Talk About It

2011-11-14T11:50:00.002-06:00

We've moved...
Future blog posts will be on the EBC Bridge Worship Page

http://www.ebcbridge.com/category/encounter/

See you there!

2011-10-10T09:28:00.003-06:00

It is incredible as a church leader to see people in your church follow their God-given passions and desires and seek to make a difference. One of our families in our church is so incredibly passionate about raising up a generation of young men to be Godly leaders and influencers. The Stapp family along with help from friends and family are producing a documentary based on Joe's creation of a 'Rite of Passage' for his sons. The footage has been shot and right now they are raising funds to have the film edited and produced. Check it out here...

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/390255483/rite-of-passage-the-film?ref=live

2011-10-03T12:03:00.004-06:00

If you missed this past Sunday's teaching, be sure and check it out @ http://ebccrestview.com/teaching.htm

"Don't trade the ultimate for the immediate."

As Christ-followers, we care called to live for a greater purpose than the immediate. Of course, the immediate, the right-now, is important...crucial. But, the truth is the ultimate should shape the right now.

The ultimate is this...Jesus Christ...His glory...His fame...His renown...His presence with us...

But sometimes, we just simply become short-sighted. We lose focus of that which is most beautiful, most worthy, and most satisfying.

Thankfully, our God is a God who pursues, loves, and offers grace. And when our eyes are fixed on Him, we begin to see the immediate, and all of its chaos and need, in light of the ultimate. Let us be a people who live in light of the ultimate...the glory of Jesus!

2011-08-22T08:24:00.002-06:00

I am incredibly excited about some things that God is doing here at Emmanuel. Talking to one small group leader of students last night on the concourse, he shared how last night in their group, one of students accepted Christ. Awesome! Small groups for all ages are in full gear and this fall we have launched several new groups. In our Sunday morning worship encounters you can sense the Spirit moving as we have walked through our series Authority Issues and we have seen a bigger picture of an all-powerful God who is involved in every intricate detail of our lives. We have had many new families visiting, some new to Crestview, others coming on the arms of friends who are investing the Gospel into their lives.

God is at work! It is a joy to be on the journey as He leads.

If you have visited with us, we hope you found a place where people are sincere in their faith and expression of that faith. We hope you see that we are church that is serious about following Jesus and living passionately for His glory...all in response to the incredible love and grace He has shown us.

Our vision is simple...we exist to ignite and inspire a passion for Jesus Christ. We exist so that the name of Jesus would be known here in Crestview and around the world. We exist so broken people can experience the Savior who can make them whole. We exist so the broken family can be restored...the abused can be healed...the despairing can know hope...the 'religious' can be freed in relationship with Christ...so that the nations will hear the saving name of Jesus...we exist for the glory of God!

God is working an incredible story through the people of Emmanuel. For those of you just checking things out we'd love to invite you on the journey. You can partner with us in making Jesus known. He is worth it!

2011-08-15T13:35:00.003-06:00

It's time for fall kick-off! While the temperature outside isn't a good indication, summer is winding down, and fall is fast approaching. For Emmanuel, that means small groups are back on...small groups for adults, students, kids, and preschoolers! We believe in small groups. We believe that Scripture teaches us that we grow best when in real, authentic community. We believe that community happens best in a small group...we simply aren't meant to do some things alone...

If you are interested in getting connected into a small group, please email Kara, our small groups coordinator at kara@ebccrestview.

2011-07-05T15:20:00.003-06:00

I am not the same. I'm a new creation.
I am not the same anymore.
I am not ashamed. I will not be shaken.
I am not the same anymore. Based on 2 Cor. 5:17

As we sang these lines in worship Sunday, I couldn't help but think...do we get this? Do we really understand what we are singing? I mean, really, I certainly believe this to be true, but I think that honestly, this truth is so profound...it just kind of blows my mind.

We aren't just 'improved.'
We aren't just better versions or ourselves.
We aren't Meversion 2.0.

We are new...completely recreated. I am reminded of a song by Gungor called Beautiful Things. It simply says...You make beautiful things out of dust...You make beautiful things out of us.

Stop and thank God right now that He has made, is making, and continues to make you into something beautiful. We are indeed 'works in progress.' Revel and marvel in the goodness that is his love...that He knows everything about you, even the things no one else does...and He still offers grace. Worship Him because He is the one who sets us free from condemnation, guilt, and shame.

We have been rescued and are now new creations...called to declare His goodness and his glory. So let's give great chase to seeking Him, seeing Him, knowing Him, loving Him, and living for Him...all because He first loved us.

We aren't the same...so let's live as new creations!

2011-06-27T13:01:00.002-06:00

the past two weeks we've been journeying through a series called
'Hello, My Name is...________.' It has been a great examination of 1 Peter 2 and our identity in Christ.

A name says a lot. Have you ever called someone the wrong name? It's embarrassing because our names our so closely tied to our identities. how do you feel when someone calls you the wrong name? We may brush it off, but deep down we might feel a little offended. Why? Because names are personal.

Scripture gives several examples of God changing people's names after they had a life-altering encounter with Him. The same Abram becomes Abraham, Sarai, Sarah. Saul is miraculously transformed, and becomes known as Paul.

the same is true for us today. God changes names. No longer are we broken - outcast - failure - sinner...we are now whole - complete - saint - sons and daughters. That is our identity. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says we are new creations...not better versions of ourselves...we are NEW PEOPLE! That is mind-blowing.

These new names reflect our new identity in Him. The old has gone, and the new has come! So, how has God changed your name?

2011-06-13T09:28:00.002-06:00

Yesterday was a sublime celebration of God's faithfulness as we worshiped Him greatly for what He has done in and through Emmanuel in the past 30 years. The truth is we will never know this side of eternity the eternal impact that the people of Emmanuel have had on this world. There are countless people who have come to saving faith in Christ. People here in Crestview and around the world have encountered the living God because of His people's desire to live passionately for His glory.

As we celebrate the past, we also look forward to the future. We anticipate what God has in store. We watch and wait expectantly with our eyes fixed on Christ, the author and perfecter of our faith, as He leads. Jesus didn't promise us that He would show the way. He boldly proclaimed: "I am the way." So with our eyes fixed, locked in on Him, we watch, we wait, we look, we walk step by step: hoping, trusting, abiding, and faithfully living our lives for the glory of the risen King.

This is the video we showed in worship the recaps the past and celebrates just a few of the incredible victories God has given.

30th Anniversary Video from EBC Crestview on Vimeo.

2011-06-02T14:07:00.004-06:00

Haiti update!

Here is an update from Ryan Carter, part of the team of EBC folks serving this week in Haiti. Continue praying as they wrap their trip. Yesterday they distributed Bibles that were purchased with donations from EBC. Today they distributed food, and tomorrow they we be serving the boys and men there and showing Christ's love as they wash their feet. God has done, and is continuing to do some incredible things!

From Ryan:

What an amazing three days we’ve had!

We landed in Mole St. Nicolie on Sat afternoon and it has been non-stop action since then! We spent Sunday morning with the boys at the HumanCare school. We had church with them in the morning. Carl Anderson gave the sermon and did an amazing job – addressing how our faith in God not only helps us through difficult times but is also a witness to others who are watching. We spent several hours that afternoon playing sports with the boys and putting some primer on the walls inside the school. The boys weren’t sure what to make of us at first, but as soon as we broke out the Frisbees, footballs, and soccer balls, we connected quickly with them and really began to see the joy they all have.

Later that day we went to the orphanage in Mare Rouge to deliver the clothes many of you helped collects, sort, and pack. The kids were cautious of us at first, and very shy, so we left the clothes with the pastor to arrange and pass out. They finally started to show some excitement when we began to take their pictures. Many of them had probably never seen a picture of themselves and they cherished the opportunity to have their picture taken. I would like to say it was a joyful experience, but it was different; more somber. The need was overwhelming and we left feeling quite helpless despite our efforts. As I unpacked the clothes and shoes, many of which I recognized from my own children wearing them, the grief was literally overwhelming and I had to step away for several minutes to regain my composure. Many others felt the same way.

We spent today (Monday) with the boys at the school. We painted all day long, urging the young men to join us. They were so excited! The color is a wonderful addition to the concrete walls and all of the boys were covered in paint! We also moved a huge pile of blocks and started building the walls of the cookhouse. The Haitian carpenter didn’t show up, so we were on our own, and our guys rose the challenge and got it done. Thomas gave a short lesson on the importance of teamwork, especially as it relates to our walk with Christ, and then he and Jim led two sports clinics to teach the boys American Football. Later, they returned the favor by wearing us out with some Haitian Football (e.g. Soccer).

We are expecting several more days of painting, sports, teaching, and construction. The boys have really began to open up to us and we are all having a blast! We are staying with Edner and Rosena and they are taking excellent care of us. The food is so good that we may have even gained weight since we left, despite all the work!

We have experienced a ton of emotions and reactions to all we’ve seen and done. The poverty really is overwhelming. Even though some of us have seen it before, in Haiti it is even worse. In some places, there are no natural resources at all. The land is barren and even the rare farm animals are on the verge of starvation. We feel compelled to help and yet we don’t know where to start. Pray for us, and pray for the people in Haiti. We have done so much in such little time, but there is so much more to do!

Attached are two pictures. One of the boys painting at the school, and one of the children at the orphanage. We have many, many more to share when we get home.

God bless, Ryan

2011-06-01T09:57:00.003-06:00

So much good is happening right now. It's insane. God is working.
We are seeing God change some people's lives. We are seeing people taking risks for Him. As Ian taught this past week...people are getting 'weird.' ...and that's a good thing!

Right now a team is on the ground in Haiti leading, teaching, loving, and serving a group of boys and men there. We are praying for great things.

Today our middle-schooler's return from Student Life Camp. We know of 4 that have surrendered their lives to Christ and trusted in Him as Savior! WOW!

Next week, we hit the streets and parks of our city in the name of Jesus taking VBS out in the community as we seek to build relationships and show people the love of Jesus.

This Saturday, a mom-daughter duo leave for Zambia to serve the world...and here is their story...

Untitled from EBC Crestview on Vimeo.

God is on the move...and we get join Him! It's a beautiful thing!

2011-05-23T10:19:00.006-06:00

There is so much good, God-sized stuff happening around this place...and not just around this place, but in our city...and in the nations.

God continues to bring new families to Emmanuel. We are humbled and grateful that people are walking into the story of Jesus...and aligning their lives with our mission to ignite and inspire a passion for Jesus Christ.

Several of our small groups are finding unique ways to serve Crestview this summer. Across the board we have had an incredible response in our vision and desire to take our normal Vacation Bible School held on campus out into the community. We anticipate God moving in big ways through this.

This Friday, a group from EBC leaves to head to Haiti. We have supported them in many ways, and we will continue to support them in our prayers as they go. They go armed with clothes that you all have given to support the kids at the learning center they will be working at through Heart of the Bride.

This coming Sunday, you are going to here from one of our high school students, Rebecca Philips, and her mom Diane, as they share how God has led them to travel to Zambia in a couple of weeks to work amongst orphans and children....what a beautiful picture of God at work.

And...in case you missed it: Friday June 10th...Daraja Children's Choir is here! Contact the EBC office @ 682-9416 for tickets. Tickets are free, but reservations are required. This one worship event just might change your life!!!

Friends, this is just the iceberg when it comes to how God is moving. To top off your day...check out the Daraja Promo video...

Live for His glory...live in His grace!

2011-04-13T09:49:00.002-06:00

If you're tracking with our 'ONE Challenge' then this week you've launched in to Deuteronomy. In his recap of Israel's journey out of Egypt, Moses reminds the Israelites of all that God had brought them through. Delivered from slavery, provision in the wilderness, defeat of enemies; God surely did the wild and miraculous.

7:6..."of all the people on earth, the Lord your God has chosen you to be his own special treasure." What did the Israelites do to deserve this status with God? The answer: nothing. God didn't choose them because they were deserving. He chose them because He is gracious.

Fast-forward to chapter 8. Moses tells the Israelites to always remember where they came from and who delivered them. v 14: "Don't become proud at that time [when you prosper] and forge the Lord your God who rescued you from slavery and brought you out of Egypt." Moses is telling everyone...'Hey! Great things are going to happen...your going to have stuff...your flocks are going to grow...your houses will be nice...and don't forget it isn't because of anything you have done. It is because of our God!"

I think this passage is so applicable to us right now. What do we have that didn't first come from Him? I know that I am so tempted to think when something good happens that I must have done something right to earn it. I'm smart enough, talented enough, __(Fill in the blank)__ enough.

But I'm not. I need His grace. I need to remember just how much I need His grace...His 'unexpected grace.' So today...let's just remember.

Romans 11:36 "For everything comes from Him and exists by His power and is intended for His glory. All glory to Him forever!"

2011-04-05T19:30:00.002-06:00

Video from worship this past Sunday...along with the song we sang while it played...

Unexpected Grace from EBC Crestview on Vimeo.

2011-03-21T15:07:00.002-06:00

Unexpected Grace. This title might sound a little redundant because by definition grace is getting something you don't deserve, but we can often find grace in the places and ordeals of life where we least suspect to find it.

Like Jonah.

Most people are familiar with the main idea of the story of Jonah. Prophet of God...runs...big fish...three days...Nineveh...he finally obeys.

In chapter 1 you find Jonah running from God. You might have heard it taught something like this: Jonah was a prophet of God who disobeyed God, so God sent a storm and a big fish to swallow up Jonah. So the moral of the story is you better obey God or He might send a big fish (metaphor for some hard circumstance) to swallow you up. We shake our heads and say, 'Oh Jonah!...You should have known!'

But what if there is more to the story. What if this isn't the point of Jonah's story at all. What if the point is this: God is unveiling and revealing His grace as He relentlessly pursues Jonah's heart.

The truth is this. God didn't need Jonah. When Jonah chose to run away, God could have let him go and raised another prophet to go to Nineveh.

But He didn't.

Rather, by His grace He set out to deliver Jonah, to rescue Jonah, and to show Jonah His heart. What if, as Tullian Tchividjian writes, the storm and the fish were really measures of God's grace as He relentlessly chased Jonah to rescue Jonah from Jonah?

That's where we are headed in the coming weeks.

Unexpected Grace.

It's a good thing.

2011-03-07T10:23:00.004-06:00

Yesterday was an awesome ebc day. We are seeing people respond to 'The Invitation' in many unique ways. Responding begins with the knowledge and faith that Jesus is IT. He is everything...as we sang yesterday, that He is 'All to us.' If we can wrap our minds around that truth; that He really is sufficient in all things, our perspective on everything will change.

Our prayer is this: that we as a church, as a people, would be so in awe of who God is, so in love with Him, so astounded by His grace, so transformed by His mercy, that His life, love, and grace would just flow out of us! That journey begins by saying 'yes' to His invitation.

Some cool things about yesterday:

- great and challenging teaching - "saying 'yes' to God means surrendering our lives to Him, so that we can step into the LIFE He has in store for us."

- worship through music was smokin'... people responding to His greatness, goodness, and grace "Day after Day...our God is reigning!"

- an incredible group at Starting Point last night...13 different people all sharing how they believed God was leading them to join the move of God at EBC. Holy-moley God is good!

- we have a team in Daytona 'serving the world' in partnership with a church there during Bike Week...pray for God-sized things to happen!

- great things happening in small groups all the way around...God is leading our groups in big ways to know Him, love Him, and serve Him..both adults and students!

- a huge shout out to our incredible preschool and kids workers am and pm! Yesterday am in 'The Zone' we had parents attending worship with their kids for Family Worship Day. It is awesome to see parents and kids engaged in worship together...and parents who are serious about leading their kids to know Jesus. Our Sunday night kid's volunteers are uh-mazing!!!

- 'One Challenge' is rocking some people's worlds. How is it rocking yours?

- Yesterday we were all challenged to pray through and seek god as to how he might be leading us to 'be the church.' Ask God to show you how He is inviting you to join Him at work.

Have a beautiful week loving and being loved by God...journey on!

2011-02-28T16:35:00.002-06:00

Yesterday was great on so many levels. I love Sunday's at EBC

- God moved powerfully in so many ways in all three worship services. It is so rich to see people respond to Him.

- Great truth presented yesterday in our series 'The Invitation.' It's about surrendering to Christ what you have...and He can do a lot with just a little. The miracle is that He invites us to join Him at work!

- We continue to have new families join us each and every week. Have you met someone new at church recently? If not, then strike up a conversation with someone this next week. God is leading people to join the mission of Emmanuel!

- Our small group leaders had an incredible meeting yesterday morning. This is a group of people who are so committed to seeing people love Jesus. Our small group leaders have such a hunger and desire for people to connect in community and know Christ. Our small group leaders are the best!

- What a powerful testimony about giving from Philip and Melissa Chapman in worship. God is faithful..."all of my life in every season...You are still God...I have a reason to sing...I have a reason to worship."

- We have some incredible volunteers who teach and love our preschoolers and our kids on Sunday mornings and nights....week in and week out. This is so obvious when you see our kids coming out of their classes and small groups beaming!

- We've got some really great ways that our small groups are 'serving the world.' You'll be hearing more about this in the near future.

All this to say...God is moving...and doing great things. He is at work...and He is inviting us to join Him. Will you accept His invitation?

2011-01-26T10:55:00.003-06:00

Healing is in Your Hands...

I continue to be amazed at the move of God. We just keep hearing great-God stories of how He is working and what He is doing. This past Sunday's worship was just a sweet reminder of His power, His provision, His purpose, His grace, and His unfailing love.

As we were singing the lyrics 'How High/How wide/No matter where I am healing is in Your hands," I just couldn't help but feel the overwhelming presence of Christ, and the perfect peace that comes from His presence.

You may not know this but the worship team was actually struggling with that song Sunday...not the music aspect...but with the emotions that can be wrapped up in a song. Betsey (who was singing the lead on the song) and her husband are soon to be moving away. Betsey and Andy have been so interwoven in to the fabric of EBC for the past ten years. Small group leaders, worship team members, awana leaders, family, prayer warriors, and just good friends to so many. But God is moving them to another city in His sovereign time and sovereign plan.

