simplicity

Reading a great book for where we as a church are at called "Simple Church". The thought is that we make everything so complicated and confusing rather than simple. We at C3 are in the process of making our discipleship process one that is simple, clear and focused. Less is more. The only issue is that we are torn are about changing our name from C3 to the name on this sign. Ha! Put that on a business card.

accountability

Today was a part of some heavy conversations where accountability was dealt with. We all need it, some more than others though. For some of us, we only need the accountability from God, but for most of us, we need others to help us achieve all that we can. Why? Because accountability closes the gap between intention and actions. It doesn't guarantee it, but it does close the gap. Really, we are responsible for ourselves. The responsibility is mine for me.

my bike

This is my new bike I just pulled out of the box and began putting it together. (I feel like Pee Wee Herman in his old movie when he had his bike....but it was stolen.....and hidden in the basement of the Alamo....or something like that.) Of course it is a European bike and the instructions were in German, but I managed to put it together. I then took it to a bike shop to get it tuned and fitted for me. I got there yesterday and the bike pro began fitting me when the seat bracket stripped out. The bike pro said he had never seen that happen on a new bike. BUMMER! But I am so glad it happened now, rather than on mile 3 of the 112 mile bike leg of my Ironman race. I am working out all the bugs on equipment and my nutrition needs to make sure I don't bonk on race day. This is the same in life. We all have areas or flaws that must be dealt with or they will come out. If they are not dealt with in private, they will come out in public and usually at the worst time. Sooo, start working the bugs out.

dancing in the aisles

I led worship last night and it was the final night of the Great Family Adventure. At the end, the speaker asked me to play a few songs that deal with "heaven." Uhhhhh, I tried to think and could only come up with some "old school' one like: "When we all get to heaven", "When the saints go marchin in", and such. But the crowd went nuts! Dancing in the aisles and an old fashioned "Jericho March". It was awesome. I guess playing those old songs with my family band comes in handy. I thought it was amazing how people resonated with those songs. But don't we all? We like the style of music or preaching that we last felt closest to God with. Or we wear the clothes that we last felt cool in....no matter how old or out of style. But sometimes we all need to get back to our roots.....some Old Time Religion.....Can I get a Witness up in here!

pulled over

Last night, my family and I were leaving a family camp where we had led worship. It was late, and while driving down a country road we were pulled over by a state trooper. The lights were flashing in the darkness as I pulled over, but i didn't feel that deep pit of despair in my gut. I felt guilt free, because I hadn't knowingly done anything wrong. The officer asked for license and registration and said I was swerving a little. He kept looking into my eyes to make sure I hadn't been drinking. He let me go with a caution. Usually when I'm pulled over, I know I have done wrong. But I love the feeling of having nothing to hide or talk my way out of.....or at least try. There is nothing better than living a guilt free life of freedom. Thanks God!

embarrassed

I'm leading worship at a family camp this week in the evenings, of which I know a lot of people having been the former state youth director. So, I'm in the lobby when this lady walks in. She looks like another pastors wife in her late 50's, but about 40lbs lighter. Our eyes meet and we both smile, I walk up to her to give her a hug.......while doing so, I realize this is not the lady I thought it was. In fact, I have never met this lady before and here I am hugging her. The embrace ends rather rapidly and then comes the embarrassment of "I can't believe I just did that". It's in those awkward moments, that you just have to laugh at yourself. I played it off as best I could, walked around the corner, told my wife and we both laughed pretty hard. Then they introduce the guest speakers for the week and.......you guessed it, she is one of them. These little moments keep life interesting!

"Truth fears no question"

We talked about freedom this past week at C3 and this quote nails the issue of freedom. "Truth fears no question."
Have you ever been there, where you have something to hide and you carry the weight of it around with you? You hope no one will ask you the tough question, where you will be forced to confront what you are trying to keep hidden or feel you have to lie about it? This is a horrible place to be, much less live. But when we are living the truth, we don't fear any questions because we have nothing to hide. This is how I want to live my life....a life of truth and integrity. Where I have nothing to hide in my life, office, home, car and even my mind. (God sees ALL) Are there any things you need to get out in the open or be held accountable for? For many of us, that could be a truly freeing experience and God wants us to live in FREEDOM!