Personal Retreat

I took a couple days away and man was it productive. It's seems like the past 3 months just flew by. I never felt like I had any free time to allow my mind and spirit to slow down enough to get a clear vision for next years preaching schedule. The past couple of days I took time for prayer, reflection, study, and visioneering for next year. God showed up and with great clarity. I now have next year's preaching schedule finished. Obviously we can change on a dime if the Lord leads us, but I feel God anoints and can speak to us in advance regarding His direction for our church. He has done just that and with confidence, clarity, and anticipation I look forward to a memorable life changing year of experiences with God and growth in His word. I'll clue you in on the 6th regarding some of the things we'll be teaching this year.

This last day of 2007 I just want to thank all ya'll for giving me the privilege of being your friend and pastor. I am committed to the leadership of God and to leading you higher in 2008. Pray for me as I continue to seek God on behalf of emc.

Still in Shock

I still can't believe Bobby was gunned down the way he was. we are just sick. I was suppose to go hunting this weekend but frankly I don't care to hear gun fire this weekend. Our prayers are with his daughters. His middle girl was my Aubrynn's best buddy before we moved to Georgia. I married his oldest and her fiance. Bobby was in the small group I was in. Our kids went to school together. I am just blown away by this horrible act. His funeral is Monday, but there is no way we can get back for it. Our thoughts and prayers are with Bobby's family and our church family in Ohio.

Just Pray

A friend of mine was murdered this morning. Don't have words to express the pain we feel over his death. Bobby was a a gentle and thoughtful guy that will be missed dearly. He leaves behind three daughters one grown and two at home. His youngest was my Aubrynn's best friend until we moved from Ohio. Pray for the Houseman family especially the kids and Bobby's Mom and Dad.

Going Off Line

I will be taking a digital break Wednesday-Friday. I enjoy doing this a few times a year. Nothing but a Bible, a notebook, and maybe a book or two. I always come out of these times full of vision, increased faith, and zeal for God, family, and ministry. A guy in our church is going away for the week so he is letting me use his apartment during these days.

I want to ask you to pray for me over those three very important and needful days. Pray for a clear head and a receptive heart. Pray God blows my mind with the thoughts that He is dreaming over our church and lives.

My next blog will be on Monday Dec. 31st. Wed-Friday I will check messages at 8am & 4pm
I will return e-mails on Monday unless it is an emergency.

Have great time with your families this week!

Sunday Remix 12-23-07

-We had a ton of new people helping with set up/tear down. It was great as one by one mentioned that they didn't realize how much goes into making emc each week. Set up has grown even more extensive so in the new year we will need a handful of new people each week in rotation.

-Charla got sick so our trio (Amie, Mary, & Charla) became a solo because two part harmony didn't sound right. We used a background track which is so not our style, but it did work well to bring fullness to the harmonies. Mary did a great job soloing it.

-The kids were too cute coming out wearing Christmas boxes. I loved Alex Stockdales box with a seperate box covering his head like a mask. It was like El Nacho Libre meets Saint Nick.

-Jared and the band did a great job mixing up Christmas songs and worship concluding with communion.

-I wasn't happy at all with my talk. A few times a year you just feel like you drop an egg instead of hitting a home run. As a preacher you want these to happen on weekends when attendance is down and as few guests are in the room as possible. You definitely don't want it to happen on your "big event days". I felt like I just never found my groove. I do believe that God spoke to people's hearts it's just you hate walking away feeling like you hit anything less than a home run.

-Looking forward to January 6th and to the launch of our new series called "EPIC"
This coming year is going to be off the hook. I am so excited about what God is doing through everybody at the embassy.

Funny Father Son Moment

Last night Amie was practicing with Charla and Mary a song they are singing on Sunday. This left dad with the duty of feeding the kids. In true fatherly style I announced "Hey let's go to Stevie B's" At that moment Dad is king. Almost as cool as when I brought rats home for them a few weeks ago, but that's another story.

Stevie B's is great all the pizza you can eat for the kids and an actually a pretty fresh salad bar for a dieting dad. After supper as I sat sipping coffee the kids went to the play room to waste their money. They know dad's too cheap to let them waste mine. I gave each of them a quarter and said "have at".

When you set the kids up with mad cash like that it creates a sense of adventure. They look under in and over everything for tokens. They blow my mind how much they will find. At Chuckie Cheese I have seen my brood of "Wiseman" find over 20 tokens over an hours time...I'm so proud of 'em. And it heightens the adventure right?

Well Grant comes out of the play room last night all excited holding a shiny bright yellow gumball as big as his left eye, not that his right eye is any different in size,it's just he had that one closed as he was spying out the existence of germs with microscopic precision using his left eye. His sisters are having a conniption because they just know he'll die for sure the moment he chews this object of discovery.

I felt torn to be honest. I was thrilled my son found most likely a perfectly good gumball and now like daddy enjoying the fruit of his hunt he is ready to devour this discarded delectable. The cacophony of girlish squeals brings me to my senses whereby I say in a rather responsible parental way shaking my head in quandry, "Grant, I wouldn't eat it" and to that he responded simple with, "but I would...I'll blow on it" And so as he blew the ball clean still looking at it with his left eye and now me with his right, I gave him another "have at it". In to his mouth went the gumball, the girls gave one more retort of disgust and Grant smiled from ear to ear eyes closed now as he enjoyed the sugary syrup of fresh chewed gum sliding down his throat.

EMC Family Making a Difference

The Peace on Earth Christmas Offering Update: 708.76 was given for the Safe Haven Children's Home and African Oasis Projects. Thanks for your generosity at this time of year.

In January & February we will be scheduling some work days to go help build out Brad & Diane's basement so that Safe Haven will be better equipped for the four children they have now and the others that will be coming. Amie and I had an amazing time after service Sunday as we had dinner with Brad, Diane and the kids. On Sunday you met "Princess" Kelsie at church. When service was over she along with 3 other children went to eat with us. After the kids warmed up to us, which took all of about 2 minutes and 3 of my stupid magic tricks, they were all over us. These guys hunger for positive interaction, love, and emotional warmth. I am excited about emc's involvement with the children's home during this project and into the future!

Sunday Remix 12-09-07

-18 kids committed their lives to Jesus in Kid's church today!!! Brantley & Hannah have been doing an amazing job with our K-6th graders. They were so excited Sunday that so many made the decision to follow Christ and they should be. They are making an eternal difference in our children's lives when you see them tell them thanks for all they are doing!

-We had the full band back this week and they did a great job with worship and bringing some emc style to a couple Christmas songs. Before I hear it from anyone let me say....yes it is was a little hot on the ears Sunday, but I would rather it be loud than quite. FYI: We are working on keeping the volume consistent and at a good level not to hot not to soft, but just right:)

-I loved the new foyer look. The black backdrops and moving the plasmas into the foyer was a definite improvement. The main theater looked great too with the Christmas lights and African banners. Thanks to everyone who made that possible.

-Attendance was great Sunday with nearly 160 people at the embassy. If you have been coming to emc and have not got involved with serving once a month we would love for you to be a part of the team. The stories of what God is doing in people's lives keep rolling in and you want to be a part of preparing environments that help people journey through life with God, Purpose, and Friends. E-mail me this week to begin to discover where you can make a difference at emc.

-My folks were in town. It was great seeing them and going to the Civil War and Locomotive Museum with Grant and Dad.

-It was in the 70's all weekend in GA back home in Ohio they were shoveling snow. Keep sending me those photos so I can enjoy the winter scenes. What's nice is I don't have to shovel a picture to enjoy the view. I Love DIXIE!

Merry Christmas

I'm really diggin' our December series logo! Jared did a great job with it!

The Serene Bean Rocks

The Serene Bean holds a special place in our hearts. Our first friends we made in Woodstock own the Bean. They allowed us to hold informational meetings and a few church services there before we launched emc at the theater. Now they along with their CIO and a bunch of their employees are part of the embassy and we love doing life with all of them. I just wanted to give everybody at the Bean a shout out for doing such a great job! They truly provide the best neighborhood cafe' experience in Woodstock. This morning they were featured on My Fox Atlanta our local morning news show. Check it out and if you have never been to the Serene Bean get there ASAP!

My road to health

Just to give a quick update regarding my fitness regimen. #1 I am not on a diet. I am eating a ton of food just the right food and no weird combinations or anything. Basically I eat 6 meals a day meals 1-4 are protein and good carbs. Meals 5&6 are protein and good fibrous vegetables. I drink a ton of water and still drink too much coffee, but hey whaddaya going to do?

