Grays Matter

2010-10-03T13:57:00.004-04:00

We kicked off our IGo missions emphasis month this morning. Here is the video reminder that we used for the sermon intro.

Mercy- the Soul Motivation

2010-07-18T22:04:00.004-04:00

Yesterday we continued our series on Soul Worship from Romans 12:1 where Paul begs us by the mercies of God to worship God. I was very moved by the opening video and opening quote from Mark Batterson. So I thought I would share them with those of you who weren't with us.

Pastor MarkBatterson says, "the prerequisite to mercy is doing something wrong. So if you’ve done something wrong you qualify for mercy. And if you qualify for mercy you qualify for worship…don’t let what’s wrong with you keep you from worshipping what’s right with God.”

40th Birthday video

2010-07-11T18:53:00.003-04:00

Kathy literally filled my weekend with food family and friends. I don't know how she surprised me with so much. I know she had a lot of help and I feel so grateful to have a wife, family, friends and a church that would do so much to show me love. Here is part of a video that they put together.

The First Argument

2010-06-07T21:50:00.003-04:00

This past Sunday I preached on "Avoiding the Big D" and keys to avoiding divorce. I was so encouraged by a couple who have moved back in together and are going to try to salvage their marriage. If you would like to hear the message go to our website www.themidtownbridge.com

Here is a video that we used to intro the sermon. Hilarious insight on what the first fight might have been like:

"My Baby's Momma" video

2010-05-23T15:23:00.002-04:00

Here the video intro that we used for the sermon today. Unfortunately there are too many stories that end up this way.

The Sun is Always Shining

2010-05-20T06:59:00.004-04:00

This morning I caught a 6:15 flight back home to Atlanta so I could take my little girl to school. I am now about 30,000 feet in the air. There is a thick cloud cover beneath the airplane and the morning sunrise is shining brightly up here with us. I bet all those people below us are either getting rained on or simply experiencing a dreary cloudy day. In their experience it may seem as if the sun is not shining, but it is and hasn't stopped shining.

I think this is a great spiritual metaphor for life. There are times when it feels like God is silent or not working in our lives. But God is always at work. I have several friends going through cloudy days right now. Be encouraged and know that the Son is still shining.

"If I Only Knew"

2010-05-16T15:38:00.001-04:00

Here is a poem that I read during today's sermon entitled "If I Only Knew." It was a great personal reminder for me.

IF I ONLY KNEW? UNKNOWN
If I knew it would be the last time that I’d see you fall asleep,
I would tuck you in more tightly and pray the Lord your soul to keep.
If I knew it would be the last time that I see you walk out the door,
I would give you a hug and kiss and call you back for one more.
If I knew it would be the last time I’d hear your voice lifted up in praise,
I would video tape each action and word, so I could play them back day after day.
If I knew it would be the last time, I could spare an extra minute or two,
to stop and say that "I love you," instead of assuming that you KNOW.
If I knew it would be the last time I would be there to share your day,
well, I’m sure you’ll have so many more, so I can let this one slip away.
For surely there’s always tomorrow to make up for an oversight,
and we always get a second chance to make everything all right.
There will always be another day to say "I love YOU."
And certainly there’s another chance to say our "Anything I can do’s."
But just in case I might be wrong, and today is all I get,
I’d like to say how much I love you and hope we never forget.
Tomorrow is not promised to anyone, young or old alike.
And today may be the last chance you get to hold your loved one tight.
My friend, if you’re waiting for tomorrow, why not do it today?
For if tomorrow never comes, you’ll surely regret the day,
that you didn’t take that extra time for a smile, a hug, or kiss.
And you were too busy to grant someone, what turned out to be their one last wish.
So hold your loved ones close today, whisper in their ear,
Tell them how much you love them And that you’ll always hold them dear.
Take the time to say... "I’m sorry," ... "please forgive me," ..."thank you" or ..."it’s OK." And if tomorrow never comes, you’ll have no regrets about today.
Do not forget that you mean something to other people.
Make sure you are choosing to take the time, time to tell others you love them,
"For tomorrow may never come!" writer of this section unknown.

Week in Review

2010-02-21T23:53:00.002-05:00

Other churches may have more people but I don't think any have harder workers.
We asked our Sunday morning teams to raise the bar this month and all of them have taken it to another level.
We have asked our breakdown team to help us honor our contract and be out of the theater by 11:45. This was our 4th week in a row and that's not easy with a long winded preacher.
We baptized 3 people today!
I pray I never get used to seeing people saved and baptized.
The all guys song was a groovy change of pace this morning. Great job guys!
Thanks again to Chris Kendall for preaching last Sunday. He gave a strong challenge to enjoy the pleasures of God the way God intended them to be enjoyed.
My kids are spoiled and didn't want to leave the hotel last week.
I made a big mistake today and forgot to commission Kathy and Jennifer for their trip to Haiti next week.
Please pray for Kathy and her team. (and for me and the kids:-) )
I love the connection group that we are in. It has been super refreshing. We are studying Experiencing God and have been experiencing Him.
Welcome Anna B and Stephen M to the praise team. You look good in yellow.
Don't forget to email Paul Kinney all of your complaints about the male figure skating comments.

Sex in church...

2010-02-12T20:35:00.002-05:00

This Sunday we will continue our Thrive Series. Here is the intro video, "Sex in church." You don't want to miss it.

The Miracle of Life

2010-02-09T22:07:00.002-05:00

Several people have asked me to post this video that we showed on Sanctity of Human Life Sunday.

How Old School Preachers were Molded

2010-02-04T21:49:00.004-05:00

I really shouldn't read stuff this convicting so late at night. No wonder I am having trouble unwinding at night. This article was written over 40 years ago about the need for Godly prepared men filling our pulpits and leading our churches. It was about a need to hear a Word from God on Sunday and not just filler. Convicting.

FLOYD DOUD SHAFER Christianity Today, March 27, 1961

Here it is in taunting simplicity: Make him a minister of the Word! But what does that mean? What could be more esoteric? Very well, we will say it with more passionate bluntness. Fling him into his office, tear the office sign from the door and nail on the sign: STUDY. Take him off the mailing list, lock him up with his books (get him all kinds of books) and his typewriter and his Bible. Slam him down on his knees before texts, broken hearts, and the flippant lives of a superficial flock, and the Holy God. Throw him into the ring to box with God till he learns how short his arms are: engage him to wrestle with God all the night through. Let him come out only when he is bruised and beaten into being a blessing. Set a time clock on him that will imprison him with thought and writing about God for 40 hours a week. Shut his garrulous mouth forever spouting “remarks” and stop his tongue always tripping lightly over everything non-essential. Require him to have something to say before he dare break silence. Bend his knees in the lonesome valley, fire him from the PTA and cancel his country club membership: burn his eyes with weary study, wreck his emotional poise with worry for God, and make him exchange his pious stance for a humble walk with God and man. Make him spend and be spent for the glory of God.

Rip out his telephone, burn up his ecclesiastical success sheets, refuse his glad hand, and put water in the gas tank of his community buggy. Give him a Bible and tie him to his pulpit and make him preach the Word of the Living God. Test him, quiz him and examine him: humiliate him for his ignorance of things divine, and shame him for his glib comprehension of finances, batting averages, and political infighting. Laugh at his frustrated effort to play psychiatrist, scorn his insipid morality, refuse his supine intelligence, ignore his broadmindedness which is only flat headedness, and compel him to be a minister of the Word. If he wants to be gracious, challenge him rather to be a product of the rough grace of God. If he dotes on being pleasing, demand that he please God and not man. If he wants to be unctuous, ask him to make sounds with a tongue on which a Holy Flame has rested. If he wants to be a manager, insist rather that he be a manikin for God, a being who is illustrative of the purpose and will of God.

Form a choir and raise a chant and haunt him with it night and day: “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” When, at long last, he dares assay the pulpit, ask him if he has a word from God: if he does not, then dismiss him and tell him you can read the morning paper, digest the television commentaries, think through the day’s superficial problems, manage the community’s myriad drives, and bless assorted baked potatoes and green beans ad infinitum better than he can. Command him not to come back until he has read and re-read, written and re-written, until he can stand up, worn and forlorn, and say, “Thus saith the Lord!” Break him across the board of his ill-gotten popularity, smack him hard with his own prestige, corner him with questions about God, and cover him with demands for celestial wisdom, and give him no escape until he is backed against the wall of the Word: then sit down before him and listen to the only word he has left: God’s Word. Let him be totally ignorant of the down-street gossip, but give him a chapter and order him to walk around it, camp on it, suffer with it, and come at last to speak it backwards and forwards until all he says about it rings with the truth of eternity. Ask him to produce living credentials that he has been and is true father in his own home before you allow him license to play father to all and sundry. Demand to be shown that his love is deep, strong, and secure among those nearest and dearest to him before he is given contract to share the superfluity of his affability with all sorts and conditions of persons. Examine his manse whether it be a seminary of faith, hope, learning, and love or a closet of fretting, doubt, dogmatism, and temper; if it be the latter, the quarantine him in it for praying, crying, and conversion, and then let him go forth converted, to convert.

Mold him relentlessly into a man forever bowed but never cowed before the unconcealed truth which he has labored to reveal, and let him hang flung against the destiny of almighty God; let his soul be stripped bare before the onrushing purposes of God, and let him be lost, doomed, and done that his God alone be all in all. Let him, in himself, be sign and symbol that everything human is lost, that Grace comes through loss; and make him the illustration that Grace alone is amazing, sufficient, and redemptive. Let him be transparent to God’s grace, God himself. And when he is burned out by the flaming Word that coursed through him, when he is consumed at last by the fiery Grace blazing through him, and when he who was privileged to translate the truth of God to man is finally translated from earth to heaven, then bear him away gently, blow a muted trumpet and lay him down softly, place a two-edged sword on his coffin and raise a tune triumphant, for he was a brave soldier of the Word and e’er he died he had become spokesman of his God.

And who shall return us to this ministry? “Therein the patient must minister to himself.”

Week in Review

2010-01-31T22:14:00.002-05:00

I walked to church today and even though it was only 36 degrees I think part of my face nearly froze off.
I love living close enough to walk to church.
The full blitz worship team was in full force today and did a super job leading us in worship singing. (i was reminded again how that team is bigger than the core we started with)
I am so grateful that our connection groups have started so well with the addition of our new alpha course on Sunday nights and our new Sunday morning group.
I am so proud of Kathy and Jennifer for their willingness to go to Haiti in a few weeks to help distribute medical supplies.
Thanks to all of you who prayed for me while I was in San Antonio.
Big thanks to Ashley S. for helping Kathy with the kids while I was away.
I am not sure who all the tech students where in the elevator with me, but I am looking forward to going to Glady's chicken and waffles with you soon.
We have agreed to be a host church for a Ravi Zacharias conference on Feb. 25th in the Atlanta civic center. This event is designed for happy skeptics. Invite your friends. RZIM.org
Our building campaign was a great two week success and next Sunday we are moving into auditorium #8 for our worship service.
Being the pastor of Midtown Bridge Church is one of the great honors of my life.

Week in Review

2010-01-18T07:45:00.002-05:00

The launch of Kidtown children's ministry has been a great success and I am so proud of all the people who have volunteered to serve.
I think Mike and Chris make great supermodels. Chris where did you get that jacket?
Brian, Thomas and the entire media team have really increased their level of excellence.
It is amazing to see how many people have signed up for Connection groups and the variety of groups offered.
Brad's version of "Pants on the ground" should go viral on the Internet any day now.
Our worship arts team is growing spiritually, physically and musically.
We had 25 people show up for the South Africa mission trip interest meeting.
I love being part of a church that is so missions minded.
Yesterday was one of the highest attendance days in the life of our church.
A business man has offered $5000 to help us find some office space. We are praying that God provide the rest and the space.
I am grateful for all the visitors who are coming because they saw the sign in front of the theater.

2010 Year in Review slide show---thanks Paul K.

2010-01-16T23:12:00.001-05:00

Week in Review

2009-12-14T13:12:00.002-05:00

I have been slacking in my blogging lately. There is a good reason. In a nutshell our staff read "Simple Life" last month and I was too busy to finish.
The last few weeks have been great in the life of our church.
Two weeks ago our church members provided 40 care packages for any college students who wanted on for finals week.
Our gift wrapping in Atlantic Station is in full swing with a little space heater and fully stocked shelves.
Thanks to the volunteers who have already been able to invite many to our church and Christmas Eve Eve service
I am super excited about our first Christmas Eve Eve service. (we stole the idea from Oakleaf church in Cartersville)
Centennial Place Elementary school has agreed to allow us to use their cafetorium(yes that's a word) for our Eve Eve service.
Our permanent movie poster signs have gone up outside of Regal Cinemas. It's amazing that they are up and beautifully lit at night.
Last night we had our first staff Christmas party. It was a blast. Jonathan and Martha were stealing from each other which was a little weird.
Last night our singles also had their first Christmas party. I was told I was not invited so I can't tell you how it went but I am sure it was great.
Gracy is turning one this week and Kathy is turning none of your business next week. :-)
Please pray for our 2010 planning. We want to follow God's plans and not our own.
We are only 4 weeks away from launching Kidtown, our new k-5 children's ministry. Invite your friends with kids.
Blueprint church(one of our partner plants) has found a location and will launch on January 3. Praise the Lord, because it is so hard to find a place to meet in the city.
We are also praying about a mission trip to South Africa next summer and will have an interest meeting on January 17th after church.

