United Recap...

Well I have to say that Hillsong United really met the hype of a great worship service.  I had never been to the Verizon Amphitheater before and I have to say I was impressed.  It is very new and the sound was great. Untied did not have an opening act so guys got on stage and just gave away free stuff the whole time(you gotta love free stuff).  Justin and I had tickets that were close to the back but as you can see that is not how we role. Now you might be wondering why I would blog about a worship service but keep reading and you will see.  

The first three songs were Break Free, Take it All and Look to You.  Probably my top three fast songs that they do. The place was packed and there is something about worshiping God outside. You could see the clouds, the sky and a lot of his creation.  I hope all of you get the chance to sing to God with thousands of people.  Some of my favorite times are standing with thousands of people who love Jesus and are there just to sing and worship him for who he is.  It is very powerful and encouraging to see and experience that.  

Then they played a song probably every church plays often which is Mighty to Save.  Our youth group plays this song often and it doesn't seem to get old because the words are so powerful.  I am standing there singing and I look at this girl on her dad's shoulders watching everyone.  She had to be less than 2 years old.  She is watching all these people lift their hands and then she just raises her hands and begins to sing.  I watched her probably the whole song and then she looked at me.  I mean she really looked at me and I looked at her. We were both so serious in this moment.  Then she smiles at me and continues to worship.  It was beautiful...

Many songs later they get to a new song called Dessert Song.  It cracks me up because here we are singing dessert song and it starts pouring down rain.  But what was amazing know one left. Lighting was flashing and thunder was crashing and we are singing to God.  Pretty sweet!!

The last song they played was Tell the World that Jesus lives.  This is defiantly my favorite song. It says this... 

Don't want to stand here and shout your praise, walk away and forget your name 

I stand for you if it's all I do, there is no one that could better you,

All I want in this life time is you,

All I want in this whole world is you, 

Tell the world that Jesus lives 

Tell the world that,

Tell the world that

Tell the world that he died for them, 

Tell the world that he lives again...

After this great night Justin and I went to waffle house at 2:00 in the morning and that is whole other blog...

PS  Tell the world that Jesus lives...

United!!

Today is going to be such a great day.  My friend Justin and his wife are coming into town today to see me and we always have fun when we get together.  We have been good friends since college and talk at least once a week.  We support each other and we are not afraid to share weakness or failures with each other.  God has given me a great friend that doesn't judge me nor look down on me when I fall on my face.  

We get to do something tonight that I have been wanting to do forever.  As most know I am a huge fan of music especially worship music.  There is nothing like putting a CD in or jamming out with your iPod to music that gives God so much glory.  I love listening to David Crowder Band, Chris Tomlin, Charlie Hall, Phil Wickham, Lincoln Brewster and of course Hillsong United.  I have followed these artist for many years now and I am blown away by the talent God gives them. I am so thankful for them because their music has brought me face to face with my Savior many times ( I love worshiping in my car).  I have been to worship conferences with my worship minister, Passion and so many other worship avenues including a 10000000000 concerts.  

Tonight I get to finally see Hillsong United Live in Atlanta.  I love their music and heart for God and I have always wanted to worship with them.  Justin and I got tickets last minute and I am so looking forward to worship with thousands tonight.  There is nothing like thousands of people who follow Jesus jumping, singing, with hands lifted high showing there God they love him.  Today is going to be a great day!!

Preview

Over the past months you have probably read that the staff has been working hard on the new church website.  I can honestly say it is 99% completed.  We are sharing the website with the church family this Sunday but I wanted those who read my blog to have a preview of it and to tell me what you think.  I honestly want to know what all of you think about the look, design, focus and readability of the website.  If you have never been to our church would this website give you enough information to visit and would you want to see what First Christian was doing because of this website?  So click the link and tell me what you think?

On a side note make sure you visit the Student page (just click youth or go to Get Connected and you will see a Student button).  I put a lot of time in this site and went back in forth with our web company to see what they could do and what they couldn't do.  You may notice that my website flows differently than the rest.  Be sure to click Edge, Focus and Life Groups to see what happens.  Please comment on what you think about our youth page and if it is easy to navigate.  

Thanks and I look forward to reading your comments!!

http://www.fccga.org/

I Am Witness...

I love Michael Jordan but is this the beginning of greatness?

God is bigger...

