Ball'n

Being out of town the last couple of weeks has kept me out of running the open gym down in Clarkston on Tuesday nights.  Although it is a long drive and a pain to get down here I love hanging out with these guys.  The gym is open to any guy high school age or older and we often get close to 60 guys in here.  Most of them don't go to church anywhere and could care less about hearing about Jesus.  But an open gym where you feel safer than being on the streets draws in a lot of people so they are willing to listen to me speak for a few minutes every week.  We have seen a number of guys give their life to Christ and a true change take place in a few of them.  I'm not sure how much longer I can run the open gym when I move to Flowery Branch.  I am praying that God will bring along a man to run this for me so the guys still have a place to come and play and more importantly hear about Christ.  Would you please pray for this man to come along?

Death has occured...

Mark's computer died last week and unfortunately it doesn't look like it can be revived.  Thankfully he was able to get the majority of his files off of it over the weekend.  But he obviously needs a computer to keep in touch with people and get work done and since we don't have offices it needs to be a laptop.  We hope to be an all Mac staff because they are better and able to communicate with any other software.  Yes I now believe that Mac's are the best computers.  

I have priced out getting him a new one with different discounts and the best price for a Macbook is between $1100 to $1,300.  So if you have one laying around and not using it or have some money you want to put towards a new computer for him let us know and we'll gladly receive all donations. 

Gracias!

We are moving into a time in our life where we are needing God to show up more and more everyday for things to happen.  Not only in the life of Reveal Church but also and more importantly in my own life and the life of my family.  And although I am asking God for a lot I am being reminded every day of how much He has given me and my family.  

So I wanted to write out a short list of things that I'm thankful for:

• Amber; I couldn't go out each day without her support.
• Kinsey & Keegan; both healthy and a blessing in my life.
• Family; I am blessed to have grown up under godly teaching from my parents.
• Health; I've been without health insurance for nearly a year now and have not visited the doctor once.  (this will be changing soon)
• Home; when we moved in all we could do is think about moving out.  But it has been a blessing to have our own place and pay so little.  When we leave I imagine we will miss it a little. (maybe)
• Friend/pastor; Mark has poured into my life for years now but in the past year he has been the greatest disciple in my life.  Few people have loved me in Christ the way he does and I am blessed to be working for him. 
• Opportunities: although there is no steady income God continues to open doors for small jobs over the last couple of weeks to work.  Today I worked with Rod Noble cleaning carpet at a pool hall.  Rod has been a blessing to me with extra work numerous times and it always comes at the right time.  Rod I'm praying for ya right now!

There are a lot more things that I could write about but these are at the top of my list right now.  I don't ever want to get to a place where I am just looking forward and asking for more things.  I want to be grateful for all the things God has given me and continues to give me everyday.

Dirty Jobs

Kinsey has been telling us when she poops and pees for a few weeks now so we decided it was time to start potty-training her.  Wow!  What a dirty job!  I think this is one that they should show on discovery channels "dirty Jobs" show. (If you don't watch this show than you are really missing out)  We are rewarding her with little treats when she tells us and goes on the potty and she loves it.  I know it's hard now but in the end it will be worth it because she will be more independent and we will stop buying diapers.  It's just part of a kid growing up.  

I was thinking about this yesterday when I was driving home about how we have started this process now we have to be faithful to keep teaching her and carry it through.  It reminded me of Phillipians 1:6 "being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."  Just like it is a messy process in training Kinsey to use the potty it is a messy process for Christ to clean up my life.  I know when He is teaching me knew things how much I often resist or stumble and fail but He is always there to pick me up and help me again.  It's awesome to know that God wants to change me and doesn't expect me to change before coming to Him.  

Recently God has been hammering this home in me.  How much I need to rely on Him to change me and not me changing myself.  There are things that I can do to protect myself and guard from sins but ultimately if I am not walking with Him than I will fail every time.  

Accounting

I have spent a lot of time the last couple of days researching info about Quickbooks for our accounting software.  Then found out today that they only offer Quickbooks Pro for Mac users.  I was really hoping to get the nonprofit premier version but the pro may be good for us as well.  I don't understand why companies are not writing more programs for Mac users.  Macs are easier to use and becoming more and more popular.  

I've sent out a number of emails today to different churches to find out what they are using and to see what the downfalls and blessings of different programs are.  If you have any thought on what we should use please let me know.  Cause Excel just doesn't cut if after a little while or at least not for people like me that really aren't loving the accounting side of church planting.  

Awesome Day!

I had an awesome day yesterday.  We were blessed by Freedom Church to get a couple of desks from their old office for our offices one day.  I think they are the heaviest desks known to man kind they are a great blessing.  Thanks Freedom!

After moving the desks to our storage unit I went and got some flowers for my beautiful wife and took them to her work.  It's always a big winner to get your wife flowers but even more so when you take them to work for them.  Then they get to show them off to all their co-workers and be the envy of everyone.  But then again I think my wife is the envy of everyone anyway!  Prejudice...Yes!

We had a great time last night just the two of us at dinner.  Kinsey went and stayed at my parents and Mark and Heather watched Keegan for us.  Olive Garden was as good as it always is and we killed some alfredo dipping sauce.  (Now I have to run an extra five miles I know)

I love spending time hanging out with Amber.  There is no way I could have finished school and taken the risks God has called us too over the past three years if she was not by my side encouraging and helping me.  

