Where Oh Where?

That is the question that I am currently facing. Where do I plant this church God has called me to plant. I know the general area, but the question is the specific town or city. I am doing what I know to do in order to research certain areas. I am trying to contact certain people for advice and wisdom. I am asking God to direct me in the process. But this is a big question. There are people everywhere that need Jesus...so truthfully...you could go anywhere. It's just seems to be a matter of where God wants me....I guess. Pray for us as we face this all important process of finding THE location.

Decisions: Part 2

I originally didn't plan for there to be a part 2 to my "Decisions" blog...nor do I think it is anything earth shattering...I just think it is a very important topic...and well its my blog I take free reign on what's written.

When it comes to hearing from God on certain decisions He most often doesn't lay out the entire plot He wants me to pursue. A lot of times people expect God to just give them the entire plan for their lives, particularly all the "how to's" and the "whys?"...but God does not work like that very often. He leads us step by step through a process. He leads us day by day in the journey. In Isaiah 30 God tells His people, "whenever you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear this command behind you: 'This is the way. Walk in it.'" As long as we position ourselves before God to allow Him to speak to us at every turn (whether to the right or left) we will hear from "behind" His voice telling us "this is the way...walk in it." You must stay in tune with God at each turn, and trust Him as He leads. Sometimes the place He leads will not appear as the "best" way, nor will it always appear as the "most logical". But His ways are not our ways, they are above ours, and we must trust Him no matter how it appears.

Losing With Class

My friend Landon, and co-laborer in the mentor program with Pastor Johnny, is a die hard Gator fan. He is an alumni...and a true, honest fan. Early in the season we had a little wager. It went like this....if Florida wins against Georgia I have to wear a Gator shirt (God help me), and if Georgia wins then he has to wear a Bulldog shirt....Well we all know the outcome. Today Landon fulfilled his end of the deal as he has worn a Bulldog shirt all day. He wore it in staff prayer breakfast, and in staff meetings. Pastor even had him stand and show everyone he was wearing the T-shirt in prayer breakfast. He is a man of his word...and that's losing with class! I am just glad the Dawgs played to win on Saturday and I am not wearing a Gator shirt...

Decisions

I was recently asked by someone I love very much, and who cares deeply for me, this question..."how do you make your decisions?" This is a great question. I appreciate it being asked. When it comes to making decisions you have to be very careful and very cautious...particularly those big decisions...I'm not talking about whether you want a coke or diet coke...I'm talking about those decisions that effect your life in significant ways. Where do I go to school? Where do I move my family? Should I buy this house? Should I buy this car? Should I quit my job and pursue a new adventure? Those kinds of questions. You're stupid if you think your decisions only effect you. Your decisions effect everyone around you directly or indirectly. That is why you must decide carefully and cautiously.

So...how did I respond to this question? Rather simply. Through prayer and reading God's Word. I know that seems like the "Sunday school" answer...but it's the truth. I learned several years ago a principle that I have never forgotten...it is a principle from God's Word..."Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart" (Psalm 37:4). If I will delight (pray and read His Word...enjoy Him) myself in the Lord, and position myself where He can speak into my life...He will give me the "desires" He wants me to have and thus direct my paths. In this case...if I am delighting myself in the Lord...I can follow my desires. I must also add that I do seek godly counsel from wise people God has placed in my life. God has placed them in my life for a reason, and I must allow them to speak into me. That's how I make my decisions...positioning myself in place where God can speak to me through His Word.

Decisions....we all are faced with them...how do you make them??

Oh Happy Day!!!

What a GREAT day!!! I listened to the GA game on the way in from KY....Then got back in time to catch the 2nd half as my boys took a BITE out of the Gators!!! Go DAWGS!!! Gary was right!! And I am glad!! Keep prophesying good things for the DAWGS my friend!! Let's keep rolling to the SEC Championship boys!!

What's Going On....

1. In Henderson KY this weekend. Pastor is doing a Men's conference. This is one old small town.
2. The town is on the river...it really could be a cool place if they would do it right. They need cool hometown restaurants, coffee shops, and stuff like that.
3. Ate at some hometown pizza place tonight....they really love their HS Sports programs here
4. I am little unsure about what Gary said about the Dawgs...but I appreciate his confidence...and I pray he is right.
5. It's been a cool week researching different sites for planting a church....I am so pumped about what God has CALLED me to do!!
6. When you begin the church planting process...your mind never turns off...and it's the only thing you really think about...I love it!
7. I have a lot of work to do
8. I really hope the Dawgs win
9. I hate the Gators....I ranted about this months ago
10. I am going to be driving on the road to GA when the game starts...that makes me sad.

The New Adventure

I have embarked on a new adventure. About 2 weeks ago I told you that I was going to make an announcement but at that time I needed to have some conversations before making it. Well, those conversations have happened, and now I am going to share with you my new journey.

