Amazing Production...Fearless

Just got back from the Dance Production "Fearless" that was put on by our young people at CCF! This was kids, youth and young adults putting on a full scale production using music, drama, dance, lights, props, other effects...even included 11 scenes! All of it came together to tell a powerful story. It was absolutely outstanding! Over 250 people filled the Worship Center tonight for this event. I was so proud to see our young people take such ownership. This thing was led by our young people in every way. Sharonda Roberts (a talented young adult at CCF) wrote, directed, choreographed and ran the entire thing. It was a personal dream and vision of hers. I am so proud of her!

To borrow the words I used when I closed the event in prayer tonight...Lord, please keep these young people dancing in the church instead of the clubs and please help us to encourage them to keep using their bodies for you instead of themselves or the world.

To God be the glory for and amazing production tonight!

A Day Off

Yesterday was my day off. Actually, I am finding that I do not blog much when I am "off" (whatever that means as a Pastor). I did not write yesterday, not because I did not have anything to write, but because I did not have the time.

I will write this one confession about yesterday. I was a bad boy! I did wrong, let me come clean! I took Davis to the doctor at 11:30. I arrived early (11:15). They called me back at 12:15. I waited 15 more minutes for the nurse, 10 more minutes after that for the Doctor, and 10 more minutes after that for the lady that gives the shots (Davis got the flu shot). So, if you were counting...that is a doctors appointment of over an hour and a half...with an infant...DURING NAP TIME!! You fill in the rest. I got really, really impatient and took it out on Tricia by blaming her for scheduling a nap-time appointment. I was wrong. She let me know it when I got home (wish you could have been there...perhaps I would not have got it quite as bad). Smile. I think we have worked it out. Marriage, Kids, Dads!

We love our Small Group!

Our small group just ended and we said goodnight to some dear people! God has blessed us with a great small group. It was awesome tonight. We are doing a video series on "Secrets of the Vine." Tonight we dealt with the issue of pruning. What is the difference between discipline and pruning? They both are painful. This series answers questions like this and helps a believer figure out how to bear much fruit. Our sharing throughout (we kept hitting pause) was really super! Good stuff...great friends!

When we were done we all played a game of darts together and Ismael (a friend in our group) embarrassed me (in my own house).

Fearless

I wanted to post a blog inviting everyone who reads this to invite everyone you know to...

"Fearless"
@ CCF on This Saturday at 7:00pm

This is a worshipful production of drama and dance that we have annually at CCF! I cry I every year through the whole evening humbled by the fact that young people are dancing for Jesus instead of the eyes at the club! Come out for this one!

Hot Tub Time

The house we bought (about a year and a half ago) came with a pool and a hot tub in the back yard. Calm down...it's not as good as it sounds. The pool is horrible, above ground and a pain to keep up! The hot tub, on the other hand is pretty great! We use it most in the fall and winter (almost every night). Nothing beats a nighttime visit to the hot tub on a crisp fall night or on a snowy winter night (yes, it is too cool to be in the hot tub with snow falling).

Anyway, we got a new filter and fresh water and we are back in action. It is on tonight!

Extreme Makeover: Kaye Bathroom Edition

So, our master bathroom is gutted and stripped, mudded and sanded, primed and about to be painted (if Tricia would pick a color...I think she wants me to). After painting, we will lay new vinyl flooring, install new base and have my friend Chris return to install our new sink/vanity and toilet. Here is a picture of it for now. Wait till you see the finished product! It's gonna be extreme makeover...yeah right!

Great Book!

The book that I am reading this week is called "On Being A Servant of God"...I mentioned it in my Blog yesterday. Well, this book gets richer and richer. This morning, I had it on my schedule to Golf early and had arranged for Tricia to take Davis to my sister (who is watching him today). The rain messed golf up, but since it was all set for me to leave early, I did, and I headed off to Starbucks where I saw Danny and Anna (they work there and know what I drink before I get to the counter) and other friends that I see almost daily. I got my "Grande drip in a Venti Double Cup" and plopped down in my favorite chair to read. I then read half of this book! This is a good one. Jim Cymbala does the foreword, and in it he says that he has purchased and given out over 100 of these little books to pastors and friends. After reading half the book, I can see why!

