Archive - October, 2008

Wednesday Wisdom

October 8, 2008 in Lead 1

Yesterday was an incredible day for me. Not only am I prepping for Catalyst but I also got to play some basketball. We played the closest game that we have all year. We rebounded well, we played awesome defense, and scored regularly. We lost by one at the buzzer. I am super competitive so I was completely bummed. But happy that the guys won and glad that they got a win, but overall extremely dissappointed.

And as our devotion suggested I reflected. I have been a part of three buzzer beater games. I am 2-1 in those games. I have hit a buzzer beater and been beaten by one. But more so than all of those games I thought about life.

I thought about how all of these people in the Clemson area, are calling for Tommy Bowden’s head. The reality is that turnovers are killing the team and they just aren’t playing the entire game. Here is what I have always told people. You need to play the game in such a way that these mistakes never cost you the game.

We missed 4 free throws last night in the last minute of the game. We didn’t play sound when it really counted.

I came home and told my wife that we lost at the buzzer and she felt sad and told that she was sorry but it didn’t really take the hurt away. But here’s what I want to tell you. Last night in my reflection process I thought about this. Don’t live your life where you can be beaten by a buzzer. Man we are in the middle of our “One Month to Live” series. It’s really challenging me to look at how I live my life on a daily basis. Hearing story after story of people that are living their life like everyday matters. Man don’t live your life where a sudden accident or event that changes everything completely destroys your life.

If you wife gets sick – have you loved her or would you be trying to make up for lost time? If your mom or dad leaves this earth suddenly – would you be wishing you could have mended your relationship with them?

Don’t let your life come down to a buzzer beater. Make every second count. Start it today.

Incredible weekend

October 6, 2008 in Life 0

This past weekend was one of the best in a long time. First, my wife and I spent some time in Ridgecrest, NC with some awesome student adult leaders. I was really encouraged by this group of people. They really invest in student’s lives and get to know and love the students that they care for on a regular basis. I really realized that my relationship with alot of these students is more surface based and not really deep. I was really challenged to go deeper in my relationships with these young people that need love in their lives.

Not only that but we had some awesome teambuilding activities mixed into the weekend. We played outdoor laser tag. How awesome was that you ask? Really awesome! You have a sensor on your gun and two sensors on your head: on in front and on in back. Plus you are running through the woods trying to shoot people up to 400m away on your laser sight gun. It was really awesome. I really was encouraged by the fact that in the book that I’m reading it talks about adding fun into your team. You need to do ministry with people that you like and if you add those fun elements in then it makes it that much better.

“The team that plays together, stays together” is what I like to say.

Then Sunday. I love Sunday. Ministry Teams kicked off this week. I will post more about this program later. And then Baptism! Baptism is always awesome at Brookwood. I baptized one of the kids that went to camp with us this year and it was one of the most special times that I have had in ministry. I just had the opportunity to think about my spiritualy journey and how Jackson was starting his. It was just an incredible time. Over 75 people baptized! I just really love Baptism. A huge party every time and love all around. It is just awesome!

And now for this week: Catalyst! I am so freakin pumped. There are going to be tons of great and incredible people there. I am looking forward to hearing Steven Furtick speak. So the blogging will be a little weak for a few days in preparation of next week here at work because I will lose some time to Catalyst.

How was your weekend?

My friends

October 2, 2008 in Tech 0

So if you know me from SC, you are probably wondering to yourself:

I wonder what J.C. was like in Memphis. There doesn’t seem to be alot to do there. Well, I was talking to a very good friend the other day reminiscing on old times and talking about his future. His name is David Jacks and he is going to be doing incredible things. He is wearing the Beckham jersey in this video. He is also in the Mr. University of Memphis pageant this week. So root him on and let me know what you think of this David C. Jacks and Jesse Moffat original song.

Wednesday Wisdom

October 1, 2008 in Lead 2

So I have been playing basketball for the last two weeks and have been loving it. I absolutely love basketball. The running the athleticism. The constant thinking and improv on the run. You must continue to think and change and be flexible. The experience of basketball for me is incredible. I just love being on the court in the middle of the action. I hate to sit on the bench. Absolutely hate it. I hate sitting on the bench more than losing. Now in no way am I gifted at basketball but I absolutely want to be out there in the middle of the action.

My question is how can people sit on the bench in life? How can people not really live life? Not spend time with those they love, not do something they enjoy everyday, and really make knowing and connecting with others a priority in their life. How can people come to church everyweek and not serve a God that has given them so much? This isn’t a guilt trip post, but instead a post about how in the world could they miss the blessings from serving. Here are some things that I have experienced from being in the game:

  • A student ministry grow from about 50 to 200 in less than a year.
  • Countless number of people give their life to Christ.
  • Volunteers leave their home and jobs to follow God’s plan.
  • I followed God on a journey to SC with no job.
  • God gave me a job at a church working with kids.
  • Seeing 300 kids praise God like I have never imagined at the same time.
  • Seeing my boss slimed with over 40 gallons of slime.
  • Being in a long distance relationship with a girl that followed God to Argentina for a year for Bible School.
  • Been on a mission trip to Argentina.
  • Strengthened relationships with my family.
  • Real friends that have my back and my front and the sides as well.
  • Love-true love
  • God’s blessings everywhere.

Would some of these things happen not being in the game… maybe. But why in the world would you chance it? If you aren’t in the middle of God’s work right now. I am praying that if you read this blog you will get in on it immediately. It’s time to step up to the plate and do what God has called you to do.

And if you want to live your life by something it should be this verse.

Matthew 22:37-39

I would love to hear some stories from you getting in the game of service for God.

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