Maybe one day I will post a "one cool cat" video in honor of Craig Groeschel

I have been going through books like crazy lately!! ...Well, for me, anyway.  My beautiful wife noticed me with a book this morning and made this comment...

"You have read more in the past six months than you read in the first nine years of our marriage."

Very true! I just can't get enough. God has placed such a desire in my heart to learn and grow as I seek to fulfill his call on my life. I am currently reading The Radical Reformission: Reaching Out without Selling Out, by Mark Driscoll. Just finished watching Trees, by Rob Bell, to review for my Sunday School lesson (9-12 Grades) tomorrow . The combination of reading last night and the video today... rocked me for a good one. They both discussed how we deal with the culture around us. Are we just here to live to get to Heaven... Or are we here to impact this world the way Christ intended?

Here are a few quotes from the book and video:

“We live between the trees, in a world drenched in God. And some people seriously ask, you know, ‘Where is God?’ Maybe a better question would be, ‘Where isn’t God?’ I mean, his fingerprints are all over our world. Or maybe it’s his world and they’re our fingerprints.” -Rob Bell in Nooma video "Trees"

On both sides of the river was the tree of life bearing 12 kinds of fruit, producing it’s fruit every month. The leaves of the tree are for healing the nations. Revelation 22:2 - The Bible

"First, to change a culture, we must change the people in that culture. The question that arises is whether people do what they are, or if they are what they do. The answer to this is imperative, because if we are what we do, then all we need to do is train people to act differently, and they will change themselves. But if we cannot do good until we become good, the very thing which bad people cannot do, no matter how many dollars are spent and organizations are founded to help them.
The Bible clearly teaches that we do what we are. It also repeatedly teaches that our sin comes from out hearts, the center of who we are. ...
The sinful nature of our hearts is the root of all cultural problems and sins. The unredeemed heart is a glutton for sin and death. Only God can give a person a new heart, one with new desires for a redeemed life that contributes to a transformed culture." -Mark Driscoll in The Radical Reformission, p.109.

God has called us to be the "salt of the earth"... We are not called to just "get more junk and leave this trailer park of a planet before God's tornado touches down on all sinners" (Driscoll). We are to reach out to the world/culture in which God has placed us.

God has put us here, as leaves on a tree to provide fruit; love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,meekness, self-control.

Have you ever thought about that tree? Jesus spread his arms wide open on a tree, to shed His blood, that all may be saved! Are you reaching out to make a difference?  We are here on this planet, in our respective towns/cities, during this particular time in history, to complete HIS purpose our lives...to impact our world..."For such a time as this"!!!

(Disclaimer: I do not necessarily agree with everything Driscoll says in the book... but it's a great eye opener to a "Sheltered Christian", and I must say, his passion for reaching others is contagious).

I received several awesome testimonies/ emails this week... That usually does not happen... It is usually just prayer request or chain letters

I wanted to share them in hopes it will lift you up and much as it has me! (links added)

On Tuesday (an email to Susanne regarding some webcasts she recommended):

Thank you so much, Susanne!  I intend to check every one of those out.  I guess hubby and I are both sort of in a 'season of discontent and searching' right now, and we can use all the helpful recommendations we can get!  We're not questioning our faith, as such, but wondering what the heck we're doing with our lives.  So reading your blog (as well as Chris's) has been both inspiring as well as convicting.  The question, "What is the one thing you know God wants you to do–but you constantly refuse because, in order to be obedient you would have to be willing to get uncomfortable?" has been in the back of my mind for years already, but has been outright plaguing me ever since I read it on Chris's blog last week.

I think for me, the question is slightly different -- I don't know that there's just one thing I know God wants me to do, but rather there's a person I think He wants me to be, but I don't really feel like changing.  Well, I do and I don't; the concept of not really letting God work in my life because I'm afraid of discomfort and the unknown is definitely the same problem your husband talks about.  I guess I'll be adding some of the Reeder reading recommendations to my Amazon.com wishlist for Christmas!

Again, thanks so much for taking the time to minister to me in this way, Susanne.  I only hope that I can be as refreshing to you as you are to me and that someday my enthusiasm for following Christ will be as tangible as yours is.

--Tammi

Then This Morning (email to practically the entire church)... Talk about shout it from the roof tops!

All of you would eventually find this out on Sunday anyways, but I just need to post it now for all of you.

Over the course of our time here at South Florence, certain things in Pastor Allen's message would make me think twice - Am I really saved? I would pass is off as guilt and the such. However, his message on Wednesday night just really drove it home for me.

I don't remember his exact words, but it was something to tune of - If you made a profession as a young person then go out and live the way you want for 10 years or so and then decide to get serious - something's wrong.  That described me to a "T" and hit like a ton of bricks.  He then talked of a "hope so" or "maybe so" salvation and that if he could talk someone out of their salvation, it wasn't real.  At that point he could have easily.