#2 I do weight training with Debbie the trainer lady 3 times a week and 40-50 minutes of cardio 5 times a week. In three weeks I have dropped 11 pounds by the time I am where I need to be I will have lost a fifth grader. Ha ha! I already feel great and I can't keep Amie off me. Seriously she is flirting with me right now...what did you say Amie, "Oh I know...I'm the Man. Now leave me alone so I can finish this blog."

While being in a vein of vanity I guess I'll make a comment about my recent haircut. Is 35 to old for an emo hair cut? OK it really isn't that bad. Actually it looks good but it's kind of mohawk-ish. If I go light on the goop it actually looks my age I swear.

Alright that's about all I can handle in regards to talking about personal appearance.

My first hero slips from this mortal sphere

This weekend Evel Knievel died. I think looking back to the mid-70's Evel was possibly my very first hero. My first bike was an EK white bike with a red white and blue fake gas tank. At five years old I took it to the top of our stairs and road it right down into the hall pass the dining room, the bathroom, and into my bedroom at the end of the hall. Mom and Dad freaked out and wouldn't let me do it again, but boy they sure have loved telling that story throughout the years. Thanks Evel for all the memories I'll see you on the landing ramp of life.

Sunday Remix

-Emc went unplugged as the Wild West Series came to an end.

-It was great hearing all the stories of what God has been doing in people's lives over the past few months. Everything from God giving direction to a young guy's life to God giving sobriety and a call to ministry to another young guy. A couple testimonies of God's faithfulness on the backside of a commitment to tithing. We even had one guy who is in the small group Amie and I go to. He received a phone call from a new employer less than 30 seconds after our small group prayed for him to get a job. Too amazing.... Amie said Amen and a few seconds later the phone rings. That was Wednesday he started his Job on Friday.

-I am looking forward to being back to rocking the place out next week when the band is back in full form.

-The environment that the creative design team has planned for emc for the next few weeks is going to be amazing.

-I can't wait for everybody to see the changes in the foyer for next week.

-People always talk about the real reason for the season I am amped to show you what God has placed in my heart for the next two weeks. Don't miss the next two Sundays for anything!

-Mitch's new Jeep is off the hook (OK that was random, but what a jeep)When do we get to go off-roading? :)

-Attendance was back up from the Cherokee County school break.

-God's work in the lives of the people that make up emc is simply.....beautiful. Bravo God! I Chronicles 16

Woodstock Christmas Parade

Everybody had a blast getting things ready for the parade. Most the fun was just getting to hang out with a bunch of fellow emc-ers for the day. You guys are great! By the way the girl in the box that's my Amie. The boxes were made for the children to wear, but I think we had a few ladies who must be kids at heart. Ha!

My Little Picasso

I know it's probably just a father thing, but I love the drawing my eight year old recently created. The picture captures Aubrynn's quirkiness.

Successful Hunt

I had a great couple of days hunting deer on a 600 acre lease in Waynesboro. For some reason I had a bad case of the jitters the whole time and missed 3 out of four shots. I did bag a nice 2 1/2 year old mature doe that should put 35-40 pounds of meat in my freezer. I was hoping for two, but blew that.

I have never got a buck before. Two minutes after bleating and grunting on some calls in walks a four pointer and a really nice eight pointer. They couldn't have been 30 yards from me. So close I could have shot is with a bow. I got so jumpy, I couldn't settle...buck fever beat me and beat me good. I somehow shot right over it's back. The 30-30 I was shooting was hitting a target within an inch of the bulls eye at 100 yards and here I am missing a 30 yard shot. Jeff said "pastor, I know you can shoot and shoot great now we just got to teach you how to kill deer" It is a different ball game shooting on a range from hunting. Well I guess that's what keeps you coming back for more. That was the fifth doe I have harvested so far I am definitely getting the itch to take a buck. We'll see.

Pray for Rein.........Deer that is

Jeff from our worship team and myself are leaving tomorrow to play and slay baby. We plan to fill our freezers full of venison. MMMMM it's delectable. There is just something about taking meat from the woods to the table that makes you feel like standing up and saying to the fam.... "Who's your daddy" OOOOOHHHHH Yeaaaaahhhhh I am.

My nieces and nephews

One thing I miss about being in Ohio is seeing these guys grow up. I am so proud of them. Brian is twenty and is the worship leader at a church plant in Lexington, OH. Ain't he Crowder-ish. Austin is an amazing drummer and is only 14 years old. Rhema is quite the athlete and Ricky can do anything. I really hate not getting to see them excel in their interests but they know "Chuncle Ross" loves them. Isn't that a horrible nickname they've given me? I love it! Miss you guys.

I'm thankful for......

...Amie and my children. They mean everything to me and are a reminder everyday that God is better to me than I ever thought possible.

...my embassy metro church family. I am so proud of all that you are becoming in Christ and for Christ.

...a father who decided to follow Christ and was submissive enough to allow God to change him. Pop I am so proud of the man you are and the man you have challenged me to become.

...a mother who in her eyes I can do no wrong. We all need someone of radical grace in our lives and my mother is that for me.

...weekly talks with my sister and brother in law.

...hearing my Grand Dad say he loves me. He just started that since I moved to GA. Pretty cool for an Army Staff Sargent on Guadalcanal South Pacific.

...friends and family that are in our corner. You know who you are.

...Amie is so freakin' hot. (ha ha sorry that one just slipped)

...this is so carnal: my 4 door dodge pick-up. Man I love my truck

...not that they come after the truck but.... the guys on my leadership team and their wives.

...a trip to deer hunt coming up Sunday-Tuesday. Run Bambi Run!

...My Pastor and Mom Blair for everything they have meant to us through the years.

...the increase in my health and outlook on fitness.

...most importantly that I have Jesus in my life and all though at times our relationship has had ups and downs I am finding myself the past few months extremely captivated by His love and presence.

Brother Crow...a new friend

A few weeks ago when we launched our Wild West Series we placed "www.jesusisyourhuckleberry.com" signs around the city. They have caused a bit of a stir and we have seen a dozen or so people come and one person come to Christ after coming because the sign peaked their interest.

I had one particularly challenging e-mail from an agnostic who was a pastor for 25 years.

He Writes: Jesus is your huckleberry? That is a new low! Taking "Tombstone" as your sermon idea generator? Embarrassing.

I am a local agnostic, and would love to debate your religion. Your website is flashy...but come on, is that the best you can do? Your pictures look like you are funny and fun people, but I am Crow and I see through that.

I have a high level of despite for exploitive faith communities like yours. I was a pastor once. Do you think your faith and religion can stand up to the blistering impact of a person like me? I challenge you to some debate. You up for it...huckleberry?


Now before you pick up your stone slow down and read on. Don't see this e-mail as a negative because frankly the man has become in one afternoon a person I will consider a friend for I believe long into the future. Upon reading his e-mail I didn't think this guy was really trying to bust my chops so much as he was seeing just trying to see where my heart lies.

I wrote him back and told him I would love to sit and have a cup of coffee with him. I wanted to hear the tale of a man who obviously has journeyed so far. No judgment just an exchange of life stories. Well yesterday I had that opportunity and experienced one of the most pleasant and interesting hours this month.

I was surprised to find out that we had similar backgrounds and experiences. We had a like mindedness regarding radical grace and the feeling that Christians after a season of "maturing" begin to miss the real meaning of Christianity. Where we differed and it breaks my heart (as my mother would say) is that I still believe in the Bible's claims of Christ even if at times I am disfranchised with the modern church. Brother Crowhas come to espouse that the Christ story is pure mythology even doubting the histrocity of Jesus.

What was so troubling was seeing a man who has become "de-converted" but is still moved by much of the story of Christ and the "proposed" Holy Spirit's interaction with man. He knows he senses something when faced with elements of the Christian faith, but has reconciled that "something" as anthropological reactions to stories of fancy and myth; much like a heart warms at the thought of Santa and his sleigh.

This is not the guy that claims atheism/agnosticism as an excuse to disengage spiritual dialog. This man has served as a pastor and at one time was second in command to one of the finest pastors and leaders in our nation. To maintain his anonymity I will say no more but was impressed by his past and present. I genuinely like this guy and hope to "convert him back from the darkside" If you're reading this BC I'm just playing with you.

That I am sure will not be the last cup of coffee shared with my new favorite agnostic.

I Love Church Planters

I am on a committee for the Assemblies of God that helps lead church planters in the State of Georgia. Yesterday, along with the team, I spent the entire day interviewing prospective church planters. You have to love the passion, vision and no holds bar hearts of people purposing to reach the unchurched in their communities.

