My Secrets: Revealed

This is the last weekend for our message series My Secret. I am really excited about this weekends message. It'll be very different from anything else we have done. It's going to be really uplifting after a few messages that were...let's face it. Pretty heavy to say the least.

This week is going to focus total on the good that comes from confessing secret sin and getting it out in the open. We are going to not just talk about changed lives, but show example after example of a changed life. This is a cool weekend. It's the kind of weekend I would do over and over again if I could.

Sunday Night Mind Dump

Not too shabby of a day today. The sound system was a little muddy and I think we need to pick ourselves up a nice EQ. That should help take care of some of our problems. The message seemed to go well and was received well which is always nice to hear.

• I needed a good football day today after Michigan got beat up yesterday. My Tampa team won 31-7 so I can be excited about them for the week. Cleveland also won a close one today so Go Browns!
• Jake did pretty solid playing the bass today. We need to work on helping him control his volume levels a bit but we'll get there.
• The kids made some really cool crafts in kids church today. I had tons of them come running up to me and showing me their trees. That is sweet!
• Setting up and tearing down the YMCA gets easier every time we do it. It'll almost be a shame when we get a more stable locale and don't have to set up every week. We are pro's already!
• Looking forward to moving into a new series after next week. Five weeks of teaching on the same basic thing seems like it goes on forever.
• We just had a great small group tonight. Small groups are one of my favorite things to do in church. I just love sitting down with a group of people and talking about the things that God has done in our lives.

We are going to be doing some big things over the next few months. I can't wait to be able to share them with everyone!!

I am so nervous!

O.k., this is going to be a huge weekend for us that is true. I am really looking forward to the message because I just know how it is going to help people make some big time changes in their lives. But I am really nervous at the same time. Not for me, I am used to playing, singing, and speaking in front of people. I am nervous for Jake. This will be the first time my 14 year old is stepping in with the house band and playing bass for us.

The boy is a pretty solid bass player. He's been playing it for a few years and has a great ear for music but this will be his first time playing in the band.

It's always harder on the parents isn't it?

Best Service Ever

This weekends service might just be our best one ever. In fact, the next two weekends might just be our best ones ever for different reasons. I am completely psyched up for this weekends message. This weekend we are talking about shame. Shame is one of Satan's finest tools. At one time or another he uses it on each of us and we usually fall hook, line, and sinker for it.

At Real Life, we are going to confront shame head on and we are going to take that tool out of Satan's bag of tricks. No more will we allow our enemy to use the past against us, no more will we allow our mistakes to drive our future, and no more will we allow ourselves to be isolated from our friends and families. We are too important to God to allow that to continue to happen to us.

This is going to be a huge weekend for us. I have been thinking about a few people specifically who are going to be completely blown away this weekend. You don't know who you are yet but God does!

Parenting

I know this is like every parents story so I just wanted to make note that I am in the same boat with you all. My kids make the dumbest choices sometimes!

Parenting can be difficult. Sometimes you do everything right and your kids still make the wrong choice. So what does that mean we are total screw ups as parents? Nope, it simply means our kids are human and they have a choice to make everyday just like you and I have a choice to make sometimes its the right choice, sometimes its the wrong choice, but there is always a choice.

Hang in there. God promises that his word doesn't come back void. We need to do the right things and trust that in the end God will work everything out for his glory.

Sunday night mind dump

A great service today. The series My Secret is going very well. Today we had Gwen Kelly come and give her testimony. It was very powerful and many people were really moved!

• The new stage set up went over really well. People could see the screen much better for power point.
• The noise levels for the band were awesome today. Very quiet and we could all hear really well. Kudos to Noah!
• Martha is doing a killer job with the kids. It's too bad she is only working with kids until we find another kids pastor! One thing is for certain, whoever the next person is that takes on that ministry is going to inherit a great program that is really set up well.
• The last two messages have been geared towards the guys in the church. Next week,it's ladies night. O.k., it's ladies Sunday. We are going to gear much of the message to you!
• Attendance was down a bit because of the bug that's going around this week. We had a ton of kids out sick.
  
• John is doing a killer job on the drums. I have seen so much growth from him over the last few months. He is really starting to think less and flow more. Which for a drummer is a very good thing!
• It's really cool to see people stepping up and volunteering to help in so many area's.
  

This whole thing is starting to come together. Sometimes we just need to get out of the way and allow God to do what only God can do. After all, it is him who is going to build his church. We are only along for the ride.......and what a sweet ride that is!

Rough Day

My Wolverines got spanked today in Wi. I was really bumming about it until our bitter rivals got beat down today to. Too bad for all you Buckeye fans. It'll be a shame to see your team lose it's last two games after being ranked #1 for almost the whole season.

Go Blue!!