Here are a few quotes from the book that I want to stay with me:

• "When the Pilot does not know what port he is heading for, no wind is the right wind."
• "The trouble with too many of us is that we think God called us to be manufacturers when he really called us to be distributors."
• If we understand the idea above, Wiersbe says "You won't be frustrated trying to manufacture everything to get the job done; and when God blesses your work, you won't be tempted to take the credit."
• God makes divine resources available to us when we do HIS work. We call that Grace. John 1:16 says we have all received "grace for grace." This image is kind of like the idea of an ocean sending wave after wave ashore. On this idea, Wiersbe says "It reminds me of the poor woman who had her first view of the ocean and stood on the shore weeping. When asked why she was weeping, she replied 'it's so good to see something that there is plenty of.'" WOW!
• When we face difficulties as Christians, we should not ask "How can I get out of this?" Instead we should ask "What can I get out of this?"
• "In whatever a man does without God, he must fail miserably--or succeed more miserably."

Taking a few moments to reflect on some of this really helps me to retain some of these truths. Maybe you appreciate it too! Like, Jim Cymbala...I will probably be buying a few copies of this one to give out! (in the same way it was given to me)

Great Book! Maybe I will share more later. Love!

I Made It...

I mean it when I say that God has really blessed CCF with great people! The folks that serve on our Executive Board are faithful and want the best for this place! Good meeting! We will figure out all the numbers and where we will get the money with the Lord's help (by December 2nd please, God...the day of our Annual Business Meeting).

When we opened the meeting tonight I shared this quote from a book that I just started reading this morning.

The Book: "On Being A Servant of God" by Warren Wiersbe.

The Quote: "Ministry takes place when divine resources meet human needs through loving channels to the glory of God." I thought this was a good one!

Budgets & Boards

Pray for me! We have Executive Board meeting tonight and we are talking Budget 2008. I have lots to do before tonight at 7 and this is often a nerve-racking process. This is NOT my favorite part of being a Pastor. I need your prayers today for wisdom and patience. I am already feeling a little "spunky" which is never good on a night I have a Board Meeting. Our Board has good folks on it that do make the process more enjoyable (and NO...I did not just say that in case they read my blog...see the top of this page for a reminder of what people need to do when they find something here that they don't like, smile!).

Isaiah 61:1-3

This morning was a great morning at the church. I am totally blessed to be called to minister at a place like CCF! There is always such a good spirit among the people. Great day! I was able to utilize some of my material from my Grad class the other week...while beginning to lay some bricks for what God may want to build among us in 2008. We looked at Jesus' answer to the question "what matters most?" (Matthew 22:36-40)

Last night was incredible as well. I was encouraged at how many people came out to Saturday night prayer. I sensed the Lord calling us to focus our time last night on prayer for healing. (I had sent a prayer email out to that end on Thursday.) We gathered last evening, read Isaiah 61 and James 5 and began sharing prayer needs (specifically for healing). We anointed people with oil and prayed for the sick who were not able to be there. It was a precious time. As we began, I read the words of Isaiah 61:1-3. I have read this text many times. We have even sang it at church. But last night it fell on my heart differently. It is so fresh, so encouraging and so real. It speaks to real people with real discouragement and pain...and it offers hope! Big hope! Hope that applies to you and me. Check it out.

Isaiah 61:1-3:

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.

Early Sunday Prayer

With this blog being my place to stop and reflect...I felt like I wanted to write this prayer this morning. I just had some alone time and I am getting ready to head to the church.

This is what is on my heart...

Lord, this is one of those (many) Sundays where I really feel like I need you to do the talking. This your day. When I don't feel ready or prepared...you are! I ask you to make your impact in lives today. Fill your house...bring people out today that want to give you honor and also want to receive what you you have for them. Holy Spirit, drive our worship and inspire our hearts. I marvel at how you speak through people as broken as I am. Lord, do the speaking at CCF today and teach us how to be your church! All my love!

In closing, I ask you this...do baby's know about daylight savings? I think I hear a noise upstairs. I'm out!

Must brush hair

This morning we ran out and did some errands around town. A Target Run, a Home Depot visit, etc. As we were preparing to run out, I decided that I wanted to be bummy...sweat pants, sweatshirt, and hair that was a little out of place. You know, I brushed it, but didn't "add water" if you know what I mean.

Well, I am rapidly learning that we cannot go anywhere anymore without seeing someone from the church. That is one of the byproducts of growth (a good problem). Of course we ran into 3 different people from CCF while we were out. They got the privilege of seeing my bummy side. Smile. Must brush hair (and add water)!

