Daughtry and Dandelion Christianity

30 08 2007

How in the world did Daughtry not win American Idol. Daughtry was AWESOME! I am already a HUGE Daughtry fan and going to his concert only furthered that. What a show. Very cool. My wife did an awesome job of surprising me with floor seats for my birthday. We left for Pueblo as soon as Jonah got home from school that day and came back this morning. Definitely want to go to another show when he comes back in our area.

A “Christian” band opened for Daughtry that night. Daughtry’s music definitely has some spiritual overtones/undertones. His band before American Idol was a Christian alternative band. When they announced who was opening I was excited. Not only as a chance to hear this band but how cool it was that Daughtry would invite them to come along. No need to tell you who the band was. First of all, their sound was horrible. Very disappointed in their quality. EVEN MORE disappointing was their display of dandelion Christianity.

What is dandelion Christianity? Glad you asked. At a break in the music the lead singer after yelling “ARE YOU READY TO ROCK AND ROOOOLLLLLLL?” 20 times, went on a spiel about what could change the world. He said (as word for word as I can remember): “Machine guns can’t change the world. Money can’t change the world. Power can’t change the world. We firmly believe that there is only ONE THING that can change the world. Put your arm around your neighbor and love them no matter what they believe.” I about came out of my seat. That is dandelion Christianity. The “can’t we all just get along” theology. What about Jesus? Maybe HE is the only thing that can change the world. I agree we need to love people who are not like us, BUT THAT WON’T CHANGE THE WORLD. Only Jesus can, and Jesus in THEIR lives. Anyway, I was very disappointed. I would have rather him said nothing, than say that.

Anyway, we had a GREAT time. My wife is awesome and thank you Terri for staying behind with the Maness mayhem.

Following Christ,

Jeff


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Categories : Random, faith, family

First Day Of School

29 08 2007

Today is Jonah’s first day of school. It’s weird that we now have kids in school. Crazy. Mariah starts pre-school next week. Walking through the halls of Dildine Elementary yesterday I told Sabrina “I fought like mad to get out of places like this, now I’m taking my boy to it.” I hope Jonah enjoys school and applies himself better than I did. I didn’t put much stock into education. Jonah is excited and I’m excited for him. I pray that God uses him to be a leader in his school. I pray every day that the lives of my kids would reflect that of God’s Son, Jesus. That other students would follow Jonah, Mariah, Makalah and Jaydah as they follow Christ. Jonah has a leader personality that will attract people to him (plus he has his dad’s devastating good looks). Seriously though, God can do GREAT things through children. I hope he does through mine. I hope I’m the kind of father they want to emulate and follow. I hope I can give sound advice and counsel as they begin to face the temptations of the day. Now I’m gonna get emotional. First day of school. I pray it is the beginning of many years where God can redeem people.

Following Christ,

Jeff


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Categories : personal

Go Big Or Go Home!

28 08 2007

We are filming a video series, really a short film, for our preview services, leading up to and culminating on launch Sunday. When we air them we’ll put them on the web for all to see. This is the most involved video I’ve ever been a part of, and if you know me, you know how much I LOVE doing videos. Keenan, Adam and I spent several creative sessions mapping it all out. Creating time lines, scripts, scenes, and writing the entire story. We were able to purchase from a missionary, a professional video camera. We are using three 500 watt lights to create lighting in each scene. Yesterday (Monday) we started our day at 8:30 finalizing film sets, we started filming at 10 AM and finished at midnight. Today began again at 8:3o am and finished at 11 PM. Like I said, the most involved film I’ve been a part of. I have such respect for what Hollywood is able to pull off. Keenan has done a FANTASTIC job acting and Adam is doing GREAT directing and filming. We are doing more than we should for the size we are but it’s been fun. We have two more nights to film this week and then it will all be sent to the editing room. From using an actual professional voice over from California, a $400,000 home, a Cadillac DTS, a gun, a coffin, a cemetery, a local church, several businesses and Cheyenne and general, it will be bigger than anticipated. If it comes out how we saw it in our minds during creative sessions it will be good. Anyway, that’s been my past two days. I have some BIG NEWS coming in my next blog about upcoming events and promotions. Feel REALLY good about some decisions we made today at staff meeting. Stay tuned for more.

Following Christ,

Jeff


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Categories : church planting, updates, video

Weekend Wrapup

27 08 2007

Man, it doesn’t seem possible. We held our last Unplugged service yesterday morning at the Holiday Inn. I can’t believe we are two weeks out from meeting every week in the theater. Launch still is Oct. 7th but we are doing the month of previews in September. Here are some things from the weekend and the coming week.