As you may know from the previous blog I had a speaking engagement today at a Christian school.  I was asked to speak to the elementary kids and the middle and high school students. For the elementary I dressed up as a bible character and did a skit with my sermon.  As I am sitting in the back of this huge auditorium by myself and dressed like a guy from the Old Testament I had a staff beside me that is at least 7 feet tall.  I had to drive "the van" today so I could get it in the car. As the kids walked in there is this 2nd grader who stops and walks out of her line to talk with me. She looks at my stick and then sizes me up.  She says, "I bet that stick it taller than you."  Not to diminish what she said but even sitting down anyone could tell I have short legs a nice investment in the mid section and a huge head.  I decide to fall into her trap and say,  "You think so, I am pretty tall."  I stand up and show her what a tall tower I am and she looks at me and smiles.  "I guess you're right the stick is bigger than I am."  Then she look at me with these big blue eyes and blond hair and says, "God is bigger than that stick!" She smiles at me and walks to her seat.  

She is so right!!  God is much bigger than a stick.  God is much bigger than a divorce, cancer, ministry, family, and a stick that is 7 feet tall.  At such a young age she knew God was bigger than any situation that she could face and she saw that in my big stick.  This theology of God being so big came so quick out of this small 2nd graders mouth.  I have been thinking about her response all day now.  I am amazed at how kids notice all the things we adults miss.  I am thankful she reminded me that God is bigger than my circumstances and situations.  God is not only bigger than my stick, but so much more than we could imagine.  

Prayers...

This week was difficult for many different reasons and so I need your prayers...

Sunday was bitter sweet because of it being graduation Sunday and having to say good bye to those who will leave and go to college and the military.  We also had an elders meeting which I usually look forward to because of the direction the church is going and my love for the men in the room, but not all elders meeting are easy to sit through and this one was not.

Monday

It was kind of a moody day for me.  I found myself evaluating my life, ministry and my future. Elevations are good but when there are so many questions and confusion it can become frustrating.  I also learned that my first class in my graduate studies would be Greek.  FUN!!

Tuesday

I had to have a very tough conversation with a close friend.  When my friends hurt, I hurt.  It is hard for me to see my friends cry and it is that side of ministry that can be tough.  

Wednesday

Although we did not have Edge last night I was in my office counseling a couple about their marriage.  Every time I meet with those who have trouble in their marriage it makes me think of how grateful I am to have Natalie.  I shared with this couple that divorces can happen because of the smallest of things.  Your wife could ask you to take out the trash and you say you will do it later and it never happens.  6 months later it still hasn't happened and now your in this huge fight because you forgot to get her a glass of water before bed.  The small things are so important in marriage and divorces can come because of a bag of trash.  

I went out to lunch with two students one who will be speaking at graduation day and wanted my help to write her speech (very humbling moment).  Yet we started talking about how parents find it hard to relate to their kids.  My friend said that she doesn't even have a close relationship with her dad.  I thought of my daughters and a fear came over me that my daughters will not like Daddy when they are older.  Regardless why it would still hurt!

Thursday

I am getting ready to go to the gym and swim with my girls.  Nothing weird has happened but today is not over lol...

Friday 

I get to speak at a Christian school and anytime I have that opportunity I need you to pray that I do the gospel justice.  

Saturday 

My friend Stan's (who is the senior minister of our church) daughter is getting married at 1:30. I know I am going to blink and it will be me walking down that isle with my daughters.  They are so young and I already dread it.

Sunday

I will be teaching a difficult Sunday school and I know this teaching is not something most agree with but it still needs said.

As you can see I need your prayers this week.  For good measure might as well pray for me next week to...

Graduation Day

This Sunday at church was graduation Sunday and it was very hard for me to get through.  We graduated 11 students and all of them are leaders.  I have seen many of these students join our youth ministry and just fall in love with Jesus.  It has been such a joy to watch them grow and serve these past couple of years.  Most of them are going away for school or the military and I am really excited to see what God is going to do with this group of young adults.  

I was sitting there thinking about how some were with me when this youth group was comprised of 10 students and yet others heard what God was doing here and joined the team.  All of them have such passion for following Christ and most will lead many others in so many different ways. I am eager to see what God will do with their futures yet sad to know they are leaving our youth ministry.