We saw everything proposed from student and family oriented churches to a church for cowboys. One churched planned to launch in a school, another a skating rink, even a barn...bet you can't guess which church that would be?

This morning I was thinking about church planting in general and the surge of church planters in the nation the past decade. I was wondering is this just the "en vogue" thing to do. It seems like every young preacher has a passion to plant a new church.
Obviously we know God is at work in this just as he was in the mass evangelism of the last century.

During the last century young men full of passion for the lost and a hunger to see people changed by God hit the evangelism trail preaching in tents, fair grounds and churches. During the 40's and 50's and with a resurgence through the 70's and 80's we saw the rise of the traveling evangelist peak. I am a product of that scene my father had a tent that would seat 175-200 people and we traveled and ministered in it all through the summers during the decade of the 80's.

I had a huge passion to reach the unchurched and hit the "evangelism trail" at the age of 20 with a ministry I dubbed "Fanning the Fire Ministries". As I look back it seemed like I was on the tail end of something that had stirred America for Christ for years. I am not saying the days of mass evangelism in America are over, but most traveling ministries I know have seen a decline in engagements. The argument goes "the churches are apathetic...they don't want to see God touch people anymore." The truth of the matter is half the time services with evangelists are a gathering of believers which isn't a bad thing. It's just not something that stirs the hearts of the preachers that God is calling into his service in the new millennium.

The young men of this generation are still fulfilling the call of evangelism they are just following a "Timothian" model (I think I just made that word up) Paul told Timothy, who was a young pastor, to do the work of an evangelist. As a church planter I am a pastor but I have the eyes,ears, hands, heart, and mind of an evangelist. I think that is true of all church planters.

Let me break this down. In a culture when spectacle was king God employed mass evangelism to reach the unchurched. It worked people would flock to the fair grounds, tent meetings, and church services. Today we receive our informational uptake through relational download. We've all heard it said "people don't care what you know until they know that you care." The modern day move of God to reach people is occurring through these pastor-slash-evangelists. Throughout the country church planters with keen eyes towards their communities and hearts towards God are leading the masses to Jesus one person at a time. The major thrust of evangelism today isn't occurring in stadiums but in communities through local churches that are purposeful in reaching the unchurched one relationship at a time.

So if you are a pastor in a community and someone is getting ready to plant a church down the street don't get discouraged welcome them to the city. Pray for them as they connect and help people connect one person at a time to a life changing experience with Jesus. If you are an evangelist don't get mad or frustrated that engagements have fallen off. Realize that God is still reaching people in America it is just in a way that is consistent with the shift in culture over the past 20 years. If you are a church planter check your motives. Be sure that you're not just doing the "en vogue" thing to do because it is the hardest thing you will ever accomplish for God. If God is genuinely calling you to plant then prepare well. Don't act like you have all the answers...because you don't. Embrace fully what God is doing in your life and do the work of an evangelist to reach and lead people to reach your community one friend, co-worker, and neighbor at a time.

I can walk

I am able to walk again. I think I exercised muscles this week that haven't been used in five years. You have to go through the breaking down process to begin the building up. No pain no gain baby. I am fully committed to weight training 3 days a week and 200 plus minutes of cardio over five days. I am looking forward to getting back to myself. It's amazing how five years of being a schlep can creep up on you and then bam! you just don't feel right in your own skin.

"This is going to be fun!" or at least that's going to be my mantra over the next 70 pounds. I have already lost 20 so I am well on my way. The thought that I had 90lbs to lose really makes me sick. Things you don't control will control you. If you are allowing anything to get the best of you stop it! It's not too late to turn it around. Go for the life that God says you can have and do whatever it takes to get there. He will give you strength to do what you know you need to do.

I can't walk!

Ok really it isn't that bad. Amie and I invited Phil & Debbie Roness to church. Debbie (ask for Debbie) just so happens to be a personal trainer. She called last week saying that she wanted to help me out and would I be willing to be trained pro bono by a pro. Yesterday the butt whoopin' began. She sent me an eating plan (not a diet but a way of life) and she is going to tell me what to do 3 times a week. I feel very accountable because this lady's time is valuable and she is offering it to me for nothing. I teased her about me being her "poster boy" ha ha. I have been doing ok on my own, but this will take it up a huge notch.

One thing i discovered is when working out with your own regimen you tend to work towards your strengths and likes. The things you don't like or feel weak at somehow just never make it to the list of exercises for the day. I never do much with lunges and other leg type exercises. Seeing how your thighs are the largest muscles in the body they are fat burning machines and should be developed. So to make a long story short I can barely walk today. Man I hurt, but I am excited about what this guru of the gym this princess of pain is going to do with my health. Thanks Debbie & Phil for your investment into my life and health. If you are looking for an excellent trainer get hooked up with Debbie.

Sunday Remix

-Just got back with the family from hiking at Red Top Mountain. We have been careful with our water usage so has most of Cherokee County great job people last month there was a 27% decrease in usage. In our overly indulgent world that is pretty good. One trip to Red Top will convince you to conserve. The water was at least 75+ yards from the banks.

-Today went great at the embassy. We looked at taking on the outlaw of doubt (lack of trust). One of the biggest areas that we struggle when it comes to trust is in our finances. We saw that God asks us to trust Him by bringing to Him our tithe.

I hate preaching about money but today went great. I was so proud how people responded. Frankly giving was up by 60% from our average weekly amount for last month. I know you will begin to see God's faithfulness regarding His promises in Malachi 3. First week of December we'll be telling our stories about what God has done in our lives during the Wild Wild West series. I can't wait to hear your story.

-We have been ready to start on time the past few weeks. Our band and tech team are doing a great job to give us a 10:02 start. Please if you are a regular emc-er I love that you all enjoy each others company but if you would begin creating movement towards the worship theater at 10:00. We want a timely start so that we can have a timely end, but starting with 80% of the people outside of the theater doesn't lend to much energy to the beginning of the service.

I know we created this ourselves because for too long we didn't start on time. We have fixed that so for our guests' sake let's try to get in on time. Guests usually find their seat and are ready for things to begin at 10:02.

-For what it's worth....I love being the pastor of emc. Thanks for everything ya'll have done to make emc such a great community.

Good bye to my Twenties

If you know me you know I haven't been in my twenties for five years. So what's with the farewell now? See I spent a large part of my twenties on the back of a Honda XR400 dirt bike. It offered some of the best times and experiences of my life. Memories of friends and moments of exhilaration, triumph and tragedy will forever be etched in my mind.

Since I moved to Georgia I haven't ridden. Mainly because planting the church hasn't afforded me the extra margin for injury and frankly if you know me you know I got injured pretty often on that mechanical steed. Can't very well help with set up on a Sunday morning if I'm limping or have my arm in a sling. So I just put her away and finally this week sold her. As the Russian who bought her drove away I couldn't help but feel like I was saying good bye to my 20's. I would like to add this for the record I said good bye, but it's only a good bye for now. Someday when life is more settled I look forward to Grant and I tearing up the North Georgia Trails and to making some trips back to Wayne National Forest in Ohio with old friends. Until then I'll continue to be the gym rat that I have become here in the city. I'll always miss the 15 acre woods just down the street from my Ohio country home, but I do love not having to drive 10 minutes to get to a gas station or restaurant.

To all my friends who I experienced the woods with thanks. Here's to you Gary, Billy, Paul, Dan, Jeff, Brian, Steve, Uncle Tom, Tom H, Faith, Dave, Aaron,Mark, Don, Chad, G.G., Jason,Jeremy. I know I'm missing a bunch of others but thanks for the fun and pulling my broken carcass out of the woods on a few occasions.

www.JesusIsYourHuckleberry.com

www.JesusIsYourHuckleberry.com is making a bit of a stir. We have received negative and positive responses from the signs. Either way they have started some conversations and that's what it's all about.

I got a call today from an artisan who creates forged art out of metal. For Christmas they usually make a western ornament that can be hung on a tree. Well he wants to make the ornaments this year with Jesus is your huckleberry on them. He said the a portion of the proceeds he'll send to the church. Too cool. Who would have thought a dude in Wyoming would be making "Jesus Is Your Huckleberry" ornaments for Christmas this year.

He said we need to copyright it because there's a market for it up his way and that they would definitely be conversation starters. Could you imaging JIYH t-shirts ha ha I'm laughing now because I know my aversion to Christian T-shirts and marketed items.
Would there be a market for JIYH coffee mug or wall calendar with your favorite Bible characters dressed in Western apparel. I know.....maybe a JIYH spittoon would be a hit.