When I say the worship team was struggling, I don't mean musically, or that there was some strife...I mean we were just all a little emotional. We barely made it through in practice, but God's grace is sufficient. I think by the time the 9:30 service rolled around, everyone was so saturated with the peace of the Spirit's presence (that and our tech team was in the back making funny faces at us so we would laugh!).

I know for me as we led that song, I could hear His voice saying, I am sovereign. I am in control. I love You. I love this church. I love my people. Lead them to me. I am what they need.

I guess the bottom line is this: this past Sunday, God just overwhelmed the worship team and I think the whole church with a great picture of this truth. We are HIS! Part of being His is surrendering to His plans, His purposes, His timing, and trusting that His plans, His purposes, and His timing, are ALWAYS good, ALWAYS perfect and ALWAYS better than any thought we can ever muster.

Aren't you glad you have a God like that?! That is the truth of Psalm 27 we have been unpacking over the past few weeks. He is our Light and Salvation. Whom shall we fear?! He hears us. He knows us. He loves us. Let's rest in that.

So we don't so farewell to friends...we say, God is in charge, and right now, He has kingdom purposes for you somewhere else. We exist to ignite and inspire a passion for Jesus Christ, 'no matter where we are' because healing is in His hands.

Every moment :: Every breath :: Everything...for His glory.

2011-01-22T13:43:00.002-06:00

Come ready for worship tomorrow...
We will be hanging in Psalm 27, specifically verses 7-10...our God is the Father to the fatherless, and He calls us into a relationship of love..

Songs for worship (original artist in () so you can check them out on itunes or youtube)
Faithful - (Kristian Stanfill)
Desert Song - (Brooke Fraser/Hillsong)
Psalm 62 - (Aaron Keyes)
Healing is in Your Hands - (Christy Nockels/Passion)
Forever Changed - (Eddie Kirdland)
All We Need - (Charlie Hall)

Looking forward to worshiping with you...

2011-01-18T12:13:00.002-06:00

Sunday, we dove a little deeper into Psalm 27, particularly verses 5-6.

The promises God gives us in these verses are incredible truths we must cling to. He is the one who fights on our behalf. He is the one who defends, hides us, and lift us up. He is God at all times and in all circumstances.

Something that I think was profound for many was tackling something we've all heard and many have said: "God will never give us more than we can handle." We talked about how this just isn't true...it's no in the Bible. His Word says He won't let us be tempted beyond what we can bear and He always provides an escape from temptation. Yet, His Word doesn't promise escape from circumstances, from trials, or pain. In fact, you could say, His Word in many ways promises these things.

But here is the truth and the good thing about it all...that in trials, we get more of Him! We need circumstances bigger than us, because we need a God who is bigger than us. God doesn't always remove hardship (though sometimes He does). He always gives us more of Himself when we seek Him (27:4). He is our treasure and reward.

Let's walk in the light of that truth this week and cling to His promise.

Here is a great reminder of who He is from Psalm 86:

2011-01-10T12:27:00.003-06:00

This was a weekend of some huge wins and great God-sized stuff at EBC!

Our college students returned from Passion with an increased hunger for God, His Word, His Name, and His renown.

Our small group leaders had a leader training Saturday and spent intentional time praying over our groups and asking God to move in our small groups this semester.

Yesterday's worship encounter was simply an astounding move of God. Jesus' Name was lifted high as we journeyed through Psalm 27.

Last night, we had tons of people getting connected in small groups. There were a lot of new faces and folks getting plugged in to a groups for the first time.

God is moving!

Yesterday we shared a video testimony in worship of the transforming power of Christ as He works in community. Check out Chelsey's story. If you aren't plugged in to a small group yet...email kara@ebccrestview.com and get connected. There is no way to describe what God can do in the the community of a small group!

2010-12-27T22:44:00.000-06:00

2010 in review...

2010-12-20T14:24:00.006-06:00

Merry Christmas! Yesterday was such a sweet and powerful time of worshiping with our faith family. In fact, I'm not sure that words can do it justice. The presence and power of God was moving among us. As the story unfolded, it was beautiful to celebrate the birth, life, death, and resurrection of the Savior.

This year has been an incredible year in the life of Emmanuel. Much has happened for the glory of God and the fame of Jesus. As we approach the week of Christmas, our prayer is that the Emmanuel family would marvel at the indescribable grace we have been given. It's in our name...4 words...God is with us = Emmanuel. Beautiful. Bask in the light of His grace this Christmas, and let that light shine and reflect out of us so that all may see His glory!

No matter how you tell it, it is the greatest story...a video from worship yesterday.
Merry Christmas

2010-12-15T10:52:00.003-06:00

A Generous Life...
God has been doing some incredible things during this past series. God is a generous God, and because He has given to us generously in giving us all we need in Christ, we are free to live generously for Him.

There have been a number of very cool stories that people have shared over the past few weeks of how God has been opening their eyes to see the beautiful joy that comes in giving. Just yesterday, a faithful Emmanuel member was sharing just how much joy she receives as she gives and shares with others.

That is what is so cool about God's economy. Man's economy says...keep it, save it, squander it. God says give it. Man's economy says giving is painful...do it if you have to. God's economy says freely you have received...freely give! We give primarily for the glory of God and in our giving God gives a deep, abiding joy...the joy of being completely satisfied in Him; the joy of knowing His indwelling grace; the joy of being like Him as we give.

If you haven't discovered the joy of giving, even the joy of giving sacrificially, ask God to to show you where to start. You can't out give Him.

There is no joy in collection. There is no lasting joy in consumption. There is deep, everlasting joy in abandoned living and freely giving. - A Generous Life

2010-11-08T10:26:00.003-06:00

God is on the move...

Worship, small groups, people serving and giving of themselves....
God continues to move in big ways in and through the life of Emmanuel. It is such a joy to be on the journey!

Yesterday was just a perfect picture of how cool this place is...
Worship yesterday was rocking...not just the music...literally the presence of God was rocking us as we as a church encountered His truth, His love, His grace, and His power.

Small groups were rolling last night, digging into the Word. It was great to hear stories from people last night on the concourse (yes some of us were braving the cold) of how God is moving in their small groups. God is working in our kids and students as well.

Last night we also hosted 18 people at Starting Point. These are people inquiring about aligning with the life and fellowship of Emmanuel and joining is in our pursuit to ignite and inspire a passion for Jesus Christ. We always love sharing the Emmanuel story...not just because we love this place (and we do!)...but because we aren't the center of the story...Jesus Christ is. He is the reason for it all! We love how God is moving.

This Wednesday, is the due date for shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child. Check out the OCC website, video some videos, and find out how to pack a box. Let's serve the world by sharing the message and hope of the Savior!

http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/

2010-10-26T14:58:00.002-06:00

Sunday was just one of those days. One of those days when all seemed right with the world. It was an explosion of celebration here at Emmanuel. This past weekend 4 people were baptized and we celebrated the fact that they are now alive in Christ!

Also, this weekend, small groups sold stuff...lots of stuff...and they were selling it with a purpose. With the goal of raising money for local and global ministries, different groups raised a total of $2400...just by selling the excess of their stuff. That's $2400 that can be poured out and used to bring Jesus Christ great fame in Crestview and in Mplonjeni, Swaziland, where the money will be used to bring clean water into a water-less community.

Top it all off Sunday night at Fall Gathering. Small groups gathered on campus for a big tailgate celebration of life in Christ. I am so thankful for the people the make up EBC. God has poured out his blessing on Emmanuel and all we can do in response to such incredible grace is offer everything He has given back to Him and say...'whatever God...we will do whatever...for You!'

So thankful for His grace. So thankful for His church. So thankful for you.

2010-10-04T13:20:00.002-06:00

Some changes...

You may have noticed some changes on the main website. We are tweaking and adjusting trying to make tings more accessible and interactive. It is a work in progress...but it is a beautiful work in progress.

We are all works in progress right? Aren't you thankful that we have a God who does not let us stay the same, but who is constantly changing us? In worship recently we have been digging into how God changes our hearts...and what does it look like to listen and act on Jesus' words: "Follow me."

So friends, we are on an incredible journey...the journey of following Him, the journey of becoming more like Him, the journey of loving the world the way He loves the world.

So...how is He asking you to follow Him?

2010-08-16T11:40:00.002-06:00

This weekend was wildly...insanely good!

Saturday night over 150 leaders were gathered for a night of appreciation, training, prayer, worship, and a whole lot of laughter! Unleashed was a wild success...mainly because the people it was for...the leaders of EBC are a wildly, insanely awesome people!

Yesterday morning's worship was so sweet. 'A mighty fortress is our God...a sacred refuge is Your name!' the kingdom of God isn't some far-off, will happen later, kind of kingdom. It is the kingdom of 'now and not-yet.' We are called to be a part of that kingdom and to proclaim that kingdom right now!

Last night, my wife and I walked onto campus to pick up our kids after group connect/small groups to the most beautiful sight. On the concourse (that's the place between all three buildings in case you didn't' know) there were people everywhere. Kids were running. Grown-ups were laughing and talking. Students were hanging out. What a beautiful picture of the church...God's people connecting and pursing authentic biblical community...one of our core values! It was so good to hang out during Group Connect and see people finding a small group...and seeing new small groups form!

God is on the move here at EBC! He is calling and leading, and we will run hard after Him!

2010-07-26T09:57:00.002-06:00

The Reason...

Every Sunday we gather in worship is a reflection of hours of preparation on many people's part. not just your church staff, but numerous volunteers who give hours of their time because they believe in our vision of igniting and inspiring a passion for Jesus Christ.

Every song we sing, the Scriptures we read, the Word that is taught, the videos we show, and even the moments of hilarity that can happen are part of a Holy spirit-initiated process. We begin planning weeks in advance with open hands and say...'God what do you want?' We as a staff along with some help from worship ministry volunteers begin shaping and molding what we believe God is leading us to do...to say...and to live.

Yesterday, I thought at times the roof was going to cave because the praises were being shot out to heaven with such a great passion. We began by looking to God's greatness...His holiness...His awesomeness...and His worthiness of fear. Then we looked at how this great God is so loving. How do you reconcile the God's holiness and God's love....the CROSS! Such a beautiful truth!

So below are the songs we sang and a short synopsis of why we sang them. Though we can't recreate the musical moments here on this blog, knowing the reason we sing songs is helpful in seeing the big story in worship. (I've included a youtube link for those that are available...not necessarily our arrangements...but good arrangements nonetheless)

Hosanna (Praise is Rising) - Paul Baloche - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TY4BWbvxEXQ This is a great song to start the service with...it is a beautiful call to worship - 'Praise is Rising...hearts are turning'....'Hosanna' which means 'Save Us.' Our series has been called Fearless....the lyric 'In Your presence all are fears are washed away' hits home with where we have been. When we come to God...well He is greatly to be feared....His big..He's huge...and He is....well so many things. But God constantly says...'fear not.' His perfect love casts out fear.

The next three songs ran back to back to back. We really wanted to paint a picture of God's supremacy, His absolute holiness, and His absolute worthiness.
Agnus Dei (originally written by Michael W. Smith...many have recorded this) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXvIaaPIrlM This song is a little older...but I think it's words (pretty much straight Scripture) as well as its melody are pretty timeless. Jesus is worthy.
You Are God Alone (Lots of people have recorded this) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xPzTSpbYmk It has been a while since we have sung this at EBC, but what great truth. In praying over our church, and knowing that many people have walked through some very difficult waters this week, I really sensed that this song would speak to a lot of hurting that is going on in people's hearts. God is a prefect healer...and remembering that He is on his throne in the good and bad does our soul well.
Lord of All (Kristian Stanfill) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7ii8WTXilw God is above everything...period! Part of these lyrics came straight from one of our text yesterday Acts 17:24-28)
Praise the Father, Praise the Son (Christ Tomlin) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhMPOieCMa0 This was new to EBC yesterday. We sang and introduced this during the offertory because it so beautifully bridges the thought of great big God (Yours is the kingdom, power and glory...forever) with His grace and redemption. (and insider's note...if you ever hear a new worship song during the offering at EBC...part of it is probably coming back after the teaching...jsyk!...see below)
Blood Bought Redeemed - No link for this...just a four lined- tag that led into At the Cross. After the teaching this reinforced the truth that though God is perfectly holy and owes us nothing...He gave us everything in His grace and mercy at the cross.
At the Cross (Hillsong) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOY0mjjmx8Y This song rocks my face off! There...said it!. This song is a beautiful story of what happened at the cross...where Christ's love was poured out for us. It shows how God's holiness is reconciled with His love.'You tore the veil/You made a way/When You said that 'it is done.' We capped this with the bridge and chorus of Praise the Father Praise the Son. "Yours is the kingdom and the power and glory....FOREVER!

2010-07-17T13:21:00.003-06:00

Welcoming Michael Rogers - minister to students - our newest staff team member!

2010-07-01T10:11:00.002-06:00

It is hard to believe that summer is already half-way through! there have been some incredible things that have happened already this summer at EBC...and even more to come. Where to start?

How about with VBS? Last week here at Saddle Ridge Ranch we had kids and adults all over the place. Kids were learning that when we have questions, God has all the answers. During the week several kids committed their lives as followers of Christ...awesome!

We capped off the week with an incredible night with the Daraja Children's Choir from Kenya. If you were here, you know the roof was raised as these kids led us in worship. It was simply amazing!

Our summer small groups are in full swing and we are journeying through the second half of Acts in groups and in worship on Sunday mornings. Many of our groups are spending their summers serving the world.

To date EBC families have sponsored over 40 children in the Mpolonjeni community of Swaziland as we have launched a beautiful new partnership through World Vision. Our goal of helping to fund a water treatment facility should hopefully be fulfilled sometime this fall!

Our kids are attending C3 Kid's Camp this week in Niceville. Every afternoon when they get back, these kids can't stop talking about what they have experienced during the week.

I told you there were crazy things happening!!!...and there is more to come!

Michael Rogers will be coming on board our staff team as our Student Minister. He has started moving in his office and getting things set up!

Student Life Camp is rolling the last week of July. This week is truly unforgettable in the lives of our students.

Some of you may have gotten a 'save the date' card in the mail for Unleashed on Saturday August 14th. If you are a leader in any role at EBC or you are interested in leadership, you will not want to miss this incredible training event1

ok...that's a long list of what's going on...but hey...God is moving...and we are on the journey with Him. Continue seeking Him well...loving Him well...and serving Him well.

Enjoy this video from VBS...it is what we showed in worship this past Sunday!

2010-05-24T11:26:00.002-06:00

This is a video produced by Hillsong that we showed in worship yesterday. Indeed the needs are surrounding. The question we posed yesterday was this: How do leverage everything we have to sow generously for the kingdom of God. 2 Cor. 6.

It was so exciting to launch our new partnership with Swaziland through World Vision. Here's what is even cooler...God has already been at work. Yesterday, we got to hear those stories. Shelters in communities fully funded...and next a water treatment facility. Yesterday the body at EBC snatched up 25 beautiful kids from these same communities to sponsor...yeah, we ran out! Our call is already in to World Vision for more kids.

It is awesome to be a part of a church whose heart breaks for the outcast, forgotten, and lost. Let's continue on the journey of relying on the sufficiency of Christ and giving our lives to see the name of Jesus Christ lifted high!

2010-05-17T09:22:00.002-06:00

We are rapidly coming to the close of our series Awakening. It has been an incredible journey remembering the life God has called His people to find and live in Christ. I am simply amazed at the great things God is doing in people. Just last night I was talking to someone who had just gone to their first small group ever...and they loved it. It is so cool to see people growing in faith and finding life while connecting with others.

Yesterday, after services I had conversations with several folks who were sharing how God has recently been changing their perspective on life. As we ventured through 'Serve the World' yesterday, God gave us all a poignant reminder that those who love Him, also love others...and that flows out of us as we give our lives to see Jesus lifted high. Some people wanted to see it again, so below is the video we made and showed yesterday in worship....challenging facts that paint a huge picture for of the need for us to live and love like Jesus...

you have been filled....now you have been sent....live for Him!

2010-05-05T14:44:00.002-06:00

Phenomenal time of worship this past Sunday...celebrating the fact that in Christ, we belong to Him, and we belong to each other...we are a community, a family, and as 1 Peter says... a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, called to proclaim the greatness of the One who has called us out of darkness and into his glorious light.

These are lyrics to a song we sang this past weekend. Several folks have asked about it. It is a beautiful prayer and call for the church to live out Jesus' words of John 13...to be His agents of love and redemption. Someone even suggested it become our EBC theme. you can download it on itunes. enjoy!
By Our Love - Christy Nockles
Brothers, let us come together
Walking in the Spirit, there's much to be done...
We will come reaching, out from our comforts
And they will know us by our love...

Sisters, we were made for kindness
We can pierce the darkness as He shines through us...
We will come reaching, with a song of healing...
And they will know us by our love!

The time is now Come Church arise...
Love with His hands See with His eyes...
Bind it around you,Let it never leave you,
And they will know us by our love...

Children, You are hope for justice,
Stand firm in the Truth now, set your hearts above
You will be reaching, long after we’re gone,
And they will know you by your love!

The time is now Come Church arise...
Love with His hands See with His eyes...
Bind it around you,Let it never leave you,
And they will know us by our love...

2010-04-12T08:40:00.002-06:00

Healing is in Your Hands

Well, we let the cat out of the bag yesterday...Jesus is still alive! He didn't go back into the tomb and wait until next Easter to pop out again! He is alive. He is reigning. He is good. He is God!
So the question is this: After Easter are we living like He is alive? Are we living like He is with us? Has the enormity of His power, the perfection of His beauty, and goodness of His grace gripped our hearts?

Yesterday, I know God was working. I could sense that He was bringing freedom to many. I could tell that He was calling many to deeper levels of trust. I know that He was revealing His majesty to many. He was healing broken hearts. He was leading people to repentance. He was moving. Isn't it so good that God moves...that He is active...that He won't let us settle...or be the same?

Here are the lyrics to the new song Healing is in Your Hands that we sang in worship yesterday. They are based on the truth we read in Romans 8. Nothing can separate us from His love. Let's rest in that promise and walk in the truth that in Christ, we are MORE than conquerors.

