Sunday, June 28, 2009

Sunday Mind Dump

I wish I could say today was a great day at church but in reality it sucked. Not from a programming perspective but from a people perspective. Today I had to watch someone I care about deeply break down as I had to tell everyone how someone she was married to/in a relationship with for 12 years decided to leave her to pursue a sinful relationship with a woman who was a Sunday school teacher and for a time her best friend. Sin Sucks. Because they refuse to deal with the sin we are forced (Matthew 18) to cut off fellowship with both of these people. Relationships and trust have been shattered. Kids lives are about to be permanently damaged and the parties involved are smiling all the way to their destruction.

We say this all the time but our sin and our desires if left unchecked will always take us farther and cost us more than we are willing to pay. The sad thing is (much like buying on credit) we don't fully appreciate the cost until it's too late. I am afraid for this new "couple" the truest cost is going to be paid not by them but the kids and those around them. Right now they are leaving a path of destruction pretty much everywhere they go. Hopefully, the healing process began today at our church for the people who have been hurt.

So let's dump:
  • We played a song I wrote last summer. It's nice to take a private prayer and hear it sung by the church in worship.
  • Seems like people really enjoyed our new look. We are almost finished with the cafe'/coffee house design. It is cool and makes the place so neat!
  • Nice to sit in for Aaron Hammitt for a few weeks on guitar. I don't get to play my acoustic very often so it's fun for me. Painful on the fingers, but still fun. I am not nearly as good as he is and it shows :)
  • Almost finished shooting the I love my church video's. One left to shoot and we'll be finished. Some very cool things going into them!
  • After church I took a 2 hour nap. I was spent after this week and the Real Life sale a thon yesterday!
  • Just took April out for some Baskin Robbins. We're not really big drinkers so ice cream is our vice :)

Ready to call it a night....peace out everyone.

Friday, June 26, 2009

Fun Tomorrow!

Tomorrow will be our second annual church wide garage sale! It's going to be a blast and some really good deals to be had :) Hope to see everyone there anytime from 9-3.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Current Playlist

I am really digging some new and older music these days....right now here is what I am jamming on

Shaun Groves-Invitation to Eavesdrop
Hillsong-This is our God
Robbie Seay Band-Give Yourself Away
The Normals-Coming to Life
David Crowder Band-Remedy
Kari Jobe-Self Titled (Not normally my thing but she so reminds me of my wife's singing...I know those are suck up points...but hey....love my wife what can I say?)

There is more.....but that's what's in my current napster rotation :)

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Three Years

Just sitting around the house and I began to realize that I have been in full-time ministry for three years now. Some big lessons learned. Lot's of mistakes made. Some fun. Some really tough times. God has been faithful through it all.

I don't even want to begin to think about what the next three years are going to be like. If I knew I probably wouldn't want to go there :)

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Coffee House Style

So we have been doing a bit of a modified coffee house style setup for quite a while. The fact is we just couldn't find enough of the right kind of tables to finish out the room at a price we could afford. That was until yesterday (thanks to Shelley Myers!) She found us a bunch more of the round tables we needed and so as of this weekend we'll be all tables and no seating in a line. We are hoping that this helps to even more create a warm friendly and inviting place for people to come and connect with God and each other.

How cool is that?

Monday, June 22, 2009

Rough Day

Yesterday was a rough day for many of us, and I am no exception. We've been let down be people we loved and trusted. At the end of the day, it still comes down to this. We all have a sin nature. We all have a nature that says I want what I want. We each have a choice to make. The choice is a simple one and it's it must be made daily. We have to choose daily whether or not we are going to choose our way or if we are going to pay attention to the word of God and choose his way.

Many of us can see the path of destruction that follows people when they choose their way over God's way. Families can be torn apart. Children suffer. Friendships are torn apart and trust is broken.

So, what then do we do in times like this? We pray and we trust that God will work in the persons life. We hope and pray for repentance and ultimately that God will restore the person or persons to right standing in the family. We love on the innocent and encourage them. We are going to do just that. We are going to love on the innocent and pray for those who are choosing the wrong paths.

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Sunday Mind Dump

A good day at church today. It was nice for me to not have to get in the building early :) I actually didn't show up until 9:30 today! So, let's dump:)

  • Nice to see Big John back on the drums today! He did a great job!
  • Loved the message by Francis Chan today. Man, do we ever need to be a church of power. So many of us are week and scared.
  • So far we are 3 video shoots down for our I Love My Church series. I am really looking forward to it.
  • Aaron is going to be gone for a few weeks so you'll get me and greenie back on guitar for the next few weeks.
  • Got some really difficult things to deal with over the next week. Would appreciate your prayers for me, the parties involved, and our church.
I am out for the night. God Bless all!

