7 years!

This Sunday we are condensing all 3 of our Sunday services into 1 and meeting at Pickerington Central HS.  We are going to be casting vision about our future and celebrating what God has done.  It's going to be a big party and we are pumped about it.  The school will also become our temporary home as we have put our building up for sale and are purchasing a new piece of property and soon will be building a new building.  This is an incredible season in the life of our church.  We are continually MOVING FORWARD!

you win some, you lose some

This week is the week of deer gun season.  I was hunting in Southeastern Ohio this morning, which has to be God's Country!  I had a really nice buck come in behind me and got spooked cause the wind was not in my favor.  I was so close to having a monster of a deer on my mantle.
My take away, sometimes you win, sometimes you lose.  I hate losing and that deer got the better of me.  So whether I win or I lose, I learn.  In doing so, I become a better winner and less of a loser!

ceremonies and celebrations

In every culture there are ceremonies and celebrations.  We use them as milestones in our lives and they are huge memory makers.  When you boil our lives down, it all comes down to relationships.  Today, I had the privilege of marrying two friends.  I was honored to share in their big day and will have those memories of that celebration forever.  What memories do you cherish?  How can you make the most of every celebration, ceremony to make them more memorable?

moving forward

Forward means change, growth, adventure, addressing fears, having to deal with insecurities, etc.  Moving forward can mean so many things to different people.  Do you ask yourself that question often?  What areas of your life have you been stuck in?  What areas of your life do you need to move forward in?  What is stopping you from moving forward?  Personally, if I can identify my road block and set a goal and go after it, I can continually move forward.  What do you need to do in order to move forward?

Develop your Call

The Call of God is His responsibility, the development of it is yours.

Has God put a Call on your life?  If so, what are you doing with it?  We need to develop what God has entrusted to us.  We do that by stepping out using the gifts, abilities and resources we have for His Glory.  Don't be like the servant who was given a "talent" from His master and then buried it.  Jesus called that guy, wicked and lazy!  Ouch!  Start where you are...Use what you have...Do what you can. How are you developing what you have been given?

oil and water

Growth and comfort are 2 words that mix as well as oil and water.  Growth requires change and change  causes friction and friction leads to pain.  As a leader, we should constantly be growing through reading, listening, coaching, being mentored, etc.  Then there are "forced growth opportunities."  These are the instances where we go through difficult situations that ultimately shape us....if we let them.

whirlwind

I left last Friday morning and headed to speak the Michigan Youth Convention Friday night and Saturday as well.  God showed up big with these hungry students.  Then got back Saturday night to be ready for our 3 services, which we had another great Sunday.  The whirlwind just finished this morning by speaking the Gahanna Christian Academy chapel.  I am wiped out, but amazed and honored to be a part of what God is doing.

me to we

I believe that one of keys to leading is to move from "me" to "we."  Nothing drives me more crazy then when I hear a leader talking about his church, organization, etc and using the words "I" or "me."  The truth is, no one can accomplish anything great without the help of others.  As leaders, we need to realize that and give away ownership and credit where it is due.  The simplest way to do that is by using the word "WE."

create your future

"The only way to predict the future is to create it." - Mark Batterson

We have been made in the image of God, who is THE CREATOR.  He has been gracious enough to give us the power to create.  This means we have the ability to create a great marriage, an incredible ministry, the list can go on and on.  Why wait for things to fall apart before we do something about it.  Get a picture of things that God would desire to bless and go after them!  What are you currently creating?

what do you have?

I think many times we get so focused on what we don't have.  We compare ourselves with others who may have more gifts or resources and therefore do nothing with what we have.  The real question is what do you have and are you doing all that you can with that?  Whether God has given you 5, 2 or 1 talents, you and I will be held accountable from God on what we have been given us.  So whatever you have, use it all for the glory of GOD....and He might just give you more!

adjustments

We won the city softball league our church played in, by going undefeated this year!  This was the first season that we have went undefeated in a pretty tough league.  One thing I have learned about softball is that momentum shifts quickly and a game can be blown open by just one mistake.  But what I have also witnessed is that 2 teams with close to the same talent will be one or lost by the team who can adjust the fastest.  Whether it is positioning ourselves to shutdown their strengths or exploiting their weaknesses.  The team that can adjust quickly and effectively will win.

Life is the same way and we all need to constantly adjust, whether to season of life, marriage, children, work, etc.  In what area of your life do you need to adjust to be more effective?

The Family Church "The FC"

Yesterday, another church we are partnering with launched 3 miles down the road in Pickerington.  It's my friend Adam Dinnell.  He is a great guy with a great heart and I believe that he is going to to do well.  I really believe that God is going to use our relationship to tear down wall of territorialism and pride amongst churches and leaders.  Last time I checked there are more people that don't go to church in our area than do.  In fact, if they all decided to show up to church one Sunday, there wouldn't be enough room if every church had 5 services.
I'm proud of Adam and his team and are believing God will use us together to take our City for Jesus.