No mountain, no valley,
no gain or loss we know
could keep us from Your love

No sickness, no secret,
no chain is strong enough
to keep us from Your love
to keep us from Your love

How high, how wide
No matter where I am, healing is in Your hands
How deep, How strong,
And now by Your grace I stand,
healing is in Your hands

Our present, our future,
our past is in Your hands
We're covered by Your blood
We're covered by Your blood

How high, How wide
no matter where I am, healing is in Your hands
How deep, How strong
And now by Your grace I stand,
healing is in Your hands

In all things we know that
we are more than conquerors
You keep us by Your love
You keep us by Your love

Much love....and growing in grace...

2010-04-07T08:09:00.002-06:00

How good is God? So good!

this past Sunday was simply sublime! Services packed and from start to finish Jesus was lifted high and the church just rocked out loving Him well. Love it! The empty grave is singing out...it's shouting out...

HE IS ALIVE! HE IS ALIVE! AND WE ARE FREE!!!

I don't know how you spent Easter afternoon, but we were so blessed to spend the afternoon with our small group family, grilling out, kids running everywhere, and enjoying the beautiful life we share together in Christ. It's all because of Jesus!

A huge thought that hit me yesterday.... a few weeks ago we focused on the question "Who do you say that I am?" This was a question Jesus asked some of His followers when they questioned who He was and what He was doing. We read story after story of things Jesus said and things Jesus did and over and over it said: "And the crowd was amazed at Him,"..."And they marveled at His teaching,"..."and they were astounded by Him."

So yesterday, camped out in Luke 7 (also found in Matthew 8)..Jesus finds a centurion (a Roman officer who is in chard of a hundred men) who has a servant who is sick. People speak very well of the centurion to Jesus, telling Jesus that He is a stand-up guy, making a case for why Jesus should help him.

Jesus comes upon the centurion's house and the centurion basically says to Jesus: "Please don't come into my house because I'm not worthy. But Jesus, I know who you are...and I believe everything I have heard about you is true. I know you don't even have to come into my house to heal my servant. You can just speak and it will be done. I believe in you.

The next phrase gets me. "When Jesus heard this, he marveled at him..." Can you imagine Jesus, the Son of God; our Savior; our Lord; marveling at our level of faith? That's just wild! Jesus being astounded at how much we trust Him. So I wonder would he?

What impossible thing am I trusting God with? How am I walking in faith? Would Jesus be pleased with how much I trust Him?

Let's have big faith in Him because He is a great big God. We have tasted and seen....we have heard and we know...He is able!

Faith moves...Hope sees...Love gives...

jw

2010-03-29T08:51:00.002-06:00

It is Easter Week! Yesterday in worship we answered question two of three in our series 'III.' 'My God why have you forsaken me?' Our sin demanded the sacrifice of God's Son, Jesus. Jesus paid our debt in full and now we are called into His life. Yesterday, was a beautiful celebration of grace as we came to the cross, came to the table and celebrated the abundant life we have in Christ. I love worshiping God! I really love worshiping God at Emmanuel! I love that we get to laugh, sing, cry, pray, grow, live life, and just enjoy God together! He moves in powerful ways here all the time...I'm still singing "You're worthy. You're worthy. You're worthy. You're worthy to be praised forever and a day!"

This week students are on spring break (as I came into church this morning I was greeted by a ton of students who were here all night sleeping outside in cardboard boxes for Interrupted) and many of you will take some time out to relax. Some of you will keep working like every other week. This week we want to take time as a church and be intentional about remembering. Let's remember who God is...what He has done...His incredible love...His indescribable mercy...His unshakable power...the beautiful cross...the empty tomb...let's remember.

At the close of worship yesterday we challenged everyone to take time to remember the Easter story...the story that changes our lives, not just one day a year, but every day of the year! Parents read the story with your kids. Explain to them why Jesus had to die...and why He was willing to do it. Teach your families the Gospel. Let's be reminded just how good He is! Below is a list of daily readings that will take you from the Triumphal Entry, to the cross, to the the empty tomb. Read these, talk about them, and come ready Easter Sunday to celebrate our Risen King

Monday Mark 11:1-25
Tuesday Mark 11:27-33, 12:28-54
Wednesday Mark 14:1-26
Thursday Mark 14:27-72
Friday Mark 15:1-41
Saturday Mark 15:1-47
Sunday Mark 16:1-16

The empty grave is singing out its shouting out...He is alive! He is alive! And we are free!

2010-03-18T10:35:00.002-06:00

Can we just take a moment and celebrate some big wins going on right now in the life of our church....?

Last Sunday, 9 people let the world know that they are on the journey of faith and are committed followers of Christ as they plunged the baptismal waters. The old person is dead, now alive in Christ.

We saw such a beautiful picture of how God's love works, as the Stapp family stood before the church and dedicated their newly adopted (and so ridiculously cute) daughter, Eliana. If you weren't there, get Joe to tell you the story. I think the whole church was in tears. God's grace is so stunning!

Life change is happening. We have gotten some amazing stories back of how God is changing people's lives. One story in particular someone shared was how coming to EBC was the first time they had ever truly understood God's love and the truth of the Gospel. How cool is that?

I had the chance to walk around the campus last night and snap some pictures of ministry in action. It was a beautiful thing. I saw some preschoolers super-engaged in learning Bible stories. I aw our elementary Puggles praying together. Our students were being taught Christian worldview and the truth of God's Word. A group of men gathered together for accountability, fellowship, and time in the Word. Small groups off campus....and tons of volunteers here on campus seeing that it all gets done. What a beautiful picture of the Body of Christ at work.

We finished up our series Great Expectations with a band. Here are the truths we are walking away with...let's live them out. Our faith isn't something we talk about. It is something we live. Faith it!
Learn to Trust - God turns fear into Faith
Look up to Worship - God turns Pride into Worship
Love God more - God turns Lust into Love
Leave history where it belongs - God transforms guilt with truth
Let go, because Jesus did - God turns unforgiveness into grace-full forgiveness
Learn to wait - God turns our impatience into trust, trust in His perfect timing and perfect plan.

Let's walk in these truths, living by faith, and showing that our God truly is greater!

In grace and for glory...

2010-03-01T16:24:00.002-06:00

I am not sure who said the following, but it is an awesome statement. 'The cross is the great equalizer of all men.' I'm not sure if that is a direct quote or a paraphrase. I just know I've heard it, and I can't take credit for it. But man, is it ever true. No matter age, stage, economic status, race, nationality, intelligence...we are all on equal ground at the cross.

This Sunday was challenging. I know it was hard for many. I think it is sometimes easier to understand the truth of our forgiveness of sin in Christ than it is to forgive others. There were some great moments in worship yesterday that I think we need to remember as we journey on the road of forgiveness and being conformed to the image of our Savior:

- How we can look at the cross and see our Savior and His blood shed for our sin, and then turn and look at our neighbor, friend, or enemy with any kind of bitterness or unforgiveness?

- We never quite as much like Christ as when we forgive.

- Our forgiveness of others does not condone their actions, rather it releases us to the life God is calling us to.

- Our command to forgive is not contingent upon someone else's apology or change of behavior.

- Bitterness only gives the illusion of control. We think we are making people 'pay' for what they have done by harboring bitterness. Truthfully, we are only making ourselves pay by forfeiting the peace God gives and failing to forgive for His glory.

- It glorifies God when we forgive. Our forgiveness toward others is an act of worship and demonstrates that we truly comprehend the message of the Gospel. We can't forgive others unless we understand that we are forgiven in Christ.

Lyrics to one of the songs we sang: "I can forgive as I've been forgiven/show the mercy that is shown me/not just for my sake/but for Your glory/sets me free/now I'm free.

Our memory verses this week: Colossians 3:12-13
Therefore as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

We have been shown incredibly mercy. Mercy and grace that we didn't deserve. Let's not delay in showing others this same mercy and grace. It could be the thing that God uses to bring them to Himself.

2010-02-22T10:19:00.002-06:00

Grace is so mind-blowingly, surreally, amazing. To think that we have a God who is so big, so great, and so powerful; a God who is holy; a God who is perfect; a God who for the sake of His glory would literally become sin on the cross so that we might have righteousness - to think about that just makes you melt in awe and worship.

This is a glorious, just, righteous, and loving God who takes the guilt of His children upon Himself. How beautiful.

These are words to a song by Aaron Keyes that we sang in worship yesterday. Read them. Let them soak in. Let the Spirit of God remind you that you are His. you are bought with a price. Forever His. Let that truth transform the way you live, the way you think, the way you believe.

Live with 'great expectations' of a great, all-powerful God.

Verse
It doesn’t matter what You’ve done;
It doesn't matter where you're coming from
Doesn’t matter where you’ve been,
Hear me tell you I forgive

Chorus
You’re not guilty anymore, You're not filthy anymore,
I love you, mercy is yours
You're not broken anymore, You're not captive anymore
I love you, mercy is yours

Verse
Can you believe that this is true, Grace abundant I am giving you
Cleansing deeper than you know, All was paid for long ago

There is now therefore no condemnation for those who are in Jesus

You are spotless You are holy
You are faultless You are whole
You are righteous You are blameless
You are pardoned You are mine

2010-02-16T15:33:00.002-06:00

Sticky Statements

This past Sunday was wildly, insanely good...can I get an uh-huh? From the kick-off with Schizophrenic Love to the landing where we asked God to sift our hearts to help us to be satisfied in Him alone...God was at work. I love seeing Him move in big ways through His church.

We have a phrase that we use here in the office at church: Sticky Statement. A sticky statement is a phrase or sentence that captures a big idea in a way that makes a huge concept tangible and relative...example from the past: direction not intention determines destination.

So a Sticky Statement from this past Sunday that I've been ruminating on:
- The promise of sin is that we can find satisfaction apart from God

Doesn't this sentence say so much? Think about any sin you struggle with and boil it down to its root. It all comes down to trying to find satisfaction in something or someone other than God.

Imagine you are in a large field, and across that field is a lamppost. You stare intently at the lamppost and take a step. With eyes unwavering off of the goal, stride by stride, you are closer and closer to the destination. With laser-like focus you stare down the lamppost until the finish line. You have reached the lamppost.

Now imagine looking at the lamppost, then putting on a blindfold, spinning around 7 times and then setting out to find the lamppost. Pretty hard to do! Wouldn't it be easier just to keep your eyes on the goal and keep walking toward it?

But don't we do this with faith...we take our eyes off of Christ and pursue whatever our hearts desire, and only when we come up empty (again!) do we run back. What if we never took our eyes off the prize? What if we said, I will not be satisfied by anyone or anything except the living water of Jesus Christ. What if we didn't settle for anything less than the abundance of life that Jesus promised?

What if we really believed that we are really loved by God the way that He says He loves us? This week's memory verse is Romans 5:8...For God demonstrates His love for us in this; while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. He alone will satisfy us. So why are we so prone to be content with anything less than Himself?

Aren't you glad God doesn't love like we do? Our love wavers. His love never fails. Our love is conditional. His love never ends. When we have this perspective how could we ever want anything less than what He offers?

Let's pray this week to be forever changed by the love of God...and to turn it around and give that love away to a world that needs to know the love of Jesus.

2010-02-08T12:15:00.004-06:00

We're back...after a long hiatus...the EBC blog is back!

The past few months have been...well...they have been a journey here at EBC. As with every journey that God leads there are times of incredible joy and wonder as we simply marvel at how God works. There are hard days and times when we sometimes wonder exactly what God is up to. But at the end of the day, it has been utterly amazing to be a part of the movement of God in and through EBC.

Yesterday was just another example of how God moves and works. The atmosphere in worship yesterday was...well, it was just heavenly. Dealing with the subject of pride, as we talked about, planned, and prepared worship for yesterday, we just kept landing at this conclusion: The greatest cure for human pride is to marvel at the greatness of God. So that is what we did.

You know what squashes my pride?
- Knowing the severity of my sinful state required the death of Christ
- Knowing that I didn't wake up this morning and choose to have breath...it was given to me by a gracious and good God
- When I look up at the stars (like last night's beautiful sky) and think...the best I can do is light a match and start a fire...God you light the stars and know them all by name...You spin planets in motion
- Knowing that I am not in control of things...God is

I can keep going...but it all goes back to the verse we landed on:
Micah 6:8 - He has shown you o man what is good, and what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with Your God.

Can that just be our prayer this week? Can we seek to know Him more? Can we seek to honor Him by walking humbly? Can we practice faith as not just a noun, but a verb.

Let's put Micah 6:8 into action and watch God at work.

2009-08-24T12:44:00.004-06:00

Sunday was amazing..... Two massive chapters were written into the epic work of God in and through the life of emmanuel.

Justin & Christy are joining with the emmanuel family in our consuming desire of making Christ famous! Justin will lead the charge in the area of worship and global mission. I love their family.... I love God's timing... I love that Justin loves the grandeur of God. Sunday was good!

Chapter Two.... We dedicated a place. We dedicated 4 years of dreams and work. We dedicated space on our campus so that people can discover the wonder and awe of our God. It was so good to honor the 4 legendary men (Jerry, Ryan, Kevin, Dan), who have given thousands of hours toward the building of our preschool area; student room; and the amazing relational space. It was a good day!

God is writing a fresh story at emmanuel. He loves His church. I am praying that we will continue to know Him; trust Him; treasure Him and shine Him. Justin's challenge was right on. I simply cannot shine Him, if I don't know Him!

Enjoy this week. Family Production on Sunday!!

By Grace..... For Glory,
Mark

2009-08-17T15:03:00.002-06:00

Closed out the 'Flipt' series in Isaiah 6 yesterday. Sunday was amazing. Two thoughts have been parked in my conversation with God over the last 24 hours. Isaiah says, "I saw the Lord seated on his throne....." When I see God & He is on the throne, then no rival thrones survive in my life. His throne is the only throne. He is the only One on the throne. I have had good and challenging conversations with God about that truth. I want to 'see the Lord and to see Him exalted on His throne in my life.'

The second thing that challenged me was the beauty of God putting me back together in His glorious rescue mission. His cross... His blood... His wholeness is given to me by His grace. That is radical. As I was talking yesterday, it struck me that many followers of Christ like the 'rescue' and salvation in Christ, but we want to approach it without the other characteristics of an encounter with God. To experience His rescue, I must be marked by Him... stunned by Him.... ruined/undone/ shattered by Him.... THEN, I am prepared for His rescue. Then, I am prepared to be purposed by Him! I want to be ruined for nothing but Christ. He satisfies.

This journey of faith is radical and it launches in a self-crucifixion and a God-resurrection of my life. (Gal 2.20) I cannot imagine anything more lively than testifying of God's ridiculous grace. (Acts 20.24) May we lose ourselves in Him and in Him find our real self. Yeah.

By Grace.... For Glory,

Mark

2009-08-06T04:55:00.003-06:00

My capacity to live a flipt life can be summarized in a few words by Paul found in Philippians 3...

But, whatever was to my profit, I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ..... I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings..... I press on toward that prize; (the prize of knowing Christ by experience and with passion)

I want to know Christ.

Mark

2009-07-28T14:32:00.004-06:00

5 Things that are challenging me:

- I suffer from attention deficit disorder far too often! I pay attention to the wrong things; I don't pause before giving attention; I am not attentive to the things that I really want to be attentive toward. I want to be attentive to Christ....

- Jesus challenges me... When he speaks to me (found in Matt 6.22 - 23), he challenges me to give my attention to Him. When that happens my life will be filled with light. I want to leave no doubt of my love for Him. I want to seek Him... to know Him... to be known by Him.... and to have His light to be glaringly clear in me.

- My kids challenge me. I really can't fake this whole Christian deal... I simply cannot be a 'preacher guy' to my kids. They are really expecting me to love God alot. They need for me to be authentic. They love Him. My kids pursuit of Christ amazes me. They stun me with their astute thoughts about Christ and His Kingdom. Their are both simple and profound. The depth of thought leaves me longing to think well myself and that I might be a clear expression of Christ before them. Their love of Christ compels me. I like that alot.

- Not 'getting' things that happen on this planet challenges me. I miss Carrie. I don't understand Chuck's stroke.... Why is Andrea's kidney transplant rejecting (for heaven's sake, her husband donated it!)? I think that I will be challenged by things that don't make sense on earth as long as I live here. In the midst of dealing with friends who are hurting, I realize a few things.... God is good. I am not in heaven yet, so things that I don't get will happen. They remind me that I am not in heaven yet. And, as Chuck so aptly taught our kids, God has this beautiful way of taking things that are really bad and turning them into things that are really good for His glory (Kind of a kid version of Romans 8.28). I trust God. I don't always understand, but I trust His grace and goodness.

- My mom and dad are celebrating 50 years of marriage in a few weeks. You know, I am challenged by them. They love each other..... they love God.... they have made a massive Kingdom impact together..... and they constantly sharpen one another. Sus and I are 18 years into this marriage joy and I want to celebrate 50 years with her and I want to do that for God's great glory. I love my mom and dad and I am so so so grateful that they challenge me to live out this marriage covenant.

Life is challenging. That is not so bad. It is painful at times. But, challenge is good. I want to be challenged and I never want to stop growing and to stop becoming who God has for me. He wants the 'best me' and that is a process of transforming 'me' into the image of Christ. (Learning how to apply that previous sentence in my small group).

Peace.

Mark

2009-06-14T18:59:00.008-06:00

40 Days
- 40 Days to seek the face of G0d
- 40 Days of fasting as God prompts
(food/ sleep/ a meal/ TV/ computer/ ... yeah, anything that might free you to pray and to seek God's face)
- 40 Day to read the book of Colossians... Read the letter once a day for 40 Days
- 40 Days to pray!
- 40 Days to unite as a church!
- A great starting point might simply be to read Colossians 4.12 and to ask God how He might ask you to 'wrestle' in prayer for Emmanuel..... for the glory of God.

