tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8470939550478857822024-03-21T10:11:54.019-07:00Jeremy CopelandJeremy Copelandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12804927324080419862noreply@blogger.comBlogger228125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847093955047885782.post-41932284831386424962012-08-23T11:49:00.003-07:002012-08-23T11:51:42.662-07:00I've moved!Hey thanks for stopping by! This was the primary place that I was blogging, but now I've moved my blog over to <a href="http://www.jeremycopeland.com./">www.jeremycopeland.com.</a><br />
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Hope to see you over there!Jeremy Copelandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12804927324080419862noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847093955047885782.post-46396809584165030592012-05-15T14:01:00.000-07:002012-05-15T14:01:37.483-07:007 things I'm learning right nowThis is simply a collection of random things I'm learning right now:<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>Following Jesus is messy. Those that see the world in black and white, clearly right and clearly wrong choices aren't living in my world. I'm not saying that there aren't right and wrong choices, I just don't think they are always that clear.</li>
<li>I just finished a book by N.T. Wright called "Simply Jesus." I wouldn't recommend it for easy reading - it was heavy and often difficult. But it was rich and deep. Here's a short summary of the book: Jesus is awesome. He's the King who has initiated a kingdom where things on earth are becoming "as it is in heaven." </li>
<li>I spent parts of last week with a pretty controversial leader in church circles. Guess what? No one outside of the church cares how controversial he is. No one outside of the church bubble is debating what he says or writes. They are learning to love Jesus because of this person's winsome and loving approach. It brings to mind what I heard Andy Stanley say one time - "We can make a point, or we can make a difference." </li>
<li>At that same gathering I was reminded of God's love for me simply because I am His child - not because of anything I do. Crazy unbelievable love.</li>
<li>Sin is painful. It's painful to watch those who have to live with the consequences of their choices. It's painful to watch the ripples carry through to family and friends and just about every area of life.</li>
<li>Friendship is really valuable. I spent a few days with some friends in CA last week and they restored my soul. So did In-N-Out and lots of mexican food.</li>
<li>Marriage is the greatest gift of God outside of forgiveness. My marriage is more important than my relationship with my kids and more important than ministry. If the only significant thing I do in my life is to have a healthy marriage I will consider myself wildly successful. </li>
</ol>
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What is one thing you are learning right now? Join the conversation.</div>Jeremy Copelandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12804927324080419862noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847093955047885782.post-58448653132691428452012-04-06T15:16:00.003-07:002012-04-06T15:30:45.359-07:00A few reminders for STORYCHURCH<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-weight: normal; ">This is a big weekend for all of us who follow Jesus. And for </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; "><b>STORY</b></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-weight: normal; ">CHURCH, it's one of the biggest weekends in our short history. Here are a few things to remember going into the weekend for </span><b style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; ">STORY</b><span ><span style="font-size: 100%;">CHURCH.</span></span><div><ul><li><span ><b>Keep inviting.</b> They say that most people will say yes if you simply invite them. Let's pack out the Carolina Theatre!</span></li><li><span >Speaking of the <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Carolina+Theatre,+West+Morgan+Street,+Durham,+NC&hl=en&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=40.188298,79.013672&oq=carolina+theatre&hq=Carolina+Theatre,+West+Morgan+Street,+Durham,+NC&t=m&z=15">Carolina Theatre</a> - we're meeting there! Don't show up at Spring Valley Elementary or you will be lonely!</span></li><li><span >Plan on joining us tomorrow (Saturday) at the <a href="http://www.durhameaster.com">Durham Easter</a> event downtown from 2-4pm. Your kids will love it! </span></li><li><span >On Sunday, please <b>arrive early</b>. We want to make sure we are ready to receive our guests so help us out by getting there early and getting your kids checked in.</span></li><li><span >Parking will be at the YMCA across the street from the Carolina Theatre. </span></li><li><span >It's not too late to volunteer to help us out as a greeter! Just show up early (at least 30 minutes) and we'll get you in place.</span></li><li><span >Get those last eggs out for <a href="http://www.eggdurham.com">EggDurham</a>!!</span></li><li><span >Finally, continue being the generous church we have become by <a href="http://eggdurham.com/#donate">giving</a> whatever you can to help the Durham Literacy Center through EggDurham.</span></li></ul><div><span >I can't wait to celebrate the resurrection with you. Let's celebrate like never before!</span></div></div>Jeremy Copelandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12804927324080419862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847093955047885782.post-53819167125760090502012-04-02T12:54:00.004-07:002012-04-02T13:37:25.780-07:002 Thoughts from yesterday<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-weight: normal; ">Yesterday at </span><b style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; ">STORY</b><span ><span style="font-size: 100%;">CHURCH we talked about a story from <a href="http://bible.us/luke8.40-48.tniv">Luke 8:40-48</a>. It's a story about how Jesus healed a woman who had been bleeding for 12 years. For 12 years she had been ceremonially unclean, which meant pretty much no human contact for the entire time. Can you imagine that? </span></span><div><span ><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span ><span style="font-size: 100%;">I thought that maybe it was worth repeating here, so here are the highlights:</span></span><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; "><b>In a crowd of many, Jesus notices the one.</b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; "><b><br /></b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; "><b>1. Jesus notices the one because He isn't in a hurry.</b></div><div><ul><li><span >The fact is that even while on his way to an emergency healing of someone else, Jesus has time for the woman in Luke 8. One of the things we pointed out yesterday was how often we may completely miss an opportunity that God has put in front of us to notice someone on the fringes. And many times, it's simply because we're too busy or in too much of a hurry to do something else.</span></li></ul><div><span ><b>2. Jesus notices the one because He is sensitive to those who reach out in desperate faith. </b></span></div></div><div><ul><li><span >While the crowd was pushing in on him to the point that Luke tells us it almost crushed him, Jesus asks "who touched me?" Lots of people were touching Him, and yet He noticed the touch of the woman who needed Him most. I wonder if we sometimes miss what is right in front of us because we just aren't sensitive to someone's desperate reach. What about when someone asks you about your church, or that <b>STORY</b>CHURCH bumper sticker on your car? What about when your coworker suddenly goes to another level with you by sharing about a personal struggle? What if we began to see the question beneath the question? What if we were alert to those who were hurting and looking for answers? How would that change our interactions with people?