— We had 54 yesterday at Unplugged. God has RICHLY blessed us with an amazing core group of people. Folks who give, serve, worship, and are committed to what we are doing. It absolutely blows my mind that people want to be a part of something I’m leading. It really does.

— Don’t have the count on the offering yet. I’ll update that when I can. (By the way, I share these numbers to keep people updated and to rejoice in what God is doing. I hope everyone understands that I am not trying to “keep track” “brag” or “complain” about what is going on. I will brag on God all the time and will do that unashamedly.)

— I really felt yesterdays service was GREAT! We had 2 brand new people at Unplugged yesterday and it just really seemed that God’s Spirit was evident. I challenged us to avoid the “we will when…” syndrome and used the Scripture in Luke 17 where Jesus says “…the kingdom of God can’t be seen…can’t point to it here or there…the Kingdom of God is within you.” I think so many times we say “We will really make in impact when…” and you fill in the blank. When we have 500 people. When we have a building. When giving is “x” amount of dollars. When we have all of our full time staff in place. When…When…When… What about now? The Kingdom of God is within us and among us, that means at 50 we have the same Kingdom of God as we have at 500. That means at 50 WE CAN MAKE AN IMPACT. NOW! It challenged me anyway. I don’t want to always be looking at “the church” who has it all figured out. Or be looking to a point ahead when “God really shows up”. I want to share the Kingdom that is within us NOW!

— Today we are filming a short film for our CSI series. Keenan is the lead actor, we have a professional camera, lighting, the whole works. This short film will be shown in 5 episodes leading up to launch and it has a direct connection to launch and our launch series. If we do it right and do it well it is going to be AWESOME! Keenan is a phenomenal actor, Adam has been doing his research about filming and I get to drive a Cadillac DTS today. lol We needed a SWEET car for the film and that is what we are using. We have a realtor getting us into a $400,000 home for the video as well.

— These next 2 weeks are going to be long but go by superfast. We have a lot on our list to get done, especially Adam! That dude has got a lot on his plate. Keenan is taking off work today to act in the film and will probably put up some evenings for us as well doing some acting. Love the way that guy communicates through drama.

— Please pray this week as we finalize some launch day things. Some BIG financial decisions to make and we covet your prayers. Thanks for those of you who follow along and are lifting us up in prayer. Would love to hear from you anytime through the comments or email.

— Ok, that is the hook up and set up. I’ll update more through the week. One month and then we’re going to big church! Putting our big boy pants on.

Following Christ,

Jeff


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Categories : Random, Weekend Wrapup, updates

"It doesn’t get any better than this!"

25 08 2007

NO I’m not drinking an Old Milwaukee! I’m sitting on my front porch…it’s sunny and 79 degrees…I just got done with my quiet time…I’m watching my kids play across the street at the school park…and I’m getting ready for our live online fantasy football draft!

— Having 4 kids is crazy and borderline suicidal at times, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world. REALLY!

— Church planting is the hardest most scary work I’ve ever done. But I can’t imagine doing anything else.

— Being married means that sometimes you have to MAKE it work. I can’t imagine my life without my wife. She is absolutely unbelievable. I don’t think I could be a pastor without her. (Please don’t take the opening comment of this thought and blow it out of proportion)

— Football is just around the corner. But it is FAR down on my list. I am a SOONER fanatic. I watch the countdown on the www.ouinsider.com website. I wear the gear. I Tivo the games. BUT without my God…without my wife…without my kids…without this church, I AM NOTHING!

Following Christ,

Jeff


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Categories : personal

"It doesn’t get any better than this!"

25 08 2007

NO I’m not drinking an Old Milwaukee! I’m sitting on my front porch…it’s sunny and 79 degrees…I just got done with my quiet time…I’m watching my kids play across the street at the school park…and I’m getting ready for our live online fantasy football draft!

— Having 4 kids is crazy and borderline suicidal at times, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world. REALLY!

— Church planting is the hardest most scary work I’ve ever done. But I can’t imagine doing anything else.

— Being married means that sometimes you have to MAKE it work. I can’t imagine my life without my wife. She is absolutely unbelievable. I don’t think I could be a pastor without her. (Please don’t take the opening comment of this thought and blow it out of proportion)

— Football is just around the corner. But it is FAR down on my list. I am a SOONER fanatic. I watch the countdown on the www.ouinsider.com website. I wear the gear. I Tivo the games. BUT without my God…without my wife…without my kids…without this church, I AM NOTHING!

Following Christ,

Jeff


Comments : No Comments »

Categories : personal

"It doesn’t get any better than this!"