Courage

Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather it's pushing through it.  As we follow Jesus, He asks us to live a life of faith and faith requires courage.  Courage then, should only be waiting for one thing....a green light from Jesus!  If we move before the green light, it's not courage it's foolishness.

between the lines

I read the Bible and I often wonder what happened between the verses or between the lines.  For instance in my life, I would say "I felt called to be a pastor at teenager, went to Bible College and took my first youth ministry position."  In that sentence there is so much life, tests, decisions, ups and downs, between those lines.  Between the lines is the real journey.  It's where the goosebumps and emotions fade and where real faith has to be lived out.

later

Later.  We have all used it.  For some us it defines our lives.  We procrastinate and waste precious time.   We miss God ordained windows of opportunity because we live out this word.  See you later....later!  What in your life needs to be NOW!

shut up and listen

My dad taught me at a young age, if there is someone that knows more than you, watch, ask questions, listen and learn.  It's true that when I am the one talking I am learning very little.  I will admit it's hard not to always share what we are doing.  The truth is most good leaders and conversationalists will always turn the conversation back toward you.  I have missed many good opportunities to learn and grow, because I was talking.  We have to fight that urge and stay disciplined.  Another key is to always have a couple great questions in our hip pocket ready to throw out.  So the next time you find yourself in a conversation, I challenge you to consider who is talking more?

reloading

This year C3 has partnered to help launch 6 new churches in the US and one in Kenya.  God has allowed us to bless these new churches with people, finances as well as Pastors.  Although we have given away a couple hundred people this year, our church is still 100 people larger than last year.  God's Word is true, you reap what you sow.  I have this deep sense that we still have a lot spiritual seed in the ground that will be bearing fruit in the near future.  We are in a reloading season as we have just hired 4 new full-time staff members in the past 9 months as well as a couple part time employees.  I can feel the momentum building and can sense through God's Presence that something is about to break loose at and through C3.  It's about to get crazy!

trust

Trust is the glue in relationships.
Trust goes hand in hand with influence.
Unity thrives in trust.
Trust greatly reduces the need to explain.
Trust eradicates fear.
Trust is the foundation of any longterm relationship.

Are you trustworthy?  How easily do you trust?

action

I think it is crazy how we ask God to change us, all the while we have NO desire to change our actions.  That is one of the differences between just saying we are "sorry" and being remorseful to the point where we hurt bad enough to change.  If we truly want to change, we will do whatever it takes so as not to go back.  I'm not saying we will never fall again, but we must ACT and move in an intentionally different direction.

today

I WILL DO TODAY WHAT I CAN DO, TO ENABLE ME TO DO TOMORROW WHAT I CAN’T DO TODAY.

It all starts with today.  What can you implement in your life today that will make a difference in your life in the years to come?  Changing something only minor today, could result in major changes down the road.  What do you need to start today?

lies

A lie believed as truth, will affect you as if it were true.  It's crazy to think how we all have been affected by lies that we have lived out in our lives.  These lies cage us and keep us prisoner from God's truth and freedom.  They are not real walls or chains, rather they are a mirage, but they keep us at bay all the same.  It's through the light of Christ that we see these lies as just that, nothing more that words, emotions and spiritual bondage.  But...when we know the TRUTH (and His name is Jesus)...the Truth will set us FREE!

decisions compound

Every decision we make, compounds.  It's like money.  When we owe money, the interest can snowball on us, as it compounds.  On the flip-side, if we are gaining interest in the bank, it can accumulate FOR us.  It's the same way with decisions both good and bad.  Every decision is taking us in a certain direction.  Where are your decisions taking you?

experiences

If our lives are a culmination of our choices and experiences, why not plan out some shaping experiences?  What experiences could you begin planning now that would have huge potential to shape you and those that are close to you?  Perhaps, it's a right of passage for your children or a spiritual sabbatical for yourself or something unique to you.  Whatever the case, I hope you give it some thought.  Personally, I'm always thinking.

losing

I hate losing!  Last night, we lost the championship softball game for the mens church league in Pickerington.  Did I mention I hate losing?  But there are lessons in life in both winning and losing.  Losing can build character or it can crush us.  If we are under it, it will crush us, but if we stand on top of it, it makes us bigger.  Losing is also the great revealer.  It reveals things in our hearts and attitudes that we don't always see when we win.  We have to be a good winner and a good loser.  Are you a good loser?

City Reach

This Sunday was truly amazing as we commissioned another church plant out of C3.  Pastors Bruce and Ana Folwell and some amazing C3 family are stepping out to plant City Reach Church in Brice in the Independence HS.  They have done a ton of work investing in people in the community with block party's, give-aways and outreaches.  City Reach has worked very hard in canvassing the neighborhoods and September 15th will have their grand opening.  We are praying and believing for incredible things!

