1. Good day today as we finished up Continuum…
2. The 9:30 and 11:00 today had complete different personalities. 
3. The Hawks are getting destroyed!
4. I can’t wait for Mothers Day next week!  No matter who you are - it will be a blast. 
5. I am worn out today for some reason.  Much more than any Sunday so far. 
6. Had the 1st student ministry info meeting.  This is going to be fun. 
7. Some necessary change taking place beginning tomorrow. It’s a strategic move that will help move us to the next level. 

I have been a big proponent of Safe Eyes for about a year now.  I’ve tried all the software and this one has been the best.  Last time I wrote about this company - I got a comment from a guy who works for them.  One thing led to another, and we realized that our offices were only about a mile apart. 

Todd and I went to lunch with these guys to hear their story.  It was sweet to hear how they started in an office in a garage - with very little resources - and now it’s a thriving organization that is making a difference in the lives of people.  Very cool stuff!  We are going to partner with them some over the next several months - but in the meantime - if you don’t have this service. Go get it! Click the link on the main page of the blog.  It’s good stuff.

A friend of mine asked, What advice would you give to a guy that has been called into church planting, but sometimes feels that he has no idea what he is doing? 

The answer is part of a series of posts Chris is doing for on his blog.  Go check it out here.

Todd and I took off for Anderson a few days ago for some meetings at Newspring.  Perry has invested a ton into my life and I am extremely grateful for his time and influence.   Everytime I walk out of that place - I feel that I have had a vision-enhancing experience. 

I desire to have that same impact on others.  I want to speak life into the dreams of my family, my team, my friends, the crew at Freedom, and other people that I meet.  How can you unleash the power of encouragement in the life of people?  How have others unleashed that power for you?

Generosity is an important value in my life and the life of Freedom Church. 

We talk about it all the time and try to model it consistently because I want to cultivate that culture from the very beginning.   We have been (and still are) on the receiving end of much generosity and the greatest way to show our gratitude is to pass that along to others. 

Every week I have a scheduled meeting for a few hours to do nothing except read, write, and slow down long enough to really concentrate on what God has been trying to get through to me. 

This past week the message got through loud and clear.  “Consecrate yourself, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.” (Joshua 3:5)  I am not sure when “tomorrow” will come - but I must get ready for it’s arrival today. 

Today is Lexi’s birthday.  How in the world do I have a 6 year old daughter? That is insane! 

Time is flying by far too quickly.  I will write a card for her today that she will not open until well into her teenage years.  That definitely puts things into perspective.  I pray that I will take every opportunity that I can to show love and speak value into her life.  If I don’t - she will try to find it somewhere.  And that, makes me want to throw up just thinking about it. 

We are here to reach the thousands of people who are far from God and/or disconnected from church in our community.  7,500+ of those people are between the ages of 12-17.  With that in mind, FreedomGeneration is coming!

Beginning Sunday, we will have 2 launch team meetings per month for our Student Ministry kickoff in August.  It is going to be a blast.  Can’t wait!

Today I had a conversation with a very interesting homeless guy.  Here’s the funny part.  After I listened to all the things he thought was wrong with the world - he asked me about my “job”.  I told him that I was the Pastor of a church in the area. 

He started laughing.  Then he said, “no really, you’re obviously not a REAL pastor - why are you trying to trick me?” 

After that remark, the conversation was over

To all my FSU friends…

 

It’s all about the U!