Something’s Happening
Something is happening with the men of our church. We’ve had around 75 to 85 guys show up at Cornerstone at 6:15 AM the last two Tuesdays for this deal we started called MAN2MAN…and it’s been amazing.
These first weeks we’ve been hearing testimonies from guys in our church about what Christ has done in their lives (Mark Fuller and Stan Scroggins). We’ve also been studying and talking around our tables about putting on the Armor of God to take our stand against the devils schemes…Ephesians 6:10-17. And cool things are happening. Guys are opening up and sharing their struggles with one another. Men are starting to connect outside of this meeting to encourage one another. Friendships are growing and guys are realizing that they are not alone. All to be shaped into the husbands, fathers, leaders, workers, students, and friends that Christ desires us to be.
It’s been amazing to watch and I am so proud of these men. There seems to be a real hunger with this group. They are wanting more out of life. They are wanting to get honest with themselves and God. And if someone shows up at 6:15 you know they really want to be there…it’s important to them. They are COMMITTED.
So if you live anywhere in Lee County and have not made it yet…consider this our official invitation. All are welcome…this is not just a Cornerstone thing.
So let’s keep it going guys!
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Innovate 08
Day 1 of Innovate…a good one. Much of the day revolved around the church leveraging the culture to engage the world with the story of Jesus. We heard about this, talked about this and experienced this ourselves. The “experienced this” part was quite amazing and compelling.
Here’s a rundown from our session with Tim Stephens today, author of Pop Goes the Culture.
- Most churches aren’t impacting their communities, often keeping our communities from seeing Jesus.
- Spiritual interest is on the rise in our culture today.
- How do we enter the spiritual conversations people really want to have? How do we practice the incarnational model of Jesus…”the word became flesh and moved into the neighborhood?” (Jn 1:16 The Message)
- How do we celebrate the journey people are on to have their questions answered, to experience God, to be changed?
Providing for some very interesting questions and conversations. And speaking of Innovate…one of the greatest innovations ever…the “Hot Doughnuts Now” sign at Krispy Creme. (By the way, that’s a chocolate covered custard filled doughnut.)
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Are You Still There Josh?
Yes I am…although I’ve been away from the blog. Been in a bit of a crazy season this last month getting our small groups kicked off but I’m ready to get going again. Will be back soon.
Heading out tomorrow for Innovate with our staff. Looking forward to the conference but more than that looking forward to hanging out with the rest of our cool staff. Sure to be fun!
More to come.
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Prayer of Surrender
Just wanted to drop in this prayer. I shared it in a sermon a few weeks back and have had several folks ask about it. It’s one that John Wesley first prayed in 1780 with his early Methodist preachers. This became part of thier annual covenant service they would do at the beginning of each year to re-commit their lives in service to Christ. We have so much to learn from this. This version is a little more contemporary but you can find it in it’s original text here.
I am no longer my own, but yours.
Put me to what you will, place me with whom you will.
Put me to doing, put me to suffering.
Let me be put to work for you or set aside for you,
praised for you or criticized for you.
Let me be full, let me be empty.
Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and fully surrender all things to your hope and service.
And now God, my Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer,
you are mine, and I am yours.
So be it. Amen.
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I Will Help You
Here’s one of my absolute favorite Olympic stories. It’s Derek Redmond’s final run in the 400 m of the 1992 Olympics…along with his dad.
“For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, ‘Do not fear; I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13
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Power in Poverty
Just wanted to drop this song in this morning by Jason Upton. It’s one I’ve been listening to as we have been in our current sermon series “Cha-Ching”…money and God’s intention for it in our lives.
I won’t write much about it…just want these words to stand on their own. May need to listen to it a few times…
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A Father and A Son
Most Fridays I spend the day catching up on other stuff in life…paying bills, running errands, playing with the kids while Leslie gets a break, working in the yard and such. But last Friday I had all three by myself all day. Leslie had to go to some technology training deal for her new part time job she is starting with Auburn City Schools.
So got the day going…a trip to Wal-Mart, the Bank, dropped off stuff at church and then to a friends house. Then back home for some fort building, lunch (during a movie), naps for the girls and a short quiet time for Benj. Then Benjamin and I did some linking logs, (my absolute favorite when I was a kid) and some games on my laptop. Leslie came home soon after. Always good to switch roles sometimes and live in each others world…makes us appreciate each other so much more.
Later that night at bedtime I was tucking Benj in. We read his new Dr. Seus book from the library, The Sleep Book, and then did our usual ritual..prayers then some verses together. Then I asked him “What was your favorite part of the day?” Something I usually try to get him to talk about. He usually goes off and starts talking about the planets or some random thing. But instead he just said, “You”.
