The Rundown (Father's Day '08)

• I get more thankful for my dad and the things he taught me every year.


• Beth is out-of-town on mission trip with our students ... always reminds me of how boring I'd be without her.  Seriously, they are doing some cool work for a new church plant in the Baltimore area.  Baltimore is one of the least churched cities in America!!


• I'm heading out for a prayer & study retreat to seek God on a few things, seek His power for the work He has called us to do, plan out some message series for another 6-12 months, and just think.  It'll be just me, my two dogs, and God for about 48 hours.  No cell phone coverage, no internet (I've written some blog posts in advance) ... ok, I do have access to television :)


• Everyday is one day closer to football season!!!


• I'm loving mountain biking.  I may even stop at the new REI store around Marietta on my way through Atlanta to check out their gear.


• Here's a question I'm asking God:  What really big thing do you want me to pray for ... something so BIG that it would have to be undoubtedly a move of Your Hand to be realized?


• Over at Stage 123 they sandblasted the walls to expose the original brick and started painting.  I cannot wait ... 500 MORE SEATS FOR PEOPLE TO DISCOVER THE DIFFERENCE CHRIST & HIS CHURCH MAKE!!!!!!  That's a BIG prayer right there ... "God, fill these seats with souls who need Jesus!!"


• I have a Friday morning prayer, encouragement and accountability time with a good friend and Elder at our church.  I cannot begin to say how much this blesses me.  I used to be supposedly so "manly" that I never shared much of anything with anyone (Beth broke me of that real quick).  Life is meant to be shared and done in community.  Jesus, the greatest man ever, needed and created community for Himself ... if He needed it, then so do I!  Small groups, one-on-one accountability, mentoring, etc. are all tools God uses to conform us to Christ and carry us through life.


• I haven't done this much (and maybe I should do it more) but here are some areas where I need prayer:  to hear clearly from God this week and be radically obedient; for godly wisdom to lead and pastor this church; for more fullness of the Holy Spirit; for strength to stand against the forces of spiritual warfare (Yes, spiritual warfare is REAL); for greater holiness; for Beth, the adults & students on the Baltimore mission trip.


• We've got 2 more weeks of FUEL left!  Part 5 (6/29) is going to deal with faith in America ... so it will be a combinatin of my 2 favorite subjects: God & country!


• Have a great week!!