Blogging

We'll its been quite some time since i have posted here. I wont make excuses, but I do want to jump back in regularly.

Christmas and News Years were great. It was wonderful to visit family and connect again. My Grandma Brown has colon cancer is is very ill. I was glad I got to spend some time with her. Everyone else is great, just busy, it seems.

2008 was quite the year, full of ups and downs. If I learned one thing, it really is to trust God in every area of my life.

He has moved in finances, in family, in relationships, in health. Over and over again, I see His hand of mercy and grace.

I am still human, and at times need those lessons driven home to me again.

More tomorrow about the Daniel Fast!

Turkey Day Give Away

I just have to say what an awesome group of volunteers we have at JCFC. From Jed Speras leading the whole deal, to Vaughn Van DeBoe organizing all 70 addresses into drive-able routes, to everyone that delivered and filled and carried boxes, you guys all rock.

We had hoped to be able to give away 50 boxes, but JCFC you guys far out did yourselves again. 70 families recieved boxes today with a complete Thanksgiving Day meal.

I am in awe of what God can do when people follow the leading of Christ and BE the church.

Tremendous.

Facebook

I finally did it. Im on facebook.

Turkey day giveaway

Just wanted to say how thrilled I am at everyone serving on this Turkey Day GiveAway plan. Our goal was to raise enough money and food to give out 50 complete meals tomorrow.

Not only did JCFC raise enough for 50, we raised enough funds for 65 baskets! Awesome.

As we were collecting names though in our city of people who really need help, we came up with about 68 names.

So we are just abit short.

You can go here and donate 37 per basket is you are feeling that love do so.

Everyone is welcome to come and serve with us tomorrow at the church office at 10 AM. Its going to be a great morning!

Christmas Presents

We have an awesome surpise for our kids this year. A new puppy. They are going to freak. So no one breathe a word about it please.

But Colin has been asking a thousand questions about the present. He keeps grilling me about what it could be.

Finally I told Colin, listen I cant tell you, but its something you are going to have so much fun with, you will love it. Its completely awesome.

He cocked his head at me and said, "Dad, is it another one of me?"

too funny

Ruth Harbor Banquet

I was able to attend the Ruth Harbor Banquet last night. What an awesome night as Jessica Dunker told the story to about 400 people about how God drew her and two of her close friends to start this ministry. It was an amazing night as I saw God doing things in other lives, confirming in them their call to serve.

I am so excited about our church and direction God has blessed us with. I am truly humbled to see God stirring hearts, and our church becoming a church consumed with others.

Building Relationships, Encountering God, Serving Others

Multiplicity

Anyone going to the Multiplicity conference in Dec in Houston? I am super excited about getting to here Dave Ferguson from New Thing Network. Its going to be great.

Let me know I would love to connect with you. Any potential church planters out there? I would love to buy you some dessert and get to know you on Thursday evening after the first sessions are completed.

Email me at joshuasatjordancreek.org and let me know if your going to be there.

Great Post by Dino

Check this out. Dino Rizzo pastors healing place church in Baton Rouge LA.

Driscolls Porn Book

Here is a link for a great e-book dealing with the damaging issue/addiction to porn.

Its such a devastating problem that is rampant with men all over the world.

Just a word of advice, Driscoll is very frank. Not a casual read, but if you know someone who is dealing with porn, or you are, read it today.

My Parents are here

Just chillin and grillin today int he cold with my family. My parents are here, and they brought my little big brother Caleb.

Smoking ribs and chicken and hanging out.

Election

Im so glad this is done.

As always we should pray for our elected officials. I believe that God is 100% in control. That statement would be made about whoever won last night. No matter what your opinion of President Elect Obama or Senator McCain.

I wasnt really hurraying for any of the candidates, now they can just move forward with something productive.

-like getting the finances of our country figured out!

Who I am

I am:

a husband

a father

a friend

easily distracted

a risk taker

excitable

a multi-tasker

adventurous

Olympic Swimmer

Why Moses wasnt allowed to compete in the water sports in the Olympics.

Great Post by Scott Hodge

Scott nails it here in the post about simplicity.

check it out.

