CreativePastors Blog & Podcast

Podcast > Doors > The Value of the Vows

The most important door decision we can make, other than our commitment to Christ, is made by walking through the door of marriage. Statistics show that most people will walk through this door at one point or another. But sadly, the numbers show, most people will also walk through another door—the door of divorce.

The door of divorce is all too easy for us to open in today’s world of quick fixes and disposable resources. But in this message, Ed Young shows us what it takes to slam the door of divorce and open the door to marital fulfillment. And we see that when it comes to living out God’s will for our marriages, it really comes down to the value of the vows.

To listen now, click on the podcast icon below.

Length: 42:29

Doors

A door is defined as a means of entry or access, allowing us to move from one environment to another. And in the physical sense, we understand that. From front doors to garage doors, office doors to back doors, we are continually moving from one place to another. We are confronted with doors every day.

When it comes to life, there are doors that we consciously choose to open and close as well. And these doors can have serious repercussions or abundant rewards, depending on what we do with them. In this 6-part series, Ed Young approaches the threshold to some of these doors. And as he unlocks what it takes to close and open all the right doors, we discover how our finances, relationships, attitudes, and even our very salvation all come down to a single question: What are we going to do with the door?

Doors

CreativePastors

If you have iTunes 7, click the link below to subscribe to our podcast. Twenty-four hours after Ed delivers his weekend message at Fellowship Church, it will be downloaded to your computer automatically. You can listen at your computer or take the MP3 with you on your iPod or other MP3 player.

If you don't have iTunes, you can get it here free for Mac or Windows. You can also subscribe to the podcast using other podcasting tools and RSS newsreaders. The feed address is: http://feeds.feedburner.com/cpblog.

Ed Young Brings Unique Perspective to Chemistry.com

Singles who visit Match.com’s newest web venture, Chemistry.com, will find an altogether different point of view in Ed Young’s posts on The Great Mate Debate, a multi-contributor blog. Along with five other featured bloggers, Ed will be weighing in every week on a variety of hot relational topics, ranging from spirituality in relationships to monogamy in marriage. We’re thrilled about this opportunity to bring a God-centered perspective to the dating scene and engage in conversation with people from diverse backgrounds. Get the scoop on this new endeavor, along with Ed’s thoughts about the project here.

Shipwrecked - the latest Elevate Children's Series

Sail to a distant shore as we join two castaways on an island they think is deserted. Aaron and Jamie face hunger, weather, and the sound of something they can't even see. Will they survive? Will they be rescued? Will they ever learn to get along? Find out as we learn some valuable lessons from the life of Paul in Shipwrecked, the latest release in our Elevate Children’s Curriculum.

In this 8-week Caribbean adventure, we’ll navigate through character fundamentals like encouraging others, giving second chances, having a good attitude, putting others first, choosing good friends, sharing the Good News and more. So hop aboard as we embark on another ministry voyage!

Podcast > Doors > Positivity

In a world that can be so often full of uncertainty, negativity seems to be the norm. After all, it’s everywhere we turn. But from the impact of the media to the repercussions of our own attitudes, the door of negativity has the dangerous ability to keep us from experiencing the most out of life.

In this message, Ed Young shows us how negativity was never God’s design for our lives. Through the example of God’s chosen people, the Israelites, he shows how negativity can run rampant if we don’t slam the door. And as we learn the right choice to make for this door decision, we discover the path that can lead us to God and the life of positivity he has in store for us all.

To listen now, click on the podcast icon below.

Length: 31:31

Doors

A door is defined as a means of entry or access, allowing us to move from one environment to another. And in the physical sense, we understand that. From front doors to garage doors, office doors to back doors, we are continually moving from one place to another. We are confronted with doors every day.

When it comes to life, there are doors that we consciously choose to open and close as well. And these doors can have serious repercussions or abundant rewards, depending on what we do with them. In this 6-part series, Ed Young approaches the threshold to some of these doors. And as he unlocks what it takes to close and open all the right doors, we discover how our finances, relationships, attitudes, and even our very salvation all come down to a single question: What are we going to do with the door?

Doors

CreativePastors

If you have iTunes 7, click the link below to subscribe to our podcast. Twenty-four hours after Ed delivers his weekend message at Fellowship Church, it will be downloaded to your computer automatically. You can listen at your computer or take the MP3 with you on your iPod or other MP3 player.