General Council

I had a great time connecting and reconnecting with friends at the General Council of Assemblies of God in Orlando this week.  I love connecting with people of vision.  It truly challenges me to believe God for more.  God is doing some amazing stuff throughout the world!  What God inspired dreams are you currently chasing?  Keep running.

people

In the end, people are the most important!  Do we live in such a way that puts value on people?  Are we investing our best time, energy, resources and passion into people?  The only thing that lives on after our short stint in this life, is people.  Their eternities may even hang in the balance according to our actions and how we choose to live.  What is truly the most important thing to you?

not mattering

"Our fear of not mattering, pulls us away from what matters most."  Andy Stanley

We find ourselves in life, running at such a break neck pace, that we lose sight of what truly matters.  This drive is based out of fear.  It could be a fear of missing out, of not being enough, whatever the case, we allow fear to pull us into an unhealthy pace.  Then we run so fast, we neglect family, spouse, our health and most importantly...Jesus.

What is driving your life?

Hillsong Live

Went and saw Hillsong at the fair tonight!  It was so much more than just a concert, it was a worship service to JESUS.  It was amazing to see people from hundreds of different churches all worshiping together.  Truly we are all under one banner...One Name...the Name of JESUS!

C4 Unplugged Retreat

It was incredible to get to hang out with several of the C4 pastors and spouses at the Unplugged Retreat.  It was a great time with friends and praying for each other around the campfire.  It's amazing how iron sharpens iron.  We all need time to refresh and glean from others.  Can't wait till next year.

merry go round

Life and leadership have a way of continuing to get crazier and crazier.  I compare it to being on the merry-go-round that continues to pick up speed, which makes it harder and harder to hold on.  When it gets going too fast, we all need to jump off and figure out how to slow it down or change it up.  How fast are you going?

vacation

I just returned from a great family vacation.  There is nothing like doing nothing!  It truly was a great time enjoying my family and making some memories together.  We went to the beach at Gulf Shores Alabama and then to my wife's mothers little place on a lake.  I enjoyed my morning runs, then a dip in the water followed by my time with Jesus while sipping on a Starbucks frap!  I'm not sure life gets much better than that!  Truly, I want to enjoy every precious moment that God gives me on this Earth.

be the living difference

On the treadmill this morning I watched a touching special on ESPN called "Carry On."  I was moved to tears over the power of this story.  There was a line that was said that has stuck with me all day.  "Be the living difference."  
It is amazing to think that we can be the living difference in someone else's life.  That we can be the voice of MORE that helps pull greatness out of someone.  That our life can be lived in such a way that it challenges others to do something they would have never done on their own.
Who can you be the living difference for?

Are you vulnerable?

As a Pastor, I think one of the dangers you can fall into is creating this facade that everything in your life is perfect.  When this is done, it can actually do more damage to the body of Christ.  People then compare their spiritual struggles against what appears to be perfect and then realize they can never attain it.  Someone approached me just yesterday and said that Keri and I have the perfect marriage.  I had to laugh.  We do have a great marriage, but it is not perfect.  There are times we disagree and have conflict just like every other married couple.  But the key is this, are we vulnerable?  Vulnerability has been looked at as a weakness in the past, but really it can be positive thing.  Vulnerability shows we are real and our weaknesses build bridges with other people while our successes build walls.  Who are you vulnerable to?

C3 got a facelift

Check out our new website and logo at www.myC3church.com.  Big thanks to my brother Josh for putting all this together.

leadership porn

I heard Scott Hagen talk on leadership porn a while back.  Leadership porn is where we go to a conference or read a book about another leader and hear all the amazing stuff that they are doing.  Basically, we are comparing their highlight reel with our everyday life.  This comparison strips us of hope and faith or causes us to lust after what they have.  The truth is, those leaders have had some very ugly days as well and we are only seeing a photo-shopped version of their story.  Have you been looking at Leadership Porn?

stretched

One of my goals on our past Kenya trip was to stretch our people from C3, not to the point of breaking, but to at least pull them out of their comfort zone.  It's almost like a rubber band.  A rubber bands true power is revealed when it is stretched.  When it is lying their unstretched, it's true potential is unrevealed.  This is how many of us spend our lives.  Are you being stretched?  Why or why not?

Kenya

I just got back from Kenya with the 2nd out of 3 teams from C3.  Every year, we help plant a new church overseas.  C3'ers gave $10,000 to build a new steel building in partnership with a strong local church there that has already planted 2 other churches as well as raising up their own pastors.  I am so proud of our people who gave and for those who went truly served the people of Kenya.  It was an incredible experience.
On a side note, the missionaries set up a surprise day for me.  I got up to run one morning and they took me to a different place to run.  That is when Wesley Korir (2012 Boston Marathon Winner) came out of the house and ran 7.5 miles with me.  It was an in credible privilege and honor to run with the Kenyan champion.  He is an incredible guy and a believer as well.  It was all I could do to keep up...lol.  God is good!

Think

When is the last time you stepped away from the craziness of life and had time to think without distractions?  We all need time to refocus, and get on the same page with those closest to us.  Today, our Ex. Dir. Gary and myself spent the good portion of the day "out of the office" defining reality of where we are as a church and to refocus on where we are heading.  Without times like this, things can get muddy.  Do you need to take some time to just think?

with glitter come litter

The more glitter, the more litter.  Many times we see someone who is successful at a higher level than we are and all we see is the glitter.  What we don't see is all the litter that comes with that glitter.  The more gain, the more pain.  This is truly why very few push to a certain level in any field, because there is pain and litter that comes with it.  The key is that the person finds a way to move forward in spite of it all.