What could happen if we pray? Devote yourself to prayer!! (Col 4.2)

Week Six 7.20.09 - 7.24.09
- 40 Days is moving toward closure.... We have experienced 40 Days of seeking God.... 40 Days of feasting on His Word... 40 Days of a Flipt life and 40 Days of God choosing, by His grace, to use Emmanuel to flip lives.
- During this 40 Days, we have shared in a journey to camp with our students; two missional opportunities to Daytona and PSJ; Vacation Bible School; the launch of summer ministries that are truly changing the face of marriages; parenting; and our own personal journey in Christ.
- During this 40 Days, we have not solely asked God to bless the stuff that we are doing, but we have asked Him for more of Him... more of His truth... more of His life....His grace and goodness and faithfulness. He is good.
- God has revealed Himself. He has revealed Himself personally and He continues to unveil His flipt plan for our lives, both individually and as a church.
- As God leads us toward the end of a 40 Day journey, we have the privilege of praying for kids who will head to Flipt Camp... over 90 kids and leaders (2 - 5th grade), will be on venture to cam next week. Invite God to be Himself and to do, in their lives, audacious things. Ask our God to draw them toward Himself and His purposes and His ways.
- In Him (Christ), we live, move, and have our being.....

Week Five 7.13.09 7.19.09
- The Word is Alive. Life, based upon truth and conviction, is not easily swayed. I am asking God to build our lives and the life of emmanuel on the core conviction of His truth and His way. I am praying that the 'Word of Christ finds deep dwelling among us' and that we challenge one another and encourage one another and press one another more deeply in Him. May the Word of Christ dwell richly among you and among us this week.
- A team ventures to Daytona this week. They will prepare a beautiful wing to minister to children, THEN a second team will actually love the kids that God sends in a VBS. What an incredible week and what an opportunity God has given us.
- How are you 'fasting'? How are you making space for God to be Himself to you? How is He inviting you to know more of Him? To trust Him? To Love Him? To Be in Him? Seek first the Kingdom of God......

Week Four 7.06.09 – 7.12.09
- Park and think about Colossians 1.24 – 29… God is inviting you to treasure Him. He is inviting you to treasure His goodness and His grace and His life in you. He is inviting you to love Him and through that love, to love those around you. Verses 28 – 29 will compel you to fast. God is challenging us to present those in our sphere of influence as perfectly mature in Him. We must deeply love Him and allow that love to pour out and to disciple those around us. What a magnanimous joy. What a challenging privilege.
- How is God asking you to pour Him onto those around you?
- This week, our fellowship will be on adventure to Port St Joe. We will lead a family impacting week. We will teach children of the boundless love of God. Pray for our family that will be on venture.
- Pray… Seek.. Fast… Expect… Enjoy!

Week Three 6.29.09 - 7.05.09
- This is a week to celebrate freedom. It was for freedom that Christ has set us free! Colossians 1.13 – 14 are amazing verses of freedom. Let freedom in Christ and from Christ and for Christ ring in your life!
- This week, our family of faith launched Fantastic World (Kids); Primal (Students); Flipt Summer Studies (Adults)… it promises to be an amazing summer for our families. Fast and pray for God to move in Spirit and in Power in and through the life of our fellowship.
- What will happen when a church prays?
- We will discover more and more of the goodness of God
- We will see our students return from camp with their lives flipped completely
- We will experiences hundreds of kids at VBS (493 to be exact); dozens rescued into the story of God; and a thousand dollars or more given to provide VBS for another church (Daytona)
- We will share story after story after story of the beauty and wonder of Christ!

Week Two 6.22.09 - 6.28.09
- a beautiful week ahead. VBS launched last night and it remains one of my favorite weeks of the year! Pray for God to DEEPLY impact the lives of many families....
- I love the theme..."It all comes back to Jesus"... After reading the Letter to Colossians daily, stop and think about Colossians 1.15 - 20... Christ supreme. Christ Beautiful. Christ amazing. Pray that Christ will not only be the head of this church, but that He will guide us into every thing that He has for us and that we will move with Him.
- I love that thought from yesterday. Worship is life. Everything. May your life be an ongoing, never-ending, amazed and beautiful act of worship! May our worship of God leave this city and the nations glad and rejoicing in the goodness of the One who overwhelms us.
- Pray... Fast...Seek... Expect

Week One 6.15.09 - 6.21.09
- An amazing week ahead..... Colossians 4.12 could be an amazing verse to pray. Invite God to teach you to pray and to be a person who stands in the gap for this church.
- Students are at camp.... If you would like a list to pray over, hit comment below and leave your e mail addy. Pray for the 90 students/ leaders at SLC!
- Boomerang Express is gearing up next week.... Ask God to pour out His life into the lives of our kids and workers in the days to come.
- As you pray this week, pause and consider the wonder of Colossians 1.15 - 17. All things are held together in Christ... He is supreme... He is enough... Is your life given 'for' Him?

What excites you about 'wrestling' in prayer with the entire emmanuel family? Hit comment and share....

Pray... Expect....Hope....Be

2009-06-09T12:17:00.003-06:00

A friend, this week, shared a great summary to the verse Colossians 4.12. She said, 'that verse has messed me up.' With the joy of a 'mess us up' verse, we have discovered a solid plural name for Epaphras. Ready?!?! Here you go.... Epaphrites. Yep, doesn't really ring my joy bell either, but what an incredible thing to aspire toward.

Can you imagine a whole slew of people who wrestled with God on behalf of each other? I mean, it would be spiritually remarkable for a church... a movement of people who are giving great chase to God, to pray and to wrestle and to ask God to grow us into maturity and that we would be fully assured and that we will stand firm in and for the glory of God. Epaphras wrestled with God for his friends at the Church at Colosse.

Honestly, my imagination runs wild as I think about the people in that church. They kept having amazing things happen among them... you know, people being rescued into the story of God; families putting the pieces back together; people selling their stuff so that other people could have stuff; parents committing to train their kids in what it might look like to follow Christ. Things like that and so much more was happening and the people of the church were just in awe of God. They had to be asking, 'how does this stuff keep happening? How does all of this God-stuff keep springing up around us???' Yeah, Epaphras wrestled with God on behalf of the church, that they would be mature and assured and that they would stand firm in the Lord.

So, I'm hoping that our church might just be made up of a bunch of Epaphrites. That could be wildly fun..... God-sized... people in Crestview might just look at us and like what they see. So, who are you praying for? Who is praying for you? When is the last time that you wrestled with God in behalf of another? Let's go for it!

By Grace... For Glory,
Mark

2009-06-01T15:44:00.002-06:00

Incredible day around Emmanuel yesterday. We did the Nole chop and chant, which made a portion of the room happy and left the rest of us a bit nauseated. But, we also talked about what it might look like to live for the name of God. Colossians 3.17 was our launching pad for thought and it was fresh to consider what it might mean for us to truly live out and flesh out the name or the essence of God Himself in our everyday encounters.

Honestly, I was really challenged by I Samuel 3.19.... I mean, what a verse to latch onto and what a risky verse to pray for yourself. To actually say to God, I don't want a single action or deed or word that you have for me to fall to the ground. Honestly, if we were to ask God to so posture our lives so that there was not a single action... not one task that He has for us... not a Word that He is speaking to us that might fall to the ground, we could live in the midst of a revolution of the Spirit and the Presence of God. I have no doubt that God would enjoy dwelling in an environment like that and He would give us His 'face'... His presence.. His glory. I want to live for the glory of God and I really want to share that zeal for His glory with a whole bunch of people!

Speaking of living for the glory, we collected a ton of money yesterday in order to prepare a nursery area and to prep a kids area in Daytona Beach. Via a single plea, we gave over $1100 AND a crib and we also have more than a dozen who will pile in and head toward Daytona in July. I think that we were the church yesterday.... we met and worshiped and talked about hundreds of lives that will be impacted in Crestview through this summer AND we met a critical need in another part of the world with immediacy. Amazing! I love sharing life in this environment and watching God move among us. Details are coming about the trip in July. Tentative dates are to leave on Friday July 17. Work the evening of the 17th; Saturday work; afternoon of the 18th; wrap up work on the 19th (Monday) and head back to the 'View. Changing the world.... Gotta love it.

Enjoy a remarkable week and give great chase toward the 'face of God'. Play for Glory.

By Grace... For Glory,

Mark

2009-05-27T16:29:00.002-06:00

a quote by Chan has been messing with me this week. I am asking God what a group that enjoys Christ dwelling among them might look like. (Col 3.16) Chan writes (and I paraphrase), it's not that America is rejecting Jesus Christ, necessarily. Perhaps its just that they haven't seen Him. Instead, they have simply seen a very poor knock-off version of what a Christ-follower might be. We live in a time when the term "Christian" has been so diluted that millions of immoral but nice people genuinely consider themselves "good Christians." We have reduced the idea of a good Christian to someone who believes in Jesus, loves his or her family, and attends church regularly.

I am so begging God that people see a radical, impassioned, zealously in love with Jesus bunch of people who love God deeply..... love those around them wildly.... and, as Acts 2 reads in the message, 'people in general will like what they see' in the body of Christ.

Chan's thoughts are wrecking me. I love the church. May the church be consumed by the goodness of Christ and may His beauty, wonder, and grace dwell among us. May we never shrink back from all-encompassing call of the gospel.

By Grace.... For Glory,
Mark

2009-05-18T16:11:00.002-06:00

I learn so much from my kids. My kids amaze me. A simple sentence that they brought home from worship a few years ago has left me challenged. Help me not to be okay simply because everything is okay with me. That seems to flow from the heart of God. Everything was okay within the trinity (God the Father, Son, and Spirit), but everything was not okay with us. His relentless love left him 'not okay' and compelled action from the heart of God. May we be 'not okay' and may our 'not okay' leave me and leave us under compulsion......

Mark

2009-05-11T19:49:00.002-06:00

I love the Word. The Bible is alive and it gives great chase to me. God uses the Word to challenge me and to compel me and to lead me and to change my view of life. I love reading a section of Scripture and having the Holy Spirit flower a truth that I have seen hundreds of times, yet never actually seen.

I was reading Acts 2.42 and the Scripture reads that 'they devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to breaking bread, prayer and fellowship.....' I have read Acts 2.42 - 47 so many times that I can't count. I tend to run toward the amazing things that God was doing among them. You know, the whole 3000 people saved or the selling of stuff or the daily gatherings in order to celebrate Christ or the awe that they seemed to generate by those around them or the constant remembrance of Jesus Christ via communion.... There was so much that was God-sized and ridiculous among them. So, how did this happen? Really, how, for heaven's sake, did all of this amazing stuff happening among them?

The simple answer that I discovered was profound. "They devoted themselves...." "They" were the 3000 new believers, who devoted themselves to one another.... to a passion for the Word... to a longing to serve those around them. They didn't ask someone else to feed them or to nurture them or to mature them. They were a wildly devoted group of Christ-followers. It seems that the Spirit of God in the life of the believer compelled them to be devoted. No excuses.... no weak pursuit... just a radical passion for God and an unimpeded devotion to know Him.

I would love for the people of Crestview to say, 'hey, that bunch of Christ-followers at Emmanuel are devoted... they are devoted to God in radical ways and they are devoted to each other.' God might just do amazing things among us that could be explained only by Him. That would be fresh!

By Grace... For Glory,
Mark

2009-05-04T11:14:00.003-06:00

It has been a week.....

- a week of experiencing the death and burial of a friend, who in his death became a national hero
- honestly, there were so many things that were done 'right' in the middle of a situation that was so wrong......
- the OCSO and their support for the Lopez family was remarkable!
- the honor poured out for Burt's life from people across this nation leaves me with a loss for words
- perhaps one of the most 'honoring' moments of my life was to turn left on 85 out of Central BC and to see the streets lined all the way through Crestview and into Niceville with people who bestowed honor and respect for the life (and death) of Burt Lopez. From salutes to hands over hearts to homemade signs to American Flags to beautiful children stopping their ballgame to stand beside the road... it was simply remarkable. As I turned left on 20 in Niceville, I was overwhelmed by the previous 16 miles driven and I was thanking God for what the family was experiencing in the bus behind me. At that moment, God allowed me an incredible glimpse of heaven. Can you possibly fathom the utter joy of walking into heaven?!?! Can you imagine the sheer joy of walking into millions upon millions who stand before the living Christ AND who will welcome us into this wildly glorious fest around the throne of the King. I can truly only imagine......

- this week, our family ministry team ventured to the ATL and they spent three days thinking about how to most deeply and most vibrantly impact families. The outflow of the three days will be felt for years to come! What an amazing time to consider the impact of the life of the church and the life of the family and the synergizing of the two. The potential is abounding.

- Yesterday, as we gathered to worship I was so looking forward to 'sanctuary'. I needed to sing.... to worship.... and to simply be with the body of Christ. One word, from Colossians 3.11, really leaves me challenged. "HERE".... as in, here in the middle of the body of Christ I will find hope and peace and unity and joy and diversity and a thousand other gifts given by God. Here, Christ is all and He is in all. I love to find myself 'here' in the middle of a community of Christ-seekers.

Christ is all. Here, Christ is in all. I am praying that it is evident that He lives among us!

By Grace... For Glory,
Mark

2009-04-28T05:27:00.002-06:00

One moment... one phone call.... things change and the earth tilts and life will not be the same. Two officers in our community gave their lives in a tragic manner, yet as heroes. One of those officers, Burt Lopez, was a friend and a neighbor and a part of Emmanuel and a buddy who watched our daughters 'perform' many a musical and dance. He was a great man.... greatness defined through His love for His wife and His family and His work and, ultimately, His God. The last couple of days have been surreal and they will continue to be as our neighborhood, his co-workers, our church, and His family wrestles with Burt not walking this planet with us. In a couple of days, we will lay Burt's body to rest. It will be an incredible celebration of a life well-lived. It will be a painful time to say 'goodbye' and to mourn. It will be a prolific time to thank God for God and to thank Him for immersing Burt and immersing us in Christ.

I have had a simple thought, as I have walked through the last couple of days. My life could change in a moment. As I listen to story after story about Burt, I hear of a man who loved his kids exceptionally well.... who loved his wife exceptionally well... who valued and cared deeply for his friends.... and who loved us (all of us in Ok. County) so well that he would lay down his life for us. I am thankful to call him a friend. Perhaps the legacy that I am realizing that Burt leaves me is the challenge to live well. It is to consistently do the small things every day in order that those consistent steps of love and respect accrue and accrue and that I will have lived a life that leaves behind a tremendous legacy in the most important things. I have this consuming desire to glory in and to glorify God in very real, express, and tangible ways on this day.

So, today I am asking God to give me exceptional love for those around me...... to give me a disdain for mediocrity..... to give my life as a sacrifice for others.... and to love God and to love those around me with a love that surpasses understanding. That will bring honor to Burt's life and to his death. That will bring honor to Jesus Christ. Glory to God.

Mark

2009-04-21T19:46:00.003-06:00

Because I am made alive with Christ, I will....

Because I am chosen by God, I will.....

Because I am adopted by God, I will....

Because I am complete in Christ, I will.....

Because I am hidden in Christ in God, I will.....

Because I am seated in heaven, I will.....

Yeah, I could list and list and list and list and list and list the amazing truths of who we are in Christ.... who I am in Christ. Colossians 3 leaves me deeply challenged to 'set' my heart and my mind on who I am in Christ. I love the truth that to 'set' means to take possession of who I already am in Him and what is already mine. When I am possessed by Christ and His grace abounds to me, I actually think that it will change everything about my day... my thoughts... my relationships.... my passions.... I will be being transformed. God is so gracious. His grace is wildly sufficient. I love His grace. I love Christ. I love sharing this Christ journey together.

Enjoy this week.

By Grace.... For Glory,
Mark

2009-04-13T18:56:00.002-06:00

Easter was so amazing. Friday night, it was beautiful to watch families gather around the cross and to give pause to the amazing work of the cross of Christ. As I was talking with my kids about what we gain through the cross and preparing to share in communion, I listened to other families nail their writings of the joy found in the cross to the cross. The moment is indescribable and incredibly meaningful.

Easter Sunday was so beautiful. We sang songs... read Scripture... were reminded of who we are in Christ..... wore a suit and tie (NOT!)... and celebrated Christ alive. I love being a part of a fellowship that is authentic, thankful, and who revel in the grace of God. His grace is amazing.

Funny, but I woke up this morning and celebrated the resurrected Christ again today. I am thinking that I will do that again tomorrow. I am grateful that I will worship Him for eternity. Christ is life. I am alive because of Him! I share in that life with an amazing group of Christ-followers called the 'church'. That is good!

Happy Easter!!

By Grace... For Glory,
Mark

2009-04-06T15:42:00.002-06:00

Loving a couple of thoughts.... my life is hidden with Christ in God. I am in Christ and Christ is in me and we are in God. I am feeling pretty secure as my life is parked in that consummate God-fest.

I am loving this amazing writer named Paul. As I was reading Colossians 3 aloud yesterday, I was pretty blown-up by the prolific truth that He is speaking to us. We should actually read and think about this stuff.....alot.

I got to hang out with a small group last evening. They were amazing. I also ate some good bar-b-que with them. Yep, that was good. The fresh part of the evening was sitting with a couple that they are adopting who are headed toward Hondura's on mission. They are planning to take their 3 beautiful daughters and move to a different nation and to invest in amplifying the name of Christ in that nation. What is even more amazing is that they consider that to be 'rich' in the Kingdom economy. I want to count all loss, yet for the abounding greatness of knowing Christ and making Him known.

Last week, I traded e mails with my friend Justin, who is in Africa. He has been there for a few months and He is applying to be there for a few years. He considers that gain! Yeah!

Sus (my wife) said something to me last night that I've been thinking about all day. It went something like this..."I think that we will be amazed, at the end of life, how valuable Kingdom stuff will be and how invaluable much of what lure's us will be." I want to invest well. I really do.

Seeking first the Kingdom and trusting God with all the rest.

By Grace.... For Glory,

Mark

2009-03-30T15:11:00.003-06:00

Five Insights from Yesterday:

- Was it just me, or did we invite the 'soggy bottom boys' to worship yesterday.... I loved the 'soggy' version of I'll Fly Away.... it was fun, different, and had a nice bit of 'twang'.

- I wonder how many times, in life, I can run head first into a tree and awaken asking "who am I? where am I? and how did I get here?" I really don't want to keep running down wrong paths and directly into trees and totally acting NOT like who I am.

