pReVieW pArT dEuX

HERE is the video of our 2nd preview service at Oak Leaf .

Thanks again for the words of encouragement and prayers. God truly blessed it.

Quick stats:
*Around 240 total showed up.
*60% of the people who filled out comment cards said they were not involved in church. (Exactly who we are trying to reach!)
*5 indicated they prayed to receive Christ!

Looking forward to kick off in August.

1 gray nose hair

Found one last night.

Just thought you should know.

(trying to generate comments)

Ten Cent Prayer

Ok, this has been a topic beaten to death on blogs before...but since I'm a new blogger, here's my quick thoughts.

Church signs are a funny thing. I don't want to bash them, like many people do. That's too easy. Sure, most of them are way too cheesy. Sure most of them seem out of touch with the culture around them. Ok, sure, we know that. But let's not completely rip apart well intended people for doing something that they think might grab someone's attention.

Having said that, though, let me comment (respectfully) on one I saw in North Georgia last week...a church sign that prompted this blog. It read, "God doesn't give thousand dollar answers to ten cent prayers." A few thoughts quickly came to mind when I drove past the sign. First, like many many many church signs, I don't believe a statement like that is going to bring the masses in. Maybe I'm wrong, maybe unchurched people in that immediate area are coming in droves b/c of their sign (ok, I'll stop being sarcastic). 2nd, the statement itself really bugs me. To me, it conveys two things: First, it says (and this may be stretching it), "You can't pray well. Don't you dare give one of those short meaningless prayers. Don't expect anything from God unless you really really really mean it. We know how to pray, you don't." Ok, that last sentence was definitely stretching it. Also, to me, it conveys a wrong message. God does answer our ten cent prayers! And yes, he does amazing things with our "shifting sands" kind of faith (Caedmon's Call reference). When I drove by it I thought, no way, we are supposed to come to God like a child. Completely reliant. Completely needy. Completely dependent. Right? Faith like a child, right? The whole statement just bugs me. What does a thousand dollar prayer look like? Better yet, what does a million dollar prayer look and sound like? Do I need some kind of schooling to learn how to pray like that? Sorry, but I think there may be a few more important things that I can be sharing with the community around me than "don't be throwin up those teeny weeny prayers of yours."

And if you've never seen it - you can create your own church sign - click HERE

Need a Ride?

Ok, I know all you cool cats out there are just dying to buy a used minivan! Especially you 20/30 somethin year olds!

All joking aside, click HERE to see the van we are selling.

Walmart, Santa Clause, & The Golden Gun

Just stay with me on this one.

Last night. Late. 10pm-ish. Making a Walmart run to purchase a trampoline for our oldest child Braden, who will be turning 5 on Sunday. (Really, though, we've wanted one for all the kids {4 total!} for some time now.) So I get a guy in sporting goods to help me load it on a dolly thingy and take it up front, pay, and then I meet my new best friend.

Vidal HAS TO BE the coolest Walmart employee I've ever met. The guy can tell some stories...super nice and courteous as well. He was working as the greeter/buggy organizer
and I asked him if it would be possible to get some help loading my 2000 pound (not really) trampoline in the car. He asked a cashier to page someone for carryout. It took about 15 minutes - no joke - for them to get organized enough to locate a free warm body to assist me...so I took advantage of the situation. During this time I learned that Vidal is originally from New York...sweet NY accent by the way. He has many tattoos and a "rough edge" about him. He is former military...discharged from the army at age 20...he did something with missile testing. Young guy, no, but in good shape. He has 12 grandchildren. We discussed the mechanics of a trampoline...the best we could...his English is around 80%. He told me of the time he saw a "300lb kid" destroy a trampoline. We both laughed. With his permission, I took a picture of his gold gun with my camera phone. It's real gold, he says. He once had a gold grenade, but he proudly gave that to one of his sons. He also has a gold knife necklace. (I'm definitely going to be on Vidal's good side...always!) So to sum this part of the story up, Vidal, I enjoyed meeting you! Vidal is a super cool guy who treated me like a valued Walmart shopper. I look forward to going back for more stories and maybe see more cool necklaces.