My kid is in YOUTH GROUP

Tonight, my oldest son goes to our Youth Ministry for the first time.  I'm blown away and feeling old..lol.  This is another one of those mile stones in his life and ours as well.  Life is going by so fast.  I'm doing my best to enjoy every last drop of it.  This is a stage in my son's life where he will begin to be greatly influenced by other voices.  I'm excited that he has a solid youth pastor who loves Jesus and some incredible youth workers to help shape his love for Jesus.  Everyday is an adventure....I will meet it head on...and keep my eyes on Jesus.

What's wrong?

Saturday I ran a 5k as I normally do on occasion.  The only thing was I ran slower than I have run in 20 years, but felt like I was working harder.  I still placed 2nd, but I would normally have beat the winning guy by close to a minute.  I walked away scratching my head.  Could it be:
- I'm just plain getting old?
- I've just had my yellow fever, polio, typhoid, tetanus and"hepatitis  "A" shots a couple days ago for Kenya?
- I just had a bad day?
- I'm going bald?

I got home and explained what happened to my wife who posed a very tough question.  "Would you still run if you couldn't win anymore?"  Ouch!  After much thought, I guess my answer would be - NO.  If that were the case, I would try to find something else I could compete at and win.  My answer kind of shocked me and revealed alot about myself.  I'm running another 5k this Saturday and will hopefully bounce back.  If not, I guess I will be looking for a new hobby.  lol.

settle

It's so easy to settle.  Sometimes after a big win we can settle.  Or perhaps because have never won we can settle.  Maybe we have just grown comfortable with the status quo or have lost faith.  Whatever the case, we settle and in doing so, forfeit what could be.  I want to let what could be, drive me to never settle.  In what area of your life have you settled?

memorial day

A poll was done in the U.S. and only 1/3 of people knew what Memorial Day was about.  The answer used most was, "the day the pool opens."  Truly though, it is a day to remember those who gave their lives so that we may have freedom.  Take some time to remember the price that was paid for our freedom, because freedom isn't free.

trust

To what point do I trust God?  Many say they trust God, that is as long as they have enough money, time, good health, protection, etc.  What about when everything is stripped away and everything goes wrong?  Do I only trust God in the good times, where I really don't have to live by faith because I have more than enough?  What if I lost everything, would I still trust God?  I think all of us have a line that once crossed our trust in God would begin to get shaky.  Personally, I would love to believe that I would not lose trust in God, regardless of my circumstances, but until faced with horrible circumstances, how would I ever really know.  Where do you draw the line in your trust in God?

Solitude

Last week, I covered 100 miles in 5 days on some backwoods trails in the Smokey Mountains.  I camped and hiked alone everyday until the last night I stayed at a shelter.  I can't put into words just how refreshing the whole experience was.  I have never spent so much time in pure solitude in my life. I feel that God was filling me up and detoxing my soul.  Jesus took the spotlight of truth and shined it on some areas of my soul that needed completely placed in His hands.  My life will be forever changed because of the experience.

ACTS

Today, C3 and several other churches in Pickerington came together to serve our City.  Over 450 followers of Jesus served at over 30 locations across our City for one goal, to show the love of Jesus no strings attached.  It was incredible to serve with other believers across denominational lines.  There is truly only one name on all of these churches...and it's the name of Jesus.

Removing "me"

This may be harder for some of us, than others.  Try to go a whole day without talking about yourself.  It's a lot harder than you think.  As we do this, we can spend more time focusing of the needs of others.

think

Think about, what you are thinking about.  Usually, the root of your problem is not your situation, but your thinking.  Our thoughts end up becoming our actions, habits and eventually our destiny.  Change your thoughts and you change your life.  What negative thoughts are you currently thinking.  The Bible says we are to think on things that are noble and pure.  How's your thoughts?

how do you play?

Some people play to win, others play, not to lose.  When we play to win, we are saying, we will gladly give up what we have in order to get something greater.  When we play not to lose, we are trying to protect what we currently have, but will take more if we don't have to risk what we currently have.  These are 2 different mindsets.  Whichever you have, will greatly effect how you live your life.  How are you living and why?

growth hurts

- You can't remain comfortable and continue to grow.

- Growth = change = movement = friction = pain

- You can't follow Jesus and remain the same.

- Growth means doing something new.

- Grow daily or die gradually.

-  Are you growing?

dream vs. doubt

Here is a fact of life....The bigger the dream, the bigger the doubt.  

