Falcons Drive By

Drove by the Falcons training camp today. I wanted to get down there and get an up close look at how the boys were doing, but they were not letting anyone in. I'm looking forward to the Dirty Birds stepping it up this year and hopefully we can get over this whole Vick/Dog thing...

In The Works...

We have put in the works a strategic event that will impact the lives of young families in a significant way in the community of Flowery Branch. We are in the preliminary stages of putting this event together. I can guarantee it will mark this community in a huge way. Reveal Church is not coming here to be just another church. I refuse to waste space and resources by just being another option. We have have come here to TRANSFORM this city and to proclaim the love of Jesus in a LOUD and REAL way.

Sh-yesh

Sh-yesh is a Noah word used by him to communicate that he wants something. He will repeat it over and over and over again until you satisfy his sh-yesh. It is a derivitive of the English word yes. I love this kid.

Ground Breaking

Saturday we spent the day at the Grand Opening of the new Hall County Library Spout Springs Branch. It was a huge event that turned out approximately over 2000 people. Lt. Governor Casey Cagle was the key note speaker and several Flowery Branch officials were in attendance. We heard about the event and took the opportunity to be LOUD in FB with no strings attached. We provided for the event a Moon Walk Bounce and a Snow-Cone machine. They were undoubtedly a hit because most of the attendees were young families with kids. We were non-stop at both from the time the event started till it was time to breakdown. It was a great day to be around people in this community and serve with no agenda except to serve. Awesome day!! We were met with a reality of one thing this city needs….I love this place!!

Wet Moving

This morning I picked up a moving truck and then headed over to our storage unit to load up all of our stuff to move. By noon the rain came down...and it never stopped coming down. It made for a seriously wet and extremely long day of moving. My house has boxes and furniture everywhere. Tomorrow we will go back to try and sort it all out and attempt to make it livable. It sucks to try and move in the rain.....but I don't care because we are pumped about getting to the place that God has called us!

Closing

Well...it's official. I'm a homeowner! We closed on our first home today. Which means we will be landing in the Flowery Branch area officially. We no doubt will hit the ground running. We have TONS of stuff rolling as we begin the hands on of planting REVEAL CHURCH!!

Mother's Day Review

I had an awesome Mother's Day weekend...yeah I made a weekend out of it. I have an awesome mom, mother-in-law....and I'm married to the best mommy ever. I spent Saturday night with my mom...she is the epitome of a strong woman...she did everything possible to make sure I was taken care of growing up...even if it meant working 2 jobs. She is still that same woman...always making sure my dreams become a reality by playing a very active part...I love her and am thankful to be able to call her mom! My mother-in-law is simply amazing...she treats me as her own son and is my biggest supporter. She is a prayer warrior and believes in me like few do...I am unbelievably blessed!

And then there is the mother of my two amazing babies Noah and Hannah...the woman I am privileged to call my wife. I spent all day Sunday making sure she knew how amazing she is! I'm not elaborate enough with words to be able to describe this woman. I already new she was the most beautiful and amazing wife, but observing her as a mother has blown me away. The way she loves and nurtures Noah and Hannah....she is simply amazing...I love her and I did my best to make sure that she felt extremely appreciated for all she does, but if I only do this one time a year....shame on me. My goal is to always let her know how incredible of a mother she is by expressing it to her continuously and striving to help make her successful!!

Marathon

I was reading what Chris had to say today about things over at his church this past weekend and he offered some great insight about the journey of church planting. One of his thoughts got me thinking a bit...he said "church planting is a MARATHON not a SPRINT. Now, I've never ran a marathon, but if I understand it correctly when you're running a marathon its more about pace, endurance and getting in the zone (the mental factor). Sprinting I have done...you just freaking run as fast as you can and hope you get done faster than every body else without dying. Being in the pre-launch, pre-launch team phase of church planting it feels more like I'm in a sprint trying to achieve this thing called a "public launch". I have a huge vision, a long list of things to accomplish, and a date in which to make it all reality. But, what I'm learning is that "launch" is not my goal, it's only the beginning of the mission. It's simply the take off point...and even though it is significant and sets the pace...I must be thinking beyond it...setting my pace, being prepared to stick it out, and staying in the zone....running the "MARATHON."

Reveal Church Worship Leader

26

I stepped on the scale this morning after my run...and since the
beginning of March I've lost 26 pounds! I'm excited about it, but it
does kind of suck for 2 reasons...1) it sucks when you lose 26 lbs.
and you still have a lot more to lose. 2) it sucks that I've allowed
myself to get this way. But nevertheless...past failures do not
determine my destiny...right JR:-) And that's why I'm moving forward
and not standing still.

Walk Man

Remember the CD Walkman? It was innovative, simple, and state of the art....about 13 years ago! The other day as I was running at the track I saw this woman running towards me with something in her hand. I was thinking, "what is she carrying?" As she got closer I could see it...it was a CD Walkman. She was running and carrying it ever so carefully so her CD wouldn't skip. It took everything in me not to laugh. I couldn't believe it! In the day of iPods and MP3 players why would anyone go through the torment of trying to run with a CD player???? To save money? To be stubborn and rebel? Because they think its better? Because their scared of change? I'm not really sure why anyone would want to run with a CD Walkman when you don't have to. What's unfortunate is that many churches are "running with a CD Walkman." The culture has changed all around them and they have become completely irrelevant....and quite possibly obsolete. I'm not exactly sure why this happens, but I am certain that I never want to be guilty of it.

