I have the great honor to head coach my son's Pee Wee Baseball team at the Greenwood Baseball Complex! 10 Awesome little guys and one awesome little girl! They are such a joy and I am so glad I have the privilege to coach them. It is going to be a great season!

Here is our schedule. (For anyone interested)

I decided to play the NCAA Basketball Tournament Bracket Challenge. Thanks Passion 4 Planting... but what was I thinking???

I hate basketball... Football or Baseball... That I can do! But basketball... just can't get into it.

How do my brackets look you ask... well... um... not so good.

At this point... My goal is to finish higher than Chris Elrod! What a goal!

Currently... I am 75th, and Elrod is 85th (out of 135).

I think a few people have figured out a way to change their picks after the results came in... There is no way they could have known Siena, San Diego, Western Kentucky, and Davidson were gonna win!

• It was great to be able to go back to Unleash Conference at NewSpring last week, the place God put His calling on my life. It was 53 weeks ago that God called me and Susanne to plant Revolution Church in Florence, SC. It was very emotional and a moving time in my life to have my wife and 2 dear friends pray over me at Unleash this year. One of the best memories of my life! It was also great to have my pastor there with us. It was also cool to see Clayton King's face while talking with him and his wife Nancy. I, like Clayton, have a lot of love for Howard Allen.
  
• My friend Jay Hardwick spoke to me through his Move On post. Last week as many of you know, I took the weekend off to Be Still. I think my being still was out of desperation to hear from God. I was second guessing myself. I am sure that Jay and I are the only two church planters to EVER do that... I am sure!
  
  "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring today...the Lord will fight for you; you need only be still." Exodus 14:13-14
  
• "Some people pray like they know how to pray.  He prayed like he knew the One he was praying to"
  That is what I want people to say about me. God challenged me to talk to Him and to never doubt Him through Steven Furtick's post about Cliff Barrows.
  
  "David also said to Solomon his son, "Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished." 1 Chronicles 28:20
  
• One of my new friends J.R. Lee challenged me to never say "that’s just who I am" and to always look for ways improve myself with this post.
  
  My prayer is that, "this is just who I am" never get’s in the way of "this is who God wants me to become".  --J.R. Lee
  
• I so enjoy Easter. It is a time to dye Easter eggs with the kids, spend time with family learning about Jesus' Resurrection (we use Resurrection Eggs, great for 3-8 year olds), and to remember & celebrate that Jesus is alive and the tomb is empty!! ...It is also a  great time to amaze the kids by blowing eggs (no, that is not me)!
  

After a great weekend of resting, relaxing, no email, no blog reading, no book reading, no working, no "gotta do this"... nothing but enjoying my family. Saturday, I did venture out of the house to the baseball field for our first scrimmage with a great group of kids on my PeeWee Baseball team (Go Astros!).

I want to share this video with you all... Susanne told me, I know you are taking a blog break... but you have to see this...

So glad I did... Has God put a burning passion for your town in your heart?

If so, what are you doing about it?

I am writing this after one of the busiest weeks in my life. I have had one emotional roller coaster ride this week: I have been on cloud nine, had "brain cramps", experienced awesome closeness with God, and several other emotional rides... and had to somehow work today.

Plain and simple... I am physically, mentally, and emotionally tired.

My accountability partner, Jeffery Allen, called and told me I needed to read the Feb 22 entry from Oswald Chambers' book My Utmost for His Highest.

The Discipline of Spiritual Perseverance

Be still, and know that I am God . . . —Psalm 46:10

Perseverance is more than endurance. It is endurance combined with absolute assurance and certainty that what we are looking for is going to happen. Perseverance means more than just hanging on, which may be only exposing our fear of letting go and falling. Perseverance is our supreme effort of refusing to believe that our hero is going to be conquered. Our greatest fear is not that we will be damned, but that somehow Jesus Christ will be defeated. Also, our fear is that the very things our Lord stood for— love, justice, forgiveness, and kindness among men— will not win out in the end and will represent an unattainable goal for us. Then there is the call to spiritual perseverance. A call not to hang on and do nothing, but to work deliberately, knowing with certainty that God will never be defeated.

If our hopes seem to be experiencing disappointment right now, it simply means that they are being purified. Every hope or dream of the human mind will be fulfilled if it is noble and of God. But one of the greatest stresses in life is the stress of waiting for God. He brings fulfillment, "because you have kept My command to persevere . . ." ( Revelation 3:10 ).

Continue to persevere spiritually.

A little while later, I received an email from one of Revolution's prayer warriors that offered these words...

I'm writing to tell you I love you, I care, and am revving up the prayer power.