Week in Review

2009-11-22T22:41:00.002-05:00

I thought things were supposed to slow down as we got closer to the holidays, not so around here.

I worked in childcare today for the first time ever in the life of MTB. It was an educational experience to say the least. I spent half the time making foam airplanes for the kids.
I loved the little I got to hear from our worship team warming up.
I heard Chris did a great job preaching. Thanks dude!
On Monday night I spoke at an Upward Basketball banquet and had 25 adults profess first time faith in Christ. Miller went with me and was a great body gaurd.
On Thursday night I attended the Atlanta Detention center's chaplains banquet. Thomas testimony still blesses me every time I hear it. I was reminded that God can use jail to change a person's life.
Connie and Jacob continue to do an amazing job working to create opportunities for our church to serve Atlantic Station. The tree lighting was a blast. The helium filled foam shapes was a nice touch.
Thanks to everyone who worked so hard on the Moates house. Pray it will rent out quickly.
Thanks to those of you who have given to 50/50 and are helping us provide 50 needy families with meals for Thanksgiving.
Please join me in praying for Johnny Hunt, pastor of FBC Woodstock. Last week he was diagnosed with the early stages of prostate cancer. He is a great friend, encourager and role model to many including me.
Pray for Kathy's family in the loss of her grandmother. We will be attedning the funeral in Tulsa on Wednesday.
Next week I will begin a Christmas series entitled, "Say the Name." I am looking forward to getting back in the pulpit and out of the preschool smock. :-)

Week in Review

2009-11-09T09:59:00.002-05:00

We are trying to be a Simple Church but we keep getting busier and busier. This week was packed with great stuff.
Monday we partnered with Bank of Atlanta to feed some of the homeless of Atlanta.
We also partnered with Blackshear Place baptist church to feed warm chili on a cool night to students on the streets of Georgia State University.
On Tuesday I met with a team to plan a lunch to honor elected officials and community leaders with First Lady Mary Perdue as our guest speaker at The Georgian Club on December 1.
On Wednesday I met with a church planting coaching network and was once again reminded that I don't know it all but I am on an amazing journey.
We received final approval for 2 permananet movie theater style signs outside of Regal letting people know that our church meets there on Sunday. This is a huge blessing and the signs are ordered.
Our church is run by an Administration team who met on Monday and celebrated all that God is doing and how He is growing us in every way.
We also baptized 3 people on Sunday after the service. We used a hot tub at a home nearby. What a great celebration. Thanks to Grace Midtown church for letting us use the home.(I think our church needs a crib that cool)
I have agreed to share our church story Exponential. This is the largest church planting conference in the world.

Week in Review

2009-11-02T14:33:00.002-05:00

Saturday's fall festival in Atlantic Station was a highlight in the life of our church. We were able to see hundreds of people come through. Our college students were even allowed to hand out free water and information about our church. We have come a long way.
Thanks to all the volunteers who let their light shine through good works this weekend.
Attendance was great again this Sunday in worship.
We had someone in the service pray to receive Christ which is always exciting.
This coming Sunday we will be baptizing several people after the service. If you would like to be baptized let me know.
We will be holding a silent auction for the painting Brian Daniels did in our service a couple of weeks ago. It will be on display in our welcome area. The money we raise will go to missions
.
Our Financial Peace Class has been such a blessing to our family. God has brought additional peace to our home and its great to hear the victory stories each week.
I was reminded last week in our Great Commission resurgence meetings last week that any Great Commission Resurgence needs to begin in one heart at a time beginning with mine.

Week in Review

2009-10-26T14:59:00.004-04:00

The number of volunteers at church an hour before church started seemed like more than the number of people we averaged our first year. Thank all of you for serving.
I am more and more convinced the real key to reaching people is people. More than marketing or location or any other man made schemes it just takes people to reach people.
We had a guest drummer yesterday named Brian who beat the snot out of the skins. Thanks for helping lead worship.
Brian Daniel was our guest graphic artist yesterday and painted an amazing painting entitled "He Reaches For Us." It was a great visual of Jesus dying on the cross for the sins of the world.
Connie continues to do a great job leading our missions effort. Thanks to the church for responding to the volunteer request to help with the Atlantic Station Oct. 31 fall family festival. This is our community and when we serve it opens up doors for the gospel.
Another Sunday with several first time guest who all told me they felt very welcome and challenged. Invite Invite Invite.
Very soon we will begin to unveil our plans for a new ministry called "Kidtown."
We are looking to start a video ministry very soon. If you have any interest please email me and let me know lgrays@themidtownbridge.com

Weekly Update

2009-10-12T14:21:00.002-04:00

FSU lost again on Saturday and I stayed up way later than I should have.
I was reminded in my sermon preparation that there are only two things around today that will last forever and that is people and the Word of God. The FSU loss was not that big of a deal but what God is doing through His Word and His people every Sunday is God-sized and making an eternal difference. I came to church very excited about that.
Every week our members are bringing guest with them in hopes that God will do something in their lives. This is exciting.
Every week our hospitality team is growing and exercising the gifts God has given them to be a blessing from the minute people walk into the theater.
We even had new people on the praise team this week. I am not sure who they all were. I think Paul is using first time guest. I don't care because the music is always great.
I think we may have had our largest 5 @the Fox crowd ever yesterday. It is nice to look back and think our church started in that room and now we can barely fit in it.
HUGE PRAISE! God has opened up great doors with Atlantic Station. We are continuing to love and serve this community and people are taking notice. This week they promoted our church in their "Happiness is at your service..." campaign. Our church location and service times were posted on large signs and in an email blast.
This may not seem like a big deal but trust me it is huge. I am proud to be a part of a church that is proclaiming the gospel and demonstrating the power of the gospel in so many ways.
We are always looking to increase our service teams at MTB. Currently we are in need of some additional musicians, graphic designers and a video team. If you are interested let me know.
The highlight of my week was my date night with Kathy. I am blessed.(no I am not trying to make up for mentioning Halle Berry in my sermon) BTW...don't go see the movie "Couples Retreat."

Week in Review

2009-10-05T09:21:00.003-04:00

I began yesterday's sermon talking about defining moments in life.
Going on a mission trip is always one of those defining moments. I spent the week outside of Cape Town South Africa working with students in a squatter camp.
We were able to see a few people saved.
We were also able to pour into 22 students who are part of the Hope2Africa program.
These students are being trained and discipled to become the future spiritual leaders of their communities.
Here is a video of the place and students we were working with.
Pray with me about our church taking a team over in the near future to continue the work.
Thank you skype for helping me keep in touch with my wife.
Thanks to all of you who helped love on my family while I was away and our air conditioner crashed.
I heard great reports on the Moates Extreme Home Makeover project. It makes me proud to pastor so many people who will take ownership of a project and run with it for the glory of Jesus.
Money has continued to come in and we are only a few hundred dollars away from our goal of $8,000 to complete the project.
Thanks to Dave B for heading up the project.
I also heard that Dhati L from Blueprint church did a great job preaching for me while I was away. We need a bunch more planters and church plants like Blueprint in the city.
Praying for Connie S after her fall last Sunday night. She is one of the hardest workers on our team.
Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University has been on of the best courses we have ever offered. Make plans to be a part in the spring if you have never had it. It will truly bring peace to your life.
This week I am looking forward to ministering at the homeless shelter. Pray for our plans to help create development opportunities for the men living there.
Also looking forward to attending Catalyst this week.
A shout out to the lady whose cell phone went off three times in the service. Invite whoever was calling to join you this coming Sunday @ Midtown Bridge Church. We would love to have them.
Everyone can invite someone this week!

Weekly Update

2009-09-16T12:55:00.002-04:00

Week in Review

2009-09-07T10:04:00.002-04:00

I am so thrilled to have Jennifer and Steven McGrew as a part of our church. Her leadership is already making a great difference in our children's ministry. Stay tuned for some exciting announcements in the near future.
Last week we had 5 decisions on Sunday including one young lady who trusted Christ. Her mom saw me on TBN in California and told her daughter in Atlanta to look up our church and she came and got saved.
Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University is going to be a huge blessing to my family and to our church. We have over 20 people signed up to take it.
Last week our church received an award for giving over $50 per person to last year's Lottie Moon Christmas offering to support international missions and church planting. Only 4% of the churches in the country achieved this goal.
This year we have already taken up almost $2,000 through our Christmas in August offerings to support international missions and church planting.
Praying for Paul and Kofi this week. She is scheduled to be induced on Wednesday morning. Paul is going to grow the worship ministry one way or another!
Next Sunday is scheduled to be a huge day in the life of our church. Don't miss it!
Debbie and Frances Moates will be in our service. This is the wife and daughter of our former lead guitarist, the late Frankie Moates.
We have big plans to be a blessing to the Moates family.
Sunday night our church will celebrate with baptisms, the Lord's supper and a creative time of praise and prayer. Check out the web for more details.
Invite someone to join at church through your social networking tools this week.

Week in Review

2009-08-30T21:49:00.003-04:00

This week has almost seemed surreal to me.
On Tuesday I was invited to be a guest on TBN and got to share the plan of salvation via television in over 80 countries to millions of viewers.
I also got to hang with one of my greatest friends, Charles Billingsley, and do ministry together.
On Wednesday I flew to Arkansas to be a part of www.pray4GCR.com meetings.
I was in a room with some of the greatest church leaders in our country helping shape global missions outreach for the next generation.
On Friday, I was able to watch Toy Story with my family. Priceless!
Today we had over 40 first time college students visiting our church.
There were also a few people who heard about us on TBN and showed up to worship with us.
Every week our people are inviting people and every week our church is growing and every week God is changing lives.
The last 3 weeks have been the highest attending regular Sundays in the life of our church. We are moving in the right direction. Over 80% of churches in America are plateaued or declining.
Last week's sermon podcast has to be edited because it recorded me singing. Not good.
I began a series on "Spiritual Conversation" today and I am sure it is an area that we can all grow in even this week.
It is such a privilege to serve with our staff and leaders as we try to reach people with the message of God's saving grace.

Week in Review

2009-08-17T09:40:00.003-04:00

Yesterday was one of the highest attendance days our church has ever had.
The fact that we grew over the summer and the college students returning were major reasons why we were so full.
The other major reasons is that our church members are excited and continue to invite their friends and family to be a part of what God is doing in midtown Atlanta.
I am excited that Atlantic Station graciously agreed to let us use some empty space to host a Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University Course. The preview is this coming Sunday night at 6:30pm. Check our website for more details.
We are sad to see Claude and Twila Williams leave our church. But we are also excited to see how God is going to use them in South Atlanta.
I thank God for Erik Arndt's return after sacrificing 1 year in Bosnia as a missionary to university students. I would love to see more of our members going overseas to share the good news.
A big Bridge welcome to Jennifer McGrew who will be helping to lead our children's ministry. She has already hit the ground running. Preschool and elementary parents should be looking for some exciting news soon!
August 30th will be Back to School Sunday. The first 100 first time visiting College Students will get a free movie ticket! Invite Invite Invite
I am looking forward to this week and being a missionary in my neighborhood. I hope you will do the same.
PS..if anyone is on lake Lanier this week and comes across Thomas C's swim trunks would you please return them to their owner. nice.

Week in Review

2009-08-09T21:49:00.002-04:00

I am so grateful to be a part of church that has a heart to be on and to give to missions.
It is so cool that first time visitors not only want to join the church but they want to get involved in a small group from day 1.
Thanks to all the childcare workers today since the preacher went a little long. :-)
Claude is going to be missed on the worship team.
I am sad that it will also be Twila's last Sunday next week as our preschool director.
Not top quote of the week: "It made me want to slit my wrist" (Adam J's opinion of crown)
Don't miss the Financial Peace preview meeting next week at 9.
Don't forget the great chance to bless Paul and Kofi with a diaper drop on August 23rd.
Great video Chris:

Christmas in August

2009-08-05T11:31:00.004-04:00

This past Sunday I introduced the "Christmas in August" offering to the church planting work of the IMB. For almost two years we have given to international missionaries through our Christmas Mission offering. These gifts join with gifts from churches all around the country to fund our missionaries through an organization called the International Mission Board. This year, due to the recession gifts fell short of the $170 million goal by about $30 million. The result is that almost 700 missionaries will either have to come home or not be replaced, and some of those who were making plans to go will not be able to go.

Below is a very stirring letter from a church planter on the international mission field, regarding some recent cutbacks at the International Mission Board due to the economic recession.

The 2008 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering goal was $170 million. As you may already know, the total receipts fell approximately $29 million short of that goal… the single biggest drop from one year to the next in the history of the offering. When just looking at those numbers it’s pretty overwhelming. However, it all comes into perspective when you realize that entire shortfall could be made up by each SB giving only about $2. That’s giving up one cup of coffee, one hamburger, one Route 44 from Sonic, one tots and cheese… for those of you that know what I’m talking about! Our missionary-force is having to be reduced by almost 700 personnel. That is a pretty sobering figure.

