October 2, 2008
Baptism
Last Sunday night we had another awesome baptism service at Pastor Byron’s home. I really like having the baptisms at his home; it really makes it much more personal and fun. This week was extra cool because we got to see a really close friend from our Community Group and one of our youth get baptized. Great job Teresa and Lacey, I am so proud of you guys!!! It’s really cool, Sandi and I were talking and during each baptism that we’ve had since Luke’s baptism, we’ve had a close personal connection with at least one person that was being baptized. Since I get the privilege of talking with everyone before they get baptized, I feel like I have a personal connection with everyone. But, there is something extra special when you have walked through part of life together. I really am proud of you guys and I’m praying for ya.
September 25, 2008
Interesting
So Sandi was talking to her mom last night and the topic of church came up. What I found so interesting is that Sandi’s mom lives and always has lived is a small northern town that is steeped in tradition and the Greek Orthodox Church. So, pretty much all the churches including the protestant ones are very old, stuffy and dying.
Last night though, Sandi’s mom had mentioned that she went to a church that was actually growing and in her words; “busting at the seems.” What was so interesting is that this church is the same style and flow of C3. Now remember Sandi’s mom has always lived in little traditional towns and has grown up in churches that do church for church people. So, when she hit this new fangled church thing she about freaked out. The first thing out of her mouth was “no one came dressed for church.” To which Sandi commented back; “you mean everyone was naked?” Of course that’s not what her mom meant, but it was fun to poke at her a little. Sandi’s mom just couldn’t believe that people would actually come to church in shorts and Ts. Oh the horror! J
Anyway to make a long story short, after getting over the “naked” thing, Sandi was really able to explain in detail why that church in PA and C3 do what we do. Now Sandi’s mom is not about to head out and join a contemporary, progressive church. But, what was so cool is that by the end of their conversation Sandi’s mom “got it” and understood the importance of our style of church. Even though it’s not her style she loved the idea of churches that actually go after those, who are disenfranchised with church and God. I thought that was really cool. I also just kept thinking; if a sixty something year old, who has been indoctrinated with tradition ever since she was a girl, can “get it” then why can’t certain others (God tells us that we’re to love those far from Him) get it? I mean really, how hard is it to understand that we’re all different and not every church is for everyone. So instead of being scared of and slamming churches like C3 and the one in PA, why not just understand that we’re reaching our culture and that’s a good thing. Just interesting.
September 12, 2008
Week
Wow what a week it’s been. I started off this week with an extremely quick trip out to San Diego California. Darrell and I went out to Cali to check out some churches that have had very successful Community Group ministries. The trip was awesome; these churches gave us a ton of great info that will be very useful in our C3 groups.
However, when I say it was a quick trip, it was a really quick trip. We arrived at our hotel a little after midnight on Monday (actually, I guess that makes it very early Tuesday). Then on Tuesday morning we started our tour of churches. Since our last stop was in Orange County, we decided to go take in a few of the sites in Hollywood that night. It was cool to see some of the sights, but the problem was we didn’t realize how long it would actually take us to get back to San Diego – it takes a really long time. So, we got back to the hotel around midnight again and then got up the next morning at 4 am to catch our very early flight out. Due to the long flight, time change and a wonderful layover in Atlanta we got back into Orlando somewhere between 5 and 5:30pm. All in all a very successful trip, but talk about jet lag.
I spent a good chuck of today repairing different things on the church trailers. Which normally is no big deal, but today it seemed like every time I would get the trailers unloaded and start working it would pour down rain. So I would run around like crazy getting everything back in the trailers and the rain would stop.
Then tonight Sandi is off at a Children’s ministry meeting, so I’m at home doing homework with the kids. 4ht grade math really stinks. I’m ready for the weekend.
September 5, 2008
Next Generation
What an awesome week it’s been. We had our very first Crave meeting at Boardwalk Bowl this past Wednesday. It kind of reminded me of when our church first moved out into the theaters. I was totally pumped and excited, but at the same time I had no idea what to really expect. But, just like the theaters, Boardwalk Bowl is an awesome place to meet. The staff at Boardwalk made us feel extremely welcome and the environment (including an arcade and snack bar) was perfect for our group. There are still a few hurdles to overcome, but all and all it was an awesome night in an awesome new room.