Satan attacks us hardest when we' re tired

...Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him.... the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God.  ( I Cor 2:9)

For My thoughts are nor your thoughts nor are your ways My ways declares the Lord. (Isaiah 55:8)

When possible, be still and quiet, rest, eat right, so you'll be strong and ready to do the work God's ordained for you.

And this one from another prayer warrior...

"Let the peace of Christ Jesus rule in your hearts deciding with finality all questions that arise in your mind." ( I Col 3:15)

Tomorrow, March 15th, will be the one year anniversary of the call that changed my life forever. So this weekend, we are going to be still, and know that He is God! I will share some of my experiences over that past week... next week.

I don't plan to check my email or blog comments this weekend. I may not even get on the computer at all. I want to enjoy the family that God has so blessed me with.

Please pray that I will "Be Still." That is hard for me to do. If I am still with nothing to do, my tendency is to find something. Pray for my wife that she will force me to be still without sedation.

I hope that these words spoke to someone else too... Remember that God loves YOU.

Today... My wife, Mrs. La-La Music (my terminology for the "soft" music she listens to), did something totally not herself...

Which is why I think Jesus must be coming soon... She Threw Up Her Rawk Fist! She typically does not care for much of my music... but she "caved" today and celebrated great music!

"Rawk Fist" is a song by one of my favorite bands... Thousand Foot Krutch.

So in her spirit of PRAISIN' HARDCORE... I thought I would share a little into my personality... Here are a few of my favorite bands with a few of their songs/videos...

• Project 86
• The Spy Hunter
• My Will Be A Dead Man
• FlyLeaf
• All Around Me
• Fully Alive
• Thousand Foot Krutch
• Move
• Rawkfist
• Kids in the Way
• Apparitions of Melody
• We Are
• Daughtry
• It's Not Over
• Home
• Red
• Breathe Into Me
• Let Go
• Seventh Day Slumber
• Awake
• Caroline
• Mat Kearney
• Nothing Left to Lose
• Undeniable
• Chevelle
• The Red
• Vitamin R
• Pink Floyd
• Wish You Were Here
  

Ok... Pink Floyd was not too "Praisin' Hardcore"... But they were one of the greatest bands ever!

And to my 9th-12th grade class... ALL THESE ARE BETTER THAN SKILLET!

To everyone that reads this blog. Most, if not all, of you know that Susanne and I were called to plant a church here in Florence, SC.

That church is Revolution Church.

Next week, I will be attending Intensive Church Planters Training (ICPT) on Monday, March 10th through Wednesday March 12th. This will be three very intense days (hence the name) preparing me to plant God's church.

What I need are some dedicated prayer partners. I would like to ask each and every one of you to commit to pray for Revolution Church and me during those three days (every day is appreciated).

• Pray that my family will be strong in my absence next week and be safe.
• Pray that God will make clear the Vision He has already placed in my heart.
• Pray that I would get a lot of the answers to questions that are unanswered about church planting.
• Pray that I would receive new questions without answers for more growth.
• Pray that I will never stop growing and always be open for new, innovative, and different ideas to reach people with the love of Jesus.
• Pray that I will love people more and more.
• Pray that I will never be judgmental and always be a good listener.
• Pray that I will become the best husband and dad a man can be.
• Pray that I will love my wife and kids more and more everyday and always tell and show them that.
• Pray that I will never knock or criticize methodologies for reaching people for Jesus Christ.
• Pray that I will not be uneasy when I first encounter a crack addict or professional stripper when they visit Revolution Church.
• Pray that I will be the best friend I can be to all whom I encounter.
• Pray that I will learn to be the best leader I can be.
• Pray that God can turn this Stupid Programmer into a great Church Planter.

My family and I would greatly appreciate your prayers during the next week, and for this entire adventure!

Will you be our Prayer Partner?

As a reminder of what Jesus did for me as a stupid, unworthy nobody...

I am so thankful for that Sunday!

(Follow link if you cannot see the video above)

Thanks to Jimmy Britt for sharing...

What a day!

• Early this morning, I met my friend Bryant Calcutt at South Florence Baptist to run some fiber (not the kind you put in your drink to make you regular)... This is computer stuff... In case you did not know... my SIL (Sister in Law) Karen calls me "Computer Club". Oh yeah, and Jeffery (Student Pastor), I hope you are happy now... That was too close to being like work!
• Next I was off to the Greenwood Baseball Complex with Jacob for our first baseball practice of the season. It was fun. I am head coach this year and have a great bunch of kids that are so excited to be there! Go Astros!
• Then we decided to have a family outing to La Bamba... Mexican is quickly becoming our favorite food! Let me share three quotes from the kids while we were sitting eating our chips.