Our denomination was born out of a passion for the nations to hear the Gospel. Sometimes it is a good thing to step back and remember where you came from. We realize that these are difficult economic times for everyone, and we certainly want to show gratitude and appreciation of the funding we have received. However, God has not called us (SB’s) out to wait on the sidelines until the economy recovers.

If the financial crunch had hit before the team I'm on left, we would have 1 career couple here, and the other 5 adults on the team, including me, would be gone. When October of next year hits, we will all be gone, and chances are the one remaining career unit here will not be able to stay in our city. Generally we try not to have anyone alone in a city, and I assume this would be the case with us. Please pray for them in this time, and please do anything you can to help out during this hard time.

11,626 people groups worldwide

6,510 unreached

3,431 unengaged unreached

2,650 with no known evangelical witness

Midtown Bridge, I really want us to do our part. I hope you'll pray about giving, sacrificially, to this special offering during the month of August. Make sure your mark your gift "missions."
You may also give online through Paypal

Week in Review

2009-08-03T09:24:00.004-04:00

I met with the board for the Atlantic Station Civic Assoc. this week and I am excited about the future of our church in helping to serve the residents.
Preached in Decatur, AL on Wednesday night in a great service.
While in Decatur I had some famous Big Bob Gibson barbeque. It did not dissapoint.
Our service Sunday was just another wonderful time of worshipping God together with His people.
I had never heard a "My Tribute" medley like that into "How Great is Our God" into "How Great Thou Art." Incredible!
I loved the scripture reading during the singing and was reminded we need to do more of that.
Five at the Fox is one of the best things we started. I meet someone new every time we do it and feel like our church members grow a little closer to each other.
We had at least 2 people this Sunday express a desire to join our church by baptism.
I am as convinced now as ever that our convention needs a resurgence. Join me in praying www.pray4GCR.com
All of August we will be celebrating Christmas in August by taking a special offering that will go directly to support 5700 missionaries overseas of whom almost 700 are facing the prospect of having to come home because of lack of funding.
Picture of the week: Lauren Kate took this classic self portrait of her throwing out her gang symbols. She said this was her "peace out" picture.

Week in Review

2009-07-26T21:21:00.002-04:00

Chris did a great job preaching "The Rescue" today.
I enjoyed sitting with Kathy during a service.
I also enjoyed tweeting a thought or two from the sermon during the service.
Next week I will be starting a new series called "Praying in the Moment." We all have times of crises and prayers of urgency. This series should help us know what to pray when we don't know what to pray.
We had several core members from BluePrint church plant in our service today. I am so encouraged at the potential this church plant has to help us reach the city.
Our friend Frankie Moates went home to be with the Lord this past week. He will be missed.
His 14 year old daughter Francis played and sang at his funeral. amazing. I have invited her to come share in our service one Sunday.
It was good to have Grady and the guys play in the funeral.
The dude on the trombone at the graveside made that trombone talk.
Here is a clip of Frankie(thanks Thomas)

Here is one more at Fat Matt's Rib Shack...blues and ribs...you can't beat it.

The Whistle of the Train

2009-07-20T21:36:00.002-04:00

A few weeks ago I mentioned how annoying the sound of the train was when I first moved to the city. Carol, one of our new members shared this with me about how sweet the sound is to her. I thought it was interesting and decided to share it with you.

The Whistle of the Train by Carol King

It is the saddest sound,
It is the most beautiful sound,
It is the sound that makes me remember,
a time so melancholy and precious,
a time forgotten and sweet.

Four years old:
Shotgun shack, one room,
outside toilet.
(at the side of the railroad tracks)
The sound of my grandfather
awakening at 4,
still with the smells of coal and soot in his skin
The sound of my grandmother
awakening at 3
fixing coffee, strong and black.
The sound of fire
wood cut by my grandfather
thrown into the stove
The sound of the morning:
biscuits of gold, swelling, gushing
butter, yellow, oozing
Sound of water
hot, burning, pouring from a boiler
into big tin tub in the kitchen.
The sound of my grandmother:
singing, laughing, bathing me, scrubbing me
washing, muscles, detergent and caring.

Fire in the city, cold and rainy:
Nobody cares about anyone and
of course no one for me
Here in this city cars crowd me
jackhammers roar and pound
They run over my life, hammer down my spirit.
Here in the city the sounds kill.

But, you, train whistle:
You call me. Whistle, whistle, call me to
a melancholy and precious time
a forgotten and sweet time
a time longed for and extinct:
Whistle, whistle, call me
I want to return and rest.

Carol King
spring 1996

Week in Review

2009-07-20T14:10:00.002-04:00

I feel so priviledged to pastor such a unique and exciting church.
It seems that our volunteer pool grows every week and people are taking more and more ownership of this ministry.
I love the flexibility of our worship team. Yesterday you blended so well with our guest April.
The hymn "It is Well" was probably my favorite.
Twila, thanks for the suggestions to improve our childcare area.
Every week we have other church planters in our service who tell me how encouraged they are by our people and our service.
I really want this to be a place that God uses to encourage other church starts.
The great news is if God is leading you don't have to get all of the strategy right. God builds His church.
The quote of the week, "Do you want to go halfsies on dessert?" (Chris and Paul at lunch)
I was saddened at the news of Frankie M's death this morning. Heaven just got one amazing guitar player.
Pray for his family including his wife Debbie and their daughter Francis. He has left a big hole.
If the Lord's wills it this should be another wonderful time of worshiping together. Invite a friend.

Week in Review

2009-07-12T20:47:00.002-04:00

We took a staff retreat and had one of the best times of prayer and encouragement together that we have ever had as a staff.
I am sad that our staff concluded that personal evangelism is the weakest part of our ministry but joyful that we recognize it and are unified in leading our church to grow it that are through modeling and celebration.
I am a little concerned with Chris' liking Pee Week Herman.
Paul sang an amazing conclusion to the service today with "Jesus, the center of my joy."
I know I seem to say this weekly but our music ministry seems to get better every week.
It was great having my kids standing with me in worship today.
Lauren Kate cried herself to sleep singing "Rejoice in the Lord always."
Kelly N you were missed today but the hospitality team rose to the occasion.
Darlene thanks for going the extra mile and helping people find seats in the dark well into the service.
Martha knocked it out of the park with refreshments this morning. I didn't have any but they looked good.
Only God can turn sorrow into joy as we saw in John 16 this morning and only God can use sin to defeat sin like He did on the cross. That is shouting material.
I was appointed to the Great Commission Resurgence task force this week. I am so honored and humbled to be able to sit with great men and women over the next year and hopefully influence the focus of our denomination back towards missions and evangelism for years to come.

Week in Review

2009-07-05T22:28:00.002-04:00

On Saturday our church provided a family fun day in Atlantic Station and served approximately 1000 people. I don't know that I have ever been more proud of our volunteers and staff serving the city.
July 4th attendance was wonderful today. We have more and more people bringing their families with them and today was no exception.
I had a great time connecting with men in our church over lunch this week.
Quote of the week: "She should get her own and so should you." (Gibson's response when asked by Dave B if Lauren Kate could have some of his popcorn while Dave was also eating some of Gibson's popcorn)
It was really good to have my sister and her family in town from Japan this week. (No Chris we are not doing ministry at "my sister's house" this week)
We were saddened at the loss of Connie's mother last week.
The media team did great today but Thomas C you were missed.
Pray for our staff as we are taking a planning retreat later this week.
Its official....I am now on twitter @graysmatter
Have an awesome week and tell someone about Jesus

A Very Poor God

2009-06-30T21:52:00.003-04:00

A friend posted this on her facebook status tonight:

To expect another person to make you feel happy, secure, and fulfilled will leave you disappointed at best and disillusioned at worst. Even a great husband makes a very poor God. Only God can settle those deep heart-needs. A man can never do this.

That sure does take the pressure of for us guys. We are not God and we are not even being considered for the position. You actually could insert a great "anything" makes a very poor God.

For all the ladies out there this comes from a daily devotional sent out by Proverbs31.org

Week in Review

2009-06-22T07:55:00.002-04:00

Bezalel Church made some great contributions to the service yesterday.
Thanks for the work zone set design.
Kerry the drawing was a great illustration of how dad's need to be leading their kids to Christ.
It was also great to have Lauren's dad in the service to sing a father-daughter duet.
Cornerstone Baptist Church from Charlotte, NC is in town to help with some mission projects including a cool art camp in Centennial Place.
I really enjoyed preaching the "Desperate Households" series and look forward to preaching through John 16 and the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
I had a super Father's Day and enjoyed sharing it with my church family.
Please pray for Connie's family. Her mom is scheduled to be put into hospice care today.

One Step From Stupid

2009-06-17T11:24:00.002-04:00

Danny Aiken use to always tell us in seminary that sin makes you stupid. I recieved an email article today fro David Putnam entitled "One Step From Stupid". Last week the pastor of a rapidly growing church in Canton resigned after admitting to an emotional and physical affair with his personal assistant. I have reminded Jonathan that if he ever comes on to me I will punch him in the face. Well it can happen to any of us.

Here is a great open letter to pastors from Geoff Surratt as it relates to guarding our families and ministries.

An open letter to pastors

This weekend Gary Lamb, one of the more popular pastors in the social networking world, admitted that he has been in an ongoing affair with his assistant. Following the direction of his church Overseers he resigned from the church he planted five years ago effective immediately. The damage his actions caused will continue for many years in the lives of hundreds of people. I do not know Gary personally but I have followed him on Twitter for the past year and have read his blog occasionally. I have no comment on his specific situation other than to say I am praying for his family, his church, the woman he has been involved with and for Gary.

I do, however, want to comment on pastors shipwrecking their lives and the lives of their families. I have been involved in ministry all of my life, the past 27 as a staff member or pastor at three different churches, and I have seen stories like Gary's over and over. The details vary, but the end result is the same; total devastation. The key question is not what happened, but rather how can we avoid the same fate. Here are some random thoughts:

If you think you aren't vulnerable, you are already toast
I had a counseling professor in college who said that the pastors who are in the most danger of a moral shipwreck are the ones who think it will never happen to them. If you think you are too honest, too faithful, or too transparent to ever be involved in an affair you are skating on very thin ice. David never thought he'd sleep with Bathsheba until he saw her naked; then he couldn't think of anything else. You can steal money, you can get involved in pornography, you can cheat on your spouse, and you can lie to your family. Every day of our lives we have to remind ourselves we are vulnerable to complete moral failure.
If you think you can burn the candle at both ends, you are already toast
There are no super humans in ministry. When I read twitters of pastors who get up at 4:00 a.m. every day, who work seven days a week, who counsel people at night and on their "day off", I know that they are headed for a fall. God took a day off when he was creating the world, Jesus took a beach trip to Tyre and Sidon (Mark 7:24) during his ministry. Unless you know something God doesn't know you are headed for a major fall without regular downtime.
If you think you can do ministry without accountability, you are already toast
The only "conversation" I ever had with Gary Lamb was a Twitter exchange over the importance of an accountability group. Gary felt that the Overseers of his church provided all the accountability he needed. My contention is that we need people who are face-to-face with us on a regular basis, who know our wives and our assistants, who can ask us the really tough questions. I don't know if the Overseers provided that for Gary or if a local group would have prevented his fall, but I do know that I need that kind of scrutiny in my life.
If you think you don't need safeguards, you are already toast
Filters on internet access, never handling cash for the church, never meeting with someone of the opposite sex alone, letting others have access to your email; these are such a pain and to be honest I don't always have all of them active in my life. The reality is that safeguards will not keep you from doing what you have already decided to do, but they can give you enough margin to change your mind before you act.
If you think it's about you, you are already toast
Failure begins with ego. When you begin to think that success is because you are smart, funny, talented, cool or a 100 other adjectives and not simply because God is God and has chosen to bless you; you are headed down a very dangerous path. When you being to think the ministry will crumble without you and that you have to work 24/7 to make it happen you are headed toward destruction. When you think the rules stop applying to you and you can cut corners and you are above it you are on a crash course for disaster.

As ministers we are in a marathon. If you do not pay attention to the danger signs along the way you will crash before the finish line. Your crash may be a spectacular moral failure like Gary's, it may be the slow destruction of your marriage, or it may be the rotting of your soul; but Satan will use ministry to destroy you. And God will not say to you in Heaven, "Too bad about your family, but awesome job building a great big church. Fist bump, dude."

Three things every pastor needs to do:

Slow down
You will not change the world today and tomorrow isn't looking good either. There is plenty of time to hang with your wife, play with your kids, play golf, relax. God was at work long before you showed up and He will be at work long after you are gone. You cannot live on adrenaline all of the time. You cannot be pumped up about every weekend. If you live that way for an extended time you will crash.
Open up
You need someone in your life who knows you inside and out; someone who will ask the hard questions and know when you are ducking the answers. It is difficult as a pastor to find someone you can be truly honest with, but it is essential that you find that person. Another pastor who does not attend your church might be ideal.
Count the cost
Every time you are tempted to break a rule, to cut a corner, togo somewhere you shouldn't go consider what it will cost you when it all comes to light. What is going to happen when your wife finds out? How will she feel? What will it do to your children? What will this do to your church? How will it feel to write a letter like Gary had to write?