As God entrusts us with more, always know that our enemy will hit us harder.  It's because there is so much on the line.  The bigger the dream, the stronger the battle rages, because we are moved to the front lines of the battle.  Doubt is one of the main tactics of our enemy.  The devil gets us to take our eyes off of Jesus and the Word that He has given us and instead begin looking at ourselves.  When we do this, we doubt.  Of course we should doubt, we can't do anything without God!  We desperately need God and His power.  As long as we keep our eyes off of ourselves and our weakness and keep them securely on Jesus, we have hope and all the power we need.

death for life

In order for a plant to give new life, a seed has to die.  It's the same for us in our lives.  Our past must die, in order for us to truly live.  Many times our problems determine our belief in God.  We try to shrink HIM to the size of our biggest problem and we allow our past hurt to hold us prisoner.  We then live as a victim rather than in victory.  Does your past hold you prisoner?  Jesus died to set you free.

normal

There are so many people who are just trying to fit in and be normal.  The truth is normal isn't working!  The normal American is in debt up to their ears, so busy they can't even enjoy life and are chasing a mirage of what they think will bring them happiness.  May we think about our lives today, what we are chasing and who we are becoming.  Will we leave a legacy someday?  Will the world be a better place because of our time on this planet?  Will we fulfill our God given potential?  To do these things....we can't settle for normal.

Every Sunday

Every Sunday at C3 Church, is someones first Sunday!

Wow, just the thought of that makes me want to give everything I have every single week.  We have no clue what people are walking through the door carrying, but no matter what it is we have the answer...JESUS!  This is why every person who serves at C3 truly makes a difference in loving people to LifeChange.  It's all of us together, using our time, talent and treasure that allow people to experience Jesus.  Because every Sunday, is someones first Sunday at C3 Church!

Boston Marathon

I remember like yesterday finishing the 2010 Boston Marathon.  So much time, training, discipline, preparation go into making that dream a reality.  I couldn't imagine running down that final stretch toward the finish, only to have a bomb go off?  I mean, who does something like this?  In my flesh, it incredibly angers me.  The selfishness, carelessness, sickness inside a person to do something like this...and for what?
Truly whoever did this, suffers from the same sickness everyone of us face...sin.  Sin cares about no one and it's not rational.  Sin only brings destruction and pain.  But Jesus, came to give the world hope from sin.  Right now our prayers are with the families and those affected by such a senseless action.

seeking

What are you seeking?  What am I seeking?  Our lives reveal the answer to that question.  We spend our time, talents and money to chase after what we are seeking.  The Bible says to "Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you."  If we are seeking anything other than Jesus, we are missing what is real and truly matters in this life.

shame

Tomorrow at C3 we are talking about shame.  All of us at some point have dealt with it.  My main point is that we usually run away from the very ONE that can take it away.  The enemy desires for us to hide our shame and when we do, he haunts us with it.  Then many times our shame begins to shape us, cause we soon believe that we are what we are ashamed about.  The truth is, Jesus died to cover our shame and only He can set us free!

crop failure

The Bible says "you reap what you sow." We all know that nature itself operates this way. If you plant corn, you will harvest corn. What is planted, will always bring forth fruit in time....but....when we have planted crops we don't want, we can always pray for crop failure! This is where you have messed up and then throw yourself at the merciful feet of Jesus. No promise that the crop will fail, but it's always worth a shot. lol.

Real Church

I had the opportunity to speak at Real Church in Pataskala this past Sunday. My friend and Pastor James Dewhurst was out of town. This was only their 3rd Sunday being up and running since their launch. They had over 200 people in attendance within the 2 services. They have an incredible thing going! I'm so proud of James and his team. Myself and C3 are their biggest fans!

follow

You can't follow Jesus and remain the same. It really is that simple. We are all lured away by sin, comfort, fear, pride, the list can go on and on. But if we are going to truly follow Jesus, we must be willing to let go of anything.

I am

I am my greatest limitation. What can hinder God's power at work in and through me? I can. Will we allow fear and pride to limit what God can do in our lives? Can you imagine what God could do, through just 1 person who wouldn't allow fear or pride to cause them to shrink back? That person could literally be used by God to change the world. Be that kind of person.

anchor or engine

Are you an anchor or an engine? Anchors hold on and don't want to move. In fact they keep the boat from moving. An anchor that is down can only be moved by dragging it. It greatly hinders movement and change. Or we are engines, which move the boat. Engines are the power behind the movement. Engines move things forward and carry the boat forward. Are you an anchor or an engine?

BOOOOM

Easter was incredible! I normally don't post numbers, but I want to give praise to JESUS. We had 20 people come to Jesus this past weekend and 1,102 in attendance between the 4 services. Our teams did amazing to accomadate all the people. We are humbled that God would trust us with so much. Also, we have heard from several of the churches we have partnered with to launch this year and they had incredible Sundays as well! To God be all the glory!

insecurity

I'm amazed at how insecurity effects most people that I know. Sometimes I'm even surprised at the people I thought had it all together, still wrestle with insecurity. At other times, I also have to look in the mirror cause it's me. I will be honest, with planting 6 churches this year, commissioning 100-150 amazing key leaders to go and nearly $100k to get them started, can push some insecurity buttons. Through all this though, we are seeing God continue to bless our church as we multiply the Kingdom of God! What God showed me the other day was that all insecurity is either pride or fear and both are not from God. So when I begin to feel insecure, it is a red flag to again lay it all before Jesus. The bottom line is my insecurity is wrapped up in selfishness and pride and both are SIN. ouch.

