Branch Christian Academy

I know summer has just started, but it's time to think about school. The Branch Christian Academy is filling up fast for Fall 09. We have the best teachers in Charlotte and great facilities in the heart of University City. Imagine an environment where like-minded families gather to invest in the ultimate resource for the future... our children!

The Branch Christian Academy will educate, equip, and encourage Christian leaders to fulfill their God-given purpose. The Academy will invest the time to help each student become more like Jesus by nurturing a love for God, a love for other people and a love for learning.


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BranchPastor @ Life Church

This Sunday I am speaking @ Life Church Charlotte.

Pastor Jerry Stone asked me if I would fill in for him on Sunday June 28th @ 9:30am. They meet @ the Regal Stonecrest Cinema. Check the map below for directions. DaVon will be speaking @ the Branch for both services.

So choose you this day between Life or the Branch... you can't lose!



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Happy Birthday Sweet

Today is Sarah's birthday. She was born in 1972 and we met in 1995. I married her 5 months later on the island of Kauai.

She is my dream girl. and I love her more with every passing year.

She is a great mom and my best friend. I love you, Sweet... there is a new iPhone 3Gs waiting for you at the Apple store.

EdYoungBlog: Purity for Politicians...

Great post Ed! Derek's thoughts... Why have a cheap snack on the road when you can have a banquet @ home!

EdYoungBlog: Purity for Politicians...
Purity for Politicians... ...and purity for pastors, priests, poets and all people.

By now you've probably heard the sad and disappointing news of South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford's affair. It's a story that is sure to be in the headlines for the next several days. But after the hype of the news channels and tabloids, newspapers and magazines, the reality is that a marriage, and a family, hangs in the balance. And this story has caused me to think about my own marriage and the marriages of the people I meet every day.

Over the years, Lisa and I have been asked countless questions by thousands of people about our marriage. But one of the most important questions we've been asked is how we keep our marriage pure. So years ago I wrote out:

The 10 Commandments of Purity

1. I shall have no other human relationship before Lisa, including our children.
2. I shall remember our date night and keep it holy.
3. I shall honor Lisa on anniversaries and special days so that I may live long in the land the Lord has given me.
4. I shall not take the covenant of marriage in vain.
5. I shall not ride in a car or eat in a restaurant alone with a member of the opposite sex.
6. I shall not travel alone.
7. I shall not counsel a woman with the doors closed.
8. I shall not share the details of our marriage with others.
9. I shall not watch, read or expose myself to sexually explicit shows, books, websites, etc.
10. I shall remember the implications of committing adultery.

No matter who you are, I challenge you to make these your own. Follow them in your marriage every day. They may seem extreme. But something that has extreme consequences calls for extreme action.

Remember, everyone deals with temptation. It's what you do before facing temptation to stay pure that determines what happens in the face of it. You have to protect your marriage. So do I. Because failing to do so can result in heartache - for ourselves, our families and most importantly, our God.

This issue is bigger than only calling for purity for politicians. We need to call for purity as politicians, pastors, priests, poets and as all people.

StrengthsFinder

I recently took The Clifton StrengthsFinder test. The entire Branch staff will soon follow on our journey to get everyone in our position of strength.

As you may know, the Clifton StrengthsFinder measures the presence of talent in 34 categories called "themes." These themes were determined by Gallup as those that most consistently predict outstanding performance. The greater the presence of a theme of talent within a person, the more likely that person is to spontaneously exhibit those talents in day-to-day behaviors. Focusing on naturally powerful talents helps people use them as the foundation of strengths and enjoy personal, academic, and career success through consistent, near-perfect performance.

Below are my top five themes of talent, ranked in the order revealed by my responses to the Clifton StrengthsFinder.

How well do you think these themes describe me?

Futuristic

People who are especially talented in the Futuristic theme are inspired by the future and what could be. They inspire others with their visions of the future.

Strategic

People who are especially talented in the Strategic theme create alternative ways to proceed. Faced with any given scenario, they can quickly spot the relevant patterns and issues.

Responsibility

People who are especially talented in the Responsibility theme take psychological ownership of what they say they will do. They are committed to stable values such as honesty and loyalty.

Positivity

People who are especially talented in the Positivity theme have an enthusiasm that is contagious. They are upbeat and can get others excited about what they are going to do.

Ideation

People who are especially talented in the Ideation theme are fascinated by ideas. They are able to find connections between seemingly disparate phenomena.

To learn more about the Clifton StrengthsFinder and how you can discover your top five themes, visit http://strengths.gallup.com

I Believe...

THOUGHTS ON THE BRANCH

Shane Henry

When I think about the Branch today, there are 4 things that come to mind.

The first three, in order of importance are: people, people, and people.

1) People – the lost. The Bible says the Lord does not want anyone to perish, to be eternally separated from Him. Jesus paid a tremendous price to provide salvation to everyone. The Lord is not holding anyone’s sins against them, but many people are still blind to His love. God was, in Jesus, reconciling the world to Himself. He has given us the ministry of reconciliation. God’s heart is to use the people of the Branch to bring the Good News about Jesus to hundreds, thousands, who knows how many people. If we love God and love people, the Branch will see many people confessing, “Jesus is Lord.