You don't wake up one day and decide to shipwreck your life. You do it one stupid decision at a time. As someone who has seen this happen again and again and again I am begging you to take action today because it will happen to you.

Summer Camp Memories

2009-06-16T22:31:00.003-04:00

This week my family and I are in what has been affectionately referred to as the "Redneck Riviera" aka Panama City Beach. I am preaching at my first youth camp of the summer. Even though I am getting older and the music is getting louder I still love being involved with youth camps.

For many people Panama City Beach is a place where they lost something or did something that they regret and have to live with for the rest of their life. I am praying that the students look back on this week in Panama City and remember it as a place and time when God moved in a powerful way in their life.

Week in Review

2009-06-08T10:05:00.003-04:00

Yesterday I preached "Sex in the City." It was a biblical look at sex and sexual activity. The basic message was not "Where is the Line?" but "When is the time?"
Remind me to make it a little cooler in the room next time I preach this. I think I was sweating.
I thought the video that led into the message was a super way of introducing some of the issues.
Last week we had over half of our church attendance involved in Connection Groups. This was a great start to the summer.
Our Sunday morning attendance was also really strong yesterday.
Hospitality team you guys are getting better every week and I continually hear people say how friendly and genuine our church is. Great Job!
Last week someone wrote a song about our church. I think this may be the first one. Here is the myspace link. It is called "At My Church." Thanks JW. I am glad God sent you here.
Roopville Road Baptist Church is in town this week helping us with planting Bezalel Church plant. They are from Carrollton, GA. So that makes this a foreign mission trip for them. Thanks for coming!
This weekend First Baptist Church Jacksonville, FL will be bringing a group of middle schools to help with some mission projects. They are always a huge blessing to be around.
The ultimate highlight of my week was my lunch date with my wife and her new cool haircut! (Sometimes guys have to say that but I mean it)

Jogging in the Rain?

2009-06-04T15:28:00.003-04:00

I saw some crazy guy out jogging in the rain this morning. If I am honest I probably don't think he is crazy just because it was in the rain, it is also because I think jogging is crazy period. I mean unless something is wrong with your car or you are being chased by a dog or something why would you jog. Maybe I would be more interested if it was tackle jogging or something to make it a little more competitive. I am sure you can tell by my increasing waistline I am not a big fan of jogging. So I digress.

The point of this blog is to ask the question, "What are you passionate enough about to jog in the rain for?" It was obvious that the inconvenience of rain falling from the sky was not enough to stop this guy from running. I have learned that we mostly do what we want to do in life.

I think I run in the rain for God and usually serve Him when its inconvenient but not always. I think I run in the rain for my wife and family. And I think I run in the rain for our church family.

What do you run in the rain for?

At the Scene of the Crime

2009-06-02T09:30:00.004-04:00

Last night our church fed several hundred homeless men at a shelter we have been working with for over a year and a half now. I never cease to be overwhelmed by the number of people who are living in those conditions. Last night a homeless man named Willy, asked me to pray for him because he was just getting tired and life was tough at the shelter. I tried to encourage him with Galatians 6:9, "Do not grow weary in well doing." He asked me if that meant not to give up. I told him that was right. That seemed like just enough of a nugget of truth to encourage him.

Early this morning around 1:30 am an 18 year old teenager was shot and killed behind the shelter. (ajc article) There are not many details available at this time. But I have a few questions: 1) Why was he shot? 2) What is a teenager doing on the streets behind a shelter at 1:30 in the morning. 3) What are we supposed to do about it?

There are a host of reasons why people end up on the streets. Some of those reasons are their own fault and some are not. I will save that discussion for another time. I do know we can't do or fix everything, but we should do something. Even though feeding those men one night a month is not much it is something. Are you doing anything?

I believe we are being Jesus to those men. "And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’" (Mt. 25:40) I just pray that they see and hear the gospel in us and from us.

Please pray for the thousands of homeless men and women on the streets of Atlanta like Willy who are living on the edge. Please pray that God would send more people to the scene of the crime to share the life changing story of Jesus offer of salvation.

Sunday Night in Review

2009-05-31T22:01:00.002-04:00

Today was one of my favorite days in the life of our church so far for several reasons. Here are a few:
The opening video was a little too close to reality. Here is a link: Sacred Singles Speed Dating

Randy S was running the screen presentation today for the first time and did a great job. Media team you are getting better every week.

Jeremy G was playing keys today and has become the newest member of our worship team. Great job and nice horn fills.

I feel like our church is hungry for God and hungry to hear from His Word.

I am sorry to all of the ladies who were dating and your boyfriend decided today that you need to stay single.

Randy and Emily also helped us host friends in our home tonight and were such a huge blessing. The homemade sorbet didn't hurt either.

We had a bunch of people offer to come help with the homeless shelter and who are looking for ways to serve.

Our church received an award of recognition from Centennial Place elementary for our volunteer work. I am so proud of our people for letting their light shine.

Lauren Kate singing "Jesus Loves Me" at Fox Sports Grill was definitely my favorite.

Hold Your Own Bottle

2009-05-20T14:04:00.002-04:00

Today I had the privilege of staying home with my kids while Kathy worked.(guys, this is not the same as babysitting) I started to give Gracy her bottle and realized I needed to get something from the kitchen. When I went to get up I realized that Gracy was holding her own bottle for the first time. As simple as this is, it is one of those mile markers in watching your babies grow up.

It should also be a mile marker in our spiritual lives. One of the signs of spiritual maturity is the ability to feed ourselves. Far too many people depend on someone else to spoon feed them God's Word and spiritual truth. I do believe it is the pastor's job to teach God's Word and equip people to do ministry. However, if I am doing my job, people should become less and less dependent on me and turn into the ones teaching others God's Word and the things of God.

So if you are not getting fed at your church, pray for your pastor and leadership. But even more importantly, learn to feed yourself. :-)

2009-05-18T09:18:00.002-04:00

The service yesterday was another powerful time of fellowship, singing, praying and preaching.
I was amazed at the strength of our attendance yesterday even though most of our college students have left for the summer.
I am so proud of many of our college students who are serving as missionaries somewhere this summer.
We continue to have weekly visitors. The number one way they come is when they are personally invited. Keep inviting your friends and family.
I found out yesterday that one of our members is taking this earth day thing too serious. A couple of weeks ago Sukari walked 3 miles to church. (Kelly, how did you get to church?)
J. LaToiya, thanks for coming and beating the snot out of the skins yesterday.
Caitlin was our childcare worker of the week. She was in town visiting her sister and helped fill in.
Quote of the week, "My wife is the only feminine side I've got." (pastor Larry who was later seen walking around with a Dora backpack)
A big highlight from yesterday was being able to baptize Megan on her 19th birthday!

Is this a good time to worship?

2009-05-13T14:36:00.003-04:00

This week I was asked some questions about the chorus "Come, Now is the time to worship." This prompted me to take a deeper look at the song and I made an interesting discovery. The song was written by Brian Doerksen's during one of the most difficult "times" of his life.

In the summer of 1997, Brian and a team of investors lost more than $1 million dollars in a failed ministry project. His family lost their home and he fell into deep depression. He moved to England to start over as a worship pastor. He soon learned after the move that 3 of his 6 children had a form of mental retardation called Fragile X Syndrome.

"One morning, I went for a prayer walk, to pour out my heart to God," he says. "As I was walking, I heard as clear as a bell, 'Come, now is the time to worship … ' I thought, Wow! The call of worship is being sounded all of the time and in all kinds of ways. I was sweating, and walking, and singing that line over and over again, just sensing God's nearness." (Today's Christian, May 2005)

I learned that the lyrics of this chorus were birthed in a Job like moment in the life of its author. That gave me a fresh perspective on an old chorus. The time to worship is not just on Sunday morning at 11am or when everything is going well. The time to worship is also when life seems to be falling apart. As long as God is in control and on the throne "our greatest treasure remains" in the future.

Will you choose to worship today? So this video is for everybody who is going through something. If things are all good in your life right now the song probably will not mean as much right now, so bookmark this post and watch it when you need it:

Why Do Mom's Get an Entire Day?

2009-05-12T15:10:00.002-04:00

Sunday was a special day for our church and family. I am so grateful for a mother who loves Jesus and loves us. I am also grateful for my wife who is an exceptional mom. Our children are definitely blessed.

If you were wondering why mom's get an entire day, here is a video reminder that we showed Sunday.

Sunday Night Week in Review

2009-05-03T13:03:00.003-04:00

(sent from my pda)
-above is picture of the week "swine flu update"
- doc thanks for pulling an all nighter and then playing some mean bass
-we had nine people join the church yesterday!
-mike is doing a great job with our connection groups and new members
-I thorougly enjoyed preaching the momentum series and finishing with joy!
-next week I will begin a series called "desperate households"
-honorable mention: brad m arrived at 6:30 for setup, worked in preschool and survived a piece of staging falling on him, banging his head and gashing his ankle
-kathy and I are off for the week on the music boat cruise..pray for the gmas who will be watching our kids!!
picture of the week- swine flu
brad stage falling

Fighting for Joy!

2009-05-01T15:13:00.002-04:00

This Sunday morning I will be preaching on a joy movement. Here is one of the quotes that a facebook friend shared a few weeks ago:

“Man cannot live without joy; therefore when he is deprived of true spiritual joys it is necessary that he become addicted to carnal pleasures.” (Thomas Aquinas:)

I have never thought about the fact that we can't live without joy, so we try anything we can to find it. One of my preaching problems is that I always have too much and want to get it all out at once. Well, there is not enough room in the sermon Sunday to share this list so I am going to post it here.

How Shall We Fight for Joy?

By John Piper January 1, 1995

1. Realize that authentic joy in God is a gift.

2. Realize that joy must be fought for relentlessly.

3. Resolve to attack all known sin in your life.

4. Learn the secret of gutsy guilt - how to fight like a justified sinner.

5. Realize that the battle is primarily a fight to see God for who he is.

6. Meditate on the Word of God day and night.

7. Pray earnestly and continually for open heart-eyes and an inclination for God.

8. Learn to preach to yourself rather than listen to yourself.

9. Spend time with God-saturated people who help you see God and fight the fight.

10. Be patient in the night of God's seeming absence.

11. Get the rest and exercise proper diet that your body was designed by God to have.

12. Make a proper use of God's revelation in nature.

13. Read great books about God and biographies of great saints.

14. Do the hard and loving thing for the sake of others (witness and mercy).

15. Get a global vision for the cause of Christ and pour yourself out for the unreached.

O Happy Day!

2009-04-29T10:59:00.002-04:00

16 years ago today God saved my sweet wife. It was the first time she had clearly heard the good news of God's offer of forgiveness and salvation through His Son Jesus Christ. She had teenage friends who cared enough about her soul to invite her to a bible study where she was introduced to Christ. She then became part of church that began the discipleship process in her life. Later in her college years she became active in the Baptist Collegiate Ministry at the University of West Georgia.

Today, I and my kids are beneficiaries of God's saving grace in her life and the people He used to shape her into a mature godly woman.

Happy Spiritual Birthday Baby!

Sunday night Week in Review

2009-04-26T21:07:00.002-04:00

This week was another mile marker in the life of our church.
Our big announcement today was that Paul Kinney is our new worship leader. Paul has been working with us the past month and has done a fantastic job.
I am confident that Paul and his wife Kofi are going to help take us to the next level.
Verna at Fuji Floral Design provided one of most beautiful flower bouquets for Kofi that I have ever seen.

I enjoyed studying and preparing today's message asking if "God Cares about the Environment?" click here to listen to the podcast.
We had 22 first time guest today who took us up on our offer for free tickets to see Disney's movie "Earth."
We also gave away recyclable grocery bags today that were inscribed with Psalm 24:1 "The earth is the Lord's."
My brother Keith was the childcare worker of the week. Nice shorts.
Quote of the week, "And the minivan is?" (Brad Meriwether responding to my saying I would not drive a hybrid because they were not fast enough.)

All of the setup crew appreciates Chris getting lighter bases for the pipe and drape.
It was great to have Grady visiting in town and in the service today.
I was moved as we prayed for Marcus who is leaving in the morning for a six month deployment in Iraq. Pray for him and his wife Donna.
Also pray for Chris K and his family in the sudden loss of a family member.
This week we were able to move Connie, our director of mobilization, inside the perimeter with a strong desire to minister in a local community.
I am looking forward to returning to John 15 and preaching "A Joy Movement" next Sunday.

Sunday Week in Review

2009-04-20T10:45:00.002-04:00

I know Easter was two weeks ago but I didn't share any thoughts, so I will throw in a few here.
The attendance was our highest ever with 176 people in attendance.
I was so encouraged to see so many people who we had been praying for daily that did not have a church home or know Christ in attendance.
Twila thanks for planning the Easter Egg hunt for the preschoolers.
Thanks to Will Goodwin for leading worship and doing some consulting for us.
The new banners and posters are amazing.
I saw Kelly N breaking a sweat getting the banners all hung. Thanks for going the extra mile leading our hospitality team.
One of the goals of the new signs is to help people not feel so lost on Sunday mornings. Atlantic Station is pretty dead before 11am and the parking garage can be intimidating for first time guest so we are taking steps to improve that.
Yesterday was the first time I have ever preached on "Loving Our Enemies" I am still processing what that looks like on a daily basis.
Quote of the week: "I am funnier on the phone." Nicole M after harassing me in a text.
Childcare worker of the Century: My wife Kathy!
It was great to have Aaron Skinner in our service on Sunday. Aaron designed our logo and website. If you need a designer I highly recommend him. Kairos Creative
Next Sunday will be the first time I have ever preached on the environment and creation care. I will be asking the question, "Does God Care About the Environment?"
We will be giving free tickets to the movie "Earth" to all first time guest in honor of Earth Day. Invite your friends and catch the movie after the service!