Without going into the whole story that led me to this decision I must tell you it was made with much caution and much care. In the beginning the plan was for me serve on staff at Freedom for about 2 years or so. Then, they would launch me as their first church plant. Going with them would enable me to learn all about church planting while at the same time serving them full time. It was a great plan, and I am so thankful and grateful that JR and Todd were willing to invest in me and provide such a wonderful opportunity. However, God has other plans. Instead of staying with Freedom then launching in 2 years God has led me out now. I have already learned a lot and I am thankful for the investment JR and Todd have made in me thus far.

In light of this, about 3 weeks ago now, I officially resigned as the Connections Pastor of Freedom Church. It was a very difficult decision for me for many reasons. Number one is that I love those guys very much and I am so pumped about what God is about to do at Freedom, and is already doing. I believe in the vision and the dream of Freedom and very much want to be a part of it. However, God has clearly revealed to me that my part is not staying as the Connections Pastor and then launching out later. The time is now for me leave and plant. With that said, however, I will be there until Freedom launches in January to serve in this role.

So what exactly does that mean for me? Well, God has called me to launch a new work. That is, to plant a church. God has given me a dream and a vision. I am pumped about this new adventure and all that God has done in bringing me to this point. I am not sure where as of yet, but I am praying and trusting in God's leadership as I continue in obedience to this endeavor. Partner with me in praying for this new journey...this new adventure!! I will keep you posted.

Introducing...

A good friend of mine has just begun the blogging journey...his name is Shea Ferguson. He is one of my greatest friends. I am so pumped about what God is doing in he and Amber's life right now as they pursue the will of God. He only has one eye, but he sees more than most people that have 2...and I mean that in many different ways.

Shea and I have something very interesting in common....our wives like to get pregnant at about the same time. He is having his 2nd baby just 2 weeks prior to when our 2nd is due. Their first is a few months ahead of our first. When he calls and tells me their pregnant...that's when I have to be on the look out.

Welcome to the blogging world friend! Now the pressure is on to keep it up!!

Just The Other Night

No, not at a "hometown football game" (that's for all the Garth Brooks fans...otherwise you won't get that). But the other night on a bus trip with Pastor Johnny his son-in-law Pete came along for the journey. Pete is the Lead Pastor at Vinings Lake. It was awesome to hear all that is going on at the VL. I know God is using that team to reach the tens of thousands of people around them. I am praying for them as they face BIG decisions that could set them up for HUGE things. Pete had a great post here. Cool hanging and chatting with you Pete!

Holiness and Freedom

Recently I heard someone I deeply respect teach on the issue of holiness. In the lesson notes it said something to the effect that "holiness is doing certain things, and avoiding certain other things." The lesson tended to focus on how to work towards holiness. How to be successful at being holy, so to speak, through diligent work. The notes also gave a 4 point list on how to do so, none of which included walking in light of who Christ has made you. One can't deny the Apostle Peter's plea to the church to be holy...for God is holy.

However, I would like to question a definition or a pursuit of holiness that emphasizes the works of man as first and foremost. I believe it sets us up for complete failure. Why? Well, we pretty much suck at being holy. That's why Jesus died. Paul said that He who knew no sin (that is the One who was holy...the only One) became sin for us, that we might have the holiness of God.

Our holiness begins and ends with Jesus. I am holy and righteous because of the completed work of Christ on the cross. Nothing else make me as such. My own attempt at holiness will ALWAYS end in utter failure. Plus it's like filthy rags...remember that whole thing. God's grace is sufficient, not only for salvation, but for sanctification...that is, this process or journey of following Christ. I am not saved then left to my own demise. This does not mean, however, that I am licensed to sin, as some might ascertain from a position such as this, but rather guarantees that I can be successful in a pursuit of holiness. It helps me to know that this pursuit is not an empty one but a victorious one. When I fail I know its not over, and I know that I can get right back up and keep going because Christ has already won. I now must walk in His victory which has become mine as a partaker in His grace.

Holiness taught with the absence of the divine, all sufficient grace of God is merely a works based salvation that mocks the freedom that Christ has brought. Walk in holiness friends as you have already been made to do through the finished, COMPLETE work of Jesus. That's freedom!

Unworthy?

I have heard it prayed. I have heard it said. I have prayed it. I have said it. I have believed it. That is that I am unworthy of God's love. That I am unworthy of God to save me. That I am unworthy for God to want a relationship with me. I am simply, unworthy. It is true that I was once lost and dead in sin. It is true that I was once fallen and far from God. It is true that I was once unholy. It is true that I once was and am still undeserving of God's love, mercy, forgiveness. It is true that I am deserving of His wrath in lieu of His redemption. It is not true that I am unworthy. For it is my worth to God that caused Him to put on flesh and take upon Himself the full wrath of my sin. It was my value to Him that moved Him to act on my behalf in such love. I am of such value and worth to God that He paid the most supreme price in order to bring me life, freedom, and hope. I am alive because of the great worth that God sees in me!! There is a great distance in being unworthy and being undeserving. You need to have the correct perspective because it alters the way you relate and interact with your Savior.

