hunting season

My blogging has slowed down due to being so far in WV that even a phone signal can't be found. I got to hang out in a cabin with my dad, brother and 4 new hunting buddies. We had a blast and bagged 9 deer between the 7 of us. I came home with 2 big coolers full of meat. I actually save some of my vacation to get out in God's creation. For me, it is a mini-sabbatical. I find myself needing this time of peace, quiet and no Internet. Being alone in the woods has a way of recharging my batteries. I love this time of year.

the woods

Today I spent the day with my 2 boys in a ground blind hunting deer. Special thanks to our guide Dave who was a great host. They each got to fire their first shotgun. Now granted it was a small 410, but they thought it was awesome!. We saw nothing all day, which if you ask me is how it should be. Otherwise, they may think hunting is easy. There was some valuable lessons passed on today about becoming a man. Everything from how to handle a firearm, hiking through some tough to terrain to realizing that not everything comes easy in life. All together it was a great day.

consumer

I'm thinking this morning about myself as a consumer. A consumer is one who...well....consumes. I'm reminded of this every week as I roll my overstuffed garbage can to the end of the driveway. The question I am asking myself is, how much do I consume compared to how much do I contribute? The vast majority of Americans consume only and give nothing back to this world. When my life is over, what will I have contributed? What I consume selfishly for myself will die with me. So I'm asking God to show me how and where to give of what I have been entrusted with. Are you a consumer or a contributor?

love revolution

What would happen if a handful of believers were to give themselves to the cause of Jesus Christ? People that everything they do, say, think, spend money and time on, was for the cause of Jesus. A group of believers who were constantly looking around them for where God wanted to show His love next. Where every person they came in contact with, they would show the love of God. Can you imagine what would happen if these lovers of Jesus, were so full of Him that they spilled out everywhere. WE WOULD CHANGE OUR WORLD. We would have a love-revolution. This is what we are chasing....so let the love Revolution begin!

live rich

I want to live rich. I want to be generous with everything that God has given me. If I really believe that God is the provider and that with the measure I give, it will be given back, then what am I waiting for? God is convicting me personally of selfishness. I have bought into the "American Dream," of living in luxury and for myself, and I'm praying for God to change me. I want to live like my FATHER is THE KING...because, HE is. How about you, do you live rich?

spare?

I came across a great quote today about giving. "What can I spare, or what will it take?" Too many times, I give from what I can spare. I don't truly give sacrificially. I may think it is sacrifice, but I know nothing of true sacrifice when it comes to giving. Yes, I tithe, I give to missionaries, to the building of our new church and even to strangers who are in need. But God is convicting me today, that I only give away what I can spare. As long as I continue to give from what I can spare, I will continue to live in God's blessings in accordance to how I give. This must change if I want ALL of God. Jesus change me.

revolution

God is wrecking me. I have never been so hungry for more of Him. I just want to fall in love with Jesus. I want all of Him that He will allow me to have. I desire nothing more than to see our whole church fall in love with Jesus. My prayer is that this next year as a church will far exceed our first 4 years combined. We will be a church known for it's radical love. Jesus...start it with me!

I sense God starting a revolution in our City. A revolution always begins with a few who are sold out. The message then goes viral and when people will buy in with their whole lives.....a revolution erupts. May a revolution of Jesus Christ and His love erupt in our City from C3 Church.

Michigan Youth Convention

I was again incredibly honored to speak the Michigan Youth Convention. Jeff Kennedy (the DYD) is like a spiritual father to the students of his state. The youth pastors there are solid and it shows in the students. The students were hungry and Jesus was in the house. God did some amazing things around the altars in the services and I pray those students take it home with them. I was blessed to play a small part of what Jesus is up to in Michigan.

the state up north

This morning I'm off to michigan to speak their statewide youth convention. I'm both humbled and honored to be a part of it.

Last night, I was telling my 6yr old Kross where I was going. His face changed to a meaner look and he said, "but we don't like michigan." (As a huge Ohio State Buckeyes fan, I have taught him to despise michigan...ha) I had to laugh and then explain. We love people from michigan, we just want to pummel their football team.
It's a scary thing raising kids. I can see how hate and prejudice can easily be passed down to the next generation. What are you passing on to your kids?

aways moving

Are you always moving? It seems that many people in life, come to a point where they stop moving. They no longer grow, the hunger to reach farther is gone and complacency sets in. It could be after a failure or it could be after a success. What we do after both of those is key to who we become and what impact if any, is made by our lives. To put it simply....keep moving.

It's sooo simple

At times while praying, I get overwhelmed by God. Today, I had the overwhelming realization of how simple following Jesus really is. It really all boils down to one word.....LOVE. If I know Jesus, then His love will flow from me. If I have allowed Jesus to have all of me, then it is 2nd nature to love EVERYONE. Love wins in every situation. God's love is more powerful than hate, unforgiveness, pride, anger, you name it, love will always triumph. Following Jesus is all about love. I want to make living in Jesus' love a top priority in my life.

God is on the move

I felt we had a great Sunday yesterday. BeckE Medina spoke and did a great job talking about being love-able and the worship went well. God is doing some cool things in our Sunday night prayer as well. I can sense our church being drawn closer to Jesus. This next Sunday we are celebrating C3'se 4th B-day and we are going to give our b-day away!