Only In The South...

Today I'm driving home and I see this....only in the South would someone pay the kind of money for one of these...I love it!

Burning Up The iTunes

Here's what's burning up my iTunes:

Jack Johnson (several)
David Cook (Billie Jean--unbelievable)
Fallout Boy (Beat It--I know another MJ remix)
Linkin Park (Shadow Of The Day--love it)
Buckcherry (Sorry)
OneRepublic (Stop and Stare)
Alicia Keyes (No One)

...just to name a few.

D-Fat From 5th

With a little over a month to go in the D-Fat competition we are trailing in the back of the pack in 5th place. This is a little disappointing...however, the heat has been turned up over the past couple of weeks and I think you are going to see team REVEAL make a quick jump to the front of the pack and REVEAL (sorry I couldn't resist) our true potential. I'm not saying we're going to take the lead just yet, but we will end there. Regardless, I'm losing weight. I am down a minimum of 12 pounds since beginning, and that's a good thing. I have a long way to go, but I'm determined. Bottom line....we may be 5th now, but we're gonna be, as the Jeffersons might sing, "moving on up!" I don't care how far Gary rides on his bike:-) or how good Ross' personal trainer might be.

Out With Chikezie!!

Finally they ousted Chikezie from American Idol and I was very excited. If David Cook gets voted off like Chris Daughtry did a couple of years ago it can me rightfully stated that the majority of people who watch American Idol are clueless about real authentic talent...remember Taylor Hicks...I didn't think so.

Trust

I have really been digging Lee McDerment's CD. My favorite song has to be (thus far) "Our God Is Love". My favorite line in that song is :

"You are bigger than we let you be. You are strong enough to set us free."

I have been reading a book called True Faced. I highly recommend it. It really deals with trusting God, particularly as it relates to who He says we are in light of what Jesus has done. It really is an incredible book that will set you free from the bondage of religious spirituality, and move you to basking in the unmerited grace of Jesus. Jesus said: "If you abide in my word, then you are truly my disciples. Then you will know the TRUTH and the TRUTH will set you FREE."

Abiding is trusting, not doing. It is trusting in the words of Jesus and trusting that what He has said about me is TRUE. And that TRUTH sets me FREE! Jesus really is, as Lee sings, "strong enough to set me free", and indeed He has. I must trust Him. Lee closes out his song with a great Hymn.

"Tis so sweet to TRUST in Jesus. Just to take Him at His Word."

Easter As An Observer

Easter 08' has come and gone and I spent it as an observer. I spent my time attending events and services, reading blogs about other churches, and talking to some planters about their experience. It's good to observe because it is in observing that you learn....or at least you should. On the flip side, however, there is an explosion building up inside of me as I wait and anticipate what is to come for Reveal Church. I am so excited for the next phase of the church planting process. Sometimes it makes me crazy because I become weary of the learning and observing and am ready to start putting things into action. But as with everything you must endure the process, learn all you can where you are, plan like a wild man and stay consistently moving. This is what I'm doing.

I Think...

.... that Easter is one of the GREATEST opportunities to reach the
unchurched.
....that to do nothing to seize the opportunity is nothing less than a
TRAVISTY to the Gospel.
....that tomorrow WILL be a day of life transformation for thousands
across the country and the world, I'm praying such.
....that church planting is at the cutting edge of reaching this
generation and existing churches that don't get behind them are
MISSING out on an out pouring of God's supernatural power.
....that existing churches who ARE getting behind them are witnessing
a powerful demonstration of God's Spirit.
....that the resurrection ought to drive us EVERY single week to make
every effort to reach those crying out for life.

The Sick

In John 6 we find Jesus trying to retreat after performing various miracles. However, as Jesus traveled so did the crowds. The reason that the crowds followed Jesus was because they were blown away by the unbelievable signs He was doing in healing those who were severely disabled or sick. My prayer is that as we launch Reveal Church Jesus would transform the lives of the "sick." The drug addicts, the alcoholics, the adulterers, the prostitutes...and as a result the crowds would be blown away and begin to follow Jesus. I want the crowds to come to Reveal Church, I would be lying if I said otherwise. However, I'm not as desirous that the name of Reveal Church be made famous as I am that the name of Jesus be made famous. I do not want the crowds to come because Reveal Church is cool, and it will be, or because its different, and it will be, but I want them to come and encounter the One who has the power to transform their lives.

