The End?

We turned a HUGE corner today as a church. It's probably much bigger than I am aware.

It was our 99th service as a church and our final service in the Fine Arts Theater of Cedar Shoals High School - the only place we've had consistent services since our church began in January 2005.

There are quite a few emotions bouncing around in my heart. Here are a few:
* Moved - Today it hit me (toward the very end of my message) that the God of life and love has truly been present in our midst. He is, has, and will change the lives of those who are seeking Him. We got to celebrate one of those lives today - my neighbor and friend Caroline. It was beautiful to watch the Spirit of God give her life, hope, and a renewed sense of purpose.
* Tired - I feel great joy at the fact that our team gave our very best for 31 months to get this church started. I know that when I get home on a Sunday (after loading in, serving, and loading out) I'm often very tired. So, this period has been pretty tiring. It's not over either. We plan on being a portable church for at least the forseable future.
* Thankful - My good friend Chris Brown in Charlotte, NC (ridgechurch.net) is really struggling to find the right facility for their church to use. So, I'm reminded again of how God gave us unique favor with the leadership of Cedar Shoals to allow us to use this amazing facility for this time. I clearly remember the anxious and prayerful times before our negotiations with them. I wondered if it would ever happen and it did - God provided the perfect place for us to begin this church!
* Anxious - As we make this move I'm again tempted to be anxious about how things will work in this next location. Will we have a great relationship with The Classic Center leadership? Will the facility swallow us whole? Will it be more than we can afford? These are a few of my incredible faith opportunities in the next chapter of this church leadership journey.

So, to all of you (99% of which don't read this blog :-) who gave, served, invited, or supported this mission in any other way to make Athens Church a reality, "From the bottom of my heart - Thank you!" Athens Church is not mine nor is it about me. This church is God's and it's all about His fame in this vital city. Let's move forward with courage in the midst of fear, prayer in the midst of anxiety, and hope that God will do imeasureably more than all we could ask or imagine.

BEING on vacation

My family & I are on vacation right now. It's so great to be away from the normal routine. And yet one of my great challenges in life is to "be" on vacation. I struggle to really be here. I'm so used to allowing my work to be the center of my world that it shocks my system when I'm here. I intetionally left my computer at work and I'm not checking email all week. Actually I'd say email is my biggest enemy. I check it way too often and I allow it to distract me. I really need to improve here. I think it will help my focus and my efficiency.

One of the things I'm praying will happen during this week is the chance for me to fully disengage from work and fully engage with my God and my family. I need help with this. I know this is a wise decision. I know I'm a "nice to have" at work and a "must have" at home, but I fight the same battle every man fights - the search for significance. It's so easy to get caught up in the mission at work and engage in it to a degree that brings me out of balance. I don't want to lose this battle.

I pray that this time away will help me re-focus on the things that matter most in my life. God, I'm asking for your grace here. Please help me see life the way You see it and value most what You value most. Thank You for m amazing wife and boys!