Then I met Jim...the best Santa Claus in Bartow County. How do I know this...was Jim in costume? did I see him performing his Santa duties? did I measure the length and fullness of his Santa beard?....nope, didn't have to. I know he's the best b/c I saw his heart. More of that in a sec. Jim works f/t at Walmart and also f/t for the City of Cartersville. Jim is the guy who helped cart my big purchase to the car. For the past 7 years, Jim has played Santa Clause all throughout town. 7 years ago, Jim started doing something phenomenal that God laid on his heart. Every Christmas he puts on his costume (when he's not working one his f/t jobs) and goes around to as many needy children as possible, delivering to them a free present and a huge santa hug and smile. Let me restate that: HE GOES TO THEIR HOME. Since he knows the City so well, and also through word of mouth, he knows where to go...he knows the kids who without him, would have no Christmas. This project of his has grown over the years. Last year he gave out 630 presents. This year's goal is 1000. Jim is busy this time of the year. He's filling his storage shed with donated gifts and gifts he has purchased with donated money. He prays over all the gifts and continues to pray that God will allow him to reach more children this year. I told Jim about Oak Leaf's involvement in partnering with the Salvation Army to help out with their Christmas Outreach Program...and that we would LOVE to help him as well in reaching his goal...being an incredible bright spot in these kid's lives. Also, we are praying for Jim's bride of 38 years. She has diabetes and is awaiting an operation that could help.

I love divine appointments.

Wonder how many I've missed in the past few days or weeks by not slowing down and taking a sec to look around? Food for thought.

Southern Livin

I love the south....ok, specifically, the "deep south." Kinda funny how not too long ago I wanted nothing but to leave my Sweet Home (Alabama). I was bored of it...or so I thought. Back in 2000, the wife and I moved up to Louisville, KY for seminary. Why KY? Well, to us folk here in the deep south, that was northern livin'. No, really, I thought we were movin up north. Come to find out, it wasn't quite the north...but not quite the south either. What made it not quite the south was the fact that there are restaurants there that DO NOT serve sweet tea. What a crime! My conclusion of Louisville, KY, was it is just about as far north as one can go but it still be the south (let's say...82.79% southern).

I suppose growing up on 2 acres, surrounded by cotton fields, 2 neighbors, dove hunting and fishing...I always wanted to go see the "big lights." Wanted to get away. Having lived in a few semi-big cities now, I better understand the appeal of the slow south. We are lovin' Cartersville, GA. The appeal? Well, you are still country living, but close enough to the action. I like being close to a big city like Atlanta...especially with young children...lots to do and see and visit. 7 years ago, my opinion would have been completely different. Couldn't wait to leave. Now, despite that I'm not a hunter, or big fisherman, or a mud riding addict...I still love it here.

Ministry: Yeah, I think in some ways it is harder to witness in the south. After all, everyone here is a "Christian." (Simply means you grew up near a church or someone in your family was on staff at a church or you "walked the isle" when you were 1.5 years old.) Perhaps that has been the main appeal over the last 20 years or so to plant churches in Seattle, California, etc. In certain places like that, you have a 90% unchurched people group...most who have NEVER been associated with church at all. In may be "easier" to share Christ with people of that kind of background because there is no wading through Christianese talk...their blunt with you...nope, don't believe it, don't need it, next! (I realize these are general, broad statements.)

So, despite a few frustrations every now and then...I don't think I would trade my good ole south. And by the way West Coast and North...it is true...we DO have the best college football down here. Sorry, you will never understand until you experience it every Fall. Well, gotta run, time to go fight ATL traffic.

My Home's in Alabama,
no matter where I lay my head
My home's in Alabama,
Southern born and Southern bred
- Alabama

Using Your Head

Now THIS is something you don't see every day in a soccer match.

Ouch.

