Monthly Archives: April 2008

Conferenced out and ready to go!

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Today is the second day of the Orange conference here in Atlanta.

I’m going to be honest… I’m conferenced out.

I’ve heard so much great stuff these last few months. I’ve filled notebooks and blog pages with ideas, strategies, illustrations, sermon ideas, etc. I’m ready to “get on the ground” in Cincinnati and start pouring out what God has been pouring in!

I’m praying for Niki these days. Niki is a waitress at Skyline Chili (God bless her). She is a single mom who has walked away from church because of how she was treated. She is looking forward to coming to Walls Down and has several of her friends excited about it too! The last two times Rindy has been in Cincinnati Niki has asked when we’re going to start this church! It won’t be long Niki. It won’t be long.

I know there are a ton of people like Niki who are waiting for a church like Walls Down… we’ll be there soon. And when we come we’re bringing a clear vision from God and a ton of pent up passion.

We are going to spend the rest of our lives helping people discover the life that Jesus promised; the rich and satisfying life He offers to all who will believe in Him (see John 10:10).

I’m grateful for this year of hearing from God, learning from mentors, planning for Walls Down Church, evolving as a man, husband, father, pastor, and leader and now I’m ready to get going!

So that’s what I’ll do… day two of another conference. But soon, “Go-Time” in Cincinnati!

Orlando – the wrap up

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I’m back home now. It’s so good to get back to all of my ladies!

The conference was good but probably highlight of this conference was all of the networking that I had the opportunity to do. It was great to connect with new friends and reconnect with old friends.

OK, now here’s what I really want to talk about…

I saw Al Roker get frisked by airport security!

It’s true! We were at the Orlando airport and he was in line right beside us! As we all moved through the line, apparently the security didn’t recognize him and pulled him off to the side to wand and frisk him. It was incredible!

I also saw a man in a mini skirt. I’m confident he must have lost a bet because no dude would wear this thing. Unbelievable!

Al Roker and a dude in a mini-skirt all in one day… how cool is that?!

Orlando – Day Two

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Tonight at dinner we discussed our high point and low point of the day.

Low Point

We missed the key note address by Andy Stanley today because we were helping get the room in order for John Burke to speak. Moving 500 chairs and setting up audio/visual equipment takes some time you know.

Sure I was a little upset but in the midst of it all it occurred to me that quite frankly, the most important thing is to help… to simply serve. So I served.

I know that someday people will be making sacrifices to help set up Walls Down Church, so I wanted to model the way today. Was it fun? Not so much, but the reward of seeing a room filled with people made it worth it all

High Point

On the other hand I had an exciting conversation with Bishop David Roller and met some of my other friends from days past.

I was able to connect with a couple of church planters from the Cincinnati area and again was impressed by their Kingdom mindset.

And then of course there was coffee at the place pictured below… a once in a lifetime opportunity! 8)

And so goes day two…

Orlando – Day One

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Good grief! It sure seems like so much of my posting lately has been highlights from the road

It has been pretty neat to travel so much these last few months. I’ve been able to learn from some of the best leaders in the country and spend time with some great people. I sure am blessed.

This morning we arrived in Orlando to get ready for the Exponential Conference which starts tomorrow.

We are helping “man” the churchplanters.com booth at this conference so today we set up and got familiar with the lay of the land.

I’m looking forward to this week of learning!

It happened before noon

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Overflowed the toilet…

screwed up the blinds in the living room…

spilled a full glass of orange juice in the refrigerator and it ran out on the floor…

washed the baby’s hair with orange juice…

strategically placed orange juice all over the living room floor…

got dressed and undressed multiple times…

And all of this before noon!

It’s sold

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This afternoon I got a call from our real estate agent, Marla Michau.

Our house is sold.

It’s taken almost a year, but now it’s sold.

There were two signed purchase agreements that fell through, but now it’s sold (on the third try).

There were months of wondering what we would do if it didn’t sell, but now it’s sold.

On May 19th of last year I posted some pictures of our house in New York with a “For Sale” sign in the yard. I reflected a bit on where the journey would take us and how Batavia, NY would always have a spot in our hearts. (See and read it here).

Today that part of the journey has come to an end.

Our house is sold.

Functional savior

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Gosh, I’m really digging Driscoll and Breshear’s book, Vintage Jesus.

This morning, in talking about the fact that Jesus is the exclusive Savior, they discussed the many “functional saviors” in which we often place our hope. The reality of functional saviors is that while they may bring relief for a time, they will ultimately disappoint us.

Driscoll and Breshears give a list of questions to “help us uncover our functional saviors.” I typically do not like to engage in this kind of introspection, but this morning I felt the urge to start writing out the answers to these questions. I only got through the first two, so I’ve got a few days of reflection left. I found them insightful and profitable so I thought maybe you’d benefit too.

Take a few minutes over the next few days and answer these questions. You’ll learn a lot about yourself and your “savior”:

  1. What am I most afraid of?
  2. What do I long for most passionately?
  3. Where do I run for comfort?
  4. What do I complain about the most?
  5. What angers me most?
  6. What makes me happiest?
  7. How do I explain myself to other people?
  8. What has caused me to be angry with God?
  9. What do I brag about?
  10. What do I want to have more than anything else?
  11. What do I sacrifice the most for in my life?
  12. If I could change one thing in my life what would that be?
  13. Whose approval am I seeking?
  14. What do I want to control/master?
  15. What comfort do I treasure the most?