By 11AM yesterday, I couldn't stand it anymore and went look for Pastor Allen or Jeffery.  I couldn't find either one at the time, but had to take of business RIGHT THEN.  I spent some time in the sanctuary by myself and took care of business.  I asked Jesus into my heart and life
- for real this time.

I shared this w/ the men at the meeting last night and found such support and love that I can't even express it right now.  Wow, what a meeting we had last night.  God is really working in the men of church right now...

Wow - what a week

--Brantley Stokes

I love to hear about how God is working in people. God is SO GOOD!!!

How would you like to know about new music releases...

How about finding out using RSS... (what is RSS?)

You can now... Check it out: http://www.music-alerts.com

I thought that I would share what is playing on the iPod this morning. Why... no clue really.

...maybe inform people of great music?
...maybe to give me something to post about that does not take a large quantity of time?
...maybe because I got the idea from Gary Lamb?

I will list the first 10 shuffled songs of the day.

1. Indivisible - Pillar
2. Crashed - Daughtry
3. Draw Me Close - Kutless
4. Nothing At All - Third Day
5. Here I Go Again - Casting Crowns
6. Trailer Full Of Tragedies - Dogwood
7. Ghetto - P.O.D.
8. Waiting - Fireflight
9. Overexposed - Dogwood
10. Over Thinking - Relient K

Just finished reading Susanne's post for today.

The thought occurred to me...

"Why can't I put it all in words like that"??

Then I thought...

"I Can!!".

So here's the scoop! (They don't call me Stupid Programmer for nothin'!)

(Did I really put a picture of pink flowers on my blog? I must really love my wife!)

Sam was climbing on the couch to watch Veggie Tales: The Wonderful Wizard of Ha's.

He didn't quite make it all the way... He fell asleep with one foot still on the floor.

Today started out with yet another God Thing! After getting dressed and packed, I finally made it to the hotel lobby to get some breakfast...

I overheard two guys talking about churches... their growth... technology in churches... etc...

It REALLY caught my attention. I think it woke me up more than the coffee did!

When I looked over at the table (really I stared), I noticed a familiar face.

I immediately stopped eating my food, then put the rest in the trash (had to keep my coffee), and walked over.

It was Dino Senesi. I tried to meet with him yesterday but he had to refer me to John Sharp (see this post). Microsoft SQL Server training was in 10 minutes... I was willing to be late to class but they had to get to the airport; we only had 10 minutes to talk.

Later in the day over the phone; Dino reminded me that the SC Baptist Convention is being held in Florence, SC this year. Needless to say, Susanne and I now have a lunch meeting with Dino while he is in Florence!

God was SO in this trip to Columbia! John, Jay, and Dino! WAY COOL!

The only thing that would have made it better: lunch with Dustin Willis!

I am so jacked up about this adventure. Susanne and I will share God's specific calling soon!

Can't wait to see what God does tomorrow while in Lancaster with my dad and grandparents.

What a day! I met with TWO church planters today! Man... Should I wake myself up now?

Thanks John and Jay for taking time out of your busy lives to minister to me. It was great to sit and listen to how God moves in people's lives. John was so informative on steps to take toward the end result of God's Calling. Jay put a challenge out for me! He advised me to truly know who I am... I told him I was Chris Reeder, but that is not what he was looking for... He challenged me to dig deeper.

It is so important to know who you are. He reiterated what I had read a few months ago in a Andy Stanley book about knowing strengths and weaknesses. It is a common misconception that Pastors & Leaders need to be able to do it all. This is simply not true.

Perfect example: I use to play bass in Psalm 150 (South Florence's Praise Band). One day, our leader asked me out of the blue... Chris, why don't we have you miked and let you sing too. I told him... George, I cannot sing! He asked me to "just try" one Third Day song... I told George, I really cannot sing! He said you can do it...

BOY... I PROVED HIM WRONG!

After the song was over... He was speechless. I went back over and picked up my bass and we continued practice. Not another word was peeped about Chris Reeder singing.

My point... (Yes there was one) No matter how much George and the rest of the band encouraged and believed in me...

I COULD NOT SING!!!

As a leader, it is important to know my strengths and weaknesses. Why? because even if I am week at singing, that service HAS to be done. That is where the leader part comes in; I need to realize I cannot sing and not be arrogant and think I can!

The making of any great leader is knowing who you are!

Not literally... well maybe... I don't know... Perry does  like Clemson!

But never the less... They stink! Why would I say that??

Well, maybe because Perry brought to my attention two very hard questions!

1. What is the one thing you know God wants you to do–but you constantly refuse because, in order to be obedient you would have to be willing to get uncomfortable?
2. What would you be willing to attempt for God if you knew you could not fail?

While I am at it... Craig Groeschel, two questions from your book Chazown stink, too!

1. If money were no object, and I could do anything I wanted for the rest of my life, what would I do?
2. Besides loving, caring for, and ministering to those most important to me, what is the number one thing that I believe God wants to accomplish through me?

