Archive
You are currently browsing the lee mabry blog archives.
By admin
A reoccurring theme, last night I was rushing to get to a pastors advisory team meeting when I realized no truck keys. I searched all over the house unsuccessfully until finally calling my wife. ” Do you have 2 sets of keys?” “Are you sure ?” “Yes” “Check again” “I did”, “Check one more time”"Oops , sorry.” Fortunately, Donnie Denton saved the day and gave me a ride. The reality is that more often than not, God gives Kelly insight that some how I miss. At least twice this week, there was a situation that if I had stopped and listened more closely to her, it would have saved me a lot of trouble and headache. In Judges, the news of a less than perfect deliverer for God’s people was 1st revealed to Manoah’s wife, not Manoah. Guys lets face it, we all need to pay a little closer attention to what God is saying through our wives. To be a spiritual leader of our homes doesn’t mean we have a monopoly on the Holy Spirit, but that we, rather we are to lead the way in being an example of Christ to our greatest ministry assignment, the home.
I am so thankful for a wife who seeks to listen. Helping me to see some open and closed doors along the way.
After this week I think I may get one of those big key rings, the kind that shouts, “I’m” important and wear it all the time.”
By admin
I recently went to the gym early one morning to work out, an extremely rare occurrence. I was talking on the phone, planning out my day and trying to hurry when I realized I had locked myself out of my truck. To make matters worse a Pastor friend was standing there with many others in the gym watching the whole thing unfold.
Yes, gracepointe is in good hands!
Fortunately, I was soon able to get back into my truck with little more than a severely bruised ego. No one had done this to me, I didn’t need any help. I had done it to myself.
In Mark 9, a man brought Jesus his son, who was suffering from demon possession. He had first sought the help of the disciples who were unable to do anything but stand and watch this painful crises unfold.
When approached by the disciples privately, Jesus instructed them that they were unable to help because of a lack of prayer. I wonder how many times I have stood by looking at an obvious need, locked out unable to do anything about the situation, all because of a lack of prayerfulness. I wonder is God willing, but we aren’t.
By admin
I recently was watching the history channel, something my family detests and noticed a show entitled Histories Mysteries . The show seemed to be an attempt at explaining some of those puzzling questions . You know the ones like Bigfoot , aliens, and is Elvis still alive.I began to think about what has become a theme song for GP , Its Only Grace by Matthew West. I think that grace is one of the greatest mysteries of all time. The fact that God loves me period, not because of what I do or say but because He is God and that’s what he does , He loves us.My son may break my heart, my son at times may disappoint me but he is always my son and nothing can change or take that away.That is what is so amazing to me about grace.
By admin
Sunday was an awesome time of learning some great testimonies of God’s grace, talking about gracepointe and just hanging out. We had around 30 in attendance for our FIRST IMPRESSIONS luncheon at our home.
Phil did an incredible job leading worship!
This coming Sunday will be the last message in our “X” series, you don’t want to miss it!
By admin
Yesterday was an amazing day of worshipping our unchanging God at gracepointe church. Nicole & the worship team did an incredible job and Phil sounded awesome on “You Are God Alone”. I began a series yesterday entitled: “X” . I have never been more excited about anything God has laid on my heart to communicate than the principles found in Exodus Chapter 20.
One of the most important verses for me in Exodus 20, is the very 1st verse, “and God spoke all these words”. I am amazed at the every day reminders of the truthfulness of God’s word.
The Ten Commandments (and they are Commandments, not suggestions or options) were, are and forever will be, God’s perfect “10″. These principles are not intended to prevent our fun and enjoyment of life, but just the opposite. Our Father’s message was intended for the protection of His children and to provide us with the best quality of life imaginable, both now and for eternity.
By admin
January 1, 2010. The first day of the new year. I have had a wonderful day of spending time with family and friends, watching TV and of course lots and lots of eating. Our traditional New Years feast always includes collards and black eyed peas (the vegetable not the group). My mother always told me the peas were for good luck and the collards were for money. I can’t say either one ever paid off, but I love them just the same. As I began the day with some time alone with the Lord, I opened up the word and immediately got stuck on that one statement, “In the beginning God created…” I thought about all the things God did in 09. Although the year had its share of challenges, there were many more reasons to celebrate.