WeekEND Review

1. I spent some time on Friday with my family and hitting yard sales...great day!
2. Saturday we hit some more yard sales looking for baby stuff....
3. Saturday evening we headed up to Dawsonville, GA to the Ayers family reunion...good food and good times!!
4. One exception to the good times at the reunion came when a swing made of steel hit the car and left major damage...the worst part is that it was my mom's car....I had borrowed it to save money on gas...I have never felt so bad:-(
5. Went to The Point Church today...I really like Daniel and Brian...great guys!
6. I love learning from other churches...I know that the time is coming when I will not have the luxury to spend this much time learning from other churches...
7. I must say though...I can't wait for that day!!

MYDAY Friday

1. Hit up some yard sales this morning...I know its not very manly, but when you're on a tight budget and you need some things it's a great way to save!
2. Hung out with my babies while Heather was getting her hair done...things got a little crazy, but my sister met me for lunch and saved the day!!
3. I can't believe the ability of my son to fill up a Huggies beyond capacity!!
4. Never a dull moment when you have kids...I would not trade it for anything in the world.
5. I've never been more excited about the vision of Reveal Church!
6. People often ask me to tell them about Reveal Church...bottom line...there are 46,000+ people within a 15 minute drive of where we want to launch who are lost...and we are insanely and ridiculously, out of our mind PASSIONATE about reaching EVERY one of them!!

No Longer Computerless

Thanks to the generosity of one Tony McCollum and the folks at Fusion Church I am no longer computerless. I am typing this blog from the computer that they donated to me. I could not be more grateful or more thankful!! Thank you, thank you, and a million times thank you!!

ATL

I had the chance to hang out with Todd Briggs today who is a church planter in Atlanta. He started Epic Village and is doing a great job. He has a passionate desire to reach the unreached in the city. I was simply amazed at the lack of solid churches down town, but I am thankful for people like Todd who are answering the call to go and make Jesus famous in the big city. Pray for Todd as he desires to see city transformation take place.

Officially Computerless

I took my Gateway laptop to a computer specialist. He called me a day
later and told me he would have it up and running by the end of that
day. An hour later he called and said..."I'm sorry Mark we did all we
could, but your computer has gone home to be with the Lord." Ok...I
added that last part but he did say it was gone. I have officially
been computerless for over a week. I'm surviving with my iPhone, on
which I'm writing this blog. I'm really surprised how I've managed so
well with out it...but its seriously getting old. Not sure what the
future holds for me as far as a new laptop goes...let us pray together.

WeekEND Review

1. Had a great, but extremely busy weekend.
2. Had 2 b-day parties to attend on Saturday. Had fun hanging out with
folks I haven't seen in a while.
3. I hung out with a friend who won a Dove Award for his Spanish
album...unbelievably talented.
4. Attended Buckhead Church...Andy was there so it was really
cool...my wife and Shea's wife enjoyed it but not as much because of a
childrens area blunder.
5. Had a opportunity to share the vision of Reveal Church this
morning...I am pumped when others get excited about God' vision and
want to jump in!!

Excited!

I'm excited about 3 things tonight....

1. The return of LOST...to those of you who gave up on it...you're
truly missing out.
2. Date night with my unbelievably beautiful amazing wife!
3. We found a house and today they officially accepted our offer...FB
here we come!!!

Where Oh Where...?

I have been out of the bloglite lately, but I've been busy...here is a brief recap of where I've been and what I've been doing, and where I'm going....

1. We have been in heavy house hunting mode....I feel like I should have been on an episode of House Hunters or Property Virgins.
2. Traveled to Greenville last week with some friends from Freedom...good times, good times.
3. Did some preaching for the students at this church.
4. Making some head way in Flowery Branch, but learning that God's timing is not mine.
5. Sharing the vision of Reveal Church this week for some potential partners....very excited!
6. I've been learning a lot about myself and my need to be prepared to lead this movement coming to Flowery Branch known as Reveal Church.
7. I've been making sure that I don't sacrifice my family on the alter of Reveal Church.
8. I've been dieting and exercising like a fool, but I'm pretty sure we are going to lose the competition to the Embassy boys anyway...but I'm a winner either way because I've lost over 20lbs and I ain't stopping.
9. I've visited several churches and have learned a lot.
10. I'm looking forward to visiting this church Sunday.
11. In the process of having our logo and website redone...very excited about this...I'll keep you posted on when to check it out!

Down

Well...I was able to extract some important files from my laptop
today...and I worked hours trying to resurrect it to no avail. Not
sure what I'm going to do now. The laptop is down and so am I :-
(...but I do have my iPhone so I do have access to most things and am
able to blog a little:-)