I also want to say a huge thanks to all the Crave staff!!! You guys did a phenomenal job creating a cool environment and connecting with the students.
You know the same day that we had our first Crave-Live at Boardwalk, I was asked the question; “what do I see in this next generation as far as their spiritual appetite. I have to say; I love the movement that I see in our student ministry right now. I see a group of students, many of which were not brought up in the church, who when they fall in love with Christ they follow Him with all their hearts. Even when all their friends at school and for some even their parents at home, don’t support or model being a Christ Follower, these students stand up for what they believe. They are also a group of students who are not afraid to ask questions. Questions about their faith, about church and they are not afraid to make changes. I love this next generation, I truly believe that our students will be one of the first generations of church leaders who will stop pointing out all the faults of everyone else and will truly love their neighbor as themselves.
Well I guess that sums up my thoughts for today. We’re off to the Timber Creek football game tonight. See you on Sunday.
August 26, 2008
Blog?
Wow, I can’t believe how long it’s been since I’ve blogged. With the end of summer and the starting of school there is always a ton going on and it’s amazing how fast time fly’s. But, I’m back in the blogging world, so let me get ya caught up with all the stuff happening right now.
- Caleb and Luke start soccer this week. I love soccer season. It is a blast to watch the boys and their friends out on the soccer field. It’s also an awesome time to invest in relationships with some of the other parents and have them come check out C3.
- We’re in an absolutely sweet series right now on Sunday mornings called Bodacious 80’s. Pastor Byron has been taking songs from the 80’s and building messages around some of the lyrics. If you haven’t been yet, you have to come check it out. It has been “totally rad” dude!
- Crave’s back to school kickoff on the 17th was awesome. It was cool to see all the new 6th graders come out and have a blast with all the Crave regulars. Guys remember Crave gets kick’n again next Wednesday at Boardwalk Bowl. We’ve made a few changes to Crave this fall. Make sure you check out the Crave Spam page à for all the new stuff.
- Tomorrow night we have a special baptism service, where 15 folks will be taking their next step in following Christ by being baptized. I’m so jacked, I love watching folks take that next step and I’m extra pumped because 4 of those being baptized are Crave students. I’m proud of you guys!!!
I promise I get more up on the blog real soon. 
August 2, 2008
Crave Stuf
Well, we made it back from Student Camp. We spent this past week in Daytona Beach with some of our Crave students for Big Stuf Student Camps and I have to say the week was absolutely nothing short of amazing. I am so proud of each and every one of our Crave students and what they personally accomplished over this past week. My mind is just racing with all the stuff that happened this week. So, let me try to get a few things down.
Worship was absolutely awesome!!! The Steve Fee band did a phenomenal job leading the students in worship and helping point them to God. I loved watching our students really get into worshiping our God. What I loved the most is by the end of the week our students weren’t concerned about what anyone thought or said, they were just going to worship God in their own way, in freedom.
The messages were through the roof. Every night I would have at least one student telling me how much God used the messages from the day to challenge and begin to change their lives. Each speaker and message was just what we all needed to hear (students and leaders alike).
The beach was pretty much a bust. Every day when we would have our free time to hit the beach and play some games it would rain. We did get one seriously awesome game of ultimate Frisbee in and then on Thursday we decided to just go play in the rain anyway.
Our small group times with the students were amazing. The students really seemed to enjoy the time and opened up a ton. My favorite was Wednesday when we combined our small group time with our night games on the beach. We talked about all the different paths that life offers us and how each path has it’s own destination and how if we travel down those paths together as a group, then we can get through the bumps and detours on the path so much easier. We then did several team building exercises that I think really helped the students trust and understand each other. Of course, one of the best parts of small group time was when one of our girls gave her life to Christ – I’m so proud of you!!!