</span></li></ul><div><span ><b>3. Jesus notices the one because He values her story.</b></span></div></div><div><ul><li><span >We've all got a story. Yours may be exciting, or maybe it's boring. But it's your story. And if you've been transformed by Jesus then you need to tell that story. For this woman that Jesus healed, she had been relegated to the fringes of society for 12 years. And here in this moment, Jesus puts all the attention of the crowd on her so that she has an opportunity to tell her story. Do we value the people around us as stories of restoration and forgiveness? Do we long to see and hear those stories played out? What about your story? Are you happy to just hide in the crowd or will you allow Jesus to give your story a voice? Maybe your story is exactly what someone else needs to hear today.</span></li></ul><div><span ><br /></span></div></div><div><span >In the end, I felt like God was challenging us with two specific action steps this week.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >First, we committed to <b>notice the one</b> this week. To slow down enough to notice those who are hurting, and to be sensitive to the question beneath the question. </span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >Secondly, we committed to <b>share our story</b> at least one time this week. For those who go to <b>STORY</b>CHURCH, we're willing to help give your story a voice. On our <a href="http://www.storychurch.org">website</a> we would encourage you to click the link that says "Share My Story". If you'll do that there, then we will help to spread your story and maybe connect it with those who need to hear it most. </span></div></div>Jeremy Copelandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12804927324080419862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847093955047885782.post-21595150870261429752012-02-20T12:19:00.004-08:002012-02-20T12:38:33.528-08:00Manager<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidsP1NMso6OBRmBlRZEK_5i1wHSVc-QkyYQXH3yWpSw0pFeGXogQf6LQ4fu-mUzQyapjfExkJqwsV-IyCQPsvQTlg4OL_kofv5HBzxVbAZwVDewJqENsvgee5LH0PmSYdCe1UyAKUAnns/s1600/ozzie.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidsP1NMso6OBRmBlRZEK_5i1wHSVc-QkyYQXH3yWpSw0pFeGXogQf6LQ4fu-mUzQyapjfExkJqwsV-IyCQPsvQTlg4OL_kofv5HBzxVbAZwVDewJqENsvgee5LH0PmSYdCe1UyAKUAnns/s320/ozzie.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711319526688118162" /></a><br />Last week I had the opportunity to take a behind the scenes tour of the Baltimore Ravens training facility. We saw everything from the locker room to the weight room, from the the classrooms to the indoor practice facility. It was incredible. One of the highlights was getting to hear General Manager Ozzie Newsome share a bit about leadership.<div style="font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">One thing that stood out to me was his sense of accountability to the owner. He said that he was getting ready to have his annual meeting with the owner - something he called "a trip to the principal's office." Even someone as high up in an organization as Mr. Newsome still has to be accountable.</div><div style="font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div>And that got me thinking. This week at <a href="http://www.storychurch.org/"><b>STORY</b>CHURCH</a> we began a new series called "Treasure." My message this week was about how the biblical view of money and possessions is that we are <b>MANAGERS not OWNERS</b>. Everything under the heavens belongs to God. My car is actually God's car. My lumpy couch is actually God's lumpy couch. My role? I'm the manager. In fact, I like to think of myself as the "General Manager of the Copeland franchise." It's my job to spend the money, to take care of those who rely on me, to make sure my family is staying focused on what we are trying to accomplish as a family. But at the end of the day I'm just a manager. God is the owner. And I'm accountable to Him for what I do with what He's given me.</div><div style="font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">Jesus teaches us about this in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew%2025:14-30&version=NIV">Matthew 25:14-30</a>. Three servants get entrusted with their Master's wealth. The Master goes away for a bit and eventually returns to settle accounts with his servants. He wants to know what they did with what He had given them. Two of the servants put those resources to work and actually earned more. One of them did nothing with it and actually buried it in the ground. The first two get rewarded with even greater things, while that third servant has everything taken from him because he proved that he wasn't a very good manager.</div><div style="font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">I don't know about you, but I want to be someone the Master can entrust with even greater things. </div>Jeremy Copelandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12804927324080419862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847093955047885782.post-65524743609882067662012-02-01T12:06:00.001-08:002012-02-01T12:09:50.507-08:00Tools<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0LQrFaUN5zKb4HRSRfTPmWpkrFYFCM3zniiWJPy-0fqaYYIswLwQonc2w4f5DBXac1nWjaBYwy5gh1FyGJId_jiNu8dz93MouAHKhf74gpMfbzZsKHZQbK0HH6C_CpsyYijWzQQ-0XsA/s1600/evernote.png"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0LQrFaUN5zKb4HRSRfTPmWpkrFYFCM3zniiWJPy-0fqaYYIswLwQonc2w4f5DBXac1nWjaBYwy5gh1FyGJId_jiNu8dz93MouAHKhf74gpMfbzZsKHZQbK0HH6C_CpsyYijWzQQ-0XsA/s320/evernote.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704261126543827218" /></a><br />I love reading from other people what helps them be more efficient and more productive. Here's a couple of things that are helping me lately:<div><br /></div><div><b><a href="http://www.evernote.com/">Evernote.</a></b></div><div>Seriously it is unbelievable. It's the only such tool that I actually pay for the premium service (though the free version is absolutely enough for most people).<div><br />In case you don't know, Evernote is basically a place to store anything and everything you need to remember. You use "tags" to organize things. Everything in it is searchable, including photos!<br /><br />I currently forward every email that I want to keep to my evernote (every evernote user has a unique email address they can forward things to and it goes straight into their evernote account). I have also set up my printer/scanner so that I can scan every important document or receipt or photo or magazine article straight into Evernote - and then I THROW IT AWAY! Seriously. No more paper files.</div><div><br /></div><div>I also have an evernote extension on my web browser so that every time I see something cool online - a blog post, a picture, an idea of any kind - I simply click the evernote button and it is now forever in my evernote account. No more bookmarking everything, no more trying to remember where I saw that post before.<br /><br />The ipad and iphone apps are amazing and everything is synced instantly so it's all available no matter when or where I need it.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id302584613?mt=8">Kindle app.</a></b></div><div>So I'm one of those guys who loves the physical book. I love to feel it in my hands, I love to write on its pages and I love to be able to see my progress through a book. So going to an e-reader has been something I've really hesitated to do. But in a very short time I'm beginning to see the HUGE benefits to reading on my ipad.