Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Change the World - WATER

As we enter the Christmas season, we are challenging each other at STORYCHURCH to CHANGE THE WORLD this year. This year our goal is to raise $15,000 in a special offering on December 18 that will go to three different initiatives. This week we focus on clean water.

In December of 2010, STORYCHURCH members gave enough money to fund the drilling of a fresh water well somewhere else in the world. In August of 2011, that well was finally drilled in partnership with Living Water International.

We literally CHANGED THE WORLD. And we plan to do it again.

Monday, November 14, 2011

Thoughts for the Superheroes of STORYCHURCH

Hey STORYCHURCH, I'm thinking about you this morning. Yesterday we wrapped up our series AKA and I think it was one of my top 5 favorite days as a church. Here's why:

  1. The Fun Factor - seriously we had a lot of fun. From getting a group of people on stage staring at the sky for 10 minutes while I taught, to some staged crowd-sourced announcements, to superhero cutouts and free t-shirts. We had a good time didn't we?
  2. Worship - Holy smokes. The band just about rocked my face off and the spirit of worship and celebration among you all was incredible. I love to watch us growing in our expression and participation in worship. The new song we sang at the end is called "Great I Am" and you can buy it HERE or watch the video HERE.
  3. Stories - I talked to two people specifically yesterday that told me amazing stories. One of those stories is from a person who is beginning to embrace the story she was meant to live. She has been attending for months, but more as a cautious observer. But Jesus is changing her to the point that while she still isn't totally sure where she stands - she can't help but talk about it with others, share what she is learning, and invite neighbors to experience what she is experiencing. WOW. (Which reminds me, if you have a story to share of how God is changing you through STORYCHURCH - share it HERE.)
  4. Creativity - I am so proud of our AKA series. I think it's one of the best things we've ever done. And you know why? Because someone (Josh Grossmann, to be exact) used their gifts and talents to make it incredible. Here's what we all need to learn from that: STORYCHURCH IS SO MUCH BETTER WHEN YOU AND I USE THE GIFTS GOD HAS GIVEN US. Seriously if you aren't serving yet, please make your way through the Growth Track and get plugged in. If you enjoyed this series, if it touched your life in any way - it's because Josh poured his heart, soul, time and talents into it. And YOU can have that kind of impact on someone else too.
  5. Generosity - Together we gathered dozens and dozens of shoeboxes full of goodies for kids all over the world this Christmas in partnership with Operation Christmas Child. You guys never disappoint here. Thanks for being a giving church. AND, our kids ministry decorated the boxes and made cards for them - HOW COOL IS THAT?
I'm so thankful for you all and that I get to pastor my favorite church in the world. We're just getting started!!

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

My most recent favorite moments as a dad

In no particular order, here is why being a dad has been awesome lately.

  1. Watching Hannah play soccer - seriously, so much fun. After five or six scoreless seasons in which she wondered if she would EVER score a goal - she now has 17 on the year. This week they beat an undefeated team 4-1 and Hannah scored all four goals. PROUD DAD.
  2. Wrestling - my kids new favorite pastime and mine too. A week or so ago I had one of the fullest, busiest, tiring days I've had in a long time. When we got home the kids and I had an epic wrestling match for the ages. Just when I didn't think I had any energy left, they managed to find a few more drops to squeeze out of me. Loved it.
  3. Praying for Joy - My daughter Joy had eye surgery last week. It was scary and stressful, but I loved gathering the family around before the surgery and laying hands on her to pray for her. I love to see my kids pray for each other and for all of us to learn that kind of dependence on God. (And she is doing great by the way)
  4. Popsicles - Hannah's teacher told us a story last week. It seems that she dropped the class off at P.E. with the understanding that another teacher would take the kids from P.E. to their next activity. Before she left she told Hannah "You're in charge." I'm sure she was kidding. But when the other teacher never showed, Hannah took charge. She lined up her class and led them by herself to the next thing. When she arrived with a perfectly behaved class and no teacher it earned them all popsicles. She'll be running that school soon.

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