A Grocery Store Nap

With today being my "day off" (dealt with 20 church things all morning) and Tricia working full time, Fridays are my day with Davis. I always mess something up though. Meaning, his routine gets thrown off when he is with me. This morning after getting up and playing and watching Barney, we went to the Grocery store. I promised mommy we would go and take with us her long list. Time got away from us and Davis ended up falling asleep in the grocery cart. I thought it was a great photo op, so I shot a picture and thought I would show you. I tried to keep him up but to no avail. I guess his 20 minute nap at the store was all he needed because he is upstairs in his crib calling me. So much for what I needed to get done this afternoon. Fatherhood!

The best way to finish a job...

I will not soon forget a statement my brother made to me about a year ago. I was dreading doing some remodeling of our downstairs bathroom and my brother said to me..."the best way to finish a job is to start it!" By that he meant...if we take a hammer to some things and tear this place apart, your wife will be sure you finish the job. Well, he was right. We started the job and finished it a few weeks later.

Now, it's time to move on to the next project. I can only handle one every few months with the schedule we keep. Yesterday morning, a friend from the church came over and did the demolition on our funky Master Bathroom. So, that bathroom is now toiletless and sinkless. Last night, I ripped the baseboard off and today we are gonna keep at it. New flooring, new base, new paint, new sink unit, new toilet and BAM! All done. Sounds easy, huh? Maybe for you...but handy work is not one of my gifts. What a scene this is going to be. Pray for me. I promised Tricia it would be done by Christmas. Hopefully I will make it to the Christmas Eve service :-)

Someone please call Caleb and tell him that you need him...

I am sitting in a local coffee house trying to work and my brother is with me pranking me, hitting buttons on my computer and making fun of my blogging. Hence, I decided I would get him back.

Is there anyone out there who is reading this who can call him and tell him you need him right away?? He is the kind of guy who will be there for you...meaning he will be leaving here! Smile.

Visitations & Healing

Wednesdays are flex days for me in the sense that I will often leave it open to do the thing(s) that seem most valuable or pressing. Through the end of last week, over the weekend and during the first few days of this week, I compiled a rather lengthy list of folks in the church that I needed to go visit. Well, yesterday I spent the majority of the day going from house to house visiting sick members of our congregation. It is always a great joy to get to visit people, be in their homes and bring them encouragement. Every time I do visitations, I always feel like it was so special and important!

Yesterday impacted me. I visited 7 different people. In one day I visited 2 people that are likely living out their last few days on earth, 2 people that struggle daily with significant life-altering illnesses, 2 people that have no idea of how far the cancer in their body has spread and are just waiting for their diagnosis and 1 in the hospital.

I ended my workday yesterday torn between 2 strong feelings. I felt honored that God has called me to this ministry where I can bring hope and love to people and hear the words "you made my day" 4 times in one afternoon. On the other hand I felt desperate...desperate to know how to really love and care for people who are in such physical turmoil.

The famous question is just haunting me again recently: Do I run around promising God's healing or do I run around telling people that God is gonna do what he wants to do?

My theology of healing is simple (or at least this is the simple version):

1. God can heal anyone he chooses of any infirmity with the sound of his voice or the touch of his fingertip.
2. Jesus told his disciples to pray "thy kingdom come, thy will be done." God's will for our bodies and our will for our bodies are not always identical. ...And His wins!

That said, I still feel desperate to seek the Lord for healing in the lives of people in our CCF community and in our families. I think I am going to declare our Saturday Night Prayer this week as a time of prayer for healing. I might preach on this Sunday if I can't shake it.

Dr. Daddy & The Caterpillar

After we got off work, Tricia and I assembled at home, got Davis ready and headed off for some Halloween festivities. First, we went to Davidsonville where my mom was cooking dinner for all who would come (my 2 oldest sisters live a few doors down from each other and supposedly their neighborhood is excellent for trick or treating). The picture on the above is of Dr. Daddy and the caterpillar sitting on my sisters front porch tonight.

After that, we quickly headed off to the church for the AWANA Fall Fest. It was neat to see the kids in their different outfits. Pastor TC took the award with his costume. He came dressed as a geek of some sort. It was quite a drastic look (teeth and all).