Sunday was a great day though.  I preached on Luke 9:23-25 and showed them commitments the world was going to ask them to make.  Things like college degrees, marriage, children, and much more.  I had a prop on stage representing each item and then I asked the students to stand up and go to the welcome center and pick up the greatest commitment.  They walked back and all of them picked up a cross that they built the day before.  As they walked it in the congregation stood in reverence.  It was a very powerful moment for me watching these leaders carry a cross to the front of the stage.  The greatest commitment is to continue to follow Jesus and carry your cross.  Then I had them bring it on the stage and stand the cross in front of all the other commitments.  It was very powerful to see the cross standing there with those I love holding it.  I hope and pray that they will remember what was said and they will truly live it out.  

That night all the youth workers and graduates went to a Japanese steak house and had a great time together.  I will miss the class of 2009.  

More Free Stuff...

Free stuff never gets old so for this weekend I give a free LIVE Coldplay album.  Just copy the website and put it into your web browser and you will hear sweet sounds from the heavens. ENJOY!!

http://lrlrl.coldplay.com/leftright.html

Rejected and Redemption

It is funny how God works over time.  Many may not know this but I was rejected from a Johnson Bible College when I 18.  My youth minister went there and at the time I had a couple of friends who attended there so of course I wanted to go there.  I didn't become a Christian until I was 18 so my High School grades were not good (that is pretty much an understatement). At the time I hadn't taken my ACT or SAT so Johnson asked me to drive up and take it because my GPA was so low.  I had to score really high just to get accepted and needless to say I was two points shy.  I talked with some people and told them all I wanted was to serve God and preach his word.  I explained to them that I wasn't Christian during High School and things would be different in college.  Their answer was still NO.  So I went to Bluefield College of Evangelism for two years and then to Louisville Bible College for 2 years.  I love both schools very much and I am so thankful for my time and the people I met there.  

For the past year I have been praying and asking God if more school was in my future.  I didn't want to have a masters just to say I have a masters.  I really could  care less about a sheet of paper or those who brag on having "so much education".  I want to be a better communicator of God's word and so with the help of others I have been looking at a Johnson Bible College graduate program.  They offer a Masters in preaching so after more praying I decided to send my application in.  I honestly felt 18 again.  What would they say, do they remember me, what would I tell my elders, what if I was rejected again?  All these things raced through my mind and I was a little nervous hearing back from them.  I go to the mail box today and I pull out a big envelope that says, "Johnson Bible College Distant Learning."  Natalie saw the size of the package and said you got in they wouldn't give you something that big if you were rejected. Still I was excited and nervous.  I open it up and it say, "Congratulations you have been accepted!"  

After the excitement died down I did feel a sense of redemption from previous years.  I am a bit nervous going back to school but confident that God wants me to do this.  I am preaching this Sunday to my graduates and what is funny I am going through the same emotions and feelings they are.  They are excited to do something new but nervous what that may look like.  In a weird way we are in the same boat and I am glad to experience this and more with them.  

So I ask that you pray for me and my continuing education.  Pray that I do this for God's glory and not my own.  Pray for my friends who graduate this year.  May all of us be faithful to the greatest commitment we have made.  

Good Leadership

Sorry I haven't blogged in a while but times have been really busy. May is just a crazy month. I leave you with this video that I found on my friend Wade's blog. Wade is a good friend and a great minister of the gospel. He is very serious about leadership as you can tell from this video.

RoboMom...

Today is a day were I can brag on my beautiful wife.  As most know we have two kids and they are the best gifts God has given us.  They are fun, playful, loud and exciting most of the time.  I work full time and am gone a lot during the days and nights so my wife is at home with both children doing her best.  If you have been around sports at all you will hear coaches say, "Your best isn't good enough, we need more!"  My wife gives it all to the family and makes so many sacrifices for me and our kids that I can honestly say "Her best is  amazing!"  She juggles so much as a mother and wife that I am continually blown away by her actions.  She is an amazing person, mom, wife, and Christian.  When I see what she does and more importantly how she does it I can see Christ in her. She is a person of...

patience 

kindness 

grace 

love 

respect 

gentleness

balance

hope

forgiveness

prayer 

selfless 

person I know.  I am so lucky that she said yes.  I am so thankful for the person she is and I admire the woman she has become.  I love her with all my heart and thank God regularly that she is mine.  So today on mother's day I think of the mother of my children, the woman I love, and the one who said yes.  My wife truly is something special.    

