It

I've been reading the new Craig Groeschel book It. The more I learn about impactful, relevant ministry, the more I realize how very, very rare it is. I know it sounds dramatic and overbearing, but when I meet with people to talk about ministry vision and the talk centers around activities or programs, or it becomes apparent that excellence isn't valued, or corporate worship isn't valued, or presentation in a "creating relevant environments" sense of the word isn't valued, I just want to vomit. I have a dream of one day being involved in gloves-off, knock-down, drag-out ministry that thrives on high quality corporate worship services done with excellence and authenticity and no one apologizes for setting a target audience and actually aiming for it! Who's comin with me?! Who's comin with me?!

Progress Report

Well, after three weeks, I'm feeling pretty good about the whole gig. Gettin those freshmen whipped into shape. I had the guys over for the Cows game last night. Nachos, queso, cigars, and friends. Good times. Started reading "It" by Groeschel; pretty good so far. I'll let you know how it turns out.

lifechurch.tv

Well, here's my first blog post since May. I am no longer at Solid Rock. I am teaching/coaching at Brewer High School in White Settlement. Also, Katy and I got married since my last post! Things sure have changed. Today marked our last day at Solid Rock. We attended the first service and a reception between services in our honor with Marli. After that, we hooked up with my folks and headed out to lifechurch.tv's satellite in Fort Worth. It was awesome. Very refreshing to attend a church that seemed genuinely happy to see us and was done with excellence. The music was very good. Crowder, Hillsong, a little Matchbox 20 for traveling music. They aired an incredible message that Craig delivered at the Willow Creek Leadership Summit about "It." I picked up his new book "It" and look forward to reading it. We will continue our tour of metroplex churches next week. Not sure yet, maybe The Village.

Chapman's Daughter Killed

I just received the tragic news that Christian recording artist Steven Curtis Chapman's youngest daughter Maria was hit and killed by a SUV driven by her brother. Please lift them up in prayer as they seek God's purpose in this tragedy.
http://entertainment.msn.com/news/article.aspx?news=315536

Well, I'm finally back in funky town. I moved back over here Friday with some help from Randy. Still getting settled in. It just makes me realize how close I am to marriage - less than four weeks and counting. Life seems to fly by so fast now. Makes me want to go outside and enjoy creation. I think I will.

OFFICE

O, ya, that's right, new office on tomorrow night. O how I've missed the people person's paper people. It's going to be incredible. Let me just say if you don't watch it, you're dead to me. O, and I'm really tired and cranky today, so everybody who comes up to the church or calls up here, should probably be on alert. Why am I tired? you ask. Because I'm a good friend; that's why.

Jesus Paid It All

I had some people ask me after the Easter service if the arrangement we played of "Jesus Paid It All" was my arrangement. It is NOT my arrangement. I have arranged a couple other songs but this is not one. This arrangement is by Kristian Stanfill. The first time I heard it was in California on the Passion '06 album that Katy and I picked up on our way to Saddleback(I'm like John Cusack; I can organize my CD's autobiographically). Here is the same recording of it on youtube for your viewing and listening pleasure. It's awesome! Make sure your speakers are turned up.

Wow

It's been over a month, since I last posted! The time seems to have flown by. We're wrapping up plans for our joint Easter service with Chapel Creek Fellowship. I'm so pumped. It's going to be awesome! I just can't believe any Christ follower would have a problem joining up with another church to reach more people for the cause of Christ. This is what it's all about! It's not about the fame of Solid Rock or Chapel Creek or me or Randy or Keith Day or anyone else. It's about creating an environment where the Holy Spirit is free to bring people to himself. That's the greatest thing you can do with your life. Get on board!!!

Sons of Lwala

One of my favorite bands, Jars of Clay, was asked to participate in this documentary called Sons of Lwala. Last August the guys got together and created original scoring for the project, and even added an original song called "Prisoner of Hope" - here's a quick review of the story...

Milton and Fred Ochieng' are two brothers from Kenya whose village sent them to America to become doctors. But after losing both parents to AIDS they are left with a heartbreaking task: to return home and finish the health clinic their father started before getting sick. Unable to raise enough money on their own, the brothers are joined by students, politicians, and a rock band who launch a fund raising drive among young people across the United States. Sons of Lwala follows Milton and Fred on their incredible journey as they find a way, despite all odds, to open their village's first hospital.

Check out the trailer:

This is hilarious

SUPER BOWL SUNDAY!

Out

I'm headed to the house to begin this footballess weekend that always precedes the Super Bowl. I'm sure I'll find something else to do. Hmmm, maybe a little football of my own. It's Madden time!!!

Excellence

Excellence is NOT perfection
Excellence does NOT cost money
Excellence is NOT love (and love is NOT Excellence)
Excellence requires teamwork
Excellence is rare
Excellence is difficult (that's why it's so rare)
Excellence requires preparation
The power of Excellence is underestimated and overwhelming
Excellence inspires people
Excellence honors God

Need a laugh?

Welp, here's my second post today. Don't worry; I'm not addicted! I just had to share one of the funniest pictures I've ever seen. This is a friend of a friend of mine as a child. It was posted on his myspace, complete with the caption that read (my catch phrase) "baller." I will present it as it was presented to me. We all just want to be loved don't we?

baller

Point of Difference

The tide is turning; this is redemptions hour

In the midst of a world lost for love, You are all we have now

The lost returning; salvation is all around

In the midst of the world broken down, You are all we have now

For You are God and this hope is ours



So, Father, open the skies

Flood the earth with Your light

This is love to break the world indifferent



Our hearts are burning; a fire that won't burn out

In the midst of a world that's grown cold, You are all we have now

The earth resounding; the anthem of your reknown

As we lift up our eyes and look to Your glory, call us out

Let the world see You are God and this hope is ours

So call us out; let the world see You are God,



As we sing:

Open the skies flood the earth with Your light

This is love to break the world indifferent

As we lift up our eyes fill our hearts with Your fire

In a world of sin we'll be different, the difference



Our eyes are open every chain now broken

In this worldwe are different

Let Your love become us as we live to make You famous

In this world we are different

So call us out let the world see You are God, as we sing



So call us out let the world see You are God one and only

In this world You are all we have now

Drained

How's everyone's Wednesday going? Half-way through the week already, but it feels like a Monday. Katy's grandmother passed away Friday night, so the past four days have been almost totally funeral related. Thank you to those who drove all the way out to Colleyville to attend. It is greatly appreciated.
A wise lady once said that great minds discuss ideas; well I don't seem to have many ideas on my mind today, so unless I come across one, I'm out for today. I guess I'm still emotionally drained from the weekend. Later