*A new home for gracepointe
*getting to baptize our daughter in law
*Seeing Nicole go from singing at Cowboys to singing for Christ at gracepointe
*69 prayed to receive Christ at the annual Paulding County Youth Detention Thanksgiving dinner
* Engage Atlanta
* Emma starting high school
*Seeing God work in a miraculous way in my son Trey’s life
I am so so thankful for everything God did in 09, but He is still creating. I don’t believe God is through with me, my son, my family or gracepointe church. Today is only the beginning, I cant wait to see what God is going to create this year.
By admin
I remember reading once how much time a person spends, in an average lifetime, waiting in line for something. If you live in Metro Atlanta, one of the top 10 nationally worst, you spend a lot of time waiting in traffic.
If you are a child or teenager, you spend a lot of time waiting for school to end. Waiting for some event, priviledge or present that is in your future.
Lamentations 3:22-24 talks about the benefit of waiting on the Lord. “Because of the Lord’s great love , we are not consumed for His compassion never fails. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion, therefore I will wait for Him.”
Instead of waiting for the economy to change or for someone who I’m praying for to respond to God’s love; I need to refocus the reason on the One I am waiting for. God is my portion. He is everything I need and more than I desire. May I learn to wait for Him and on Him (service) and not for Him to do something for me.
By admin
Went four wheeling after church with Emma and Stephen. Got covered in mud , nearly flipped 3 times but had a blast!
By admin
Today was our last time for gracepointe church to meet at Poole Elementary and what a day it was!
Almost all the chairs and half the bleechers were full; baptized 7, and the presence of God was everywhere.
The last year and a half have been an amazing journey to say the least. I can still remember our very first meeting at our home with a whopping 13 in attendance, that included me Kelly, Emma , Trey, and both our Moms. Then we had our kick-off service at West Ridge where Johnny Hunt (who almost didn’t make it back in time) along with Brian Bloye and James Merritt all spoke. At our first service at Poole with our core group we had around 40, then 70 for our second “dress rehearsal.”
Finally, on March 22, 2008, we officially opened our doors for the first time. Looking back we weren’t ready. We had no money, only 4 sponsors and no full time staff. We had no equipment, not even chairs. We had to borrow those from West Ridge. We have had many challenges along the way. Who can forget the dead deer left for us at the front entrance of Poole.
In Acts 5, the Apostles are on trial, their crime was being too serious about Jesus, more than enough were present to put the men to death for heresy, blasephemy and insurrection. The bible says that an expert in the law, Gamaliel spoke up and said, “In this present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men;
you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
The vision that God placed on my heart 2 years ago sitting on my back deck, is that gpc would be a place of worship for all people. A place where it is ok, not to be ok . Through all the ups and downs of the last year and a half, I can say God has been faithful. Each and every time there has been a need ( many times before we even mentioned it), God provided just what we needed. This is amazing to me!
I want to thank so many people for believing in the vision God gave me and Kelly and for staying with us. For the staff at West Ridge without whom gpc wouldn’t be. For my friend and brother Brian Bloye, whom I will always be indebted to. Most of all, thank you to the people of gpc. You are the greatest group of followers of Jesus Christ I have ever had the privilege of knowing. I can’t wait to see what God is going to do as we begin this new chapter in the life of gpc; as we enter into our new home at
North Paulding High School.
I don’t know what the future will be, but as I often say, “The best is yet to come because of the Savior.”
See you next Sunday, what a day glorious day that will be.
By admin
Genesis 8:13-14, “….and Noah saw that the water receded from the earth….”
The last week for all of Metro Atlanta, particularly Paulding Co., Douglas Co. & the Austell area have truly been awe inspiring. It is amazing to see something that we are so dependant upon as water, become such a natural force of destruction. For my household, we have merely experienced a little inconvenience, some leaks in the roof and the frustration of bored children who don’t know what to do with this break from school. But for many, the past week have been much more than an inconvenience.
The prayers for God’s grace & mercy for those who have suffered should be constantly before us. We should also be mindful of every opportunity to be Jesus to the many we come in contact with who are in need.
gracepointe is working with West Ridge Church and Noonday Assoc. through Samaritan’s Purse in response to the Flood Relief in NW Atlanta. Persons in need can contact Samaritan’s Purse by phone (678)202-5974 or by email at disasterresponse3@samaritan.org or for a place to stay contact the Red Cross (404)876-3302, for food contact Warehouse of Hope (770)489-0509. Water, blankets and shoes can be picked up at West Ridge between the hours of 10:00am to 7:00pm