If you don't have iTunes, you can get it here free for Mac or Windows. You can also subscribe to the podcast using other podcasting tools and RSS newsreaders. The feed address is: http://feeds.feedburner.com/cpblog.

The Tragedy in Virginia

As we pray for all those touched by Monday's tragic events, Ed shares these thoughts...

---

America is once again sadly united in grief as we learn more about the deaths of 33 students and faculty members on the campus of Virginia Tech this Monday. When tragedy strikes in such devastating proportions, it’s natural for us, even as church leaders, to look heavenward and ask, “Why?” And that’s exactly where we should be turning with our questions and doubts, because this fallen world will never be able to supply us the answers we need in times like these.

The shootings yesterday prompted me to revisit my journaling from the morning following September 11, 2001. During that time, God spoke these truths to me:

• Evil is rampant. Because we are created in the image of God, we have been given a free will. True love is not a forced love, and we have the opportunity to choose. We either choose to love God or we don’t. Those who have not come into a relationship with him have turned their backs on God. Some individuals have gone so far in their rebellion that they are way out there in never-never demonic land and evil is rampant.  So, God didn’t cause this. Evil did.
• God is in control. God was not surprised by what happened yesterday. The Psalmist said this in Psalm 103:19, “The Lord has established his throne in heaven and his kingdom rules over all.” In his sovereignty, God is calling the shots and we don’t have to worry.  He is in control and wants us to trust Him with each and every aspect of our lives.   
• Life is fragile. When those students and faculty went about their usual morning routines yesterday, little did they realize that they would be stepping from this life to the next. We are not really prepared to live until we are prepared to die. The Bible says that one day we will stand before God and everything in our lives that is not built on people or the church, those two entities which will last forever, will crumble. This tragedy is a wake-up call for those of us who call ourselves believers to get serious about understanding the implications of walking with the Lord and to share that good news with the many people around us who are asking those deep questions of the soul. 
• God is trustworthy. One section of scripture has been the theme verse for the Young family for generations. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” God is trustworthy, and he is using this to draw people to him. It’s a good thing people are asking these questions, and we have an opportunity to further God’s kingdom. Don’t miss it. 

Monday’s events are a reminder of the mission field we’ve chosen as leaders of the local church. There are lost and hurting souls all around us. Let us seize this sense of urgency to reach out to those in our community who so desperately need our Savior.

And as we join together in this fight, we can’t forget to build strength for the battles ahead.

Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you're on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!

Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.

Philippians 4:4-9
The Message

Draw close to Him. Celebrate what’s good. Savor each sweet day.

Podcast > Doors > Closing the Door on Debt

No matter how much money we make, the door of debt can lead us into serious financial trouble. But in today’s world, we think debt is a way of life. After all, it’s the American way—if you can’t afford it, borrow money so you can; if you can afford it, buy two! But what we fail to realize is that debt is more than just owing money to a few people. Opening the door to debt is a deeper, spiritual issue.

In this message, Ed Young shows us how closing the door on debt is a spiritual issue as well. And as we learn three biblical principles of money management, we see that debt comes down to the question, “Do I trust God with my money?” And when we can answer yes to that question and follow His plan for our lives, we will discover just what it takes to close the door on debt.

To listen now, click on the podcast icon below.

Length: 39:15

Doors

A door is defined as a means of entry or access, allowing us to move from one environment to another. And in the physical sense, we understand that. From front doors to garage doors, office doors to back doors, we are continually moving from one place to another. We are confronted with doors every day.

When it comes to life, there are doors that we consciously choose to open and close as well. And these doors can have serious repercussions or abundant rewards, depending on what we do with them. In this 6-part series, Ed Young approaches the threshold to some of these doors. And as he unlocks what it takes to close and open all the right doors, we discover how our finances, relationships, attitudes, and even our very salvation all come down to a single question: What are we going to do with the door?

Doors

CreativePastors

If you have iTunes 7, click the link below to subscribe to our podcast. Twenty-four hours after Ed delivers his weekend message at Fellowship Church, it will be downloaded to your computer automatically. You can listen at your computer or take the MP3 with you on your iPod or other MP3 player.

