Woodstock Easter Egg Drop

We have just finalized everything on what should be one of the greatest events we have ever been a part of. On March 22nd at Hobgood Park we will drop thousands of Easter eggs from a helicopter. The helicopter will deliver both eggs and the Easter Bunny to the park. Your kids are going to go nuts!

We will be getting out all the information over the next few days:

The event will be at Hobgood Park from 10am-12pm. Registration begins at 10am. The Egg drop will be at 10:30. There will be games, prizes, face painting, and free photos taken with the Easter Bunny.

Start telling all your friends. Plan on volunteering on the 22nd as we host Woodstock's Largest Easter Egg Drop!

More thoughts on Sunday 2-24-08

-The team at emc is the best around. It blows my mind that we have nearly 100 teens and adults that serve one or more times a month. That's insane.

-Our finances over the past four weeks have been up 25% and today we actually were up 120%. Thanks for your faithfulness in giving. I don't ever want to be a church where it's all about the money, but frankly you sure can do a lot more... with a lot more!
I really do believe that the door of God's blessing for you and our church will swing on the hinges of our faithfulness in giving. With this increase begin to anticipate great things from God over the next few months.

-I was loving the band today. Jared I am so proud of you and your team. Thank you for your faithfulness. Everyone this week let's bombard Jared's e-mail with appreciation for what he does at emc. jared@embassymetro.org


Two firsts today:

-We had record attendance at the embassy today (our highest attendance for a regular service, and this is on the backside of a vacation week for Cherokee Schools)

-Someone actually had to ask our head usher, "Could you please find me four seats for my family that are together." Dang that's cool. Not sure, but we may need to do double services for Easter! We'll let you know!

-Everybody at emc...get ready we are going to have a blast as we try and keep up with what God is going to do at emc this year. Don't forget this will be an "EPIC 08"

-If you are not a part of emc then you need to come check it out ASAP...see ya soon!

Incredible Day at the Embassy

It is amazing when you sense God's leading, act upon it, and then see Him accomplish what He was trying to do through you. This weekend we at emc experienced the reality of that.

Today at emc we looked at stories of what God has done in the lives of specific people because of the efforts of the team at emc. I then shared about the converse of what these people may have experienced if we hadn't created the unique community that is the embassy.

I shared how the converse isn't that they would have to go to a "boring church". EMC wasn't established just so we could wear jeans, rock out , and have cool lights. You can get all that at a bar, and actually have sincere friends more than most of you ever found at a church. The converse of not establishing emc is that many of these would go to hell if they died. Others would have succumbed to their addictions. Many would have repeated the patterns of their families only to destroy future generations.

I then challenged our body to "imagine" if they really believed this...how should that change their lives.

God has created a unique community of faith in Woodstock, GA that is beginning to make a huge impact. It is time for us to rise up and "swing hard" and see what God can do if we will give him an opportunity (II Kings 4:1-7)

The next few weeks will be holy, sacred, full of intensity, passion, and anticipation. We have never challenged our people to go large in the area of giving. As you sensed today God is up to something amazing. It's time to pray hard, dig deep, and do something audacious for God. Make plans to present your sacrificial gift on Palm Sunday.

I am believing that together we will be blown away by what we can gather for God's use. I am praying for you to have courage, and faith to give a crazy offering to the Lord. Let's just see what we are made of, and then let's watch as God shows us what He can do!!!

"A Historic EMC Experience"

Tomorrow will be an amazing and historic day at emc. I can't wait to speak about what God has been showing me. Just expect me to be worked up...cause I plan on bringin' it.

We have called everyone in our database. Sent e-newsletters out. We have told everyone, you don't want to miss church tomorrow for nothing. If you are on vacation...get back early. If you are going out of town...wait until church is over. If you are in the hospital...wheel yourself and drag your IV stand. Just get there!

Pray for tomorrow's service. Come expecting to never be the same again.

Lead Healthy...The D-Fat Challenge

The past few months I have been really working hard at getting in shape. I have actually dropped 30 pounds and 12% body fat since November. The only thing is the past few weeks my motivation has slowed way down. Not sure why, but that all changed yesterday.

