This past weekend was our Facedown communion service and it was incredible. I am so thankful to be apart of such a powerful experience that God has taken and used as a catalyst in so many relationships with Him. This was one of the most simple Facedown's we've done in a while (I think they just keep getting more simple as God is teaching us that sometimes simplicity can often be the best way).
As I eluded to in a previous post, the service was used as an illustration of how our lives can become so filled with distractions that we struggle to stay focused on Jesus. I've heard so many off the service talk about how much they needed the reminder to keep their eyes fixed on the cross.
A very powerful moment in the service was a video we used before going into Steve Fee's "Beautiful the Blood". The video is called the Bridge and it features scenes from a short film titled "Most":
Highlight of the evening for me was seeing my eight year old son, Austin, take communion for the first time. That's good stuff!
Here's my second contribution to the ever growing Creative Chaos group over at the Ragamuffin Soul blog. There's been some really cool stuff shared from various churches around the map.
Every few months we do a special communion service we call Facedown. The entire concept is inspired by Matt Redman's book, Facedown. (Great book. Highly recommend it!) This service is like no other communion service I've been to. We value creativity incredibly. Most communion services I've been to have been somber and fairly boring. So we've reworked it to be a night of celebration and reflection, which both are elements of facedown worship. (See Matt's book!)
At the next edition, which is Sunday night, we are focusing on a theme of eliminating distractions in our lives so that we can focus on Jesus. So we decided to use the service as an illustration of eliminating distractions. Throughout the service, the cross will be in the middle of the stage but pushed toward the back. A light will be on it constantly. What will change is everything else around it. At the start of the service the stage will be full with band members, lots of candles, lighted spandex as a background, and plenty of moving backgrounds on the screens, all trying to distract us from the cross. As the service progresses, elements will be removed one by one until the only thing on the stage will be the cross. Even the worship leader for two songs will be back stage leading the singing. Our prayer is that the service will serve as a tangible example of how distractions can keep us from focusing on Jesus.
So I ask for your prayers as we move toward this service that God will teach us to focus on Him. I'll keep you posted on what happens.
God,
I confess to you that I have been living without vision that is huge, vision that only You can handle. I am sorry for allowing life to distract me. I regret that my eyes have grown to focus on the here and now rather than on what is to come.
I want to be a dreamer, to see things through the eyes of extreme faith. Stretch my horizons, Father. Disturb me with the fact that I have lost the ability to pray believing that You will answer. Burn in me a passion for greater things that are yet to come.
O God, I am sorry for thinking so many times that I have arrived in my relationship with You and not realizing that it's not even about the destination but about the journey.
Inspire me with Your greatness and splendor.
Amen.
In the process of reading this book called unChristian by Dave Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons. Very thought provoking book on the how our current culture, particularly those 16-29, view Christianity. It is an honest look that has really broken my heart for our culture and for the direction of the church. I would encourage anyone to read it. It is very heavy with statistics, but don't let that bog you down. Look for the deeper meaning in it all.
Here's a quote I read on another blog that fits perfectly with the thread of unChristian:
“Religion” is where people who have lost the ability to be real and honest go to feel important.
What are your thoughts on this? Do you agree or disagree? Why?
Last night Laurie and I went out to dinner with some friends. It's always good to get out without the kids and just laugh and talk. Good stuff! Anyway, when we got home last night, we saw this poem on our bed from our 8-year old, Austin (spelling errors left in on purpose):
Just beileve in the one
Come on, beileve in the one who died for you
He's powerfole, he's mighty, he's graet
Just beileve, beileve
Beileve in the one who died for you
Yeah, oh yeah, beileve, beileve
In the one who died, Yeah!
I cannot express how much this touched our hearts. This morning as I was having some quiet time with God, I read this again and started weeping. You see, yesterday was quite a rough day for us as our van broke down and we've been trying to figure out what we were going to do. God used Austin's beautiful words to remind me that He is powerful and mighty and great. He is the One who died for me. So I just need to believe.
Thank you Austin. And thank you Jesus for reminding me that You will take care of me.
Yesterday, on our way home from Maryland, we made a stop in Charlotte, NC, to visit Elevation Church. Elevation is lead by Pastor Steven Furtick and a wonderful staff. The church is a little over two years old and they have two campuses with a weekly attendance of over 4,000. Quite phenomenal! Like TrueNorth, they make it a priority to speak the language of the culture through music, graphics, and speaking.
I just wanted to applaud them as they are making a tremendous impact for the kingdom of God...and that's what it's all about!
Mount Vernon sits on 8,000 acres of land and has beautiful flower gardens and farm lands. The centerpiece of the whole thing is the mansion, which was built around 1741. Laurie asked one of the guides what percentage of the furniture and decor was original and they said about 40%. Incredible preservation.
One of the most disheartening things from our visit is to learn that Americans are becoming more and more American History illiterate. Unfortunately we have grown to lack appreciation for the character, leadership, and accomplishments of our fore fathers. I'm excited to challenge our kids to appreciate and learn more about our country's history. Because it's that important!
Just finished watching the Idol Gives Back special on Fox tonight. I'm a big American Idol fan and I love what they have done with the Idol Gives Back show. It's really cool to see so many people across the world pulling together to help those who can't help themselves throughout the world. Here are some highlights from tonight:
- Carrie Underwood was amazing! I'm not sure the name of the song, but it was beautiful and she sang it.
- Malaria is an incredibly easy thing to prevent, yet such an incredible killer. I was blown away that it only costs $10 to save a life. That's all it costs to provide a mosquito net for one family in Africa.
- Jimmy Kimmel roasted Simon, everyone's favorite judge to hate.
- Randy Jackson played bass for Mariah. That "dawg" can play!
- To close out the show, the Idol contestants sang Shout to the Lord by Hillsong's Darlene Zschech. I was absolutely stunned. This isn't the first time Jesus has taken center stage on Idol. Numerous contestants have professed a relationship with Jesus and many songs have been sung that contain a Christian undertone. To God be the glory!
I read this post today and it got me to thinking about the series we did at Christmas called Scrapped. We pledged to worship Jesus through compassion and not consumption. I guess this is why the Idol show tonight was so powerful for me. People putting themselves aside for the benefit of others. That's my greatest prayer for my life and my family.
Laurie and I packed up the kids and headed to visit my parents in Maryland this week. It's nice to get away!!! We are just outside of Washington, DC, which is probably one of my favorite places to visit because of how rich in history it is and because there is so much to do. Yesterday we took the kids to the National Zoo and had a great time!
As this week eases by, I'm so thankful for the down time to reflect on life and enjoy my family. Here's just a few things in my head right now:
- My kids are awesome! 11 hours in a van will teach you that. Walking around the zoo with a plethora of other kids will teach it as well. No, they aren't perfect...but they are pretty awesome!
- The scenery in Virginia/Maryland is breathtaking.
- God is rocking my world again with A.W. Tozer's "The Pursuit of God". If you haven't read it, READ IT!
- Facedown is coming soon --- April 27. Mark it on your calendar and circle it in red. God is inspiring some pretty cool stuff.
- I'm going to get a chance to go here, and hear this guy speak (who spoke at TrueNorth a few years ago) and probably will get to meet this guy. I am excited to go to church with my family and not be tempted to work!
- I love what God is doing at TrueNorth. I am passionate about reaching people in the Augusta area. I am excited to see what He has in store for us in the months ahead!
- My wife is my best friend. I can never get enough time with her.
- I love vacation!
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TrueNorth Church (host) Updated: Aug 22, 2007
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