forward to making some memories that will out live me. We are stopping off in Wilmington, NC to see some great Fellowship friends (the Donaldson’s) who have relocated. I’m unplugging from my blog until Tuesday July 22nd. Hope all is well with you and I will check in with you soon.

I stopped at a restaurant today to buy a couple of pies (cherry cheesecake) for a pool party we were headed to.  While I was in line I heard an older gentleman talking about his experience in the South Pacific during WW II.  He had on a Navy hat identifying the ship he served on over 60 years ago.  To be honest, I can’t remember the name of the ship, but I will never forget his words.  He was telling some folks about the ship he was on and how it was sunk in battle.  He was one of the survivors.  Over a hundred and fifty men went down with the ship.  Many others perished as they were burned in the water by the diesel fuel that was set ablaze.  The damage was so catastrophic to his ship that it went down in under 60 seconds.  As I listened (eavesdropped) on his incredible story, it occurred to me that I was listening to a real life hero.  I’m sure he would say that he was just doing his duty, but to me he and those who served with him were heroes.

Our WW II veterans are dying every single day.  What an incredible national resource we are losing.  As I walked out of the restaurant I walked over to this gentleman and held out my hand.  “I couldn’t help but overhear your incredible story sir, and I just want to say thanks for serving the way you did.”  He looked me straight in the eye…I could see the wisdom and experience behind his gaze…he was sizing me up.  His grip was still strong as he shook my hand and nodded, “Your welcome.”

It made my day to say thanks.  It might sound cliche, but freedom isn’t free.  For those of you who served I want to say thanks.  Next to my faith and family, being an American is one of the greatest gifts of my life.

It was great to be home at Fellowship after an amazing trip to Russia.  I really appreciated Ed’s talk about the church as a whole, waking up!  I thought he “brought it” in a loving and uncompromising way.  I think of the many times I have been sleepwalking through my faith journey… it’s wasted time that I can’t get back.

I was thinking after church yesterday how much going on a  mission’s trip can grow you in your faith.  You get out of your comfort zone and enter into the world of others.  That is the reality of Jesus.  His incarnation was him leaving his place of comfort and entering into our messed up world because of two main reasons.  First, it was his love for us.  It compelled him… it moved him to action… action is, after all what love is about.  Second, it was obedience.  Jesus was following the will of his Father.  There are plenty of times I don’t “feel” like going on a trip like this but then I remember the call of Jesus to GO and I’m off again.  Strangely enough, I never regret going.  In fact, it is quite the opposite.  I wouldn’t trade my experience with our friends in Russia this year for anything in the world.  I learned from my parents at an early age that obedience brings blessing… God’s blessing.

I’m hoping parents got the wake up call yesterday.  There are so many things that pull at our kids today.  Making Sunday worship a priority is the parents responsibility.  It messes me up to see how Dad’s and Mom’s have advocated the decision making process in their homes.  We are the adults.  It is on us.  Wake up call time.

I’ll be filling you in more this week on our Russia trip.  Be praying for our team as the assimilate back into their day to day responsibilities.

Work is going extremely well here.  What an awesome group God has put together this year.  As I write this it is 4:30 PM in Russia and our projects are winding down.  Both playgrounds are near completion with Thursday being our wrap up day.  Monday at the orphanage in Pochinok I had the privilege to participate in a flag raising ceremony.  The director, Igor, and I raised the American and Russian flag as a symbol of our countries working together.  It was a surreal moment.  The kids all stood around and clapped. 

Tuesday night, our group got together for some fried chicken and pizza at the hotel.  I opened up the floor for people to share what they were experiencing to date.  It was a powerful night…the tears were flowing freely…God is doing something in our hearts.  It is so difficult for me to articulate the emotion our teams experience here.  It is different for everyone but I believe it is powerful for everyone.  For those of you parents and family checking in, you would be very proud.  Our students are something special.  They are working hard…getting along…and growing up right before my eyes.  You should see them interact with the Russian teenagers.  Love is a universal language that transends culture.  Everyone is healthy and safe.  We have some skinned up knees and some very tired and sore muscles but everyone is doing well.

Today, I toured a children’s hospital with Una Brewer, a doctor from our church.  They would like for us to build a playground for them in the future.  God continues to open doors.  The jet lag is kicking in as I attempt to write this…short choppy sentences is all I can come up with.  Just know that we are having the time of our lives and I will check in with you soon.  Thanks for praying for us.

Happy Father’s Day to all you dads out there. Father’s day doesn’t get the hype that Mother’s day does, but I am okay with that. Here are a couple thoughts about Father’s day.