Sleeping In Sunday

So, this might be the first Sunday since we have started that I actually did not show up when the doors opened. I was actually going to take the day off today but April and I decided against it because we are going to have to be gone 2 weekends in August.....So, this morning I am hanging around the house and am going to go into church a half an hour or so before it starts. It feels good and yet weird at the same time. I am liking the quiet on Sunday mornings thought.....doing some praying and the like before the worship experience.

See ya'll there :)

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Sunday Mind Dump

Nice day at church. Ernie did a great job. Teaching a large group isn't easy and when you aren't used to it...it's even harder. Way to go!

So let's dump:
  • The band was decent today. I for one just didn't feel in the grove of it.
  • Seems like a lot of people really liked the new song we did this week.
  • Sadly, the web cast didn't get saved right. Since I was on it we can blame me. I am not sure what happened to it :(
  • As I write this my wife is trying clothes on for our vacation in August. Gotta love the mind of a woman....at least I would if I could understand it :)
  • Great party at church yesterday, congrats to Brett Suchomma. Now comes the hard part....finding a job.
  • Got the One Prayer DVD messages down to 3....I only need two and cannot seem to make my mind up on which two. I guess there are worse problems in the world....
I am out!

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Week Two

We are in week two of our One Prayer series. Tomorrow will be a first for Real Life in that our Children's Pastor Ernie Sampson will be giving the message. Should be a good time :)

See ya'll there...(my best southern accent)

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Tuesday Mind Dump

Ok Ok....I know I normally do the mind dump on Sunday's but I was spent on Sunday and I wanted to take yesterday to come to terms with something I need to say via this mind dump....so let's dump:
  • Nice day at church. I loved the fact that everything seemed so calm and people just hung out and talked.....that is awesome.
  • Love that new song "Revelation Song." I forced April to put it in...seemed like everyone enjoyed it....thank you :)
  • Thanks to everyone who came out to Chelseas grad party! The tough thing about those party's for me is I always feel like I have to spend time with everyone thereby not spending quality time with anyone. If someone could tell me how to address that I would be forever in your debt.
  • April knocked it out of the park with her message. Had several people tell me how much that ment to them and that they could really relate to what she said. It's goes to prove yet again that if you allow him....he'll never allow your pain to go to waste
On to a much harder subject. A guy I have respected in ministry for years just resigned from his church...and this is a big church with thousands of members....for having an affair with his personal assistant. I have to admit...my first instict was to be critical of him......How could someone that God has trusted so much with allow himself to be put in the position of allowing a moral failure? Pastors should never...ever put themselves into the position where that is even an option....Having said that...I, and we have to come to terms with something that is at it's core quite scary for any of us... and that's this....what if everthing we do was put in the public eye?

If that were the case would any of us be able to lead a church? I am not sure......We all sin and this guy was no exception his just happened to be the kind that we preach against...He removed himself from ministry and the church is picking up the pieces...they are dealing with hurt....broken trust....and a host of other things from the fallout.....anyway...all that said.....I believe what happened to him could very easily happen to any of us...that's why I have done everything possible to keep April as my partner in ministry.....Is she a pastor...no....does she have a pastors heart...no....but she is my partner anway......since we have started in ministry here are a few things that we have done to try and make sure what happened to that pastor never happens to me:
  • April keeps my schedule and she knows where I am at all times.
  • April has access to, and daily reads my email. I will not allow myself to keep secrets from her....I will say, if someone has a private conversation with me it will stay private but emails are another story.
  • Unless it is a life or death situation I will not meet with a female who is not my wife alone. Period.....not for counselling...not for coffee....nothing (ok....except for my daughter and family members!)
  • April keeps track of our finances....It's not that I can't or won't....but at the end of the day I cannot hide anything from her if she keeps the books.
This kind of thing can happen to anyone. I challange each of you to look at your lives honestly and examine area's where you may potentially be giving the Devil a foothold or a way into your life. We all need accountability....find someone you can share with for me it's April.

Monday, June 1, 2009

Saw This on Craigslist....cracked me up!

You think I'd fit in with this band???

Here is the word for word ad:


"Looking for Harmonica player, flute payer, tambourine player, and someone to play the church organ

Our Influences include: Janis Joplin, Rolling Stones, Doors, Canned Heat, Mott the Hoople, Procol Harem, Three Dog Night, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Crosby Stills Nash and Young, Blood Sweat and Tears, Jethro Tull, Cat Stevens, Dave Clark Five, Iron Butterfly, Zombies, Grateful Dead.

Don't care about your influences as long as your under the influence.

Bring the pot, bell bottoms, tiedye, and sandals. We'll have a hookah of a time.

Anyone left from woodstock please reply. Please no emails....only phonecalls.

Peace, Love, Dope"

My take.....they had to be high to write this....I love the fact you need to call not email and they didn't leave a phone number!!! Sweet!!