It took me back at first. So I asked again, “Benjamin, what did you say, what was your favorite part of the day?” His eyes squinted as he smiled and put his finger into my chest and said it…”You”.
I couldn’t believe it. I was expecting to hear how he had fun building a fort out of quilts in our bedroom, or playing linking logs, or pretending to be spy agents, but not this. I was surprised. I told him that he was my favorite part of the day also.
Days later I’m still thinking about this. More than anything I feel loved. I think this is the kind of love that we all long for from others. When we are loved for who we are and not necessarily what we do for someone else. And it also made me realize how much time with my kids means to them. It is so important and I need to be more intentional about having un-hurried time with each of them.
That word “You” really did something to me. It charged my heart. It broke through the surface stuff of life. It was a moment that needs to be remembered. And since then it’s been as if God is resonating that word in me…like it’s coming from him. “You, Josh…You are the most favorite part of my day.” But the real deal comes in on if I will believe it or not. I tempted not to believe it but I know it is true. My mind knows it…I’ve heard it all my life. In church, from friends, mentors and from his Word. “God loves you.” But “Josh, you are the favorite part of my day” is different. It’s deeper, not worn out or used up. Like I said, this is a moment to remember.
And just so you know…this is not just a special Josh thing…he feels this way about you also. Will you believe it with me?
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Life Is Going On
Been away from the blog in the last week. Wanted to throw up a few pics to recap the latest. Here’s a pic from my laptop of my good friend Jim Pierce, the one whose 40th birthday we celebrated last weekend at the lake. I think we all survived the weekend together but we were all aching and could barely walk for a few days. These words seem to best describe the weekend: Master Craft X45 Series Ski Boat; King of the tube; wake board; burgers; ribs; 69 inch flatscreen TV; sleeping late; 3:10 to Yuma (awesome movie). One of my best friends is now 40…wow I’m getting old. Came back with tired body but rested and refreshed soul.
While I was away with the guys Leslie and the kids had a weekend in Florida with the grandparents…complete with slip n’ slide, adventures in the forest, swimming pool, and an incident with a ant bed. But they all survived as well and we all met back at our home on Saturday night.
So here’s a pic of Benjamin (now 4.5 years) and Liza on left and Grace on right (2 years). Appears that they are checking out some tasty rain water concoction.
But summer is closing fast on us. Leslie is starting back to work this week…first time in 5 years. She’s going back to her old trade as a speech pathologist working part time for Auburn City Schools. And Benjamin starts his little pre-k program the next week. Please keep our family in your prayers as we make some transitions in these next weeks.
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The Ultimate Guys Weekend
The Ultimate Guys Weekend. Sounds fun eh’. Well that’s where I’m headed this afternoon. About 10 of my best friends in the world are meeting at Lake Oconee tonight to spend a few days together as we celebrate a 40th birthday…JIM PIERCE. Jim’s wife, Christy, put this all together as a gift for him but it is a great gift to us as well.
I’m sure this weekend will involve several things: an assortment of meat on the grill; a hi-performance ski boat; wake boarding; wave runners; golf; cruel pranks that might leave a mark; a sore back; sleeping good at night; staying up late telling old stories of the crazy stuff we used to do.
But to know why this weekend will be so special you have to know about Jim. I first met Jim about 22 years ago when I was in the 6th grade. He was a senior in high school and stayed at my house for a Discipleship Weekend that our church had. Over that weekend Jim took a special interest in me. He let me hang out with him and his friends and I got to sit in on all their bible studies. After they all left on Sunday afternoon I knelled on the floor beside my bed with my parents told Jesus that I wanted to give my life to him. This weekend marked the beginning of my relationship with Christ but also marked the beginning of my friendship with Jim.
Through high school Jim served as in Intern with our youth group and was a close mentor. We spent many mornings together at “The Grille” before school to talk things over…the usual high school temptation stuff…girls, drinking, peer-pressure, having integrity. We also did a lot of other fun and crazy stuff along the way. But the greatest thing Jim did for me was model what it means to follow Jesus. Looking back I watched him like a hawk…the way he handled school; his work ethic; his character; the cars he drove; the way he treated girls he dated; how he worked out. I can even remember his bible…a worn brown leather cover with Jim Harold Pierce II written in gold. Then I remember years later being so honored to stand beside him when he got married…that he would choose me to be there for such a special occasion in his life.
The neat thing about this weekend is that most of the other guys who will show up have had the same experience with Jim. And they are some of my best friends…Judd, Franko, B-Money and many more.
So pray for us as we celebrate and remember! Maybe I’ll update with a few pics along the way. Should be interesting.
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Baby Got BOOK!
OK…going to lighten things up here a bit with an oldie but a goodie. It made the email circuit a while back but if you haven’t seen it…this is hilarious. Take a look and then let me know what your favorite line is.