What if?

What if everyone you know was a part of your church...or your ministry (by this Im impling mission) ? How does that make you feel...does that make you cringe or smile? Angela and I went to dinner last night with a friend and on our way home I had a thought about how excited I would be to be a part of a church were all the friends and family we know were attending and contributing in some way. But isn't that what Christ desires? Isn't that his dream as well?

We know some incredible people...and the impact that they could have and will have on this world is tremendous. And this is Gods desire...that we would see the people around us as a part of his plan...include them in the things God is about.

Reaching the world around us starts with the people we already know. Because everyone we know can be a part of this mission...maybe they are incredibly caring...or have a gift of knowledge...or they can build things with their hands...or welcome people with their smiles. Include people where they are- in the way they have been gifted. Trust God in all of this.

Its been a while-

So here is whats been going on...wake up...plan for blast....wake up...plan for blast...wake up go to blast...blast...blast...come home....wake up... recap blast get ready for fusion...write a message for a short film...get ready for blast...i mean fusion...go to fusion...today.

Blast is our High School winter conference...Fusion is for Jr High. And it has been the topic of every conversation...meeting...and thought for the past 3 weeks...but ive never been so excited for our students and their peers.

The events- although on different weekend are programed basically the same...and this year its amazing...a set built to look like a rock wall- 16 feet in the air stretching almost 90 feet across...with water pouring down on both sides...and a makeshift jail with the drum set on top....

and the music- we have mostly students leading worship and the 4 specials- in each of the three sessions...that's a lot of music- complete with video and slide shows...but that's still not the best part....

Our theme is Redemption...and the high school students responded in a huge way...stories are still trickling in...and we baptized 8 students during the last worship set...and more students will be baptized in the coming months...and we still have fusion to do this weekend.

For me and my small group- we grew even closer together- really starting to get to the core of our life's...

Even though the even took hundreds of man hours...to see the effects of a retreat that meets the students where they are- and fits right into all we have been talking about this year...and their getting it...this is totally worth it.

Look for videos to be posted soon...but here are some pics
I was able to MC the event- I had a great time...















Students responded to the call of being a part of Redeeming the world.

Why are you married?

So last week at the Jr. High service I was asking one of the young ladies why she is dating. He response- which is a great response- "Well...why are you married?" What a great question to ask. What better thing for her to hear than why two Christ followers decided to get married?

Although I wasn't able to give her the whole story- here are some things I pondered on my ride home- Being so close to Valentine's day- my marriage is a great thing to reflect on.

I got married not just because I find my wife extremely attractive or because of her great personality...although those are things that helped me fall in love with her...what made me committed to her was the realization that she would be an incredible person to continue on this life journey with. I couldn't imagine anyone i would rather explore the mysteries of God with.

We also got married because our friendship is the most valuable thing we have. We not only enjoy being together...but we challenge each other...we work well together...we compete well with each other. The more and more time we spent together the more we wanted to be together.

Right before I met my wife I spent some time thinking of the person I would want to marry some day...not what she looked like...or even where she came from...what kind of church she was from- or what she was like in high school...but where is she headed...where is her heart in regards to following Christ...what does she value...

When those things were apparent though dating...the natural direction was marriage. I have been married almost four years...for incredible years with my best friend...did I mention shes gorgeous too.