Toomer Craze

If my "What is Toomer's Corner?" link doesn't fully communicate the importance of Toomer's Corner, maybe THIS will.

Not sure if I want to place an order or scream "are you kidding me?!"

Anywho, lots more AUburn posts coming in the Fall....like it or not.

War Eagle!

Invite the Uninvited

I'm anxiously anticipating our second preview service at OakLeaf . Yesterday, I was thinking about who might be there. I thought about the people who were there back in June who said they were excited about coming back (and bringing friends/neighbors/co-workers/family). I thought about our faithful core team of volunteers...who, by the way, absolutely love this community and model Christ with their unselfish servanthood (they spur me on!).

As I was envisioning this 2nd service, I was reminded of who I hoped most to see there...the invited uninvited. Further explanation: We have said from day one that we are not here to just start another church. Believe me, Bartow County has tons of churches. We have further said that we do not want our growth to be dominated by transfer growth -- we are not hear to "steal" members from other churches. We will exist to help those who are unchurched or perhaps given up on it entirely, connect with God through Christ. That's why over the next week and 1/2, I am resolved to invite the uninvited. That's who I want to see there! Those that have never been invited to church or perhaps haven't considered going in awhile. On this note, wanna know my opinion of why most church attenders/believers have stopped inviting others to church? (This is just one of many reasons.) Sadly, I believe it's because they don't feel there's MUCH to invite them to. I think our Sunday services should leave us all feeling like, "Ok, I HAVE to invite so-and-so...they should have heard this today." This is not to take away from personal evangelism...not trying to say "just leave it up to the pulpit to share the gospel." Of course not. We all have responsibility. But why have we gotten so FAR away from inviting lost people to church?

And as I thought about my approach to inviting people over this next week, I asked myself, "Why should they come?" Why would they want to come? I thought about some creative ways of asking them...like finding out if they go to church anywhere. If they do, I walk on. If they don't, I continue in conversation. After all, who am I trying to get there? And back to the Why question...they GOTTA come! They gotta hear the story of hope that will be presented to them. I know they will relate with the prodigal son! I hope they sense the genuiness of our staff. They gotta be there! They're gonna miss out...they're gonna miss something that could change the way they think about God and His church and their own life if they don't come! I gotta ask them! I gotta beg them if I have to.

Think I'm overreacting? Too much zeal? Well, it's gotta take something to change a county that has TONS of churches in it, yet is 70+% UNCHURCHED. How does that happen (in the "Bible Belt")? So how do we change this stat? Well, the full answer probably involves 10 other blogs. For now...for starters, though...I'm going to invite the uninvited.

Favorite Verse

Not talking about a "Life Verse." Not sure I even have one of those. But, what is your favorite Bible passage or verse....RIGHT NOW? I think certain Scriptures mean more during different seasons of life. Mine right now:

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Romans 12:12

What a good summary of what we are called to do/be. Life is tough right now. Finances are tight (ok, that's an understatement)...4 kids is chaotic (a good kind)...and the Braves are stinking it up (ok, maybe not all that important). But what a great reminder that in Christ we always have hope (and true joy)....that we can trust in Him during affliction...and find peace in life's storm through prayer. This is my favorite verse right now...and it's short, making it easier to memorize (for us simple minded folk). What's your favorite right now?

Wounded But Alive

Last 72 hours or so have been crazy. I have truly escaped serious injury. The first incident came when I jumped into a lake...forgetting how shallow it might be...and busted my left knee and right foot. Thank goodness the result has only been limping around for a few days. 2nd injury came yesterday when I was attempting to break into my own home (long story). I was climbing up my back deck when one of the small wooden posts (railing) gave way, sending me tumbling down. A nice scrape on my face and cuts on the leg...but hey, I'm alive! And if you're wondering...YES, I went back for more....and YES, I eventually got in the house. What, you think a near death experience (minor head injury) will stop us guys (stubborn and prideful)? Have a great Wednesday...and please be safe out there.