Family Devotional: "Don't Give In To Peer Pressure"

Our family devotionals are always a fun way to start the week. We try to be as creative as we possibly can without getting too complex.

Brooke & Anthony had a great time playing Samson & Delilah while learning not to give in to peer pressure. Check it out!

Christians On The Inside - Romans 3a

Does it matter if you look like a Christian on the outside, but really aren't one on the inside? The answer is obvious and Paul dealt with the same issue with the Jews who had become Christians in the church in Rome.

In this lesson we finish Romans 2 and begin Romans 3. Listen in on how you can deal with this issue in your own life.


Romans 3a

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New Series on Romans

You've spoken, & I've listened!

According to the poll I had set up here on this site, many of you said you'd like to have a series on the book of Romans. As challenging as it's been to study, research, and understand this letter - it's been an absolutely refreshing study!

Unfortunately, my digital recorder was on the blink during the first lesson, so that one's gone forever. But everything was in proper working order for this second lesson.

I pray that you are as encouraged by Paul's words to the Roman church as I have been.

Enjoy!


Romans 2

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Baptisms at the ACR Conference!

This year's Conference was a HUGE success. Over 2,000 people attended the Sunday service at the Virginia Beach Convention Center.

...and it couldn't have ended any better. 5 souls were baptized into Christ. All 5 have amazing stories of God working in their lives. And if a picture is worth a 1,000 words, then how many words is a video worth? Check out these incredible baptisms...

Carmen Spearman has been studying the Bible with her sister Mercedes over the last couple of months. Mercedes has a great heart & was baptized this Sunday!



Allan Abeleda met a guy with a giant dog in the park not too long ago who really wanted to get his life right w/ God. James, and his wife Ashley ended up studying the Bible with zeal and eagerness to change. We were so excited to see them baptized into Christ on Sunday!



One of my good friends Dwaine Lett recently ended an engagement in order to be restored to the church. Because of his faithful decision making, his ex-fiance became his sister in Christ this weekend at the Conference!

Crazy Kids On Halloween...

Ever heard of Cowboys vs. Indians? Well how about
Ninja vs. Cowboy?

Just when you thought you had seen it all, watch
Brooke & Anthony duke it out in their costumes.

Congratulations Tom!

Tom Wilde just got baptized last Thursday evening!

Be sure you get the chance to meet him when you
see him. He's got an incredibly humble heart for
God.

Tom has a sister named Maxine in the LA Church. Maxine
is the mother-in-law of Bruce Williams who is the
Lead Evangelist in the LA Church.

Tom also has Lou Gehrig's disease (or ALS), so there may
be times you don't see him at church. But if he's
not there physically, know that he's with us in spirit!

Congratulations Tom.

We've Been Transformed...Now What?

It's been a great month of transformation!

This last sermon in our series focuses in on
what we can expect going into the future now that
God has changed parts of our hearts and characters.

Hint: It ain't a downhill ride!


Living The Light

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Where Are YOU In The Story? (Lazarus Life Fall Campaign)

This month we're beginning our Fall Campaign based on the book "The Lazarus Life" by Stephen W. Smith.

The campaign is all about spiritual and evangelistic transformation in our lives and should be a time for all of us to get "revived"!

If you want to follow along with us, here's the documents to get you started...

Lazarus Life Campaign Handout

Lazarus Life Bible Talk Lessons

Lazarus Life Study Guide

Short (but powerful!) book on fasting...

If you missed our midweek service where it was all explained, then you can hear the introduction here:

Lazarus Life Fall Campaign Introduction (~6 min.)

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Here's the first devotional lesson. It will challenge you to put yourself in the story of Lazarus, choose who you are most like, and be transformed by the power of God.

Where Are You In The Story? (Jn 11)- Wk 1

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Leslie & I were out of town for Week 2 & Joe Strange did that lesson. But listen to this one from Week 3 about dealing with the "bad odor" of sin in our lives.

There's a quick rundown of our trip to London and the Ukraine in the beginning too (if you're interested).

Dealing With The Bad Odor - Wk 3

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Last week we focused on exposing our lives and getting help. This week we take a look at 4 biblical tips on how to be a good "helper" and remove the transformation bandages.

Help Me Yank Off The Bandages - Wk 4

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The last week of our campaign ends with what our focus needs to be if
we're going to live a "Lifetime of Transformation". Too bad we didn't
record all the personal sharing that happened right before this message.

God has done an amazing work this month in the lives of our members!

A Lifetime Of Transformation - Wk 5

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Even MORE Dating Advice For Singles...

Here's a 2-part series by Jim & Theresa Brown on dating.

This one is geared for Christians who are NOT in a
steady dating relationship yet.

If you're single, soak this stuff up! The principles
are timeless and will save you SO much time, trouble, and
headaches.


Single Dating Pt. 1

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Single Dating Pt. 2

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Dating Advice For Singles

I was digging through a box of old stuff in our garage and came
across this old, dusty tape set from 1994 on Successful Steady
Dating.

It's a 4 week series by Bob Tranchell (former GSL) and he gives
some golden nuggets when it comes to having a godly dating
relationship.

This is geared toward couples who are ALREADY dating steady,
not Singles going out on general encouragement dates.

These files have been recorded an uploaded with permission
from DPI Publications.

Enjoy!


Successful Steady Dating (Tape 1, Side 1)

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Successful Steady Dating (Tape 1, Side 2)

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Successful Steady Dating (Tape 2, Side 1)

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Successful Steady Dating (Tape 2, Side 2)

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Successful Steady Dating (Tape 3, Side 1)

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Successful Steady Dating (Tape 4, Side 1)

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Successful Steady Dating (Tape 4, Side 2)

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Seeing, Hearing, Understanding (Acts 28)

Well...this is the last lesson from the book of Acts!

I pray that it's been an encouraging and inspiring journey.

In this last lesson, we talk about spiritual sight, hearing, and understanding...

And how SIN prevents us from using these senses the way God intended.


Acts 28 - Seeing, Hearing, Understanding...

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ACR Talent Show, Here We Come!

Today was Anthony's 5th birthday & part of the celebration was a dance contest @ Cookie & Jose's place.

What do you think? Should I enter them into the talent show at the Conference?

Shoulda Listened To Advice...(Acts 27)

Have you ever made a big decision in your life against good
advice from someone else, and it backfired?

Isn't that a sinking feeling?

Why is it important to seek (and listen) to advice?

Who should you seek advice from?

What critical areas in your life should you be
getting advice in?

Find out all this and more in this midweek lesson.


Acts 27 - Shoulda Listened To Advice...

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3 Trials (Acts 24,25,26)

As Paul was on his way to Rome to stand trial before Caesar,
he went on trial 3 times in defense of his faith.

Once before Felix, once before Festus, and once before King
Agrippa.

Didn't have time to preach the lessons learned from all
3, but you can still listen and hear why Felix was frightened
and Festus was freaked out about the message of Jesus.


Acts 23 - Three Trials

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Hypocritical Hypocrites (Acts 23)

Jesus reserved some of his strongest words for the hypocritical
Pharisees.

What's a hypocrite? Well, the root words actually mean "stage actor"!

Isn't that exactly what a hypocrite does? Talks one way, but *acts*
another...

Is there hypocrisy in your life? Check out this lesson and check your
heart.


Acts 23 - Hypocritical Hypocrites

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