"The people in here are so nice... momma, do you know why they are so nice... Chinese people are very nice!"  --Emilee Reeder

"American sauce... girl... how do you know about American sauce... you don't even live in America!"  --Jacob Reeder

"Mrs. Russell!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" --Sam Reeder
FYI: Mrs. Russell is his teacher which he loves more than me I think...

• Now it is time for a movie with the kids... The Game Plan with The Rock!
• And after that... ya never know... Susanne and I may even have "dessert"

• Emilee Reeder: Susanne and the boys went "out on the town" tonight and left me and Emilee to have a father daughter night. We started it out right... ICE CREAM!!! Then we snuggled up and watch Freaky Friday. She said "dad, what if we woke up and had changed places" I told her... girl... that would not be good!
  
• Vince Antonucci: He shared his thoughts on homosexuality. Speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). The more I read by Vince, the more I wanna read.
  
• Dave Anderson: He reminded me to look in the mirror and celebrate the person God created me to be.
  
  "But I am fearfully and wonderfully made and even though I think I suck at most everything - God doesn't think that at all and believes that I can make a difference in the world"
  
• Chris Elrod: I am so glad I met him at Evolve! Earlier this week, he shared a story about Pete on his blog. Who is Pete? A man with a tattoo that reads "Hell Bound"... One problem... he wont be going there!
  
• Tammi (AKA: ValleyGirl): She got my attention with her PG-13... maybe even R Rated Love Letter! Brace yourself...

Dear ValleyGirl,

I will seek and I will find you.
I shall take you to bed and have my way with you.
I will make you ache, shake & sweat until you moan & groan.
I will make you beg for mercy, beg for me to stop.
I will exhaust you to the point that you will be relieved when I'm finished with you.


And, when I am finished, you will be weak for days.

All my love,
The Flu

Tonight (yeah.. we celebrated on Friday night this week) was family night.

We changed it up a little tonight. Mom, Emilee, and Sam played board games.

Dad and Jacob... well... we did a little project...

Two hours, 310 pieces of Lego's, and two Barq's Root Beers later...

My kids are da' bomb!

When I got home from work tonight, Emilee and Jacob wanted me to guess what they had for lunch today at school. So I guessed...

Cod Fish (from Peter Pan)

They said... NOPE

Chicken Rings!!

Then I thought to myself...

What part of the chicken does chicken rings come from?

Any thoughts???

You have no idea what Monday and Tuesday meant to me at Evolve. On this blog, and in person, I have always tried to be real and very transparent. So... here is my story.

I know with out a doubt that God has called me to plant a church to make a difference for Jesus in Florence, SC.

Over the past month... the devil has had a hay-day (southern for field day) in my brain. He has told me often that I am not good enough to lead a church. I have had a hard time dealing with this. Upon examining myself, my weaknesses showed up in an awful way. It is hard stuff to hear and realize!!! Since that time... I have been really defeated.

This week, I have realized (little slow sometimes) that I am not good enough to plant a church!

BUT GOD IS!!!

I met so many great people this week that truly ministered to me and probably have no idea how much! I want to take just a few minutes to share how...

On Monday morning, before the Evolve Conference even started, Susanne and I went to the Waffle House to get some good quality breakfast. Our waitress was a hoot. She was so happy to be alive. Her coworker received a phone call... evidently she had man issues. Our waitress looked at her in a stern voice after a little bit of chatting with her... "Girl, you need to put your faith in God up in Heaven, not some man". It hit home... I cannot put my faith in some man (me), Susanne, or a core team... My faith belongs in God alone! Through Him I can do all things!

When we arrived, we were greeted by a great bunch of volunteers. Thanks everyone for making us feel so welcome! While walking around, Shawn Lovejoy and wife Tricia stopped us to chat a little. What great people! I see a lot of myself in him. He is even an Alabama Fan! Thanks so much Shawn for allowing us to come and get ministered to!

Later Monday, I spoke to to Steven Furtick and shared a little about how the devil was messing with me and that I did not feel good enough to plant a church. He shared from his heart with this comment: "Florence needs you!" Please note what he did NOT say... He did not say God needs me. God does not need me but He wants me! Florence needs people to show LOVE and GRACE and live the The Gospel in front of them.

After speaking with Steven, we ran into Mark Batterson. I had to share with him how much his book In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day changed my life. (He is probably one of the most humble men I have ever met.) He shared with us how much he needed to hear that. He mentioned to us that he was struggling a bit with his new book. God told me pray for him right there. I reasoned with it... my mind kept saying, "That is Mark Batterson, he has places to go, people to talk to"... so I was disobedient and did not pray. God cleaned my clock about it while heading to the hotel. Needless to say... it was a little late, but he did get prayed for. God spoke to me that I was to always pray for others! Always... even when I don't feel like it, or question the timing!