Been a while

Well it has been a couple weeks since I have posted. God has been really shaping some things in my heart and life lately. He is really pushing me to trust in Him, in my successes and failures.

I spoke this weekend about "The House" and how we need to serve as the church. It is great go to church, its great to know about church, but there is nothing like being the church.

We are working on giving out 50 complete Turkey meals this Thanksgiving to families in need.
I am stoked and so excited to see so may people excite to serve. It is awesome for me to see new believers get so excited to give back in a small way after God does so much for them in their heart.

I love how pumped new Christians are to jump in and run with things. Awesome.

Whirlwind week

Working fast and furious for 3 sessions I'm teaching at the marriage retreat this weekend,
and the new series that kicks off Sunday called House ( you need to be there)
looking at all the budget issues for the next 12 months,
trusting God to bring the funding to finish this month,
excited about giving away as many Thanksgiving meals as we can't afford!
Stoked about some men in our church rising to leadership and taking ownership of real ministry
Feeling God push and challenge me like ever before
Physically tired and not well this week,
Our marriage is close and strong,
Thanking God for an incredible wife
Loving my kids,
Excited about this weather change
Typing at my mac at the table,
the kids are supposed to be sleeping,
but i hear footsteps,
to which I ask, "who is up?"
Colin responds, "Its me."
"Why are you up?"
"Checking to see if i bit off the the end of my finger..."
"Nope, Dad its still there."

Weekend

Today went well over all. I felt like I overworked the sermon today, couple that with physically not feeling well... and tadah, today.

Anyway, I am still reeling from the Catalyst conference, and feel like my mind is on information overload. I am going to retype my notes tomorrow. I will try to post some thoughts from the leadership conference. It amazes me how "leadership" pushes all of us. It is not just a switch you turn on, but its something that continues to grow, as we learn from others, by mistakes and successes.

Looks like we finished off the mymarriageisdead.com series well with 23 people giving their hearts to Christ. To God be the Glory. So awesome.

I am excited to continue to follow up with these people. I know God is wanting to do great things in the city.

My heart is thoroughly stirred to serve our city. The church needs to BE the church, not just exist. My heart breaks for the one distant form a God who love them so much.

Yesterday I took the kids downtown to pass out water and granola bars. We met a homeless man named Oscar who has a broken shoulder. That really moved the kids, to be injured and have to live on the street. Just after that I watched a ladies van being repossessed.

I pray these moments leave an indelible mark on the minds of our kids.

We will be gearing up for a big Thanksgiving Adopt a Family dinner. More details to come on that.

JCFC -Building Relationships, Encountering God, Serving Others.

My thoughts

1. Service was great this weekend 4 people received Christ. That brings the total response to 23 for the series. So awesome. Thank You Jordan Creek for inviting your friends and family.

2. Catalyst has been awesome. The labs today were tremendous. I am very challenged, and excited at the same time.

3. Miss my family today. I love spending time with each of them. I hate being gone from them them.

4. Dara texted me and said Life Group was good tonight. Bummed that I missed it. Its awesome to see God moving people closer to Him. I feel like God is wanting to do some great things with the people we have in our group right now. Thinking of some strategic things....

5. Met some very interesting guys today. Dino Rizzo from Healing Place church in Baton rouge, spoke today. So great. Super passionate, and so kingdom minded.

6. Really digging the Neo Soul music out right now. anybody like Adele? She is great...

Scriptures that move me

One of my favorite Scriptures.

2 peter 3:9 (KJV as i learned it as kid)
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

2 peter 3:9 NLT
The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.

Gods heart is that all should know Him. What are you doing to make sure all know Him? I know I have been guilty of not doing what i can every time I could have.

One of the old car sales adages, I learned in the biz, years ago hits here pretty big...

"Everyday, Every time, Without Fail, No Exceptions"

I'm thankful that God never fails, anyday, no exceptions.

God make us like you, in all we do.

VP Debate

I wish Governor Palin and Senator Biden were running were the top of their respective tickets.

Good debate on both sides. Both were very respectable to each other, and I love both of their approach and comments.