My friends over at Crave are putting on a Benefit Concert this Friday (see flyer below). If you’re in the Central Florida area you should come out, listen to some music, and support the cause. I love that they emphasize fine arts with their students and support them in pursuing that. Good things come from it.

I watched this movie again last night with my wife. So much truth in this clip.

This week has been one of personal struggle. It’s interesting how times like these prove to be the most significant times of learning. Looking back I’m thankful that God cares enough to continue to work with me and teach me lessons. Here is my post weekend mind dump.

• I said it last week but this series is shaping up to be a grand slam for our church.
• I’ll never get used to seeing people grow in their worship.
• Aren’t churches supposed to stop growing in the summer?
• Why do I continually look for what God is going to do next instead of stopping to thank Him for all He’s done? I probably should balance that more.
• Is it true that if God never did another thing that He’s already done enough?
• Why is every line a question? (had to make fun of myself)
• Weekends are shaping up to be crazy. With three services on Sunday, a Sat night starting in August, and 4 hours at Pip’s bar and grill on Sunday nights, I’m in need of some serious vocal strength.

I don’t ever mean to point to me or our church as if there’s anything worthwhile going on apart from Christ. I’m just blown away and what’s God is doing and hyped to be a part of it.

“There is perhaps nothing worse than reaching the top of the ladder and discovering that you’re on the wrong wall” - Joseph Campbell, Twentieth-Century American Writer (from the book Pagan Christianity)

My wife is way more handy then me.

I saw this in an email today and it was a great reminder.

Insert your name in the blanks below (where “love” appears in the original).

________ is patient, ________ is kind. ________ does not envy, ________
does not boast, ________ is not proud. ________ is not rude, ________
is not self-seeking, ________ is not easily angered, ________ keeps no
record of wrongs. ________ does not delight in evil, ________ rejoices with
the truth. ________ always protects, ________ always trusts, ________
always hopes, ________ always perseveres.

If this was a test, I would fail most the time. But brewster reminded me of this so I’m encouraged.

I was flying with my brother in his plane last week when we realized that the gps system was broke…..after we were in the air. We knew the general direction to fly but without the gps there was no way we could find the airport. We were flying to a really small airport in keystone heights. We resorted to flying low and trying to spot the airport out the window. All this is happening while we are literally dodging and trying to fly around storm clouds. Not good for a guy who gets extreme motion sickness. The good news is there was a guy in the Jacksonville airport control tower who was kind enough to give us the right coordinates. He also stuck with us and helped guide us all the way to keystone heights (something he didn’t have to do).

I started thinking about how we get off course in our life. Our spiritual compass gets broke or at least gets really hazy. The thing is, even if our gps worked, it would have taken us right through some nasty storm clouds. The guy in the tower could see the bigger picture and gave us coordinates around the storms. We just had to trust that the way he was taking us was better than our own calculations.

I much rather trust Gods way than my own estimations, even if it doesn’t make sense at the time. I wonder what storms I’ve avoided or could have avoided by putting my trust in Him to guide me.

“Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (message)

I love our church. It seems to get better and better every week. Today was no exception. here are some notables.

• This series is powerful. It’s the second week of the “30 days to live” series and today was about eternal perspectives. The story that was told was extremely moving. I sat in the sound booth during the second service and fought back the tears. For more on it check out www.30daystolive.tv.
• Brandon stepped in and helped lead worship today for the second week in a row. I had to call him last minute because I got sick and had very little voice. He jumped right in and did a great job…..again. He’s a talented guy but most of all has such a great heart. Not to mention he’s great to work with.
• Today was the first time in a while that the band was all guys. Although we missed the ladies we had a great time hanging with each other.
• It felt like everywhere I turned I saw ministry happening. It’s amazing to see what God is doing.
• I really had to press through my sickness but I was glad I did because I was able to watch God move in each service. Especially, the 11:30 service this week. Something significant was going on there.
• It seemed like there was a real positive buzz about the launch of our weekly sat night gathering and block party on August 2nd. I know it’s going to take some extra sacrifice but I think it’s a great move for us.

I’ll be there playing music from 5:00 - 9:00 P.M. It a fun time. Lots of good covers, lots of good company, lots of good food. Pip’s Bar and Grill in Ormond by the Sea. Come and hang.

Here are a couple tunes that I blare when they come on the radio (but turn down at stop lights so people don’t know I listen to this kind of crap).

1. Bleeding Love - Leona Lewis

2. No Air - Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown

3. Damaged - Danity Kane (now thats embarrassing, I’m not going to link to them because I know they’re trash ball. I’m talking about the song more that the band)

What are some of yours?