Catalyst 2008

The past few days have been phenomenal. Doug, Mark, Dick and I got a chance to travel up to the ATL and go to the Catalyst Conference. This is one of the best leadership conferences in the country and I was super blessed to have had the opportunity to go. We along with another 12,000 people got to experience this. We heard wonderful leadership from guys like Matt Chandler, Steven Furtick, Dave Ramsey and Andy “Freakin” Stanley. We also got to worship with some phenomenal worship leaders like Kristian Stanfill and Steve Fee. Of course, the production team nailed everything. (I had to give props to those guys because it wouldn’t happen without them). On the way home yesterday we talked about some things we took away. There was so much I took away, but only a few touched me and hit me pretty hard. Well, here is my one thing I learned.

“To reach people no one else is reaching, we have to do things no one else is doing.” Wow. That means we can build a church and worship together, but there will still people that don’t and won’t go to church. So, to reach people no one else is reaching, we have to do things no one else is doing. As Andy Stanley pointed out, not his words, that might piss some people off. This one saying has challenged me. I’m always thinking, how can we make things better so that we can reach people for Christ? It’s simple, do things no one else is doing. What is “normal” now, is not going to be “normal” 5 or 10 years from now. “The Next Generation product almost never comes from the previous generation.” So, “to reach people no one else is reaching, we have to do things no one else is doing.” I’m challenged.

There is my one thing. There were other things that challenged my leadership and challenged to me to think and grow. More than anything that I heard, learned or saw, here is the biggest. God BROKE me this weekend. I was very emotional. I really felt God pulling at my heart this weekend. During worship and during some of the messages I really felt God tugging at me. He was tugging at me in a way that I don’t think I’ve ever felt. At some points I felt overwhelmed with emotion. When I thought about this, the word that came to my mind was “break.” I’m not speaking in the sense that I’m not saved, because I am, but I am speaking in the sense of something that Craig Groeschel brought. I felt God pulling my heart so that my heart would break for him. It was almost as if God said, “pay attention to me.” It felt good. In order to acheive what he wants to achieve, he needs me to focus on him. I often put up a wall around my heart when it comes to deep emotional things. God was breaking down that wall and told me to pay attention to him. That was the greatest thing I took away.

Of course, the experience itself was awesome. I’m a technical guy and those guys just knocked it out of the park. Kickin’ audio probably around 112 db, lighting that looked amazing, and sweet video team. Overall, Catalyst stretched me in more areas than one.

Speed Bumps

Everyone is feeling some tough times right now. To bring things a little more home, here is a glimpse in our lives. When God calls people to do his work, there WILL be trials and speed bumps in the road because God wants us to grow, but Satan also doesn’t want us to succeed.

Last night, April and I had a moment of panic. Without going in to details, it was mostly an emotional attack. Everyone has something that will hurt them most. Satan knows which buttons to push and he does. Ours are emotions. April and I talked until midnight and afterwards we spent a few moments in prayer. I told God my heart. I have not been that real in a long time. I’m frustrated with God. I told him I wanted to know where he was and when he was going to show up. Very bold. That’s the kind of relationship I have with God, honesty. It’s a relationship. (So before you comment, just don’t cause I don’t want to hear how much more “holy” you are).

When I got to work this morning, I turned on my computer. I have quiet time when I get to work and I opened up to Air1’s verse of the day page. They had Hebrews 13:8 up. But instead of just reading one verse, I read most of Hebrews 13. Here is what 13:8 says:

8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Good stuff right? That was enough for me to just stop there. Well, when you zoom out, this is what I read.

5 be satisfied with what you have. For God has said,

“I will never fail you.
I will never abandon you.”

6 So we can say with confidence,

“The Lord is my helper,
so I will have no fear.
What can mere people do to me?”

7 Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 9 So do not be attracted by strange, new ideas. Your strength comes from God’s grace, not from rules about food, which don’t help those who follow them.

Talk about God speaking. It couldn’t get any more clear. This is exactly what I needed to see. I have said before, when things get rough, I get closer to God. I turned to God last night and got honest. He already knew my heart. So this morning he decided to put me in my place. How awesome is our God? The words that come to mind are “aw.” I’m simply in aw of our God. I read Matthew 10:37 yesterday and I really thought hard on it last night. Relationships take work. Am I doing everything I possibly can to work at my relationship with God? God shows up and breaks my heart for him. It’s great.

I ask everyone to continue to PRAY for us. PRAY for Canvas Church. The church is not the building, it’s the flippin’ people! PRAY!