First it makes me think of my heavenly Father. How blessed and fortunate I am to read God’s word and get insight into God’s life. He is the standard. He sets the bar. No one has sacrifice more than he did. To watch his own son, Jesus, suffer and die on my behalf is beyond my understanding. Today, I am thankful for my heavenly Father.

Second, I think of my Dad. As my brother Buddy likes to call him…”the Chuckster.” It wasn’t that many months ago, where I wasn’t sure that Dad would be around for Father’s day. It makes you think. God had other plans and for that I will be eternally grateful. The time I have spent with my Dad this year has been the best of my life. God is reinventing him at age 69. Most guys that age would coast, but not my pops. He is still looking for ways to invest in others and eternity. He is inspired to be a better husband at this stage of his life. At a season of life where most would say “I am what I am…take it or leave it,” Dad is on his face before God and trying his best to be more like Jesus. I am dreaming that God will relocate my parents to our area and Dad could serve part-time as our pastor of Seniors. He would be awesome! Happy Father’s Day, Pops. This post is dedicated to you and the impact you have made on me. Thanks for teaching me how to be a man - I really do want to be like you when I grow up!

Thirdly, I think of my beautiful kids - Alli, Emmy, B, Drew, and GG. Unbelievable. What would my life be without them? They keep things exciting and interesting. They are far from perfect but I would not trade them for anything in the world. They know how to love and they sure know how to fight! How could five kids be so different yet have so much in common. They are all learning to love Jesus. They love Fellowship and our life here. I am humbled that God has called me to pour into the lives of such and incredible group. I have no doubt that they will all have a greater kingdom impact than I ever will. Individually and collectively. God changed the world with 12 followers…I wonder what he will do with the Cremeans 5? I am praying for big things. I am praying for their spouses today…wherever they are and whoever they are. God, may they fall in love with Jesus now!

Finally, I am thinking of you. Some of you reading this today have the great privilege of being a Dad. Don’t hold back - give it everything you have. Remember your kids will remember more about how you loved them than how hard you worked. They really aren’t all that impressed with our jobs or our portfolios. Love them with all you have guys. Don’t get complacent or withdrawal because it’s complicated or you don’t know what to do. Lead them in following Jesus. Lead them in serving…in connecting…in giving. Teach them now so they will have those foundations for life.

For some, this will be a difficult day. This might be your first Father’s day without your dad or one of your children. I’m sorry. I can’t imagine what you are feeling today. Some of you are still grieving the relationship you have or had with your father. He just never got it. I hate that for you. Some dads might have a wayward son or daughter and you won’t get that phone call today that says, “I love you dad.” Don’t give up hope…don’t stop praying. God is still in the business of changing lives and bringing wayward sons and daughters home.

For all of you I pray that this will be a meaningful day. A day where you will find the time to give thanks and honor. God loves it when we give thanks and honor those around us. Happy Fathers Day.

This Sunday Fellowship Church will hear from Craig Groeschel with the message, “God, Make Us One”. Craig is founder and lead pastor of LifeChurch.tv (based in Oklahoma City, OK). You can read his thoughts on leadership and ministry at the Swerve Blog (coauthored with Bobby Gruenewald).

Craig has also written a couple of books including Chazown: khaw-ZONE - A Different Way to See Your Life and Confessions of a Pastor. Both are great reads that I highly recommend.

I am honored to have Craig speak to us this week. He has been a mentor in my life even though I don’t know him personally. If I didn’t go to Fellowship, I would want to be under Craig’s ministry. I see and sense God’s hand all over him. I have had the privilege to hear him speak in public twice and have heard many of his sermons on line. He doesn’t mince words and he is ruthless in his pursuit of those who haven’t met Jesus. Let me know what you think this coming Monday. Be praying about this Sunday. Pray that God would use Craig’s words to change us…to make us one!

Wow! Sunday we had the greatest single day offering in the history of Fellowship Church! We had a total of $147,574.05 for our Elevate summer kick-off offering! That is 74% of our summer goal of $200K and 20% of our campaign goal of 750K! God is awesome and I continue to be amazed at the generosity of Fellowship and the support of the vision God has given us. Thank you to those of you who stepped up and sacrificed! We still have two and a half months for the remaining $52,500 of our summer goal to come in. Some of you still need to sacrifice and jump in! Please be praying hard about that amount as we desperately need to address some key areas in our kids wings, and multi-media.

