**Proverbs 16:9 - We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.  Dara and I absolutely love spending time together. Honestly, it doesn't even matter what we do. If we are alone (we have four kids under the age of 10), we consider it a date. We find an incredible amount of joy in the simplicity of time spent together. We were wandering around our city, taking in the beauty of Uptown Charlotte a few weeks ago when Dara looked at me and said... "You know, we have been working on this specific project for Ebenezers for over a year (check out www.ebenezerscharlotte.com if you don't...

November 20, 2013 will always hold a very special place in my heart. It’s the day that the dream of Ebenezers Coffeehouse died again in my heart. For the past six months, I have prayed countless prayers, fasted countless meals and casted a vision to countless people that all aimed toward this date. November 20, 2013 was the closing date that we had scheduled for 420 W 5th Street, an historic fire station in the heart of Uptown Charlotte, NC. We even have a website: www.ebenezerscharlotte.com. The first floor would be a 2,000+ square foot coffeehouse. The second floor would be a 300 seat...

My mom is probably the quietest person you will ever meet. She's also my hero. She taught me how to pray. She taught me how to trust God. She taught me to live with a grateful heart even when the refrigerator only had a half stick of butter, a quarter loaf of bread and a couple of slices of cheese. In her mind, that was just enough for us to share a grilled cheese feast provided by God. Money was always tight in our home, but she never allowed us to feel sorry for ourselves. She always taught us to be grateful for what we had and reminded us that it was much more than what most had around...

I love my community. I love our friends and the things we enjoy together. And one of the main things that I live by is this: we don't have to agree on matters of faith to be friends. This plays itself out in many ways all across our city and this community we share. I believe that everyone is on a journey of faith. It may look different for every person, but I believe that the pursuit of truth and finding relationship with our Creator is hard wired into every one of us. This belief drives me. It encourages me. It motivates me to share a genuine faith that changed my life. While I deeply...

Two words always made me want to punch my best friend, Ryan Jordan, when we were teenagers. We'd be hanging out and I'd say something really funny, execute the perfect one liner or any other adolescent quip. He'd look at me, straight-faced and say, "Grow up." Anger boiled. Imagine my level of discomfort as I was reading the Scriptures the other day and Jesus told me the same thing through his teaching in Matthew 5. **Matthew 5:48 (New Living Translation) - But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect. I was preparing a message on the Sermon on the Mount (teachings from...

Life is confusing. And my pursuit of God is equally confusing, at times. Ever felt that way? If you're answer is no, I'd recommend seeing a lying counselor. Not sure those actually exist, so maybe just be honest with yourself. We don't get God all the time. As a follower of Christ, I turn to my faith to give answers for big decisions, to give peace in a painful times or satisfaction during seasons of unrest. But there have been so many times that answers don't come. Prolonged seasons of uncertainty ensue. And I'm left with a decision to either give up and try to fix everything on my own or...

I've got my dad's DNA. Literally. Not only do I share his DNA, I share his name. David Daniel Docusen, Sr. is one of the most creative, skilled leaders I've ever known. His energy & enthusiasm for life is infectious. The picture above is my dad and I in Hawaii when I was three years old. Please appreciate our incredible style circa 1982. Growing up in the Docusen home meant always having a next project. I watched my dad study the market in the communities in which we lived. He'd fill a void by starting a business in an underserved market. By day, he was a leader within the Delta Airlines...

In one of my favorite moments in all of Scripture, there is a man was desperate to get the attention of Jesus. For years this man had been stricken with blindness. His life was relegated to begging for change to survive. I'm sure he longed to see the beauty of life in all of it's splendor. It could be assumed that he wanted to see the expressions of joy and sadness that had only been recognizable by sounds in his current reality. Hope filled his heart when he heard about the Miracle Worker. Jesus was traveling from one city to another, so the blind beggar positioned himself alongside the...

Joseph Phillips has proven to be one of the best young leaders that I've ever had the privilege of working with in my time in ministry. As a pastor on our staff, he disciples leaders, helps shape our culture and has an incredible heart for Jesus. I asked him to write about his upbringing in ministry and what it was like to grow up as a kid in a pastor's home. Enjoy. You can continue the conversation with him on Twitter - @josephhamilton - or via email - [email protected]. --------------------------------------------------------------------- I detest waking up early. I have never...

Dara and I celebrated eleven years of marriage this weekend. Of all the blessings of my life - which there are many - my marriage is the one that I hold in the highest regard. Dara is my best friend. My greatest strength on this side of heaven. She listens when I need to vent and speaks when I need to listen.We lead together. Our leadership is expressed uniquely, yet unified. She's a quiet, behind the scenes type. I'm an out front, social type. We work together well and share the responsibility and privilege of shepherding this community together. Our marriage is build upon the unbreakable...