Dara and I just finished the HBO series "John Adams" (a Tom Hanks film). It was a seven part series on the life of the second president of the United States. Definitely worth the time if you get a chance. I have also just finished reading the book of Joshua tonight. The lead characters both died tonight - John and Joshua. It got me thinking and my thoughts drifted to this idea:Over the course of my life, to what cause will I spend my life?Joshua spent his life leading courageously during a time that defined Israel for all generations that followed. As I read his final words to the...

Me and 9 of my closest friends just had our fantasy football draft on Saturday. SO MUCH FUN! As if anyone cares, I figured I would post my starting lineup for all to see:QB - Tom BradyQB - Tony RomoRB - Willis McGaheeRB - Willie ParkerWR - Marvin HarrisonWR - Lavernaeus ColesWR/RB - Selvin YoungTE - Antonio GatesK - Phil DawsonK- Nate KaedingDEF - Tampa BayThere you have it. The beginning of my title defense. I've won two seasons in a row...going for the first ever three-peat!

I have a little saying that has proven itself over and again in my life. Here goes:Everyone needs a John Gum.Yep. It's true. John Gum is just one of those guys in my life that is so versatile in his talents and abilities. He is a gifted communicator, great worship leader, phenomenal leader, etc. He's also a jack of all trades. This is the closest human being to McGyver that I know. He honestly could fix anything with a pile of sticks, two clothes pins and duct tape.We spent the day fixing things around my condo. The renters move in tomorrow and we spent the day running back and forth to Home...

I had breakfast today with Chip Kelly. He's the pastor of 360 Church in Winter Park, FL. I love Chip. He is a dear friend from our days together at Calvary. He has been such an encouragement to me during the last 5 years as I have navigated the calling of church planting. He planted 360 Church a couple of years ago and I love visiting a couple times a year.They have inspired our creative communication of the Gospel at Hope in a profound way. As a fellow theater church, they use the movie screen better than any church I've ever seen. They graphically support every step of his message. Each...

I am at Starbucks on Park Avenue in Winter Park, FL working on my message for this Sunday at Hope. It's like a blast from the past because this is where I always did my sermons when I was at Calvary. It's just funny to me that I'm here preparing for this Sunday in Charlotte.Two worlds collide...Side note: I love preparing sermons at coffee shops because I feel like it puts me right in the environment with the type of people I will be speaking to and gives inspiration. I also like coffee a lot so it's a good combo 🙂

We just had a staff meeting at Caribou Coffee. I love the unity of putting our heads together to accomplish something that is so much greater than one person. I truly love Mike, Sam and Teresa and have really enjoyed getting to know them more as we work together. I am learning very quickly that it is vital to have a good team in place before planting a church.As one of my new friends told me the other day (while setting up the theater for Sunday morning)..."many hands makes light work."

I saw a sign on the front of a little country church that caught my attention tonight.It's not quite the way I'd advertise my church for the whole community to see, but it did give another jolt of motivation for why I do what I do. Here's what the illuminated sign said in big, bold, black letters:"HELL HAS NO EXIT SIGNS"Like I said...this isn't a great church marketing campaign, but it does motivate me to continue to figure out ways to creatively communicate the gospel in a way that will pique people's interest and encourage a response.

I am going to be reviewing Mark Batterson's new book "Wild Goose Chase" on my blog in the next week. His publisher, Multnomah, sent a copy of the book to 200 bloggers to be reviewed and posted on their blog. They are calling it a "blog tour".This is grassroots marketing at its finest. I think it's a great idea and another way to creatively communicate. I am so inspired every time I hear a new idea that I feel like is revolutionary. I'm excited to read and respond.Mark has been a big blessing in our lives. He's an innovative thinker and a genuine lover of God. I believe in him and his heart...

Today was an incredibly productive day as we were able to put together 36 fundraising packets to send out across the country! I love taking days and working on stuff with Dara. We have so much fun together even when we're doing monotonous things. I love her.Our prayer is that this major push will get us over and above our goal for our salary and benefits for the year so that we can focus fully on Hope Church. It's a big goal, but God is all about big goals. We believe that if we set our sights high it gives God room to do the miracle!

So excited to welcome Dayne Shope to Charlotte!Dayne was a student of ours in Master's Commission. He has decided to come to Charlotte to intern with us for the next year. This is a major step of faith for Dayne. He is a phenomenal 19 year old with an obvious call of God to full time vocational ministry. I am honored to have him with us and feel a great responsibility to teach him in the ways that so many others have taught me through the years.This will be a great experience for him as he will be able to be a major part of launching this church and learning from Pastors Mike, Sam and Teresa...