<br /><br />First, if I continue to go this route - my entire book collection will eventually be with me at all times. Pretty cool. AND it will be searchable. Ever try and find that one quote from Andy Stanley but you aren't sure which chapter, or maybe not even sure which book it was in? Problem solved.<br /><br />Second, the notes. So this is taking some time to adjust to - but I still have the option of highlighting and making notes on everything I read. Typing in my thoughts, using a stylus to highlight - these are new things I have to still get used to. But the benefit is this - everyone who has a kindle account (free through amazon.com) has a dedicated kindle page with all the books you've read and everything you've highlighted and every note you've made. Not only are those notes and highlights searchable on the ipad or kindle, but they are also searchable online. AND HERE'S THE KICKER - since they are on a webpage, I can "clip" them (an Evernote extension) and send them to my Evernote account. Which means, all of my notes for a particular book, and every highlighted paragraph or line is now right there in my Evernote account with a dedicated note for that book. And yes, it's searchable.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><b><a href="http://www.ifttt.com/">IFTTT.com</a></b></div><div>I've just recently started using this site, but if you use social media or blog or anything like that then this page is brilliant. It is basically a tool to help you organize your online presence. Through it you can create rules for everything you do online. IFTTT stands for "If this, then that". For example, I have a rule setup to where everytime I post a picture to my Instagram account, it adds that picture to a photo album on my Facebook account. I set it up once, and never have to worry about it again. You can set up rules for twitter, for your blog, for Facebook, or for any other account you use. It's amazing.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, that's a few things I'm using right now that are making my life more manageable. What tools are you using and how are you using them?</div>Jeremy Copelandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12804927324080419862noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847093955047885782.post-15780687125766657582012-01-30T08:38:00.000-08:002012-01-30T09:06:51.861-08:005 of my favorite things about yesterday at STORYCHURCH<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/RWEWK3AQTK8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><div>Yesterday was another incredible day at <b>STORY</b>CHURCH. I believe we are experiencing some of the greatest days we have ever had as a church right now. Here again is a few reasons why I believe that:<div><ol><li>Our Fight For Your Heart series is blowing my mind. We are seeing unbelievable breakthroughs for people as we confront some of the most dangerous attitudes of our hearts.</li><li>Andrew Cron made his singing debut for us yesterday. (Yeah, that made the top 3.) Oh, and you can buy the song he sang <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ill-With-Want/dp/B002PNUCS0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dmusic&qid=1327942414&sr=1-1">HERE</a> and watch it above.</li><li><b>STORY</b>KIDS is making giant leaps forward every single Sunday. It is one of the BEST things going for us right now. New check-in, new classrooms, new bright colorful classes, new signs, new technology that has brought in new energy and excitement. The WOW factor has gone WAY UP. (PARENTS - did you know you can follow <b>STORY</b>KIDS on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/storychurchkids">twitter</a>? Now you do.)</li><li>We had 15 people at CHAPTER FOUR: DREAM TEAM yesterday learning how they can be used by God in our church community!! YES!! (By the way, don't miss CHAPTER ONE: CHURCH this Sunday.) To find out more about the GROWTH TRACK - go <a href="http://www.storychurch.org/growthtrack">HERE</a>.</li><li>Saw this on Facebook from a <b>STORY</b>CHURCH mom this week: "[My son said] I don't wanna go to dr., I want to go to church." - LOVE THAT!! </li></ol><div>If you go to <b>STORY</b>CHURCH, tell me what excites you about what is going on right now. I'd love to hear from you.</div><div><br /></div></div></div>Jeremy Copelandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12804927324080419862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847093955047885782.post-10670134488732443922012-01-23T09:32:00.001-08:002012-01-23T10:03:11.932-08:007 Reasons yesterday was awesome<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyHuuCldE_2jALlGA9qBmnEfuMj0OWUE9ePEaEiwlZfu9lssYP47Db064L015XQwOta2Fb1KnKkYE-Nf9xfWfJmxIyw4T_HU4U5W14Z7TcSVKZPiWEXXWvtVCgw-smmPeERm2AGLyFhNs/s1600/IMG_1169.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 273px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyHuuCldE_2jALlGA9qBmnEfuMj0OWUE9ePEaEiwlZfu9lssYP47Db064L015XQwOta2Fb1KnKkYE-Nf9xfWfJmxIyw4T_HU4U5W14Z7TcSVKZPiWEXXWvtVCgw-smmPeERm2AGLyFhNs/s320/IMG_1169.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700888515548815394" /></a><span style="text-align: right; ">Yesterday was one of the best days we've ever had as a church. Here's why:</span><br /><div><div><div><ol><li>People were set free. Many of us <b>CANCELED THE DEBT</b> of someone who hurt us. And in doing so, we not only set them free but ourselves as well. Anger no longer holds the power over us that it did.</li><li>Our first ever <b>CONNECTION GROUP FAIR! -><br /></b>This spring <a href="http://www.storychurch.org/"><b>STORY</b>CHURCH</a> launches 9 different connection groups. Yesterday was your first opportunity to see each one, to learn about their groups and to get plugged in. If you didn't get to sign up, you can go <b><a href="http://www.storychurch.org/connect/">HERE</a></b> now.</li><li>We played Angry Birds. I'm not talking about that guy who plays on his cell phone all service long - we played it from the stage. That was pretty fun.</li><li>The worship team was outstanding. We have seriously one of the greatest teams on the planet and we are so blessed to have them lead us every week.</li><li><b>STORY</b>KIDS continues to be more and more exciting. I am <b>SO IMPRESSED</b> with our leaders, the work they put in, and the quality of ministry they put forward each week.</li><li>Speaking of our kids ministry - we added two new staff people yesterday to our kids ministry. Shawn and Annie are <b>HEROES!</b> </li><li>Our <b>DREAM TEAM</b> knocked it out of the park yesterday. I saw people switching roles to cover for others who were sick, greeters standing out in the freezing cold (because the 1>99!), people creatively solving problems and finding new and better ways to do what we do, and never settling for "good enough." </li></ol><div><b>I LOVE MY CHURCH! </b></div></div><div><br /></div><div>What was your favorite part of yesterday? </div></div></div>Jeremy Copelandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12804927324080419862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847093955047885782.post-77287254017616139932012-01-10T17:39:00.001-08:002012-01-10T17:57:45.624-08:00Fight for Your Heart<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8R9ykQhs-tpV2UOGsh8-9-TzcpEJ8fgWIUY2H1YNNbSxFTv0koCsLe_8lGACDABMfLwkh3lAPVJ7nT1M24Xl1SrChiabAsVWXF4oB15MHUFWu0ogXvbvC2F5Mor6kRqlm9qMo8z3_3dE/s1600/HeartFINALBanner01.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 183px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8R9ykQhs-tpV2UOGsh8-9-TzcpEJ8fgWIUY2H1YNNbSxFTv0koCsLe_8lGACDABMfLwkh3lAPVJ7nT1M24Xl1SrChiabAsVWXF4oB15MHUFWu0ogXvbvC2F5Mor6kRqlm9qMo8z3_3dE/s320/HeartFINALBanner01.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696186247149998834" /></a><br />It's time for a check up. Your spiritual health depends on you having a healthy heart.