When was the last time you felt God calling you out? I have recently experienced God leading me to just spend time with Him...not to get an "answer" to a burning question, not to ask God for a new strategy for the church, not even to have a new devotional experience...rather just to be His again. My life gets so busy, that sometimes I need to remember who I am by remembering "whose" I am. Here are the top signs that I know I need to experience a fresh touch from my Heavenly Father:

1.  Little things begin to bother me.

2.  I become irritable.

3.  I find worry creeping up in my mind.

4.  Temptations become stronger.

5.  Discouragement becomes too regular.

6.  I find that I am not only tired, but emotionally tired.

What about you? What tip off do you have that tells you it's time to spend time with God? God is calling out to us, wanting us to become the people of God He intended for us to become. Make today a day that you call out to God.

This last weekend I had the privilege of going to church without speaking from the stage...what a blast! I went into the children's area, the student area, the atrium...I even sat in and listened to my assistant, Kevin Joyce, preach for me. He did awesome! I am so grateful to serve at the best church in America! (I'm a little biased). What makes Bay Area a great place to go to church? I'm glad you asked!

Top 10 Reasons to go to Bay Area Fellowship

1.  God is changing people's lives.

2.  There is a sense of excitement the moment you walk on the campus.

3.  We do not have members, we have raving fans!

4.  Our children's ministry is second to none! (Move Over Disney)

5.  Our student ministry rocks! (no, really)

6.  Our preschool and nursery areas are filled with loving people who cherish  little ones.

7.  Our band leads us to worship God and inspires everyone to jump and shout at the same time.

8. I know it's not about building, but man what a facility!

9. Our greeters and parking attendants actually love to greet!

10. The church is dynamic despite the "weak preacher!"

I am so grateful for all of the people that make Bay Area what it is...a place that honors God and helps change lives.  Thanks for letting me hang out and be your preacher. Trust me, the privilege is all mine.

-Bil

Of all the leaders that inspire me, this guy is one of the best!  His name is Buddy Cremeans.  Buddy and his wife Debbie are great friends.  They challenge Jessica and I to continually innovate, find joy in the process, and just to love God more.  I met Buddy years ago at a conference and he invited me to consult with his staff.  Upon “consulting,” I found myself being recruited to be on his board of directors, and I love it!  Buddy and his whole team (who are amazing, by the way) are getting it done where virtually no one else is!  This is not to say that there are not great ministries in the Northeast, but they are few and far between!  Northway Church is an amazing testimony to God’s grace, and Buddy and Deb are definitely being used by God.  My favorite quality of this couple is that they are not afraid to try…they will try a new campus, try a new idea, try anything if they sense God is in it.  And the results speak volumes that the Hand of God is on them.  Keep it up Cremeans!  We love you guys.