So what is that has me ready to run back into my fat burning plastic jogging suit faster than Christie Alley to a buffet. I will tell you...it's a friendly wager amongst some of the wildest church planters in the nation.

At the Evolve conference Shawn Lovejoy spoke about being a healthy leader. Well that pretty much made most of us feel like crap. J.R. took it upon himself to lay out a field of competition. Here's the deal 10 teams of 2 pastors. Each team throws in $100. Whichever team on May 1st has lost the highest combined percentage of weight loss is the winner and pockets $1000. Right there my mom just freaked out..."Oh honey ain't that gambling...WWJD" Well mom Jesus wasn't fat... and the son of God didn't need any motivation. I do and one large works for me.

I like how J.R. put it "No we’re not gambling - it’s an investment in preventative health care and WINNER TAKES ALL"

Keep checkin in. To all the emc-ers stay on me and Jared as we bring home the gold..er I mean green. Oh and we aren't bringing it home Jared and I are going to spend every dime on useless crap :)

So far there are four teams: Team Embassy, Team Freedom, Team Revolution, Team Reveal

Evolve Conference

At the beginning of the week I went to a church planters gathering in Cumming at Mountain Lake Church where Shawn Lovejoy is lead pastor. The conference was probably the best I have ever been to. It certainly was the most timely and meaningful.

God has been stirring my heart for weeks concerning personal growth, passion, and the future of emc. These two days threw some serious fire on the mix in my heart right now.

Bil Cornelius' sermon challenging us to swing hard has deeply affected me.

I am so not one that goes to a conference, gets jacked up,and then comes home trying trying to be everything I am not. So often conferences and speakers put things out there like..."here's what we did, you go and do it, and then you will get the same results."

People leave events and try doing everything God told someone else to do. This never works and only serves to make pastors poor copies of the originals. What's worse than being a poor copy is never becoming the original that God made you in the first place. Evolve was great because it stirred everyone to get past the cookie cutter crap, get to God, and get to doing everything He is called you to do without holding back anything.

Myself and EMC will never be the same because of these two days.

Sunday Remix 2-17-08

-Enjoyed teaching "The Power of Love" with my wife today. We leaned heavily on Gary Chapman's Five Love Language. I have loved seeing my wife develop as a speaker.

-We had over 40 people less this Sunday than last Sunday. Cherokee County Schools are out and we have a bunch of families on vacation. We also had a ton of people sick. Looking forward to next Sunday and having everybody back.

-With so many gone I was impressed at how well set up/tear down went.

-We had a sweet older lady visit the embassy today. When service was over she came up to me and handed me a crumpled up one dollar bill. She said, "now honey this is for you." She then pulled out another one and said, "this one is for your wife". She asked how many children do you have as she pulled more dollars out. So I told her I had 47 children. I figured the Wiseman family's going to Longhorn's. Ha ha. No really she handed me three more singles one for each of my children. How sweet. This lady is now my new favorite of all time.

Sunday Remix 2-10-08

-I was sicker than a dog, but we had a great day at the embassy.

-I had a blast preaching today even if I sounded like a cross between Barry White and Don Corleone.

-We finished a great series today. I look forward to you having an "Epic" year.

-Our crew was rockin' today. I love the team work that I see at emc. You all are doing an amazing job!

-We had another church planter visiting today. It's always great having people in the service checking things out.

-Had a pastor at emc today that I knew in Ohio. Tim Davis and his wife have moved to Duluth. What a surprise to see them.

-Chuck did a great job telling his story about God making him a different man. Proud of ya bro.

If you Pray....Pray

I am sicker than a dog y'all. My head is killing me and I'm all stuffed up. I can't wait to teach tomorrow though. I might sound a little like the God father, but I am ready to bring it. This week has been crazy and I think it's because tomorrow is going to rock. Don't miss the emc experience tomorrow. We will conclude our epic series with a teaching that relates to all of us.

Listen, if I am draggin' my sick sorry hide there tomorrow then you can too. Ha! Ha!

See ya then!

