A great musician and a great man

Jake Lewis is about to record his first album.  I'm hoping to help him.  Maybe you can too.  Just click here.

Loving me some Redskins football

This Thursday my skins play for their 4th straight state title.  Yeah, I know I'm a little stupid to be so excited about high school football.  I also don't care.  I just love it!  Enjoy some highlights from last week's semi-final win over Jenks.

Sorry, this video won't embed.  You can watch it here.

thank you!

Just wanted to say thank you for praying.  It's no coincidence that just hours after my post yesterday (which I almost did not post) that I felt a serious breakthrough inside of me.  I have energy and vision flowing inside of me again!  Thank you.  Thank you .  Thank you!  Love you guys.

Where I'm at this week . . .

Sorry I skipped last week.  I didn't have any clear avenues of prayer to ask you to join me on.  I'm not sure I do right now either, but I probably need your prayers more now than I ever have.  A dear friend of mine says I'm under spiritual attack.  I have to admit that hearing other people saying that over the years has really turned me off to that idea.  In the past, I've been of the opinion that most "spiritual attacks" are not really spiritual at all and that the person being "attacked" is just making excuses.  Maybe that's true in some cases.  I really don't know.

What I do know is that I am in a state now that I have never been in before.  I am confused, disappointed, discouraged, angry and scared.  I am presently trying to adjust to a much different reality than I though I would be facing at this point in my life and how that adjustment is going changes by the hour.  But, the reality is that I am the pastor of a small church that is, evidently, going to grow slowly.  The reality is that church is unable to afford any income to me or any other members of our leadership team.  The reality is that my family and I have set ourselves back years, financially, based on the vision and promises we believe God showed us.  I'm not loving the reality, but neither can I stick my head in the sand and pretend it's not there.

There are many positives.  Our church is healthy.  My wife and kids are a delight and we are all healthy.  I live in a city I absolutely love.  I have family nearby.  Our leadership team is one of the best I've ever seen.  My wife has a great job that she loves.  The list goes on . . .

Some prayers you could pray with me this week:

• Reality - I just want to come to terms with my current reality and feel good about it.
• Job Search - I am officially looking a job again.  If you know of any opportunities, please let me know.
  
• Renewed faith - I'm just struggling to have faith in God's promises right now.  I want to believe.  That's about as much as I can muster now.

Thank you for your prayers and friendship.  I love you all.

Do you need fresh strength?

Isaiah 40:28-31 - "Don't you know anything? Haven't you been listening? God doesn't come and go. God lasts. He's Creator of all you can see or imagine. He doesn't get tired out, doesn't pause to catch his breath. And he knows everything, inside and out.  He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts.  For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall.  But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, They run and don't get tired, they walk and don't lag behind."

Man, this Scripture is like pure life inside of me this morning.  The last six months, especially the last month, have been trying beyond what I thought I could bear.  But I can bear it.  I can more than bear it.  I can face my calling with God-given energy.  I don't know what I would do without God's Word; especially when my own thoughts begin to lose perspective.  God is so good and patient and loving.  Wow.

Come Early To Pray This Sunday

This Week @ Freedom Valley

Teaching: We are continuing our series "When No One is Looking" this week talking about keeping integrity in our words.  That's all about honesty.  I'm really looking forward to this one.

Prayer: I would like to invite you to spend some time praying with me and my team prior to the service on Sunday.  There will be a group prayer time from 10:30am - 10:45am in the main auditorium. Just come right in and begin praying with us.  There will be some signs up on the door and on the video screens  - just so you feel good about walking into a room where people are already praying.  That can be a little intimidating, but I want you to know that I would love to have you join us!   Hope you can make it.

Food: If you want to bring in some donuts or snacks this Sunday, you can do that.  We are going to be switching to a community style on our snacks instead of the church just providing it all.  It's partially to cut some costs, but I think it's a much healthier idea for us to all contribute in different ways.  Not talking about a whole meal, just donuts or bagels or whatever morning snack you like.  We don't need everyone to bring something, just do if that would be fun for you.

Looking forward to seeing you on Sunday.

forced creativity is still creativity

Our church has had some financial constraints that has forced us to get really creative about how we fund and execute certain aspects of our church.  It's actually fun and I think will bring a higher level of health to our church.  The only question I have . . . Why did it take a budget crunch to get us on this creative track?

Details will follow as we roll out some exciting changes.