God's Team

I love being on the winning team. That's why serving on God's team is so amazing, because you really can't lose. It's cool knowing that in the end, regardless of what happens with my brief stay on this planet, I get to be with Jesus for eternity. I also love the fact that I am building HIS church....it's not mine. When you think of it that way, NOTHING....I mean NOTHING can stop it. Recently, C3 had a bank deny us our loan for our new building. Talk about devastating, but this is not up to a bank or man...it's up to God. I have to admit, I was starting to sweat a little. We had done a building capitol campaign and our people rose to the challenge and now what? Then God opened some doors and now we have 2 other banks working on giving us the better deal. Can you say FAVOR! This is God's team......and He let's me play a small part in it!

obstacles

Everyone in life at some point, has been faced with obstacles. Obstacles may vary in size and weight, but we have all faced them. Some are big and others small. Some will deter us for moments, others for years and some for life. I think the bigger question is not, "How big is the obstacle?" but "How big am I?" The bigger I am as a person/leader/follower of Jesus, will determine the size of the obstacle I'm facing. What may be a huge obstacle to me, may be a speed bump for someone else. I have made a decision to continue to grow in my faith and leadership, in order to make my obstacles look smaller.

do it yourself

I love the internet for the fact that so much information is at your fingertips. 2 days ago my wife said that she really wanted me to put in a stone patio (some guy gave me a truckload of them) before she has a bunch of ladies over on Friday. So I jumped online, watched a video, and went to town. It actually turned out pretty good. With every project, I get more confidence.....and more tools! Since I'm in the DIY vein, check out my video (thanks brother Josh) on About.com. http://video.about.com/homerepair/How-to-Find-a-Wall-Stud.htm

grace

I read a book that talked about grace being to a church, what oil is to an engine. This is so true. At C3, we have discussed with our leaders about always giving the benefit of doubt to everyone. In other words, always extend grace. When you have several people working together, there will always be friction and the friction needs to be covered in the oil of grace for things to run smooth. I think the much of time, how much grace a person extends to another, shows their level of spiritual maturity.

4 square

While in Jamaica working at a children's home on a missions trip, I got introduced to the game 4 Square. Today for Memorial Day, we went over to our worship leaders house, which happens to be next to an elementary school. (you can see where this is going) It didn't take long to find a ball and the game was on. Myself, Gary (C3's Exec Dir), our worship, tech. sound, and Youth dir. were all playing with some serious intensity. We got some funny looks from the parents coming to the play land with their kids. I guess you don't see a bunch of guys in their 30's playing 4 square everyday? Anyway, I never want to grow up.....and I love having fun with our C3 team.

fun while it lasted

Today, I ran in a duathlon which consisted of a 2mile run/13mile bike/3.1 mile run. There were around 100 in the race and it was a lot of pain...i mean fun. There was even a pro in the race! We took off on the first 2 mile run and I found myself in the lead pack and feeling good. I ran into the transition area in 2nd place, right behind the pro. My strength in these races is not the bike or run...but the "transition." I flew through the transition and jumped on my bike and took off in 1st place! I'm winning and beating the pro......that is until he jumped on his bike that is worth more than my car. I heard a sound like that of a smooth flying space ship.....and boom, he flew passed me. But..it was fun while it lasted! Oh yeah, I got passed by 6 other guys on the bike, but caught 2 of them back on the last run. I'm a little sore, but am reveling in the fact that I had a glimpse of racing with the ELITE!..........of course, it's not how you start the race, it's how you finish.

own it

I hate it when nobody wants to "own up" for the mistake. Personally, I feel that when someone accepts responsibility for a mistake, it shows real character. In fact, I have respected my leaders more in the past, for coming out and owning a mistake. The next level beyond that is, owning a mistake that those who serve under you have made. That's what true leadership is all about. I will say that in the past when I have "owned" someone elses mistake instead of "throwing them under the bus," it has created incredible respect. So in other words, "fess up, when you mess up!",