<br /><div><br /></div><div>Guilt. Anger. Greed. Jealousy. </div><div><br /></div><div>These four things represent spiritual heart disease.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you've ever found yourself lashing out and wondering "Where did that come from?" or you find yourself secretly celebrating a coworker's failure, or maybe you constantly try and make up for something you did long ago - you've probably got a heart issue. And it won't be long before it affects every area of your life.</div><div><br /></div><div>Over the next few weeks at <b>STORY</b>CHURCH, we will challenge you to move toward confession, forgiveness, generosity and celebrating other's successes. We will challenge you to fight for your heart.</div><div><br /></div><div>I can't wait to see what God does in your life and in mine. I believe He is going to bring about healing in ways we didn't even think was possible.</div><div><br /></div><div>(If you want to get a head start, I recommend reading Andy Stanley's book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Enemies-Heart-Breaking-Emotions-Control/dp/product-description/1601421451">Enemies of the Heart</a>.)</div>Jeremy Copelandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12804927324080419862noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847093955047885782.post-35227849866241471122011-12-31T08:31:00.000-08:002011-12-31T08:44:12.462-08:002011 BooksThis has become sort of an annual thing for me now. I set a goal for how many books I want to read in a year, and then I keep track.<a href="http://pastorcope.blogspot.com/2010/12/books.html"> In 2010</a> I had a goal of 24 books - 2 per month. I didn't quite reach that goal. So I kept that goal for 2011, and this year I nailed it. Here's what I read in 2011:<div><ol><li>From the top down - Lukaszewski</li><li>The Next Christians - Gabe Lyons</li><li>Storylines - Croft & Pilavachi</li><li>The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People - Covey</li><li>Chuch Smith, a Memoir of Grace - Smith</li><li>Momentum - Hickey</li><li>Getting Things Done - Allen</li><li>The Art of Curating Worship - Pierson</li><li>Love Wins - Bell</li><li>7 Practices of Effective Ministry - Stanley</li><li>Blink - Gladwell</li><li>The Divine Mentor - Cordeiro</li><li>The Principle of the Path - Stanley</li><li>The Attractional Church - Hornsby</li><li>Soulprint - Batterson</li><li>The E-Myth Revisited - Gerber</li><li>The Making of a Leader - Clinton</li><li>Strong Fathers Strong Daughters - Meeker</li><li>Lasting Impressions - Waltz</li><li>Enemies of the Heart - Stanley</li><li>Rework - Fried and Hansson</li><li>EntreLeadership - Ramsey</li><li>Taking your Church to the Next Level - McIntosh</li><li>The Thank You Economy - Vaynerchuk</li><li>The Flinch - Julien Smith (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Flinch-ebook/dp/B0062Q7S3S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325349247&sr=8-1">free</a> on the kindle by the way, and a great quick read!)</li></ol><div>Without going into detail on every one, my favorites were probably Strong Fathers Strong Daughters, EntreLeadership, and the Flinch. One thing I noticed is that I didn't read a single novel this year (though I guess I did read a couple of the narnia books to my daughter). So I need a novel or two for next year. I always tend to read things I want / need to learn about, but I need to squeeze in a few more just for enjoyment.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, did you read any of these? What was your favorite read of 2011? What would you recommend make my list for 2012? I've got some work to do - my new goal is 36!</div></div>Jeremy Copelandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12804927324080419862noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847093955047885782.post-42066276016672739712011-12-22T12:20:00.000-08:002011-12-29T15:43:45.177-08:00Why Flashmobs make me cryThere is something beautiful about watching large groups of people do things together. It's absolutely amazing to watch. Think about the organization that goes into something like this, the practice, the hard work, the details. <div><div><br /></div><br /><object style="height: 390px; width: 640px" width="640" height="360"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1aSbKvm_mKA?version=3&feature=player_detailpage"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1aSbKvm_mKA?version=3&feature=player_detailpage" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="640" height="360"></embed></object></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline">Have you ever felt like you were a part of something much bigger than yourself? Ever seen the results of a project that took tons of time and tons of people to pull off? I dream about stuff like this. Not dancing to Black Eyed Peas for Oprah per se, but being a part of something epic, something world changing with a group of other people that seems literally impossible.<div><br /></div><div>Who's with me?</div>Jeremy Copelandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12804927324080419862noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847093955047885782.post-84634776037107195952011-12-15T08:57:00.000-08:002011-12-15T09:26:09.034-08:00Let's Change the WorldAre you ready <b>STORY</b>CHURCH? Today we kicked off our CHANGE THE WORLD campaign by launching <a href="http://www.storychurch.org/changetheworld">a new page</a> on our website. Through it, you can see each of our three major initiatives, videos, and more. While most of us probably won't be giving until Sunday, you can begin giving <b>TODAY</b> online if that's how you decide to give.<br /><br />For this Sunday, I pray that you come prepared to give generously and sacrificially to help us CHANGE THE WORLD. Here's how this will work: If you are a regular giver to <b>STORY</b>CHURCH, we encourage you to continue to give your <b>REGULAR OFFERINGS</b> in the normal way - through our giving box or <a href="http://www.storychurch.org/give">online</a>.<br /><br /><b>WE WILL BE DOING A <i>SEPARATE OFFERING DURING THE SERVICE</i> FOR OUR CHANGE THE WORLD OFFERING.</b><br /><br />There are <b>3 WAYS TO GIVE</b> this Sunday:<br /><br /><ol><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">GIVE CASH in the envelope we provide.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">GIVE BY CHECK made out to <b>STORY</b>CHURCH with CHANGE THE WORLD on the memo line.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">GIVE ELECTRONICALLY with your debit or credit card* on a new ipad giving station we will have set up. </span></li></ol><div><br /></div>I cannot wait to see what God does this weekend! Don't miss it. And while you are at it, invite someone to join you - the Christmas season is one of the most likely times of the year that people will attend church with you. Don't miss the opportunity to invite!<br /><br />See you Sunday - let's <b>CHANGE THE WORLD!!!!</b><br /><br /><br />(*Disclaimer: Please don't go into debt to give. In other words, if you carry a balance on your credit card month to month you are incurring DEBT. If you couldn't pay for it TODAY, then please don't give it.)Jeremy Copelandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12804927324080419862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847093955047885782.post-9001660117700877622011-12-07T06:09:00.001-08:002011-12-07T06:37:25.592-08:00Change the World - KIDS<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl8N2w25fxGpq-_YdMAqH5szwcYltHJSvM01l8rliU8TMefRewtMxuXMpYFBErHoYGBN3FAd_dLGmMPCMpeJyaiQA-r4edDQpR8ihK-29D_1YYaqd0hNBlCITfxtQ3Yo5d53_6KUczKJI/s1600/IMG_4131.