Yesterday evening, I spoke with Bil Cornelius after his sermon in the final session. I shared how discouraged I have been, and how I did not feel like I had what it takes. He told me a quick little story about Saul. Saul had all the great markings of a leader (in man's eyes)... There was one problem. He was not the man God wanted and called. God called the young, unqualified, clueless shepherd-boy, David. That is so me! Susanne has been telling me that God does not call the equipped, but He equips the called! Man... That has never resonated so strongly.

So, here I am a day later... conference is over... I have finally accepted what the devil told me... I cannot do this nor am I good enough...

But my God is! I am trusting in His calling!

I will share my notes from Day 2 of the conference over the next couple of days... If you missed day 1, check it out here.

I did want to send a shot out to some other great people I met: Paul Peterson and his wife (he called me astute... had to look that one up...), J.R. Lee, Rindy Walton, Chris Elrod, Tadd Grandstaff, Boyd Bettis and his wife, Jamie Limato, Gary Lamb, Casey Graham (BAMA FAN... he even knew where Opp, AL was located!), David Putman, Dave Anderson, Adam Walker (check out the video he posted here... WOW).

I know I am missing some and I am very sorry... I want to thank you all for spending time to encourage me and lift me up!

You all were matches that helped ignite the fire! Now I am ready to burn for Jesus, and give him all I've got!

Today was such an awesome day in my life. It was a time that enabled the fire in me to be turned up just a little more...

I want to start out by thanking Shawn & Tricia Lovejoy and the the Mountain Lake Church staff for allowing us to be a part of such a great conference.

Shawn, thank for cleaning my clock!!! (did I just thank him for that???) Seriously, we are just starting our church planting adventure and I already see so many areas in which I need discipline (the worst word in the dictionary). "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:7) Thanks for loving us me enough to share those hard word to hear.

"Great leaders are healthy."
"Christ has to work in me before He can work through me."
"If the only time I open my Bible is to study for a message, I've got a problem."
"Balance building great churches with building a great family."
"Self control is about getting under God's Control."
"People won't respect us as spiritual leaders if they don't see us as disciplined people."
"Discipline gives us authority."

Thanks Shawn, I have already started journaling my daily Bible reading, but after your message, I am going to start journaling my prayers too! Roll Tide!!!

Devin Hudson, thank you for reminding me to trust in The Gospel. Devin has left the religious south to go to SIN CITY. He has seen more "stuff" in a little over two years than we will ever encounter in Florence, SC. Already in ministry, we I have gotten caught up in all the "business" of church planting... Devin reminded us to trust in The Gospel. Music, methodologies, dress code, and meeting locations do not change people...THE GOSPEL changes people! It is not about us and what we can do... it is about what God can do.

"To make it about us, empties the Cross of it's power"

Do I trust the Gospel?
Do I trust the Gospel for my people?
Do I trust the Gospel in my culture?

"Am I keeping my bar as low as Jesus."
"Only the Gospel changes lives."
"I am careful what I criticize, the Gospel is larger than my preferences."

He left us with this question concerning guests of our churches... "What do people think they must DO to be a follower of Jesus?"

Steven Furtick, Man... I really wish you would learn how to preach... (JUST KIDDING!!) Today was the first time I ever heard him in person. WOW sums it up! He challenged us me to become an audacious (marked by originality) leader.

"Courageous leadership is not a product of cut and paste. It must be born from inside out."

Steven shared from Joshua 10 where Joshua prayed for the sun to stand still. It is funny to think about what he said next "what if Joshua would have said... I will pray for a miracle like Moses did and maybe God will part the land like He did the sea." Joshua prayed for a new miracle. His own... Joshua was not to copy Moses... He was to be the leader God called him to be!

"Don't mix and match miracles, let God do His own in you."
"Don't build a Mr. Potato Head ministry." (in reference to taking different pieces from different churches)

Thanks Steven for inspiring me to dream big!

I met so many people today. It was truly an awesome experience I will never forget.

Congrats to Paul Peterson for advancing to the next round of the Guitar Hero contest! Now if I can just get Jay Hardwick past the first round tomorrow... Sorry Chris, I gotta root for Jay!

I can hardly wait to see how God will bless tomorrow!

Watch out Cumming, GA! The Reeders have landed!

The rain, darkness, and my eyes did not make a great combination, but through God's grace we made it...

Now... time for some grub. Longhorn is calling our names...