So, we are just a few days away before we finally get started. It seems like it has taken forever for this time to come, yet it also seems as if it was yesterday. As I look back and see where we’ve come from it is absolutely amazing. When we first began Mandy and I thought that we would be started and going with in a few months, little did we know it would be a year before we actually took off. If you would of told me it would’ve been a year then I would have laughed, however I guess it was God laughing at us because He knew when it would actually take place. We have definetly experienced a lot of emotions from trials to incredible God moments and I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. God is so awesome how He holds our lives in His hands and takes us through what we need when we need it. I can’t wait to see what else the journey will hold.
Attention All Church Planters! Nelson Searcy is going to be teaching a live seminar on his book Launch September 30, 2008 at Avalon Church, 1467 HWY 20 West Mcdonough, GA 30253 (Greater Atlanta Area). If you haven’t read the book I highly encourage you to do so, it has incredible information that is vital to being successful in Church Planting. So what could be better than reading the book and applying the principle? Well, That would be a live conference that he is teaching along with Bob Franquiz. This is the only Launch Conference he is teaching this fall and you don’t want to miss it. If you are anywhere near the conference I highly encourage you to attend. I have attended one of his assimilation conferences as well as been to his church and I promise you this guys the real deal. This is a powerful conference that has helped hundreds of new churches Launch Large, and we have personally experienced these principles work for us as well! If you need help financially just call the office below and they will try and help with maybe a partial scholarship.
Here’s a link to check it out if your interested:
Right now, the per person investment is only $89 (early bird rate). Group rates
are also available; just call Cristina in the journey office at 212.730.8300 x212.
Controversy, this seems to be a word that so many of us have learned to hate and rightfully so since in our world today we tend to be more concerned with how we are viewed instead of who we are and what is right. Yet, is controversy always bad? Not necessarily. James said in chapter 1 to be happy when you face controversy and trials because it will only make you stronger.
You never know where controversy will come from and many times it comes from the least likely and unexpected places but, you always know who the source is. It’s not the person stirring the pot it’s the one who started the pot. (the devil) So, if that’s the case and it is, (1 Peter 5:8) think of it like this, if you’re a Christ Follower, EXPECT CONTROVESY, at leas you should hope so. If you look at it in that light controversy is not always a bad thing.
I love the story in Nehemiahwhere he is rebuilding the wall and Sandballot comes and trys to distract him so he can kill him and stop the wall from being built, but Nehemiah recognizes the ploy and simply says “I’m doing a great work and I can not come down.” If we would just see how controversy has a major way of shifting our focus from what is important to ridiculous distractions we would save our selves a lot of worrying and valuable wasted time.
So, the next time you hear some saying something about you or challenging you in anyway, put a smile on your face, recognize the enemy (no not them), relax and know you must be doing something right.
P.S. Steven Furtick had a great post on this last week.
About 11 years ago around this time I officially met the most amazing woman in the entire world. We were just beginning our freshman year at Southwestern Assemblies of God University and they had a get to know you time for incoming students and I was out by the volleyball courts and I saw her walk up. I already knew who she was because we were both from Arkansas and had attended Arkansas Youth Camp together, but I didn’t truly know her. (She didn’t know it but I along most of the other boys in the camp always quickly spotted her as one of the HOTTEST girls at camp, of course that’s not why you’re at youth camp, right?) So, fast forward to college and I was pretty excited to get to meet her. She came up and said “Hey, haven’t I seen you at Arkansas Youth Camps,” and I replied yeah, she then said “I’m MAAAANNNNDDDDYY JUUUUMPPPER, in the most country voice you have ever heard.” I laughed and introduced myself as well. Although we didn’t date until the spring semester, I definitely didn’t let her out of my sights.
The more I got to know her the more I wanted to know. From her apparent outer beauty to the inner delecateness and love for Christ, I was challenged and motivated in every way. I then met her family and fell in love with her event more, it was amazing to be at a place that felt just like home. She was and is the most incredibly human being alive!!
We then got married and began ministry together and I saw that no one loves to reach and help people more than her. She accurately fits the saying that “Behind every great leader, there is better leader their wife.” She completes me and makes me that much more effective than I could be on my own.
Then we had Kids and boy did we three in three years. Can you say WOW! (we did) But in all of that she has proven to be the most amazing mother any child could ever ask for. Mandy I love and thank God every day for bringing you into my life. I hope and pray that you have a Hockey Dobay, (the word of our 2 year old son Eli) and that this be the best year of your life.
There are times in life when you just have to let out a sigh and say God is Good. This is one of those times, today we received confirmation that everything is going to work out with the rental location and we will officially be starting services on October 5, 2008 at the Lakeside Junior Highin Little Elm. We are so grateful to the school district for opening their doors and allowing us to use their facilities to impact and help the city of Little Elm.
Just about a year ago I was on my way to check out Highland Village for the possibility of planting their. I noticed small town on the map called Little Elm and thought I would check it out since I was coming this way. When I got here I never left as I drove through this town and talked to the people I realized that this could be where God was moving us. Excited I called Mandy and the next day she came down and checked the town out as well, and then after much prayer and confirmations we knew this where God wanted us.
This past year has been a roller coaster ride, but I know that God was in control the whole time and still is. All I can say is God is good!
Man am I pumped 24 is almost back and just to make it even better they’re giving a special preview on November 23rd. I can’t wait!!!!
Click here to watch the trailer
Remember when I started this blog back in June, I mentioned how you would need to bear with me as I begin this journey. Well, I guess this has been one of those moments, sorry for such a long pause in the posts, it must be that crazy thing called life! Imagine that, life actually being busy? It’s amazing how priorities are always apart of your life no matter where you turn. Whether you like it or not you prioritize things simply by your actions and the truth is the tyranny of the urgent is what usually gets done instead of the things that are important to you.
In the 1800’s there was an italian philospher named Pareto who introduced the 80/20 principle, which basically states that 80% (the action) of everything you do is fueled from the 20% you spend your time on (the focus) and if you concentrate on the 20 % then everything else will fall into place. If you really look at your life it’s pretty incredible how much this applies. Think about it what are the top two things in your life? Do they receive 80% of your time? If not what would happen if they did? What if you prioritized your life instead of letting life prioritize you? I guess Jesus was trying to clue us in when he said in Matthew 6:33 “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”