- It was a challenge to sing, 'give me ONE pure and holy passion' knowing that I am so easily drawn to other small and insignificant obsessions. I want to live the lyrics of that song and not simply sing them.
- Speaking of living, I found it quite compelling to consider that both the simple and the wise see danger..... both. What distinguishes the wise from the simple is his reaction (the wise take refuge and the simple keep going) and the outcome that follow. Suffering is promised for the simple. Yikes.

- Isn't it funny that we fume about suffering and actually blame God, rather than evaluating our decision making over a period of time and realizing that we are actually culpable for our decisions and the suffering was most likely brought on by poor paths taken? How is God to blame for our poor decisions? We might actually want to assess the trajectory of our life and how and why we keep landing in a challenging place and suffering because of decisions that we have made. These 'paths' have led to the clearly delineated outcome that God, in His love, has warned us about. Yikes, again.

- Okay, I have a 6th deal from yesterday....It was amazing to walk into our new preschool building and to see our students building and arranging SO much furniture! My kid was covered in paint and loved every minute of 'restoring' the cafe as well. Awesome.

'Nothing rather than on Christ!'

By Grace.... For Glory,
Mark

2009-03-23T09:33:00.002-06:00

Wow. Yesterday was a catalytic weekend Encounter. Conversations are flowing and we are being invited to run in the 'paths' of the Christ-life, for that path is the place of ultimate delight and impassioned living. It is interesting to read Paul's letter to Colosse and to recognize that He is challenging them to focus solely on Christ as their all-consuming sufficiency. As we make our way through chapter 2 of that letter, it is so clear that this church is focusing on a myriad of things, 'rather than on Christ.'

Rather than identify all of the issues (2.16 - 23)that dissuaded the church at Colosse from being set on Christ, I read this section and wondered if there was a more over-arching principle involved in their lack of focus. I love God, because I happened to snag a new book by Andy Stanley entitled "The Principle of the Path" and his book perfectly captures the place that the church at Colosse finds themselves. Really, I don't think that they intended to worship traditions or themselves or angels and any other crazy stuff. I just don't think that they intended not to. Paul is asking this church to focus solely on Christ.... to recognize the supremacy of Christ... to hold their hope only in Christ.... meanwhile, they feel free to throw in a bit of angel worship; self-worship; traditions-worship; basic philosophy worship. Yeah, they are wrecking the flavor of "Christ Supreme and Christ alone!"

So, we wrestled with the principle of the path yesterday. This principle is, 'direction - not intention - will determine your destination. Every time.' If we want to be a church that lifts high the amazing name of Christ, then that cannot be our intent... it must be the direction of our lives, ministries, focus, and passion. Andy wrote, 'the direction that you (and we, as a church) are traveling currently - relationally, financially, spiritually.... - will determine where you end up in each of these areas. This is true regardless of your goals, your dreams, your wishes, or your wants.' Dreams and wishes are fine and dandy and we can 'hope' that we land among our dreams. But, here's a second principle that is deeply imbedded in our fellowship...'Hope is not a strategy.' Hope has never been a strategy.

Physically, spiritually, emotionally, professionally, financially... in every way, you and I are on a path. Our actions will lead us directly toward the destination that we are traveling. What an incredible incredible incredible opportunity to change paths (repent) and to walk in the path of God's greatest plan. What an incredible opportunity to strategically choose Christ. Constantly. Relentlessly. Christ. After all, I really believe that the One who made us is the One who is quite capable of leadings us in the paths of His commands and His love and His life and on this path, there is sheer delight and consummate satisfaction.

May I have the wisdom to walk in the path of His command and the courage to follow His path all of my days. May we share in that journey as a church.

By Grace... For Glory,

Mark

2009-03-16T18:54:00.002-06:00

Crazy weekend at Emmanuel! The worship was fresh.... the presence of God was palpable. I love the freedom that Christ brings. I love that truth that He really does move mountains... mountains of my sin... mountains of shame... mountains of guilt.... I love that, as an act of faith, I cast my life into Christ and He totally frees me.

Not only does Christ immerse me in Him and not only does He wipe away all my sin, but he does something even more beautiful. I am stoked when I discover that Christ makes a public spectacle of my freedom in the face of the powers and authorities who have held rule over me. I love that He transfers me from the domain of darkness and into the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. I love that His transfer is made loudly public at the gates of hell. I love that He loves to claim me as His own and that I am eternally His. I love so many things about Christ. I am brought alive with Him. That is wildly good!

Christ is completely supreme and I am begging God that my life may be a confession of His supremacy and His wonder and His awe. Because I have been freed by Him and immersed in Him, the sole response from me has to be, "I am IN"... I am in on advancing Your name.. the One supreme name that will be worshipped for eternity - Jesus. I am in on living for your fame. I am IN. I am so available to be used in any way that You see fit.

May our fellowship know... really know the gravity of our freedom in Christ and may we be a church full of people who are full of Jesus and who are all in as we proclaim great freedom in and through Christ alone.

Christ amazing!

By Grace... For Glory,

Mark

2009-03-09T19:46:00.003-06:00

So, I'm reading Colossians 2.9 and I am undone. Get this, the fullness of the Deity is made manifest in bodily form through Jesus Christ. That truth is crazy! I want to be amazed by Christ. I want to remember that the mention of His name evokes abounding worship among thousands upon thousand in the heavenly realm.... peals of thunder and lightning surround Him.... created beings of astounding beauty cascade around Him in His glory.....colors beyond our imagination surround and reflect the glory and the goodness of Christ. There is one famous, glorious Name that will be worshipped throughout eternity. Given that eternity past and eternity future will frenzy at His presence and His Name, I am praying that we will never grow weary of pursuing His good greatness and that our worship will dimly reflect the worship of heaven.

I love the lyric that David Crowder added to the song "O For A Thousand Tongues to Sing". He writes, 'So come on and sing out, let our anthem resound.... there is One great love!..... There are so few words that never grow old. There are so few words that never grow old... Jesus! Jesus! Jesus!'

Oh wow, may our worship align with a fraction of the outpouring that surrounds Christ at this moment. Yeah!

By Grace... For Glory,
Mark

2009-03-02T15:41:00.002-06:00

Image management. As a Christ-follower, what an incredibly freeing thing to care not at all about image management. What freedom to simply live our lives as an expression of God's grace and His goodness in and through us. I know that I have a propensity toward 'image management' rather than authentic/ inside out change. I hate that and I want to live before an audience of one and to all His image to be all that I seek.

I know that I can fake it. I know that faking it is empty and futile. I also know that I will be drawn toward faking this whole Christianity thing again. All that does for me is to make me proud or to leave me lifeless. I want to be full. I want for more of Christ.

I was sitting in the room yesterday and wondering what might happen if an entire church loses any idea of image management and we become an authentic, Christ-loving, 'each-other' loving community of faith. That could be crazy! I think that we should go for it.....

Mark

2009-02-23T15:10:00.005-06:00

I want for my life to make a bold and declarative confession of the glory and the goodness of God. I really do want that. Then, I forget. I can spend minutes and hours and days and even months forgetting that 'to want' means to actually do something with that 'wanting'. I am actually called to crave for God... to love Him... to ask Him to teach me to love Him. I want that and I don't want to neglect that deep longing of my soul.

So, I am wondering what my 'cheese nips' might be. What are those things that keep me from giving great chase to our God? What keeps me from running hard after His heart? I want to fix my eyes on Christ and run the race that He has for me, casting off all hindrances and all sin that so easily entangles me. I want a contant clarifying purpose and vision of Jesus Christ to be the desire of my heart. I don't want to settle for cheese nips when my life is intended to be run with great purpose.

Ian and I were talking this morning (Monday) and we both watched the film 'Hitch' this past week. He had a great statement when he said, 'I tell all my clients --- begin each day as if it were on purpose.' Tomorrow, I want to begin as if the sole purpose of my life is to bring great honor and glory and praise to Christ. By doing that, I will run without hindrance and I will run with great focus! I am thinking that I will begin tomorrow on purpose and I am also thinking that I will wrap my heart and mind in the purposes of God via His Word. A life of that is defined and built up in the purposes of the Truth of the Word... well, that could make for a prolific and purpose-filled life.

Enjoy today.

By Grace.... For Glory,
Mark

2009-02-20T07:41:00.003-06:00

I ran a LONG way this weekend. Tangled with my first full marathon in over 12 years. Yeah, 26.2 is a very long way. It was pretty amazing to run with a few thousand.... to run with a friend (Jesse!).... and to run with my bro-in-law. Encouragement and endurance are both really big deals.

My family stacked up much encouragement at miles 18 and 22 and 24ish. It was so sweet to round a corner and to hear my kids and my bride shouting love. That was FUN at miles 18 and 22....

At mile 22.5, I thought that I was going to lay down and never move again. I think that I get Paul's words about training and challenging your body. I pushed through the pain and finished the race well. Mile 24 was my family and 25 was other family member and 26 thousands were cheering... I like knowing that there is a great cloud of witnesses and that they love that we run well, with great passion.

So, I had a couple of goals. I wanted to finish the race. I wanted to run sub-4 hours. Hit both by running a 3.48.55. Whoo hooo!

Now, when the feeling returns to my legs......

Mark

2009-02-09T15:09:00.003-06:00

I am wrecked by grace. I just want to stand under the waterfall of grace and to experience the pouring and pouring and pouring and flooding of Christ in me.

I struggle with grace. I actually think, at times, that I bring something of great value to the table. In actuality, the most valuable thing that I have to offer is that I have recognized Jesus Christ, who is consummate in value, and I have invited Him to be life to me. By choosing Him, I chose to be covered by grace... filled by grace... sustained by grace...held by grace.... moved by grace. Grace works. Grace moves.

So, I'm walking around today with a life wide open, asking God to pour more of Him and more of His life and more of His purpose and more of His passion into me. I'm praying for less self-reliance and total God-reliance. I am asking Him for the grace to actually live as an expression of His life. I like grace.

I am thankful for grace. Let it pour.

By Grace.... For Glory,

Mark

2009-02-02T15:35:00.002-06:00

Incarnate.... What an intense and incredible challenge to 'flesh out' Christ in this city. I can spin, quite easily, into being utterly overwhelmed at the prospect of being a tangible representation of Jesus Christ in this earth. I find much peace, when I find myself immersed in the incarnate God and He (Jesus) simply asks of me...asks of us to abide in Him and to allow His life to be expressed through us. It is a remarkable thing to be a part of His church and to know that our role is to live out the incarnation of Christ. We share together in the role of allowing a wonderful taste of the goodness of God. Peace!

In John 20, Jesus walked into a room of people and gave birth to the church. They were terrified and hopeless. He did two things. He showed them His hands and His feet.... He had died. He was alive! Then, he spoke the Word that continues to bring holy contentment and holy passion. He said, 'shalom'.... Peace.... All that you have been waiting for is now complete. Then, Christ breathed the presence and profundity of the Spirit of God on them and He challenged them to 'go' and to live and to incarnate Him. His church was lauched. We are a part of that movement, making great confession of the Lordship and Kingship of Jesus Christ. May Christ breathe His life and His power and His awe on us and may we go and go and go and go and flesh Him out to those in our sphere of influence. Shalom... we are complete in Him and we incarnate to others a life of peace... completion... hope....passion... future.... life.

By Grace.... For Glory,
Mark

2009-01-27T19:09:00.002-06:00

I've been thinking alot about the story of Jonathan and his armor bearer. I am giving much thought to a single sentence. "The death blow for Jonathan was to hear the words, 'stay where you are and do nothing.'" Jonathan knew that the call of God was the call to advance.

The death of the church of Jesus Christ is to do nothing.... to maintain... Jesus left with these words echoing in our soul: Go. Make disciples. Immerse them in the Kingdom. Teach. Live. Move among the nations. Lift high the name of Christ. Go.

Go. Advance. That has to be the posture of Emmanuel. I am praying that we are a people who are eagerly awaiting the name, renown, and move of God and that we will move heaven and earth to join with Him in His endeavors.

Go. Be.

By Grace... For Glory,
Mark

2009-01-19T19:08:00.004-06:00

Love Moves.... May we not love solely in word and speech, but with action and in truth. 1 john 3.18 (mcsv) The theme of disciple now was the challenge that love must move among us. We live under compulsion because of the abounding love of Christ. We love one another because we were first loved by Him. We love those who have yet to experience His perfect love because we have tasted and seen and we know it is good.

The weekend was amazing for a plethora of reasons.... a couple of hundred kids experiencing God. Good. Auburn U students leading them. Good. Riverside Worship Project parking us at the cross. Good. Hundreds of adults at Emmanuel serving and advancing this weekend. Good. Our students blanketing Crestview and serving the city. Good. It really was good news to this city that we had D-Now.

A few samples of serving.....
- yards were cared for...
- cars washed
- loose change was collected.... as in $600+, which will be given to:
*loose change to loosen chains - liberating and serving children who are trapped in the sex trade
* rice bowls - feeding hungry in this world
* our AWANA missionary
- I also helped load over 500 cans of food that will serve the food bank in Crestview

Yeah, it was an incredible weekend. All that I typed above was good. What really captured my heart this weekend was....

The cross of Christ. Once again, I was parked at the cross and positioned to determine what I will do with Christ. Honestly, it is a daily question and a daily decision to lay down my life so that I can take up His. John Taylor drew a chalk art picture of Christ as we worshipped and a video left me undone at the cross. I want to live at the cross! I long to deny myself and take up my cross and follow hard after Him.

I was also captured by a five year old. Asher was undone by I John 4.19. He and his parents were reading the Word and the Word said that we are liars if we claim Christ yet do not love those around us. He was broken and weeping and telling his daddy that 'he does NOT want to be a liar'. Asher is 5. He is 5 years old. I think that he takes Scripture far more seriously than I do. I don't want to be a liar either. I want to be one who live out and fleshes out the Truth in this world and who shows evidence that the Spirit of the Living, Radical, Amazing, Transforming God lives in me. I will think about Asher's words for quite awhile.

It was a good weekend. Much good happened. Love moved. It still does.

By Grace.... For Glory,
Mark

2009-01-12T19:26:00.003-06:00

I was talking with God on a long run last week. I was thinking about what it means to follow Christ. When Jesus invites us to follow Him and to encounter Him, He is inviting us into a relationship with Him. When Jesus invited someone to follow Him, He was not asking us to be a part of His move. He was inviting us to learn from Him and to think like Him and to have His attitude. He invites us to discover how to use our words like Him and how to relate to people like Him and how to live everyday like Him. A choice to follow a 'teacher' in Christ day held a great saying. The followers of a 'rabbi/teacher' asked that they might be covered in the dust of the rabbi. I was running and praying and thinking and enjoying a long jog and my mind flashed to pig-pen. He is covered in dust. Everywhere he goes, so goes the cloud. Wow, can I ever relate to that image. I laughed as I was jogging and I enjoyed a great, great chat with God about dust and follow-ship and life in Him. It was fun and challenging and I found myself finding much joy in Christ. May I... May we be covered in the dust of the rabbi! May our church be filled with the dust of a people who are seeking His face and following Him.

I love that we share this journey together. I love that we are an 'us'. I love the words in Luke 14.... that Jesus longs for His house to be full! I am begging God that our body will be a body of radical followers and the us of us will become more and more and more and more of us.

Enjoy today. Live dusty!

By Grace.... For Glory,
Mark

2009-01-05T20:27:00.003-06:00

Second... as in everything is second when we are invited to follow Christ. Second....as in 'seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all else will then be added to you.' Second.... as in what an incredible thrill to move my life into its eternal purpose, which is to give Christ all honor, and all glory, and all dominion, and all worth forever. Christ supreme. Christ first.

This weekend was amazing. We launched the year in a very contemplative and simple fashion. When all else is stripped away and when we simply sit at the cross of Jesus Christ and when we gaze at the ironically beautiful blood of Jesus Christ, we find the place of amazing love, grace, freedom and hope. As His blood and water spills, we find the walls that separated us from God come crashing down. It is my prayer that we find our lives and our fellowship parked at the cross throughout 09.

It is my prayer that we follow Christ. It is my prayer that we not settle for the 'sweet and nice' Jesus, but the 'walking defining moment... the catalytic force... the man who, when encountered, broadened the view of God and invoked life change.' I am praying that our fellowship desperately longs for life-change and to be a part of this amazing movement of God that lends great credence to the glory of God. I am praying that, because we follow Christ, we are a walking defining moment..... a catalytic force... and a group of people who, when encountered, broaden and clarify the image of God. Yeah. That will make for an amazing 09.

Happy New Year!

By Grace.... For Glory,

Mark

2008-12-29T21:23:00.006-06:00

Christmas has been good, tiring, surreal, fun, filled with laughter, contemplative, relational, and amazing to experience this season. Christmas happenings included....

- the trivial... mee maw supplied Rock Band for our family. I am practicing like crazy and I do feel that I will very soon be savvy for one of our praise teams!

- the highly anticipatory..... I love having a bunch of kids and living Christmas through them. From checking out every light in Crestview to celebrating with family on several occasions to swapping presents after AWANA night to seeing my son in my face at 4 dadgum 30 AM on Christmas morning. His eyes were ALIVE! It was a good month.

- the totally surprising.... Sheena, a friend of ours, shared an incredible gift with Lydia (our 9 year old). She traded her stuff and shared her love with our kid so that Lydia could have a guitar. This was one of the most sacrificial gifts that I have ever received. Amazing.

- the sacrifical..... it was incredible to celebrate the Advent with the Emmanuel family. Lives are being changed in our fellowship and God is using people in audacious ways. The Advent Conspiracy was incredible. We also managed to drop a couple of wells in W. Africa; sustain missionaries over the next year; and serve some local needs in Crestview.

- the surprising... we (our entire extended family) went to a homeless shelter in B'ham and served breakfast on Christmas eve morn. It was early and beautiful and amazing. I went to serve... I left having been served. The gratefulness that I saw and the hope that abounds in the shelter amazed me and humbled me. A poignant moment happened as we were cleaning up and prepping to leave. A couple of dozen women broke into song and 'wished us a merry Christmas'... It was the most beautiful and heart-felt singing that I have heard in a long time. Christmas was right in that moment.