If you don't have iTunes, you can get it here free for Mac or Windows. You can also subscribe to the podcast using other podcasting tools and RSS newsreaders. The feed address is: http://feeds.feedburner.com/cpblog.

 

Doors Visualized

At Fellowship Church, we're in the middle of Ed's latest series, Doors, in which he's covering topics as diverse as debt, isolation, marriage and more. We've enjoyed working with the imagery for this series: the bulletin cover, doors on the stage, and printed doors on the wall of the worship center. But here's one visual touch that's especially fun—we painted doors in a spectrum of bright colors and suspended them from the ceiling of our atrium. Check out these shots from our Grapevine and Downtown campuses.

Multi-Site Update

Multi-site ministry is by no means a one-size-fits-all endeavor, and this weekend at Fellowship Church is a perfect example. It's Race Weekend at Texas Motor Speedway, so our Alliance campus will be attending services at our Grapevine location on Saturday due to the hundreds of thousands of fans that will be setting up camp in their area for the Samsung 500. And on a completely different note, this weekend we are launching a new Sunday night service at our Downtown Dallas and Miami locations. Identical to the Sunday morning service, the evening time slot is a great option for the many young singles who attend those campuses.  It's all part of our continuing effort to be  "One dynamic church. Five diverse locations that meet you where you are."

Podcast > Doors > All Access

There’s something about an all access pass that captures our attention and intrigue. We want to know everything that goes on behind the scenes; we want to see what’s behind closed doors.

When it comes to God, many people think he’s locked himself behind closed doors, restricting our access to him. So we go door to door, searching desperately for a way in.

In this special Easter message, Ed Young shows us that no matter how many doors we knock on and no matter how many thresholds we cross, God has already provided us with an all access pass. And when we discover that pass, we will discover the power and ability to open and close all the right doors in life.

To listen now, click on the podcast icon below.

Length: 33:20

Doors

A door is defined as a means of entry or access, allowing us to move from one environment to another. And in the physical sense, we understand that. From front doors to garage doors, office doors to back doors, we are continually moving from one place to another. We are confronted with doors every day.

When it comes to life, there are doors that we consciously choose to open and close as well. And these doors can have serious repercussions or abundant rewards, depending on what we do with them. In this 6-part series, Ed Young approaches the threshold to some of these doors. And as he unlocks what it takes to close and open all the right doors, we discover how our finances, relationships, attitudes, and even our very salvation all come down to a single question: What are we going to do with the door?

Doors

CreativePastors

If you have iTunes 7, click the link below to subscribe to our podcast. Twenty-four hours after Ed delivers his weekend message at Fellowship Church, it will be downloaded to your computer automatically. You can listen at your computer or take the MP3 with you on your iPod or other MP3 player.

If you don't have iTunes, you can get it here free for Mac or Windows. You can also subscribe to the podcast using other podcasting tools and RSS newsreaders. The feed address is: http://feeds.feedburner.com/cpblog.

Easter Message Sneak Preview

Ed is excited to release a draft manuscript of this year's Easter message on CreativePastors. Here's a quick note from him:

Easter weekend is just a few days away and my team and I are continuing to tweak the message that will reach one of the largest crowds of the year at Fellowship. The Easter message will actually be the second part in a new series called Doors.

Last weekend we kicked off the series with a challenge to our regular attendees to invite their friends and neighbors to the doors of the church on Easter weekend. Almost anyone will give God a chance on Christmas and Easter. And as people walk through the doors of your church and mine, the doorway to eternity hangs in the balance. Christ is the door to heaven and everyone must make a choice to cross the threshold or slam it. And that's what the Easter message is all about: What are you going to do with the door?

We've been amazed as we have begun to plan and talk about this series just how prevalent the door is in our lives, yet how much we take it for granted. From front doors to garage doors, office doors to back doors, we are continually moving from one place to another. We are confronted with doors every day. Doors are everywhere, giving us access to everything we do. Yet, while we open dozens of doors every day—in both the physical and spiritual sense—we so often ignore the most important doors in life. We'll be talking about that throughout this series over the next several weeks.

Once again, I'm making a pre-release version of my Easter message available to you. I hope that it helps spark some ideas for you as you too prepare for new opportunities to show many, many people a doorway to hope, peace, forgiveness, and eternal life. Keep up the good work and let us know the great things God does in your church this weekend!