To The Nations

God is teaching me what it means for His fame to be spread to ALL nations. This is only my second time out of the good ol' US of A. In the confines of my own borders I fail to realize that God works and is working beyond my on frame of reference. God is at work in all the nations and in the hearts of all men. He desires to save men, and He desires for His glory to be known in ALL the earth. My prayer is that God will give me a vision for my town, my community, my city, my state, my nation and the WHOLE earth!! I want to make the name of JESUS famous in ALL the world!! Y tu?

Bicentennial!

This is my 200th blog!!! Wow!! I can't believe that I have written that much! I haven't really said a lot, but I sure have written a lot. Thanks for tuning in and checking out my thoughts! Keep reading and maybe I will say something that will be of some benefit...or at least make you think.

Frustration

Left Atlanta last night to fly to Argentina. Flying on planes is interesting when you are 6'2 and about 265....unless you are in first class. There are a few good seats with some leg room but the 5'5 people always end up in those seats...Lord knows they need the leg room. Just once I would like to be on the emergency exit behind the seats that do not recline...why? Because its guaranteed leg room that can't be infringed upon. It seems that everytime I get on a plane I get behind the person that immediately reclines their seat and leaves it that way the whole flight. Even when they are not laying back in the seat. It's rather frustrating. You already have limited space and then someone infringes on it. Frustrating. I made it through though...but this frustration has caused a determination inside of me. My goal is to find a better seat on the way home. I am going to do my best to get a better seat...particularly the one with the most leg room and where the seats don't recline.

Frustration in life always occurs. You can become frustrated with your work, your family, or your relationship with Jesus. You can also become frustrated with church. What you do with that frustration will make all the difference. Will you let it move you to be proactive in doing something about what has caused it? Or, will you let it build up and destroy you on the inside and cause all kinds of negativity and bitterness?

Frustration has caused movements, sparked revolutions, and even changed the world...sometimes good, sometimes not so good. Let frustration move you...a little frustration brought underneath the submission of the Spirit of God could revolutionize your life...and quite possibly...the world!

No Comprende!

Well I made it to Argentina...and I found cheap internet....the only problem is that when I went to log into my blog...everything is in Spanish. Luckily I knew what buttons to push out of habbit....otherwise this blog would not be publicar!!! So much for a spell check...I spelled everything wrong according to the Spanish spell checker...nice!!!

Don't Cry For Me Argentina...

I am headed to Argentina on Sunday afternoon. I am going with Pastor Johnny and a team to do a Timothy Barnabas school for pastors there in Argentina. Should be an exciting trip. It will be my second time out of the country...not really looking forward to the long flight...but it is part of the experience I suppose. I will miss my beautiful wife and awesome son...and baby girl on the way terribly. But I am looking forward to the experience.

Exciting And New Things

Exciting and new things are happening in my journey. I did not necessarily anticipate that they would happen at this point in my journey...but I am excited. A little nervous and scared as well...but I guess that is the nature of it. So what are the exciting and new things? Well, that announcement is pending a few conversations that need to take place before I start speaking of it on my blog...stay tuned!! I know that is annoying that I would blog about it and not really about it...but its a little hard to contain sometimes...so this was more for my benefit than yours!

Rockin' My World

One of my favorite things at Catalyst was the worship. Steve Fee was my favorite by far...his song "Beautiful The Blood" is rockin' my world. I love it...its wearing out the iTunes today for sure.

Excuses, Excuses

Yesterday I engaged in conversation about the GA/TN game that occurred Saturday. I admit I run my mouth about the SEC and GA Bulldogs...so when they lose I can expect the same...and I can take it. Yesterday, however, someone wanted to tell me that I needed to give the Dawgs some credit because Tennessee's defense showed up and they didn't expect it. He continued to say that because Tennessee's defense has been playing so poorly the Bulldogs were caught by surprise. Well, no kidding they were caught by surprise!!! And they got there butts kicked all over the field...offensively and defensively. But I am not content with just being 2nd best. What kind of credit do you deserve when you lose? Are you content with losing? Are you to sympathize with unpreparedness? ABSOLUTELY NOT!! Unpreparedness is not an excuse. When it comes to football you have one shot at winning...you prepare for anything and expect the unexpected. You always play to win!!

The sad truth is that this is how most people approach church. They are satisfied with 2nd best, they don't prepare, and the saddest part is....they are content with it. As a result churches are losing. People are perishing, lives are being destroyed, and people are searching for hope...yet churches are satisfied with doing little about it or nothing at all.