God's problem

Does God have problems? I mean, can't He do what He wants, when He wants to? It still baffles me that He chose to use humans as His chosen instruments. One of God's problems is that every city, town or village doesn't have a life giving church. At C3, we are joining Christ's mission to seek and save that which is lost. Our heart is to multiply life-giving churches all over Columbus...Ohio...our Nation and the world. In doing so, we become part of God's solution to His problem in loving people to Jesus.

more

Last night, we had a worship night with some teaching on worship as well. We almost had a full house of people assembling just to worship their God. I really felt like our churches worship went to another level. I could sense a hunger for His presence. I'm praying that our church is a church that hungers after the things of God and that we lose our taste for the things of this world. May we be a church that desires....MORE of Jesus. Do you want more?

Leverage Conference

I had an incredible 2 days at the Leverage Conference, put on by the Ohio Church Multiplication Network. Connected with some incredible people and got to hear and pick the brains of some high caliber leaders. As those who are farther along than me shared their experiences, I felt like they turned a light on in a hallway and that I am now able see more clear and continue walking with more confidence. If your teachable and hungry, other people can take you farther, faster.

Leverage

Tomorrow, we are taking a small group of leaders up to a small conference called "Leverage." We will rub shoulders with some sharp world changers in a small group roundtable format. Our goal is to comeback with the tools and some answers to our questions that we have, in regards to launching a church planting network we are calling C4. We will be trained in how to give assessments to new potential church planters and how we can best structure it from those who are paving the way. We are believing that God is going to allow us to launch the C4 Church Planting Network, whose goal is to not only plant new churches, but help them plant so many churches that they launch their own church planting network. I'm praying this will help us put together some of those pieces. God is about to explode this thing!

blessings

I have had the honor of doing 2 funerals in the past 3 days.  It really challenges me to never take for granted each day I have.  They are gifts from God to enjoy Him, His creation and His blessings upon my life.  When you sit down and actually count your blessings, it will change you.  My prayer is for God's help to be a good steward of everything He has given me, and to use what I have to be a blessing  back to Him.

pace

As long distance runner, I have learned a few things about pace.  Almost every race, you have that newbie toe up to the line and at the crack of the gun, take off as fast as he can.  The adrenaline is pumping, the crowd is cheering and the cameras are all snapping.  The let down comes after about 1/4 mile into the race, when he realizes his legs are filling up with lactic acid and that he has gone out way too fast.  This once enthusiastic runner, goes from the front to the back quickly, never to recover.

I am learning as our church continues to pick up speed, that I must continually monitor my pace.  I am a running a marathon and not a sprint.  It's hard to continually look ahead and remember this, but with God's help, I would like to be doing this for a long time.  I continually ask myself, "How much longer can I run this pace?"  I am the only one who can take care of me.  I want to be healthy in life, marriage, family, ministry and with Jesus.  It's at times a very tough balancing act.

important

I think we could all agree that everyone likes to be around someone that makes them feel important.  I was blessed to have a Dad that specializes in this.  It doesn't matter who he is talking with, what their background, their age, how much money they make, he always makes people feel important.  Because of this trait, people like to be around my Dad.  The other key to making people feel important, is to really mean it.  People can spot a fake a mile away.  Personally, I hate it when people make someone else feel important, but they have an ulterior motive.  My Dad makes people feel important, because he truly sees them as important.
Do you see people as important and do you treat them as important?

hardest thing = greatest thing

"Many times, the hardest things that can happen to us, may be the greatest things that can happen to us."  
- The truth is, the soil of our lives is some of the most fertile, during times of pain and suffering.
- We almost always learn more in the hard times, that in the easy times.
- Resistance, just like a muscle, makes us stronger in the long run.
- When going through a difficult time, allow God to reveal what needs changed inside of us and allow Him to do it.
- Embrace obstacles, for they are many times God's teachers.

investment

A question that was posed in a meeting yesterday that grabbed my attention.  "Are we living a life of worthy of the investment, that has been poured into us?"
Even if we feel that we have not been poured into by parents, leaders, etc, Jesus gave His life for us.  Another question would then be, "is the life we are living, worth Christ dying?"

The Call of God

The Call of God is His responsibility, but the development of that Call is ours.

What am I doing with what God has entrusted to me?
Am I developing the Call, gifts and resources that God has entrusted to me?
Am I taking responsibility for what I have, by utilizing for His Glory?

What did you expect?

My devotional this morning asked the question, "what did you expect?"  Many times when things get rough following Christ or leading a church or in ministry, we begin to complain.  But really, what did we expect?  I mean dying to ourselves and taking up our cross and following Jesus is not easy.  Jesus never said it would be easy and when we look at His life, we see suffering.  If our King was crucified and we are His servants, what should we expect?  If we are going to follow Jesus in obedience and allow Him to shape us, it's not going to be easy.  But in the end, if we accomplish His Will for our lives and truly know Him, it will be all worth it.

