fun

Thursday night, I got to lead with some of our great C3 musicians as we played a 25 minute set on the main stage at the Violet Festival. It was awesome to play on a big stage with some great friends. Special thanks to all the C3'ers who showed their support. Then last night (Fri) I ran the parade 5k (placed 4th) and finished just in time to we ride in the parade on a float and played music again. We also handed out helium balloons with our logo, info cards, candy and C3 tattoo's. It was a lot of work and a lot of fun. Today....nothing but time with the family.

proof

I read a line today that hit me in the face. They were talking about churches and how to measure whether or not they are being effective. If you want proof of effectiveness, LOOK AT THE DISCIPLES. Wow! What more proof do you need of whether you are succeeding or not? God is challenging myself and C3 to take an honest look at what kind of disciples we are making and how much do they look like Jesus.

God's Will

As I read God's Word I see where He says that as a believer He will make my paths straight and that He will instruct me and teach me in the way I should God. Also, that If I acknowledge Him in everything that He will direct my paths. But I never read where it will be easy. I think it is a misconception to believe that if God told me to do something, then that means it will be easy. Although that would be nice, that is simply not the case. God cares more about who we become than our temporary comfort and it's through times of trial where we grow the most.

safe people

Everyone needs someone who is safe. We all need at least one person that we trust enough to share our hearts secrets and dreams with. Someone that can hold us accountable and speak truth to us, and we will hear it because we know they love us and have our best interests in mind. Do you have someone in your life who is safe?

kaden's at camp

I have run many camps for many years and now to have my own kid at one is crazy. I have been praying for him this week that he connects with God like never before. Also, that he makes some friends and comes home wanting to go again every year. As I dropped him off, I was nervous for him. I'm looking forward to hearing about his week at camp.

simple

Simplicity brings rest.
Why do we have to make life so complex and busy? The older I get, the more I realize what is important in life. What is important in life is less and less. The more simple life is, the less stress and the more I can enjoy it.

generations

The generations need each other. For our churches, the older generations bring the values and the younger bring the methods. The older bring the wisdom and resources where the younger bring the energy and passion. The younger needs the spiritual covering from the older and the older needs a generation to pour into that will live on after them. We are the body of Christ and we need each other.

church life

Gary and I are spending 2 days at a "church life" cohort with 20 other pastors in Ohio. We are discussing ways to strategically lift our churches to the next level in order to reach more people for Jesus Christ. The guy leading it has some amazing wisdom and insights. I want to be a student of learning and growth.
On another note, our softball team that has won every other game by the 10 run rule....lost tonight. It's amazing how sometimes everything falls apart. Losing is no fun...but it does show your attitude and sportsmanship.

July is the month for weddings

I have done 3 weddings in the last 3 weeks. I have enjoyed walking with each of the couples and being a part of their journey together. Kali (my 4 year old) asked me where I was going a while back and I said to marry someone. Her little face sank as she said, "I thought you married mommy!" I had to laugh and reassure her that mommy is the only one I'm married to, but that I was going to do the ceremony for another couple. I have ingrained in my kids that this ring on my finger is my promise to them and their mommy that I will never leave them, unless Jesus takes me to heaven.

value

The way we determine somethings value, is by seeing how much someone is willing to pay for it. To think that God the Father gave His only Son's life for us, should make us feel incredibly valuable. Besides, His opinion is the only one that really matters anyway.

in/out

Sin pushes us to look inwardly at ourselves and our inadequacies, where faith leads us to look outwardly toward Christ and others.

be quiet

I have a hard time sitting still and being quiet. I don't know if it is my ADD or my need to constantly be doing something, but I wrestle with this. I have been intentionally trying harder to just quiet myself before God and listening. It goes against everything in our culture and in me to do this, but I want to "be still and know that HE is God!"

Dr3am night

Tomorrow night, we have our bi-annual Dr3am night. This is where we share the current state of C3 and where we are going as a church. We are excited to share with all C3'ers what God has been doing behind the scenes and how we are structuring for growth. Some more amazing teammates have jumped on the team and are taking key roles and running with them. We are now putting in place the structure necessary for C3 to continue to move forward to make a greater "Dent" for the name of Jesus Christ in Columbus. I'm excited to recast the vision that God has entrusted to our church. Tomorrow night, 6:30 at C3.....all are welcome!

LeBron is gone

The whole City of Cleveland and the state of Ohio is bummed to see LeBron James go to Miami. I still think it is amazing that people cry and lose sleep over him leaving. Now don't get me wrong, I wish he would have stayed and I hate to see him go, but put it in perspective. We are making a huge deal over a person who is really good and taking a round ball and putting it in a basket that is hung 10ft off the ground. We give our money and willingly give our precious time to show our allegiance to our team. Someday, this all won't matter. So if your still crying over LeBron leaving, realize that Jesus is still on the throne and He's THE REAL KING!

good to be home

Gary and I had a good trip to DC for a couple of days to connect with other church planters from across the country. I got the chance to run around the Washington Monument yesterday! It was a beautiful morning.
There was a questions that Mark Batterson posed that I really liked. He said, "Is your vision greater than your resources?"
I think too many times we allow our circumstances and situations to define the size of our dreams for the future. We look at what we have and see how far we are off of what we want something to be. The problem is because we have "something" and that "something" becomes our focus. We would probably be better off having "nothing," because then we have "nothing" but God to look to.

My prayer is that I won't allow limited resources to hinder the vision that God is placing in my heart. Because where He gives the vision, He also gives the provision.

multi-site forum

Gary and I are spending a couple days in DC at a church planting forum. We are excited to hear from other churches and leaders who are making a dent in their cities for Jesus Christ. I'm praying we leave here even more excited than ever to expand C3 in order to reach our city. We hope to learn from others mistakes and success and praying for God's wisdom and creativity to be imparted to us by the Holy Spirit.

July 4th

C3 Church will be entering our float again in the Pickerington July 4th parade. We will be passing out candy and rocking it out with a live band playing.
I always enjoy July 4th because of what it stands for. My dad imparted patriotism into me as a young child and it has grown over the years. Now I try to do the same for my children. I will have them look at an American flag and I'll tell them that men and woman have and still do give their lives for what that flag represents. It represents FREEDOM. Also, that there are people in this world who would want to take away that freedom and at times we must fight for it. May God continue to bless the USA.

diverse chemistry

Yesterday we had a full-team meeting. We just increased the size of our team by adding 3 more stellar key players! As I looked around that room I saw a lot of diversity, but yet we have great chemistry. The leaders around that table have amazingly diverse gifts and personalities, but b/c we are all focused around one goal and purpose and continue to allow God's grace to abound, we have incredible chemistry. Every player fills a different role with their passions and giftings. God has sent us some amazing leaders in order to make a greater DENT in Columbus for the name of JESUS CHRIST! We are preparing....and preparation precedes blessing.