- the cute... as in Susan and I had the opp to fulfill the role of Mary and Joseph at her home church during the Christmas eve service. Thus, Ella portrayed the Messiah... the baby Jesus. I must admit that she was quite the cute one! It was, honestly, a sacred and contemplative moment to consider that the Word really did put on flesh and the Word really was an infant.

I could keep writing of Christmas moments, but I really can summarize with the truth that I am so so thankful for Jesus Christ. I love Him and I am deeply grateful that He fleshed out God on this planet.

The Advent was intended to change the world. The advent of Christ evokes a conspiracy! I hope to give presence throughout this year.

I hope that your new year is anticipatory. This year, we get to follow Christ. This year, we get to experience the life of Christ in every day moments. This year, if we follow Him, we might just experience a conspiratorial 2009.

By Grace.... For Glory,

Mark

2008-12-22T11:36:00.002-06:00

A few random thoughts from the past week:
- I watched 'church' Saturday morning. Our church had the privilege of partnering with two organizations in the area. A Christmas fest with 'HEROES' and Foster Families was incredible to experience. I am SO thankful to be a part of Emmanuel and to watch our fellowship serve our community. Amazing.

- Christ, Carols, and Communion always feels so 'right'. It was a great and reflective service. It was also an amazing service musically! We have incredible musicians at EBC.

- We baked all afternoon Sunday..... then, our family piled into the Suburban at dusk and went 'light' hunting. We drove for quite awhile and enjoyed each other and the lights around Crestview. Our kids managed to not kill each other and we ended up at BK for a feast of burgers and a fest on the playground.

- Our staff team is incredible. Our family team have truly brought it during this life conspiracy. I love this group of people that God has formed up at EBC.

- I received the most amazing gift. Words can't convey the meaning of this gift. A friend of mine heard that Lydia wanted to play guitar with her daddy (it will not take her long to surpass my skills!). So this friend, Sheena, proceeds to search for a guitar and to delve into relational gift giving by exchanging her stuff for the guitar.... all of this so that my kid could play! So, when I received the guitar and brought it home to Lydia, we were simply amazed.. overwhelmed. What a meaningful and thoughtful gift! So, here's Lydia's words about her future in music. She says, 'I want to play and write songs so that I can make Jesus famous!' Sheena, thanks for loving our family and for fostering my kids desire to make much of Christ.

Moments like these are why I love Christmas. Moments like these are why I love that I get to follow Christ everyday. Being a Christ-follower is meant to change the world!

Merry Christmas!

By Grace..... For Glory,
Mark

2008-12-15T20:37:00.004-06:00

Life Conspiracy is just hopping. There were several passion-evoking moments this past weekend. I loved....

*Celebrating our small group leaders and hosts and the joy of knowing that our groups are increasingly becoming points of light and hope in neighborhoods across Crestview.

*Recognizing the amazing movement of God in the life of this church. As Ian, Kara and I were sharing multiple specifics of God at work through us, I was so thankful to be a part of EBC. God is on the move in the life of our fellowship!

* Standing and sharing of our future hope for the life of Emmanuel. We believe that God will do great things through us. We believe that we believe mammoth things from our God. We also believe that our wildest belief cannot possibly touch God's belief about His church. He longs to live, move, and have his being far beyond our best beliefs and our wildest imagination.

* Singing God of this City.... There was such a depth of passion as that song was sung this weekend.

*What I loved most was honoring those who launched the Emmanuel conspiracy. To recognize those who have been leading and serving and worshipping and giving and sacrificing at EBC for 27+ years was significant. I love that group of people. I love walking in their steps of faith!

Enjoy this season. May your life... our lives together... be conspiratorial! Merry Christmas!

By Grace... For Glory,
Mark

2008-12-08T19:42:00.003-06:00

The past few weeks have amazed me.... It has been phenomenal to see so many people who have arranged their lives around what matters most and also in a way that God has gifted them. Hanging out with preschool workers, several of whom have served preschoolers for more than a decade (one for over 3 decades!)... and others who give a dozen hours of volunteer time each week... that was an amazing time of worship for our fellowship.

Then, to know that there are hundreds of coach's pouring into our kids. The Word does not return void and our kids have hidden a couple of hundred thousand verses of Scripture in their hearts over the past decade. That could prove to be revolutionary. I thank my God for every worker who pours into the lives of our kids.

This past Sunday was phenomenal. I love Bruce Baber. He's been a friend for a very long time. I love the way Bruce has vested his life in our students. For 24+ years he has discipled students and gone to camp and hosted D-Now and had kids study the Word as they met on his driveway and he has loved kids and taught them to follow Christ consistently for a very long time. To see a 36 year old man that Bruce discipled as a teen and a 13 year old that he is currently discipling standing on the stage at the same moment truly brought home to me the profundity of the Advent. Bruce is 'fleshing out' Christ to students.... dozens of others are doing that as well. Thank you for teaching me about conspiracy!

I feel like I am surrounded by heroes of the faith at EBC. I watch people play their instruments and lift their voices and lead adult SG's and love our pre-schoolers and kids and students.... I watch people advance and advance and advance the name of Christ and I am amazed. I love our fellowship. I love that Christ is leading us more deeply into a conspiracy.

This Sunday will be incredible! We will give. We will provide clean water. We will sustain missionaries. We will open the door for the fame of God and the worship of Christ to increase. I think that is right. I think that is conspiratorial. I love this place and Christ among us.

Worship Abundantly. Spend Differently. Give Fully. Love All.

By Grace... For Glory,
Mark

2008-12-02T22:09:00.005-06:00

a few totally random thoughts from the past week....

- Proverbs 30.7-9 continues to waylay me...

- It was incredibly good to be with my family for a few days. We ventured to Jax and all of the Seagle fam was together. My mom is an amazing cook and I love my family. A good week of Thanksgiving was had by all in our clan!

- Kyle Boone sings better than the Bee Gee's.

- Did you ever think that you would hear the Bee Gee's in church and love it!?!

- I never see an image of an African child who is suffering without being under compulsion to be a part of the solution.

- If a 9 year old kid can provide water... build a school.... and change the future of a village in Africa, I think that we may have a role to play as well!

- I love the kids at EBC. It has been an incredible two weeks of Advent/Life Conspiracy. We have SO many people who are pouring their lives into our children.

- We have many who, in days to come, will join with our preschool, kids, or student ministry teams...... Let the conspiracy continue!

- 184,971 verses of Scripture in the hearts of our children over the past ten years. Because the Word does not return void, we should anticipate some pretty extreme Kingdom results!

- Christmas will change the world. It has. It is. It will. The word becoming flesh is pretty audacious.

- What will happen if every person in our fellowship discovers their spiritual niche and each of us chooses to relentlessly advance the Kingdom in the framework of how our creator formed us? What will happen when we actually experience a Life Conspiracy as a church? It could be radical!

- I am so thankful for sugar cookies!

- My son is so anxious to give money to help kids in need. I love that about him.

- I am loving the LIFE Conspiracy. Our family team is simply amazing!

- I think that I get to work with some amazing people. I cannot wait to get to the office each day. That is a pretty big deal!

- Is anyone else finding themselves singing "Glory to God... Glory to God... Glory to God, forever.."? I'm SO glad that song keeps rolling through my head.

- Okay, what will happen this weekend @ EBC? It's going to be fun... and life changing... and beautiful!

Christmas is meant to change the world. This year, give presence.

Mark

2008-11-24T12:41:00.003-06:00

Several thoughts that are painfully challenging me of late...

- Proverbs 30.7-9....Two things I ask of you, O Lord; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, 'Who is my Lord?'

- I may die today. Arrange my life around what matters the most. Begin now!

- Life is a vapor.

- A man by his sin may waste himself, which is to waste that which on earth is most like God. This is man's greatest tragedy and God's heaviest grief.' - Tozer

- Christmas is intended to spark a revolution. It's a conspiracy. I am praying that my life is arranged around what matters the most. Chan writes in Crazy Love, 'a friend of mine has a particularly wise perspective on this subject (death). He was asked if he weren't spending too much of his time serving and giving away too much. His gentle but honest response was, "I wonder if you'll say that after we're dead."

- Read Proverbs 30.7-9 again.... It's a revolutionary prayer. A conspiracy!

I love you guys and I am praying for an incredible Thanksgiving across our fellowship. I am also praying that we show up next weekend with tons of food in hand and many homes having food through the season because we worship @ EBC. "I was hungry and you gave me something to eat." - Jesus

Happy Thansgiving,
Mark

2008-11-17T19:47:00.003-06:00

I've been thinking about character in light of Daniel. Daniel 6.4 says that Daniel was incorruptible. There was nothing corrupt about him and he was not negligent. If character really is the willingess to do what is right, as defined by God, regardless the personal cost, then Daniel was loaded with character.

I am thinking that it would be pretty amazing to have something similar said about me. I have an aspiration that I am asking God to bring about in my own life. I am asking Him to draw me into such a radical intimacy with Him that there is simply nothing corrupt about me. Even more importantly, I am not negligent. My life is captured by the desire to actively live out the glorious presence and Person of Jesus Christ! When I see hungry, I am not negligent. Thirsty... no negligence. Suffering... zero negligence. Apathy, I bring life. Needs..... no negligence.

So, I'm praying that God will compel me toward a life of character, conviction, and truth. I long to be incorruptible. I don't think that is remotely feasible apart from a depth of intimacy with Jesus Christ. I know that I cannot possibly hope for life incorruptible apart from the context of community. Character is forged in the life of the Christ follower most profoundly in the community of faith. It could be quite fun and quite world changing to share life with a bunch of people who long to be transformed by the life of Jesus Christ. Let's go for it!

Christ is life. Life is a conspiracy. The next few weeks will be incredible around EBC!!! Life Conspiracy is here!

By Grace.... For Glory,
Mark

2008-11-10T16:08:00.005-06:00

Never doubt in the darkness what God has spoken in the light! This past weekend was remarkable as we explored what a life of conviction and truth might look like and how it might play out for each of us. What could happen if we responded far less based upon emotion and feeling and far more on truth and conviction? Really, what could happen in those times when we just don't 'feel' like living with character (darkness), yet we respond based upon the truth of His Word and the truth of who we are in Christ and the truth of His life imprinted on our very own?

This weekend, Kricket launched her birthday conspiracy part II. THE SEQUEL. Kricket threw a party for her birthday (I'm thinking that it was #9 b-day) and she invited her friends. Just like last year, she did not ask for presents, but instead asked that the kids bring food for the hungry in Crestview. She collected over 200 cans of food. Don came by this morning to pick up our canned food given this weekend and heard the story. He came back by later today and said to me, "I tried to tell the story about the little girl who threw a party for those who are hungry... I tried to tell it down at Caring and Sharing, but I kept crying." I hope to add a picture to this story in the next couple of days. I hope that I can learn to be just a bit more like Christ as I watch an amazing 9 year old kid.

Sunday evening was crazy beautiful. Grills cooking. Kids playing. People laughing. Games going. We had a beautiful display of church. The tailgate fest was amazing and fun and it was just 'right'! Personally, I just loved the unhurried conversation that flowed out of that night. No rush.. just a rib in one hand and a friend to talk with beside me. Life was good! I hope to add a few pictures in the next few days from the gathering as well.
Advent Conspiracy kicks off this weekend. Gear up. Pray up. It might be bigger than a season of advent! Perhaps God is calling us toward a life conspiracy!! Enjoy today. I love sharing this journey toward Christ with you guys!!

By Grace.... For Glory,
Mark

2008-11-03T20:09:00.002-06:00

Really been hanging around the question, 'what do you want?' I am asking God what makes me weep.... mourn... sing.... fast.... Honestly, what do I want? I've really enjoyed asking God what He wants so that I will know that what I want aligns with His wants! I think that the next few weeks will be quite compelling. I think that the next few weeks will really set the stage for the Advent Conspiracy.

Two thoughts will thread our next few weeks. Andy Stanley defined character as the willingness to do what is right, as defined by God, regardless the personal cost. Out of that truth, I long to live with much less reliance on 'emotion and feeling' and much more on conviction and truth.

When conviction and truth permeate my decision making, I just don't think that I will be easily deviated from my passion as a Christ-follower. I know that I 'want' this much.... I want to find my Calcutta and pour my life out there. I want to weep and fast and pray and hope and find, over and over, that I get to lay all of my life on the line for the glory of Christ.

Enjoy an amazing week. What do you want?

By Grace... For Glory,

Mark

2008-10-27T13:11:00.003-06:00

What makes the difference in life is not the ferocity of the storm, but the depth of our character. Who, of us, gets the inside track to our God (Psalm 15)? What an incredible question. It is a question that begs an answer from us. I love the bible, because we actually gain the answer.

David writes, in Psalm 15, that the person who is blameless and who does what is right and who is a truth-teller and who refuses to gossip and who fosters healthy relationship and who handles his resources and who treats people with dignity. Those characteristics give an inside track to God. A person with 'character' is after the heart of God. A person gains character by going after the heart of God. Romans 12.1 - 2 are such amazing verses. Paul is writing and begging that the reader will allow Christ's character to be formed in his heart. This character will find outward, practical, expression. As we prioritize our lives around Christ and His values and His truth and His ways, there is a heightened sense of the reality of God in us. His presence is revealed for those who turn toward Him.

Emerson wrote wisely, when he wrote, 'what lies behind and what lies before are tiny matters compared to what lies within.' Christ lies within and his life must create reverb for His glory and for His Kingdom. Over the next few weeks, we are going to hang around the truth and the challenge of living a life based on character. Character is not defined by emotion or feeling, but forged in the fire of truth and conviction.

Character is the willingess to do what is right, as defined by God, regardless the cost - Stanley Character is predicate upon our passion for the Word; for Christ; and for a conviction to live in His truth. Wow, I am impassioned that we deeply root our lives in His life and that those who see us... who see our fellowship see deep water and deep lives and deep passion and see a taste of the depths of the Christ-life. I hope that they meet a group of people who have an inside track with God and because we love Him with our core, that inside track is changing all of who we are!

By Grace.... For Glory,

Mark

2008-10-13T15:33:00.003-06:00

"Go for it!" Release your God-ordained passions and go for it for God's greatest glory. I love the story of Christ and His invitation to follow Him, played out over and over in Scripture. He asks and invites people to join with Him in this great Kingdom endeavor. His invitation is an invitation to follow-ship. He asked people to follow Him without regard for consequence or personal gain. But, with great irony, those that chose to follow Him will gain the greatest good on the planet... the thrill of being with Christ the the joy of eternal hope! They gained the opportunity to change the world... to join with God at work.... to live with passion for something that matters and that echoes (Reverb!) in eternity.

Example... Jesus asked a man to follow him. His response was the desire to bury the dead. Jesus read the man's heart and realized that he was creating a facade that hindered him from advancing the Kingdom. So, Jesus answers in the most audacious manner. He said, 'let the dead bury the dead, and let's go for it together in advancing the fame of the living God.' In other words, yes there are responsibilities that could hinder you from vesting in what really counts. So, let's be irresponsibly responsible instead and give chase to God's great glory and His Kingdom advance. Reverb.

I am asking God to use our fellowship in profound ways. I feel like I am joining with God as I step out of the 'Duster' and say to you guys, 'Go for it!' Go for your greatest passion which is the thrill of knowing God with all that you are. As you know God, He will place a profound love for your 'neighbor' within in. That love will find a unique God expression through you. Release that passion in this planet.

Speaking of passion... I am so excited to watch our fellowship continue to steward our resources in such a way that God gains great honor. The economy is challenging. Applying God's principles to your finances will give you GREAT peace at this time. It is awesome to watch more than 60 Total Money Makeover books head out the door of our building and into our homes. It is even more beautiful to consider the financial freedom that God will give as we handle our finances as if they are actually His. It will be phenomenal to launch Financial Peace in January of 09. It is amazing how 'wise' God seems as it concerns stewardship when economic challenge strikes. What would happen if the body of Christ had no credit card debt or car payment or debt.... if we owned homes that we could afford? Reverb! May the body of Christ steward well and may we leave great reverb for God's glory. Yeah!

Go for it!

By Grace... For Glory,

Mark

PS... Pray for an incredible team of bikers who will head to Daytona on Wednesday. God's glory creating reverb in Daytona is pretty sweet to consider!

2008-10-06T19:07:00.002-06:00

Crash. I don't remember which book that I was reading that painted this incredible picture of rhino's. I learned that Rhino's move at 30 mph and they can only see 30 ft in front of them. Thus, a group of Rhino's are aptly called a 'Crash'..... They may not see very well, but they run straight toward what they do know and they seem to have very little concern about all that they do NOT know. Thirty feet in front of them should be pretty doggone aware that the crash of rhino's are on the move and coming their way! I am asking God to allow that to be true of us. Because we gather... because we worship.... because we teach and admonish....because Christ lives in us...because we love the church and we love Christ and we love His move in and through us, there is an impending crash as a result of our faith. Whatever is 31 feet ahead needs to care that we are coming, united in love and encouraged in heart and that there is an impending collision of the beauty and wonder of God.

Although the force of one person fully committed to God is tremendous, it pales in comparison to the force of God’s people moving together. One Christ-follower wandering through life can be described as nothing more than an oddity. But when members of this intense movement live as one, something amazing begins to happen. Dark kingdoms tremble; the dungeons and prisons that hold men, women, and children captive crumble; chains unlock; and multitudes come to freedom. When Christ-followers, en masse, walk through the city, the oppressed and the forgotten are soon found dancing in the street. How amazing to pray that there is dancing in the street and that there is great freedom because we are a community of faith!

So, I am really chewing on the last question from the weekend. What could happen if we move forward in what we do know? Thinking about our passion for the Word, what would happen if we moved forward with what we know in the Word? I have no doubt that there would be intense repentance and that there would be an intense crash of our lives advancing the Christ life. What if we moved forward in what we know about the love of Christ? What if we realized that there is hunger and thirst and trafficking of children and orphans and widows and lonely and oppressed? What if we unite in 'love'... the perfect love of Christ and that we move in that unity.