Awesome Service

I got a call a little bit ago from my dear friend Rick. He leaves tomorrow for Texas to train with the Air Force. Following, I think, 10 weeks of basic training, he then goes through about 14 more weeks of training for flying. He will be serving for 8 years. After that, there is room for more. He will be an in-flight refueler, the guy driving the boom out the back of this enormous plane. (Rick, I hope I got all this right).

Anyway, he called me today and all the sudden it hit me. He is about to make an awesome sacrifice. A sacrifice because it takes you away from friends and family for long periods of time, but what a service it is. It is an absolute honor to serve your country and my brother Rick is about to be apart of a service that is unlike any other in the world. Not many can say they have served with the United States Air Force. I wanted to encourage him and tell him how PROUD I am of him. I’m patriotic, but I’m not the type who drives around with 1,000 bumper stickers on my car and only wears red, white and blue all the time, but it is truly an honor to serve your country. Rick, you will serve your country well and we will be praying for you.

On top of his sacrifice, his NEW wife JoLynn is also making a sacrifice. I couldn’t imagine taking the journey they are about to take, together. Though they may be thousands of miles apart for a long time, it is a journey they take together. JoLynn, I am proud of you too.

I really sound like a dad or something, but you guys deserve a little brag. I really am proud. Rick is like a brother to me and I will miss him. He is doing something that many people don’t have the balls to do. Rick and JoLynn, we are praying for you both. It’s honor what you are doing and may God be with you. Love you!

Married Life

Many people keep asking April and I how married life is going. Well, I figured I would share my thoughts. This is the best way to answer that at once and to let everyone at home see how we’re doing. Here are some adjustments and things we are adapting to.

1. Adjusting to sharing a bed. This has been a struggle for us both. I’m use to turning over at night and spreading out. Same for her. I don’t like turning over in the middle of the night and finding out I have only 1/4 of the bed when she has 3/4 of it with ALL the covers. SO, here is what we have done. We have “drawn a line” down the middle of the bed. Her pillow and limbs stay on her side, and I stay on my side. We both like our space when we sleep. Now, we are affectionate, but when it’s sleep time, stay on YOUR side. We have hit each other in the face too many times. I think that has been a HUGE adjustment for us both.

2. Sharing chores. I like to do MY laundry MY way. Don’t leave the clothes in the dryer for three days to wrinkle. I MUST have my clothes out and flat. If not, they get ironed. Yes, I iron ALL my clothes (OCD). Usually its the other way around. Not for us. Among clothing, there is also dishes, vacuuming, making the bed, etc. SO, here is what we have done. I’m currently in the process of making a sheet to go on the fridge that shows who does what each day/week. I have chores and she has chores. For example, I am responsible for dishes (clean and dirty), she is responsible for the bathroom. We try to split the chores. I like things a certain way and so does she. There is also a rule in the kitchen. If you cook, you clean up your mess. I still do the dishes, but if you cook, you clean up whatever you got out and used to cook.

3. Money. Oh yes, the number one cause for divorce. We have decided to tackle this issue before we become a statistic. Now, we took the Dave Ramsey class last year which has helped us greatly. We also have our systems in place. For example, we decided to call each other before a purchase needs to take place.  No matter the cost, we call each other. If we have to spend money, we must discuss it. We are both adjusting. I have a file on the computer which tracks our money and if something doesn’t get logged, it could throw it off. I know, I’m a freak. But, it’s working for us. Also, we are both adjusting to three times the bills. However, something cool is the bills that have reduced since we got married. I have not filled up my SUV in over THREE WEEKS!! It costs $85 to fill it up and we have not spent that in three weeks. Truly amazing. I driver her small car to work and fill it up every TWO WEEKS and spend half the price. ITS GREAT!! I use to fill up once a week in my SUV and that got expensive. All I know is God knows what he is doing.

So there is a little insight to how married life is for us. We are both adjusting and working hard. Marriage is ALWAYS a work IN PROGRESS and we are working at it. I miss the honeymoon cruise, but we’ll have some holidays soon to get out and see our families which is exciting. My FIRST holiday off in three years. Good stuff. I digress…

Updates

Well, I’m sick…again. I’m congested and can’t breathe. This makes the third sinus problem within one year, the sixth illness within one year. This just sucks. Sudafed, Nyquil and Benadryl are really close friends right now.