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl8N2w25fxGpq-_YdMAqH5szwcYltHJSvM01l8rliU8TMefRewtMxuXMpYFBErHoYGBN3FAd_dLGmMPCMpeJyaiQA-r4edDQpR8ihK-29D_1YYaqd0hNBlCITfxtQ3Yo5d53_6KUczKJI/s320/IMG_4131.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683395059326773026" /></a><br />One of the most amazing things to me about <b>STORY</b>CHURCH is our ministry to kids. On any given week, 35% of our church is under the age of 12! That is a significant number - one that isn't common in church world. We believe that God has uniquely positioned us to reach young families and it is incredibly fun to be a church full of little kids running around. The running joke around our church is that you better be careful about what you eat or drink because people often end up pregnant. In fact, there are currently 7 pregnant women in our church right now (though 1 or 2 could be having babies any day!).<div><br /></div><div>Here's what I believe about kids ministry. I believe our kids aren't simply the future of our church, I believe they are our church right now. Our kids are capable of following Jesus, sharing their faith with their friends, and making a real difference in the world. That's why we don't see <b>STORY</b>KIDS as a babysitting service. They aren't simply watching our kids while we do the real church stuff. They are teaching, training, and releasing world changers. Those kids are learning that God loves them, that we love them and that they have something to offer the world as an active part of the kingdom of Jesus.</div><div><br /></div><div>The second part of our <b>"CHANGE THE WORLD"</b> offering on December 18 is focused on kids. As amazing as our kids ministry is, they have been functioning with old, even broken equipment and outdated technology. Our vision for our kids ministry is to make it one of the funnest, most incredible experiences of a kid's week. Our plan is to update curriculum, technology, check-in procedures, safety, and to really raise the fun and wow factor for our kids. As a parent of three of my own, I want my kids to LOVE their church and to LOOK FORWARD every single week to being there. </div><div><br /></div><div>The beauty of focusing on our kids with part of our <b>CHANGE THE WORLD</b> offering is that we are investing in the next generation. Our generosity now will have a lasting impact for years to come. </div><div><br /></div><div>I hope you will join us for this exciting offering together on December 18. Please pray about how you and your family might give generously to see us make a difference in the lives of others this Christmas.</div>Jeremy Copelandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12804927324080419862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847093955047885782.post-49554975936927064092011-11-29T11:04:00.000-08:002011-11-29T11:17:23.931-08:00Change the World - WATERAs we enter the Christmas season, we are challenging each other at <b>STORY</b>CHURCH 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.<div><div><br /></div><div>In December of 2010, <b>STORY</b>CHURCH 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 <a href="http://www.water.cc/">Living Water International</a>.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>We literally CHANGED THE WORLD. And we plan to do it again. </div><div><br /><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/32849293?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" width="549" height="309" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen="" mozallowfullscreen="" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>Jeremy Copelandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12804927324080419862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847093955047885782.post-78883801881245868652011-11-14T08:19:00.000-08:002011-11-14T08:52:14.327-08:00Thoughts for the Superheroes of STORYCHURCHHey <b>STORY</b>CHURCH, 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:<div><br /></div><div><ol><li><b>The Fun Factor</b> - 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 <a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.949548031114.2350411.14318686&type=1">superhero cutouts</a> and free t-shirts. We had a good time didn't we?</li><li><b>Worship</b> - 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 <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/great-i-am-single/id421468763">HERE</a> or watch the video <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5CWGi82N7k&ob=av2e">HERE</a>.</li><li><b>Stories</b> - 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 <b>STORY</b>CHURCH - share it <a href="http://sharemystory.wordpress.com/">HERE</a>.)</li><li><b>Creativity</b> - 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: <b>STORY</b>CHURCH IS <b>SO MUCH BETTER</b> WHEN YOU AND I USE THE GIFTS GOD HAS GIVEN US. Seriously if you aren't serving yet, please make your way through the <a href="http://www.storychurch.org/growthtrack">Growth Track</a> 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.</li><li><b>Generosity</b> - Together we gathered dozens and dozens of shoeboxes full of goodies for kids all over the world this Christmas in partnership with <a href="http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/">Operation Christmas Child</a>. 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? </li></ol><div>I'm so thankful for you all and that I get to pastor my favorite church in the world. We're just getting started!!</div></div>Jeremy Copelandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12804927324080419862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847093955047885782.post-26489759197179790072011-11-01T09:42:00.000-07:002011-11-01T09:58:08.355-07:00My most recent favorite moments as a dadIn no particular order, here is why being a dad has been awesome lately.<div><br /></div><div><ol><li>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.</li><li>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.</li><li>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)</li><li>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.</li></ol></div>Jeremy Copelandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12804927324080419862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847093955047885782.post-2170620785298407682011-10-24T07:56:00.000-07:002011-10-24T08:47:50.147-07:00The Wrestler: Bonus thoughts on Jacob<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnZU_ycFzwUxE_hNl7y-i2uxnxC2IXGqyL9j98H4-x9HkfT0TS6LFG9VWm2uy8QO9ISPYZfFblB3JE4YXpaeLMuimuqAdQoTVxpXUbGlfOCCsYQlW0SxMa6Bk1R6VPz0wLPWgfGdO3Y8U/s1600/02+-+Jacob+Card+Front.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 232px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnZU_ycFzwUxE_hNl7y-i2uxnxC2IXGqyL9j98H4-x9HkfT0TS6LFG9VWm2uy8QO9ISPYZfFblB3JE4YXpaeLMuimuqAdQoTVxpXUbGlfOCCsYQlW0SxMa6Bk1R6VPz0wLPWgfGdO3Y8U/s320/02+-+Jacob+Card+Front.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667085392196625186" /></a><br />One of my kids' favorite activities is to wrestle with dad. In fact, yesterday after an incredibly long day (in a good way!), my two youngest and I had one of the most epic wrestling matches we've ever had. <div><br /></div><div>As I was thinking about that, I couldn't help but think about Jacob wrestling with God in Genesis 32. It's a weird passage of Scripture. It really is. I mean, who wrestles God? And how in the world does Jacob hang with Him all night long? And then there's verse 25:</div><div><blockquote>When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob's hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man.</blockquote>Whoever this "man" is - we later learn that He is divine. Jacob goes so far as to say that He saw God face to face. So, what does it mean that "the man" (God? an angel?) could not overpower Jacob? And yet, despite the fact that He can't overpower, all it takes is a touch to send Jacob to the chiropractor with a displaced hip. Weird isn't it?