OK to be honest if it started a conversation about Jesus in a positive way that would be cool. It would be a heck of a lot better than a "You think it's Hot here" t-shirt or a "get right or get left" hat. Well I need to stop blogging for I now...I have to find out how do you get something trade marked. :)

Sunday Remix

-The launch of the Wild Wild West Series seemed to be a little flat, but I think the majority of that was just in my head.

-I felt like my head was in a fog the whole day. Thank God when we're in a fog He still sees clearly. God really use the day to stir people to embrace adventurous faith in God and God's plan for our lives.

-We didn't have anything in the foyer showing that we were doing a Wild West Series. I think this brought an awkwardness for guests because our pre-service music included some old western songs from movies and for some reason Hank Williams "And we'll go Honky Tonkin' Honkey Tonkin" got in the mix. I could see on the face of one guest not familiar "with our ways" (sinister laugh) that she just wasn't quite sure what she got herself into. By the end of the day she was lovin' it.

-I presented the thought that our heart is a Wild Wild West that God desires to win, but if that's going to happen then we will have to deal with some outlaws. Over the next three weeks we will look at three different outlaws that keep us from experiencing great adventures and discoveries in our faith.

If the west was to be one then: #1 The law had to be laid down. every town needs a sheriff. Dodge City had Bat Masterson. Tombstone had Wyatt Earp, and we has Christ followers have God's word both written and etched into our hearts by His Spirit.

#2 If the west was to be won then the outlaws had to be dealt with. Every outlaw needs a high noon. Jesse and Frank James, the Dalton gang all were dealt with so that the west could be one. There are outlaws in our life that need a high noon. They need brought into the light and dealt with. Outlaws like doubt, fear, envy, whatever threatens to stake claim to your territory, treasure, or testimony.

#3 While conquering the west always remember that a man alone was a dead man. Every cowboy needs a posse. We encourage people to get into small groups over the next five weeks as we look at conquering the Wild Wild West in our lives. This was we can see God bring us into new experiences, discoveries, and adventures with Him.

-When I recapped the every's of the sermon: every town needs a sherif, every outlaw needs a high noon and every cowboy needs a posse; it popped into my head the old song from Poison "Every Rose"

It was hilarious hearing everybody sing "every rose has it's thorn, just like every night has it's dawn, every cowboy sings a sad sad song.... every rose has it's thorns." I love emc!!!

-After service we did a Journey Group Connect so people could get linked with a group for the next 5 weeks.

-Finished the night with a group of leaders at our house having our final and fourth week in Discipleship for Leadership. Those who were able to make it, it was a great time spent with you all I am so thankful that God has all of us in this journey together. Let's take 1000's with us over the decades to come!!!

Trying out Ecto

Ecto is a product that let's you blog off line and will load it to your blog when you get internet access. So is this thing working or not?

Kid's Fest 2007

Everyone who helped to make Kid's Fest an amazing event thanks!!! You guys were great. I know the kids loved it and you really impacted our city officials and workers who organized the event. Thanks emc for embracing this event so fully and for reaching over 400 kids not including parents and grandparents with the love and acceptance of Christ.

Frankly how could you ban a night like that and say, "we couldn't be a part of the city's Halloween event because we are Christians." Yes we are and last night 1800 people got to see a whole crew of Christ followers shining the light of Jesus brighter than any Jack-O-Latern.

By the way my son made a personal decision to follow Christ this week!!!! No it wasn't at a Christmas Cantata, Easter play, or even Sunday School (I like all three don't get me wrong)It's just Grant came to Jesus as the family was carving, God forbid, pumpkins on Tuesday night. See every year we talk about the junk inside us that Christ cleans out when Jesus (like a candle) comes in to shine His light in and out of our lives. Well this year that clicked with Grant's little and can I add sin filled heart. I know he's five, but I can assure you sin is resident within him as well (pay back for me when I was his age). He asked if Jesus could do that to his heart and a few moments later prayed to receive Christ into his life!!! Too Cool!

Great Email

This is an excerpt from an emc-er's e-mail who came to Christ a few months ago. If you find yourself locked into skepticism, but still feeling like you are missing something...check this guys story out:


It's amazing how opposite everything is from what I thought it was. I had it all figured out for years. I would watch TV and it would confirm everything I knew to be true about the fallacies of Christianity. Secular and Atheistic philosophy seeks to strengthen the resolve of people like me. It was so important to me to not believe. Skepticism became absolute truth and it all made sense. It was just fine to indulge in logical and rational secularism - there are no consequences - Hell? Yeah, right.

Why then was I facing every negative consequence that has ever been faced? If I had it completely figured out, why couldn't I just live it? Because everything turned out to be opposite. The logical was shown to be illogical. Rationality was irrational. Objectivism was actually close-mindedness.

The truth is that Christianity requires an open mind. Why then are Christians portrayed as close-minded robots? The truth is that Christianity requires logic, i.e. if it's a bunch of worthless bunk, then why the non-stop offensive against it? Logically, because it's true. The truth is that Christianity is everything THEY say it's not. And it's NOT everything they say it is.

I pride myself on not being easily swayed (36 years to make the decision). But how EASILY I accepted all the world's lies - to the point of being just another confused idiot running around preaching elitist secularism and impressing myself with how great I sounded. I felt so pleased with myself for being a true non-conformist, never realizing that the non-conformist is the one who goes AGAINST the world's lies, not the one who buys into them.

So there you have it.

Wild Wild West Series Promo #2

Sunday Remix

-The last service in our gametime at the embassy series went great.

-It seems like I'm always saying this, but the band is just really blowing my mind. Great job guys!

-When our emc experience was over yesterday we had a team emc orientation (membership class) at the Serene Bean. I just want to give a shout out to all the new people that have made emc home the past few months. Welcome to the team!

-In the evening we had our 3rd Discipleship for Leadership night. It has been great getting with those who have so fully embraced what God is doing in and through their lives at emc.

-It's awesome seeing such a diversity taking place at the embassy. From professionals and IT guys to tattooed recording studio managers and baristas, we are seeing God uniquely create the community we affectionately call "the embassy". I don't think I have ever been more proud of being the pastor of embassy metro church than I am right now.

www.JesusIsYourHuckleberry.com

This weekend 100 yard signs will go out that only have this web address on them. We hope it will peak interest and drive people to the page that promotes the Wild Wild West Series and the main church website.

I think the creative design team did a great job with this idea. I hope it will spark some interest around the area.

New Series Begins November 4th; Wild Wild West:Taking on the Outlaws that Threaten our Hearts.

Great E-mail

A fellow emc-er writes:

It has been well over 2 years now since we got hooked up (Or I guess I should say plugged in..) at the Embassy. I am continually amazed at how there is still not a Sunday that has gone by where I do not feel excited about coming to church. Even the days I have to miss, it definitely feels like something is missing from the week. I can’t remember a time in my life where on occasional Sunday’s I wouldn’t wake up and feel “Man, I really don’t feel like going to church today”. But, apparently, those days are gone because there are truly folks to “journey” with…..not “perfect people”, not “judgmental people”, not “holier than thou people”, but “PEOPLE”….”REAL PEOPLE” who love other people and want to figure out life together. I so appreciate what you have done here. I know we are really reaching the un-churched, but I am hear to tell you, that we are also reaching the folks that always thought they were “churched” but didn’t realize that it is more than a word or a label, it is a state of mind and a focus on God and truly a “Journey”. Thanks for being faithful and driving God’s vision to Woodstock, to Georgia, and to the world.

What a great e-mail! I love to here what Jesus and Emc has meant to people's lives. EMC Team, ya'll are doing a great job!!!!

EMC Obstacles

During our last Discipleship for Leadership as we talked about leaders being resilient we took a few minutes to ask the question, "what are the unique obstacles that we face at emc?" Here's a few that were listed:

-We're portable. Have to set this thing up every week. It was great that someone commented that being portable to them seemed to be the reason why we reach so many unchurched people. Seems like that became the consensus of the room which is cool because it shows that because they are proactive about the vision of emc they are resilient to that present obstacle. Not only resilient, but saw the best amongst the worst. Thanks guys you rock!

-Time: we have a lot of young families and living in this region taxes everyones resources of time. Someone commented that this has made us purposeful in what we do as a church and has helped keep us focused.

-There were several more, but I'll finish with this one. Finances:
Man that's huge. Because the greatest percentage of emc-ers were either unchurched, church burnt, or just de-churched their awareness to give or discipline to do so is not developed yet. I will take the blame for that because I really haven't taught much on giving. The last thing you want is for people who have seen the TV evangelists beg for money and think that's what it's all about to come to church and have money preached every week at them only cementing for them the stereotype that they expected.