Busy Day

Spent the day in Flowery Branch today. We had a our staff meeting, which consists of me and Shea for now, but we are trying to create the culture of the future as God brings us more staff. We hung out at Atlanta Bread Company in Gainesville and I had one great cup of coffee. Then I had a meeting over at Starbucks across the street, which was enlightening to say the least. It's amazing what people get hung up on (I'm to angry still to make any further comments about that). Then I headed over to Flowery Branch where I met with the pastor of the last successful church plant from the SBC in Hall County. Mike is top notch, and extremely kingdom minded. His downfall is that he is an Auburn Tiger...I'm committed to pray for him. Then I hung out with Hunter. I'm expecting big things from him. He has a call and an undying passion...and he is extremely gifted. Very cool guy. After this we made the haul back to Canton. Then it was running, time with babies, and all the joys of being a dad! Good day....busy day.

Sundayness

1. I visited this church for the 2nd week in a row...I really wanted Shea to experience it...This is a great church and I look forward to see all that God is going to do there.
2. I'm very happy at what the Bulldogs accomplished today!
3. I really enjoy visiting other churches....but I'll be glad when I can't....
4. I spent the entire day today with my family...it was AWESOME!
5. I went to my nephew's championship basketball game yesterday and I discovered that when Noah plays basketball on Saturday's I may not be able to go because I will have no voice to preach on Sundays.
6. I've been thinking....I would like to see some church planters, that are interested, in N. GA area to get together 2 or 3 times a year and have a "roundtable" just to learn from each other.....

How Bout Them DAWGS!

I usually do not pay much attention to college basketball because I'm not one of those fans that chooses different teams to cheer for in each sports season....and let's just face it the Bulldogs just don't stand out in B-Ball.....but they came in the back door and won the SEC championship....so this year in the heat of March Madness I can proudly say....GO DAWGS....SICK'EM!!!!

MyDAY Friday

1. UNLEASH was AWESOME!!
2. I had a great time hanging with my friend Josh....had a great time at his church on Wednesday night....God is using him to reach teenagers far from God.
3. I was so glad to get home and see my wife and babies.
4. I love being a church planter.
5. I am excited about the connections that are being made in Flowery Branch.
6. I can't wait to move!
7. The people that were going to buy my Xterra changed their minds....anyone interested?

Been A While

It's been a while since I have blogged. I am really lagging lately in my blogging. It's been a little bit crazy adjusting to being a parent of 2 babies. Having one that is walking all over the place and getting into everything, but can't talk, go potty, or feed himself in addition to an infant who is very unpredictable in her sleep patterns is a lot to get use to. But, I would not trade it for anything in the world!

Things are really progressing with Reveal Church. I am very excited about our next steps. So keep praying for us as we make critical decisions and begin moving forward.

We are heading this week to Unleash at NewSpring in Anderson, SC. We are pumped about this. I was there last year, but I have a feeling its going to be way better. We are headed out tomorrow afternoon right after we go to a denominational thing we have to attend in the morning. I can't wait to hang out with my friend Josh who told me things on the phone today that only can be described as scary...it made me a bit nervous. Anyway....sorry for the lag in blogging I promise to do better.

MyDAY Friday

1. Had some VERY good meetings this week...God is making my paths straight!
2. I'm getting a makeover.
3. Could gas really be any more expensive?
4. I'm glad my name is not Chickizie.
5. Had to buy annual car tags today....whose idea was it to charge money for a little sticker to go on your car tag every year?
6. Spending time with family...always good.
7. I selling a 2004 Nissan Xterra if you know anyone interested...check it out here.

Greater Things

When Nathaniel first heard of Jesus he was a bit of a skeptic. After meeting Him, however, Nathaniel was mesmerized by Jesus describing events in his life that only God Himself could have known and he immediately became a convinced believer. Jesus affirmed Nathaniel for his faith, but then told him, "Because I said to you, 'I saw you under the fig tree,' do you believe? You will see greater things than these." I have faith that God has called me to Flowery Branch, GA to start Reveal Church. I am convinced that God is up to something bigger than me. We will surely see greater things that are yet to come in Flowery Branch and in Hall County!