Come on guys... Please... My life was  breezing along... Why ya wanna go and rock the boat?

Ok... For real this time... Thanks guys for challenging me!

I have finally accepted fully what God has in store for my life! Now the adventure of a lifetime starts!

Susanne and I will plant a church! God and only God could have placed this in my heart! My pastor and I had lunch to discuss the next steps in the adventure. He was so full of encouragement! Thanks, Preacher!

Tomorrow I am meeting with John Sharp, church planter with the South Carolina Southern Baptist Convention and pastor of North Point Community Church in NE Columbia. Jay Hardwick (a fellow church planter) said that we might get together and have some coffee later tomorrow night, as well.  I am looking forward to picking their brains.

This is so exciting!! In many ways, I feel like my life has just begun...I have discovered my Chazown!! (Hebrew word for vision, and GREAT book, by the way!!)  Please keep us in your prayers as we embark on this exciting journey and take the next steps towards making it happen. 

And to Howard, Perry & Craig... thanks guys!

Not sure? The picture to the right is what I found Thursday morning!

Susanne and the two older kids had a special event at Greenwood Elementary.

They left me in the shower and Sam (3 years old) in the bed asleep.

When I got out of the shower, I heard what I thought was the TV playing, and wondered to myself how the TV turned it's self on...

Curious... I wrapped a towel around me and walked into the living room... No TV on...

The sound was coming from the kitchen. It was Sam (my three year old) on the computer.

I walked in, smiled really big, walked right past him to get the camera UN-NOTICED (the boy was focused), and took this picture.

Notice he is hardcore!!! He opened Internet Explorer, then was able to select Playhouse Disney in the URL listing and was playing (as Jake says) LIKE CRAZY!!! (I will have to continue to work on him to get him to use Firefox... He says "no.. no.. no.." when I try to load Playhouse Disney in Firefox)

I am so blessed with smart kids. Emilee has her own email address and Sam is surfing the world wide web. Jake is not too big in the computer because he would much rather be shooting Storm Troopers on the XBOX!!! Vader better watch out with the Young Padawan Jacob on the  prowl!!!

So many times we as parents forget to thank God for the blessings of our children. We get too caught up in homework, discipline, and "the going to bed ordeal"; and we forget that these truly awesome bundles of JOY that make a dad smile!

What an awesome night at South Florence Baptist Church!

We celebrated the Halloween season with 500-600 of Florence's finest people.

Our parking lot was packed, neighboring parking lots were packed, packed youth building, packed fellowship hall, packed rock climbing wall, packed Thomas The Train Ride, packed trick-or-treat pathway...

Literally 2720 South Irby Street was PACKED!!! Did I say PACKED!?!?!

BTW: Did I mention it was raining! People did not care, they kept coming to join in the fun!!!

To all our guests... I hope and trust you enjoyed yourselves.

I thought I would include the kids in their costumes (Aren't they cute?)

I know this is how she feels sometimes. I love you!!!

And replace "daddy" with "mommy" for this next one.

Thanks Ed Stetzer for sharing (I had to share both of them)...

As many of you may already know, Susanne and I surrendered to God's call to ministry last March. We have been fervently praying for God's will in our lives, and for His guidance in the next step(s) we should be taking in obedience to accomplish His will.

After much prayer, we have decided to sell our home.

We have had a burden on our hearts for over a year now concerning financial freedom (thanks Joe), and while we have made great strides in getting there, we feel that this will be a BIG STEP towards finally making it happen!

We know that God is in control, and we have already found a home that is going to be a step of faith. We are trusting that God will sell our house quickly and He can make it happen!

Buy purchasing this home, we will accomplish two things...we will be DEBT FREE except for a mortgage (which by the way will be a little more than half of what we are currently paying) and we will also be fulfilling a dream of being "out in the country" on a few acres of land. 

Please pray for favor with the owners of this property (a sister and two brothers selling their mother's home) and for God's perfect plan to be accomplished.  We have not listed our house with a realtor because financially that would be a bit of a set back, so we are trying to sell it on our own. 

We have constructed a website at www.2121TwinBridge.com for potential buyers to view, and we have made printable flyers to distribute. If you know of anyone that would be interested in buying our house, please let them know. Otherwise, please pray that the house will sell quickly and that we will be able to accomplish our financial goals.

Thank you all so much for praying, and for being wonderful brothers and sisters in Christ who we can turn to in our trials, laugh with in our joys, weep with in our sorrows, and celebrate with in our successes.  We cannot imagine doing this "thing" called life without you all!!!

Had to pass this along to anyone that needs to purchase a Domain Name.

I just purchased a new domain name and the initial cost was $10.15

I entered Code OYH3 and it lowered the cost to $7.15.

Great Savings!!! (Home for Sale @ www.2121TwinBridge.com)

Other valid promo codes are: OYH1 & OYH2.

(found the codes here)