SLOW DOWN

2009-04-17T17:25:00.002-04:00

I have started writing "slow down" at the top of my sermon notes. This is next to "success is faithfulness to God's Word" at the top of my notes. It may surprise some of you but I have the tendency to talk fast when I am preaching. My preaching professor said my problem is I want to say it all at once.

I have come to realize that I may need to slow down in other areas as well. Wednesday morning I was down in my office working and Lauren Kate came down and wanted to sit in my lap and play. She actually wanted me to play the "Apple Bottom Jeans" song from YouTube(Kathy's bad influence). I was already busy but I said let's listen to something else. She said she wanted to hear a song about Cinderella. So I went to tangle.com(artist formerly know as godtube) and searched for Cinderella. I was expecting a Disney song but Stephen Curtiss Chapman's song came up. I have heard this song numerous times but never really slowed down to listen to what he was saying. After the music video there is a video of him explaining what was going on when he wrote the song.

In the middle of the song Lauren Kate said "this is a good song for you to sing daddy." She was probably more right than she realized. Anyway, if you are not interested in the song fast forward to his explanation!

Success is faithfulness to God's word not only in preaching but in every area of life. And sometimes that means we need to slow down.

Frankie update

2009-04-06T21:51:00.002-04:00

Frankie Moates is one of the best guitar players in the city. For over 30 years he has been playing at Fat Matt's Rib Shack on Thursday nights. When we started Midtown Bridge Frankie agreed to play for us and brings the funk every Sunday.

A couple of weeks ago he experienced some partial paralysis in his left arm. He had been diagnosed with cancer but it has now spread to his brain. He has a couple of tumors that were creating the problem. The doctors are treating him with radiation.

My friend is understandably discouraged but hopeful. For the first time in over 40 years of playing he can't play. I spoke with him today and he is grateful for the outpouring of support and calls from friends. He asked that we keep praying but understand if he doesn't return calls right away.

Week in Review

2009-04-06T11:33:00.002-04:00

Paul thanks for doing a great job of leading us to the throne in worship yesterday!
I actually saw some of you dancing in church. Some of you should maybe work on keeping it between 10 and 2.
In the first quarter of this year 25% of our expenses have gone toward missions and evangelism. That is awesome.
Thanks to the team that went to Columbus, GA on Saturday to help host a block party for one of our church planting partners.
$5 at Fox was a great time of hanging out and getting to know our church family better. We are considering doing this every other month.
I am looking forward to having Will leading again this Sunday for Easter.
God continues to amaze me in response to my Care, Prayer, and Share time.
I love the fact that our church is not just talking about praying but we are really practicing prayer.
I am also looking forward to a unique Good Friday experience with Bezalel Church at the Tula Arts center.
One of the most interesting things I learned this week was that there is a town called Brilliant, AL.
This coming Sunday I will be preaching a message entitled "Love Movement." Invite others to come get on board.
Our preschoolers will be having an Easter egg hunt in the movie theater this Sunday. That should be fun and interesting. I hope they don't find "treats" we didn't put there.

Week in Review

2009-03-30T15:12:00.004-04:00

1027church was our special guest yesterday and brought a ton of people and a ton of energy with them.
1027church pastor Tim Wolfe is the godfather of church planting in the city.
Props to KaDee Blake for making enough homemade goodies to feed both churches.
I am encouraged that our city is on the heart of God and He is moving through existing churches and church plants.
Paul Kinney led worship yesterday and brought his running shoes. I am looking forward to having him lead again next week.
The music was amazing.
Jennifer Bliss filled in for Frankie on electric guitar and brought the funk!
Keep praying for our friend Frankie!
I am encouraged that our ministry to international students continues to grow and several people have donated to buy bibles translated into their native languages.
Congratulations to Thomas C. for being appointed as Asst. Chaplain for the city of Atlanta jails. God's grace never ceases to amaze!
Next Sunday promises to be another great day. It's 5 at the Fox day. After church we will gather at Fox Sport's grill for lunch for $5. Can't beat it. Bring a friend!
Childcare worker of the week goes to the Gregg's who aren't even members but come every 5th Sunday to volunteer in our preschool area.
There were 16 preschoolers yesterday. We are going to grow this church one way or the other. (just kidding..i know i know God grows the church)
Dhati Lewis is a church planter moving the city of Atlanta that I am super excited about. Blueprint Church is destined to make a mark on this city.
Don't forget that Easter is in 2 weeks. CARE, PRAYER SHARE.

I'm not really feeling you dog...

2009-03-25T21:04:00.003-04:00

American Idol is one of the few shows that I watch on a somewhat regular basis. This season I am with Randy and "not really feeling" this season. There is one bright spot to this season, almost half of the remaining contestants are outspoken followers of Jesus.

According to MTV.com "more than half of this year's crop of finalists — including Danny Gokey, Michael Sarver, Kris Allen, Scott MacIntyre, Matt Giraud and Lil Rounds — either have a strong affiliation with the church or are worship leaders in their communities."

It is good to know that we have more Christians singing music that is quality. One of my favorites is Lil. Who do you like?

Sunday Week in Review

2009-03-22T22:49:00.004-04:00

I totally missed being at Midtown Bridge today.
I preached 8 times in the last 3 days in Virginia.
I really saw God move today in our morning service and the altar was full.
I have heard over and over again what a great job Chris did preaching today. (I don't think he said poop one time, but he did say commode)
I continue to be amazed how God is providing for our church. Last week we received the biggest offering ever in the short life of our church.
I also continue to hear stories of our members participating in Care, Prayer, Share and already having God open doors to invite their friends to Easter service and having spiritual conversations. Keep praying, caring and sharing!!
If Jesus tarries this next week will be another great week.
On Sunday 1027 Church will join us for worship.
Tim Wolfe is their pastor and he is like the godfather of church planters in Atlanta.
You never know how we are going to start of the service these days. Don't be late. If you missed the beginning two weeks ago, here is the video we used to introduce our Momentum series.

In two weeks we are bringing back 5 at the Fox. After service on April 5th we have a room reserved for lunch for $5/person. You can barely eat at Taco Bell for $5. It will be a great week to invite a friend and buy there lunch.

Boys to Men

2009-03-18T22:07:00.002-04:00

We were living in Mandarin, FL when one of my friends came running to my house yelling that my older sister had been in a fight and got beat up. My little brother(keke) and I took off running for the bus stop and met my sister on the way with TWO black eyes. We found out that she had been smarting off to some guy on the bus and when they got off the bus he let her have it. My sister had a big mouth but she definitely did not deserve to be beaten like this. My brother and I quickly headed to the bus stop to administer some justice but he was no where to be found.

Well my dad grew up in the projects of Pruitt-Igoe in St. Louis, MO. And you can take the man out of the projects but you can't take the projects out of the man. When my dad found out that a boy beat up his little girl he was going to handle it old school. This was the first time I remember seeing one of my dad's guns other than on New Year's Eve. When he got home he loaded the entire family into the car and I am pretty sure he was looking for this kids dad or something.

Well, when we got to his apartment there was no dad. Instead what we found was a single mom doing the best she could to raise two boys on her own and who was very very apologetic. For whatever reason, this immediately softened my dad's heart for this family. So no one else got beat up or shot or went to jail.

I think most people understand that unfortunately there are far too many single moms trying to teach boys how to be men. In 2003, 23% of American households were being led by single moms. Thank God for the single moms who are doing the work of two people to support a family when a guy bails. Again you can call me old fashioned, but there are some things that a boy is supposed to learn from his dad. One of those things is supposed to be how to honor and respect everyone and especially women.

In the December 1, 1998 issue of The Wall Street Journal, Maggie Gallagher's article Fatherless Boys Grow Up Into Dangerous Men reports on a study by the University of California's Cynthia Harper and Princeton's Sara McLanahan. There is no argument that the most violent men in our society were raised in homes where there was no father. Here are a few other statistics that may be dated but I doubt the evidence has changed much:

The Newsletter of the Bay Area Male Involvement Network, , Spring 1997:

Begin quote:

63% of youth suicides are from fatherless homes (Source: U.S. D.H.H.S., Bureau of the Census
90% of all homeless and runaway children are from fatherless homes
85% of all children that exhibit behavioral disorders come from fatherless homes (Source: Center for Disease Control)
80% of rapists motivated with displaced anger come from fatherless homes (Source: Criminal Justice & Behavior, Vol 14, p. 403-26, 1978.)
71% of all high school dropouts come from fatherless homes (Source: National Principals Association Report on the State of High Schools.)
75% of all adolescent patients in chemical abuse centers come from fatherless homes (Source: Rainbows for all Gods Children.)
70% of juveniles in state-operated institutions come from fatherless homes (Source: U.S. Dept. of Justice, Special Report, Sept 1988)
85% of all youths sitting in prisons grew up in a fatherless home (Source: Fulton Co. Georgia jail populations, Texas Dept. of Corrections 1992)

And for those of you who might conclude that just because a boy grows up in a home with a father doesn't mean he isn't going to go around mistreating women. You are exactly right. But he has a much better chance of learning how to treat women with respect if dad is there.

Should a Man Ever Hit a Woman pt. 2

2009-03-17T15:14:00.004-04:00

When I said that a man should never hit a woman a couple of weeks ago, I was called old fashioned. I was told that Rhianna was a grown woman and deserved to be punished if she hit Chris Brown first. Perhaps I was called old fashioned in our discussion because I believe the differences between men and women are not just biological but are theological. Maybe it is old fashioned because we are arguing about something that was obvious to people for centuries. Men and women are different!

The fundamental question is has God created human beings male and female with clear instructions on how we should treat each other? If there is no Creator God, then we are simply highly evolved forms of ectoplasmic mass and have no worth or value and our only differences are biological and not theological. Not only that, if there is no Creator God none of us have any inherent value and it doesn't matter how we treat each other. So we better start the discussion with God's plan or we are all in trouble.

The Bible clearly teaches that God made both man and woman in His image. That means we are essentially equal in our value and worth. This should not be a discussion on the worth of women vs. men. We are created equal in our essence. God also created men and women for His glory. He has chosen to glorify Himself in our sameness and in our uniqueness.

When God made man, He just made him. But when God made woman, the Hebrew language uses a word that means to skillfully craft or design. God put a little more attention in the detail. I want my little girls to date and marry guys who believe this and will treat them as precious gifts from God and not treat them the same way they treat the fellas.

John Piper makes some great observations:
"God created man first in order to say that man bears a primary burden for protection, provision, and leadership. And when man and woman rebelled against God's ways, God came to the garden and said, Adam, where are you? (Genesis 3:9), not Eve, where are you? And when the apostle described the implications of being created male and female, the pattern he celebrates is: Save her, nourish her, cherish her, give her life (Ephesians 5:25-29).

God wrote manhood and womanhood on our hearts. Sin ruins the imprint without totally defacing it. It tells men to be heavy handed oafs or passive wimps. It tells women to be coquettes or controllers. That is not God's imprint. Deeper down men and women know it.

They are by no means inferior to men because they read the Word of God which tells them that He has created them in His image and that they are equal in worth, honor and dignity with men."

Man was created to be a protector and a provider. He was not created to abuse and punish women. I am thankful for the comments that "anonymous" made in my earlier post. Nature and the bible teaches us that women were created as "weaker vessels." That is the picture of a precious piece of porcelain. It amazes me that some women say they don't want to be treated that way.

It is never right to abuse anyone. What has happened between Chris Brown and Rhianna is sad. They both need to be prayed for and need healing. We don't know all the details but we do know that abuse happens everyday. I promise you it would happen a lot less if more people really believed and practiced what the bible teaches about gender issues and how we should treat each other. (By the way, my girls aren't allowed to date until they are 30)

I have attached a statement the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood has published about abuse. I agree wholeheartedly:

CBMW issued a formal "Statement on Abuse" in November 1994. Its key affirmations are as follows:

We understand abuse to mean the cruel use of power or authority to harm another person emotionally, physically, or sexually.

We are against all forms of physical, sexual and/or verbal abuse.

We believe that the biblical teaching on relationships between men and women does not support, but condemns abuse.

We believe that abuse is sin. It is destructive and evil. Abuse is the hallmark of the devil and is in direct opposition to the purposes of God. Abuse ought not be tolerated in the Christian community.

We believe that the Christian community is responsible for the well-being of its members. It has a responsibility to lovingly confront the abusers and protect the abused.

We believe that both the abusers and the abused are in need of emotional and spiritual healing.

We believe that god extends healing to those who earnestly seek him.

We are confident of the power of God's healing love to restore relationships fractured by abuse, but we realize that repentance, forgiveness, wholeness, and reconciliation is a process. Both abusers and abused are in need of on-going counseling, support, and accountability.