This is going to be the best fall in the history of Fellowship Church. In order for that to be true, this needs to be the best summer in the history of Fellowship Church. I believe we are on our way. Eighteen people went public with their faith in baptism on Sunday. That is huge! I will tell you what I told our staff and elders on Tuesday. Make sure you have the chance to exhale this summer. Strategic breaks are a must in our lives. When you go away for your vacations do your best to unwind and clear your mind. Having said that, don’t vacation from your spiritual journey this summer. Don’t fall back into the RTD of compartmentalization. Don’t take the summer off from serving, connecting, and giving. Remember, company is coming and the sermon starts in the parking lot. We will have lots of guests this summer as people relocate to the area. I believe our church will grow this summer - that is what Elevate is all about.

Speaking of Elevate. I met with someone this week who was not in a position to give financially to Elevate. God was still speaking to her in a big way. She recently fasted for 21 days crying out to God for his will and direction in her life. Based on God’s leading she approached her employer and cut back on some teaching responsibilities so she could have more margin to serve and follow God’s calling on her life. She took a serious financial hit (thousands) but spiritually she has elevated her obedience to God and her life mission. Elevate is a spiritual growth campaign first and foremost. It is about listening to the voice of God and having the courage to obey. This dear lady stepped out of her comfort zone and made what many would say is a dangerous financial decision. She is praying high risk prayers.  She is walking to the edge of the ledge in faith.  I love it! She is living different! God, make us all different. May we follow your lead of sacrifice and serving just as this lady has done. Great things are happening at Fellowship and greater things are coming.

I had the interment today for my friend Gail Oxley. Gail was a Viet Nam veteran so there were soldiers present to give him the military honors he so deserved. I love our troops. They inspire me. After I finished my brief talk and prayed, one of the soldiers played taps. He then marched smartly to the casket and gave the order to “retire the colors“. I got a lump in my throat as they folded the flag and presented it to Gail’s wife Joanne. “On behalf of the President of the United States and a grateful nation” they thanked her for Gail’s service and presented her the flag followed by a salute.

Yesterday, we also “retired the colors” at Gail’s celebration service. Gail was wearing his “Live Different” bracelet and had his “Live Different” t-shirt folded neatly inside his casket. Joanne arranged for everyone at the service to have a bracelet just like the ones we passed out earlier in the year. I am on bracelet number 6 because I have given mine to several new children at Fellowship. I had one young lady who worked with Gail come and ask me for 15 more bracelets for her co-workers who had to miss the service. Cool stuff.

I’m reminded today that I am first and foremost of citizen of heaven. Paul said we are “strangers” to this world. My home is in heaven. I’m just staying here for a while. Gail being there before me makes me more anxious to “go home.” The “colors theme” make me think about the color red. The blood that our beautiful Savior, Jesus, shed for my sin and yours. How priceless his gift was and still is today. Someday, Jesus will say “retire the colors” and I will lay my spiritual armor down. I long to hear God say, “Nice Job John, welcome home Son.” The lump is back in my throat.

Until that day, I want to fight the good fight. I want us all to fight the good fight.  The one thing I will no longer be able to do when I get to heaven is to tell people about Jesus and the difference he makes. That is why I do what I do. That is why I exist. It is why God is calling us to Elevate what we do as we redefine church in the Delaware Valley.

Gail served…do you?

Gail loved to worship…do you?

Gail connected with his life group…do you?

Gail gave…do you?

Gail made church his priority…do you?

Honor the colors…live different.

We will be starting a new seriers called One Prayer this Sunday. We are joining 1280 other churches with a total average attendance of over 740,000 people.

If God would answer “one prayer” for the church at large, what would you pray? My prayer is that he would Make Us Different. That has been our theme this year…Live Different. Here are the following speakers that will visit Fellowship via video.

• Craig Groeshel from Life Church in Edmund, OK will speak on “God, make us one.”
• Wayne Cordeiro from New Hope Christian Fellowship in Honolulu, HI will speak on “God, make us wise.”
• Ed Young from Fellowship Church in Grapevine, TX will speak on “God, wake us up.”
• Perry Nobe from New Spring Church in Anderson, SC will speak on “God, make us dangerous.”

Through www.oneprayer.com, we’ll be encouraged to fast and pray with other believers from around the world and we will also be contributing to and offering that combined with hundreds of other churches will help plant new churches Cambodia, China, India and the Sudan. This series is going to promote unity in the body of Christ as we stand together like never before. It will also refocus our understanding of the Church as a body of believers instead of a physical location.

I believe God’s timing with us joining “one prayer” is going to be a tremendous kick-off our summer giving to Elevate. What a great reminder to know that we are part of something much bigger than us! I encourage you to jump on the one prayer site as we join an unprecedented moment in the history of the church.