Now every person that gives 10% of their income or more will till you that it's not out of a heart of compulsion that they give. We do it because it is worship to God, and it's a commitment that says we trust God with our finances and welfare. In doing so God truly does take care of you. My life has been an example of this from 19 years old until now.

The obstacle of finances is difficult, but as one person suggested it has made us frugal, creative, and disciplined in that we think through everything when money is being spent. That's a good thing. What's difficult is that we do need to lead this group of people newly passionate about God into trusting Him with their finances. Most if they have it they want to give it. I don't say any of this as a condemnation on them because most when looking at their finances will say just like Amie and I..."we don't have it". Truth of the matter we don't have it, it's all His anyways and what He has allowed into my hands I will trust Him with it. I look forward to seeing many begin to trust him with this. Why? Because first and foremost it will get them past some of the obstacles that they have faced with their finances. God will bless obedience ever time. Secondly, together as a body the embassy metro church family will see the obstacle of finances overcome as we scale this mountain that has the potential to block us from God's best for our lives, church, and community.

What ever obstacles you are facing be resilient, be obedient, be proactive and watch as the power of God and his provision for your situation causes you to get past the obstacles you face in life.

Heart of A Leader

At our last Discipleship for Leadership we took some time to look at the heart of a Leader. We saw that leaders are pro-active. They own the vision of the organizations they are a part of. A team that only responds in a reactionary way will lead a movement into maintenance mode. This is where a lot of churches and organizations find themselves. If you are going to lead you have to be pro-actionary (I may have just made up that word, but it works). Vision, vibrancy, life and health all stem from proactivity. You may be a pastor, parent, business person, student, or part of a team when it comes to leading in those environments you have to take some time to work on your vision for the future and not just react to the present. If you don't you will get stuck in your present and stagnation will follow.

Number two leaders are resilient. They bounce back and recover strength after facing obstacles to their vision. Resiliency comes from owning the vision deeply. John and Peter upon threat of life declared "We can't help but speak what we have seen and heard (concerning Jesus)" The disciples of Christ all but John (he just had boiling oil poured on him and exiled to an island) died striving to accomplish the vision. Myself and every believer today are testament of the fact that they succeeded.

Third quality, leaders are compassionate. Some leadership schools paint the leader as one who runs over everyone with their agenda. A Christian leader needs to lead like Christ. Christ was compassionate.... he felt deeply where people were and because of that related to them and led them to where they needed to be.

Finally I told our leaders that leaders are fallible. I gave them permission to make mistakes. Anytime you are moving a head, trying new things, being visionary you're going to make mistakes now and then. Leaders are not paralyzed by the fear of failure, but they take chances attempting to do things that are not the status quo.

As a pastor I don't expect my leaders to be perfect in every action or idea but I do expect them to be 1. pro-active 2. resilient and 3. compassionate.

Tragedy Back Home

The phone calls began to come in today regarding the shooting tragedy of a pastor and his wife apparently at the hands of their sixteen year old son. Mark & Sue Petric are the pastors of New Life Assembly of God in Wellington, OH. This church was in our section of churches when I pastored in North Central Ohio. Sue was found dead at the scene and Mark received multiple shots to his head and arm. Mark is in intensive care. Please pray for this family and church as they face the unthinkable.

Weekend Remix

-The Blue Rockers still go undefeated. It's so wrong to be so proud, but the team Grant is on is just really doing a lot right and it's fun to watch. They are beginning to pass and finally starting to run to space which is very hard to get 4&5 year olds to do. Finally the other team had enough and called the game with about 20 minutes left to play. They were down a few people so everybody was wearing out. I was still proud of our guys for passing so much. Great Job Blue Rockers!

-Saturday was a sad day as one of the first families that came to emc moved back home to Seattle. Lawerence, Jodi, Makayla, and Kennedy Boyd your church family in Atlanta will miss you.

-Spent a few hours with a crew of guys shooting our November series promos. Anytime spent with this bunch is hilarious.

-The Tribe sucked the field up pretty bad on Saturday and Sunday night and deserved to loose. In the series as much as I wanted the Indians to win I do hope the Sox come out and surprise the Rockies for the Championship.

-Our set up crew on Sunday had the truck unloaded in great time, but somewhere things got slowed down, the sound in the lobby didn't get set up and we started late which never makes me happy! We'll find out what went wrong at staff tonight :)

-Since the billboard we have had a lot of first time visitors. That's cool. This week a woman who came because she saw the billboard put her faith in Christ during the service. That's what it's all about.

-with all the new people that has been coming I am looking forward to the team emc orientation on Sunday at the Serene Bean immediately following the service. I am also looking forward to our journey groups starting back up in a couple of weeks. All these things help people connect and grow in their relationship with God and friends.

-The band rocked Sunday. We almost have enough people to make two full teams. I love what you are bringing us into on Sundays thanks for all you do to lead us in worship our God.

-I enjoyed preaching today, but I could tell there was a little push back. we looked at Settling the Score: How to handle penalties on the play. It's hard to see the stuff people throw at you as something that can make you stronger if handled right.To face the one who fouled you and to forgive, free, and forgive them is so hard. I know you can do it though because the Holy Spirit lives in you and He will empower you to get past your penalties on the play.

-Last night was our second night having Discipleship for Leadership. It has been great sowing into the leaders at emc. Thanks guys for stepping up your passion and level of responsibility.

-Finished the night last night about midnight as my wife and I spent time with a person in the church who has been through hell. I pray through Jesus she will find and know that there is healing for her past and she will receive strength to forgive, free, and forget those who have scarred her so deeply.

-We truly don't know the pain that people are going through, but I know that Jesus can heal their pain without a doubt!

-Went to bed really really tired....I love my life!

How did the emc worship team prepare to lead worship during the Gametime Series

The Gametime Team

This is most of emc-ers that helped make the gametime tailgate party possible. There were a few still doing things outside. The pic was spontaneous so once again my wife Amie missed being in the photo. She was watching children while everybody was setting things up for the day. I love serving along side of you all. thanks for all you do!

Go Tribe!

Growing up 65 miles south of Cleveland pretty much puts Tribe blood in your veins for life so needless to say I am excited for the Indians. I'll have to wait to see the Indians seal the deal tomorrow night. Last night they didn't bring their A-game for sure. Beckett pitched an incredible game and deserved to take home the win for the Sox. I hope Saturday night will be a different story.

You know what stinks?

When you actually like the person that doesn't get what you are doing and you realize you probably won't see each other much anymore because you are just embracing two different directions. I think everyone you come in contact with you hope you'll be journeying together with until Jesus comes, but that just doesn't happen. Thank God His kingdom is big enough for differing views and when we get to heaven a lot of this stuff just won't matter.

God has Great Timing

We have a guy at the church who has been in ministry for 20 years. He preaches at youth camps and has ministered all over the country. His family has called emc home and it's been great having him at the church. Sunday he asked if we could get some lunch this week. Little did I know what I would face between then and the lunch.

Every pastor at times will get reamed about their particular ministry and focus, and I am no exception. Does it hurt yes...will it always hurt...I hope. I never want to lose a sense of tenderness to the call of God and His desires, on the other hand I will forever be tenacious about the call God has on embassy metro church and His purpose for emc.

Let me get back to God's timing. So....I have everything we are called to and focused on called into question by someone. Man I never even saw it coming and it was intense. Here comes God's timing....the very next day I have lunch with this other
guy from our church that is a preacher. His main purpose for lunch was just to affirm the ministry that we are all doing at emc. This man has been in ministry for 20 years, has seen all types of churches and environments, has seen the positives and negatives and he just wanted to have lunch to say, "Pastor, you all are doing it!" Man that is just too cool how God works. Will I still be contemplative over things said by the other party yes, to not smacks of pride and arrogance, but have I fell a sleep soundly every night since the "reaming" you bet.

Sunday Remix

-The bands opening video was hilarious as they showed what Pastor Jared does to make them "just so darn awesome". Everything from jumping jacks to wind sprints all work together to make the band what they are. Too funny. I loved Jared calling to be spritzed as he chilled out on the bench. Seriously band thanks for what you do to bring your best game week in and week out. All I have been hearing lately is the great job you are doing. Thanks for bringing us before God in worship week to week.


-Amie and I were stoked to have some of our friends back from the gametime event the
week before.

-I preached a seven point sermon today dealing with feeling sidelined in life. 7 points ha ha. When I announced that ya'll thought we would be there until 1:00.

-I love seeing what God is doing in people's lives at the embassy.

-The more we go forward as a church the more I realize how much I need God and His direction in my life. Please pray for me as I seek God for our church.

