Such a challenging song that I am listening to over and over again in preparation for Sunday’s sermon on the Enemy.
January 16, 2010
I had an interesting conversation with some friends over a gigantic bowl of cheese dip and a basket of overly salted chips. Mostly it was all fluff and banter about church and the significance and purpose of the church of Christ. Not to say it was meaningless because I think a good friend of mine was able to vent, share his heart, question his motives, and have his motives questioned. But there was this deep cry in his heart…something was missing.
I am engaged to a wonderful woman who happens to be a mother of a 2 year old. My heart longs to love her the way Christ loves the church, but my insecurities tend to keep me from loving well at times. As I have grown to know her deeply and see the times in her life when she is most alive, I try to take note. There is a cry in her heart…something is missing.
I attend, serve, volunteer, minister, worship, and love Northbridge Church. I see people who would never set foot in a church come through the doors and experience something more than what the world can offer. Some have realized it is Jesus and they have been ravaged by his love. Some just think what we do is cool and it makes them feel better about themselves, not our goal but we love them anyway. Although these souls come, and come often, they seem to want something different. There is a cry in our church’s heart…something is missing.
In my own life I know that I more captivated by Christ when I see holiness lived out, or even struggled out, in a community of believers. I am comforted when I know I am not alone. I feel “pastored” when in times of distress I have a group that truly knows me and can truly intercede. Often the missing element in churches, big or small, is there isn’t a deep sense of belonging, or community.
Through some searching, and praying, and listening I see my purpose is to grow in holiness as I accept God’s grace and my heart needs others to let iron sharpen iron, as painful, awkward, slow-moving, but sincere process…and I am not alone in this.
January 9, 2010
So I am sitting in Jessica’s house with an overwhelming sense of calm. This is an incredibly unusual feeling for me. I am typically between bouts of self-depreciation or troubled fears of the future. But today…peace. God is so good.
I say it is strange for me to feel this way because my life should be, by human accounts, in upheaval. I am getting married in a exactly 2 weeks. I have terminated employment at my current job. I am going to be a father to Taylor, my fiancee’s two-year-old. I am moving 2 hours from my church. Everything should be pointing an unsettled heart.
God is WAY better than I can even imagine. He has been close to me. He has pushed near to me even when I want to keep things my way. He has answered my prayers for a godly woman who loves me. He has provided for me everything I need and some things I want. Given me freedom to build his Kingdom. See what I mean! WAY more than I could ever think or imagine.
If you find yourself unsettled and unsure, may you experience a closeness to Christ today that comes from abiding in the Father. Come rest in his goodness.
December 11, 2009
1. Scrubs the New Class is waaaay too much like Saved By the Bell the New Class… but as I did at 13 I will endure it. (interesting aside: The New Class lasted longer than the original series: original 1989 – 1993 / new class 1993 – 2000)
2. It is 42 days until my new life-adventure begins…and I have no doubts…I can’t wait! Groomsmen…go ahead and get your tuxes…and an extra pair of pants…don’t ask questions you will know when it happens.
3. Starbucks is ok… but I miss me some J Oliver’s Coffee. Could work for hours there…great place and great people.
4. I love to communicate the Gospel… I am disappointed that I have such little time to prepare. Northbridge look out… God is on the move and we don’t want to get left behind.
5. I am watching a group of nicely dressed teenagers trying to parallel park their mom’s jeep…they have almost hit 4 cars and 1 light-post in the process. They have to be on pace for some kind of ineptitude record.
6. Reading the Bible in 90 days has been a challenge, but I am in the Gospel of Luke and after listening to Matt Chandler break that book down…I see and hear Jesus a little differently and I would say a little better.
7. Criticism is NEVER fun, NEVER easy, but it is a chance to evaluate what you are doing. A chance to look at your core with someone else’s eyes. A dose of reality that you don’t do everything well…you do have blind spots… if you had nothing to work on you might as well die.
8. Watching the Marriage on the Rock DVD was fun. The 4 Foundational Laws of Marriage: Priority, Pursuit, Possession, and Purity. Great truth…looking forward to watching some more.
9. There was once this dream…of the Falcons having a winning season 2 years in a row…that dream is quickly turning into a nightmare. Bold prediction Saints 24 Falcons 10.
10. I am about to marry a godly beautiful woman whose desire is to live a life of worship for Jesus. She is choosing to share a little boy, Taylor, who I can tell will be a force for the gospel in the coming generation. I firmly believe God is preparing us for a future we wouldn’t believe even if he told us.
November 2, 2009
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.
September 26, 2009
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.
September 10, 2009
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.