25 08 2007

NO I’m not drinking an Old Milwaukee! I’m sitting on my front porch…it’s sunny and 79 degrees…I just got done with my quiet time…I’m watching my kids play across the street at the school park…and I’m getting ready for our live online fantasy football draft!

— Having 4 kids is crazy and borderline suicidal at times, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world. REALLY!

— Church planting is the hardest most scary work I’ve ever done. But I can’t imagine doing anything else.

— Being married means that sometimes you have to MAKE it work. I can’t imagine my life without my wife. She is absolutely unbelievable. I don’t think I could be a pastor without her. (Please don’t take the opening comment of this thought and blow it out of proportion)

— Football is just around the corner. But it is FAR down on my list. I am a SOONER fanatic. I watch the countdown on the www.ouinsider.com website. I wear the gear. I Tivo the games. BUT without my God…without my wife…without my kids…without this church, I AM NOTHING!

Following Christ,

Jeff


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Categories : personal

Friday Freebies

24 08 2007

— We went out to the Extreme Makeover home being done here in Cheyenne today for the reveal. We got out there at 11 AM being told the reveal would be between noon and 1 PM. We had to leave at 4 PM and they (as far as I know) at 6 PM still hadn’t revealed to the family. I’ll never watch that show the same again. So much is “hollywood” staged stuff. You had to figure a lot would be but it was weird watching them do it. We had GREAT positions. Right in front of the bus. They filmed the bus leaving, the crowd chanting “move that bus”, the crowd screaming, and the limo pulling up ALL before the family ever arrived.

— Jonah starts Kindergarten next Wednesday. WOW they grow up fast. Our school is directly across the street so that is handy.

— Mariah starts pre-school in 2 weeks. Two kids in school. Makalah starts next year in pre-school. In 2 years 3 of our 4 kids will be in elementary school.

— DAUGHTRY on Wednesday as well. My wife, AWESOME wife bought me tickets to Daughtry next Wednesday. We’re going to Pueblo, CO and staying the night down there. Can’t wait. That will be fun.

— We’re still working on some cool video stuff for preview and launch, and we’ll be launching our Element promotions in a little over a week.,


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Categories : Random

Are We That Dumb?

23 08 2007

In my Bible journey right now I’m in Deuteronomy. Love the Old Testament. I need to know it better. I neglected the OT early in my walk with Christ and I’m suffering for it now. I hope my kids develop habits sooner than I did. Anyway, totally not where I’m going with this. Well…I guess it kind of is. In Deuteronomy Moses was recounting the story of the flight from Egypt through the wilderness to where they were…camped on the East side of the Jordan river waiting to cross in to the Promise Land. Check this out:

The Israelites (the first time they came to the Jordan on the East side of the Promise Land) had a decision to make. Moses restating what had happened said this. Deut. 1:21-22 “Look! He (God) has placed the land in front of you. Go and occupy it as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, has promised you. Don’t be afraid! Don’t be discouraged! But you all came to me and said, “First, let’s send out scouts to explore the land for us. They will advise us on the best route to take and which towns we should enter.”

Know why so many Christians aren’t experiencing ALL that God has intended for them? Know why so many Christians are still wandering in the wilderness? Know why so many Christians just DON’T GET IT…are satisfied living complacent lives…content in mediocrity…still not filled with the Spirit of the Almighty God? They are looking for the “best route” and wondering “which towns” they should enter. They are trying to find the promise land the way THEY WANT and God is saying “Just go. The land is in front of you. I’ll lead you.!”

Are we that dumb? I’m afraid many times we are. We are just like the Israelites. And we wonder why we wander in the wilderness.

Following Christ,

Jeff


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Categories : discipleship, faith, personal

Decisions

21 08 2007

MAN! Financial decisions are the toughest for me right now in this whole church plant thing. We have been SO blessed through our mother church and through our church conference financially. We received over $150,000 of seed money from those two groups to get started. The hardest part right now is budgeting that to fund the initial year. Obviously we want to plan ahead to ensure that year #2 happens, but part of making sure year #2 happens is spending some money in year 1 to attract and assimilate people to Element Church. We are facing, in the next week, some SERIOUS financial decisions at it pertains to launch. We want to launch HUGE so we want to be specific in our promotions and do the things that will yield us the most fruit. Anyway, my personality is “Let’s do it all!” and that’s not what we need right now. We are seeking God for some advice and wise counsel in these matters. We want absolute peace about the financial decisions that have to be made. Your prayers are MUCH appreciated.


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Categories : church planting, decisions, finances

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