In instances where abusers are unrepentant and/or unwilling to make significant steps toward change, we believe that the Christian community must respond with firm discipline of the abuser and advocacy, support, and protection of the abused.

We believe that by the power of God's Spirit, the Christian community can be an instrument of god's love and healing for those involved in abusive relationships and an example of wholeness in a fractured, broken world.

Sunday Night Week in Review

2009-03-15T14:12:00.003-04:00

Today was a great start to our new Momentum series.
I am hoping that our church gains momentum during this series as our members gain spiritual momentum in their personal lives.
Grant, thanks for shooting the bowling alley intro video. That was fun and hopefully we can do some more of that.
It is encouraging to have visitors every week. I really want our church to be some place where people want to bring their friends back with them.
Great video backgrounds today guys. I looked like the screen was going to fall on us.
Will Goodwin continues to do a great job leading worship.
Will is also doing some consulting for our church and helping us prepare for a great Easter and a great future.
I believe great freedom comes with great planning and preparation. We are working hard at improving our planning and preparation.
I am already starting to hear stories of how God is using our Care, Prayer, Share challenge to open up doors to invite people to church and to share the gospel.
Keep caring, praying and sharing!
Kathy did a great job with Gibson's 3 year birthday party. (if you see Gibson remind him that 3 yr olds are potty trained) Can you believe she made this cake from scratch?
Kathy and I celebrated our 7 yr anniversary and have a cruise scheduled in May to celebrate. Can you say do absolutely nothing for a week.
I am looking forward to leading bible study at Bank of Atlanta on Tuesday at noon.
I am also looking forward to the Atlanta Community Breakfast Wednesday morning at 7:30 at Fox Sport's Grill. Phil Tuttle, president of Walk Through the Bible, will be speaking.
Thanks to everyone who helped breakdown the theater today. We did it in record time and the Jonas brothers in 3-D was able to start on time.

Sunday Night Week in Review

2009-03-08T21:38:00.002-04:00

Today was one of my favorite services so far in the life of our church.
We have some of the best setup guys on the planet. Even with the time change they got started around 6:30 this morning. Cody was the only one who set his clock double early and was early.
The new projector was a huge hit.
To all the cult Mac users out there, I think there is a chance our church will be converted soon and come over to the dark side. The transitions and quality were great today.
Will Goodwin has just started to help us for a few weeks and there is already a noticeable difference in several key areas.
The opening song was great today. We are working really hard to make the beginning of the service excellent every week so don't be late.
Chris shared a need to provide international students with parallel translation bibles in their own language and I think we will have all the money we need to buy a bible for everyone that we know has a need.
Snowy was the first person we saw saved and baptized after our church launched a year and a half ago. It was sad to tell her goodbye today as she is moving to Chicago. It was also great to be reminded that God is using us to see changed lives.
We launched our 30 day CARE, PRAYER, SHARE challenge today. We are asking everyone in our church to pray daily for as many as 5 people who they care about that either don't know the Lord or have a church home. I can't wait to hear the God stories.
Sure Connexions was one of the best so far. We learned 4 biblical principles from Russ Crosson for our finances: 1) Spend less than you make 2) Acquire cash 3) Get out of debt 4) Diversify.
On Monday night we fed over 700 homeless men dinner with the help of West Cobb Church.
I love the fact that our church looks like the city and is trying to minister to every type of person living in the city.
I forgot to announce that on April 5th we are having a church-wide fellowship at Fox Sport's grill for $5/person. You can't even eat and drink at Taco Bell for that price. Make plans to stay around after the service.
Next week we are launching our "Momentum" series. Come get "unstuck."

If A Woman Hits a Man...?

2009-03-06T16:43:00.003-05:00

If a woman hits a man, what should he do? That was the question that sparked an intense coffeehouse discussion over the last two days. The question was raised in discussing the Chris Brown and singer Rihanna domestic violence case. Rumor was that one of Chris' old girlfriends sent him a text and Rihanna lost it, took the phone and slapped him. Then Chris brown severely beat her face in. The court papers yesterday revealed a much different story. Nonetheless, it started the discussion if a man was right in hitting a woman back if she hit him first.

Now I was called old fashioned because I said a man should NEVER hit a woman. He can defend himself but he doesn't need to hit her to do it. On the first day of the discussion a couple guys believed that a grown woman deserved to be punished if she hit a man and didn't deserve any special treatment just because she was a woman. And she could have prevented the beating by not hitting him.

The deeper discussion moved into the question of do women deserve special treatment just because they are women, why or why not?

So I have my reasons but I want to hear from you and then I will share what I think. What should a man do if a woman hits him and does the woman deserve preferential treatment because she is a woman?

Can we sin in heaven?

2009-03-04T14:30:00.000-05:00

Last week one of our small groups began to discuss heaven, sin and free will. One of the questions that stumped them was, "Will we have free will in heaven and will we be able to sin?" I guess the issue was if we didn't sin it would be because we didn't have free will and we would be less than human.

The very short answer is we will not be able to sin in heaven for the same reason God can't sin. It will be part of our new nature. God can do anything that is not contrary to His nature and it is impossible for God to sin. When we get to heaven we will be given our glorified bodies. 1 Cor. 15:52 says we will be raised, "incorruptible." It will be impossible for our new nature when we get to heaven to be corrupted.

As far as the free will question, Randy Alcorn made this observation, "The inability to sin doesn’t inherently violate free will. My inability to be God, an angel, a rabbit, or a flower is not a violation of my free will. It’s the simple reality of my nature. The new nature that’ll be ours in Heaven—the righteousness of Christ—is a nature that cannot sin, any more than a diamond can be soft or blue can be red. God cannot sin, yet no being has greater free choice than God does."

The truth of the matter is one of our greatest problems is "free will." The problem with my free will is I would never choose God if it was left up to my free will. Romans 3:11 teaches there is no one who understands or seeks after God. It is a good thing God comes looking for us and He draws us and when He saves us He gives us a new nature and a new will.

For more answers about heaven check out Randy Alcorn's site: www.heavenquestions.com

Sunday Night Week in Review

2009-03-01T23:26:00.003-05:00

I was really encouraged to see how many people braved the tundra like weather conditions to come to church today.
Caroline and Jacob thanks for taking care of the refreshments today.
Courtney/Cody you guys make an amazing sound engineering team. Cody, thanks for playing hurt today.
Lauren the song you picked fit the message perfectly and you did a great job.
I think today's message Greater Peace was a huge need for all of us. We hope to get the podcast up soon.
On Wednesday volunteers served the residents of Atlantic Station by giving away 160 Chick-fil-A chicken biscuits. Thanks Edwards and Green Connection group.
Twila, you are childcare worker of the month. I think you have filled in more than once.
I am as excited about the next few months in the life of our church as I have ever been.
This Friday our new Easter add will begin running in the theater.
Next Sunday, Will Goodwin, will begin to lead our worship for the next few weeks. Will is one of my all time favorites.
Next Sunday we are going to present the church with a new and exciting challenge. Don't miss it!
In two weeks I am beginning a new series entitled "Momentum." This will be a series about positive and growing movement with God. If you are stuck or know someone who is, come get unstuck!

Bullet Proof Weave

2009-02-20T16:19:00.006-05:00

Some of you may not have any idea what a weave is but it could save your life. In a random news piece. On Wednesday night in Kansas City, MO the guy picture below fired 4 or 5 bullets at his x-girlfriend through the back window of her car. All but one of those bullets missed.

Police found one of the bullets tangled in her tightly woven weave pictured below.

The young lady only complained of a headache but police say the weave saved her life. She later told reporters ,"I now believe the weave paused the bullet, and didn't let it go any further. Really I think God was in my passenger seat. He protected me."

Tomorrow I am preaching on the indwelling power of Christ. if this lady is a Christ follower not only was He in the seat beside her, He was inside of her. God numbers our days. I don't think we should test Him by dating gun wielding maniacs, but He decides when. I believe He has a plan for this lady with the tight weave and I believe He has a plan for each one of us as long as we have breath to breath.

Continually press toward discovering that plan and living in it!

New Theater Add for Easter.

2009-02-20T10:49:00.004-05:00

This is the add that will be running in the theater the month before Easter. Our goal with theater adds is not to try and change anyone's mind about God. That would take more than 30 seconds. We believe there are thousands of people in our area who God is already working on. They are sensing a need to learn more about God and are looking for a place that will tell them the truth they need to hear in love. They are wondering if God's story has anything to do with their life story. We want them to know that we are here, that we care and that we desire to share in God's love story with them.

I wish I had this guys voice!

Week in Review

2009-02-16T22:53:00.002-05:00

This week was one of the busiest and best I have had in a long time.

I am thankful for the people God is sending to our church with God-sized dreams for touching lives. I had several meetings last week that were challenging and encouraging.
Regal Cinemas is increasing our adds to 30 seconds from 15 seconds on every screen before every movie.
I am thankful that God has sent Grant to help us create some new video spots.
It was a great privilege to speak at the Florida Baptist Collegiate ministry retreat at Lake Yale. I am just glad I did not have to stay in the same cabins we did when I was in high school.
Thanks to my wife for being so gracious and letting me do Valentine's Day early so I could go speak. You are the best Boo!
My 5:30am flight was torture on Sunday morning but it was on time.
I loved trading pulpits with Ken from West Cobb Church. It is all about the kingdom. I missed being at the Bridge but felt loved at WCC.
Adam and Jeremy did a fantastic job planning our Sunday night of Prayer and Praise.
It was cool to baptize people from 3 different generations on Sunday. (even though the water was ice cold)
Lynn, I wish I was creative enough to have planned to change shirts from black to white to symbolize new life after baptism, but unfortunately it was just because my shirt was soaked.
A big thank you to FBC Chattahoochee for allowing us to use their building and sharing in our service. Once again it is all about His Kingdom.
In a couple weeks we will be sharing some big plans leading up to Easter. Stay tuned!

Nose Rings

2009-02-13T18:45:00.002-05:00

As a ring of gold in a swine's snout, So is a lovely woman who lacks discretion. Prov.11:22

So I am reading Proverbs 11 in my quiet time this week and come across this jewel of a verse(pun intended). A beautiful thing of value covered with pig snot is not a pretty picture. What makes this picture even more powerful is comparing a woman to a pig. In Jewish culture a pig was an unclean animal and this was about one of the worst insults you could give someone. Yet, this is the picture God choose to describe a beautiful woman who makes poor moral choices.

Women were the crown of God’s creation. His creation was not "very good" until God made Eve. God says women are lovely but turn into something undesirable when the don't practice moral discretion. I live in a very sensual city. One of my prayers this week has been that I don't get used to it. Another prayer is that God would protect the females in my family and in our church from indiscretion. I have prayed that as men we would gaurd and place a high value on moral purity in our ladies. I am also praying for the ladies of our city who have been decieved into thinking that moral indiscretion makes them loved and valued.

May the women of our city sense the value of living beautiful lives before God and not be covered that beauty with pig snot.

random advice for starting a church

2009-02-10T06:00:00.001-05:00

Yesterday, I received a message on Facebook from someone that I had not met. He asked me what advice I had for church planters. What would I recommend and what would I avoid? Here is a random list of things I sent him in no particular order. I am sure this is not exhaustive but it was a start. Maybe it will give you a little better idea of how I tick. I am curious why each of you do what you do and if you would encourage someone else to do it?

I would avoid partnerships with too many strings, i would find a place you have a burden for and not just a strategy, i would not hurry, i would pray for laborers(Bible's church planting strategy), i would make sure my wife is on board, i would put as many safe guards on my marriage on personal life as possible, i would recommend the conventions boot camp to help get bearings for a starting point, i would encourage you to be who God has taken all this time to shape you to be and not try to be someone else, i would encourage you to love people and not use them, i would find people better at your weaknesses than you are and let them do what God has made them to do, i would pray and seek out people of peace, i would encourage you to be the leader in your community in places where government, business and church interest overlap. i would encourage you to tell the gospel and to show the gospel without compromising either.

Prosperity Gospel

2009-02-09T11:03:00.003-05:00

I think there is a lot of confusion in the church and outside of it about biblical prosperity. A friend sent me this powerful sermon clip. Let me know your thoughts?

If the gospel you preach can't be preached it in the poorest village in Africa or Haiti you can't preach it anywhere. The teaching that equates great faith with great material blessing would put all the original apostles in the category of weak faith because they basically had nothing. I think this lie of material blessing tied directly to faith has mislead, discouraged and disallusioned a lot of people about God. I do believe God desires to bless His people but not necessarily with expensive firewood. God wants to bless you with more than cheap carnival prizes but with Abundant Life, salvation, peace that passes understanding, a relationship with Him and so many other immaterial things.

Sunday Week in Review

2009-02-09T09:06:00.002-05:00

I was reminded and preached again this week that we don't go to church but we bring church with us. If we are followers of Christ, His Spirit lives inside of us and He goes where we go. So we can meet together in a movie theater and that place become of house of worship.