Perseverance

Perseverance.  This is an easy word to say, but a hard word to live.  Perseverance is the toll that must be paid, in order to travel where very few have gone.  Many fall by the way as the journey gets long and the road gets hard.  But those with perseverance find a way.  For me, my motivation for persevering is different depending on what it is.  In an Ironman triathlon, it has been, my inner will or what story are my kids going to tell about me someday.  With ministry, it has been, I just want to make myself trustworthy to God and I want to honor His name.  Why do you persevere?

motion

Jeff Leake says "Don't just do something, start something in motion."

I want to live this.  To live thinking intentionally about where and how I am stewarding my time, talents, influence and resources.  That everything I do is not just an end all, but rather going to create movement that continues on even after I walk away.

stop waiting

Just thinking today how we are always waiting.  We wait for another season in life to do something, we wait for others to change or maybe we are waiting until we feel a certain way.  Don't get me wrong, some waiting is a good thing, while other times it may be an excuse.  Some people wait their entire lifetimes, only to be disappointed.
Stop waiting!  Stop waiting for things to get better.  Stop waiting for things to get worse.  Stop waiting until you are comfortable.  Stop waiting.  Start where you are right now!  Use what you have right now!  Do what you can right now!  For faith, without action, is dead!  So, stop waiting!

Reach Northeast

Today, I was truly honored to speak at the Reach Northeast Catalyst day.  They have some amazing leaders who are leading the way in church planting in the Northeast.  I was impressed with the culture of church planting that they have created.  When that kind of culture is established, it literally draws in like minded entrepreneurial leaders.  They then give them the tools, resources and encouragement to change their world.  Seeing this in action was energizing.

We have created the C4 Church Planting Network to do much of the same thing.  We will not only help plant new churches, but also help those church planters plant other churches and launch their own church planting network.  This year at C3, we will Partner with 6 churches and leaders that are called by God to impact their city.  God has called us to launch a movement of church plants that are loving people to LifeChange!

My wife

I have now been officially married the woman of my dreams for 16 years.  It's truly amazing when both the husband and wife do their best to keep Jesus in the center of the relationship and try to make the marriage not a 50/50, but a 100/100%.  I am blessed with an incredible helpmate in my wife.  She has loved me through a lot of change, good times and bad.  She is truly my best friend and I can say that I am more in love with her now, than when I first met her.  My only regret is that I should have married her sooner.  I love....MY KERI.

IPCC Leadership Conference

I had a great weekend in Elizabeth City North Carolina speaking a leadership conference for the IPCC with my new friends.  I pray God will use the seeds that were planted to "fan into flame" what God has placed in their hearts.  It was incredible to build some new friendships and eat some great southern cooking.  I think I gained 3lbs.  I pray God's blessing on the IPCC and I was both humbled and honored to be their guest.

prison

Heard a great thought today where most of us live.  It's a prison where most never get free from.  It's the prison of WANT.  Can you imagine living being totally content?  If we are honest with ourselves, we can all be suckered into wanting more, bigger, newer, shinier, etc.  We lose ourselves in search of this "feeling" that "want" leads us to believe that we will have.  Once we fill the "want"....it soon falls through our hands like water.  Only to imprison us again.  Are you a prisoner of WANT?

opportunity and opposition

The greater the opportunity, the greater the opposition.  This is why more people don't even attempt something great.  The more you do, the more it's going to hurt and the more discipline that is required.  There will be bumps in the road, criticism, stressful times, but we can't let that paralyze us.  If God is truly FOR US (and HE is) who can be against us?  Seize your opportunities and when times get tough, let it drive you even deeper into trusting JESUS.

C3 Marriage Retreat

We had a great weekend with 37 couples from C3 Church for a marriage retreat.  It was awesome to get away and spend some time focused on our relationship with our spouse.  There were some laughs as well as tough conversations.  I'm believing that God did some amazing work this weekend.

faith

- Does the current life you are living require faith?
- On a scale of 1-10, how much faith do you feel you have?
- What act of faith is Jesus asking you to take?
- What is the largest step of faith that you have ever taken?
- What is the greatest hinderance to your faith?
- How can you walk in more faith?

just like you

If everyone on your team, organization or family was just like you, what would happen?  If everyone thought, acted and treated everyone, just like you would, what kind of place would it be?  The Bible is clear that we reap what we have sown.  If you are a leader, you are responsible for the culture of what you lead.  As the leader, you are the model of what is expected and should be embodying that.  We can ask no more from those we lead, than what we are willing to give ourselves.  I'm working on what needs to change in me...so...WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE IN YOU?

