Plans....

We've been on this journey of Reveal Church that God has called us to for right at a year & a half.  When it first started I saw things coming together and us running in the hundreds by this time b/c that's how I thought things would go.  But God had other plans, plans much more difficult than what imagined.  Plans that would test my faith and trust in Him.  Plans that would require us to make more sacrifices than planned.  Plans that would have me working two jobs. Plans that would have me pissed off and arguing with Christ b/c it was happening as I planned.  Plans that would make me look more closely at who I am and who I want to be. Plans that pushed us in areas that we wouldn't have been pushed had they gone like I thought they would.  

As crazy, different and difficult as it has been it has also been one of the greatest times of growth in my life.  God's plans have brought me closer to Him, they have made me more grateful for what I have.  His plans have brought me closer to my wife and challenged us to trust Him more.  His plans have been greater than my plans.  

I'm still making plans because it would be stupid not to but I'm on Christ's time table not my own.  I look forward to the day that I see God using Reveal Church in a huge way but for now He is using it in a huge way in my own life.  

A few days off...

Amber and I have not had a couple days to ourselves since Kinsey was born 2 1/2 yrs ago.  So we had my parents watch them a couple of nights & the in-laws watch them the third night.  I took thurs & fri off work and just hung out with my bride.  We had a lot of fun down in Atlanta on thursday as my boy Josh hooked us up with tickets to the ACC tournament.  I could watch basketball games all day every day.  Lot's of fun, Thanks Josh!  (Added bonus to the weekend Duke won again for the 7th time this decade. Lets Go Duke!)

Friday we hung out at the house and cleaned a little then headed out for dinner and then looked for a place to live.  We are needing to move out of our house soon and need to find a place to rent for the next 6mths to a year.  

We watched Fireproof on friday too.  Wow, that movie was good.  It really got me to thinking about how I treat and think of Amber.  Let me just tell you that I am blessed beyond measure with such an awesome wife.  She puts up with my craziness and has a zeal for Christ like few others.  She is a servant to not only me but to anyone that needs help.  I love you Amber. 

Saturday we got up and headed to get our girls.  As much as we enjoyed the time to ourselves we missed our girls like crazy.  I thought we may end up going to get them on Friday but we held off until Saturday.  Thank you Mimi, Papa, Mama & Big Dad for watching our boo's. 

Not a good start back..

So I'm not doing to good at getting my two blogs a week out like I said.  But I am committed to getting better and working at it.  

I was blessed for my birthday by getting a number of things I needed and the cash to get the phone I've wanted for a while.  I found a refurbished iphone online for $100 and couldn't pass it up.  My requirement was that it had to work for me or I was sending it back as I don't see the need in spending that much money each month out for something that I don't need.  So far I think it is a good investment as I'm able to get some things done during the day that I normally have to put off till after work which cuts into my time with my family.  So I've got another week to make my final decision if it is worth it or not. 

A new decade

So yesterday was my 30th birthday.  I really don't feel like I'm 30 and I know I don't act like it but I have entered in to a new decade and look with excitement as to what will happen in my 30's.  That sounds so weird to me.

Over the last few weeks I've been thinking about all the things that I've got to experience in the last ten years and thought I would share a few with you. (this is in no particular order)

• Moved from VA to GA in 1999
• Been a Christian for almost ten years (this august)
• Met an amazing hot, godly woman and married her
• Had two beautiful little girls (ok Amber had them but I was there)
• Found out I'm having a boy this summer
• Mission trips to Istanbul, Turkey three times, China and Nebraska (yes it was a mission trip)
• Finished my undergrad (except one credit but for me that is good)
• Worked on staff at some great churches
• Moved 13 times
• Started a receding hair line (praying for a cure before I have to start shaving)
• Worked in Clarkston, GA with some amazing refugees from all around the world
• Joined the Reveal Church team
• Tore my acl & meniscus cartilage in my right knee
• Been to four Duke basketball games

These are some of the things that popped in my head tonight.  I can't wait to see what God has in store for the next ten years of my life and I'm positive it will be even better than the last ten years. 

Been a while..

So it's been three months since I posted anything on my blog.  It's not because of lack of things to say because God has been teaching me a ton and challenging me more than ever before.  In reality I have probably had more spiritual warfare over the past six months than ever before but I know it is for a reason and God is doing something within me that will bring Him glory.  

One of the main reasons I haven't blogged is because I've struggled with trying to be "cool" and write super spiritual statements or have the funniest things to say.  I read and follow some amazing men of God and have the blessing of knowing many of them but lets be honest they write and talk about what God is showing them not for me to be like them and that is where I have struggled.  Not sure why I feel led to be completely genuine tonight but this is where I am.  I guess it is because pastor talked about being authentic on Sunday and that is something that I truly want to be a part of my life.  

So my goal from here on out is to write at least two blogs a week on what God is teaching me in my life, what is going on with my family and what is happening with Reveal Church.  I'm pumped about what is in store for us in the near future and believe that there are a lot of people that will come to know Christ through Reveal Church very soon.  

For anyone that may not have heard we are expecting our next baby in June/July and we found out last week that we will be having a baby boy!  I'm super excited and look forward to seeing him this summer.

Weekend reflection

Over the past three weeks i've averaged around 60 work hours a week between two jobs and it flat kicked my tail.  So after another 11 hour day at walgreens on Friday I went home and crashed.

We hung out at home, went to monkey joes for kinsey to play, had a date night (way past due) and chilled at the house all day on Sunday.  Here are some of my random thoughts through the weekend. (in no particular order)

• I'm tired
• why do couples sit side by side at restaurants when they're by themselves
• fat kids shouldn't wear short shorts; especially when going down slides (about puked)
• i'll kill any kid that runs over my little girls.  (about sent some kids to Jesus in the moonwalk saturday)
• i'm not bob villa and shouldn't fix things at home. (each time i fix something i think it's good to go & find a leak about an hour later)
• i'm tired
• Kinsey & Keegan are growing up way to fast
• My wife is amazing!  She takes care of two kids keeps our house clean and is pregnant with our third. 
• Can't wait to see our new baby on Tuesday via ultrasound 
• I'm not as tired as I was. (sunday after sleeping for 2 hours

One funny story from date night.  Amber and I went to the mall and got behind a car with a Liberty University sticker.  Three young guys got out and I rolled my window down and asked if they were flamers?  With total shock and not knowing what to say they asked "what?" So I repeated the question laughing.  Then I pointed to the Liberty sticker and put the puzzle together for them.  I don't think they thought it was funny but Amber and I were dying laughing.  

(for those that don't get it, Liberty's is known as Liberty Flames so all students are flamers.  yes even me!)

A different heart

We had an amazing service on Sunday and had the opportunity to have one of my new favorite bands lead worship for us...Echoing Angels. I had heard of them before but never really listened to their music as I hardly ever listen to much christian radio. But after talking to their drummer for just a few minutes I heard a heart that was different than what I normally hear from bands. Their heart is not focused on traveling, being on tour, playing with other great bands, signing record labels or creating new records which they have done all of but rather they are focusing on the church. They take every opportunity to be involved in leading worship on Sundays when they travel.
If you are looking for a band to come and lead worship or be apart of an upcoming show you will miss out if you don't give Echoing Angels a call.
To Jon, Trey, Shannon and the other guys who came and played..Thank you! You did an amazing job and rocked the freakin house as you lead us on Sunday.