3 years ago...

today I was standing in front of a large crowd waiting for Amber to come walking down the aisle. I remember as her song started to play getting so excited to see her. When the doors opened up and her and her dad started coming down the aisle all I could think was "have mercy." She looked so beautiful in her dress but all I could do is stare at her eyes. I am such a blessed man to have such a hot wife and one who loves God more than me. My favorite part of the ceremony was her walking down the aisle. We were about to join our lives together as one and start living as a family.
It's been three crazy years of moving five times having two kids and having no idea where we were going next. We are excited about our next move to Flowery Branch but I am most excited every day that I get to share my life with Amber. She means the world to me and no person on this earth can or will ever come between her and I.
Happy Anniversary Amber!
I LOVE YOU!!!

Deja vu

This is my new blog title for when I want to recap things from the past few days.

• Played a ton of basketball at LU's student center. They are doing an awesome job of creating a better place for students to come to school.
• Hung out with one of my best friends Steve MacCord and his too good for him girlfriend Sharidy for most of the weekend. :)
• Played golf and got beat by one stroke. I'll get you next time steve!
• Played some poker and got spanked by everyone. But I did learn how to read one guy when he has a good hand so he won't beat me again.
• Was asked if I was a college for a weekender at Liberty. Makes ya feel good when someone thinks your still in high school.
• Ate at Osaka's! (japenese food) I love some yummy sauce!
• Visited Newspring on Sunday night. Perry knocked it out of the park talking about sex and boobies. I pray I'm a man that will run like the road runner from any sexual temptation!
• Kinsey went pee pee and poopy in the toilet today! Were on our way to less diapers I hope!

I had a great weekend up in the burg but I am so glad to be home with no plans of going out of town again for a while. I feel like I miss a ton when I'm gone from my girls and hat sleeping in a bed without my wife.

Da burg

We got in to Lynchburg yesterday afternoon and got to show the guys from Clarkston where I grew up.  They couldn't believe I grew up on The Masters Inn campground.  We got them hooked up in their room and went and played some bball.  I love the student center up at Liberty.  They have done a great job of providing places for their students to hang out and not have to spend money.  

Got to hang out with some of the guys from Woodstock today and play some more basketball and am about to go out and try and catch up with some old high school friends.  As much as I enjoy coming back up to the burg I really miss my family.  I had so much fun this past week spending everyday with my amazing wife and beautiful little girls.  I'm so blessed to be Amber's husband and the daddy of Kinsey & Keegan.  Can't wait to get home Sunday!

AM

It's 1:30 in the morning out here in Austin right now and I can't sleep at all.  I have way to much running through my mind.  Largely about whether or not we'll make it home today but also a ton of things about the church. 

I got to sit down and learn from Kevin Peck the executive pastor at Austin Stone yesterday for about an hour.  It is great to be able to learn from men who have gone down the road ahead of you and that are willing to pour into your life with their wisdom.  He gave me a bunch of things to think about both for the church and for my position as exec pastor.  I love this statement he said; "You can accomplish anything if you don't care who gets the credit for it." 

I think i've heard that before but it really resonated with me yesterday.  I truly want reveal church to be an amazing church that reaches people for Christ not only in Hall county but around the world.  I pray for our future staff a lot and one of my biggest prayers is that they are smarter than me and have even larger spheres of influence then I'll ever have.  We want people on our team that have a heart for people and that want to lead and train other leaders. 

The Stone

We went to Austin Stone Community Church on Sunday with my sister and her family. They planted here in Austin, TX about five years ago right next to UT and are reaching thousands of people. Most churches are afraid of reaching out to the younger generation and college students because of fear of not being able to provide financially. Because we all know college students have no money so 10% of nothing is still nothing. But they haven't let this slow them down one bit.

The whole morning was awesome from the music to the preaching was and no Chris Tomlin wasn't leading, their main worship leader was and he did a great job.

I pray that God uses Reveal Church to reach the thousands of people who are disconnected from church as He is using Austin Stone.

Championship

I just finished watching the NCAA championship game and it was freakin awesome!  What a way to end the season with Kansas coming back and sending it to overtime.  I didn't really care who won as my Blue Devils were knocked out early.  I was just glad it wasn't UNC, I hate those guys.  

For all those bandwagon Memphis fans (flockharts); sorry!

Stuck

Got to the airport this afternoon with high expectations of getting home to Atlanta today.  Unfortunately bad weather somewhere else put a bunch of people from American Airlines on Delta and we got bumped to Wednesday.  We could try to get out tomorrow but with the tournament ending tonight there is no way any seats will be open tomorrow.  

Lord willing we will be home on Wednesday as I'm supposed to be driving some guys up to VA on Thursday for CFAW at Liberty University.  

Please pray we get home on Thursday and for my sanity as I'm stuck in a house with three little girls that yell a lot.  

Let it rain...

I'm glad that it is raining back home in GA but even more excited that I'm out in TX where its supposed to be low 80's today and upper 80's tomorrow. I love this weather and can't wait for it to be a bit warmer at home to play outside.
We're headed to the state capital today and whatever other touristy things we can do while out here. I'll try and post some pictures in the next day or so to show all the fun were having out here.

Buddy Pass my ...

So we got hooked with two buddy passes to fly out to Texas to see my sister and her family by one of Amber's co-workers.  Thanks Julie!  

I think buddy passes are a great idea if you don't have any kids and have time to get somewhere.  Time we had on our side but kids were not.  Kinsey was running all over the place and Keegan started going nuts while waiting to find out if we made the flight.  Unfortunately we didn't make the first flight and then waited and for an hour/half before the next one.  We were numbers 15 & 16 on the waitlist so I wasn't to hopeful of making this one either.  Then after everyone had loaded the plane the lady hooked us up and got us on.  I could tell more details but that's way to much typing right now. 

We finally got to Austin around 5:30 yesterday and are enjoying being in a house with 5 kids under the age 5 of which 4 are under 2 1/2yrs old.  Pray that I don't loose my mind over the next four days