There will be a crash. Keith Green wrote, 'this generation of believers is responsible for this generation of souls.' May we be encouraged in heart and united in love and may we foster a collision of the need of this world with the grace and truth of Jesus, Messiah.

By Grace... For Glory,

Mark

2008-09-29T19:41:00.002-06:00

Reverb... 'a faint echo of the original source.' I love this new series. I really loved the way that we launched the new series.... 4 students playing buckets.... in one of the services, the crowd noise was so loud and so electric and so incredibly fun that I was knuckling Ian and saying, this is SO right. Then, to launch into "Did You See the Mountains" was crazy. Fling wide the heavenly gates was happening and our hearts, lives, and worship was a reverb as we responded to our God. I love Him. I love getting to love Him with the EBC family.

Reverb will be an incredible study. I loved the kick-off this weekend. I have a new heart. Christ gave me that heart. I share that heart with you guys. As the church, we have the heart of Christ! I long that we share in the rhythm of His grace and His love and His heart. The story of Caleb was incredible to read, study, and think about. That guy was relentless in heart.

What really moved me was when I was talking about Caleb being 85 years old and taking the largest hills and the biggest challenges. I love sharing life at EBC. Having been with at EBC for 11+ years now, we have grown together. The idea of sharing a long life in Christ and watching each of us dream and implement God-sized dreams is awesome. Sharing this Christ journey is awesome. Thinking that we might just get old together and, as a bunch of 85 year olds, keep asking God for big hills and big dreams and big assignments and big hopes and.... well, that we never stop pressing each other own toward this beautiful God-sized adventure.

As we walk through these years, I have no doubt that God will invite some of us to other parts of this planet... some to the nations... some with the military.... but, that we will all, with wholehearted passion, live, move and have being for the glory of God! I love this place!!

By Grace... For Glory,

Mark

2008-09-22T16:34:00.003-06:00

I was reading of an incredible moment this past week. I was reading a great book entitled 'Chasing the Wild Goose' or something along that lines. If I just butchered the title, sorry! Mark Batterson wrote the book and I am miserable with titles. Anyway, he was describing those who chase this huge Kingdom concept and whose lives are consumed for one singular passion. In a particular section, he wrote about 'one-way missionaries' from the early 1900's. Essentially, these band of mission-impassioned Christ-followers built their own caskets; stored their resources in the casket; bought one-way tickets to a foreign land; and left. Wow! So, I'm reading about a guy named Milne, who went to a place where those who had preceded him had already been martyred. Pretty risky and pretty impassioned. Casket and resources in tow, he bought his one-way ticket and left. 35 years later, he died. His epitaph read, when you came, there was no light. When you left, there was no darkness.

Wow. Oh my! As I finished that reading, I put the book down and I was undone before God. I am asking God, 'okay, what is my holy passion and glorious obsession that will reveal and unveil LIGHT in the midst of darkness?' I cannot think of a better epitaph. When I came, there was no light. When I left, no darkness. As I was praying for EBC, I am convinced that God has wired each of us uniquely and profoundly with amazing gifts, abilities, passions, and circumstances. He will use each of us to dispel the darkness. My heart-cry is that we build our caskets and give the rest of our lives away for the advance of the gospel.... as God uniquely expresses that through our fellowship in remarkable and "God-only" ways.

Out of that, we might just become the 'most humble people on the planet.' I love that verse describing Moses. May that verse describe us as well. 'That group of Christ-followers at EBC, they are the most humble people on the planet' BECAUSE we are experiencing so many God-sized, God-ordained, God-glorifying moments that we simply cannot point toward anyone but Him and His fame and His glory and Him alone. Yeah!

Perhaps, because we gather and because we are growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ and because Christ is finding much room to be Himself in and through us and because we exist to ignite and inspire a passion for Jesus Christ.... because all of that is going on we will find that the darkness that abounds is being driven away by the ever-increasing glory of God's renown and His light and life living through us! May it be....

When you came, there was no light. When you left, there is no darkness! Amen. So be it, Lord.

By Grace... For Glory,

Mark

2008-09-15T14:02:00.002-06:00

Have you ever thought that your greatest spiritual moments were not solely for you, but for the advance of the Kingdom? God divinely orchestrates moments in order that I have these incredible experiences with Him. These moments serve to deepen me in my vision for and passion for God. That deepening vision should leave me under compulsion to live and share and express Christ in my sphere of influence.

As I make my way through this day (Monday), I realize that I get to read the Word today. That should have dramatic impact on my day and Kingdom advance. I get to worship today... impact. I get to communicate with Christ today....impact. I look back over my life and the myriad of experiences (camps; worship moments; personal encounters; retreats) and I realize that these moments have been used by God to give me deep conviction and a core reality that I am here in awe of Him and I have an incredible role to advance His fame in my generation. Impact!

With much privilege comes much responsibility! What if my greatest spiritual moments are not solely for me, but for the advance of the Kingdom? What if that truth catches root in our fellowship? What could happen?!?

Your Kingdom come, O God. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

By Grace... For Glory,

Mark

2008-09-08T12:24:00.003-06:00

Hebrews 13.11 - 16 are phenomenal verses of Scripture and loaded with truth. These verses, simply by their content, are life-challenging and life-changing. However, over the past few weeks, this particular truth has impacted me (and the Emmanuel fellowship) in ways unexpected. God used the teaching of John Piper, on these particular verses and at a particular point in time, to galvanize Doug & Sara Whitaker's call to the mission field. Since that point, in the Spring of 08, the invitation of God and the immediate 'yes' from Doug has become more and more clear. It was a fresh encounter with God as I was able to sit with Doug at the front of our worship room and to talk about the next adventure in their family and the next adventure for the life of EBC. It is always incredible to watch as God calls and we respond in obedience.

These verses are compelling. As Doug stated yesterday, they invite each of us 'outside of our camp' of comfort and complacency. Because Christ stepped outside the camp and sacrificed His life for the sake of God's glory, likewise we are to step outside of our own camp of comfort and live a life that expresses our passion for Jesus Christ. So, I guess that I find it challenging to ask myself (and you) how God is asking you to step outside of your camp? How is He inviting you to uniquely live, move, and have your being for His glory? Your step outside will probably not look at all like Doug and Sara's. God is incredibly unique and creative and He has wired you to leave His life-impression on this earth in a very profound way. Will you step outside the camp?

I love Opie Watt. He is just an incredible guy and I am so thankful to count him a friend. He said, a few years ago, that God would love to use a small town and a small fellowship to lift up a great God. He asked the question, 'is it possible that God will elevate worship around the globe and that He just might use EBC?!?' Since that point, God has placed one of our team members on the African continent.. another on the Asian continent...another on the European continent... and now, we are sending Doug and his family to South/ Central America. Amazing! (Wow, we haven't touched the myriad of partnerships that we, as a church, are going, living, and doing!) God seems to be saying, "Yes, I'll use a fellowship whose hearts are turned toward mine and who love and live for my Kingdom!'

So, what will happen when an entire fellowship of believers step outside the camp and filet our lives for the advance of the fame of Christ? Could God use us to lead His worship parade around the globe? What will that look like? Honestly, I have no idea, but I think that it will be utterly beautiful and will involve a bunch of people whose hearts fully belong to God.

Willing to go outside the camp....

PS... the band was so so so good yesterday! Our 're:Group' band brought it with double barrels and it was the most musically eclectic service that I remember. How about the 'band-described' "Grannie Gospel" version of I'll fly away. Yeah, I loved that moment and I actually got in on that song six times during our three Encounters! I love our bands!!

By Grace... For Glory,
Mark

Doug...

Opie Vision

2008-09-04T15:52:00.003-06:00

Asking, answering, and applying the Best Question Ever (Stanley book) offers a grid through which all decisions are made. What is the wise thing to do? That is an incredible question that can be a lens for life-altering decisions. Pursuing wisdom is an opportunity to discover God's intense goodness and grace and truth for our lives. As we study Colossians 1.28 - 29 and we are challenged to seek PERFECTION through wisdom, it seems that asking, answering, and applying this question would be amazing and used to move us into spiritual maturity and Christlikeness. The pursuit of God's wisdom seems to be a pretty sweet lens as a life-view.
Amazing things around EBC:
- AWANA is totally insane. Almost 300 kids and leaders are on the campus the past two Wednesday. Kids are deepening in wisdom and truth as they discover God's Word together...
- Students are also hanging out and chillin' on the Word. Hanging out in their worship on Wed night is such a spiritual blast...
- We are connecting dozens upon dozens to our small groups. I cannot wait to re-launch our study of Yahweh this weekend.
- God is radically changing lives around here and that is good....

I love this place! Holy Spirit, stir!!

Just a a forward thought, the Advent Conspiracy is on the horizon. What if the Advent Conspiracy is not ONLY an Advent Conspiracy (Christmas)? What if God is calling us to a Life Conspiracy?!!?

After Wisdom Together,
Mark

2008-08-25T14:00:00.003-06:00

After a few weeks away, it was remarkable to return to Crestview and to worship with the EBC family this weekend. Our family definitely enjoyed fantastic downtime while in B'ham for several days. Then, we ventured for 8 days to the coast. Honestly, is there anything more beautiful than running into the sunrise while watching the waves crash on the shore? Highlights, for us:

- watching the Birmingham Barons play the Montgomery Biscuits with my son! Perhaps the only team with a better mascot then the Biscuits might be the Toledo Mudhens

- eating Chicago style pizza from Tortuga's. When in B'ham, you must eat a slice (or 2 or 3)

- running the 'hills' or, better typed MOUNTAINS of B'ham

- a new Starbucks at the entry of mom's neighborhood. I broke that store in quite well

- enjoying family... I love my extended family

- Heading to the coast and spending an incredible afternoon with a few couples. Keith and Danise met us in Orange Beach. They are partners in life and in this great message of Christ and they are sharing that message in a remote part of the world. It was such a privilege to hang out with them for several hours.

- Okay, the girls were NOT digging this nearly as much as the boys, but Thunder on the Bay happened to be going on at Orange Beach while we were there and GET THIS... they were loading these testosterone filled fast loud boats into the water just outside our condo. The crane was lifting them off the trailer and placing them in the water and John Mark and I were enjoying this awesome display of power and might. We watched boat races....

- A big highlight was simply being away and settling in with God's greatest gift in my life... an amazing wife and 5 kids that we believe are a reward from our God. Sus was reading a verse and we both had a 'moment'.. of course, we have been watching the Olympics for the past few weeks and she was reading that our kids are a 'reward' from God. I mean, we bowed our heads to the King of Glory and He placed around our neck this ring of gold... the highest honor... we get to be called 'mom' and 'dad' and that is SUCH a reward! I love my wife and I am so SO thankful for my kids.

Then we returned to school launch... TONS of work.... and life moving forward.... I loved being away and I love the return.

Worship yesterday was crazy beautiful.... First, it did not rain.... none. It was a REALLY good night for a picnic last night.

But, a couple of moments really stood out for me...

- 11:20 AM, I watched students participate in the baptisms of children that they mentored into God's great salvation. That was a very sweet moment.

- During weekend Encounter, I mentioned a need... Food for the hungry in Crestview. I received a call at 3:30 PM from Chuck. He asked what I wanted to do with the food. I mentioned that I was heading that way at 7 PM to lock up and secure all food. He laughed and said that all tubs were full and that food was placed all over the concourse. So, he put that food away and I came up at 7 PM to put away MORE full tubs of food. I pulled 5 tubs of food into the Field House and shouted great praise for our God. You guys are an amazing 'church'! I love this place!!

- Perhaps, the best moment during our Encounter yesterday, was singing Greater things.... Honestly, clinging to God with intense heart-hope that greater things will be done and His name will be made greater through us. I am praying for great God-honoring, Christ-exalting things in and through us. I am praying for a fellowship who share a holy hunger for God's great fame. Greater things are still to come... Greater things still to be done.

It's good to be home. I love you guys!

By Grace.... For Glory,

Mark

2008-07-29T17:33:00.002-06:00

Acts 2 shares, of the life of the early church, that there were wonders and signs and the magnificence of God was on display in their lives. People were awed by His life expressed through them. In light of that truth, a thought from this weekend has left me with much to ponder...

Something is wrong when our lives make sense to those who are not Christ-followers.

Thinking about that thought (is that meta-thinking?)

2 Verses leave me undone... Paul writes that I joyfully get to suffer for the sake of the gospel... willingly becoming a servant to the church of Jesus Christ... commissioned by God.... with the clarion call to make clear the word of God in its fullness. Honestly, that's a big deal. If these words find root in our fellowship, we might not make sense. We might leave a sense of wonder and awe for the living God. Holy Spirit, stir!

By Grace... For Glory,
Mark

2008-07-22T13:38:00.003-06:00

Grace amazing. God amazing. God is choosing to use our fellowship and it is such an glorious reality that He is using us to REVEAL Himself, His life, His purposes and His ways. We have this incomprehensible treasure that is held in us, as a jar of clay. It is absolutely crazy that God fully intends to use us to show that His all-surpassing greatness is for His glory alone and not for ours. We are fixing our eyes and our hearts and our passions and our purposes on God's great glory. His glory far outweighs any small aspiration or trouble or persecution or pain or suffering or sorrow that I face on this planet. (2 Cor 4.7 - 18)

You know, I really did not realize that this weekend was going to be an amazing celebration of God's grace in the life of EBC. We celebrated Christ! Christ has been....

- free to use us in Port St. Joe. We stepped into a move of God and reached kids... families...and encouraged a church (Faith Bible Church). We are praying that God will live and move and have His being in the life of this church. They are broadening vision and taking steps to reach the next generation. Pray for Faith Bible... for Michael and Audra as they lead.

- free to amplify His name in Brazil. The team has returned... a house church is planted in the interior. The vision is not clear. God's heart to reach this part of the world is clear. I cannot wait to process with Bruce and Rhonda in days to come.

- free to send a team to England Thursday. More kids. More families. More fun as Christ is magnified through a Vacation Bible School. Pray for Grace Fellowship as they host a beautiful and Christ-exalting VBS.

- free to grow and to change and to deepen our students in the knowledge of God's grace and truth. Perhaps my favorite line of the entire weekend was written by one of our students as she described the last night on the mission trip. She said, 'a group of us gathered and chilled on 72 verses that were recorded. Our favorite verse was from Philippians, that we would 'become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in which we shine like stars in the universe." She said that we also liked... and she typed about 15 other verses and 10 or so books of the Bible. I LOVE our students!

- Finally, Christ felt free to display His life and His transformation through baptism. Baptism amazes me. To be immersed in; made new by; freed by; saved through the blood and water of Jesus Christ is simply overwhelming. He is good. He is good. His love endures forever!

May we find such satisfaction as we reveal Him. Christ alone.

By Grace... For Glory,

Mark

2008-07-14T12:46:00.005-06:00

Wonder... Awe..... Amazement by the greatness and supremacy of Christ are excellent descriptives of our journey through Colossians 1.15 - 23. I really love that we are studying of His supremacy. What I love, even more, is that God continuously reveals His supreme life and His creative handiwork. Personally, these are beautiful descriptives of the Seagle family journey as we welcomed Ella Rebecca to our home. Ella joined the Seagle family on 7/11 @ 11:07. Sus loves numbers and Ella hit a walk-off HR in the birthing numbers realm. Wow, do I love my wife! Wow, I never cease to be amazed by the love of our God and the love that He gives in abounding goodness. I cannot fathom having more love for my kids.... then, He favors us with another glorious child and my heart bursts with love and joy. Welcome Ella! Thank you, Christ. Yeah, she is beautiful and I am praying for her heart to be aflame for the supreme One!

I think that I have been so hesitant to wrap up 'Supreme'. Honestly, I think that Paul's teaching in Colossians 1.15 - 23 are hinge to our faith expression. Paul is inviting us into true recognition of Supremacy. He is calling us to recognize that the only great good on this planet is Christ. Christ supreme. Christ satisfying. Christ abounding. Christ. May the echo of our lives and of our church be the great goodness of the King of Glory. May we be so well-known for knowing Christ well and of making much of Him. We closed the series by profiling the gloriously obsessed. I am praying that our fellowship will fit the profile of the Christ-obsessed.

Because Jesus Christ is supreme, this glorious obsession is for those who want more Jesus. It is for those who are bored with what American (better said, 'southern religion') Christianity offers. It is for those who don’t want to plateau. It is for those who would rather die before their convictions do. It is my hope that the picture painted in the Scripture of a supreme God leaves you with a longing for more God, even if you are surrounded by those who have enough God. Following Christ isn’t something that can be done halfheartedly or on the side. He is central and supreme His life shapes what we do and who we are. His passion and his life reign supreme over us. I never want to stop in my relentless pursuit of Christ. I long to share that unimpeded journey with an amazing group of Christ-followers. I love the church! I cannot think of a better way to venture through life, than in giving much glory to God and to watch as He uses us, together, to express His life and His hope and a taste of eternity on this journey through the temporal. Christ supreme.... Christ supreme.... Christ

By Grace... For Glory,

Mark

I love these kids! I thank my God for you guys!!

2008-07-01T16:39:00.002-06:00

I love EBC! I love watching as Christ leads His church. Honestly, VBS is one of my absolute favorite weeks of the year. It is so fresh to see:

- Hundreds of kids on the campus discovering, in a sweet way, wonder and awe of our God

- I love listening to hundreds of kids sing, together, "Here I am to Worship!'

- I love watching our student band lead our kids in worship

- I love Bill and Ted! Dude!!

- I love the incredible number of adults who show up and show off Jesus Christ.

- I love hearing comments like, "I've never seen anything like this... it's amazing!'

- I love having kids walk up to me and tell me, "Pastor Mark, I just made Christ my forever friend!"

- I love thinking about the rejoicing in heaven as salvation springs up from the ground

- I love being totally wiped at the end of the week, but loving being weary for His glory

- I love that the baptismal waters will flow with life-change in the next few weeks

- I love watching the church in action.

- I love that Christ is leading His church. He is doing a great job!

The summer is moving forward and the next venture will take the EBC family into Brazil and England and Port St. Joe. Christ lead! Supreme God, move us!!