I love you Natalie!!!!!!!!!

Mother's Day

Some of you have probably seen this but it still makes me laugh!

I Cry Often...

Every Tuesday and Wednesday I go to my office and pray to ask God to help me deliver the message that he would want my students to hear and live out.  I open up his word, grab commentaries, pray more, read others writings, get back into the word then start typing.  I find myself in the middle of writing this message that God has planned for me and my students and in the middle of it I feel this heavy weight of conviction.  There is something special when you are alone with God's word and the Holy Spirit brings these emotions and thoughts to you attention about your own life.  I usually find myself writing to a particular audience and then I find myself struggling with the same thing.  I realize that I am no greater than anyone else and the weight of conviction is very real for my life.  I then find myself reading and talking about how good God is and what he has done for all of us and my eyes usually fill up with tears. Even as I type this blog I am overwhelmed by how much Jesus loves me and how often I forget.  I am blown away that I am called to do this because often I feel so unworthy and inadequate.  I am literally saddened because what Jesus had to go through so that I could be free and yet I am so thankful.  It is moments like this that I cry often...

Killing Cockroaches

I found this interesting...

Sounds like Summer...

One of my favorite things about summer is the new movies that come out.  I love going to the movies, getting popcorn and being blown away by CGI and awesome story lines.  I usually will never blog about movies that I see or what I think of them because everyone has an opinion on what they like and what they don't.  Today will be an exception.  I get a call from our worship minister who wants me to go with him to see X-Men Wolverine on Friday night.  Natalie and I were just talking about how both of us wanted to see that movie.  So I of course I told Natalie that this was God's will and I must follow his leading.  We get there for the 9:15 showing and there were a lot of people there.  I had seen many of the previews and I really like comic book movies.  I was huge fan of the Saturday morning cartoon on Fox and read the comics when my mom use to take me to eat lunch at the drug store.  I'm no expert on movies or comics but I like them both.  We get there and see some awesome previews for the summer and I am so looking forward to...

GI Joe 

Transformers 2

Star Trek

Funny People

Terminator Salvation 

So of course when the movie starts I am so ready for it.  We sit there and half way through I am thinking, "Where is the story line, these fight scenes are corny, why is there a baby in the front row crying?"  After the movie I can honestly say I was disappointed.  It's not that the movie was bad, it just had potential for greatness.  The Chicago Sun Times said it best, "It has pretty pictures with no plot..."  I agree.  So if your a movie buff like me then wait until it comes out on DVD.  I will say that this summer is going to be good with all the movies coming out.  

In short I am ready for summer for many different reasons and I hope you are to.  This will probably be my last movie review unless I see some movie and it is great like The Dark Knight was last year.  If I would have been blogging last year I so would have talked about that movie. So do yourself a favor and take sometime off to go to the movies with your wife and or worship minister.  If there is a baby in the front row crying in the middle of the movie when the movie is PG-13 try to hold yourself back from coming up to them and asking, "What in the world are you thinking?"  Enjoy the movies... 

Lots of Love...

This week I have received many different letters of thanks and encouragement.  They have come through email, letters and many people have come by the office.  There have been a wide range of things said to me, "The students did  great Sunday leading worship, it was fun hanging out with you before the concert, I am so glad you are at our church, and thanks for being a friend."  This week as been very up lifting to me because of people showing their love.  It means a lot when people give you encouragement or show their love by writing you a letter.  It makes me wonder if I need to encourage others more.  I want to share an email sent by our Children's director this week after my devotion in staff meeting. 

Crockett,
 
I really enjoyed your devotion today.  I wanted to thank you for a few things:
 
1.       Thanks for all of the ideas regarding the 4th and 5th graders.  
2.       I appreciated how honest you were about things that you have going on.
3.       I admired how you really brought it to the table and made us think about how we are as a Team.  
4.       More than anything, thanks for caring about me.  You are very sincere…and that is awesome!
 
I love being on staff with you! I thank God for  you and your family!
 
April 

It is a small email that can make a big difference.  I am so thankful for those who go out of their way to encourage and love me.  I thank God for people who take the time out to share their heart with those they care about.  I hope I can do this more for the people I love.  

Have a great weekend...