Exodus

Northbridge Church is in the middle of the Exodus series.  It has been an incredible couple of weeks.  We took some chances in planning a series in which we would NOT be meeting at our regular location, taking any offerings, and giving money way.  But God never called us to sit idly by and do church like “normal”…he has been calling us since the beginning to take steps of faith and trust in him.

Week 1. — Chattanooga Rescue Mission — Please take a look at their site because there are some great things happening here.  We were priviliged to begin a partnership with them, by showing up and cleaning up as much as possible.  The best part about it was that those who would appreciate what we were able to do weren’t there at the time we were cleaning.  It was an act of service hidden from those we were serving.

Week 2. — Free Gas Giveaway — We snuck up on Chattanooga with this one.  We showed up at 2 gas stations and paid for people’s gas and snacks.  We knew this would be meeting some needs in our community as well as surprising people with kindness.  One story from this day was filling up a couple’s tank and they were able to find a job later that day!  Our pastor, Josh, ran into them a day later and was able to get them some groceries.

Week 3. — Hot Chocolate at the Malls — Today we went to Hamilton Place Mall in East Chattanooga and Northgate Mall in Hixson and simply gave free hot chocolate away.  We had a great spot at Hamilton Place, even though the people are more skiddish about taking free things there, we were able to give away tons of cups.  At Northgate we were able to connect with people as our set up was simpler and made for better conversation.  Both places were great even though we had to stop a kid from stealing one of our computers!

Next Week — Prayer Walk — Next week we are canvasing the city with prayer and crossing over the river (see the book of Exodus for the symbolism).  We are really excited about what God is up to in this city and we are on a mission to connect this city to Christ.  Please continue to pray for God’s movement in this city and our part in that.

 

Friday Night Lights Out

Sitting on a couch on a Friday night… wondering what is next…
Probably just going to be a random firing of thoughts.

I’ve been trying to wrap my mind around the needs of our community. How does someone discover what is really needed? Through seeking God and watching where he is at work.

I love the fact football is back on!

I am now less than 4 months away from being married…I can’t wait. Jessica, I love you and want to be the man of God you need me to be.

I am now less than 4 months away from being a father…I can’t wait. Taylor, I love you and want to show you how to be the man of God this world needs you to be.

I had a great conversation with Skylar yesterday and my sister Jennifer today. Both of which were desperately needed. Skylar thanks for asking tough questions. Jennifer thanks for turning a mirror on me. I need it.

I am so glad there are people in my life who are willing to love me even at my most unlovable.

I am tired of emulating and want to start innovating. I don’t want our church to be something its not. My prayer is that God would make me passionate about growing his Church, not just my church. His Kingdom is more important than my church.

 

The Highlights

Here are the highlights …not the kids magazine you find at the doctors office with pages missing and riddles which are unsolvable… but simply the major info happening in my life right now.

So I didn’t realize what would happen to my life as I moved to Chattanooga, TN.
I knew it would be the wildest ride of my life and so far it has not disappointed.

I wish I could write in detail every detail of what has happened since I last posted… but it would be long and not boring but really long so I will spare us both.

1. Northbridge Church
We are growing…challenging one another…gearing up for an incredible fall (the season!) The community is starting to take on its own personality. I can’t wait to see what God is going to do next. That is all I could ever ask in a church…one I WANT to invite people too!

..::aside::.. Those of you still struggling through with churches with no vision and no commitment to achieving said vision… well…you are perishing! Grab hold of Jesus and his vision for your community… and don’t stop until you reach it!

2. My Life
Here is where things are really changing for me. I am in love with an incredible woman, who challenges me…encourages me…forgives me… and best of all believes in me. I feel like a beggar at a feast…I have so little to offer and she has gives so much. Jessica, you are the love of my life. I can’t wait to marry you! Maybe a video blog is in order with Jessica and her wonderful son Taylor. Who knows what the future holds.

 

Oh Yeah… Blog This Punk!

 

Video Blog Part Two

 

Video Blog Part One

 

What About Now?

Listening to Daughtry

Fasting from Television

Questioning how everything is going to work out

Hearing God tell me… “Just do what you do and I will do what I do!”

Still having a hard time trusting myself…still questioning

God rips my heart apart today and encourages the hardest to reach places

Compromise haunts me

Thinking I am too vulnerable at times… and at other times not really vulnerable at all

The LAUNCH is really close………gulp

I was duped into believing that hand lotion was actually hand sanitizer

Hands still smell like pomegranate but elbows less ashy

Realizing how difficult it is to not use punctuation

OUT

 

Pre-Launch One: Practice

I set out on a journey several months ago to be apart of a movemet that would change the world.    I left a good job with good people risking everything to pursue a dream.  That dream is has been in the distant future…eclipsed by “real life” issues like getting a job, paying bills, and dealing with busted car windows and attacks from the enemy.

This past weekend was a full of peaks and valleys…emotional rises and falls that you would expect over the course of a year all happened in a mere 72 hours.  I wake up early Friday morning to get some needed overtime when I stepped to my car door I stepped on my window.  Someone had busted it out.  That turned out to be the lightest blow of the day.  A long time close friend of mine was arrested on incredibly serious charges.  I can’t and won’t express anything on here other than my heart breaks for all involved.

Then the pendulum swings high…

Northbridge Church… our first pre-launch was this Sunday… we showed up at the storage unit to load the first round of gear at 6am.  We learned so much about our new facility…that you can never have too many extensions cords..about how when the time changes alarm clocks don’t automatically reset…about how difficult this dream really will be.  We were lost…and totally dependant on God… seems like a scary and beautiful place to be.

 

No Pants

So that day just arrived.  That sad day when everything begins to go downhill.

Today I almost walked out of my apartment without pants on.  I never thought it would happen, but it did.

I was getting ready to go to the gym when it occured to me I needed to put shorts on before leaving the house.  Next I will be sitting in a home where pants are optional to gowns.  Yikes

 

25 Random Thing About Me (from Facebook)

1.  I had an invisible friend when I was 12.
2.  I wanted to be a Hip Hop star.
3.  I stole things a lot as a youngster
4.  I stole a Shaq rookie card from Josh, who is now my pastor.
5.  I slept almost a whole summer in an unairconditioned storage shed.
6.  I have read at least 50 pages of some book…I am sure of it.
7.  Right now I am loving Tyrone Wells…look him up!
8.  I am apart of a team that is launching a church in Northern Chattanooga
9.  I would sleep till 12pm everyday if I had my way.
10. I am a neat freak
11. Basketball is my first love, Football is now my current love…sports anyway.
12. I once stayed up all night and cleaned my best friend’s room
13. I use butt swiffers…post wipe flushable moist towelettes….you like it
14. Skylar and I are going to start a sports talk show where the top plays are recreated by Pee Wee Football Players
15. I hate having things in my pocket.
16. Some days I miss Youth Ministry…
17. At one point in my life I would eat an entire large Papa Johns Pizza in one sitting.
18.  As much as I love to sleep in I try to get to work early…real early.
19.  Peter Pan Honey Roast Peanut Butter is so good…if it were contaminated I would still eat it.
20.  I got told today that I don’t sound like a Youth Pastor…and in a cool way!
21.  I am by no means a good guitarist or vocalist…but I love to lead worship.
22.  I once convinced my roommate Mike to wear a TuTu and and tank top screaming, “I am a pretty pretty princess!!” He almost got beat up.
23. I got spankings when I was younger for things I didn’t do.
24. I love mid 90’s gangsta rap…if you don’t like it…I will bust a cap
25. I have a dog, Buddy, who could win the ugliest dog competition.