The Worship team sounded amazing again this week. Thanks for leading us to the throne.
Okay everyone so I know my water, glass, oxygen analogy had some flaws to it. I am obviously not a good scientist. :-)
Jacob has to be one of the hardest working guys in our church. Thanks for doing whatever it takes.
Every week I am encouraged to see our church care enough about their friends and family to invite them to know and worship God with us.
Thanks to the Tech students who let me "tag along" with them to Glady's Chicken and Waffles this week.
This semester of Connection Groups has been tremendous so far. The guys group I am a part of was honest and moving this week. Thanks Brad and Thomas for leading.
Gracy slept through the night for the first time this week.
Courtney has offered to help my wife and kids on Sunday mornings which is a huge help since I am usually out and going pretty early.
Bezalel Church is our first church plant and will be having thier first preview service on Good Friday. Stay tuned for more info.
I am really looking forward to our church hearing from Pastor Ken next week as we swap music stands for the morning. Ken is on our admin team and pastor of West Cobb Church.
I am even more looking forward to our baptism/praise/prayer/Lord's supper service next Sunday night.

Share God's love this week by showing it and telling it!

Week in Review

2009-02-02T19:55:00.002-05:00

This was our second week in the series Greater Things. I preached on praying greater prayers. It was really convicting to preach on an area that I know I have so much growth in but it was good. Here are a few highlights from the past week:
Brad definitely gets the childcare worker of the week award. Exactly how many times did you show that Veggie Tales video?
Cody, thanks for the hookup with the new lights. They looked great! Adam it looked like you had those cool lights under your car that make it look like you are floating.
Claude thanks for the help with the names of the teams playing in the Superbowl. I am sorry that God did not hear your prayers about the Cowboys.
Lauren, when you don't know the words to say.....You always bring such a sweet spirit to our worship team. Thanks for serving.
Doc you were missed yesterday!
Almost half of our church were involved with in home Connection groups last week. Mike thanks again for leading us to another level.
Courtney gets the sound tech of the week award for bringing speakers to All Star pizza for the women's bible study.
I am really looking forward to the next couple of weeks in our church. We will be baptising on Sunday night in a couple of weeks and introducing a new house of prayer format. I am hoping that this will be another milestone in the life of our church.
The Acts 1:8 missions meeting was well attended. I am so proud to be a part of a church that is already committed to missions at home and around the world.
In two weeks my good friend Ken Williams and I will be swapping pulpits. Ken is on our administration team, is a great preacher and is leading his church to make a great difference in west Cobb county.
Greater Things are Yet to be Done! Keep praying and inviting!

oldie but goodie feel good story

2009-01-29T07:10:00.001-05:00

Sunday Week in Review

2009-01-26T17:25:00.002-05:00

Praise God for a great day of corporate worship. Here are a few highlights from our State of the Church Sunday and bring a friend day.

The smell of popcorn is now the new incense of worship. Thanks to Regal for working with us and allowing us to give out popcorn as people came in the theater.
I think we set a record for the fastest building program in the history of churches. It only took one week to move into a new theater.
I can't believe the setup team had more to setup and got it done faster than they were getting the old sanctuary/theater setup.
Crayzee Joe definitely busted a move with his rap "Can't Help It." We can't help talking about God and His goodness to us. Here is a bootleg copy of the rap his wife shot. lol.">
Bill Blake still has no rhythm.
As far as I know no one came to church and then snuck into a movie afterwards. (people have done that)
A shout out to all the people who invited friends and families to the service yesterday.
I continue to hear stories of people who were in church for the first time or the first time in a long time and how God challenged them about their relationship with Him.
We had one of the biggest attendance days so far in the life of our church.
We may have had the shortest business meeting in the history of churches yesterday. (That is a good thing)
Thanks to the people who allowed us to video them sharing "How God has used Midtown Bridge Church in their lives." I am praying God write even more stories in 2009.
I started a new series called "Greater Things" and I really believe God is going to greater things in the life of our church and the people who make up the church. Next week I be preaching on Greater Prayer

Sunday Week in Review

2009-01-18T16:09:00.002-05:00

People continue to ask our family how we are doing with our new baby. We are a little sleepy but doing great. Considering the fact that a newborn baby only sleeps 2-3 hours at a time and sleep deprivation is used to interrogate terrorist we are doing great. Here are a few highlights from this past week:

I believe today was one of the high marks in the life of our church as we celebrated the Sanctity of Life.
I will always remember dedicating Gracy with some of our dearest friends and their kids and our special church family.
I am so proud to call Miller and Kimberly friends as they have maintained their strong faith in the middle of a very difficult trial.
It was really cool to actually have to ask people to slide in and make room because we ran out of seats.
It was awesome to preach with people sitting on the stairs.
I am excited about our successful building program and look forward to moving into a new theater next door to our existing one.
We will have a state of the church address and I will begin a new series next Sunday entitled "Greater Things."
I am asking everyone to bring one guest with them next week.
Quote of the week: "They are not a couple." (Me talking about Dan and Kyle's Connection Group)
Ashley thanks for playing the violin in our worship service today. It was beautiful. (I am a little disappointed you did not play "The Devil Went Down to Georgia."
Childcare worker of the week is West Cobb Church South Africa mission team!
Caroline did a tasty job with the food before the service.
Mike thanks for leading the way as we prepare to launch so many new Connection groups this week!

Street Theology on Temptation Island

2009-01-12T22:23:00.005-05:00

The way we live everyday reflects our "street theology." Last Friday I drove to Fayetteville, NC for a men's conference. The subject of the conference was considering the person of Christ. The goal of the conference was to provide men with a strong "street theology." The host pastor stressed the fact that everyone you meet on the street has beliefs about God or a "street theology." Some of their beliefs about God are right and some are wrong but they all have beliefs. It was refreshing to be at a conference that had the goal of a practical working theology to make a difference in people's everyday life.

Our church will be taking a group of men to the Men's conference at FBC Woodstock on February 6 & 7. The theme for the weekend is "Temptation Island." Join us and invite a friend as we learn practical truths from God's word that will help us deal with daily temptation with God's power.

Week in Review

2009-01-12T21:55:00.004-05:00

Thanks to Josh for doing a great job in leading worship this week.
Congratulations to Connie on the birth of her grand daughter Natalie Elizabeth.
Walt thanks for riding with me to Fayetteville, NC. We spent 12 hours out of 32 riding in the car.
Chris the new design for the Midtown Bridge t-shirts is fantastic.
Our hearts go out to Miller and Kimberly Chalk in the loss of their unborn child.
Quote of the week: "We should go there." (Lauren Kate made this statement while we were watching the worship service from Joel Osteen's church.)
This Sunday will be a great celebration of life as we have a child dedication service and celebrate Sanctity of Human Life Sunday.
I am so excited about moving to a bigger theater in two weeks on January 25th. Bring a friend and lets make this the biggest attendance day ever in the life of our church. (Rumor has it there may be popcorn.)

Doghouse

2009-01-06T09:49:00.003-05:00

I have never been in the doghouse but I have a friend who was once.....uh right. After you watch this I would love to hear about some of your favorite doghouse gifts.

Pastor Johnny Goes Hip Hop

2008-12-31T10:13:00.002-05:00

This past Sunday I talked about having heroes in life and people who inspire you to be everything that God wants you to be. Johnny Hunt is without a doubt one of those people in my life. He continues to challenge me to be a faithful and loving husband and father. He challenges me to be a Godly pastor and Bible preacher. And He challenges me to give everything I've got for the cause of Christ.
Here is a little piece of his testimony put with some fresh tracks laid down by Crayzee Joe a local Christian Rapper.

Disney Celebrates Gracy's Birth!

2008-12-28T22:08:00.002-05:00

I found this on Chaz's site and couldn't resist.

Sunday Week in Review

2008-12-28T21:03:00.003-05:00

The last two weeks have been a blur since Kathy went into labor and Gracy arrived. With a little more than a few hours of sleep at a time I will do my best to put together a few coherent thoughts.

I had 2 late night text last night from people with stomach bugs who would not be able to serve today.
Mike thanks for jumping in and running MediaShout for the first time with no training.
Jonathan thanks for stepping up and leading our worship today.
Tim thanks for canceling church so Jonathan was available to lead.
And thanks to the guys with stomach bugs for staying home and not coming to church and spreading it.
Frankie, thanks for breaking out the 1930's Vintage National guitar today, very cool.
Quote of the (last) week: "I hope you like poop." (Our new church motto as suggested by Chris when he was preaching for me last week.)
Thanks to the people who have brought us meals this week I am sure I have gained 20lbs. The food has been wonderful, especially the desserts. I am now on an all carb diet and it is going great.
I also heard Paige Strackman did a wonderful job singing last week. We hated to miss it but look forward to having her back sometime.
Today was the last Sunday of 2008 and I continue to be amazed and grateful for what God is doing here.

One in a Thousand

2008-12-22T21:47:00.002-05:00

On December 2oth we welcomed Gracy London into the world at 11pm. We believe our little girl is a special gift from God just like all children are. However, Gracy and Kathy gave us quite a scare during the labor. Kathy had received an epidural which worked for a couple of hours and then it stopped working on one side of her body. After turning her a couple of times it was not getting any better and so they decided to give her an extra boost of her anesthesia. That is when things got crazy.

Kathy began to hear loud ringing in her ears. She also started to get a metallic taste in her mouth. And then the worst thing was she started to feel like she couldn't breathe. The anesthesiologist immediately cleared the room of everyone but me and all the nurses that came running in. They started oxygen and another anesthesiologist came running in. This was one of the scariest moments in my life!

The problem was her epidural had migrated into her blood stream and was beginning to affect her central nervous system. This can be very serious and potential cause seizures, paralysis, heart attacks and death. I have read lots of numbers about how often this happens but one of the most common numbers is one in a thousand. Most of the people in the room said they have seen it once every 10 years.

The medical staff was able to quickly reverse Kathy's condition and put in a new epidural. The entire episode was probably not more than 15 minutes but seemed much longer. Within the next hour a healthy Kathy delivered a healthy Gracy.

We believe that Gracy is not only one in a thousand, we believe that she is one in all creation. God made her and there is not another one like her. We are grateful for our little miracle.

Dr. Grays....whatever?

2008-12-18T15:23:00.002-05:00

If you don't mind, the next time you see my kids would you remind them of my theological training and of the fact that I have all the answers.

Driving home last night we were listening to Christmas songs. The song "Mary did you know?" was playing. And Lauren Kate randomly says, "Daddy, If you see Mary's house will you show me which one it is?" To which I respond, "Mary is in heaven with Jesus." And Gibson says, "Who is Jesus' daddy?" And I muttered something about Joseph being his dad but not really because God is His Father. (Do you see where this is going?) Then Lauren Kate ask, "When are we going to see Jesus?" To which I responded, "When we get to heaven." Then she said, "No, when are we going to see him while we are still real?" Somehow I found myself caught between explaining how God is everywhere but He is invisible. Did I mention my daughter was 4?

I am sure any parent who has tried to teach their kids spiritual things has dealt with these questions and even more difficult ones to explain to children. I did the best I could but I am honestly so glad that my children are asking spiritual questions. One of the things that outraged Jesus more than anything else was adults who discouraged children spiritually or treated them as an inconvenience to His presence. In Matthew 18, Jesus taught that unless we become like one these little children we will not enter into heaven. Maybe we should all be asking more questions and at the same time trusting in the mysteries that we can't explain.

Just in case I am pulling out my old seminary notes on the Trinity.:-)

Sunday in Review

2008-12-14T22:04:00.002-05:00

Thanks to Mike for continuing our Advent Conspiracy series this morning.
Thanks to Kerry for being a good enough friend to tell me I had a wardrobe malfunction.
A very nice man asked me after the service if I did a lot of street preaching. (I think that was a nice way of saying I yelled a lot)
Congratulations to Lauren and Chris Kendall on the birth of Jackson. (We will grow this church one way or the other)
I am glad Kathy did not go into Labor while I was in Houston.
Thanks to James Cole for filling in and helping lead worship this morning.
My family is so excited that Paige Strackman is going to be here to lead in worship next Sunday morning.
Last Sunday our church stepped up and adopted 5 families for Christmas.
I continue to be amazed at the wonderful new people God is sending to our church each week.
When I flew out of Atlanta Saturday night I prayed over our city. I am still praying for a major move of God in our city.
Quote of the week: “I guess with the rising price of gas people didn’t have anything else to do.” (A sweet elderly hospital worker’s explanation for the 7 sets of twins born at Kennestone Hospital last week)
One of the other highlights was Lauren Kate's first Christmas pageant.

Lauren Kate's Christmas cheer!

2008-12-11T14:00:00.000-05:00

The Approval of Man

2008-12-10T19:52:00.003-05:00

The recent arrest of the Governor of Illinois should really not come as a surprise to most. Governor Blagojevich was recently given the title in the 2008 Rasmussen poll the "Least Popular Governor" in the nation. His approval rating among Illinois voters is around 4%. For those of you who struggled with math in school that is really low. Just to give you an idea of how low about 6% of Americans believe that the landing on the moon was a conspiracy and never really happened.

Blagojevich(i hope i am never asked to actually pronounce that name) is accused of a wide range of criminal conspiracy crimes. Most of them involve receiving contributions for official actions the worst of which is trying to sell the appointment to Obama's Senate seat to the highest bidder. It seems along with the low approval rating the governor has had a cloud of suspicion surrounding his office along with the corrupt Chicago political machine. It is interesting to note that Blagojevich replaced a governor who is currently in jail for federal corruption charges.