-Our first night of Discipleship for Leadership went great as I spoke into the lives of 20 some emc-ers on Sunday night. What a great night of motivation and prayer. I'm looking forward to our next three weeks together.

Be on Time Tomorrow

We have been working hard to get started right at 10:02am and finally we have been making it. If you are an emc-er try to get into the main theater on time because often we will have announcments, creative openers, and other elements to kick off our worship experience. We don't want you to miss a thing.

Tomorrow the band came up with crazy "gametime themed" video to open up worship with. I can't wait to see them.

What a week

Amie and I enjoyed immensely our time on St. Simon's this week. The minister's institute was one of the best events like it I have ever been to. The sessions were practical and inspiring and the schedule was restful, but still productive. We met a lot of great people that you can tell will be friends for years to come. On the rest side we spent one night walking a couple of miles on the beach in the dark. Amie was freaking out the whole time....I loved it. We also got to go up in the light house and see Christ Church, Charles Wesley's first ministry in the colonies. The location of the camp was cool because from that property lumber was taken to make the U.S.S. Constitution. The island just felt historic. It was great. We ate at a great place called Coastal Kitchen. It's owned by Phil & Debra who are some new friends. There son is on the soccer team I co-coach. Thanks Phil for the heads up...the place was incredible and the Asian Soy Calamari was one of the best things I have ever tasted.

The week was refreshing spiritually as well. One thing the speaker, Dr. Mike Rakes, said was that God led them into church planting to kill them. I loved that. He said it was there that God killed Mike and brought to life the man that God desired for him to be. After that service Amie and I went walking on the beach. We could tell there were plants all over the beach left by the tide. We weren't sure what they were because it was so dark. Finally I went up and stepped on one of these piles of sea matter. To my surprise it lit up like fireflies. I went to another and stepped harder this time. The light given off was even brighter. I found out later that it is phosphorus being given off by the matter in the sea plant.

It made my thoughts go back to Mike's words. My prayer now is that God will crush me...my plans...my agendas....my desires and that in doing so His light would shine forth from my life and the life of the ministry I'm privileged to lead. I want people in their darkness to get a glimpse of light of God's reality and that it would surprise them and cause them to seek out "what was that!".

Sunday Remix *

*I wanted to upload this Sunday, but have been away from the internet until now...


-I had a very long day: woke up at 3:30 am had an amazing day at the embassy and
arrived in South Georgia at Amie’s folks at 11:30 pm. We came to drop our kids off because we are going to a pastor’s retreat on St. Simons until Thursday. We’ll be in 2 services a day. The rest of the time I’ll be with my beautiful bride for a few days without the “chillrens” as my Kentucky grandma use to say.

-The “game time” tailgate party was a huge success. Thanks everybody who made it possible. We had our normal set up to do plus the outside set up for the tailgate party. Our guest services, food service people, and everyone who just jumped in from start to finish worked so hard and pulled the day off huge! Ya’ll kicked! I had so many of our guest surprised at all we do to make church not only possible, but awesome at a theater. Most were surprised that the only real difference was the outside party area and that we do all of this week to week. Being portable will never be an excuse for us to not go over the top in providing quality environments for people to find and grow in their faith in Jesus.

-People wondered where we got our band. “…they are awesome…” one person said. I thought that was great. I know you guys have worked hard and it sure is showing. Thanks for always giving God your best!

-I had a blast just speaking a little about winning in life (I Corinthians 9:24-27) and setting up our “Game time Series” beginning next Sunday. I can’t wait until next week to open God’s Word and look at some principles that will help all of us side step some of the things that try to block us from getting to our goals in life.

-I’m looking forward to seeing a lot of our guests back at the Embassy next Sunday.

-I know people have been asking about the attendance Sunday so here we go: we had 74 in Embassy Kid’s ministry (kids and workers), 138 adults & teens, 27 that came after the service for tailgate party. Total for the day 239 people!!! Great job getting the word out everybody. I pray many of these will be back next week as we begin the “Game time” Series.

-FYI: The winner of the Wii gaming system was a friend of and emc-er and first time guest. Congrats!

Gametime Tailgate Party

Less than two day until the tailgate party. If you want come sporting your favorite teams. Bring your portable pop up canopies, and chairs, scooters, golf carts whatever your normal tailgate party routine is and we'll supply all the food and drinks.

The kids will have a blast and I guarantee you I plan on racing a few of you down the 40ft obstacle course myself. Get your game on and get everybody you know to "Gametime" this weekend at the embassy 10:02am!

Our Billboard on 92 & 575

Someone took this pic of our billboard while driving by. There are two slats that aren't rotating so that's what the line is through the logo. We're trying to get a maintenance guy out to fix it. I'm about to climb the thing and do it myself....you know I would what's great is I know I have a bunch of ya that would do it with me or at least stand guard. Now where did I put my ninja clothes.

Can't Wait Until Sunday!

Get everyone you can to this event. It's going to be great! Get there early for coffee and donuts. Get registered for prizes and check kid's into embassy kid's and then try to find a seat in the main theater at 10:02 as "Gametime" launches. The drawing for the Wii takes place at 10:45 and then the tailgate party is on!

See you Sunday at 10:02!

Behind on my Remix

-EMC-ers are amazing! Over 40 people helped to get 15,000 door hangers into the community over the weekend advertising next Sunday's "Gametime tailgate party"
-We almost started on time this week....be in the main theater next week right at 10:02 for the day's opener it's going to rock.
-we closed out our sex series this week with communion. People laid sheets of paper written upon them with the the emotions, thoughts, and actions throughout their life and sexuality that they desired to concecrate to God. As we laid what represented our stained and impure bodies before God we took up His body represented through communion and we consecrated our sexuality to God afresh and anew. It was amazing what people had gone through during their lives, but Sunday God got the victory and reminded us that we can trust Him with our sexuality!!!
-There is definitely something incredible happening at the embassy. It's what you work for, pray for, sacrifice for and we are now seeing it. Lives changing, people getting involved, God drawing new people weekly and the place is starting to just feel electric. If you have been with us for a while great. If your new awesome... We are in for some incredible days ahead and I'm glad you're a part of what is going to be a movement that will impact lives tremendously. I'm loving that we are starting to get a two fold rep. One, that we are definetely a place where the unchurched and dechurched can find God in Woodstock and that the leadership and all the emc-ers aren't threatening or over the top as people come to check the things of faith, God, and spiritual community out. And two, that we don't hold back we teach right where people live and we challenge to embrace fully what God desires for us. Are we "seeker sensitive" well When it comes to church I hate all the political junk and social posturing that robs people of what the focus of gathering together should be. I wouldn't say we are seeker sensitive. I would say we are seeker conscious. I want the room to be the right temp, the coffee to be hot, and the kid's environments to be appealing, but when I preach I don't think not offending people is what anybody needs. Sometimes God's word is an offense and I think people in our generation want challenged. they just don't want challenged through angry preacher rhetoric aimed more at getting the applause of the pious then to actually help people apply real truths in their real life to see the real results that our real God desires. Now that's a lot of reals, but I guess that best sums up what I am hearing people say about their emc experience.
-can't wait until next Sunday!

Good Tired

-Last week we had one of those vacations that was great, but leaves you playing some serious catch up. I didn't do Sunday Remixes for the past two Sundays, but we had great services with a lot of guests. This past week the two worship teams that rotate did a combined set. It was cool they rocked out, but added mandolin, banjo, & congas. It had a really rugged, homespun, and worshipful feel. I love what God's been doing in people's lives during this series.

-I went to visit Chris & Caitlyn in the hospital Sunday. They had a beautiful little girl. On the way into the hospital I started talking to a dude chilling outside who looked like we was in a lot of pain. He was really a cool guy. I ended up praying for him and then I went up the day after he had his ruptured discs fixed. I hung out along with one of his friends for over an hour. It was so cool to see this guy coming to the realization that there are spiritual needs in his life. We talked mostly about guy stuff old fights, stupid decisions, and movies. It was just real cool. since then he's called and said that he and his girl want to check things out. In his words he said that it's just "f&%$ing" cool how things worked out. I guess that's not quite a praise God, but it was definitely heart felt. I love it that God draws to us the rough and edgy. It's messy at times, but i wouldn't trade it for anything! I can't wait to have my new friend show up at the embassy. I know God has plans to blow his mind with His faithfulness.

-Spent one night looking for a girl on the streets in Atlanta. Her uncle's an old friend of mine from Ohio. He heard she was on the streets so I took Brantley and Hannah with me to find her. We came home at 1:00am, but could not locate her. Pray for this young girl that she'll begin to make the right decisions before she craps her life away.