</div><div><br /></div><div>But then I got to thinking about wrestling with my kids. My kids and I don't wrestle with the intent of "winning." We aren't trying to pin each other. It's not about overpowering each other. It's about the struggle. They love to struggle with dad. But let's be honest - if I wanted to win, that wrestling match could be over in a second (at least for a few more years!). </div><div><br /></div><div>I don't believe that the man "<b>could not</b>" overpower Jacob as much as he "<b>would not</b>" overpower him. The evidence of that being the fact that he easily disabled Jacob once he decided it was time to be done. I think the "could not" refers to the fact that Jacob was persistent. He wasn't going to let go or give up no matter what. And THAT, I get. Once me and my kids get going in a wrestling match, I CAN'T match their intensity and persistence. Eventually, I pin them down just so I can take a break. </div><div><br /></div><div>Yesterday I encouraged us to get in the ring and wrestle with God. I encouraged us all to see the struggle as a necessary part of our new identity that is waiting on the other side. But today, as a wrestling father, a couple of other thoughts came to mind:</div><div><ol><li><b>DON'T WRESTLE THE WRONG PERSON.</b> As my kids and I wrestle - I'm protecting them the whole time. I'm watching out for them, I'm softly giving them resistance. Jacob doesn't wrestle Esau (the guy who wants to kill him). He wrestles God - the one who loves him and wants to gently restore him and give him a new identity. </li><li><b>WRESTLE WITH A PURPOSE.</b> It isn't about winning, it's about the struggle. If you wrestle God with the intent to win, I've got some bad news. God is never going to say "uncle". But here's the encouraging thing - he isn't going to overpower you either. He won't force you to submit. The struggle is the point. It's the struggle that softens our heart.</li><li><b>CELEBRATE THE LIMP.</b> In one quick move, Jacob is both wounded and healed at the same time. That wound given by God is what takes Jacob (deceiver) into his new identity and a future he never could have imagined. Your limp is the outward evidence of the inward touch of God. Limp proudly into your new identity.</li></ol></div>Jeremy Copelandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12804927324080419862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847093955047885782.post-39377413053783883962011-10-17T07:51:00.000-07:002011-10-17T08:15:31.164-07:00A few thoughts for STORYCHURCHIt's Monday morning and I'm sitting in Caribou coffee (AKA my office) trying to get my week off to a good start. Here are a few things I wanted to share with you this morning:<div><br /></div><div><ol><li>I'm just blown away every day that I get to pastor you. Seriously, this is my <b>FAVORITE CHURCH IN THE WORLD</b>. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. I hope you can say that too. </li><li>God is stretching us right now in this AKA series, isn't He? So many of you have talked about what He's teaching you. It may be my favorite thing we've ever done as a church. I would love to share some of the stories that are emerging with our church. If a light has come on for you - consider sharing that with us by emailing <a href="mailto:hello@storychurch.org">hello@storychurch.org</a>. </li><li>Word is getting out. One of my favorite questions for guests is "how did you hear about us?" I love to hear the ways that God is connecting people to our community. Lately, many of our guests are your neighbors, your coworkers, your friends. Thank you for sharing with others what God is doing in your life. This is too good to keep to ourselves. (By the way - yesterday was our <b>HIGHEST ATTENDANCE EVER!!</b>)</li><li>Our <b>GROWTH TRACK</b> continues to roll out every week and so many of you have jumped in. If you haven't yet begun the track, what are you waiting for? I think it's one of the absolute best things we have going right now. Chapter 3 will be this Sunday and will help you to discover your God-given shape.</li><li>Our <b>CONNECTION GROUPS</b> are flourishing. Seriously the relationships that we are seeing happen and the depth we are seeing between people is blowing me away. If you aren't yet connected in a group - go here now ---> <a href="http://www.storychurch.org/connect">www.storychurch.org/connect</a>.</li></ol></div>Jeremy Copelandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12804927324080419862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847093955047885782.post-87729093067402205392011-09-15T10:00:00.000-07:002011-09-15T10:55:02.199-07:00For Better or Worse: Foundations<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ-KEIgyxbKA66M0Lp2HDM5YyZr2wcUXK-WeDtyBbBVooFCmcXRin0q7eyyFGYGM6x8J0S3nuQcPqc8kYYoUnAGJpKZIvTrXIC1jKEKLLgxbLhvAkWWXIwMaMAZ-QRx7Cyp4dAoMGbNF0p/s1600/webBanner.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 183px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ-KEIgyxbKA66M0Lp2HDM5YyZr2wcUXK-WeDtyBbBVooFCmcXRin0q7eyyFGYGM6x8J0S3nuQcPqc8kYYoUnAGJpKZIvTrXIC1jKEKLLgxbLhvAkWWXIwMaMAZ-QRx7Cyp4dAoMGbNF0p/s320/webBanner.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652646254152398962" /></a><br />Last week at <b>STORY</b>CHURCH we began a new series called <a href="http://www.storychurch.org/current-series/">"For Better or Worse."</a> I had so much fun team teaching with my wife as we shared some of what we believe to be the foundations to a healthy marriage. As a recap, here are the five things we shared last week:<div><ol><li><b>Be the person you want to be married to - </b>Let's face it, 4s don't get to marry 10s. If you wake up one day and realize you are laying next to a 9 and you are hovering around a 5 - you better get to work before she wakes up and realizes it! Single person - you won't find that faithful, dependable guy at the club picking up girls. He won't suddenly become Mr. Faithful just because you come along.</li><li><b>Healthy marriages LEAVE and CLEAVE - </b>In Genesis, right from the beginning we are told that when two people get married that two things should happen - they should LEAVE their families, and CLEAVE to one another. Many marriages suffer because one or both people have never really left home. Mom and dad are still more important to them than their spouse. Some may have left home, but they've never really began to stick to each other. Sometimes that can be evidenced by separate accounts, separate names, etc. (notice that's a "sometimes" and not "all the time"). Do mom and dad decide your vacation or holiday schedules? Healthy marriages have detached from one family to form a new one.</li><li><b>When two become one, don't try to make them two again. </b>Have you ever seen this happen? "YOUR child is out of control." "I bring home the paycheck and all HE does is spend it." "SHE has so much debt." When you get married, there isn't anymore MINE and YOURS. There is only OURS. It is OUR debt, these are OUR kids, and this is OUR mess. And if it is going to get better, WE better get OUR act together. On the flip side, I've seen single people try and jump into a WE reality when the fact is they are still two people. Moving in together, buying furniture together, getting cell phones together, paying bills together, mixing finances together - this is messy stuff that can have disastrous results when two aren't really one yet.<br /></li><li><b>Great marriages don't just happen. </b>It's hard work. You can never stop studying your spouse. Learn about them. Read a book about relationships once in a while. Get better at being a husband or a wife. Dudes - we are so inclined to achieve and accomplish that we often think that once we land a wife the mission is accomplished. NOT SO! She wants to be pursued the rest of her life. If you don't keep pursuing her, someone else just might.