I still have so much to say, but I know this blog is getting a little long and I have to go pack again for a couple days of family time at the beach. But, let me end by saying; parents, I want to thank you for the awesome privilege of entrusting your students to us this week, for they have taught me a ton. Students, thank you for being so open to what God wanted and wants to do through you. You are the next generation of church leaders. I really believe from the heart that you showed this week that the future of God’s church will be powerful and exciting. I am proud of you all!!!
July 22, 2008
SC Vacation
We’re back from vacation. We spent the majority of last week up in Myrtle Beach, SC for a little fun in the sun. It was a great week!!! Some friends of ours recommended staying at the Compass Cove hotel while up in Myrtle and wow what a hotel – thanks for the recommendation Heather!
The Compass Cove was really cool, it had 3 different lazy rivers, a ton of pools, a kid’s water area and of course it was right on the beach. We all had a blast jumping from one pool to the next and doing some boogie boarding and skim boarding on the beach. (Actually, we could only skim board after 5pm each day, some kind of lame SC law?!?) Oh well it was still a blast and I think the boys favorite part was having one of the lazy rivers right outside of our hotel room door. They would wake up in the morning and jump right in. Sandi’s favorite part of the trip was the all you can eat sea food buffet at Seafair. Which I have to say, if you ever go up to Myrtle Beach you have to try Seafair (I’m still full).
Of course now we’re back and into full swing again. We have student camp next week, which will be an absolute blast. So of course, this week is just one big mad dash to get everything completed before camp starts. Big Stuf Campers; don’t forget we have a camp info meeting tomorrow night at Diane Vought’s home.
Other things going on this week; I have a mini-van that just won’t run and has been at the mechanic ever since we left for vacation. Unfortunately, they can’t seem to pinpoint what is exactly wrong with the thing, so we had to take it down to the dealership for them to take a look at it. I’m thinking a small stick of dynamite should fix it.
July 11, 2008
sweeeet
I love being a part of the movement that is C3!!! I am so jacked about a church that will truly do whatever it takes to show love to others. Sandi and I were just talking about all the awesome events that we have been able to be a part of; like the food drive, sponsoring the Family Film Festival and then this week alone was absolutely phenomenal. Sunday night was huge with the benefit concert with Shane and Shane and Josh Wilson. I loved seeing so many from the community of Avalon come out and enjoy a free concert and games for their kids. To top the night off we were able to raise the funds needed to completely build a fresh water well in a town in Africa that has never had clean drinking water before – awesome!!! Then on Wednesday of this week we took some of our Crave students out to Islands of Adventure. It was a blast!!! It is so awesome to see our students just enjoying life, but what was also cool is during our time at IOA I got to see the heart of some of our students as well. Our students love C3 and Crave and many of them kept talking about friends and family that they have been inviting to church. I love the fact that our students are into church so much that they love telling their friends about it!!! This week starts Hey Jude so don’t forget to invite some friends this week and I’ll see you at C3.
July 1, 2008
Shoulder
So I got the results of my MRI back and there are no tears in my shoulder – Thank you Lord!!! Instead I have evidently sprained my shoulder – never knew that was possible. Anyway, now I have 2 weeks where I’m supposed to rest my shoulder and not lift anything. It’s already driving me crazy not being able to do anything with my arm. I mean really, how are you not supposed to use your right arm? But, I’m really thankful it’s only 2 weeks instead of 2 months if it had been a tear. Thanks for your prayers!!!
I’ll see you Sunday night at the Shane and Shane concert. Don’t forget to invite everyone you know. J
June 30, 2008
Weekend
We took the boys down to grandpa’s this weekend. Grandpa lives on a finger canal to the Indian River in Stuart and it’s always fun to get away to grandpa’s. We do a ton of boating, fishing, swimming and just all kinds of stuff in the water when we’re down there. This weekend, however, grandpa surprised the boys with a tube to pull behind the boat. Needless to say we all had a blast skimming across the water and getting flung all over the place. Sandi even got out there and gave it a try – and loved it. But I got to say, I was really impressed with my dad. He is almost 71 years old and he was out there bouncing around on the tube with the boys. Can you say IcyHot night!? Of course at the rate I’m going lately, I’m just praying I’ll still be able to move when I’m 71. J