Excellence, over preparedness, and embracing the truth that people's eternity is at stake should drive everything we do when it comes to doing church...anything less is merely a pathetic excuse and is simply unacceptable.

It's A Sad Day...

It's a sad day when....
1. The South Carolina Gamecocks lead the SEC East
2. The Georgia Bulldogs get embarrassed by the Volunteers
3. The South Florida Bulls are ranked in the top 10...are you kidding?
4. The Tarheels roll over Miami...good come back by Miami though
5. One of the most talented offenses in the nation (GA Bulldogs) have 0 points and 62 yards in the first half against a defense that is 110th in the nation

What a sad day in college football.

Leadership or Environmental Conservation?

Attending the Catalyst Conference was awesome. However, I became a little confused at times on whether or not I was attending a Leadership conference....which Catalyst is supposed to be and is widely known for....or a "Save The Planet" rally. At times I felt as if I was being indoctrinated by well known leadership guru's who took it upon themselves to use their platform as a chance to persuade me to their political position on saving the planet and energy conservation all in the name of Jesus and being a good leader. It sounded like Pat Robertson on the left. At first I ignored it...but then it became a running theme and I grew tired of it. If I wanted to hear about saving the planet I would go rent Al Gore's award winning film and attend the democratic national convention. I wanted to hear about leadership and how to get as many freaking people to Jesus as possible by being a good leader...thank you Andy Stanley, Rick Warren, Francis Chan, Craig Groeschel, and John Maxwell for sticking to this task!! And thank you to the worship leaders as well, cause they rock the house and put our attention on Jesus....as for the others...go save some Tri's....I mean trees.

All Joking Aside...

JR and Todd just love to get me going...they think its funny. They discovered a few ways to do that easily as you read on my previous blog. All joking aside...they are 2 of my greatest friends and it has been an awesome experience being on staff with them at Freedom Church. JR and I have been friends forever and ended up marring sisters and became family. He is an unbelievable leader...and I know God is going to use him to transform the city of Acworth, GA for the glory of Jesus!! Over the past several months I have gotten to know Todd a lot better. I have grown to love him and his family, and respect him greatly. He is a wise humble leader who undoubtedly love Jesus and desires greatly to transform the city of Acworth, GA with the gospel. I love these guys...even though they hate coffee, Starbucks, and cheer for ACC teams!! What a privilege I have had to know them and call them...my friends!

5 Years Ago Today

5 years ago today I made the best decision I have ever made....marrying my beautiful wife!! I love that woman...These have been the best 5 years of my life!! I love you woman!! Thanks for being my bride!!

Things I Have Learned In The Past 5 Minutes

Though they are the 2 coolest people I know.....

1. JR and Todd know absolutely nothing about coffee in any of its forms.
2. They are not coffee drinkers nor do they possess any knowledge of how coffee is prepared, and have no interest in acquiring such knowledge. Therefore, they are disqualified from making any statements, comments, suggestions, theories, etc. in regards to the taste, flavor, and/or strength of coffee.
3. They also think their jokes regarding coffee are humorous and amusing...but
insulting others deeply held passion for coffee and coffee based beverages, and the ingenious coffee phenomenon known as Starbucks is unacceptable by all reasonable standards.
4. On another note...they are also extremely jealous that the Football teams they cheer for are in such a weak conference that they find it necessary (and perhaps a convenient way to mask the truth) to make incoherent statements regarding the toughest conference in College Football...better known as the SEC...GO DAWGS!! (and no I am not a fan of my conference...but my favorite team just happens to be in the toughest one so get over it)

Catalyst Conference Day 1: View

My view from the seats as shown in the picture....and my view of the conference as in my perspective. It has been really good....learning a lot. Andy Stanley began the conference this morning and it was AWESOME...of course...Rick Warren closed it out today and that was awesome. There were some good things in between...but a couple that were really interesting...one in particular. The worship was awesome...Steve Fee and Kristian Stanfill...WOW!! Sound...lighting...media...UNBELIEVABLE!! Very cool...that's my view of day one.

Catalyst

Tomorrow the Catalyst Conference begins. This will be my first year to attend. I am excited about being at this conference! Should be a good time! The hotel stay should be very interested...5 guys in the same room....stories to come I am sure.

The "DOG WALK"

The "DOG WALK" is when the GA Bulldogs walk into Sanford Stadium before the game. I got a chance to go and high five and encourage my Bulldogs before they when in to take care of business against the Ole Miss Rebels...these are just a few of the players I got to high five...and snap a picture of as they walked by.

I Was Glad When They Said...

...Let us go into the house of the DAWGS!!! Yes I was there this past Saturday watching the GA Bulldogs defeat the Ole Miss Rebels. It was a great day!! Go DAWGS...SICK'EM!!