Our children are not calm. Calm is just not a word that could describe the Docusen trio. They are very well behaved children, but their energy level is likened to a constant IV of Red Bull running through their veins. Starting at 8am they rev up their engines. 2pm they recharge during nap time and they kick it back into high gear until 9pm. That's the pace of our life.Dara made another observation today that was so fitting. She said that Jack (our youngest) is filled with "intense curiosity". He gets into everything. He is like a toddler version of a human wrecking ball. The world is his...

We are in the middle of a series called "Bliss" at Hope. We're talking about joy during the holidays. Today's message was on the joy of worship. We also got to experience the joy of technology today. In the middle of the service, Ginny Peterson text messaged me 4 times about something God has put on her heart that she wanted to share.I was able to then head up front as we were closing service, nudge Mike and then invite Ginny to come and talk to the crowd. It's so funny how we can use technology for so many things. This was definitely a first. Ginny shared a really powerful story about an...

Dara and I took the kids to Target last night to register for Baby Ben. It was so cute to see Max and Mary taking turns shooting the items with the scanner gun. They were so excited to pick out things for their new baby brother! The highlight of the evening was us trying to figure out what we needed for our SECOND double stroller. Those things are HUGE! It was so funny, because we literally had to think about the fact that we don't have enough room in our mini-van to get a big stroller because we've already got one double stroller. Imagine us walking around the mall both pushing double...

I have recently gotten to a point that I truly expect God's faithfulness and provision. There are still moments , however, that I am genuinely surprised about how God goes about doing so.I truly believe that my faith is higher than it's ever been in my entire life. Every month we have to believe God for financial provision. Our fundraising is at the point that we are 2 weeks away from getting our last paycheck from the money we have raised. Every month, though, God provides. Last night and today were two more examples.Dara and I were talking the other day and she said something that really...

Selah is a great word found in Scriptures. It refers to a musical instruction or instruction for reading a text. I found a translation tonight (thank you Wikipedia) that defined it as "stop and listen". A widely accepted definition is simply "rest". It helps us to appreciate what was just played or read. It also is a great word to describe my Monday.We had an incredible weekend with Jerred and Randi Peacock. They arrived late Friday night and we spent long days and late nights catching up, laughing, playing cards and enjoying each other's company. We also had another awesome service at Hope...

I am so incredibly blessed. I absolutely love the life God has blessed me to live. I have had so many cool moments with Dara and the kids this week.Max turned five this week and we had a really fun party for him. Max and I have already made it to level three on LEGO Indiana Jones. He is always Indy. I'm his little helper along the way. Mary has simply melted me this week with her hugs and kisses and adorable way about her. Jack has picked up jumping. A lot. Off of anything and everything that is too high for an almost two year old to jump from. Dara and I went to the Bucs/Panthers game on...

I was working from home today while Dara went to her baby doctor appointment. We woke up, got breakfast and then Max and Mary played Indiana Jones on the Wii for a while. I was firing through a huge list of e-mails to respond to, but Jack kept on wanting me to hold him because he has a little cold.Being a dad always wins.I picked him up and he sat on my lap smashing the computer keys while I tried to work. Before I knew it, Jack fell asleep right in my arms. Just visualize me working on my Mac and my baby asleep in my lap leaning on my left arm. Unforgettable.I love being a dad.

Dara and I went to the Bucs/Panthers game tonight in Charlotte. The Bucs got stomped. It was a great game until the fourth quarter. Let's just say I was wearing a big red target with my Bucs jersey on in a sea of black and blue. I haven't had that many intoxicated people yelling and screaming at me since...well...I've never had that many intoxicated people yelling and screaming at me.One guy kept turning around and screaming at the top of his lungs at us. This is the same guy that celebrated a Panthers touchdown by pouring beer on himself. Not kidding. I've never been more happy to not be...

I have recently gotten hooked on a magazine called Fast Company.It's a business magazine that talks about the latest innovations in business, leadership, marketing, etc. I am a big believer that principles from the business world can be translated effectively to ministry. Innovation is happening all around us. It's up to us to use every tool to communicate the amazing message of love, forgiveness and salvation. I just read an article about a huge company that is using "vlogging" to communicate between employees. This is a new term for video blogging. Awesome idea.Maybe there's a "Docusen...

I just finished my second day of training at Caribou Coffee in North Charlotte. I absolutely love it! I started my training yesterday on the register. I never realized how dumb I look every time I go into a coffeehouse and take forever staring at the board!Today's training was on the bar. I just found another thing that I really, really enjoy. The job of a barista has so much artistic flair. I never realized how much goes into making a latte or a cappuccino. I have so much new information in my brain now. For instance:Did you know that how fast or slow you pour the steamed milk over the...