This past weekend, there are a couple of statements that are sitting in my core. 'Christ cannot be exaggerated.' I really like that idea. We simply cannot make too much of Christ. It's impossible. Yet, I sure want to be a part of the church that gives its best shot at matching His magnitude! (Can't do it, but let's try anyway!!). I want to love Christ, not for what I gain from Him, but for who He is. I really want to be in love with Him. I want to be surrounded by Christ-followers who are in love with Him as well. That could be radical and world-transforming, which sounds much like Christ's plans for His church!

Go ahead, attempt to exaggerate Christ this week.

By Grace... For Glory,

Mark

2008-06-23T12:37:00.003-06:00

On the Way! I am so loving as I watch God move our students along the Way. I love watching them as they are disturbed for the glory of God. I love hanging out with students and hearing them challenge me along the Way. I love hearing their stories and I really love watching them increase the story and fame of God as they challenge each other to be on the way. I love that their passion for the renown of Christ filters to many of us, who are a generation above them on the Way.

I was sitting in a prayer-encounter with our worship team this past week. It was utterly fresh to come together, across the 4 teams, and to seek the face of God. Carrie has died. We are missing our team leader. We gathered and we prayed and we invited God to reveal His presence. I gave a simple assignment before arriving that evening. I asked that each of us on the team(s) bring some truth from the Word and that we wash one another in His truth. Amazingly, one of our students opened the time by reading from Joshua 1. She said to us, 'where did God's people go when their leader had died? What did they do?' Then, she answered it by reading as Joshua picked up the mantle of leadership and challenged them to 'be strong and courageous... to not fear and to not be dismayed, but to trust that the Lord our God is with us!' What an incredible night of centering on our God. I love our praise team. I love our students. I love our God! I love that He is the sole supreme King of glory and that we follow Him. I will miss Carrie very much! Perhaps, the greatest honor that we give to her life of worship is to follow her in great pursuit of Christ.

So, as we move along the Way as a fellowship, I sense a clear call of God toward Him... toward His purposes and His passion. As we study and weave our way through Colossians 1 and as we realize that we are a part of this glorious movement called the 'church', we are also realizing that Christ is our leader. He is the head. He is the beginning. All of what we do and all of who we are is for His glory and for His supremacy. Because that is true, God is calling our fellowship to an ever-deepening place of prayer. He is calling us to seek His face. Stir Holy Spirit! Supreme God, move us.

Ian challenged our students to pray a simple prayer...'Supreme God, move us.' Move us more deeply in the Way. Move us, when we are in the midst of sin, away. Move us, as we see need, to be the way. Supreme God, move us! That is my prayer for our fellowship, as God plants an ever-deepening hunger for His life and His way in our hearts. I am praying that we are moved after the heart of God so that we will be moved for the heart of God. Pray...Seek....Live.....Become.

Supreme God, move us.

By Grace.... For Glory,
Mark

2008-06-16T14:41:00.002-06:00

Jesus leading the church. Can you imagine? How would we live, move, and have our being, with Christ leading? What would we do? Who would we be? Would our lives and our 'church' and this movement be defined by 'Christ-only'? Really, would there be such 'awe' of God and wonder for Him birthed out of our fellowship? Could we find ourselves immersed in the inexplicable, apart from Christ?

What if.... What if, as a 'church' of called out people, we believe that Christ lives, moves, breathes and displays His glory through us. What if we really do release a taste of heaven on this planet? What if we fall madly in love with Him and His Word and His life? What is our reason for existence is to reflect Him? What if we do? What if......

Jesus Christ, supreme in the church.... supreme in His people. Supreme.

Mark

I'm pretty excited about:
- 96 kids rolling in who know The Way and who are disturbed by the Way
- Hundreds of kids hitting VBS this weekend
- Christ leading our fellowship

What if He does..... What if......

2008-06-11T15:23:00.003-06:00

God is choosing to do pretty audacious things through the life of Emmanuel. I love the church. I love that Christ is our leader. I love that He is the head. I love that we simply need to watch for Him at work and to join with Him in this worldwide endeavor that He is bringing into fruition. He fully intends for every tribe, tongue, nation, people, on the earth, under the earth, in the sea... all peoples... all creation declaring His power, dominion, glory, honor, and fame forever and forever. Amen! I am asking God to mobilize the Emmanuel Fellowship into that song and into the everlasting story. I am asking our God to impassion our hearts for His eternal song!

I am excited about the church, because God is choosing to use us in the lives of kids and students in beautiful ways....He's using us to posture almost 100 kids at camp this weekend so that they can deepen in the Way of Christ.... He's using us to step into the lives of hundreds of kids on "Outrigger Island" (VBS) in a week or two.... to step into small groups through the summer and to chase Christ as we grow in His common interests.... to carry the name of Christ into Port St. Joe; Brazil; England and to Crestview. Amazing! Did I mention kid's heading to camp in July, and having Captain Jack Sparrow introduce them to Jesus Christ? Crazy good summer.

All of this is beautiful and what makes it beautiful is that Christ is the great and glorious transformer. He changes lives and circumstances and hearts in the middle of circumstances. He flips cardboards! The video, this past weekend, was astounding for me. I thought about the multiplied times that Christ has shown Himself and when He has changed the cardboard of a particular moment so that He found much glory in me as I found much satisfaction in Him.

So, what's your cardboard testimony? How is God changing your life? If you didn't get to watch the video this weekend in Encounter, check it out at http://youtube.com/watch?v=RvDDc5RB6FQ .

I love you guys. I love Christ. I love that He loves His church and I really love that He leads it. I love that He brings us into His amazing and transforming story. Pray... Expect....Seek....Dream... Glorify!

By Grace.... For Glory,
Mark

2008-06-04T16:46:00.004-06:00

This past weekend was glorious. 4 times, we packed our worship room and we said 'goodbye' to Carrie. I will miss her. I will miss her love for worship, serving, creativity, encouragement, her voice, her worship, her amazing strokes of the keyboard.... I will miss her friendship and her love for God and for social justice and for His glory and for the needs of those around her. I will miss working together and dreaming together and thinking that God just might use us (EBC) to impact this world and to elevate the name of Christ.

Colossians 1.18 reads that Christ is the head of the church.... the sole purpose of the church is to make loud declaration of the supremacy of Christ. I watched the church this past weekend and we were loud and beautiful and glorious and Christ received SO much glory. You fed and loved and served and played and showed up and sang and cried and you made loud declaration of God's great glory in the midst of pain and sorrow. It was beautiful! I love you guys and I love being a part of this amazing deal called the 'church', which has the incredible role of lifting and lifting and lifting the supremacy of Christ. Christ supreme. Christ alone!

Jeff, Carrie's hubby, wrote the most amazing note Monday morning early. I thought that you would enjoy... Here it is:

Mark,

Please forward this to the staff and praise teams. Thanks man!

I have to tell you (again, I know) I love Carrie and am so thankful and blessed to have had her the time we did. One thing that is particularly cool about the blessing she heaped on us is our involvement with EBC. I didn’t want to come here when we moved back to Florida. We had established relationships at 1st UMC, her parents went there and I just wasn’t comfortable with all of EBC’s “wackiness”. It took one service to see Jesus present and one service to see what being here meant to Carrie. Getting to lead with Johnny was the second biggest reason Carrie wanted to be here; the first, Christ! Emmanuel Baptist very quickly became our home! Thank you!

Carrie cherished her “job” and the people she “worked” with. The depth of her faith was just expanded immeasurably by you guys and gals, ALL of you! I almost found myself jealous of her time with Mark. Her friendship with you is priceless! Carrie lived to sing and do music! The fact she got to do it with these teams of EXCELLENT and still growing musicians was most special to her. Carrie loved you ALL!

What all of you (staff and praise teams) did for her/us yesterday was awesome. It so much more than just about Carrie; just what she would want! People were touched by God yesterday and you all lead them to Him! Whether it was on the stage, a hug, spooning food, or just being a welcoming church to everyone; just what Carrie would want. Thank you!

Carrie loves you, I love you, Nate, Xander, and Maggie love you and we so very much THANK YOU for all you did! It was just what Carrie would want!

Jeffy

I love you guys! Enjoy this week and may God find much glory in and through you.

By Grace... for Glory,

Mark

2008-05-27T15:16:00.004-06:00

Two things really struck me this past weekend. I am small. Really small. God is huge. Really, He is truly Supreme. Louie said something profound that has left me shaking my head at my own sinful pride. He said that I have a huge propensity to shrink down God to my level and to elevate my own life to His. That is sin. Sin makes that which is small big and that which is Supreme, small. Crazy! How can infinitesimal me attempt to make the story of God anything but the sole pleasing, God elevating story that it is? In light of the sheer awe factor of God, how could I do anything but lift His... His fame... His character... His life higher and higher? How could I do anything less than become smaller in order to elevate His greatness? I truly want to spend my life making much of a great and glorious God.

The vastness of God blew me away and I tasted a bit more of His supremacy this past weekend. But, the intimacy with God was so needed and has had such an impact on me. He holds us together. A protein molecule, in the form of a cross, is holding me together. Yeah! God is truly vast and huge and incomprehensible and big and magnanimous and any other adjective that connotes "AWESOME." Yet, He is also intimate and deeply acquainted with all of my ways. I am thankful for the intimacy that I have with this incredible God.

Christ is truly holding many of us together. Yesterday, Jeff called me to tell me that Carrie will leave this earth in a few weeks. I was not ready for that call. Jeff and Carrie are friends..... you know, the 'we share life and have kids and coach ball teams and laugh and cry and pray and do small group and actually work together' kind of friends. I wasn't ready for the doctors to tell me that her brain cancer was back. I really was not ready to hear that she had a short time to live. Less than 15 hours later, I was on the way to the hospital to say goodbye to one of my best friends. I love Carrie. I miss her. I am held together. Thanks be to God that He holds us together.

Isaiah 40.27 - 31 are verses of refuge in the past few days. I am leaning into God for strength. I am weak. I am standing in Him and His glorious might sustains, holds, and strengthens. I don't have a fraction of the answers about why this went down with Carrie. Yet, I have no doubt about Who Carrie celebrates and the reality that she is leading the worship parade in the presence of the living God! I can only imagine.....

I love you, Carrie. I thank my God for your partnership in the gospel. I miss you! Jeff, you have taught me much, over the past months, about how to serve one's wife at the deepest point of life. Thank you! I am committed to talk with God often about you.... about Nate, Xander, and Maggie. I am committed to tell them stories about their mom. I hope that we get to share much more life together.

God's glory alone.

Mark

2008-05-19T08:34:00.003-06:00

Musings from the past week:
- Colossians 1.15 - 24 is finding much fertile soil in my heart and mind. According to Scripture, we simply cannot fathom the profundity of God's greatness. Yet, I want to give chase. I want to know Him and to seek Him and to discover more of Him and to be found in Him. His supremacy is consuming. I am enjoying studying and meditating upon Christ supreme. I am enjoying the Word studying my heart even more. What I really love is the way that the third service ended yesterday.... singing "How Great is our God" and asking, 'what if we seek to discover His greatness together?!' What if....

- A quote by Sproul continues to sharpen me. He wrote that, we are never touched and impressed with a conviction of our insignificance until we have contrasted ourselves with the majesty of God.

- My Bible Fellowship wrapped up our first trek through Yahweh (the Study) last night. I love my group! Really, I looked around the room a few times and I was so thankful for the friendships that God has given Susan and me. We read huge portions of Scripture via the story of Joseph. Rather than engage in much discussion, we simply read and considered the profound sovereignty of God in the life of Joseph. I felt 'bathed' in the Word when I left. I walked out challenged to trust God, regardless - good, bad.... I walked out thinking, what others often mean for harm, God will work for His great good and His glory if I will submit my life to His hand. My running thought is, what if I believe that God is with me today and that the circumstances around me don't surprise Him? How would I respond. How will God gain glory?

- I love kids! I received an e mail from one of our teachers and she had given her 1st graders a writing prompt. She prompted them with, More than anything else, I...... Amelia, an EBC kid, wrote that she longed for everyone to know God better. Then, she gave some terrific reasons as to 'why'. What about me? you? More than anything else, I.....

Christ supreme. Christ glorious. Christ in and through us, our sole hope of glory. What if we, together, give chase to His greatness lived through our lives. After all, we were made by Him and we were made for Him. Yeah!

By Grace... For Glory,
Mark

2008-05-14T09:53:00.007-06:00

This past weekend:
- we celebrated 'dangerous' women. It was wildly beautiful to listen as a mom and daughter shared of their Christ adventure, followed by every woman in our fellowship standing and declaring of their passion to live dangerously. Check out the Dangerous Woman's Creed/ Prayer

Dear God, Please make us dangerous women. May we be women who acknowledge our power to change, and grow, and be radically alive for God. May we be healers of wounds and righters of wrongs. May we weep with those who weep and speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.

May we cherish children, embrace the elderly, and empower the poor. May we pray deeply and teach wisely. May we be strong and gentle leaders. May we sing songs of joy and talk down fear.

May we never hesitate to let passion push us, conviction compel us, and righteous anger energize us. May we strike fear into all that is unjust and evil in the world. May we dismantle abusive systems and
silence lies with truth. May we shine like stars in a darkened generation.
May we overflow with goodness in the name of God
and by the power of Jesus. And in that name and by that power,
may we change the world.

Dear God, please make us dangerous women. Amen.
Excerpted from Lynne Hybels’ book Nice Girls Don’t Change the World

- Speaking of 'dangerous women', it was shocking to have Bonnie pop into the office last Tuesday. She is elevating the fame of Christ in W. Africa, so what in the heck was she doing knocking on our staff team door?!? Bonnie is taking a few weeks of sabbatical before heading back to W. Africa for another year. She is so fresh in her journey with Christ... praying, seeking, living, and displaying His radiance. I love Bonnie and I thank my God for her! I love that she simply follows Christ, wherever that road may lead. She teaches me to be a Christ-follower. I'm glad!

- Supreme could be a new series of thoughts in our worship Encounter or the central passion of our hearts or the profound word that describes the only Word... Jesus Christ. I so deeply long that we seek Him... the Supreme One. Jesus Christ. Glorious One.

Jesus tells a story about our response to His supremacy. The Kingdom of Heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. -- Matthew 13.44

May our lives be marked by the Supreme King of Glory. Enjoy this week.

By Grace... For Glory,

Mark

2008-05-05T16:17:00.003-06:00

Yesterday, we celebrated our graduates and their next step on this adventure in Christ. It was so stinkin' fresh to watch faces scroll across the screen and the song wail about being 'counted in' on this worldwide move of God. When I came to EBC, these Sr's were in the 1st grade. Yep, that really humbles me a bit. But, what is so cool is to see their faces and know that I had the thrill of sitting with many of the families as their kid embraced the story of God. Other faces popped across the screen who I know have already given their lives to Christ and to His heart for the nations. I love our students. I love their heart. I love that Christ loves them. I love that they love Him back!

As we were celebrating Seniors, my heart was also breaking for a family in our fellowship who are saying 'goodbye' to their 20 year old son/grandson/ nephew. An inexplicable gunshot wound carried him away from this earth. The void is palpable. Words are few. Prayers are many. What a dichotomy within worship.... wishing, with such passion, for the future of a bunch of seniors. Aching, with sorrow, for the unanticipated loss of an amazing kid. Life. It's challenging.

Maybe my favorite part of the Weekend speaks to both these situations. I am so deeply thankful for the Emmanuel family. In our years in this fellowship, we've walked in some pretty incredible highs. Intense lows have also made their way into the equation of our life. What we are most deeply grateful for is the deep sense of commitment that we share within the family of Emmanuel. I am not sure that we would make it without this fellowship. I love that we are devoted to one another. Our devotion to one another is birthed out of our intense devotion to our God in prayer, study, needs being met, and simply experiencing the journey of life together, in Him. That is good, in the midst of good and bad.

So, I'm asking God to compel us to wrestle with Him. To actually see Him face to face and to live to tell about it... about Him... about His wonder.... about His grace... about His magnitude.... about His life... about His worth..... Him. When we see Him face to face, all else fades!

I love you guys!

By Grace... For Glory,

Mark

2008-04-28T15:06:00.002-06:00

A few random thoughts from a week in the life of EBC:

Yesterday, I was sitting in a room with a couple and their three children who are giving their lives for the Kingdom in Brazil in the Amazon basin. Aaron sat in the front of our worship room and he wept for the sake of the gospel and the people that he deeply loves in NW Brazil. I love his heart. I love that God is inviting us to strategically partner in this area of the world. I am really thinking that this partnership is bigger than us. I am highly confident that it is not bigger than our God!

Walking through Colossians is incredible. Attempting to recognize the gravity and worth given for me is absolutely awesome. God has provided me with a glorious rescue. Yeah, it’s good to be free. As we talked about Lazarus, it is truly joy-filled to be called out of death. But, in Christ, it’s even better than that… Christ doesn’t just invite me to step out of death, but He brings me more and more and more alive. Christ invites me to remove my grave clothes and to run free in Him. I am continuing to allow the unfathomable work of the cross settle into my life, my heart, my minutes, my days. Daily, I have the thrill of tasting more of life and more of Christ. What a gift. Grace amazing!

As I type, I’m on the road to ATL to hang out with our family ministry team. Over the next few days, we will think “Orange.’ We will think about merging the family (red = heart) and the church (yellow = the flame), which creates a beautiful orange. We long to paint our families orange… our kids orange… our church orange as we leave greatest impact for God’s great glory. It will be a fun week.

This past weekend, I had the chance to sit in a room with a bunch of folks thinking about spiritual formation. It was so stinkin’ good to consider how to make much room for Christ to be Himself. This ‘roundtable’ was in Tallahassee and I had the chance to facilitate with a group of people from all kinds of places, with one commonality – elevating Christ. What a great discussion. Beyond that, I sat at Dick Howser stadium with my 6 year old son and watched the ‘Noles play Miami. Sadly, UM won but I still felt like I really won by getting to hang out with an amazing little dude who happens to be my son!

Hey, I love you guys and I love sharing this huge God journey with you. I am amazed by what God is doing in our fellowship. May he be free to be Himself in the life of our church.

By Grace… For Glory,
Mark