-Tomorrow we finish getting out 15,000 door hangers. Tonight we placed over 2,000 invite cards on cars at WHS, EHS, and the movie theater.We are going to have a huge turn out next Sunday for our "Gametime" tailgate party. I'll write more about that first of next week. Plan to be there, bring a friend, we are going to have a blast!

-This week has been crazy and between now and Tuesday it's going to be even crazier. I want to personally ask you to pray for my strength the next couple of days. This week was 12-14hr days everyday. Thanks!

emc -T-shirt will soon be available so you can represent large to all your homey's :)

We wanted something that had our logo, and info, but wasn't over the top saying "hey look at me I'm wearing a church t." I'm sure we'll design some t-shirts in the future that have our name a little larger, but this was the feel we were going for for our first shirt. The actual size of the design is 8 X 13 so the picture makes it seem smaller than it is. The t-shirt is grey with creme printing. I would love some feed back on this so tell me what you think.

EMC's First Billboard Design

The billboard can be seen heading East on 92 and South on 575. It went up yesterday afternoon and already we have had people checking the website out and an e-mail from someone who had some great questions. I'll try to get a picture of the actual sign soon.

We found Timbuktoo

We left Monday afternoon to visit Amie's folks in South Georgia. They are living in Alma which lies 15 miles in any direction from nothing. "Well ain't that a geographical oddity" Finally we made it to Douglas so as the wife, grandmother and kid's are checking out the local WalMart I thought I would check mail, etc...

I am on vacation and forcefully have been de-connected on every digital front. Actually it's been kind of nice spending a few days in Timbuktoo. Looking forward to getting home and seeing everybody on Sunday. This week of the sex series is extremely important be sure to be there. I can't wait for you to hear what the band is putting together for the day and we have something hilarious to open the teaching time up with. You don't want to miss it. See you Sunday!

Getting ready for the Game

It's 7:20 and Grant is up and getting dressed in his soccer kit (that's his whole get up from jersey to cleats). I thought it was bad last Saturday when he was ready at 9:00 for his 10:40 game. When you are passionate about something it will get you up in the morning and ready to get at it. It looks like Grant's "getting his game on" and I love it.

I think that is kind of what we all feel like on Sunday mornings when we get up early and begin to set up hours before people arrive at the embassy. I love being a part of the team. I hope I always go at church planting with the same zeal that Grant has for his new found love soccer.

Speaking of soccer...that is my goal (pun intended). Next summer I want to play in a Tuesday night league just to blow off steam. To do so I have to lose a lot of weight or frankly I'll snap my ankles off at the bottom of my tib/fibs. When the train get's moving it ain't easy to get it to stop when cutting. Trust me I know last year I did a doosy on my ankle during a coaches scrimmage. It's like I think I'm 175 in my head so I play like that, but the body says, "boy are you freakin' crazy....this is where this ends" and snap I'm laying there with a ganked up ankle. Well I am on track now.

I will put these numbers in just to make me accountable. I began 4 weeks ago when I realized I was an official fat cow. I was just shy of 270 pounds. Dang! at 5'8 that equates to you are a fat cow. Now everybody says...."Oh you carry your weight well" that's nice tell that to my body because all my body was telling me was, "hey Ross...guess what... you're a fat cow." I want to be able to play soccer with my boy when he's 16 and at the rate I was going the only soccer we would have been playing was EA sports FIFA 2007 on the playstation. I refuse to be a 40 year old "use to be an athelete" guy who can't relate to his son because he's obese. OK so what am I doing about it. Well I haven't been dieting. I've been going to gym and eating a lot of meals. 5 or six small meals a day each one just until I feel satisfied. It's hard to crave junk when you feel satisfied all day. That's about it. So how's it going you might ask. I was 252 this morning which means I have lost 17 pounds. That's 3 sugar bags and a half down, 15 and a half to go. I want to be 175 again. When Aubrynn was born 8 years ago I weighed 165 pounds. A month ago I realized I had to "get my game on"

I am laying these figures out mainly to keep myself accountable as I work to loose nearly 100 pounds. I'll throw the figures up here about once a month and if you see me out and I have a coke and chips in my hand just holler out...."fat pastor fat pastor get your game back on!"

EMC's first person that has got a head start

Tonight I spent several hours at the hospital with a dear family as they said goodbye to their mother. Most of you do not know who Luella Harris was but she was the oldest person that considered herself to be and emc-er. We were her church and I was her pastor. I say that with a sense of pride and affection. Luella was 91 years old and although she made it to our first baptism (it was held at the home where her daughter Sharon lives) we never had the privilege of having her at the theater. She may not have been able to get to the theater, but in the early days before we launched we had a small group that met at Sharon's and there Luella sat as pretty as can be dressed to the nines and taking it all in. Being that we have a pretty young church I miss some of the old stuff I was raised with. So when I would visit with Grandma Harris she always let me get my fill of playing and singing some old gospel hymns and choruses.

To be honest it was a little selfish of me because she reminded me so much of my Grandma Bobbie. With her I always felt like I was at home on a Sunday afternoon smelling cornbread cooking and waiting to get into the soup beans. I guess I'm trying to say she always took me back. Well now she has jumped well ahead of us all and while we'll mourn our loss for some time to come we know she is at peace and waiting on us just as pretty as she can be.

Grandma Harris I'll forever be proud to say that you were the first person's home going that I'll get to be a part of here in Georgia. Don't worry a thing honey....we'll make you proud. Love ya.

Sex Series E-mail

I received this today from a parent:

Hey, Ross,

Thank you for taking on such a sensitive subject. Any help we can get as parents in teaching our kids the morally accepted view of sex is always appreciated. Parents tend to keep this subject in the closet while the media outlets parade it in front of our kids, almost mocking the values parents try to instill in their kids. The sad part is still that most kids want to do the right thing, but peer pressure and society pushes them into compromising what is right for the feeling of being accepted.

Anyway, I'm glad you are being such a great leader in making us deal with the tougher parts of our faith.

See you on Sunday!

I told everyone Sunday I'm sorry but we can't just be some church that will never face the tough issues. We have and we will continue to look to God's word for answers to life's everyday concerns, hurts, and struggles. Sometimes that might get a little messy and uncomfortable, but who ever said finding the best in life would ever be easy.

A Salute to Woodstock's Finest

Tuesday night I was asked to give the invocation for our cities 9-1-1 memorial. The Jaycees hosted it and it was attended by our local representatives and mayor. This morning I was thinking about our men in blue here in the city and just taking a little time to pray for their safety and their families. We are a growing community which will continue to put these guys and gals in greater positions of risk. The police force under Chief Moss and the Fire department led that evening by Deputy Chief Doumas couldn't have looked sharper. As I looked at these civil servants some very young, some aged with years of experience shown on their faces I thought these are the living. Those who passed away on 9-1-1 we should never forget to memorialize their commitment to man and country, but equally we should strive to honor those in blue who work faithfully to protect us and keep us safe every day. WPD & WFD May God bless you all greatly!

Too Cool!

Talk about buzz! Have you ever heard of a Muslim evangelist! Well we have one. She has already brought one person to emc and today I found out she is out and about inviting everybody she knows to church next Sunday! I hope my new muslim friend has a great hand in introducing many to Jesus. That just sounds weird. God's at work...what else can you say!

The Buzz is On

I can't wait for you to see the 14X48 billboard that will go up at 92 and 575 South in less than three weeks. It's all a part of our commitment to go all out in reaching people for Christ!

I am still amazed at everybody who was at the embassy Sunday and the stories I have heard the past two days have been great as God has been speaking to people regarding their faith and sexuality.
This fall is going to be great as we reach your friends, family members and co-workers with the message of Jesus and His hope for their lives!

There is a B in buzz I want to say that means "Be" if you want to see people reached by this message of hope, love, acceptance, and the power to change then you need to "Be" engaged (what can I get my hands into that will futher the message of Christ), "Be" doing your part (investing and inviting)and "Be" there Sunday not just at 10:02am, but join the revolution and find your place on the team. If you have been at emc since the beginning or if last week was your first time you can have the privilege of being a part of this movement as we see God's plans unfold in the lives of those around us. Shoot me an e-mail if you want to "Be" a part of the Buzz!