2) People – believers who need to receive. Jesus said “I have come that you may have life, and have it more abundantly.” Over and over and over, the Gospels record miracle after miracle as Jesus met the needs of those who came to Him. Never did He turn anyone away empty. He healed broken bodies and broken hearts. He met financial needs and spiritual needs. He taught those who would listen and challenged those who would not. Pastor Derek has an anointing, and this church has an anointing, to minister restoration. As we love God and love people, the Branch will see hundreds, thousands, who knows how many being restored.

3) People – believers who are ministering in Jesus’ Name. Jesus commissioned his disciples to go forth into all the world and make disciples. These disciples were Peter, James, John, and (insert YOUR NAME here.) We do that in different ways, according to the gifts He has given us. The people of the Branch have an ingrained understanding that we are to take that which we have been given and share it with others. Jesus said, “It is better to give than to receive.” Here’s another way to think about that: it is better to be living in abundance, and to share that abundance with others, than to live in lack and need others to share with you. We have been commissioned by Jesus Himself to minister in His Name. As we love God and love people, (insert YOUR NAME here) will begin ministering in our giftings and with the same anointing He shared with Peter, James, and John.

Here is another way to say it: The Branch is a place where people get planted, grow strong, and branch out.

Those are the first three things that come to my mind today as I think about the Branch.

The fourth I really should call the First. Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation. Everything was created through Him and for Him. He is also the head of the church.

He is first in everything.

The Branch is the work of God, created for His pleasure and the glory of His Son Jesus Christ. As we love God and love people, Jesus is honored and He is glorified. And He is pleased. Isn’t that really what it’s all about?

(Additional thoughts I have on The Branch, which are less organized but from the heart, are on my blog).

Signs Follow - What I Believe

Click the sign graphic to listen to the Podcast

Branch Family Church
Signs Follow – I BELIEVE

Get Planted

Getting planted starts with knowing Jesus Christ and becoming His follower. Everything starts with Jesus and your personal relationship with Him. At The Branch we live to make Jesus famous by valuing what He values.

• I believe in the Gospel – Romans 1:16 / Romans 2:4

Grow Strong

The purpose of getting planted in Jesus is to be like Him. This happens when our lives are deeply rooted in the reality of God's Word. Developing strong roots takes time and happens below the surface, but results in a tree that can stand up to adverse elements. This process takes time, but is worth the effort. At The Branch we are willing to invest the time necessary to help strengthen your walk with Jesus.

• I believe in the Church – Ephesians 1:22-23

Branch Out

The purpose of growing strong is to take what you have received and share it with others. Love was the primary reason why God sent Jesus. At The Branch, love is at the heart of everything we do. It is the goodness of God that attracts people into a relationship with Jesus. The people we live amongst and work with will desire to become followers of Jesus as we represent the qualities and nature of Jesus to them and boldly share from our own experience. This activates the process of get planted, grow strong, branch out all over again.

• I believe in Love - 1 Corinthians 13 / 1 Corinthians 14:1 / Colossians 3:14

I Believe…
God is raising up a generation of children at the Branch who build their lives on His Word. Because of this solid foundation, their lives will be an example to all believers in speech, in love, in faith, and in purity. (1 Tim. 4:12) Their identity and purpose will be found in Jesus and they will shake this city! Tori Berkowitz

I Believe...
The Branch is the work of God, created for His pleasure and the glory of His Son Jesus Christ. As we love God and love people, Jesus is honored and He is glorified. And He is pleased. Isn’t that really what it’s all about? Shane Henry

Signs Follow

Click the signs graphic and listen to the Podcast

Branch Family Church

Get Planted

Mark 16:17 - Signs follow those who believe. Not those who read their Bible... Not those who attend church... What does it take to be one of "those"?

1. Belief
Most believe:

• Jesus is the Son of God
• God the Father, God the Son & God the Holy Spirit
• The empowering of the Holy Spirit
• The blood of Jesus that cleanses us from all unrighteousness

But how about the way you see God? The way you believe God is will determine what you believe God does. It will also determine what you believe God loves and what you believe God will bless.
Proverbs 23:7
Psalm 119:68

Grow Strong

2. Appreciation
We tend to see the blessing in someone else and what God has done for others quicker than we see it in ourselves. Is your life described by a "Prayer Request" or a "Praise Report"? Don't become so need centered that you lose sight of what God has done for you.

A spirit of appreciation will lead you into a miracle. Psalm 100:4

Branch Out

3. Timing
Matthew 25:1-13 - Is it always "them" that are in the right place at the right time?

Ecclesiastes 3:1 - Attaching the right purpose to the times of your life will create great timing!

Love is the greatest purpose for your life. Live a life directed and governed by love and you will always be one of "them"

1 Corinthians 14:1 - Let love be your highest goal... Message - Go after a life of love as if your life depended on it—because it does.

Kate loves flowers

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It starts innocent and before you know it...

You have a university with your name on it!

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