</li><li><b>Pursue Jesus first. </b>I heard Pastor Perry Noble say one time - "You don't have a marriage problem, you have a Jesus problem." The truth is that without the solid foundation of Jesus in your marriage you will never have the kind of marriage that you could have. If two people in a marriage will commit themselves to pursuing Jesus, that marriage WILL get better. EVERY TIME. If you are learning to be more graceful, more compassionate, more forgiving, more selfless - your marriage can't help but be awesome.</li></ol><div>If you want to listen to this message you can do that by going <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/id382825785">HERE</a> and subscribing to the podcast.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>And let me personally invite you, if you are anywhere near the Triangle to join us this week for part two of our series. You can use <a href="http://eepurl.com/fBMXs">this link</a> to invite someone you know to join us!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847093955047885782.post-48708669201492983852011-08-31T10:47:00.000-07:002011-09-01T10:47:11.617-07:00Principle of the Path by Andy Stanley<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVZGrpLd3WEp2vwIY3DNRkJWwaIDvAI_JAYlM_uK3g2cr25EYOII5ruxf7ACY86tTqpMmsZg4-A4tMAtBiRE93qRnPkmbJ666AdZhRw3jTYx2XopQR0hvAhRdiUH08wb382_TUml1uJmK5/s1600/_140_245_Book.293.cover.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 140px; height: 211px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVZGrpLd3WEp2vwIY3DNRkJWwaIDvAI_JAYlM_uK3g2cr25EYOII5ruxf7ACY86tTqpMmsZg4-A4tMAtBiRE93qRnPkmbJ666AdZhRw3jTYx2XopQR0hvAhRdiUH08wb382_TUml1uJmK5/s320/_140_245_Book.293.cover.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647082635932386882" /></a>
<br />I want to have a healthy marriage, so I think I'll flirt with my secretary. <div>
<br /></div><div>I want to be financially secure, so I'm going to rack up some consumer credit buying things I can't really afford.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>By this time next month I want to lose 5 pounds, so go ahead and supersize that.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>I want to get into a great college on a scholarship so I think I'll party tonight instead of studying for that test tomorrow. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>Recently I had the opportunity to read a really great book by pastor and leader Andy Stanley called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Principle-Path-How-Where-Want/dp/0849920604">The Principle of the Path</a>. This book reveals a very simple principle that we all know to be true - Direction, not intentions, determines destination. Andy explains the incredible disconnect so many of us have between what we say we want to happen, and what we actually do about it. <div>
<br /></div><div>It's a quick read and really simple to understand. As a pastor myself, this book has given me a great way to talk to people about the connection between our choices and the circumstances we find ourselves in on a day to day basis. I believe this simple principle could transform the way you and I think about the choices we all face every day. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>If you are finding yourself frustrated with your present circumstances and want future decisions to lead to better results, then I would highly recommend you grab a copy of this book.</div><div>
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<br /></div><div>(Disclaimer: Booksneeze gave me a free copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.)</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847093955047885782.post-947633582831667822011-08-31T07:02:00.000-07:002011-08-31T07:26:58.684-07:00Close your eyesThis morning in my reading through the One Year Bible, this one verse stuck out to me. <blockquote>2 Corinthians 5:7 says "We live by faith, not by sight." </blockquote><div>Wow, so much packed into that little sentence. For me this is a constant tension in my life. Really up until a few years ago almost all of my decisions and my actions were based on what I could see. In other words, if I didn't know how it was going to work out, I probably wasn't going to do it. But then there was church planting. Since I began this process I've learned about moving and acting in the midst of uncertainty. From moving to surviving financially to leading down a path I've never been - all of it has been by faith. And God has proven himself so faithful during this time. He has provided for us when we didn't know how it would happen. He has blessed us for taking steps of faith where we didn't have clarity.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>But the tension for me remains. Almost every day as a pastor I'm faced with what I can see - the very real circumstances of people's lives. There are marriages that are struggling, people healing through an abusive past, surgeries, and all kinds of hurt and pain. I'm faced with statistics, with attendance numbers, and with budgets. I'm faced with a growing church and growing kids ministry that doesn't have the volunteers to keep up. There are facts and figures and dates and schedules that start to dominate my thinking.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>It would be very easy for me to allow what I can see to consume me, to overwhelm me, and to ultimately paralyze me. But we can't live that way. We won't live that way. We, as the people of God, we live by faith not by sight. The unseen drives us and compels us to keep going and to keep believing a different future is possible even when all that we can see now tells a different story.</div><div>
<br /></div><div><b>Don't let your <i>sight</i> overcome your <i>vision</i>.</b></div><div>
<br /></div><div>Sometimes I think you and I would do better if we closed our eyes every now and then. Because what we can see often keeps us from taking steps of faith. We lose hope. We lose our vision. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>Your marriage doesn't have to be this way. Your finances can turn around. You can heal through this struggle. There is hope for you. When we stop living by sight and start living by faith our <i>vision</i> outgrows our <i>sight</i>. We start to believe things that right now seem impossible. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>So whatever is holding you back today from doing what you know God has called you to do - close your eyes to it. Let the vision in your heart override what can be seen, and may your faith drive you forward into the uncertainty of the future.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847093955047885782.post-8765979102702782222011-08-09T06:04:00.000-07:002011-08-09T06:31:24.106-07:00A follow up to Sunday<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbawmM7KJEWXRlpxSpI-4q1Ktx8f6ff3Dmf-NeUOVsN7H27eE6uyLMU7paqpMr_V7sJ-28bPHjTBAZUFavbrL_cafA-Z6hyOXAAWUozRlmYX_akdWRY8wPGini_e8D5CVVmIkM7oYcWUFW/s1600/twenty_twenty_primary_slide.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbawmM7KJEWXRlpxSpI-4q1Ktx8f6ff3Dmf-NeUOVsN7H27eE6uyLMU7paqpMr_V7sJ-28bPHjTBAZUFavbrL_cafA-Z6hyOXAAWUozRlmYX_akdWRY8wPGini_e8D5CVVmIkM7oYcWUFW/s320/twenty_twenty_primary_slide.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638847622985599170" /></a>
<br />Hey church, can I just say that Sunday was awesome? Seriously, it was an incredible day. I think it was maybe the best start to a new series we've ever had. If you weren't there, make sure you download the <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/id382825785">podcast</a> and check it out.