Movement

This week I was honored to speak at the Movement (becomethemovement.com) up near Youngstown.  Pastor Doug Garasic is doing an incredible job.  They renovated a building in the mall and are blowing it up.  People are coming to Jesus and they are well on their way to changing the city of Niles for the name of Jesus.  They have only been up and running for a few months since their launch and are already at 3 services.  I pray God continues to do incredible things in their church!

it's really very simple

I love my grandfather.  He has been a pastor for over 50 years.  He had to quit school in the 8th grade to grow tobacco in hills of Kentucky to make ends meet for his family.  Over the years my grandfather has made an incredible impact on peoples lives because he does two things well, he listens to Holy Spirit and obeys Him.  Things like, he will be walking in a hospital and Holy Spirit will tell him to turn into a room (not the one he had planned to) and he will lead that person to Jesus and think that is normal!  I want to live my life in the same way, listen and obey.

stirring

In prayer this morning, I felt like God gave me a picture of what God is doing in our church.  It's like we are a bucket of contents that needs stirred to mix what is sitting on the bottom, with the contents on the top.  As it is stirred, the two mix together producing the desired result.
I felt like God was saying that He has always been the foundation of our church, but that now He was ready to begin mixing and moving within our people.  That He is beginning to STIR US UP and when he does, it is going to revolutionize our church.
Personally, I feel like God is turning up the spiritual heat in our church.  The spiritual temperature is rising and people are beginning to get hungry on a different level for more of Jesus.

I can't wait to see what He does in the future.

shift

God is doing something incredible in and through our church.  People are coming to Jesus, this year we are planting 5 churches, we are busting out of our building, hiring new staff and looking toward what is next.  It's a lot and I am beginning to feel the weight.  Now don't get me wrong, I am loving it, as this is what I dream about.  I also realize that I must again shift my schedule, leadership, family life, personal time, prayer time, etc, to meet these new demands.  Shifting requires me to let things go, assess what is truly important and put my efforts there.  This is tough, but needs to happen.  I have had to do this before as our church has grown, kids have grown, and have gotten more responsibility.  If I don't shift, I will redline and eventually burnout.  Do you need to shift?

change

Change before you have to. 

I think this says it all.  For many, we won't change until we are forced t0.  By then, there is usually damage that has taken place.  Most of us won't change until the pain of staying the same, becomes greater than the pain of change.  So...change before you have to.

Own Up

I got back home close to 3am last night as we traveled from Missouri for my grandmothers funeral.  It was truly a special time reliving her life and the legacy that she left us.
This morning I was up early as I had the privilege of speaking 2 school assemblies to the Lakeview Jr. High boys.  I took our new Youth Pastor Tony Bartkoski with me to speak a piece of it as well.  We had a great time challenging these young men to OWN UP and take responsibility for themselves and their actions.  They were a great group of young men.

my grandmother

Tomorrow I'm leaving early to Missouri to attend my grandmothers funeral.  Personally, I see it as her homecoming with her Jesus.  My grandmothers health was failing and her mind had slipped over the past couple years.  She was ready for heaven.  Grandma Call was a true woman of God.  She loved Jesus her entire life and knew how to pray.  Her faith was real and could be seen in her love for God and people.  She has left me a legacy and I am walking in the heritage she created for me.  I'm honored to be called her grandson!  I could ask for no more, than that my grandkids will feel about me, the way I feel about her!  I love you Grandma Call and I'll see you heaven....and I will do my best to bring as many people with me.  Your love for Jesus lives on in me!

both reveal

This past weekend I coached both my boys basketball teams.  We lost both games in the final period.  Bummer.  The truth is, how we act after we win and lose both reveal a lot about who we are.  I've seen both bad winners and good losers.  I challenge my boys after games like that, that we have to control our emotions and let Christ shine regardless.

Church planters unite!

Today, we are having 2 meetings for church planters.  It is amazing when you get into a room full of leaders who are full of faith and willing to take risks.  We realize that we are better together and come today to learn from each others experiences.  What could happen if several leaders with a heart to see Columbus changed by the power of God began to work together in unity?  We are going to find out.  I believe that we can take the City for the name of Jesus.  All of us are better than one of us!

timing

Lance Armstrong has recently come out and admitted that he has done performance enhancing drugs.  When we have messed up it is key that we own up, but timing is everything.  The longer we wait to tell the truth, the more damage to our reputation is done and the less grace we will be received with from others.  The truth is, we are all going to fail and make bad decisions at times.  The key is, how fast we apologize and make it right.  The faster we apologize, the more credibility we have and most people are open to forgiving us when our hearts are sincere.  So, own up quickly!

weighed not counted

Jesus doesn't count disciples, He weighs them.

When Jesus weighs us, what does that reveal?  How much do you weigh?

Executive Leadership Team Retreat

Had a great weekend with our team this weekend.  We laughed, prayed, dreamed and cried together.  God has sen us some amazing leaders with a passion to help further the vision of C3 Church.  God is up to something big.

obedience and understanding

Faith is obeying, even when you don't understand.  It's easy to obey God when we know "why" we should do something.  But is that really faith?  Faith in God is obeying Him regardless of our understanding.  Faith is where our trust in God far outweighs our need to understand.

the result of failure

What is your response to failure?  Do you get mad and frustrated or teachable and determined?  The truth is we will all fail and how we respond to it will determine how our lives play out.  How do you respond to failure?

traction

It is amazing how we have been working away behind the scenes at planting churches for the past year or 2 with some fruit, but now it seems that we are gaining traction.  It's so exciting walking with these church planters that we are helping to launch.  There are 4 of them that will be launching this year in the Columbus area as well as a 5th that we will work with in Kenya by building them a church.  It's almost like the seeds were planted and now it's beginning to come out of the ground and soon will bring forth fruit.