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.

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.

Haircut

Mini Van…Mega Fun!!

The Sportscenter Treatment

I love to watch Sportscenter.  Especially after my Falcons or Bulldogs or Hawks have a good game.  I love to see the highlights of each game.  I love the funny commentary and the insightful stories.  I know that it makes me a nerd and I don’t care.

So here are my highlights of the last week.

1. Work is getting more complicated, but I really feel like I am beginning to connect with some of my co-workers.
2. Spent some time hanging out with Chris Conrad (church planting guys) and he was fun and I got free dinner!  Whoo Hoo!
3. Thursday was crazy: I got a call from my sister telling me Devan was home alone and knocked his dad’s motorcycle on to his leg, breaking and dislocating it.  I spent much of the evening at T.C. Thompson Childrens Hopsital trying to keep the mood light.  I got to pray with my sister, brother-in-law, and nephew as he was awakening from his sedated nap.  My nephew is a rock star and I think he is the toughest kid ever.  He lifted the 500lb bike off his leg and crawled inside to call his mom and sat calmly on the couch watching Sponge Bob when the paramedics arrived.  The only point he cried is when he got scared that his accident would cause his parents to have to pay for him to be fixed.  It was so incredibly touching…Great Kid from Great Parents.
4. This weekend was really restful.  I got to hang with my family and talk through some great ideas with our church leaders.  I feel like Northbridge took some important steps forward this week.
5. UGA ugly win at Kentucky; Falcons dominate their rival Saints! Matt Ryan rookie of the year and Matt Stafford No. 1 pick in the NFL draft.
6. And just for fun. if you have time

Neglect

So i haven’t blogged in quite a while.  I have neglected my posting.  So here is a rundown of whats been going on.

• The ‘Noog is an amazing place to live.
• Some close friends of mine experienced an incredible loss…I am praying for you guys.
• I believe I have a dream for Northbridge Church.  I don’t know what it looks like but I am excited about God revealing what He wants for Chattanooga, TN.
• We are in fund raising mode right now.  I wish we were in LAUNCH mode, but we have to focus on one thing at a time.  I am being patient.
• I have to say that I am excited about the heart my Atlanta Falcons are showing this season.  I am also increasingly concerned about the injury ravaged Georgia Bulldogs…keep fighting Dawgs!
• I am reading some good books by some good pastors.
• God is still good and is still real…and is still up to something big here in the ‘Noog

Saturday Afternoon

It is so quiet in the apartment.  And in an unusual twist…I am up and awake before anyone else.  So here is a list of things that are going through my head/heart on this Saturday afternoon.

I am loving the fact that College Gameday is showing UGA some love.  And I am glad I don’t have to go to B-Dubs to see it!  Hooray for Comcast!!!

I am leading worship for the first time for The Northshore Project.  ROAD TRIP!

Looked at a great place to meet…it would be amazing…need to ask for God to do something huge!

God rocked me last night as I read Mark 2 (the story of the 4 friends and paralyzed man) Will I be the kind of person that will do what no one else is doing to bring someone to the feet of Jesus?  Or am I content with standing in line waiting to see Jesus do something?

After reading this post by PN…Who will I choose to be?

What will I be passionate about? Will there be something in our story here…that tears at my soul? I hope so!