I know we should not live for man's approval alone but I think it is part of it. In Luke 2:52, "Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and with man." It matters what people say about us. Our reputation matters. People may not agree with us but if they have accusations against us let them accuse us of doing good.
1 Peter 3:16 "and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame."

Sunday in Review (on Tuesday)

2008-12-08T17:53:00.005-05:00

Jeremy continues to do a great job as our interim worship leader.
Thomas thanks for putting some evangelism linebacker on us Sunday.

The quote of the week: "Knock it off Lauren Kate" (Gibson telling Lauren Kate to stop crying from the splinter in her finger.)
Sunday night David and Sanan Brazzeal shared some very innovative ministry strategies they are trying in Canada. One of favorites were the labyrinths.
www.guerrillalabyrinths.com
Congratulations to Lauren and Chris Kendall on the birth of Jackson. (Chris also needed an epidural)
I am so pumped that God has given us one of the best church planting staffs ever.
This coming Sunday will be great because Pastor Mike will continue our Advent Conspiracy series with "Give More."
This coming Sunday will also be great because my friend James will be leading our worship music.
I am also thrilled our friend Paige Strackman a former Brooklyn Tabernacle soloist and her family will be our special guest on Sunday December 21st.
Oh yeah and I hit 900 facebook friends this week. Christmas will be huge this year! Just kidding listen to Sunday's podcast.

Christmas Light

2008-12-06T10:24:00.002-05:00

If I had the time and money and could be Clark Griswald and do obnoxious Christmas lights I probably would. I have always been a sucker for lights. Last night I was standing outside of our townhouse and noticed that we were one of a few people who had put up lights for Christmas. I am sure there are lots of reasons why people have not put them up but I was still a little sad. I thought what if every townhouse on our street had up lights? That would look so cool. And for a moment I was reminded that we moved to our neighborhood to be a light for the good news of Jesus Christ. We moved into a city that we knew needed more light to penetrate the darkness. Christmas is not about the lights, it is about The Light of Jesus Christ.

Tomorrow I will be preaching from Luke 2 when the angels announced the birth of Christ. When I was preparing I was reminded how Amazing Grace is such a great Christmas song. Here is a cool light show. Don't tell this guy Christmas is not about the lights!It picks up about halfway through.

quick gracy update

2008-12-01T18:07:00.000-05:00

we had a great dr visit and everything looks normal. thanks for praying.

Sunday Week In Review

2008-11-30T22:54:00.005-05:00

I am excited that we had such a great start to our Advent Conspiracy. www.adventconspiracy.org

Suspicious Item of the week: NY Giants receiver Plaxico Buruss accidentally shot himself in the thigh in a Manhattan night club. Hmmm that just doesn't sound right.

Davin was a first time visitor who brought a coworker with him as a first time visitor. That's cool.

My favorite worship song this morning was "In Christ Alone." What a great reminder.

The childcare workers of the week were Brain and Rebekah who don't even go to church here but still showed up to watch the kids.

The nurses and staff at Northside Hospital were terrific during our overnight stay. I wish I could say the same about the bed/couch I slept on.

Quote of the Week: "You are going to have to throw them the deuces." (The nurse at Northside telling Kathy how to tell her work that she was not coming in. I think it means tell them "peace out")

I am going to send myself a shout out for mopping our floors and helping with laundry to help make it easier for Kathy to rest. Gracy needs to come soon, this is hard work. J
It was good to have Eric back home for the weekend from the Marines.
I was blessed by our church and the team who helped distribute meals to 50 families for Thanksgiving.
I can't wait for our baptism service next Sunday morning at LA Fitness

It's Happening...

2008-11-29T00:01:00.003-05:00

It's happening. I am starting to sound more and more like my dad. We were driving home from Thanksgiving dinner and one of my kids was being very disrespectful. I turned around and said....."Do you want me to pull this car over?" My supportive wife just started giggling where the kids couldn't see her. She then whispered, "Did you just say, 'do you want me to pull this car over?'"

We both had a good laugh. I guess for better or for worse our parents leave their unmistakable stamp on our lives. I am reminded everyday that my kids are not just watching me but they are learning from me and sometimes imitating me.

I would love to hear some of your "parent" moments.

Gracy's Heart Skips A Beat

2008-11-26T11:11:00.005-05:00

If you listen to this video you will hear Gracy's heart arrhythmia towards the end.

The Spirit of the Thanksgiving

2008-11-25T09:22:00.002-05:00

Sunday just outside of Raleigh,NC a carjacker attacked and began to beat a 53 year old lady walking out of a grocery store. A man with a frozen turkey came to her rescue and began to beat the carjacker in the head with the turkey. He was able to get away with the stolen car but did not get far before the police caught him. The carjacker was taken to a local hospital and treated for his injuries before being taken to jail.

Yesterday our church distributed Thanksgiving meals to 50 families in a nearby community. Included in the meals were frozen turkeys. I am not sure what was a better use of the turkeys, giving them to families needing a little help this year or taking one and beating a punk over the head who was attacking a lady. I am leaning toward the beating a punk with it.

I hope you have a great Thanksgiving and do something useful with your turkeys.

Sunday in Review

2008-11-23T23:43:00.002-05:00

Our day started out today with a few challenges, which is an almost guarantee that it is going to be a good day. And it was a very good day. Here are a few highlights from today and this past week.

It is great to have Jeremy on board as our official worship leader/creative director/setup guy/anything else deemed appropriate by the pastor.
Cody, thanks for getting the speakers installed behind the screens. The sound was tremendous. The only thing missing was you and Courtney.
Childcare worker of the week goes to Ashley. It was her first time and we threw her in the fire.
I also want to thank the delta mechanics who installed a new starter on the right engine while we sat on the plane.(that was after we had taxied onto the runway)
Lauren, thanks for waking Chris up in time for church.
I am not sure who put the church signs in front of the theater but we had a super sweet lady visit this morning because she saw the signs. Jacob was that you?
Cora was the most excited this morning as she was recently saved and is looking forward to being baptised in two weeks at LA Fitness.
The Acts 1:8 team did a good job organizing the gift wrapping paper for this weekend and organizing the trailer.
Tomorrow is going to be a special day as we provide Thanksgiving groceries and gift cards for 50 families in Centennial Place Apartments. Thanks FBC Jacksonville for helping sponsor this.

Night Terrors

2008-11-18T09:26:00.002-05:00

One of the joys of our family are nighttime snacks. I prefer warm cookies, Gibson prefers popcorn and Lauren Kate prefers sliced apples and cheese and Kathy prefers well read on. Yesterday Lauren Kate had taken a plate of chunk cheese and apples upstairs to spend time with Kathy before bed. The details are still a little fuzzy but Lauren Kate says she asked Kathy to watch her snack while she did something and Kathy says Lauren Kate gave them to her. When Lauren Kate returned the plate was empty and she being tired immediately began crying and saying, "Mommy ate my snack. I am going to ask daddy to make me more." I was able to bring a peaceful resolution, so I thought, to the situation with a fresh plate of sliced apples and chunk cheese.

When I brought the fresh plate back upstairs, Gibson started taking some of her chunk cheese and the over-tired crying started again. We were able to work out this little crises and move on with our evening. Lauren Kate shared and Gibson and mommy were happy. Once again we were able to find a peaceful solution, so I thought.

This is when the story gets really good. Sometime around 4 am Gibson begins to cry out hysterically from his bed. He has had a history of night terrors so Kathy went in to check on him. When she went into his room he was crying, "Where are my apples? You ate my apples."

I am sure Kathy has a slightly different perspective of this story. However, the moral I take away is mom's please don't eat your kids food without asking. (I am so dead for this one)

Sunday in Review

2008-11-16T21:43:00.004-05:00

Once again my favorite day of the week has come and gone all too quickly. Here are a few of the things that made today and this week great.

I am excited that Bob and Teresa joined today. I am also glad that Dr. Royall is not a biblical languages scholar and I can keep faking it.
Congratulations to Kimberly and Miller who are expecting their first baby.
A big thanks to Jeremy for leading us in worship today.
I am convinced God has great things in store for Adam and Sherri who we commissioned as MSC missionaries today.
Chieu, you are the best photographer ever. Midtown Bridge Church photos.
I am so proud that Doc has agreed to be the Medical Director for Atlanta Pregnancy Resource Center.
David and Natalie thanks for the ride to the banquet. David don't feel guilty about the bumps, we were able to get the contractions stopped.
The management at Regal Cinemas continues to be a great group to work with. Becky, thanks for going the extra mile to make worship in a movie theatre cool. Soon the smell of popcorn will be the new incense in Atlantic Station.
Ashley, you and the GA tech crew were Jesus to that homeless guy today. Kathy saw that you guys took him to California Pizza for lunch. Thanks for living out your faith.
My brother Keith makes a great impostor of me. If you don't like the sermons go find him.

I listened to one of the most powerful sermons I have heard in a long time online this week. Mark Driscoll preached a message entitled "How Sharp the Edge? Christ, Controversy and Cutting Words." *Warning-This is pg13 and if you are breathing you will probably be offended or convicted. Listen Here.

As If Handbells Weren't Bad Enough

2008-11-11T22:41:00.002-05:00

I can't keep it a secret any longer. I am not a fan of handbell choirs. I am sure some of my readers have just gotten offended and will never read my blog again. I am feeling a little edgy today and that is a chance I am willing to take. One of my friends with more free time than anyone should have sent me this video today. It is the 46th Annual Cable Car bell ringing contest. I can't wait to hear from the Handbell ringers united union. Sit back, relax and crank it up!

As so of you know we are searching for a worship leader. Just so you know this guy is not him.

Sunday Week in Review

2008-11-09T22:15:00.002-05:00

My kids take the top spot for "pulling my finger" and giving me a great sermon illustration today.
Brian thanks for taking our Media Shout presentations to the next level.
Media team thanks for making improvements almost weekly.
Miller once again proved he is a utility player by filling in as our worship service coordinator today. If you tell me you want to do creative dancing I just may believe you.
Thomas and Darlene had other plans today but came early to make sure everything was set up before the went to a conference. Talk about going the extra mile!
Brandon thanks for helping us lead worship today. Your wife Heather worked harder than anyone today by bringing your kids to church around 7:30 and hanging in there until after lunch.
I am sure God sent my Orlando friends today to be a personal encouragement to me.
My highlight this week was leading a 65 year old homeless man to faith in Christ.
Kelly made the quote of the week in small group. It was about his wife Kari but I can't put it on the blog. Ask Kelly.
I am also very excited about having another baptism service in L.A. Fitness in a couple weeks.

Why was Jesse Crying?

2008-11-05T17:24:00.005-05:00

Perhaps he was crying because he was wishing it was him? Or perhaps a lifetime of struggle, failure, success and pain was more than he could bear. The results of the election have left me a bit conflicted. My ethical, doctrinal, moral and political convictions are very strong and very different from our President elect Barack Obama. Yet, I found myself unexpectedly moved during his acceptance speech. Probably the thing that most moved me where the shots of Jessie Jackson. I definitely do not share many of his convictions either. But I did stop long enough to realize that he along with countless others had literally been beaten and risk their lives and seen friends lose their lives to see the day that our country would even consider a black man's merits to be president. I have never had to sit on the back of a bus or use a colored toilet but my parents have and so have a lot of people who thought they would never live to see today.

Before Kathy and I got married our two biggest concerns may have been how will people respond to an interracial marriage and how will people treat our kids? I must confess that last night was another step forward in those things being less of a concern.

I don't have to agree with them and you don't have to agree with me, but I must acknowledge that our country has made some monumental strides in the area of race.

Junk in the Trunk

2008-11-05T07:35:00.002-05:00

I need to apologize to many of my single friends. It has been a while since I have talked about issues that directly relate to you. With a wife, two kids and one on the way it is easy to think everyone is changing poopy diapers just like me. Well, I was recently asked to perform a wedding and I never take that lightly and neither should you. I have long said if people would spend as much time preparing to be married as the do preparing for the wedding, we would have much stronger marraiges. Here is a little clip I found that is a great reminder about preparation.

We all have some junk in the trunk. The more of that we deal with before we get married the better. If you are already married, we still need to deal with our junk for the sake of our future.

Show and Tell

2008-11-04T20:59:00.004-05:00

Last night Gibson was jumping on his bed and hit his eye on his head board. We heard the bump and the cry that said I really hurt myself. I brought Gibson in to Kathy so she could play nurse (which she is really good at). Kathy checked his eye, put some ice on it and gave him some Motrin. Later she put Gibson in front of the mirror so he could see it. After staring for a few minutes he said, "Can I show all my friends Mommy?"

That's my boy. One of his first thoughts was I want to show off my battle scars. We are really enjoying watching our kids grow up. One of the best pieces of advice we were given was, "don't wish your kids life away." It is so easy to say "I can't wait until they are sleeping through the night, walking, potty trained, going to school, out of school, out of the house....." And before you know it you have wished their life away.

Some days are definitely harder and more challenging than others, but everyone of them are ordained by God, even the days with bruises.