Sunday Remixed

-Today was incredible we had more e-mails and phone calls regarding the impact of todays service than we have ever had. It was amazing to see what God is doing in people's hearts as a result of yesterdays emc experience.
-It was literally the hardest teaching time I have experienced since launching the embassy. I was sweating, losing my train of thought, frankly I was a mess. It was actually kind of humorous but at the time felt like crap. I have been preaching long enough to know you just keep pushing through because God is in the middle of it all and He is getting the message across to hearts and lives that will be changes by His words even if the preacher is feeling a little hyperventilated. Ha!
-Everybody knows that I get hot when I preach and my hanky was no where to be found...the water cup ran out in no time. I've been doing this forever, but ever so often God will throw me a reminder that "boy you ain't got this figured out yet so just trust me." OK so maybe God doesn't use double negative's in his dialogue, but that's just how I hear Him saying it.
-It was funny that the day I felt the worse in delivery we just so happened to have the most responses ever and the highest regular service attendance since we launched.
-20% more worship guides were made this week than normal and we still ran out.
-We did some vision casting Sunday about all the opportunities that are coming up in the next 6 weeks. Do your part to make a difference in the life of the person that soon will be sitting next to you in a seat at the theater. That empty seat is your responsibility....Own that thought that ever person you have a relationship with is your responsibility to help them have a seat in heaven someday. That begins here and now by getting them to a seat at the embassy where I promise you they will have an experience with God and God's word that they will not be able to deny!
-OK so how many people not numbers, but people....not numbers, but lives valued by God. We had 150 people Sunday. There is definitely a buzz taking place at emc. Invite your friends and family be there during this series, and get involved in the things we are doing going into the fall.
-Finally, I love it that embassy is a place of doers not talkers, servants not slackers, lovers not haters....keep it up guys you are so making your God proud!!!

My Boy's a Playa in the Beatiful Game

This is Grant's second season of soccer and today was his first game. The "Blue Rockers" a name the kids came up with came away with the win. Not that that's what it's all about, but like I've said before I'd rather win then lose any day. Grant was a force... at least in my eyes. I'm trying hard to not be an obnoxious soccer dad, but I loved how he went right at the ball no matter what. All he could think about was get the ball, shoot, score. We'll have to work on team play and sharing, but today was all about everybody going at it and my boy came away with a bunch of goals. When it was over I was so proud of him because he said he thought he had scored a goal or two (it was 3 times that) but all he could say was dad our team scored ten goals. It felt good that he knew he had done well, but that individual play was lost amongst the accomplishment of the whole team. OK Ross you're making a big deal out of a stupid game. No I'm making a big deal out of what the game can do in the attitude and growth of a boy. Odd's are Grant will never play pro soccer, but he'll carry excelling in your area of interest and being a team player all his life. It was neat to see in his head he's beginning to get that. Now I just got to get it out of his head and into his feet so he'll pass the stinkin' ball sometimes, but I guess that's just how they play at this age. Go Blue Rockers!..... and from a proud dad go Grant.

Get ready EMC is going large the next few months!

This Sunday I'll be talking a little about what we can expect in the next few months. If you are a part of EMC get ready!!! If not what in the world are you waiting on get to Cherokee 16 Theater Sundays at 10:02am.

This coming Sunday we launch a series called "Satan's SexEd" you don't want to miss this Sunday for anything. (Special thanks to LifeChurch.tv for the use of the short clips that we will use to bring these teachings home) Don't hate yourself in the morning because you skipped this Sunday (Pun Intended)Be there!

The last week of September our first Billboard will go up it can be seen from 92E & 575S. We will be inviting 15,000 homes to come Sunday October 7th to the launch of our series called "Gametime" This will be a sports themed day complete with a Tailgate party. We will have Williams Bros. BBQ several inflatables one that even the teens and adults can enjoy, music, prizes and a drawing for a Wii gaming system and games with a Madden 08 game included. Begin telling friends now so they can plan on being there. Event begins at 10:02 in the theater with the band rockin'. We'll do the drawing for the Wii at 10:50 as we dismiss to go to the food and entertainment outside. I think we can pack out our theater and give many people a taste of what Jesus and emc is all about.

The rest of October we will be doing the "Gametime" series. Which will challenge people and give people skills to be a success on the field of life.

On Halloween night we will be partnering up with the City of Woodstock again to help serve at Kids Fest. we will be doing something special that night to invite the kids and families back to emc on Sunday for the start of our November series

In November we are launching a discipleship series called "Wild Wild West" this is a five week series designed to face the outlaws that at times threaten our hearts. We will have several journey groups that you can choose from and each weeks small group time will center in on the previous Sunday's teaching. I'm hoping I can get Martina McBride, Kenny Chesney, or Montgomery Gentry to stop by but we'll have to see about that. No we won't do country the whole time because Jared would go into convulsions, but we will have a little each week if there's anything I can do about it!

Finally at Christmas time we will be doing a two week series called "Peace on Earth" that will serve to give us a better global picture of what God is doing in the world and how we can be a part of a world changing movement to make a difference! Then on December 23rd we will have our Christmas service!

As you can tell we have some exciting months ahead of us. Jump in, get involved and let's together make it hard for people in the area to go to hell, make it difficult for them to see their marriages fail, make it impossible to see their lives lack purpose and direction. Let's let the people of this city know that we are "with you on the journey"

Where Does Time Go?

Some thoughts from the past 10 days:

-Labor day weekend was great. Had incredible attendance for a holiday weekend. The band was incredible and the teaching impacted people's lives powerfully. We talked about the stuff in our lives that get's in the way of God's best for us. As I spoke I built an altar out of 50+ stones scattered over our stage. We looked at what an altar before God meant and what it means today. Then people came and placed their stones that were given to them when they came into the theater on the altar. Laying their "stuff" before God. It was really a beautiful thing to see.

-I performed my second wedding since being in GA. I think it's my 78th wedding since I began pastoring. Drea & Tracy Looked great and the wedding was so cool. It was outside up at Red Top Mountain.

-We had two Mackey powered speakers donated to us.

-Echo Students went to a climbing Gym on Labor day with the majority of their students and the one kid that get's hurt at every emc event made it through safely! Alright two events in a row for him. I think the curse is broken :)

-I have wireless again at the house. Thanks Lawrence for hooking it up. Now I can work out on the back deck again. Love the view of the Lake back there. Got to get sometime out there tonight. The temp is only 73 degrees right now. Amazing!

-Have had people all week telling me and e-mailing me about what God is doing in their lives through the embassy.

-Last week was crazy with appointments, surgeries, planning sessions...etc

Sunday Remix

-great day with tons of guests several who I have met at different times in the community. way to go emc keep investing in people's lives and inviting them to come and experience what God desires to do in their lives.
-I invited another barista from the coffee shop and he came yesterday. that's always cool when that happens.
-music sounded great. the mix was hot.
-The God at the movies series ended great and we had the best attendance we've had all summer.
-there is definitely some buzz taking place. the next few months are going to be off da hook. I know it's labor day weekend but take off after church because I want to tell everybody what's going to be happening at the embassy over the next 8 weeks.
-we had a chic come last week as a guest of an emc-er. she then came to the 80's party Saturday which by the way was great fun. Loved the mullet and ACDC shirt on Rich it reminded me of 3/4's of the guys in my home town during the 80's. anyhoo, this lady shows up Sunday with her fiance'. I love this...after church I met him as he is nervously apologizing about his rock t-shirt and tattooed arms. He said if he knew he was coming to church he would have worn long sleeves. I told him, "two things, first I like tattoos and you don't have to worry about covering them up we have a lot of people with tats and we want you to come as you are. second I said laughing, "now explain to me what you meant by, if I knew I was coming to church I would have worn long sleeves." It's not like you accidentally end up at church.
He proceeded to tell me how his fiance' told him on Sunday, "let's go for a walk" so walk they did when they got to the theater she said let's go in." and they did that too. He then experienced the environment that I am always saying the emc-ers create with acceptance and dedication to making people feel valued by God and us. Well, the rest is history. The dude loved it and is planning on coming back, hopefully he'll come just as he is. I love to see people who bring people who bring people. Too Cool.
-one of our college age guys got a mohawk...holy pointy hair batman. actually it looked quite nice.
-Todd hooked me up with his ipod transmitter because his new car has one built in. Can't beat free swag. Thanks
-My oldest daughter Adalee actually beat me at a game for real. That's the first time one of my kids beat me when I was actually trying to win. No more air hockey for her. I'm only going tp play against grant from now on.
-I was beat from the weekend. Saturday I taught 2 one hour sessions on church planting to around 20 future church planters in Griffin, GA then attended the rest of the days workshops. got home just in time to get to the 80's party and didn't get to sleep until late. Went to lunch with some emc-ers and then I crashed Sunday afternoon taking a four hour nap. You got to love church planting.