As for other things, I have been working my TAIL off this week on the website and podcasting. I have been trying to learn all of these over the past three weeks and this week I’ve just about got it down, thanks to the help of Doug and Google. I’ve learned website stuff and how to write RSS feeds. Wow! Props to you website freaks. If you go to the Canvas website, you can see many updates. I’m currently awaiting approval from iTunes for the Canvas podcast to be placed in the iTunes store. As of now, you can go to the website and click the RSS button to listen to core group meetings. There are also updates under the Action section for Action Opportunities. All of this is actually pretty fun. I was determined to figure it out myself and I finally did it. Ahh, it feels good.

If you are a Facebooker, join the Canvas “group” and check out updates. We just sent out an event invite for Core Group meetings. Our next one is October 5th at 6:00 pm at the Hilton Garden Inn on Abercorn. You can find that on the website also. A buddy of mine all the way in the Nebraska made an awesome graphic for me. Thanks DD.

Interesting Thought

Last night I got a chance to hear my buddy Jeremy speak at the church he serves at. First off, worship was amazing. Richard did an awesome job with he and his acoustic. It sounded amazing and it was absolutely intimate. I haven’t worshiped like that in a while.

Anyway, Jeremy began to speak. He brought a wonderful message, but the one thing that stuck in my head was this. ‘Many people go to Jesus like a vending machine, sticking whatever change they have in their pockets, pushing some buttons and expecting to get what they want out of it.’ Wow. It makes me think about prayer specifically. When I pray, it is so common that I say God “bless me” with this or something similar. That’s stupid. So last night, April and I spent a few moments in prayer and I just stopped. I thought about what Jeremy said with the vending machine. I stopped and simply counted my blessings. I praised God for the simple things, the things I take advantage of so often. So many people don’t have what many of us DO have, so I simply PRAISED God. I don’t want to be one of those people that go to Jesus, sticking some “spare” change in and expect to get something in return.

I just wanted to share that thought. It challenged me. I like things that do that. Take me out of the box and make an example out of me.

Weekend Wrap Up

What a long week. Its finally over and its the start of another one. I’m looking forward to April and I having our FIRST weekend where we didn’t have to go, go, go. I’m worn out.

On Friday night and Saturday, I helped with my buddy Jeremy and others with React Conference at Bible Baptist. They had a great turn out with many older high schoolers and college students. The speakers, including Canvas’ own, did wonderful. Jeremy wrapped it all up and simply knocked it out of the park. I had the opportunity to operate FOH audio for the worship team. I love to help anyone I can, especially with the talents God has given me. Thanks guys. Keep up the awesome work.

Sunday morning, I got another opportunity to help ANOTHER church start up for their very first Sunday. It was awesome. Tapestry Church is a new church plant in Savannah too. They have a staff member that is a good friend of mine now and we basically serve on staff at our churches in the exact same capacity. Its cool to have someone that you can turn to and share ideas with. Its funny because many churches think everything is competition and therefore they wouldn’t think of helping another church. That’s stupid. I had the opportunity to assist three churches this weekend and its not for the churches or myself, its for God and HIS kingdom.

Sunday afternoon I FINALLY went to the beach. I haven’t been to the beach in Savannah since I’ve been here. I basically haven’t time. Me, April and a friend went out for a while and caught about 20 star fish and sand dollars. What do you get when you mate a star fish and sand dollar? Star Dollar. Anyway, good stuff. That night we had Canvas Core Group II. It went great. After staff meeting last week, we decided we were going to change just about everything we did, so…we changed it. Things went great. We are still looking for a place to have core group meetings because we are just about grown out of the house we’re at. We’re also still looking for a place for the church to meet. Know of places? We could use them!

We are recording Core Group meetings. So if you missed it, be looking for it soon on iTunes podcasts. BUT, if you know how to podcast, LET ME KNOW!! I’m trying to figure it out, which takes some time, but if you know how, it would make it go alot faster and easier.

My old boss from Dallas called me this week and told me he had a job lead for me. I have a job, but thinking about starting a second because we need it. He told me he talked with the Chief of police with Tybee island and the Sgt. in charge of communications. They remembered when I talked with them months ago looking for a job and told him someone was leaving and were interested in me working with them. Wow! I would love to do that. I miss Public Safety. We’re still praying about that one. I would love to, but April not so much. She enjoys me being home before midnight, which probably would not be the case if I got this job. My day would be about an 18-20 hour day. April and I need time too.

Its Monday now and I’m tired. I had minimal sleep this week. I need a day without doing anything. We’ll see about that one. Back to work…