It was a fun night. Tricia and I just got Davis to bed. Before we sit down to watch Survivor, she is baking us a few cookies since we have no candy in the house on Halloween night (seeing as how we weren't home to pass any out). You know, I was thinking that life is so different with a kid on the scene. Halloween meant "the big fat nothing" to me for the last 10 years...and now...baby in the house.

Church in my car...Avalon Christian Fellowship

This morning I listened to a Gospel song by Fred Hammond as I drove Davis to Nana's and headed to the church. Over the last few years I have downloaded a lot of "Black Gospel" (for lack of a better word) onto my Ipod. I want to know what it is that evokes such a sense of emotion in some of my African American friends when they hear these gospel songs. It just seems to "take them there". Many of my questions have been answered over the last year or two as I have had some HEAVY worship experiences in my car...almost to the point of needing to pull over. This morning was one of those times. I was listening to Fred Hammond's "You Are My Song." What a powerful expression of worship! I will share the lyrics below because they touched me this morning...but you need to know that the audio dimension (what they do with the sound and their voices) is equally as powerful. There is a sense of rising, building, and crescendoing praise. Here are the lyrics:

You are my symphony, perfect in harmony.

You are my melody forever, that’s why I sing…you are my song!

Lord no other song, no other song compares to you.

No other praise, no other praise is as strong as you.

Your spirit speaks to my soul and that’s why I sing…Lord you are my song!

You're the tone of power in the key of honor filled with glory, Lord you are my song!

For you endless mercy and your loving kindness pull my heart strings daily, Lord you are my song!

If you would have been with me at church in my car this morning, we could have called it "Avalon Christian Fellowship!" (Incidentally, I drive an Avalon, which means "heaven"...pretty appropriate for my line of work.)

Sleepy...

Can someone please tell me why I am super sleepy by 9:30 every night when I almost always get over 7 hours of sleep each night? Am I getting old or do I push too hard during the day or __________?

Zzzzzzzzz...

Best Ministry Decision Ever

In the last few months I have thought in new ways about boundaries in my life and about how God is calling me to prioritize. I am sure that I am not the only one that cannot get it all done in a day! There are so many things to do and not so many hours. This morning in my quiet time I listened to a CD that was given to me last week by Elwood Jones (our current Worship Leader). The CD was a recording of Andy Stanley speaking on the topic of "His Best Ministry Decision Ever." It had me crying more than once. In the spirit of wanting to capture what I learned, I wanted to blog a few highlights (this may be for you as much as it is for me):

• Even if I work all night every night, I will never accomplish all the things I dream of accomplishing. On the flip side, how many kids do you know that have looked at their parents and said, "Mom and Dad...I think that we have played enough. You really need to head in and get some work done." There is never enough time to do enough!
• Here's a trap we all find ourselves in: If I don't, it won't. If I don't, she won't. If I don't, he won't. If I don't, we won't.
• Especially for those in church work, we say this: "God, if you will take care of my wife and kids, fill the gap, protect them and care for them, I will build the best church you've got! I will build your church if you will build my family."
• Meanwhile the Bible still reads the same as it always has (no new edits have been made removing key ideas that Christ had in mind):
• Christ will build his church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it!
• I am to love my wife as Christ loves the church.

• So, do any of us ever get it backwards? We build the church and ask Christ to build our families?
• The best ministry decision that Andy Stanley ever made was12 years ago when he stopped cheating his family and started cheating the church.
• Stanley told God this: "Lord, I can give you 45 hours a week. That is all I have for you! If you can build a church on that, then I am your man! I will give you the best I've got in those 45 hours and then I will go home and love my family that way that you love the church!"
• After doing this his mind flooded with "what ifs." What if the church doesn't grow? What if my staff thinks I am lazy? What if the place falls apart? What if vital things fall through the cracks? What if people don't get cared for? What if they fire me?

And Stanley's decision to cheat the church has led to 15,000 members, 10 campuses, a healthy long term staff, a sustainable pace, national impact and a healthy marriage and home! He says no to almost every speaking engagement and event that he is invited to...because he told God that he would give him 45 hours at North Point Community Church and the rest to his family.

Several things have pushed me into thinking these things out over the last year; Becoming a Dad, a deepening appreciation for Tricia, my desire for long term health and results in ministry and my desire to model a healthy home for the people who look to me as their leader. Lord, might my home be in line with your will for it and might CCF be full of healthy homes.