In the Trenches

This has been a week heavy with people needs. Every day this week we have been in the trenches. Often people don't realize the stuff others are going through. I love it that God is there for us at our worst moments. I also loved that as a pastor I get to be a part of people's victories and their struggles. At times life is a fight and we can't be afraid of getting in the trenches.

I heard something from someone that kind of troubled me. They said they loved their church because as soon as you walk in everyone is smiling and always happy. I guess that's great and all, but frankly how many times did you not feel so smiley and happy. Is being smiley and happy all the time the ultimate mark of a "successful" believer.

The folks I spent time with this week would probably not come to church this Sunday if they felt they had to put on a show. Frankly at times life is war and war is hell. I hope emc is always a friendly and joyful place, but on the other side when a person is feeling like crap, lost, bound, defeated, or etc... they will realize that they are not the only ones. There is hope for those who feel like they are going through the war. And there are people willing to be in the trenches with you.

This Sunday if you are facing a lot of stuff be at the Embassy. I can't wait to teach the final sermon in our Epic series.

I Love Church Planters

Yesterday I spent the better part of the afternoon with this guy. Mark is preparing to plant a church in Flowery Branch.

There are two things common to all successful church planters...hunger and purpose. I love that most guys I meet with realize that they have heard from God, but that is where it begins, not where it ends.

Successful church planters are tuned in to God's will for their lives and their city's needs. They also are willing to go to school on everybody else. I think we need a healthy balance of hearing from God and picking the brain of others.

Mark for the past year has been mentored by Pastor Johnny Hunt. That just goes to show the spirit of church planters. Mentored by one of the greatest pastors in America, but still wanting to spend the afternoon with a guy a couple years into this thing.

We need to always be looking for others ahead of us. This way we can learn from both their mistakes and their successes. It was great sharing with Mark a little of both. My prayers are with you Mark. Go tear Flowery Branch up with the message of Christ!

Safe Haven Project

This Saturday we begin the Safe Have Project. Safe Haven is a children's home in Woodstock. They are connected with the Atlanta Dream Center. We will be adding 2 bedrooms, hall, rec area, and some closets. Our first two work days are this Saturday and the 23rd; 9:00am-3pm.

Bring 'em if you gott'em: Basic hand tools: hammer, tape measure, tool belt, pencil, speed square, level, skill saw. Optional- frame nailer with guns, compressor, and hose.

Can't wait to hang out with some fellow emc-ers. Oh....you may have a friend that isn't into the whole church thing, but would love to help. Bring them. A buddy of mine is planning on helping during this project. A lot of good people have written off church, but they haven't written off being good. What a way for them to be around some of the real-est (is that a word?) Christ followers I have ever known.

See you Saturday!

Another Tragedy Back Home

Some friends of ours in Ohio lost their son yesterday in a single card accident. We have known the family since Isaiah(18) was Grant's age. Our hearts and prayers go out to Larry & Johnna. Also to Isaiah's little brothers Andrew & Joshua.

Sunday Remix 2-3-08

I have been slack on blogging lately, but here are some thoughts from yesterday.

-We have added a bunch of new emc-ers in all areas of ministry at the embassy. It is good to see so many getting involved at emc.

-We had church planters with us again yesterday. It is always good to hear what planters have to say after visiting emc. These guys are planting a church in Savannah that might be strategically working with Northpoint Church.

-I laid it out heavy this Sunday. We looked at our third week in the Epic 08 series. This week we challenged people to live to "inspire others". People who have offered great sacrifice for Christ have always been inspirational to me. We weaved stories of martyrs who laid their lives down for their faith. I challenged us to not die, but to live for our faith. We realize that we are not our own, but we should live to inspire others.

-I told one story of a girl that was part of the 38th Street gang in LA. When she came to Christ, the gang members beat her out of the gang for 38 seconds. A 17 year old that passionate about God...that's what I'm talking about.

-My trainer goes to emc and this morning she had me do a core exercise called a plank. When she told me how long to hold this posture she said "38 seconds" She told me if a 17 yearl old girl could do that for Christ, at least I could hold on that long. OOOO the guilt, but it worked. There was no way I was dropping. By the Way, I am closing in on 35 lbs of weight loss.