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<br />Here are a couple thoughts I've had since Sunday. If we really believe that 1 > 99, then here are a few things I'm asking you to commit yourself to:
<br /><ol><li>Pray for your lost friends - Seriously. Pray.</li><li>Invite - You do what you can do, and I'll do what I can do. You invite your lost friends, neighbors, co-workers, relatives and baristas, and I'll make sure we communicate the life-giving message of Jesus to them in a non-goofy, engaging way.</li><li>Be friendly - If you have been to <b>STORY</b>CHURCH more than once, then you are part of the welcome team. Invite someone to lunch, give out your phone number.</li><li>Be aware - If our goal is to reach lost people, then constantly be aware of how you contribute to that! Park far away, give up your seat, jump up to get more chairs, walk someone to kids ministry, give them the last muffin, introduce them to someone else.</li><li>Serve - join a <a href="http://www.storychurch.org/serve">serve team</a>. We need kids ministry people, greeters, ushers, set designers, artists, cooks, writers, musicians, smilers, hand-shakers, coffee makers, and lots more. Each person helps contribute to an environment where lost people can be found by the One who is pursuing them.</li></ol>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847093955047885782.post-61745806314183502982011-08-01T12:14:00.000-07:002011-08-01T12:22:57.619-07:00Courage Day 2011Happy Courage Day! <br /><br />Three years ago today my family and I said goodbye to CA and headed east to follow a crazy calling to plant a church. We celebrate the day every year now as a family holiday - Courage Day. Though this year our big celebration will be on Saturday (Kimi is planning something secret, anyone know what it going on?), today is that day and I didn't want it to pass without calling attention to it.<br /><br />The church that now exists is the <a href="http://www.storychurch.org">greatest church on the planet</a>. I'm so proud to be part of this community of people and I'm blown away every day that I get to be part of it. Thank you <span style="font-weight:bold;">STORY</span>CHURCH for having the courage to follow Jesus wherever He leads us. <br /><br />This thing is just getting started!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847093955047885782.post-40548082094406382372011-07-22T07:08:00.000-07:002011-07-22T07:28:00.537-07:00Clean Water<a href="http://www.twitter.com/scottharrison">Scott Harrison</a> is changing the world. His organization <a href="http://www.charitywater.org">Charity:Water</a> provides clean, safe drinking water to some of the most unreached people groups in the world. Great ideas like this one don't just happen. Someone has a wild dream, then decides to do something about it. Most people never get to the second half of that - the doing part. Too many of us stop short because of the cost, the criticism, or the difficulty. I bet the people of this village are glad that Scott was willing to pursue the vision he had to change the world. I bet they are glad that he didn't listen to the naysayers, to the people who said it couldn't be done. I bet they are glad he didn't give up.<br /><br /><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/26739386?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" width="400" height="225" frameborder="0"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/26739386">We promised we'd be back.</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/charitywater">charity: water</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847093955047885782.post-23979446180209162302011-07-13T13:26:00.000-07:002011-07-15T07:44:51.737-07:00My dream for STORYCHURCH<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUGIBNlKEuQZB4aOKpcKjnZfbaeYwcbR8VMgBGcjZLMnojIEBlkR51ejFj49mFkstKvhY0VPP5P0mUDWsagj71VdbZ0zqoAzkrtYhKtRdVVnl6PVAymsyA2La0gLBW8yH8-2iq1Phtc3W/s1600/00016055.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 234px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUGIBNlKEuQZB4aOKpcKjnZfbaeYwcbR8VMgBGcjZLMnojIEBlkR51ejFj49mFkstKvhY0VPP5P0mUDWsagj71VdbZ0zqoAzkrtYhKtRdVVnl6PVAymsyA2La0gLBW8yH8-2iq1Phtc3W/s320/00016055.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629589851344007218" /></a><br />This Sunday at <b>STORY</b>CHURCH we talked together about Ezekiel - a sort of unsure prophet who God uses to speak life into a bunch of dry bones. By the time Ezekiel is done speaking to them, they are standing in front of him - not as a bunch of dry bones, but as a vast army with tendons and flesh and the breath of life in their lungs.<br /><div><br /></div><div>Imagine the scene! Ezekiel is speaking and the bones start rattling. A leg bone flys across the valley and attaches itself to a hip. A spine stands up and ribs attach themselves. Soon tendons start forming and flesh appears. And then the breath of life enters their lungs and a huge gasp is heard.</div><div><br /></div><div>I believe God wants to use <b>STORY</b>CHURCH to be a voice in a valley of dry bones. I believe he has positioned us to speak hope and life, to dream dreams for people that have lost the ability to dream those dreams themselves. One of our primary roles is to remind people that God isn't done with them, and that hope still remains - that we serve a God who resurrects the dead!</div><div><br /></div><div>What if every time we gathered in homes, in coffee shops, or in our Sunday services - there were dry bones coming back to life? What if our worship was constantly accompanied by the rattling sound of bones being joined together? <b>I believe we can be that kind of community.</b> I believe God is ready to do amazing things in and through us - and many of you have already experienced it. Many of you were nothing but dry bones, and now you have life like you never had it before.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm asking you to beg God with me that we would see this happen on a regular basis. That lives would be put back together, hope would be restored, marriages renewed, families rebuilt. Finally, I'm asking you to be bold. Become an Ezekiel in your neighborhood, in your work place, and in your families. Speak life into places of dryness, speak hope into the darkness, and dream dreams for people that they can't dream! </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2